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Photo via ThePaper) Cai Mingjing and Xiao Xiaojie, two girls born in the 1990s, stood out among the 101 recipients of this years Rural Teacher Award, an award set up by Chinese businessman Jack Ma to encourage and support rural education. The two young girls took part in the award ceremony in Sanya, a city in the southern province of Hainan, and received a cash prize of 100,000 yuan, which will be paid out over a period of three years. Cai, a city girl, teaches at a remote village school in a mountainous area of central Chinas Hubei province. The school has only 46 students and 6 teachers. Some of the students are disabled, and some of the parents are either divorced, ill, or gone. It doesnt feel like a school, because theres not very many children and the students here are so sensible and thoughtful that you can feel their distress and helplessness, Cai said. Although the living condition is unbearable, she still insists to stay. Under this newly-developed modern society, everything is shifting. Rural teachers shouldnt limit themselves to just keeping company and offering support. We should learn more, share more, find more, and influence more, Cai added. Cai has loaned 100,000 yuan to the school and commands numerous online resources for other teachers and students and also teaches them how to teach and study online. (Xiao Xiaojie teaches in her class. Photo via ThePaper) Xiao, another post-90s girl, used to have a stable job in Chengdu, a major city in southwest Chinas Sichuan province. Her life focus switched to rural education during a trip to the mountainous areas of the province. Her living condition changed after she pursued a career in rural education, as she had to deal with rats running around in her accommodation at night. Like Cai, Xiao never stopped exploring new methods, such as using mind-mapping, which she used to broaden childrens horizon and to teach English, a skill which is often undervalued in rural areas. We should treat our students as flower buds. Maybe some of them will blossom later, but eventually they will all bloom, Xiao said. As support is an important way to improve educational conditions in rural and poverty-stricken areas, Jack Ma set up the rural teacher initiative in September 2015, aiming to find excellent rural teachers and to enhance public appreciation for village teachers, so as to encourage more people to attach importance to rural education. Despite efforts by the Trump administration to pressure Beijing into reducing the US-China trade deficit, the trade surplus with the US still reached $323.32 billion last year the highest level since 2006. The trade surplus grew 17 percent from around $275 billion a year ago, Chinas General Administration of Customs announced on Monday. The figure is the highest on record since 2006, according to government-affiliated Global Times newspaper. Exports to the US surged 11.3 percent year-on-year in 2018 to $478.4 billion, while imports from the US to China rose a scanty 0.7 percent over the same period. Also on rt.com Chinese investment in US plunges 83% amid simmering trade war The data raises questions about the success of the trade war and increased tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump against China in an attempt to reduce the US trade deficit. The levies targeted hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods last year and forced Beijing to retaliate. Washington was threatening even higher tariffs before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on a 90-day truce in December. The trade surplus with Washington was not the only record for Beijing in 2018, according to the released customs data. Despite a volatile year, overall foreign trade volume rose 12.6 percent to record $4.62 trillion. Exports growth in 2018 was the highest in 7 years, surging 9.9 percent while imports grew 15.8 percent compared with last year. China effectively tackled changes of the external environment last year, and the foreign trade maintained stable and positive growth, reaching a historic high in import and export volume, the customs spokesperson, Li Kuiwen, said on Monday. He added that cooperation with Belt and Road countries has become new driving force of Chinas foreign trade development. Chinas trade growth may slow in 2019 due to external uncertainties and rising protectionism, Li warned. Even though export growth was the highest since 2011, last years overall Chinese trade surplus fell to the lowest level since 2013. In December, exports and imports unexpectedly fell 4.4 percent and 7.6 percent respectively from a year earlier. In an apparent reaction to the news, major Asian indexes tumbled on Monday. Hong Kongs benchmark Hang Seng lost 1.38 percent, while the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.71 percent to finish its trading day at 2,535.77. Only Japans Nikkei 225 did not slip among others, rising nearly 1 percent. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Trade turnover between Russia and China soared by nearly 30 percent in 2018, reaching a record number of $107.06 billion, according to the latest report released by Chinas General Administration of Customs (GAC). The agency noted that last year Russian imports of Chinese goods increased by 12 percent to $47.98 billion. At the same time, Chinas imports from Russia grew by 42.7 percent, reaching $59.08 billion. In December alone, the volume of trade between the neighboring countries reportedly totaled $9.8 billion. Russia-China trade turnover has grown significantly over recent years. In 2017, mutual trade amounted to $84.07 billion demonstrating a growth of 20.8 percent. In 2016, the trade turnover grew by 2.2 percent in annual terms to $69.52 billion. Also on rt.com Trump tariff fail? Chinas trade surplus with US hits highest level in more than decade Russia became Chinas number one partner when it comes to trade growth dynamics, according to the GAC spokesman Li Kuiwen. The spokesman added that China had mostly exported electromechanical goods to Russia, while purchased oil, coal, and wood. Last week, the Chinese commerce ministry said that mutual trade between the countries in December reached $100 billion for the first time ever. Russia is currently ranked as Chinas tenth biggest trade partner. Beijing remained a major importer of Russian produce, accounting for 15 percent of the countrys international trade as of 2017. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Macedonia parliaments decision to rename country doesnt reflect will of people Moscow Macedonia parliaments decision to rename country doesnt reflect will of people Moscow The decision of the Macedonian Parliament, which voted to rename the country, has been imposed from the outside and does not reflect the will of the people, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Moscow sees in this move the continuing process of artificial changing the state name to forcefully draw Skopje into NATO. According to the commentary, the position of the head of the Republic of Macedonia and the opinion of the majority of its population who reject the name deal with Greece are being ignored. The ministry also cited opposition to the deal in Greece and reiterated Russias call for a stable solution to be found without external pressure and imposition of terms and conditions, based on a broad public support and within legal framework. This issue must be considered by the UN Security Council, the ministry said.Source : RT - Daily news Greek parliament opens govt confidence debate, to hold vote on Wednesday official Greek parliament opens govt confidence debate, to hold vote on Wednesday official The Greek parliament will open a confidence debate in the government on Tuesday, with the vote expected on Wednesday night, Reuters reports, citing a parliamentary official. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called the confidence vote following the resignation of coalition partner Panos Kammenos and his Independent Greeks party on Sunday over a deal to end a decades-long dispute between Athens and Skopje over Macedonias name. Tsipras leftist Syriza party has 145 seats in the 300-seat parliament and the support of one independent lawmaker. The PM needs the support of at least five more deputies to win the confidence vote. Even if Tsipras prevails in the confidence vote, the government will have to rely on the backing of lawmakers outside his party to push through legislative initiatives. Tsipras hopes to bring the Macedonia name deal to parliament after the confidence vote, if he wins it.Source : RT - Daily news A Canadian man convicted of smuggling an enormous amount of drugs into China has been sentenced to death by a Chinese court in a case that will likely further strain relations between Ottawa and Beijing. A former oil worker, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, was initially arrested back in 2015 on suspicion of smuggling more than 200 kilograms of methamphetamine into China. In November 2018, he was sentenced to 15 years in jail and a fine amounting to 150,000 yuan ($22,185). The Canadian, who claims to be innocent and accuses China of framing him, appealed his case but his appeal apparently backfired as the Chinese prosecutors considered his sentence too lenient and demanded a harsher one. Also on rt.com Canadian who smuggled enormous amount of drugs may face death penalty in China Evidence obtained by the investigators suggests Schellenberg was involved in organized international drug crime, the prosecution argued. Chinas strict drug laws apply a sentence of 15 years, life imprisonment or death as well as property confiscation for drug trafficking in amounts over a kilogram. China has executed foreign drug smugglers before: UK citizen Akmal Shaikh was put to death in 2009, despite protests from British authorities, for smuggling over four kilograms of heroin. DETAILS TO FOLLOW As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Zhang's hands are rough due to years of hard work. (Photo: People's Daily) Zhang Yingshan, a 62-year-old forestry worker in Northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province, has planted over one million trees over the past 20 years to make the mountains green again. Zhang has spent his entire life surrounded by the woodland around Yichun, Chinas forest capital, a city with 4 million hectares of forest that used to be known for its lumber industry. Back in the 1970s, Zhang worked as a logger in Yichuns vast woodland, cutting down towering trees to fuel the citys booming lumber industry. Yet even the most abundant resources can dry up. Coverage of natural forest began to recede since the turn of the century. It takes decades and even a hundred years to grow a tree into a towering one, yet it only takes us one minute to cut it down, said Zhang, adding: We cant keep doing this and leave future generations with nothing. After years of effort to reduce logging, Yichun announced in 2011 that it would permanently halt the practice. It released a guideline on ecological protection and economic restructuring. Within two years, all commercial logging was banned. One way to reduce logging is to plant more trees. In 1981, Zhang, then 25, signed a contract with the state-owned natural forest enterprise he was working for to plant trees in the mountains. The tree planting period is very short, especially in cold, snowy mountain areas. If it starts to freeze before the root system has had a chance to develop, the tree will not be strong enough to survive the cold weather. When spring arrived, Zhang would begin his day of work at 2 oclock in the morning, carrying saplings on his shoulder and hiking in the rugged mountains for two hours. He would plant as many as 1,000 trees a day. The work made his hands rough, since it is impossible to use machineries in the deep mountain areas and all he would use are some simple tools and his bare hands. After 20 years of hard work, Zhang planted more than one million trees on over 320 hectares of forest land. In 2011, Zhang retired, but he still lives near the forest he has planted and will take care of the trees now and then. Thanks to the hard work of Zhang and many others, the forest coverage in Yichun reached 84.4 percent in 2017, an increase of 17 percentage points over that of 1978, according to the local government. With the greener mountains, Yichuns natural landscape attracts many visitors each year, which creates a predictable market. Last year, the citys tourism industry generated an income of 11.3 billion yuan, up from 2.5 billion yuan in 2010. It's very expensive, labor-intensive and takes a lot of time. Anyone who works for a major company knows that big data is the business battle of our time, and data and analytics operations are mission-critical to a company's profitability and survival. Data is one of the most valuable resources a company has. It's also one of its most guarded secrets. We do not yet know how the new game will end. Trump may not get the deal we need, or he might blunder and overpay in a quest to sign anything he can call a success. But for now, all the signs look good. Mike Cummings gives a lecture on acupuncture at the British Medical Acupuncture Society in London. CHINA DAILY A new approach combining Western psychiatric care with traditional Chinese medicine is expected to treat depression in U.S. San Francisco Bay Area. Integral TMS, a recently-launched psychiatric clinic in the Bay Area, aims to provide holistic care to patients with a focus on those Chinese immigrants. "It's really a treatment over time," Hugh Brent Solvason, a psychiatrist and president of Integral TMS, said Saturday. "It's quite a challenge to keep people really well and functioning at their best. So I believe the treatment combined with Qigong and acupuncture can be consistent," he added. The clinic is a partnership between Solvason and Nine Star University, a California-based traditional Chinese medicine university, where the clinic is housed. The university offers acupuncture treatment and Qigong classes in collaboration with Shaolin Temple USA. "When all is in one place, it feels like a therapeutic community. So the patients know we are all working from different standpoints," said Solvason. He started researching in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression, in 2000. The clinical treatment was approved in 2007. Solvason said "amazing" results have been achieved in some severe depression cases. "Depression has a huge effect on the whole body. Traditional Chinese medicine believes it's a result of unbalanced Qi (energy)-blood circulation," said Philip Yang, president of the university. He said acupuncture has proved to be an effective method to treat depression. One of his patients, a 22-year-old man, has suffered depression for 12 years. "After three sessions, the patient said he had better sleep and appetite. He even had smiles again," said Yang. "Depression is associated with inflammation, and risk of heart disease and diabetes. Depression is an equal risk factor for heart disease and smoking," said Solvason. He has practiced Qigong for three years and has been to the Shaolin Temple in China several times. "So this is a powerful combination, which integrates cultural aspects and makes Western psychiatric care more accessible to the Chinese community," said Solvason. He said the clinic is recruiting bilingual psychiatrists to accommodate the needs of Chinese-speaking patients. We could build a big, beautiful wall there. Top it every few miles with 6-foot-tall golden Trump signs in order to be seen by the Space Force. Could it be he isnt worried about our northern border because Canada is majority white? Hmmm Let us pray that both sides can find a path to agreement that will allow each to save a measure of face, because face is all that is preventing any compromise from reaching serious discussion, and history will hold both sides equally accountable for the debacle. Nor does the pledge include protecting us from the catastrophic effects of climate change, which his own government has warned is coming. Those deadly fires in California were, after all, caused because of poor forest management, according to Trump. The state didnt rake the forest enough. Some people when confronted with a leak will put a bucket under it and empty it every now and then because the leaks not that bad, right? Other people would get the leak fixed once and for all, problem solved, next problem. Additionally, quotes from border security experts who claim a border wall wont work are misleading at best. The experts actually claim that a border wall, in and of itself, will not be sufficient to remedy our problems with illegal immigration. The experts correctly claim that changes are needed in our immigration laws that will actually deter non-citizens from trying to enter the U.S. illegally. After eight years of roadblocks by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, Democrats who control the legislature saw wide-open opportunity with Murphy. Still, they have refused to rubber-stamp his proposals, forcing the governor, a former finance executive and newcomer to elective office, to the table. While Murphy during his speech will stress he's open to negotiating, it's clear already that his budget introduction next month will spark additional battles, as top lawmakers say no more tax increases and Murphy refuses to rule them out. It is not immediately clear what new policies or developments Krasner may seek to pursue next, but he has several major issues on his plate including, for the first time in nearly two decades, prosecuting an ex-cop for an on-duty shooting, and seeking new sentences for more juvenile lifers serving unconstitutional sentences. That cushion is projected to grow over the next decade, as City Center revenue increases. While Air Products is leaving the NIZ this summer and BB&T is expected to reduce its workforce downtown, tax revenue generated by Tower 6 tenants like Bank of America, Avantor and Talen Energy will bolster 2018 revenues. ADP will also move the first of up to 1,600 employees into the Five City Center office tower by years end, further diversifying the tax base in 2020 and beyond. On its Facebook page, the Pennsylvania State Police issued a bulletin advising people that scammers could be using email solicitations, links or attachments; phone solicitations or pop-up Internet pages to take advantage of the federal shutdown. The woman said Gaskins began to push her, and she pushed her back so she could get away. The woman said Gaskins pushed her hard enough to knock her down, and when she was on the floor, Gaskins got on top of her and began hitting her in the face. The woman said she scratched Gaskins on the face and was able to get away. Kindergarten children wearing gowns of Doctor Degree run at the Hedong District No 2 Kindergarten in Tianjin, North China, on June 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Some parents applaud move, while others continue to feel the strain Many Chinese parents have mixed feelings about the government's latest move to lighten the schoolwork burden on primary and middle school students. While some parents think the move to reduce the study burden might free their children from the pressure of a pile of papers and textbooks and let them enjoy childhood, others worry that when public schools reduce the number of homework assignments, make tests easier and downgrade the importance of scores, it is the parents who must step into the vacuum to provide their children with more extracurricular learning to help them stand out from their peers and eventually gain admission to a good university. The government's "academic burden reduction" policies have been around for decades, but recently re-entered mainstream public debate. That was prompted by the Ministry of Education and eight other departments issuing a guideline on Dec 28 containing 30 detailed measures not only for schools but for after-school training institutions, parents and education authoritiesall aiming to reduce students' academic burden. The Chinese government issued its first guideline on reducing students' academic pressure in 1955. A more recent guideline, issued by the ministry in 2013, mainly focused on schools, including forbidding primary schools from setting up key classes based on students' scores and forbidding middle schools from having enrollment tests. The new guideline forbids afterschool training institutions from engaging in exam-oriented training or hiring teachers from public schools. It also forbids education authorities from evaluating schools on the basis of their students' enrollment rates in top high schools and stresses the need to reform the high school and college entrance exam systems, which evaluate schools solely on test scores. Parents should form scientific parenting concepts and refrain from competing with others, it said. Cui Shifeng, principal at Hefei Hupo Mingcheng Primary School in Anhui province, said that although the education authorities had been discussing ways to reduce the burden on children since 1955, pupils' workloads had, ironically, increased over the years. The root cause for that is the unbalanced distribution of educational resources among different schools, which induces parents to do everything they can to send their children to better schools, he said. "It's ironic that the education authorities ask parents to focus less on their children's academic scores but continue to admit students to high schools and colleges solely on the basis of scores in entrance exams," Cui said. "The new guideline provides good ways to lighten the heavy workload on students, yet I question whether the education authorities and schools have the motivation to implement it." Cui cited the example of the government's long push for the elimination of enrollment tests, from kindergarten to primary school and from primary school to middle school. Although the practice has been outlawed since 2013, the exams still exist covertly, and no school principals have been punished for implementing them. "If the principals of top middle schools were stripped of their posts, they would not dare to organize such tests in the future," he said. However, some parents argue that attempts to reduce student workloads would merely shift the teaching burden from schools to parents. Liu Yong, the father of a fifth-grade student in Shanghai, said no parent wants his or her child to start academic life from a disadvantaged position, so when the school day ends so early, at 3:30 pm, working parents have no choice but to send their children to after-school tutoring classes. His son attends seven after-school tutoring classes every weekthree each in English and mathematics and one in Chinese. They usually last two to three hours each. His son usually returns home from the tutoring classes around 8:30 pm. He needs to finish his homework from school and the training institutions and sometimes goes to bed around midnight. His weekends are also packed with tutoring classes. "I do feel sorry for him when I see him yawning while writing the seemingly endless homework, and although I really want my son to have more time to play, I have to remind myself to be rational," he said. "To qualify for admission into a key middle school, my son has to study hard now. Only by entering a key middle school can he study at a key high school and later at a good university. There's no other option." Last month, the organization housed more than a dozen of Melhems animals at one of its five locations in Danville, Montour County. They included two cows who came to Danville as calves last year after they were taken from Melhems sanctuary. A third cow, originally Eckharts, was in an adjoining corral. Some of those animals have since gone to other rescue organizations, while others are still in the SPCAs care. When we arrested these defendants and their associates last June, we dismantled a significant drug trafficking organization that was a major source of fentanyl and cocaine in Montgomery County, Steele said. They were dealing in death and fueling the addictions and overdoses that have affected so many people in the region. Schlossberg said he would like to see Allentowns dispute with Hyman over the Franklin Street fire cleared up before he would consider an offer from Hyman. City officials sparred with Hyman over the demolition costs for the property last year. Hyman contended he was not contacted by Allentown officials before the building was demolished, and OConnell claimed Hyman was unresponsive to the citys attempt to reach him. On 12 January 2019, Mr Mootoosamy Naidoo, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Board and Mr Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development signed a loan agreement in Abu Dhabi for the grant of 10 million USD to CEB for the implementation of the Home Solar project. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of the Hon Ivan Collendavelloo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities and the Director General of IRENA, Mr Adnan Amin. The Home Solar project was selected in the first place by IRENA/ Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in January 2018 among 89 entries, after a rigorous screening by an international panel of experts. Under this project, 10,000 solar kits will be installed on houses of low income families. It will benefit about 40,000 to 50,000 thousand persons. There are cases where families have their electricity supply disconnected when they are unable to settle electricity charges. They will no longer have to undergo such hardships. This project has been commended by IRENA/ADFD for its strong social objective. The Central Electricity Board has been implementing the project on a pilot basis for 1000 families. A short documentary was screened to all delegates on the pilot phase of Home Solar Project for 1000 families implemented in Mauritius. Following the signing of the agreement, the CEB will be required to conduct a procurement procedure for the installation of the solar PV kits. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 1 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Europe is Burning There will be elections for the European Parliament on May 23-26 2019. They will likely change the face of Europe more than anything has done since the EU was founded. That is not some wild prediction. Many European countries have held elections since the last European elections in 2014, and just about all had outcomes that shook up domestic political ratios. In most cases, countries went from traditional parties to newly founded ones. France erased the Socialists and center-right in 2017, and the final round of the presidential elections was between Marine Le Pens Front National and Emmanuel Macrons brand-new En Marche. Macron won sort of by default, because France as a country would never have voted for Le Pen. In Italy, M5S and Lega have taken over. In Germany, Merkels CDU/CSU coalition lost bigly though it remained the biggest party, but Angela lost her socialist SPD partner which gave up so much it didnt want to be in government anymore. In Spain, Mariano Rajoys center right lost enough to cede power to the Socialists who came up tops because they played a smart game, not because the Spanish wanted it to rule. We dont have to go through all 27/28 different countries to establish that there are almost tectonic shifts happening all over, away from traditional parties and towards whoever showed up without insanely extreme views. And if you think this move is now completed, you may want to think again. Its amusing to realize that the country with the biggest political shift, the UK, is the only one that still hangs on to its traditional parties, and seeks its protest voice in a different way, namely through Brexit. That is, Britain shows it can get no satisfaction from the EU, whereas in the other major EU nations the dissatisfaction is projected onto domestic parties. The underlying thought is the same: people are fed up with incumbent politicians and their affiliation with the European project. And nobody in Brussels really appears to be willing to realize this: the only thing they talk about is more Europe. But all these changes will now be reflected in the power politics of the European parliament. And they do know that. They just hope they can limit the damage through the model in which power is divided in Europe. And to get any of that power, national parties need to find partners from other countries to form European parties (blocks) with. You need parties from at least 7 other nations to run for the European Parliament. There are really only two parties in that parliament that really matter: the center right European Peoples Party (EPP) which has 217 MEPs (members of European Parliament), and the center-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D) which has 190 MEPs. Then there are the European Conservatives and Reformists 74 MEPs, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) 70 MEPs, the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE) 52 MEPs, and the European Greens/European Free Alliance 50 MEPs. These numbers, like the national ones, are set to change, a lot. How exactly is hard to predict, because its not clear which block which -relatively- new party will be part of. But its not a wild guess to think that at the end of May the division of powers will not be left vs right (both of which are pretty much fake anyway), but pro-EU and anti-EU. Or rather, More Europe vs Less Europe. Germanys up-and-coming real right-wing AfD at their conference this weekend voted in a resolution that calls for getting rid of the European Parliament itself, calling it undemocratic, and claiming the competence to make laws is exclusively for nation states. Similar sentiments play out in Italy, Poland, Hungary and many other member states. Given the changes in vote ratios mentioned before, its hard to see the More Europe model survive the elections. But that of course doesnt keep the main parties (blocks) from running outspoken pro-Europe candidates to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as head chief after the elections. The EPP has German Europe stalwart Manfred Weber as Spitzenkandidat, the so-called Socialists/Democrats have Dutch Frans Timmermans, Junckers right-hand man. They think they will be able to continue business as usual, and accumulate more power and sovereignty in the process, while support for the EU crumbles more by the day. But thats all in the far far future, that is a whole 4 months away. And who knows what Europe will look like by then? Brussels sure doesnt seem to know, or want to. In Germany, the entire political system will have to reinvent itself after Merkel. And as said before, with an entire new look as far as vote numbers go. Far right and the Greens are on their way to becoming new power blocks, the Christian center right CDU/CSU and the formerly left SPD are on their way to much less support. This is a pattern that plays out all over Europe, but what happens in Germany is, because of the way the EU is set up, crucial for all EU member states. Nothing happens in Europe without approval from Berlin. And what will the other 26 remaining members do when that level of power moves towards the AfD? Of even more immediate concern may be Germanys economic performance. Because the latest signs are not encouraging. Germany and Holland have done very well, but that is because they have all the others as their domestic market. And now not even that turns out to be enough. Germanys numbers are going down fast: Then again, for now, worries about Germany will be trumped by those about France and Britain. The numbers of Yellow Vests in the streets of France was much larger again the past weekend than the last few ones. Macron keeps on making ever bigger mistakes. This Saturday, his riot police was filmed carrying semi-automatic weapons with live ammo. As he claimed that many of his people want to get things without making any effort. Macron all along has tried to drive a wedge between the protesters and the people. But a large majority of the people support the protests, even if they dont don a yellow vest. Still, Paris claims that the protesters are not the Republic, and theyre trying to overthrow democracy. When the Yellow vests approached government buildings last weekend, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux fled, saying: It wasnt me who was attacked, it was the Republic. Ergo: Not the people are the Republic, the government is. That should sell well. For a very large number of French this sounds like they are not actually considered French by their own government. And now Macron insists on holding a national debate, in which everyone can have their say, but at the same time he insists he will not change his policies, which are what the Yellow Vests are protesting in the first place. What they see is that Little Napoleon hasnt hardly appeared in public for a very long time (big no-no!), but he does try to dictate to them what democracy is, and then in the same breath that they only have the choices he gives them. Protests are only allowed if the government gives permission, Paris proclaims. Macron has cancelled his spot in the upcoming Davos spectacle for the wealthy and powerful, and I bet you the thought has crossed his mind that if he went he wouldnt be allowed back in to his country. Not decisive, but that thought surely counts. Hes seen the whole Let Them Eat Cake scenario play out in his minds eye. Before putting his hand over his heart while looking in the mirror. Macron does everything wrong than he can. And in that France has a lot in common with our for now last topic, subject, victim, take your pick, the UK. Tomorrow Theresa May is going to lose another vote, and even if she doesnt, chaos is still guaranteed. Both the Leave and the Remain camps, opposites as they are, are divided into countless other camps, and there is no way there will ever be an agreement. Youd have a hard time finding even just two people who think Brexit means the same, let alone millions. I wrote earlier today I wondered how come Britain is so quiet in the face of that, with the Yellow Vests example just a few miles away. And I really dont know. Maybe well find out tomorrow. The EU has hinted Brexit may not happen until the summer, not on March 29. But thats the EU, and thats what the Brexit vote was meant to move away from, not let them dictate even more. Theresa May basically sat on her hands for two years, and wanted to do the work in 6 months, but that was always going to be a pipedream. The UK, in 40-odd years of EU membership, signed up to thousands of pieces of legislation, which contain hundreds of thousands of pages of legalese. All that must be checked, if need be changed, negotiated about, voted on, etc. Not something anyone can do in half a year, and that has nothing to do with liking the EU or not. May has held her country hostage for the entire time shes been PM, and she does that even more now, as shes saying its either her deal or no Brexit at all. Shes decided No Deal is not an option. Which may be wise in view of all those documents, but who is she to decide eth entire nation future for decades to come? She wasnt even elected as PM. Well know more tomorrow after that Parliament vote, which May will lose. Or will we? If Brussels accepts a major delay in Brexit, chances are May will stay in office, and well have 4-5-6 more months of the same road to nowhere. Second referendum, general election? Poisoned chalices all of them. Even if May wins the vote Tuesday, because shes scared a sufficient number of MPs into a catatonic state, nothing will change either. All possible outcomes are guaranteed to have a large group of people standing against them. All options will create the appearance of a small group of people dictating life-changing events for everyone else. Where are the British Yellow Vests? The mayor of Polands second-biggest city, Gdansk, was stabbed to death in public on a stage where he held a speech, Is that where were going? And lest we forget, what happens in Europe is not very different from what happens in the US; things merely play out slightly differently in different locations. In the US, as in the UK, there are no whole new parties taking over, no AfD and Macron and Yellow Vests and Salvini, but there is Trump and Brexit. The common denominator is peoples anger with the economic models that leave them scrambling to make do, all the while seeing their lives being taken away from them bit by bit while whoevers in power keeps bankers and other rich folk contented. Its not much use seeing all this as separate incidents or developments. Its a big wave that will reshape the world as we know it. Let Them Eat Cake has gone global, and theres not nearly enough cake to go round. By Raul Ilargi Meijer Website: http://theautomaticearth.com (provides unique analysis of economics, finance, politics and social dynamics in the context of Complexity Theory) 2019 Copyright Raul I Meijer - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Raul Ilargi Meijer Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. New Shortfall in Production Capacity for Fabricated Silver and Gold The two largest private producers of bullion bars and rounds in the U.S. have gone defunct over the past two years. Premiums for silver bars and rounds are already on the rise as markets adjust to the lack of supply. At present, demand for these products is manageable. A surge in buying activity, however, could lead to serious difficulty finding low-premium products. Elemetal shut down most of its operation in early 2017. The firm was implicated in a scheme to launder money for South American drug cartels and lost its designation as an LBMA and COMEX approved refiner. That loss was the kiss of death for the firm, which soon shuttered most of its production. Florida-based Republic Metals had a blow up of its own late last year. The firms problems kicked off in April when an internal audit revealed nearly $100 million in physical metals at its Miami facility could not be unaccounted for. Banks withdrew lines of credit on the news and a deal to sell the companys assets was not completed in time to avoid a bankruptcy filing in November. Republic Metals considerable production capacity has been offline for three months now. Whether the plant and equipment will be purchased and put back into production remains uncertain. These developments leave the bullion markets in vulnerable condition. Demand for fabricated silver rounds and bars ticked higher in December. The effect on premiums was immediate and dealers are now quoting lead times for some products. Buying appetite from investors remains well below what is was a few years ago. During the peak demand period, both Elemetal and Republic ran multiple shifts in an effort to keep up. Should even a portion of that demand return to markets, the current production capacity will be swamped quickly. We would expect buyers to respond to higher premiums and delivery delays by opting for sovereign coins, such as American Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs, instead. Prices would likely rise across the board for all bullion products, and some products may not be available in quantity at any price. Bullion investors should be aware of the lowered production capacity and plan accordingly. Any supply crunch and corresponding spike in premiums could even present an arbitrage opportunity for those wanting to swap high premium items into large bars. Capacity will eventually catch up. However, that process can take many months, perhaps even longer. People with plans to buy physical metal in the near future may want to move sooner rather than later. By Clint Siegner MoneyMetals.com Clint Siegner is a Director at Money Metals Exchange, perhaps the nation's fastest-growing dealer of low-premium precious metals coins, rounds, and bars. Siegner, a graduate of Linfield College in Oregon, puts his experience in business management along with his passion for personal liberty, limited government, and honest money into the development of Money Metals' brand and reach. This includes writing extensively on the bullion markets and their intersection with policy and world affairs. 2019 Clint Siegner - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. The front gate of the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Chinese netizens mocked Polish officials who called a Beijing language university a "top intelligence school," which is the alma mater of a Huawei employee arrested in Poland, and criticized foreign countries for attempting to demonize China. In reporting the recent arrest of a Huawei employee in Poland for allegedly engaging in espionage, the US-based United Press International quoted Polish officials as saying that the person they charged is a graduate of one of China's top intelligence schools. Wang Weijing was a Huawei sales director in Poland, and graduated with a Polish language major at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), according to BBC Chinese site on Sunday. "If we change the university's name from Beijing Foreign Studies University to Beijing Foreign Spies University, the English abbreviation is amazingly still BFSU," a net user mocked on Sina Weibo. A photoshopped image of the university's school emblem with the name "Beijing Foreign Spies University" was also reposted by Chinese netizens on Weibo. The comments on the foreign media accusation of Niu Huayong, the dean of BFSU's International Business School, were also widely circulated online. "For many years, I have tried my best to conceal my identity. But I was discovered by the US. I don't want to hide it anymore. Yes, I am the instructor of this intelligence university," Niu said on Sina Weibo on Saturday. Some BFSU students even joked about their courses, saying the English intensive reading course should now be called "English intelligence analysis" course, while referring English listening to the elementary course of eavesdropping. It's not the first time that China has been accused of espionage. Western countries, including the US, have accused many Chinese companies of spying for the government. "It shows that Western countries have expanded their accusations against China from the business sector to the cultural field," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University's Institute of International Relations, told the Global Times. Theres a time and place for a little bedlam in our lives music is a great place to start. Highly energetic and dynamic folk group from the Twin Cities, Good Morning Bedlam, revisits the NaKato next Friday. (By the way, the name of the group comes from the liking of the word bedlam, plus another idea of having a band name with good morning in it. They just decided to combine the two.) The group is made up of early 20-somethings, including Victoria Elker (bass), Sophia Mae (violin), Benji Flaming (banjo) and Isaak Gill Elker (guitar). All members are vocalists. Folk is the best way to describe Good Morning Bedlam, but that doesnt quite encapsulate the zest and distinct sound of the group. Part of that is due to Isaaks history in metal bands while in high school. What I really loved about playing metal music was just the energy of the crowd, he said. It wasnt until he was around 16 years old when he started to listen to more folk. He fell in love with the music and began to play it more. I was able to be more creative in the genre, he said. I think my parents were very happy. When the group first formed three years ago, the question posed was how to remain an energetic group as a folk band. Sometimes, folk musicians are seen sitting or standing still while performing. I think thats something we really wanted to create if you saw Good Morning Bedlam, it was going to be different, Isaak said. It was going to be a a show worth seeing live. Theyre even known for taking pop songs and re-imagining them as folk think Meghan Trainors seemingly inescapable hit All About That Bass, and even Desperado by Rihanna. We played a wedding where we were asked to learn (Desperado), and it was fun, Isaak said. We played it for a year. A lot of Rihanna is her rapping and singing and just a bass line, so we had freedom to do whatever we wanted with it. Many of the songs, especially in their latest album Lost Kings, have inspirations and highlights from all the members in the group. From Toris vocals in Pretty Papers, to fiddling introductions in Eastbound, and banjo licks scattered throughout each song. Often times, Ill bring the song in and sometimes itll be 90 percent finished, Isaak said. Then we start working on it. The violins and vocals, then banjo and guitar components get added to the songs. Part of the process includes a collaborative process in editing of the things that might be too weird or too boring, and that takes time. Now the group has plenty of time on their hands (well, you know, after tours and performing music around the country.) Recently, the group has been making music full-time. Not too long ago that some group members were in school, nannying, bar tending or working in restaurants. We felt like its a huge blessing. You can work really hard, and just go for it, Isaak said. In just three years, the group has released two albums and has performed at South By Southwest music festival in Texas for two consecutive years. Now theyre focusing on touring all year nationally. Its a lot of work a ton of work but we absolutely love it. Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. put on hold the development of a 660-megawatt coal-fired power project in Redondo Peninsula, Subic, Zambales because of construction and power supply agreement issues, a top executive said over the weekend. RP Energy is a joint venture among Meralco PowerGen Corp., Therma Power Inc. of the Aboitiz Group and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp. RP Energy issued a limited notice to proceed to the EPC [engineering, procurement and construction], but we discovered we had problems with the slope, with the site and to mitigate, to fix the site, would require the site to be stable. The board decided to hold development and with that the limited notice to proceed was also cancelled on the EPC, Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Manny Rubio said. This was before. Now, we are looking for alternatives, and based on the decision, we will make a decision should we actually proceed. Again, conditional to the condition of the site. Its a construction issue, something that was not foreseen by RP Energy, Rubio said. Rubio said the technical problem involved instability in one of the slopes which needed to be addressed. We really have to find a solution on that one. At the moment, its Meralco looking at a way to manage the movement. A number of [technologies are available], but given that the contracts are actually pending in court, I think we will make a decision also once we have clarity on the decision on the contract, he said. RP Energy earlier tapped Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. as its EPC contractor.RP Energy signed a power service agreement with Meralco for a contracted capacity of 225 MW within a 20-year term on April 20, 2016. The PSA was filed for approval with the Energy Regulatory Commission on April 29, 2016. Public hearings were subsequently held and were concluded on Jan. 6, 2017, but the application was still pending with the ERC. RP Energy and Meralco agreed to extend the date of the PSA for a period of 12 months or from April 29, 2018 to April 29, 2019. If the ERC does not approve the PSA by April 29, 2019, RP Energy would then have the option to terminate the PSA. To date, RP Energy is still awaiting the ERCs approval of its PSA, Aboitiz Power said in a previous disclosure to the stock exchange. RP Energys construction was previously delayed by the issuance of a writ of Kalikasan against the project, which has since been resolved. Support Local Journalism The Malibu community needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please help keep us in print by making a contribution. Funeral services for Betty McCartney Berry will be 1 p.m. Monday, January 14, 2019 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Adrian Demarcus Nelson was shot in the arm on Sunday night as he apparently tried to steal a trailer from a Columbia County house. He is charged with residential burglary. Weather Alert ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is forecasting an Ozone Advisory Day for East Baton Rouge...West Baton Rouge... Livingston...Ascension...Iberville and Pointe Coupee Parishes...in effect from 9 AM this morning to 8 PM CDT this evening. The Air Quality Index indicates that ozone will be at the Orange level...which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Increasing ozone levels may cause unhealthy air quality during afternoon hours. Active children and adults...the elderly and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma...should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Please take whatever voluntary steps you can to reduce emissions that contribute to ozone formation. Drive less and make sure your automobile is in good working condition. Make sure your gas cap is tight. Wait until after 6 PM to refuel your vehicle and use gas powered lawn equipment. More information about current air quality and what you can do to help prevent ozone formation is available at the D E Q website www.deq.louisiana.gov/enviroflash or by calling 8 6 6 8 9 6 5 3 3 7. It was in late 2011 when a crucial decision needed to be made by Deng Zhengping, assistant general manager at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant and his colleagues - shall they make Taishan the world's first EPR project to be completed? EPR, or European Pressurized Reactor, is a third-generation nuclear power solution supplied by the French giant Framatome. The "double-wall" containments designed for Taishan EPR units can protect the reactors from accidents such as earthquakes and even a direct hit from a plane. Construction of EPR projects in Finland's Olkiluoto Unit 3 and France's Flamanville Unit 3 began in 2005 and 2007, respectively, four and two years earlier than at Taishan. But Deng saw his chance to catch up and even surpass his European counterparts. "Some people didn't believe we could make it," Deng said. "But if we wanted to be the first, we'd better get prepared as soon as possible." It meant that they could not learn from others' lessons. Instead, they had to write the textbook for themselves and for EPR projects worldwide. They made the decision in the second half of 2012 and gained positive feedback from other major companies involved in the project, especially Framatome, the designer of EPR. New chapters have since been written by Taishan Unit 1. The dome roof was lowered into place. Cold and hot functional tests were completed, linked to the grid and finally passed a 168-hour demonstration run in mid-December 2018, fully ready to be put into commercial use. Taishan Nuclear Power Plant is built and run by TNPJVC, a joint venture founded by China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), Electricite de France (EDF) and Yudean Group. He Yu, chairman of CGN, the world's largest nuclear construction contractor, said that the Taishan project would offer valuable lessons and solutions for the construction of similar reactors worldwide, and it will play a demonstrative and supportive role in the joint construction of the Hinkley Point C project in the UK by CGN and EDF. CGN and EDF stressed that the Taishan project has benefited from 35 years of strategic cooperation between the two companies, which started with the construction of China's very first commercial nuclear power plant at Daya Bay in Shenzhen, China's special economic zone. International Cooperation The Taishan Nuclear Power Plant is located in Chixi town in the city of Taishan in South China's Guangdong Province. Rice planting was once the pillar industry there. Two huge gray color domes are the new landmarks. With an unprecedented capacity of 1,750 megawatts each, unit 1 and unit 2 of Taishan are the largest and most powerful nuclear reactors in the world. Liu Yu, a construction manager with TNPJVC, joined the project in 2009 with excitement. "At the beginning, we just followed the pace of Olkiluoto-3 and Flamanville-3. It was comparatively easy, as they were carving out the way for us," Liu added. Fabrice Fourcade, senior vice president of EDF and its chief representative in China, told media during a press conference in Beijing that EDF has contributed operating experience from the construction of its Flamanville-3 EPR, and the use of this experience was a crucial factor in successfully completing the initial phases of the Taishan project. However, the situation changed quickly. In 2011, Taishan progress caught up with Olkiluoto-3 and Flamanville-3. In addition, Liu found that his partners from EDF and Framatome were expecting more advice from him than before. He was as nervous as he was excited. "It was our turn to carve out the way for them. Our European counterparts had shared their knowledge with us generously, and we would offer a helping hand to them as much as we could." In the past 40 years, China saw the fastest development of the nuclear power industry in the world. The Chinese mainland currently has more than 40 operating nuclear power units and the largest number of units under construction in the world. Guo Ruiting, vice engineer-in-chief of construction with Taishan, also worked at Daya Bay and Ling'ao nuclear power plants, witnessing the rise of these units. "At first, we were like pupils and the French engineers were our teachers," Guo recalled. "But now we've become equal partners, with our own strengths." 14th January 2019 Runtime 18:47 In an exclusive interview with London South East, Petro Matad CEO Mike Buck gives a detailed operational update on his 2019 drilling campaign in Mongolia. The four wells to be drilled in the 2019 campaign are fully funded. The first three wells to be drilled are Heron, Gazelle and Red Deer, all near field wells on Block XX in Eastern Mongolia, close to existing PetroChina wells and from the same geology. Although the two high impact 'wildcat' wells drilled in 2018 were unsuccessful, Snow Leopard did find 'good shows' of oil and gas, proving for the first time that the basin drilled does have an active petroleum system. CEO Mike Buck said: "It tells you that the basin as a whole is generating hydrocarbons. So we are now analysing prospects to the South of Block V called 'the Raptor Trend' with Velociraptor being the target." #MATD are currently doing a fresh ranking of the Block V targets with Fox or Velociraptor the likely fourth well to be drilled. Business RF MODULATION AND DEMODULATION OF AUDIO AND VIDEO SIGNALS | Soukacatv.com HDMI Encoder Modulator,16in1 Digital Headend,HD RF Modulator at SOUKA 14.01.2019 06:19:53 - Any information that is broadcast over the airwaves is broadcast via what are known as radio waves. Radio frequency (RF) is the rate of oscillation or frequency at which a particular type of information is transmitted over the airwaves. (live-PR.com) - Any information that is broadcast over the airwaves is broadcast via what are known as radio waves. Radio frequency (RF) is the rate of oscillation or frequency at which a particular type of information is transmitted over the airwaves. It doesnt matter if were talking about radio, television, a Bluetooth mouse, your cell phone or the WiFi your computer is - Any information that is broadcast over the airwaves is broadcast via what are known as radio waves. Radio frequency (RF) is the rate of oscillation or frequency at which a particular type of information is transmitted over the airwaves. It doesnt matter if were talking about radio, television, a Bluetooth mouse, your cell phone or the WiFi your computer is connected to; its all RF. Both analog and digital data must be converted to RF for transmission. Specific RF frequencies or bands of frequencies are assigned for specific uses by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Most other countries adopt the FCCs assignments, although not all do. This allows for some standardization worldwide, allowing the same equipment to be used in different countries. HDMI Encoder Modulator,16in1 Digital Headend, HD RF Modulator at SOUKA The frequency that a particular that a particular type of data is transmitted with is referred to as its carrier frequency. Regardless of the type of data being transmitted, it has to be overlaid onto the carrier frequency. At the other end, the receiving device will be able to identify the specific data that it is looking for by looking for that carrier frequency. Whatever data is on it is the data that the device wants. When we tune a radio or change channels on at television, we are telling the device what carrier frequency to look for. With much of todays communications being digital, including television, wireless transmission of this data has become much simpler. Digital data can be transmitted at any frequency. The higher the frequency, the more digital data that can be transmitted per second. Since digital signals are merely a series of ones and zeroes, all that has to happen is to make the ones and zeroes at the frequency to be transmitted. Analog data is another thing entirely. An analog audio or video signal is a severely modified sign wave. With audio, the frequency denotes the note while the amplitude of the sign wave denotes the volume. With video, the frequency denotes the color, while the amplitude denotes the brightness. That makes it much harder to turn audio and video signals into RF for transmission. Before the introduction of digital television, all television and radio signals were analog. Older televisions only had a RF connector on the back, where the antenna was connected; not the plethora of different connections we see on the back of todays TVs. Video from videocassette tapes and DVDs had to be output by the device as RF, so that it could be transmitted over wire to the TV and accepted by an input in the antenna connection. This process, called RF modulation, consists of converting the incoming radio or television signal to a standard frequency, called an intermediate frequency (IF). This made it easier for the next step in the process, combining the audio and video signals with the carrier wave, producing the final RF signal. Even if this signal was not broadcast over the airwaves, the same process had to occur. At the opposite end, in the receiving radio or television, the signal is then demodulated. The first part of this process is to strip off the carrier wave. This is actually a very simple process. Since the carrier wave is a sine wave, it can be easily reproduced by any device. Going back to what I was saying when I talked about a radio tuner or TV channel selector, what is actually happening is selecting the frequency of carrier wave or sine wave to be generated. This sine wave is produced 180 degrees out of phase with the original RF signal. When combined with the RF signal, the carrier wave and the produced sine wave cancel each other out, making it effectively disappear. What is left is the IF. The IF doesnt need to be converted back to the original frequency to use, as the radio or TVs electronics can work with it the way it is, producing audio and video that is as good as the original. The same basic process can happen with computers as well. A modem is really a modulator/demodulator; a device that does both modulation and demodulation. When the computers data needs to be sent over a telephone line, it needs to be converted to audio signals, because thats what the phone system is designed to work with. The modulator portion of the computers modem does the same thing as what weve already discussed for radio and television, combining the computers data with a carrier wave. It does one more thing as well, it turns that into an audio signal. That is the rasping sound you hear when a modem is trying to connect to another modem at the other end. Upon receiving the data, the modem strips off the carrier signal in the same way weve already seen, with the exception that there is no manual selection of the frequency. That is an automatic function done by the modem. The resulting data is an digital data stream which the computer can use. Established in 2000, the Soukacatv.com (DSW) main products are modulators both in digital and analog modulators, amplifier and combiner. We are the leading communication supplier in manufacturing the headend system in China. Our 16 in 1 and 24 in 1 now are the most popular products all over the world. For more, please access to Source: connected to; its all RF. Both analog and digital data must be converted to RF for transmission.Specific RF frequencies or bands of frequencies are assigned for specific uses by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Most other countries adopt the FCCs assignments, although not all do. This allows for some standardization worldwide, allowing the same equipment to be used in different countries.HDMI Encoder Modulator,16in1 Digital Headend, HD RF Modulator at SOUKA www.soukacatv.com/ The frequency that a particular that a particular type of data is transmitted with is referred to as its carrier frequency. Regardless of the type of data being transmitted, it has to be overlaid onto the carrier frequency. At the other end, the receiving device will be able to identify the specific data that it is looking for by looking for that carrier frequency. Whatever data is on it is the data that the device wants. When we tune a radio or change channels on at television, we are telling the device what carrier frequency to look for.With much of todays communications being digital, including television, wireless transmission of this data has become much simpler. Digital data can be transmitted at any frequency. The higher the frequency, the more digital data that can be transmitted per second. Since digital signals are merely a series of ones and zeroes, all that has to happen is to make the ones and zeroes at the frequency to be transmitted.Analog data is another thing entirely. An analog audio or video signal is a severely modified sign wave. With audio, the frequency denotes the note while the amplitude of the sign wave denotes the volume. With video, the frequency denotes the color, while the amplitude denotes the brightness. That makes it much harder to turn audio and video signals into RF for transmission.Before the introduction of digital television, all television and radio signals were analog. Older televisions only had a RF connector on the back, where the antenna was connected; not the plethora of different connections we see on the back of todays TVs. Video from videocassette tapes and DVDs had to be output by the device as RF, so that it could be transmitted over wire to the TV and accepted by an input in the antenna connection.This process, called RF modulation, consists of converting the incoming radio or television signal to a standard frequency, called an intermediate frequency (IF). This made it easier for the next step in the process, combining the audio and video signals with the carrier wave, producing the final RF signal. Even if this signal was not broadcast over the airwaves, the same process had to occur.At the opposite end, in the receiving radio or television, the signal is then demodulated. The first part of this process is to strip off the carrier wave. This is actually a very simple process. Since the carrier wave is a sine wave, it can be easily reproduced by any device.Going back to what I was saying when I talked about a radio tuner or TV channel selector, what is actually happening is selecting the frequency of carrier wave or sine wave to be generated. This sine wave is produced 180 degrees out of phase with the original RF signal. When combined with the RF signal, the carrier wave and the produced sine wave cancel each other out, making it effectively disappear. What is left is the IF.The IF doesnt need to be converted back to the original frequency to use, as the radio or TVs electronics can work with it the way it is, producing audio and video that is as good as the original.The same basic process can happen with computers as well. A modem is really a modulator/demodulator; a device that does both modulation and demodulation. When the computers data needs to be sent over a telephone line, it needs to be converted to audio signals, because thats what the phone system is designed to work with.The modulator portion of the computers modem does the same thing as what weve already discussed for radio and television, combining the computers data with a carrier wave. It does one more thing as well, it turns that into an audio signal. That is the rasping sound you hear when a modem is trying to connect to another modem at the other end.Upon receiving the data, the modem strips off the carrier signal in the same way weve already seen, with the exception that there is no manual selection of the frequency. That is an automatic function done by the modem. The resulting data is an digital data stream which the computer can use.Established in 2000, the Soukacatv.com (DSW) main products are modulators both in digital and analog modulators, amplifier and combiner. We are the leading communication supplier in manufacturing the headend system in China. Our 16 in 1 and 24 in 1 now are the most popular products all over the world. For more, please access to www.soukacatv.com/ Source: www.ramelectronics.net/Audio-Video-RF-Modulation-Demodulation.aspx Press Information: Dingshengwei Electronics Co., Ltd Buliding A,the first industry park of Guanlong,Xili Town,Nanshan,Shenzhen,Guangdong,China Contact Person: Phone: +86 0755 33019315 eMail: eMail Web: http://https://www.soukacatv.com/ 14.01.2019 06:19:53 - Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party. Citizenship celebrations under review The Federal Governments announcement yesterday that it will force councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, has been denounced by Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) as heavy-handed and odd. ALGA President, Mayor David OLoughlin, said that some councils will have valid concerns about the proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code. He said that most councils hold more than one citizenship ceremony a year, some as often as monthly. The Federal Governments strong focus on drawing a link between Australia Day and citizenship ceremonies is bizarre. If the Federal Government had bothered to consult with us in the development of this policy, they would have heard that in some locations, its simply too hot for councils to hold ceremonies during the day, so they do it the evening before, just as the Federal Government does with its Australian of the Year Ceremony. Other councils combine their citizenship ceremonies with their local Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards which are often held in the week before Australia Day, just as many of the State and Territory Governors do with their Australia Day Awards ceremonies. It would make more sense for the Federal Government to insist on local, state and their own level of government holding events to celebrate Australia Day Honours and Citizens of the Year on Australia Day, rather than only insisting on local councils holding a citizenship ceremony on the 26th of January, especially given Citizenship Day is the 17th of September, months after Australia Day. We do acknowledge that a small number of councils are in discussions with their communities about whether the 26th of January is the appropriate day to celebrate Australia Day. However, councils cannot move Australia Day - this is ultimately up to the Federal Government but it is our job to be responsive to our communities, including to their calls for prudence and advocacy. Burning tires blocked the streets as outraged Zimbabweans marched in the nations main cities Monday to protest the governments sudden and jarring move over the weekend to more than double fuel prices. President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced in a televised address late Saturday night that his administration was increasing gasoline prices the next day to $12.51 per gallon to combat fuel shortages driven by rampant illegal trading. According to the website Globalpetrolprices.com, that makes Zimbabwes gasoline the most expensive in the world, with Hong Kong coming in a distant second. Diesel prices were also raised to $11.77 per gallon. The unexpected move sparked quick and widespread frustration among weary Zimbabweans who have endured months of fuel and food shortages. Advertisement As Mnangagwa touched down in Russia for an official visit, police clashed with protesters in Harare and the southern city of Bulawayo, and soldiers were deployed in parts of the capital, according to the Associated Press. The countrys largest labor union federation called for workers to stay home in a three-day national shutdown. More than a year after authoritarian leader Robert Mugabe was forced out of office, many Zimbabweans are fed up with their new governments failure to deliver any meaningful change. A student looks at a burning barricade during a demonstration Monday in Bulawayo after the president announced he was doubling gas prices. (ZINYANGE AUNTONY / AFP/Getty Images) Mnangagwa, a longtime member of Mugabes ruling ZANU-PF party, pledged to overhaul the hollowed-out economy when he was elected in July, but his critics regularly say they are worse off now than they were under his predecessor. Many are still out of work. Doctors just ended a weeks-long strike over pay, and teachers and civil servants have warned they may do the same. For months, Zimbabweans have waited for hours in lines for gas and faced empty shelves at markets as cash shortages have left many basic goods in scarce supply. The demonstrations that kicked off Monday raised the specter of the sort of violent crackdown that marred Mnangagwas victory in July, when the army opened fire on demonstrators in downtown Harare, killing six. Civil society leaders and the countrys main opposition called for demonstrations to remain peaceful Monday, but police and state media condemned protesters for resorting to violence, accusing them of looting and illegally blocking roads. Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said in state media that police had gathered video footage of the demonstrations and warned they would arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law. Advertisement Mahr is a special correspondent. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Monday pressed the Saudi crown prince to hold accountable every single person involved in the killing of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but he reported no progress in the case that has strained U.S. relations with the desert kingdom. Our expectations have been clear from early on, Pompeo said. The Saudi leadership reiterated its commitment to punishing the killers, Pompeo said, but still has to work through a fact process. More than 100 days have passed since Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, and many critics, journalist advocates and human rights activists have accused Riyadh of fingering a handful of scapegoats but avoiding blaming the masterminds. The U.S intelligence community concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, likely ordered the killing. But the Trump administration has made clear it values the bilateral U.S.-Saudi relationship, including lucrative arms deals, over an individual human rights case. Advertisement Pompeo met with Mohammed, much of it one-on-one, for about 45 minutes inside the ornate royal palace, his second such sit-down since Khashoggis death. After the first meeting, Pompeo was widely criticized for laughing and appearing overly chummy with the prince, who is also largely responsible for the disastrous war in Yemen. This time, Pompeo smiled politely but appeared more subdued and serious. Speaking later to reporters at Riyadhs King Khalid airport, Pompeo downplayed the harm caused to U.S.-Saudi relations by the Khashoggi case. Our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he said. That is the strategic partnership. A bipartisan bloc of congressional members has demanded the administration suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia over its abysmal human rights record and the Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen that has killed tens of thousands of civilians and plunged the country into famine and a humanitarian crisis. Pompeo did make a rare mention of female activists in Saudi Arabia whom the government has arrested and allegedly tortured. The sister of one of the women, Loujain Hathloul, published a dramatic op-ed piece in the New York Times this week, pleading that Pompeo take up her case. Pompeo will end his multinational swing through the Middle East later Monday, cutting it short by one day and one country because of a family death. In the course of seven days, he managed to touch down in eight capitals: Amman, Jordan; Baghdad; Cairo; Manama, Bahrain; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; Riyadh and finally Muscat, Oman. His overarching goal has been to shore up an anti-Iran coalition, especially after President Trumps abrupt decision to withdraw American troops from Syria sowed confusion and doubt about the administrations commitment. His centerpiece event was a speech in Cairo, which his staff portrayed as a major policy address on the Middle East. Reaction to the hard-line speech, however, was mixed and, for some regional leaders, tone-deaf. Advertisement The belligerently anti-Iran stance plays well in Saudi Arabia and Israel, but less so in other parts of the region. Egypt, for example, fears Turkey more than it does Iran, said Oraib Rantawi, director of the Amman-based Al Quds Center think tank. Jordan has other concerns, like the Palestinian peace process. In Iraq, Pompeos words also brought new fears, since the country has depended so heavily on both the United States and Iran in its fight to oust Islamic State militants from the country. Iraq can never be part of an anti-Iran coalition, said Raed Fahmi, secretary of Iraqs Communist Party and a former minister for science and technology. The dependency is there. Advertisement A week after Pompeo landed in Baghdad and Irbil, the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, followed the exact same itinerary. Pompeo has also had to try to soothe allies over Trumps abrupt announcement of his intent to withdraw from Syria, glossing over the stream of contradictions emerging from Washington over what exactly is being planned. Trump, who initially, apparently, decided to pull the plug on Syria after a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, now appears to have backtracked and has threatened Turkey with economic disaster if it doesnt care for the Kurds, something that Erdogan was not likely ever to do. Wilkinson reported from Riyadh and Bulos from Mosul, Iraq. A decades-old Iranian Boeing 707 military cargo plane reportedly carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan crashed on Monday while trying to land west of Irans capital, killing 15 people on board and leaving a sole survivor, authorities said. The crash of the jetliner marked just the latest aviation disaster for Iran, which hoped to replace its aging fleet under terms of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. But instead, President Trumps withdrawal from the accord in May scuttled billions of dollars in planned sales by Airbus and Boeing Co. to the Islamic Republic, only increasing the danger for passengers in Irans planes. The aircraft, which bore the paint scheme of the Iranian air forces civilian Saha Airlines, was an making emergency landing around 8:30 a.m. Monday at Fath Airport, an airfield controlled by Irans powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The plane skidded off the runway, crashed through a perimeter fence and into a residential neighborhood. Advertisement Iranian state television aired images of smoke-charred homes and the fuselage of the aircraft lying on the ground in the neighborhood. Nearby was one of its landing gears, torn away. Small fires burned around it. The plane was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 25 miles west of Tehran, the Iranian capital. Authorities did not immediately offer a reason for the crews decision to land instead at Fath Airport. That airport is about 6 miles southwest of Payam. Its runway is some 3,600-feet long, compared to Payams 11,800 feet. In November, a commercial airline reportedly mistook Fath for Payam but was able to abort its landing. Irans state-run IRNA news agency later quoted an anonymous aviation official saying Mondays doomed flight likewise mistook Fath for Payam. Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the countrys emergency medical services, said that of the 16 people on board the plane, only the flight engineer was known to have survived. IRNA reported all 15 bodies of the crew who died had been recovered by Monday afternoon. Irans air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible martyrdom, is under investigation. It wasnt immediately clear who owned the plane, though Gen. Shahin Taghikhani, an army spokesman, told state TV the plane and its crew were Iranian. Iranian rescue works at the site of a Boeing 707 cargo plane crash, at Fath Airport. (Hasan Shirvani / Mizan News Agency) Iranians often use the word martyrdom for those who die in war or national service. Advertisement The plane reportedly was carrying a cargo of meat from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstans capital, to Iran. Since 2016, Iran has been importing meat from Kyrgyzstan, usually via Saha. It imported 150 tons in 2016 and 350 tons in 2017. Saha Airlines operated one of the worlds last commercial flights of the Boeing 707, which was first manufactured in 1958 and helped usher in the jet age. The four-engine, narrow-body aircraft were built until 1979. Maintenance information regarding the Boeing 707 that crashed Monday was not immediately available. However, Iran has struggled to obtain parts for its aging fleet of airlines, nearly all purchased during the time of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Saha Airlines Boeing 707s suffered a previous fatal crash in April 2005, when a flight coming from the Kish island crash-landed at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, killing three passengers. Advertisement Iran has suffered a series of major aviation disasters in recent decades. Its last major crash happened in February 2018, when an Aseman Airlines ATR-72 brought back into service only months earlier after being grounded for seven years crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of southern Iran, killing all 65 people aboard. In January 2011, when an Iran Air Boeing 727 broke to pieces on impact while trying an emergency landing in a snowstorm in northwestern Iran, killing at least 77 people. In July 2009, a Russian-made jetliner crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran, killing all 168 on board. A Russian-made Ilyushin 76 carrying members of the Revolutionary Guard crashed in southeastern Iran in February 2003, killing 302 people. In February 1993, an Iranian airliner with 132 people aboard collided with an air force jet after takeoff from Tehrans main airport, killing everyone on the two aircraft. And in July 1988, the USS Vincennes in the Strait of Hormuz mistook an Iran Air flight heading to Dubai for an attacking fighter jet, shooting down the plane and killing all 290 people aboard. Photo taken by the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) on Jan 11, 2019 shows the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe. With the assistance of the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge), the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) and the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe took photos of each other. [Photo/Xinhua/China National Space Administration] China announced on Friday that the Chang'e 4 mission, which conducted mankind's first surface observation of the moon's far side, "a complete success". The China National Space Administration said in a statement that the two components of the Chang'e 4 robotic probe the lander and the Yutu 2, or Jade Rabbit 2, rover took pictures of each other that were transmitted to ground control via the Queqiao relay satellite. All scientific equipment mounted on the lander and rover has functioned well and their data have been received by ground control. Scientific experiments are underway without any problem, the administration said, explaining that all were successful. Also on Friday, cameras mounted on the lander took panoramic images of the landing site, enabling researchers to do a topographical analysis, it said. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and Central Military Commission jointly sent a congratulatory letter to the Chang'e 4 mission team. The screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the Chang'e-4 lander (R) and the Yutu-2 rover taking pictures for each other, Jan 11, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] It called the mission a new landmark in China's space industry of self-reliance and innovation, a symbol that China is on the path of becoming a strong space power and a major contribution to space exploration. With Chang'e 4's success, a new chapter in China's lunar and deep-space exploration programs is about to commence, and the tasks and challenges ahead will be unprecedented, the letter said. Chang'e 4 was launched atop a Long March 3B rocket in early December at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. It is the country's fourth lunar exploration and the world's first expedition to successfully land on the moon's far side, most of which never faces Earth. The robotic probe made a soft landing on the far side on Jan 3 and then released Yutu 2, the seventh rover on the moon and the first to get to the far side, to roam and survey the landing site in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system. Yutu 2 was activated on Thursday after a short standby mode that started around Jan 5 to protect its devices from possible damage caused by direct solar radiation. Yutu 2, weighing 140 kilograms, is the lightest rover of its kind. Photo taken by the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe on Jan 11, 2019 shows the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2). [Photo/Xinhua/China National Space Administration] China launched its lunar exploration program in 2004, naming it Chang'e after the goddess of the moon in Chinese legend. The first Chinese lunar explorer, the Chang'e 1 orbiter, was launched in October 2007. The Chang'e 2 orbiter was launched in October 2010 to conduct high-definition imaging of the moon and verify the suitability of the Chang'e 3 landing site. The Chang'e 3 probe was launched in December 2013 and was the first Chinese spacecraft to touch down on the lunar surface. The mission marked the first soft landing by a man-made object on the moon in nearly four decades. Carried by Chang'e 3, Yutu, the first Chinese lunar rover, worked on the moon for nearly 1,000 days. Chang'e 3's lander is still operational and sending back data to Earth. The next step in China's lunar exploration, the Chang'e 5 mission, is set to take place before the end of this year. Its rover is designed to collect samples and bring them back to Earth. On the eve of lawmakers vote on her proposed Brexit deal, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday urged them to back the plan or risk catastrophic harm to the countrys faith in democracy and paralysis in Parliament. Speaking in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, which voted overwhelmingly in 2016 to leave the European Union, May said that if the House of Commons rejects the deal Tuesday, it will significantly increase the chance of Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal on the table or of Brexit not happening at all. We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum, the prime minister said during her speech at a pottery factory in central England. She said of lawmakers who plan to vote against her deal: I ask them to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. Advertisement This was Mays last-ditch bid to win over any members of Parliament who are wavering over whether to vote against the government, or support the deal she agreed to following months of negotiations with the remaining 27 EU members. She also released a letter from EU leaders that attempted to give assurances about one of the biggest sticking points: how to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland, a member of the European Union, and Northern Ireland, which will leave the EU along with the rest of the United Kingdom. But with the clock ticking down on the Tuesday evening vote, it seems increasingly certain that the arithmetic simply is not in her favor and she will not secure the 320 votes needed to push the deal through. May had already delayed the vote from Dec. 11 to try to increase the odds of passage. It would be the surprise of the century if she did win the vote, said Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London. Maybe [her speech] swayed a few people who were willing to budge anyway. But to be honest, I think everyones views are pretty much set now. More than two years after the British public voted by a 52% majority to leave the European Union in a nail-biting referendum, the country stands at a critical tipping point. There are fewer than 75 days left before the March 29 deadline, when Britain is expected to formally leave the bloc, but the gulf between politicians over what that divorce should look like appears wider than ever. Without a majority in Parliament to depend on, and with Mays own Conservative Party deeply fractured over the issue of what Brexit should look like, if indeed it should happen at all, the prime minister needs support from lawmakers from across the political divide to get her deal through. Advertisement Numerous members of the main opposition Labor Party as well as the Liberal Democrats have vowed to vote down the deal, with many of them also calling for a second referendum. At least 100 of Mays own Conservative members of Parliament have said they will not back her, along with the 10 members of Parliament from the Democratic Unionist Party out of Northern Ireland. Mays government depends on support from the Democratic Unionists to maintain a parliamentary majority, but they are deeply unhappy with the so-called backstop plan, which seeks to avoid any border reemerging between Ireland and Northern Ireland that could threaten the hard-fought peace process there. The backstop agreement would come into effect only if Britain and the EU cannot agree to a future trade agreement. Under the current contingency plan, the whole of the U.K. would remain in an EU customs union until a more permanent solution is found. Northern Ireland would remain linked to some rules of the EU single market. Advertisement The Democratic Unionists argue that such differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. could damage the union. Other critics oppose the fact that the backstop has no time limit and Britain could not leave it unilaterally. Pro- and anti-Brexit supporters hold placards and flags outside the Houses of Parliament in central London on Monday. (Tolga Akmen / AFP/Getty Images) In a further setback Monday, assistant whip Gareth Johnson who was responsible for trying to get lawmakers to fall into line resigned his post, saying the Brexit deal was not in the national interest and that he had to place his loyalty to my country above my loyalty to the government. More than 10 members of Mays government have quit over Brexit in the 2 years since she became prime minister. Ive certainly never seen anything like this in my lifetime, professor Bale said. And I couldnt really point to anything after 1945 of this nature. It really is chaos. Advertisement May says she believes the deal delivers on what the British public voted for it secures the rights of the 3 million EU citizens living in Britain and the 1 million British nationals living in the EU, while also enabling the country to regain control over its borders, money and laws. But the crux of the deal is a compromise that has fundamentally left no one happy. Die-hard Euroskeptics feel it keeps Britain too closely tied to EU rules, and ardent remainers dont want to sever ties at all. Former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said he anticipated May would get one of the biggest parliamentary beatings any British prime minister has ever had in history. Whilst [the deal] says it takes us out of the European Union, it actually leaves us trapped in many aspects of it, he said. Advertisement If May does not secure majority backing for her deal, various scenarios could play out. May will probably dash to Brussels to seek further assurances and minor tweaks to her deal from EU leaders, although they have repeatedly said that this is the best offer Britain is going to get. May will have three days to return to Parliament with a Plan B, which could then be voted on. Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn could call a no-confidence vote in the government; if he won, it could trigger a general election. Advertisement Or Brexit could go ahead without a deal, despite prominent business leaders and financial analysts warning that would be a potentially catastrophic outcome for the countrys already shaky economy. Alternatively, the March 29 deadline could be delayed to allow more negotiating time, an idea that seems to be gaining traction. But that would probably increase calls for a second referendum. On Monday, protesters in support of the so-called Peoples Vote campaign gathered outside Parliament to protest what they see as a disastrous Brexit deal and demand the British public be given the right to vote to either accept the plan or remain in the EU. In a speech later in the day in the House of Commons, May warned against blocking Brexit: That would be a subversion of our democracy, saying to the people we were elected to serve that we were unwilling to do what they instructed. Advertisement Of course, there is also the risk that May herself could resign after battling for years to unite the country around a shared vision of Brexit. For all the talk of her resilience and doggedness, shes only human, Bale said. Most other prime ministers, faced with the kinds of humiliations and knock backs shes had, would have gone months if not a year ago. Weve got used to the idea that she somehow will never give in, but maybe she will. Tuesdays vote is scheduled to take place about 7 p.m. with a result expected soon after. Advertisement Boyle is a special correspondent. The future of the Greek government was thrown into question Sunday after the defense minister announced he was quitting and withdrawing his party from the ruling coalition to protest a pending agreement with neighboring Macedonia over its name. Last June, Greece agreed to drop its opposition to the Republic of Macedonia joining NATO and the European Union if Macedonia changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. The defense minister, Panos Kammenos, the leader of the Independent Greeks party, argues that any new name should eliminate the word Macedonia, a view that reflects popular opinion in Greece, which has a region called Macedonia. His party holds just seven of the 300 seats in Parliament, but its alliance with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras party, Syriza, which holds 145 seats, has made it a crucial part of the coalition that has governed Greece for the last four years. Advertisement Tsipras said Sunday that he had asked Parliament to hold a vote of confidence, which will probably take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. We will immediately move to the process outlined by the constitution for the renewal of the confidence in my government, Tsipras said after meeting with Kammenos in Athens. We have critical legislative work and interventions to do. His government said it is confident that some members of Kammenos party will continue to offer their support and help it win the 151 votes it needs to serve out its term, which ends in October. A vote of no-confidence would almost certainly force earlier elections. The dispute over the name began in earnest in 1991, when the Republic of Macedonia emerged from the collapse of Yugoslavia. It sparked an immediate crisis. The Greek prime minister at that time fired his foreign minister, who went on to form his own party, which attracted enough defectors from the prime ministers party to play a major role in bringing down his government. The region of Macedonia in Greece includes Thessaloniki, the nations second-biggest city and one of its largest ports. Compounding the insult, the new republic renamed its main airport Alexander the Great in 2006, a move seen by Greeks as claiming the heritage of the ancient Greek king, who hailed from the ancient region of Macedonia and set out from there to conquer the known world. The name was dropped last year in a goodwill gesture. The agreement hashed out last summer on the shores of Lake Prespa, which spans the border between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia, received support from the U.S. and much of Europe, which saw it as a way to stem Russian influence in the region. Advertisement The agreement will benefit North Macedonia, Greece and the European Union, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week on her first visit to Athens in four years. I am deeply convinced of this. The new name would be used both internationally and bilaterally, so that the countries that recognize Macedonia would have to change their recognition to North Macedonia. But ratifying the accord has not gone smoothly. In Greece, thousands of protesters rallied against it in Athens and Thessaloniki, chanting that there was only one Macedonia and that it was Greek. Advertisement In the Republic of Macedonia, participants in a nonbinding referendum overwhelmingly favored the name change, but turnout fell far short of the 50% needed to approve it. Among the opponents is the president, Gjorge Ivanov, who has said the agreement violates the countrys sovereignty. That didnt stop Prime Minister Zoran Zaev from scraping together a majority of lawmakers last week to approve changing the constitution to rename Macedonia. Now the issue depends on Greece, where the Parliament must approve the agreement. Tsipras said that he expects a vote to be held by the end of the month, and his government believes it has the 151 votes needed to pass it. Even before the political developments Sunday, another mass rally was planned in Athens on Jan. 20 to oppose the accord. Advertisement For his part, Tsipras has said getting the agreement through Parliament will be his most important achievement after ending a series of financial bailouts that have kept Greece in the Eurozone at the cost of pension and wage cuts and higher taxes. It is a burden on our foreign policy, he said in a television interview last week. There is no reason for us to have this open front with our neighbor. Petrakis is a special correspondent. Two members of Chechnyas LGBTQ community have died as a result of police torture and at least 40 have been arrested since the end of December in a new crackdown on gay people in the mostly Muslim North Caucasus republic, activists said Monday. The new purge comes after global condemnation of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrovs crackdown on the LGBTQ community. Since 2016, Kadyrovs security services have arrested hundreds of gay men and lesbians and subjected them to beatings and electric shocks. Human rights groups have detailed accounts of police torture and abuse from victims and accused the Kremlin which oversees the restive Russian republic of turning a blind eye to Kadyrovs repression. In Chechnya, a new ski resort cant overshadow accusations of human rights abuses The new round of arrests began on Dec. 29, when police in the Chechen region of Argun arrested the administrator of a page on the Russian social media site VKontakte used by the LGBTQ community across Russias North Caucasus region, according to Igor Kochetkov, the director of programs for the Russian LGBT Network. The group is a St. Petersburg-based nongovernmental organization tracking abuses against the Chechen gay community. Advertisement The groups sources reported that police had detained both men and women and prevented them from leaving the region by taking their passports, Kochetkov said. The group also reported the two deaths. The network said it learned about the arrests in early January. The Russian authorities are unwilling not only to stop the persecution, but also to acknowledge the fact of illegal detentions, tortures and killings of LGBT people in Chechnya, the group said in a statement on its website. The Russian LGBT Network has reported helping at least 150 gay men flee Chechnya as a result of last years purge. Many of those who fled Chechnya sought asylum in Europe and the United States. I ask everyone who is still free to treat this message seriously and get out of the republic as soon as possible, a Jan. 10 message on VKontakte page said. Kadyrov, who has a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has denied the allegations of human rights violations in Chechnya. In a television interview last year, he insisted there were no gay people in his republic. Kadyrovs spokesman, Alvi Karimov, said Monday the Chechen leadership was not involved in the detentions and called the reports of a new purge untruth and misinformation. Chechen regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov, shown at the Kremlin in 2016, has said his republic has no gay people. (Pavel Golovkin / Associated Press) All places of detention in the Chechen Republic are part of Russias federal prison system, Karimov told the Russian news agency RBK. Advertisement Kadyrov, who has ruled the mountainous republic with an iron fist for more than a decade, has stayed in Putins favor by crushing regional insurgents while pledging allegiance to the Kremlin leader. Russia has fought two bloody wars with Chechnya since the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Kremlin has funded a massive rebuilding of Chechnya, particularly the capital, Grozny, which was nearly flattened after a decade of brutal fighting with Russia. Kadyrov has also been accused of playing a part in the assassination of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow in 2015 and the earlier death of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who reported extensively about corruption in Chechnya and its close relationship with the Kremlin. In 2017, the U.S. sanctioned Kadyrov for supporting extrajudicial killings and an anti-gay purge. Ayres is a special correspondent. Advertisement sabra.ayres@latimes.com Twitter: @sabraayres Each time I board a flight and relinquish my power wheelchair to people responsible for loading it, I pray it will be returned to me in one piece. Sometimes, its in several pieces. I wish these occurrences were flukes. The reality is that every day, passengers who travel with mobility equipment take a calculated risk when flying. Will our devices be loaded and unloaded carefully or tossed around like a piece of luggage? Some airlines are better at this than others, but its hard to know. That will change this year as the U.S. Department of Transportation implements a rule requiring air carriers to disclose publicly how many wheelchairs and motorized scooters they damage, lose or otherwise mishandle each month. Advertisement The statistics are likely to illuminate what disabled passengers have been saying for decades: For many of us, air travel is a crap shoot. I know from personal experience that when an airline damages a wheelchair, it is more than a simple inconvenience its a complete loss of mobility and independence, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a combat veteran and double amputee, said in a statement. The rule, a holdover from the Obama administration, was an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, which President Trump signed in October. But airline industry lobbyists had delayed its implementation, Duckworth said in an interview. In April 2017, she wrote to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to press for answers about the delay and to share her experiences, including the time an airline snapped a titanium rod that supports her seat and the chair fell apart when she sat on it. The day after writing to the Transportation secretary, Duckworths wheelchair was broken again during air travel. I just got so frustrated [with the reporting delays], so Im forcing them to do it legislatively, Duckworth said of the amendment. The first consumer report is due out in January or February on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website. Statistics will reflect December totals. The senators experiences echo thousands heard by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, an advocacy group that cited these horrors in a lawsuit demanding the rule be implemented as originally planned. Advertisement There are those with disabilities who wont even travel because they hear the stories, said Heather Ansley, PVAs associate executive director of government relations. Disabled travelers often rely on word of mouth to determine which carriers to trust or avoid, Ansley said. With this implementation, everyone can know every time a wheelchair is broken, a scooter is lost or someones mobility device goes missing for an hour, leaving a passenger stranded on a plane. Duckworth expects to see poor performers improve. Advertisement I compare it to the on-time arrival reporting that airlines have to do, Duckworth said. Before, you didnt know if a flight had a good on-time arrival and airlines fought it because they didnt want consumers to know this flight from Chicago to L.A. is late 60% of the time. When data on flight arrivals went public, on-time arrivals improved across the board. This gives the consumer the option of voting with their dollars, she said. American Airlines is already out in front of this. Advertisement The company launched a customer accessibility division last year to address gaps in service and is working with disability groups, wheelchair manufacturers and passengers, including Duckworth, on ways to improve the customer experience. One of the reasons we wanted to reach out to the senator is because she is such a strong advocate for customers with disability across the United States, said Suzanne Boda, senior vice president of American Airlines Los Angeles region. We know shes a frequent traveler and wanted to make sure we are taking her comments and putting them to good use. Flying with mobility devices Take off removable parts such as seat cushions, wheels and joysticks and keep them with you during the flight. If you get off a flight and your chair is broken, do not let them put you in a corner while the crew boards another flight, Duckworth said. Ask to speak immediately with a complaint resolution officer, or CRO. Advertisement Airlines are liable to repair or replace damaged mobility equipment, so file a claim with the CRO or baggage department. If you need a loaner device, ask that one be arranged for you with a local mobility dealer. Finally, file a complaint with federal regulators by calling (800) 778-4838 (open 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Pacific Time Mondays-Fridays or check here for other options: There are over 30,000 complaints filed with airlines by people with disabilities annually, but less than 1,000 are filed with DOT, said Ansley of PVA. Numbers mean something. Its important that people assert their rights. travel@latimes.com Advertisement @latimestravel All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will sit out Bostons game against Brooklyn on Monday night because of a right quadriceps injury. Irving said he was hurt Saturday in a loss at Orlando. Irving said he expects to return Wednesday against Toronto. The Celtics say guard Marcus Smart also is unavailable because of an illness. Boston has lost two consecutive games. Advertisement Etc. Former NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim is starting his first full week as president of the G League. Abdur-Rahim is replacing Malcolm Turner, who stepped down last month to take over as athletic director at Vanderbilt. Turners last day with the G League was last week. So now its Abdur-Rahims task to keep taking the league to higher levels. An 18-year-old UC Irvine student died over the weekend after going to a party, and his fraternity has been suspended indefinitely amid a police investigation, the students father and school officials said Monday. Noah Caleb Domingo, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, apparently was participating in a rush week event for his fraternity when he attended a big brother/little brother party on Friday night, according to his father. The following morning, the students parents received a phone call informing them of their sons death, Dale Domingo told KTLA. He said he has no idea how Noah Domingo died. Edgar Dormitorio, the universitys interim vice chancellor of student affairs, confirmed that police are investigating the case. More information about the investigation was not immediately available. Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been placed on suspension, meaning it must cease all activities during the investigation, Dormitorio said in a statement. He added that he could not disclose details of the case because of the investigation. He also did not release information about the student. We will closely examine the larger context in which this tragedy occurred and will be working with the Greek community to help ensure that they are engaging in behaviors and practices that are in alignment with university policies and their own values, Dormitorio said. The university also will be working with fraternities and sororities at the school to provide support to any affected members of that community. Our hearts go out to the students family and community of friends who have been impacted by this incident, Dormitorio wrote in the statement. He said students who needs assistance should contact the universitys counseling center at (949) 824-6457 or counseling.uci.edu. Daily Pilot staff contributed to this report. julia.sclafani@latimes.com No California governor in modern times has entered office with more wind at his back and fewer obstacles lying ahead. These are good times, newly inaugurated Gov. Gavin Newsom said in rolling out his $209-billion budget proposal last week. You pinch yourself at times like this. Newsom has loads of money to spend and no effective political opposition. His Democratic Party wields unprecedented power in Sacramento. Going back 60 years, Govs. Pat Brown, Ronald Reagan, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger all inherited troublesome budget deficits. Brown, Reagan and Wilson were forced to impose hefty tax hikes. That didnt sit well with voters who had just elected them. Schwarzenegger should have raised taxes, but instead borrowed excessively. Advertisement Gov. Gray Davis seemed in hog heaven in 1999 and started spending like it. Folks thought the honey was going to be flowing for the foreseeable future, recalls H.D. Palmer, who now is working for his fourth governor as chief budget spokesman. Davis soon became trapped in an energy crisis created by Texas power pirates cashing in on a foolish electricity deregulation scheme he inherited. Then a recession hit and the Democrat was recalled. In 1975, new Gov. Jerry Brown was gifted by Reagan with a huge surplus that state Treasurer Jesse M. Unruh called obscene. Brown and the Legislature should have spent the money on property tax relief. But they dawdled, helping create the climate for Proposition 13, which drastically cut property taxes and forever screwed up state and local government financing. More from George Skelton Brown was punished when he returned to the governors office in 2011. He had to clean up $27 billion in red ink created by the Great Recession. He cut programs, spent cautiously and raised taxes while the national economy rebounded. And he left Newsom with a surprisingly huge budget surplus: $21.5 billion. Eyes popped when Newsom announced that figure at the budget rollout. Thats on top of a $15.3-billion rainy day reserve. A brimming bank account is just one of Newsoms assets. Advertisement Hes telegenic and charming. And so are his wife, documentary film producer Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four young children. Its a family with natural voter appeal. Newsom also has lots of political allies in the Capitol. Democrats hold three-fourths majority control of each legislative house. Only two-thirds are needed to pass tax hikes and other major bills. Moreover, the governor is in sync politically with the liberal-leaning Legislature, although hes cautioning against wildspending with the next recession inevitably looming. Heads are moving up and down watching the gyrations of the financial market, Palmer says. There are risks out there. Even small fluctuations in the financial market can cause huge swings good or bad in state revenue. Advertisement Thats because state government has a sick, unstable tax system. It relies too heavily on rich peoples volatile incomes that can quickly boom or bust. Asked about it at his budget announcement, Newsom said he hopes to bring parties together in the next two years to negotiate a more comprehensive tax policy that can be placed on the 2020 ballot. He noted that many other states tax more broadly. Coverage of California politics Advertisement But right now, Newsom and the state are benefiting from the roller-coaster tax system. He seemed like Santa Claus handing out gifts to everyone at the budget show. There was more money for public schools and universities, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten, tuition-free community college, healthcare expansion, welfare boosts, affordable housing, homeless shelters, paid family leave, earned income tax credits for the working poor, wildfire prevention and firefighting. And much more. All of it will be picked apart and reassembled by the Legislatures budget committees, and revised by the governor in May. Newsom emphasized that he was concentrating surplus money on one-time spending that wouldnt lock the state into expanded costly programs when not if a recession hits. Advertisement He also wisely proposed socking away surplus revenue in reserves and paying down debt. He earmarked an extra $4.8 billion for unfunded public pension liabilities a pittance, however, compared to frightening future obligations that range from $330 billion to $1 trillion, depending on how theyre calculated, for state and local systems combined. Nothing was said about trimming retirement benefits. Neither did the governor say much about the embattled $77-billion bullet train and $17-billion Delta twin water tunnels he inherited from Brown. Newsom said hed have some news about the train soon. Advertisement Im going to be more realistic about what it is and what it isnt, he said, adding: Im concerned about the twin tunnels, but Im committed to [new water] conveyance. Im committed to looking at it with a fresh set of eyes. Newsom exhibited a gubernatorial style more reminiscent of Schwarzenegger than Brown. As the action actor did, Newsom chose the large auditorium in the secretary of states building rather than the governors press conference room for the budget unveiling. The cavernous auditorium could hold applauding aides, legislators and labor allies. But Newsoms performance was unique and impressive. Rather than a customary 30-minute recitation of talking points, the new governor held forth for 1 hour and 45 minutes, displaying a wonky grasp of complex details. It was generally upbeat, unlike the get off my lawn scoldings of Brown. I love this stuff, Newsom said at one point. Advertisement Hed better. With all he has going for him, thered be little excuse for failure. But it was an excellent Week One. george.skelton@latimes.com Follow @LATimesSkelton on Twitter President Trump on Monday seemed to back away from his threat to declare a national emergency to fund his proposed southern border wall and perhaps resolve the 24-day-old partial government shutdown, demanding instead that Democrats give him the $5.7 billion he wants. Im not looking to call a national emergency, Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn. This is so simple, you shouldnt have to. The president again insisted that he has the absolute right to use an emergency declaration to bypass Congress and redirect money in military accounts toward a wall, as conservative media pundits and some far-right Republicans have urged. But Im not looking to do that, he said. Advertisement Many Republicans in Congress have expressed opposition to an emergency declaration as an unwarranted exercise of presidential power, despite their eagerness to end what is now the longest shutdown in history as polls show significantly more Americans blame them and Trump than Democrats. Democrats, Trump said, should agree on border security and end the stalemate. We should get on with our lives. Speaking as he departed for New Orleans, where he addressed a convention of farmers, Trump claimed of Democrats that many of them are calling and saying, We agree with you, although he offered no names. He added Many of them are calling and many of them are breaking. The Republicans are rock solid. In reality, the Democrats have stood firm behind their leaders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York. Republicans, however, are showing splits. Some politically vulnerable Senate Republicans have stated publicly that they would prefer to end the shutdown and fight separately for additional border security funding, including a wall. But hard-line conservatives tell the president that would be tantamount to accepting defeat and would disappoint his supporters. Trump said he rejected a proposal by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for lawmakers to approve a short-term funding bill that would temporarily reopen government and allow lawmakers a few weeks to negotiate without the disruption that has left about 800,000 federal employees unpaid and has shut down or reduced a variety of essential services. Reiterating the arguments he made last week, including in a prime-time Oval Office speech to the nation and a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump repeated his claims of a crisis there that demands a sweeping federal response claims that, thus far, have little moved public opinion or persuaded Democrats to negotiate. We have a very big crisis on the border, a humanitarian crisis, Trump told reporters. Advertisement When he speaks of a humanitarian crisis, he refers to victims of crime by migrants arriving illegally though government data show U.S. residents commit crime at much higher rates and not to the wave of families and individuals detained in makeshift centers seeking asylum over his objections. He also describes women and children among the migrants as being exploited by human traffickers. In New Orleans, Trump devoted a large portion of his speech at the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation to his fight over the border wall and immigration. He called a rancher, Jim Chilton of Arizona, to the stage to help make the case for a wall Mr. President, we need a wall, he said and urged the audience to call Democratic members of Congress to demand it. Despite the applause for a wall among the assembled farmers, nonpartisan polls show that most Americans blame the president and his party for the unpopular shutdown and a majority opposes the wall, although support has ticked up over the last year. When it comes to keeping the American people safe, I will never, ever back down, Trump said. As he typically does, he made false or misleading claims that cast migrants collectively as terrorists, drug traffickers and others who are not the people we want. Advertisement I didnt need this fight, he said, insisting that Democrats are forcing it because they believe it will help them win the White House in 2020. In Washington, for a third week, the Democrats who now control the House introduced legislation to fund and reopen the quarter of the government currently closed, but for a shorter period of time. The previous bills died in the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.) has said he will not allow debate on measures that dont have Trumps support. The latest House bills could come to votes this week, but if passed, they also likely face doom in the Senate, given that they are much like the idea Graham proposed, and which Trump said hed rejected. Still, House votes would intensify pressure on congressional Republicans. Advertisement It is critical that we reopen the federal government, and these two new [bills] offer President Trump and Senate Republicans additional options to end the shutdown while allowing time for negotiation on border security and immigration policy, said Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. We should pass them into law without delay. Times staff writer Jennifer Haberkorn contributed to this report. The latest from Washington eli.stokols@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @EliStokols DOHA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday called for ending the continuing crisis between Qatar and mainly its Arab Gulf neighbors. Speaking at a joint news conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Pompeo said that the diplomatic rift among the Arab Gulf countries benefited their adversaries. "We are all more powerful when we are working together and disputes are limited. When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful," Pompeo said. Pompeo arrived in Doha earlier in the day from Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as he continued his ongoing tour of the Middle East that has already taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the UAE. He will travel to Saudi Arabia as his next stop. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has strongly denied the accusations. Last week, Anthony Zinni, the U.S. envoy tasked with resolving the Qatari crisis, announced his resignation, citing that he felt he reached a dead-end in the efforts to end the Gulf dispute. Members of the California congressional delegation say they still have no idea whether President Trump will follow through on his threat to cut off federal disaster funding to the state. Representatives for the White House and Federal Emergency Management Agency have not responded to daily requests from the Los Angeles Times for clarification of whether funds are actually being cut off for California as thousands of people are recovering from the worst fire in state history, and what precedent or legal authority there might for such a move. Trump tweeted Wednesday that he has ordered FEMA not to send more disaster funding to state officials unless they get their act together, which is unlikely. Trump is pushing the state to allow greater logging and timber sales. He says that will reduce the risk of forest fires, though experts disagree. His missive sent shock waves through the communities still recovering from two major fires that killed 89 people and burned more than 15,000 structures, with state and local lawmakers of both parties expressing outrage and concern. Advertisement Late Monday, the White House released a statement that seemed only to add to the confusion and concern, saying Trump has directed his administration to look at all options for ensuring California effectively mitigates against forest fire. The statement did not address Trumps threat to cut off disaster funding More than a dozen members of Californias congressional delegation, all Democrats except for Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), met Thursday evening to compare notes and discuss how to respond. We want to get more information about whether that was just the president popping off or whether in fact the funds are being cut off, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), the chairwoman of the California caucus, said. Lofgren said the members also discussed the possibility of a lawsuit if Trump does try to restrict the fire recovery funds. Several California members said they are trying to figure out if the president can legally withdraw funds once a disaster declaration is made, or if Trump was perhaps referring to not making a new declaration for future disasters. Congress has yet to approve a disaster aid package, and many Californians are relying on money from FEMA to assist in the recovery. The House is scheduled to vote on an aid package as soon as Wednesday. Its chances in the Senate are uncertain. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) said there is a sense of genuine concern among many in the delegation that the president could follow through. This is serious. California like every other part of the country has its disasters, and its appropriate that the federal government respond, whether its wildfires in California or whether its floods or whether its hurricanes in Texas or Florida or whether its tornado alley, Costa said. Advertisement Much of the forestland in California is managed privately or by the federal government, not the state. Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order increasing the amount of timber cut in federal forests and he has been critical of how California manages its lands. LaMalfa, whose district includes the town of Paradise that was destroyed, said he thinks the president was simply tweeting out of frustration with California forest management practices, or with criticism made against him by state legislators and the governor. Gov. Gavin Newsom had taken several swipes at the president in his inaugural address the day before. Maybe that just caused him to sit down and tweet something, LaMalfa said. I havent seen any actual action be pushed out through FEMA or any of our White House contacts. LaMalfas staff said when they spoke with FEMA officials last week, the agency had not received a formal order from the president to cut off the funds. Advertisement Costa said that lack of action is not enough to calm Democrats fears. I dont think anyone wants to take that reassurance at this point as a certainty, he said. There have been multiple instances of the president tweeting that he is directing an agency or department to implement a policy or order, but then weeks or months pass before White House staff follow through with the actual order. For example, Trump tweeted in July 2017 that the military would no longer accept transgender applicants, but did not issue formal instructions to the military until a month later. It is rare for all 53 California House members to meet together and craft a united position on something that potentially affects the state, especially considering the close relationship some of the seven Republicans have with the president. All seven California Republican members, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), responded to the invitation for an all-delegation meeting in a letter stating that Republicans had issued their own individual responses and are actively working within the administration to lay out our reasons clearly, calmly and compellingly, and are confident that we can prevail upon the president. Advertisement It also urged their Democratic colleagues to remember that a drop of honey gathers more flies than a gallon of gall. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), who led the effort to send the letter, told The Times that he didnt attend Thursday nights meeting in part because of a letter Democrats sent to Trump on Wednesday that had some pretty difficult language. The Democrats letter, signed by 44 California members, called the presidents tweet appalling, callous and dishonest. LaMalfa, who signed Calverts letter, said he agreed that the Democrats letter was harsher than it needed to be and hoped that him coming to the meeting would help the delegation keep its focus on helping fire victims. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the Republicans in the delegation to task Thursday for not having more forceful responses to the presidents tweet. Advertisement I look to my Republican colleagues from California to stop looking the other way on the presidents irresponsible behavior nationally. But they know people died, communities were wiped out, and theyre just cavalier about it because of the president of the United States, Pelosi (D-San Francisco) told reporters Thursday. Times staff writer Noah Bierman contributed to this report. The latest from Washington More stories from Sarah D. Wire Advertisement sarah.wire@latimes.com Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter William Barr, President Trumps nominee for attorney general, promised Monday to permit special counsel Robert S. Mueller III to complete his investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 campaign and vowed to be as transparent as possible in releasing the findings. Barrs pledge, a day before he faces a Senate confirmation hearing, came as President Trump became the first U.S. president to publicly deny that he secretly worked for Moscow against American interests, pouring scorn on media reports that raised fresh questions about his unusual conduct with Russian officials. I never worked for Russia, Trump told reporters indignantly outside the White House before flying to New Orleans for a speech to the American Farm Bureau. I think its a disgrace that you even ask that question because its a whole big fat hoax. Trump has long denied any collusion with Russia, but recent news reports disclosed that the FBI specifically sought to determine whether he received direction from Moscow after he took office, and revealed that he had collected a translators notes of his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2017, leaving no official record. Advertisement The FBIs initial counterintelligence inquiry became part of the special counsel investigation into whether the Trump campaign illegally assisted a Kremlin-backed operation during the 2016 presidential race that sought to undermine U.S. democracy and ultimately to help swing the election to Trump. Muellers team has indicted 33 people so far, and several of Trumps top former aides including his former national security advisor, his former campaign chairman and his former personal lawyer have pleaded guilty or been convicted of felony crimes, although not for conspiring with Moscow. Democrats had signaled that they intended to grill Barr, a longtime Republican lawyer and former U.S. attorney general, about his plans to supervise Mueller if he was confirmed, and would seek a vow from Barr not to fire or undermine the special counsel. In prepared testimony released Monday, Barr sought to deflect those concerns. He called it vitally important that Mueller complete his investigation and said his goal would be to release Muellers findings to Congress and the public to dispel questions about any improper coordination with Russia. I believe it is in the best interest of everyone the president, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work, Barr said. The country needs a credible resolution of these issues. If confirmed, Barr said, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation. I will follow the special counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work. Barr said he had the utmost respect for Mueller, noting they have been friends for 30 years and that they worked together when Barr headed the Justice Department from 1991 to 1993 under President George H.W. Bush. Barr also said his goal would be to provide as much transparency as possible after Mueller completed his report. Trumps aides have suggested they may try to classify the report, or try to rewrite it, before any release to Congress and the public. Advertisement I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political or other improper interests influence my decision, Barr added. Under Justice Department guidelines, the attorney general must report to Congress when the special counsel investigation is completed. Part of the report would include any instances in which the attorney general disagreed with a course of action being sought by Mueller. Barr pledged to give priority to protecting the integrity of elections by ensuring the full might of our resources are brought to bear against foreign powers who unlawfully interfere in the electoral process. He also sought to explain a 20-page memo he wrote to Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein last year in which he argued the special counsels investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice by firing FBI Director James B. Comey in May 2017 was fatally misconceived. Advertisement Democrats have pointed to the memo as evidence that Barr may not be able to approach the investigation with an open mind. My memo was narrow in scope, Barr said, and focused on a specific obstruction-of-justice theory under a single statute that I thought, based on media reports, the special counsel might be considering. He noted the memo did not address other theories and did not assert that the president could never obstruct justice. Barr, 68, said he did not pursue the nomination as attorney general and was reluctant to be considered because he was partially retired and nearing the end of his long legal career. Advertisement He said he agreed to be nominated because I believe strongly in public service, revere the law, and I love the Department of Justice. It will be his fourth Senate confirmation hearing and he is expected to pass muster although the Judiciary Committee and the Senate have changed dramatically since Barr last appeared. He won unanimous support from the committee, then controlled by Democrats, in 1991 as Bushs nominee for attorney general, and then won approval by a voice vote on the floor, signifying overwhelming support. He is likely to win some Democratic votes this time, but partisan rancor is far more pronounced. The committee chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), is an ardent Trump ally who was credited with or blamed for rescuing the embattled confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh in the committees last high-profile hearing. At least two Democrats on the panel, Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey, are expected to run for president in 2020. Advertisement Barr has a robust view of presidential power and is well respected in Republican circles for his conservative legal views. Career officials in the Justice Department expressed relief at his nomination he was viewed as a steady and reliable hand to take over as the nations top law enforcement official. If confirmed, Barr would replace Matthew Whitaker, who has served as acting attorney general since Trump forced Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to resign a day after the Nov. 6 midterm election. Although Sessions carried out Trumps policies at the Justice Department, the president repeatedly attacked him for recusing himself from the Russia investigation. Whitaker, who was Sessions chief of staff, quickly ran into political trouble for having a thin prosecutorial resume and for making comments critical of Mueller before he joined the Trump administration in October 2017. Whitaker refused to recuse himself from the special counsel investigation despite the recommendation of a career Justice Department ethics lawyer. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during press conference in September, announcing a temporary shelter in El Pueblo in Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Times) As he contemplates a presidential bid, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has to come up with a way to put a positive spin on some well-known negatives about the city, including a homelessness crisis, paralyzing traffic congestion, entrenched poverty and what may soon be the countrys biggest teachers strike. But one thing Garcetti hasnt had to reckon with has been a corruption scandal in his administration. Until, possibly, now. The Los Angeles Times reported over the weekend that the ongoing FBI investigation into Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar is part of a broader corruption probe that has included multiple City Hall insiders, including current and former members of Garcettis administration. A federal search warrant said agents were seeking evidence related to an investigation into an array of potential crimes, including bribery, kickbacks, extortion, and money laundering involving 13 people. Advertisement There are still a lot of questions, of course. Its not clear what exactly the FBI is looking for or whether the agency has evidence of criminal activity by the individuals named in the warrant. Times reporters Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser wrote that the probe centers on development downtown, particularly high-rise projects bankrolled by Chinese investment firms. Talk about ruining a weekend. Not that this week was expected to be a good one for the city and its mayor it faces a potentially crippling teachers strike that will affect 500,000 students in about 900 schools across the city starting Monday. Garcetti has no formal role in the Los Angeles Unified School District and his offers to mediate the dispute were rejected. Still, the unresolved dispute and the chaos it will create in his city make it hard for Garcetti to tout that #mayorsgetthingsdone. And the news tying the mayors office, even tangentially, to an FBI investigation could prove to be an unwelcome challenge for his would-be presidential candidacy. Its hard to criticize White House corruption when City Hall is under its own cloud. Yusef Robb, Garcettis spokesman, said Monday the news of the investigation has no impact on the mayors decision on whether to run. Until now, the FBI investigation appeared to be narrowly targeting Huizar. FBI agents raided Huizars home and offices in November. The bureau has not said what it is investigating, but Times reporters last year dug up troubling allegations that the councilman had asked companies that do business with City Hall to donate to a private school where his wife was working as a fundraiser, and that he assigned his staff to help with the effort. The warrant, which was filed in November but recently uncovered by a George Washington University researcher, suggests federal investigators have cast a wider net that touches some of the most powerful people in City Hall. The individuals named in the search warrant include Huizar and several of his council aides; Councilman Curren Price, who represents parts of downtown and South L.A.; Deron Williams, chief of staff to Council President Herb Wesson; Raymond Chan, who was Garcettis deputy mayor for economic development until he retired in 2017; and Joel Jacinto, whom Garcetti appointed to a full-time, paid position on the Board of Public Works. The warrant was served on Google in July for information from a private email account for Chan. Chan was the general manager for the Department of Building and Safety before joining the Garcetti administration in 2016. The warrant also named three companies described as foreign investors and which have all developed high-rise projects downtown in Huizars district. The warrant sought records relating to involvement by the companies or other foreign investors in development projects in and around Los Angeles. Advertisement No one has been arrested or charged in connection with the investigation. Several individuals named in the warrant and who were contacted by Times reporters said they hadnt been contacted by the FBI and knew nothing of the warrant. Its impossible to say if this investigation will result in charges or not. Theres no indication that the probe reaches the mayor himself, and thats worth repeating. In fact, a Garcetti spokesman told The Times that no one in the office has been asked by the FBI for information, let alone subpoenaed. Nevertheless, if the FBI is pursuing some of Garcettis appointees, the mayor could find himself with another problem to explain away on the campaign trail. For more opinions, follow me @kerrycavan 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. Two entrenched, mutually hostile factions. A dispute that causes enormous collateral damage, with no end in sight. An intense media spotlight. The partial federal government shutdown entered its 24th day Monday. The teachers strike at L.A. Unified, meanwhile, entered its first. Its impossible to miss the parallels. One key difference, though, is that the two sides in the strike have something to talk about. The dispute boils down to how much the district can and will spend on improved working conditions, including smaller class sizes and more teachers aides. Granted, theyre far apart on the issue, with the union accusing the district of not negotiating seriously and Supt. Austin Beutner saying the unions demands would render the district insolvent in even less time than its already projected to be. But the district has upped its offer and the union has dropped some of its demands, so you can see how the two sides could ultimately come to an agreement. Advertisement In Washington, President Trump has made the shutdown a binary issue: At the end of the day, hes got to have his border wall. Yes, the administration is asking for hundreds of millions of dollars tied to other border-security needs, such as more border agents and more judges for immigration cases. But one seemingly nonnegotiable demand is that Congress pony up billions for a taller, more expansive wall, in steel or concrete, along the border with Mexico. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute For their part, Democrats have made it abundantly clear they will never ever, ever get together with Trump on the wall. They make a variety of arguments against it its ineffective, it sends a terrible message to the rest of the world, it wont deter families from seeking asylum here, etc. but they may simply want to prevent Trump from #WINNING on an issue in which he has invested so much political capital. And therein lies the problem. The shutdown is dragging on mainly because theres nothing to negotiate theres no middle ground. Well, thats not quite true; if the issue were border security, as Trump sometimes describes it, the two sides could certainly go back and forth about the best way to achieve it and how much to devote to it. But as Trump made very clear last week when he cut short a meeting with top congressional Democrats, the hang-up is Trumps big, beautiful wall. Either we build it or we dont. Either Trump wins or he loses. Like the federal impasse, the one in Los Angeles has a personal edge. Beutner himself has become a subtext in the strike the union leadership (and, evidently, many teachers) dont trust him because they see him as an agent of well-heeled, pro-charter-school reformers. Nevertheless, the teachers strike can and undoubtedly will end with a deal both sides will claim as a victory. Union leaders will say they squeezed blood from the stone, preserving the future of public schools in the district. Beutner will say he saved the district from a deal that would have meant financial ruin. Reaching that point wont be easy, and it may not be accomplished any time soon. But at least you can imagine how a deal could be reached. It requires much more than an active imagination to see how Trump and congressional Democrats will end the shutdown. Advertisement jon.healey@latimes.com Twitter: @jcahealey Californias water supply is now inextricably tied up with climate change. In a warming world, nature has already brought smaller Sierra snowpacks and less predictable precipitation patterns, with periods both of drought and of flooding. Gov. Gavin Newsom, if he is to successfully steer the state into the future, has to bring to his water agenda the same steely-eyed, reality-based drive that the two previous governors brought to limiting carbon emissions. It is time for the state to respond to its water challenge with the same sense of urgency with which it adopted Assembly Bill 32, the landmark law capping greenhouse gas emissions, in 2006. That same year, the state began a long drought that may not yet have ended, although it has been punctuated by periods of extreme wet weather. Water forms the most tangible edge of climate change. Ground zero in the states water challenge is the Central Valley. Advertisement The task will be in some sense simpler than adopting AB 32, and the results could conceivably be more rewarding. Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown, in making the state a leader in the fight against climate change, knew that they were setting an example for the rest of the world, even though reducing carbon emissions here has only an incremental effect on our own air and climate. Someone had to show the way, and they did. Now, if Newsom recognizes the connection between a warming planet and changes to Californias hydrology, he could drive a new approach that not only sets a moral standard for a planet in which water is an increasingly contentious resource; he could also ensure that the states own environment and economy can survive and in fact thrive amid wrenching change. A climate-oriented water agenda accomplishes more than moral leadership. It keeps our thirst quenched, our crops growing and the priceless web of life intact. Of course, water is more tangible than carbon emissions, and rights to it are owned, exercised and transferred, so enacting a plan for water resilience in the face of climate change will pose challenges that may make reducing carbon emissions seem easy in comparison. But we have no choice. At least, not if we want California to continue to have a sustainable environment and a vital economy. Ground zero in the states water challenge is the Central Valley, the vast, flood-prone region that was tamed by 20th century engineering projects and turned into the nations richest agricultural region. The changing climate and more volatile weather patterns make the valley again susceptible to flooding. Sacramento, in fact, is among the U.S. cities most vulnerable to inundation. Any water plan for California should start with protection from flooding and with projects that capture, reroute and store floodwaters. That means a different approach from the last centurys great engineering projects. Instead of dams, California today needs projects that meet multiple needs at once: reducing flood risk, recharging depleted groundwater and restoring degraded wildlife habitat. Voters have approved a number of such projects already, but Newsoms leadership can ensure that they are completed more quickly. It also means stepping up the timeline of the landmark groundwater laws that finally require that subsurface water be measured, managed and equitably shared. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Advertisement Less groundwater will inevitably mean agriculture must become more efficient, and perhaps more geographically concentrated, with rich islands of green amid retired land. At the same time, advances in farm practices that raise productivity will also probably mean field jobs become scarcer. Newsom ought to not merely keep his eye on the San Joaquin Valley economy, but be ready with an action plan that helps it diversify beyond agriculture. In Southern California, we have our own crops to retire: lush, green lawns that must be soaked, fertilized and carefully trimmed but that never produce anything that can be eaten, worn or sold. The long drought, and enticements from water agencies, convinced many homeowners to pull out their lawns. We must keep that retirement going. Water is too precious a commodity for such use. Newsom also has a role in helping the region move more quickly to recapture and reuse stormwater and wastewater. He appears willing to encourage cities to build more housing and to hold back funding to those that drag their feet. He should consider a similar system of enticements and penalties for water practices. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook William Barr, President Trumps nominee for U.S. attorney general, will face a familiar setting on Tuesday a Senate confirmation hearing. It is sure to be the most contentious in the long legal career of the 68-year-old Republican lawyer who served as attorney general for two years under President George H.W. Bush. Democrats are gearing up to press Barr on a host of issues, including how he would oversee special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and other crimes. The big question in my mind is will he leave Mueller alone, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. Advertisement That means no interference, no budgetary control, no stoppage, nothing, she told reporters. That is only going to get answered well in public The first question is Muellers independence. Feinstein and other Democrats are also sure to press Barr to explain comments he made in recent months that were critical of Muellers inquiry. Barr has questioned the special counsels hiring choices and has expressed skepticism over potential collusion between Trump associates and Moscow during the 2016 campaign. In a lengthy memo last year to top Justice Department officials, Barr argued that the special counsels focus on whether Trump obstructed justice in May 2017 by firing former FBI Director James B. Comey was fatally misconceived. Republicans and those who know Barr say they are confident he will allow Mueller to finish his work and will have an open mind when examining evidence gathered by the special counsel. He is an honorable man and very principled, said George Terwilliger, who was Barrs deputy attorney general. He is extremely logical in his legal analysis and is a very effective advocate I found him to be very open to disagreement and discussion, and sometimes I would come away he was right, and there were times he came away thinking I was right about things. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Barr has a very high opinion of Mr. Mueller, and he is committed to seeing Mr. Mueller complete his job. Advertisement He had absolutely no indication he was going to tell Bob Mueller what to do or how to do it, Graham told reporters Wednesday after a meeting with Barr. Graham said Barr assured him that he did not believe Mueller was on a witch hunt, as Trump has repeatedly alleged. He added that Barr would err on the side of transparency in releasing aspects of the special counsels final report. Since he was appointed in May 2017, Mueller has indicted or charged 33 people, including 25 Russians. Several of Trumps top former aides and associates including his national security advisor, his campaign chairman and his longtime personal lawyer have pleaded guilty or been convicted of felonies, although none directly related to Russian meddling in the election. If he is confirmed, as expected, Barr would become the nations top lawman at a tempestuous time at the Justice Department. Advertisement Trump and his allies have denounced the special counsel investigation as well as the departments refusal to go after the presidents political opponents. The president has also excoriated the Justice Department for investigating hush payments made by his personal lawyer to two women, including a porn star, who alleged during the campaign that they had previous sexual affairs with the business mogul. The attorney, Michael Cohen, was sentenced last month to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to arranging the illicit payments. Cohen also pleaded guilty in a separate deal with Muellers office, admitting that he had lied to Congress about his efforts to lock down a Moscow real estate deal on Trumps behalf. If confirmed, Barr would take the reins from Matthew Whitaker, whose was named acting attorney general on Nov. 7 minutes after Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions resigned at Trumps request. Advertisement Possessing a relatively thin resume for the post, Whitaker came under fire for critical comments he made about the Mueller investigation before he joined the Justice Department in October 2017 as Sessions chief of staff. Whitaker has refused to recuse himself despite the recommendation of a career Justice ethics lawyer that he take such a step. Sessions tenure was a rocky one. Irked that his attorney general recused himself from the Russia investigation Sessions was an early and ardent backer of the Trump campaign the president often belittled him on social media as weak and ineffective. Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who has also drawn Trumps ire, appointed Mueller and served as the day-to-day supervisor of the special counsels work. Rosenstein has indicated to associates he plans to step down when Muellers work is largely done. Advertisement Mueller will not be the only topic at the confirmation hearing. As attorney general, Barr will be one of the most powerful members of Trumps Cabinet, exerting influence over the enforcement of laws concerning civil rights, immigration, terrorism and the environment. Senators are sure to probe Barr on how his earlier tenure in the Justice Department and as a corporate lawyer will influence how he would handle such matters. The learning curve will not be as steep as for other nominees. Barr served as attorney general from 1991 to 1993 after serving as deputy attorney general and assistant attorney general in charge of the office of legal counsel. As a top Justice Department official, he was not shy about pushing the envelope of presidential power and wading into contentious issues. He told Bush that he could deploy troops overseas to Panama and Iraq, for example without congressional approval. Advertisement He advocated for the detainment of Haitians fleeing a bloody coup at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and sought to stem an influx of asylum seekers reaching the United States by sending immigration officers overseas to vet passengers before they got on airliners. One of his most controversial actions involved urging Bush to pardon key figures in the Iran-Contra affair, including former Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger. In an oral history in 2001, Barr said he believed they had been unjustly treated. In the end, Bush pardoned Weinberger and five other Reagan-era officials for their roles in arms-for-hostages scandal. Then-independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh said the pardons in December 1992 amounted to the final deed in the Iran-Contra cover-up. Those close to Barr say he agreed to work in the Trump administration in part to protect the Justice Department as an institution. He is well aware of the presidents propensities, the associates said, and knows his relationship with Trump will not be as placid as it was with Bush. Advertisement In the 2001 oral history, Barr said Bush took a hands-off approach to the Justice Department, a legacy of the Watergate scandal and hesitance by the White House to be seen as meddling in criminal and legal matters. You didnt mess around with it, didnt intervene, you didnt interfere, he told the University of Virginias Miller Center in the oral history. There was a lot of deference paid. Barr recalled that Bush asked him in 1991 whether it would be OK for you to brief us in the National Security Council on where things stand on a looming indictment of two Libyans accused of bombing a Pan Am flight in 1988, killing 270 aboard and on the ground in Scotland. Barr said he was flabbergasted and recalled telling the president: Well, I work for you. Youre the top law enforcement officer. Of course its OK. Advertisement The attitude was, Barr said, you have to be very careful with pending matters of justice. Harvey Weinsteins attorney Benjamin Brafman is expected to ask a New York judge for permission to be relieved as legal counsel for the Hollywood mogul in his rape and sexual assault trial, according to sources familiar with the case. The move could delay Weinsteins trial, which is slated for May. It would likely take a new attorney considerable time to get up to speed on a highly complex case with potentially dozens of witnesses. Since December, Weinstein has agitated for a more aggressive approach that seeks to undermine not only the two women accusing him of rape but also the dozens of women accusing him of sexually inappropriate conduct over four decades in Hollywood. After months of letting his lawyer set the tone, Weinstein has begun talking to other people, including media movers and shakers, the sources say. Advertisement For Brafman to exit the high-profile proceedings, he will need Justice James Burkes approval. Two sources familiar with the inner workings of the proceedings of the case, involving allegations that Weinstein raped two women, said the attorney intended to file the paperwork soon. Last month, the judge rejected a motion by Brafman to dismiss charges of sexual assault against Weinstein. For months, Weinsteins legal team had attacked the reliability of his accusers and questioned the conduct of the New York Police Department and prosecutors. Despite hundreds of pages of dismissal motions, Burke quickly dismissed the motion. Weinstein has been under intense scrutiny since October 2017, when dozens of women came forward to accuse him of a wide array of misconduct. He was arrested by the NYPD in May and charged with six counts of sexual assault in Manhattan. Prosecutors said he forced former actress Lucia Evans to perform oral sex on him in 2004; attacked another woman, Mimi Haleyi, in 2006; and sexually assaulted an unidentified woman in a hotel in 2013. The Times typically does not name women who make accusations of sexual assault, but Haleyi and Evans have publicly told their stories. Prosecutors dropped the charge related to Evans accusation in October after questions about inconsistencies in her testimony. Brafman argued that Evans perjured testimony poisoned a grand jury against the producer and called for all charges to be dismissed. In court filings, Brafman also has pointed to email communications that took place between the remaining accusers and Weinstein after the dates of the alleged assaults. In one case, Brafman claims, an accuser attended a movie screening with Weinstein mere hours after she said he assaulted her in 2013. Advertisement Brafman has also alleged misconduct by police during the Weinstein investigation and accused prosecutors of presenting an incomplete case to the grand jury. In a six-page decision, Burke rejected each of Brafmans arguments. There was no basis for Brafmans accusations of law enforcement malfeasance, according to the ruling, and Burke found that the charges presented in the Grand Jury were supported by competent evidence and the proceedings were properly conducted. He also ruled the dismissal of the charge stemming from Evans accusation had no bearing on the other charges. The discovery of the email communications between Weinstein and his accusers that took place after the alleged assaults were not grounds for dismissing the indictment either, Burke ruled. The judge deemed witness credibility as an issue to be determined at trial. Advertisement In addition to the charges he faces in Manhattan, Weinstein also remains the target of several civil lawsuits and faces potential prosecution in Southern California. Police in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills have built assault cases against Weinstein, and those cases have been presented to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office for consideration of possible charges. richard.winton@latimes.com Twitter: @lacrimes Yarenny Einentel, a 15-year-old freshman at Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy, came to school Monday because she was curious about what would happen on the first day of a planned massive strike by teachers. High school students were given reading and math assignments to do in the gym, she said. Unimpressed, she called her mom to pick her up and doesnt intend to show up the rest of the week. Instead, she said, Ill probably sleep. Inside the schools main office, a line of parents and guardians came to pick up their children by midmorning. Advertisement One parent, who didnt want to share her name, said her ninth-grader son wanted to be picked up. Were not doing anything, he told her over the phone. As thousands of teachers and supporters rallied in the streets to protest conditions and pay at Los Angeles Unified School District, some students and administrators described auditoriums and classrooms with fewer pupils and little actual instruction. At Reseda High, only about half of the schools 1,350 students came Monday, said school Principal Melanie Welsh. In the schools auditorium, about 100 students mostly ignored the large screen, which showed former First Lady Michelle Obama singing Beyonces Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) on a segment of Carpool Karaoke with talk show host James Corden. At Venice High School, all the students were told to go the gym and were later sent to different classrooms, said special education assistant Charles Feldman. In one classroom, students looked at their phones or talked to each other, not doing much as far as any learning, Feldman said. At Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, high school students were directed to the auditorium. Attendance at the school, which normally has 2,000 students, was down by about half on Monday, officials said. One girl outside could be heard saying, Im leaving. This is so boring. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the third plenary session of 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on January 11, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Tao] BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a communique at its third plenary session held from Friday to Sunday. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addressed the session, while other Party and state leaders, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng, attended the meeting. A work report of CCDI, delivered by Zhao Leji, head of the CCDI, was passed at the session, according to the communique. CCDI members agreed that it is an important political task for all the Party members to carefully study and implement Xi's speech delivered at the session, the communique said. The top priority of the CCDI's work in 2019 remains firmly safeguarding Xi's status as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, as well as the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the communique said. CCDI will work to make "greater strategic achievements" in full and strict governance over the Party and consolidate the "sweeping victory" of the campaign against corruption, according to the communique. The communique listed eight priorities for 2019. -- CCDI will continue to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and upgrade the education campaign with the theme "staying true to our founding mission." -- It will take up resolute actions against the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. -- The institution of disciplinary inspection and supervision will be innovated to enhance the effectiveness of governance. -- It aims to make breakthroughs in regular and long-term supervision. -- Inspection on the implementation of political rules will be intensified, and the strategic structure of disciplinary inspections improved. -- CCDI will direct its anti-graft actions to key projects, fields and posts, particularly departments and sectors where power is centralized and money and resources are intensive. -- The efforts to address corruption and malpractices that occur on people's doorsteps will be continued so the people will have a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. -- CCDI will develop an "iron army" of disciplinary inspection and supervision officials who are loyal, clean and have a strong sense of responsibility. UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl addressed a crowd of teachers and children through a bullhorn in front of Marshall High School on Monday morning, raising his voice over chants and honking cars as the first teachers strike in 30 years kicked off. Caputo-Pearl called on federal and state leaders to increase funding for schools, including the sources identified in Gov. Newsoms proposed budget. He also urged the Los Angeles Unified School District to spend its reserves. Here we are on a rainy day in a state as blue as it can be and in a city rife with millionaires, where teachers have to go on strike to get basic needs met for children, Caputo-Pearl said. He called on Supt. Austin Beutner: Do not hoard LAUSDs reserve in order to move your cuts and privatization agenda. 1 / 75 Teachers and their supporters fill Grand Park during a rally after a tentative agreement wath LAUSD on smaller classes, new community schools, nurses and a raise. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 75 Erin Payne holds her daughter Olivia Johnson during a rally at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl announced a tentative deal today that could send teachers back to the classroom tomorrow, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 75 Maida Salido, Aurora Mireles and Stephanie Flores, left to right, celebrate during a rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 75 LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl announced a tentative deal today that could send teachers back to the classroom tomorrow, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 75 Mallorie Evans, center, celebrates after an agreement between the teachers union and the LAUSD was reached Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 75 Teachers celebrate after an agreement between the teachers union and the LAUSD was reached Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 75 LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, right, and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, with Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a tentative deal that could send teachers back to the classroom, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 75 Thousands of teachers attend a UTLA rally in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 75 Tom Morello, center, with guitar, is joined on stage by Perry Farrell, of Janes Addiction, and Wayne Kramer, with MC5, with tan jacket, as members of the UTLA Marching Band perform, This Land is Your Land, in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 75 From left, Lisa Ynfante, Iris Marin, Janis Nuno and Mireya Gutierrez, all LAUSD teachers join thousands at a rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 75 Ignacio Gordillo, Dean at Gage Middle School, shouts to the lawmakers at Los Angeles City Hall as thousands of educators rally in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 75 Xavi Moreno, center, gets ready for a rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 75 Jackie Goldberg, teacher, former school board member, who also served on the L.A. City Council and in the state Legislature visits with teachers attend rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 75 UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, introduce himself to 5th grader Aryana Fields from Playa Del Rey Elementary School at the rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 75 Austin Beutner, LAUSD Superintendent, right, and Monica Garcia, LAUSD President, provide an update on the UTLA strike in Los Angeles on Friday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 75 Thousands of educators with the United Teachers Los Angeles attend a rally on the fifth day of the teachers strike in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 75 From left, teachers Rosa Martinez, Maricela Chaidez and Lillian Garcia chant and cheer with fellow teachers preparing for a rally in Grand Park in front of Los Angeles City Hall Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 75 Kimberly Barrera, a 6th grade teacher, joins fellow teachers preparing for a rally in Grand Park in front of Los Angeles City Hall Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 75 Thousands of educators with the United Teachers Los Angeles attend a rally on the fifth day of the teachers strike at Grand Park in front of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 75 Anavelia Valencia, left, and Courtney Moore, right, teachers at 99th Street Elementary school, perform a rain dance on the picket line in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 75 Teachers picket in the middle of Sunset Blvd., at Gordon Street in Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 75 Antonio Solis, right, a teacher with Hollywood Primary Center, and Kevin Savage, center, a teacher at Vine Street Elementary, join fellow educators on the picket line along Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 75 Louisa Stiles, 4, eats a slice of donated pizza on the picket line at Elysian Heights elementary school in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 75 School attendance fell again in the fourth day of the LAUSD teachers strike. Oscar Garcia, left, and Yacob Eyob work on their iPads at Burroughs Middle School. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 75 The hallways of Elysian Heights Elementary were uncrowded on Thursday; outside, teachers and parents picketed. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 75 Westminster Elementary kindergarten teacher Jessica Dunn makes her case to passing motorists on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice on the third day of the LAUSD teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 75 LAUSD teachers, parents and others protest in front of school board President Monica Garcias home in El Sereno. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 75 A police officer clears the road to allow a car to pass during a protest Wednesday night outside L.A. school board President Monica Garcias home. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 75 Kindergarten teacher Beth Clark is among picketers on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice during Day 3 of the teachers strike Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 75 Student counselor Sandra Santacruz-Cervantes, center, pickets in a crosswalk outside Hollywood High School on Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 75 Educators and supporters pack San Pedro Street in downtown Los Angeles at a rally outside the headquarters of the California Charter Schools Association. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 75 Janette Duran, from left, Lauren Maucere and Stephanie Johnson, all specialists at Marlton School for the deaf, cheer at a rally at the California Charter Schools Assn. in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 75 Student counselor Edwin Deleon, on a bicycle, joins parents, teachers and students in a crosswalk to picket outside Hollywood High School during the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 75 Students from Main Street School hold signs as teachers and supporters make their way through downtown Los Angeles to attend a rally at the California Charter Schools Assn. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 75 Parents, teachers and students picket outside Hollywood High School during the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 75 Elisabeth Mitchell, right, a kindergarten teacher at the Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles, joins fellow teachers as they picket outside the school on the second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 75 Los Angeles Unified Supt. Austin Beutner addresses the media at LAUSD headquarters on the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 75 Stephanie Grace, center, and Lilly Diaz, right, teachers at The Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles cheer to passing vehicles as they join fellow teachers as they picket outside the school on second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo Pearl, center, joins teachers on the picket line at The Accelerated Schools in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 75 Teachers at The Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles picket outside the school on second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 75 UTLA teachers gather at city hall in downtown Los Angeles for a march and rally Monday, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 75 Corianne Cook, a teacher from Webster Middle School with her children, Ryn, 9, left, and Liam, 12, march to LAUSD district headquarters during the first day of the UTLA strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 75 Mallorie Evans, center, an educational audiologist at Marlton School for the deaf, signs along with the speaker while Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters gather at LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 75 UTLA teachers marched from downtown Los Angeles to LAUSD headquarters Monday, January 14, 2019, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 75 A supporter for the UTLA strike sports a Superman cape in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 75 Mari Enyart, 42, helps her son Was Enyart, 7, with school work while they spend their morning at a Starbucks Cafe in South Los Angeles on the first day of the strike. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 50 / 75 Reseda High students Roosevelt Jimenez, 17, left, and friend Kimberly Aquino, 17, right, sit in the school auditorium as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 75 Dr. Frances Gibson, Chief Academic Officer at the L.A. Unified School District, serves as a substitute teacher leading a language arts class at El Sereno Middle School. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 52 / 75 Teachers in a sea of umbrellas block 3rd and 4th streets over the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD Headquarters from City Hall on first day of the UTLA teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 75 Aleida Aguilar, a first grader at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles, is guided by her mother through the picket line formed by teachers on first day of the Los Angeles school teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 75 Counselor Leah Zeller leads teachers as they chant in the rain on the picket line at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 75 Teachers in a sea of umbrellas march up 3rd street over the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD Headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl organizes Los Angeles Unified School District teachers before marching from City Hall to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 75 Los Angeles School Superintendent Austin Beutner, right, with School Board President Monica Garcia, met with Geri Guzman, left, and family members of students before holding a press conference at LAUSD Headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 75 UTLA teachers arrive at Los Angeles to LAUSD headquarters near the 110 Freeway Monday, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 75 Reseda High School vice principal Phyllis Castaneda clicks through a slide presentation in the campus auditorium as students at the school are in the school auditorium and gym as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 75 Students picket at the entry of Carson Senior High School in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 75 Students at Reseda High are in the school gym as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 75 Students join the picket line with striking teachers in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 75 Teachers march towards LAUSD district headquarters during the first day of the strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 75 Olivia Cali Gomez, 5, spends Monday morning learning what it means to go on strike, outside of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 75 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters march from City Hall to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 75 Irma Torres, center, teacher from Heliotrope Ave. Elementary School, attends a UTLA rally at Los Angeles City Hall. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 75 Teacher Shari Sakamoto, left, joins teachers marching on a picket line Monday morning at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles on first day of the strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 75 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters gather at City Hall before marching to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 75 99th Street Elementary School Principal Marissa Borden, 43, fist bumps 5-year-old Samantha Carlos, while she and her two brother arrive at school in South Los Angeles on the first day of the strike. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 70 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, kicks off the LAUSD teachers strike at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. More: UTLA president calls for more money for teachers in a city rife with millionaires.' (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 75 Members of UTLA picket in heavy rain outside 99th Street Elementary School in South Los Angeles. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 72 / 75 Students join the picket line in support of the UTLA strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 75 Mars Khan, 5, a transitional kindergarten student, carries a sign to support his mother, teacher Stefany Khan during a march in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 75 Teachers wave at passing vehicles on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD district headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 75 Reseda High School students Jania Garcia, 16, left, and classmate Dennis Miguel, 16, work on a college prep app on laptops in the school gym in Reseda, Calif. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Speaking to the children in the crowd, which included his daughter, Caputo-Pearl said: The next time someone tells you that you are the future, tell them to prove it to you by investing in you. To teachers, he said: Feel your power. Feel your organized power, feel your pride. ...Until we get the district to reinvest in our kids, chant on that picket line with pride. State and national union leaders, including Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, joined Caputo-Pearl at the news conference to express support as people continued to chant and drum in front of the school. The eyes of the nation are watching, and educators and nurses all over the country have the backs of the educators in L.A., Weingarten said. We need the conditions to ensure that every child gets the opportunity he or she or they deserve. Los Angeles teachers strike: 5 things you need to know At one point during the news conference, a police officer pushed through the crowd of picketers, journalists and students, escorting inside two students trying to enter Marshall High School. Watching the speakers shortly before 8 a.m., three seniors debated whether they should go inside, too. Reese Navarrette, 18, said his father told him he didnt mind if he came home early. Navarrette said he was considering going in to check out the scene; he thought he could be marked down for attendance and then come back outside to join the picketers before heading home. The group of seniors were told they would be in the arts building on campus on Monday and would receive lectures. But they doubted it would happen. Advertisement Navarrette said he supported the teachers: They need to get paid more. He noted he had 47 kids in his music class and thats too many, he said. The latest on the LAUSD teachers strike UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl arrives to join the picket line at Marshall pic.twitter.com/74V1rtmjU2 Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) January 14, 2019 Advertisement alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Los Angeles teachers went on strike Monday morning for the first time in 30 years and found themselves immediately picketing in the rain with more downpours scheduled all week. In a dry climate, youd have to call that bad luck. But it didnt seem to dampen teachers enthusiasm. They wore ponchos and held laminated signs and braced themselves for a long, cold first day. Advertisement At Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts in downtown L.A., about a dozen picketers had gathered by 7 a.m., despite a steady drizzle. Eye of the Tiger blasted from a speaker. One picketer thumped on a drum and a passing driver honked to his beat. Kelsey Cushing, 35, a chemistry teacher and chapter chair of the strike at the school, said she was expecting a couple hundred strikers at the location. What were fighting for is pretty important, she said, so people are willing to come out in the rain. Picketers wrapped up in ponchos walk along Eastern Ave, stopping at the intersection with Lombardy to chant: We are the teachers, the mighty mighty teachers! pic.twitter.com/RjQzZVQKog suhauna (@suhaunah) January 14, 2019 At John Marshall High School in Los Feliz, teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl arrived to join the picket line in a red poncho before he held a news conference at the site. Outside Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy, picketers at one of three entrances to the school wore red rain jackets or ponchos and rain boots and carried colorful umbrellas. About a dozen picketers chanted outside the schools main entrance. Cars whizzed by with drivers honking in support. The National Weather Service predicted moderate showers through Tuesday morning with up to one inch of rain, and storms continuing throughout the week. Advertisement Union organizers, former teachers and labor rights organizations from across America and around the world have rallied to back Los Angeles teachers as they went on strike on a rainy Monday. On Twitter, local organizations including the Los Angeles Tenants Union and the California Teachers Assn. announced their support using the hashtags #strike4ed and #redfored. LA Tenants Union stands in solidarity with the teachers of UTLA in their strike because we believe the fight for high-quality community schools is a fight for the whole working class of L.A.#strike4ed #utlastrong pic.twitter.com/2quS1NJHE9 LA Tenants Union (@LATenantsUnion) January 13, 2019 Tomorrow educators in LA are planning to strike for the first time in 30 years. RT a message of #RedForEd solidarity and support to @UTLAnow: Why are you with educators on strike? pic.twitter.com/KnZQJryTb8 California Teachers Association (@WeAreCTA) January 13, 2019 Advertisement So did celebrities such as Jane the Virgin actor Jaime Camil, who announced support for the strike from the Screen Actors GuildAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists. #sagaftramembers stand with LA educators in their fight for a fair contract that benefits educators, students & the community Support @UTLAnow in their fight for schools our students deserve. Join a picket line here: https://t.co/2CV8eK8cYe #UTLAstrong #red4ed @sagaftra pic.twitter.com/NRinIMMI2G Jaime Camil (@jaimecamil) January 11, 2019 East Coast education organizations including the Maryland State Education Assn., Bridgewater State Universitys branch of the Massachusetts State College Assn., AFT Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers also encouraged L.A. teachers. We stand with our sisters and brothers from @UTLAnow as they fight for their students and schools, the Maryland State Education Assn. tweeted. Educators with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers posted a video of its members donning red T-shirts and chanting: PFT solidarity with L.A. The latest on the LAUSD teachers strike MSCA at BSU stands with UTLA! Keep fighting for public education! #WeAreLA pic.twitter.com/Vxx25E0nDl Bridgewater MSCA (@MSCAatBSU) January 14, 2019 Advertisement We stand with our sisters and brothers from @UTLAnow as they fight for their students and schools. #UTLAstrong #RedForEd #1u pic.twitter.com/UKUPlvyYF3 Maryland Educators (@MSEAeducators) January 14, 2019 Across the Atlantic, members of the National Education Union, which represents educators in Britain, rallied for the L.A. teachers. Over the weekend, a group of young teachers got together to pose for a photograph with their fists up and signs that read Solidarity to the Teachers of Los Angeles. Advertisement Solidarity from London to the @UTLAnow educators in Los Angeles who are going on strike tomorrow to fight for better pay, smaller classes and more support staff. @NEUnion Young Teachers stand with you #RedForEd pic.twitter.com/WSfDuuxkN8 Holly Rigby (@hollyarigby) January 13, 2019 alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Los Angeles Unified School District teachers are on strike for the first time in 30 years. Here are 5 things you need to know: 1 | Schools will be open. Kind of L.A. Unified has said that all schools will be open during the strike, and that students will receive instruction. But staffing will be thin. About 400 substitutes and 2,000 credentialed district staff will be spread out to fill in for about 31,000 members of the teachers union. A district guide advises parents that students are expected to attend school every day. Schools will be open and students will participate in instructional programs. The guide also states: School hours, morning and after-school programs, and meals will NOT change. The regular school schedule will be observed. That pronouncement is optimistic based on plans at various schools. Advertisement Many schools intend to gather large groups of students in big spaces so that they can supervise them with fewer adults. Its unclear how much regular teaching, if any, will take place, although the district has purchased more computer-based education programs. Parents need to check on whether any particular program or extracurricular activity before, during or after school is continuing. Many will not be. Schools will get some help from volunteers. Principals can take advantage of recently approved emergency rules that let adult family members of students assist without the usual fingerprinting and vetting. Quite a few parents have said they would send their children to school but then gauge their safety and the quality of academic instruction. Charter schools, which serve about one in five L.A. public school students, either are non-union or have separate union contracts. They will not be affected by a strike with one exception. Teachers at The Accelerated Schools, south of downtown, are involved in their own labor dispute and could begin their own strike on Tuesday. 2 | Keeping kids safe and feeding them will be top priorities Whether much learning occurs, the school district has financial motivation to get students onto campus: The school district receives most of its funding based on student attendance. Officials also understand that schools provide childcare for working parents and as many as three meals a day for many students from low-income or homeless families. LAUSD Supt. Austin Beutner noted: We serve a million meals a day. Advertisement However, if parents were not reassured that the schools were safe during a strike, they probably would keep children home or try to make other arrangements. A Los Angeles School Police Department officer will be present on every middle and high school campus, and two city police officers will be stationed at each of the elementary schools within city boundaries, authorities said. In areas of the district outside the city limits, school police are working with other law enforcement agencies in their preparation. School police do not plan to issue citations for minor infractions such as jaywalking and truancy unless someones life is in danger. Advertisement 3 | It wont just be teachers who are absent School nurses, counselors and librarians also are members of the teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles. They will be on strike too. And other district employees who belong to other unions may strike in sympathy. Classified staff who include teachers aides, custodians and cafeteria workers will report for work at all but 10 campuses. Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 99 who work at those 10 schools voted to participate in sympathy strikes. Students will still get meals at those schools, according to the district. About 31,000 United Teachers of Los Angeles employees plan to strike. Students can expect to see significant cuts in the number of faculty present. 4 | The strike will last longer than a day The focus of union leaders on Monday will be on the launch of the strike. They have no talks scheduled that day, union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told The Times. Advertisement The strike, therefore, is expected to last at least two days. A better bet would be at least a week, but this is hard to predict. 5 | Key differences still separate the two sides The two sides are not that far apart on salary, but they still havent even agreed on which topics are proper for negotiation. The school district wants to keep the talks as narrow as possible and would have preferred a deal based on the size of the wage increase. The district has bent on this issue and widened the scope of its proposal to include $130 million for class-size reduction and new staffing. But the union wants far more hiring and a commitment that the new positions be funded for more than one year. District officials say that budget constraints wont permit either. Advertisement UTLA also wants the district to engage on the topics of adult education, bilingual education, early education and programs for students with disabilities. And the union wants teachers to have more say when a charter school shares a campus with a traditional school. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume sonali.kohli@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @Sonali_Kohli Officials from state health exchange Covered California are ramping up efforts to enroll people in health coverage as the deadline to sign up looms. Tuesday is the last day to enroll in a health plan in California, two weeks earlier than the end-of-the-January deadline set in previous years. Consumers who start an application before midnight will have through Jan. 18 to finish the process. The push comes amid some confusion around the Affordable Care Act, which led to the creation of the Covered California exchange, where residents can buy subsidized private insurance coverage. This year is the first since the law, better known as Obamacare, took effect that people will not have to pay a fine for not having health insurance. Advertisement People who sign up for plans now will begin their coverage on Feb. 1. Were actually expecting a last-minute flood of sign-ups, said Covered California executive director Peter Lee. It constantly boggles my mind how much we all wait until the last minute. On Monday, 15,000 people enrolled in coverage, he said. As of mid-December, 1.2 million people in California had renewed their Covered California plans and 150,000 new customers had signed up for coverage, according to state data. However, there are roughly 1.1 million people in the state who probably are eligible for subsidized coverage through the exchange but have not yet enrolled, Lee said. The Affordable Care Act mandated that everyone sign up for health insurance or pay a penalty. But Congress undid that provision of the law, a change that experts fear will lead to fewer people signing up. A study released this month in the journal Health Affairs found that 19% of Californians who signed up for coverage through the exchange in 2017 would not have done so if not for the penalty. Our study found that younger enrollees and those without chronic conditions were more likely to not purchase insurance if there had been no penalty, said report author Vicki Fung, who works at the Mongan Institute Health Policy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. Moreover, Hispanic enrollees, those with lower income and education levels, and those who had been uninsured in the prior year were also more likely to say they would not have purchased insurance. Advertisement In California, only about 7% of the population buys insurance through the individual market, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The most common insurance sources are through an employer 47% and Medi-Cal, the states low-income health plan 26%. soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com Twitter: @skarlamangla How hard is it to convict a company of murder? Hard enough that a Riverside County judge in 2016 tossed out a murder indictment against a drug and alcohol rehab corporation in the death of a patient. Hard enough that three Chicago-area executives found guilty in the 1985 on-the-job cyanide poisoning death of a worker had their convictions thrown out. Hard enough that the owners of a nightclub where the worst fire in Rhode Island history occurred were allowed, in 2006, to plead no contest to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Advertisement And now California prosecutors must decide whether to file murder charges against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in the Camp fire, which killed 86 mostly elderly men and women and decimated the Sierra Nevada city of Paradise. In a court filing Dec. 28, Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerras office outlined the charges that the utility could face if it were found responsible for Californias deadliest wildfire. Murder, the most severe option, is at one end of a legal spectrum that includes involuntary manslaughter and has, at its other end, misdemeanor offenses related to vegetation and power lines. The cause of the Nov. 8 blaze, which displaced 52,000 people and destroyed more than 13,900 homes, is under investigation. More than a score of civil lawsuits have been filed against the San Francisco-based utility as a result of the fire. Many more are expected. In addition to the Camp fire litigation, PG&E is defending itself against civil suits stemming from more than 20 other wildfires that have ripped through Northern California since 2015 killing an additional 46 people. PG&E officials would not comment on possible charges stemming from the Camp fire. Spokesman James Noonan said in an email that the utilitys most important responsibility is public and workforce safety, and our focus continues to be on assessing our infrastructure to further enhance safety and help protect all of the customers we serve from the ever-increasing threat of wildfires. But three weeks after the Camp fire, the California Public Utilities Commission ordered PG&E to implement a list of recommendations to improve its safety culture and operations. The recommendations stemmed from the 2010 gas pipeline explosion that killed eight people and leveled a San Bruno neighborhood. In that case, PG&E was found guilty of five felony counts of pipeline safety violations and one felony count of obstruction. The company is still on probation. We continue to have concerns about whether PG&E truly is changing its culture or is just trying to check the boxes, the PUCs Nov. 29 order said. The Commission wants PG&E to have a genuine and effective safety culture that permeates the organization, not just a thin veneer or window dressing that superficially looks good but fails under stress. On Dec. 14, the PUC began considering penalties against PG&E after a staff investigation showed the utility had falsified gas pipeline safety records between 2012 and 2017. Advertisement The independent San Bruno incident report in particular is very bad for them, said Rena Steinzor, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law and author of Why Not Jail? Industrial Catastrophes, Corporate Malfeasance, and Government Inaction. In an interview, Steinzor noted a similar case in which an independent panel headed by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III in 2007 found oil and gas giant BP had a failed corporate culture that put profits before safety. The report came out between a 2005 refinery explosion in Texas City, Texas, that killed 15 workers and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11. BP pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013 and agreed to a record settlement of nearly $20 billion paid to the states affected by the oil spill, as well as record fines. Im not pretending this is easy, Steinzor said of prosecuting corporations and their executives after disasters.Defendants look like the judge. Prosecutors dont like to lose. And the cases are tricky, not least because you have a battalion of suits on the other side. Advertisement Defense attorneys, Steinzor said, would be throwing themselves all over the place about how outrageous [the prosecution] is; these people are working so hard to keep the lights on. Andrea Roth, a professor at UC Berkeleys law school, said it was unusual for prosecutors to file a murder charge in cases where a fire was unintentional. Involuntary manslaughter is much easier to prosecute because it is not necessary to show intent, or to prove the company was aware of any risk a fire could occur. Still, Roth said, she is not surprised that the attorney generals office would consider filing a murder charge. When 86 people die and we dont yet know the extent of the corporations knowledge, she said, it seems completely predictable that the AG would keep murder charges in the mix as a possibility. Advertisement The concept of usual is meaningless in this context, Roth added. Some of this is uncharted territory. One thing is clear to Frank Pitre, an attorney who was involved in the San Bruno litigation and filed suits against PG&E after the Camp fire. A corporation thats a six-time convicted felon on probation that has continuing issues with complying with the law, and now you have the Camp fire cases and 86 dead, he said. If theres ever going to be a case where theres going to be a prosecution and its still early boy, this is the one that will stick. The only question, he said, is whether prosecutors, when considering charges, will be able to pinpoint a particular decision and the specific person who made it. In that case, an individual could be charged and ultimately jailed if found guilty. Advertisement Thats the critical inquiry if youre going to send someone to jail, Pitre said. If its fines, penalties, thats a no-brainer. There will be a significant, monumental fine against PG&E. There is no question in my mind. Seeing so many all-white fashion looks on the Critics Choice Awards blue carpet Sunday night, you might have thought Hollywood was making another political statement, following last years all-black fashion action at the Golden Globes to protest gender inequality. But the trend is just a trend, at least according to Allison Janney. Were all just feeling it, she said, looking a bit like a superhero in a white Alberta Ferretti cape and pants look, piled high with Neil Lane diamonds. Perhaps it is a subconscious message of hope. Brighter times ahead, added her stylist Tara Swennen. Or perhaps Hollywood stars, like so many others this January, are obsessed with organization guru Marie Kondos new Netflix show, Tidying Up! Whatever the reason, the fashion news of the night was a clean sweep. Emily Blunt seemed to get the memo, wearing a crystal-embroidered white silk Prada gown that her stylist Jessica Paster described as fresh and simple. Constance Wu romanced in Rodarte, and Lady Gaga in billowy blush Calvin Klein (though sadly, without hair colored to match this time). Advertisement Lady Gaga went for another larger-than-life red carpet look, this time a strapless blush gown from beleaguered fashion house Calvin Klein. (Matt Baron / REX / Shutterstock) Women wore the pants a lot, with Julia Roberts choosing a deconstructed tuxedo by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton and Claire Foy projecting power in a Celine navy blue asymmetric jumpsuit to accept the #SeeHer award. Meanwhile, Eighth Grade star and Critics Choice Awards Young Performer winner Elsie Fisher worked a gender-bending, bow-trimmed Thom Browne suit and matching brogues that was perfect for her all of 15 years. Although glitz was at a minimum at this lesser awards show, there were moments of brilliance. Viola Davis, with the help of stylist Elizabeth Stewart, knows the silhouette that works on her body; its a superbly-fitted column with some sort of criss-crossing action at the shoulders, and on Sunday night she was on fire in a coppery, crystal-covered Michael Kors confection. But the lower-profile show also made room for less-familiar designer names to shine. Amandla Stenberg chose a brick-red dress from up-and-coming New York label Khaite, which stylist Karla Welch calls my version of American Celine. Not forgetting the men, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story star Darren Criss was a delicious throwback to American Gigolo, wearing a slouchy Armani jacket, T-shirt and pant ensemble that was on point for the Santa Monica setting. And Timothee Chalamet didnt disappoint in an arty Alexander McQueen suit and dad sneakers. A good choice, because theres still a lot of laps left to run this awards season. Roma is the top winner at the Critics Choice Awards, winning best picture, foreign language film and a pair of individual honors for director Alfonso Cuaron. The 24th ceremony, held Sunday at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, also split the top actress award between Glenn Close for The Wife and Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born. The split win comes a week after Close won the Golden Globe Award for best actress in a film drama, an award that many expected Lady Gaga would win. The Americans and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel tied for top television winners with three apiece. Maisel won the top comedy honor for the second year in a row, and series star Rachel Brosnahan also was a repeat winner for best actress in a comedy series. Black Panther and Vice each won three awards, including a pair of acting honors for Christian Bale for his portrayal of former Vice President Dick Cheney. Advertisement The best actress prize wasnt the only award that resulted in a tie: Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette split the best actress in a limited series or movie made for television honor. Elsie Fisher won the best new actress honor for her breakthrough role in Eighth Grade. The show was broadcast live on the CW network and hosted by Taye Diggs. It was the second day of reinforcements of the Turkish military presence on the border near the northern Syrian province of Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in Syria. On January 11, a Turkish security source said the Turkish army had been rotating forces in and out of the region, and declined to say whether the latest movement was in preparation for an operation inside Idlib province itself. US President Donald Trump announced last month that he had decided to withdraw US troops from Syria. The decision injected new uncertainty into the eight-year-long Syrian war and spurred a flurry of contacts over how a resulting security vacuum will be filled across northern and eastern Syria where the US forces are stationed. On the one hand, Turkey aims to pursue a campaign against Kurdish forces that have allied with the United States, and on the other the Russia- and Iran-backed Syrian government sees the chance to recover a huge chunk of territory. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on January 12 he was optimistic that a "good outcome" could be achieved that protects both Turkey and the Syrian Kurds, after speaking to Turkey's foreign minister. Earlier on January 12, the Turkish defence minister, chief of general staff and the intelligence agency head visited border military units and discussed "measures to establish peace and stability in the region," the ministry said in a statement. "We are making every effort to preserve the ceasefire and stability in Idlib, in line with the Sochi agreement. Our close cooperation with Russia continues," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said. Akar's comments came a day after Russia said it remained committed to an agreement it had struck with Turkey to stabilise a de-escalation zone in Idlib, but said Moscow was worried by an increase in the number of ceasefire violations there. RTHK: I never worked for Russia, Trump declares Standing outside the snow-covered White House on Monday, Donald Trump made an astonishing declaration for a US president: no, he has never been an agent of Russia. "I never worked for Russia," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn. "It's a disgrace that you even ask that question. It's all a big fat hoax." Trump's angry comments sought to bat down a mounting controversy over his alleged ties to the Kremlin, but the fact that he even had to issue such a denial illustrates how far the unprecedented scandal has already gone. The statement, delivered in freezing temperatures before taking off in the Marine One helicopter for a trip to New Orleans, followed two bombshell reports. One, in The New York Times, said that the FBI opened an investigation into whether Trump was acting on Russia's behalf soon after he became president. Another, in The Washington Post, detailed what it said were the unusual lengths taken by Trump to hide the contents of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes on top of the huge investigation led by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who is looking into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and the possibility it colluded with Trump's campaign. Trump also told reporters he expected to be able to reach a trade deal with China, which is feeling the impact of US tariffs. "We are doing very well with China. They're having a hard time with their economy because of the tariffs," Trump said. "I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China." US officials were in Beijing last week for talks aimed at ending the bruising trade confrontation that has subjected more than US$350 billion in two-way trade to steep tariffs. Chinese officials said the next round of negotiations would be held in Washington between January 30 and 31. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed on December 1 to a three-month truce in the escalating spat. "I can tell you we are getting things that before I became president you would have had no chance at getting," Trump said. "They would have laughed in your president's face." (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. When PG&E announced Monday that departing Chief Executive Geisha Williams will receive a golden parachute of as much as $4.5 million as the Northern California utility heads once again into bankruptcy, my first thought was, Are you kidding? Then I remembered what company were talking about and I thought, No, of course not. PG&E has a long and unfortunate history of enriching its executives while displaying the most shameless corporate behavior imaginable. I know what Im talking about. PG&E and I go way back. Advertisement Before I became the paragon of consumer advocacy you see before you, I was shanghaied by my employer at the time, the San Francisco Chronicle, into covering the California energy crisis that introduced us to rolling blackouts nearly two decades ago. That meant San Francisco-based PG&E became ground zero for my reporting, and it didnt take long for me to establish myself as the utilitys biggest pain in the you-know-what. Such as when I reported in 2001 that PG&E handed its top brass $17.5 million in bonuses for being such good guys, except for, you know, steering the utility into bankruptcy. Or when I reported in 2004 that, after giving themselves $83 million more in bonuses that year for doing such a good job during the bankruptcy proceedings, the utilitys senior executives gave themselves an additional $89 million in bonus money a few months later for, well, doing such a good job during the bankruptcy proceedings. Or when I reported in 2006 that PG&E was spending $25 million to replace a 32-seat, propeller-powered plane with a much spiffier private jet for its executives. The company said in a regulatory filing that it needed the new aircraft to meet utility objectives. Such as when PG&E flew its top execs and a dozen business partners to San Diego in 2003 for the Super Bowl? A utility spokesman told me at the time that the Super Bowl junket was an example of customer relationship management. PG&Es biggest problem isnt that the utility keeps finding itself in hot water. Its biggest problem is that it responds to corporate crises in the most tone-deaf, thoughtless ways possible. The company moved its annual shareholder meeting in 2000 to Boston, which was too far from its California home base for most protesters to follow. Advertisement It just so happened that the Julia Roberts movie Erin Brockovich was released only weeks earlier, dramatically detailing how PG&E had allegedly poisoned the drinking water of the Southern California town of Hinkley, allegedly tried to cover up the problem, fought lawsuits accusing the utility of giving people cancer and then settled the case in 1996 for $333 million. I flew to Boston for the shareholder meeting. It wasnt hard for me to sneak into the luxury hotel dining room where PG&E board members would feast that night on gourmet food which was the last image the company wanted while trying to convey to the public that it had turned over a new leaf since Hinkley. Brockovich the real woman, not the movie and I chatted in 2002. She was spearheading legal efforts at the time to hold PG&E accountable for allegedly poisoning the Kings County town of Kettleman Hills. They did what they did, and theyre going to pay for it, she told me. Advertisement Her boss at the Los Angeles law firm of Masry & Vititoe, Ed Masry, played so memorably in the movie by Albert Finney, told me the case against PG&E was rock-solid. We have clients who are literally dying, he said. We will prevail in the end. That lawsuit was settled in 2006 for $295 million. One thing I learned in covering PG&E was that the companys rank-and-file workers were exceptionally dedicated, trustworthy people. They were genuinely aggrieved by how their managers had treated customers and employees. Advertisement One in particular I never learned the persons identity made sure I understood what was happening at the highest levels of the utility by leaving me envelopes full of confidential documents at a secret drop behind a statue in the lobby of a San Francisco office building. I heard that senior execs would regularly complain about my work at meetings. Bob Glynn, PG&Es CEO and chairman at the time, reportedly responded: Is he wrong? No? Then lets move on. I liked Glynn. He was old school. I got along reasonably well with the head of the companys utility subsidiary, Gordon Smith. But it was clear from my interactions with both men that they had no flair whatsoever for public relations. They were so busy circling their wagons to protect themselves and shareholders that they completely lost track of ratepayers being asked to shoulder the companys financial woes through rate hikes and surcharges. Advertisement This current bankruptcy is different from the earlier one. Back in 2000 and 2001, PG&E and other California power companies were, to a large extent, victims of circumstance. They were being screwed by Enron and other out-of-state energy companies, which were viciously gaming the system to profit from our vulnerabilities. This time, PG&E is facing billions of dollars in legal jeopardy for possibly playing a role, through faulty equipment, in Californias costly and deadly wildfires. The new bankruptcy filing is intended primarily to keep lawsuits at bay and possibly facilitate a sale of some or all of the utilitys assets. But the decision to allow the companys CEO to announce her resignation prior to the bankruptcy filing and remain eligible for millions of dollars in severance thats the PG&E I know from days gone by. They say we learn from our experiences. Advertisement In PG&Es case, the only lesson learned from repeat PR disasters is how to make bad situations worse. David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com. The largest wildfire in state history claimed another victim on Sunday: one of the most powerful women in corporate America. Geisha Williams, chief executive of PG&E Corp., stepped down from the troubled San Francisco-based company, which is on the brink of bankruptcy due to tens of billions of dollars of damages it could be forced to pay. Williams, 57, has run the company since March 2017, during which time PG&E has faced a string of both natural and self-inflicted blows that have marred the utilitys reputation and financial health. Williams also stepped down from the boards of the holding company and the utility, PG&E said in its statement Sunday. While a search for her replacement is conducted, the position will be filled in the interim by John Simon, a 12-year veteran of the company who has served as executive vice president and general counsel since 2017. Advertisement While we are making progress as a company in safety and other areas, the board recognizes the tremendous challenges PG&E continues to face, said board Chairman Richard C. Kelly, in the statement. We believe John is the right interim leader for the company while we work to identify a new CEO. Our search is focused on extensive operational and safety expertise, and the board is committed to further change at PG&E. Williams could not be reached for comment but in an email to Bloomberg she said, I value the opportunity Ive had to lead PG&E and wish all of my colleagues well, without detailing the reasons for her departure. PG&E has seen two-thirds of its market value wiped out since Novembers Camp fire which killed 86 people and is the deadliest wildfire in Californias history. Investigators have been probing whether the power giants equipment ignited the fire.And the company faces potential liability for blazes that devastated Northern Californias wine country in 2017 costs that may tally as much as $30 billion. Its debt has been downgraded to junk status and state regulators have called for a management shakeup. The companys deepening financial crisis has forced California regulators and policymakers to consider a bailout package, and PG&E is weighing whether to file for bankruptcy. The utility is planning to notify employees as soon as Monday that it may make a Chapter 11 filing within 15 days, people familiar with the plan said Saturday. Such a notice would be required under state law. The notice wouldnt necessarily make a bankruptcy filing certain and the company could still decide not to if its situation changes, one of the people familiar with the matter said. The utility has faced tremendous scrutiny over the last decade, starting with a 2010 gas explosion that killed eight people in the Bay Area city of San Bruno. Some PG&E critics have called for a government takeover or for the massive company to be replaced by smaller, municipal utilities. But its far from clear that local governments across Northern and Central California have the ability or the desire to take control of PG&Es infrastructure and to assume the huge liabilities that running the power grid entails. And state officials arent likely to support a takeover because then the utilitys problems would become Sacramentos problems instead. The consequences of bankruptcy or an asset sale could ripple far beyond the utilitys shareholders, some experts say, affecting 16 million Californians who depend on PG&E for energy and potentially threatening the states ability to meet its climate-change goals. Advertisement The Public Utilities Commission is eager to avoid a Bankruptcy Court proceeding, in which a federal judge would control the companys fate and the interests of creditors would be placed above those of ratepayers, who could face higher rates. The company filed for bankruptcy once before, in the midst of the early-2000s energy crisis that stemmed from a failed deregulation scheme and led to rolling power outages in much of the state. Under Williams, PG&E spent millions of dollars trying to convince state lawmakers to change a legal doctrine known as inverse condemnation, under which utilities are liable for damages if their equipment is found to have sparked a wildfire, even if they werent negligent. Williams called the doctrine bad public policy that made utilities the default insurer in the state. She said the wildfires were a symptom of climate change, as hotter and drier conditions spark more frequent and more intense blazes. Although state lawmakers rejected PG&Es request to change wildfire liability law, they did pass legislation in August that will help PG&E pay for lawsuits arising from the wine country fires. In November, however, the utilitys equipment again was being looked at as a possible source of the Camp fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise. Advertisement Support for PG&Es management eroded even further in December when state regulators accused the utility of falsifying records related to locating and marking underground gas lines from 2012 through 2017 years in which the company was trying to convince the public that it had cleaned up its act after the 2010 pipeline blast. Williams was one of only about two dozen women running S&P 500 companies, including Duke Energy Corp.s Lynn Good, El Paso Electric Co.s Mary Kipp, PNM Resources Inc.s Pat Vincent-Collawn and Sunrun Inc.s Lynn Jurich. The daughter of Cuban political refugees, Williams became the nations first Latina CEO of a Fortune 500 company when she took over PG&E. Her departure follows the exit of three PG&E executives earlier this month: Patrick Hogan, senior vice president of electric operations at PG&Es utility unit; Kevin Dasso, vice president of electric asset management; and Gregg Lemler, vice president of electric transmission. Times staff writers Laurence Darmiento and Sammy Roth contributed to this article. Bloomberg News reports also were used. House Democrats announced a sweeping investigation Monday of the pharmaceutical industrys pricing practices, jockeying with the Trump administration for the upper hand on an issue that concerns Americans across the political spectrum. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, said he sent letters to 12 major drugmakers seeking detailed information and documents about pricing practices for brand-name drugs to treat conditions including cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and nerve pain. Cummings said he wants to find out why prices of some existing medications have increased so dramatically, as well as how drug companies determine the prices of newly introduced medicines. The committee also is seeking information on what the manufacturers do with revenue and what steps can be taken to reduce prescription drug costs. Research and development efforts on groundbreaking medications have made immeasurable contributions to the health of Americans, Cummings said. But the ongoing escalation of prices by drug companies is unsustainable. The committee, which has broad jurisdiction and subpoena power, plans to hold hearings. Advertisement The Trump administration has been pursuing its own plan to lower drug prices by approving more generic medications and trying to do away with industry practices that allow manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to profit at consumers expense. But independent analysts have said the administrations approach does not stop companies from charging high prices to begin with, particularly for brand-name medications with no generic competitors. Drug executive says its a moral requirement to charge patients the highest price Polls regularly show that high drug prices are a major concern for consumers, and that majorities favor government action regardless of political party identification. Last week, Cummings and other prominent liberals introduced legislation that would tie U.S. prices to what consumers pay in other economically advanced countries, where governments regulate prices. The Trump administration has been moving in the same general direction, with an experiment that would involve a limited set of medications: those administered in a doctors office. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America had no immediate response to Cummings announcement, but the trade group has previously said price regulation would wreak havoc on the U.S. healthcare system by undermining the financial incentives for companies to undertake costly research in pursuit of breakthrough medications. The list of companies on the receiving end of Cummings demand reads like an industry whos who. Included are Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Eli Lilly, the former employer of current U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar. Among the drugs Cummings wants to find out about are Gleevec, a widely used cancer treatment from Novartis; Nexium, Pfizers gastric reflux medication, Humalog, a type of insulin from Eli Lilly, and Crestor, AstraZenacas cholesterol-lowering medication. A majority of U.S. adults take prescription medication, in most cases affordable generics. But the high cost of some brand-name drugs has alarmed consumers. A few years ago, the hepatitis C cure Sovaldi made headlines when it was selling for $1,000 a pill. Cancer treatments can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. Patients are not covered by insurance for all costs, and sometimes doctors and insurers disagree about the best approach for treatment, adding to stress for families. Advertisement The House Oversight committee has a track record of investigating issues of national significance under leadership from both parties. But it can also devolve into a forum of pursuing partisan agendas. She paid $3.47 for a prescription drug. The retail price was 10,000% higher ICM Partners said Monday that it has named Lorrie Bartlett to its board of directors, which the agency said makes her the first African American board member of a major Hollywood talent agency. Bartlett, 55, is already a partner at ICM and co-head of the agencys talent department. She represents actress Regina King, who recently won a Golden Globe award for her performance in If Beale Street Could Talk. Her other clients include Michael Keaton, Ruth Negga, Rodrigo Santoro and Lucy Liu. She has also represented transgender actress Laverne Cox since the beginning of the Orange Is the New Black performers career. Bartlett is the fourth woman on ICMs 11-member board, joining Esther Newberg, Jennifer Joel and Janet Carol Norton. She was named co-head of ICMs talent department in 2011 and became partner after the agencys management buyout the following year. Advertisement ICM is privately held and owned by its partner agents. The Century City agency said in 2017 that it was aiming for more gender parity in its leadership by 2020, with a goal for women to account for half of the agencys board, partnership and department heads. Despite improvements, talent agencies, unions and major Hollywood studios have been under pressure to promote more diversity in their ranks. Of the 112 directors who helmed the top 100 movies of 2018, a mere 3.6% were women, according to a recent study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. Our agency should reflect the way the world looks. To have a diversity of perspectives can only enhance the way you go about doing business, Bartlett said in an interview. I think thats a huge bonus when youre not looking at the world just through one set of eyeglasses. A Southern California native, Bartlett grew up in Monrovia, in the San Gabriel Valley, where her father, Bob Bartlett, served as mayor. She later attended Occidental College. I kept moving west, said Bartlett, who now resides in Laurel Canyon. Before joining ICM in 2008, Bartlett worked at the Gersh Agency. Outside her job, she serves as a founding executive board member of the Times Up movement, which was founded last year in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandals. In the community, she has real respect of her peers, Chris Silbermann, ICMs managing director, said in a separate interview. Advertisement When someone distinguishes themselves, its pretty obvious. Shes the full package. Personally, Im immensely proud of her. Weve spent a lot of time talking, and Ive spent a lot of time listening to her. Silbermann said that ICM is about halfway to its goal of gender parity among department heads. Now were balancing the partnership and the board, he said. Were not all the way there, but Im proud of what weve accomplished. david.ng@latimes.com Advertisement @DavidNgLAT PEN America, the nonprofit literary society, will give its annual Literary Service Award to Bob Woodward, the journalist whose work with Carl Bernstein broke the story of the Watergate scandal. The group announced on Monday that Woodward would receive the award, which is given to an author whose work embodies PEN Americas mission to oppose repression in any form and to champion the best of humanity. Woodward is an associate editor at the Washington Post, the newspaper where hes worked for 47 years. It was there where he and Bernstein wrote a series of articles about a burglary at the offices of the Democratic National Committee in 1972 at the Watergate Hotel and Office Building in Washington, D.C. Their coverage of the burglary and its cover-up led to the resignation of President Nixon in 1974. Woodward and Bernstein received the Pulitzer Prize for their work on the story. Advertisement They also wrote a bestselling book about the scandal, All the Presidents Men, which Time magazine called perhaps the most influential piece of journalism in history. All 19 of Woodwards books have been national nonfiction best sellers, and 13 of those have been #1 best sellers, more than any contemporary author, PEN America said in a news release. No one digs deeper or has provided a more detailed or penetrating portrait of the nine presidents from Nixon to Trump he has written about for the Post or in books. Woodwards latest book, Fear: Trump in the White House, was one of the bestselling books of 2018, and became the fastest-selling book in the history of its publisher, Simon & Schuster. The PEN America Literary Service Award was established in 2007, with novelist Gore Vidal as the first winner. Other authors to take home the award have included Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, J.K. Rowling and Stephen King. Woodward will be presented with the award at the 2019 PEN America Literary Gala, which is scheduled for May 21 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Comedian John Oliver, the host of HBOs Last Week Tonight, is slated to host the gala. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The team of architects and designers at Jackson Design & Remodeling (JDR) which have been featured in print and online publications including Dwell, HGTV and Architectural Digest released their list of the Top 12 Interior Design Trends for 2019. They foresee two distinct approaches for home design one centered on the comfort and warmth of simplicity connected to the natural world and one boldly expressing a dramatic and glamorous point of view. Pantones 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral, which experts say was strongly influenced by the environment and the shelter coral reefs provide for a kaleidoscope of undersea life, reflects the current influence of the natural world on interior design trends. Vibrant, yet mellow, the color is a comforting response to todays onslaught of digital technology and social media. In 2018, home design was focused on deep, intense colors, complex textures, darker woods and vintage metals, said Tatiana Machado-Rosas, JDR senior interior designer. In 2019, well see a transition toward softer textures and colors connected to nature. 1) Art Deco Focus: While Mid-Century Modern has been the darling of the design industry for some time now, Art Deco is coming into the limelight with its glamorous echoes of the Gilded Age. Art Decos unabashed opulence is distinctly Instagram-worthy from its bold jewel tones to geometric patterns and mixed metal detailing. 2) Terrazzo is back: Versatile terrazzo is amid another resurgence in popularity, infusing character into home elements from backsplashes to flooring. 3) Moody Kitchens: As an alternative to the classic white kitchen, deep navy, green and black cabinetry is setting the mood for darker kitchens in 2019. 4) Bright, Bold Kitchen Islands: Bright blue and orange kitchen islands are making a colorful proclamation, especially in simple, modern kitchen designs. 5) Danish Hygge: The concept means creating a warm and cozy atmosphere at home, especially to share with others. Interior design with hygge as its guide declutters spaces and fills them with simple, high quality, curated cozy elements while creating a clear connection to the outdoors. 6) Dramatic Black: Black, like white, never really goes out of style but this year JDR is predicting more imaginative and daring uses of the color. 7) In Touch with Nature: Escaping a high tech world and connecting to Mother Nature at home is exemplified in several 2019 color forecasts. Greens, particularly sage and forest greens, along with colors evocative of clay and terracotta will be particularly prominent. Blues that echo sky and ocean are also on the color horizon. 8) Soft, Natural Textures: Comfort as a trend shows up again in the popularity of soft materials and textures including suede, leather, and velvet. Natural elements handmade from wood and stone are on the rise. 9) Artisanal and Organic Designs: This back to basics approach marries comfort and style with clean neutrals and spaces designed for serenity and human interaction. Artisanal details with master craftsmanship and organic materials are key to this design style. 10) Mixed Metals: The glimmer and shimmer of metallic accents is welcome in every room of the home in 2019 and mixing it up is the most stylish way to glow. Pair chrome and brass or copper with yellow gold for unexpected sophistication. 11) Statement Ceilings: Whether its a pale blue ceiling bringing fresh vitality to a room with all white walls, or bold wood beams contributing architectural definition to a space, ceiling design is challenging its traditional afterthought status in exciting ways this year. 12) Furniture with a Curve: Classic pieces like the sofa are being reimagined with more fluid forms. To see example trends, visit pinterest.com/jdrsandiego. To learn more about remodeling or building a new home, attend JDRs free seminar 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 at Jackson Design & Remodeling, 4797 Mercury St., Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. (858) 345-4424. RSVP required at jacksondesignandremodeling.com Business Spotlight features commercial enterprises that support this publication. By Nam Hyun-woo SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won Hanwha Q Cells Chief Strategy Officer Kim Dong-kwan KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu GS Caltex President Hur Sae-hong The accident occurred with Paris under security lockdown for a ninth consecutive Saturday of "yellow vest" protests, with large parts of the French capital blocked off by riot police. "As firemen were looking for a gas leak in the building, a dramatic explosion took place," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, adding that one of the firemen had been buried under debris for several hours. Castaner said on his Twitter feed that two firefighters had died, and that 10 people, including one firefighter, had serious injuries. Another 37 people had lighter injuries, he said. Earlier he had told reporters that two civilians had also died. Just hours after the blast, thousands of yellow vest protesters marched noisily but peacefully through the Grands Boulevards shopping district of northern Paris, just a few hundred metres (yards) from the scene of the explosion. In recent years, France has suffered a string of deadly Islamist militant attacks in Paris, Nice, Marseille and elsewhere but authorities quickly ruled out foul play. "A this stage we can say it (the gas blast) is clearly an accident," Paris prosecutor Remi Heitz told reporters. A police source said the explosion tore apart a bakery on the rue Trevise and witnesses said the force of the blast shattered nearby storefronts and rocked buildings hundreds of metres away. More than 200 firefighters joined the rescue operation and two helicopters landed on the nearby Place de l'Opera to evacuate victims. Ambulances struggled to access the blast area because of police barriers set up to contain any violence by yellow vest protesters. An eyewitness at a hotel nearby said he saw flames envelop the ground floor of the building blown out by the blast. "There was broken glass everywhere, storefronts were blown out and windows were shattered up to the third and fourth floors," said 38-year-old David Bangura. He said that as he approached the scene, a woman was crying for help from the first floor of a building: "Help us, help us, we have a child". By Bernard Rowan The Korean wave is a lot older than we think. Recently, I've enjoyed several Chinese historical dramas, including the "Story of Yanxi Palace." With Ruyi's "Royal Love in the Palace," both discuss the storied and long-lived Emperor Qianlong. He presided over an expansion of Manchu influence during the Qing Dynasty. He also had many wives, consorts and concubines. Among them was Shujia or Jia. Shujia originally was a mistress but rose through the household to become a noblewoman, concubine, consort, noble consort, and then imperial noble consort of the second rank. She gave Qianlong four sons. Three of them, Yongcheng or Luduan, Yongxuan and Yongxing, were princes. They were the emperor's fourth, eighth and 11th sons respectively. Jia was born into an ethnically Korean family living in Manchuria and serving the emperor. References suggest she belonged to the Booi Aha of the Joseon Jin (Kim in Korean) clan. I hadn't known of "booi aha," but it refers to servants of Manchu leaders during the 17th century. The Manchu transformed the booi aha groups into an organization for the imperial household based on the upper three banner groups of the Manchu eight banner classes (Wikipedia). Jia's family was of the second banner or plain yellow banner grouping. Jia lived from 1713 to 1755. She lies in the same chamber as Qianlong. A beautiful painting of Shujia exists and appears at the Cleveland Museum of Art with paintings of Qianlong's other royal consorts. Too little appears about her in English writing. The same is true for many of Qianlong's significant others. It was all too much "all about the emperor." In "Story of Yanxi Palace," one learns too little about Jia. She appears as a self-interested, wily and willful proponent of her own interests. I didn't like her character at all. This is how consorts and wives appear as characters in a pedestrian sense. It's unlikely all were this typical, melodramatic and boring as real people. The programs don't linger on Jia's ethnicity, and I only learned of it by chance. Nonetheless, what interests me is a speculation about several related facts. Jia belonged to the #1 ethnically Korean grouping of the Kim or Gim clan. One in five South and North Koreans share this name. There are hundreds of Kim family lines. Further, the story of Jia intersects the fundamental connection of peoples. Her family was what we call Korean, but they lived in Manchuria. Like many Jurchens, Han, Mongols and other Joseon Koreans, they worked as servants in a "world" more dynamic and fluid than the word Qing conveys. This all occurred when people thought it more "natural" or "conventional" to have common affairs with "foreigners" and "alien" peoples. Our nationalist lens for ethnicity didn't have the same meaning then. Koreans influenced countless leaders and events and communities. These stories need recovering, and not just those of Korean historical people. In other words, the Korean wave existed long before the name. I'd like to research further the life of Shujia and learn how her life impacted the Emperor's household. Beyond bearing sons, I'd imagine she brought much from her ethnic and cultural inheritance to the court. I don't think present-day television programs do so. We live now in a moment where xenophobia and isolationism have renewed fan bases. All pitiful and ignorant. I've read, however, that Koreans are slowly learning the futility and arguable stupidity of "homogeneity." All advanced nations must face the reality of humanity's thoroughly connected fiber. Just look at an ancestry DNA profile or equivalent. Go back far enough in family trees to discover diversity is the norm. Shujia helped to make the presence of Korean manners known in Qianlong's inner court. Koreans have made Korea known all over the region and world much longer than many recognize! Bernard Rowan ( browan10@yahoo.com ) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University. Ultimate goal is complete denuclearization of North Expectations are growing that the United States and North Korea will soon hold a second summit to make a breakthrough in the stalled denuclearization talks. On Sunday, a Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, reported U.S. President Donald Trump suggested meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam in February. The report was backed by what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: Details are being worked out for the possible second summit between Washington and Pyongyang. Some sources speculated that Kim Yong-chol, a North Korean senior official and key nuclear negotiator, will travel to New York City this week at the earliest to meet Pompeo to make preparations for the imminent summit. We welcome the latest developments regarding the nuclear issue. It is still important for the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea to sit together to narrow their differences and agree on concrete and substantive measures. Trump and Kim should make a sincere effort to end the nuclear standoff and start a peace-making process on the Korean Peninsula. Yet there remains skepticism that Trump might play into the hands of Kim who is more interested in sanctions relief and security guarantees than denuclearization. Skeptics have also raised a concern about Pompeo's recent remarks insinuating that the final objective of the U.S.-North Korea negotiations is the security of the American people. "But we're moving forward in these conversations, lots of ideas about how we might continue to decrease the risk to the American people," Pompeo told Fox News on Friday. He added, "Remember at the end that's the objective; it's the security of American people." Some pundits in Washington and Seoul questioned whether the Trump administration might change its position on Pyongyang's denuclearization. The U.S. has so far maintained a firm stance on the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the North. It has also made clear that international sanctions will remain firmly in place until the Kim regime dismantles its nuclear arsenal. However, Pompeo's remarks could be interpreted as narrowing its focus on scrapping the North's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) which are considered to be a direct threat to the U.S. mainland. No one can rule out the possibility that the U.S. might shift its ultimate goal from complete denuclearization to the removal of the North's ICBMs. If such a possibility turns into a reality, this means Washington cannot achieve the shared goal of final, fully verified denuclearization of the North. It also indicates that the U.S. might accept North Korea as a nuclear state. It could put South Korea, a strong U.S. ally in East Asia, at risk of nuclear threats from the North. Therefore, the Moon Jae-in administration should not accept such a risky compromise. But no one know what President Moon will do because his government seeks to circumvent the U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang in a bid to reopen the now-closed inter-Korean industrial complex in Gaeseong and resume the suspended Mount Geumgang tourism project. Moon and Trump might think dismantling only the North's ICBMs is a realistic method given a complex and long-drawn-out denuclearization process. But they must realize that such a thing cannot and should not be a viable solution to the nuclear issue. By Trudy Rubin As President Donald Trump threatens to declare a state of emergency to counter a manufactured security crisis on our southern border, it's worth looking at the real security challenges facing the country in 2019. List after published list of such security threats, as compiled by think tanks, the departments of State, Homeland Security, and the U.S. intelligence community, fail to mention the press of immigrants on the southern border as one of those dangers. That's because it isn't. Yes, border security is an issue, but it could be addressed in bipartisan fashion if the president hadn't made "build the wall" his never-ending campaign slogan. However, the border presents no urgent national security crisis; the White House can't cite one instance of a known terrorist crossing from Mexico, and many illicit drug shipments are smuggled in via sea, airports or by mail from China. Here are five points that most threat lists see as the top national security challenges in the new year. And I'll add a sixth point on what I see posing the gravest danger of all. 1. The risk of a highly disruptive cyber attack on U.S. critical infrastructure and networks tops most lists. This was the top-ranked threat for 2019, according to a massive survey of security experts by the Council on Foreign Relations. It also topped the U.S. intelligence agency's 2018 worldwide threat assessment, which warned: "The potential for surprise in the cyber realm will increase in the next year and beyond as billions more digital devices are connected with relatively little built-in security and both nation states and malign actors become more emboldened." It said the greatest danger was posed by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, whose hackers have already threatened crucial U.S. systems from elections to the Pentagon to our electrical grid. 2. The chance of a military clash with China over islands in the South China Sea is rising. As the White House has focused on a trade war with Beijing, the Chinese have been illegally fortifying islands and atolls in the sea that give it control over one of the world's most crucial international waterways. U.S. and Chinese ships came close in 2018 to clashing in these waters; it may already be too late to compel China to observe international laws on freedom of navigation or keep Xi Jinping's promise not to militarize the sea. 3. The United States may get drawn into new Mideast conflicts because of a rash Trump withdrawal from Syria. Trump's sudden decision to retreat which provoked Secretary of Defense James Mattis to resign will unleash many new Mideast demons. ISIS may revive in a new form. And the American retreat will help Iran expand its hold inside Syria. That, in turn, could increase chances of a proxy war between Iran and Israel, which fears having Iranian-backed forces on its border. Such a war would likely drag America in. 4. We could see another Russian land grab in Ukraine, along with further Russian political meddling in and cyber attacks on NATO countries. Vladimir Putin will continue his efforts to weaken and divide the West and undercut U.S. global interests, encouraged by Trump's refusal to rebuff him. Putin's goal is to splinter America's strongest military alliance and help bring down the European Union. Trump doesn't seem to mind. 5. The return of hostilities with North Korea is growing more plausible. Trump legitimized Kim Jong-un globally at the Singapore summit, yet Kim has yet to make any move toward denuclearization. Now the president is planning a second summit with Kim, who has made clear he wants major concessions up front, while giving little or nothing in return. Trump may be gulled in which case Kim will keep his nukes. Or the president may be embarrassed by his summitry failures into returning to bellicosity, taking us back to square one with Pyongyang. 6. Trump's style of leadership exacerbates each of these five threats. His belief in his negotiating brilliance with autocrats has blinded him to the degree that Putin, Xi, and Kim have taken advantage of his naivete. That gullibility was painfully evident in the decision to quit Syria, where he swallowed false pledges by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take over the fight against ISIS. In reality, the Turks only want to fight our Kurdish allies, who helped defeat ISIS. Trump's mistakes in dealing with China and North Korea will leave him toward one of two unpalatable positions: Either pretend that he's "won" and label loser deals with Kim or Xi as a "victory." Or admit that his negotiations have failed, which may lead to military clashes with Pyongyang or Beijing. Lost as an option is the kind of strong, well-informed, strategic bargaining that could produce results. And, of course, Trump's bromance with Putin seems to fuel the president's refusal to muster a strong, coordinated White House response to Russian cyber espionage. That refusal also hinders our response to cyber attacks from elsewhere. So while the president threatens to use emergency powers to fight a fake border crisis, he is facilitating the real crises that could whack us in 2019. That is the news that Americans need to grasp. Trudy Rubin (trubin@phillynews.com) is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her commentary was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Kim Yong-chol, center, vice chairman of the regime's ruling Workers' Party Central Committee, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, while seeing him off at Pyongyang International Airport last Oct. 7. / Yonhap Seoul urged to raise voice against possible 'ICBM deal' By Lee Min-hyung Preparations for the second summit between the United States and North Korea are in full swing amid signs that their resumption of pre-summit high-level talks is imminent. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday (local time) that Washington and Pyongyang are in discussion to "work out the details" over the highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The remark is seen as an implication that the two sides are in an advanced level of talks to fine-tune such details as the timetable, location and agenda for the summit. Starting this year, the two sides have shown signs of resuming their stalled talks on denuclearization of the North, with Trump and Kim exchanging their bilateral willingness for the summit to resolve the ongoing deadlock in their negotiations. For this reason, it appears likely that Pompeo will meet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the regime's ruling Workers' Party Central Committee, in a short period of time, experts argued. The two officials planned to hold the high-level talks in November, in efforts to break their political impasse on the denuclearization of the North. But with the regime abruptly cancelling the schedule, their rare momentum for dialogue has since shown no signs of resumption. War of nerves between US, N. Korea Experts said Monday that North Korea will continue engaging in a war of nerves against the U.S. before the second summit. The Gaeseong Industrial Complex in the North is seen from the South in this file photo. / Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun Pyongyang may seek to offer resuming operation of the inter-Korean Gaeseong Industrial Complex as a possible corresponding measure in return for denuclearization measures. However, this needs U.S. approval due to multiple sanctions which may bar the operation of the complex. South Korean and U.S. officials are likely to discuss the matter this week. In his New Year address, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed wishes to resume operation of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang tours. President Moon Jae-in in a press conference last week welcomed Kim's remarks and stated the government would discuss the matter with the U.S. and the U.N. to resolve the issue of sanctions. A number of U.N. Security Council sanctions on the North prohibit the operation of the industrial region, a joint venture of the South's capital and skills, and the North's land and labor. Resolution 2375 says "states shall prohibit, by their nationals or in their territories, the opening, maintenance and operation of all joint ventures or cooperative entities, new and existing, with DPRK entities or individuals." There is also a resolution that bans the sales of textiles. The complex housed textile, leather, chemical and electronics businesses. Textile and sewing businesses are known to take up around 60 percent of firms there. The issue is expected to be addressed at a working group meeting set to take place later this week. The working group led by U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon launched last November for closer consultations on inter-Korean economic projects and the North's denuclearization. By Kim Yoo-chul President Moon Jae-in will meet a group of business leaders Tuesday at Cheong Wa Dae for discussions on pending economic issues. "There won't be pre-selected questions and scenarios. We have no plan to limit questions. All participants will be given the chance to ask the President any questions. Questions will be answered by the President and ministers of relevant ministries," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release, adding the meeting will last for 150 minutes from 2 p.m. Top decision-makers from about 130 leading conglomerates will attend the "townhall-style" meeting," allowing participants to voice their opinions freely without any formalities and where the President can openly communicate. High-profile executives who will attend the meeting include Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun, LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin, GS Chairman Huh Chang-soo and Hanwha Chairman Kim Seung-youn, Cheong Wa Dae said. Presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min, presidential chief of policy Kim Soo-hyun, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, Trade Minister Sung Yoon-mo and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Floor Leader Hong Young-pyo will represent the government's side. A Cheong Wa Dae official said the President will stress the needs to achieve economic democracy through a fair economy, helping achieve a balance between ordinary people, back-alley businesses, SMEs and conglomerates. The meeting follows Moon's recent gathering with leaders of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Slowing growth and weakening employment data are weighing on the President. Moon was elected in 2017 on the back of commitments to create jobs and reduce inequality in the country that has for decades been dominated by a handful of wealthy conglomerates. However, Moon's efforts, which included raising the minimum wage in a bid to spur consumption, have fallen flat. President Moon Jae-in will hold a meeting this week with the leaders of the country's largest businesses, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Monday. The meeting will be held Tuesday at Cheong Wa Dae, involving top executive officers of about 130 major businesses, including vice chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics. The scheduled meeting follows the president's meeting with small and medium-sized business leaders last week. "As in the meeting with small, medium-sized businesses and venture firms, President Moon will hold free discussions with the business leaders of large conglomerates," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release. The president earlier said he will also hold separate meetings with small shop owners and labor leaders. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said the senior secretary to the president for economic affairs held a meeting with the leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions last week but that no such meeting with the president has been set. (Yonhap) By Dong Sun-hwa A Mongolian murder suspect was found dead on a mountain in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on Saturday. The suspect, 46, hung himself from a tree, according to Gumi Police Station. He allegedly stabbed another Mongolian migrant worker to death on Wednesday at the victim's studio apartment in Gumi. The victim was found under a blanket and the weapon was also at the scene. Police had been searching for the suspect. Families of Sewol ferry victims and survivors hold posters demanding a thorough investigation into the 2014 sinking at a press conference held by the special investigative committee for large-scale social disasters in central Seoul, Dec. 11. / Korea Times photo by Shin Sang-soon By Lee Suh-yoon A district court ordered the state and ferry operator Chonghaejin Marine to compensate survivors of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, Monday. The Suwon District Court ruled each of the 20 survivors 16 of them former Danwon High School students should be given 80 million ($71,000) in compensation for the psychological trauma they experienced due to the inadequate safety response from the ferry operator and the rescue authorities. Seventy-six family members of the 20 survivors were also granted compensation ranging from 4 million won to 32 million won. "The survivors were not informed they had to evacuate the ship for their safety, subjecting them to considerable difficulty and panic when they tried to do so later on," the court said. "Survivors and their family members are still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety." The state too was responsible for failing to carry out accurate search and rescue operations at the time of the accident and provide the survivors with proper medical, psychological and social aid, the court said. "It also victimized the survivors a second time through public criticism because it excessively advertised its support package to them." Last July, the court ordered the state and the ferry operator to provide 200 million won in compensation for the families of each of the 304 victims who were killed in the Sewol sinking. At the event, the leaders of the three provinces signed a document assigning the management and protection of national border markers after completion. Quang Tri handed over the complete drawings of border markers, stakes and marker protection walls to Savannakhet and Salavan provinces. Realising the approved plan on increasing the number of Vietnam-Laos national border markers and upgrading existing ones, between 2008 and 2016, Quang Tri and the two Lao provinces actively and closely cooperated in completing a master plan on the work. The three provinces finished the border marker increase and upgrading at 62 positions with a total of 68 markers as well as added 37 pairs of auxiliary stakes at 24 locations. After completing the work, the border between Quang Tri and the two Lao provinces had additional 37 positions and 38 border markers. Addressing the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri provincial Peoples Committee Ha Sy Dong said the plan on increasing and upgrading the Vietnam-Laos border marker system is an important work between the two nations that holds special significance in terms of security, politics and socio-economy and relates to the territorial sovereignty of each country. The provinces should assign their border management forces to closely coordinate with each other in patrolling and protecting the safety and status quo of the national border marker system, contributing to building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, he noted. Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Min Gap-ryong speaks during the government audit held at the National Assembly on Oct. 29, last year. The picture is unrelated to the story. / Yonhap By Kim Jae-heun A controversy is rising over police officers overpowering a teenager who stabbed his friend with a paper cutter in the street. Police detained the 19-year-old at 7 p.m. on Sunday near Amsa Station in Gangdong-gu, eastern Seoul, for stabbing his friend in the thigh. The victim received treatment at a hospital and returned home that night. A part of the half-hour confrontation between the boy and police officers was recorded by a citizen and posted on YouTube. In the video, two police officers arrived at the scene, and one first tried to use a taser on the teenager. However, he failed to hit his target and the other police officer took out his baton to overpower the offender, who fled the scene and was caught shortly after. Watching the clip, people are expressing concerns and urging for the police to have more power, because the perpetrator had a knife and he could have injured a bystander. The captured photo of a video posted on YouTube shows a teenager brandishing a knife at police officers nearby Amsa Station in Gangdong-gu, eastern Seoul, Sunday. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae was summoned for another questioning by prosecutors, Monday, over a massive judiciary power abuse scandal. Yang Sung-tae Deputy Head of Mission Nik Mehta at the British Embassy in Korea pose with Korean middle and high school students during the "2019 Youth Ambassador Camp" in Seoul on Jan. 11. / British Embassy By Yi Whan-woo Nik Mehta, deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Korea, gave a lecture to middle and high school students here at the "2019 Youth Ambassador Camp" in Seoul on Jan 11. The Korean Culture Association, which works with diplomatic missions here to promote Korea, organized the annual event. The association invited middle and high school students interested in becoming global leaders, such as diplomats, to improve their intercultural and global awareness. Also a former deputy director of the U.K. intelligence agency Government Communications Headquarters, Mehta spoke about his experiences as a diplomat. Mehta, whose family comes from East Africa and India, spoke about his country's leadership in the fields of diversity and gender equality. Deputy Head of Mission Nik Mehta at the British Embassy in Korea speaks with a participant at the ?"2019 Youth Ambassador Camp"? on Jan. 11. / British Embassy "It was great to have this opportunity to speak with so many talented young people about careers in diplomacy and international relations," he said. "In my various roles over the years, one of the most important things I have learned is that to be successful, each one of us has to be true to him or herself. "If you're honest about who you are, people will trust you. Once you have that trust, you can start to build relationships that can effect positive change which is what successful diplomacy is all about." Mehta has been deputy head of mission since July 2018. He co-serves as the embassy's minister counselor and director of trade and investment. He joined the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2002, and has worked in Iraq, Uganda and Malaysia. His roles have primarily focused on conflict and security issues. Before becoming the deputy head of mission in Seoul, Mehta was a deputy director at the Government Communications Headquarters for three years working on international cyber-security. He is an advocate of diversity and inclusion. He believes passionately that the diplomatic service should reflect U.K. society fully and that diversity is one of his country's great strengths. As part of efforts to help Korea nurture global leaders, the British Embassy in Korea has encouraged prospective students to apply for Chevening, the British government's international scholarship program. It was established in 1983 and funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organizations, which include Diageo, Mansion House, the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea, the Bank of Korea and the Korea British Society. The Chevening Scholarship covers flights to and from the U.K, tuition, accommodation and a monthly allowance for the recipients during their studies. There are more than 46,000 Chevening recipients worldwide, including more than 1,100 Korean alumni. Azerbaijani citizens gather around the bodies of protesters shot dead in Baku during the bloody crackdown by Soviet troops from Jan. 19 to 20, 1990. / Embassy of Azerbaijan By Yi Whan-woo Every Jan. 20, Azerbaijan remembers the martyrdom of more than 130 Azerbaijani citizens killed by the Soviet troops in 1990. The bloody crackdown, ordered by then Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, eventually led to Azerbaijan's declaration of independence on Oct. 18, 1991, and is therefore viewed as "the rebirth" of the Azerbaijan Republic. The country declared its first independence in May 1918, after the Russian Empire collapsed. Marking the 29th anniversary of "Black January," the Azerbaijan Embassy in Korea last week described the event as "the obvious display of the ability of Azerbaijani people to reserve the longstanding historical heroism and to resist the cruel attacks for the sake of the freedom and independence of their motherland at the cost of losing their lives." "Their bravery made a vivid history in the chronicle of heroism of our country." Azerbaijani citizens visit the Alley of Martyrs in Baku to pay tribute to those killed in ?Black January.? / Embassy of Azerbaijan More than 26,000 Soviet troops stormed Azerbaijan's capital of Baku on Jan. 20, 1990 and shot unarmed protesters. Over 130 people, including children, women and the elderly, were killed, around 800 people were wounded, 841 men were illegally arrested and five are still missing. The pretext was a massive popular uprising in Baku, calling for Azerbaijan's independence from the USSR. "The violence used by former Soviet Army aiming to destroy the martial spirit of the nation was out of proportion to the intention of freedom and independence," the embassy said. The extreme session of the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) took place right after the massacre to evaluate the event. The session adopted the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijani SSR "On cancellation of the state of emergency in Baku city," and also the appeals to the USSR Supreme Council, Supreme Councils of union republics, and the parliaments of all countries. "The operation conducted by Soviet troops was a distinct and harsh violation of the Final Act of Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) of 1975, Final Document of Viennese meeting of CSCE of 1989, Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict of 1974, Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, acting conventions regulating waging of war, in particular, fourth Hague Convention about the rule and customs of land war of 1967." Gorbachev, widely credited with facilitating the communist bloc's disintegration, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, conceded in 1995, "The declaration of a state of emergency in Baku was the biggest mistake of my political career." The Azerbaijani people buried their martyrs in Mountain Park, the highest spot in Baku, which was later named Martyrs' Avenue. Since 1994, Jan. 20 has been commemorated as National Mourning Day. Martyrs' Avenue is a most sacred place for every Azerbaijani. Every year millions of Azerbaijanis visit Martyrs' Avenue and lay carnations on the graves. This ceremony begins in the early morning when the president and representatives of foreign missions lay wreaths at the eternal flame. Scandinavian countries to kick off various cultural events throughout 2019 By Yi Whan-woo Denmark and Sweden will celebrate the 60th anniversaries of their diplomatic relations with Korea this year, their embassies said last week. The two Scandinavian countries unveiled a logo designed to highlight the anniversaries of their diplomatic treaties with Korea on March 11, 1959. The logos highlight the number 60 and also combine the simplified flags of Korea as well as their own to symbolize the partnership. For Denmark's logo, the designers emphasized exchanges between the two countries by using red and blue alternately, and using progressive and modern fonts. To mark the establishment of Denmark-Korea relations, the two agreed to designate 2019 as the "year of cultural exchange," during President Moon Jae-in's official visit to Copenhagen in October 2018. The celebratory events will take place throughout this year, aiming to help Danes and Koreans better understand each other's cultures and bolster exchanges. On Jan. 16, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform in Copenhagen. This will be the opening performance for the "year of cultural exchange" and also the first from the Korean side. "It is expected to serve as a meaningful opportunity to play works by Korean and Danish composers, and thereby deepen friendship between the two countries," the Embassy of Denmark in Korea said. Other events will take place in Denmark, including a briefing session on tours to Korea in February; Nanta and Coreyah performances in March; the Scent of Ink performance by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company in April; a kimchi festival in June; and Korean film screening and taekwondo demonstrations in the second half of the year. From the Swedish side will be "Sweden talk," a series of lectures held every month to give the Korean public a better understanding of Sweden in a wide range of areas. The lectures will begin on Jan. 28. The embassy plans to upload monthly video clips about Swedish values, such as innovation and peace, on its social media outlets. Sweden and Korea will feature contemporary dancing in each other's country in March. On March 31, a documentary about a Swedish field hospital during the 1950-53 Korean War will be screened at Seoul Museum of History. During his visit to Copenhagen, President Moon agreed with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to expand economic and trade relations to new areas, such as health and welfare. Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf was among 26 foreign leaders to attend the PyoengChang Winter Olympics in February 2018. Myanmarese Ambassador to Korea Thura Thet Oo Maung, right, poses with Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a reception in Seoul, Jan. 7, to mark Myanmar's 71st anniversary of independence. / Embassy of Myanmar By Yi Whan-woo President Moon Jae-in's New Southern Policy is expected to help bolster Korea's relationship with Myanmar on the occasion of the latter's 71st anniversary of independence, according to Myanmarese Ambassador to Korea Thura Thet Oo Maung. He encouraged Korea to invest in his country, stressing it is a "very new player in the market economy scene." "Since the Korean government is emphasizing to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with ASEAN countries, Korean entrepreneurs are seeking new opportunities in the ASEAN region," the envoy said during a reception in Seoul last week to mark Myanmar's independence on Jan. 4, 1948. "I believe that President Moon Jae-in's New Southern Policy ... will become a huge drive to boost the relationship with Myanmar." Moon introduced his New Southern Policy in 2017, to strengthen Korea's relationship with ASEAN and India to the same level as four stakeholders on the Korean Peninsula the United States, China, Japan and Russia. Its focuses on people, prosperity and peace, that collectively form "3P" pillars. Commenting on the reforms in the investment sector, the ambassador said he welcomes Koreans to invest in a wide range of fields, including labor, agriculture, livestock, power, education, health, and housing and industrial estates. He also encouraged Korean tourists to visit Myanmar, highlighting the country's one-year visa exemption exclusive for Koreans since October last year. Maung said the number of Korean arrivals has risen by 30 percent since the program was introduced. "I would like to take this opportunity to invite my Korean friends to visit Myanmar to see our natural and cultural beauty," he said. He thanked Korea for its construction of the Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge, which began in December 2018 with a loan from Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund. "It is a great contribution to facilitate better transportation and trade flow among the Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy regions, and Rakhine State in Myanmar," he said. "This bridge will be a historic milestone in our bilateral relations and cooperation, and we appreciate the Korean government's assistance in the development process of infrastructure in Myanmar." Among the invited guests was Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He expressed hope that the two countries "will continue to join hands to build a stronger and more future-oriented relationship in the coming years." Omani Ambassador to Korea Mohamed Alharthy, third from left in the first row, poses with Korean university students and educators after giving a lecture at his embassy in Seoul, Jan 4. Twenty-eight students are joining a visiting program at Sultan Qaboos College in Omani capital of Muscat from Jan. 13 to Feb. 28. / Embassy of Oman By Yi Whan-woo As part of efforts to bolster public diplomacy, Oman has invited Korean university students to study Arabic and learn about the country, according to the Embassy of Oman in Seoul last week. It said 28 students from Busan and Hankuk universities of foreign studies, and Chosun, Dankook and Myongji universities are joining a visit program at Sultan Qaboos College in the Omani capital of Muscat from Jan. 13. The program will run through Feb. 28. Twenty of the 28 are undergoing training for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. Before their departure for Muscat, Omani Ambassador to Korea Mohamed Alharthy invited the students to his embassy and gave a lecture on his country's culture and history as well as the Oman-Korea relations. He highlighted Oman's public diplomacy through various activities, such as lectures at universities and lower-level academic institutions, exhibitions, performances, tourism and investment. The envoy said those programs are expected to enhance understanding toward each other's country to bring them closer. He also highlighted Oman's policy of tolerance, coexistence, non-interference in international affairs, which together has helped the sultanate to thrive as the "Switzerland of the Gulf" in the turbulent Middle East. The guests later toured the embassy that is characterized by its style of Omani, Arabic and Islamic architecture. It also has works of Islamic art including Arabic calligraphy. "The participants had the chance to experience the Omani and Arabic hospitality," the embassy said in a press release. The ambassador has hosted a lecture, titled "Welcome to Oman," every year since 2014 for Korean students who are invited to a visit program. Oman and Korea signed a diplomatic treaty in 1974. The two sides have sought to expand their relations beyond the energy sector. Oman is Korea's third-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas. Korea is Oman's third-largest export partner. By Dong Sun-hwa Pak Bo-hi, the "No. 2 man" of the Unification Church, died from chronic disease at 89 on Saturday. He had been in Cheongshim International Medical Center in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, since 2018. Born in 1930, Pak fought in the Korean War in 1950. He rose as the right-hand man of Unification Church founder, Moon Sun-myung in the 1970s, helping Moon with English translation when the church was spreading its influence abroad. Pak's daughter had a "ghost marriage" with Moon's second son, who was killed in a car accident. Pak was founding president and chairman of the Washington Times board, and president of the Segye Times. He was also involved in business with North Korea. When former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung died in 1994, Pak went to North Korea to offer condolences. Members of Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) call for the resignation of their president, Park So-youn, for euthanizing more than 200 animals without the staff's consent, during a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Saturday./ Yonhap By Jung Hae-myoung Park So-youn Park So-youn, the head of Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), may be charged with multiple crimes including habitual fraud, as she allegedly had more than 250 animals euthanized without telling the group staffers and supporters. Kwon Yu-rim, a lawyer at Yuldam Law Office, said Sunday they will file a complaint with the police as early as this week. The move follows a CARE staffer revealing that some 250 healthy animals the group had rescued have been put down upon Park's order between 2015 and 2018 without the knowledge of most of the other CARE members. CARE is one of the nation's largest animal rights organizations, collecting about 1.5 billion won to 2 billion won of donations per year. Kwon said Park could face criminal charges as she has continued doing so without informing staffers and donors. "CARE has been raising funds under the name of rescuing and treating abused animals. It has never informed people of the euthanasia practice and many of the donors would not have contributed their money if they had known about that. In that sense, her action is fraud by nonfeasance," Kwon said. "As she has continued such acts, it is habitual fraud." By Jung Min-ho Korea will perform autopsies on two Korean students who died in Cambodia last week after doctors there failed to determine the cause of their deaths. According to the Konyang University Monday, the National Forensic Service will carry out autopsies on the bodies when they are brought home from Phnom Penh. The two women, who went to Cambodia to do voluntary work, were taken to a local hospital on Jan. 8 after suffering from acute stomach pains. After receiving treatment, they returned to their hotel the next day, only for the symptoms to return. One student died that night and the other died on Jan. 10. Dr. Hwang Won-min at Konyang University Hospital told reporters Saturday that it was still unclear what caused their stomach pains. "Based on the symptoms they showed, we believe it was an infectious disease," Hwang said. "We carried out a blood culture test with samples to check if it was a typhoid epidemic, but the result came out negative We need additional tests and time to determine the cause." The immediate cause of their deaths was heart failure, according to medical records from the Cambodian hospital. The day before the students started feeling sick, they and two other students had pizza and beer at a restaurant near their hotel. But the two others had no health problems. Sixteen students and three school officials (including two professors) went to Cambodia on Jan. 6 to help residents build facilities and equipment. The trade pact already took effect for Mexico, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada and Australia on December 30, 2018. With comprehensive commitments and high standards, the CPTPP is expected to boost trade, investment and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is working with the Australian Embassy and the World Bank to build an information portal on the CPTPP in order to help Vietnamese enterprises to understand and take advantage of the trade pact. The portal, expected to come online soon on the MOIT website, will provide businesses with the tools to look up specific commitments and rules concerning each sector and category of goods for members of the trade agreement. For now, enterprises can visit the MOIT website to learn about general information, the commitments in major fields, opportunities and challenges, frequently asked questions and read the full text of the CPTPP. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, holds a joint press conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, at the Sheraton Grand in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. AP U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that "details" are being worked out for the possible second summit between Washington and Pyongyang, amid a flurry of media reports on Vietnam as its possible venue. During a media interview, he made the remarks as expectations grow that U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may meet in the coming months to break an apparent impasse in their negotiations over Pyongyang's denuclearization. "We're working out the details, Margaret," Pompeo told Margaret Brennan while appearing on the broadcaster's "Face the Nation." "You'll be among the first to know." The top diplomat did not elaborate further. Over the weekend, Japanese news reports said that Trump has proposed holding the summit with Kim in Vietnam in February, and that Kim has yet to respond to that proposal. Foreign media have also said that Thailand, along with Vietnam, is being considered as a candidate site. Details about the venue and date for the second Trump-Kim summit are expected to be discussed at high-level talks between the U.S. and the North. Upon his return from a trip to the Middle East on Tuesday, Pompeo is expected to seek dialogue with the North. There has been little progress in Washington-Pyongyang talks over the North's nuclear disarmament in return for security guarantees and other forms of compensation. Pyongyang has wanted sanctions relief and other "corresponding" measures for its denuclearization steps. However, Washington argues that sanctions will remain in place until the communist state takes tangible denuclearization moves, such as a full declaration of its nuclear and missile programs. (Yonhap) Christian Scheurer, a Swiss concept artist, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul last Thursday. Courtesy of Korea Creative Content Agency Concept artist speaks about Aquaman's global success By Kang Aa-young Superhero smash-hit "Aquaman" has been a huge success with moviegoers. Between the superhero film's Korea debut on Dec. 19 last year and Jan. 6, the box-office hit attracted nearly 5 million viewers. Christian Scheurer, a Swiss concept artist who had been part of the filmmaking process for a year by creating creatures, said the fantasy film has universal, cross-cultural elements that can appeal to a broad spectrum of fans, citing this as one of the critical reasons behind its global success. "'Aquaman' is a big fantasy. It is a big relief for people," Scheuer said during a recent Korea Times interview in Seoul. Scheuer, who has worked on over 32 feature films that have won a total 16 Academy Awards, visited South Korea last week for a conference held by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) to share his powerful story and provide inspiration to young starters in the industry. KOCCA, a culture ministry-affiliated organization, has been training and helping Korean creators to enter the industry, start content businesses or find jobs. Q. Why do you think "Aquaman" has been so successful in Korea? A: I think it's actually a global success. I'm super happy. I was involved with it for almost a year and a half as an illustrator. I do think it's all about James Wan (the film's director). I think he's very empathetic to his characters. He loves these characters. All the characters, even in the end there is certain friendliness to it, or certain humanity to it. Whereas the previous DC movies, except for "Wonder Woman," took place in a pretty cold, very brutal, very dark world. Our world has become dark enough, in America especially. And we have enough problems, and people have enough fear all the time. Q Can you explain its success more specifically? A: "Aquaman," is a big fantasy. It is a big relief for people. They can escape into these roles. It also appeals to many people. It appeals to young boys who want to be Jason Momoa. Grandmas like it because Nicole Kidman's character is very important in the end. It gives women a lot of power. Mera (Amber Heard) and Nicole Kidman both have amazing parts and so it allows (viewers) to empathize to all the different characters. So the grandma is important. The mama is important. The dad is important. As a child it's important. So everybody gets something to identify with and because of all those identifiers we have, it works for a very broad spectrum. And I might say, I know that James Wan is Australian, but I think he also has an Asian cinema idea of epicness. Q How would you compare "Aquaman" with other superhero films? A: In a typical Hollywood movie, for example in "Robin Hood," he shoots an arrow. He shoots one arrow, maybe 10. But in a Chinese movie or a Korean movie, the whole sky goes black with arrows. When he (Wan) brings that sort of sensibility to "Aquaman," it's not five sharks, it's 10,000 sharks which come out of that movie. This notion of immensity is, I think, very attractive to everybody. Q. What about the visual parts that you worked on for "Aquaman"? Some said they felt like they had spent two hours in the aquarium. A: I was involved with a lot of the visuals. I was immediately involved with Atlantis. Visually I knew it will be very different from day 1. Bill Brzeski (the film's production designer) was sort of my boss and I was part of a team. Not a big team, but a team of about seven, eight illustrators, including creature guy, vehicle guy, and I was one of the main environment guys. Bill Brzeski gave us an enormous amount of freedom to design, to come up with things and all of us have done how many movies, so my colleagues have worked on things from the "Matrix" to "Star Wars." It was a very strong team and that's why we got a lot more freedom than usual. Q. What are some factors that you consider important when you converge your skills from movies to games? A: I actually like the idea of changing techniques and technology. That can help. So I used to only draw by hand and then Photoshop came along. I did a lot of Photoshop and then I still love 3D, so I do it. You can see a lot of 3D now. And I think technology and art, if it's well combined, it can be very refreshing. It opens new avenues and new perspectives and so I have been always trying to do that. And also there are new types of projects. A phone game is very different from a movie, but it's also challenging. It's just these learning moments, where you still learn something, and every time when there is a learning experience, it's exciting. Q. You said you started off in Hollywood on your own, without any help. Could you give some advice for aspiring concept artists? First of all, Hollywood is not what it used to be in the 1990s. There are less movies in Hollywood than before. There are many markets now to enter. I think London has an enormous amount of visual effects, amazing studios. A lot happens also in Canada. So I think there's a bigger chance where you can enter things. To be on a big movie like "Aquaman," is not easy. Because firstly, there are unions which protect the work and then there's just so much relationship in order to be trusted. To be on the franchise which makes a billion dollars and to be the first five people to come up with it, they need to be trustful staffs. So for the young people, they should just get on super-exciting movies. Whatever they find in Korea, wherever they can make something. If you work on "Snow Piercer" or if you work on "Oldboy" or if you work on something or even if you create your own content, you're probably better off than just creating a portfolio which looks like everybody else's. So if you create your own project and augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR), it's yours. It's exciting to bring that out into the world. It can be Hollywood or London or Seoul, or wherever; I think they have a bigger chance to get recognition. By Jhoo Dong-chan Foreign investors who ditched the nation's stock market last year are returning to Korea. According to the Korea Exchange, foreigners bought 865.2 billion won ($770.1 million) worth of stocks in the benchmark KOSPI between Jan. 7 and 14, reflecting prevailing perceptions that Seoul stocks are now underrated. Thanks to their rush to Seoul stocks, the KOSPI index climbed over 3 percent from 2010.25 points to 2064.52 in the period. Foreign investors net-bought Seoul shares Monday despite an 11.05 points fall in the benchmark index. Their return was also evident in December. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, Monday, foreign investors, who led the nation's sluggish stock market in October and November via massive net sale, posted a 116 billion won net purchase in Seoul bourse last month. They also bought 1.47 trillion won worth of public bonds here in the period. They currently own 509.7 trillion won worth of listed shares, accounting for 31.3 percent of total market capitalization in the nation's stock market. Of the total market capitalization, Americans account for 42.8 percent by owning 218.3 trillion won worth of stocks while Europeans occupy 28.5 percent with 145.4 trillion won. Asians and Middle Easterners also own 61.6 trillion won and 18.4 trillion won, respectively, each accounting for 12.1 percent and 3.6 percent. Last month, foreigners also posted 700 billion won and 300 billion won worth of net purchases in the Hong Kong and Paris bourse while shedding 500 billion won and 400 billion won worth of shares in Cayman Islands and Saudi Arabia, respectively. "Uncertainty in the global slowdown and disappointing earnings over the last two quarters have already been reflected in stock prices," said IBK Securities Research Center in a report. "Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's recent comment that he will take an accommodative rates stance reflecting the current economic situation led the KOSPI rally last week." Meritz Securities analyst Yoon Yeo-sam also displayed his expectations for a further rally. "We said the rally would come after the second quarter, but the market, as always it does, moved faster than anticipated," Yoon said. "Talks between the U.S. and China are now on track. Powell also said he will be more patient in raising rates. Chances are open for further rally." However, the tech-heavy Kosdaq market suffered a setback for the first two weeks of 2019, with foreign investors dumping shares worth around 150 billion won. Woori Financial Group Chairman Sohn Tae-seung speaks during a press conference at its headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap Group to make small deals first, then big ones By Park Hyong-ki Woori Financial Group will aggressively pursue acquisitions of nonbanking firms such as asset management, real estate management and mutual savings banks to beef up its size and scale to compete with other groups, said Sohn Tae-seung, the group chairman. Woori has restored its financial holding company structure after four years. It celebrated the launch Monday. Sohn is also the chief executive of Woori Bank. "As we held the event on Monday, the group will begin discussing internally and approach targets to begin deals Tuesday," the chairman said at a press conference in Seoul, Monday. Given the nature of the deals, Sohn said the group cannot disclose the names of the targets. But strategically, it will seek to acquire those nonbanks by itself, while going after big nonbank assets with other investors. They will seek to "jointly invest" in equities of big targets. This is because the group does not want to affect its double-digit capital adequacy ratio, Sohn noted. "For now, the group will make small deals in the beginning, and gradually make bigger deals," he said. Its acquisition plan is part of efforts to "reorganize and rebuild" the group's business portfolio by focusing on boosting its nonbanks. "Our weakness is that we do not have a strong nonbank. Woori Bank is the only strong subsidiary of the group," Sohn said. The reorganization of the group's portfolio will include relocating Woori Card and Woori Investment Bank whose shares are wholly owned by Woori Bank to put them under the group's direct control in line with the regulations. The group's other key tasks will be further making inroads into new overseas markets in Southeast Asia by strengthening its investment banking, digital banking and asset management amid market saturation at home. "We will still be aggressive at home marketing our services. But we are going to focus more on venturing overseas," Sohn said. To this end, the chairman said the group has set up new divisions concentrating on those four key strategic initiatives investment banking, digital banking, asset management and global business. It will hire professionals from outside Woori Financial Group and Woori Bank as there are limits to boosting those businesses with internal human resources. "I always felt frustrated that we had to rotate and reposition internal human resources for reshuffling and employment. This system has hindered Woori from becoming a top-tier financial company like the global ones," he said. Woori Financial will no longer do this, but increase employment of non-Woori professionals in digital and investment banking to be a "true financial group," he told the press. Sohn added it will also increase risk management to maintain business stability amid an economic slowdown. This will include maintaining the financial soundness of its assets and lowering costs, while maximizing synergy among its subsidiaries. The chairman said he could not comment about Financial Services Commission Chairman Choi Jong-ku, who said in his congratulatory speech at the event that the government will speed up the sale of its ownership in Woori Financial. The state-run Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. (KDIC) has an 18.4 percent stake in the group. Choi also said the government will "guarantee" Woori's management independence. "I really can't say anything about it other than KDIC's initial plan was to sell its stake after Woori launches as a holding company," Sohn said. Woori Financial Group Chairman Sohn Tae-seung, center, and Financial Services Commission Chairman (FSC) Choi Jong-ku, fifth from left, applaud with other executives from the group and the banking industry to celebrate the launch of the holding company. Courtesy of Woori Financial Group By Park Hyong-ki Shin Jong-ho Shin Jong-ho, a former head of investment banking at Meritz Securities, has been named the new chief executive of Taurus Investment & Securities, according to the brokerage. His appointment late last month follows DS Networks' acquisition last October of the small securities company from Taurus founder Sohn Bok-jo. DS Networks is a real estate developer established in 1969. Sohn launched the brokerage in the financial district of Yeouido a decade ago, but soon faced difficulties as the global financial crisis erupted in 2008. Taurus was formed under the slogan of "A Different Tomorrow," as the country was preparing to ease rules separating the businesses of stock brokerage, futures and asset management. Sohn Bok-jo KB Securities CEO Kim Seong-hyun, second from right, applauds during an opening ceremony for the company's Vietnam arm KB Securities Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh, Jan. 8. / Courtesy of KB Securities By Jhoo Dong-chan Vietnam has become the most favorable destination for the nation's securities firms. Five out of the top 10 domestic brokerages entered the Southeast Asian country to diversify their business portfolios as part of their efforts to overcome Korea's saturated financial market. They are not only establishing footholds in the country but also widening their business areas. Korea Investment & Securities introduced derivative products for the first time as a foreign brokerage in Vietnam. Of Korea's brokerages, Mirae Asset Daewoo is the first securities firm to have established a corporate body in Vietnam. And the securities firm has since raised capital by issuing new stocks twice. KB Financial Group General Manager Moon Seung-chul, right, donates 50 million won to the Korean Skating Union at an ice rink in Mokdong, southwestern Seoul, Monday. The donation will be used to help pay for local figure skaters' school tuitions. The group has been supporting figure skaters since 2006 when it started to back Olympic gold medalist Kim Yuna. Courtesy of KB Financial Group People order tailored clothes in Xuanen County of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 13, 2019. People across China prepare to celebrate the coming Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 5 this year. (Xinhua/Song Wen) 5 1 [ Editor: zyq ] 01/13/2019 The JSU Jazz Program has been awarded a $2,700 grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to support the 8th annual JSU Jazz Festival. We appreciate the fine job your organization is doing to enhance the cultural environment in Alabama and feel proud to be able to support your activities, Albert Head, executive director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, wrote in the award letter. The JSU Jazz Festival will be held on April 5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Leone Cole Auditorium. One of the worlds best jazz drummers, Grammy award winner Jeff Tain Watts, will headline the event with a noon concert. The JSU Jazz Ensemble I and ten regional high school jazz ensembles are also scheduled to perform. There will be clinics throughout the day by JSU faculty on jazz improvisation and rhythm section performance, as well as a special Meet the Artist clinic with Watts. The event is free and open to the public. Government of Pakistan Ministry of Interior Jobs Open Latest Ministry of Interior Management Posts Islamabad 2021 Director in Bomb Disposal Squad BPS 18 in ICT Police are required Through Government of Pakistan Ministry of Interior in Islamabad. Candidate should have army officer retired. How to Apply on Ministry of Interior 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. Telephone: 051-9220383 Official Website: www.islamabadpolice.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. Combo file photo shows earthenware unearthed from a tomb dating back to the Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439 A.D.) in Leijia Village of Xixian New Area, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Archaeologists in northwest China's Shaanxi Province said Friday they have discovered an ancient tomb group dating back more than 1,500 years in a village in the province. Archaeologists with the Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology said that a cluster of 12 tombs dating back to the Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439 A.D.) was excavated from 2017 to 2018 in Leijia Village of Xixian New Area, along with sacrificial sites and millet. (Xinhua) XI'AN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists in northwest China's Shaanxi Province said Friday they have discovered an ancient tomb group dating back more than 1,500 years in a village in the province. Archaeologists with the Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology said that a cluster of 12 tombs dating back to the Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439 A.D.) was excavated from 2017 to 2018 in Leijia Village of Xixian New Area, along with sacrificial sites and millet. The tombs are laid out in two rows, and each tomb consists of a tomb passage, a door and a path leading to the coffin chamber, according to Liu Daiyun, a researcher with the academy. "Some new burial customs, such as placing stones in a small pit at the corner of the tomb and the feet of some of the bodies in the tombs being held down by square stones, have been discovered for the first time," Liu said. The majority of the burial objects were pottery ware, including figurines of warriors, servants and animals, jars and lamps. Some bronze accessories such as mirrors, stamps, hair clasps and pins, bracelets and bells and several kinds of bronze coins were unearthed. Among these coins, a rare coin cast in the Later Zhao, one of the kingdoms during this period, was an important reference for archaeologists to determine the date of the tombs, Liu said. Archaeologists also found skulls of piglets in two tombs and a large amount of weathered millet shell. "Based on the distribution of the tombs, it can be determined that the tombs belonged to a family. We will further determine the relationships of the tomb owners through DNA tests," Liu added. 6 1 [ Editor: WPY ] The Qualcomm vs. Apple battle has revealed some interesting tidbits about the business practices of both companies. Qualcomm paid Apple $1 billion as an incentive payment in 2011 as a part of a 3-year agreement to exclusively supply modem for iPhones. Qualcomms CEO Steve Mollenkopf revealed this incentive payment detail during his testimony on Friday. He said the payment was made to ease the technical cost for Apple to switch from Infineon baseband to those from Qualcomm. While Qualcomm is known to make such payments to other companies as well, the figure of $1 billion is extremely high and unheard of previously. And since Apple could not commit to the number of chips it would buy from Qualcomm, the latter was forced to pursue an exclusivity agreement with it. Ultimately, Apple and Qualcomm signed an exclusive deal for a three-year period and if Apple ended up sourcing baseband from any other supplier during this period, it would lose out on the rebate. Interestingly, it was Apple which first came up with the figure of $1 billion and not Qualcomm. Apples supply chain executive Tony Blevins had testified earlier in the day that They made it very unattractive for us to use another chip supplier, Blevins said of the rebates. These rebates were very, very large. Apple and Qualcomm struck a similar deal in 2013 where the latter was going to exclusively supply modem for three years. However, Apple started using Intel modem inside its products in 2016 which led Qualcomm to cut back on some of its incentives to Apple. During cross-questioning by Qualcomms lawyer, CEO Steve Mollenkopf also made it clear that the company never cuts off modem supplies to any of its partners in a bid to enforce its patent licensing deal. We have the right to do it, but we dont do itIts bad business, it isnt good for the customer relationship andIts hard to be a top-tier supplier like we want to be if supply is disrupted, Mollenkopf said. He recounted how once Qualcomm accidentally stopped a shipment to Sony and he stepped in to solve the matter. Our team mistakenly put in a stop-ship [order]. I instantly got involved [telling Sonys CEO that Qualcomm] sent the wrong signal, and Ill make sure nothing happens to the chip supply. I told the [Qualcomm] team the same thing. I said if anything like this happens in the future I want to know about it, Mollenkopf said. Our Take Qualcomms CEO testimony definitely paints a very different picture of the ongoing battle between the two companies. At first, it looked like Qualcomm was to blame but it looks like the deal was not as one-sided as we were led to believe in the beginning. [Via EE Times 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. 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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 Mexico introduces new tax incentives to stimulate financial situation Mexicos new tax incentives, which are effective immediately, are largely intended to incentivise Mexican entities to raise funds at a lower cost and from a wider array of foreign investors, and to overall encourage private Mexican companies to become public. Notes placed amongst the general investing public While these incentives are certainly positive, some of these seem to be ill-conceived, and as currently drafted, raise concerns with respect to their application in practice. Under current legislation, foreign holders of notes issued by Mexican entities are subject to withholding taxes on interest payments. In general, such a tax must be withheld by the Mexican person making the payment (although the withholding obligation has been transferred to financial intermediaries that act as custodians, in the case of publicly traded securities). Specifically, a reduced 4.9% withholding tax rate is available on interest paid to non-residents from debt securities (e.g. notes) placed amongst the general investing public. It is relevant to point out that this rate exists for the benefit of all non-resident note holders, regardless of their tax nature or place of residence. In general, the market practice is for the issuer to gross up in respect of such a 4.9% withholding, so that the holders receive their interest net of any Mexican taxes. Securities placed amongst the general investing public are those registered in the Mexican National Securities Registry (RNV) maintained by the CNBV, and those listed in an International Quotations System (SIC), or foreign stock exchange of a country that is a member of the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA). With the intention of allowing Mexican companies to raise money at a lower cost and from a wider array of foreign investors, a tax subsidy is granted in respect of interest payments to foreign holders of notes issued by Mexican entities that are placed amongst the general investing public through stock exchanges authorized by the SHCP. A further benefit from the decree would arise if the incentive was expanded to debt placements effected through financial intermediaries who are a resident in a treaty jurisdiction (which are also subject to the reduced 4.9% withheld rate), as this is the most common and appealing alternative to raise funds outside of Mexico by Mexican issuers. It is important to note that the incentive introduces the requirement of having the notes placed through a stock exchange authorized by the SHCP, which raises the question of whether notes listed in the SIC would be considered as placed through a stock exchange authorized by the SHCP (which would have some practical disadvantages and timing delays), and seems to discard notes placed in the MILA as securities eligible for the incentive. Such a tax incentive is granted in the form of a tax credit for the withholding agent (not as an exemption available to the non-resident holder), equivalent to the tax that it should have withheld and paid to the tax authorities on any interest payments to non-resident holders. In light of the tax incentive, withholding agents (such as custodians) are released from their obligation to withhold any taxes on such interest payments and would be able to cover the tax liability that would have been due through a tax credit granted by the Mexican tax authorities. Even if such withholding agents are released from their withholding obligations as a result of the incentive, they still maintain the obligation to issue invoices to account for the interest payments to non-resident holders. This incentive is only granted with respect to holders that are residents of a country that have double taxation or a broad exchange of information agreement in force with Mexico. No rules have been issued on how this is meant to be validated by the withholding agents in practice. This is particularly challenging to achieve in respect of publicly traded securities, as such securities change hands indistinctly amongst numerous investors from different jurisdictions, and it is not customary for investors to provide any information whatsoever in respect of their place of residency. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why the 4.9% reduced withholding rate on notes placed amongst the general investing public is currently granted across all investors, without regard to their tax nature or place of residence. Withholding agents that have the possibility to claim the incentive during the year in which the withholding was triggered, but fail to do so, would not be able to claim the incentive in subsequent years up to the amount that they failed to credit. This incentive offers the possibility of exploring global debt offerings that are conducted through a Mexican stock exchange, but results in challenges arising from identifying the tax residence of holders and seems to exclude typical Rule 144A/Regulation S international offerings that are not listed on a Mexican stock exchange. Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Pursuant to Mexican income tax law, capital gains made by Mexican individuals and by non-residents of Mexico from the sale of shares issued by Mexican entities through stock exchanges authorized by the SHCP are subject to a reduced 10% capital gains tax rate. This benefit is also extended to the sale of foreign shares listed at the SIC by any such person. Non-residents may also claim a capital gains tax exemption on the sale of the aforementioned securities if resident in a country that has a double tax treaty in effect with Mexico, provided certain formalities are met. The above-benefits are denied to both Mexican individuals and non-residents (whether individuals or corporations) if the shares being transferred: Are not acquired through a recognized market (i.e. Mexican authorized stock exchanges), unless these represent a participation of less than 1% in the equity of the issuer (and none of the below points are true); Represent a participation of 10% or more in the equity of the issuer, if owned, directly or indirectly, by a person or group of persons that holds 10% or more of the shares of the issuer; Result in a direct or indirect transfer of control of the issuer; or Are transferred in a transaction that restricts a more competitive offer. The new decree grants a tax incentive for tax years 2019-2021, and allows Mexican individuals and non-residents of Mexico to access the reduced 10% capital gains tax rate on the sale of shares issued by a Mexican entity (does not extend to foreign shares listed in the SIC) that were not acquired through recognized markets (i.e. non-public shares). This is provided that such shares are sold by means of an IPO through Mexican authorized stock exchanges, and that the equity securities were not listed in any such stock exchanges previously. Also, no more than 10% of the shares of the issuer must be sold. Essentially, this incentive eliminates the requirement described under aforementioned point one for IPOs. However, it is relevant to stress that such a requirement remains valid for sales of shares in the secondary market. The requirements described under points two through to four remain applicable even in the case of IPOs, which will make it unattractive to shareholders of many companies. In other words, the flexibility granted by the new decree may not be attractive to shareholders of many companies that have a low tax basis in relative to their shares. It may also need to be combined with a primary component in an IPO, as a placement of shares representing less than 10% of the aggregate outstanding shares may not result in a placement of securities with attractive levels of liquidity, and may subsequently not satisfy regulatory requirements.. In addition, this incentive seems to put family owned companies developed by Mexican investors (that have held securities for decades) at a disadvantage compared to those that were funded by private equity firms in recent years. Exception to the 10% limitation The aforementioned incentive is also extended to the transfer of more than 10% of the shares issued by a Mexican entity by a person (or group of persons) that control the issuer (or hold a direct or indirect participation of 10% or more of the shares) if a public trust that meets the requirements to be considered a capital risk investment trust (FICAPs) for Mexican tax purposes holds a participation of at least 20% in such an entity prior to the sale. The incentive is only granted to the extent that the sale is part of a divestiture process by the FICAP to initiate an IPO of the issuer. It is unclear whether the divestiture may be partial or must be total. Such an incentive is also available if the participation (consisting of 20% or more of the equity securities of an issuer) was acquired by another investment vehicle similar to a FICAP. This vague definition generates ambiguity as it is unclear whether the intention was to include investment vehicles similar to a FICAP (for instance, exclusively to public trusts such as CERPIs or CKDs qualifying as passive trusts), or if it is to include private Mexican trusts and corporations that are incorporated as private equity funds. However, the incentive does set forth certain requirements to qualify as investment vehicles similar to a FICAP, as follows: The shares should be held by the investment vehicles for at least two years prior to the sale through an IPO, mirroring the provisions set forth for FICAPs; The investment vehicle should be incorporated in Mexico under domestic law, and in the case of trusts, the trustee should be a financial institution or a broker-dealer that is resident in Mexico, which seems to exclude non-Mexican vehicles, such as Cayman or Canadian limited partnerships; The investment vehicle should invest at least 80% of its estate in shares of Mexican entities that (a) are resident in Mexico, and (b) have not been previously listed in the stock exchange, which may exclude vehicles such as CERPIs that have a significant amount of investments in other countries; and The investment vehicle should meet any other requirements set forth under administrative tax rules issued by the tax administration service. This article was written by Luis A. Nicolau Gutierrez (lnicolau@ritch.com.mx), Oscar A. Lopez Velarde (olopezvelarde@ritch.com.mx), and Santiago Diaz Rivera Bravo (sdiazrivera@ritch.com.mx) of Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C (www.ritch.com.mx) The material on this site is for financial institutions, professional investors and their professional advisers. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQ. Share this article The South South governors have asked said that the intended prosecution of Nigerias Chief Justice, Walter Onnighen .is humiliating and unacceptable. The governors took the stand in a meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, stating the present administration has done enough to assualt institutions like the National Assembly and Judiciary. According to these South south governors, the region has been marginalized enough, and Onmoghens case, will be another huge blow. The statement which was signed by Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State, the action against Onnoghen is further pointer to the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta See full statement here We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state, including the National Assembly and the judiciary. Therefore, we consider this step, which is directly aimed at humiliating the nations highest judicial officer and a prominent son of the region,as totally unacceptable as it is reflective of the South South story of endless marginalization and intimidation. The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh. We note that the unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law. It is a fact that this administration has a penchant for flagrant disobedience of and disregard for legitimate and valid court orders. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to name one individual from its Party or a non member that the Buhari Presidency has investigated, prosecuted or arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction. The former ruling party accused Buhari of being the most, among all the Presidents that have ever ruled the country, to encourage corruption. In a statement by the opposition party on Sunday, it said APC is now a refugee camp for known and well advertised faces of corruption. PDP further challenged the APC to advise Buhari, to stop encouraging corruption with his holier than thou attitude. See full statement We challenge the APC to name one individual from its Party or a non member that the Buhari Presidency has investigated, prosecuted or arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction in the last three and half years If for anything, President Buhari has encouraged corruption in our nation more than any President that had the privilege of governing our nation Nigeria. The Buhari Presidency is now a refugee camp for known and well advertised faces of corruption. We challenge the APC to advise its candidate to stop encouraging corruption with his holier than thou attitude. From the factional National Chairman of the APC to the co-chairman of the APC campaign Organization, to the DG of the Campaign, the zonal directors and the recent entrants from Bauchi & Gombe states, they are all Candidates of the APC over corruption Finally, once again, we counsel President Buhari to submit the list of his campaign structure to the EFCC, and he should not forget to add his immediate family and direct the commission Ag. Chairman, Ibrahim Magu to prosecute them immediately Mike Ozekhome (SAN), lead counsel to senator Dino Melaye currently being held by police over allegations of attempted murder, has said that the federal government was using police to ensure Melaye becomes politically irrelevant. According to the lawyer, the timing of Meleyas his incarceration in Police custody, both at the SARS office at Guzape, Abuja, and the Police hospital at Area 1, Garki, Abuja, is a perfect plot to render his political career comatose. It would be recalled that Melaye had complained to the world that the Kogi State, Governor in his desperate attempts to undo Dino Melaye politically, had stage-managed his botched recall from the Senate, which process failed ignominiously even while he was chained to a hospital bed like an animal by the same Nigeria Police. Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye, has, for quite some time, been receiving fusillades of politically motivated attacks, on his life, political career and health. His offence, that has attracted these attacks upon his person, is that he is exposing and speaking out against the anti-people policies of both the federal government under President Buhari, and the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who governs his state. Ozekome, in a statement on Monday, said Melayes outspokenness about the poor performance of the federal government and Kogi state government under Yahaya Bello, after dumping the ruling APC for PDP has earned him a lot of enemies. He also added that pleas to police, to grant Melaye administrative bail,because of his health, has so far fallen on deaf ears VILLANOVA, Pa.Villanova University and Greg Dodge of Zavino Hospitality Group (ZHG) have teamed up for a sophisticated-yet-casual restaurant and grill that will debut this August on the Universitys Radnor Township campus. The restaurant will be located at the corner of Lancaster and Ithan Avenues within The Commons, a group of new residence halls that are part of a nearly $300 million transformation of the institutions former surface parking lots. The Universitys new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, slated to open in early 2020, will be located adjacent to the new eatery. The Villanova-owned restaurant will serve elevated American classics to both the University community and area residents. Villanova has chosen The Refectory as the name for its new establishmenta term used to describe a dining room for communal meals at academic institutions and monasteries. The first full-service eatery at Villanova, this approachable restaurant and grill will provide a dynamic dining destination by combining the high energy of a bustling restaurant with the vibrant atmosphere of the Universitys Main Line campus. The Refectory will feature a stunningly beautiful horseshoe bar, accented with marbled tabletops, ZHGs reliably recognizable captains chairs, and a casually elegant dining room, complete with wood-finished banquettes and cedar-stained floors. There also will be a vault room for accommodating private parties and special chef tastings. The welcoming space will comfortably seat more than 200 guests, including 18 seats in the bar area and plenty of standing room, and the decor will highlight Villanovas history and tradition with artwork and other design elements. The Refectory is an exciting addition to our campus, which has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past several years, said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova University President. Villanova is proud to partner with Greg Dodge and Zavino Hospitality Group on our first full-service restaurant, which will create a Villanova-centric dining experience for our campus and local community. With its family-friendly atmosphere and location in the heart of campus, I know it will become a premier gathering spot for Villanovans, visitors and patrons of all ages. In addition, ZHG and Villanova will partner with Parliament Espresso & Coffee Barcreated by Elior North Americas premier dining and events brand, Constellation Culinary Groupin an adjacent grab-and-go cafe where guests can choose from a small menu of prepared breakfast options, sandwiches, homemade pastries, salads and coffee drinks. The company specializes in seed to cup offerings and sources their coffee beans from a family-run farm, La Virgen Coffee Estates, in Nicaragua. Both the restaurant and cafe will be open weekdays and weekends to serve students and area residents alike. The quality of the food will be matched only by the attention to detail from both our front-of-house and kitchen staffs, says Dodge. We designed this restaurant with students, alumni, faculty, families and neighbors in mind, as a place where they all can gather and linger over a great meal and delicious drink. About Zavino Hospitality Group (ZHG): Founded and led by Greg Dodge, the group debuted their first restaurant, Zavino, in Philadelphias thriving Midtown Village neighborhood less than a decade ago; since then, they have opened another Zavino in Philadelphias University City area and three locations of their second concept, Tredici, in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, PA, and Washington, D.C. The group has several more openings in the works for 2019, in addition to the Villanova restaurant. ZHG will serve as consultant for Zagafen by Zavino in Bala Cynwyd, PA, then open a new concept, Enza in Wyndmoor, PA, and add a Zavino location in Kansas City, MOs Ameristar Casino and another Tredici in Downingtown, PA. Dodge has nearly 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry having started at age 14 and then working in management for top restaurateurs, including Stephen Starr, Marcus Samuelsson and Larry Forgiones American Restaurant Group. About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu . FOR THE MEDIA Available for comment: Greg Dodge (Zavino Hospitality Group) Tony Alfano (Villanova University, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services) Media Contacts: Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar was in Ekiti state earlier on Monday for his campaign rally. The PDP presidential candidate was welcomed by former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, other PDP faithfuls and supporters in the state. The former vice president in his promise to the people of Ekiti, made it clear that he will build the interstate roads and complete all abandoned federal projects in the state. He also reiterated his commitment 40% of his cabinet to youth and 30% to women. Thanks to the people of Ekiti State. I commit to you we will build the interstate roads & complete all federal projects not completed. Well restore quality education and well create more jobs. I also recommit 40% of my cabinet to youth and 30% to women. # PDPEkitiRally Atiku was received by a teaming crowd. See photos below: BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hakim said on Sunday that Iraq supports the restoration of Syria's suspended membership of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL). Al-Hakim's comments came at a joint press conference with the his Iranian counterpart Mohammed Javad Zarif, who is on an official visit to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders to discuss means to enhance bilateral cooperation. "We discussed solutions to eliminate terrorism in Syria and support the Syrian government, its territorial integrity and sovereignty," al-Hakim said. "We also discussed supporting Iraq's efforts to restore Syria's (membership) to the AL," he added. Syria has experienced years of destruction since its civil war broke out in 2011, and later the country's membership of the AL was suspended. Earlier in the day, al-Hakim and Zarif held a meeting inside Iraqi Foreign Ministry building at the edge of the Green Zone in central Baghdad. A statement by al-Hakim's office said that he confirmed during the meeting that the Iraqi-Iranian relations are witnessing "steady progress in light of the mutual visits of officials of the two countries." Al-Hakim also expressed Iraq's determination to upgrade "these relations and strengthen ties between the two countries on all levels to serve the two neighboring peoples." Zarif affirmed that Iran stands by Iraq in its war against terrorism and pledged to provide support to the reconstruction of the country, according to the statement. Earlier in the day, the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad said in a press statement that Zarif was scheduled to hold a series of meetings with top Iraqi officials on Monday, including Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi. It said that Zarif will head Tuesday to Erbil, the capital of semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, to meet with Kurdish leaders, before flying Wednesday to the holy Shiite cities of Karbala and Najaf in south of Baghdad. Zarif's visit came at the time when the United States has reimposed sanctions on Iran's oil industry as well as its banking and transport sectors, after Washington's pullout from the 2015 landmark nuclear deal in May last year. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] VILLANOVA, Pa. Villanova University today announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Trustees. George W. Coleman, retired vice chairman of Global Equities, Credit Suisse Group AG; the Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, OSA, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of the Midwest, Canada and Peru; Anne K. Roby, PhD, senior vice president of Linde plc; and David S. Wilkes, MD, dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, joined the 35-member Board effective Jan. 1. Additionally, Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RNa member of Villanovas Board of Trustees since 2010was elected as secretary of the Board. Naylor is the Marian S. Ware Professor of Gerontology and Director of NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. We are pleased to welcome George, Father Pizzo, Ann and Davidfour dedicated Villanova alumnito our Board of Trustees, said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, president of Villanova University. They are leaders in their professional roles and in their communities, and I look forward to having their expertise and experience as we continue to chart the future direction of the University. NEW MEMBERS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES George W. Coleman 78 VSB retired from his position as vice chairman of Global Equities at Credit Suisse, a leading international financial services company, in 2015. Coleman had previously served as managing director and head of Americas Equities for Credit Suisse, where he held various leadership positions for more than 25 years. Before joining Credit Suisse, he was an account executive with Integrated Sources Inc. Coleman is an active member of the Villanova community, having served on the Campaign Executive Committee for the Universitys recently completed comprehensive capital campaign, For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change, and chairing the Regional New York Campaign Committee. Additionally, he was a former member of the Presidents Advisory Council and the Villanova School of Business (VSB) Deans Advisory Council. In 2018, Coleman was the recipient of the Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA, Alumni Medallion, awarded by VSB. He is an active member of his local community, having served as a past board member of Shepherds, a mentoring and scholarship nonprofit based in Bridgeport, Conn., as well as on the Wall Street Committee for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Coleman and his wife, Katie, are also involved with the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club of Fairfield, Conn. A resident of Fairfield, Conn., Coleman graduated from VSB in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Two of the Colemans children, daughters Casey 08 and Kimberly 11, are also Villanova University graduates. The Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, OSA, 78 CLAS is prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of the Midwest, Canada and Peru. Before being named Prior Provincial, he spent 12 years as pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Parish in Chicago. During that time, Father Pizzo served for 11 years as dean of Vicariate V of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Prior to that, he spent two years as the director of Spiritual Formation for El Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. Father Pizzo holds leadership and advisory roles with a number of organizations, including Southwest Organizing Project; Chicago Project for Violence Prevention (University of Illinois Chicago, School of Health); Catholic Campaign for Human Development; National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry; and Priests for Justice for Immigrants of the Office for Human Dignity and Solidarity in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Father Pizzo graduated from Villanova University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He went on to earn his Master of Divinity in 1983 from Catholic Theological Union and was ordained to the priesthood in 1984. Father Pizzo has graduate certification in Hispanic Theology and Ministry from Catholic Theological Union. He resides in Chicago. Anne K. Roby, PhD, 86 COE is senior vice president of Linde plc, a global leader in industrial gases and engineering. Named to that role in 2014, Dr. Roby is responsible for the companys global functions, which include operations excellence; research and development; global procurement; sustainability; and health and safety. She also leads Praxair Surface Technologies, Electronic Materials and the Global Helium businesses. Dr. Roby joined Praxair in 1991 and was named global marketing manager for Chemicals and Refining in 1996. She has held a number of leadership roles within the company, including president of Praxair Electronics, president of Praxair Asia, vice president for Global Sales and vice president of the US South Region. Dr. Roby is an involved alumna of Villanovas College of Engineering, serving on its advisory council and, in 2016, was recognized for her outstanding leadership with the Colleges J. Stanley Morehouse Memorial Award. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Western Connecticut Health Network. Dr. Roby graduated from Villanovas College of Engineering in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She went on to earn a doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. The holder of four patents for industrial gas applications, Dr. Roby resides in Ridgefield, Conn., with her husband and three daughters. David S. Wilkes, MD, 78 CLAS is a leader in medical education who has served as researcher, teacher, administrator, mentor and executive. Dr. Wilkes joined the University of Virginia School of Medicine as dean in 2015 and also holds appointments as professor of Medical Science and professor of Internal Medicine. He has secondary appointments in the Universitys Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, as well as the Beirne Carter Center for Immunology. A specialist in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine, Dr. Wilkes earned an undergraduate degree from Villanova University before receiving a medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in 1982. He completed an internship and residency at Temple University Hospital and a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Before arriving at University of Virginia, Dr. Wilkes was executive associate dean for Research Affairs at Indiana University School of Medicine and assistant vice president for Research at Indiana University. He was also director of the Indiana University School of Medicines Physician Scientist Initiative. Dr. Wilkes has co-authored more than 100 research papers, holds six U.S. patents and is founder and chief scientific officer of ImmuneWorks, Inc., a biotech company that develops novel treatments for immune-mediated lung disease. Additionally, he is national director of the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and has served on several advisory boards and committees of the National Institute of Health. A military veteran, Dr. Wilkes served three years as a major in the US Air Force Medical Corps and earned a commendation medal for service. His father, James F. Wilkes 51 COE, and daughter, Kristen R. Wilkes, MD, 09 CLAS, are also graduates of Villanova University. SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, 71 FCN is the Marian S. Ware Professor in Gerontology and Director of the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Nursing. For more than two decades, Dr. Naylor has led a multidisciplinary team of clinical scholars and health services researchers in generating and disseminating research findings designed to enhance the care and outcomes of chronically ill older adults and their family caregivers. She is the recipient of AcademyHealths Distinguished Investigator Award, a recognition of significant and lasting contributions to the field of health services research. Elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2005, Dr. Naylor is a member of the Academys Leadership Consortium for a Value & Science-Driven Health Care System and co-chairs the Care Culture and Decision-Making Innovation Collaborative. She also is a member of the RAND Health Board of Advisors and of the board of the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust. She has been a member of the Villanova Board of Trustees since 2010. Dr. Naylor graduated from the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) in 1971. She earned her MSN and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Naylor resides in Newtown Square, Pa. 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. Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. Very hot. High near 110F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Mostly sunny skies. Near record high temperatures. High 118F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Just over a two-hour drive from Rockhampton, but a lengthy nine-hours or 825km from Brisbane, Blackwater is a small inland town in Central Queensland. Its population at the 2006 Census was a little over 5000, with a young median age of 29 that same year, seven years below the state average (36) according to SQM Research. Nevertheless, it plays a major role in the regions mining industry, with six major open cut coal mines and one underground mine operating outside of the town. These mines produce millions of tonnes of coking and steaming coal each year, which are then exported worldwide to Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and many other countries. The steaming coal produced is also used for power generation within Queensland. It therefore comes as no surprise that Blackwater is known as the Coal Capital of Queensland, with mining being the primary employer in the town. According to ABS estimates, 26.3% of the local workforce was employed in intermediate production in 2008 while 14.9% were tradespersons. Meanwhile, the areas property market has also been on the up, with recent growth figures outstripping the ten-year average annual rate. Median house prices in Blackwater are still an affordable at less than $400,000, and rental yields are knocking on double figures. Blackwater Real Estate sales consultant Leanne Ellis says the areas booming mining industry means housing shortages are an issue, and rent prices in Blackwell will only continue rising. I would say your average rent price, over the last four months, has jumped between $100 and $200 a week. They are definitely skyrocketing, Ellis said. Renters made up 52% of the market in 2006 according to SQM Research, and the huge demand for rental property means monthly vacancy rates are on or around 0%. This bodes well for investors who are looking for strong rental returns from their properties, as mining continues to bring workers into Blackwater. From an investors perspective, at this point in time, they really cant go wrong, Ellis concludes. Sydney and Melbourne residential property prices are likely to bottom out by 2021, according to recent research by KPMG. The study predicted that the total drop in Sydney prices for the entire downturn, which began in 2018, would be 12.9%. Melbournes slump, meanwhile, is projected to be smaller than Sydneys, with the peak-to-trough slides tipped to be 4.5%. Drops in Sydney prices would be greater than in Melbourne due to declining interest from investors, which will have more bearing in New South Wales (NSW), the study said. In 2016, investors were accountable for nearly 60% of NSW property purchases. Looking into the forecast for houses, KPMG predicted that Sydney real median prices, on average, are set to decline by 4.3% in 2019, further drop by 1.3% in 2020, and then record growth of about 3.5% in 2021. Melbourne real median house prices, on the other hand, are anticipated to decrease by 2% this year, and then turn around to positive growth of around 3% and nearly 5% for 2020 and 2021, respectively. KPMG Chief Economist Brendan Rynne said that stricter lending policies have caused the declines in prices up until now, but these tight lending standards may start to soften over the next few months, according to a report by news.com.au. KPMG also predicted that the Labor Partys proposed reforms to negative gearing will not affect the availability of rental homes for a long time, if ever the party wins the election. Joel Martin Klein, 61, of Phoenix Ariz., passed away suddenly in his home Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Born Nov. 2, 1957 in York, to Erwin L. and Kathleen Kay (Hile) Klein, he was the youngest of the four Klein boys. His childhood in Arbor Court provided Joel with some of his fondest memories. At that time, neighbors werent just neighbors, they were extra siblings and extra sets of parents. He graduated from York High School in 1976 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating in 1980. He went on to receive his MBA from the University of Phoenix in Technology Communication Management. Joel was a long-time member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was actively involved in the Deer Valley Aerie in Glendale, Ariz. He had a big heart for charity work, specifically any benefiting children or animals. A lover of old cars and musical instrument, he usually had some kind of repair project in the works. Joel was a believer in God and often admired his hand in nature and the world around us. He is survived by two brothers, James (DeAnn) Klein of Phoenix, Ariz., Regan (Stevie) Klein of Taylors, S.C. and sister-in-law, Cathy Klein of York. He is also survived by five nephews; two nieces; many cousins; countless friends and his cherished cat, Snowy. Iran denied on Monday the claims made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel struck hundreds of Iranian targets in Syria over the past two years, and dismissed reports of its military presence in the region. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "Israel's claims are baseless and false its only an attempt by the Zionists to conceal their ongoing failures in the region," said Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi. Netanyahu lifted the veil of ambiguity surrounding Israels activity in Syria by confirming on Sunday that the Israel Air Force struck Iranian targets in the war-battered country over weekend. The prime minister added that hundreds of targets belonging to Iran and its proxy Hezbollah in Syria have been hit by the IAF. Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Amit Shaabi ) "The Zionists always spread lies and embark on psychological warfare to achieve their evil goals in the region," he said, adding that the Iranian officials are in Syria strictly for consultation purposes. "The Syrian government invited us in order to advise them on methods to fight terrorism." The prime minister's statement came after Syria's state-run news agency SANA said the country's air defenses intercepted missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets on Friday night. The attacks reportedly caused damage but no casualties. SANA reported that "over eight targets" exploded over the capital, adding that most of the Israeli missiles had been intercepted. Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hammoud said that the Israeli strike damaged the wings of several planes, putting them out of use. "The fuel tanks are integrated into the wings of the planes, which is why it has completely disabled a number of our aircraft," Hamoud said to the Russian Sputnik news agency. The minister added that several buildings had also been damaged during the attack. The outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot also confirmed that Israel has carried out "thousands" of attacks in Syria as part of its covert campaign against Iranian entrenchment in the Golan Heights. "We struck thousands of targets without claiming responsibility or asking for credit," he said in an interview with The New York Times published over the weekend. Croatia's government on Monday formally canceled a $500 million deal to buy 12 used fighter jets from Israel after it collapsed over US objections. The defense minister said the Balkan country will restart the search for the right deal. Israel and Croatia reached a tentative deal in March for the sale of the upgraded F-16 Barak fighter planes, pending US approval to allow the American-made technology to be purchased by a third party. Iranian Foreign Ministry dismissed Monday the claims made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about hundreds of strikes conducted by the Israel Air Force in Syria, targeting Iranian arms depots. "Israel's claims are baseless its only an attempt to conceal their ongoing failures in the region," said the statement, adding there is no Iranian military presence in Syria. The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Atiku has warned Nigerians against allowing President Muhammadu Buhari steal their votes in the February 16, 2019 Presidential election. The former vice president said this, during an interactive session with some youth groups, social media influencers and bloggers in Abuja on Sunday. Atiku said the Buhari administration must be voted out, because of the many havoc, it has wrecked on the nation. President Buhari has stolen your jobs. He has stolen your rights. Dont let him steal your votes. They are preparing the ground to steal your votes. I know that Nigerians are ready to Get Nigeria Working Again, but dont let Buhari steal your votes Atiku stated further that the Buhari government has ruined the nations economy, adding that this is the worse, the country has had it, since independence in 1960. Nigeria has never been in such a bad shape as we have today, not even during the civil war. We have never had the economy this bad and the nation has not been so insecure as we are underBuhari . That is why we all must work together to make Nigeria work again. The US will step up efforts to counter Iran's "dangerous activities" around the region including the financing and activities of proxy organizations such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, a senior US official said Monday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale spoke following talks he held with Lebanese politicians at the end of an official visit. It comes amid a domestic political crisis over an ongoing government vacuum and tensions along the southern border, with the discovery of cross-border tunnels dug by the Hezbollah group for attacks on Israel. IDF forces along the Lebanon border during operation to destroy Hezbollah tunnels (Photo: AFP) "It's unacceptable to have a militia outside the control of the state and unanswerable to all the people of Lebanon, digging attack tunnels across the Blue Line into Israel, or assembling an arsenal of over 100,000 missiles with which to threaten regional stability," Hale said after meeting with the Lebanese Prime Minister-designate, Saad Hariri. He pledged continued support for the Lebanese military and security forces and said that while Lebanon has the right to defend itself, "that is the right of the Lebanese state alone." Hale spoke a day after Israel said it concluded a weekslong operation that destroyed Hezbollah-dug tunnels stretching into Israel. Israel and the United Nations said the tunnels violate a cease-fire resolution that ended a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Hezbollah has not commented on the subject. Hale said the US was concerned about the ongoing government vacuum in the country, which is threatening to scuttle $11 billion in international donors' funds. IDF tank crosses into Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah tunnels "Crucial economic reforms languish while obstructionism drags down the economy endangering the country," he said. He added that the caretaker government should move forward where it can, especially on the economy, to avoid further damage and maintain international confidence. Hale also reiterated that the US will be bringing American troops home from Syria but says America remains committed to ensure that the Islamic State group is unable to remerge. "Through diplomacy and cooperation with our partners, we will expel from Syria every last Iranian boot and work with the UN-led political process to bring peace and stability there," he said. Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz arrived Monday to Egypt for an official visit. Steinitz is expected to participate in a regional energy conference. The visit marks the first time an Israeli minister visited Egypt in the past eight years. A decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to publically confirm Israeli airstrikes in Syria came under fire Monday from senior government members and even a former politician who held both positions himself. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Ehud Barak's criticism came a day after Netanyahu's abrupt admission that Israel had struck hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria in recent years, including an arms depot over the weekend. It also followed Eisenkot's confirmation to leading news outlets in the US and UK. Barak, who previously served as Netanyahu's defense minister, told Army Radio that "exposing (the raids) was completely unnecessary" and increased the chances of deterioration in the already tense Middle East. In fact, Barak insinuated, Netanyahu's considerations in ending Israel's ambiguity on such matters may have been political with the prime minister thinking ahead to the April 9 elections. Former prime minister Ehud Barak Israel has traditionally refrained from commenting about its covert activities for fear of triggering a response and of being drawn into the deadly fighting in neighboring Syria's civil war. Cabinet ministers also criticized Netanyahu on Monday for confirming the weekend airstrike. The members of his government were caught by surprise by Netanyahu's explicit claim of responsibility for hitting an ammunition warehouse at the Damascus airport, and also hinted at political considerations for the move. The ministers also warned that Netanyahu's remarks might trigger a major escalation on the Syrian and Iranian fronts, as well as make Russia feel insecure over this unrestrained behavior, leading it to take action against the Jewish state. "(Netanyahu's remarks) do nothing but create provocation. What good does that do?" the ministers said. Moreover, a senior minister added, "the prime minister made a decision, due to his own considerations, to cede covert operations and that's a shame. This was an asset that we have now lost." Explosions in Damascus during Israeli airstrikes, January 11, 2019 While this is not the first time Israel has assumed responsibility for air strikes in Syria, the Jewish state has never admitted to attacks carried out under the radar, both for operational reasons and to avoid Syrian retaliation. Nevertheless, there were those who expressed their support for Netanyahu's actions. "At this time and under these circumstances, we must maximize our operational activities as a means of pressure against Iran and its proxy Hezbollah," said Netanyau ally Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz. Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Mark Israel Salem) Other officials also claimed that Netanyahu did the right thing, and that his message, which was directed at Iran, was meant to create deterrence. The officials said Israel had to signal Tehran that it was determined to prevent Iranian entrenchment in Syria, as Iran has been under the impression that Jerusalem was hesitant to act in Syria following the downing of a Russian spy plane in September 2018. "There are always considerations for and against revealing Israeli activity abroad," said former national security adviser Yaakov Nagel. Netanyahu's admission "highlights that Israel would do everything in its power to prevent Iran from crossing red lines it has to protect its citizens." There arent many things that the Jewish and Muslim European communities agree on, after the recent years wave of anti-Semitism and terror. However, during the past year, the two communities found themselves uniting against a common enemy: the threat to cancel religious slaughter around the continent. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Several countries have already tried to pass laws against kosher (Jewish) and halal (Mulsim) slaughter, claiming the two methods promote animal cruelty. Unlike methods considered more humane, both forms of religious slaughter forbid stunning the animal before it is killed. So far, Muslim and Jewish Europeans have been able to unite over this matter and claim that religious slaughter constitutes religious freedom, and that banning it wont allow them to perform these practices on European soil. Kosher meat in Europe (Photo: AP) In Britain, a bill to ban kosher slaughter was dropped, while in other countries there were attempts to ban circumcision alongside religious slaughterbut no bill has as yet been successful. However, this fine balance is now in danger as on January 1, one of Belgium's three counties banned religious slaughter, and a second is expected to follow later this year. The new law has already led the Israeli government to declare it would summon the Belgian ambassador for clarification, expressing concern the ban would open the door to other similar laws that wont allow Jews to practice their traditional lifestyle in Belgium. This is a sad day for European Jewry, says Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis. A local Belgian Rabbi, Yaakov David Schmahl, from Antwerp, said the law definitely brings to mind similar situations before the Second World War, when these laws were introduced in Germany. Belgium followed in the footsteps of five other countries that passed a similar law: Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Sloveniabut its the first country with a substantial Jewish and Muslim population to do so. Out of 11 million Belgian citizens, half a million are Muslims and 35,000 are Jewish, and the main kosher slaughterhouse in Antwerp, home of the country's biggest and wealthiest Jewish community, also supplies Kosher meat to other countries in Europe, including Britain. This is a shameful decision. It will undoubtedly lead to debates about circumcision, freedom of worship and educational programs in Jewish schools, as it did in the other countries (that passed the bill), says European Jewish Association Chairman, Rabbi Menachem Margolin. Coming from a country where the royal family is known to enjoy hunting for sport, its hard to comprehend why kosher slaughterthat comprises less than one percent of the slaughtered animals in the Belgiumshould be on the top of the agenda. Far-right for animal rights The ban on kosher slaughter in Belgium alarms European Jewish communities, who worry it will cause kosher meat prices to spike throughout the continent, causing a shortage of supplies and making the traditional lifestyle possible only for wealthy Jews. This ban is insensitive and unnecessary those who mean to forbid Jews from performing religious duties send a messagewhether they mean to or notthat Jews arent welcomed here, says Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress. We will continue to fight and insist on having freedom of practice, which is one of the basic rights in the European constitution. Not only did the Jews and Muslims bond over the religious slaughter lawbut so did two opposing political camps in the continent. The initiative came from the Belgian far-right and from animal welfare organizations, who traditionally belong to the left. The latter see religious slaughter as inhumane, since animals suffer for a longer time before the pass in comparison to common slaughter practices. Several European countries have laws that determine animals have to suffer as little pain as possible during slaughter, usually executed by inserting local anesthesia before the throat is slit, or by killing the animal with an electrical shock or a stun gun. They want to keep living in the Middle Ages and continue to slaughter without stunning as the technique didnt yet exist back then without having to answer to the law, said Ann De Greef, director of Global Action in the Interest of Animals, a Belgian animal rights group. Well, Im sorry, in Belgium the law is above religion and that will stay like that. Brussels Chief Rabbi Avraham Gigi thinks the law passed since animal rights activists have a powerful lobby in Belgium. No parliament member will confront them, he said. Its hypocritical, since hunting is allowed in Belgium, it causes animals greater suffering. Were afraid of a snowball effect that will cause other European countries to to ban kosher slaughter. Both Jewish and Muslim communities rushed to the defense of religious slaughter, claiming it takes into consideration the pain the animals suffer, and that it is a humane practice. According to religious organizations, the new law isnt out to protect animals, but rather to stigmatize and discredit religious communities. Theres no proof that the new methods are more humane than kosher slaughter, says Rabbi Gigi. On the contrary, we handed in depositions from leading veterinarians and neurologists who specialize in pain, and they proved that kosher slaughter causes less suffering. Far-right groups, who reject religious and cultural practices different to theirs, joined forces with animal rights organizations. The Belgian bill to ban religious slaughter was filed by Ben Weyts, a right-wing Flemish nationalist minister who is responsible for animal welfare and a known associate of an elderly politician who collaborated with Nazi forces during WWII. Just six months ago, an Austrian extreme-right politician, Gottfried Waldhausl of the Freedom Party, tried to pass a similar bill, proposing that Jews and Muslims who buy kosher and halal meat be registered in a special database. The proposal was justified as proecting animal rights, but it was clear there was an alternative agenda. A European dilemma So far, European countries are debating the need to allow freedom of worship while also fighting animal cruelty. Despite rigid laws, Germany and the Netherlands allow Jews and Muslim to preserve their autonomy regarding slaughter, under please for freedom of religious practice. Yohan Benizri, President of the Coordinating Committee of Belgian Jewish Organizations, filed a petition to the Supreme Court against the new law on slaughter, on the grounds that religious freedom must be preserved as long as it doesnt harm other Belgian citizens, just as it was prior to this law. Right-wing Belgian organizations, on the other hand, dismiss these claims as hypocritical, saying the state is obliged to protect animal rights, but betrays this duty when it comes to minorities. In 2012, French extreme-rightist Marine Le Pen tried to pass a bill against religious slaughter, claiming that 90% of the slaughter in and around Paris is for halal purposes. She even made it a talking point of the 2017 elections. Initiatives to ban circumcision have also popped up in different places around Europe, but were never legislated, since many European politicians fear of being seen as anti-Semitic, Islamophobic or of handing in a victory to the blooming far-right around the continent. Despite failed attempts, a 2012 German court verdict determined that circumcision changed a childs body in a way that cannot be amended, and denies him the right to decide his religious tendencies himself. In 2013, the European Council called its 47 members to initiate a public debate, including intercultural and interreligious dialogue, aimed at reaching a large consensus on the rights of children to protection against violations of their physical integrity according to human rights standards. In 2018, Iceland was the first European country to ban circumcision, and set a precedent that alarmed European Jews. However, only several months after the legislation, the Icelandic government reversed the law on account of religious freedom. Meanwhile, the Antwerp community is stunned over the new kosher slaughter law, fearing the closing of the central slaughterhouse will mark the end of Jewish prosperity in the citya community that was only restored in the 1960s after it was annihilated during the Holocaust. Of course, meat can be imported from Brussels, where the law doesn't apply, but the communitys main concern is a general feeling of being unwelcome. Fearing for the future of their traditional lifestyles, Jews and Muslims are now uniting to protest together. It appears peace between the two communties might come from the fight against a common enemy. Former prime minister Ehud Barak is attacking the country's current leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, for breaking with Israel's ambiguity over its strikes against Iranian targets in Syria. Barak's comments on Monday came a day after Netanyahu's abrupt confession that Israel had struck hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria in recent years, including a weapons facility over the weekend. Barak, a former IDF chief of staff, told the Army Radio that "exposing it was completely unnecessary" and increased the chances of deterioration. US President Donald Trump's threat to devastate Turkey economically should it attack a Washington-backed Kurdish militia in Syria would not change plans to withdraw troops from the country, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Asked what Trump meant by economic devastation, Pompeo told reporters in Riyadh: "You'll have to ask the president." The end of departing Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot's era and the beginning of the election season bring about a sharp turn in Israeli policy on the northern front. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter It is true no one has invested too much thought nor held thorough discussions on the matter, however Israel has abruptly renounced its policy of ambiguity over Iran and its proxy Hezbollah's entrenchment in Syria. PM Benjamin Netanyahu, left, comfirmed Friday's Israeli airstrikes in Syria, right (Photo: Amit Shaabi ) This decision raises the possibility of an escalation on Israel's northern front, and even all-out war, which might play into certain political hands in Israel. An assertive security agenda against Syria and the Islamic Republic may be an ace up that same sleeve as Israel prepares to go to the polls on April 9. When, in weekend interviews with the Sunday Times and The New York Times, Eisenkot assumed responsibility for the thousands of strikes that have been carried out in Syria as part of Israel's covert campaign against Iran, he actually intended to stress he had waged successful wars and thwarted Tehan's plans. Eisenkot's revelation detracts from Israel's ambiguity policy, however, it is still a general admission that does not obligate the other side to immediately respond. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israel Air Force struck Iranian targets in Syria over the weekend, following Syrian reports of successful interceptions over Damascus. This was a strikingly different to Eisenkot's non-specific admission. For had the Israeli attack in Damascus seen Iranian and Syrian fatalities, the confirmation by the prime minister would have probably triggered retaliation. Departing Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Unit) When Israel confirmed it had attacked the T-4 military Airbase in Syria's Homs in 2018, Iran was compelled to retaliate with missile fire at the Golan Heights. Since an Israeli Air Force aircraft had been downed during that strike, Jerusalem had no choice but to assume responsibility. But in another incident during which Israel hit Iranian targets in Syria and its warplanes emerged unscathed, the Jewish state remained silent, preventing the other side from retaliating. The minute Israel allows its enemies to damage its policy of plausible deniability, it is actually abandoning its own doctrine of waging "a war between wars." According to this doctrine, the overarching goal is to harm the enemy while avoiding giving him a casus belli. If the situation escalates to a war of attrition war or an all-out conflagration, the doctrine with its main underlying principle of ambiguitycollapses. When Netanyahu and Eisenkot decided to end Israel's ambiguity over the strikes in Syria, they damaged Israel's deterrence. The enemy is deterred and cautious after sustaining an attack for which no one assumes responsibility, and therefore is unable to effectively retaliate. But when Eisenkot and Netanyahu brag about Israel's activities beyond enemy lines, they obligate the enemy to respond, since he too must face public opinion back home. Russian President Vladimir Putin Another attack, and another Israeli claim of responsibilityand there is no knowing how all of this will blow up in our faces. Then again, perhaps ambiguity really has run its course, given that Israel is already reporting to Russia before every strike it carries out in Syria. It's hard to remain unpredictable when you are handing your enemy's sponsor your playlist. But for the time being, and despite Russia's ire at the Jewish state for harming its the interests of its Syrian protege, Moscow has yet to carry out any aggressive action against Israel. This too could be a danger sign for Israel, as abandoning its previously held practices could well make Russia feel insecure enough over this unrestrained behavior to finally take action against the Jewish state, which it sees as responsible for the loss of one of its planes not so long ago. Former IDF chief and the leader of the Israel Resilience Party Benny Gantz made his first political statement on Monday morning, promising to work to amend the controversial Nation-State Law to make it more inclusive for the country's minorities. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Gantz has kept his own counsel since his retirement from the IDF in 2015 and has remained quiet about his political positions even after registering his party for the upcoming Israeli elections. Many have waited to hear where he stands on the political spectrum, and his prolonged silence has led to speculations about his reasons for not speaking out. Benny Gantz with Druze protesters outside his home (Photo: Motti Kimchi) "We have a blood alliance, but just as importantly, we have a life alliance. We need to make sure that we build this partnership and this alliance together, as it should be," Gantz said to the protesters, members of Israel's Druze minority. The Nation-State Law was met by fierce opposition from the Israeli Druze community, who argue that their years of loyalty to the state, including military service, have been met by discrimination and insult. "I will do all in my power to work to amend the legislation, so it will give expression to this bond, the deep bond that cannot be severednot just in battle, but also in life; not just in difficulties, but also in good times. We'll do this together," he said. Benny Gantz with Brig. Gen. (res.) Amal Asad (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Gantz's comment was met with criticism from the right. The ruling Likud Party issued a statement saying that "When Gantz attacks the Nation-State Law, and Tzipi Livni congratulates him on that, everyone knows the obvious: Gantz is left, just like Lapid." Likud Minister Yariv Levin, who sponsored the Nation-State Law, said: "The truth is out and the true motivation of the left-wing candidate Benny Gantz has been exposed. The Nation-State Law, which was passed by the Likud government, enshrines into law the Zionist foundation of the State of Israel, and any attempt to undermine it means undermining the Jewish settlement and the Jewish identity. We will continue defending the state's identity and prevent any attempt to undermine the Nation-State Law." Former minister Gideon Sa'ar, who intends to run in the coming Likud primaries, said, "if the first sentence coming out of Benny Gantz is against the most important achievement of the national camp in the outgoing Knesset, this accurately places him against that camp. I respect Gantz's military past, but I'm a little less impressed by his understanding of constitutional law. There's no reason to amend or change the Nation-State Law." Benny Gantz with Druze protesters outside his home (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The New Right Party, led by Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, echoed Sa'ar's statement. "Gantz's first statement in politics makes it clear: Gantz joined the left wing. The Nation-State is a historic achievement that gives the state back its national, Jewish and Zionist character in light of the ongoing erosion caused by the High Court of Justice. Gantz's plan to change the Nation-State Law makes his position clear," the party said. Later this week, the activists, led by Brig. Gen. (res.) Amal Asad, are expected to hold similar protests at homes of other party leaders and candidates in the upcoming Knesset elections and demand a commitment from them to work to amend the legislation. They plan on seeking similar commitments from the Likud Party leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; New Right leaders Bennett and Shaked; the leader of the Gesher party MK Orly Levy-Abekasis; and Kulanu Party leader Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. "The Nation-State Law in its current version strengthens nationalism, racism, hatred and factionalism in Israeli society and seriously harms minorities and the national strength," the activists said in a statement. "The formula is simple: without equality to all citizens, there is no democracy. There is no such thing as 'partial equality,' and there cannot be some citizens who are more important than others. We see the highest importance in the fact the State of Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, while at the same time we see the highest importance in it being equal and democratic." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Sunday to increase attacks against Iranian military targets in Syria, after claiming responsibility for a weekend strike on an Iranian arms warehouse at the Damascus airport. "In the past 48 hours, Israel attacked an Iranian weapons warehouse at the international airport in Damascus. This reflects our consistent policy and strong determination to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria. If necessary, we will step up these attacks," Netanyahu said during a tour of the IDF's Galilee Division in northern Israel. The political echelon and military brass bid farewell Sunday evening to departing IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, who will conclude his tenure on Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter In attendance were Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, former IDF chiefs Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi, MK Tzipi Livni, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz. "Gadi, tremendous work has been done in the IDF under your command, and we still have much work ahead," Netanyahu said during a farewell ceremony at the Kirya IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv. "We spent countless of hours in Cabinet meetings together, drank numerous cups of coffee together, went out to the field together, visited situation rooms to ensure we can handle any threat and face any enemy on all fronts," he said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and departing Chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot (Photo: Reuters) "Gadi, on Tuesday you are concluding 40 years of devoted service in the Israel Defense Forces and four years as chief of staff. During that time, we've thwarted many threats posed to the state of Israel. The IDF operated under your command in an exceptional cooperation with all security forces to prevent Iranian entrenchment in Syria, carrying out hundred of strikes there," Netanyahu said. "We acted to prevent the manufacturing of precision-guided weapons and naturalized Hezbollah's cross-border tunnels as well as Hamas terror tunnels and lone-wolf terror attack in the West Bank." If we work to protect our country with all of our might, we can avoid an all-out war, but if needed the IDF can face this challenge, Israel's citizens will face this challenge and together we will ensure the Jewish State's eternal existence," Netanyahu said. The premier also spoke about the objectives set for the IDF when Eisenkot assumed the post of chief of staff in 2015, which he said were fully met. President Reuven Rivlin (Photo: Moti Kimchi) Rivlin also expressed his profound appreciation for Eisenkot. We take leave of you today as IDF Chief of Staff, our military leader and defender of our walls. Soldier, commander, statesman, modest, brave, responsible, a first-rate strategist and a people person. Over the last four years there were no wars, but the IDF under your command never ceased fighting, Rivlin said. You understood the advantages of force no less than the limitations of force. You articulated clearly the difference between the use of military force for the purposes of uncompromising defense and militarism that is a mask for aggression. You taught us strong, stable, responsible, quiet and considered use of military force." Departing Chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot's farewell ceremony, January 13, 2019 You were the right person in the right place. I know that you prefer to be out of the limelight but nevertheless, I hope that we will see you in public roles again, the president said. Rivlin congratulated the incoming chief of staff, I want to wish you success, incoming Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi. The IDF is getting an excellent chief of staff. I am sure that you will succeed in steering the IDF through the challenges ahead with the same determination you have shown so far." "You are among the best of our people, the best of our commanders. Your success is our success, and we trust you. The outgoing chief of staff is from Golani, and the incoming is from the Paratroopers, but the spirit is the same spiritof mission, of devotion, of obligation to continue to carry out the duty of defending the State of Israel and the Israeli people in the best way possible. I, like all Israelis, have faith in you. Good luck to you both, and bless you all. By Moon Of Alabama January 14, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Despite the loss of major narratives, the war of the deep state against U.S. President Trump continues unabated. The main of tool in this war are allegations of relations between Trump and anything Russia. The war runs along several parallel paths. The narrative war in the media is most visible one. When any of the fake stories about Trump and Russia gets debunked and disposed, new ones are created or others intensified. In parallel to these propaganda efforts the deep state created an investigation that Trump has no way to escape from. Enabled by one of the Obama administrations last acts the investigation is using signal intelligence to entrap and flip the people surrounding Trump (see section three below). The big price will be Trump himself. Here we take a look at what transpired during the last weeks. One major anti-Trump narrative was that 'Russian influence' helped to put him into office. This was based on the alleged nefarious influence a Russian clickbait company, the Internet Research Agency (IRA) in St. Peterburg, had on the U.S. electorate. That explanation never made sense. Little of the IRA activities had to do with the election. It used sockpuppets on Facebook and Twitter to attract people to websites filled with puppy pictures or similar nonsense. The IRA would then sell advertisement and promotions on these sites. This was obvious for anyone following the factual content of the news instead of the 'opinions' a whole bunch of anti-Trump 'experts' and the media formed around them. That the Mueller investigation finally indicted several of the IRA's officers over minor financial transactions was seen as a confirmation of the political aspects of the IRA activities. But nearly all the reporting left out that Mueller confirmed the commercial intent behind the IRA and its activities. There is nothing political in the accusations. Indeed point 95 of the Mueller indictment of the IRA says: Defendants and their co-conspirators also used the accounts to receive money from real U.S. persons in exchange for posting promotions and advertisements on the ORGANIZATION-controlled social media pages. Defendants and their co-conspirators typically charged certain U.S. merchants and U.S. social media sites between 25 and 50 U.S. dollars per post for promotional content on their popular false U.S. persona accounts, including Being Patriotic, Defend the 2nd, and Blacktivist. Part of the false narrative of a political influence campaign was the claim that the $100,000 the IRA spent for advertisement to promote its clickbait webpages through Facebook ads somehow moved people to vote for Trump. But 56% of the IRA ads ran after the election, 25% of all its ads were never seen by anyone. How a few $10,000 for ads only few saw moved an election that was fought with several billions spent by each candidate's campaign was left unexplained. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter This week, only fifteen month after this site came to the conclusion that IRA was a commercial clickbait business, the Washington Post finally admitted that the alleged political targeting of voters by the IRA never happened: [T]he common understanding is that Russias interference efforts included sophisticated targeting of specific voting groups on Facebook, which could have made the difference in states that Trump narrowly won on his way to an electoral-vote victory. That understanding about Russias sophisticated targeting, though, is not supported by the evidence if its not flat-out wrong. ... Most of the ads purchased by the Russians didnt specify a geographic target smaller than the United States on the whole, according to a Post review of the ads released by the House Intelligence Committee. Those that did target specific states heavily targeted those that werent really considered targets of the 2016 election, such as Missouri and Maryland. And of those ads that did target specific states, most happened well before or well after the final weeks of the campaign. All the claims that some Russian sockpuppets influenced the 2016 elections were and are nonsense.The IRA sockpuppets never had any political intent. Likewise the allegations that Russian intelligence hacked the DNC and Clinton crony Podesta's email are mere assertions for which no hard evidence was ever provided. The only known fact is that the emails and papers were real, and that there content revealed the shoddiness of Hillary Clinton, the DNC, and her campaign. Now, as the 'Russian influence' narrative is dying down, the anti-Trump - anti-Russian campaign is moving to new grounds. Last week the New York Times claimed that Paul Manafort, who for some time ran the Trump election campaign, gave public and internal polling data to the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska: Manafort Accused of Sharing Trump Polling Data With Russian Associate. A day after that sensational claim made a large splash throughout U.S. media the New York Times recanted: Kenneth P. Vogel @kenvogel - 18:39 utc - 9 Jan 2019 CORRECTION: PAUL MANAFORT asked KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK to pass TRUMP polling to the Ukrainian oligarchs SERHIY LYOVOCHKIN & RINAT AKHMETOV, & not to OLEG DERIPASKA, as originally reported. We have corrected the story & I deleted a tweet repeating the error. Duh. Manafort gave polling data to his Ukrainian fixer Konstantin Kilimnik with the request to pass it along to Ukrainian oligarchs for who he had worked before joining the Trump campaign. Kilimnik had long worked for the International Republican Institute office in Moscow. The IRI is a CIA offshot under Republican Party tutelage that is used to influence politics abroad. Its long time head was the deceased hawkish Senator John McCain. While he worked with Kilimnik in the Ukraine, Manafort concentrated on moving the Ukraine towards the European Union and away from Russia. His and Kilimnik efforts were always opposed to Russian interests. But the NYT and others falsely try to pass them off as the opposite with the sole purpose of feeding the anti-Trump/anti-Russia campaign. Another anti-Trump/anti-Russian propaganda effort is a new sensational NYT piece on obvious misbehavior in the upper rows of the FBI: In the days after President Trump fired James B. Comey as F.B.I. director, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the presidents behavior that they began investigating whether he had been working on behalf of Russia against American interests, according to former law enforcement officials and others familiar with the investigation. The inquiry carried explosive implications. Counterintelligence investigators had to consider whether the presidents own actions constituted a possible threat to national security. Agents also sought to determine whether Mr. Trump was knowingly working for Russia or had unwittingly fallen under Moscows influence. The NYT lets it seem as if the decision to launch a counter-intelligence investigation related to Trump was as based on some reasonable suspicion the FBI had. It was not. This was an act of revenge by the upper anti-Trump echelons in the FBI with which they attempted to undermine Trump's presidency. Note what the claimed suspicion was based on: Mr. Trump had caught the attention of F.B.I. counterintelligence agents when he called on Russia during a campaign news conference in July 2016 to hack into the emails of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Mr. Trump had refused to criticize Russia on the campaign trail, praising President Vladimir V. Putin. And investigators had watched with alarm as the Republican Party softened its convention platform on the Ukraine crisis in a way that seemed to benefit Russia. Other factors fueled the F.B.I.s concerns, according to the people familiar with the inquiry. Christopher Steele, a former British spy who worked as an F.B.I. informant, had compiled memos in mid-2016 containing unsubstantiated claims that Russian officials tried to obtain influence over Mr. Trump by preparing to blackmail and bribe him. Trump made a joke during the election campaign asking Russia to release the 30,000 emails Hillary Clinton had deleted from her illegal private email server. There is no requirement, as far as I know, for any candidate to criticize this or that country. How can not following the non existing requirement to criticize Russia be suspicious? The Republican Party did not soften its convention platform on Ukraine. It rejected an amendment that would have further sharpened it. Overall the Republican platform was more hawkish than the Democratic one. The Steele dossier was of course from A to Z made up nonsense paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign. It is non sensible to claim that these were reasonable suspicions sufficient to open a counter-intelligence investigation. The hasty FBI move to launch a counter-intelligence operation obviously had a different motive and aim. After Trump fired FBI director Comey, the FBI was led by Andrew McCabe, later also fired for leaking to the media and lying about it. His legal council was Lisa Page who exchange tons of anti-Trump SMS messages with her lover, the FBI agent Peter Strozk. These are the people who initiated the counter-intelligence investigation: Strzok and Page sent other text messages that raise the possibility they were discussing opening up a counterintelligence investigation against Trump before Comeys firing. And we need to open the case weve been waiting on now while Andy is acting, Strzok wrote to Page on the day of Comeys ouster. Andy is Andrew McCabe, who served as deputy FBI director. Page gave some indication in her congressional testimony in July 2018 that the text message was a reference to an investigation separate from the obstruction probe that has already been reported. Normally the FBI needs to clear such counter-intelligence investigations with the Justice Department. In this case it did not do so at all: In the case of the investigation into Trump, the FBIs decision to open a file on the president so quickly after Comeys firing in May 2017 was a source of concern for some officials at the Justice Department because the FBI acted without first consulting leadership at the department. But those worries were allayed when, days later, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III was appointed to oversee the Russia probe ... After Comey was fired, the FBI made a very hasty move, without reasonable suspicion and without informing the Justice Department, to launch a counter-intelligence operation involving the sitting president and his administration. What was the real purpose of this move? Initiating a counter-intelligence investigation, for which there was no basis, gave the FBI, and later the Mueller investigation, unfettered access to NSA 'signals intelligence' that could then possibly be used to incriminate Trump or his associates. It was the Obama administration which had given the FBI access to this tool: The Hoarse Whisperer @HoarseWisperer - 4:05 utc - 12 Jan 2019 On his way out the door, we all were wallowing in our winter of discontent, Obama signed an executive order... ... The order revised the rules around intelligence sharing among our intel community. Specifically, it made the firehose of raw intelligence collected by the NSA directly accessible to the FBI and CIA. Instead of having to ask for intel and getting what they filtered down the FBI and CIA could directly access the unfiltered SigInt or signals intelligence. Intercepted phone calls, emails, raw intel from human sources. Everything our vast intelligence vacuum hoovers up, available directly... but only for counterintel and foreign intel purposes. The NSA can sit on virtually every communication into and out of the U.S. that takes place over networks. Obama made it possible for the FBI to directly access everything they had on Trump, et al. Obama supercharged the FBIs ability to investigate Trump. The Obama administration enacted the changed executive order EO 12333 in early January 2017, shortly before Trump took over: Previously, the N.S.A. filtered information before sharing intercepted communications with another agency, like the C.I.A. or the intelligence branches of the F.B.I. and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The N.S.A.s analysts passed on only information they deemed pertinent, screening out the identities of innocent people and irrelevant personal information. Now, other intelligence agencies will be able to search directly through raw repositories of communications intercepted by the N.S.A. and then apply such rules for minimizing privacy intrusions. ... [T]he 12333 sharing procedures allow analysts, including those at the F.B.I., to search the raw data using an Americans identifying information only for the purpose of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence investigations, not for ordinary criminal cases. And they may do so only if one of several other conditions are met, such as a finding that the American is an agent of a foreign power. However, under the rules, if analysts stumble across evidence that an American has committed any crime, they will send it to the Justice Department. At that time Peter Lee, aka Chinahand, already had the suspicion that Obama was behind the FBI campaign against Trump. With the changes in EO 12333 Obama gave the FBI the ability to launch a world wide snooping operation against the incoming Trump administration under the guise of a 'counter-intelligence' operation. The hasty FBI move after Comey was fired activated this instrument. The Mueller investigation has since used it extensively. 'Crimes' revealed through the snooping operation are turned over to the Justice Department. The NYT claim that the counter-intelligence investigation was initiated because of reasonable suspicion of Russian influence over Trump is nonsense. It was initiated to get access to a set of tools that would allow unlimited access to communication of Trump and anyone related to him. It was Obama who on his way out of the door gave the FBI these capabilities. There are signs that the unlimited access the FBI and Mueller investigation have to signal intelligence is used to create prosecutions via 'parallel construction': The Hoarse Whisperer @HoarseWisperer - 18:50 utc - 12 Jan 2019 An active counterintel investigation means the Trump Administrations crimes were only as secure as the weakest link in their weakest moment. We got hints of this early. Our intelligence folks picked up signals intelligence or SigInt from Russians talking to Russians. Those signals arent the kind of evidence that finds its way into a courtroom. In fact, its important that it doesnt. It would burn sources and methods. It lays out the crimes and the players though... and then prosecutors find ways to make triable cases other ways. The public sees cases for specific charges carrying significant prison time without ever knowing that the NSA and prosecutors knew so much more than they ever revealed. Now, apply those principles to the cases weve seen Mueller bring forward so far. Mike Flynn: pleaded out to a minor charge, rolled over in full and then produced five rounds of documents. Likely: Flynn was confronted with the intel they had on him and knew he was cooked. They knew the crimes. They heard and saw everything. Thered be no escape. By flipping and pleading out Flynn, all of that secret intel stays secret. Our intelligence efforts are protected. And Flynn goes down. And he cooks a bunch of other gooses. Hes savvy enough to know that once they have the intel, all thats left to do is make the case. ... The 'crime' that di Flynn in was misremembering a phone call he had with the Russian ambassador. Similar happened with Rick Gates, Paul Manaforts righthand man and a member of Trumps transition team. Then it happened to Paul Manafort himself and to George Papadopoulos. The Mueller investigation, thanks to the snooping Obama and the FBI enabled, knows the content of every phonecall, chat and email any member of the Trump administration made and make to someone abroad (and likely also within the U.S.). It invites people as witnesses and asks them about the content of a specific calls they made. If they misremember or lie - bang - Mueller has the transcript ready. A crime has been created and an indictment for lying to the FBI will follow. This is what happened to Flynn and the others the Mueller investigation entrapped and convicted. Because of the counter-intelligence investigation the anti-Trump gang in the FBI hastened to initiate, the investigators got hands on signal intelligence - phone calls, chats and emails - that allowed them to indict minor people for petty crimes and to flip them to talk to the investigation. The aim, in the end, was and is to build a prosecution case against President Trump for whatever minor and petty half-backed illegal doing there may be. To make such a prosecution and an indictment publicly palpable the media is assigned with launching story after story about nefarious relations between Trump and anything Russia. As we have seen above with the IRA story, the retracted NYT's Manafort bang, and the NYT's false claims about the motive of the FBI's counter-intelligence investigation, none of these stories hold up to diligent scrutiny. Today's Washington Post adds another example of no-beef stories that insinuate mystic 'Russian influence' over Trump: Trump has concealed details of his face-to-face encounters with Putin from senior officials in administration. The first graph claims: President Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including on at least one occasion taking possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructing the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other administration officials, current and former U.S. officials said. The rest of the story largely refutes the claim made in its headline and very first sentence: Trump did so after a meeting with Putin in 2017 in Hamburg that was also attended by then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. ... Trump generally has allowed aides to listen to his phone conversations with Putin .. ... In an email, Tillerson said that he was present for the entirety of the two presidents official bilateral meeting in Hamburg,... After Trump had a first White House meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Washington, lots of leaks about the talk appeared in the DC media. Trump was accused of giving information about an ISIS plot to the Russians that was allegedly secret. It was not. Since then Trump clamped down on the number of participants, briefings and readouts for such talks. That is simply a necessary and laudable behavior. Now the media try to construct that into 'Trump is concealing details' about talks with Russia even when the U.S. Secretary of State and others are present in these. Ever since Trump won the Republican primaries, the Clinton campaign, the Obama administration and the U.S. and British intelligence services prepared to prevent a successful Trump presidency. The Steele dossier, created by 'former' British intelligence agents and paid for by the Clinton campaign, was the basis for an FBI investigation that was seen as an insurance against a Trump win. Any possible Russia relations Trump might have came under scrutiny. This prevented him from fulfilling his campaign promise of coming to better relations with Russia. Shortly before Obama left the office he created the tool the FBI needed to put its investigation on steroids. When Trump fired Comey for his handling of the Clinton email affair, the FBI put that tool into action. With unfettered access to signal intelligence the Mueller investigation was able to entrap a number of Trump related people and to flip them to its side. It will use any information they give up to find some angle under which Trump can be prosecuted and eventually impeached. Even if nothing comes off this investigations, the media reports and slander all this created may well be enough to prevent an election of Trump for a second term. I very much dislike most of Trump's domestic and foreign policy. But he was duly elected under the existing rules. The campaign the media and the intelligence services have since run against him undermines the will of the people. Unfortunately I see no way that Trump could escape from the hold it has gained over him. Exposing it as much as possible might well be his best defense. This article was originally published by " Moon Of Alabama " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy The popular veteran mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz, was stabbed on Sunday evening by a man who burst onto an open-air stage at a national charity event, police said. Television footage showed the man screaming that "Adamowicz is dead" because his former party, Civic Platform, which held power from 2007 to 2015, had purportedly tortured him when he was in prison. Adamowicz, 53, was attending the finale of the annual Great Orchestra of Christmas charity event, in which volunteers collects millions of euros for medical equipment for hospitals. Local media quoted hospital staff as saying Adamowicz's condition was very serious and he was being operated on. The Israel Defense Forces is using monitoring systems initially meant to target Palestinian terrorism in a crackdown on Jewish terrorism in the West Bank, as well as in order to deter possible perpetrators. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "Our radar and observation systems are used to solve 'price tag' cases," an IDF officer said, referring to attacks by Jewish extemists purportedly in response to political moves they oppose. "We also document damages caused (by price tag attacks) in Palestinian villages in the West Bank." File Photo: price tag suspects caught on camera "The footage of the damage contributes to cracking the case, and creates deterrence. I'm committed to keeping all the residents of the West Bank safe, not only the Jewish ones," he said. The radar has been deployed in the territories over the past few years, mainly close to and south of Nablus, and the installation of the observation systems is expected to be completed during the upcoming year. IDF lookouts monitor radar images, dispatching the troops on the ground when suspected activity is identified. In most cases, the radar assists in identifying suspected movements of Palestinians, but in some cases the systems are also used to thwart price tag attacks. The investigations into Jewish terrorismincluding the high-profile probe into the death of Aisha al-Rawbi, who was killed in October after settlers reportedly hurled stones at a vehicle in which she and her husband were driving are mainly led by the Shin Bet domestic security service and the Judea and Samaria District Police.The army is careful not to reveal the extent of its cooperation with the Shin Bet. On Friday, four out of the five Israeli teenagers arrested as part of a police investigation into the death of al-Rawbi were released to house arrest. The remand of the fifth suspect was extended by six days. The Shin Bet said that the offenses attributed to the fifth suspect are grave and therefore opposed his release to house arrest. Meanwhile, the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division has also been investing efforts to eradicate the phenomenon of price tag attacks. A surge in price tag attacks have been noted in the West Bank over the past year, with most of them including arson of vehicles. Aisha al-Rawbi, right, and the passenger seat where she was sitting On Thursday, a senior IDF officer of the Judea and Samaria Division told Ynet that three to four price tag incidents, among them vandalism of greenhouses and agricultural tools belonging to Palestinians, have occurred in his division, including in Palestinian villages that have never sustained such attacks. In response to the allegations of abuse made against the Shin Bet in relation to the recent wave of arrests of young far-right settlers, the agency said in a rare statement that it was the victim of a "smear campaign" by those seeking to derail its work. "Efforts are being invested by elements interested in disrupting the investigation process, including distributing false information about the way the investigations are conducted, while launching a smear campaign against the Shin Bet and its agents. "The Shin Bet stresses that the organization will not be deterred, and will continue operating with determination against any factor involved in any kind of terror activity," the agency said. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah hasn't been seen in public for over two months, and has been surprisingly quiet about Israel's mission to destroy his attack tunnels, leading many in the Middle East to wonder if something has actually happened to the terror groups leader. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter During his last public speech on November 10, Nasrallah warned Israel that Hezbollah would attack the Jewish state with all its might if the IDF were to attack the Iran-backed organization, yet hasnt said a word since the Israeli military launched Operation Northern Shield, meant to locate and neutralize the terror tunnels constructed along the Israel-Lebanon border, over a month a half ago. The 59-year-old Nasrallah also didnt comment on the Israeli strikes on Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria over the recent weeks, nor did he express his opinion on the planned withdrawal of US troops from the war-battered country. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah Even amid an unrest on the domestic front, Nasrallah has remained silent. Hezbollah is currently locked in a political battle with Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri, who has been struggling to form a new government for over six months due to the Shiite organizations insistence for one of its lawmakers to get a cabinet position. Over the weekend, Sweden-based Lebanese journalist Jerry Maher said that Nasrallah, who reportedly underwent cancer treatment back in 2013, was hospitalized in Beirut after allegedly suffering a heart attack. Maher, a long-time Hezbollah critic, is known for having close ties to Western intelligence agencies. In the meantime, Iran's Al-Kalima news website, affiliated with the Iranian opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi Khamenehwho has been under house arrest for the past 10 yearsreported that Nasrallah has secretly flown to the Islamic Republic due to the flare-up of his alleged cancer. The news site added that following his spell in the hospital, "Nasrallah held diplomatic meetings with the top security and political ranks in Tehran." The site had to delete the report hours later, without providing a reason. It is not clear whether Nasrallah is indeed ill, but if he was healthy, he would most certainly have come out publicly to mock all those spreading malicious rumors about him. So far, however, there hasnt been a single sighting of the 59-year-old and not a word about his condition on the Lebanese media, which only raises even more questions. More than 40 people stood on a slushy sidewalk in Toppenish in remembrance of the Indigenous people who have been murdered or have gone missing on and around the 1.3-million-acre Yakama Reservation over decades. The Vanished Reporter Tammy Ayer works relentlessly to bring attention to Washingtons missing and murdered Indigenous women. Now, her work is collected in a Yakima Herald-Republic website called The Vanished. You can find it at www.washingtonmmiw. The Vanished is where we will break new stories on murdered and missing Native women, adding them to earlier coverage. It includes the most comprehensive list of Central Washington missing and murdered Native women we could assemble. Part of the site is devoted to the search for solutions to the MMIW crisis. Another section lists resources available for family and friends of those whove vanished. If you have ideas for ways we could make the site more useful and meaningful, please reach out to me. My email address and phone number are below. Greg Halling, managing editor ghalling@yakimaherald.com; 509-577-7703 Home Search ICH Immigration, Building a Wall, and Hispanic Crime By Ron Unz January 14, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Back in November I published a long column discussing the results of the 2018 midterm elections and then a couple of weeks ago I also released a private letter Id distributed to prominent figures in the Alt-Right movement back in 2017, suggesting some of the ways that their public positions had severely damaged their credibility and injured their nascent political movement. Immigration and the closely-related issue of Hispanic crime were important elements of both my pieces, so perhaps I shouldnt have been surprised that I provoked such an enormous outpouring of (mostly hostile) responses, now totaling well over 3,000 comments and nearly 500,000(!) words. The bitter immigration dispute between President Donald Trump and the new Democratic Congress has already produced the longest federal government shut-down in American history, so this controversial subject has certainly reached the absolute center of the American political stage. Unfortunately, I believe that there are few other topics in which such severe misinformation, often of an emotionally charged nature, has so totally contaminated the political debate, sometimes on both sides of the controversy. Given this situation, Ive decided to provide a general summary of what I see as some of the crucial facts together with my analysis. The dismal state of factual misinformation widespread within the anti-immigration community is best illustrated by a single striking example. Among such individuals, no piece of American legislation is as fiercely condemned as the 1965 Hart-Celler Immigration Act, routinely denounced as the law that destroyed our country by opening the floodgates to the influx of countless millions of non-white Third Worlders, thereby dooming America to eventual white-minority status. These critics often single out Ted Kennedy as the particular villain behind this policy, even though he had only just reached the Senate a couple of years earlier, and as a very junior member played only a relatively minor role in enacting this statute. This supposed impact of the 1965 Act certainly possesses superficial plausibility. The measure was widely advertised as a loosing of our strict immigration quotas of the 1920s and non-white immigration did enormously increase in the decades that followed. Largely as a consequence of the latter, Americas white population declined from 84% to just 62% between 1965 and 2015, with our rapidly-growing Latino population now reaching 18% of the total. Today more than half of young American children are non-white, and within a couple of decades whites will have become a minority of our entire population, a situation that would have been absolutely unimaginable back in 1965. Indeed, the careful demographers of the Pew Research Center have determined that the overwhelming majority of these racial changes have been due to post-1965 immigration, without which America would still be 75% white today. Since 1965 our non-white population has grown by 86 million, but 60 million of that increase has been due to immigration, overwhelmingly from Latin America and the Caribbean. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Given these undeniable statistics, I would guess that 99% of anti-immigration activists currently believe that the 1965 Immigration Act was responsible for opening our borders and thereby destroying white-majority America. Ann Coulters best-selling screed Adios America! is filled with ferocious attacks against the 1965 Act and Sen. Ted Kennedy on exactly these grounds. Unfortunately, all these individuals have the facts exactly backwards and upside-down. The 1965 Act didnt OPEN Americas borders, instead it largely CLOSED Americas borders. The history is very simple. Prior to the 1920s, America allowed unlimited immigration from Europe and Latin America. Then the 1924 Immigration Act sharply restricted European immigration, but retained an open borders policy toward Latin America and the rest of the Western Hemisphere, largely because Southwestern business interests desired an unrestricted supply of Mexican labor. This only changed with the 1965 Act, which for the first time imposed strict quotas upon immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean even as it loosened restrictions upon European and Asian immigration. Prior to 1965, any Latin American who paid a small fee at the border, generally in the range of $18, could legally immigrate to America with almost no waiting period. Immigration had remained low merely because Mexico and most of Latin America had traditionally been under-populated. The huge rise in Latin American immigration after 1965 was due to the enormous population growth in that region and came in spite of the 1965 Act rather because of it. If Congress had never passed the 1965 Act, illegal immigration would never have become an issue because legal immigration from Latin America would have remained entirely unlimited. I suspect that the influx of legal Hispanics might have reached 5 million per year by the 1990s, and perhaps the entire impoverished population of Haiti might have relocated to our shores. Immigration over the last fifty years has increased our non-white population by some 60 million, but without the sharp restrictions of the 1965 Act, the figure would surely have been 120 million or perhaps even 180 million. Such a scenario can hardly be viewed with favor by racially-focused immigration-restrictionists. This gigantic factual error at the core of the anti-immigration movement was almost certainly unintentional. Presumably, some early activist 25 or 30 years ago was careless and made an honest mistake regarding the legal details of the 1965 Act, a mistake that soon got into widespread circulation. Since that time, many thousands of other immigration-activists have quoted and requoted that initial blunder across the Internet, until almost everyone in this insular ideological community has come to believe it. Anyone can make a mistake, but the fact that this misinformation has remained so widespread for so many years suggests the rather unreliable quality of most anti-immigration sources across the Internet. Indeed, for the last dozen years or so, Ive periodically brought this serious error to the attention of various anti-immigration websites. Theyve checked the facts, said Oops!, and immediately discontinued their incessant attacks against the 1965 Act and Teddy Kennedy. But they obviously couldnt take down the hundreds of pieces they had already published on the subject, nor could they publicly admit their longstanding error without looking ridiculous, so almost none of their readers or peers become aware of the correction, and the denunciations of the 1965 Act in their community continue almost unabated. Sometimes after a few years, these websites even return to attacking the 1965 Act themselves, as less well-informed contributors join or the peer-pressure simply becomes too strong. When we recognize that almost all of todays anti-immigration activists have spent decades looking at our central immigration legislation of the last half-century upside-down, we should not be surprised to discover that other erroneous beliefs are also widespread in that community, and some of these have far greater practical political significance. The enormous support for building a wall to stop illegal immigration is perhaps the best example. First, if we exclude a relatively small portion of the most highly-skilled legal immigrants, the remainder are probably not all that different in their characteristics from their undocumented counterparts, and indeed individuals may often shift back and forth between these two categories over time, as illegals gain green cards or legals remain here after their temporary visas expire. The ubiquitous rhetorical focus on illegal immigrants seems mostly due to a mixture of political correctness and political demagoguery, supplemented by sheer ignorance. According to most estimates, the size of Americas undocumented population has been almost entirely stagnant since the 2008 Housing Meltdown wrecked employment in the construction industry, while net legal immigration has still regularly been running at a million or more a year. Therefore, it seems likely that nearly all net immigration over the last decade or so has been of the legal variety. Now there are numerous plausible reasons to argue that immigration levels are far too high and should be substantially reduced, but if nearly all the flow is legal, the near-exclusive focus on the sliver of illegals makes absolutely no sense. The signature issue of Trumps populist campaign was building a wall across our border to block illegal immigration, and America has now endured our longest federal government shut-down over funding this proposal. But as Ive repeatedly pointed out, even if we built such a wall 700 feet tall and fronted with self-firing machine-guns, I fail to see how it would have any impact whatsoever on legal immigration, which is probably over 95% of the total. Government policies based upon sheer ignorance and stupidity are hardly likely to be successful. When Ive periodically raised some of these points in the past, agitated rightwingers have sometimes angrily denounced me, though without offering any logical counter-argument. But under the circumstances, perhaps I should provide an additional source that may possess greater credibility in such ideological circles. Despite having been totally deplatformed from all normal Internet services, the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer still apparently gets more traffic than all the other Alt-Right websites in the world combined, and its editor, Andrew Anglin, is an ardent Trump supporter. Nevertheless, he recently ran a lead editorial in which he ridiculed the whole Build the Wall nonsense, and correctly suggested out that all the talk about it was largely due to the totally brainwashed stupidity of most anti-immigration rightwingers: We currently have a million people coming in every year through the various legal methods who do not leave and are often given citizenshipPeople are stupid in general, and most simply do not understand that the real threat to America is legal immigration The wall is largely a symbolic gesture in the larger scheme of things, and speaks to the absolutely brainwashed nature of the mass of conservatives who believe that legal immigration is okay. I remember before Trump having these conversations in Columbus, Ohio, and hearing people say its the illegals thats the problem and replying well what about all these Somalians? People would look confused for a minute and then say arent they illegal? Hearing them talk about I just want it to be legal is infuriating, as they do not have any clear explanation as to why they believe this, and the fact that there is virtually no difference between the two allows liberals to exploit their inability to explain a difference and make them look stupid. Major political struggles are often decided by a battle of competing incompetence and if our anti-immigration movement is handicapped by being woefully ignorant and innumerate, it possesses the distinct advantage that many of its leading opponentswhose ideas permeate our ruling elitesare downright insane. This unfortunate fact was brought home to me a few years ago when I was invited to participate in a televised Intelligence Squared immigration debate held in New York City. For two decades my writings and political activity had established me as one of the foremost pro-immigrant voices in public policy circles, but the contours of the elite ideological landscape had so radically shifted that I was actually enlisted to take the anti-immigration side of the question, joined by the co-founder of the eminently pro-immigrant Migration Policy Institute. The proposition under debate was that Anyone Should be Able to Take a Job Anywhere, namely that America and the rest of the world should adopt the extreme libertarian doctrine of eliminating all restrictions on the free movement of workers. When I was first approached about participating, I thought the whole proposal so ridiculous that the organizers would have a very difficult time locating anyone to take the other side, but I was entirely mistaken. Not only had they easily located prominent advocates, but the introductory remarks of the chairman of the forum suggested that he was surprised that anyone could seriously oppose such an Open Borders proposal. Indeed, the initial polling of the New York City audience showed a wide margin in favor. However, ninety minutes later the situation had entirely changed. Once I and my equally pro-immigrant debate partner had pointed out the obvious lunacy in opening our borders to the unlimited influx of foreign workers, the proposition was soundly defeated, with the swing in votes being the largest of any ever seen in the history of that longstanding public debate series. The inescapable conclusion is that the elite New Yorkers in that audience had lived their entire lives scrupulously insulated from any plausible arguments critical of high immigration levels. Indeed, in a previous article I had noted that our presidential candidates sometimes seemed likewise hermetically sealed in a bubble of immigration insanity: As an extreme example of the bizarre ideological views of our current political elites, consider a less-publicized element of the immigration reform plan that President George W. Bush trumpeted during his 2004 reelection campaign. This provision would have allowed any foreigner anywhere in the world to legally immigrate to America if he accepted a minimum-wage job that no American were willing to fill, an utterly insane proposal which would have effectively transformed Americas minimum wage into its maximum wage. Naturally his opponent, Sen. John Kerry, saw absolutely nothing wrong with this idea, though he did criticize various other aspects of Bushs immigration plan as being somewhat mean-spirited. Under such circumstances one would naturally think that critics of current immigration policy would have a very easy time winning the policy debate. But this is obviously not the case as we have seen from the November election results and most public opinion polls and the reasons may be suggested in the following brief political allegory Ive sometimes presented. I assume that there are government regulations limiting the number of passengers on a commercial bus. But suppose the bus companies all got together and after doing some market research, decided they could make more money if they packed their passengers in like sardines. So they hired some thinktankers and consultants to start an Open Doors movement, denouncing the horrifying unfairness of closing bus doors to passengers who wanted to get on. Indeed, they viciously attacked their opponents as being anti-people since they were trying to prevent more people from getting on buses. Naturally, their opponents fought back. But suppose the loudest activists claimed that if you put too many people on a bus, theyd all turn into werewolves and a massive wave of brutal killings would result. The entire bus policy debate would be diverted into the question of whether werewolves actually existed and whether crowded buses might induce widespread lycanthropy. Under such a scenario, I think the Open Doors side would probably win, especially if they had so much more money for buying media ads and bribing politicians. A national policy debate over whether immigration levels are much too high is long overdue. Instead, Donald Trump together with his political advisers and activist allies have sparked a heated battle over whether hordes of Mexican rapists and killers are illegally swarming across our border and we must build a wall to stop them. As a direct consequence, the supposedly horrific threat of immigrant and especially Hispanic crime has become a staple theme of rightwing pundits over the last couple of years. The awesome stupidity of this political strategy is a remarkable thing to behold. Just as in the case of their topsy-turvy misunderstanding of the 1965 Immigration Act, I tend to believe that most of these factual errors by rightwing activists are rooted in simple incompetence rather than deliberate dishonesty. The climate of political correctness enforced upon our journalists and academic scholars on racially-charged issues such as crime tend to suppress any candid discussion of the facts, and in such a climate of silence, wild rumors and misunderstood statistics can easily propagate among ideological groups that have grown highly suspicious of the mainstream media narrative. Partly in hopes of rectifying this sort of confusion, back in 2010 I had published a careful analysis of Hispanic crime rates, and although none of my methodology seemed especially remarkable, my findings provoked quite a lot of attention both from anti-immigration advocates and a number of mainstream journalists. Indeed, an indication of the near-total vacuum of serious discussion on this important topic is that even after nearly a decade, my article still generally ranks at or near the top of the many tens of millions of search results whenever anyone googles Hispanic crime or Latino crime. A few weeks ago I recapitulated some of these findings along with various others while speaking at a Ron Paul-related conference in the Houston area. Two of the most important points I made in my crime analysis were very simple ones. First, regardless of all other factors, criminal activity has always been concentrated among relatively youthful males, and the age-distributions of Hispanics and (non-Hispanic) whites are quite different. Hispanics have a median age in their late 20s, putting them near the peak of their highest-crime years, while the median age of whites is in the mid-40s, meaning that a large majority are past the likely age for committing serious crimes. Therefore, all measures of criminal activity, such as incarceration rates, should be adjusted to the size of the high-crime-age male cohort. This allows us to properly estimate the relative crime rates of Hispanics and whites of the same age. It is also very important to recognize that federal incarceration statistics severely distort ethnic estimates of American criminality. Nearly all ordinary crimes such as robbery, rape, murder, assault, arson, and theft are prosecuted in state courts and those convicted are sent to state prisons or local jails, and these contain 90% of criminal offenders. Meanwhile, half of all federal arrests are for immigration violations, and non-resident foreigners caught smuggling drugs at the border also receive federal sentences. Rep. Steve King of Iowa has long been a zealous critic of illegal immigrants and their supposedly high crime rates, and apparently under his prodding, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a 2011 report providing the incarceration rates of non-citizens, whether legal or illegal. While roughly 4-6% of state inmates were illegal immigrants, the non-citizens held in federal prisons were a remarkable 27% of the total, with 90% of these being charged with immigration or drug violations and also roughly 90% being Hispanic. In estimating the rates of ordinary street crime among different groups, we would obviously want to exclude illegal nannies arrested for illegal nannying and non-resident Mexicans caught smuggling drugs at the border, so my 2010 analysis excluded federal prisons while adjusting these ethnic incarceration rates by the size of the high-crime-age male population. Based on this methodology, I derived the following results: Although ordinary police reports sometimes conflate ethnicity with race, and report Hispanics as white, this is certainly not the case with large state prison systems, given the severe problems they face with racially-based gang violence, so these figures should be regarded as highly reliable. Obviously, the white and Hispanic incarceration rates are actually quite close, while the black figures are an extreme outlier. Many of my findings were also confirmed from other sources. For example, I later discovered that PPIC, Californias leading think-tank, had published a detailed 2006 analysis of ethnic incarceration rates in California, and contained age-adjusted incarceration statistics very similar to my own California estimates, an important result since California by itself contains a substantial fraction of Americas entire Hispanic population; a 2018 PPIC follow-up study provided roughly similar results. The national rise of the Black Lives Matter movement prompted Californias very liberal State Legislature to require the state Attorney General to publish exact statistics on racial/ethnic arrest rates for all crime categories throughout the state, and the most recent 2015 report showed that the racial distribution of violent crime arrests also followed a very similar pattern. I believe that all available evidence over the last decade has fully supported the conclusions in my 2010 Hispanic Crime article. Then in 2013, I also published a longer and more comprehensive analysis of urban crime rates in America, one that provided a very candid analysis of the racial patterns these followed, and suggested the powerful, subterranean roles these realities had probably played in quietly shaping numerous seemingly unrelated political decisions, notably including immigration policy. One of my most striking results was that over the last twenty-five years, there had been an exceptionally strong and growing relationship across all our major cities between the fraction of its black population and the rates of both violent crime and homicide. In discussing these findings, I went on to note: It is important to recognize that within the world of academic sociology discovering an important correlation in the range of 0.80 or above is quite remarkable, almost extraordinary. And even these correlations between black population prevalence and urban crime rates may actually tend to significantly understate the reality. All these correlations were performed on a city-wide aggregate basis. The New York City numbers include both the Upper East Side and Brownsville, Los Angeles both Bel Air and Watts, Chicago the Gold Coast and Englewood, with each citys totals averaging those of both the wealthiest and the most dangerous districts. This crude methodology tends to obscure the local pattern of crime, which usually varies tremendously between different areas, often roughly corresponding to the lines of racial segregation. It is hardly a secret that impoverished black areas do have far higher crime rates than affluent white ones. If instead we relied upon smaller geographical units such as neighborhoods, our results would be much more precise, but ethnicity data is provided by zip code while crime data is reported by precinct, so a major research undertaking would be required to match these dissimilar aggregational units for calculation purposes. However, the apparent geographical pattern of crime in these cities and most others might lead us to suspect that our national racial correlations would become substantially greater under such a more accurate approach, perhaps often reaching or even exceeding the 0.90 level. The inescapable conclusion is that local urban crime rates in America seem to be almost entirely explained by the local racial distribution. Several of Americas most eminent social scientists were greatly impressed by these statistical results. These national urban crime correlations clearly indicate that the size of the local Hispanic or immigrant population has little if any impact upon crime rates, and when I cited them, various racially-agitated rightwingers denounced me in the strongest possible terms, suggesting that I was using statistical tricks to hide the obvious reality of high Hispanic crime. In particular, they claimed that my emphasis on weighted-correlations of urban crime rates over the last quarter-century was motivated by my dishonesty, and I had deliberately failed to provide the results of multivariate regressions, which surely would have told a very different story. Eventually, these harsh insults and accusations became so irritating that I dug up my old data and ran a dozen multivariate regressions. These naturally revealed that the P-Values for the differences between the impact of whites and Hispanics on local crime rates were statistically insignificant, just as I knew they would be. Several other commenters attempted to rebut my analysis by citing selected portions of the 2016 research report The Color of Crime, published by Jared Taylor, one of Americas leading White Nationalists. This led me to carefully examine that study, which is conveniently available both in HTML and PDF formats. The author was Edward Rubinstein, an experienced economist, and although I might take some issue with the emphasis or presentation of some of the material, the basic data seemed quite solid and the analysis carefully prepared. Indeed, it brought to my attention several sources of useful official statistics of which I had previously been unaware. But in general, I found the contents of the report fully consistent with the findings in my own 2010 and 2013 articles. The source of confusion for many readers had been the detailed racial crime statistics presented for New York City and Chicago, which seemed to show Hispanic crime rates far higher than what I had presented. But this merely reflected the considerable heterogeneity of the Hispanic population. Nationally, the overwhelming majority of Hispanics are Meso-American, with only a small minority being Caribbean. But this latter group had traditionally constituted the bulk of the Hispanic population in New York City and the rest of the Northeast, as well as to some extent in Chicago, and (non-Cuban) Caribbean Hispanics have generally had far higher crime rates. I had discussed this important issue and its implications at considerable length in my Hispanic Crime article: Furthermore, contrary to official bureaucratic categories, Hispanics are hardly a monolithic ethnic group and actually exhibit large variations in their cultural traditions based on country of origin. The very low Hispanic imprisonment rate in Florida may reflect the considerable economic and social success of the Cuban community centered there. Another set of obvious outliers are the states of the Northeast, primarily the New York/New England region, in which relative Hispanic imprisonment rates generally run two to three times higher than the national Hispanic average, as shown in Chart 2. These exceptionally high Hispanic incarceration rates probably reflect the considerable social and economic difficulties long experienced by the large Puerto Rican and Dominican communities that have settled in that region. The high incarceration rate for these Caribbean Hispanics may partially explain general perceptions of Hispanic crime rates. A large proportion of Americas intellectual, media, and political elite lives in the Northeast, in cities like New York and Boston, and if the Hispanics traditionally living in those areas have unusually high rates of criminal activity, there would be a natural if mistaken tendency to assume that this same pattern also applied to Hispanic groups throughout the country. But outside the Northeast, the vast majority of Hispanics are Meso-American, being either from Mexico or Central America. Chart 3 summarizes the very different relative imprisonment rates for these groups by focusing on the most heavily Hispanic states outside the Northeast. Moreover, if we consider weighted-average age-adjusted Hispanic imprisonment ratios excluding those outlying cases of the Northeastern states, we discover that the remaining figure moves into close parity with white incarceration rates. (See Chart 4.) Since Hispanics are still considerably poorer than whites, this is a striking result. Also, crime rates are always higher in densely populated urban areas than in suburbs or rural communities, and since Hispanics are three times as likely as whites to live in cities, their relatively low imprisonment rates become even more surprising. When I provided some of simple quantitative findngs in my recent columns or their comment-threads, I naturally provoked a vast wave of angry denials, with vociferous claims that my statistics were somehow cooked and that Hispanics obviously had the high crime rates so widely believed in certain ideological circles. Some of these agitated individuals seemed to respond as if a central pillar of their world-view were crumbling before their very eyes. Given this extreme reluctance to accept any of the broader statistical evidence I had offered, I added a handful of simple questions for such hostile skeptics to ponder: The two most heavily Hispanic cities in America are El Paso and Santa Ana, each about 80% Hispanic. They have fairly low crime and homicide rates. The same is true for most of the other heavily or substantially Hispanic cities around the country. If Hispanics had unusually high crime rates that you believe, how would this be possible? A half-century ago, Los Angeles was over 70% white and only 10% Hispanic, and today its 50% Hispanic and perhaps 25% white. Yet the crime and homicide rates are roughly similar. How is this possible in your mind? A huge wave of immigrant Hispanics moved into East Palo Alto, the neighboring town to where I live, and as a consequence it has become overwhelmingly Hispanic. Meanwhile, the homicide rate has declined by over 95% and today both crime and homicide rates are fairly low. Whats your explanation. Ive calculated 25 years of weighted cross-correlations across all the major cities in America, and they tend to show that the presence of whites and Hispanics has approximately similar impacts upon urban crime rates. Whats your theory about why the numbers came out the way they did? I believe there is absolutely overwhelming evidence that most Hispanic groups have crime rates approximately the same as those of whites of the same age, and I have obviously been irritated by the stubborn refusal of so many anti-immigration activists to accept this obvious reality. But I do believe that in most cases this position is based upon ignorance and innumeracy rather than deliberately dishonest intent. Furthermore, I feel that a great deal of the blame must be be placed upon the shoulders of our mainstream media and academic elites. As noted above, exactly the same statistical evidence that suggests that whites and Hispanics have roughly similar crime rates also demonstrates the exceptionally high rate of black criminality, and this latter fact has surely dissuaded most journalists and scholars from publicly discussing racial crime in quantitative detail. The resulting vacuum of solid information has naturally been filled by rumor, anecdotes, and speculation, often severely skewed by ideological leanings. Furthermore, there seems considerable evidence that over the years even many mainstream journalists have inadvertently fallen into believing the same erroneous facts as the rightwing activists they publicly denounce. This unfortunate situation was brought to my attention a few years ago during the notorious Jason Richwine Affair. In 2013 Dr. Richwine, a prominent Heritage Foundation policy analyst, had reached the pinnacle of his career when the conservative media began widely trumpeting his research study suggesting that Americas large Hispanic immigrant population was enormously increasing our crime rates and would cost taxpayers many trillions of dollars in future welfare benefits and other government spending. But then his critics discovered that his 2009 Harvard doctoral dissertation had focused on the supposedly very low IQs of the racial groups constituting most of our current immigrant inflow, and he argued that this doomed our country to inevitable genetic decline. An enormous national media firestorm immediately erupted and Richwine was quickly purged from all respectable conservative institutions. At the time, I discussed the controversy and its implications in a lengthy column: My disturbing realization was that although mainstream journalists were virtually unanimous in their harsh condemnations of the embattled Heritage researcher and support for his ouster, it was readily apparent that some of themperhaps even most of themactually believed that Richwine was factually correct although certainly politically incorrect. After all, with any candid discussion of racial topics so totally taboo in our society, where would they acquire contrary information? Indeed, one of them went so far as to claim that Richwine had easily debunked my Hispanic Crime analysis, a statement I found rather amusing. As I explained at length, I was quite unimpressed with the quality of Richwines research, but apparently his journalistic foes found it so terrifyingly persuasive that they felt the need to transform him into an un-person in order to protect the public from his dangerous ideas. In effect, it appeared that many of them probably believed that Richwine needed to be destroyed not because he was wrong but because he was right. With the racial analysis of social behavior so widely taboo and strictly policed these days by Twitter lynch-mobs, it is hardly surprising that journalists would often fall into error, and these errors would feed upon themselves. But sometimes the political consequences of such disingenuous behavior may still be quite serious. A perfect example occurred just last week while I was engaged in a heated debate over Hispanic crime rates with the outraged commenters to my most recent article. The San Francisco Chronicle, Californias most influential newspaper, ran a major story bearing the provocative headline Latinos account for nearly half of 172 people killed by police in California in 2017. Now to the liberal editors of that newspaper and activists of a similar ideological hue, such a factual statement might carry implications of brutal police violence being directed against oppressed non-whites, but I suspect that to the average Americanlet alone the average rightwingerthe clear implication would be that California Latinos are a particularly dangerous and violent population, constantly confronting the police and regularly being killed as a consequence. Indeed, I was a little surprised that neither Donald Trump nor Ann Coulter tweeted it out to their millions of enthusiastic followers. However, the story carries different implications once we recognize that Latinos account for nearly half of police killings in a state in which Latinos also account for nearly half the total population. I quickly used the actual statistics buried in the text of the article to produce a simple chart displaying the ratio of police shootings and killings in California compared to the fraction of the total population, which tells a very different tale: Obviously, the rate of Asian police shootings is extremely low, while the figures for whites and Latinos are really not so very far apart, and probably become very similar once we adjust for the much larger fraction of Latinos who are youthful males, the cohort most likely to engage in police confrontations. Meanwhile, the chart display an enormous outlying group which went unmentioned in the Chronicle headline and was therefore missed by busy individuals who depend upon glances at a major newspaper for their knowledge of the world. The unfortunate truth is that in many situations politically correct mainstream media journalists and racially-focused anti-immigration activists may share a strong commonality of interests, and the dishonest practices of the former tend to reinforce the confused beliefs of the latter, with negative consequences for our society. Ron Unz A theoretical physicist by training, Mr. Unz serves as founder and chairman of UNZ.org, a content-archiving website providing free access to many hundreds of thousands of articles from prominent periodicals of the last hundred and fifty years. From 2007 to 2013, he also served as publisher of The American Conservative. http://www.unz.com/ Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Traffickers at the El Chapo trial say drugs aren't smuggled through open parts of the border Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Reporter Tammy Ayer works relentlessly to bring attention to Washingtons missing and murdered Indigenous women. Now, her work is collected in a Yakima Herald-Republic website called The Vanished. You can find it at www.washingtonmmiw.com. The Vanished is where we will break new stories on murdered and missing Native women, adding them to earlier coverage. It includes the most comprehensive list of Central Washington missing and murdered Native women we could assemble. Part of the site is devoted to the search for solutions to the MMIW crisis. Another section lists resources available for family and friends of those whove vanished. If you have ideas for ways we could make the site more useful and meaningful, please reach out to me. My email address and phone number are below. Greg Halling, managing editor ghalling@yakimaherald.com; 509-577-7703 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. Caracas (AFP) - Leftist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday branded far-right Brazil counterpart Jair Bolsonaro a "modern day Hitler" supported by evangelical Christians. Maduro was delivering his annual address to the Constituent Assembly, four days after he was sworn in for a highly-controversial second term. He and Bolsonaro have been exchanging barbs since the Brazilian won elections at the end of last year. "Bolsonaro is a modern day Hitler. He is. What he doesn't have is courage and his own decisions because he's the puppet of a sect," said Maduro, referring to Bolsonaro's conservative evangelical Christian support base. Bolsonaro has accused Maduro of being a "dictator" and described him as illegitimate when the Venezuelan leader was sworn in on Thursday. Maduro won an election in May that was boycotted by the opposition and dismissed as a fraud by the United States, European Union and many Latin American countries. He was sworn in by the Supreme Court, made up of regime loyalists, rather than the opposition controlled National Assembly, as Venezuela's constitution demands. Parliament has been sidelined since the Supreme Court stripped it of its powers in 2017, shortly after the opposition gained a majority in late 2016. Maduro then created the Constituent Assembly to replace the National Assembly. Brazil's foreign ministry said it recognized the original legislature as Venezuela's "democratically elected" body with "executive authority." Its president, Juan Guaido, has said Venezuela's constitution allows him to assume power and set up a "transitional government" ahead of new elections, but Maduro retains the support of the military high command. Riyadh (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that talks were under way on Washington's proposal to establish a "safe zone" in flashpoint border areas of northeastern Syria, where tensions are rising between Turkey and Kurdish militia. "We want to make sure that the folks who fought with us to down the (Islamic State group) have security... and also that terrorists acting out of Syria aren't able to attack Turkey," Pompeo said. "We want a secure border for all the parties," he said in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the latest leg of a whirlwind Middle East tour. Washington is holding talks with all relevent sides about such a "safe zone", he added. His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump in a tweet pushed for the creation of a 20-mile (30-kilometre) "safe zone", without saying who would create, enforce or pay for it. Trump also did not say exactly where such a buffer area would be set up. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday said his country was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria. Tensions have been high between the United States and Turkey over the fate of Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies in the fight against the Islamic State group. Ankara has repeatedly threatened a new cross-border operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been working closely with the US in the war on IS jihadists. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Monday said Ankara would "continue to fight against them all", referring to IS and the YPG. His comments came after Trump, in Sunday's tweet, warned Turkey of economic devastation if it attacks the Kurds in the wake of a US pullout from Syria. On Sunday Trump also urged the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. Laredo (United States) (AFP) - Mexico is just minutes away on foot, the time it takes to walk across one of the bridges that span the Rio Grande, intimately connecting Laredo, Texas to its Mexican sister Nuevo Laredo. The wall Donald Trump promises to build would slice through that, and here as elsewhere in America opinions are divided over whether it's needed. Already, the raging national debate over the president's demand for $5.7 billion to build the wall has provoked the longest government shutdown in US history, one now in its fourth week. It's a sensitive subject in a city that is more than 95 percent Hispanic and many Laredo inhabitants politely decline to comment. But Manuel Garcia Jr is happy to say what he thinks, pausing to render his opinion before attending mass at the San Agustin cathedral in the city's historic center. "I agree with Trump 100 percent," the businessman says. "I think building the wall is great, yes. I think it would help everybody in the United States bring the cost down because we are spending too much money with a lot of border patrols going up and down." "I know that a lot of people disagree on it but you gotta be honest about it, we need it," Garcia said. His ancestors came from Mexico "legally," he says, adding that that's how all immigrants should come into the country. Nowadays, he says, there is "a lot of crime" -- although he acknowledges he hasn't experienced that personally in Laredo. Laredo-born Mateo Gravena, 47, also believes a border wall is needed. "It is the appropriate thing to do," he said, his eyes shielded by sunglasses. "It's a presidency protecting its borders from foreign invaders." An emergency services contractor, Gravena says the wall is needed to stop traffickers who send women across the border with drugs. And besides, he says, why should the United States take in the overflow of people from other countries. Story continues "Why does it have to be the United States?" - 'Mixed feelings' - Views of that nature exasperate Jennifer Fanelli, an otherwise good-humored 27-year-old bus driver. She doesn't hesitate to attribute them to "racism," even when they come from people who are themselves of Mexican descent. The wall? "I'm against that," she said. "In any case they are going to find a way to come here and they come here to earn a better future." "They don't pose a threat," she added. "We have to be more human." Fanelli was born in Minnesota but after her father died she moved to Laredo, her mother's hometown. "Minnesota is pretty but there is a lot of racism, and I thought it would be different here because we are all Latinos," she said. "But it doesn't end. We as Latinos dump on the Mexicans. It just doesn't end." Homero Resendez, a 51-year-old who has lived half his life in Laredo, sees the city as a twin of Nuevo Laredo. "What we need are bridges to cross over, not walls," he said. "What the president is doing is ridiculous." A woman comfortably seated, fishing pole in hand, on the banks of the Rio Grande silently considers the issue. She asks not to be quoted by name as she weighs her feelings. On the one hand, she says, she fears "overpopulation" and thinks American citizens should be the ones benefitting from the country's bounty. But she admits that migrants take jobs Americans do not want. "I really have mixed feelings," she sighs, looking out across the river to the other side -- where just like her, local Mexicans have come to fish on a sunny afternoon. RIYADH, Jan 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that Saudi leaders assured him everyone responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be held accountable, as Riyadh tries to resolve its biggest political crisis in a generation. Pompeo told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including women's rights activists who have been detained for months and some allegedly tortured. Khashoggi, a longtime royal insider who had become a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, prompting a global outcry including U.S. Treasury sanctions on 17 individuals and a Senate resolution blaming Prince Mohammed. A CIA assessment has blamed the crown prince for ordering the killing, which Saudi officials deny. At least 21 Saudis are under investigation in the case, with five facing the death penalty. Five officials were also fired, including a senior royal advisor. Related: Murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "They both acknowledged that accountability needed to take place. They talked about the process that is occurring inside their country, both the investigative process and the judicial process that is taking place," Pompeo said. "They reiterated their commitment to achieve the objective, the expectations we set for them." Pompeo last visited Riyadh two weeks after Khashoggi disappeared to press the key U.S. ally on the whereabouts of the Washington Post contributor, who disappeared after entering the consulate to obtain marriage documents. The outcry over the murder has tarnished the reputation of Prince Mohammed, strained ties with Western allies and focused attention on Saudi Arabia's domestic crackdown on dissent and the war in Yemen, where a Saudi-led and U.S.-backed coalition is supporting the internationally-recognized government. "Where friends think the other one has fallen short, I was very clear and candid about those things where America is not satisfied with and where they are not meeting our expectations," said Pompeo. Story continues He said he had also raised the Gulf Arab dispute with Qatar after saying a day earlier in Qatar that it had gone on for too long and was threatening regional unity needed to counter Iran. "We did talk about how we might put the Gulf rift back in a better place," he said. "I think theyd like to see that too. Its a matter of us all figuring out how to do it together, but mostly those countries figuring out how they can put it back together." WOMEN ACTIVISTS On Yemen, Pompeo and Prince Mohammed agreed on the need for continued de-escalation and adherence to agreements made at talks last month to end the civil war between the government and Iranian-aligned Houthis. "We talked about the fact that work done in Sweden on Yemen was good but we need both sides to honor those commitments. To date, the Iranian-backed Houthis have chosen not to do that," he said. They also discussed U.S. plans to withdraw troops from Syria, which Pompeo told reporters would not be affected by President Donald Trump's threat to devastate Turkey economically if it attacks a Washington-backed Kurdish militia in Syria. During meetings lasting 80 minutes total, Pompeo said he had raised human rights issues, including several women's rights activists detained last summer and accused of treason. "Their commitment was that the lawful judicial process would take place and they would do so quickly, and that they would continue down that path," he said. The sister of activist Loujain al-Hathloul has described how she was tortured and threatened, at times by the same royal adviser implicated in the Khashoggi murder. Saudi authorities deny those charges, and Prince Mohammed has said they have recordings showing the activists were working with foreign intelligence agencies. Dozens of other activists, intellectuals and clerics have also been arrested in an apparent bid to stamp out opposition to Prince Mohammed, who has consolidated power including with a sweeping anti-corruption campaign. Pompeo, whose earlier stops included Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Doha, proceeded to Oman to meet Sultan Qaboos but will skip Kuwait to attend a family funeral, a spokesman said. (Additional reporting by Sylvia Westall and Alexander Cornwell, Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean) By Chris Hedges January 14, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Corporate dictatorshipswhich strip employees of fundamental constitutional rights, including free speech, and which increasingly rely on temp or contract employees who receive no benefits and have no job securityrule the lives of perhaps 80 percent of working Americans. These corporations, with little or no oversight, surveil and monitor their workforces. They conduct random drug testing, impose punishing quotas and targets, routinely engage in wage theft, injure workers and then refuse to make compensation, and ignore reports of sexual harassment, assault and rape. They use managerial harassment, psychological manipulationincluding the pseudo-science of positive psychologyand intimidation to ensure obedience. They fire workers for expressing leftist political opinions on social media or at public events during their off-hours. They terminate those who file complaints or publicly voice criticism about working conditions. They thwart attempts to organize unions, callously dismiss older workers and impose non-compete contract clauses, meaning that if workers leave they are unable to use their skills and human capital to work for other employers in the same industry. Nearly half of all technical professions now require workers to sign non-compete clauses, and this practice has spread to low-wage jobs including those in hair salons and restaurants. The lower the wages the more abusive the conditions. Workers in the food and hotel industries, agriculture, construction, domestic service, call centers, the garment industry, warehouses, retail sales, lawn service, prisons, and health and elder care suffer the most. Walmart, for example, which employs nearly 1 percent of the U.S. labor force (1.4 million workers), prohibits casual conversation, which it describes as time theft. The food industry giant Tyson prevents its workers from taking toilet breaks, causing many to urinate on themselves; as a result, some workers must wear diapers. The older, itinerant workers that Amazon often employs are subjected to grueling 12-hour shifts in which the company electronically monitors every action to make sure hourly quotas are met. Some Amazon workers walk for miles on concrete floors each shift and repeatedly get down on their hands and knees to perform their jobs. They frequently suffer crippling injuries. The company makes injured employees, whom it fires, sign releases saying the injuries are not work-related. Two-thirds of workers in low-wage industries are victims of wage theft, losing an amount estimated to be as high as $50 billion a year. From 4 million to 14 million American workers, under threat of wage cuts, plant shutdowns or dismissal, have been pressured by their employers to support pro-corporate political candidates and causes. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The corporations that in effect rule the lives of American workers constitute what University of Michigan philosophy professor Elizabeth Anderson refers to as private governments. These workplace governments, she writes, are dictatorships, in which bosses govern in ways that are largely unaccountable to those who are governed. They dont merely govern workers: they dominate them. These corporations have the legal authority, she writes, to regulate workers off-hour lives as welltheir political activities, speech, choice of sexual partner, use of recreational drugs, alcohol, smoking, and exercise. Because most employers exercise this off-hours authority irregularly, and without warning, most workers are unaware of how sweeping it is. If the U.S. government imposed such regulations on us, we would rightly protest that our constitutional rights were being violated, Anderson writes in her book Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Dont Talk About It). But American workers have no such rights against their bosses. Even speaking out against such constraints can get them fired. So most keep silent. Once workers sign contracts they essentially cede their rights as citizens to the corporations, except the few rights guaranteed by law, for the duration of the contracts. Employers authority over workers, Anderson writes, outside of collective bargaining and a few other contexts, such as university professors tenure, is sweeping, arbitrary, and unaccountablenot subject to notice, process, or appeal. The state has established the constitution of the government of the workplace; it is a form of private government. These corporations, by law, can impose a far more minute, exacting, and sweeping regulation of employees than democratic states do in any domain outside of prisons and the military. These myriad corporate dictatorships, or private governments, ensure American workers are docile and compliant as the superstructure of the corporate state cements into place a species of corporate totalitarianism. The ruling ideology of neoliberalism and libertarianism, used to justify the corporate domination and social inequality that afflict us, sells itself as the protector of freedom and liberty. It does this by subterfuge. It claims workers have the freedom to enter into employment contracts and terminate them, while ignoring the near-total suspension of rights during the period of employment. It pretends that workers and corporations function as independent and autonomous sellers and buyers, with workers selling their labor freely and corporate owners buying this labor. This neoliberal economic model, however, is defective. The relationship between the corporation and the worker is not the same as the relationship between a self-employed baker, for example, and his customers. The self-employed baker and those who buy the bread appeal to mutual self-interest in the exchange. The buyer is not an inferior, begging for a favor, Anderson writes. Equally importantly, the buyer is not a superior who is entitled to order the butcher, the brewer, or the baker to hand over the fruits of his labor. Buyers must address themselves to the others interests. The parties each undertake the exchange with their dignity, their standing, and their personal independence affirmed by the other. This is a model of social relations between free and equal persons. (Emphasis by the author.) Once a worker is bonded to a corporation, however, he or she instantly loses this dignity, standing and personal independence, especially if the job is temporary, entry-level or menial. Relations are no longer free and equal. When workers sell their labor to an employer, they have to hand themselves over to their boss, who then gets to order them around, Anderson writes. The labor contract, instead of leaving the seller free as before, puts the seller under the authority of their boss. The worker either fulfills the demands of management, which he or she has little ability to question or formulate, or is reprimanded, demoted, sanctioned or fired. The corporate manager wields total authority over the worker. The performance of the contract embodies a profound asymmetry in whose interests count, Anderson writes, henceforth, the worker will be required to toil under conditions that pay no regard to his interests, and every regard for the capitalists profits. Neoliberalism posits that the choice is between a free market and state control, whereas, as Anderson writes, most adults live their working lives under a third thing entirely: private government. Neoliberalism argues that the essence of freedom is free enterprise, while never addressing workers surrender of basic freedoms. Neoliberalism holds out the promise, which has not been true since before the Industrial Revolution, that workers can become self-employed if they are hardworking and innovative. We all have the ability to achieve economic independence or become industry leaders if we draw on our inner resources, according to the neoliberal mantra, one popularized by mass culture. The neoliberal ideologues solution to the cannibalization of the economy is to call for fostering a nation of entrepreneurs. This is a con. Corporations and their lobbyists write the laws and the legislation, creating a two-tiered legal system in which poverty is criminalized and we are controlled, taxed and punished. The corporate oligarchs, however, live in a world where monopoly, fraud and other financial wrongdoing are legal or rarely punished and taxes are minimal or nonexistent. Among the population, only a tiny percentagemost of whom come from inherited wealth and have been groomed in elitist, plutocratic universities and institutionsdominate the corporate hierarchy. Public discourse, controlled by corporate power, ignores this one-sided power arrangement. It cannot address a problem it refuses to acknowledge. Subjugation is freedom. Anderson calls this corporate economic system communistthats communist with a small cbecause these private governments own all the nonlabor means of production in the society it governs. It organizes production by means of central planning. The form of the government is a dictatorship. In some cases, the dictator is appointed by an oligarchy. In other cases, the dictator is self-appointed. Private governments, their sanctioning powers lacking the states ability to imprison or execute (although they often have internal security forces with the power to arrest), ensure compliance by using wholesale surveillance and the threats of demotion and exile, plus the potential rewards of salary raises and promotions. Also, there usually is a steady barrage of company propaganda. We have the language of fairness and distributive justice to talk about low wages and inadequate benefits, we know how to talk about the Fight for $15, whatever side of this issue you are on, Anderson writes. But we dont have good ways to talk about the way bosses rule workers lives. American workers have never achieved the array of rights won by workers in other industrialized countries. At the height of union representation in 1954, only 28.3 percent of American workers were union members. This number has fallen to 11.1 percent, with only 6.6 percent of private-sector workers belonging to unions. Wages have for decades declined or been stagnant. Half of all U.S. workers make less than $29,000 a year, effectively putting their families in poverty. Workers, lacking unions and the ability to pressure management through collective bargaining, have no say in their working conditions. If they choose to leave abusive employment, where do they go? The inequalities and the workers loss of liberty and agency are embedded within the corporate structure. It is impossible, as Anderson warns, to build a free, democratic society dominated by private governments. As these private governments merge into the superstructure of the corporate state we are cementing into place an unassailable corporate tyranny. It is a race against time. Our remaining freedoms are being rapidly extinguished. These omnipotent dictatorships must be destroyed, and they will only be destroyed by sustained popular protest such as we see in the streets of Paris. Otherwise, we will be shackled in 21st-century chains. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump warned Turkey on Sunday of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. Trump took to Twitter to reveal some of his latest thoughts in the slow drip-drip of information being released by his administration after his shocking December announcement of the troop withdrawal. His top diplomat Mike Pompeo is on a whirlwind regional tour aimed at reassuring allies amid rising tensions between the US and Turkey over the fate of Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies in the fight against the Islamic State group. Pompeo also sought to reassure Washington's Kurdish allies in the fight against IS, who fear the departure of American troops would allow Turkey to attack them. Turkey had reacted angrily to suggestions that Trump's plan to withdraw troops was conditional on the safety of the US-backed Kurdish fighters, seen by the Turkish government as terrorists. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," Trump tweeted, while pushing for the creation of a 20-mile (30-kilometer) "safe zone." "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." Trump did not detail who would create, enforce or pay for the safe zone, or where it would be located. US-led operations against IS in Syria have been spearheaded on the ground by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara sees the backbone of that alliance, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as a terrorist group linked to the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) which has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. On Saturday, more than 600 people were evacuated from the remaining IS holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as US-backed fighters prepare for a final assault on the area. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," Trump said. Story continues "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman said that several dozen jihadist fighters were among those evacuated to areas held by the Kurdish-Arab alliance. Abdel Rahman said some 16,000 people, including 760 IS fighters, have fled the area since the start of December, though this marked the first time the SDF and the coalition provided buses, suggesting a deal struck between the warring sides. - Civilians still trapped - The United Nations said Friday that overall some 25,000 people have fled the violence over the last six months as the die-hard jihadists have battled to defend their dwindling bastions. An estimated 2,000 civilians remain trapped in the area around the town of Hajin, the United Nations said. The US-led coalition on Saturday fired over 20 missiles against jihadist positions, the Observatory said. The monitor said some 300 SDF combatants had deployed near the village of Sousa in preparations for a final assault. Montreal (AFP) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau notched himself a political win ahead of Canadian legislative elections by granting asylum to the teenage Saudi girl fleeing her parents, experts here say. Trudeau sent Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland to greet 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun as the young woman landed in Toronto on Saturday. As Freeland clutched Qunun's arm in the presence of reporters from across the globe she reminded everyone that human rights were Canada's priorities under Trudeau -- especially the rights of women in countries like Saudi Arabia. By granting Qunun asylum, Canada was "standing up for human rights around the world, and we believe very strongly that women's rights are human rights," Freeland said. - Scoring one more point - Accepting the Saudi teen was "very good on a humanitarian level," said Ferry de Kerckhove, a Canadian former diplomat and current professor at the University of Ottawa, "but it's also a very good move for the prime minister and for Canada." "You had to see Ms. Freeland's beaming smile when she greeted the young woman," he told AFP. "We felt they had scored one more point" against those "awful Saudis" who murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, he said. Qunun's attempt to flee Saudi Arabia was embraced by rights groups as a beacon of defiance against repression. The Saudi teen captured the world's attention with a trail of Twitter posts that ignited a #SaveRahaf movement as she fled what she said was physical and psychological abuse from her family in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia. Rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in her homeland. Qunun's family has denied the abuse allegations. The publicity thwarted an attempt to deport the teen to Saudi Arabia after she arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Kuwait. Thai authorities instead turning her over to the UN's refugee agency. Story continues On Friday Trudeau made the surprise announcement that Canada would grant her asylum. - Opening Pandora's Box - "At a time when Saudi Arabia's global image is tarnished by assassination of critics, I cannot imagine that there was not mirth in the Canadian government shared by the well-meant genuine sense of wanting to protect a refugee," said University of Ottawa law professor Amir Attaran. But the move is certain to further strain Canada's relations with the kingdom. Ties soured in August 2018 over Ottawa's criticism of human rights in Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel Canada's ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest. Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the "immediate release" of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, whose family lives in Quebec. Canada is "on the right side of history" by granting Qunun asylum, said University of Waterloo political scientist Bessma Momani. "We are demonstrating our moral leadership on the issue of gender equality," she wrote in a Globe and Mail newspaper opinion piece. The diplomatic risks, she says, are minimal. "Our bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia is already at an all-time low, so there may be no lower place to go," she said. By harnessing the power of social media to garner global attention, Qunun "has opened a Pandora's box that only Saudi Arabia can close," Momani wrote. - Silence from Riyadh - As of early Monday Saudi authorities had no official reaction on the affair. De Kerckhove predicted that the Saudis will stay "rather quiet." "My only concern," he said, "is that the Saudis will take revenge" on jailed blogger Badawi. However he hoped that the global outcry following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi case "will prevent them" from such action. Attaran told AFP that the Saudis "are learning the stupidity of their incendiary foreign policy." When in mid-2018 "they burned their political, educational and financial linkages with Canada, they left no leverage over which to rebuke Canada meaningfully." Canada holds legislative elections in October in which Trudeau will seek a second term in office. Even though he leads in the polls, Trudeau faces an emboldened opposition and pushback on issues such as immigration, a carbon tax and environmental protection. Also unresolved: the (Can)$15 billion sales contract with Saudi Arabia for light-armored vehicles, signed by the previous Conservative administration of Stephen Harper. Political opponents and human rights activists have slammed Trudeau for failing to end the contract. A cancellation however would come at a steep price: at least Can$1 billion in penalties, and a loss of jobs in Ontario province where the vehicles are built. Khartoum (AFP) - Defiant Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Monday that ongoing protests will not lead to a change in government, as crowds of supporters cheered him at a rally in war-torn Darfur. Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19 when angry demonstrators took to the streets in towns and villages against a government decision to raise the price of bread. At least 24 people have died in the protests, which swiftly turned into nationwide anti-government rallies, with protesters calling on Bashir to step down. "Demonstrations will not change the government," Bashir told crowds of supporters gathered in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, where a day earlier police broke up an anti-government demonstration, state television reported. "There's only one road to power and that is through the ballot box. The Sudanese people will decide in 2020 who will govern them," said Bashir, who is planning to run for the presidency for the third time in elections to be held next year. In the initial days of protests, several buildings and offices of Bashir's ruling National Congress Party were set on fire in towns and villages before the demonstrations spread to the capital Khartoum. "Sudan has many enemies and those enemies have few people among us who don't want stability and security," said Bashir, with state television broadcasting footage showing him waving his trademark cane as supporters chanted "stay, stay". "We will not allow anyone to destroy our homeland by looting and burning our properties," said Bashir as some supporters attended the rally on camels, while many heard him from tree tops. On Sunday, the first anti-government demonstrations were held by groups of protesters in Niyala and El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. -- 'Economic problems' -- Darfur, a region the size of France, has been torn by violence since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. Story continues About 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict and another 2.5 million displaced, according to the United Nations. Most of those displaced still live in sprawling camps. Darfur has been largely calm over the past few months but tensions remain high in the region. Bashir, who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, has been charged by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) with genocide and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur. On Monday, he reiterated that Sudan faced "economic problems," but said they could not be solved by looting and burning of properties. Meanwhile in Khartoum, Sudanese security agents raided on Monday the offices of the Society of Sudanese Surgeons and confiscated its letterheads and stamps, the group said in a statement. The general secretary of the society was also detained, it said. Some unions of doctors are part of an umbrella group called the Sudanese Professionals' Association that has spearheaded the anti-government demonstrations. On Monday, security agents also stopped a group of journalists in Khartoum from holding a sit in to protest the banning of Al-Jadida newspaper from publishing for several days, witnesses said. Sudan is currently ranked 174th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, with security agents regularly confiscating entire print runs of newspapers without giving reasons. Organisers of protests have so far staged hundreds of rallies across the country, including in Khartoum. They have urged protesters to continue with their demonstrations this week, calling it as the "Week of Uprising". On Sunday, protesters had rallied in the capital's Bahari district chanting "peace, peace" and "revolution is the people's choice," but they were quickly confronted by riot police with tear gas. Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists as well as demonstrators. Although the unrest was triggered by the rise in the price of bread, Sudan has faced a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency. Repeated shortages of food and fuel have been reported across cities, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled. CAIRO (AP) Sudan's longtime ruler was defiant Monday in the face of more than three weeks of protests demanding his resignation, reiterating at a rally in the west of the country that a change in leadership can only come through the ballot box. In power since 1989, Omar al-Bashir is already one of the region's longest serving leaders. His ruling Popular Congress Party has nominated him to run for another term in office next year. "The people brought this government to office and there is only one way (to change it) and that's the ballot box," al-Bashir told hundreds of supporters in the Darfur city of Nyala. "The ballot box is what decides and the people of Sudan will choose who rules them in 2020, God willing." Al-Bashir's years in office have failed to lift Sudan out of its rampant poverty or bring peace and unity to the religiously diverse country. Sudan was Africa's largest country until 2011, when the mainly animist and Christian south seceded, taking with it about three quarters of the country's oil wealth. He was indicted in 2010 by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Darfur, where a revolt was brutally suppressed by forces loyal to the government, including militias. Tens of thousands died in that conflict and hundreds of thousands were displaced. The ongoing, anti-government protests erupted on Dec. 19, initially over price hikes and shortages but soon shifted to calling on the Islamist president to step down. The unrest has spread across much of Sudan, including areas north of Khartoum from which the country's ruling establishment traditionally hails. At least 40 people have been killed in the clashes, according to rights groups, but the government has acknowledged only 24 deaths. Authorities have also detained more than 800 people since the unrest began, along with dozens of opposition leaders. Al-Bashir on Monday repeated his claim that the unrest is the work of Sudan's foreign enemies who use local agents for their schemes. "They don't like the stability we've achieved," he said. Story continues "There is an economic problem ... and we are working to resolve it," he said without elaborating. Last week, he pledged to continue state subsidies for basic items, raise salaries, improve health care and overhaul the banking system. He didn't say how he intended to accomplish these measures. Also Monday, security forces detained for about five hours 18 journalists, mostly from the independent Khartoum daily al-Jareeda. The arrests were made as the journalists gathered outside the newspaper's offices before heading to the headquarters of the domestic security agency in central Khartoum where they planned to stage a sit-in to protest state censorship. Activists say authorities have further tightened control of the independent media since the latest unrest began, with news of the protests mostly censored or not published at all. Several newspapers, including al-Jareeda, have had their copies confiscated or banned from publication. Several journalists have also been beaten up by security forces while covering street protests, according to activists and their colleagues, while others have been detained. By Alex Dobuzinskis (Reuters) - Ohio police officers were politically motivated when they arrested Stormy Daniels, the porn star who has described having an affair with President Donald Trump, at a strip club last year, the actress said in a lawsuit on Monday. The Columbus vice unit officers who arrested Daniels on July 12, 2018, were registered Republicans as is the president, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, said in her lawsuit filed in federal court in Ohio. "Defendant officers believed that Ms. Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding (Trump)," the suit said. The legal action against the officers could bring to light further details about the circumstances of Daniels' arrest, which made headlines at the time. Columbus police had accused Daniels of committing a misdemeanor sex offense while performing at the club Sirens by touching three customers who were undercover vice detectives. The charge was dropped hours later. Daniels had committed no crime because she did not perform regularly at the club, as required under the law, a city attorney said at the time. The Columbus Division of Police launched an internal investigation soon after the incident. "The Columbus Division of Police internal affairs bureau continues its investigation, therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment on this matter at this time," the division said in a statement about the lawsuit. The division, in Ohio's state capital, was not named as a defendant in Daniels' lawsuit, which accused the officers of violating her civil rights. A representative for the police union for the officers could not immediately be reached for comment. Daniels sued Trump for defamation in March 2018, before her arrest, and was seeking release from a non-disclosure agreement she signed before the 2016 presidential election to remain silent about the affair she said she had with Trump. Story continues Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, saying she was paid to stop "false and extortionist accusations." A federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed Daniels' defamation lawsuit last year. Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, has described her arrest as a politically motivated set-up since the day it happened. "Here in America, unlike in Russia, we don't arrest citizens for political purposes in order to silence them," Avenatti said in a statement on Monday. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by James Dalgleish) MADRID (AP) Spain's maritime rescue service says it has saved 549 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The service says its craft intercepted six small smuggling boats carrying a total of 350 migrants on Saturday in waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar. On Sunday another 199 migrants were pulled from five different boats, including two tiny inflatable boats meant for small bodies of water or near the beach. One of those tiny recreational boats was carrying four children. The other was packed with 10 adults. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that 2,262 migrants died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2018. Related Video: Pope Tells EU to Stop Bickering Over Migrant Ships The European Union's border agency says that 57,000 migrants reached Spain last year, double the figure for 2017. That is partially due to the fact that Italy, Malta and other EU nations have been refusing to let aid boats full of rescued migrants dock at their ports. Overall, however, unauthorized border crossings into Europe hit a five-year low in 2018. New York (AFP) - A display of sculptures is being pulled from the World Trade Center after critics objected to the presence of one that represents Saudi Arabia at the site of the 9/11 attacks. The two-meter polyester resin artwork depicting a giant candy wrapped in the green Saudi flag is part of an exhibit entitled "Candy Nations," representing the G20 nations. Put together in 2011, the installation has already been shown in several countries, as well as elsewhere in New York. But some observers have been critical of the Saudi flag's presence in the WTC, home to a memorial for the 3,000 Americans killed in the 9/11 strikes. Of the 19 hijackers who commandeered four jetliners and crashed into the twin towers in New York, a Pennsylvania field and the Pentagon in Virginia -- 15 were Saudi nationals. A US congressional report on the September 11 attacks laid some blame with the US ally, but those passages were never made public, according to Bob Graham, the former senator who co-chaired the commission that produced the report. "We have been in contact with the 9/11 Memorial and various stakeholders, and in full collaboration with the artist will relocate the exhibit from its current location," the Port Authority, which manages the site, said in a statement. The entire exhibit is being sent to JFK International Airport, the group added. "We believe this solution respects the unique sensitivities of the site and preserves the artistic integrity of the exhibit," it added. The move will take place this week. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on Saturday he will force a vote soon on a resolution to disapprove the Trump administration's decision to relax sanctions on three Russian companies connected to oligarch Oleg Deripaska. "I have concluded that the Treasury Department's proposal is flawed and fails to sufficiently limit Oleg Deripaska's control and influence of these companies and the Senate should move to block this misguided effort by the Trump Administration and keep these sanctions in place," Schumer said in a news release. The U.S. Treasury announced on Dec. 20 that it would lift sanctions imposed in April on the core businesses of Deripaska, including aluminum giant Rusal its parent En+ and power firm EuroSibEnergo, watering down the toughest penalties imposed since Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea. After lobbying by European governments that followed the imposition of sanctions, Washington postponed enforcement of the sanctions and started talks with Deripaska's team on removing Rusal and En+ from the blacklist if he ceded control of Rusal. The businessman, who has close ties to the Kremlin, also had ties with Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager, documents have showed. An FBI agent said in an affidavit attached to a 2017 search warrant unsealed earlier this year that he had reviewed tax returns for a company controlled by Manafort and his wife that showed a $10 million loan from a Russian lender identified as Deripaska. On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin insisted that the Trump administration would keep tight control on companies linked to Deripaska, despite the decision to ease restrictions. Mnuchin said the firms would face consequences including the reimposition of sanctions if they failed to comply with the terms. Schumer said given Deripaska's potential involvement with Manafort, and since special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Trump's ties with Russia has not yet concluded, "Its all the more reason these sanctions must remain in place." Passage of the resolution of disapproval of Treasury's decision would require the approval of both the Democratic-majority house and the Senate, led by Trump's fellow Republicans who are unlikely to break with his policy. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld and Timothy Gardner; Editing by Kim Coghill) Munich (Germany) (AFP) - Transgender woman Tessa Ganserer will make history in Germany when she takes up her seat in the Bavarian regional parliament next week, three months after winning reelection as Markus Ganserer. Giving her maiden press conference as a woman, the nation's first transgender lawmaker used the opportunity to urge Germany to make it easier for people to legally change their gender. First elected in 2013, the Greens party representative served one term using her birth name Markus, sporting a light beard and glasses with a suit. She came out a few weeks ago, announcing that she will live and work as a woman from now on, and appeared at Monday's Munich press conference in a blonde wig, make-up and dark jacket. "Gender identity is a human right," Ganserer told reporters, urging an update to the more than 30-year-old law on transgender people. "In future it should be possible for a person to apply to change their gender recorded at birth" with the authorities, she said. At present people must secure backing from two doctors to officially change gender. Ganserer is believed to be the first transgender person in Germany to hold a regional or national MP's seat, or to change their gender while in office. Her call for easier recognition of transgender people, cultural change among public servants and action against homophobia and transphobia comes after a series of abrupt changes for Germany -- long a laggard on social issues. Parliament legislated last month for a third gender on birth certificates after a Constitutional Court decision that the documents must acknowledge intersex people. And in 2017, MPs pushed through gay marriage after Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would allow members of her party to vote with their conscience. While Ganserer was reelected to her Bavarian parliament seat, in the United States Democratic Party candidate Christine Hallquist recently failed in her bid to become the first transgender woman governor in Vermont. Story continues - 'Not for fun'- "I am not doing this for fun -- I didn't choose to be a woman," Ganserer said Monday. Just a few weeks ago, she had said both Markus and Tessa remained a part of her. But from now on she hopes to live as a female politician, wife and mother of two children. While Bavaria is a strongly conservative and mostly Catholic region, the president of the regional parliament Ilse Aigner of the Christian Social Union (CSU) backed the change. "Mrs Ganserer has taken a very brave and highly personal decision," Aigner said last week. The CSU usually takes very conservative positions on social questions and opposed the federal gay marriage law. "Our male colleague is becoming a female colleague, that should not be a problem in this house," Aigner said in a public statement after speaking with Ganserer. "A person's personality is always more important than their gender." At the first plenary session of the year from January 23, the Greens party MP will be registered as a woman. - 'Getting used to it'- Among fellow MPs, "many definitely still have to get used to it," Aigner said. One member of the pro-business FDP cried, "What are you playing at here? A drag queen?" when he first saw Ganserer in a long blonde wig and make-up in the Munich chamber, daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) reported. While she has made little public comment, she told the paper that she "discovered" herself as a woman around 10 years ago when looking in the mirror wearing a dress. Since then, she has picked her way through different roles: as a man, father, husband, woman, wife, and mother. Now, her doubts are so far gone that she has told her sons, 11 and 6, that "from now on I will always be like this". "Children don't have prejudices. If you present the world to them in a friendly way, they will accept it as it is," Ganserer said. She doesn't plan to undergo any medical procedures, but to mark the definitive arrival of Tessa, Ganserer took a major step: she packed all her ties, shirts and suit jackets into bags and gave them away. Recently, in Argentina, the denunciation by actress Thelma Fardin that she was raped by the well-known Argentine actor Juan Darthes when she was 16 and he was a 45-year-old man forced him to leave the country in shame. In Sao Pablo, Brazil, where Darthes was hired to work in a restaurant, he was met by the loud complaint of a large group of Brazilian women. Worldwide, the most common kind of gender violence is domestic violence, which occurs in the home or within the family. It affects women regardless of age, education, or socioeconomic status. Although generally women are the victims, men are also abused by their wives or partners. Violence also occurs among same-sex partners. Although physical violence and sexual violence are easier to see, other forms of violence include emotional abuse, such as verbal humiliation, threats of physical aggression or abandonment, economic blackmail, and confinement at home. Many women report that psychological abuse and humiliation are even more devastating than physical violence because of the negative long-lasting effects on their self-confidence and self-esteem. In many countries violence against women, especially in the domestic setting, is seen as acceptable behavior. Even more disturbing, a large proportion of women are beaten while they are pregnant. Comparative studies reveal that pregnant women who are abused have twice the risk of miscarriage and four-times the risk of having low-birth-weight babies than non-battered pregnant women. Extent of the problem Few precise figures on violence against women exist, but existing numbers are shocking. In every country where reliable studies have been conducted, statistics show that between 10 percent and 50 percent of women report that they have been physically abused by an intimate partner during their lifetime. According to Mexico's Health Ministry, about one in three women suffer from domestic violence, and it is estimated that over 6,000 women in Mexico die every year as a result. A study of women in Mexico sponsored by the government (Encuesta Nacional sobre la Dinamica de las Relaciones en los Hogares 2006), reported that 43.2 percent of women over 15 years old have survived some form of intra-family violence over the course of their last relationship. Domestic violence is rife in many African countries as well. In Zimbabwe, according to a United Nations report, it accounts for more than six in ten murder cases in court. According to surveys, 42 percent of women in Kenya and 41 percent in Uganda reported having been beaten by their partners. Although some countries such as South Africa have passed women's rights legislation, the big testfull implementation, with teethhas not been passed. In China, according to a national survey, domestic violence occurs in one-third of the country's 270 million households. A survey by the China Law Institute in Gansu, Hunan, and Zhejiang provinces found that one-third of the surveyed families had witnessed family violence and that 85 percent of victims were women. In Japan, as in many other countries, the number of reported cases has increased in recent times. According to some advocates working to end domestic violence, this may signal that survivors may be overcoming cultural and social taboos that once forced them into silence. According to the National Police Agency, the number of consultations with the police from survivors of domestic violence in 2017 rose 3.6 percent compared to the previous year to reach a total of 72,455. In Russia, estimates put the annual domestic violence death toll at more than 14,000 women. Natalya Abubikirova, executive director of the Russian Association of Crisis Centers, in a statement to Amnesty International, drew a dramatic parallel to capture the scope of the problem, The number of women dying every year at the hands of their husbands and partners in the Russian Federation is roughly equal to the total number of Soviet soldiers killed in the 10-year war in Afghanistan. In a study conducted by the Council for Women at Moscow State University, 70 percent of the women surveyed said that they had been subjected to some form of violencephysical, psychological, sexual, or economicby their husbands. Some 90 percent of respondents said they had either witnessed scenes of physical violence between their parents when they were children or had experienced this kind of violence in their own marriages. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Research carried out in several Arab countries, indicates that at least one out of three women is beaten by her husband. Despite the serious consequences of domestic violence, and the increasing frequency of violence against women, not enough is done by the governments of Arab and Islamic countries to address these issues. To date, there is no comprehensive and systematic mechanism for collecting reliable data on violence against women in Arab countries, states the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). In many Islamic countries, or in countries with a substantial Muslim majority, passages from the Koran are sometimes used to justify violence against women. Yet many religious experts state that Islam rejects the abuse of women and advocates equality in the rights of women and men. In many cases, violence against womenincluding killingsare based more on cultural than religious grounds and are justified by the need to protect a family's honor. There is no single factor that accounts for violence against women, but several social and cultural factors have kept women particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. What they have in common, however, is that they are manifestations of historically unequal power relations between men and women. In Latin America, a culture of machismo often gives license for such abuses. When this kind of relationship becomes established, people become conditioned to accept violence as a legitimate means of settling conflictsboth within the family and in society at largethus creating and perpetuating a vicious cycle. Women who marry at a young age are more likely to believe that sometimes it is acceptable for a husband to beat his wife, and are more likely to experience domestic violence than women who marry at an older age, according to a UNICEF study. Lack of economic resources and the capacity to lead economically independent lives also underscore womens vulnerability to violence, and the difficulties they face in extricating themselves from a violent relationship. Consequences of violence against women Worldwide, violence is as common a cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age as cancer. It is also a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and malaria together. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) violence against women claims almost 1.6 million lives each yearabout 3 percent of deaths of all causes. Whats more, sexual violence increases women's risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS (through forced sexual relations or the difficulty in persuading men to use condoms), increases the number of unplanned pregnancies, and may lead to various gynecological problems such as chronic pelvic pain and painful intercourse. According to the WHO's World report on violence and health, between 40 percent and 70 percent of female murder victims in Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States were killed by their husbands or boyfriendsoften within the context of an ongoing abusive relationship. Studies conducted in the United States reveal that each year approximately 4 million women are physically attacked by their husbands or partners. One U.S. study concludes that violence against women is responsible for a large proportion of medical visits, and for approximately one-third of emergency room visits. Another study found that in the United States, domestic violence is the most frequent cause of injury in women treated in emergency rooms, more common than motor vehicle accidents and robberies combined. In the United States, 25 percent of female psychiatric patients who attempt suicide are survivors of domestic violence, as are 85 percent of women in substance abuse programs. Studies carried out in Pakistan, Australia, and the United States show that women survivors of domestic violence suffer more depression, anxiety, and phobias than women who have not been abused. Domestic violence can have devastating consequences on children as well. According to a UNICEF report, as many as 275 million children worldwide are currently exposed to domestic violence. One of the findings of the report is that children who witness domestic violence not only endure the stress of an atmosphere of violence at home but are more likely to experience abuse themselves. It is estimated that 40 percent of child-abuse victims also have reported domestic violence at home. In addition, children who are exposed to domestic violence are at greater risk for substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and delinquent behavior. Although doctors and health personnel can greatly help the victims, many times they are not trained to diagnose abuse accurately. And women are often reluctant or afraid to report abuse. Various cultural and socioeconomic factors, including shame and fear of retaliation, contribute to women's reluctance to report these acts. Legal and criminal systems in many countries also make the process difficult. Currently, in the U.S., the fear of deportation has kept many immigrant women, particularly from Central America, from denouncing violence at the hands of their husbands and partners. Men threaten to report women to immigration authorities should they seek legal assistance. Frequently, fear keeps women trapped in abusive relationships. It has been found that almost 80 percent of all serious gender violence injuries and deaths occur when female survivors of violence attempt to leave a relationshipor after they have left. Preventing violence against women Governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been increasingly responsive to women groups demands to deal seriously with this issue. In Bangladesh, new laws make violence against women a punishable offense. Belgium, Peru, and Yugoslavia have amended laws to more clearly define sexual harassment. The Dominican Republic, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and Belgium, among others, have passed laws that increase penalties for domestic abuse. The Kingdoms of Jordan and Morocco have made strides to protect womens rightsdenouncing so-called honor killings in the former and providing confidential victims assistance hotlines in the latter. In India and Bangladesh, a traditional system of local justice called salishe is used to address abuse on a case-by-case basis. For example, when a woman is beaten in Bangladesh, the West Bengali non-governmental organization Shramajibee Mahila Samity sends a female organizer to the village to discuss the situation with the people involved and helps find a solution, which is then formalized in writing by a local committee. In China, there has been some progress regarding this issue as well, such as placing posters on some roads and in subways stressing the problems that domestic violence represents to society. The All-China Womens Federation has been playing a significant role in bringing domestic violence into the legislative and policy-making processes. Given the difficulties in properly diagnosing abuse or reluctance report it, prevention of violence against women is a key strategy. As a World Health Organization report states, "The health sector can play a vital role in preventing violence against women, helping to identify abuse early, providing victims with the necessary treatment and referring women to appropriate and informed care. Health services must be places where women feel safe, are treated with respect, are not stigmatized, and where they can receive quality, informed support." Studies carried out in industrialized countries shows that public health preventive approaches to violence can lower the negative impact of domestic violence. Prevention acts at three levels: primary prevention stops the problem from happening; secondary prevention stops it from progressing further; and tertiary prevention teaches survivors, after the fact, how to avoid its repetition. In England, primary prevention strategies have included educating children and youth in schools and community centers about effectively managing challenging emotions such as anger and frustration which can lead to violence. Lessons also focus on promoting positive gender relations and healthy self-esteem which can mitigate violence. Many governments find it difficult to work with women at the community level, which is where NGOs come into play. This is the case in Jamaica, Malaysia, and Mozambique, among others, where these organizations have been particularly active. In Ethiopia, the Association of Womens Lawyers is actively working against sexual violence and domestic abuse. However, more work needs to be done if this pandemic is going to be controlled. Government and community leaders should spearhead an effort to create a culture of openness and support to help eliminate the stigma associated with women victims of violence. Also, stricter laws should be enacted and enforced, followed up with plans for specific national action. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has devised a set of strategies to help control this kind of violence through a technical package of programs, policies, and practices. Because it has a comprehensive approach, its use can have a definite effect in lowering the considerable burden of intimate partner violence. The involvement of men is also critical to curb the spread of violence. In this case, also, NGOs have proven to be more effective than government agencies. In Cambodia, Jamaica, and the Philippines, NGOs are working effectively with men to support womens empowerment and rights. The Womens Centre of the Jamaica Foundation counsels young male parents and trains male peer educators through its program Young Men at Risk. Domestic violence is a threat to equality and justice. Forced out of the shadows and into the light, violence against women is finally being addressed worldwide, but efforts need continued attention and mobilization in order to succeed in the long term. Cesar Chelala is a co-winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award and two national journalism awards from Argentina. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Amitai Etzioni Security, Americas U.S. coasts are a terrorist's best hope of wreaking havoc on America. The Real 'Wall' America Needs President Donald Trump is concerned about border security, which should cause him to call for building a wall, that is introduce new barriers to illegal entries, not on the southern border, but along the beaches running from Maine to Key West, and from Seattle to San Diego. U.S. land borders are protected by fences (real and virtual), and thousands of border guards. You cannot board a plane without being screened and all too often even patted down, sometimes even if you are a baby in diapers or an infirm senior citizen in a wheelchair. However, U.S. coasts are wide open. I first noted this when a relative of mine sailed with a group of friends from Isla Mujeres in Mexico and disembarked in St. Petersburg, Florida, without anyone checking her identification or the luggage she and her fellow travelers brought. I recalled that when I was sailing in the Caribbean, we docked one night next to some twelve other boats, abutting what can only be described as a floating bar. At the bar I met a number of boat owners and their guests, several from nations in which terrorists are often found. I could have readily given a ride to any one of themand whatever was in their luggageor agreed to carry a gift back to the United States. When I returned to the United States, my boat was not checked. I met a former head of the U.S. Coast Guard at a meeting at the Charleston Plaza, in Charleston, South Carolina. I asked him, If someone sails hundreds of miles away from the United States, visits another country, and returns, is he or his fellow passengers and crew ever checked? (I was referring to the many tens of thousands of people whose homes about a beach and have a private dock and a boat). No, was the short response. In effect, each year about two million leisure (and fishing) boats make such journeys, and there is just no way to check them all. He added If the boat comes from Colombia, or there is specific information that it might be carrying contraband, it surely will be stopped, most likely by the Coast Guard. I checked with a lawyer at the Naval War College, and she relayed that indeed this was a weakness in the defense of our borders. Story continues No passport is needed, no visa has to be obtained, no customs declarations need to be filled out, no luggage is examined, if one arrives in the United States as a passenger on one of these two million boats. True, the law states that operators of small pleasure vessels, arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place to include any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the territorial sea, are required to report their arrival to CBP immediately. (Sec 19 U.S.C. 1433). The law requires that the master of the vessel reports their arrival at the nearest Customs facility or another such place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. However, the law is not enforced; indeed, most people do not even know about it. True, in some parts the Coast Guard is attempting to control the flow of boats, especially in areas in which illegal immigration is rampant, such as the waters next to San Diego and, in the past, in parts of Florida. However, if one is truly concerned with security, hence especially with the inflow of terrorists, one cannot but note that setting such a high priority further tightening security on the land lanes and air travel ignores how poorly our coasts are protected. Amitai Etzioni is a professor of international affairs at The George Washington University. His book, In Defense of Patriotism, will be published by University of Virginia Press this summer. Image: Reuters. Read full article Jerusalem (AFP) - A Palestinian wounded by Israeli fire during Gaza border protests and clashes three weeks ago has died from his wounds, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said Sunday. Anwar Quday, 33, was wounded in the neck east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, said ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra. At least 242 Palestinians have been killed since protests and clashes with Israeli forces erupted along the Gaza border on March 30. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period, one by a Palestinian sniper and another during a botched special forces operation inside Gaza. Protests and clashes have calmed in recent months amid an informal truce between Israel and Hamas that has seen Israel allow Qatar to provide millions in aid to blockaded Gaza. But an expected delivery of fresh funds from Doha did not arrive last week, leading to fears of another increase in unrest. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket at Israel late Saturday, Israel's army said, prompting retaliatory strikes on Hamas. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008. Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - A Palestinian teenager succumbed to his wounds on Monday three days after being shot by Israeli forces during clashes on the Gaza border, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said. In a statement, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Abdul Raouf Salha, 14, "died as a result of his injuries from (Israeli) occupation fire last Friday east of Jabalia" in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians have been taking part in often violent protests at least weekly since March along the Gaza-Israel border. The demonstrators are calling to be allowed to return to the homes their families fled or were expelled from in territory that is now inside Israel. Israel accuses the strip's Islamist rulers Hamas of orchestrating the protests and using them as cover for violence. The Israeli army said Friday around 13,000 Palestinians had taken part in violent "riots" in multiple sites along the border. It had not responded to a request for comment on the teenager's death on Monday. At least 243 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since protests began in March. The majority have been killed during protests and clashes, though others have died in airstrikes or shelling. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period, one by a Palestinian sniper and another during a botched special forces operation inside Gaza. By Maha El Dahan and Rania El Gamal ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Oil producer group OPEC is not the enemy of the United States, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. "We are complementing each other, we are not enemies here," Mazrouei told an industry conference in Abu Dhabi, addressing the relationship between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the U.S., a major oil consuming country. OPEC and other leading global oil producers led by Russia agreed in December to cut their combined oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January to prevent a supply glut and boost sagging prices. The decision came despite U.S. President Donald Trump's call for the oil exporters' club to refrain from cutting production, saying it would trigger higher oil prices worldwide. Mazrouei said the average oil price in 2018 was $70 a barrel. His Omani counterpart Mohammed al-Rumhi, addressing the same event, said he expected a price of between $60 and $80 a barrel in 2019. The 1.2 million bpd cut should be enough to balance the market, Mazrouei said, expecting the correction to start this month and to be achieved in the first half of the year. "We are assuming no changes in the cut that we have," he said. Mazrouei also said he did not expect OPEC members Venezuela, Libya or Iran, who effectively have exemptions from the cuts, to increase their oil output in 2019, rather it was more likely their production would decline. Both Mazrouei and Rumhi said there was no need for OPEC and its allies to meet before April when they are set to decide their output policy for the rest of 2019. "Things are working well," said Rumhi, whose country is taking part in the supply reduction agreement but is not an OPEC member. (Reporting by Rania El Gamal and Maha El Dahan; Writing by Maher Chmaytelli and Lisa Barrington; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Paris (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron faced a battle Monday to convince sceptical French of his latest move to quell "yellow vest" anger as he kickstarted a two-month national debate on his policies. Struggling to end the biggest crisis of his presidency, Macron on Sunday set out over 30 questions to be debated in towns and villages across the country from January 15 to March 15. "We won't agree on everything, that's normal, that's democracy. But at least we'll show we are a people who are not afraid to talk, exchange and debate," he wrote in his "letter to the French". The missive followed a ninth consecutive Saturday of nationwide "yellow vest" rallies which saw an uptick in turnout but less violence than previous demonstrations. Macron hopes that returning to more participative democracy -- a key feature of his 2017 grassroots election campaign -- will satisfy protester demands for a greater say in the running of the country. "I intend to transform anger into solutions," he wrote, promising "a new contract for the nation". - 'Extremely grumpy' - In the ranks of the "yellow vests" reactions were mixed, with some welcoming the prospect of dialogue but many calling it a government smoke-screen. "A debate means discussing everything. When you say we're going to debate, but not about that, that, that and that... that's called 'shut up and listen to me'," Maxime Nicolle, one of the movement's most prominent figures, said in a YouTube video. The leftwing Liberation daily said Monday the debate was an attempt by Macron "to save the three years he has left" as president, but warned that national mood is "extremely grumpy". In an Odoxa-Dentsu poll published last week, 32 percent of respondents said they would take part in the debate but 70 percent said they did not believe it would lead to significant change. Story continues The task of organising the public forums has fallen to local government minister Sebastien Lecornu and junior environment minister Emmanuelle Wargon, government sources told AFP. But it remains unclear who will host and coordinate the discussions at the local level. Three association of French mayors and local officials said in a statement Monday that they could act as "facilitators" but not organisers. "People always turn to mayors when there are problems but we can't be held responsible," Michel Vergnier, mayor of the central French town of Gueret, told AFP. Macron will get the ball rolling Tuesday by attending a debate at Bourgtheroulde, in Normandy, northwest of Paris. - Taxes, environment - The questions to be debated include: "Which taxes do you think should be lowered first?", "Should some public services that are out of date or too expensive be eliminated?" and "Should we use more referendums?" While Macron assured there were "no forbidden questions", he has ruled out discussions on bringing back the death penalty, banning abortion or ending the right to seek asylum. He also said he would not revisit steps taken "to encourage investment and make work pay more" -- seen as a slapdown of the "yellow vest" demand to reinstate the fortune tax on high earners he partly repealed last year. The hard-left France Unbowed party, which has been vocal in support of the "yellow vests", accused 41-year-old Macron of pre-determining the outcome of the talks. "The people may debate, but Jupiter decides," tweeted France Unbowed MP Eric Coquerel, referring to Macron mockingly by his nickname, the king of the gods in Roman times. - Less violence - The debate is the third prong of Macron's strategy for ending the "yellow vest" protests, which erupted in November over high fuel taxes before morphing into a widely supported revolt over inequality. Macron has already opened the state's purse strings, scrapping fuel tax hikes as part of a 10-billion-euro ($11.5-billion) package of wage increases and tax relief for low earners. At the same time, the government has vowed to crack down on troublemakers within the "yellow vest" movement following repeat scenes of rioting and arson. But the revolt has shown no signs of dying down. An estimated 84,000 people took part in Saturday's protests, which were significantly less violent than the previous week. burs-cb/js/bp Tripoli (AFP) - Libya's internationally recognised government said Monday it will boycott an Arab economic summit in Lebanon this weekend after supporters of a Shiite movement in the country attacked its flag. "We have been forced to boycott this summit and refuse to participate in its work" because Lebanon was unable to guarantee "the appropriate climate" for it, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) said the Lebanese government had failed to prevent the attack on Libya's flag. Videos shared on social media showed men tearing and trampling on the Libyan flag before burning it in protest against the North African country's participation at the three-day summit in Beirut. The alleged supporters of the Shiite Amal movement accuse Libya of failing to clarify the disappearance of its founder, imam Moussa Sadr, during a visit to Tripoli in 1978. Tripoli accuses Beirut of having banned the entry of Libyan businessmen who were to attend meetings on the sidelines of the summit. Foreign ministry spokesman Ahmad al-Arbad said Libya had decided against taking part in the January 18-20 summit "at any level". "Libya's seats will remain empty," said Arbad. The GNA also asked Lebanon "for a quick explanation of its position". In Cairo, Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit voiced "deep concern" over the burning of the Libyan flag in Beirut. He called on Lebanon to "ensure full respect for the delegations of member states from the Arab League who must participate in the summit meetings". By Antonio Denti and Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Former leftist guerrilla Cesare Battisti, facing a life sentence in Italy for murder, landed in Rome on Monday on a special flight from Bolivia, ending almost four decades on the run. News of his arrest at the weekend in Bolivia's largest city, Santa Cruz, was greeted with joy by Italy's government and both the interior and justice ministers were on hand as the unmarked plane carrying the ex-fugitive flew into Ciampino airport. "It is a day we have been waiting for for 37 years," said far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, denouncing the 64-year-old Battisti as a "killer, a delinquent, a coward, who never asked forgiveness". Battisti was sentenced in absentia to life in prison for his involvement in four murders -- two policemen, a jeweler and a butcher -- in the late 1970s as a member of the far-left Armed Proletarians for Communism. He has admitted to being a member of the group but has denied killing anyone. Bearded and wearing a brown jacket, Battisti smiled as police escorted him from the plane and across the tarmac. He was later put on another plane and flown to Sardinia where he will serve his life term in the high security Oristano prison. Battisti escaped from an Italian jail in 1981 while awaiting trial and fled to neighboring France where he lived freely thanks to the protection of the-then French president, Francois Mitterrand, who was critical of Italy's legal system. When subsequent French governments abandoned the so-called Mitterrand Doctrine, Battisti moved to Brazil, where he gained the protection of former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and was granted refugee status in 2009. However, Brazil's new far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, who took office this month, pledged to return Battisti to Italy. In December, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge ordered his arrest, but by then he had vanished again. The former communist militant was tracked down in neighboring Bolivia, which he had entered illegally, and arrested on Saturday by an Interpol team. "With at least four murders on his conscience, (Battisti) lived very well between Paris and Rio de Janeiro for too many years, thanks also to the complicity of foreign governments," Salvini said in an interview with RAI state TV. But he thanked Bolsonaro for his support, saying Battisti's return showed that Italy had regained international prestige. Battisti, who became a successful crime novel writer during his time on the run, said last year that he feared he would be tortured and killed if he were sent back to Italy. (Reporting by Antonio Denti and Angelo Amante, writing by Steve Scherer, Editing by William Maclean and Crispian Balmer) Baghdad (AFP) - Jordanian King Abdullah II met Iraq's president and prime minister in Baghdad on Monday, in the monarch's first trip to Iraq in more than a decade. It is the latest in a string of top-level visits to Iraq in recent weeks, which kicked off with a surprise Christmas trip by US President Donald Trump. King Abdullah met separately with Iraqi President Barham Saleh, who had travelled to Jordan in November, and Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi, their press offices said. They said Jordan and Iraq were looking to strength bilateral ties but did not give additional details. Abdullah's last trip to Iraq was in 2008, when he became the first Arab leader to visit Baghdad after strongman Saddam Hussein was toppled by the US-led invasion in 2003. The two countries share a 179-kilometre (111-mile) border, and Jordan is a major importer of Iraqi crude oil. In 2013, they agreed on a 1,700-kilometre pipeline linking Iraq's oil-rich Basra province to Jordan's Aqaba port, but the Islamic State group's sweep across nearly a third of Iraq put a screeching halt to the plan. Last year, Jordan approved a framework to revive it, but did not give a timeframe for the line's construction. The two states have also discussed plans for Iraq to import around 300 megawatts of electricity from Jordan to cope with widespread power shortages. Currently, Baghdad relies heavily on its eastern neighbour Iran, importing around 1,300 megawatts of electricity and 28 million cubic metres of natural gas to feed power plants. Washington, which sees Tehran as its top foe in the region, is keen to break those ties. It reimposed tough sanctions on Iran in November but has granted Iraq a temporary waiver on energy imports, while urging it to partner with US firms instead. "Everyone is looking to Iraq as a virgin land requiring more investment by regional and international powers," said Iraqi political analyst Issam al-Faily. "Jordan has a real desire to stretch an oil pipeline from Basra to the Aqaba port because it would fulfil its fuel needs," he told AFP. Story continues - Diplomatic flurry - Iraq has witnessed a revolving door of diplomatic visits since Trump went in late December. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise stop in Baghdad on his regional tour last week, followed by Iran's oil minister then top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif. Zarif landed Sunday and met with Abdel-Mahdi on Monday, according to the premier's office. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also met Abdel-Mahdi on Monday morning and said the two countries had entered "a new stage" in their ties. The premier said he appreciated France's "support" to Iraq and hoped for greater economic cooperation. Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore's Middle East Institute, said the flurry of visits showcased Iraq's "major advantage". "From Iran to the United States, Saudi Arabia to Turkey, Syria to Qatar, Iraq can speak to everyone in a region that is otherwise deeply fractured by several strategic fissures," Haddad told AFP. But it also leaves Baghdad vulnerable to regional power struggles. "One of the most potent threats to Iraqi stability today is the danger of US-Iranian tensions escalating and playing out in, and at the expense of, Iraq," said Haddad. That could thwart Iraq's plans to rebuild after three gruelling years recapturing urban strongholds from IS. On Monday, two shepherds were found dead after being kidnapped by IS near Tikrit, around 175 kilometres north of Baghdad, according to police sources. It came a day after seven Iraqis were sentenced to death for "terrorism"-related charges. Jakarta (AFP) - The cockpit voice recorder from an Indonesian Lion Air jet that crashed in October has been recovered, officials said Monday, a discovery that could be critical to explaining why a brand new plane fell out of the sky just after take-off. The Boeing 737 MAX vanished from radar about 13 minutes after departing Jakarta, slamming into the Java Sea moments after pilots had asked to return to the capital and killing all 189 people onboard. The bright orange voice recorder was discovered early Monday about 10 metres from a flight data recorder that was located back in November, authorities said. "It's broken into two pieces so hopefully it's still useful" to investigators, Haryo Satmiko, deputy head of Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC), told AFP. More human remains were also found near the voice recorder, he added, without giving details. "This will really help the investigation... and could give some more answers on the cause" of the crash, said Jakarta-based aviation analyst Dudi Sudibyo. The doomed airliner's flight data recorder supplied information about the its speed, altitude and direction before it plunged into the sea on October 29. "But (the data recorder) does not show how the flight crew's decisions were made or discussed in those final moments," Stephen Wright, an aviation expert at Leeds University, told AFP. A preliminary crash report from Indonesia's transport safety agency suggested that the pilots of Flight 610 struggled to control the plane's anti-stall system just before the accident. The agency also found that the Lion Air jet should have been grounded over a recurrent technical problem before its fatal journey, and it criticised the budget carrier's poor safety culture. But it did not pinpoint a definitive cause of the crash and a final report is not likely to come before later this year. - Boeing lawsuits - Despite the name, black boxes are usually bright orange with reflective stripes, and all commercial planes are obliged to have them on board. Story continues They're built to survive at vast depths and in extreme heat, and are fitted with a beacon which can emit a signal for one month. Black box data helps explain nearly 90 percent of all crashes, according to aviation experts. Authorities called off the grim task of identifying victims of the crash in November, with only 125 people named after tests on human remains that filled some 200 body bags. "We're thankful and grateful that they have found the CVR, but it's not enough," said Evi Samsul Komar, whose son and nephew were on the fatal flight. "There are still many passengers unaccounted for." Despite a spotty safety record and an avalanche of complaints over shoddy service, the carrier's parent Lion Air Group -- which also operates five other airlines -- has become Southeast Asia's biggest airline group by fleet size in less than 20 years of operation. Indonesia's aviation safety record has improved since its airlines, including national carrier Garuda, were subject to years-long bans from US and European airspace for safety violations. But the country still recorded more than three dozen fatal accidents over the past 15 years. Nearly 30 relatives of the Lion Air crash victims are suing Boeing, alleging faults in the plane led to the deaths. The MAX variant of the 737 is one of the world's newest and most advanced commercial passenger jets. After investigators said the doomed aircraft had problems with its airspeed indicator and angle of attack (AoA) sensors, Boeing issued a special bulletin telling operators what to do when they face the same situation. An AoA sensor provides data about the angle at which air passes over the wings and tells pilots how much lift a plane is getting. The information can be critical in preventing an aircraft from stalling. The Lion Air 737's flight data recorder showed that pilots had repeatedly tried to correct its nose from pointing down, possibly after erroneous data from AoA sensors was fed into a system that automatically adjusts some of its movements. The preliminary crash report stopped short of making any recommendations to Boeing, but the American aviation giant has come under fire for possible glitches on the 737 MAX, which entered service in 2017. Brought to Jesus: the evangelical grip on the Trump administration The influence of evangelical Christianity is likely to become an important question as Trump finds himself dependent on them for political survival By Julian Borger January 14, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - In setting out the Trump administrations Middle East policy, one of the first things Mike Pompeo made clear to his audience in Cairo is that he had come to the region as as an evangelical Christian. In his speech at the American University in Cairo, Pompeo said that in his state department office: I keep a Bible open on my desk to remind me of God and his word, and the truth. The secretary of states primary message in Cairo was that the US was ready once more to embrace conservative Middle Eastern regimes, no matter how repressive, if they made common cause against Iran. His second message was religious. In his visit to Egypt, he came across as much as a preacher as a diplomat. He talked about Americas innate goodness and marveled at a newly built cathedral as a stunning testament to the Lords hand. The desire to erase Barack Obamas legacy, Donald Trumps instinctive embrace of autocrats, and the private interests of the Trump Organisation have all been analysed as driving forces behind the administrations foreign policy. The gravitational pull of white evangelicals has been less visible. But it could have far-reaching policy consequences. Vice President Mike Pence and Pompeo both cite evangelical theology as a powerful motivating force. Just as he did in Cairo, Pompeo called on the congregation of a Kansan megachurch three years ago to join a fight of good against evil. We will continue to fight these battles, the then congressman said at the Summit church in Wichita. It is a never-ending struggle until the rapture. Be part of it. Be in the fight. For Pompeos audience, the rapture invoked an apocalyptical Christian vision of the future, a final battle between good and evil, and the second coming of Jesus Christ, when the faithful will ascend to heaven and the rest will go to hell. For many US evangelical Christians, one of the key preconditions for such a moment is the gathering of the worlds Jews in a greater Israel between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River. It is a belief, known as premillenial dispensationalism or Christian Zionism and it has very real potential consequences for US foreign policy. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter It directly colours views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and indirectly, attitudes towards Iran, broader Middle East geopolitics and the primacy of protecting Christian minorities. In his Cairo visit, Pompeo heaped praise on Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, for building the new cathedral, but made no reference to the 60,000 political prisoners the regime is thought to be holding, or its routine use of torture. Pompeo is an evangelical Presbyterian, who says he was brought to Jesus by other cadets at the West Point military academy in the 1980s. He knows best how his faith interacts with his political beliefs and the duties he undertakes as secretary of state, said Stan van den Berg, senior pastor of Pompeos church in Wichita in an email. Suffice to say, he is a faithful man, he has integrity, he has a compassionate heart, a humble disposition and a mind for wisdom. As Donald Trump finds himself ever more dependent on them for his political survival, the influence of Pence, Pompeo and the ultra-conservative white Evangelicals who stand behind them is likely to grow. Many of them relish the second coming because for them it means eternal life in heaven, Andrew Chesnut, professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University said. There is a palpable danger that people in high position who subscribe to these beliefs will be readier to take us into a conflict that brings on Armageddon. Chesnut argues that Christian Zionism has become the majority theology among white US Evangelicals, who represent about a quarter of the adult population. In a 2015 poll, 73% of evangelical Christians said events in Israel are prophesied in the Book of Revelation. Respondents were not asked specifically whether their believed developments in Israel would actually bring forth the apocalypse. The relationship between evangelicals and the president himself is complicated. Trump himself embodies the very opposite of a pious Christian ideal. Trump is not churchgoer. He is profane, twice divorced, who has boasted of sexually assaulting women. But white evangelicals have embraced him. Eighty per cent of white evangelicals voted for him in 2016, and his popularity among them is remains in the 70s. While other white voters have flaked away in the first two years of his presidency, white evangelicals have become his last solid bastion. Some leading evangelicals see Trump as a latterday King Cyrus, the sixth-century BC Persian emperor who liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity. The comparison is made explicitly in The Trump Prophecy, a religious film screened in 1,200 cinemas around the country in October, depicting a retired firefighter who claims to have heard Gods voice, saying: Ive chosen this man, Donald Trump, for such a time as this. Lance Wallnau, a self-proclaimed prophet who features in the film, has called Trump Gods Chaos Candidate and a modern Cyrus. Cyrus is the model for a nonbeliever appointed by God as a vessel for the purposes of the faithful, said Katherine Stewart, who writes extensively about the Christian right. She added that they welcome his readiness to break democratic norms to combat perceived threats to their values and way of life. The Christian nationalist movement is characterized by feelings of persecution and, to some degree, paranoia a clear example is the idea that there is somehow a war on Christmas, Stewart said. People in those positions will often go for authoritarian leaders who will do whatever is necessary to fight for their cause. Trump was raised as a Presbyterian, but leaned increasingly towards evangelical preachers as he began contemplating a run for the presidency. Trumps choice of Pence as a running mate was a gesture of his commitment, and four of the six preachers at his inauguration were evangelicals, including White and Franklin Graham, the eldest son of the preacher Billy Graham, who defended Trump through his many sex scandals, pointing out: We are all sinners. Having lost control of the House of Representatives in November, and under ever closer scrutiny for his campaigns links to the Kremlin, Trumps instinct has been to cleave ever closer to his most loyal supporters. Almost alone among major demographic groups, white evangelicals are overwhelmingly in favour of Trumps border wall, which some preachers equate with fortifications in the Bible. Evangelical links have also helped shape US alliances in the Trump presidency. As secretary of state, Pompeo has been instrumental in forging link with other evangelical leaders in the hemisphere, including Guatemalas Jimmy Morales and the new Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro. Both have undertaken to follow the US lead in moving their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem. Trumps order to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv over the objections of his foreign policy and national security team is a striking example of evangelical clout. The move was also pushed by Las Vegas billionaire and Republican mega-donor, Sheldon Adelson, but the orchestration of the embassy opening ceremony last May, reflected the audience Trump was trying hardest to appease. The two pastors given the prime speaking slots were both ardent Christian Zionists: Robert Jeffress, a Dallas pastor on record as saying Jews, like Muslims and Mormons, are bound for hell; and John Hagee, a televangelist and founder of Christians United for Israel (Cufi), who once said that Hitler and the Holocaust were part of Gods plan to get Jews back to Israel, to pave the way for the Rapture. For many evangelicals, the move cemented Trumps status as the new Cyrus, who oversaw the Jews return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. The tightening of the evangelical grip on the administration has also been reflected in a growing hostility to the UN, often portrayed as a sinister and godless organisation. Since the US ambassador, Nikki Haley, announced her departure in October and Pompeo took more direct control, the US mission has become increasingly combative, blocking references to gender and reproductive health in UN documents. Some theologians also see an increasingly evangelical tinge to the administrations broader Middle East policies, in particular its fierce embrace of Binyamin Netanyahus government, the lack of balancing sympathy for the Palestinians and the insistent demonisation of the Iranian government. Evangelicals, Chesnut said, now see the United States locked into a holy war against the forces of evil who they see as embodied by Iran. In a speech at the end of a regional tour on Thursday, Pompeo reprised the theme, describing Iran as a cancerous influence. This zeal for a defining struggle has thus far found common cause with more secular hawks such as the national security adviser, John Bolton, and Trumps own drive to eliminate the legacy of Barack Obama, whose signature foreign policy achievement was the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, which Trump abrogated last May. In conversations with European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Theresa May, Trump has reportedly insisted he has no intention of going to war with Iran. His desire to extricate US troops from Syria marks a break with hawks, religious and secular, who want to contain Iranian influence there. But the logic of his policy of ever-increasing pressure, coupled with unstinting support for Israel and Saudi Arabia, makes confrontation with Iran ever more likely. One of the most momentous foreign policy questions of 2019 is whether Trump can veer away from the collision course he has helped set in motion perhaps conjuring up a last minute deal, as he did with North Korea or instead welcome conflict as a distraction from his domestic woes, and sell it the faithful as a crusade. This article was originally published by " The Guardian " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Athens (AFP) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras on Sunday called for an "immediate" confidence vote in parliament over the resignation of a top minister, after his coalition government collapsed in a row over a name change deal with Macedonia. The move raises the possibility of snap elections and came after Defence Minister Panos Kammenos resigned in protest over an agreement to end the 27-year Macedonia name dispute. "We will proceed immediately to the renewal of the confidence in our government by the parliament in order to proceed with the major issues for our country," Tspiras said. Parliament speaker Nikos Voutsis suggested a debate on the confidence motion could start on Tuesday, with a vote on Wednesday night. Tsipras' leftist party Syriza has 145 deputies in the 300-member Greek Parliament but could win the confidence vote with just 120 votes if enough lawmakers abstain. Kammenos, who is head of the nationalist Independent Greeks party (ANEL) which has seven MPs, said he was "sacrificing" his post over the Macedonia name issue. "I thanked the prime minister for the cooperation and I explained to him that for this national issue we cannot continue," Kammenos said, adding that his party "is pulling out of the government". Macedonian lawmakers voted on Friday to rename their country the Republic of North Macedonia but the agreement will only come into effect with backing from the Greek parliament. The proposal faces resistance in Greece, which has a northern province of the same name, over implied claims to Greek territory. For many Greeks, Macedonia is the name of a history-rich northern province that was the cradle of Alexander the Great's ancient empire. - 'Staged government divorce' - Kammenos first threatened to pull out of the government after Tsipras signed the name change deal with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in June last year. Kammenos said he and two other ANEL lawmakers would vote against the government but analysts say some ANEL MP's could be willing to back Tsipras in the confidence vote. Story continues If a motion of no-confidence had been tabled by the opposition, the voting math would have been more difficult for Tsipras as the government would have needed 151 votes to avoid an election. New Democracy on Sunday described the end of the Tsipras-Kammenos coalition as "a staged governmental divorce". The conservative party said the "charade" aimed to allow the ratification of the Macedonia name change deal and keep Tsipras in power. Centre-left To Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis said on Sunday that his party "won't give a vote of confidence to Mr. Tsipras" because "inefficiency and populism can't be rewarded". - Coalition collapse - Tsipras has already said he wants the Macedonia name change vote to take place soon. New Democracy is vehemently against the agreement but Tsipras hopes to convince opposition MPs from smaller parties to back the historic name change deal. Tsipras has said a separate vote on a protocol to enable Macedonia to join NATO would be held "not long afterwards". Greece has previously blocked Macedonia's accession to NATO and the European Union. The collapse of the Greek coalition has raised questions over how much longer Tsipras can stay in office. Parliamentary elections are scheduled in October but local media speculate that polls could be held in May, coinciding with European parliament and local elections, or even sooner. Athens (AFP) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday prepared for a confidence vote on his government this week after his nationalist ally resigned in a row over a name change deal with neighbouring Macedonia. Tsipras called for the vote in parliament following the Sunday resignation of defence minister Panos Kammenos, leader of the small nationalist ANEL party, after four years in coalition government. Kammenos' departure raises the possibility of snap elections, though government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said Monday the administration could still see its four-year term through to October. "I believe the government will win the vote and will be able to...complete its (term)," Tzanakopoulos told Alpha TV, admitting that Tsipras' move was "high-risk". Parliament speaker Nikos Voutsis has said the debate over the confidence motion will start on Tuesday, with a vote likely on Wednesday night. Also Monday, Tsipras appointed armed forces chief of staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis to the defence minister post. "The current situation requires compromise and unity," Apostolakis told journalists before a meeting with Tsipras. As well as the confidence vote on the government, parliament will also vote on whether to support the Macedonia deal, but no date has been set for that ballot. - Greek resistence - Tsipras' leftist Syriza party has 145 deputies in the 300-member Greek Parliament but could win the confidence vote with just 120 votes if enough lawmakers abstain. The Macedonia deal requires at least 151 votes. A number of independent deputies have pledged their support, enough to secure its approval. Kammenos' ANEL party is fervently opposed to the proposed deal with Macedonia to end a 27-year dispute over the country's name. Earlier Monday he kicked out two MPs who voiced support for Tsipras, reducing his parliamentary group to five. Macedonian lawmakers voted on Friday to rename their country the Republic of North Macedonia but the agreement will only come into effect with backing from the Greek parliament. Story continues The proposal faces resistance in Greece, which has a northern province of the same name just across the border, over implied claims to Greek land and cultural heritage. For most Greeks, Macedonia is the name of their history-rich northern province made famous by Alexander the Great's conquests. The European Union and NATO have hailed the deal, which will lift Greek objections to Macedonia joining both organisations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was visiting Greece on Thursday, said she was "grateful" to Tsipras for brokering the deal over strong opposition in both countries. The agreement "will benefit North Macedonia, Greece and the European Union. I strongly believe that," she said according to the official translation. European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters in Brussels earlier Monday that the bloc backed the deal, saying it had taken "political courage" to resolve one of the region's oldest conflicts. "We see it as the unique opportunity to overcome the difficulties of the past, to enhance reconciliation for the region and for Europe as a whole," she said. "We are now following the national procedures that are needed for the implementation of this agreement." Rome (AFP) - Former communist militant Cesare Battisti, wanted in Italy for four murders in the 1970s, began serving a life sentence in a Sardinian prison on Monday after an international police squad tracked him down and arrested him in Bolivia. Jailed in 1979 for belonging to an armed revolutionary group outlawed in Italy, Battisti escaped from prison two years later, and had spent nearly four decades on the run. An Italian-flagged Falcon 900 plane carrying Battisti landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Monday morning. Battisti, who was not wearing handcuffs, smiled grimly as he was escorted off the plane by a dozen policemen. "I know that I'm going to prison," an apparently resigned Battisti said, according to police. The 64-year-old was later transferred to a prison on the island of Sardinia "for security reasons", according to Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede, where he begins his life sentence with six months in solitary confinement. Oristano prison is home to more than 250 convicts, many of them living under the tough "41-bis" prison regime usually applied to Mafia members. "This is not the finish line but the starting point," Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told journalists at Ciampino, citing the presence of "dozens" of other former militants still on the run in countries from Latin America to France. Italy had repeatedly sought the extradition of Battisti, who lived in Brazil for years under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, himself now in prison for corruption. Battisti was seized without a struggle late Saturday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in an operation carried out by a joint team of Italian and Bolivian officers. - 'It's over' - Battisti was sentenced to life imprisonment for having killed two Italian policemen, taking part in the murder of a butcher and helping plan the slaying of a jeweller who died in a shootout that left his teenage son in a wheelchair. Story continues "It's over, now the victims can rest in peace," said Alberto Torregiani, the son of the slain jeweller. Battisti has admitted to being part of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a radical group that staged a string of robberies and attacks, but he has always denied responsibility for any deaths, painting himself as a political refugee. Rome is determined to punish one of the key figures from Italy's so-called Years of Lead, a decade of violent turmoil which began in the late 1960s and saw dozens of deadly attacks by hardline leftwing and rightwing groups. During his election campaign, Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro -- who took office on January 1 -- vowed that if elected he would "immediately" send Battisti back to Italy. Battisti had filed for asylum without receiving any response from authorities, Bolivia's ombudsman said in an article published in the local El Deber de Santa Cruz newspaper. The ex-communist militant had been hoping to find favour with Bolivia's left-wing President Evo Morales after saying in his asylum request he had been forced to quit Brazil due to "the ominous coincidence" that Italy and Brazil were both now run by "far-right" governments. Salvini and Bolsanaro have been basking in the success of Battisti's capture on social media. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, a member of Italy's right-wing Forza Italia, criticised the presence of "a cohort of political admirers" for Battisti's arrival. Others noted that while Salvini and Bonafede were present at Ciampino, only non-partisan President Sergio Mattarella had received the body of journalist Antonio Megalizzi, 29, who was murdered in an Islamist attack in Strasbourg in December. - Italian anger - Since his jailbreak Battisti had reinvented himself as an author, writing a string of noir novels. In 2004, he skipped bail in France, where he had taken refuge. He then went to live clandestinely in Brazil until he was arrested in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro. After years in custody, then-president Lula issued a decree -- later upheld by Brazil's Supreme Court -- in 2010 refusing Battisti's extradition to Italy, and he was freed, angering Rome. Battisti, who has a five-year-old Brazilian son, in 2017 told AFP he would face "torture" and death if he were ever to be sent back to Italy. burs-cjo/boc Beijing (AFP) - China on Monday ridiculed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim that a former Canadian embassy official detained in Beijing still held diplomatic immunity, while Trudeau doubled down on his comments. Chinese authorities arrested former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor last month, accusing them both of endangering national security. The move was widely seen as retaliation for Canada's arrest -- on a US extradition request -- of a top Chinese executive from telecom giant Huawei. Trudeau on Friday accused China of "arbitrarily and unfairly" detaining the two men and of ignoring Kovrig's "diplomatic immunity" -- earning a scornful rebuke from Beijing. "The accusations that the Chinese side arbitrarily detains Canadian citizens are unfounded," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing. "The relevant people on the Canadian side should seriously learn and study the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations... Don't make specious statements that make a fool of oneself," Hua added. Persons carrying a diplomatic passport are protected by limited immunity when they are abroad under the terms of the Vienna Convention. Kovrig was arrested on December 10, after taking leave from his diplomatic posting to work for the International Crisis Group think tank. Trudeau's original statement suggested Kovrig carried a diplomatic passport while on his sabbatical -- which is possible if authorised by Canada's foreign ministry -- but Hua said he was in China on an ordinary travel document with a business visa. "No matter which angle you look at it from, Michael Kovrig does not have diplomatic immunity," she said. "Kovrig is not currently a diplomat." - Diplomatic immunity - On Monday, Trudeau repeated the claim, saying Beijing had chosen "to not respect longstanding practices and principles in regard to diplomatic immunity." Story continues "This is something that everyone should be alert to and certainly something we as a government take very seriously and will continue to engage strongly with China on," he said. A senior Canadian official told AFP that Kovrig maintained his government employment and diplomatic status, despite being on leave to work for the International Crisis Group, and that questions posed to him by Chinese interrogators about his work as a diplomat bolster Canada's position. Ottawa has called for the Canadians' immediate release, with the backing of the US, EU and several western nations. Trudeau has also called for China to respect the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Canada should "first take real action to prove that its own judicial system is independent," Hua said. Huawei was hit by a second high-profile arrest last week when authorities in Poland detained a Chinese employee of the company over espionage allegations. A Chinese state-run daily, the Global Times, said in an editorial on Monday that Poland "must pay" for the arrest of Wang Weijing, who according to Polish special services is suspected of having worked for Chinese authorities "to the detriment of Poland". "Beijing should resolutely negotiate with Warsaw and conduct relative counter-measures, helping the world understand that Poland is an accomplice of the US," the nationalist tabloid said. But when asked whether China could take measures against Polish citizens, Hua said: "We value our relationship with Poland. We believe that maintaining the healthy and stable development of China-Poland relations is in the common interest of the two countries." The Chinese embassy has requested consular access to Wang, who was fired by Huawei following his arrest, and a clarification on the reasons behind his arrest, Hua said. ehl-rwm-lth-amc/jm Tehran (AFP) - A military cargo plane crashed near the Iranian capital Tehran, the army said on Monday, with local media reporting at least 10 people onboard. The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived. State broadcaster IRIB earlier said there were 10 people on the plane, without confirming any casualties. "A (Boeing) cargo 707 place carrying meat took off from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and had an emergency landing at Fath airport this morning," the army said in a statement on its website. Fath airport is in Alborz province, just northwest of Tehran. "It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway," the army statement said. State broadcaster IRIB showed footage of burning wreckage, while several agencies showed teams of rescue workers around the charred fusilage. "Details of the accident and martrydom or injury of the flight team is still being investigated," the army said. A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges on Monday after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient, deepening a diplomatic rift as Canadian premier Justin Trudeau accused Beijing of "arbitrarily" using capital punishment. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, nodded as the judge in the northeast city of Dalian asked him whether he understood the verdict, following a day-long retrial in which he declared his innocence, saying, "I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist". The sentence comes against the backdrop of Beijing's anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive from telecom giant Huawei last month on a US extradition request related to Iran sanctions violations. Chinese authorities later detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen as retaliation over the Huawei executive's arrest. Schellenberg had originally been sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 150,000-yuan ($22,000) forfeiture in November. But following an appeal, a high court in Liaoning ruled in December that the sentence was too lenient given the severity of his crimes. After Monday's sentence was announced, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed "extreme concern" that China had "chosen to arbitrarily" apply the death penalty in Schellenberg's case. The Dalian court said Schellenberg, who was detained in December 2014, played a "key part" in an international drug trafficking syndicate. "The court completely rejects the accused person's explanation and defence because it is completely at odds with the facts," the chief judge said in a courtroom packed with observers -- among them Canadian embassy officials and three foreign reporters, including one from AFP. "This syndicate... does not just spread drugs in one country, the problem has spread across borders... it is a harm to human health and also to the stability of countries," the court said. Story continues - China denies political link - China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past, including a Japanese national in 2014, a Filipina in 2013 and a Briton in 2009. Experts said retrials are rare in China, especially ones calling for a harsher sentence, but rights groups noted that courts are not independent and can be influenced by the Communist Party. "Many factors in this case raise serious questions of concern: particularly, that the retrial was rushed through so quickly and that state-run media drew such deliberate attention to the case," William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International, told AFP. "Most likely, China wants to send a tough message to Canada," Nee added. Schellenberg can appeal against the sentence in an upper court. "China has the ability to grant clemency, and this will be used as another pressure tactic against Canada," Hugh Stephens, distinguished fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, told AFP. Beijing has repeatedly denied any links to Canada's arrest of the Huawei executive. The Chinese foreign ministry said Friday critics should "stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so". Last week, Trudeau accused China of "arbitrarily and unfairly" detaining former diplomat Michael Kovrig and business consultant Michael Spavor, who were rounded up nine days after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Trudeau suggested that Kovrig still enjoyed diplomatic immunity, an assertion rejected by the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday. - No coins in court - The Dalian court was filled with about 70 observers, who were patted down and made to empty pockets -- receipts and stray coins were to be left at the security check. Brought into court in handcuffs, a bespectacled Schellenberg, whose hair had been cut short, was dressed in a white sweater and black trousers. In an opening statement, Schellenberg said he had come to China after travelling through Southeast Asia, including Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He said a friend recommended a man named Xu Qing as a translator and he was swept up in what has turned out to be an international drug trafficking syndicate. "This is a case about a man named King (Xu Qing), he is an international drug smuggler and a liar," Schellenberg told the court, accusing Xu of setting him up. Schellenberg claimed the drug deal was masterminded by Khamla Wong, a Canadian who was arrested in Thailand in 2016 on drug charges. But Chinese prosecutors said Schellenberg was the principal suspect in a case involving an international syndicate that planned to send some 222 kilogrammes (490 pounds) of methamphetamine to Australia. Prosecutors brought in Xu as a witness, who in almost two hours of testimony never once turned to look at Schellenberg. When pressed on details, he frequently said he could not remember and had to refer to a written statement, including when Schellenberg questioned him about 180,000 yuan he was purportedly given. Two other Chinese men have been involved in this case -- one was sentenced to life imprisonment, another handed a suspended death sentence. Dalian (China) (AFP) - A Canadian man accused of drug smuggling in China faced a new trial Monday after an upper court called for a harsher sentence in a case that could further strain ties between Beijing and Ottawa. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 150,000 yuan ($22,000) forfeiture, could now potentially face the death penalty under China's zero-tolerance drug laws. His retrial in the northeast city of Dalian comes against the backdrop of the Chinese government's anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive of telecom giant Huawei last month. Chinese authorities have since detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security. Schellenberg, who was reportedly detained in northeast Liaoning province in 2014, is accused of playing an important role in drug smuggling and of potentially being involved in international organised drug trafficking activities. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November. His appeal backfired as a high court in Liaoning ruled in December that the sentence was too lenient given the severity of his crimes. - 'Simple threat' - There has been little public information from the courts about Schellenberg's case, rights groups say, making it difficult to keep track of it. "It's clear that Chinese courts are not independent, and by systematic design, courts can be influenced by Communist Party officials," William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International, told AFP. Court retrials are rare, said Donald Clarke, a professor at George Washington University specialising in Chinese law, and even rarer are retrials calling for a harsher sentence. "It is obvious... that Schellenberg's fate will have little to do with his actual guilt or innocence," Clarke added. "If the Chinese government has an innocent explanation for all the unusual features of this case, I hope it will provide it," he added, "otherwise, I don't know how to understand this case other than as a simple threat." Story continues The Canadian foreign ministry has said it is following the case "very closely" and has provided Schellenberg consular assistance since his arrest. Beijing has taken the unusual step of inviting selected foreign media to observe the retrial. Beijing and Ottawa have been locked in a diplomatic tussle since the December 1 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the request of the United States, where she is accused of fraud related to Iranian sanctions violations. In what is believed to be a retaliation to Meng's arrest, Chinese authorities detained former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who currently works for a foreign think tank, and businessman Michael Spavor days later. - Foreigners executed - Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure behind Schellenberg's case. "You can ask these (critics) which laws the relevant Chinese judicial organs and departments have violated by (ordering a retrial)," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing on Friday. "If no laws have been broken, I hope that these people can stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so." China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes. In 2014, a Japanese national sentenced in Dalian was put to death for drug offences, according to Tokyo diplomats and media reports. A Filipina drug trafficker was executed in 2013, according to the Philippine foreign department, ignoring Manila's request to spare her life. "Amnesty International is very concerned that Robert Schellenberg may be sentenced to death, particularly as drug-related offences do not meet the threshold of the 'most serious crimes', to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law," Nee said. The threat for flooding and mudslides is expected to ramp up across California as the train of storms with heavy rain, mountain snow and gusty winds persists this week. There will be no day through at least Thursday when a significant part of California is not being affected by a storm rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. Each storm will bring an increasing risk of flooding and mudslides as snow further buries the mountains, making travel increasingly difficult. Major winter storm approaches California AP Photo/Garret Fischer First, at vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui voluptatum. 1/12 (KGET-TV via AP) In this photo provided by KGET-TV, a line of big rigs are stalled on Interstate 5 where it has been closed due to snow at Tejon Pass, an area known as the Grapevine, at Gorman in the Tehachapi Mountains of Southern California Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (Twitter/vnesscp) Interstate 5 at Grapevine in California. (Twitter/Deemo55) Stuck on Interstate 5 at Grapevine in California. (Twitter/vnesscp) Interstate 5 at Grapevine in California. (CalTrans via AP) This photo provided by the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) shows a skiploader clearing a river of mud that has flowed onto Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif., Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (Twitter/CaltransDist7) All lanes were close in both directions on Interstate 5 in the Gorman and Lebec area due to heavy snow, accidents and vehicles stopped. (CalTrans via AP) This photo provided by the California Department of Transportation shows traffic stopped on Interstate 5 where it has been closed due to snow at Tejon Pass, an area known as the Grapevine, at Gorman in the Tehachapi Mountains of Southern California, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (Twitter/Deemo55) Stuck on Interstate 5 at Grapevine in California. Burn scar areas will be most susceptible to devastating debris flows, and residents living in these areas should heed all evacuation orders by officials. Flooding and mudslides may not be limited to these communities. Story continues The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office has issued an evacuation order for residents below the Thomas Fire and Sherpa and Whittier Fire burn areas. Rainfall totals of all the storms from the weekend through this week can range from 4-8 inches along the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada and the northern Coast Ranges, as well as the south- and southwest-facing slopes of the mountains surrounding Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. CA storms Jan 13 In the hardest-hit areas, there can be an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 15 inches. "San Diego will likely receive between 1 and 3 inches of rain this week," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson. "The city averages 1.98 inches for the entire month of January." "In the mountains, there can be at least a couple yards of snow in the high country of the central and southern Sierra counting the storms during the seven-day-period ending late Thursday," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. Southern California will bear the brunt of the latest storm in the series into Monday night. Downpours and corresponding travel delays are expected from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles and San Diego. California Department of Transportation warned motorists that the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) may be shut down at anytime due to the risk of flooding and mudslides around the Woolsey Fire burn area in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued near the burn scar areas of the Holy Fire in Riverside County early Monday. Even in the absence of flooding and mudslides, commuters should prepare for slow travel, reduced visibility and a heightened risk of hydroplaning on interstates 5, 10, 15 and other area highways. Static Cali Monday Night Snow in the mountains north of Los Angeles can total up to a foot above 5,000 feet with this storm. While that will be a boon for the ski resorts, increasingly gusty winds can make mountain travel extremely difficult to impossible. Snow caused travel disruptions along the Grapevine corridor of I-5 near Tejon Pass, causing the highway to be closed in both directions for a time on Monday. The storm is expected to be a mostly rain event for the Grapevine corridor of I-5, but a burst of snow coating the summit of Tejon Pass cannot be ruled out. Motorists driving through the Grapevine may also face strong southeasterly winds, which began on Sunday night. grapevine As this storm pivots inland, it is forecast to spread a period of locally heavy rain to the desert areas from Palm Springs and Needles, California, to Las Vegas and to Kingman, Arizona, into Monday night. Some rain can reach Phoenix on Tuesday as snow returns to Flagstaff. On the heels of this storm, another storm with more rain and mountain snow can push into California from Tuesday into Tuesday night. If this next storm develops to its full potential, there can be heavy rain along the slopes of the mountains around Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Most of the state may be affected by the third storm of this week set to slam onshore from Wednesday to Thursday. New Cali Storm static "That Wednesday to Thursday storm has the potential to drop several inches of rain in the foothills east of the Sacramento Valley," Thompson said. "That includes the area devastated by the Camp Fire, which will enhance the risk for flooding and mudslides." It is during this storm when the most difficult travel conditions are anticipated along I-80's Donner Summit due to heavy and wind-driven snow. Motorists should anticipate potential restrictions and closures. The storm onslaught on California is anticipated to wane next weekend with a turn toward drier weather for the final week of January. Download the free AccuWeather app for more precise details of how each storm targeting California will affect your community. January 14, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The U.S. House of Representatives voted 411-1 for a bill that would force President Trump to nominate an anti-Semitism envoy, a position that has been vacant since he took office. The definition of anti-Semitism the position uses includes certain criticisms of Israel. The bipartisan bill upgrades the current position of Anti-Semitism Envoy to an ambassador rank, which requires the job to be filled within 90 days. The law states that the Special Envoy shall serve as the primary advisor to, and coordinate efforts across, the U.S. government relating to monitoring and combating anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement in foreign countries. The bill, H.R.221- Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act, was sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith [R-NJ-4] and has 87 co-sponsors. Smiths largest campaign donor was NorPAC, a pro-Israel political action committee. To become law the bill must next be passed by the Senate and then be signed by the president. If Trump vetoes it, Congress can override this through a two-thirds vote. The position of anti-Semitism envoy was created in 2004 over the objections of the State Department, which said it wasnt needed. It was urged by Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Natan Sharansky, who had formulated a new definition of anti-Semitism that includes criticism of Israel. Previous envoys before or after serving in the position worked for the Israel lobbying organization AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The second envoy, Hannah Rosenthal, adopted the Sharansky definition of anti-Semitism for use by the State Department. This is part of an international campaign to insert the new Israel-centric definition in governments and other bodies around the world. The Times of Israel reports that the impetus for the current bill was Trumps failure to pick someone for that opening over the last two years, despite frequent calls from Jewish groups. The lawmaker who voted against the bill was Republican Justin Amash from Michigan, a civil libertarian who is Chairman of the House Liberty Caucus. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), one of whose missions is to advocate for Israel, has been heavily promoting the legislation, which was first introduced last year. The ADL, which includes certain criticisms of Israel as anti-Semitic, has issued reports that there has been a rise in anti-Semitism. Some have disputed the ADL numbers since the ADL does not make public the incident reports on which it bases its claims, since some include actions or statements regarding Israel rather than bigotry, and since the widely publicized bomb threats against Jewish institutions turned out to be the work of a Jewish Israeli. Similarly, some reportedly anti-Semitic cemetery damage turned out to have been caused by neglect. The new Congress has been quick to take up legislation promoted by the Israel lobby. The first Senate bill of 2019 is a composite bill that would give Israel billions of dollars and combat the campaign to boycott Israel over its human rights violations among its measures. The anti-Semitism envoy legislation had been passed in the House in 2018 but did not come to a vote in the Senate. The Senate bill was introduced by Republican Marco Rubio (FL) with eight co-sponsors, seven of them Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren (MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Ron Wyden (OR). The Times of Israel reports that ADL head Jonathan Greenblatt called on the Senate to take up this bill in a timely manner. It is unclear when the bill will be re-introduced in the Senate. The current Israel bill S.1 has been blocked by Democrats over their battle with Trump and the government shutdown. The effort to bring that bill to a vote will resume on Monday. The House anti-semitism envoy bill was expedited and voted on with little advance notice under a suspension of the rules procedure. The Senate could take a similar course of action. Additional legislation regarding anti-Semitism may also be re-introduced at some point. The Senate passed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act unanimously in 2016, and it was reintroduced in both the Senate and the House last year. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports: The Act pushed by AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federations of America instructs the Department of Educations Civil Rights office to follow the definition of anti-Semitism set forth by the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism of the Department of State in the Fact Sheet issued on June 8, 2010. The bill has been held up over objections that it interferes with academic freedom and Americans constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech. Alison Weir is executive director of If Americans Knew, president of the Council for the National Interest, and author of Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Tariq Ali - The Mythology Of Modern Israel Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Yahoo News Video As he was leaving his press conference after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Biden had a tense exchange with CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins, who asked why Biden was confident that Putin would change his behavior. Biden turned around to address Collins with a raised finger. Responding to her follow-up question about whether or not the summit was constructive, Biden said, "If you don't understand that, you're in the wrong business." He later told reporters that he owed an apology to Collins and he "shouldnt have been such a wise guy with the last answer I gave." Yerevan (AFP) - Armenia's president appointed former protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister on Monday as the Caucasus country's parliament met for the first time since an election last month. Pashinyan won a landslide victory in the snap December parliamentary elections, cementing his authority after he swept to power in a peaceful revolution last year. Speaking in the National Assembly, President Armen Sarkisian said the election had "endowed this parliament with a high legitimacy". Only parties who backed Pashinyan's "velvet revolution" made it to parliament as a result of the vote which international monitors hailed as democratic. Pashinyan's Civil Contract party won 70.43 percent of the vote. "The main political change expected in Armenia has already happened: power has been returned to the people and democracy has been established," Pashinyan said in a meeting with the president according to the prime minister's press service. "Now there is another task: to strengthen this democracy with institutional guarantees." The 43-year-old former journalist has pledged to root out endemic corruption and address widespread poverty in the impoverished, landlocked ex-Soviet republic of three million people. Pashinyan first became prime minister in May after spearheading weeks of peaceful anti-government rallies that ousted veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian. But he resigned in October after efforts at reform stalled in the face of opposition from Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party. The move triggered a snap election which Pashinyan said would "bring the velvet revolution to its logical end". The Republican Party failed to clear the five percent threshold needed to make it into parliament. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Pashinyan a congratulatory note, the Kremlin said. "I hope our dialogue and constructive joint work will further strengthen Russian-Armenian united cooperation," a statement quoted Putin as saying. Story continues "This is undoubtedly in the interest of our brotherly nations." While seeking reforms at home, Pashinyan has also pursued a balanced foreign policy during his first five months in office. He has reassured Putin that Armenia would remain Moscow's loyal ally but at the same time sought to charm Western leaders. During an international summit in the capital Yerevan in October he danced traditional Armenian dances with French President Emmanuel Macron and wore matching socks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. By Todd Melby BARRON, Wis. (Reuters) - The Wisconsin man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl after murdering her parents then holding her hostage for months, sometimes under his bed, told police he picked his victim after seeing her get on a school bus, prosecutors said on Monday. Authorities said Jake Patterson, 21, had confessed to killing Jayme Closs' father with a shotgun while the teen and her mother hid in a bathtub, then killing the mother after forcing her to help duct-tape her daughter's mouth shut. The October discovery of the parents' bodies in the family home in rural Barron, Wisconsin, with the door blasted open and their daughter gone, sparked a search by hundreds of police officers and thousands of volunteers. That ended Thursday when Closs escaped after 88 days and sought help from a woman walking her dog. At a brief hearing in Barron County Circuit Court on Monday, Patterson appeared via live video from jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit and glasses. He had a copy of the criminal complaint in front of him and calmly offered brief yes-or-no answers to questions from the judge. Patterson will be held on $5 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 6. He faces first-degree murder charges for the killings of James and Denise Closs, as well as kidnapping and burglary counts. Authorities have not yet explained why Patterson felt so drawn to Closs that he committed a double murder to capture her. Asked whether Closs was the victim of sexual abuse, Barron County District Attorney Brian Wright declined to comment. Prosecutors said additional charges stemming from Douglas County, where Patterson's house is located, remained possible. "We're so grateful for Jayme and her safe return, and now it's time for us to obtain justice for her," Wright said. Defense lawyers did not address reporters after the hearing. WEEKS OF PREPARATION Patterson told police that he spotted the teen outside her home while he was driving to a short-lived job at a local cheese factory. She was getting on the school bus, and "he knew that was the girl he was going to take," according to court documents. He prepared for the abduction by buying a ski mask, shaving his head so as not to leave any hair evidence and replacing his license plates with stolen ones. Twice he drove to the house but was scared off after seeing lights on and people there, prosecutors said. Jayme Closs told police she was awakened on Oct. 15 when the family dog began barking and got her parents up as a car entered their driveway. Dressed in black, Patterson shot James Closs through the front door while Jayme and her mother, Denise Closs, barricaded themselves in a bathroom, authorities said. After kicking down the door, Patterson ordered Denise Closs to tape up her daughter, then shot her dead and dragged Jayme into the trunk of his car, he told police. On the way to his cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin, about 66 miles (106 km) north of Barron, Patterson drove past several police cars responding to reports of the shooting, according to the criminal complaint. During her months in captivity, Patterson often trapped Closs under his bed for hours when he left the house or had visitors, using plastic boxes and barbells to make it harder for her to get out, he told police. He threatened violence if she tried to escape. Closs managed to push her way out on Thursday after Patterson said he would be away for a few hours, she told police. She put on a pair of his shoes and walked outside, where she encountered the woman walking her dog. The two then approached a neighbor's house to call police. While they waited for officers to arrive, the neighbor, Peter Kasinskas, retrieved his gun and stood watch at the door in case her captor was searching for her, according to the Duluth News Tribune. Soon after, police stopped Patterson, who told investigators he had been driving around looking for Closs. (Reporting by Todd Melby in Barron, Wisconsin, writing by Joseph Ax in New York; editing by Lisa Shumaker, James Dalgleish and Cynthia Osterman) I ask the Democrats to come back to Washington and to vote for money for the wall, the barrier, whatever you want to call it, its okay with me, President Trump said Friday. They can name it whatever. They can name it Peaches. I dont care what they name it. But we need money for that barrier. As of today, the government shutdown is in its 23rd day, and Peaches is far from a fait accompli. On Tuesday, the president commandeered network airtime, and a lot of people thought he was going to make good on his threat to declare a national emergency. But noat least not yet. Instead, he fell back on a regurgitated roster of easily debunked fabrications. If he seemed lackluster, maybe it was because he didnt want to broadcast this bit of reality TV in the first place. The New York Times reports that hours before the address, he made clear in blunt terms that he was not inclined to give the speech or go to Texas, but was talked into it by advisers, namely a devilish chorus consisting of Bill Shine, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Kellyanne Conway. The morning after this stirring oration he tweeted, Thank you for soooo many nice comments regarding my Oval Office speech. A very interesting experience! But there were not soooo many nice comments on Thursday when, in a head-spinning reversal that stunned even the most credulous Trump devotees, the president denied that Mexico was going to be paying for Peaches, a claim he has made hundreds of times over the last two years. Obviously, I never said this, and I never meant theyre going to write out a check, he told reporters at the White House. That same day, when a reporter asked Trump if the buck stops with you over this shutdown, the commander in chief, ever a profile in courage, responded, The buck stops with everybody. In other news: On Tuesday, the doofuses on former campaign chairman Paul Manaforts legal team, apparently ignorant of the pitfalls of pdf cutting and pasting, accidentally revealed info describing Manaforts contacts with a suspected Russian spy. On Monday, Huckabee Sanderss insistence that U.S. Customs and Border Protection had stopped nearly 4,000 suspected terrorists from crossing the southern border was thoroughly debunkedin truth, the CBP apprehended a mere six immigrants whose names had turned up on a federal government list of suspected terrorists in the first half of 2018. Story continues And Friday night, The New York Times dropped what may be the biggest bombshell in two years of mounting criseshas the FBI suspected that the president has been doing Russias bidding all along? In a development worthy of The Manchurian Candidate, the Times reports, In the days after President Trump fired James B. Comey as FBI director, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the presidents behavior that they began investigating whether he had been working on behalf of Russia against American interests, according to former law enforcement officials and others familiar with the investigation. But wait! What are you doing February 7? Clear your calendar! Michael Cohen, the presidents erstwhile lawyer/fixer, the guy who did the bosss dirty work for over a decade, has agreed to tell all in an open session before the House Oversight Committee on that red-letter day. What dark and dastardly doings will he divulge? In a statement released Thursday, Cohen said, I look forward to having the privilege of being afforded a platform with which to give a full and credible account of the events which have transpired. Counting the days, Mr. Cohen. Photo credit: Getty | Katie Buckleitner From Cosmopolitan Photo credit: Getty | Katie Buckleitner Before I was elected to Congress last fall to represent Californias 25th district (parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties), I had a career working for the states largest provider of services for homeless people. I made sacrifices to quit a job I loved and launch a campaign, including racking up personal debt. But like so many of the women who ran, I did it because I believed our country was in crisis. I still do. Now Im officially a congresswoman (one of the youngest ever!). But starting work during the government shutdown has been surreal. I thought Id be pressing for health care or universal background checks for gun purchases by now. These are the issues I ran on. Instead, shortly after being sworn into office, I headed back home to California to meet with my constituents at a town hall meeting. Theres an air traffic control center in my district that is responsible for all the flights going in and out of southern California, so I represent a lot of federal employees who are either working without pay or furloughed. I heard from them that they were struggling to feed their families and having to decide which bills to pay. And my phone is always buzzing with texts from friends and family asking, When is the government going to re-open? Just to clarify: Congress is open. Government shutdowns affect nearly a million federal employees, but not us, so I will get my first paycheck right on schedule, on February 1. Im anxious about this because many of us dont want to get paid until the rest of the government workers do. But because of my campaign, I havent taken a paycheck in eighteen months. Im surviving on microwave dinners. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Its frustrating that I havent been able to give my attention to the agenda I ran on. But the freshman women of Congress already have a reputation for not sitting down and shutting up. And I can assure you, none of us are waiting for permission to get involved in this fight. Im in a group chat with many of the other freshman members, and were constantly strategizing how to get the government back open. We share talking points from our town halls and messaging that has been successful in our districts. One member recently told us about how they made five stops in the middle of a snowstorm to talk to constituents about the shutdown. Story continues As for me, Id be willing to meet with Trump himself. Id even sign off on funding some border barriers in smart places, in conjunction with real immigration reform. Im willing to talk with members on the other side of the aisle. I was sent here to do a job-I dont have time for political games. I know I have to play the hand I was dealt, which happens to be Donald Trump and a government shutdown. While at times Ive felt hampered by my inability to make change, I am also optimistic well get this resolved. I know I will only get louder and louder until we do. And weve already had small victories: The House was able to pass a bill that will allow people to get their tax returns during the shutdown and another one that will protect food stamps and housing assistance. Around D.C., the mood is still quiet and grim. Some agencies are operating with skeleton crews, so parking lots sit empty. Uber drivers tell me theyve never seen it so dead. Tourists have skipped town, since the Smithsonian and all the other museums are closed. But at 9 p.m. this past Saturday night, I was on a group call with other members of the freshman class, a late-night huddle to figure out what we can do next. Thats exactly why its good to have all of these new women in government-were relentless. ('You Might Also Like',) Directed by Mike Figgis, and starring Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas (Photo courtesy of Northfoto) is on the screen in Bem cinema with English audio and Hungarian subtitles on January 23 at 8:30 p.m., according to artmozi.hu. Ben Sanderson, a Hollywood screenwriter who has lost everything because of his alcoholism, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and forms an uneasy friendship and non-interference pact with prostitute Sera. Originally released in 1995, the film represents the peak of Cages career, as he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Drama as well as the Oscar for Best Actor. Tickets to the move cost HUF 1,200 and are available at the website of tickettailor.com. Venue: Bem Cinema 1027 Budapest, Margit krt. 5. A Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and works of the poet Robert Burns, and these suppers are normally held on or around the poets birthday, 25 January. While extremely common in Scotland, Burns Suppers are also held throughout the world by groups of Scots, giving anyone the chance to celebrate Scotlands favourite bard. Join for one of the years most popular and longest-running charity events, enjoying a touch of Scottish culture in the heart of Central Europe. Traditional Scottish cuisine, pipers and drummers flown in from Scotland, an amazing whisky bar, and your chance to try Scottish ceilidh dancing in this incredible five-star setting, not to mention the Qatar Airways Auction and Raffle. Buy your tickets here. Date and time: 26 January, 6:30 pm Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest 1073 Budapest, Erzsebet krt. 43-49. Source: rbif.hu Photo: Russell Skidmore Hungarys economy is expected to expand by 3.4% this year after the 4.3% growth likely in 2018, according to the regional report by credit-rating agency Moodys. The countries in the region started the year with stable credit standing but they should be prepared for the deterioration of external conditions, according to the report. The expected slowdown of eurozone growth to 1.9% from 2.1% in 2018 and risks of a trade war between the US and China could hurt these countries. The Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary also depend on Europes largest economy as their exports to Germany account for 30%, 28% and 27.9% of the total, respectively. Weeklies and the weekend editions of dailies try to asses the chances of a broad anti-government coalition emerging, and whether it might prove a challenge to Fidesz. In Magyar Hirlap, historian Karoly Szerencses likens the oppositions strategy to that of the Communists in 1919 and 1946. The pro-government columnist accuses the opposition parties of trying to mobilize the mob to get back into power. Szerencses, however, is confident that they will fail as Hungary is now a strong democracy. Szerencses calls on the pro-government camp to express their insistence on freedom, law and justice by remaining calm and letting the opposition shout to their hearts content. In Magyar Idok, Zsolt Jeszenszky also fears that unless taken seriously, the opposition may turn violent, as the Communists did in 1919. The pro-government commentator thinks that the Hungarian public is unlikely to sympathize with the current leaders of the opposition who he claims want first to provoke violence, then pose as martyrs. Once they realize that Hungarians need strong heroes rather than pitiful victims, the opposition will be taken over by violence-prone individuals trained by the Open Society Foundations and other globalist organizations, Jeszenszky speculates. Magyar Demokrata editor-in-chief Andras Bencsik cautions the government side against self-complacency. The pro-government pundit remarks that even the colossal Titanic could be sunk by an unforeseen iceberg. Bencsik does not rule out the possibility that the opposition parties may create a unified platform that could challenge Fidesz if not at the spring European Parliamentary election, then at the fall municipal elections. Bencsik speculates that the capture of Budapest by the opposition could further boost support for a united opposition. Gabor Torok in an interview with 24.hu thinks that a single list of opposition candidates at the European Parliament election could be a turning point in Hungarian politics. The centrist analyst contends that voters dissatisfied with the Orban government clearly expect the opposition parties to cooperate, and if they fail to do so, they may lose what remains of their battered popularity. If they join forces and unite against the government, Fidesz will no longer be able to claim it is the central force on the Hungarian political stage (with two irreconcilable camps on its right and left), Torok notes. On Alfahir, Gabor Balogh argues against the joint opposition platform. The right-wing blogger suggests that the joint party list of the opposition parties would probably only very slightly strengthen their chances as the EP election is more proportional than Hungarian legislative and municipal elections. Balogh believes that the silent majority has indeed had enough of Fidesz, but at the same time, they absolutely do not want any of the pre-2010 left-wing parties back in power, least of all former PM Gyurcsany whom we can thank not only for Orbans rule but also for the victory of political psychopathy. In Heti Vilaggazdasag, Sandor Revesz is also sharply opposed to catch-all opposition cooperation. The veteran liberal pundit thinks that Fidesz and Jobbik are equally enemies of those who want to live in a Hungary which belongs to Western civilization. Revesz suggests that Jobbik is an even a bigger threat to Western values than Fidesz, as the governing party is willing to change its views if their interests dictate it, while Jobbik may dogmatically stick to their unacceptable views. Revesz does not buy the argument that in government Jobbik would be more democratic and less corrupt than Fidesz. In 168 Ora, Ervin Tamas, on the other hand, finds the idea of a broad anti-government platform at the EP election highly desirable. The left-wing analyst sees opposition cooperation as a pragmatic deal, an ephemeral alliance of diverse parties. In the case of the European Parliamentary election, the opposition is not expected to come up with a cohesive vision or a consistent plan to govern, Tamas notes. Their deep ideological divergences would thus not frighten voters away, he thinks, adding that their victory could be a huge symbolic blow for Fidesz. Magyar Narancs in its weekly editorial also calls for the cooperation of all opposition parties. The left-wing liberal daily writes that the two-thirds majority for Fidesz in the 2018 Parliamentary election was due to the complete inability of certain stupid jerks who did not understand that only a broad opposition coalition can stop Fidesz. Magyar Narancs hopes that this time the slave law will help opposition actors to recognize their absolute need to join forces. In Elet es Irodalom, Marton Kozak goes so far as to claim that an opposition alliance including Jobbik would be of historical importance. The liberal pundit believes that the ability of the diverse opposition parties would reassure voters that the opposition consists of reasonable individuals and organizations. He adds that in a loose cooperation at the EP election, the opposition parties could retain their diverse political identities. Uniting against the government would send the clear message to voters that they stand for the West, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and peace, while Fidesz represents the East, servitude, dictatorship and unrest. Kozak thinks that if Fidesz wins again, Hungary will lose any chance of returning to Western civilization and normalcy. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story Private sector wages in Hungary could rise in the double-digits this year, well over the 8% increase in the minimum wage, the head of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in Saturdays issue of daily Magyar Idok. The labour shortage is continuing to impact wage growth, Laszlo Parragh told the paper. While the 8% minimum wage increase may be the benchmark for pay rises at SMEs, bigger companies can put more into their payroll, he added. Magyar Idok learnt from union leaders that ongoing wage talks with the management of companies suggest wages will rise over 10% this year. Employers and unions reached an eleventh-hour agreement in December on the scale of the increase for this years minimum wage for skilled and unskilled labourers. Both wages will rise by 8% in 2019 and again in 2020. If America Stopped Destroying The World, The Bad Guys Might Win By Caitlin Johnstone January 14, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters on Saturday that the government under Venezuelas recently re-inaugurated president Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate, and that the United States will work diligently to restore a real democracy to that country. Pompeos remarks, which were echoed by Trumps National Security Advisor John Bolton, are interesting for a couple of reasons. The first is because Venezuelas presidential election in May of last year (which incidentally was found to have been perfectly legitimate by the international Council of Electoral Experts of Latin America) was actively and aggressively meddled in by the US and its allies. The second is that while the US government is openly broadcasting its intention to keep interfering in Venezuelas political system, it continues to scream bloody murder about alleged Russian interference in its own democratic process two years ago. What is the difference between the behavior of the United States, which remains far and away the single worst offender in foreign election meddling on the planet, and what Russia is accused of having done in 2016? According to a comment made by former CIA Director James Woolsey last year, its that the US interferes in foreign democracies for a very good cause. And thats really the only argument that empire loyalists have going for them on this subject. The US is different because the US has moral authority. Its okay for the US to continue to interfere in the political affairs of foreign nations while it would be an unforgivable and outrageous act of war for a nation like Russia to do the exact same thing, because the US is countering the interests of the Bad Guys while Russia is countering the interests of the Good Guys. Who decided who the Good Guys and Bad Guys are in this argument? The US. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter This What we do is good because were the Good Guys faith-based doctrine was regurgitated with full-throated zealotry in a recent speech given by Pompeo in Cairo, in which he cited Americas innate goodness in making the absolutely ridiculous claim that America is a force for good in the Middle East which has been absent too much from the region previously. Americas nonstop deadly interventionism in the Middle East is good, because America is innately good. Americas constant military interventionism, election interference and other nastiness are painted as Good Things done by Good Guys to fight the Bad Guys. The argument, when you boil it right down, is that if America wasnt constantly starting wars, invading sovereign nations, staging coups, sponsoring proxy conflicts, arming terrorists, bombing civilians, torturing people, implementing starvation sanctions on impoverished populations, pointing nuclear weapons everywhere, spying on us all with a globe-spanning Orwellian surveillance network, interfering in foreign elections, and patrolling the skies with flying death robots, the Bad Guys might win. Sort of makes you wonder who the Bad Guys really are, huh? Things our foreign policies are not about: * values * freedom * terrorism * democracy * human rights Things our foreign policies are about: * profit * Wall Street * Imperialism * natural resources * global economic dominance Lee Camp [Redacted] (@LeeCamp) December 30, 2018 The theme of Good Guys fighting Bad Guys resonates with a population that has been raised for generations on Hollywood films featuring a handsome action hero emerging victorious after a ninety-minute struggle and karate kicking an ugly villain off a cliff before kissing the pretty girl, but it doesnt accurately reflect the reality we actually live in. Our world is dominated by extremely powerful people who are motivated not out of interest in good or evil but a drive toward power and profit which is completely disinterested in morality of any kind, and the empires they build for themselves have their foundations on the backs of ordinary people who are just trying to get by. The majority of those extremely powerful people either live in the United States or have formed alliances with US power structures, and all their agendas in Asia, South America, the Middle East and elsewhere have nothing to do with protecting democracy or being a force of good, and everything to do with amassing more power. Even among those who recognize that the US-centralized empire isnt a shining beacon of virtue in our world, the notion remains prevalent that if American power ceases to be a unipolar dominator then someone worse will take over the world. This fear-based mindset ultimately underlies all establishment manipulation and all educated support for it: the idea that someone needs to rule and dominate the world to prevent someone else from doing the same. But what are the fruits of this mindset? A corporatist Orwellian dystopia hurtling toward climate collapse if nuclear war doesnt kill us all first. We cant keep doing this. We literally cant; well evolve beyond this fear-based dominator paradigm or well all perish beneath its feet very soon. We are now in a position where our irrational fear of being invaded by China has pushed us to the brink of extinction, so it isnt even a gamble to step off that train and try something else instead. It is entirely possible that the US is capable of functioning like a normal nation and simply defending its own shores and sustaining itself without interfering in world affairs. It is entirely possible that the threat everyone imagines of some foreign power stepping in as the unipolar dominator should America vacate that role is the product of fearful imaginings with no bearing on reality and a fundamental misunderstanding of humanity. It is entirely possible that we are capable of creating a world where nobody dominates anybody, and no iron-fisted world leader of any kind is needed. Either way, the train were on is headed for a brick wall, so weve now got nothing to lose by stepping off. Caitlin's articles are entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking her on Facebook, following her antics on Twitter, checking out her podcast, throwing some money into her hat on Patreon or Paypal, or buying her book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. https://caitlinjohnstone.com Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy It's a brand new week around the world and that means it's time to take a look at what cheeky little games will be making its way to store shelves around the world. Looks like the year is still off to a bit of a slow start especially over in Europe and Australia which are set to only get Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown this week. Bandai Namco's latest jet simulator will take players to the skies in various different jets, going on various different missions and accomplishing various different goals. Players will be able to finally get their hands on Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown this week as it's set to be heading to store shelves around the world. In Stores - Week Commencing 14th January: Asia (via play-asia.com) Xbox One Onimusha Warlords Swords Art Online: Fatal Bullet [Complete Edition] Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Australia (via ebgames.com.au) Xbox One Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Europe (via amazon.co.uk) Xbox One Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown North America (via gamestop.com) Xbox One This Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, photo shows Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix. The revelation that a Phoenix woman in a vegetative state recently gave birth has prompted Hacienda HealthCare CEO Bill Timmons to resign, putting a spotlight on the safety of long-term care settings for patients who are severely disabled or incapacitated. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Jake Jarvis can be reached by phone at 304-935-0144, on Twitter at @NewsroomJake or by email at jjarvis@statejournal.com. Jake Jarvis can be reached by phone at 304-935-0144, on Twitter at @JakeJarvisWV or by email at jjarvis@statejournal.com. Two additional suspects arrested in connection with Bridgeport, WV, burglary where police say over $130K in items taken Index-Journal Careers PART-TIME POSITION available in our packaging area. Job responsibilities include putting inserts into the newspaper. Must have a positive attitude and be a team player. Applicants must be able to: lift up to 20-lbs; stand for long periods of time; be available to work Sunday thru Friday, late evening to early morning hours; pass drug screen. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Morgantown, WV (26505) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 47F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 47F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. 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. This content is from: Corporate Ruling avoids increased costs and moves away from English law for now, but US criticism gives hope to universalists Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the third plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 11, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday called for efforts to advance Party building, and demanded "greater strategic achievements" in full and strict governance over the Party. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the third plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC. He called for consolidating and developing a "sweeping victory" in the fight against corruption. Efforts should be made to make sure officials don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit corruption, to improve Party and state oversight systems, and to ensure the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and major decisions of the CPC Central Committee are resolutely implemented, so as to greet the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) with great achievements, Xi said. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI. Noting achievements in Party building since the 19th CPC National Congress that included the "sweeping victory" in fighting corruption, Xi said the Party is now "radiating with more vitality in the new era." He summed up some of the invaluable experience in disciplinary inspection and supervision over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up. The authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership must be firmly upheld, and the governance over the Party must precede the governance of the country and it must be strict, Xi said. The people-centered approach must be upheld, Xi continued, adding that it was also necessary for cadres to continue innovating, keep working hard, and fight against inaction and corruption. SIX TASKS Xi called for continuous efforts to advance full and strict governance over the Party as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and is key in finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects to achieve the first centenary goal. He laid out six tasks: -- The spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress needs to be further implemented. -- The Party's political work must be strengthened to ensure unity of the whole Party and strict implementation of its orders. -- Excellent conduct must be encouraged to ensure joint efforts for building a moderately prosperous society. -- Fight corruption with strong resolve to consolidate and develop the "sweeping victory." -- Improve the supervision systems and strengthen the sense of responsibility. -- Address corruption and malpractices that occur on people's doorsteps to safeguard the people's immediate interests. HEALTHY COMRADESHIP Xi urged officials to correctly uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee, and firmly resist illicit intervention and profit-seeking by central-level leaders' family members, their work staff, and people who claim to have connections with them. He stressed maintaining healthy comradeship within the Party and enforcing the system of democratic centralism. Officials should also take the lead in establishing a healthy working relationship and not use public resources as a tool of building clout or underhand connections to seek illicit gains. Those who play a key role in this regard, Xi said, are members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Central Committee. Xi also stressed building an "iron army" of disciplinary inspection and supervision officials who are loyal, clean and have strong sense of responsibility and removing the "bad apples" from them. Presiding over the meeting, Zhao called on Party organizations at all levels to unify their thinking and action with the spirit of Xi's speech. On behalf of the CCDI standing committee, Zhao delivered a work report titled "faithfully fulfil the obligations stipulated in the CPC Constitution and the Constitution of the country, and strive for high-quality development of disciplinary inspection and supervision work in the new era." FIGHT NOT END "Although China's campaign against corruption has made sweeping victory, it is not the time to lie back," said Xin Ming, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. Last year, the list of "tigers" -- referring to senior officials taken down on corruption charges -- continued to expand. Fifty-one officials at or above the provincial/ministerial level were among a total of 621,000 people punished by CCDI and the National Supervisory Commission. And increasing attention was paid to minor offenses of officials. About 1.1 million officials were interviewed and cautioned for slight violations, about 63.6 percent of the total cases disciplinary inspectors handled in 2018. Last year, 1,335 fugitives were sent back to China. Among them, 307 were former Party members and officials, mostly involved in graft cases. "The tough stance against corruption should not and will not ease," Xin, the professor, said. (Video editor: Zhang Xinyi) 2 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Demonstrations by French yellow vest protesters on Saturday, January 12, grew again, amid rising opposition among broad layers of the population to President Emmanuel Macron. Interior Ministry sources claimed 84,000 people demonstrated in the ninth straight weekend of mass protests against Macron, compared to 50,000 the week beforefigures that, as even the official press noted, seemed to be substantial underestimates. As the yellow vest protesters marched, teachers who have joined red pen groups on social media, inspired by the yellow vests, to protest cuts to school funding and living standards by successive French governments, also held rallies and marched in several cities across France. The fact that sections of workers are advancing social demands in alliance with the yellow vests, points to the growing strength of opposition and protest in France. There is also growing awareness of the mounting social struggles in Europe and America. Protests took place in cities across France. A special protest called in the smaller city of Bourges, near the center of France, went ahead, as over 6,300 yellow vests defied a ban from the police prefecture, penetrating the police security perimeter around the center of town. Riot police charged the protesters and made 18 arrests. Yellow vest protesters also peacefully escorted BFM-TV reporters away from the city in retaliation for the channels attacks on the yellow vest movement. Mass protests and clashes with police occurred in smaller cities across France. In Nimes, around 3,000 protesters clashed with riot police, who fired thick clouds of tear gas around the Roman arena and the police prefecture. Over 2,000 yellow vests mobilized in Rouen and expelled plainclothes policemen who tried to infiltrate their protest. In Caen, 4,000 protesters rallied and clashed with police around the train station, tearing up train tracks to throw material at the security forces. In Bordeaux, 10,000 yellow vests protested and hundreds clashed with riot police later in the evening around Pey-Berland square. In Toulouse, riot police violently attacked at least 5,000 yellow vests who occupied Capitole square. In Lille, a peaceful protest of 3,000 yellow vests marched against Macron and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, shouting Castaner in prison, Macron resign. In Marseille, 3,000 protesters marched along La Canebiere and clashed with riot police near the Old Port, while police clashed with 2,600 protesters in Nantes and arrested 15. In Paris, at least 10,000 yellow vest protesters marched in four separate rallies, clashing with riot police around the Arch of Triumph, while red pen teachers also held protests in the capital. WSWS reporters attended the protest at Bastille Square, where thousands of yellow vests were marching east into the heart of the city. Protesters shouted Rise up, Paris, Macron resign and Release Christophe, referring to the detention of former professional boxer Christophe Dettinger after he punched riot police attacking a female yellow vest protester a week ago. Philippe, a public service worker, told the WSWS: Like every week, we want the president to do something on taxation and to improve salaries. Getting the right to decide things via referendum is important. We vote in presidential elections and then for five years they have a green light, they do what they want and tell us to shut up and act like sheep. He added, Its not right that people who paid for 40 years into Social Security get just 800 euros a month, then theyre told they will get housing benefits cut. When you see how the people in the government spend money, its a scandal. Philippe denounced the police repression of the yellow vest protests: Ive been to all the protests from the beginning, each time we go we get tear gassed. Then you look at the number of wounded! Recalling the yellow vests who have lost hands to stun grenades or eyes to rubber bullets, Philippe said: Its not proportionate violence at all. Rubber bullets are supposed to be fired below the waist. But its not legs, but torsos and eyes that have been hit. Philippe added that it was now a matter of not just a French, but a European struggle against international support for Macron in the ruling elite: Many people had hopes in Macron when he first came in. He said he would blow up all the political parties. And he only sank us deeper into poverty. One has to say, he worked in finance. In any case, theyre all directed by the European Union. Europe is the problem now. Asked about solidarity with Ford workers threatened with job losses across Europe, and US teachers going on strike, Philippe said: Were in solidarity with all those who are oppressed and do not have money. Across Europe we have discussions with 'yellow vests abroad. This could develop into a European movement, I think, that could be more serious and get a lot more people involved. But its been eight weeks weve been in the street and weve gotten nothing. Also near Bastille Square, Manu explained to the WSWS why he was protesting: We pay so many charges, we have nothing left at the end of the month. Were just the 12th today, already I have nothing left, and Im working. Its not just me, its everyone, all of France. Asked about the role of the trade unions, Manu said he did not see them as different from the ruling parties: No, no one helps us. Were alone. They should all get out, that is the only thing to be done. We struggle for months for miserly salaries, they get things for themselves and their families. Its enough. WSWS reporters spoke to Thibault, a physics student and yellow vest, on Republic Square. He said, Our votes are used to legitimize policies we didnt vote for. What triggered the movement, the basic issue, is that over the last decade weve seen an explosion of social inequality around the world. In France, dividends paid to shareholders in the companies rose 23 percent, the number of millionaires surged and the Tax on Wealth (ISF) was eliminated. Thibault stressed he had no hopes that Macron would change policies: Police violence is constantly hidden, there are serious wounds, limbs torn off. He also refuted claims that the yellow vests were a right wing movement: Ive seen a few people with royalist flags. I would like to think it is a very minority fringe of the movement, as the demands of our movement up until now have precisely been in opposition to what the far right defends today. If people come to tell us our problems are caused by immigrants, we dont want to hear that. WSWS reporters also saw red pen teachers protesting in Paris. Aline mocked government spokesman Benjamin Griveauxs denunciation of yellow vests who broke into his ministry in protest: I just laugh when I hear people from Griveauxs ministry complain about their broken-down door, given what we see at our schools door. I come from Drancy, a working-class suburb of Paris, and Ill invite you to see the state of our schools, holes in the floors and broken doors. She added, In education our wages have been frozen for about 20 years. Weve lost about 20 percent of our real wages in that many years. Now you start at 1,350 euros per month if you are tenured, less if youre a contract worker, who wont even get paid during summers We are seeing in education the labor relations of the private sector. Melanie told the WSWS, we will have to take the money where it is. She added, We have very few resources in our schools, we pay a lot out of pocket. I bring lots of my kids toys to school. We buy our own pens, supplies, calendars, paper, ink. We also ask parents to help with photocopying. She added, The yellow vests motivated us to do something. Denouncing criticism of teachers' strikes in the media, she said: Were not privileged, were not lazy. Starting salaries are under 1400 euros. She added, Ive wanted to be a teacher since elementary school. I had a fantastic teacher Her dedication to her students stunned me. Since then I knew I wanted to teach, I wanted to help kids in trouble and help make them citizens. She added that she saw this as an international issue: Ive seen that teachers in the United States are also taking action. Its necessary, it must be international, because its not just in France. Everywhere its basically the same, education is ignored compared to other things. At a certain point it has to stop and I am in solidarity with their struggles. Around one hundred coal miners at the Wongawilli mine near Wollongong, an industrial city south of Sydney, began seven-day strike action this morning. The workers are employed as casuals by CAS Mining, on behalf of Wollongong Coal. They are demanding a new enterprise agreement (EA) that guarantees job permanency and improved wages. The industrial action expresses growing anger among workers over wage levels, and opposition to a stepped-up offensive against conditions, amid a soaring cost of living. In a sign of nervousness within the ruling elite that the strike could become a focal point for broader discontent, the Murdoch-owned Australian newspaper prominently reported it on Friday. Kelly ODwyer, the federal Liberal-National Coalition governments industrial relations minister, called for talks to prevent the stoppage. The Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), however, called the action as part of a cynical attempt to present the unions, which have collaborated in the destruction of full-time jobs for decades, as opponents of growing casualisation. The unions are also seeking to exploit the strike for their campaign to channel workers behind the election of yet another big business federal Labor government. The fraudulent character of the union posturing is underscored by its record at Wongawilli. The CFMMEU has enforced all of managements dictates and prevented any unified struggle by mine workers against a series of attacks on conditions. In 2015, Wollongong Coal shuttered the Wongawilli site, laying off around 80 permanent workers. The company invoked substantial financial losses to justify the move, amid the downturn in global commodity prices after the 2008 global financial crisis. The shutdown followed a series of sackings at the site and Wollongong Coals nearby Russell Vale mine. Wollongong Coal is a subsidiary of Jindal Group, a diversified resources and manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in India. It has an annual turnover of around $18 billion. The union did nothing to prevent the shut-down. It ensured continued production at Wollongong Steels other mines in the region. It only issued plaintive appeals that if the mine were reopened, it be staffed by the workers who had been laid-off. In 2016 the company reopened the Wongawilli mine to take advantage of the doubling of commodity prices amid a global rebound in the sector. In order to slash costs, it hired a contract workforce, with fewer rights and entitlements than the previous workforce, and no job permanency. Last year, Wollongong Coal outsourced its staffing arrangements at Wongawilli to CAS Mining, a labour hire company. Workers at the site have been employed as casuals, with no sick or leave entitlements, or other benefits of full-time employment. They have been paid hundreds of dollars less per week than workers at other mines in the area. According to CAS Mining, the workers are paid $34 an hour, compared to a rate of $42 for permanent employees at nearby mines. Workers have claimed that if they take too many sick days, for which they are not paid, they no longer receive shifts. The site is an underground mine, involving physically demanding labour. The arrangement, which the unions have done nothing to prevent, is potentially illegal. Under Fair Work industrial legislation, companies can only use casual labour if provisions are contained in an enterprise agreement. CAS Minings casuals, however, are not employed under an agreement. Since late last year, CAS Mining has been seeking to force the workers onto a new EA, which would classify them as contractors. The workers would not receive a wage rise and would lose casual pay loading. They would only be guaranteed 12 months employment. The CFMMEU has responded by calling for a meagre 10 percent pay increase. CAS Mining, however, has declared that it has not been provided with sufficient funds by Wollongong Coal to mandate any pay rise. The regressive enterprise agreement at Wongawilli is part of Wollongong Coals attempts to slash costs and boost market share, amid on-going losses. The company reported losses of $73 million for the 2018 financial year and $57 million in the half-year to September 2018. It has pledged to its shareholders that it will expand production at its Russell Vale mine in 2019, where the company has previously slashed dozens of jobs over the past three years. The offensive is bound up with escalating competition in the resources sector. Across the country, unions have imposed real pay cuts and attacks on conditions while doing everything they can to suppress growing opposition among miners. In October 2018, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) ended a 53-day strike action by some 1,500 workers at three aluminium mines and two bauxite refineries owned by Alcoa in Western Australia. The AWU touted worthless promises by the company to address job security. The company has pressed ahead with its demands for a new EA that will enable it to respond to changing market and operating conditions, i.e., to reduce shift times and lay-off workers when demand is low. In February 2018, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union similarly pushed through an enterprise agreement at Griffin Coal in Queensland, mandating wage cuts of between 18 and 20 percent. The sell-out deal followed the unions suppression of a 180-day strike by workers at the site after the management attempted to impose a wage reduction of 43 percent. The record underscores the fraudulent character of union claims to be waging a struggle in defence of mine workers jobs and conditions. The CFMMEU is also seeking to bolster the Labor Partys claims that if it forms federal government, it will crackdown on the dodgy practices of labour hire operators. The unions national president, Tony Maher told the Australian that it would seek to ensure that labour hire was an election issue. Labor has outlined virtually no concrete proposals, and has guaranteed ahead of time that any regulatory changes would be accompanied by an amnesty of up to 18 months. Labor has repeatedly signalled to the corporate and financial elite that a government it headed would be fiscally responsible, i.e., would seek to make the working class pay for the deepening crisis of Australian capitalism. The massive growth of casual and contract labour is above all the result of the policies of Labor and the unions. In the 1980s, the unions signed a series of accords with the Labor governments of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating providing for the deregulation of the economy, and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of industrial jobs, including in mining, steel and car-manufacturing. The consequence has been a surge in precarious labour, which now accounts for between 40 and 50 percent of all jobs, and a social crisis in former industrial centres such as Wollongong. The primary concern of the unions is to prevent the development of a broader movement of the working class against growing casual and contract work and poverty-level wages. The unions are also fearful that the operations of labour hire contractors threaten their own position at the negotiating table, where they bargain away the jobs, wages and conditions of workers they falsely claim to represent while ensuring the privileges of the union officialdom. Workers at Wongawilli can only take their struggle forward through a complete break with the unions and the establishment of new organisations of struggle, including independent rank and file committees. These would be tasked with breaking the isolation imposed by the unions and coordinating joint political and industrial action with workers throughout the Wollongong-Illawarra region, along with miners across the country and internationally. Above all, what is required is a new, socialist perspective, aimed at establishing a workers government that would place mining, and other major industries, along with the banks, under public ownership and democratic workers control. Directed by Huang Wenhai, produced by Zeng Jinyan We The Workers is a three-hour documentary about non-government labour organisations (LNGOs) operating in southern Chinas industrial heartland in defiance of the repressive Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime and its industrial police force, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), the countrys only legal union body. Workers in China have no legal right to strike or organise outside the ACFTU, which is an arm of the CCP regime. The official role of this massive union bureaucracy is to maintain social stabilityi.e., collaborate with employers, the government and the police to defend the existing order. The ACFTU is actively involved in strike-breaking as well as the victimisation and frame-up of workers seeking to defend their jobs, working conditions and basic rights. Huang Wenhai, 46, who now resides in Hong Kong, has been making films in China since 2003. He shot We The Workers secretly over a six-year period, from 2009 to 2015, and at considerable personal risk to himself and others involved in the production. Independent documentary film making in China is a hazardous business, particularly for anyone attempting to expose the brutal working conditions of Chinese workers. Filmmakers, LNGO organisers and workers that dare to challenge labour relations in China face violent attacks by company thugs and police, political frame-ups and long jail terms. The CCP, which broke with socialist internationalism and aligned with the Stalinist bureaucracy in the Soviet Union in the 1920s, has overseen the restoration of capitalism in China since the 1970s. It defends and speaks for the wealthiest echelons of societythe billionaires that reap massive profits from the brutal exploitation of the multi-million strong Chinese working class. Beijing is terrified of any independent action by the Chinese working class, which has expanded massively over the past three decades. The regime will not tolerate any organisation or individual that attempts to organise workers independently of the state-controlled ACFTU. We The Workers is banned in China. The film, however, was premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in early 2017 and has been screened at festivals in France, the US, Canada and several other countries. It is currently being distributed by Icarus Films in the US. Notwithstanding Huangs undoubted courage, We The Workers is a lengthy but limited work. The documentary uses fly-on the wall techniques with long takes, minimal editing and no linking narration, which seriously tests the viewers patience. The rising wave of strikes that occurred in southern China between 2009 and 2015 by millions of Chinese workers is largely an abstraction for the first two hours of the film. The principal problem of We The Workers, however, is not the directors stylistic approach but the films uncritical attitude towards the political agenda of the LNGOs. They oppose the gross forms of exploitation of workers, but not capitalism as such, and openly encourage the illusion that the rights of workers can be met through the courts and legal system in China. This outlook is at odds with the militancy of the few workers shown in the film who, through their own bitter experience, recognise the futility of appealing to the courts and the state apparatus. In one scene, an LNGO organiser is handing out pamphlets on labour law rights to factory workers. One worker angrily confronts him, declaring, Were supposed to have a lot of things! What good is the law? Laws are useless in China. We The Workers offers little in the way of background information about the factories or industrial disputes referred to in the film. Nor are there any real details about the impact on the working class of the policies of capitalist restoration which have greatly widened the gulf between rich and poor. We The Workers opens with visually arresting footage of a large shipbuilding facility and workers silhouetted against steel hulls and welding in noisy, cramped and dangerous spaces. These images are followed by drone shots of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, and workers residents in the industrial city. The film then turns to its principal focusthe life of LNGO activists in Panyu, a Guangzhou industrial district. No details are provided about the ACFTU and its history of strike-breaking and other anti-working class activities. Zeng Feiyang, who founded the Panyu Migrant Workers Centre in 1998, is a key figure in We The Workers. He and others speak about the difficulties they confront attempting to organise workers independently of the ACFTU: the arrests, police raids on their homes, beatings by company thugs and the constant shifting of offices in an attempt to stay one jump ahead of state authorities. At one point in the film viewers are told that Peng Jiayong, another Panyu Migrant Workers Centre organiser, has been abducted, savagely beaten by thugs and hospitalised. LNGO organisers are shown offering workers advice on legal rights, explaining how to win support from other workers and how to fight for better health and safety in workplaces. Meetings are held with small groups of migrant workers, a folk musician sings about courage and maintaining unity at one gathering. In private moments some of the organiserslike their union counterparts around the worldblame workers for the situation they confront, complaining that workers lack unity and do not know their rights. The labour activists featured in the film insist throughout that employers and the state authorities can be pressured to improve the lot of workers. A pro-bono lawyer demagogically tells a group of laid-off workers that their boss will be scared [once] he knows someone like me is backing you up. Director Huang, who studied at the Beijing Film Academy and whose previous films include, Floating Dust (2003), Dream Walking (2008) and We (also in 2008), is said to have been inspired by, and maintains close contact with, Han Donfang, founder of the China Labour Bulletin. Han was a leader of the Beijing Workers Autonomous Federation which emerged during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Han is now based in Hong Kong and has been feted in Washington by the AFL-CIO trade union apparatus. In 2010, Han told the Financial Times that he was doing his utmost to depoliticise the labour movement in China and argued that so-called independent unions in China were a cost-efficient means of politically containing working-class militancy. Towards the end, the film organisers and a group of workers from the Lide Shoe Factory in Panyu celebrate successful strike action by over 2,500 workers in April 2015. The workers won a 120 million yuan settlement for payment of outstanding wages and overtime. The documentary concludes as it began, with a series of lengthy shots of massive factories and drone footage of the city. Just after filming of the documentary ended, however, Chinese authorities launched a massive crackdown on Guangzhou workers and LNGOs. Nearly all of the leading figures in Huangs documentary, including Zeng Feiyang and Zhu Xiaomei, were arrested, put on trial a year later, and found guilty of disturbing social order. The court proceedings were screened on state television showing Zeng confessing to receiving funding and training from overseas organisations hostile to China. Zheng, Zhu and Tang Huanxing were given suspended sentences, possibly in return for what amounted to a public confession. The Chinese media provided no details on their year-long prison incarceration or the legal process. The trial is part of a broader crackdown on foreign NGOs operating in China and those connected to them. In January 2017, new legislation came into effect requiring foreign NGOs to register. The CCP is undoubtedly concerned about the activities of NGOs both foreign, and those receiving foreign funding, given the increasingly aggressive stance of the US and its allies. Its determination to rein in the activities of labour NGOs, however, is primarily driven by its fear of the growing militancy of the Chinese working class. According to some estimates strikes and protests by workers in defiance of the ACFTU are growing exponentially, climbing from 200 in 2011 to just under 2,700 in 2016. Falling growth rates, along with the impact US trade war measures on Chinese industry, will spark mass struggles across the country. We The Workers provides glimpses of the vast Chinese working class, and is revealing of the attitudes of LNGO activities, but offers no way forward for Chinese workers. For that Chinese workers and youth need to return to the socialist internationalism that the CCP abandoned, and assimilate the crucial historical lessons of the struggles of the Fourth International against Stalinism in the twentieth century. The author also recommends: Petition: The Court of the Complainantsa potent Chinese documentary about injustice and state repression [25 January 2012] A political trap for Chinese workers [10 September 2011] 25 years ago: Northridge earthquake strikes Los Angeles An earthquake struck the city of Los Angeles at 4:30 a.m. on January 17, 1994, centered in the Northridge area of the San Fernando Valley. The quake lasted about 10-20 seconds and reached a magnitude of 6.7. Two aftershocks followed and ground motion was felt as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada, about 220 miles from the quakes epicenter. While the official death toll was declared to be 57, other estimates reached as high as 72. Another 8,700 were injured, wreaking havoc on Los Angeles hospitals, which had to transfer patients to other areas in order to accommodate the influx of those needing immediate care. Many died during the immediate impact of the quake, with others succumbing to injuries in the days following, including stress-induced complications such as cardiac arrest. Building and infrastructure damage was estimated at between $13 and $50 billion, making it one of the worst natural disasters in US history. Damage was recorded as far as 85 miles away from the city, but it was concentrated mostly in the San Fernando Valley. Sections of major highways and interstates were closed due to structural collapse, including Interstate 5, Interstate 10, Interstate 210, and airport runways were also hit. The US Postal Service suspended operations in the affected area following the quake, and public libraries and schools were closed. Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan declared a state of emergency and mandatory curfews were enforced. California Governor Pete Wilson and President Bill Clinton both visited the area following the disaster. While the National Guard was quickly deployed to enforce the curfew, the thousands of people declared homeless received late and little government assistance, if any at all. Many insurance companies restricted or altogether discontinued offering earthquake insurance after losing money paying out on infrastructure damage. The California legislature created the California Earthquake Authority in response, a privately funded organization which offers minimal insurance coverage. 50 years ago: Japanese police storm Tokyo University Over 8,000 riot police moved onto the campus of Tokyo University on January 20, 1969, at the request of school authorities to crush a student occupation. The force succeeded in clearing students from the main assembly building after a two-day siege. Police drenched the building with high-pressure water hoses, while helicopters dropped tear gas. More than 500 students were arrested, and 200 police and 30 students were injured during the operation. The crackdown culminated a year-long student strike at Tokyo University, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Japan. During the course of the clashes, many buildings along with important historical documents and archives were destroyed or damaged. Campus officials pledged to resume classes in April but said it would take many months to repair all the damage. At the same time, police cleared about 1,500 students involved in a related protest from Kanda, Tokyos Latin Quarter near the heart of downtown. The students had spent half a day tearing up the pavement and building barricades before being forced to flee by police. The Kyodo Kaigi, a Maoist-oriented student group, organized the occupation. The Musei, the youth group of the pro-Moscow Japanese Communist Party, opposed the action. Medical students initiated the student strike in protest against new regulations. The action expanded to include other sections of students. They charged the university with catering to a tiny elite rather than the mass of youth. The student strike served as a focal point for protests around a broad array of issues, such as the war in Vietnam and the influence of the United States on the policy of the Japanese government. The arrival of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise served as the occasion for one of the largest student demonstrations in 1968. Leaders of the student movement pledged to organize even bigger protests during the coming year as the date approached for the renewal of the Japanese-American security treaty, providing for US bases in Japan. In the aftermath of the Tokyo University occupation and other student demonstrations the Japanese government would pass the University Management Law. The draconian legislation gave the police greater authority to intervene on University campuses and suppress anti-war activity. 75 years ago: Soviets launch offensive against siege of Leningrad On January 14, 1944, the Red Army launched the Leningrad-Novgorod offensive aimed at breaking a protracted Nazi blockade of supplies to Leningrad, the second largest city in the Soviet Union, now known as St. Petersburg. The siege had begun in September, 1941, after an offensive by Germanys Army Group North, which succeeded in cutting off supply routes to the city. The German assault was backed by a collaborationist army from Finland. The blockade of the city was one of the most destructive in history, resulting in widespread destitution, grinding poverty and mass starvation. More than 600,000 died in the space of just three years. The Soviet military had begun a determined attempt to break the siege in 1943, after gaining the strategic initiative following the defeat of the deepest Nazi offensive into Soviet territory, at Stalingrad, and victory of Soviet forces at Kursk-Orel during the summer of 1943, the biggest tank battle ever waged. Large-scale troop movements began, first by ship across Lake Ladoga into Leningrad, and then on an even greater scale after the winter freeze made it possible to move soldiers and equipment by truck across the ice. By the time the offensive began, more than 1.2 million Soviet troops with better equipment were facing fewer than 750,000 German troops whose lines were overextended. Hitler rejected all proposals from the military for a limited withdrawal to a shorter and more defensible position dubbed the Panther Line. The Leningrad-Novgorod offensive began with attacks by Soviet forces on January 14 on the Leningrad and Volkov fronts, and the 2nd Baltic front. The first days of the assault included an artillery barrage involving the deployment of some 220,000 shells directed on German lines. Following delays caused by inclement weather, the Soviet Second Shock Army expelled Nazi troops from the town of Ropsha on January 19. On January 26, the Moscow-Railroad line was reopened, marking the end of the blockade and siege of Leningrad. 100 years ago: World War I victors open peace conference in Paris On January 18, 1919, the imperialist victors in World War I, Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States, convened the infamous Paris Peace Conference to divide up the spoils of the four-year-long bloodbath, at the expense of the losers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The conference would produce a series of oppressive settlements, including, most notoriously, the Treaty of Versailles. The conference opened in the misnamed Salon of Peace in the headquarters of the French Foreign Ministry in Paris. Representatives from at least 32 countries attended, including some that had been created in the last few months from the break-up of Austria-Hungary. At the wish of the French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, the opening date selected was the 48th anniversary of the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871 after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War. The main work of the conference was the redivision of the world under the hegemony of the victorious imperialist powers. The Turkish Ottoman Empires possessions in the Middle East were handed over primarily to France and Britain, along the lines of the previously secret Sykes-Picot Agreement and created the basis of the nation-state system in the region that persists to this day. German colonies in Africa were divided up between the French and British. The Japanese delegation walked out of the conference after it received only half of what it wanted from German possessions in Asia and the Pacific. Italy achieved only small territorial claims in the Adriatic areas of Austria-Hungary bordering on Italy. This failure was a factor in the rise of Italian fascism in the next few years. Excluded from official representation at the conference were both sides in the Russian Civil War, the monarchist-capitalist Whites and the Soviet government, although bourgeois pretender regimes in various parts of the former Tsarist Empire, such as Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia (under Menshevik rule) had official representation. The conference sowed the seeds of the next world war through the Treaty of Versailles ultimately imposed by the victorious powers on Germany, with stiff reparations payments that contributed to the instability of the German Weimar Republic and of the rise of the Nazis. It also created the League of Nations, initially proposed by US president Woodrow Wilson, which was a mechanism to regulate inter-imperialist antagonisms and to ensure the US a degree of oversight over European affairs. Isolationist sentiment in the US, however, was still strong and the US Congress refused to ratify American participation in the League. The impact of the longest government shutdown in US history continues to ripple across the economy as more than 800,000 federal workers and many thousands more government contractors try to cope with missed paychecks. Spontaneous sickouts by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners led this weekend to the closure of terminals and checkpoints at two airports, Miami International Airport Friday through Sunday and Houstons Bush Airport on Sunday. The rate of unscheduled leave for TSA workers, among the lowest paid of federal employees, is increasing across the country. On Saturday, officials admitted that nearly eight percent of the 51,000 TSA workforce failed to report to work. Last year at this time, the absentee rate was just 3.2 percent. In the Washington, D.C. area, home to more than 250,000 federal workers, a pop-up food bank distributed more than 30,000 pounds of food Saturday to government and contract employees at five locations. People can't survive like this, Lorette Legendre, a contractor with the General Services Administration, told National Public Radio. To stand out here in 30-degree weather to get food? This is America? Somethings wrong here. In New York, Keith Polite, a contract guard at the National Museum of the American Indian, spoke Sunday at a press event. He explained that as a contractor he is unlikely to get any back pay. Last week he was forced to use up all of his sick pay for the year just to get a paycheck. He said: Can you imagine if theres an emergency in June or something like that? I wont have any time left. If I have to stay home I wont get paid. Im taking it day by day, eating Ramen noodles, you know college food, cutting back drastically as much as I can, Polite added. I really dont know what Im going to do if this goes on. With every day the shutdown continues, the crippling of government services deemed non-essentialincluding housing and nutrition assistance, health and safety inspections, tax services and scientific researchaffects a wider swath of the population. As a result of the shutdown of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for instance, contracts with over a thousand housing providers were not renewed at the end of the year. The number of expired contracts grows by hundreds every month. Absent the contracts, landlords can walk away from the program, leaving recipients of housing aid to fend for themselves. Non-profits that serve elderly and low-income tenants remaining in the program are forced to rely on reserves to make up for missed federal payments. Ellen Davidson, a Legal Aid Society housing attorney representing federally subsidized tenants in New York, explained Sunday: God forbid one boiler goes out, because these buildings will not have the funds to keep warm. There are more than 3,000 elderly households in New York who are currently faced with this, as of yesterday. And every day there are more and more. As the shutdown drags on, demands for action by angry federal employees are increasing. Civil servants demoted to civil slaves, Walk off, and Strike now! are typical of the comments appearing on union-sponsored Facebook pages, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The unions primary function has been to keep government workers isolated and demobilized. The unions have refused to organize any large-scale demonstrations, let alone job actions. Instead, AFGE sees its role as counseling members how to live in poverty. It recently announced a partnership with a national food bank service to offer charity to unpaid workers. The unions have also sought to suppress the voice of government workers. An air traffic controller told the WSWS that NATCA instructed workers that they are not allowed to talk to the press without authorization. AFGE locals sent emails to workers participating in rallies urging them to keep it personal, not political. The attempt to prevent workers from formulating an independent industrial and political response to a lockout and unpaid labor imposed by the government underscores the treachery of the trade unions and their role as agencies of the corporate elite and the state. Their service to the ruling class as industrial police over the workers is bound up with their integration into the Democratic Party. This was exemplified by the press event in New York on Sunday. Three Democratic congressmen were joined by bureaucrats from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and AFGE, all issuing empty calls for Republican senators to force President Trumps hand and end the shutdown. They along with the entire political and corporate establishment are petrified at the prospect of workers taking matters into their own hands. They are well aware that an eruption of sickouts by TSA workers could shut down air traffic around the country. That is why TSA chief David Pekoske took the unprecedented step Friday of announcing that screeners who reported to work on December 22, the day after the shutdown began, would receive one days pay and a $500 bonus during the shutdown. Pekoske cited unique authorities provided TSA in law, the first time such authorities have been used during a government closure. On Friday, Congress also approved back pay for federal workers impacted by the shutdown, the first time such legislation was been passed prior to the reopening of government. That pay, however, wont be issued until the shutdown ends. These sops will, however, do little to soften the mounting crisis of well over a million workers and their families directly targeted by the shutdown, not to mention the millions who potentially face the loss of food stamps, child nutrition benefits, housing subsidies and critical social services. Only the mass, independent mobilization of federal workers, linking up with looming strikes by teachers in Los Angeles, Denver and other cities, the fight by auto workers against plant closures and other struggles of the working class, directed against the entire political establishment and the capitalist system it defends, can secure the basic needs of working people. The year 2019 is seeing a continuing strike wave in Portugal protesting the policies of the Socialist Party (PS) government. The minority government of Prime Minister Antonio Costa is being hit by multiple strikes protesting low wages and poor working conditions. In 2018, over 600 stoppages, some lasting weeks, were recorded, double the previous year. Portugals leading financial paper, Jornal Economico, has warned that the increased social unrest that marked the end of 2018 will continue this year because the problems that inflamed workers in more than 20 sectors persist. The paper noted that while Costa had whistled in the air and said there was no reason for social alarm, in her Christmas message Health Minister Marta Temido declared that all the instruments under the law would be used, including civil requisitions, in order to ensure citizens do not become hostages to workers demands. Temidos outburst is proof of the anti-working-class nature of the PS government that the pseudo-left Left Bloc (BE) and Stalinist Communist Party (PCP) put in power. So far this year strike action has taken place or has been notified in the judicial system, dockyards, oil refineries and food industry and amongst teachers and nurses. On Monday, workers began a series of rolling strikes in courts and other offices of the judicial system that will continue until the end of the month. They are demanding the unfreezing of 1,400 job vacanciesa third of the total number of jobs in the Ministry of Justiceand renegotiation of the salary scale, promotion system and the retirement scheme. The action has been called by the Union of Judicial Officials (SFJ) and follows on from partial strikes between November 5 and December 31. The SFJ has also announced new strikes in February, March and April and a national strike April 29 to May 3 if there is no positive response from the government. The lack of jobs has delayed trials and led to a backlog of 100,000 applications for citizenship. The Portuguese Union of Judges has announced that strikes which began last November will be extended until October this year. The Independent Union of Prison Guards Corps (SICGP) has announced that there will be a new strike period between January 16 and February 3 and further strikes during the year demanding salary increases, new shift allowances, a change of working hours and more jobs. Workers at the state-owned Petrogal oil refineries at Sines and Oporto are on strike until January 31. Helder Guerreiro from the Sines Refinery Workers Commission stated that the workers do not accept the withdrawal of rights and the reduction of wages. The situation of the company is good, every year it records profits and this year will be no exception, according to forecasts workers should have better working conditions and better salaries, not the other way around, Guerreiro said. In Oporto, Fiequimetal union leader Jose Santos said that 85 percent of workers at the refinery were taking part in the strike and that No vessel has docked or been refuelled, tanker trucks are still waiting unable to take supplies for distribution, maintenance services are completely paralyzed and production is only at the minimum service level imposed [by the government]. Teachers, nurses and dockworkers are threatening to resume their militant strikes from last year if the PS government continues to renege on its anti-austerity promises. The National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof) and other unions are meeting this week to discuss action if the government refuses to fully recompense teachers for the loss of wages that were frozen for over nine years after the 2008 financial crisis. The Portuguese Nurses Trade Union (ASPE) is threatening to resume strike action scheduled for January 14 to February 28 if the government does not agree a proper career structure that recognises the role of specialist nurses and reduces the retirement age. The union is in talks with the government after it cancelled this weeks strike. The Stevedoring and Logistics Activity Union (SEAL) has given notice of new strike action in Portugals ports from January 16 until July 1. Union president Antonio Mariano has condemned the growing proliferation of anti-union practices in the ports, especially at Canical (Madeira) and Praia da Vitoria (Azores), which includes harassment, from persecution to coercion, from bribery to discrimination, from threats of dismissal to blackmail. Last November, dockworkers at Setubal went on strike for a month, paralyzing the port and preventing export of cars from the huge Volkswagen Autoeuropa plant in protest at the large number of casual workers. In its commentary on the continuing strike wave, Jornal Economico also noted the duplicitous role of the BE and PCP, which support the Socialist government [but] now have to distance themselves from it in order to capitalise on all the discontent at the ballot box. Following the 2015 general election, the BE and PCP channelled mass disaffection that was expressed in a record low 57 percent turnout and the ousting of the pro-austerity right-wing Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Peoples Party (CSD-PP) coalition behind the PS and its claims that it would reverse austerity. The BE was an enthusiastic partner, giving Costa its support merely on the condition that he give up some of his programmes more neoliberal policies. All the BEs pre-election rhetoric about repudiating Portugals debt and breaking with the European Union (EU) was abandoned overnight. Instead the PS has fixated on early repayment of the several billions remaining of the 2011 78 billion (US$101 billion) bank bailout package provided by the troika (European Commission, International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank). This is all money that could have been used to increase wages and improve Portugals crumbling public services. After four years of demobilising working-class opposition, the BE and PCP are now using the strike wave to launch campaigns to present themselves as anti-austerity in advance of EU elections in May and a general election in October so they can continue to do so. BE leader Catarina Martins, in her New Years message, declared that there is much still to be done to deal with the injustices and difficulties that persist and that 2019 will be a year of decisions. She claimed that the limited social measures that the PS has passed (although not fulfilled as the current strike wave proves), including the recovery of pensions, increase of minimum wage, effective contracts for thousands of victims of precariousness and a moratorium on evictions, were the result of BE pressure on the PS. Many of these measures were promised by the PS and even the PSD/CSD-PP in their 2014 election manifestos because they wanted to stimulate consumption and dampen social opposition. The PS was quite prepared to concede some measures in order to introduce others, including the debt repayment. What took place was a pragmatic and unprincipled trade-off with the BE that did not fundamentally affect capitalist relations. In a similar vein, PCP General Secretary Jeronimo de Sousa declared in his New Years message, 2019 will be a time of choices in which the Portuguese people will be confronted with decisive options regarding their future. He called for party members to be mobilised to build the PCP as a great national force in defence of national sovereignty and to make sure the PS does not have a majority government to implement its own programme. A front-page article published Saturday in the New York Times revealing that the FBI secretly opened a counterintelligence investigation into President Donald Trump after he fired FBI Director James Comey has laid bare a massive police state conspiracy by the US intelligence agencies. The Times published the article in an effort to revive the anti-Russia campaign against Trump, promoting the unsubstantiated and highly dubious claim that Trump is a Russian agent. The facts presented in the Times report are, in reality, far more damning of the FBI than of Trump. Despite the newspapers intentions, the picture painted by the Times of the FBI is alarming. The Times depicts a highly politicized intelligence agency whose officials carefully monitor the activities of the two main capitalist parties, keeping a vigilant eye out for any deviations from the national security consensus in Washington. The Times claims that Trump had caught the attention of FBI counterintelligence agents when he called on Russia during a campaign news conference in July 2016 to hack the emails of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Given that this was a sarcastic campaign remark directed against Clintons use of a private email server while she was secretary of state, and delivered at a public news conference, Trumps sally can hardly be construed as evidence of a conspiracy. The Times article goes on to describe how FBI officials monitored the platform adopted at the Republican National Convention, reporting that the spy agency watched with alarm as the Republican Party softened its convention platform on the Ukraine crisis in a way that seemed to benefit Russia. That is, the nations top police agency was concerned that the positions adopted contravened certain basic tenets of dominant sections of the foreign policy establishment. By what constitutional authority can the FBI, based on political positions adopted by one or the other of the two main capitalist parties, open up a secret investigation into treason and conspiracy? Such an operation bespeaks a police state and recalls the methods of the Stalinist NKVD. The agency also investigated four of Trumps campaign aides over possible ties to Russia, and even made use of the notorious Steele dossier, consisting of anti-Trump gossip collated from Russian sources by a former British intelligence agent on the payroll of the Democratic Party. After Trump fired Comey, according to the Times, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the presidents behavior that they began investigating whether he had been working on behalf of Russia against American interests Counterintelligence investigators had to consider whether the presidents own actions constituted a possible threat to national security. Agents also sought to determine whether Mr. Trump was knowingly working for Russia or had unwittingly fallen under Moscows influence. The operations of the FBI, encouraged, aided and abetted by the Times, recall the paranoid rantings of the John Birch Society, the ultra-right group formed in the 1950s, whose founder, Robert Welch, notoriously claimed that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the former World War II commander of Allied forces in Europe, was a a dedicated, conscious agent of the Communist conspiracy. Claims that once were the province of an extremist group, on the fringes of American politics, are now embraced by the military-intelligence apparatus, appear on the front page of the most influential American daily newspaper, and dominate the network and cable television news. But these allegations have no credibility. Why should anyone believe claims that Trump, at age 70, after decades as a real estate mogul, con man and media celebrity, with a billion-dollar fortune, suddenly decided to throw in his lot with Vladimir Putin? Even the Times report itself concedes, in a single sentence buried in the 2,000-word text, No evidence has emerged publicly that Mr. Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian government officials. While there is no evidence of a conspiracy between Trump and Moscow, the Times report itself is evidence of a conspiracy involving the intelligence agencies and the corporate media to overturn the 2016 presidential electionwhich Trump won, albeit within the undemocratic framework of the Electoral Collegeand install a government that would differ from Trumps chiefly in being more committed to military confrontation with Russia in Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere. A secret security investigation by a powerful police agency directed against an elected president or prime minister can be described as nothing other than the antechamber to a coup by the military or intelligence services. Historically, the FBI has been at the center of such dangers in the United States. Its founding director, J. Edgar Hoover, was notorious for his unchecked power, particularly during the period of the McCarthy anticommunist witch hunt, when he accumulated dossiers on virtually every Democratic and Republican politician and authorized widespread spying on civil rights and antiwar groups. President John F. Kennedy was so concerned that he installed his brother Robert as attorney generaland nominal superior to Hooverto keep watch over the bureau. That did not save Kennedy from assassination in 1963, an event linked in still undisclosed ways to ultra-right circles, including Cuban exiles embittered by the Bay of Pigs disaster, Southern segregationists, and sections of the military-intelligence apparatus up in arms over Kennedys signing of a nuclear test ban treaty with Moscow. The New York Times reportand a companion piece published Sunday in the Washington Post claiming that Trump has kept secret key details of his private conversations with Putinserve to legitimize antidemocratic and unconstitutional conduct by the military-intelligence apparatus. These reports shed light on the striking complacency in the mainstream media over Trumps threats to declare a national emergency, using the pretext of his conflict with congressional Democrats over funding of a border wall, which has led to a three-week-long partial shutdown of the federal government. If one takes for good coin the main contention of the reports by the two newspapers, their acquiescence in a potential Trump declaration of emergency rule is inexplicable. After all, if Trump is Putins agent, then a Trump declaration of a state of emergency, giving him sweeping, near-absolute authority, would put the United States under the control of Moscow. The explanation is that the Times and the Post welcome the discussion of emergency rule, to prepare the forces of the state for coming conflicts with the working class. Their only disagreement with Trump is over which faction of the ruling elite, Trump or his opponents in the Democratic Party, should direct the repression. One thing is certain: if Trump declares a national emergency, or if, as the Post suggested in an editorial, his opponents in the ruling elite declare a national emergency over alleged Russian meddling as part an effort to remove him, it will represent an irrevocable break with democracy. It is impossible to determine which side in this sordid conflict is more reactionary. The working class is confronted with two alternatives: either the present political crisis will be resolved by one faction of the ruling elite moving against the other, using the methods of palace coup and dictatorship, whose essential target is the working class, or workers will move en masse against the political establishment as a whole and the capitalist system that it defends. WSWS campaigners spoke to workers and young people, from Britain and internationally, who had made considerable efforts to attend Saturdays Peoples Assembly demonstration in London. Many expressed support and solidarity with the Yellow Vest movement in France and spoke to the shared experiences of workers in every country. Liz is a National Health Service (NHS) admin worker in Nottingham. Describing the savage cuts made to the NHS over the last decade, she said, Its like it was when the Tories were in power in the 1980s. The same is happening again. [NHS] Trusts have massive deficits. There are loads of staff vacancies and patients on trolleys in corridors and you had that in the 1980s. The NHS is being sold off gradually. Im a low-paid admin staff. I think the NHS thing was the best thing that ever happened in Britain and ever since it was created, the Tories, the right wing, have wanted to bring it down. Asked her view on the fact that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is a professed opponent of austerity, but leads a party that is imposing austerity in every council they run nationally, Liz replied, They are career politicians, so you have Labour and Tory councils doing the same thing. They sell the poor people and workers down the line. I think Labour is still infested with right-wingers, Blairites. Im not a Labour member but you can only hope that all the right-wing get de-selected. There is going to have to be a massive, massive fight. Those in power are not going to give up their positions. We have to fight and if we dont achieve it, we have to go down fighting. And they have to expect us on the street and we have to keep shining a light on the capitalist rats and billionaires. Asked her thoughts on the Yellow Vest movement, she said, I belong to [public sector union] Unison and the only way we can change anything is for all workers everywhere to down tools together. Asked why the unions in Britain had not organised any serious struggle since 2010 and the beginning of mass austerity, in contrast to the willingness of millions to fight it, Liz said, I think the unions have got a lot to answer for. I think there are a lot of people in the unions, especially at the higher levels, who are quite happy with the status quo. They are quite happy to pay lip service to fighting austerity, but when it comes to down to it, they dont fight. Liz opposed the recent sell-out pay deal that was implemented by the health trade unions as a completely flawed deal. The unions falsely sold it to their members as a pay increase, after year of cuts, only for workers to see it for the pay cut it actually was in their subsequent pay packets. Neco, originally from Turkey, runs a cafe in north London: We need radical change and it needs to be global. I have been studying this for a long time. It goes back to [former Conservative prime ministers] Margaret Thatcher, John Major and continued under the [Labour] Blair government. All the privatisations that have taken place on behalf of the financial elites. Enough is enough! There are 320,000 homeless people in this countrythat is one in 200and this is in the sixth biggest economy in the world. The National Health Service is being privatised. Power needs to come back to the people. The financial oligarchy has got to stop controlling everything, including the media, and using it to brainwash people. I include in that the BBC. Capitalism is creating poverty and homelessness from Latin America to the Far East. In the United States, you have some of the biggest poverty, but 800 billion is spent on the military. We need a different Europe, not one that is against the working class and drawn up by the financial oligarchy, academics and trade unions. I have been saying that the demonstrations in the UK should have been happening earlier in solidarity with the Yellow Vests. The Spanish and the Frenchwe all have to unite. That is why I came down today. I dont agree with [Labour Party leader Jeremy] Corbyn 100 percent. He is a social democrat. But once people have the power and realise that they are the ones who carry the economy on their shoulders, they will be able to bring capitalism down. Patrick from Marseille was with his friend in Trafalgar Square. Both agreed that any movement against capitalism would have to be in rebellion against the old organisations of the working class, particularly the trade unions. Two buildings collapsed in Marseille killing eight people, he said. One thousand six hundred were evacuated from other buildings and the mayor didnt do anything about the housing. Marseille is crumbling and you immediately had 1,600 homeless just in this instant. Schools are in the same situation. When it rains, they become flooded and I have known roofs to collapse due to water. My friend is a teacher in Marseille and the roofs are dripping. Many of the children have had no breakfast or lunch and only get one meal a day. We have to think for ourselves. Some think the law is wrong and when the law is wrong we have to make the change ourselves. We should put the politicians on the minimum wage and see how they fare. I support the movement in France, thats why Im here. Were the same wherever we work. A former minister from years ago has said the police should use live munitions [in France]. The police in Paris have amassed loads of money attacking the protests. Nowadays everything is about the moneyit should be about the planet and the future, not about capitalism. Hafida, a student from Morocco, said, The world is run by rich people and the money needs to be distributed to everyone. You cant believe it is possible that in 2019 people still die for not having anything to eat. Im also concerned about what is happening in Italy as they dont want people to come into their country. The attack on many countries in Africa and their colonisation is to make people move away from their country so they can take control of their land. The situation is so bad in Italy that [Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Matteo] Salvini is openly racist and says, Italy First. We are all human, we should be helping immigrants. Steve from France said, I support the Yellow Vest movement. I am here in solidarity with them. But I am not in support of the call for a general election. I also believe that, in order to protect the right to demonstrate, one has to make use of it. I came with my own mind, I made this banner myself. We cant protect the planet and still be part of capitalism. You dont need to study politics for years, it is just obvious. I am working in London as a labourer in the building industry. Last year, I was working in France. Since 2008 I worked both here and in France. Like with most people, since 2008, you get paid at the end of the month and then you dont know. You get in overdraft or in debt to make ends meet from paycheque to paycheque. I was in France when the Yellow Vests movement started back in November. But I must also say that it did not come out of the blue. We had been protesting years after years before that. In France I was in a trade union, and in London I am part of the Industrial Workers of the World. I have my own reservations, though, about the unions. Even if I am part of a union, I dont agree with everything they stand for. I believe in organising in your workplace and all that, but I dont believe in big unions. They are corrupt, as with all politicians. That is why I would rather be part of a smaller group that does not get any money from the state or whatever. In France, for instance, the CGT is funded by the government. Badid, who works in a fish shop near Collioure in south France, said, In France we are not paid enough. We can just about live, but its hard to pay for the food to eat. In every big town in France the people are protesting and I think its a good thing. We have to unite. This weekend, reports came in that the Israeli military struck and destroyed an Iranian weapons depot in Syria. Now, The Times of Israels Michael Bachner reports that both PM Netanyahu and satellite images have confirmed the strike: Hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that Israel bombed an Iranian weapons depot in Syria, satellite photos were published showing what appeared to be the demolished storehouse at the Damascus International Airport The Israel Defense Forces has attacked hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets, he said. Just in the past 36 hours, the air force attacked Iranian depots full of Iranian weapons in the Damascus International Airport. Israel typically refrains from commenting on individual airstrikes in Syria, but does generally acknowledge that it carries out raids against Iranian- and Hezbollah-linked targets in the country. On Sunday evening, Israeli website Intelli Times published photos showing the devastation at the site, saying the same structure had been struck in 2016 after it was identified as a depot housing M-600 surface-to-surface missiles, the Syrian version of the Iranian-made Fateh-110 missiles Iowa Representative Steve King, one of the most rabid purveyors of anti-immigrant racism in the US Congress, evoked indignant denunciations from the media and politicians from both the Democratic Party and his own Republican Party last week when he complained in an interview with the New York Times: White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilizationhow did that language become offensive? The outrage from Kings congressional colleagues rings hollow given the congressmans long record of such remarks and their own readiness to tolerate them. In a 2012 interview, King compared immigrants to dogs and suggested that the US admit only the pick of the litter. In 2010, he declared on the floor of the House of Representatives that he could detect illegal immigrants by their footwear and his own sixth sense. Last year, King backed a neo-Nazi candidate, Faith Goldy, for Torontos mayor. According to Right Wing Watch, Goldy is an openly racist white supremacist who has at times recited the Fourteen Words credo of groups seeking to preserve the white race. Goldy previously recommended a book that called for the elimination of Jews and suggested that homosexuality was a cause of the Holocaust. Two months prior to that, King visited Austria and gave an extensive interview to a far-right publication in which he spelled out his fascistic outlook. King discussed his belief in the superiority of European culture, warned of falling fertility rates in the West, and spoke at length about his belief that Europe and the United States are threatened by Muslim and Latino immigration. If we dont defend Western civilization, then we will become subjugated by the people who are the enemies of faith, the enemies of justice, he said. On Saturday, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Karen Bass (Democrat from California), released a statement demanding that the Republican Party remove King from his committee assignments. However, the statement stopped short of calling for his expulsion from the House of Representatives. Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst declared her disapproval in a tweet. I condemn Rep. Steve Kings comments on white supremacy; they are offensive and racistand not representative of our state of Iowa, she wrote. However, she did not call for any specific measures to be taken against him. Few, if any, of those who denounced King made the connection between his racist statement and the attempts of the Trump administration to whip up anti-immigrant hysteria or Trumps praise for neo-Nazis who marched last year in Charlottesville, Virginia, one of whom drove into a crowd of anti-fascist demonstrators and killed 32-year-old Heather Heyer. The Republican Partys long-standing connection to racist and white segregationist forces constitutes one of the most carefully suppressed dirty secrets in Washington. These ties go back to Nixons Southern Strategy, employed in the 1968 presidential election to win over elements in the South alienated by the national Democratic Partys civil rights reforms on the basis of a thinly veiled appeal to racism. Ronald Reagan worked to solidify Republican inroads in the South and establish Republican dominance in the former Jim Crow states. In August 1980, during his presidential campaign against Jimmy Carter of Georgia, Reagan gave a speech proclaiming his support for states rights a few miles from Philadelphia, Mississippi, where in 1964 the KKK and local police murdered three civil rights workers. In the 1998-1999 impeachment drive against Bill Clinton, the Democrats refused to expose to the public the active role of segregationist forces in Arkansas and other states in the right-wing conspiracy to bring down a twice-elected president on the basis of a sex scandal. During Clintons impeachment trial in the Senate, the ties of Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi to the Council of Conservative Citizens, successor to the segregationist White Citizens Council, were exposed in the press. The Republican right rallied behind Lott, and the media and Democratic Party obediently dropped the subject. Three years later, Lott was forced to resign as Republican Senate leader after he publicly praised Strom Thurmond, the South Carolina senator who ran as the candidate of the States Rights Party on a segregationist program in 1948. During his 2000 bid for the Republican presidential nomination, George W. Bush made a speech at the campus of Bob Jones University, a fundamentalist college that prohibited interracial dating and regarded Catholics as Satan-worshipers. He also declined to voice any opposition to the display of the Confederate flag at the South Carolina state capitol, saying it was purely a state matter. Democratic administrations from Clinton to Obama have played their own parts in whipping up anti-immigrant and chauvinist sentiment by promoting trade war, militarist policies and the fear-mongering central to the so-called war on terror, thereby creating fertile soil for the growth of far-right forces. The stage-managed furor surrounding Rep. King within the media and political establishment is utterly hypocritical. As far as the politicians condemning King are concerned, his real crime is not holding racist and fascistic views, but articulating them too openly. Far-right and ultra-Orthodox groups have created a media storm over the arrest of five Jewish youths on suspicion of carrying out serious terror offenses, including the killing of a Palestinian woman last October. The defence of the accused is being used to stoke nationalist tensions in the run-up to the general election on April 9, and to shift Israeli politics further to the right. All the mainstream parties are complicit. The five boys, students at the Pri Haaretz yeshiva (religious seminary) in the Rehelim settlement in the occupied West Bank, are accused of the stone-throwing attack on a Palestinian car October 12 that killed Aisha Mohammed Rabi, 47, a mother of nine, and injured her husband, Yacoub. The past year saw a threefold increase in racist attacks on Palestinians over 2017, with 482 politically motivated crimes by Jews reported in the West Bank. These included beating and throwing stones at Palestinians, painting nationalist, anti-Arab or anti-Muslim slogans, damaging homes and cars, and cutting down trees belonging to Palestinian farmers. The murder and its aftermath highlight the utter lawlessness and racism inherent in the Greater Israel project from which the settler movement stems. Speaking to Haaretz after the attack, Yacoub Rabi said, I dont have any doubt it was the settlers. There were six or seven of them, and it was clear that they were young. As is common in such stoning attacks, the police dragged their feet over their investigation, to the extent that few believed any action would be taken. According to the public broadcaster Kan, the day after the stoning attack, settlers from Yitzhar broke with the strict religious rule of not driving on the Sabbath and traveled to the Rehelim yeshiva. One of those in the car was reportedly Meir Ettinger, a grandson of the extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, whom the Shin Bet, Israels domestic intelligence agency, has accused of being a ringleader of an underground group that spawned the racist filth legitimising attacks on Palestinians. In 2015, Ettinger spent time in administrative detention, which enables the state to order someones arrest without informing the detainee of the reason or providing any evidence of wrongdoing, and to detain him for unspecified periods and interrogate him without lawyers in attendance. Administrative detention orders are routinely used against Palestinians, but rarely against Jewish Israelis. Ettingers arrest followed attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank and churches and mosques in Israel by right-wing Jewish extremists, including the torching of a Palestinian family in the West Bank village of Duma, which killed an 18-month-old baby. The use of administrative detention orders under the pretext of combating militant Jewish nationalists facilitated the introduction of such methods as part of the build-up of repressive measures to be used against the working class. On October 13, Ettinger and his companions went to the Rehelim yeshiva to brief the assailants before any investigation, arrest or interrogation, and thereby prevent them revealing the details of the stoning attack. Two weeks ago, Shin Bet, not the police, arrested three of the suspects on suspicion of murder. They also arrested two others who were taking part in a protest in support of the alleged assailants. A gag order was imposed on the media to prevent any reporting on the details of the investigation, and the youths were banned from seeing their lawyers, the far right activist Itamar Ben Gvir and Nati Rom and Adi Kedar of the Honenu NGO, which provides legal aid to Jewish activists suspected of terrorist attacks. The police also called all the yeshiva students in for questioning after entering the seminary amid claims from the staff that they did not have a search warrant. By last Thursday, 30 students had been questioned. The settlers and their supporters, including religious leaders and the suspects lawyers, issued statements condemning the arrests and organizing protests outside the homes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other cabinet members, and later demonstrations outside the court proceedings. Neither Netanyahu nor any member of his cabinet had condemned the attack or demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. Rather, they actively encouraged the protests over the arrests and the investigation. Following an appeal by one of the families over lack of access to lawyers, Ayelet Shaked, justice minister and leader, along with Naftali Bennett, of the newly formed New Right Party, called the mother of one of boys to say that she had discussed his case with State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan and urged the mother to stay strong. A week after the youths were taken into custody, they were permitted to meet with their lawyers, who claimed the boys were innocent and accused Shin Bet interrogators of severe manipulation and causing serious trauma. The Shin Bet was also forced to lift the gag order on part of the case. In response, it issued statements that it had discovered an Israeli flag with a swastika and Death to Zionists scrawled on it in the room of one of the suspects, who were now described as radical anti-Zionists. The lawyer for the five youths, Itamar Ben-Gvir, described this as a spin by Shin Bet, stating that there was no real evidence against his clients who are good kids that love the State of Israel. On Thursday, a judge ruled that four of the suspects should be released and subject to house arrest, while the fifth should be kept in detention because of the nature of the allegations, the evidence against him and concerns over obstruction of justice. The Shin Bet claimed that it had respected all the suspects rights under law, saying, Claims of their denial are baseless and aim at diverting the discourse from the serious suspicions for which they were detained and at bringing the service in disrepute. The increase in violence and murderous attacks on Palestinians are bound up with the encouragement of all forms of extreme nationalism by Israels fascistic settler parties, which sit in Netanyahus government, as well as from recently elected municipal leaders. As the World Socialist Web Site explained in its statement on January 3: The ultra-rightwing government of Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel is establishing the closest relations with extreme rightwing regimes and parties throughout the world. These alliances reflect the growing strength of fascist forces within Israel itself. The WSWS drew attention to a column in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on December 31, by the Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, who warned: We have to face reality. We are witnessing the flourishing of a Jewish Ku Klux Klan movement. Like its American counterpart, the Jewish version also drinks from the polluted springs of religious fanaticism and separatism, only replacing the Christian iconography with its Jewish equivalent. Like white racisms modus operandi, this Jewish racism is also based on fear mongering and violence against its equivalent of Blacksthe Palestinians. Such obnoxious and abhorrent phenomena mirror similar trends internationally and demonstrate the bankruptcy and reactionary dead-end of the entire Zionist project. Residents of South Bronx Area Site 402, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) housing complex, have gone without heat for a decade. Site 402 is among the most egregious examples of the widespread loss of heat and hot water confronted by residents of public housing complexes during the winter months throughout the city. The physical state of NYCHA housing has deteriorated dramatically due to the starvation of funds from the federal, state, and local governments. Significantly, legal requirements that landlords provide heat and hot water in private residences do not extend to city owned housing. In addition to lost heat and hot water, NYCHA residents must also deal with lead paint, leaks, mold, broken elevators, rat and roach infestations and year-long waits for basic repairs. While the supposedly progressive Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio, now in his second term, pledged to fight rapidly growing inequality, homelessness has continued to rise with over 60,000 people sleeping in the New York City shelter system and thousands more remaining on the streets. Millions of working-class and middle-class residents have been pushed to the limit by rising rents, and stories of families doubling up in apartment buildings or being evicted from their lifelong homes are all too common. Despite the often untenable and unhealthy living conditions, over 200,000 New Yorkers are listed on the waitlist for admission to NYCHA housing. Tenants report waiting months or years for crucial repairs such as leaking pipes and water damage, the consequences of which include chronic health issues related to mold inhalation. In 2016, a report by Manhattan US Attorneys civil division exposed that for nearly a decade the city had suspended lead paint inspection, falsifying compliance reports and failing to notify tenants of the toxic contamination in their homes, putting thousands of children at risk of poisoning. De Blasio was informed of the falsification but suppressed the information for one year while he ran for re-election. In the winter months, NYCHAs deteriorating conditions are thrown into even sharper relief. Last winter, NYCHAs records revealed that 142,000 apartmentsa figure representing roughly 80 percent of NYCHA residentswent without heat for average periods of 48 hours at some point between October 1 and January 22. In addition, over 159,740 apartments experienced hot water outages over the same period. South Bronx Area Site 402 is comprised of four buildings, each housing approximately one hundred residents. Residents complaints about the heating problems have been routinely ignored by building management. A NYCHA representative told the New York Times in December that after a decade of problems heating pipes in the complex would be replaced some time this winter. WSWS reporters recently spoke to residents about the decade long heat outage in their homes. One resident, Nayomi, who works in Manhattan as a nanny, has lived in one of the buildings for four years. We have been without heat the whole time weve lived here, she explained. I have to use three electric heaters for the four rooms in the apartment. I use one for a few minutes and pass it to my sister to heat up her room. The electric bill is so high. And even then, the apartment is never warm enough. The floor is always cold. It makes me sad because I have two young children who have to deal with the cold all day long. In addition to the lack of heat, Nayomi and her family must cope with a mold problem. We did get some repairs. They painted over the mold and did some plastering work, but it is not a solution that lasts very long. My little cousin who lives with us is always getting sick, even in the summer, and we think its from the mold. Sabrina stopped to talk as she was walking home with her young son. I have one electric heater for two rooms but the electricity is expensive so I only heat and use half the apartment. We have to pay for electricity ourselves. It is also dangerous to use space heaters. I worry every night in bed about that, but we have no choice. Sabrina also explained that her entire building had no gas from early October to the end of November. The city gave us each a little hot plate. They wouldnt give us more because they said it was dangerous. Ive lived here for two years and the conditions are terrible, but I have to stick with it because its all I can afford. Sometimes I think my son still thinks we live in a shelter. Carleton, a plasterer, visits his niece, Samantha, in her apartment in the South Bronx Area Site 402 residence. Each time he visits he makes repairs that the city has not addressed properly. Carleton also mentioned the months without gas and explained that the hot water is never reliable. The hot water is back on today. But it was out for two days. We were boiling water for showers for two days. This happens all winter long. We never know when the water will be out. September rolls around and we know we will have hot water and heat problems again. Samantha joined Carleton in the hallway. She said, I have one heater, but the Con Edison billI cant afford it. And we need to use the oven for more heat and that gas costs too much money too. And yes, it is dangerous. We use the oven to heat. We know its dangerous but we have to do it. I hate it. You do go to sleep some nights and think, what if there is a fire? Still, some days the temperature inside is almost the same as outside. Carleton added, The city doesnt care about us. The politicians dont care about us. The city has the money to give Amazon billions of dollars. Carleton joked, Can I get a billion dollars? Ill just take a million, thats fine. But not even a dollar is forthcoming for the needs of NYCHAs residents. The recent threats of a federal take over of NYCHA housing by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would provide woefully inadequate funding and pave the way for a full privatization, placing all NYCHA residents in danger of eviction. With or without a federal takeover, De Blasio has indicated plans for increased privatization of NYCHA housing. His NextGen initiative leases public housing land to private developers for the construction of market-rate apartments, a solution that does not benefit a majority of New Yorkers, but continues to funnel state and federal funds to the already bursting real estate industry. The deterioration of New York City public housing is just part of nearly 40 years of a social-counterrevolution by the ruling class, destroying social programs fought for and won by the working class in an earlier period. In New York City, as in much of the rest of the United States, a tipping point is rapidly being reached as it becomes impossible for large sections of the working-class even to live. On Thursday, after a nearly two-week delay in releasing the results of the December 30 poll, Congos electoral authority, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) declared Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the victor in the hotly contested election to determine the successor to President Joseph Kabila, who has ruled Congo for 18 years. Ahead of CENIs announcement Thursday, heavily-armed riot police were deployed outside the electoral commissions headquarters in Kinshasa. Speaking on the eve of his victory before a crowd of supporters Tshisekedi gave an indication of a behind the scenes agreement with the Kabila regime, lavishing praise on the outgoing president and declaring Kabila an important political partner. Notably, Tshisekedis running mate was Vital Kamerhe, a former Kabila campaign manager. The surprising announcement of a Tshisekedi victory was followed by an outcry from opposition candidate Martin Fayulu, who called the electoral commissions decision an electoral swindle. On Saturday, Fayulu, a former Exxon-Mobil executive, filed a challenge with the Congo Constitutional Court requesting a manual recount of all votes cast in the poll. Voting data compiled by the Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), a Catholic bishops group, who placed 41,000 election observers at polling stations around the country, disputed the result certified by CENI. In a statement to media regarding its assessment, the bishops declared, The governments decision does not correspond to the data collected by our observation mission. While not publicly naming Fayulu the winner, several diplomats and reporters, as well as the Kabila government, have stated that the CENCO privately informed them that they had determined Fayulu was the victor. CENIs declaration of Tshisekedi as the winner raises serious questions regarding the integrity of the poll. According to pre-election poll data, Fayulu had taken a clear lead over all other candidates in the contest. In comparison, pre-election polling placed Tshisekedi far behind. Poll data showed that Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, Kabilas handpicked candidate, occupied a distant third place in the contest. The three candidates, occupying the wealthy social layer comprising the Congolese bourgeoisie, represented a choice between various strategies for advancing the interests of the ruling capitalist elite. Regardless of who won, not one of these parasites could be expected to improve the miserable social conditions experienced by the Congolese masses. The grotesque affair of the election itself, representing nothing that could be called democratic, was conducted amid the atmosphere of a quasi-police state. A significant presence of armed security forces patrolled city streets, with several mobilized to polling stations in a blatant display of intimidation to voters and poll workers alike. The Catholic Church reported 115 instances in which its election observers were forcibly removed by police at several polling locations across the country. A young man at a polling station in the town of Walungu in eastern Kivu province was shot to death by a policeman after a brief altercation occurred in which the policeman accused the youth of voter fraud. Several voters who witnessed the shooting retaliated against the policeman and beat him to death. In addition to the heavyhanded police repression, voters throughout the country were frustrated by long delays consisting of several hours before the opening of many polling stations. There were several reports of ballot box stuffing and tampering, as well as the theft of uncounted ballots in several districts and outright vote buying. Electronic voting machines were utilized for the first time throughout the country, leaving many voters who had never even used a computer with little instruction in the machines use. Additionally, many areas of the country experience frequent power outages, and on the day of the poll, electrical blackouts caused voters to suffer significant delays. Further, the Catholic Churchs election observers noted 544 cases throughout the country of malfunctioning voting machines. Fitting with the anti-democratic character of the ruling government, ahead of the poll on December 30, the Kabila regime cut off internet access nationwide, under the bogus pretext of ensuring security and peace. Furthermore, the Kabila government explicitly barred 1 million voters from casting a ballot in the North Kivu province, an area facing a renewed outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. Kabilas ridiculous claim behind the imposition of the vote restriction was the possibility that afflicted residents could infect voters and worsen the pandemic. Notably, North Kivu province is a base of significant support for Fayulu. Furious protests erupted against the ban in the North Kivu cities of Beni and Butembo. Angered by the voting restriction, Jacob Salamu, a 24-year old first-time voter and resident of Beni, expressed the widespread contempt felt by the Congolese masses toward the government when he told reporters, We do not have Ebola. Kabila is worse than Ebola. Washington and the capitals of Europe are observing the developments closely in the Congo. At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, Washington, along with France, Belgium, and Germany requested CENI to release its voting data. For Washingtons part, they have kept a watchful eye over the elections, having deployed 80 troops to nearby Gabon for the purpose of protecting US assets in the event of political turmoil arising from the elections. Both France and Belgium challenged the Kabila government regarding the polls official outcome, calling the declaration of Tshisekedi inconsistent with election observers findings and stating that Fayulu appears to be the true winner. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Frances CNews television: It really seems that the declared results ... are not consistent with the true results. On the face of it, Mr Fayulu was the leader coming out of these elections. Kabila government spokesman Lambert Mende lashed back at the statement of Le Drian, retorting, France has nothing to do with the vote in the Congo, and if Mr. Le Drian thinks Congo is a province or colony of France, he just needs to name the president of Congo. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), comprising of a collection of southern African nations including the Congo, moved to soothe political tensions by suggesting to the Tshisekedi and Fayulu factions to enter into a power-sharing agreement. Weighing most heavily on the minds of the SADC countries and the Western capitalists in Europe and the United States is their fear that a prolonged election dispute could erupt into a wider political conflict leading to war and, in turn, disrupting their economic interests in the Congo. For both Washington and Europe, the stakes in the outcome of the election are the Congos estimated $24 trillion in untapped raw resources in the form of rare earth minerals, many of which are used in the manufacture of batteries that power smartphones, laptop computers and electric vehicles. A geopolitical component also figures prominently in the minds of Western imperial strategists, with China perceived by Washington as representing the most significant threat to American dominance in the central African region. China has exercised enormous economic influence with governments across the African continent over the last decade, an arrangement that Washington views as intolerable. In recent years, the Kabila government has experienced a falling out with Washington over Kinshasas cozying relationship with Beijing, with Kabila cementing several economic agreements with Chinese companies, in particular projects in the valuable Congolese mining sector. The author recommends: Trump deploys troops to central Africa following disputed Congo election [14 December 2019] A roof collapse in a small, privately-owned coal mine in northern China on Saturday killed 21 workers. A total of 87 miners were underground in the Lijiagou mine in Shenmuwhen the cave-in occurred around 4 p.m. Initial state media reports indicated that 19 workers had been killed and 66 had escaped. Rescue efforts continued through the night in the hope that the missing two would be found alive. Their bodies were found on Sunday morning. The mine is located in Shenmu in northern Shanxi province which borders Inner Mongolia. Aerial photographs of the mine on Sunday revealed a large number of ambulances and personnel. The cause of the accident at the mine, operated by the Baiji Mining Company, is still under investigation, according to the state broadcaster CCTV. According to a government notice, the Lijiagou mine was granted approval in 2016 to produce 900,000 tonnes of coal a year. However, in 2017, as part of a government campaign, its owner was ordered to suspend operations while it improved safety standards to prevent serious accidents. Whether or not the required safety improvements were carried out has not been made public at this stage. China is the largest producer of coal in the world and notorious for its poor safety record. Information about mining-related tragedies, as well as the outcome of investigations, are heavily censored. In December last year, seven miners were killed, and three others injured in a coal mine in Chongqing municipality in Chinas southwest when the connecting segment of a mining skip broke, plunging down into the mine shaft. In October, 21 miners died in eastern Shandong province after a rock blast occurred due to pent up pressure causing rocks to fracture and collapse, blocking the tunnel. There were 334 miners working underground at the Longyun coal mine at the time and only one of the 22 trapped workers was rescued. The mine in Yuncheng County, Shandong, was operated by the Shandong Energy Group, Chinas second largest producer. In response, the provincial authorities ordered a halt to production in 41 coal mines for security checks. The exercise was little more than a face-saving device to stem public anger over the deaths. Similarly, in response to the weekend disaster, Xinhua reported yesterday that the coal mine safety bureau in Shaanxi, a province bordering Shanxi, had announced a six-month safety campaign of all its high risk mines. The focus will be on mines more than a kilometre underground, with increased risk of gas leaks or a high number of workers per shift. In the early 2000s, at the height of Chinas economic boom, around 5,000 coal miners were being killed each year. These figures have dropped considerably. In 2017 there were 375 coal mining-related deaths, down by 28.7 percent year-on-year, according to Chinas National Coal Mine Safety Administration. By comparison, the US had 15 coal mine deaths in 2017. However, this reduction has less to do with improved safety standards than with declining production, mine closures and mass layoffs, and the consolidation of the industry by state-owned companies. According to the China Labour Bulletin, a rapid rise in coal prices in 2016 led to an alarming spike in coal mine accidents. At the end of the year, there were nine major coal mine accidents in just three weeks, killing at least 86 workers. Some of these occurred at closed mines that were reopened to take advantage of higher coal prices. In a statement January 2018, the safety watchdog announced it would be closing all coal mines capable of producing less than 90,000 tonnes a year to reduce excess capacity and safety risks at coal mines. In some regions, the limit was set at 150,000 tonnes. The State Administration of Coal Mine Safety announced last August that it had inspected 59,000 mines nationwide in the first half of 2018. It had suspended production at 746 and issued fines totalling 677 million yuan ($US100 million) for safety violations. In October 2018, China met its target of cutting annual overcapacity of coal production by at least 150 million tonnes, along with the slashing of its steel capacity by 50 million tonnes. The slowdown in coal production has been particularly felt in Shaanxi, which produces roughly 40 percent of Chinas coal. Last Friday, the National Coal Mine Safety Administration sent notices to major coal hubs in Shandong and Henan provinces and parts of north-eastern China asking them to halt operations for inspections lasting until June, the state-run Shanghai Securities News reported. There is no guarantee, however, that any discovered deficiencies will be acted upon in order to prevent further tragedies such as Saturdays roof collapse. The far-right Vox party has agreed to back the bid of the right-wing Popular Party (PP) and Citizens (Cs) to rule Andalusia, the second-largest and most populous region in Spain. This marks the first time a far-right party promoting the legacy of fascist dictator Francisco Franco has helped form a government in Spain since the Francoite dictatorship fell 40 years ago. The deal is poised to end 36 years of uninterrupted Socialist Party (PSOE) rule in the region and sets a precedent for a possible national coalition government between PP, Citizens and Vox. PPs Manuel Moreno is to become the new regional premier, despite having obtained the PPs worst-ever electoral results in the region. An investiture debate is scheduled for this week. Last week, Vox agreed to support a PP-Cs governmentdropping its calls to expel 52,000 migrants, repeal laws on gender violence and gender equality, and scrap LGBT anti-discrimination policies. After obtaining widespread media coverage based on these demands, Vox then renounced them. Its leader, Santiago Abascal, had committed the party to an alliance with the PP and Cs soon after the elections, stressing that Vox would not be an obstacle to political change in Andalusia. Other points in Voxs 100-issue manifesto included abolishing the 17 regions to recentralize Spain as under Franco, outlawing separatist parties, slashing taxes, and banning undocumented migrants. Right-wing newspapers welcomed the deal. El Espanol cheered Voxs exercise of pragmatism, and El Mundo defined the agreement as reflecting Voxs wisdom of consensus. The ultra-Catholic La Razon rejoiced that Vox has renounced their most extreme demands. The government programme combines the promotion of the legacy of Francisco Franco, the fascist butcher of the Spanish Civil War, the defense of the wealth of the financial aristocracy, and appeals to nationalism and anti-Muslim hatred. It includes a concord law to replace the regions Historical Memory Law, which condemns Francos regime and allows for exhumations of the remains of victims of the fascists in the Civil War. The agreement is an unabashed defense of the banks austerity diktat. It calls for slashing income tax, estate tax and inheritance tax. The estate tax is only paid by 17,700 people (0.2 percent of the population), while inheritance tax is only paid by those inheriting over 1 million euros. The indebted region will thereby reduce its income, providing a pretext for even more social cuts. The regional government will audit its expenditure to cut superfluous spending, eliminate subsidies that do not meet obvious public and social purposes and de-fund the public media. The agreement also opens the door to attacks on public education, asserting freedom and the right of parents to choose the model they wish for their children, avoiding any interference by public authorities in the ideological formation of students. Appealing to the ultra-Catholic sections of the population, the agreement calls for tax incentives to families to drive up the birth rate, the creation of a Family Ministry and forcing women with unwanted pregnancies to receive extra information to dissuade them from having abortions. It calls for promoting flamenco and Holy Week celebrations, protecting bullfighting as a source of wealth and jobs, and changing Andalusias regional day to commemorate the end of the Christian reconquest of Spain, and the start of the expulsion of Muslims and Jews, in 1492. The agreement calls for a mass crackdown on immigrants, calling on the State Security Forces to protect borders, guaranteeing an orderly, legal immigration, respectful of our western culture. The far-right victory in the Andalusian election is a devastating verdict on the bankruptcy and the reactionary role of the PSOE and Podemos. Participation was the lowest since 1990, especially in working class areas traditionally voting for the PSOE. Forward Andalusia, an electoral coalition formed by Podemos Andalusia and the Stalinist-led United Left, lost 200,000 votesdropping from 20 seats in 2015 to 17. The PSOE received its worst-ever result of 28 per cent after slashing education, health and social spending at the national and regional levels. After its 36-year rule, and the worst capitalist crisis since the 1930s, over a quarter of Andalusias population is unemployed; tens of thousands depend on the Minimum Social Rent subsidy of 400. Nearly 42 percent of Andalusians live at risk of social exclusion. In the six months of PSOE Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs rule from Madrid, the government has continued the austerity and militarist policies of its PP predecessor and its repression of Catalan nationalist political prisoners. The PSOE has reacted to Voxs victory by shifting further to the right. PSOE regional candidate Susana Diaz blamed her defeat on the lack of Catalan-bashing during her campaign. PSOE regional premier of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano Garcia-Page, raised the prospect of banning all secessionist parties. The speed with which the PP and Cs have moved towards incorporating the fascist programme of Vox is a warning to workers and youth across Spain and Europe. The leader of the PP, Pablo Casado, has already said that the agreement in Andalusia is a preamble of what will happen in May in Spain, referring to local and regional elections. Voxs fascistic programme does not enjoy mass support. Like other far-right parties in Europe, Vox is acquiring influence far beyond its actual strength, based on support not in the population, but in the ruling class, the army, and other capitalist parties. It was founded in December 2013 by ex-PP members who wanted the PP government to take a harder line for pro-business tax policies and against Basque and Catalan nationalists and migration. They contested the 2014 elections but failed to win seats. Today most Vox voters are rich or upper middle class former PP voters. The Spanish ruling class used the Catalan crisis of October 2017 to catapult Vox to prominence. A marginal party until the fall of 2017, it received widespread coverage based on its extreme anti-Catalan rhetoric and demonstrations. It only obtained 395,978 votes in Andalusia (10.97 percent), four mayors out of 8,122, 17 town councilors out of 67,611 and 12 seats in the Andalusian parliament out of 109. Nevertheless, it has set the tone since the Andalusian elections, as the ruling elite in Spainas across Europetries to channel growing political discontent in a fascistic direction. The central obstacle in mobilizing the broad, historically rooted opposition in the Spanish working class to Francoism and the far right is the reactionary role of what passes for the left in Spain. Committed to the capitalist Transition regime they built to strangle the revolutionary upsurge of the working class against the Francoite regime in the 1970s, they are determined opponents of a revolutionary and internationalist struggle of the working class for socialism. This leaves the road open for the right to exploit widespread anger against the PSOE and Podemos. Podemos calls to pressure the PSOE to the left at national and regional levels have been exposed as a fraud. Even where it has ruled in the so-called local governments of change, like in the Andalusian city of Cadiz, Podemos has only imposed austerity budgets and supported local industrys weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, claiming this creates jobs. They aligned themselves on the PPs and PSOEs ruthless crackdown on Catalonia and Catalan political prisoners. Podemos and its pseudo-left allies are strangling the rising discontent expressed in several protests against Vox since the elections, by promoting identity politics in order to divide the working class. Podemos number two Irene Montero called on women to fill the streets and ballots to stop Vox. The recent attack on AfD politician Frank Magnitz has been used by Germanys parliamentary parties and leading media outlets to organise an unprecedented propaganda campaign on behalf of the Alternative for Germany and declare their solidarity with this right-wing extremist party. Magnitz is the chairman of the AfD in the city of Bremen and was attacked on Monday evening by three unknown persons. He suffered a head injury and was taken to the hospital where he was treated. The AfD immediately declared the attack an attempted murder (according to AfD federal chairman Alexander Gauland) carried out by left-wing terrorists (AfD spokesman Jorg Meuthen). In a press release, the party leadership described the attack as follows: They [the perpetrators] beat him unconscious with a square piece of timber and continued to kick his head when he was on the ground. It is only thanks to the courageous intervention of a construction worker that the attackers could not complete their plan and Frank Magnitz escaped with his life. He now lies seriously injured in hospital. It is now known that this account was entirely fictitious. The incident had been recorded by several surveillance cameras, and one day later the police announced that the version given by the AfD was false. What took place was clearly visible from the surveillance camera videos, declared Frank Passade, spokesman for the Bremen prosecutors office. On Monday evening Magnitz was pursued on the way to his car by three unknown persons. One of them hit Magnitz on the back or on the head with his elbow. Magnitz then tumbled to the ground and hit his head as the three suspects ran away. Ten to 15 seconds later two workers attended to Magnitz. One of them made an emergency call. On the basis of the video recordings. prosecutor Passade said that any kicks to the head or the use of a piece of timber or other object could be ruled out. We assume that the injuries suffered are solely due to his fall, he said. The claim made that one of the workers reported hearing footsteps and saw the piece of wood was also false. According to Passade, both of the workers stated to police that they had not even seen the crime. They were only aware that something had happened when they heard screams. They made no mention of a wooden club. Notwithstanding these facts, during the following days the media printed the lies of the AfD as if they were established facts. Gauland, Meuthen and the already recovered Magnitz were interviewed as key witnesses on the main news programs. The trio raged against an alleged attack by anti-fascists, referred to a bloody hate campaign directed against the AfD and a black day for democracy in Germany. In fact, the background to the incident remains unclear. Neither the perpetrators nor their motives have been identified, so it is not clear whether Magnitz was attacked for political, personal or criminal reasons. He is currently under investigation by the Bremen prosecutor on suspicion of embezzling party funds. The rest of the parties represented in the German parliament (Bundestag) have reacted to the lies of the AfD with a campaign of support. The ruling grand coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD), plus the opposition Free Democratic Party, Greens and Left Party, all published statements expressing their solidarity with Magnitz and the AfD. One has the impression they were all just waiting for the chance to embrace this far-right party. Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) wrote on Twitter: Violence should never be a means of political debateno matter who or what the motives are. There is no justification for that. Anyone who perpetrates such a crime must be rigorously punished. The CDU general secretary, Paul Ziemiak, stated that there had to be an end to incitement, contempt, hatred and violence. This seed must not be allowed to grow. On Twitter, Green politician Cem Ozdemir wished Magnitz to get well soon and condemned the cowardly attack. It was a regrettable ground to make clear that violence is never justified, irrespective of the motivation. The Left Party expressed similar sentiments in an official press release. The attack on Mr. Magnitz must be clearly condemned, the wrote, Violence against persons is no way to resolve political or personal differences. One hopes that the background of the deed will be cleared up quickly and Mr. Magnitz will completely recover. Germanys social democrat federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier went so far as to write a personal letter to Magnitz. According to the dpa news agency, he described any form of violence against elected officials as an attack on our constitutional state. He then issued an appeal to the AfD: We must unite and resolutely oppose this. The solidarity statements with Magnitz and Steinmeiers approach to the AfD demonstrate how far the German ruling class has shifted to the right 74 years after the fall of the Third Reich. Magnitz is a representative of the extreme (volkisch) nationalist wing within the AfD and maintains close relations with far-right AfD deputy Bjorn Hocke, who has openly advocated National Socialist (Nazi) views in the past. Steinmeiers appeal for defence of the constitutional state in alliance with the AfD and other right-wing radicals should be taken as a warning. Steinmeier is clearly not referring to basic democratic rights, which are constantly attacked by the AfD, but rather to the state apparatus, which is constantly being rearmed. As was the case in the 1930s, the ruling class is once again relying on a powerful state apparatus and right-wing extremists to enforce its policy of militarism, social cuts and domestic rearmament against growing resistance from the working class. All of Germanys political parties have been collaborating with the AfD behind the scenes. In January 2018, all of the parliamentary groups agreed to allow the AfD to chair the most important committee of the Bundestag, its Budget Committee. The Bundestag Legal Affairs Committee and Tourism Committee are also chaired by the AfD. Especially with regard to refugee policy, the federal government and various state governments are all implementing the program of the AfD. The domestic intelligence agency (Office for the Protection of the Constitution, BfV) report of the grand coalition was also drafted in close cooperation with the AfD. While the AfD and its far-right milieu feature merely as victims of alleged left-wing extremists, all opposition to capitalism, nationalism, imperialism and militarism is declared illegal and described as left-wing extremist and anti-constitutional. The Magnitz case reveals the extent to which the AfD has been integrated into official politics in order to establish a right-wing authoritarian regime in Germany. Following the latest pro-AfD campaign in politics and the media, it is only a matter of time before the party becomes directly involved in government. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) is not prepared to tolerate such a development. It has undertaken legal action against the partys surveillance by the BfV and is participating in the forthcoming European elections with a nationwide list to arm the massive opposition among workers and youth to the far right with a socialist program. 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. Auditor Makes Recommendations to the District Attorney's Office PITTSFIELD, Mass. An audit of the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office released Monday found that improvements were needed to the office's internal controls and recording of forfeited funds. The audit covers the period from July 1, 2016, through March 31, 2018, and was requested by former District Attorney Paul Caccaviello shortly after his March 2018 appointment. "As Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington takes the reins of the office, I encourage her to use this audit as a roadmap for improvement," State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump said in a statement. "The recommendations in this audit will ensure the office quickly receives revenue due it is owed, and help to strengthen its defenses against risks that could threaten its ability to accomplish its goals." The audit notes that some forfeited funds were not remitted to the district attorney's by law enforcement in a timely manner. Under state law, certain funds used in illegal activities, including the purchase and sale of controlled substances, are subject to forfeiture by the commonwealth. In some cases, it took up to 780 days after being court-order for these funds to be transferred to BCDA. This issue was first identified by Bump's office in a 2014 audit. Auditors selected at random 20 forfeitures totaling $90,664 from a population of 76 forfeitures totaling $266,631 received during the audit period and identified that that took more than 30 days to be collected. "Because forfeited funds are in cash, not recording them within one bank cycle (30 days, or one month) increases the risk of theft or loss," the audit notes, adding, "As a result, BCDA and local law enforcement agencies went without funds to which they were entitled for an extended period." The auditor's office is recommending that the district attorney's office remind assistant district attorneys that it is their responsibility to notify the chief of Appeals and the office's director of Fiscal Affairs of all forfeitures ordered by court motion in a timely manner and that the office modify its policies to ensure all forfeitures be tracked via the District Attorney Management Information Office Network. In its response, the office acknowledged there were delays "from date of order to deposit" but that procedures had improved since the prior audit. It is currently reviewing the DAMION system for better tracking that would include motion hearings. "We would like to note that some delays from order to deposit are due to appeals filed by the defendants or the need to resolve matters with co-defendants who may have claim to the same forfeited funds and will be more diligent in noting this on orders so reasons for any such delays will be readily apparent," the office responded. The audit also found the office's internal control plan (ICP), an agency-wide document that summarizes risks and controls for all business processes, has not been updated since 2016. The document including the internal environment statement, goals and objectives, identification of risks/challenges, and mitigation steps are required to be updated annually. The office had contracted with a third party to review the document and make recommendations on updating personnel policies and procedures in June 2017 but the inability of all parties to meet until December of that year and then the turnover in March and again in November, delayed any action, according to the office's response. "We have advised the newly elected district attorney, Andrea Harrington, of this audit finding and have begun the process of aiding her new administration on their updated plan with the audit recommendations," the response states. The audit also looked at the Victim Witness Assistance Program; reporting of variances, losses, shortages, or thefts of funds or items to the Office of the State Auditor; budgeting practices; financial expenditures; and information technology inventory, and found all were in compliance with either internal or state procedures. "I am grateful to the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump for coming to Berkshire County last year to perform an audit of the district attorney's office," said District Attorney Andrea Harrington in a statement. "We are working closely with the state auditor to implement tighter controls and look forward to welcoming her back to Pittsfield soon so she can see the changes." The district attorney's office serves 32 cities and towns in western Massachusetts and operates from a Superior Court, three juvenile courts and three district courts. During the time period the audit covered, it had a budget of about $4.2 million and 56 employees. Audit of the Berkshire Dist... by on Scribd In a very free flowing conversation, BRPC members and state Sen. Adam Hinds covered an array of topics on Thursday. Hinds Chats Priorities With BRPC PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Berkshires don't have the traffic congestion or real estate prices that the Boston area does. Jim Lovejoy, from Mount Washington, sees that as an opportunity. He envisions using the effort to expand broadband in Western Massachusetts as a chance to build a far superior internet connection that will incentivize companies to build and grow here instead of in the pricier eastern end of the state. "If we took that middle mile and made a robust connection out of it, that was low cost, then you would have a situation where people would be incentivized to move here," Lovejoy said. Lovejoy has been a longstanding member of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and shared his thoughts with state Sen. Adam Hinds on Thursday. Hinds had originally been scheduled to meet with the commission in November to help strategize for the new legislative session but that meeting was canceled because of weather. The senator spent about an hour talking with the commission this week, touching on an array of topics, to hone in on what to address in new session. Broadband has been a longstanding issue in the Berkshires and there somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel. However, Lovejoy pressed the senator to keep on top of it and help ensure the Berkshires not only has enough broadband to allow residents to shop on Amazon but has good enough service to entice companies to move here. "Somehow we have to turn this opportunity into something that really gives us an advantage," Lovejoy said. Hinds added that part of the appeal of high-speed internet is that individuals can work from home. He said in some towns of his district up to 60 percent of individuals living there are working from home. The Pittsfield Democrat was somewhat more tempered than Lovejoy when it comes to attracting such businesses because of internet on its own, saying "innovators want to be near innovators," but he didn't disregard the potential of attracting businesses and highlighted Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing as an innovative company that chose to be here. Buck Donovan from Lee said that company wasn't "one anybody's radar." The firm arrived asking for permits and then "all of a sudden" was hiring. Berkshire Sterile is now up to around 90 employees and looking to expand again. Donovan hopes more of those type of companies will come to the Berkshires, and more specifically, come to the Eagle Mill in Lee. Hinds said one of the biggest reasons the company is here is because of the quality of life and that bolstering that through culture, nature, and outdoor recreation is going to be a priority. He highlighted his effort to secure funding in a bond bill to inventory, map, and market the county's mountain biking trails in an effort to become a hub for the sport. But, now he needs to get that money released. "We have lots of miles of trails out here but nobody has mapped them to market them," Hinds said. BRPC members were quick to mention that in doing so, the environment should be protected. Hinds said this effort could be a way to bring mountain bikers and environmentalists together because each side can look at the maps and come to a consensus as to sensitive areas the bikers need to avoid and to create nice areas for the bikers. Hinds said this session is also looking to increase efforts to work with utility companies. He said he is looking to boost investment in renewable energies, and particularly make more headway with solar. But he acknowledged that the utility companies aren't always that easy to partner with on these issues. Lovejoy added that he'd like to see increased local taxation on solar companies. Towns are giving up land that could be taxed at a higher rate for solar projects and he'd like to see that local revenue increased. He also pushed for eliminating the net metering cap that is limiting the amount of projects companies are doing throughout the state. Another issue discussed was transportation funding. Hinds highlighted the state's small bridge program and newly rolled out culvert program to help rural towns address aging infrastructure. With Chapter 90 funding for roads, Hinds said he is looking to craft a rural cutout to provide additional resources to towns with lots of road miles but few taxpayers to foot the bill. "That has been an increasing area we have been trying to apply a rural formula," Hinds said. "It is not the sexiest of issues but it is one for rural areas and meaningful for small towns." Another rural issue is payment in lieu of taxes. Many of the small towns in the Berkshires have a significant amount of state-owned land and an added amount of responsibility to take care of it. Hinds said it isn't uncommon for a town to have 40 to 60 percent of the total land area be owned by the state but PILOT funds are always equitable between towns. With something like October Mountain, Lenox receives more money per acre than Becket does. The senator said a proposal was pushed to create a commission to dig deeper into the issue but it wasn't passed. He'll be looking to promote that again. Transportation is another priority. Hinds said he is will continue to push for both east-west rail and north-south rail. And he is advocating for new ways to deliver public transportation. "There is a real desire for this. The biggest advocates, which somewhat surprised me, is health care," Hinds said. The senator wants his rural sparsity aid for education to be enhanced, is looking at trying to fully fund the Foundation Budget Review Commission's recommendations. He also is serving on a school transportation working group in the Senate to look at those costs. "Education is a committee I asked to be on so we could be on the front lines of that," Hinds said. Gwen Miller, Lanesborough's representative, added that she'd like to see an increased focus on vocational education. Hinds agreed, "I feel there has been a real shift in perspective form the time I was going to high school until now." Miller also urged the senator to focus on promoting agriculture and food, and outdoor recreation, two topics recently identified in an economic development plan for the town of Lanesborough done by Williams College. Hinds said the Senate president, speaker of the House, and the governor have all highlighted their priorities for this session and all have focused on health care, education, and mental health and addiction. "I know we will see progress on those three," Hinds said. In other business, BRPC is raising the assessments to towns by 2.5 percent. Adams' representative John Duval sits on the Finance Committee and said both the costs of such things as utilities and insurance and the amount of service the planning organization is giving to the towns is on the rise. For Adams, the third biggest payer to BRPC, the increase is $164. "I think is a bargain. We have benefited as many of the communities have benefited from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. If you look at the increases at 2.5 percent, it isn't major," Duval, who also sits on the Adams Board of Selectmen, said. Reena and Sanjay Sharma say they listen to their customers, who in turn have provided the essential support needed for the small family business. Williamstown Package Store Keeps Customers Coming Back Gold Leaf is coming up on its first anniversary after a successful year in Williamstown. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Family-owned Gold Leaf package store wants to keep it personal and supply its customers with exactly what they want. "It is a family business and we want this to be personal. People who walk through the door know who we are what we have to offer and they know if they want something we can get it," owner Reena Sharma said. "A lot of the stuff you see is what people have recommended. We started off with two racks." Manager and husband Sanjay Sharma agreed and pointed to the wall of various wines and beers in the Colonial Plaza package store. Customers had recommended 60 percent of the beverages. "We have a lot of craft beers and a lot of the stuff I have you can only find it in Berkshire County as a draught," Sanjay said. "If you walk in and ask for something I will try to find it." Reema, who works in the regional school district, owns the store with another partner and Sanjay runs the shop that opened last May. Sanjay said he has worked in retail for a large portion of his life. "I have been in retail 22 years between North Adams, Williamstown, and the nearby area," he said. "I know retail and this is why I am here I want to interact with my customers." Sanjay said Golden Leaf carries items at different price points. He said he has a bottle of wine for $4.99 or one for $110. This also goes for beer and his selection ranges from standard domestic beers to limited craft brews. He said he of course also carries everything else you would expect in a convenience package store. Sanjay said the Gold Leaf also offers beer and wine tastings which are advertised on the stores Facebook page. He added that this is also a good place to make suggestions. He added that eventually, he would like to be able to sell liquor even just on a seasonal basis. He said with so many hotels popping up in the area a lot of tourists stop in looking for liquor. Sanjay said Gold Leaf is also in the process of getting a catering license. "Pretty soon we will be offering those services," he said. "Before the summer comes we want to be able to offer catering at people's houses." Sanjay said he already has a steady and supportive customer base. He added that it is tough being a small local business but luckily the people of Williamstown are supportive of small businesses that often face an uphill battle. "Starting a small business is tough," he said. "That is what I like about this community they want to support small business. They are such supportive people." Sharma said they are happy to be part of the Williamstown community and want to be part of its success. "We are raising our family here. He has been here for 20 years and I have been here for 17 so we want to see the town succeed," she said. "Our kids go to school here ... we have lived our entire lives here and we don't intend on going anywhere." Isaiah Gardenhire is accused of stabbing a 13-year-old girl to death and committing other crimes while out on bond. He is in the Isabella County jail on a litany of felony charges and was out on bond in a case in Mason County. City/Town Adams Agawam Alford Ancram Ashfield Athens Austerlitz Averil Park Becket Bennington Berlin Bernardston Blandford Buckland Canaan Castleton-on-Hudson Charlemont Chatham Cheshire Chester Chesterfield Chicopee Clarksburg Claverack Colrain Connecticut Towns Conway Copake Cornwall Craryville Cummington Dalton Deerfield Dover East Chatham Egremont Falls Village Florida Germantown Ghent Gill Goshen Grafton Granby Granville Great Barrington Greenfield Greenville Hancock Hatfield Hawley Heath Hillsdale Hinsdale Holyoke Hopkinton Hudson Huntington Jacksonville Kinderhook Lanesborough Lee Lenox Leverett Leyden Litchfield Longmeadow Maynard Mendon Middlefield Milford Millers Falls Millerton Monroe Monson Montague Monterey Montgomery Mt Washington Nassau New Ashford New Lebanon New Marlborough New Salem North Adams North Canaan Northampton Northfield Old Chatham Otis Peru Petersburg Pine Plains Pittsfield Plainfield Pownal Readsboro Richmond Rowe Russell Salisbury Sandisfield Savoy Searsburg Shaftsbury Sharon Sheffield Shelburne South Hadley Southwick Springfield Stamford Stephentown Stockbridge Stuyvesant Tagkanic Tolland Turner Falls Tyringham Ware Washington West Springfield West Stockbridge Westfield Westhampton Whitingham Williamsburg Williamstown Wilmington Winchester Windsor Worthington - Region Berkshire - Central Berkshire - North Berkshire - South Outside Berkshire Connecticut Outside Berkshire New York Outside Berkshire Other MA Outside Berkshire Vermont Broker 2/06/2019HEART AND HOME REALTY, LLC 360BERKSHIRE REALTY GROUP Accent Realty LLC ACORN REAL ESTATE AGENCY AGNELLI REAL ESTATE ALANDER REAL ESTATE LLC ALDEN COUNTRY REAL ESTATE SERVICES ALL SEASONS REALTY GROUP ALLEGRONE REAL ESTATE, INC ALTON & WESTALL REAL ESTATE AGENCY, LLC ANN SPADAFORA REAL ESTATE ASHMERE REALTY, INC. 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(WLFI) Purdue super fan Tyler Trent has inspired French Knot, a locally owned winter-accessories company to donate profits to cancer research. Lindsey Mason, French Knot owner and designer brought her business to Lafayette in 2017. Although her products are mainly sold through wholesale and online, she wanted to do something to give back to the community. Everybody was so welcoming when we moved here and we wanted to do something that would celebrate my new home and also some of the employees that I hired that went to Purdue, said Mason. Last month, Mason launched a collegiate-collection, with Boilermaker themed colors. When Purdue's biggest fan Tyler Trent lost his battle to bone cancer on Tuesday Jan. 1, Mason's Operations Manager, Trista Schurman proposed an idea. I couldn't think of a better way to give back and do something in his memory than donate part of our proceeds to what he wanted, which was to donate up to a million dollars for cancer research, said Schurman. For the entire month of January, French Knot is donating five dollars from every hat and glove sold through their collegiate-collection. The money will go to the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment fund. The awareness that we can cause will go back into the Purdue community because the money's being used at Purdue Research Center, so it just all ties back to community and the spirit of being a Boilermaker, said Schurman. The most important thing for Mason was creating a brand that has a positive impact globally. French Knot provides a living wage for more than 1,000 women artisans in Nepal who hand-knit and embroider every winter accessory sold. You need to give back and it's not just about you when you own a business, it's about everybody around you and how you can affect them, said Mason. The Walther Cancer Foundation is matching every dollar donated. French Knot is sold in more than 120 stores nationwide. You can shop the collegiate-collection here. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The National Weather Service has lifted a winter storm warning in central Indiana after more than 7 inches of weekend snow. Some Indiana sheriffs say drifting snow has closed roads. Many vehicles remain stuck from Saturday. WLFI meteorologist Anne Brown said this coming weekend could be a repeat. "This weekend the potential for another significant snow producer is possible. This system, like the one we just experienced, will be coming out of the south and will have access to plenty of moisture," said Brown. "Models used in forecasting these type of events are lining up and becoming more consistent, but its still too far out to confirm. The exact track and accumulation will be something worth watching in the coming days." Watch WLFI throughout the week for updates to the next round of snow. ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Its the longest government shut down in history with no end in sight. In its 24th day, local federal workers deal with the reality of not being paid, and Catholic Charities in Oneonta is offering their help. Knowing that this was coming, and that people are going to go without pay, we wanted to be proactive and come up with some help and some assistance, that we could publicize and let people know about. So that when they end up in a situation where, how are gonna pay for heat or how we're going to pay for electric bill this month, or where were going to get food because were running out of money, hopefully this message will get out and theyll know they can come to Catholic Charities, said executive director Lynn Glueckert. The organization is partnering with local programs to help provide relief. Catholic Charities says in order to receive assistance you just have to show proof that you are a government employee An individual who has been affected by the government shutdown could come to one of our local agencies, apply for emergency assistance whether the need is food or utilities, and we would not have them go through the normal process which, at times, it would be to go through the department of social services it'll be a one stop and it'll be assisted, Glueckert said. And although it's not known when the shutdown will end, Catholic Charities will provide assistance until the shutdown is over I feel really lucky to be able to do this. Our plan is to be able to help during the remainder of the shutdown. We hope that it will end soon, but we will be able to help. Glueckert said. Catholic Charities has several offices throughout the state that are helping federal workers. For more on how you can receive help, visit the Catholic Charities website. Catholic Charities Otsego County: click here. Catholic Charities Oneida/Madison County: click here. Catholic Charities Herkimer County: click here. The head of Venezuelas opposition-controlled National Assembly (AN), Juan Guaido, said Sunday that his recent half-hour-long detention shows the desperation of the government of Nicolas Maduro . They are desperate at Miraflores (the presidential residence). They dont know who is giving orders, the Popular Will (VP) lawmaker told hundreds of people at a public assembly in his home state of Vargas, near Caracas. Guaido arrived at the event two hours behind schedule because while he was en route his vehicle was intercepted by Sebin intelligence agents who, carrying assault rifles and wearing masks, kidnapped him for half an hour, he said. Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said that the incident was an irregular and unilateral procedure, whereby the agents involved were fired and an investigation opened to determine responsibilities. Guaido told reporters that the official version of events shows that Maduro no longer controls the armed forces, which reveals - he said - the serious problem within the military. They kidnapped me. We were in a car ... I escaped the kidnapping because there are people who believe in Venezuela. ... They tried to put handcuffs on me; I didnt allow it because Im the head of the AN, because I represent a legitimate branch of government, he said. The agents told Guaido that they were complying with an order but they didnt know what they were doing, the lawmaker said. He reiterated that the AN on Tuesday will discuss a bill to grant amnesty to soldiers, whom the opposition has called on for their support to reestablish democracy in Venezuela. Maduro was inaugurated last Thursday for his second six-year term after winning reelection last May in a vote seen as fraudulent by the opposition and many foreign nations and institutions and in which the opposition did not participate. The Organization of American States and the European Union do not recognize Maduros second term as legitimate. Herkimer, N.Y. - The Salvation Army has been around for more than 150 years and this week the organization that helps so many around the world is playing an important role in helping people in and around Herkimer. The Herkimer Salvation Army, led by Lt. John Wood and his wife Lori Wood, has brought in a team of grief professionals to help people cope emotionally and spiritually with the devastating fire that happened Friday morning on E. Steele St. in Herkimer, where three young boys, ages 1, 6 and 7 lost their lives. The four member spiritual team is being led by Salvation Army Ret. Lt. Col. Gene Pigford of Unadilla. When we arrived inside the main doors of the Herkimer Salvation Army on N. Prospect St. Sunday morning, Pigford and the other members of the spiritual team were consoling family members of the three boys lost in the fire. All six people were in tears as they all were embraced in one big group hug. Pigford says everyone grieves differently and the goal of this spiritual team is just to be there if someone needs help, any kind of help. He says this is a community that needs help right now, I think the thing that hit me the most was I saw a picture of these three lovely children enjoying their Christmas together. With Christmas just two short weeks ago, Pigford says to think of these three young boys and their families so happy, enjoying the holiday is really tough and almost undescribable for this family who has lost so much, I think the initial days for the family are numbness, just a sense of numbness, overwhelmed, overwhelmed, but I think that they will sense, at some point in time, the rally that has come through this community. This will not be an easy week for them. I understand the calling hours are Thursday and the services this coming Friday, so that has its own emotional journey associated with it. Pigford says there will be resources available at the Herkimer Salvation Army all week for anyone that needs emotional support. Quotient Technology Inc. operates as a digital media and promotions technology company that offers power integrated digital media and promotions programs for brands and retailers. The company offers Quotient Promotions Platform offers digital paperless and print promotions, including Coupons.com website and mobile applications; brand and retailer websites and mobile applications; and third-party publishing websites and mobile applications. It also provides Quotient Retailer Promotions Platform that uses consumer data and insights to distribute personalized and targeted media and promotions for retailers of grocery, drug, mass merchant, dollar, club and convenience merchandise; and Quotient Media Platform, which provides targeted advertising solutions that enables brands to reach shoppers before, during, and after their shopping cycles with digital media campaigns. It also provides Quotient Retailer Performance Media Platform that uses retailer's consumer data to drive sales and enhances the shopper experience; Quotient Analytics provides campaign analytics and measured sales results to brands and retailers; Quotient Consumer Properties; and Quotient Retailer Media Services. It serves approximately 800 consumer packed goods, representing approximately 2,000 brands, including various food, beverage, personal care, and household product manufacturers; retail partners representing various classes of trade, such as grocery retailers, drug, mass merchant, dollar, club, and convenience merchandise channels; and consumers visiting its websites, mobile properties, and social channels. The company was formerly known as Coupons.com Incorporated and changed its name to Quotient Technology Inc. in October 2015. Quotient Technology Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Read More Wall Street analysts have given Invesco CurrencyShares Japanese Yen 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 Japanese Yen Trust wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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 Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company is involved in oil and gas refining, marketing, and bulk selling activities. It produces conventional, premium, and reformulated gasolines; gasoline meeting the specifications of the California Air Resources Board (CARB); diesel fuels, low-sulfur and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuels; CARB diesel; other distillates; jet fuels; blendstocks; lube oils and natural gas liquids; and asphalts, petrochemicals, lubricants, and other refined petroleum products. As of December 31, 2020, the company owned 15 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day. It sells its refined products through wholesale rack and bulk markets; and through approximately 7,000 outlets under the Valero, Beacon, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Texaco brands. The company also produces and sells ethanol, dry distiller grains, syrup, and inedible corn oil primarily to refiners and gasoline blenders, as well as to animal feed customers. It owns and operates 13 ethanol plants with a combined ethanol production capacity of approximately 1.69 billion gallons per year. In addition, the company owns and operates crude oil and refined petroleum products pipelines, terminals, tanks, marine docks, truck rack bays, and other logistics assets. Further, it owns and operates a plant that processes animal fats, used cooking oils, and other vegetable oils into renewable diesel. The company was formerly known as Valero Refining and Marketing Company and changed its name to Valero Energy Corporation in August 1997. Valero Energy Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Read More Ad Wall Street Rebel New this week - 238 interested Investors Search for the Next Big Medical Cannabis Winner - This Is It Medical cannabis stocks have rewarded investors with astonishing profits over the last three years and investors are now looking for the next big winner in a market thats expected to quintuple by 2026. El Buki Mayor y sus companeros de siempre se convierten en los primeros artistas latinos en debutar en uno de los estadios mas modernos y nuevos del pais. 3M Company develops, manufactures, and markets various products worldwide. It operates through four business segments: Safety and Industrial, Transportation and Electronics, Health Care, and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offers personal safety products, industrial adhesives and tapes, abrasives, closure and masking systems, electrical markets, automotive aftermarket, and roofing granules to industrial, electrical, and safety markets. The Transportation and Electronics provides electronics, such as display materials and systems, electronic materials solutions; automotive and aerospace, and commercial solutions; advanced materials; and transportation safety products to transportation and electronic original equipment manufacturer customers. The Health Care segment offers medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, oral care, separation and purification sciences, health information systems, drug delivery systems, and food safety products to healthcare industry. The Consumer segment provides home improvement, home care, and consumer health care products, as well as stationery and office supplies to various consumers. This segment is also involved in the retail auto care business. It offers its products through various e-commerce and traditional wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors, and dealers, as well as directly to users. 3M Company has a strategic collaboration with Merry Maids in residential cleaning sector; and collaborations with The Infectious Disease Research Institute and Duke Human Vaccine Institute to create a vaccine candidate with potential to provide protection against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2. The company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. Read More 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 The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO Energy Canada, XTO Energy Inc., and XTO Holdings LLC. FACT CHECK See inaccurate information in this story? Tell us here. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Embraer S.A. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aircrafts and systems in Brazil, North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Defense and Security; Executive Jets; Service & Support; and Other segments. The Defense and Security segment engages in the research, development, production, modification, and support for military defense and security aircraft, as well as offers a range of products and integrated solutions that include radars, special space systems (satellites), and information and communications systems, such as command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. The Executive Jets segment develops, produces, and sells executive jets. It also leases Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 executive jets in the super midsize and large categories; Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets in the midlight and midsize categories; Phenom family executive jets in the entry jet and light jet categories; Lineage 1000, an ultra-large executive jet; and Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, disruptive executive jets in the midsize and super midsize categories. The Service & Support segment offers after-service solutions, support, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for commercial, executive, and defense aircraft; provides aircraft components and engines; and supplies steel and composite aviation structures to various aircraft manufacturers. The Other segment is involved in the supply of fuel systems, structural parts, and mechanical and hydraulic systems; and production of agricultural crop-spraying aircraft. The company was formerly known as Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de AeronAutica S.A. and changed its name to Embraer S.A. in November 2010. Embraer S.A. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in SAo Paulo, Brazil. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Dover: ALMATEC Maschinenbau GmbH, Accelerated Production Systems, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company Limited business, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Automatik Grundstucksverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG, Automatik Plastics Machinery (Taiwan) Ltd., Automatik Plastics Machinery Sdn. Bhd., BSC Filters Limited, Background2 Limited, Belanger Inc., Belvac Middle East FZE, Belvac Production Machinery Inc., BlitzRotary GmbH, Butler Engineering and Marketing S.P.A., CEP Liquidation LLC, CP Formation LLC, CPC, CPC Europe Inc., CPI Products Inc., Caldera, Caldera Inc., Canada Organization & Development LLC, Chief Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd., Chippewa Square Captive Insurance Company, Colder Products Company GmbH, Colder Products Company LTD, Cook Compression BV, Cook Compression LLC, Cook Compression Limited, Cook-MFS Inc., DD1 Inc., DDI Properties Inc., DE-STA-CO Benelux B.V., DE-STA-CO FRANCE, DE-STA-CO Shanghai Co. Ltd., DFH Corporation, DSR BZ Holdings LLC, De Sta Co (Asia) Company Limited, De-Sta-Co Cylinders Inc., DeStaCo Europe GmbH, Delaware Capital Formation Inc., Delaware Capital Holdings Inc., Destaco Ema Industria e Comercio Ltda., Dover (China) Investment Co. Ltd. , Dover (Schweiz) Holding GmbH, Dover (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd., Dover (Shenzhen) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover (Suzhou) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover Asia Trading Private Ltd., Dover Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Dover Business Services EMEA Limited, Dover Business Services LLC, Dover Business Services Philippines Corporation, Dover CLP Formation Limited Partnership, Dover CR spol s r.o., Dover Canada Finance LP, Dover Canada Holdings ULC, Dover Canada Operations ULC, Dover Corporation Regional Headquarters, Dover DEI Services Inc., Dover Denmark Holdings ApS, Dover EMEA FZCO, Dover Energy, Dover Energy UK Ltd, Dover Engineered Systems Inc., Dover Engineered Systems UK Ltd, Dover Europe Inc., Dover Europe Sarl, Dover Fluids Inc., Dover Fluids UK Ltd, Dover France Holdings S.A.S., Dover France Participations SAS, Dover France Technologies, Dover Fueling Solutions UK Limited, Dover Germany GmbH, Dover Global Holdings LLC, Dover Global Trading Pte. Ltd., Dover Holdings de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dover India Pvt. Ltd., Dover Intercompany Services UK Limited, Dover International B.V., Dover International Operations Inc., Dover International Ventures Inc., Dover International Ventures Tunisia S.a.r.l., Dover International ithalat ihracat ve Pazarlama Limited Sirketi, Dover Italy Holdings S.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Finance Sarl, Dover Luxembourg Participations Sarl, Dover Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Services Sarl, Dover Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dover Overseas Ventures Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment UK Ltd, Dover Resources International de Mexico S. de R.L. C.V., Dover Solutions Colombia SAS, Dover Southeast Asia (Thailand) Ltd., Dover Spain Holdings S.L., Dover UK Pensions Limited, Dover WSCR Holding LLC, Dover WSCR LLC, Dover do Brasil Ltda., Dow-Key Microwave Corporation, Dressor Wayne Data Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Dressor Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, EOA Systems Inc., Ebs-Ray Holdings Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Industries Pty. Ltd., Ebs-Ray Pumps Pty. Ltd., Em-tec GmbH, Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH, Ettlinger Management Inc., Ettlinger North America LP, Ettlinger Vertrieb und Service GmbH & Co. KG, Ettlinger Verwaltungs-GmbH, Fairbanks Environmental Limited, Ferguson CO. S.A., Fibrelite Composites Limited, Fibresec Holdings Limited, Fibresec Limited, Finder, Finder Oriental (Beijing) Trading Co. Ltd, Finder Pompe S.R.L., Finder United Saudi Arabia Company, GAL LLC, GIIER LLC, Gala Industries Asia Limited, Gala Industries Incorporated, Gala Kunststoff-und Kautschukmaschinen GmbH, Guangdong Tokheim LIYUAN Oil Industry Technology Limited Company, Highland Park Insurance Company, Hill PHOENIX Inc., Hill PHOENIX WIC LLC, Hill Phoenix Costa Rica Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, Hill Phoenix El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Hill Phoenix Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Honduras Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hiltap Fittings Ltd., Hydro Systems, Hydro Systems Europe Ltd., Hydronova Australia-NZ Pty Ltd, Industrial Motion Control LLC, Inpro/Seal LLC, International Trade and Equipment B.V., JK Group SPA, JK Group USA Inc., K&L Microwave DR Inc., K&L Microwave Inc., K. S. Boca Inc., KPS (Beijing) Petroleum Equipment Trading Co Ltd., KPS Asia Sdn. Bhd., KPS Fueling Solutions Sdn. Bhd., KPS Hong Kong Holding Limited, KPS UK Limited, KS Formation Inc., KS Liquidation Inc., KSLP Liquidation L.P., Kiian Digital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Knappco LLC, Lianyngang Jump Petroleum and Chemical Machinery Co. Ltd., Liquip, Liquip International Pty Limited, MARKEM FZ SA, MARKEM Holdings Inc., MARKEM International Inc., MARKEM S.A. de C.V., MARKEM Tag Inc., MARKEM UK Holdings 1 Unlimited, MARKEM UK Holdings 2 Limited, MIP Holdings Inc., MS Printing Solutions S.R.L., Maag Automatik GmbH, Maag Automatik Inc., Maag Automatik Plastics Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Maag Automatik Srl, Maag Pump Systems (US) Inc., Maag Pump Systems AG, Maag Pump Systems SAS, Marathon Equipment Company (Delaware), Markem Imaje Center of Competencies Spain S.L.U., Markem-Imaje, Markem-Imaje (China) Co. Limited, Markem-Imaje A/S, Markem-Imaje AB, Markem-Imaje AG, Markem-Imaje AS, Markem-Imaje Application Innovation Center Sarl, Markem-Imaje B.V., Markem-Imaje CSAT GmbH, Markem-Imaje Co. Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Pty Ltd, Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l. a socio unico, Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn Bhd, Markem-Imaje Software Development Centre Pvt. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A.U, Markem-Imaje Unipessoal Lda (Portugal), Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Mouvex, Neptune Chemical Pump Company, Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International (UK) Ltd., OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OPW Engineered Systems Inc., OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW France, OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG Worldwide Inc., Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Piston OPW Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Pump Management Services Co. LLC, RAV Equipment U.S.A. Inc., RAV Equipos Espana S.L., RAV France, Rav Equipment UK Limited, Ravaglioli Deutschland GmbH, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Finance Ireland Limited, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod SAS, Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd, SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP A.G., SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Scheer Pelletizing Systems & Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Scheer Taiwan Machinery Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Solaris Laser S.A., Space S.R.L., Start Italiana Petrol Cihazlari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Start Italiana S.R.L., Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Curotto-Can LLC, The Heil Co., Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Guardian Venture Sdn. Bhd, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding, Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Netherlands B.V., Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Trans - Logistic Group S.R.L., Tulsa Winch Inc., Unified Brands Inc., Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., Warn Automotive LLC, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fuel Management UK Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Deutschland GmbH, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Pte. Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., Wei Li Pump Shanghai Co. LTD., WellMark, and Wilden Pump and Engineering LLC. Ad Wall Street Rebel New this week - 225 interested Investors Search for the Next Big Medical Cannabis Winner - This Is It Medical cannabis stocks have rewarded investors with astonishing profits over the last three years and investors are now looking for the next big winner in a market thats expected to quintuple by 2026. FACT CHECK See inaccurate information in this story? Tell us here. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang and Deputy Minister of State at the corresponding Cambodian ministry Ke Sam Oeun chaired the event. Thang said that in the context of fine developments in friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, the relationship between the two offices in charge of state management on religions has been consolidated, gaining multiple positive achievements. Along with delegation exchanges, the two sides coordinated in holding a conference to share experience in religious affairs with Cambodian officials in Vietnam, and for the first time organising a ministerial meeting on religious affairs between Vietnamese and Cambodian border provinces. He affirmed that Vietnam will do its utmost to actively carry out the cooperation agreement with the Cambodian Ministry of Religions and Cults, and improve the efficiency of bilateral cooperation in this field, thus contributing to consolidating and developing the Vietnam-Cambodia traditional friendship. The conference will last until January 15th. Together with experience sharing, the two sides delegates will visit several religious establishments in Lam Dong. According to Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Yen, Lam Dong is home to 1.3 million people, including about 800,000 followers of seven state-recognised religions, or 65 percent of the total population./. BlackRock, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. It also provides global risk management and advisory services. The firm manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios. It also launches and manages open-end and closed-end mutual funds, offshore funds, unit trusts, and alternative investment vehicles including structured funds. The firm launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and real estate mutual funds. It also launches equity, fixed income, balanced, currency, commodity, and multi-asset exchange traded funds. The firm also launches and manages hedge funds. It invests in the public equity, fixed income, real estate, currency, commodity, and alternative markets across the globe. The firm primarily invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, SMID-cap, large-cap, and multi-cap companies. It also invests in dividend-paying equity securities. The firm invests in investment grade municipal securities, government securities including securities issued or guaranteed by a government or a government agency or instrumentality, corporate bonds, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. It employs fundamental and quantitative analysis with a focus on bottom-up and top-down approach to make its investments. The firm employs liquidity, asset allocation, balanced, real estate, and alternative strategies to make its investments. In real estate sector, it seeks to invest in Poland and Germany. The firm benchmarks the performance of its portfolios against various S&P, Russell, Barclays, MSCI, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch indices. BlackRock, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in New York City with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; London, United Kingdom; Gurgaon, India; Hong Kong; Greenwich, Connecticut; Princeton, New Jersey; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Sydney, Australia; Taipei, Taiwan; Singapore; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, District of Columbia; Toronto, Canada; Wilmington, Delaware; and San Francisco, California. Read More Watts Water Technologies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells products and systems that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through and out of buildings in the commercial and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers residential and commercial flow control products, including backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, and thermostatic mixing valves. It also provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and gas products, such as boilers, water heaters, and heating solution; hydronic and electric heating systems for under-floor radiant applications; custom heat and hot water solutions; hydronic pump groups for boiler manufacturers and alternative energy control packages; and flexible stainless steel connectors for natural and liquid propane gas in commercial food service and residential applications. In addition, the company offers drainage and water re-use products comprising drainage products and engineered rain water harvesting solutions for commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications; and water quality products that include point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration, conditioning, and scale prevention systems for commercial and residential applications. Further, it provides smart mixing system under the IntelliStation name; thermostat with home automation voice recognition capabilities under the Invita name; and platinum boiler under the AERCO Benchmark name. The company sells its products to plumbing, heating, and mechanical wholesale distributors and dealers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, specialty product distributors, do-it-yourself chains, and retail chains; and directly to wholesalers and private label accounts. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts. Read More Lori Getter, a representative from Wisconsin Emergency Management, said that the D.A.R.E.S events are a great opportunity for businesses in the area to prepare for an unexpected event. Over 40 percent of businesses cant reopen after an emergency, Getter said. I can give example after example of businesses having to close down because they are not prepared, whether for a flood, fire, or other major event and these trainings can serve as a real eye opener for businesses. Seidl and Jorgenson said that interested businesses are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the Jan. 29 and Jan. 30 D.A.R.E.S. event, as space is limited to 130 places. Registration preference is given to local businesses, though businesses located anywhere are welcome to register. There is no fee to businesses for the training. Businesses can register online at trainingwisconsin.org/DeliveryDetails.aspx?classid=fc75870e-cffe-415d-ad97-9fa49be16fae. Each individual from a business is asked to register separately. To learn more about the program, contact Jed Seidl at jseidl@lakedeltonfd.org or 608-254-8404 ext. 103. This grant is the first of its kind for us, and I cant overstate how excited we are about the opportunity and the potential benefits for not just first responders, but the entire community, Jorgenson said. When better prepared to deal with these situations, youre better prepared to deal with any other type of emergency. Reach Christopher Jardine on Twitter @ChrisJJardine or contact him at 608-432-6591. 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. Lake Delton police have identified the alleged perpetrator of a robbery at the Lake Delton Quik Mart gas station occurring Jan. 4 as Wesley Utterburg, 50. The Lake Delton Quik Mart gas station at 152 W. Monroe Ave. reported a robbery at about 7:02 a.m. Jan. 4. Lake Delton police responded to the Quik Mart, but the suspect was no longer on the premises when officers arrived. According to a release from the Lake Delton Police Department, the suspect was seen entering the store at about 6:59 a.m. on the gas stations surveillance video. The suspect entered the front door to the gas station and demanded money from the clerk, said Lake Delton Police Chief Daniel Hardman in the release. The suspect left the store via the same door after less than one minute. Police described the suspect as a white male, five feet and seven inches tall, with a stocky build, and released surveillance stills from the gas stations security video to the public. The Lake Delton Police Department requested assistance from the public in identifying the suspect. Murphy said the city has a policy of restricting debt to 4 percent or less of the citys assessed valuation, and not paying back debt in an amount that is more than 0.25 percent of assessed valuation. For each year, 2018 through 2022, the percentage of debt in relation to valuation is well within the self-imposed limit, Murphy said, though the percentage is projected to creep up between this year and 2022, peaking at 2.9 percent. But the percentages for debt service are a little more worrisome, Murphy said. The cost of paying off debt in 2022 is projected to amount to 0.22 percent of valuation almost to the limit. One issue that the council will need to decide soon is whether to borrow this spring not only for this years projects, but also for next years. On the one hand, Murphy said, some of the projects planned for 2020, and their costs, are uncertain. They could end up not being done at all, or their costs could turn out to be higher or lower than projected making it difficult, if not impossible, to know exactly how much to borrow. On the other hand, the city will likely save on interest, and on costs relating to debt issuance, by borrowing this year for two years worth of projects, he said. The first section of the mural is nearly completed and covers two panels, each about 6 feet long and 8 feet high, Harvey estimated. Since December, students have been working on it for about four hours every Saturday. I was pretty enthused by the idea of leaving my mark on Portage, especially since Im a senior, said Kim Krueger, the schools art club president. Krueger was in charge of organizing the masses and making sure student ideas were put to paper and then to the wall, she said. Her favorite part of the project, so far, is the fox students painted, funny to her because it looks like its peeking out at you from the wall. You dont really see it unless you look closely, she said. Krueger devoted much of her time to a series of trees in the mural, including maple, birch, ironwood and spruce trees. While painting them, she thought about the time shed spent wandering in the Wisconsin woods whenever she stayed at her grandparents house. We try to make everything exact to nature, Krueger said of her trees. We want people to think, Hey, that looks like the birch tree in my backyard. We didnt want them to look like average trees. Patterson graduated in 2015 from Northwood High School in nearby Minong, a single building that houses pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. He was a member of the school's quiz bowl team, competing against other schools in tests of knowledge. The Journal Sentinel reported Saturday that he wrote in a school yearbook about his plan to join the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation, but The Associated Press has been unable to confirm if he followed through. Northwood Superintendent Jean Serum called Patterson a "quiet, good student who had wonderful friends and a supportive class," but said she had no real memories of him. Kristin Kasinskas, one of the neighbors who took Jayme in after her escape last week, told The Associated Press that she was Patterson's middle school science teacher. She said she didn't really remember anything about him except that he was quiet. He worked for a day in 2016 for the Jennie-O turkey plant in Barron before he quit, saying he was moving out of the area, according to Jennie-O President Steve Lykken. It's unknown what he has done for a living since then. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said he was unemployed when officers arrested him. JUNEAU A one-day jury trial has been scheduled next month for a 29-year-old Fond du Lac man who charged with stealing his parents rental car and guns before an excursion to Milwaukee. Jesse J. Oberdas is charged with felony counts of operating a motor vehicle without owners consent and two counts of theft of movable property. He could face up to 18 years in prison and a $30,000 fine if convicted. The jury trial was scheduled on Friday for Feb. 27 in the courtroom of Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Steven Bauer. According to the criminal complaint, Oberdas parents called Randolph police after noticing the car that they had rented was missing on the morning of July 13. They believed that their son had taken it. The parents had previously contacted police because Oberdas had taken their vehicle to Milwaukee, but had not wanted to press charges at that point. However, with the second car being a rental car, they wanted to seek charges. His mother said that she put her purse with her phone and the vehicles keys in it under her pillow before going to bed, but Oberdas had gotten the purse sometime during the night. On April 21, Macy attended a volleyball camp followed by some shopping. It was then that the family noticed a lump on her neck. Mason (Macys older brother) had just had mono so we thought we should have her checked out for that, Shel said. We went to the hospital and they did all these tests and we didnt know what was going on. By that night, Macy was transported to Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin. She was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia a few days later. Since that time, she has had multiple rounds of chemo, tests and has had an NG tube placed for feeding due to weight loss. She has a ways to go, but she will be done with what I call crappy chemo on Feb. 8 and then she starts maintenance, Shel said. She will be completely done with treatment in October of 2020. Lauren Curwick is familiar with the needs and struggles of what Macy is going through. She is currently in medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with hopes of becoming a pediatric oncologist. It helps to know what they are dealing with and thats one of the reasons I want them to have a happy place of their own, she said. I cant wait to see her reaction. I think shell love all the details in her room. Of course he does. Is he the first president in the history of America to do so? Of course not. It doesnt make it OK for any president of any party to lie to the public or deliberately overpromise things to win political support, and if they do they should be called out on it by a fair, balanced and honest media. But wouldnt it be nice if our liberal media spent a little time fact-checking the Chuck Schumers and Nancy Pelosis of the world? The least they could do is find 30 seconds of airtime to show some pre-Trump era video clips of see-no-crisis-at-the-border Democrats like Schumer, Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton calling for stronger border security and warning Americans about the dangers of illegal immigrants. We know the liberal mainstream media dont play fair, they play favorites.Theyll never seek out and publicize the flip-flops or hypocrisies of the Schumers and Pelosis. But you always can count on the liberal media to overpublicize the supposedly terrible suffering caused by a partial government shutdown, which they have been busy doing. So here were are with the president in a political stalemate. Nathalie M. Hamele of Portage passed away on her 89th birthday on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, under hospice care at St. Clare Meadows in Baraboo. Nathalie was born on Jan. 10, 1930, in Portage, the daughter of Robert O. and Stella E. (McComb) Allen. Her parents and sister, Shirley, resided in Wyocena for most of her young years, although they moved frequently from house to country to house. The family moved to Portage in 1943 and Nat graduated from Portage High School in 1947. She lived in Portage for the next 66 years. Nat married Robert L. Hamele on March 28, 1953. They had two children, Kent (Deb) Hamele of Brookfield, and Luanne (James) Napoli of Portland, Maine, and a granddaughter, Erica Hamele of Madison. Nat worked at the telephone switchboard in Portage in her young adult years. Later she worked in the Columbia County Clerks office for nearly 20 years. She was long active at the Portage United Methodist Church, in Homemakers Club, and later in the Calico Capers Quilt Club. A Baraboo couple is helping a man with big plans showcase a tiny circus. An anonymous California man hired Ralph and Joan Pierce to develop a private miniature circus display for his estate outside San Jose. The Pierces are circus buffs who have spent three years traveling to Connecticut and California, setting up the mini circus and lining up several full-size pieces to augment the display. It has been a way for us to use our skills, Ralph Pierce told the Baraboo Kiwanis Club on Tuesday. The project began with an Iowa circus enthusiast passing on his collection to one of his nephews. The nephew hired a Connecticut cabinet maker to build 40-foot-by-60-foot display for the collection. He then hired the Pierces to make mini circus tents, and they went on to refurbish miniature wagons and other items in Connecticut. The items were packed into three shipping containers and delivered by train to California. Meanwhile, the Pierces returned to Baraboo to build tiny working light poles, sew four circus tents and work on various props. The Corps of Engineers dredges the Mississippi every year to keep the navigation channel open. Putting the material back into the river to restore habitat is preferable to hauling it miles away by truck or barge, Novak said. The Lake Pepin project will use up to 500,000 cubic yards of material already removed from the Mississippi where its joined by the Chippewa River. Its stockpiled just north of Wabasha. The Corps of Engineers estimates that the island project would provide an additional three years of storage capacity for dredged material. But it will not entirely solve the corps need for space, since the agency removes about 250,000 cubic yards annually from Lower Pool 4 near Wabasha. Novak said the Corps of Engineers has built islands in other parts of the river to restore habitat. Typically, they are a couple of acres in size, built with sand and placed over the remains of an eroded island, he said. Fine sediment is placed over the sand so trees and other vegetation can grow. The islands help slow wave and wind energy, so the water behind the islands becomes calmer, Novak said. That helps prevent sand and sediment from becoming suspended in the river, keeping sunlight from penetrating and making it difficult for vegetation to grow, he said. But Kasinskas didn't have any strong memories of her former student. And she didn't realize that he was her neighbor. "He was a nice kid. Quiet kid," Kasinskas said Friday. "Very smart. He didn't speak out in class." In the hours after Patterson's arrest, his family including his mother and brother shut down their social media accounts and ignored repeated requests for comment. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} In a 2015 social media photo, since deleted, Patterson stood next to his mother, his hands in his pockets, unsmiling. Patterson graduated from Northwood School, a K-12 school in nearby Minong, where the superintendent said he had once been a member of the school quiz bowl team. Near the remote home where he was accused of keeping Jayme, other neighbors also had little recollection of him. One woman, Patricia Osborne, described Patterson and his brother as getting into trouble. "They've stolen stuff before. They've been in foster care," she said. "And the dad I guess, I don't know. I've met him and talked to him when I walked through the neighborhood, but that's about all I know." In Saskatchewan, the new legislative year started with an apology by Premier Scott Moe to survivors of the 60s Scoop for failing them. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Editorial In Saskatchewan, the new legislative year started with an apology by Premier Scott Moe to survivors of the 60s Scoop for "failing them." "On behalf of the government of Saskatchewan and on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan, I stand before you today to apologize. I stand before you to say sorry," Mr. Moe announced last week. "We are sorry for the pain and the sadness that you have experienced. We are sorry for your loss of culture and language. And to all of those who lost contact with their family, were so sorry." This follows similar apologies to 60s Scoop survivors in Manitoba (2015) and Alberta (2018). In Saskatchewan, approximately 20,000 Indigenous children were seized from their birth families and relocated to non-Indigenous homes, starting in the 1950s and continuing until the late 1980s. Similar numbers were taken in Manitoba and Alberta. Thats not the only similarity. The wordings of the three apologies were virtual echoes and, in all three cases, elicited a similar response from Indigenous leaders and survivors. Survivor Raven Sinclair called the apology "meaningful," but called for survivors to be compensated and for changes to ensure such a policy is never repeated. Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations refused to attend the apology, saying apologies are "empty" unless changes are made in Saskatchewans child welfare system, a "direct outcome" of the 60s Scoop. "Our First Nations children are still being ripped away from their families, communities and culture," Mr. Cameron said in a prepared statement. "This needs to stop immediately." For some Indigenous people particularly those most directly affected by violent policies government apologies are important recognitions of harm. For others, not so much. This might not be the real point of apologies, however. As in any act of violence, it is what happens after "sorry" that matters. The apology is the easy part; what comes after is much more difficult. The legacies from the 60s Scoop are profound and can be found in many aspects of Canadian society. The removal and relocation of Indigenous children justifiable and otherwise has resulted in generations of Indigenous citizens struggling with issues relating to identity, language loss, trauma and parenting. As Mr. Cameron identifies, the legacy of the 60s Scoop is most seen today in the overwhelming number of Indigenous children in child-welfare systems. This is most evident on the Prairies, where Indigenous children make up as much as 85 to 90 per cent of children in care in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. There are 10,328 Manitoba children in care, and 87 per cent are Indigenous. Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott has called the situation a "humanitarian crisis" and announced that the federal government will introduce legislation later this year to devolve child-welfare services to Indigenous governments and agencies. This is a good start, but without the involvement of provinces, which primarily oversee, fund and regulate child welfare, this legislation amounts to an empty promise. Cora Morgan, First Nations family advocate for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, recently testified at the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls that provincial agencies apprehend children as a "first resort" instead of a "last resort." Too much time and money is spent taking children away from their families instead of being proactive and keeping them together. Provincial governments can have an effect by supporting and empowering Indigenous families to escape poverty, find safe places to live and ensure Indigenous children are surrounded by loving, supportive and culturally engaged families and a society that values them. An apology is a beginning, not an end. Todays topic for inquiring minds is: exactly why did they create the (bad word) internet in the first place anyway? Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Todays topic for inquiring minds is: exactly why did they create the (bad word) internet in the first place anyway? Without doing any actual research, I would have to say there are three main reasons for the creation of what I used to call the "Intra-Web" until my kids started making fun of me, namely: Sharing pictures of Pamela Anderson from the old Baywatch TV series; Sharing LOL pictures of cats wearing hats and/or climbing in and out of cardboard boxes; Resolving bar bets over who won the Stanley Cup in 1942 (for the record, it was the Toronto Maple Leafs); But I am starting to have second thoughts. Lately, I have begun to think the real reason for the birth of the internet was to spark idiotic, time-wasting debates over trivial items to ensure our national productivity levels fall below those of most developing countries. For starters, lets think about that unforgettable "blue dress versus gold dress" debate that melted the internet three years ago. For those of you with short attention spans "Hello? Hello? OK, yes, that dog has a fluffy tail, but Im trying to make a point here" I am talking about a photograph that became a viral sensation in February 2015 because social-media users could not agree on whether the dress in the picture was black and blue or white and gold. In the first week after this photo surfaced, more than 10 million tweets mentioned the dress at its peak, the photo was getting 14,000 views every second proving people who live their lives on the internet will argue about anything. The other night, my wife and I stared at this iconic photo and we both agreed the dress was white and gold, which, in fact, is absolutely WRONG, because it turns out the dress is, in fact, black and blue. Neuroscientists, who apparently had nothing better to do, told the media that people saw the dress differently because of the way the human brain perceives colour, and chromatic adaptation and a tendency "to discount the chromatic bias of the daylight axis" and blah blah blah, if you catch our scientific drift. As if that wasnt divisive enough, the internet was fractured again early last year when no one could agree on whether a voice on a viral audio clip was saying the word "Yanny" or "Laurel." Seriously, you could not hop on social media last year without joining Team Yanny or Team Laurel, depending on which word you thought you heard the voice saying. Naturally, scientists, who have apparently finished curing most major diseases, couldnt wait to study this phenomenon, and they found 53 per cent of people (especially those with older ears, such as myself) heard the word "Laurel" whereas 47 per cent (this would include my wife) only heard the name "Yanny." From the parts of the debate I vaguely understood, it seems some listeners focus on the higher-frequency sounds in "Yanny" and cant hear the lower sounds of the world "Laurel" and an analysis of the frequencies confirmed both sets of sounds are present in the recording, which explains why blah blah blah. The point is almost no one was capable of doing any meaningful work for large parts of last year because they were too busy arguing over which word they heard on a cheesy audio clip on the internet. If you thought we were safe from such trivial, time-wasting activities in 2019, allow me to say, and this comes from the bottom of my heart, you are an idiot. Here we are, two weeks into a bright and shiny new year, and once again we are all caught in the vise-like grip of yet another internet debate, this time over something the iconic blue monster Grover might or might not have said on an episode of Sesame Street. Unless you have been in a coma for the past two weeks or hiding in your drainpipe you will already know that a video clip is causing the internet to experience heart palpitations because some people believe it shows the beloved furry monster dropping the F-bomb while chatting with a fellow Muppet. Just like the debate over "The Dress" and "Yanny or Laurel," the fuss over whether Grover uttered an expletive is causing a great many social-media fans to clutch their pearls and wonder just what kinds of words kids are learning to pronounce on Sesame Street. In this six-second clip from the Nov. 24 episode of the iconic show, the Muppet Rosita tells Grover: "Ooh, they have to follow you." What Grover responds with is questionable, and depends on your ears and, most likely, your brain. "Yes, yes, that sounds like an excellent idea!" is what most people will hear Grover proclaim, largely because thats what the cute little guy is saying. And thats what I heard the first few times I listened to the clip until YIKES! suddenly, like a bunch of other people, I could hear the words: "Yes, yes, thats a f----ng excellent idea!" My wife and I watched this (bad word) clip over and over and sometimes we heard the PG version, and other times the naughty word jumped out plain as day. It is driving social-media users to distraction. "Just saw this on Reddit and it blew my mind... I can hear both depending on which one Im thinking in my head!" tweeted one person, whose experience mirrored my own. Im not a scientist, but apparently the uncertainty has something to do with our brains hearing some manner of ambiguous stimuli and then rooting around to determine what it actually heard, or something like that. I strongly suggest you dont take my word for it, and check it out for yourselves. That sounds like an excellent idea to me... no, wait, what you heard wasnt what I was trying to say! Hello? Hello... doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca A bright, mysterious object spotted last week in the sky northwest of Lake Winnipeg was likely a partial sun dog, says a Winnipeg UFO expert and author. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A bright, mysterious object spotted last week in the sky northwest of Lake Winnipeg was likely a partial sun dog, says a Winnipeg UFO expert and author. The 19-second video clip of the strange light in the sky was taken sometime Friday afternoon, said Henry Traverse, who lives on Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, 230 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Traverse said his son, Phil Traverse, and granddaughter, Kiasha, shot the video and sent it to him while they were out fishing on the lake. "I dont know if it was a meteor shower, or a meteorite falling, I dont know," Henry Traverse told the Free Press on Saturday. The video was posted on an online UFO forum, but was definitely not anything alien, said Chris Rutkowski, who produces the annual Canadian UFO Survey that collects and analyzes reports of unidentified flying objects. "The best guess at this point is a partial sun dog created by ice crystals in the air and reflecting off an aircraft contrail," Rutkowski said Monday. Traverse said at the time the mysterious phenomenon is not new for the area. "Weve seen lights in the night, up further north where (I fished with) my sons," he said. Rutkowski said this has been a good winter for interesting lights in the Manitoba sky. "Weve been having some perfect weather for sun dogs and other light effects this winter... What made this recent video interesting is that it wasnt a classic sun dog, which is usually seen in pairs one on either side of the sun." Scott Young, an astronomer and museum manager of the planetarium at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg, said he, too, accessed the video and agrees with Rutkowski's assessment. Referring to what the fishers saw Friday as a "UFO" is debatable, said Rutkowski. "Of the thousand or so UFOs reported each year, only a small fraction are left without easy explanations and, even then, its not assumed they are alien craft, but interesting observations of strange objects," he said. "Some researchers insist that the term UFO is used only when an observed object cannot be explained even after investigation." The 2018 Canadian UFO Survey (survey.canadianuforeport.com) is still being prepared, and is expected to be posted in the next several weeks, he said. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Four people were taken to hospital and about 40 residents were displaced after a fire Monday morning in a Maryland Street apartment building. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Four people were taken to hospital and about 40 residents were displaced after a fire Monday morning in a Maryland Street apartment building. Emergency crews arrived just before 6:30 a.m. to battle the blaze in the three-storey building on the 400 block of Maryland, between Ellice and St. Matthews avenues. One person was transported to hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable after a fire broke out in a Maryland Street apartment block. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Firefighters searched the building and rescued one person, who was transported to hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable. Three other people were taken to hospital in unstable condition, the city said. Police closed Maryland to traffic between Ellice and St. Matthews avenues. Officers escorted area residents who live in the area that was taped off by police. A Winnipeg Transit bus was parked nearby for residents seeking shelter. It was one of five serious fires including one at another Maryland Street-area apartment block that had city emergency workers hopping over a little more than 24 hours, beginning Sunday. A fire Sunday morning in a three-storey apartment building at 626 Ellice Ave. sent one person to hospital and displaced about 30 others. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) A fire early Sunday morning in a three-storey apartment building at 626 Ellice Ave., near Maryland, sent one person to hospital and displaced about 30 others. When firefighters arrived at about 4 a.m., they found two people clinging to a ledge after they had climbed out of second-floor windows. Firefighters helped the people to safety and then searched the building. One person was found inside and taken to hospital in critical condition, but was later upgraded to stable. Sunday evening, an attached garage of a home on the 400 block of Cross Creek Place in the Richmond Lakes area was severely damaged by fire, but no one was injured. Crews arrived just before 6 p.m., and had extinguished the fire by 6:30. The occupants were able to evacuate before firefighters arrived. There was smoke damage to the rest of the house. In St. Boniface at about the same time, firefighters were called to a multi-family complex on the 500 block of St. Jean Baptiste Street after to deal with a kitchen fire that sent the suite's two residents to hospital in stable condition. Firefighters arrived at about 6:30 p.m. All of the occupants escaped and there were no other injuries reported. The fire was out shortly after 7 p.m. Damage from the fire, smoke and water has prevented the two treated in hospital and residents of one other suite from returning to their homes. And crews were called to a single-family home on the 100 block of Morley Avenue in Riverview just after 7 Monday morning and had the fire extinguished in about a half-hour. The lone occupant of the home was outside when firefighters arrived and was taken to hospital in stable condition. The city did not release any information on the causes of the fires or damage estimates. Occasionally, Rudy Friesen asks himself a question: is there purpose and meaning for retired people? Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Occasionally, Rudy Friesen asks himself a question: is there purpose and meaning for retired people? "I guess what Im proving to myself is, yes, there can be," he says. Friesen, who spent 16 years of his working life as a teacher, finds purpose and meaning by giving back to the community. Every weekday afternoon for the past 4 years, the 83-year-old Crescentwood resident has volunteered tutoring students, who are newcomers to Canada, at Grant Park High School. Many of the students are Yazidi refugees from northern Iraq, while others are from Venezuela, Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand and Lebanon. "Its a wonderful mix of international students," Friesen says. "Ive really come to appreciate them." He helps small groups of students with their English language skills and assists students one-on-one with their school work. An underlying theme throughout his work with the students, Friesen says, is dignity. "Everyone has dignity (and) worth and we have to respect that and we have to live that way," he says. Friesen enjoys learning about the students culture and religion, and sometimes forms relationships with them that extend beyond the school walls. Friesen and his wife, Ruth, have become especially close with an Ethiopian family that lives nearby. Friesen has tutored their three children. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Everyone has dignity (and) worth and we have to respect that, Friesen says. The childrens mother has been over at the Friesen house, teaching Ruth how to make Ethiopian dishes, and the two older children, who have graduated and live in Alberta, call the Friesens during the holidays to wish them well. "Its become a family situation," Friesen says. "Its a delightful thing." Friesen is "an amazing man," "a master teacher" and "quite iconic," says Val Pierce, who got to know him when she worked as the teacher in charge of Grant Parks literacy centre for newcomers. Students affectionately refer to him as "Mr. Rudy" and, in many cases, specifically seek him out for help, Pierce adds. "He just goes above and beyond," Pierce says. "He gets a lot of quiet joy out of the way he relates to these kids." "Ive had many, many volunteers," she adds. "Theres no one that can come close to him." Tutoring is one of the many volunteer roles Friesen has filled. He and Ruth started their married life in 1959 by volunteering for one year in Mississippi, delivering religious education to students and helping at a drop-in centre. Since retiring in 1999, they have completed a number of volunteer assignments. On 9/11, they were serving a one-year term as hosts at a Washington, D.C., guest house seven kilometres away from the White House. Today, in addition to Grant Park High School, Friesen volunteers once a week at Agape Table, and he is heavily involved at his church. "Since I value community in all its dimensions, this is a way for me to find purpose," Friesen says. "That makes my life very worthwhile. Its a happy way to be retired for me." If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com. OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejigged his cabinet Monday, adding two new faces and a new portfolio and rewarding competence and friendship. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejigged his cabinet Monday, adding two new faces and a new portfolio and rewarding competence and friendship. However, it was his decision to move Jody Wilson-Raybould that was all the talk in political circles, despite Trudeau's insistence that her shift from the senior justice portfolio to the junior veterans affairs post was not a demotion. Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa, Friday November 30, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Tongues wagged even more later Monday when Wilson-Raybould took the unusual step of posting a long defence of her three years at Justice on her website, in which she hinted that she may have rubbed people the wrong way because her role as the government's lawyer required her to "speak truth to power." Although she said she's proud to take on Veterans Affairs, Wilson-Raybould appeared to hint that she may quit politics, repeatedly thanking her supporters and constituents and even at one point saying she will continue working to build a more just Canada "whatever public or private roles I may play." Trudeau took pains to stress the importance he puts on the veterans portfolio. "I caution anyone who thinks that serving our veterans and making sure they get the care to which they are so justly entitled from any Canadian government is anything other than a deep and awesome responsibility," he told a news conference, saying the government owes "a sacred duty" to those who have served the country "with heroism and valour." Trudeau praised Wilson-Raybould for overseeing legalization of medical assistance in dying and legalization of cannabis, and said he needed her "tremendous skill in navigating very complex files" at Veterans Affairs. The shuffle was precipitated by veteran Liberal Scott Brison's surprise decision to retire from politics which left Trudeau's cabinet without a representative from Nova Scotia and without a president of the Treasury Board. The latter is a key economic post that oversees how the government is managed, how it spends money and how it goes about regulating many aspects of Canadians lives. Jane Philpott, who has emerged as something of a fixer dispatched to put out political fires, was moved to Treasury Board while long-time Trudeau friend Seamus O'Regan took her place at Indigenous Services. Jane Philpott arrives for a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Monday, Jan.14, 2019 as the governing Liberals shuffle their cabinet. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Bernadette Jordan, a backbencher from rural Nova Scotia, was tapped to take Brison's role as her province's cabinet representative. But rather than move her into O'Regan's previous slot at Veterans Affairs, Trudeau created a whole new post for her: rural economic development. The new role is an apparent bid to shore up Liberal support in rural areas, where the Conservatives tend to dominate. Trudeau also made a little history, with Jordan becoming the first female Nova Scotia MP to be named to a federal cabinet. Jordan is tasked with creating a rural-development strategy, including bringing high-speed internet to rural communities and help in rural infrastructure development. Trudeau's decision to move Wilson-Raybould resulted in the addition of Montreal MP David Lametti, a former law professor, to cabinet as the new justice minister. Heralded as Canada's first Indigenous justice minister, Wilson-Raybould has been, in many ways, the face of Trudeau's commitment to make reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples his top priority. Moving her to Veterans Affairs looks like a big step down. Asked after her swearing-in ceremony if she was disappointed with the demotion, a subdued Wilson-Raybould said no. After a lengthy pause, she added: "I would say that I can think of no world in which I would consider working for our veterans in Canada as a demotion." Veterans Affairs Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould (left to right), Treasury Board President Jane Philpott, Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O'Regan, Justic Minister David Lametti and Minister of Rural Economic Development Bernadette Jordan attend a cabinet shuffle at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick But Veterans Affairs has long been treated as a junior post by both Liberal and Conservative governments. Perhaps because of that, ministers have regularly gotten into trouble, accused of insensitivity to or betrayal of Canada's military vets. O'Regan had his own share of difficulties in the job, including coming under fire for likening the depression he felt upon leaving a high-profile career in journalism to the post-traumatic stress faced by some veterans. For some Liberals, who've grumbled about Wilson-Raybould's performance in Justice, the move was long overdue. They have privately complained that she is difficult to get along with and a poor communicator who has taken what some consider a conservative, restrictive approach to respecting charter rights in a number of bills, including those dealing with assisted dying, impaired driving and genetic discrimination. "I can't imagine where you've been hearing that," Wilson-Raybould said when asked about the grumblings. She said she's "incredibly proud" of the work she did in Justice. In her website post, she acknowledged she's received "many questions and inquires" about why she was shuffled out of Justice, a job she called "one of the greatest privileges" of her life. She suggested she's accomplished everything in that post that Trudeau had asked of her. But Wilson-Raybould also took what could be a veiled shot at Trudeau's vaunted Indigenous reconciliation agenda, saying that "while our government has taken some very important steps, and hard work is being done, the necessary shifts have not yet been fully achieved." She vowed to continue being "directly engaged in advocating for and advancing the fundamental shifts in relations with Indigenous peoples that are required and will continue to work with my colleagues and to ensure my voice is heard." Green Party Leader Elizabeth May tweeted that she was "absolutely baffled" by Trudeau's decision to move Wilson-Raybould. Combined with Philpott's move, May questioned whether the shuffle is "a sign Trudeau is demoting Indigenous issues." On Twitter, Conservative MP Erin O'Toole said Philpott and Lametti "are solid performers and well regarded," but called the remainder of Trudeau's move "quite a head-scratcher." He predicted Indigenous Peoples and veterans "will be concerned." With all other senior ministers staying put, Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre said Monday's moves amounted to shuffling "the chairs on the deck of the Titanic." OTTAWA - Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott will take on a key economic portfolio as president of the Treasury Board when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejigs his cabinet Monday morning. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a town hall at University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan on Thursday January 10, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell OTTAWA - Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott will take on a key economic portfolio as president of the Treasury Board when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejigs his cabinet Monday morning. The Canadian Press has confirmed that Philpott will take over the post occupied by longtime Liberal Scott Brison, who precipitated the shuffle last week with his unexpected resignation. Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan is also on the move, possibly taking over Indigenous Services from Philpott. He has cancelled an event scheduled to take place Monday in his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. CBC reported O'Regan's move to Indigenous Services as a certainty Sunday. A Nova Scotia backbencher speculation Sunday centred on Sean Fraser or Bernadette Jordan will also be added to the cabinet lineup to fill Brison's role as that province's cabinet representative. The newcomer could take over O'Regan's file at Veterans Affairs. The shuffle is expected to be small, with as few adjustments as possible to fill the void of Brison's departure. Senior sources said a rookie minister from Nova Scotia could not be elevated directly into Treasury Board, which despite its low public profile is considered a vitally important cabinet job. It is the guardian of the public purse, overseeing how the government is managed, how it spends money and how it goes about regulating many aspects of Canadians' lives. The president of the Treasury Board is also responsible for negotiating 27 collective agreements with 15 different bargaining agents. Philpott, who was named to the newly created Indigenous Services post 18 months ago, is widely seen as one of Trudeau's most competent ministers and something of a fixer who is dispatched to put out political fires. As Trudeau's original health minister, she is credited with helping the government navigate relatively unscathed through the rocky debate over legalizing medical assistance in dying. She was tapped by Trudeau in August 2017 to make concrete progress on improving the lot of Indigenous Peoples, one of the prime minister's top priorities. Philpott is currently vice-chair of the Treasury Board cabinet committee. Sources say Trudeau wants to keep the shuffle small. He conducted a major shuffle just last July, which was intended to fix problem areas and put in place a cabinet ready for this fall's election a plan that was upended by Brison's surprise decision to retire from politics. Among those expected to stay put are Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. German automaker Volkswagen said Monday its factory in Tennessee will be the focus of an $800 million investment in the company's manufacturing of electric vehicles in North America, a sign of a growing push into the electric car market by European companies. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this July 12, 2013, file photo, employees at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., work on the assembly of Passat sedans. German automaker Volkswagen said Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, that its factory in Tennessee will be the focus of an $800 million investment in the companyAos manufacturing of electric vehicles in North America. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig, File) German automaker Volkswagen said Monday its factory in Tennessee will be the focus of an $800 million investment in the company's manufacturing of electric vehicles in North America, a sign of a growing push into the electric car market by European companies. Volkswagen made a couple of announcements that it will expand its plant in Chattanooga and create 1,000 jobs there as the factory gears up for electric vehicle production beginning in 2022. The company issued a news release and disclosed the expansion at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The factory in Tennessee's fourth largest city will produce a vehicle using a modular chassis the company has said will help build electric vehicles for the mass market. Volkswagen currently builds two vehicles in Chattanooga, the midsize Atlas SUV and the Passat sedan. The company announced in March a $340 million investment in Chattanooga to build the five-seat version of the Atlas, the Atlas Cross Sport. Volkswagen said last week it posted an annual sales record in 2018. The company has paid more than more than $31 billion in fines and settlements after it was caught installing software that let cars cheat on U.S. diesel emissions tests. European manufacturers need to sell more battery-powered cars to meet tougher European Union limits on carbon dioxide emissions that become effective in 2021. Automakers like VW, Daimler and BMW risk financial penalties if they can't meet requirements for lower average emissions. Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen said it plans to commit almost $50 billion through 2023 toward the development and production of electric vehicles and digital services. Jeff Schuster, an analyst at LMC Automotive, said the European regulations and the emissions scandal likely influenced VW's decision to bring electric vehicle production to Chattanooga. "The market was moving away from diesel," Schuster said. "The scandal essentially accelerated that trend. The most obvious solution is electrification." Electric vehicles are taking on a more important role globally, Schuster said. Among European brands, Mercedes, Audi, BMW and VW are "leading the charge toward a higher proportion of their models being electrified," the analyst said. President Donald Trump and executives from VW and Germany's other biggest automakers discussed the companies' investments in the U.S. in December. Trump has been trying to pressure the German automakers into opening more factories in the U.S. and has threatened tariffs on imported vehicles. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen AG, said in a statement that the plant in Chattanooga "is a key part of our growth strategy in North America." The facility sits on 1,400 acres (560 hectares) and currently employs about 3,500 people. At the Detroit auto show, Diess said the automaker can also expand more rapidly than building a new facility elsewhere though he sees "pros and cons" to the decision. "It's not easy to attract further labour there the labour market is a constraint," he said. "Still, we have invested a lot, we have a lot of governmental support there, a strong team there. It makes more sense to increase capacity in Chattanooga." Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, whose term ends in days, said in a statement that VW's expansion in Chattanooga "underscores Tennessee's manufacturing strength and highly-skilled workforce." Two other automakers, General Motors and Nissan, have large manufacturing plants in the state. More than 900 auto suppliers, including large ones such as Hankook Tire and Bridgestone Americas, operate in Tennessee, officials said. Associated Press writer Jeff Karoub in Detroit contributed to this report. LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May made a frantic last push Monday to swing lawmakers' support behind her seemingly doomed Brexit deal, warning that its defeat risked scuttling the U.K.'s departure from the European Union and "betraying the vote of the British people." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A European flag flies opposite the Houses of Parliament as Pro-European demonstrators protest in London, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May planned to tell lawmakers Monday that she has received further assurances about her Brexit deal from the European Union, in a last-ditch attempt to stave off a crushing defeat for the unpopular agreement. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May made a frantic last push Monday to swing lawmakers' support behind her seemingly doomed Brexit deal, warning that its defeat risked scuttling the U.K.'s departure from the European Union and "betraying the vote of the British people." May claimed to have gotten reassurances with "legal force" on key issues from the EU, and said history books would judge Parliament harshly if lawmakers did not back Britain's orderly exit from the EU when they vote on the agreement Tuesday. "Over these next 24 hours, give this deal a second look," May implored skeptical lawmakers in the House of Commons. "With just 74 days to go until (Brexit day) the 29th of March, the consequences of voting against this deal tomorrow are becoming ever clearer," she said. Activists from the People's Vote campaign show 'Deal or No Deal' boxes in London, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is struggling to win support for her Brexit deal in Parliament. Lawmakers are due to vote on the agreement Tuesday, and all signs suggest they will reject it, adding uncertainty to Brexit less than three months before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) May said rejecting her deal would lead either to a reversal of Brexit overturning voters' decision in a 2016 referendum or to Britain leaving the bloc without a deal, a course that would damage the country's economy, security and unity. But the British leader had few concrete measures up her sleeve, and opposition to her deal remains dauntingly strong. A defeat on Tuesday would throw Brexit plans into disarray just weeks before the U.K. is due to withdraw from the bloc. Britain and the EU reached a hard-won divorce deal in November, a milestone that should have set the U.K. on the road to an orderly exit. But the compromise deal has been rejected by both sides of Britain's EU divide. Many Brexit-backing lawmakers say it will leave the U.K. tethered to the bloc's rules and unable to forge an independent trade policy. Pro-Europeans argue it is inferior to the frictionless economic relationship Britain currently enjoys as an EU member. May postponed a vote on the deal in December to avoid a resounding defeat, and there are few signs sentiment has changed significantly since then. A handful of previously opposed legislators have swung behind May's agreement in the last few days, but they remain outnumbered by those determined to vote against it. A European flag flies opposite the Houses of Parliament as Pro-European demonstrators protest in London, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May planned to tell lawmakers Monday that she has received further assurances about her Brexit deal from the European Union, in a last-ditch attempt to stave off a crushing defeat for the unpopular agreement. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) In a bid to win support, May sought reassurances from EU leaders about the deal's most contentious measure an insurance policy known as the "backstop" that would keep Britain in an EU customs union to maintain an open border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Brexit. Pro-Brexit lawmakers worry that Britain could be trapped indefinitely in the arrangement, bound to EU trade rules and unable to strike new deals around the world. In a letter to May published Monday, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker offered an assurance that the backstop "would only be in place for as long as strictly necessary." They promised that the EU would work quickly to strike a permanent new trade deal with Britain that would render the backstop unnecessary. But the letter also reiterated the bloc's refusal to renegotiate the divorce deal. The two men said "we are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement." A toy unicorn is photographed during a demonstration opposite the Houses of Parliament as Pro-European demonstrators protest in London, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is struggling to win support for her Brexit deal in Parliament. Lawmakers are due to vote on the agreement Tuesday, and all signs suggest they will reject it, adding uncertainty to Brexit less than three months before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Lawmaker Nigel Dodds of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which fiercely opposes the Irish backstop, said "nothing has fundamentally changed." Facing opposition from pro-Brexit members of her Conservative Party and its DUP allies, May sought to win opposition Labour Party lawmakers' support by promising that the government won't try to water down environmental standards and workers' rights after Brexit. Some opposition lawmakers' suspect that the government plans to reduce the protections in a bid to boost the economy after Britain leaves the EU. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was unmoved, condemning May's deal as a "damaging shambles" and calling for a general election if the agreement is rejected on Tuesday. If Parliament votes down the deal, May has until the following Monday to come up with a new proposal. So far, May has refused publicly to speculate on a possible "Plan B." Some members of Parliament from both government and opposition parties are exploring ways to use parliamentary procedures to wrest control of the Brexit process away from the government, so that lawmakers by majority vote could specify a new plan for Britain's EU exit. But with no clear majority in Parliament for any single alternate course, there is a growing chance that Britain may seek to postpone its departure date while politicians work on a new plan. Without a Brexit deal, Britain faces an abrupt break from the EU, a scenario that economists warn could batter the British economy and bring chaotic scenes at borders, ports and airports. Conservative lawmaker Dominic Grieve, who is spearheading efforts to unite Parliament to prevent a no-deal Brexit, said a cliff-edge exit from the EU would be "national suicide." "The economic damage which it will do to us will be immense, so that the most vulnerable in our society will be those who suffer most as a consequence," Grieve said. "I'm not prepared to see that happening," he added. Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this story. Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit PARIS - Anti-government protesters and political rivals of President Emmanuel Macron criticized a sweeping "letter to the French" he issued after two months of weekly demonstrations, saying Monday his response was inadequate to quell anger over his economic policies. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Demonstrators wearing yellow vests walk on the highway in Lyon, central France, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. Authorities deployed thousands of security forces nationwide for a ninth straight weekend of anti-government protests. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) PARIS - Anti-government protesters and political rivals of President Emmanuel Macron criticized a sweeping "letter to the French" he issued after two months of weekly demonstrations, saying Monday his response was inadequate to quell anger over his economic policies. The letter released Sunday explained how Macron wants to address the concerns roused by the yellow vest movement with a "grand debate" on taxes, public services, climate change and democracy. The three-month initiative is supposed to take place at local meetings around the country and on the internet starting Tuesday. The French leader said no topics are prohibited and he listed more than 30 questions. He suggested that citizens express their views on which taxes should be lowered and offer ideas for reducing the cost of transportation, heating and food. Yellow vest representative Jeremy Clement told BFM television the president's letter "settles part of the problem" but doesn't go far enough to address the sinking purchasing power of French citizens. One protester, Jerome Rodrigues, told CNews he thinks Macron failed to recognize "the urgency" of financial concerns among low-income workers and retirees. Others criticized Macron for ruling out restoring a wealth tax on households with assets above 1.3 million euros ($1.5 million.) Opposition leaders also criticized the letter. The spokeswoman for the conservative Republicans party, Laurence Sailliet, said "this letter doesn't allow us to know if Macron will realize the mistakes he made and will actually change his policy." The spokesman of far-right National Rally party, Sebastien Chenu, called it "hypocritical claptrap." Far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon called the letter "a failure" that doesn't address the French's concerns. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, speaking on France Inter radio, said "the message of the yellow vests has been heard. We are making something constructive out of it." An online poll by French institute YouGov this month showed 40 per cent of respondents said they wanted to take part in the debate while 39 per cent didn't want to and the remainder didn't know. Skepticism about the debate's usefulness appeared on social media. Paris resident Jerome Huntziger told the AP the public conversation "won't change anything." "The feeling of the French is a fed-up feeling on a certain number of things, a feeling of not being listened to by the national representatives," he said. The French Interior Ministry said about 84,000 people turned out on Saturday for the ninth straight round of demonstrations across France. Thierry Paul Valette, founder of a group called "yellow vests citizens" told the AP the yellow vests would have "no break. The mobilizations continue." The movement emerged in mid-November as a response to fuel tax increases, and is named for the fluorescent garments motorists are required to keep in vehicles. _______________________ Nicolas Garriga in Paris contributed to the story. MIRABEL, Que. - Airbus is not ruling out the possibility that Quebec will host a fighter plane assembly line and satellite construction plant if the European giant manages to win federal contracts in Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Airbus A220 assembly line is seen at the company's facility Monday, January 14, 2019 in Mirabel, Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz MIRABEL, Que. - Airbus is not ruling out the possibility that Quebec will host a fighter plane assembly line and satellite construction plant if the European giant manages to win federal contracts in Canada. Simon Jacques, head of Canadian operations for the multinational, mentioned the possibility Monday at a company event in Mirabel, an off-island Montreal suburb, where it manufactures A220 jetliners, previously known as the Bombardier C Series. A call for tenders for 88 new fighter planes is expected from Ottawa before the start of the 2019 election campaign in a bid to replace the governments aging CF-18s. Airbus makes the Eurofighter Typhoon. "Absolutely," Jacques said, when asked if the assembly line could be in Quebec. Were evaluating our options." Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Saab are all in the running alongside Airbus for the federal contract. Jacques said the construction of a new assembly line, which would create numerous jobs, would not pose a logistical challenge given the extra space at the Mirabel plant. He stressed the need for a "Canadian solution, given that the call for tenders would include local content requirements. In 2016 Airbus landed its first major contract with Ottawa, which ordered 16 search and rescue aircraft under a $2.4-billion agreement, on top of a pledge for $2.3 billion in maintenance and after-sales service for 20 years. The first vehicle must be delivered by the end of 2019. The CF-18s put into service in the 1980s were set to be phased out by 2020, but their replacement has turned into a drawn-out saga. Six years ago, the Harper government abandoned its controversial plans to purchase untendered F-35 fighter jets to take the place of the aging fleet. The Trudeau government, which had subsequently decided to buy 18 Super Hornet aircraft from Boeing also without a tender cancelled that purchase in 2017 in the wake of a commercial dispute between Boeing and Bombardier over the C Series. According to Jacques, Canada is "really committed" to "stimulating competition," which may open a door to a manufacturer other than the U.S.-based Boeing. "I think it's important for Canada to have a different fleet from what is in the United States [with Boeing]," he said, calling the prospect a good thing for NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command]. Jacques suggested Canada could learn from the United Kingdom, which counts counts Airbus and Lockheed Martin aircraft among its fighter fleet. Airbus executives also said the Netherlands-based company may turn to Quebec for satellite construction if its proposal is accepted up by Telesat Canada, a satellite operator. The company had solicited offers from Airbus and the France-based Thales Group as part of an Internet service project tied to the launch of "between 300 and 500 satellites, Jacques said. "This would change the situation in Quebec," he said, adding that the project would create about 200 new jobs. Airbus said it is having ongoing discussions with various levels of government, including Quebec and Ottawa, to set up shop in the province if the multinational wins the contract. Winnipeg Jets' Dmitry Kulikov (5), Patrik Laine (29) and Bryan Little (18) celebrate after Laine scored on Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36). 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. Willmar, MN (56201) Today Partly cloudy. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, 63 percent of U.S. voters back the Democratic plan to reopen the government. A 21-year-old man shot a Wisconsin couple to death at their home in a scheme to kidnap their teenage daughter, then held the girl captive for three months in an isolated north woods town before she managed to escape, authorities said Friday. According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, 63 percent of U.S. voters back the Democratic plan to reopen the government Mantykannas on Sunday wrote in a blog for the private weather forecasting company that the mercury may plummet as low as -25C in southern and -35C in northern parts of the country as soon as this week. PEOPLE in Finland should brace for very low temperatures over the next couple of weeks, says Markus Mantykannas, a meteorologist at Foreca. The air mass will be relatively cold next week and the winds will decrease gradually, meaning that wherever the sky is clear the temperatures will drop rapidly to new record lows for this winter, he said. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) latest month-long forecast suggests temperatures will remain low across the country between mid-January and early February, according to Mantykannas. The latest month-long forecast shows we are about to experience the coldest possible winter weather scenario at the turn of January and February, he said. Higher-than-usual air pressures around Iceland and the Arctic Sea indicate that the likelihood of easterlies has increased and low-pressure activity has abated. During the coldest period of the winter, this may lead to several weeks of extreme cold especially if a high-pressure front develops over Russia or the Arctic Sea, explained Mantykannas. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi STAMFORD Another downtown hotel could soon be coming to the city, this one next to the new Veterans Memorial Park. Prominent land-use consultant Rick Redniss has presented early plans to build a 14-story structure behind the 119-year-old Stamford Savings Bank building next to the parking entrance to Stamford Town Center. A change to city zoning texts, the first round of city approvals needed to allow the hotel, will go the Zoning Board early next month. The change has earned a recommendation from Planning Board members. The proposal calls for the bank building to be incorporated into the high rise behind it, tucked between Edith Sherman Drive and the park, which is now undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation. The park is slated to reopen in late fall. The 100-room hotel would use the bank as its primary entrance, according to plans on file with the city, and use nearby parking garages instead of building all required spots onsite. If approved, this veterans themed hotel meeting rooms would be named after veterans would join the new Residence Inn by Marriott and others in a crowded downtown hotel scene. The Residence Inn, the citys first extended-stay hotel, opened downtown in November. Redniss, also president of the Veterans Park Partnership, the nonprofit behind the parks renovation, said the group has always planned for a hotel in the bank building. It would liven the area and spark activity, he said, which would dissuade vagrants from making the park a go-to meeting place, which they often did with the old park. Having 24/7 eyes on the park in terms of public safety is very important to the long term success of the park, he said. It was always a goal to have a hotel in that space rather than a bank. Redniss said a local developer is in contract to buy the bank and build the new hotel, but declined to say who. The bank building has been owned by the First County Bank, which was Stamford Savings until the late 1980s, according to city tax records. The building is one of the few spared by the citys Urban Renewal period that leveled dozens. Nearby Old Town Hall is another building pardoned, though the massive Stamford Town Center mall, an associated parking garage and surrounding mid- and high-rise office buildings now rule the area, dwarfing the old one- to three-story structures. According to LoopNet, an online real-estate marketplace, the bank has been listed since July 2017 although no sale price is published. The city last appraised the bank and its land at $2.7 million. The developers first step toward approval will be getting the text change, tentatively slated for a Zoning Board public hearing on Feb. 4. It would allows balconies or facade elements to overhang public property when on historic buildings incorporated into a hotel design in the northern downtown zone. Redniss said history, mainly Urban Renewal, has also clouded property lines, so hell be asking for changes there, too. City tax maps show the bank address claiming the bulk of the parking lot behind it, but not the whole thing. Some small property lines anomalies need to be ironed out, he said. Its a very complicated history of how the lot came to be, how the park came to be. barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglytton The offences are believed to have taken place between 1 November 2018 and 9 January 2019, according to a press release from Helsinki Police Department. THREE MEN of immigrant backgrounds were arrested on suspicion of aggravated rape and aggravated child sexual abuse in Helsinki on Saturday, Pekka Korhonen, a detective chief inspector at Helsinki Police Department, has confirmed to Helsingin Sanomat. STT on Sunday reported that the offences may have taken place in a flat in eastern Helsinki. Ilta-Sanomat, in turn, wrote about a house search conducted by police in Roihuvuori, Helsinki, sparking speculation that the operation is related to the pre-trial investigation opened into the suspected sex crimes. Helsinki Police Department has declined to confirm such reports and, overall, remained tight-lipped about further details of the case, including the number and age of the victims. It stated yesterday only that the pre-trial investigation remains ongoing and that it will release further information about the case during the course of Monday. The Finnish criminal code defines child sexual abuse as the performance of a sexual act on an under 16-year-old child. Reports of the case prompted a response also from Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre). Depressing news from Helsinki. Police are now investigating, and the judicial system will convict. My thoughts are with the victim and her loved ones. Every child has a right to bodily integrity and every sex crime against a child is one too many, he said on Twitter on Sunday. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Two Chicopee police officers are being hailed as heroes after saving a toddler who wandered in a swimming pool. The two police officers saved a two-year-old girls life on Saturday, performing CPR on the spot. MLK Week of Service Returns to WSU January 14, 2019 OGDEN, Utah Weber State University students will have the opportunity to participate in a week of service activities Jan. 21-25 beginning on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This years theme is #Unity. Every year, the Weber State University Student Association service team coordinates service projects throughout the week beginning with the MLK Day holiday, said Teresa Martinez, Center for Community Engaged Learning program coordinator. We hope to encourage participants to understand that MLK Day is a day on, not a day off. The week will begin with the annual MLK Freedom Breakfast and March on Jan. 21 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.at the Marshall White Center (222 28th St. Ogden). Following the 8:30 a.m. breakfast and program, participants will march from the Marshall White Center to the Ogden Amphitheater. A service project will take place following the freedom march. The breakfast and march is sponsored by the NAACP Ogden branch, WSU Office of the President for Diversity, WSU Access & Diversity, WSU Diversity & Inclusive Programs, WSUSA Diversity and Unity Board and WSU Black Scholars United. The NAACP is excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Weber State University to commemorate the life, legacy and principles promoted by Dr. King, said Betty Sawyer, Ogden NAACP president and Black Scholars United advisor. The event this year is primarily focused on how we can move from concepts of unity to truly engage in the work of building and sustaining the Beloved Community espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following our symbolic march to the Ogden Amphitheater, students will help facilitate discussions on the Beloved Community, what it looks like and how we achieve it. Service events will continue on campus and throughout the community for the rest of the week. At each MLK Week of Service event, Catholic Community Services will collect new baby supplies from volunteers. Contact Kamryn Eden at kamryneden@mail.weber.edu for more information. Jan. 22, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist with the American Red Cross and YMCAs Fun with Fire Safety event. 1270 Gramercy Ave. Ogden. Contact Rylie Howard at ryliehoward@mail.weber.edu for more information. Jan. 23, 5-7 p.m. Volunteers will help lead group activities at STEM Night at the DaVinci Academy (215 E. 22nd St, Ogden). Volunteers will work with students in grades 1-6 with hands-on experiments and projects. Contact Jenna Thoits at jennathoits@mail.weber.edu for more information. Jan. 24, 3-5 p.m. Volunteers needed to complete small service projects on the Weber State University Ogden campus. Meet in Shepherd Union Room 326K. Contact Bre Christopherson at breannchristopherson@mail.weber.edu for more information. Jan. 25, 7 p.m. Volunteers needed to assist with the Special Olympics Talent Show at the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater. The talent show brings together Special Olympic athletes with students and families in their community. Contact Dallas Carter at dallascarter@mail.weber.edu for more information. For photos, visit the following links. photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/January-2019/i-gprnZD4/0/c3a604d1/M/IMG_4168%20%281%29-M.jpg photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/January-2019/i-j7N8DST/0/aac61f1d/X2/IMG_4169%20%281%29-X2.jpg photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/January-2019/i-m8rThfq/0/7990fa56/L/IMG_4170-L.jpg photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/January-2019/i-pCNxHF6/0/3f3fb5be/L/IMG_4167-L.jpg Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. Bill Burt and George Bremer discuss the NFL schedule and Tom Brady's return to New England; Elton Hayes and Kevin Brockway reflect on Coach K's retirement; and Clay Horning breaks down the worst defensive play in baseball in recent memory. A little over three months after the First District seat on Wilmington City Council became open, the rest of council has taken another step to Three humanitarian ambassadors at the launching ceremony (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the ceremony, Head of the organizing board and Chairman of the Vietnam Culture and Art Association in the Czech Republic Pham Gia Hau emphasized that the establishment of the compassion fund of the Mrs Ao Dai Vietnam Europe 2018 pageant is a practical activity to honour the beauty of Vietnamese women in Europe, not only in appearance but also in soul. He said that the philanthropic activities of the Humanitarian Ambassadors in the coming time will focus on difficult circumstances in the Vietnamese community in Europe and in Vietnam. The Executive Board of the fund includes 25 members, Mr. Pham Gia Hau is the Executive Director and Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Union of Overseas Vietnamese Associations in Europe, is the Honorary Chairman. We have set up a plan for the whole year of 2019, and practical activities in Vietnam will be deployed immediately after the Lunar New Year Festival. Specifically, on February 13th, we will hand over compassionate houses in Bac Ninh province and then we will have other charitable activities, especially for children with cancer or disability, said Mr. Pham Gia Hau. At the ceremony, the organizing board of the Mrs Ao Dai Vietnam Europe 2018 pageant also awarded the title of Humanitarian Ambassador to three women from the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Deputy Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Tran Thanh Huong wished the Humanitarian Ambassadors and the Executive Board of the fund to have practical and effective activities to not only gather and connect the Vietnamese community in Europe, but also ease the difficulties of those with less fortunate circumstances in life./. Washington: This past week, we saw the first concrete evidence that Donald Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia - and it seemed as if no one cared. That's a reason to ask a disturbing question: What if the slow burn of Robert Mueller's investigation ends with a fizzle, not an explosion? US President Donald Trump. Credit:Bloomberg What if Mueller, in his role as special counsel, uncovers meaningful proof that the Trump campaign for president knowingly and actively cooperated with Russian efforts to get Trump elected - and the public treats the news as completely unremarkable? That would mark a radical transformation in the nature of contemporary US politics. Of course, it's far from certain that Democratic efforts to draw attention to the shocking facts would fail. But the fizzle outcome now looks genuinely possible, not because Mueller won't get the goods, but because of a combination of Trump's talent at changing the subject, his Republican supporters' ho-hum attitude toward campaign wrongdoing, and public fatigue at the duration of the investigation. To understand this potential scenario in which Mueller strikes pay dirt and Trump nevertheless emerges unscathed, the place to start is with the latest revelation about Paul Manafort. Bad weather has halted a massive search effort for a young woman missing in Western Australia's vast Pilbara region on Monday. Mount Nameless is 1128 metres above sea level. Overlooking Tom Price, the mountain summit can be accessed by 4WD and by foot along a challenging steep well-marked trail. Credit:Shire of Ashburton Tom Price resident Felicity Shadbolt, a mother of two, regularly traverses the Mt Nameless area. But the 36-year-old failed to return home from a bushwalk there on Sunday. WA Police and about 25 Tom Price community members joined State Emergency Service personnel on foot and in vehicles on Monday to search for Ms Shadbolt, while a helicopter and four riders on horseback were deployed to sweep the area for the missing mother. Thunderstorms and lightning put an end to their efforts, with the search for Ms Shadbolt to re-commence at 5am on Tuesday, a police spokesperson said. Adam Liaws world has been turned upside down since the former lawyer discovered he was a dab hand at cooking and earned himself first place in Channel 10s cooking show MasterChef. Adam Liaw had a busy year, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. A lot has changed since more than five million people tuned in to watch him win the second series of the reality TV series in 2010 and 2018 didnt see the pace let up. With two young children, a new cookbook, a regular column for Good Food and a new television series Destination Flavour on SBS, 2018 was hectic and Liaw had been hoping to take things a little easier in 2019. But Ive just been looking at my schedule and Im pretty much fully booked for the first half of next year, he says. Child protection services failed to act on serious concerns about a baby girl living at a NSW Mid North Coast property where an eight-year-old boy was ultimately found locked in a shed. Police raided the farm in Elands on December 18, 2015, finding a sophisticated underground cannabis-growing set-up and a young boy who had been detained, beaten and malnourished at the hands of his mother's partner. A trapdoor at the Elands property led to three buried shipping containers where a large hydroponic cannabis set-up was discovered and a boy was found locked in a shed. The property was run by a violent enforcer who is now serving two separate jail sentences for cultivating the crop, weapons offences, animal torture and beating other occupants of the home. More than two months before the raid, fears were raised for the man's three-month-old daughter after his then-partner, with whom he fathered the child, was taken to hospital following an alleged assault. On the Thursday after new years, I drove to the airport to pick up my cousin and his adult son who are visiting Australia for the first time from Budapest. Its so good to be here, the son beamed, as if hed already spent weeks thawing out from the Hungarian winter. We ate lunch in a cafe. We made errands to the bank and supermarket. The population is so diverse, the son said later in the afternoon, Everything feels so peaceful and everyone is so friendly. He didnt need to complete the sentence, not like in Hungary. Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, delivers a speech. Credit:AKOS STILLER We have our problems, I assured them. A punishing housing market, anxieties about immigration, politicians stoking racial tension I petered out. Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. Part of a border wall along the U.S. border with Mexico in Arizona 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. Barr also will likely have to answer for meetings he participated in around the time the memo was submitted on June 8. On May 30, Barr gave a presentation to Justice Department political appointees, though he did not mention the document, according to people who attended. Around that time, Barr also spoke to then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, according to several people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. You could easily imagine a person who would have done the same having been much more motivated by the context in which it happened, said Piotr Buras, the head of the Warsaw office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank. Thats, for me, the bottom line, and thats why it is for me a warning that if you tolerate this level of hatred in the public debate, much can happen. Parliament is divided among those who grudgingly support Mays deal; those who want her to try to renegotiate it; those who want to leave now with no deal; and those who dont want to leave Europe at all but instead are pressing for a second referendum, a do-over, where the British people would be asked again knowing all they know now what they really want. Schellenberg has the option of appealing again within 10 days, the court said. His case is expected to be reviewed by higher courts before the death sentence is carried out, a review process that could drag on for years. He would be the first Canadian citizen executed by the Chinese government, said John Kamm, a San Francisco-based activist who works to free political prisoners in China. Kamm said the death sentence was issued with undue haste and on the basis of weak and circumstantial evidence. We do cooperate in a lot of ways, but that doesnt mean our interests are always aligned, he said, according to the Space News website. Some of these decisions are going to be made above the pay grade of the NASA administrator. I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, Graham said on Fox News Sunday. See if we can get a deal. If we cant at the end of three weeks, all bets are off. See if he can do it by himself through the emergency powers. I do so invoking the words of another King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who, if he had been allowed to live, would be celebrating his 90th birthday Tuesday, he said on the House floor. Dr. King counseled that, We are going to be made to repent, not just for the hateful words and deeds of bad people, but for the appalling silence of good people. King, who won a ninth term in Congress in November, has been under fire for lamenting in an interview with the New York Times that the terms white nationalist and white supremacist had become pejorative ones. CAN NEWSOM FIX STATE TECH? A SHAKEUP IN GOP CHAIRMANS RACE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES LOOK TO LATINOS The DMV isnt the only state department that Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to bring into the 21st Century.He signaled repeatedly in his first week in office that he wants California state government to do a better job incorporating cutting-edge technology into the services it provides.The first notice came on his second day in office, when Newsom signed an executive order boosting funding for Cal Fire . Some of the money will go toward placing fire-detecting cameras in state forests. Another order he signed that day announces a new flexible approach to procurement that would set out a challenge to innovators and allow them to come up with solutions that state bureaucrats might miss. Newsoms order calls the process an innovation procurement sprint.The order directs the Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology to write guidelines, and it encourages other agencies to make use of the approach. State officials did not answer questions about it last week.On Thursday, Newsom at his budget press theatrically called for the DMV to start accepting credit cards. Were going to accept credit cards , Newsom said. Its a governor in 2019 in California saying that were going to accept credit cards in 2019 at the Department of Motor Vehicles. That is in the you cant make that up file.His budget has other clues about Newsoms tech goals. It has $42 million to improve technology used by state courts and $36.2 million to launch a state office of digital innovation.But the job is harder than it looks. California has a long record of over-budget, slow-moving tech projects. They include a failed payroll upgrade at the State Controllers Office to a tax-collecting program so cumbersome that one of the worlds biggest accounting companies chose to submit returns instead of dealing with the new system.State Auditor Elaine Howle delivered a reality check on the states tech abilities last week with an update on the unfinished state accounting system known as FI$Cal. Its been under development since 2005 and it costs more than $900 million.As of November, Howle wrote, 43 of the 64 state departments that are supposed to use FI$Cal exclusively for their budgeting and accounting tasks are unwilling to give up the old programs that FI$Cal was supposed to replace.It is unclear whether or when the entities concerns with making a full transition from their legacy systems will be resolved, Howle wrote.Travis Allen has been the presumptive favorite to become the next chairman for California Republicans. But now, another person has entered the race.Jessica Patterson officially announced her candidacy Friday morning, vowing to rebuild a GOP team. The California Trailblazers CEO has the backing of many establishment Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. She also has support from 19 California lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Pat Bates and Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron.Pattersons 13 endorsements in the Assembly are particularly noteworthy, given Allen served in that chamber. Steve Frank is also in the running. The winner will replace the partys outgoing chair, Jim Brulte, at the partys convention vote on Feb. 24.Were in store for a busy 2019 in Sacramento. Lawmakers have much to get done. On the latest edition of the California Nation podcast , Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins indicated housing and wildfires will be at the top of the priority list.The two had slight differences on the issue of tax increases, with Rendon adamant no additional fees are on the horizon. Atkins seemed more open to the possibility, saying she envisions the party taking advantage of its supermajority in the Senate.Gov. Gavin Newsoms budget proposal includes a couple potential tax increases. One would fund projects that would provide cleaner drinking water in poor communities; another could boost the states emergency dispatch system.GOP political consultant Mike Madrid doesnt see a way out of the funk his party is in.California has officially become a one-party state, he wrote in a Friday column published by The Bee . The once-mighty California Republican Party has marginalized itself into a shrinking regional club.Republicans lost seven congressional seats and several legislative races in the 2018 midterms.The path forward? Madrid says Latino lawmakers are best positioned to hold Democrats in check. The possibility that the GOP could resurrect itself or that a new third party might arise seems remote. Its more likely that the growing Latino Legislative Caucus, which outnumbers Republicans in the Legislature, could fill the political void. About 15 minutes before he was scheduled to leave the White House en route to Louisiana, he wrote: The Fake News gets crazier and more dishonest every single day. Amazing to watch as certain people covering me, and the tremendous success of this administration, have truly gone MAD! Their Fake reporting creates anger and disunity. Take two weeks off and come back rested. Chill! Its very hard to look a young professional in the eyes and tell them not only that their talents arent sorely needed but that they wont find a rewarding career where their work and dedication will be valued, said Phillip Cooper, a professor of public administration at Portland State University who is telling his students to steer clear of federal work. The next day, Manafort emailed Kilimnik to scheme how to use his role with Trump as a path to recovering his financial equilibrium. In documents turned over to Congress and Mueller and previously described to The Post, Manafort and Kilimnik exchanged gleeful emails about the positive press Manafort was receiving because of his new campaign role. In one, Manafort wrote to ask whether the OVD operation had seen the articles, an apparent reference to Deripaska, adding, How do we use to get whole? The trade war is going to cost us a little bit now, but a better trade deal will benefit the next generation to come, said Bob Schwenke, a corn and soybean farmer from Kentucky. He said his income may take a 5 percent hit in 2018, and if the trade war continues it could be 15 percent this year. Asked how long he would put up with such losses before getting grumpy, he quipped, Ive been grumpy all my life. The court took no action on a number of controversial cases that could transform its current term: Trumps plan to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program known as DACA that protects some undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children; the administrations directive to ban transgender service members in the military; restrictions on abortions in Indiana and on guns in New York City; and whether federal law forbids employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A New Approach SAMS in Other Cities A few years ago, the police department in Portland, Ore., set out to inventory and subsequently track all of the sexual assault DNA kits that its detectives handle. This was back in 2014. Portland, with a population of about 650,000, was taking in roughly one new sexual assault kit each day. Those kits were being logged into the evidence room to await transfer while between 80 and 100 other kits were at the Oregon State Crime Lab being processed. These kits inherently contained potential evidence that for law enforcement could be used in prosecutions. For the victims, they contained hopes for justice.Portland was far from alone with its tracking struggle. In fact, nationwide there was no systematic means of inventorying the kits, and, perhaps more importantly, there was no way for jurisdictions to share information about suspects, which was of particular concern since sexual assault is a crime often perpetrated by serial offenders. Although the reasons are more complex than simply being unable to track the status of kits, in recent years law enforcement agencies across the country have accrued a massive number of untested sexual assault DNA kits, numbering by some reports as high as 175,000.In Portland, it fell to Susan Lehman, the police departments sexual assault kit program coordinator, to devise a means of tracking them. So Lehman created a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel. And the kits continued to come in.You can imagine how difficult it is to keep track of which one is there, which has gone through initial screening, which has gone to DNA testing, or which has produced results and may be going into the national DNA database, Lehman said. The Excel spreadsheet just kept getting bigger, with more columns and more lines. It just became really quite unmanageable. Its like having 100 balls in the air at any given time, and the chances of one of those falling through the cracks especially if youre using a manual system or an Excel spreadsheet system the chances are really high.It quickly became apparent to Lehman that continuing to add more rows and columns to her one manual spreadsheet was untenable, an unwieldy and inefficient way to handle an inherently sensitive task. So, Lehman reached out to Portlands Bureau of Technology Services, setting into motion a collaboration between that office and the Portland Police Bureau Sex Crimes unit.Four years later, a solution born out of that partnership is now spreading to jurisdictions across the country, many of which Lehman estimates use similar Excel spreadsheet systems. This spread is contributing to a decrease in the number of sexual assault DNA kits nationwide sitting in evidence rooms, untested.The program that grew out of this collaboration is called the Sexual Assault Management System, or SAMS. What it does is manage all aspects of sexual assault cases, including investigative tasks like keeping track of sexual assault kits and where they are in the testing process. Its not outward facing it contains too much sensitive data for that. It also has few free-form fields, to reduce the potential that the humans who are doing the data entry will make mistakes.The development of the platform was relatively simple, with police officials like Lehman contributing greatly to the process. Work began in late 2015, lasting a little over eight months, with police in Portland first starting to use the new platform in August 2016. Ed Arib, an information systems manager who worked on SAMS development and continues to be involved, said the team used Microsoft technologies to build the platform, including ASP.NET, C#, Web API, Xamarin and SQL Server. The platform currently runs on Microsoft IIS Webserver and Microsoft SQL Server. The length of investigations and prosecutions for sexual assault cases makes it so there are no concrete numbers available yet showing how SAMS has affected the citys statistics. Those who use it daily, though, like Lehman, said tracking is vastly easier and more efficient with SAMS.The cost of the development process was $100,000, paid by the city for development tools and an outside contract with a software developer, with a subsequent $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice going toward further development, as well as some of the costs associated with spreading the platform to other cities.Once other cities become interested in the platform, developers use the grant money to visit them and start working with their teams, familiarizing them with the project and its capabilities. Portland continues to pay developers wages while the grant money accounts for their travel costs.SAMS was built with this kind of sharing in mind, and its design allows jurisdictions to populate its drop-down menus with their own values, adding fields that they might track with greater regularity. Las Vegas, for example, has a larger number of cases that involve tourists and visitors, and so theyve been able to modify the program in a way that makes it easier to track those metrics.As the sexual assault kit coordinator in Portland, Lehman now uses SAMS almost every day, and the departments detectives use it for case management as well. Currently, Lehman estimates that SAMS has been populated with about 6,800 cases. Arib described the design process as an agile one in which there were multiple iterations.IT staff would essentially build a working site and then collect reviews on its effectiveness from actual police on almost a weekly basis, implementing their feedback before returning soon to learn more. Arib said using an agile process that essentially embedded IT within the police department reduced the amount of guesswork and saved time.It was basically built by police for police, Arib said. It was built internally, versus a vendor coming up with an application they thought would be useful for police.This is, perhaps, why Portland has had so much demand to take SAMS and install it in other cities, helping to improve the ability of those jurisdictions to track their untested sexual assault kits too.The efficiency of SAMS is perhaps best conveyed by the number of jurisdictions that now use it. In addition to Portland, the platform is up and running in a wide range of cities, including Austin, Texas; Duluth, Minn.; Memphis, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Las Vegas; and Mobile, Ala. In addition, exploratory processes are underway to soon bring SAMS to Miami and multiple jurisdictions in Hawaii.For those who built the platform, this comes as no surprise. Dan Bauer, deputy chief technology officer for Portland, said that SAMS was built with the intention to spread it to other jurisdictions. The reason for this is twofold. Sharing in the gov tech sector is commonplace, given that the obstacles faced by one jurisdiction are often the same or similar to those faced by another, and that, more importantly, public agencies are not competitive with each other the way private businesses are.The second reason, however, is that a more efficient data collection and sharing process for information related to sexual assault benefits law enforcement efforts in all jurisdictions. Essentially, once police in Portland and state law enforcement in Oregon, for example, are both using SAMS, theyll be able to correlate the results of test kits with known perpetrators, potentially finding connections between cases in a way that might have otherwise been missed.SAMS will be installed at Oregons Salem Police Department later this year, making it the second jurisdiction in the state to use the platform. Developers in Portland, however, have also built a related statewide victim portal and law enforcement database called SAMS-Track, which is slated to be deployed statewide in Oregon next year. SAMS-Track has the same solutions for tracking sexual assault kits as the full product, and it also connects jurisdictions directly to local and statewide forensic labs.There was a lot of learning as far as whats needed to be tracked, so we built it in a way where it can be extended, Arib said. Everything is configurable so were not locked into certain decisions.This has all enabled easier tracking and cooperation among jurisdictions, which has in turn increased the amount of data and analytics that can factor into investigations and ultimately prosecutions around the country. Instead of sexual assault kits sitting on shelves in evidence rooms, theyre now being processed, moving closer to justice for the victims of sexual assault. It ought to be the job of traditional media to help break this cycle. As Matthew Pressman shows in his recent history of journalism, On Press: The Liberal Values That Shaped the News , there was a purpose behind the old ideas of objectivity and fairness. At their best, journalists examine questions of genuine importance and offer citizens a chance to hear competing arguments on various sides of the issues at stake. This task includes pointing out when claims are at odds with the facts. In their criticism of King, you get the sense that Republicans are actually relieved to be in the position of attacking racism for a change, instead of being forced to defend it from the president. They seem to be signaling that they are not really the bigots they appear to be. Republicans seem desperate to explain that they are normal and moral despite all the evidence. Attacking King reveals some sense of shame at what they have become. I met with Barr privately to discuss these concerns, and that meeting, along with his written testimony, left me with a number of unanswered questions. In the hearing this week, I will press him to demonstrate that he will be an attorney general committed to upholding the Constitution and applying the law without fear or favor. I will be looking for unequivocal commitments that he will respect the independence of Muellers investigation; that he will ensure it receives all of the resources it needs; that he will not overrule Muellers decisions about indictments and prosecutions; and that he will not allow anyone, including the president, to interfere with or curtail the investigation. Immediately, of course, I began to think: If I dont get to see him this time, I dont know if Ill ever see him again. This felt like the closest I would ever get. And then I would think of my dad. I can only imagine that he was looking forward to it as much as I was. Description GIS - 14 January, 2019: A total of 50 postgraduate scholarships in Digital Technology, Blockchain, and Big Data will be offered this year. As from August 2019, the Universite des Mascareignes will offer Masters degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain. These measures aim to encourage young people to develop high end technical skills and to be more competent and versatile in todays highly technological world. A total of 50 postgraduate scholarships in Digital Technology, Blockchain, and Big Data will be offered this year. As from August 2019, the Universite des Mascareignes will offer Masters degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain. These measures aim to encourage young people to develop high end technical skills and to be more competent and versatile in todays highly technological world. This announcement was made on, 11 January 2019, by the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, during a press conference held at the Treasury Building in Port Louis. She dwelt on the measure announced by the Prime Minister as regards fees exemption for undergraduate students in public universities and vocational institutions. According to the Minister, this measure will complete the human capital cycle adding that Government, out of concern for equity and fairness, is investing fully in its human resources through the provision of free education and technical training. The ultimate objective, she stated, is to create a quality and solid foundation for the human capital of the Republic of Mauritius. She recalled that this historical measure will reduce the burden on families since it will democratise access to tertiary education. Salient points of the fees exemption Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun gave an overview of the measure which will be applicable as from this year for all students of Mauritius and Rodrigues pursuing certificate, diploma and degree courses, on a part time or part time basis, in public universities and vocational institutions. The institutions concerned are: University of Mauritius, University of Technology of Mauritius, Universite des Mascareignes, Open University of Mauritius, Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Rabindranath Tagore Institute, Mauritius Institute of Education, Fashion and Design Institute, Mauritius Institute of Training and Development, and Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd. The Minister pointed out that although tuition fees will be free, administrative fees, which will not exceed Rs 10 000, will not be covered. As regards dual campus mode arrangements where courses are dispensed with foreign institutions, she highlighted that the State will subsidise local fees only. In case of students failure in an exam, he will have to pay to resit the exams and Government will pay his tuition fees for the following years, she added. To implement this measure, Government will spend Rs 200 million for the period January to June 2019. A total of Rs 600 million will be earmarked to cover the tuition fees of tertiary students from July 2019 to June 2020. Woman dead in Ariz. motel shooting: Phoenix police say a shooting outside a motel left a young woman dead and five others wounded by gunfire. They said the shooting happened shortly before noon Sunday after two men argued with a group of people on the second floor of the motel. Police said one suspect reportedly fired multiple shots. They said one of the suspects was among those shot. Three of those who were in shot were hospitalized in critical condition. Police are searching for the other suspect. The victims ranged in age from 18 to 41. Their identities were not immediately made public. Within a week of each other in December 2017, Beetlestone for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam for the Northern District of California ruled an interim revision to the contraceptive mandate should be blocked nationwide. Their ruling came in separate lawsuits from Democratic state attorneys general challenging the Department of Health and Human Services for issuing what are known as interim final rules. Those cases are now on appeal before circuit courts. Theres power in the name because of what weve all done and the movement weve all created, said Katherine Siemionko, who founded Womens March Alliance, a New York organization that will lead a Manhattan march Saturday, and who organized the first Womens March there in 2017. But then having the name also ties us to a group we have nothing to do with. And thats been a problem for us this year. Activists in North Carolinas two largest cities, Charlotte and Raleigh, knocked on an estimated 12,000 doors last year to talk to voters about immigration and upcoming sheriff elections.Thanks in part to that push, Democratic sheriff candidates in both counties won in November on a pledge to end participation in 287(g), a program that allows county sheriffs to help federal authorities deport immigrants living in the United States without authorization. The victors ousted incumbents who had pledged to keep the program in place.Sheriff Garry McFadden celebrated by cutting a cake frosted with an anti-287(g) message when he was elected to lead the law enforcement agency in Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte. He said in a recent interview that hes gotten a thousand complaints and nasty messages a week about his decision to stop the program, but he hasnt changed his mind.We need to build trust with a community that does not trust us, McFadden told Stateline. Imagine a robbery victim afraid to call the police or witnesses afraid to come forward. Thats what we were dealing with.Among those complaining was Republican North Carolina state Rep. George Cleveland of Jacksonville, some 200 miles east of Charlotte, who told Stateline that with the cost of illegal immigrants to the state, not to mention the crimes committed by illegals, I would think a law enforcement officer would want to do all he could to rid the state of the problem, including participation in 287(g).Urban counties across the country increasingly are withdrawing from the program, even as more conservative suburban and rural areas flock to it during the Trump administration, according to a Stateline analysis of federal and state data. Overall, the number of federal agreements with local law enforcement agencies has more than doubled, to about 75, with 45 of them signed since President Donald Trump took office two years ago. But the increase in arrests related to the program has slowed as more big-city sheriffs back out.The sheriffs who joined the program were overwhelmingly small-town or suburban and Republican, Stateline found, though not all counties have partisan races for sheriff. The only urban counties to join were those encompassing Fort Worth, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee. None of the new sheriffs to join the program ran as a Democrat in the general election. There were no new 287(g) agreements with city police agencies, which generally arent elected positions and usually are not in charge of jails as are county sheriffs.The expansion came so fast that it caused administrative problems; U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) didnt hire enough new managers to oversee the new programs and train sheriffs deputies, according to an Inspector General report in September.The 2018 elections hastened the change not only in Mecklenburg and Wake counties in North Carolina, but also in Marylands Anne Arundel County, home to the state capital of Annapolis, where a 287(g) program ended. A new sheriff in North Carolinas Henderson County, near Asheville, said he was reviewing the 287(g) program after protests during the election, but has not announced a decision.Another area in North Carolina, Alamance County west of Chapel Hill, announced it would not start 287(g) again after the election, though it was not a campaign issue.Under the 287(g) program, sheriffs deputies check inmates immigration status during the booking process in county jails using computer equipment and databases provided by ICE. Deputies flag some inmates for possible federal arrests and deportation.Arrests under the 287(g) program spiked from fewer than 300 a month in mid-2016 the last few months of the Obama presidency to 945 in January 2018, but have not reached that level again as of July 2018, which is the latest data available, as some of its largest law enforcement agencies leave the program. Arrests varied from 816 in February to 903 in March. The arrest numbers by county were compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, using records obtained from ICE and other agencies.Even the addition of dozens of new smaller county sheriff agencies has not made up for the departure of some of the largest liberal counties. Los Angeles County stopped participating in 2015, and the trend has spread, with Hudson County, New Jersey, and urban parts of red states such as Texas and North Carolina likewise quitting after Trump took office in 2017.There seems to be an increasing split, where smaller counties are on board and bigger counties are not, said Lena Graber, a staff attorney who follows 287(g) issues at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, an immigration advocacy group in San Francisco.There are a lot of new places signing contracts [for 287(g)], but the major cities have rejected it, said Chris Rickerd, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes the program. In California, two large counties Orange County near Los Angeles and San Diego County were forced to drop 287(g) by a state law that took effect in 2018.The two North Carolina counties that dropped out this month are the states most populous and had among the highest numbers of arrests nationally in the first seven months of fiscal 2018: 370 for Wake and 309 for Mecklenburg.The only counties with more arrests during that period were Gwinnett County, Georgia, with 1,434; Clark County, Nevada, with 676; Collier County, Florida, with 471; Cobb County, Georgia, with 404; and Prince William County, Virginia, with 346. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, reelected Republican Sheriff Joe Lombardo in June.In North Carolina, activists in both counties worked to generate voter interest in Novembers sheriff election by talking about 287(g), said Robert Dawkins, organizer for the Safe Coalition in North Carolina, a criminal justice advocacy group that supervised the effort.We didnt think this is what Charlotte and Raleigh wanted to be as a city, Dawkins said. People who were not doing anything of consequence were getting deported. We want everybody here to feel safe when they call the police or the sheriff.In Maryland, the urban-suburban split likewise played out in November. Anne Arundel County dropped out of the program after Democratic County Executive Steuart Pittman was elected in November on a promise to end 287(g). In most counties, the sheriff negotiates for a 287(g) agreement, but in Anne Arundel its the county executive.But in suburban Harford County north of Baltimore, and in more rural Frederick County at the Pennsylvania border, sheriffs participating in 287(g) won reelection. Republican Sheriff Charles Jenkins of Frederick County was reelected to a fourth term in a close race over a Democratic opponent who pledged to end the agreement.It was the closest race Ive ever had. Im not sure how much 287(g) had to do with it. I suspect it was part of it, but mostly I think [the closeness of the race] was high Democrat turnout, Jenkins said. I have to tell you, I get yelled at a lot about 287(g) at election time, but I cant tell you how many people come up to me on the street and give me a thumbs-up and say, Keep doing what youre doing.Trump encouraged more sheriffs to join in a January 2017 executive order, among the first of his presidency, promising to empower state and local law enforcement agencies across the country to perform the functions of an immigration officer.Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston, used to have by far the most 287(g) arrests in the country more than 1,000 a year before Democratic Sheriff Ed Gonzalez ended the program shortly after taking office in early 2017.But months after Harris County dropped out, ICE celebrated the recruitment of 18 smaller counties in Texas, including three in the Houston suburbs as well as Fort Worths Tarrant County, all run by Republican sheriffs.Another large county in the Houston suburbs, Fort Bend, decided against joining the program in 2017, citing the $500,000 cost of training officers.ICE officials were not available for comment because of the federal government shutdown.As of mid-2018, the latest figures available, the most 287(g) arrests now come from Gwinnett County, Georgia, in suburban Atlanta. The county has a longstanding 287(g) program under which arrests jumped from less than 50 arrests a month in 2016 to around 200 in most months under Trump.There is a higher volume of people coming into our jail now. We have not made any changes. We simply follow the law, said Gwinnett County sheriffs deputy Shannon Volkodav, a spokeswoman for Sheriff R.L. Butch Conway, a Republican. Our only interest in immigration is to identify criminals who put our communitys safety at risk. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy As his reputation grew, McCloskey opined often on matters of faith and church and culture. He criticized lay groups that wanted more control over investigations of clergy sexual abuse. He advocated forcefully against abortion and said married Catholic couples using birth control should refrain from taking Communion. He argued that American men suffered from Friendship Deficit Syndrome and said wives should encourage their husbands to spend more time with their male friends and less time at home. He added that men were afraid to go out in groups in big cities, because observers would think they were gay. Dr. Sannehs work was all the more remarkable given his difficult path to academia. He had been thwarted in his original plan to study theology and be ordained, he wrote in an email to Azumah shortly before his death, and instead went through a terrible period of confusion and doubt. It was like a sickness in which I wondered whether God really wanted me. I started to emerge out of that hole when I saw that I could offer my training and scholarship as a small tribute to the God of Jesus, with Muslims within hearing distance. McMaster himself provided non-denial cover for the White House after The Post reported last year that Trump had leaked details of a classified operation against the Islamic State during an Oval Office meeting with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. The story that came out tonight, as reported, is false, he said, adding, At no time were intelligence sources or methods discussed. And the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known. But the story never said Trump disclosed nonpublic military operations or discussed intelligence sources or methods. McMasters statement never cited anything specific in the story that was false. Its all way out of proportion powered, in no small part, by unacknowledged sexism. (How often do you hear the word scold applied to men? Not never, certainly, but not nearly as predictably as to outspoken women, the same ones who should modulate their voices and smile more.) You or a contractor would need to cut out a full-width section four or five inches long of each style of molding, or you could extend the existing saw cuts to get a full-width edge or slot where you could slip in a piece of poster board to trace the profile. From that, RWM would make a custom mold, form the lengths you need and mail them to you. Owner Dan Litson estimated the cost at $1,300 plus shipping if you have a single molding profile, as he thinks you might. If youd need two molds, add $550. The estimate is based on a guess of four feet of molding for one hole and two feet for the other; it also includes crating the pieces for shipping. Experienced drywall contractors who have tackled a variety of remodeling jobs typically have the know-how to clean out the holes, patch the ceiling, install the molding sections and smooth over joints. Litson says RWM can offer installation advice, if needed. Liz G. Rodriguez Quinonez grew up schooled in being able to throw her body to the floor in the middle of the night, in the event that stray bullets from a nearby shootout came crashing through her window.But it was only this past fall when Ms. Rodriguez, who operates a food truck in a town just east of the Puerto Rican capital, experienced her first murder: Standing by the stove in her truck one morning in September, she heard a series of pops, then screaming, and realized that the man who was the intended target of the gunfire was standing right behind her truck. She ducked thanks to the training from her youth but there was no hope for the man, who died only a few feet away.It was not yet noon.I saw the dead body. He was around 30 years old. It was horrible, Ms. Rodriguez, 30, said with a shudder.Puerto Rico has long had one of the highest murder rates in the country, almost all of it attributable to gang violence. But a recent spree of brazen daylight killings, some of which were captured on video and widely shared on social media, have shaken the population and worried local and federal law enforcement officials who thought they had seen everything in the roiling, populous city of San Juan. The statement was made by Tran Tan Ngo, member of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) Central Committee, at an activity held in Ho Chi Minh City on January 11th to mark 40 years of the Vietnam-Cambodia traditional friendship. Initiated by the VCFA in 2012, the Nurturing seeds of friendship programme have helped enhance the strong attachment between Cambodian students and their sponsors, Ngo said. Since 2012, as many as 100 Cambodian students have received enthusiastic supports and sponsors from the programme. Initiated as a model of individuals sponsoring students, now the programme has expanded with more types of sponsorship. True to its name, the programme is step by step nurturing the seeds that make the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia grow in depth with higher efficiency. Speaking of the outcomes of the programme, Cambodian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Im Hen thanked the VCFA and sponsoring families for their care for Cambodian students. He expressed his hope that the programme will receive the engagement of more sponsors to support more Cambodian students learning in Vietnam. On this occasion, the VCFA granted certificates of merits to outstanding sponsors and Cambodian students for excellently fulfilling the programmes activities./. South Africa: President Ramaphosa to outline WEF approach President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday address Team South Africa, which will represent the country at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The President will meet the team, which comprises a diversity of stakeholders from the South African society and economy for a breakfast meeting in Rosebank, Johannesburg. From 22 to 26 January, Team South Africa will use the annual meeting in Davos to reach out to international partners and investors as part of efforts to position the country favourably to the rest of the globe. The pre-WEF breakfast is an opportunity for Team South Africa to develop an integrated approach to South Africas input into the WEF deliberations and to identify areas of emphasis in presenting South Africa as a desired investment destination and trade partner, the Presidency said on Monday. The international gathering in the Swiss city will bring together political, business and broader civil society leadership under the theme Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Davos delegation, led by President Ramaphosa, will be coordinated by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and will include leadership of government, business and labour. Government will be represented by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Economic Development, Trade and Industry, Public Enterprises, Health, Energy, and Communications. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The last round of talks between Trump and congressional leaders collapsed last week after Trump walked out on them when Pelosi refused his demands to pay for the wall. No new talks are scheduled, and no one at the White House or on Capitol Hill can say how or when the shutdown, already the longest in the nations history, will end. The Italian School of Rome is located in the historical city center of the eternal city a few steps away from its main monuments and tourist sites. Its central location, hosted in the gorgeous 16th-century palace, Palazzo Firenze, allows students to experience an authentic cultural and artistic experience in the heart of the Capital of Italy. The School offers courses of Italian language in accordance with the six levels laid out in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): Pre-Beginner/Beginner (A1); Elementary (A2); Intermediate (B1); Upper-Intermediate (B2); Advanced (C1); Proficient (C2). Before the beginning of the course all students are expected to take a placement test to assess their linguistic level. The educational approach is flexible and aims at the development of both linguistic skills (listening, reading, speaking/interacting, and writing) and knowledge of the Italian social and cultural environment. The objective is to provide students with the skills necessary to enable their rapid and efficient participation in the Italian social, professional or academic arena. Intensive and standard courses, individual lessons, courses for companies and Skype lessons are taught by highly-qualified teachers in a friendly, dynamic and welcoming atmosphere. Details related to the courses offered, enrollment procedure and tuition fees, accommodation support through local partners are available in the official web site: www.scuoleditaliano.it/roma where you may also test your level of Italian, find out promotions and interesting facts about Italy and Italian language! The School is also a PLIDA official certification center and provides preparatory courses and exam simulations. The PLIDA Certificate allows its holder to indicate his/her Italian language knowledge in the most transparent way on his/her curriculum vitae, enroll in an Italian university without having to take the Italian language exam and obtain the residency permit or the long-term residency permit. The certificate of enrolment issued by the School may be useful in the process of obtaining a student visa and the renewal of a residency permit. If you wish to enroll for more than 2 months contact the School office to benefit from the promotional rates on long-term courses. Come study Italian with us. We look forward to welcoming you soon! For further information, contact us at info@roma.ladante.it or call +39 066873722. Despite calls from protesters and the previous House speaker for his resignation, a state lawmaker accused of inappropriate sexual conduct against multiple teens has been named chairman of an education subcommittee.Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro, has been assigned by newly-elected House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, to lead the education administration subcommittee.The announcement came Thursday when committees were assigned on the floor of the House, immediately following required sexual harassment training."Matter of fact, his constituents sent him here overwhelmingly," Casada said when asked about the assignment after the day's session. "It is an accusation, but we cannot make actions on accusations." Rome launches competition to design Garbatella logo. Ahead of the centenary of Rome's Garbatella district in February 2020, the city has launched a competition to design a logo in celebration of the suburb's 100th anniversary. The contest is to create an "original, innovative and inclusive" logo for the south Rome neighbourhood located between Via Ostiense and Via Cristoforo Colombo. Designs must be submitted in digital format, accompanied by a short explanatory text, to garbatella100@comune.roma.it by 31 January 2019. For full details see city website. Garbatella's upcoming celebrations mark the anniversary of the ground-breaking ceremony at the central Piazza Brin on 18 February 1920, an event presided over by Italy's King Victor Emanuel III. Established originally to accommodate the families of workers in neighbouring Ostiense, Garbatella is popular today due to its distinctive architectural style and vibrant nightlife. Garbatella was popularised in the 1993 movie Caro diario by Nanni Moretti who toured the area on his Vespa to the backdrop of the Leonard Cohen track I'm Your Man. Rome mayor says city will also give charity coins from other fountains. Rome's city administration has backtracked on its contentious plan to claim the coins tossed by tourists into the waters of the Trevi Fountain - estimated at up to 1.5 million a year - away from Catholic charity Caritas. The widely expected u-turn follows a backlash after reports on 12 January that the city would take control of the coins from 1 April 2019, breaking a long-running agreement with Caritas, and directing the funds into municipal "assistance and solidarity projects." The city's mayor Virginia Raggi told Vatican daily newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that the Trevi Fountain coins would remain in the hands of Caritas, which since 2001 uses the swept-up change to provide help to the city's homeless people and families in financial difficulty. Stating that "nobody ever thought of depriving Caritas of these funds", Raggi said that in addition to the Trevi coins, the city would give the charitable organisation coins collected from other Roman fountains, amounting to an annual total of 200,000. No one was waiting outside, Reynolds said Wednesday, speaking by phone from somewhere on the West Virginia Turnpike, on his way home from Utah. I took Frank out of the car. He smelled a familiar smell and started pulling me straight to this door hed never been to before. [The Millers] opened the door and he just went crazy. Perryns great-aunt, Rebecca Patrick of Fredericksburg, witnessed the boys reunion with his pet. Its nice to know that as Perryn begins his treatments so far from home, he has Frank with him for comfort and support, she said. Perryns cancer diagnosis is the second crisis his family has had to weather in the past few months. In September, their home in North Carolina was destroyed by Hurricane Florence. His father, Jake, is a veteran Marine Raider now retired on disability. His mother, Jaimee, is a special education registrar. Both parents will be taking extended leave from their jobs to care for Perryn in Utah. A friend set up a GoFundMe account to help them pay for Perryns medical bills. To reserve a place, call 754-7333 by noon Tuesday. Free legal services Greater Waco Legal Services First Monday Legal Advice Clinic will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Dewey Community Center, 925 N. Ninth St. Appointments are not required but are strongly recommended. the clinic provides 20-30 minute consultations on a first-come, first-served basis. The last consultations may start at 8 p.m. For more information, call 733-2828. Genealogy program The Central Texas Genealogical Society and West Waco Genealogy Center will host a free program from noon to 1 p.m. in the library meeting room, 5301 Bosque Blvd. The theme is learning to search, share and create memorials of ancestors using findagrave.com. Waco Rotary Club Waco rotarian Ashley Allison will present a program on the future of rotary at during the Waco Rotary Clubs meeting at noon Monday in the Waco Lions Den, 1716 N. 42nd St. Lunch is $12. Submit items in printed or typed form to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco 76702-2588; fax 757-0302; or email goingson@wacotrib.com. December 2018s Most Wanted Malware: Malware Downloader Climbs into Top 10 for First Time January 2019 by Check Point Check Point has published its latest Global Threat Index for December 2018. The index reveals that SmokeLoader, a second-stage downloader known to researchers since 2011, rose 11 places in December to enter the Indexs top 10 at ninth place. After a surge of activity in the Ukraine and Japan, its global impact grew by 20. SmokeLoader is mainly used to load other malware, such as Trickbot Banker, AZORult Infostealer and Panda Banker. Cryptomining malware continues to lead the Index, with Coinhive retaining its number one position for the 13th month in a row and impacting 12% of organizations worldwide. XMRig was the second most prevalent malware with a global reach of 8%, closely followed by the JSEcoin miner in third with a global impact of 7%. Organizations continue to be targeted by cryptominers, despite an overall drop in value across all cryptocurrencies in 2018. The report also showed banking Trojans rising up the index, with Ramnit, a banking Trojan that steals login credentials and other sensitive data, returned to the top 10 this month in 8th place. Maya Horowitz, Threat Intelligence and Research Group Manager at Check Point commented: Decembers report saw SmokeLoader appearing in the top 10 for the first time. Its sudden surge in prevalence reinforces the growing trend towards damaging, multi-purpose malware in the Global Threat Index, with the top 10 divided equally between cryptominers and malware that uses multiple methods to distribute numerous threats. The diversity of the malware in the Index means that it is critical that enterprises employ a multi-layered cybersecurity strategy that protects against both established malware families and brand new threats. December 2018s Top 3 Most Wanted Malware: *The arrows relate to the change in rank compared to the previous month. 1. Coinhive - Crypto Miner designed to perform online mining of Monero cryptocurrency when a user visits a web page without the users knowledge or approval. The implanted JavaScript uses a great deal of the computational resources of end users machines to mine coins, and may crash the system. 2. XMRig- Open-source CPU mining software used for the mining process of the Monero cryptocurrency, and first seen in-the-wild on May 2017. 3. Jsecoin - JavaScript miner that can be embedded in websites. With JSEcoin, you can run the miner directly in your browser in exchange for an ad-free experience, in-game currency and other incentives. Triada, the modular backdoor for Android, has retained first place in the top mobile malware list. Guerilla has climbed to second place, replacing Hiddad. Meanwhile, Lotoor has replaced Android banking Trojan and info-stealer Lokibot in third place. Decembers Top 3 Most Wanted Mobile Malware: 1. Triada - Modular Backdoor for Android which grants super user privileges to downloaded malware, as helps it to get embedded into system processes. Triada has also been seen spoofing URLs loaded in the browser. 2. Guerilla- Android ad-clicker which has the ability to communicate with a remote command and control (C&C) server, download additional malicious plugins and perform aggressive ad-clicking without the consent or knowledge of the user. 3. Lotoor- Hack tool that exploits vulnerabilities on Android operating system in order to gain root privileges on compromised mobile devices. Check Point researchers also analyzed the most exploited cyber vulnerabilities. Holding on to first place was CVE-2017-7269, whose global impact also rose slightly to 49%, compared to 47% in November. In second place was OpenSSL TLS DTLS Heartbeat Information Disclosure, with a global impact of 42% closely followed by PHPMyAdmin Misconfiguration Code Injection with an impact of 41%. Decembers Top 3 Most Exploited vulnerabilities: 1. Microsoft IIS WebDAV ScStoragePathFromUrl Buffer Overflow (CVE-2017-7269) - By sending a crafted request over a network to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 through Microsoft Internet Information Services 6.0, a remote attacker could execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service conditions on the target server. That is mainly due to a buffer overflow vulnerability resulted by improper validation of a long header in HTTP request. 2. OpenSSL TLS DTLS Heartbeat Information Disclosure (CVE-2014-0160; CVE-2014-0346) - An information disclosure vulnerability exists in OpenSSL. The vulnerability is due to an error when handling TLS/DTLS heartbeat packets. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to disclose memory contents of a connected client or server. 3. Web servers PHPMyAdmin Misconfiguration Code Injection - A code injection vulnerability has been reported in PHPMyAdmin. The vulnerability is due to PHPMyAdmin misconfiguration. A remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted HTTP request to the target. Check Points Global Threat Impact Index and its ThreatCloud Map is powered by Check Points ThreatCloud intelligence, the largest collaborative network to fight cybercrime which delivers threat data and attack trends from a global network of threat sensors. The ThreatCloud database holds over 250 million addresses analyzed for bot discovery, more than 11 million malware signatures and over 5.5 million infected websites, and identifies millions of malware types daily. Toyota Motor North America Huntsville released information Monday touting its work during 2018. Here are the details released by company spokesperson Kim Ogle: * Our 1,400 team members produced approximately 630,000 engines for RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. These engines powered 1/3 of Toyota vehicles built in the U.S., making the plant a critical part of the supply chain for Toyota operations and one of the largest Toyota engine plants globally. * Currently we are building about 2,600 per day - 5 times as many engines since starting production in 2003. It is because of our team members dedication and commitment to quality and safety that we can produce this volume. * The plant's 6 millionth engine was built in August 2018. * In September 2018, we launched a new (advanced) 4-cylinder engine line to produce next-generation engines as part of the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. TNGA will improve the performance of all vehicles, including increased fuel efficiency, more responsive handling, and a more stable and comfortable feel while driving. It also provides a more flexible production environment that allows us to better respond to changing market demands. * The $106 million TNGA project increased total plant investment to $1 billion. * Toyota Alabama continues to be the only Toyota plant globally to build 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines under one roof. * Toyota will continue to invest in the U.S. and produce vehicles where they are sold. To date the company has invested $24 billion in the U.S. and has is committed to investing an additional $8 billion over the next five years. These investments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the U.S., to our Team Members, and to the community in which we do business. * In 2018 Toyota Alabama supported more than 40 local non-profit organizations by investing more than $700,000 to further our community in the areas of education, mobility, environmental, human services and diversity. In addition, engine and vehicle donations were made to local technical schools to support workforce development efforts and promote careers in manufacturing. To date, $10 million has been donated to support local non-profits and education programs in North Alabama. A Grand Jury has indicted an Illinois man on four counts of first degree homicide for the beating death of a 4-year-old because she spilled juice on his X-Box, the Chicago Tribune reported. Prosecutors said they plan to seek a life sentence for 19-year-old Johnathan Fair. The little girl was the daughter of Fair's girlfriend who was not at home when the beating took place on December 13. Fair took the little girl to the hospital and said she fell and hit her head, though he later admitted that he'd shaken her for spilling the juice. Prosecutors say Fair also kicked the little girl down a hallway. The girl died several days after being admitted to the hospital. Fair remains in jail on a $5 million bond. He has an arraignment hearing on February 17th. His lawyer told reporters, "When the real facts come out, he will be acquitted." In Birmingham sorrow was visible over the killing of Sgt. Wytasha Carter Sunday morning. Carter was the seventh law enforcement officer in the last 13 days killed in the line of duty. "We'll honor the officers who have died in the last several days by wearing the black sash over the badge and at some point in time when the flags go up I'm sure we'll do a flags have staffed also," said incoming Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims. In a post on Facebook the Madison County Sheriff's Office said their deputies will be wearing a black strip across their badges. Madison Police also sent their condolences to the Birmingham Police Department through social media. Huntsville Police also took to social media to mourn and honor all the officers killed in the line of duty in the last 13 days. Sims said any time an officer dies it hits the entire community hard, "There's a brotherhood there. No matter where you're from that we all come from that background we all understand that," said Sims. The fear of something bad happening is the reality of what all law enforcement officers live with day in, day out, "It don't take but a millisecond for something to go bad," said Sims. Sims told WAAY 31 when he officially takes over as Sheriff on Monday in Marshall County he will talk to his deputies about what happened and emphasize always being vigilant about their surroundings. Law enforcement brothers and sisters are mourning the tragic death of beloved Birmingham police sergeant Wytasha Carter. His friends called him Wyt. The 44-year-old was shot early Sunday morning in downtown Birmingham as he and an undercover officer confronted a pair of suspected car burglars. Police officers stood solemnly and saluted as the corner transported Sergeant Carter's body from UAB Hospital. Governor Kay Ivey was quick to offer her sympathies. We began today with the heartbreaking news that Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter was killed in the line of duty and a second officer still remains in critical condition," Governor Ivey wrote. "On behalf of the entire state of Alabama, I offer my deepest sympathies and prayers as we all mourn the death of Sergeant Carter, which came far too soon. This is a terrible loss for Sergeant Carters loved ones, his fellow law enforcement officers and our entire state. Let us keep Sergeant Carter, his wife and children close to our hearts during this difficult time." The surviving officer shot is in critical condition at UAB. "I offer my fervent prayers to the second officer still fighting to stay alive," the Governor wrote. "I also pray for the doctors, nurses and staff working to help this officer survive the tragedy. To this officer, know that the people of Alabama stand behind you." Governor Ivey pointed out the danger police officers face every day. "We must never forget the tremendous sacrifice that our law enforcement make each and every day," she said. "We certainly will always remember Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter and his ultimate sacrifice for the people of Birmingham who he served so well." President Donald Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House Monday that suggestions he was some sort of Russian agent were totally ridiculous, and insisted that the entire special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election is a "whole big fat hoax." It's in keeping with his broader approach to the question of Russia's election meddling efforts and ties between those close to his campaign and actors for foreign powers: This is all a sham. Special counsel Robert Mueller is out to get him -- as is the entire FBI. They've got nothing. (The 192 criminal counts, 36 people and entities charged, seven people who have pleaded guilty, the four people sentenced to prison and the one person convicted at trial as a result of the Mueller probe make clear, of course, that Trump is wrong.) 2016 Presidential election Continents and regions Donald Trump Eastern Europe Elections (by type) Elections and campaigns Europe Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Investigations Political candidates Political Figures - US Politics Robert Mueller Russia Russia meddling investigation US Federal elections US federal government US Presidential elections White House Donald Trump, Jr. Political Figures - Intl Vladimir Putin Hillary Clinton Trump-Putin Summit But even if you ignore all of those facts about the Mueller investigation, there's still one question I keep coming back to over the last 48 hours: Why did Trump go out of his way to ensure that no records of his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin exist? These two paragraphs, from The Washington Post's Greg Miller, are staggering stuff: "President Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including on at least one occasion taking possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructing the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other administration officials, current and former U.S. officials said.... "The constraints that Trump imposed are part of a broader pattern by the president of shielding his communications with Putin from public scrutiny and preventing even high-ranking officials in his own administration from fully knowing what he has told one of the United States' main adversaries." WHAT. Think of that decision for a minute. The dark cloud of Russia's involvement in the 2016 election has followed Trump since almost his first day in office. The US intelligence community concluded unanimously almost two years ago that the Russians actively sought to interfere in the election to help Trump and hurt Hillary Clinton. Any number of his past associates on the campaign -- and some within his administration -- have pleaded guilty to lying to Mueller about the nature and breadth of their of their interactions with the Russians. His top three campaign advisers -- Paul Manafort, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner -- met with Russians at Trump Tower in June 2016 under the promise that the Russians had dirt on Clinton. At a news conference following their summit in Helsinki, Trump sheltered Putin and Russia from blame in the election interference operations, insisting that the Russian president said he didn't do it and there was enough blame to go around on all sides. There's more, but you get the idea. In a vacuum, the President of the United States going above and beyond to shield his communications with the Russian president would be concerning. Given what we know about the Trump campaign and Russia, it's downright alarming. Now, back to my unanswered question: Why, if you are Trump, would you purposely shield your conversations with Putin even from your own aides? Why would you take notes from a translator at one encounter and urge that person not to reveal what transpired -- even to your senior aides? Why would you, as Miller notes in his story, ensure that "there is no detailed record, even in classified files, of Trump's face-to-face interactions with the Russian leader at five locations over the past two years." That's doubly true given Trump's recounting Monday morning of the meeting in Helsinki with Putin. Said Trump: "That was a very good meeting. It was actually a very successful meeting and I have those meetings with everything. I just know nothing about it. ... It was a very, very successful meeting. We talked about Israel, we talked about the pipeline that Germany is paying Russia a lot of money -- I don't think it's appropriate. We talked about that. We talked about many subjects, but I have those meetings one-on-one with all leaders including the president of China, including prime minister of Japan, Abe. We have those meetings all the time. No big deal." So, the meeting was: a) great b) no big deal Even without all of the water under the Russia bridge, that would seem to suggest Trump would be totally fine with sharing every bit of his (highly unusual) one-on-one summit with Putin. And even if he wasn't comfortable sharing it with the general public, he would certainly be willing to have some record of that meeting (and others) that he and his senior staff could go over at a later date. Right? And he certainly wouldn't go out of his way to get rid of any ability by anyone other than him and Putin to know what went on in those meetings, right? RIGHT? Here's the thing: I don't know what Putin and Trump talked about in Helsinki or any of the other times they have huddled over the past two years. What I do know is that Russia ran an elaborate operation to interfere in the 2016 election to help Trump and hurt Clinton because, at a minimum, they believed Trump would be better for their interests. And that A WHOLE HELL OF A LOT of people in Trump's orbit lied to federal investigators about their contacts with Russia. Add it up and you get this: If Trump really didn't do ANYTHING wrong in relation to Russia, the dumbest thing he could possibly do is what he did -- actively work to scotch the official record of any evidence of what he and Putin have talked about over the past two years. It's literally the most guilty looking thing he could do. Which brings me, again, to this: If he did absolutely nothing wrong and this whole Russia investigation is a total hoax, why did Trump try to keep the contents of his meetings quiet? Why would he do that? To me, that's the question the press has to ask and ask and ask. Because the answer that seems obvious is one that would deeply endanger Trump's presidency. And if he is truly innocent of any and all allegations, then why lead people to believe you might not be? Victoria Uneasy Lies the Head That Wears the Crown Season 3 Episode 1 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Photo: ITV Plc for MASTERPIECE Victoria, season three, has begun, and if the premiere is any indication, were in for more romance, lacy shawls, and a hearty dose of 19th-century European social issues. We open on a rousing verse of La Marseillaise in 1848 Paris. Rioting is heard outside the French palace as aristocrats run about and the French king hurriedly shaves. In case youre unaware, 19th-century French political history is a nightmare. The country is about to segue into the Second Republic, which was swiftly followed by the Second Empire, which was toppled by the Third Republic, which at least had the decency to stick around through the end of Victorias reign, which is all we really need to concern ourselves with for this show. The king hands a letter for the English queen to an envoy and dramatically eyes himself in the mirror while murmuring farewell to Her Majesty, then escapes into some dank tunnels. And to England! Victoria, now a mother of five with the sixth clearly on the way (remember when she was jumping up and down in season one to avoid pregnancy?), is informed of Frances revolution by Albert, who references the other wave of revolutions that are sweeping 1848 Europe. Thank God for the English Channel, Victoria replies very Englishly. To which Albert says, Ideas can swim. SNAPPY, but also, no they cant, Albert. Jenna Coleman has taken a turn this season down the path of Dour Matron Not-Amused Victoria. Her voice has grown a shade darker and heavier, and she is noticeably less sprightly (although that could also be due in part to how immensely pregnant Victoria is throughout this episode). As the show is currently slated for six seasons, it will be interesting to see how she continues. One of our new characters/historical personages this season is foreign secretary Lord Palmerston. We are not supposed to like Lord Palmerston. He praises the revolution in France and makes some comment about the autocrats of Europe, which is quickly harrumphed by Parliament, more particularly by the Tories. Palmerston carries with him an inordinate amount of Smug, which translates to your immediately wanting him to get decked. This desire does not fade throughout the episode, but rather increases, which is a shame for Real Life Lord Palmerston, who clashed with Victoria, but was apparently an excellent foreign secretary. Victoria gives us her most delightful moment of the episode when Albert whispers in her ear about Palmerstons praise of the revolution. She looks up, affronted, and says, Without our permission? That Lord Palmerston needs to explain himself. I am dying to do this at a dinner party. Palmerston is summoned to Buckingham Palace to do said explaining, which he does with a hand on one jaunty, smug hip and the air of a man about town. He says he decided on his own to congratulate the revolutionary government, and Victoria and Albert are left seething. The prime minister is there but fading into the wallpaper in all their scenes. He is Lord John Russell, who did some tremendous things in Englands past, but will probably not do much this season except fail at his job. Meanwhile, theres something rotten in the state of Denmark er, London. A group with a distinctly rabble-ish appearance is shouting about the power of the people in England, with one leader proclaiming that they should swear allegiance not to the crown, but to the Peoples Charter. Its worth noting that this charter had been knocking around since 1838 and consisted of some extremely reasonable requests, like universal (male) suffrage, equal representation, and a salary for members of Parliament. These protesters are called Chartists, and we get to know some of them. A young woman flirts with a Mr. Fitzgerald, who is later seen standing next to some imposing-looking guns (foreshadowing). Though the Chartist leader, Feargus OConnor, encourages peaceful protest, his efforts are stymied by William Cuffay, who wants to echo France. Cuffay later leads the people to the palace. Albert reads Victoria some Marx, saying we cannot be too complacent. Victoria looks exasperated and continues reading her book. Victoria has not completely shied away from depicting Victorias lack of awareness about whats happening in her country, or at the very least, her choice to focus instead on her own interests. Albert is of immense value here, as he pushes her to try out new things like the locomotive, impresses on her the importance of plumbing, and gently points out that perhaps her people may, in fact, not accept rotten boroughs, limited suffrage, and what amounts to an oligarchy just because she thinks we are not a revolutionary people. Its impressive and ambitious for the show to take on why England remained relatively stable as revolutions broke out across Europe. As a sign of the monarchy at least attempting to listen, Albert declares to Victoria that neither of them knows anything about the people, but that in typical Albert fashion, he is going to find out. He does this by inspecting tenements and discovering that it may not be reasonable to expect his countrys citizens to tolerate dozens of people sharing single rooms, filthy living conditions, and overall terribleness. Meanwhile, a number of guests arrive at the palace. The deposed French king, Louis Philippe, begs asylum and is granted it at the risk of angering revolution-minded British citizens. Theres a new duchess on hand, whose husband is terribly embarrassed by everything she does, but who is greatly admired by the extremely tall new footman. And a scheming-looking woman shows up and turns out to be Victorias half-sister Feodora, who abandoned her to get married when Victoria was being emotionally abused as a child. Victoria has some leftover feelings about this. It doesnt help that Feodora later sweeps into the room wearing one of Victorias dresses and everyone gazes at her like shes Rachael Leigh Cook at the top of the stairs in Shes All That (she looks okay). Feodora seems like she has something up her sleeve, but by the end of the episode, its unclear what that is. She does show Victoria up by demonstrating her superior piano skills, and the dog growled at her, so Im pretty sure shes up to no good. Victoria is having a rough time of it this episode. Shes immensely pregnant, her taller, better-at-piano half-sister is there reminding her of her wretched childhood, her people are possibly on the brink of revolution, and her husband wont stop reading her excerpts from Marx like hes a freshman philosophy major. As the episode crescendos, the Chartists are at the palace gates. Someone hurls a rock through a window, narrowly missing Victoria, and (of course) her water breaks. Questions for Next Time: Will the new giant footman have a dalliance with the neglected duchess? Will someone punch Lord Palmerston? Will the show go completely off the rails of history and have a second English Revolution, leaving Albert and Victoria to forge a new life for themselves and their 5,000 children in the wilds of Canada? Only in my dreams. R. Kelly. Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage The legal consequences of R. Kellys alleged behavior remain uncertain, and so does his future as an artist. TMZ reports that Kelly has been all but blacklisted at his label RCA and its parent Sony, with the company refusing to finance, produce, market, or release any new music from Kelly as investigations into his alleged sex crimes in two states persist. According to TMZ, Kelly is prepared to release new music and still has two albums left to fulfill his contract at RCA (the terms of which have not been made public), but the label wont budge. Kellys last album for the label was his absurd 2016 Christmas album, 2 Play to 12 Nights of Christmas. Last year, he self-produced and self-released on SoundCloud a nearly 20-minute song/rant absolving himself of any all and bad behavior that wasnt officially associated with RCA. RCA hasnt shared any official statements about Kellys future at the company or his legal troubles in the years since new allegations surfaced. (Vulture has sent multiple requests for comment.) But TMZ reports that RCA is weighing its options of how to best void Kellys contract without facing a lawsuit or any other financial deficit; a moral clause, for example, could give it a safe out. (Its worth noting that Sony opted against renewing its contract with accused abuser Dr. Luke in 2017, but that RCA also did sign fellow embattled artist Chris Brown earlier this month.) Last year, Pitchfork reported that talks between RCA and activist group Color of Change about dropping Kelly from the labels roster went nowhere. On Friday, activist group Ultraviolet once again put the pressure on Sony, flying a banner over Sonys Culver City offices that read RCA/SONY: DROP SEXUAL PREDATOR R. KELLY. (Again, Sony did not comment.) Meanwhile, Illinois has denied a permit request from R. Kelly that wouldve allowed him to host an event called Springfield Spring Break Jam in April, citing security concerns related to the escalating fallout from Surviving R. Kelly. Over the weekend, Kelly was visited by Chicago police at his Trump Tower residence responding to a call that he was holding two women hostage there, which the women denied. On Wednesday, Kellys recording studio in Chicago will be inspected by the city to find out if he violated zoning laws by having people (potentially his alleged victims) live there. Photo: James Dittiger/2018 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. S Near the end of Mary Harrons 2000 film American Psycho, as Patrick Batemans insanity reaches fevered heights, the (maybe) serial killer picks up a kitten and appears to be on the verge of shooting it at the insistence of an ATMs instruction screen. Weve seen Bateman commit one unspeakable act after another yet this is the most upsetting moment. When he kills a woman instead, letting the kitten go free, its a relief. Or at least it is to viewers of a certain temperament, those for whom any scene of an animal in peril or distress is torture. The Human Centipede? Audition? Hostel? Whatever. Bring em on. The climactic scenes of Old Yeller or Turner & Hooch? Never again. For such folks, and I count myself among them, the new A Dogs Way Home might as well be a Saw sequel. A companion piece to last years A Dogs Purpose whose premise of following a dog through many incarnations required one dog death scene after another A Dogs Way Home inspires a kind of cognitive dissonance. On one level, the Charles Martin Smithdirected film, in which the lovable Bella has to journey over 400 miles to be reunited with her owner, is perfectly fine, a piece of warmhearted family fare filled with positive messages about caring for veterans, a subplot about the unfairness of bans on pit bulls, and a no-big-deal depiction of a loving same-sex relationship. On the other hand, it is hell. Or at least, it will be to viewers who cant stand to see sweet little dogs get in any sort of trouble. Below, weve rated some key scenes in the film on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the equivalent of a YouTube clip of a sleeping puppy and 5 being that scene in Milo and Otis where the kitten gets attacked by seagulls. (Spoilers follow.) Bella is separated from her animal family as a puppy: 4 A Dogs Way Home doesnt wait long to get to the rough stuff. As it opens, young Bella is enjoying an idyllic puppyhood, or at least as idyllic as a puppyhood spent beneath the ruins of a collapsed building can be. She lives with her mother and siblings side by side with a nursing cat and her kittens. (Dogs and cats living together, just like Peter Venkman feared!) Then one day the cruel forces of Denvers Animal Care and Control show up and grab as many animals as they can, including Bellas mother. With a voice supplied by Bryce Dallas Howard, Bella notes, I never saw her again. Fortunately, shes taken in by the cat shell take to calling Mother Cat, who nurses her and cares for her as she grows into a bigger puppy before being taken home by Lucas (Jonah Hauer-King), a med student and worker at the local VA center with a soft spot for animals, and his mother Terri (Ashley Judd), a veteran whos having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. Bella gets shut up in a closet at the VA center: 2 Fearing eviction if their landlord learns theyve taken in a dog, Lucas and Terri bring Bella to the VA center and lock her in a supply closet a room filled with dangerous chemicals and other dog-threatening items for safekeeping. Fortunately, this doesnt last long, and soon Bellas working as an unofficial therapy dog, helping to cheer up Terri and some of the other veterans. Bella gets impounded by Animal Care and Control: 3 In a long, unpleasant sequence, Bella is taken in by an especially awful Animal Care and Control officer named Chuck (John Cassini), and she does not take well to life in the slammer, opting to sit nicely and hope to be reward for her good behavior as Howards voice-over grows increasingly confused as to why shes being punished and kept apart from Lucas. It should be noted here that Howard is an extremely good actress and that the voice-over effectively suggests the earnestness and limited understanding of a dogs inner life. In other words, bring Kleenex. Fortunately, Lucas and his co-worker/love interest Olivia (Alexandra Shipp) are able to spring Bella after learning about draconian breed restriction laws that can label any dog that resembles a pit bull as a threat. (Thats basically racism for dogs! Olivia exclaims, which, well, lets just leave that there.) The good news: Bella gets to go free. The bad news: She has to go live with Olivias aunt miles away in New Mexico while Lucas settles to the more dog-inclusive town of Golden, Colorado. Bella gets driven away from Lucas and Terri: 3 Try to have some Kleenex left over from the animal-shelter scene. Bella wanders the wilderness before hooking up with a pack of seemingly homeless dogs: 2 Bellas happy enough in New Mexico, but she misses Lucas, so she decides to run away and find him, which is (a) brave, (b) dumb, and (c) extremely doglike. After a while, she falls in with a pack of dogs with cute names like One-Tooth and Crazy Hair, picking through the trash and begging for scraps from local businesses. But, she soon learns that theyre just slumming and they all have homes (and apparently negligent owners) to whom they can return each night. Bella says a sad farewell then heads back into the woods. Bella encounters some mean hunters: 2 The hunters arent interested in Bella. Instead, theyre interested in killing a cougar, which they do, leaving behind a cub that Bella befriends and names Big Kitten. Bella is played, in most shots, by a real, and extremely expressive, dog named Shelby. Big Kitten is a CGI creation, and not a particularly convincing one, leading to many slightly unnerving scenes of a real dog frolicking with an almost-but-not-quite-real-looking cougar. The film is set in the wilds of New Mexico and Colorado, but that territory includes a couple of uncanny valleys. Bella is caught in an avalanche: 2 Though others are endangered in this moment, Bella seems far from harm. A man snowshoeing with his dog Duke gets caught in the cascade and injured, but hes pretty mean, so its not all that upsetting. Post-avalanche, Bella and Duke are taken in by a nice gay couple who give her a new rainbow collar and pamper her. She seems happy, but her love for Lucas cant allow her to settle down. She leaves Duke behind to enjoy the sweet life and hits the road. Bella is chained to a corpse for days and unable to get a drink of water: 5 A Dogs Way Home is adapted from a novel by W. Bruce Cameron, who also wrote A Dogs Purpose. Most likely, Cameron loves dogs. But maybe he hates them? Late in the film, Bella is taken in by Axl (Edward James Olmos) a homeless vet who cares for her but also keeps her chained and unable to leave his side. Then, while camping by the river, Axl dies, leaving Bella unable to reach water for days, as Bellas voice-over gets increasingly mournful and panicked. Cameron, come on man. Why do that to a dog, even a fictional dog? Whats wrong with you? Bella is menaced by wolves: 4 By the end of the film, its revealed that Bella has spent two-and-a-half years making her way back to Lucas. For most of that time, shes trailed by a pack of wolves apparently playing the long game before making their move. When they do, theyre vicious and seem like theyre on the verge of killing her when, in an example of the venerable literary device known as cattus ex machina, Big Kitty shows up to fend them off. Bella makes it back to the city and runs into traffic: 5 In the harrowing finale, Bella makes it back to Denver then stops traffic by wandering onto the highway. A crowd gathers around her in an attempt to keep her from getting hit by a car, but then she gets hit by a car anyway. For a moment, she seems to be dead, but then she rises, bloody and limping, to make her way back to her home. Only, when she gets there, Lucas doesnt live there anymore. A Dogs Way Home has a happy ending, because of course it does, but getting there is a rough, rough ride if you have a hard time watching dogs in trouble. That A Dogs Journey, a sequel to A Dogs Purpose, is just around the corner in May seems downright inhumane. Glennothee! Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic The greatest gift this awards season has given us isnt Nicholas Britells Beale Street score, a series of botched Green Book sound bites, or even so much Brian Tyree Henry: It is Glennothee. Meet the most ambitious crossover event in cinematic history. Before our very eyes, veteran actor and cool person Glenn Close and young actor and peach person Timothee Chalamet have become best friends. Their latest dispatch comes from the red carpet at Sunday nights Critics Choice Awards. Timmy and I meet again on another red carpet, Close captioned a selfie of the two of them. We bring out the best in each other! And indeed they do: Judging by Closes Instagram, she met the Beautiful Boy star at the Hollywood Film Awards in November. Timothee is as adorable as he is talented! she captioned. We took these pictures for Grace VanPatten. Timothee always looks very glam & cool. Van Patten and Chalamet both attended La Guardia High School in New York City; Van Patten had a supporting role playing Closes cynical granddaughter in the 2017 comedy The Wilde Wedding. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Bradley Whitford rarely wraps up one gig without already knowing what his next is going to be. Of course, thats whats supposed to happen when youve been a dependably working actor for as long as Whitford has. Not that it always does, but thankfully for Whitford, its absolutely whats happened for him. While he may still be best known to many viewers for his seven-season stint as Josh Lyman on NBCs The West Wing, Whitford had already carved out the better part of 15 years as a film and TV actor when the series kicked off, and since then hes served as a series regular on shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Good Guys, Trophy Wife, and Happyish, popped up in one-off or recurring roles on Transparent, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Handmaids Tale, and picked up parts in a number of high-profile films, including The Cabin in the Woods, Saving Mr. Banks, and Get Out. Whitfords latest acting assignment to portray James L. Barksdale, president of Netscape, in Nat Geos new mini-series Valley of the Boom was one which wouldve been challenging under any circumstances, as the task of playing a real person invariably is, but it was kicked up a notch by director Matthew Carnahans decision to use a disruptive approach in telling the story of Silicon Valleys internet pioneers of the 1990s, which found Whitfords performance often popping up within seconds of a talking-head clip from the real Barksdale. Whitford chatted with Vulture about how he was both challenged and educated by Valley of the Boom, but he also took time to reminisce about working with Jason Mantzoukas and Ken Jeong on a NBC cop comedy that you never got to see, discussed his desire to return to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and tackled the inevitable question about the likelihood of a West Wing revival. Valley of the Boom has a completely different tone than what I was expecting. Yeah, its a crazy, audacious experiment. As is only appropriate, given the subject matter. Yeah, which certainly resonates with the material! Honestly, when youre making something like that, you have no idea if its going to work. I knew that Matthew [Carnahan] was trying to do something different, and I knew that the Nat Geo people were incredibly supportive of that, but just regular actor paranoia on top of doing something radical I was like, Oh, God, is this going to work at all? But he really got a fun tone that is really appropriate for that material. Its like Airplane! so many studios turned down that film because no one really understood the idea on paper. And with this, hes really hit on a fun way to tell this story. It was really fun to break the fourth wall, but its intimidating when youre playing a real person and you know that theyre going to be cutting from an interview with that person to you. Thats unnerving. That raises the question: Did you actually have any direct interaction with your counterpart, James L. Barksdale? No, but heres my pretentious response: It can be complicated dealing with real people, especially real people who are not household names. It can be tricky when you like them, and it can be tricky when you dont like them. It just must be unspeakably weird to be portrayed anywhere. But the truth was, I was really busy shooting something else, and I didnt have time to talk to him. [Laughs.] The good news is, the internet may have destroyed Western civilization and democracy, but it has been a really wonderful thing for actors doing research. You can just Google it, and youre seeing them and practicing along with the way they talk. There was a ton of tape on [Barksdale] theres a great debate he had with Arianna Huffington down in Mississippi so you can really get saturated. I really immersed myself in everything on the internet that he did, and sometimes you play people and you dont fall in love with them, but I really fell in love with this guy. He was the adult in the room. He was very conscious of the fact that an IPO meant a tremendous responsibility in terms of the people who were working for him. He was suspicious of the gold-rush financing of it all. He was a good guy. And he was really very, very funny. Hes truly one of the great deadpans. That was the key for me to him. So I love him, I hope I do meet him, and I hope hes not mad. Youre savvy when it comes to social media, based on your prolific Twitter output, but how in the know were you about Netscapes origin? I knew a little bit of how crazy it was. I had an acquaintance who had an internet IPO who, at one point on paper, was worth several hundred million dollars. He bought, like, five Maseratis and then moved an Italian car mechanic into his garage for the Maseratis. And then the IPO went south, and he proceeded to not only lose everything, but to owe a tremendous amount of money in taxes. It wiped him out. And now he sells used cars. [Laughs.] So I had a little sense of the craziness of it all directly. The logic is very similar to Hollywood, which is to say that its bewildering. Its an interesting story to tell now, because there was such idealism. You know, the whole thing Aaron [Sorkin] hit on in The Social Network of these idealistic geeks creating communities and going, Theres going to be no downside to this! And now we realize that, Hey, it looks like the Nazis found a way to get their communities back together! [Laughs.] But the thing thats most frustrating to me is that we give an ethical pass to these companies whether its Apple or Google or Amazon and they are revealing themselves to be less than idealistic. Its a pretty simple story of maximizing greed. I think there really was that idealism, but unfortunately that idealism gets compromised by a pretty predictable capitalistic impulse. As it ever shall be, I suppose. My father had a riddle: Whos happier, the guy with 11 kids, or the guy with 11 million dollars? The answer is the guy with 11 kids, but the reason is that hes the one who doesnt want more. And unfortunately, I think all the idealism in Silicon Valley shrunk up to that puny little notion. In looking through the depths of your back catalogue, I stumbled onto an NBC pilot you did back in 2009 that never made it air: Off Duty, a cop comedy written by Jason Mantzoukas. Funny that you both ended up as recurring guest stars on another cop comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Yes! I havent seen it in a long time, but Ken Jeong was on it, too, and it was a really funny pilot. And a successful one! NBC said, We want to do a 10 p.m. comedy block, one thats a little edgier. But that was the year that Jay Leno ended up taking over the 10 p.m. slots, so we didnt get picked up. It was a lot of fun. Do you have any recollections of working with Mantzoukas back then? That was was certainly prior to the premiere of The League. Listen, I love Jason. Jason is hilarious. But I always feel bad because NBC passed on [Off Duty], and they basically made it too expensive to go any other place because they didnt want a competitor to get it. And I had a meeting with Kevin Reilly at Fox, and he had a script with Matt Nix which was about a drunken, dilapidated cop with a younger partner. It was obviously very similar, but Matt had written his thing as a movie and it had been sitting around for years. But I always felt guilty because I didnt want Jason to think that we stole his idea. I dont think he thinks that, but I always felt bad that we ended up doing The Good Guys, which was a version of a story that was similar to Off Duty. Honestly, that show couldve run for seven years. But instead, nothing happened. Its heartbreaking when those things dont go, because I dont think people realize how hard it is to create a world in a pilot with a logic and a style that has to be totally up to speed the first time you do it. So that was a frustrating thing. Sometimes, youll see these things that youve poured your heart and soul into, and its, like, Oh, I understand why it didnt go it stinks! [Laughs.] Sometimes the souffle doesnt rise. But thats why it was frustrating with Off Duty it felt like it did rise. The business just got in the way. Are you in the new season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine at all? Were trying to work something out, but Im doing The Handmaids Tale and the scheduling is tricky. I would love to go back on that show. And I was so thrilled that it got saved. You, me, and everyone from Lin-Manuel Miranda on down. Everybodys ecstatic. Oh yeah, Lins really into it. So, hows the Handmaids Tale experience been for you? I think that show is a generational achievement. Being in a show that I was that in love with was intimidating its like youre doing a guest shot on The Godfather but its been an amazing experience. And being able to do it with Lizzie [Moss], whos an angel, its incredible. Lizzie is deeply, deeply involved in every step of the process, in a way that is physically exhausting and incredibly important to the success of that show. I met her when she was, like, 17. Just a kid. And now shes an artist firing on all cylinders. That makes me incredibly happy. Lastly, if were ever going to get a West Wing revival, do you think its going to happen in time for the 2020 campaign? This is because Richard [Schiff] said something, right? [Laughs.] Listen, after The West Wing ended but before we had Trump which creates a new challenge if youre doing a political show I thought that could go on and on and on and on. I believe in that world that Aaron created. At the same time, you do not want your banana to turn brown, yknow? It was definitely time for it to end. It was right after John [Spencers] passing, and that made it pretty clear. Do I think you could come up with a show? Yes. Do I think its a good idea? I dont know. Probably not. You know, we cant all be working in the White House. That doesnt make any sense. I guess we could be, I dont know, political consultants? Actually, its not that I dont think its a good idea. I actually think its a great idea. But it has to be done perfectly. And Aaron has to want to be there. Itd be interesting to see where everybody is now, but I dont have any information. When you read an interview of one of us talking about this, it sounds like the gears are in motion, but I dont think they actually are. Theres nothing we do without Aaron or without his blessing. But, yeah, Im available. [Laughs.] If nothing else, maybe you all can do another PSA to get people to register and vote. Those seem to come together with a lot less hassle. Yeah! This is gonna sound like corny publicity bullshit, but its so wonderful to get together with everybody. Theyre absolutely like family, I love them all, so, yeah, I would do anything with them. I just want Aaron to be happy. Ive said this before, but writing 22 episodes a year for four years is a storytelling achievement that will never, ever happen again. And Aaron was writing at this extraordinary level. Its the equivalent of 11 feature films a year, with complicated dialogue, complicated issues, complicated emotional things. The farther I get away from it, I cant believe it. I just cant believe it. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Laux writes with startling directness of the physical and sexual abuse she and her sister suffered at the hands of her father and its devastating reverberations throughout her adult life. I want it back, she declares of her youth in Ghosts, after watching a young couple across the street paint their kitchen. She could have lived so many lives. But there are other poems, just as frank and openhearted, that celebrate the wondrousness of sex (so skillfully that fiction writers should take note) and the depths of her relationships reclaiming adult intimacy from the clutches of her tragic childhood. Beyond her admirable tenacity and spirit, Laux is just plain wise and refreshingly unpretentious in her wisdom. In Democracy, upon seeing some unfortunate souls on a city bus, she realizes why people become Republicans, for if it werent for [those people] you could believe in god, / in freedom. But they do exist, and removing them from public view will not make the problems they represent go away. As grief overcomes her in Abschied Symphony, the poet writes: Death is not romantic. He is dying. that fact is stark and one-dimensional, a black note on an empty staff. My feet are cold, but not as cold as his, and I hate this music that floods the cramped insides of my car, my head, slowing the world down with its lurid majesty, transforming everything I see into stained memorials to life Lauxs new poems arrive at the end of the collection as a perfect finale, which benefits from what we now know of her life. So when she writes, in Death of the Mother, You taught us how to glean the good / from anything, pardon anyone, even you, awash as we are in your blood, we understand the bewildering complexity of this act of posthumous forgiveness, as well as the staggering generosity of the poet who committed it. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. Sherry Olson, age 67, of Alexandria, died on Friday, June 11, 2021. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at West Moe Cemetery. Arrangements are with the The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and several non-governmental organizations are planning a nationwide shutdown, saying local people are experiencing serious hardships due to the current harsh economic situation. In a video posted on various social media platforms Sunday, Pastor Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag Campaign and ZCTU president, Peter Mutasa, urged all Zimbabweans to join the strike. Mawarire, who staged a similar protest with Tajamuka Sesijikile Campaign in 2016 which brought the country to a standstill, said people are fed up with what is happening in the country. We have decided that we must stand together as citizens and workers and reject what is happening in our country. We cannot accept what is happening Fuel price increases, the use of the hopeless bond note. People are struggling in life. We cant just sit and watch. We are calling a stay away, a shutdown of the nation. No one is going to work. We have partnered with the ZCTU and other organizations. We must do this together. Its not for one person. Its for everyone. So, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we are staying away, we are shutting it (Zimbabwe) down. In the same video, Mutasa urged all Zimbabweans to join the protest saying local people are living from hand to mouth. Everyone is suffering. Look at children at boarding schools they are suffering, look at those at tertiary institutions, there are going to be drop outs. Their parents are failing to make ends meet. We are earning low salaries, an average of $300 (per month) and now with the price increases of fuel and basic commodities we are now working just for transport. We have decided as the ZCTU that this cannot go on. We have three key demands. The first one is that the government must quickly address the economic challenges that we are facing. The second one is that workers must be paid in U.S dollars. We must dollarize the economy. The bond note must be dumped, the RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) must be dumped. Pastor Mawarire used Facebook and other social media platforms in 2016 together with Tajamuka to shutdown the government. Scores of people were arrested during and after the protests. Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa was unavailable to comment. In an indirect response to the planned protest, Energy Mutodi, deputy information minister said in a tweet Sunday evening, Faced with high fuel costs, clever people know what to do & here are some tips: Avoid fuel guzzler, reduce fleet, cancel unnecessary trips & use bicycles where possible to save BIG. Do not protest in the street you can lose a limp (sic) in skirmishes. In another tweet, he said, New fuel prices will stamp out arbitrage in the fuel sector & normalize fuel supply but Zimbabweans must brace for commodity price volatility emanating from the fuel price shock. Volatility will be temporary before goods normalize. He was not available to elaborate on these tweets. Zimbabwe increased fuel prices by at least 150 percent on Saturday. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who announced the price hikes, said, With effect from midnight tonight, a fuel pump price of $3.11 per litre for diesel and $3.31 per litre for petrol will come into effect. These prices are predicated on the ruling official exchange rate of 1:1 between the bond note and the US dollar and also on the need to keep fuel retailers viable. Diesel cost $1.38 and petrol $1.43 a litre before Mnangagwa announced the new price increases. Mnangagwa has left the country for a five-nation official visit to Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. He is also expected to travel to Switzerland where he will attend the World Economic Forum. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, killed just moments after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, sparked widespread condemnation of Saudi Arabia and renewed fears for the safety of journalists worldwide. VOA's congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson reports HARARE - Growing tired of chronic economic hardships, hundreds of Zimbabweans took to the streets of Harare Monday, protesting an increase in the price of fuel. The protesters said they wanted to force the government to address Zimbabwes moribund economy. Simbai Rice, one of the demonstrators, said the administration has failed to address increasing shortages of cash and basic food items. Simbai Rice, one of the demonstrators gathered in Simbai Rice, one of the demonstrators gathered in Harare, Jan. 14, 2019, says President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration has failed to address increasing shortages of cash and basic food items. Simbai Rice, one of the demonstrators gathered in Harare, Jan. 14, 2019, says President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration has failed to address increasing shortages of cash and basic food items. He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had promised to rescue the situation when he took over from Robert Mugabe in November 2017. The economy is off the rails. I wish the leaders would address the economy, especially fuel prices and for basic commodities, they should come down. People are not happy. My bus fare is now $5 from $1. I am now going on foot. If there is a way, he must return today and solve this, Rice said. President Mnangagwa left Zimbabwe Monday to visit Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Azerbaijan. He is expected to return home after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The forum takes place January 22-25. Police are seen deployed in Harare, Jan. 14, 2019, Police are seen deployed in Harare, Jan. 14, 2019, after protesters started blocking roads. Police are seen deployed in Harare, Jan. 14, 2019, after protesters started blocking roads. On Monday, the army and police were deployed in Harare after protesters started blocking roads. Other protests took place in the countrys second-largest city, Bulawayo. Police in both cities fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators. The government says it is aware that prices have been rising, forcing many people to slide into poverty. Most businesses in Harare were closed Jan. 14, 201 Most businesses in Harare were closed Jan. 14, 2019, as protests in Zimbabwe continued. Most businesses in Harare were closed Jan. 14, 2019, as protests in Zimbabwe continued. Energy Mutodi, Zimbabwes junior information minister, said the government is doing all it can. Energy Mutodi, Zimbabwe's junior information min Energy Mutodi, Zimbabwes junior information minister, says the government is doing all it can to normalize the fuel situation and to address the economy. Energy Mutodi, Zimbabwes junior information minister, says the government is doing all it can to normalize the fuel situation and to address the economy. We are equally worried, just like any other citizen. There is nothing which the government can do to stop fuel price increases. In actual fact, we have been the country selling fuel at lowest price in the region. So what we are trying as the government is: the fuel prices have been adjusted upwards, we intend to ensure that the fuel supply is normalized, Mutodi said. He also said the government cannot increase salaries for public workers like doctors and school teachers. Over the past weeks, some government workers have said they want to be paid in U.S. dollars or have their salaries match price increases. After public transport canceled service, many Zimb After public transport canceled service, many Zimbabweans were stranded in Harare Jan. 14, 2019, unable to return to their homes. After public transport canceled service, many Zimbabweans were stranded in Harare Jan. 14, 2019, unable to return to their homes. They say the depreciating local currency called bond notes is leaving them without disposable income. President Donald Trump has stressed to Turkey's President Recep Tayyp Erdogan the importance of not mistreating the Kurds as U.S. forces begin to withdraw from Syria, the White House said. In a phone call Monday, a White House statement said Trump "expressed the desire to work together to address Turkey's security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds or other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS (Islamic State). FILE - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 8, 2019. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 8, 2019. Earlier, Trump warned Turkey that it would face economic devastation if it strikes at the Kurds when U.S. forces pull out of Syria and proposed the creation of a safe zone. "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," Trump said in a tweet late Sunday. Without giving any further details, he wrote, "Create 20 mile (32 kilometers) safe zone." A Turkish statement on the two leaders' phone call said they "discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country," The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (YPG) were among the United States' closest allies in the fight against Islamic State militants inside Syria. Turkey says the YPG is tied to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has been fighting a long guerrilla war for more Kurdish autonomy inside Turkey. Turkey considers the PKK a terrorist group and there are fears Turkey will attack Kurdish fighters inside Syria when the Americans leave. Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesman for President Erdogan, responded Monday to Trump's tweet, comparing the YPG to Islamic State militants. "Mr @realDonaldTrump Terrorists can't be your partners & allies," he wrote on Twitter. "Turkey expects the US to honor our strategic partnership and doesn't want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda. There is no difference between DAESH, PKK, PYD and YPG. We will continue to fight against them all." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the press at the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2019. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the press at the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2019. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday he is "optimistic" the Syrian Kurds will not be abandoned and confident the U.S. and Turkey can work out a deal to assure the Kurds will be safe. The White House said Monday that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford would meet with his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday to continue consultations on Syria. The Kurds are looking for protection against a possible Turkish attack and Syria's Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan told reporters Sunday his government would like an intensified dialogue with the Kurds. "Many of the Kurdish statements were positive regarding their concern for the unity of Syria," he said. Kurdish officials have said they would like Russian mediation in any talks with the Syrian government. Trump tweeted Sunday that what he calls the "long overdue" U.S. pull-out from Syria has started "while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard and from many directions." FILE - A U.S. soldier sits atop an armored vehicle FILE - A U.S. soldier sits atop an armored vehicle, in Manbij, Syria, April 4, 2018. FILE - A U.S. soldier sits atop an armored vehicle, in Manbij, Syria, April 4, 2018. But a U.S. defense official has denied that it was withdrawing any troops from Syria, telling VOA the initial stages of the pull-out involve "equipment, not troops." Trump unexpectedly announced last month that U.S. forces would be leaving Syria, causing confusion and concern among U.S. allies. The White House hinted that a pull-out could be complete within 30 days. National Security Advisor John Bolton has since said there is no timeframe for a withdrawal. Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. WHITE HOUSE - Although a majority of Americans blame the U.S. president for the prolonged partial government shutdown, Donald Trump on Monday told farmers that the opposition Democrats in Congress are squarely responsible. "They will not approve the measures we need to keep American safe," Trump told a national convention of farmers in New Orleans where he defended his demand for billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico. A migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thou A migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the US, runs with his son after crossing illegally from Mexico by jumping a border fence, as they are photographed through the border wall in Tijuana, Mexico, Jan 13, 2019. A migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the US, runs with his son after crossing illegally from Mexico by jumping a border fence, as they are photographed through the border wall in Tijuana, Mexico, Jan 13, 2019. Drones and sensors are not adequate for border security, Trump added, contending only a "strong steel or concrete barrier" can prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States. "I will never ever back down" from efforts to keep America safe, Trump vowed in the speech to the 100th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau. He accused Democrats of refusing to approve money for a wall because they want to use it as an issue for next year's presidential campaign when Trump faces re-election. Six major polls show that half or more Americans hold the president and his Republican Party responsible for the shutdown. And 63 percent of American voters support a Democratic proposal to reopen parts of the government that do not involve border security while negotiating funding for a border wall, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released Monday. President Donald Trump talks with reporters on the President Donald Trump talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before departing for the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Annual Convention in New Orleans, Jan. 14, 2019, in Washington. President Donald Trump talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before departing for the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Annual Convention in New Orleans, Jan. 14, 2019, in Washington. Earlier in the day, Trump told White House reporters he would not, at least for the moment, declare a national emergency to build the wall. "I'm not going to do that," Trump said as he left the White House to speak to farmers in New Orleans. U.S. Internal Revenue Services (IRS) employees ral U.S. Internal Revenue Services (IRS) employees rally in front of the Federal Building against the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown, in Ogden, Utah, U.S., Jan. 10, 2019. U.S. Internal Revenue Services (IRS) employees rally in front of the Federal Building against the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown, in Ogden, Utah, U.S., Jan. 10, 2019. About 800,000 federal workers are furloughed or working without pay during the record-long partial government shutdown which stretched into its 24th day Monday. "We are open to resolution and negotiation," White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway told VOA News on Monday, indicating that communication is under way between the executive branch and Democrats, but she provided no details. A National Park entrance fee collection service is A National Park entrance fee collection service is temporarily suspended at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in North America, during the partial U.S. government shutdown, in Death Valley, California, U.S., Jan. 10, 2019. A National Park entrance fee collection service is temporarily suspended at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in North America, during the partial U.S. government shutdown, in Death Valley, California, U.S., Jan. 10, 2019. Trump has rejected a call by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of his staunchest congressional supporters, to reopen shuttered agencies for three weeks while he holds more talks with Democratic leaders about his plan for a wall along the 3,200-kilometer southern U.S. border. Graham told the Fox News Sunday television program he would still support a presidential emergency declaration to build the border wall without congressional authorization after giving talks another chance. "I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal. If we can't at the end of three weeks, all bets are off," Graham said. "I'm not interested," Trump replied to a reporter's query Monday about Graham's suggestion, contending that top Democrats in Congress could quickly end the shutdown. The Democrat-led House of Representatives has passed several measures that would reopen the shuttered agencies while border security talks continue. Another such bill is up for consideration Tuesday that would reopen the agencies through Feb. 1, and another that would open them through Feb. 28 is expected to go before the House on Thursday. House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Monday used Twitter to blame Republicans for starting the shutdown, and called for Trump to allow the Senate to vote to end it, arguing furloughed federal workers, who have already missed one paycheck, "are facing a life or death situations" just so the president "can try to force taxpayers to fund a border wall he promised Mexico would pay for." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, speaks as she FILE - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, speaks as she stands next to Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, left, and Sen. Dick Durbin right, following their meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Jan. 9, 2019. FILE - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, speaks as she stands next to Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, left, and Sen. Dick Durbin right, following their meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Jan. 9, 2019. In a speech on the Senate floor Monday, Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow a vote on legislation already approved by the House of Representatives to end the shutdown. "How much more suffering must the president cause before leader McConnell realizes it's time to move ahead without him? It seems clear to everybody but leader McConnell that Congress needs to move forward without the president," Schumer said. "It's time for leader McConnell to realize he has the power to break this impasse, passing the House legislation to reopen the government." WASHINGTON - With the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government now in its fourth week, President Donald Trump continues to hold out the possibility that he will declare a national emergency along the southern border with Mexico. Trump could use the declaration to fund his long sought border wall, but Democrats in Congress firmly oppose the barrier, and even some Republicans object to the idea, calling it an overreach of executive authority. "I have the absolute legal right to call it," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House. "But I am not looking to do that because this is too simple. The Democrats should say we want border security. We have to build a wall, otherwise you can't have border security, and we should get on with our lives." Holding back Trump seemed to back away a bit from the emergency route Monday, especially after he told reporters last week that he might issue a declaration if congressional negotiations reached a dead end. "If this does not work out, probably I will do it. I would say almost definitely." WATCH: Trump Mulls Border Emergency to Fund Wall ?Some Republicans say that point may be fast approaching. "It seems to me the only way left is for him to exercise that authority," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. "I don't see any action in the Congress." On Sunday, Graham suggested on TV that Trump reopen the government for three weeks to allow border negotiations to continue. The president rejected that idea Monday. FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Repub FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 8, 2019. FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 8, 2019. Bipartisan pushback Democrats oppose the emergency declaration, including Maryland Congressman Anthony Brown. "The use of these authorities, like the deployment of our troops to the border, is irresponsible, unnecessary and misguided," Brown said in a speech on the House floor last week. "Mr. Speaker, we don't have a crisis on the border. We have a crisis in the Oval Office." Trump is meeting resistance not just from Democrats but from some Republicans. Politico reported that members of the House Freedom Caucus have been urging Trump not to issue a declaration, fearful that future Democratic presidents could cite the move as precedent to declare an emergency on climate change or some other policy priority. Presidential leeway Presidents have frequently declared national emergencies since Congress passed the National Emergencies Act in 1976. Analysts say that generally speaking, presidents have a lot of leeway when it comes to deciding what constitutes such an emergency. "The president has fairly broad power to declare a national emergency," said Brookings Institution scholar John Hudak. "According to a pretty firm reading of that law, it is hard to see where there is an exception to the president's ability to do it." Hudak says there are constitutional limits on the president's power, either through Congress or the courts. "Presidents have tried to go around Congress in terms of spending money in the past," noted Hudak. "And frequently presidents are stopped because the spending power in the Constitution rests with the Congress." Federal air traffic controller union members prote Federal air traffic controller union members protest the partial U.S. federal government shutdown in a rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. Jan. 10, 2019. Federal air traffic controller union members protest the partial U.S. federal government shutdown in a rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. Jan. 10, 2019. Polling hit Several recent polls show the public is blaming Trump for the impasse more than congressional Democrats. A new Quinnipiac poll on Monday found that 56 percent hold Trump and Republicans responsible for the shutdown, compared to 36 percent who blame Democrats. That survey is similar to others by CNN, The Washington Post/ABC News and CBS News, which all reported that voters blamed Trump more than Democrats by significant margins. Trump remains focused on his political base and may be encouraged by surveys that show Republicans generally standing with him on the shutdown. "This is not going to end until at least parts of Trump's base agree to go along, or say, Well, you tried your best and those darn Democrats just won't give in,'" said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato, via Skype. But focusing on his political base does carry risks for the president, said Hudak. "President Trump is playing to his base here. But unfortunately, his base is a small percentage of the population and most of the rest of the population is not with him on this issue of the wall." Monday's Quinnipiac poll found that voters oppose a wall along the Mexico border by a margin of 55 percent to 43 percent. Other recent surveys also show more Americans oppose a wall than support it, although some polls have shown a slight bump in support for the wall of late. Quinnipiac also found that 65 percent of those surveyed in the latest poll oppose Trump using executive powers to build the wall, while 32 percent support it. Trump is hoping that his unwavering commitment to building the wall will shore up support from his base for his re-election bid next year. Many analysts, however, caution that his singular focus on delivering a wall for his supporters appears to be doing little to expand his base of support and may have contributed to a weakening of his public approval numbers in recent weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump declared Monday, "I never worked for Russia," days after news reports suggested he might be beholden to Russia and President Vladimir Putin. "I think it's a disgrace you even asked that question," Trump told a reporter who queried him about his ties to Russia outside the White House as he prepared to leave for New Orleans to speak at a farm convention. The New York Times reported over the weekend that Federal Bureau of Investigation officials started investigating whether Trump "was knowingly working for Russia or had unwittingly fallen under Moscow's influence" because of his behavior after he fired former FBI chief James Comey in May 2017. Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to reporter FILE - Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill Washington, Dec. 17, 2018, after a second closed-door interview with two Republican-led committees investigating what they say was bias at the Justice Department before the 2016 presidential elections. FILE - Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill Washington, Dec. 17, 2018, after a second closed-door interview with two Republican-led committees investigating what they say was bias at the Justice Department before the 2016 presidential elections. At the time, Comey was leading the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Washington Post also reported in recent days that Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to hide details of his conversations the five times he has met with Putin over the last two years. Both the investigation into Russian meddling, and the investigation into whether the U.S. president has been working for Russian interests are now overseen by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. While the president continues to forcefully criticize the FBI's handling of the investigation into his campaign, the man he nominated as his new attorney general says he supports letting the Special Counsel's Russia investigation finish its work. President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee, President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee, William Barr, meets with Senate Judiciary Committee member and Trump confidant Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 9, 2019. President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee, William Barr, meets with Senate Judiciary Committee member and Trump confidant Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 9, 2019. William Barr, who served as attorney general for two years in the early 1990s, said Monday that allowing the Special Counsel's probe to conclude is "vitally important" and he supports a public report of its findings. Barr is expected to appear in confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Hiding details of Putin talks Trump said Monday he had nothing to hide from his private two hours of talks with Putin in July at their Helsinki summit, where only interpreters were in the room with the two leaders. He said among other issues, they talked about security for Israel and construction of a controversial natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The Washington Post reported on details of the lengths Trump has gone to keep senior officials from learning about his talks with Putin. On one occasion, the newspaper said Trump took possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructed the linguist to not discuss what had transpired with other Trump administration officials. WATCH: Trump denies working for Russia ? FILE -U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with R FILE -U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 7, 2017. FILE -U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 7, 2017. The newspaper said that incident occurred after Trump and Putin met in Hamburg in 2017, a meeting also attended by then-U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump has disparaged the newspaper reports, while characterizing himself as tough on Moscow. He told Fox News talk show host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday "if you ask the folks in Russia, I've been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other -- probably any other president period, but certainly the last three or four presidents, modern day presidents." Asked directly whether he is now or has ever worked for Russia, he said, much as he did Monday, "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." Trump said the Times's account of the mid-2017 FBI investigation of him was "a very horrible thing. They really are a disaster of a newspaper." Democrats concerned Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee that has been investigating Trump campaign links with Russia, told CNN on Sunday that at times Trump has "almost parroted" Putin's policies. "It's a very real consideration" whether Trump is a willing agent of Russia," Warner said, especially considering information that surfaced last week that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort shared Trump campaign polling data in 2016 with a former business associate of his that U.S. investigators believe had ties to Russian intelligence. Another key Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, told ABC News there are "serious questions" about why Trump is "so chummy" with Putin. Earlier, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement that in the coming weeks his panel "will take steps to better understand both the president's actions and the FBI's response to that behavior." Trump also assailed the Post's story, dismissing concerns about the secrecy surrounding his talks with Putin in Helsinki. FILE - In this Monday, July 16, 2018, file photo, FILE - US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. FILE - US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. No official accounts of their talks have been released, but Trump told Pirro there was nothing to hide about their discussions and could release a transcript. "We had a great conversation," he said. "We were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things. And it was a great conversation. I'm not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous." He added, "Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs." All-consuming Russia probe Trump's first two years in office have been consumed by the now 20-month investigation whether his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to help him win and whether, as president, Trump obstructed justice by trying to thwart the probe by special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the investigation after Trump ousted Comey. Shortly after Trump dismissed Comey, he told NBC news anchor Lester Holt he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he decided to fire the FBI chief, saying he felt the investigation was created by Democrats dismayed that Trump had upset former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to win the White House. Mueller is believed to be nearing the end of his investigation and is expected to write a report on his findings. WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he would not, at least for the moment, declare a national emergency to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexican border, instead demanding that opposition Democrats agree to fund the barrier construction. This is so simple, Trump told reporters at the White House as left to speak at a farm convention in New Orleans. The Democrats are stopping people from getting paid 800,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay during the 24-day partial government shutdown. Trump rejected a call by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of his staunchest congressional supporters, to end the longest government closure in American history and reopen shuttered agencies for three weeks while he holds more talks with Democratic leaders about his plan for a wall along the 3,200-kilometer southern U.S. border. Im not interested, Trump said. Were talking about border security, Trump said. Who could be against it? We have criminals (crossing the border). We have gangs. The Democrats dont want to do anything about it. But there was no end in sight to the stalemate as Democrats have refused to budge in their opposition to Trumps call for more than $5 billion in funding for the wall. They have offered $1.3 billion in new border security money, but none specifically for a barrier. "I've been waiting all weekend," Trump said on Twitter. "Democrats must get to work now. Border must be secured!" Ive been waiting all weekend. Democrats must get to work now. Border must be secured! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019 The U.S. leader contended that the top congressional Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, "can end the Shutdown in 15 minutes." Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speak Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks to reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump about border security in the Situation Room of the White House, Jan. 4, 2019. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks to reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump about border security in the Situation Room of the White House, Jan. 4, 2019. "At this point it has become their, and the Democrats, fault!" he tweeted, although Trump said a month ago that he would proudly "own" the shutdown in a fight over border security. Nancy and Cryin Chuck can end the Shutdown in 15 minutes. At this point it has become their, and the Democrats, fault! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019 Congress returns to business Monday, although Trump ridiculed 30 Democratic lawmakers for flying over the weekend to Puerto Rico, the sunny U.S. island territory in the Caribbean, for a charity performance of the hit Broadway show "Hamilton," while he remained in snowy Washington. Late Sunday, Trump, in one of a string of tweets, quoted an editorial by conservative commentator Pat Buchanan saying, "The Trump portrait of an unsustainable Border Crisis is dead on," and contending that if the border is not defended "the United States, as we have known it, is going to cease to exist." Trump finished with his own comment: "The great people of our Country demand proper Border Security NOW! Sen. Graham's idea Earlier Sunday, Graham had told Fox News Sunday he would still support a presidential emergency declaration to build the border wall without congressional authorization after giving talks another chance. "I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal. If we can't at the end of three weeks, all bets are off," Graham said. FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Repub FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 8, 2019. FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 8, 2019. Graham echoed Trump by blaming the three-week long government shutdown on Democrats specifically Pelosi, who joked she would give Trump money for a border wall $1. "How do you negotiate with the speaker of the House when she tells you even if you open up the government, we are not going to give you but $1 for the wall? So until that changes, there's not much left except the national emergency approach," Graham said. National Emergency Declaring a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexican border would allow Trump to spend the $5 billion he wants for a wall without congressional approval a move Democrats would immediately challenge in court. Most Democrats say they agree on the need for border security, but say there is no national security crisis and believe a wall would be an impractical waste of money. "I do think if we reopen the government, if the president ends this shutdown crisis, we have folks who can negotiate a responsible, modern investment in technology that will actually make us safer," Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said on Fox. A man looks out at the U.S. border where workers a A man looks out at the U.S. border where workers are replacing parts of the U.S. border wall for a higher one, in Tijuana, Mexico, Dec. 19, 2018. A man looks out at the U.S. border where workers are replacing parts of the U.S. border wall for a higher one, in Tijuana, Mexico, Dec. 19, 2018. Coons blamed the impasse on border wall funding that led to the shutdown on Trump. He said the president had accepted a border security package that included money for a wall, then changed his mind. "The only crisis here is one that's been created by the president's abrupt change in position at the end of last year in the last days of a Republican-controlled Congress," Coons said. He added that Trump should test the Democrats' willingness to compromise by making the concessions he is willing to make clear to everyone. One of President Donald Trump's closest allies in the U.S. Senate is urging him to at least temporarily reopen the shuttered federal government and negotiate with Democrats on a border wall. South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham told Fox News Sunday he would still support a presidential emergency declaration after giving talks another chance. "I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal. If we can't at the end of three weeks, all bets are off," Graham said. Graham echoed Trump by blaming the three-week long government shutdown on Democrats - specifically House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who joked she would give Trump $1 for the border wall. FILE - Vice President Mike Pence, center, looks on FILE - Vice President Mike Pence, center, looks on as House Minority Leader, now Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, and President Donald Trump argue during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 11, 2018, in Washington. FILE - Vice President Mike Pence, center, looks on as House Minority Leader, now Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, and President Donald Trump argue during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 11, 2018, in Washington. "How do you negotiate with the speaker of the house when she tells you even if you open up the government, we are not going to give you but $1 for the wall? So until that changes, there's not much left except the national emergency approach," Graham said on Fox. Declaring a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexican border would allow Trump to spend the $5 billion he wants for a wall without congressional approval - a move Democrats would be expected to immediately challenge in court. Democrats see waste of money Most Democrats say they agree on the need for border security, but say there is no national security crisis and believe a wall would be an impractical waste of money. "I do think if we reopen the government, if the president ends this shutdown crisis, we have folks who can negotiate a responsible, modern investment in technology that will actually make us safer," Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said on Fox. Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, gestures wh Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, gestures while speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 28, 2018. Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, gestures while speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 28, 2018. Coons blames the impasse on border wall funding that led to the shutdown on Trump. He said the president had accepted a border security package that included money for a wall, then changed his mind. "The only crisis here is one that's been created by the president's abrupt change in position at the end of last year in the last days of a Republican-controlled Congress," Coons said. He added that Trump should test the Democrats' willingness to compromise by the concessions he is willing to make clear to everyone. Trump insists building a wall along the border will bring down the nation's crime rate. He says illegal drugs are pouring into the United States from Mexico, even though security experts say most come through legal ports of entry. A woman takes a picture as floodlights from the U. A woman takes a picture as floodlights from the U.S. side light up a border fence, topped with razor wire, Jan. 10, 2019, along the beach in Tijuana, Mexico. A woman takes a picture as floodlights from the U.S. side light up a border fence, topped with razor wire, Jan. 10, 2019, along the beach in Tijuana, Mexico. He said he is in the White House waiting for Democrats to come and make a deal. Having fun Trump chided 30 congressional Democrats for heading to a Hispanic Caucus retreat in Puerto Rico to watch a charity performance of the smash Broadway show "Hamilton." Trump mocked them for "having fun" while he remains in snowy Washington. Watch related video by VOA's Michael Bowman: But the lawmakers reportedly bought their own tickets to the show. They will also meet Puerto Rican officials on the recovery from Hurricane Maria - the powerful storm that devastated the island in 2017. They have also brought donated medical supplies. Meanwhile, 800,000 federal employees will begin their 24th day Monday either furloughed or working without pay. Trump: 'Broken Border' More Damaging Than Government Shutdown U.S. President Donald Trump contended Sunday that the damage from the country's "badly broken border" with Mexico is "far greater" than the effects of the longest-ever partial government shutdown, now in its 23rd day. "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!" Trump claimed on Twitter.The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country! Donald J. U.S. President Donald Trump contended Sunday that the damage from the country's "badly broken border" with Mexico is "far greater" than the effects of the longest-ever partial government shutdown, now in its 23rd day. "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!" Trump claimed on Twitter.The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country! Donald J. Newspapers and TV newscasts across the country are filled with stories of government workers lying awake at night wondering how they are going to pay their bills. Congress says all affected federal workers will get back pay as soon as the shutdown is over, but that brings little assurance to those who have immediate expenses and little or no savings in case of an emergency. While Trump has said he "can relate" to their loss of income, he says a broken border is more damaging than a government shutdown. NAIROBI, KENYA - A Kenyan court says three men must stand trial for their alleged role in the 2013 terrorist attack on Nairobis Westgate Mall. The suspects are accused of aiding the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab. The suspects were in the Nairobi courtroom Monday as Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi read the ruling. The accused persons are charged with 12 counts, some jointly others separately. They are jointly charged with counts one and two with a commission of a terrorist act and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act respectively, contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, said Andayi. The suspects -- Liban Abdullahi, Hussein Mustafa and Ahmed Abdi are also charged with giving support to a terrorist group, aiding a terrorist group and being in the country illegally. A fourth suspect was set free. Gunmen opened fire on shoppers in the busy Westgate Mall on a Saturday in September 2013, killing at least 67 people and injuring more than 150 others. Women carrying children run for safety as armed po Women carrying children run for safety as armed police hunt for gunmen who went on a shooting spree in Westgate shopping center in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 21, 2013. Women carrying children run for safety as armed police hunt for gunmen who went on a shooting spree in Westgate shopping center in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 21, 2013. The gunmen are believed to have died when the Kenyan army retook the mall. Abdullahi, Mustafa and Abdi were arrested in the weeks following the attack. Thirty-one-year-old John Wangombe survived the attack. He welcomed the news that finally, someone is going to be put on trial. I feel good. I am joyful because of the way the court has ruled we expect justice for us for what we went through, the whole scenario and I give thanks to the court. Sometimes they take time to check on cases but this one was definitely a good part for me. Definitely, we expect justice. The court has reformed these days and expect those suspects to go to jail, he said. Prosecutors spent more than five years gathering evidence against the men, in part because more than 145 witnesses offered testimony. Only two suspects brought before Kenyan courts on terrorism-related charges have been convicted, and many Kenyans fear this case may also fall apart. Stephen, center, who lost his father in Saturday's Stephen, center, who lost his father in the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, is comforted by relatives as he waits for the post mortem exam at the city morgue, Sept. 23, 2013. Stephen, center, who lost his father in the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, is comforted by relatives as he waits for the post mortem exam at the city morgue, Sept. 23, 2013. But lawyer Danstan Omari says it will be difficult for the suspects for these suspects to walk free. The state has proved a water-tight case. Its their story the court is going to listen. Rarely do people who reach that stage get acquitted. Most of them they end up getting convicted, said the lawyer. The three defendants will appear in court again next week, as the defense begins to present its case. ISLAMABAD - The fledgling U.S.-initiated dialogue with the Taliban, aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan, has come to a halt, an insurgent spokesperson said Monday, apparently dealing a blow to renewed hopes for a much-needed Afghan peace. The disclosure comes as the chief U.S. negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, is visiting regional countries, including China, India and Pakistan, to work toward a negotiated political settlement to the 17-year-old conflict. The (dialogue) process has halted for now so the venue and the date for a future meeting are not known, a senior Taliban official privy to the developments confirmed to VOA when asked whether their peace talks with the U.S. are still on track. The insurgent official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to share reasons behind the suspension of negotiations. The U.S. State Department had no immediate response. When contacted Monday, a spokesperson said the department press office is operating on a reduced status due to the partial U.S. government shutdown. Afghan government primary issue The Afghan government is currently not participating in the peace talks, but American officials are eager to bring them to the table. It is widely perceived that the current deadlock is primarily over the Taliban's rejection of the U.S. insistence to speak directly with the Afghan government. Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah cautioned again Monday that while Kabul welcomes Khalilzads ongoing peace efforts, its involvement in talks is key to achieving the objective. The people of Afghanistan will consider these efforts seriously when they see representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban at the negotiation table, Abdullah told a weekly meeting of Cabinet ministers in Kabul. From left, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Af FILE - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, right, arrive for a meeting at the Gul Khanna in the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 9, 2018. FILE - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, right, arrive for a meeting at the Gul Khanna in the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 9, 2018. Others involved in the negotiations warn they could fall apart unless both sides show some flexibility. If not supported by real give and take even some initial give and take a doubt may soon set in about the dialogue process itself. This is what we are eager to prevent at all costs. If it happened, a more severe type of stalemate will take over, warned a diplomat whose country was represented at the meeting in Abu Dhabi. Puppets The Taliban maintain the United States is their primary adversary in the conflict and accuse Afghan leaders as well as security forces of being American "puppets." Initial signs of tension amid the talks had emerged last week when a Taliban statement alleged the U.S. approach to the dialogue was non-serious and "superficial." In a Pashto language statement circulated through its social media accounts, the insurgent group asserted that in talks with Taliban envoys, U.S. negotiators were focusing on issues that Afghans themselves have to resolve without foreign interference. The Taliban also accused Washington of pressuring the group through Islamic countries and leaking details of discussions to the news media for the sake of propaganda. We cannot agree on any other issues as long as the independence of Afghanistan is in the occupation of foreigners, the Taliban statement warned. Nearly a month since last round of talks The last round of substantial U.S.-Taliban talks occurred on December 17 in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan took credit for arranging the two-day meeting several months after U.S. officials directly engaged Taliban political envoys based in Qatar to explore Afghan peace possibilities. Both Khalilzad and the Taliban described as productive their interaction in Abu Dhabi, where representatives of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE were also in attendance. The Taliban had announced at the end of the meeting that the negotiating sides agreed to reconvene after deliberations and consultations by both sides with their respective leaderships. Taliban fighters listen to senior leader of a brea FILE - Taliban fighters are seen in Shindand district, Herat province, Afghanistan, May 27 2016. FILE - Taliban fighters are seen in Shindand district, Herat province, Afghanistan, May 27 2016. Insurgents maintain that their representatives in talks with the U.S. team have focused on seeking a timeline for withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan and assuring American interlocutors that Afghan soil will never again be used for terrorism against the United States. Khalilzad in China Khalilzad visited China on Monday after holding talks with officials in India as part of his current four-nation trip that includes Afghanistan. The Afghan-born U.S. envoy is due to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday to further his discussions with Pakistani leaders and push his Afghan peace mission, although the latest insurgent assertions have raised doubts about the future of the U.S.-led efforts to end the war in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was by far the deadliest country in 2018, with nearly as many reported fatalities as Syria and Yemen combined, says the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The non-governmental organization collates and analyzes data on political violence and protests around the world. The number of reported deaths in Afghanistan stood at 43,574 last year, accounting for 30 percent of all fatalities recorded by ACLED during 2018. The war in Afghanistan is America's longest overseas military intervention. It has cost Washington nearly $1 trillion and killed tens of thousands of people. U.S. President Donald Trump is standing by his demand for a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, as Democrats refuse to support what they call an expensive and ineffective measure while a partial government shutdown over the standoff hits its 24th day Monday. Late Sunday, Trump issued a series of tweets quoting an editorial by conservative commentator Pat Buchanan in which Buchanan called for Trump to use executive authority to declare a national emergency to get the money he wants for wall construction. Trump finished with his own comment: "The great people of our Country demand proper Border Security NOW!" Earlier Sunday, one of Trump's closest allies in the U.S. Senate urged him to at least temporarily reopen the shuttered federal government and negotiate with Democrats. South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham told Fox News Sunday he would still support a presidential emergency declaration after giving talks another chance. "I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal. If we can't at the end of three weeks, all bets are off," Graham said. Graham echoed Trump by blaming the three-week long government shutdown on Democrats -- specifically House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who joked she would give Trump money for a border wall -- $1. FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Repub FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, walks to a meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 10, 2019. FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, walks to a meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 10, 2019. ?"How do you negotiate with the speaker of the house when she tells you even if you open up the government, we are not going to give you but $1 for the wall? So until that changes, there's not much left except the national emergency approach," Graham said on Fox. Declaring a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexican border would allow Trump to spend the $5 billion he wants for a wall without congressional approval -- a move Democrats would immediately challenge in court. Most Democrats say they agree on the need for border security, but say there is no national security crisis and believe a wall would be an impractical waste of money. "I do think if we reopen the government, if the president ends this shutdown crisis, we have folks who can negotiate a responsible, modern investment in technology that will actually make us safer," Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said on Fox. Coons blames the impasse on border wall funding that led to the shutdown on Trump. He said the president had accepted a border security package that included money for a wall, then changed his mind. "The only crisis here is one that's been created by the president's abrupt change in position at the end of last year in the last days of a Republican-controlled Congress," Coons said. He added that Trump should test the Democrats' willingness to compromise by making the concessions he is willing to make clear to everyone. Trump insists building a wall along the border will bring down the nation's crime rate. He says illegal drugs are pouring into the United States from Mexico, even though security experts say most come through legal ports of entry. Trump chided 30 congressional Democrats for heading to a Hispanic Caucus retreat in Puerto Rico to watch a charity performance of the smash Broadway show "Hamilton." Trump mocked them for "having fun" while he remains in snowy Washington. But the lawmakers reportedly bought their own tickets to the show. They will also meet Puerto Rican officials on the recovery from Hurricane Maria -- the powerful storm that devastated the island in 2017. They have also brought donated medical supplies. Meanwhile, 800,000 federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay. Congress says all affected federal workers will get back pay as soon as the shutdown is over, but that brings little assurance to those who have immediate expenses or little or no savings in case of an emergency. While the Trump has said he "can relate" to their loss of income, he says a broken border is more damaging than a government shutdown. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledge "accountability needs to take place" in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo spoke Monday after meeting with the Saudi leaders in Riyadh. The top U.S. diplomat said both the king and crown prince "reiterated their commitment" to hold responsible those who killed Khashoggi after he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey in October. FILE - Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Wor FILE - Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 29, 2011. FILE - Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 29, 2011. Initially Saudi Arabia said he safely left the site on his own, but later admitted he was killed there in what Saudi officials called a rogue operation. Turkey said the order to kill the Washington Post journalist came from the highest levels of the Saudi government but Saudi officials maintain it was not ordered by the Saudi crown prince. Saudi Arabia Rejects US Senate's 'Interference' in Kingdom Saudi Arabia issued an unusually strong rebuke of the U.S. Senate on Monday, rejecting a bipartisan resolution that put the blame for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi squarely on the Saudi crown prince and describing it as interference in the kingdom's affairs. It's the latest sign of how the relationship between the royal court and Congress has deteriorated, more than two months after Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. The Saudi Arabia issued an unusually strong rebuke of the U.S. Senate on Monday, rejecting a bipartisan resolution that put the blame for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi squarely on the Saudi crown prince and describing it as interference in the kingdom's affairs. It's the latest sign of how the relationship between the royal court and Congress has deteriorated, more than two months after Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. The In December, the U.S. Senate rebuked Saudi Arabia, blaming the crown prince for Khashoggi's killing and calling for an end to U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. Pompeo and Mohammed bin Salman agreed Monday on the need to continue de-escalation in Yemen, including a cease-fire in the key port city of Hodeida. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted images showing the Pompeo and the crown prince together and said, "A comprehensive political solution is the only way to end the conflict." Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition conducting airstrikes and other military efforts in support of Yemen's government in its fight against Houthi rebels who took control of the capital and many other areas. The United States has provided its support to the Saudi-led campaign, including aerial refueling and logistical support. WATCH: Pompeo in Middle East Pompeo is near the end of a trip to the Middle East in which he has been seeking to reassure allies about the pullout of U.S. troops from Syria and to seek support for U.S. efforts to get Iran to change what the Trump administration calls its malign behavior. From Saudi Arabia Pompeo is traveling to Oman on Monday, but then cutting short the rest of his trip due to a family funeral. A spokesman said he would go to Kuwait at a later date. NEW YORK - It's been 10 years, but there isn't anything Tripp Harris doesn't remember about the cold January day he cheated death on US Airways flight 1549. The jolt when the plane collided with a flock of geese and the engines stopped moments after takeoff from New York City's LaGuardia Airport. The smoke filling the cabin. The electric, burning smell. The panic from the people around him. The calm, steady tone of Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger telling everyone to brace for impact as he steered the Airbus A320-214 into the frigid waters of the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009. And, of course, he knows the happy ending of the "Miracle on the Hudson": All 155 people aboard survived. FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2009 file photo, passenger FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2009 file photo, passengers in an inflatable raft move away from an Airbus 320 US Airways aircraft that has gone down in the Hudson River in New York. FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2009 file photo, passengers in an inflatable raft move away from an Airbus 320 US Airways aircraft that has gone down in the Hudson River in New York. Harris has also never forgotten what that day taught him about what really mattered: his wife and then-2-year-old son. "Everything that I could think about was the things I was going to miss," said Harris, 47, of Charlotte, North Carolina, where the flight was headed. "That fundamentally shifted my priorities." It's colored his life ever since. He decided to spend more time with his family and have adventures and experiences he might otherwise have put off. That day "made me a better father, a better husband," Harris said. It's a common refrain among survivors, of how that day led to big life changes and small everyday choices, and to feeling joy more readily. But some also speak of the anxiety that can still rise every time they're on a flight. FILE - Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, f FILE - Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, fourth from right, joins survivors and rescuers in a toast marking the anniversary of the event known as the "miracle on the Hudson," Jan. 15, 2014 in New York. FILE - Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, fourth from right, joins survivors and rescuers in a toast marking the anniversary of the event known as the "miracle on the Hudson," Jan. 15, 2014 in New York. "I have a lot more gratitude about my life," said Sheila Dail, 67, one of the flight attendants. After taking the better part of a year off, she returned to working in the skies and helped to create a peer support group for air stewards at her airline. "I have three grandsons I possibly would never have seen." Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia a decade ago Tuesday, with Sullenberger's co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles at the controls, three flight attendants and 150 passengers aboard. It was cold, only about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 7 degrees Celsius), but the skies were clear. "What a view of the Hudson today," Sullenberger remarked to Skiles, according to National Transportation Safety Board's report on the crash. Less than a minute later, plane and birds collided at 3,000 feet (915 meters). Both engines stopped. Sullenberger took the controls and told air traffic controllers he couldn't make it back to LaGuardia. His choices were a small airport for private aircraft in New Jersey possibly too far or the river. Sullenberger picked the water. At 3:31 p.m., the plane splashed down, somehow stayed in one piece, and began floating fast toward the harbor. Passengers got out on the wings and inflatable rafts as commuter ferries raced to the rescue. One flight attendant and four passengers were hurt, but everyone else was mostly fine. The submerged and damaged plane was recovered and is now held at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, where survivors are planning to gather Tuesday to mark the 10-year anniversary, including a toast at the exact time of the crash. "While I don't know that I would do it again, it certainly gave me some clarity around my life priorities and the importance of my family," said Pam Seagle, 52, of Wilmington, North Carolina, who was on the flight. In the aftermath, she made some big life decisions. She and her family moved away from Charlotte to a new home at the beach in Wilmington. While she still works for Bank of America, her employer in 2009, she moved to a division that promotes women's economic empowerment. She took time to be with loved ones, including a long-overdue break with her sister. She held those moments with family even dearer after her sister's unexpected death months later in 2009. That January day 10 years ago "kind of put me on this path to where I am now, and where I'm very happy and content," she said. Getting over the trauma of the experience took some time for passenger Steve O'Brien, 54, of Charlotte. "That first year was tough. You're scattered. You can't focus. You're impatient," he said. "There's this thin place between life and death ... and we were at a really thin place and then you get yanked back." When he flies now, he looks for the emergency exits and can't sleep as easily in his seat anymore. "I'll be on a plane and I'll be nodding off or something, and a bump will happen and all of a sudden it comes back, and you just feel this electric scared, overwhelming feeling that hits you in the chest," he said. But he says he feels he's a more relaxed person now with life's lesser frustrations. "I realize that little things are to be appreciated, that mundane things are what make up your life," he said, "and that's the things you're going to miss if it's going to be yanked away from you." MONROVIA - Parents of students at an all-girl American academy in Liberia are anxiously awaiting an investigation into allegations that the charity failed to act on signs of a staff members sexual abuse. A 2018 expose published by the U.S.-based research organization ProPublica and Time magazine on the More Than Me Academy sparked public outrage over the widespread rape and exploitation of girls who were supposed to be rescued. But some of the parents are frustrated with how the story has been told and reject calls for the academy to close its doors. Some of the parents sitting before me in a small, dark alley in their West Point community, Liberias largest slum, have been sending their girls to the More Than Me Academy since the charity opened in 2013. But their allegiance is being tested. The academy, which aims to protect girls by getting them off the street, is being investigated over a rape scandal. Somo Golafaie, a parent of two More Than Me students, says her daughters are saddened by the news. They constantly hear about their schools sexual abuse case on the radio. The expose in ProPublica and Time magazine accuses the school of failing to act as Macintosh Johnson, a Liberian co-founder, raped girls as young as 11 years old, infecting at least three with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Johnson was arrested in 2014 when the rapes were first reported. The case ended in a mistrial and Johnson died in custody. Critics blame American founder Katie Meyler, and other staff, for ignoring signs of abuse. Caroline Bowah Brown is a prominent activist in Liberia. A member of the Liberia Feminist Forum, she is a leading organizer in the We Are Unprotected campaign that protests the molestation and oversights at the academy. Flanked by her fellow protesters in their signature all-black attire, Brown denounces the school for its lack of preparation and safeguarding. They did not have adequate measures in place, adequate procedures in place to be able to deal with these issues. We are talking since 2014; theres been severe negligence on the part of the management of More Than Me. And Katie Meyler is responsible, Brown said. Meyler stepped down from the board of the charity, which critics want closed. They say it was never qualified to work with Liberias vulnerable girls and blame the government for allowing it to operate. Solomon Denue, a longtime parent at More Than Me and the schools PTA chairman, says Meyler isnt the only one at fault. This thing should not be blamed on Katie alone. Though Katie had a part in it, but we the parents and the government of Liberia, we have the giant share of it, Denue said. Denue says that parents should have been more careful in protecting their children. He says they let Johnson have too much unsupervised access to students. He also condemns government officials for not being more vigilant and responsive at the onset of the case. And while parents anxiously await the investigation results, some argue the academy still has value. They want the school to stay open and to continue receiving support. Angeline Nyannoh, another MTM parent, is begging donors to not turn their backs on the children. If this school breaks down tomorrow, the children will take the street back. They will still do the same sex for money what they were doing before, before Katie went and took them from there, Nyannoh said. It's not yet clear when the Liberian government will finish the investigation of the More Than Me Academy. Parents have welcomed the inquiry but are upset it took four years and they dont like the attention. Their children are teased because they attend the academy, which despite the ongoing investigation - still assists in running 18 schools in Liberia. TAIPEI - Indonesias new military base on a remote island chain near the embattled South China Sea will help it deter Chinese fishing boats and their coast guard escorts from entering territorial waters as Beijing expands its maritime claims. The Southeast Asian country, which has burned Chinese fishing boats in the past, opened its base last month in the Natuna Islands with more 1,000 personnel, Asian media outlets reported in December. The base near the existing port of Selat Lama has a hangar for drones and supports personnel trained for any kind of operation. Indonesias House of Representatives budgeted for the base in 2016, with the houses deputy chairman saying at the time that the construction should ensure the country's sovereign right to exploit the area's natural resources, the Jakarta Globe news website reported. Indonesian officials, particularly keen to protect their waters since 2014, built the base to stop Chinese boats from fishing inside their exclusive economic zone and help prove effective control of the Natuna chain itself in any international court in case of a future legal dispute, scholars say. They expect China to reduce its fishing activities. If you dont put an outpost there, some hostile power might stage an island grab, said Alan Chong, associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Theres every possibility that the Chinese, by building artificial islands, might in the distant future claim the Natunas as well. Edge of the South China Sea dispute China today claims most of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea that reaches from the Natuna chain to the Chinese mainland. Beijing doesnt claim the Natuna Islands, but in 2016 the Chinese foreign ministry cited historic rights for its fishing boats to use waters near the chain. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam vie directly with Beijings government over sovereignty to the South China Sea. China has irked the others by using its economic muscle to landfill small disputed islets for military infrastructure. Indonesia, long frustrated by a lack of naval power despite its sovereignty over 13,000 islands, publicly burned foreign-registered fishing boats in 2017 to warn against intrusions and caught Chinas attention. Most of the burned boats were Chinese, and Chinese coast guard vessels would sometimes escort them, said Jay Batongbacal, an international maritime affairs professor at University of the Philippines. In 2016, Indonesian and Chinese vessels clashed three times over Chinese fishing vessels. The two sides entered one standoff that year when Indonesian authorities tried to arrest a Chinese fishing boat but a Chinese coast guard vessel intervened. Indonesia, I think, has realized this needs to be addressed, and an outpost on the Natuna Islands makes sense because it is the place furthest up north in that area, so from there they could have a better vantage point in monitoring Chinese fishing activity and responding to them, Batongbacal said. Last year Indonesia renamed part of the disputed ocean tract the North Natuna Sea, drawing an angry response from China. Beijing still calls that tract near Borneo the South China Sea. Before opening the base, Indonesia operated just an airstrip and a small naval base as military installations in the Natuna Islands. Fishing boats from other countries have ventured into Indonesian-claimed waters and been caught. But Indonesia has no major ongoing dispute with the other South China Sea claimant countries. Experts believe no outside power, for example Australia or the United States, pushed Indonesia to open the base as a way to contain Chinas maritime expansion. Those countries, along with Japan, have tapped Vietnam and the Philippines to help check China, a Cold War foe that still resents Western-backed global influence. Indonesias exclusive economic zone overlaps the nine-dash line that Beijing uses to mark its South China Sea claim. The two sides get along otherwise. China seen relenting China may be put off by the risk of confrontation with Indonesia, said Enrico Cau, associate researcher at the Taiwan Center for International Strategic Studies, though it covets the fisheries and possible energy reserves under the seabed in question. Competition for those resources has underpinned the broader South China Sea dispute since the 1960s. Basically, what China does is send its fishing boats in that region, and Indonesia is always forced to intervene, Cau said. Sino-Philippine and Sino-Vietnamese spats show that stronger defenses can help curtail Chinese activity, he said. If they are not stopped immediately, they tend to keep encroaching, Cau said. In 2012 China took control of Scarborough Shoal, a prime fishing spot in the Philippine exclusive economic zone of the contested sea, by occupying its waters and defying vessels from Manila that tried to make it leave. China could try to take islets in the Natuna chain if not stopped, Chong said. If Indonesia ever goes to the world arbitration court over the Natuna Islands, Chong added, its physical presence there would help establish effective control. Indonesias base in the Natuna Islands also falls in line with President Joko Widodos goal since taking office in 2014 to step up enforcement against illegal fishing and sea piracy. LONDON - Britains heated debate over migration as it leaves the European Union has been fueled by a spike in the number of asylum seekers arriving on the south coast from France in small boats. A small number of migrants usually attempt the crossing each year, but the government says over 400 people have tried to cross the 30-kilometer English Channel in the last four months. It has declared a major incident and has pulled back patrol vessels from a joint European Union mission in the Mediterranean Sea. Visiting the port of Dover recently, Home Secretary Sajid Javid questioned the motivation of those seeking asylum in Britain. If you are a genuine asylum seeker then why have you not sought asylum in the first safe country that you arrived in? France is not a country that anyone would argue is not safe, Javid told reporters. FILE - British Home Secretary Sajid Javid meets Bo FILE - British Home Secretary Sajid Javid, center, meets Border Force staff on board the HMC Searcher in Dover, Britain, Jan. 2, 2019. FILE - British Home Secretary Sajid Javid, center, meets Border Force staff on board the HMC Searcher in Dover, Britain, Jan. 2, 2019. Most of the recent arrivals appear to be from Iran. They are attempting the crossing in inflatable dinghies in the middle of winter. It is a journey fraught with danger across one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes, with strong tides and currents. Critics say the numbers are still relatively low and accuse the government of manufacturing a crisis to suit a political narrative, a charge it strongly denies. While the political focus has been on the migrants coming across by boat, most asylum seekers arrive by air. Others try to hide underneath or inside trucks heading to Britain. Experts say increased security in French ferry ports could be driving migrants to attempt the sea crossing. Noorulhadi Oryakheil fled the Taliban in his native Afghanistan and came to Britain hidden inside a refrigerated truck three years ago, aged just sixteen. When it [the truck] starts, and he starts the fridge, that was too cold, right. We were just hugging each other and sitting in the middle of the lorry [truck]. When he opened the door we just ran away and jumped off the lorry. So after we were walking on the motorway, like finally we were on the motorway and the police catch us, he told VOA. FILE - Border Force vessels of the British Coastal FILE - Border Force vessels of the British Coastal Patrol are seen in Ramsgate harbor, Britain, Jan. 4, 2019. FILE - Border Force vessels of the British Coastal Patrol are seen in Ramsgate harbor, Britain, Jan. 4, 2019. Oryakheil gained asylum in Britain, aided by the charity Kent Refugee Action Network. The organizations Bridget Chapman says the governments reaction to the influx is driven by politics. Its a crisis in that people are being forced to put their lives at risk to make a claim for asylum, thats completely unacceptable. But I think were talking about roughly 250 people over two-and-a-half months. That isnt a crisis," Chapman said. "Amongst certain people in power theres a lot of juggling to see who can be the toughest on migration, because I think they see there may be a chance for a leadership bid. And that to me is playing politics with peoples lives, Chapman added. The government says the deployment of naval vessels is needed to deter people smugglers and migrants from making such a dangerous journey. Others warn the naval ships could persuade more migrants to attempt the journey in the hope they will be rescued. French President Emmanuel Macron has released what he calls a "letter to the French," encouraging a national debate on issues that have led to two months of anti-government protests. "This is how I intend to turn anger into solutions," Macron said Sunday. "Your proposals will help build a new contract for the nation, organizing the actions of the government and parliament, but also France's positions at the European and international levels." Macron plans to hold a number of town hall meetings across the country over the next eight weeks. Among the questions he is opening for debate are which taxes should be cut, what public spending should be a priority, are there too many bureaucratic layers, and questions surrounding the environment and immigration. While Macron said no topic will be off the table, the right of people to seek asylum in France will not be up for debate. FILE - "Yellow vest" protesters run away from tear FILE - "Yellow vest" protesters run away from tear gas during clashes with riot police, in Paris, France, Jan. 12, 2019. FILE - "Yellow vest" protesters run away from tear gas during clashes with riot police, in Paris, France, Jan. 12, 2019. "We won't agree on everything, which is normal in a democracy. But at least we'll show we're a people which is not afraid of talking, exchanging [ideas], debating." So-called "yellow vest" marches erupted in France in November against a now-scrapped fuel tax. But they have since expanded into a general anti-government protest, especially in rural France, where many see Macron as someone more interested in the wealthy than their problems. Some of the marches have turned violent, leading to government proposals to ban anyone wearing face masks from joining in or starting their own march. The free speech group Reporters Without Borders has called on protest organizers to condemn violence against journalists covering the marches. The group says reporters have been beaten, kicked, and threatened with rape. PRETORIA - ?This is new territory for the Democratic Republic of Congo: the presidential election is over, and the nation appears poised to see its first-ever opposition president take power. But after a poll that has been widely criticized for irregularities and delays, tensions are running high. Several African bodies are calling for a recount, and the candidate who says he was cheated out of victory has challenged the official results in court. On Saturday, opposition coalition leader Martin Fayulu, who was favored by polls to win the December 30 vote, asked the Constitutional Court to order a recount. On Sunday, Fayulu attended church in the capital, Kinshasa, with his family and a bevy of enthusiastic followers. "We have faith, and our faith is intact," Fayulu said, holding his Bible. "Undaunted. Because the people have decided, and the will of the people will be realized. I am a man of faith." Fayulus choice of venue was no accident. For many Congolese citizens, the Catholic Church is the sole provider of schooling, health care and basic services. And so, when the church said vote tallies collected by its 40,000 election observers show Fayulu won the election, citizens listened. Then, last week, the electoral commission declared that another opposition leader, Felix Tshisekedi, was the winner. That announcement sparked surprise and outrage -- and not just from the usual quarters. The Southern African Development Community, SADC, called for a recount of the vote and a government of national unity. Their call was supported late Sunday by another African bloc, the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region. Analyst Stephanie Wolters of the Institute for Security Studies says these statements from regional mediators are surprising. It is a departure from how theyve handled electoral crises in other states," she told VOA. "Its also certainly a departure from some of the weaker statements that SADC has made on the DRC, its really taken a very hands-off approach to this electoral crisis over the last three years, so its a surprise. In terms of how effective it can be, I think we have some doubts. Thats because, she says, the body in charge of declaring a recount - the Constitutional Court - is loyal to longtime President Joseph Kabila. Felix Tshisekedi, leader main DRC opposition party Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the DRC's main opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), who has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, gestures to his supporters in Kinshasa, DRC, Jan. 10, 2019. Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the DRC's main opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), who has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, gestures to his supporters in Kinshasa, DRC, Jan. 10, 2019. In the election, Kabila backed his former interior minister, Emmanuel Shadary. But Shadary finished third in the voting, and analysts say that he was so obviously unpopular that it would have provoked serious outrage had the electoral commission anointed him the winner. Although Kabila is stepping down, analysts think he aims to play a dominant role behind the scenes when or if -- Tshisekedi takes office. The Constitutional Court has 10 days from Fayulus filing to rule. Meanwhile, the electoral commission also announced that Kabilas ruling Common Front for Congo (FCC) party led the parliamentary vote. That means the president-elect, who heads the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, may have some political struggles ahead, says analyst Claude Kabemba, director of Southern Africa Resource Watch. I foresee, if there is marriage between the FCC and UDPS, it not to last very long," he told VOA. "Its not a marriage by conviction, and thats a problem. And they will have serious, serious tension. KINSHASA - Congo's neighbors are calling for a vote recount in the disputed presidential election and suggesting the formation of a government of national unity to avoid possible instability. The statements by the southern African and Great Lakes regional blocs put new pressure on the government of outgoing President Joseph Kabila to find a peaceful and transparent solution to a growing electoral crisis in one of Africa's largest and most mineral-rich nations. DR Congo Opposition Candidate Fayulu Challenges Election Results in Court Democratic Republic of Congo presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu has challenged the outcome of the country's election in court, claiming he defeated opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi by a wide margin.Fayulu's opposition coalition said Friday he captured 61 percent of the vote, citing figures from the Catholic Church, which placed 40,000 election observers across the Central African country. The coalition said Tshisekedi won 18 percent of the vote. Democratic Republic of Congo presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu has challenged the outcome of the country's election in court, claiming he defeated opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi by a wide margin.Fayulu's opposition coalition said Friday he captured 61 percent of the vote, citing figures from the Catholic Church, which placed 40,000 election observers across the Central African country. The coalition said Tshisekedi won 18 percent of the vote. The declared presidential runner-up, Martin Fayulu, filed a court challenge over the weekend demanding a recount, citing figures compiled by the influential Catholic Church's 40,000 election observers that found he won 61 percent of the vote. Fayulu accuses Kabila of making a backroom deal to declare as the winner opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, who came in a distant second according to the Catholic Church's results. Kabila is suspected of such a deal to protect his vast assets from Fayulu's anti-corruption efforts. Congo is a major source of the minerals central to smartphones and electric cars worldwide. DR Congo Opposition Leader Cries Foul After Tshisekedi Declared Winner The runner-up of the Democratic Republic of Congos presidential election is dismissing the official results showing Felix Tshisekedi winning the Dec. 30 vote as a sham.The countrys election board, CENI, announced early Thursday that Tshisekedi won just more than 38 percent of the vote, surprising observers after pre-election polls projected that fellow opposition leader Martin Fayulu would win the vote. The runner-up of the Democratic Republic of Congos presidential election is dismissing the official results showing Felix Tshisekedi winning the Dec. 30 vote as a sham.The countrys election board, CENI, announced early Thursday that Tshisekedi won just more than 38 percent of the vote, surprising observers after pre-election polls projected that fellow opposition leader Martin Fayulu would win the vote. Congo's electoral commission has said Tshisekedi won 38 percent of the vote and Fayulu 34 percent. It later announced that Kabila's ruling coalition had won a majority in legislative and provincial elections, which would constrain any attempted reforms by Tshisekedi if he takes power. Kabila met Sunday with the members of his coalition, announcing they would eventually reach out to the newly elected Tshisekedi for "cohabitation" in parliament. The disparity in the ruling coalition's results in the presidential and other elections has raised questions in a vote also troubled by the malfunctioning of voting machines, polling stations that opened hours late and the last-minute decision to bar some 1 million voters in two communities affected by a deadly Ebola outbreak. The Great Lakes statement issued overnight expressed "deep concern" about the various challenges to the official results, and urged Congolese authorities to be more transparent in the interest of the country's stability. It followed a similar statement by the influential Southern African Development Community, which has 16 members including regional powers South Africa and Angola and rarely challenges countries' election results. The statements by African groups may have more influence with Kabila's government, which has criticized Western pressure over two years of turbulent election delays as many worried that Kabila was seeking a way to stay in power. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Regional group includes 11 countries including Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Sudan and is led by the president of Congo's smaller neighbor Republic of Congo. Fayulu's opposition coalition welcomed the new regional stance. "It would be dangerous not to support the democratic process," he said in a Twitter post. Congo's 80 million people have been largely peaceful since the Dec. 30 vote but at least a dozen people have been killed in protests. Internet service, cut the day after the vote, remains off. A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges, leading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to accuse China of using the death penalty arbitrarily. The Chinese court in the northeast city of Dailian retried Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was initially given a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking. The court ruled Monday during the one-day retrial that the original sentence was too lenient, and sentenced Schellenberg to death by execution. The court accused him of conspiring with others to smuggle over 200 kg of methamphetamine from China to Australia in 2014. Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa Monday that "It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply a death penalty." The ruling is likely to increase already heightened tensions between the two countries following the recent arrest of a senior Chinese executive in Canada, and China's subsequent detention of two Canadians on national security charges. Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer for Huawei, was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1 on behalf of the United States, which is seeking her extradition over alleged violations of U.S. trade sanctions on Iran. China has denounced her arrest and warned of unspecified consequences. Beijing has not tied the arrest of the two Canadians to Meng's detention, but Western diplomats said the move appears to be retaliatory. Schellenberg has denied the charges against him. His lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said he would likely appeal the sentence. Zhang said that prosecutors did not introduce new evidence during Monday's trial to justify a heavier sentence. In recent years, China has executed citizens from several foreign countries, including Britain, Japan and the Philippines, following convictions on drug charges. The highest-paying jobs in America usually require a college degree, but there are still promising opportunities for high school graduates in some of today's hottest industries, including technology. Education is very important, but there are also ways to work around that," says Stacy Rapacon, online editor at personal finance website Kiplinger.com. "A lot of technology jobs you can still get without necessarily getting a bachelors degree. You can get certifications in certain fields and do that straight out of high school. A lot of employers really do prefer people who have proven skills with technology. They dont necessarily pay attention to whether or not you have a degree." Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) defines a "good job" as one that pays at least $35,000 for workers between the ages of 25 and 44, and at least $45,000 for workers aged 45 to 64. Support specialists, who assist coworkers and clie Support specialists, who assist coworkers and clients with any computer problems, can often get a job without a college degree. (Photo by Flickr user wistechcolleges via Creative Commons license.) Support specialists, who assist coworkers and clients with any computer problems, can often get a job without a college degree. (Photo by Flickr user wistechcolleges via Creative Commons license.) Overall, the opportunities for the high school work force have been declining, from about 15 million good jobs for workers in 1991 to 13 million by 2016. The high school-only pathway, however, currently provides 20 percent of all good jobs, according to Georgetown CEW, which adds that those opportunities are primarily for men. The best jobs for Americans without a college degree include sales representative, computer user support specialist, and power line installer, Kiplinger says. As the population ages, the health care field also offers opportunities for people without a higher education. The 15 best jobs for high school graduates include health technologist, medical secretary, medical assistant and dental assistant, according to Kiplinger. FILE- In this Feb. 9, 2018, photo, a radiology tec File -- Good jobs for high school graduates in the booming health care industry include health technologists, workers who perform tests and procedures ordered by doctors and other health care personnel. File -- Good jobs for high school graduates in the booming health care industry include health technologists, workers who perform tests and procedures ordered by doctors and other health care personnel. "Everybody has a different path that they follow," Rapacon says. "Going to college isn't for everybody, whether it's a financial reason that keeps you from going to college or you're just not academically inclined, it's just not the right path for everybody, but there are still plenty of opportunities for you to make a career for yourself." Other top jobs for high school diploma holders include oil, gas and mining service operator; transportation, storage and distribution manager; self-improvement education teacher; mechanics supervisor; heating and air conditioning technician; elevator installer; flight attendant and plumber, according to Kiplinger. Hong Kong-headquartered healthcare and beauty retailer Watsons will open its first store in Ho Chi Minh City's Bitexco Tower (photo: https://goodyfeed.com/) According to Inside Retail Asia, the first Watsons Vietnam store will open in the lower floors of the high-profile Bitexco Tower in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The store will take up at least one floor of the two-storey space recently vacated by Topshop. Teasing the launch, a huge backdrop with the slogan Look good, Feel great has been put up outside the space, attracting many Vietnamese youngsters to take selfies and check Watsons out on social media. Watsons Vietnam is a member of A.S. Watsons Group, which was established in Hong Kong in 1841. A.S. Watson Group is the largest international health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe with over 14,300 stores in 26 markets. Every year, over 4 billion customers and members shop for its 12 retail brands in stores and online. With over 140,000 employees worldwide, including 12,900 in Hong Kong, A.S. Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has five core businesses ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications in over 50 countries. Watsons is Asias leading health and beauty retailer in the Hutchison portfolio, currently operating 6,700 stores and more than 1,500 pharmacies in 12 Asian and European markets, including China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Watsons continually sets the standards in the health, wellness, and beauty market. The company promise to customers Look good, Feel great is something it makes happen every day, by going the extra mile, by bringing smiles to peoples faces, and by providing the best health, wellbeing, beauty, and personal care in its stores and online. The new chairman of Vinaconex The extraordinary shareholders meeting to elect members to the board of management and the board of supervisors of Vietnam Construction and Import-Export JSC (Vinaconex, code: VCG) took place on January 11, 2019 after changing the companys shareholder structure. Since the auction two months ago, there are three big shareholders owning more than 5 per cent of VCG stakes, including An Quy Hung (57.71 per cent), Star Invest (7.57 per cent), and newly-established Cuong Vu Real Estate Co., Ltd., which has just bought 21.3 per cent of VCG stakes from Viettel last week. At the meeting, Vinaconex shareholders have elected Dao Ngoc Thanh, general director of Viet Hung Urban Development and Investment JSC (Vihajico), the developer of the Ecopark urban area, representing An Quy Hung, as chairman of Vinaconex. In addition to being general director of Vihajico, Dao Ngoc Thanh is also chairman of Cotana Group (CSC) and vice chairman of APEC Investment JSC (API). The new Vinaconex chairman said that Vinaconex will be one of the top three construction businesses in Vietnam. We need to find a way to put the Vinaconex brand on the top of all buildings, said Thanh. Besides Thanh, Nguyen Xuan Dong (chairman of An Quy Hung), Duong Van Mau (deputy general director of Vinaconex), Nguyen Huu Toi (chairman of Vinaconex 12), Bui Tuan Anh (assistant of Vinaconex 12s chairman), Nguyen Quang Trung (deputy general director of Phu Long Real Estate JSC), and Than The Ha (deputy general director of Vinaconex cum chairman of An Khanh New City Development Joint Venture Company) are also new members of Vinaconexs BoM. Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors will contain Nguyen Xuan Dai and Le Dinh Vinh, two members proposed by Cuong Vu Real Estate. The shareholders meeting has also approved the resignation of seven BoM members, including Nguyen Duc Chi, Do Trong Quynh, Tran Tuan Anh, Nguyen Anh Tung, Pham Van Hai, Le Dang Dung, and Nghiem Phuong Nhi. Five members of the BoS, including Dang Thanh Tuan, Kieu Bich Hoa, Vu Hong Tuan, Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang, and Bui Anh Vu resigned. At the end of last November, two of the three big shareholders of Vinaconex, State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) and Viettel Group, announced fully divesting their VCG holdings at the initial price of VND21,300 ($0.93), VND3,000 higher than the market price. The offer drew in numerous investors, including newly-established companies, companies with small charter capital, who registered to buy hundreds of millions of shares. Eventually, An Quy Hung spent VND1.9 trillion ($82.6 million) to successfully buy SCICs VCG shares. Cuong Vu also poured a couple trillion dong to acquire the entire VCG holding of Viettel. Some time later, Star Invest spent over VND830 billion ($36.1 million) to acquire 34 million VCG shares from foreign investors and become a big shareholder of Vinaconex. The press conference in Hanoi commemorated 50 years of Vietnamese-Swedish diplomatic relations This statement was delivered by Swedish ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg in the press conference held jointly by the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 11 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Over the past half century, Sweden has been Vietnams friend and partner, even in the most difficult times. Sweden was the second largest ODA donour to Vietnam in the 70s, the largest in the 80s, and the fourth largest in the 90s, said the ambassador. Sweden ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg Sweden was the first Western European country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. In the past 50 years, Vietnamese-Swedish relations have grown from strength to strength in all areas, from politics and diplomacy through trade and investment to culture and education, bringing about benefits to the two peoples. The bilateral cooperation focused on healthcare (Uong Bi General Hospital in Quang Ninh province and National Paediatrics Hospital in Hanoi), the paper and forest industry (Bai Bang Paper Mill now Vietnam Paper Corporation), besides reforestation projects, and administrative reforms of laws and taxes. Official development assistance from Sweden has lasted for 46 years and amounted to more than $4 billion in todays monetary value. According to the ambassador, even though the two countries bilateral development cooperation had ended in 2013, Sweden still provides substantial assistance to the Vietnamese people through regional aid programmes in the Mekong, and via the EUs and UNs respective aid budgets to Vietnam. By virtue of massive economic growth and successful reforms, Vietnam is a middle-income country. The two countries have been taking steps towards a more equal partnership. More than 70 Swedish companies are operating in Vietnam, many of them are worlds leading players such as ABB, AstraZeneca, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, Ericsson, H&M, IKEA, SKF, Volvo and Tetra Pak. We see trade, investment, exchange studies, academic and cultural cooperation, and tourism flourishing between Vietnam and Sweden. The trade figures are now well above $1 billion per year with potential for a strong increase, and with the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement we will see an even stronger Swedish presence, said the ambassador. More than 70 Swedish companies are operating in Vietnam, many of them are world-leading players such as ABB, AstraZeneca, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, Ericsson, H&M, IKEA, SKF, Volvo, and Tetra Pak. Even though the relationship between Sweden and Vietnam has changed over the years, Sweden continues to be committed to Vietnams future road ahead, said the ambassador. Dinh Toan Thang, general director of Europe Department, MOFA Over the past half a century, Vietnam and Sweden have always been travelling companions on a long road with many hallmarks that other bilateral relationship may not have, said Dinh Toan Thang, general director of the Europe Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). In the new context, Vietnam and Sweden still cherish their bonds and look forward to closer partnership relations on the basis of shared goals of sustainable development and a world of peace and cooperation. Trade, investment, health, education, transport, ICT, green tech, and environmental protection are among the priority areas of bilateral co-operation. The soon to be signed and ratified EVFTA, once it comes into effect, will give a fresh impetus to bilateral economic ties, Thang said. Over the years, thousands of Vietnamese people have taken part in training programmes in Sweden, studied at Swedish universities, worked for Swedish companies. Thousands of Swedes have lived and worked in Vietnam. Last year, more than 50,000 Swedes visited Vietnam. Under the framework of the commemorative year of 2019, the two countries will work together to organise a series of important events, such as the exchange of delegations at all levels, the hosting of the Vietnam-Sweden Business Summit in Hanoi, the ASEAN Business Forum in Sweden, the Vietnamese Art Gala in Sweden, Vietnam Internet Forum, Vietnam Day in Sweden, the choir programme performed by Swedish artists in Vietnam, and a number of education and training promotion programmes. South Korean attitudes on eating dogs are divided. While some consider them a delicacy, young Koreans typically reject the practice AFP/JIM WATSON South Korean attitudes on canines are divided - about one million dogs are eaten every year in the country, often as a summertime delicacy. But the tradition is declining as the nation increasingly embraces the idea of dogs as pets, with eating them now something of a taboo among young South Koreans. For years, Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) has spearheaded campaigns to rescue canines from dogmeat farms across the country, accumulating some 23,000 members and around two billion won (US$1.8 million) in annual donations. South Korean President Moon Jae-in - who is a known animal lover with several dogs - adopted a small black and white mongrel from CARE when he came to office in 2017. Staff members at CARE told the Hankyoreh newspaper that the organisation's head, Park So-yeon, had more than 230 rescued dogs destroyed because of a shortage of space at the shelter. The number was equivalent to around a quarter of the animals the group rescued in the period, according to the newspaper. Only 10 per cent of the dogs were suffering from incurable illnesses and most were killed because of their large size, a CARE employee was quoted as saying. The animals were then listed as having been adopted. CARE has often appealed for donations to carry out more rescues, and needs to continue operations to justify the funding requests. The organisation has long asserted in those appeals that it does not kill dogs even if they are not adopted. But Park said in statement that a "small number" of exterminations had been "inevitable" since 2015 due to a "surge in requests for rescue missions". She added that only severely aggressive dogs or those with incurable illnesses were destroyed, and only after extensive efforts to treat them first. CARE staff members mounted a protest in the organisation's offices at the weekend to demand Park's resignation. According to a 2017 survey, 70 per cent of South Koreans do not eat dogs, but far fewer - about 40 percent - believe the practice should be banned. It also found 65 per cent support raising and slaughtering dogs in more humane conditions. Best Western Premier is the ideal getaway for travelers seeking ultimate privacy and a high-life vacation Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc will transport guests into paradise with its spectacular vision of greenery and winding waterways that reflect the natural beauty of Vietnam. Located on Bai Truong Beach in Phu Quocs west coast, Best Western Premier is the ideal getaway for travelers seeking ultimate privacy and a high-life vacation. A variety of regional and international direct flights - including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Guangzhou - make the location convenient for a weekend escape or a long stay vacation. One major draw of the resort is The Lagoon pool, which is the longest of its kind in Vietnam. This free-form water-feature measures 300 metres in length and encompasses two Olympic-size swimming pools that cascade all the way from the main building down to the beach. Best Western Premier Sonasea offers 566 rooms, including 83 suites and 16 pool villas, designed with modern Indochine decor and astonishing panoramic views. Best Western Premier Sonasea offers 566 rooms, including 83 suites and 16 pool villas, designed with modern Indochine decor and astonishing panoramic views. This is where the hotels unique X-shape comes into play. Not only does it make for a memorable first impression, it is also specially designed to ensure that rooms have an unblocked sightline of Phu Quocs turquoise blue waters and breathtaking sunsets. As a standard of the Best Western Premier brand, all 566 rooms feature hi-speed wifi, 43-inch televisions, a balcony and a kitchenette, making the resort a perfect destination for everyone. Whether it is a couple, a family, or a large group, the first-class amenities and exceptional services have come to provide comfort for a memorable vacation. The venues 16 exclusive private pool Deluxe and Luxury villas are available for guests seeking privacy just a few steps away from the seashore. Each two-storey villa comes complete with its own private pool, a spacious living and dining room, three or five bedrooms and a fully furnished kitchen including an espresso machine. Best Western Premier Sonasea adds to the bespoke experience with signature bath products made with natural ingredients. Food and beverage options at Best Western Premier Sonasea are set to become stand-alone venues on the island for guests and locals alike. The menu will incorporate dishes from along the Mekong Delta to create a unique fine dining experience that showcases the diversity of Southeast Asias cuisine. CView Sky Bar can accommodate private functions of up to 150 people and the live music and carefully crafted cocktails are sure to draw a crowd. The culinary team at Essence restaurant, located at the centre of the resort, is ready to delight guests with market-fresh ingredients incorporated into delicious Mediterranean fare and made-to-order freshly grilled fish along with live cooking options. Each day, a fishing boat will come to shore and offer the days fresh catch to be enjoyed by guests. A carefully curated selection of wines can be arranged to complement the cuisine with an oceanfront setting that is sure to accentuate your dining experience. While relaxing at The Lagoon pool, guests can head to the Oasis Pool Bar for a midday snack or evening aperitif. Fresh-pressed juices, international snacks and mains as well as a wide selection of wine, top-shelf liquors, coffees and teas are available anytime guests desire. Families travelling with small children can bring their little ones to Nemo Kids Club, which includes a poolside playground, for fun activities that are sure to keep our mini-guests busy. While the children are occupied, parents can take advantage of offerings at the impeccable Thala Spa. The face and body treatments on offer all use natural, locally produced ingredients such as seaweed. The inclusion of a Fitness Center with top-of-the-line equipment, free weights, and a selection of classes makes Best Western Premier Sonasea an optimal location for a personalised health and wellness retreat. M.I.C.E tourism, team building activities, and weddings are also well-suited for this large capacity resort, which can house more than 1,000 guests. The recreational planning team can tailor-make any type of event to suit the needs of the client. Best Western is one of the most widely recognised hospitality brands in America and we are pleased to introduce the upscale Premier category to Phu Quoc. My mission is to inspire our staff to serve with excellence in order to provide the experience of a lifetime to each one of our guests, said Gregory Cosyn, the resorts general manager. Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc is offering a variety of opening promotions from now until March 31, 2019. Last week's detention of Wang Weijing follows the December arrest of Huawei's CFO in Canada AFP/WANG ZHAO Last week's detention of Wang Weijing follows the December arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Canada, and US efforts to blacklist the company internationally over security concerns. "Beijing should resolutely negotiate with Warsaw and conduct relative counter-measures, helping the world understand that Poland is an accomplice of the US," the nationalist Global Times said in a strongly worded editorial. If Huawei suffers a blow, it will affect the confidence of "Chinese society" and the world would think it "doable to bully Chinese enterprises," said the newspaper, which is run by Communist party mouthpiece People's Daily. "China must not be soft at this point. Beijing will not bully Warsaw - and it is unworthy to do so - but the latter must pay for the offense," the editorial said. The newspaper did not say what kind of measures China should take. Days after Canada arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request in December, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians - a former diplomat and a businessman - on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen by observers as an act of retaliation. Meng is accused of fraud in connection with violations of Iran sanctions. While China voiced concerns about Wang's arrest in Poland, Huawei has sought to distance itself from the case as it fired the employee, saying his "alleged actions have no relation to the company". A Polish man was also arrested for alleged espionage along with Wang on Tuesday. Both men are suspected of having "worked for Chinese services and to the detriment of Poland," said Polish special services spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn. Starting from 2019, on-demand delivery service firm Ahamove would have to pay VAT only for the share of revenue it received (excluding the revenue its partner drivers received). - Photo reatimes.vn Accordingly, starting from 2019, Ahamove would have to pay VAT only on the share of revenue it received (excluding the revenue its partner drivers received). Previously, the VAT on the company was calculated on the total revenue earned from delivery services. For the share of revenue Ahamoves partner drivers received, the company would declare and pay VAT and personal income tax on behalf of its drivers following the established regulations. CEO of Ahamove Nguyen Xuan Truong several months ago proposed new tax policies to be raised to promote the development of the sharing economy as well as new services like Grab and Ahamove. Truong was quoted by ICTnews as saying that Ahamove became the first sharing-economy company to enjoy the new way of calculating VAT. Ahamove provides on-demand delivery services with about 80,000 shippers operating in downtown areas of Ha Noi and HCM City. It handled 50,000-70,000 shipping orders in each city per day on average. Ahamove took 20-25 per cent of the shipping fees as it revenue. The current VAT rate is 10 per cent in Vietnam. Lotte E&C and Hung Loc Phat signing the co-operation contract On January 8, Lotte E&C signed a business co-operation contract with Hung Loc Phat Corporation. Detailed information of this contract has not been revealed yet. At the signing ceremony, the representative of Lotte E&C said that the company is looking for investment opportunities in the real estate market of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The representative of Lotte E&C also said that this contract is the prelude to a deep co-operation between the two companies to create a premise for the two sides future development plans in the future. This co-operation is expected to create a breakthrough in the real estate market in the Saigon South area based on the potentials and unique strengths of the two sides. As a member of Lotte Group, Lotte E&C is a well-known international general contractor as well as housing developer in Korea. Lotte E&Cs business lines include infrastructure, petrochemicals, and environment, among others. This co-operation is expected to create a breakthrough in the real estate market in the Saigon South area based on the potentials and unique strengths of the two sides. Lotte E&C is venturing further into the Vietnamese transport infrastructure segment, with the metro lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City among the focuses of expansion. In August, 2018, Lotte E&C signed a strategic cooperation deal with Phu Cuong Group (PCG) aimed at developing housing and trading projects in Vietnam. The two parties signed an agreement to jointly develop the first condo building in Thanh My Loi Ward in District 2, which is expected to pave the way for further projects in the years to come. The residential building, which boasts an ideal riverside location as it is near the Saigon River, comprises two 25-storey blocks, some 500 metres away from the administrative centre of District 2. In addition, in October 2018, it signed an MOU with PCG to promote the Western Gate Project. The two companies will cooperate in building commercial facilities, five apartment buildings and schools, and a large sales facility in the Ben Thanh area of Ho Chi Minh City. Lotte E&C is also interested in the North-South Expressway, the North-South High-Speed Railway, and Long Thanh International Airport. President of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party Marine Le Pen gestures to the crowd on Jan 13, 2019, in Paris, during a meeting to launch the RN's campaign for the European elections of May 2019. (Photo: AFP/Jacques Demarthon) Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), formerly the National Front, presented the first 12 candidates on her list before a crowd of some 2,000 supporters in Paris. "If Emmanuel Macron does not have the wisdom to change policies, if he does not have the wisdom to return to the people" by dissolving parliament for fresh elections, voters will express their discontent at the European elections, Le Pen said. The European Parliament elections will be held May 23 to 26. At the campaign launch, Le Pen slammed Macron over the "yellow vests" demonstrations, which have seen hundreds of thousands of people protest since November against the president's policies and leadership. She accused Macron of "blindness" and "intransigence". Macron scored an easy victory over Le Pen in the second round of France's May 2017 presidential election. However, the "yellow vest" movement, which began as protests over high fuel taxes, has snowballed into a wholesale rejection of Macron and his policies, which are seen as favouring the wealthy at the expense of rural and small-town France. The campaign launch comes as French prosecutors continue to investigate Le Pen over the alleged misuse of public funds at the European Parliament. RN members are being probed over allegations that they defrauded the EU out of 6.8 million euros in funding between 2009 and 2017. Le Pen has insisted she and the party are "completely innocent" and portrayed the case and others against her as politically motivated. Responding on Twitter to Le Pen's speech, European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau mentioned the financing scandal, referring to the "embezzlement of public funds and fictitious jobs". "Le Pen invokes Christian values but violates the values of humanism. Let's make sure next May is without them," she wrote. Dai-ichi Life Vietnam has grown into the fourth largest life insurers in Vietnam Dai-ichi Life Vietnam Fund Management Company Limited the wholly-owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company of Vietnam which is a member of Dai-ichi Holdings Inc. from Japan has just launched its DFVN Capital Appreciation Fund with the charter capital of more than VND75 billion ($3.2 million). The move is in conformity with the Incorporation License for public securities investment fund No.34/GCN-UBCK by the State Securities Commission of Vietnam dated January 3, 2019. The new fund (DFVN-CAF) is the first open-ended fund established and managed by DFVN. With dedicated and experienced on-the-ground team of professionals, DFVN has been entrusted to manage the life insurance funds of the Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company of Vietnam (or Dai-ichi Life Vietnam) with the total assets under management of over VND17 trillion ($739 million) as of November 2018. Taking a long-term view, DFVN emphasises being disciplined during the investment process, while remaining flexible in the execution of investment tactics in response to market conditions. Taking a long-term view, DFVN emphasises being disciplined during the investment process, while remaining flexible in the execution of investment tactics in response to market conditions. DFVN-CAF will invest mainly in a diversified portfolio of listed equities in Vietnam with good fundamentals, high growth potential, and solid corporate governance. The fund aims to outperform its benchmark VN-Index over the long term. According to Tran Chau Danh-DFVNs CEO cum chief investment officer (CIO), There are 24 open-ended funds (OEF) incorporated in Vietnam as of November 30, 2018, with the total assets under management of VND13.378 trillion ($582 million) and around 30,000 transaction accounts open. These figures seem quite modest in comparison to the countrys population and economic growth scale as well as to regional peers. The market potential, therefore, is huge. In recent years, there were several local fund management companies (FMCs) who have been trying hard and made adequate investments to enhance operation systems, which brought benefits and values to investors. When launching DFVN-CAF, we aim to be among the best FMCs with contributions to the sustainable development of the local investment fund market. Accordingly, we focus on delivering optimal and consistent investment performance over the long term as well as enhancing quality services to our investors, said Danh. Takashi Fujji, chairman of Dai-ichi Life International Asia-Pacific cum chairman of DLVN and DFVN Member Councils, said, With twelve years in operation, Dai-ichi Life Vietnam, the owner company of DFVN, has been growing more than twenty times its total premium revenue, building a solid foundation and standing as one of the four leading life insurers in Vietnam. Loyal to our philosophy Customer first, we have provided our clients with a diversified portfolio of quality life insurance products and the launching of DFVN-CAF will give our clients another option of financial solution with Japanese quality, helping clients to accumulate and grow their wealth efficiently over time so that they can enjoy their desired lifestyle. DFVN selects HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Limited as the custodian and supervisory bank, as well as the provider of fund administration and transfer agency services to DFVN-CAF. As for distribution partners, at the companys initial public offering (IPO), DFVN appointed BIDV Securities JSC (BSC) and Viet Dragon Securities JSC (VDSC) as distributors servicing investors to DFVN-CAF. We believe that OEF will gain more popularity as one of the essential financial investment vehicles for Vietnamese people. We expect that there will be more and more people and families in Vietnam know about and invest into our DFVN OEFs in the years to come, Danh added. Ongoing transactions new subscriptions and redemptions can be started over again from January 29, 2019. The minimum subscription amount is VND1 million ($43.4) per order. CPTPP aims to liberalise trade and investment in 11 member countries The deal is a sweeping accord that liberalises trade and investment in 11 economies in the Pacific Basin including Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. While awaiting the outcome of the current trade truce, the CPTPPs entry into force proves that the Vietnamese government determines to opt for the open, liberal and rules-based trading system, said Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Limited. According to Hai, the CPTPP is indeed comprehensive and progressive in how it facilitates trade and investment in the 21st century, as it tackles issues such as ecommerce and data protection. Businesses are certain to benefit from greater clarity at a time of trade-policy turbulence as well as from improved access to 500 million consumers. Vietnam can expect to benefit immediately in trade, especially export activities, including elimination of textiles and footwear tariffs by the majority of CPTPP members upon entry into force. The CPTPP will remove 95 per cent of the current tariffs on trade among the partners. Vietnam can expect to benefit immediately in trade, especially export activities, including elimination of textiles and footwear tariffs by the majority of CPTPP members upon entry into force. Although the increase will not be considerable for countries with which Vietnam has already signed bilateral or multilateral trade agreements but for Canada, the impacts will be positive. Canada is the second largest market among CPTPP members with which Vietnam has yet had a bilateral trade agreement. The country commits to cut 94.9 per cent of import tariff lines, or 77.9 per cent of its import turnover from Vietnam. For Mexico and Peru, the impact is positive because the import and export products of these two markets are complementary rather than conflicting with Vietnam. Collectively, CPTPP members have a population of 500 million and account for 15 per cent of world trade and 13 per cent of global GDP. Ratification by the remaining members (Brunei, Chile, Malaysia and Peru) is expected to follow. There is also an opportunity for other markets to join China, South Korea and the United Kingdom have all expressed interest. Not only will the CPTPP boost the trade of its members it has been estimated that by 2030 exports in CPTPP countries will increase by more than 6 per cent, especially 8 per cent for Vietnam but it may also lead to a shift in global supply chains as trade is rerouted to CPTPP countries, thanks to increased competitiveness from improved market access. The implementation of the CPTPP will bring even more benefits over the next decade as duties on most remaining tariff lines are phased out. According to HSBCs recent survey, nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) companies in CPTPP member countries including those in Vietnam believe that the agreement will directly or indirectly help their businesses. FTAs such as the CPTPP simplify import and export procedures and reduce the cost to trade. For example, the CPTPP provides for full cumulation, meaning that businesses in CPTPP markets can use inputs sourced from other CPTPP markets to qualify for preferential treatment within the region. With the CPTPP now in effect, there is no better time for businesses to raise their awareness and maximise the benefits that are on offer, Hai stressed. Rental car services are always busy during the Tet holiday.-VNA/VNS Photo A small survey by the Vietnam News Agency of rental car streets of Ha Noi showed the mid-range segment of passenger cars with four to seven seats is nearly completely sold out almost one month before Tet. If customers want to rent a car, they will have to commit to renting it for the entirety of the break, which lasts from February 2 to 10. On rental car streets including Tran Khat Chan, Thai Thinh, Xa Dan and Hoang Mai, the shortage of cars and increasing demand have pushed prices up 20-30 per cent compared to normal rates, touching VND7 million-VND25 million (US$301-$1,075) per car, depending on the model. The difference in price between manual and automatic transmission cars ranges from VND100,000 to VND200,000 per day. Although rental prices have increased, there is not enough stock of popular models such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota Fortuner. Rather than raising prices, several rental companies have limited the number of kilometres each customer may drive. If a customer exceeds the limit, he or she will have to pay more money. Nguyen Thanh Huong, Director of the Tourism and Transport Service Company Ltd, in Hai Ba Trung District, said prices were up because of increased demand. The customers are excited about seven-seat cars, which have seen rental prices increase by between VND200,000 and VND300,000 per day, Huong said. Five-seat models such as the Morning AT, Huyndai i10, Vios AT, Kia Cerato AT, Mazda3 AT, Mazda CX 5 AT and Toyota Camry have rental prices from VND800,000 to VND1.4 million per day. Those with seven seats such as the Innova AT, Kia Sorento A and Fortuner AT are priced from VND1.2 million to VND1.4 million. Dang Tuan Anh, a Hanoian living on Bui Ngoc Duong Street, said he began seeking information about car rental services early last month. Its quite early but the rental price will be more expensive in the last days of the lunar year. Although the cost during the holiday is higher than that of normal days, I still decided to hire a rental car because it is more convenient for my family of four, including two kids, said Anh. Travelling by passenger car during the holiday is so crowded, it makes us tired. Huu Cuong, a resident of Hue Street, complained the rental price of small sedans like the Kia Morning and Hyundai i10 was usually the lowest, but it has nearly doubled to VND1 million per day. Most companies now have high-end cars available such as the Ford Focus at VND13 million for ten days; the Vios and Innova at VND15 million each; and the Madza 6 and Kia Optima for VND25 million each, said Cuong The Tet holiday has nine days off but we are required to rent for 10 days. The price is too high; its very wasteful. Tran Dinh Duy, an owner of a car rental company on Tran Khat Chan Street, said his company had 40 cars sized from four seats to 16. All small passenger cars had been ordered one month ago, and even all the large passenger cars which were rented to travel to pagodas on the holiday had been booked. During the holiday, the rental cars must run all day with no time for maintenance, so customers need to check their cars carefully when receiving them in order to ensure safety and compensation if there is a problem, Duy said. 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. Friday night (Jan. 11, 2018), UFC president Dana White was spotted attending the hit show ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Enjoying a night on The Strip, White was seen taking in ABSINTHEs outlandish acts and hilarious antics during the 10 p.m. performance (Photo courtesy of Joseph Sanders/Spiegelworld) White later went backstage after the show for a photo with The Gazillionaire and his alluring Green Fairy Experienced medics and paramedics of the Sovreign Order of Malta as well as medical equipment and logistics will be in Panama for World Youth Day, making sure all goes well. By Linda Bordoni Since the very first World Youth Day, back in 1984, the Sovreign Order of Malta has provided medical expertise, volunteers and much needed assistance to the Vatican organizers of the event. As always, Order of Malta volunteers will be present for the upcoming 34th World Youth Day, to be held in Panama from 22 to 27 January. The volunteers, all specialized in accident and emergency care, will be coming from France, Italy and Germany. They will be present at all the main WYD events and Masses on the theme chosen from a passage in the Gospel of St. Luke: I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Prince Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovreign Order of Malta told Linda Bordoni, the volunteers will work alongside the Panama first-aid, civil defence and fire-fighting services in close cooperation with the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps and Swiss Guards. Listen to the interview with the Grand Hospitaller of the Sovreign Order of Malta de La Rochefoucauld said the Sovreign Order of Malta and its teams of first-aid medics and nurses have been on the ground at every single World Youth Day since 1984, when Pope St. John Paul II launched this fantastic idea an occasion that has been kept up by all subsequent popes with the same success and enormous numbers of participants ever since. Memorable moments of past WYDs He recalled some memorable moments at the various WYDs and revealed that he himself, was a first aid helper in 1997 in Paris. During the last WYD in Krakow, he said, they had some 500 helpers and 20 to 30 trucks on the ground meaning that about 10% of first aid security was provided by the Order of Malta. de La Rochefoucauld explained that mostly, what the volunteers do, is to be present and vigilant amidst the huge crowds (who never sleep) where they often have to step in to offer first aid and medical assistance to people who may need it. I think its highly appreciated, not only by the young but by organizers, he said. He explains that thanks to the particular expertise and experience of the Order of Malta volunteers, they are frequently tasked also with looking after priests, organizers, special guests and disabled people who are present for the occasion. He recalls meeting the President of Panama in 2015 during a UN Session in New York and hearing first-hand that he was marketing so the WYD event would occur in his country. Then, two years ago, during in an official visit to Panama, de La Rochefoucauld said the Order offered its support knowing that in the small country the healthcare resources are limited. 120 Order of Malta volunteers on the ground He said there will be about 120 professional volunteer first aid helpers on the ground. They come from France, Germany and Italy, as well as six members from the team that regularly offers assistance in the Vatican. de La Rochefoucauld noted it is an enormous challenge for the host nation because of the sheer numbers involved and he revealed that the Order has held several official meetings with Panamanian authorities to be able to be totally in control of logistics. It is a challenge for a small country like Panama he said noting that at least half a million participants are expected. St. John Paul IIs inspiration Speaking about World Youth Day de La Rochefoucauld said he thinks Pope John Paul II had an incredible inspiration. In 1984, he observed, he hadnt been Pope for long, and he came up with this idea looking at the young: it was a tremendous idea because it showed another face of the Church being open to the young, and being ready to listen to the young and adapting to a more informal way of doing things. And WYD, he said, goes well beyond the single events and ceremonies that take place thanks also to the fact that young people from across the globe live in a global village for about five days during the occasion. He said it is an experience that provides them with a unique opportunity to meet, exchange and share ideas with their peers with their different traditions and backgrounds all together: you can do it anywhere in the world, you have the same feedback: you have the young responding and it flows! Nigerian Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ during the Jubilee Year of Mercy Religious Sisters in Nigeria say that fear of abductions is not stopping them from carrying out their responsibilities. Paul Samasumo Vatican News It is frighteningbut what can you do? It is not stopping us from carrying on with our responsibilities. We get up in the morning, give ourselves over to God that he takes care of the day, and then you go about your responsibilities. Whatever comes up, God will take absolute care of it. That is our attitude, says Mother Mary Claude Oguh, Superior General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ. She was responding to a question on how women religious, in Nigeria, are coping in the face of kidnappings and abductions. Thank God, apart from the depressing news of Boko Haram atrocities in the northeastern part of Nigeria, Christmas and New Year festivities passed without a significant incident targeting the Church or its personnel. Shocking abductions of Church personnel In 2018 and the recent years before, priests and religious women have become targets of abductions in Nigeria. Criminals kidnap religious women and priests on the assumption that congregations or dioceses will pay a ransom for the release of one of their own. It is not only Church personnel who are targets of kidnappings and abductions. Yet the abductions of Church personnel sends a chilling message about personal safety. While Nigerias politicians, wealthy business people and foreign diplomats react with more armed security and blacked-out car windows, Church personnel and ordinary Nigerians do not have this option. Religious women not succumbing to fear It is disturbing to know that for all the good, that Nigerian religious women do, they have to live with the threat of being abducted at any time. Mother Mary Claude says she has not changed any of her work routine in spite of the kidnappings. She still travels to visit her communities spread throughout Nigeria. We cannot abandon our children in school The Sisters do not go about putting themselves in harms way, says Mother Mary Claude. Consecrated women try to be security conscious and prudent as they go about their daily chores. A few years ago, Mother Mary Claude says she tried to close one of their convents in a troubled region of Nigeria where the security of the Sisters could not be guaranteed. Her own Sisters declined to move. They told her, But we have our children here in the school. We wouldnt want to leave them and move. And so they continue to work, travel and get on with their lives and apostolates. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will attend APPF-27 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from January 14th to 16th follows an invitation from Chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, who doubles as Chairman of the APPF 27. The APPF was established on March 15th, 1993, with the purpose of building trust among parliaments in the Asia-Pacific via the enhancement of dialogues between regional parliamentarians, thus contributing to regional peace, sustainability and prosperity. The APPF gathers 27 member parliaments: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam. In the context of deeper globalisation, together with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the APPF has affirmed its role as a crucial dialogue and cooperation mechanism among regional nations. Since becoming an APPF member in January 1995, the Vietnamese NA has actively participated in all activities of the forum with the first most special event being the hosting of the APPF-13 in January 2005 in Ha Long, the northern province of Quang Ninh. Through APPF meetings, Vietnams legislative body made proposals and recommendations to step up coordination, contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, while expanding the forums ties with other inter-parliamentary organizations in the world. At the APPF-26 in Hanoi from January 18th-21st, 2018, the Hanoi Declaration was adopted, setting forth a new vision for parliamentary ties towards 2030. It boosted the partnership between APPF and APEC to realize Asian-Pacific peoples aspiration about a region of peace and development. Under the theme Strengthening parliamentary partnership for peace, security, and sustainable development, the APPF-27 will set priority on the goal of safeguarding peace, security and sustainable development. Through their attendance at the APPF-27, Vietnamese parliamentarians continue performing their proactive involvement in multilateral parliamentary diplomatic activities, thus heightening the countrys role and position at this forum and joining in diplomatic efforts for peace, cooperation and development./. The negotiations between the Syrian Kurds and Damascus have been frozen after a bilateral meeting did not yield any results, an official representative of the Kurds in Moscow, Rshad Bienaf, told Sputnik MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2019) The negotiations between the Syrian Kurds and Damascus have been frozen after a bilateral meeting did not yield any results, an official representative of the Kurds in Moscow, Rshad Bienaf, told Sputnik. "So far, all the talks have been suspended," the representative said, adding that the two sides had had a meeting with the Syrian authorities, but the talks yielded no results, as Damascus "was not ready to introduce changes to the constitution, to recognize Kurds, not ready to compromise." According to Bienaf, Russia may play a positive role and mediate the talks. Moscow could get the Kurds to participate in the settlement process and redacting the Syrian constitution, the representative suggested. Bienaf also stressed that Rojava was independent in all political decisions and relied only on the region's own resources. "Therefore, various reports that the United States is allegedly against the dialogue between the Kurds and Damascus are not true. Northern Syria has its own government, which is ready to conduct such a dialogue, regardless of the decision of external forces," the representative said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union Maros Sefcovic has agreed to run for the Slovakian presidency in the country's upcoming election as a candidate for the Direction - Social Democracy party, local media reported on Monday PRAGUE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2019) Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union Maros Sefcovic has agreed to run for the Slovakian presidency in the country's upcoming election as a candidate for the Direction - Social Democracy party, local media reported on Monday. The Slovakian newspaper Pravda reported that it had received information from sources in the Direction - Social Democracy party that Sefcovic had agreed on its candidate for the March presidential election. Sefcovic will reportedly officially announce his decision on Friday. On January 9, Sefcovic told the Pravda newspaper that he had received a relevant offer and was seriously considering it. The Slovakian parliament announced last week that the presidential election would be held on March 16, with a second round planned for March 30, if was to be needed. According to the country's election procedures, a candidate must receive over 50 percent of the vote in order to be elected in the first round. If no candidate gets a majority, the two who polled the highest will compete in a runoff. Slovakia's incumbent president, Andrej Kiska, has said he will not seek re-election. Speaker of Slovak parliament and head of Slovak National Party Andrej Danko said on Wednesday that his possible bid depended on his party. Last month, Danko said that even if he ran, his campaign would be passive. Intentions to run in the presidential election were also voiced by the leader of the Hungarian minority and the head of Most-Hid party, Bela Bugar; leader of far-right People's Party Our Slovakia Marian Kotleba; as well as Chief Justice of the Slovakian Supreme Court Stefan Garabin. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday discussed bilateral cooperation with an Iranian delegation headed by chief of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian parliament Hishmatullah Fallah Bisha, the president's press service said DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2019) Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday discussed bilateral cooperation with an Iranian delegation headed by chief of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian parliament Hishmatullah Fallah Bisha, the president's press service said. "Assad stressed that the relationship between Damascus and Tehran from the very beginning is built on the principle of respect for the right of a nation to self-determination and on the development of the future without any external interference. This approach helped strengthen the independence of Iran and Syria," a statement by the press service read. According to Assad, such an approach should also be implemented in international relations with other countries. Earlier in the day, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem discussed bilateral relations with the Iranian delegation. "The parties discussed our outstanding bilateral relations ... and expressed a desire to strengthen and develop them in various fields, including inter-parliamentary relations," a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry read. Muallem and Fallah Bisha also discussed the latest political events and the fight against terrorism. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Iran along with Turkey and Russia are guarantors of the ceasefire regime in Syria. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian announced Monday that acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was appointed the country's permanent head of government, the presidential press service said YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2019) Armenian President Armen Sarkissian announced Monday that acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was appointed the country's permanent head of government, the presidential press service said. "According to the constitution provisions, appoint Nikol Pashinyan the prime minister of Armenia," the statement cited the presidential decree. Police department has established complaint cell for redressal the problems of people, an official said on Monday TANK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2019 ) : Police department has established complaint cell for redressal the problems of people, an official said on Monday. District Police Officer, Muhammad Arif Khan inaugurated the cell during a function held here. Officials of various departments, elders of the district and members of civil societies attended the function. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, DPO said that the cell would provide immediate relief to people and redress the complaints from the public circles with initiating prompt action. The DPO maintained that officials of police department would head the cell authority. Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, has commended the UAEs approach of promoting tolerance and empowering women and youth, and appreciated the UAEs declaration of 2019 as the Year of Tolerance BRUSSELS, Belgium, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 14th Jan, 2019) Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, has commended the UAEs approach of promoting tolerance and empowering women and youth, and appreciated the UAEs declaration of 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. Tajani also stressed the importance of joint efforts to ensure security and stability in the middle East during a recent meeting with Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels. Commending the developing relations between the UAE and the EU, Tajani highlighted the FNCs role in driving international parliamentary efforts to counter terrorism and extremism. Pointing out the importance of the exhibition organised last week by the Emirates Red Crescent at the European Parliaments headquarters, the European Parliament President said, "The exhibition introduces Europeans to the humanitarian efforts of the UAE. The country has become a global model for promoting peace and stability through its humanitarian role in Yemen and its assistance to victims of disasters and crises as the largest international aid donor relative to GDP. " The two dignitaries discussed ways to enhance relations between the UAE and EU countries. They emphasised the importance of collective commitment among the worlds nations to avoid instigating sectarian tensions and supporting terrorist militias, as well as joint efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and eliminate sources of funding for extremist ideologies. The three-day ERC exhibition aimed to disseminate more knowledge about UAEs values and principles premised on providing aid without discrimination on the basis of religion, colour or race. It also promoted the UAEs humanitarian and developmental efforts and aid to various world countries, which stands at US$32.01 billion from 2013 through 2017, from which millions of refugees and displaced people around the world benefitted, including10 million Yemenis. (@FahadShabbir) President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of Maldives visited on Monday Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity), Abu Dhabis national and cultural landmark designed to commemorate the sacrifices and heroic deeds of UAE martyrs to defend their homeland and protect its achievements, as part of his official visit to the UAE ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 15th Jan, 2019) President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of Maldives visited on Monday Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity), Abu Dhabis national and cultural landmark designed to commemorate the sacrifices and heroic deeds of UAE martyrs to defend their homeland and protect its achievements, as part of his official visit to the UAE. He was accompanied by Dr. Hussain Niyaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the UAE. He also visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE and recalled Sheikh Zayeds qualities and wise approach to tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The President of Maldives and his accompanying delegation was accompanied by Dr. Youssef Al Obaidly, the Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre during his tour. He then went on a tour across and listened to a detailed explanation about Wahat Al Karama different components, which embody the bravery and heroism of UAE heroes, as well as the nations noble values. Solih also was given a copy of the book Spaces of Light, published by the mosque centre. (@rukhshanmir) Afghanistan has reopened its Lapis Lazuli trade corridor, a part of the ancient Silk Route, will once again connect the country to Central Asia, Europe and even China through its BRI project, an official of Afghan government said. BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Dec, 2018 ) : Afghanistan has reopened its Lapis Lazuli trade corridor, a part of the ancient Silk Route , will once again connect the country to Central Asia Europe and even China through its BRI project, an official of Afghan government said. The new corridor includes roads, railway and maritime routes that run from Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia before crossing the Black Sea to Turkey and eventually Europe, Shokrullah Amiri, an official from Afghan government told CGTN Digital in an exclusive interview. "The route begins in Aqina and Turghundi ports in the Afghan provinces of Faryab and Herat, reaches Turkmenbashi port in Turkmenistan, crosses the Caspian Sea and heads to Baku in Azerbaijan and the Georgian capital Tbilisi, reaches Poti and Batumi ports on the Black Sea, and finally crosses via Turkey to Europe," Amiri elaborated, adding that it took the member countries around three years to discuss and finalize the agreement. Afghan products including grapes, marbles, and saffron as well as pomegranates of Kandahar, almonds of Samagan, and all agricultural products of the country will soon be transported to partnering countries and Europe via this corridor, he stated. The corridor will function under the framework of Transport International Routier (TIR) carnet, Amiri informed. The TIR carnet is largely a universal transit system and eases the customs procedures. Afghanistan became the member of TIR in 1975, however, due to the ongoing instability it was in a dormant stage and renewed its membership in 2013. The implementation of the TIR system in the Lapis Lazuli corridor will augment the trade and transit in Afghanistan and other regional countries. Amiri stated that as a landlocked country, Afghanistan has mainly relied on Pakistan for its international trade in the light of international conventions and bilateral agreements like the Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) and Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). The Lapis Lazuli corridor would diversify Afghanistan's transit routes and has been interpreted as the shortest, cheapest, and most reliable route for Afghanistan's trade with Europe," he said. The Lapis Lazuli route agreement was finalized after three years of talks and was signed during the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in November 2017. According to Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) statistics, Afghanistan's annual import volume from Europe and Turkey through Iran is 900 million U.S. Dollars but the country's export to European nations totals 6 million U.S. dollars a year. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2019) The construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the Kaliningrad Region Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea has completely nullified the risks of gas transit through the territory of Lithuania, one of NATO member states, Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller said in an interview. "I must say that any transit risk is different from zero, especially when gas from Russia to Russia is transported through the territory of a NATO country. Therefore, Russian President Vladimir Putin set the goal to completely nullify risks of transit via Lithuania, which means creation of an absolutely independent, guaranteed, reliable route for gas deliveries to Kaliningrad Region. And this assignment has been fulfilled," Miller said in an interview with the Rossiya 2 broadcaster. Simultaneously with the autonomy of gas deliveries, the problem of autonomous electricity production in the Kaliningrad Region was solved, he noted. Miller clarified that with the launch of the terminal, the imbalance of interests in the transit contract with Lithuania, which arose after the launch of the country's own LNG terminal, was eliminated. "When Lithuania built its own liquefied natural gas terminal, the balance of interests was disturbed. Lithuania strengthened its negotiating position on the transit agreement, because Lithuania had two gas supply routes: by land and from the sea, two sources of gas supply. Currently this imbalance has been completely eliminated," the head of Gazprom said. At the same time, he acknowledged that LNG supplies to Kaliningrad were more expensive than pipeline gas supplies through Lithuania. "Without a doubt, deliveries of liquefied natural gas by sea at such a distance are more expensive than deliveries of pipeline gas. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the opening ceremony of the receiving terminal that this price difference will definitely not fall on the shoulders of the final consumer of gas in the Kaliningrad Region," the top manager explained. Within the project of the autonomous gas deliveries to the region, a plant for liquefying natural gas in the area of the Portovaya compressor station is being built. "The plant will be built in 2019 ... At a time when Kaliningrad Region will not need liquefied natural gas, we will simply offer it on the market," he added. In early January, a marine terminal for receiving natural gas and Russia's only floating storage regasification unit, the Marshal Vasilevsky tanker, were commissioned in Kaliningrad Region. The terminal and the regasification unit provide the capacity for receiving gas by sea transport in the amount of up to 3.7 billion cubic meters (130.7 billion cubic feet) of natural gas per year. In 2015, Gazprom and Lithuanian AB Amber Grid signed a new contract for the transit of Russian gas via Lithuania to Kaliningrad Region. The contract was signed for 10 years and provides for the transit of gas in the amount of up to 2.5 billion cubic meters per year. IT GOT INTO the 90s back home the other day and friends complained to me over the phone though guiltily because they knew Id spent a day in the ER in New York which, honestly, had been a beautiful illuminatory experience and not miserable at all, but they felt sheepish about complaining of A school board meeting turned into an anti-administration rally Monday night in Exeter, with calls for the superintendent to resign over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the controversial decision to write numbers on the hands of unvaccinated students to track them at Exeter For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. The Russian Justice Ministry has sent Kurbedinov and the Crimean Bar Association letters requesting that the lawyer be expelled from the association by March 1 because of alleged involvement in "extremist activities." Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Russian authorities are increasing pressure on Emil Kurbedinov, a prominent Crimean lawyer who has been working on high-profile cases that human rights organizations and Western governments say are politically motivated. The Russian Justice Ministry has sent Kurbedinov and the Crimean Bar Association letters requesting that the lawyer be expelled from the association by March 1 because of alleged involvement in "extremist activities," the New York-based human rights watchdog said on January 14, RFE/RL wrote. Read alsoCrimean lawyer released after serving five-day term for 2013 social-media post - RFE/RL The letters are "clearly meant to harass and intimidate" Kurbedinov, one of the bar association's founders, "by creating the threat of disbarment from working as a defense lawyer, which could well become the next step," HRW researcher Yulia Gorbunova said in a statement. "Few human rights lawyers are brave enough to work in Crimea these days," Gorbunova also said, adding that the letters from the Justice Ministry were "yet another stark reminder that Russian authorities intend to keep it that way." The letters followed Kurbedinov's release from jail last month after serving a five-day term for allegedly propagating and publicly displaying symbols of an extremist organization. The charges pertained to a 2013 Facebook post made before Russian forces seized and subsequently annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. The exact contents of the post were not immediately revealed. Kurbedinov has called the accusation against him "absurd" and "pressure" on him. Since Russia seized and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014, Moscow has conducted a persistent campaign of oppression that targets Crimeans who oppose the annexation. "Kurbedinov is Crimea's leading defense lawyer working on these politically motivated cases, so it is little wonder that the authorities have come after him," Gorbunova said. Police said they had detained a 27-year-old local resident. The mayor of Gdansk in northern Poland was stabbed and seriously injured during a charity event in the port city on Sunday, according to media reports. Private broadcaster TVN24 cited Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski as saying that mayor Pawel Adamowicz, a well-known local politician, had to be resuscitated and was in a "serious" condition, Radio Poland wrote. Read alsoRFE/RL: Prominent Ukrainian historian found dead with stab wounds The attack, which took place during a high-profile, long-running fundraiser called the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, caused shock and disbelief in Poland. TVN24 reported that Adamowicz was wounded by a knifeman who ran shouting onto a stage. It added that the mayor was taken to a local hospital, where he was undergoing an operation. Brudzinski said: "I can't find the words, an explanation, for this kind of act. Especially since the finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has for the last 27 years always been associated with good, with something joyful, positive." Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki condemned the attack. He wrote on Twitter: "We are with Mayor Adamowicz in our thoughts and prayers." The attacker reportedly shouted that he had unfairly spent time in prison when the previous Civic Platform-led government was in power, according to TVN24. He claimed he had been "tortured" by the Civic Platform. After the stabbing, the man made an apparent gesture of triumph and strutted around the stage, media reported. The knifeman was disarmed at the scene, TVN24 said. Public broadcaster Polish Radio reported that investigators were collecting evidence at the site. Police said they had detained a 27-year-old local resident. Navy explores expansion of operations in far North, going head-to head with rivals Russia and China. The U.S. Navy is planning to expand its role in the Arctic as climate change opens up more ocean waterways and the U.S. vies with great-power rivals Russia and China for influence in the far north. Read alsoRussian intercept marks a return to Cold War behavior in Europes skies A Navy warship will sail through Arctic waters in coming months on what's known as a freedom of navigation operation, or FONOP, said U.S. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. It will be the first time the Navy has conducted such an operation in the Arctic. The Navy also is planning to station resources in Adak, Alaska, which would mark a return to the onetime World War II and Cold War base that operated from 1942 to 1997, when U.S. troops were withdrawn. The new detachment could include surface ships and P-8 Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, he said. Four invaders were eliminated and another three were wounded on January 13. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 14 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on Sunday, January 13, when one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action; another Ukrainian soldier was wounded on Monday, January 14. Read alsoOSCE spots 22 Grad rocket launchers south-west of Russian-occupied Luhansk "One Ukrainian soldier was wounded yesterday. According to our intelligence reports, four invaders were killed and another three were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update published on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 14, 2019. The Russian occupation forces opened fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the towns of Krasnohorivka and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Pisky, Opytne, Lebedynske, Hnutove, and Berezove. The enemy also employed grenade launchers near the village of Novhorodske, weapons of infantry fighting vehicles and heavy machine guns near the village of Novotoshkivske, as well as small arms at the disengagement area near the village of Stanytsia Luhanska. "Since Monday midnight, Russian-led forces have attacked the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novomykhailivka, using heavy machine guns and small arms. One Ukrainian soldier has been wounded since the beginning of the day," the report said. Many units of heavy weaponry were missing at a permanent storage site in a non-government controlled area in Luhansk region. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine has spotted 22 Grad multiple rocket launchers 56km south-west of the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk in Ukraine's east. "On January 11, an SMM mini-UAV spotted 22 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near Khrustalnyi (formerly Krasnyi Luch, 56km south-west of Luhansk)," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update with reference to an OSCE SMM report based on information as of 19:30 Kyiv time on January 11, 2019. Read alsoJFO HQ: Russian-led forces fire on OSCE monitors' drone northeast of Mariupol On January 10, an SMM mini-UAV spotted three self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), five tanks (three T-72 and two T-64 with engines removed) and an anti-tank gun (MT-12Rapira, 100mm) in a training area near Sofiivka (formerly Karlo-Marksove, 40km north-east of Donetsk). What is more, OSCE monitors said that 17 self-propelled howitzers (2S1), ten towed howitzers (nine D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm and one 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) and five MLRS (BM-21) were again missing at a heavy weapons permanent storage site in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region on January 11. As the JFO HQ reported earlier, Russia's hybrid military forces have mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, since Sunday midnight as a result of which one Ukrainian soldier has been wounded in action. Slobodyan reiterates the border guards have already carried out biometric control since the beginning of 2018. Speaker for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Oleh Slobodyan has said the border guards are ready for the possible introduction of a biometric visa regime with the Russian Federation. Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Ministry backs idea of biometric visa regime with Russia "The State Border Service always acts within the framework of its competence and current legislation. If the decision on the introduction of a visa regime is taken, we will implement it, and this is not something difficult for us. The control of the State Border Service is not something extraordinary if a person has a visa or other required document," he said, commenting on a statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on the need to introduce visas for Russian citizens, according to the Ukrainian news outlet Obozrevatel. Slobodyan reiterates the border guards have already carried out biometric control since the beginning of 2018, namely taking fingerprints of foreigners from 70 countries, including Russia, that are on the migration risk list. "The difficulty lies not in control on the border, but in measures to arrange pre-registration and collect information about those citizens of the Russian Federation who plan to enter Ukraine. There should be a system of consular offices outside Ukraine or another format how these citizens can provide information needed for a visa. This is a technically difficult process," he added. Ukraines top diplomat stresses its time for Europe to think about ways to counter Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says Hungary should realize the scale of Russian hybrid methods, including in connection with last year's arson attack on the Hungarian Center in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region, which, as it emerged during court hearings in Poland, had been orchestrated by a pro-Russian journalist and executed by Polish members of a far-right group. It is early to draw conclusions about all those who were complicit in the arson attack on the Hungarian cultural center in Zakarpattia. But the fact that the name of a German journalist who works for the German right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party arose in court hearings really shows the complexity and scale of Russian hybrid methods," Klimkin wrote on Facebook. "And everyone, including our Hungarian partners, must finally realize this," the minister added. Its time for Europe to think systemically of how they could counter Moscow, which is doing everything it wants in the territory of the free world. As UNIAN reported earlier, one of the suspects who executed the attack told the court that the goal was to frame Ukrainian nationalists by painting Nazi-related symbols on the facade of the Hungarian cultural center. No one was injured in the attack, but the incident -- and another fire attack on the building weeks later -- exacerbated already strained relations between Kyiv and Budapest over a Ukrainian education law that Hungary claims limits the right of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine to be educated in their native language, according to RFE/RL. Yelchenko says Ukraine will have to revise an agreement signed with the UN in 1992. Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko has said the resident coordinator system is being introduced by the United Nations as part of reform in 2019, one of them will be sent to Ukraine. Read alsoUkraine advocates phased abolition of veto power in UNSC Envoy "From now on, such an envoy of the UN will work in Ukraine. But for full-scale implementation, it will be necessary to revise the agreement between Ukraine and the UN signed back in 1992, which no longer corresponds to today's realities," he wrote for Ukraine's weekly newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli (Mirror Weekly). According to him, now the resident coordinators will report directly to the UN Secretary General and will be considered the highest representatives of the UN system in local offices. Yelchenko said "their mandate will include not only the implementation of development programs as it was until recently, but also improved overall coordination between the UN agencies and, perhaps most importantly, government support for crisis prevention (humanitarian, security, political, technological)." According to Yelchenko, the broad powers of the resident coordinators should help the Secretary General to keep abreast of the local situation to respond quickly. Accordingly, the requirements and responsibilities of the UN will also increase. One of the suspects who executed the attack said in court that the goal was to frame Ukrainian ultranationalists for the February 4 attack by painting Nazi-related symbols on the facade of the Hungarian cultural center. A Polish man accused of involvement in the firebombing of a Hungarian cultural center in western Ukraine last year says he received instructions on the attack from a German journalist who has worked as a consultant for a German parliament deputy with the Russia-supported Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Michal Prokopowicz, 28, told a Krakow court on January 14 that German journalist Manuel Ochsenreiter provided instructions for the February 4, 2018, attack on the headquarters of the Hungarian Cultural Association in Uzhgorod, the capital of the Zakarpattya region in western Ukraine, according to RFE/RL. A representative for Ochsenreiter called the claim "false." Read alsoRussia's covert campaign underway to inflame East Europe - media No one was injured in the attack, but the incident -- and another fire attack on the building weeks later -- exacerbated already strained relations between Kyiv and Budapest over a Ukrainian education law that Hungary claims limits the right of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine to be educated in their native language. Prokopowicz is one of three Polish suspects with links to far-right movements who went on trial in Krakow on January 14 for the attack. Ukrainian authorities investigated the case and passed it along to their counterparts in Poland, where the three men were subsequently detained. Read alsoThree Poles on trial for attacking Hungarian center in Uzhgorod Ochsenreiter, 42, has ties to Polish right-wing activists, including Mateusz Piskorski, founder of the pro-Russian Change (Zmiana) party who was arrested in 2016 on suspicion of spying for Russia and China. Ochsenreiter, editor of the right-wing German magazine Zuerst! (First!), has been a frequent commentator in Russian state media over the past five years, voicing support for Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and denouncing what he calls the Western media's anti-Moscow bias. He has also worked in recent months as a consultant for Markus Frohnmaier, a member of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, from the AfD and a strong proponent of lifting EU sanctions imposed on Russia over its aggression in Ukraine. Frohnmaier did not immediately respond to a request for comment on January 14. Read alsoUkraine on arson attack on Hungarian culture center: "Inciting hatred" Following the February 4 attack and a second firebombing of the Hungarian cultural center with Molotov cocktails three weeks later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin suggested that Russia was behind both incidents. Prokopowicz said in court that the goal was to frame Ukrainian ultranationalists for the February 4 attack by painting Nazi-related symbols on the facade of the Hungarian cultural center. The position of the Ukrainian sailors' defense team is to have open and transparent court hearings. Russian lawyer Nikolay Polozov has said the Investigation Department of the FSB Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation asks to hold "court hearings" on captive Ukrainian sailors behind closed doors. Read alsoMoscow says Ukrainian sailors could be exchanged once sentences voiced, elections held Russian media "The position of the Ukrainian sailors' defense team is to have open and transparent court hearings that comply with the principles of publicity amid trial. Media, representatives of foreign embassies, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova, as well as relatives of the captive Ukrainian prisoners of war must be admitted," he wrote on Facebook. According to Polozov, the defense team will submit the relevant motions. "If the Russian authorities have nothing to fear and hide in the case of the Ukrainian sailors, so why does the investigation ask the court to hold hearings behind closed doors?" Polozov added. As UNIAN reported earlier, on the morning of November 25, Russia 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. The presidential elections are scheduled for March 31, 2019. Ex-chief of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Ihor Smeshko has announced plans to run for president in 2019 and started preparing documents for registration with the Central Election Commission (CEC). "The decision has been made. I've started preparing documents for registration with the CEC as a presidential candidate in Ukraine," Smeshko wrote on Facebook on January 13. Read alsoUkraine not to register Russian observers at presidential elections, MFA Klimkin says As UNIAN reported earlier, the presidential election campaign in Ukraine was officially launched on December 31. The elections are scheduled for March 31, 2019. The deadline for submitting the documents is February 3, 2019. The CEC should decide on the registration of a candidate within five days after the submission of his or her documents. A candidate may start campaigning the next day after the registration is confirmed, and the campaign should end at 24:00 Kyiv time on March 29. UNIAN memo. Smeshko headed the Security Service of Ukraine from September 4, 2003 to February 4, 2005 (during Leonid Kuchma's second term of presidency when Viktor Yanukovych headed the government during his first term of premiership). From April 2014 he worked as adviser to the President of Ukraine. From October 2014 he worked as chairman of the Committee on Intelligence under the President of Ukraine. Donbas war veterans and military personnel often attend the church. The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin at the Main Military Hospital in Kyiv has become part of the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The hospital church has been subordinate to the then Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) for over 20 years, Ukrainian TV Channel 5 reports. Read alsoTomos for Ukraine Church signed by all members of Constantinople Synod The priest proposed joining the OCU and members of the church unanimously supported the idea. The church is located in the Main Military Hospital's territory, therefore Donbas war veterans and military personnel who are now defending the country against Russia's hybrid military forces often come there. Therefore, the local community did not hesitate about making such a decision. In total, over 40 UOC-MP communities have announced their plans to join the new church after the unification council and the creation of the local Orthodox Church of Ukraine, independent from Russia's Orthodox Church. According to various estimates, the UOC-MP had over 11,000 parishes in late 2012. Gdansk Mayor Pawe Adamowicz pictured in January 2018. UNHCR/Rafal Kostrzynski UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply shocked and saddened to hear that the Mayor of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz, has died after being stabbed at a charity event on Sunday. Mayor Adamowicz was a deeply courageous, moral leader who showed the way in helping refugees and migrants to integrate, said Montserrat Feixas Vihe, UNHCR Regional Representative for Central Europe. He received hate mail for his pro-refugee stance but he did not weaken in his belief that integration which brings with it new talents, new skills, new colours, new languages, and a new mentality - was a winning proposition for everyone in his city. Mayor Adamowicz launched the Gdansk Immigrant Integration Model after meeting Pope Francis in 2016, a model that has inspired other Polish cities. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. UNHCR connected with Pawel Adamowicz and wrote this story about his and his citys solidarity with refugees which you can read here. Shokat Ali Walizadeh (left), an ethnic Hazara who fled from Afghanistan to Austria in 2008, helps two Afghan boys who arrived in 2015 adapt to life in Austria. With them is the boys' Austrian host, Marilise Gudenus. UNHCR/Mark Henley UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today released its recommendations to the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). UNHCR is urging the Austrian Presidency to lead and unite EU Member States to deliver coherent and common European asylum policies that ensure access to territory and uphold the right to asylum. With recent developments in the Central Mediterranean and beyond, Europe is facing a critical moment for its asylum policy. We need a strong Presidency that can break the deadlock and ensure a well-managed asylum system. One with solidarity at its centre, to support both fellow countries and people seeking asylum, said UNHCRs Director of the Bureau for Europe, Pascale Moreau. This is achievable. The EU hosts only a fraction of the worlds forcibly displaced, with most, 85 per cent, in the worlds poorest nations. Among the key recommendations is the need to continue to advance the reform of the Dublin Regulation, and to establish a fair distribution mechanism across the EU in support of Member States receiving a disproportionate number of asylum claims. Such a mechanism would need to be activated simply, swiftly and as necessary. This would help ensure a better managed and workable asylum system. Solidarity among Member States must be coupled with assured access to the EUs asylum system, rather than shifting responsibilities and externalizing asylum. A functioning and fair EU asylum system that provides access to its territory, protects people in need, and supports Member States is indispensable. A principled and pragmatic approach is possible, that can lead the way forward in Europe and globally, added Moreau. In its recommendations, UNHCR also continues to call for a concerted, collaborative and regional approach to make disembarkation in situations of rescue at sea more predictable and manageable. People rescued should be brought swiftly to safe locations. This is crucial to save lives and ensure access to asylum. Through these actions, the Austrian Presidency and EU Member States would show global leadership on solidarity and responsibility sharing, as consultations on the global compact on refugees (GCR) draw to an end. Increased legal pathways, including by reuniting families, so people do not have to resort to smugglers and dangerous journeys to seek safety, are also key for a robust global protection space. UNHCRs recommendations also stress the need for supporting the adoption of the GCR and ensuring that next EU budget (20212027) will address forced displacement effectively. UNHCR remains ready to provide support to the Austrian Presidency, the EU and its Member States, to ensure a functioning, fair and accessible European asylum system, and leadership at the global level. For more information on this topic, please contact: For 15 years, Anass Mousa worked as a printer in Damascus, Syria. Now safe from war, the 40-year-old is putting his skills to good use at Croatias oldest printing company. I think this is my chance, he says. I can work in my area of experience. Printing is my hobby, my work, my life. I am never tired around these machines. I love them. Graficki Zavod Hrvatske (GZH) prints textbooks for schools. It is employing refugees like Anass in a win-win arrangement that could be a blueprint for social integration and a partial solution to Croatias labour shortage. The idea was first proposed by Domagoj Zeba, Executive Director of Production at GZH. When the refugee crisis happened in 2015 I was just a normal guy, watching it all on television, he says. Of course, I was moved and I thought: We are going to have to do something about this. We had a war here ourselves [in the 1990s], so we have some experience of that. You cannot be cold when it comes to peoples needs. "I am never tired around these machines." Until recently, five refugees were working at GZH but two left, leaving three, including Anass. The company is open to hiring more. Zeba wants reliable people who will stay a meaningful length of time and whom he could perhaps promote. Tamara Karakhanova, 40, is an Armenian who fled to Russia during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the time of the Soviet collapse. Her family did not settle well in Russia and sought asylum in Croatia in 2012. Anass stacks sheets of paper at Croatia's oldest printing company. UNHCR/Marko Mihaljevic It was quite a long process, says Tamara. We were in a reception centre for a while. Now we rent our own house and our kids are getting the education they missed. Our daughter wants to be a make-up artist and our son is interested in computers. Low-paid catering and delivery jobs can be a lifeline for refugees, who may not have brought education certificates or proof of previous employment from home. This means they are entered into the employment database as unqualified. The Croatian Employers Association (CEA) is frustrated by bureaucratic barriers like these which deter many companies from hiring refugees under a government scheme. Executive director Domagoj Zeba and Anass discuss one of the company's projects. UNHCR/Marko Mihaljevic The scheme aims to help the unemployed by offering internships, on-the-job training and subsidies for employers. However, only a few small firms including GZH have taken on refugees under the scheme, while some 40,000 jobs nationwide remain vacant. It is a great loss for refugees and for our society, says CEA director Marija Sutina. We would like to see those who are qualified, or could be re-qualified, moving to better jobs, with better rights. Specifically, we would like to see them moving into manufacturing. Croatia has a population of some four million. Since 2004, it has officially granted international protection to 720 refugees. See also: Syrian refugee baker rises to the challenge in Germany For Anass, the printing job is a good opportunity. It offers him the chance to become established in Croatia and maybe one day reunite with his wife Rama, who is still waiting in Syria. When his Croatian improves, he will be able to read instructions and move on to more complicated jobs than the paper folding and stacking he currently does. He is doing his best to learn the language in his spare time. I am happy with this simple start here, he says, smiling. I dont have the time or strength to move around anymore. I need to build something up now for myself and my wife. The good times are starting. I can feel it. Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Affairs of Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Dzhemilev met with newly appointed Ambassador of Turkey to Ukraine Yagmur Ahmet Guldere. "Mustafa Dzhemilev congratulated the ambassador on the appointment and expressed hope for further strengthening of Ukrainian-Turkish relations, enhancing cooperation in the international arena in restoring Ukraines territorial integrity and regaining sovereignty in the occupied territories," Dzhemilev posted on Facebook. At the end of 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the appointment of new heads of 25 Turkish diplomatic missions abroad, including in Ukraine. Twelve servicemen of the Prince Vaidotas infantry battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will arrive in Ukraine to take part in a mission to train Ukrainian military personnel. Two [Lithuanian] servicemen will leave for Ukraine today, while ten more will arrive in four weeks. They will train Ukrainians along with the instructors from the United States. It is the second rotation of the battalion representatives in Ukraine," the Delfi portal reports. As reported, about 30 Lithuanian servicemen hold training in Ukraine. The instructors of the Lithuanian army have assisted in training the Ukrainian military personnel since August 2015. The exercises are held in central, northern and western regions of Ukraine. The representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces underscore that the Lithuanian servicemen are not directly involved in the military hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Militants violated ceasefire 14 times in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. The enemy used heavy machine guns and small arms twice to shell Ukrainian positions in the area of Krasnohorivka (29 km west of Donetsk), grenade launchers and small arms outside Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), grenade launchers and heavy machine guns near Pisky (12km north-west of Donetsk), heavy machine guns outside Opytne (11.5km north-west of Donetsk), grenade launchers and small arms near Lebedynske (16km north-east of Mariupol), grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms near Hnutove (19km north-west of Mariupol), heavy machine guns and small arms in the area of Berezove (35km south-west of Donetsk), the JFO Headquarters press center reports. In addition, invaders fired on Ukrainian strongholds outside Novhorodske (34km north of Donetsk), using grenade launchers; near Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk), using BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, heavy machine guns; near Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), using small arms. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in last day. According to the intelligence, four invaders were killed and another three were wounded on January 13. Today, the enemy fired heavy machine gunas and small arms on Ukrainian positions in the area of Novomykhailivka (28km south-west of Donetsk). One Ukrainian soldier was wounded. Debate continued on Tuesday in the Senate on the very controversial topic of sexual offences legislation, and whether the identities of persons placed on a sex offenders registry should be made public. We heard a lot to like in Gov. Kevin Stitts inaugural address Monday. It was an upbeat speech that recognizes the enormity of the task at hand but insisted that there are no unsolvable problems facing the state. I see untapped potential; I see opportunity, Stitt said. I see great men and women around me. I see promises to be kept. I see jobs. I see progress. Stitt spoke for a revitalized Oklahoma that isnt dependent on state government spending but looks to the Capitol for better leadership and ideas. He spoke of rational, centralized government that gives elected officials authority to change things that need changing and the political responsibility for the moves they make. He spoke for better schools, a more vibrant economy and a state all citizens can speak of proudly. We were especially pleased with what the new governor had to say about justice reform. Stitt said his eyes were opened on the issue when he met Rhonda Bear, a former inmate who runs a Claremore ministry for female prisoners reintegrating in society. Stitt said she showed him the extreme length of prison sentences women are receiving for nonviolent crimes. The whole process was supposed to be about a single event that occurred at one location, and we have a city councilor coming out and saying that doesnt really matter, Mareshie said. The attorney argued the same point Thursday night, to which Ewing replied that he was elected to use his brain and common sense when assessing cases like the one before him. I get to use that information (that) this guy over a course of a decade has been before the council how many times for the same accusation, Ewing said. I think they want me to use the brain I have been given to determine that this guy involved himself in businesses where the same nefarious acts happen over and over. Mareshie asked Ewing how his client would get his reputation back if Ewings allegation turns out to be untrue. I hope he goes anywhere but Tulsa to get his reputation back, Ewing said. Thats all I need to hear, I guess, Mareshie said. I needed to know that this was not an appeal about what happened at Swedish. This is about some certain agenda that you have against Mr. (Cousino). He talked about the need to reduce lengthy prison sentences for nonviolent crimes. These sentences make reintegration into society much more challenging, Stitt said. They often destroy families and fall short in respecting the dignity, worth and potential of people who have made mistakes and need help. Stitt also said he wanted to make government more accountable to the citizens, putting state agencies on notice. He said state agencies have the ability to ignore executive orders, skirt state laws, hide money and hire lobbyists to protect their interests. We can only guarantee such accountability when state agencies understand that they exist to serve and to answer to the people of Oklahoma, Stitt said. Reforming and improving education should not be a partisan issue, he said. Every child in Oklahoma deserves to be inspired by the very power of education itself and the potential of a bright future, Stitt said. This is why we value teachers and seek to recruit the very best teachers in the profession. Stitt promised to be a good listener, a continuous learner, a committed communicator and a bold leader. The March for Life wound through the Cathedral District to the soundtrack of a hundred Hail Marys and gathered at Centennial Green. Several speakers, including the Rev. Matt Gerlach of St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow, spoke to the crowd. Sunday was Gerlachs first March for Life in Tulsa, though he has attended the national march in Washington, D.C., multiple times. Despite the cold, he said it was by far the best weather hes seen for a March for Life compared to marching in six inches of snow on the National Mall. Gerlach said Sundays turnout impressed him with the number of young people and children in the march. Its going to take a new generation I think to understand the preciousness of life, Gerlach said. To see the young people begin to support it and believe in it, thats where its going to start turning; new generations, turning hearts and changing minds. U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern also attended the march and was recognized on stage. The newly elected congressman for Oklahomas 1st Congressional District joined the congressional pro-life caucus last week. Stan Monroe, Connors attorney, said a lawyer in Charlotte will appear in court with Connor on Monday to determine the best way to facilitate his return to Oklahoma. He said he was surprised by the charges, as well as with the manner in which Connor was apprehended, because Connor didnt get the chance to turn himself in to police once the warrant went out to law enforcement. Weve known the investigation, at least part of it, had been going on for some time. But I havent seen the indictment, Monroe said Sunday afternoon. Hes a lawyer. Hes not a flight risk. I thought the prosecutors would have given him the courtesy of turning himself in, but I guess it didnt happen that way. I firmly believe in Winstons innocence and I will do anything I can to help him, he said. Co-defense attorney Paul DeMuro also issued a statement, saying This arrest is one of the most outrageous abuses of power Ive seen in 23 years of practice. Winston is a longtime Oklahoma lawyer in good standing ... the state has known Winston is represented by counsel. Since the arrest warrant was issued, Winston has practiced in courts throughout the northeastern part of the state on a near daily basis, DeMuro said. Three people in Tulsa face racketeering and pandering charges after an Oklahoma multicounty grand jury investigation into their alleged involvement in illegal sexual transactions since at least 2007. The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office on Nov. 16 filed a five-count indictment against Loren Sells, 36; Andrea Johnson, 40; and Chelsea Nance, 30. The indictments were unsealed Monday morning in Tulsa County District Court. The three are accused of racketeering, engaging in pandering, having involvement in the receipt of unlawful proceeds, investing proceeds from racketeering and using a computer to violate Oklahoma law between March 2007 and June 2018. Sells posted a $100,000 bond Sunday morning; Johnson remained in custody Monday night. Nance had not yet been booked into the Tulsa County jail. Johnson and Sells are set to appear in court later this month. This man was treated like he was a fugitive from justice, because thats what the state of Oklahoma told the state of North Carolina, when in fact he was coming home from a vacation with his family, DeMuro continued. In a statement on Sunday, DeMuro called the arrest one of the most outrageous abuses of power hes seen in his legal career. He questioned why police waited to arrest Connor as he returned from vacation when the indictment was filed two months previously. This was done for press impact and humiliation. Why not just call me and Winston comes in voluntarily? DeMuro asked. Because the state wants to hurt and humiliate Winston as much as possible. This is a blatant abuse of power. Winston is innocent, and we will fight this tooth and nail. Connor is accused of conducting a pattern of racketeering activity or the collection of unlawful debt in Tulsa and Pittsburg counties while employed by his law firm, Stockwell & Connor PLLC. The case is filed in Tulsa County, even though some of the offenses are alleged to have occurred in Pittsburg and Ottawa counties, because prosecutors believe he committed two or more crimes in the Tulsa area that all stem from the same scheme or plan. There was no conversation of any kind between Plaintiff Connor and Tate regarding any involvement of any kind by Plaintiff Connor in the alleged drug ring activities of Tate or in any other allegations of organized and corrupt behavior of which Tate and his alleged associates are accused, Connor states in his lawsuit. Regarding the claim about destruction of evidence, Connor states in his court petition: In order to claim that Plaintiff Connor engaged in behavior sufficient to accuse him of being suspected of destruction of evidence, there would have to have been evidence that Plaintiff Connor had willfully destroyed a thing knowing that it was about to be produced in evidence at some trial, proceeding, or investigation authorized by law and that such destruction was committed with the intent to prevent the item from being produced. Nowhere on the recording is there a mention by Connor that shows he knew that the telephone was to be produced as evidence or, for that matter, that the telephone had been destroyed, according to the lawsuit. Connor also denies there is evidence on the recorded audio conversation that he solicited murder or engaged in an agreement that the person who took his associates vehicle should be assaulted. Monroe said he believes Wright clearly violated several provisions of the Attorney Code of Professional Responsibility relating to publicity and making comments that heightening public commendation of the accused. Connor has several upcoming trials in Delaware and Ottawa County District Court, he said. The timing of this disclosure causes me to think he is trying to jeopardize Winstons ability to defend his clients, Monroe said. Wright said as a result of the conversation between Tate and Connor, a man who took the vehicle was severely beaten and Tate took steps to kill another individual involved in an unrelated murder. Tate talked to Connor for about 16 minutes in a conversation that ranged from the convicted murderer seeking a sentence reduction to the return of the vehicle to Connors description of an unrelated Tulsa murder. In the conversation, a copy of which was provided to the Tulsa World by Wright, Connor is heard talking about destroying a cellular telephone that Wright said has been linked to Tates drug trafficking. Said Rocklahoma producer Mike DuCharme of AEG Presents: Rocklahoma festival is pride, culture and community. Our fans grew up coming here and now their kids are following suit. We share their same enthusiasm and vision and worked hard to make sure there was something for everyone. We are excited to have the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, surrounded by several fan favorites returning like Shinedown, Disturbed and Bush, plus a few that helped build the history of this event like Jackyl, Lita Ford and Ace Frehley. Fans can expect improvements to the site and experience in 2019. Get ready to rock as this year promises to be another weekend-long party. Early bird weekend Festival Passes, as well as weekend VIP Packages, will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at rocklahoma.com. Early-bird pricing will last through noon Thursday, Jan. 24, when prices will increase. A payment plan option will be available, which allows purchasers to split the cost into four monthly payments. Fans are encouraged to buy early and save. Limited quantities of Groupie and Roadie VIP Packages and the Rockstar Hotel Package are also available. Go to rocklahoma.com for details. General admission and VIP camping is also available at checkout. When you watch the film now, youre getting a very vivid glimpse into the past. If you were alive in 1968, you would recognize 1968 every moment of the film. And if you were not alive in 1968 and you watch it, you are swept back to what it felt like to be alive in 1968. So, somehow, the combination of the design and the music captured the essence of a very short historical moment and very few films have been able to do that, but it does it in a very vivid and powerful way and in truth it can be released any time and there will be people willing to go see it again. The Tulsa World will host its third Lets Talk Community Forum focused on whats coming in the Oklahoma Legislature. The event is free and will be Thursday, Jan. 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the OSU-Tulsa Conference Center, 700 N. Greenwood Ave. The panel includes state Sen. Kim David, state Rep. Regina Goodwin, lobbyist Margaret Erling and Tulsa World political writer Randy Krehbiel. The moderator is Editorial Pages Editor Wayne Greene. With a new governor and many new lawmakers in office, the 2019 legislative session is shaping up to be one of the most important and interesting in a long time, Greene said. The panel includes some of the strongest voices in the state Capitol people who can give us an insight on the critical issues and personalities to watch this year. David represents Senate District 18, serving portions of Cherokee, Mayes, Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner counties. She is the first Republican woman to serve as majority whip and lead the Senate Appropriations Committee. In 2018, she became the first woman to be named majority leader for the Senate. Goodwin has served House District 73 in Tulsa since 2015. A few weeks after a leaked report by the Auditor General Edward Ouko revealed Kenya could lose the Port of Mombasa to China over unpaid debts, similar concerns have been raised in Uganda. Uganda's Auditor General John Muwanga raised the red flag warning the rate at which the President Yoweri Museveni-led government was borrowing would plunge the country into a devastating financial crisis if it continues. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kenya could lose more than Mombasa port to Beijing if it defaults on SGR loans Uganda's Auditor General John Muwanga recently warned the rate at which the government was borrowing could plunge the country into a devastating financial crisis. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Auditor General dismisses report Kenya could lose Mombasa port to China over debt In a report tabled in Parliament in January 2019, Muwanga disclosed Uganda's national debt had shot up by 22% from KSh 334.18 billion (USh 33.99 trillion) in June 2017 to KSh 408.12 billion (USh 41.51 trillion) in June 2018. According to the Auditor General, the country's debt to GDP ratio, which stood at 41% as of January 2019, could soon surpass IMF's risk threshold of 50% if the government would not tame its borrowing appetite, a position backed by some of Uganda's economic analysts. READ ALSO: We are slowly selling Kenya to the Chinese - Senator Mutula Kilonzo Muwanga further noted the conditions set for repayment of the foreign loans posed threat to Uganda's strategic assets in the event the government would not be able to meet its debt obligations as per the contracts it signed with the foreign lenders. These conditions include waiver of sovereign immunity by government over all its properties and itself from enforcement of any form of judgment, adoption of foreign laws in any proceedings to enforce agreements, requiring government to pay all legal fees and insurance premiums on behalf of the creditor, Muwanga's report read in part. READ ALSO: Lesson for Kenya as China writes off debt for Botswana after taking over Sri Lanka's port However, Uganda's Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija dismissed the Auditor General's report arguing the country's public debt was within manageable and sustainable levels and that Uganda was not at any risk of losing its assets to China I am not worried about China taking our assets. They can do it elsewhere, I dont know, but not here. I dont think it will ever happen, Kasaija said as quoted by the local news outlets. Uganda's Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija said the country's public debt was within manageable levels and therefore there was no risk of Uganda losing any of its assets to anyone. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Jubilee government dishonest to Kenyans about economic viability of SGR - David Ndii Just like Uganda, Kenya is said to be also staring at the risk of losing some of its most valuable assets to China should it fail to pay back loans borrowed to construct the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Mombasa and Nairobi and then Nairobi and Naivasha. As was earlier reported by TUKO.co.ke, Kenya is likely to lose not just the Port of Mombasa but also some of its strategic assets abroad should Nairobi violate its contractual arrangements with Beijing regarding settlement of the SGR debts. READ ALSO: Why Standard Gauge Railway Is A Grand Corruption Scheme The said state assets would not be protected by the Kenyan laws because Kenya, just like Uganda, also waived its sovereign immunity when inked the SGR loan agreement in March 2014. The contract is deemed to be biased against the borrower (Kenya) because any non-performance or disputes that may arise between the two parties would be referred to arbitration in China (lender), whose fairness in resolving the dispute is not guaranteed. Neither the borrower nor any of its assets is entitled to any right of immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from arbitration, suit, execution or any other legal process with respect to its obligations under this Agreement, as the case may be in any jurisdiction, reads part of the Preferential Buyer Credit Loan Agreement signed by the National Treasury CS Henry Rotich and former President of China's Exim Bank Li Riogu. Rotich reportedly denied knowledge of the said document. 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. Small Business Ideas for Kenyans With Low Investment - On Tuko TV Source: Breaking News For centuries, hairstyles have grown to become the go-to option whenever any lady wishes to transform their look easily. Whether it takes hours, a few minutes or a whole day, women give total control to a hairstylist to show their creativity through hair. Weaving plays a significant role in achieving the desired hair volume along with length. Its important to ensure that the hair braid you choose is natural looking and versatile. You can try various Fashion Idol weaves in Kenya as a way of introducing variety to your style repertoire. SOURCE: pexels.com Source: UGC Several factors play an important role when it comes to picking the perfect 'braid for yourself. Fashion Idol is a well-known brand when it comes to producing human hair wigs Kenya. Check out this list of their latest Fashion Idol weaves in Kenya: Fashion Idol weaves and their names The following are the most common types of braids in Kenya; 1. Fashion Idol 101 Celeb Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC For beach-y waves, try this Fashion Idol 101 Celeb Weave that has large spiral curves. It will give you a full volume look with maximum bounce. The braid has also been designed to retain its curls and shape. This style is designed with minimum shedding and soft to the touch just like genuine human hair and is a common braid hairstyles in Kenya. 2. Fashion Idol 101 Chaka Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC For a unique look, try out this full voluminous braid that has small stylish crimps. The hair resembles unrelaxed afro-Caribbean hair. It was designed out of high quality material and retains its shape and curls even when wet. Chaka Weave is designed with a double folded weft that prevents the braid from shedding. 3. Fashion Idol 101 Delux Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC Designed with large sets of long spiral waves that give a unique, distinct look, this braid is heat stylable up to 200 degress Celsius. It is also relatively long and measures 16 long. In addition, this braid is designed to retain its curls in any form of styling. 4. Fashion Idol 101 Desire Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC Another great braid that you should try out is the fashion Idol 101 Desire Weave. Desire is 18 and comes in different colors such as bronze, black and brown. This braid is designed to retain its shape and curls when wet or when styling. It will give you an excellent quality-price ratio. 5. Duchess Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC Try out this synthetic hair braid for a cool beach-y look. Duchess Weave is among the best curly twists in Kenya. The braid comes in a variety of colors from blonde to brown and black, this braid is produced by high-tech fiber with natural human hair qualities. It is easy to style and manage and is also hot-iron tongable. 6. Fashion Idol 101 Hot Yaki Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC For a simple, sleek look, the Fashion Idol 101 Hot Yaki extension is the perfect fit. This hair comes with very subtle crimps that run along the length of the braid. It is straight and relaxed with a velvety Yaki texture. This hair extension also has minimum shedding due to the weft being double folded. 7. Ivory Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC The Ivory Weave has been designed to have distinctive curls that run through the length of the hair extension. It is ideally designed to be shoulder-length, which makes it among the best short twists in Kenya. Women with short hair can dig it when in need of a hairstyle change. This braid is made out of high quality luxury blend that gives it a soft, natural touch. It is also made out of high-tech fiber that gives the twist human hair attributes. 8. Fashion Idol 101 Nubian Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC For a unique, exotic look try out this Fashion Idol 101 Nubian Weave that has thin spirals and curls. The curls are designed to look like wet human hair. The Nubian Weave is heat stylable up to 200C. Curls are designed to retain their shape and bounce whether the braid is wet or dry. The good thing with it is that it does not shed and has a soft texture just like human hair. 9. Peru Weave SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC This synthetic hair twist extension is made out of high quality luxury fiber blend. It has a soft, natural texture that resembles genuine human hair. This braid is produced using high-tech fiber which makes it easy to style and maintain as well. The advantage of using this braid is that it is shoulder-length long and perfect for all face shapes. 10. Fashion Idol Express Boho Satin Braid 20 SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC Made out of Kanekalon fiber, this is one of the most loved hair extensions. It has high quality synthetic fibers which make it both easy to style and maintain. For those looking for a twist to provide a natural look, opt for the Satin Braid 20. You can also add curls to this braid with hot water. This is the perfect fashion Idol hair extension for round faces. 11. Fashion Idol Express Jamaica Dred Lock 22 SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC This braid has genuine synthetic hair quality that is easy to achieve through crotchet. It effortlessly achieves a natural look, easily and quickly. Dread Lock 22 is also very easy to style and can even be curled by using hot water. 12. Fashion Idol Express Mambo Box Braid 20 SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC For a simple yet stylish look, try out the express mambo box braids by Fashion Idol. The twist is made out of synthetic hair quality that is achieved through crotchet. Its perfect for pulling off a natural hairstyle. You can style this braid in a variety of ways including use of hot water to create curls. 13. Express Mambo Satin Twist 12 SOURCE: afrocosmetics.com Source: UGC For chunky twists, try the fashion Idol express mambo twist. The braid comes in a wide range of colors such as bronze, black, purple and blonde. This twist is perfect for achieving a natural look. It can also be styled in a number of ways. So, there you have a list of the Fashion Idol Weaves in Kenya. Now, you can easily pick out your next hairstyle. If have no idea of what style you want the choosing process could be challenging. However, you can take it easy and settle for braids that matches your preferences and budget. READ ALSO: Latest Nigerian cornrow hairstyles Best twist hairstyles for weddings Long kinky twist hairstyles with extensions Best twist hairstyles for weddings Best protective hairstyles for relaxed hair Source: Tuko Kenya Commentary Let us not wish for a President Pence The Senate unanimously passed a bill yesterday which gives the public the right to access a sex offender website providing names, photographs and date of birth of convicted sex offenders. All present in the chamber supported the Sexual Offences Amendment which was passed 28 for, none against. rchopra@tribunemail.com Washington, January 14 President Donald Trump has threatened to devastate Turkey economically if the NATO-allied nation attacks US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria following a pullout of American troops from the war-torn country, and also urged the Kurds not to provoke Ankara. Last month, President Trump surprised the world by announcing that he is withdrawing 2,000 American troops from Syria. The pullout began last week. The US troop withdrawal has left Americas Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. Trump also warned ISIS that America would hit them hard from nearby military bases if it regained momentum. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms, the President said in a tweet. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20-mile safe zone....Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey, Trump said in a hard-hitting tweet on Sunday. Trumps tweet is a stark threat towards an ally in the region that has partnered with the US in the fight against ISIS. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out at US National Security Adviser John Bolton for saying the US withdrawal was contingent upon Turkeys pledge not to attack US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria once troops left. Bolton made a serious mistake. If he thinks that way, he is in a big mistake. We will not compromise, Erdogan said. The Pentagon has said that there is no timeline for US troop withdrawal and it would be based on ground realties. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long-term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria--natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Trump said. His announcement has come following a visit to the region by Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The roughly 2,000 uniformed soldiers that are in Syria today are going to be withdrawn. That activity is under way. Were going to do so in an orderly, deliberate way, a way that protects Americas national security, a way that allows us to continue the important mission that they were on, Pompeo told CBS News in an interview on Sunday. The counterterrorism mission, the effort to make sure that the destruction of ISIS is not only complete but that their resurgence is not possible, our efforts to counter the threat from terrorism stemming from the Islamic Republic of Iran those are all real missions. The tactical change weve made in the withdrawal of those 2,000 troops is just that, a tactical change, he said. Noting that the mission remains the same, Pompeo said Turkish leadership had made it clear that it understood there are people down in Syria that had their rights. We also want to make sure that those in Syria arent attacking, terrorists arent attacking Turkey from Syria. Were fully engaged, he said, responding to a question if Turkey had promised the US not to attack the Kurdish allies. Pompeo argued that there was no danger to American interest even after its withdrawal from Syria. The United States of America can project military power from lots of places in the world. The absence of a couple thousand soldiers on the ground in Syria in no way materially diminishes the capacity of the United States of America and our amazing Armed Forces to deliver American power to accomplish our objectives anywhere in the world, he said. That certainly includes in Syria. It certainly includes into Iran, if need be. We still have those tools. American diplomats still have that leverage and that power standing behind them. I am very confident in our military capabilities here in the Middle East, Pompeo said. Ground troops first arrived in Syria in autumn 2015 when then-President Barack Obama sent in a small number of special forces to train and advise YPG fighters. A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria Bashar al-Assad seven years ago turned into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has left more than 3,50,000 people dead and devastated cities. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Washington, January 13 US President Donald Trump has denied reports that he did not share details of some his meetings with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying that he would not mind releasing those details. "Well, I would (release details of the conversations with Putin) I am not keeping anything under wraps," Trump told Fox news in an interview following a report by The Washington Post that claimed he has concealed details of his face-to-face encounters with Russian Prsident Putin from senior officials in administration. "I don't care. I mean I had a conversation like every President does, you sit with the President of various countries. We had a great conversation. We were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things and it was a great conversation. I'm not keeping anything under wraps. I couldn't care less," he said. "Why not release the conversation that you had with President Putin in Helsinki along with some other stuff?" he was asked by Fox News following the damaging report by The Washington Post. Trump described the news report as "ridiculous". The Washington Post is almost as bad as probably as bad as The New York Times. I have a one-on-one meeting with Putin like I do with every other leader and I had many one-on-ones. Nobody ever says anything about it, he said. I meet with every leaderindividually. I meet with (PM Narendra) Modi. I meet with (Shinzo) Abe (of Japan), I meet with them. Nobody says anything. But, I meet with Putin, they make a big deal. Anybody could have listened to that meeting. That meeting is open for grabs, Trump said. PTI Democrats set to look into FBI probe rchopra@tribunemail.com Tehran, January 14 A military cargo plane overshot a runway, crashed and caught fire during a botched landing near the Iranian capital Tehran, killing 13 people, the army said Monday. The plane was carrying meat from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan when it crashed near the capital Tehran, the army said in a statement, adding that 13 of the planes personnel were killed. The charred remains of a planes fuselage with Iranian Air Force colours, its nose wedged through the wall of what appeared to be a house, were seen in photographs obtained by AFP. Wreckage including a landing gear and a mangled jet engine were scattered nearby. A (Boeing) cargo 707 place carrying meat took off from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and had an emergency landing at Fath airport this morning, the army said in a statement on its website. It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway. Fath airport is in Alborz province, just northwest of Tehran. The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, earlier said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived. State broadcaster IRIB showed footage of burning wreckage. Investigators found the planes black box, which will provide more details about the crash, deputy Alborz governor Azizollah Shahbazi told Tasnim news agency. Pictures published by local media showed the charred carcasses of the animals on board, still smouldering inside one of the buildings the plane smashed into. Fars carried a video showing emergency teams cutting through the planes nose, which had penetrated what it said was an empty residential complex. Irans ageing air fleet has had a string of crashes in recent years. Irans Aseman Airlines was ordered to ground its fleet of ATR planes in February last year after one of them crashed in the Zagros mountains, killing all 66 people onboard. Iran has been subject to tough US sanctions for years, hindering the purchase of new aeroplanes and critical spare parts for the US-made planes in its air force, civilian flag carrier Iran Air and domestic airlines. Hopes of a change in the situation were dashed last May when Washington pulled out of a landmark 2015 deal over Irans nuclear programme, reimposing sanctions that had been lifted as part of the multilateral accord. AFP rchopra@tribunemail.com Islamabad, January 14 The Pakistan government has decided to shelve a major power project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that was pushed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs regime, the media reported on Monday. Background discussions with government officials suggest that Islamabad had officially conveyed to Beijing that it was no more interested in the 1,320 MW Rahim Yar Khan power project in view of sufficient generation capacity already lined up for the next few years, Dawn news reported. It has requested China to formally delete the project from the CPEC list. During the 8th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting held last month, a Pakistani delegation led by Minister for Planning and Development Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar proposed to remove the Rahim Yar Khan imported fuel power plant (1,320 MW) from the CPEC list, in order to provide structure optimisation space for the subsequent power market of Pakistan, a government official said. The project was originally pushed as an imported coal-based plant by Quaid-i-Azam Thermal Company of the Punjab government led by former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. A leading business tycoon had proposed the project and was expected to be one of its key sponsors. The official said Prime Minister Imran Khans government had also decided to remove almost 400 politically motivated Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects as part of a comprehensive mid-year review later this month. We are reviewing all such schemes in detail; we do not want to waste public funds where lien has been created or sufficient progress achieved, but we definitely dont like to throw good money after bad, a cabinet member told Dawn. IANS monicakchauhan@gmail.com Oakland (US), January 14 A US judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, DC. Judge Haywood Gilliam granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, DC. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward. But Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide. The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds. California and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programmes for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies. "The law couldn't be more clear employers have no business interfering in women's healthcare decisions," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement on Sunday. "Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care. It's 2019, yet the Trump Administration is still trying to roll back women's rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the reproductive healthcare they are guaranteed under the law." The US Department of Justice said in court documents the rules "protect a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs." At issue is a requirement under President Barack Obama's health care law that birth-control services be covered at no additional cost. Obama officials included exemptions for religious organisations. The Trump administration expanded those exemptions and added moral convictions as a basis to opt out of providing birth control services. At a hearing on Friday, Gilliam said the changes would result in a "substantial number" of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a "massive policy shift." The judge previously blocked an interim version of the rules a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court. The ruling affects California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. AP ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Jerusalem, January 13 Israel has uncovered all cross-border attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon and now plans to bring its operation to find and destroy them to an end, a military spokesman said on Sunday. We have found yet another Hezbollah cross-border attack tunnel from Lebanon to Israel, Lt Col Jonathan Conricus told reporters of the operation that began on December 4. According to our intelligence and our assessment of the situation, there are no longer any cross-border attack tunnels from Lebanon into Israel. The latest tunnel, found on Saturday, began in the Lebanese village of Ramyeh, some 800 metres away from Israel, the army said. It reached a few dozen metres into Israel, and at 55 metres under the ground was the deepest as well as the longest and most detailed of all the tunnels the army exposed, Conricus said. The latest tunnel was the sixth revealed to the public and the army said its discovery marked the end of the operation dubbed by the army Northern Shield. The last tunnel will be destroyed in the coming days. He also reiterated that Israel holds the Lebanese government accountable for any act of violence or violation of 1701, the UN resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, was informed of the latest tunnel, Conricus said. Israel alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels to kidnap or kill its civilians or soldiers, and to seize a slice of Israeli territory in the event of any hostilities. It has said, however, that they were not yet operational. A month-long war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis. The highly publicised Israeli operation to expose and destroy the tunnels has gone ahead without drawing a military response from Hezbollah. Israel says all operations have taken place within its territory. AFP Attacked Iranian targets in Syria Just in the last 36 hours, the air force attacked Iranian warehouses containing Iranian weapons in Damascus. The recent attacks show that we're more determined than ever to act against Iran in Syria, just as we promised. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli PM vermaajay1968@gmail.com WE have in our leading article referred to the organised opposition which certain members of the Indian Civil Service in the Madras Presidency are endeavouring to offer to the Montagu-Chelmsford scheme of Reforms. In the interests of that Service itself, on the cause of good government in India, and of that mutual understanding between Englishmen and Indians on which so much depends, we appeal to the Government to nip this movement in the bud, if it has not outgrown that stage. Anybody can see that it can only do harm. That it cannot and ought not to succeed goes without saying. It is intolerable that a body of men, who are paid out of Indian revenue for the single purpose of administering the affairs of India, according to the law and the constitution in vogue for the time being, should claim the right to determine what that law and constitution should be, and should make it a grievance when that right was denied to them. editorial@tribune.com Archit Watts Tribune News Service Muktsar, January 13 As the Congress and AAP have decided against holding political conferences on Maghi (January 14) during the annual Maghi Mela, the annual religious event is likely to remain free of political slugfest. However, the SAD (Badal), SAD (Amritsar) and Insaaf Team (a group of some youngsters) are holding the conferences. All gurdwaras have been decked up and langars started at many places for the occasion. A cattle market has also been set up near the town. Nearly 5,500 cops have been deployed to keep a watch on every minute development and manage traffic in and around the town. The SSPs of Muktsar, Bathinda and Mansa are monitoring the situation. The patrolling has been increased, CCTV cameras installed. The town has been divided into seven sectors for better co-ordination of staff. Besides, the digital map of the town has been released for the ease of devotees. Some traffic diversions too have been made and sign boards put up, said Muktsar SSP Manjit Singh Dhesi. The Congress has decided to send a delegation of ministers, including Rural Development Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Sarkaria and PCC chief Sunil Jakhar. Two Cabinet ministers and PCC chief are likely to come tomorrow. The ministers will come from Chandigarh in a chopper and state party unit chief will come from Delhi. They will pay obeisance at the gurdwara and take part in langar. Besides, they will digitally inaugurate the construction of towns maiden railway over bridge at the helipad, said Harcharan Singh Sotha, Muktsar Congress chief. The SAD has erected a tent at the SGPC ground on Malout road. Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, SADs Muktsar chief, said: The senior leadership of SAD-BJP will address the public. The sitting arrangement for nearly 55,000 people has been made. Besides, the parking lots have been made in over 25 acres. The SAD (Amritsar), led by Simranjit Singh Mann, will hold a conference at the Bhai Mastaan Singh Road. Lok Insaaf Party founder MLA Simarjit Singh Bains and his supporters today cleaned the road from Kotkapura road bypass to the gurdwara. Bains said he had come as a devotee, not a leader. Capts appeal ignored editorial@tribune.com Chandigarh, January 13 The ambitious Outdoor Advertisement Policy of the Local Government has started bearing fruit and fetched Rs 27.54 crore for Ludhiana alone for the first year in the online auction that concluded yesterday. The total revenue from all the 168 local governments last financial year was about Rs18 crore only. After the new policy, this year the expected revenue was likely to be between Rs150 and Rs175 crore, said Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, while addressing a press conference here today. Sidhu said after the new policy, the annual income of the Moga Municipal Corporation had increased from Rs30 lakh to Rs1 crore. The revenue of the Pathankot MC had increased from Rs20 lakh to Rs67 lakh. The annual income targets for Amritsar and Mohali had been set at Rs20 crore each. The minimum base price for Jalandhar had been fixed at Rs18.15 crore. In case of Ludhiana, the earnings last year were only Rs1.75 crore. The total earning, here during the past 10 years was only Rs31 crore approximately. The new tender would have Ludhiana richer by Rs289 crore after nine years, based on calculations at the current price, which would mean an increase of 800 per cent revenue. The tender had gone to Leaf Berry Advertisement Private Limited. The average annual income, in Ludhiana alone, would be Rs32 crore, he said. He said the department had decided not to allow any advertisement on building wraps and also rooftops. TNS After the new policy, the annual income of the Moga MC has increased from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 1 crore and the revenue of the Pathankot MC has increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 67 lakh.Navjot Singh Sidhu, Local Government Minister gspannu7@gmail.com PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 14 A 27-year-old man died after he fell from the scooter he was riding pillion reportedly due to a synthetic kite string injuring his eyes. The accident occurred yesterday. Raman Kumar (27), a resident of Lahori Gate area, along with his relative was going to a relatives house in Maqboolpura area. Yonus Kumar, Deputy Mayor, Municipal Corporation, who lives in the Lahori Gate area, confirmed the incident. He said a stray synthetic kite string fell on him and injured his eyes and nose. Due to this, he lost his balance and fell from the scooter suffering serious head injury. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared him dead. He was cremated here today. He is survived by his wife and two minor children. He used to work as labourer. Kumar termed the incident as a major failure of the district and the police administration in nailing the problem and curb the illegal sale of Chinese string. You can see strings on the sides of the roads. The residents used Chinese strings with impunity even as district and the police administration has banned its sale and use. But is it is easily available in the black market, he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police JS Walia said that though the police take the necessary action, the people did not refrain from using the killer thread. They know it is illegal as well as dangerous and fatal to use the synthetic string, but still they use it giving scant regards to the law and life of people, he pointed out. As far as the above incident is concerned, he said that he was not aware about the incident and would get it checked by sending the police team. He termed the incident as unfortunate. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 Education Minister OP Soni on Sunday announced to regularise 5,178 teachers with effect from next month with full pay scale. Besides, various sikhiya providers and volunteer teachers will be given a pay hike of Rs 1,500. Soni said: The government has been putting sincere efforts to lift the standard of education in the state. Regular jobs to teachers with full pay scale is a step in this direction. Sikhiya providers and volunteer teachers will get a pay hike of Rs 1,500 from next month. Teachers, who faced suspension during protests, have been reinstated and those who were temporarily sent to distant places have been ordered to join at their parent station, he added. Soni also asked teachers to revise the syllabus with students in view of the upcoming board examination. I am sure that we are going to get better results this year. We have been continuously working hard. During examination, proper checks shall be conducted by the officials to check copying, he said. Mangal Singh Tanda, convener, Government Teachers Union, said: Regularisation is a good move, if it is implemented in its true spirit. Ashwani Awasthi, Amritsar president, Democratic Teachers Front, said: We will have to wait for the notification. It has to be in writing. rchopra@tribunemail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 14 After losing its base in Uttar Pradesh following a failed coalition experiment in early 1990s, the Congress has returned to the path of go it alone. Forced by a stroke of fate to test its mettle in Indias largest state, the party is now hoping the developments to prove a blessing in disguise. A section of Congress veterans are happy, part relieved, that providence has forced the Congress hand back where it belongs. Workers in UP have always wanted to go solo. That was also the case on the eve of the 2017 state election. The party started off deciding to fight alone and surprisingly aligned with the Samajwadi Party on the eve of elections. The workers were demoralised. We lost. No one gained. The workers will be very happy today, a senior Congress leader said. In 2017 the Congress had convinced former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit to be the face of the party in UP polls. The idea was to play the Brahmin card. Dikshit had agreed only to be withdrawn later. The wheel of time has turned again leaving no escape for the Congress. Leaders speak of how the party lost an entire chain of leadership in UP after it allied with the regional players under former PM PV Narasimha Rao. Much has changed since then and its a fact that we will have to struggle to find winnable candidates. But we had to start somewhere. This looks like that time when the Congress will return to revival path in UP, said a state leader. Interestingly, despite Congress president Rahul Gandhis proposal for state-level coalitions to defeat the BJP in 2019 LS polls theres still a section in the Congress that argues the party should go solo everywhere. But that may not be possible now since Gandhi has made repeated public commitments to a non-BJP understanding in states even if it meant playing a junior role to parties most likely to take down PM Narendra Modi. Now that the Congress has made a commitment, its the regional players that will play a decisive role just like we saw in UP. Such a commitment means we will react to how regional parties respond to our proposal, and that they, not we, will be in the drivers seat, a Congress insider notes. The next big game will unfold in Delhi where the Congress and AAP are still talking. uttara@tribuneindia.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 14 The Congress and the Left on Monday questioned the filing of a charge sheet in a case of sedition against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar and his colleagues and called for a debate on the law of sedition itself. Among those facing the charge sheet is CPI Leader D Rajas daughter Aprajita. On the behalf of the Congress, former Home Minister P Chidambaram said there should be serious debate over whether sedition law should be part of a democratic society. D Raja, a Rajya Sabha MP, said the charges are false and politically motivated and will be fought legally and politically. Chidambaram called the charge of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar and others absurd. If it takes three years and 1,200 pages to make out a charge of sedition (based on a public speech), that alone exposes the motive of the government. How many in the investigating team have read and understood section 124A of the IPC and the case law on the Section? There must be a serious debate if a provision like section 124A has a place in the laws of a democratic republic, the former minister argued. rchopra@tribunemail.com Chennai, January 14 Two accused in the Kodanad estate break-in case, who had reportedly linked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami to the incident, were brought here on Monday by the city police, a day after they were picked up in Delhi. Palaniswami has already rejected the allegations made against him by those accused, made in a video released by Delhi-based journalist and former Tehelka managing editor Samuel Mathew last week. The police have filed a case, even as the Chief Minister assured of strong action in the matter. On Monday, two of the accused, VK Sayan, and Valayar Manoj, were brought from Delhi by police in a private flight and whisked away for further interrogation. They were reportedly seen making purported remarks linking the Chief Minister to the April 2017 break-in in the video. On Saturday, referring to Mathew releasing a video in Delhi on January 11, Palaniswami had denied his involvement. The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) co-coordinator had said a police case had been filed in the matter and that strong action would be taken against those who released the video. He had suspected a political motive behind the matter, even as the opposition DMK has demanded that he step down to facilitate a fair probe. DMK president MK Stalin had said on Sunday that he planned to meet state Governor Banwarilal Purohit over the issue on Monday. In April 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate, the late Jayalalithaas retreat home in the hilly district of the Nilgiris, was found dead. It emerged during the probe that Jayalalithaas former driver C Kanagaraj and Sayan had allegedly plotted the crime. A total of 10 people had been arrested in the case, with a chargesheet also being filed later. However, Kanagaraj and Sayans wife and daughter were killed in separate road accidents during the probe, even as another employee of the property was found dead, in a case of suspected suicide. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Our Correspondent Jaipur, January 14 A minor boy allegedly raped and murdered a five-year-old girl before dumping her body at a village in Tonk district on Saturday. The boy, who lived close to the victims place under Niwai Sadar police station, was arrested and a case under Section 302 of the IPC and the POCSO Act was registered against him, Tonk SP Chuna Ram Jat said on Monday. The victims parents had lodged an FIR of their missing daughter on Saturday. Passerby saw the body dumped in a pit in the fields on Saturday evening. The body was sent for postmortem on Sunday and was later cremated. The boy, who confessed to the crime, had lured the girl with a packet of namkeen and taken her to the fields where he raped her, and as she cried, he killed her and dumped the body in a pit, the SP said. She was probably strangled and the police were awaiting the postmortem report, he added. harinder@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 13 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attacked the previous Congress government for its inability to bring Kartarpur Sabib under India during Partition. Releasing a commemorative coin as part of the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, Modi also came down on the Congress for the 1984 riots. Referring to the Kartapur Sahib corridor, he said now devotees do not have to look at the shrine in Pakistan using binoculars and they could visit the place without visa using the corridor. A mistake took place in August, 1947. It (the corridor) is an atonement for the mistake. An important place of our guru was only a few kilometers away. But it could not be made part (of India during partition) ... the corridor is an effort to reduce the damage, he said in a veiled attack on the then Congress government. Guru Nanak Dev passed away in Kartarpur on September 22, 1539. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and several Sikh leaders were present at the Prime Ministers residence to participate in the event. Modi said be it Guru Nanak or Guru Gobind Singh, they have taught us to be on the side of justice. Following the path shown by them, the Central government is trying to get justice for the people who suffered during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Modi said. The Central government is making efforts to get justice for the period of injustice which started in 1984. For decades, mothers, sisters, daughters and sons have shed tears, the law will deliver justice, wipe (their) tears, he said, referring to the riots that took place following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Prime Minister released a Rs 350 denomination commemorative silver coin to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. He described the founder of the Khalsa sect as a warrior and a poet who had immense knowledge of religious scriptures. Modi said the government now plans to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak across the country. Modi said while the event will be held in various states and Union Territories, Indian embassies abroad will also organise programmes as part of the celebrations. Modi said, for the past four years, his government has been making comprehensive efforts to bring the cultural and knowledge heritage of India to the world. From Yoga to Ayurveda, the country has succeeded in re-establishing its status. This work continues, he said. gspannu7@gmail.com Mumbai, January 14 The Bombay High Court on Monday questioned the Enforcement Directorates (ED) request to stay the demolition order for fugitive jeweller Nirav Modis illegal bungalow at Alibaug in the adjoining Raigad district. A Division Bench of Chief Justice NH Patil and Justice NM Jamdar was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2009 by Shambhuraje Yuvakranti of the Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Seva Sangha on the issue. The Raigad district collector had last month ordered demolition of 58 unauthorised structures, including one of Modi, built along the beach at Alibaug, a coastal town popular with weekend tourists. The demolition order was passed following rebuke from the high court for failing to initiate action against the illegal structures. The ED had last week filed an application before the high court, informing it that the said structure was attached by the agency as part of its money laundering probe against Modi. The agency in its application informed the court that the tribunal set under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had permitted it to attach the property long before the Raigad collector ordered its demolition. According to ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sealed the property. The ED sought a stay on the Raigad Collectors order of demolition and requested the court to give the agency a hearing. The Bench, however, sought to know why the agency was seeking a stay on the demolition order. What is illegal needs to go. What is your problem with those structures that are illegal? Chief Justice Patil said. The court then posted the matter for further hearing after four weeks. According to an affidavit filed by the Raigad district collector on Monday, a day after the demolition order was passed last month, the sub divisional officer of Alibaug wrote a letter to the ED seeking permission to de-seal the property and demolish it. We were informed that the ED has sent an e-mail to the CBI on January 2, 2019, requesting CBI to depute an officer for de-sealing the property or provide an NOC to ED for the same. A reply on this is awaited, the affidavit said. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, January 14 Senior BJP leaders in Maharashtra, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, are making a last-ditch effort to stitch up an alliance with the Shiv Sena for the Lok Sabha elections ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai later this month. Modi is visiting Mumbai on January 23 to lay the foundation stone for the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway. Sources in the BJP say Fadnavis and other senior leaders in the state BJP want Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to share the dais at the foundation stone laying ceremony. The appearance of the two leaders coming together in public would indicate that they were burying the hatchet ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, sources in the BJP felt. BJP is also considering naming the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway after Bal Thackeray as a sop to the Shiv Sena, according to reports. Mediators of the two parties have held several meetings but have failed to reach common ground, sources in both the Shiv Sena and the BJP say. Nationalist Congress Party chief Jayant Patil even went on to claim that Fadnavis and Thackeray had a midnight meeting at a Mumbai hotel earlier this month. Though neither the BJP nor the Shiv Sena have commented on the matter, several Shiv Sena leaders have ratcheted up their demands via the media. Among the demands include the post of Chief Minister for the Shiv Sena should the alliance emerge victorious in the assembly elections due in October 2019 irrespective of which of the two win the maximum number of seats. A section of the Shiv Sena is also demanding that both parties carve up the 48 Lok Sabha seats equally like it did in Bihar. On the other hand, Thackeray and Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' continues with its attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra's Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam even went on to say that Shiv Sainiks "would bury the BJP". Meanwhile, both Thackeray and Shah have asked their respective party leaders to prepare for contesting all the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. "Please do no feel dejected if there is no alliance in Maharashtra. Be prepared to fight and win all the Lok Sabha seats," Shah said at a party convention last week. amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, January 14 Justice A K Sikri of the Supreme Court wants the controversy, over his proposed post-retirement assignment and nomination on the PM-led panel which removed Alok Verma as CBI chief, to "die" even as some senior advocates on Monday termed the incident mischievous and aimed at targeting him. "See I don't want the controversy to be dragged. I want it to die," Justice Sikri told PTI on the sidelines of a private function relating to the release of a book on the life of former Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal. He refrained from making any further comments on the episode. A controversy broke out on Sunday over Justice Sikri getting a government offer last year for a post-retirement assignment at the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), three days after his vote, as a representative of CJI Ranjan Gogoi on the panel, helped decide the removal of Verma as CBI director. Apparently stung by the controversy, Justice Sikri withdrew his consent to the government offer. On Monday, Justice Sikri, the senior-most judge after Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, maintained a safe distance from scribes but former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said he has been "unfairly targeted" by some political leaders and activist-lawyers. "There is no connection between the two issues and people who don't know the facts and circumstances under which the two things happened - giving consent for assignment at London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal and his nomination by the CJI in the Prime Minister-led panel on the former CBI chief issue - are instrumental in making allegations which are utterly false and malicious," Rohatgi said. Criticising some activist-lawyers who had used social media to allegedly "malign" the judge, Rohatgi said "such people only want publicity without knowing the facts about the person whom they are speaking." "The issue was raised completely with mischievous intent to malign the judge. It is scandalous," he said. His view was shared by former high court judge Ajit Kumar Sinha and senior advocate Vikas Singh, who said it was "unfortunate" that some persons and activist-lawyers "mischievously" linked the two incidents. They said Justice Sikri had given oral consent in December 2018 to the government offer to nominate him for president/member of the CSAT and the CJI nominated him in the PM-led panel after judgment in the Verma case in January 2019. Singh said the lawyers have to make comments sensibly but these activist-lawyers are "loose canon" and "I think it was mischievous on part of the activist-lawyers to create a unnecessary controversy". Sinha said creating controversy like this only denigrate an institution from where both the bar and the bench derive privilege. He also said people who have created the controversy have been earlier praising the CJI but now criticising him for nominating Justice Sikri on the high-level panel. A senior advocate, who recently resigned as Additional Solicitor General, and knows Justice Sikri for three decades, said "some people are only trying to malign the judge". He said it has become a routine for some activist-lawyers to target judges who take decision contrary to their wishes. - PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 14 India has protested harassment of its diplomats serving at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. In a note verbale issued through the Indian mission in Islamabad to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry on January 10, India objected to attempts to hack Facebook accounts of two officers and aggressive surveillance of Indian High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner while attending a wedding party at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad on December 4, sources said to the Tribune. Pakistans hackers are believed to have illegally used personal details of two relatives of the Indian officials to hack into their accounts. Sources also said fishing attempts to hack into the officials email and also the Indian mission website led to delay in clearing Pakistani visa applications. Allegations of illegal surveillance of diplomats, including Indias envoy to Pakistan, has hit the already fragile ties between the two countries. Sources said tensions have been on the rise for five months now, ever since nearly 40 per cent of the missions staff moved into new residential quarters. The source of the newest spat they say is a gas pipeline thats under repairs at the new quarters. Repair and maintenance of the gas pipeline has been contracted to an agency called Sui since 2015. Architects and consultants are not being allowed by Pakistani authorities to come inside the new compound. The Indian officials there are without their families. This adds to their problems. These obstructions are against diplomatic norms, said a source. On December 10 last year, there was break-in attempt an Indian diplomats house. In another instance, an Indian diplomatic team faced questioning on a road in Peshawar on December 21. A series of diplomatic spats in the first few months of 2018 was finally settled when the two parties agreed to follow the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 and Bilateral Code of Conduct, 1992. Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, sources at the Ministry of External Affairs sources said Delhi Police called an official of the Pakistan High Commission for questioning after the person reportedly had an argument with a woman at a Delhi market. The official gave a written apology to Delhi Police and was let off, sources said. editorial@tribune.com Samarkand (Uzbekistan), January 13 India and five Central Asian countries along with Afghanistan on Sunday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering the menace that poses a threat to people across the world. This was part of a joint statement issued at the end of the first-ever meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue that also saw the participation of Afghanistan at the ministerial level in Samarkand. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting. All sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering terrorism, which posed a threat to the people and economies of the world, the statement said. It referred to the ancient civilisational, cultural, trade and people-to-people links between India and central Asia and expressed commitment to dynamic and fruitful friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and the central Asian countries at bilateral and multilateral formats. PTI Robert P. Bomboy has written for more than 60 national magazines and is the author of six books, including the novel Smart Boys Swimming in the River Styx. He taught for more than 30 years in colleges and universities, and he has been a Ford Foundation Fellow at the University of Chicago and in Washington, D.C. rchopra@tribunemail.com Mumbai, January 14 A father-son duo were arrested for allegedly posing as hotel guests and escaping without paying bills after dining there, police said on Monday. The two were nabbed after staff at a five-star hotel in Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai alerted police on Saturday, an official said. He identified the two as 57-year-old Suhas Nerlekar and son Swapnil (32), both residents of Kandivali East. Explaining the modus operandi, the official said, They used to book rooms in posh hotels after introducing themselves as businessmen. Before collecting the keys of their rooms, the two would have dinner at the hotel and then sneak away without paying the bill. On Saturday, a hotel staffer stopped them while they were making an exit and asked them to pay the bill, he said. They were detained as they did not have any money. The police were called in and we arrested the duo under Section 420 (cheating) of the IPC, the Cuffe Parade police station official added. He said the accused had also reportedly cheated hotels in Colaba and Santa Cruz. PTI harinder@tribunemail.com Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 13 An indigenous pilot display unit (PDU) has been developed for the IAFs indigenously upgraded Hawk-i advanced jet trainer by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here. The instrument, akin to a head-up display unit, is installed above the cockpits instrument panel with its screen at the pilots eye level and superimposes vital flight and mission parameters on the pilots line of vision of the outside world. The Mission Combat Systems Research and Design Centre of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore, had awarded this project to CSIO and the first prototype has been fabricated. It is expected to take to the skies in a few weeks. The British Hawk entered IAF service in 2008, with 24 aircraft received in fly-away condition and 42 being assembled by HAL. Another 57 Hawks, with some going to the Navy, were to be licence-produced by HAL along with upgrade of the fleet and incorporation of some Indian made components and sub-systems. The upgraded aircraft have been christened as Hawk-i. The PDU provides a comprehensive flight-symbology display along with ambient vision under all-weather conditions. It displays navigation inputs like altitude, airspeed, angle of attack and artificial horizon, take off and landing data as well as weapon aiming and delivery cues. Since the pilot does not have to change his line of sight or visual accommodation by peering repeatedly at his instrument panel inside the cockpit, the PDU reduces his workload and reaction time, while enabling him to take split-second decisions and enhancing his weapon aiming capability. It is smaller and lighter than earlier head-up displays developed by CSIO for the light combat aircraft, HAL trainer aircraft and Jaguar. All modern combat aircraft as well as some transport aircraft are equipped with head-up displays. The PDU can be operated in different modes that can be selected from a multifunction up-front control panel. In the raster mode it displays the real time infrared camera video to the pilot for target seeking, while in the mixed mode, raster video is combined with other information for weapon aiming and target locking along with other flight critical information to the pilot, Vipan Kumar, principal scientist overseeing the project, said. In the eventuality of mission computer failure, PDU has dedicated information which can be displayed to the pilot in stand-by-sight mode, he said. rchopra@tribunemail.com Mumbai, January 14 Three workers were killed after being run over by the Mumbai-bound Tejas Express on a railway track in Maharashtras Raigad district, a police official said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday night when the victims, all contractual labourers, were working on tracks near Jite railway station in Pen area of Raigad, located 66 km from here, he said. While the workers were crossing the track, they apparently did not see the approaching train and were hit by it, he said, adding that the three men died on the spot. The deceased were identified as Ashok Bari (30), Nimsingh Gulkar (40) and Ajay Dandodiya (18), all hailing from Madhya Pradesh, he said. The bodies were sent to a state-run hospital for postmortem, and an accidental death report was registered at the Dadar Sagari police station in Raigad, the official said. Tejas Express is a fully air-conditioned train which runs between Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Karmali station in Goa. PTI editorial@tribune.com Jitendra K Shrivastava TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE PATNA, JANUARY 13 At least two persons were killed and about three dozen injured after an Uttarakhand-bound tourist bus collided with a truck on the NH-77 near the Runnisaidpur locality of Sitamarhi district of Bihar on Sunday. The injured were rushed to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur. The condition of one patient is said to be critical as she was admitted to the ICU of the hospital. The bus was on way to Uttarakhand via Gaya district as it was returning from Janakpur Dham of Nepal where Uttarakhand tourists had gone to offer prayers before they met with a fatal accident in Sitamarhis Runnisaidpur police station area. Since collision of bus and truck was head-on, both bus and truck were badly damaged, killing driver of the truck at the spot. Confirming two deaths in the fatal road accident, Muzaffarpur district Magistrate Mohammad Suhail said: The injured were taken to the SKMCH where they were getting proper treatment. Except a few, the condition of other tourists was said to be out of danger. One woman who died was identified as Rukmini Devi while the driver was yet to be identified. The way bus collided head on with a truck, it appeared that more than a dozen passengers would have died. When locals rushed there for their rescue, only two had died and about five were critically injured, said Mohammad Ali, eyewitness of the incident saying that the collision was massive as it caused a thundering sound. editorial@tribune.com Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 Over 25 women self-help groups, active in different parts of Kargil district of the Ladakh region, are bearing the brunt of the casual approach being adopted by the successive state governments as no serious efforts have been made to encourage or strengthen them. Comprising 20-25 members, these groups are helping housewives and uneducated women earn their livelihood through different means, especially by growing vegetables and foodgrains to cater to the needs of the locals throughout the year. Over 25 women self-help groups are functioning actively in Kargil district. These groups have been playing an important role in improving the economic conditions of women by helping them earn their livelihood, Asgar Ali Karbalaie, former MLA of Kargil, told The Tribune. He, however, regretted that the successive state governments had done nothing to strengthen these self-help groups or help these expand and involve more women in their work. Karbalaie regretted that for the last four years, he had been demanding support for these groups but nothing had been done by those at the helm of affairs. During the last Budget session of the Legislative Assembly, the state had announced on the House floor that a proposal for strengthening the women self-help groups in Kargil district has been submitted to the Union government. However, the previous PDP-BJP regime failed to pursue the same, he said, adding that except promises, nothing had been done to encourage these groups. Notably the state government had submitted a proposal of Rs 2,518 lakh to the agriculture secretary, Government of India, dated September 30, 2017, for the formation of women self-help groups in Kargil district and for the approval/release of funds. Except forwarding the proposal, the state government has done nothing serious to get it approved, Karbalaie said. Meanwhile, taking benefits of the availability of vast natural resources, women self-help groups have established greenhouses in far-flung areas of the district through solar energy. These greenhouses are helping women sustain domestically and commercially, especially during the winter spell in the region. The local authorities, especially the Kargil council, are providing some subsidies to women self-help groups, but nothing concrete has been done by the successive state governments. rchopra@tribunemail.com Kangra, January 14 Preparations were under way on Monday for the installation a goddess idol made of 2,500 kg of clarified butter in a famous temple in this Himachal Pradesh town, officials said. The idol of Goddess Brajeshwari Devi, being prepared by using desi ghee after purification with holy water 101 times by temple priests, would be open for the public from Tuesday morning, temple official Neelam Rana told IANS. One of the busiest shrines in north India, the Brajeshwari Devi temple sees a large number of pilgrims from Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Rana said the idol would be removed from the pindi or iconography of the goddess on January 20 and its prasad would be distributed among the devotees. It is believed the idol butter cures chronic skin ailments and joint pain. According to a legend, when the goddess was injured during a fight with demons, her wounds were treated with butter by gods on Makar Sankranti, a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of the country. Every year, the preparations for installing the butter idol begin on Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated as a week-long festival at the temple. IANS editorial@tribune.com Deepender Deswal Tribune News Service Hisar, January 13 The results of the elections to the Jind Assembly seat has been circumventing caste demography for the last 42 years. Though the constituency comprising Jind town and 35 villages is considered a Jat stronghold, non-Jat candidates had won the seat consecutively since 1972. The high-stake poll battle is witnessing a keen contest among mainly the ruling BJP, Congress, INLD, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and fledgling Loktantra Suraksha Party (LSP) candidates. Of these, the BJP and the LSP have fielded non-Jat candidates Krishan Lal Middha and Vinod Asri, respectively, while the candidates of the Congress (Randeep Surjewala), INLD (Umed Redhu) and the JJP (Digvijay Chautala) are Jat. A total of 35 candidates are in the fray. Jats comprising around 28 per cent voters is a crucial vote bank in the byelection. The last time a Jat leader won from Jind was Chaudhary Dal Singh. He won the seat in the 1972 Assembly election as the Congress (S) candidate. A four-time MLA, Dal Singh, won the seat on the Congress ticket in 1952, 1954, and 1962 and as the Congress (S) candidate in 1972. However, 1977 onward, non-Jat candidates won the seat. Significantly, the candidates belonging to the Bania caste have won the seat six times, Punjabi twice and Kumhar (Backward Caste) once, since 1977. The Jind seat has around 169,210 voters in Jind town and adjoining rural areas. Political experts say that the Assembly segment has about 28 per cent Jat voters, around 9 per cent Brahman and Punjabi each, 8 per cent Bania, besides Other Backward Castes and Scheduled Castes. With the biggest vote share, Jats apparently are the deciding factor in Jind. However, the regional Jat leadership could not emerge after Chaudhary Dal Singh. In such a scenario, Jats opted to go with non-Jat leaders election after election, which is evident from the poll outcome, says Pawan Kumar Bansal, a political expert. However, this time, the Congress has fielded a prominent Jat leader in a hope to polarise Jat voters in its favour. But Digvijay Chautala and Umed Redhu fighting the byelection has put Jat voters in a dilemma, says Bansal, adding that the BJP nominee stands a chance in the byelection in case Jat votes get split in favour three Jat leaders and LSP candidate Asri (a Brahman) fails to put up a fight. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Washington, January 14 With not one but two new books out, coupled with a frenetic series of interviews that saw her alternately sharing a laugh, solemnly contemplating "the soul of the nation" or relating poignant memories of her immigrant parents, one could be forgiven for suspecting that Kamala Harris is about to join the Democratic field seeking the presidential nomination in 2020. For political observers, that much is obvious - you can almost see their eyerolls - since Harris's are the classic moves of someone preparing a White House run. "I might," she said, just a bit coyly, before bursting into contagious - and revealing - laughter in an appearance on Thursday on the set of celebrated comedian and CBS television host Stephen Colbert. The coming days should bring a more definitive answer. But her calls for unity in her newly published memoir - "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey," from Penguin Press - clearly set the tone for what a Harris candidacy might mean in an America sorely divided by the unsettling presidency of Donald Trump. If she does announce her candidacy, the 54-year-old California senator -- whose first name should be pronounced like "comma-la," she insists -- would be aspiring to become not only the first female president of the United States but also the first black female. As someone who seems to personify the "American dream" and its melting-pot ideal, Harris is no novice at breaking through glass ceilings. After two terms as district attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011), she was twice elected as attorney general of California (2011-2017), becoming not only the first woman but the first black person to serve as chief law enforcement officer of that populous state. Then in January 2017, she took the oath of office as California's junior US senator, making her the first woman of South Asian descent (her mother is a Tamil Indian) and only the second black woman senator in American history, after Carol Moseley Braun. Her focused and often tough-sounding lines of questioning during closely watched Senate hearings reflect her past as a prosecutor. Harris often proudly recalls her past as a prosecutor in California when she fought big banks in the midst of the financial crisis in order to benefit families. She casts herself as a defender of middle class families "living paycheck to paycheck" and denounces police brutality and the killing of unarmed black men. The daughter of immigrants - her father is from Jamaica - Harris grew up in the 1960s in the progressive hotbed of Oakland, California, proud of the struggle her parents waged for civil rights. "My mother was the strongest person I have ever known," she has written on Twitter. Mother Shyamala was only 19 when she arrived in California in 1960 to pursue her studies, eventually becoming a renowned cancer researcher. Harris mentions her father, Donald, as well, calling him "a respected economist" who is an emeritus professor at Stanford University. But after her parents separated when she was about five years old, it was Kamala's mother who raised her and her younger sister, Maya, who went on to become a lawyer and an advisor to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign. Hers was a happy childhood, Harris now says, where education was highly valued, and it inspired her to write her second new book, "Superheroes Are Everywhere," a children's picture book that was also published last week. But Harris has also experienced discrimination. "I have too many memories of my brilliant mother being treated as though she were dumb because of her accent," she wrote in her autobiography. Asked about that, she shared some tough words about Republican president Trump. "There are powerful forces - including this president - that are attempting to vilify immigrants because they were born in another country," she said recently on CNN. But her political ascent does share one small link to that of the wealthy president: she was elected to the Senate on November 8, 2016, the day of Trump's unexpected victory. In her book she describes the shock she felt that night, but also the stirring realisation that soon followed: "We are better than this," she wrote, "but we're going to have to prove it." Her resolutely optimistic message stands in stark contrast to the much darker landscape described by Donald Trump, who referred in his inaugural speech to "American carnage." "It's a smart move on her part," said Dena Grayson, a Democratic strategist. Grayson added: "She's taking a page out of the Obama playbook, which was 'hope and change,'" a message that resonated, particularly among Democrats, after the George W Bush presidency. Both Grayson and Jennifer Lawless, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia, see Harris as a compelling and charismatic candidate who should be well-positioned in the emerging Democratic field. But both analysts emphasised that with that field expected to be huge and diverse -- as Democrats see a chance to run against an embattled president many of them detest - prediction is difficult. "The question is, is she - and is her message - going to break through when you have a group of 10 or 12 or 15 people running for office," Lawless said. AFP MK Bhadrakumar MK Bhadrakumar Former Ambassador Us space agency NASA has abruptly called off a planned visit to the US in February by the head of the Russian state space corporation, Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin. NASA made the announcement on January 4 following criticism by the US media and lawmakers who demanded cancellation of the visit. The snub to Moscow presages sudden death of the historic Russian-American collaboration in exploring the last frontier for mankind. It becomes an inflection point. Rogozin is a close political associate of President Vladimir Putin. He has been subjected to the Western sanctions over Moscows annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is a leading critic of Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, threatened that the Congress will be forced to act unless NASA withdrew the invitation to Rogozin. Shaheen called Rogozin one of the leading architects of the Kremlins campaign of aggression towards its neighbours and said the invitation undercuts our message and undermines the US core national security objectives. The big question is whether the curtain is coming down on the space cooperation between the US and Russia. It is a poignant moment since the two countries have had a long history of working together in space ever since the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975, and more so, in the past two decades. Within the ambit of cooperation, the two countries have shared training, communications, operational capabilities and expenses in support of the International Space Station (ISS). In particular, following the cancellation of the US Space Shuttle Program in 2011, the US began relying on Russias Soyuz capsules for transport to the ISS. Russia receives an average of $81 million per seat on the Soyuz. In a joint statement in 2017, the two countries even projected the idea of collaborating on deep space exploration, including the construction of the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, a research-focused space station orbiting the moon. (Rogozins visit aimed at fleshing out the tantalising idea.) Both countries saw clear benefits, given the high price tag for solo space exploration. However, times have changed. Russia and the US are flaunting today their capability to destroy each other in a thermonuclear war, something unheard of even at the height of the Cold War. Space has become a new domain of warfare. If the 2018 US National Defense Strategy characterised space and cyberspace as war-fighting domains, Russias 2010 military doctrine explicitly stated that ensuring superiority in space would be a decisive factor in achieving its strategic goals. In this tense security environment, the need arises to protect space assets (satellites, etc.) with space-based weapons. Suffice to say, the scope for sharing sensitive technology or capabilities in space partnerships has dramatically shrunk due to the growing hostility between the US and Russia. Secondly, a private sector space industry has appeared in the US and it has spawned commercial interests. The development of advanced technologies by private companies means NASA has new options to choose from and to reduce the dependence on Russia. In fact, NASA is already in a position to use Boeing and SpaceX capsules for human spaceflight beginning in 2020 and even has the option to phase out the procurement of Russian RD-180 rocket engines by 2022. With President Trump ordering the establishment of a sixth branch of the military (Space Force), the dominant aerospace companies in the US Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and BAE Systems are eyeing the new frontier. Russias preference has always been to press on with a space programme entwined with the USs. But in a scenario where NASA turns its back on Roscosmos, Russia may have to turn to China or India for partnership. Recently, Rogozin openly hinted at this. In his words, China is offering many initiatives for cooperation, is asking us to help them develop, though they have already achieved a good level of development. They are suggesting creating a joint station. Rogozin even floated the idea of a BRICS station. Of course, Russia is technologically capable of building a lone Russian lunar station. But then, as the director of the Institute of Space Policy in Moscow, Ivan M Moiseyev, told the New York Times recently, The technical capability exists, but the finances dont. Quite obviously, considering that space efforts are inextricably connected to military plans, Russia needs to take a leap of faith to form an alliance with China. On the one hand, the scientific space-related endeavours have immense commercial potentials, while on the other, they signify the ultimate eye in the sky through a combination of satellites and unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles that would give unmatched insight into positions of enemies (as well as allies). They will phenomenally improve military logistics, facilitate orbital strikes at enemy targets as well as open up new lucrative trade and travel routes. India is far better placed than China can ever be to align with Russias space programme, as there are no contradictions in the relations between the two countries. China is a competitor for Russia as much as for the US in space. Commenting on the recent landing of a Chinese scientific probe on the far side of the moon, Mary Dejevsky at the Guardian newspaper, a veteran Russia hand, wrote, The response in political and military quarters in Washington, as in Moscow is likely to reflect trepidation. It cannot be otherwise in New Delhi also. All factors taken into consideration, therefore, a tapering off in the NASA-Roscosmos cooperation, which is on cards in a near-term scenario, can be to Indias advantage. Delhi should seize the opportunity. editorial@tribune.com Sanjay Bumbroo Tribune News Service Mohali, January 13 A liquor vend located on the Chandigarh-Mohali border has become a sore point for the Punjab Excise Department as illegal liquor, that too without the hologram, is being smuggled from here by bootleggers of Punjab. Paramjit Singh, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Mohali, said as the rates of the Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) as well as country-made liquor were less in Chandigarh as compared to Punjab, bootleggers, in order to make a quick buck, were indulging in smuggling of liquor from liquor vends in Chandigarh, especially the one located at Dadu Majra near the Mohali border. He said most of liquor bottles seized by sleuths of the Excise Department, Mohali, were manufactured in various companies in the Chandigarh region. He said the liquor bottles did not carry the hologram, thus causing a loss to the UT Excise Department. He said the smuggling of liquor from Chandigarh was badly affecting the sale in Punjab areas, causing a loss to the Excise Department of Punjab. The Assistant Commissioner said the two bootleggers, who were arrested by sleuths of a joint mobile wing of the Patiala and Mohali Excise Department late last night, had revealed that they had bought the consignment from the liquor vend at Dadu Majra. He said 336 bottles of liquor were recovered from their car near the Verka Milk plant in Mohali. The seized liquor bottles of Santra and Rajdhani whisky were manufactured at M/s Super Distillery, Industrial Area, Phase I, Chandigarh. The Bottoms Up whisky had been manufactured at M/s Empire Alcobreau Pvt Ltd, Industrial Area, Phase 2, Chandigarh. Tthe two suspects, Lakhvir Singh, a resident of Baheirh village in Bassi Pathana, and Avtar Singh, a resident of Majri village near Khamano in Fatehgarh Sahib district, were handed over to the Balongi police station. harinder@tribunemail.com SC Vasudeva Q. A senior citizen is still working and getting an annual salary of Rs 1,08,000 and is entitled to avail income tax exemption limit up to Rs 3.5 lakh. Is he eligible to add income from others sources up to Rs 2 lakh into his individual salary income? Will income from other sources be taxable? If so, how much income from other sources he can add to avail the exempt limit of Rs 3.5 lakh? 2. How much amount one can get as help/gift from his relatives/blood-related persons living abroad during a year? Is amount received from relatives living aboard taxable or not? If so, how much tax would be applicable? 3. Is it compulsory that amount shown in the savings account of an individual during 2017-18 accounting year be the same in the return while filing income tax return for 2018-19 (assessment year)? 4. If a person living abroad transfers amount in his savings account or an NRI account, how would he fill up his income tax return and on which form? Would that income be taxable or not if it exceeds the limit of exemption limit? Apma A.Your queries are replied hereunder: (a) A senior citizen who is less than 80 years of age is not required to pay tax up to an income of Rs 3,00,000 for assessment year 2019-20. Your present income being Rs 1,08,000 and another sum of Rs 1,92,000 earned by you as income from other sources. (b) Currently, the provisions of Gift Tax Act, 1958, are not applicable. However, Section 56 of the Act provides that any sum of money received by an assessee during the financial year in excess of Rs 50,000 from any person except relatives and other specified persons shall be taxable as income from other source. However, such a receipt, if received from the following relatives, is not taxable. Relative means: (i) in case of an individual (a) spouse of the individual; (b) brother or sister of the individual; (c) brother or sister of the spouse of the individual; (d) brother or sister of either of the parents of the individual; (e) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the individual; (f) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the spouse of the individual; (g) spouse of the person referred to in terms (b) to (f); and (ii) In case of a Hindu Undivided Family, any member thereof. (c) The provisions as stated above are equally applicable to an amount received from outside India. It is necessary that the amount shown in savings account of an individual as on 31.3.2018 should be same while filing the return for assessment year 2018-19. (d) NRI has an option to deposit in NRE account amounts sent to India in foreign exchange. Such an account can be a savings account or fixed deposit account. The interest earned on NRE account is not taxable. The income of an NRI, which is earned in India is required to be deposited in Non-Resident Ordinary account. Such an income would be taxable in India. The minimum taxable limit for NRI is same as applicable to an assessee who is not an NRI. Q. I had invested Rs 3,78,908 (sum assured Rs 3,80,000) in LIC one-time premium policy in 12/2012 and was paid a maturity amount of Rs 5,11,400 in 12/2018 and TDS of 1% (Rs 5,116 ) was deducted from this amount. In form 26AS, the whole maturity amount has been shown as amount paid/credited. At the time of investing, the LIC agent didnt tell me that the maturity amount is taxable. My queries are as under: 1. Is my LIC maturity amount taxable? 2. In case taxable, what amount is to be considered as income from other sources? 3. Whereas LIC has deducted 1% of maturity amount as income tax, I, who fall in the slab of 30% tax bracket, will have to cough up 29% more as tax. Will it be on maturity amount or on maturity amount minus the amount I invested? Please clarify. OP Kapoor A. Your queries are replied hereunder: (a) According to my opinion, the entire amount received by you from LIC should not be taxable but the amount received by you in excess of the sum paid to the LIC should be taxable. (b) As stated in (a) above, the excess amount of Rs 1,32,292 should be taxable. (c) The amount of Rs 1,32,492 would be taxable as income from other sources and shall be includible in your total income. Q. My son is an NRI and is doing a job in Muscat since 2000. He is living there with his family. He does not have Aadhaar card/PAN so far and has never filed an income tax return as an NRI. He purchased an LIC Market Plus policy for Rs 5 lakh from his NRE Account on August 3, 2010 for a term of 21 years. At present, its surrender value stands at Rs 9,28,000. He took another policy from HDFC Standard Insurance under the HDFC Children Benefits Plan for Rs 5 lakh on March 10, 2004 for 15 years by paying Rs 33,115 as annual premium. He is having an NRE account with SBI and NRE account inclusive of NRO account with ICICI Bank . Please advise how his tax liabilities will be assessed. LIC and HDFC officials have different opinions about the tax deductions. They seem to be not well conversant with rules in force. Yogesh Sehdev A. Interest earned by your son on NRE account is not taxable. However, interest earned on NRO account with ICICI Bank would be taxable if the amount of such interest exceeds Rs 2,50,000 being the limit up to which income tax is not payable by an assessee who is below the age of 60 years. The amount received on the expiry of the maturity period shall not be taxable in respect of LIC Master Policy in case the premium paid by him does not exceed 20% of the capital sum assured. The present surrender value is not taxable as the policy is still being continued. The policy with HDFC Standard Insurance having been taken before March 31, 2012 would also be covered in the same category as the master policy taken from LIC. Mark Bennett has reported and analyzed news from the Wabash Valley and beyond since Larry Bird wore Sycamore blue. That role with the Tribune-Star has taken him from Rome to Alaska and many points in between, but Terre Haute suits him best. Follow Mark Bennett 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 Scott L. Miley | CNHI News IndianaFighting for their pond: Becky and John Moriarity plan to lower the height of an earthen dam on their property following a decision by the Indiana Supreme Court. The southern Grant County couple have been in a dispute with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources over the dam and pond. MCKINNEY, Texas - Velma Lynn Yettman passed away on June 4th, 2021 in Mckinney, Texas. She was born on October 25th, 1951 in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was predeceased by her sister Valeta May in 2018, and her parents Lloyd and Frances Zenor. Velma is survived by her brother Steve (Becky) Zen A group of South Fork-area veterans have organized to honor those who served their country, while drawing attention to their communitys rich history. The South Fork/Croyle Veterans and Community Parks Association was formed after members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts looked into adding more recognition for veterans, spokesman Todd Russell said. Jeff Kaylor was South Fork American Legion commander when the effort was launched, Russell said. He couldnt figure out why we only had one monument for World War I veterans, Russell said. His goal was: Lets start doing something for the veterans in the community. South Fork eyes parks for veterans, heritage A vacant lot at the corner of Main and Argyle streets, shown on Jan. 9, 2019, has been donated by South Fork Borough Council for use as a vete The association approached Borough Council, which agreed to donate a vacant lot at the corner of Main and Argyle streets for use as a veterans memorial park. We want to put in a monument for each of the wars, Russell said at a recent South Fork Borough Council meeting. Even as they eye development of the veterans park, the group is exploring upgrades for the existing town-square park at Main and Maple streets. Russell said they would like to see it upgraded and rededicated as Founders Park to recognize the boroughs history. It needs to happen, as much history as this community has, Russell said. Interest in the communitys heritage was revived by The History Channels 2012 miniseries, The Men Who Built America. Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, Andrew W. Mellon and Henry Phipps Jr. were among those featured who were also members of the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club. Our railroad station was where all those guys got off the train and made their way out to the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club, Russell said. They probably stayed in this town. Mark Muir, of The EADS Group, developed some conceptual plans for both parks. Founders Park could be used for programs or a performance venue, with the addition of seating and upgrade for the existing stage area, Muir said. The veterans park would also feature a stage for ceremonies. The association is also looking at bicycle and walking paths to connect the parks to the Path of the Flood Trail when it is extended through South Fork to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial Park. All of the plans are tentative, and will require money. Association members dont expect local residents to ante up. Its an old town, Russell said. You are not going to draw thousands of dollars. The next thing is to see what grants are out there, Muir said. There are going to be multiple phases. If all of the plans are developed costs are estimated at more than $100,000. The hardest part of this town is: Nothing is flat, Russell said. Behind the Badge Rushing to uninformed judgement doesn't allow for real justice Government Politics about to turn nasty in Hamilton Twp. as Barrett story expands featured Customer srevice Slogans mean nothing if businesses fail to live up to promises Race U.S. fights racism and division as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day arrives Jeff Edelstein is a columnist for The Trentonian. He can be reached at jedelstein@trentonian.com, facebook.com/jeffreyedelstein and @jeffedelstein on Twitter. This is what happens when LEDs get cheaper and better: designers use more of them. Someone predicted this once. We are really not supposed to talk about the rebound effect, which is often confused with Jevons' Paradox. That's where as energy efficiency increases, people use more of it rather than taking the savings. So as cars get more efficient, they get bigger. It is often used by the climate deniers and delayers as a reason not to bother about efficiency. As Zack Semke of NK architects wrote: MVRDV I have shown LED-encrusted buildings before as examples of this, but my new poster child will be MVRDV's Taipei Twin Towers. It is wrapped in "interactive media facades"... MVRDV Blade Runner/Screen capture The timing is appropriate, too, given that 2019 is when Blade Runner was set, and the Taipei towers would fit right in. The technology for printing LED screens onto building glazing is not too far-fetched either. Samsung just introduced "The Wall" at CES a modular TV design "with MicroLED technology [that] delivers incredible definition, without restrictions as to size, resolution or form." Winy Maas calls this project a vertical village, where he breaks the program down into blocks that are essentially buildings stacked on top of buildings. It has pedestrian routes over the bottom twenty floors, and so that each block can project its own identity. Thanks to the small size of the retail blocks, it makes it possible for each to contain just a small number of tenants and in many cases just a single store. This opens up the possibility that each block could communicate its unique character through an individual facade. A number of these facades are also proposed to feature interactive media displays, making the buildings dynamic hosts for showing major cultural spectacles, sporting events, and of course advertising. MVRDV It is true that LEDs are getting more efficient all the time, and that a new flat screen television uses a fraction of the electricity that an old one did. But when you start rolling out LED building facades by the acre, as we will see soon when every building is like the Taipei Twin Towers, it is going to add up. This is where I believe that Stanley Jevons is misunderstood. He was not talking about incremental energy efficiency mandates, but a major technological change from the "atmospheric" Newcomen steam engine that was used to pump water out of mines but used a huge amount of coal, to a vastly more efficient engine that was quickly put to use in locomotives, ships, factories and buildings. People invented new uses for steam power as fast as they could build them. It was not just incremental energy efficiency, it was a seriously radical change in the economics of steam engines which is exactly what has happened with LEDs. A radical improvement in the technology has led to an explosion of new opportunities to use them in imaginative and sometimes silly new ways. MVRDV That's why the Taipei Twin Towers and its inevitable imitators are as inevitable as steamships and locomotives were after James Watt fixed the inefficient steam engine; it is too good an advertising and design opportunity to miss. But I worry about birds, about people trying to sleep, about distracted drivers. And of course, the energy being used to run building-sized monitors where before there was just a wall. Italy Luxury Tours is one of the most family-friendly tour operators in Italy offering a huge choice of value-for-money Italy holidays to top quality Italy destination Piedmont. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - January 11th, 2019 - Italy Luxury Tours is one of the most family-friendly tour operators in Italy offering a huge choice of value-for-money Italy holidays to top quality Italy destination Piedmont. You have a golden opportunity to explore the second biggest region in Italy, notable for its elegance and the French-inspired feel of Piedmont. 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Apart from this, Piedmont is also well famous for its production of wine and the amazing culinary taste and this Piedmont tour organized by Italy Luxury Tours also gives you a chance to get another lustful experience in Italy. Their wine tours are established in different places of Piedmont like wine tours in the Serralunga Castle, wine tours in Roero and Grinzane Cavour and wine tours in Barolo. All these places deliver the best Reds and original Italian wines and gives you an amazing experience. So, what are you waiting for! Just pack your bags and get ready to explore the refreshing and unique perspective of Italy with the piedmont tours offered by Italy Luxury Tours. For more details, visit +1 (888) 959 7108. About the Author: Italy Luxury Tours is a full-service touring company that offers private tours to all areas of Italy. Their experienced staff provides excellent service and all special touring plans, many of which are custom designed for each traveler or group. All tours are private, making them the ideal way to tour Italy. Company: Italy Luxury Tours Telephone: 1-888-959-7108 Email address: tours@italyluxurytours.com ### The SUV and crossover boom has left sedans in a precarious position. Despite the dwindling sales and their half-dead state, automakers are bound to freshen up their sedan range in their final run before they are retired. Here is Volkswagens half-hearted attempt to refresh the Passat and give a quality product to the people who still yearn for a well-packaged, mid-sized sedan. Does It Remind You Of The Arteon? The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is here with a new look and exquisite feature-list to up the ante of the falling sales. The VW sedan sales fell 32-percent in 2018 in the States when compared to the 2017 sales figures. When viewed upfront, the Passat looks striking with the new front grille and a sloped roof-line to give it a slightly aggressive look. Volkswagen now offers LED headlight and taillights as standard on the new Passat. The new wide-lettered PASSAT badging between the taillights is a sweet touch. Extra Torque Is The Only Attraction Under The Hood Since the 2020 Passat is not a new car per se, it still continues using the old architecture instead of the MQB platform. The car rides on 17-inch wheels as standard, but can be upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch set as well. Talking about the engines, the Passat comes with the same 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TSI engine that produces 174 ponies. Thanks to a new torque converter, this has been increased to 207 pound-feet from the previous models 184 pound-feet of torque. Power will be sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Interiors A Class Apart Ive said this before and Im saying it again no other automaker pays more attention to the interiors of a facelift more than Volkswagen. Perhaps, this is why so many of their products have been in the market for decades now. This time, the German automaker offers a newly developed glass-covered infotainment touchscreen that supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink. The Passat also comes with features like dual-zone automatic climate control, front and rear heated seats, electrically folding heated mirrors, adaptive headlights with cornering function, automatic wipers, powered driver seat, and a Fender sound system. While the base trim comes with cloth seats, they can be upgraded to leatherette or Nappa leather for extra moolah. In terms of Safety, all the Passat trims come with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert. Features like Cruise Control, Lane Assist, and Park Assist can be added at an extra cost. Final Thoughts The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is speculated to be price in the ballpark of $27,000; marginally higher than the 2019 model. It will go into production at the companys Chatanooga, Tennessee plant and hit the showrooms in the summer this year. Do you think the 2020 model can make the Passat live a little longer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Further reading Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat. Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT. Read our full review on the 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The Detroit Auto Show is in full swing, but looking at the headlines, youd think we were covering something like the Tokyo Auto Salon. Thats because Motor City is playing host to several major debuts from the Land of the Rising Sun, including the 2019 Subaru WRX STI S209. This is the first S model to head to the U.S., and it promises to be the most powerful, best braking, and best handling STI model that Subaru has ever produced. Whats more, its up against the 2019 Toyota Supra for supreme Japanese-performance fanfare, but honestly, the Six Stars seem to outshine the Toyota whopper this time around. Forget the 2020 Toyota Supra, this is the one you want for track days JDM Performance For The U.S. With a big sheet pull alongside an old-school peanut-eye 2004 WRX STI, the first STI to drop in the U.S., as well as the legendary 22B, the S209 is among rarified company. It follows in the same tradition as the S201 through S208 built between 2000 and 2018, and represents the best of the Subaru performance catalogue. Normally, these S models are exclusively a JDM special, but now, U.S. buyers will get a taste. Tested at the Tsukuba race circuit, the Nurburgring, and Virginia International Raceway, the S209 has a long list of performance-building bullet points on its resume. The end result, at least according to Subaru, is the best braking, best handling, and fastest factory STI ever made. It looks the part too. Revealed in white paint with gold wheels and black trim, the S209 announces itself with a big carbon fiber wing on the trunk, new frontend canards, fender vents, larger intakes, and a carbon fiber roof, not to mention four exhaust tips in the rear fascia. Buyers will have two color schemes to choose from, including WR Blue with grey wheels, or Crystal White Pearl with gold wheels. Unlike that crap youd buy on eBay, the aero upgrades on the S209 actually do work, cooling the massive brake package, reducing turbulence around the rear tires, and feeding cold atmosphere into the powerplant. The wider fender and wheels also up grip levels, adding 1.7 inches to the overall width, now measuring in at 72.4 inches overall. Speaking of the rollers, the S209 comes with BBS alloy wheels, measured at 19 inches in diameter and 9 inches in width. Making the grip are Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A meats, a summer-only compound that also adds extra track front and back, with an extra 0.6 inches at both ends. The tires are sized at 265/35, and grip at a full lateral g in the corners. Helping it put all that grip to good use are new Bilstein dampers, stiffer coil springs, a 20 mm rear stabilizer bar, pillow-type bushings for the front, and rear lateral links. Theres also more bracing for the front cross member and rear subframe, and the chassis gets a new strut tower bar and draw stiffeners. Providing the stop will be Brembo brakes, with cross-drilled steel rotors, 6-pot monoblock calipers up front, and 2-pot monoblock calipers in the rear. High-performance pads make the friction. The carbon fiber roof and wing also cut weight, although how much exactly is cut from the standard STIs 3,391 pounds remains to be seen. Under the hood, the S209 uses the all-too-familiar turbo 2.5-liter flat-four EJ25 engine from the standard WRX STI. To this, the S209 adds a new intake, new turbo specs, and an upgraded exhaust to match. The intercooler gets a water spray system to keep the charge air as chilly as possible, and the internals were beefed up with new forged pistons and connecting rods (more boost from the aftermarket? Yes please!). Total output comes to 341 horsepower, which is a substantial 31-horsepower gain over the standard model. Mid-range torque is up 10 percent as well. Routing it all is a standard six-speed manual transmission and Driver Controlled Center Differential transmission, with Subarus iconic Symmetrical AWD system hitting the pavement. The S209 will go on sale in late 2019. Production will be limited to 200 units. Pricing is so far unannounced. But What About The Supra? Well most likely do a full comparison at a later date, but for now, lets just do a quick overview. The styling for both these models is questionable, and were sure plenty of folks will take issue with the Supras break from the previous concept car and Subarus wing-tastic, add-on heavy aesthetic. So thats a wash, more or less. Instead, lets talk performance. The Toyota Supra comes to battle with a turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder, which produces 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and active differential. Curb weight is set at 3,397 pounds. Overall, that makes the specs pretty much on par with the Subys 3,391 pounds and 341 horsepower, although the S209s carbon bits might shave a few pounds off that final number, and the Supras six definitely has more torque. Of course, the Subaru has more grip off the line thanks to its AWD. Toyota is also claiming a 60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, but thats raising a few red flags for me. It just seems too fast, to be honest, even with extremely short gearing and a trick limited-slip differential. As for pricing, the Supra base model starts at around $50,000, while range-toppers are upwards of $60,000, which again makes the Toyota product on par with what were expecting from the S209 (granted, Subaru has yet to announce final pricing, and as a limited-run range-topping model, a premium charge added on top of the Scoobys base MSRP is almost a sure thing). That said, we expect the S209 to be far more focused and track friendly than the Supra. While wed probably pick the Toyota to get to and from the track, wed pick the Subaru once we started clipping the apexes. The aero spec, the driveline, the suspension all of it screams track car. The Supras RWD would make for a more balanced handling dynamic, but if its lap times youre after, the Subaru will almost certainly have the Toyota beat. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Further Reading Heres Your First Look At The 2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 That Will Debut At the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota Supra. Read our full review on the 2017 Subaru S208 WRX STI Limited Edition. Read our driven review on the2018 Subaru WRX STI. Really great column from a nearby small town newspaper explains how the state government has FAILED to inform residents about the real life health danger of a corporate killer. Checkit: We've been hearing that Samsung is hard at work on a 5G-capable version of the Galaxy S10 for a while now. But what we didn't know is that it could be exclusive to one carrier, at least for a limited time. A string of tweets that surfaced over the weekend from Max Weinbach of XDA Developers shed light on a range of details surrounding the Galaxy S10 line, including RAM, storage, the triple-camera system and more. But the most interesting nugget of news is that the 5G model or at least certain configurations of it may only be sold through Verizon for the first few months of the phone's lifespan. MORE: 5 Ways Samsung Can Make the Galaxy S10 a Must Buy The exact specifics of Verizon's exclusivity are a bit murky. Weinbach says Verizon "won the bidding war" for dibs on the "S10+ 5G, maxed out, spec'd out phone." In previous tweets, he mentioned the 5G model could carry between 256GB and 1TB of storage and 8GB to 12GB of RAM, so the rumored deal may just extend to the most powerful, most expensive version of the device, rather than the 5G Galaxy S10 in general. Months ago, AT&T and Verizon confirmed that they plan to sell a Samsung-branded 5G phone sometime in 2019. These rumors leave little doubt that both carriers were hinting at the Galaxy S10 all along. As for the non-5G versions, Weinbach reiterated some details we already suspected. Once again, the S10 Lite is not expected to receive an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, opting instead for a side-mounted, conventional one. Additionally, we're told that the regular S10 and S10 Lite will sport just two cameras on the back one primary 12-megapixel sensor with variable aperture and a 123-degree ultra-wide secondary lens while the S10+ models will add a 13-MP telephoto shooter to the stack. We're just over a month away from the Galaxy S10's unveiling on Feb. 20 in San Francisco. For all the latest rumors on Samsung's 2019 flagship phones, check out our comprehensive rumor roundup. [January 14, 2019] Sogou CEO Xiaochuan Wang Delivers Keynote Speech at 2019 Las Vegas "China Night" LAS VEGAS, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sogou Inc. (NYSE: SOGO) ("Sogou" or "the Company"), an innovator in search and a leader in China's internet industry, announced its CEO Xiaochuan Wang delivered the keynote speech at the 2019 Las Vegas "China Night," an annual event that brings together leading consumer electronics businesses ahead of CES. Las Vegas "China Night" is jointly hosted by the Consulate General of the P.R. China in San Francisco and the Organizing Committee of China Information Technology Expo (CITE). Under the theme of "Innovation and Cooperation in an Era of Great Change," this year's event brought together over 300 leading Chinese and American entrepreneurs with the aim of sharing learnings and facilitating collaboration. During his keynote speech entitled, "Technological Progress and the Evolution of Civilization," Mr. Wang noted that the rapid development of the internet and AI have accelerated the evolution of human civilization into a new era of "Intelligent Civilization." In this new era, technology empowers and enables humans to communicate more freely across languages, cultures and locations, and benefit from the immediacy of information. Mr. Wang noted that language barriers still exist, particularly for many in China, despite Chinese being the most widely spoken language in the world. Cross-language communication is therefore increasingly important, becoming a crucial link in connecting China with the world. For Wang, AI-powered machine translation will be the "ultimate breakthrough" that leads humankind into the "Intelligent Civilization." While the information civilization has gradually evolved into the intelligent civilization, Mr. Wang predicted that Sogou's Vocational Avatars that can enable more natural interactions between humans and machines could greatly improve human efficiency and become a future technology trend. Sogou's Vocational Avatars provide users with information via a more seamless and lifelike human-to-machine interaction. Sogou and Xinhua co-developed the world's first AI news anchor which is now in daily use. Sogou's Vocational Avatars also provide personalized medical and legal advice for users and will be widely used in cutomer service functions. As a leader in language-centric AI technologies, Sogou's human-to-machine translation technologies have ranked first in many internationally renowned competitions, including WMT 2017 and IWSLT 2018, and their application is widespread. Sogou's AI-powered machine simultaneous translation technology was successfully used to provide bilingual Chinese and English interpretation during Mr. Wang's keynote speech and panel discussions at Las Vegas "China Night." This marks yet another international event outside of China to leverage Sogou's world-leading technology. Sogou's human-to-machine translation technologies are expected to support more international conferences, acting as a bridge between different languages and cultures, and thus fulfilling Sogou's mission to make it easy to communicate and get information. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates, and projections, which involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, intense competition in the market for search and search-related services; our need to continually innovate and adapt in order to grow our business; our reliance on Tencent platforms for a significant portion of our user traffic; and uncertainty regarding the extent and reach of PRC governmental regulation of sponsored search. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Sogou's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2018, and other documents Sogou files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Sogou Sogou Inc. (NYSE: SOGO) is an innovator in search and a leader in China's internet industry. With a mission to make it easy to communicate and get information, Sogou has grown to become the second largest search engine by mobile queries and the fourth largest internet company by MAU in China. Sogou has a wide range of innovative products and services including the Sogou Input Method, which is the largest Chinese language input software for both mobile and PC. Sogou is also at the forefront of AI development and has made significant breakthroughs in voice and image technologies, machine translation, and Q&A, which have been successfully integrated into our products and services. For media enquiries, please contact: Rachael Layfield Brunswick Group Tel: +86 10 5960-8600 Email: sogou@brunswickgroup.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sogou-ceo-xiaochuan-wang-delivers-keynote-speech-at-2019-las-vegas-china-night-300777645.html SOURCE Sogou Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Seeing Machines to showcase Driver Monitoring System at Automotive World 2019 TOKYO, Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Seeing Machines Limited, the advanced computer vision technology company that designs AI-powered operator monitoring systems to improve transport safety will be exhibiting its driver monitoring technology at Automotive World in Tokyo, the world's largest exhibition for advanced automotive technologies. Situated on NEXTY's booth (#E43-38), Seeing Machines will demonstrate its' Guardian Backup-driver Monitoring System (Guardian BdMS). Automated driving will make driving easier, more comfortable, and eventually, safer. Entrusting the driving task to a computer will become a reality, but the journey will be gradual, complex, and potentially dangerous. As automated driving technology is tested and refined, it is prudent to have a human backup-driver continue to oversee the automated driving system to help assure safe operation of the vehicle at all times. Seeing Machines has launched Guardian BdMS, designed specifically for autonomous driving research fleet owners and operators to provide a safety system that supports safe innovation and on-road testing of automated driving techology, helping to ensure the backup driver is ready to take control of the vehicle when automated driving is not possible. The Guardian BdMS, currently being piloted in several companies in North America, leverages Seeing Machines' automotive-grade FOVIO driver monitoring technology in a convenient retrofit system for SAE level 3 to 5 test vehicle fleets. Visit Seeing Machines on the NEXTY booth (#E43-38) at Automotive World in Tokyo from 16 through 18 January 2019. About Seeing Machines Seeing Machines (LSE: SEE), a global company headquartered in Australia, is an industry leader in computer vision technologies which enable machines to see, understand and assist people. The Company's machine learning vision platform has the know-how to deliver real-time identification and understanding of drivers through Artificial Intelligence (AI) analysis of heads, faces and eyes. This insight enables Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), which monitor driver/operator identification and attention and can detect drowsiness and distraction across multiple transport sectors. Seeing Machines develops DMS for the Automotive, Commercial Fleet, Aviation, Rail and Off-Road markets. The Company has offices in Australia, USA, Europe and Asia, and delivers multi-platform solutions to industry leaders in each vertical. DMS is becoming a core safety technology integrated into ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) offerings for the automotive industry, particularly with the development of semi-autonomous and self-driving cars. DMS is also increasingly seen to be an integral safety feature across the Commercial Transport & Logistics industry globally. www.seeingmachines.com Media enquiries: Sophie.Nicoll@SeeingMachines.com or +61-419-149-683 SOURCE Seeing Machines Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Varian Showcases Radiotherapy Ecosystem at 2019 China Users Meeting WUHAN, China, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With nearly 1,300 Chinese radiation oncology professionals in attendance and an additional 8,000 users watching via a live webcast, Varian (NYSE: VAR) recently held its 2019 China Users Meeting in Wuhan, China January 12-13. The largest event in the company's history, attendees heard from Varian executives and customers regarding the company's vision of a world without fear of cancer, as well as cancer care solutions including radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, software and integrated services. At the User Meeting, Varian introduced to the China market the Halcyon treatment system, which received China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) approval in November 2018. Reaffirming its commitment to the China market, Chris Toth, president of Varian Oncology Systems, outlined the company's innovation strategy, positive clinical impact and Varian's transformation to a multimodal cancer company. "We aim to increase the number of patients worldwide touched with our technology from three million today to six million by 2022," stated Toth. "We are very excited about the launch of the Halcyon treatment system in China, and it's an important step to achieving our goal and expanding access to advanced cancer care." The China Users Meeting provided attendees with new insights on the latest technologies, best practices and future trends in cancer care. The meeting topics included: Halcyon treatment system Varian vision for adaptive therapy 1 The combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy Varian advances in proton therapy and Flash therapy 2 The advantages of SRS/SBRT Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven automated treatment planning Kolleen Kennedy , chief growth officer and president of Varian's Proton Solutions, introduced the new single-room proton therapy system, ProBeam 360, and advances in Flash therapy. The Maryland Proton Treatment Center and Cincinnati Children's/UC Health Proton Therapy Center also shared their proton therapy experiences with the audience. Corey Zankowski, senior vice president of Varian Oncology Software Solutions shared Varian's roadmap of AI-driven automated treatment planning. The adoption of AI has the potential to improve clinical efficiency and quality, especially for the busiest cancer centers in China. About Varian Varian is a leader in developing and delivering cancer care solutions and is focused on creating a world without fear of cancer. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Varian employs approximately 7,000 people around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com and follow @VarianMedSys on Twitter. 1. Varian's adaptive solution is a works in progress and not available for sale. 2. Flash therapy is currently in the research phase and not available for sale. Press Contact Mark Plungy Director, Public Relations +1 (650) 424-5630 mark.plungy@varian.com Helen Yang Greater China Manager, Public Relations +86 (10) 87836354 helen.yang@varian.com Investor Relations Contact J. Michael Bruff Senior Vice President, Investor Relations +1 (650) 424-5163 investors@varian.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varian-showcases-radiotherapy-ecosystem-at-2019-china-users-meeting-300777874.html SOURCE Varian [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] NAIAS 2019: Integrated system solutions from Bosch transform the future of mobility Mobility is in the midst of transformation. According to McKinsey, the pace of investment in future mobility technology increased nearly six-fold, from 4.3 billion per year to $25.3 billion per year, from 2010-2013 to 2014-2017. As a leading provider of the components and systems that are already transforming mobility today and shaping mobility of tomorrow, Bosch brings a unique comprehensive view. "While the industry is in the midst of major transformation, we see many pieces already in place for the connected, automated and electrified future," said Mike Mansuetti, president of Bosch in North America. "We're building upon our leadership in the areas of connectivity, safety systems and powertrain to continue to offer our customers the technologies and services that are advancing the future of mobility." At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Bosch will present integrated system solutions that energize the powertrain of tomorrow, enable connectivity and empower the automated drive. Developing, investing and acquiring connectivity services Bosch continues to build on its strong legacy of connecting vehicles by developing, investing in and acquiring connected services. Bosch has been providing the foundation for connected vehicles for many years and is leading the transition to fully connected vehicles and services. The company has a rich history in connectivity: Bosch has produced more than ten billion MEMS sensors since 1995. The first MEMS sensors developed nearly 25 years ago were for cars. These perceptive miniatures furnish data to the control units about when the car brakes or accelerates, as well as about the direction the car is traveling. For 45 years, Bosch has been making semiconductors - many for mobility applications. In 2016, every vehicle newly registered worldwide had an average of more than nine Bosch chips on board. These chips are core components of vehicle electrical systems. They regulate the powertrain and vehicle handling, tell the navigational system which way the vehicle is going, and signal the airbag to deploy when needed. Today, Bosch is already highly engaged in mobility services. Through the Bosch IoT suite, four million cars have connectivity and over-the-air updates enabled by the Bosch software platform. Connected mobility solutions and services from the company keep vehicles and drivers secure, informed and up-to-date. Bosch develops solutions such as: Perfectly Keyless , a user-centric vehicle access system that offers full passive entry and passive start functionality using the mobile phone as a digital car key. Transmitted via Bluetooth, vehicle access can be securely and conveniently granted to other users, enabling families, companies, sharing providers and fleet operators to flexibly manage who can access their vehicles and when. With decades of experience in semiconductors, Bosch is in a position to make this connection as secure as a fingerprint. , a user-centric vehicle access system that offers full passive entry and passive start functionality using the mobile phone as a digital car key. Transmitted via Bluetooth, vehicle access can be securely and conveniently granted to other users, enabling families, companies, sharing providers and fleet operators to flexibly manage who can access their vehicles and when. With decades of experience in semiconductors, Bosch is in a position to make this connection as secure as a fingerprint. Predictive road condition services , which help automated vehicles know where they can safely drive by predicting road conditions and alerting vehicles of hazardous conditions along their route. This connectivity solution uses weather data from Foreca, one of the world's leading providers of weather information. , which help automated vehicles know where they can safely drive by predicting road conditions and alerting vehicles of hazardous conditions along their route. This connectivity solution uses weather data from Foreca, one of the world's leading providers of weather information. Community-based parking that enables vehicles to search for a suitable parking space so that drivers don't have to. The parking-space search engine uses the ultrasonic sensors to help vehicles identify and measure the gaps between parked cars as they drive past them. The data collected is transferred to a digital parking map that drivers can use to guide them to suitable parking spaces. Bosch is investing in connected services partners. The company announced a strategic investment and innovation agreement with Mojio in June 2018. The companies introduced an IoT emergency response solution at CES (News - Alert) and will debut an integrated connected mobility solution at NAIAS. This new offering provides OEMs with an end-to-end connected mobility solution that can be cost-effectively deployed to new production vehicles (embedded) and to the existing car park (aftersales). The jointly developed solution unlocks the ability for OEMs to quickly launch and scale profitable connected vehicle services, while delivering user experiences that enhance vehicle safety, reliability and convenience for their customers. In February 2018, Bosch announced the acquisition of SPLT, a platform that allows companies, universities, and municipal authorities to offer their workforces ridesharing services. The SPLT app brings together work colleagues who take the same route to work. Within seconds, an algorithm computes the best grouping for the rideshare as well as the fastest route. A comfortable, safe journey to an automated future On the path to fully automated driving, Bosch is developing solutions - from full systems to components - to help make the road safer. This includes driver assistance functions and innovations needed to help realize fully automated driving. Automated driving requires highly precise, reliable and safe vehicle localization. Bosch has developed a sensor that allows automated vehicles to precisely determine their position: the vehicle motion and position sensor. The new vehicle motion and position sensor, being shown for the first time publicly at NAIAS 2019, brings together the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) position signals, correction data (to overcome any inaccuracies in satellite data signals as they make their way to the ground) and information from the inertial sensors, the wheel-speed sensors, and the steering-angle sensor. It includes a high-performance receiver unit for signals, which an automated vehicle needs to determine its absolute position. Bosch offers a globally unrivaled localization package. Its hardware, software, and services serve as a redundant system for precisely determining the vehicle's position. The Bosch road signature also helps to further develop high-resolution maps that are essential for automated driving. Video and radar sensors on board vehicles in motion generate the Bosch road signature by detecting stationary features on and by the road, such as lane markings, traffic signs, and guardrails. This can be integrated into high-resolution maps and helps self-driving cars to precisely determine their position within a given lane. Optimizing, connecting and electrifying powertrain systems Bosch has a rich history in powertrain innovation. From the high-voltage magneto ignition system in 1902 to gasoline direct injection in the early 1950's to the first automotive lambda sensor in 1976, the company has been a key enabler for many powertrain breakthroughs. This legacy continues today as Bosch is a leading partner for electromobility. Bosch technology can be found in more than 1,000,000 electric vehicles and hybrids worldwide. At NAIAS, Bosch will showcase its system approach for electric vehicles. This includes key components such as the electric motor, battery system, thermal management and regenerative braking system. The Bosch eAxle provides a solution that is cost-optimized and low complexity. This technology achieves a high efficiency factor by combining an electric motor, power electronics and transmission in a compact unit directly powering the vehicle's axle. The Bosch Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) can be flexibly designed to serve as the central Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture element for all powertrain topologies. The VCU helps to manage increasing variants and complexity in vehicles. This unit provides calculation power with high performance -controllers and -processors, and enables flashing over the air (FOTA/SOTA) for connected features. Bosch at NAIAS 2019 BOSCH BOOTH : Monday to Thursday, January 14-17, 2019, on Level Three, Room 330A, Cobo Center. : Monday to Thursday, January 14-17, 2019, on Level Three, Room 330A, Cobo Center. PANELS WITH BOSCH EXPERTS: Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. ET "Unlocking Future Mobility Through Connected Vehicles" with Kevin Mull, Director, Connected Mobility Solutions, Atrium Stage Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. ET "Urbanization: Solving Transportation Woes through Autonomy (News - Alert) " with Frank Sgambati, Director of Business Development - Smart City, PlanetM Stage Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. ET " Connectivity: Role of the Vehicle vs Mobile Device" with Stefan Buerkle, Global Customer Lead, Vice President, Car Multimedia, PlanetM Stage Thursday, January 17, 2019, 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. ET "What are We Waiting For? Overcoming Obstacles for Mass Adoption" with Sujit Jain, Regional President, Powertrain Solutions - Passenger Cars and Electric Vehicles, Atrium Stage FOLLOW the Bosch NAIAS 2019 highlights on Twitter (News - Alert) : #BoschNAIAS About Bosch Having established a regional presence in 1906 in North America, the Bosch Group employs nearly 34,500 associates in more than 100 locations, as of December 31, 2017. In 2017 Bosch generated consolidated sales of $13.7 billion in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit twitter.com/boschusa, twitter.com/boschmexico and www.bosch.ca. The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 402,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2017). The company generated sales of 78.1 billion euros ($88.2 billion) in 2017. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group's strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is "Invented for life." The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch's global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company's future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 64,500 associates in research and development. Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse. Exchange rate: 1 EUR = $1.12968 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005545/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Research Published in Nature Medicine Demonstrates the Immunological Effects of Tomivosertib, Including Inhibiting Production of Checkpoint Protein PD-L1 and Increasing T Cell Infiltration into Tumors SAN DIEGO, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a leader in the development of selective translation regulators (STRs) for the treatment of cancer, today announced publication in the peer reviewed journal Nature Medicine of preclinical research demonstrating that tomivosertib (eFT508), the companys oral, selective, small molecule inhibitor of MNK1/2, selectively inhibits expression of the programed-death ligand 1 (PD-L1), resulting in multiple immune-modulatory anti-cancer effects. The research, conducted in a preclinical model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), showed increased immune activation against tumors, increased immune cell infiltration into tumors, decreased metastasis and prolonged survival as a result of inhibited PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, this research demonstrated that PD-L1 expression is up regulated in the context of oncogene activation at the step of mRNA translation. PD-L1 is an immune-checkpoint protein that inhibits tumor immune suppression by signaling through its receptor on T cells, programed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). The therapeutic benefit of blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling has been demonstrated by several FDA-approved inhibitors of PD-1 or PD-L1. This report of the molecular mechanism whereby tomivosertib inhibits translation of PD-L1 mRNA further substantiates previously presented results showing that tomivosertib selectively inhibits production of key immunosuppressive factors including PD-1, PD-L1, LAG3, TIM3 and IL-10 through inhibition of a single translation regulator target, MNK1/2, said Steve Worland, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of eFFECTOR. We believe that the ability of tomivosertib to down-regulate multiple immunosuppressive factors uniquely complements focused immune checkpoint inhibitor activity such as anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 agents, and may help overcome their common resistance mechanisms, providing support for several of our ongoing clinical trials. The article titled, Translation control of the immune checkpoint in cancer and its therapeutic targeting, which published today, is from the laboratory of Davide Ruggero, Ph.D., professor, department of urology, and Helen Diller Family hair in basic cancer research at the University of California, San Francisco, with additional authors from eFFECTOR. This research, conducted in novel mouse models of aggressive metastatic liver cancer, demonstrated that increased expression of PD-L1 in these tumors is due to increased translation rather than increased transcription. It has previously been shown that increased expression of PD-L1 has been associated with increased rates of metastasis and death. However, the mechanism by which this upregulation occurs had not been fully elucidated. This study showed that PD-L1 is regulated at the level of m RNA translation. The paper also showed that treatment with eFT508 results in the selective inhibition of PD-L1 mRNA translation while having no effect on global protein synthesis. In the study, daily treatment with eFT508 remarkably reduced tumor growth, prevented metastasis and more than doubled the on-treatment survival time of mice. Taken together, the data provides substantial support for eFFECTORSs ongoing Phase 2 CPI-A checkpoint combination trial in combination with approved PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and the companys planned Phase 2 trial in combination with Mercks Keytruda to treat patients with triple negative breast cancer. About Tomivosertib (eFT508) Tomivosertib is eFFECTORs wholly-owned, highly selective translation regulator that inhibits MNK1 and MNK2 (MNK1/2) acting at the level of mRNA translation. The oral small molecule drug candidate promotes anti-tumor immune activity by selective down regulation of several immune checkpoint receptors and specific immunosuppressive cytokines. Tomivosertib also has direct action in certain tumor cells, including prostate cancer. Tomivosertib in being evaluated in multiple ongoing Phase 2 clinical studies in cancers that may respond to MNK inhibition. Patients are actively being recruited into a study wherein tomivosertib is being evaluated as an add-on when patients are experiencing insufficient response to an FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitor [ NCT03616834 ] and into a separate study in castration resistant prostate cancer [ NCT03690141 ] . As part of a clinical collaboration with Merck and Co., tomivosertib will also be tested in combination with pembrolizumab in triple negative breast cancer. Please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov for further information on ongoing clinical studies of tomivosertib. About eFFECTOR Therapeutics eFFECTOR Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of an emerging class of therapeutics known as selective translation regulators or STRs. By acting on key biological mechanisms responsible for tumor growth and immune suppression, STRs represent a promising small molecule approach for treating cancer. eFFECTORs most advanced program, tomivosertib (eFT508), is currently in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of several types of cancer, both as an immune modulator and as an agent that acts directly on tumor cells. eFFECTOR has entered into clinical collaborations with a strategic alliance between Pfizer and Merck KGaA to study tomivosertib in combination with avelumab and separately with Merck & Co to evaluate tomivosertib in combination with KEYTRUDA. Additionally, the company has an emerging pipeline of promising STR programs targeting well-known oncogenes and intractable targets. eFFECTOR maintains global rights to all of its development programs. For more information visit www.effector.com. Contacts: Investors: Amy Conrad Juniper Point 858-366-3243 amy@juniper-point.com Media: Heidi Chokeir, Ph.D. Canale Communications 619-849-5377 heidi@canalecomm.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Danfoss and Nelumbo, a Surface Modification Technology start-up, enter Strategic Partnership BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nelumbo and Danfoss have established a strategic partnership to deploy Nelumbos surface modification technology platform with Danfoss Microchannel heat exchanger business. Danfoss Microchannel heat exchangers are all-aluminum, high efficiency products for use in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, with a 30 percent less refrigerant charge compared to other heat exchangers. Nelumbo surface modification technology improves operational performance, corrosion resistance and frost mitigation in challenging environments. The strategic partnership will add significant differentiation in a competitive market. The companies have been working together since 2017 and in 2018 Danfoss participated in Nelumbos Series A financing. Together the companies plan to develop and produce advanced, customized solutions for the HVAC market. The demand for this technology is growing, and we are excited about the potential, says Lars Rasmussen, Vice President, DanfossCooling Heat Exchangers, and continues: with this strategic partnership we take the next step in bringing the technology to market, and ensure that we have all the necessary agreements in place to be able to expand the collaboration with Nelumbo. Danfoss scale, customer access, and leading market knowledge combined with Nelumbos unique technology and expertise yields a mutually compelling new business and further demonstrates that our materials technology is a major differentiator, said Liam Berryman, Nelumbos CEO. Our business model is to develop strategic partnerships with leaders in markets of interest to us and we are delighted that our first one is with Danfoss. The partnership agreement was signed in a meeting on December 18, 2018, held at Danfoss Hamburg office in the presence of Jurgen Fischer, President, Danfoss Cooling; Liam Berryman, CEO, and Lance Brockway, CTO, Nelumbo; and Lars S. Rasmussen, Vice President, Danfoss Cooling Heat Exchangers. About Nelumbo Established in 2015 with a goal of changing the power of materials science in modern society and business, Nelumbo is a recognized pioneer in the field of advanced surface modifications and a trusted partner for developing, manufacturing and selling redefined products using innovative surface technologies. The Nelumbo technology includes a multi-functional and customizable surface modification platform that can be integrated with base products for dramatic differentiation, performance advantages, and access to new markets by solving critical technical challenges. Nelumbo formed out of UC Berkeley and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Cyclotron Road Fellowship, the Thiel Fellowship, and Forbes 30 under 30 for Energy. For more information about Nelumbo, contact info@nelumbo.io . About Danfoss Danfoss engineers advanced technologies that enable us to build a better, smarter and more efficient tomorrow. In the worlds growing cities, we ensure the supply of fresh food and optimal comfort in our homes and offices, while meeting the need for energy-efficient infrastructure, connected systems and integrated renewable energy. Our solutions are used in areas such as refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, motor control and mobile machinery. Our innovative engineering dates back to 1933 and today Danfoss holds market-leading positions, employing more than 26,000 and serving customers in more than 100 countries. We are privately held by the founding family. Read more about Danfoss at www.danfoss.com Media contact: John Reed, Media Relations Elevator Communications, LLC Tiburon, CA (415) 846-4862 - cellular jreed@elevatorpr.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Greg Bowles is the current director for Project Gettysburg Leon, the sister city program between Gettysburg and the country of Nicaragua that was founded in 1986. [January 14, 2019] MomentFeed's Location Finder Makes Local Store and Restaurant Landing Pages Easier Than Ever to Build and Find MomentFeed, the leader in mobile consumer experience management for multi-location brands, has made it easier than ever for multi-location brands to build and maintain accurate landing pages representing their physical store locations. With the launch of Location Finder Templates and Widgets, MomentFeed is providing multi-location brands and digital agencies with simple, elegant and SEO-ready components that can be used to enhance and build their own 'local landing pages'. Fueled by MomentFeed's own location data assets, brands can choose from multiple templates and content widgets to provide location-specific content to engage and convert online consumers to customers. MomentFeed Location Finder is a best-of-breed solution that boosts SEO to ensure consumers receive the most relevant information to call, visit or navigate to a local store, restaurant or branch. Widgets, Templates and Custom Pages provide three distinct options for multi-location brands looking to maintain and harness the power of local landing pages to improve SEO and create a great user experience at scale. "Local is the secret sauce of any full-funnel SEO campaign. Location landing pages allow you to compete on longtail keyword sets where there is less competition capturing generic, branded and 'near-me' searches. These types of searches influence e-commerce buying behavior and drive in-store visits," said Jason White, Director of SEO, The Hertz Corporation. "Local landing pages have become the most authoritative signal that search engines use today to recommend a local business to consumers, making them an indispensable asset for any brand using SEO to drive customers to their physical locations," said Robrt Blatt, CEO and Chairman of MomentFeed. "The more visible and complete your locations are, the more consumers will see your brand, engage with the content, and the more in-store visits you'll drive. It sounds obvious and simple yet it is incredibly hard and complex to consistently manage and optimize SEO for thousands of local landing pages at scale. MomentFeed Location Finder continues to be the go-to solution for brands that want to leave nothing to chance when it comes to their search results and location visibility at the local level." To help multi-location brands create and maintain their critical local landing pages, MomentFeed offers three effective options: Location Finder Widgets (NEW) - Designed for brands who want to enhance their existing local landing pages or want to quickly build their own. Brands maintain full control over their pages and can choose from multiple location-specific widgets including location details, menus, reviews, social icons, promotional images and custom buttons for online ordering, reservations and more. (NEW) - Designed for brands who want to enhance their existing local landing pages or want to quickly build their own. Brands maintain full control over their pages and can choose from multiple location-specific widgets including location details, menus, reviews, social icons, promotional images and custom buttons for online ordering, reservations and more. Location Finder Templates (NEW) - Designed for brands who want SEO-ready, mobile-first local landing pages, but don't want to maintain or host them. With MomentFeed's battle-tested design Templates, brands can focus on providing localized content like calls-to-action, promo images, and descriptions that mobile consumers need to make decisions. By choosing a Template, brands can roll out local landing pages in one to two weeks. (NEW) - Designed for brands who want SEO-ready, mobile-first local landing pages, but don't want to maintain or host them. With MomentFeed's battle-tested design Templates, brands can focus on providing localized content like calls-to-action, promo images, and descriptions that mobile consumers need to make decisions. By choosing a Template, brands can roll out local landing pages in one to two weeks. Location Finder Custom Pages - Designed for brands who want unique local landing pages that match their website, but don't want to host them. MomentFeed designers provide a customized page layout using pre-built page components and can integrate with a brand's existing software such as booking, reservations or appointment scheduling. In addition to local landing pages, MomentFeed's Location Finder also offers a Store Locator solution to help consumers find stores near them when they search on the brand's website as well as a Location Directory to help search engine bots crawl the brand's local landing pages by providing a hierarchy of links related by geography. More and more multi-location brands looking for a competitive advantage for their physical store locations are turning to MomentFeed for a holistic platform that combines the best of SEO with the best of location management and consumer engagement capabilities. MomentFeed's Mobile Consumer Experience (MCX) platform helps each brand's locations become more discoverable, get more customers through the door, and drive revenue-all in a single place. The MCX platform consists of several synergistic products including Visibility Manager, Location Finder, Social Media Manager, Paid (News - Alert) Media Manager, Reputation Manager and Connect to integrate with your enterprise systems and bring insights to life with 3rd-party data. To learn more about MomentFeed Location Finder solutions, please visit: https://momentfeed.com/products/location-finder/ About MomentFeed MomentFeed's mobile consumer experience management software enables multi-location brands to make their nearest location the best choice for every mobile consumer. The Mobile Consumer Experience (MCX) management platform helps organizations manage consumer engagement at the store or field level, creating a mobile consumer experience that is more authentic, relevant and engaging for local consumers and directly drives in-store foot traffic across multiple channels, providing marketing attribution for each channel. With an integrated management and reporting system that spans multiple channels including mobile search, social media, digital advertising and customer care, the MCX platform helps continuously and predictably capture more in-store sales for retailers, restaurant chains, banks, auto dealers, insurance companies and other franchised and corporate-owned multi-location businesses. MomentFeed was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. For more information visit www.momentfeed.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005538/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Generex Announces Investor Conference Call-in Details; Management to Provide Update on Initiatives & Strategic Plans MIRAMAR, FL, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE Generex Biotechnology Corporation ( www.generex.com ) (OTCQB: GNBT) ( http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GNBT/quote ), today announced the following access information for its investor conference call, to be hosted by President & Chief Executive Officer Joseph Moscato, and his management team Wednesday January 16, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time: Domestic US/Canada 1-(866) 342-8588 Direct Toll / International - 1-(203) 518-9865 Conference ID - 85014 The purpose of the call is to update investors on the previously announced and pending acquisitions that offer significant value to the Generex parent company. Joseph Moscato, Generex President & Chief Executive Officer, will discuss the companys financing plans related to the acquisitions, as well as the strategic focus of Generex for 2019 and beyond. Additional details and an agenda will be announced Tuesday, January 15th. About Generex Biotechnology Corp. Generex Biotechnology is an integrated healthcare holding company with end-to-end solutions for patent centric care from rapid diagnosis through delivery of personalized therapies. Generex is building a new kind of healthcare company that extends beyond traditional models providing support to physicians in an MSO network, and ongoing relationships with patients to improve the patient experience and access to optimal care. In addition to advancing a legacy portfolio of immune-oncology assets, medical devices, and diagnostics, the Company is focused on an acquisition strategy of strategic businesses that complement existing assets and provide immediate sources of revenue and working capital. Recent acquisitions include a management services organization, a network of pharmacies, clinical laboratory, and medical device companies with new and approved products. Our newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, NuGenerex Distribution Solutions (NDS), integrates our MSO network with a pharmacy network, clinical diagnostic lab, durable medical equipment company (DME-IQ) and dedicated call center. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release and oral statements made from time to time by Generex representatives in respect of the same subject matter may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as "expects," "plan," "believes," "will," "achieve," "anticipate," "would," "should," "subject to" or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in discussing potential product applications, potential collaborations, product development activities, clinical studies, regulatory submissions and approvals, and similar operating matters. Many factors may cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Generex with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered together with any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue reliance on such statements. Generex undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements that is contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Generex Contact: Generex Biotechnology Corporation Joseph Moscato 646-599-6222 Todd Falls 800-391-6755 Extension 222 investor@generex.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Beyond Limits Announces AI Healthcare Advisory Board to Inspire a Cognitive Leap in Healthcare GLENDALE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Limits, a leading artificial intelligence engineering company, has announced the formation of a healthcare advisory board composed of prominent physicians and healthcare executives from world-renowned medical clinics and companies. The board will provide medical, scientific, and technical guidance to accelerate deployment of Beyond Limits cognitive AI technology for patient monitoring, clinical decision support, population health management, drug discovery and other vital programs. "The healthcare industry is eager for AI innovations to help medical professionals care for people," says AJ Abdallat, Beyond Limits CEO. "With the guidance of our esteemed advisory board, we are ready to contribute advanced technology solutions for this all-important mission." Beyond Limits Healthcare Advisory Board Dr. Wael Barsoum, CEO and President, Cleveland Clinic Florida Region, Cleveland Clinic Board of Governors Member, Fellow of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the AAOS. Dr. Bala Manian, successful Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur, founder of multiple companies including ReaMetrix, Quantum Dot Corp., SurroMed, Biometric Imaging, Lumisys, and Molecular Dynamics. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan, Professor of Medicine, Stanford University; Cardiologist, Bioengineer, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Founder of several medical technology startups. In addition to his MD, Dr. Narayan holds an MSc in Computer Science. Dr. Manish Kohli, Global Board Chair and Fellow, HIMSS; Former CMIO and Head of Healthcare Informatics, Dubai Health Care City/ University Hospital (Dubai), CMIO, Cleveland Clinic (Abu Dhabi), CMIO, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians (Baltimore); Board Certified - Clinical Informatics, Family Medicine. Member, Standards Advisory Panel, Joint Commission International (JCI) Dr. Steven Tucker, Preventive Medical Oncologist & Founder of Singapore-based group practice, Tucker Medical; Chief MedicalOfficer at insurtech start-up, CXA Group; and Director of Oncology & Genomics at MetLife Asia. Dr. Douglas Johnston, Program Director for Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Committee Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Cleveland Clinic Accountable Care Organization Board Member. "We are honored to have the benefit of six extremely knowledgeable healthcare industry experts on our team," says Dr. Manikanda Arunachalam, MD, Beyond Limits Head of Healthcare and SVP Corporate Development & Investments. "This is a world class team that fully understands the power that Beyond Limits cognitive AI can apply to solve difficult healthcare problems." Beyond Limits builds cognitive AI systems that interpret vast amounts of data from disparate sources to produce actionable information. For example, historical patient data, lab results, chart notes, real-time sensor monitoring, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and drug interactions, etc., can be interpreted by the system to better understand and personalize treatment suggestions. Because medical decisions are important and frequently expensive, an AI system must be able to explain its thought process and conclusions. Unlike conventional "black box" approaches like machine learning, deep learning or neural networks that cannot explain their reasoning, Beyond Limits cognitive AI delivers clear explanations of its cognitive reasoning in transparent, evidence-based audit trails, including risk and uncertainties. Beyond Limits cognitive AI technology combines conventional numeric AI with advanced symbolic logic for human-like reasoning to improve insights, inform decision-making, and reduce risk at the point of care. The company's technology is considered to be a cognitive leap beyond conventional AI to a human-like ability to perceive, understand, correlate, learn, teach, reason and solve problems faster than existing AI solutions. About Beyond Limits Beyond Limits is a full-stack artificial intelligence engineering company creating advanced software solutions. With proud Caltech/JPL heritage in our leadership team, and advanced technology developed for the NASA space program. Founded in 2014, Beyond Limits is transforming proven technologies from Caltech and NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab into advanced AI solutions, hardened to industrial strength, and put to work for forward-looking companies on earth. Beyond Limits leverages this unparalleled innovation portfolio, along with the company's breakthrough cognitive technology, to go beyond conventional AI, blending deep learning and machine learning with symbolic AI to emulate human-like reasoning. For more information, please visit www.beyond.ai. Beyond Limits is a founding board member of the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare https://theaaih.org Note: Healthcare Board Advisors are compensated by Beyond Limits. Media Contact Jennifer Rodriguez Firecracker PR (888) 317-4687, ext. 703 207592@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyond-limits-announces-ai-healthcare-advisory-board-to-inspire-a-cognitive-leap-in-healthcare-300777035.html SOURCE Beyond Limits [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] VPS Hosting Provider BitLaunch Offers Full Anonymity by Supporting Cryptocurrency Payment LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BitLaunch announces full anonymity for VPS hosting accounts at popular cloud providers including DigitalOcean, Vultr and Linode by accepting Bitcoin and ten other cryptocurrencies as payment. By accepting cryptocurrency as payment, BitLaunch allows people to utilize cloud computing giants such as DigitalOcean through a BitLaunch account, eliminating the need for people to create accounts at Digital Ocean, Vultr or Linode directly. This carries the benefit of full anonymity as well as the ability to host with these large providers, which currently isn't possible in a number of large countries. People in India or Indonesia, for example, can now run their businesses on DigitalOcean despite being in a country DigitalOcean doesn't support. "We're excited to be in the position to help so many affiliate marketers gain access to popular cloud computing services, which are directly unavailable to countless people," said Jack Phillips, BitLaunch COO. "We're also proud to support decentralized payments, removing the potential for transaction failure and service outage." BitLaunch is also instrumental for creating a truly private VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPN's are a necessary tool on today's internet, since they encrypt your connection so that sensitive data is safe from eavesdroppers. They are also useful as a tool, for example, for affilite marketers and in digital/performance marketing. An anonymous VPN can allow you to appear from any geographic location you choose. This means you can change your geographic area in order to see ads and landing pages from different countries. In an industry as competitive as affiliate marketing, a private secure VPN is paramount. About BitLaunch: BitLaunch actively works to support a freer, more open Internet by accepting over 10 different cryptocurrencies as payment including Bitcoin (with new currencies being added regularly). Choosing a company like BitLaunch grants you the freedom that comes with decentralized technology. You're no longer at the mercy of a bank or other single entity when it comes to making timely payments. You enjoy elevated levels of anonymity, privacy, and security as a result. BitLaunch users also get the peace of mind that comes with knowing they're supporting the development of an Internet that isn't subject to the interference of any bank, government, or single authority. Interested parties can join the movement and acquire their own VPN services through BitLaunch today. To learn more about BitLaunch visit https://bitlaunch.io/ and to learn more on the benefits of anonymous VPS hosting visit https://bitlaunch.io/blog/why-buy-vps-hosting-with-bitcoin/ . For media inquiries please contact 207576@email4pr.com. Media Contact: Jack Phillips (888) 455-6558 207576@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vps-hosting-provider-bitlaunch-offers-full-anonymity-by-supporting-cryptocurrency-payment-300776987.html SOURCE BitLaunch.io [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Semler Brossy Launches Office in New York Chooses Manhattan's Iconic Empire State Building It's a new year, new office and New York for Semler Brossy. A leading national executive compensation consulting firm, Semler Brossy is expanding its East Coast presence with the launch of its Manhattan office in the legendary Empire State Building. "Launching a New York office fulfills a long-term vision to recognize the substantial client base we already serve on the East Coast," says Managing Director and firm co-founder Roger Brossy. "For almost 20 years we've enjoyed rewarding relationships with numerous leading companies across the U.S. It was time to 'bookend' the country. From New York to Los Angeles, our bicoastal team will continue providing insightful and impactful executive compensation counsel to Boards and management teams across industries." The office will be led by Managing Director Kathryn Neel, who has over a decade of compenstion-consulting experience working with Fortune 500, privately-held and family-owned companies spanning the consumer products, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, financial services and retail sectors. "Kathryn is a dynamic leader who is getting us off to a strong start in New York," says Managing Director Blair Jones, who will also work from the midtown-Manhattan office. "Kathryn embodies Semler Brossy's passion for serving our clients and infuses our firm with her vibrancy and energy. We have long been excited for this move to Manhattan and are thrilled to see Kathryn at the helm of this expansion." Semler Brossy's commitment to partnering with clients to better understand their businesses and develop effective compensation solutions places the firm at the forefront of the industry. As companies navigate everyday compensation challenges and significant transitions, Semler Brossy's consultants will continue to advance the dialogue in executive compensation and enhance their clients' ability to make well-informed decisions regarding executive compensation designs and governance that suit their unique circumstances. The firm's Manhattan office, located at 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4700, can be reached at (212) 393-4000. For more information on Semler Brossy, visit the new semlerbrossy.com featuring vibrant imagery from renowned abstract photographic artist, Jessica Eaton (News - Alert) . About Semler Brossy Founded in 2001, Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC. is an established, independent executive compensation consulting firm providing clients deep expertise on issues of executive compensation, management incentives, performance measurement/goal setting and board compensation. Semler Brossy's services emphasize experience, creativity, technical expertise and business acumen. Clients include global organizations in such industries as financial services, healthcare, consumer products, technology, manufacturing, retail and professional services. Based in Los Angeles, California, the firm also has offices in New York City and Princeton, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.semlerbrossy.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005172/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Oregon Department of Transportation Expands Use of DT Research High Accuracy GNSS Rugged Tablets Statewide WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 2019 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting DT Research, the leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, today announced the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has expanded its use of DT Research GNSS rugged tablets to all 15 of its construction management offices across the state and also use the tablets for biology, geology, roadway and wetland projects. DT Research worked closely with ODOT to design purpose-built rugged tablets that empower state workers to easily collect and transmit geospatial measurements in the field using GNSS Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technologies. DT Researchs GNSS rugged tablets have enabled us to bring high-accuracy geospatial measurements to workers across the Department of Transportation, which has literally changed the way we work, said Chris Pucci, Construction Automation Surveyor at the Oregon Department of Transportation. The tablets have enabled us to save time, reduce costs and improve the accuracy of projects through digital-as constructed measurements and real time data capture. DT Research GNSS rugged tablets will be showcased at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 98th Annual Meeting held January 1317, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Conference attendees can come by booth #1030 to see DT Research GNSS rugged tablets in action. The tablets have a dual frequency GNSS module built-in, which provides stand-alone sub meter accuracy to centimeter level accuracy with Real Time Kinematics from GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO satellites. The tablets are compatible with existing survey and GIS software for mapping applications and bring together the advanced workflow for data capture, accurate positioning and data transmitting. We now have essentially created one-person survey crews because the DT Research tablets are so much easier to use than a ape measure and paper to accurately calculate and record measurements during complex construction projects, said Pucci. Using the tablets saves us an average of $2,000 for every survey-grade measurement job that does not require a full survey crew. In addition, the tablets have provided us with a contract verification system by having highly accurate digital-as-constructed measurements that are delivered immediately and stored forever, which saves the state time and money by avoiding independent re-measurement checks due to billing discrepancies at the end of a project, added Pucci. The DT Research GNSS tablets can store up to 1 Terabyte of data, making them ideal for field data collecting. Users can avoid down-time with a high capacity hot-swappable battery pack, which delivers 60 or 90 watts for up to 15 hours of continuous mobile communications. The units include Long Range Class 1 Bluetooth, which powers wireless connectivity up to 1,000 feet and 4G mobile broadband. The simplicity of how the DT Research tablets work is amazing, said Pucci. Unlike complex professional survey equipment, the DT Research tablets are a Windows based mobile device with a user interface that is familiar to workers. In just two hours, I can easily train state workers with diverse skillsets to measure quantity, linear features and volumes for a variety of projects and they are ready to go. The tablets run on Microsoft Windows 7 Professional or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and are high performance devices with an Intel 6th or 8th Generation Core i5 or i7 processor. The rugged tablet is designed for outdoor use with a brilliant LED-backlight, 800 nits sunlight-readable screen and capacitive touch. We have found the DT Research tablets to be incredibility easy to manage and highly durable we just turn them on and they work, said Pucci. In the three years that we have used the tablets, we have had very few technical support questions and they hold up well in different weather conditions. There isnt a comparable product on the market at the price point. The DT Research tablets are military-grade durable devices, yet lightweight - offering the versatility to be used in field-to-office settings. For use in harsh environments, the tablet is fully ruggedized to meet the highest durability standards with an IP65 rating, MIL-STD-810G for vibration and shock resistance and MIL-STD-461F for EMI and EMC tolerance. For use in a variety of environments, the tablets are complemented by many accessories including: external antennas, pole mount cradles, detachable keyboards, battery charging kits and digital pens. About DT Research DT Research, an early Mobile Tablet pioneer and leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing systems for vertical markets, delivers the worlds most comprehensive line of Rugged and Industrial-grade Tablets, Mobile POS Tablets, Digital Signage Systems and Medical Computing Solutions. DT Research products are uniquely designed with customizable built-in options assembled in California, providing customers with rapid time-to-market solutions. The DT Research family of products is based on embedded computing platforms that power secure, reliable and cost-effective computing. DT Research systems offer computing mobility within industrial and harsh environments through durable solutions with wireless connectivity, high-quality touch displays, and Windows operating systems. More than 200 organizations across the globe rely on DT Research solutions in industries such as government, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, military, retail and warehousing. DT Research is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California with offices in China and Taiwan. For more information, visit www.dtresearch.com and follow @dtresearch, #MilitaryTablets and #RuggedTablets. DT Research and WebDT are trademarks of DT Research, Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contacts: Barbara Reichert Reichert Communications, LLC barbara@reichertcom.com Gabrielle Marshall DT Research gmarshall@dtri.com o) 408-934-6192 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Equinox Payments and ACCEO Tender Retail Deliver PCI 5.x-certified P2PE-ready Solutions on First Data Platform Equinox Payments ("Equinox"), a leading provider of payment terminals, software and services, and ACCEO Tender Retail today announced that the Equinox Luxe 8500i and Luxe 6200m payment terminals have achieved EMV end-to-end certification on First Data's processing platform and are expected to be submitted to the PCI (News - Alert) Security Standards Council in February for validation. The solution leverages the First Data payments platform and supports First Data TransArmor encryption and tokenization. Value-add features include First Data's Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005181/en/ Advanced security including PCI 5.x, SRED and Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) combine to extend peace of mind and reduce the costs and hassles of annual PCI compliance validation. The solution meets the extensive PCI Security Standards Council's P2PE standards and enables remote key injection and sofware downloads to deliver operational efficiencies. "Working with the Luxe terminal family allowed us to seamlessly migrate our existing Linux application directly onto the Luxe terminals, preserving our leading feature-rich solutions that merchants expect of us," said Joey Vaccaro, vice president, Business Development, ACCEO Solutions. "The boldly unique design of our Luxe terminals, backed by the highest PCI security standards and coupled with ACCEO Tender Retail's semi-integrated EMV-certified software, mitigates the costs and complexities of annual PCI compliance while improving the check-out experience," said Rob Hayhow, vice president, Equinox Payments. By integrating ACCEO's Tender Retail software on the Luxe 8500i and Luxe 6200m, merchants and POS vendors gain unprecedented access to fully integrated customer engagement in a semi-integrated environment. Operating the payment application directly on the device reduces the overhead related to PCI compliance and eliminates the expenses associated with legacy proprietary and restrictive terminal-based middleware software for semi-integrated configurations. Modern design elements including a vivid display encourage customer engagement and improve the payment experience. About ACCEO Tender Retail Tender Retail is a North American leader in the payment industry. The Tender Retail team is at the forefront of innovation, having been one of the first providers to offer an EMV-ready payment solution with End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) in North America. Deployed in major retailers throughout the United States and Canada, Tender Retail has been a leader in cutting-edge payment solutions for over 30 years. Since 1976, Harris has focused on providing feature-rich and robust turnkey solutions to Public Sector, Schools, Utility, and Health Care agencies across North America. With the ACCEO acquisition, Harris has expanded its scope in the private sector (Retail, Hardware stores and building centers, SMBs, etc.). The company's focus is on creating long-term relationships with its customers and ensuring that it meets the changing needs of its customers over time. About Equinox Payments Brookfield Equinox LLC (dba Equinox Payments) was founded in 2014 as a result of an acquisition of assets from Equinox Payments, LLC. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Equinox is looking beyond product features to rethink and reimagine the customer payment experience. The company is owned by NBS (News - Alert) Payment Solutions, based in Toronto, Canada and a leading provider of electronic payment solutions to the financial industry for over 25 years. NBS Payment Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, which has over $285 billion of assets under management. Brookfield is listed on the New York (BAM) and Toronto (BAM.A) stock exchanges. For more information about Equinox, visit www.equinoxpayments.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005181/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Lumos Networks and Spirit Communications Rebrand as SEGRA? Lumos Networks Corp. ("Lumos") and Spirit Communications ("Spirit") announced today that the two companies have been rebranded as SEGRA?. In announcing Segra, CEO Timothy G. Biltz said, "This new brand marks the official launch of a single company with a mission and a culture that are dedicated to providing winning solutions for our customers. We are looking forward to the opportunities this gives us to better serve our customers, our communities and our employees." In April 2018, EQT Partners completed the purchase of a majority stake in Spirit Communications and announced it would combine the Spirit assets with Lumos. Since that time, the two companies have integrated operations, have expanded their fiber-optic network and product sets and have made further investments in existing and new markets across nine states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Notable new markets include Raleigh, Greensboro, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. The company's Rural Local Exchange Carrier (RLEC) segment will retain the Lumos Networks name and will be supported by a dedicated team of employees led by Diego Anderson, Senior Vice President and General Manger, Residential and Small Business. This segment will continue to focus on delivering product solutions to residential and small business customers within those regulated service areas. "The management team and employees of the combined company have completed several integration projects to meet the strong demand we're seeing for our products and services," said Doug Gilstrap, Chairman of the Board for Segra. "As Segra, we look forward to meeting the needs of our customers and strengthening our company's leadership position in service, reliability and product innovation." The Segra logo represents design elements that signal the modern, trustworthy and bold approach the company stands for in the market. Customer focus groups, market research and employee involvement were all part of the process of chosing the new name and brand. Act 1 Partners of Portland, Ore. worked with the management team to assist in the process of selecting a new name and creating its brand design. "As part of the branding process, we conducted independent market research which revealed that both Lumos and Spirit had excellent customer service and reliability ratings that led the industry in the markets we serve," said Grey Humphrey, chief revenue officer of Segra. "Another finding that emerged from our work: Employees and management believed a new name would be the best way launch the combined company to the marketplace. During the search for a new name, the word Segra was suggested by an employee and soon became a popular choice among the team. It fit with all the qualities we were seeking in a name - short, easy to pronounce and distinct. It is derived from an ancient verb meaning to win, as in to prevail or overcome. This aligns with our focus on providing innovative, industry-leading solutions and service for our customers." Jan Vesely, a Segra board member as well as Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, said, "The new brand represents many attributes that EQT seeks in its infrastructure investments and we look forward to supporting Segra as it expands its world-class fiber-optic network and its portfolio of products and services." Customers will begin to see the Segra logo on company vehicles, buildings, and other materials over the next few months. Customer service, rates and network coverage will not change as a result of this re-branding process. "While our name and look will change, our guiding principles of doing business - most importantly putting the customer first - will remain the same," said Biltz. About Segra Segra is one of the largest independent fiber bandwidth companies in the U.S. Representing a successful merger of Lumos Networks and Spirit Communications, the company now has the most advanced fiber infrastructure network of more than 21,000 miles that connects more than 9,000 on-net locations and 44 data centers throughout nine Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. Segra provides Ethernet, MPLS, dark fiber, advanced data center services, IP and managed services, voice and cloud solutions, all backed by its industry-leading service and reliability. Customers include carriers, enterprises, governments, healthcare organizations, defense, education and small businesses. For more information about Segra's technology and commitment to customer care, visit segra.com. About EQT EQT is a leading investment firm with approximately EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 28 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. More info: www.eqtpartners.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005243/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] AmWINS Group, Inc. to Acquire The Flood Insurance Agency AmWINS Group, Inc. ("AmWINS"), a global distributor of specialty insurance products and services, has reached an agreement in principle to acquire The Flood Insurance Agency ("TFIA"), a Florida-based managing general agency that specializes in private market flood insurance. "The addition of The Flood Insurance Agency will significantly increase our capabilities for personal lines flood products," said Scott M. Purviance, Chief Executive Officer of AmWINS Group, Inc. "We are incredibly excited to partner with Evan and his team. Their reputation in the flood market is unparalleled. Not only will TFIA enhance our personal lines flood product offerings, but also will provide us with the opportunity to distribute a new and innovative commercial flood product to our retail clients in the very near future." The Flood Insurance Agency, operating as a Program Administrator for Lexington Insurance Company, provides access to Private Market Flood, an alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program. "AmWINS is the largest specialty insurance distributor in the U.S., but more importantly is the ideal cultural fit for TFIA," said Evan Hecht, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Flood Insurance Agency. "Our specialized approach enables us to provide access to superior products and results for our clients and markets." AmWINS offers a variety of P&C programs for specific product lines, industry segments, and business types. With decades ofexperience in highly specialized markets and industry niches, AmWINS underwriters have earned the trust of major carriers. AmWINS offers more than 60 in-house programs and binding authorities and underwrites over $1.8B in annual premium., through our Underwriting and Access divisions. The transaction is expected to close in February, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About AmWINS Group, Inc. AmWINS Group, Inc. is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the United States, dedicated to serving retail insurance brokers by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 115 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $15.3 billion dollars annually. To learn more, visit www.amwins.com. About The Flood Insurance Agency The Flood Insurance Agency (TFIA), established in 1984 and located in Gainesville, FL, specializes in the distribution of private flood insurance throughout the United States. For over 25 years, TFIA has been at the forefront of the flood insurance industry. Now operating as a program administrator for Lexington Insurance Company, TFIA provides access to private market flood insurance as an alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program. The private flood insurance program now insures over $4.5 billion of property spread over 25,000 risks and has registered over 3000 independent agencies in 37 states to market the program. To learn more, visit www.floodinsuranceagency.com and www.privatemarketflood.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005258/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Investindustrial to Acquire Jacuzzi Brands An investment subsidiary of Investindustrial VI L.P. ("Investindustrial") has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jupiter Holding I Corp. ("Jacuzzi Brands" or "the Company"), owner of several spa and bath products brands, among them Jacuzzi, from investment funds affiliated with each of Apollo Global Management, LLC, Ares Management Corporation, and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. Investindustrial has invited Nottingham Spirk Design Associates, Inc. ("Nottingham Spirk") to be a business innovation and product design partner and to co-invest in the Company as a minority shareholder. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005264/en/ Investindustrial to acquire Jacuzzi Brands (Photo: Business Wire) Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. Jacuzzi Brands is a global manufacturer of premium spas, swim spas, whirlpool, soaker and walk-in bathtubs and related bathroom products and accessories. The Company believes that 'when we feel good, we live a better life.' The Company operates under multiple brands, including Jacuzzi, Sundance, Dimension One Spas, Hydropool, ThermoSpas and BathWraps. The Company's flagship brand, Jacuzzi, is the most recognized in the world for spa and hydrotherapy bathing. Jacuzzi Brands (www.jacuzzi.com), founded in 1956 by an Italian family, is the clear European market leader and is the co-leader in the U.S. spa sector. The Company generated revenues of approximately $500 million in fiscal year 2018, operates 8 facilities across North America, Erope and South America with over one million sq. ft. of manufacturing space and has its main European manufacturing facility in northeastern Italy. Investindustrial has experience in the high end of the home products segment through its investments in Flos, B&B Italia and Louis Poulsen. Jacuzzi Brands will have access to Investindustrial's relationships, including world class designers, to accelerate the Company's growth through innovation, product development and R&D. Investindustrial will support each of the Company's brands to increase awareness and dealer leads. Andrea C. Bonomi, Investindustrial's Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board, said, "We are delighted to welcome Jacuzzi to join our portfolio of investments in premium brands. Investindustrial has enjoyed success in supporting businesses with iconic brands operating in the home design sector. Jacuzzi Brands is a company with Italian heritage and is a globally recognized brand with a quality management team. We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to Jacuzzi Brands' next phase of development. We see significant untapped potential and will work closely with management to grow the business through product innovation and an expansion of the Company's footprint." Bob Rowan, CEO of Jacuzzi Brands, said, "I am extremely happy about the acquisition of Jacuzzi Brands by Investindustrial. Their expertise in growing premium brands, combined with the product development resources of Nottingham Spirk, makes this a perfect match to ensure a bright future for our valued customers and dedicated employees." Investindustrial has designated Charles "Chuck" Huebner as the incoming Executive Chairman of Jacuzzi Brands. Most recently, Huebner was CEO of Dacor, Inc., which designs, manufactures and markets a full range of premium kitchen appliances. Huebner commented, "Investindustrial's success in supporting management teams and building premium brands will be crucial in consolidating our presence in North America and Europe and expanding into new markets; Nottingham Spirk will help the Company develop innovative new products that best meet consumer needs. Our new ownership will provide significant resources to invest behind our dealer partners with new marketing programs." About Investindustrial Investindustrial is a leading European group of independently managed investment, holding and advisory companies with 6.8 billion ($7.8 billion) of raised fund capital, which provides commercial solutions and capital to mid-market companies. Its mission is to actively contribute to the development of the companies in which it invests, by creating growth opportunities and offering global solutions through an entrepreneurial vision. Investindustrial has a history of more than 28 years of successfully partnering with premium brands such as Aston Martin and Ducati and leading global home design businesses such as B&B Italia, Flos and Louis Poulsen. Additional information is available at www.investindustrial.com. About Nottingham Spirk Nottingham Spirk is a highly successful business innovation and product design firm, which has developed hundreds of products that have generated over $50 billion in sales and more than 1,200 patents for companies around the globe during the past 47 years. Nottingham Spirk will support Jacuzzi Brands with new product development, co-invest in the transaction and serve on the Board. Additional information is available at www.nottinghamspirk.com. Investindustrial Advisors Limited is registered in England with its registered address at 16 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JD and company number 01316019. Investindustrial Advisors Limited is authorized and regulated by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (Financial Services Register number: 170924). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005264/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record dates to 521 million years ago in the oceans of the Cambrian Period, when the continents were still inhospitable to most life forms. Few groups of animals adapted as successfully as trilobites, which were arthropods that lived on the seabed for 270 million years until the mass extinction at the end of the Permian approximately 252 million years ago. The longer ago organisms lived, the more rare are their fossils and the harder it is to understand their way of life; paleontologists face a daunting task in endeavoring to establish evolutionary relationships in time and space. Surmounting the difficulties inherent in the investigation of a group of animals that lived such a long time ago, Brazilian scientists affiliated with the Biology Department of Sao Paulo State Universitys Bauru School of Sciences (FC-UNESP) and the Paleontology Laboratory of the University of Sao Paulos Ribeirao Preto School of Philosophy, Science and Letters (FFCLRP-USP) have succeeded for the first time in inferring paleobiogeographic patterns among trilobites. Paleobiogeography is a branch of paleontology that focuses on the distribution of extinct plants and animals and their relations with ancient geographic features. The study was conducted by Fabio Augusto Carbonaro, a postdoctoral researcher at UNESPs Bauru Macroinvertebrate Paleontology Laboratory (LAPALMA) headed by Professor Renato Pirani Ghilardi. Other participants included Max Cardoso Langer, a professor at FFCLRP-USP, and Silvio Shigueo Nihei, a professor at the same universitys Bioscience Institute (IB-USP). The researchers analyzed the morphological differences and similarities of the 11 species of trilobites described so far in the genus Metacryphaeus; these trilobites lived during the Devonian between 416 million and 359 million years ago (mya) in the cold waters of the sea that covered what is now Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, the Malvinas (Falklands) and South Africa. The Devonian Period is subdivided into seven stages. Metacryphaeus lived during the Lochkovian (419.2-410.8 mya) and Pragian (410.8- 407.6 mya) stages, which are the earliest Devonian stages. The results of the research were published in Scientific Reports and are part of the project Paleobiogeography and migratory routes of paleoinvertebrates of the Devonian in Brazil, which is supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation -FAPESP and Brazils National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Ghilardi is the projects principal investigator. When they became extinct in the Permian, 252 million years ago, the trilobites left no descendants. Their closest living relatives are shrimps, and, more remotely, spiders, scorpions, sea spiders and mites, Ghilardi said. Trilobite fossils are found abundantly all over the world, he explained so abundantly that they are sometimes referred to as the cockroaches of the sea. The comparison is not unwarranted because anatomically, the trilobites resemble cockroaches. The difference is that they were not insects and had three longitudinal body segments or lobes (hence the name). In the northern hemisphere, the trilobite fossil record is very rich. Paleontologists have so far described ten orders comprising over 17,000 species. The smallest were 1.5 millimeters long, while the largest were approximately 70 cm long and 40 cm wide. Perfectly preserved trilobites can be found in some regions, such as Morocco. These can be beautiful when used to create cameos or intaglio jewelry. Trilobite fossils from Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, in contrast, are often poorly preserved, consisting merely of the impressions left in benthic mud by their exoskeletons. Although their state of preservation is far from ideal, there are thousands of trilobite fossils in the sediments that form the Parana basin in the South region of Brazil, and the Parnaiba basin along the North-Northeast divide, said Ghilardi, who also chairs the Brazilian Paleontology Society. According to Ghilardi, their poor state of preservation could be due to the geological conditions and climate prevailing in these regions during the Paleozoic Era, when the portions of dry land that would one day form South America were at the South Pole and entirely covered by ice for prolonged periods. During the Devonian, South America and Africa were connected as part of the supercontinent Gondwana. South Africa was joined with Uruguay and Argentina in the River Plate region, and Brazils southern states were continuous with Namibia and Angola. Parsimonious analysis The research began with an analysis of 48 characteristics (size, shape and structure of organs and anatomical parts) found in some 50 fossil specimens of the 11 species of Metacryphaeus. In principle, these characteristics serve to establish their phylogeny the evolutionary history of all species in the universe, analyzed in terms of lines of descent and relationships among broader groups, Ghilardi said. Known as a parsimonious analysis, this method is widely used to establish relationships among organisms in a given ecosystem, and in recent years, it has also begun to be used in the study of fossils. According to Ghilardi, parsimony, in general, is the principle that the simplest explanation of the data is the preferred explanation. In the analysis of phylogeny, it means that the hypothesis regarding relationships that requires the smallest number of characteristic changes between the species analyzed (in this case, trilobites of the genus Metacryphaeus) is the one that is most likely to be correct. The biogeographic contribution to the study was made by Professor Nihei, who works at IB-USP as a taxonomist and insect systematist. The field of systematics is concerned with evolutionary changes between ancestries, while taxonomy focuses on classifying and naming organisms. Biogeographic analysis typically involves living groups the ages of which are estimated by molecular phylogeny, or the so-called molecular clock, which estimates when two species probably diverged on the basis of the number of molecular differences in their DNA. In this study of trilobites, we used age in a similar manner, but it was obtained from the fossil record, Nihei said. The main point of the study was to use fossils in a method that normally involves molecular biogeography. Very few studies of this type have previously involved fossils. I believe our study paves the way for a new approach based on biogeographic methods requiring a chronogram [a molecularly dated cladogram] because this chronogram can also be obtained from fossil taxa such as those studied by paleontologists, rather than molecular cladograms for living animals. As a vertebrate paleontologist who specializes in dinosaurs, Langer acknowledged that he knows little about trilobites but a great deal about the modern computational techniques used in parsimonious analysis, on which his participation in the study was based. I believe the key aspect of this study, and the reason it was accepted for publication in as important a journal as Scientific Reports, is that its the first ever use of parsimony to understand the phylogeny of a trilobite genus in the southern hemisphere, he said. Gondwanan dispersal The results of the paleobiogeographical analyses reinforce the pre-existing theory that Bolivia and Peru formed the ancestral home of Metacryphaeus. The models estimate a 100% probability that Bolivia and Peru formed the ancestral area of the Metacryphaeus clade and most of its internal clades, Ghilardi said. Confirmation of the theory shows that parsimonious models have the power to suggest the presence of clades at a specific moment in the past even when there are no known physical records of that presence. In the case of Metacryphaeus, the oldest records in Bolivia and Peru date from the early Pragian stage (410.8-407.6 mya), but the genus is believed to have evolved in the region during the Lochkovian stage (419.2-410.8 mya). Parsimony, therefore, suggests Metacryphaeus originated in Bolivia and Peru some time before 410.8 mya but not earlier than 419.2 mya. In any event, it is believed to be far older than any known fossils. According to Ghilardi, the results can be interpreted as showing that the adaptive radiation of Metacryphaeus to other areas of western Gondwana occurred during episodes of marine transgression in the Lochkovian-Pragian, when the sea flooded parts of Gondwana. The dispersal of Metacryphaeus trilobites during the Lochkovian occurred from Bolivia and Peru to Brazil to the Parana basin, now in the South region, and the Parnaiba basin, on the North-Northeast divide and on toward the Malvinas/Falklands, while the Pragian dispersal occurred toward South Africa, he said. Fossil trilobites have been found continuously in the Parana basin in recent decades. Trilobites collected in the late nineteenth century in the Parnaiba basin were held by Brazils National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, which was destroyed by fire in September 2018. These fossils havent yet been found under the rubble and its likely that nothing is left of them. They were mere shell impressions left in the ancient seabed. Even in petrified form, they must have dissolved in the blaze, Ghilardi said. Reference: Fabio Augusto Carbonaro, Max Cardoso Langer, Silvio Shigueo Nihei, Gabriel de Souza Ferreira, Renato Pirani Ghilardi. Inferring ancestral range reconstruction based on trilobite records: a study-case on Metacryphaeus (Phacopida, Calmoniidae). Scientific Reports, 2018; 8 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33517-5 Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo. Original written by Peter Moon. [January 14, 2019] OpenGate Capital Completes Sale of NAKAN to Westlake Chemical Corporation OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced today that it completed the sale of NAKAN, a global PVC compounding solutions business headquartered in Reims, France, to Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) on January 2nd, 2019. Andrew Nikou, OpenGate Capital's founder and CEO, stated, "The sale of NAKAN marks an important turning point for the NAKAN business as it joins the Westlake global platform and embarks on a new phase of growth. This exit is also an important evolution for OpenGate as we continue to prove out our lower middle market investment strategy across North America and Europe. I want to thank the entire team at NAKAN for their efforts during the past four years and wish them much success under Westlake's stewardship." Sebastien Kiekert Le Moult, Partner at OpenGate, oversaw the entire lifecycle of the NAKAN investment from acquisition through transformation and realization. Kiekert Le Moult commented, "NAKAN reflects OpenGate's midle market investment strategy and we are proud of all that has been accomplished. From executing a complete carve-out to implementing a multi-faceted operational improvement plan, NAKAN sales and margins greatly improved since acquired by OpenGate in 2015. Given all that has been accomplished, NAKAN is at the right point in its evolution to be acquired by Westlake so that it can progress further under new leadership." OpenGate Capital acquired NAKAN in 2015 as part of a larger acquisition of Kem One SAS (News - Alert) in 2014, a fully integrated upstream producer of PVC resins. The acquisition of NAKAN was completed during OpenGate's pre-fund period and was part of the legacy portfolio. NAKAN has eight production facilities located in China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and Vietnam, as well as a world-class research facility in France and application laboratory in the United States. NAKAN products are used in a wide variety of applications by customers in the automotive, building and construction, and medical industries. About OpenGate Capital OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate's professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions including corporate carve-outs, management buy-outs, special situations and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005049/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 14, 2019] Saudi Arabia based Wataniya Adoptes eBaoTech's Future Proof Insurance Platform SHANGHAI, Jan. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- eBaoTech, a global leading digital insurance solution provider recently announced that Saudi Arabia based Wataniya Insurance Company (Wataniya) successfully launched eBaoTech's microservices and cloud-native based 4G insurance platform as its policy administration system. The new system will be used to manage Wataniya's end-to-end policy operations from underwriting, sales, re-insurance, claims to IT, and for all of its product lines. All legacy policy data have been migrated to the new system. Wataniya experienced fast business growth in recent years. Its legacy IT systems became a challenge to support its further growth and the IT maintenance was very costly. In this context, Wataniya was looking for a new on-premise core business platform which should be on a modern architecture for the ease to maintain, agile enough to meet the changing needs in digital age and cost effective. "The new PA system laid a solid foundation to support our digital transformation. We are very pleased that the replacement project was complete within two years," Haitham Albakree, CEO, of Wataniya ommented. "Besides the future proof solution on microservice and native cloud architecture, we are also pleased by the professionalism, dedication and passion demonstrated by eBaoTech's implementation team. With the new system in place, I am confident that we now have cutting edge IT capabilities to better serve our clients in digital age." Woody Mo, CEO of eBaoTech added ,"eBaoTech has a strong, proven record in serving insurance carriers in more than 30 countries. We are very honored to have Wataniya as our first client in Saudi Arabia and we look forward to working with more carriers in the fast growing ME market." About Wataniya Wataniya Insurance Company commenced operations under its name in the second quarter of 2010. However, Wataniya has inherited the legacy of Saudi National Insurance Company (SNIC) which had been registered in Bahrain and operating in KSA since 1975. For more information, please visit https://www.wataniya.com.sa/ About eBaoTech eBaoTech is a digital solution provider to the global insurance industry and our mission is to "make insurance easy". We do business in more than 30 countries globally, serving over 200 carriers and numerous agents, brokers, InsurTech's and others in the insurance ecosystem. Digital insurance is the coming wave and the insurance industry is moving into the API economy. eBaoTech provides solutions and services that enable digital insurance. eBaoTech has been dedicated to insurtech innovation since its founding in 2000. In 2001, eBaoTech developed world's first browser/server based insurance core system suite, leading the advent and adoption of Java-based 3G insurance IT. In 2015 eBaoTech launched the world's first distributed, cloud-native and microservices based 4G insurance platform, that provides a complete set of insurance APIs across an insurance policy's full lifecycle. eBaoTech offers a cloud based solution that enables digital insurance and enterprise level core system insurance software. We make insurance easy. More information, please visit www.ebaotech.com. SOURCE eBaoTech [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 13, 2019] Transforming Banking Experience in the Advanced Digital Era KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CONFTECH ASIA team is delighted to announce the first line-up of speakers for the Future Retail Banking Summit 2019, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 5th - 7th, 2018. Among the growing list of speakers includes: DATO ARIF SIDDIQUI , Former CIO Standard Chartered Bank-Malaysia PETER M DINGLE, HSBC Retail Banking & Wealth Management, Hong Kong ANDRES WOLBERG STOK , Citi, USA DATUK MICHAEL LOR CHEE LENG , Senior Advisor, People Element, Malaysia The Future Retail Banking Summit 2019 themed "Transforming Banking Experience in the Advanced Digital Era" is designed to address key chalenges and explores technologies that can accelerate the banking sector into the digital. The banking industry is changing beyond recognition with previously established institutions being disrupted by fintech firms who are arguably showing that there is an alternate and better way to do banking. Asian consumers are becoming more and more comfortable with using mobile and Internet channels for banking services, with their usage increasing on average by more than 35 percent in the past three years. In its initiative to add value to the retail banking sector, CONFTECH ASIA is proud to introduce Future Retail Banking Summit 2019. With an exciting mix of panels, strategic discussions and case studies on the programme, participants will be exposed to innovative solutions as well as practical strategies for digital transformation, new technology integration, open banking and new branch strategies to shape the future of retail banking in Asia. PR Newswire is the News Release Distribution Partner of Future Retail Banking Summit. For more information visit http://www.frbsummit.com Or contact us at marketing@conftechasia.com Media Contact: Mr Hafizuddin Phone Number: +6016-293-5753 Email: hafizuddin.z@conftechasia.com SOURCE CONFTECH ASIA [January 13, 2019] Crestron Now Shipping Complete Portfolio of Crestron Flex Unified Communications & Collaboration Solutions New solutions clear the way to more productive, stress-free days by providing a simple, consistent user experience in all the places people work; feature native support for Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, and Zoom Rooms software SINGAPORE and ROCKLEIGH, N.J., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestron, a global leader in workplace technology, announced it is now shipping its complete portfolio of Crestron Flex Unified Communications & Collaboration solutions. Crestron Flex clears the way to more productive, stress-free days by providing a simple, consistent user experience in all the places people work and meet, from desks to boardrooms. There's no more time wasted trying to get the technology in different meeting spaces to work. Crestron Flex provides a native Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, and Zoom Rooms software experience, including one-touch join. "We are pleased to elevate our long standing partnership with Crestron. The integration of the Crestron Flex portfolio of devices with Microsoft Teams delivers an impressive end-to-end portfolio for customers," said Bob Davis, CVP, M365 Customer and Partner Experience at Microsoft Corporation. "We decided that Crestron Flex was the perfect solution for us," says Bradley Wilbanks, Global AV Supervisor at Sealed Air, a Fortune 500 company that designs and manufactures unique and innovative packaging products. "In the past, we were always finding ourselves trying to force our customers to bend to our platform and codec. Crestron Flex allows us to be more flexible while offering a seamless experience; taking the technology out of the equation and letting us focus on doing our jobs." Crestron Flex solutions come in several forms, but all deliver the same experience, regardless of the space in which they're deployed: Crestron Flex P100 Series: Crestron's first ever voice-over-IP desk phone, the P100 Series takes a new approach to the notoriously complex and disjointed world of telephony. It delivers the Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business experience to users of desktop phones. It features a large touch screen that provides convenient tools that connect you to your calendar and coworkers, right at your desk. Crestron Flex B100 Series: With a stunning, yet practical, wall-mount sound bar design, the B100 Series delivers crystal clear audio with a beam forming microphone array, an integrated 4K high-definition camera that provides auto-zoom, people counting, and lifelike image quality. A front of room solution for Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, or Zoom Rooms, the B100 Series pairs with a 10" touch screen to deliver a simple, intuitive in-room user experience. Crestron Flex M100 Series: The Crestron Flex M100 Series is a tabletop solution that provides everything you need to instantly and securely call, present, and videoconference using Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, or Zoom Rooms software. An included 4K high-definition camera provides auto-zoom, people-counting, and lifelike image. The premier audio performance is delivered via the incorporated four-microphone 360-degree array. Crestron Flex C100 Series: The Crestron Flex C100 Series is a flexible, integrated UC kit that brings one-touch join to even the most custom spaces. It natively supports Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, or Zoom Rooms, and includes an optional certified UC DSP and ceiling tile microphone array Centralized deployment and management Crestron Flex solutions benefit from zero-touch deployment via the Crestron XiO Cloud platform. The world's leading companies are seeing up to 90% reductions in installation time, improvements in device uptime, and less strain on support resources. Crestron was awarded the prestigious 2018 Microsoft Global Partner of the Year Award for Internet of Things (IoT) in recognition of how Crestron XiO Cloud, built on the Microsoft Azure platform, has revolutionized provisioning and management of Crestron's workplace solutions. Learn more Visit crestron.com/Flex to learn more about how Crestron Flex solutions are creating better meeting and collaboration experiences everywhere in the modern workplace. About Crestron At Crestron we build the technology that integrates technology. Our automation and control solutions for homes and buildings let people control entire environments with the push of a button, integrating systems such as AV, lighting, shading, security, BMS and HVAC to provide greater comfort, convenience and security. All of our products are designed and built to work together as a complete system, enabling you to monitor, manage and control everything from one platform. Our products are backed by more than 90 fully-staffed offices that provide 24 x 7 x 365 sales, technical, and training support across the globe. In addition to its World Headquarters in Rockleigh, New Jersey, Crestron has sales and support offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia. Discover Crestron by visiting www.crestron.com. All brand names, product names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Certain trademarks, registered trademarks, and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Crestron disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Crestron is not responsible for errors in typography or photography. 2019 Crestron Electronics, Inc. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190111/2344649-1 Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190111/2344649-1LOGO SOURCE Crestron Electronics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Tipperary Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill has called on the Minister for Agriculture to immediately lift the ban on spreading slurry and to allow farmers make use of the unseasonably mild and dry weather. Slurry is prohibited from being spread over the winter in Ireland, with the prohibition lifted in mid-January. The unusually mild December, coupled with the mostly dry weather, has made it an optimum time for farmers to spread slurry now, he said. Deputy Cahill said that he had written to the Minister to ask him to lift the slurry spreading ban and to allow farmers to start spreading immediately as there were still a lot of farmers feeling the effects of last years fodder crisis. As a result of the fodder crisis the Minister allowed the spreading slurry for a fortnight longer than the deadlines set out under EU rules. I believe he must do the same again now and allow farmers the opportunity to boost grass growth for spring, said Deputy Cahill. If 2019 were to follow in the same weather vein as 2018, then the farming community would be seriously disadvantaged. The Minister must bring forward the spreading date and he must do so immediately, he said. The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether a civil lawsuit that resulted from a convoluted 2009 Rensselaer County election fraud case can continue. The court agreed to hear an argument over a legal question that will decide whether Democratic Rensselaer County election commissioner Edward G. McDonough was too late filing an $8 million federal civil rights lawsuit against former special prosecutor Trey Smith. Smith's attorney, Thomas O'Connor, said the Supreme Court felt the issue at hand was one of national significance. "It's an interesting case and we'll see what happens," he said. McDonough was accused of committing 74 felonies as part of a scheme in the 2009 primary election to forge more than 50 absentee ballots to benefit Democratic candidates in city council races. He was acquitted twice of forgery and possession of a forged instrument charges, with the second acquittal coming on Dec. 21, 2012. On Dec. 18, 2015, McDonough sued Smith, investigators and witnesses in the case as well as Rensselaer County. Most of the suit was dismissed and he appealed. In the lawsuit he alleges that Smith fabricated evidence to use against McDonough violating his constitutional rights as well as malicious prosecution. The suit also alleged that the other Democrats conspired to have McDonough take the fall and Smith went along with it as part of a political vendetta he had against McDonough. The question before the Supreme Court is based on the timing of the lawsuit. McDonough filed the lawsuit in December 2015 under Section 1983 of the federal law. The law states that defendants can sue officials over civil rights violations. In these types of cases, there is no federal statue of limitations and state law applies, which in New York is three years. The U.S. Second District Court of Appeals ruled in August 2018 that McDonough filed his suit too late, deciding that he should have filed the suit after his first trial when he would have realized that false evidence was allegedly being used against him, according to a petition to the Supreme Court by McDonoughs attorney Neal Katyal. Katyal served as the acting Solicitor General under President Barack Obama after Elena Kagan was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the petition, Katyal argues that the Second Districts timeline for the application of the statute of limitation goes against rulings from five other federal courts of appeal. Those courts have ruled that instead, the clock begins to run when criminal action against a defendant ends, so in McDonoughs case, the end of his second trial. Katyal argues that the Second District is making up a new rule, one that would create an unequal playing field where the statute of limitations would depend on the district where a lawsuit was filed. He also argued that filing a federal civil rights lawsuit under Section 1983 before a defendants criminal trial was complete was disadvantageous for both the defendant, prosecutors and police. The investigation in the fateful 2009 primary also implicated four then-city councilmen, the city council president, the city clerk as well as two political operatives in a legal saga that continued for three years. Four of the men pleaded guilty and received varying sentences. Two other men received immunity for agreeing to testify for the prosecution. One of the councilmen, Michael LaPorto, was also twice acquitted and filed a federal lawsuit seeking $80 million in damages. The status of his lawsuit was not immediately available on Sunday. Magma could rise from the upper mantle into the middle and upper crust beneath the Laacher See Volcano (Rhineland-Palatinate). This is the result of a study conducted by the Seismological Survey of Southwest Germany (Erdbebendienst Sudwest), together with GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Seismological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia. For the first time, the scientists present evidence of deep and low-frequency earthquakes caused by magma movements under the Laacher See Volcano. However, there are presently no signs of any upcoming volcanic activity in the near future. The researchers report their findings in Geophysical Journal International. The detected earthquakes are generated at large depths and are characterized by unusually low frequencies. Their magnitudes are below the limit of human perception, explains Professor Joachim Ritter of the Geophysical Institute (GPI) at KIT. The scientists speak of deep low-frequency (DLF) earthquakes. They are generated at depths between ten and over forty kilometres, i.e. in the Earths crust and upper mantle. Their dominant oscillation frequencies are between one and ten Hertz, which is significantly lower than tectonic earthquakes of comparable magnitude. DLF earthquakes are regarded worldwide as an indication of the movement of magmatic fluids at great depths, explains Professor Torsten Dahm, head of the GFZ section Physics of Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Such earthquakes can be observed regularly beneath active volcanoes, for example in Iceland, Japan or Kamchatka. The results of the study in the East Eifel region suggest that magmatic fluids from the upper mantle of the Earth could rise into the Earths crust under the Laacher See Volcano. This can be interpreted as an indication for the existence and ongoing slow recharge of magma chambers in the crust beneath the volcano. In their study, the scientists of KIT, GFZ, Erdbebendienst Sudwest the joint seismological services of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Wurttemberg and the State Seismological Service of North Rhine-Westphalia determined that these earthquakes occur episodically in groups that are narrowly limited in time and space and line up along a line between 10 and 45 kilometres depth The scientists conclude that fluids and magmas, i.e. molten rock, could rise from the upper mantle into the middle and upper crust of the earth beneath the Laacher See Volcano. Due to extensive improvements of the seismological monitoring networks in Rhineland-Palatinate and the adjacent regions, deep low-frequency earthquakes could be registered beneath the Laacher See Volcano for the first time in 2013, says Dr. Martin Hensch, head of the study at the Erdbebendienst Sudwest. In the past five years, a total of four spatially well constrained clusters of such DLF earthquakes have been detected in the East Eifel region. The clusters align along an approximately 80 southeast dipping line south of the Laacher See Volcano. In addition to the spatial separation, the temporal occurrence of the DLF earthquakes is also sharply limited: So far, the experts have observed eight episodes of DLF earthquakes lasting between 40 seconds and eight minutes. However, the researchers do not interpret the observed DLF earthquakes as an immediate precursor signal of any upcoming volcanic activity in the near future. The rise of magma into the shallow crust is usually accompanied by swarms of high-frequency earthquakes. Such activity has not yet been observed in the Eastern Eifel, reports Joachim Ritter. Further, there is no sign of deformation at the Earths surface, which should be clearly detectable during massive magma ascents, adds Torsten Dahm. Dating of the magma produced during the last eruption 12,900 years ago show that the filling and differentiation of the upper magma chamber under Laacher See Volcano could have taken about 30,000 years before the actual eruption took place. This means that the magmatic processes take an extremely long time before an eruption occurs. As the technical requirements for the detection and localization of DLF earthquakes in the East Eifel region have only reached a sufficient quality in the last few years, it is not possible to determine retrospectively since when DLF earthquakes have occurred in the region. It can be assumed that this was already the case before 2013. Following the first observation of deep earthquakes in 2013, KIT, GFZ and Erdbebendienst Sudwest installed a seismological research network. The joint use of seismic registrations now allows detailed scientific analysis of microseismicity. In order to better investigate the interrelation of DLF earthquakes and possible magmatic activity beneath the East Eifel region, the researchers recommend to intensify geochemical monitoring to analyse emitted gases, as well as repeated geodetic measurements to detect possible deformations of the earths surface. Specific geophysical investigations should also be conducted to map and characterize possible magma reservoirs under the Laacher See Volcano. Further, the scientists advise a reassessment of the volcanic hazard of the Eifel. Reference: Martin Hensch, Torsten Dahm, Joachim Ritter, Sebastian Heimann, Bernd Schmidt, Stefan Stange, Klaus Lehmann. Deep low-frequency earthquakes reveal ongoing magmatic recharge beneath Laacher See Volcano (Eifel, Germany). Geophysical Journal International, 2019; DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggy532 Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre. New York State Police BRUNSWICK - State police arrested Stephanie A. Welch, 34, of Troy after her blood alcohol level tested at more than three times the legal limit. Welch was stopped for a traffic offense along State Route 7 in Brunswick on Monday morning, Jan. 7. State Police released the details of the arrest on Sunday. SCHOHARIE A Schoharie County judge is intervening to grant the National Transportation Safety Board access to the limousine involved in the deadly Oct. 6 crash after a months-long fight between the board and District Attorney Susan Mallery. Supreme Court judge George Bartlett's decision is the latest step in the ongoing dispute between the two agencies attempting to determine what led to the death of 20 people at the bottom of a hill along Route 30. In a letter from Jan. 9 to the board's general counsel, Kathleen Silbaugh, Bartlett proposed adding the NTSB to the original search warrant that grants New York State Police investigators access to the vehicle. The addition of the board to the search warrant would strike down one of the main reasons Mallery has used to explain why she has not let investigators do anything other than observe the vehicle from a distance. Responses from the NTSB, Mallery and defense attorneys are due later this week. The letter was first reported by the Daily Gazette. Bartlett said he is hesitant to interfere further but wants the two sides to resolve their disagreements so that the boards investigators can finally have access to the limousines wreckage. The court is surprised that coordination of access between law enforcement, defense counsel and the NTSB is an issue in this case as, I assume, coordination between the various entities is tragically not an infrequent necessity that is routinely resolved without court intervention, Bartlett wrote. Almost since the crash, the NTSB and Mallery have been fighting over whether the NTSB investigators should have access to the vehicle. In his letter to Silbaugh, Bartlett notes that he was unaware that three months after the crash, NTSB had not been granted access. Initially, it was never this courts intention that any kind of issued search warrants be construed so as to deny the NTSB access That being said, the court now knows otherwise, Bartlett wrote. Bartletts letter also reveals Mallery tried to get approval for a supplemental search warrant that would give the State Polices expert the ability to remove the limousines transmission and torque converter and failed to notify the NTSB that the court wanted the boards input before granting the warrant as Bartlett ordered. Mallerys office made a private appearance before Bartlett on Dec. 24 to request the warrant. He directed her office to show it to the NTSB and defense lawyer Lee Kindlon by Dec. 28, 2018, and that their responses were due on Jan. 7, 2019. On Jan. 4, Mallery asked Bartlett to sign off on the search warrant, writing that the NTSB Director Robert Molloy had given her his consent during a phone conversation that day. The same day, the NTSB told the Schoharie County Clerk that it had never received a notice that the court wanted the board to comment on the possible supplemental warrant. The NTSB categorically opposes the supplemental search warrant if such a search, which would necessarily result in altering and/or destroying physical evidence on the crash vehicle, is conducted without NTSB investigators being present and actively participating in the removal, disassembly and inspection of the relevant parts of the vehicle, Silbaugh wrote to Bartlett in a letter dated Jan. 7. Silbaugh also noted that Mallery had repeatedly mischaracterized the amount of access the board's investigators had been granted in her communications with the board, obstructed its investigation and failed to inform the NTSB of what the supplemental warrant was for when she first spoke with board officials on Dec. 31. "Again, the NTSB had not objected to the supplemental search warrant during the telephone call because we were not told about the specific content of the supplemental search warrant. Had we known the true content of the application, we would have objected," she wrote. She also mentions that, at one point, Mallery invited the board to issue a joint press release with her office. Silbaughs letter does not say what that release would have said or why no release was ever issued. Mallery has not spoken publicly about the case or about her decisions to prevent the board's inspecting the limousine. It is unclear why Mallery has refused to publicly comment. Calls to her office and Silbaugh were not returned Monday. The struggle between the two offices has held up a federal investigation in to one of the deadliest transportation incidents in the last decade, despite repeated attempts by U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as Congressman Paul Tonko to resolve the issue. The federal government shutdown has also complicated the matter. The NTSB had to bring back an investigator furloughed by the federal shutdown to investigate the wrecked limo. So far, the son of the vehicle's owner is the only one charged. No agency has explained what caused the vehicle to crash in the Schoharie countryside. The driver, 17 passengers and two pedestrians were killed when the limo careened into the parking lot near the Apple Barrel Country Store at routes 30 and 30A. The wrecked vehicle is stored under a large white tent at the State Police Troop G headquarters in Colonie. ALBANY A $262,500 state grant will help Albany craft a design to upgrade the Lincoln Park pool and stop the iconic swimming facility from leaking 500,000 gallons a day while maintaining its unique bowl-shaped characteristics. Forums on the Lincoln Park master plan have included discussions focusing on the pools future. Taking comments from residents, Albany officials will now concentrate on a design to replace the pool, said Ann Marie Salmon, Albanys deputy commissioner of administrative services. At the first meeting, we gave the public opportunity to give us reactions on various general shape designs, Salmon said. By and large, we heard overwhelmingly that they really like the bowl shape. The results of those conversations will be presented to the public at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Thomas OBrien Academy of Science and Technology auditorium in Albany. The 300-foot-wide, decades-old pool situated in the Mansion Neighborhood has lost water since it opened in 1931, studies show. The considerable amount it now loses is a cause for concern as priorities shift to water preservation, conservation and clean energy. In recent years, city engineers evaluated the pools structure to get a better handle on why it leaks and how leakage can be stopped. Salmon said these early studies will be folded into the design plans. Albany would then advertise a request-for-proposal to solicit bids for the project. Despite the work that lies ahead for the iconic pool, it will be open this summer, Salmon said. And when residents go to enjoy the Lincoln Park pool this year, users are expected to be able to connect to free wireless internet. Through a partnership with the Albany Public Library and the citys recreation department, Lincoln Park will be the first of three city parks to be connected to wi-fi. The other two parks that are expected to be have wi-fi capability installed are Bleecker-Swinburne and Washington parks. Lincoln Park is also the site of a planned $45 million sewer facility a project that has shifted in design since it was originally proposed to make it less intrusive and address public concerns. The facility is part of the parks master plan, which also includes improving park equipment. We understand how important this pool is as part of the overall plan for Lincoln park, Salmon said. This project is really looking forward to rebuilding it in partnership with what the community wants. It looks like it will be a three-way Democratic race for Albany County Court to replace now-state Supreme Court Justice Peter Lynch. And depending on who emerges as the winner, history could be made. Cohoes City Court Judge Andra Ackerman told Law Beat she will run for the judgeship, which Lynch had held since January 2013. Ackerman, 47, joins Jasper Mills, the chief counsel to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple and City Court Judge Holly Trexler as candidates expected to seek the judgeship. "There has never been a female county court judge in the history of Albany County and I believe that diversity on the bench is critical to the administration of justice," Ackerman said. If elected, Ackerman or Trexler would become the first women to serve on the bench in Albany County Court. Mills would become just the second black judge to hold the position. In his six years as an Albany County judge, Lynch earned a reputation as lenient. Defense attorneys could undoubtedly recite examples where Lynch was hardly lenient. But that notwithstanding, Albany County prosecutors will likely be happy with a judge coming in with prosecutorial experience. Lynch's background was in criminal defense. Trexler was a former defense attorney but also a prosecutor in Albany and Rensselaer counties. Mills was a prosecutor for District Attorney David Soares' office before working for Apple. He recently prosecuted a case in Rensselaer as a special prosecutor. Ackerman's experience includes working as a prosecutor in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Monroe counties. Ackerman also worked as the state's director of human trafficking prevention and policy. Ackerman, who grew up in foster care in the Capital Region, ran the special victims unit, which prosecutes sex crimes, while working in Schenectady. "I have dedicated my entire career to helping to make this world a safer place for the most vulnerable of our populations ..." Ackerman told Law Beat. Ackerman formed a program, U-CAN, short for United Against Crime-Community Action Network, to provide mentoring to defendants ages 16 to 21 -years old. The year-long program allows them to conditionally plead guilty to a nonviolent crime. If they successfully complete a year of mentoring and stay out of trouble, the guilty plea will be expunged. "I am proud to say that additional U-CAN courts are now being planned around the state," Ackerman told Law Beat. 4,000 lawyers to meet in NYC The #MeToo movement will be among the topics on the agenda when the State Bar Association holds its 142nd annual meeting in Manhattan from Monday to Friday. More than 4,000 lawyers are expected to attend the conference, being held at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. The conference will "examine laws regarding sexual harassment and consider how attorneys can work to prevent it, while also highlighting ways that attorneys can nurture and support gender equity in the profession and in society." Wrongful prosecutions, whistleblower laws, and the pros and cons of a single-payer healthcare system will also be discussed. Scheduled speakers include former Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, Solicitor General Barbara Underwood, who was the state's first female attorney general, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.; and Manhattan state Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, who chairs the state Assembly's Health Committee. New York State Police SCHAGHTICOKE - State police arrested a Pittstown man late Friday night for DWI and driving without a license after he allegedly fell of an All Terrain Vehicle on Second Street in Schaghticoke. Police said John W. Banks Jr., 31, was driving the ATV on the street when he hit a curb and fell off. He was not injured. Police said his blood alcohol level tested at .22% after he failing sobriety tests and he was taken into custody by a state trooper in Brunswick. ALBANY About half of New Yorkers have positive opinions of the Democrat-controlled state Legislature and of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, but disagree with the recent decision by a legislative pay commission to grant raises to lawmakers and other elected officials, according to a new Siena Research Institute poll of registered voters. According to the survey, the Assembly saw a record 48-32 percent favorability rating as it prepared to pass a number of long-stalled electoral reform measures on Monday; the Senate, which turned blue in November's elections following a decade of Republican control, has a 49-38 percent favorability rating, close to its highest rating ever. Both houses had negative favorability ratings in June 2018. Cuomo, who has promised passage of a robust progressive agenda within the first 100 days of session, has made smaller gains with New Yorkers, with just over half of registered voters (51 percent) viewing him favorably an upswing from 2018, when he had a negative 45-49 percent favorability rating. Siena spokesman Steven Greenberg noted that while those numbers were an improvement, they were "a far cry from the 70 percent favorability rating he had beginning his first term and even the 60 percent favorability rating he had beginning his second term." More than two-thirds of Democrats view Cuomo favorably, while independents are divided and three-quarters of Republicans view him unfavorably, according to the poll. The study also revealed that New Yorkers generally disapprove of the recent decision by the pay raise commission to increase the salary of legislators, even if it came with the stripping of legislative stipends and created outside income limits. Democrats are evenly divided on the decision, but Republicans and independents disapprove by significant margins. Lawmakers, who earn $79,500 a year, excluding stipends, have not seen a raise in 20 years. Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie has been critical of the panel's decision to link outside income limits to the pay hike. The constitutionality of the pay raise commission is currently being debated in court. According to the poll, 80 percent of voters say the Legislature should not approve the pay commission's recommendation to increase salaries for statewide elected officials the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller and attorney general as well as state agency commissioners. "When it comes to the Legislature approving a raise for the governor and other state leaders, New Yorkers overwhelmingly say you shouldn't do it," Greenberg said. "That includes nearly three-quarters of Democrats and about 90 percent of Republicans and independents." There is strong support, however, for many initiatives on Cuomo's 2019 agenda. Three-quarters of New Yorkers support passing the Child Victims Act and increasing the waiting period for gun ownership, though just 28 percent of Republicans approve of the gun measure. Other measures proposed by the governor, like making the property tax cap permanent, enacting GENDA, banning corporate political contributions, and codifying federal abortion rights in state law are supported by more than 60 percent of New Yorkers, while legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana, the DREAM Act and instituting congestion pricing in Manhattan saw slightly less enthusiasm from voters surveyed. Infrastructure replaces taxes as the top issue voters want the governor to focus on this year, followed by health care and education, the survey found. Legislative leaders remain largely unknown to New Yorkers: Heastie has a nearly even 14-15 percent favorability rating, while Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has a 20-12 percent favorability rating, according to the poll. ALBANY New York could raise about $300 million in annual revenue from recreational marijuana, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who will propose a regulatory framework in his budget on Tuesday. The governor made the forecast Monday during an interview on WAMC, when he made the case that it's no longer a question of whether or not the state should legalize adult use of marijuana. "We're sort of past that bridge. ... The recreational sale of marijuana is here," Cuomo said, citing legalization in Massachusetts and the recent push for legislative approval in New Jersey. His revenue projection came with the ambiguous caveat that it depended "on how it works." Because of the regional competition and existing illegal market, the governor previously warned about the dangers of imposing high tax levels that might make the state's legal options non-competitive. The state and local tax rate on marijuana in Massachusetts is capped at 20 percent, and can be as low as 17 percent. Legislation kicking around the New York Capitol in recent years has called for a 15 percent state excise tax on marijuana sales, while allowing municipalities to impose an additional 2 percent local sales tax. A 2018 state report commissioned by Cuomo estimated that nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers would initially access the legal market, generating state and local tax revenues between $248.1 million and $677.7 million, based on tax rates between 7 percent and 15 percent. Colorado, which has slightly more than a quarter of New York's population and began allowing recreational use in 2014, collected about $267 million in taxes and fees from its medical and retail marijuana businesses in 2017. "It's not just about the money," Cuomo added. "For me, it's about the regulation." While the governor previously opposed recreational marijuana, he pointed to the findings of last year's study as the rationale for his turnaround on the issue. Its authors "said there are risks, but the benefits outweigh the risks," Cuomo said. One safety measure includes prohibiting marijuana use for New Yorkers under the age of 21, which was recommended by the report. And while few other details are known about the proposal Cuomo will unveil on Tuesday in his budget address, he revealed on Monday that local governments will have the ability to "opt out." His administration subsequently explained this meant a municipality could choose not to have a marijuana dispensary within its borders. The governor's program is expected to include a criminal justice component that addresses New Yorkers previously convicted of low-level marijuana crimes, which has been a priority for Democratic lawmakers. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has made it a top priority to invest new revenues into communities hardest hit by the war on drugs, and Cuomo has indicated general support for this idea. The effort to legalize adult use of marijuana, which is backed by the Democratic majorities in both house of the state Legislature, is supported by a majority of registered voters in the state as well, according to a Siena Research Institute poll released on Monday. At 56 percent, the current level of support is tied for the highest approval rating since Siena started asking the question in February 2018. Its lowest level (52 percent) came in April 2018. Opposition to legalization is highest among conservative New Yorkers (65 percent), while a vast majority of liberals (77 percent) welcome the proposed change. All regions of the state are in support, including 57 percent of upstate voters. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @Poozer87 Gene Loparco of Colonie, a Vietnam War veteran and veterans advocate, has received a belated Christmas gift of historical note. Dick Wood of Latham, retired WTEN-TV News anchor and an Army veteran, gave Loparco a Nov. 11, 1918, copy of The Providence (R.I.) Daily Journal newspaper that led with "GERMANY SURRENDERS," marking the end of World War I. Wood had bought the newspaper 45 years ago at an auction. Wood said he gave Loparco the historical newspaper because of Loparco's and his family's participation in the military. Wood added that he gave the paper to Loparco because of his ties to veterans organizations, as well as a way to pass history to the youth of America. Loparco's grandfathers both served in the Great War: Eugenio Loparco was in the Army, and Francesco DiNuzzo served in Italy's army. Loparco's dad, Vincent, served in the Navy in World War II, and Loparco himself served at an Air Force base in South Vietnam during the 1968 Tet Offensive. He added that both families had uncles, an aunt and cousins who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Among them were Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Louis and Sgt. Edna Purcell of Watervliet. A distant cousin, Navy Hospital Corpsman Robert Razzano of Cohoes, was killed in Vietnam. "I was proud and honored to be selected by Dick to receive this newspaper in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of World War I's Armistice in November," Loparco said. "Since we are still celebrating and remembering those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom during that Great War and wars since, Dick knows that I will pass this newspaper on, for future generations, in my involvements with the many veteran organizations that I belong to in the Capital Region." Loparco can be seen helping and/or taking photographs at almost every veterans event or fundraiser in the Capital Region. An Albany Business College graduate and a retired investigator for the state Insurance Department and Comptroller's Office, he serves as a chaplain, historian and photographer for numerous Capital Region veterans organizations, including the Robert Weininger Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Colonie, the Zaloga American Legion Post in Colonie, and the Tri-County Council of Vietnam Era Veterans. He is an associate member of the Schenectady Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Loparco is a volunteer photographer for the Albany High School Junior Reserve Officer Training program; photographer, public relations and social media coordinator for the American-Italian Heritage Museum; photographer and Facebook coordinator for AMVETS Post 35, Rotterdam; and photographer for Ancient Order of Hibernians. He also is the photographer for Blue Star Mothers events and Gold Star Mothers events; the portrait photographer for Christian Brothers Academy; the photographer for Albany County Honor-A-Vet and Rensselaer County Honor A Deceased Veteran programs; the Four Chaplains Award photographer for the Albany Jewish War Veterans Post 105; and photographer for Honors Flights, Albany parades, Shaker High School veterans events and O'Brien and Schenectady City detachments of the Marine Corps League. He also takes photos for the American Red Cross, Veterans Miracle Center, various Veterans Affairs programs, and Mater Christi School in Albany. Recently, Loparco and his wife, Linda, went to Wood's home to present a framed copy of the front page of the newspaper to Wood and his wife, Kristin Woodward. (Dick's real last name is Woodward; he uses Wood as his broadcast name.) Loparco has also had larger framed copies made for displaying at veterans posts and for use during school presentations. "Finally, because of Mr. Wood's contribution to future generations, I will continue to post the front page to many of my veteran posts for viewing," Loparco said, adding that he is available to present a World War I history program at schools. New airmen Air Force Reserve Airman Kahzonnie A. Cruz of Niskayuna and Air Force Airman Alessia N. Poole of Albany have graduated from basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. News of your troops and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@timesunion.com. Troy Two years before Troy became Troy, the city's first newspaper office opened in 1787. Sometime next month, that 232-year streak will come to an end when The Record newspaper closes its small, rented office on River Street. That will mark the first time the city has not served as a location for a newspaper office since a paper called the Northern Budget opened in 1787, said Stacy Pomeroy Draper, curator of the Rensselaer County Historical Society. At that time, Troy was still called Vanderheyden to reflect its Dutch founding. The municipality's name change was made two years later after a vote by its several hundred residents. Management at The Record, which first started publishing in the city in 1896, said once the River Street office is closed, staffers would work digitally without a central location. The newspaper will continue to publish its printed edition and post to its website. "Our commitment to The Record's readers is strong," Ron Rosner, senior editor of the Troy Record and The Saratogian, wrote in a column Saturday. "We have served Troy and the region for more than a century and we take our role as an institution in the area quite seriously. With this initiative, we will keep that tradition alive and stronger than ever." Rosner wrote that The Record office would be closing by the end of February so staffers could be "positioned in or around the Capital Region." An email contact list included in Rosner's statement consisted of five staffers, including himself. City Editor Nicholas Buonanno declined comment, referring questions to Rosner, who declined to say anything beyond his written statement. "Troy has a long history of having newspapers in it," said Draper. The U.S. Library of Congress lists 28 different newspapers that have called Troy their home since the 18th century, including one that was published in the German language. "Some immigrant groups to the city in the 19th century would start their own papers," Draper said. After news of the closure become public on social media, the owner of a Troy public relations firm offered to provide Record reporters with a place to work. Tom Nardacci, CEO of Gramercy Communications and owner of the Troy Innovation Garage co-working space, wrote that he intended to offer space in his downtown offices to reporters. Nardacci's post, on the Troy Neighborhoods Action Council's public facebook page states: "The local coffee shop, while always accommodating, is not the place to send a team to work. It's fundamentally unfair that they shoulder the costs, and to do it for a large corporation. Souldn't [sic] the company directing this policy pay these local coffee shops. That said I'm going to reach out to the reporters and let them know they can work from our space (Troy Innovation Garage) downtown anytime they need. Flexible workspace exists. We need a local daily newspaper." That drew a rebuke from another public relations firm owner, Duncan Crary, who said such an arrangement would pose an unacceptable conflict-of-interest for the newspaper and its reporters. "Your heart may be in the right place," Crary states in his reply,"but it would be problematic for the reporters of The Record to work out of a building/business that is owned, occupied, managed and marketed by a PR Firm." The Record's closing of its office comes three years after the newspaper left its longtime downtown headquarters at 501 Broadway. The closure followed years of staffing cuts. After the building was sold by the newspaper's owners, Digital First Media (DFM), it was converted into high-end apartments. Since 2012, a New York City-based hedge fund, Alden Global Capital, has been the primary owner of DFM, which also owns The Saratogian newspaper. In April 2013, DFM sold The Record building on Broadway for $2.65 million, according to Rensselaer County real estate records. The Saratogian's downtown office off the busy Broadway corridor closed in August 2017 after being sold. That newspaper still has a small rented office in the city. Since DFM took ownership of the former Journal Register newspaper chain, staff at DFM newspapers has been cut by more than 50 percent, more than double the industry average, according to a study by The News Guild, a national union representing newspaper workers. Since 2013, an Alden Global Capital affiliate has sold more than 125 DFM newspaper-related properties in 23 states, worth a total of $230.2 million, according to the News Guild report. A 48-year-old man identified as the gunman in the ambush killing of a 22-year-old Davis police officer left a note in his apartment saying that police had hit him with ultra sonic waves meant to keep dogs from barking. The note was released by Davis police a few hours after Kevin Douglas Limbaugh of Davis was identified as the man who shot and killed Officer Natalie Corona on Thursday while the rookie officer was responding to a routine collision in downtown Davis, according to the Yolo County Sheriffs Office. Hours after the shooting, Limbaugh killed himself with a single gunshot to the head as police closed in, said Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel. The note was found during a search by police of Limbaughs apartment. The Davis Police department has been hitting me with ultra sonic waves meant to keep dogs from barking, read the note, which was typed on a computer. I notified the press, internal affairs, and even the FBI about it. I am highly sensitive to its affect (sic) on my inner ear. I did my best to appease them, but they have continued for years and I cant live this way anymore. According to Lt. Paul Doroshov of the Davis police, theres no way to tell exactly when the note was typed. There have been a lot of rumors as to why this happened, why he did what he did, and were hoping this sheds some light, Doroshov said. As for the placement of the note, which was found face-up on Limbaughs bed, I really cant speculate as to why it was there like that. The killing of Corona, and the shooting spree that followed it, was not Limbaughs first brush with the law. In September, Limbaugh was arrested at his Davis home the same place where he shot himself on a felony charge of battery with serious bodily injury, according to Yolo County Superior Court records. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor in October after a plea deal in which Limbaugh pleaded no contest. The deal resulted in an eight-day jail sentence and probation. Limbaugh was also ordered to surrender a black .223-caliber Bushmaster semiautomatic assault rifle, according to court records. Before the September incident, Limbaugh had no arrest record in Davis. Court records show that Limbaugh did not report having any other registered weapons. Pytel said Friday he did not know whether the two semiautomatic handguns believed to have been used in Coronas slaying were obtained legally. Records show that Limbaugh was a resident of Woodland (Yolo County) in 2004-05. He also had lived in Florida, New Mexico and Michigan. The shooting occurred Thursday night, when Limbaugh rode up on a bicycle and opened fire. Corona fell to the ground after she was struck by the first bullet, but Limbaugh continued to fire, hitting her several times, including once in the neck, Pytel said. Limbaugh then reloaded his handgun and continued shooting striking a passing bus, the backpack of a woman and the boot of a firefighter before going back to his home near Fifth and E streets. He was identified as the suspect when authorities discovered a backpack he left at the scene. Officers later surrounded the home and ordered Limbaugh to come outside. Wearing a bulletproof vest, he came outside, yelled something at the officers and then went back into the house again. He emerged a second time this time with a gun before retreating indoors. No shots were fired by the officers, Pytel said. Officers sent a robot into the house after hearing a single gunshot. Limbaugh was found to have shot himself in the head, police reported. It does not appear that Limbaugh and Corona had ever crossed paths before the shooting, Pytel said. On Friday, the chief met with the departments officers and to tell them about the timeline of the shooting and Coronas injuries in advance of the public announcement, said Amy Juarez, a police spokeswoman. The chief also offered grief counseling for members of his department. We were all just in shock, Juarez said. We see it every day on the news, on our surrounding agencies social media about officer killings, and its heartbreaking every time. But you never think its going to be your department. A memorial service for Corona is expected to be held in about 10 days, Juarez added. Meanwhile, Davis is trying to find a way to make sense of the senseless killing. It was the first on-duty officer death there in nearly 60 years. Stephanie Teague, 38, who organized a candlelight vigil for Corona on Saturday evening at Central Park, said the entire town has been stepping forward to help. Businesses and residents are donating food and supplies to family members. Many families have donated dozens of candles to be used at the vigil and volunteered to clean up after the event. I want this to be a time of mourning, a time for people to band together and be a community and grieve together, Teague said. Thursday night is hard to forget for Mayor Brett Lee. He was in a meeting when he received a text message that an active shooter was loose downtown. After the lockdown ended, he raced over to the Police Department and waited with officers and City Council members for news about Corona and the suspect. We need to be supportive of our first responders, of the Police Department and the Fire Department, who on a daily basis are asked to step into situations that are challenging to their lives, Lee said. Any town in America can experience this. Coronas death is one of several recent, high-profile killings of law enforcement officers. Less than three weeks ago, Cpl. Ronil Singh was fatally shot in Newman (Stanislaus County) during a traffic stop. Officer Chateri Payne, 22, was shot and killed Wednesday in Shreveport, La. Of course, this is really surprising, said Teague, the vigil organizer. Obviously, you dont think this is going to happen. But to a certain extent, this is the world we live in. Davis is not immune to the rest of the world. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani featured AMBLER Acteon Lights for Life donates more than $13,000 to Special Olympics 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. Cresaptown, MD (21502) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Life is returning, for the most part, to pre-pandemic normalcy in Los Angeles County and across California -- and folks are feeling a mix of apprehension and excitement about it. This subscription will allow current subscribers of The Tillamook Headlight Herald to access all of our online Subscriber-Only content, including the E Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please call us at 1-(503) 842-7535 or email admin@countrymedia.net. Ad Wall Street Rebel New this week - 217 interested Investors Search for the Next Big Medical Cannabis Winner - This Is It Medical cannabis stocks have rewarded investors with astonishing profits over the last three years and investors are now looking for the next big winner in a market thats expected to quintuple by 2026. 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Ltd., Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine LLC, Sequenom Inc, Sequenom Inc., Southern Idaho Regional Laboratory, Tandem Labs Inc., The LabCorp Charitable Foundation, Tri-Cities Laboratory LLC, Viro-Med Laboratories Inc., and Yakima Medical Arts Inc.. Ground has already been broken on the $60 million mixed-use development Church + State by the collaborative development team of Hemingway Development (led by Michael Panzica and Jim Doyle, Sr.); GRAMMAR Properties (led by Marika Shioiri-Clark and Graham Veysey); and Brent Zimmerman, entrepreneur and developer. But the group will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday, January 24, to kick off the newest addition to the neighborhoodlocated at 2819 Detroit Ave. in Hingetown at the corner of Church and W. 29th Streets. We just wanted to do something where we welcome the community, where we welcome the stakeholders, says Panzica. We want to share our vision for the property and what to expect. That vision includes 158 apartments within two buildings (one six stories, one 11 stories); 20,000 square feet of ground-level retail space; and a 10,000-square-foot public plaza with amphitheater seating, a lighted see-saw, and a splash fountain similar to the water feature in Public Square. All of this sits on one acre of land formerly housed two underutilized surface parking lots, according to Veysey. The projectnamed after the streets that border it, Church Street and the former State Street (now W. 29th Street) was designed by LDA Architects and Shioiri-Clark. Turner Construction is serving as the general contractor, and all 120 construction jobs will be held by union labor. Developers are aiming for LEED Silver certification through the buildings appliances, lighting systems, building materials, and ample bicycle parking. The exterior will be constructed using Spanish slate, with transoms on the storefronts that front not only Detroit and Church but also the interior public way. A white extruding plane is planked white aluminum. Shioiri-Clark worked closely with LDA on the projects unique exterior. We wanted to play with the textures of the facade by introducing slate, standing seam metal, and wood planking as contrasting materials, she says. I was interested in varying the depth of the facade through the use of these materials and the pop-out window boxes. Shioiri-Clark adds that the unique materials pay homage to the neighborhoods historic industrial brick and Victorian architecture. I think the facade still references historic brick masonry by foregrounding a tiled grid through the slate, she says. And the ground floor storefronts [give a] nod to historic storefront styles with their black metal framing and divided light transom windows. Furthermore, the second and third floors of the 11-story building exterior will be wrapped in a rotating public art piece, which will be commissioned in the next year and build on the missions of nearby art galleries SPACES and the Transformer Station, as well as the Creative Fusion endeavor. Its a part of the city, and we want to build on that momentum, says Panzica of the neighborhoods commitment to public art. Its really palpable. The ground-level retail space will be pedestrian-friendly and host a good variety of shops, the team promises, although nothing has been solidified yet. We have one restaurant that will be announced in the next couple of months, Veysey says. And well have new businesses that want to sink their roots down and start in this area. Church + State is designed to embrace the pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation hub that comprises Hingetownonce the civic center of Ohio City before the neighborhood was annexed into the City of Cleveland and before the West Side Market and the brewery buzz along W. 25th became the neighborhood center. To that end, a 200-bike garagethe largest dedicated bike garage in the regionwill sit on the ground level to promote multi-modal transportation, says Veysey. We talked about how to design a bikeable, walkable [building] where residents dont have to take their bikes through the lobby and up to their apartments." And, with the Lakefront Bikeway and the planned Wendy Park Bridge and Irishtown Bend project, the team says Church + State offers easy access to many of the citys amenities. Were in close proximity to the urban fabric, says Veysey. Youre less than a mile to the Market District, less than a mile to Gordon Square, Downtown. Youve got all these amenities that are within two blocks. You can walk eight-tenths of a mile and be standing in Wendy Park." Dedicated parking will be located underground and on the second and third floors of the 11-story building. However, Panzica predicts the upper-level parking will be transformed into office space and additional residential units as the area becomes even more dedicated to alternative transportation and fewer residents have cars. Upstairs, the apartments include 20 studios that range from 585 to 600 square feet will rent for $1,300 to $1,400 a month; 80 one-bedroom units between 650 and 850 square feet that will rent for $1,495 to $1,955 per month; 50 two-bedroom units that are 900 to 1,200 square feet and will go for $2,050 to $2,750; and about eight three-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,200 to 1,700 square feet renting for $2,750 to $3,900 per month. Most of the apartments have balconies. Veysey believes the variety of apartment sizes will allow residents to stay within Church + State as their needs change. I think well find a multigenerational mix of neighbors who will move in, Veysey says. They will have the ability to move and grow. He adds that theyve already had curiosity about the apartments, even though the project wont be completed until Summer 2020. Weve already had folks reach out at all levels, so the interest is already there, he says. We even have a verbal commitment on one of the three-bedrooms. A rooftop deck atop the six-story building will allow residents to unwind and take in views of downtown and Lake Erie. Also included on the community deck is a Japanese-inspired three-season soaking pool, which Veysey says mirrors many buildings in Miami and Los Angeles. Financing for Church + State was led by Great Lakes Financial Group, with underwriter RED Capital, through HUDs 221d4 program. It will be the largest market-rate HUD project in the region in decades. The projects capital stack includes TIF financing through the Port of Cleveland, led by Huntington Bank; a loan through Cuyahoga County; and through the City of Clevelands Vacant Properties Initiative forgivable loan and New Development Program grant. The ceremonial groundbreaking takes place on Thursday, January 24, at 4 p.m. and is open to the public. Cleveland Tea Revival and Rising Star Coffee will provide light refreshments, and the crowd will head over to Zimmerman's Saucy Brew Works after the ceremony to warm up. This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. Slump: Citi brought in 13.3billion in the last three months of 2018, down 2.3 per cent on a year earlier TURMOIL TELLS Market turmoil around the world triggered a fall in revenues at US bank Citigroup in the last three months of 2018. Citi brought in 13.3billion, down 2.3 per cent on a year earlier, but it made profits of 3.4billion up from a loss of 13.6billion in the same period of 2017. PASTRY PAIN Another director has left the troubled parent of Patisserie Valerie, marking the latest change to the board in the wake of its brush with collapse last year. Non-executive director James Horler will leave immediately. VAT TAKE More than a fifth of Britains tax take comes from VAT, after receipts surged to a record high, according to accountant UHY Hacker Young. The taxman collected 125billion from the levy on sales in 2017/18, up from 78billion a decade earlier. The figures show that HMRC is increasingly reliant on customers to rake in revenues. VAT is 20 per cent on most products. LONDON BOOST 3.9billion hedge fund Orchard Global Asset Management is moving its headquarters from Singapore to London to take advantage of the Citys top-class debt markets, it revealed. TUB DEAL Private equity firm Investindustrial, which recently floated Aston Martin, has bought hot tub producer Jacuzzi Brands from a group of investors. OIL LINK Supermajor BP has teamed up with Italian energy group Eni to work with the Oman oil ministry to explore an onshore field in the country. GOLDEN SHOT Tanzania-focused gold miner Acacia said its fourth-quarter production of 130,581 oz exceeded expectations but was still down 12 per cent on the previous year. MINER TIE-UP US gold miner Newmont Mining is buying Canadas Goldcorp in a 7.8billion deal. FASHION BOOST Cornish womenswear firm Seasalt posted a 9 per cent jump in sales in the last five weeks of the year. WEALTH FIRM Broker Arden Partners has launched its own wealth management firm, Arden Wealth, which will be headed by Henry Algeo, a former director of Brewin Dolphin. CHIPPING IN London-listed Gresham House has invested in Rockfish, the seafood restaurant group founded by chef Mitch Tonks, to increase its presence from six to 16 locations in England. New Look has unveiled drastic plans to restructure its debt today after a tough November led to disappointing Christmas sales for the struggling fashion retailer. The firm is carrying out a debt-for-equity swap to slash its long-term debt from 1.35billion to 350million. This, as well as issuing 150million worth of new bonds , is part of a strenuous turnaround plan aimed at getting New Look back on a firmer financial footing. New Look is already closing stores in a bid to reduce its costs. Some landlords have agreed to lower rent rates while others have let New Look out of leases early Last year the firm said it could shut up to 100 UK stores, including 60 already earmarked for closure through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) which was given the green light in March. New Look's woes deepened further however when, during the critical pre-Christmas trading period, it was stung by 'increased headwinds'. This pushed its UK like-for-like sales down by 5.7 per cent in December. It warned today that, as a result, profit for the full year would be around 84million at the core UK business, while its non-core unit could book a 27million loss, below initial forecasts. While the debt-for-equity swap will half New Look's yearly interest payments to 40million, it means that its South African owner, Brait - the firm controlled by billionaire Christo Wiese - will lose a significant portion of its stake. The company's bondholders, thought to include Carlyle, GSO, CQS, M&G Investments, Avenue Capital and Alcentra, will hold 72 per cent of the group's equity. Chairman Alistair McGeorge said: 'Today's agreement represents a critical step in our turnaround plans and lays the foundations to secure the future and long-term profitability of New Look. New Look has been trying to bring back its once-loyal shoppers after being bitten by rivals Primark, Asos and Boohoo Commenting on the ongoing portfolio overhaul, McGeorge said: 'Over the past year we have made significant progress with our wider turnaround plans to rebuild our position in the UK womenswear market and recover the broad appeal of our product whilst implementing significant cost savings and efficiencies. 'However, it has been clear for some time that the group's existing level of indebtedness has been constraining our ability to accelerate our turnaround plans and would continue to limit our growth in the future.' We want an income not just for today, but a growing income into the future, says Evenlode Global Incomes Ben Peters. Tapping into dividends that can deliver that is something that holds the key to a good total return for investors over the long term, the fund manager says, and hunting for those dividends around the world provides a much wider choice. Ben has been co-manager of Evenlode Income for the past five years and that UK-focussed fund has proved a hit with investors, returning 58.8 per cent over five years compared to the average UK All Companies funds 18.4 per cent. A global income fund seemed the logical next step and despite a tough year Evenlode Global Income returned 1.8 per cent in 2018, compared to minus 3 per cent for its benchmark index and minus 5.9 per cent for the average fund in the sector. So how do you find the best dividend-paying companies and how important is income now versus the potential for growing payouts in the future? Ben and fellow manager and analyst Chris Elliott join us on the Investing Show to outline their thoughts on hunting for solid, reliable and growing dividends and explain why consumer staples, healthcare, and the media sector can help deliver those hence the plethora of household names in the portfolio. Not so much of interest are firms involved in capital intensive businesses, or who cant set their prices so easily, says Ben, and will struggle to grow their dividends. We want companies that can grow, but with a limited need for lots of capital to drive that growth, says Ben. And if we can find businesses that can do that, then they invest in themselves appropriately, to develop their products, develop their services, deliver more value to their customers, which is very important, then there is some cash left over and that can come back to investors in the form of a dividend. Will a Brexit deal UK shares to bounce? Investors have been shying away from UK shares due to worries over how Brexit will happen. It has even been called uninvestable in some quarters - not because of Brexit but because of the way we are exiting and the threat of a socialist Jeremy Corbyn government. But where there is fear, lies potential value. Richard Hunter discusses whether a deal - or some certainty - could see the stock market bounce. When housebuilder Persimmon this week gives the City an update on its trading, it will be the first major announcement it has made since the departure of its obscenely overpaid former chief executive. The shameless and unlamented Jeff Fairburn, who at one point stood to be paid more than 100m, was finally forced out thanks to the media and to one brave shareholder, Euan Stirling from Standard Life Aberdeen. Alone among the money men and women who run our pension funds, Stirling stood up at the Persimmon annual meeting and publicly accused Fairburn of unacceptable pay that tarnished the reputation of the whole housebuilding sector. Jeff Fairburn, who at one point stood to be paid more than 100m, was finally forced out Big City shareholders not only have a right to intervene in situations like these where companies are being mis-managed, but a duty to do so. They are the owners of Britains biggest companies and therefore the employers of individuals like Fairburn, who are just managers. Ultimately, of course, we you and me are the real owners through our pension funds, so City institutions ought to be good stewards on our behalf. It does sometimes happen, though its rare. Unilever was dissuaded from a hare-brained plan to move its share listing from London to Rotterdam after major shareholders spoke out. But conventional City investors are very reluctant to rock the boat. They claim they take on under-performing or badly behaved executives behind closed doors. Maybe they do, but from the outside, they look complacent and passive. Often they are put to shame at annual meetings where they dont even turn up. This leaves a vacuum for so-called activist investors an import from the US making huge headway here. Edward Bramson, a US corporate raider who is ramping up his campaign to win a seat on the board of Barclays, is one of the most prominent. Elliott Management is another US activist likely to ramp up in the UK in 2019. Campaigns under its belt include Whitbread, which had been under pressure for years to spin off its Costa Coffee division. Less than a fortnight after Elliott revealed a stake, Whitbread said it would hive off Costa in two years, before Coca-Cola offered to buy the coffee chain for just under 4bn. British companies are significantly more likely to be targeted than businesses in other European countries, according to a survey by consultancy Alvarez and Marsal. US activist Elliott Management targeted Whitbread, which had been under pressure for years to spin off its Costa Coffee division Companies dealing with overseas activists include Premier Foods, which owns brands such as Mr Kipling and Angel Delight. Chief executive Gavin Darby is to step down at the end of this month following a long battle with Hong Kong operator Oasis, which took a large stake. The word activist has connotations of a virtuous, public-spirited campaign when in reality many of those in the corporate arena are self-serving. Their interventions may result in better performance in the short term, but the real question is why there is a need for a special brand of activism in the first place. Big UK institutions and small private investors ought to be activist owners as a matter of course. If they did their job properly, and worked constructively with boards to make sure they deliver good returns, there would be no room - or need - for aggressive interlopers. The show is currently being aired on 'Star Bharat' New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) A high-power committee of the Delhi University met Monday to discuss issues related to contractual and ad-hoc teachers. According to an official present at the meeting, the academic council is likely to meet on January 16. The committee recommended that maternity leave should be extended to ad-hoc teachers and past services as ad-hoc should be considered for promotion of teachers. The deans of various departments were called as special invitees to the meeting and it was promised that the academic council meeting will be held this week. The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has called for a flash protest on January 16, the day of the council's meeting, to protest against the administration's move to being in an additional clause on contractual appointments which does not exist, they said. The DUTA will also hold a strike on January 17 and 18 which will begin with a march from Ramlila Maidan to Parliament Street on January 17 to demand the absorption of ad-hoc teachers. The Delhi University's academic council meeting was adjourned on January 2 after its members entered the well of the house over the report of the UGC regulations 2018 not being included in the agenda. The high-power committee was constituted to review the UGC regulations 2018 regarding service condition of teachers but the committee report was not placed in the agenda of the meeting which had led to the agitation by the members. PTI SLB DPB New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Two juveniles have been sent to a six-month protective custody by the Delhi High Court for sodomising and attempting to murder a minor by inserting an iron rod into his private parts. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said there was no infirmity in the view taken by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and a trial court, and dismissed the petitions of the two juveniles challenging the sentence of sending them to protective custody for six months for their proper rehabilitation. According to the prosecution, the 15-year-old victim was employed in a bakery owned by the father of the two juvenile accused. In October 2014, one of the juveniles allegedly sodomised the victim and when he complained about it to the brothers of the accused, they inserted an iron rod into his private parts and also threatened to kill him. Initially, the victim did not disclose the incident to anyone and when he was taken to a doctor, it was claimed to be an accident. However, the doctor informed the police as he suspected foul play. A surgery of the victim was conducted at a government hospital here and 58 days after the incident, his mother lodged a police complaint, alleging that he was sexually assaulted and the injury was caused due to the insertion of an iron rod into his private parts. While the two juveniles were facing proceedings before the JJB, the adult accused are facing trial before a court here. While one of the juveniles was convicted by the JJB for the offence of sodomy, the other was held guilty for attempting to murder the victim. The high court judge said, "Keeping in view the facts and circumstances as noticed above, I find no infirmity in the view taken by the JJB as well as the appellate (trial) court. I find no merit in the petitions. The petitions are accordingly dismissed." The high court clarified that it had neither examined the evidence nor returned any finding regarding the ongoing trial of the other adult accused before the sessions court. "The sessions court would be at liberty to decide the case, based on evidence which come before it, without being influenced by anything stated herein," it said. Regarding the contention of the juvenile accused that there was a delay in lodging the complaint, the high court said it was sufficiently explained by the victim. "The victim was employed in the factory of the father of the petitioners (juveniles) and being a young boy of 15 years who has suffered trauma, it was not unreasonable for him to have hidden this fact from others out of fear and shame," it said. The court rejected the defence taken by the accused that it was an accident and the victim had fallen from a height on the handle of a machine, due to which he received injuries in his private parts. "It has also been observed by the JJB that such an injury is not possible as there was no other injury on any other part of the body of the victim. "The board was rightly of the view that if there was substance in the version of the defence, then the victim would have suffered injuries not only to the anus but also other parts of the body and since no other injury was present, the board has rightly disbelieved the version of the juveniles," it said. PTI SKV RC New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida lashed out at the BJP Monday and accused it of "exploiting" traders through the goods and services tax (GST). Sisodia's reaction came in response to a tweet by Delhi BJP where it posted a video of Assam's minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing the AAP and the Congress of opposing a proposal to keep traders with turnover less than Rs 75 lakh, out of the ambit of the GST. The video of Sarma's address at the recently-concluded national convention of the BJP showed him charging in a meeting of GST Council that there was a proposal to keep traders with turnover less than 75 lakh out of the goods and services tax ambit, but the finance ministers of the Congress, AAP and the CPM government in Kerala opposed it, insisting the limit should be Rs 20 lakh. "In this struggle between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, we could manage the relief only to the traders having turnover less than Rs 40 lakh," he said. Sisodia retaliated to the charge accusing the BJP of "exploiting" the traders. "Who can be the biggest enemy of traders in the country! BJP wanted to bring traders with a turnover of Rs 5 lakh under the GST but it was fixed at Rs 20 lakh after the opposition of AAP," Sisodia tweeted. Despite the "repressive policies" of the BJP, the Delhi government has ensured that traders in Delhi have least losses, and it will continue to do so, he asserted. PTI VIT KJ KJ New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) A 17-year-old boy allegedly stabbed his father to death in Delhi's New Ashok Nagar area after he refused money, police said Monday. A heated argument happened between the father and the son on Sunday night after the teen asked for Rs 150-200, officials said. When the father refused the money, the son stabbed him on his chest. The victim's wife rushed him to Lal Bahadur Shastri hospital where he was declared brought dead, Pankaj Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) said. Police was informed about the incident by authorities of the hospital around 11.15 pm. The son has been apprehended, the officer said, adding the body has been sent for postmortem examination. The victim used to work at a factory in Noida and further investigation is underway, officials said. PTI AMP AMP SOM SOM New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) A foreigner was apprehended at the Delhi airport on Monday for allegedly concealing over 62 kg of sandalwood in his luggage, a CISF official said. He said S Azamov, a Tajikistan national, was intercepted by CISF personnel on the basis of random profiling in the early hours of Monday and a search of his bag led to the recovery of nine pieces of sandalwood. The official added the man arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport to take a flight to Almaty in Kazakhstan. As Azamov could not explain the wood pieces in his bag, weighing 62.5 kg, and had no supporting documents, he was apprehended on charges of smuggling and was handed over to the Customs department for further action under the law, the official said. PTI NES NES IND IND Jaipur, Jan 14 (PTI) The Congress-led Rajasthan government has decided to honour those who adopt stray cows, on Independence day and Republic day. The Directorate of Gopalan has issued a letter to all district collectors, asking them to motivate donors, NGOs, social workers and cow lovers to adopt stray cows, and felicitate such people on August 15 and January 26. "The idea behind the step is to conserve cows with cooperation from people. Those who adopt stray cows and undertake welfare activities will be felicitated by district collectors on the occasion of Independence day and Republic day," Vishram Meena, director- Gopalan, Rajasthan said. "The directorate issued a letter to all district collectors on December 28 with details of the campaign for the conservation of stray cows. There are people who adopt stray animals in cow shelter homes. They celebrate their birthdays, wedding anniversaries and such occasions by spending time with their adopted cows. We have asked the collectors to push such initiatives," he said. Meena said the interested parties can give their proposal to the respective district collectors. After verification of the claims, the collectors will felicitate such people with a certificate at the district level, he said. The order also mentions that whoever wants to adopt cows can deposit the amount decided by the local cow shelter and can visit the cows anytime. Those who want to keep the stray cows at their houses can also do so, it added. PTI SDA SRY New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Nearly 90 lawmakers, several prominent civil society members, activists and leaders of farmers' movements have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising concerns over fund crunch in rural employment scheme MGNREGA. The letter, which has 250 signatories, urged the prime minister to work for strengthening of the scheme on a priority basis and "formally include it as part of the set of measures being considered to deal with the current rural and agrarian crisis". On January 1, over 99 per cent fund of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or MGNREGA scheme was reportedly exhausted, three months before the end of the financial year. "Despite repeated public statements by your government promising employment and job creation that will boost the country's growth, we are alarmed to note that the country's only employment guarantee is being systematically undermined," the letter read. "Illegal restrictions on its budget allocation, severe payment delays and low wages are crippling the program and depriving people in distress of one of their most important legally supported structures," it added. A statement issued Monday by the lawmakers and the activists said the fund crunch came amid a situation of distress across rural India with "massive unemployment, declining farm incomes and rising inequality". A functional right to an employment guarantee at such a time would be a critical means of support for protecting lives and livelihoods of the rural population, it added. Instead, the implementation of MGNREGA has been subject to persistent attacks by vested interests and power elites at all levels, it said. The letter was written after a meeting between the lawmakers, activists and civil society members was held to discuss the potential and challenges of MGNREGA in response to rural distress. Among the signatories of the letter were agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan, artist Mallika Sarabhai, Mary E. John of Centre for Women's Development Studies, Avik Saha of Jai Kisan Andolan, Nikhil Dey of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, CPM's Sitaram Yechury, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Congress' Deepender Singh Hooda and Digvijay Singh, Jignesh Mevani, Yogendra Yadav, JNU professor Jayati Ghosh and activist Aruna Roy. The letter reflected a strong consensus across party lines to ensure MGNREGA is protected and strengthened as a political commitment to improve the lives of millions of rural workers across the country, the statement said. PTI PLB PLB SOM SOM New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others, named in a charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police in a sedition case on Monday, termed the move as "politically motivated" and questioned its timing, ahead of the parliamentary election. "The charge sheet is politically motivated. However, we want the charges to be framed and a speedy trial in the case so that the truth comes out. We also want to see the videos that have been placed on record as evidence by the police," Kumar told PTI. The Delhi Police also charged former students -- Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya -- for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event organised on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on February 9, 2016 to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. Khalid, who addressed a student gathering at St. Joseph's College in Bangalore on the "role of youth in safeguarding the Constitution", said, "We reject the allegations. The move to file the charge sheet three years after the alleged incident is an attempt to divert the attention (of the people) right before (parliamentary) elections. We will fight it out in court." Others charged in the case are Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-president of the JNUSU), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri have been named in column 12 of the charge sheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) leader Shehla Rashid, who had led the campaign for the release of Kumar and other students, said, "This is a completely bogus case in which ultimately everyone will be acquitted. The timing of the charge sheet right before the elections just reflects how the BJP wants to reap electoral benefits out of this. I was not even on campus on the day of the event." CPI Leader D Raja said, "It is politically motivated. After three years Delhi police is filing the charge sheet in the case. We will fight it legally in court and politically outside court." A case was registered on February 11, 2016 under Sections of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and the ABVP. The February 9 event happened despite the varsity administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by the ABVP, who had termed it as "anti-national". PTI GJS/SLB/AMP SMN Issue has got complicated after India failed to get FEO tag for him Patna, Jan 14 (PTI) Leaders of the ruling NDA in Bihar on Monday sought to project an image of bonhomie as they treated themselves to sumptuous helpings of dahi-chura (curd and flattened rice) as part of Makar Sankranti festivities. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan moved from one venue to another to join the feast hosted by leaders of the three NDA constituents in a display of unity. BJP, JD(U) and LJP have already announced seat-sharing among them for the coming Lok Sabha election in Bihar. At the Lok Janshakti Party state headquarters, its founding president Ram Vilas Paswan accorded a warm welcome to Governor Lalji Tandon, Chief Minister Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Modi. Paswan was joined by his son and LJP parliamentary board chief Chirag Paswan and brothers Ram Chandra Paswan and Pashupati Kumar Paras, MP and minister in Bihar government respectively, in welcoming the guests, who were also treated to other delicacies prepared with jaggery and til (sesame), consumption of which is believed to be auspicious on this day. Kumar and Modi also attended a similar function hosted by Vashishtha Narayan Singh, Rajya Sabha member and state president of the JD(U), which is headed by the chief minister. Appearance of RJD MLC Sanjay Prasad and former state Congress president Ram Jatan Sinha at the function raised some eyebrows though both the leaders insisted that they had personal relations with the host, a veteran socialist leader who has been organising feasts on Makar Sankranti for years. The political grapevine, nevertheless, remained abuzz with many people recalling the appearance of Congress MLC and former state unit chief Ashok Chowdhury at last year's feast which was followed, less than a couple of months later, by his joining the JD(U) along with two other members of the legislative council. Feasts were also hosted by several other leaders in various parts of the city, notable among these being the one hosted by BJP MLC Rajnish Kumar where besides Kumar and Modi, Paswan figured among the guests. Paswan also turned up at the bhoj organised by senior BJP leader and Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, intra-party rivalry took a backseat as he was seen greeting Modi with a warm hug and an ear-to-ear grin. The festivities were conspicuous by their absence in the opposition Grand Alliance camp, with most leaders heading their respective parties remaining out of the state capital. The RJD has been giving celebrations a slip since last year after its national president Lalu Prasad, who is credited with having made the tradition of dahi chura bhoj popular as a political gesture, was jailed. His wife Rabri Devi had made it clear last week that there would be no celebration this year and their younger son Tejashwi Yadav spent the day in Lucknow, expressing solidarity with the SP-BSP alliance. RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha organised a feast for children in his native village of Javaj in Vaishali district while HAM founding president Jitan Ram Manjhi spent the day attending functions in Gaya. State Congress president Madan Mohan Jha said his party would hold a feast on Tuesday. According to astrological calculations, the Sun this year enters the Tropic of Capricorn on January 15, though traditionally people have been observing the festival on January 14. PTI NAC SNS ABH ABH Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Jan 14 (PTI) A 58-year-old coal miner was killed Monday allegedly after being trapped in an underground mine at the Barka-Sayal area of Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) here, police said. A company official, however, claimed it could be a case of suicide as he entered the underground mine by violating norms. Bhagat was trapped while drawing a coal-laden mini-wagon from the mine, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Patratu) Prakash Chandra Mahato said. The rescue team took him to CCL's local hospital, where doctors declared him brought-dead, Mahato said. Ajay Kumar Singh, the general manager of Barka-Sayal area, said it might be a case of suicide, as he was a surface worker and entered the underground mine without assignment. "There is a safe entrance to the underground mine which is used by workers, as well as officials deployed in the underground mines. "But, violating safety norms of the mine, the worker entered nearly 50 metres deep through prohibited haulage way, which is meant for trolley movement," Singh said. As the deceased was nearing retirement, it is suspected that he might have committed suicide to ensure a job for his family member, in lieu of provisions of giving employment to a dependent if a worker died during service period, he said. The management has started a probe into the incident, while an inquiry has been initiated by the Directorate of Mine Safety. PTI PVR RBT DPB Kolkata, Jan 14 (PTI) Carcasses of 16 puppies were found in plastic bags in front of a hostel for nurses and nursing students at the state-run Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital in the city, leading to protests by animal lovers and locals. According to officials, the carcasses were sighted on Sunday and were sent for post mortem at the district veterinary hospital at Barasat in North 24-Parganas district, with the preliminary report stating that the puppies were beaten to death. An adult dog, which was found in a critical condition nearby was taken away for treatment by an animal lover. Inmates of the hostel saw the plastic bags containing the dead puppies on Sunday and drew the attention of the hospital authorities, who in turn informed the police. The hospital authorities also ordered an internal inquiry on Monday, sources said. An FIR was lodged with the Entally police station in connection with the incident but there has been no arrest as yet, the police said. Animal lovers from different NGOs held a demonstration on Monday against the incident, raising questions of cruelty to animals and demanded punishment of the culprits. They demanded that all CCTV footage in the hospital premises be scanned and the culprits identified. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) authorities described the death of 16 puppies at the same time "most unnatural". KMC Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh said that the civic body would also conduct an inquiry into the incident. PTI AKB KK NSD NSD Kolkata, Jan 14 (PTI) Any talks of a CPI(M)-Congress adjustment for the parliamentary election have to be "initiated at the state level" as the political situation is different in various states, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has said, virtually ruling out a nationwide tie-up between the two parties. Yechury's remarks came at a time a section of the state CPI(M) leadership was keen on an electoral understanding with the Congress to defeat the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal. "We had said the political situation is different in various states. So any sort of talks with the Congress have to be initiated at the state level," he told reporters on the sidelines of a condolence meeting for former West Bengal industry minister and politburo member Nirupam Sen here on Sunday night. He was replying to question on why the CPI(M) was not initiating talks with the Congress at the national level to put up an anti-BJP front. Yechury said the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh was a "positive" development and that a "lot more is yet to happen". The CPI(M) leader said he is looking forward to an anti-BJP secular and democratic front at the Centre in 2019 in a "post-poll scenario". Majority of the state Congress leaders are in favour of an informal seat-sharing arrangements with the CPI(M) in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, senior state Congress leaders said. Some of the top state Congress leaders have already begun "informal talks" with some CPI(M) leaders over the issue of seat adjustment. However, the state Congress unit maintained that the final call on the decision of state-specific adjustments with the CPI(M) will be taken by party president Rahul Gandhi. PTI PNT SBN SMN SMN What works against him are the below average dialogues and a sloppy script Riyadh, Jan 15 (AFP) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo faced a tough balancing act Monday as he pressed Saudi Arabia's crown prince over critic Jamal Khashoggi's murder while shoring up strategic ties with Riyadh. The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, held talks with King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which also focused on the conflict in Yemen and countering threats from Iran. Pompeo walked a diplomatic tightrope on his second politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia since Khashoggi's murder as he demanded that all those involved in the crime be held accountable. The king and crown prince "both acknowledge that this accountability needs to take place", Pompeo said in Riyadh following talks with them. "They reiterated their commitment," he added. Relations between Riyadh and Washington have remained strained after journalist Khashoggi was murdered on October 2 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh said the murder was carried out by "rogue" Saudi agents, but the US Central Intelligence Agency reportedly concluded that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered the hit. Pompeo's meeting with the crown prince lasted around 45 minutes. The US diplomat appeared more reserved than his previous visit at the height of the Khashoggi affair, when his broad smiles with the crown prince outraged many Americans. US President Donald Trump has brushed aside critics to stand by Prince Mohammed, who faces international opprobrium over the killing. Riyadh prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people and are seeking the death penalty against five of them, but they have exonerated Prince Mohammed. Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the oil-rich kingdom, which he sees as a bulwark against common foe Iran and a lucrative buyer of US arms. Furious over the murder, US lawmakers have demanded Washington pull back its support to the Saudi-led military campaign against Huthi rebels in Yemen. But backing the Saudi position, Pompeo accused the rebels of failing to comply with a truce agreement for the lifeline port city of Hodeida reached last month at UN-sponsored talks in Sweden. "The work that was done in Sweden on Yemen was good, but both sides (need) to honour those commitments," Pompeo said. "Today, the Iranian-backed Huthis have chosen not to do that." Rights groups called on Pompeo to also press Prince Mohammed over the jailing of women activists in the kingdom, amid claims that some of them faced sexual harassment and torture during interrogation. Pompeo on Monday said he discussed human rights issues with the Saudis, including the plight of women activists, without giving any details. Pompeo was in Riyadh as part of an extensive week-long trip to the Middle East, which included stops in Amman, Baghdad, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi and Doha. After Riyadh, Pompeo wrapped up his Middle East tour with a trip to Muscat, where he held talks with Omani ruler Sultan Qaboos. The sultan hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last October in a rare visit that raised the prospect of normalisation of Israel-Gulf ties. Pompeo, however, cancelled a scheduled visit to Kuwait in order to attend a family funeral at home, US officials said. On Sunday, Pompeo met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha, where he refused to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran. He also called on Qatar and other Gulf Arab countries to end their worst political rift in years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt -- all US allies -- cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar -- also a US ally -- denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. "As for the GCC... we are all more powerful when we're working together when we have common challenges in the region and around the world," Pompeo said, referring to the six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. He added that "President Trump and I both believe the ongoing dispute in the region has gone on too long". Mediation efforts by the United States, which at first appeared to back the boycott of Qatar, have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan. (AFP) SMJ SMJ Washington, Jan 14 (AFP) US President Donald Trump said Monday he has "never worked for Russia," assailing reports that raised questions about his ties to Vladimir Putin as a "big fat hoax." Trump's comments to reporters at the White House followed a Washington Post report over the weekend that said the president has kept his top aides in the dark about his private conversations with the Russian leader. A separate report in The New York Times revealed that the FBI opened an investigation into whether Trump was acting on Russia's behalf after he sacked the bureau's director in 2017. (AFP) PMS PMS Dalian, Jan 14 (AFP) A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges on Monday after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient, a ruling likely to deepen a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Beijing. A court in the northeast city of Dalian said following a day-long retrial that it "completely rejects" the defence put forward by Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who is 36. (AFP) AMS AMS Islamabad, Jan 14 (PTI) Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the country's anti-graft body's appeal against the suspension of the jail sentences of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family in the Avenfield corruption case. In July 2018, an accountability court here handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar upheld the Islamabad High Court's verdict that ordered suspension of prison sentences awarded to Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The apex court, in its ruling, said that the NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case. The 69-year-old three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Sharif is currently in jail after an anti-corruption court sentenced him on December 24 to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case while acquitting him in the Flagship Investments corruption case in the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. The NAB approached the apex court after the Islamabad High Court, on September 19, suspended prison sentences of the Sharifs awarded by an accountability court. The accountability court convicted Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced them to eight years and one year, respectively, in prison. Upholding the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court bench threw out the NAB's request to revoke the Sharifs' bails, observing that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the "grounds for cancellation of bail". The IHC did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case, Geo TV quoted the bench as observing. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country's next chief justice later this month, stated that the IHC decision was temporary and the apex court would not interfere with the decision. "Nawaz Sharif is already behind the bars. He did not misuse the bail, and regularly appeared in the trial court [for hearings]," Justice Khosa remarked. Three cases of corruption the Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the NAB on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif. The apex court initially set six month deadline to conclude the cases but it was subsequently increase around eight times on the request of the accountability court. Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July, 2017. PTI AKJ AKJ Peshawar, Jan 14 (PTI) Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has identified sites for the construction of a cremation ground for the Hindu and Sikh community and a graveyard for Christians. Nearly 1.25 acre of land has been identified in Samarbagh near Northern bypass Peshawar of which 0.5 acre will be allocated for the construction of the cremation ground and 0.75 acre for the graveyard, sources in the Department of Auqaf & Religious Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said. The provincial government has enforced Section-IV for the procurement of land at the sites identified for the cremation ground and the graveyard in Peshawar, Nowshera and Kohat districts of the province. Efforts are on to release the funds for the construction of the cremation ground and the graveyard. Provision for one ambulance to each worship places of minorities in the province is also planned, Minority MPA Ravi Kumar of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said. The Christian community after the suicide attack on All Saint Church in Peshawar City on September 22, 2014 brought the issue of non-availability of space for the graveyard in the notice of the provincial government and the Hindu and Sikh community also raised the same issue before the government. PTI AYZ AMS AMS Mumbai, Jan 14 (PTI) A day after Rajkumar Hirani was accused of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him on his 2018 film "Sanju", his frequent collaborators Dia Mirza and Sharman Joshi Monday described was one of the most decent persons to work with in the Hindi film industry. In an article on HuffPost India, the woman, who calls herself "an assistant", alleged that Hirani sexually abused her more than once between March and September 2018. She detailed her allegations in an email dated November 3, 2018, to Hirani's frequent collaborator and "Sanju" co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Dia, who has worked with Hirani on films "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" and "Sanju", said she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations as the director was someone she respects a lot. The actor said she hopes a due official enquiry is conducted in the matter. "I am deeply distressed by this news. As someone who has known and respects Raju Sir for 15 years I can only hope that a due official enquiry is conducted. He is one of the most decent human beings I have ever worked with and I think it would be grossly unjust on my part to speak on this as I do not know the details. "As for the #MeToo movement it rightfully encourages women to speak up and seek due process," Dia told PTI. Sharman, whose portrayal of Raju Rastogi in Hirani's blockbuster "3 idiots" became immensely popular, hoped the phase the director is going through currently will pass. "Raju Sir, is a man of immense integrity, character, honour, compassion and truthfulness, all the virtues one would imagine are non existent in people today, someone I am absolutely inspired by and have learnt from and because of whom I believe I have gone onto being a better person. "All I want to say is that this too shall pass and I can imagine how demeaning it might be to even stand up for yourself in a situation such as this," the actor told PTI. After the HuffPost India article went viral on the Internet, the filmmaker released a statement in which he said he was "shocked" when the claims were brought to his notice two months ago. He said he suggested the case be referred to a "committee or a legal body" but the complainant chose to go the media instead. "I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. "The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation," Hirani said in a statement. The development comes close on the heels of Hirani's name been dropped from the new poster and trailer of "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga", directed by Shelly Chopra. A still from the film's teaser, which released on 27 June, 2018, carried Hirani's name as co-producer. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has not yet commented. Hirani's is the latest name to be called out in India's #MeToo storm, which has engulfed many a stalwart such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan and former Union minister M J Akbar. PTI JUR SHD SHD SHD Mumbai, Jan 14 (PTI) Director of Emraan Hashmi's debut production "Why Cheat India", Soumik Sen was accused of sexual misconduct by several women, but the actor says due process must be followed to investigate the validity of the allegations before taking any step. Among many people from the fraternity in the wake of India's #MeToo storm, Sen was named by three women of sexually inappropriate behaviour. When filmmakers Sajid Khan and Vikas Bahl were outed in the aftermath, they were asked to step down from the films they were associated with. But Emraan says he cannot take a "high-handed" approach to oust someone from a film without being assured of the credibility of the accusations. "There should be a due process. I can't have this high-handed authority on a set and say 'You're out of my film and three women have accused you of this'. I don't know the validity of the accusations. "I've not spoken to the women personally. They have not gone to the judicial system and had the due process. The producers spoke to him (Sen) and he excused himself from the promotions," Emraan told PTI in an interview. Regarding claims against Sen, the actor said when the news broke, the film's team investigated the matter to check if any inappropriate behaviour took place on the sets but nothing of the kind was reported. "The next question to be asked was the authenticity of the allegations. When you have names thrown on social media, it could be malicious. Not that I am defending Soumik, but there's no due process here, no proof. "Sometimes there could be malicious intent. We kept it to the point that he has excused himself from the film promotions. It's a step where we probably have done our bit," he added. The actor believes the question is what happens after someone takes a name on social media with regards to sexual misconduct. "What do we do? Just chuck the person out of a company or have an investigation, a due process in this? Unfortunately, the women didn't go to the judicial system or the police." When pointed out that it could be because the legal process is both, exhausting and intimidating, Emraan agreed, adding "Sometimes women don't have proof but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. The entire thing is so grey, what are the steps to be taken?" "We have not denied those allegations... If Soumik has done something, he should be taken to task. I can't play judge and decide on a verdict. The courts have to draw out a process, which has not been done so far. Twitter cannot be a courtroom," he said. Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani was named in the #MeToo by an anonymous woman, who worked as "an assistant" on "Sanju". The complainant accused the director of sexually abusing on more than one account between March and September 2018. When asked if someone as powerful as Hirani is being named in the #MeToo, will it change industry dynamics, the actor said he cannot "speak about this case". Emraan, however, adds that the #MeToo movement has his full support. "It's great that women are coming out and putting their stories forward but we have to have some process in place. Now that the allegations are out and men are forewarned that 'don't do this', we need to, like how I did with my company, set the laws the government has placed about sexual harassment. "It's not a gender thing. It's a power thing. A woman in a position of power can harass a male colleague. The power dynamics are very lopsided and can swing both ways," he said. "Why Cheat India" is scheduled to release this Friday. PTI JUR RDS RDS (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) NEW DELHI, January 14, 2019/PRNewswire/ -- Mahindra to endorse Shell automotive lubricants under 'Maximile' brand Shell Lubricants, the global market leader in lubricants for 12 consecutive years, has announced a new strategic partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, a part of the USD 20.7 billion Mahindra Group. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/807757/ShellMahindraPartnership.jpg ) Under this agreement, Mahindra and Shell will work together to offer market-leading, high-performance lubricant products, such as engine oils, transmission and axle oils, including those under the 'Maximile' brand. These lubricants will be distributed through the Mahindra dealership network and bazar networks through the Mahindra spares business unit. The Shell-Mahindra partnership rides on the theme of 'Together Towards Tomorrow', where both organizations are committed to developing innovative, unique and differentiated technologies and products. The agreement is a major step in this direction and was signed in Mumbai by Ms. Mansi Tripathy, Country Head, Shell Lubricants, India and Mr. Hemant Sikka, President & Chief Purchase Officer, Powerol & Spares Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited. Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Mansi Tripathy, Country Head, Shell Lubricants, India, said, "At Shell, we have long standing relationships with our OEM partners and work very closely with them to benefit customers across sectors and help them achieve their ambitions through co-engineering and other partnership activities. We are delighted to partner with Mahindra and look forward to bring next-generation mobility solutions and new technologies to the Indian market. At Shell our emphasis has always been to provide customer delight, fill unmet needs, bring innovative technologies for a better future and mutually grow business. The partnership with Mahindra is a major step in our effort towards this journey." Commenting on the partnership at the signing event, Hemant Sikka President & Chief Purchase Officer, Powerol & Spares Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, said, "We are pleased to join hands with Shell. Both companies have core strength areas in their respective fields. Shell innovates to meet global energy demand and has unique technology offerings such as GTL (gas to liquid) which can be harnessed to meet BS-VI norms. We are extending this partnership in other sectors of Mahindra as well. In addition, Shell and Mahindra have joined forces to unleash the power of two major brands in order to accelerate the future of transport in India and beyond." Notes to Editors About Mahindra The Mahindra Group is a USD 20.7 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world's largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, aerospace, commercial vehicles, components, defense, logistics, real estate, renewable energy, speedboats and steel, amongst other businesses. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,40,000 people across 100 countries. Learn more about Mahindra on http://www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise About Shell Lubricants The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to Shell Group companies engaged in the lubricants business. Shell sells a wide variety of lubricants to meet customer needs across a range of applications. These include consumer motoring, heavy-duty transport, mining, power generation and general engineering. Shell's portfolio of lubricant brands includes Shell Advance, Shell Helix, and Shell Rimula among many others. We are active across the full lubricant supply chain. We manufacture base oils in eight plants, we blend base oils with additives to make finished lubricants in almost 70 plants, and we distribute, market and sell lubricants in over 100 countries. We have also been recognized as the global market leader for 12 consecutive years, by Kline. We have more experts talking to more customers than any other lubricants supplier. We have over 350 technical support specialists and 1,000 sales professionals working with customers every day. We offer a wide range of services in addition to our products, including Shell LubeChat, an easy to use, AI-enabled chatbot that can deliver information on real-time basis, Shell LubeMatch, a market leading online tool that matches lubricants to vehicles and equipment, and Shell LubeAnalyst, an early warning system that enables our business customers to monitor the condition of their equipment and lubricant, helping to save money on maintenance. Shell's world-class technology is applied in our products and technological collaborations. We have four leading lubricants research centres in Germany, the USA, and Japan (in a joint venture with Showa Shell) with more than 200 scientists and engineers dedicated to lubricants research and development. We have 150 + patent series for lubricants, base oils and greases. One of the ways we push the boundaries of lubricant technology is by working closely with top motor racing teams such as Scuderia Ferrari and Penske Racing. These technical partnerships enable us to expand our knowledge of lubrication science and transfer cutting-edge technology from the racetrack to our commercial products. About Shell Lubricants India Shell is one of the most diversified international oil company in India's energy sector. It is a major private sector supplier of crude products and chemicals to India. With over 7000 staff in the country, Shell has a significant technology centre, a financial business services centre and operates a joint venture LNG receiving and re-gasification terminal. Earlier this year, it signed MOUs for a floating LNG terminal in the country. Shell also has a downstream business marketing fuels, lubricants and specialty products. It recently announced creation of an in-house global IT centre in Bengaluru. Shell Lubricants' India operation is part of Shell's long-term commitment to India and its support for the country's increasing energy needs. After the US and China, India is the third-largest market for Lubricants where Shell has a close to 5 per cent share. Shell Lubricants' customers in India include John Deere, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Komatsu and Thermax. With a network of over 170 distributors and a lubricant oil blending plant at Taloja, Shell Lubricants India sells a wide variety of lubricants to meet customer needs across a range of applications such as consumer motoring, heavy-duty transport, mining, power generation, general engineering, etc. Source: Shell Lubricants India 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.) Gurgaon, Haryana, India (NewsVoir) Unsecured Loans form the majority share of disbursals at ~Rs. 480 crore per month Share of loans to outside Top 10 cities has increased to over 40%, from 18% two years ago Top focus areas in 2019 will be on MSME lending, offering tailor-made lending solutions & creating international experience for customers on the platform Indias largest marketplace for financial products Paisabazaar.com announced today that it has become the countrys first independent digital platform to reach an annualized loan disbursal rate of USD 1 billion. Since its inception in February 2014, Paisabazaar.com has witnessed 150X growth and is the clear marketplace leader for lending products, according to industry estimates. Unsecured loans, which include personal loans and business loans, form the majority share of the disbursals taking place through the Paisabazaar platform. Currently, Paisabazaar.com disburses ~Rs. 480 crore of unsecured loans every month, with a dominant share of these loans going to salaried prime customers, who have an in-hand monthly income of over Rs. 25,000 and credit score more than 750. The milestone of reaching USD 1 billion run-rate is significant because it shows the size of the Indian lending market. If one looks at unsecured loans alone, even at such high volumes that Paisabazaar is doing, we are only 2% of the unsecured lending market. Over the next 3-4 years, our aim is to reach 10% of this market, said Naveen Kukreja, CEO & Co-founder, Paisabazaar.com. In terms of age distribution, 66% borrowers on the Paisabazaar platform were 35 or below years of age, signifying a young customer base which is choosing digital to get access to credit. Paisabazaar.com partners with more than 90 banks and financial institutions, which include Indias biggest public and private banks, NBFCs, digital lenders and mutual fund companies, to offer more than 300 products that cater to all personal finance needs of its consumers. We congratulate Paisabazaar.com on achieving this milestone in such a short time. This collaboration has allowed YES BANK to provide better services to the customers and ensured faster and simpler lending opportunities via data-driven digital solutions. The Bank looks forward to many such achievements through this partnership, said RajanPental, Senior Group President and Group Head, Branch and Retail Banking, YES BANK. Growth fueled by Mobile & consumer demand from Tier II and III cities Currently, Paisabazaar.com receives more than 2 million product enquiries every month from over 1100 cities and towns across India. According to Paisabazaar.com, one of the biggest reasons behind its growth is its success in establishing itself as a consumer brand, across India, which can be attributed to its continuous efforts in spreading awareness around financial products, through TV and digital over the last 4 years. The popularity of the smartphones has also been a game-changer for digital platforms, with more and more incremental traffic coming from smaller cities and towns through mobile. Paisabazaar.com today gets ~86% of its 23 million+ monthly traffic through mobile, as compared to 59% in April, 2017. Paisabazaar.com has also witnessed a big surge in demand for credit products from Tier II and III cities, signifying the increase in popularity of the digital channels in accessing credit in the smaller cities. Loans from outside the Top 10* cities today contribute ~41% of the total disbursals through Paisabazaar.com. Two years ago, only 18% of the loans were disbursed to locations outside the Top 10 cities. *Top 10 cities Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Surat. Focus areas in 2019 1. Lending to the MSME sector: One of its key focus segments in 2019 for Paisabazaar.com will also be the self-employed, that has steadily shifted to digital channels for its credit needs due to the ease in processes. It currently works with over 25 banks and financial institutions to facilitate easy access to credit to the MSME sector through digital innovations. Paisabazaar.com, has been a great enabler in providing easy lending solutions to the massive self-employed segment in India. We congratulate Paisabazaar.com on this big milestone and look forward to working with them more closely this year to further ease the access to credit for the MSME sector. We hope, together, we will continue to empower the MSME community of our country and make financial services available to them at their fingertips, said Harshvardhan Lunia, CEO & Co-founder,Lendingkart Technologies. 2. Customized lending solutions: Paisabazaar.com has been focusing on bringing in industry first innovations, through data and technology, to simplify lending for partners and customers on its platform. Last year, it launched Indias first Chance of Approval feature, where each customer, applying for a loan or a credit card on the platform, is shown his chances of approval against each available product. Paisabazaar.com has used 4 years of data to create this advanced predictive algorithm. It has already led to an increase of 21% in the approval rates for lending products on the Paisabazaar platform in 5 months. Paisabazaar.com is also working with multiple lending partners to simplify the lending process, making it more digital, seamless and faster for the consumer. This year the focus will be on building tailor-made lending solutions to each borrower visiting its platform. "Our partnership with Paisabazaar.com has enabled us to provide quick, easy and seamless access to loans to varied customer segments on the Paisabazaar platform, through industry-first innovations, backed by deep analytics and cutting edge technology integration. One of them is our pre-approved personal loan offer to customers on the Paisabazaar platform, with no income documents required, which provides almost instant access to credit with minimum effort," said Bhavesh Gupta, CEO, CLIX Capital. 3. Innovating on Free Credit Score: Paisabazaar.com runs Indias biggest credit awareness initiative by offering customers their free credit report with monthly updates for life from multiple credit bureaus, like CIBIL and Experian. Last year, Paisabazaar.com made the free credit report product available on multiple new platforms through multiple partnerships and integrations. Today, a customer can find out his credit score in less than 2 minutes from Paisabazaar through his mobile, an AI-enabled chatbot, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. He can then track his score seamlessly, as he is provided his monthly credit report on WhatsApp. We are trying to create an entire ecosystem around our credit score product, using AI and other technologies, to help customers get access to the best and most-suited financial products, said Naveen Kukreja. 4. Affordable housing: Paisabazaar has also been an enabler in providing the most suited home loan deals to customers from varied income segments. Along with sourcing the some of the biggest online home loan deals for HNIs, including a Rs. 6.12 crore loan in May last year, it has also facilitated housing loans to customers from lower income groups through exclusive affordable housing loan partnerships with IIFL, YES Bank, Cholamandalam Finance etc. Paisabazaar.com says, this year, it will have special focus on technology and data, along with strengthening its partnerships across the financial ecosystem to make personal finance decisions more convenient for customers. It is already working with Microsoft on several industry-first innovations As a market leader, we want to provide our consumers an international experience on Paisabazaar.com. We are benchmarking against the highest global standards to deliver a consumer experience, thats so far unprecedented in India, said Naveen Kukreja. About Paisabazaar.com Paisabazaar.com is India's largest online marketplace for loans and Credit Cards. It works with more than 75 partners across lending and investment categories to offer 300+ products to meet all lending and investment needs of consumers. Paisabazaar is the only marketplace in India to disburse annualized loans worth USD 1 billion. The platform has been conferred with Economic Times Best Fintech Brand (2018) Economic Times Best BFSI Brand" (2016), Money Tech Startup of the Year (2017) and Money Tech Best Customer Experience Innovation (2017) awards. PaisaBazaar.com is part of ETechAces that owns Indias leading insurtech brand, PolicyBazaar.com, and newly launched health tech platform, docprime.com. The company is backed up by a host of investors including the likes of Softbank, Temasek, Tiger Global Management, True North, InfoEdge (Naukri.com), Premji Invest, besides investments from other PE funds and family offices. Image 1: Segment wise distribution of loans by Paisabazaar.com - As on December 2018 Image 2: Age wise distribution of borrowers - As on December 2018 Image 3: Traffic on Paisabazaar.com platform - As on December 2018 Image 4: Mobile vs Desktop - As on December 2018 Image 5: Loans to T10 cities vs Outside T10 cities - As on December 2018 PWR PWR Washington, Jan 14 (AFP) President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to be able to reach a trade deal with China, which is feeling the impact of US tariffs. "We are doing very well with China. They're having a hard with their economy because of the tariffs," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China." US officials were in Beijing last week for talks aimed at ending the bruising trade confrontation that has subjected more than USD 350 billion in two-way trade to steep tariffs. Chinese officials said the next round of negotiations would be held in Washington between January 30 and 31. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed on December 1 to a three-month truce in the escalating spat. "I can tell you we are getting things that before I became president you would have had no chance at getting," Trump said. "They would have laughed in your president's face." As Trump has pressed Beijing to increase imports of US goods, China's trade surplus with the United States hit a record last year of USD 323.3 billion, an 11 per cent increase over 2017, according to Chinese customs data released Monday. However, in a sign that the White House's punitive measures are having an impact, China's exports to the US sank last month. And China's total exports fell 4.4 per cent in December from a year earlier, while imports dropped 7.6 per cent, reflecting sluggish demand at home and abroad. (AFP) KUN KUN New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Telangana government has been given the green nod for its Rs 13,384.80 crore Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project that aims to divert Godavari river water to irrigate 2.72 lakh hectare in three districts, a senior central government official said Monday. The project, which is expected to be completed in three years, would lead to submergence of about 1,930 hectare area and 157 villages consisting of 9,696 families are likely to be affected, the official added. "An Expert Appraisal Committee has already given approval for the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project. Based on the EAC recommendation, Union Environment Ministry has given the final environment clearance (EC) for the same," the official said. The EC is valid for 10 years. After five years of the commissioning of the project, the state government should undertake a study by an independent agency to assess the impact on environment and downstream ecology, the official added. As per the proposal, the lift irrigation project will divert Godavari river water from upstream of existing Dummugudem Anicut to irrigate 2,72,921 hectare of Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam and Mahabubabad districts of Telangana. The objective of the project is to provide water for irrigation as well as to enroute tanks, villages, towns and supplement some of the existing/ proposed irrigation schemes. About 8,476.84 hectare land is required for the project, which is estimated to cost about Rs 13,384.80 crore and is expected to be completed in three years, the official said. There would be construction of an head regulator only at Dummugudem Anicut on Godavari river besides lined canal of about 372 km, four pump houses and delivery cisterns, laying of pumping main of about 9 km, cross drainage works across main canal and construction of tunnels, cross regulators and offtakes among others. PTI LUX DRR IT IS DIPLOMAT season in India. Among the flurry of meetings that will keep South Block officials busy, it would be easy to miss the significance of the back-to-back visits of Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistans national security adviser; Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister; and Zalmay Khalilzad, the USs special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation. Afghanistan stands at a crucial juncture, facing just two choicescivil war or peace. Seventeen years after the war began, there is no end in sight. And the talk about a post-US scenario is no longer hypothetical. President Donald Trump, who is running out of patience, is reportedly planning to reduce troops in Afghanistan, like in Syria. It is one of the longest wars America has fought. But the Taliban now controls more territory than they did since the war began. A quarterly report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, prepared for the US congress, indicates that the Afghan government controls only 55.5 per cent of the countrys districts. This is the lowest since November 2015. The government had begun with 72 per cent. The fight to retain control comes at a great cost. Reports submitted to the Afghan parliament indicate that, on an average, 40 Afghan security personnel die every day. India has invested deeply in Afghanistans stability. With the pullout of American troops looming, India will naturally be expected to play a bigger role. Part of my effort, being here in India, is to ensure that you are fully abreast of what is going on in [the talk] process, Mohib told THE WEEK. Mohib is not alone in wanting to keep India in the loop. Afghanistan will figure in Zarifs India agenda. Iran recently became the latest to join the talk to the Taliban bandwagon, with its foreign office holding official talks with the Taliban leaders last December. Iran wants to push the Taliban towards intra-Afghan talks. Trump may joke about India building libraries in Afghanistan, but it is evident that stability in the region needs Indian participation. Khalilzads long-pending visit makes this clear. He will try and convince India that the talks will lead to peace; may nudge India to put boots on the ground. The question now is, who will tame the Taliban and how? Whether Khalilzad can bring about peace in Afghanistan is debatable. The fourth round of peace talks were recently cancelled, because the Taliban refused to sit opposite the Afghan government. Breaking the deadlock will not be easy. Khalilzad had wanted to successfully conclude the peace talks by April this year, but the ambitious deadline now appears unrealistic. We have been fighting this war for the past 17 years, said Mohib. More than 1,00,000 Afghans have died or been martyred. Peace is difficult; we should not put a deadline on peace. The bigger worry for India is Pakistan. If the Taliban were to come to power, after being legitimised by the political process, India would find itself in a tricky situation. Especially so if Pakistan continues to control the Taliban. There are experts who say that the Talibans rise to power could pose an existential question for Pakistan. But, as things stand, a win for the Taliban would be a dream come true for Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence. And that is why India needs to step up its diplomatic offensive. The minority Sikh community in Pakistan celebrated the 352nd birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province amid tight security. A three-day event to celebrate Prakash Parv at Gurudwara Bhai Joga Singh here concluded Sunday. The event was organised by Department of Hajj, Auqaf, Religious and Minority Affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to show the signs of harmony and inclusiveness. Over 5,000 Sikh devotees took out a procession and converged at a programme to mark the occasion. Adequate security measures were put in place to ensure a smooth and hassle-free event. The major attraction of the procession was the display of 'Gatka', a famous Sikh martial art and other famous sword exercises. On the occasion, member of the provincial assembly Ravi Kumar paid tributes to Soran Singh, the provincial minister for minority affairs who was shot dead in 2016, saying his services will always be remembered. Kumar said the three-day event will build understanding of traditions and beliefs of minorities. People here have shown signs of interfaith harmony. Lawmaker Wazir Zada said celebrating events of minorities will help spread love and peace. Guru Gobind Singh's birth anniversary is one of the major festivals of the Sikh community across the world. Known as Guru Gobind Singh Prakash, or the dawn of light, he was born on January 5, 1666. He is the 10 Sikh Guru, a spiritual master and philosopher. It was 52 years ago that, Argentinian revolutionary and guerilla leader Che Guevara was killed in a school shelter in Bolivia. And today, nearly four decades after being convicted of murder and being on the run, Italian former leftist guerilla Cesare Battisti will be extradited to Italy from Bolivia, according to officials. "Cesare Battisti will be back in Italy in the coming hours on a flight from Santa Cruz to Rome," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted after a phone call with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Battisti, an Italian convicted of four murders in absentia, was captured by police in Santa Cruz late Saturday following an Interpol operation. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in Italy for involvement in four murders in the 1970s as a member of the far-left Armed Proletarians for Communism. After escaping from Italy in 1981, Battisti lived in Paris for a while before moving to Brazil. In Brazil, Battisti lived under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is now in prison for corruption. Battisti also has a five-year-old son. During Brazil's recent presidential campaign the far-right Bolsonaro, who took office on January 1, vowed that if elected, he would "immediately" extradite Battisti to Italy. In mid-December, Brazil's outgoing president, Michel Temer, signed an extradition order for Battisti after a Supreme Court judge ordered his arrest, but by then he had vanished again. At a press conference on Sunday, Bolivian Interior Minister Carlos Romero said Battisti had entered Bolivia illegally and had been found on the streets. He said Interpol Bolivia would hand him over in the coming hours at Santa Cruz's Viru Viru airport. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini thanked Bolsonaro and the new Brazilian government "with all my heart for the changed political climate". Salvini, head of the right-wing League party that partners the 5-Star Movement in Italy's ruling coalition, was one of the first top European politicians to endorse Bolsonaro. Battisti, who became a successful crime novel writer, said last year, he feared he would be tortured and killed if he were sent back to Italy. His lawyer said last month that he had filed an appeal against the Brazilian Supreme Court decision in an attempt to block extradition. South Kolkata's Rabindra Sarobar laketermed as one of the two lungs and kidneys of the city is hosting the first ever open-air photo exhibition of birds at their habitat till January 25. This first-of-its-kind exhibition features photos of some of the rarest bird species spotted around this 192-acre lake, in the heart of a bustling city. The exhibition is seen as a significant step to identify the country's first urban bio-diversity zones. The Rabindra Sarovar lake, earlier known as the Dhakuria lake, would have remained hitherto unknown, if not for wildlife enthusiasts and the city's amateur birders. A near 3,000 strong gang of birders, who go on social media as 'Biodiversity of Rabindra Sarobar Group', has documented 110 species of rare and migratory birds in the lake area in the last two years. The birder's group, comprising of the young and old, retired and professionals, has got the support of the Lions Club, the state forest authority and the Kolkata Municipal and Development Authority, to host this photo exhibition of 50 of their rarest clicks. Siberian Blue Robin, spotted first time in India at Rabindra Sarovar | D.J. Chakraborty The exhibition at the Lions Safari Park enclosure at the lake is drawing headlines as well as numerous visitors from the city and surroundings. "The state government lifted the ban in 2012 after a pulmonologist, Dr Sumit Sengupta, captured a rare bird, the Eyebrowed Thrush, on camera. Next year Sandip Das, a reputed birder, got the Asian stubtail, which no one had photographed in India before that," said Sourav De, one of the birders from the Biodiversity of Rabindra Sarovar Group, who is working with a market research firm. Since then many reputed birders have been frequenting the Rabindra Sarobar lake from across India and even from countries like Bangladesh, UK, and Nepal. "We thank these birders without whom we would not have known about the beautiful birds that visit here. We are seeking permission from the KMDA, who are the custodians of this lake area, to have signages depicting clear 'Do's and Don'ts' for visitors and amateur birders soon," said Subhash Morarka, the chairman of Lions Safari Park, who was approached by the photographer's group to host this open-air photo exhibition. The artificial lake was created by Britishers in 1920s. Since then the area spanning 30 hectares had remained largely undisturbed with the city developing around it. Over the next 50 years, a natural forest, comprising more than 7,000 trees, came up around this lake. The place became notorious as a hideout for criminals and Naxals in the 70s. But today, it is the winter home to at least 106 species of rare birds visiting from distant foreign lands. There are about 850 bird species spotted in West Bengal through the year. Ferruginous Flycatcher | Sourav De "Enthusiasts have raised a lot of awareness about birdwatching and wildlife conservation in Kolkata. They also raise conservation issues frequently with us. People here try their best to make it possible for wildlife and concrete development to thrive side by side," said Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chief Conservator of Forest, West Bengal. The Indian Forest Service official said he was surprised when he found bankers or IT professionals in the city specifying correct botanical names of bird species, or their migratory routes, to the chief conservator with easeoften facts for which he would need to thumb through books, he said. The Lion Club organisers have been asked to make this open-air photo exhibition of birds an annual affair with the support of the state forest and wildlife department. "This would be a big draw for people, especially the youth, bringing a sense of permanency to this bio-diversity hub," Yadav said. So far, India has no specific rules to declare urban bio-diversity zones. But according to the senior wildlife conservation official, this is a unique example in Kolkata. "You can do conservation of wildlife through strictures, but that restricts visitors. But then there is another way. At the Rabindra Sarovar lake, visitors and nearby residents have taken it on themselves to do the wildlife conservation work. Our department wants to support them in their activities and help them make this the first urban bio-diversity zone in the country," Yadav told THE WEEK. Other state government armsthe fisheries department and the irrigation departmentare joining hands with the forest department to help conserve the unique bio-diversity of Rabindra Sarovar lake. They would also be working together to conserve some more upcoming bio-diversity hotspots around the city, like the East Kolkata wetlands, New Town and some others, very soon. Following is the chronology of events of the sedition case in which the Delhi police on Monday filed a charge-sheet against former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others: -Feb 9, 2016: Protest march held in JNU campus to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. -Feb 10: JNU administration orders a "disciplinary" inquiry into the event. -Feb 11: Delhi Police registers case against unknown persons following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and RSS's student front ABVP. -Feb 12: Kanhaiya Kumar arrested, sparking massive outrage among students. -Feb 12: Kanhaiya remanded in three days police custody by Delhi court in sedition case. -Feb 15 : Violence in Patiala House courts with lawyers attacking journalists, JNU students and teachers dubbing them anti-nationals ahead of hearing in Kanhaiya's sedition case. -Feb 15: Two FIRs registered in connection with Patiala court attack. -Feb 17: Another scuffle in Patiala House Court as men dressed in lawyers' robes allegedly beat up scribes and students ahead of hearing in Kanhaiya's case. -Feb 18: Kanhaiya files bail application in Supreme Court. -Feb 19: SC transfers bail plea to Delhi HC, asks police to ensure proper security. -Feb 19: Kanhaiya moves HC for bail. -Feb 23: Police opposes bail plea of Kanhaiya in HC. -Feb 23: JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya move HC seeking police protection prior to surrender. -Feb 24: Umar and Anirban arrested. -Feb 25: Delhi court sends jailed Kanhaiya to one day police custody. -Feb 26: Court sends Kanhaiya to Tihar Jail. -Mar 2: HC grants six months interim bail to Kanhaiya. -Mar 3: Delhi court orders Kanhaiya's release from Tihar Jail. -Aug 26: Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban granted regular bail by Delhi court. -Jan 14, 2019: Police files charge-sheet against Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban and others under offences of sedition, rioting, criminal conspiracy. --Delhi court will consider chargesheet on Tuesday. 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 Well, now we see ourselves in the midst of a partial government shutdown. There are things that the reader may like to know that are not being aired. Being closed-minded and stubborn can have harmful consequences. That is what led to the government shutdown. Being open-minded can be very beneficial. That can resolve the problem. To the reader, please dont be an irresponsible child like Trump and Pelosi. Be an adult. Open your mind. Keep it open. Decide for yourself. Who can resolve this? Either Trump, Pelosi, or both. Even though Trump said that he owns this shutdown, that does not release Pelosi of any responsibility. This is not the Trump shutdown. It is the Trump-Pelosi shutdown. Even though Pelosi is calmer and more level-headed that Schumer, she is being purely political regarding this shutdown. We all know that Trump will not reopen any part of the government by signing any of the eight bills that the Democrats passed. He wants to use these layoffs as political pawns. So, both Trump and Pelosi are being political and stubborn. Both are using these 800,000 federal workers as pawns in their child-like disagreement. Trump wants a wall both as a political gift to his supporters and as a real, effective way to stem the tide of illegal immigration. He is willing to use 800,000 workers as pawns Pelosi? The only thing on her mind is political to deny Trump of the opportunity to declare that he got what he wanted a wall. This would give Trump more political support which is what Pelosi is so against. POLITICS! So, what is so bad about a wall? 90 percent of the heroin in the US comes across that border. Democrats say that it would be a waste of money $1 out of $1,000! They say that all of the proposed walls can be breached. Soldiers were given an order to breach all of the walls. They successfully breached all of them. But there is much more security to go along with the wall. Israel has a fence on its southern border with Egypt. They had a problem with many terrorists crossing from Egypt into Israel. I saw that fence. It could be easily overcome by just some extension ladders and blankets. Yet it is 99 percent effective because of the other security that goes along with it. Given these facts, it just makes sense to build a wall. To think otherwise would require simply ignoring the facts and saying yes to more drug trafficking and more criminals. Pelosi appears to be just fine with that! The very purpose of the wall is not to keep people from crossing, it is to funnel the people to the legitimate ports of entry. Lets spend $1 out of $1,000 and BUILD THE WALL! I hope that Trump does not declare a national emergency. The current situation is not bad enough. It could be the first step in converting the presidential office into a dictatorship. I know that if we declare war on Mexico, they will build the wall, themselves, very fast and pay for all of it themselves! Maybe that was what Trump was thinking. That may be a better option than declaring a national emergency! Greg Taylor Alton EDWARDSVILLE Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles Marc Hohlt, a senior chemistry and international studies double major, will spend the spring 2019 semester in Heredia, Costa Rica thanks in part to a generous grant from the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship Fund through the U.S. State Department. As a Gilman recipient, I look forward to helping others realize their dreams of international studies, Hohlt said. Hohlt, of Greenville, will be studying conservation biology and Spanish at Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica in Heredia as he prepares for a career in global development. In Costa Rica, I found the perfect place to combine my study of the Spanish language and sustainable development practices, he said. Costa Rica produces about 97 percent of its energy using solar, wind and hydro power. As a leader in green energy production, Costa Rica is a premier location to learn sustainable development methods. To qualify for the Gilman Scholarship, students must submit two essays, one of which describes the service project they plan upon returning from the experience. Hohlts service project detailed his plans to promote study abroad opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. My goal is to be a global ambassador by sharing my insight, encouraging interaction between American students and their international counterparts, and promoting future students to participate in studying abroad, Hohlt said. This will not only help to embrace multiculturalism at SIUE, but also provide a venue in which I will engage other members of the community interested in international education. The key to his selection by the Gilman committee was the way he tied the Costa Rica sustainability experience directly to the promotional activities he plans, according to Kim Browning, SIUE study abroad advisor. Hohlt will fully immerse himself in Costa Ricas culture by staying with a host family. While the idea of a home stay is slightly intimidating, I believe it is the best way to truly immerse oneself in a new culture, he said. With the guidance of my host family, I will further my understanding of the culture and increase my language skills on a daily basis. As a non-traditional student, Hohlt was faced with the expense involved in studying abroad, but seized the opportunity of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ive wanted to study abroad since I began at SIUE, he acknowledged. However, I had reached my student loan maximum and began paying for college out of my paychecks. So, it was a difficult decision to give up employment for an entire semester. The University Studies Abroad Consortium program has helped ease the burden by providing the homestay. SIUE Study Abroad encourages every student receiving a Federal Pell Grant to apply for the Gilman Scholarship to help finance his or her study abroad experience. At SIUE, we value this scholarship support as our students who receive Pell Grants have the opportunity for an international educational experience that is otherwise out of reach, Browning said. EDWARDSVILLE Madison Countys Animal Control Department achieved save rates of more than 90 percent for both dogs and cats in November, a big milestone as the department works toward being a no-kill shelter. Animal Control Manager Katherine Conder said 92 percent of the 79 dogs and 96 percent of the 77 cats brought in to Animal Control in November were saved. One of the goals of a no-kill shelter is a save rate of 90 percent or above. Its extremely important, she said, adding that they did not final December statistics. She also said they are starting several new programs, including a foster program for cats and kittens awaiting placement with one of the pet rescue organizations the county works with. We have so many cats and kittens that come in during the spring and summer time, she said. I thought it would be better if the cats were not staying in our facility for long periods of time. She said they would like to start an adoption program, rather than relying solely on animal rescue organizations. We have a lot of people who call us on a regular basis, who say I would like to adopt this dog, or I would like to adopt this cat, so wed like to get that started, she said. Conder said they have also started working with animal rescue agencies throughout the state. Because of the humane societies being so full here, we have to look at other options, she said. It also takes some of the heat off of partners for pets and metro east humane society. We rely on heavily on them to pull animals from us. However, that is potentially controversial, because in the past some County Board members have objected to the expense of Conder traveling to Northern Illinois to drop off an animal. The county wants to be no-kill, she said, adding the cost to transport the animals are offset by reduced food and veterinary care costs. If I can get a rescue in Chicago to take an animal that another rescue here is not interested in, then it cuts our cost down, she said. The majority of our dogs are pit bulls. There are so many its hard to get them placed around here. The County Boards Public Safety Committee continues to work on a new ordinance dealing with the Animal Control Department. One of the issues will be fees. There is a consensus among many board members that the countys fee structure is too low, and encourages too many people and municipalities to dump animals with them. However, that could be controversial as it would increase costs for municipalities, or require them to find alternative ways to deal with cats. It has been noted that the fee charged to municipalities to accept stray cats is less than the food Animal Control would spend to feed the animal, or the cost of euthanizing them if necessary. Becoming a no-kill operation was one of Board Chairman Kurt Prenzlers campaign issues, and Animal Control has had a number of issues in the past few years. For information about the department, visit the Madison County website at www.co.madison.il.us, the departments Facebook page at Madison County Animal Care & Control, email Conder at keconder@co.madison.il.us or call 618 296-4950. SPRINGFIELD Amtrak riders are still waiting for higher train speeds along the Chicago-to-St. Louis route. Officials promised travel at up to 110 mph along the line as part of a nearly $2-billion dollar project largely funded by federal economic stimulus dollars awarded under then-President Barack Obama. Recent projections had trains reaching 90 mph on a portion of the trip in 2018, but the timetable now has been pushed into this year. Installing and testing new federally-mandated safety technology is the main reason for the delay, said Guy Tridgell, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation. What happened during the course of the project was a federal mandate out of Washington that requires positive train control to be installed on lines that haul passenger trains, he said. What that does is allow a train to be controlled from a remote location if an engineer becomes incapacitated. IDOT is dependent upon Union Pacific, Amtrak, and the Federal Railroad Administration to complete work on that project. In the meantime, Tridgell said trains should be traveling at 90 miles-per-hour on portions of the track later this year. Reaching even higher speeds will take more time. Its coming, Tridgell said. Were confident [110 miles-per-hour] will be reached. Just when exactly, were not sure at this point, but hopefully soon. State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, isnt pleased with the new timetable. Im going to continue to hold IDOTs feet to the fire on this, he said. Im not happy this has gotten pushed down the road. This is a massive federal investment thats been made with state assistance. We have to make sure its as advertised. The total cost of the project was $1.95 billion, with the federal government paying a majority of the costs. However, Tridgell said the state was required to chip in about $300 million of the total. He does not expect any additional state money will be required. A lot of focus has been on speeds, of course, but theres really been a whole host of improvements up and down the line, Tridgell said. Tracks and ties were replaced and new stations were built in Dwight, Pontiac, Alton, Lincoln and Carlinville. More than 200 crossings have been upgraded with the latest safety equipment, new locomotives started to be delivered in 2017 and well see new cars in 2020. Tridgell said public surveys show riders would love faster speeds, but theyre even more interested in better, reliable service. Prior to this project starting, trains were on time on that route roughly half the time, Tridgell said. With the improvements being made, we will have guaranteed on-time performance of 85-percent. Thats substantial and if people can get on a train and know they can arrive at a certain time, thats what weve been told is the most important factor. IDOT previously said speeds of up to 110 mph would take about an hour off the commute time between Chicago and St. Louis. Topping out at 90 mph would save about 15 minutes on the average trip. We need to make sure were working together and we need to solve this problem to make sure these trains are doing what they are supposed to be doing, Butler said. Weve got new locomotives that were purchased earlier this year, which I think are very good, but we need to make sure the people get what they invested in Amtrak. A radio veteran with nearly twenty years of experience, Scot Bertram is the General Manager of Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM, the student radio station at Hillsdale College. Bertram is also the co-host of Political Beats for National Review Online. A United Nations committee has warned Canada that continued construction of the Site C hydro dam in northeastern British Columbia may violate international agreements. The UNs Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination says Canada may have already violated an agreement it signed 50 years ago. That agreement commits Canada to prevent development on Indigenous land without adequate consultation. Canada has also promised to block destructive development, allow Indigenous people to conduct their own impact studies and stop forcing First Nations to go to court. The committee is concerned about the alleged lack of measures taken to ensure the right to consultation and free, prior and informed consent with regard to the Site C dam, reads a Dec. 14 letter addressed to Rosemary McCarney, Canadas ambassador to the UN. (Site C) would infringe Indigenous Peoples rights protected under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Critics have long complained the dam will add to the impacts from the larger Bennett Dam on the Peace River watershed. Scientists suspect that dam has played a significant role in the long-term drying out of that watershed. First Nations in Alberta say that has cut off their access to much of their traditional territory and altered wildlife and hunting patterns. Site C is currently subject to two civil lawsuits from First Nations. B.C. Hydro says the dam is crucial to the provinces energy future and will have minimal environmental impact. The committee has asked the Canadian government to reply by April 8. A government spokesman was not immediately available for comment. Its the second time the U.S. has warned Canada over environmental issues. A federal report into Wood Buffalo National Park done in response to UNESCO concerns found that almost every aspect of the park on the Alberta-Northwest Territories boundary is deteriorating although some scientists say climate change is more to blame than dams or energy development. Together with Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and First Nations, Ottawa is developing plans to address issues raised in the report. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Read more about: An Ontario Divisional court judge has ruled theres no need for an expedited hearing to force the ombudsman to investigate the appointment of a close friend of Premier Doug Ford to head the OPP. In a decision Monday, Justice Herman Wilton-Siegel found no rationale for speeding up things, though he wants the matter dealt with in a timely manner, likely in April or May. Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, who served as interim OPP commissioner until going public with complaints about the Progressive Conservatives controversial hiring of Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner, wants ombudsman Paul Dube to review the matter. In an interview with CP24s Nathan Downer after Wilton-Siegels decision, Ford said the Taverner affair has been blown out of proportion. Nathan, if I wanted to, I could appoint you OPP commissioner. Its a political appointment. Kathleen Wynne had a political appointment. Dalton McGuinty and the 14 other premiers prior to that, the premier said. Its unfortunate that one person has sour grapes and reacting the way hes been reacting, breaking the Police Act numerous times. Someone has to hold him accountable, I can assure you of that, said Ford, who has previously accused Blair of breaching protocol without elaborating on specific transgressions. Blairs lawyer, Julian Falconer, told the court that political interference in the running of the OPP should worry all Ontarians There is a real fear that Premier Ford has crossed the line and that is no good for a democracy. The rule of law is all about us not being a police state and, frankly, there is no comfort in how things have developed lately, said Falconer, lamenting these shenanigans surrounding the hiring. This is not a personal attack on Mr. Taverner, he said of the long-time Ford friend. In the end, the stakes are very high, the lawyer said, noting Deputy Blair is concerned about reprisals within the force for speaking out. Read more: Integrity watchdog has yet to interview Ford over hiring of Taverner as OPP commissioner Concern over conflicts of interest would hurt Ron Taverner in OPP job, policing experts say Outside court, Falconer, who said Blair is paying his own legal fees, declined to discuss what those reprisals were. Wilton-Siegel stressed no evidence of any such recrimination was heard in court. Blair filed an application to Divisional Court to determine and enforce the jurisdiction of hiring process on an expedited basis after Dube declined to investigate, insisting it was beyond his jurisdiction. The ombudsman has no standing whatsoever to keep someone from being appointed, said Frank Cesario, the ombudsmans lawyer, pointing out his client simply has the power to make a report. Falconer countered that there is some irony that I am debating with counsel for the ombudsman whether the ombudsman can be effective its weird. Integrity commissioner J. David Wake is conducting a probe into the hiring after a complaint by New Democrat MPP Kevin Yarde (Brampton North). Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Wake is examining whether the premier broke the Members Integrity Act in the appointment of Taverner, 72, whose Toronto police command includes Etobicoke. Falconer argued that report would be ineffective because the legislature can ignore it. Fords government hired Taverner as OPP commissioner on Nov. 29, triggering concerns about the independence of the force, which has investigated provincial governments in the past. The 51-year police veteran asked his appointment be postponed during the integrity commissioners review. Taverner has returned to his previous Toronto police duties in the meantime. Interim Liberal leader John Fraser challenged Fords view on the process of hiring an OPP commissioner. Its not a political appointment. Its one thats generated through the public service and there should be no political interference and no appearance of political interference because that erodes peoples trust in police and politicians, Fraser said Monday. The premier is still fuming over Blairs Dec. 11 letter to the ombudsman, where the OPP deputy alleged Fords chief of staff asked the force to purchase a large camper-type vehicle modified to specifications the premiers office would provide us and keep the $50,000 customization costs off the books. Ford has called that a baseless claim without merit. Thats just not accurate whatsoever. I asked if they had a used one, he said. The premier has not said why he needed the van or why his office allegedly wanted to conceal any customizing costs. He is currently driven around in a police SUV. Blair served as interim commissioner after the retirement of commissioner Vince Hawkes last fall. After sending his letter to Dube he was replaced by Gary Couture. Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau will huddle with his cabinet this week refreshed in a Monday shuffle to plot strategy and priorities for the months leading up to fall election. The two-day strategy session in Sherbrooke, Que. will be the first gathering for the new cabinet that now has Toronto-area MP Jane Philpott in a key role to oversee government operations and new ministers in charge of veterans affairs, Indigenous services and justice. Trudeau called Philpott a natural choice for the role of President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, the third cabinet spot held by the MP for Markham-Stouffville following stints in health and Indigenous services. But as Mondays shuffle confirmed Philpotts rising star, Trudeau sought to dispel speculation that Jody Wilson-Raybould moved to veterans affairs from justice in the shuffle had been demoted. He called the veterans affairs post a deep and awesome responsibility and that Wilson-Raybould was well-suited to the task. She is extraordinarily capable of delivering on this file that is one of the core delivery mandates that the federal government has, Trudeau told reporters. Wilson-Raybould told reporters said she was honoured to take up her new post, and not disappointed. I would say there is no world in which I would consider working for our veterans of Canada a demotion. She later took the unusual step of releasing a lengthy statement defending her record as justice minister, a role she took on following the Liberals election in 2015. It was a response, she said, to the many questions and inquiries about why she was no longer justice minister. There is very little, if anything, in my mandate letter we have not done or is not well under way to completing, and we have also achieved much beyond it, she said in her statement. In Mondays other moves, David Lametti, an Oxford, Yale and McGill grad and former law professor at McGill University, took on justice, Seamus ORegan moved to Indigenous Affairs from veterans affairs, and Bernadette Jordan was named Minister of Rural Economic Development, a new portfolio. Philpott, a physician first elected in 2015, was vice-chair of the central agency and was seen as best able to take over the post left vacant by Scott Brison, who announced last week that he would step down from cabinet and not run again in the October election. Penny Collenette, an adjunct law professor at the University of Ottawa who worked in the prime ministers office under Jean Chretien, praised Philpotts appointment. Shes known to be highly competent and respected. Its very unusual to have, in one mandate, one minister with three portfolios. That is a very high load. That demonstrates her flexibility, Collenette said. The shuffle ticks some political boxes. Lamettis role as justice minister gives a Quebec MP a high-profile post. Jordans appointment puts a cabinet focus on rural issues for the Liberals. She will be tasked with developing a national strategy for rural development as well as plans to extend broadband internet to rural areas. Trudeau said her appointment shows his government is taking a new approach to rural issues. Thats smart politics. It sends a very clear message to (Conservative Leader) Andrew Scheer that the Liberal party is prepared to battle hard in the rural ridings, Collenette said. Naming Jordan, a Nova Scotia MP, also ensures the province continues to have a voice at the cabinet table by filling the vacancy left by Brisons departure. And Mondays changes give the cabinet parity-plus 18 women versus 17 men, plus the prime minister. However, there were questions around the decision to change ministers atop Indigenous services and veterans affairs just months before an election. Trudeau himself acknowledged these are two areas where the federal government directly delivers services and yet the cabinet shuffle will involve some disruption and delay to the initiatives underway in each department. Trudeau defended his moves, stressing that Indigenous services and veterans affairs files are two of his governments highest priorities and require a deft touch which he said both Wilson-Raybould and ORegan have. Seamuss compassion and advocacy will help us as we walk the road of reconciliation with our Indigenous partners, Trudeau said. I know he will work tirelessly ... to bring about real change for Indigenous communities in this country. Despite challenges to the governments climate change plan and efforts to get Alberta oil to market, Mondays moves left in place Environment Minister Catherine McKenna and Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi, who just took on that portfolio last summer. Finance Minister Bill Morneau also remains to deliver one last budget before the election. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre said Morneau should have been ditched for failing to rein in government spending and make good on the Liberals vow to balance the budget. And he accused Trudeaus government of failing to do more to get Alberta oil to offshore markets. The number one thing he could do right now to grow the rural economies is to allow resource development to go ahead, Poilievre told reporters. Today was an opportunity for the prime minister to change course from these failures. He has failed to fix his failures, he said. Philpott became the first-ever Indigenous Services minister when she was shuffled from the health portfolio in the summer of 2017. The new department was created to oversee responsibilities of the former Indigenous and Northern Affairs department, as well as some services previously provided by Health Canada. Read more about: For mild-mannered Canada, the denunciation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was unusually harsh. Today, Nicolas Maduros regime loses any remaining appearance of legitimacy, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Thursday in a statement marking the Venezuelan presidents inauguration for a second term. Having seized power through fraudulent and anti-democratic elections, Freeland went on, the Maduro regime is now fully entrenched as a dictatorship We call on him to immediately cede power. Exactly why Justin Trudeaus Canadian government is so hot under the collar about Maduro is unclear. True, Venezuela is a mess economically. In part, this is the result of outside pressure from those opposed to the regime. But in the main, the Maduro governments sheer incompetence is to blame. Maduro himself has said that internal corruption is the biggest culprit. True also that the election last summer that returned Maduro to power was flawed. But arguably so was the election last year of Brazils new right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. In that contest, Bolsonaros most formidable opponent, left-leaning Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, was barred from running. Certainly, a countrys failure to follow democratic norms has not bothered Canada in other instances. Ottawa does not question the legitimacy of Chinas Communist President Xi Jinping. It gets along famously with Middle Eastern autocrats in the United Arab Emirates. It has never fussed much about the fact that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi seized power in a bloody military coup. And while it has complained about the Saudi Arabian monarchy, it has never questioned the legitimacy of that undemocratic regime. Indeed, it is famously supplying the Saudis with weapons. What makes Venezuela so special? In part, the answer may be that Ottawa wants to stake out a position in Latin America. Canada is already an economic player in the region and hopes to do more business there. In taking on Venezuela, Ottawa has allied itself not only with the new rightist government in Brazil but with other countries in the 14-member Lima Group, such as Argentina and Peru. Thirteen members of the Lima Group, which was set up in 2017 to challenge Maduro, issued a separate communique last week attacking the Venezuelan president. Tellingly, Mexico one of the groups original members refused to sign it. Mexico, along with Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Uruguay continues to recognize Maduro as Venezuelas legitimate president. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... In fact, Mexicos new left-leaning president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, invited Maduro to his inauguration. This underscores the second dynamic in the Maduro controversy: right-of-centre governments tend to want him out; leftish governments tend to be more forgiving. The third dynamic is the proverbial elephant in the room: the U.S. America desperately wants to see oil-rich Venezuela under new management. U.S. President Donald Trump has mused about invading Venezuela. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson talked publicly of a coup, predicting that Venezuelas military would successfully manage a peaceful transition to a new president. Last fall, the New York Times reported that American officials had met secretly with Venezuelan coup plotters for more than a year, stopping only after Maduros security forces arrested most of the would-be putschists. But the U.S. has to be careful. Its history of deposing governments unfriendly to American business is not remembered fondly in Latin America. In the event of a coup, it would be better for the U.S. if no fingerprints were left that might implicate Washington. And it would be better still if the fiercest rhetorical attacks on Maduros political legitimacy came from non-U. S. sources like Canada. So why is Ottawa so exercised about Venezuela? I suspect its not. I suspect it doesnt much care what happens in that country. But at time when Canada is increasingly offside from Trumps Washington, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government is looking for areas in which it can demonstrate to the U.S. that it is still a staunch ally. And Maduro is a convenient target. Read more about: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he told the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia on Monday that the Trump administration expects the kingdom to hold accountable every single person responsible for the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside one of the countrys consulates after writing columns critical of the government. In talks with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused by some of complicity in the murder, Pompeo said he had been clear about the administrations expectations. At the end of a trip to Riyadh that also focused on Mideast crises and countering threats from Iran, Pompeo said he had raised the Khashoggi case in his meetings with the king and crown prince along with other human rights issues, including the fate of womens rights activists detained in the kingdom. We spoke about the accountability and the expectations that we have. The Saudis are friends and when friends have conversations you tell them what your expectations are, the secretary said. Our expectations have been clear from early on: Every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to be held accountable. He said the Saudis understood and had reiterated pledges to pursue the case wherever it leads. He would not comment on U.S. intelligence that has suggested the crown prince may have ordered the killing. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in Virginia and wrote columns for The Washington Post, at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October. Read more: Judge blocks Trump birth control coverage rules in 13 states Compelled to work without pay, federal employees sue Trump for violating 13th Amendment Trump dodges question on whether he has worked for Russia Saudi Arabia has charged 11 people in the death, including several officials close to the crown prince but U.S. lawmakers have been critical of its response, demanding that America withdraw its support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen in response. Pompeo travelled to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader Middle East tour that has already taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. He was to depart from the kingdom for Oman shortly after his meetings in Riyadh but cancelled plans to wrap up the trip in Kuwait on Tuesday, due to a death in his family. At each stop, Pompeo has sought to reassure Arab leaders that President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria does not mean Washington is abandoning the Middle East or the fight against Daesh. Pompeo said he believed he had been successful in explaining Trumps position despite a lack of detail on exactly how and when the withdrawal will take place and differences with Turkey over the fate of U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters after American forces leave. Trump tweeted late Sunday that the U.S. will attack again from existing nearby base if it (Daesh) reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Trumps decision to leave Syria, which he initially said would be rapid but later slowed down, shocked U.S. allies and angered the Syrian Kurds. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later said later Monday that they spoke by phone to discuss co-operation on the withdrawal of the approximately 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria. Pompeo also pressed the Saudis on bringing an end to the near two-year-old dispute with its Gulf neighbour Qatar, which has badly hindered U.S. efforts to create a united Arab military alliance to counter Iran. Read more about: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that President Donald Trumps threat to devastate NATO ally Turkeys economy if it attacks U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria underscores Americas commitment to its partners. Pompeo said he had yet to speak with Turkish officials or Trump about the presidents tweeted threat and that he assumed Trump was referring to the imposition of sanctions should Turkey take military action against the Kurds in Syria, U.S. allies in the fight against the Daesh group. On Sunday, Trump tweeted that the U.S. will attack again from existing nearby base if it (IS) reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Trumps decision to leave Syria, which he initially said would be rapid but later slowed down, shocked U.S. allies and angered the Syrian Kurds. Pompeo said the U.S. message on the Kurds has been straightforward and unchanged since Trump made the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria last month. The administration has been very consistent with respect to our requirement that the Turks not go after the Kurds in ways that are inappropriate, Pompeo said. If they are terrorists, were all about taking down extremists wherever we find them. I think the presidents comments this morning are consistent with that. Asked specifically about what Trump meant by devastating Turkeys economy, Pompeo replied: We apply sanctions in many places around the world. I assume hes speaking about those kinds of things but you would have to ask him. Trumps tweet drew a sharp response from Ankara and the Turkish lira lost some 0.84 per cent of its value against the dollar on Monday following the U.S. presidents threat. President Recep Tayyip Erdogans spokesman responded to Trump on Twitter by saying that Turkey fights against terrorists, not Kurds as a people. Terrorists cant be your partners & allies, the spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also rebuked Trump, saying that strategic partners do not speak to each other through social media and stressing that Turkey is not afraid of any threat. You cannot achieve anything with economic threats. We would do whatever is necessary to eliminate threat to our security, Cavusoglu added. Pompeo said Trumps call for a 20-mile safe zone between Turkish forces and the Kurds was consistent with what the U.S. is trying to achieve in talks with the Turks. But, he said it remained it work in progress. We want to make sure that the folks who fought with us to take down the caliphate and ISIS have security and also that terrorists ... (in) Syria arent able to attack Turkey, those are our twin aims, he told reporters in Riyadh after talks with Saudi officials. If we can get a space, call it a buffer zone ... if we can get the space and the security arrangements right, this will be a good thing for everyone in the region, Pompeo added. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... For his part, Cavusoglu welcomed Trumps proposal for a 20-mile safe zone, saying Turkey had long advocated such a zone in northern Syria. They bandied this idea after they saw Turkeys determination, Cavusoglu said during a news conference. We are not against it. Read more about: CHICAGOTo this day, Silvia Foti is not sure if she was supposed to expose or exonerate her grandfather Jonas Noreika. In Lithuania, he is remembered as General Storm, his nom de guerre when he led an underground resistance to the Soviet armys invasion of his homeland during World War II. There are statues and streets named for him. His daughter, Fotis mother, spent decades assembling myriad documents for a biography of Noreika. At 55, Fotis mother got a doctorate in literature to prepare herself to write a book about his life. But she fell ill, and never wrote it. In the hospital on her deathbed, she pulled me close and whispered: You must write the story, Foti recalled her mother saying. Yet when Foti told that to Noreikas widow, she replied: Just let history lay. As Foti began working her way through the documents, she found troubling hints that there was more to her grandfathers story than the heroic legend she was raised on. Because of Noreikas fame, Foti felt like a princess as a child in Chicagos Lithuanian community, the largest outside the homeland. But eventually she uncovered a pamphlet her grandfather wrote in 1933. It was filled with rants against the Jews as economic exploiters of Lithuania and urged: We wont buy any products from Jews! I wonder if my mother was wrestling with her fathers anti-Semitism, Foti said. Did she want me to tell or suppress that part of the story? Tuesday, a court in Vilnius, the countrys capital, will be asked to decide whether Noreika was, in fact, a hero or an accomplice in the Nazi Holocaust. The plaintiff is Grant Gochin, an American of Lithuanian descent whose Jewish relatives were murdered in Lithuania during World War II. He wants state-funded institutions there to cease honouring Nazi collaborators, like it is alleged Fotis grandfather was. Until last year, neither Foti nor Gochin knew that the other one was on Noreikas trail. But while it was emotionally wrenching for her, he went at it with an uncompromising sense of purpose. Gochin grew up palpably sensing the pain felt by his grandfather who got out of Lithuania in time a look on his face suggesting he was recalling relatives he left behind who perished. We cannot give our families justice, Gochin said. We can only ensure the truth is told. Foti and Gochin became acquainted in 2018, after she published an article in Salon about her grandfather and he separately filed a lawsuit. The suit named as defendant the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania. A government-funded institution, its name echoes the tragic chapters of the tiny countrys history. Long part of Russia, its gargantuan neighbour, Lithuania got its independence as a consequence of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Early in World War II, the Soviets annexed Lithuania. In 1941, Hitlers armies pushed the Russians out. They returned as the war was ending. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania regained its independence in 1990. Given those twists and turns, Lithuanian scholars and patriots have had to wrestle with a cornucopia of troubling memories. One is the fact that Jews were being rounded up by Lithuanians before the Nazi invaders arrived. On June 22, 1941, as the Soviets were retreating, armed Lithuanian nationalists locked up the Jews of Plunge in the towns synagogue. They were among the 200,000 Jews who perished in Lithuania during the war, a number at Lithuanian hands. For decades, the official narrative attributed those atrocities to low-life ruffians, noted Saulius Suziedelis, a leading scholar of the Holocaust in Lithuania. But he rejects the idea that they were spontaneous killings. The Germans trained armed deserters from the communists army, Suziedelis said. Lithuanians said: The Jews did the same thing to us. Since some Jews were communists, ergo they were responsible for Lithuanias suffering under Soviet domination, was the prevailing thought. In recent decades, Suziedelis added, younger Lithuanian scholars have taken a more textured view of the war years. But as Gochin discovered, many Lithuanians are reluctant to admit that Noreika, whom the Soviets executed in 1947, was an accomplice to the Holocaust. Gochins lawsuit followed futile attempts to convince Lithuanian officialdom that Noreika and others were war criminals, not patriots. I thought it was a mistake, Gochin said. I found it was an agenda. His suit asks that the certificate of good conduct during the war issued Noreika by the Genocide and Resistance Centre be revoked. Gochin sees that as a first step in ending Lithuanians hero worship of Noreika. When the horrors of the Nazi era were first revealed, victims and perpetrators were often described as exclusive categories. That the reality is more complicated has been difficult for some to accept. Poland passed a law making it a crime to say that Poles participated in the Holocaust. The French were long blind to their cops roundup of Jews. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Foti encountered similar resistance to her research. In 2013, she met with the director of the Genocide and Resistance Centre. She noted that her grandfather a district official during the Nazi occupation had signed orders for the transport of Jews to ghettos and the expropriation of their property. According to Foti, the Lithuanian official responded: It is psychologically difficult to comprehend what he was thinking and feeling when he signed those papers. Foti went to Lithuania after consulting with Suziedelis, the scholar. I obliquely warned her about what she might find, he said. Indeed, the trip denied Foti any lingering hopes that her grandfather was a mere bystander to the destruction of Lithuanias Jewish community. She said she met with an aunt in Lithuania who recalled that Fotis grandparents had lived in a house in Plunge that had suddenly become free. What did that mean, Foti asked? The Jews were gone, so the house was free, Foti recalled her aunt replied. Many Lithuanians were moving into new free houses. Did that mean Noreika, as a district official, was responsible for the Jews being gone? Maybe he had no choice, Foti recalled her aunt saying. I dont know what to think anymore. For Foti, the terrible truth was patent. For a while she despaired of being up to the task her mother had set her. I wanted to burn the manuscript, she said. Then she switched professions: formerly a freelance writer, she became a high school teacher. That gave her summers off, and she took college courses in creative writing. When she told instructors about her qualms about the book she was struggling with, they urged her to finish it and make her grandfathers culpability the centrepiece. So as a warm-up for the book, she sent a brief account of her research to Salon in 2018. Though she is not going to Lithuania for the trial, she filed an affidavit of support for Gochins lawsuit in Vilnius. I am Silvia Foti, Jonas Noreikas granddaughter, she wrote to the court. It is painful for me, but I am prepared to talk about my findings. Read more about: WASHINGTONSenior Pentagon officials are voicing deepening fears that U.S. President Donald Trumps hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, could precipitate a conflict with Iran at a time when Trump is losing leverage in the Middle East by pulling out U.S. troops. At Boltons direction, the National Security Council asked the Pentagon last year to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran, Defense Department and senior U.S. officials said Sunday. The request, which alarmed then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other Pentagon officials, came after Iranian-backed militants fired three mortars or rockets into an empty lot on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in September. In response to Boltons request, which The Wall Street Journal first reported, the Pentagon offered some general options, including a cross-border airstrike on an Iranian military facility that would have been mostly symbolic. But Mattis and other military leaders adamantly opposed retaliating, arguing that the attack was insignificant a position that ultimately won out, these officials said. Such a strike could have caused an armed conflict and could have prompted Iraq to order the United States to leave the country, said a senior U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal policy deliberations. Since Bolton took over from H.R. McMaster in April, he has intensified the administrations policy of isolating and pressuring Iran. Bolton has made headway on some issues, like persuading Trump to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, but has had less success with others, like maintaining a U.S. military presence in northeastern Syria to counter Iranian influence something Bolton vowed to do only weeks before the president announced in December that he was pulling out. In asking for military options, a senior administration official said, Bolton was merely doing his job as national security adviser. He pointed out that the Iranian-backed militants also targeted the American Consulate in Basra. The NSC coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats, said a spokesman for the National Security Council, Garrett Marquis. Read more about: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITIWhen a police truck carrying men in uniform pulled into an impoverished neighbourhood in the Haitian capital, residents thought it was an official operation. Maybe police were finally trying to head off a war between the gangs that run protection rackets in the market next to the sprawling collection of cinder block shacks and lowrise public housing. Then the men opened fire. Joined by local gang members clad in black, they went house to house with long guns and machetes, pulling unarmed people into the narrow alleys and killing them with single shots or machete blows, witnesses told The Associated Press. When I saw them I thought they were providing security but then I realized they were shooting at the population, said 55-year-old resident Marie-Lourdes Corestan. They were shooting, and I was running to save my life. Witnesses, a human-rights group and a Catholic charity that collected bodies after the Nov. 13 massacre told The Associated Press that at least 21 men were slain over a 24-hour period in the La Saline neighbourhood. Some residents and local rights groups say the killers were gang members working with corrupt police to seize territory in the La Saline gang war. But others accuse Haitian government officials of orchestrating the massacre to head off anti-corruption protests that often start in the neighbourhood, an opposition stronghold. Whats certain is that the killings reveal a startling erosion of security in Haiti since U.N. peacekeepers ended their 13-year mandate in October 2017 because conditions on the island had supposedly improved. Port-au-Prince residents interviewed by the AP said the number of neighbourhoods in the capital considered no-go zones controlled by armed gangs has grown to at least half a dozen since the departure of the heavily armed U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti. These lawless zones are multiplying, said Marie-Yolene Gilles, head of a local rights group, Fondasyon Je Klere, which put the death toll as high as 25. The authorities have said nothing, Gilles said. They havent even condemned this massacre. The U.N. force was sent to Haiti in 2004 after the overthrow of President Bertrand Aristide. It was replaced in 2017 by a smaller U.N. mission that has continued a police training program that has helped boost the number of Haitian officers from less than 4,000 during Aristides time to more than 15,000 today. The police, however, are widely seen as corrupt, inefficient and ill-equipped to take on heavily armed gangs that often serve as enforcers of Haitis fragmented political forces. U.N. officials said they expect to complete an investigation into the killings within weeks. There were worrying episodes of violence in some of the most notorious neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince, areas where state authority is limited, Helen Meagher La Lime, head of the U.N. Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, which replaced the U.N. peacekeeping force, told the U.N. Security Council last month. Investigations by both the authorities and human-rights organizations are ongoing, and our human-rights service is also working to determine what happened. Thousands of people live in La Saline, many working in the neighbouring market that sprawls for more than a mile and where vendors sell everything from produce trucked in from the countryside to used clothing imported from South Florida. Residents live in cinder block homes with sheet metal roofs, many barely big enough to hold a single mattress. They cook over open fires in alleyways so narrow that two people cant pass without touching shoulders. Gangs of armed young men control the neighbourhood, often pulling out pistols to resolve local squabbles. The gangs main income comes from protection payments from market vendors and importers anxious to keep the road to a nearby port open, making control of La Saline a valuable franchise. Armed gangs have bought or stolen untold amounts of Haitian police gear in recent years, so the degree of official involvement in the La Saline massacre remains unclear. National Police chief Michel-Ange Gedeon said an investigation into the killings points to a gang fight, and he had suspended two officers accused by local civil rights groups of involvement in the massacre. If there are police involved with gangs, we are going to fire them, he said. If they are involved in human-rights violations we will turn them over to justice. One of the officers, Gregory Antoine, was gunned down last week in a crime blamed on rival gangsters, family members told a local radio station. The office of President Jovenel Moise did not respond to AP requests for comment. Joel Noel, a 28-year-old who describes himself as a community leader, said the armed men arrived in a truck marked with the insignia of a special tactical police unit trained by the U.N. and begun under former president Michel Martelly, a Moise ally. Corestan said some wore ski masks and carried machetes when they descended on the neighbourhood at 3 p.m. She said she ran for her life when the attack began, leaving behind her 24-year-old son Edaud-Pierre, an aspiring DJ, who was unarmed and practicing mixing songs. She said neighbours told her the armed men killed him in cold blood. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... There are two police stations in La Saline and the surrounding area, but witnesses said neither sent officers to intervene. Gedeon, the police chief, said officers arrived after nightfall and surrounded the area but were unable to move in because it was dark. Police have since made one arrest in the case, he said. Morelle Lendor, a 33-year-old street vendor, said she was hiding in her shack with a man she knew only as Wuanito when two men knocked on the door. She recognized them as gang members from an adjoining neighbourhood, wearing unmarked black uniforms, black caps and carrying long guns. She said they grabbed Wuanito, who was unarmed, and killed him with a single shot. Three weeks later, the bloodstain remained on the wall of her shack. Another resident, Miliana Louis, said her 22-year-old son James was killed by machete blows. The majority of people who died were innocent people, said Raphael Louigene, a social worker at Fondation St. Luc, a Catholic charity that works in the slums of Port-au-Prince. He said that he and two clergy members collected 21 sets of male remains from the streets of La Saline in the days after the massacre, when neither police nor judiciary officials would enter the neighbourhood. He said the victims had been shot or hacked with machetes and only eight full bodies were recovered because most had been burned or fed to pigs. Residents said at least one woman may also have been among the victims. Belande Louis, 33, said her 28-year-old sister Sandra disappeared on Nov. 13 and neighbours said she was killed by men with machetes. Louigene said the massacre appeared to result from a fight over the right to extort marketplace merchants after one gang pushed out another. The group that was kicked out came back seeking revenge, Louigene said. The police dont have the means to confront the gang guys. For some in La Saline, the explanation is more sinister. President Moise faces widespread discontent over his failure to pursue allegations that his ally, former president Martelly, embezzled more than $2 billion (U.S.) in proceeds from a Venezuelan program providing the Haitian government with heavily discounted oil that it resold at a hefty profit. La Saline is a longtime rallying point for anti-government protests and the massacre occurred four days before long-planned nationwide protests over the corruption allegations. Some residents and local rights groups accused Haitian government officials of orchestrating the attack by a rival gang to intimidate La Saline residents and prevent protests. This is a political fight, said Noel, the local leader. After they had control of the area, they went into peoples homes and took them out and executed them. New revelations about Paul Manaforts interactions with a Russian associate while he was leading U.S. President Donald Trumps campaign provide a window into how extensively the special counsel has mapped interactions between Trump associates and Russians in his 20-month investigation. When Manafort pleaded guilty in September to federal crimes related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, Trump said the admissions by his former campaign chairman had nothing to do with the special counsels main mission, which Trump described as looking for Russians involved in our campaign. But new details inadvertently revealed in a court filing last week including the fact that Manafort shared polling data about the 2016 race with an associate who allegedly has ties to Russian intelligence indicate that special counsel Robert Mueller has also been scrutinizing interactions between Russians and Manafort while he helmed Trumps presidential bid. Manafort is among at least 14 Trump associates who interacted with Russians during the campaign and transition, according to public records and interviews. The new examples of Manaforts communications serve as a reminder that much about Muellers findings remains unknown in what are widely believed to be the closing weeks of his probe. Advisers to Trump are bracing for a final report by the special counsel, a confidential document summarizing his findings that they believe could be turned over to senior Justice Department officials next month. What Mueller will conclude and even the full scope of his investigation remains closely held by the special counsel. Read more: U.S. tells Saudis to hold Khashoggis murderers accountable Judge blocks Trump birth control coverage rules in 13 states Compelled to work without pay, federal employees sue Trump for violating 13th Amendment Muellers appointment was precipitated by Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey in May 2017 a move that also led the FBI to open an investigation into the president to determine whether he obstructed justice and whether he sought to aid Russia, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. That investigation, which has both a criminal and counter-intelligence component, was continued by Mueller. The new information about Manafort indicates that Mueller has been exploring what he may have communicated to Russians while working for Trump. And it serves as a stark reminder that as Trump was offering Russia-friendly rhetoric on the campaign trail, his White House bid was led for a time by a man with long-standing ties to powerful Russian figures. Manafort, an international lobbyist and political strategist, was embroiled in a multimillion-dollar financial dispute with Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska, who is close to President Vladimir Putin, according to court filings. He was also owed money by a political party in Ukraine that had failed to pay him for work he did after his client, the ousted leader Viktor Yanukovych, fled to Moscow amid public protests in 2014, filings show. Even as he was working for the Trump campaign, Manafort continued to communicate with Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian employee of his consulting business who the FBI says was linked to Russian intelligence, prosecutors said in court papers last year. A talented translator with impressive language skills, Kilimnik had been trained at a Moscow university known as a recruiting ground for the Russian intelligence services. After a stint in the military and time spent working for the International Republican Institute in Moscow, he was hired by Manafort in 2005 to assist his political consulting business in navigating the complicated Ukrainian political scene. Friends said Kilimnik emerged as Manaforts right-hand man in Kiev and Russia, including serving as Manaforts liaison to Deripaska. In a written statement to The Washington Post in 2017, Kilimnik denied that he had connections to Russian intelligence. But in documents filed in court last year, Muellers prosecutors wrote that Manaforts deputy, Rick Gates, had said Kilimnik told him that he had formerly been an officer in the GRU, the Russian military intelligence unit accused of engineering the 2016 election interference. Prosecutors said the FBI has assessed that Kilimniks intelligence ties continued into that year. New details about what Manafort and Kilimnik discussed during the campaign emerged last week, when Manaforts team sought to rebut the allegation by the special counsel that Manafort lied to investigators after he pleaded guilty last fall and agreed to co-operate. They argued that Manafort, who has been jailed since June and who they said suffers from gout and depression, simply failed to remember certain key details until prosecutors refreshed his memory with documents and other evidence. In previous court filings, they have contended that Mueller has never turned over evidence to show that Manafort was in contact with Russian government or intelligence officials, suggesting that prosecutors have not detailed their evidence against Kilimnik. Still, in sections of a court filing that they had intended to be sealed from public view, Manaforts lawyers did not contest new details that Muellers team apparently accused Manafort of lying about: that he shared polling data related to the presidential election with Kilimnik and discussed with him a possible peace plan for Ukraine. In their filing, Manaforts attorneys said he did not recall either topic, because he was busy with his campaign duties. A spokesman for Manafort declined to comment. A judge has ordered Muellers team to file on Monday a new document explaining the factual and evidentiary basis to believe that Manafort lied in his interviews. The document will likely lay out in more detail what evidence Mueller has gathered about Manaforts communications with Kilimnik. However, that information may be redacted from public view. The limited information revealed about their interactions suggests that the Russians may have seen Manafort as a politically connected figure who could help promote their interests, according to experts on the region. The U.S. had imposed punishing sanctions on Russia after it invaded Crimea in 2014. Anders Aslund, an economist and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who has studied Russia and Ukraine, said a top Russian priority was a solution for Ukraine that recognized Russian control of Crimea and lifted sanctions. Any assurance Manafort might have offered that a Trump administration would accept such terms would have created a powerful incentive for Russia to root for a Trump victory and to work to secure that outcome. Its clear that Moscow hoped Trump would win, said John Herbst, a former ambassador to Ukraine, who served in top State Department posts under Democratic and Republican administrations. And then Moscow hoped the new administration would pursue a weaker policy, meaning weakening existing sanctions against Russia and not treating Russian aggression in Ukraine as an obstacle to better relations with Washington. After Trumps inauguration, a Ukrainian peace plan considered friendly to Moscows interests was delivered to Trumps personal lawyer Michael Cohen by a Ukrainian lawmaker. The point here is that all roads go to the Kremlin, Aslund said. The terms of the Ukraine plan that Kilimnik and Manafort discussed in 2016 are unknown. But in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in February 2017, Kilimnik said he was championing a proposal in which a new leader would take power of a contested Ukrainian region who had not participated in recent bloodshed there. Kilimnik proposed Yanukovych, who at that time was living in exile in Moscow and was reviled by many Ukrainians. Manaforts spokesman has said Kilimnik and Manafort met in Madrid in January or February of that year, another topic about which Muellers team said Manafort had lied. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... In the February 2017 interview, however, the Russian said Manafort had played no role in formulating his so-called Kilimnik Plan. For Manafort, a Russia-friendly Ukrainian peace plan could have had personal benefits, paving the way for the return of Yanukovych, for whom he had worked from 2005 until the Ukrainian was ousted in 2014. By the time he joined Trumps campaign in March 2016 to lead the candidates convention strategy, his consulting firm had collected more than $60 million (U.S.) from clients in Ukraine, but he was still deeply in debt to Deripaska and others, according to court documents and testimony. Still, when asked on NBCs Meet the Press on April 10, 2016, whether he would cease work for controversial clients while working for Trump, Manafort responded, Im not working for any clients right now other than Mr. Trump. The next day, Manafort emailed Kilimnik to scheme how to use his Trump role as a path to recovering his financial equilibrium. In documents turned over to Congress and Mueller and previously described to The Post, Manafort and Kilimnik exchanged gleeful emails about the positive press Manafort was receiving because of his new Trump role. In one, Manafort wrote to ask whether the OVD operation had seen the articles, an apparent reference to Deripaska, adding, How do we use to get whole? Kilimnik told The Post in 2017 that he came to the United States to meet with Manafort on May 7, 2016, and communicated with him frequently as Manaforts role in Trumps campaign expanded. We talked about bills unpaid by our clients, about (the) overall situation in Ukraine where we spent 10 years working together, and about the current news, mostly related to the perception of the US presidential campaign in Ukraine, Kilimnik said then in a statement. By July, Manafort had been named Trumps campaign chairman, replacing manager Corey Lewandowski, and Trump had sewn up the Republican nomination. Foreign policy experts wary of Russia grew increasingly concerned with Trumps campaign rhetoric. Trump had praised Putin several times on the campaign trail. In July, he began more stridently questioning the United States commitment to NATO. When WikiLeaks published thousands of stolen Democratic Party emails on July 22, Trump appeared to be unconcerned by the possibility that Russian operatives may have been behind the hack. Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, he said at a news conference of personal emails Hillary Clinton had deleted while secretary of state. Throughout this time, Manafort remained in contact with Kilimnik. On July 7, Manafort wrote Kilimnik that if Deripaska required private briefings about the Trump campaign, we can accommodate, according to emails read to The Post by people familiar with the discussions. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters under investigation. A spokeswoman for Deripaska has said the Russian businessman was never offered nor received briefings about the American campaign. Then, on July 29, Kilimnik emailed Manafort and cryptically told his boss that he had met that day with the man who had given Manafort the biggest jar of black caviar several years earlier, an apparent reference to money. Kilimnik said the man had messages to pass along to the Trump campaign chairman. Kilimnik suggested that he come to the U.S. for a meeting. Kilimnik has told The Post that he and Manafort met at the Grand Havana Room in New York on Aug. 2. But he insisted that his in-person meetings with Manafort were private visits. They were in no way related to politics or (the) presidential campaign in the U.S., he wrote. He said the two men discussed unpaid bills and the situation in Ukraine. It is not clear what else they might have talked about. But the court document filed last week showed that Mueller has gathered evidence that Manafort and Kilimnik had discussed a peace plan for Ukraine on more than one occasion, including during the campaign, when Manaforts attention was focused elsewhere, his lawyers said. Days after the two men met in New York, Manafort was forced to contend with damaging news stories about his work in Ukraine. He resigned from the campaign Aug. 19. Read more about: WASHINGTONWilliam P. Barr, U.S. President Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general, promised Monday that he would allow the special counsel to continue his investigation, seeking to allay Democrats fears that he might shut down the inquiry. It is in the best interest of everyone the president, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work, Barr said in written testimony that he plans to deliver Tuesday at the start of his two-day confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The country needs a credible resolution of these issues, he added. If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation. But Barr also included a subtle caveat, limiting his assurances about the investigation by Robert Mueller to the issues under his control: I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision, he wrote. That qualification could be important because Barr has long advanced a philosophy of strong executive powers under which any administration decision is ultimately the presidents to make. His views also include the notion that the president is the nations top law-enforcement official, not the attorney general. After Barr was nominated last month, the emergence of an unsolicited memo he sent to the presidents lawyers last year criticizing a focus of the inquiry possible presidential obstruction of justice prompted concerns among congressional Democrats that Barr might stop the special counsel inquiry if Trump ordered him to do so. Read more: U.S. tells Saudis to hold Khashoggis murderers accountable Judge blocks Trump birth control coverage rules in 13 states Compelled to work without pay, federal employees sue Trump for violating 13th Amendment Barr said he would follow the rules governing Muellers appointment and work to allow him to finish the investigation into Russias 2016 election interference and whether any Trump associates conspired with it. I will follow the special counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work, Barr planned to say, according to the prepared remarks. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Barr also said that he would provide as much information to the public as the law allowed about the results of the inquiry. Noting that they worked together at the Justice Department under President George Bush, Barr planned to say that he has known and respected Mueller as a colleague and friend for 30 years and that he had confidence that Mueller would handle the special counsel inquiry properly. Read more about: WASHINGTONVanderbilt University Medical Center, responding to a new Trump administration order to begin posting all hospital prices, listed a charge of $42,569 for a cardiology procedure described as HC PTC CLOS PAT DUCT ART. Baptist Health in Miami helpfully told consumers that an Embolza Protect 5.5 would cost them $9,818 while a Visceral selective angio rad runs a mere $5,538. On Jan. 1, hospitals began complying with a Trump administration order to post a list of prices for all their services, theoretically offering consumers transparency and choice and forcing health care providers into price competition. Its turning into a fiasco. This policy is a tiny step forward, but falls far short of whats needed, said Jeanne Pinder, founder and chief executive of Clear Health Costs, a consumer health research organization. The posted prices are fanciful, inflated, difficult to decode and inconsistent, so its hard to see how an average person would find them useful. The data, posted online in spreadsheets for thousands of procedures, is incomprehensible and unusable by patients a hodgepodge of numbers and technical medical terms, displayed in formats that vary from hospital to hospital. It is nearly impossible for consumers to compare prices for the same service at different hospitals because no two hospitals seem to describe services in the same way. Nor can consumers divine how much they will have to pay out of pocket. To 99 per cent of the consuming public, these data will be of limited utility meaningless, said Kenneth E. Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association. The list price for a hospital service is like the sticker price for a car. But as it is playing out, it is as if the car dealers were disclosing the price for each auto part, without revealing the charge for the vehicle as a whole. The result has baffled consumers. This is gibberish, totally meaningless, a foreign language to me, said Sara Stovall, 41, of Charlottesville, Va., after looking at price lists for hospitals in her area. She reviewed the price lists for Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and for University Hospital, each of which has more than 16,000 items. I cant imagine how I would go about making this useful, Stovall said Sunday. I wouldnt know how to find my procedure. I wouldnt know what services might be rolled up with my procedure. And I would not know the price to me after health insurance. By most accounts, the Trump administration is pursuing a worthy goal, but the execution of its plans leaves much to be desired. After the administration proposed the price-disclosure requirement in April 2018, many hospitals warned of the shortcomings that are now evident. But federal health officials, accustomed to debating issues inside the Washington policy bubble, have still been surprised at the reaction around the country as consumers and local news media try to decipher the data. The administration says it is open to suggestions for 2020 and beyond. The price-disclosure requirement, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, grows out of one sentence in the Affordable Care Act, which says, Each hospital operating within the United States shall for each year establish (and update) and make public (in accordance with guidelines developed by the secretary) a list of the hospitals standard charges for items and services provided by the hospital. The idea languished for eight years. Under prior guidance from the government, hospitals could meet their obligations by providing charges to patients on request. But the Trump administration wanted to go further. Weve updated our guidelines to specifically require hospitals to post price information on the internet in a machine-readable format, Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said last week. This is a historic change from whats been required in the past. This is about empowering patients, Verma said. It has not worked out that way, at least so far. Martin Gaynor, a professor of economics and health policy at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, described list prices as somewhat fictitious. If this is an initial step leading to real transparency with actionable, usable information, that would be fantastic, Gaynor said. But in its current form, he added, the price information is not very useful and could even be misleading because a hospital with high list prices could be the cheaper alternative for some consumers, depending on their insurance. For patients to know up front how much their care will cost, thats incredibly valuable, said Brenda L. Reetz, chief executive of Greene County General Hospital in rural southwest Indiana. Weve posted our prices, as required. But I really dont think the information is what the consumer is actually wanting to see. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Spending on hospital care last year totalled $1.1 trillion in the U.S., or nearly one-third of all health spending, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. So even small improvements in the market could yield big savings. The Trump administration adopted the new requirement as part of its agenda to promote transparency in health care, in the belief that health markets would work better if consumers had more information. In another example, federal officials want to require pharmaceutical companies to disclose the list price of prescription drugs in television advertisements. Providers and insurers have to become more transparent about their pricing, Alex Azar, secretary of health and human services, said last year. There is no more powerful force than an informed consumer. The Trump administration told hospitals that they had to post their standard charges for all services and items, including drugs, by Jan. 1, but did not define standard charges. In later guidance, it said the format was the hospitals choice. Without a standard definition, patients cannot make accurate comparisons between hospitals, said Herb B. Kuhn, president of the Missouri Hospital Association. No hospitals operating in the United States are exempt from the new requirement, but the Trump administration has not said how it plans to enforce it. Federal officials have asked the public to suggest enforcement mechanisms. Each hospital has a list known as a chargemaster of prices for thousands of goods and services, including medical procedures, laboratory tests, supplies and medications. But the price information is often difficult and sometimes impossible to find on hospital websites. List prices may be relevant for some consumers. People with high-deductible plans may have to pay some or all of the list price until they meet the deductible, and people with insurance who go outside their health plans network may also have to pay a substantial share of the list price. But to others, the prices listed on the chargemaster may have no bearing on the cost of their care. Health plans and insurance companies usually negotiate much lower prices, and uninsured patients often qualify for substantial discounts. Many hospitals still see the chargemaster price as an important way to enhance revenue, said Ge Bai, an expert on health care finance and accounting at Johns Hopkins University. Having a high list price means they have more leverage in negotiating prices for people covered by private insurance. Even while complying with the new requirement, many hospitals have posted disclaimers warning consumers not to rely on the data. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, for example, says that it does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the charges listed on its website. If hospitals have complaints about the new requirements, Verma said, they should voluntarily provide patients with more useful information. Hospitals dont have to wait for us to go further in helping their patients understand what care will cost, she said. Read more about: MURRAY, UTAHTwo people were wounded in a shooting just outside a popular Utah mall Sunday where hundreds of scared shoppers hunkered down until police arrived to evacuate the building. Two people in their early 20s were shot at about 1:30 p.m. near the southeast entrance to the Fashion Place mall in Murray, a suburb south of Salt Lake City, said Murray Police Officer Kenny Bass. The man was in critical condition while the woman was in serious. Both were treated at a hospital. Police were looking for three people suspected in the shooting, Bass said. He said the shooting may be gang related. Shoppers were escorted by police out of the mall holding their hands in the air. The mall is a highly visited shopping centre in the heart of the Salt Lake City metro area with stores such as Crate and Barrel, Macys and Nordstrom. Bass says no other victims or suspects were found inside the mall. Al Collins was shopping in Dillards with his girlfriend when the fire alarm started blaring and someone on a loudspeaker said to evacuate. He started filming with his phone. Right after I started filming, gunshots were right around the corner from me, he told The Associated Press. He kept filming as they ran out. Gunshots are heard in his video, along with his girlfriend crying. I didnt even really know what was going on. I was pretty sure it was gunshots, he said. I felt like we couldnt run fast enough to get out of there. Crate and Barrel employee Danielle Calacino told The Associated Press that she saw people running out of the mall after the alarm blared. She said 10 to 12 employees and around 20 customers hid in the stores upstairs stockroom. She said police escorted them out after about 40 minutes. We were mostly all quiet and in shock, said Calacino, a 21-year-old student at the University of Utah. She said she learned there was a shooting from a message on the intercom. Everyone immediately got on their phones, she said, to learn what was happening. Friends were texting to ask if she was OK. Some people were crying. The Fashion Place mall said in a tweet it was very saddened by the incident and grateful for the actions of security and Murray police. Stella Fonseca, an assistant manager at Claires, told The Salt Lake Tribune that she helped barricade a back room with filing cabinets and lockers to hide herself, other employees and four customers, There was a sense of panic, she said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Rebecca Madsen, who was working at a chocolate kiosk in the mall, told the Deseret News that she was also in the back of Claires. Its fight or flight, Madsen said, wiping away tears. I just prayed to God and asked for help and protection. Wisconsin River Partners (WRP), a Wausau, Wis.-based new private equity firm, launched officially. Co-founded by Kevin Kraft, a Wausau manufacturing and financial services veteran, and Jim Frings, a seasoned executive in the manufacturing, real estate and technology sectors, the firm will focus on acquiring, holding and developing mid-market companies in Central and Northern Wisconsin. WRP will provide business owners with a customized approach to selling their business, with operational and strategic support from Kraft and Frings. Each of the portfolio companies will have an advisory board including both partners and additional investors with industry experience. The firm will provide regular reporting of financial and operating performance to investors as part of its transparent governance charter. It is looking to acquire additional stable companies in the $5 million to $50 million revenue range. The firm recently acquired Profile Finishing Systems, Inc. with locations in Waukesha and Kaukauna, Wisconsin. FinSMEs 14/01/2019 A winter storm that slammed some parts of the Midwest and that officials say contributed to the deaths of at least nine people was moving east Sunday, leaving disruptions to travel and electric power in its wake. Much of the snow was winding down in the Midwest, Dan Pydynowski, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, said. There is still some light lingering snow around St. Louis and parts of central Illinois, he said, adding that it was expected to stop by late Sunday evening. But as the Midwest dug itself out, the storm was continuing east Sunday. The system delivered snow to Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Delaware; parts of New Jersey; and the mountains in Virginia. Pydynowski said the snow would continue across southern New Jersey until very early Monday morning before ending. As of early Sunday afternoon, OHare International Airport in Chicago reported 35 delayed flights and four cancellations, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.com. In Washington, Ronald Reagan National Airport reported 53 delayed flights and 70 cancellations. The storm also caused power failures, with more than 45,000 customers in Missouri and more than 24,000 in Kansas reported without power, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us. In Virginia, more than 33,000 customers had lost power. As of early Sunday afternoon, more than 100,000 customers were without power in North Carolina. The storm created wintry conditions that led to the deaths of at least nine people, including a state trooper in Illinois, according to authorities. Missouri got up to 17 inches of snow in the central part of the state, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologists expect the storm to die down by early Monday morning, but not before leaving 2 to 4 inches of snow in parts of Atlantic City. Most places have seen the worst of it, Pydynowski said. By the time most people are waking up on Monday morning, it will be done. Read more about: A Toronto jury has convicted one man and acquitted his half-brother in a brazen late-night double murder in Chinatown three years ago. Kyle Sparks MacKinnon, 28, was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder for fatally shooting David Eminess, 26, and Quinn Taylor, 29, early Jan. 31, 2016. The victims were on Spadina Ave. with a friend who testified they were shot after he asked some strangers for directions to a Kensington Market after-hours club. Sparks MacKinnon was also convicted of two counts of aggravated assaults. Court heard at least two gunmen sprayed Spadina Ave. with a minimum of 16 bullets that sent bystanders diving for cover. The jury retired Friday morning and returned with verdicts Sunday evening. Jurors acquitted Jahmal Richardson, 33, of all charges, though he remains in custody facing prosecution on other offences. The pair was among a group of young men captured by security camera footage walking on Spadina when gunfire erupted outside the New Ho King restaurant. No witness could positively identify the shooters, and defence lawyers argued an associate was the triggerman. Several witnesses testified about the distinctive clothing worn by the gunmen and Taylors dying words to a police officer included a description of his executioner wearing clothing similar to what Sparks MacKinnon had on that evening. The just-completed case was not a gang-related murder trial, but police allege Richardson, whose street name is Bambino, is the leader of HOK, or Heart of A King, a street gang that evolved from a Nova Scotia gang North Prestons Finest. Just as jury selection got underway in November, the judge imposed a ban on a TV station broadcasting a photo identifying a jailed Richardson holding a cellphone and posing with lobster, steak and root beer. The publication lifted Friday after the jury was sequestered. In 2016, Toronto police announced dozens of arrests stemming from Project Sizzle which targeted HOK members and associates alleged to have been involved in numerous shootings, homicides, weapons and drug trafficking and prostitution. The gangs activity was centred around adult entertainment establishments and bars in downtown Toronto, investigators said at the time. Sparks MacKinnon will be sentenced next month. For the first time, Hamilton police have shuttered an illegal cannabis dispensary in the citys east end, changing the locks and installing an alarm, under new powers granted by the Ontario Cannabis Act. Hamilton police had expressed wariness about using the new legislation, but standing in front of HaZe at 1917 King St. E. Friday morning, Deputy Chief Dan Kinsella said police made the move after examining the act and consulting with the Ministry of the Attorney General, legal counsel and the OPP. Based on that review and that consultation, we decided as a team to move forward with the closure of the premises today, he said, calling the move risk management. In the past, raided pot shops often reopened a day or two after a bust, but police believe the new legislation can put a stop to that cycle. So around 10 a.m. Friday, officers from the newly formed Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, which includes three seconded Hamilton officers, walked through the doors of HaZe with a warrant. The Hamilton Spectator and other local media were invited to watch what unfolded. I think its important that we get the message out to the public that we take this situation and this issue very, very seriously, Kinsella said. Four people were charged during the raid and police seized suspected dried cannabis, cannabis oil, cannabis shatter, edibles, cash, an ATM and THC-infused bath bombs, said Ontario Provincial Police, which leads the cannabis team. A 27-year-old Hamilton woman, 24-year-old Burlington man, 30-year-old Hamilton woman and 38-year-old Hamilton man are each facing charges of possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling under the federal Cannabis Act, and possession of property obtained by crime under the Criminal Code. There are about 34 illegal dispensaries operating in Hamilton a figure that constantly fluctuates. Currently, legal cannabis can only be purchased online through the Ontario Cannabis Store, with the first 25 legal storefronts selected by lottery opening in April. Hamilton city council is still weighing whether to allow legal stores here. The raid at HaZe marked the 11th warrant executed in Hamilton since cannabis legalization Oct. 17, 2018, and around the ninth involving the provincial enforcement team, Kinsella said. But it was the first time in Hamilton involving the provincial team and the seizure of property. After arresting employees and seizing evidence, police barred the doors, changed the locks and had an alarm installed. A sign posted in the window warns the public that the property has been seized by police. Hamilton police are paying for the alarm, which is expected to be in the thousands of dollars. But Kinsella said theyll review expenses and are in talks with the OPP about the best strategy moving forward. MORE: Hamilton police prepare for legal pot Seizing the property also comes with some risk because it remains unclear how the courts will handle new cannabis cases. None of the 11 post-legalization cases have yet made it to trial and in the past police have complained offenders often got a slap on the wrist in the form of a peace bond. If the courts dont back charges up with convictions and stiff penalties, the businesses could be ordered turned back over to owners. We really need the courts to support us on this, to give us the appropriate charges, to deter individuals from reopening or participating in this illegal business, Kinsella said. Police are committed to closing down all illegal dispensaries, but it has to be done legally, he said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Each time a dispensary is searched, it typically means at least two officers spending two 10-hour days preparing the search warrant. Typically, about seven officers are involved in each raid. We have been known in the province as one of the cities that has a great number of dispensaries. Were committed to solving the problem and were committed to closing down dispensaries, Kinsella said. The four people charged were released on an appearance notice and are scheduled to be in Hamilton court Feb. 27. Toronto police are searching for a man after a teenager reported she was sexually assaulted in the downtown core late last week. Police say around 2 a.m. on Jan. 11, a man who identified himself as James and Jay, attacked a 17-year-old girl in the PATH system near Union. The suspect is described as in his 20s, medium build, with acne, a goatee and curly short black hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Ilya Banares is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ilyaoverseas Read more about: HALIFAXTwo people are facing charges after about 1 kilogram of suspected MDMA (ecstasy) destined for Nova Scotia was intercepted by Canada Border Services Agency officers in Montreal. In a media release issued Monday, Nova Scotia RCMP said CBSA officers at the Montreal mail processing centre intercepted a package from Germany that contained MDMA. The package was destined for South Rawdon, N.S. CBSA officials notified Nova Scotia RCMP, which began an investigation. Police said that on Jan. 3, CBSA and Nova Scotia RCMP arrested a 51-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman from South Rawdon without incident. They seized the package and searched the home. During the search, police also seized suspected drugs believed to be MDMA and cocaine, as well as drug paraphernalia, electronic devices, cash and a firearm with ammunition. Both the man and woman are facing several drug-related charges. They were released and are scheduled to attend Shubenacadie provincial court on March 18. The investigation continues. Police said more charges are expected. Read more about: SYDNEY, N.S.A 28-year-old Saudi man charged with sexually assaulting a Cape Breton woman has gone missing, with a leading immigration lawyer saying it may be a case of the Middle Eastern kingdom helping a citizen flee while awaiting trial. Nova Scotias prosecution service says Mohammed Zuraibi Alzoabi had $37,500 of his bail posted by the Saudi Arabian embassy last year in relation to the alleged sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement of the woman between Aug. 1, 2015, and March 26, 2017. Alzoabi is also facing separate charges of dangerous driving and assault with a car in a December 2015 incident involving a Cape Breton man. The money the kingdom provided for Alzoabis bail last year was forfeited when he failed to appear in court last Monday, said prosecutor Shane Russell in an interview from his Sydney, N.S., office. A court document says the sheriff unsuccessfully tried to locate Alzoabi on Dec. 8, and quotes his lawyer at the time, David Iannetti, as saying Alzoabi fled the country some time ago, even though police had seized his passport. Veteran immigration lawyer Lee Cohen said in an interview that the likeliest way Alzoabi would have left the country without a passport is with embassy-issued travel documents, as airlines face heavy fines if they board passengers without the government-issued permission or a passport. The Saudi Arabian embassy has not responded to emails or telephone calls requesting comment. In order for this guy to leave Canada without a passport, it had to be facilitated by the Saudi government, or some government, and theres no reason to believe that any other government would put themselves in this position, said Cohen, who has practised immigration law for decades in Nova Scotia. Its intriguing to me as to why the Saudi government would put up bail and then facilitate his departure from Canada before he had an opportunity to complete the criminal process. This is a foreign government interfering with the criminal process. The incident comes amidst continuing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Canada. A Saudi teen has been granted asylum in Canada after fleeing from her allegedly abusive family. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun said last week the Saudi embassy in Thailand had tried to force her return to the kingdom. In August, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expelled Canadas ambassador and withdrew his own envoy after the Canadian foreign minister called for the release of womens rights activists who had been arrested in the country. The Saudis also sold Canadian investments and recalled their students from universities in Canada. In the United States, there have been reports of Saudi students leaving the country mysteriously as they faced serious criminal charges. The Oregonian newspaper has reported recently on the flight last year of Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah, a Portland, Oregon, community college student who jumped bail in the hit-and-run death of a 15-year-old Portland girl and apparently fled the United States. He was being monitored on a GPS bracelet, but someone cut the bracelet and he left the country two weeks before his trial. The news site reported on Sunday it has found criminal cases involving at least five other Saudis who vanished before they faced trial or completed their jail sentence in the state. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... They include two accused rapists, a pair of suspected hit-and-run drivers and one man with child porn on his computer. Shawn Overstreet, a deputy district attorney in Oregons Multnomah County, said in an interview that during his seven years in his position, he hasnt seen other governments provide their citizens with thousands of dollars in surety. In the case of Noorah, Overstreet said he viewed a cheque for US$100,000 bail from the Saudi consulate for the young mans lawyer, which was later used by the lawyer to post bail. Were hearing this is happening more often than maybe we thought. We want to make sure this isnt something that continues to happen, he said. The Cape Breton Regional Police said in an email Monday that theyve issued a warrant for Alzoabis arrest for failing to appear for his trial. Russell, who is handling the sexual assault prosecution in the Alzoabi case, said he cant release many details about the two sets of charges, as neither case has been before the courts. The womans identity is protected under a publication ban. However, the prosecutor said the allegations are serious, and he said the potential penalty for sexual assault is up to 14 years of jail. Having the court procedure hang over her (the alleged victim) caused her stress, and it will cause her ongoing stress the longer it lingers, said the prosecutor. By Michael Tutton in Halifax. Follow (at)mtuttoncporg on Twitter. Read more about: BULGER, PA.About 150 Jersey cows in the rolling terrain at Rivendale Farms in Bulger, some 40 kilometres west of Pittsburgh, wear Fitbit-like collars that monitor their movement, eating and rumination patterns. They are milked not by humans but by robotic machines. A nearby greenhouse, about a quarter-acre in size and filled with salad-bowl crops like kale, arugula and baby carrots, is automated. The temperature, humidity and sunlight are controlled by sensors and retractable metallic screens. And soon, small robots may roam the farms 8 acres of vegetable crops outdoors to spot disease and pluck weeds. Farming in America is increasingly a high-tech endeavour. Combines guided by GPS, drones, satellite imagery, soil sensors and supercomputers all help the nations food production. Yet that technology is mainly tailored for big industrial farms, where fields stretch as far as the eye can see. Rivendale Farms, which has just completed its first year of full operations, offers a glimpse of technology coming available for smaller farms. Technology for giant farms is all about increasing yields and cutting costs. For smaller farms, too, efficiency is paramount. But technology can also eliminate a lot of tedious, routine labour a lifestyle payoff that can help persuade a younger generation to stay put on family farms rather than sell out. Smaller farms typically raise specialty crops on limited acreage. Specialty farming requires a scaled-down approach, like the small robots being developed for Rivendale by scientists at nearby Carnegie Mellon University and the expanding array of equipment from the slow tools movement, a group of farmers and engineers designing affordable tools for small farms. Read more: Olds Colleges smart farm trains new farmers and tests cutting-edge tech Get ready for the internet of cows: Farmers use technology to shake up agriculture Gene-edited farm animals are coming. Will the public eat them? The goal at Rivendale, said Thomas Tull, the farms owner, is to create a boutique, cutting-edge farm, enabled by technology, that produces great food. Rivendale can afford its combination of cutting-edge commercial technology and science experiments because Tull is a billionaire serial entrepreneur, investor in tech-related ventures and former film producer. He is also on the board of Carnegie Mellon. He has spent several million dollars on Rivendale so far. But the plan, Tull said, is for the farm to become self-sustaining by 2020. So Rivendale can try more things at once than others can. But its efforts, experts say, are part of a broader trend among small farmers seeking to raise healthy food and livestock using less fossil fuel, fertilizer and processed feed. Were seeing greater use of modern technology and tools in smaller, soil-based farming, and that vision is being wholeheartedly embraced at Rivendale, said Jack Algiere, farm director at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a non-profit farm in Pocantico Hills, New York, that has been a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture on small farms. Tull bought the land in 2015, and construction started the next year. It is now a diversified operation with milking cows, breeding cows, vegetable crops, corn for feed, chickens, even honeybees. Rivendale, including pasture land, cover crops and woods, spans 175 acres. Farming in America has been consolidating for decades, with the average size of a farm being 444 acres in 2017, according to government statistics. And more than half of the value produced by the nations agricultural sector is generated by a small fraction of very large farms, 2,660 acres on average. Rivendales milk, eggs and produce are sold to selected local restaurants and hotels. It also supplies food to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, in which Tull is a part-owner. Walk into the dairy barn at Rivendale and there are no people only cows, an automated feed system and three robotic milking machines. The Rivendale cows are milked four times a day on average, when they feel ready, compared with the traditional twice-a-day regimen when humans manage the milking. And its Jersey cows produce 15 per cent more milk than the average for the breed, with a higher protein and butterfat content, said Christine Grady, general manager of Rivendale. They eat when they want, lie down when they want and feed when they want, Grady said. And a happier cow produces more milk and better milk. It takes a week or two for the cows to get accustomed to the robotic milkers and the built-in incentives, said Rodney Rankin, who leads the dairy operations. The milking stations have vanilla-flavored feed pellets, but a cow cannot just come back repeatedly for the treats. Sensors and a scale a cows weight can vary by up to 75 pounds in a day prevent cows without reasonably full udders from getting in. Once the cow is in the stall, the teats and udder are washed with little rotary brushes. Lasers scan and guide the milk suction devices onto each of the four teats. Milking time is six minutes on average. At the end, the cow is sprayed with iodine and steam to clean its udder. Robotic milkers have been available for years. But the technology has steadily improved, requiring far less human assistance than a few years ago. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The machines cost about $200,000 each (U.S.). Without them, and an automated feeding system, the milking barn at Rivendale would require five workers instead of being mainly overseen by one, Grady said. The Rivendale robotic milking machines are made by Lely, a Dutch company and a leader in the industry. In some European countries, up to 30 per cent of the cows are milked by machine, while in the United States the share is about 2 per cent, estimates Mathew Haan, a dairy technology expert at Pennsylvania State Universitys agriculture extension program. The gap, Haan said, is largely explained by more generous programs that support milk prices as well as higher labour costs than in America. These two factors have encouraged investment in automation in Europe. In the United States, even large-herd producers with thousands of cows in California, which have been labour-intensive operations, are beginning to try robotic milking machines. That is driven partly by changing immigration policies that may create a shortage of farmworkers. But to date, the main market has been smaller operations with 120 to 240 milking cows, said Steve Fried, Lelys North American sales manager. George Kantor, a senior systems scientist at Carnegie Mellons robotics institute, is leading the effort at Rivendale to develop scouting robots to identify disease and weeds in the vegetable field, and then send smartphone alerts if there is a problem. His team did field work and collected data in the fall, then shifted to a university lab for the winter. Computer vision and machine learning, Kantor said, will be deployed to distinguish healthy plants from diseased ones and weeds. A next step would be to get rid of weeds. Organic farming avoids pesticides. And digging up or pulling weeds, Kantor said, would require handlike grasping and holding, a more daunting robotic task, where progress has been slower. Some technology at Rivendale is more neat hack than high tech. Susanna Meyer, head of crop production, is fond of a greens cutter whose engine is a battery-powered electric drill, and a small electric tiller called the Tillie one of the slow-tools implements. Michael McGowen, a former staff scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, bought a farm in Oregon a decade ago, started growing vegetables and found there were no affordable tools for small farms. So he designed his own including the Tillie, whose basic model sells for $495, and set up a business, Carts and Tools, in Corvallis, Oregon. Johnnys Selected Seeds, a leading distributor of the small-scale farming tools, has seen that business increase fivefold over the past 10 years, said Adam Lemieux, the companys product manager for tools and supplies. To most longtime farmers, AI stands for artificial insemination, not digital wizardry. But a new generation of family farmers is welcoming robotic assistants and smartphone apps. They have a different mindset, and they are all trying to figure out a path ahead for their family farms and where technology fits in, said Jeff Ainslie, a vice president of Red Barn Consulting, which advises family farmers. Scott Flory is one of them. After earning his degree in dairy science from Virginia Tech, Flory returned to his family farm in Dublin, Virginia, in 2009, with ideas for modernizing its operations. Since then, the farm has installed four of the Lely robotic milkers, equipped the cows with activity trackers and doubled the number of its milking cows to 240, without adding workers. The farm remains almost entirely a family affair, run by him, his wife, Laura, and his parents, Dale and Janet. I wouldnt be in the dairy business today without this stuff, said Flory, who is 30. At Rivendale, Tull, the owner, has no doubt that advancing technology will transform smaller farms someday. But after closely observing the operations at Rivendale this past year, he said, You come away with a tremendous respect for farmers, and that the work is hard and complex. The key is getting the right mix of art and science. SAN FRANCISCOPG&E Corp. said it will file for bankruptcy in California after the cost of wildfires left it with potential liabilities of $30 billion (U.S.) or more, gutting its share price and prompting the departure of its chief executive officer. The San Francisco-based company said it intends to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code on or about Jan. 29 after giving the required 15-day notice to employees, according to a filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday. On Sunday, the company started searching for a new leader after Geisha Williams, 57, resigned as chief executive officer. General counsel John Simon will take the helm in the meantime. The departure of Williams, who took over as CEO in March 2017, follows a catastrophic three months for PG&E. The company has seen two-thirds of its market value wiped out since the deadliest wildfire in Californias history, called the Camp Fire, began in November. Its debt has been downgraded to junk, and state regulators have called for a management shakeup. Investigators are probing whether the power giants equipment ignited that fire, along with blazes in 2017 that devastated Northern Californias wine country. More than 100 people died in the fires. The costs could exceed $30 billion, according to the companys filing. That would dwarf the $1.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents on hand as of Friday. The board concluded a Chapter 11 reorganization is ultimately the only viable option to restore PG&Es financial stability, according to the filing. Shares of PG&E fell 47 per cent to $9.28 at 12:38 p.m. in New York, the most intraday since January 2001. The companys most active bonds fell more than 4 per cent to 84.25 cents on the dollar. The bonds are the most actively traded this morning across all ratings, according to Trace. The companys deepening financial crisis has forced California regulators and policy-makers to consider a bailout package. The utility said bankruptcy was the best way forward for employees and those who are claiming losses from wildfires that may have been caused by its power lines. Californias new governor, Gavin Newsom, said in a statement Monday that his administration has been in constant contact with PG&E, labour unions and regulators. Everyones immediate focus is, rightfully, on ensuring Californians have continuous, reliable and safe electric and gas service, he said. PG&Es financial woes have already spread to companies that supply its natural gas and electricity. At least two small gas suppliers have restricted sales to PG&E out of concern that the company wont be able to pay, people with direct knowledge of the situation said last week. Some banks are taking a long look at a potential $2 billion debt financing for the Geysers, the worlds largest geothermal complex, because it supplies the utility, people familiar with the matter also said last week. More Exits The departure of Williams one of the worlds most powerful women in business thins the ranks of the roughly two dozen women running S&P 500 companies. She was one of a group of women occupying the C-suite at power companies including Duke Energy Corp.s Lynn Good, El Paso Electric Co.s Mary Kipp, PNM Resources Inc.s Pat Vincent-Collawn and Sunrun Inc.s Lynn Jurich. It has truly been an honour to lead PG&E and to serve more than 16 million people in Northern and Central California, Williams said in her own emailed statement on Sunday. I value the opportunity Ive had to lead PG&E and wish all of my colleagues well. The daughter of Cuban political refugees, Williams became the nations first Latina CEO of a Fortune 500 company when she took over PG&E. Her departure follows the exit of three PG&E executives earlier this month Patrick Hogan, senior vice president of electric operations at PG&Es utility unit; Kevin Dasso, vice president of electric asset management; and Gregg Lemler, vice president of electric transmission. Under Williams, PG&E spent millions of dollars trying to convince state lawmakers to change a legal doctrine known as inverse condemnation, under which utilities are liable for damages if their equipment is found to have sparked a wildfire, even if they werent negligent. Williams called the doctrine bad public policy that made utilities the default insurer in the state. She said the wildfires were a symptom of climate change with hotter and drier conditions sparking more frequent and intense blazes. Wine Country Bill Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... While state lawmakers rejected PG&Es request to change wildfire liability law, they did pass legislation in August that will help PG&E pay for lawsuits arising from the wine country fires. Three months later, however, the utilitys equipment again was being looked at as a possible source of the Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed the town of Paradise. Support for PG&Es management eroded even further in December when state regulators accused the utility of falsifying records related to locating and marking underground gas lines from 2012 through 2017 years in which the company was trying to convince the public that it had cleaned up its act after a 2010 pipeline blast that killed eight in San Bruno, California. Sweden faces tense days ahead amid rancour on all sides of the political spectrum after centrist parties joined forces with the Social Democrats to keep the nationalists from gaining influence. After striking a deal with the smaller opposition parties to end four months of talks, Social Democratic leader Stefan Lofven will now likely face a vote in parliament on Wednesday to give him a second term. An official announcement on the vote is expected by the speaker on Monday. But as new alliances are formed, Lofven may be undone by the left-wing allies hes now abandoning. News agency TT on Sunday reported that the Left Party was leaning toward voting no to Lofven, dooming his bid. Lofvens deal includes a pledge to freeze out the group and string of measures such as tax cuts and deregulation that are unpalatable to the former communist party. Over the weekend, the Centre Party and Liberals approved the deal, albeit with some internal opposition. The accord means that the two parties will back a Social Democratic and Green government, support which would be evaluated annually. The move has broken apart the former Conservative-led opposition, raising rancour on the right as well, and risks the ire of many voters demanding change after four years of Social Democratic rule. Rather than closing the door on the fringe parties, it could feed more voter dissatisfaction. Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the conservative Moderate Party, on Sunday called the decision to break a part the centre-right bloc a historic mistake. Voters flocked to the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats in Septembers election, making it the third-biggest party while handing the Social Democrats their worst result in a century. The Moderates also lost votes, and neither of the two traditional blocs achieved a majority, echoing a broader rise in European populism. Read more: Swedes face unknown as they end 2018 with no government Ruling party staggers, far-right rises in Sweden election Swedens centre-left PM loses confidence vote Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson, who has kept a low profile during the talks over the past four months, said in a Facebook post on Friday that that the disintegration of the centre-right bloc came as no surprise and that he now aims to take power in 2022. The big fight now is between conservatism and left-wing liberalism, he said. Centre Party leader Annie Loof said the deal was the best available under the circumstances. The partys priorities were to end the stalemate and keep the fringe parties from exerting influence, while advancing more liberal policies. Im under no illusion that everyone will see this deal as a good thing, she said in an interview on Saturday. Voters are also lukewarm. In a poll by Inizio, 36 per cent of voters picked disappointment to describe how they felt, making it the top choice. That was followed by disbelief, resignation and relief. Some 22 per cent picked anger, and 21 per cent opted for hope. Jan Bjorklund, leader of the Liberals, said in an interview on Sunday that he understand if some voters are disappointed, but that speaking of any betrayal is taking it too far. We said before the election that we wanted to work with the other bloc to exclude the Sweden Democrats from influence, he said. Its not like we have betrayed what we said. Were doing what we said. With 167 seats of a total of 349, the constellation would still be short of a majority in parliament and would need backing from others to get measures through the legislature. But its budgets would still pass since they only need a plurality. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The scheduled vote on Wednesday will be the the the third prime minister vote held in parliament since the September election, with both Lofven and Kristersson having lost earlier. There must be four votes before a new election is held, and the speaker, Andreas Norlen, has scheduled a fourth one for Jan. 23 if necessary. Norlen will meet with party leaders on Monday and then announce who will be voted on as prime minister. Hours after launching its first rocket of the new year on Friday morning, Elon Musks company told stunned employees that roughly 10 per cent of SpaceXs workforce would be laid off. Workers were sent home early to await notification to their private email addresses about their fate. The vast majority of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.s more than 6,000 employees are employed at its headquarters and rocket factory in Hawthorne, California, and hundreds of others are based in Seattle, Florida, Washington, D.C. and Texas. Some 577 positions will be cut in Hawthorne, Jan Vogel, executive director of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, said in an interview Sunday. Those cut include production managers, avionics technicians, machinists, inventory specialists and propulsion technicians. Its always unfortunate when there are large layoffs, Vogel said. Were in touch with SpaceX and were to provide transitional services to impacted employees. There are a lot of aerospace companies in the Los Angeles area. Were ready to help people. Fewer launches SpaceX flew a record 21 missions in 2018 for customers that include commercial satellite operators, NASA and the U.S. military. But the market size for launches is not infinite, and SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell warned there might be a slowdown in orders from the geo-telecommunications industry. Read more: SpaceX to lay off 10 per cent of its workforce SpaceX launches next-generation GPS satellite after five tries Its showtime for Elon Musks tunnel, with a long way to go Next year you wont see as many launches as you see in 2018, Shotwell said in an interview with CNBC last May. 2019 is a lower-cadence year. Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 to revolutionize space technology. The company, along with Boeing Co., has a contract with NASA to fly American astronauts to the International Space Station on a spacecraft named Crew Dragon. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, Crew Dragon is slated to fly for the first time in February without humans on board. SpaceX is also working on a space-based broadband satellite network and Starship, a larger spacecraft designed to carry humans to Mars. To continue delivering for our customers and to succeed in developing interplanetary spacecraft and a global space-based Internet, SpaceX must become a leaner company, SpaceX said in a statement Friday. This action is taken only due to the extraordinarily difficult challenges ahead and would not otherwise be necessary. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Musk is also the chief executive of electric-car maker Tesla Inc., which laid off roughly 9 per cent of its workforce in June. As with Tesla, some SpaceX employees who were laid off took to social media to thank Musk for the opportunity to working for him, including Justin Arredondo, a supply chain specialist. Last week, SpaceX disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had sold $273 million (U.S.) in equity as part of a plan to raise a total of $500 million. The sale would boost the rocket companys market capitalization to around $30.5 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported in December. Read more about: Opsview, a Woburn, Massachusetts- and Reading, and London, UK-based company that unifies cloud and infrastructure monitoring, secured funding from SaaS Capital, a provider of Committed Credit Facilities to software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth plans. Led by Mike Walton, Chief Executive Officer, Opsview provides a scalable monitoring platform that gives unified insight into dynamic IT operations on-premises, in the cloud or hybrid. The platform is used by hundreds of businesses, government organizations and service providers globally. Customers include Sky, Cisco, IBM, Comcast, Telefonica, PayPal, BT, Norfolk Southern, CIT, Fujitsu, HMRC and AAA. FinSMEs 13/01/2019 After five long years of battling, the council decided to approve the construction as long as the vibration levels and ground movement are monitored and assured to the officials. Thus giving Williams a huge victory in this feud. He obviously knows this upsets Mr Jimmy Page. In the latest episode of this feud drama reveals that Williams has been taking a victory lap in the most petty behaviours to deal with this midlife crisis. Telegraph reports that another neighbour who goes by the name of Johnny, wrote to the Kensington and Chelsea Council Planning Committee to report Williams' actions. "The committee may not have been aware that Robbie Williams has been playing loud 70's rock music on outside speakers when he views Jimmy Page outside his home," he writes. "What's been most annoying is that Mr Williams has played rock arch-rival bands Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple. He obviously knows this upsets Mr Jimmy Page," he continues. Williams also took it up a notch, reportedly going as far as to dress up as Led Zeppelin's frontman, Robert Plant. Previously, Williams has been rejected twice on planning applications caused mainly by Page's objections. His builders were also once fined in 2017 for 4,670 ($8.792 NZD) over a noise regulation breach, also filed by Page. In the same year, Williams had publicly apologised to Page after calling him "mentally ill". Page's PR agent has hopes to have a private meeting to settle the grievances between the two musicians. However, Williams' spokesperson had called him out, saying that it is "a complete fabrication and nonsense." The tickets have now been sold. Sound listener Steve Alderson has contacted us that they have got two tickets to the SOLD OUT Summer Concert Tour in Taupo that is happening this 26th January. Aucklanders, it's during the Auckland anniversary weekend! If you have yet to sort out a long weekend holiday, why not make a road trip down to Taupo and watch Roger Hodson? Not to mention, James Reyne & Mark Seymour from Australian Crawl and Hunters & Collective will be there as well. As general tickets are selling for roughly $109 including booking fees, Hamilton-based Alderson is looking to sell his two tickets for $99 per ticket. If you're keen on getting in touch, you can email Steve at @ss.alderson@xtra.co.nz or give him a ring at 027 498 0294 Staff reports Watertown Public Opinion GARY Two vehicles collided near Gary Monday morning, according to information on the Deuel County Sheriffs Facebook page. The report indicates a passenger car was eastbound on S.D. Highway 22 when it lost control on icy roads, slid across the highway and was struck by a westbound pickup. The accident happened at 7 a.m. near the intersection with 487th Avenue in Deuel County. The driver of the car was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He received life-threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup was wearing a seatbelt and was also injured. Both accident victims were taken to Sanford Hospital in Clear Lake and then airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital. The Deuel County Sheriffs Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Deuel County Ambulance, Gary Fire Department, and Performance Towing of Watertown all responded to the accident site. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. What we watched in 2018: The great and the good from the silver screen, TV and phone screen The highest-grossing film of 2018 in Thailand was Avengers: Infinity War. In Bangkok, the Disney/Marvel superhero jamboree made B420 million, a new high for Hollywood film. The total receipt from the whole country is around B700 million. Lets see if the final Avengers film that will come out in May will beat that. Entertainment By Bangkok Post Monday 14 January 2019, 02:00PM The Thai film that reigned above all in 2018 was Nagi 2, a movie sequel of a hit TV drama about two lovers and a mythical snake. Starring popular soap actors Nadech Kugimiya and Urassaya Sperbund, the film made B160 million in Bangkok and B400 million in total. Nagi 2 was an unexpected hit and an unusual case of a cinematic version that becomes as successful as the original TV series. The second-biggest Thai title of the year came from hitmaker GDH-599 the romantic comedy Nong Phi Tee Rak (Brother Of The Year) earned B150 million in Bangkok and B245 million in total; the film again stars Urassaya Sperbund, the TV darling whos now cast her appeal over the big screen as well. Closer to home Identity politics, stirred into life in the mid-2010s, remains the cultural force of 2018 the #metoo movement, the black lives matter activism, or the flip side of nationalism and nativism. They are clearly manifest in the movie culture throughout the past 12 months from the success of Black Panther to the passionate call for more female directors at major film festivals, from the downfall of badly-behaved film stars to the excitement (in the US) over Crazy Rich Asians. In Thailand, these phenomena rarely matter or find their local counterparts. But a mild version of identity politics is here too, and it has found its expression on the screen in the rise of regional cinema or, to be precise, Isan cinema. It began a few years ago but the trend was cemented in 2018. Films produced by northeastern filmmakers, speaking northeastern dialect, and targeted primarily northeastern audiences, have become a real cultural and marketing force. Earlier in the year Tai Ban The Series, a romantic comedy about Isan boys and girls, drew massive crowds to multiplexes in the northeast, making over B50 million. In November the sequel was released and it was a major hit in the region. The film earned over B120 million, with only a fraction of this amount coming from Bangkok, while the rest of the haul was from Isan. This year, look forward to more films about Isan romance, molam music and other representations of Isan life. This decentralisation of filmmaking activity and cultural hegemony away from the bourgeoise dominance of Bangkok is a sign of diversity that may hint at the future of Thai cinema. Politics had been absent from Thai cinema for a long period. Thanks to the May 2014 coup and the subsequent build-up of frustration, politics has found its way back to the screen not in large doses, but just enough to show that Thai filmmakers still have political bones in their body. In December, Ten Years Thailand passed the censors (to the surprise of many, including the filmmakers) and was released in limited cinemas. Though relying on metaphors and symbolism, the omnibus of four short films is by far the clearest anti-junta cinematic stance to have hit the big screen. The four stories about state censorship, intolerance of dissension, national hypnotism and an intriguing meditation on Thailands authoritarian past are critical without being belligerent, and theyve done a great service of bringing down the ceiling a few notches. But the clearest anti-junta statement arrived not on the big screen but on YouTube the music video for the rap track Prathet Ku Me rattled the status quo with raw energy and courage, and the videos re-enactment of the Oct 6, 1976, massacre is a gutsy move in presenting one of Thailands most long-standing taboos. That it escaped the wrath of the establishment was probably because of its huge popularity. Prathet Ku Me also achieves something unusual for a political statement its so compelling that the view count now tops 48 million. TV Thai people and even the Dear Leader hadnt been this crazy about a soap opera in a long time. In February, Bupphaesannivas (Love Destiny) became a smash hit and launched a cultural phenomenon for nostalgia. The time-travelling romance, aired on Channel 3, brought the young and old to the TV screen and became the highest-rated soap opera in the digital- TV era. The story is told through the eye of a modern-day archaeologist whos transported back to 1660s Ayutthaya, throwing in elements of drama, romance and humour. The huge popularity of Bupphaesannivas also sparked the or jao fever that saw the return of period costumes, traditional food and historical tourist attractions to the mainstream. 2019 worth the wait There may be a lot of shows to come this year, but nothing can rival the anticipation over the intense fight for power in HBOs Game Of Thrones. Its eighth season, and the series last, is set to premiere in April. Fans are, of course, torn between the excitement of the upcoming grand finale, and the sadness that this beloved series is inevitably coming to an end. This final season is slated for six episodes only, and they are sure to be packed with all the action one could squeeze in. Hopefully, nobodys favourite character will get killed, but thats almost impossible in this series where people drop dead like autumn leaves. Disney enters the platform space We sure have a lot of streaming platforms these days: Netflix, LineTV, iflix, Hooq, Hulu and more. Taking a giant leap into this competitive arena this year is Disney+, and what a strong presence itll be with all the original films and series from Walt Disney Studios. Some Marvel and Star Wars-based content is already among that announced for Disney+. Their existing film library from Disney, Pixar and Marvel Cinematic Universe will reportedly be available for streaming as well. It is expected that all of Disneys content on Netflix will be transported into Disney+ once the distribution agreement is over. We now wait to see how the new platform will fare, as well as how it will affect its competitors. Heres to happy viewing in 2019. Kong Rithdee & Melalin Mahavongtrakul Too many cables blamed for high-voltage blowout PHUKET: Too many cables hanging off a single power pole have been blamed for high-voltage power cables arcing and sending out intense sparks in Kamala today (Jan 14), raising concerns of people in the area suffering electric shocks. By Eakkapop Thongtub Monday 14 January 2019, 06:11PM Officials at the scene said that they believe the sparks and ensuing explosion were caused by too many cables being attached to the pole. Photo: Vasil Sangmuang Officials at the scene said that they believe the sparks and ensuing explosion were caused by too many cables being attached to the pole. Photo: Vasil Sangmuang Officials at the scene said that they believe the sparks and ensuing explosion were caused by too many cables being attached to the pole. Photo: Vasil Sangmuang Officials at the scene said that they believe the sparks and ensuing explosion were caused by too many cables being attached to the pole. Photo: Vasil Sangmuang Officials at the scene said that they believe the sparks and ensuing explosion were caused by too many cables being attached to the pole. Photo: Vasil Sangmuang The alarm was raised by passers-by who noticed sparks coming from the power pole, along the coastal road around the headland south of Kamala Bay, and notified Akanay Kongboon of the Kamala Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor). Mr Akanay in turn posted a public warning at 3:52pm urging people to keep clear of the power pole and arrived at the scene with rescue workers to direct traffic around the sparking hazard. The rescue team attempted to douse the sparks with a chemical fire extinguisher, but the sparks continued and the cables and overheated, culminating in a large explosion sound. Firefighters were soon at the scene and took some 15 minutes to bring the electrical fire under control. No injuries were reported as a result of the overload. Officials at the scene said that they believe the sparks and ensuing explosion were caused by too many cables being attached to the pole. The cables short-circuited and sparked across each other, they said. The PEA (Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority) have shut off the power supply to the area, Kamala Police Chief Col Somkid Boonrat told The Phuket News this afternoon. It will take some time to fix the power cables. We expect them to finish at about 7pm, he said. If they are not finished by this time, Traffic Police will be posted there and install warning lights at the scene for after dark, Col Somkid said. Meanwhile, please drive carefully, Col Somkid added. Malaysian tourist revived during Phuket snorkelling trip to Racha Island PHUKET: A Malaysian tourist was resuscitated and brought back to life after he was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive during a snorkelling trip to Racha Island, south of Phuket, yesterday (Jan 13). Safetymarinetourism By The Phuket News Monday 14 January 2019, 06:39PM Mr Koo and four friends he was travelling with arrived in Phuket on Friday (Jan 11) and were to leave the island today (Jan 14). Photo: Ekkapop Thongtub Mr Koo Shen Liang, 35, was taken to hospital after he was revived during a snorkelling trip at Racha Island. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Mr Koo Shen Liang, 35, was taken to hospital after he was revived during a snorkelling trip at Racha Island. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Ariya Noktajan, a tour guide with the group, explained to The Phuket News that the tourist, Koo Shen Liang, 35, was on a trip organised by tour company Blue Corner International Co Ltd. Mr Koo had lost consciousness whilst snorkelling sometime about 11:30am, Ms Ariya explained. Tour guides noticed from the boat that he was not moving and did not respond to shouts for him to come back to the boat, she said. The boat captain and crew jumped into the water and managed to pull Mr Koo back to the boat, Ms Ariya explained. However, Mr Koo was unconscious and unresponsive. They performed CPR on him for around 30 minutes before he regained consciousness, and was then taken back to Chalong Pier, Ms Ariya explained. Mr Koo arrived at Chaloing Pier at about 1pm. Officers from the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) who were on hand at Chalong Pier when Mr Koo arrived, confirmed, Mr Koo, who suffers from asthma, was conscious but very weak. Mr Koo was sped to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-open Chalong Hospital, then to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, then transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Mr Koo and four friends he was travelling with arrived in Phuket on Friday (Jan 11) and were to leave the island today (Jan 14), officers at the TAC confirmed. However, the TAC has yet to receive an update on Mr Koos current medical condition. GPS used to keep an eye on Police THAILAND: GPS (global positioning system) technology is being introduced to tackle cases of police officers absconding from their patrols of crime-prone areas. policecorruption By Bangkok Post Monday 14 January 2019, 09:05AM A new GPS-based system developed for the Crime Suppression Division tracks the movement of on-duty CSD police to prevent errant officers from skipping their duties. It now is being implemented on a trial basis. Photo: Bangkok Post Special "red boxes" are often installed in areas that need an increased level of policing and officers must scan a QR code housed within to prove they were physically present on patrol. However, some wily officers have found a way around it by taking a picture of the QR code and scanning that from home, or elsewhere, to give the impression they have completed their rounds. The problem was brought to the attention of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), who have now brought in real-time GPS tracking technology to keep tabs on officers on their beat. The technology was trialled in Bangkok last week as a replacement for the red boxes. The CSD expect it will be progressively implemented not only in crime hot spots, but in all police precincts in the near future. The GPS system comes in the form of a smartphone application that must be downloaded by officers on regular patrols, or who are assigned to conduct surveillance operations. Once the officer arrives at the designated location, he or she must open the application and check in by tapping a location identifier icon, according to Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the CSD commander. In some areas, the patrol must be carried out at particular times of day. For example, in Soi Lat Phrao 101 where statistics show the crime rate usually peaks between 7pm and 8pm, the check-in must occur during these times. In the cases of people who require police protection, the CSD's new system will automatically send an SMS to the person in question to let them know that an officer has arrived and "checked in" outside their home. Officers' movements while on patrol are then recorded and monitored live at the CSD headquarters. "The patrol work is monitored in real time so no one will be able to lie to his superior any more," said Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop. The CSD officers taking part in the pilot project are required to be within a 50-metre radius of the check-in point to activate the check-in icon on their smartphones. They then have to fill out details of their patrol duty in the app. Information the officers must give includes whether the security situation is rated as normal or not, and if they have talked to people on the street around the check-in location to get a clearer picture of any criminal activity in the area. After each conversation in the area, whether with a suspect or a member of the public, officers are required to obtain the person's name and take their photo via the app should these details be needed for evidence. Security officers who head patrol teams must then submit a report to their superiors, which the CSD will also receive a copy of, at the end of each shift. The report compiles details of the assignment, the number of officers used, the distance covered and the pictures taken during the patrol. "I've stressed the importance of stopping patrol vehicles and talking to the people, as this is a way of gaining a rapport with the community. "It's the people on the ground who will lend a helping hand when it comes to security surveillance," said Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop. In the next phase of the project, a "Real Time Crime Centre will be established to manage police patrols and crime reports nationwide. The centre will coordinate across precincts to prevent any overlap of work and also compare the relative productivity of each division's patrol work, he said. There are 1,482 police stations nationwide and each now utilises at least 30 red security check-in boxes, which altogether cost the Royal Thai Police 11.1 million baht to buy and install, not to mention the costs of the check-in book placed in the box. It is not known how well that system has worked to date. Pol Maj Pratchaya Kammalatphithak, head of the CSD's patrol section, said the CSD is desperately short of patrol officers and vehicles. So far, officers have responded positively to the new system and there have been no bugs or teething problems reported with the check-in app, he said. After the pilot project, the CSD is keen for the Royal Thai Police to roll out the new system for use by all police stations nationwide, he added. Read full story here. Daytime ambush at police station leaves officer dead PATTANI: A police sergeant was killed in a daylight gun attack on the Napradu police station in tambon Thung Phala of Khok Pho district on Sunday afternoon (Jan 13). By Bangkok Post Monday 14 January 2019, 09:31AM A screen cap shows the moment one of the attacks with an automatic weapon got off the motorcycle pillion to check the death of the police sergeant he had just murdered. Photo: Bangkok Post Pol Capt Somchai Duangtud, a duty officer, said the attack occurred at 12.35pm, when at least six men on three motorcycles drove by the station and opened fire with military-grade weapons. Pol Sgt Chalermpol Khomkham was killed at the scene. Police teams have been deployed to hunt down the culprits. Meanwhile, investigators have also recovered a number of bullet shells from a road in front of the station. CCTV video supplied by the Narathiwat police showed the daylight murder, which took less than a minute at Napradu police station in tambon Thung Phala of Khok Pho district in Narathiwat. Pol Lt Gen Ronnasilp Phusara, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 9 (PPR9), inspected the site of the shooting, for which insurgents are believed to be responsible, according to Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen, the deputy police spokesman. The commissioner has ordered local police in the PPR9 jurisdiction to step up security at police stations, communities, and key public sites. Meanwhile, stricter inspections will also be carried out at roadside checkpoints on both main and feeder roads, the deputy spokesman said. The shooting comes on the back of a warning by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) of possible attacks by insurgents in Sungai Kolok, Tak Bai and Muang districts of Narathiwat between Jan 13-15. The Isoc has also urged local authorities and residents to be on the lookout for stolen motorcycles, which insurgents may use to launch bomb attacks. Read full story here. Contemporary Italian Fine Dining at The Bay and Beach Club By In Conjunction Monday 14 January 2019, 10:54AM Looking for contemporary Italian fine dining while staying in Patong Beach ? Make sure to visit the luxurious The Bay and Beach Club to dine on exquisite Italian meals bursting with authentic flavors. Located directly on the sands of Patong Beach, KUDO Italian Restaurant truly is one of a kind. Designed with breathtaking views in mind, KUDO Italian Restaurant is located on two different levels. The ground floor has direct access to Patong Beach and the entirety of the beach club, while the upper sea view terrace boasts a romantic atmosphere and offers up outstanding views across Patong Beach and the Andaman Sea. With a prime location right on Patong Beach adjacent to The Bay and Beach Club, KUDO Italian Restaurant features a traditional Italian menu which utilizes ingredients imported directly from Italy. The fine dining establishment prides itself on authentic flavors, and all of the dishes available are a true interpretation of the Chefs culinary skills. Contemporary Italian fine dining classics on the menu include a fresh selection of choices such as zesty appetizers and salads, a wide variety of pasta dishes, exquisite seafood and meat main courses, flavorful pizzas and delicious Italian desserts. For those with specific food requirements, it is worth noting that there are many vegetarian and halal items offered on the menu. Popular favorites from the Chefs creative menu include mixed Italian cold cuts and an assorted cheese platter, crab meat salad with oranges, olives and lettuce as well as the classic favorite Burrata con prosciutto crudo, Buffalo mozzarella cheese with sliced Parma ham. There are pasta dishes to suit every appetite at KUDO Italian Restaurant. Take a seat on the upper sea view terrace and enjoy magical sunset views and a cool sea breeze while tucking into a lush Pumpkin Ravioli, fresh Spaghetti Seafood or hearty Lasagna di manzo alla bolognese - a classic favorite of Beef lasagna bolognese style with bechamel, tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. Fish main course dishes include only the freshest local seafood including large tiger prawns, clams and mussels as well as exquisite imported French oysters. Only the highest quality meats are used in the various other main dishes which include tasty selections of Australian beef tenderloin and Angus beef, roasted pork loin, grilled lamb chops and braised veal shank. The food menu is accompanied by an extensive cocktail and drinks list. Doesnt a sunset drink on Patong Beach followed by an outstanding Italian meal sound inviting? KUDO Italian Restaurant offers a unique atmosphere and endeavors to create unforgettable moments for all of its guests. If you are looking for a special experience right on the sands of Patong Beach, the most famous beach in all of Phuket, then visit us at The Bay and Beach Club to experience contemporary Italian fine dining during your holiday. For expats on the island, KUDO Italian Restaurant is open to the public. For those staying at The Bay and Beach Club, the restaurant is located just a few steps from your accommodation. Although not essential, reservations are highly recommended. To book your table at KUDO Italian Restaurant call +66 (0) 76 609 401. Hertzliya, Israel-based venture capital firm Magenta Venture Partners launched a new $100m fund. The vehicle, which had its initial closing in October 2018 and is planning its final closing in 2019, specializes in early-stage investments in Israeli and Israeli-related technology startups in multiple domains including: Automotive, Mobility, AI, Smart Cities, Industry 4.0, Enterprise Software, and Fintech. Magenta Venture Partners is an equal partnership between Mitsui & Co. Ltd., a Japanese trading and investment company, Ori Israely, and Ran Levitzky. The four partners of the fund include: Israely, formerly of Motorola Solutions Venture Capital and Giza Venture Capital, Levitzky, formerly from Viola Ventures where he co-led investments in early stage startups, and earlier held roles at Amdocs, Microsoft, and Verint Systems; Hiroshi Takeuchi of Mitsui who has relocated now to Israel after 15 years of venture investment experience in Japan and the US; and Atsushi Mizuno from Mitsuis investment arm who has over 10 years of experience investing into Israeli companies and who has been living in Israel for the past 4 years. The fund also added Mr. Ron Shvili, former head of the technology center for 8200 unit and currently the CTO & VP of Technology and Information Systems of Cellcom, a telecommunications group in Israel, to its Venture Advisory Board. He will contribute from his experience to the success of the fund. FinSMEs 14/01/2019 House Democrats have submitted legislation to require background checks on all gun purchases and for some gun transfers. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford. @MarkCavitt on Twitter Mark Cavitt is a multimedia journalist at The Oakland Press and MediaNews Group in Michigan. His beat includes all Oakland County government offices, departments, boards, commissions and committees. Baker College's campus at 15 Mile and Little Mack in Clinton Township. The college is proposing to merge its campuses from Clinton Township, Auburn Hills and Allen Park into a new campus in downtown Ferndale. This subscription will allow curernt subscribers of The News Guard to access all of our online Subscriber-Only content, including the E Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please call us at 1-541-994-2178 or email admin@countrymedia.net. LendUp, a San Francisco, CA-based financial technology company for the emerging middle class, received an investment of undisclosed amount. The round was led by LL Funds LLC and Invus Opportunities, with participation from QED Investors. The company will use the funds to scale its credit card business as a stand-alone company, Mission Lane. Moving forward, LendUps business will focus on personal loans, gamified education, and savings opportunities as an independent company. Its credit card business, including that business lines card portfolio, IP, technology platform, and team, will become newly-created Mission Lane. Creating two stand-alone companies provides opportunity for each to grow with separate technology platforms and an optimized capital structure for each business. It also ensures LendUp and Mission Lane are able to accelerate plans to reach as many consumers as possible with their mobile-first products, designed to put consumers on a path to better financial health. Anu Shultes, GM of LendUp Loans and a 25-year veteran of subprime credit and financial services businesses, has been named CEO of LendUp; she will also join LendUps board. Sasha Orloff, LendUps co-founder and CEO, will step down from day to day responsibilities but remain involved in LendUp as a board member and in Mission Lane as an advisor. Orloff and Jake Rosenberg co-founded the company in 2012, having graduated out of Y Combinators winter 2012 class. LendUps executive team includes: Kathleen Fitzpatrick as Head of Engineering; Jordan Olivier as Head of Finance; Sunil Singh as COO responsible for Strategy, Growth and Operations; Jotaka Eaddy as Head of Government Affairs and Social Impact; and Pia Thompson as General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer. Led by interim CEO Vijesh Iyer, previously LendUps COO, Mission Lane will build on LendUps two initial credit card products: the Arrow Card and the L Card. Raj Mundy of LL Funds and Ben Tsai of Invus Opportunities will join Mission Lanes board. FinSMEs 14/01/2019 Isabella Man who killed California officer was former Mt. Pleasant resident On December 18, 2018 the Italian Parliament approved a package of measures aimed to combat public sector corruption and increase scrutiny and transparency requirements with regards to private and corporate contributions to political parties and foundations. The so-called bribe destroyer (spazzacorotti) bill was approved in the Chamber of Deputies by 304 votes to 106 after months of intense discussions. A brainchild of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, the proposed measures represent an important step in the countrys fight against corruption and follow anti-corruption laws approved in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Italy has placed 54th in 2017s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) with a score of 50 out of 100 points, one of the lowest in EU. With the estimated annual cost of circa 13% of GDP, corruption remains a huge problem yet to be solved. The author of the bill, Minister of Justice Alfonso Bonafede, has already hailed it as a revolution in the fight against corruption. Amendments to the Criminal Code (Codice Penale, CP) art. 9 and 10 CP: in certain cases, the requirement for the request of either Minister of Justice or the offended party as a criterion of admissibility for private-to-public corruption offenses. including those provided in the articles 317, 318, 319, 319-bis, 319-ter, 319-quater, 320, 321, 322, 322-bis, and 346-bis CP has been eliminated. This amendment has a corresponding implication for corporate sector, as these provisions are referred to in the article 4 of the Legislative Decree 231 (responsibility of the entity established in Italy for offenses committed abroad). art. 158 and 159 CP: from 01/01/2020 the statute of limitations will be frozen at the end of the judgement at first instance, so that the appeals process can continue. In this way, the time limits on the prosecution will be loosened to allow the cases to arrive at a definitive verdict. In 2016, 145,637 cases fell by the wayside after hitting the time out. art. 317-bis CP: anyone convicted of corruption and sentenced to more than two years in prison will never be able to hold public office or seek a state contract again. Those convicted of corruption crimes carrying sentences of less than two years will be shut out of public business for five to seven years. art. 318 CP: increased penalties for cases of improper bribery for the exercise of public officials functions (from three to eight years of imprisonment for a public official). art. 646 CP: increased penalties for embezzlement (from two to five years of imprisonment with a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 euros,). art. 322-bis CP: the definition of foreign public official has been extended to include persons who perform functions or activities equivalent to those of public officials and persons in charge of a public service in international public organizations; members of international parliamentary assemblies or international or supranational organizations, and judges and officials of international courts. art. 346-bis CP: provides for important changes with regards to undue trading in influence. The scope of the article has been extended to include the cases when a potential mediator only claims to be able to exercise undue influence on a public official, a person in charge of public service or one of the persons referred to in art. 322-bis CP (foreign public official) in relation to the exercise of his/her functions or powers. In other words, art. 346-bis CP aims to punish prodromal conduct with respect to corruptive arrangements that may involve a public official on whose determinations one would want to illicitly influence. art. 323-ter. CP: anyone who committed a bribery offense provided in the articles 318, 319, 319-ter, 319-quater, 320, 321, 322-bis, 353, 353-bis e 354 se CP can benefit from the newly introduced non-punishment clause in case he/she makes a voluntary disclosure and provides useful and concrete information to secure the evidence of the crime and to identify other offenders involved. To qualify for non-punishment, the disclosure should be made before the offender becomes aware of the investigation being carried out with regards to the committed offence and not later than four months from the date of the offense. Amendments to the Civil Code (Codice Civile, CC) With regards to private-to-private bribery, art. 2635 CC (corruption between individuals) and art. 2635-bis CC (inducement to bribery) were amended: the offended partys official request/claim will no longer be necessary to prosecute directors, general managers and executives entrusted with the preparation of the companys accounting documents, as well as statutory auditors and liquidators for the offenses pursuant to the referred articles. Amendments to the Legislative Decree no. 231 of June 8, 2001 (Regulations governing the administrative liability of legal persons, companies and associations including those without legal status) Under the amended section 25 paragraph 1 of the Decree, the company/legal entity is now punishable with a fine of up to 200 quotas in the case of trading in influence pursuant to art. 346-bis CP. The amount of a quota ranges from a minimum of EUR250 to a maximum of EUR1,549. As provided by the amendments to section 25 paragraph 5, the restraining measures for legal entities have been significantly increased taking into consideration whether a wrongdoing was committed by an individual holding a managing position (those who hold functions of representation, administration or management of the entity or of an organizational unit with financial and functional autonomy as well as those who exercise, even de facto, the management and control of such units) or individuals who are under their direction and/or supervision: for the former the restraining measures will now have a duration of four to seven years, whereas for the latter of two to four years. With this new perspective the regulator aims to recognize the crucial role of ethical leadership in organizations. At the same time, the importance of an effective compliance and ethics program has been also acknowledged. According to the newly introduced section 25 paragraph 5-bis, in case the entity actively collaborates during the investigation to secure the evidence of the crime, to identify other offenders involved, to ensure the seizure of the transferred amounts/other benefits, and has eliminated the organizational deficiencies that led to the crime through the adoption and implementation of a compliance and ethics program (Modello) to prevent further crimes of the kind to occur before the verdict at the first instance, the restraining sanctions will have the duration of two years maximum. Amendments to the Legislative Decree no. 146 of March 16, 2006 Although it has been 15 years since Italy signed the UNCAC, it is only now that the bill will provide for the use of an undercover investigator for corruption offences, which the Convention requires. The provision is introduced by amending the Decree which rectified another important international treaty, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). Political parties funding provisions The bill provides for the increased transparency requirements with regards to political parties funding now donations with the annual value equivalent to 500 euros or more will have to be fully disclosed. The requirement applies to individuals, organization, foreign companies subject to tax obligations in Italy, elected/government representatives, treasurers of political parties, as well as foundations, associations and committees affiliated with political parties and movements. The bill prohibits political parties and movements to receive contributions in a form of money, other benefits, services and/or other forms of support from governments or public bodies of foreign states, or from legal entities established in a foreign country. In case of a violation, penalties not lower than three times and no more than five times the value of the contributions, benefits or other forms of financial support received are envisaged. ____ The bill is undoubtedly an important step toward a more comprehensive anti-bribery regime, particularly with regards to combating corruption in public administration. It will, of course, take time to assess its actual impact on the business climate in the country. The President of the Italian Republic is expected to sign and promulgate the bill in the forthcoming weeks. Its already clear, however, that many companies operating in Italy will have to revisit and update their compliance and ethics programs with a focus on integrity in government relations, as well as robust due diligence procedures. ____ Vera Cherepanova, FCCA, CIA, MSc (pictured above), has more than 10 years experience as a compliance officer. Shes the founder of Studio Etica, a boutique consultancy that provides advice on corporate ethics and compliance programs to companies around the world. She speaks English, French, Italian, and Russian. She can be contacted here. Free Singapore Airlines (SIA) tickets by clicking on a link? Probably too good to be true. SIA warned customers in a Facebook post yesterday that a website masquerading as its own was offering free tickets while asking for personal data. "We would like to advise customers to exercise discretion when revealing personal data to unverified sources," SIA said in its post. In a screenshot circulating on social media, a WhatsApp message reads: "Singapore Airlines is giving away Free tickets to celebrate its 70th Anniversary. Get your free tickets at: http://www.singaporeair.com-ticketsfree.win" Singapore Airlines warns of phishing scam promising free plane tickets https://t.co/5GNMIaFnZi pic.twitter.com/2O2dDnvucl The Straits Times (@STcom) January 13, 2019 An SIA spokesman said the airline is currently working with its security vendor to have the phishing site taken down. The SIA advised its customers to be cautious of social media posts and phishing websites that appear similar to its official website, www.singaporeair.com. Members of the public who wish to verify if a website, e-mail or call is legitimately linked to SIA can contact it through its social media channels or at www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/feedback-enquiry/. This is the latest of many scams that have dogged the national carrier. Last June, a fake website had sought to mislead users into thinking SIA was offering tickets at only $1 to celebrate its 45th anniversary. Read also: Pre-ordering of inflight meals now available for all Singapore Airlines flights In March the same year, SIA similarly warned its customers of scams being circulated through e-mail and phone calls. Apart from SIA, The Straits Times reported on Saturday that scammers were impersonating the Singapore Police Force, with fake websites to phish for personal details. More information on scams can be found at www.scamalert.sg. For the first time ever, a Bulgarian city has been named European Capital of Culture. To the east of Sofia, Plovdiv hopes to make its mark on the tourism scene in 2019, while also proving that theres more to Bulgaria than its eastern coast... and that the Italian city of Matera isnt the only European Capital of Culture this year! Where is it? Plovdiv is in Bulgaria. It is the countrys second-largest city after the capital, Sofia, with a population of around 333,000. Dubbed the City of Seven Hills (although only six remain today), the destination boasts a rich history shaped by Ottoman, Romanian, Slavic and Greek cultures. Plovdiv was built by the Thracian people, who gave their name to the Upper Thracian Plain. What to see in Plovdiv? Visitors to Plovdiv can stroll through cobbled streets and discover ancient ruins. A Roman theater dating from the second century is one of the citys must-see sights. You could even catch a show or an opera while youre there. Other relics from the Antiquity include the remains of a stadium, an aqueduct and a Roman forum. For a spot of shopping, head to the low town area, but dont miss the old town, peppered with examples of typical Balkan architecture, and larger houses in Bulgarian Renaissance style. Read also: Bulgaria sends thank-you postcards to tourists What to eat and drink? First of all, raise a glass, since Plovdiv is the gateway to the surrounding wine-making region. While the geography of the region of Sofia isnt suited to wine-making, the opposite is true of Plovdiv, where merlot, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay are grown alongside local grape varieties such as pamid. Around 20 kilometers away, the Todoroff winery known for its quality wines organizes tours and tastings for an introduction to Bulgarian wine-making. To accompany the wine, make sure you sample the famous Bulgarian yogurt, notably used in cold cucumber soup. Bulgarian cuisine features all kinds of salads, such as the famous shopska salata, sometimes known as Bulgarian salad. Vegetables are everywhere in the local cuisine, such as a tasty eggplant dip called kyopolou. How to get there? The easiest way is to fly to Sofia then take the train to Plovdiv (2-3 hours). Bus routes are also available. Indonesia's participation at the Reiselivsmessen tourism exhibition in Telenor Arena, Oslo on Jan. 11-13 attracted many visitors who reportedly purchased tourism packages to the archipelago. During the booth opening by the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo, Indonesian Ambassador to Norway Todung Mulya Lubis said the participation was part of economic diplomacy as well as a continuous effort to promote Indonesia as a popular destination. Among the destinations promoted at the event were Raja Ampat, Komodo Island, Lake Toba and Borobudur Temple. A representative of the Oslo embassy, Wisnu Lombar Dwinanto, told Antara news agency that many visitors asked questions regarding natural disasters, transportation accidents, terrorism, extremist violence and social disruption reported by the media about Indonesia. "This event serves as an opportunity to spread information to tourists that Indonesia remains a safe and comfortable place to visit," he said. Read also: Banyuwangi artists perform at Janadriyah Festival in Saudi Arabia Other than information, visitors were also entertained by traditional dances performed by Indonesian diaspora members in the city, such as the Cendrawasih, Renggong Manis, Manuk Rawa, Sekar Jagat and Pakarena dances. The booth also presented handicraft and culinary products in collaboration with importer Scanesia. Norwegians are known for their habit of holidaying outside their country. Especially during the summer, over 60 percent of their citizens reportedly choose to vacation abroad. They are also known to have higher purchasing power compared with citizens from other European countries, spending around US$4,300 per trip mostly on food, accommodation and attractions. (kes) Domestic air passengers no longer have to worry about skyrocketing ticket prices, as the fares were lowered on Jan. 11, according to local news reports. Head of Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) Ari Askhara told Kompas.com on Sunday that the association had decided to reduce airline ticket prices, following a discussion among member airlines. He went on to say that the airline fares would see a 20-60 percent reduction, depending on each airline and route. Transportation Minister Budi Sukarya was reported to be pleased with INACAs plan to lower airfares for domestic flights. I appreciate and thank the airlines that are members of INACA for making adjustments to reduce domestic airfares, Budi said in a statement released to Kompas.com on Monday. He gave an assurance that the airfare reductions would not compromise flight safety. There must have been measures that were taken into serious consideration by our friends in INACA. The reduction in airfares is made in line with national aviation regulations and putting forward flight safety. All aircraft safety and maintenance is well-taken care of, said Budi. The Transportation Ministry, according to Budi, is set to support national air carriers by lowering the price of airport services and navigation. This support should make the airfare reduction feasible. Read also: High price of domestic flight tickets angers passengers Ari Askhara, who is also the president director of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, said that state-owned airport operators Angkasa Pura (AP) I & II, state-run air navigation company AirNav and state energy holding company Pertamina had already lowered their charges and prices regarding the need to reduce domestic airfares. According to a statement received by The Jakarta Post from Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier has adjusted the surging ticket price to a moderate, lower subclass price in line with supply and demand dynamism. Among the routes that have normalized prices are those from Jakarta to Denpasar, Bali; Yogyakarta; and Surabaya, East Java. The fare adjustment also aims at maximizing the airlines occupancy rates. Garuda also states that it provides discounted fares of up to 25 percent for veterans, senior citizens and students. (mut) Chinese have become the second-largest tourist force in Antarctica. The polar region received 8,273 Chinese visitors during the 2017-2018 season, accounting for 16 percent of all, only second to the United States, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. This figure is nearly 3,000 more than the 2016-2017 Antarctic tourism seasons, while 100 times as much as it was in 2008, when fewer than 100 Chinese visited. The 2018-2019 season is likely to see the number rise over 10,000, says China's biggest online travel agency Ctrip. "The demand from Chinese tourists increases sharply every year," says Wang Nan, who manages Ctrip's Antarctic tours. "Bookings for Antarctic routes are growing rapidly." Judging from the current booking situation, 100 percent growth is expected in visitor numbers to Antarctica, Ctrip says. That would make one out of every five tourists to Antarctica Chinese, Wang adds. At the moment, there are only a few slots up for grabs at Ctrip for January and February. November to March is the Antarctic summer, which makes for good travel season. The agency increased 30 percent of its Antarctic products this year to meet the increasing demand for Antarctic experiences. Ctrip has nearly 200 products from major suppliers with more than 20 ships available for selection for travelers to the region. Read also: China to release do's and don'ts as more Chinese tourists visit Antarctica Chinese travelers have spent an average of 23 days on their Antarctic tours, and costs ranged from 50,000 yuan ($7,241.1) to 110,000 yuan, in 2018. Costs depend on a traveler's means and routes. Those who take cruises across Drake Passage to polar destinations are looking at 50,000-200,000 yuan, while those who take planes from Chile or Argentina before switching to cruises on the Antarctic Peninsula would likely have to pay 120,000-160,000 yuan. The most expensive way would be taking flights from Chile to the Antarctic region, which usually costs above 500,000 yuan. Nearly 90 percent of Chinese tourists choose to take cruises to Antarctica, while only 1 percent fly directly to the South Pole, Wang says. Group travelers are in the majority, and most of them come from big Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Smaller cities in the country have witnessed tourism growth, too. The top 10 departure cities for Antarctica are Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Chongqing, Xi'an and Wuhan. In particular, Hangzhou and Nanjing have each seen more than 200 percent growth in the number of locals leaving for the Antarctic region. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 13:48 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6bbc03 4 Business 0-percentage-down-payment,vehicle-ownership-credit,YLKI,comments Free The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has called on the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to revoke a regulation on a 0 percent down payment loan for purchasing cars and motorcycles, as it could worsen poverty and air pollution. YLKI chairman Tulus Abadi said on Monday in Jakarta that the regulation could lower the living standards of poor people because a major portion of their incomes would be used to pay installments on the loan. The policy is a kind of [...] trap for poor households, Tulus said as quoted by kontan.co.id, and that debtors could potentially become trapped in bad debt. He also believed OJK Regulation No. 35/2018 on car and motorcycle loans with 0 percent down payment would also increase the level of gas emissions, because vehicle owners tended to buy the subsidized Premium brand of gasoline with 88 RON rating, the lowest quality of fuel. The regulation will spread air pollution, not only in urban areas, but also in rural areas, he said. Tulus said the policy was also counterproductive to developing the MRT and light rail transit (LRT) public transportation systems as a means of reducing urban traffic congestion, because it would encourage consumers to buy private vehicles and discourage them from using public transportation. One of the duties of the OJK is to protect customers' finances, not to trap them in bad debt. If the OJK does not want to revoke the regulation, the YLKI and other consumer network groups will file a judicial review petition with the Supreme Court to challenge the policy, Tulus said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Luana Sarmini-Buonaccorsi and Raziye Akkoc (Agence France-Presse) Ankara, Turkey Mon, January 14, 2019 19:27 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6caa84 2 World #Turkey,#USA,Turkey,hits,Donald-Trump,back,Kurd Free Turkey on Monday vowed it would not be intimidated by US President Donald Trump's threats of economic devastation if Ankara attacks Kurdish forces as American troops withdraw. Trump's threat came after Ankara repeatedly threatened a new cross-border operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been working closely with the United States in the war on Islamic State (IS) extremists. US support to the YPG has been a major source of tension between the NATO allies. "We have said repeatedly we are not scared of and will not be intimidated by any threats," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding: "Economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin earlier said Ankara would "continue to fight against them all", referring to IS and the YPG. Trump on Sunday warned the US would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds". While there have been tensions over American training of the YPG under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, there appeared to be some improvement on the issue after Trump said last month 2,000 American troops would withdraw from Syria. Ankara welcomed the pullout decision after Erdogan told Trump in a phone call that Turkey could finish off the last remnants of IS. Trump had also pushed for the creation of a 30-kilometre (20-mile) "safe zone" in his tweet but offered no details. Cavusoglu added that Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria, during a press conference in Ankara with his Luxembourg counterpart Jean Asselborn. Renewed tensions Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States and the European Union. Spokesman Kalin added it was "a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK". There has been growing friction between Turkey and the US over the fate of the YPG, especially after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this month said Washington would ensure Turkey would not "slaughter" Kurds. And before a visit to Ankara last week, White House National Security adviser John Bolton said the US retreat was conditional on the safety of the Kurdish fighters, provoking angry retorts from Turkish officials. But Pompeo on Saturday said he was "optimistic" a way could be found to protect Syrian Kurds while allowing Turks to "defend their country from terrorists". The threat of new sanctions hit the Turkish lira which weakened after 1100 GMT to reach over 5.5 to the US dollar, a loss of over one percent in value on the day. Washington previously hit Ankara with sanctions last August over the detention of an American pastor in Turkey. The lira plunged to seven dollars at the height of tensions. But to Turkey's relief, the US sanctions were later lifted after Pastor Andrew Brunson was released by a Turkish court in October. 'Radical solution' in Idlib Turkey previously launched military offensives in northern Syria in 2016 and 2018 respectively against IS and the YPG. In early 2018, Syrian rebels backed by Turkish military forces captured the YPG's northwestern enclave of Afrin. Ankara, which supports Syrian opposition fighters, is also involved in the last rebel bastion of Idlib, where Turkey has agreed a buffer zone deal with Damascus ally Russia. But the deal has not stopped an assault by jihadists in Syria. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance led by jihadists from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, last week extended its administrative control over the whole of the Idlib region. Syria's National Coalition, the leading opposition body, on Sunday called for a "radical solution" to put "an end to its (HTS) presence" in Idlib. "If Idlib is a terrorists' nest, those responsible are not the Syrians who live in the region or Turkey but the regime and the countries which support (Damascus)," Cavusoglu said, claiming that the statements that HTS took 50 percent of Idlib are "not true". Cavusoglu added that the Idlib deal was being "successfully applied" and that "our teams are working together to solve the minor issues". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Mon, January 14, 2019 12:34 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6b5673 2 World #China,#Poland,Poland,arrest,Huawei,executive,espionage Free Poland "must pay" for arresting an employee of Chinese telecom giant Huawei for alleged espionage, state-run tabloid Global Times said on Monday. Last week's detention of Wang Weijing follows the December arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Canada, and US efforts to blacklist the company internationally over security concerns. "Beijing should resolutely negotiate with Warsaw and conduct relative counter-measures, helping the world understand that Poland is an accomplice of the US," the nationalist Global Times said in a strongly worded editorial. If Huawei suffers a blow, it will affect the confidence of "Chinese society" and the world would think it "doable to bully Chinese enterprises," said the newspaper, which is run by Communist party mouthpiece People's Daily. "China must not be soft at this point. Beijing will not bully Warsaw -- and it is unworthy to do so -- but the latter must pay for the offense," the editorial said. The newspaper did not say what kind of measures China should take. Days after Canada arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request in December, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians -- a former diplomat and a businessman -- on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen by observers as an act of retaliation. Meng is accused of fraud in connection with violations of Iran sanctions. While China voiced concerns about Wang's arrest in Poland, Huawei has sought to distance itself from the case as it fired the employee, saying his "alleged actions have no relation to the company." A Polish man was also arrested for alleged espionage along with Wang on Tuesday. Both men are suspected of having "worked for Chinese services and to the detriment of Poland," said Polish special services spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Tehran, Iran Mon, January 14, 2019 14:20 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6bcce7 2 World #Iran,#Poland,Iran,protests,Poland,US,summit Free Iran's foreign ministry summoned Poland's top diplomat in the country to protest its decision to host what it called an "anti-Iranian" summit, a spokesman said Sunday. Poland's charge d'affaires was summoned to "protest the anti-Iranian so-called peace and security conference," ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said on his Telegram channel. He was told "this is a hostile act by the United States against Iran and Poland is expected to refrain from going along with the US in holding this conference," Ghasemi added. The summit was announced Friday by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said dozens of countries would participate. They will "focus on Middle East stability and peace and freedom and security here in this region, and that includes an important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilising influence," he told Fox News. Poland's representative in Iran, Wojciech Unolt, reportedly said the conference, to be held February 13-14 in Warsaw, was not anti-Iranian and that Poland did not share recent remarks by the US against Iran. The Iranian official said this was inadequate and Iran would be "forced to retaliate" if Poland did not back down. Poland's foreign ministry said in a statement late Sunday "the international community has the right to discuss various regional and global issues". And Poland had the right "to co-organise a conference, whose goal is to develop a platform for actions promoting stability and prosperity in the Middle East region," it added. Iran's cinema organisation said it had cancelled a Polish film festival scheduled for next month, according to local media. "A guest who does not honour their host cannot continue to be a guest. To honour Iran's dignity, the Polish film week in Tehran will be postponed until Warsaw's behaviour is proper," tweeted cinema organisation chief Hossein Entezami, according to the semi-official news agency ILNA. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier poured scorn on the Warsaw summit and pointed out that the country, then impoverished after invasion by Britain and the Soviet Union, welcomed more than 100,000 Polish refugees during World War II. "Polish Govt can't wash the shame: while Iran saved Poles in WWII, it now hosts a desperate anti-Iran circus," Zarif tweeted. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Bogor Mon, January 14 2019 Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto was questioned on Friday for allegedly violating the Elections Law after raising his index figure during a meeting with vice-presidential candidate Maruf Amin at the Al-Ghozali pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in the city last week. Bima was accused of showing political support for Maruf and President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who are ticket number one for the upcoming presidential election, prompting the Bogor chapter of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) to launch an investigation. The Elections Law stipulates that regional heads should not campaign for a certain candidate unless they are on leave. We are gathering information first on whether it can be classified as campaigning or not. If not, the case will be closed, head of Bawaslus Bogor chapter Yustinus Elyas said, adding that the office had... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 09:57 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6ab04b 1 City Jakarta-smart-city,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,#ahok,ahok,Qlue,smart-city,urban-development Free Is Jakarta, a city with 9.6 million people, a smart city? For six Jakarta administration officials and 80 expert staff members tasked with running the Jakarta Smart City (JSC) program, launched four years ago by former governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, the answer is a resounding yes. Ahok, who is slated to complete his prison sentence for blasphemy by the end of this month, initiated the program, knowing that the capital must use technology to better serve its residents. The program, JSC officials claimed, was doing well. We just celebrated our fourth anniversary last Dec. 14, JSC unit head Setiaji told The Jakarta Post at City Hall recently. A city, according to smartcity.jakarta.go.id, is only smart if it has smart governance, smart people, smart mobility, a smart economy, smart living and a smart environment. Technology is key to achieving those goals. With the help of technology, we have successfully cut down on the time spent resolving peoples reports from 300 hours to 28 hours on average. We receive roughly 500 reports in a day or 15,000 a month, he added. There are eight channels to which people can file their complaints or reports on any problems they face as Jakarta residents. Most of the reports come from Qlue, Setiaji said. Qlue is a crowd-sourcing smartphone app where the users can report various incidents such as flooding, crime, fires or waste-related issues. A system called Citizen Relation Management, Setiaji explained, conveyed the peoples reports to city officials and working units in the city. The reports, retrieved from Qlue and other channels, should be addressed immediately once they are received by officials in charge of the issues. The three districts with the highest number of reports are Halim in East Jakarta, Bangka in South Jakarta and Kalisari in East Jakarta. The three working units with the most contributions are the Public Order Agency, the transportation Agency and the forestry Agency. Among the problems reported the most are those related to waste, illegal parking and access to public areas. We also use technology to provide various information through apps or websites provided in cooperation with some techonology companies, Setiaji said. Public transportation app Trafi and navigation app Waze are among the more popular apps used by residents. But they are by no means the only ones. The capital has i-Jakarta, a public digital library, and Info Pangan Kita, an app through which residents can check the prices of staple goods. In May last year, the JSC launched another crowd-sourcing app named BERiDE. While Qlue is aimed at accommodating reports to help the city address certain existing problem, BERiDE is where people can share their ideas to develop the city in any way. In addition to crowd-sourcing online platforms, Setiaji said the city had also installed 7,300 CCTV cameras throughout the capital to monitor, for example, crime, traffic congestion, flood and waste problems. The footage can be publicly accessed through smartcity.jakarta.go.id. System information expert and academic at Perbanas Institute Lely Priska, through her research in 2016, said the utilization of information technology in Jakarta had improved the provincial governments performance. She described the effectiveness of the smart city concept through the Communications and Information Ministrys e-Government Indonesia Rank (PeGI), which focuses on infrastructure and applications. Smart city implementation by the Jakarta administration has been good but still needs improvement. The city has been able to address many urban problems quickly. Despite the claims, Jakarta is far from being the smartest city in the world. A recent study by Singapore-based strategy consulting firm Eden Strategy Institute ranked Jakarta 47th out of 50 cities for smart city implementation. The study defined a smart city as an urban ecosystem that integrates digital technology, knowledge and assets to better engage citizens, improve services and increase quality of life. It looked into a citys vision, leadership, budget, programs, talent-readiness, people-centricity, smart policies and ecosystem innovation. The five cities with the top smart city concepts are London, Singapore, Seoul, New York and Helsinki. JSC was not discouraged by the studys results. We strive to always improve our technology and services. In the meantime, we enjoy being one of the first cities in the country with such advancements, Setiaji said. _____________________ Channels for complaints The citys official email dki@jakarta.go.id Twitter account @DKIJakarta Facebook account Pemprov DKI Jakarta WhatsApp number +628111272206 Balai Warga (Peoples Hall) via www.jakarta.go.id Lapor 1708 Qlue mobile application This article was originally published in The Jakarta Post's print edition on Jan. 14, 2019, with the title "Four years on, Ahoks Smart City legacy lives on". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 14:07 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6bc4e5 4 City heavy-rains,riverbank,flood,South-Jakarta,flood-control,bad-weather Free The embankment of the Kali Pulo River in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, burst on Sunday amid heavy downpour throughout the day and unusual volumes of water from the upstream area, causing overflow. South Jakarta Water Management Agency head Holi Susanto confirmed that the broken embankment, locally known as the Baswedan embankment, is located next to the Sabili Mosque in neighborhood unit 04 (RT 04) of community unit 06 in the Jatipadang subdistrict. The accident was first reported at around 6:30 p.m. Read also: Four stalls destroyed when Depok river embankment collapses Holi said the agency's workers, assisted by manpower from the city's public facilities maintenance agency (PPSU) and the Indonesian Military, had built a makeshift barrier by placing wooden piles plus sandbags to temporarily withstand the water, he said, as quoted by kompas.com. He added that his agency would replace the temporary measure with permanent piles once the water receded. Parts of RT 03 and RT 04 were inundated with river water, the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency said on its Twitter account @BPBDJakarta on Monday. UPDATE SURUT BANJIR / GENANGAN JAKARTA SELATAN Senin, 14 Januari 2019, pukul 06.00 WIB Terdampak RW 06, RT 03 & 04, Kel. Jatipadang, Kec. Pasar Minggu Situasi : banjir telah surut Sumber : Kelurahan Terdampak pic.twitter.com/37QNROFFVA BPBD DKI Jakarta (@BPBDJakarta) January 13, 2019 The agency reported that the water had receded by 5:10 a.m. on Monday. The embankment had undergone repairs after it had collapsed in December 2017. City officials found cracks in the embankment in February last year and responded with more repair work. (sau/dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 12:36 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6b5c4c 1 Business fintech,tax,tax-compliance,Bukalapak,Gojek Free Given that financial technology (fintech) helps ease the tax-payment process, experts agree it can improve tax compliance among the countrys 60 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which often complain about complex paperwork and ever-changing tax regulations. The easier the administrative work, the higher the willingness to pay, said Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA) executive director Yustinus Prastowo during a discussion on finance and tax in Jakarta recently. Even tax authorities, he said, would benefit from fintech because it would automate their side of data processing as well as providing a platform to inform taxpayers about changing regulations. Fintech offers a new solution to the age-old problem of tax collection from SMEs, which contribute a fraction to the national tax collection despite contributing up to 60 percent of the gross domestic product. Recently, the Finance Ministry's taxation directorate general reported SMEs contributed less than 1 percent (Rp 5.4 trillion) of the government tax collection target of Rp1.42 quadrillion for 2018. Furthermore, the directorate reported only 1.69 million (3 percent) out of 60 million SMEs were registered taxpayers as of December last year. Fintech companies like Harmoni, an accounting software start-up based in Jakarta, may help alleviate the problem by simplifying tax paperwork for individual businesses. The tax process has three phases: calculate, pay and report. Fintech helps by handling either one or all three of these phases, said Harmoni chief executive officer Andoko Chandra. Harmonis product, for example, specializes in the calculating phase by automatically generating financial reports such as income statements and balance sheets based on input from either the client or the clients bank. He said companies like his could improve SME tax compliance by building a habit of financial reporting, which would then be the basis for tax reporting. If you have financial reports, you basically have your tax reports, he said. Indonesian Fintech Association (AFTEK) public policy director Ajisatria Suleiman agreed on the merits of fintech but pointed out that there still isnt a single platform that fully integrates the tax process. For example, accounting software Moka specializes in point of sales transactions, payment gateway Midtrans in payment and OnlinePajak in tax filing. If all these services were to be integrated, that would greatly help tax compliance, he said. Homegrown unicorns Go-Jek, Bukalapak and Tokopedia also recently opened up their e-payment services for land and building tax (PBB) and vehicle tax, although their main purpose was to promote cashless transactions rather than improve tax compliance. Tax office spokesman Hestu Yoga Saksama concurred with Yustinus on the regulatory benefits of fintech in tax collection saying fintech could provide, for example, better regulation of investors and debtor SMEs. Fintech could ensure investors and debtors have a valid tax number [NPWP] and report transaction values to the tax office, he said, noting that his office was still working on the exact terms for such a regulation. Hestu also mentioned the ongoing government dilemma on how to tax fintech companies, which often blur the line between a technology company and a financial service. As a financial service, they are obligated by law to register themselves and report investor information, he said. Similarly, Yustinus reiterated that even though fintech could help improve tax compliance, the government also needed to further incentivize SMEs to become taxpayers, such as when it slashed SME income tax from 1 percent to 0.5 percent last year. The tax office, Bank Indonesia, Financial Services Authority and ministries also need to create policies that incentivize SMEs to become taxpayers, such as by helping them access bank credit and local markets, he said. (nor) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rachmadea Aisyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 15:24 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6bd934 1 Business e-commerce,tax,association,comments Free The Indonesian e-Commerce Association (idEA) has called on the government to postpone the implementation of a new tax regulation for e-commerce companies, fearing that unprepared taxpayers and unequal treatment could deter growth. idEA chairman Ignatius Untung said that while Finance Ministry Regulation No: 210/2018 did not impose any new taxes, it required online sellers to register their tax numbers (NPWP) and personal Identity cards (IDs). The regulation was announced earlier this month and is to take effect on April 1. Under the regulation, online sellers with annual revenues below Rp 4.8 billion (US$339,835) are required to pay a 0.5 percent tax for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), whereas sellers making above Rp 4.8 billion per year must pay taxes according to the appropriate tax rate. Many sellers on online marketplaces are micro businesses that are still testing the waters, Untung told reporters at a press conference on Monday. Furthermore, the association said the rule targeted online sellers that only operated on e-commerce platforms, whereas an idEA study found that only 19 percent of online sellers operated exclusively on e-commerce platforms and that 85 percent of sellers used either social media or both e-commerce platforms and social media. Untung emphasized that the request to postpone the regulation did not mean that idEA was encouraging online sellers to evade tax, and that it had made the request because the government had not elaborated on how much the regulation would contribute to the economy. We would rather have the government improve the overall taxation system and conduct a general study with us to determine the economic benefits of the regulation before implementing it, he said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 15, 2019 08:47 883 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6c44ee 1 National #corruption,corruption,civil-servants,#CivilServants,remunerations Free National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavians recent announcement that police officers allowances would be increased by up to 70 percent raised the question of whether higher pay may help fix Indonesias graft problem. The [new] allowances will apply retroactively for the previous six months and will be paid out in January 2019, Tito said in Semarang, Central Java. He added that the increase would boost police officers performance and may contribute to efforts to reform the institution, as well as reducing corruption. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has also said that she is mulling increasing the salaries of regional leaders, following the spate of governors and regents arrested for graft by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in the past. As of October 2018, 25 regional leaders have been investigated by KPK. We are conducting a study. We will also [convey] the idea to the President, because he also has concerns about remuneration arrangements, particularly for officials in the regions, Sri Mulyani said. Corruption has been one of Indonesias most persistent problems since the end of the New Order regime, and successive administrations seem to have barely changed that. While Indonesias score on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index has leapt to position 37 in 2017 from 20 in 1998, graft remains rife, and the country still ranks below former province Timor Leste. The number of cases investigated by the antigraft body has been increasing in recent years, with 118 under investigation in 2017. By contrast, the KPK only investigated 47 cases in 2008 10 years into the Reform Era. The number was even higher in other institutions, with 1,028 cases handled by the National Police and 1,552 cases by the Attorney Generals Office. Civil servants made up the largest category of individuals investigated by the KPK from 2004 to 2018, accounting for more than 26 percent of the total. Transparency Internationals 2017 Global Corruption Barometer, which polled more than 1,000 respondents in 31 provinces, found that half of the respondents considered civil servants the most graft-ridden individuals. Regional leaders, meanwhile, were at the center of 12 percent of the graft cases between 2004 to 2018. Transparency International Indonesia (TII) secretary-general Dadang Trisasongko said that, while increased pay could help reduce petty corruption among low-level police and other civil servants, it would do little to address bigger graft cases. We can see cases of corruption among police that involve very large amounts of money, which shows that an increase in salaries or benefits wont have much of an effect in preventing graft, he said. That level of corruption is perpetrated to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Regular oversight over changes in civil servants wealth would be more effective in preventing that type of graft. One of the high-profile graft cases involving police officers was that of former National Traffic Police Corps (Korlantas) chief Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo, who was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years in prison, later increased to 18 years, for misappropriating funds from a Rp 200 billion (US$13.7 million) project to procure driving simulators. Data from the National Civil Service Agency (BKN) and the KPK show that, while the base salary for civil servants has more than doubled since 2004, the number of civil servants implicated in graft cases has tended to increase over the years. In 2017 alone, 47 civil servants were investigated by the KPK, the highest number since the inception of the commission. Dadang said the situation was much the same for regional leaders. The motive behind corruption of regional leaders so far has not been to fulfill their daily needs but to obtain political campaign funds and maintain [lavish] lifestyles, he said. [The government] should look at more suitable approaches, such as improving budget transparency and reforming business permit issuance. (ipa) Emmet County Sheriff Deputy Tom Bauler spoke at the monthly meeting of MOCSY (Making Optimal Choices for Successful Youth) at Mother Natures restaurant Thursday. Bauler was chosen for a law enforcement officer school from a pool of 300 applicants this year. The purpose of the school is to certify drug recognition experts across the state law enforcement agencies to serve in the field, in jails and as expert witnesses in court. Bauler tested each day on the drug matrix chart and learned what signs to look for with the influence of each category of drug on a subject. We dont have to name the specific drug; various symptoms surface for each category of drug whether its stimulant, cannabis or narcotics, Bauler said. The class included a field trip. Officers traveled to work in Phoenix, Ariz. at the Maricopa County Jail. The Maricopa County Jail has a volume of 300-400 individuals booked through its jail each hour, even in the middle of the afternoon, Bauler said. Subjects presenting with possible influence of drugs were given a choice, Bauler said. Do you want to go to jail, or do you want to be part of this? was the question, according to Bauler. Afterward there was exciting paperwork to do, Bauler said. Bauler said he is grateful for the state-funded program and for the opportunity to gain the knowledge and apply it to law enforcement in Emmet County and the surrounding area. I learned a lot and Im grateful [Sheriff Mike Martens] let me go. Im confident I can pull someone over and determine what drugs they are on by looking at them in different light settings to see the size of their pupils, check blood pressure, temperature, and other measures, Bauler said. Baulers knowledge has already been put to use as hes been called into two situations in 2019. There are a few drug recognition experts in the area: Bauler in Emmet County, while Kossuth and Dickinson Counties each have one and there is one State Trooper out of Spencer and one on the Spencer Police Department. Sheriff Martens said a condition of the state-paid training is that the drug recognition experts are available to conduct examinations for other agencies. A drug recognition expert is able to see issues below the surface. A person who presents with signs of having taken a lot of methamphetamine, for example, may not have those symptoms hours later by the time Bauler might be called in. However, the person will still have the clinical signs like rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. The DRE can say, we need to get them to the hospital, because were trained to recognize the signs of heavy consumption and the start of a serious health issue,' Bauler said. After serving as DRE for two years, Bauler will return to class for an eight-hour recertification and after the recertification would qualify to be an instructor for future hopeful DREs. Bauler already serves as an instructor at the law enforcement academy as well as coordinator of the reserve deputies. Thursday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gisela Swaragita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14 2019 Febri, a resident of Tanjung Barat in South Jakarta, was quick to provide footage from CCTV cameras installed in his house to help a shop next door where burglars had broken into. The private sector worker said he installed the cameras outside for security reasons. I have had CCTV cameras inside and outside the house for more than 10 years. One day in August 2015, a grocery shop next to my house was robbed and the camera installed outside my house caught the incident, Febri told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. The burglars took a bag loaded with cash from inside the shop and went away. Febri gave the footage to the police as evidence to help find the burglars. Screenshots from the footage were uploaded online to various social media platforms. Unfortunately, he said, the cameras he used were outdated and thus failed to clearly capture the burg... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Mon, January 14, 2019 13:42 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6bad5c 1 National Bintan,ship,vessel,sea-accident,Singapore,Indonesia,Tanjung-Pinang,naval-base Free The Indonesian Navy has deployed several vessels after the Vanuatu-registered cable ship the MV Star Centurion collided with the Hong Kong-flagged tanker MT Antea on Sunday morning in Bintan waters, Riau Islands. The Singaporean authorities previously rescued some 20 crew members from the sinking Star Centurion, which was a vessel designed for undersea pipeline work. The Antea sustained damage to its hull in the accident at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday in Tanjungberakit. Based on images of the damage to the respective ships, it would appear the Star Centurion crashed into the side of the Antea. The Star Centurion capsized and sank within hours. Tanjung Pinang Naval Base commander, Cdre. Ribut Eko Suyatno, told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the incident occurred in Indonesian waters but both vessels reported it to the Information Fusion Center (IFC), a multinational maritime security body, in Singapore, which sent a search and rescue team to the site. An Indonesian Navy liaison officer at the IFC reported on the accident and the follow up to Tanjung Pinang Naval Base. When the accident happened, we did not have a search and rescue team ready, so the Singaporean authorities handled it. This is in line with international law: whoever is close to the site, provides assistance, Ribut said. Vanuatu-registered cable ship MV Star Centurion (left) sinks after colliding with Hong Kong-flagged tanker MT Antea in Bintan waters in Riau Islands on Sunday. (Courtesy of Tanjung Pinang Naval Base/-) The Navy has deployed the KRI Pulau Rusa, KRI Surik and KRI Anakonda to the location to prevent other ships from entering the area. Ribut said so far they had yet to find any indication of an oil spill. Tanjung Pinang National Search and Rescue Agency head, Budi Cahyadi, said the Antea had been moved to Singaporean waters. The ships captain is also in Singapore for investigation, he said. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 09:01 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6a9bd0 1 National BMKG,weather,rainy-season,strong-wind,tornado,puting-beliung Free The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a warning about possible heavy rain, strong winds and puting beliung (weak tornado) occurring in the coming week. We urge everyone to be cautious in areas predicted to experience heavy downpours, BMKG spokesman Taufan Maulana told The Jakarta Post on Sunday, saying that more information is available on the BMKG website or its official social media accounts. According to the BMKGs forecast on Sunday, West Java, Central Java, South Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, Jambi, Central Kalimantan and Papua will experience high rainfall followed by strong winds in the next two days. At least 16 people were injured when a weak tornado hit Jelegong village in Rancaekek district, Bandung regency, West Java on Friday afternoon. By Saturday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded at least 640 damaged houses and 82 families taking refuge in shelters. One person was heavily wounded and 15 others sustained minor injuries, according to BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. The incident also caused a power outage in some areas in Rancaekek. Bandung regency has declared a seven-day emergency-response status until Jan. 18 to ramp up mitigation in the affected areas. Yaya Suhaya from the Bandung Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) said the area was in need of clean water supplies, tents,and food. Thankfully, the local BPBD [Disaster Mitigation Agency] along with the social agency and police have provided aid, such as sembako [staple food] clean water and a back-up power generator, he said on Saturday. The puting beliung has caught public attention, particularly after a Facebook account for the Rancaekek local community board, Info Rancaekek, uploaded several amateur videos submitted by the residents who witnessed the tornado. One 27-second video showed the tornado destroying dozens of buildings in the area. The BMKG reported that extreme weather had struck other areas in West Java, such as Sumedang, Majalengka, Cianjur, Sukabumi, Bogor and Garut. A puting beliung also occurred in Central Javas Wonogiri, Karanganyar, Cepu and Boyolali, as well Yogyakarta, the BNPB said. In neighboring East Java, a weak tornado damaged at least 23 houses in two villages, a community health center (Puskesmas) and electricity poles in Lamongan on Saturday noon, kompas.com reported. No fatalities have been reported so far, Lamongan BPBD acting head Suprapto said as quoted from kompas.com. Heavy downpour and strong winds toppled trees and damaged at least 89 houses in three districts in Sukabumi, West Java on Saturday. A hail storm had struck several other Sukabumi districts the day before. Winds mostly damaged roofs and ceilings. Some houses were hit by failing trees, the Sukabumi BPBD emergency unit said on Sunday as quoted by kompas.com. The weak tornado, also known as an EF1 or EF0 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, originated from a cumulonimbus cloud, though not every cumulonimbus cloud creates a weak tornado. According to the BMKG, a tornado usually forms during the transitional period between seasons, but it could also happen during the rainy season. Weak tornadoes usually last less than 10 minutes. Most of the time, it happens during the transitional season, Taufan said, adding that there was a small chance that a weak tornado would reoccur in the same place. (spl) This article was originally published in The Jakarta Post's print edition on Jan. 14, 2019, with the title "BMKG warns of heavy rain, strong winds, tornado". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 17:04 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6c2d9e 1 National #KPK,KPK,corruption,#corruption,meikarta-bribery-case,Corruption-court Free Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo ordered suspended Bekasi regent and graft suspect Neneng Hasanah Yasin to facilitate the issuance of the necessary permits for the Meikarta mega-development project in the regency, Neneng has claimed. Neneng made the statement while testifying as a witness against defendants Lippo Group operational director Billy Sindoro and three Lippo Group consultants and employee at the Bandung Corruption Court in West Java on Monday. The ministrys director general for regional autonomy Sumarsono summoned me to his office [to talk about a West Java bylaw on infrastructure development around Bekasi]. Upon arriving at his office, he was talking to the minister over the phone, Neneng said as quoted by tribunnews.com. Sumarsono later gave his phone to me and Tjahjo Kumolo later said [over the phone] please facilitate the permit issuance for Meikarta. The regent later told the court that she had accepted the request, as long as she followed procedures. Neneng said she told Sumarsono the permit issuance would need a recommendation from West Java's governor. Sumarsono then replied that his directorate general would facilitate a meeting between the West Java provincial administration, Bekasi regency and Meikarta project developer PT Mahkota Sentosa Utama, she added. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) accused Neneng of accepting Rp 7 billion (US$495,530) from Billy to facilitate obtaining the permits necessary for the Meikarta project. Billy allegedly promised Rp 13 billion as a commitment fee to the regent. The Meikarta modern city project in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java, is the flagship project of the Lippo Group. (kuk/ipa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 14, 2019 11:16 884 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e6b1be2 1 Politics #Jokowi,Jokowi,Prabowo-Subianto,#Prabowo,2019-elections,#2019-elections,presidential-election,aceh,#Aceh Free The Aceh Clerics Council, which groups Muslim clerics in Aceh, said that it has postponed indefinitely the Quran reading test it proposed for presidential candidates Joko Jokowi Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, due to scheduling conflicts. There will be no [test] on Jan. 15. We are waiting for the latest schedule [of the two candidates]," Aceh Clerics Council chairman Marsyuddin Ishaq said on Sunday, as quoted by kompas.com. "Tomorrow [Monday], we will meet with both campaign teams to discuss the matter, he added. The council had challenged the two presidential candidates to undergo a Quran reading test to determine the best leader for the country, which has a majority Muslim population. The test was initially scheduled to be held on Jan. 15 at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. The Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin campaign team said earlier that the incumbent was willing to take the test if the public demanded it. On the other hand, the campaign team for the Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno pair, which is backed by Islamic-leaning parties the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that such a test was unnecessary, or that if it did take place, the test's organizers should prove that they were experts in reading the Quran. Marsyuddin also said on Monday that the council planned to coordinate with the Aceh Independent Election Commissions (KIP Aceh) on the test format that would be acceptable to both candidates. (kuk/ipa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yulia Savitri and Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Palembang/Jakarta Mon, January 14 2019 The Palembang Immigration Office has detained 20 foreigners of various countries for allegedly misusing tourist visas to open an illegal alternative medical practice that included bone-setting and nerve massage therapy at a four-star hotel in Palembang, South Sumatra. The Law and Human Rights Ministrys South Sumatra office head, Sudirman D. Hury, said 16 of the arrestees were from Malaysia, two from China, one from Hong Kong and one from Belgium all were under immigration custody in Palembang as of Sunday. Sudirman said the alleged illegal medical practice, which operated under the name Chris Leong Method (CLM), was first opened on Monday in Palembang in the ballroom of the hotel. The immigration offices preliminary investigation found that up to a hundred of patients came each day since Monday to receive treatment that cost each patient Rp 4.5 million (... After 11 years, travel writer and blogger Trinity has decided to end her popular Naked Traveler book series. As the title suggests, The Naked Traveler 8: The Farewell, which has just been released in local bookstores, will be the last edition in the series. "The Naked Traveler is over, but its spirit is immortalized right here, in print, forever," read a blog post announcing the book in December. Aside from amusing travel storieswhich saw Trinity explore Iceland, Afghanistan, Iran and European countriesFarewell is also said to feature experiences from some of her readers whose life changed after reading The Naked Traveler. "During the launch of the book [in Jakarta], which was only open to pre-order customers, some readers [] shared their stories related to the series. Many of them were women. One said she had been reading the series from when she was still single and through two marriages. One brought her child along [to the event]. They grew up with my book; it has been 11 years [since the first one was published]," Trinity said during a phone interview with The Jakarta Post on Monday. Read also: Facebook and Instagram likes are influencing our travel decisions, study shows In a blog post published in late August last year, Trinity described how her writers spirit had deteriorated with the decline of the publishing industry and subsequently, a significant drop in authors royalties. "Those were external factors. The internal factor is: I want to move on. I want to challenge myself by writing something of a different level; perhaps a book that is non-travel related, a novelI don't know yet," said Trinity. "For now, I want to think about what I want to be next. This requires hibernation and quitting my current [activities]." She added that she may still write in the travel genre. "But not like [the Naked Traveler]. It could be in a different style of writing. Young people seeking travel inspiration may read the Naked Traveler series, but as I'm getting older, I want to capture a more adult audience." However, fans of her blog may rejoice as she will continue to travel and write on the platform. "I will still write in my blog since it's my legacy; my life archive. I will continue to travel also, but I will be more selective. I won't do famtrips [familiarization trips] unless I get paid or I really really want to visit the place." When asked what changed in the process of writing the series' first and the last book, Trinity said that the norms were different. "Back then, we could easily write stories on religious differences, LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual] issues. Now, it's a big deal. I mentioned a brand once in my first book, but that wouldnt be okay today. Telling a story about hanging out while smoking a cigarette like I once did would be considered a sin now. It's also part of the reason [why I quit the series]," said Trinity. "People can make a novel as dirty as possible and can get away with it, but the Naked Traveler won't. Maybe because it's non-fiction and the readers are young. There's also the antipornography law and all that. Better be safe than sorry." The way people travel has also changed in the past 11 years. "Even just five years ago, when I was still doing round-the-world trips, things had changed a lot. Now we have Google Translate and Google Maps, providing us with directionsas easy as left or right. However, because of these apps in our smartphone, travelers tend to communicate less with the locals since they don't need to ask for directions anymore." Read also: To travel or to save? How to end the dilemma The purpose of traveling has also changed, added Trinity. "We used to travel to explore, to learn about a new culture, to live like a local. Now people travel to take pictures at a landmark, because they're bored with their Instagram feed and want to make it look good again. Travelers no longer communicate with the locals, don't care about their surroundings; they're busy with photo sessions." Although the Naked Traveler series is no more, Trinity still has a book project that she intends to finish this year following her participation in the Residensi Penulis 2018 (Writing Residency) program initiated by the Education and Culture Ministry and National Book Committee (KBN), which saw her staying in Peru to write a non-fiction documentary-like story on "how Indonesiaa Muslim-majority and Catholic-minority countryis actually one of the largest contributors of priests and nuns to the Catholic-majority Peru". Regarding travel plans, Trinity said she didn't have a target yet. "I just want to take it easy. My wish is to visit at least one new country each year. What I usually do is calculate the budget I have and how long I can travel, and then I decide on the destination accordingly." To her readers, she said: "It's not goodbye; it's see you. Hopefully, they will continue to support me and my next works." A spotted hyena has been sighted in a Gabon national park for the first time in 20 years, conservationists said Friday, the latest large predator to have returned to a region where many had gone locally extinct. The Bateke Plateau National Park lies close to Gabon's border with the Republic of Congo. Its forests and grasslands once teemed with wildlife, including many large mammal predators, but the ecosystem was decimated by decades of poaching. Read also: South Africa's first online rhino horn auction set to open Officials said a spotted hyena had been caught on camera traps in the park for the first time in two decades giving hope that more large mammals might return after years of conservation efforts. The sighting comes two years after a lone male lion was photographed by camera traps after returning. "The return of these large carnivores is a great demonstration that the efforts of our rangers and partners are having a positive effect on Bateke wildlife," professor Lee White, director of Gabon's National Parks Agency said in a press release. The spotted hyena was so unknown in recent memories that when researchers showed local park rangers the photographs from the camera traps they did not know the species. But village elders in communities north of the park instantly recognised the hyena, researchers said. The sightings are a far cry from when researchers first set up their camera traps in 2001. That year all they photographed in Bateke was a lone antelope and multiple poachers crossing into the park from the Republic of Congo. The lion first spotted in 2015 has since made the park his home. But he has yet to be joined by any others. "This lion... has been continuously photographed during his three-year reign of the park, but remains alone, calling for a mate," the researchers said. Estes Park, CO (80517) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High near 85F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. SPRINGFIELD Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is next Monday and Serve Illinois encourages people across Illinois to take part in the day of service by volunteering. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated a National Day of Service by Congress in 1994. Illinoisans have a rich history of service. Dr. King said, Lifes most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? People can find volunteer opportunities at www.Serve.Illinois.gov. Locally, community members can volunteer to deliver meals with Main Street Community Center or make posters of rescue horses for adoption to be displayed at the library with Happy Hooves Equine Rescue. Illinoisans answer this question each day by helping their neighbors and their community. Volunteerism is the answer, said Serve Illinois Executive Director Scott McFarland. Illinois is proud that we were the first state to honor Dr. King with a holiday, and we are prouder still that Illinoisans make it a day on, not a day off. Serve Illinois also wants to recognize those who serve their communities throughout the year, and is accepting nominations for the ninth annual Governors Volunteer Service Awards. These awards recognize individual volunteers and for-profit businesses, and highlight the importance of community service in Illinois. Each year, millions of Illinoisans take time out of their busy lives to help their neighbors, said McFarland. These volunteers are helping keep children safe, keeping our environment pristine, helping people find jobs, and so much more. They improve and save lives each and every day, and with these awards, we recognize the best of Illinois. Serve Illinois will present individual awards to one youth (18 years and younger), one adult (19-54 years old), and one senior (55 years and older) in each of Serve Illinois five volunteer network regions across the state (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central, and Southern). Serve Illinois will present National Service Awards to one AmeriCorps member, one Senior Corps member, and one for-profit business in each of the five service regions. Nominations are due to Serve Illinois by February 15, 2019. Please visit www.serve.illinois.gov for nomination forms and more information. Serve Illinois will host a ceremony on April 9, 2019 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield to honor recipients. We are saddened to report one death from influenza, said Anderson in a press release. Anderson said that few details were available, but it is likely the person died from complications. Some people may experience complications, like a sinus or ear infection, which are moderate complications. Pneumonia is a serious complication of influenza that can be from the virus alone, or develop from the virus and bacteria. While Anderson said that people older than 65, people with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease, pregnant women and children younger than five are at higher risk to develop complications, she said otherwise healthy people are at risk as well, and suggests that they get their flu shot if they havent already. We have the vaccine still, said Anderson. The vaccine is effective, and we have seen that if people who have had the vaccine get the flu, they are likely to experience milder symptoms for a shorter amount of time. Anderson said it is also important for people to know the difference between influenza and the stomach flu. Influenza is respiratory while the stomach flu is gastrointestinal, said Anderson. Costilla has met with Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson to discuss what is being done at the state level to prevent human trafficking. He is also planning a fundraiser for STOP (Stop Trafficking on the Plains) to help people who have been victims. He would like to speak to local parents about the issue. Im so happy with what weve done at GIPS. Were going to have students informed and counselors informed. But if we can include parents, that would be a home run, he said. My mission in integrating human trafficking awareness in the public schools is hopefully parents will be more aware that they need to keep a closer eye on their kids. Costilla plans on continuing to spread awareness when he graduates from high school and attends Northwestern University in Illinois, studying civil engineering. He praises the school district for being receptive to providing education about human trafficking to staff and students. Even though he wants to continue pushing awareness after leaving GISH, knowing the education part will be ongoing is what he was hoping for. Even after I leave, I can rest easy knowing that this awareness and this effort are continuing. Thats all I wanted to do because if it would have just ended with me, what difference would that make? But its going to continue even after Ive graduated. That really brings a smile to my face, Costilla said. Third parties in Canada yet another reassessment (Part Three) By Mark Wegierski Western Canada has also been an area where many third parties have arisen. The Green Party, which has contested more recent federal elections, finally elected its first MP in the 2011 election. The leader of the federal Green Party, Elizabeth May, won the British Columbia riding she was running in. She also won again in the 2015 election. The federal Green Party had won about 4 percent of the vote in successive elections. However, under the first-past-the-post system in Canada, it is rather difficult for smaller parties whose support is widely scattered, to win any parliamentary seats. In the recent election in B.C., the Green Party won 3 seats and their backing of the NDP has resulted in an NDP government in British Columbia. In the 2018 provincial election in Ontario, the leader of the Ontario Green Party was elected MPP. The Canadian federal system -- which consists of provinces that are fewer in number, typically territorially larger, and more regionally and culturally delineated between each other than most U.S. states is clearly one factor that has encouraged the arising of third parties. There are also the northern territories in Canada which are symbolically quite important to Canadian identity but have very small populations relative to the rest of the country. There is a Yukon Party in the Yukon. That party was formerly called the Yukon Progressive Conservative Party. Both the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and Reform Party arose in Western Canada. Preston Manning insisted that the Reform Party exist only at the federal level in order to focus strictly on winning the federal government, and not to be diverted into battles in the particular provinces. On November 7, 2007, the Saskatchewan Party (a coalition mostly of former provincial Progressive Conservatives, and former provincial Liberals) won a decisive victory over the provincial New Democratic Party which had held the provincial government in Saskatchewan since 1991. In Alberta, the Progressive Conservatives were challenged in the 2012 provincial election by the distinctly more conservative Wildrose Alliance a party which existed only in Alberta. Although it was widely predicted that they would win the 2012 election, the Wildrose Alliance fizzled in the end. Albertans seemed to have been scared to vote for a party that was seen as extremely conservative. Indeed, Alison Redford, the P.C. winner, was called by some pundits as Albertas first NDP Premier. Ironically, in the May 5, 2015 provincial election, the NDP won a strong majority, with the Wildrose Alliance in second place (with 21 seats), and the P.C.s reduced to only 10 seats. The P.C. leader, Jim Prentice, was seen as arrogant although he did manage to attract most of the previously sitting Wildrose Alliance parliamentary members to the P.C. Party, before the election. It was widely expected that the Wildrose Alliance would simply fold, but they in fact rallied to win more seats than the P.C.s, who fell to the NDP juggernaut. The NDP victory was tied to the worsening economic situation in Alberta (which has now worsened still further, because of the dropping price of oil in world-markets). In 2017, the Wildrose Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives were able to merge, as the United Conservative Party (UCP). Jason Kenney, who had been a prominent federal Conservative, won the leadership of the new party. However, the UCP is being challenged by the Freedom Conservative Party. There is also a Manitoba Party in Manitoba. Speaking of Alberta, one should mention the small Western separatist parties of the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the anti-official-bilingualism Confederation of Regions party, which also had a sporadic existence in Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Ontario. Its height of achievement was being the Official Opposition in New Brunswick in 1991-1995 before it disintegrated as a result of factional conflicts that often seem to plague such small, protest parties. There was also a small, libertarian-oriented, Freedom Party of Ontario (which continues to exist today). Hurtig In 1992, Mel Hurtig, known mainly as the publisher of The Canadian Encyclopedia, tried to form a party called the National Party. Of course, the name was mostly a reference to left-wing, progressive Canadian nationalism, rather than something more right-wing. The somewhat quixotic Paul Hellyer, who in his political life had been both a prominent Liberal and Progressive Conservative, had eventually established a small party of his own, called the Canadian Action Party. In the Canadian Parliamentary system, there have by tradition been no set election dates an election can take place at any point within five years from the previous election, at the discretion of the Prime Minister or Premier. (The leader of the party which holds the majority of seats in the federal or provincial parliament.) In more recent years, there have been experiments with legislating a defined date for the upcoming election shortly after winning office. This is in response to criticisms that the ability of the Prime Minister or Premier to call an election at a most politically propitious time, confers too much of an electoral advantage to his or her party. When there is a minority government (when the ruling party holds less than a majority of seats in the legislature) an election can take place any time a more important bill (termed a matter of confidence) is voted down by the opposition parties combining against it. Sometimes, the opposition parties may try to form a coalition government without an election being called. In late 2008, there was an attempt to form an anti-Conservative coalition in the federal Parliament (consisting of the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois). However, Stephen Harpers skillful political maneuvering (and the fact that the coalition idea was extremely unpopular among most Canadians) meant that the putative coalition never took power. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home STAMFORD A California marijuana grower caught manufacturing 72 pounds of pot in a North Stamford home last year will avoid jail, but he wont be driving his $70,000 Bentley home. Delroy Anderson, 51, pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced felony charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Anderson received a seven-year suspended jail sentenced and a three-year conditional release. He was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and surrender his 2007 Bentley Continental, which police say was purchased with proceeds from the drug operation. Growing may be legal in California, but it is not legal here, Judge Gary White told Anderson during Mondays court hearing. Andersons attorney, Darnell Crosland, said the plea agreement was fair and equitable under the circumstances. The medicinal purposes of marijuana are quite clear. States across the country are moving toward legalizing marijuana and Mr. Anderson is an outstanding citizen and has complied with all the growing regulations in California, and once it comes to Connecticut, he plans to grow that way, Crosland said. Two other men arrested with Anderson during the March raid also avoided more jail time. Kyle Robert Levy, 30, of Bronx, N.Y., was allowed to participate in a court diversionary program for first-time offenders. He was charged with possession of an illegal assault weapon, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of more than a kilo of marijuana, operating a drug factory and sale of a controlled substance. Levy spent 10 months in jail in lieu of bond. Ricardo Dempster, 34, of Queens, N.Y., pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and was given a suspended sentence with two years probation. Dempster faced the same charges as Levy and has also been jailed since his arrest. The men were arrested during the height of a noreaster last March when police said they were informed of the drug operation at a Briar Brae Road home that Anderson was renting. Police found the marijuana, 200 THC vape cartridges, $6,572 in cash, and a Tech9 illegal assault weapon with a high-capacity magazine. Police said Anderson had the graphic materials and parts needed to assemble the vape cartridges inside the home. The 2007 Bentley was also confiscated during the raid. We are happy to receive those assets, Stamford police Capt. Richard Conklin said. Unfortunately, the car will stick out a little too much, but probably the money obtained from the auction of the car will toward a number of useful purposes. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Delroy Anderson was sentenced to seven years of probation. He received a seven-year suspended jail sentence. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com When Viktor Orban convened a press conference after a month of protests against his authoritarian rule, he might have been expected to devote time to reasserting control of the political narrative. The fact the Hungarian prime minister didn't so much as mention the demonstrations in a 16-minute address to kick off the rare event in Budapest on Thursday highlighted the strength of his buffer: one of Europe's most powerful propaganda machines. Orban is able to drown out the rallies that have morphed from demands to scrap an overtime law into calls for the end to his self-declared "illiberal democracy." Unions are preparing for nationwide demonstrations on Jan. 19 and even threatening the first general strike since the end of communism. But millions of Hungarians heard about that plan only through the filter of news outlets tied to the premier. They include a public media that election observers last year said helped Orban win a third consecutive term in a vote that was free but not fair. The protests are now testing whether this propaganda apparatus can keep a lid on mounting discontent. "The role of propaganda is to insulate Orban's supporters from the protests," said Gabor Polyak, head of Mertek, which tracks media developments in Hungary. "It's not about gaining votes, it's about keeping them." Late last year, entrepreneurs close to the premier simultaneously handed over, free of charge, hundreds of radio stations, television channels, newspapers and websites to a foundation run by pro-Orban trustees. The transactions added to the government-friendly role of state media. So far, the strategy appears to be working. Polls taken since the outbreak of protests last month -- when Orban helped push through legislation allowing companies to impose a six-day work week -- showed his Fidesz party has largely preserved its approximately 50 percent share among decided voters. In his freewheeling two-hour briefing in Budapest, the standard-bearer for Europe's nationalist resurgence addressed the issue of the protesters and overtime law when responding to questions. He rejected a repeal of the legislation. He said Hungarians were illiberal at heart and that the rest of the world was changing. Orban predicted nationalists would first upend the political establishment, possibly putting them in charge of the European Union after continent-wide elections in May, before overturning the liberal media establishment. "It's the end of an era," Orban said. "There's a change in the balance of power in both politics and media." Talk of his dominance of the airwaves was overblown, Orban said, pointing to the most-watched commercial television network and the most-read news website and weekly, which he said were all part of the liberal media. Pooling media assets under one foundation didn't boost their influence, he insisted. That's not how opponents see it. While previously divided opposition parties were galvanized and united by the street rallies, they've had a tough time getting their message out. That's especially the case in smaller towns and villages, which have less media penetration and tend to be a bastion of support for Orban. On a recent Saturday, the half-hour evening news on state television led with a report about snowfall in Hungary and neighboring countries. The item on anti-government protests was relegated to the 10th minute, sandwiched between longer pieces hailing the government's anti-immigrant policies. Similar outlets alternately tried to play down the protests or to magnify them as the work of foot-soldiers of George Soros, the Hungarian-born U.S. billionaire-philanthropist. Nationalists like Orban have for years portrayed the 88-year-old as the head of a global pro-immigration conspiracy, something Soros has denied. While social media, especially Facebook, have helped fill a void for the opposition, it's hard to reach voters who supported Orban because it takes financial firepower to target people outside an echo chamber, said Akos Hadhazy, an opposition lawmaker who quit Fidesz in 2013 to protest corruption in the ruling party. "The protests are a big test of how effective propaganda is to keep public opinion from turning," said Peter Kreko, director at Political Capital, a think-tank in Budapest. "When the government cranks up the volume, it's very hard to compete with that." Wisconsin Teen in Good Spirits Post-Kidnap, Escape The grandfather of a 13-year-old northwestern Wisconsin girl who authorities say escaped a man who killed her parents and held her captive for three months said Sunday shes in exceptionally good spirits. Jayme Closs on Thursday fled the cabin near the small town of Gordon where she said she had been imprisoned. She approached a woman walking a dog and asked for her help. "When I got close to her she was first saying to me, 'I'm lost. I don't know where I am. I need help.'" The Wisconsin woman who found missing 13-year-old Jayme Closs tells @GayleKing about the shocking moment. See more on @CBSThisMorning Monday. https://t.co/1C7fW2K151 pic.twitter.com/skYZTCSxwS CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) January 13, 2019 Police officers arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson minutes later based on Jaymes description of his vehicle. Authorities are holding Patterson on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide. Little has been revealed about Jaymes ordeal since her abduction in mid-October, although more details could come Monday when Patterson is expected to be charged and make his first appearance in court. Jayme Closs has been locatedOn Thursday evening the Barron County Sheriffs Department was notified by the Douglas CO Posted by Barron County Sheriff's Department on Thursday, January 10, 2019 Jaymes grandfather, Robert Naiberg, said Sunday that, considering the circumstances, the teen is holding up . Shes doing exceptionally well for what she went through, Naiberg told The Associated Press by phone. Shes in exceptionally good spirits. On Sunday, area churchgoers said their prayers were answered by Jaymes safe return. We are overjoyed and we couldnt be happier. Its a miracle and its wonderful, Mary Haas told the Minneapolis Star Tribune while taking down Christmas decorations after Mass at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Barron. We prayed and prayed and prayed. Jayme has been staying with an aunt in Barron since she escaped. Jayme Closs and her aunt Jennifer Smith. (Supplied) Its a great day up in our area, said Larry Leff at St. Peters Catholic Church in nearby Cameron. God answered all our prayers. An intruder blasted open the door of James and Denise Closs home near Barron with a shotgun Oct. 15, gunned the couple down and made off with Jayme. While investigators have said Pattersons goal was to kidnap Jayme, he has no apparent prior connection to the family. Naiberg told the AP on Saturday that Jayme told FBI agents she did not know Patterson. BREAKING NEWS Live news conference on Jayme Closs case. Posted by WEAU 13 News on Friday, January 11, 2019 Patterson attorneys Charles Glynn and Richard Jones said in a statement that they consider the situation very tragic and that they are relying on the court system to treat their client fairly. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald told reporters on Friday that Patterson took measures to avoid leaving evidence at the Closs familys home, including shaving his head before breaking in. A shotgun was recovered from the cabin, which Pattersons father owned. By Jeff Baenen Funding the Climate-Industrial Complex By Tom D. Tamarkin Supposedly green or renewable energy has become a trillion-dollar-plus annual industry that has spawned tens of thousands of new businesses worldwide. The total Climate-Industrial Complex is a $2-trillion-per-year business. Major fossil fuel companies like Shell Energy now have green energy divisions. These companies are virtually 100% dependent on the politically driven notion of dangerous manmade global warming and climate change. The media, public and political establishment constantly recite the assertion that 97% of scientists say the problem is real and manmade carbon dioxide (CO2) is the cause. However, increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere do not lead to global warming and climate change. Carbon dioxide is a trace gas in the atmosphere. The major greenhouse gas is water vapor. An intricate feedback system regulates the Earths temperature, maintaining immunity from temperature increases and decreases due to such trace gases. Furthermore, the false notion of CO2-driven climate change is responsible for the potential massive redistribution of wealth from now-wealthy industrialized nations to poor countries. This has led to the corrupt worldwide business of carbon tax credit trading and more money to fund wind, solar and biofuel energy. Green industries should not predicate their business models on false claims about climate change. They should base their businesses and R&D budgets on the fact that fossil fuels will become less economically viable over the coming decades as easily recovered reserves are depleted. Renewables such as solar and wind cannot provide material amounts of energy required worldwide and require vast amounts of metals and other materials that are themselves not renewable or sustainable. Utilities and energy companies must be free to use petroleum, coal, natural gas and biofuels at market-demand costs and must increase nuclear energy production. New sources of high energy density power generation must be created. Today the green energy or renewables sector of the power generation industry is driven by the perceived but not scientifically proven notion that carbon dioxide resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and bio-fuels cause global warming or climate change. This is based on incorrect ideas about the real practical effects that greenhouse gases cause when introduced into our atmosphere. The chart below in dramatic fashion that there is absolutely no connection between steadily rising CO2 levels and nearly stable to slightly higher average global temperatures over the past four decades. Water vapor is the gaseous form of water and is by far the most important greenhouse gas . Its spectral absorption is wider than that of carbon dioxide meaning its absorption of photons from the Sun, as radiated by the Earths surface at night, across a wider electromagnetic radiation (EMR) spectrum, causes a higher rise in molecular vibrational momentum, equating to higher thermal rise than carbon dioxide. Furthermore the water vapor content in the lower atmosphere varies from 10,000 PPM or 1% to 40,000 PPM or 4% whereas carbon dioxide is 400 PPM or 0.04% of the atmosphere. That is almost two orders of magnitude difference. This suggests that water vapor has a much greater effect as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Water vapor is responsible for well over 98% of any greenhouse effect. It is theoretically possible that carbon dioxide and other non-condensable greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide and ozone can create minute increases in thermal absorption and therefore could increase the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere via a positive feedback cycle, leading to warming and an increase in evaporation of sea water. However, the trace amounts of these gases would lead to virtually undetectable and immeasurable temperature and water vapor increases. Moreover, adding more water vapor to the atmosphere would also produce a negative feedback effect. This could happen as more water vapor leads to more cloud formation. Clouds reflect sunlight and reduce the amount of energy that reaches the Earths surface to warm it. If the amount of solar warming decreases, then the temperature of the Earth would decrease. In that case, adding more water vapor would result in global cooling, rather than warming. But cloud cover does mean more condensed water in the atmosphere, making for a stronger greenhouse effect than non-condensed water vapor alone. It is warmer on a cloudy winter day than on a clear one. Thus the possible positive and negative feedbacks associated with increased water vapor and cloud formation will largely cancel one another out and further complicate the ability to model these feedback cycles using computer simulation and mathematical modeling. Many in the renewables energy industry will object to this analysis, because they see it as undermining their reason to exist, affecting investor interest and sales opportunities. They miss the key point. We do need to find replacements for fossil fuels but not because of climate change. The real driver is the absolutely indisputable fact that we are depleting economically viable sources of fossil fuels, while at the same time increasing our demand for energy worldwide. The key term is economically viable, because the petroleum industry will be forced to pursue more difficult to recover deposits of oil and natural gas, while also enduring ever increasing amounts of litigation. Today the only viable energy source beyond fossil fuels is nuclear fission. Our nuclear energy industry must be rebuilt if America is to remain a leader in energy, economic growth and opportunity. We must also continue our research and development in fusion energy which has many advantages over nuclear fission, if it is ever perfected. We commissioned an objective science-based analysis of solar power as a means to generate 100% of baseload power in the USA based on current demand. The results are clear: solar power for baseload electricity is simply unrealistic. It is a virtual impossibility to power America from solar energy based on the science, let alone the economics, reliability or land and material requirements. Electrifying the transportation infrastructure will increase this impossibility several fold. The same is true of wind power. We must develop the next generation of very high energy density nuclear power first nuclear fission, to be replaced possibly by fusion in the mid to late 21st Century. We must also learn to conserve energy and materials better, not to save the planet from man-made climate change, but to give man more time to develop high flux density energy generation science and technology. In December 2018, both Excel Energy and Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) announced plans to convert to 100% renewable green energy generation by 2050. That is a scientifically impossibility, unless policy makers and environmentalist alike redefine nuclear energy as green. Why would they make such claims? For Excel boosting stock prices through subsidies comes to mind. NIPSCO is a government-protected monopoly utility, with Indiana state government guaranteeing NIPSCO a profit of approximately 10% for every dollar it spends. That means NIPSCO has an obvious financial self-interest to engage in costly business practices. Building expensive new power facilities, even when existing facilities are working perfectly well, is one of the most effective ways for NIPSCO to ramp up its spending and guaranteed profits. Of course both companies do so at the expense of consumers, many of whom have no knowledge that their electricity bills are about to rise substantially. (To learn more about fusion energy, its promise and scientific difficulties facing it, visit our website Fusion4Freedom.com. For information about what energy is and where it comes from, see Energy Basics: Where does energy on our planet come from? Go here to learn more about Excel Energys deceptive and wholly unrealistic plans and here for more about NIPSCOs wholly unrealistic plans.) Let energy buyers beware. Politicians, activist groups and industrialists are all using climate change to increase their power and income. We need to figure out what theyre doing and fight back. Tom Tamarkin has been involved with the utility business and energy since 1985. He is founder and president of EnergyCite, Inc, in Sacramento, CA and founder and GM of the Fusion Energy Consortium. Home U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he departs for a visit to the U.S. southern border area in Texas from the White House in Washington, U.S., on Jan. 10, 2019. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) Trump Predicts US Will Reach Trade Deal with China WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump on Jan. 14 predicted the United States would reach a deal with China to end a tit-for-tat trade war, saying Beijing wants to negotiate and that talks are going well. Were doing very well with China, Trump told reporters at the White House. I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China. China wants to negotiate, he said. Trump has vowed to increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports on March 2 if China fails to address intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and other non-tariff barriers. The worlds two largest economies held mid-level talks in Beijing last week and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters that Chinas top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, would likely visit Washington later this month. The meetings in China were the first face-to-face discussions since Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires in December and agreed to a 90-day truce in the trade war, which has disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods. Beijing Expresses Optimism on Jan. 10, Chinas state-run media provided a hint that the regime could be ready to concede to U.S. demands. Websites belonging to Xinhua and Peoples Dailythe Chinese Communist Partys mouthpieceboth reposted an article by Bull Piano, a popular social-media account that posts commentary on current affairs. The article reasons that U.S. demands can actually benefit China. Regarding narrowing the trade imbalance, which the Trump administration has pushed China to resolve by importing more U.S. goods, the article reads: Importing some good things from the United States, this can help satisfy Chinese citizens wants for leading a comfortable life. As for structural reforms that the U.S. side has requested: at first, it seems like the U.S. is being overbearing, but thinking carefully, these are actually what the deepening of opening up reforms needsreferring to economic policies pushed by former Party leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s that introduced capitalist market forces to China. In closing, the article called for amicable relations between the two countries. Chinas old saying expresses this best, amiability brings wealth. That is said so correctly! Given that the two media outlets are the Partys chief propaganda tools and often release the regimes official stances on issues, its significant that this article appeared on both websites and could be a justification and foreshadowing of potential compromise. By Jeff Mason. Epoch Times writer Annie Wu contributed to this report. President Donald Trump (C) hosts a round-table discussion on border security and safe communities with state, local, and community leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Jan. 11, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Trump: Democrats Dont Want to Include DACA in Talks on Ending Shutdown Democratic lawmakers dont want to include Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)the protections for illegal immigrants brought to the United States as childrenin negotiations with the White House on ending the partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump said in a Twitter post dated Jan. 13. Democrats are saying that DACA is not worth it and dont want to include in talks, Trump said. Many Hispanics will be coming over to the Republican side, watch. Trump and the Democrats have been debating border security funding, which triggered a shutdown of about quarter of the federal government on Dec. 22. Now in its third week, it represents the longest shutdown in modern history, beating the previous record of 21 days in 1995 under then-President Bill Clinton. In his typical carrot-and-stick approach, Trump offered to compromise on the specifics of his demand for $5.7 billion for border wall construction but also threatened to shut down the southern border and/or use executive power to build the wall without funding appropriation from Congress. In the latest twist, Trump said he may declare a national emergency, calling the situation at the border a crisis. He pointed to drug smuggling, human trafficking, gang violence, and other crimes connected with illegal immigration and border trespassing, as well as the violence and other dangers faced by migrants who are seeking illegal entry. The emergency declaration would allow Trump broader discretion over redirecting federal funding, though using it for the wall construction would likely be challenged in court. The Democrats have categorically refused funding for the wall, calling it wasteful and ineffective even after previously supporting funding for border barriers multiple times in the past. They also call the border crisis manufactured. Trump has the backing of many border security and law enforcement officials both on the walls necessity and about describing the situation as a crisis. DACA Questioned DACA was established through an executive order from Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama. It provides work permits and protects applicants who are in the country illegally from being deported, provided they came to the United States before the age of 16 and have lived here since at least June 15, 2007. Republicans have questioned the constitutionality of DACA, calling it an executive overreach. In September 2017, Trump rescinded the program but the action was challenged in court. In January and February, federal judges in New York and California put Trumps action on hold while the lawsuits played out. The program hasnt accepted new applicants but still issues renewals to those already insome 700,000 individuals. Trump previously said he expected the Supreme Court to rule on the issue sometime this year, perhaps in the summer. The president expects the justices will strike DACA down as unconstitutional; in his favor is the courts conservative-leaning majority, secured after Trump filled two vacancies. DACA for Wall? Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Dec. 31 the president was open to the idea of giving out a three-year work permit and deportation protections to the DACA population in exchange for wall funding. I think thats in the realm of possibility, Graham said. The president didnt commit but I think hes very open-minded. Trump said a week ago he would consider DACA as part of the negotiations, though he would prefer to wait for the Supreme Court ruling. I think wed complicate it, he told reporters on Jan. 6. Id rather have the Supreme Court rule and then work with the Democrats on DACA. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has dismissed including DACA in a deal to reopen the government. We havent had that discussion, she said at a Jan. 10 press conference. What were talking about now is just the presidents insistence on a wall. Pelosi said DACA should be part of a debate on comprehensive immigration reform. Several attempts at immigration reform failed last year in Congress. Trump backed protections, even legal status for the DACA population. In exchange, he wanted $25 billion for the border wall and other security and shifting immigration to a more merit-based system. Democrats have, in the past, proposed amnesties for millions of illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as minors and possibly also their parents. They also have pushed for environmental and other restrictions on border wall construction. Watch next: The SpyGate Scandal: What We Learned in 2018 2018 proved to be a year of numerous revelations that provided clarity regarding events leading up toand followingthe 2016 presidential election. This August 2018 photo shows Holocaust survivor Max Glauben sitting in an interactive green screen room while filming a piece for the Dallas Holocaust Museum in Dallas. (McGuire Boles/Dallas Holocaust Museum via AP) Technology Brings Images of Holocaust Survivors to Life DALLASMax Glauben was 17 and had already lost his mother, father and brother at the hands of the Nazis when U.S. troops rescued him while he was on a death march from one German concentration camp to another. The recollections of the Dallas resident who as a Jew in Poland survived the Warsaw Ghetto and Nazi concentration camps are now being preserved in a way that will allow generations to come to ask his image questions. Glauben, who turns 91 on Jan. 14, is the latest Holocaust survivor recorded in such a way by the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation. The Los Angeles-based foundation has recorded 18 interactive testimonies with Holocaust survivors over the last several years, and executive director Stephen Smith says theyre in a race against time as they work to add more, seeking both a diversity in experiences and testimonies in a variety of languages. I thought that my knowledge could cure the hatred and the bigotry and the killings in this world if somebody can listen to my story, my testimony, and be educated even after Im gone, Glauben said. Smith says that while the foundation founded in 1994 by film director Steven Spielberg has about 55,000 audiovisual testimonies about genocides in dozens of languagesthe majority from the Holocaustthe interactive technology stands out for allowing museumgoers to have a dialogue with survivors. Its your questions that are being answered, Smith said, adding that the replies, especially on weighty issues like forgiveness can be especially poignant. He says, You actually see sometimes them struggling to know what to answer. So far, the foundation has Holocaust survivors speaking in English, Hebrew and Spanish, and the group hopes to get people speaking in even more languages. Its so powerful when its in your mother tongue and youre looking the person in the eye and you are hearing nuanced language coming back thats your own language, Smith said. For more than a year now, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center has featured the survivors images in a special theater. Museum CEO Susan Abrams says that when visitors interact with the images, the impact is often obvious: People get teary; people laugh. Our audience comes to feel that they know these survivors somewhat intimately because theyre having small group conversation, and in that moment, pretty much everything else fades away, Abrams said. The Illinois museum is one of four currently featuring the images. Other museums are in Houston, Indiana and New York. The Holocaust museum in Dallas will start showing them starting in September, after it opens in a new location and with a new namethe Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. The Dallas museum currently brings in survivors to talk to students and has found thats often the most meaningful part of their visit, according to President and CEO Mary Pat Higgins. This technology ensures that can continue, she said. Our survivors are aging, and so in 20 years we wont have any survivors who are still able to do that themselves, she said. Smith said the images can appear on a flat screen or be projected in a way that appears to be three-dimensional. Like Illinois, Dallas is building a special theater so the image will appear three-dimensional on a stage. Smith said the technology involved is simpler than many people think. Its actually video that responds to human voice commands, he said. And all thats happening is rather than you watching a linear testimony, all the bits of the testimony are broken up, and then when you ask it a question it finds that piece of video and plays it for you. JT Buzanga, assistant curator at the Holocaust Museum Houston, said the uniqueness of the interactive testimonies gives visitors a reason to return. Its something that makes the connection that people want to remember and want to come back, Buzanga said. Glauben, who has made it his mission to tell people about the Holocaust, helped found the Dallas museum. He says that after he lost his family, he told himself he would do anything possible to educate the people and let them know what kind of tragedy this was. Visitors are pictured on the A. Lange & Soehne stand, part of Richemont luxury group at the "Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie" (SIHH) watch fair in Geneva, Switzerland on Jan. 14, 2019. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters) Swiss Watchmakers Brace for Slowing Chinese Demand GENEVA Swiss watchmakers are starting to see signs of slowing spending from Chinese tourists, but are still banking on demand shifting to mainland China to fuel growth this year, several high-end brands said on Jan. 14. Investors are on edge over a softening economic backdrop in China, and weak Chinese trade data on Monday sent shares in luxury goods companies that rely heavily on Chinese customers tumbling. Some brands like Parmigiani, owned by the Sandoz Family Foundation and which makes around 3,000 pieces a year, with average prices at 35,000 Swiss francs ($35,714), said they believed it was still a good time to invest in China. People are traveling less, but consuming more domestically so it is the right moment for us to strengthen our local presence (in China), chief executive Davide Traxler told Reuters at the SIHH industry trade fair in Geneva, adding the label, in turnaround mode, was entering that market 10 years late. Parmigiani is repositioning itself at higher price points after trying to take a more accessible tack a few years ago. Chinese customers make up over a third of spending on luxury goods worldwide, but a falling yuan and Chinese government measures like cuts in import taxes are pushing more of those shoppers to splurge domestically. Business in Hong Kong lost steam in the last three months of 2018, Cartier owner Richemont reported on Friday, and others noted setbacks there and in other parts of Greater China, which includes Macau. We had growth everywhere last year, except for Greater China where we saw a dip in demand due to the trade war in October and November, said Edouard Meylan, chief executive of independent Swiss label H. Moser & Cie. It has recovered since, Meylan said. He added the brand had sold an unusual amount of big-ticket watches in December and January, but was still wary of nasty surprises. With the shutdown (in the U.S.), the trade war and Brexit, there is a lot of uncertainty at the moment. Still Growing Manufacturers of luxury wares from handbags to fancy timepieces have so far played down the chances of a dramatic fallout from a U.S.- China trade stand-off, arguing that appetite from young, middle-class Chinese customers keen to wear branded goods was likely to hold up in the long term. Weve noticed a small slowdown, but were still talking about a growth pattern, said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of LVMHs Hublot brand, which is not exhibiting its watches at the Richemont-dominated SIHH but at a hotel in downtown Geneva. Young Chinese clients in their 20s and 30s boosted demand for Hublot watches in 2018, Guadalupe added. In principle this dynamic is going to continue, unless there is a real catastrophe in terms of the geopolitical relations between China and the United States, he told Reuters. Hublot, a stablemate of Tag Heuer and Zenith at LVMH, does not break out revenues. But its sales in Greater Chinawhich accounts for 13 percent of its revenuesrose by 60 percent last year, Guadalupe said, helped partly by Hublots status as a relatively new entrant in China, where it first invested 10 years ago. That growth could be closer to 10 to 15 percent in 2019 as comparisons get tougher, he added, while Hublot is banking on its global comparable sales expanding by at least 6 to 7 percent after 16 percent growth in 2018. By Silke Koltrowitz & Sarah White Residents Return to Town After Chemical Train Crash Residents of Bartow, Georgia, are returning to their homes, which they fled after a train derailment released toxic chemicals. Some 500 homes had to be evacuated after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed near Bartow shortly after 8 p.m. on the night of Jan.6. According to WRDW, some of the trains chemical tank cars split open, spilling hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid that spread in a toxic cloud from the crash site. Update on Bartow, Ga., train derailment: it has been confirmed that Hydrogen Peroxide was released. There is no indication of a chlorine leak at this time. The investigation is ongoing. Norfolk Southern (@nscorp) January 7, 2019 The train included tank cars carrying chlorine, but none of those ruptured. In all, 39 cars came off the track. Initially, everyone within seven miles of the derailment site was ordered to leave. Shelters were set up at various sites including Cross Community Church Jefferson County Recreation Center in nearby Louisville, about 10 miles from Bartow, and at Mt. Moriah Campground in Matthews. The evacuation order was lifted by 9:25 a.m. on Jan. 7, even though emergency crews were still cleaning up the spills. Last night, dozens of first responders answered the call to assist in the evacuation of residents that were potentially Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 201917 The air monitoring is continuing, the water monitoring is continuing with EPD and were in the process of just monitoring the train traffic and making sure the tracks are laid and are solid, Jim Anderson, former director of Emergency Services for Bryan County, told WRDW. Four First Responders Injured None of the residents near the wreck were hurt by the toxic cloud, but four first responders had to be hospitalized. Sgt. M. Hudlow, Cpl. D. Kurtz, Dep. B. Brown and Bartow Chief of Police J. Jones were taken to Jefferson Hospital after reporting ill effects from being exposed to the toxic chemical cloud while going door-to-door to warn people to leave their homes. Hudlow was transported by ambulance to the Joseph M. Still Burn Unit at Doctors Hospital in Augusta. At the time of publication, he was still being treated for chemical exposure. Kurtz was flown by medical helicopter to Doctors Hospital Burn Unit. He is currently still being treated. Brown was treated for chemical exposure and was released by the Jefferson Emergency Room staff. The current status of Jones is unknown. The attached photo shows the evacuation area in yellow. It is a 3 mile radius from the derailment site. Norfolk Southern Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 201917 Compensation for Evacuees Norfolk Southern Railroad is offering to pay for expenses incurred by people forced to leave their homes on Jan. 6 because of the chemical spill following the train derailment. The train company is also working with an NGO, the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, to track levels of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide in the affected area. Evacuees were asked to bring receipts and proof of residence to the Jefferson County Emergency Services center in Louisville. The company does not seem to be trying to minimize the impact of the wreck and the subsequent evacuation. One couple from Bartow told WRDW that though they only had $150 in receipts, Norfolk Southern wrote them a check for $500. I think theyre doing their job, said evacuee Carolyn Davis. I think theyre learning from this. I love my life and Im not ready to go nowhere, Davis added. According to local officials, it could have been a lot worse, reported WRDW, adding that people in Jefferson County are happy theyre not reliving the Graniteville tragedy in South Carolina. Two Norfolk Southern trains collided in 2005 in Graniteville, resulting in nine deaths and over 250 treated for toxic chlorine exposure. The accident was determined to be caused by a misaligned railroad switch. From NTD News A crocodile rests on the banks of Tarcoles River in the province of Puntarenas in Costa Rica some 90 kilometers south of San Jose on Dec. 5, 2010. (Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images) Reports: Indonesian Scientist Killed by Giant 17-Foot-Long Crocodile A female scientist was eaten by a giant crocodile after she fell or was pulled into an enclosure in Indonesia, according to media reports. Deasy Tuwo, 44, reportedly was dragged into the enclosure by a 17-foot-long crocodile as she was trying to feed the animal. She was throwing meat into the animals pool during feeding time on Jan. 11. Merry the crocodile stood on its hind legs and jumped up to drag her into the pool Daily Mail 2019114 The crocodile, named Merry, was found with Tuwos remains in its mouth in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, reported the Daily Mail. Officials theorized that the animal stood on his back legs and jumped up the 8-foot-tall wall and grabbed Tuwo into the enclosure. Staff at CV Yosiki Laboratory, where the animal was being held, made the discovery later that day. Norma Tuwo 2019113 They noticed there was an unusual shape in the water before finding Tuwos remains, the Mail reported. The reptile, which is generally fed meat, fish, and chicken every day, is not known to have been aggressive with humans. It, however, attacked over crocodiles. Rescuers tried to get Tuwos body from the water but had difficulty doing so because the large crocodile would thrash in the water every time. Norma Tuwo 2019113 Merry was later captured before it was seen in photos strapped to a flatbed truck to be taken for medical tests to see if it had killed Tuwo, the Mail reported. Erling Rumengan, a colleague of Tuwos, described the moment they discovered her body, saying she was a quiet person who liked to be around animals. We were curious when we looked at the crocodile pool, there was a floating object, it was Deasys body, Rumengan said, according to the Mail. Norma Tuwo 2019112 He added: We were afraid to touch it and we immediately report the incident at the Tombariri police station. Its possible the crocodile jumped from the side. Maybe its because the crocodile was still full, it didnt finish eating her body. According to the Mirror, Merry Supit, a former colleague, described the animals feeding habits. Norma Tuwo 2019112 The crocodile eats chicken, tuna, and meat. Everything must be fresh, he doesnt want to eat if its frozen or has died a few days, she said. Police are trying to track down the owner of the giant crocodile, and they suspect its owned by a Japanese businessman. I believe the owner must acknowledge this horrible incident. But we have neither seen him nor know where he is, Raswin Sirait, the Tomohon Police Chief, was quoted by the Mirror as saying. We also need to know if he is legally permitted to own crocodiles and other expensive aquatics in his company. If there is no permit, he will be detained, the chief added Other details about the case are not clear. Largest Crocodiles The crocodiles species was not disclosed in media reports, but based on its size, its likely a saltwater or a Nile crocodilethe two largest types. The largest crocodile ever measured, named Lolong, was was the largest crocodile in captivity. He was also the biggest crocodile ever measured from snout-to-tail, according to OurPlnt. According to National Geographic in 2012, Lolong was measured at 20.24 feet and was captured in the Philippines. The animal is suspected in the killings of at least two people. I didnt expect to ever see a crocodile greater than 20 feet long in my lifetime, not an experience I will forget easily, said Adam Britton, a zoologist who measured the animal. Lolong died in 2013, the Telegraph reported, adding that the town of Bunawan in the Philippines was going to preserve its remains in a museum to keep tourists coming there. A man looks at the wreckage of a German submarine that ran aground off the coast of the city of Wissant in July 1917 and has recently resurfaced due to sand movements on the beach of Wissant, near Calais, northern France, on Jan. 9, 2019. (Denis Chalet/AFP/Getty Images) Rare German World War I Submarine Resurfaces on French Beach A German World War l submarine has surfaced over 100 years after it ran aground on a beach in France, exposed by tides, shifting sands, and winter storms. The 600 ton U-61 was heading out to lay mines in when it ran aground in heavy fog near Calais, where the crew scuttled it, in July 1917. After sinking out of sight in 1932, the rusting carcass of the rare 150 foot U-boat reappeared two weeks ago on the beach at Wissant, which looks out over the 20-mile wide channel to the English coast. German submarines, known as U-boats, sank hundreds of allied ships during World War l. Wrecks like the one that has appeared on the French beach are rare. Local newspaper La Voix Nord described the submarine as a ghost that appears only briefly every few years as the tides and winds shift the sands the right way. This winter, two chunks of the wreckage have emerged about 500 feet from the edge of the beach. Caught by the Cavalry It is one of the 64 submarines (UC 16 to UC 79) put into service during World War II and responsible for the loss of 353 ships, said Vincent Schmitt, a local tour guide who stumbled on the wreck, and whose Facebook photographs stirred great interest. Before it ran aground near Calais, the U-61 spent just six months at sea, during which it was responsible for sinking 11 allied ships, according to Uboat.net The wreck is visible briefly every two to three years, depending on the tides and the wind that leads to sand movements, but a good gust of wind and the wreck will disappear again, the local mayor told the BBC. La meteo et la mer font resurgir regulierement lepave de ce navire submersible, qui sest echoue sur la plage de #Wissant en 1917, durant la Premiere Guerre mondiale https://t.co/Uy2Xz376Ya UNCAGDE (@UNC34300) January 10, 2019 In recent days, we had high tides and southwesterly winds, which tend to migrate sand to the north, he said. The exact course of events around the sinking of the submarine is not clear. Some reports said that the ship was blown up by the allies to detonate the mines, others reports suggest the ships crew of 26 exploded the ship. Reports agree that the ship was scuttled by the crew, who were later taken captive by a regiment of Belgian cavalry. A navy patrol spotted a dark mass in heavy fog at 4 a.m in the morning on July 26, 1917, according to La Voix Nord. As their boat approached, they saw a 150-foot submarine on the beach, its hull already torn open by an explosion, as its crew tried to unload ammunition into the sea. The boat returned to shore, where the officers alerted a Belgian cavalry regiment, according to La Voix that intercepted the crew as they abandoned their submarine. UC 61, le retour.Ensable depuis 1932, l'U-Boot UC 61 (unterseeboot, sous-marin allemand) reapparait et avec lui, son Vincent les 2 caps 20181231 The submarine would have once weighed 600 tons and was powered by two diesel and 2 electric engines, according to Schmitt, who said the ship ran aground when the captain sailed too close to the sandbars as he tried to avoid the antisubmarine nets out in the open seas. Class UC II submarines were coastal minelayers, according to U.boat.net, able to carry up to 18 mines and traveling at a speed of 11.6 knots on the surface, and 7 knots submerged. They had a range of 9,430 miles, but could travel only 55 miles at a time when submerged, and could dive to a depth of around 150 feet. Police Visit Dad Who Joked on Facebook About Feeding Hot Sauce to Newborn A new father received a police visit over lighthearted comments he made on Facebook about accidentally feeding his 5-day-old baby hot sauce. Two police officers knocked on the door of Paul Dawsons house in Stockton in the north of England, on Jan. 8. after they received a phone call about the welfare of his baby. Dawson had posted a Facebook update two days earlier joking about how he accidentally got traces of hot sauce in his sons mouth at a restaurant. Apparently five-day-old babies dont like it when their dads put their fingers in their mouths after eating hot wings, he had written in the post, as reported by local media Teeside Live. Unintentionally by the way. Lol. That was enough to raise the suspicions of an anonymous member of the public, who contacted the local Cleveland police force. The police took action, but according to Dawson, hadnt actually read the Facebook post before heading over to his house and knocking on the door two days later. I opened the door and asked what was up, said Dawson, according to Teeside Live. They replied, You dont know then? and I said I didnt have a clue. Thats when they told me that I had apparently been feeding my son hot sauce. I just said, Are you taking the [expletive], mate?' Dawson, who owns a local barber shop, was so incensed and upset that he took himself off, leaving his girlfriend to talk with the officers. Dad accidentally feeds hot sauce to his newborn son and gets visited by police https://t.co/9hSAKQFupm pic.twitter.com/TTgOfrEm7y Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) January 13, 2019 I was actually quite tearful that someone had called the police, Dawson added. My girlfriend then asked the officers if theyd even read the Facebook post. They hadnt, so they were shown it and they just looked embarrassed. I cant believe, with our stretched police force, they were sent out without looking into it properly. Their son, Ben, was born on New Years Day morning. The couple had gone out for a meal in a local TGI Fridays restaurant five days after he had been born. Dawson had been eating hot wings before he put his knuckle in his newborns mouth to pacify him. He had earlier wiped his hands on his napkin, but Dawson realised the baby must have tasted the traces of hot sauce when he saw the newborn respond. Ben made a funny face and that was that, Dawson said. Ridiculous over-reaction to a Facebook post of the week Spotter: Leon Angry People in Local Newspapers 2019113 A Cleveland Police representative said via email: Police received a call from a member of the public regarding concern for the welfare of a baby on Tuesday 8th January. As a result, two officers were deployed to an address in Stockton to speak with the parents of the baby to understand the circumstances of the report. Officers were satisfied that the baby was safe and well and there were no further enquiries carried out. The original Facebook post has disappeared from Dawsons feed, but he has put up several hot sauced-themed images, including a photoshopped photograph of their new-born, clutching a bottle of Tabasco and a chilli pepper in his hospital bed. Another photograph is of a tiny babys bib embroidered with the image of a chilli pepper, carrying the words its a little chilli. Wrestler Silver King, real name Cesar Barron, died in the ring during a performance in London, on May 11, 2019. Police Investigate Death of 2-Year-Old Found Frozen to Death Outside Police officials in New Hampshire said theyre investigating the death of a 2-year-old girl who was found frozen outside on Jan. 14. The girl appears to have gotten out of her house in the middle of the night but could not get back in, authorities told WMUR. A neighbor said the sound of a child crying woke them up around 4 a.m. but they couldnt see who the cries came from. When the neighbor went outside around 7 a.m., they found the child frozen to death on Maple Street in Newport. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures dipped to as low as -1 degree Fahrenheit in Newport overnight. Newport Police Chief Jim Burroughs told Valley News that the death isnt considered suspicious and appears to be a bad accident. The girl was part of a family of two adults and two children who live in an apartment. She was found at the bottom of a set of stairs off a screened-in porch in a back apartment at the apartment building. Newport Police day they are investigating the death of a 2 and a half year old girl. Police say it appears the child got out of the house at 10 Maple Street during the night and was unable to get back inside. #wmur @WMUR9 pic.twitter.com/DXNnqGWZTN Ray Brewer (@RayBrewerWMUR) January 14, 2019 Pennsylvania Woman Died From Hypothermia A coroner in Pennsylvania said that a 73-year-old who went missing and was later found dead died from hypothermia. Isabelle Johnson of Athens left her apartment on Jan. 5, to an unknown destination and went missing. Medical records indicated that she suffered from Alzheimers disease and dementia, Bradford County Coroner Thomas Carman told the Elmira Star-Gazette. Johnson was found in a large field and pronounced dead on Jan. 7, and Carmen announced the results of the autopsy on Jan. 11. He said the death was accidental and that Johnson froze to death. MISSING WOMAN FOUND DEAD: The Bradford County coroner says the body of Isabelle Johnson, 73, was found in a large field in Athens Borough Monday morning. She was reported missing Saturday. The coroner says she suffered from Alzheimer's and dementia.https://t.co/jnPr6VHAaf FOX56 NEWS WOLF-TV (@FOX56WOLF) January 8, 2019 Freezing to Death Freezing to death is known as hypothermia, or a preventable lowering of the core body temperature to lower than 95 degrees (normal body temperature is around 98.6 degrees), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypothermia causes approximately 600 deaths each year in the United States. Exposure to excessive cold (or excessive exposure to cold) slows enzymatic activity throughout the body, leading to potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy, renal failure, and dysrhythmias. Alcohol intake, activity level, and type of clothing are among the modifiable factors associated with hypothermia, the agency stated. In the United States, certain populations (e.g., alcoholics; drug users; elderly, homeless, and chronically ill persons; and those with preexisting heart disease) are at increased risk for dying from hypothermia. The Mayo Clinic notes that hypothermia can be caused by exposure to cold weather but can also happen when someone is immersed in cold water. When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs cant work normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death, it stated. The main treatment is using different methods to warm to the body back to a normal temperature, including removing wet clothing and sitting near a fire or heater. Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, slow breathing, confusion, bright and red skin, and a weak pulse. People with hypothermia generally arent aware of their condition because the symptoms begin gradually. From NTD News Americas Suicidal Turning Point: Chapter Seven By Michael Moriarty President William Jefferson Clinton. Can Anyone Trust That Face Now? My last article concerned the President that followed Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush. I concentrated upon the main reason that the first President Bush had rendered himself unelectable for a second term: The New World Order. Upon leaving office, George H. W. confessed to the one thing he was actually guilty of: I dont have the vision thing! His treasonous vision of a New World Order to be run by the United Nations gave away the reason that President Donald Trump would eventually become A Divine Necessity. Three more Presidents followed Bush Sr. to ingrain and solidify Bush Sr.s certainty that the New World Order would be inevitable When we succeed and we will. Bill Clinton, George Bush Jr. and Barack Obama. All equally but secretly committed to The New World Order. A treasonously hidden, bipartisan commitment to waltzing the entire United States of America into a submissive position of power to the United Nations. The first necessity for the New World Order Presidents is to slowly but steadily disarm all American citizens. Trying to sell The New World Order to that half of the American population which believes in the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms?! Attorney General Janet Reno was hired to do that, and other disastrous things such as engage in a battle with gun-toting Texans over the Branch Davidian Compound. Pure evidence that many, too many Americans are more than willing to die by fire than to give up their right to bear arms. The Clinton Attorney General, Janet Renos Major Accomplishment The above photo explains how serious the New World Order Americans can be about destroying any opposition to its will, including its increasingly vicious war against President Donald Trump. I opposed Janet Reno publicly and the result: A visit and message from the head of the obscenely misleading title, American Civil Liberties Union, Ira Glasser?! His civil liberties do not include opposing the unconstitutional behavior of any governing official! Michael, he said, for publicly opposing the Attorney General, you will be ostracized! And, indeed, I was. Mostly by the cities I most depend upon for a living: Hollywood and New York. I fled to Canada. Michael Moriarty is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor who starred in the landmark television series Law and Order from 1990 to 1994. His recent film and TV credits include The Yellow Wallpaper, 12 Hours to Live, Santa Baby and Deadly Skies. Contact Michael at rainbowfamily2008@yahoo.com. He can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/@MGMoriarty. Home A sign warning of avalanche danger is seen on a closed road after heavy snowfall near Obertauern, Austria, on Jan. 9, 2019. (Reuters/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo) More Than 26 Dead After Record Snowfall in the Alps More than 26 people have died as once in a century snowfall hits the Alps. Over the weekend, three German skiers were killed and a fourth was missing in a huge avalanche in Austria. The men were near the ski resort of Lech am Arlberg in the Tirol region, police said Jan. 13, and were using touring skis, which enable skiers to go off-piste, or off marked trails. The men were aged 32, 36, and 57, with a fourth person, 28, still missing. The three were found around 11 p.m. after one of their wives reported them missing, with police using their cellphone signals to track them down. The search for the fourth had to be halted because of the weather. We received a call around 9 p.m. regarding four missing winter sportsmen, Manfred Meusburger, leader of the mountain rescue team, told Reuters. Thanks to a phone app, their relatives were able to tell us quite precisely where they could be, so we went there and shortly after we found the trace of the avalanche and started our search. Meusburger added that the rescue team decided to cancel the search because it had become too dangerous. We know how the weather will develop so we can probably initiate the search again on Wednesday. The heavy snow that has hit the Alps in the past week has blocked roads and raised the possibility of avalanches, with authorities assigning it a 3 on a scale that goes up to 5. More than 26 people have died in the extreme weather, as more than 10 feet of snow has fallen in some Alpine areas in 48 hours. In France, two ski guides died while trying to prevent avalanches in the Morillon ski resort. Explosive devices they were carrying went off accidentally, triggering a snowslide that engulfed them. On Jan. 13, over 6,000 people were cut off near Salzburg, Austria, when authorities closed roads because of the threat of avalanches. In one Bavarian ski resort, 2,000 people were likewise stranded by the snow. Last week, three people were injured at the Swiss resort of Schwaegalp after an avalanche hit the restaurant of a hotel. Dozens of people were evacuated from the resort but no one was reported missing, authorities said. The hotel, which was left completely buried in snow, is located at the foot of the Saentis mountain, the highest peak in eastern Switzerlands Alpstein massif. Reuters contributed to this article. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Over 200,000 Call to Impeach Representative Who Insulted Trump More than 200,000 individuals have signed an internet petition calling for the impeachment of Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) in response to her saying recently that were going to impeach the [expletive], referring to President Donald Trump. Tlaib made headlines Jan. 4 with her remark to a rally of supporters. Tlaib, one of two recently elected Muslim woman members of the House of RepresentativesRep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is the otherhas since refused to apologize for her remark. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi declined Republican demands that Tlaib be disciplined, saying: I dont like that language. I wouldnt use that language, but I dont think its anything worse than what the president has said. Karen Baron of Jupiter, Florida, was so upset by Tlaibs remark that she turned to Change.org, a social media site where people seeking all kinds of political, social, and other kinds of change post petitions. Using the name Mrs. American Citizen, Baron posted a petition demanding Tlaibs impeachment and multiple other actions aimed at the Dearborn-based congresswoman. Her words and actions are unprofessional, to say the least, using profanity and hate-filled rhetoric against our country, our citizens, and our president, the petition stated. The goal of this petition is to gather enough signatures to bring her traitorous actions against the United States into public view, so that we may initiate an investigation into her background, and end her political career. The petition has been up a week and, at last count, had more than 205,000 signatures. A spokesman for Tlaib did not respond to multiple telephone messages seeking comment on the petition. Besides Tlaibs impeachment, the petition also demands: Recounts of every vote that she supposedly received in both the Democratic primary for Michigans 13th congressional seat and the Nov. 6 general election. A full list of all campaign contributions Tlaib received in her successful campaign. Investigation of her alleged ties to radical Islamic groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Tlaib is of Palestinian origin. Baron, who is listed on the petition as its sponsor, could not be reached for comment, but her petition wont prompt the House of Representatives to impeach Tlaib. The House could have refused to seat the Michigan Democrat before she was sworn into office by Pelosi, but no such moves were made. Now that Tlaib has been sworn-in, the only possible disciplinary consequence is a censure motion passed by the House, something that is not likely to happen with a Democratic majority. As a result, only the voters of her district can remove Tlaib, but not before the 2020 election, assuming she seeks a second term. Voters there are long accustomed to being represented in the nations capital by a controversial Democrat because Tlaib succeeded Rep. John Conyers. Conyers, a former chairman and ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and represented the Detroit-area district for more than five decades. He retired Dec. 5, 2018, before the end of his last term, amid allegations of sexual harassment by former staff members. Change.org has itself been the focus of controversy since its 2007 founding as a nonprofit devoted to linking individuals to causes they want to support. The organization changed to a for-profit model in 2010. Today, the site seeks members willing to donate at least $5 a month to keep it going, using ads like one displayed on the Tlaib impeachment petition saying: Politicians and rich CEOs shouldnt make all the decisions. Today we ask you to help keep Change.org free and independent. Our job as a public benefit company is to help petitions like this one fight back and get heard. If everyone who saw this chipped in monthly, wed secure Change.orgs future today. Help us hold the powerful to account. Can you spare a minute to become a member today? The headline on the ad read Keep Fighting for People Power. The large number of signatures on the petition puts it among the biggest ever on Change.org, which estimates that only the top 0.05% of petitions have thousands of signatures, with a few reaching several million signatures. The company claims more than 100,000 organizations are advancing their causes and connecting with new supporters, as well as journalists sourcing powerful stories, by using the petition site. Among the top petitions listed under Shutdown on Change.org is one with more than 114,000 signers that calls for the president, White House staff, and members of Congress to not be paid while the government is closed. A second petition that calls for no paychecks to senators and representatives during shutdowns has more than 342,000 signatures. Childbirth is one of the most important moments in a family's life, often presided over by an ad hoc and shifting team. Now a project aimed at reducing C-sections is proving it can be done better. (Pixabay) One Twins Difficult Birth Puts a Project Designed to Reduce C-Sections to the Test Doctors step beyond routine procedure and show natural childbirth possible The tiny hand and forearm slipped out too early. Babies are not delivered shoulder first. Dr. Terri Marino, an obstetrician in the Boston area who specializes in high-risk deliveries, tucked it back inside the boys mother. He was trying to shake my hand and I was like, Im not having thisput your hand back in there, Marino would say later, after all 5 pounds, 1 ounce of the baby lay wailing under a heating lamp. That baby, Bryce McDougall, tested the efforts of more than a dozen medical staffers at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts, that day last summer. Bryces birth put to the test a new method of reducing cesarean sections developed at Dr. Atul Gawandes Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Womens Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. Melisa McDougall checked into South Shore Hospital at 9:30 a.m. on Aug 31, after a routine ultrasound. She was in her 36th week, pregnant with twin boys. The doctors had warned Melisa that her placenta wont hold out much longer. She was propped up in bed, blond hair pulled into a neat bun, makeup still fresh, ordering a sandwich when her regular obstetrician arrived. How are you? asked Dr. Ruth Levesque, sweeping into the room and clapping her hands. Youre going to have some babies today! Are you excited? The first of the twinsBradywas head-down, ready for a normal vaginal delivery. But brother Bryce was horizontal at the top of Melisas uterus. That was one reason why Melisa was a candidate for a C-section. Babies do not come out sideways. And there was another reason most doctors would not consider a vaginal delivery in Melisas case, Levesque said. Four years ago, she delivered the twins sister by cesarean. [Melisa] has a scar on her uterus, Levesque explains, so theres a risk of uterine rupturevery rare, but theres always a possibility. And that possibility was likely greater for Melisa because she was 37 and having twins. But the McDougalls hoped to have vaginal deliveries for both boys. I just feel like its better for the kidsbetter for the babies, Melisa said. The Team Birth Project Avoiding C-sections is better for many moms. With cesareans, theres a longer recovery period, a greater risk of infection and an association with injury and death. And most C-sections are not medically necessary, said Dr. Neel Shah, who directs the Delivery Decisions Initiative at Ariadne Labs. Were fairly confident that, when you look nationally, the pluralityif not the majorityof C-sections are probably avoidable, said Shah. Those avoidable C-sections are the focus of the Team Birth Project, designed by Shah with input from roughly 50 doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, public health specialists, and consumer advocates who focus on childbirth. South Shore Hospital is one of the pilot sites for the project. Childbirth is complicated, Shah said. Youve got two patientsthe mother and the babyand an ad hoc, often shifting team that at a minimum includes the mom, a nurse, and a doctor. So youve got three people who have to come together and become a very high-performing team in a really short period of time, for one of the most important moments in a persons life, Shah said. And this team has to perform at its best during an unpredictable event: labor. Shah said doctors and nurses generally agree about three things: when a mom is in active labor; when a mom can definitely try for a vaginal delivery; and when she must have a C-section. And then theres this huge gray zone, Shah said. And actually, everything about the Team Birth Project is about solving for the gray. To avoid unnecessary C-sections when what to do isnt clear, this hospital, in conjunction with Ariadne Labs, has changed the way labor and delivery is handled from start to finish. First, women arent admitted until they are in active labor. Secondly, the moms preferencessuch as whether shed like an epidural or not, whether she wants to have skin-to-skin contact with the baby immediately after birthhelp guide the labor team. The team maps the delivery planincluding moms preferences and the medical teams guidanceon a whiteboard, like the one in Melisas room. For the births of Bryce and Brady, the white erasable planning board got a lot of use. Under Team, Levesque and registered nurse Patty Newbitt wrote their names. Melisa and Shaun McDougall were listed as equal partners. The names of other family members or nurses may be added and erased as labor progresses. Shahs idea is that this team will huddle regularly throughout the labor to discuss the evolving birth plan. The birth plan itself is divided into three separate elements on the board: Maternal (the mom), Fetal (the baby) and Progress (in terms of how the labor is progressing). A mom with high blood pressure, for instance, may need special attentionand that would be noted on the boardbut she could still have a normal labor and vaginal delivery. The whiteboard in Melisas hospital room detailed the birth plan, including her preferences and the medical teams guidance. Good Communication Is Key Dr. Kimberly Dever, who chairs the OB-GYN department at South Shore Hospital, highlighted a section of the whiteboard called Next Assessment. That category is included on the board, Dever said, because one of the things I often heard from patients is that they didnt know what was going to happen next. Now they know. Asking the momand the coupleabout their preferences for the delivery is crucial, too, Levesque said. It forces us to stop and to think about everything with the patient, she explained. It makes us verbalize our thought process, which I think is good. Shaun walks across the room to get a closer look at the whiteboard. Honestly, it seems like common sense, he said. I would always think the nurses would have something like this, but to have it out where mom and dad can see itI think its pretty cool. With Melisas plan in place, everyone settled in, to wait. About four hours later, Melisa wasnt feeling contractions. Levesque broke the water sac around Brady. Looks nice and clear, Levesque reports. Hey bud, come on and hang out with us, she said to the baby. So, youre going to keep leaking fluid until you leak babies, the doctor explained to Melisa. Whenever you start getting uncomfortable, well get you an epidural at that point. Levesque added to the board: Melisa is 4 centimeters dilated; her waters broke at 13:26; the next assessment will be after she gets an epidural. The medical team insisted ahead of time that Melisa agree to be numbed from the waist down if she wants to deliver Brycethe second twinvaginally. Melisa agreed. The obstetricians may need to rotate the baby in her uterus, find a foot and pull Bryce out, causing pain most women would not tolerate. As the hours ticked by, there was a shift change, and registered nurse Barbara Fatemi joined the McDougall team. She checked Melisas pain level regularly to determine when shes ready for the epidural. Melisa told Fatemi she wasnt feeling much but added that she has a high tolerance for pain. Shaun said he saw the strain on his wifes face. Fatemi acted on Shauns assessment and called an anesthesiologist to prepare the epidural, something Shaun later said reinforced his feeling that they were a team. Levesque soon arrived for the promised next assessment. Melisa was 10 centimeters dilated and ready to deliverbut she had to hold on until nurses could get her into an operating room. The operating room would be the right place if the second baby, Bryce, didnt shift his position and the doctor needed to do a last-minute cesarean. Ill see you in a few minutes. No pushing without me, OK? Levesque said over her shoulder as she headed to the operating room to prep. Ill try, Melisa said, weakly. In a minute, nurses were rolling her down the hall, following Levesque. Almost five years ago, two women who were wheeled into this hospitals operating rooms during childbirth died after undergoing C-sections. Though state investigators found no evidence of substandard care, Dever, the head of obstetrics, said the hospital scrutinized everything. When you have something like that happen, that expedites your efforts exponentially, she said. Now, Dever sees an opportunity, through the Team Birth Project, to model changes that could help women far and wide. I would love women everywhere to be able to come in and have a safe birth and healthy baby, she said. Thats why Im doing it. They Did Not Flinch Dever was about to see her pilot study of the Team Birth Project pushed to new limits by little Bryce. But first, Melisa must deliver Bryces twin brother, Brady. Even his birth, the one that was expected to be easier, was more difficult than anticipated. Bent nearly in half, her face beet red, Melisa strained for five pushes. She threw up, then got back to laboring. And suddenly, there he was. Oh my goodness Brady, oh Brady, Shaun wailed. He followed a nurse holding his son over to a warmer. Marino took Shauns place next to Levesque, who reached inside Melisa to get the next twin. Levesques mission was to grab Bryces feet and guide him out. But everything felt like fingers, not toes. Thats a hand, she murmured. Thats a hand, too. Marino rolled an ultrasound across Melisas belly, hoping the scan would show a foot. But Bryces feet were out of sight and out of reach. Marino had more experience than most obstetricians with transverse babies and this procedure, known as a breech extraction; she asked to try. She reached into Melisas uterus while Levesque moved to Melisas right side and used her forearm to shift Bryce and push him down. Dever came into the room and took over the ultrasound. At least six doctors and nurses encircled Melisa, whose face was taut. Babe, you OK? Shaun asked. Melisa nodded. Bryces heart rate was steady. But there was still no sign of a foot. One little hand slipped out and Marino nudged it back in. Open the table, said Marino, her voice strained. It was open and ready, her colleagues told her, referring to the array of sterile surgical instruments that Marino may need, to begin a C-section. For 36 seconds, the room grew oddly quiet. Everyone was watching Marino twist her arm this way and that, determined to find Bryces feet. Levesque leaned hard into Melisas belly. Shaun bit his lip. Then Marino yanked at somethingand her gloved hand emerges, clenching baby Bryce by his two teeny legs. Oh babe, here he comes, here he comesWoo! squeals Shaun. Shaun was overcome with emotion again. Melisa managed an exhausted giggle. Baby Bryce kept everyone waiting a few more seconds and then howled. Outside the operating room, Levesque and Marino looked relieved and elated. Both agree that most doctors would have delivered Bryce by C-section. But at South Shore, the McDougalls found a hospital that challenged itself to perform fewer C-sections, and a doctor with experience in these unusual deliveriesone who knew and respected the parents preference. They specifically wanted to have a vaginal delivery of both babies, Marino saidand that was on her mind during the difficult moments. Bryce was fine, said Marino, so the deciding factor for her was that Shaun and Melisa did not panic. They did not flinchthey were like, Keep going, Marino recalls. Sometimes the patient will say stop, and then you have to stop. Shaun said he came close to requesting that, in the very last minute before Bryce was born. That part with the armit was pretty aggressive, Shaun said. But in that moment, he adds, the feeling that he and Melisa were part of the team made a difference. It made us more comfortable, said Shaun, and that comfort translated to trust. We trusted the decisions they were making. Melisa was grateful for the vaginal delivery. I did not want to have a natural birth and a C-section, she said. That would be a brutal recovery. Instead, 30 minutes after Bryces birth, Melisa was nursing Brady and talking with family members on FaceTime. Next Steps for Team Birth Project South Shore began using the Team Birth approach in April. Three other hospitals are also pilot sites: Saint Francis in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Evergreen Health in Kirkland, Washington; and Overlake in Redmond, Washington. The test period runs for two years. In the first four months at South Shore, the hospitals primary, low-risk C-section rate dropped from 31 percent to 27 percentabout four fewer C-sections each month. Experts who contributed to the development of the Team Birth Project are eager to see whether other hospitals can lower their rates of C-section and keep them down. Once you get past the early adopters, how do you demonstrate the benefits for others that arent willing to change? asked Gene Declercq, a professor of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health. Declercq noted that a few insurers are beginning to force that question, refusing to include hospitals that have high C-section rates in their networks, or high rates of other unnecessary, if not harmful, care. The federal government has set a target rate for hospitals: No more than 23.9 percent of first-time, low-risk mothers should have deliveries by C-section. The U.S. average in 2016 was 25.7 percent. The target was put in place because research has shown that if a womans first delivery is a C-section, her subsequent deliveries are highly likely to be C-sections, tooraising her and her babys risk for complications and even death. Declercq said the projects focus on communication in the labor and delivery room makes sense because many physicians decide when to perform a cesarean based on clinical habit or the culture of their hospital. If you can impact that decision-making process, you can perhaps change the culture that might lead to unnecessary cesareans, said Declercq. Martha Bebinger covers health care and other topics at WBUR, the NPR affiliate in Boston. This story is part of a reporting partnership with WBUR, NPR, and Kaiser Health News, where this article was originally published. Most older adults do not want to move to a nursing home, and supporting older adults to age in the community has potential to improve quality of life and costs for care, said lead study author Marianne Granbom of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and Lund University in Sweden. But to truly understand how aging in place can be supported, we need to shift focus from merely looking at individual health problems to also include the environments they live in, she told Reuters Health by email. Granbom and colleagues analyzed data collected between 2011 and 2105 on 7,197 U.S. adults ages 65 and older. During that period, about eight percent moved within the community and four percent moved to residential care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living. Overall, those who lived alone had a lower annual income, and visited the hospital during the past year were more likely to move. After taking health factors into account, poor indoor accessibility was strongly associated with moving to a new home in the community, but not with moving to a nursing home, the researchers reported in Journals of Gerontology. Having a one-floor house or having the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom on one floor were the features most strongly associated with aging in place. Dwellings with elevator access, lifts or stair-glides were also helpful. No other home environment factors, such as entrance accessibility or housing conditions, were associated with relocation. For older adults, moving to more age-friendly home environments could help postpone the need for a nursing home, Granbom said. The study found that the longer the adults had lived in their current homes, the less likely they were to move at all. Future studies could incorporate the emotional attachment to home to better understand the complexities of relocation decisions, the authors wrote. Dr. France Legare of Laval University in Quebec, Canada, who wasnt involved with this study but who has researched housing decisions among older adults, suggests some home-planning ideas to consider. During construction, leaving a space for a lift that could be installed later could be helpful, especially in dense cities where dwellings are often two or three stories, Legare said in a phone interview. Even if it isnt built yet, having a potential area for a lift could help people age in place and make housing decisions as they grow older. Other features such as improved lighting, a no-step entrance, walk-in showers with grab bars, and railings on both sides of indoor stairs could help, said Jon Pynoos of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, who has researched the future of housing for older adults. In a home with two or more stories, stacking closets that could later be replaced with a small elevator might be a good investment, Pynoos, who wasnt involved with this study, told Reuters Health by email. Basically, plan ahead. By Carolyn Christ Bonnie Mills-Lilly and Henry Lilly III were charged with first-degree manslaughter after their 3-year-old daughter died in Lawton, Okla., on Jan. 3, 2019. The medical examiner later found that the girl had a 17-pound tumor. (Comanche County Sheriff's Department) Oklahoma Couple Charged After 3-Year-Old Daughter Dies From Cancer A couple in Oklahoma was arrested and charged with manslaughter after allegedly neglecting their 3-year-old daughter, who died from cancer. Deputies with the Comanche County Sheriffs Department responded to a home in Lawton on Jan. 3 and found the girl unconscious but breathing. She was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead. Sheriff Kenny Stradley said that six other children were also living with Henry Lilly III and Bonnie Mills-Lilly in a camper home near Lake Lawtonka, reported The Lawton Constitution. All but one were placed into the custody of the DHS. The sheriffs office was investigating why the girl had not received medical care after the medical examiner discovered that the girl had a 17-pound tumor. At this time were still investigating this. Weve been talking to the medical examiner, Stradley told TNN on Jan. 7. Were still investigating it as to why the child didnt get treatment or stuff like that. That investigation led to Lilly III and Mills-Lilly being arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter on Jan. 11, reported TNN. According to an affidavit, authorities said that the child had severe signs of malnutrition and injuries to the lower half of her body in addition to the tumor. The felony manslaughter charge carries a minimum sentence of four years in prison. The couple appeared in court late last week and were slated to appear again in February. They were released on bond but ordered to wear GPS tracking devices until their next court appearance. Baby Dies From Head Trauma, Mother Charged A 13-month-old baby has died in Oklahoma following head trauma injuries, officials said. Justin Lastra, 30, the boyfriend of mother Michelle King, 28, called 911 on Jan. 18 to report that Kings baby fell. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to Oklahoma University Medical Center with non-accidental abusive head trauma, police officials told News 9. Authorities said in an update that the baby, Damien, died from his injuries. Both King and Lastra were arrested on a complaint of child abuse; theyre now facing first-degree murder charges. Child Abuse According to a report published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (pdf), approximately 3.5 million children nationwide in 2016 were the subjects of at least one maltreatment reports to authorities. Child abuse is one of the nations most serious concerns, the authors of the report wrote in the introduction. About 17 percent of those reports were substantiated; the department said that there were an estimated 676,000 victims of child abuse and neglect, or 9.1 victims per 1,000 children. Children in their first year of life had the highest rate of victimization at 24.8 per 1,000 children of the same age in the national population. About three-quarters of the cases were neglect while about 18 percent were physical abuse. Some children suffered from multiple forms of maltreatment. Of the perpetrators of the abuse, more than four-fifths were between the ages of 18 and 44 and more than one-half were women. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect. To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website. The Childhelp organization can also provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children), according to Childhelp. From NTD News The US flag flies over Chinese shipping containers that were unloaded at the Port of Long Beach, in Los Angeles County, on Sept. 29, 2018. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images) Oil Slumps Despite OPEC-Plus Production Cuts as Trump Tariffs Batter China After a two-week rally, oil prices fell more than 2 percent Jan. 14 as gloomy trade data from China deflated investor expectations for future demand. Brent Crude, the worlds leading oil price benchmark, dropped from $60.5 a barrel to just over $59 per unit on Jan. 14, after Chinas regime reported the worst export and import declines in two years in December. Exports fell 4.4 percent compared to last year, while imports plunged by 7.6 percent. Oil prices are getting weighted down by the prospects of weaker economic growth in China, Stephen Innes of futures brokerage Oanda said in a report. This data drives home just how negative of an impact trade war is having on the Chinese and perhaps global economy. Paradoxically, there is little sign on the ground that Chinese oil demand has weakened. Chinas crude imports in December surged nearly 30 percent compared to a year earlier, Reuters calculations of customs data showed. Trade War President Donald Trump has imposed a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports and 10 percent tariff on a further $200 billion of imports in 2018. All tariffs are set to jump by 25 percent on March 1, unless the two countries reach a trade agreement, in which Trump demands stronger Chinese protections for U.S. intellectual property, an end to forced technology transfers, and greater market access to China for U.S. companies. China responded with tariffs on $110 billion of U.S. imports but could not broaden the tariff base much further, since it is importing less than $130 billion worth of U.S. goods a year. Trumps tariffs have hit the Chinese companies much harder than U.S. consumers, since the administration strategically targeted products that place greater pressure on the seller to absorb tariff costs, a November research paper found. Bottom line [is] China needs a deal, if they are interested in stopping the free fall in their economy, PRICE Futures Group senior analyst Phil Flynn said in his Jan. 14 report. While some argue they are playing the long game when it comes to this trade war, they really are going to have a hard time recovering if they let this linger much longer. Both Trump and Chinese officials have been sending positive signals about trade talks but investors seem to be playing it safe on oil, also counting in a drop in output from Europe, where November industrial output numbers fell the most in nearly three years. OPEC+ Cuts Oil prices dwindled by about 35 percent over the last three months of 2018 due to the trade war, rising U.S. production, and Trump waiving sanctions on major importers of Iranian oil. Trump appeared reluctant to hand out waivers before sanctions on Iranian energy, banking, and other sectors kicked in Nov. 5. Trump convinced Saudi Arabia, Irans rival, to boost production ahead of the sanctions but then issued the waivers to eight importers, sending oil prices tumbling. Saudis, a leading player in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), responded by cutting production by 420,000 barrels a day in December. At a meeting that month, OPEC and allied oil producers (OPEC+), which includes Russia, agreed to cut production by another 1.2 million barrels a daydespite Trumps objection. By Dec. 24, Brent Crude had dropped below $50.5 per barrel, close to the $50 threshold below which the oil industry starts to lose money, according to Flynn. The market rallied and Brent soared above $61 on Jan. 9, only to be undercut by weak economic data again. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Monday he is not worried about a global slowdown hurting oil demand as of yet. The global economy is strong enough, Im not too concerned, he told reporters in Abu Dhabi. If a slowdown happens it will be mild, shallow, and short. Reuters contributed to this report. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, reacts during a news conference in Paris, France, September 15, 2017. (Philippe Wojazer/Reuters) Nissan Executive Munoz Resigns After Ghosns Arrest TOKYONissan Chief Performance Officer Jose Munoz, who took a leave of absence recently, has resigned, the first high-profile departure at the Japanese automaker publicly acknowledged as related to the arrest of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn. Munoz said in a statement on LinkedIn June 12 he made the decision after serious thinking because the company was involved in matters that have and will continue to divert its focus, referring to Ghosns case. Munoz is among several executives media speculated might succeed Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades. Nissan confirmed the resignation, effective immediately. There have been other recent departures from Nissan, but Nissan has denied they were related to Ghosns case. Munoz, a Spaniard who oversaw Nissans global strategies, worked for Nissan for 14 years. I love the company, my talented co-workers and Nissans industry-leading dealers, he said. Ghosn, arrested Nov. 19, has been charged with breach of trust and falsifying financial reports and remains detained in Tokyo. He rebutted each allegation and asserted his innocence in a Tokyo court last week, his first public appearance since his arrest. The court rejected a request by prosecutors late on June 11 that Ghosn not be allowed to receive visitors, paving the way for his family to see him for the first time since his arrest. Until now, Ghosn could only see prosecutors, embassy officials and his lawyers. In Japan, suspects are routinely held for months until their trials start. No trial date has been set for Ghosn. By Yuri Kageyama Neighbors Describe Arming Themselves After Finding Jayme Closs as Suspect Jake Patterson Due in Court The Wisconsin residents who assisted missing teenager Jayme Closs after she escaped from captivity said they were ready to shoot if the girls kidnapper came looking for her. Jayme approached a community member in Gordon on Jan. 10, the first time shed been seen since vanishing from her house on Oct. 15, 2018. When law enforcement officers responded to a mysterious 911 call early that morning, they found Closs missing and her parents murdered, with no signs of a burglary. The woman walking her dog who Jayme approached, Joanne Nutter, rushed the girl to a nearby home since her own house was close to that of the alleged kidnapper. Kristin Kasinskas and Peter Kasinskas revealed that they were armed in case the man authorities said had imprisoned the girl, Jake Patterson, came to their house to look for her. When our neighbor Jeanne came in with Jayme, she said: Get a gun. We dont know if hes after us, Kristin Kasinskas told Fox News. So we were armed and ready in case this person showed up. Soon after Jayme was ushered inside their home, Patterson was found by police officers driving nearby. My kids and Iwe went downstairs, Kasinskas said. My husband was asked to stand guard at one of the doors on the upper floor. [Patterson] was then arrested not that far away from our house. The suspect, 21, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. Patterson Due in Court Patterson is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Barron County Circuit Court on Monday, Jan. 14, to be formally charged. Investigators believe that he forced his way into the home of James and Denise Closs in Barron in October before shooting them dead and fleeing with their daughter, who is 13 years old. Authorities expanded the search for Jayme nationwide shortly after the abduction but turned up few clues and said after she escaped and was located that neither the town of Gordon nor Patterson had been on their radar. Pattersons defense attorneys, Charles Glynn and Richard Jones, said theyre concerned about getting their client a fair trial but theyre not sure whether that can happen. They said the case was a tragic situation from every perspective. Its been an emotional time for this community and a difficult time for this community. We dont take that lightly. But we have a job to do in protecting our client, Jones told The Associated Press. Officials said at a press conference on Jan. 11 that Patterson didnt have any known connection to the family and Jayme told FBI agents during questioning that she didnt know him before the kidnapping, her grandfather, Robert Naiberg, said. Jayme was reunited with her family on Friday after being medically evaluated and debriefed by agents. Shes doing exceptionally well for what she went through, Naiberg said. Shes in exceptionally good spirits. The charging documents that are set to be revealed on Monday are expected to shed light on what prosecutors believe motivated Patterson to commit the crimes and how he chose the Closs family as a target. Neighbors Didnt Have Suspicions People in the Gordon community said they didnt suspect that Patterson was holding a teen girl at his home. Never in a million years would I have thought Jake would ever do something like that, Elissa Lisenby, who attended Northwood High School with Patterson, told the New York Post. This isnt the Jake we all grew up knowing. Patterson wrote that he was planning to join the Marines in the yearbook from his senior year. Im finally done with this school, he wrote, reported the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. In 2015, he was voted as the most quiet boy in the class of 34 students he graduated with. Other classmates said he was just kind of there and would occasionally make sharp jokes but at other times sleep during class. He seemed like he was just one of those guys in school that wanted to fit in but couldnt because he lacked social skills. (He) never really made an impact in any way, said one former classmate, who declined to be identified. Patterson did join the Marines but dropped out of boot camp and failed in other attempts to start a career, Clinton Rolnik, another former classmate, told the Post. Between the failed attempts, he was sitting at home doing nothing, as usual, since graduating from high school, Rolnik said. He also didnt have any suspicions of what was allegedly happening at Pattersons home, adding, Nobody really knew him like we thought. Kasinskas, who teaches middle and high school science, said she taught Patterson when he was 12 or 13 years old and described him as a shy but bright student who had a close circle of friends. He didnt say a whole lot and never really stood out a whole lot to me because he wasnt super engaging, Kasinskas told Fox News. Since then, I didnt keep up with him. I didnt even know he lived on this street. I didnt know he was my neighbor until Jayme said, Jake took me. From NTD News Special Counsel Robert Mueller leaves after a meeting with the US Senate Judiciary Committee at the US Capitol in Washington, on June 21, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) Most Americans Think Mueller Probe Goal Is to Delegitimize Trumps Win, Poll Shows Most Americans believe President Donald Trumps critics are trying to use special counsel Robert Muellers investigation to delegitimize Trumps 2016 election victory, according to a new poll. Mueller is leading the investigation to probe any links between the Russian government and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, but many Americans think the investigation has been politicized. The poll conducted by IBD/TIPP, a collaboration between Investors Business Daily and TechnoMetrica, found that 51 percent of Americans agree that the presidents opponents are using the ongoing special counsel investigation into alleged Trump-Russia collusion as a way to delegitimize the 2016 election [result]. Of those who agreed, 52 percent were independents, while the majority were Republicans at 70 percent. The poll also found almost a third of Democrats, 31 percent, concurred. Meanwhile, about 44 percent disagreed with the statement. Americans can see through this charade and recognize the open secretthat the real goal of the opposition and the media is to delegitimize the outcome of the 2016 election and remove Trump from office one way or the other, TechnoMetrica president Raghavan Mayur said in a statement. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) echoed the sentiments of Mayur, saying there is a disconnect between the mainstream media, Washington, and what voters believe. There is an incredible divide between Washington and the rest of the country. When it comes to Bob Mueller and the Russia investigation, the mainstream media, Washington is obsessed with it. And when you get outside the Beltway, I dont find anybody concerned with this at all, Cruz told NBCs Meet the Press on Jan. 13. Rein in Trump Most Americans also believe there are reasons behind the special counsel investigation than just investigating possible links between Trumps campaign and Russia. When asked whether they believed the Department of Justice had launched the investigation to rein in President Trump, 48 percent of voters indicated yes, compared to 45 percent who disagreed. For Republicans, 55 percent of them agreed with that statement, while 35 percent of them disagreed. Among independents, the number was split evenly at 47 percent. Meanwhile, 41 percent of Democrats agreed and 52 percent disagreed. Trump recently fired back at a Jan. 11 report from The New York Times, claiming the FBI had opened an investigation into his alleged Russian ties months before his presidency began. I think its the most insulting thing I have ever been asked, Trump told Fox News. I think its the most insulting article Ive ever had written and, if you read the article, you see that they found absolutely nothing. The IBD/TIPP poll was conducted from Jan. 1 to Jan. 12, surveying 903 adults by telephone; theres a 3.3 percentage point margin of error. Military Cargo Plane Crashes in Iran, 15 Killed DUBAIA Boeing 707 military cargo plane crashed in bad weather on Jan. 14, west of the Iranian capital, killing 15 out of the 16 people on board, the Iranian army said. A flight engineer survived and was taken to hospital, the army said in a statement carried by the semi-official Fars news agency. The aircrafts black boxa cockpit voice recorder (CVR) had been recovered at the crash site, Fars said. The plane went down near Fath airport, which belongs to Irans elite Revolutionary Guards Corps and is located near Karaj in the central Iranian province of Alborz. A Boeing cargo 707 place carrying meat from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan had an emergency landing at Fath airport today the flight engineer has been dispatched to the hospital, the army said in the statement. It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway, it said. An army spokesman, Shahin Taghikhani, told state TV that the plane belonged to Iran and that all on board were Iranian citizens. The armys statement came after conflicting reports over who owned the plane. State TV said rescue teams had been sent to the area, between the airports of Fath and Payam International Airport, where the plane had been meant to land. Jan 14 Tehran #Iran Inside the house where the plane entered Due to the collapse of the two columns of the building, this place is unsafe Kyrgyz Boeing 707 cargo plane crashing near the city of Shahriar. #PlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/W95CdmvSBE mahsti25 (@mahsti25metana1) January 14, 2019 By Parisa Hafezi Arizona Governors office was warned about state vendor who allowed woman in vegetative state to be raped and get pregnant By Rachel Alexander Hacienda Healthcare of Arizona is under local and national fire after a San Carlos Apache woman in a vegetative state gave birth to a child a couple of days after Christmas. Hacienda Healthcare CEO Bill Timmons resigned a week ago after the major scandal was unveiled due to a frantic 911 call and a healthcare whistleblower. The nonprofit corporation, which was founded in 1967, possesses a lucrative state contract with the State of Arizona and receives over $20 million annually in taxpayer funding to take 24x7 care of its severely developmentally disabled citizens. The State of Arizona has had a problem since the last century with corrupt vendors on contract and the enabling swamp politicians that enable and run interference for them. New state agency directors rarely challenge the status quo due to the influence and power of special interests. Numerous state vendors contribute directly and indirectly to the very Republican and Democrat elected officials that should oversee them on behalf of hardworking taxpayers. The few state agency directors who actually embark on reform and house cleaning are forced out one way or another, typically at great cost to their respective reputations. In Arizona, as is the case with other states plagued with endemic corruption, long-time vendors have developed a cozy relationship with the elected state officials and appointed bureaucrats, which ensures the vendors' multi-million dollar contracts are seamlessly renewed, accountability is spartan, scandals are buried and the reformed are destroyed. The state government officials and social services bureaucrats in Arizona have known for years that Hacienda Healthcare had various issues. In the first month of his directorship of the Arizona Department of Economic Security in early 2015, based on input from the management of the Division of Development Disabilities, AZDES Director Tim Jeffries identified Hacienda Healthcare as a threat in his first DES SWOT analysis. Throughout 2015, Jeffries, a prolific communicator, consistently noted to the Governors office that Hacienda was a problem. More specifically, Jeffries and his restructured leadership team were completely dissatisfied with and increasingly alarmed by the interactions with the combative and often belligerent CEO Bill Timmons. As state-to-vendor relationship deteriorated, primarily as it pertains to financial transparency, Jeffries made the decision to plan the termination of the vendor contract and transfer of the client patients, some of Arizonas most vulnerable and defenseless, to other facilities. Jeffries communicated his intentions to the Governors office and strongly recommended to the State Attorney Generals Office that Hacienda should be investigated for millions of dollars of suspect billings. Jeffries audit team in his inspector generals office found that the nonprofit corporation overbilled state government, therefore Arizona taxpayers, approximately $4.3 million in one just one year alone. Arizona DES audits accused Hacienda of overbilling the state in 2014 for wages, transportation, housekeeping, maintenance and supplies. The cost of treating a patient was nearly three times (3x) the national average. Hacienda charged $386,000 as compared to $134,000 per patient in similar developmentally disabled care facilities. The fact that Timmons and his team would not provide 2015 financial data to DES as required by law was another giant red flag to Jeffries. In March and April of 2015, DES executives briefed Jeffries on Timmons and Hacienda, and warned Jeffries not to cross Timmons due to his vast political connections. Timmons frequently boasted about his connections to Governor Doug Ducey, who he brashly referred to as my good friend Doug and the key members of the Governors Office like Kirk Adams, the Governors Chief of Staff and former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. Timmons also consistently threatened to use his extensive political connections with top Republican and Democrat politicians in the Arizona Legislature to get his way, protect his business, shut up anyone who crossed him and have them fired. Public records show that Timmons donated $4,000 to Governor Duceys campaign in 2014 and 2016. Timmons also gave thousands to other elected officials. What is not known, perhaps will never be known, is how much Timmons, his businesses, his associates, his friends and family gave to 501c4 dark money groups where contributors and contributions are not legally required to be reported. Jeffries chief law enforcement officer Charles Loftus, a former top special investigator for the Arizona Attorney General, observed in a written statement, ...there was an extraordinary level of anxiety by the DES staff that Mr. Timmons was a friend and donor of Governor Ducey. I personally confirmed Mr. Timmons made several donations to the Governors campaign using several variations of his name and different addresses. If the total amount exceeded campaign finance limits, it is a violation of law. Jeffries recently told ABC 15 in Phoenix, "Timmons was intemperate, he was belligerent, he was abusive, he was a terror to our staff and God only knows how to his staff." Tragically, the recent horrific sexual assault and pregnancy of a vulnerable and defenseless 29-year-old Apache woman isnt the first time Timmons tried to cover up abuse of a patient. According to a former Hacienda manager, Timmons did the same thing with another patient scandal in 1988. Jeffries and Loftus believe their investigation of Hacienda contributed to their ousters the day before Thanksgiving in 2016. Not long after Jeffries and Loftus were fired, the Arizona Attorney General criminal investigation they pushed for was halted. "I was ousted as a result of a manufactured crisis, to shut me up and make me go away. Well, I'm not gonna shut up and I'm not gonna go away," Jeffries says now. Those who know his life story and work for crime victims know how serious and formidable he is. Jeffries and Loftus have a joint lawsuit pending against the State of Arizona. In their joint lawsuit, they specifically site their work to root out state government corruption with multimillion dollar vendors like Hacienda as a major reason for their political deaths. During his 21 months of service, Jeffries and his inspector general team took down several public officials for fraud, most notably a member of the Arizona Legislature. As a result, the Governors Ooffice became increasingly uncomfortable with Jeffries crusader approach to public fraud, waste and abuse. Even the Arizona Attorney Generals Office became weary of Jeffries and his teams passionate commitment to investigate and prosecute fraudsters. When Jeffries and Loftus were ousted, the criminal investigation was turned over to government healthcare bureaucrats for a civil investigation and all discussions regarding terminating Hacienda as a state vendor ceased in late 2016. Due to their support in the Arizona Legislature, Jeffries and Loftus were scheduled to testify about another major corruption issue in February 2017 and the Governor and his team blocked their testimony despite Arizonas State Constitution clearly outlining separate but equal branches of government. Jeffries and Loftus mention this scandalous act in their lawsuit. Police have obtained a warrant allowing them to collect DNA from the male caregivers working at Hacienda and will surely expand the search warrant to former male caregivers if a match is not found. In the meantime, the Governor Office announced the Hacienda facility will no longer be assigned new client patients, a directive that Jeffries issued over two years ago that was irresponsibly rescinded shortly after Jeffries departed. The Governor says it is exploring all options regarding Hacienda, including appointing a third party to run the facility. Its unfortunate it took the rape of an innocent and defenseless woman with profound developmental disabilities to bring to light the problem of crooked vendors and the political swamp where they flourish. Powerful interests like Hacienda should not be above the law nor should the very politicians who fund and protect them. Jeffries believes if the Ducey administration had followed through with his direction to terminate Hacienda's state contracts and pursue criminal charges, the rape never would have occurred. In the meantime, the Governors office stated late last week, We have and will continue to take a very aggressive approach when it comes to Hacienda. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications.mericano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home Man Throws Hot Coffee in McDonalds Workers Face After Waiting Too Long for Fries: Police Officials in South Carolina are searching for a McDonalds customer who tossed hot coffee at the face of a female employee while waiting at a drive-thru window in Camden, according to reports. The Camden Police Department released video footage of a Dec. 22 incident involving a male customer who lashed out after his wait time was too long, reported the Charlotte Observer. The incident occurred at the McDonalds on Wall Street in Camden, the police department said. The 16-year-old victim, who was not named, told officers that the man pulled up to the window and asked for French fries because he was unsatisfied with the service because he was waiting too long, the police report stated. The men then asked for the manager, and after they spoke, he started acting obnoxious, said police. The teen girl didnt want to go back to the window because of the drivers behavior. He told her that he would throw hot coffee at her, said police, reported the Observer. The driver then called the teen worker back to the window and threw coffee in her face. She apparently didnt know that he had taken the lid of the coffee cup, the Observer reported. Police said the victim didnt see the cars license but stated it was a red Ford Focus. She declined treatment from a first responder. The suspect will face an assault and battery charge if hes arrested. Anyone with information about the suspect, as seen in the video, can call the police department at 803-425-6025. The police report also said that the man may be from the Rembert area, WACH reported. Police said video surveillance footage confirmed the teen workers account, prompting a search for the suspect. The man got irate and obnoxious, said police (Camden Police) 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Man Poses as US Soldier in Love, Scams $219,000 out of Woman: Police A man from Nigeria, Africa, has been charged with fraud for allegedly posing as a soldier from the United States and then using the internet to scam a woman out of more than AU$300,000 ($215,000). The 32-year-old man, Cosmos Emeh, formed an online romantic relationship with his victim, a 34-year-old woman, after meeting her in October 2018 on social media. Over subsequent months she grew to believe the stories he made up about being a U.S. soldier deployed in Syria. Emeh was, in fact, living in Durack, Brisbane, on a student visa with a partner who has permanent residency and had been in Australia for two years. He managed to convince the woman to send him more than AU$200,000 ($143,600) in a series of transfers via a money transfer service. He also later visited the womans house to collect another AU$105,000 ($75,400), but because he did not look like the American soldier hed claim to be, he claimed to be an agent for the so-called soldier instead. But the meeting caused the woman to become suspicious and she confided with a close friend afterward, and later reported the incident to police. Romance scam It's easy to "think this will never happen to me", but the reality is it can and it does. It happened to a Queenslander. Let's support her and the many potential victims she has saved today. Queensland Police Service 2019110 I would characterize this victim as a well-educated young person who has entered into an online relationship based on what she was told, police investigator Vince Byrnes told reporters on Jan. 11. Byrnes said that once the two had established a romance, Emeh raised the topic of importing property into Australia. It may have been held up in relation to a customs or a revenue issue associated with that and that person didnt have access to funds, he told reporters. The scammer [would ask] could you please help me by providing some funds to me to release my property? In a set-up on Jan. 10, police arrested Emeh at his home as he was trying yet again to persuade the woman to give him more money, to the amount of AU$170,000 ($122,100). Denial Emeh was charged with one count of fraud, and one count of suspected fraud and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Jan. 11, where he was denied bail. His application for bail was refused because he was at risk of reoffending, as well as failing to appear in court. According to a local news blog, Emeh denied hed had a romantic relationship with the woman over the internet and denied knowing that he was involved in a scam. His lawyer told the court that Emeh had incidentally come to possess the SIM card that was used in the scam when it was sent to him on Jan. 10, the same day police had arrested him. The case has been adjourned to Feb. 11. Its very uncommon in Australia or anywhere around the world to have an offender involved in this type of scam physically present themselves for the collection of money, Byrnes said. It is a disturbing development and impinges on the personal safety of not only that victim but as a development in the methodology [of scammers]. These are constructed, well-versed scams demonstrating predatory behavior based on avarice and greed. If you cant control the nature of the interaction you have with that person online, that may be a red flag for you to be aware something may be amiss. Self-Control Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence of the state crime commands financial and cybercrime group said that the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command receives hundreds of complaints each month from people who find themselves in an online relationship with someone claiming to be a U.S. soldier. This is a common scam worldwide, Lawrence said. However, he also added that the twist in this recent case of the scammer actually visiting the victim in person is certainly something we need the public to hear and be warned of today. ROMANCE SCAM An alleged Casanova conman has fronted a Brisbane court, accused of swindling an unsuspecting woman out of more than $200,000 by posing as a U.S soldier online. #9News | http://9News.com.au 9 News Queensland 2019111 Lawrence encourages the public to maintain control at all times when developing friendships or relationships online. I know emotions may make that harder but arm yourself with the knowledge that these scams are occurring to everyday members of the community like you, he added. Take the time to evaluate the relationship, talk to friends and other loved ones about your new relationship online. We are thankful the victim in this instance took this step. The full press conference can be viewed below. Queensland romance scams Romance Scams: A 32-year-old man accused of impersonating a United States soldier has been charged with fraud offences after a 34-year-old Brisbane woman gave him more than $300,000. The man was arrested at a property in Brisbane's south. The U.S Army Criminal Investigation Command receives hundreds of complaints a month from people who find themselves involved in an online relationship with someone purporting to be a U.S Soldier. This is a common scam worldwide. Usually the offenders interaction with the victim is all online so this further step of traveling to the victims home is certainly something we need the public to hear and be warned of today."Police Statement: Police are issuing an urgent warning to the public following an investigation which has uncovered a disturbing development in romance and online scams. Last night, the Queensland Police Services Financial and Cyber Crime Group charged a 32-year-old Durack man following an investigation sparked after a victim contacted police. Operation Swift commenced following information received from a 34-year-old Brisbane woman who believed she had been dating an offender who had claimed to be a United States soldier. It is alleged the victim befriended a man she believed to be a U.S Solider on a social media platform in October 2018. Over the course of the following months the victim was groomed into believing the stories provided by the criminal and formed an online romantic relationship. The victim sent over $200,000 to the U.S Soldier via a series of transfers through a money transfer service. While this is becoming far too frequent, it is what came next that caused us concern, Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence of the State Crime Commands Financial and Cyber Crime Group said The concerning twist is that the offender (and clearly not the U.S soldier in the images) travelled to the victims home to obtain more money, this time over $105,000. The victim became suspicious and after confiding in a close friend, she reported the matter to police. Yesterday detectives conducted a tactical operation which lead to the interception and arrest of the offender whilst he was attempting to induce the victim to hand over more money. Detectives executed search warrants at a Durack address and located a number of items used in the commission of these crimes. Investigations are continuing. The 32-year-old man was charged with one count each of fraud and attempted fraud. He is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.www.7plus.com.au/news #RomanceScams 7News 7 News Sydney 2019110 From NTD News Italys Economy Minister Giovanni Tria attends a session for a Parliament vote of confidence on Italy's revised 2019 budget, on Dec. 29, 2018 in Rome. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images) Italy Treasury Minister Sees Stagnation Rather Than Recession MILANItalys Treasury Minister said on June 13 he did not see a recession on the horizon but acknowledged there could be a period of stagnation. The Italian economy has been slowing for the last year and gross domestic product declined by 0.1 percent in the third quarter, the weakest result since 2014. On Jun 11 industrial output for November came in much weaker than expected, increasing the risk of recession for the euro zones third largest economy. Lets wait for data for the last quarter of 2018. I dont see a recession, I see a situation of stagnation, Giovanni Tria said in an interview in Italian daily Corriere della Sera. Tria confirmed the governments commitment to cutting the countrys debt pile, the second-highest in Europe, but said growth depended also on monetary policy and the international outlook. In October, the European Commission rejected Italys 2019 budget which had included a deficit target of 2.4 percent of gross domestic product, saying it would not cut Italys debt and was an unprecedented breach of EU fiscal rules. In December, Rome rejigged the targets, cutting the planned deficit to 2.04 percent to strike an agreement with Brussels. The deficit will be kept under control, Tria said, adding he had never considered stepping down as minister due to wrangling over the budget. Asked about a target of raising 18 billion euros this year from privatizations, the minister said the government was looking at transferring stakes in state-controlled holdings to state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP). We are studying the question, he said. It is not clear if, under EU rules, the Treasury would be able to sell such stakes to CDP to cut debt. Tria said in the future he hoped EU budget rules could be adjusted to take account of changing conditions in order to help growth and foster financial and social stability. I believe the fiscal compact is wrong, he said. By Stephen Jewkes Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino military airport, in Rome, on Jan. 14, 2019. Battisti a left-wing Italian militant who was convicted of murder three decades ago is heading home to serve a life sentence, after his life as a celebrity fugitive came to an abrupt end with his arrest in Bolivia by a team of Interpol agents. (Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo) Italian Fugitive Brought Home To Serve Life Term For Murder ROMEA left-wing Italian militant who was convicted of murder three decades ago arrived in Rome on Jan. 14, to begin serving life in prison, after his time as a celebrity fugitive came to an abrupt end with his arrest in Bolivia. An Italian military aircraft carrying Cesare Battisti landed at Romes Ciampino airport shortly after 11:30 a.m. after an overnight flight from Bolivia. As snipers kept close watch, Battisti emerged and descended from the plane, surrounded by police. Wearing a brown jacket, a look of resignation and no handcuffs, Battisti was escorted to an airport facility to be processeda remarkably quick finale to one of Italys most drawn-out, politicized efforts to bring a fugitive home. All of the families, we waited for such a long time, marveled Alberto Torregiani as he watched live television coverage of the arrival of the man convicted in the death of his father. Seeing him come out of the airplane and in this moment is going to prisonit puts the word end on this story. Battisti was arrested Saturday in Santa Cruz, Bolivias largest city, where he was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices. Italy sent an aircraft to pick him up and bring him back for the first time since he fled Italy in 1981 as he was awaiting trial. The 64-year-old, who became a successful author during his life on the run, had lived openly in Brazil and France for years, enjoying the protection of left-wing governments on both sides of the Atlantic, much to the consternation of Italy. But Brazils outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition. That apparently prompted Battisti to flee to Bolivia, where his request for political asylum was rejected on Dec. 26, five days after he made it, Bolivian officials said Monday. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces life in prison for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweler Torregianis father, Pierluigiand a butcher. Battisti acknowledged membership in the militant group but denied killing anyone. He painted himself as a political refugee who would face certain torture or death in Italy. After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then settled in France, where he joined dozens of left-wing Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled Italy during its years of lead, a bloody, turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants on the left and right carried out bombings, assassinations, and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But then Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him political asylum in 2010. Battisti was eventually released from jail but was arrested again in 2017 after he was caught trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border with about $7,500 in undeclared cash. He was released after a few days. After that incident, the Brazilian supreme federal tribunal issued a warrant for Battistis arrest on tax evasion and money laundering charges. Outgoing Brazilian President Michel Temer signed the decree in December ordering the fugitives extradition, and Brazils new right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, vowed to follow through with it. In the end, that wasnt necessary, as Bolivian authorities handed Battisti directly over to Italian authorities, bypassing Brazil. That handoff will enable Italy to enforce the life sentence Battisti is due to serve. Under Brazilian law, people extradited to serve life sentences must have their sentences capped at 30 years. Today to the world, we say no one can escape Italian justice, Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede said from the airport tarmac after Battisti arrived, with Italys interior minister by his side. Bonafede had said earlier that Battisti would serve his term at Romes Rebibbia prison. On Monday, he announced a change in plans on security grounds, saying that Battisti would instead be imprisoned at a maximum security facility in remote western Sardinia. As for Torregiani, he was still processing the remarkable 48 hours that ended the nearly four-decade hunt for the man convicted in his fathers death. It is not a question of how many years or months that someone stays in prison, he told The Associated Press. It is just important that he begins to serve that sentence that for so many years he was able to avoid. By Nicole Winfield Gabrielle King, 10 months old, died on Jan. 14, 2019, from the severe injuries she suffered from a car crash on Jan. 10 in Waterboro, Maine. (10 month old Gabrielle is in need of help/GoFundMe) Infant Injured in Maine Crash Dies in Hospital: Family An infant left with severe injuries after a car accident in Maine has died in the hospital, her family said. We wish to extend our most humble appreciation to the extraordinary first responders at the scene, the doctors and nurses at The Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital, and to all of those who have offered support, kind offerings, and heartfelt love, the family of Gabrielle Kennedy, 10 months old, said in a statement obtained by WMTW. Under the most painful and tragic of situations, our family has had the opportunity to be witness to pure kindness by strangers, an outpouring of support from our community and the unwavering love and support from our family. Gabrielle was involved in a crash in Waterboro on Jan. 10, that saw a box truck slam into the car she was riding in. The babys mother, Ellen Kennedy, who was driving the familys car, was not injured. According to a GoFundMe launched by the babys family, Gabrielle was rendered unconscious from the crashs impact and rushed to a local hospital, from which she was airlifted to Maine Medical. She had a major brain bleed, the family said. Box Truck Driver Charged The driver of the box truck, Rene Romero, 53, was arrested and charged with aggravated driving to endanger. He appeared in court on Jan. 11 and ordered held on $10,000 bond. Romero did not enter a plea in his first court appearance. If he makes bond, he is forbidden from driving. He does not speak English, according to the Portland Press-Herald. He sat silently during the hearing, which was translated into Spanish through a speakerphone. Public attorney David Ferrucci told the judge that Romero understood the charge and was aware of his rights. His next appearance is slated for May 8. Deputies with the York County Sheriffs Office said that Romero was at fault, slamming into the SUV from behind while Kennedy was attempting to turn left from Main Street, also known as Route 202, onto Straw Mill Brook Road. You have to be cognizant, Sheriff Bill King told WGME. I mean, this individual was driving a 26-foot box truck. And again, we have witnesses that said there was no braking, or that just apparently just didnt see the car stop. If convicted, Romero faces a maximum of two years in prison, some fines, and a suspension of his drivers license. 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 miles traveled, although those numbers can vary widely across states. The highest deaths per 100,000 population were in Mississippi, which saw 23.1 such deaths, and the most deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled were in South Carolina, which saw 1.88 such deaths. In Maine, there were 12.9 deaths per 100,000 population and 1.1 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 2017. The majority of fatal accidents are single-vehicle crashes, the institute noted. From NTD News A Customs and Border Protection checkpoint in Falfurrias, Texas, on Nov. 10, 2018. These interior checkpoints often find illegal aliens being smuggled to other parts of the country, in some cases with the intent of trafficking them for sex or labor. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Human Trafficking, Sexual Assaults Key Aspects of Crisis on Southern Border Rep. Crenshaw and a Texas sheriff explain the challenges their state faces from an unsecured border, and why a wall is needed WASHINGTONThe words humanitarian crisis are constantly being used on both sides of the aisle during negotiations over border security and the government shutdown. President Donald Trump says a humanitarian crisis exists due to a weak southern border, while congressional Democrat leaders have said the crisis is manufactured. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) said the sheer number of people crossing the southwest border illegallymost of whom are families and children hoping to seek asylumconstitute a humanitarian crisis. In fiscal 2018, almost 400,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol after illegally crossing the border. So it [asylum] has created a draw. And so when that happens, you have dead bodies all throughout the southern border. Its really sad to see this. Not only that, but you have a third of the women being sexually assaulted, Crenshaw told The Epoch Times. Two-thirds of migrants traveling through Mexico report experiencing violence during their journey, including abduction, theft, extortion, torture, and rape, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has been providing medical and mental health care for migrants and refugees in Mexico since 2012. Almost 1 in 3 women surveyed by MSF said they had been sexually abused during their journey60 percent through rape. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said last year that his agencys intelligence and interviews put the numbers even higher. That scale represents a humanitarian crisis, in my humble opinion, Crenshaw said. But whether you call it humanitarian crisis or not its just completely unsustainable. Crenshaw said the volume of illegal immigration is unsustainable particularly for Border Patrol, the U.S. education system, and emergency rooms. He said the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston spends 25 percent of its funding on illegal immigrant health care. That means every dollar does not go to a native-born citizen who is low-income. So thats what were dealing with. Its not a sustainable situation, he said. Crenshaw said a mixed solution is needed to alleviate the crisis, but a border wall is necessary. Were asking for about 234 miles of border wall. Its extremely effective. And I know this from being somebody in the militarywhen we need to get places, barriers matter. Theyre not easy to climb over. Theyre not easy to dig under. Theyre a mitigating factor, theyre a huge mitigating factor. Were Not Doing a Wall Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is adamantly against appropriating funds for a border wall. Were not doing a wall. Does anybody have any doubt that were not doing a wall. So thats that, Pelosi said at a news conference Jan. 3. No, it has nothing to do with politics, it has to do with a wall is an immorality between countries; its an old way of thinking. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in his rebuttal to Trumps national address Jan. 8, that, This president just used the backdrop of the Oval Office to manufacture a crisis, stoke fear, and divert attention from the turmoil in his administration. Trump has said he wont sign a spending bill that doesnt contain $5.7 billion in funding for a wall. On Jan. 8, he said another $3.5 billion must be added for resources, including additional detention space, more ICE and Border Patrol agents, additional immigration judges, and other resources. On Jan. 10, during a press conference, Pelosi said, And, quite frankly, when the president talks about this being a national security issue, no, it really isnt. Its about a policy that is discriminatory as to where people are coming into this country. Trafficking and Homicides In fiscal 2018, Border Patrol agents apprehended 17,000 criminals entering the United States illegally. In a bill-signing for trafficking victims Jan. 9, Trump said human trafficking really hits a nerve. Were talking about, in many cases, women and children grabbed, thrown into the backseat of a car, or thrown into a van with no windows, with noany form of air. Tape put across their mouths, he said. And theyre brought across the border. And they dont go through checkpoints; they go through the emptiest spot they can find, with no walls, with no fences. In fiscal year 2018, ICE made more than 1,500 human-trafficking arrests, Trump said. Most for sex trafficking. Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, highlighted a recent case where the department sentenced five members of a Mexican sex-trafficking organization. Over the course of a decade, the organization had sex-trafficked young women and girls from Mexico and Central America into the United States. The case was a very complicated, long-running human-trafficking case where Mexican nationals were engaged in trafficking young girls and women across the border, smuggling these women across the border, into the United States, and forcing them into prostitution, Dreiband said Jan. 9. The Texas Department of Public Safety recently released a report that showed almost 200,000 illegal aliens were booked into local Texas jails in the seven years ending Dec. 31, 2018. Those aliens accounted for 624 homicide charges, more than 38,000 drug charges, and 418 kidnapping charges. For the last seven years, we had over 4,000 people incarcerated that are illegal aliens in Texas jails for sexual assault, said John Jones, chief of the departments Intelligence and Counterterrorism division, during a roundtable at the White House on Jan. 12. The sad thing is, 62 percent of them are sexual assault against children. And those are Texas children. Those are American children. Those are our children. The report also includes the number of crimes the illegal aliens were charged with beyond the seven-year period. Accounting for this, the homicide charges shoot up from 624 to 2,945 over their whole criminal career in Texas. The number of sexual-assault charges reached 8,507. Crisis of National Security Proportions Sheriff Andy Louderback of Jackson County, Texas, said the numbers support what law enforcement has been saying for decades. From a law-enforcement perspective on this, we have declared and said many times over, that we have a massive problem on our southern border, on security, of national-security proportions, Louderback told The Epoch Times. This is not manufactured and its not to be minimized. Is it significant enough to shut the government down? And the absolute truth is, yes. If we dont do it now, when are we going to do it? If its not now, if its not under this administration, what hope do we have as Americans to solidify our southern border? Louderback said the idea that the border crisis is manufactured is absolutely false. Let me tell you whats manufactured in this deal. And thats metric tons of narcotics, and tons of people who are just being shipped into this country. Thats whats manufactured, manufactured by the cartels, he said. All of our states are affected by this. Every law-enforcement agency in this country is dealing with the effects of an unsecured border. Its a very real, constant threat that we face every day. Louderback said a physical barrier is a vital part of border security. Were faced with walls everywhere. Theyre very effective because they work, he said. They provide the solid piece of foundational strength for you to keep that area securewhether its a prison, whether its trying to get into CIA headquarters. The Google logo on the rooftop of Google China's head office building in Beijing on March 21, 2010. Google stopped censoring Internet search results in China on March 23 in a move that was hailed by rights groups but drew an angry reaction from the Chine (AFP/Getty Images) Google Considers Building $600M Data Center in Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS, MinnGoogle is looking into building a $600 million data center in central Minnesota that would be powered by two wind farms. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy disclosed the data center project June 10 in a regulatory filing. The Google facility proposed in Becker would mark one of the largest private construction projects in recent state history and create about 50 full-time tech jobs. Minnesota is already the home to a number of data centers, so this project will really reinforce Minnesota as a hub for that growing talent in data infrastructure, said Shane Delaney, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Becker Mayor Tracy Bertram said the city is among several sites under consideration. Bertram said the plan calls for most of the facilitys electricity to come from renewable sources, which is a commitment Google has made for its operations globally. Google couldnt be reached for comment. Under the proposed agreement, Xcel Energy would sell Google land for the facility and provide electricity service. The data center would be situated on about 300 acres near two of the utilitys coal generators, which are set to retire soon. Xcel, the countrys largest wind energy utility, would dedicate two new wind farms, or about 300 megawatts of wind power, to the Google center, which would also draw electricity from conventional sources. Xcel said in the regulatory filing that the project would help the utility and the area transition from its reliance on the Sherco plant, the states largest coal-fired power plant. By locating there, this project becomes part of the companys journey to mindfully transition a coal-plant environment into a less carbon-intensive, business-oriented area that creates new jobs, results in significant private capital investment in the state and benefits all of the companys customers, the utility wrote. Richard Fountaine, 29, and Kimberly Belcher, 25, were captured in Monroe County, Georgia on Jan. 10, 2019. Officials said that Belcher, a prison guard at the Casper Re-Entry Facility in Casper, Wyo., helped Fountaine, an inmate there, escape on Dec. 28, 2018. (Monroe County Sheriff's Office) Fugitive and Prison Guard Accused of Helping Him Escape Captured in Georgia A prisoner in Wyoming who authorities said escaped from jail with the help of a prison guard was captured in Georgia along with the female guard. Officials said that fugitive Richard Fountaine, 29, and Kimberly Belcher, 25, were spotted in Monroe County on Jan. 9, triggering a search in the area. The pair were found in a garage in Monroe County on Jan. 9 by a homeowner. The male stuck his head out first and I noticed he was just kind of tattooed all the way up and he was brandishing a weapon. And their eyes just looked kind of crazy, Natalie Sundeen told NBC. Sundeen spoke with the pair for a minute before they asked her for help. They say that they had gotten their car stuck in a creek in our property or close to our property and could I help them get it out, Sundeen said. I said, Theres people painting the house in the back, if you want to talk to them feel free, they have trucks. Authorities heard about what happened and rushed to the scene, informing Sundeen who it was that shed encountered. A day later, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office said in an update that Fountaine and Belcher had been captured. The office had warned people not to approach the fugitive and the former prison guard, saying They may be armed and are considered dangerous. If anyone saw the pair they were urged to call the sheriff immediately. Escape According to court documents, Fountaine broke out of prison with the help of Belcher, a guard at the facility. Fountaine climbed a wall at Casper Re-Entry Center and then scaled a chain-link fence on Dec. 28, 2018, before hopping into a waiting SUV and fleeing the area, according to the documents, which were obtained by the Casper Star-Tribune. Law enforcement officials stated in the documents that Belcher gave Fountaine a cellphone before he escaped, which he apparently used to arrange a ride. A search warrant request for the facility does not state why Belcher is believed to have helped the inmate. According to the Star-Tribune, other workers at the facility have allegedly been caught in recent years having sexual encounters with inmates. Mark Horan, spokesman for the Wyoming Department of Corrections, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Casper Re-Entry Center is under private ownership. He noted that Fountaine was in a secure unit there when he escaped. ***UPDATE***Both individuals were located and are in police custody!Please be on the look-out for the following Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Georgia 2019110 Caught in Georgia Its not clear why the couple fled to Georgia; the Monroe County Sheriffs Office said that it had no information to suggest that they have family here, and that Fountaine was from Texas. Lt. Chad Beck with the Monroe County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the call from a homeowner approached by the pair eventually led authorities to them. After nearly two days of searching Monroe County, with multiple agencies and a helicopter assisting in the search, they were finally found dressed in full camouflage, by a pond, face down on the bank of a dam, Beck told NBC. They had placed their hands underneath their bodies in the hopes of avoiding detection. When detected, they surrendered without a struggle. From NTD News Five Children in Guangzhou Develop Severe Brain Infection From Flu A least five cases of a severe brain infection known as necrotizing encephalitis caused by influenza were recently reported in Guangzhou City in southern China, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily, a local tabloid newspaper. Dr. Xu Yi, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Guangzhou Women and Childrens Medical Center, told the newspaper on Jan. 8 that children diagnosed with the flu have filled up the hospitals infectious-disease ward. This past week, the hospital had roughly 300 cases of children with the illness. Unlike the H1N1 virus, which tended to attack childrens lungs in the past, the virus this year tends to attack childrens nervous systems. We have treated five children with necrotizing encephalitis, the doctor said, noting that in the cases so far, the childs health condition drastically worsens after getting the flu, and develops into necrotizing encephalitis. The five children are currently in a coma. According to a Radio Free Asia report, the youngest child who contracted the disease is a 3-year-old. The Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control denied that there is any case of the influenza virus mutating, saying that currently, the flu is mainly caused by the Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, with some cases of Influenza A virus subtype H3N2, Chinas state-run news website Beijing News reported on Jan. 9. Former Ministry of Health official Chen Bingzhong, who now heads the China Health Education Center research institute in Beijing, is concerned that the virus has mutated. He said authorities are to blame for not preparing sufficient amounts of vaccines in advance to protect children. The vaccines that were prepared previously were not enough, Chen said in an interview with The Epoch Times sister broadcaster NTD. Many in Guangdong Province went to [neighboring] Hong Kong to get vaccines for their children. But with the virus now reportedly attacking childrens nervous systems, those vaccines may no longer be effective, he added. Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. Three of the four types of influenza viruses affect people: Type A, Type B, and Type C. The virus is spread through the air from coughs or sneezes. It also can be spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus and then touching the mouth or eyes. Infection may be confirmed by testing the throat, sputum, or nose for the virus. Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headaches, and fatigue. Annie Wu contributed to this report. Passenger planes of German airliners Lufthansa and TUI pass one another at Tegel Airport in Berlin, Germany, on July 29, 2008. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Family Sat on Floor of Plane Where Their Seats Should Have Been A family had to sit on the floor of an airplane for a two-hour flight in the empty spaces where their seats should have been as they flew back from their summer vacation. The airline, Tui, said that the airplane had been switched at the last minute, and the replacement aircraft had a different seating layout. The Taylor family boarded the flight from Menorca to Birmingham after their summer vacation. They hunted down their seat numbers41 D, E, and Fin the usual way, looking at the labels above the seats. They found the numbers, but when they looked down, there were no seats, according to a Jan. 14 BBC report. We all just looked at each other as if to say Wheres our seats gone?' Paula Taylor said. She was travelling with her husband, Ian, and her 10-year-old daughter Brooke. The flight had only one spare seat, which the crew gave to Brooke. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had to sit in the flip seats normally reserved for the crew as the airplane took off. But after take-off, they could not stay in those seats, because the crew was busy serving food and other items stored behind. So Mr and Mrs Taylor found a place on the floor where they could sitthe space their seats should have been. Brooke did not want to sit alone, so she joined them on the floor. "We all just looked at each other as if to say 'where's our seats gone?'" BBC England 2019113 A statement from Tui said that they would be apologising directly to the Taylors as well as offering a full refund for their 1300 tickets. Regulator to Investigate We are sorry to hear about Mr Taylor and his familys experience with us, said the statement. Unfortunately a last minute aircraft change meant that the seats the family was originally assigned were unavailable as the alternative aircraft had a different seating configuration. Were also sorry for the way the situation was initially handled and well be investigating this. But Mrs Taylor said that when she initially complained about the incident, she got short shrift from the airline, despite having photographs of what had happened. She claims that she was first told that there was no record of the incident of physically missing seats, and only offered a goodwill gesture of 30. Her frustration at the brush-off pushed her to contact the BBCs programme, Rip Off Britain, due to be broadcast on Jan. 15. According to the Telegraph, the co-pilot came out to join them on the aircraft floor, thanking them for their co-operation and understanding. "We just couldn't believe it" Birmingham Live 2019113 He said that how calm we were and he was so grateful because he would have had to, he would have missed the time slot take off, Mrs Taylor said. She described the floor as hard, uncomfortable and just filthy. Its just not an experience I ever want to repeat. British Airline industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said passengers are allowed to sit in crew seats under certain conditions, according to the BBC, but they must not be left unseated during any stage of the flight. The CAA is now looking into the incident, reported the Telegraph, and has asked the airline to explain why the family was seated on the floor. The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER that disappeared from air traffic control screens on March 8, 2014, taking off from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, on Dec. 26, 2011. (Laurent Errera/AP Photo) Debris Likely From Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Found in Madagascar The Malaysian governments Safety Investigation Team for MH370 has confirmed that debris found in Madagascar is probably from the lost Malaysia Airlines jet. Malaysia Air Flight 370 disappeared mysteriously on March 8, 2014, and despite intensive surface and undersea searches, the wreckage has never been recovered. The plane, a Boeing 777-200 that carried 239 passengers and crew, is presumed to have gone down in the Southern Indian Ocean. Five pieces of aircraft debris were recovered from a Madagascar beach and presented to Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke on Nov. 30, 2018. Now the MH370 Safety Investigation Team has announced that at least one piece of debris, a floor panel, was from a Boeing 777, most likely MH370. American Wreck Hunter Finds Evidence The debris was located by wreck hunter Blaine Gibson at Sandravinany, south Madagascar. The floor section bore an identifying label. Don Thompson, one of the Independent Group investigating MH370s disappearance, found the actual identification label for the Boeing 777, Gibson said. The debris proves two things. MH370 crashed violently and it almost certainly is in the Southern Indian Ocean, he stated. Gibson told the West Australian that many pieces of debris had been recovered, but the people who had found them were waiting for the Malaysian government to offer rewards. Gibson acquired the debris he gave the government by offering Madagascar locals small rewards when they brought him their finds. A lawyer from Seattle, Washington, Gibson spent several months investigating the disappearance of Flight 370 paying his own way, logging his findings on The Hunt for MH370 website. Ive been very involved in the search for Malaysia 370, just out of personal interest and in a private groupnot in a for-profit way or journalistic way, Gibson told CNN. Mysterious Disappearance Flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia shortly after midnight on March 8, headed for Beijing, China, with 227 passengers from 15 different nations, plus a crew of 12. The plane headed north, but while passing from Malaysian to Vietnam air space, the plane dropped off the radar. Satellite data showed that the plane turned sharply south and west, off its prescribed course. Gibson interviewed a resident of the Maldives Islands who said he saw a plane matching the description of the Malaysia Air jet flying low over the islands and heading west around 6:15 a.m. The plane would have run out of fuel somewhere over the Southern India Ocean. Deliberate Action? There has been much speculation about what happened in the cockpit of MH370. The pilot and copilot would have had to turn off all communications gear and deliberately dive below radar range to escape detection. According to the Safety Investigation Team report, the investigation is unable to determine any plausible aircraft or systems failure mode that would lead to the observed systems deactivation, diversion from the filed flight plan route, and the subsequent flight path taken by the aircraft. It is more likely that such maneuvers are due to the systems being manipulated, the report stated. Aviation experts on a panel assembled by 9 News Australia offered the possibility that the pilot, Capt. Zaharie Ahmad Shah could have been attempting suicide. The 9 News station invited world-renowned expertsair crash investigators, senior pilots, oceanographers and the former head of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the ATSBto review what is known of the last moments of the MH370 flight to conclude what most likely happened to the plane and why. Kapten and Co-pilot Kapten Zaharie Ahmad Shah 201438 ATSB officials on the panel concluded that most probably Shah turned the plane off course, then set the autopilot and let it fly until it ran out of fuel and crashed. Those experts also considered it likely that Shah depressurized the cockpit, which would have killed himself and the co-pilot. Senior 777 pilot and instructor Simon Hardy noted that Shah apparently changed course to fly over his home city of Penang before heading out over the Indian Ocean. Hardy told 9 News that this might have been a farewell gesture. From NTD News A man who was convicted in the slaying of an 8-year-old girl whose body was never located was found dead in a prison cell in Oklahoma (Oklahoma Department of Corrections) Convicted Child Killer Found Dead in Oklahoma Prison, Cellmate Suspected: Officials A man who was convicted in the slaying of an 8-year-old girl whose body was never located has been found dead in a prison cell in Oklahoma. Anthony Joseph Palma, 59, was discovered unresponsive at around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 by an officer doing a security check. He was pronounced dead later after prison staff couldnt revive him, according to reports. His cellmate is considered the prime suspect in the killing, investigators told the Oklahoman newspaper. The cellmate was not identified but he is also serving time for first-degree murder, according to reports. Palma was sent to prison in the killing of Kirsten Renee Hatfield, NewsOK reported. She was 8 years old at the time of her disappearance in 1997. The Oklahoma Corrections Department said on Jan. 12 in a news release that it was investigating a homicide at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Palmas cause of death was not disclosed. Palma was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Kirstens death. Prosecutors alleged during the 2017 trial that Palma kidnapped the girl from her home after she went to sleep on May 13, 1997. Then, according to prosecutors, he assaulted her. According to The Charley Project, Kirsten was last seen at her house on the 1100 block of Jet Drive in Midwest City, Oklahoma. He was serving life in prison without parole. Daily Mail 2019113 Authorities have stated they think Kirsten was harmed by someone close to her, possibly a relative, as they dont believe a stranger would have been able to carry her out the window and over the fence without a struggle or any noise. Several individuals close to her failed polygraphs after her disappearance but there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone, said the website. Palma knew the victim because he was dating her older sister, said the website. He was not charged in the case due to lack of evidence. In 1998, a woman who lived with Palma accused him of drugging her and raping her; he wasnt charged in that case either, however, the Charley Project stated. The prosecution presented the DNA evidence at Palmas trial in October 2017 and multiple witnesses testified that they had been sexually victimized by him as children. He maintained his innocence but was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Blood was discovered on the windows of Kirstens window and Palmas DNA was later matched to the blood. He lived two doors down from Kirstens home at the time of her disappearance and was still living there at the time of his arrest. Authorities matched his DNA to the blood found on Kirstens bedroom windowsill and on her underwear, said the Charley Project. After he was arrested in 2015 for the killing, he tried to slash his wrists. Inmate who was killed at Oklahoma penitentiary identified as Anthony Palma https://t.co/tld9U1VCAp pic.twitter.com/FaF6BmJYRT KOKH FOX 25 (@OKCFOX) January 13, 2019 Throughout the trial, Palma maintained his innocence. It wasnt Palmas first run-in with the law after his former landlady accused him of drugging her in 1982 in Oklahoma, News9 reported. Palma also allegedly assaulted a young girl in 1979 or 1980 in Oklahoma. He is accused of sneaking into the girls bedroom at night but was never charged in the case. Other details about the case are not clear. #BREAKING Anthony Palma who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and killing 8-year-old Kirsten Hatfield in 1997 was found dead last night at the state penitentiary. Authorities believe his cellmate is responsible for his death. More on case here: https://t.co/5BMQQWUAps Lauren Daniels (@lauren_daniels4) January 13, 2019 Crime Decreased in 2017 The FBI said that both violent crime and property crime decreased in 2017 compared to 2016. Overall violent crime decreased 0.2 percent between 2016 to 2017, while property crime decreased 3 percent during that time, the agency said in September 2018 as it released data from the previous year. There were more than 1.2 million violent crimes reported to the Uniform Crime Reporting program nationwide in 2017, the agency said. 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. Watch Next: The Dark Origins of Pedophile Rings in the US An alleged Soviet spy operation used children as honey pots in the west, to lure politicians and business leaders into committing crimes so they could be blackmailed Communist China Moves to Restrict Use of Blockchain Technology On Jan. 10, Chinas Cyberspace Administration announced regulations to manage blockchain technology, requiring registration of real names and identification. After it comes into effect on Feb. 15, violation of the rules will be punishable by fines or prison. The Chinese authorities have been increasing scrutiny of, and imposing legislation on, the countrys hundreds of millions of internet users. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has built up a formidable infrastructure of internet censorship, while passing increasingly draconian cybersecurity laws to ban online political dissident and try violations. Blockchain, or Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), was developed as an anonymous and impartial means of recording transactions via the bitcoin virtual currency. Because it stores data in such a way that it cannot be altered, the technology poses a severe challenge for the Partys censorship. Chinese internet users have used blockchain to expose and distribute information about prominent scandals. Evidence of the rape of a 19-year-old college student at the prestigious Peking University by her professor in 1995, which drove her to suicide, was brought to light this April by one of her friends. The friends account was defended against internet censorship using blockchain technology. Following public outrage, the professor was dismissed and disciplined. Similarly, many Chinese users used the blockchain to expose a government department scandal that involved the vaccination of infants with fake or faulty vaccines. The new rules governing blockchain appear to be intended to discourage more people from posting information about scandals that the authorities find embarrassing, according to Taiwans Central News Agency. Real Names Required The draft version of the blockchain regulation was released last October. The document released Jan. 10 is the final version. According to the rule, all blockchain operators have to register with their companys organization code, the identification of their legal personal representatives, mobile phone number, the companys name, service type, service form, application area, and server IP address. While in use, blockchain operators have to make sure that the content meets the governments requests, records all users information, and so on. The rule stipulates that blockchain operators have to register with the local office of the Cyberspace Administration within 10 days after launching a new service; register within 5 days of changing a service; and report to the authorities within 30 days after stopping a service. Any blockchain operator that violates the regulations is subject to fines by the Cyberspace Administration up to the amount of 30,000 yuan ($4,450), or prison time if the transgression is deemed to be serious. The rules surrounding blockchain operation is the latest regulation that the CCP has passed in a series of attempts to clamp down on freedom of speech in recent years. In November 2016, the Chinese authorities published the Internet Security Law, which was implemented starting June 1, 2017. That May, the authorities announced their Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services, which was implemented the same day as the Internet Security Law. In January 2011, CCP updated its Administration of Internet Information Services Procedures, which was first published in September 2000. To enforce these laws and regulations, the Communist Party mobilized significant resources and personnel to monitor and control internet use in China. Media cant post any information that the regime considers unfavorable, and individuals who do so are punished. Use of VPNs, which allows netizens to access blocked sites such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter, is now also controlled. Two netizens reportedly were punished recently for using VPNs. Recent reports suggest that the Party authorities, including the police, have been hacking and commandeering the Twitter accounts of prominent activists to post incriminating content in their names, fabricating evidence against them that could be used in court. Leo Timm contributed to this report. New York's landmark Waldorf Astoria Hotel, pictured on June 27, 2016. The Chinese government took over Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Feb. 2018 when it seized control of the assets of China's Anbang Insurance Group. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Chinese Investment in the US Drops Sharply WASHINGTONChinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States declined sharply last year amid growing trade tensions with Beijing and an intensified U.S. crackdown on foreign investments. The downward trend, which started in 2017, deepened last year, according to Rhodium Group, a research company. More restrictive Chinese policies, stepped-up U.S. investment screening, and deterioration of U.S.China relations had curbed Chinese investors appetite for U.S. assets in 2017, a report by Rhodium Group said. In 2018 this slowdown deepened as new investment dropped to a seven-year low. Chinese investment in the United States was only $4.8 billion last year, compared to $29 billion in 2017 and $46 billion in 2016. The flow of investment from China to the rest of the world soared between 2010 and 2016. And the United States remained a key market for the Chinese companies. The U.S. real estate and hospitality industries were the favorites, and California was the most popular state for Chinese investors. Chinese companies completed more than 950 transactions and invested more than $100 billion across a wide range of U.S. industries between 2010 and 2016. This trend, however, reversed in 2017. Both Washington and Beijing implemented policies over the past two years that dampened the Chinese investment appetite, according to Rhodium Group. The Chinese regime imposed stringent capital controls on outbound investment. Meanwhile, the United States enhanced the existing investment screening process to tackle national security threats posed by Chinese investments in particular. The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) was passed by the U.S. Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2018. The bill strengthens the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) by bringing new transactions under its review authority. It enables the committee to scrutinize and block deals involving the transfer of not just controlling shares but also minority interests in companies dealing in critical infrastructure or technology. Chinas Deleveraging Campaign Net Chinese investment in the United States was, indeed, negative in 2018 when asset sales are also taken into account. Chinese investors divested $13 billion worth of U.S. assets last year, mainly because of deleveraging pressures from Beijing, according to the Rhodium report. Some of the prominent Chinese investors who drove the 20152016 buying spree have been forced by the Chinese regime to sell their assets to reduce debt levels. We count a total of $13 billion in completed divestitures in 2018, and another $20 billion are still pending, the report said. When divestitures are counted, Chinese net FDI inflows to the United States drop to negative to the tune of $8 billion last year. In 2019, Beijing is expected to continue outbound capital controls and its financial deleveraging campaign to fix its high debt problem. Due to economic woes, the Chinese regime cannot leave the path of deleveraging and loosen outbound capital controls in the near term, according to experts. Despite the slowdown in FDI investment, Chinese venture capital investment reached a record high last year. Chinese venture capital financing in American companies increased from $2.1 billion in 2017 to $3.1 billion in 2018 due to lower regulatory hurdles, stated the report. The largest recipients of venture financing were battery maker Farasis Energy, gaming company Epic Games, and biotechnology firms Grail and Viela Bio. The investment pressure is expected to persist this year. The pipeline of pending Chinese investments in the United States is at a five-year low, and most hurdles will either persist or deepen, according to the report. The uncertain outlook for broader USChina economic relations will continue to weigh on investor sentiment, the report stated. The Trump administration launched a tariff campaign early last year as part of a strategy to end Chinas unfair trade practices. After months of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, the two sides agreed on a 90-day ceasefire on tariff increases. Negotiations are still ongoing, and the outcome of these talks will be an important factor for the 2019 investment outlook. The Rise in Greenfield Projects One bright spot in the Rhodium report is the rise in Chinese greenfield investments, in which a company builds its operations in the United States from the ground up. We registered a noticeable increase in newly announced projects in the second half of 2018 in response to trade barriers, especially in basic materials, automotive and some consumer sectors, the report said. An increase in tariffs is one of the factors that motivate foreigners to invest in the U.S. market, as FDI gives them a local footprint in the worlds largest economy. In 2018, the United States topped the management consulting firm A.T. Kearneys FDI Confidence Index for the sixth year in a row. Foreign investors are attracted to America because of its large consumer market, solid economic performance, and recent corporate tax cuts. The governments protectionist rhetoric and actions may also be motivating some companies to invest in the United States to maintain market access, stated an A.T. Kearney report. FDI remains a crucial business strategy for companies as they seek to mitigate the effects of rising anti-globalization and protectionist sentiments around the world. Chinas Auto Market Stuck in Reverse Souring sentiment portends to a disappointing 2019 News Analysis China, the worlds largest automotive market, experienced its first annual decline in auto sales in more than two decades last year. Chinese auto sales fell 6 percent to 22.7 million units in 2018, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Declining economic growth, a slumping stock market, and uncertainties from the ongoing trade war have led consumers to recoil from their usual appetite for buying cars. While sales were strong earlier in the year, demand fell dramatically in the second half. Sales for December 2018 fell 55 percent year-over-year, Morgan Stanley analysts estimate, using CPCA data. This isnt a trivial development. China is the bread basket for many of the worlds biggest automakers such as General Motors, Ford, BMW, and Volkswagen. Over the past decade, manufacturers have spent billions of dollars adding production capacity in Chinabanking on continued sales growth of a burgeoning middle class. As an economically important 2019 gets underway, they are faced with an uncertain future. Whats the effect on demand from the ongoing trade war? When will growth return? Continuing to expand, as they have been, risks creating excess capacity and eroding profits. Yet an overly conservative approach could leave some automakers in the dust if sales growth picks up again. This auto sales slump reflects the overall mood in Chinas economy. Chinese auto sales are a majorand perhaps bestindicator of consumer sentiment. The symptoms have been present for several months: inventories are running high, retail sales have been slowing, and several automakers have resorted to cutting prices more than usual. Domestic Automakers Hurting On Jan. 8, shares of Geely Automobile Holdings, one of Chinas most successful domestic brands, had their biggest fall in more than three years. In addition to announcing a 39 percent drop in December 2018 sales, the Chinese automaker also gave a disappointing 2019 sales forecast, leading to a downgrade from several investment research analysts. Hong Kong-traded shares of Geely are down more than 17 percent since the beginning of the year. Thats after a 49-percent drop during 2018 made the carmaker one of the worst performers in the industry. Geely, which is controlled by billionaire Li Shufu, denied a Jan. 11 Bloomberg report that claimed it had sold half of its 9.7 percent stake in Daimler AG to raise cash. Geely also owns the Swedish automaker Volvo Cars. Changan Automobile, a Ford partner in China, announced full-year 2018 sales fell 26 percent versus 2017. BAIC Motor, the parent company of Mercedes-Benzs China partner, also reported sales declines. One factor affecting demandoutside of the trade waris Chinese authorities crackdown in 2018 of unconventional forms of lending that bypassed traditional banks. Particularly, peer-to-peer lending made a lot of credit available to Chinas growing middle class. This was especially prevalent in smaller third-tier cities. That kind of financing has dried up, as many peer-to-peer lenders closed in 2018. More Potholes Ahead China Association of Automobile Manufacturers expects auto sales to be flat in 2019. In an outlook issued last December, the trade group expects slower demand for gasoline cars to be offset by more sales of electric vehicles. Today, that forecast might be more of an upside case. Although Chinese consumers have the cash to buy new vehicles, they have been unwilling to do so. Chinese consumer sentiment is more hyperbolic than U.S. sentimentswhen the economy is booming, Chinese consumers are very aggressive. But when the economy is uncertain, they tend to become overly conservative. Chinese regulators may offer some reprieve ahead. There is speculation that Beijing may step in to help stimulate demand. In 2015, regulators cut the purchase tax temporarily on most new vehicles by half, to 5 percent from 10 percent, which helped sales. Going forward, automakers must be smart about where they invest. There is more potential growth in Western China and rural China, whereas, on the more affluent East coast, the growth slump is probably more permanent based on saturation of vehicles. Continued sales slump and lower company valuations also offer an opportunity for foreign automakers to sign deals to take control of their domestic partners. BMW offers an exampleit reached a deal late last year for around $4 billion to take majority control over its China operations (currently a joint venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings) by 2022, when Beijing is anticipated to lift the cap on foreign ownership. Canadian Sentenced to Death in China for Drug Smuggling UPDATE: BEIJINGA Chinese court on Jan. 14 sentenced a Canadian man to death for drug smuggling, a ruling sure to aggravate already sour relations between Beijing and Ottawa following the arrest of a senior Chinese executive in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the decision. It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply (the) death penalty as in this case, he told reporters in Ottawa. The Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court in Chinas northeast province of Liaoning re-tried Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who had appealed against his original 15-year sentence, and decided on execution, the court said in a statement on its website. The ruling will further strain an already tense relationship with Canada in the wake of the Dec. 1 arrest in Vancouver of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd., at the request of the United States. China denounced her arrest, warning of unspecified consequences unless she was released, and has since detained two Canadians on suspicion of endangering state security. The death sentence was quickly condemned by rights groups. William Nee, a Hong Kong-based China researcher with Amnesty International, said it was horrified that Schellenberg had been sentenced to death, particularly as drug-related offenses did not meet the threshold of the most serious crimes to which the death penalty must be restricted under international law. This is all the more shocking given the rushed nature of the retrial, and the deliberate way in which the Chinese authorities drew attention to this case, Nee told Reuters. Drug smuggling is routinely punished severely in China. Beijing has previously executed foreign nationals convicted of drug-related crimesa Briton caught smuggling heroin was executed in 2009, prompting a British outcry over what it said was the lack of any mental health assessment. 490 Pounds of Methamphetamine Schellenberg was told in court he had the right to appeal to Liaoning High Court within 10 days upon receiving the ruling, the intermediate court said in a second statement. The court said Schellenberg had conspired with others in an attempt to smuggle 222 kilograms of methamphetamine from China to Australia in late 2014. The drug syndicate had concealed 222 bags of the drug in plastic pellets when it shipped it from Guangdong to Dalian. Then it planned to conceal it in tires and tubing and ship it via container to Australia, according to the court. Chinese state television said in an earlier report that Schellenberg argued in court that he was a tourist visiting China and was framed by criminals. Before his arrest, on Dec. 1, 2014, Schellenberg had prepared to flee to Thailand from Dalian but was arrested when in transit in Guangzhou, the court said. It did not offer further information about Schellenberg, including his age and occupation, though media reports have said he is 36 years of age and a former oil worker. A lawyer for Schellenberg, Zhang Dongshuo, told Reuters his client would probably appeal against the death sentence. Schellenberg, who was to have been deported after serving his original sentence, had lodged an appeal after being ordered in Dalian to 15 years in prison on Nov. 20, 2018. The Liaoning High Court in late December 2018 ordered the case retried after prosecutors said the sentence was too light and improper. Beijing considers the number of people executed in China each year to be a state secret. International human rights organizations estimate the figure at around 2,000. China is going to face lots of questions about why this particular person, of this particular nationality, had to be retried at this particular time, Human Rights Watchs Washington-based China director Sophie Richardson told Reuters. Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg attends his retrial at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in Dalian, northeastern China's Liaoning province on, Jan. 14, 2019. (CCTV via AP) Canadian Gets Death Sentence in China as Tensions Over Arrest of Huawei Executive Continue TORONTOChina has sentenced a Canadian citizen to death following the appeal of his earlier 15-year imprisonment sentence. Robert Schellenberg, accused of attempting to smuggle 220 kilograms (485 pounds) of methamphetamine from China to Australia in 2014, appealed his case in December. But the court ordered a retrial and suggested that a harsher punishment may be required. On Jan. 14, the Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court sentenced the Canadian to death. Schellenbergs retrial that led to his death sentence, along with the detention of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian businessman Michael Spavor, all occurred after Canadian officials arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on an extradition request from the United States. China had warned Canada of grave consequences if Meng wasnt released immediately. Speaking to reporters, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the death sentence arbitrary, and said that Canada is very concerned about the case. It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply [the] death penalty, as in this case facing a Canadian, Trudeau said. Michael Cooper, a member of the Canadian Parliament who was in China last week as part of a parliamentary delegation, told The Epoch Times that the sentence illustrates the extent of the tension in the CanadaChina relationship. [Schellenbergs death sentence] is outside of any concept of what we in Canada understand to be the rule of law, and I think it just further illustrates the fact that there is a considerable chill in terms of the CanadaChina relationship, said Cooper, who is now in Cambodia to take part in the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum. The conservative member of Parliament said he intends to raise his concerns about the detained Canadians and Schellenbergs sentence to the Chinese delegation at the forum. Donald Clarke, a law professor at George Washington University who writes about Chinese law, outlined a number of unusual features about Schellenbergs case that he said suggest the case may be connected to Chinas efforts to get Meng Wanzhou released before her extradition to the United States. Meng was granted bail in a Vancouver court in December, and is now fighting extradition. The court, instead of deciding the appeal one way or the other by itself, sent the case back down to the original trial court for a re-trial, Clarke wrote in a blog post on LawFare. According to Clarke, at most 2 percent of cases were sent for retrial in 2017. Whats more, when cases are sent back for retrial, its generally to clear up some facts, and the result is expected to benefit the defendant. The case appears to reinforce the message, previously suggested by the detentions of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, that China views the holding of human hostages as an acceptable way to conduct diplomacy, he wrote. Controlling Courts Clive Ansley, a Canadian lawyer, was the first foreigner to set up a law office in Shanghai in the 1980s, and among the first to do so in China. He says that Chinas leaders seem to think the Canadian government can influence the courts in the same way the Chinese Communist Party can in China. When these things happen, the Chinese regime will express outrage at Canada for detaining Chinese nationals, and demand that they be put on the next plane back to China, Ansley, who is now living in Canada, told The Epoch Times. This is because in his own country, Ansley said, the Chinese leader can just pick up the phone and tell the chief judge of the court what is required and virtually dictate the action to the court. Ansley eventually closed his practice in China in the early 2000s due to different factors, among them the fact that foreigners had no chance of winning cases against the Chinese. He explained that back in the 1980s, when China was under the reign of Deng Xiaoping, Beijing had a policy of opening to the West. The Communist Party, as we all know, is in the business of murder, among other things. But as far as it affects foreigners, they wanted foreigners to feel welcome and to come and invest and so forth. I certainly never felt threatened at any time in those days, he said. However, the environment changed over time. A decree came down from the Supreme Court in Beijing to all the lower courts which read: When you have a dispute between a foreign party and a Chinese party in your court, you must ensure that the judgement reflects the national interest, he said. As a principle, its virtually impossible for a foreign party to win a lawsuit against a Chinese party in a Chinese court. Reuters contributed to this report. California Police Use Genealogy Websites to Arrest Suspect in 1990s Rapes LOS ANGELESA California man has been arrested in connection to rapes committed in the 1990s after his DNA was linked to the crime scenes through commercial genealogy websites, which initially turned up the both the suspect and his twin, police said on Jan. 11. Kevin Konther, 53, was taken into custody on Jan. 10 at his home in Southern California and booked on suspicion of rape, kidnapping, and child sexual abuse, Orange County Sheriffs spokeswoman Carrie Braun said. One of the victims was nine years old at the time of the attack. Konther was identified as a suspect by sheriffs detectives using techniques similar to those used in recent years to help solve a number of older crimes. Last year, a 73-year-old former police officer was arrested over the Golden State Killer string of murders and rapes across California in the 1970s and 1980s. In investigating the 1990s rapes, which were committed in Orange County, investigators working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation compared DNA samples collected at two crime scenes to that found on the websites used by consumers to trace their ancestry, Braun said. Detectives use the sites to follow the family trees of matches, seeking blood relatives who roughly fit the profile of the suspected criminal. Both Konther and his twin brother were taken into custody on Jan before investigators identified Konther as the suspect and released his brother, who has not been publicly identified, Braun said. She declined to name the website used or the family member whose DNA led to the suspect. Konther was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending an initial court appearance scheduled for Jan. 14, where he will be arraigned on two counts of felony rape, oral copulation on a child under the age of 14, lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and aggravated sexual assault. The sheriffs department asked the public to come forward with any information about the case. It was not immediately clear if Konther had retained an attorney. The nine-year-old victim was walking home from a Lake Forest, California convenience store on the evening of October 21, 1995, when a man pulled her into a wooded area and raped her, according to the sheriffs department. Three years later, a 31-year-old woman jogging on a trail in Mission Viejo, California, was pulled her into the bushes by a man who raped her before fleeing. Both victims reported the attacks to police but for more than two decades the DNA collected did not match any suspects in an FBI database, Braun said. By Dan Whitcomb Protesters with a Beijing front group stand in front of Lincoln Center in New York on Jan. 10, 2019. (Cathy He/The Epoch Times) Beijing Front Group Protests Performance of Shen Yun at Lincoln Center NEW YORKAs theater-goers were preparing to watch a performance melding traditional Chinese dance and Western music at Lincoln Center on the evening of Jan. 10, they were greeted by a sight one would expect to see outside a political convention rather than a high-end theater. A group of protesters belonging to a Chinese Communist Party front group had gathered outside to hold up placards with propaganda slogans and hate speech against one of the companies performing inside. They belong to the Chinese Anti-Cult World Alliance (CACWA), a group that has harassed and intimidated local adherents of a spiritual group that is currently banned and heavily persecuted in mainland China. As the front groups banners and placards reveal, its target is Shen Yun, a New York-based performing arts company that is currently on a worldwide tour. The company is performing at the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center from Jan. 10 to 20. According to the companys website, Shen Yuns mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through its performances of traditional dance, as well as live orchestral music. As part of Shen Yuns representation of modern-day China, some of its dances portray the ongoing persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong. Beijings apparent fear of its campaign against the practice being revealed to audiences has fueled its attempts to stop Shen Yun wherever the company performs. Oftentimes, that interference involves the local Chinese consulate and diplomats, who have pressured venues to not lease their space to Shen Yun, or have attempted to coerce Western government officials to not voice support for the company or attend its performances. In New York City, Beijing has turned to the CACWA, which has disrupted Falun Gong practitioners events since 2008. Based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, attracted tens of millions of adherents in China soon after its introduction in 1992. The popularity of the practiceand the fact that it didnt conform to communist orthodoxyled the Communist Party leader at the time, Jiang Zemin, to launch a nationwide campaign in July 1999 to eliminate it. Jiang established a secret police force, called the 610 Office, dedicated to carrying out the persecution, including by tracking down and detaining practitioners. While CACWA does not have an official website, its activities disrupting Falun Gong are routinely reported by the 610 Offices website, Kaiwind.com, using language vilifying the practice and its adherents that corresponds to propaganda the Chinese regime has promulgated since 1999. One article on Kaiwind.com describes how CACWA was established in 2008 after an incident in Flushing, Queens, where, according to The Epoch Times coverage at the time, a group of Falun Gong practitioners attending a rally were attacked by roughly 200 to 300 individuals who began throwing objects and shouting threats and insults at the practitioners. The Kaiwind.com version of the story is that Falun Gong was disrupting donation efforts for the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. That year, the Chinese consular general in New York, Peng Keyu, was caught boasting, in a secretly recorded telephone call, about how he had organized angry mobs to besiege Falun Gong on the streets of Flushing. CACWA is thus suspected to have close ties with the Chinese consulate. Since then, a lawsuit filed by local Falun Gong practitioners alleges that CACWA members have continuously intimidated adherents over the years. Protesters at the New York performance this weekend bore placards with the same message as the 610 Office in China, portraying the practice as a political and evil cult. At one point on Jan. 10, several tried to move off the staircase leading to Lincoln Center and onto the square where the centers theater venues are located. New York City police told them that they could not move beyond the stairs. The protests did not seem to affect Shen Yun audiences. Some high-profile attendees, including journalist and correspondent for CBS Rita Cosby, praised Shen Yuns artistry. Cathy He contributed to this report. Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison arrives for APEC CEO Summit 2018 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Nov., 17, 2018. (Fazry Ismail/Pool via Reuters) Australian Premier Plans Fiji, Vanuatu Visit to Offset China Influence MELBOURNE, AustraliaAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Jan. 14 he will visit Fiji and Vanuatu this week as part of a push to offset Chinas growing influence in the South Pacific. Morrison heads to Vanuatu on Wednesday, in the first visit by an Australian prime minister to the Pacific island nation in three decades. He then will go to Fiji, returning on Friday, a spokesman said. This is part of our Pacific step-up. It is part of a refocus of our international efforts on our own region, in our own backyard, and making sure we can have the biggest possible difference, Morrison said on Australian Broadcasting Corp TV. The trip follows Chinese leader Xi Jinpings meeting in November with eight Pacific Island leaders before the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea. Chinas efforts to woo Pacific island nations have been watched warily by the countries that have traditionally wielded power in the region, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Australia announced in November it would offer Pacific countries up to $2 billion in grants and cheap loans for telecommunications, energy, transport and water projects, looking to counter Chinas influence. At the same time, Australia said it would beef up defense and security ties with Pacific islands through new joint exercises and training. Canberra promised to bolster Vanuatus cyber security capability in June as it agreed to begin negotiating a security treaty. China has spent $1.32 billion on concessional loans and gifts since 2011 to become the second-largest donor after Australia in the Pacific region, raising concern in the West that several tiny nations could end up in debt to Beijing. Morrison is moving into campaign mode ahead of an election expected in May, following the release of what is expected to be a surplus budget in April. One issue on the agenda in Fiji is the Australian governments decision to revoke the citizenship of a man accused of being an Islamic State recruiter, believing he was a dual citizen with Fiji as his father was Fijian. Fiji has since said that Neil Prakash, now jailed in Turkey, does not have Fijian citizenship, meaning Australia has effectively left him stateless. We have been dealing with that issue between the governments over the last few weeks, including directly from leader to leader, Morrison said on Monday. By Sonali Paul & Alison Bevege China supporters rallying outside Australia's Parliament House during the Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay in Canberra, on April 24, 2008. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images) Australian Politicians Should Be Vetted Amid Chinese Influence Concerns Says One Nation Party A political party in Australia is calling on the countrys domestic spy agency to run background checks on Members of Parliament (MPs) in Western Australia (WA) for links to organizations under Chinese Communist Party (CCP) control. Two members from the One Nation Partya nationalist, right-wing populist political partyrecently expressed concerns following events in 2018 that raised questions about the CCPs influence on Australia and WA. The One Nation members called for the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) to conduct background checks for links to the CCP on all WA MPs, as well as on members of their own party who were born in China. WA Legislative Councillor Charles Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) that Australians should be concerned, following the revelation that an MP from the Labor Party, Pierre Yang, had not declared his links to pro-CCP organizations. One Nation WA are now proposing the need for ASIO to vet all members of the West Australian Parliament, he told SMH. The Australian reported some members of the Labor Party in WA are worried about Yangs rising influence. Since being elected to parliament Yang, 35, has recruited a record 500 new members to the WA division of the Labor Partys total membership of about 7,000, with almost all of the recruited members being from his local ethnic Chinese community. ASIO can be compared to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation or Britains Security Service. While it does not have the power to arrest, ASIO can conduct security assessments and gather intelligence, as well as engage in counter-espionage activities to protect Australian government agencies, businesses, and others from an attack or unwanted influence. Foreign Political Donations Scrutinized Smith also said the WA state government should question the nature of foreign political donations. He told SMH, The state and the whole country need to get the bottom of these unhealthy relationships, including political donations connected to foreign governments. Now I am also calling for a lifetime ban on former politicians lobbying for foreign governments. Smith claimed One Nation had never accepted foreign political donations and the first Australian political party to call for their ban. As part of a package of laws to protect Australia against covert foreign political interference, the Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform Amendment, which bans foreign political donations will come into force from Jan. 1, 2019, the office of Senator and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann confirmed in Dec. 2018. One Nation WA president Paul Filing, who was formerly the federal member for Moore in northern Perth, said people born in China who apply for party membership will need to pass a rigorous background check before being approved to join. He said Tshung Chang, the partys state secretary, would be vetting applicants. Mr Chang, who is our state secretary and has Chinese-Malay heritage, will be tasked to ensure each applicant is a bona fide West Australian loyalist with no ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Filing told SMH. Filing believes Australian political parties should create a foreign influence transparency scheme to guard against any unhealthy influence on WA politics. Huawei Concerns Smith told SMH that there are unanswered questions in WA about the lobbying activities that led to the [WA governments] awarding of the railway mobile network contract to Huawei. The WA government has been criticized for dismissing security concerns by awarding a A$136 million ($101 million) contract to controversial Chinese company Huawei, which announced the successful bid in a media release dated July 6. The foreign telecom giant will form a joint venture with Sydney-based UGL to build a 4G cellular network across Perths train network, including the yet-to-be-completed Forrestfield Airport Link twin tunnels. ASIO vetting will go a long way to stopping those who would seek to influence and compromise our ministers and will only uphold the integrity and confidence of the government in the eyes of the public, Smith said. Watch Next: Huawei Exposed: How the Media is Getting it Wrong Alabama Police Officer Killed, Another Wounded in Shooting BIRMINGHAMOne Birmingham police officer was killed and another critically wounded in a shooting early on Jan. 14, as the officers questioned two people suspected of trying to break into cars in Alabamas largest city, authorities said. Two suspects are in custody, one of whom was shot and is receiving medical treatment, according to police. Police identified the officer who was fatally shot as Sgt. Wytasha Carter, 44, a member of the department since 2011. The names of the wounded officer and the suspects were not immediately released. Sgt. Wytasha Carter believed in making his hometown of Birmingham, AL a safer place. He lived Sir Robert Peels principle, the police are the public & the public are the police. His tragic murder is an attack on us allon a society that must be bonded together to end violence. pic.twitter.com/bEoiCgVLHK Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) January 14, 2019 Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith said the officers had approached the two suspects just before 2 a.m. outside a downtown Birmingham nightclub, after a plainclothes officer spotted one of them checking door handles on cars parked outside the venue. Smith said one suspect opened fire after being confronted by the officers. This is one of the roughest hours of your career, Smith said at a news conference, according to local media reports. Theres not a chief, not an officer that ever wants to have to deal with this. This is a very difficult thing for the family, very difficult for the department. Officers were working a special detail in response to a rash of car break-ins in that area. When the undercover officer spotted suspects who appeared to be testing door handles on cars, he called for backup and Carter arrived, officials said. The officers approached one suspect and patted him down where they found what they believed to be a weapon, Smith said. They asked him about it, he armed himself and fired upon our officers. Smith added: It appears our officers were unable to respond. They were taken completely by surprise. We cant go into great detail because we are still in the infancy stage of the investigation. Carter began his law enforcement career in 2002 as a correctional officer with the Shelby County Sheriffs Office and worked for two other police departments before transferring to the Birmingham department. He was promoted to sergeant in February 2018. Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Birmingham Alabama Police Sgt. Wytasha Carter, who was shot and killed by a burglary suspect early this morning. A second officer was also shot and is in critical condition. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/oXyv02yh7c Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) January 13, 2019 News outlets said Carter is the first Birmingham officer killed in the line of duty in more than 14 years. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin called for prayers on Twitter. Join me in praying for the family of the Birmingham Police officer killed early this morning, and the officer who is currently in the hospital. They were shot while serving and protecting our city, he tweeted. Join me in praying for the family of the Birmingham Police officer killed early this morning, and the officer who is currently in the hospital. They were shot while serving and protecting our city. Two suspects are currently in custody. Birmingham police continue to investigate. Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) January 13, 2019 U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town issued a statement calling the shooting a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers all law enforcement face while we sleep. News outlet al.com reported that law enforcement colleagues of the slain officer later Sunday saluted a mortuary transport van as it carried the fallen officers body to a local coroners office. Several police cruisers provided escort for the transport. A fellow Birmingham colleague, Officer Jordan Campbell, called Carter a great officer who was devoted both to his work and family. Every time I found myself getting into a dangerous situation, Id look up and he was always there, Campbell told al.com. The media outlet said Carter was one of several officers who responded in April 2016 to a home where a roof and chimney had collapsed, trapping two young children in the rubble. He and the other officers were later honored for the rescue, the report said. After Veterans Flag Was Burned, Trump Family Sends ReplacementAnd More The family of President Donald Trump sent a military veteran and Trump supporter a replacement flag after two hooligans burned the one he was flying. Gus Klein of Burlington, Vermont, woke up one day in November to find that his Trump 2020 flag had been removed from his flagpole and partially burned. After the incident, Klein said that type of harassment isnt right, but that it wouldnt stop him from supporting Trump. There is fear in my mind and its not right. I should be able to come and go as I want, and we should be able to sleep at night in our own property, so there is fear, Klein told WCAX. Its not going to stop me for believing in who, and campaigning for who I believe is right for the United States, he added. Several weeks later, two teenagers who werent identified due to being juveniles (14 and 15 years old respectively) were arrested on suspicion of burning Kleins flag, the Burlington Police Department said. The parents of the teens helped in the investigation that led to the apprehensions; the teens were sent to an alternative justice program due to their age. Klein said he welcomed the news but also reiterated to the Burlington Free Press that hes open to talking about his views to anyone who knocks on his door, despite getting death threats from some people over his support for Trump. Shortly after the news broke of the flag burning, Trumps son Eric Trump posted about the story on Twitter and said the family was sending Klein a replacement flag for free. That flag ended up not arriving but after Klein called the Trump campaign headquarters, he found a package at his door the next day. In addition to a new Trump 2020 flag, it contained other flags, shirts, bumper stickers, and a Make America Great Again hat signed by President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. This is going to be like a family heirloom, Klein told WCAX. He said that hes received phone calls from people threatening to kill him and that someone ripped off his Trump bumper sticker when he was parked in Richmond. But his wife, Ann-Marie Klein, said that the couple hopes people can respect their political views, even if they dont agree with them. I still have faith in people and Vermonters letting us fly our flag freely without any issues or problems, Ann-Marie Klein said. "We have the right to raise our flag and support the candidate of our choice," Gus Klein said. "And we should be able to do that without intimidation." https://t.co/4POwyfEJV8 BurlingtonFreePress (@bfp_news) January 12, 2019 Flag-Raising Event The Kleins held a flag-raising event on Jan. 12, attracting a crowd of about 75 people. We have made America great again, Gus Klein said, reported the Free Press. Lets keep America great forever. Trump for 2020. He said he was holding an event to exercise his free speech and stand up against those who had threatened him and his family. So one will ask, why the flag raising ceremony? Why make it such a big deal? It was only a flag. Ive heard, it was only a flag, get over it. Well, heres why. Because I can. Klein said. Prior to the ceremony, he said: We have the right to raise our flag and support the candidate of our choice. And we should be able to do that without intimidation or fear or shame about doing that. Thats what I hope to put out for a message today. During the ceremony, several cars drove by with words painted on them, such as one that stated: Racists go to hell and Trump sucks. The driver was shown making an explicit gesture at the crowd. Burlington Police Department officials told WCAX that they gave the driver a verbal warning for his actions. From NTD News Active Shooter Reported at New Jersey UPS Facility: Police An active shooter situation has unfolded at a UPS facility in Gloucester County, New Jersey, according to local news reports on Jan. 14. A spokeswoman for the county told NJ.com that the shooter is at the UPS warehouse in Logan Township. The building is located on Birch Creek Road, but police have since blocked off roads in the area. The warehouse is located in an industrial park. WATCH LIVE: Police respond to active scene at Gloucester County UPS Facility #BREAKING: Police have surrounded a United Parcel Service facility in New Jersey in response to a reported active shooter.MORE: https://bit.ly/2AMDzYf FOX 29 2019114 A Gloucester County Prosecutors Office spokesman told the news outlet that the situation is contained, without elaborating. We have an active incident in place, chief of staff Tom Gilbert also said. Tactical elements were deployed. Law enforcement officials are now fact-gathering, Gilbert said, but he didnt elaborate. ACTIVE SHOOTER: Multiple law enforcement agencies have responded to an active shooter situation at a UPS facility in Logan Township, New Jersey. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: https://6abc.cm/2RsQQ2v 6abc Action News 2019114 Logan Townships schools were also placed in a modified lockdown, the Courier-Post reported. Fox29 reported that the incident started at around 9:20 a.m. local time. ABC 6 Action News said that a number of police vehicles and officers are outside the UPS building, and police officers could be seen ducking behind police vehicles outside a loading ramp. UPS issued a statement about the matter, NJ.com reported. Scene outside the UPS facility in Logan Township, NJ. Police agencies confirm an active shooter situation. No word on injuries pic.twitter.com/MfPy8RQ2hH Dan Patrick (@6abcDan) January 14, 2019 UPS is working with law enforcement as they respond to an active shooter situation at one of the companys supply chain processing facilities in Logan Township, New Jersey, the firm said, We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time. The Swedesboro-Woolwich School District also issued a comment to the Courier-Post that it is aware that there is an active police situation in Logan Township. Please be assured that our central office administration are in constant communication with our local police department, and we are also fortunate to have a Woolwich Police Officer (School Resource Officer) on site each day. BREAKING: Police surround area where active shooter poses threat at UPS Facility in NJ Point Pleasant Patch 2019114 The students and staff in SWSD are all safe and our administration is on alert, the statement said. Thank you for your continued support. Other details about the incident are not clear. New Jersey State Police also wrote that it is responding to the scene. Local and county authorities have responded to an incident in Logan Township, Gloucester County. Media inquiries should be directed to those entities. #alert NJSP State Police (@NJSP) January 14, 2019 This is a breaking news story. More details to follow. It comes a few days after a shooting at an Alabama UPS facility left three people dead, including the gunman, said police. 92-Year-Old Woman Beaten by Another Passenger While Taking Transit for Elderly: Report Warning: Content of the story might be disturbing to some readers An elderly woman was beaten up on a public transportation service for the elderly and disabled vehicle in Montreal, Canada, leaving her bruised and bloodied. Hanka Fogelman, 92, said she was put in the vehicle by the public transportation service with a man who turned violent. She claimed the cab driver knew the man could be trouble. The driver knew that he was aggressive said not to talk to him. [He said] hes aggressive. Hes a little dangerous, Fogelman said, the CBC reported. Laura Tamblyn Watts, an advocate for the elderly in Canada, said the incident constitutes a failure of the entire system. She said the system typically puts costs ahead of safety when it comes to serving seniors and the disabled. Fogelman, a Holocaust survivor, was riding in a cab contracted by Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) to visit one of her daughters on Nov. 11. That service uses paratransit buses and private cabs. A police report said Fogelman was picked up at her home, and she said a woman was in the passenger seat while the male suspect was in the back. A few minutes into the trip, the male suspect got violent, the elderly woman said. A photo published by the CBC shows Fogelman with cuts and two black eyes sitting in a hospital bed. (WARNING: Graphic photo) "The driver knew that he was aggressive said not to talk to him He's a little dangerous."Senior beaten by another passenger while taking transit for the elderly and disabled. CBC News 2019114 He started hitting me. Punching me, Fogelman recalled to the CBC. The blood started coming out from my nose. I didnt know what to do. According to Fogelmans daughter, the driver had written: The two hadnt even spoken to each other before this happened, as reported by the CBC. The young man had been writing quietly on a piece of paper, when he suddenly hit the client seated to his right, without any apparent reason, the daughter said. Montreal police spokesperson Insp. Andre Durocher later said the suspect has an intellectual disability and will not be charged with a crime. She had a broken nose. Lacerations on her face Black and blue, said daughter Debbie Rona, who had to fly to Montreal from British Columbia, Canada. I feel angry. I feel shocked, Rona added to the CBC. I look at my mother and shes so mentally aware, but theres physical vulnerability there. Why was he even in the taxi? Why would the taxi driver have sat my mother next to him and closed the door and started driving? The CBC said it spoke with another cab driver for STM, who didnt want to be identified, and he said attacks are rare. According to the STM, they are not transporting people who are violentis it 100 percent true? Definitely not, the driver said. STM spokesperson Philippe Dery also issued a statement to the CBC about the attack. We can assure you that at the time of the incident, nothing led us to believe that the customer was in danger by being paired with the other customer, he said. Dery said the service pairs customers according to their location and where they are traveling. The driver simply wanted to ensure a smooth trip, Dery wrote in response. He added: Some customers may be tempted to socialize with others who may exhibit disorganized behavior in certain situations. Most of our drivers frequently do this simply as a preventative measure. After spending about a month in rehabilitation, Fogelman said she still hasnt fully healed. Im still not feeling strong its in my mind. You know, what I went through Im thinking, why did it happen? You know. It shouldnt have happened, she said. Elder Abuse According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, Abuse can happen to anyoneno matter the persons age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic or cultural background. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. This is called elder abuse. It added that most victims of elder abuse are women, but some are also men. Likely targets are older people who have no family or friends nearby and people with disabilities, memory problems, or dementia. Abuse can happen to any older person, but often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of everyday lifeincluding bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. People who are frail may appear to be easy victims, the agency says. 2 Injured, 3 Suspects Sought in Shooting at Fashion Place Mall in Utah Reports say officials are searching for three Hispanic male suspects in possible gang-related attack Authorities say a gunman has opened fire at a mall near Salt Lake City and that three people were wounded. The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper reported that police officers are searching for the suspects. The shooting happened Sunday afternoon at the Fashion Place mall in Murray, Utah. A pic just shared with me of the police response inside the Fashion Place Mall where a shooting has been reported. @fox13 #Utah pic.twitter.com/FDwcMT6gCa Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) January 13, 2019 We are very saddened by the incident that happened outside our shopping center this afternoon. We are grateful to our security and the quick response of our partners at the Murray Police Department, wrote Fashion Place on Twitter. At this time we are directing all inquiries to the Murray Police Department. This is a developing investigation and we are providing whatever aide necessary to law enforcement. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our guests and tenants. The shopping center is currently closed, the mall told Fox13. According to KUTV, three suspects were described as Hispanic males. A witness said the suspects were wearing dark pants and light-colored hoodies, ABC4 reported. The male and female victims were taken to Intermountain Medical Center. One is in critical condition and the other is in serious condition, according to officials. My best friend is in a back room at @CrateandBarrel right now as there are reports of an active shooter at #fashionplacemall. She just sent me this picture. @fox13 pic.twitter.com/xcMd2iybyB Allison Croghan (@AllisonCroghan) January 13, 2019 We do not know their identities, we have descriptions of them, Murray Police Det. Kenny Bass said of the suspects, Fox13 reported. Police told the news outlet that the shooting may be gang-related. At this point, there are officers still looking for them, Bass told KSL. They are currently still outstanding. It looks like if it actually was gang-related then anybody living in the area does not have any personal concern, Bass continued. However, if they see anybody that is suspicious in their area please contact the police department. To the stranger who let me and my wife jump into your car outside Dillards we are forever grateful. Hug your loved ones #utah https://t.co/mvdHEMdbiR Dejan Eskic (@EskicDejan) January 13, 2019 The victims were shot outside the mall on the east side. Police officers were seen escorting people out of the mall with their hands in the air, according to video footage published on social media. BREAKING: Police are escorting people from the mall after active shooter on scene here in Murray. @fox13 pic.twitter.com/A97ecmX02x Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) January 13, 2019 Workers Panic Stella Fonseca, an assistant manager at Claires inside the mall, said she headed to a nearby Red Lobster and helped barricade a back room with cabinets and lockers, according to the Tribune. There was a sense of panic, she said. Abbigail Loveridge, an employee at the Attic Salt store, heard gunshots and a fire alarm. People started running. Right in front of our store, I watched people get shot down, she said. Women and children are getting trampled, especially little kids. Murray is located south of Salt Lake City. We are very saddened by the incident that happened outside our shopping center this afternoon. We are grateful to our security and the quick response of our partners at the Murray Police Department. Fashion Place (@FashionPlcMall) January 13, 2019 We saw cops come in from everywhere, Loren Okuly, who was in the parking lot at the time of the shooting, told KSL. She added: Guys running, from like Cheesecake Factory toward Red Rock Brewery with not pistols, but full on assault rifles in their hands. Other details were not disclosed by officials. After the Alcoa layoff, many people got nursing licenses. "Now they've gotten laid off again. We're seeing some of the same people coming through again" for job retraining and application advice, he said. On an old tube television that doubles as a table in the office of City Manager Chris Whittaker -- City Hall occupies an old bank building downtown -- sit fragments of the sorts of concrete-asbestos and cast-iron water pipes that have bedeviled this city. A person barely can get a finger through some of the pipes, so encrusted are they with mineral deposits and rust. Generations of Rockdale residents have known that their white shirts and sheets risk coming out red-dyed each time they're laundered, depending on whether lines are being flushed or repaired in such a way that loosens flakes of material from the pipes. The water is sampled at least once a month, and it has largely received passing grades from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. "My dogs drink the water," said Whittaker, who has been city manager since 2014. "I drink the water." A statewide AMBER Alert was issued Monday afternoon for 12-year-old Marisol Arroyo, who police say was last heard from in George West, Texas, on Sunday. Authorities are searching for Rigoberto Santos, 22, in connection with her abduction. Officials report that Santos is driving an orange 2007 Chevrolet HHR with the Oklahoma license plate EKH-253. Arroyo is 5 feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes Officials did not give a description of her clothing. Law enforcement officials reported that they believe Arroyo is in grave or immediate danger. Anyone with information is asked to the Live Oak County Sheriff's Office at 361-449-2271. If you are serving in the military or you are a veteran, you are more likely to be a cigarette smoker than a civilian is. The likelihood is even greater if you are (or have been) deployed overseas. It is also very likely that you picked up this habit after enlisting. According to a Department of Defense report, 38 percent of the service members who smoke picked up the habit after enlisting. This trend is not by chance. Smoking has deep roots in our military culture. It began in April 1917, when the American Expeditionary Force marched off to join other Allied powers in the fight against Germany in World War I. Carried with them was their tobacco ration. Cigarettes soon became a way for soldiers to deal with the stress of battle and escape from the boredom of downtime. Cigarettes even became a form of barter -- as valuable as currency. Young soldiers and sailors away from home for the first time discovered cigarettes as a connecting rod in forming a new social order. Some 20 years later, as the U.S. entered World War II, cases of lung cancer were on the rise from smokers who picked up their habit during World War I. Name-brand cigarettes were now being sent to the soldiers and sailors at no charge and added to K-rations and C-rations. College Station Police continue to search for three suspects involved in an aggravated robbery on Saturday. A police report said two groups of people met at 1300 Lemon Tree Lane to discuss an exchange of property. The three suspects produced guns and took the property under discussion before fleeing the area. Police searched the area without finding the suspects. Police said the three suspects all are described as black males in their late teens, wearing hooded sweat shirts. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600. JEFFERSON - Howard F. Schrumpf, 92, of Jefferson, went home to meet his savior he loved and served so faithfully on June 12, 2021, at the Valley View Manor Nursing Home of Norwich. Howard was born in Pennsauken, New Jersey, on Jan. 13, 1929, the son of Foster and Myrtle (Walker) Schrumpf. Fo This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. This subscription will allow current subscribers of The St. Helens Chronicle to access all of our online Subscriber-Only content, including the E Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please call us at 1-503-397-0116. NAIAS' Past, Present and Future All on Display as 2019 Show Begins The 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) got off to a fast start this weekend as more than 500 people saw some of the worlds most exotic cars at The Gallery, four trucks completed a 10-day journey that ended in downtown Detroit and thousands of media, analysts and executives from around the world began arriving to attend the show. The Gallery, now in its 13th year, welcomed luxury-car enthusiasts to MGM Grand in support of C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital. Attendees saw a collection of some of the most exclusive and acclaimed automobiles in the world that were collectively valued at nearly $10 million. Brands present included: Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Rolls Royce, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. Notable vehicles included: Rolls Royce Cullinan, Lamborghini SVJ, Bentley Bentayga, and the Jaguar F-Pace. Meanwhile, four classic pickup trucks completed a 10-day, seven-state journey that began in Houston, Texas on Jan. 3. The trucks a 1955 Chevrolet 3600, 1965 Ford F100, 1962 International Travelette and 1957 Ford Ranchero Custom made their final 19-mile trip down Woodward Avenue from Troy on Saturday morning to conclude The Drive Home IV in downtown Detroits Spirit Plaza. The Drive Home IV is an annual vintage vehicle winter road rally that celebrates Americas motoring legacy throughout the country in the days leading up to the worlds premier international auto show, NAIAS. This year, the history and heritage of NAIAS will be on the minds of many as the show celebrates its 30th year since becoming an international auto show. NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts, who spoke Sunday to the Society of Automotive Analysts, said the 2019 show will also be unique because it will be the last held in January before the show moves to June in 2020. A core group of visionary dealers had a dream that became reality in 1989 and that dream helped to make NAIAS one of the worlds most influential auto events, NAIAS executive director Rod Alberts said when he spoke at the Society of Automotive Analysts Sunday afternoon. We will celebrate that heritage this week as we prepare for the next 30 years. Cadillac capped off the day as it revealed the 2020 Cadillac XT6 an all-new nameplate for the luxury brand. The three-row crossover gives Cadillac an additional SUV that it can offer consumers at a time when sales in that category continue to climb. Cadillac will offer the XT6 in Premium Luxury and Sport models. All of this is just a prelude for Monday, when eleven automakers plan to reveal their latest new cars and trucks and hundreds of the industrys top executives gather to discuss the latest industry trends and new technology. The press conference schedule can be found here: https://naias.com/press/press-conference-schedule/ Here are some key events beyond and highlights to expect that are in addition to automaker press conferences: 8:00 a.m. North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards Atrium Stage. Chosen by a group of 54 independent jurors, these awards are closely followed by the industry. 3:20 p.m. Roadshow by CNET Shift awards Atrium Stage. These awards recognize the most innovative and important technology breakthroughs in the auto industry. 3:45 p.m. Volvo Keynote delivered by Anders Gustafsson Atrium Stage. Gustafsson will deliver keynote speech for AutoMobili-D an exposition showcasing a global ecosystem of mobility-focused companies and organizations. 4:45 p.m. Automotive Hall of Fame Atrium Stage. 5:30 p.m. Automotive Press Association Executive Networking Reception Hall B. The Automotive Press Association will host an Executive Networking Reception for its members. AutoMobili-D This mobility showcase will host more than 200 companies who will display technology across 150,000 square-feet of display space. It will also host panel discussions and keynote speakers from Monday, Jan. 14 to Thursday, Jan. 17. It all starts here / #NAIAS Detroit - January 14 - 27, 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV Wins Prestigious 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year The 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models were together named the winner of the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury. This is the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. The winner of the CUV category is announced every year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We couldnt be more proud of our innovative new Kona and Kona Electric crossover winning the prestigious North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, said Brian Smith, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America. Kona is an affordable, stylish and functional compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue active lifestyles of all kinds. Its setting new standards for its segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features. We know our customers are going to agree with the top media confirming this impressive award. The 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year jury is made up of an independent panel of top journalists and analysts based in the United States and Canada. Since 1994, the organization has recognized top cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. This year's jury of 54 media outlets includes legacy newspapers, magazine experts, broadcast veterans, digital columnists and freelance media. William Lee (right), president & CEO, Hyundai North America and Brian Smith (left), chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America, celebrate after the 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models win the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year awarded by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury. This is the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. The winner of the CUV category is announced every year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year jury is made up of an independent panel of top journalists and analysts based in the United States and Canada. Since 1994, the organization has recognized top cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. This year's jury of 54 media outlets includes legacy newspapers, magazine experts, broadcast veterans, digital columnists and freelance media. Both the Kona and Kona Electric are built on all-new CUV platforms, offering versatility to consumers with active lifestyles of all kinds. Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions. Kona Electrics estimated range is an impressive 258 miles and offers standard fast-charging capability, a feature for which many competitors charge extra. The Kona Electric platform has been developed to give customers CUV-like ground clearance and an elevated, command seating position to provide better visibility and comfort on long journeys, as well as easy ingress and egress. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence, and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundais technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs, and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. NADA Forecasts 16.8 Million New-Vehicle Sales in 2019 Detroit Auto Show January 13, 2019; The National Automobile Dealers Association, a trade group representing U.S. franchised new-car dealerships, is forecasting sales of 16.8 million new cars and light trucks in 2019. We expect the sales momentum to continue this year, said Patrick Manzi, NADA senior economist. The 2019 auto show season kicks off in Detroit. Dozens of new vehicles, with auto show rebates and incentives, will soon arrive in dealer showrooms across the country that will appeal to consumers and spark auto sales during the first quarter. With a strong finish last December, new light vehicle sales topped 17.3 million units in 2018, marking the fourth best sales year in U.S. history. Last year, consumers continued to abandon car segments. Light trucks accounted for 69 percent of sales, while cars accounted for 31 percent of sales. In 2017, the ratio was 65 percent light trucks and 35 percent cars. About 10 years ago, the sales mix consisted of 48 percent light trucks and 52 percent cars. One of the main factors for this shift has been continued low oil and gasoline prices and the fact that crossover utility vehicles are nearly as fuel efficient as their sedan counterparts. And weve seen fuel economy increases across the board, not just on crossovers but also traditional SUVs and pickups, he said. Manzi said he expects gasoline prices to remain low in 2019, not as low as present but low enough not to cause a panic and a consumer shift back to the car market. Warsaw: Pawel Adamowicz, the mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk, has died after being stabbed onstage at a Polish charity event, Poland's health minister said. Adamowicz was attacked while attending the annual Great Orchestra of Christmas charity, a fundraiser where volunteers collect money for medical equipment in hospitals. Television footage showed a man screaming "Adamowicz is dead!" as he rushed the stage and stabbed the mayor. Speaking on the stage before he was arrested, the man accused the mayor's former party of putting him in prison and said he was tortured. Doctors operated on Adamowicz for five hours after the incident, Poland's state news agency PAP said. Beijing: A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian man to death after he was convicted of involvement in a drug ring that attempted to send 200 kilograms of methamphetamine to Australia. The conviction of Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, announced on Monday after a one-day retrial in Dalian Intermediate Court, will worsen diplomatic strains between China and Canada. But the death penalty verdict could also raise difficult questions for the Australian Federal Police, which has refused to confirm or deny whether it had any involvement in the Chinese investigation into the drug ring. The AFP regularly collaborates and shares intelligence with Chinese police to combat the smuggling of methamphetamine from China to Australia. Months from an election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants to start the year with a fresh focus on who he is and what he wants. His latest manifesto, inspired by a holiday chat with punters at the Shoalhaven Head Hotel, makes broad appeals to moderation, family values and common sense. But after a rocky start in the top job, Mr Morrison doesn't have much time to explain himself to Australia. And some voters in Gilmore - the highly marginal Shoalhaven seat where the PM spent his summer break - are not necessarily ready to listen. Dairy farmer Justin Walsh, 34, on his farm in Jaspers Brush. Credit:Kate Geraghty Justin Walsh, a 34-year-old fourth-generation dairy farmer from Nowra and a lifelong Liberal voter, is "disillusioned" with the party he has always supported. "I've never had less confidence in the Liberal Party in my life," he says. Australia will deepen its security and economic ties with Fiji when Prime Minister Scott Morrison makes an historic visit to the Pacific this week amid concerns over Chinese influence in the region and a diplomatic hiccup around terrorist Neil Prakash. It is understood Mr Morrison will strike a series of agreements with Fijian counterpart Frank Bainimarama that will centre on defence co-operation, economic links and cultural ties. Mr Morrisons visit to Fiji and Vanuatu is being widely applauded as a much-needed gesture of attention to Australias near neighbourhood following a year in which concerns increased that China was quietly building its influence through infrastructure loans and military assistance. He will be the first prime minister to visit Fiji since John Howard in 2006 and the first to visit Vanuatu since Bob Hawke in 1990. Both of those visits were for the Pacific Islands Forum, whereas Mr Morrisons will be a standalone trip. This is part of our Pacific step-up, Mr Morrison told ABC radio on Monday. Its part of our refocusing of our international efforts on our own region, in our own backyard and making sure we can make the biggest possible difference. One of the MPs whose vote could consign the Morrison government to a humiliating loss on the floor of Parliament is unsure whether to back a bill to fast-track medical treatment for refugees on Manus Island and Nauru. Independent Cathy McGowan, who announced on Monday she will not recontest this year's election, told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age she would not make a final decision on the legislation until it comes to a vote when Parliament resumes in February - giving the Coalition an opportunity to avoid what loomed as the first serious defeat of a government in the House of Representatives in 90 years. Independent MP Cathy McGowan, who will retire from Parliament at the next election, says she will decide what to do when the bill comes to a vote. Credit:James Wiltshire Ms McGowan will meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Sydney on Tuesday to discuss a range of issues about regional Australia but stressed the medical transfer bill is not listed as a topic for discussion. The bill to compel ministers to more readily approve medical transfers of refugees from the islands to hospitals in Australia was widely thought to have the support of enough crossbenchers to pass and cause a major embarrassment for Mr Morrison just weeks out from a federal election campaign. Work has begun for the new underground Parkville Station Credit:Paul Jeffers Melbourne is being dug up. The equivalent of 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools of rock and dirt is being excavated to make way for the new underground Parkville Station. Work started on Monday at the site, below Grattan Street, between Leicester Street and Royal Parade, which will become one of five stations built as part of the $11-billion Metro Tunnel Project slated for completion in 2025. Acting Premier James Merlino said the site was 270 metres long and 30 metres wide, with 200,000 cubic metres of dirt set to be dug up this year. A member of the Colt* incest family charged with child-related sex crimes has been bailed to stay in a trendy backpackers' hostel in Sydney's inner city. The man, given the court-ordered pseudonym Frank Colt, was one of eight members of the family who were arrested and charged last year over allegations of sexual abuse of children at a property in rural NSW. Eight people were arrested over the alleged child sex abuse ring. Credit:NSW Police Mr Colt, 49, faces four charges of sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 10 years and one further charge, laid this month, of sexual intercourse without consent. Justice Stephen Campbell ordered Mr Colt to be released from Parklea Correctional Centre on January 15, when he will be escorted by his lawyer to The Village hostel in Glebe. Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard who lived for decades in New York City and resisted deportation for 14 years, has died in a retirement facility in Ahlen, Germany. He was 95. German officials confirmed the death, according to an American Embassy official. No cause was cited. This 1949 photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows a U.S. visa photo of Jakiw Palij, a former Nazi concentration camp guard. Credit:US Department of Justice Before investigators traced him to the borough of Queens in 1993, Palij had lived for decades in anonymity, a Polish-born draftsman in one of the most diverse neighbourhoods of a city famous for its immigrant communities. He had arrived in the United States in 1949 in his 20s, after receiving a visa meant for people left homeless by World War II, according to Peter Black, the former chief historian for a Justice Department unit devoted to deporting former Nazis. He's known for cutting the locks of our city's toughest and most famous footballers - but for Casper Aniversario, life nowadays is centred around a squad of tiny girls. In just three years, Canberra's most famous barber has become the father of four daughters: Eva, 6, from wife Camille's first marriage, 16-month-old twins Franki and Gigi, and little Acacia, 8 weeks. Casper Aniversario with his four daughters (from left) Eva, 6, Acacia, 2-months, and twins Gigi and Franki, 16-months. Credit:Jamila Toderas It's meant some serious life changes for Casper, including giving up his half of the hugely popular Mawson barbershop Casper & Shek's, whose client list includes David Pocock, Joe Tomane and Christian Lealiifano. Casper - yes, he's named after the cartoon ghost of the same name - has just opened a small salon across town at the Narrabundah shops where he'll offer traditional hot towel face shaves, as well as mens and kids' cuts. The 91-Storey Treehouse. By Richard Tulloch, adapted from the book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. Directed by Liesel Badorrek. CDP Kids. The Canberra Theatre Centre. Suited to children aged six to 12. February 1 at 11am, 1.30pm and 6pm. canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 62752700. From left, Teale Howie, Danielle King, Samuel Welsh in The 91-Storey Treehouse . Credit:Heidrun Lohr. That treehouse just won't stop growing. In the books by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, it's up to 104 storeys. The stage adaptations aren't far behind: The 91-Storey Treehouse is coming to Canberra soon. Andy (played by Samuel Welsh), Terry (Teale Howie) and their neighbour Jill (Freya Pragt) have new adventures and face fresh challenges as their journey continues. Women have been made to share two of the top acting gongs at this year's Critics' Choice Awards. Both Lady Gaga and Glenn Close won Best Actress in a Movie for A Star Is Born and The Wife respectively, while Amy Adams (Sharp Objects) and Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora) tied for Best Actress in a Limited Series. By contrast, no men were made to share their awards. Christian Bale took home Best Actor and Best Comedy Actor for playing former American vice president Dick Cheney in Vice, with Roma snapping up Best Picture. Close, who also won Best Actress at last week's Golden Globes, appeared unfazed during her acceptance speech. Instead, the six-time Oscar nominee issued a rallying cry for women working in film and television. Hundreds of dock workers have voted to launch industrial action later this week, including a series of rolling strikes, over what they say is the most severe attack on waterfront conditions in a generation. Unionised employees of stevedoring giant Hutchison Ports in Sydney and Brisbane backed a decision to take broad-ranging industrial action starting on Thursday such as bans on specific duties and overtime, and a range of work stoppages amid deadlocked negotiations with management over the terms of a new wage agreement. Hutchison Ports is locked in a fresh dispute with its unionised workers in Sydney and Brisbane. Credit:Janie Barrett Hutchison Ports, which lost tens of millions of dollars in the past financial year, is seeking to drive down costs at its Australian port operations. Its existing wage agreement pays waterfront workers an average of $150,000 in Sydney and $130,000 in Brisbane for working 30 to 33 hours a week, once allowances are factored in, as well as 12 per cent superannuation. Wesfarmers, grappling with an earnings slowdown at one of its marque businesses, has signalled a growing appetite for acquisitions as the conglomerate strengthens its balance sheet. The company on Monday revealed that pre-Christmas trading at discount department chain Kmart had been below its expectations, with comparable sales falling 0.6 per cent in the six months to the end of December, compared to 5.4 per cent growth last year. Kmart sales have fallen after several years of standout growth. Credit:SMH Earnings from Kmart and its sister chain Target would come in at between $385 million and $400 million, compared to $415 million in the same half last year and below analysts consensus forecasts of around $450 million. But that news was sweetened by revelations Wesfarmers had cut its net debt from $3.6 billion at the end of the last financial year to just $300 million following a string of asset sales last year. The new figure equated to $500 million less debt than the market had expected. At the end of the day, building wealth is relatively simple: earn good money, save and invest. But theres a fourth step millionaires often take once thats all said and done - investing in real estate. Investing in real estate is key if you want to become a millionaire. Credit:Shutterstock Investing in real estate seems like a natural result once the basics are covered and excess cash is generated, John, who retired at the age of 52 with a $US3 million ($4.2 million) net worth and writes personal finance blog ESI Money, wrote in a blog post. John would know he spent the past few years interviewing 100 millionaires. Here he breaks down the four-step process many of the millionaires he spoke with used to build wealth: Update 10:14 p.m.: 10-year-old Vince Johnson has been found safe and was never kidnapped, New Orleans police said. This report will be updated after New Orleans police release additional details. Original: A 10-year-old boy was kidnapped on Sunday afternoon in Algiers after he took the trash out, according to a New Orleans police press release. Vince Johnson, 10, said he was going to bring out the trash around 2:30 p.m. at his home, located in the 30 block of Pinewood Court, New Orleans police said. Johnson's mother looked through the home for him at 3:03 p.m., but couldn't find him. She called Johnson's cell phone, but no one initially answered. She soon received a text message from her son's phone saying that he had been kidnapped from outside of the home. There has been no additional communication with anyone on that cell phone, police said. Police ask anyone with information to contact Fourt District Detective Lisa Lewis at (504) 658-6040 or Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-2222 or tole-free at 1-877-903-7867. Get 25% off of the regular $65 annual All Access rate. With this subscription you will get: Digital access to ElPasoInc.com and archives (value $45) Print subscription home or business delivered (value $65) Book of Lists (annual rate only, value $50) El Paso Inc. Magazine (value $20) El Paso Kids Inc. Special sections - OR - Get 15% off of the regular $45 annual Digital-only rate. With this subscription you will get: Complete digital access to ElPasoInc.com. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has selected a veteran cop who once commanded officers in her City Council district as the citys next police chief. Shaun Ferguson, a commander who oversees the Police Departments education and training division, was announced as the replacement for Superintendent Michael Harrison on Monday. The 46-year-old previously served as commander of Uptowns 2nd District and Algiers 4th District. In 2004, as a beat cop who had not yet risen to commander, he was named the 4th District officer of the year. In picking Ferguson, Cantrell will break with a longstanding local tradition of convening a search committee or appointing a chief on an interim basis to give them time to meet with community members. But she hewed to another time-honored practice by choosing as chief a veteran officer from within NOPD's ranks. Can't see video below? Click here. She will also have a chief she knows well. When Ferguson led the 2nd District from 2015 to 2018, he interacted often with Cantrell, since her City Council District B covered much of the same territory. At a City Hall news conference, Cantrell said Ferguson earned her respect with his commitment to being "fair, firm and friendly." She also said her background as a grassroots civic activist in Broadmoor, her subsequent tenure as a councilwoman, and a seven-month transition period before being sworn in as mayor in May gave her the necessary perspective to select Ferguson without a lengthy search process or public input. The speedy and opaque selection process has drawn some criticism, but her homeland security director, retired Marine Col. Terry Ebbert, said Cantrell was right to quickly appoint Ferguson. "Organizations often put in an interim and spiral downward," said Ebbert, whose office works closely with the Police Department. "We don't have to face that, and delayed action in leadership is never the way to go." Harrison served as an interim chief for two months before then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu appointed him on a permanent basis. Bill Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University who has been active in the effort to reform NOPD, said he would have preferred a more open selection process. "I didn't see any urgency to get him in here, to name somebody without having the various stakeholders at least give some input," Quigley said. "We have had a troubled police force for decades, and it does seem to be a bit better than it was, but it's a big job." While Ferguson lacks citywide name recognition or long experience atop one of the departments bureaus, he appears to enjoy respect among fellow officers. At Monday's news conference, officials noted how Ferguson was the first high-ranking cop the outgoing chief sent to the Police Executive Research Forums senior management institute, a three-week program at Boston University. Ferguson said he also sought other similar leadership training as it became clear he would be in contention to one day become New Orleans' top cop. "He's prepared himself," Harrison said. "I have confidence Ferguson will move the department forward." After the announcement, a neighborhood leader who once worked closely with Ferguson in Algiers said she was pleased. "I think people will find him very responsive. He listened to what we had to say, he follows up and makes sure that our concerns have been addressed," said Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb, president of the Walnut Bend Civic Association. "We felt pretty at ease in calling him up." Business leader Gregory Rusovich, the immediate past chairman of the nonprofit New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation, which supports NOPD, said he anticipates Ferguson will have the same positive relationship with local entrepreneurs that Harrison did. 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 Eric Hessler, an attorney with the Police Association of New Orleans, said, My opinion is that he is perfectly fit to take the helm. Meanwhile, Fergusons role at the training academy, though he has only been there since June, means he has already interacted with the federal monitors overseeing the departments 2012 reform plan, called a consent decree. That document required extensive improvements to the lessons that turn recruits into officers. Cantrell and other city leaders are eager to lead the department out of the consent decree, which entails intrusive and expensive oversight from monitors appointed by a federal judge. In a letter last month, she and other city officials questioned whether the city needed to continue spending so much money on federal monitors. Hessler, whose organization has been critical of the consent decrees sweeping mandates, said he thinks Ferguson shares some of his concerns, based on their interactions around officers facing discipline. I think he understands the problems that are facing the Police Department and the problems that have been created by the consent decree, he said. I think hes of the mindset that the department needs a little more autonomy to deal with very, very minor violations that simply clog the system up. Harrison, who announced Tuesday that he was leaving for Baltimore to guide that citys police force through its own consent decree, was the chief who assigned Ferguson to lead the academy. In a statement, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said that role afforded Ferguson "an excellent understanding of the challenges the NOPD faces regarding the recruitment and training of new officers." In an interview last week, Harrison declined to name his favored successor, but he said he was convinced that any of his top-ranking officers would perform well. Like Ferguson, Harrison was a relative unknown when then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu chose him as chief in August 2014. Eventually, Harrison drew widespread praise from politicians and the consent decree monitors for his leadership. I think Shaun is qualified, Hessler said. You can look back to when they appointed a sergeant Warren Woodfork as chief of police. And in my personal opinion, I think Woodfork was a very good chief of police. Other candidates mentioned by insiders and observers as potential replacements for Harrison included Deputy Superintendents Paul Noel, John Thomas and Christopher Goodly, and 8th District Cmdr. Nicholas Gernon. Its not clear how seriously Cantrell considered them, or whether they met with the mayor, as Ferguson did. Ferguson said Cantrell offered him the job either on Tuesday or Wednesday of last week. Harrison announced his departure on Tuesday. The new chief used some of his remarks at the briefing to address the recruits with whom he had been working, saying that he was proof of the possibility of advancement at NOPD. "Keep your dreams ahead of you," Ferguson said. "Keep pushing, keep striving." He acknowledged the magnitude of the assignment has since caused him some sleepless nights. Yet on Monday he said he was ready to preserve the gains the city made in its fight against violent crime last year, when New Orleans recorded its fewest number of murders since 1971 -- 146 -- as well as a 28 percent drop in the number of non-fatal shootings. Ferguson, a 21-year veteran, was tight-lipped when asked for specifics on how he intended to do that, saying he needed to assess the options. He also made it clear that he sees room for improvement throughout the force despite the steady progress. "I'm proud of how far our department has come, ... but Im saying we have some work to do," Ferguson said. Fergusons elevation to superintendent could set off a reshuffling of the NOPDs top ranks, especially if any deputy chiefs or commanders follow Harrison to Baltimore. Harrison said Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh has given him leeway to pick his top managers, and he hasn't ruled out looking to bring some of his right-hand men and women from his time atop NOPD. Ferguson declined to discuss how or when he might alter NOPD's command staff, saying he still needed to evaluate any potential changes. Harrison's last day is Friday, when Ferguson's swearing-in ceremony is also set. The delegates of the Mandeville High School Youth and Government Club attended the recent 2018 Louisiana Youth Legislature Conference held at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. This conference is an opportunity for students from around the state to come together to write, debate and pass mock legislation. Over the course of the three-day conference, each student had the opportunity to present a bill they had written about real political, social and economic issues facing the state today. Students addressed issues such as mental health, legalizing gambling on sporting events and gun regulation. The student-written bills were debated in a number of committees mirroring the actual governmental system. Not only were the students given the opportunity to debate, but they also facilitated debate in the committees and on the House and Senate floors. In addition, students got the opportunity to challenge a bills constitutionality before a "Supreme Court." Each committee of the House and the Senate as well as the Supreme Court were run by at least one of the state board officers elected at the previous year's LEG conference. By the end of the conference, votes were taken on the student bills, and if the bills were passed, they went on to be signed by the "governor" of the conference. Paralleling state government, the conference governor can sign or veto bills. Three vetoed bills were chosen for the last day of the conference; all of the committees come together as one and the vetoed bills could be overridden. This veto override debate was the last debate of the conference, and it was an opportunity for delegates to speak in front of the hundreds of students that attend. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up It was the moment where many delegates shined as they formed eloquent and convincing opinions in a short amount of time. While one might think that speaking in front of such a large audience would be intimidating, participants of the LEG conference agreed that's what makes it so exciting. Megan Butler, a Mandeville High delegate, described the conference as an inspiring experience, where you can be a part of the generation that sparks the change Louisiana deserves to see. These driven students were striving to be informed and address issues that they see go unacknowledged or unresolved. The conference also gave students an opportunity to participate in an election. As a student-run conference, there is a state board with positions to be filled by upcoming juniors and sophomores. Three delegates from Mandeville High were elected to represent their school as officers in the 2019 LEG conference state board: Ella Kutner, Cameron Doyle and Isabelle Zelaya. The students campaigned over the course of the conference, were elected to these state board positions, and will work with the rest of the board to organize next years LEG conference. Two years ago, Nancy Savage had trouble keeping her house clean. Her back problems made cooking difficult. Her diabetes medications made it hard to concentrate when driving her car. At the same time, Monica Bryant, a Stockbridge, Georgia, native, was at a crossroads. After she and her husband decided to separate, Bryant, who had been living and working in Gentilly, needed a new place to live while she figured out her next move. Today, Bryant, 52, and Savage, 74, are roommates, matched through a program run by Shared Housing of New Orleans, a nonprofit that links people who are looking for housing with elderly or disabled residents who are looking for companionship and willing to offer a place to stay. When Bryant isn't at work, she and Savage shop at the mall, plan and eat dinner together, or watch reruns of the TV game show "Jeopardy!" in the home they share on Giuffrias Avenue in Metairie. "I knew I was going through a really difficult time," Bryant said. "And I don't have family here, so it seemed like it would be a good fit." Savage said she "absolutely needed help" and was glad to "find somebody who, in addition to helping with physical things, is good company." Shared Housing of New Orleans, run largely on a shoestring budget, is playing a critical role for older residents who need caretakers but want to retain a measure of independence, said its founder, Marion Strauss. It also offers options for younger people affected by rising housing costs or financial problems. Strauss began the nonprofit in the late 1980s after doctors at Charity Hospital, her former employer, began to recommend that depressed patients over 50 be admitted to nursing homes. That made no sense to Strauss, an occupational therapist in her 50s at the time. Later, her husband, taking note of the city's homeless population, came up with the idea of matching elderly residents with people who were homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless. The program has matched dozens of pairs in the years since. No money is exchanged, although the tenants do agree to keep the homes tidy, spend time with the homeowners and adhere to other requirements in a contract both parties hash out. "We do outcomes, where we ask people, 'Do you feel happier, more relaxed, less depressed, than you did when the program started?' " said Strauss, who has kept her therapist's license current. "And they always are. They always feel better about themselves." Before a match is made, staffers screen applicants to see if they would fit well together. A homeowner might invite a potential tenant over for a trial stay, and both must agree to be matched before anything is final. 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 No children are allowed in the program, Strauss said. Applicants must be older than 18. They must pass background checks, and they must not abuse drugs or alcohol. The tenants are not expected to provide personal care to the homeowners, such as bathing and dressing. An initial match lasts for six months, with the option to extend it if both parties agree. Many of the younger people in need of housing leave the program once they become financially stable, which means the elderly or disabled homeowners might be assigned to more than one match during the years they participate. Still, other matches have lasted much longer, said Rosie Calvin, one of the program's nurses. The program is funded by whatever grants it can find, as well as Strauss' personal money. The spry founder, who doubles as an advocate for disabled adults, pays the rent for the maze-like office on Prytania Street where applicants come to be interviewed. Strauss said she doesn't mind paying the rent, but the program could use a bigger advertising budget so it can get the word about its services out more widely. One of the few ads Strauss does run, on the nostalgia television channel MeTV, drew Bryant to the program. Upon meeting Savage, Bryant immediately thought she'd be a "safe" match. "I got the sense that I'm not going to have to worry about any wild parties or whatever," Bryant said. Savage said the contract gave her assurance about the arrangement. Bryant, she said, "has turned out to be a fantastic cook" and has been great company after Savage's three dogs died in the last year. "I'm just glad it's not so lonely around here," Savage said. First came the hometown shout-outs from President Donald Trump to the exciting New Orleans Saints, to Drew Brees, who is one hell of a quarterback, and to Louisianas Republican senators and congressmen. Then, during his speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Monday, Trump moved on to a full-throated defense of his demand that Congress provide $5.7 billion to extend a wall on the United States southern border, a position that has stalemated Washington in recent weeks and has resulted in a partial government shutdown that is the longest in history. With a crowd of protesters outside the Convention Center and a friendly crowd within, Trump showed no public signs of backing down from his position. Were going to have a wall, he said. Were going to have a barrier. The farmers and ranchers who packed Hall F at the Convention Center roared in approval. The warm welcome from Trumps rural base of supporters comes as congressional Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have refused to authorize more spending on the wall and have argued that their Republican colleagues should help them reopen the government while both sides negotiate on border security. Democrats have offered to spend $1.3 billion to strengthen border security by hiring more border agents and deploying more sensors and drones to detect those trying to cross. Monday marked the 24th day of the shutdown that has impacted roughly 800,000 federal workers. The closed government offices have hit farmers who cannot obtain federally backed loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy seeds for spring planting or to feed their animals. Farmers also cannot access government data on the prices of beef, soybeans and other crops that they use to decide what to plant or when to bring products to market. Mr. President: If you want to help farmers, re-open the government, tweeted Schumer on Monday. In New Orleans, Trump put the blame on Democrats for not agreeing to his demands and called on his audience to contact the offices of congressional Democrats to pressure them to cave. Theyre only doing this because of the 2020 election, he said. Trump made his case for the wall and the use of a shutdown to get it during a nationally televised address from the Oval Office last week. On Thursday he visited the border town of McAllen, Texas, to further press his case. But as the shutdown continues, polls suggest that Americans may be holding Trump responsible for any fallout. Two polls released in recent days show that about 55 percent of the public blames the shutdown on Trump, with about 30 percent pointing to Democrats. In New Orleans, Trump said the reinforced wall will deter illegal border crossings and drug smuggling, including crossings by foreign nationals from Pakistan and China in addition to those from Central and South American countries. "If you dont have a strong steel or concrete border, you wont be able to stop these people," Trump said. "We dont want the wrong ones coming into our country." At one point during his address, the president said an Arizona rancher named Jim Chilton, who lives near the border with Mexico, had suffered because of illegal immigration. Trump then invited Chilton to make a few remarks. Mr. President, we need a wall! the rancher said, prompting a standing ovation. Convention-goers laughed when Trump ridiculed Democrats and applauded when he tossed off his red-meat lines, including an attack on the fake media, which he said wouldnt report that the crowd stood and cheered him several times. Making his first visit to New Orleans as president it lasted about 2 hours Trump said he had enjoyed a lot of good luck in 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 He won the state in 2016 with 58 percent of the vote, though as a businessman, he failed to win state approval in 1993 to operate a riverboat casino the vessel would have docked at the Julia Street Wharf, next to the Convention Center and was unable to develop a Trump condo tower on what remains a parking lot at Poydras and Camp streets. The president arrived at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport just before noon and was greeted by Louisiana's Republican congressional delegation. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves offered him a cream cheese-filled king cake from Rouses Markets. Wanted to make sure POTUS knew where he was when he landed, Graves later tweeted. Trump spent several minutes greeting Louisiana Republican officials who had been shivering for more than two hours awaiting his arrival. Among those in attendance were businessmen and longtime Republican fundraisers Joe Canizaro and Boysie Bollinger, as well as Louis Gurvich, the current state Republican Party chairman, and his predecessor, Roger Villere Jr. He was quite animated, Canizaro said in a later interview. It was exciting. Canizaro and Bollinger served as co-chairs of the presidents campaign finance committee in Louisiana in 2016 and will reprise their roles in 2020, Canizaro said. To exit the airport, Trump and his motorcade drove down the runways and then snarled traffic as police blocked off portions of Interstate 10 and a portion of Convention Center Boulevard. More than 350 protesters arrived outside the Convention Center ahead of Trump's arrival, holding signs demanding an end to the administration's current border policy and calling for the president's impeachment, including one reading "Impeach Dat." During his hour-long remarks, Trump thanked Gov. John Bel Edwards for attending the event. Edwards, a Democrat, has established a good working relationship with the Republican president. Sitting next to Edwards was Rep. Ralph Abraham, who is challenging the governors re-election bid. Rep. Cedric Richmond, Louisianas lone Democratic congressman, did not attend. Besides Brees, Trump also gave shout-outs to Oxford John Kennedy, a reference to the U.S. senators university studies in England; to Sen. Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor, who knows more about health care than anybody; and to Graves, who is young, strong, smart. Also recognized by the president was Rep. Steve Scalise, who was shot two years ago by a crazed gunman, nearly died but recovered after months in the hospital. He got hit hard, Trump said. He never even thought about quitting. While he focused on the wall, Trump also promised that his tariffs on exports from China and other countries would help U.S. farmers, even though retaliatory tariffs by those countries have hurt farm exports in the short term. However, Edwards has been warning since July that perhaps no state will lose more from a trade war than Louisiana. In a July letter, he noted that the Port of New Orleans accounts for 15 percent of the nations exports and is the third largest importer of steel. In all, Edwards wrote, one in six jobs in the state depends on international commerce. Staff writer Bryn Stole contributed to this report. What to know in New Orleans this week (Jan. 15) One of Mayor LaToya Cantrell's campaign themes was meeting people where they lived, in their neighborhoods, even floating the idea of locating City Hall satellite offices in New Orleans East and elsewhere. Since she took office, Cantrell has overseen the extension of some traditional downtown festivities to local neighborhoods, riding in the inaugural Jingle on the Boulevard parade in New Orleans East and staging four fireworks displays around town so people could watch them from wherever they live. That brings us to Mardi Gras and the concentration of most Orleans Parish's parades on the traditional St. Charles Avenue Uptown route. Even a few parades that once rolled on the West Bank have rolled down St. Charles. Commentary: A bad idea resurrected City Council reconsiders requiring ABOs to install cameras and feed footage to the Real-Time Crime Center It wasn't always so. Older New Orleanians remember seeing the krewes of Endymion and Pontchartrain rolling through Gentilly and New Orleans East, respectively. The Krewe of Mid-City's unique, foil-wrapped floats once used to delight people in Mid-City. And the Krewes of Freret and Carrollton used to roll down (you guessed it) Freret Street and Carrollton Avenue, respectively. The concentration of parades on St. Charles Avenue makes things easier for the city, especially for our manpower-challenged police department, but it has taken something away from New Orleans' neighborhoods. Carnival season is a party we put on for ourselves, and it's time to ask: Can we move a few parades back to their neighborhoods? Advantages to the krewes, particularly the smaller ones, would include more attention and appreciation. (Some nights have three parades, one after the other, on St. Charles Avenue.) For some krewes, it would bring them back to the neighborhoods where they were founded and first flourished. The logistics would have to be worked out, but they're not insurmountable. This year, Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken spearheaded some big changes for Carnival in Jefferson, reversing the route of four of the parish's eight Mardi Gras parades and relocating the Family Gras celebration to the parking lot of Clearview Shopping Center. Those changes required a lot of discussion with krewe captains and parish leaders, but it's expected to increase participation among riders and interest among spectators. Commentary: John Bel Edwards as Governor Sisyphus ... health care his boulder to push Gov. John Bel Edwards faces threats to one of his biggest policy wins: expanding Medicaid. "Carnival time is that spirit of love that we share in our great city more than Christmas," Cantrell told The Advocate on Twelfth Night. "And it's not a day. It truly is a season." We agree and if any mayor could get that season spread more equitably among New Orleans' diverse neighborhoods, it's Cantrell. We hope she looks into the idea of spreading Mardi Gras celebrations around town. It's not just a matter of equity. It's a way of honoring our history. Speaking of Mardi Gras: Law enforcement officers work long hours during Carnival season. The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) helps keep them fed and hydrated with its "Adopt-A-Cop" program, which helps citizens and businesses donate food or money to feed officers while they keep parade routes safe. The program benefits all law enforcement, including Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies and other agencies that work Mardi Gras parades. If you want to contribute or learn more, visit www.nopjf.org/adopt-a-cop. Hey Blake, While walking through the French Quarter, I noticed the building wedged behind the Cabildo called the Arsenal. Whats its story? Dear reader, The Arsenal in the 600 block of St. Peter Street is one of the four most historically significant structures in that section of the French Quarter (the other three being St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo and the Presbytere). The Arsenal site originally was home to a French guard house and prison, which was destroyed in the Good Friday fire of 1788. The Spanish government rebuilt the prison, which again was destroyed by fire in 1793. Another prison built there in 1795 was demolished in 1837. The three-story Arsenal, an armory used to house military supplies, dates to 1839. It was designed in the Greek Revival style by architect James Dakin, who also designed St. Patricks Catholic Church on Camp Street and the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. According to historian Leonard Huber, the Arsenal was used by the Orleans Artillery beginning in 1846, and Confederate troops stored supplies there during the Civil War. After the federal occupation of New Orleans, it again was used as a military prison. +5 Among contested N.O. monuments, Liberty Place marker has always been a battleground The statues of Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee, P.G.T. Beauregard and Jefferson Davis have been in limbo for months, the city's effort to re The building also figures into the history of the Battle of Liberty Place, much discussed during the recent dismantling of the Battle of Liberty Place Monument. The citys Metropolitan Police controlled the Arsenal until Sept. 14, 1874, when the paramilitary group Crescent City White League took it over during a violent battle. The White League occupied the Cabildo and Arsenal for three days until President Ulysses S. Grant sent federal troops to restore order. In 1914, the Arsenal was transferred to the Louisiana State Museum. From 1964 until 1978, the building was closed for renovation. It since has reopened and remains part of the Louisiana State Museum complex. Former Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Monday, July 25, 2016. Louisiana residents hoping to see the governor and lawmakers tackle the state's entrenched problems and enact sweeping change might need to lower their expectations. This year probably won't be the year for them. The two-month regular legislative session that starts in April comes after 10 mostly contentious legislative sessions including seven special sessions to deal with state finances were packed into three years. It also comes in an election year. Many lawmakers are likely to be less ambitious after the exhausting budget and tax battles they've waged since 2016. In addition, lawmakers and Gov. John Bel Edwards likely will be less interested in irking voters in a year where they're running to hold onto their current seats or to advance to new elected positions. Election-year sessions often aren't memorable, and they're not typically known as reform years. That's not to say some people won't try to be ambitious. A few lawmakers are talking about trying to rewrite Louisiana's tax laws. Chatter continues about trying to raise the gas tax to address a multibillion-dollar backlog of road and bridge work. Others want to overhaul Louisiana's method of collecting sales taxes. Some want to revisit additional hot-button topics of years past. +9 Gov. John Bel Edwards says no tax hikes, special sessions in 2019 Two familiar issues wont be on Gov. John Bel Edwards agenda in 2019. There will be no tax hikes and no special sessions heading into the fin The question is whether any of those big-picture ideas can rally enough support among skittish politicians trying to preserve their chances on the ballot. The governorship, six other statewide jobs, and all 144 state legislative seats are up for grabs in the Oct. 12 primary election. Edwards, a Democrat running for a second term, gave a sneak peak of his legislative agenda to the Press Club of Baton Rouge last week. The list was largely a modest one. The governor will revisit his failed proposals to increase the state's minimum wage and to enact new equal pay provisions, but their chances of passage seem slim. He'll push state-level legislation to prohibit health insurers from refusing coverage to people because of their medical conditions aimed at duplicating a provision of the federal health overhaul that is threatened by litigation. Edwards' top priority is a $1,000 teacher pay raise, the start of an effort to return salaries to the Southern average. Passage of the pay hike would be significant, but it's also not exactly touching on a controversial subject. Republicans and Democrats seem to be in widespread agreement about backing some sort of teacher pay raise, with most of the questions centering on how much to boost salaries and whether to extend the increase to school support workers as Edwards wants. The largest fight on teacher pay may simply be about who gets to take credit for the raise. House Republican leaders, who regularly clash with the governor, have blocked the income forecast boost that Edwards wants to use to pay for the salary increases, saying the state has too much financial uncertainty for the changes. They say they want to wait more months into the year to see if the projections stay on track. If the House GOP leaders continue to hold out on the forecast changes, that could complicate Edwards' plan to include the teacher raises in the budget proposal he'll release in February. House Republicans could then adopt the forecast changes later and add the money for the teacher raises into the budget themselves. The main events in the 2019 legislative session may be political posturing and the battle to take credit. The looming elections are expected to provoke more partisan wrangling and even less willingness to compromise. Republicans in the majority-GOP House and Senate likely will be angling to put Edwards in uncomfortable positions with some of the maneuvers they make and the bills they propose. Meanwhile, the Edwards administration will be trying to protect its prior-year wins and stop anything that would put the governor in a politically tricky spot from reaching his desk. The differing sides won't necessarily want to make it easy for their opponents to claim a win. That could make it difficult to find compromises in policymaking this year. Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Convictions of serious felony crimes in Louisiana will require unanimous jury verdicts, "granny cams" could show up in nursing home rooms, and government agencies must have anti-sexual harassment policies, as two dozen state laws take effect Tuesday. Boat registration fees are growing by $9. The student identification cards issued by Louisiana's public four-year universities must contain the information needed to be a valid voter ID card. And breast cancer screening mandates for health insurance companies are changing. Lawmakers approved most of the provisions during their 2018 regular session. The student ID measure won passage in 2016, with a lingering start date to give campuses time to ready for the requirement. The unanimous jury law won overwhelming voter support in November after lawmakers placed the constitutional change on the ballot. UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICTS The most high-profile change hitting the books with the start of January ends Louisiana's Jim Crow-era law that allowed split juries to convict people of serious felony crimes. All jury verdicts for felony offenses committed Tuesday and thereafter will have to be unanimous to convict, leaving Oregon as the only state to allow split-jury verdicts for felonies in the future. But cases winding their way through Louisiana's prosecutorial system for crimes committed before 2019 still will be subject to the old rules, which allowed some felonies including some murder cases to be resolved when 10 out of 12 jurors agree on a person's guilt. Passage of Louisiana's unanimous jury requirement drew an unlikely, bipartisan coalition of support across the political spectrum, from conservative and religious groups to liberal activists. Tilting the scales: What to know about Louisiana's controversial non-unanimous jury law 1. How an abnormal Louisiana law deprives, discriminates, drives incarceration: Tilting the Scales GRANNY CAMS IN NURSING HOMES Louisiana families will be able to install video monitoring systems in their loved ones' nursing home rooms, to keep track of residents who often can't speak for themselves. Under the "Nursing Home Virtual Visitation Act," nursing homes can't prohibit the cameras or retaliate against residents who want to install them. Cameras will be voluntary, and several requirements have to be met to use them. Signs must be posted, notifying people of the video monitoring systems. Costs have to be paid by the nursing home patient or family member. Roommates or their legal guardians have to agree to the installation, and if not, the nursing home has to try to move the resident to another room. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Nursing homes have to provide forms to nursing home residents or their legal guardians outlining the ways the cameras can be installed. The state Department of Health sent notices and consent forms to nursing homes in mid-December to distribute to residents and their families. 'Granny cam' bill signed into law by Louisiana governor "Granny cams" could soon be coming to Louisiana nursing home rooms. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Though Louisiana's first government-wide policy against sexual harassment takes effect Tuesday, agencies were encouraged to enact the provisions as soon as Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the measure. The law requires state and local government agencies to enact anti-sexual-harassment policies that include a process for handling complaints, a ban against retaliation when someone files a complaint, and mandatory prevention training each year. Agency heads have to compile annual reports documenting the number of employees who have completed the training requirements, the number of sexual harassment complaints received over the last year, and the number of complaints that resulted in disciplinary action. Those reports are due in February and must be made available to the public. OTHER LAWS Health insurance plans will have to cover follow-up preventive cancer screenings if a woman has had a bilateral mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis. Those plans also will have to cover a procedure that creates a digital 3D image of a breast for patients getting mammograms. Many of Louisiana's college students should be able to use their university ID cards to vote in state elections. The law requires the state's public higher education system governing boards to ensure the student ID cards that campuses issue meet voter ID requirements. Community and technical colleges are excluded from the requirement. A former LSU student and fraternity member accused of pushing another student down two flights of stairs during an August 2017 fraternity preview event pleaded not guilty Monday. Nicholas Daniel Lorusso II, 21, of New Orleans, appeared before state District Judge Don Johnson with his attorney, Kyle Kershaw, and entered a not guilty plea to simple battery, a misdemeanor. Police: Ex-LSU student pushed volunteer down 2 flights of stairs during event at frat house A former fraternity brother and student at LSU was arrested Wednesday after university police said he pushed another student down two flights Lorusso, the son of former Republican state Rep. Nicholas "Nick" Lorusso, of New Orleans, also pleaded not guilty to marijuana possession stemming from a January 2017 incident. Kershaw declined comment outside Johnson's courtroom after the arraignment. Police booked Lorusso on second-degree battery, a felony, after the victim was injured at the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house. The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office charged him with the lesser crime of simple battery in November. The Aug. 17, 2017, incident at the Delta Kappa Epsilon house occurred less than a month before the fatal Sept. 14, 2017, hazing of LSU freshman Max Gruver at the now-defunct Phi Delta Theta house. 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 +6 Two former LSU students plead no contest in hazing death of Max Gruver Two former LSU students pleaded no contest Thursday to misdemeanor hazing in the alcohol-related death of freshman fraternity pledge Max Gruve Police said the victim in the incident involving Lorusso volunteered to tour fraternity houses with potential members. While in the Delta Kappa Epsilon house, the volunteer went upstairs to make sure no potential members left the main floor, which would be a violation of the tour rules, a police report says. Part of his job as a volunteer, called a Rho Alpha, was to make sure that no one broke the rules. When the volunteer reached the third floor a man confronted him about what he was doing upstairs, the police report states. After explaining, the volunteer turned to leave but was confronted by a second man, later identified as Lorusso, who pushed him down the stairs, according to the report. Lorusso was not an LSU student at the time, Kershaw confirmed. The volunteer got up but Lorusso pushed him down the next set of stairs, cutting and fracturing the victim's hand, the report says. The volunteer needed 13 stitches in his hand and surgery to repair the fracture. Lorusso's next court date in Baton Rouge state court is March 21. A Clinton resident troubled by his town's financial and water problems claims to have collected nearly 65 percent of the signatures necessary to force a vote on Lori Ann Bell's future. Michael Harvey began a petition drive two months ago after investigators accused Bell, the town's mayor, of malfeasance. She and former police chief Fred Dunn were accused of illegally entering into a contract to lease four Chevrolet Tahoes for the police department. Bell has since been charged with two additional counts of malfeasance, the town does not yet have a 2019 budget and the Louisiana Department of Health says the water system is so bad that it might start imposing fines for a multitude of violations, including worker safety issues. If you had asked me a year or two ago how Mayor Bell was doing, to be honest I really didnt want to be involved in politics and had no knowledge, but as things started coming to light I felt I needed to educate myself, said Harvey, a 15-year Clinton resident. The chemical sales worker said he travels almost exclusively for his job so is rarely in town day-to-day, but the consistent issues with water lines and boil advisories led him to attend the towns October meeting. Seeing the mayors unwillingness to share information with the alderman and what had been going on with the Taylor Street well, I just felt like Miss Bell no longer represented me as a voter or citizen of Clinton, Louisiana, so I decided to at least start the petition and give Clinton the opportunity to draw the line in the sand and say are we going to put up with this? Harvey said. +4 Boil notices, backup plans and porta-potties: How Clinton residents live with their water issue CLINTON Business owners wake up early to boil enough water to get them through the day before they flip the front door signs to "OPEN." Resi Secretary of State spokesman Tyler Brey said that, for a petition to move to the governor, it would need verified signatures from one-third of Clintons registered voters. That would be 419 people, he said. Cities with population of 25,001 or more require a smaller percentage of registered voters to sign a recall petition. Clinton has just over 1,500 residents. Brey said that once a recall petition has been filed with the Secretary of States office, the chairperson has 180 days to return with the required signatures to the Registrar of Voters in the parish. Harvey faces a May deadline. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +2 Clinton mayor arrested for 3rd time, now over town's water; her attorney denies any crime Clinton Mayor Lori Ann Bell was arrested for the third time in recent months Wednesday, accused of failing to respond to multiple warnings abo He said with about 270 signatures collected so far, and unresolved issues like the budget and water system lingering, hes confident the movement will force another election. But, Clinton isnt the only small Louisiana town on the verge of a water crisis. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said last week that auditors are seeing a steep rise in the number of small Louisiana towns unable to pay the bills due to issues like old pipes, little water system maintenance and costly operations. The towns of Jeanerette and St. Joseph already have fiscal administrators positions appointed by the state to take over operations and balance the budget and last week the states Fiscal Review Committee voted to ask for administrators in Clarence and Clayton. Clinton could soon be on that same list. (The water system) didnt just get this way, its infrastructure and piping, but the issue thats on her shoulders is the upkeep of the well and its maintenance, putting money aside for it, she knew that was an issue, Harvey said. Harvey is listed as the petitions chairman, but he said hes working with two other residents to collect signatures. Hes been knocking on doors and gathering names through word-of-mouth but said he will set up a tent in front of the courthouse from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday for anyone they may have missed. Bell did not respond to a request for comment on the petition Monday. WASHINGTON Hundreds of thousands of federal workers weren't paid Friday because of a partial government shutdown, and at least six dozen con In this file photo, Ada Police officer Allen Musser speaks to a crowd gathered for a cyber bullying and cyber sexting seminar Aug. 9 at the Pontotoc Technology Center. A warrant was issued for Musser's arrest Friday after he was accused of threatening his estranged wife with his service weapon. A surgeon has to pay a fine of $3,000 for removing a kidney he mistakenly believed as tumor, which stems from not reading the medical records of the patient prior to the operation. The surgeon, Ramon Vazquez, cut open patient Maureen Pacheco in April 2016 at the Wellington Regional Medical Center. Two orthopedic doctors were set to perform a spinal fusion on the patient who complained of back pains. Kidney Removal The mishap happened when Vazquez observed a mass, which he thought was cancerous, in the pelvic region. He described it as "gynecological malignancy, lymphoma and/or other metastatic disease." Thinking it was a tumor, the surgeon removed the organ even without the patient's consent. However, Pacheco was born with a kidney that remained in the pelvic region, although it was intact, as per the findings of the pathologist. The nature of the patient's kidney was stated in the medical records. To this, Vazquez admitted failing to review the history of Pacheco before the surgery. In December 2017, the Florida Health Department filed a complaint against the erring surgeon, explaining the agency found the procedure "medically unnecessary" because there was no connection between the cancer diagnosis and Pacheco's health state. Penalties For Mistakenly Removing Kidney The first settlement of $1,500 was rejected. Vazquez's attorney, Michael Burt, described his client as "an excellent surgeon" who just, along with the two doctors, "exercised professional judgment." Furthermore, the health department said that it was only after the operation that the patient had informed the doctors of his pelvic kidney. However, Pacheco's lawyer, Donald J. Ward III, argued that the primary surgeons were well aware of her condition. Vazquez was only introduced to the patient before the operation, specifically after Pacheco was given anesthesia, Ward explained. As compared to the two orthopedic surgeons, Jeffrey Kugler and John Britt, who settled with Pacheco for $250,000 each, Vazquez's $3,000-fine was minimal because he doesn't have malpractice insurance. Apart from this nominal penalty, he must pay close to $4,900 for court expenses, hold a lecture about wrong-site surgery for an hour, and finish three hours of education for preoperative evaluation of patients. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung's top-of-the-line 5G Galaxy S10 Plus model will be a Verizon exclusive for the first few months, according to an unnamed source and leaked software. If it turns out to be true, then subscribers of Big Red will have the edge on other Samsung fans on other carriers for some time in terms of mobile connectivity, and it won't be in the way that AT&T customers are experiencing "5G." Verizon's 5G Galaxy S10 A Galaxy S10 variant with 5G support has been rumored to be in the pipeline since September. While it was initially believed to launch at the same time across all major carriers, a new circulating rumor says that might not be the case at all. Max Weinbach of XDA-Developers says that it will be a Verizon exclusive at first. Apparently, the carrier won a bidding war and got the rights to release it first. It's unclear how long this exclusivity will last. OH! The S10+ 5G, maxed out spec'd out phone... Its a Verizon exclusive at first. They won the bidding war with Samsung for the first carrier to get it for the first couple months. Not sure how long this lasts. As an @TMobile customer... RIPPPPPPPPPP Max Weinbach (@mweinbachXDA) January 13, 2019 Weinbach then says that his claim was confirmed with a source and software, explaining that the phone in question only has Verizon files. Yo thanks for the retweet. I can confirm this through a source AND software. The BeyondX aka S10+ 5G only has Verizon files while everything else, including the folding phone, has all carriers. pic.twitter.com/s8eqDb9n2L Max Weinbach (@mweinbachXDA) January 13, 2019 Galaxy S10 'Unpacking' Date Samsung is expected to take the wraps off the Galaxy S10 lineup on Feb. 20 at its Unpacked Event in San Francisco. However, rumors say that the 5G model won't make an appearance there but show up at a later date sometime during the second quarter. As for its specs, rumors say that the 5G Galaxy S10 Plus will come with 1 TB of storage and 12 GB of RAM. It's said to sport a curved AMOLED screen that measures at 6.7 inches and a Snapdragon 855 for the U.S. variant or an Exynos 9820 for the international variants. It'll run on Android 9 Pie with a One UI skin out of the box, and it could have a whopping 5,000 mAh battery to keep the lights on. What's more, it could have a four-camera setup on the rear, two snappers on the front, and a headphone jack, which are all corroborated by an alleged Galaxy S10 Plus case. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The scientific satellite Spektr-R (RadioAstron), Russia's only space radio telescope, has shown signs of technical problems as the mission's scientific work continues way beyond the intended duration. Spektr-R Not Responding To Commands From The Ground Roscosmos scientific adviser Alexander Bloshenko said Spektr-R has stopped responding to commands from Earth on Sunday and the next attempt to restore control will be on Monday afternoon. "Today's program of an effort to try to contact with the spacecraft has ended," Bloshenko told state news agency Tass. "We are planning to repeat today's program of work." The details of the problems were not clear, but while the telescope has stopped responding to commands this time, officials are optimistic there is still hope. Astro Space Centre chief Nikolai Kardashev also said the telescope continues to transmit scientific data. Spektr-R started to show signs of trouble on Jan. 10 when Russia's space agency Roscosmos said problems in the communication system of the telescope disabled its ability to hone in on specific targets. Specialists attempted to restore communications to the system, but repeated attempts to re-establish connection failed. Space Telescope In An Extended Mission The space telescope was launched to study astronomical objects in conjunction with ground-based observatories. Spektr-R has continued with its scientific works well beyond its expected lifespan. The telescope was launched in 2011 and the warranty period of its active operation has elapsed in 2014. In 2016, Roscosmos announced the extension of the mission, saying the space observatory will stay active until late 2018. "The Spektr-R (RadioAstron) spacecraft launched on July 11, 2011, will be used until the end of 2018 on the decision of a state commission," Roscosmos said, according to Russia Beyond. Bloshenko said that the telescope's active operations have already lasted 2.5 times longer than expected. Spektr-RG, the new Russian-German satellite, is set for launch this year. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. James Watson, the Nobel Prize-winner who co-discovered the double-helix structure of the DNA, has lost his honorary titles at the laboratory he once led for making repeated racist remarks. Co-Discoverer Of DNA's Double Helix James Watson along with Francis Crick proposed the idea of the double helix structure of the DNA in the 1950s. In 1962, Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on the molecular structure of nucleic acids. Despite his accomplishments, Watson's views, particularly on gender and race, have stirred controversies. The 90-year-old American scientist said in "American Masters: Decoding Watson," a PBS documentary which aired on Jan. 2, that genes cause a difference in the intelligence between white and black people in IQ tests. Controversial Remarks This was not the first time Watson made a controversial statement. In 2000, Watson caused controversy after he had suggested a link between skin color and libido, saying the skin pigment melanin boosts sex drive. "That's why you have Latin lovers," he said. "You've never heard of an English lover. Only an English patient." In 2007, he expressed another offensive view about racial gaps in intelligence during an interview with Britain's Sunday Times about Africa and black people. "All our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - where all the testing says not really," the scientist said. In another 2007 interview with magazine Esquire, Watson justified some Anti-semitism and praised the Ashkenazi Jews, saying they are more intelligent compared with other ethnic groups. CHSL Strips Watson Of His Titles CHSL is apparently fed up of the controversial remarks from the scientist. The CSHL Board of Trustees terminated him as chancellor and relieved him from all his administrative duties following his 2007 remarks, but Watson retained his honorary titles chancellor emeritus, Oliver R Grace professor emeritus and honorary trustee until now. CHSL said it now strips Watson of these titles following the airing of the PBS documentary earlier this month. In a statement, the laboratory described the scientist's personal opinions as unsubstantiated and reckless. "The Laboratory condemns the misuse of science to justify prejudice," CSHL said. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The price of a flagship-tier smartphone has been ballooning over the past few years and shows no sign of ever retracting. For the most part, this makes sense. After all, yearly increases are primarily how manufacturers make bank. How they justify these increases vary greatly, but often, they upgrade the cameras, put out faster chips, and make better screens for each flagship. Whether these things justify upgrading yearly is debatable, but money talks people keep on buying them, so manufacturers will make them as long as the market is sustainable. Are People Paying Too Much For Smartphones? However, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission thinks people are paying way too much for smartphones. It is not because Apple, Samsung, or other manufacturers and wireless carriers are making them expensive, but because of Qualcomm, a brand familiar to anyone with cursory knowledge about mobile specifications. Is It Qualcomm's Fault? Qualcomm makes lots of chips every year, powering countless phones from a roster of different phone manufacturers. The company's business extends beyond processors, though, as it also owns key wireless-technology patents. Because Qualcomm owns proprietary technology, it charges companies such as Apple a set percentage of the total price of a smartphone. Consider this as Apple's payment in exchange to use Qualcomm's mobile technology, as the FTC explains in its antitrust suit. The percentage differs for each company, but Qualcomm generally takes a 5 percent cut, giving it up to a maximum of about $20 per device sold. Companies aren't happy about this, especially since they have no choice. They can argue all they want about how Qualcomm charges exorbitant prices, but they're going to pay anyway because Qualcomm won't provide its technology otherwise, as Wired notes. Qualcomm doesn't just charge for using its technology. The company also requires companies that buy its chips to also license its patents because, as Qualcomm CEO Steven Mollenkopf explains, it doesn't factor the price of its intellectual property into its chips. As such, it needs to charge a separate patent royalty. The FTC had sued Qualcomm for antitrust violations back in 2017, but only now has it reached the trial phase. Whether smartphones will drop in price if Qualcomm loses the case remains to be determined. There's an extremely possible chance that makers will keep the savings for themselves instead of slashing the price of their phones. If that were to happen, Qualcomm would have plenty of reason to fear for its business, especially if manufacturers can switch to other vendors if need be. Apple, for instance, has stopped using Qualcomm components entirely and instead gets them from Intel. Other companies following suit is well within the realm of possibility, and it's something Qualcomm must consider as it goes forward. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chromecast Audio is no more. Google has officially killed the wee dongle that makes speakers Wi-Fi compatible. Before its cancellation, the device was the most affordable out of Google's Chromecast lineup. A Reddit user was the first to discover this, reporting that the Chromecast Audio they placed over the holidays was canceled. Google Chromecast Canceled A Google representative reached out shortly thereafter to explain that the order was canceled because the Chromecast Audio had been discontinued, meaning no more stock would be coming in. Google itself has since confirmed that the device is indeed being discontinued. Existing owners shouldn't worry, however the device should still receive support moving forward, said Google. This should perhaps come as no surprise. The device being marked down from $35 to $15 in the United States several months past was probably in itself a hint that Google was simply clearing up unsold stock, as 9to5Mac notes. Asked why it had to cancel the device, Google explained that it simply lost a proper place in as the company's product portfolio broadens. "Our product portfolio continues to evolve, and now we have a variety of products for users to enjoy audio," said the company. "We will continue to offer assistance for Chromecast Audio devices, so users can continue to enjoy their music, podcasts and more." You Can Still Get It Although the Chromecast Audio has been pulled from Google's lineup, it's still available for purchase on Google Stores in most countries. For those lucky enough to be living in an area where it's still in stock, it's probably best to buy one. Odds are it'll disappear sooner rather than later. Few would probably miss the Chromecast Audio. Its functionalities are essentially present on most smart devices these days, anyway. That and the fact that smart speakers continue to rigorously penetrate people's households, rendering the device an unnecessary purchase. Still, its cancellation is a shame. The device was simple, straightforward, and most importantly cheap. It added Wi-Fi streaming to any kind of speaker with an auxiliary jack, allowing people to cast their favorite playlists on their otherwise non-smart audio speakers. Do you have a Chromecast Audio? Do you think it's a device that still makes sense to have in this day and age? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below! 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Verizon probably isn't the kind of company that's normally associated with gaming, but it could have something of the sort in store. Aptly dubbed "Verizon Gaming," the carrier may have a cloud-based gaming service in the pipeline, according to a report from The Verge. The Carrier's Gaming Foray It's described by the news outlet as a "Netflix-style" cloud gaming service, and evidence of it has been revealed in the form of leaked screenshots. From what can be gathered, it's going to have an impressive roster, consisting of titles such as Fortnite, Detroit: Become Human, Destiny 2, Battlefield V, No Man's Sky, Anthem, and more. There's even the PS4-exclusive God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2, which hasn't even been ported to the PC yet. There's no way of telling whether all these games will show up or not when Verizon Gaming does materialize. The thumbnails on the leaked images could just be placeholders, after all. Testers Already On It The Verge reports that Verizon has been recruiting testers in secret, according to emails and forum posts it came across. There are more than 135 games that are included in the tests, and those who join in are said to receive a $150 Amazon gift card when they complete them. On top of that, participants also receive a free Nvidia Shield TV, which comes preinstalled with the Verizon Gaming app, as well as a login ID and an Xbox One controller, which is compatible with the platform. Verizon Gaming is already working on the Nvidia Shield device, and it's expected to arrive to Android smartphones in the foreseeable future. At that, the carrier is said to soon distribute the app via Google Play Store to gain more testers on the Android platform. The news website also mentions that testing will be over by the end of January. It's also worth mentioning that there was a job posting for a "cloud gaming product manager" in November whose responsibilities include "delivering next generation gaming experiences that harnesses the power and capabilities of Verizon's 5G network connectivity." In other words, the whole cloud-gaming service is put into perspective when the carrier's 5G plans are considered as long as it isn't anything like AT&T's 5G. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Why it matters: Oppo's periscope-inspired camera technology could be the next big thing in mobile photography. A bit of caution, though - Oppo showed off similar technology in 2017 but never brought it to market. Will that happen again this time around? Chinese smartphone maker Oppo at Mobile World Congress in 2017 unveiled a prototype mobile camera that enabled lossless 5x optical zoom through the clever use of a prism. By bending incoming light 90-degrees, the company was able to position its lens array horizontally across the width of the device, thus overcoming the constraints of a prohibitively thin smartphone chassis. Unfortunately, the design never materialized into a consumer product but that doesnt mean Oppo gave up on the idea. Instead, it has apparently refined it even further. Chinese tech site Mydrivers (via GSM Arena) notes that Oppo is sending out media invites for an event scheduled for January 16. The tagline on the invite roughly translates to ten times the view, see you soon, and has some speculating that Oppo could be prepared to showcase a smartphone camera with 10x optical zoom based on the same sort of technology we saw in 2017. In late December, Twitter user @UniverseIce cited an Oppo official saying they had a 10x hybrid optical zoom technology ready to showcase at either CES or MWC. It didnt happen at CES which leaves MWC as the next likely date to unveil it. In brief: In some AMD news thats not related to Radeon VII, its been reported that the company is suing MediaTek for copying its tech without permission. The Taiwanese firm has been accused of using technologies in its TVs and other smart devices that infringe on patents related to AMDs GPUs and APUs. According to Seeking Alpha, which cites a report from Bloombergs wire service, AMD is asking for royalties on a range of products from MediaTek that infringe on two patents. Its seeking compensation for past, continuing, and future infringement, along with a court order blocking future infringement. At the start of 2017, AMD asked the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate claims that several companies, including LG, Vizio, Sigma Designs, and MediaTek, infringed on its graphics processing patents. One of the alleged infringing products is MediaTeks Helio P10 SoC, which is used in certain LG smartphones. The infringements themselves are related to technologies such as unified shaders, graphics processing architecture, and parallel pipeline graphics systems. AMD noted at the time that both Samsung and GlobalFoundries have licensed its IPs covered by the patents in question. The ITC ruled in AMDs favor in August 2017, so its unclear why the lawsuit has now been launched. LG settled with AMD out of court, so the MediaTek case could have been prompted by an attempted settlement in which an agreement couldn't be reached. AMD has been making headlines following the announcement of its Radeon VII graphics cardcheck out the benchmarks here. Rival Nvidia isnt impressed, though; CEO Jensen Huang called it underwhelming and lousy. Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More To say I'm typically not a fan of CES would be an understatement, but this year was very different. A combination of better logistics and fewer people at the show (likely tied to the government shutdown and China drama), coupled with some truly earth-shattering content, made CES a must-attend event this year. One of the things that jumped out at me -- given that the show took place while the controversy heated up over that damn silly wall President Trump wants to build -- is that IBM announced a compelling fix. It's a fix that actually could improve the U.S. government overall. In addition, I had an interesting chat with Frank Shaw at Microsoft on big takeaways from the show, and I think he offered the best one: that this show not only showcased the death of the tech market, but that its death would be a good thing. That should wake up a few folks. I'll cover all that this week and close with my product of the week: the HP Spectre Folio laptop. Although it was a product of the week last year, it made such a huge difference for me at this show that I'm bringing it up again. CES 2019's Fix for the Clash Over Trump's Wall Overshadowing CES this year was the government shutdown, which not only prevented a lot of government speakers from attending the show, but also raised the specter of many of us running into a nightmare when we headed home (due to a potential TSA strike). The standoff was on my mind when I met with Ranit Aharonov, IBM's manager of debating technologies, and Noam Slonim, IBM's senior technical staff member of debating technologies. I was looking forward to the meeting, because I once trained to be a debater when I was thinking of becoming a lawyer. Sadly, my school's debate program was killed due to lack of budget. What IBM's Project Debater does is use a new form of artificial intelligence -- kind of a blend of machine learning and deep learning -- to capture the best arguments on a subject. It does this by training the system with humans (which seems more like machine learning) but it doesn't use data scientists as an interface (which is more like deep learning). The machine trains itself by observing submissions of arguments on a topic from real people, as well as the results of real people comparing two arguments on the same side and choosing which is better. For instance, let's say we were debating whether the world was flat. People would submit arguments on both sides and get back arguments on the side they supported and then pick the best ones. They would compare arguments on the same side in order to minimize bias. The system then would trains itself, utilizing its access to a deep repository of true facts, in order to determine the best arguments on a topic. Now apply this to a debate on the wall. Both sides would go through this process, which would result in the system producing the strongest true arguments from each side (eliminating the false facts from both). A third party viewing the results then could determine which side presented the strongest best argument. Now think about this in the context of a political debate. Individuals with access to this system either would be able to present the best arguments supporting their positions, or realize that their positions were untenable, possibly leading them to make some changes before taking the stage. At least with respect to political debates, those who took advantage of this system arguably would be unbeatable, because they would have the strongest argument and be on the right side. (Even if they chose to be on the wrong side, they likely would still win against opponents who didn't have access to this system.) This approach could be built into a social media system like Facebook. It could be used as a mechanism to resolve a dispute in a timely way, taking the place of annoying strings of pointless arguments. (It might be possible to mine Facebook's existing threads to build a model for this type of application.) Just think -- this could make Facebook part of the solution, offsetting its current position as a huge part of the problem. From a personal standpoint, it might provide answers to critical questions like which argument is strongest when someone wants to convince a spouse or parents to buy something, or to persuade opponents in a dispute that their position is wrong. IBM's Project Debater has the potential to change the very nature of discussion, and make social networks like Facebook relevant again. The Death of the Tech Market I had an interesting off-the-cuff chat with Frank Shaw at Microsoft's technical showcase. He indicated his big takeaway from CES was that the tech market was dead. Sounds bad, right? But I not only agreed with him, but also welcomed it as a sign of maturity for the technology industry. You see, one of the historic problems with tech companies is that they tend to think they are the center of the universe and know everything about their clients' businesses. This historically has been a huge problem with companies that operate like Microsoft once did. They'd come in and tell others how to run their businesses. Years ago, I got a panicked call from a CIO whose CEO had met with Bill Gates. Apparently Bill had convinced this banking CEO that he needed to rip out his mainframes, which experienced relatively infrequent downtime, with Windows NT Servers, which were known to crash daily. He wanted me to talk the CEO out of doing it, because it would have killed the company, which I did. Microsoft wasn't alone. With few exceptions, tech companies would come into an account with their mouths rather than their ears open, and provide solid-sounding advice that actually was brain-dead-stupid, leading to disastrous results. With the rise of the huge Linux and open source initiatives, the industry began to grok that if firms wanted to survive, they had to listen, and do what their clients wanted done. While this thinking forms the basis of Microsoft's current customer engagement strategy, it is hardly alone. Much of the work I saw from most of the major companies that supply tech to clients appears focused on this same pivot, and that means the tech market has been subsumed into other markets. It now is a critical part of automotive, aerospace, farming, manufacturing, government, enterprise and others. The reason that this is good is that we're getting far better results. Microsoft showcased its work with a variety of retailers like Kroger in creating higher-yield stores. It is interesting to note that some newer firms (I won't mention names, but one sounds like Oogle) don't yet get this. Speaking of Alphabet, as I write this, I just got a call that the firm has been hit with a massive sexual harassment lawsuit, indicating it is about to have a Harvey Weinstein moment. Wrapping Up Next week I'll share my reactions to some of the wild and interesting products I saw at CES, including a hearing aid that can be used as a fitness tracker, a solar-powered smartwatch with weeks of battery life, and a machine that makes super-clean water out of solar energy and air. Overall, I saw some incredibly interesting progress at the show (including the world's first fourth-generation 20 qubit quantum computer). Rather than being a must-miss show, CES turned out to be a critical show to attend this year. It could be even better if I could just convince Las Vegas and CES to implement some of this wonderful technology to improve transport. It is still way to hard to get around the event. I was tempted to make the Ose sex toy, which is designed for women, my product of the week. After it received an innovation award, CES revoked it, saying it didn't fit any of its product categories, and banned its display at the show. In the past, CES has featured various male-oriented sex tech products, so this seemed like blatant sexism to me. The company, Lora DiCarlo, developed the gadget in collaboration with Oregon State University. Its CEO, Lora Haddock, lives near me. This kind of blatant sexism just pisses me off and put a cloud over the show. However, the reason I went with the HP Spectre Folio is that at every CES, I've carried a backpack during the show to make sure I have everything I need. HP Spectre Folio My backpack weighs in, with laptop, at around 35 pounds, and lugging the thing around the show pretty much wipes me out. It is basically 12 to 14 hours of running between meetings, briefings and keynotes, and waiting in lines. (I literally tore off both soles of my feet one year, and that was impressively painful.) This year all I carried was the 3.2-pound HP Spectre Folio. I've been unwilling to just carry a laptop in the past, because they are hard to hold, the Amazon Kindle reader on the PC sucks, and I run out of battery before I run out of work. Well, the leather-wrapped Folio is easy to hold, and it has all-day battery life. I discovered that Amazon fixed its reader (I read when I have downtime between meetings), and the result was that I didn't feel like I'd been ridden hard and put away wet this year. This thing may not be a sex toy, but it is still amazing, and it just became my favorite show-going PC because I never want to have to lug my massive backpack around ever again. Oh, and it has built-in WAN wireless, which helped when I was at events where the WiFi sucked (and there were several). Because the HP Spectre Folio made CES livable for me this year, it is my product of the week. (I just wish it came in black.) The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network. Rob Enderle has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2003. His areas of interest include AI, autonomous driving, drones, personal technology, emerging technology, regulation, litigation, M&E, and technology in politics. He has an MBA in human resources, marketing and computer science. He is also a certified management accountant. Enderle currently is president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group, a consultancy that serves the technology industry. He formerly served as a senior research fellow at Giga Information Group and Forrester. Email Rob. Florida Department of Health reported 12,157 new COVID-19 cases statewide during the week of June 4-10, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 2,300,786. Forty more people died, upping the death toll to 37,265. Mexico Enacts Decree For Tax Cuts In Border States by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington 14 January 2019 Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has signed a decree providing for tax cuts in the Mexican states bordering the United States. Under the decree, signed on December 29, 2018, and published on December 31, qualifying companies will be able to reduce their effective corporate tax rate from 30 to 20 percent in 43 border municipalities by claiming a tax credit equal to one-third of the corporate tax due. In order to claim the corporate tax credit, companies must meet certain residency requirements and receive 90 percent of their income from sources within the region. Certain taxpayers are excluded from the incentive, including those deriving income from intangible assets. In addition, the decree provides for a 50 percent reduction in value-added tax for taxpayers rendering services, selling certain goods and leasing property in the region, effectively reducing the rate of VAT to eight percent, down from 16 percent. The changes are effective from January 1, 2019. Finland-Portugal Tax Treaty Terminated by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 14 January 2019 The Portuguese Government has confirmed in a notice published in its Official Gazette that Portugal's tax treaty with Finland has been terminated effective January 1, 2019. Finland's Government issued a notice to terminate the 1970 double tax avoidance treaty with Portugal in June 2018 because it considered the treaty "not consistent with Finland's current tax treaty policy." Specifically, the Finnish Government said that the treaty restricts its "right to tax private pensions received in Portugal from Finland." "The termination decision ensures that Finland will be able to tax the private pensions of Finns resident in Portugal," a Government statement explained at the time. Portugal currently grants 10-year tax holidays to foreign pensioners who meet certain criteria an incentive that has lured retired expats from all over Europe, including from Finland. A revision to the treaty which was signed in November 2016 would, according to the Finnish Government, have provided Finland with "more opportunities" to tax the income of Finns residing in Portugal. However, the Portuguese Government failed to complete its ratification procedures. Under Article 30 of the 1970 treaty, the agreement shall cease to apply on or after January 1 of the calendar year following the year in which the termination notice was issued. Japan opens market to UK beef UK exporters are set to benefit from a multimillion pound boost as Japan opened its market to imports of UK beef and lamb on January 10. The agreement, signed during Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the UK, is estimated to be worth a total of nearly GBP130 million (US$167.1 million) over the first five years of access - approximately GBP75 million (US$96.4 million) for beef. Japan, a major importer of beef with a growing demand for high quality lamb, lifted its two-decade long ban on imports of these products with immediate effect. The deal follows a year of global successes for UK exporters, which included China lifting its ban on UK beef, Taiwan opening its market to pork and India preparing to import UK sheep meat. "The opening of the Japanese market is an excellent result for beef and lamb producers across the UK and demonstrates confidence in our high standards of food and drink," said UK Food Minister George Eustice. "As we enter a new era as a global exporter, unlocking this market marks a major step for future trading relationships and signals our commitment to supporting our food and drink industry to export more British food." The lifting of the ban follows a series of visits and negotiations between UK and Japanese officials, which culminated in an inspection of UK beef and lamb production systems in 2018, successfully hosted by Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland, DAERA, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the UK Export Certification Partnership. Japan is renowned for its stringent food safety and import controls regime and opening this market is expected to send a positive signals to other countries, particularly in Asia, regarding the safety of UK exports. "I am delighted that a potential new premium market is opening up for our world leading PGI Welsh Beef and Lamb," said Wyn Evans, board chairman of NFU Cymru. "Securing new and maintaining current export markets are crucial to our ambition within NFU Cymru, so that we can continue to grow the GBP6.9 billion (US$8.9 billion) Welsh food and drink sector and secure the long term viability of the Welsh red meat industry. We look forward to working with supply chain partners to ensure that Japanese consumers have the chance to enjoy the finest beef and lamb in the world, produced in Wales." "(The) announcement is fantastic news for our farmers and producers and it follows years of hard work by government, AHDB and key industry stakeholders," Dr. Phil Hadley, AHDB's international market development director, commented. "Access to this lucrative new market is a testament to the high quality produce and world-renowned standards we have here in the UK. We are confident this new deal to export beef and lamb to Japan, alongside our existing pork trade, will create some exciting opportunities for our beef and sheep producers." Farmers and food producers can begin exporting as soon as the administrative listing process is completed. - GOV.UK A gunman has reportedly taken his ex-girlfriend and another person hostage in a shooting at a UPS facility in New Jersey. Police responded to reports of an active shooter situation at a UPS mail sorting facility in Logan Township, New Jersey, on Monday morning. Law enforcement was seen arriving at the scene of the UPS Mail Innovations warehouse just before 9:30 a.m. ET. A source told NBC New York that a man entered the facility and fired shots into the ceiling before taking two women hostage; one is allegedly the gunmans ex-girlfriend. No injuries were reported in the initial shooting. Update: Fox 29 reported just after 12 p.m. that the hostage situation has been resolved with the suspect shot with unknown injuries. None of the hostages were seriously injured. The shooting suspect has not been identified. Local police and FBI have not provided any further details. UPS is working with law enforcement as they respond to an active shooter situation at one of the companys supply chain processing facilities in Logan Township, New Jersey," the United Parcel Service said in a statement. "We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time. A spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office told NJ.com that the scene is an active incident," but the situation is contained. Nearby schools in Logan Township, N.J., were placed on a modified lockdown, according to NJ.com. Staff at a Home Depot lumber warehouse in the same industrial complex as UPS are being kept inside the building. Active shooter situation at UPS facility in Gloucester Co., NJ https://t.co/FSKGzxRSRH pic.twitter.com/zqxlDMY0aO Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) January 14, 2019 Law enforcement official tells @Jonathan4NY armed man takes ex-girlfriend and another person hostage at NJ UPS facility, sparking huge emergency response https://t.co/d0V0cWZa4q NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) January 14, 2019 Chico, Calif. One person died Saturday and more than a dozen others were hospitalized after a drug overdose, according to the Chico Police Department. The mass overdose was believed to be caused by the ingestion of fentanyl or a similar drug, authorities said. Police and firefighters responded shortly after 9 a.m. to a home in the 1100 block of Santana Court and found several people in varying states of consciousness, Police Chief Michael OBrien said during an afternoon news conference. The first two officers who arrived at the scene began to administer CPR and gave doses of naxolone, which is used to treat narcotic overdoses. OBrien said officers began carrying the drug last year because they often deal with heroin overdoses. At least one man was pronounced dead at the home. OBrien said fire paramedics took about 12 people, ages 19 to 30, to Enloe Medical Center. He said four patients were listed in critical condition, and eight were admitted to the hospital. He said the number of dead could rise. The two Chico police officers who had arrived at the scene first were also taken to a hospital after saying they felt ill, OBrien said. They were treated and released. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. -- Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times Congress, president act like petulant little children To the Editor: Government workers who provide vital services are victims of this ridiculous government shutdown. While many of the hard-working people who depend on their paychecks to support their families are struggling to survive, the highly paid members of Congress are continuing to receive their fat checks on a regular basis. The worker bees are expected to continue working in spite of the fact they arent being paid, yet the folks who are depriving them of their wages are getting paid for not doing their job! Once again, its all a giant power play between two parties that are engaged in active warfare against each other instead of working together to do what is best for this country. When the Founding Fathers created our government, they made one very wrong assumption that all men are honorable, and that those who are elected to public office will do so to serve the greater good. Our Founding Fathers were wise in many ways, but they never envisioned all the partisanship and politicking that would evolve. They created what they thought would be a balance of powers, but they failed to set up a system where greed and the desire for power would not attract people who ran for office for personal gain, and not the betterment of the country. Both parties are equally guilty of spending more time fighting each other than moving things forward. And if that war isnt detrimental enough to all of us, we have the additional battle line between the legislature and the president. Add to the mix the biased coverage by the media, and we have the perfect storm for the nonsense that is currently taking place. When we were children, we were told to play nice. Our elected officials are all acting like petulant little children, protecting their toys and their will to do whats best for them. Lets find a way to send these wayward children a strong message: Play nice. Do your job. This is not a game. This is our country. Start acting as if you cared about it. Or find real jobs, life the 'little people' who actually keep the government running you know, the folks who arent getting paid while you play your political games. Anne K. Richter Syracuse Letter-writer shouldnt gloat about others' misfortune To the Editor: Im not sure what century Bryan Roberts lives in (Dont weep for nonessential workers, Jan. 7, 2019). He criticizes furloughed federal employees for working five, eight-hour days a week and having holidays, sick leave, vacations and pensions. The horror! Whats even worse is this proclaimed Christian (from reading his previous letters) gloating about the misfortune of his fellow citizens, whose jobs may be classified as nonessential but contribute to the quality of life we enjoy. Way to keep it classy Mr. Roberts. Bob Dougherty Syracuse Shameful to write, publish hateful letter To the Editor, I rely on your newspaper and your online content to provide me with factual and relevant news. I understand why you would publish letters from Bryan Roberts, as they are well-written and often contain an element of hate, which I am certain generates a lot of clicks and increased reader interest. However, both you and he should be ashamed of the recently published letter from him regarding the government shutdown. While Roberts is correct that members of our military are getting paid, members of the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies are not. I think that is what is now commonly referred to as fake news. Ironically, in the same section of the newspaper that day, you printed an article regarding a federal drug bust. The title of your article should have read Unpaid federal agents risk their lives to make the streets of Central New York safe, emphasis on unpaid. As a retired federal employee, I came to know many federal employees over the last 27-plus years. I did not know many who worked just an eight-hour day, and like most people who work, they had paid vacations, sick days and retirement plans. I found that most federal employees worked extremely hard to provide a service which was of value to the people we served. Unfortunately, some of those who have been furloughed have been deemed nonessential. Nonetheless, the work they do is important and should not be disparaged. They go to work each day, as you do, and earn their pay. They do not control the world in which we live. Lets not add to the divisiveness in our country today by printing factually inaccurate information. By the way, those federal agents who were keeping Central New York safe the other day, well their unpaid day began before the crack of dawn and they did not go home to their families until most of us were already in bed. Timothy M. Dwyer Baldwinsville Thanks, Rep. Katko, for voting to end shutdown To the Editor: I supported Dana Balter because I thought she would be the better Congressperson and I thought her policy positions were better. Nevertheless, I admire and thank Congressman John Katko for his votes to allow bills that were often blocked to move forward and in now twice supporting the legislation to end this cruel shutdown. Kudos from this Democrat and hopes that he continues in this bipartisanship and searching for common ground can set an example for the benefit of all. Dave Pasinski Fayetteville Pressure McConnell, Senate to end shutdown To the Editor: It is incredibly frustrating to ordinary citizens that the Majority leader of the United States Senate continues to refuse to allow the shutdown-ending House compromise bill-- the same as was passed unanimously in the Senate before Christmas event come to a vote! Sen. Mitch McConnell has President Donald Trumps back and no one elses-- certainly not the American peoples. The press and the public must find ways to pressure McConnell into actually using the available constitutional processes to end the partial shutdown and stop wasting (wasting, wasting!) taxpayer money and time. After all, we will be on the hook for all the accumulated back pay owed to furloughed federal employees (unearned through no fault of their own) as well as the extra funds needed to clean up the messes created by the shutdown. The current situation is inexcusable -- as McConnell would undoubtedly be repeatedly ranting were the shoe of power on other foot. Furloughed workers and frustrated citizens should be marching on Mitch McConnell! Paula Conan Skaneateles WATERVLIET, N.Y. After an all-night drinking and pot binge, an Upstate New York man accidentally shot his 20-year-old nephew in the leg, police said. The victim, whom police did not name, was in stable condition after having surgery at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Watervliet police said the young man went to visit his uncle, Ryan M. Ziter, at his home on 23rd Street in Watervliet, Albany County, on Friday, and the two allegedly spent about seven hours drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Early Saturday morning, police said, Ziter took two handguns out of a safe to show the nephew how to safely take apart a handgun, according to a police press release on the incident. While taking a .45 caliber handgun apart, Ziter did not know there was a live round in the chamber and allegedly shot his nephew in the lower leg, Watervliet police said. The nephew arrived at an unnamed local hospital for treatment around 9 a.m. Saturday at which time hospital staff called police, Watervliet police said. The victim was then transferred to Albany Med. Ziter was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, and was released on bail after being arraigned. A 2014 Times Union profile of the famed Bobs Diner on 19th Street in Watervliet noted that Ryan Ziter helps run the restaurant with his father. A man who answered a phone number listed for Ryan Zitler hung up when a Times Union reporter called Sunday. -- By Lauren Stanforth, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. SYRACUSE, N.Y. A scientist who helped SUNY Upstate Medical University get its long-delayed cord blood bank off the ground was banned from the facility 10 months after it opened. The departure of Nicholas J. Greco as executive director of the cord blood bank is revealed in a secret agreement. It says Greco was the subject of a disciplinary interrogation by Upstate, but does not explain why. The agreement shows he left his position Dec. 21, 2017 and was given a paid six-month off campus assignment until his employment at Upstate ended June 21, 2018. The $15 million cord blood bank opened in February, 2017 on Upstates Community General campus on Onondaga Hill. Cord blood is left behind in a babys umbilical cord after it has been cut. The blood is rich in stem cells that can be used to treat cancer, sickle cell anemia and other diseases. The bank seeks donations from women after they give birth. Greco declined to comment on the matter. The United University Professions union represented Greco in settlement discussions with Upstate. The union refused to comment on the agreement. Upstate also refused to answer questions about Grecos departure. Upstate continued paying Greco during the off-campus assignment. His annual salary at Upstate was $137,419 in 2017. His off-campus assignment was to prepare a strategic plan for the cord blood bank and job description for his successor. During his off-campus assignment, Greco submitted dozens of detailed documents outlining job descriptions for his position, technical information about running a cord blood bank and accreditation requirements. The contents of some of Grecos emails and documents were partly or entirely blacked out by Upstate. Upstate never replaced Greco. Instead it delegated his responsibilities to other people on the cord blood banks staff. Two days before his off-campus assignment ended, Greco said in an email to Dr. Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital: The pinnacle of my career was to serve as executive director of the Upstate Cord Blood Bank and for this, I shall not forget my experience in Syracuse. Syracuse.com obtained a copy of the non-disclosure agreement and related documents through a Freedom of Information Law request. Upstates use of off-campus assignments has come under scrutiny since Syracuse.com revealed in May the SUNY campus paid Dr. John McCabe, former CEO of University Hospital, $660,500 for a 14-month off campus assignment that involved no work. That deal is being investigated by the offices of the state comptroller, Onondaga County District Attorney and state Inspector General. Syracuse.com subsequently discovered at least six other employees received similar paid off-campus deals. Private-sector employers often provide severance pay to employees who are laid-off or offered buyouts, but SUNY and other state agencies are prohibited from using taxpayer money to do so. Dr. Mantosh Dewan, Upstates interim president, said last week officials at Upstate and SUNY Albany are scrutinizing off-campus assignments at Upstate and may recommend changes in the way they are used. In each case reviewed by Syracuse.com, employees offered these deals were banned from working on Upstate property. During Grecos off-campus assignment he had no legitimate employment purpose to be on Upstate property, his agreement says. Of the eight Upstate off-campus assignments agreements Syracuse.com has obtained, Grecos is the only one that says it involved a disciplinary issue. The agreement says the deal is not an admission of wrongdoing, liability, fault or misconduct of any kind by any party. Greco, who helped develop a cord blood bank in Cleveland, joined Upstate in 2014 to jump-start its stalled cord blood bank program. Upstate started building the facility in 2012, but stopped work after deciding the design was overly elaborate and would be too costly to operate. Greco scaled back some aspects of the state-funded $15 million project that was championed by recently retired Sen. John DeFrancisco who helped get the state money. DeFrancisco declined to comment on Grecos departure. Like other Upstate employees who got these deals, Greco had to quit his job at the end of the off-campus assignment, promise to never sue Upstate and keep the arrangement secret. The use of non-disclosure agreements by government agencies subject to freedom of information laws is controversial. After Syracuse.com revealed the practice at Upstate, DeFrancisco introduced a bill in the state Legislature that would ban state and local government agencies in New York from using non-disclosure agreements. SUNY Upstate refused to disclose why Nicholas Greco was the subject of a disciplinary interrogation. If you know why, contact James T. Mulder at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Sen. Chuck Schumer today voiced support for Republican Sen. Lindsey Grahams idea to reopen the federal government temporarily while lawmakers work out a deal on immigration. Speaking in Syracuse on the 24th day of the shutdown, Schumer, a Democrat, called Grahams suggestion a good one, signaling some agreement between Senate leaders on opposite sides of the aisle. Point being, he said, we should not shut the government down as a pretext to get what we want, either side. Sunday, Graham urged President Donald Trump to open the government for a short period, to allow lawmakers to make a deal on immigration. Before he pulls the plug on the legislative option, and I think were almost there, I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal, Graham said during an interview on Fox News. If we cant at the end of three weeks, all bets are off, see if he can do it by himself through the emergency powers. Monday morning, just before Schumer came to Syracuse, Trump told reporters hed dismissed Grahams proposal. I did reject it, yes, Trump said. Im not interested. I want to get it solved. I dont want to just delay it. Trump has vowed to keep the government shut down unless Congress approves $5.7 billion for a wall at the southern border. The shutdown has left 800,000 employees out of work or working without pay and has shuttered agencies that run national parks, tax collection, food inspection and other operations. As hes repeated often in recent weeks, Schumer said the government should reopen, then lawmakers can discuss border security. Schumer said Grahams proposal achieves that. I thought that was an interesting proposal, Schumer said. Lindsey Graham, who is an ally of the president, proposed that we open up the government for a month then see if we could come to an agreement during that month, and if we didnt he said the president would have the option of an emergency. I dont like the emergency, but I think opening up the government is a good first step. Schumer visited Binghamton and Syracuse Monday morning before heading back to Washington. While in Syracuse, he asked the Food and Drug Administration to declare an emergency to more effectively distribute a shingles vaccine to stymy a shortage. President Trump has criticized Democrats as being unwilling to make a deal. Hes boasted that he is in Washington D.C. waiting to negotiate while lawmakers are off doing other things. Schumer said he is working toward ending the shutdown even while visiting Upstate New York, making calls from the road. He said he has spoken to 20 Senators this week who are ready to negotiate. Im on the phone constantly, Schumer said. Im going back to DC right from here. Im on the phone all the time. Also Monday morning, Trump claimed many Democrats agree with him on funding for a border wall. Many of them are calling and many of them are breaking, he claimed. The Republicans are rock solid. No Democrats in the Senate have publicly said they support funding. Schumer said he hadnt heard anything about any Democrats breaking. He pointed to Republican Senators who are calling for the government to be reopened. In addition to Graham, Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have called for an end to the shutdown, regardless of wall funding. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena, former president of SUNY Upstate Medical University, has joined the staff of the New York Academy of Medicine as a scholar-in-residence. The academy is a health research and advocacy organization. Laraque-Arena stepped down as Upstates president last month and is on a study leave this semester. She will return to Upstate in June as a faculty member in Upstates pediatrics department. Her position at the academy is unpaid. The academys focus on equity is absolutely synergistic with my focus on health disparities and the development of an equity framework for organizations and communities, Laraque-Arena said in a prepared statement. I am honored to join the academy as a scholar-in-residence during my study leave. Laraque-Arena, a nationally renowned pediatrician and researcher from New York City, served as Upstates president for two years. Syracuse, N.Y. -- The company that owns the Dunkin' doughnut store where a worker dumped water on a homeless man last year is donating money to the Rescue Mission and collecting warm hats and gloves for the homeless. The Wolak Group, which owns nearly 100 Dunkin' restaurants across Upstate New York and New England, announced today that the plans to make a large donation to the Rescue Mission and to collect hats, gloves, other winter accessories and personal products to give to the homeless in Syracuse. The amount of the donation will be announced Tuesday, when the doughnut franchise and the Rescue Mission will announce a new program that will help the Syracuse homeless population this winter, according to an announcement from the two groups. The Wolak Group came under fire Oct. 1, after an employee dumped a pitcher of water on a homeless man who appeared to be sleeping in the Dunkin' on North Salina Street. The man, Jeremy Dufresne, later said he was charging his phone so he could call his mother. The story of his treatment was shared across the globe. Shakeen Robbins, the man who dumped the water, publicly apologized. The Wolak Group said it would train its employees to better deal with the homeless population. Marnie Eisenstadt is an enterprise reporter who writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246 Bob Weir and Wolf Bros will kick off its upcoming 20-date U.S. tour in Central New York. The group, led by guitarist and vocalist Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, will perform State Theatre in Ithaca on Thursday, February 28. The show starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. Tickets are available online via Ticketfly, or by phone at (877) 987-6487. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. Ticket prices start at $65.50, according to Ticketfly. The show is one of two Upstate New York dates on the tour: The band will play at Sheas Performing Arts Center in Buffalo on March 15. The concert in Ithaca comes on the heels of the bands Nov. 8 show at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, part of the bands inaugural tour that was announced in August. The band includes Weir, bassist Don Was and drummer Jay Lane. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A man has been charged with stabbing a 40-year-old man in the victims yard Sunday evening, according to Syracuse police. The stabbing victim told police he heard a noise in his front yard at 1012 Northway St. at about 7 p.m. Sunday, went outside and was confronted by two men. One of them stabbed him in his head and neck, police said. Police later arrested Jose Morales, 41, of Baldwinsville. Hes charged with burglary, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, said Syracuse Police spokesman George Hack. The victims injuries were not life-threatening, police said. Hack declined to say more about what sparked the confrontation. Police are asking the public for help with the investigation, asking those with information to call (315)442-5222 or to use the departments SPD Tips app. Sanctions-impacted Iran seeks soymeal from India Beleaguered by US economic sanctions, Iran now looks to India for its soymeal imports, with the most recent data showing a significant growth of exports to the former in 2018. The development marks a shift in where Iran gets its soymeal, due mainly to the impact of sanctions the US had imposed. Previously, the country acquired most of its soymeal from Western nations and Brazil. According to The Hindu Business Line, India's soymeal exports to Iran saw a rise from around 23,000 tonnes last year to about three lakh tonnes between April and December 2018. "The favourable factor is rupee transactions for trade with Iran," said BV Mehta, executive director of Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA). To approve payments in rupees and use these monies to pay for its imports, Iran had updated its payment process with trading partners like India. SEA data revealed Iran as the third top destination for Indian oilmeals, following South Korea (5.71 lakh tonnes) and Vietnam (4.22 lakh tonnes). - The Hindu Business Line DEWITT, N.Y. -- A man wanted for the murder of his 29-year-old wife in Baltimore was arrested Sunday night in DeWitt, police said. Amit Kumar, 39, of the 6700 block of Holabird Avenue in Baltimore, is now being held without bail at the Onondaga County Justice Center in Syracuse, jail records show. Baltimore police say they will extradite Kumar back to the city of Baltimore, where he will be formally charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his wife, 29-year-old Ankita Verma. After Verma was killed Friday night in the 6700 block of Holabird Avenue, Baltimore homicide detectives warned the public that he was considered to be armed and dangerous. If you encounter Kumar, approach with caution." Kumar left Baltimore after his wifes death, police said. At about 5:30 p.m. a relative called police to say Kumar was in Central New York and wanted to turn himself in, according to an officer familiar with the case. DeWitt police arrived at Smith and Polk streets in the town of DeWitt minutes later. As Kumar walked out of an apartment complex, officers instructed him to put his hands behind his back. He followed their instructions, was handcuffed and put into a marked DeWitt patrol car without incident, police said. Officers drove Kumar to the DeWitt Police Department. U.S. Marshals arrived a short time later. DeWitt police transferred custody of Kumar to the U.S. Marshals. Baltimore police confirmed Kumar had been taken into custody Sunday night in DeWitt. In addition to the murder charge, Baltimore police say Kumar also is wanted on an unrelated felony theft warrant. HERKIMER, N.Y. -- A fire that killed three young brothers Friday morning in Herkimer has been ruled an accidental, electrical fire," a fire official said Monday afternoon. Jackson DeCarlis, 1, Richard DeCarlis, 6, and Michael DeCarlis Jr., 7, died in the fire at 244 E. Steele St. The boys, along with their father and Michael DeCarlis Sr., and Courtney Dedicke, the mother of the 1-year-old, were on the first floor when the fire broke out. The parents were unable to find the children before leaving the house, but were able to escape through the windows after smoke alarms alerted them of the fire, fire officials have said. But Herkimer Deputy Fire Chief Mike Moody said there was little firefighters could do to save the brothers killed in the fire. Were in this business because we like to show up and make a difference, Moody said. But when you show up and cant, its difficult to deal with that. Neighboring fire departments have reached out to Herkimer firefighters who recovered the boys' bodies, the chief said. The fire department also plans to bring in a crisis intervention team to help the firefighters, Moody said. Were just relying on each other right now, he said. The state Office of Fire Prevention and Controls Cause and Origin Team investigated the fire with help from Herkimer Countys Cause and Origin Team, and the Herkimer Fire Department, Moody said. Investigators found the fire began in the basement and quickly spread through the two-story home, the Utica Observer-Dispatch reported. Autopsies performed Sunday at the Albany Medical Center found all three children died from asphyxia due to the inhalation of smoke and the heated products of combustion, the newspaper quoted the Herkimer Police Department. After fire officials released the cause of the deadly fire, the deputy fire chief talked about how difficult it has been for everyone involved. Right now everybody is dealing the best we can, he said. The family of the three boys killed in the fire also are continuing to grieve. The children are pain free and flying high, watching over each and everyone that they loved and received love from so very dearly, their obituary said. Calling hours are scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, in the town of Frankfort. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The family plans to gather at the Herkimer VFW after the funeral services, according to the obituary. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 40-year-old Syracuse man was stabbed multiple times outside his home Sunday night, police said. The victim told police he heard a noise in his front yard on Northway Street at about 7 p.m. so he went outside to find out what was happening, Syracuse police spokesman Detective George Hack said in a news release. He was confronted by two Hispanic males, the release said. They got into an altercation, during which, one of those male stabbed him. Syracuse police responded to 1012 Northway St., Apt. 4, after someone called 911 to report the stabbing. When they arrived, they found the 40-year-old had been stabbed in his neck and head. American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance took the man to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with non-life threatening injuries. The stabbing happened less than a mile from Le Moyne College. Police say they have minimal suspect information, but ask anyone with information to call them at (315) 442-5222. Chris Price of VDOT said the heavy rains have left VDOT with a backlog of projects to fix potholes, clear out and replace gutters and other needs. The record rainfall has also brought more water from replenished springs and other sources, he said. In another road matter, Jay Guy of VDOT told the Board the county needs to contractually approve funding for access roads improvements at the Floyd Commerce Park. The road, originally estimated to cost $1 million and expected to be paid for by a grant, is now expected to cost $1.1 million and the county must approve the additional $100,000 in funds and a source. Boothe asked Guy if that money could be applied from funds allocated to the countys six-year road program, which uses state and federal funds. Guy said the money could come from that fund. The county will consider using that fund when it considers final approval. In another budget matter, the Supervisors voted to approve $6,749 to fund raises in the FY19 budget for raises for sworn officers. The raises are because the state revenue contingencies in the approved 2018 budget have been met. 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. Click the image above to watch the video In todays weather forecast we are expecting a few showers, with a chance of them being heavy and thundery. Also light winds. Its a two-clothing layer day today with a high of 23 and an overnight low of 17 degrees. Humidity is 96 per cent. High tide is at 2.10pm and low tide at 8.40pm (Tay St). Theres a sea swell of 0.6m and sea temperature is 21 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 8.35pm. If youre going fishing the next best fish bite time is between 7 and 9pm. On this day in NZ history in 1970 Vietnam War protesters greeted United States Vice-President Spiro Agnew. His three-day visit to New Zealand sparked some of the most violent anti-Vietnam War demonstrations seen in this country. On this day in world history in 1624 riots flared in Mexico when it was announced that all churches were to be closed. In 1913 the first telephone line between Berlin and New York was inaugurated. In 1920 the Dry Law went into effect in the United States. Selling liquor and beer became illegal. In 1930 Amelia Earhart set an aviation record for women at 171 mph in a Lockheed Vega. In 1965 Sir Winston Churchill suffered a severe stroke. In 1967 some 462 Yale faculty members called for an end to the bombing in North Vietnam. In 1973 U.S. President Richard Nixon announced the suspension of offensive action by U.S. troops in Vietnam. In 1992 Slovenia and Croatias independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was recognized by the international community. In 2001 Wikipedia went online. Today is the birthday of Edward Teller, Hungarian-born U.S. physicist known as the Father of the H-bomb. He was born in 1908 and once said We must learn to live with contradictions, because they lead to deeper and more effective understanding. Its also the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Born in 1929, he once said Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. To get involved in activities around the Bay of Plenty, please check out our Whats on page. Have a great day! Bay of Plenty Do you want the opportunity to work on one of the busiest ports in New Zealand? Then read on! We have an exciting role for... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Anti-Defamation League assistant regional director Keisha McKinnor of Tempe, holding an award the league received for its work, is president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, which will be sponsoring a parade in honor of the slain civil rights advocate on Jan. 21. Understanding racial and ethnic bias in the nursing profession and then working out a way to reduce it are the objectives behind Sonia Hawkins doctoral research. Her application for her PhD research was signed off earlier this month. Sonia is one of four people to be awarded a Health Research Council scholarship, valued at more than $128,000, to complete her doctorate. Sonia who affiliates to Te Arawa and Tainui worked in Toi Ohomais Strategic Partnerships and Maori Success directorate as an advisor, where she developed a new Treaty-based approach and the inaugural Equity report. She says her doctoral research will help build on her masters thesis and the work she had been doing with Toi Ohomai. My PhD research relates to the findings from my masters research that centred on narratives of power and privilege, says Sonia. The nurse participants expressed strong views related to the dominant theme of power and privilege, and four subthemes of privilege discourse, bias and stereotypes, cultural safety and racism. My thesis findings were a call to action to undertake further research, and to build on another HRC funded study that examined ethnic and racial bias decision-making among medical students. Sonia says there are 57,000 nurses in New Zealand, but Maori only make up seven per cent of the workforce. She says the reasons why there arent more needs to begin with institutions, the systems, its policies and priorities. New graduate nurses that whakapapa to a rohe, are confident in te ao Maori and are NCNZ qualified, are critical to developing the nursing workforce. However, the system doesnt always recognise or value the dual attributes Maori nurses bring. The disproportionate over-representation of non-Maori would suggest one of the contributing factors is the recruitment system and process, which privileges a non-Maori western worldview instead. Our Maori health research tells us since the Treaty of Waitangi institutions structure disadvantage and marginalise Maori. She says all registered nurses make an annual declaration to Nursing Council New Zealand that they meet regulatory requirements within their scope of nursing. Applying Treaty of Waitangi Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and culturally safe practice are fundamental competency requirements. My research findings have shown that nurse leaders ability or will to enact structural change, and make inroads towards health equity for Maori is variable. Her research will also explore why Maori dont engage with health services. Sonia says in her masters thesis, senior nurses shared one of the reasons Maori dont engage with health services is because Maori do not see themselves, their values or beliefs represented in it, and she looks forward to exploring this further during her doctoral research. She points to the story of Rotoruas Talei Morrison, who after being diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer, founded the Smear Your Mea campaign. The campaign, which went viral online, encouraged women, particularly Maori, to keep their cervical smears up to date. The campaign reflected a way of reaching out that Maori related to then embraced. Sonia says Talei didnt engage with health services initially because it was an unfamiliar setting. She says her PhD will contribute to disrupting structures that are obstructive to Maori. The kaupapa started by Talei was by Maori for Maori and it works. Maori flourish and thrive when we are doing it on our own terms, she says. Sonia says she always wanted to be a nurse because she wanted to work with and for Maori. She graduated from Waiariki Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Nursing in 1997 and completed her Masters in Health Science in 2017 at the University of Auckland. Sonia says she has been mentored by incredible and strong health sector leaders during her career. One leading Maori health researcher Dr Mihi Ratima expected and supported her team to complete a masters or PhD as well as learn te reo Maori. Most of us who worked with her are either masters or PhD qualified. Maori nurse leader Margareth Broodkorn has just been appointed to the Ministry of Health Chief Nurse position. Her professional pathway has included a role that reported to a Maori nurse leader committed to workforce development. What that tells you is that when there is a commitment to grow the Maori workforce and do it in a way that acknowledges and supports both clinical and cultural knowledge and expertise, through determined leadership, it will happen. After joining Toi Ohomai, Sonia will leave to begin her research this month. The needs of acute patients will be met during tomorrow's junior doctor strike, a DHB spokesperson says. Junior doctors will go on strike tomorrow for 48 hours after talks between their union and District Health Boards (DHBs) broke down last week. Almost 3000 junior doctors are expected to walk off the job, which will affect all DHBs apart from West Coast District Health Board. Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) says it wanted a renewed collective employment agreement after the last one expired nearly a year ago. It says doctors have been forced to take industrial action to keep their existing terms and conditions, which would be changed under the current district health board proposal. DHBs have previously said the sticking point was over rosters. DHB national contingency planner Anne Aitcheson told Summer Report rosters had been changed and there would be cover while junior doctors were on strike. "We are expecting that the acute needs of patients will be met when they present, a lot of the scheduled work has had to be cancelled ... which is outpatient clinics and surgery. "But for those who have a need for hospital treatment and ongoing care staff will be available." Emergency departments would be open and staffed tomorrow, she says.. Junior doctors will carry out a second strike at the end of this month. In 2016 and 2017, thousands of junior doctors took to the streets to protest long working hours and hospital rosters they said were unsafe. They won a deal to new rosters that cut the number of consecutive days doctors could work from 12 to 10. However, in November last year a breakaway doctors' union - Specialty Trainees of New Zealand (SToNZ) agreed to a deal with DHBs to work 12 consecutive days if they wish. Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of qualified or experienced carpenters for an... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz The GNA (Government of National Accord) is now supporting the LNA (Libyan National Army) and its commander Khalifa Hiftar. This began when GNA leader Fayez al Sarraj spoke with Hiftar on November 13th when both were at the Libya conference in Italy. While many GNA backers want nothing to do with Hiftar (seeing him as another potential dictator) a growing number of Libyans and regional leaders recognize that Hiftar and his LNA are the only force in Libya that has consistently (for over five years) worked to unify the country rather than plunder it. Hiftar has been the most important element of the other Libya government, the HoR (House of Representatives). The LNA is useful to the GNA in Tripoli because the city is controlled by numerous militias, some of them led by Islamic radicals, who see the LNA as the end of their independence and barely acknowledge the GNA. Most Libyans, and especially most residents of Tripoli would like the LNA to come in and pacify the place and Sarraj seems to now accept this as a possibility he could possibly live with. Hiftar has delayed doing that until he could get Sarraj and the GNA on his side. Hiftar left the Italian conference because he refused to negotiate with Islamic radical leaders who still control some major private armies in Libya. Hiftars refusal to negotiate with Islamic terrorist or Islamic radical groups is seen by many as the key to his success. But the UN and many European countries still back negotiating with the Islamic radicals. Sarraj has come around to Hiftars approach but, unlike Hiftar, Sarraj does not have much military clout to deal with the Islamic militias in Tripoli and other towns and cities in western Libya. The LNA is moving west. Not to occupy Tripoli but to eliminate the remaining Islamic terrorist and independent militias in the interior, especially around oil production facilities. This task is coming to an end and the next objective would be the troublesome militias along the coastline of western Libya, mainly in the cities of Misrata and Tripoli. The only complication here is that Sarraj and Hiftar are not actually allies yet and the LNA plans to move on the troublesome militias in Misrata and Tripoli are seen by many GNA supporters as an effort to take over the GNA not support it. Hiftars Arab allies, especially Egypt, want some sort of formal peace deal with the GNA before the LNA pacifies Misrata and Tripoli but Hiftar considers that a waste of time and easier to deal with once the two cities have had their troublesome militias pacified. Its easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. The LNA has controlled most of the Libyan coast since mid-2018 but has found that maintaining security in the coastal towns and cities is time consuming and requires a lot of manpower. In the east Derna was the last major coastal city to have a major Islamic terrorist and rogue militia problem and while the LNA has eliminated major opposition there are still less visible outlaws in like Derna who continue to shoot back when cornered. ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) is now reduced to a few hundred members and survives as bandits away from the coast and continue to carry out the occasional suicide attack in the cities. Most of the violence (and casualties) in the coastal cities is the result of occasional armed clashes between rival militias. Normally the militias are not looking for a fight, just ways to make money and survive. But these militias are heavily armed and that keeps the atmosphere tense, and occasionally very dangerous, wherever they operate. This continued violence in many population centers has delayed elections to form a national government and those elections that were supposed to take place this year are more likely to occur in 2020. The benefit of providing more security for areas with oil production facilities has paid off. In 2018 the state oil company generated $24.4 billion in revenue, the most in five years. Production in 2018 averaged 1.1 million BPD (barrels per day) and is growing. If security around oil facilities can be maintained production could reach two million BPD by 2021. Security is a constant struggle. At the end of 2018, the Sharara oil field in the southwest was shut down for more than a week because of local militia threats. Sharara is the largest source of oil and gas in Libya and the frequent target of attacks for no other reason because it has always been a place where there was stuff to steal. January 7, 2019: At Misrata, a major a port 210 kilometers east of Tripoli, customs officials found a variety of weapons concealed in a shipment of household items and toys from Turkey. Customs inspectors have been more carefully searching shipments from Turkey since weapons and ammo were found hidden in Turkish cargo back in December. Turkey is a major manufacturer of weapons in the regions, especially small arms. These are often bought by arms smugglers who sneak them into areas where new weapons are hard to come by and buyers are willing to pay more. The Turkish government is accused of tolerating this smuggling if it is going to help the Islamic terror groups the current Turkish governments tolerate. There is some truth to that but the Turkish arms smugglers have been around a lot longer than the current Turkish government. January 3, 2019: In Jilma (250 kilometers south of Tripoli), police raided an Islamic terrorist hideout and after a brief gun battle the two Islamic terrorists killed themselves with explosives rather than risk capture. The two men were part of a group that has been planning terror attacks in coastal cities. January 2, 2019: The GNA issued arrest warrants for 37 individuals believed responsible for many of the 2018 attacks on oil facilities in the south and east as well as an attack on the LNA controlled Tamanhint airbase outside Sabha ( 770 kilometers south of Tripoli) last May. Six of those sought are Libyan but the rest as described as mercenaries from Chad and Sudan. The people being sought generally work for Islamic terrorist groups that have been fighting LNA forces. That the warrants were issued by the GNA was a welcome sign of cooperation between the two rival governments (LNA belongs to the HOR government in Tobruk). January 1, 2019: Two ISIL suicide bombers attacked a police station in the southern city of Sabha, killing three soldiers and wounding another. December 31, 2018: LNA forces found and seized an ISIL hideout near the southern city of Sabha and freed 19 locals the Islamic terrorists had kidnapped in order to obtain ransom or cooperation. One soldier and several ISIL gunmen died during the operation. December 27, 2018: In the south (900 kilometers south of Tripoli), an armed group from Chad attacked an LNA base at Traghen (400 kilometers from the Chad border) leaving one soldier dead and 13 wounded. December 25, 2018: In Tripoli, two ISIL suicide bombers attacked the foreign ministry compound. In addition to the bombers, three others were killed including a local militia leader who happened to be around when the attack occurred. December 18, 2018: At a port 65 kilometers east of Tripoli, customs officials checking a shipment of food from Turkey found 3,000 Turkish made pistols and some hunting rifles. Following up that with a more thorough search of another freighter 4.2 million pistol bullets were found. State Rep. Heather Carter at a news conference last week discussed her bill and its stringent measures aimed at curbing vaping among young people, a major problem in East Valley school districts. KUWAIT 01.08.2019 - U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, fire their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a joint live-fire exercise with the Kuwait Land Forces, Jan. 8, 2019, near Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The U.S. and Kuwaiti forces train together frequently to maintain a high level of combat readiness and to maintain effective communication between the two forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Bill Boecker / Caption by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer) X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: The Middle East is metamorphosing. New fault-lines are emerging, yet Trumps foreign policy hawks still try to stage old movies in a new theatre. The old movie is for the US to stand up Sunni, Arab states, and lead them towards confronting bad actor Iran. Team Bolton is reverting back to the old 1996 Clean Break script as if nothing has changed. State Department officials have been briefing that Secretary Pompeos address in Cairo on Thursday was slated to tell his audience (although he may not name the former president), that Obama misled the people of the Middle East about the true source of terrorism, including what contributed to the rise of the Islamic State. Pompeo will insist that Iran, a country Obama tried to engage, is the real terrorist culprit. The speechs drafts also have Pompeo suggesting that Iran could learn from the Saudis about human rights, and the rule of law. Well, at least that speech should raise a chuckle around the region. In practice however, the regional fault-line has moved on: It is no longer so much Iran. GCC States have a new agenda, and are now far more concerned to contain Turkey, and to put a halt to Turkish influence spreading throughout the Levant. GCC states fear that President Erdogan, given the emotional and psychological wave of antipathy unleashed by the Khashoggi murder, may be mobilising newly re-energised Muslim Brotherhood, Gulf networks. The aim being to leverage present Gulf economic woes, and the general hollowing out of any broader GCC vision, in order to undercut the rigid Gulf Arab system (tribal monarchy). The Brotherhood favours a soft Islamist reform of the Gulf monarchies along lines, such as that once advocated by Jamal Khashoggi . Turkeys leadership in any case is convinced that it was the UAE (MbZ specifically) that was the author behind the Kurdish buffer being constructed, and mini-state plot against Turkey in conjunction with Israel and the US. Understandably, Gulf states now fear possible Turkish retribution for their weaponising of Kurdish aspirations in this way. And Turkey is seen (by GCC States) as already working in close co-ordination with fellow Muslim Brotherhood patron and GCC member, Qatar, to divide the collapsing Council. This prefigures a new round to the MB versus Saudi Wahhabism spat for the soul of Sunni Islam. GGC states therefore, are hoping to stand-up a front to balance Turkey in the Levant. And to this end, they are trying to recruit President Assad back into the Arab fold (which is to say, into the Arab League), and to have him act, jointly with them, as an Arab counter to Turkey. The point here is obvious: President Assad is closely allied to Iran and so is Moscow and Turkey. To be fashionably Iranophobic as Pompeo might wish the GCC to be simply would spoil the GCCs anti-Turkey play. Syria indeed may be (justly) skeptical of Turkeys actions and intent in Syria, but from President Assads perspective, Iran and Russia are absolutely crucial to the managing of an erratic Turkey. Turkey does represent an existential Syrian concern. And trying to lever President Assad or Lebanon or Turkey away from Iran, would be absurd. It wont happen. And the GCC states have enough nous to understand this now (after their stinging defeat in Syria). The Gulf anti-Iranian stance has had the burner turned sharply down, (except when their need is to stroke US feathers). They can see clearly that the Master of Ceremonies in the Levant putting together the new regional order is not Mr Bolton, but Moscow, with Tehran (and occasionally Ankara), playing their equal part from behind the curtain. Presumably, Americas intelligence services know, (and Gulf states certainly are aware), that in any case, Iranian forces are almost all gone from Syria (though of course Syrias Iranian connection remains as firm, as ever) even as Pompeo and Israel say the precisely the opposite: that they are pushing-back hard at the threatening Iranian military footprint in Syria. Few in the region will believe it. The second notable emerging regional fault line then, evidently is the one that is opening between Turkey and the US and Israel. Turkey gets it: Erdogan gets it very clearly: that Washington now deeply distrusts him, suspects that Turkey is accelerating into Moscow and Beijings orbit, and that DC would be happy to see him gone and a more NATO-friendly leader installed in his stead. And it must be clear to Washington too why Turkey would be heading East. Erdogan precisely needs Russia and Iran to act as MCs to moderate his difficult relations with Damascus for the future. Erdogan needs Russia and Iran even more, to broker a suitable political solution to the Kurds in Syria. He needs China too, to support his economy. And Erdogan is fully aware that Israel (more than Gulf States) still hankers after the old Ben Gurion ideal of an ethnic Kurdish state allied with Israel, and sitting atop major oil resources to be inserted at the very pivot to south-west and central Asia: And at Turkeys vulnerable underbelly. The Israelis articulated their support for a Kurdish state quite plainly at the time of Barzanis failed independence initiative in Iraq. But Erdogan simply, unmistakably, has said to this never (to Bolton, this week). Nonetheless, Ankara still needs Russian and Iranian collaboration to allow Bolton to climb down his tree of a Kurdish mini-state in Syria. He needs Russia to broker a Syrian-led buffer, vice an American-Kurdish tourniquet, strapped around his southern border. It is unlikely however, that despite the real threat that Americas arming of the Kurds poses to Turkey, that Erdogan really wants to invade Syria though he threatens it and though John Boltons conditions may end by leaving Turkey no option, but to do it. Since, for sure, Erdogan understands that a messy Turkish invasion of Syria would send the delicately balanced Turkish Lire into free-fall. Still Turkey, Syria, Iran and Russia now all want America gone from Syria. And for a moment, it seemed it might proceed smoothly after Trump had acquiesced to Erdogans arguments, during their celebrated telephone call. But then Senator Lindsay Graham demurred (against the backdrop of massed howls of anguish issuing from the Beltway foreign policy think-tanks). Bolton did the walk-back, by making US withdrawal from Syria contingent on conditions (ones seemingly designed not to be met) and not tied any specific timeline. President Erdogan was not amused. It should be obvious now that we are entering a major regional re-set: The US is leaving Syria. Boltons attempted withdrawal-reversal has been rebuffed. And the US, in any event, forfeited the confidence of the Kurds in consequence to the original Trump statement. The Kurds now are orientated toward Damascus and Russia is mediating a settlement. It may take a while, but the US is going. Kurdish forces (other than those linked with the PKK) are likely to be assimilated into the Syrian army, and the buffer will not be directed against Turkey, but will be a mix of Syrian army and Kurdish elements under Syrian command but whose overall conduct towards Turkey will be invigilated by Russia. And the Syrian army will, in due time, clear Idlib from a resurgent al-Qaida (HTS). The Arab states are returning to their embassies in Damascus partly out of fear that the whipsaw of American policy, its radical polarisation, and its proclivity to be wholly or partially walked-back by the Deep State might leave the Gulf unexpectedly orphaned at any time. In effect, the GCC states are hedging against this risk by trying to reconnect a bifurcated Arab sphere, and to give it a new purpose and credibility as a balance against Turkey, Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood (Syrias old nemesis). And yet there remains still another layer to this calculus, as described by veteran Middle East journalist, Elijah Magnier: Indeed the Levant is returning to the centre of Middle East and world attention in a stronger position than in 2011. Syria has advanced precision missiles that can hit any building in Israel. Assad also has an air defence system he would have never dreamed of before 2011 thanks to Israels continuous violation of its airspace, and its defiance of Russian authority. Hezbollah has constructed bases for its long and medium range precision missiles in the mountains and has created a bond with Syria that it could never have established if not for the war. Iran has established a strategic brotherhood with Syria, thanks to its role in defeating the regime change plan. NATOs support for the growth of ISIS has created a bond between Syria and Iraq that no Muslim or Baathist link could ever have created: Iraq has a carte blanche to bomb ISIS locations in Syria without the consent of the Syrian leadership, and the Iraqi security forces can walk into Syria anytime they see fit to fight ISIS. The anti-Israel axis has never been stronger than it is today. That is the result of 2011-2018 war imposed on Syria. Yes. This is the third of the newly emergent fault-lines: that of Israel on the one hand, and the emerging reality in the Syrian north, on the other a shadow that has returned to haunt the original instigators of the war to undermine Syria. PM Netanyahu since has put all the Israeli eggs into the Trump family basket. It was Netanyahus relationship with Trump which was presented in Israel as being the true Deal of the Century (and not the Palestinian one). Yet when Bibi complained forcefully about US withdrawal from Syria (leaving Syria vulnerable, Netanyahu asserts, to an Iranian insertion of smart missiles), Trump nonchalantly replied that the US gives Israel $ 4.5 billion per year Youll be all right, Trump riposted. It was seen in Israel as an extraordinary slap to the PMs face. But Israelis cannot avoid, but to acknowledge, some responsibility for creating precisely the circumstances of which they now loudly complain. Bottom line: Things have not gone according to plan: America is not shaping the new Levantine order Moscow is. And Israels continual, blatant disregard of Russias own interests in the Levant, firstly infuriated, and finally has provoked the Russian high command into declaring the northern Middle East a putative no-fly zone for Israel. This represents a major strategic reversal for Netanyahu (and the US). And finally, it is this repeating pattern of statements being made by the US President on foreign policy that are then almost casually contradicted, or conditioned, by some or other part of the US bureaucracy, that poses to the region (and beyond) the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. The pattern clearly is one of an isolated President, with officials emptying his statements of executive authority (until subsequently endorsed, or denied, by the US bureaucracy). It is making Trump almost irrelevant (in terms of the setting of foreign policy). Is this then a stealth process knowingly contrived incrementally to remove Trump from power? A hollowing out of his Presidential prerogatives (leaving him only as a disruptive Twitterer) achieved, without all the disruption and mess, of formally removing him from office? We shall see. And what next? Well, as Simon Henderson observes, no one is sure everyone is left wondering: Whats up with Secretary Pompeos extended tour of the Middle East? The short answer is that he is trying to sell/explain President Trumps we are leaving Syria policy to Americas friends Amman, Jordan; Cairo, Egypt; Manama, Bahrain; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE); Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Muscat, Oman; Kuwait City, Kuwait. Wow, even with his own jet and no immigration hassles, thats an exhausting itinerary The fact that there now are eight stops in eight days, probably reflects the amount of explaining that needs to be done. 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. Not much of a surprise there. Does anyone think that all these mayors would willingly give up their little fiefdoms? These guys want to say, "I'm the mayor of" any town in Missouri, even if it has a population of 350. Give that up? No way. The justification for switching more often leans toward accommodating adults than serving the academic needs of children, research suggested. A 2018 survey of 136 faculty and staff members in three Missouri districts that adopted a four-day week found higher adult morale and what they perceived to be a positive impact on academic quality. Any actual improvement in academic quality is unproven. One major drawback, according to a 2018 study in Colorado, was that teens tend to have more free, unsupervised time on their hands, yielding a 20 percent increase in juvenile criminal offenses including a 73 percent increase in property crimes attributable to the four-day switch. In New Mexico, consistently among the nations lowest in academic proficiency, lawmakers imposed a moratorium on districts switching to a four-day week pending further study of the costs and benefits. Several indicators suggest that poorer students suffer the most from the compressed schedule, although the research to date is hardly comprehensive. Trump and his loyalists dismiss that investigation as a deep state plot against the president. But to Americans of all political stripes, it should be clear that a failure by the FBI to conduct such an investigation would have been an egregious dereliction of duty given the serious concerns officials had. After all, Trump admitted in a televised interview that he fired Comey, the man overseeing the Russia investigation, in part because of that investigation. That the FBI responded by trying to determine whether Trump had something to hide is welcome confirmation that it was doing its job, despite the presidents blatant attempts to prevent that. The Washington Post charted what it called the extraordinary lengths Trump has gone to in preventing his own top officials from learning details of his private conversations with Putin. It recounted a 2017 meeting of the two leaders in Hamburg, after which Trump reportedly confiscated his translators notes and instructed the person not to disclose the contents of the conversation even to other administration officials. It cannot be a considered a win that Republicans in Texas rejected an attempt to oust one of their own officials simply because hes a Muslim. Dr. Shahid Shafi, a trauma surgeon and vice chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party, survived a bid by a faction of precinct chairs who wanted to remove him because of his religion. The motion to oust him failed Thursday night in a 49-139 vote. But no one gets applause for rejecting outright bigotry. Upholding our countrys foundational principles of religious freedom and equality is the starting point for any public official not a high bar. The larger question for the Republican Party is: How did it get this far? Shafi was appointed to his position by the partys chairman. He had to defend himself against baseless smears that he preferred Islamic law over U.S. law, and accusations questioning his loyalty to his country. Dorrie OBrien, one of the precinct chairs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area leading the charge to recall Shafi, wrote in a Facebook post: We dont think hes suitable as a practicing Muslim to be vice chair because hed be the representative for ALL Republicans in Tarrant County, and not ALL Republicans in Tarrant County think Islam is safe or acceptable in the U.S., in Tarrant County, and in the TCGOP. On Wednesday, the day after his national address promoting a border wall, President Donald Trump noted that, Israel put up a wall and its 99 percent effective. Israel has in fact erected three walls in various areas, the best known of which was built along and inside the West Bank to control Palestinian movement. Trump did not specify which wall he was referring to, but his comment left many wondering if immigrants are to Trump what Palestinians and Israelis are to each other. If so, we have a problem far more serious than whether or not to build a wall. We have a president who does not see the differences between their conflict and ours. Until Trumps comment, I understood his anti-immigrant compulsion as if, by analogy, immigrants were Trumps Jews: the scapegoats for every problem from disease to crime to terrorism and the ruination of society. His election campaign and presidential anti-immigrant efforts were frighteningly similar to the early verbiage of anti-Jewish fascism in Europe. But his reference to Israels wall raises new concerns about his own mental model. Are migrants not just unwelcome, but our visceral enemies? Whether their behavior is harmful or helpful, is their very presence a threat? Are they inherently less than human? Trump supporters do deserve our sympathies. Though many disavow his behavior yet remain committed to a conservative Supreme Court, theyre stuck defying logic and defending the untenable. The man they must pretend to love seems to loathe them. Evidence is abundant and clear in his coldhearted shutdown. And weve seen that Trump will throw anyone under the bus to get his way. He hires and fires with all the wisdom of, well, a reality-TV host. He pits countries and allies against one another with the impulsiveness of a binge shopper watching QVC at midnight. Meanwhile, facts rarely furrow the presidents brow. Fact: The number of illegal immigrants from Mexico has decreased over the past decade by 1.5 million, says the Pew Research Center. Fact: The number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. via Canada, nearly half of them Mexican, has increased by 142 percent since 2017, according to CBS News. For about $300, Mexican citizens can fly to Toronto or Montreal without need of a visa and then relatively easily sashay into the U.S. Would Trump shut down the government for a northern wall? East Valley legislators and their counterparts will be back at work Monday, Jan. 14, as a new session begins with speeches from the governor and other state officials. In response to the media campaign, Thai authorities allowed Qunun access to the UNHCR and did not deport her to Kuwait. The Twitter account used by Qunun throughout her appeal for asylum was temporarily deactivated Friday but she later reappeared online, posting images from an airplane seat of what appeared to be her Saudi passport and boarding pass. "3rd country," she said, in a reference to resettlement in Canada. "I did it." She also thanked the supporters she said had saved her life. "Truly I have never dreamed of this love and support. You are the spark that would motivate me to be a better person," she said. It is not an automatic right for refugees to be resettled and fewer than 1% of the millions of registered refugees globally were resettled in 2017, according to the UNHCR. The process is often assessed on the urgency of a refugee's individual needs, with the most vulnerable -- such as women at risk -- prioritized. Refugees can wait from nine months to several years to hear an answer -- longer if they appeal a refusal. Some can wait their whole lives for a third country to accept them. WASHINGTON Attorney General nominee William Barr said that, if confirmed, he would let special counsel Robert Mueller finish his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and believes the results should be made public. "On my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work," Barr intends to say to Congress at the start of his Senate hearing Tuesday, according to prepared testimony released on Monday. "I believe it is in the best interest of everyone -- the President, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people -- that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work," he will say. "The country needs a credible resolution of these issues. If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation." Congress and the public should be "be informed of the results of the special counsel's work," he will say. "For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law. I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision," he will say. A blindfolded teen crashed into another vehicle while doing the Bird Box challenge in Utah, police said. A blindfolded teen crashed into another vehicle while doing the Bird Box challenge in Utah this week, police said. The challenge, in which people move around while wearing blindfolds, originated from the Netflix film "Bird Box." In the movie starring Sandra Bullock, characters wear blindfolds to avoid seeing a mysterious force, inspiring the latest viral internet challenge. Utah police responded to the crash involving a 17-year-old in Layton on Monday, Police Lt. Travis Lyman told CNN affiliate KSL. "Apparently, as a part of this Bird Box Challenge,' (the driver) used her beanie to pull over her eyes as she was driving on Layton Parkway, and she ended up losing control of her car and skidded into the westbound lanes of Layton Parkway and hit another car and ended up hitting a light pole as well," Lyman said. "Bird Box Challenge while driving ... predictable result," Layton Police Department tweeted Friday. Police did not identify the teen, but said she was driving a pickup truck with a 16-year-old passenger. No injuries were reported. Netflix warned its viewers against the "Bird Box" challenge this month. ST. CHARLES COUNTY Emergency workers rescued an elderly man who had backed his vehicle into an icy pond on Sunday. Police received the call about 2:20 p.m., according to Kyle Gaines of the St. Charles County Ambulance District. Gaines said the man, 80, backed his vehicle into a pond on Old Wolfrum Road, near the Missouri River. The man was rescued from the pond and taken to a hospital. His condition was not considered to be life-threatening, according to Gaines. The pond was relatively shallow, with the water at the top of the vehicle's wheel or slightly higher, Gaines said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A chief of the Missouri Department of Transportation apologized on Saturday after hundreds of commuters slid, stalled and got stranded on area highways some for 10 hours the day prior, saying that the snow came down too fast and plows just couldnt keep up. We hate that it happened the way it did, said Bob Becker, the states top road maintenance chief in St. Louis. I cant say we did well, because we had problems out there. But Becker also warned that the storm wasnt yet over: 1 to 3 more inches of precipitation was on its way Saturday night, some of which would come as freezing rain. That, coupled with snow runoff, was almost certain to bring slick roads Sunday morning. Our concern right now is absolutely refreeze, Becker said late Saturday. As of Saturday afternoon, the weather service reported from 8 to 12 inches of snow across the St. Louis area. Columbia, Mo., got nearly 16 inches. Belleville residents saw 9. Sally Johnson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said snowfall totals for this storm could near 14 inches at Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Were heading into record territory here, she said. Trumps loss of support in Missouri has come primarily from Missourians who did not have an opinion on him when he came into office, but who now react negatively to him. While he has lost 5 percentage points in overall approval in Missouri since January 2017, his disapproval jumped by 12 points, most of it from Missourians who hadnt formed an opinion on him two years ago. Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, were the earliest in their Senate Republican caucus to call for an end to the impasse, with or without a border wall. In Colorado, Trumps approval has fallen 17 points in two years; it has gone from 45-44 approve to 56-40 disapprove. In Maine, support for Trump has fallen 14 points since January of 2017, and now is 51 percent disapprove, 45 percent approve. Gardner and Collins are among a handful of Republican senators expected to face tough challenges in 2020. Trump has huge deficits in approval vs. disapproval in New York (36 percent approve, 59 disapprove) and California (33-62), home states for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, respectively. The administration might have be trying to sweep this under the rug, but I will hold them accountable to you, Galloway said in her address. Missourians deserve transparency. Parson told the Post-Dispatch after the ceremony that he doesnt know what Galloway meant by holding the administration responsible. "I think everyone knows what the situation was. We're going to fix it," Parson said. "It was a mistake. We were pretty much open about that from day one so I don't know what she's talking about there." On top of the hundreds of millions of dollars in identified misused funds, Galloway said her offices audits led to 38 criminal counts against public officials. There is more out there, Galloway said. "More and more," she said, "citizens and law enforcement officials are asking for our forensic auditing expertise when theres theft or wrongdoing in government. Galloway, in her speech, announced the creation of the Public Corruption and Fraud Division as a means of reaffirming her dedication to fight public corruption. The House is also considering an office smoking ban, which had not been enacted during the tenure of former House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, who was known to smoke in his office. Smoking is mostly banned in the Capitol, but lawmakers can still light up in their private offices. The revised House handbook, released in October, says it is House policy to prevent and preclude the presence of animals, fish or aquatic life, and reptiles from within House space unless the animals are locked in vehicles in Capitol parking garage areas. There are exceptions. Service animals are allowed. So are emotional support animals, as determined on a case-by-case basis by the House Administration and Accounts Committee. Animals are allowed in hearings for testimony if legislation deals with the particular species. The Department of Conservation is also allowed to bring animals for presentations. The Administration and Accounts Committee approved the change unanimously on Oct. 22, according to the chief clerks office. The Senate has not followed suit. The two chambers are separated by the Capitol Rotunda but are connected by hallways. Boosting penalties for police dog assaults fizzles in Missouri House "We care more about four-legged canines than we do about people that walk with two legs," one Kansas City Democrat said. In Warren County, high school students have the lowest attendance rates. About 50 percent of its student body also receives free and reduced-price lunches an indication of poverty, Klinginsmith said. Our lower-income kids say they have to work, so we hope they can schedule work on Mondays, then come to school Tuesday through Friday, he said. Jeffrey Napier, a parent of two students in the district, said he worries the district might not have done enough research before voting on the change. The four-day week seems to becoming more popular but I feel our district may have rushed the decision, he said. And Im just concerned for the hourly employees that it may affect. Kristen Karrenbrock, who works part time in food service in the district, said she hopes the change will help retain teachers. Karrenbrock said that as her son went from kindergarten to fifth grade, all but a few teachers had left his school. Klinginsmith said most of his research was based on data from districts that have already gone to four-day school weeks. He called them pioneer districts. ST. LOUIS A woman was in critical condition after she was shot in the legs Friday night in the Greater Ville neighborhood. Authorities said they arrested a 64-year-old man in the shooting. The woman, 30, was found after police responded to a call for a shooting about 11:45 p.m. Friday in the 3900 block of Greer Avenue. The address is west of Vandeventer Avenue and south of Fairground Park. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she was in critical but stable condition. The man was arrested after police canvassed the area, police said. They did not release a motive or more details about the shooting. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. 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 A man and woman have been charged in a high-speed chase from St. Ann to Bellefontaine Neighbors on Sunday that included a crash that injured an officer. "This was the craziest police chase I have ever seen," St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez said after watching dash cam footage. "It was a serious police chase." Travis Jones, 44, of Jennings, was charged with felony resisting arrest by fleeing and felony stealing. Kimberly Bluiett, 40, of St. Louis is charged with felony stealing. Both are being held in lieu of $10,000 bail. It began when an off-duty St. Ann police major heard a description of a vehicle wanted in a theft from a Menards store on St. Charles Rock Road about 4 p.m., Jimenez said. The major spotted the vehicle, a Dodge Ram pickup with two large doors and other stolen items in the back. Officers tried to stop the truck and pursued it on St. Charles Rock Road and Cypress Road to Interstate 70 when it didn't stop, Jimenez said. The truck headed into St. Louis, then to Interstate 270 over into Illinois, then back into Missouri. At one point, the driver handed the female passenger a handgun, and she tried to throw it into the river, Jimenez said. The gun didn't make it to the river and an officer was able to recover it. After a hefty if not record-setting snow in the St. Louis area, the news for area snowmen isnt good: dry, warmer air will move in after flurries taper off Sunday night. By Sunday evening, St. Louis Lambert International Airport had accumulated a snowfall of 11.4 inches, according to Mark Britt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Most of that occurred Friday and Saturday, though some flurries continued on Sunday. The citys official record snowfall for a 24-hour period is 15.6 inches, set on Feb. 21, 1912, according to Britt. (More probably fell during a storm in March 1890, but the 20.4 inches recorded is considered unofficial due to some missing data). This has been a significant amount of snow, but certainly not a record, Britt said. He said this storm doesnt quite crack the top 10 for 24-hour snow totals. A big storm in March 2013 dropped 12.7 inches, and 1982s late January snowfall officially layered 13.9 inches at the airport, though many locations recorded significantly higher totals. ST. LOUIS An Ohio company and its president who were involved in the storage of 9 million pounds of hazardous waste in a Franklin County warehouse were sentenced in federal court here Friday to probation and ordered to pay $1.5 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lawyers said Monday. Three days earlier in an unrelated case, U.S. Technology Corp. president Raymond Williams was sentenced in federal court in Georgia to five years in prison for bribing a Department of Defense official. He, U.S. Technology Corp. and U.S. Technology Aerospace Engineering Corp. were also ordered to pay a total of $4.1 million in fines and restitution, Williams plea agreement says. UPDATED at noon with information from charging documents. A man has been charged following the discovery of a body in a garage near his home in Calverton Park on Sunday afternoon, according to a statement by the Major Case Squad. Jeffrey E. Tod, 53, was charged Monday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 cash-only bail. The dead man was identified Monday as Kenneth Alvern Linzie, 68, of the 5900 block of Hancock Avenue in Berkeley. He had been shot to death, police said. Linzie's body was discovered about 12:30 p.m. Sunday in a garage behind a home on Williams Boulevard in Calverton Park, police said. Tod lives on Williams Boulevard. Linzie's nephew learned that Linzie may have gone to Tod's home "to settle a debt" that Tod owed him, charging documents said. Linzie's nephew went to Tod's home on Sunday and found Linzie's body in the garage in the back yard, along with the car Linzie was last seen driving. Employees are increasingly concerned about their safety while walking to the parking garage and the MetroLink Station, the document said. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson expressed concern about the request, which comes at a time when downtown is seeing tremendous investment. State Rep. Bruce Franks, a Democrat who represents downtown, called the request crazy and vowed to fight it if it was included in the budget forwarded by Parson. Missy Kelley, president of the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis said the state should work toward solving crime and perception problems in downtown, rather than moving people out. On Monday, Kelley said the governors decision was not a surprise. It would be a pretty significant statement for the governor to support an exit from the economic engine of the region without following up with a plan to address the concerns, Kelley said. The agencys attorneys cover cases in the St. Louis area and many of the surrounding counties. They handle impaired driving cases and other driver licensing cases along with administrative alcohol hearings, and motor vehicle titles and related issues. Once inside, Bruce sexually abused the woman and demanded she perform a sex act, according to the charges. As he dragged her into a bedroom, her house phone rang, according to the charges. The victim told Bruce her husband was calling because he was on his way home. Bruce told her he would kill him when he got home. Then he put the victim in a bedroom and demanded she stay there, according to the court documents. He left, taking her cellphone. The victim suffered injuries to her knees and elbows, according to the documents. Neighbors on Pioneer Road northeast of Hillsboro had seen a red car in the area, and gave a description similar to the one given by the victim. But investigators had little to go on in the apparently random attack. Then, in November, the victim saw Bruces mugshot in media reports about the attack at the Catholic Supply store in St. Louis County. She called police to say that was the same man who had attacked her, according to the documents. Life and death of the historic Chapman baobab. a, The Chapman baobab in June 2015, showing its open RSS, which consisted of six stems. b,c, Photographs showing the baobab just after its sudden collapse in January 2016. The tree lies on the ground almost intact, with unbroken stems and branches. Photo: Patrut, et al., 2018 / Nature Plants By Jaime Lowe 3 January 2019 (Topic) The baobab trunks are thick and bulbous and fat. The bark is shiny and red. The trees dont sway. They dont whistle with the wind. Movement is slow and barely perceptible, if they move at all. Baobabs can grow to 100 feet tall; their diameters can reach up to 40 feet. For the most part their leaves appear for just a few months during the wet season and look like the unnatural hair that emerges from a chia pet. Their most dynamic motions are during the roughly five minutes at dusk when their night-blooming flowers open for the bats and moths who drink their pollen, and in death, when they topple suddenly and dramatically in just a few hours. In June 2018, a study was published by the scientific journal Nature Plants; it stated simply that the baobabs are dying. The scientists involved do not know why, but they suspect increased drought and climate change. For decades, villagers in Botswana have witnessed the depletion of baobabs because of human encroachmentcattle grazing and farmland have taken over areas once roamed by hunter-gatherers. The introduction of agriculture and changes to the soil have produced a negative effect on the trees. These trees, which are some of the oldest on the planet, are rooted so solidly into the African horizon, they appear invincible, as if the sun couldnt set without the silhouettes of their gnarly branches reshaping the line where land meets sky. [] In 2005, the scientists involved in the Nature Plants studyStephan Woodborne, associate professor at the University of Pretoria and a researcher at iThemba LABS in Johannesburg, along with six othersset out to study baobabs. This collaboration has yielded a number of different papers, but it was only the last one, in 2018, that captured the global imagination. Woodborne wanted to relate climate models to the samples collected in the field, and Adrian Patrut, the papers lead scientist and a professor of chemistry at Romanias Babes-Bolyai University, was aiming to carbon-date the trees. They bored holes in old specimens, hoping to find information about the weather over the past millennia. They had heard rumors that some baobabs might be as old as 6,000 years, maybe even older. After cataloguing so many collapsed baobabs, they made another conclusion: that the trees were in peril. They published the ages of trees in the peer-reviewed Nature Plants, along with the alarming fact that nine of the 13 oldest and five of the six largest baobabs that they sampled had died or partly collapsed in the past 12 years. The reports of the old trees deaths led to shocking headlines. The New York Times published a story titled Last March of the Wooden Elephants: Africas Ancient Baobabs Are Dying; the Guardian titled its piece Climate change is wiping out the baobab, Africas tree of life; National Geographic wrote, Africas Oldest Trees Are Dying, and Scientists Are Stumped. Patrut told NPR, Such a disastrous decline is very unexpected. Its a strange feeling, because these are trees which may live for 2,000 years or more, and we see that theyre dying one after another during our lifetime. When visiting iThemba LABS this past October, Woodborne told me that the baobabs hed studied had appeared healthy and strong, and then they just fell. He said, There is an indescribable stillnessthe baobab is just no longer a baobab. And within a year, it disintegrates. Theres just a depression in the earth where the tree was. In the six or so months since his research was published, Woodborne has lectured extensively around the world about the results. You give the presentation and people want a happy ending, he said. They want to hear that everything will be OK, but its not. [] The mainstream news stories about baobab demise immediately connected the death of the trees to our current climate crisis. The articles tended to leave out any nuance about what we know, and what we dont, about the current state of baobabs. The tree was clearly in danger before the results were published; several species of baobabs are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species because of human encroachment. The headlines also left out an important detail of the recent revelations: the published research centered on the trees growth within the margins of its territory in the southern parts of the African continent, in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, where temperatures are already warming faster than the global average and drought is intensifying with each year. But the baobab is actually thriving in many parts of northern Africa. Are the baobabs from the study dying because of rising temperatures or because they are old, or both? Does their decline indicate the decline of the species? And what does this mean for the surrounding landscape? [more] The Mysterious Life (and Death) of Africas Oldest Trees ABSTRACT: The African baobab is the biggest and longest-living angiosperm tree. By using radiocarbon dating we identified the stable architectures that enable baobabs to reach large sizes and great ages. We report that 9 of the 13 oldest and 5 of the 6 largest individuals have died, or at least their oldest parts/stems have collapsed and died, over the past 12 years; the cause of the mortalities is still unclear. The demise of the largest and oldest African baobabs One day early in 1980, Joan Lang saw a frantic man running toward her dog grooming shop at 4455 Gravois Avenue. "My dentist has been arrested," the man said. "Arrested for what?" Lang said. Murder, he said. But that wasn't what caused the man consternation about Dr. Glennon Engleman's arrest. "He was upset because he was in jail and he did not have his dentures back," Lang said. The arrest caused consternation among some patients of Engleman, who had his office in the 4600 block of Gravois Avenue. Others who knew him as a good dentist and citizen were shocked. But when a jury in federal court on Sept. 25, 1980 found Engleman guilty in the Jan. 14, 1980, car bombing that killed Sophie Marie Barrera, police saw it as a step toward wrapping up investigations that began 22 years earlier. From the start, police suspected Engleman in the shooting death of James S. Bullock. When Bullock was killed near the St. Louis Art Museum in 1958, Engleman's ex-wife, Edna, had been married to Bullock for six months. Union 30, the restaurant inside developers Amy and Amrit Gill's new Hotel St. Louis downtown, aims to celebrate the breadth of St. Louis culinary tradition. On its menu are nods to both classic local recipes (Mayfair salad dressing, Famous-Barr French onion soup) and contemporary trends (avocado toast, barbecue). It gave me a blank palette, chef Matthew Birkenmeier tells Off the Menu. Birkenmeier came to Union 30 from the late Quincy Street Bistro, where he was the acclaimed restaurant's executive chef during its final two years, and he has brought a generous dose of Quincy Street's playful, meat-heavy comfort-food aesthetic with him. One dish from the dinner menu Birkenmeier touts is a Duroc pork chop dry-aged for 14 days, cooked in a sous-vide bath of duck fat with lime pepper and then finished on the grill. Updated with statement from company German-based logistics provider DB Schenker is laying off 144 employees in St. Peters, according to a notice to state officials Monday. DB Schenker notified Missouri economic development officials that 144 employees at 2001 Premier Parkway will be laid off in March. As part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), companies must notify state officials about mass layoffs. "The last date of employment for all employees is expected to be March 10, 2019," the company stated in its letter to the state. According to its website, DB Schenker operates 55 logistics centers in the U.S. totaling more than 21 million square feet of space. "We will suspend operations at the facility on March 10, 2019 as the new service provider takes ownership," DB Schencker said in a statement to the Post-Dispatch. "Approximately, 144 employees will be affected by the change and displaced workers might be retained by the new service provider pending their decision. We are committed to working through this transition and supporting our employees in a manner consistent with our core values." Editor's note: The warehouse where DB Schenker operates is remaining open. An earlier version of this had incorrect information about the facility. 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 The committee will get its own set of lawyers and advisers to avoid potential conflicts of interest, piling on costs. In addition, Sears will also pay for professionals for an official unsecured creditors committee, which is typical. At least 36 lawyers are billing Sears $1,000 or more an hour, according to court filings. Of course, high hourly rates could be worth it. American Airlines and General Motors arguably thrived thanks to bankruptcy, although retailers in particular tend to perish in Chapter 11. Legal experts say that comparing the cost of Chapter 11 cases is nearly impossible because of the large number of variables in each case. "Im not sure we really know what a large chapter 11 case should cost, so its hard to 'control' fees unless they are extreme," said Stephen Lubben, a professor at Seton Hall Law School. Toys R Us in its first three months piled up more $45 million in fees, according to court records. The retailer, which went out of business after filing for bankruptcy in 2017, has paid 72 firms $375 million through December. The two protesters who threw paint on the stairs of the entrance to the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice are now being investigated for public nuisance, reads a release of the press office of the Bucharest Police. Mihai Cristian Dide and Sandu Matei were taken to a police station on Monday, after they protested in front of the Ministry of Justice, by throwing red paint on the building's stairs, as a reaction to the release, under the compensatory remedy law, of some violent detainees. They also threw several knives on the stairs at the entrance to the MJ building, as well as pictures of Minister Tudorel Toader. "An investigation was carried out on site and images were collected from the surveillance cameras in the area. The police also heard the witnesses, as well as the persons involved. The next step would be to announce the relevant prosecutor's unit," according to a release of the Directorate General of the Bucharest Police. President Klaus Iohannis stated on Monday that he will collaborate with the National Liberal Party (PNL) in view of preparing the presidential election campaign, mentioning, in relation to the possibility of Dacian Ciolos's candidacy, that it's very good for everyone to present their electoral offer. When asked if he talked with the PNL, the Save Romania Union (USR) about him running for presidency, Iohannis responded that he usually talks with politicians. "Yes, I usually discuss with politicians and I will continue these discussions throughout the year. I believe you recall that I came from the PNL, where I was chairman and, obviously, I will collaborate with the PNL for preparing the campaign properly," Klaus Iohannis stated at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace. In respect to the possibility of Dacian Ciolos running for presidency, he replied: "I believe that it's very good for everyone to present their electoral offer. Whether is good? Certainly that it's good to gave candidates for the presidential elections, this is what we fought for in December '89 to have the freedom to elect, as well as to be elected. I endorsed Dacian Ciolos and promoted him for the Prime Minister office. I believe that he did a good job during that mandate. Cover sheet for the document, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contingency Plan for Shutdown, December 31, 2018. Graphic: EPA By Oliver Milman 9 January 2019 (The Guardian) The US government shutdown has stymied environmental testing and inspections, prompting warnings that Americans health is being put at increasing risk as the shutdown drags on. More than 13,000 employees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are not at work, with just 794 people deemed essential staff currently undertaking the agencys duties. The remaining skeleton staff are able to respond to emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property, according to an EPA planning document. But many routine activities such as checks on regulated businesses, clean-ups of toxic superfund sites and the pursuit of criminal polluters have been paused since 28 December. State programs arent being funded, enforcement actions have stopped its a nightmare, said Gary Morton, president of AFGE Council 238, which represents about 9,000 EPA workers. EPA employees want to get back to work, they have bills and mortgages to pay. These are dedicated public servants who took an oath to serve and protect the American people. The states and community groups cant do this work on their own. In some instances, state officials will be able to continue EPA-aligned tasks, such as deal with hundreds of former industrial facilities and other polluted areas known as superfund sites. An EPA spokeswoman said the agency will continue to respond at sites where there is an imminent threat to the safety of human life but that superfund cleanups have halted. A senior EPA employee, who has been sidelined from work, said it will take weeks for the agency to catch up with its core functions once the shutdown is over. Youre just keeping the patient alive right now, the staffer, who asked not to be named, said. Some staff, already disgruntled at the Trump administrations rollbacks of environmental protections, are preparing to march in protest to the White House on Thursday, with working colleagues urged to call in sick. [more] Its a nightmare: Americans health at risk as shutdown slashes EPA President Klaus Iohannis conveyed on Monday to his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda a message of condolences after the death of the mayor of Gdansk, following an attack on Sunday, underscoring that the politics should be fought with arguments, not with violence. "I was outraged to learn about the bloody attack, which Mayor of Gdansk city Pawel Adamowicz fell victim to. It's gruesome and shocking that violence is occurring increasingly in the public life. The politics should be fought with arguments, not with violence. On behalf of the Romanian people and mine, personally, I convey condolences to the grieving family and I express my entire compassion and solidarity with the suffering that the Polish people are experiencing at this moment," reads Klaus Iohannis's message. Mayor of Polish city Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz passed away on Monday in hospital after he was attacked with a knife during a philanthropic event on Sunday. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will present on Tuesday the priorities of the Romanian Presidency to the Council of the European Union, in Strasbourg, at the plenary session of the European Parliament, according to a press release issued on Sunday evening for AGERPRES. A delegation of the Bucharest Executive headed by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will pay a working visit to Strasbourg on Monday and Tuesday to present the working program of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The agenda will include meetings of the Romanian governmental delegation with European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, the leader of Progressive Alliance of Socialists' Group in the European Parliament, Udo Bullmann, as well as representatives of the S&D Group and other European Parliament leaders. Prime Minister Dancila will also participate, together with high European officials and members of the Government of Bucharest, in the opening of the photo exhibition "Traditions and landscapes in Romania", organized during the debates of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council. Read also: Liberals have administration's improvement vision, with 16-minister gov't formula The governmental delegation will include Minister of European Funds Rovana Plumb, Minister of Internal Affairs Carmen Dan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Melescanu, Minister Delegate for European Affairs George Ciamba, Minister of Public Finance Eugen Teodorovici, Minister of Labor and Social Justice Marius Constantin Budai. AGERPRES . Minister of Justice Tudorel Toader stated that the draft law on compensatory remedy was in fact initiated during the time when the technocratic government was at rule and came into force during his mandate. "I have repeatedly explained the following: the draft law on compensatory remedy was initiated by the technocratic government, that the CSM (Supreme Council of Magistrates - the previous team) approved it and proposed the day to be considered as already served, that it was then adopted by the Parliament and came into forced shortly after I became Minister, and that impact studies are done before and not after the law came into force," Toader wrote on his Facebook page. The USR (Save Romania Union) MP Stelian Ion on Monday announced a new draft law will be submitted to cancel the provisions regarding the compensatory remedy. "USR will submit today (i.e. Monday) a draft law that will cancel the provisions regarding the compensatory remedy. The entire country watched in terror these past few days, on their TV sets, the terrible crime that was committed in Medias, but we all heard about all the other crimes, about the robberies, rapes, violent acts committed by the detainees who were released before term, based on this compensatory remedy. Now it's too late, already, but the Government should issue an emergency ordinance to cancel these provisions, although we don't think it will happen, so that the USR MPs are going to submit today this draft law regarding he compensatory remedy," Stelian Ion said. In his opinion, am improvement of the current law, in the sense of exempting certain categories of detainees from benefiting from the compensatory remedy, is not enough. The first vice-president of PNL (National Liberal Party), Raluca Turcan, previously stated, in the context of the Medias crime, that it's urgent the detainees who committed violent crimes no longer benefit from the compensatory regime. "Instead of solving the problems existing in the penitentiaries, related to the inadequate spaces, insufficient personnel and bad hygiene, the Government preferred to release over 13,000 detainees in the past year, who, according to the statistics, will for sure, 80% per cent of them, relapse into crime. Instead of helping them integrate with the society after serving their punishments, the state became an accomplice to murder," said Raluca Turcan. Three suspects accused of murdering a young man in front of a bar in Medias Muncipality were held into custody by the prosecutors. Two of them were release based on the compensatory remedy and the third was also a repeater, according to a press release of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Sibiu Court. President Klaus Iohannis on Monday decorated, during a ceremony that took place at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, Professor Architect Emil Barbu Popescu, PhD, Master Ion Marin and TV producer Elise Stan, in which context he said that artists and their works offer the Romanian people the opportunity of presenting itself with dignity to the world. "Tomorrow is the National Culture Day, when we celebrate all those who make arts shine. But we also celebrate culture everyday when we treasure freedom and diversity, two cardinal values, which have their most expressive manifestations in culture and they make humankind feel complete. The celebration of culture is done every day in the theaters, in the concert halls, in the bookshops or at the exhibitions when we see the works of art and we feel the joy in sharing with others. Year after year, on January 15, we celebrate all the artists who make this sublime connection between people, which crosses every border and is transmitted from generation to generation, possible. (...) Even if it takes its inspiration from identities and diversity, culture is the one that makes us feel closer. The artists and their works offer our people the opportunity of presenting itself to appear with dignity before the world, in a beneficial dialogue for both Romania and the universal civilisation," President Iohannis stated at the Cotroceni Palace. He also added that Elise Stan, Emil Barbu Popescu and Ion Marin are landmarks of performance in their fields. "You are devoted to transmitting the cultural patrimony - to whose preservation and development you contribute - to the young people, students and pupils. Romanian cultural will benefit from the formation of the new generations as much as it will be the depository of your achievements in music and architecture. By handing these high distinctions of the Romanian state to you, I once more underscore the responsibility that you took to build the respect for values, the original creation and authentic patrimony in the society," said the head of the state. The Madrigal Choir performed two plays at the event. On November 22, 2018, the head of the state signed the decrees on the decoration of Professor Architect Emil Barbu Popescu, PhD, with National Order "The Star of Romania" in rank of Knight, Master Ion Marin, director and composer, honorary director of the National Chamber Choir "Madrigal," with the National Order "For Merit" in rank of Commander and the TV producer Elise Stan, with the National Order "For Merit" in rank of Knight. President Iohannis bestowed the distinction upon Emil Barbu Popescu as a token of "appreciation for his exceptional professionalism proven in forming the new generations of architects, for his contribution to the promotion of the Romanian schools of architecture both in the country and abroad, for his remarkable works written in the atlas of the world architecture." The head of the state bestowed the distinction upon Ion Marin "as a token of high appreciation for his important contribution to the initiation and development of the first national social integration programme, through choir singing, in Romania, as well as for the promotion of the Romanian musical art abroad." Moreover, Elise Stan received the distinction as a token of "appreciation for her important role in promoting new talents from among the young artists, for her contribution to the discovery of valuable performers of popular music, folk musicians, for her talent in promoting the Romanian folklore, by which she maintained the flame of Romanian spirituality alive, she helped preserving the traditions and the national identity." Editors note: This is the first of a two-part column. Part two will run tomorrow, Jan. 15 This is the story of a man who died 74 years ago. He was an Iredell resident and he had an interesting life. Recently one of my wife's cousins brought a photo of the subject of my story, Alburtus Burt" Gabriel, to the Newton familys annual Christmas party. Burt Gabriel was my wife Judys great-great-grandfather. I had known of Mr. Gabriel but had never seen a photo of the man who was known as "Uncle Burt" in the Shepherds community. His full name was Abram Alburtus Gabriel. Born to a farm family near Sherrills Ford in Catawba County on June 27, 1843, he was one of six children of Joe and Mary Robinson Gabriel. At the time of his death in 1935, he was reckoned to have been the oldest, or at least one of the oldest, Confederate veterans in the southern part of Iredell. He passed away at the Soldiers' Home in Raleigh, where he had been for his last two years. According to the October 17, 1935, Mooresville Enterprise, Burt Gabriel "suffered a stroke of paralysis about a week before his death, and from that time until the last, he was perfectly clear in his mind." I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved gradually expiring. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the life span of the American male is decreasing to 76.1 years, a figure I will reach in less than ten years and yet there is so much to be done. Im still trying to figure out the fundamentals like why am I here? Why do I love thunderstorms? Where are my car keys? According to government statisticians, life expectancy has declined due to substance abuse and suicide rates. None of that applies to me unless the abused substance is black coffee each morning and they consider a two glazed doughnut intake every Friday to be suicidal. Im hoping to exceed my expiration date as my father made it to 79 and my mother is 85, so Im going for 82. Behind this bit of news came a report from China announcing the birth of the first genetically edited (read: designed) babies. A can of worms or a bundle of joy, depending on how you view this new wonder of technology - human beings ordered like pizza. Babies biologically engineered to be delivered with maximum IQs, no allergies or defects, all with good molars and strong bones. Medical clinics drumming up business with discounts on eye and hair color. Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, left, joins Trump at a Cabinet meeting on 2 January 2019. Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images By Umair Irfan 3 January 2019 (Vox) Now that Ryan Zinke has resigned as the head of the Interior Department, his deputy David Bernhardt has begun serving as acting secretary. President Donald Trump said last month he would name a permanent replacement but has yet to do so. This handover of power at Interior has been striking in its similarity to the change in leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency last year, where an experienced DC insider replaced a high-profile outsider.Former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who made a name for himself as Oklahomas attorney general suing the EPA 14 times before taking office, resigned last July after ethics complaints and investigations into his ostentatious conduct became too much for the White House to bear. He was replaced by his deputy Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist and Senate staffer whod previously worked at the EPA. Acting Administrator Wheeler has kept a much lower profile than Pruitt while steadily advancing Trumps agenda. Like Wheeler, Bernhardt is a former industry lobbyist and has previously worked at the Interior Department. Hes likely to be at the helm for a while and may even end up as the permanent secretary. Here are three key things to know about the new boss at the Interior. Bernhardt has many potential conflicts of interest from his time as a fossil fuel lobbyist Bernhardt, 49, began his career working as a staffer for former Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO) before joining a lobbying firm. He then worked as an attorney for Interior under the George W. Bush administration. But after leaving government, he went back to lobbying, taking over the natural resources practice at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. A 2014 financial disclosure document shows that Bernhardt has represented a number of clients that have business before the Interior Department, including oil companies like Statoil Gulf Services, Taylor Energy, and Cobalt International Energy. According to the Washington Post, Bernhardt has to carry a card with him to keep track of his potential conflicts of interest. Hes even had to cancel a speech to the Colorado River Water Conservation District due to ethics concerns about his previous work lobbying for other water districts.As an agency, the Interior Department has a pretty broad scope. Its in charge of mineral rights on federal lands, environmental stewardship, promoting outdoor recreation, and upholding treaty obligations with Native Americans. So there are many different interests impacted by the departments policies and a lot of groups vying for the agencys favor. Chief among them are fossil fuel companies who want to extract coal, oil, and natural gas from public lands. [more] A brief guide to David Bernhardt, Ryan Zinkes replacement at the Interior Department Were following several leads, tracking down all the videos we can from stores along the route that the car was taken. Police said the two persons of interest were seen at the location where the car was found abandoned between 3 and 5 p.m. Friday. A man and woman were observed operating a silver color, early 2000s model Pontiac Grand Am, two-door car. (Tuttle) was a very neat person, Boyette said Saturday. There were a couple things out of place that didnt fit his norm. On Sunday, police said there was evidence of a violent crime found both at the victims residence and in his car. Boyette said besides King police, the Winston Salem Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the case, including the use of cadaver dogs. Weve had helicopters search the area all the way to where the vehicle was located, Boyette said. We have searched along both sides of the road from his home to the site where his car was found. We have searched pathways and avenues along the way, including barns and places hidden from helicopter view. The Statesville Police Department said two people hid marijuana, pills and a gun in their car during a traffic stop on Thursday. Authorities said they stopped Leverett David Sanford Jr., of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Shelby Lyn Goodman, of Olin, for speeding on East Broad Street near Oakwood Drive around 9 p.m. on Thursday. Officers noticed drug paraphernalia on the floorboard of the passenger side of the car while speaking to the passenger, according to a press release sent to media on Friday. Police said they found nearly one ounce of marijuana, a small number alprazolam pills (a schedule IV controlled substance) and various drug paraphernalia while searching the vehicle and its passengers. The release also said police found a gun with an altered or removed serial number. Both people in the car were arrested. The passenger, Sanford, 24, was charged with possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, carrying a concealed gun and altering/destroying/removing a serial number from a firearm. He received a $50,000 secured bond. The Iredell County Board of Elections currently stands idle. This comes on the heels of a Dec. 28 court decision that disbanded the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, rendering the Iredell County board null. This does not mean the Board of Elections office sits empty, as the office is still open to handle day-to-day administrative tasks and voter registration, Iredell County Elections Board Director Becky Galilher said. And Galilher says that legislators in Raleigh have stayed mute as to what the future of the Iredell Board could be. We have not heard a word, Galilher said. Ill feel better when our (state) board is back together for the guidance they provide. Galilher said that not having a board throws a wrench in planning for things like the new voter ID law in North Carolina. Galilher also said that the new Iredell board will be responsible for filing for municipal elections on July 5. The identity of the new Iredell County Board of Elections will not be determined until summer, but a law passed in December says that the new board will be required to have five members. Statesville native Holly (Rosenbalm) Mickler, an AVID teacher and coordinator at Pasco Middle School in Dade City, Florida, was named the districts Teacher of the Year last month. Mickler received the surprise news Dec. 11 while judging science fair projects. Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools Marcy Hetzler-Nettles, School Board Member Megan Harding, Pasco Middle School Principal Dee Dee Johnson, Pasco Education Foundation Executive Director Stacey Capogrosso, and United School Employees of Pasco President Don Peace announced the news and presented Mickler with balloons, flowers, and a tin of cookies. This is quite an honor; Im a little overwhelmed right now! said Mickler, as students whose science fair projects she was judging clapped and cheered. Mickler has taught at Pasco Middle School for 14 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education from Appalachian State University, and earned the best and brightest bonus three times. She believes that intentionally planned flexibility is what turns good teachers into great teachers. Her end goal shifts with the needs of her students and her mantra is, Do what we gotta do! to change, protect, and save futures. LINCOLN Think Nebraska is just a flyover state? Hear Nebraska is flat and boring? Think theres nothing to do here? Well leave your misconceptions at the door and order The Official 2019 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide and start planning a trip to the state that claims honestly, its not for everyone. As 2019 begins, the Nebraska Tourism Commission retires the 2018 State Travel Guide and starts distributing the 2019 guide to potential visitors. Were really excited about this years travel guide. Its bright, lively, funny, quirky and odd all traits of our new campaign, said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism Commission executive director. Generally, about two-thirds of people who request travel guides actually visit that state. This conversion rate is the highest among other methods used to entice travelers to visit a state. So obviously the travel guide is an important part of our marketing efforts. Author J.C. Cervantes Wendy Ewing Canyon Crest Academys Creative Writing Club recently announced that New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes will present the keynote address at the 8th Annual CCA Writers Conference on Saturday, Feb. 23. Cervantes is the author of the NYT bestselling book The Storm Runner (Disney-Hyperion), a Rick Riordan Presents selection. Her books have appeared on national lists, including Barnes &Nobles Best Middle-Grade Fantasy and Best Young Readers, as well as the New Voices Pick by the American Booksellers Association. She has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award, and Zia Book Award. The sequel to The Storm Runner, The Fire Keeper, will be released in fall 2019. I am thrilled to be coming home to the city where I was born and raised to visit with young people, to encourage and support their writing journey and I applaud the amazing work that the CCA Writers Conference is doing. This would have made such a difference for me as a young person, says Cervantes. High school students from all over San Diego County and neighboring areas are welcome to this event, the only free writing conference for high school students in the U.S. The CCA Creative Writing Club is really looking forward to hearing J.C. Cervantes discuss her writing journey, says Prisha Kukkal, co-president. Were lucky that so many authors and other writing professionals are sharing their expertise and experience with the student attendees from all over San Diego. Students should check out the conference website at ccawritersconference2019.weebly.com for more information and to register. In order to continue to provide this free experience to high school students, the CCA Creative Writing Club is looking for individual and corporate sponsors. Individuals can sponsor a student for as little as $25, or become a Gold Sponsor for more. Sponsors can email ccawritersconference@gmail.com for more information on how to contribute. Local businesses can also purchase ad space in the conference program. Email ccawritersconference@gmail.com for more information. The Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore will sell speakers books with a portion of the proceeds going to the conference. 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 S amsung has unveiled its latest device, the Samsung Galaxy S10, alongside an innovative foldable smartphone. The tech giant announced a host of new handsets, including three other Galaxy S10 mobiles, at the Samsung Unpacked event on Wednesday. The Galaxy Fold, which is expected to go on sale in two months time, opens up to create a 7.3in (18.5cm) screen similar to a tablet. The phone also contains six cameras - three on the back, two on the inside and one on the front - so photos can be taken at any angle. Samsung usually sets the tone for the next year of smartphones with its February Galaxy release date, but this year has hot competition from the likes of Honor and Xiaomi. So how does the Samsung Galaxy S10 measure up? Here's what we know so far: Samsung Galaxy S10 release date UK The next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on February 20, with corresponding events taking place in London and New York. Given Samsung usually announces its new phone at Mobile World Congress, the big mobile conference in Barcelona, its interesting that it is deciding to break with tradition and reveal the phone a week earlier. Given this unveiling date, its likely the new phone will be available to pre-order later that week on February 22, with the new phone officially on sale a few weeks later, on March 8. That means you could have a shiny new Samsung phone in just over a month. Samsung Galaxy S10 price It looks like Samsung could be unveiling three phones this year: a lower priced Samsung Galaxy S10E, the normal Galaxy S10, and the larger-sized Galaxy S10+. Three phones means three different price tags. For the S10E, the lite Galaxy S10, the price range is expected to be around 500 - 585, putting it firmly in the mid-market range. This will likely be Samsungs direct competitor to phones from companies like Honor and OnePlus. Other reports are suggesting it could be around 669, making it a cheaper alternative to the iPhone XR. For the normal Galaxy S10, the phone is rumoured to cost 799 with 128GB of storage, and 999 with 512GB of storage. This substantially raises the price of the Galaxy S range from last years S9 phone. The largest Galaxy S10+ could cost around 899 for 128GB of storage, and 1,099 for 512GB storage. There could even be a Galaxy S10+ device with 1TB of storage at 1,399. Now that is an expensive phone. Samsung Galaxy S10 design So what will this new phone look like? The leaks weve seen so far show that Samsung is going for the full-screen device, minimising the bezels (frame around the screen) as much as possible and with no notch. It looks like the phone will have a pinhole camera on the front screen for the selfie camera, similar to the Honor View 20, on the right-hand side of the screen. The Galaxy S10 is likely to be the same 6.1-inch size as the S9, with the larger S10+ likely to be around 6.4-inches. On the glass black of the phone, there will be either two or three cameras and a flash, arranged in a horizontal design. Colour-wise, the phone may come in three colours: black, a pearlescent white and an aquamarine green. Mobile reporter Evan Blass has leaked a few images on his Twitter feed which demonstrate how the phone is likely to look. Samsung Galaxy S10 camera The leaked images display a three-camera set up on the S10 and S10+ devices. According to SamMobile, the phones could have a 12-megapixel main camera, with a 16-megapixel super wide-angle lens and another 13-megapixel lens. The S10+ could have dual-selfie cameras on the front of the phone, like the Google Pixel 3 XL. This should be handy for wide-angle selfies. The Galaxy S10E will only have two cameras, so probably without that third 13-megapixel lens. Samsung Galaxy S10 specs Inside, the phones will likely be sporting Samsungs new Exynos 8920 chip. Its set to be more powerful than the previous 8910 chip, and can handle AI processing up to seven times faster. Keep an eye out for the new AI abilities coming to the Galaxy S10 range. The new chip is expected to be 40 per cent more power efficient, important for battery life, and designed for 5G capability though its unlikely Samsung will be releasing a 5G smartphone just yet, with that device rumoured to arrive later on in 2019. Battery-wise, the S10 is rumoured to have a 3,300mAH battery, which is fairly small given were becoming used to 4,000mAH+ batteries. However, the Galaxy S10+ will be where the bigger battery is. It is rumoured to have a 4,000mAH battery, just like the Note 9. Samsung Galaxy S10: Accessories One thing we're looking forward too at the Samsung Unpacked event is the rumoured wireless earbuds Samsung could be launching. The new Galaxy Buds look to be discreet, wireless earbuds that will carefully match your new Samsung device. As well, according to a leaked promotional image published by German website WinFuture, it looks like the back of the Galaxy S10+ will be able to charge the earbuds wirelessly. The leaked image shows the Galaxy S10+ charging the new wireless earbuds / WinFuture P artaking in Dry January? Or maybe youre part of the 29% of millennials who are choosing not to drink alcohol. The increase in people shunning alcohol as a lifestyle choice has led to a rise in low and non-alcoholic drinks because theres only so much fizzy squash anyone can drink. ConeTech is the Californian-based company that can take some of your favourite wines and spin them into a low-calorie, low-alcohol drink. The company initially started with the intention of using technology to enable wine makers to create consistent wines regardless of the year it was made, to preserve the consistency of the product. Its since branched out into removing alcohol from wines to create low-alcohol, what it calls lifestyle, wines, and zero-alcohol wines. Heres how it works. Why no-booze booze ConeTech began 28 years ago and is a subsidiary of Advanced Beverage Technologies. It was about 15 years ago that the founder, Tony Dann, saw this gap in the market for lower alcohol wines, explains ConeTechs CMO and deputy CEO, Debbie Novograd. Tony saw the need to create a product that was as enjoyable, as full flavoured, as a full alcohol wine but with a fraction of the alcohol, she tells the Standard. It allows you to have a more social experience, one or two glasses of wine at lunch if you so choose, as well as a lower calorie beverage. Yet, it's really in the past five years that demands for these types of beverages has started to grow. In particular, the demand for 0.0% drinks has been a tremendous trend in Europe, says Novograd and it's now starting to grow in the US. ConeTech is able to use everything it knows about wine to create the perfect glass without the booze. How to make no-alcohol wine The way to make no-alcohol wine is to use a technology called the Spinning Cone Column. This is made up of around 40 upside cones, some that are fixed and some that spin around, which spin the wine out into different films. During the process, a cool vapour created by the wine rises up the column and carries off the lightest molecules in the liquid. This brings up all the aromas and flavours from the wine, the best bits essentially, which can be condensed into a liquid essence and held separately. Imagine you have a nice glass of Sauvignon blanc, says Aaron Silverstein, director of business development at ConeTech. All those unique smells that come at the start of the glass, were able to capture that. The process is then repeated to remove the alcohol. Once the required level is achieved, the flavours and aromas are then added back into the wine so you get all the flavour with that low or no alcohol content. It maintains the integrity of the wine, he says. Its fast too: wine is usually transported in tankers of about 25,000 litres and it takes around 10 hours to remove the booze from a tanker, but without compromising the consistency of the wine. ConeTech has been using this technology for a long time, and its been working to develop its own version, named GoLo, alongside a South African company, LogiChem. Its this technology, based on the Spinning Cone, which can reduce alcohol content to just 0.02 per cent. Silverstein says the team took all the things they liked about the Spinning Cone method and removed all the elements they didnt like in order to create GoLo. We believe its a superior and more focused technology, he says. The growth of low-alcohol drinks ConeTech works with vineyards all over the world to create lifestyle and no-alcohol wines, but where its seeing the biggest growth is with beer. Craft beer is at its peak in America, and because there are so many brands out there, were getting enquiries from people wanting to do completely alcohol-free beer or a different style, where theyre trying to make it a little healthier, says Silverstein. The best non-alcoholic cocktails in London 1 /7 The best non-alcoholic cocktails in London Rickie No.17 at 45 Jermyn St. Nearly negroni at American Bar at The Savoy Flu fighters martini at Redemption Redemption Bar by Andrea Waters and Catherine Salway, Kyle Books. Photography by Catherine Gratwicke. Pura sangre at Nightjar Glossy at Connaught Bar Watermelon, pink peppercorn and habanero agua fresca at Ella Canta Nettle fizz at The Zetter Townhouse Another burgeoning trend in the US is cannabis-infused wine or beer. As the legalisation of recreational marijuana spreads across the US and Canada, vineyards are asking ConeTech to remove the alcohol from the liquids, which they can then infuse with cannabis. Its a whole new world that were learning about, says Novograd. However youre planning to drink it, Novograd says the key is to ensure youre starting with a good quality wine before you attempt to remove the alcohol. When you remove all the alcohol, you can really gut the wine. Thats why weve spent years studying what wines work best you need high-quality, good wines to produce the best quality end product. Cheers to that. Three low and no-alcohol wines ConeTech has helped to create Sumika Created by a South African vineyard, Sumika wines are low-alcohol, at only 8.5 per cent. Available in Sauvignon blanc, Shiraz and Rose, you can find Sumika wines in M&S. Almost Zero Almost Zero has, you guessed it, almost zero alcohol content, at 0.33 per cent. Made from Sauvignon blanc, the wine complements sushi, salads or any summer fare. Lautus Ukroboronprom Orders Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAVs for the Ukrainian Army (Source: Ukroboronprom; issued Jan 12, 2019) (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) In a further sign of Turkeys burgeoning defense industry, Ukraine has agreed to buy an undisclosed number of Bayraktar TB2 tactical unmanned aircraft, weighing around 500 kg and capable of carrying guided missiles, as visible here. The state-owned company Ukrspetsexport, part of the Ukroboronprom, has signed an agreement with Baykar Makina, a Turkish company, for the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicles. According to the agreement, the Ukrainian army will soon receive a batch of Bayraktar TB2 drones, a significant stock of high-precision and conventional armaments, training for operators and technicians, and warranty services for several years. "As we have agreed with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an agreement was signed for the purchase of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aircraft for the Ukrainian army, which will also be equipped with up-to-date high-precision missile weapons to destroy armored vehicles, engineering structures and fortifications, as well as naval missions, said President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. At the same time, at the Zaporizhzhya DP Ivchenko-Progress" factory, which is part of the State Enterprise "Ukroboronprom", the joint Ukrainian-Turkish enterprise for the production of components for unmanned technology, including engines and avionics, is pursuing development. Video footage uploaded by State Concern Ukroboronprom on Jan. 12 Bayraktar TB2 is an operational, tactical-level strike drone with a wingspan of 12 meters, and endurance of 24 hours, and a mission range of 150 km. Such characteristics were achieved thanks to the widespread use of composite materials and the economical Rotax 912 engine. The maximum take-off weight of this drone is 560 kg, with a maximum payload of 50 kg. This allows Bayraktar TB2 to be equipped with modern high-precision missiles to engage armored vehicles, engineering and fortification facilities, as well as for naval missions. In addition, Bayraktar TB2 is equipped with an automatic take-off and landing system, which greatly simplifies its operation. At present, the State Enterprise "Ukroboronprom" is working on further deepening of cooperation with the defense companies of the Republic of Turkey. A number of joint Ukrainian-Turkish projects are now being implemented, including the development of the An-188 transport aircraft, the integration of Ukrainian defense equipment in Turkish armored vehicles, the supply of secured digital communications to Ukraine, etc. -ends- Idahos governor was on hand Wednesday to help break ground for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories 140,000-square-foot printed circuit board factory in Moscow, welcoming one of the few new plants of its kind to be built in the United States in the last decade. T he UKs mild January weather looks set to come to an end this week with a blast of Arctic air expected to see temperatures plunge below freezing. Overnight frosts and the possibility of rain showers turning snow are forecast from Wednesday. After a mild Monday and Tuesday, temperatures are expected to reach freezing overnight for much of the country and could plunge as low as -5C in rural areas of Scotland. Meteorologist Bonnie Diamond, from the Met Office, said the cold polar air from the northwest will switch to a colder Arctic airflow from the north. "Through Wednesday a polar maritime air mass is going to push in from the west but by the time we get to Thursday it will be an Arctic air mass," she said. Northeast Scotland saw some snowfall on Monday, and expected rain showers could turn to snow by Friday in western parts of the UK, she added. Average daytime temperatures in the south of England will struggle to rise above 6C. While this is the average for January, Ms Diamond said the contrast after such a mild January will have people reaching for their warmest coats and thermals. Washington Snow: January 2019 - In Pictures 1 /22 Washington Snow: January 2019 - In Pictures People participate in a snowball fight on the National Mall in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images Snow from Winter Storm Gia falls over the White House Reuters People and children ride sleds at the US Capitol in Washington EPA Snow blankets a statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square with the White House behind in Washington EPA People ride snowboards and sleds at the US Capitol in Washington EPA Children play in the snow at the US Capitol in Washington EPA A man passes the Washington Monument while using a kite to snowboard on the National Mall during a winter storm AFP/Getty Images A Secret Service agent clears snow off a patrol car on Pennsylvania Ave in front of the White House in Washington EPA People visit Capitol Hill during a winter storm AFP/Getty Images The White House is seen as snow continues to fall AP People sled on Capitol Hill during a winter storm AFP/Getty Images People engage in a snowball fight on the National Mall during a winter storm AFP/Getty Images Tourists photograph a snowman by the Washington Monument on the National Mall during a winter storm AFP/Getty Images People participate in a snowball fight on the National Mall in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images Snow is cleared at the White House EPA A jogger runs by the Lincoln Memorial AFP/Getty Images Rare tourists walk by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool as snow is accumulating in Washington DC AFP/Getty Images A family sleds down the West Front of the US Capitol as snow continues to fall in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images A hawk lifts off after catching its prey in the snow on the National Mall EPA A snowman family on Capitol Hill AP Snow hits the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument Reuters Joggers run on Constitution avenue AFP/Getty Images "Other than the odd cold snap for some parts for the first half of January it has been relatively mild but this week is a transition to colder weather for the entire country and will be noticeable for all of us and we're going to really feel the switch to colder temperatures," she said. The Met Office has said there are signs cold air from the east could make its way to the UK by the end of the month and into February, but cautioned that this does not automatically mean the return of the so-called Beast from the East which brought heavy snowfall. Ms Diamond said: "Just because the wind is coming from the east does not necessarily mean we are going to see a repeat of last year." Z oe Ball today arrived for her first slot on Radio 2s flagship breakfast show clutching a bag with the logo hold it together written across it. The presenter had previously said she had suffered from anxiety dreams over her new challenge. But entering BBCs Wogan House in central London at 5.30am dressed all in black, she said she had slept well last night and was looking forward to getting on with her first show after taking over from Chris Evans. Smiling and waving she breezed into the building after jumping out of a taxi. She entered the building, just off Great Portland Street, where a Radio 2 logo had been laid outside to mark the broadcasters first day. Zoe Ball arrives for her first breakfast show on Radio 2 / Jeremy Selwyn Ball, 48, said: I slept well and and cant wait to get on with it, come on! Of her plans for the breakfast slot, she said: There will be lots of new things - I cant wait. She had said of the lead up time to the show: I am so excited but that hasnt stopped the anxiety dreams. I saw Lauren Laverne in Wogan House last week, and we compared [our anxiety dreams], so it makes me feel that Im not on my own. She kicked off her first Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 by playing Respect by Aretha Franklin. She introduced the show: "Hello. My name is Zoe. How's your belly off for spots? Good morning Radio 2 superstar listeners, here we go. "And, relax. All the build-up, and the chat and the pre-amble, the big day is finally here." After the song played, she said: "First record, I hope you approve. It had to be a dame on this occasion." K atie Price has faced criticism online after sharing photos of her newly refurbished home, shortly after telling a judge that she would be unable to pay a 1,100 fine for driving while disqualified and without insurance. The former glamour model, who previously admitted that she had let things go at her West Sussex home on her reality show My Crazy Life, posted pictures of her newly decorated living room and hallway on her Instagram account. The images showed off dramatic light fittings, sparkling glitter wallpaper and a brand new sofa. So well chuffed with my house how its come together and love my new sofa @tradepricesofaswalesuk, Price wrote. Price appeared at Crawley Magistrates Court last week, where she pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. She had been spotted driving on the A24 near her home in West Sussex on July 25 while her six month driving ban was still in place. Her defence Paul Macaulay told the court that Price had mistakenly believed that the ban had been imposed after an earlier hearing in January, meaning it would have ended at the start of July, before the incident took place. Trolled: Katie Price fans hit out at her for getting a new dog / Katie Price She was banned from driving for a further three months and fined 1,100, but reportedly told the magistrate that she would need more time in order to pay the charge. She was then issued with a 14-day collection order, meaning that the fine must be paid within a fortnight. The stars followers did not hold back as they slammed her for focusing on the new additions to her home so soon after her court appearance. Katie Price given fresh ban for driving while disqualified So how about pay your fines and then show me your new sofa? one comment read. @officialkatieprice arent you supposed to be broke? another user asked. Amazing how does someone whos spared bankruptcy afford a very expensive looking new sofa? a third weighed in. Katie Price - In pictures 1 /46 Katie Price - In pictures Instagram/katieprice @katieprice Jeff Spicer/Getty Images Katie Price: Harvey & Me Glen Gratton SplashNews.com @zoejamesmua PA Wire/PA Images The Adventures of Katie and Carl Fluffy style Katie at a film premiere in London in February Dave Benett Crisis talks Katie Price and Derrick Pountney after crisis talks via Showbiz Bang Loved up Katie Price with husband Kieran Hayler, who had an affair with her best friend Katie Price Twitter Image Shining in silver The model pictured at a screening of a Lego film which she attended with her children (Picture: Sean Dempsey/PA) Sean Dempsey/PA Wire Extravagant Katie Price poses with a copy of her autobiography - Love, Lipstick And Lies - in one of her famously extravagant attires (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Angel Katie Price at aphotocall to launch her new venture KP Rocks (Picture: Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images My Little Pony Katie Price wore a strange pink horse outfit for the fifth birthday of her equestrian school PA Riding in Katie riding a horse for a book launch in London Ferdaus Shamim/Getty Images Cooling off Katie Price poses in a bikini in the I'm A Celebrity shower ITV/Rex Features Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Bongarts/Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Her posts came shortly after Price received similar criticism for showing off her new German Shepherd puppy, which is thought to have cost her around 1,000. However, others took a more positive approach to Prices latest post, branding it an improvement from previous shots of the stars home. Well done Katie it looks amazing! Should be proud, one supporter wrote. B ritish stars Olivia Colman, Claire Foy and Christian Bale triumphed at the Critics Choice awards after their Golden Globes success. The Favourite star Colman picked up the best actress in a comedy gong, beating Emily Blunt, Elsie Fisher, Rachel McAdams, Charlize Theron and Constance Wu. Colman, who will play Queen Elizabeth II in the new series of The Crown, was also nominated in the outright best actress category. Bale won best actor in a comedy movie and best actor for his role in political biopic Vice. Christian Bale accepts Best Actor for 'Vice' at the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards / Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Critics' Choice Awards The actor under went a drastic transformation to play former US vice president Dick Cheney in the Adam McKay-directed film, hitting the headlines last week for thanking Satan for his "inspiration" to play the role after winning a Golden Globe. Foy added to her extensive awards collection, having previously won a Golden Globe and Emmy, when she received the #SeeHer award in recognition of her contribution to women in film. Giving a powerful speech on stage, she said: "I accept this award as an encouragement to myself to be brave enough to face and see myself, and by doing, hopefully, I can understand and see others, and ultimately I can help others to see themselves." Speaking backstage after picking up the honour, Foy revealed where she keeps her trophies. She said: My mum has one, I have a few and one is in the toilet. Winner: Lady Gaga scooped the Best Original Song award for Shallow / Getty Images Crazy Rich Asians won best comedy, ahead of Deadpool 2, The Death Of Stalin, The Favourite, Game Night and Sorry To Bother You. Lady Gaga paid a tearful tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star Bradley Cooper as she won best original song for Shallow, the hit song from the musical drama. She said: "I'll never forget playing it for Bradley for the first time and seeing his face light up and then singing it live together, take after take." Cooper, who made his directorial debut on the movie, missed out on the best director gong, which instead went to Roma filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron Select list of winners: Best young actor/actress - Elsie Fisher Best supporting actor in a film - Mahershala Ali Best supporting actress - Regina King Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie - A Quiet Place Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series - Ben Whishaw Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series - Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects) Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series - DRAW Amy Adams - (Sharp Objects) and Patricia Arquette (Escape At Dannemora) Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series - Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) Best Movie Made for TV - Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Henry Winkler (Barry) Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Bill Hader (Barry) Best Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Thandie Newton (Westworld) Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Noah Emmerich (The Americans) Best Actress in a Drama Series - Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) Best Actor in a Drama Series - Matthew Rhys (The Americans) Best Drama Series - The Americans Best Song - Shallow (A Star Is Born) Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie - A Quiet Place Best Actress in a Comedy - Olivia Colman (The Favourite) Best Actor in a Comedy - Christian Bale (Vice) Best comedy - Crazy Rich Asians Best Visual Effects - Black Panther Best Adapted Screenplay - Barry Jenkins (If Beale Street Could Talk) Best Original Screenplay - Paul Schrader (First Reformed) Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron (Roma) Best Actress - DRAW Glenn Close (The Wife) and Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) Best Actor - Christian Bale (Vice) S tormy Daniels is suing a number of police officers for $2 million (1.5 million) over her arrest at a strip club last summer. The porn stars defamation lawsuit alleged that the officers conspired to retaliate against her due to her claims she had sex with Donald Trump. According to the lawsuit, the four officers were supporters of the US leader who saw an opportunity to defame Daniels after they learned she planned to perform at Sirens men's club in Ohio. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was arrested in July on suspicion of inappropriately touching a female undercover officer. Two other club members were also arrested. Stormy Daniels, left, pictured with lawyer Michael Avenatti / Getty Images The 10-year-old law used to arrest Daniels means dancers at "sexually oriented" businesses are prohibited from touching customers and vice versa. Prosecutors dropped charges against Daniels hours later, saying the law cited in her arrest applied only to those who regularly performed at the club. The lawsuit was filed by Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, a frequent critic of Mr Trump who at one time considered running for president Stormy Daniels, the porn star who claims to have slept with Donald Trump over a decade ago / AFP/Getty Images The officers "believed that Ms Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding President Trump", according to the lawsuit. Officers also believed arresting Daniels would damage her credibility in any future remarks she made about the president, the lawsuit said. The police department declined comment while an internal investigation of the city vice squad continues Last year, city law chief Zach Klein called the law used to arrest Daniels "glaringly inequitable" because its applicability depends on how regularly the employee performs and should not be enforced. He also said employees who touch police are not in violation because on-duty public officials are not legally considered patrons. "We're aware of the lawsuit and are working to determine the best course of action for the city," said Meredith Tucker, a Klein spokeswoman. The two dancers arrested with Daniels have filed a similar lawsuit. A Polish mayor was fighting for his life today after being stabbed on stage during a charity event in an attack condemned as an act of inexcusable barbarity by European leaders. Pawel Adamowicz, 53, mayor of Gdansk, fell clutching his stomach after being repeatedly knifed by a convicted criminal last night in the city. Doctors resuscitated Mr Adamowicz on the spot and transported him to the hospital, where he had five hours of surgery in which he was given 41 units of blood. One of the surgeons, Dr Tomasz Stefaniak, said Mr Adamowicz was in very, very serious condition after he suffered a serious wound to the heart, a wound to the diaphragm and to the internal organs. Barbaric: the attacker on stage brandishing a knife / AFP/Getty Images After the attack, the assailant shouted from the stage that he had been wrongly jailed under a previous national government led by Civic Platform, the party which the mayor once belonged to. He said his name was Stefan and that I was jailed but innocent Civic Platform tortured me. Thats why Adamowicz just died. Police said the suspect, who was arrested, was a 27-year-old recently released from prison for bank robberies. A spokesman said the attacker appeared to be mentally ill, and gained access to the area with a media badge. It is not clear how he acquired the credential. A man holding a knife shouts on the stage just after the attack / REUTERS Television footage shows Mr Adamowicz on stage with a sparkler in hand, telling the audience that it had been a wonderful day before the attacker rushes towards him. Mr Adamowicz is known as a progressive voice. Jerzy Owsiak, head of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, which organised the Lights to Heaven fundraiser, is a liberal critic of the right-wing government. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was shocked by the attack and expressed solidarity with the city he leads, his family and supporters We are praying for his swift recovery. Polands prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, said: The attack is worthy of the highest condemnation. Interior minister Joachim Brudzinski said it was an act of inexcusable barbarity. A Polish mayor has died today after being stabbed on stage during a charity event in an attack condemned as an act of inexcusable barbarity by European leaders. Pawel Adamowicz, 53, mayor of Gdansk, fell clutching his stomach after being repeatedly knifed by a convicted criminal last night in the city. He was attending the finale of the annual Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity event, which raises money for childrens' hospitals, when the attack took place. Doctors resuscitated Mr Adamowicz on the spot and transported him to the hospital, where he had five hours of surgery in which he was given 41 units of blood. People gathered outside the Medical Centre where Mr Adamowicz later died / Agencja Gazeta/Michal Ryniak/REUTERS Polish President Andrzej Duda paid tribute to the politician on Twitter. He said: "Mr. President Pawe Adamowicz has gone. "I combine regret and prayer with his closest friends and all men of good will. "Please Lord God support for the deceased family. An ambulance believed to be carrying mayor of Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz rushes to hospital / EPA "Hostility and violence brought tragedy and pain. We are not allowed to reconcile." Police seized a Kandar military knife with 14.5 cm long blade from his alleged 27-year-old attacker, who has been named by them as Stefan W and has been detained. He reportedly said the Civic Platform party, which led the previous government and had supported Mr Adamowicz's re-election, had wrongfully imprisoned him. He was jailed for five years and six months but was released from prison in December, according to the police. Mr Adamowicz had been mayor for 20 years / EPA They said he had accessed the stage using a media badge, and they are investigating how he acquired it. Mr Adamowicz had been mayor of the city for 20 years. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also paid tribute to Mr Adamowicz on Twitter in a touching Polish message. He said: "A devastating loss for the inhabitants of Gdansk, friends and family of President Adamowicz and all of us who value public service, progressive policy and open, accessible to all democracy. I n all the years Ive been coming to Paris, Ive never seen it as empty as it was this past weekend. Bridges across the Seine were closed to traffic; armed police stood on street corners in the upmarket 8th arrondissement; shops and restaurants along the Avenue George V boarded up their windows from first light; dozens of police vans lined the bank of the Rive Gauche. Such is the expectation of weekend violence now, news of an early-morning explosion in a bakery, which killed at least four people, was immediately assumed to be linked to the protests. No coincidence Im sure that both the prime minister and interior minister were on the scene within the hour. It was quickly established to be a huge gas leak, not a deliberate act, but the emergency services, already on high alert, were unexpectedly having to manage another major incident. A general view shows debris and car wreckage following the explosion of a bakery on the corner of the streets Saint-Cecile and Rue de Trevise / AFP/Getty Images By mid-afternoon the riot police were firing tear gas and stun grenades at protesters in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe. I watched a group dig up the cobbles of the Champs-Elysees to use as missiles. The water cannon turned its hose on them. In previous weeks shops have been looted and cars set on fire. A protester returns a tear gas canister during a demonstration of the "yellow vests" movement in Strasbourg / REUTERS There was none of that on Saturday, but the overall numbers were greater than the previous week 84,000 nationwide, 8,000 of them in the capital. The Gilets Jaunes movement isnt running out of energy. The rioting takes the headlines, but it is caused by a relatively small number who could probably pick a fight in an empty room. Behind those violent provocateurs is an angry national movement of many thousands, determined to peacefully force change. French Gendarmes stand near a fire during a demonstration / REUTERS What started as a protest against fuel tax has, over nine weeks, become a jumble of inconsistent demands coalesced around a general principle of fairness. And yet, despite a lack of leadership and focus, they do appear to be turning the dial. President Macron has been forced to concede ground and might need to give more. He has raised the minimum wage, frozen a planned rise in fuel taxes and now promised a national debate starting this week town hall meetings across the country to discuss taxes, green energy, institutional reform and citizenship. Expectation though is low. For many of the protesters Macron himself is the very problem he is seen as aloof, privileged and imperial the gilets jaunes now want to bring down his Jupiterian Presidency and wont settle for anything less. By yesterday morning Paris was peaceful again, still unusually quiet but no longer resembling a city under siege. The yellow vests had gone for another week but the deep divisions between Frances urban elite and rural poor remain. From his official residence in the Elysee Palace, Emmanuel Macron will have heard the protests. So is the young president listening or will the revolution live on? A female panda celebrated her first birthday at the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur. The unnamed giant panda is the daughter of female Liang Liang and male Xing Xing, who are on a 10-year loan to Malaysia from China. The youngster marked her birthday with a cake made of ice in front of adoring visitors. The cake was decorated with a giant number "one" and carrots on top. Their first cub, Nuan Nuan, born four years ago, has been returned to China. P resident Donald Trump has threatened Turkey with economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in northern Syria following his planned withdrawal of US troops. The direct warning by Mr Trump to a Nato ally further raised tensions in the region. In a tweet, the US president wrote: Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS [Islamic State] territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone. Mr Trump also warned the Kurds not to inflame the situation adding: Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Mr Trump did not say how he would target the Turkish economy. He mentioned the creation of a 20-mile safe zone, which suggests the US is seeking to negotiate a buffer area as part of an agreement to protect Kurdish fighters once around 2,000 US troops have left. Relations between Washington and Ankara have become increasingly strained over US support for the Kurdish YPG militia in northern Syria. American forces have fought alongside them against IS. Turkey regards the YPG as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought for autonomy in Turkey for three decades. The YPG denies any direct organisational links to the PKK. Terrorists cant be your partners & allies, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin responded today. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pictured with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is in Saudi Arabia on a tour of the Middle East / AP Turkey expects the US to honour our strategic partnership and doesnt want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda, he added. Mr Trump surprised his Nato partners last month by declaring that the mission to defeat IS in Syria had been completed and he would bring troops home. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is in Saudi Arabia on a tour of the Middle East to try to reassure allies that the pull-out has been thought through. Mr Pompeo said at the weekend that he was optimistic a deal could be reached with Turkey. He said the US acknowledged the Turkish peoples right and Mr [president] Erdogans right to defend their country from terrorists. We also know that those fighting alongside us for all this time deserve to be protected as well, he added. P olice rescue teams were today in a desperate race against time to try to locate a two-year-old boy who fell down a 350ft well. The boy, named only as Yulen, disappeared down the 15-inch wide hole as his family prepared a paella with friends. One relative told police they heard him crying seconds after he vanished. Emergency services have been working throughout the night at the country property near Malaga on the Costa del Sol. A camera lowered into the well failed to capture images or sound from the boy, although a blockage which is thought to be a small landslide of wet sand has been spotted 250ft down. Spanish Civil Guard agents work near the well / EPA A bag of sweets Yulen was carrying which caught on the well wall when he fell has been found. It was not clear if there is water at the bottom of the hole, which was reportedly created in December by prospectors before being covered over with stones. The alarm was raised at about 2pm yesterday. Yulens parents, a couple in their twenties who live in Malagas El Palo neighbourhood, were with friends who own a country property near the village of Totalan. Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez tweeted: I share the anguish of the family of the two-year-old. All my support for the parents and the emergency teams who are participating in the rescue. We continue to hope for the best outcome. A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian man to death in a sudden retrial in a drug smuggling case. The court in north-eastern Liaoning province said it had given Robert Lloyd Schellenberg the death penalty after rejecting his plea of innocence and convicting him of being an accessory to drug smuggling. His sentencing is likely to escalate tensions between the countries over the arrest of a top Chinese technology executive. Schellenberg's fate could become intertwined in diplomatic negotiations over China's demand for the top executive's release. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was concerned that China chose to "arbitrarily" apply the death penalty to a Canadian citizen. The comments are Mr Trudeau's strongest yet against China. Schellenberg was detained more than four years ago and initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2016. But suddenly last month, an appeals court agreed with prosecutors who said the sentence was too lenient, and scheduled Monday's retrial with just four days' notice. The Chinese press began publicising Schellenberg's case in December after Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, on December 1 at the request of the United States. Since then, China has arrested two Canadians in apparent retaliation for Meng's arrest. Both Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a businessman, were arrested on vague national security allegations. A Canadian teacher was detained but released. Schellenberg's lawyer Zhang Dongshuo said his client now has 10 days to appeal. Mr Zhang said he argued in the one-day trial on Monday that there was insufficient evidence to prove his client's involvement in the drug smuggling operation. He added that prosecutors had not introduced new evidence to justify a heavier sentence. "This is a very unique case," Mr Zhang said. He said the swiftness of the proceedings - with a retrial held so soon after it was ordered - was unusual, but declined to comment on whether it was related to Meng's arrest. Schellenberg had been prepared for a more severe punishment so he maintained a calm demeanour in court, Mr Zhang said. The court said it ruled on Monday that Schellenberg was involved in an international drug smuggling operation. It said he was recruited to help smuggle more than 222kg of methamphetamine from a warehouse in Dalian city to Australia. A Chinese person convicted of involvement in the same operation was earlier given a suspended death sentence. Fifty people, including Canadian diplomats and foreign and domestic media, attended Monday's trial, the court said in an online statement. In 2009, China executed a Briton, Akmal Shaikh, on charges of smuggling heroin despite his supporters' protest that he was mentally ill. Earlier on Monday, China said Kovrig, the former Canadian diplomat detained in December, does not enjoy diplomatic immunity, rejecting a complaint from Mr Trudeau that the man's rights were being denied. Mr Trudeau said last week that Chinese officials were not respecting Kovrig's diplomatic immunity. However, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that Kovrig is no longer a diplomat and entered China on an ordinary passport and business visa. "According to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations and international law, he is not entitled to diplomatic immunity," Ms Hua said at a daily briefing. Kovrig, a North East Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank, took a leave of absence from the Canadian government. Washington wants Meng - the daughter of Huawei's founder - extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. She is out on bail in Canada and awaiting a bail extradition proceeding next month. China's ambassador to Canada accused the country last week of "white supremacy" in calling for the release of the two Canadians, while describing the detentions as an "act of self-defence". However, Ms Hua said the allegation that China arbitrarily detained Canadian citizens is "totally groundless". On Friday, Poland arrested a Huawei director and one of its own former cyber security experts and charged them with spying for China. That comes amid a US campaign to exert pressure on its allies not to use Huawei, the world's biggest maker of telecommunications network equipment, over data security concerns. Poland's move has raised concerns over the safety of its nationals in China, although Ms Hua appeared to brush off such worries, emphasising China's desire for the "sound and steady" development of relations with Poland. "As long as the foreign citizens in China abide by Chinese laws and regulations, they are welcomed and their safety and freedom are guaranteed," Ms Hua said. A lucky group of first class travellers on Cathay Pacific have scored their seats at economy prices, the second time the airline has made the fare blunder in a month. Ticket prices from Portugal to Hong Kong, usually priced at 12,500, were sold instead for 1,173. The carrier said in a statement it would honour the tickets, according to the South China Morning Post. It is the second time a fare blunder has hit the airline in two weeks. It extends a recent run of blows for the firm, including a huge data breach. "We are looking into the root cause of this incident both internally and externally with our vendors," a spokesman for Cathay Pacific said. "For the very small number of customers who have purchased these tickets, we look forward to welcoming you on board to enjoy our premium services." Two weeks ago another group of lucky flyers travelled business class from Vietnam to New York for about 526 return. The tickets should have cost $12,500. The airline owned its mistake and said it would honour the ticket fares. In October, the firm was the subject of a data breach in its IT systems, jeopardising the personal information of up to 9.4 million passengers. A merican air traffic controllers have received hundreds of pizzas from their Canadian counterparts as the partial shutdown of the US government continues. The industry-wide show of support began on Thursday when employees at Edmontons control centre took up a collection to buy pizzas for controllers in Anchorage, Alaska. Peter Duffey, head of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, said other facilities across the country then joined in and the idea snowballed. "The next thing we knew, our members were buying pizzas left, right and centre for the colleagues in the US," Mr Duffey said. "As it stands right now, I believe we're up to 36 facilities that have received pizza from Canada, and that number is growing by the hour." Since the ongoing government shutdown that began in late December, 10,000 air traffic controllers in the United States have been working without pay. Mr Duffey estimated that as of Sunday afternoon, 300 pizzas had been received by American controllers, many of whom took to social media to express their gratitude. He said many union members had been looking for a way to show solidarity with their American colleagues. "Air traffic control is a very stressful job," he said. T heresa May has suffered a crushing defeat on her Brexit deal in the Commons, with MPs voting it down by 432 votes to 202. The Prime Minister responded to the rout by telling the Commons: The House has spoken and the Government will listen. In a major shift of policy, she promised to let the Commons debate other ideas, such as softer Brexit plans. Some experts have predicted the country risks crashing out of the EU without a deal after the PM suffered the defeat. MPs are divided on the plans, with some ardent Leavers arguing that a no deal Brexit is not something to be scared of. So what is a no deal Brexit and how could it affect the UK? What is a no deal Brexit? A no deal Brexit means the UK would leave the EU without having secured a formal withdrawal agreement. The UK is set to formally leave the EU on March 29, 2019. What happens if the deal fails to win support in Westminster? Anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray stands on the pavement outside the Houses of Parliament / AFP/Getty Images There are a number of scenarios that could take place, one of which is for Mrs May to present a "plan B" to Parliament - but she will have just three working days to do this. Mrs May is unlikely to resign before Brexit, having consistently ruled out this option. Another option is for her to head back to Brussels for more talks, but the EU has repeatedly said it will not reopen negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement. She could ask for an extension of Article 50, meaning Britain would leave at a later date, and could even reverse Brexit by halting Article 50 - but this is not supported by either the Tories or Labour. Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence against Mrs May after losing the vote, meaning a General Election could now take place. Some MPs, such as Dominic Grieve and Chuka Umunna, are setting a Peoples Vote as their priority and want a second referendum on the terms of a Brexit deal. A second referendum could also give the public the chance to decide whether it still wanted to go ahead with withdrawal. Another option, which some MPs are pushing for, would be a no-deal Brexit - meaning the UK would leave on March 29 without a deal. What will happen in the event of a no deal Brexit? Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier rejected the Chequers proposal / AFP/Getty Images Dr Simon Usherwood, a reader in politics at the University of Surrey, told the i that when the UK leaves the EU, "everything associated with that would come to an end". "[A no deal] doesnt stop the UK leaving but it means there is absolutely no clarity about what happens," he added. In reality, a no deal scenario would mean there would be no transition period for consumers, businesses and public bodies and they would have to respond immediately to the changes. This scenario would allow Britain to try and broker trade deals with other countries, but they take years to complete. But it would mean the country would not be legally obliged to pay the 39 billion divorce bill. Under the current deal, the UK can only implement trade deals with other countries after the transition period. The transition period would allow Britain to make new trade deals with the EU but in a no deal situation, there would be no adjustment time to allow for changes in laws or negotiations for trading deals. What affect would a no-deal Brexit have on Britain? Theresa May said today that MPs will be judged 'when the history books are written' / AFP/Getty Images EU nationals living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU could see their residency rights disappear overnight and become subject to domestic immigration rules. Britain would be able to set a control on immigration and in return Europe could retaliate. A no deal Brexit threatens to put pressure on the Good Friday agreement, as the EU would want Ireland to impose customs and other checks on its border with Northern Ireland which neither want to do. Tariffs would be imposed on goods that the UK sends to the EU and the same for goods that the EU sends to the UK. Tariffs on agricultural products could be as high as 60 per cent. Britain would also exit the single market for goods and agriculture which could result in red tape for businesses. Customs checks at ports would affect the supply of food and goods and there are fears of long queues at borders and disruption to air travel. Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned that house prices could plummet by a third over three years and that homeowners could be left with negative equity and spiralling mortgage rates. UK Driving licences may not work abroad and British passport holders could run into difficulty. It would affect Britain's trade, immigration and customs rules which are aligned with the EU. A Love Island star and one of the countrys best-known female academics have joined forces thanks to the Evening Standard. Camilla Thurlow, who finished as runner-up in the 2017 series of the reality show, has worked with TV historian Professor Bettany Hughes on a film highlighting the plight of landmine victims. The hour-long documentary, What Camilla Did Next, follows the former humanitarian worker, 29, as she returns to Cambodia, where she worked for the Halo Trust de-mining charity. The partnership came about after Thurlow read an article in the Evening Standard which led her to make contact with the historian. The Love Island star has joined forces with Bettany Hughes, whose article she read in the Standard in October 2017 In the report, Professor Hughes, who has presented documentaries on Greek and Roman history and other topics, said she was setting up a TV company to counter the super-sexualised portrayal of women in history, by shifting the focus on to their talents. Thurlow said she had emailed her agent after reading it, asking to be put in touch with the historian and she and Professor Hughes met soon afterwards to discuss working together. Professor Hughes's article in the Standard The film, produced by Professor Hughess media company SandStone Global, was the result. It is due to be broadcast later this month on ITVBe. Thurlow said: I remember reading the article so clearly. She was completely right about how women have been represented, and what she wanted to do was exactly what I wanted too. Very often female achievements are discussed at the same time as their style and their looks, and their achievements are not given the most emphasis or taken as seriously as they should. The film is about trying to show that we can be multi-dimensional, 360-degree people. Thurlow finished as runner-up in the 2017 series of Love Island / PA In the programme, Thurlow helps explode a landmine and talks to people living with injuries or the threat of harm from the thousands of unexploded devices which continue to endanger swathes of Cambodia. The problem built up over decades of civil war, which included the rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, when hundreds of thousands of Cambodians died at sites that became known as the Killing Fields. The film also captures the fears of her boyfriend Jamie Jewitt, whom she met on Love Island, as she departs on the potentially dangerous trip. Thurlow added: One of my main hopes is that the film raises awareness of the incredibly sad situation in Cambodia and other places affected by the remnants of war. Professor Hughes, who has written books on subjects ranging from Helen of Troy to Istanbul and is about to film a series on Cleopatra, said that working with Thurlow had been amazing, adding: She wanted to help with the research, on the production, shes a real mucker-in. We really got on. It was the Standard as matchmaker and this film is the result. A no-deal Brexit threatens the global success story of the UKs major orchestras, according to a report. The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) warned that potential new tariffs and visa regulations would make touring more expensive, while possible restrictions on European musicians working in Britain would also reduce the amount of talent available. ABO director Mark Pemberton said his members, including 65 professional orchestras, were most worried about the potential impact on touring. He added: British orchestras, and particularly the London orchestras, are a global success story touring across the major continents and forging new markets in emerging economies. Touring is intrinsic to the orchestral business model and the imposition of work permits, carnets and other tariffs and barriers will damage our members ability to serve as cultural ambassadors for the UK. He said there were fears that contracts already signed for European shows after the proposed Brexit date left orchestras open to additional costs and potential breach of contract if border delays meant they could not play. TODO: define component type apester It was in the best interests of the classical music industry for the UK to stay in the single market and keep freedom of movement, he added. Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra music director, previously raised concerns over Brexit, saying: There are probably going to be travel nightmares it will be difficult. A spokeswoman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport said: The cultural and creative sectors are two of the UKs greatest success stories [Brexit] will not change that. "Weve been clear we want to pursue an ambitious new agreement on culture that reflects the close bond between UK and EU citizens. A group of MPs and campaigners are calling for misogyny to be made a hate crime. A letter by gender equality the Fawcett Society urges police to criminalise prejudice against women. MPs Jo Swinson, Stella Creasy and Peter Bottomley, former home secretary Jacqui Smith, womens rights campaigner Helen Pankhurst and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping are among those to have signed the letter. It has been sent to Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick and National Police Chiefs Council chair chief constable Sara Thornton. Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: "We have to recognise how serious misogyny is. It is at the root of violence against women and girls. "Yet it is so common that we don't see it. Instead it is dismissed and trivialised. "By naming it as a hate crime we will take that vital first step." Analysis of crime figures by the Fawcett Society estimated there were around 67,000 incidents of hate crime based on gender last year - with 57,000 of those being targeted at women. Ms Smethers added: "This data should be a wake-up call to all of us, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. "Women are routinely targeted with abuse and threats online and in our streets. "We know that black women, Muslim women and Jewish women are particularly affected. The way we tackle hate crime must reflect that." In a statement responding to the letter, Chief Constable Thornton said recording misogyny as a hate crime "cannot be prioritised when policing is so stretched". She added: "The core policing that the public tell us they care about most is seriously stretched. "We do not have the resources to do everything that is desirable and deserving. "There are well reasoned arguments for recording misogyny as a hate incident, even when no crime has been committed, but it cannot be prioritised when policing is so stretched. "Protecting women and girls from violence, harassment and sexual or domestic abuse continue to be priorities for the police." Others who signed the letter include the Green Party's deputy leader Amelia Womack, Women's Aid chief executive Katie Ghose and executive director of Citizens UK Matthew Bolton. Ms Ghose said: "Domestic abuse does not just happen in a cultural vacuum. The everyday sexism that women experience daily - from the catcalls on the street through to being groped and sexually harassed in public places - creates a culture where it is ok for men to demean women. "In short, it normalises abuse. "For far too long, women have not had the confidence to report men's violence and harassment to the police for fear of not being believed or taken seriously. "It is clear that recognising misogyny as a hate crime gives survivors greater confidence that our criminal justice system will treat all forms of violence against women and girls more seriously." Hate crimes and incidents are defined as those perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic. Five strands are monitored centrally: race or ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, and transgender identity. Police in Nottinghamshire, North Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset have already adopted misogyny or gender as a form of hate crime for recording purposes. In November Ms Dick said "stretched" police forces should focus on violent crime rather than recording incidents of misogyny that are not crimes. T he most polluting log burner and open fire fuels are set to be banned as part of an ambitious strategy to tackle air pollution announced by the Environment Secretary. Michael Gove called for action on emissions from a variety of sources, including in the home, as he outlined plans to reduce peoples exposure to particulate matter thought to be the most damaging pollutant. Proposals in the Governments Clean Air Strategy include plans to legislate to prohibit the sale of the most polluting fuels and only ensure the cleanest stoves are available for sale by 2022. There will also be changes to existing smoke control legislation, as well as new powers rolled out for local authorities to take action in high pollution areas. Stoves and open fires are now the single biggest source of particulate matter emissions, according to the Department for the Environment, which intends to restrict sales of wet wood for domestic burning and apply sulphur and smoke emission limits to all solid fuels. Sales of bituminous or traditional house coal may be phased out. Ministers predict that the measures will cut the cost of air pollution to society by 1.7 billion every year by 2020, rising to 5.3 billion every year by 2030 - owing to savings from public health benefits. The UK is the first major economy to adopt goals based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, and the UN agency has praised the strategy as "an example for the rest of the world to follow". Launching the plans, Mr Gove said: "The evidence is clear. While air quality has improved significantly in recent years, air pollution continues to shorten lives, harm our children and reduce quality of life. "We must take strong, urgent action. Our ambitious strategy includes new targets, new powers for local government and confirms that our forthcoming Environment Bill will include new primary legislation on air quality. "While air pollution may conjure images of traffic jams and exhaust fumes, transport is only one part of the story and the new strategy sets out the important role all of us - across all sectors of work and society - can play in reducing emissions and cleaning up our air to protect our health." The strategy also contains plans to reduce ammonia emissions from farming, with a requirement for low emissions farming techniques and plans to regulate to minimise pollution from the use of fertilisers. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said environmental factors determine around 30% of a person's healthy life expectancy, and warned that air pollution poses the "single greatest environmental threat to human health". He added: "Breathing dirty air is associated with a host of health problems, from asthma to cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, and all too often it is the most vulnerable - children, older people and those from poorer backgrounds - who are hit hardest. In short: clean air helps you live longer. "No-one can tackle air pollution alone so it is a duty of Government to act for us all. We are determined to clean up our environment and are taking the lead with this Clean Air Strategy. "We have made strides forward over the past few years and the action we are taking today will save lives and improve the health of the nation - both for those of us here today and for generations to come." Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: "We welcome this Clean Air Strategy as a step in the right direction. "In particular, it's good to see it includes proposals to improve access to air pollution information, something many of the patients we support ask for. It also acknowledges World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines as the best standard to abide by. "However, we're disappointed that it doesn't include a clear commitment to adopt the WHO limits for particulate matter pollution in the upcoming Environment Bill. "No one should have to breathe toxic air, especially not people with a lung condition or children whose lungs are still growing. "Our current legal limits are twice as high as WHO recommendations, and too many people are still exposed to unsafe air pollution levels which puts the lung health of all of us at risk." T he Duchess of Sussex reportedly let slip the due date of her baby as she greeted well-wishers on a walkabout in Birkenhead with Prince Harry today. Meghan told a woman in the crowd that she is six months pregnant and that she expected to give birth in April, according to Mail Online. Kensington Palace had previously said that she was simply due in spring 2019. Meghan and Harry arrived in Birkenhead for a whistle-stop tour of the Merseyside town to meet local residents and visit community groups on Monday. Harry and Meghan will meet local residents and visit community groups (REUTERS) / Reuters The duchess - wearing a striking Babaton by Aritzia dress and a stunning red coat by Sentaler - cradled her growing baby bump as she greeted crowds of well-wishers who had lined the streets ahead of their visit. Speaking after her royal encounter, local woman Kim Thompson said: "She said she is six months pregnant and due at the end of April, beginning of May." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Birkenhead - In Pictures 1 /39 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Birkenhead - In Pictures The Duchess of Sussex arrives for a visit to Hamilton Square in Birkenhead Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a visit to Hamilton Square in Birkenhead PA The Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout as she visits a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death, during a visit to Birkenhead PA Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex receive a teddy bear as they visit the Hamilton Square in Birkenhead Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a visit to Hamilton Square in Birkenhead Reuters The Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout as she visits a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex receive a teddy bear as they visit the Hamilton Square in Birkenhead Reuters The Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout as she visits a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA The Duchess of Sussex meets members of the public on a visit to a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA The Duchess of Sussex, arrives in Hamilton Square during a visit to Birkenhead with her husband the Duke of Sussex PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveil a plaque as they visit a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death, during a visit to Birkenhead PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, view a new sculpture erected to mark the 100th anniversary of the poet Wilfred Owen's death, during their visit to Birkenhead AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a visit to Hamilton Square in Birkenhead Reuters The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a walkabout as they visit a new sculpture in Hamilton Square in Birkenhead to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA The Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout as she visits a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA The Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout as she visits a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA The Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout as she visits a new sculpture in Hamilton Square to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owen's death PA The Duchess of Sussex arrives for a visit to Hamilton Square in Birkenhead PA PA PA PA AP Getty Images Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Getty Images PA PA PA AP AP Getty Images AP PA PA PA PA PA PA The couple were paying their respects to acclaimed First World War poet Wilfred Owen by viewing a sculpture in the town's Hamilton Square marking the 100th anniversary of his death. It was their first royal engagement of the year, and the couple were spending the day meeting Birkenhead residents, visiting an organisation supporting women in vulnerable situations and a centre for young people. Harry and Meghan hold hands as they greet well-wishers / PA Their visit was welcomed by Frank Field, Birkenhead's MP, who said he had invited the couple to his constituency and the planned day reflected the Sussex's interests and allowed them to get a real feel for the area's people. Harry was seen with his hand tenderly placed on his wife's back. The couple began their visit by viewing a statue marking the 100th anniversary of the death of First World War poet Wilfred Owen / AFP/Getty Images The couple married just eight months ago in Windsor. The duke and duchess unveil a plaque / PA Mr Field said: "The two faces of Britain are here in Birkenhead, they are walking through the Alice in Wonderland door and visiting the other part of Britain - and they wanted to." The bronze artwork by sculptor Jim Whelan has been named after Owen's poem Futility and shows an exhausted solider sat down with his head in his hands. The couple visited the Merseyside town for their first official engagement of the year / PA Mr Field said about the poet: "He's the most important person for shaping our memory of war, it's fitting the town should have a statue that sets new standards in sculpture." They also visited Tomorrow's Women Wirral, an organisation that supports women in vulnerable circumstances, where they attended a domestic abuse discussion session and workshop. Meghan cradles her baby bump / PA It was set up in 2011 to support women on their release from prison, and now offers a range of training courses and workshops for more than 6,000 local women, including support groups around mental health issues, domestic abuse and addiction. The duke and duchess were greeted by the patron of Tomorrow's Women Wirral, Dame Lorna Muirhead, and chief executive Angela Murphy. The couple will also visit the Hive, Wirral Youth Zone, created by the charity OnSide Youth Zones, which is developing modern youth facilities across the UK. The Hive aims to provide a safe environment for young people to help them build key skills and raise their aspirations and confidence. The duke and duchess met members of the public in Hamilton Square when they viewed the new sculpture. B ritain is unlikely to leave the European Union on March 29 and the Government will be forced to extend Article 50, the Economist Intelligence Unit has predicted. The forecasting group on Monday said it expects Theresa May will lose the critical meaningful vote on her Brexit deal, forcing the Government to request an extension to Article 50. Predictions from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) suggest Brussels will agree to the deadline extension, meaning Britain will remain in the trade block beyond the planned exit date. Similar predictions were made last week by Cabinet ministers who revealed to the Standard that Brexit looks increasingly likely to be delayed beyond the scheduled exit of March 29. The EIU have predicted Theresa May will lose Tuesday's crunch vote / AFP/Getty Images Crashing out of the EU without a deal is the least likely outcome, according to EIUs forecast, which put the probability of a no-deal exit at just 5%. Instead, the EIU said there was a 40% chance Mrs May's deal would eventually be approved by Parliament in a subsequent vote, after gaining further assurances from Brussels. And it predicted a 30% probability of a second referendum being called to break the political deadlock. Danielle Haralambous, UK analyst at the EIU, said: "Time is simply running out, and we're at a stage where Brexit can probably only happen in late March now in the unlikely event that Parliament approves Mrs May's deal on January 15th, or if Parliament supports leaving without a deal. "For all other options, the Government will need to buy more time, and we think the EU will be willing to provide it to avoid a cliff-edge situation. "Mrs May and her Government are not prepared to run down the Article 50 clock and leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement and transition arrangements in place, although this remains a possible Brexit outcome later in 2019." She added: "However, delaying Brexit does not remove the downside risks to the process. TODO: define component type apester "With the time it has bought, the Government can pursue a new plan, but it will still be working towards a deadline to resolve the same deep political divisions over what Brexit should look like. "In our view, the longer this political deadlock lasts, the higher the probability of a second referendum to break it and give the UK government popular legitimacy to pursue one of the potential options." W ho governs? That was the question that was asked when Britain was in chaos in the Seventies. And its the question we might find an answer to this week. Because right now no one knows. Usually its the Government that decides what happens but things arent like that now. I rang one Cabinet minister to ask who he thought was in charge. Im not being much help, he admitted after a pause, its very obscure. When the people running the country decide to tell you that they dont know who is running the country, something strange is going on. Its as if Britain has seven dwarf governments but theres no one playing Snow White. There are the hard Brexiteers. The Prime Minister. The middle-way moderates. The referendum Remainers. Theres also Jeremy Corbyn. The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. And the EU. So which is really in power? Lets start with the hard Brexiteers people like Jacob Rees-Mogg and his untrusted convert Boris Johnson. Maybe 80 MPs, at most, think a no-deal Brexit would be anything other than a disaster. And almost everything thats happened in the Commons over the past fortnight seems to have diminished their grip. A series of votes has been won by those who want to block no deal. But if they dont have numbers on their side, they do have something else: a clock. There are only 74 days left until a Brexit date thats written into law and every day that nobody else gets a grip makes them stronger. What happens if Parliament rejects Theresa May's Brexit deal? What if Theresa Mays deal fails? Maybe no one else can find a plan to replace it or stop Brexit. Or it gets through on a second or third try? Thats just the start. It will be followed by a controversial law writing EU supremacy into a parliamentary bill. This is the sort of thing that usually takes years but it has to be passed at Westminster in the 43 working days Parliament has left before March 29. A vast array of intricate statutory instruments still have to be passed by the House of Lords, too. It might turn out to be impossible which is why theres so much talk of delaying exit. But what if the EU decides not to co-operate? Unless theres a clear route forward at Westminster the EU might not look kindly on a last-minute attempt to hold off leaving while we sort things out. And hard Brexiteers will make it as sticky as they can. As long as they can stop anyone else winning they can claim to be doing so themselves. But the Prime Minister hasnt given up. She is as terrible at explaining herself as she is at making friends, but translate her position into the language of an articulate politician and suddenly it doesnt look quite so weak. Michael Gove gave a barnstorming example in the Commons debate on Friday: a more fluent defence of her deal than shes ever managed. Mrs May is trying to do the same in Stoke-on-Trent this morning: All have a duty to implement the result of the referendum, shell say, like an exhausted headteacher. Even so, the clock could still work for her. She will go down to defeat in the vote tomorrow, although depending on which amendments are called before the formal meaningful vote the disaster could look less bad than predicted. Labour MP Hilary Benn, for instance, is pressing on with his proposal to rule out a no-deal exit with the unintended consequence that Tory Brexiteers, who hate that idea even more than they dislike Mrs Mays plan, could back the Prime Minister. TODO: define component type apester No one seems to know what she will do when she loses not the Cabinet and not her staff in No 10. But they assume that if she can she will keep trying to bring her deal back for more votes, wearing down objectors until its too late to agree anything else. Or she might try to break the logjam. She could announce that Britain will stay in the customs union. That might win over some Labour MPs though it would cost her Tories. But the stunning thing that has happened at Westminster during the past few days is the creation of what is beginning to look like the outlines of a cross-party alternative administration. This is the middle ground of unlikely herbivore revolutionaries who mostly didnt want Brexit but might tolerate it if its well-organised who arent enthused by arguments for a new referendum but who think the Prime Ministers plan is dire. They are drawing up plans to stop her playing for time by putting Parliament to work if she sets a course for no deal or just keeps serving up more of the same. A few years ago if youd suggested that Labours Yvette Cooper would end up working alongside the Tory former minister Sir Oliver Letwin youd have been given a sedative by a nurse, but thats what Mrs May has managed to bring about. This group is already winning Commons votes to take the Brexit process away from the Government: and if youre looking for evidence of who is really in control, theres nothing stronger than a Commons majority. So where could this remarkable co-operation lead? There are ministers in the Cabinet, Greg Clark, David Gauke and Amber Rudd among them, who have made it clear enough that they would quit rather than allow no deal. Maybe this group will join a growing gang of Westminsters sensibles? Put the list of Tory rebels together with Labour MPs working with Cooper and you could staff a credible government. 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 But its a big step from co-operating to plot a win in the division lobbies to evolving into a stable working group with its own agenda. This scratch team to stop a no-deal Brexit is not there yet and the Commonss liaison committee, which is now being talked up as a power base, is an infamously waffly damp squib usually. If this is a coup, it might be too cuddly to work. Theres an allied group with ambitions too: trying to stop Brexit through another referendum. Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general, has emerged as its unexpected hero. Theres plenty of crossover with others like Cooper, who hasnt backed a new referendum so far. This groups grab for the levers of control is based on a simple fact: there may be no workable middle way. This week the second referendums moment could arrive. Soon, many Labour MPs might back it. Some Conservatives, including ministers, could too. But one important man disagrees so far because he wants a different sort of control all of his own. Jeremy Corbyns interest in Brexit brightens and dims like a lightbulb with a dodgy power supply but right now hes getting the one thing out of it that he really wants chaos. Its not in Labours interests to rescue a Conservative Government from a catastrophe it created. All he has to do is sit still and wait. Hes shown that for all the talk of Labour MPs rescuing Mrs May his party has stayed solid in opposition. He could put down a confidence motion after the deals defeat the talk is that it will happen on Thursday. It wont pass now but in the end it might. There are five or six Tory MPs who wont let a Conservative Government last if things turn all Dr Strangelove. Or maybe control lies elsewhere again. The Speaker, John Bercow, doesnt care about causing con-stitutionalists palpitations. He gets to decide which amendments are called for a vote tomorrow night. Hell keep on making choices Tory Brexit ultras hate and unless they can get a majority to agree with them, which they wont, they cant do anything to stop him. Thats real control. But the irony about Brexit is that the most powerful controller of all might not be found on this side of the Channel. Its the EU that could rescue Mrs May by changing the backstop on Northern Ireland. Its the EU that may need to decide if the UK could suspend Brexit to avoid no deal, or withdraw Article 50 and give up altogether after a re-ferendum. Its the EU which could ensure that no deal doesnt happen. And that is the ultimate in control. J eremy Corbyn has tabled a vote of no confidence in the government after Theresa May's humiliating defeat on her Brexit deal. The confidence vote would allow the Commons to give its verdict on the sheer incompetence of this government, the Labour leader said in a speech following the result. MPs voted to reject the Prime Ministers controversial proposals by an enormous margin of 432 to 202, the biggest government defeat in history, on Tuesday night. As he tabled the confidence vote, which will be debated tomorrow, Mr Corbyn said the government must now accept that a no-deal Brexit is not an option. Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a no-confidence motion in the Government / AFP/Getty Images Take a look at what the motion and what it means: What is a vote of no confidence and how is the motion tabled? The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 removed the rights of governments to arbitrarily call elections when they want. Under the Act, early general elections can only take place outside of the usual five-year timeframe in two ways. Firstly, if two thirds of all MPs vote in favour of an election. Secondly, if an NCM, which must read "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government", is passed in the Commons. The House of Commons / PA Erskine May - the rule book for the Commons - states that the Government will promptly allocate time for a NCM in the Government to be debated when it is tabled by the official opposition. What happens when a vote of no confidence is passed? When a motion of no-confidence in the Government is passed, a 14-day countdown begins. If a motion of confidence, which must read "That this House has confidence in Her Majesty's Government", is not passed within 14 days then a general election will be called. According to the House of Commons' website: "The Act provides no guidance on what happens during the 14-day period following a no confidence motion under the Act being passed. "As the Clerk of the House told us what happens during this period is a matter of politics, and not of procedure." Under pressure on Brexit: Theresa May / EPA However, it adds: "If the House of Commons were to resolve by whatever means that it has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government and it cannot be recovered, the Prime Minister loses their authority to continue with their administration and must resign and leave office as soon as an alternative Prime Minster is available." Mrs May could reach out to other parties in the hope of winning the confidence motion within 14 days. However, if 14 days elapses without an alternative Government being formed or the existing one continuing, then the Queen will set a date of an early election. House of Commons When have confidence votes been tabled before? The last time a government was defeated on a confidence motion was in 1979. The Labour government led by Jim Callaghan lost the opposition motion on March 28 1979 by just one vote, 311-310. Mr Callaghan immediately announced a dissolution of parliament and a general election, which was subsequently won by the Conservatives. Since 1900 there have been only three occasions when a government has lost a vote of confidence: twice in 1924 and once in 1979. There have not been any confidence motions formally tabled in the House of Commons since 1993. The most recent example was on July 23 1993, when the Conservative government of John Major tabled a motion of confidence in itself, to shore up support following its defeat the previous day on the Maastricht Treaty Social Chapter. The government won the motion 339-299. A Tory minister has been accused of staging a photograph which revealed a briefing note warning of "no food" and "no Channel Tunnel" after a Brexit meeting. Mel Stride, the financial secretary to the Treasury and paymaster general, was photographed by political photographer Steve Back as he left a meeting in Downing Street on Monday ahead of Tuesday's crunch vote. The picture was quickly mocked online as many people speculated that the financial secretary had allowed the notes to be captured on purpose. Journalists and politicians suggested that it was a blatant attempt by Mr Stride to deliberately try to convince ministers to back Mrs May's controversial deal. The Government has repeatedly warned that a no-deal Brexit would be bad for the UK. Mr Stride was mocked mercilessly over the gaffe on Monday, which many on Twitter branded a "desperate set up". It was suspected that the message, written in large handwriting and poking out of a red file, was revealed on purpose. The Times' Sam Coates tweeted: "In super big handwriting for the cameras?" Tory Brexiteer MP Michael Fabricant said: "If ever there were a set up photo, this is one!! Desperate stuff." TODO: define component type apester While Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "This looks just a bit too obvious - the last desperate throw of the dice by a government that has lost the argument on Brexit. T heresa May has issued an eleventh-hour appeal to Tory MPs to back her Brexit deal with a warning they need to keep Jeremy Corbyn "as far away from No 10 as possible". The Prime Minister addressed a private meeting of Conservative MPs at Westminster for more than 30 minutes after making a statement to the Commons. At the meeting, she said "we have got to keep Jeremy Corbyn as far away as possible from No 10," according to Children's Minister Nadhim Zahawi. Mrs May said MPs needed to deliver on Brexit while preventing a Labour government. "To do that, we have got to come together," she said. She made a further plea to MPs for support earlier, warning the decision they make tomorrow will go down in history. "Over these next 24 hours, give this deal a second look. No it is not perfect. And yes it is a compromise," she said. Jeremy Corbyn said the Government was divided in a riposte to the Prime Minister / AFP/Getty Images "But when the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask: did we deliver on the country's vote to leave the European Union? "Did we safeguard our economy, our security and our Union? Or did we let the British people down?" She told the Commons that there would be no need "whatsoever" for an Irish border backstop, after Brussels chiefs issued a letter offering assurances that they do not want the controversial measure to be permanent. Mrs May hailed the assurances from Brussels, saying the letter made clear that if her deal was approved in the Commons on Tuesday, talks on a future relationship agreement could start immediately, giving almost two years for it to be concluded, with a possible two-year extension stretching to the end of 2022. "It is my absolute conviction that we can turn the Political Declaration into legal text in that time, avoiding the need for any backstop whatsoever," she said. She said that any deal required a Northern Ireland backstop if it was to be acceptable to the EU. "Rejecting the backstop altogether means no-deal," she said. She warned MPs who welcomed a no-deal Brexit it would strengthen the hands of those seeking Scottish independence or a united Ireland. "Surely this is the real threat to our Union," she said. At the same time if the House blocked Brexit, she said it would be a "subversion of our democracy". He told the Commons: "We were promised the easiest trade deal in history, yet we've seen a divided Government deliver a botched withdrawal deal with nothing more than a vague outline for what our future relationship with the EU will be." He added: "The Government is in disarray. It's clear, if the Prime Minister's deal is rejected tomorrow, it's time for a general election, it's time for a new government." TODO: define component type apester The MP for Dartford, which voted leave in the 2016 referendum, wrote a letter to the prime minister saying the backstop in her agreement "gives our country no clear, unilateral path out of the European Union and ensures we will be fettered in our ability to negotiate trade deals". In the Commons this afternoon Mrs May addressed MPs with around 24 hours until the vote. Tory whip Gareth Johnson quit the government to oppose her deal / PA She is facing a crushing defeat in the Commons tomorrow night after the eleventh-hour lifeline she requested from the European Union was rejected by senior MPs. Her plea for legally binding assurances on the Irish backstop issue was met with a letter that contained warm words but which MPs said fell short of a cast-iron guarantee. The letter from Brussels grandees Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker declared there was a legal value in promises given by the other 27 EU leaders at their December summit that it would work speedily towards alternative arrangements and that if the backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would only apply temporarily as a stopgap. The letter offered no changes to the withdrawal agreement reached between Mrs May and the EU, effectively ruling out a time limit or escape clause being added to the backstop. As you know, we are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the withdrawal agreement, Mr Tusk, the European Council president, and Mr Juncker, the European Commission president, wrote. But the Prime Minister welcomed the letter which she said carried legal force and make absolutely clear that the backstop is not a threat or a trap. Mrs May said: We have achieved this exchange of letters which gives those further clarifications which gives those further assurances which I believe do give that further confidence to Members of Parliament about the future relationship we will have with the European Union. And about both sides not wanting to use the backstop. But her Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party allies seemed unmoved. DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the Evening Standard the letter failed to give a legally binding commitment and he made clear the party was still intending to vote against Mrs May. As things stand our position remains unchanged, he said. The partys Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson declared: As far as we are concerned the deal is dead because it is quite clear that the EU are not willing to grant any of the changes [that the DUP are seeking]. Former Brexit minister Steve Baker, a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said the backstop which would tie the UK to EU rules indefinitely in order to avoid a hard border with Ireland remained a trap. Without changes to the text of the draft agreement, the United Kingdom can still be trapped in the backstop for decades without any means of escape, he said. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told the Standard: If the DUP are not going to vote for it, then the Government has certainly lost this vote. Some experts have predicted Mrs May could suffer the heaviest defeat ever suffered by a government tomorrow evening, with her deal falling short in the Commons by 100 or even 200-plus votes. The last time a government was defeated by more than 100 votes was October 8, 1924, when the minority government of Ramsay MacDonald went down to a defeat of 166. The setback for Mrs May came as Westminster was mired in political turmoil. Developments included: The Prime Minister used a speech in Stoke, a Leave-backing area, to urge the country to unite behind her deal. She warned of a stymie in Parliament and offered an olive branch to Labour MPs by pledging to maintain workers rights and be a world leader in environmental standards. We have a duty to deliver Brexit, she added. Cabinet ministers were divided over what Mrs May should do next, with several sources saying the Prime Minister was not sharing her thoughts with colleagues. A plot by former ministers to empower the Commons Liaison Committee to seize control of Brexit and push Plan Bs, such as a second referendum, collapsed in disarray as the committees elected chairwoman said she had not been consulted. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox urged MPs to back the Prime Ministers deal on the basis of the EU letters, saying: I hope my colleagues will listen to those and recognise the best way forward is to support the agreement because it delivers on the referendum result and does so in a way that minimises the risks to our economy. With just 24 hours until tomorrow nights key votes, there was no sense either in Cabinet or in Parliament of a consensus on the way forward. A senior minister told the Standard: I believe she has to come back again, hopefully with an improved deal around the backstop. There is no other way a deal can get through as Corbyn would never allow his MPs to support another version of Brexit from this Government. A separate group of Cabinet ministers, believed to include Chancellor Philip Hammond and Mrs Mays de facto deputy David Lidington, thinks Mrs May should try to secure Labour votes by offering to bolt a customs union on to her deal, in line with Labour policy. But the minister said it would likely fail as Corbyn will reject everything. A Brexit-backing Cabinet minister privately scorned attempts by former ministers including Nicholas Boles and Oliver Letwin to empower the Liaison Committee to take charge, saying: MPs cannot just come up with ideas they have just thought of and expect to get them taken seriously. T heresa May has been mocked for delivering her latest Brexit speech in front of a background full of mugs. In a final push to save her Brexit deal ahead of tomorrow's so-called meaningful vote, Mrs May reiterated her stance that her plans are the best possible in a speech today during a visit to the Portmeirion factory in Stoke-on-Trent. She also warned of catastrophic harm if Brexit it not delivered by politicians. But, many were quick to point out the bizarre background choice for her speech. The Times columnist Matt Chorely posted a screengrab of the speech on Twitter, and wrote: Theresa May seems to be making a speech in front of a load of mugs. Others replied mocking the unusual choice. One responded: Thats no way to describe the conservative backbenchers. Another added: Siri show me a metaphor for Tory brexit, and brexit supporters. Others said it is not the first time she has spoken in front of mugs. Yes, but those are a lot more intelligent than the ones usually behind her in the HoC, wrote one person. Another added: No different to PMQs then? However, some pointed out that the main audience at the prime ministers speech was made up of the media. M Ps have rejected Theresa May's Brexit plans in a historic vote which has thrown the future of her administration and the nature of the UK's EU withdrawal into doubt. It came after the Prime Minister made a last-ditch appeal for MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement which she sealed with Brussels in November after almost two years of negotiation. The 230-vote margin was by far the worst suffered by any Government in a meaningful division since at least the First World War and in normal circumstances would be enough to force a Prime Minister from office. But Mrs May made clear she intends to stay on, setting out plans for talks with senior parliamentarians from parties across the Commons in the hope of finding "genuinely negotiable" solutions which she can take to Brussels. Jeremy Corbyn said the "catastrophic" defeat represented an "absolutely decisive" verdict by MPs on Mrs May's handling of Brexit and her deal. Here, the Standard outlines the crucial key points made in the draft proposal: EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier holds the draft withdrawal agreement / AP The Irish border The most contentious issue is the Northern Irish 'backstop', which is essentially an insurance policy to avoid a return to border checks between Britain and EU-member Ireland that could threaten the 1998 peace accord, which ended 30 years of violence. The draft deal envisages a July 2020 decision on what would have to be done to make sure the border stays open after the post-Brexit transition runs its course. Thats if a new trade deal is not in place by then. Either Britain would need to extend the transition period once beyond December 2020, or go into a customs arrangement that would cover all of the United Kingdom. Under those arrangements, Northern Ireland would be aligned more closely with the EU's customs rules and production standards. Any changes to or termination of those arrangements, after the end of the transition, would have to be agreed between London and Brussels. Theresa May delivers her Brexit statement at Downing Street / Getty Images Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, whose desire to avoid a hard border was central for Brussels, said the deal satisfied all Dublin's key priorities. But it remained unclear if the arrangement will pass muster in parliament as many pro-Brexit lawmakers demanded Britain must be able to unilaterally withdraw from the backstop to avoid being chained to the EU in perpetuity. "I cannot support the proposed agreement in parliament and would hope that Conservative MPs would do likewise," Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of an influential group of pro-Brexit Conservative lawmakers, wrote in a letter to his party colleagues. Fisheries The EU has said repeatedly that it would not allow British seafood exporters quota and tariff-free access to EU markets unless it is in exchange for a reciprocal agreement that EU fishing fleets are able to continue operating in British waters. But the withdrawal agreement essentially goes only as far as to say that the EU would apply tariffs on fish until a separate deal was struck on access to EU fishing in Britains waters. Citizens rights Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator gave a press briefing after Theresa May's cabinet backed a draft EU-UK agreement. / EPA Ending freedom of movement was a key demand for many who voted Leave, and will happen at the end of the transition period. Future immigration rules were not included in the negotiation process. This means Britain has flexibility to set its own. The existing rights of the millions of EU citizens living in the UK and the Britons living in elsewhere in the bloc had already been guaranteed. Transition period Britain will leave the EU on March 29 but remain inside the bloc's single market and bound by its rules until the end of December 2020, while the two sides work out a new trade relationship. The transition period can be extended by joint agreement before July 1, 2020 if both parties decide more time is needed. Divorce bill Britain agrees to cover contributions to staff pensions and commitments to EU programmes the UK made while a member for the funding period that runs to 2020. The bill has previously been estimated at about 39 billion ($50 billion). Difficult road ahead The ultimate outcome for the UK remains uncertain after Mrs May's deal was rejected. Scenarios range from a calm divorce to another referendum. As it stands, the UK is set to leave on March 29 but one of the outcomes could see Article 50 extended, meaning Britain would leave at a later date. Barnier: Brexit draft deal is a decisive step Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a motion of no confidence against Mrs May after her deal was voted down, meaning a General Election could take place. Mrs May, an initial opponent of Brexit who won the top job in the turmoil following the referendum, has staked her future on a deal that she hopes will solve the Brexit riddle: leaving the EU while preserving the closest possible ties. Opponents of Brexit say Britain will lose more than it can possibly gain from quitting such a big single market and political alliance. Some want another referendum. T heresa May was accused of utter hypocrisy today for appearing to airbrush her own record of trying to reverse a previous referendum. In a draft of todays speech, released by No 10, she claimed the result of the 1997 Welsh referendum was accepted by both sides, despite only being carried by a 0.3 per cent majority. But there was outcry on Twitter as users recalled she and other Tories voted against the Welsh verdict in Parliament. When in Stoke, Mrs May altered her speech to say the result was accepted by Parliament, glossing over her bid to change history. Mrs May was among 144 MPs who backed an amendment to sabotage the Government of Wales Bill. S adiq Khan was today accused of cronyism and jobs for mates after appointing the Labour leader of Lambeth council as his violent crime czar. Lib Peck will lead the Mayors Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which aims to use a public health approach to cutting knife and gun crime by making interventions at an early age. She beat former Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick to the 100,000-plus job. Mr Khan, who last week met the family of Jaden Moodie, the 14-year-old stabbed to death in Leyton, wants to replicate the success of Glasgow by treating violence as a virus. But Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon said she was utterly disappointed to see a Labour politician rather than a crime professional appointed. She said: If we are to turn around the growth in violence across the capital we need professional experts in this field heading up this unit and delivering, not career politicians who are the mates of the Mayor. Tory assembly member Susan Hall said: This move shows that Sadiq Khan is guilty of blatant cronyism. Rather than appointing someone with the skills and experience required to get to grips with Londons crime epidemic, the Mayor has chosen to appoint an old political ally. The VRU, set up last year with a 1.8 million annual budget and a 5 million one-off cash injection, is already conducting an urgent review of homicides and serious violent incidents since 2014. P regnant MP Tulip Siddiq today revealed she will delay the birth of her child in order to vote against Theresa Mays Brexit deal tomorrow. The Labour MP for Hampstead & Kilburn has postponed the date of her caesarean section by two days and intends to be taken through the lobby in a wheelchair by her husband Chris. The 36-year-old said: If my son enters the world even one day later than the doctors advised, but its a world with a better chance of a strong relationship between Britain and Europe, then thats worth fighting for. Ms Siddiq had a difficult first pregnancy with her daughter Azalea, now two, and had originally been due to give birth by elective caesarean section on February 4. However, after developing gestational diabetes, doctors at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead advised she deliver the baby at 37 weeks, either today or tomorrow. She asked medical staff if she could shift the date back to Thursday, which they agreed to. MP Tulip Siddiq, who is about to give birth to her second child Ms Siddiq spent the weekend in hospital under observation after having steroid injections that must be taken before the birth to help accelerate development of the babys lungs. Doctors had wanted her to have these injections 48-hours before the caesarean, but that would still have meant she would have been in hospital at the time of the vote. She had no adverse reaction, and is now free to travel into Parliament tomorrow. She said: The Royal Free has been very clear on their legal and health duties. This is a high risk pregnancy and I am doing this against doctors advice. Usually, heavily pregnant MPs, those with newborns and the sick are able to be paired with an opposition party member who also cannot vote so the overall result is not affected. But after Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis broke a pairing arrangement with Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Jo Swinson in July 2018, Ms Siddiq said she could no longer trust the system. TODO: define component type apester Mr Lewis later apologised and said he had voted by accident. Ms Siddiq said: If the pairing system is not honoured, theres nothing I can do, and its going to be a very close vote. Ive had no pressure at all from the whips to come and vote but this is the biggest vote of my lifetime. Ive sat down with my husband Chris and he said to me this is my choice but that he would support me. I am thinking about my childs future when I made this decision - his future in the world. If it comes to an absolute emergency, I will of course prioritise the babys health. Im choosing in a sense between career and my family life and I feel its totally unfair and if we want more women in politics and we want people to come from different backgrounds, we need change and to introduce proxy voting. The staunch Remainer lost her seat in Jeremy Corbyns frontbench after voting against the introduction of Article 50 and she is campaigning for a second referendum. Her constituency voted 76 percent Remain. The Commons Procedure Committee has researched how proxy voting could be introduced and a caucus of pregnant MPs are set to lobby the Speaker for this to be introduced in Parliament as soon as possible. In the Commons this afternoon, the Government was chastised by the Speaker for not introducing proxy voting quick enough, despite MPs debating it more than a year ago. John Bercow said it was damaging to the reputation of Parliament that no system had been put in place to enable pregnant and new mums to vote without having to appear in person. Speaking to the Commons today after the issue during a point of order, Mr Bercow said: It is extremely regrettable that almost a year after the first debate and over four months after the second debate this change has not been made. This is frankly lamentable, and very disadvantageous and injurious to the reputation of this house. He urged Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom to organise a proxy vote for Ms Siddiq immediately or allow her to vote from her hospital bed. This would extend the custom of chief whips nodding through a seriously ill person who is able to get to Parliament, even if they cannot physically walk through the lobby. T ory whip Gareth Johnson has quit the government to oppose Theresa May's Brexit deal in this week's meaningful vote. The MP for Dartford, which voted leave in the 2016 referendum, wrote a letter to the prime minister saying the backstop in her agreement "gives our country no clear, unilateral path out of the European Union and ensures we will be fettered in our ability to negotiate trade deals". "This agreement prevents us from taking back control and instead could leave us perpetually constrained by the European Union," he said. "Like you, I am not only a Conservative but I am also a committed unionist and I cannot accept the additional regulatory compliance required of Northern Ireland that would set it apart from the rest of the United Kingdom." Stating the move is "possibly the hardest decision I have ever made", he added: "I have decided the time has come to place my loyalty to my country above my loyalty to the government." Mr Johnson said at first he was "hopeful that changes could be made" to improve Mrs May's deal with the EU. However, he said: "It is now clear to me that no significant change will be made to this agreement before the meaningful vote takes place. TODO: define component type apester "I hope, however, that even at this late stage, efforts will continue to change the terms of this agreement and the impact it would have on our country. "We need to rediscover our confidence and belief in our country's ability to stand tall in the world without the European Union overseeing and managing our future." 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 Just over 65 per cent of Mr Johnson's Dartford constituency voted leave in the 2016 Brexit referendum. His letter added: "Along with nearly two thirds of my constituents and a majority of the country, I supported 'leave' in the referendum as I wanted the UK to take back the sovereignty we had lost during our membership of the European Union. "Unfortunately, this agreement prevents us taking back control and instead could leave us perpetually constrained by the European Union." Mr Johnson's announcement comes as Mrs May received a joint letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker which said they were "not in a position" to rewrite or amend the Withdrawal Agreement secured last year. But they assured the Prime Minister that the EU "does not wish to see the backstop enter into force", as it would represent a "sub-optimal trading arrangement for both sides". B rexit furore permeating through Westminster and beyond is to come to a climax this week with a vote finally being held on Theresa Mays deal. Previously scheduled for December 11, it was delayed by the Prime Minister as she feared it would not pass Parliament. With that in mind, the embattled Conservative leader headed to Europe, to seek further reassurances on contentious issues within the plans. However, this has not appeased all MPs and her deal still does not look by any means guaranteed to pass, when a vote is held on Tuesday. The EU27 countries have backed the deal / AFP/Getty Images If she then were to lose, she would have three sitting days to come to the Commons and explain her Plan B, in a short time schedule dictated by the recent Grieve amendment. In her final moves to salvage her proposals, Mrs May will speak in Stoke-on-Trent to urge support for it on Monday and is expected to address the Commons at around 3.30pm. The Standard details some possible next steps below. MPs will vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal this week / AFP/Getty Images The deal passes Despite detractors stating it is not going to happen, the Government could win the vote. Should this happen, the withdrawal agreement is set with the EU and the proposed plans would ensue. Theresa May has been encouraging MPs to support her plans / PA If that happened, the Article 50 schedule would possibly be kept to and the UK Could leave the bloc on March 29. Theresa May has been ardently battling for this outcome and insists it is the best for the nation and its democracy. The Prime Minister, in a speech on Monday, will say that though the two sides in the 2016 referendum disagreed on many things, they were united that "what the British people decided, the politicians would implement". Plan B If the plan is voted down, then Mrs May and her Government would be granted the chance to propose an alternative. However, what this might be is unclear, with the line from the PM continuing to be that there are three options: her deal, no-deal or no Brexit. New Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has been talking with Brussels alongside the PM / Getty Images The European Union has consistently stated similarly that it is the deal proposed or no deal at all, with its stance being that negotiations are over. However, on Monday a trio of senior backbenchers will publish a bill allowing MPs to come up with a compromise deal if Mrs May fails to produce a Plan B deal within three weeks, Conservative Nick Boles revealed. Nick Boles is a Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford / EPA He told BBC Radio 4's Today: "This bill would do the following: it would give the Government three more weeks to get a compromise deal, a plan B, through Parliament so that we are leaving the EU on time on March 29 with a deal. "If that failed, it would then ask the Liaison Committee, which is the committee of all the chairs of select committees and other parliamentary committees, it would give the Liaison Committee the responsibility to try and come up with its own compromise deal, which would have to go back to the House for a vote. "If the House passed that compromise deal, then the Government would be legally required to implement whatever it was that they had." The deal is blocked In this instance, a whole range of scenarios could be played out. However, due to the so-called Grieve amendment, the Government would have to come back within three sitting days and tell the Commons their plans for what is next. Dominic Grieve speaking during a convention on a second EU referendum / PA They had originally had a longer time-frame to do this in. However, in a humbling loss for the Government they were defeated on a vote to reduce it to three days A General Election Should the Prime Minister lose the vote, her opposition counterpart Jeremy Corbyn has said that Labour will table a motion of no confidence against her. Should she lose this, then a General Election could take place. Jeremy Corbyn said Labour could table a no confidence vote in the Government 'soon' if Theresa May's Brexit deal is voted down / PA/Getty Mr Corbyn has called this a priority for his party and said it will be called at the time it sees one as most likely to succeed. He argued it is the best way to move on from the impasse that Brexit appears to have reached in Westminster. Article 50 is extended It could be proposed that Article 50 be extended so that Britain leaves the EU bloc at a later date than the proposed March 29. This could for instance be proposed by Mrs May and her Government to try and secure a different arrangement more palatable to the Commons. The EU would have to agree for Article 50 to be extended if Britain asked for this / AFP/Getty Images Or, this could be done should there be a vote of no confidence to allow time for a General Election, then whoever should be new leader to put together a new plan. However, in whatever scenario this were proposed, the EU27 countries would have to agree to allow it. No deal In the instance the proposed deal is voted down and if Article 50 is not extended then Britain would be on course to leave on March 29 with no deal. This scenario has been heavily talked down in the Commons and further afield, with financial forecasts outlining it as the worst potential outcome for Britain leaving the EU. Jacob Rees-Mogg and other Brexiteers have downplayed the negative speculation around no-deal (Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) / AFP/Getty Images However, it does have some support with a number of Eurosceptics. Should this happen there are a number of factors which are unclear, though in terms of trading Britain would automatically World Trade Organisation terms with the EU bloc. No Brexit or second referendum Though it being constantly stated by Theresa May and her allies that it is not Government policy, even she has conceded that no Brexit is a possible outcome. Numerous campaigners have backed a second referendum, with the Lib Dems particularly backing a Peoples Vote on the next stage of Brexit. The European Court of Justice ruled that Britain is able to, should it wish, to revoke Article 50 unilaterally. This would essentially allow for the Brexit process to be ceased and then for Britain to remain on the terms it is currently on with the EU bloc. T he postponed meaningful vote on Theresa Mays deal for leaving the European Union is due to go ahead tonight. Last month, the Prime Minister dramatically called off the vote on her controversial deal as the Government faced a major defeat in the Commons. It was later announced that the vote would be deferred to mid-January, in the hope it would allow Mrs May time to seek assurances from the EU to address MPs concerns over the deal. But Mrs May is expected to lose the vote by at least 100. And while the PM has spent recent days urging support from her party, it still appears unlikely that Mrs May will achieve enough backing from MPs to pass the deal. Theresa May dramatically postponed the vote last month in the face of a major defeat in the Commons / PA Here's what you need to know ahead of the vote. When will the vote take place? The "meaningful vote" on Theresa May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement will take place in the House of Commons on January 15, Downing Street has said. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay opened five days of debate on Wednesday, January 9, said Mrs May's official spokesman. Mrs May herself will close the debate on Tuesday evening before MPs take part in the crucial vote. MPs will vote in the Commons tonight from 7pm, though the time of the actual "meaningful vote" will be slightly later as MPs must first vote on amendments. Four amendments have been tabled by Speaker John Bercow. Fifteen minutes is allowed for each amendment so the Meaningful Vote is expected between 8pm and 8.15pm. The result will come soon after voting. TODO: define component type apester Parliament was due to vote on the deal on December 11 after the Government agreed the Withdrawal Agreement and the political declaration on the future relationship with the EU on November 25. It then passed a motion to schedule a five-day debate ahead of the vote, at the end of which Parliament was expected to be able to vote to approve or reject the deal. However the vote was postponed, with the Government later confirming it would not take place until after Christmas. Why was the vote delayed? The Government delayed the vote after three days of debate. Mrs May told the Commons this was because, if the Government proceeded with the vote, it would lose. Countdown to Brexit: 80 days until Britain leaves the EU "If we went ahead and held the vote tomorrow, the deal would be rejected by a significant margin, she said. Mrs May added that she wanted to address MPs concerns about the deal, particularly around the Northern Ireland backstop. The move prompted criticised from many MPs, including the opposition, who called for an emergency debate on the Governments handling of the meaningful vote debate. What are MPs are voting on? Parliament will vote on whether to approve the Governments Brexit deal, which was negotiated with the EU over months of back-and-forth negotiations. This includes the withdrawal agreement and a declaration on future relations. The withdrawal agreement is a legal text setting out provisions such as citizens' rights, the transition period and the so-called backstop arrangement concerning the Irish border. MPs are set for a crunch vote on Mrs May's Brexit deal / PA While the declaration on a framework for future relations is a non-legal document defining how the UK and EU will work together after Brexit on areas such as trade and security. The Government has been saying since October 2016 that Parliament will have a vote on the Brexit deal it negotiates with the EU. This was later made law under Section 13(1) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, which requires the draft deal to be put to both the House of Commons and House of Lords. Former attorney general Dominic Grieve campaigned for the law in 2017 after a lack of clarity over whether the vote on the deal would be meaningful meaning it would allow MPs to reject the agreement. How many votes does Theresa May need to pass her Brexit deal? There are 650 MPs in the House of Commons. Excluding non-voting members such as the Speaker and others who never take up their seats, around 320 votes are required for the deal to be approved. The vote will be decided on a simple majority, with the actual number needed for victory dependent on abstentions and absences on the day. What happens if the PM loses the vote? As it stands, the Government remains unlikely to win any vote on the current deal. Many Tory MPs continue to believe the deal does not represent the Brexit people in the UK voted for in 2016, and the opposition has been adamant that it opposes the deal. If Mrs May loses the vote, there are a number of different outcomes that might follow. The PM may go back to Brussels again to renegotiate ahead of a second attempt to pass the deal in the Commons, despite the EU claiming it will not budge any further on the deal. Theresa May is 'working to get further EU assurances' The EU may relent when faced with the prospect of no-deal and offer a concession on the backstop. On Monday, Brussels said the agreed Brexit deal was "the best and the only deal possible" and the European Commission was focused on watching what happened in the vote. But in the period between the first and second attempt to pass the deal, Labour may attempt to force a General Election via a vote of no confidence in the Government. This would prove difficult as the vote would require Tory MPs to help topple their own Government. If that attempt fails, Labour may also try and secure a vote for a second referendum. B rexit tensions outside Parliament have risen so high that Leavers and Remainers are having blazing rows in the street. Ahead of Tuesdays critical vote on Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement, hundreds of protesters bearing flags and placards converged in Westminster on Monday. And the Standard witnessed numerous bust-ups between campaigners on opposite sides. One man, draped in an EU flag, roared at a Brexiteer: Trump hates the EU, Putin hates the EU. Dont you think these are clues the EU is a GOOD thing? Hugo McNestry, meanwhile, got off this bicycle to have it out with Leaver Philip Aiston. The exasperated Remainer shouted: We already had control of our borders! To which an equally irritated Mr Aiston demanded: Where? Leave supporter Philip Aiston rows with Remainer Hugo McNestry outside Parliament on Monday / James Morris By the George V statue, where a group of B******* to Brexit campaigners were gathered, a Brexiteer screamed: We had a peoples vote and you lost, get over it! The tension and division outside the Houses of Parliament prompted one passing Londoner to assure a visitor from Norwich: Its not always like this. Mr McNestry and Mr Aiston eventually shook hands and laughingly agreed to disagree, while other protests stretching along Abingdon Street and Millbank remained peaceful. It was typified by one Remainer walking up and down with a drum while crooning who do you think you are, Mrs May. TODO: define component type apester But in the wake of the Anna Soubry controversy last week, in which the Remainer Conservative MP was pursued by a group of men associating themselves with the pro-Brexit movement, one campaigner told the Standard there was an increasing edge to the divisions. Peoples Vote supporter Jane Keane, 54, has been campaigning outside Parliament once a week since the movements huge march through central London in October. People's Vote campaigner Jane Keane outside Parliament on Monday / James Morris The former town centre manager, from Romford, said: Its been more passionate, more edgy and more aggressive. There is a small contingent here associating with Leave Means Leave, and they are quite aggressive. It isnt pleasant. Of Tuesdays vote, Ms Keane asserted: Mrs Mays deal will be voted down. If we havent resolved the differences in two-and-a-half years, it wont be reconciled very easily in the next two weeks. An anti-Brexit protester holds a placard outside the Houses of Parliament on Monday / Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters There might be a series of indicative votes on things like Canada plus plus plus, or Norway. Each one of them has their own drawbacks and when compared to what we have with the EU, they are very poor deals. Leave Means Leave campaigner Belinda Camborne is doing a Masters degree in EU law. The 42-year-old, from Earls Court, told the Standard of the bubbling tensions: I get called the c word a lot, usually with racist in front of it just for standing here. Leave Means Leave campaigner Belinda Camborne campaigns next to pro-EU campaigners outside Parliament on Monday / Will Oliver/EPA But, of course, when a Remainer gets an insult its all over the press. I appreciate where she comes from, as its not nice for Anna Soubry and its not the right way to go, but I wish that [coverage] was applied to all sides. However, Ms Camborne acknowledged one thing Leavers and Remainers standing outside Parliament could agree on was their loathing of Mrs Mays Withdrawal Agreement. Pro-Brexit supporters outside Parliament on Monday / Will Oliver/EPA She said: Im feeling heartbroken and disappointed its got to this stage where Theresa May is trying to spin her deal as some form of Brexit. It will be voted down. But my faith has been shattered in Parliament, that they will do anything positive to support the peoples decision in leaving the EU. Meanwhile, a passing Tom Brake, the Carshalton and Wallington MP and Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman, told the Standard there was no doubt Mrs Mays deal will be voted down on Tuesday. F our Brexiteer backbenchers have made a u-turn over Theresa Mays Brexit Deal announcing they will back it despite speculation they would vote against it. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Sir Edward Leigh, Andrew Murrison and Caroline Johnson all said they would support the Government in the meaningful vote on Tuesday. Former Public Accounts Committee chairman Sir Leigh, who was appointed to the Privy Council last month, said it was "inconceivable" that Parliament would allow the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal. He said: "I will support the Government on Tuesday in the meaningful vote. I think it is now inconceivable that this Parliament, and this Speaker, will allow the UK to leave on WTO terms on March 29. Sir Clifton-Brown (L) has made a u-turn over the vote / Stefan Rousseau/PA "Therefore my message to my fellow Brexit-supporting MPs is you are playing with fire if you vote down this deal in the hope of something better, and the only way to deliver Brexit is to vote for the deal this week." He was initially an outspoken critic of Mrs May's deal. And senior backbencher Sir Clifton-Brown said that while he had "deep misgivings" about many aspects of the deal, it would ensure the UK leaves on March 29. He said: "While I retain deep misgivings about many aspects of the deal, in particular the open-ended nature of the backstop, the events of last week have clearly demonstrated that the Speaker and MPs who wish to remain in the EU will stop at nothing to prevent that happening. "Whilst the deal is far from ideal it will create a smooth transition for business and jobs. "Above all it will provide a framework to ensure that we actually leave on the 29th of March this year." Tory former minister Andrew Murrison said he also had reservations, but had decided to back the deal. He added: After last week's operation by the Speaker and hard-over Remainers to reverse Brexit and the prospect of more tricks to come, I've decided I have to back the Withdrawal Agreement so that we deliver on the referendum as promised. I'm still concerned about the EU's unnecessary, politically inspired, Northern Ireland backstop. It must be ditched or time-limited if Brussels and Dublin are sincere about their future relationship with the UK. And Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Ms Johnson, said: "As a Brexiteer I am unhappy with some aspects of the deal and had intended to vote against it. "However I have come to realise that the Prime Minister is trying to deliver Brexit via a remain Parliament some of whom seem ready to go to any length to frustrate the referendum result and stop Brexit. P arliament is more likely to block Britain's exit from the European Union than allow it to crash out without a deal, Theresa May is set to warn as she launches a last-ditch plea to MPs to back her Brexit deal. The Prime Minister will use a speech on the eve of the critical Commons vote on her exit plan to urge MPs to consider the "consequences" of their actions on the faith of British people in democracy. She is expected to reiterate her warning that "catastrophic harm" will be inflicted to trust in politicians if they fail to implement the result of the referendum. With less than 36 hours to go until the long-awaited vote, Mrs May will say, based on last week's Westminster drama, that she now believes MPs blocking Brexit is a more likely outcome than leaving without a deal. MPs will vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal this week / AFP/Getty Images This comes as three backbenchers said they plan to publish a bill on Monday night, letting MPs frame a "compromise" Brexit deal if Theresa May fails to come up with a Plan B. Conservative Nick Boles said he, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan were behind the "European Union Withdrawal Number 2 Bill", giving the Government three more weeks to get a compromise deal passed through Parliament. Speaker John Bercow sparked uproar in the Commons last week after he selected an amendment from Tory former minister Dominic Grieve which attempts to speed up the process for the Government to reveal what it will do next if the PM's Brexit deal is rejected. Theresa May will have three sitting days to present a Plan B should her deal not pass / REUTERS Mrs May is expected to tell factory workers in pro-Leave Stoke-on-Trent on Monday: "I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. "Imagine if an anti-devolution House of Commons had said to the people of Scotland or Wales that despite voting in favour of a devolved legislature, Parliament knew better and would overrule them. Or else force them to vote again. "What if we found ourselves in a situation where Parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a remain vote? "People's faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. "We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum." The EU27 countries have backed Theresa May's deal / AFP/Getty Images Amid speculation the EU could publish fresh assurances on the controversial Irish backstop on Monday, the Guardian reported that Brussels is preparing to delay Brexit until July - a claim disputed by a Commission source. Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood became the latest frontbencher to threaten to resign if the UK leaves the EU without a deal - and said he expected "many" more to follow suit. He told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour: "I would not stay in office, I would stand in front of that no-deal juggernaut. "It would be an irresponsible act of self-harm and from security reasons alone it would be damaging our international reputation as well. No deal for me is simply not plausible." It came as four Tory Brexiteers announced their support for Mrs May's Withdrawal Agreement, despite suggestions they could vote against it. TODO: define component type apester Backbenchers Sir Edward Leigh, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Andrew Murrison and Caroline Johnson expressed reservations at backing the deal, but each said they had come to the conclusion to support it. Sir Geoffrey told Westminster Hour it was a "thoroughly bad deal" though said he was "fearful" that a coalition in the Commons would find a way to prevent the UK leaving the EU altogether. He predicted Mrs May was still facing defeat, but said: "I think I decided that she needs to come within a reasonable amount of support in the House in order to persuade our Brussels colleagues that they have got to give us some clarification on the timetable of leaving the backstop. "If she loses by a very large amount I think they'll simply say to themselves; 'well look, the House of Commons is basically against this proposal, why should we give the Prime Minister any help'?" His comments follow reports of a plot to change Commons rules to enable backbench motions to take precedence over Government business if Mrs May's deal falls - which could threaten Brexit legislation and the Government's ability to govern. Elsewhere, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned the Prime Minister that he would trigger a vote of no confidence in her Government "soon", as he hinted that Article 50 may have to be extended if his party came into power. J eremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of trying to "blackmail" Labour MPs into backing her EU Withdrawal Agreement after she threatened chaos if the UK crashes out without a deal. But the Labour leader declared on Monday night: "The Labour Party will not be held to ransom." Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on the eve of the crucial Commons vote, Mr Corbyn predicted Mrs May's deal would be defeated and said the country should then have a general election. Pressed on when he will table the no-confidence motion which he hopes will trigger an election, Mr Corbyn told MPs: "Don't be concerned, it's coming soon." Jeremy Corbyn, pictured outside his Finsbury Park home on Monday, has accused Theresa May of trying to 'blackmail' Labour MPs / Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images A Press Association source said the PLP meeting was "calm and supportive", and that Mr Corbyn had dealt with a number of "respectful" queries from MPs about the party's next steps if it fails to secure a general election. Mr Corbyn is under increasing pressure from the party's huge membership to back a second vote on Brexit. TODO: define component type apester But the source stressed a second referendum was only one of a number of options which would be on the table for Labour - alongside seeking a different Brexit deal in line with the party's own priorities. Mr Corbyn made clear in the behind-closed-doors meeting that he still has concerns about the "neo-liberal" direction the EU has taken, which led him to campaign in the 2016 referendum on a platform of "remain and reform". Brexit Withdrawal Agreement: How might MPs vote? Meanwhile, Mrs May also addressed a gathering of Conservative MPs. She urged Tory MPs to back her Brexit deal with a warning they need to keep Jeremy Corbyn "as far away from Number 10 as possible". Bob Geldof slams 'inept' British Government over Brexit Following her Commons statement on Monday, the Prime Minister addressed the private meeting at Westminster for more than 30 minutes. Children's minister Nadhim Zahawi, who was at the meeting, said she had told them they needed to deliver on Brexit while preventing a Labour government. "She said we have got to keep Jeremy Corbyn as far away as possible from Number 10. To do that, we have got to come together." It came against a backdrop of increased tension around Parliament, with hundreds of Leave and Remain supporters gathering outside on Monday. Numerous people became involved in heated bust-ups as the nation builds up to Tuesday's crucial Commons vote. B oris Johnson today admitted he had had second thoughts about pulling out of the Tory leadership race. Asked on LBC radio whether he had bottled it, the former Foreign Secretary said: In retrospect if I had my time again I might have done things differently. The former foreign secretary also clashed with Michael Gove over Brexit and cleaning up Britains toxic air in the interview. He also predicted that Theresa Mays Brexit blueprint would go down tomorrow when MPs are expected to heavily vote against it. He said: Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and thats the bottom line. The ex-Mayor of London withdrew from the party leadership contest in the wake of the Brexit referendum in 2016 after Mr Gove torpedoed his campaign by launching his own bid to be leader rather than supporting Mr Johnson. He refused to say whether he would make another bid for the leadership if Mrs May quit, saying there is no vacancy today. Boris Johnson on LBC He also declined to reveal how he had cast his ballot in the vote of no-confidence in Mrs May as Tory leader last month, which she won despite 117 MPs opposing her, but hinted: I dont agree with the current direction [on Brexit]. Pressed by presenter Nick Ferrari on whether he was surprised that Environment Secretary Mr Gove, a fellow Leave champion, was still in the Cabinet despite concerns over Mrs Mays deal, he said: Its a matter for him. TODO: define component type apester Asked if he had problems with wood-burning stoves, in the light of Mr Gove proposing to ban the most polluting ones, Mr Johnson said: Its starting to become absolutely tyrannical this, I mean, honestly what next? Theyre banning and you have to have calorie-counts on everything I thought wood-burning stoves were perfectly OK. A London hospital is giving girls and women with cancer the chance to freeze their ovaries on the NHS for the first time. Doctors at the Royal Free London, in Hampstead, will remove and freeze one of their two ovaries then re-transplant it when patients are ready to start a family. It offers pre-pubescent girls with cancers such as lymphoma and women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer the ability to protect their fertility for the first time. Egg and embryo-freezing are common procedures, but ovarian tissue-freezing is a niche procedure that takes medical advances a stage further. It could benefit more than 1,200 UK patients a year in particular, women unable to undergo IVF prior to cancer treatment. There is even the potential for baby girls to benefit. Girls as young as one, being treated in other health systems abroad, have had an ovary removed. Doctors say that conception rates are higher from restored ovaries than the 4.5 per cent chance of becoming pregnant using frozen eggs. Ovarian tissue-freezing was pioneered in Denmark 20 years ago and is well-established on the Continent, the US and Japan. The UK has lagged behind, though a small number of procedures are performed with charity support at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford and at a hospital in Edinburgh. Paul Hardiman, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Free and director of the new service, told the Evening Standard: There is an increasing need for techniques to help women who are diagnosed with cancer at a young age to help preserve their fertility. There are a number of ways to achieve that, but for certain groups of women and girls the conventional treatments are not available and ovarian tissue-freezing is the only option. This enables women who have gone through the trauma of having cancer and been cured to restore normal lives and have children afterwards. The 3,500 procedure uses keyhole techniques to remove an ovary, which is broken into strips of tissue and stored at minus 196C in the Royal Frees laboratory, therefore avoiding the damage caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. When the woman is ready to try to conceive, the tissue is thawed and re-transplanted, either on top of the retained ovary or in to the lining of the abdominal cavity. About 100 babies have been born worldwide as a result of the technique. Countless women have also benefited from having their menstrual cycle restored, avoiding an early menopause. Treatment will be offered first to patients in Islington, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Barnet, but the Royal Free is willing to accept referrals from across the UK, subject to funding approval from local GPs. The service launched last week following approval from the Human Tissue Authority. The advance also opens the door to the freezing of ovaries for social reasons, where women of childbearing age delay becoming pregnant because they are not in a relationship. However , the Royal Free has no plans to offer this on the NHS. It could also offer hope to women with rheumatoid arthritis using drugs that are banned during pregnancy. Mr Hardiman, who also lectures at UCLs Institute for Womens Health, said many British women requiring ovary freezing had previously had to go abroad for treatment. He wants to raise awareness of the service among patients and oncologists, who can often be given little time to preserve fertility before cancer treatment starts. Mr Hardiman said: We have modelled our protocols on how it is done at the Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, where they have been freezing human ovarian tissue since 1999. P lans for the 400 million relocation of Moorfields Eye Hospital to Kings Cross were revealed today. The hospital wants to move from its home of 120 years in City Road to a redeveloped two-acre site at St Pancras hospital to boost research and front-line care. The new campus would integrate its clinical space with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, currently in Bath Street, near the existing hospital. Moorfields says a purpose-built new hospital would be cheaper than redeveloping its current site near Old Street station, because it is increasingly costly to maintain. It has appointed US firm Aecom and two teams of architects to design the new hospital, and has named the project Oriel. Construction is due to begin at Kings Cross in 2021 and open five years later. Patients would continue to be treated in City Road until then. The project has been under consideration for years but was boosted with 18 million from the Department for Health last month. It is the biggest of the 13 NHS projects in London. About 110 million has now been committed by the Government, with the remainder to be funded by selling the City Road site and philanthropic donations secured by Moorfields Eye Charity. The construction project would cost 250 million, with the cost of land and fitting out the hospital and laboratories taking the total to 400 million. Moorfields has been at the forefront of using artificial intelligence and stem cell therapies in healthcare and wants to enable scientists and doctors to work more closely together. It hopes this will increase the number of patients taking part in clinical trials. The Kings Cross location would put Moorfields near the Francis Crick Institute and the main UCL campus in Bloomsbury, creating a scientific hub. Moorfields chief executive David Probert said: In terms of standing, Moorfields is number one in the world for research into ophthalmology and is the biggest eye hospital in Europe and the US. Im very proud of the fact we educate people and do research and look after people but the facilities we have to do that in are a bit cumbersome. We really need to invest in facilities for the next 25 to 50 years. A n alleged terrorist has denied trying to kill cyclists and police officers outside the Houses of Parliament by running them over with a Ford Fiesta. Salih Khater, 29, is accused of deliberately swerving into several people before crashing the car into barriers in Westminster just after 7.30am on August 14. Appearing via videolink from HMP Belmarsh, Sudanese-born Khater pleaded not guilty to two attempted murder charges and two alternative counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. The court heard all the charges against Khater are said to be "terror-related allegations". Khater, who lives in Birmingham, was arrested at the scene of the alleged attack after crashing the Ford Fiesta. He was remanded in custody today by Mr Justice Sweeney until a two-week trial starting on June 24. A London Ambulance Service worker used benefits money to splash out on a family holiday to Disney World while hiding a 100,000 inheritance. Lorna Overington, 53, kept quiet about the windfall following the death of her mother as she claimed state handouts. As well as the family holiday to the theme park in Florida, she also gave her son and daughter gifts of 10,000 each. Overington, an ambulance service administrator, admitted being a benefits cheat between 2014 and 2017, and was sentenced at Kingston crown court on Friday to 14 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. The court was told Overington started claiming housing benefits when her marriage collapsed and she needed to find a new home. Her mother had died in January 2014, leaving behind a 400,000 home in New Malden and inheritance payments that were destined for her daughter. A teenager was knifed on a busy street in London during the morning rush hour. The boy, thought to be in his mid-teens, was said to be in his school uniform and on a bus when a gang attacked him with metal poles and a knife on Lewisham High Street shortly after 8.30am. A greengrocer said: They got on the bus and beat him up with poles. They pulled a knife out and chased him to the front of the shopping centre and stabbed him. He was lucky to survive and looked so young. The boy was rushed to hospital where his condition was said to be serious but not life-threatening. The road was cordoned off to traffic after the incident, which is thought to have taken place near a Poundland. There have been no arrests. It followed a series of other incidents of violence over the weekend. A man has been charged with Asma Begum's murder / Met Police A man was due to appear in court today accused of the murder of his wife. Paramedics found Asma Begum, 31, on Friday in her 14th-floor flat with neck injuries. Ms Begum, believed to be a mother of two, was pronounced dead at the scene in the new City Island Way development in Poplar. Police charged her husband Jalal Uddin, 46, of City Island Way, with murder on Sunday. He was due at Thames magistrates court today. Five people were arrested last night on suspicion of GBH and affray after a reported stabbing in Streatham High Road. Police were called at 9.38pm to reports of a group of males and females fighting. They found one person with face injuries and were told another had been stabbed. A student knocked down and killed a junior doctor after failing to clear frost from his car windscreen. Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, had an obscured view when he hit Dr Jasjot Singhota as she used a zebra crossing close to her home in Tulse Hill at around 7.20am on January 25, 2017. Dr Singhota, who worked as an anaesthetist at St Thomas Hospital, was rushed into emergency surgery but did not survive brain injuries she suffered in the crash. Fitzgerald, from Brentwood in Essex, admitted causing death by careless driving as he had not fully defrosted his windscreen. Jailed: Alexander Fitzgerald / Met Police He also confessed to not being insured on the Ford Fiesta he was driving. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Friday at Kingston crown court to 10 months in prison. He was also banned from driving for 23 months and must take another driving test to regain his licence. His father, Gary, 54, pleaded guilty in May last year to permitting the use of a motor vehicle with no insurance and was given eight points on his licence and a 250 fine. After the hearing Dr Singhotas sister Neha Santasalo, said the sentencing provided closure for her family. Detective Constable Sejal Unadkat said the fatal crash could have been avoided entirely if only Fitzgerald had taken the proper precautions. The court heard Dr Singhota, who studied medicine and physiology at the University of Edinburgh, was an organ donor and her liver and pancreas have helped save patients lives. S ince Perus Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911, it has been a popular tourist spot with up to 2,000 visitors per day in recent years. Due to its ever-increasing popularity and effects of foot traffic, one of the worlds most famous archaeological sites will now be timestamped, as Machu Picchu has introduced a new ticketing policy. In 2017, the UNESCO World Heritage site introduced time entry to tackle the amount of people visiting each day, but now they have made entry even stricter with hour-specific time slots. This means you will need to book a slot between 6am and 3pm and you must arrive within an hour of your entry time or you wont be allowed to visit. This means if you book the 11am slot, you must arrive before 12pm to be let in. Once in, the four-hour visitation limit still applies, and visitors need to be out by 5:30pm each day. Tickets can only be booked through a tour operator, online at the official Machu Picchu site or at the designated office at Cusco, Peru. People. Fashion. Power. 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}} While visitors have historically been more inclined to book the early morning slots as theyd get more time at the site, there have also been incentives put in place to make the later morning and afternoon slots more appealing. Those who book between 9am to 12pm will now get free access to the on-site museum while those who book from 12pm to 3pm will get free access to the Raqch'i archaeological site which sits just south of Machu Picchu. Alternative Bucket List destinations - in pictures 1 /14 Alternative Bucket List destinations - in pictures Bagan, Myanmar Pixabay Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Unsplash Sheikh Zayed Mosque, UAE Unsplash Antelope Canyon, USA Getty Images Gili Islands, Indonesia Shutterstock Al Ula, Saudi Arabia Getty Images Rainbow Mountains, Peru Shutterstock Mountain Gorilla safaris, Uganda Getty Images Plitvice Lakes, Croatia Unsplash Hot Water Beach, New Zealand Shutterstock Meroe, Sudan Getty Images Bio luminescent plankton Pixabay Croatia Pixabay Tonga Getty Images J anuary has been (tastelessly) rechristened Divorce Day by legal eagles who swoop on a flurry of business as struggling relationships that made it through Christmas finally self-combust. The rosy news is that theres nothing here that cant be fixed. Break-ups are much harder now, largely due to the instant and uninterrupted access to the other person on social media, says Malminder Gill, an award-winning Harley Street clinical hypnotherapist who specialises in splits. It keeps the other person alive and people can become addicted to spying on their ex, such as deleting and re-adding them. Gill attests to using neurolinguistic programming techniques to reprogramme the mind in order to reduce the time frame of getting over an ex: practising love hypnotherapy, or 10 steps to overcoming a break-up in 10 days. Days one to two are prescribed me time, which entails changing your social plans, taking a break from work if possible and disconnecting from social media. Day three is set aside for getting angry, by writing down in detail all the cons of the relationship. Days four to five are all about facing reality. I recommend repeating the story of your break-up aloud over and over again, at least 10 times, says Gill. Days six and seven require listening back to voice recordings made during your angry stage to encourage a change in perspective by day eight, Gill says you should have reached a state of acceptance. Days nine and 10 are allotted to moving on, to writing four detailed paragraphs about what you would like in a future partner. Meanwhile, Project Love, a fortnightly podcast and workshop run by Selina Barker and Vicki Burtt, has the avowed intention of reimagining the preconception that we need a partner to feel loved. You can turn on your inner romantic and give yourself that experience of feeling in love regardless of your relationship status, says Barker (their course, Get Ready for Love, Barker says, is intended for single women who want to find love). Burtt practices Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a Sino-Western mix of the Chinese meridian energy system and modern talk therapy. It combines talking about a specific issue or emotion and tapping with the fingertips on key points on the bodys meridians to rebalance energy a technique that anyone can learn. Spring may seem ages away but persist: on March 16, Alain de Bottons School of Life hosts Learning to Love, a one-day festival of consoling lectures and interactive games. It's been dubbed the "menswear mecca" - a place where the most stylish men in the world come together for a few days to rub (perfectly tailored) shoulders. Its actual name is Pitti Uomo. Held at the 14th Century Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Pitti Uomo - or "Pitti" to regulars - is where you'll catch some of the sharpest street style looks going. Founded in 1903, Pitti is the most important menswear trade show, bringing together top brands and buyers. Attendees have been nicknamed the "Peacocks of Pitti" thanks to their lavish sartorial displays. Here's a few great looks we spotted out and about this year - and what we can learn from them. The best street style looks from Pitti Uomo AW19 David Nyanzi Why it works: A double-breasted suit is like armour on a knight. If you want to stand out, make one your go-to. Here seen in grey and paired with a blue shirt and tie, covered by a green overcoat and topped by a contrasting hat, this look is classically dapper. David Nyanzi People. Fashion. Power. 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}} Why it works: Navy on navy on navy isnt seen a lot in fashion, and when it is, it often doesnt work. That's certainly not the case for this Pitti Peacock, who smashed his look by playing with textures. A felt hat, baby lab coat, wool suit and vertical line textured turtle neck with matching socks made him a style winner. David Nyanzi Why it works: There's something to be said for mixing textures in menswear, especially when one of these textures is a fabulous beard. This old chap schooled the young ones by mixing a fur and tweed coat with a fine check blazer, chunky sweater, and cotton trousers. David Nyanzi Why it works: Its all in the details, which is why this smiling Adonis captured our eye. From the wide lapels of his double-breasted coat to his impeccably knotted knit tie (a resurging trend) and unstructured grey and black check blazer, this guy gave winter a wink and said: Im ready for you.. David Nyanzi Why it works: A mishmash of black, white, and grey with a pop of colour makes for many a menswear moment at Pitti Uomo. This is just one of them but it's one of the best. This dapper dudes multi-textured styling finished with a beanie gave him the edge of cool. David Nyanzi Why it works: Grey might as well be dubbed the colour of Pitti Uomo 95. It wouldnt be a stretch to say virtually every attendee at Pitti wore some shade of grey, and everyone who did wore it well. Take these two dandies, who wore different fabrics and pieces to create looks worth looking at. On the left, a classic approach and on the right, a casual one. Overall, both scored. David Nyanzi Why it works: A standout fabric this season is corduroy. Seen on the runways from London to Paris, it was moulded into workwear, streetwear and formalwear by fashions best. Corduroy was everywhere at Pitti Uomo, but mainly in the form of suits. This double-breasted ensemble paired with a pink turtleneck and socks was a look that proved the old rule that grey and pink always work. David Nyanzi Why it works: If you dont want to wear a double-breasted suit, try a double-breasted vest. Further, try the vest over a contrasting shirt, encased by a contrasting suit, and then layer a contrasting coat on top of it all. This is what this snappy dresser did - and it worked. (David Nyanzi) / David Nyanzi Why it works: There were many brightly coloured style offerings at Pitti Uomo, but this blue and white corduroy combo was a real hit. A peak lapel double-breasted jacket mixed with a white trouser in matching corduroy won over many of the style photographers. Furnishing this look with a navy velvet slipper and hat was just auxiliary style support on their own, these corduroy pieces would hold their weight. A Londoner has used his familys miracle escape from Nazi-occupied Denmark to inspire his first play. Alexander Bodin Saphirs grandparents Fanny and Raphael Bodin were among more than 7,000 Jews who fled to safety in 1943 in boats across the resund strait to Sweden. They made the journey with their 15-month-old daughter Lis, the playwrights mother, in a fishing boat. Bodin Saphir, 40, a documentary maker from Bermondsey, spent 15 years writing Rosenbaums Rescue, a play which explores how so many Danish Jews, including his grandparents and mother, survived the Second World War. One theory, explored in the play, is that Dr Karl Rudolf Werner Best, a senior SS officer who ordered their deportation, deliberately sabotaged Hitlers plan and warned the Jewish community what was about to happen. He said: I grew up with this miracle rescue. Its not just my family, its Danish national folklore, its a massive part of Danish national identity. I had to wait for historians to do the research so I could write the play... I am nervous but also really excited. He added: The play tries to understand how and why their desire to save their Jewish community resulted in a more successful evacuation than say Holland, where they also had a big Resistance, but a very different occupation. This is a play exploring truth, identity, and the nature of history, and as people who live in 2019 viewers can decide how it relates to todays world. 1. Provide a personal messaging system for the air quality forecast 2. Carry out "targeted local action" to reduce pollution in 'problem' area 3. Commit to a new target for the reduction of harmful nitrogen deposits 4. Report annually on the impacts of air pollution on natural habitats 5. Phase-out of coal-fired power stations and moving towards cleaner power sources 6. Legislate to ban the sale of the most polluting fuels 7. By 2022, ensure only the "cleanest stoves" will be available to purchase 8. Give new powers to local authorities to tackle high pollution in the worst areas 9. Regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming 10. Educate people and organisations on how they can reduce their contribution to air pollution The Duchess of Sussex brought sunshine to Merseyside on Monday morning as she stepped out with Prince Harry in Birkenhead wearing a bold red and purple ensemble. Choosing to forgo her typically muted colour palette, Meghan embarked on the couple's first joint engagement of the year wearing a bright violet-coloured dress paired with a pillarbox red coat and matching stilettos. The vibe may have been joyful, but with a careful mix of Canadian, British and American brands, Meghans sartorial diplomacy was still very much at play. Her wide collared wrap coat was from Sentaler, a Canadian brand she has worn several times before. The coat, made from baby alpaca fabric, costs 1085 and while the red colourway doesnt seem to be available to buy, the same style is still available to buy in blue, black and the same camel style which Meghan wore to the Christmas service at Sandringham back in 2017. Shop it here. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in Birkenhead / AFP/Getty Images People. Fashion. Power. 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}} The Duchess of Sussex perfectly colour matched her 292 Stuart Weitzman court shoes (currently sold out online) to the coat, proving that matchy-matchy looks are still in style. Under the coat she wore a purple midi dress from Canadian brand Babaton by Aritzia. Channelling 2018s Pantone ultraviolet colour of the year, the dress features a bracelet sleeve and somewhat racy thigh split. Its sold out online, which is perhaps unsurprising given it was just $49.99 in the sale. Meghan added a little quirkiness to the look with fashion girl favourite Gabriela Hearsts Nina bag in Cognac. The 1,695 boxy leather bag is sold out everywhere online, but you can add your name to the waiting list on Hearsts website here. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in Birkenhead / PA In terms of jewellery, she kept things simple, choosing to re-wear a pair of small gold stud earrings by British jeweller Pippa Small which she had previously worn to attend the British Fashion Awards. The Nosheen earrings cost 50, and are still available to buy online here. The couple, who are expecting their first baby in the spring, travelled from London to visit organisations that support and empower groups within the community. Their first stop was to view a brand new sculpture of wartime poet Wilfred Owen and unveil a plaque commemorating their visit. T he weekend papers were soaked with news of Boris Johnsons love life one of those stories that persists through the decades, regardless of who is in government. But love addiction and treatment of women aside, what does it say about a man that he wants to date women half his age? Can you imagine? I asked my boyfriend. But then he reminded me that he is 58, which is quite a chunk older than me (although not 24 years). And thinking about it, this was definitely something I had to overcome in the early days of the on-off saga of our relationship. I once confided to a friend that I found some of his habits granny-ish. She inhaled sharply at the word. Like what? Like he carries an old-fashioned cotton square hankie. He buys bleach and loo-roll in bulk. He always has a neatly oragamid reusable bag in his pocket, ready to untangle at checkout, and keeps till receipts and business cards. She felt that these were all perfectly sensible. So I threw in that he also had his own two-wheel tartan canvas shopping trolley. Oh, she said. I see. All these (except for the shopping trolley) are idiosyncrasies Ive come to love. And anyway, we have found far bigger issues to overcome since. But the age gap is not nothing. A couple of my friends have recently split with their decades-plus older boyfriends. One joked that she grew up and he didnt. And perhaps that reflects a general truth about men who serially date much younger people. The other says small generational differences can unexpectedly inflate out of all proportion. The decade youre born into can shape you as much as culture or class. As a child of the free-lovin Sixties, when divorce was taboo and the romance of affairs widespread, my friends ex clashed irreconcilably with her, a child of the Nineties, who sees affairs as pointless, hurtful cheating when you can just split up and go out with someone else. Therapists say daughters never get over a fathers infidelity it corrupts their view of love. But children of later marriages can suffer too. In my teens I had a friend with an ancient dad. Behind her back, male friends did impressions of him dribbling and chasing her mother around the kitchen with his walking stick. To kids boxed into fixed school years with rigid social rules about fraternising between them relationship age gaps are remarkable, even uncomfortable. Mine play a game of asking my boyfriend what I was doing when for example he started his first job. Was she still at primary school? They inquire, faux innocent. When hes out of earshot they serve each other high fives. Admit, the eldest says to him (all questions start with the word Admit its a tactic that I should steal for interviews). Admit, on some level its actually illegal for you to go out with Mum? Men, welcome to the new face of equality Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk / Jamie McCarthy/Getty Bradley Cooper the rugged American actor most recently seen in A Star is Born, has been accused of having dermal filler in his cheeks. This follows speculation over work that family favourite Huw Edwards may or may not have had done on his face. For the uninitiated, Edwardss high-gloss Instagram is either a sophisticated art project showing the BBC anchorman being airbrushed slowly into another person, or a very public mid-life crisis. Actually, thats not fair. My young colleagues on The Londoner think hes very cool. My point is that such close-up scrutiny of these boys, and subsequent narrative on their looks, is something women endure daily. If you listen carefully, you can hear the publics nasal mutter when, say, Fiona Bruce, new chair of Question Time, tackles questions on Brexit. Do you think shes had her frown line done? Or when Skys Kay Burley is forced to run the gauntlet of the knuckleheads using politics as an excuse to bully women outside Westminster Blimey, shes in good shape. Men: this, disappointingly, is what equality of the sexes looks like. * My friends childhood bedroom overlooked the garden of Jimmy Page the Led Zeppelin guitarist who owns Grade 1-listed Tower House in Holland Park and he would lie awake terrified by the single light that was always left on in the turret. Now Page is lying awake terrified, one imagines, because of an ongoing feud with his neighbour Robbie Williams, who belts out Black Sabbath and prances around the garden dressed as Robert Plant. S orry, but this isnt the week when we finally find out where Britain is heading. For ask yourself this question: what will we know by Friday that we do not already know today? The outcome of the big vote on the Brexit deal is already known. Theresa May is going to lose heavily. The letters Downing Street sought from the EU leaders today providing reassurances on the backstop have, rightly, fooled no one. The hardline Brexiteers are as opposed as ever; the Tory moderates are unswayed. Sure, losing so heavily a vote on the centrepiece of her premiership will be a humiliation for Mrs May; but weve known for a long time that her strategy since entering office of courting the Right at the expense of the centre has been an unmitigated failure. We also know what the response from Number 10 to the defeat is likely to be: they will tell us that nothing has changed. Why do we know that? Because if the Government was about to pivot to a new approach such as backing a referendum, or embracing a no-deal Brexit the Prime Minister would have had to have lined her Cabinet up in advance. She hasnt done that. Indeed, she has systematically rejected their advice. Now none of them have an inkling what she thinks. If she suddenly tried to bounce the Cabinet this week into a decisive move in one direction or another, she knows she would trigger resignations and she is too weak to risk that. Instead she will tell us tomorrow night, after her defeat, what she tells us today before it: my deal is the only way forward. Downing Street still pins its hopes on three developments. First, that there will be Brexiteers who, having registered a protest vote against the deal, now come into line because they can see Brexit itself is at risk. There may well be some and the whips may even have pre-planted some converts, as they clearly have already today. But we know that even if the DUP is literally bought off there is no prospect of bringing the core of the hardline Brexiteers over. Read the statements from the hard-Brexit European Research Group leaders today. They are not opening the door to compromise; instead they are hardening in support for no deal, which a newly re-energised Boris Johnson tells us now is what the British people voted for. Unite or divide? The second Downing Street hope, therefore, remains that moderate Labour MPs are going to come to rescue of a Right-wing Tory government. If that was ever to have happened, we would have needed a completely different style of premiership from the start one that sought to unite rather than divide. Last minute phone calls to the TUC merely look desperate now. So we know that Mrs May will not win over Labour MPs in anything like the numbers required to assemble a majority. The third hope is that the EU rides to the rescue, that the Irish back down over the backstop, and Berlin intervenes to save Mrs May. Its amazing that exasperated Cabinet ministers still believe this might happen. But we know it wont. The whole history of Brexit is littered with misplaced expectations of last-minute interventions from the Continent. But with European elections looming, and leading figures up for retirement or election, there is no prospect of the EU reopening the legal withdrawal agreement. What of the other players? We know that a moderate alliance led by the likes of Oliver Letwin and Yvette Cooper will try, and likely succeed, to assert more parliamentary control. But for what purpose they will use this new power remains unclear some want a Norway-style deal, some want to delay Brexit and others want a referendum. And, finally, we know that the Opposition isnt going to rise to the countrys rescue with a clear alternative to the current mess. If Jeremy Corbyn tables a no-confidence motion, he knows it wont pass. The Labour frontbench wants maximum chaos and confusion, to bring down the Government and kick-start their socialist revolution, and in their current leader they have got the perfect proponent of both. TODO: define component type apester So for all the parliamentary drama were promised this week, dont expect to be any the wiser by the end of the week. B ased on what MPs have said during eight days of debate, tomorrows vote on the Prime Ministers proposed Brexit deal, which the Government has secured for our departure from the EU, looks most unlikely to go in its favour. This is not surprising. The heady expectations of easily negotiated trade deals, freedom from EU regulations and economic growth and prosperity promised by Leaver politicians are long gone. The deal reflects the reality that our country is being asked to embark on a prolonged period of great uncertainty, where our influence once outside the EU is reduced. We have to continue to follow all its rules, and any future relationship has yet to be agreed and will almost certainly require continuing to observe many of those things that were disliked and we were promised would go. It is no wonder that many Conservative colleagues reject it. Those who wanted to leave the European Union see it as the death of their dreams. For those of us who believe that in leaving the EU we are making the biggest mistake of our recent history, the utter variance of the current outcome with the false expectations raised in 2016 compels rejection, because it condemns our country to a third-rate future which we have the ability and duty to try and prevent. Dominic Grieve speaking during a convention on a second EU referendum / PA The Opposition parties will vote against it too. Why should they be saddled with any responsibility for such a failure even if, in the case of Labour, it has put forward no credible alternative? The fact that well under a quarter of the electorate seem to want this deal tells its own story. But rejection of the deal in itself does not solve the dilemma we face. In 2016 the public voted by a majority to leave the EU. As I can see from my mailbag, some are angry at being deprived of their hopes and expectations. They demand action to implement their vote, just as others require we should think again and abandon the project entirely. Some are so understandably fed up with the whole thing that they just want it over with. The trouble there, however, is that even acceptance of the PMs deal would not help them, as far from offering a quick end to the turmoil it would just usher in a new phase of it. The days that follow the vote are likely to be crucial to our countrys future So the days that follow the vote are likely to be crucial to our countrys future. If both the Government and Parliament cannot come together to find a solution then inactivity leads to an unstructured crash out with no deal at all on March 29. A small minority of MPs consider this to be a price worth paying to leave the EU and insist that it is the only way left to honour the referendum result. But many others consider that the chaos that would follow is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to happen. That then requires either extending the Article 50 period, which can only be done with the consent of all other EU states, or revoking Article 50 entirely and bringing the Brexit process to an end, in contradiction of the referendum result. Extension will only be offered for a good reason. Simply a desire for more time for kicking the can down the road looks most unlikely. TODO: define component type apester It was the growing anxiety about this that led me to table my amendment last week to shorten the time the Government must follow before coming back to the Commons to state what it intends to do and allow us to express our own views. This would not have been needed had the Government not sought consistently to reduce the possibilities for the Commons to express any contrary view to its own by its wording of business motions of the House. There has never been a conspiracy between me and the Speaker to get this amendment put to the vote. It was tabled without any consultation with him. But I am pleased about the improved capacity of the Commons to do its work, that he felt able to allow it to be voted on. It would, however, be much better in the event that the Government loses the vote on the deal that it engages in an open dialogue with the Commons as to what to do next. There is currently no majority for anything, and alternatives to the deal such as a Norway-plus customs union relationship remain very speculative There is currently no majority for anything, and alternatives to the deal such as a Norway-plus customs union relationship remain very speculative. It is also hard to see how Leave voters will not feel even more disappointed if they find, at the end, that we have accepted a long-term relationship that removes all participation and influence in the EU but ties us to follow all its rules save in agriculture and fisheries. This is why I continue to believe that a further public consultation through a referendum offers the best way forward. As a strong believer that Brexit is a very damaging mistake that becomes more obvious every day, I see sound democratic reasons for asking the electorate to confirm what it wants to do. But in doing so I entirely accept that if the choice is to leave the EU then we must do so, and both choices are now implementable. But getting there, or indeed to any other destination, needs proper debate. Yesterdays Government-generated hysteria over coups, and wild assertions that rejection of the PMs deal is democratically unacceptable, contributes nothing to achieving this and creates the very atmosphere of confrontation we should strive to avoid. T he wife of detained car tycoon Carlos Ghosn on Monday slammed the Japanese legal system for its draconian treatment of her husband. Carole Ghosn, who married the former Nissan chairman in May 2016, said in a nine-page letter to the Japanese branch of Human Rights Watch that her husband was targeted by prosecutors to extract a confession. She said prosecutors interrogate him, browbeat him, lecture him and berate him during his detention and urged Human Rights Watch to press the government to reform the legal system. No one should be forced to endure what my husband faces every day, particularly in a developed nation like Japan, the third largest economy in the world, she said. Ghosn, 64, was arrested on November 19 and subsequently charged him with over-stating his salary. He also faces allegations of pushing personal investment losses on to Nissan. He denies the allegations. A judge has refused him bail because he is considered a flight risk and could tamper with evidence. Carole Ghosn, Ghosns second wife, last week said the high-profile boss was suffering from a high fever and that no family members had been allowed to visit him since he was arrested. She said he was held in a 75 square feet cell and eats mainly rice and barley. A dim light illuminates his cell all night, making his sleep more difficult, she added. Reports said he looked noticeably thinner in court last week. Carole Ghosn said he had lost 7kg in two weeks and been denied access to medication. Human Rights Watchs Asia director Brad Adams last week said Ghosns arrest shone a light on Japans hostage justice system, which sees suspects held for long periods of time to coerce a confession. Ghosn has not, and should not, receive preferential treatment. But if Japan wants to live up to its reputation as one of the worlds most advanced democracies, it needs to modernise its criminal justice system, he said. B udget hotel chain Travelodge on Monday launched a major recruitment drive to get parents back into work, who can help fill thousands of jobs once Britain leaves the EU. The accommodation giant said it will offer roles which have hours that fit around the school run, careers advice, and access to management training. Travelodge, which currently has 558 hotels, said it hopes the move will attract some of the UKs 2 million plus unemployed parents into hospitality. The firm plans to open 100 hotels over the next five years which will create 3000 new jobs. A number of the new sites are planned in London, including in Manor House, Peckham and Beckton. Receptionists, managers, and housekeepers will all be sought. Peter Gowers, chief executive of Travelodge said: We are preparing in earnest for post-Brexit Britain. With thousands of new jobs to fill, we need more new colleagues than ever. We see vast untapped potential in parents who want to return to work. L enders to New Look are ready to take control of the ailing fashion retailer as it tries to slash its 1 billion debt pile and stay afloat amid turbulence on the High Street, it emerged on Monday. The companys executive chairman Alistair McGeorge said a refinancing deal will secure the companys future and grow profitability. The fast-fashion chain, which has already closed 86 of its 593 stores in Britain and exited China, hopes to cut its debt to 350 million from 1.3 billion this summer. It will also seek to raise an extra 150 million by issuing new bonds on top of a string of existing ones. A group of bondholders to New Look have hired FTI Consulting to advise them on the chain's restructuring, which is also advising lenders to struggling Debenhams. New Looks owner Brait, which has a 90% stake and is controlled by South African businessman Christo Wiese, plans to hand over control to the retailers creditors and potentially reduce its stake to around 18%. Wiese wrote off the value of New Look to zero in 2017 after it swung to a loss. The management will also hold a 5% stake post-deal. McGeorge added: Brait has always been incredibly supportive. They have been encouraging a restructuring of the balance sheet that puts the company first. New Look saw its same-store sales in Britain fall by 5.7% in December as rivals lured away shoppers with discounts from mid-November onwards. As a result we reduced our expectations, McGeorge said, and New Look expects to make underlying profits of 57 million for 2019. It also took a 17 million one-off hit from closing the 120 stores in China because the company couldnt afford to keep them open. McGeorge, who has been spearheading a turnaround since he was parachuted back into the business in 2017, said in the coming weeks well work out if well be in Europe or out of Europe, where it has 85 stores. Sales have been on an upward trajectory in Britain from minus 4.2% in the first quarter to minus 2.3% in the second, New Look added. It has also been trying to discount less and focus on key categories such as womens clothes and shoes after it became too edgy under the previous management. The attempt to boost New Looks coffers comes after it emerged that High Street peer Debenhams could close up to 90 stores, up from previous expectations of 50 shop closures. P otash, a key fertiliser ingredient, has been a focus for retail investors ever since Sirius Minerals announced it was going to dig up the North York Moors to try to find the stuff. Like most mining projects, costs have overrun and in September last year it said it needed a further $400 million to $600 million to complete the project. So where else can investors look, given that the potash market has traditionally been controlled by just a handful of producers such as Russias Uralkali, Belaruskali in Belarus and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan in Canada the worlds largest producer? One firm worth considering is Kore Potash, the miner looking for potash in Africa. It recently won approval for its mining project in the Republic of Congo after the government ratified the mining convention. Among the terms for the Sintoukola project, Kore will pay no corporation tax for the first five years, 7.5% from years six to 10, and 15% afterwards. Kore chief executive Brad Sampson says: The finalisation of the mining convention creates certainty on the legal and fiscal regime within which Kore Potash will operate its potash projects in the Republic of Congo. Furthermore, it demonstrates the governments alignment to realise the potential of its potash basin. The company is working to get the mine producing, although this is still at least three years down the line. Given the projects size it will also have to tap its shareholders and the market for funds, but given that its main investors include Omans sovereign wealth fund SGRF, which owns 19%, and Chilean lithium and potash miner SQM, with 17.6%, this should not be a problem. One issue is potashs volatile price, despite the fact it is a key crop nutrient. Since 2011 prices have dropped from $550 per tonne to just $226. Leading producers have all blamed rising competition in recent years for the sluggish prices, although oversupply as well as tumbling crop prices particularly grain have also played their part. A ston Martin-backer Investindustrial added to its luxury brands today after making a dive for hot tub-maker Jacuzzi. The private equity firm will buy the group from Apollo Global, Ares Management and Clearlake Capital. No price was disclosed but Jacuzzi sales last year were $500 million. The business was founded in 1956 by seven Italian brothers who moved to America and felt hydroptherapy in the home could help arthritis sufferers. Jacuzzis tubs can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000. Italy-based Investindustrial last year struck a deal with private equity firm Carlyle to co-invest in luxury brands. T o scan Max Parmentiers CV is to realise you never want to be up against him in a job interview. Hes scooped $15 million (12 million) from investors including Bill Gates to work on start-up Wambo, an Amazon-esque marketplace that pools medicine procurement so developing countries can get cheaper drugs. Hes pitched at the White House, and worked at the UN; hes survived five years at McKinsey and even helped the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to plan against deforestation all before he was 30. You wouldnt want to pitch your work experience against his but you might feel quite relieved that Belgium-born social entrepreneur Parmentiers latest focus is a London-based agetech business, aimed at killing off depressing care homes, and alleviating hospital bed-blocking, by helping Britons to spend their twilight years at home. Birdie, Parmentiers Angel-based start-up, is like a cross between Facebook and the Big Brother house: its apps help carers go paperless by digitising time-consuming admin and reporting, which can be shared via a private social network with approved medics and family members. Kids can then track their elderly parents health, and care provision, 24/7. Plus there are internet-connected gadgets like door sensors, panic buttons and fall-detection wristbands in users homes, to spot any issues and automatically call for help. Parmentiers idea was inspired by his teenage years, when his ailing grandfather couldnt look after himself at home. Our family decided that putting him in a care home was the safest step but he hated being there and it was hard seeing him that way. Hed have been more himself had he been able to continue living safely in the comforts of the house he once shared with his family. It wasnt until 16 years later, when Parmentier was sitting with a group of tech entrepreneur friends, that I began to reflect on how technology could address the ever-increasing ageing population. The social care system and elderly care was falling apart, part by budget, part by overwhelming demand for assisted care and part by a lack of innovation. So Parmentier, at that time based in Geneva working on Wambo, decided to create an agetech business to help bridge the gap between the elderly, their families, and the care system. He picked London for three reasons: the care industry here only has one regulatory body, the CQC [Care Quality Commission], so its simple to deal with; families in the UK are much more tech-savvy than the rest of Europe, and because its a hub for health tech, so its a great place to find talent. The early days werent flush: I was living off my savings for eight months, and, in my mid thirties, living with room-mates to save money. It wasnt glamorous. For market research, Parmentier interviewed 100 elderly people and their families, as well as carers, geriatricians and GPs. I remember one day when Id had eight conversations with families, with at least six of them crying or nearly crying when describing their life loneliness, neglect and loss, stress, fatigue and frustration from all corners of the care circle. It made me determined to make something to help. Disregarded ideas included a souped-up homecare agency powered by technology, and a Facebook for retirees to encourage community and health activity. Then came the idea for app-based Birdie and, in 2017, Parmentier raised 2.5 million (2.3 million) from Kamet Ventures, backed by insurance giant Axa, followed by a second round of fundraising late last year, where the same backers put in another 7 million. Today Birdie has signed up 30 care agencies with 5000 carers on their books; each pays the start-up between 1 and 5 per carer per month to use its technology. Those clients families can access a free app to view carers information, or pay 30 to 50 a month to upgrade to an app with a GP on call, access to in-home sensor information, and meals-on-wheels services. First revenues last year, which mainly involved the testing phase, are storming ahead this year. Parmentier is using the latest fundraised cash to work out, with GPs and geriatricians, how Birdies massive amount of (anonymised) data from sensors and carers can inspire more preventative health ideas for the elderly. We need to work out how to create the right alerts, flagged to the right professionals, to keep older people in their homes for as long as possible. The holy grail is to help to substantially lower hospital admissions. There are risks, and Brexit is a big one. I might have to pack up and go back to Belgium, the 36-year-old admits. But I hope not. Birdies ambition is to have one million elderly users within five years. Then perhaps a move into Europe. Editor's Note: Entrepreneur's "20 Questions" series features both established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs and asks them a number of questions about what makes them tick, their everyday success strategies and advice for aspiring founders. In 2012, Jessica Alba co-founded the Honest Company with the goal of providing baby and home products made with ingredients that wouldnt be a mystery and were ethically sourced. The company would help customers and their growing families make informed and healthy choices. Today, Honest sells more than 100 consumer products that are available online and in more than 17,000 North American retail locations, with expansion into Europe on track for 2019. Alba and her team have raised $503 million in venture capital funds, including a $200 million round in 2017 that valued the company at under $1 billion. The Honest Company has donated more than 14.7 million diapers and more than 2 million home products to families in need and more than 15,000 employees volunteer hours through its Honest to Goodness program. The company has also joined forces with organizations including Baby2Baby and Mount Sinai. We caught up with Alba, who is also the New York Times bestselling author of The Honest Life, to ask her 20 Questions and find out what makes her tick. 1. How do you start your day? Every day is different so it really depends on what I have going on. Usually, I kiss my kids and my husband and then I get the kids ready for the day. I cook them breakfast, do their hair, make sure they have everything they need for school. Then once the family is all ready, Im either off to the gym or off to work. 2. How do you end your day? I end the day with my family. Usually, I cuddle the kids for bedtime -- I sing songs, read books, talk about their day and give the baby the bottle. 3. Whats a book that changed your mind and why? When I read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, it really opened my eyes to how often business models need to change. No matter how much success a business has, the model constantly needs to be evaluated to protect that success. Even the most successful businesses are fragile and vulnerable. Its not enough to rely on having a great product that people love. The supply chain and operations need to be in place to support the business growth. When I launched The Honest Company, I thought we were the only ones going through some of these things, but Phil Knight made me see things in a whole different way. 4. Whats a book you always recommend and why? Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way by Robin Gerber. She was such a strong woman. Her unwavering integrity and perseverance in the face of insurmountable challenges was really inspiring. She was so committed to the need for social justice and had such a clarity of purpose that she pushed through against all odds. Seeing the impact that she has had gave me an incredible amount of hope and determination that I could be successful. 5. Whats a strategy to keep focused? When Im with my kids, I try not to think about work. When Im at work, I stay focused on whats going on in the office. When Im with my husband for a date, hes my priority. I also like to give my brain mini breaks. If Im in back-to-back meetings, Ill take a break and walk around the office or go to the bathroom, just to give myself a minute to recharge. 6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always knew I wanted to be an actress. The passion for business came later when I knew I needed to start The Honest Company. 7. What did you learn from the worst boss you ever had? Kindness goes a long way. Working with people who are condescending really limits a persons ability to thrive. When you dont feel heard its impossible to stay motivated. Having experiences with people who dont let employees have a voice taught me how important it is to ensure you give everyone, no matter their title, space to feel heard. 8. Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work? James Cameron was one of my early mentors, and he really taught me the importance of filling gaps and finding solutions to problems, regardless of whether youre the most experienced or qualified in your own mind. He motivated me to go after everything I want and believe in. When I decided to launch The Honest Company, I didnt have any background in business, but I saw a need in an industry I felt passionate about, channeled James's advice and started my own company. 9. Whats a trip that changed you? When I lived in Australia as a teenager it really opened my eyes and gave me a global perspective. It was the first time that I understood what it meant to be a global citizen. I started watching BBC and reading foreign newspapers and began to understand that there is so much more going on in the world then what we see day to day. 10. What inspires you? Our customers inspire me. Every time we receive a letter about how The Honest Company has changed someones life, it inspires me to keep striving to further The Honest Companys mission, helping people live happy, healthy lives. 11. What was your first business idea and what did you do with it? The Honest Company was my first business idea and it certainly wasnt easy getting it off the ground. I dont have a typical business background or degree, so I had to learn everything on the fly and I had to get over my own anxiety about not having the typical business trajectory or schooling. I doubled down on what I knew from my experience and made a point of partnering with people who had experience that I didnt. It took time to refine my concept and find co-founders who believed in the mission as deeply as I did, but I knew this was a company that needed to exist and I didnt stop until it did. 12. What was an early job that taught you something important or useful? Acting taught me so much. Most importantly, I learned that if you really want something you go after it and figure out a way to make it happen. 13. Whats the best advice you ever took? Surround yourself with people that have different areas of expertise. As a startup, we all did everything and we were really scrappy. But as the business has grown, its been so important to have people that are experts in specific areas of the business. Not everyone is good at everything and its important to recognize and celebrate that. 14. What's the worst piece of advice you ever got? Just trust that someone whos done it before knows what they are doing. If your gut is telling you that something is off, even if theyve been there and done that, trust your gut. Even if someone has been successful in business, it doesnt mean they are always right and it doesnt mean they are relevant today. Business changes so quickly. Just because someone was successful before doesnt guarantee they will be successful again. 15. Whats a productivity tip you swear by? Drink lots of water and get enough sleep. You are much more productive when youre hydrated and rested. 16. Is there an app or tool you use in a surprising way to get things done or stay on track? I dont think theres anything surprising that I use. I have apps for news, music, meditation, social media -- all the normal things. 17. What does work-life balance mean to you? It means work efficiently and be present when youre at the office. But when youre not at the office, be present doing whatever it is you are doing, whether thats spending time with friends and family, or doing something that you love. Taking care of yourself and giving yourself a mental break is so important. If you dont prioritize taking care of yourself you will burn out. 18. How do you prevent burnout? Time management is key and you need to be very protective of your time. You cant say yes to everything. 19. When youre faced with a creativity block, whats your strategy to get innovating? I ask questions. Ill reach out to friends who work in different categories and see how theyve tackled a challenge. Its helpful to get perspectives outside of your industry and your business. Diversity in thought is so important. 20. What are you learning now? Why is that important? Im always learning. The Honest Company is constantly teaching me, especially when it comes to scaling the business. Theres a fine line knowing how fast to grow -- the combination of art and science is key. With growth comes challenges, but Im learning that challenges dont define you. They provide you with an opportunity to grow and learn. They also allow you to be better prepared for the next challenge, whatever that may be. Related: Jessica Alba Shares the Routine That Helps Her Run the Multimillion-Dollar Honest Company WW (Formerly Weight Watchers) CEO Mindy Grossman Shares Her Key to Business Success Mark Cuban Shares the Best Advice He Ever Got Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved NORWALK Maria Vazquez loves her job as a patient care technician at Norwalk Hospital, but her working conditions have gotten progressively more difficult to deal with. Ive been working 10 years and I love my patients. I love to work, Vazquez said. But its getting worse and worse. Sometimes I even think to look into another job. In the last five years, Vazquezs pay rate has increased only $0.50, making it difficult, she said, to afford the bare necessities in addition to the health insurance provided by the hospital. When you have a low salary, youre working for insurance and for groceries. If you dont have another backup, a husband or family and friends, you dont survive, Vasquez said. Vazquez is part of roughly 500 Norwalk Hospital service workers and 24 skilled maintenance workers whose contract negotiations with the hospital a member of the Western Connecticut Healthcare Network (WCHN) along with New Milford and Danbury hospitals have hit a stalemate. The workers who fill a variety of rolls, including skilled technicians, carpenters, patient care technicians and secretaries oppose three major points of the contract: the two percent annual raise, a new paid time off calculation that would result in roughly 150 veteran employees losing days off, and a change to the workers insurance that would eliminate flex spending accounts, a value of roughly $1,200 a year per employee, estimated Jason Riccio, a representative from Connecticut Health Care Associates, the union to which Norwalk Hospitals nurses, maintenance and service workers belong. WCHN values all employees and will continue good faith negotiations with CHCA that are timely, cordial and respectful. We look forward to reaching final contract terms sometime soon with both the Norwalk Hospital skilled maintenance and service workers, Andrea Rynn, director of public and government relations for WCHN, said in a statement. She did not comment on the specifics of the negotiation. I have people that are making $13, $14, $15 an hour. Two percent of that would be nothing, CHCA Local 1213 President Annabel Figueroa said. For a hospital worker making $13 an hour, a two percent raise would mean an additional $0.26 per hour. For someone making $15 an hour, it would be a $0.30 bump. With a three percent raise, those workers would see a $0.39 and $0.45 hourly pay increase, respectively. Theyre already the lowest paid group. Theyre paying through the nose for health insurance, and now they want to take away this flex benefit which is a huge problem for a lot of these employees because theyve come to rely on it, Riccio said. According to Figueroa, even under the current contract, which still allows flex spending accounts, many of her co-workers still cant afford insurance. Our insurance continues to go up. We have many employees that can not afford the medical insurance, so theyre becoming a burden to the state because theyre applying for Husky, said Figueroa, referring to Connecticuts Medicaid program. I see my co-workers, when they come to us they cry because they say, We cannot afford our insurance. Some opt out all together and try to avoid the doctor. They wouldnt be able to afford treatment at the hospital where they work. To me they are just trying to take, take, take away, Figueroa said. We dont as employees have anything more to give them. Connecticut Health Care Workers also represents bargaining units in New Milford and Danbury, though those contracts are not currently up for negotiation. Norwalks union only formed in 2016, prompted by what the workers called worsening conditions. They were taking everything away, thats why we brought the union in, said John OConnor, a transporter who has worked for the hospital for 19 years. The unions first contract expired this year, beginning with nurses who reached a deal in October. The maintenance workers were next, and nearly agreed to the terms in November, but ultimately voted by a slim margin not to ratify their new contract. According to hospital spokesman Rynn, Since that time and until very recently, the union has declined WCHN attempts to sit down to resolve any differences. They two groups are now scheduled to meet Wednesday. The service workers last met Jan. 3 with the hospitals administration, and have yet to come to the point of a vote. At the table the hospital is crying broke, saying theres no money in the budget, Riccio said. But then there are articles coming out in the News Times that are trying to garner support for the Health Quest merger, in 2019, in which Dr. Murphy (CEO of WCHN) is essentially saying both organizations are financially sound. The quote, Both organizations are financially strong and deeply rooted in the community, from Dr. John Murphy, appeared in a Dec. 4 story in the Danbury paper. Murphy was speaking at a public session about the merger between the WCHN and Health Quest, a Hudson Valley-based medical group with hospitals in Carmel, Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck, N.Y., as well as Sharon, Conn. The merger was announced in March 2018 and is expected to launch in 2019 and has many of the hospital workers unsure about what the future will hold. Figueroa, in her 15 years as a unit secretary, has seen conditions slowly worsen, one small change at a time. She said the hospital has shortened lunch breaks and tightened discipline on employees running late to work and may also potentially force workers some of whom Figueroa said dont have vehicles to float between Norwalk and Danbury hospitals. Other than the additional one percent wage increase the workers are requesting, the groups goal is not to secure greater benefits. They said theyre merely trying to hold on to what theyve already been given. The bottom line is that this hospital is not treating the employees in a fair way, Figueroa said. Were not asking for miracles, we are just asking for what we have. Let us keep our (paid time off) how we have it. Let us keep our flex credits as we have it. Justin.papp.scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 STAMFORD A furloughed Transportation Security Administration worker has been accused of helping to steal $300,000 from a New Jersey company and stash it under fake names in local banks. Police say the scheme, however, was not related to the man needing money because of the federal government shutdown. Dennis Morehead, 48, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., a TSA worker based at John F. Kennedy International Airport, has been charged with racketeering, money laundering, identity theft, forgery, third-degree larceny, criminal attempt at first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny. He has been held in lieu of a $350,000 court appearance bond. Morehead was first arrested in October when police say he tried to open an account using a fake Rhode Island utility bill at the Peoples United Bank on Bedford Street in Stamford. Police said they discovered a pattern of Morehead and another man opening bank accounts and moving money between them. It turned out there was a lot more to the story than just this one guy with fake documents opening up bank accounts, said Stamford police officer Michael Stempien, who investigated the case. Stempien discovered two of the accounts received $300,000 in wire transfers from businesses that were victims of a phishing scheme where sensitive financial data was gained by trickery, according to Moreheads arrest affidavit. Police said the payroll manager of a New Jersey lumber company received an email from someone pretending to be her manager, directing her to make several wire transfers. Police said the woman was tricked into sending more than $400,000 to the suspects. Police said Morehead opened fake business accounts at TD Bank, Citizens Bank and Wells Fargo Bank between late-August and mid-October. Police said a second suspect, who has not been identified, opened accounts with fake names at Webster Bank, Peoples United Bank and TD Bank. The money was moved quickly between the fraudulent accounts in an apparent effort to prevent the banks from seizing the funds or determining their true origins, the affidavit said. Stempien said $50,000 to $60,000 was stolen from the New Jersey lumber company. The banks did a great job of recovering the majority of the money, but these guys knew what they were doing, moving the money from one account to the next to obscure and launder the funds, Stempien said. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com STAMFORD The long-running dispute over funding for President Donald Trumps proposed border barrier, which has come to a head with the partial federal government shutdown, has not discouraged visits to the Mexican capital. Among users of online-travel firm Kayak, Mexico City ranks as the top trending travel destination, with a 73 percent increase in searches, according to a new report by the Stamford-based company that analyzed 1.5 billion annual user searches. In its 2019 Travel Hacker Guide, Kayak highlights Mexico City being named the 2018 Design Capital of the World. Artists and creative entrepreneurs are transforming the city, with highlights including the Fusion art-and-design bazaar, the guide said. Kayaks findings align with other data showing a surge in travel to the second-most-populous country in North America. Some 126 million live in Mexico, with more than 21 million in the Mexico City area, according to U.S. Central Intelligence Agency data. A record 10.6 million tourists visited the country in the first quarter of 2018, up nearly 13 percent from the same period in 2017, according to the Mexico Tourism Board. But many agencies, including the U.S. State Department, urge caution in traveling to the country, including its capital. The State Department gives a Level 2: Exercise increased caution travel advisory for Mexico City. It reports widespread violent and non-violent crime. Last July, a 27-year-old American woman was shot and killed at a taqueria in the city by a stray bullet from motorcycle gunmen apparently targeting a bouncer at the establishment. Pay particular caution to areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well, the State Department advisory says in part. Neighborhoods such as Tepito and Guerrero warrant additional vigilance, especially at night. For the entire country, the State Department has issued a Level 2 warning. Due to crime, it recommends not traveling to the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas. Kayak advises travelers to drink plenty of water and take preventative measures to avoid altitude sickness in Mexico City. After Mexico City, Kayak ranked nine other trending destinations. They are Bali, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; the Bahamas; Guadalajara, Mexico; Lisbon, Portugal; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Maui, Hawaii; and Munich, Germany. In Kayaks overall standings, Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla., Chicago, Denver, Miami, San Francisco, London and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., ranked as the most-popular destinations. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott RED ALERT, TREK FANS! SPOILERS AHEAD! The "Star Trek: Short Treks" are a new initiative from CBS All Access to offer fans a bite-sized snippet of "Star Trek" in the long, agonizing months leading up to the second season premiere of "Star Trek: Discovery" on Thursday (Jan. 17). There are four in total and each one focused on one individual character and ran for about 10 to 15 minutes. The fourth and final short, "The Escape Artist," aired on Thursday, January 3 and together with a full review of that, we look back at the other three as well. [A Closer Look at the New 'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 2 Trailer] Episode 1 "Runaway" This first installment, "Runaway," focuses on Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman), promoted at the end of last season from cadet to ensign. During "Star Trek: Discovery's" first season, Tilly was a polarizing character: fans either love her, or loathe her. The most frustrating thing is that she had both excellent and excruciating moments in equal measure, mostly as a supporting character. However, here she steps into the spotlight for 15 minutes to deal with her own struggles. The story begins as the last shift for the day in the shuttle bay ends. Moments after everyone leaves and the lights are turned off, something or someone disengages the mag-locks on a cargo canister, from inside, and escapes into the ship. Tilly meanwhile is having a holo-call with her mother, Siobhan (played by Mimi Kuzyk) who is clearly a source for much of poor Tilly's neurosis. She screams into her pillow and seeks sanctuary in the mess hall leading to an amusing exchange with the food dispenser. It's at this point that she runs into the stowaway. Tilly meets and befriends an alien fugitive named Me Hani Ika Hali Ka Po, which becomes shortened to just Po (played by Yadira Guevara-Prip). Po comes from a planet called Xahea, a civilization that has just become warp-capable and was running away from her responsibilities as the new queen of Xahea. Po explains that she shares a unique symbiotic relationship with her world where huge quantities of dilithium were being mined ,seriously damaging her home planet's environment. Tilly relates to many of the problems Po has and steps naturally into a big sister role, convincing her to do the right thing and return to her planet. Both are a little wiser and have new strength in their self-confidence. Episode 2 "Calypso" Alone in a V'draysh escape pod, a man whose name we learn is Craft (played by Aldis Hodge) appears to be drifting through space. In suspended animation and in danger of succumbing to his wounds, the man and his escape pod are caught in a tractor beamand that tractor beam is from the USS Discovery. He wakes in sickbay on a deserted starship. The only person onboard is Zora, who turns out to be Discovery's computer (voiced by Annabelle Wallis). The events of this episode take place in the 33rd century, so we have no idea what happened to the crew so long ago. Craft spends his time playing chess, learning about human culture and watching old movies on the bridge with Zora. Her favorite is the 1957 film "Funny Face" starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Inevitably, the two begin to form a relationship; it is clear Zora is becoming enamored with Craft. Craft teaches himself the dance moves from "Funny Face" and asks Zora to create a hologram of how she feels she might look like (played by Sash Striga). Then they dance to the music from the movie, their eyes never once leaving each other's gaze. Craft knows he has feelings for herand Zora is in love with him. A sad and upsetting goodbye takes place in the shuttle bay and Craft begins the long journey home. Episode 3 "The Brightest Star" In this episode , called "The Brightest Star," we follow one of the most popular "Star Trek: Discovery" characters, Saru (played by Doug Jones), at a time before he joined Starfleet. This penultimate "Short Trek" opens with our first-ever look at the Kelpien home world, Kaminar. It's a quiet, peaceful place that's not only a pre-warp society, but also a preindustrial society. The inhabitants here still rely on the land and the sea to give them everything they need. We see a "Logan's Run"-style customary culling taking place, although it's unclear why these particular poor Kelpiens have been chosen. The chosen Kelpiens appear to be instantly vaporized while kneeling around a large black crystal-shaped object that stands like a monument in the center of the village. Poor Saru is drawn toward greater understanding of how and why things are the way they are in the classic story of young curiosity battling age-old tradition and ignorance. During dinner, Saru raises questions about the Kelpiens' culture, which only angers his father (Robert Verlaque), who fiercely defends the way things are done. By candlelight, while everyone else is asleep, Saru manages to pry open a piece of alien technology, reconfigure it and send a message into the heavens to see if there is anyone else out there. The days pass and Saru wonders about what will come to pass. Then one day a message arrives on the device, saying only the word "today." Full of fear and wonder, Saru leaves the village at night and says goodbye to his sister. A shuttlecraft appears in the night sky and lands beside him. It looks oddly familiar possibly of Federation design. The hatch opens and out steps Philippa Georgiou she's still a lieutenant at this point, although the shuttlecraft bears USS Shenzhou markings. "My place is no longer here," he says, and the epic "Star Trek" fanfare plays softly in the background, ensuring every Trekkie has a lump in their throat by the end of this episode. Episode 4 "The Escape Artist" The "Short Treks" have got consistently better each month, which made us practically salivate with excitement at the final episode called "The Escape Artist," which stars the enigmatic, the charismatic, the mesmerizing and memorable, the one and the only Harcourt Fenton Mudd, deliciously played by Rainn Wilson. Straight away we see Mr. Mudd in chains and in trouble. He's being sold from a bounty hunter to a Tellarite named Tervrin Krit (Harry Judge) who's pretty upset. Apparently our man Mudd slept with Krit's sister and stole his family's sacred cudgel, a hand weapon used for close quarters combat, that had been passed down by his ancestors for more than a hundred years. Mudd does his very best to appease the situation, suggesting that perhaps they should team up and try to find the sacred cudgel together. The Tellarite laughs he's enjoying watching Mudd squirm as much as we are. Many Mudds make light work. Bounty hunters have been showing up all week with android replicas of Harry Mudd (played by Rainn Wilson). (Image credit: CBS) "Harcourt Fenton Mudd, wanted by the Federation on 30 counts of smuggling, 20 counts of attempted homicide, one count of attempted regicide..." Krit barks. Mudd scoffs. "Pft! Regicide. He was a duke. Hardly counts as regicide. What are we attempting to murder now? Accuracy?" "Transportation of stolen goods, and one count of ... penetrating a space whale?!" Mudd looks away, sheepishly. "You kinda had to be there," he says. He's is throwing everything he can at the Tellarite. Then Mudd claims that a vague memory is bubbling to the surface. Yes, yesthat sacred cudgel. He had to sell it. Why? Because Mudd is secretly a member of the resistance against the Federation. Krit laughs, as do we. Wilson, who also directed this "Short Trek," is a delight to watch. Mudd is an evil genius. A criminal mastermind. He's like Lex Luthor on amphetamines. He's the original smooth criminal. This guy could talk all four legs off an Arcturan Mega-Donkey, persuade it to go for a walk and then have it prepare a three-course meal with wine and cheeseboard. Harry Mudd ( Rainn Wilson) is without a doubt at his best when he's drawing upon his much-used, well-rehearsed lines to escape a problematic pickle. (Image credit: CBS) Entertaining flashbacks show us that the lines Mudd is attempting on Krit have in fact been used many times previously with very little effect, and are having just as little effect now. The Tellarite cruiser drops out of warp and his greeted by a Hoover Class Federation starship, the USS De Milo. Mudd screams and begs Krit not to hand him over. "I'll polish your tusks I'll braid your little beard," Mudd pleads. If there's a prison somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant, chances are Harry Mudd (Rainn Wilson) has been there; from Orion to Tellar Prime to a Klingon prison ship. (Image credit: CBS) Krit isn't having any of it. The two beam over to the De Milo, where they're greeted by a senior Starfleet officer (Jonathan Watton) who explains that this isn't Harcourt Mudd. In a brilliant twist, it turns out that this is an android duplicate of Mr Mudd, thinly skinned with replicant DNA and programmed to distract the Tellarite until it's too late for him to demand a refund. Apparently, bounty hunters have been showing up all week with these monstrosities. The officer opens a door to reveal at least four of five duplicate Mudds in a room enjoying themselves. It seems Mudd is selling android Mudd to bounty hunters across the galaxy for 50,000 in quatloos, possibly, or maybe latinium. This is of course a direct reference and precursor to the second appearance of Harry Mudd (played by Roger C. Carmel) in the "Star Trek: The Original Series" episode "I, Mudd" (S02, E08) where he returns with a plot to take over the USS Enterprise by stranding the crew on a planet populated by androids under his command. We can only hope that Mudd makes an appearance in Season 2 of "Star Trek: Discovery," since he steals every single scene he's in. Even the silver tongue of Harry Mudd (Rainn Wilson) can't impress an Orion prison guard (Myrthin Stagg). (Image credit: CBS) "Short Treks" are being shown in the US on CBS All Access. In Canada they're available on the TV channel Space and the streaming service CraveTV as well as the Snackable TV app. Sadly, however, fans in the UK will miss out as there are no plans for Netflix to show them as yet. The first season of "Star Trek: Discovery" is available to stream in its entirety on CBS All Access in the US and on Netflix in the UK. The "Star Trek: Discovery" Season 1 on Blu-ray and DVD can be ordered now. The second season of Star Trek: Discovery comprises 13 episodes with no mid-season break. It will premiere on Thursday (Jan. 17) in the US and Canada, and in the rest of the world on Friday (Jan. 18). Follow Scott Snowden on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. An artist's illustration of a gamma-ray burst, the most luminous type of explosion in the universe. The most powerful explosions in the universe may be even more exotic than scientists had thought. There's a weird mix of order and chaos in the light blasted out by gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), brief but intense outbursts associated with the formation of black holes, a new study reports. The new research shows that GRB photons tend to be polarized that is, most of them oscillate in the same direction. But, surprisingly, this direction changes over time. [Images: Black Holes of the Universe] "The results show that, as the explosion takes place, something happens which causes the photons to be emitted with a different polarization direction," Merlin Kole, a researcher at the Department of Nuclear and Particle Physics at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, said in a statement. "What this could be, we really don't know," added Kole, one of the new study's two lead authors. The Gamma-ray Burst Polarimetry experiment POLAR launched aboard China's Tiangong-2 space lab on Sept. 15, 2016. The glowing green light mimics the scintillating light when a gamma-ray photon hits one of the instrument's 1,600 specially made scintillation bars. This illustration is based on a picture taken by a camera located several meters behind POLAR. (Image credit: Institute of High Energy Physics) The most powerful GRBs are unleashed when massive stars go hypernova an especially intense type of supernova and then collapse to form black holes. (Astronomers think a less energetic class of GRB may flare up when two superdense stellar corpses known as neutron stars merge, forming a black hole.) These black holes emit jets of incredibly fast-moving material along their axes of rotation. Scientists think GRB radiation is produced within these narrow relativistic jets, but exactly how that happens is unclear. More information about GRB light could help and that's where the new study, which was published online today (Jan. 14) in the journal Nature Astronomy, comes in. Kole and colleagues analyzed data gathered by an instrument called POLAR, which launched to Earth orbit aboard China's Tiangong-2 space lab in September 2016 and ceased operations in April 2017. As its name suggests, the instrument was designed to gauge the polarity of GRB light. POLAR was a square measuring 19.7 inches (50 centimeters) on a side packed with 1,600 "scintillating bars." GRB photons that hit these bars sometimes produced additional photons, leading to secondary collisions. "If the photons are polarized, we observe a directional dependency between the impact positions of the photons," co-author Nicolas Produit, a researcher at the Department of Astronomy at the University of Geneva, said in the same statement. "On the contrary, if there is no polarization, the second photon resulting from the first collision will leave in a fully random direction." POLAR detected 55 GRBs during its operational life. For the new study, the researchers analyzed five of the most powerful bursts. They delved especially deeply into one 9-second-long GRB, partitioning it into roughly 2-second-long "slices." It was this work that revealed the surprising polarity shift. "We now want to build POLAR-2, which is bigger and more precise," Produit said. "With that, we can dig deeper into these chaotic processes, to finally discover the source of the gamma rays and unravel the mysteries of these highly energetic physical processes." 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. For more than two decades, scientists have wondered whether extraterrestrial life may be flourishing deep below the icy coatings boasted by moons in our outer solar system. Spacecraft like the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Cassini mission to Saturn have stumbled on evidence that some of their moons hide global oceans, warmed by the pull of the giant planet they orbit. And oceanic explorers much closer to home have discovered dynamic communities living in darkness around geologic features on the ocean floor. Combine the two and it's easy to be carried away with dreams of alien seafloors teeming with microbes. But new research is looking deeper, into the rock itself, and suggesting that these worlds may be dead inside not just biologically, but geologically as well. "We were wondering, what would it look like if you were in a submarine and you were able to fly over the surface of the ocean floor on [Jupiter's moon] Europa," lead author Paul Byrne, a planetary geologist at North Carolina State University told Space.com last month at the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union in Washington. [Photos: Europa, Mysterious Icy Moon of Jupiter] These are the seafloors where astrobiologists have hoped to find heated, mineral-packed seawater spitting out into the ocean, like hydrothermal vents and black smokers on Earth. In our oceans, those features support bustling communities centered on microbes ("crawlies," as Byrne calls them) that can feed themselves on chemicals produced where hot rock and seawater continuously mix. If similar structures are found on alien ocean worlds, the prospect of finding life on worlds far from the sun becomes just a little more plausible. "I was hoping we could characterize what the chain of volcanoes would look like, what the rift zones would look like and then we were like, 'Well, I don't think they're going to be there,'" Byrne said. Ganymede, an ocean world orbiting Jupiter, is so large that just its rocky core is still larger than Earth's moon. (Image credit: NASA/JPL) Rock solid To reach that conclusion, the team focused on the rock itself, determining how much force would be necessary to break the rock in two ways we see on Earth: normal faults, which occur when rock is pulled apart, and thrust faults, which occur when rock is pushed together and which require more force to produce. The more force required to break rock, the less geological activity is happening and that means less of the interactions between fresh rock and alien seawater that could theoretically support life. Byrne and his colleagues focused on four ocean worlds: Jupiter's moons Europa and Ganymede and Saturn's Enceladus and Titan. For each of these worlds, the team calculated the strength of the rock. While there are plenty of questions we can't yet answer about these worlds, it turns out that rock strength calculations which are commonly made on Earth for mining operations are pretty feasible. Those calculations are based on the thickness of the cold, solid rock layer, which rests on top of a warmer, mushy layer that can't break. An analogy may help. "Think of like a Milky Way bar or a Mars bar, it's where the chocolate and caramel touch," Byrne said. "That depth, you can treat that as the thickness of the brittle, rigid layer." The thicker it is, the harder it is to break. Then the team added other values, like the body's gravity at a set depth and the weight of water and ice on top of the moon's rocky surface. Even when they included a range of plausible values for unknown inputs, the final calculations were in the same general range for each moon. [Photos: Enceladus, Saturn's Cold, Bright Moon] Byrne said those initial results, which he was presenting at the conference, suggest that the rock is so strong that there's no force we know of on these moons powerful enough to regularly crack it. That's because of the sheer weight of the water and ice sitting above the rock. "When it actually comes to understanding how strong the rock is, it's pretty strong, and it's pretty strong because even though the gravity's pretty low there's a lot of water on top of it," Byrne said. Each moon the team studied showed a different calculated rock strength, but the results aren't particularly promising for geological showstoppers or would-be alien life. "For Europa, it seems really, really hard to make any fractures or faults, and then once you look at Titan and Ganymede, these numbers are stupid high, really, nothing's happening at all on those worlds," Byrne said. Enceladus' rock strength numbers aren't as grim, since this moon is much smaller than the other three, which reduces the weight of the water and ice above its rocky surface. The picture also looks a little different at Enceladus because its rocky core is more porous. If those pores happen to line up, they could carry water deep into the moon. "It's within the realms of plausibility that Enceladus might actually be wet and soggy all the way through," Byrne said. And unlike for the other moons, scientists do have evidence suggesting that rock and water are interacting at Enceladus, thanks to Cassini's flight through seawater plumes shooting through the icy crust and into space, which identified organic compounds. "That's quite encouraging," Byrne said. "It's hard to explain that it's not rock and water touching." Saturn's Enceladus is the only moon the team looked at where they think interactions between rock and water could realistically fuel life. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Billiard ball worlds If the rock at all these seafloors is too strong to be broken regularly, Byrne said, it's difficult to imagine much could be happening down there. On Earth, two major factors shaping the seafloor are soil washing off the continents and the bodies of sea creatures sinking to decay, and neither seems likely on these ocean worlds. Spacecraft haven't seen scars left behind by any impacts that seem large enough to plausibly make a recent dent on the seafloor. And based on his calculations, the rock is too strong to allow the moons to shrink like the planet Mercury or to sport volcanic chains or rift zones. All that means the submarine ride suddenly looks awfully boring. "Basically, it becomes a list of things there won't be," Byrne said. "It'll look like a billiard ball, it'll be a weird smooth planet. It'll be a new type of rocky world in our solar system." [Photos of Ganymede, Jupiter's Largest Moon] He emphasized that these aren't final results. The team is still seeing how other scientists respond to the calculations, and the research isn't published yet. And it will likely be decades before scientists could gather the data they might need to really test the idea which would require seismometers on these alien seafloors. Humans are just now beginning to get their first good seismometer data from another planet, thanks to the InSight lander on Mars. Byrne is philosophical about his team's calculations and how dramatically they seem to undermine what scientists have expected of these worlds. "If we're wrong, fine, that's how science works, that's grand, we'll take it, we'll be happy about it," he said. In fact, he said he's a little sad about his own team's findings. "It would be great if we found interesting stuff, because these worlds are cool and maybe there's life there," Byrne said. "But if we're right, it means we do need to reconsider these worlds as habitable destinations or destinations for exploring habitability." Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Officer Chris Kozora, a recent recruit for the South Bend Police Department currently in field training, prepares his squad car for his shift. Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. Kristie Erickson The History Museum The leap in war industry during World War I led to an increase in the need for housing in industrial centers. This was felt keenly in South Bend, where expansion at the Oliver and Studebaker plants meant that even South Bend Mayor Franklin Carson was not able to find a place to live after selling his home on Riverside Drive. To help, the U.S. government purchased a large tract of land on the south side of the city to build homes to alleviate the shortage. But the war ended before work began, and the land was returned to its owners most notably 40 acres that had belonged to J.D. Oliver, president of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works. Rumors had been circulating that Oliver planned a large expansion to his factory, and he immediately set out to build homes on this land for the necessary workers. On Oct. 7, 1919, Oliver took his plans to City Hall to arrange for sewer lines to be laid. When he was informed that government bureaucracy would delay the start of work by several weeks, he offered to pay for it himself to hasten the project, a total cost of $12,000. His intent was to build 1,000 homes over the next year, lauded in an opinion piece in the South Bend Tribune as contribut(ing) more to the welfare of the community at this time than were he to build a dozen coliseums, or other such monuments, and present them to the city. Construction began immediately on the first 100 homes, located on Indiana, McPherson, Arnold and Webster Streets near Prairie Avenue. Instead of the houses being built from scratch, the components of the homes were delivered in sections for assembly, greatly expediting the work. They were completed by years end, at a cost of $2,000-$2,200 each. Oliver made good on the business expansion as well, announcing an immediate $2 million plan to build a tractor plant and nine supporting buildings, adding 2,500 new workers. He also renovated the Oliver Annex adjoining the J.M.S. building, creating apartment suites out of the former hotel. His first resident? Mayor Carson, now finally able to find a place to live. Kristie Erickson is deputy executive director of The History Museum in South Bend. Staff reports South Bend Tribune Google it. We use this phrase every day. Once upon a time, the word Google just indicated a very long number. Today, its a verb. That extends to physical products as well. Like these 20 incredibly useful Google products and services you probably didnt know about until now. But the worlds most powerful search engine can do more than find things. Yes, the full G-Suite is a game-changer, and many of us have uploaded our entire digital existence to Drive; but most users dont even realize how much power they have with a simple browser, thanks to Googles many features and tricks. While youre at it, find out what Google knows about you through its takeout feature. Its free and tells you what the search giant knows about you. (Hint: If youve got multiple Google accounts, youll need to sign out and sign in for each.) If you never realized you could run two searches simultaneously or convert your screen to Klingon, read on. Google will grant you access to pretty much all of human knowledge, but even that is only the tip of the iceberg. Googles advanced search features Everybody knows how to do a regular search on Google. But skilled researchers prefer the advanced search function, which helps you refine your results. You can find websites with specific words, precise phrases, numbers, languages, and regions, among other parameters. During your first search attempt, click or tap Settings just below and to the right of the main text field and look for Advanced Search. Youll see multiple search fields. There, you can filter your searches in any number of ways. If you cant find something on a specific website because their search function is lacking, theres a field in Googles Advanced Search where you can search by site or domain. For media, you can search by image size or aspect ratio, color, search by site or even filter results by usage rights. Google has dozens of hidden gems, including these 10 hidden search features that youll want to try. Quick and easy search methods If you dont need all the filters that come with Advanced Search, you can use several shortcuts for regular searches. For example, if youre looking for something exact, add quotation marks to the word or phrase (e.g., The Man in the High Tower). Do you need to exclude a word? Place a minus sign (-) in front of the word you dont want. Throw a plus sign (+) in front of any word you want to stress as important. You can also search a site directly by placing site: directly in front of the URL, then follow it with your search term. So it would look like this: site:komando.com google You can use the same method to search for related content (related:). Put @ in front of a word to search social media, or add # in front to search hashtags. Use * in place of an unknown word or as a placeholder. You can even search within a range of numbers like this: 2002..2018. Easily stay up to date Do you want a quick look at todays weather? Presuming your device knows where you are, Google the word weather and youll get a detailed daily forecast along with outlooks for the coming days. You can also type weather in Atlanta, or any other point on the map, and youll receive a detailed meteorological update. The same goes for checking area traffic, movie times and even stocks. Keep track of your reservations If you have any booked flights or dinner reservations through Gmail, you can view that information through Google as well. Just type my reservations and itll bring up any relevant information (as long as youre already logged into your account). And since its your personal information, youll be the only one who can see those results. Still, you may want to review your privacy settings, to make sure youre not sharing information that youd prefer to keep private. Play games Did you know there are a few games you can play just using a simple search? Search Pac-Man, and the iconic arcade game will fire up, free for anyone to use. Other games, like Atari Breakout and Zerg Rush, are also available to play directly through the browser, whenever you need a quick thrill. Wire-free, mobile first and data rich? The future of access control is within almost anyones reach The 2020s will be a wireless decade in access control, says Russell Wagstaff from ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEA. He examines the trends data, and looks beyond mobile keys to brand new security roles for the smartphone. The benefits of wire-free electronic access control are well rehearsed. They are also more relevant than ever. A wireless solution gives facility managers deeper, more flexible control over who should have access, where and when, because installing, operating and integrating them is easier and less expensive than wiring more doors. Battery powered locks Many procurement teams are now aware of these cost advantages, but perhaps not their scale. Research for an ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions (AAOS) benchmarking exercise found installation stage to be the largest contributor to cost reduction. Comparing a typical installation of battery-powered Aperio locks versus wired locks at the same scale, the research projected an 80% saving in installers labour costs for customers who go cable-free. Battery powered locks all consume much less energy than traditional wired locks Operating costs are also lower for wireless: Battery powered locks all consume much less energy than traditional wired locks, which normally work via magnets connected permanently to electricity. Wireless locks only wake up when presented with a credential for which they must make an access decision. AAOS estimated a 70% saving in energy use over a comparable locks lifetime. Find out more about wireless access control at ASSA ABLOY's upcoming 29th June webinar Deploying wireless locks In short, every time a business chooses a wireless lock rather than a wired door, they benefit from both installation and operating cost savings. A recent report from IFSEC Global, AAOS and Omdia reveals the extent to which the advantages of wireless are cutting through. Responses to a large survey of security professionals end-users, installers, integrators and consultants serving large corporations and small- to medium-sized organisations in education, healthcare, industrial, commercial, infrastructure, retail, banking and other sectors suggest almost four locations in ten (38%) have now deployed wireless locks as a part or the whole of their access solution. The corresponding data point from AAOSs 2014 Report was 23%. Electronic access control Electronic access control is less dependent than ever on cabling Without doubt, electronic access control is less dependent than ever on cabling: Even after a year when many investments have been deferred or curtailed, the data reveals fast-growing adoption of wireless locks, technologies and systems. Is mobile access control based on digital credentials or virtual keys stored on a smartphone an ideal security technology for this wire-free future? In fact, the same report finds mobile access is growing fast right now. Among those surveyed, 26% of end-users already offer mobile compatibility; 39% plan to roll out mobile access within two years. Before the mid-2020s, around two-thirds of access systems will employ the smartphone in some way. The smartphone is also convenient for gathering system insights Driving rapid adoption What is driving such rapid adoption? The convenience benefits for everyday users are obvious witness the mobile boom in banking and payments, travel or event ticketing, transport, food delivery and countless more areas of modern life. Access control is a natural fit. If you have your phone, you are already carrying your keys: What could be easier? IBM forecasts that 1.87 billion people globally will be mobile workers by 2022 Less often discussed are the ways mobile management makes life easier for facility and security managers, too. Among those polled for the new Wireless Access Control Report, almost half (47%) agreed that Mobile was more flexible than physical credentials, and 36% believe that mobile credentials make it easier to upgrade employee access rights at any time. IBM forecasts that 1.87 billion people globally will be mobile workers by 2022. Workers in every impacted sector require solutions which can get the job done from anywhere: Access management via smartphone offers this. Site management device The smartphone is also convenient for gathering system insights. For example, one new reporting and analytics tool for CLIQ key-based access control systems uses an app to collect, visualise and evaluate access data. Security system data could contribute to business success. The apps clear, visual layout helps managers to instantly spot relevant trends, anomalies or patterns. Its simple to export, to share insights across the business. Reinvented for learning not just as a key or site management device the phone will help businesses make smarter, data-informed decisions. The smartphone will also play a major role in security and everything else for an exciting new generation of smart buildings. These buildings will derive their intelligence from interoperability. Over 90% of the reports survey respondents highlighted the importance of integration across building functions including access control, CCTV, alarm and visitor management systems. Genuinely seamless integration They offer greater peace of mind than proprietary solutions which lock you in for the long term Yet in practice, stumbling blocks remain on the road to deeper, genuinely seamless integration. More than a quarter of those polled felt held back by a lack of solutions developed to open standards. Open standards are key for the momentum behind the shift towards system integration, notes the Report. As well as being more flexible, open solutions are better futureproofed. Shared standards ensure investments can be made today with confidence that hardware and firmware may be built on seamlessly in the future. They offer greater peace of mind than proprietary solutions which lock you in for the long term. Open solutions and mobile management are critical to achieving the goals which end-users in every vertical are chasing: scalability, flexibility, sustainability, cost-efficiency and convenience. TerraX Recovers 16,000 meters of Historical Core Posted by Publisher Internet TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: TXR; Frankfurt: TX0; OTC Pink: TRXXF http://www.commodity-tv.net/c/search_adv/?v=298245) is pleased to announce that in cooperation with The Geological Survey of the NWT and The Giant Mine Remediation Project, TerraX was able to recover 16,000 meters of historical drill core. In a preliminary review of the core TerraX geologists have identified visible gold? Core Photo 1 and are currently logging and splitting the favorable sections of core for assaying. David Suda, President and CEO stated: ?Acquiring core with visible gold provides an exciting and unexpected jumpstart to the advancement of key targets that will provide investors an early look at assay results in the first half of 2019. We have effectively gained a full season of drilling for a fraction of the normal cost.? Mr. Suda further stated ?The core is from 3 of 4 identified targets that TerraX plans to drill next, although highly encouraging the strongest or largest targets still remain to be tested in our next drill program? The core material is from holes drilled on TerraX property Figure 1 Historical drill logs related to the recovered core indicate that several holes showed significant gold intersections. Core Photo 2 The logging and re-sampling of this core to confirm historical reports is a top priority for TerraX Q1 of 2019. Since the acquisition, TerraX has identified core from holes drilled on the northern extension of the Giant mine gold structure which sits on TerraX land. These holes are significant to the development of high priority exploration targets Figure 2 TerraX will continue to sort, log and resample core to strategically identify the best core for assay in winter 2019.? The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Joseph Campbell, Executive Chairman of TerraX, who is a Qualified Person as defined in \National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Yellowknife City Gold Project The Yellowknife City Gold (\YCG\) project encompasses 783 sq km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, TerraX controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 km of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople. The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering 70 km of strike length along the main mineralized break in the Yellowknife gold district, including the southern and northern extensions of the shear system that hosted the high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The project area contains multiple shears that are the recognized hosts for gold deposits in the Yellowknife gold district, with innumerable gold showings and recent high-grade drill results that serve to indicate the project\-\-s potential as a world-class gold district.? For more information on the YCG project, please visit our web site at www.terraxminerals.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors \DAVID SUDA\ David Suda President and CEO For more information, please contact: Samuel Vella Manager of Corporate Communications Phone: 604-689-1749 Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684 svella@terraxminerals.com In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG ? Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch 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 news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts, the completion of due diligence and the results of exploration activities that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company\-\-s expectations are disclosed in the Company\-\-s documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. Neel Bhatt, a UW assistant professor of otolaryngology, specializes in treating patients with voice problems. Through his work, he began to realize people did not like the sound of their own voices. With the transition to school over Zoom, many students can relate to the discomfort of hearin PHILIPSBURG:--- The United St. Maarten (US) party and National Alliance factions of Parliament has requested Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams to convene an urgent meeting of Parliament to discuss the reported The Decision of The Council of Ministers to go with the Dutch government and European Investment Bank (EIB) financing proposal to the tune of US $100 million to go towards the reconstruction of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA). The aforementioned factions requested the presence of the Minister of General Affairs, Prime Minister Leona Marlin Romeo and the Shareholder Representative TEATT Minister Stuart Johnson for this urgent meeting. Considering that the airport plays a vital role in the economy of St. Maarten and its recovery post-hurricane Irma and Maria and this decision could have substantial consequences for the company and country, it is important that Parliament is informed of the details of the agreement, US Leader MP Frans Richardson said. Additionally, the reported decision contradicts previous statements made by a member of the Council Of Ministers and raises additional questions which will further be presented in Parliament during the requested public meeting. Richardson continued: Clarity needs to be provided about what this proposal entails, what the government has agreed to if they have agreed to anything, why the reverse position on the conditions etc. Parliament needs to know, Richardson said. The US and NA factions also requested for the meeting to be held sooner than the 4x24 hours permitted as per the Rules of Order Article 33, sub 5, considering the severity of the issue at hand. The meeting request was signed by MPs Frans Richardson, Rolando Brison, Christopher Emmanuel, Ardwell Irion, and Jurendy Doran. THE HAGUE:--- St. Maartens tourism focus continues to be on the rebranding of the destination and creating awareness of the fact that the island is open to welcome back visitors. That was the message from Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication (TEATT) The Honourable Stuart Johnson, when they met with several ambassadors representing Colombia, Italy, Canada and Panama during a working visit un the Hague, Thursday. His French St. Martin counterpart Vice President of the Collectivity Valerie Damaseau joined Johnson. The Ambassadors met with the Minister and VP at the St. Maarten House in The Netherlands. Both government officials outlined several plans for the island and discussed ways in which they can work with the respective destinations to attract visitors. The working visit marks the first time that top officials from both French and Dutch St. Maarten have met at the St. Maarten House in The Netherlands. Their meeting in Holland is part of a destination promotion trip the two embarked on. It signals that Johnson and Damaseau have taken their memorandum of understanding on destination marketing to yet another level. Both sides of the island continue to increase joint destination marketing activities and enhance cooperation in service of the entire islands best interest. During the meeting, the delegates highlighted St. Maartens recovery status and the improvements that both governments were making to sustainably rebuild light of the devastation caused by hurricane Irma in 2017. Top tourism officials from the Dutch and French side along with the Tourism Director of Saba Glen Holms and the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba and Curacao was also present at the meeting. Amongst the delegation meeting the St. Maarten officials were, Sarah Gillis First Secretary Political and Economic Affairs of Canada, Ambassador of Colombia H.E. Juan Jose Quintana Aranguren, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Slovenia in The Hague Mark Stucin, Ambassador of the Philippines Jaime Victor B. Ledda, , Ambassador of Italy H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini, Ambassador of Panama H.E. Mr. Willys Delvalle Velasco, Mr. Steven R. Butler Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs and Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao H.E. Antony Begina. Johnson said, Our goal is to expand our reach globally and attract visitors from everywhere who have the spending power that is needed to revive the economy. While the destination has already identified the type of tourism product it wants for the future sustainability of the island, the idea is to ensure that the good news of St. Maartens resilience continues to spread worldwide. Damaseau said that there is significant interest in St. Maarten as a tourism destination, and these types of events go a long way to bringing visitors to our shores. She said, Competition in tourism continues to rise, as many Caribbean islands are looking at how they can benefit from our destinations setback. This is why the Memorandum of Understanding between both halves of the island, was critical to moving the destination forward. We must speak with one voice to show our strength as a destination. Johnson and Damaseau both agreed that it is crucial at this stage for the alignment of the product development plans for both sides of the island. We have to see what the Caribbean and the rest of the world is doing to position ourselves to compete with them in the area of Cruise and Stayover visitors. Ultimately St. Maarten will have to continue the work to ensure that our tourism product adequately reflects what our visitors need from the destination. He said that while there will continue to be a need to use conventional methods of disseminating information to market the island we must incorporate advanced technology and make our message appealing to the younger crowd as they are now the larger group of travellers. Minister Johnson and VP Damaseau have both expressed their sincere gratitude to the Team at the St. Maarten House for their cooperation and support during the organisation and execution of the event. One of its hosts, Jeanine Pirro, a friend of the president, asked him: "Are you now, or have you ever, worked for Russia, Mr President?" The president responded: "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." Denying he had sought to keep the conversations secret, he added: "I'm not keeping anything under wraps. I couldn't care less. I have many one-on-one meetings, nobody ever says anything about it, but with Putin they say, 'Oh what did they talk about?' We talked about very positive things. Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is open for grabs." Asked if he would release conversations with Mr Putin he said "I would, I don't care," adding that they were "great conversations". Trump has repeatedly withheld details of his conversations with Putin, according to current and former US officials, a practice that has left officials blind to the dynamic between the two leaders and intensified questions within the administration over the president's actions. That development, first reported by The Washington Post, followed a report in The New York Times that the FBI had earlier begun a counterintelligence investigation on Trump to see whether he had been influenced by Russia when he fired James Comey as FBI director in 2017. On Sunday, congressional Democrats said the steps Trump took to keep his conversations secret brought forth uncomfortable questions about the relations between the two men and why the US president echoed some of Putin's positions. "Why is he so chummy with Vladimir Putin, this man who is a former KGB agent, never been a friend to the United States, invaded our allies, threatens us around the world and tries his damnedest to undermine our elections?" Senator Dick Durbin said on ABC's This Week. "Why is this President Trump's best buddy? I don't get it." Trump went so far as to take the notes from the interpreter who worked with him during a private meeting with Putin at the 2017 Group of 20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany. A former senior administration official said a number of top figures in the administration sought in the hours and days after the meeting to find out details of what Trump and Putin had discussed. But Trump waved off their queries, leaving the officials to rely solely on a brief readout that Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state at the time, had provided to the news media, according to the former official. Several administration officials asked the interpreter what had been discussed. But the interpreter told them that the president had taken the notes after the meeting, and had instructed the translator not to discuss the meeting, the former official said. Last year both House and Senate Democrats called on Trump's interpreters to testify on the president's meetings with Putin, including the leaders' July summit in Helsinki. Trump's news conference in Helsinki, in which he questioned his own intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia sought to influence the 2016 election, prompted bipartisan criticism. Trump's failure to allow other officials into the room or share notes of the meeting has become something of a Rorschach test inside the government. For opponents of the president, there are no innocent explanations for Trump's actions, which are possible evidence that Trump has colluded with Russia, a question at the heart of the special counsel inquiry. For supporters, Trump's actions are evidence that he must go to extreme lengths to prevent leaks and is a nontraditional politician pursuing new approaches to old problems. Republicans defended Trump on Sunday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CBS Face the Nation that any notion the president was a threat to US security "is absolutely ludicrous." Republican Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, defended Trump's choice to talk privately with Putin or other leaders. "I know what the president likes to do," McCarthy said on Face the Nation. "He likes to create a personal relationship, build that relationship, even rebuild that relationship, like he does with other world leaders around." As Democrats press ahead in their investigation of Trump's meetings with Putin, it is not clear what information they will be able to extract from the White House. There are no reports inside the government on what Trump and Putin discussed in their meetings, current and former officials said. Without official detailed notes about Trump's conversations, senior officials in the administration have had to rely on intelligence reports about what the Russians were saying to one another after the meeting. There are limits to what officials could glean from the intelligence, current and former officials said. And the Russians could hardly be considered reliable narrators, even with one another. While that frustrated some in the government, the former senior administration official said he was not unsympathetic to Trump's predicament. The official said the president feared that whatever he said to Putin would be twisted by critics. McGowan, 45, was originally charged with felony possession of cocaine after a member of a cleaning crew found her wallet with white powder inside an aeroplane on January 20, 2017. Actor and #MeToo activist Rose McGowan on Monday pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanour possession of a controlled substance and was ordered to pay a $US2500 ($3460) fine. Loading An MWAA detective testified that he called McGowan the day after her flight arrived to say her wallet had been found and she should come pick it up, but McGowan never did. McGowan surrendered to the charge in November 2017, and her lawyers raised the possibility that the cocaine was planted by someone connected with movie producer Harvey Weinstein. McGowan was one of the first women to accuse Weinstein of sexual assault at the outset of the #MeToo movement, and Weinstein has subsequently been charged in connection with another case. Possession of cocaine, regardless of the amount, is considered a felony in Virginia, but first-time offenders are typically allowed to plead guilty to a reduced misdemeanour charge. "Sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war," McGowan told WTOP Radio after the hearing, "and I'm in it for the long haul. And that's what's going on. Once you get tangled in the legal system it's very hard to get out of it. Sometimes you just take what you can get and hope for the best." Warsaw: The mayor of a city in Poland was in very serious condition after he was stabbed on stage Sunday during the finale of a large charity event, and Polish media reported details that gave the attack a political element. Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz was attacked with a knife, held his belly and collapsed during the "Lights to Heaven," fundraiser organised by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, Poland's most important charity. Adamowicz underwent five hours of surgery after being stabbed onstage during the finale of a charity fundraiser. Dr Tomasz Stefaniak at the Medical University of Gdansk told reporters early Monday that "the patient is alive but is in a very serious condition." Beijing: Buoyed by the success of its Jade Rabbit moon mission, China is planning to next establish a base on the south pole of the moon and build houses with 3D printing technology. The deputy chief commander of China's Lunar Exploration Program, Wu Yanhua, said China was already in discussions with the United States and European space programs about what a moon research station could achieve. A screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre shows the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe and the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) taking photos of each other. Credit:Jin Liwang Chinese space scientists spoke publicly about the history-making Chang'e-4 mission to the far side of the moon on Monday. Wu played down the cost, comparing the price of sending the Change'e-4 lander and its Jade Rabbit rover to the far side of the moon to subway construction. Queensland families are increasingly ditching mainstream classrooms to teach their children at home, blaming a bullying scourge and a shortage of resources in schools. There were 3232 students registered for home education in 2018, a huge 192 per cent increase on five years ago. The number of students being home-schooled in Queensland has almost tripled. Credit:Craig Abraham Gympie, Toowoomba and Caboolture were the top areas for home-schooling in the state last year. Queensland University of Technology education lecturer Rebecca English said Christians and "hippies" who were "always going to home educate" were not behind the increase. The human rights watchdog has slammed the Morrison governments proposal to make it easier to strip terrorists of their citizenship, warning it risks breaching Australias obligation not to make people stateless. The Australian Human Rights Commission has urged Parliament not to pass the new law in a submission to the intelligence and security committee. Its strong criticism of the attempt to lower the bar on stripping terrorists of their Australian citizenship comes amid a controversy over Islamic State member Neil Prakash, whose citizenship the government has revoked, claiming he is also Fijian - prompting Fiji to firmly reject that claim. Under the current law, terrorists can be stripped of their citizenship only if they are a dual national and therefore would not be rendered stateless. They must also have been convicted of a terrorism-related crime and have received a jail sentence of at least six years. The changes, which are being considered by the intelligence committee, mean the home affairs minister need only be satisfied that the person is not going to be rendered stateless - a lower threshold of certainty. Two-term independent Cathy McGowan will not recontest Indi at the federal election, setting up a run from her nominated successor Helen Haines, and leaving the door open for Nationals MP Bridget McKenzie to announce a tilt at the rural Victorian seat. "The timing is right," Ms McGowan said on Monday morning in Wodonga. "I spoke to the PM, I spoke to the Leader of the Opposition, and they thanked me for the work I've done." Indi MP Cathy McGowan announces she will not contest the next election and is backing Voices for Indi-backed candidate Helen Haines. Credit:Mark Jesser Ms McGowan, 65, will be remembered for her both her efforts in Parliament and out: Voices for Indi, the independent grassroots movement that pushed her into federal politics and will attempt to do the same for Dr Haines, has become a blueprint for independent campaigns across the country. Dr Haines thanked Ms McGowan for her leadership, and said she will bring her healthcare experience and compassion to Indi. Support among Australians for a growing population is crumbling amid fears of overcrowded cities and homes priced out of the reach of ordinary people, a new survey by the Australian National University has revealed. As both the Morrison government and Shorten opposition consider their own approaches to population policy in the run-up to this year's election, the ANU poll found just three out of 10 Australians believe the nation needs more people. Support for a "bigger Australia" has nose-dived on concerns about congestion and high house prices. Credit:James Alcock A similar poll conducted in 2010 found support for a growing population at 45 per cent. The 15 percentage point fall was driven by a huge drop in support among male voters who in 2010 showed majority support for a bigger Australia. Male support has now fallen to 38.4 per cent. Afterpay has fired back at its competitors amid an escalating dispute with the big banks over looming regulations on the "buy now, pay later" industry. The sector has boomed on the back of falling credit card use, banks tightening up their lending in the wake of the royal commission and the proliferation of "buy now, pay later" platforms across thousands of retail stores, including David Jones, Officeworks and Country Road. The rapid expansion has prompted the Australian Banking Association to launch a campaign against its financial services competitors, urging policymakers at a forthcoming Senate inquiry to bring them under the same regulations as the big banks. Afterpay's economic adviser Craig Emerson. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos Those calls have been backed by a coalition of consumer groups. Choice, the Consumer Action Law Centre and the Financial Rights Legal Centre have all urged regulators to bring "buy now, pay later" providers under the National Credit Protection Act. Peter Dutton still insists he knows better than the Fijian government how its citizenship laws apply to the leading Islamic State member Neil Prakash, captured in Turkey in 2016 and now awaiting trial there. The Home Affairs minister is adamant: his departments legal advice is that Prakash is entitled to Fijian citizenship and thus can be stripped of his Australian citizenship, without risk of being rendered stateless, under a law allowing this for dual citizens convicted of serious terrorism offences or taking up arms against Australia. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: This is a mystery to the Fijians. From Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama down, they are saying the Melbourne-born Prakash, 27, son of an Indo-Fijian father and Cambodian-origin mother, would have had to apply for Fijian citizenship by descent and had never done so. It was not automatic. Further, the Fijians deny outright Duttons assertion they were consulted in advance about the Prakash decision. No doubt Dutton will come under torrid questioning when Parliament resumes about the legal advice he claims to have, and about his communications or lack of them with Fiji. A WA father of two has avoided jail after asking a 14-year-old girl to send nude pictures of herself via Facebook messenger. The 40-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Perth District Court on January 10 after pleading guilty to using electronic communication with intent to expose a child under 16 years old to indecent matter. The man undertook a psychological assessment. Credit:Louie Douvis State prosecutor Sarah Kavanagh told the court the man committed the offence while on a camping trip with friends in September 2017. She said the man sent several messages within a 20-minute period to the girl, including: Whats going on, little mischief?, I better be good cos your mum and dad will kill me, Nude selfies?, Get your t** out and You can show me and I wont say a thing. International student Zhikai Liu had travelled more than 9000 kilometres to study at the University of Melbourne. But months after his arrival from China, things were tough. He struggled to understand his English-language courses. He was having difficulties with his girlfriend. He wasnt sleeping. Many international students could be suffering in silence with mental distress. Credit:Erin Jonasson Then he confided to his sister that when he was alone in his apartment he was thinking about self harm, yet he refused to seek any help for his suspected depression. Only three months after his arrival in a new country, the 24-year-old died in a fall in March 2016 which was later ruled to be suicide. It is believed a burst water main caused the problem. A car was partly submerged in the sinkhole in Gardenvale Road, Gardenvale about 6.20am Monday. It Credit:Nine News The car was partly submerged in the sinkhole in Gardenvale Road in the bayside suburb of Gardenvale about 6.20am Monday. A driver has escaped unscathed after his car fell into a sinkhole in Melbourne. Aerial footage of the scene captured by Nine shows the white car in the middle of a suburban street being partially swallowed by the sinkhole. Emergency services remain at the scene. The sudden collapse of the ground is a terrifying thought. Yet despite it being the stuff of nightmares, sinkholes are more common than you may think and occur all over the world. Sinkholes often form when water seeps through surface sediment and into the soluble earth beneath. Work is under way to clear the backlog of delayed flights at Melbourne Airport. Credit:Craig Abraham Melbourne Airport was in chaos on Monday morning after a fire alarm grounded planes and forced its traffic control centre to be evacuated. Flights were suspended from departing and landing for an hour from about 9am. An airport spokesman said more than 50 flights were affected with flow-on delays and cancellations expected to plague the airport throughout the day and into the evening. The parents of Max Meyer, who was killed in an avalanche while skiing in Austria, have released a statement in relation to their son's death, saying a ski patrol's rescue attempt "triggered" the avalanche that killed the Sydney schoolboy. In a statement, Thomas Meyer and Julie Schatz said they attempted to contact the ski patrol for advice after getting stuck in deep snow. Max Meyer, 16, was killed during an avalanche in Austria. Credit:International Grammar School "On Wednesday 9th January 2019 whilst skiing on the lower front slopes of St Anton, we ended up in a narrow valley between two main runs," the statement said. "Due to the depth of the snow, we considered it safer not to try to walk out, but to contact the ski patrol for advice and so that they would know our location." "The Austrian police at St Anton have confirmed this was the most responsible action to take." Police have pleaded with the public to help them catch the stranger who sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl in a public toilet on the Sunshine Coast, fearing he could strike again. Obviously when anyone is so brazen to assault a child in a public place there is concern for us. There is also the risk it may happen again, Sunshine Coast child protection Officer in Charge Phil Hurst said. Police need help to catch the man who sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl in a toilet block. Credit:Leanne Pickett Sunshine Coast police have already scoured CCTV footage to identify the man responsible for the attack, which happened on January 4. They now need the public to come forward with what they know. Inner-city retailers have reported an almost 40 per cent increase in shoplifting over the holiday period, prompting police to warn business owners to be more proactive in theft deterrence. According to Queensland Police Service statistics, there were 140 instances last month, up 38.6 per cent from the 101 reported thefts the previous December. Brisbane's CBD experienced a 40 per cent increase in shoplifting last month. Credit:Michelle Smith National Retail Association industry policy manager David Stout said retailers were vulnerable to shoplifters around Christmas/New Year's and urged retailers to be more vigilant during the school holidays and to report any acts of theft to the authorities. The holidays is a critical time of year for retailers, so its important that owners and staff keep careful watch for any posibility of theft or any other forms of suspicious behaviour," he said. Scenic beauty draws tourists to and from all corners of the world, and some of the most stunning sites of all dont even look like they belong on this planet. These natural wonders are fascinating and beautiful in their strangeness and distinctive features. A senior Juvenile Justice manager has pleaded guilty to helping smuggle contraband tobacco to her son in a Sydney jail, after he was allegedly coerced to secure the contraband. Melody Alefosio-Sasagi was second-in-charge at one of the states largest youth detention facilities when she visited her son Ezekiel with one of his female friends, who slipped him a package from her bra. The Parklea inmate then swallowed the package before corrections officers intervened. The price of a packet of black market cigarettes soared to $300 in 2015 after Corrective Services NSW banned all forms of tobacco in the state's jails, a prison officer told the Herald that year. Ms Alefosio-Sasagi, 50, said in a letter to a magistrate that she only became aware of the plan to pass what she thought was tobacco on the day of the visit last August. But she also said her son - a gambling and drug addict - had told her of threats from other inmates telling him to secure tobacco. The number of MDMA poisoning cases in NSW over a new year period hit a four-year record in 2019. There were 115 emergency department presentations in the week ending January 3. The figures were released as the family and friends of Alex Ross-King, 19, mourned her death from a suspected drug overdose at the FOMO festival in Parramatta at the weekend, and as the organisation behind the Kings Cross medically supervised injecting centre urged Premier Gladys Berejiklian to launch pill-testing trials. Alex Ross-King is the fifth young person to die at a music festival in recent months. Credit:Facebook However, NSW Health said the weekly count for presentations related to MDMA, also known as ecstasy, was always highest over a new year period, and the 2018-19 figures were not dramatically higher than in previous years. Sydney commuters will be able to catch driverless metro trains between Sydney's north west and Chatswood as early as April or May after the first train successfully completed running on the entire length of the 36-kilometre line. The exact date of the opening of Australia's first driverless passenger line will depend on complex testing of train systems and signalling over the coming weeks, as well as final approval for services by the national safety regulator. Premier Gladys Berejiklian marks the arrival of the first metro train at Chatswood. Credit:AAP/Jeremy Piper Premier Gladys Berejiklian doubted people would be fazed by riding on driverless trains, pointing out that they are operating successfully elsewhere in the world such as in Singapore. "I don't think people will think about it once they are on the system. It will be so efficient, and of course, we will continue to have all of our station staff," she said. When the University of New South Wales decided to design and build a giant Millennium Sundial to grace its quadrangle, it was presented with a host of technical challenges, involving astronomy, surveying, celestial navigation and engineering, to name a few. To solve the intricate problems of this 350kg bronze, sun clock to be positioned on a wall towering above the students in the quadrangle, the University turned to a retired professor of surveying, Dr George Bennett. Bennett relished the challenge to contribute to the University of NSW, and to the wider community and in 2000, designed and managed, from concept to finish, the entire project, including the casting of the centrepiece gnomon (pointer). Dr William Kearsley a former student of Dr Bennett's and the then Associate Professor and Head of the School of Surveying, at UNSW said that the sundial "is now regarded as one of the great assets of the University. It both enhances the teaching of fundamental concepts for positioning in the Surveying and Spatial Information Systems program and adds beauty to the Quadrangle Building at this University." However, Bennett's contribution extended well beyond this convergence of science and art, as he subsequently donated his fee to the university, which used it to establish a prize for the top-performing student in the first year of study in the School of Surveying and Spatial Information Systems at UNSW. George Gordon Bennett was born in Croydon, London, on December 21, 1926 to George Bennett, a builder, and his wife, Winifred. The younger George was educated at Selhurst Grammar School in Croydon and, following demobilisation from the British Army in 1948, George and Winifred, and George and his sister Joan, settled in Australia as "ten-pound Poms". George met Molly Delaney at the University of Melbourne Fencing Club, where he won a Full Blue for Fencing. They were married on January 12, 1952. It's always the case in January that op shops are inundated with donations, particularly clothing, as New Year's resolutions see people clear out their closets and attempt to get organised. But this year has been the biggest yet for many local pre-loved retailers after Canberrans cottoned on to the viral Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, which sees her clients rid themselves of any possession that doesn't "spark joy". The Green Shed's co-owners Sandie Parkes and Charlie Bigg-Wither have seen a big increase in clothing donations since the 'Tidying Up' fad took hold. Credit:Jamila Toderas The Green Shed, which operates three stores across the capital as well as offering free clothes at its Hume and Mitchell locations, describes its current offering of freebies as "mount clothesmore". "[The pile of free clothes] in our carport in our drop off area is probably about three to four metres wide and 10 foot tall," co-owner Charlie Bigg-Wither said. A Canberra man in an apparent ice-induced psychosis is accused of embarking on a bizarre, violent and dangerous crime spree before being arrested shirtless on the Monaro Highway. Police will allege that 32-year-old David Anthony King attacked several members of the public on Sunday, forcing one to raise an axe to defend himself, before stealing one of their cars. It's alleged Mr King then drove onto the Monaro Highway in Hume where he swerved in front of a cyclist and caused the cyclist to hit the car. Mr King, who works as a plumber, exited the car where it's alleged he hit the cyclist and started to abuse two people who had pulled over to help the fallen rider. Police say Mr King pulled down his pants and began playing with himself while walking into traffic and attempting to wave down cars. The state of many of NSW's rivers is so dire that the Berejiklian government will start installing aerators to increase oxygen levels and keep vital stocks of native fish alive. The action comes as Lake Hume, one of the two main water storages on the Murray-Darling river, has suffered an apparent fishkill event although the cause is being investigated. Days after a mass fish kill in the Darling River at Menindee, hundreds of carcasses were still on the river bank near the town. Credit:Nick Moir Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said on Tuesday that nine of these machines will be installed "as a temporary measure" to help fish populations survive the brutal combination of low river flows, algal blooms and severe heatwaves. "We're not going to die wondering - we're trying to find a solution," Mr Blair said. Saudi Arabia has finally silenced its peak-oil critics and simultaneously revived interest in its stalled $US2 trillion ($2.8 trillion) plan for a stock market float of state-owned producer Aramco. The kingdom revealed this week it has enough crude to pump at current rates for at least another 70 years. At the end of 2017, Saudi oil reserves stood at an eye-watering 268 billion barrels, up from previous estimates of 266 billion. By comparison, the UK's remaining cache of retrievable oil under the seabed of the North Sea will be almost completely drained, probably after another couple of decades. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Credit:AP The updated figures were no surprise for many experts. BP's highly respected statistical review of world energy lists Saudi oil reserves at just over 266 billion barrels and Rystad Energy estimates that 276 billion barrels remain under its Arabian deserts. However, not everyone has been convinced by either the longevity, or scale, of Saudi's remaining oil riches. In his critically acclaimed 2005 book Twilight in the Desert, the then-prominent oil economist Matthew R Simmons predicted that Saudi Arabia's oil wells were about to run dry. His theory was based on the ageing status of several gigantic oilfields, which still provide the bulk of the kingdom's near-11 million-barrel-per-day output. Workers who froze their pay to help save NSW's Port Kembla steelworks are set to lose their jobs and be replaced by overseas crews on foreign vessels, after BHP terminated two shipping contracts, maritime unions say. BHP last week revealed it was abandoning the last two Australian-crewed ships that carry iron ore from Port Hedland in Western Australia to BlueScope Steel's steelworks south of Sydney. "I thought they might have the compassion for the Australian industry to keep our jobs going": Ashley Hill. Credit:Kate Geraghty The Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) and Australian Maritime Officers Union condemned the move, saying more than 70 Australian officers and seafarers would lose their jobs. BHP would use foreign crews on foreign ships to carry the same product between the two ports, the unions said. Ashley Hill, 57, who works as a third engineer for the contracted employer, Teekay Shipping Australia, said the local crews had been "shafted" after agreeing to a pay freeze in 2015 to help BlueScope achieve $200 million of cost cuts needed to save the steelworks. They criticized the Knights, known for more than a century of public service and charity work, for opposing abortion and same-sex marriage and asked if Mr. Buescher would renounce the group. But the Knights beliefs mirror the dogma of Roman Catholicism, an institution that claims more than 70 million Americans as members. Joerg Kukies The deputy finance minister and his boss, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, are among the more avid supporters of a domestic banking merger. They see the financial crisis a decade ago as proof that Germany needs a strong lender and want to act before the next downturn hits. The sense of urgency is one reason Kukies has held more than a dozen talks with Deutsche Bank executives since assuming office last March, with at least some of those encounters touching on the bank's strategic options. The views of Scholz and Kukies also matter because Germany still owns just over 15 percent of Commerzbank after a 2009 bailout, which means the government is likely to have a stake in a merged company, according to people familiar. Such a stake could reassure investors in a crisis and it would leave the door open for the government to participate in a possible capital increase if that was necessary as a last resort. Martin Zielke Commerzbank's chief executive officer has said that bank mergers can be a good way to achieve scale. He's also open to merging with Deutsche Bank specifically, though he was a bigger fan of the idea in 2017, when Commerzbank's market valuation almost doubled, according to people familiar with his thinking. Like Sewing, Zielke would like to show that his turnaround plan -- unveiled just over two years ago and built around gaining market share while cutting costs -- is delivering results. But he has recently had to admit that some assumptions had been overly optimistic, forcing him to abandon some of the plan's key targets. He's also been meeting regularly with Sewing recently and the two have discussed the merger among other things although it wasn't a formal agenda item, people familiar have said. A merger with Commerzbank is one of the radical solutions being floated by market-watchers. Credit:Bloomberg Paul Achleitner Deutsche Bank's chairman has been crucial in shaping the lender's strategy ever since he assumed his post more than six years ago. He's also been important in the current talks about a potential merger with Commerzbank, having discussed the idea with the German government last year, people familiar with the talks have said. That doesn't necessarily mean Achleitner is in favor of the idea. As the bank's chief liaison with large investors, he's particularly sensitive to the bank's shares, which have lost about 70 percent of their value since he took the job. That credibility-straining drop means he's eager to see a rebound before his term ends in 2022 and ideally before the bank's 150th anniversary in 2020, according to people who know him. Felix Hufeld The head of Germany's top banking watchdog, BaFin, is unsurprisingly cautious about a merger. He doesn't see M&A as an easy fix for big banks generally, and even less so when it involves lenders he perceives as weakened, according to people familiar with his thinking. Despite his reservations, he's acknowledged that banking deals will probably happen and he would be more open to a tie-up between Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank if the two can improve their fortunes, the people said. Hufeld isn't Deutsche Bank's only regulator, but his seat on the European Central Bank's oversight arm amplifies his voice. Some of his colleagues have been more bullish on mergers generally, with ECB Executive Board member Sabine Lautenschlaeger recently calling discussions about German bank consolidation "a very positive idea." Stephen Feinberg Most of Deutsche Bank's largest investors agree with the CEO that a merger at the current share price would lock in its low value. However, Cerberus Capital Management LP's CEO has more at stake because his firm is also a major Commerzbank shareholder, owning 5 percent of Germany's second-largest listed bank. The fact that Cerberus has stakes in both companies means Deutsche Bank's low share price wouldn't dilute the private equity firm's holding in a potential merged entity as much as for other Deutsche Bank investors. The cash was play money, and the time was represented by little pom-poms, but people got to share what they believe should be the top priorities as the city develops its Denbigh-Warwick Area Plan. They also got to vote on where the citys buildings in the area the library, fire station 9, police station and municipal services office should go if they were relocated or expanded. 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. -- Some Starbucks bathrooms are being used by drug addicts who leave their needles and other drug paraphernalia behind. To deal with the danger of workers being poked by the syringes, the coffee giant is planning on placing sharps containers in bathrooms at selected locations so they be be safely disposed. The initiative was spurred by employees in the companys hometown of Seattle who used Coworker.org to sign a petition asking for the safety measure. In the petition, workers urged Starbucks to place needle deposit boxes in bathrooms, citing the heroin and hepatitis C crisis as well as the risk of unsafely discarded hypodermic needles. Close to 4,000 signed the petition, according to the New York Post. When asked if the company was considering the sharps container for Staten Island outlets, a spokeswoman said, We are evaluating on a store-by-store basis to support the needs of the business and the community it serves. This varies by store, design and layout, and the amount of traffic the store supports. Starbucks has been dealing with issue for some time. Spokesman Reggie Borges said that in 2017 Starbucks started training employees on what steps need to be taken when hypodermic needles are found. He confirmed that at least two Seattle-area baristas have been poked by needles. In a statement to Fox News, a spokesperson for Starbucks said there are protocols in place to protect employees from scary situations. I cant emphasize enough that if our partners are ever in a position where they dont feel comfortable completing a task, they are empowered to remove themselves from the situation and alert their manager. As we always do, we are constantly evaluating our processes and listening to partner feedback of ways we can be better, the statement read. Since the petition, Starbucks has been looking into the problem and is considering solutions, such testing heavier-duty garbage bags to prevent needles from poking through, in addition to installing the sharps containers. STATEN ISLANDS DRUG CRISIS According to District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, his office is investigating 101 fatalities that occurred in 2018. There were also 251 saves using naloxone in 2018, he said. The numbers are preliminary and will likely change pending additional toxicology results. One hundred thirteen overdoses occurred to Staten Islanders aged 20 to 29 last year, according to the data. Fifty of the 101 overdose victims tested positive for fentanyl during toxicology, according to data from McMahons office. Twenty-four tests were negative and an additional 24 are pending toxicology. McMahon said theres no question that the advent of fentanyl -- as well as mixing heroin with other substances like Xanax, Tramadol, and Gabapentin -- has increased the number of overdoses over the last few years. The D.A. has also reported that more ODs are occurring in public places. There have been at least 130 overdoses in public places since McMahon took office in 2015. Like the overdose of Jonathan Ayers, many have happened in local businesses. Ayers fatally overdosed inside the bathroom of Red Robin in the Staten Island Mall in New Springville on Sept. 9, 2016. In addition, many ODs have been reported at the Staten Island Ferry terminal bathrooms. But there are have no reports of an overdose in a Starbucks on Staten Island. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Move Forward Staten Islands Rock n' Roe benefit concert raised more than $3,000 to benefit both the group and Planned Parenthood of New York Citys Staten Island Health Center. According to the group, more than 150 people attended the benefit that was held at Flagship Brewery on Saturday. Representatives from Planned Parenthood of New York City and Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) were in attendance and addressed the crowd. By being here today, we are collectively sending a message to our elected officials at all levels of government that we support access to sexual and reproductive health services, and, yes, that also means access to a safe, legal and affordable abortion," said Julienne N. Verdi, chair and founder of Move Forward Staten Island. "Were here to say that we expect our elected officials to vote accordingly. And were here to say that we intend to hold our elected officials from both sides of the aisle accountable. The event featured a lineup of local bands, including: Wahoo Skiffle Crazies, Dolltits, Hegazy and Universe Ignore Her. Photographer Kristopher Johnson hosted a pop-up portrait studio. Attendees also had the opportunity to create signage for the third annual Womens March NYC on Saturday, Jan. 19. Were so grateful to Move Forward Staten Island for organizing this benefit to support our Staten Island health center, and for the incredible, collaborative work they do to address a range of social justice issues that Staten Islanders face," said Laura McQuade, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City. At Planned Parenthood of New York City, were committed to investing in Staten Island communities and increasing access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health care on Staten Island." The concert is a follow-up to Move Forward Staten Islands other successful fundraisers. Friends with Benefits, which was held in April 2017, drew more than 200 people and raised over $5,000 for Planned Parenthood of NYC, said Verdi. Huddled Masses, which was held in January 2018, benefited Staten Island immigrant rights organizations La Colmena and El Centro, she said. Planned Parenthood of New York City provides sexual and reproductive health services to thousands of New Yorkers through their health centers located in all five boroughs. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Monday is the last day to apply for kindergarten in a New York City public school for the 2019-2020 school year. To apply for kindergarten, your child must be a current New York City resident who was born in 2014. Admission is open to all students of this age, including current pre-kindergarten students at public schools, Pre-K Centers, NYC Early Education Centers, charter schools and private and parochial schools. It is also open to students with disabilities, students with accessibility needs, students learning English, students in temporary housing and LGBTQ and gender nonconforming students. There are two types of schools you can add to your kindergarten application: zoned and non-zoned schools. If you live in an area zoned for a specific school, your children have priority to attend that school. Non-zoned schools are schools that do not have a zone. Families who live anywhere in the district or borough can attend them. You can add up to 12 schools on your childs kindergarten application. Admission is not first-come, first-served. All applications received by the Jan. 14 deadline are treated the same, according to schools' admissions priorities. Parents need to fill out the kindergarten application online with MySchools. Parents can also apply by calling 718-935-2009, or apply in person at a Family Welcome Center. Staten Islands Family Welcome Center is located in Building A at the Michael J. Petrides campus in Sunnyside. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A brief and unusual flash spotted in the night sky using NASA telescopes last year is continuing to puzzle astronomers. The event called AT2018cow, nicknamed the Cow, was spotted on June 18, 2018, and is unlike any celestial outburst ever seen before, prompting multiple theories about its source, according to a NASA news release. Over three days, the Cow produced a sudden explosion of light at least 10 times brighter than a typical supernova and then faded over a few months. The event occurred inside or near a star-forming galaxy known as CGCG 137-068, which is about 200 million light-years away. It was first observed by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope in Hawaii. Using data from multiple NASA missions, two groups are publishing papers that provide possible explanations for the Cows origins. One paper argues that the Cow is a monster black hole shredding a passing star. Just as the moons gravity causes Earths oceans to bulge, creating tides, a black hole has a similar and powerful effect on an approaching star -- ultimately breaking it apart into a stream of gas. Authors think the shredded star was a white dwarf star -- a hot, roughly Earth-sized stellar remnant. They also calculated that the black holes mass ranges from 100,000 to 1 million times the suns mass. The second paper says it is a supernova, or a stellar explosion, that gave birth to a black hole or a neutron star. When a massive star dies, it explodes as a supernova and leaves behind either a black hole or a dense object called a neutron star. The authors propose that the bright optical and ultraviolet flash from the Cow signaled a supernova, and that the X-ray emissions that followed after the outburst came from gas radiating energy as it fell onto a compact object. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York Wheel is looking to reserve its right to the proceeds of the parts of the 630-foot tourist attraction if an agreement isnt hashed out with its former contractor, according to court documents filed last week in Delaware Bankruptcy Court. The NY Wheel objected to the Chapter 11 plan disclosure statement of its former contractor, Mammoet-Starneth LLC, and says if an agreement isnt reached in ongoing negotiations it will fight for proceeds of the Wheel parts should they be sold at auction. Although parties continue to engage in productive discussions in an effort to consensually resolve their issues, to date, an agreement has not been reached," say court papers. To the extent a consensual resolution is not reached, NYW intends to object to the amended plan in connection with the confirmation hearing." In October, the New York Wheel -- at one time envisioned to be a catalyst for the renaissance of Staten Islands North Shore -- announced the project was dead after the city refused to provide tax-exempt bonds to help fund the otherwise privately financed project. Sources said the estimated cost of the project ballooned to $1 billion. AUCTION OF WHEEL PARTS An auction of the Wheel parts is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in the Wilmington, Del.-based law offices of Richards, Layton & Finger if there are multiple bidders vying for the pieces, according to court documents filed in Delaware Bankruptcy Court. Any qualified bidders -- those who illustrate financial means to purchase the parts -- were to submit a bid by Jan. 11, 2019. An official auction will only take place Jan. 16 if there are multiple bidders, according to court documents. The NY Wheel, Mammoet-Starneth, and a representative of Richards, Layton & Finger didnt immediately comment about auction bids. If there is a bidder, the court would host a hearing on Jan. 23 to approve the sale, and the sale would close on Jan. 28, court papers say. Among the parts for sale and the value -- according to Mammoet-Starneth -- include: Legs, $9.2 million; frame braces, $3.4 million; rim parts, $13 million; capsules, $23 million; drive towers, $3.3 million; supply of cable spokes, $4.4 million; bend limiters, $847,500; dampers, $565,000; hubs and spindle, $2.7 million; bearings, $1.2 million, and drive and control units and system, $6.4 million. WHEEL HISTORY Since the project was halted in May 2017, the NY Wheel had been battling in court with its former contractor Mammoet-Starneth. A source of dispute between the Wheel and its contractor had been the rights to the Wheel parts. The developer had been paying high storage costs for the Wheel components -- close to $500,000 per month. MORE RECENT STORIES ABOUT THE NY WHEEL: FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A repeat felon from West Brighton who assaulted an 84-year-old woman during a violent home invasion in his community last spring wont be prowling the streets for nearly a decade. Kenneth Turkus, 30, has pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary stemming from a harrowing May 7 incident on Davis Avenue. In exchange, Turkus will be sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison for his top-count plea. Authorities said Turkus, who was on parole, broke into the victims home while she was inside. The woman told the Advance she was getting food for her cat when she turned around and saw the defendant standing there. At first, I thought it was my nephew. But then, when I saw him, I asked, 'What are you doing in my house?'" Turkus ran at her, she said. "I started screaming and he knocked me down," the Advance quoted her as saying. Turkus, who is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds, threatened the woman with "a metal object believed to be a knife," according to the criminal complaint and police. "He picked me up, and I said, I don't have any money on me, it's upstairs," the victim, who asked not to be identified, told the Advance. She said the defendant grabbed her by the arm and brought her upstairs to her bedroom. The victim said she entered a closet where she keeps money in an envelope, and Turkus snatched it. He then forced her into the closet, said the woman. Cops said Turkus made off with $300. The defendant was arrested two days later on May 9 near the corner of North Burgher and Morrison avenues in West Brighton, the criminal complaint said. Two needles and a bag with heroin residue were in his possession, said the complaint. Turkus was indicted on charges including burglary, robbery, assault and unlawful imprisonment. His plea on Friday satisfies all charges against him. Besides prison, time, Turkus will be sentenced on March 26 in state Supreme Court, St. George, to five years post-release supervision. Defense lawyer Mark Geisser declined comment on the case. Assistant District Attorney Arda Ozdinc is prosecuting the case. Turkus has served two prior prison sentences. In 2006, he was sent upstate for two to six years for a burglary conviction, show online records of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Later, in 2015, he was sentenced to 18 months to three years behind bars for an attempted-burglary conviction. Turkus was paroled in October 2017, about seven months before the home invasion. Update: The traffic flow is returning to normal on the Goethals Bridge following a delay caused by a crash on the Staten Island Expressway, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Delays are reported on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the Goethals Bridge eastbound during the Monday morning rush hour. The backup on the Goethals is from a crash that is clogging traffic on the Staten Island Expressway Brooklyn-bound near the exit for the Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Google Maps. The traffic jam on the Verrazzano is caused by congestion on the Gowanus Expressway, according to the MTA. Traffic is backing up onto the West Shore Expressway northbound from the Staten Island Expressway crash, according to Google Maps. Vehicles are being diverted around the Staten Island Expressway crash that happened around 6:15 a.m., according to emergency radio communications. A group of quilters met at the First Assembly of God in Shelbyville to sew weighted blankets. Photo submitted You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short. There is freedom on this campus to speak and there is a community thats very open and respectful of different opinions and I think thats what (Poliakoff and Wagner) were talking about and I think thats what every academic institution should hope to be, Trible told the Daily Press. Free inquiry is at the core of liberal learning. And it can only flourish when the freedom of expression is respected and valued. BEIRUT He has survived eight years of war and billions of dollars in money and weapons aimed at toppling him. Now Syrian President Bashar Assad is poised to be readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he forcefully crushed the uprising against his familys rule. Gulf Arab nations, once the main backers of rebels trying to oust Assad, are lining up to reopen their embassies in Syria, worried about leaving the country at the heart of the Arab world to regional rivals Iran and Turkey and missing out on lucrative postwar reconstructive projects. Key border crossings with neighbors, shuttered for years by the war, have reopened, and Arab commercial airlines are reportedly considering resuming flights to Damascus. As President Trump plans to pull out Americas 2,000 soldiers from northeastern Syria, government troops are primed to retake the area they abandoned in 2012 at the height of the war. This would be a significant step toward restoring Assads control over all of Syria, leaving only the northwest in the hands of rebels, most of them jihadis. It can seem like a mind-boggling reversal for a leader whose military once seemed dangerously close to collapse. But Russias military intervention, which began in 2015, steadily reversed Assads losses, allowing his troops, aided by Iranian-backed fighters, to recapture cities like Homs and Aleppo, key to his rule. Assad rules over a country in ruins, with close to half a million people killed and half the population displaced. Major fighting may still lie ahead. But many see the war nearing its end, and the 53-year-old leader is sitting more comfortably than he has in the past eight years. Rehabilitation by Arab states is inevitable, said Faysal Itani, a resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Councils Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. A key motive for Sunni Muslim gulf countries is to blunt the involvement of their Shiite-led foe, Iran, which saw its influence expand rapidly in the chaos of Syrias war. Saudi Arabia tried briefly to help overthrow him when he seemed most vulnerable using proxy militants, Itani said. With his regime likely to survive, however, Saudi Arabia would prefer to try and exercise influence over Assad to balance against Iran while avoiding escalation with Iran itself. A Saudi attempt to patch up relations with Assad would be a public acknowledgment of the kingdoms failure to oust him. At the same time, the involvement of Gulf Arab governments and private companies is crucial for any serious reconstruction effort in Syria. Reconstruction costs are estimated as high as $350 billion. Zeina Karam is an Associated Press writer. JERUSALEM Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that Israel has struck hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria, including a weapons facility in a weekend air strike, as the military announced the discovery of a sixth and final tunnel dug by the Lebanese militant group for cross-border attacks. The statements marked a rare, public acknowledgment of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah and its patron Iran in neighboring Syria, where Israel is long believed to have targeted Iranian weapons shipments to the Lebanese Shiite group. Israel, however, has until now generally refrained from commenting about the strikes for fear of causing a reaction and being drawn into the deadly fighting in neighboring Syrias civil war. At his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu publicly confirmed the strike as he thanked outgoing military chief Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot for long years of service and particularly his directing of Israels shadowy campaign against Iran in recent years. We have operated with impressive success in thwarting Iran from establishing a military foothold in Syria, in the framework of which the military has struck hundreds of times against Iranian and Hezbollah targets, Netanyahu said. Eisenkot will be replaced Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi. Part of his legacy has been the recent Lebanese border operation, which the military said thwarted Hezbollahs prime strategic investment for its next potential war. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Sunday the final tunnel was the largest discovered so far, running hundreds yards from under a Lebanese home and deep into Israeli territory. Israel launched Operation Northern Shield early last month to detect and destroy what it called a vast network of Hezbollah tunnels aimed for militants to sneak across the border, capture territory and stage devastating attacks. Israel and the United Nations say the tunnels violate a cease-fire resolution that ended a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Conricus said the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, was updated on the latest development. Aron Heller is an Associated Press writer. WARSAW The popular liberal mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk died Monday after he was stabbed during a charity event the previous evening by an ex-convict who stormed onstage and said it was revenge against the countrys main opposition party. Pawel Adamowicz, 53, died as a result of wounds to the heart and abdomen, Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski said. The assassination of Adamowicz, a six-term mayor who often mingled freely with citizens of his city, shocked Poland and triggered an outpouring of grief. The right-wing ruling Law and Justice party faced accusations from its critics that an atmosphere of hatred against Adamowicz and other liberal political opponents helped instigate the attack. Government officials pushed back, strongly denouncing the attack and stressing that the 27-year-old perpetrator had a history of violent bank robberies and possible mental illness. The ex-convict rushed onto the stage with a knife Sunday and stabbed Adamowicz then seized a microphone and said it was revenge against the opposition Civic Platform party, which Adamowicz belonged to for many years. Identifying himself as Stefan, he said he had been wrongly imprisoned under a Civic Platform-led government. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Krzysztof Sierak said there were questions about the mental state of the attacker, and that psychiatrists will examine him. He had served 5 years in prison and was released toward the end of last year. On Monday he was charged with murder. Vanessa Gera and Monika Scislowska are Associated Press writers. ROME A left-wing Italian militant who was convicted of murder in his home country nearly three decades ago was arrested in Bolivia, authorities said Sunday, setting the stage for a climactic end to one of Italys longest-running efforts to bring a fugitive to justice. The Italian government sent an aircraft to pick up Cesare Battisti, who was captured by Bolivian police working with Italian agents on the ground in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Italian police said. The 64-year-old had been living in Brazil for years, but Brazils outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently leading to Battistis latest effort to elude authorities. Italian police released a video of Battisti they said was taken hours before his capture, showing him seemingly oblivious to surveillance cameras tracking him as he walked casually down the street. Cesare Battistis long flight is over, Justice Minister Alfonso Buonafede declared, adding that he would be taken to Romes Rebibbia prison as soon as he landed in Italy. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini called Battisti a delinquent who doesnt deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces a life term for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweler and a butcher. He has acknowledged membership in the group but has denied killing anyone and has painted himself as a political refugee. After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then went to France, where he joined dozens of left-wing Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled during Italys years of lead, a bloody and turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants on the left and right carried out bombings, assassinations and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him asylum in 2010. Brazils new right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, hailed Battistis arrest and denounced da Silvas government for having granted the Italian asylum. Finally, there will be justice for the Italian assassin and partner of ideas of one of the most corrupt governments to ever exist, Bolsonaro tweeted in a reference to da Silvas Workers Party. Bolivian government minister Carlos Romero said Battisti would be turned over to Italian authorities in Santa Cruz on the grounds that he had entered the country in an irregular way and was obliged to leave. Citing Bolivias migration regulations, he said Battisti was to be handed over to Italian Interpol agents at the local airport. Nicole Winfield is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON Senate Democrats intend to force a vote this week on the Trump administrations move to lift sanctions against companies controlled by an influential Russian oligarch, intensifying a new line of scrutiny of the administrations handling of Russia policy. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the sanctions on the business empire of Oleg Deripaska should remain in place and that a deal negotiated by the Treasury Department to remove them was flawed and fails to sufficiently limit Deripaskas control and influence of these companies. Schumer announced Saturday that he intended to use a provision in a 2017 sanctions law to prompt a full Senate vote as soon as Tuesday on a resolution to block the Treasury Departments deal with Deripaskas companies. But to approve the measure, Democrats would need the support of several Republicans, which would require them to split with President Trump on the issue. The Democratic-controlled House would also have to pass it. Democrats have increasingly seized on the Treasury Departments decision to grant sanctions relief to Deripaskas companies as evidence that Trump and his administration have been soft on Russia. Trump has made a series of statements deferential toward President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and the special counsel is examining whether the Trump campaign coordinated with the Kremlin to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. Newly empowered House Democrats called on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to defend the move to lift sanctions in a classified briefing Thursday. Afterward, they expressed their dissatisfaction with his responses and demanded that he delay the lifting of the sanctions to review the decision and relevant intelligence assessments. Mnuchin suggested that he was open to extending a Jan. 17 deadline for lifting the sanctions to give congressional skeptics more time to review it, but he gave no indication that he was rethinking the underlying decision. The goal of the sanctions, which were announced by the Treasury Department in April, was to punish the Russian government and key supporters for the interference in the 2016 election, among other hostile acts. Noting Deripaskas connections to the Russian government and accusations of links to Russian organized crime, the Treasury Department announced sanctions against the oligarch personally, as well as three of his companies that play a major role in the global aluminum supply. But the department delayed the sanctions against Deripaskas companies several times amid an aggressive lobbying and legal campaign. Kenneth P. Vogel and Alan Rappeport are New York Times writers. TEHRAN A decades-old Iranian Boeing 707 military cargo plane reportedly carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan crashed Monday while trying to land west of Irans capital, killing 15 people and leaving a sole survivor, authorities said. The crash of the jetliner marked just the latest aviation disaster for Iran, which hoped to replace its aging fleet under terms of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Instead, President Trumps withdrawal from the accord in May scuttled billions of dollars in planned sales by Airbus and Boeing Co. to the Islamic Republic, only increasing the danger for passengers. The aircraft, which bore the paint scheme of the Iranian air forces civilian Saha Airlines, was making emergency landing around 8:30 a.m. Monday at Fath Airport, an airfield controlled by Irans powerful Revolutionary Guard. The plane skidded off the runway, crashed through a perimeter fence and into a residential neighborhood. Iranian state television aired images of smoke-charred homes and the fuselage of the aircraft lying on the ground, with small fires burning around it. The plane was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 25 miles west of Tehran. Authorities did not immediately offer a reason for the crews decision to land instead at Fath Airport, 6 miles southwest of Payam. Its runway is 3,600-feet long, compared to Payams 11,800 feet. In November, a commercial airline reportedly mistook Fath for Payam, but was able to abort its landing. Irans state-run IRNA news agency later quoted an anonymous aviation official saying Mondays doomed flight likewise mistook Fath for Payam. Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the countrys emergency medical services, said that of the 16 people on board the plane, only the flight engineer was known to have survived. Irans air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible martyrdom, is under investigation. It wasnt immediately clear who owns the plane, though Gen. Shahin Taghikhani, an army spokesman, told state TV that the plane and its crew were Iranian. Iranians often use the word martyrdom for those who die in war or national service. The plane reportedly was carrying a cargo of meat from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstans capital. Saha Airlines operated one of the worlds last commercial flights of the Boeing 707, which was first manufactured in 1958 and helped usher in the jet age. The four-engine, narrow-body aircraft were built until 1979. Maintenance information regarding the Boeing 707 that crashed Monday was not immediately available. However, Iran has struggled to obtain parts for its aging fleet of airlines, nearly all purchased during the time of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Saha Airlines Boeing 707s suffered a previous fatal crash in April 2005, when a flight coming from the Kish island crash-landed at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, killing three passengers. Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell are Associated Press writers. It's a familiar scenario for classic movie lovers: You sit down with popcorn and your Netflix account, start scrolling through to find an old movie, and are left with nothing palatable to watch. For its many pleasures, Netflix comes up short way short when it comes to classic films. If you're hunting for anything made before about 1980, prepare for disappointment. A recent search in their "classic movies" genre only turned up a scant handful real classics: several Orson Welles vehicles ("The Third Man," "The Stranger" and "Touch of Evil"), "East of Eden," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Graduate." There are a few reasons for this and, luckily, a few other places that can help narrow the content gap. ALSO: New on streaming services this year One of the main reasons is Netflix's shrinking library. As they've switched to focusing on "original" content although eagle-eyed viewers will often notice these are already-aired foreign shows that have been acquired by or partnered with Netflix the library of other content has decreased. According to data from a third-party Netflix search engine, the service's movie catalog has 2,000 fewer films than in 2010. All that money put into Netflix originals means there's less cash for licensing other content, and the streaming rights of many films aren't cheap. In a 2017 Newsweek article called "Netflix, video streaming and the slow death of classic film," one expert argued Netflix probably doesn't see a large enough audience to justify the cost of acquiring old films. "An emphasis on mainstream, contemporary movies has replaced what had been a broad archive of world cinema," Virginia Tech cinema studies professor Stephen Prince told Newsweek. "Convenience biases viewers toward mainstream fare and makes films of the past or from cultures less visible." So what are the best alternatives? Amazon Prime has a decent selection of older films. Some are movies that have lapsed into the public domain, like the screwball comedy favorite "His Girl Friday." But because they're public domain movies, the sound and picture quality vary; their stream for "His Girl Friday" has noticeable audio issues. Another surprisingly good source is YouTube. Although the selection there leans decidedly in the B-movie direction, there are lots of fun horror, Western and noir full films there, all for free. Popular channels like Classic Movies Channel and Timeless Classic Movies are a great place to start. If you're willing to wait and you've got some disposable income, Criterion films will launch its own streaming service this year. TravelSkills on SFGate is brought to you by Visa Southwest Airlines' highly anticipated plans to launch flights to Hawaii have been put on hold at least temporarily because of the partial shutdown of the federal government. UPDATE: January 24> Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly today: "Hawaii remains our expansion focus for 2019, and we are in the final phase of obtaining authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Extended Operations (ETOPS) to operate between California and the Hawaiian Islands. Our remaining work is currently suspended until the government reopens and the FAA is allowed to resume normal certification activities. We are well-prepared to perform the next steps in the ETOPS application process. We are anxious for the government to resolve this shutdown so we can bring low fares and a boost to Hawaii's travel and tourism industry." The carrier confirmed to SFGate Monday morning the Federal Aviation Administration employees working on certifying the airline to operate flights overwater have been furloughed, and that's put an unexpected stop to the process. Southwest has been working with the FAA for more than a year to obtain ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) certification. The airline must demonstrate its fleet of Boeing 737s can safely fly on just one-engine for an extended amount of time to the nearest suitable airport in the event of an engine failure over an ocean. "The Southwest Team is ready for the next phases in our ETOPS application process: tabletop exercises and validation flights," said Brad Hawkins, a spokesperson for Southwest. "However, the groups within the FAA that oversee those activities are on furlough as a result of the government shutdown, and our next steps require their direct participation and oversight." Last month, we reported Southwest had obtained approval from the FAA for its ETOPS manuals and procedures, (SEE our story here), and that airline executives anticipated finishing the process in the coming weeks. But then the shutdown happened, and the FAA put many employees on furlough including the ETOPS certification team. Don't miss a shred of travel news! Sign up for our free bi-weekly email updates! "We're grateful to have received FAA approval of our ETOPS manuals and proposed procedures before the government shutdown, and we are ready to continue the ETOPS application process when the FAA is allowed to resume full certification activities," Hawkins said. The FAA has also confirmed to us that the process is indeed delayed due to the shutdown. Readers have been anxiously awaiting Southwest's announcement as they begin to formulate their spring and summer travel plans. For example, reader MP wrote: "We have a wedding on April 19 in Maui and must fly out of Sacramento, not elsewhere, and the pricing is horrible for non-stops. How long should I wait for Southwest before I pull the trigger?" The delay is the latest hiccup in Southwest's Hawaii plans. The airline hoped to begin selling tickets and operating flights to Hawaii in late-2018, but the timeline has since slipped into 2019. The airline has said it will begin selling tickets immediately after getting all FAA certifications, with flights beginning within weeks. The Golden State will play a significant role in Southwest's launch plans. Southwest announced in May it intends to offer flights from four California cities: Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego. In Hawaii, Southwest will serve: Honolulu on Oahu, Kahului on Maui, Lihue on Kauai, and Kona on the Big Island. There will also be inter island flights between those cities in Hawaii. When you you think we'll first see Southwest flights alighting in Hawaii? Share your thoughts about this in the comments. Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. When Delta puts its first new Airbus A220 into commercial service later this month, it will be just one of many more to follow as the next-generation single-aisle, 100-150 seat plane is quickly becoming the darling of the airlines. Airbus currently has orders for 527 of them on its books. Just in the past few days, Delta signed on for another 15 A220s, bringing its total order to 90; JetBlue moved ahead with a firm order for 60 of the planes; and the start-up carrier currently known as Moxy, created by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, also signed a firm order for 60. North of the border, Air Canada has ordered 45 A220s, with the first ones due for delivery this year. Just this week, Airbus announced that the jet has obtained ETOPS approval, meaning it could fly from the West Coast to Hawaii, or from the East Coast to Europe. Currently it has the authority for such long distance flights from Transport Canada, but approvals are pending with US and European regulators. Delta will put its first A220-100s into service January 31 between New York LaGuardia-Boston and LaGuardia-Dallas/Ft. Worth. From March through June, the aircraft will gradually be deployed on Delta's DFW routes to Detroit, Salt Lake City, and Minneapolis-St. Paul; and on LaGuardia routes to Detroit and Houston. Bay Area residents should get their first shot at flying in an A220 in mid-June, when Delta plans to start using the aircraft on two of its six daily flights between San Jose and Seattle. Don't miss: Why you can't fly Southwest Airlines to Hawaii While seats are slightly wider than average, seat pitch is about the same on Delta, with 30-32 inches in economy, 34 inches in Comfort+ and 36 inches in first class. You can take a look at Delta's A220 layout on SeatGuru. Delta's version of the A220 offers something unique: a window in the lavatory, which you can see in the slideshow at the top of this post. Except for Moxy, the carriers will generally use the A220 to replace smaller regional jets on domestic routes. Delta will be using the A220-200, a 109-seat model with 12 first class seats, 15 in extra-legroom Comfort+, and 82 in regular economy. The economy seats are configured 2x3, and at almost 19 inches across, they're the widest in the airline's fleet (good news for ever-larger American flyers). We got an advance look at one of the new Delta planes a few months ago. You can read about it here. JetBlue is expected to start receiving its first new A220s in 2020 to replace its 100-passenger Embraer 190s. Besides its initial order for 60, the carrier has an option for 60 more starting in 2025. But unlike Delta, JetBlue has ordered the larger version of the new plane, designated the A220-300. It hasn't yet revealed seat configuration, but Airbus says the A220-300 is designed to carry 130 to 160 passengers. With new ETOPS approval, this could be the plane JetBlue uses to launch its much anticipated transatlantic flights. Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our free bi-weekly emails here. One of the biggest attractions for airlines is the fuel efficiency of the A220 series. JetBlue said the A220-300s will burn 40 percent less fuel than the E190s they are replacing. And the plane's greater range will give the airline "options to schedule it for transcontinental flying," JetBlue said. David Neeleman's new airline -- tentatively known as Moxy is also going with the larger A220-300. In addition to being the founder of JetBlue, Neeleman also started up Brazil's Azul Airlines and is a major investor in TAP Air Portugal. He is targeting a possible 2021 start for commercial service, but Neeleman hasn't yet said how many seats or cabin classes the aircraft will have, nor has he mentioned the initial routes the airline will serve. (He did hint, however, that with a maximum range of 3,678 miles, the A220-300 could operate between cities in the northeast U.S. and northwestern Europe.) Neeleman's strategy for his new U.S. airline is to offer high-quality, low-cost service in secondary markets that have little or no competition, and he sees the new Airbus single-aisle plane as ideally suited for that goal. "The A220's ability to operate profitably in thin, underserved markets across a broad spectrum of ranges is unique," Neeleman said. Besides the initial order for 60 planes, Moxy also has an option for 60 more. Update: Airlines are now reporting that the deployment of the new A220 could be stalled by the government shutdown. Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. The two main reasons the U.S. Supreme Court has cited as justification for the death penalty retribution and deterrence don't apply to people with serious mental illness when they are too delusional to understand what theyve done or to be deterred from doing wrong, said Rhonda Thissen, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Virginia chapter. Vanuatu turns the Corner LETS USE THIS AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FUTURE Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected officials vowed on Monday to work to protect the public interest during PG&E Co.'s imminent Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. "Everyone's immediate focus is, rightfully, on ensuring Californians have continuous, reliable and safe electric and gas service," Newsom said in a statement. Newsom said that in the coming months, he will work with the Legislature and all affected groups "on a solution that ensures consumers have access to safe, affordable and reliable service, fire victims are treated fairly, and California can continue to make progress toward our climate goals." San Francisco Mayor London Breed stated, "I want to assure San Francisco residents that PG&E's bankruptcy declaration will not impact their power service. People will still have complete access to power in their homes, their businesses, and throughout our city." Breed said she has directed the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to study the short-term and long-term impacts of the bankruptcy and options for assuring clean and safe power in the future. The Chapter 11 procedure enables a company to freeze its debts and continue operating while it develops a financial reorganization plan. The plan must be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge. The San Francisco-based utility announced earlier Monday it will file a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection around Jan. 29, following a 15-day required notice to employees. Interim Chief Executive Officer John Simon said the step is needed to achieve an "orderly, fair and expeditious" resolution of PG&E's liabilities from the devastating 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires. In a separate statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the utility said its liability from the fires could be more than $30 billion, not including possible punitive damages or fines. The statement said PG&E Co. and its parent holding company, PG&E Corp., have $1.4 billion in cash on hand, $1.4 billion in wildfire liability insurance for the current year and $840 million in insurance for the previous year. Simon said the utility expects to obtain an additional $5.5 billion in bank loans by the time it files its bankruptcy petition. State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said in a statement, "PG&E's announcement that it will declare bankruptcy is not good news, but we will all work hard to make the best of a bad situation." Wiener said he is confident PG&E will be able to continue to provide reliable energy during the bankruptcy proceeding. He also suggested the bankruptcy provides an opportunity to create a publicly owned electric utility in San Francisco. San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said, "San Francisco taxpayers can be assured that we will vigorously defend their interests. PG&E has said it will ensure that the power stays on during the company's financial turmoil. We will hold them to that. "We will also remain vigilant. PG&E should not be allowed to shift its failures onto the backs of hardworking residents," Herrera stated. PG&E, which is owned by shareholders, provides electricity and natural gas to 16 million customers in Northern and Central California. The utility previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001 in the midst of billions of dollars of debt for spiraling wholesale electricity costs during the state's 2000-01 energy crisis. It emerged from the bankruptcy case in 2004. The utility initially proposed to spin off its power plants, electrical transmission lines and gas pipelines as subsidiaries of the parent PG&E Corp., which would be overseen by federal but not state regulators. The proposal would have retained the utility's retail business as PG&E Co., which would have continued to be regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. In the end, PG&E remained an intact state-regulated utility under the court-approved 2004 plan. Shareholders contributed to paying the debt by forgoing some dividends and customers were tapped to pay $7.2 billion through previous surcharges and new surcharges over nine years. Cal Fire, the state agency in charge of investigating wildfires, has concluded that PG&E caused 18 wildfires in Northern California in 2017 through problems including trees and branches falling on power lines, failure of power poles and other equipment problems. The agency has not yet determined the cause of the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County, which killed 86 people. PG&E has reported to the CPUC that it learned of an equipment problem on a transmission tower near the time and place of the reported start of the fire on Nov. 8. PG&E told the SEC that it is aware of 50 lawsuits filed thus far on behalf of 2,000 plaintiffs in connection with the Camp Fire and 700 lawsuits by 3,600 people related to the 2017 wildfires. A federal judge who is overseeing PG&E's probation in a criminal pipeline safety case has tentatively ordered the utility to inspect its entire electrical service area and remove or trim any trees and repair any transmission equipment that could cause wildfires. U.S. District Judge William Alsup will hold a Jan. 30 hearing to decide whether to go ahead with the order, which if finalized would become a new condition of probation. The federal pipeline safety investigation grew out of a fatal explosion in San Bruno in 2010 of a defectively welded PG&E natural gas transmission pipe. Eight people died. PG&E was convicted of five counts of violating safety laws in connection with several pipelines and one count of obstructing the San Bruno investigation. It was fined $3 million and sentenced to five years of probation with conditions including a requirement not to commit any federal, state or local crimes. 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) A Daly City woman led authorities on a car chase Sunday night, hitting three vehicles before being arrested, police said. Shortly before 10 p.m., San Francisco officers responded to reports of a possible drunken driver at 19th Avenue and Winston Drive, near the Stonestown Galleria shopping mall. When officers tried to contact the driver of a black sedan, she fled in the vehicle, hitting two police cars and a ride-hailing service vehicle in the process, according to police. Officers pursued the vehicle to Great Highway and Sloat Boulevard when the vehicle lost control and crashed. The driver, Lindsay Filbrun, 38, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and several vehicle code violations. Police determined that Filbrun wasn't driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they are investigating why she fled the initial stop. Filbrun was booked into San Francisco County Jail. A minor injury to the driver of the ride-hailing vehicle was reported. The victim declined medical treatment at the scene, 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. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A surfer who lost his board and was stranded in dangerous surf near rocky shores below the Cliff House restaurant in San Francisco was rescued Monday afternoon, fire officials said. About 12:30 p.m., several 911 calls reported the surfer in distress off the rocks below the restaurant on Point Lobos Avenue, fire spokesman Lt. Jonathan Baxter said. Rescue crews and watercraft responded from the fire department, U.S. Coast Guard and San Francisco police. A seasoned fire department rescue swimmer with a long board managed to make it through the choppy to the swimmer, where a Coast Guard boat picked them up, Baxter said. The man who was rescued was in fair condition and taken to the Coast Guard Station on Yerba Buena Island, Baxter 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 CLARA (BCN) A shooting suspect who was shot and killed by police in Santa Clara has been identified as 54-year-old Shaun Kennedy of San Jose, according to the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office. Kennedy was an employee at the Rotten Robbie convenience store at 19030 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino. On Jan. 5, he set fire to a cashier's kiosk before going to the store's Santa Clara branch, according to Santa Clara police. When he arrived, police received multiple 911 calls at 5:42 a.m. about a heavily armed man shooting indiscriminately in the parking lot and inside the store at 3471 Lafayette St. Police confronted Kennedy and shot him, according to police. He died at the scene. Initial calls reported victims down at the scene but no one else was hurt. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, along with police, is conducting an investigation into the shooting. 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. PIEDMONT (BCN) Police are searching for three armed home invasion suspects who pushed their way into a Piedmont home last week. At about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the suspects rang the doorbell of a home in the 500 block of Scenic Avenue. When a 9-year-old answered the door, they pushed the child to the ground and entered the home, police said. An adult was home at the time and the trio quickly fled. No injuries were reported. A detailed description of the suspects was not available, but they were described as teens and one was armed with a silver semi-automatic handgun, according to police. No arrests have been made. Piedmont police released surveillance photos of the suspects on their Facebook page. Anyone with information is asked to call Piedmont police Detective Spranza at (510) 420-3000. 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. Hong Kong: Measures to boost economy Financial Secretary Paul Chan The continuing trade disputes among major economies and the rise in protectionism present significant challenges. And given the complexity of the global supply chains, additional trade barriers will result in higher costs for doing business, which will be borne not only by exporters, but also by importers, as well as end consumers. Trade friction creates uncertainty. That weighs heavily on global investment and business sentiment. It also adds downside risk to economic growth and increased volatility in financial markets. But I can assure you, protectionism won't happen here in Hong Kong, the freest economy in the world. We support free trade and the multilateral trading system, as well as the free flow of capital, people and information. Indeed, it is the cornerstone of our economy. While our small, open economy can hardly expect to remain untouched by global forces, our financial system has withstood countless challenges over the years and the decades. The International Monetary Fund last month commended Hong Kong's prudent macroeconomic policies. The fund noted that our long-standing buffers will help Hong Kong maintain stability despite the increasing risks confronting global growth. And we are now enhancing our regulatory regime and the resilience of our markets. We are equally committed to implementing international standards that improve our banking sector's buoyancy. Hong Kong is a staunch supporter of the regulatory reforms of Basel III and we are working to implement the Basel Committee's latest capital and financial-exposure standards. Over the past year or so, we have approved legislation to boost our anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime. We are also preparing to establish a risk-based capital regime for the insurance industry. The goal is to align Hong Kong's regulatory regime with international standards and to make capital requirements more sensitive to the level of risk that insurance companies bear. A new statutory corporate rescue proposal, together with insolvent trading provisions, will also be introduced. It will help those experiencing short-term financial difficulty revive their business by maximising the potential of a viable company and, in doing so, preserve jobs. If this is not possible, we hope to achieve a better return for a company's creditors than is the case in an immediate insolvent winding-up. Other than regulatory enhancements, we are also stepping up efforts in market development. Hong Kong is the world's leading IPO (initial public offering) centre, last year raising some US$37 billion. In the past 10 years, we topped the world in IPOs on six occasions. And we're determined to keep that global financial crown. Last April, our Stock Exchange implemented a new listing regime. It allows new economy companies with a weighted voting rights structure, as well as pre-revenue and pre-profit biotech companies, to list in Hong Kong. I am pleased to note that so far seven such companies have been listed under the new regime and there are many more in the pipeline. Hong Kong is also a premier asset and wealth management centre, thanks to increasing wealth creation in the Mainland of China and other parts of Asia. At the end of 2017, our asset and wealth management business stood at US$3.1 trillion, with two-thirds of those assets coming from non-Hong Kong investors. We have also introduced a new open-ended fund structure, providing an alternative choice to the unit trust structure in the setting up of funds. It's the first time Hong Kong has put in place a dedicated legal regime for a fund vehicle. And we are now looking into the introduction of a limited partnership regime for private equity funds in Hong Kong. To attract additional funds to Hong Kong, we have been rolling out attractive tax measures. We have tabled a bill at the Legislative Council to provide profits tax exemption for onshore funds operating in Hong Kong, in addition to offshore funds. Our intention is to allow all funds to enjoy tax exemption regardless of their structure, their size or the purpose they serve. We are, to be sure, looking to maximise our role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development. For those who are not familiar with this development plan, the Greater Bay Area is a region covering 11 cities with a combined population of close to 70 million people and a collective GDP of US$1.5 trillion. The Greater Bay Area offers huge potential for the Hong Kong financial services industry. So does the Belt & Road Initiative. We expect to contribute in a number of areas under this far-reaching initiative: serving as the financing risk management and professional services hub for infrastructure projects, Asia's major asset management centre, as well as the global hub for offshore renminbi business. Fintech is also high on our policy agenda. It will help us diversify our financial services development, while sustaining its growth. Indeed, fintech is fast transforming the sector, while creating new business opportunities. We expect to grant the first batch of virtual bank licences shortly, offering the public more choice and efficiency in their banking services. The Open Application Programming Interface framework for the banking sector is also being implemented in phases. It will enable collaboration between banks and technology companies. And that can only create more innovative and integrated financial services. Green finance is also a policy priority. We see Hong Kong serving as a premier financing centre for international and Mainland green companies and projects, raising funds by issuing bonds and IPOs. The Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency launched its Green Finance Certification Scheme last year, providing third-party conformity assessments for issuers on their green debt instruments. Numerous local, Mainland and international organisations, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, have made use of Hong Kong to issue green bonds. We will soon launch a Government Green Bond Programme with a borrowing ceiling of about US$13 billion. That should encourage more issuers to arrange financing for their green projects through our capital markets. There's much more, either in the works or the planning stage. Hong Kong is prepared for whatever this new year - and well beyond - ultimately brings us. Like you, of course, I'm hoping that the flag of free enterprise is soon proudly raised, and flying, in economies all over the world. Hoping that, in the Chinese New Year of the Pig, just around the corner, we can all continue to bring home the bacon. Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave these remarks at the Asian Financial Forum 2019 on January 14. This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. PHOENIX A former top prosecutor in Phoenix was hired Monday by a health care facility to investigate the circumstances into how a patient in a vegetative state was impregnated in a sexual assault. Police are conducting a separate criminal investigation. Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley said Monday that his review for Hacienda HealthCare will focus on patient-security procedures and management practices to ensure patients dont suffer harm in the future. They gave me assurances that they wanted to not just find out what happened, but they (also) wanted to correct the situation, he said. The 29-year-old victim has been incapacitated since age 3 after suffering a near-drowning. She gave birth Dec. 29. The child will be taken in by the mothers family. The sexual assault has triggered not only a police investigation but reviews by state regulatory agencies. Hacienda CEO Bill Timmons resigned a week ago after the news surfaced. A nurse who cared for the victim during her delivery said in a 911 call that she was unaware that the patient was pregnant. Investigators are gathering DNA from all men who worked at the facility. A lawyer representing the victims family has said the family was outraged at the neglect of their daughter. Romley will not have subpoena power to force employees to give DNA samples. Still, he said he would encourage employees to cooperate. Romley said he made it clear to Haciendas board that he will not bury any wrongdoing he may uncover. I call it as I see it, and if not, I walk away, he said. Jacques Billeaud is an Associated Press writer. A flight that was redirected to Oakland International Airport after fog derailed its planned landing at San Francisco International Airport on Thursday wound up being stuck on the tarmac for four hours, with passengers unable to leave. On Friday, audio released details what happened aboard: chaos, confusion and pleads for help from the flight's crew. What actually happened was more complicated than it initially appeared. Oakland International had offered Aeromexico a gate where it could unload passengers, but the pilot reportedly declined, hoping instead to refuel and fly to SFO instead so the plane could get back to Guadalajara later that day, according to the Mercury News. RELATED: 2 detained after Aeromexico flight stuck on Oakland tarmac It didn't actually work out that way, and the plane ended up stranded for almost five hours, holding passengers onboard without air conditioning, food or water. At least one person passed out, and two others were detained and released for being unruly. Some called 911, and others weighed the criminal charges if they were to open the door. Four sought medical attention once they were finally let off the plane. Audio between the pilot and Oakland's air traffic control reveals the moment panic began setting in for the crew aboard. "What I really need is police, some authorities in here," a crew member told air traffic control. RELATED: Aeromexico passengers released "Sir, I just called two hours ago, so you don't know what's happening here," said a crew member later. "You need someone to die ... to open the door?" Oakland International is denying responsibility for the ordeal, telling KNTV that the decision to deplane lies with the airline. "While we empathize with the passengers on the Aeromexico flight, Oakland International Airport confirms absolutely no shortage of personnel among airport staff nor that of our partners," they told the television station. In a statement, Aeromexico said it doesn't normally operate out of Oakland and "does not count on operations from this terminal, which is why we needed to seek the authorization from the airport to disembark the passengers." Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. San Francisco police are investigating a pair of fatal shootings that took place 18 hours apart Saturday on the same block in the Bayview district. The first shooting took place at 2:09 a.m. Saturday in the 1700 block of LaSalle Avenue, according to a police report. Officers arrived to find a 24-year-old man and a 21-year-old man with gunshot wounds. Somewhere between distilling a whiskey, playing a benefit concert for those affected by the Camp Fire, and donating a ton of money to community colleges nationwide, Metallica somehow fit in time to brew a collaboration beer with San Diego's Stone Brewing. The beer, a hoppy pilsner called Enter Night, is now being sold throughout the United States, and will be distributed internationally this spring. As Stone Brewing founder Greg Koch and Metallica's Lars Ulrich said in a press release Monday, the partnership was a natural one. RELATED: Metallica donates $1 million to 10 community colleges for trade skill education "The amount of ideals and outlooks that Metallica and Stone Brewing share are endless," says Ulrich in a release. "I'm always blown away about how similar our paths forward have been. Our view of the worlds that we each inhabit, of creativity and process, and sense of place in relation to our peers and 'The Man' are almost identical. This collaboration is beyond effortless and pure, and we can't wait to share this incredible beverage with everyone out there." RELATED: Metallica announce their newest work: Blackened American Whiskey Koch echoes that sentiment, stating that the band's outlook on the world has been an inspiration to him at Stone: "Do it your way and never compromise your art. If you're great at what you do people will come." The beer, which is being released through Stone Brewing's imprint Arrogant Bastard, is taglined as a "bold Pilsner that has all the elegance of a traditional Pilsner, but as if it was played through a distortion pedal." In fall 2017, Stone crafted a similar beer a hoppy lager with another rock band, NOFX, ahead of a collaboration music festival called Punk in Drublic. The partnership was later nixed, however, after the band's frontman Fat Mike made controversial comments about those who were killed in the mass shooting at the country music-centric Route 91 Harvest Fest in Las Vegas. Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. It might have taken more than three decades, but Brooklyn Brewery is, at long last, making its California debut. The brewing paragon, known for its influence in the early days of craft beer, is preparing to begin by offering several of its core beers, including the Brooklyn Lager, as well as special seasonals and limited styles out west beginning January 21. "Finally, we'll come to California, which obviously is the epicenter of the craft beer revolution," Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hindy told SFGATE. It was a long time coming, but Hindy said there's a good reason it took so long to plan a California distribution. Brooklyn Brewery had been wrapped up in growth in international demand for over a decade and as a result, they weren't ready to also tackle an expansion in distribution to meet the demand of such a populous state. RELATED: From local dive to world-renowned beer bar: Toronado's Dave Keene on 'pushing the envelope' "The decision to come here really had more to do with, 'Are we ready to take on this monster state?'" he said. "It's more than twice as big as New York and in terms of beer it's even bigger than that. We just wanted to be sure we were ready to make enough beer so we don't disappoint anyone by running out. It's the cardinal sin for any brewery." Coming to California, he said, was something "we wanted to do right." And in 2017, a strategy emerged in the form of a three-way partnership, with San Leandro's 21st Amendment and Fort Collins, Colo.'s Funkwerks. As part of the deal, Brooklyn Brewery would purchase minority equity stakes in both other companies, and set up a sales and distribution network benefiting all parties. "Each of us brings something different to the table," Dave Wilson, president of 21st Amendment said at the time. "From the diverse beers we produce to our unique perspectives, origins and brand personalities, we're thrilled to band together with Brooklyn and Funkwerks and bring great beer to more craft drinkers across the US." RELATED: Popular Bay Area brewery to close its Mission taproom The larger sales force enables Brooklyn Brewery to have sales representatives stationed throughout California to sell and monitor their beers in bars and stores. "We believe people build brands, particularly craft brands," Hindy said. "You need people hand selling it and telling the story of your company and your beer." The introduction of the classic Brooklyn Lager in California comes at a time when both lagers and sessionable beers seem to be enjoying a boon in popularity. But to Hindy, Brooklyn Brewery's competitive edge comes as a result of the difference in their portfolio some IPAs, but also a strong lager and an easy-drinking sour from other larger craft brewers in the market. Hindy and longtime Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster Garrett Oliver will, as it happens, be in the Bay Area to celebrate the launch of their beer in the area right in time for San Francisco Beer Week in early February. You can check Brooklyn Brewery's beer finder to see what's near you. "We look forward to being part of that," Hindy adds. "Garrett and I will do some events ... it's just a great coincidence that that's on the calendar." Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. A reporter for a Redding news station was attacked during a live broadcast while reporting from the site of several apparent fentanyl overdoses in Chico, north of Sacramento, California, on Saturday. KRCR reporter Meaghan Mackey was live-streaming from the scene of a mass drug overdose that left one person dead and sent at least 12 people to the hospital when the journalist's broadcast was disrupted by voices off-camera. More for you News Aeromexico flight crew gets feisty in recorded pleas for... As the Facebook Live rolled, a woman can be overheard saying, "This is disrespectful, do you understand that?" before another woman begins yelling, "Get the f--- out of here." The screaming continues as the camera falls to the ground and the video ends. KRCR removed the video from its Facebook page, which was re-posted on Facebook and by some media outlets. Mackey responded to the incident on her Twitter page Sunday. "As many of you know, I was attacked and assaulted at the scene of a mass overdose in Chico, California last night," she wrote. "I was doing my job, reporting the facts on a major incident during a Facebook live for my news station @KCRC7." Mackey went on to thank law enforcement, her colleagues, viewers, friends and family for support. "I am still shaken up, but am doing okay," she wrote. "I stand with all journalists working in defense of the truth." "I will not live in fear of doing my job," she continued. "I value the freedom of the press & will continue to report on the truth and inform the public, even during times of tragedy." KRCR also responded to the incident on Twitter. The statement read: "As many of you know, our reporter Meaghan Mackey was attacked while at the scene of a mass overdose in Chico tonight. Meaghan is very shaken up but is okay. We are thankful law enforcement was right there and handled the situation quickly. We appreciate all your kind words." 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. What worried Ed Wagner the most about exploring the gloomy cluster of abandoned Mission Revival-style buildings in a prime section of San Jose was where to park his bike. He needed some place to lock it up. The nearby Cisco parking lot would do, but he feared Cisco security wouldn't welcome a stranger wandering about their grounds. Wagner, 30, didn't know at the time that the decaying buildings adjacent to Cisco were originally part of an insane asylum constructed to house patients that newspapers of the early 20th century routinely described as "mad," "demented" or the tabloid-friendly "lunatics." But the size of the property in San Jose made an impression. "It initially stuck out to me because what was this huge, disused plot of land doing in such a valuable location?" He said in an email to SFGATE. MORE: The Bay Area's 'ruins': 8 abandoned sites in glorious decay The amateur photographer had stumbled on the East Campus of the old Agnews Developmental Center, formerly known as "The Great Asylum for the Insane" and the California Hospital for the Chronic Insane. The asylum was built in 1885 in what is now Santa Clara, only to be destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. Newspapers reported 117 people, including 96 inmates, were crushed to death when the main building's walls collapsed. Hundreds of "insane persons" who survived the quake fled the grounds and roamed the countryside, the Daily Palo Alto reported. For weeks and even months, the San Francisco Chronicle and other papers ran stories of "lunatic" escapees being recaptured. The asylum was rebuilt in 1911 as the Agnews State Mental Hospital and expanded to a second campus, the East Campus about two miles away at Zanker and Center roads in San Jose in 1926. The two facilities resembled college campuses, small self-contained villages of two-story Mission RevivalSpanish Colonial Revival buildings. For almost five decades the 400-acre East Campus housed and cared for the mentally ill. In 1972, the facility now known as the Agnews Developmental Center changed its mission, becoming exclusively dedicated to treating and caring for patients with major developmental disabilities. RELATED: As care shifts, developmental center to close - April 6, 2008 The center closed 10 years ago. Since then the campus has slowly fallen into disrepair. Its walls have attracted spray-paint vandals and at least one talented muralist. Its offices are trashed. Weeds have overtaken its sprawling lawns. When Wagner happened upon the old asylum last April, it was being prepped for teardown. "The Mission-style buildings had the eeriest atmosphere the corridors and rooms were all dark and cramped," Wagner says. "It was enough to inspire a sense of claustrophobia." The biggest surprise? "Definitely the "Boardwalk" mural. It was two stories tall, but it was tucked into a courtyard. I remember feeling struck by the thought of how something beautiful was locked up where virtually no one would ever see it again, except whoever came to demolish it." You can follow Wagner's footsteps through the old asylum in the above gallery. Where the insane asylum complex once stood, three new schools will rise. The Santa Clara Unified School District is expected to open state-of-the-art elementary and middle schools on 67 acres of the property in fall 2020, with a high school following a year later. WASHINGTON Nearly every night last year, sometimes nearing midnight, Michelle Lujan Grishams phone would ring. On the line would be Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Sometimes, the San Francisco Democrat would call again at 6 a.m. to update Lujan Grisham, a New Mexico Democrat who was then the chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, on House negotiations involving immigration and border security. Really, said Lujan Grisham, now the governor of New Mexico. To her credit. The calls were a reflection of how seriously Pelosi, now the House speaker, and other Democratic leaders take the influence of the Hispanic caucus and two counterpart groups that represent black and Asian Pacific American lawmakers. Pelosis No. 2, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., even helped Lujan Grisham crash an immigration meeting with President Trump, taking her to the White House unannounced as part of his entourage. Its a relationship that Pelosi will need to maintain as she presides over the Democratic House majority this year. After all, as Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono, a former representative and member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, put it: Nancy knows how to count. More than 100 of 235 Democratic members in the new House, many from California, belong to one of the three affinity groups known collectively as the Tri-Caucus. It will arguably be the most powerful voting bloc for the Democratic majority. The growth in the groups membership in the last Congress, the Tri-Caucus had roughly 90 core House members reflects the diverse lineup of Democrats who won election in the November midterms. It also signals that their influence will be wide-ranging. Among the Tri-Caucus members will be eight committee chairs, leading panels ranging from environmental issues to homeland security to small business. They will have representatives in the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots in Democratic leadership. Lobbying firms in Washington are hiring staff with connections to the Tri-Caucus, a signal of their importance. The groups chairs, two of whom represent California districts, said in interviews that they plan to work together to shape legislation, speak up for often-overlooked communities and show people of color that there is a place for them in Washington. Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News Were going to be active on just about every policy area that this House of Representatives will concern itself with, said Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, now chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Pelosi has already committed to convene weekly meetings between leadership and the chairs of the Tri-Caucus groups. During her successful campaign to reclaim the speakers gavel, Pelosi sat down with each of the groups and made promises to them. She told the Hispanic caucus that she would call for a vote on the Dream Act, which would make permanent the protections that young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors were granted under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. That bill is also a priority for the Asian Pacific American Caucus. Pelosi said the House would vote quickly on legislation to reinstate some provisions of the Voting Rights Act that were negated in a 2013 Supreme Court decision, a priority of the black caucus. She also has backed Tri-Caucus members for leadership and selective committee spots. The groups that make up the Tri-Caucus have solidified their cooperation the past two years in response to Trump administration policies on immigration and civil rights issues. A key moment came in January 2018 when Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., convened a conference call to sell fellow Hispanic caucus members on a Senate-negotiated DACA-border security deal. It would have extended protection for DACA recipients and incorporated some White House demands for limits on two vehicles for legal immigration a diversity lottery for entrance to the U.S. from countries with few immigrants, and restrictions on immigrants ability to sponsor relatives for U.S. entry. Those were particularly sensitive proposals for the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American caucus. The diversity lottery is the main source of migration to the U.S. from sub-Saharan Africa and a major driver of immigration from Asia, and family visas are also extensively used by Asian immigrants. But at stake were protections for DACA recipients a priority for the Hispanic caucus. Members of the Tri-Caucus were considering a compromise and then Trump rejected Menendezs brokered deal in a now-infamous White House meeting in which the president denigrated immigration from shole countries. The groups decided then that they would not endorse the Senate deal even if it could pass that chamber. Riccardo Savi / Special to The Chronicle Accepting any element of that truly would have pitted one of our groups against the other, said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park (Los Angeles County), chairwoman of the Asian Pacific American caucus. Leaders of the three groups said the unsuccessful deal was an example of the way the White House has taken a divide-and-conquer approach to communities of color. Those are all different subjects that the Trump administration would certainly like to get everybody fighting about. And no one took the bait, said the Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman, Democratic Rep. Karen Bass of Los Angeles. That was total unity. There was no interest from the Latino caucus to move forward. It was also a learning experience for Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who was working with Menendez on the deal. On immigration, I couldnt make a move without them, and when it came to criminal justice reform, the same thing is true, Durbin said of the Tri-Caucus. I can allay a lot of fears by getting to them early and explaining some of the things that are happening before theyre mischaracterized. While immigration may be where the Tri-Caucus is most visible, the coalition has been instrumental in shaping Democrats stances on other issues. The cooperation of the Tri-Caucus as a bloc goes back at least to the Obama administration, when the groups were key influences in shaping the Affordable Care Act. For more than a decade, the three caucuses have taken turns introducing the Health Equity and Accountability Act, which would create programs intended to improve access to mental and physical health care for communities of color and tighten federal law on discrimination in care. All three groups chairs say one of their biggest priorities is ensuring that underrepresented perspectives contribute not just to policymaking, but to the broader culture. Part of it is reclaiming your place in American society, Castro said. Thats not a piece of legislation necessarily, or a policy, but its important that that emanate from this caucus. Alex Wong / Getty Images 2018 Castro has served on the high-profile and selective Intelligence Committee, making him a frequent TV guest on national security issues and the Russia investigation. The significance of that is not lost on him. Growing up, I would turn on the TV and youd look at the people commenting on the news and you would never see anybody that looks like you, Castro said. Hopefully, young people know that they have a place in this country in every aspect of the country. Bass said one of her priorities is making it clear to media outlets that caucus members can be more than token talking heads. Thats still an uphill climb, she said. Several members of the black caucus are active in criminal justice reform, for example, but when Bass watched a recent cable news report on the issue, she was angry to see the host interviewing a rapper. You dont get called on to be in the press, you call the media and say, Hey, Id like to come on your show and talk about X, Y, Z, Bass said. You turn on cable TV, and theyre talking to the same five white guys on almost every show. Chu said she remembers when all the Asian Americans in Congress could fit in a phone booth there are now 20 Asian American or Pacific Islander members of Congress and pictures of the Democratic caucus were overwhelmingly white and male. There were these sprinklings of people of color there, so of course they had to struggle to stop being marginalized, Chu said. Nobody would marginalize us now. Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan A former oil industry lobbyist and a keep-the-seat-warm acting National Park Service director sat down the other day to figure out how best to give the national parks the appearance of normalcy during the ongoing budget stalemate. But their solution risks further weakening park infrastructure, degrading the visitor experience, and leaving parks shy of seasonal rangers come summer. Three weeks into the partial shutdown, trash is overflowing and human waste is blighting park roads and visitor areas. Illegal campers and off-roaders have trashed delicate ecosystems. Vandals axed some of Joshua Tree National Parks namesake spiky evergreens. The partial shutdown is misguided and also damaging to the parks in ways not as obvious as mounded garbage. Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith decided this month to spend Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act revenue on daily custodial services. It was an alternative to completely closing the parks until President Trump and Congress resolved their impasse over building a southern border wall. The revenue comes largely from park entrance fees that Congress intended for improving visitor facilities and experiences, shrinking the park systems huge maintenance backlog and hiring seasonal rangers. What the two men did not publicly disclose is that they are willing to spend every dime of the park fees on taking out the trash and cleaning toilets. Using visitor fees for trash and toilets sets an unfortunate precedent: Will the Park Service be forced in the future to lean on fee revenue to pay for operations that are supposed to be funded by congressional appropriations? Deciding against a full closure of the parks appears to be an effort to avoid the public outcry that greeted that 2013 shutdown, suggested Jon Jarvis, a former National Park Service director and currently the executive director of UC Berkeleys Institute for Parks, People, and Diversity. The national parks were the public face of the shutdown, he said, noting that members of Congress pushed him to acknowledge that the full shutdown was a political move, one that left many congressional constituents angry over their thwarted park visits. But that 2013 shutdown, he said, was a stewardship act: Without employees on duty to manage and provide stewardship, the parks would be vulnerable. I think were actually seeing that play out now, he added. Wildlife has been dining on garbage that normally would be collected and secure a wildlife buffet that contributed to the decision to close Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and raised dangers of human-bear encounters at parks from Yosemite in California to Big Bend in Texas. More damage you dont see: Delays in scientific research, with information gaps in data collection and monitoring of climate change and species preservation undermining the scientific integrity of data sets. Interrupted planning for visitor management, monitoring of environmental impacts and hiring of seasonal rangers all which will lead to the detriment of park integrity and visitor experience. It all just grinds to a halt, Jarvis said of the National Park Services wide portfolio in its mission of preserving the nations treasured lands for future generations. Even more insidious than trashy parks is Washingtons stewardship direction with politicians bending, and possibly breaking, federal regulations for spending Park Service revenue. House Democrats and advocacy groups have called for an investigation into the revenue diversion and promise hearings into the legality of raiding park fees. Joshua Tree typically takes in about $9 million in fees. Most, if not all, of that money from 2018 has already been committed to projects. Has acting Secretary Bernhardt ordered the park to redirect those promised funds, too, to the partial shutdown? Just a month ago, several members of Congress were working in a bicameral, bipartisan effort to address half of the estimated $11.6 billion maintenance backlog across the park system. Now theyre back at square one. If anyone is wondering, this is not the way to run the worlds preeminent park system. Kurt Repanshek is president and CEO of National Parks Traveler, a nonprofit media organization and editorially independent web publication dedicated to coverage of national parks. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if the Dec. 14, 2012, slaughter of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School would have been the last straw for members of Congress beholden to the gun lobby. It should have been. But even that massacre in Newtown, Conn., failed to prompt action on the glaring loopholes in the nations gun laws. What would it take for Congress to act on something as sensible as requiring background checks on all gun sales? The June 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando 49 killed did not do it. The October 2017 rapid-fire attack on a crowd of concertgoers in Las Vegas 58 killed did not do it. The November 2017 massacre at a small church in Sutherland Springs, Texas 25 killed did not do it. A turning point appeared to finally arrive in the February 2018 shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla. 17 killed that aroused a determined, articulate group of young survivors who became crusaders for change. They were unafraid to take their cause to social media, cable news shows and in face-to-face confrontations with politicians such as Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who had been cowed by the gun lobby. Due in part to their efforts, gun control became an elevated issue in the November midterms, which gave Democrats control of the House of Representatives. Suddenly, groups such as the National Rifle Association were on the defensive. Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced a measure that would extend federal background checks to all gun sales, including private transactions. The few exceptions would include transfers among family members or temporary sharing of a gun for hunting. Under the current porous law, about 1 in 5 gun transactions eludes a background check. We will hold hearings, we will have a vote, and this legislation will finally pass the House, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, a co-sponsor, said in a statement. He has been a relentless advocate of the measure, but it had gone nowhere in the Republican-controlled House. The co-sponsors were joined at a Capitol event last week by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, an Arizona Democrat who was severely wounded eight years ago when a gunman opened fire at a constituent event in Tucson. Six people died, and 15 were wounded in that attack. The bill, HR8, received a push from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, who said: Gun violence is an epidemic that requires the energy and engagement of the entire nation. Its long past time for Washington to focus on a real crisis. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. 2 1 of 2 Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Show More Show Less In his parting interview with The Chronicle, Jerry Brown ticked off a list of projects he will take on now that hes left the governors office. Because Brown is ever the big thinker, all of them sought to tackle intractable problems, such as climate change, criminal justice and the threat of nuclear holocaust. After a decades when nonproliferation dominated global nuclear weapon discussions, we are now in a period of aggressive nuclear rearming. Brown has joined as executive chair the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the organization that keeps the Doomsday Clock. Its mission is timely, he said. With Trump, were seeing some unexpected political actions. Its work is essential, he said, because blundering into a nuclear war or initiating a nuclear incident could, in a matter of hours, end human civilization. Californias judicial disciplinary agency accused a state appeals court justice Monday of sexually harassing and groping a fellow justice, harassing attorneys, court staff and a California Highway Patrol officer, and repeatedly appearing drunk in public. The allegations against Justice Jeffrey Johnson of the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles are a rare instance of a high-ranking state judicial officer being accused of misconduct by the Commission on Judicial Performance. If the commission sustains the charges after a public hearing, it could ask the state Supreme Court to remove Johnson from the bench. Johnson, 58, was appointed to the court by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 after 10 years as a federal prosecutor and another decade as a federal magistrate. His lawyer, Paul S. Meyer, said Johnson denies the charges and unequivocally passed forensic lie-detector testing focused on the most serious allegations. He said Johnson would present statements by judicial colleagues and court personnel in his defense. The complaint follows the December 2017 resignation of another prominent jurist, Alex Kozinski, former chief judge of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, after a federal judicial panel received multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from Kozinskis law clerks. I think it is an example of what the #MeToo movement has unleashed, said Deborah Rhode, a Stanford law professor who specializes in legal ethics. While not assessing the allegations against Johnson, she said, For decades, people just tolerated abuses of this kind because they feared retaliation, and in some instances doubted that complaining would do much good. We are now in a new era. Several allegations against Johnson involved an appeals court colleague, Justice Victoria Chaney. The commission said Johnson went to Chaneys hotel room one evening in 2010 during a work-related trip and had to be ordered to leave. According to the commission, Johnson later told Chaney that year he wanted to have an affair with her, squeezed one of her breasts in a courthouse hallway, and repeatedly hugged and pawed her during the next eight years. After discussing sexual harassment claims against other judges with Chaney in late 2017, the commission said, Johnson asked her, You would never report me, would you? or words to that effect. Sometime between November 2010 and December 2011, Johnson, Chaney and another justice, Elizabeth Grimes, were walking together in the courthouse when Grimes bent over to tie her shoes, the commission said. Johnson, the commission said, told her she had the greatest a in the Second District. Johnson also made sexual comments to a female Highway Patrol officer who was assigned to drive him different places, the commission said, and once put his hand on her thigh. He engaged in similar conduct with some female attorneys and with court staff, the commission said. It said he also sexually harassed female staffers on the Los Angeles federal court, where he was a magistrate from 1999 to 2009. One of his alleged targets on the appeals court was an assistant to Justice Chaney. Johnson repeatedly invited her out to coffee and told her he was unhappy in his marriage, the commission said. The commission also cited five instances in which Johnson appeared to be drunk in public, including a September 2011 reception in Modesto after a federal prosecutors wedding that Johnson had conducted. When a member of the building staff asked Johnson to leave, the commission said, the justice yelled at the staff member. There was nothing in the commissions complaint to indicate that Johnson had ever been arrested for drunkenness. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@BobEgelko Robot-car maker Zoox Inc. has picked a new CEO, Aicha Evans, who was formerly chief strategy officer at Intel. Evans, a 12-year veteran of Intel, is a seasoned manager who oversaw the chipmakers shift from the personal computer market to building systems for data centers, Zoox said. In an earlier Intel job, she led a 7,000-person team overseeing the communication and devices group. A native of Senegal who was raised in Paris, she will join a small coterie of black women running Silicon Valley companies. Im thrilled to join Zoox and challenge the status quo with an autonomous mobility system built from the ground up, Evans said in a statement. Mobility is approaching a major inflection point, and Zoox has set itself apart from entrenched players as the only company creating a solution purpose-built to meet the needs of a fully autonomous future. Foster Citys Zoox, founded by two relative unknowns, has kept a low profile but managed to attract 700 engineers from well-known tech companies, raise $800 million and garner a private-market valuation of $3.2 billion. Zoox, which does testing in San Francisco as well as the Peninsula, says it plans to operate robot taxis in San Francisco by next year. In December it received California regulators OK to offer rides in robot cars to the public. It is working on a radical reimagining of cars interiors once they no longer need steering wheels and other manual controls. The cars will be symmetrical front and back, and the four passengers will sit facing one another as if at a dining table. Weve created a new type of vehicle unlike anything anyone has experienced before, Jesse Levinson, Zoox co-founder, president and chief technology officer, told The Chronicle in September. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. The company made headlines last summer when it abruptly ousted one of its two founders, Tim Kentley-Klay, who was its CEO. He tweeted at the time that the move showed Silicon Valley up to its worst tricks. Levinson said that no other employees had left as a result of Kentley-Klays departure. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid Facing staggering financial pressure after Californias historically devastating wildfires, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and its parent company said they would seek bankruptcy protection by the end of this month. PG&E announced Monday morning that the move would occur on or about Jan. 29. John Simon, who became interim CEO following the abrupt departure of Geisha Williams on Sunday, also laid out PG&Es rationale in an internal message to employees that was obtained by The Chronicle. Under SB901, a new California wildfire law signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown in September to provide the utility with some relief from the toll it faces from the devastating wildfires linked to its equipment, the utility must notify employees 15 days before a change of control, a term defined by the Legislature to include a bankruptcy filing. In the email to employees, Simon said the 2017 and 2018 wildfires have had a profound impact on PG&E customers and workers, and the communities in which it operates. He also noted the extensive litigation and significant potential liabilities the company faces because of the fires. Resolving our legal liabilities and financial challenges will be enormously complex and will require us to address multiple stakeholder interests, including thousands of victims who already have made claims and likely thousands of others we expect to make claims, Simon said in the email. We know the stakes are high. Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, companies get temporary protection from creditors seeking repayment while operations continue. PG&E said it does not expect any impact to electric or natural gas service for its customers as a result of the Chapter 11 process and was committed to continuing to make investments in system safety. The companys shares, which had already dropped by almost two-thirds from where they traded before the outbreak of the Camp Fire in November, closed Monday at $8.38, down 53.36 percent. Shareholders have lost more than $25 billion in the past two months. PG&E said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that while the California Department of Insurance has reported about $17 billion in insurance claims from the Camp Fire and 2017 fires, the companys exposure could be far higher, possibly exceeding $30 billion. PG&E knows of about 50 lawsuits so far representing at least 2,000 plaintiffs seeking to hold the company responsible for the Camp Fire, and about 700 complaints representing at least 3,600 plaintiffs from 2017 fires, according to the filing with the SEC. The company said it expects to be the subject of numerous additional claims from fires in both years. SB901 gives PG&E some relief from 2017 fire costs, allowing the company to finance part of the bill through bonds its customers would pay off over time. But the company would first have to pass a financial stress test to see how much of a financial burden it can handle on its own without jeopardizing its operations. And any cost recovery through bonds will be a long time coming. PG&E said in the SEC filing that it expects it will take years to get approval of any bonds. Additionally, PG&E said in the SEC filing it would skip a $21.6 million bond payment due Jan. 15, noting that it has a 30-day grace period before triggering a default. Citing the bankruptcy announcement, Moodys Investors Service further downgraded the credit rating of the PG&E utility and its parent company to a lower level of junk. The credit rating agency initially downgraded both entities last week, following a similar move from S&P Global Ratings. While taking advantage of the Chapter 11 process will provide PG&E protection from the massive fiscal strain its facing, the move would also come with significant restrictions, placing the parent company and utility subsidiary under the supervision of a bankruptcy court. Steve Malnight, the utilitys senior vice president of energy supply and policy, said the company remains committed to maintaining its operations and helping fire-devastated communities recover. PG&E also recognizes the incredibly important role it plays in helping the state meet its aggressive climate change goals, Malnight said. But its not clear yet how that will be affected by the bankruptcy proceeding. The Chapter 11 process is going to balance the interests of our customers, our creditors, our claimants from the wildfires and the victims from the wildfires and the states priorities, Malnight said in an interview. Its still early in the process to say exactly how all those interests will be balanced. While PG&E has stressed that the bankruptcy filing should not affect its short-term operations, it could have a transformative long-term impact on the utility, which currently provides electricity and natural gas to some 16 million people across a 70,000-square-mile service area. One restructuring operation the company is reportedly already considering is selling off its natural gas assets, a move that would set up a fund to pay for wildfire claims. Experts have said that could take place as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring. Splitting off the gas side would face resistance from IBEW Local 1245, the union representing 12,000 of PG&Es 20,000 employees. About 3,000 of the unions members work directly for the gas side, but hundreds more provide support roles, according to Tom Dalzell, the unions business manager. There are so many things that can go wrong for our gas employees in terms of their pension and retiree medical (benefits), in terms of their mobility within the company, Dalzell said. More broadly, Dalzell said the union will work to ensure that workers remain strong and unscathed from the reorganization. Before the bankruptcy announcement, PG&E said it was considering a range of restructuring options to implement necessary changes while meeting customer and operational needs. Another key change could be selling off its San Francisco headquarters, but while the utility is reportedly exploring that step, it has not yet sought the required permission from regulators, said Santa Clara University Associate Professor Catherine Sandoval. I hope they have a better plan than theyve been communicating to the rest of us, said Sandoval, who formerly served on the California Public Utilities Commission. The bankruptcy announcement had one visible impact on PG&E headquarters: A barricade had been erected in front of the companys Beale Street tower Monday morning, signaling that only authorized personnel were allowed near the building. Employees and contractors declined to speak with a reporter, citing company policies. The PG&E crisis is quickly turning into a test for Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was just inaugurated last week and will play a key role in shaping the utilitys future. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. In a statement, Newsom said that after he took office, he immediately instructed his staff to meet with state utility regulators and PG&E, among other stakeholders. He said he has been in constant contact throughout the week and over the weekend with those parties. Speaking to reporters in Sacramento on Monday, Newsom cited a series of recent departures at PG&E, including Williams and three top executives on the electric side of the business who are retiring this month. We expect and demand changes at the board level too, the governor said. Newsom said his team was considering a variety of paths forward for PG&E and has not yet backed any particular one. Several residents in Santa Rosa, parts of which were devastated by the 2017 Tubbs Fire, said they had heard news of the impending bankruptcy but had no idea what it would mean for them. The cause of the Tubbs Fire is still under investigation as is the cause of the Camp Fire but state officials have said PG&E equipment sparked 17 other fires that burned in Northern California, including Sonoma County, in October 2017. Its a bit shocking, said Mark Bowers, who was picking up a newspaper outside his parents home on Hemlock Street in Santa Rosa. I guess its business as usual, but its never good to hear. They cant pay for everything theyve caused. ... Hopefully they start taking better care of their lines. Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network consumer group, called for calm. I dont think this is the time to panic. The lights are going to stay on, Toney said, urging lawmakers not to try to bail out the utility and help it avoid bankruptcy. Separately, PG&E confirmed Monday morning that Williams was receiving a severance amount in line with the companys policies, with a cash payment of about $2.5 million. That figure does not reflect the value of the accrued pension benefits she is eligible to receive. Malnight shed more light on Williams exit from the company. He said her departure came about as the PG&E board has been assessing what changes are necessary and what changes might be needed. And as a part of that, they decided that it was time for a change in leadership, and as a result, Geisha stepped down from her role as CEO, Malnight said. The board is looking for a new leader with experience in utility operations and safety-related expertise who will bring a fresh perspective to the company, he said. Chronicle staff writers Sophia Kunthara and Gwendolyn Wu contributed to this report. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris Employees of PG&E Corp. may be about to learn whether the San Francisco utility, which is facing billions of dollars in potential liability for its role in the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires, is nearing insolvency. Under a state law, SB901, passed in September to provide some relief for the companys financial pressure, PG&E must tell its employees at least 15 days before a change of control in the company, including a bankruptcy filing. That notice may come as soon as Monday, Bloomberg reported Saturday a faster move toward bankruptcy than many had expected. PG&E is in discussions with some of its lenders about a financing package worth up to $5 billion, Reuters reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. Such financing, known as debtor-in-possession financing, would allow a company under financial distress to continue operating during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. A PG&E spokesman said Sunday: We dont comment on rumors or speculation. The company has previously said its board is considering a range of measures. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the utility subsidiary of PG&E Corp., previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001 during the energy crisis, when the price of electricity soared and the utility incurred $9 billion in debts it could not pay off. The company emerged from Chapter 11 in 2004. Reuters reported that the parent company, the utility subsidiary or both might file for bankruptcy in the current crisis. Bankruptcy would not cause an interruption in service to customers, and employees would continue to work and be paid. But bondholders and shareholders would suffer losses, as would creditors such as wildfire victims awarded payouts. PG&Es largest union, IBEW Local 1245, would do everything possible to preserve utility employees retirement plans if the company files for bankruptcy protection, said Tom Dalzell, the business manager of the organized labor group. We went through a bankruptcy in 2001 and protected all wages and benefits and working conditions and pensions, Dalzell said. Were prepared to do that again. Analysts estimate that PG&E could face as much as $30 billion in liability because of the 2017 Wine Country fires and the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed the town of Paradise in Butte County. That figure includes civil claims filed by fire survivors and families alleging wrongful death, property damage and personal injury. PG&Es wildfire insurance for the year that began Aug. 1, 2018, covers $1.4 billion. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, has determined that PG&E equipment ignited 17 of the wildfires that tore through Northern California in 2017. Investigators forwarded 11 of those cases to local district attorneys offices for possible criminal prosecution The cause of the worst 2017 wildfire the Tubbs Fire, which killed 24 people and leveled neighborhoods in and around Santa Rosa is still under investigation. PG&Es connection to last years Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history, has also been under heavy scrutiny since the utility told state regulators of two instances where its power equipment malfunctioned in the area. The utility faces numerous legal claims seeking to hold it responsible for the 2017 fires, and the first of those cases is set to go to trial this year. Lawsuits have also been piling up against PG&E because of the Camp Fire, with complaints filed in both Butte County and San Francisco courts. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, said he heard Friday from someone within our government that PG&E would probably file the 15-day bankruptcy notice required by SB901. Hill, a frequent PG&E critic, wasnt surprised, but he remained skeptical of the move. Im skeptical of just about anything PG&E says or does, Hill said Sunday. Whats their endgame? They could be notifying their employees of bankruptcy in order to scare the Legislature into taking some action or the state into offering a loan of some kind or a bailout of some kind. A spokesman said Gov. Gavin Newsom is monitoring the situation closely. Newsom said last week he is working with legislators and regulators to address the solvency of PG&E. Another provision in SB901 spells out how PG&E can pass 2017 wildfire costs along to its customers. The utility must first look at how much of a financial hit it can handle on its own using a test state regulators are creating. Costs beyond that could be financed with bonds PG&E customers would pay off over time. But the law currently allows PG&E to use that process only for 2017 fires. Further legislative action would be required to let PG&E follow the same steps for any wildfire costs from 2018. Catherine Ho and J.D. Morris are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com, jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho @thejdmorris Geisha Williams, the PG&E Corp. chief executive who led Californias largest investor-owned utility during some of the most turbulent times in its history, has stepped down, the company said Sunday evening. Williams had been at the helm of the San Francisco energy company for less than two years. John Simon, who had previously been PG&Es executive vice president and general counsel, will succeed her on an interim basis while the board of directors searches for a long-term replacement. Williams has already resigned from the boards of PG&E Corp. and its utility subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The abrupt departure of Williams, who became CEO in March 2017, comes as the embattled San Francisco energy company has signaled it may soon file for bankruptcy protection because of the extreme financial toll its facing after two seasons of historically devastating California wildfires. State authorities have found PG&E equipment sparked 17 of the fires that ravaged Northern California in October 2017. And the utility may still be found responsible one or both of the two most destructive wildfires in state history: the 2017 Tubbs Fire in and around Santa Rosa, and last years Camp Fire in Butte County. The wildfires have led to mounting legal, regulatory and political challenges for the Northern California utility. PG&E Corp.s stock price has plunged 64 percent from where it opened Nov. 8, the day the Camp Fire started. In a statement announcing Williams departure from the company, PG&E Corp. board Chairman Richard Kelly thanked her for her service and her tireless commitment to our employees and the 16 million Californians we serve. But he also acknowledged the difficulties the company faces. While we are making progress as a company in safety and other areas, the board recognizes the tremendous challenges PG&E continues to face, Kelly said. We believe John is the right interim leader for the company while we work to identify a new CEO. Our search is focused on extensive operational and safety expertise, and the board is committed to further change at PG&E. Williams had acted like she planned to stay in her position longer, said Tom Dalzell, business manager of IBEW Local 1245. The union represents 12,000 PG&E employees, more than half the companys workforce. Up through this week, she was fully committed to seeing the crisis through, to emerging from the crisis as a strong PG&E, Dalzell said. There were no signs that she was intending to step down. I was surprised. State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, a longtime critic of PG&E, had a different view. The only surprise is that it has taken them so long, Hill said. The real issue is that it has taken them so long to realize that the problem is at the top and that a change is necessary. Williams joined PG&E in 2007 and has more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector, according to the company. Before she was promoted to CEO in 2017, Williams was president of the electric side of the utilitys business. She was an executive at Florida Power & Light Co. before she joined PG&E. Born in Cuba, Williams was PG&Es first female CEO and the first Latina CEO of a Fortune 500 company. PG&E has not disclosed the details of any exit package for Williams. But according to an annual report to PG&E Corp. shareholders from last year, she was eligible for different payments based on the circumstances of her departure. The total compensation could range from $3.1 million to $7.4 million to more than $10 million depending on whether she was terminated for cause, resigned or retired, or was terminated without cause. The latter two figures include more than $3 million from the value of stock awards and are based on a much higher stock price than where PG&E Corp. currently trades. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. Simon, Williams interim successor, also joined PG&E in 2007. Before becoming general counsel, he held several senior leadership roles within the company, including in corporate services and human resources. In an email to company employees Sunday, Simon said Williams had demonstrated unwavering commitment to our employees, the customers we serve and Californias bold clean energy goals in her time at PG&E. Like Kelly, however, he acknowledged the difficulty of PG&Es current situation. Over the past month, we have had a significant amount of news and increasing challenges as a company that have affected all of us, Simon said in the email, which was obtained by The Chronicle. No doubt this change in leadership may increase your feelings of stress and uncertainty.... the board and senior management team have been working diligently on a path forward for the company. Williams departure was hailed by Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network consumer group, as a very good sign that housecleaning has started at PG&E amid the wildfire fallout and more recent allegations from regulatory staff that the company repeatedly falsified certain gas pipeline safety records. Geisha Williams departure signals that PG&E is coming to terms with the fact that its management has been unsuccessful and unable to comply with basic safety regulations even unable to comply with telling the truth and not falsifying records, Toney said. Its a first step, but a whole lot more needs to be done to get PG&E back on track. Those comments were echoed by state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who spearheaded legislation last year that will help PG&E handle its 2017 wildfire-related costs. After the gas pipeline records allegations arose publicly, Dodd called for systemic change in PG&E leadership and while he cast Williams leaving the company as a good thing, he said the shakeup shouldnt stop there. I appreciate the board acting, but I frankly think there needs to be some movement on that board of directors as well, Dodd said. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris Santa Rosa Bishop Robert F. Vasa expressed raging anger about pervasive child sex abuse that has occurred in the Catholic Church during a Monday news conference to discuss the recent publication of a list of convicted or credibly accused clergy members in his diocese. The list, released Saturday night on the dioceses website and in a monthly newsletter, named 39 priests and church officials. Vasa presented the findings Monday at the Santa Rosa Chancery and said approximately 100 child victims have been identified. Authorities are now in possession of the list of alleged abusers in his diocese. I feel tremendous sadness, grief, shame and, honestly, a raging anger that these men did what they did, Vasa said. The bishop said that the church intends to be more merciful to victims, but he cautioned against overstepping boundaries and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. In the past, there was a demand, perhaps, for too much justice, Vasa said. That may sound strange, but we demanded from the victim some ability to prove what happened to them in a just system. At the same time, because of relationships to the priests, there was a tendency to be merciful to them. It was lopsided. Vasa said it was necessary to presume some innocence, but he does not want to discourage victims from coming forward. Any accusations against current members of the clergy will be taken to law enforcement, he said. Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park police, as well as the Sonoma County district attorneys office, are aware of the names, diocese officials said. If further information or priest files are requested, the diocese will provide them, Vasa said. Criminal charges have been brought in the past in four of the cases noted in the dioceses list, Vasa said. The district attorneys office did not respond to a request for comment. Vasa said the clergy members named have substantiated claims against them, but he repeatedly referred to them as suspects because the reports of sexual abuse surfaced after the statute of limitations expired in those cases. At least 25 of the priests on the list have died. The list was first released to members of the clergy in November to see if any additional people should be added. The names of six priests who were accused of abuse have been withheld from the list because those claims are unsubstantiated, according to the diocese. Melanie Sakoda, a Bay Area representative for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said releasing the names can be beneficial to victims. Childhood sexual assault suspects named The Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa released a list of 39 clergy who were convicted of or credibly accused of sexual assault against children: http://bit.ly/santarosadiocese See More Collapse A lot of survivors think theyre the only ones whove been abused, she said Sunday. When lists come out, they realize theyre not alone. To prevent future abuse, church officials said, clergy members who work with minors or vulnerable adults are now screened and fingerprinted. Priests are also trained to recognize and report signs of abuse, Vasa said. The Diocese of Santa Rosa will continue to take reports from survivors of abuse, officials said. Vasa has overseen the Diocese of Santa Rosa since 2011. Sakoda called his decision to wait until 2019 to release a list of names disappointing. But, seems to me he did a fairly good job with his list, she added. Sakoda noted that a more thorough list would have included accusations from survivors abused as adults, along with any incidents involving nuns. Catholic dioceses across the nation have been releasing lists of alleged abusers since a Pennsylvania grand jury in August announced the widespread cover-up of sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church. The Diocese of San Jose released a list of names in October, naming 15 clergymen. The Diocese of Oakland is expected to release its own list within the next two months, and the Archdiocese of San Francisco is reviewing 4,000 files of personnel for any accusations of sexual abuse. So far, though, the diocese has not announced plans to name any priests. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Michael Cabanatuan contributed to this report. Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu Its hard to go to work when you know youre not getting paid. Thats how Lester Harris feels. The Oakland native, whos worked for the Transportation Security Administration at Oakland International Airport for 14 years, didnt get paid last week because of the federal government shutdown. Still, hes been expected to report for his shifts screening travelers. Were still there, which is good for the traveling American public, but its not good for us, he said. Im spending money to get to work ... burning through supplies that you no longer have a way of replenishing. Harris, 35, isnt the only federal employee in his family feeling his pockets squeezed by the shutdown. He rents a room from his uncle, whose wife works for the IRS. Harris said his father and his wife, as well as his mother and her husband, also work for the federal government. So does one of his brothers. His fiancee is a TSA agent, like him. Harris shared his story Saturday morning at Red Bay Coffee in East Oakland, when he met with Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland. She sat down with Harris and three other constituents for a nearly hour-long discussion about how the shutdown is affecting them. Harris said he has TSA friends who cant afford to make the 40-mile drive from Pittsburg to the airport. Now you dont have money to fill up your car two or three times a week so you have to stay home, said Harris, who is looking for another job. He told me he applied for work at Safeway before driving to meet Lee. He cant borrow money from family, because theyre in the same predicament. Harris was joined by Chad Davis-Montgomery, Jeanne Henderson and Bethany Dreyfus. They talked about rents and mortgages, car loans, credit scores and depleted savings accounts while Lee took notes. According to the latest Federal Reserve report on the economic well-being of Americans, about 4 in 10 adults dont have enough money saved to withstand a $400 emergency expense. This ridiculous shutdown has created an emergency for hundreds of thousands of Americans. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Davis-Montgomery, 37, is administrative officer for the San Francisco district of the Food and Drug Administration. He provides support to consumer safety officers who perform food, drug and medical device inspections from Hawaii to Nevada. Normal preventive inspections arent happening during the shutdown. And thats a huge safety net for our food and drug supply in our country, Davis-Montgomery said. Its not acceptable for us not to be doing the work that needs to be done, said Dreyfus, an Environmental Protection Agency employee and local president of the American Federation of Government Employees union. We should all be concerned. Sure, its safe to eat romaine lettuce again, but what about the inspections to prevent another E. coli outbreak? If this shutdown was really about public safety, people like Davis-Montgomery would be working. These services are critical, and people dont relate what you do to their daily lives, Lee told the group. It is so important. Public safety is being held hostage by a law-and-order president who believes hes above the law. He incites fear by claiming theres an illegal immigration crisis at our southern borders but, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, illegal border crossings have been declining for nearly two decades. The presidents demand for $5.7 billion in wall funding is the ransom he wants taxpayers to pay to open the government and stroke his deal-making ego. Just imagine how much greater this country would be if that money were spent on housing or education. Davis-Montgomery missed his first paycheck Friday. Now hes concerned how he and his husband will continue to pay for their one-bedroom apartment in Jack London Square. Rent is more than $3,000, and the landlord will want the money no matter how long the shutdown persists. Henderson, who kept the mood light with her quips, suggested that top government officials, including the president, should also not be paid. When Lee told her the president chooses not to collect a paycheck, Henderson replied, Well, if hed like he can send me his golden sink, and Ill cash that. The president, who walked away from a bipartisan deal in December that would have provided $1.6 billion for his wall efforts, has said the shutdown could last for months. Thats a dictator comment, Henderson said. Well, hes supposed to be a president, but when you look at everything that he has done, this democracy is pretty fragile right now, Lee responded. Its a very defining moment for this country. Harris said the president and his administration are out of touch with everyday citizens, people like him who still go to work, even though they dont know when theyll get their next paycheck. It really feels like a betrayal that I still come in, and Im doing my best every day, but you dont seem to actually care that Im hurting, that Im in a tough spot, he said. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays and Thursdays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr News for the Future We cannot think of a recent time during which staying informed is more crucial. Understanding national, state and, most importantly, local events and their impact on you, as a reader and citizen, is vital. Help us expand this coverage, provide you more trusted local news and broaden your understanding of local events and developments through your support of our News for the Future campaign. Learn more at either link below. Thank you for supporting The Keene Sentinel. A federal judge has blocked, in 13 states, a Trump Administration rule that would green light expanded use of religious and moral objections by employers seeking to deny contraceptive coverage to their women employees. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam puts on hold what was a broad-scale rollback of a provision in the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) requiring employers to offer FDA-approved birth control at no cost as part of health care plans. Washington was one of the plaintiff states. It is the 33rd time Attorney General Bob Ferguson has gone to court against the 45th President and his administration, and the 17th time time he has prevailed. "President Trump's unlawful and harmful birth control rules will go into effect in most states today -- but not in Washington, thanks to our legal challenge," AG Ferguson said in a statement. "After two years of litigating against the Trump Administration, the people haven't lost a case." RELATED: Town meeting: Can't government 'walk and chew bubble gum?' The ruling by Judge Gilliam applies to the states of Washington, California, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. A second federal judge in Pennsylvania extended the injunction to all 50 states late on Monday. "The law couldn't be clearer -- employers have no business interfering with women's health care decisions. Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care," said California AG Xavier Becerra. "It's 2019, yet the Trump Administration is still trying to roll back women's rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the reproductive health care they are guaranteed under the law." The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the defendant in the states' suit, has yet to react to Judge Gilliam's injunction. MORE FROM CONNELLY: Question for Wash. Legislature: Can state government live on $50 billion? Judge Gilliam, in his ruling, acknowledged that the Trump rule will go into effect Monday in states that did not take the administration to court. "The Court fully recognizes that limiting the scope of this injunction in the plaintiff states means that women in other states are at risk of losing access to cost-free contraceptives when the final rules take effect." The contraceptive rule is one more sign of the Trump Administration's holy -- or unholy -- alliance with the religious right. RELATED: Gov. Inslee off to New Hampshire, state he allegedly 'abandoned' in 2018 Such leading evangelicals as Revs. Jerry Falwell and Franklin Graham have looked the other way from President Trump's lifestyle and business practices. Why? The administration has been following the religious right's agenda. Two Trump-appointed justices now sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Dozens of conservative federal judges have been confirmed by the Senate. The U.S. Department of Education has rolled back protections for LGBTQ and particularly transgender students. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created a new "religious liberty" division to defend health care workers who claim religious objections to treating gay, lesbian and transgender patients. SEATTLE -- At least three boats were damaged in a fire at Seattle's Lakewood Moorage marina on Lake Washington Sunday night. "The plume of smoke and fire going up into the sky -- you knew it was the marina right away," said witness Ari Hoffman. "'There was a two story boat that you could see was on fire -- you could see the whole thing going up." When you receive your paycheck and look at the withholding for federal, state and sometimes city taxes, along with Social Security and Medicare, you probably don't think you're underpaying governments and want them to take more. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio believes that if you have played by what used to be called "the rules" and are making a decent living, taking care of yourself and your family and not relying on government, your taxes should be increased. In his State of the City address last week, de Blasio said, "... brothers and sisters, there's plenty of money in the world. There's plenty of money in this city. It's just in the wrong hands." He continued: "You haven't been paid what you deserve for all the hard work. You haven't been given the time you deserve. You're not living the life you deserve. And here is the cold, hard truth: It's no accident. It's an agenda." He blamed presidential administrations from Reagan to Trump. The mayor ignores the tax cuts and in some cases spending reductions that have fueled an economic boom, producing more wealth for individuals and more revenue for governments. A review of board meeting agendas and minutes during the period the board was winnowing the field of candidates indicates that no agenda item stated that the board was considering applicants for the position, and no minute entry revealed a public vote to narrow the field of candidates both steps required by law. In fact, the board minutes reveal a pattern of inadequate statements of the purposes of meetings closed to the public. The minutes reflect board meetings closed to the public to discuss personnel matters notwithstanding that word does not appear in the applicable law, and attorneys general have advised public officials for more than 30 years that an executive session described as being for a personnel matter is in violation of the law. From its agendas and minutes, it appears that DHEC has institutionalized its disregard for the law. Consistent with this culture of a disregard for the law and the citizens of South Carolina, Mark Elam, chairman of the board, responding to criticism of the illegal process followed by DHEC, said the public would have an opportunity to examine Toomeys qualifications for the position during the state Senate confirmation process. FLORENCE, S.C. The 20th Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Rally will be held on Monday, Jan. 21. The march, hosted by the Florence Community Development, is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Shekinah Glory Seventh Day Adventist Church with coffee and donuts for participants. The march will begin at 10 a.m. and go from the church to the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge, where a brief prayer will be held and continue to the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. A program will be held at the FMU PAC at approximately 11:30 a.m. City buses will be available to transport people back to the church. T-shirts are available for pre-order. The march and rally was started 20 years ago by the late Florence City Councilman Ed Robinson, Freddie Jolley and Billy D. Williams. Jan. 21 is the 2019 date of the commemoration of the birth of King, a nonviolent activist leader in the Civil Rights movement. King was born on Jan. 15, 1929, but the holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of January to keep with a 1968 act establishing certain federal holidays (Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day) on Mondays. The holiday was added to the federal calendar by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. FLORENCE, S.C. S.C. Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. will not attend the January meeting of the Florence County Republican Party Monday in Florence. A member of the longtime senators staff confirmed late Saturday via text message that Leatherman had to cancel his planned appearance at the meeting. Leatherman, one of three Republicans in the Florence County legislative delegation, was scheduled attend the meeting along with state Reps. Phillip Lowe and Jay Jordan. Lowe and Jordan are still scheduled to attend the meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. today, at the Eddie Floyd Conference Center on the campus of Carolinas Hospital System. Many stars explode as luminous supernovae when, swollen with age, they run out of fuel for nuclear fusion. But some stars can go supernova simply because they have a close and pesky companion star that, one day, perturbs its partner so much that it explodes. These latter events can happen in binary star systems, where two stars attempt to share dominion. While the exploding star gives off lots of evidence about its identity, astronomers must engage in detective work to learn about the errant companion that triggered the explosion. On Jan. 10 at the 2019 American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle, an international team of astronomers announced that they have identified the type of companion star that made its partner in a binary system, a carbon-oxygen white dwarf star, explode. Through repeated observations of SN 2015cp, a supernova 545 million light years away, the team detected hydrogen-rich debris that the companion star had shed prior to the explosion. "The presence of debris means that the companion was either a red giant star or similar star that, prior to making its companion go supernova, had shed large amounts of material," said University of Washington astronomer Melissa Graham, who presented the discovery and is lead author on the accompanying paper accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. The supernova material smacked into this stellar litter at 10 percent the speed of light, causing it to glow with ultraviolet light that was detected by the Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories nearly two years after the initial explosion. By looking for evidence of debris impacts months or years after a supernova in a binary star system, the team believes that astronomers could determine whether the companion had been a messy red giant or a relatively neat and tidy star. The team made this discovery as part of a wider study of a particular type of supernova known as a Type Ia supernova. These occur when a carbon-oxygen white dwarf star explodes suddenly due to activity of a binary companion. Carbon-oxygen white dwarfs are small, dense and -- for stars -- quite stable. They form from the collapsed cores of larger stars and, if left undisturbed, can persist for billions of years. Type Ia supernovae have been used for cosmological studies because their consistent luminosity makes them ideal "cosmic lighthouses," according to Graham. They've been used to estimate the expansion rate of the universe and served as indirect evidence for the existence of dark energy. Yet scientists are not certain what kinds of companion stars could trigger a Type Ia event. Plenty of evidence indicates that, for most Type Ia supernovae, the companion was likely another carbon-oxygen white dwarf, which would leave no hydrogen-rich debris in the aftermath. Yet theoretical models have shown that stars like red giants could also trigger a Type Ia supernova, which could leave hydrogen-rich debris that would be hit by the explosion. Out of the thousands of Type Ia supernovae studied to date, only a small fraction were later observed impacting hydrogen-rich material shed by a companion star. Prior observations of at least two Type Ia supernovae detected glowing debris months after the explosion. But scientists weren't sure if those events were isolated occurrences, or signs that Type Ia supernovae could have many different kinds of companion stars. "All of the science to date that has been done using Type Ia supernovae, including research on dark energy and the expansion of the universe, rests on the assumption that we know reasonably well what these 'cosmic lighthouses' are and how they work," said Graham. "It is very important to understand how these events are triggered, and whether only a subset of Type Ia events should be used for certain cosmology studies." The team used Hubble Space Telescope observations to look for ultraviolet emissions from 70 Type Ia supernovae approximately one to three years following the initial explosion. "By looking years after the initial event, we were searching for signs of shocked material that contained hydrogen, which would indicate that the companion was something other than another carbon-oxygen white dwarf," said Graham. In the case of SN 2015cp, a supernova first detected in 2015, the scientists found what they were searching for. In 2017, 686 days after the supernova exploded, Hubble picked up an ultraviolet glow of debris. This debris was far from the supernova source -- at least 100 billion kilometers, or 62 billion miles, away. For reference, Pluto's orbit takes it a maximum of 7.4 billion kilometers from our sun. By comparing SN 2015cp to the other Type Ia supernovae in their survey, the researchers estimate that no more than 6 percent of Type Ia supernovae have such a litterbug companion. Repeated, detailed observations of other Type Ia events would help cement these estimates, Graham said. The Hubble Space Telescope was essential for detecting the ultraviolet signature of the companion star's debris for SN 2015cp. In the fall of 2017, the researchers arranged for additional observations of SN 2015cp by the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array in New Mexico, the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, among others. These data proved crucial in confirming the presence of hydrogen and are presented in a companion paper lead by Chelsea Harris, a research associate at Michigan State University. "The discovery and follow-up of SN 2015cp's emission really demonstrates how it takes many astronomers, and a wide variety of types of telescopes, working together to understand transient cosmic phenomena," said Graham. "It is also a perfect example of the role of serendipity in astronomical studies: If Hubble had looked at SN 2015cp just a month or two later, we wouldn't have seen anything." Graham is also a senior fellow with the UW's DIRAC Institute and a science analyst with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, or LSST. "In the future, as a part of its regularly scheduled observations, the LSST will automatically detect optical emissions similar to SN 2015cp -- from hydrogen impacted by material from Type Ia supernovae," said Graham said. "It's going to make my job so much easier!" A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) reports in the American Journal of Managed Care that virtual video visits, one form of telehealth visit used at the hospital, can successfully replace office visits for many patients without compromising the quality of care and communication. Virtual video visits are personal video chat communications between a health professional and patient using a computer or tablet via a secure application. Karen Donelan, ScD, a senior scientist at the MGH-based Mongan Institute Health Policy Center and lead author of the paper, which has been published online, says, "Some of the participants in our study were parents of children who needed multiple frequent visits or older patients for whom travel was difficult to arrange. It did not surprise us that they found virtual visits more convenient, but we were impressed that nearly all perceived the quality of care or communication to be the same or better than at the traditional and familiar office visits." The MGH TeleHealth Program was launched in 2012 after 10 years of successful experience developing TeleNeurology. Virtual video visits were offered beginning in 2013, and the program has continued to grow since then. At the time this study was conducted, established patients in several departments or divisions -- including psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, primary care, and oncology -- were eligible for virtual video visits for follow-up care. The current study reports on survey responses from 254 patients after their first visit and from 61 clinicians who participated in the first full year of the program. Among the key findings of the study: 79 percent of responding patients who participated in the program felt that finding a convenient time for a follow-up virtual video visit was easier than for a traditional office visit. 62 percent of responding patients reported the quality of virtual video visits was no different from that of office visits, and 21 percent thought virtual visits' overall quality was better. 59 percent of health professionals providing virtual video visits agreed that, for the patients selected for these visits, virtual visit quality was similar to that of office visits; one third thought office visit quality was better. Patients and health professionals differed on their perceptions of the "personal connection" they felt in these visits: 46 percent of clinicians said they thought office visits were better, compared to 33 percent of patients. 68 percent of patients rated virtual video visits at 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale, and patients who rated the visits lower were generally concerned about technical issues they experienced during their first use of the system. Those issues were usually resolved at the time of the visits with technical assistance Clinicians reported that virtual video visits are superior to office visits for timely scheduling of patient appointments (70.5 percent) and for visit efficiency (52.5 percent). They did caution that these visits are not appropriate for all patients in all situations. The authors note that their study may have important lessons for a future in which several different modes -- such as text, video, online, home and office visits -- are available for patient-clinician communication. While 89 percent of patients with virtual video visits said their clinical issues could have been addressed in traditional office visits, 60 percent indicated that telephone calls, 31 percent indicated secure email and 20 percent responded that text messaging might also have been options. As these other modes of care are explored and studied, researchers will be assessing how best to tailor these visits to the needs of patients. Lee Schwamm, MD, director of the MGH Center for TeleHealth and of the MGH Comprehensive StrokeCenter and executive vice chairman of the Department of Neurology, has used virtual video visits extensively in his own practice and is senior author of the American Journal of Managed Care report. "Our findings confirm what I felt in my gut, which is that what patients' value most is uninterrupted time with their doctor, and they put up with all the other challenges required to come see us," he says. "Telehealth gives them more of what they want most and gets rid of the stuff they don't want. With a telehealth visit, 95 percent of the time spent by the patient is face-to-face with the doctor, compared to less than 20 percent of a traditional visit, in which most time is spent traveling and waiting. Seen through that lens, our results are not surprising." It has long been known that a quarry near the Dutch town of Winterswijk is an Eldorado for fossil lovers. But even connoisseurs will be surprised just how outstanding the site actually is. A student at the University of Bonn, himself a Dutchman and passionate fossil collector, has now analyzed pieces from museums and private collections for his master's thesis. He found an amazing amount of almost completely preserved skeletons, all between 242 and 247 million years old. The good condition is presumably due to particularly favorable development conditions. These make Winterswijk, which belongs to the so-called Germanic Basin, a cornucopia for paleontology. The study is published in the Palaontologische Zeitschrift. Jelle Heijne examined exactly 327 remains of marine reptiles for his master's thesis -- collected partly from public museums, but primarily from about 20 private collections. He was particularly impressed by the high quality of the finds: "Among them were more than 20 contiguous skeletons," he emphasizes. "Only very few complete skeleton finds are known from the other sites of the Germanic Basin, which stretches from England to Poland." In his study, the 25-year-old investigated the question of why the bones, which are over 240 million years old, have been preserved so well here. The reason is probably a combination of fortunate circumstances: At that time the Germanic Basin was a sea, which was extremely shallow in today's Winterswijk. This is illustrated by the fossil footprints of terrestrial animals that were found not far from the reptile bones. The region probably resembled today's Wadden Sea of the North Sea coast, but with a bottom that was not sandy but covered in lime silt. The shallow depth ensured that cadavers quickly hit the ground, where they were then covered by sediment. If dead animals float in the water for a long time and are tossed back and forth by waves and currents, the probability increases that body parts, such as tail, limbs or head, are lost. Another important factor was a process called "Stick'n'Peel" by paleontologists: The animal is colonized by microorganisms and algae that hold the skeleton together like a skin. "It was probably these two factors in particular that favored the occurrence of well-preserved finds," explains Heijne. In fact, there is some evidence for the Stick'n'Peel hypothesis. For example, some skeletons lack individual larger bones, while the small bones are complete -- even though the latter are usually most likely to be carried away by the water. "Such unusual patterns typically occur when a skeleton is unevenly colonized and thus protected," Heijne explains. It has long been known that Winterswijk stands out among the sites of the Germanic Basin. Nevertheless, the large number of high-quality finds is likely to surprise even connoisseurs, especially since most of the finds are not accessible to the public. "I have been a member of an association of private collectors in the Netherlands for years," Heijne explains. This was the ideal contact exchange for his study: "The collectors I approached were all proud to be able to contribute to the research on Winterswijk." University of Toronto Engineering researchers have examined dust from homes in Fort McMurray, Alta., for evidence of harmful toxins left in the aftermath of the devastating 2016 wildfire. Their study reveals normal levels of contaminants that are comparable to homes across Canada, and so far, no evidence of long-term health risks from fire-ash exposure in residents' homes. In May 2016, a large wildfire in the area forced a mandatory evacuation of more than 80,000 residents in the city and surrounding region, making it the largest recorded wildfire evacuation in Canadian history. As people slowly gained re-entry to their homes a month later, concerns were raised about residual fire ash or toxins in homes that could pose health risks. Smoke and ash can contain a large number of potentially harmful carcinogens, including arsenic, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In the summer of 2017, chemical engineering professor Arthur Chan and his research team visited Fort McMurray to find out if there was indeed cause for concern. "Many people were saying, 'I'm not sure if it's safe for my children to come back and live here after this big fire,'" says Chan. Postdoctoral fellow Lukas Kohl, graduate student Meng Meng and undergraduate Cynthia Jing vacuumed up dust from more than 60 homes in Fort McMurray and neighbouring Fort McKay, looking for evidence of residual fire ash. To ensure representative coverage, the team chose neighbourhoods that suffered significant damage -- where re-entry was delayed -- as well as neighbourhoods less affected by the wildfire. After analyzing dust collected in the living room and bedroom (the largest and most frequented areas in a home) for toxins such as PAHs, arsenic and heavy metals, the team reported that the levels, while detectable, were not any higher than in Canadian homes that had not been affected by the fire. Their findings were recently published in Geophysical Research Letters. advertisement "That was the surprise -- that even after this fire, we actually didn't see higher levels of contaminants," says Chan. "The levels we saw were not terribly high. If we compare them to health guidelines -- what is considered to be a health risk for soils -- the results from samples we collected in the homes were generally lower." For some chemicals, such as lead, levels were actually higher in Toronto homes than those in Fort McMurray. "Since Fort McMurray is a newer city, a lot of the infrastructure like pipes and paint don't contain lead," says Chan. Although the results surprised Chan's team, he suspects the reason that levels were normal has to do with residents' cleaning habits. "We think people are cleaning quite a bit after the fire," he says. "A lot of the houses have gotten insurance companies to cover the cost of a cleaning crew. And even for houses that don't have insurance clean-up, the residents have cleaned quite thoroughly, due to concerns about residuals from the fire." His lab will continue to study samples collected from other areas of the home. They've also partnered with a pulmonary specialist at Toronto General Hospital, who is currently assessing the lung health of those who participated in his lab's study. Chan stresses that there are other types of health concerns that can result from the fire, ranging from mental health of victims to the occupational health of firefighters who battled the blaze. But for this study in particular, he hopes these findings give the Fort McMurray community some peace of mind. "I think they should take this as good news. So far, we don't have any evidence to say that there are any immediate health risks in their homes due to the fire." Women whose partners are away on military deployment are at greater risk of developing mental illness during the perinatal period, according to a review paper published in the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University's Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI) found that pregnant military spouses report more depressive symptoms at all stages of their pregnancy and all stages of their partner's deployment cycle. The review found that deployment of the serving spouse is associated with social isolation and increased anxiety and stress for the pregnant partner at home, leading to a higher risk of perinatal depression. This can be exacerbated by the stress of lone parenting for the duration of the deployment and coping with the subsequent change in day-to-day family life and parenting roles following the return of the serving partner. Dr Lauren Godier-McBard, lead author of the study, said: "Women who have a serving partner in the military not only have to deal with pregnancy and the additional demands this places on their mental health, but they may also be very worried about the welfare of their partner -- in addition they are lacking that essential support while their spouse is away. "The evidence we found indicates that social support is an important protective factor for military spouses during the perinatal period. This may be particularly important for reducing anxiety during the deployment of their serving partner. There may be benefits to specialised support for military spouses. "While this review focused on US studies, the cultural and situational similarities between the two nations and their militaries mean there may be lessons the UK can take from this analysis. However, there remains a paucity of UK research on this subject." A teacher's path home Online education program allows military spouse to complete degree while stationed abroad When Michelle Taylor walked across the stage at Decembers commencement ceremony to accept her masters degree, she culminated a journey of more than 7,300 miles and three countries. And though she didnt step foot on campus during her two years in the Master of Education in Teaching program, she felt strongly about attending graduation. Second-grade teacher Michelle Taylor now teaches in North Carolina after earning her master's degree while living abroad. Being at commencement was so moving, so powerful, Taylor says. That day, I joined other educators who, like me, had completed their degrees. Though I spent my time behind a computer, I was able to connect and share this moving moment with my fellow Gamecocks. Taylor began the 100 percent online masters degree program while her husband, Jeff, a captain in the U.S. Army, was stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea. She was teaching kindergarten at the school on base and was a busy mom to two young daughters. Being a military spouse who had to constantly move around, the online program was flexible and convenient, Taylor says. I even completed one course while we traveled to Spain to visit my husbands family. I could literally do my work from anywhere in the world, and all I needed was my computer." Taylor says though her professors were a 17-hour plane ride away, she never felt isolated. Being so far away, in a small way, it made me feel more connected to home. Michelle Taylor, alumna, teacher and military wife My professors were just an email away and communicated constantly. We easily stayed connected, and I was able to work with other teachers who allowed me to step outside my classroom and learn from them. And I was able to teach them we helped each other grow as professionals. Taylor grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and taught elementary school in Fort Mill, South Carolina, before her husband, who is also a University of South Carolina alumnus, joined the military. I lived in South Carolina for 24 years before our first move to South Korea. Just being able to step outside my bubble and see the world has been awesome, she says. South Korea has so many places to explore, places you wouldnt see in the States. And I just loved the food. Living abroad, raising children in a place so different from where I grew up, really opened my eyes and made me value diversity. Michelle Taylor was able to complete her course work online while stationed in South Korea with her family. Her value of diversity in education was sparked as well during her studies. In all of my classes, there was a universal theme: the value and promotion of diversity in the classroom, Taylor says. I was surrounded by diversity, living it each day. The program taught me how to integrate that diverse experience into my everyday teaching and showed me why it was important to do so. As she was finishing her degree, Taylors husband was transferred to Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Now, she teaches second grade at a public school near the base. Our school serves a lot of military kids. There will always be a special place in my heart for kids whose moms and dads are constantly leaving for training or missions. My time spent in South Korea makes me go above and beyond, to make sure my students families are involved and feel welcomed. Taylor says she felt welcomed as she came home to South Carolina, returning for commencement on Dec. 17 to accept her degree. She even credits the Master of Education in Teaching program for keeping her from feeling too homesick while living abroad. Being so far away, in a small way, it made me feel more connected to home. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Elected officials, including Senator James Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, Ballston Spa Mayor John Romano, local dignitaries, representatives from The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County and the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, join together at a ribbon cutting ceremony along with center staff to celebrate the new gymnasium floor at the Ballston Area Community Center in downtown Ballston Spa. A portion of the 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return form for 2018. The new tax code has lots of changes, but those with questions are out of luck, at least while the government shutdown is continuing. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) You asked. We listened. Your daily crossword, Sudoku and dozens of other puzzles are now available online. Play them or print them here. Play now Ethan Forman/Staff photoLeft to right, City Council President Jon Turco looks on as Peabody attorney John Keilty and the owner of 59-61 Walnut St., William Skouras of Peabody, discuss a proposal to create eight rooming house units out of a former downtown Greek restaurant during a special permit hearing Thursday night. Indias cut and polished diamond exports up 131.44% in May Indias overall export of cut & polished diamonds at $ 2010.92 mn in May 2021 compared to $ 868.88 mn in May 2020 registered a growth of 131.44% as per data reported in gjepc.org. Lucapa raises over A$1.6m from share purchase plan Lucapa Diamond has raised A$1.65 million from more than 33 million shares sold to eligible shareholders under its Share Purchase Plan (SPP). Diamond rush in SAs KwaZulu-Natal province There is a diamond rush in the village of KwaHlathi in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, according to media reports. Reuters reports that more than 1,000 fortune seekers flocked to the village in search of the precious stones after the discovery... Tanzania launches new gold refinery Tanzania has commissioned a new gold refinery in Mwanza as the countrys central bank mulls plans to start buying the precious metal. THREE cars were destroyed in an accidental blaze at a scrapyard in Canklow. Firefighters from Rotherham station were called to Fullerton Road on Saturday at 4.30pm where a Skoda Octavia, a Toyota Avensis and a Vauxhall Astra were on fire, a spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said. They left the scene at 5.05pm and the fire was caused by discarded smoking materials, the spokeswoman said. Weather Alert ...CODE ORANGE AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR ATLANTA FOR Thursday June 17... The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division has issued a Code Orange (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) Air Quality Alert for Atlanta for Thursday June 17. Under Code Orange conditions, the outdoor air quality is likely to be unhealthy for some people. Children, people who are sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the late afternoon or early evening when ozone concentrations are highest. For additional information on the Air Quality Index, please visit http://airnow.gov. Why this matters. In the new post-industrial economy, universities are the new economic engines, valued for research capabilities that have the potential to spin off new businesses. The most dramatic local example of that is the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg. UVA-Wise is the only four-year college in Virginias coal counties, which are undergoing a painful transition from coal to . . . well, whatever comes after coal. (In fact, UVA-Wise is the only four-year state school west of Radford.) If Virginias westernmost counties are going to develop a new economy, they need a much bigger UVA-Wise. Thats why in the 2017 governors race both candidates promised to expand UVA-Wise and add graduate programs. For whatever reasons, there are only two state universities that dont have graduate programs one is Virginia Military Institute, which is always a special case, the other is UVA-Wise. There wasnt really any discussions then about the schools declining enrollment, although perhaps there should have been. Interestingly, the two candidates had different notions of how the school should be expanded. Ralph Northam who, of course, went on to win proposed making UVA-Wise a center for research into renewable energy. Republican Ed Gillespie proposed doubling the schools enrollment (then at 2,099), although he didnt explain how that could be accomplished. I also understand that as your Representative, you deserve to know what is going on in my office and what I am working on for you. I will tweet, post to Instagram and Facebook and give my constituents increased access to what is going on in Congress. Please follow me @RepRiggleman to see the ins and outs of the Congressional office and to keep up with me in DC. Im committed to sending weekly newsletters that will inform 5th district constituents on votes and policy decisions. I also encourage everyone to visit YOUR Washington, DC office. The 5th district office belongs to the constituents, not the member. Come say hello and stop by Room 1022 of the Longworth House Office Building. Please reach out to my staff to arrange a constituent meeting, a Capitol tour, or if we can assist in any way. Transparency and communication is my primary focus. I look forward to discussing the issues with you in Washington and during the town halls I will conduct throughout the district. When I am settled in, I will conduct town halls throughout the district. I look forward to having a spirited and respectful debate on the issues. Transparency and communication is key to that, and my offices main focus is to keep you informed. RICHMOND Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, has been waiting since the last days of summer for the General Assembly to consider his proposal to let Virginia taxpayers avoid an unintentional increase in their state taxes because of federal reforms. Bell will have to wait a little longer. The House Finance Committee on Monday referred his bill, proposed on Sept. 17, to the House Rules Committee at the direction of Speaker Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, who is gathering all of the legislation related to tax policy changes that lie at the heart of this years budget debate. Those bills traditionally would have come through this committee, said Finance Chairman Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, before the committee referred Bells bill to Rules . The decision dismayed Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, a longtime member of the Finance Committee who has proposed significant changes in tax policy in response to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that President Donald Trump signed in late 2017. I am sad that this committee, whose purview should be tax policy, is not at the heart of this debate, Watts said. The assembly faces a threshold decision about whether to conform Virginias tax code to the new federal code. A job fair organized by the city of Salem will seek to pair workers with local employers. The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Blvd. Employers looking for new hires will include Kroger, Integer, Servpro, Salems city government and Salem City Schools, Hilton Garden Inn, John T. Morgan Roofing, Member One, Salem Red Sox, Richfield Living, the Virginia Department of Transportation and more. There are some great paying jobs available, Melinda Payne, Salems economic development director, wrote in an email. Salem decided to kick off the new year with a job fair, in part, because seasonal workers are often re-entering the job market now. The event is part of the citys efforts to strengthen the local jobs pipeline. Salem has formed a workforce readiness task force that is collaborating with employers to identify and address needs in the Roanoke Valley. Employers represented Wednesday are expected to come from Salem and beyond. The job fair is sponsored by the Salem Workforce Development Council and Virginia Career Works. Questions about the event can be directed to Salems economic development office at 540-375-3007. 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. Following the January 2018 announcement, Schumaker said that officials from Carilion, RU and Jefferson College formed a transition team of more than 100 individuals to oversee the merger. Programs have been reviewed, and all programs currently offered by Jefferson College of Health Sciences will continue to be offered following the merger, Schumaker said. She said that planning has also involved the transition of students, faculty and staff and that systems have been reviewed for compatibility, and policies and procedures have been aligned for implementation following the merger. Schumaker said that much of the work left to do involves state and accreditor approvals, which are underway and must be secured prior to finalizing the merger. The formal transition of students, faculty and staff will not occur until the merger has been fully approved, she said. She said that much of the work has been completed and that the 18-24 month goal is on pace to be met. The first class of students will be enrolled as Radford University students for the 2019 fall semester. Not everybody liked that column, however. One was a Troutville woman who didnt leave her name. Why dont you try telling all the good things Donald Trump does, instead of trying to tear this country down? the woman asked in a voicemail. Get off your hate thing. Goodbye. The Jan. 2 column about tardy, untallied absentee ballots in the 2018 election left a question in the mind of reader Billy Gorman. Registrars in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Montgomery County and Salem reported 233 of those arriving after the Nov. 6 election. Most were postmarked by Election Day or earlier. I recall that legally when you put mail in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service it is deemed delivered, Gorman wrote. If that is true then the election officials should count those votes regardless of when they actually arrive. Unless the law has changed I think I have this correct. Billy, that rules in effect with tax returns. Those are deemed on time if theyre postmarked by the deadline date. But Roanoke Registrar Andrew Cochran said it doesnt apply to absentee ballots in Virginia. Two arrested on Isla Mujeres for carrying weapons Isla Mujeres, Q.R. Two men have been arrested in separate incidences on Isla Mujeres after police say they were found carrying weapons. Staff of the la Coordinacion de Reaccion y Alerta Inmediata (CRAI) report the arrest of one young man after he was found carrying a gun. Police say the man, 27-year-old German N, was driving a motorcycle when he accelerated at the sight of police. Photo: Policia Federal Mx However, agents managed to catch up to him. When stopped, police found German was carrying a .38mm Colt and cartridges, a gun they say is for exclusive use for the Mexican Army. They also found the motorcycle he was driving was stolen He was taken into custody for vehicle theft and carrying a weapon. A second man was arrested on Isla Mujeres over the weekend after he too, was found carrying a weapon. Federal police reported seeing a man on Isla Contoy Avenue who began to walk faster when he noticed their presence. Photo: Policia Federal Mx After a review of his person, police found a .9 mm Beretta handgun with cartridge fastened around his waist. Police arrested 42-year-old Luis Alberto N. for carrying a firearm exclusively for the Army. Both detainees and the seized items were handed over to la Procuraduria General de la Republica (PGR). Turkish Airlines announces new Istanbul-Mexico City-Cancun flight Cancun, Q.R. Starting August, Turkish Airlines will begin offering a triangle flight that will take passengers from Istanbul to Mexico City to Cancun. The airline, which hinted at the possibility of the new route last year, says they will offer the triangle flight three times a week beginning August 21. The flights will fly Turkish passengers out of their country on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday in direct, non-stop flights. The first flight will leave Istanbul August 21 on a on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departing from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport 20:55 and landing in Mexico City at 4:10 a.m. the next day. The flight will then carry on to Cancun, departing Mexico City at 5:30 a.m. and landing at the Cancun International Airport at 7:50 a.m. The airline says their return flights from Cancun will depart the terminal at 9:20 a.m. and arrive in Istanbul 5:25 local time, the next day. Dario Flota Ocampo, director of the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo, says that the new route will open a new opportunity to attract Turkish travelers to Cancun, offering from the center of the country, the sun and beach destinations of Quintana Roo. NEWS Pentagon transforms Campia Turzii unit into a NATO air hub at the Black Sea A former Soviet airbase in central Romania could become a hub for US Air Force operations in south-eastern Europe, where the Pentagon is seeking to Mai mult Nuclearelectrica shareholders approved to terminate negotiations with Chinese for building reactors 3 and 4 from Cernavoda Nuclearelectrica's Board of Directors has been mandated to initiate proceedings to terminate negotiations with China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), as well as legal effects Mai mult Renault holds expansion of its plant in Romania, 15,000 jobs cancelled at global level "Putting capacity growth projects planned in Morocco and Romania on hold" - is one of the measures included in the draft plan of Renault Group Mai mult Romania is a net importer of electricity in 2020 as well Romania imported an amount of electricity of almost 796 GWh in the first month of this year, by more than 36% above what it exported Mai mult Shareholders of Galati steel plant promise investments of one billion euros GFG Alliance has committed to invest one billion euros to upgrade Galati steel plant in order to reduce emissions and increase production. Another EUR 1 Mai mult Top 3 reasons why young people leave Romania Lack of trust in authorities, corruption and low living standards are the main reasons why young people leave Romania. The data is part of a Mai mult IMM Invest Romania program implementing rules have been published The Ministry of Public Finance announces that it has issued the methodological norms for the implementation of the Program for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises Mai mult Pollution import and car park expansion: comparisons with the other EU states Romania is the EU country with the fewest cars in terms of the number of inhabitants, according to data recently published by Eurostat. We appear Mai mult Laura Codruta Kovesi remains alone in the race for European Chief Prosecutor French Prosecutor Jean-Francois Bohnert will be appointed as head of the European Financial Prosecutor's Office, a position for which he was heard on Thursday, 11 Mai mult Officials warned Virginians to brace for icy conditions overnight Sunday and into Monday morning following hundreds of traffic crashes across the state and power outages affecting thousands in the Richmond area. State troopers had responded to 324 traffic crashes and 196 disabled vehicles throughout the state on Sunday, as of 5:30 p.m. The majority of the crashes 107 occurred in the Richmond region. The police are investigating three fatalities, including one officials determined to be related to the weather. Ronald Harris, 73, of Georgia, died after he lost control of his vehicle while traveling on Interstate 81 in Pulaski County on Saturday night. His vehicle was struck by two tractor-trailers. Both of the other drivers were transported to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. In Brunswick County, a 16-year-old passenger died after a vehicle driven by another 16-year-old crashed into a tree shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday. The driver was transported to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. State police determined that alcohol and speed contributed to the crash and that neither teen was wearing a seat belt. Following the 2010 election, Wisconsins GOP was the beating heart of the national GOP. Now almost a decade later, Walker lost his bid for a third term last November; Ryan, who rose to speaker of the House, is now leaving Congress; and Priebus has been chased out of Trumps White House. That leaves one guy standing to steer the Midwest conservative movement back into power or at least be the face of it. That guy is Johnson. He says of the 2018 midterms: I went to bed on election night. ... Scott Walker was pulling ahead and just had the out counties, which we normally win. So, I was pretty confident he was going to win, kind of breathed a sigh of relief, never went to sleep. But I got a text. It was called ... for his opponent. One of my first thoughts was, other than the expletive, was I am last man standing. And I have a unique responsibility, which I take seriously. Johnson says he has Priebus giving him advice on how to reassess the way forward. He explained: The postmortem is that Im making calls all the time, and we have a pretty robust effort right now. But the feedback is pretty consistent. The campaigns were very top-down, and they werent listening to people. This session we must demand that all reproductive rights bills get a vote on the House or Senate floor. They should not be buried in committee or denied a full vetting of the General Assembly. Voters have repeatedly made their voices heard, and they do not want politicians to dictate how they and their families decide to live their lives. In addition to protecting Virginians rights, we must also repeal the existing restrictive and demeaning abortion laws on the books by passing the Repro Equal Access Laws Act sponsored by Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Kathy Tran. These laws have been on the books for too long, failing to reflect current medical knowledge and standards of practice, and interfering with the doctor-patient relationship. This bill would finally repeal the medically unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations such as the belittling 24-hour waiting period, mandatory ultrasound, and other medically pointless laws. It would bring us so much closer to a Virginia where reproductive health care does not depend on an individuals ZIP code or economic status but rather allows individuals the independence to make decisions about their own body and their life. However, if anti-choice legislators decide that they or the federal government should control how Virginians and their families decide to live their lives, by voting against the Reproductive Freedom Act and REPEAL Act, they will be choosing to put Virginians fates in jeopardy. In an attempt to control the decisions and destinies of their constituents, they will also be choosing their own destinies come next election cycle. They will lose. We have long been staunch advocates of keeping a bright light on the workings of government. So we are delighted that this General Assembly session counts among its members two journalists who believe the same thing. Both have proposed legislation aimed at supporting and protecting members of the media. Del. Chris Hurst, a former anchor and reporter for WDBJ in Roanoke, has introduced HB 2392, which would guarantee freedom of expression for student journalists and student-published media at Virginia schools. The bill would safeguard student journalists work from unnecessary censorship or retaliation from school administrators. Schools would only be able to interfere if the media content violates federal law, is defamatory, or dangerous. Del. Danica Roem comes from a newspaper background. She served as the lead reporter of the Gainesville Times and Prince William Times in Prince William County and as the news editor for the Montgomery County Sentinel in Maryland. Her bill, HB 2250, would prevent journalists from being compelled to disclose protected information. After her election last November, Roem told journalists in a conference call that she considers herself the reporters liaison in the General Assembly. She promised that she will always be a reporter before Im a politician. Thats good news for everyone. We decided that we wanted something that was achievable, something that could get bipartisan support and something that would as fast as possible get protections in place for student journalists at our public schools, he said. Its something I certainly think we could consider later on, but right now we think the way that we can most ensure that this legislation can pass this year is the way it is in its current form. Legislation in Rhode Island would protect students at private schools as well. While Virginias two most high-profile student censorship cases have come from a private school, there have been instances at public schools. The student newspaper at the University of Mary Washington originally had its funding revoked before a student-run finance committee reversed its decision, The Free Lance-Star reported last year. While officials cited The Blue & Gray Press distribution issues in making the decision, supporters of the nearly 100-year-old newspaper said the content of the paper also played a role, according to The Free Lance-Star. In 2011, the adviser to the Madison County High School Mountaineer was removed after students published an editorial criticizing the schools facilities. Hursts bill would prevent that from happening. Bell would let Virginia taxpayers continue itemizing their deductions, even if they claim the standard deduction that has been doubled at the federal level. Current Virginia law requires state taxpayers to follow whatever choice they made on their federal return. The same change is the foundation of legislation proposed by Del. Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax, one of the few Republican legislators left in Northern Virginia as elections loom in November. Cox, Jones and House Finance Chairman Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, have embraced Hugos legislation. The decision to refer Bells bill to Coxs committee dismayed Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, a longtime member of the Finance Committee who also has proposed significant changes in tax policy in response to Trumps tax law. I am sad that this committee, whose purview should be tax policy, is not at the heart of this debate, Watts said. Parker Slaybaugh, communications director for Cox, said in a statement: As we said last year, Speaker Cox has always maintained that he wants to be a policy-driven speaker, and referring bills with larger policy implications to the Rules Committee allows him to more actively be involved in shaping the future of the commonwealth. NEW YORK (AP) It's been 10 years, but there isn't anything Tripp Harris doesn't remember about the cold January day he cheated death on US Airways flight 1549. Poll: Virginians divided on arming teachers RICHMOND While Virginians are split on the idea of armed teachers, theres a clear consensus that the public supports more money for public schools, a VCU poll says. A poll released last week by the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Public Policy at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs showed 49 percent of Virginia residents oppose the idea of allowing localities to train teachers and administrators to be armed in schools while 47 percent support the idea. Nearly three in four Republicans supported the idea compared with just over one in four Democrats. The poll said 36 percent of independents endorsed the idea. It also showed that people living in western and Tidewater regions supported the idea the most compared to residents in Northern Virginia and in the south central region, which includes the Richmond area. The poll of 805 people was conducted via phone Dec. 3-13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.45 percentage points. Lee County in Southwest Virginia announced a plan last year to arm teachers in the name of improving school safety. That plan was deemed illegal by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring. After schools in the Richmond region were closed Monday because a winter storm caused hazardous road conditions, some districts are putting their makeup plans into action. Monday marked the sixth time this school year that Hanover County, Henrico County and Richmond public school students have been out of the classroom thanks to the weather. Chesterfield County students had an extra day off in December as the county recovered from a winter storm that crippled travel after dumping a more-than-expected amount of snow. Three of the days off were caused by the December snowstorm, while the other two stemmed from the remnants of hurricanes Michael and Florence. Districts across the region had seven snow days last year, an increase from the 2016-17 school year when Hanover led the region with four canceled days. In 2015-16, Hanover was the only school system to eclipse five missed days it had six. Heres what Mondays snow day means for the local school districts. Chesterfield While Chesterfield has used more school days than other districts in the area, the school system said its still in fine shape when it comes to time off. A graffiti-covered bridge in Richmonds East End has been brightened with two new murals dedicated to messages of hope and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Hamilton Glass and fellow muralist Sir James Thornhill spent the summer and fall with young apprentices and students from Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School painting the 100-foot murals as part of the U.N.I.T.Y. Street Project, a group dedicated to adding art to the community. On Tuesday, Glass will be joined by members of the U.N.I.T.Y. Street Project and students for a formal dedication of the second mural, which is under the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge. We wanted to do something that would beautify the neighborhood, but also engage the community, Glass said. The bridge spans Shockoe Valley, connecting downtown Richmond with Mosby Street. What was before a drab concrete wall now bears vivid colors and geometric shapes. The first mural is on the bridge and is roughly 103 feet long and 9 feet tall. The second mural is 140 feet long and about 20 feet in height, carrying messages of hope and a depiction of King. Genworth Financial Inc. said Monday that it has received approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services for its proposed acquisition by a China-based investment company. It was the final clearance needed from state regulatory agencies in the U.S. for Henrico County-based Genworth to complete the $2.7 billion deal, which was first announced in October 2016. Under the proposed deal, Genworth, a seller of home mortgage insurance and long-term care insurance, would become a subsidiary of China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co. Ltd. The companies have delayed closing the deal six times because of regulatory reviews. They are now aiming to complete the deal by Jan. 31. In the U.S., the deal still must get approval from the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, which is reviewing the transaction because Genworths broker-dealer subsidiary, Capital Brokerage Corp., is a FINRA member entity. The acquisition also still must get approval from regulators in Canada and from regulators in China, including Chinas State Administration for Foreign Exchange. The Mohican Historical Society will be hosting a screening of the new, award-winning documentary "Who Will Write Our History" as part of a global screening event at the historic Ohio Theatre in Loudonville, Ohio, on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at 2 p.m. The screening joins well over 135 others in commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, though this will be the only showing in Ohio on this day. In November 1940, days after the Nazis sealed 450,000 Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, a secret band of journalists, scholars and community leaders decided to fight back. Led by historian Emanuel Ringelblum and known by the code name Oyneg Shabes, this clandestine group vowed to defeat Nazi lies and propaganda not with guns or fists but with pen and paper. Now, for the first time, their story is told as a feature documentary. Written, produced, and directed by Roberta Grossman and executive produced by Nancy Spielberg, "Who Will Write Our History" mixes the writings of the Oyneg Shabes archive with new interviews, rarely seen footage and stunning dramatizations to transport us inside the Ghetto and the lives of these courageous resistance fighters. They defied their murderous enemy with the ultimate weapon the truth and risked everything so that their archive would survive the war, even if they did not. Thanks to several generous donors, including First-Knox National Bank, this historically important films screening is a free community event. As part of it, survivor Roman Frayman will be sharing his story afterward with the audience. I made a promise to others, to myself, once, Frayman told Ross, the Historical Societys president and veteran teacher at Loudonville High School. As long as I can walk and talk, I will tell my story. We cant let it happen again. Frayman, who lives in Beachwood, Ohio, is no stranger to Mohican country; hes brought his family here for years. "Who Will Write Our History" will be shown to Loudonville High School, grades 9-12, the next day with Frayman staying to speak to them, as well. The Mohican Historical Society recognizes the importance of remembering the past for the future of our community, and we are proud to be able to serve the Mohican area. Screening Date and Time: Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 2 p.m. Screening Location: The historic Ohio Theatre, 156 N. Water Street Loudonville, OH. This event is free and open to the public; donations are accepted. Sluss Realty is excited to announce the most recent addition to our team of professionals, Melanie (Avila) Bradley. Melanie is a 2003 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, who then obtained her Bachelors Degree in Fashion with minors in Business and Sales from Ohio University in 2007. Her career path in the fashion industry began in NYC, followed by 10 years in Atlanta at AmericasMart where she gained an infinite amount of customer service and sales experience in the trade show industry. Timely and thorough communication is a not only a must, but it is also a priority. Melanie believes "customer service should be seamless" and strives to build relationships and exceed clients expectations. As Melanie started her journey back home to Ohio, she first moved to Columbus and fell in love with the home buying process and began successfully selling Real Estate. She has now come back to her Mansfield roots and is excited to sell homes as a Sluss Realtor. Mansfield was and is my home, my experiences have been invaluable, however, this community is perfect for raising a family. I cannot wait to help others find their dream home as well as discover all of the great things Mansfield has to offer. On a personal level, Melanie is a "foodie", loves to travel, and adores her husband and 2 children, Irie & Quinn II aka Dos. I am excited to bring Melanie aboard as an integral part of our team. Melanie is knowledgable, experienced and has such an in-depth understanding of customer service that all pair perfectly with her passion for real estate and the Mansfield community. I am confident that she will provide over the top real estate service. explains Gerald Bix Sluss, Broker. Real Estate starts with people, and the professional Sluss sales staff of 46 associates is the most highly trained in the area. Homebuyers and sellers will find more opportunities with Sluss Realty, thanks in large part to the information network of their staff. When you utilize their service to help buy a home or sell your home, it's a trust that they work hard to honor. Sluss will represent you with the utmost professionalism, while always striving to meet your individual needs as their primary goal. There was a confrontation at a church in northern Ukraine, as residents prevented priests affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate from entering on Sunday, January 13. There has been tension in the Orthodox community since the Orthodox Church of Ukraine recently split from the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a telephone conversation against attacking Kurdish military units that have been closely allied to U.S. forces in Syria. "The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkey's security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement on January 14, referring to the Islamic State (IS) group. Trump and Erdogan also discussed "ongoing cooperation" in Syria, Sanders said. U.S. forces are set to depart from Syria where they worked closely with the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, which Turkey considers to have terrorism links. Earlier on January 14, Trump threatened to devastate Turkey economically if Ankara attacks the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. In a tweet on January 14, Trump also warned the Kurdish forces not to "provoke Turkey." Trump said the United States has started what he called the "long, overdue pullout" from Syria while going after IS militants in the remaining territory they hold. AP quotes unnamed U.S. defense officials as saying they have begun withdrawing shipments of military equipment. In the coming weeks, the contingent of about 2,000 troops is expected to depart, AP reported. Trump's decision to leave Syria shocked U.S. allies and angered the Kurds in Syria. It also prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and drew criticism in Congress. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa, and the BBC A gas explosion has rocked a nine-story residential building in southern Russia, killing one woman, authorities say. The blast in the town of Shakhty in the Rostov region early on January 14 destroyed four apartments on the top two floors, the Emergency Situations Ministry said. Four people were still missing, the ministry said. Rostov region Governor Vasily Golubev said two people were hospitalized, including a 2-year-old girl. The two were in serious condition, according to a Health Ministry spokesman. A search-and-rescue operation involving about 120 people was being carried out at the site, the TASS news agency reported. President Vladimir Putin "tasked the head of the region to provide comprehensive assistance to the victims," the Kremlin said in a statement. INFOGRAPHIC: Domestic Gas Explosions In Russia (click to view) Investigators said the accident came as a result of a gas explosion and that they had opened a criminal case into the matter. The Investigative Committee said it was treating the incident as a gas explosion and was searching the offices of the company that was the gas supplier for the building. The explosion follows a similar incident in the southern Urals city of Magnitogorsk on December 31, when an explosion sent a section of a 10-story building crashing to the ground. Thirty-nine people died in the blast that authorities say was likely caused by a gas explosion. Based on reporting by AFP, TASS, and Interfax LGBT activists allege that a new antigay purge in Chechnya has led to at least two deaths by torture and the detention of around 40 people. The purge began in late December, according to the Russian LGBT Network, and appears to be the second wave of a sweeping crackdown that provoked international condemnation but little action within Russia when reports of it first surfaced in April 2017. News of a renewed antigay campaign was first reported on January 11. The newspaper cited posts on Chechen-based social-media accounts warning of a renewed crackdown and urging members of the LGBT community to leave the southern Russian republic. Russian LGBT Network head Igor Kochetkov said in a statement that men and women accused of homosexual acts are being detained by local law enforcement and held in Argun, north of the regional capital, Grozny. The police seize personal documents and threaten to press fabricated charges and prosecute those who attempt to flee, he said. "The persecution of men and women suspected of homosexual relations in [Chechnya] has never stopped. What has changed is only its scale," Kochetkov said. In comments to the RBK daily on January 11, a spokesman for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called the claims by Novaya gazeta that day "falsehood and disinformation" and denied allegations that Chechnya hosts secret prisons for gays. Like other officials in the conservative Muslim-majority republic, Alvi Karimov has repeatedly claimed that no persecution of gays could have occurred in Chechnya because there are no gays there. "You can't detain and oppress those who don't exist in the republic," Karimov told the Russian news agency Interfax in April 2017. "If such people existed in Chechnya, law enforcement would not have to worry about them, as their own relatives would have sent them to where they could never return." WATCH: Russian officials have shrugged off allegations of a purge targeting LGBT people in Chechnya, including those of Maksim Lapunov, the only gay man to publicly claim he was victimized in the crackdown. Russian Prosecutor-Generals Office official Valery Maksimenko in July claimed before a UN committee in Geneva that investigators found no evidence supporting Lapunovs accusations, while Justice Minister Aleksandr Konovalov, speaking in May to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said officials couldnt find any gay people in Chechnya. "We don't have any gays," the Chechen strongman told the U.S. television network in July 2017. "If there are any, take them to Canada. Praise be to God. Take them far from us so we don't have them at home. To purify our blood." Sasha Mironov, a friend of one man reported to have gone missing in the alleged recent roundup, told Current Time on January 14 that the man, identified only as Magomed, had traveled to his native Chechnya in early December and told friends he would return on December 15. None of them have seen Magomed since, Mironov said, adding that relatives in Chechnya confirmed that he had been detained. Mironov said he suspects that Magomed's abductors used the man's phone to communicate with contacts in order to lure them to Chechnya, since the messages sent by Mironov after December 15 appeared odd. "One person can be used to find several, and where there are several there are many more," Mironov said. Natalia Prilutskaya of the rights group Amnesty International told Current Time -- the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA -- that Chechen authorities feel a sense of impunity since the previous crackdown in April 2017 never provoked condemnation from Moscow, which either tried to play down the rumors or obfuscate their nature. It wasn't until May 5, 2017, that Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed reports of an antigay purge in Chechnya, telling the Kremlins human rights council that he would look into them. But reports of disappearances and extrajudicial killings continued; in September 2018, the Russian LGBT Network said that it helped evacuate 130 people from Chechnya, and all but 18 of them had left Russia, too. "Until there's an adequate investigation into this situation," Prilutskaya said, "the persecution will continue." Twenty years ago, 45 ethnic Albanian civilians were killed by Serbian-led security forces in the Kosovar village of Racak. The massacre sparked international outrage and was one of the factors that led to the 1999 NATO bombing campaign that ended the bloody two-year war of Kosovar independence. YEREVAN -- Nikol Pashinian has been appointed to a second term as prime minister of Armenia after his political alliance scored a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections. President Armen Sarkisian signed the relevant decree on January 14 as the new 132-seat parliament convened for its first session. "Congratulations, Mr. prime minister," Sarkisian told Pashinian at the presidential palace, adding: "Your success is our country's success, our people's, everyone's success -- including my own." "The main political change expected in Armenia has already happened: Power has been returned to the people and democracy has been established in Armenia," Pashinian said. Pashinian, a former anticorruption journalist and opposition lawmaker, was elected to the prime minister's post in May after spearheading weeks of mass protests that forced his predecessor, long-entrenched leader Serzh Sarkisian, to resign. But the former ruling Republican Party (HHK) maintained its majority in parliament, so Pashinian announced in October that he was resigning as prime minister in order to dissolve parliament and force early elections. Pashinian's My Step alliance won more than 70 percent of the vote in the December 9 election and now holds 88 seats in the legislature. Holding a majority in the single-chamber parliament has increased Pashinian's power to pursue stated goals such as tackling corruption and reforming the economy of the South Caucasus country of 3 million. The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) holds 26 seats and Bright Armenia holds 18 seats, while the HHK failed to clear the 5 percent threshold needed to secure parliamentary seats. Pakistan's top court on January 14 ordered a fresh medical report into the condition of a mentally ill prisoner on death row, an NGO representing him said, days after his execution was temporarily suspended. The case of Khizar Hayat, a former police officer sentenced to death in 2003 for killing a colleague and who has spent more than 15 years in custody, has attracted widespread attention from rights groups and the United Nations. The Supreme Court of Pakistan on January 12 suspended Hayat's execution. "The case was adjourned until the Special Medical Board examines Khizar and files their report before the court," the Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a rights organization that is representing Hayat, said in a press release. It added that the court had "strongly reprimanded" jail authorities for failing to follow prison rules. On January 13, UN experts had urged Pakistan against carrying out an "arbitrary execution." "During his trial, no evidence or witnesses were called in his defense and no questions were asked regarding his mental health, although he was later diagnosed with a mental health condition and has been receiving treatment for the past 10 years," they said. Government doctors had diagnosed Hayat as suffering from schizophrenia in 2008. Based on reporting by AP and dpa Nine years ago, Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg was welcomed with open arms by U.S. companies, universities, and even the government. Washington's relations with Moscow were being reset, and Vekselberg was heading a Kremlin-backed initiative called Skolkovo to develop high technology, research, and entrepreneurship. To complete the academic piece of his innovation center, dubbed Russia's "Silicon Valley," he needed to partner with a prominent U.S. academic institution. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) -- one of the world's most prestigious, and wealthiest, universities -- embraced the effort, and entered a $300 million collaboration to found the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, or Skoltech, outside the Russian capital. MIT elected Vekselberg to its board of trustees in 2013, a move that appeared to cement a lasting relationship. But today you won't find the Russian billionaire identified as a trustee. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university quietly scrubbed Vekselberg from its board in 2018, following the U.S. Treasury Department's decision to list him and his business group among the Russian officials, "oligarchs," and companies to be penalized for advancing Moscow's "malign activities." Responding to inquiries from RFE/RL, MIT said only that Vekselberg had been "suspended" from the board not long after the Treasury announcement on April 6. The previously unreported development reveals an effort to shield MIT from legal problems raised by continuing to do business with someone on the U.S. blacklist. It also highlights how U.S. companies and organizations have sought to untangle themselves from such relationships amid the downward spiral in U.S.-Russian relations. Innovative Relationship Vekselberg, who made his billions in Russia's metals industry and whose Swiss-based investment company is known as Renova Group, was first elected as an MIT "term member" trustee in 2013. He was reelected two years later. Seen as an influential, forward-thinking Russian business leader, Vekselberg's relationship with MIT went back to at least 2010, when the university reached an agreement with the Russian government to "work together to assess opportunities for MIT to conduct educational and research activities in Russia." Central to that effort was a private Russian organization called the Skolkovo Foundation, which Vekselberg was made president of in June 2010. With a mandate from then-President Dmitry Medvedev, the foundation spearheaded an effort to build a high-tech business and innovation park on Moscow's southern outskirts. A year later, Skolkovo announced that MIT would help set up a research and entrepreneurship university that mirrored the U.S. institution. Vekselberg told Bloomberg in 2013 that MIT was paid $300 million for its participation in the project, which resulted in Skoltech. In Russia, Skolkovo was viewed as largely a pet project of Medvedev, who projected a youthful, "plugged-in" public persona. In 2013, however, a year after Vladimir Putin succeeded Medvedev and resumed the presidency, investigators raided Skolkovo, accusing two top officials of stealing more than $750,000. An opposition lawmaker was also implicated. In the United States, meanwhile, there were doubts about Skolkovo's real intentions. In an unusual opinion piece published in 2014, the FBI warned about foreign governments using private companies to acquire critical technologies. The FBI singled out Skolkovo. "It is the intent of the FBI for the recipients of the bulletin about Skolkovo to use the information to inform their decision-making process when selecting foreign investors to protect their interests which results in safeguarding our nation's interests," the article said. In 2015, Vekselberg was reelected as an MIT trustee, a gesture that came one year after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and amid worsening relations between Moscow and Washington. The Crimean annexation prompted the United States to hit Moscow with economic sanctions. However, those targeted were mainly top government officials, rather than business leaders like Vekselberg. At MIT, Vekselberg donated money, becoming a member of the school's William Barton Rogers Society, a listing of elite donors who give larger amounts of money. It's unclear exactly how much money Vekselberg gave to MIT. School records published online show Vekselberg became a member of that society in 2016, and gave at least $50,000 in the 2017-18 school year; the school does not give precise amounts for most larger donors. Its listing for the current fiscal year of 2019 does not record any donation from him. MIT's alumni office did not respond to e-mails and phone calls asking for more detailed accounting of any donations. Vekselberg's name does not appear in the school's Charter Society, which "recognizes those individuals whose philanthropic commitment to the Institute has reached or exceeded $1 million." In 2017, Vekselberg's charity, also called Renova, announced a scholarship program for Russian students to study at MIT. Renova also paid for American undergraduate students to enroll at MIT, and study in Russia. Expanded Blacklist, Added Scrutiny In early 2018, the United States turned up the pressure on Vekselberg as it expanded its punitive measures against Russia. The U.S. Treasury Department later explained the effort, by saying it was due to Russia's involvement in fighting in eastern Ukraine and Syria, attempts to subvert Western democracies, and malicious cyberactivities. Sometime in March of that year, federal agents at a New York-area airport questioned Vekselberg and searched his electronic devices, according to U.S. media reports. In April, Vekselberg and his Renova Group landed on the U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions list, along with six other of Russia's wealthiest and most powerful business leaders, including metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska and Aleksei Miller, the head of state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom. Vekselberg "is being designated for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy," the Treasury Department said in its announcement. A month later, the U.S.-based investment company Columbus Nova, an affiliate of the Renova Group, revealed that it had paid President Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, as a consultant "regarding potential sources of capital and potential investments in real estate and other ventures."* It later emerged that Vekselberg had attended Trump's inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., in January 2017, a guest of his cousin Andrew Intrater, who heads Columbus Nova and who'd donated $250,000 to the inaugural committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. While Vekselberg's profile was listed on the MIT's Corporation board of trustees in past years, as of January 2019 all mention of him had been removed. The names of the other seven term trustees who were elected to the board in 2015, the same year Vekselberg was reelected, remain on the MIT website. Among a comprehensive listing of the school's trustees, going back to 1861, there is now no mention of Vekselberg. "In April 2018, as a result of [the Treasury Department] adding Mr. Vekselberg to its specially designated nationals list, MIT reviewed its legal obligations and suspended Mr. Vekselberg's Corporation membership," Kimberly Allen, a MIT spokeswoman, told RFE/RL in an e-mail. Allen declined to say whether the scholarship programs funded by Vekselberg were continuing, saying only that the funds donated to MIT prior to Vekselberg being added to the Treasury blacklist were not being returned. She also said that MIT continued to collaborate on the Skoltech initiative, but declined further comment. Officials with Renova Group in Moscow did not respond to multiple e-mails and phone calls seeking comment. The Relationship Unravels Brian O'Toole, a former analyst in the Treasury Department's office overseeing sanctions, says that once Vekselberg was listed, MIT had to act right away. "They would have had to get rid of him quickly," O'Toole tells RFE/RL. "The sanctions concern not just financial transactions, it's any services and dealings with an individual.... And the duties he provides on behalf of MIT as a trustee." Ilya Zaslavskiy, a Russian researcher who once worked for the oil company TNK-BP, which was taken over by a consortium involving Vekselberg in the 2000s, says Vekselberg's involvement in Skolkovo was never a business venture. "He just did it to please the regime, to get tax breaks, to be part of the loyal elite. When it became expedient, under Dmitry Medvedev, Vekselberg jumped in to be one of the channels to try and establish external links. It was mostly done for prestige," he says. As for MIT, Zaslavskiy says the university's approach appeared to be: "Even if it's dodgy, in Russia, it's not our business. "As long as there is superficial due diligence in the West, if money was accepted in the West, then the attitude was, 'Why not? Let's do it.'" he says. Carol Saivetz, an MIT professor who teaches Russian foreign policy in the school's Security Studies Program, says that nine years ago it was understandable that MIT was interested in getting involved in a forward-looking program in Russia like Skolkovo and Skoltech. In retrospect, the university may have been naive, says Saivetz, who's affiliated with another MIT-Russia program that is unrelated to the Skolkovo project and is unaffected by the Vekselberg sanctions. "Skolkovo needed the Western imprimatur of a major U.S. institution -- it was going to be CalTech or MIT -- and MIT said yes, and it benefited our students," she says. "It all happened under Medvedev and the reset.... It was the heyday of the reset and everyone thought it was going to be fantastic. "We just didn't realize how many fingers they had in the pies," she says of Vekselberg. *This story has been amended to correctly identify Columbus Nova as an affiliate of the Renova Group. Moscow has warned Tokyo not to expect progress toward an agreement over the disputed Kurile Islands unless Japan first recognizes Russian sovereignty over the Pacific island chain claimed by both countries since World War II. Meeting with his Japanese counterpart in Moscow on January 14, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the countries still had "substantial disagreements" despite some progress in bringing their positions closer. The Soviet Union seized the four islands north of Hokkaido at the end of the war, and the dispute has prevented the countries form signing a peace treaty to formally end the hostilities. Japan calls the islands the Northern Territories. Lavrov's talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Tara Kono came ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Foreign Minister Shinzo Abe, which the Kremlin said will be held on January 22 in Moscow. Putin and Abe agreed in November to accelerate negotiations based on a 1956 Soviet proposal to return the two less populated islands, Shikotan and a group of islets called Habomai. But Lavrov set a tough tone in remarks both before and after the meeting with Kono, criticizing recent statements by Japanese officials and saying that Tokyo must not try to force an agreement. "Today we confirmed our readiness to work on the basis of the 1956 declaration, which means above all the immutability -- as the very first step -- of recognition by our Japanese neighbors of the outcome of the Second World War," Lavrov said. That includes "the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over all the islands of the Southern Kuriles," Lavrov said. "This is our fundamental position, and without a step in this direction it is very hard to count on any movement forward on other issues." "Russia's sovereignty over the islands is not subject to discussion. They are part of the territory of the Russian Federation," Lavrov told reporters. He said the UN Charter supports Moscow's ownership of the islands. Recognition of the outcome of the war, and of Russian sovereignty over the islands, could potentially rule out any further dispute or claims by Tokyo on the two larger and more populated islands, Iturup and Kunashir. Abe, who has been prime minister since 2012 and also held the post earlier, has met repeatedly with Putin and voiced hope of ending the dispute while gaining control over at least some of the four islands. Moscow has often suggested that increased Japanese investment and trade would help create favorable conditions for a deal, but Lavrov said business cooperation on the islands was being implemented "on a very modest, unimpressive scale." Speaking at the start of the talks, Kono seemed to try to turn the tables on Russia on that score, saying that the two countries need to solve the territorial problem to set the stage for expanding economic and other ties. Following upbeat statements by Japanese officials in recent weeks, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador on January 9 to warn Tokyo not to "artificially incite the atmosphere regarding the peace treaty problem and [not to] try to enforce its own scenario of settling the issue." Lavrov was similarly stern as he sat down for the talks with Kono, saying that "once again, I would like to ask our Japanese colleagues to strictly follow agreements by our leaders, both regarding the format of talks and, naturally, the substance of work on a peace treaty." After the talks, Lavrov dismissed as "unacceptable" what he said was a recent statement by Abe that "Russian citizens will be able to remain on the islands after [they] come under Japanese sovereignty." Lavrov also said that a statement by an aide to Abe suggesting that resolving the dispute would help Japan and the United States deter China was "outrageous," and claimed it raised questions about the independence of Japanese foreign policy. "We wondered whether Japan could be independent given such reliance on the U.S., and we were told that Japan would act proceeding from its national interests," Lavrov said. "We would like to hope it will indeed be so." He also said that Russia is concerned about the U.S. military presence in the region, including the deployment of U.S. missile-defense components which he said create security risks for Russia and China. With reporting by AP, Reuters, RIA Novosti, TASS, and Interfax U.S. President Donald Trump says he has "never worked for Russia," in response to reports that raised questions about his ties to President Vladimir Putin, reports which he called a "big fat hoax." Trump's comments to reporters on January 14 at the White House followed a report in The Washington Post that said the U.S. president "has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details" of his conversations with Putin. A separate report in The New York Times revealed that the FBI had opened a counterintelligence probe in 2017 into whether Trump was working for Russian interests after he sacked the bureau's director in 2017. This alleged inquiry was eventually merged into an ongoing criminal probe of Trump's relations with Russia before his election in 2016, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Speaking outside the White House before departing for New Orleans, Trump called former FBI and U.S. Justice Department officials "known scoundrels" and "dirty cops." Trump's remarks to the media on January 14 came after he denied in a January 12 interview with Fox News that he had hidden details of his conversations with Putin from administration officials, saying he is "not keeping anything under wraps," but did not directly answer the question of whether or not he had worked for Russia. Citing current and former U.S. officials, The Washington Post said that on at least one occasion, in Hamburg in 2017, Trump took away his interpreter's notes following talks with Putin and instructed that person not to discuss what had transpired with other officials. Trump also told Fox News that he had "a great conversation" with Putin during their one-on-one, nearly two-hour meeting in Helsinki in July 2018. The U.S. president has said the Mueller investigation is "a witch hunt." At least three different congressional committees have also been probing various aspects of Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 election. The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia engaged in a campaign of hacking and propaganda to sway voters during the election, largely aimed at bolstering Trump's chances at the presidency. Russian officials have repeatedly denied any such effort. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and BBC KABUL -- At least four people were killed and more than 90 were wounded when a car bomb exploded near a foreign compound in the east of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on January 14, officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the blast had targeted Green Village, where some foreign NGOs and workers used to be based. Twenty-three children are among the injured, the ministry's deputy spokesman, Nasrat Rahimi, said. Until recently, some UN staff lived and worked at the compound, but Danish said the area was now largely empty and "only a number of guards" were left. "Residential buildings nearby have sustained heavy damage," he said. "Special police force units have been deployed to the site to check if there are more attackers." The latest attack comes as U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is touring the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the 17-year war in Afghanistan. Khalilzad, who met Taliban representatives last month in Abu Dhabi, is traveling to Afghanistan as well as China, India, and Pakistan on a trip lasting through January 21. Last month's leaking of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to reduce troop numbers in Afghanistan, however, has threatened to derail peace efforts and alarmed many Afghans. The Taliban controls or contests nearly half of Afghanistan, where it is waging a deadly insurgency against the Western-backed Kabul government and government security forces. Last week, Taliban leaders called off a fourth round of talks with U.S. officials in the Arab Gulf state of Qatar due to an "agenda disagreement" and refused to allow what they called "puppet" Afghan government officials to join the talks. With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP KRAKOW, Poland -- A Polish man accused of involvement in the firebombing of a Hungarian cultural center in western Ukraine last year says he received instructions on the attack from a German journalist who has worked as a consultant for a German parliament deputy with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Michal Prokopowicz, 28, told a Krakow court on January 14 that German journalist Manuel Ochsenreiter provided instructions for the February 4, 2018, attack on the headquarters of the Hungarian Cultural Association in Uzhhorod, the capital of the Zakarpattya region in western Ukraine. A representative for Ochsenreiter called the claim "false." No one was injured in the attack, but the incident -- and another fire attack on the building weeks later -- exacerbated already strained relations between Kyiv and Budapest over a Ukrainian education law that Hungary says restricts the right of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine to be educated in their native language. Prokopowicz is one of three Polish suspects with links to far-right movements who went on trial in Krakow on January 14 for the attack. Ukrainian authorities investigated the case and passed it along to their counterparts in Poland, where the three men were subsequently detained. Polish public broadcaster TVP reported on January 5 that the authorities were investigating a German journalist in connection with the attack but did not identify the individual. Ochsenreiter, 42, has ties to Polish right-wing activists, including Mateusz Piskorski, founder of the pro-Russian Change (Zmiana) party who was arrested in 2016 on suspicion of spying for Russia and China. Reached by RFE/RL last week via the Russian social-networking site VKontakte, Ochsenreiter called the suggestion by Anton Shekhovtsov, a researcher of European far-right movements, that he might be the German journalist in question "bullshit." Ochsenreiter did not respond to follow-up questions and subsequently made his account private. Ochsenreiter, editor of the right-wing German magazine Zuerst! (First!), has been a frequent commentator in Russian state media over the past five years, voicing support for Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and denouncing what he calls the Western media's anti-Moscow bias. He has also worked in recent months as a consultant for Markus Frohnmaier, a member of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, from the AfD and a strong proponent of lifting EU sanctions imposed on Russia over its aggression in Ukraine. Frohnmaier did not immediately respond to a request for comment on January 14. Frohnmaier spoke for Ochsenreiter in denying the charges. "My co-worker denies the allegations as fictitious," he told t-online.de on January 14. "I also cannot imagine there is [any truth] to it, but do consider it plausible that the accused has wrongly accused [Ochsenreiter] to improve his own situation." "Let's wait and see if the public prosecutor's office also charges my employee (Ochsenreiter), then -- and only then -- would I put him on leave [from his job]. [Only] when it is finally clear whether the allegation is true or not." Ralf Hoecker, a German attorney who responded on Ochsenreiter's behalf to RFE/RL's inquiry sent prior to the start of the trial, said in a January 14 e-mail that his client was unaware of any allegations from Polish authorities. Asked to comment on Prokopowicz's claim that Ochsenreiter had provided instructions for the attack, Hoecker replied: "We are unaware of such a statement. If it was made, it is false." There was no immediate indication that Ochsenreiter had been charged with any crime by Polish authorities. Prokopowicz went on trial alongside two other suspects -- 25-year-old Tomasz Szymkowiak and 22-year-old Adrian Marglewski. All three are charged with promoting fascism, as well as endangering lives or property with fire. Prokopowicz has also been charged with financing terrorism. Stoking Ethnic Tensions Following the February 4 attack and a second firebombing of the Hungarian cultural center with Molotov cocktails three weeks later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin suggested that Russia was behind both incidents. The attacks ratcheted up tension between Ukraine and Hungary, which has accused Kyiv of failing to protect ethnic Hungarians. More than 100,000 ethnic Hungarians live in Zakarpattya, Ukraine's westernmost region, mostly in towns and villages close to the Hungarian border. Prokopowicz said in court that the goal was to frame Ukrainian ultranationalists for the February 4 attack by painting Nazi-related symbols on the facade of the Hungarian cultural center. He claimed he agreed to an offer by Ochsenreiter to carry out the attack because he disliked nationalistic sentiment in Ukraine. The attack went off less than smoothly, according to Ukrainian authorities. The assailants twice tried to damage the cultural center using gasoline purchased at a local gas station in Uzhhorod. But after the first attempt proved unsatisfactory, they purchased another 1.5 liters of gas for a second try, authorities say. Ukrainian authorities say they identified the suspects after their images were captured on security cameras. On the same day as the attack, the two suspects returned to Poland via Slovakia, authorities say. Szymkowiak and Marglewski are accused of directly carrying out the attack. Prokopowicz claimed in court that he received money from Ochsenreiter, and that all of the money went into the job. Prokopowicz also claimed that the attackers filmed the incident in order to provide the video to Ochsenreiter. According to Prokopowicz's testimony read aloud by the judge during the hearing, the defendant sent the video of the attack to Ochsenreiter via the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Ochsenreiter has built strong ties with pro-Russian and nativist political movements across Europe in recent years, including in Poland. He has friendly relations with Russia-backed separatists in territory they control in eastern Ukraine, traveling there as an observer of elections deemed illegitimate by the EU. This is not [German Chancellor Angela] Merkels business, not [French President Emmanuel] Macrons, not anyone elses, state-run Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Ochsenreiter as saying about a November 2018 vote held in the region. Only the people of the DNR can decide whether the elections were legitimate or not, legal or not, he was quoted as adding in the Russian-language report, referring to the acronym used by the separatists to describe the territory in the Donetsk region they control. In December 2018, Ochsenreiter also spoke at an event in Chisinau attended by Moldovas Russia-friendly president, Igor Dodon. Together with Frohnmaier, the Bundestag member from the AfD, Ochsenreiter and others in 2016 founded a think tank called the German Center For Eurasian Studies. Ochsenreiter and Piskorski, the Polish nationalist suspected of espionage, served on the organizations board. Frohnmaier told the German-language service of Russias state-run Sputnik news agency last year that the think tank has nothing to do with the AfD. Frohnmaier confirmed to Frankfurter Rundschau in October that Ochsenreiter had worked as one of his Bundestag consultants since early September. Frohnmaier did not respond to e-mails and a Facebook message asking whether Ochsenreiter was still serving as his consultant. The website of the German Center For Eurasian Studies has been in apparent maintenance mode, featuring no content for at least several days. The website of Zuerst! -- which lists Ochsenreiter as the person responsible for its web content -- was posting new content on January 14. Sergii Stetsenko of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reported from Krakow. With reporting from Uzhhorod by Iryna Breza of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and by Mark Krutov of RFE/RL's Russian Service and from Brussels by Rikard Jozwiak and Marek Hajduk On January 16, 1969, Jan Palach set himself on fire in Prague in protest against the August 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops. The 20-year-old university student died of his burns three days later. Palach's funeral turned into a mass demonstration of opposition against the Soviet Union's crushing of the liberal reforms of the Prague Spring. His act of protest inspired two other Czechs -- Jan Zajic and Evzen Plocek -- to commit suicide by self-immolation in the following months, followed by similar acts by protesters in other communist countries. In 1989, on the 20th anniversary of Palach's death, gatherings in his memory turned into mass anticommunist protests, giving momentum to the Velvet Revolution that brought down Czechoslovakia's communist regime later that year. 2 A couple takes in a view of Plovdiv, the first Bulgarian city to become a European Capital of Culture. The EU initiative is intended to celebrate the diversity of cultures in Europe, boost tourism, and support the cultural life of the selected cities. Authorities in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan on Monday put on trial veteran rights activist Huang Qi on state secrets charges, while detaining dozens of his supporters who tried to travel to the court buildings in Mianyang city. Huang, 56, stood trial beginning at 8.30 a.m. on charges of "leaking state secrets," and "leaking state secrets overseas" at the Mianyang Intermediate People's Court behind closed doors, amid a strong police presence outside the building. He was recently identified by Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as one of 10 citizen journalists in danger of dying in detention. One of Huang's former defense attorneys, Liu Zhengqing, said he wasn't informed of the trial beforehand, with the authorities saying that its content involved matters of "national security." Liu was warned off further involvement in Huang's case, lost his license to practice as a lawyer, and forced to sign a declaration to that effect, he said. "It's not convenient for me to talk right now; I'm not able to give interviews," he said. "I wasn't able to appear in court, and I wasn't informed of the trial by the court." Huang, who founded the Tianwang rights website, has repeatedly denied the charges and refused to "confess." His mother Pu Wenqing, who has repeatedly called for Huang's release on urgent medical grounds, and who says the charges are politically motivated, with no evidence to back them up, has been incommunicado since her detention on Dec. 7 at a railway station in Beijing, where she had gone to campaign for his release. Li Jinglin, another member of Huang's defense team, implied that the trial had only lasted a few hours. "Even [the time that the trial ended] is secret," Li told RFA. "I have now [left the court]," he said when contacted on Monday afternoon. Foreign diplomats from several nations arrived in Mianyang on Sunday in the hope of attending the trial, but weren't admitted, while local government, police and judicial websites and social media accounts made no mention of the trial. Forced vacations for supporters He Jiawei, a rights activist from the central province of Hunan, was detained by more than 10 state security police on arrival at Mianyang airport on Sunday, who threw a hood over his head and put him on a train to the northern city of Xi'an, fellow activist Ou Biaofeng said via his Twitter account. Huang's fellow activists Liang Kaixuan, Wei Wenyuan, Chen Mingyu, Hu Guiqin, Tianwang technician Pu Fei and Chengdu writer Tan Zuoren were all taken on enforced "vacations" to out-of-town tourist locations ahead of the trial. All detained activists were released by 5.00 p.m. on Monday. Rights attorney Sui Muqing, who formerly also represented Huang, said the activist is innocent. "Huang Qi is totally innocent, and has been framed," Sui said. "This is purely a case of political persecution, and his future looks pretty bleak now that they have brought these charges." Sichuan rights defender and petitioner Xie Junbiao said that more than a dozen fellow petitioners had been placed under house arrest ahead of the trial. "About 15 or 16 people went to the trial at the Mianyang Intermediate People's Court, but they were all stopped," Xie said. "Their local police stations are now bringing them back home." "I had a friend of mine go over to take a look at the court buildings, and they said that the whole area has been sealed off by riot police," she said. "They won't let anyone in." "All the apartments nearby had their windows shut, and they weren't allowed to drying their washing," Xie said. Huang's Tianwang website had a strong track record for highlighting petitions and complaints against official wrongdoing, and injustices meted out to the most vulnerable in society, including forced evictees, parents of children who died in the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and other peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Elderly mother dragged away A second petitioner, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was placed under house arrest by her local police on Friday. "I am now under surveillance and guard by [police] here," she said. U.S.-based rights activist and legal scholar Chen Guangcheng said the ruling Chinese Communist Party seems determined to cause Huang's death. "It's very clear that they are trying to kill him, using repeated jail sentences and detentions in the past few years to bludgeon him to death," Chen told RFA. He called on U.S. officials to bring sanctions against the officials and police involved in Huang's case, under the Global Magnitsky Act. "We stand entirely ready to supply evidence to the U.S. State Department and call on them to punish the perpetrators, whether they gave the orders or implemented them, under the Global Magnitsky Act," Chen said. Huang's mother Pu Wenqing, who is in her eighties, was stopped by "interceptors" from Sichuan during a trip to Beijing, where she was thrown to the ground and dragged away, the rights website Weiquanwang reported at the time. Video footage of her detention showed Pu lying on the ground shouting: "They're beating me! They're beating me!" as the person shooting the video comments: "Huang's mother has been pushed to the ground by interceptors." Huang, founder of the Tianwang rights website, which won an RSF prize in 2016, was arrested on Nov. 28 of that year and is being held at the Mianyang Detention Center. Fourteen rights groups called for Huang's immediate release on urgent medical grounds ahead of a United Nations review of China's rights record last year, warning that his condition is so serious that there is an immediate threat to his life. Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Lau Siu-fung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Qiao Long for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Authorities in Shanghai have jailed an activist who called on people to write "Down with the [ruling Chinese] Communist Party" in a public toilet in the city, and wrote his own satirical graffiti about indefinite rule by President Xi Jinping. Ji Xiaolong was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment by the Shanghai's Pudong District People's Court on Monday, after it found him guilty of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" on the same day. Ji was detained last July after calling on rights activists and democracy campaigners to respond to Xi's call for a "toilet revolution" by penning political slogans on the walls of toilets in universities and hospitals that could be seen by thousands. At his trial on Monday, Ji freely admitted having scrawled "Down with the Communist Party!" and other "sensitive phrases" on the wall of a public toilet in the city, his sister told RFA. "He admitted himself that he did those things," Ji Tingyu said. "He did this to make a public point, not for personal gain, so there shouldn't be a problem." Ji Tingyu said she had been mentally prepared for her brother to go to prison. "I predicted this a long time ago, but it's unjust," she said. "Once, when the state security police called me in for an interview, I asked them and they told me it was anything from six months to three years." A witness who sat in the public gallery during the trial but who requested anonymity said Ji had spoken passionately for around 20 minutes in his own defense, long past his allotted six minutes, and ignored judges when they made several attempts to cut him off. His statement of intent likely resulted in a tougher sentence, as judges had seemed to be leaning towards a lighter sentence owing to Ji's willingness to admit to what he did, the witness said. In their judgment, the judges cited his "bad motives" for his action, as Ji had failed to show remorse for his actions, the witness added. 'Afraid to speak out' Fellow Shanghai rights activist Xu Peiling said Ji's jailing came as no surprise. "That's the way it is with most cases now," Xu said. "Once they've been imprisoned, [others] are afraid to speak out for fear of going to jail themselves." "But I think that we, as human beings, should say what we need to say, and speak the truth, even if that means going to jail." Ji's defense attorney Dai Peiqing declined to comment when contacted by RFA on Monday, saying it was "inconvenient," a phrase often used to indicate some form of restriction by the authorities. Ji posted his initial comments on social media on July 20, calling on people to write "Down with the Communist Party," his friend Chen Jianfang told RFA at the time. According to Chen, some of Ji's graffiti also referred to recent constitutional changes nodded through in March 2018 by China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, enabling the president to begin an indefinite second term in office. "I don't have money to cure my bowel movements, Fatty Xi [Jinping] is chucking money around, changing the constitution to make himself king." Ji's graffiti read, according to Chen. "When will this suffering end? Down with the Communist Party!" Ji's action came after authorities in the eastern province of Jiangxi set up a steering group to implement Xi's "toilet revolution" in the province, building and renovating more than a million public facilities over the next three years. The steering group would work to implement Xi's "toilet revolution agenda" in the spirit of the 19th Party Congress, official media reported earlier this month. Earlier this month, a court in Beijing sentenced citizen journalist Ding Lingjie and two fellow rights activists to 20 months each for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," after they made a video deemed to be mocking President Xi. The case against the three hinged on a video clip shot by Li that the authorities said had "insulted a national leader." Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. In the throes of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt established the New Deal, a visionary plan that put millions of people to work, built enduring public infrastructure, and set the stage for long-term economic prosperity. Now Gov.-elect Ned Lamont and the General Assembly have a historic opportunity: Put our people to work creating a new climate-safe economy a Green New Deal. Whats a Green New Deal? Put simply, it is a comprehensive plan to tackle climate change, revitalize our economy, and address economic and racial inequity at the same time. Immediately after the 2018 elections, a group of young people called the Sunrise Movement began urging Congressional leaders to support a plan to create millions of jobs by putting Americans to work making a rapid transition to a fossil-free economy. The Green New Deal is fast becoming a new touchstone of American political discourse, gaining support from a diverse coalition of Congressional representatives, young activists and advocacy organizations. It appears bound to be a factor in the 2020 elections. But theres a problem: Both climate protection and public job creation are blocked at the national level by a president and Senate who are more interested in enriching fossil fuel interests than in creating millions of jobs for American workers protecting the climate. So states, including Connecticut, are beginning to take the lead. Ned Lamonts campaign platform could become the foundation for a Connecticut Green New Deal: I will commit Connecticut to a further reduction in carbon emissions from current levels of 35 percent by 2030, 70 percent by 2040, and carbon neutral by 2050. Our transition to a sustainable energy future will create thousands of new jobs in the green economyWe have already seen good-paying jobs created in the fuel cell, solar installation, and home weatherization industries, and I am proud that New London will become a new manufacturing and assembling base for offshore wind turbines. As the sustainable energy transition continues, I will make sure that many more green jobs are created. In The Land of Steady Habits, it may be comforting to know that there is historical precedent for such an ambitious state-level program. Gov. Wilbur Cross, who entered office in 1930 a fiscal conservative, recognized the need for a more active state role in helping the destitute and submitted a Little New Deal to the legislature in his second term. New programs assisted the elderly, modernized state hospitals, prisons and universities, and provided jobs for the unemployed. During his tenure, the General Assembly eliminated sweatshops, outlawed child labor, established fair labor practices, and passed unemployment insurance programs. The federal New Deal also had a major impact in Connecticut. The Civilian Conservation Corps put 30,000 people to work in Connecticut, including supporting environmental initiatives like planting millions of trees. More than 44,000 state residents were employed by the Civil Works Administration, building or repairing schools, roads and bridges. Much of this infrastructure is still in use today. Connecticut also has a long history of bipartisan leadership on climate. The Governors Council on Climate Change unanimously recommended one of the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets in the nation cutting emissions 45 percent below 2001 levels by 2030 and that target was incorporated into state law with bipartisan support from the legislature in May 2018. In December, the GC3 released a report with an extensive list of recommended actions that, if implemented, would put the state on track to meet the 2030 target. But there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done, and recent international and federal climate assessments make clear that we must double down on all strategies to transition to a clean energy economy, including strengthening our longer-term climate pollution reduction targets and renewable energy mandates. Lamont has outlined a bold vision that would strengthen Connecticuts national leadership on climate action. He has also embraced the need for strategic investments to bring economic revitalization to our state. A Connecticut Green New Deal could help accomplish both goals, putting people to work building thriving local economies that are not only more sustainable but also more just and equitable. John Harrity is chair of the board for the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs and retired president of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists. Claire Coleman is the climate and energy attorney for Connecticut Fund for the Environment and serves on the Governors Council on Climate Change. A body excavated in Arizona last fall is not that of Connie Smith, a girl who went missing in Litchfield County 66 years ago. However, Connies remains may still be buried somewhere in Arizona. The question is: where? Officials had hoped a Sept. 5, 2018, excavation at Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff, Ariz., would unearth the lost remains of a girl dubbed Little Miss X. The teenage girls body was found in the Grand Canyon in 1958, but, after an initial investigation turned out to be inconclusive, the remains were reburied and lost in the 1960s, officials have said. When Smiths family was able to provide a DNA sample of their missing girl in 2004, Arizona officials renewed their efforts to try to find Little Miss X, so new tests could be done to determine whether she was, in fact, Connie Smith. However, tests on the recently recovered remains show it was not the body of Little Miss X, said Lt. Gerrit Boeck of the Criminal Investigation Division of Arizonas Coconino County Sheriffs Office. It is definitely a disappointment, Boeck said. We were hoping to solve this case and provide closure to families of loved ones. The identity of Little Miss X remains unknown, but Little Miss X is thought to be the strongest lead in resolving the disappearance of 10-year-old Connie Smith from Lakeville in 1952. The disappearance Connie Smith, 10, went missing from Camp Sloane in Lakeville on July 16, 1952. It was a hot morning, and as Connies fellow campers headed to breakfast, the girl, who was 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, left the camp for unknown reasons. She was last seen around 7:50 a.m. wearing blue shorts, a long-sleeved shirt and a bright red zippered windbreaker, according to case details confirmed by Detective Michael Downs of the Western District Major Crime Squad. She was thought to be carrying a black zippered purse containing photos of her friends. Headed to downtown Lakeville on foot, she was last seen by several passing drivers on Route 44, where Belgo Road intersects. Truck drivers were questioned in Connies disappearance. Carnival workers and gypsies from Arkansas who camped along Route 22 and were hired as barn painters were interrogated. She was the granddaughter of a Wyoming governor and, after she disappeared, the largest missing-person manhunt in Connecticuts history ensued. Former carnival worker William Henry Redmond, charged in 1988 with strangling a Pennsylvania girl a year before Connies disappearance, was interrogated by police but passed a polygraph test concerning the Smith case. Redmond was too ill to stand trial for the 1951 strangling. He died in 1992. In April 1953, traveling salesman Frederick Pope confessed to Ohio police that he knew where Connie was, Detective Downs said. Pope alleged that he and his associate, Jack Walker, picked up Connie along Route 44, promising her a ride back to Wyoming. In the confession, Pope claimed Walker killed Connie in Arizona. Pope later beat Walker to death with a tire iron, he told police. Upon deeper examination, Popes story fell apart, Downs said. He later admitted the story was a hoax so he could get admitted into a mental hospital. He was dismissed as a suspect. For each new lead, Connies father, Peter Smith, boarded a plane back East to follow up, officials said. He posted reward signs and kept up with the case, but his efforts were fruitless. Little Miss X The Connie Smith case stalled until Little Miss X was found in the Grand Canyon on Oct. 31, 1958. She was found on a hillside off a dirt road on Skinner Ridge, south of the Grand Canyon National Park, according to a coroners inquest. The body was unclothed and lying prone; it was thought to have been in the location for more than one year. The hair was thought to be artificially tinted. Clothes, a comb, jewelry and a nail-file case were found nearby. After eliminating connections to missing local Arizona girls, the remains were buried in Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff on Sept. 23, 1959, according to the death certificate. Three years later, acting on a tip from a letter received from Connecticut State Police, Arizona forensics personnel exhumed Little Miss Xs remains and performed a comparison of her teeth with those of Connies dental records, Downs said. At the time, the tests proved inconclusive. Connie Smiths brother, however, remains optimistic that Connie and Little Miss X might be the same person. Nels J. Smith, who was 13 at the time of his sisters disappearance, is now 79 and living near Sundance, Wyo. Smith said four of five dental points from Little Miss X were identical to Connies dental chart, and fillings were of the same technique and material used by the Smith family dentist. The gap in the teeth was still there, and Mother used to joke that it was so wide, you could throw a cat through it, Smith said. But his father refused to see the similarities and determined it couldnt be Connie, Smith said, because he wanted her still to be alive. And investigators at the time were not certain about the connection either. So Little Miss X was reburied later in 1962 and lost. The Arizona connection In addition to Arizona detectives, one investigator from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was on scene for the excavation in September. We are disappointed it wasnt as fruitful as expected, Boeck said. The Cold Cases detectives and families had a lot invested. Little Miss X is one of Arizonas Coconino County Sheriff Offices 30-plus cold cases, Boeck said. Joe Sumner, a volunteer investigator on the Cold Case Unit, has said her case is believed to be the oldest cold case homicide. We pored over a bunch of old records and came up with a good educated guess, Boeck said about the September excavation. Unfortunately, it wasnt Little Miss X, but anothers remains. Boeck said investigators are still exploring other possible burial locations. At this point, we are going over other leads, he said. Back to the drawing board. Despite the setback, Smith remains optimistic that his sister will at some point be found. I was disappointed when they came up with the excavation, but the renewed investigation of cold cases is encouraging, Smith said. Things are still in limbo now, but anything is possible. I am seriously paraphrasing Yogi Berra: It isnt over til its over. With a DNA sample now on hand with which to compare to any remains found, the connection could eventually be made between Connie and Little Miss X. Its just a matter of finding the remains, investigators say. The people that put your car back together after a crash are investing in the future of the auto repair industry. The Auto Body Association of Connecticut donated $10,000 to the automotive collision repair and refinishing program at the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System which is offered at eight technical high schools in Connecticut. The donation allows technical schools throughout the state to purchase supplies and training materials for their students, according to organization representatives. We believe that our future technicians are going to come from the trade (schools) and if they are being trained with the equipment and material that we are using, it will be an easier transition into the shops, said Antony Ferraiolo, former president of the ABAC. The funds were split between eight technical high school programs across the state: Platt Technical High School in Milford; A.I. Prince Technical High School in Hartford; Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School in Groton; H C Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden; Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington; Vinal Technical High School in Middletown; and W.F. Kaynor Technical High School in Waterbury. Cuts in program funding have created challenges for the CTECs program in recent years, according to Ferraiolo, who said instructors often struggle to get the quality materials needed for their students to train on par with industry expectations. A lot of the schools have very tight budgets and a lot of their money for supplies and stuff like that come from them working on customers cars, he said, adding that students regularly work on vehicles and use proceeds to fund programs. Each school received $1,250 from the donation, which program representatives said makes a difference. More for you Business Court overturns $35 million auto-repair award Whatever they gave, it benefits immensely, because then you can buy the things you wouldnt normally buy, said Dan Thibault, Department Head of Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing program ar Wolcott Tech High School. We all have budgets that are kind of small because of the economy and the way that the money is divvied out to the tech schools and the material and paint and stuff to have the kids practice with is very expensive. A gallon of red single-stage paint, according to Thibault, could cost as much as $600. The ABAC features around 150 members from shop and business owners in the automotive industry looking to try and improve the industry by educating members and consumers statewide To that end, the organization regularly works with technical schools to prepare students to enter the workforce. The ABAC works with collision repair instructors on the programs curriculum, hosting department heads and teachers at ABAC membership meetings and attending school career nights to provide students and parents with insight on industry opportunities. Friday marks the organizations second donation to the program. In 2016, the Association matched $1,000 donations from Kemperle Auto Body Paint and Equipment, Auto Body Supplies and Paint, Paint World, Paul Francis and Co. and West Springfield Auto Parts Plus. Each company once again agreed to participate in this years donation. Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com [br]CRAWLEY [ndash] Naomi "Nemo" Ann Hughes (Meadows), 75, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021, after a 9-year battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in Eccles, WV, to Wesley and Chessie Meadows on June 2, 1946. She and husband Charles Hughes would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniv Last updated on: January 14, 2019 13:00 IST Casper Anderson, who was adopted when he was three years old by a couple from Denmark, is back in the land of his origin to locate his roots. Casper Anderson has come to Tamil Nadu in search of his biological parents. 40 years after he was adopted by a couple from Denmark. "I was adopted when I was three years old and I don't have any recollection of my time in India as a child," Casper, who is now 43, tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar. Casper, who is believed to have been named Rajakumar, was born to Ayyavu, a resident of Thondamuthu near Coimbatore, in 1975. As a young child, he was handed over to the Blue Mountain Children's Home as his father had suffered a paralytic attack in his leg and his mother had left him. He was adopted by a Danish couple when he was 3 years old. "My adopted parents Keld and Birtha Anderson were very good to me. I went to school and later became a graphic designer," Casper says. Marriage "just didn't happen," he shrugs. "I was always curious about my roots. I have been thinking about tracing my parents for 10 years, but really got down to doing it only three years ago," he adds. "I have come to India thrice, but visited Coimbatore only twice. The first time I visited Coimbatore was in 2015 because my village is near there. I was helped by a Netherlands-based organisation, Against Child Trafficking, to find my birthplace." Though his was not a case of trafficking he took the organisation's help, he adds, as they knew the way to trace his roots. "I learnt that Ayyavu had been living with his mother, that is my grandmother, Mariammal, near the Karupparayan temple near Linganoor. We were told by the local people that he sold his hut in 1986, but no one saw him, my mother or grandmother after that," says Casper. Against Child Trafficking also contacted the Blue Mountain Children's Home, but drew a blank. "I spoke to a few people who knew my father. They remembered him when I told them about the paralytic attack, they said they knew a man whose leg was paralysed." Casper does not speak Tamil, but shrugs away any difficulty over it. "It is not a problem in the cities of Tamil Nadu, but when I go to the villages I need a translator. A lawyer and an NGO are helping me," he says. Casper is now in Mayiladuthurai, which is located in the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, and says he will not rest till he locates his parents.; A sliver of hope rests on the sale of his father's hut as the buyer is still alive. Registration of the property sale deed requires the signatures and thumb impressions of both parties, and when I suggested that if the buyer still has the sale deed he can locate his father's thumbprint and trace him -- through Aadhaar! -- Casper is overwhelmed. "We did not think of this, let me see what my lawyer friend can do on this," he says. January 14, 2019 10:42 IST Dina Wadia, Jinnah's only daughter and Nusli Wadia's late mother, moved the high court in 2007 to regain control of the estate. Dev Chatterjee reports. IMAGE: Jinnah House, the former home of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Mumbai. Photograph: Savita Kirloskar/Reuters The government's plan to hand over Jinnah House in Mumbai's Malabar Hill to the ministry of external affairs has not gone down well with the Wadia family which is fighting a legal battle in the Bombay high court to take over the upscale property, said sources. The Wadia family, heir to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the first governor general of Pakistan, plans to continue its fight in Indian courts. Dina Wadia, Jinnah's only daughter and Nusli Wadia's late mother, moved the high court in 2007 to regain control of the estate. The matter came under the spotlight when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the property would be converted into a venue along the lines of Hyderabad House in New Delhi to host foreign dignitaries. "The Wadia family is taking legal opinion on whether the property can be acquired by the government when the case is still being fought in the Bombay high court," said a source aware of the development. The Wadia family, however, declined to comment. The palatial Jinnah House, spread over 2.5 acres in the tony neighbourhood and worth Rs 5 billion to Rs 6 billion, is also claimed by the government of Pakistan which wanted to set up its Mumbai consulate on the premises. The property was leased to the British high commission between 1948 and 1983 and was the deputy high commissioner's residence. The house remained vacant until 2003 when a part of it was given to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to be used for cultural activities. The house is now being transferred from ICCR to the MEA. In a letter to the city-based builder and Bharatiya Janata Party Vice-President Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Swaraj said the ministry was in the process of transferring the property in its name so that it could be developed on the lines of Hyderabad House. She said the ministry had received permission from the prime minister's office for the same. Dr Subramanian Swamy, the BJP member of the Rajya Sabha, tweeted that the property should go to the Wadias. 'Jinnah had married a Parsi lady. But his only daughter rejected Pakistan and opted for India. This broke Jinnah's heart. Jinnah's only heir is today Nusli Wadia, who lifelong has been Jan Sangh/BJP supporter. I do not know what twisted thinking of the government could deny his family the right to their ancestral Jinnah House in Mumbai,' Dr Swamy tweeted. Property lawyers said with the amendments in the Enemy Property Act, 1968, by the Modi government in 2016, the road for the government to take over such properties had become easier. "If the Government of India wants to take over the property, then it would be very difficult for any other party, including the Wadias, to interfere," said a Mumbai lawyer. Lawyers said most of the immovable property of Pakistan citizens was vested with the Custodian for Enemy Property of India, which had acquired these properties after the promulgation of Enemy Property Act in 1968. Meanwhile, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn quoted the foreign office as saying that Pakistan would not forfeit its claim to Jinnah House. Source: October 24, 2018 20:59 IST On any normal night, the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation is steeped in silence with only alert sentries of the Central Industrial Security Force seen guarding the imposing building in New Delhi; but Tuesday night was different. IMAGE: Media persons outside the CBI headquarters in New Delhi. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo Around 10 pm, teams of about 15-16 officers entered the compound in Innova and Ertiga vehicles, sources said. A while sedan followed with M Nageswar Rao, who was given charge of duties and functions of CBI director. History was made as no director of the agency was changed in such manner. A 1986-batch Odisha cadre officer, Rao went straight to his office and took charge of the position around 11.30 pm as rest of the CBI staff was clueless about the changes taking place in the agency. Alok Verma, who was director till then, had left the building earlier around 7.30 pm which is the normal routine. He had earlier visited his North Block office during the day as an unprecedented tussle with his deputy, Special Director Rakesh Asthana, had reached the court. Verma remained in the North Block office till afternoon and left for lunch keeping a tab on local court proceedings where the CBI was strongly arguing to get the custody of its own Deputy SP Devender Kumar on charges of extortion from a business being probed by him, the sources said. He was seeking information on the developments of the Delhi high court where Asthana had approached seeking quashing of FIR naming him. A similar petition was also filed by Kumar. In the evening, in Satarkata Bhavan, the Central Vigilance Commission was holding a crucial meeting which had to decide the fate of two feuding officers of the CBI -- Verma and Asthana -- who had levelled allegations of corruption against each other. Asthana was booked by the CBI on October 15 in a case of corruption. After going through available documents, the CVC in an unanimous decision recommended divesting all the powers of Verma and Asthana. The recommendation was sent to the government around 8-8.30 pm, the sources said. On the basis of the recommendation, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet handed over the charge of CBI Director to Joint Director Rao as interim measure. After completing formalities of taking charge, Rao directed the officials to take charge of all the crucial files as sought by the CVC and to ensure no material is tampered with. Last updated on: January 14, 2019 15:40 IST There is a strong possibility of Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Ranas extradition to India before the completion of his 14-year jail term in the United States in 2021 for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, an informed source has said. Rana, 58, a resident of Chicago, was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, was convicted by a federal jury of participating in a conspiracy involving a terrorism plot against a Danish newspaper and providing material support to Lashkar-e-Tayiba, a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan. A total of 166 people, including 6 US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based LeT terrorists in Mumbai. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release by US District Judge Harry Leinenweber. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. The Indian government, with full co-operation from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition before his current jail term ends in December 2021. India would not seek extradition of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the double jeopardy clause in the US justice system prohibits to punish a person twice for the same crime. India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based National Defence College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also a forgery case registered against him in India. There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this, a source said. But the challenge is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. Indias ministry of external affairs, ministry of home affairs and ministry of law and Justice and the US State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. They are unwilling to cutdown or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition, the source added. Following a recent visit to the US by Indias National Investigation Agency team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. During the visit, the NIA team also received guidance from their US counterparts on the paperwork which India needs to complete to meet the requirements of the American judiciary system and their standards. The NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities, sources said. In case, the US government in co-operation with the Indian government is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials here said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. As per the existing US law, Rana, a Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release. However, people familiar with the matter said that there is a desire so there is an assurance from the highest level in the Trump administration that all necessary steps would be taken in timely manner to ensure extradition of Rana before his release. According to the US officials, the extradition of Rana would help in cementing the relationship between the two countries, boost up the counter-terrorism co-operation and enhance Americas image among Indians. On the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack on November 26, 2018, the Trump administration had reiterated its resolve to bring to justice those involved in it. US Vice President Mike Pence had raised this issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. Citing the partial government shutdown, the State Department and the Department of Justice expressed their inability to respond to the questions related to the extradition of Rana. The Indian embassy and the attorney of Rana did not respond to a question on his extradition. January 14, 2019 07:58 IST A partial United States government shutdown over President Donald Trumps demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall along the US-Mexico border entered its 23rd day on Sunday making it the longest shuttering of federal agencies in the countrys history, with no end in sight. The closure, which began on December 22, broke a decades-old record by a 1995-1996 shutdown under former US President Bill Clinton that lasted 21 days. Take a look at what America appears as during a shutdown, which is a partial one. The figure of a panda is seen behind a sign telling the public that the National Zoo is closed due to the partial government shutdown in Washington. The partial shutdown of the US federal government began December 22, after US President Donald Trump and Congress failed to agree on funding for the presidents long-sought wall along the US-Mexico border. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters People look inside as a closed sign is seen on a door at Federal Hall National Memorial in New York. Historic sites and national monuments have remained shut during the period. The ones that remain open have limited staffing and have closed access to various park facilities, including restrooms. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Two hikers walk up the main road, which is closed because of the partial government shutdown, in Arches National Park, Utah. The National Park Service is among the agencies hit by the partial shutdown, and all of its parks are affected to different degrees. There are closure alerts for 388 of the 737 parks. On an average day, national parks are expected to collect $400,000 in fee revenue. Since the start of the shutdown, the National Park Conservation Association estimates that the Park Service has lost more than $6 million in fee revenue. Photograph: George Frey/Reuters An estimated 800,000 federal workers have been affected by the lapse in funding -- either by having to work without pay while it lasts or by being furloughed. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters A daughter of a US Internal Revenue Services employee holds signs in front of the Federal building at a rally against the ongoing federal government shutdown, in Ogden, Utah. Aside from its effects on workers and local businesses, the shutdown will also reverberate across the US economy. According to S&P Global Ratings, the shutdown could shave approximately $1.2 billion off real GDP for each week that the government is partially closed. Photograph: George Frey/Reuters "Stop the shutdown!" protesters shout in the bitter cold at the union-organised demonstration that started at the AFL-CIO headquarters and ended in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where they hoisted signs reading "Trump: End the Shutdown" and "Not a strike - we want to work." Many furloughed federal workers have turned to online fundraising outlets such as GoFundMe.com to help cover expenses from food to utility bills. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters A closed sign is seen on a fence at the General Grant National Memorial, for former US President Ulysses S Grant, as the government shutdown continues, in Manhattan, New York City. The impact of the shutdown will only worsen the longer it lasts. The nations food assistance program has only been assured funding through the end of February. Meanwhile, federal workers appear to be growing frustrated. Transportation Security Administration employees have been increasingly calling in sick at airports across the country while at the Environmental Protection Agency are planning a national sick day to protest against the shutdown. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Trash begins to accumulate along the National Mall near the Washington Monument. Trash removal and general maintenance have been put on hold, leaving sites to fill up with trash. Volunteers are trying their best to keep the places clean, spending hours removing litter and cleaning bathrooms, but they are fighting an uphill battle. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images A jogger runs up to a vehicle and pedestrian road block that leads to Hains Point at East Potomac Park which is closed due to a partial shutdown of the US government, in Washington, DC. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images The normally busy Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center adjoining Woodrow Wilson Plaza is mostly quiet as the partial federal government shutdown continues. The area known as Federal Triangle serves as headquarters for the US Customs and Border Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Agency for International Development and other organisations affected by the shutdown. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Tourists Enrico and Latisha Jacomini from Rome, Italy, look at a map after discovering the Smithsonian National Museum of American History is closed due to the partial shutdown of the US government. All 19 of the Smithsonian Institution museums and galleries have been closed since January 3. According to estimates, they may have potentially lost almost 2 million visitors. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images Source: January 14, 2019 20:19 IST Alleging that the ruling Janata Dal(Secular)-Congress coalition was trying to lure its MLAs in Karnataka, state Bharatiya Janata Party president B S Yeddyurappa Monday said its 104 legislators are 'united' and will camp in the national capital. Yeddyurappa assertion comes hours after Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy stuck to his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine and expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides. "It is not us, but they (JDS-Congress) have started horse trading. We will stay in Delhi one or two days because Kumaraswamy is trying his level best to contact our MLAs and horse trading has started," Yeddyurappa told reporters after meeting state BJP MLAs and MPs in New Delhi. The BJP is 'alert and careful' as the chief minister is trying to lure our MLAs using 'power and money', he said. "Kumaraswamy is trying to contact BJP MLAs and has offered a ministerial post to a Kalburgi MLA," he alleged and said the ruling combine is luring BJP state legislators despite having majority numbers. The Karnataka MLAs had come to attend the two-day BJP national convention that concluded on Saturday. They stayed back to discuss separately the state developments, including the alleged horse trading by the ruling combine. Asserting that the BJP's house was in order, Yeddyurappa said, "Our MLAs are united and intact. We do not have any problem at all. Our MLAs are saying let us stay here for 2-3 days and then go to our constituencies." There will not be any 'resort politics' and all the BJP legislators will stay together at the Karnataka Bhavan and some may visit Gurgoan and come back, he added. Stating that the ruling coalition government lacks unity, Yeddyurappa said, "They (JDS-Congress) are worried themselves. Three days back, the chief minister had said he does not have any power and cannot transfer a single official." The present government is not functioning at all in the state, which is facing drought in 160 tehsils and there are reports of farmers' suicides, he alleged. "There is no development in the state. They have wasted time in the last nine months. None of the departments are functioning properly. There is no unity among them," he said. Asked if he was desperate to become a chief minister, the state BJP chief said that the question does not arise as the party is more focused about the general elections and is in the process of finalising candidates at the earliest for 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. "Now, we are worried about Parliament elections. We must win at least 20 seats...We have started our campaign. We are going to finalise the candidates as early as possible," he added. The state BJP chief said that the issues related to the Lok Sabha elections were discussed in detail since Sunday. "We have received several suggestions. In a day or two, we will go to the state and begin the work in constituencies. We have got a direction from the BJP national president and we will implement it at the ground level," Yeddyurappa added. Rubbishing reports about the BJP attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the government, Yeddyurappa said there was no truth in it and alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to lure opposition MLAs. He also clarified that BJP MLAs were camping in New Delhi to discuss the strategy for Lok Sabha polls and the party was not indulging in any 'resort politics'. "Despite having majority, the Congress-JD(S) combine is trying to lure our MLAs and indulging in horse-trading, BJP is not doing it. We with 104 MLAs are ready to work as opposition peacefully," Yeddyurappa told reporters in New Delhi. Accusing the Congress-JD(S) coalition of trying to create confusion, he asked the ruling alliance to focus on developmental works and said the BJP was ready to function as a 'sincere' opposition. January 14, 2019 16:23 IST The governor of Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan has refused to promulgate an ordinance by the Nara Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam government. Naidu wants to enact the AP Assigned Lands (prohibition of transfer) Ordinance 2018 before the Lok Sabha polls so that he can regularise the landholdings in and around Amaravati the new state capital and elsewhere in Vijayawada, as it will politically benefit the Telugu Desam leaders who will be purchasing the lands. The TDP leadership sees the hand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi behind the governor rejecting the ordinance. Member of Parliament CM Ramesh told this correspondent that the governor was acting like the Centre's agent. Governor Narasimhan is of the opinion that certain clauses in the ordinance will not stand judicial scrutiny as they are unconstitutional. The Assigned Lands (prohibition of transfer) Amendment Ordinance 2018 proposes to substitute the word lands assigned with the words lands or house sites assigned, and the word landless poor persons with landless or homeless poor persons. Thus, the government wants to extend the provisions of this act to house sites also. In the present ordinance proposed by the state government, it is provided that the house sites assigned are not alienable for a period of five years. However, the governors office has rejected certain clauses in the ordinance, and put its approval on hold. The issue has been discussed with senior Andhra officials of the concerned department and the state government has been directed to re-look into the time frame of five years to alienate the said assigned house sites. The response of Chief Minister Naidu for the same is awaited. There has been a tug of war between the governor and Naidu for the past two years, with the chief minister even requesting the Centre to withdraw him. October 24, 2018 08:25 IST Indias premier investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation, is witnessing an unprecedented crisis since the last few weeks. At the heart of the crisis is the struggle between its two top bosses -- Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana. As the case continues to play out in the public with allegations being countered with more allegations, heres all you need to know about the feud and its various twists and turns. A) People involved Is this feud a matter of egos clashing? Is this a case of competitive rivalry gone wrong between Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana? To understand the case, heres a background of the two top bosses who are at the centre of the infighting. Alok Verma Alok Kumar Verma was appointed as the CBI chief in January 2017 after being shortlisted from a list of 45 candidates. The committee that appointed him included Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader in Lok Sabha; and JS Khehar, the then Chief Justice of India. He took over as the 27th Director of the CBI on February 1, 2017. Verma is a 1979 batch Indian Police Service officer and has been in services for close to 38 years. In all these years, he has served at 24 posts. He was the Delhi Police Commissioner before being appointed as CBI chief. The IPS officer has also served as the Director General for Tihar prisons, police chief of Mizoram among others. Rakesh Asthana A 1984-cadre IPS officer, Rakesh Asthana was appointed as the special director of the CBI in October 2017. He is said to be close to Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as both of them belong to Gujarat. The appointment of the Gujarat cadre officer had not gone down well with many. His appointment was even challenged in the court by senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan. He was a part of the Special Investigation Team that looked into the 2002 Godhra train burning case. He also investigated the fodder scam between 1994 to 2001 in which former Bihar chief minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted. According to Prashant Bhushan, he is not fit for the post as his name figures in the diary of Sterling Biotech, which is being investigated by CBI itself. B) Egos clash An India Today report citing an insider familiar with the developments in the CBI said, The rivalry began the day, Asthanas appointment as special director was cleared by the government. As stated before Verma took charge of the CBI on February 1, 2017. Till then, Asthana was the acting CBI director. It is said that when Verma took charge, Asthana started flexing his muscles and took decisions without keeping the director in the loop. When his appointment as special director came up for approval, Alok Verma had opposed the move citing his alleged connection with the Sterling Biotech bribery case. C) Allegations vs counter-allegations All this while it seemed that the tussle between the two heads would subside. However, in July this year, the infighting came out in the open when the CBI responded to a query by the Central Vigilance Commission saying that Rakesh Asthana did not have the mandate to represent agency director Alok Verma. The CVC wanted to know as to who from the agency would attend a CBI selection committee meeting it had called on July 12. CBI chief Alok Verma was in Uruguay at the time. The CBI responded by requesting the CVC to postpone the meet to July 19 so that Alok Verma could attend the meeting. In its letter, the CBI had told the CVC that Rakesh Asthana was under the scanner of the agency in cases of corruption. Next month in August, Rakesh Asthana wrote to the cabinet secretary alleging corruption by Alok Verma. D) Case that started it all On 4 October, a Hyderabad-based businessman named Sana Satish -- one of the suspects in the Moin Qureshi corruption case -- alleged that he paid a hefty sum to CBI officers to get the agency off his back. Following this complaint, the CBI registered a case against Asthana as accused number one and a deputy superintendent of police-rank CBI officer, Devender Kumar. Meanwhile, Asthana wrote a letter to the vigilance commission listing 10 cases where Verma allegedly tried to influence the investigation. He alleged that one Satish Babu Sana, a Hyderabad-based businessman, paid Verma Rs 2 crore to save himself in the case of meat-exporter Moin Qureshi who is being probed by the CBI on charges of tax evasion, money laundering, etc. Asthana also claimed that he wanted to arrest Sana but Verma scuttled the move. Asthana further claimed when he and his team wanted to arrest Sana in February, Verma called him and told him not to do so. Asthana has also accused Verma of taking him off probes into the IRCTC case against Lalu Prasad Yadav and the INX Media case involving former finance minister P Chidambaram. E) Why was Asthana booked? A few days ago, the CBI filed an FIR against Asthana and has now arrested Devendera Kumar, a deputy superintendent of police in the agency, who has been working with Asthana. Interestingly, the FIR was lodged on a compliant by Sana accusing Asthana of extorting money from him to shield him in the Qureshi case. In his complaint, Sana claims to have paid Rs 3 crore to Asthana through a Dubai-based middleman Manoj Prasad and his brother, Somesh Prasad, He claims that Manoj showed him a WhatsApp conversation with Asthana and he saw Asthana's profile picture with the number which reassured him of Manoj's links with Asthana. Sana alleged that Manoj also claimed that Asthana had stayed at his home in London last year. He alleged that Somesh also dropped the name of a senior RAW officer Samant Kumar Goel. The FIR has named Goel too as part of the extortion gang. January 14, 2019 08:45 IST 'The selection process of the CBI chief has not been appropriate.' 'Three successive CBI directors have been found in corrupt moral practices.' 'A thorough investigation needs to be done before appointing anyone to such a post.' IMAGE: Alok Verma, while he was CBI director, at the Supreme Court, July 30, 2018. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo On January 9, the Supreme Court of India upheld the petition filed by Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Kumar Verma against his summary sidelining in a midnight operation on October 23, 2018, and reinstated him. On January 10, Verma assumed charge once again as the CBI director, and promptly reversed the transfer orders served on officers considered close to him in his absence. Later that evening, the selection committee -- comprising Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge and Supreme Court Justice A K Sikri -- in a 2-1 decision decided to remove Verma in the wake of an adverse Central Vigilance Commission report and shunted him out to an insignificant posting. Reports say he is the first CBI director to face such action in the Bureau's 55-year history. "Alok Verma underestimated the gravity of the situation and did not perform his duty on time," journalist Vineet Narain, whose PIL in the Supreme Court in 1993 led to the issuance of guidelines on how the investigating agency's autonomy and independence can be preserved, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. How do you see the shocking developments in the CBI? The entire mess in the CBI was created primarily and solely by Alok Verma. He could have handled this crisis in a very mature manner from day one. He could have gone to the Central Vigilance Commission or the prime minister's office, but instead of that he started playing politics within the department, which no head of institution should be doing. Even if he had problems with his number 2 Rakesh Asthana, he could have handled it very maturely. Alok Verma underestimated the gravity of the situation and did not perform his duty on time. Equally responsible in this crisis is the PMO who had a panic reaction on the night of October 23. When Alok Verma went to the Supreme Court with his petition along with Prashant Bhushan and others, their concern was the procedure has not been followed. Procedure in terms of the selection committee power whether he can be transferred or not. I wonder why the honourable Supreme Court took two months to decide on this simple thing. They could have said we agree that the committee should be contacted and decide. What the Supreme Court said now could have been said two months earlier. They have not said anything new in their order. But... Let me complete the background to the case. The Supreme Court court categorically condemned the government for taking those actions. The order also had 17 references to the Vineet Narain judgement. The court stuck to the original Vineet Narain guidelines where the tenure is fixed and the government cannot remove (the CBI director). That was the stand the government took. The Supreme Court also gave clear instructions to Alok Verma that he will not take any major policy decisions. In a way, the court restored the prestige of Alok Verma by sending him back to the CBI, which should have satisfied his ego and his concerns. He should have then waited for the committee to come out with their verdict whether he is guilty or not. Instead of that, he took a political mode and started cancelling the previous transfer orders. He did this within a day (of being reinstated), and that created a panic as the government felt this guy has gone out of hand and he can do anything. Now Alok Verma has not been removed by the government, but by the appropriate, authorised, committee which also has a representative of the Chief Justice of India. So you cannot blame the government by saying the government has removed Alok Verma. Though the Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge has given a note of dissent by saying the Opposition party does not agree with this, the Supreme Court judge has given a nod (for Alok Verma's removal) which gave credibility to the committee's decision. Why was Alok Verma so keen to cancel the transfers on the very first day of his reinstatement? It is very surprising. More than that, I feel surprised why the government gave another posting to Alok Verma by sending him as director general of fire services, civil defence and home guards. It is not very convincing. This was a surprising move by the government to me. One thing I would like to highlight is the selection process of the CBI chief has not been appropriate. Three successive CBI directors have been found in corrupt moral practices. There is major lacunae in the system of the CBI chief's appointment. A thorough investigation needs to be done before appointing anyone to such a post as he is appointed by the prime minister of India, leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. You are appointing the head of the premier investigation agency of the country and he turns out to be a corrupt man. It happened in the cases of A P Singh, Ranjit Sinha. Now Alok Verma is also under a shadow. What kind of selection process do you have? I think the judiciary should recuse themselves from selection of the CBI chief as it is not their job. I was opposed to this kind of appointments. If the judiciary becomes a party to selection and then the guy turns corrupt, then whom do you go and complain to? The CBI's image has taken a huge beating. The CBI's clean image is over for now. Who will be the new director now and how will he restore its image? We don't know, as the CBI's image is right now totally damaged. Different states are now saying they will not allow the CBI not to enter their territory. This is a new development where states ruled by Opposition parties are not allowing the CBI to enter. I want to file a PIL in court stating that in an election year there should be no prosecution or interrogation of or punishment to any major political parties. I am not saying that you give them a pardon, but do what you want to do in the first four years of your governance. In the last year when you use the CBI, then it means you are pressurising opponents and arm-twisting them. And this has been done by successive governments. It was done by the Congress in the past and now the BJP is doing it. The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have been alleging that the central government is arm-twisting regional parties whenever they want to pass a bill in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Regional parties get notices from the CBI every now and then. The CBI continues to be an instrument of political blackmail since 1993. I want to ensure that at least in an election year no grilling of political leaders should take place. It does not mean that I am giving political immunity or pardoning these political leaders, but I feel four years are enough to find the guilty and punish him. Why do all these things in an election year? October 31, 2018 08:55 IST 'The CBI should be bifurcated and the CBI's charter should be restricted to anti-corruption cases.' 'The investigation of major criminal cases having national and international implications, and national crimes spread over more than one state may be entrusted to a new national crime bureau,' recommends Dr Madhav Godbole, the former home secretary. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on assuming charge four years ago, had announced that his government would strive for less government and more governance. Little had he realised that this would be a daunting challenge to fulfil and it would remain one of his important unfulfilled promises. The print and electronic media has created an impression that the present in-fighting between the director and special director of the Central Bureau of Investigation and their levelling charges against each other is the most serious calamity in the CBI's history. But this is far from true. Public memory is phenomenally short. Volumes can be written about the misuse of CBI by successive governments and its high-handed, arbitrary functioning over the years since Independence, except for the years of Jawaharlal Nehru's regime as prime minister. To recapitulate just a few instances: After the Emergency the then CBI director was jailed by a Parliament resolution for having raided and arrested, on the directions of then prime minister Indira Gandhi, four officers of the industry ministry for showing the temerity to collect information about Maruti Udyog set up by Sanjay Gandhi, her wayward son. The Justice Shah Commission of Inquiry into the excesses of the Emergency had observed that the chief of the CBI had lent himself to serve the ends which were 'other than strictly legal, constitutional or moral'. A classic understatement! On return to power in 1980, Indira Gandhi issued orders for withdrawal and destruction of all copies of the Shah Commission reports. This is perhaps the only case in recorded history where a report of the judicial commission of inquiry was destroyed by the successor government. The two recent directors of the CBI are facing serious investigations for corruption charges and conflict of interest. Not long ago, a very senior CBI officer in Delhi was raided on corruption charges and he literally threw out sacks full of high denomination currency notes from his balcony in the high rise building in R K Puram. It was for the first (but certainly not the last) time that Delhi saw a torrential shower of currency notes! A recent news report mentions that at least 26 senior officers in CBI are facing charges of corruption. Misuse of CBI has repeatedly come to public notice. Some prominent cases in this behalf include Bofors, the Commonwealth Games, 2G scam, coal scam and so on. It was the government of the day which was calling the shots, and no political party should be permitted to take a holier than thou attitude. In the present imbroglio too many uneasy questions have arisen. They concern the CBI, the Central Vigilance Commission and the government itself. Why was the special director appointed when there were serious charges against him and the director had brought these to the notice of the government? Why did it take this long to complete the enquiry against the special director? Why were the counter-charges made by the special director against the director not looked into expeditiously? What was the government doing all this time when this in-fighting in CBI was continuing? Was there a need to carry out the coup-like operation in CBI at midnight to send the two officers on compulsory leave? Why was the national security advisor brought in it? Why was the Cabinet secretary sidelined? Why was the background and reputation of the interim director not checked before appointing him in that post when he was also working in the CBI itself? It is difficult to believe that the government was unaware of it. The CVC has also not come out unscathed in this sordid episode. It is not therefore surprising that the Supreme Court has directed that the enquiry against the director and the special director should be overseen by a retired judge of the Supreme Court. I was surprised to read that the government advocate was trying to persuade the court not to insist on it. This was certainly not in keeping with the government's avowed claim that it was trying its utmost to be fair and transparent in the matter. These are disturbing questions when the CBI and the CVC are working directly under the prime minister. Palliatives suggested by high courts and the apex court from time to time have not worked. For example, this 'caged parrot', as described by the Supreme Court, could not be handled by the CVC. Setting up of a high level selection committee for selection of the CBI director has not been successful as seen from the way the incumbent of the post has conducted himself. The much touted hawala case in which the Supreme Court gave a series of directions to give independence and autonomy to the CBI have also not worked. The then chief justice of India, J S Verma, who had presided over the bench and had pronounced the hawala judgment, had himself expressed his deep disappointment at the reluctance of CBI officers to exercise their authority independently. This was when Justice Verma was chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. Answers must be found to this troubling experience. Where do you go from here? The way forward is clear if there is a political will to take it. The important milestones are the following. First, as the estimates committee of Parliament had suggested in its 13th report in 1992, in view of the vast increase in the workload of the CBI, it should be bifurcated and the CBI's charter should be restricted to anti-corruption cases. The investigation of major criminal cases having national and international implications, and national crimes spread over more than one state may be entrusted to a new national crime bureau and it should be placed under the ministry of home affairs. As brought out in my memoirs, Unfinished Inning (1996), I had initiated action in this regard when I was Union home secretary in 1992, but it had to be given up abruptly at the direction of the then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao who did not want any restructuring of the CBI. Second, a new law may be enacted for the CBI. This matter has been under consideration for the last five decades. This will also require a Constitutional amendment for which concurrence of the states will be required. The states have been resisting this proposal due to the misuse of the CBI by the central government over the years by starting investigations against state leaders belonging to political parties opposed to the central government to settle political scores. I have been suggesting for some time that a high level governing board should be created for the CBI consisting of, apart from the prime minister and the concerned central ministers, a few chief ministers, by rotation. This proposal needs to be placed before the inter-state council and its approval obtained. Three, the charter of CBI should be clearly spelt out in the new law so that the CBI's work can be assessed with reference to its charter. Fourth, the CBI director should have a fixed term of three years and he should not be eligible for any employment under the state or central government after retirement. Fifth, the selection of the director should be by a high power selection committee comprising the prime minister, Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him, Lokpal (when appointed), and the leader of the Opposition (or of the largest party) in the Lok Sabha. Sixth, the CBI should be placed under the Lokpal, when appointed. Till then, it should be under the CVC. Correspondingly, the anti-corruption bureaus in the states should also be placed under the Lokayuktas. Seventh, the law should clearly lay down that the CBI should not be given any exemption from the Right to Information Act. Eighth, the law should provide for social audit of the work of the CBI. For this purpose, there should be a committee comprising jurists, retired judges, public persons, media and persons with experience of administration. The annual report of this committee should be placed before Parliament. The report should, inter alia, cover conviction rate of CBI cases, review of cases closed by the CBI, CBI cases dismissed by the courts during the year, observations made by courts on the working of the CBI, and any other matters concerning the credibility and efficiency of the CBI. This broad approach should also hold good for the new national crime bureau to be set up. The very fact that enacting a central legislation for the CBI has been pending for the last five decades shows that unless there is a strong political will, the conundrum of CBI shall continue forever. Not a very encouraging note on which to end this account of grim reality. Dr Madhav Godbole is a former home secretary and secretary, justice, Government of India. January 14, 2019 08:23 IST Cover the spouse under the same policy. A joint life plan offers assurance that one will continue to receive the same financial care in case of an unforeseen loss of a partner, advises Pankaj Razdan. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bastian Sander/Creative Commons I am planning to get married early next year and intend to purchase a term plan for both of us. Is it beneficial to buy individual policies for each of us or should I buy one with a joint life cover? A married couple mostly desires to achieve their dreams and emotional security jointly. In such a case, a joint life insurance plan comes handy and has several features offering benefits of two separate policies in a single plan. Covering the spouse under the same policy, a joint life plan offers assurance that one will continue to receive the same financial care even in case of an unforeseen loss of a partner. The spouse gets covered up to 50 per cent sum assured of the total sum assured value. Joint life also entails a waiver of premium in case of death of the primary policyholder before the secondary life insured. This policy is extremely useful for married couples who seek complete protection at an affordable cost. The best part is that the cover gets extended to both working and non-working wife. Most importantly, covering two lives in a single policy makes it easier to track payments, benefits and other allied services of a single policy than two separate plans, especially at the time of claims. It is also more cost effective. I am 23 years old. I have started earning recently and am planning to start saving. My father is suggesting that I purchase life insurance policies. What kind of policy should I buy? Will they be a good saving option? You have just started to earn, and the responsibilities which may seem far-away at this stage will come knocking at the door much earlier than expected. And while the urge might be there to jump to investments, it is crucial to understand the place of protection. Even though you would want to earn from your savings -- through investments -- it is sensible to first protect your savings, dreams, goals and life itself. This will allow you and your family to sustain the living standard without eating up the savings. The first step would be to identify your financial goals in different stages of your life. Insurance products in the market offer protection options customised to needs based on age, life stage, premium amount and coverage sought. You can opt for term insurance, which carries a lesser premium and offers a death benefit, or a traditional or unit-linked insurance plan offering death benefit and pays a lump sum on maturity. You can achieve both your objectives of saving as well as financial protection by purchasing a life insurance policy. My brother has a term policy of Rs 5 million sum assured. Should he buy a personal accident cover as well? Given the frequency of accidents and uncertainties, it is prudent for an individual to opt for a personal accident cover. However, it is important to first assess your brother's age, nature of occupation, annual income and other personal and financial needs. It is also advisable to check if the term cover of Rs 5 million sum assured is adequate for protecting his family's future requirements. A personal accident cover can be availed at a fairly low premium and should be purchased depending on individual requirement. When is payment made if one has a critical illness rider with a life insurance policy? In a life insurance policy with a critical illness rider, the policyholder can raise a claim payout request once he has been diagnosed with the critical illness. In case the policy has crossed the specified waiting period, the insurance company immediately pays the benefit of the rider to the policyholder. It is advisable for the insured person to reach out to the insurance company for a hassle-free claim settlement and ask for more details pertaining to the policy. January 14, 2019 11:31 IST 'IPOs not clicking is cause for worry,' says Sebi chairman. Sundar Sethuraman reports. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com The Securities and Exchange Board of India has expressed concern over the drop in activity in the primary markets. 'Over Rs 600 billion worth of IPOs are yet to hit the markets despite regulatory approvals. IPOs not clicking is cause for worry,' said Sebi Chairman Ajay Tyagi. Speaking at the AIBI (Association of Investment Bankers of India) Summit 2018, Tyagi cautioned the pricing of IPOs should be done more carefully in volatile times and said the onus was on bankers to get the pricing right. "Investment bankers have a role to see that IPOs are reasonably priced and that they are acceptable to both the issuers and the investors," Tyagi said. Fund raising through IPOs has been less than half of 2017 amid increase in volatility in the secondary markets. Moreover, 14 of the 24 companies that got listed in 2018 are trading below their issue prices, making investors wary of new offers. Direct overseas listing for Indian companies was a concept 'worth trying', Tyagi said. A Sebi expert group recently proposed direct overseas listings to help new-age domestic companies tap foreign capital more easily. Sebi announced major tweaks to the startup listing framework because the earlier rules failed to attract any companies to list. Tyagi said an expert group was looking at allowing differential voting rights in such companies. 30 public sector undertakings were yet to meet the mandatory 25% public shareholding norm and once they hit the market, Tyagi felt there will be more quality scrips for investors. The insurance regulator, Tyagi said, had 'some issues' with the stewardship code on investment disclosures by financial sector companies, floated by Sebi at the Financial Stability and Development Council, and added that the pension fund regulator was agreeable to the idea. Mule accounts, Tyagi disclosed, were a matter of worry, and said the regulator had agreed to implement the Vishwanathan committee's recommendations and was examining the implementation of the Prevention of Unfair Trade Practices and Prohibition of Insider Trading norms. The Sebi chairman said there was a need to do more on insider trading because there had not been a conviction to date in any of the probes it initiated. Further, the regulator is increasing its technological capabilities to check insider trading, he added. Showcause notices, Tyagi revealed, had been issued to three credit rating agencies who had ratings on IL&FS and also revised the norms and guidelines governing their functioning. Weather Alert ...Code Orange Ozone Forecast for Today... The Shelby County Health Department has issued a Code Orange Ozone Forecast effective for Shelby County Tennessee, Crittenden County Arkansas, and DeSoto County Mississippi, including the city of Memphis for today. This ozone forecast is due to forecasted ozone values that will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. These values will exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's federal safe health standard. The Shelby County Health Department recommends that sensitive groups which include active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Please continue to check the latest air quality forecasts and updates until monitored values return to safe levels. For more information go to www.midsouthcleanair.org. January 14, 2019 19:13 IST Fares to key routes such as Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad may shoot up 80 per cent Last-minute fares could rise by as much as 30 per cent as Mumbai airport will be shut for six hours daily for 22 days in February and March for runway upgrade. Fares to key routes such as Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad may shoot up 80 per cent, said industry experts. There will be no flight movements between 11 am and 5 pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at Mumbai from February 7 to March 30 due to the recarpeting of the intersection of two runways. The airport will remain open on March 21, a Thursday, on the occasion of Holi. Charters and private aircraft owners too will have to reschedule their trips as no general aviation flights would be allowed between 7 am and 7 pm on closure days. However, air ambulances will be not face restrictions. Recarpeting work is being carried out to prevent degradation of the runways and to enhance their lives. The airport has two intersecting runways and handles around 950 flights daily, including 30-35 charter and private aircraft flights. However, only one runway is in use at any given time. A Mumbai International Airport spokesperson said around 230 air traffic movements will be cancelled daily and the destinations which will see most flight cancellations include Delhi (33), Goa (18), and Bengaluru (16). Most of the international flights during the closure period have been rescheduled, while domestic routes will see a large number of cancellations. The airport closure will mean every airline will have to reduce capacity and consequently result in high load factors. We have observed that such major airport closures tend to have a bearing on last-minute airfares. It is very early to predict the impact on bookings, said Balu Ramachandran, head of air and distribution, Cleartrip. On average, fares could be 15-30 per cent higher than usual, especially for major metro routes to and from Mumbai, said Balu Ramachandran, head of air and distribution, Cleartrip. Another reason for expected increase in fares is capacity rationalisation. Over the last several months, domestic airlines, mainly Jet Airways, have reduced flights from Mumbai to destinations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata and added flights on non-metro routes. This would result in an increase in fares on metro routes from Mumbai, said an executive from a private airline. We are expecting an average increase of 80-85 per cent in airfares for flights from Mumbai to key routes, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, said Aloke Bajpai, chief executive officer and co-founder of travel website ixigo. A GoAir spokesperson said the airline has cancelled 22 flights daily and passengers have been offered full refund and rescheduling free of charge. Vistara said it has withdrawn eight flights and all customers booked on affected flights are being fully refunded or accommodated on other suitable flights. Other airlines did not respond to queries. Recarpeting of the intersection area was last carried out in 2010. As part of the process, two layers of asphalt will be laid on the runways to strengthen the surface. The work is being carried out prior to monsoon to ensure continuous availability. Two years ago, microsurfacing was carried out, a process in which additional coat of asphalt is laid to extend the life of a runway. In 2017-18, Mumbai airport handled 48.5 million passengers, registering a growth of 7.4 per cent over the previous year. Traffic growth, however, has been slow because of capacity constraints. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Trinidade/Wikimedia Commons January 14, 2019 08:31 IST From Audi A8 to Honda Civic, here's what the auto industry has lined up in 2019. Audi A8 The big launch from Audi will be the A8 luxury sedan later in the year. With touchscreen features all around -- both in the front and at the back Audi is letting go of all buttons inside the vehicle. Expected price: Between Rs 12 million and Rs 14 million Hyundai QXi India's second largest passenger car maker is all set to roll out its new sub-four-metre SUV, dubbed the QXi, around March. The vehicle is expected to go head to head with the Ford EcoSport and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Expected price: Between Rs 800,000 and Rs 1.1 million Renault SUV code name 'RBC' Renault, the French automaker that has had a tumultuous year with its top executives being thrown into jail and its models in India failing to generate excitement, isn't quitting just yet. The French company will launch the compact sub-four-metre SUV, codenamed the RBC, to compete with the Datsun GO and the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga early to mid-2019. Expected price: Between Rs 500,000 and Rs 700,000 Honda Civic Honda will reintroduce its sleek four-door sedan, the Civic, between February and March in a bid to reclaim the market share that has been subdued in the "Lower D" segment. This 10th-generation version of the car will be a direct competitor of the Toyota Corolla and the Skoda Octavia. Expected price: Between Rs 1.8 million and Rs 2.2 million Ford Endeavour Ford's premium 3.2-litre SUV will see a facelift with more technology, design tweaks and style adjustments. It will be launched in the first quarter of 2019. Expected price: Between Rs 2.6 million and Rs 3.4 million BMW 3 Series BMW is all set to launch the latest and seventh version of what drives most of its sales -- the new 3 Series sedan that will come with sharper driving dynamics and greater focus on tech, complete with a digital assistant. The car will be lighter by 55 kg, will be more rigid and will have better shock-absorbing technology. Estimated price: Rs 4 million to Rs 4.5 million Jawa Perak Photograph: Courtesy, JAWA Perak/Facebook The name evokes nostalgia and invites tons of bookings. The Jawa Perak, a stylish cruiser, is powered by a 334cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder DOHC engine that offers 30bhp of power and 31nm of torque. The bike is slated for a late launch in 2019. Expected price: Rs 189,000 Mercedes-Benz GLE Mercedes-Benz is all set to unleash its upcoming fourth generation new GLE SUV, which has been the best selling off-roader in the history of the three-pointed star. The medium-to-large-sized car is made entirely at Daimler's America plant in Alabama, and is expected to reach the subcontinent in the first quarter of 2019. Expected price: Rs 8 million to Rs 8.5 million Tata Harrier Tata Motors will finally bring its first product derived largely from the JLR design and technology to India. Called the Harrier, the off-roader takes cues from the Land Rover's architecture and will compete with the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Creta. Expected price: Between Rs 1.6 million and Rs 2.1 million Last updated on: January 14, 2019 14:34 IST Experts say, auditors must not allow themselves to be intimidated by the client management into conducting audits by conversation. It is important for auditors to conduct proper interviews and ask probing and searching questions. Ten years after the financial scam at Satyam Computer Services, audit fraternity says it is still tough to detect fraud perpetrated by the management in collusion with employees of the company in the normal course of the audit. Over the years, the regulators have brought in several checks and balances in the audit process to detect and deal with frauds. These include provisions relating to internal controls testing, risk assessment and analytical reviews, besides the presence of an effective audit committee and clear corporate governance policies and practices. I can unequivocally say that laws and accounting rules play a less significant role in the red-flagging of financial frauds than auditor attitudes and behaviours, says Albert Aboody, a retired KPMG-US partner, who was the independent monitor overseeing the implementation of the consent orders between PwC India and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in connection with its audits of Satyam. Amarjit Chopra, a former ICAI president, too, agrees with this line of thinking. To substantiate, Chopra points out that the huge volume of non-performing assets (NPAs), amounting to more than Rs 11 trillion, as declared by banks is a testimony to the fact that no early-warning signal is thrown out by the auditors. An auditor, who has overseen Satyam Computers accounts for several years, says it was difficult at that time to state anything to alert on the possible fraud without any adverse comment or concern raised by any of the stakeholders - be it directors, shareholders, employees, customers, analysts, a whistle blower or even the media. The situation remains the same even now, he adds. However, one important change in boardrooms, in the post-Satyam era, say many in the audit fraternity, is the auditor relationship with the audit committee. Audit committees have become far more diligent in conducting their oversight responsibilities, say auditors. The audit committee has a vital role to play in keeping management honest with the help of the auditors. And this is a function it now understands better than ever before, says Aboody. Sanjay Kallapur, a professor of accounting at Indian School of Business, feels the unprecedented two-year ban by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Price Waterhouse firms auditing listed companies seems to have had a big impact on the audit profession. During the last year or so we have heard of several auditors resigning because they did not get enough information from client companies, he adds. Kallapur agrees while it may be impractical to expect statutory auditors to prevent frauds, there is room for improvement in audit quality. The recent reforms and increases in penalty give hope for improvement in this regard, he says. According to Chopra, both bigger and smaller firms have been found wanting in quality of the audit. So to say that a bigger firm has better audit systems is a myth, he says. The exercise of professional scepticism is important for auditors to be effective, say experts. Auditors must not allow themselves to be intimidated by the client management into conducting audits by conversation, says Aboody. It is important for auditors to conduct proper interviews and ask probing and searching questions, he says. However, many auditors concede they generally receive little training in such soft skills. Aboody, too, agrees that the profession has not adequately responded to the mindset requirement of an auditor. Some inroads have started in the post-Satyam period," he says. Three things auditors are doing differently Strengthening of external confirmation process Pressure on companies to ensure direct replies from banks/external authorities Focus on fraud risk assessment A lot more importance is being given to the quality of the management and the board, instead of going simply by their reputation Strictly following reporting requirement on fraud under Companies Act Auditors are insisting on reporting of internal controls over financial reporting Photograph: Krishnendu Halder/Reuters Many tend to get into a routine of dining at the same few favorites. But with January here in full-force, its time to break out of your comfo , We're sorry, this article is not currently available By Steven Rogers, 01/13/2019 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Steven Rogers is a senior entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and been covering the reality TV genre for two decades. star Ashley Martson has been hospitalized with kidney failure caused by her lupus."Please send prayers and positive vibes to Ashley. [Her] battle with lupus has put her into kidney failure. She is in the ICU and is finally responsive," an Instagram Stories posting on Ashley's Instagram account announced on Sunday afternoon."Prayers for her children as well. Thank you!" continued the posting, which appears to have been written by someone else on Ashley's behalf given the third-person references.The posting did not reveal any additional details.However, prior to the hospitalization announcement Ashley's most recent Instagram activity appears to have been an Instagram Stories posting promoting her personalized Cameo video recordings late Saturday night, suggesting the star's hospitalization occurred overnight.Ashley was previously hospitalized due to lupus, a chronic autoimmune disorder, twice in December.In early December, Ashley had revealed she had recently been hospitalized but was now home and doing better."Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. Your kind words are what is helping me get through this trying time. Truly appreciate each of you!" she wrote in an Instagram Story."I'm finally home and on the mend! Thanks again for everyone's support."Ashley didn't dive into the details of her illness or condition, although she had previously shared she suffered from lupus.But Jay Smith , Ashley's co-star and husband, had confirmed her hospitalization was due to her ongoing battle with lupus when he posted two photos showing Ashley sleeping in a hospital bed."I promise I will always be there for you through all the ups and downs, no matter what happens. Love you babe girl get well soon #lupus #getwellsoon #staystrong," he captioned the images.However after Christmas, Ashley had posted several more Instagram Stories in which she revealed she had been re-hospitalized due to lupus and spent the holiday in the hospital."If I could ask Santa for one gift it would be Good Health. Being admitted on Christmas Eve and missing Christmas morning with my children is the worst," she wrote in an Instagram Story posting."My strength is beginning to run out but God's strength will pull me through."On December 22, Ashley also sparked speculation she and Jay have split when she suddenly posted a cryptic Instagram Stories photo about not being able to "fake" things anymore and fans noticed she had also deleted all of her photos of Jay from her Instagram account."You can only fake that things everything is ok for so long. Then you just hit that point... - ME!!!!!" the Instagram Stories posting stated.In addition, fans also noticed Ashley and Jay were no longer following each other on Instagram. Jay also subsequently scrubbed his Instagram account of any photos of Ashley.Prior to Ashley's December 22 posting, Ashley and Jay's social media postings had regularly featured each other and made it clear that they were still together and living in Ashley's home in Mechanicsburg, PA.However, Jay had urged viewers to stop speculating about his life in an Instagram Stories posting on December 29."Stop act like y'all know my life," he wrote.On December 30, Jay shared a link to a newly-created GoFundMe account that was looking to raise $5,000 to "help me get and my feet an a place to stay."The GoFundMe account had only raised $5 from a single contributor several hours after it was created, and was later removed.According to blogger John Yates, Jay also briefly posted an Instagram photo showing Ashley talking with a police officer outside what appeared to be her home."Okay Ashley call the cops... guess it's time to leave now," the star captioned the photo, which he subsequently deleted.Ashley later posted an Instagram Story claiming the GoFundMe was a scam and Jay had only shared the link to it "to be a smartass.""I Spoke with Jay and neither one of us has a go fund me... he just reposted it to be a smartass! I can't watch people send money to someone scamming them," Ashley wrote.Earlier this week, Ashley also posted another vague Instagram Stories posting that alluded to the notion she may feel like she's better off without Jay in her life."Everything changed the day she learned that she was just as valuable as everyone else," she wrote in the January 10 posting. Property details: Begin investing in affordable land!! The housing market is forecast to accelerate! Get your parcel of land now! they are not making any more of it.NO RESERVE Mississippi Delta-Great opportunity to own land Description2 Vacant lots One parcel number with utilities (Please verify) located in Jackson Mississippi. Parcel# 175-110Next door to 322 Julienne St (Our lot is vacant and has no address yet)Lots measure:40 ft x 100 ft each= 4,000 square feet x 2 lot = 8,000 square feetZoned- L1 Light Industr... 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Price: $ 4,000 Seller State of Residence: Texas Property Address: Lake Water Wheel Estates, Shepherd,Texas Zip/Postal Code: 77371 State/Province: Texas City: McAllen Type: Vacant/Residential Zoning: Residential Location: 773**, Shepherd, Texas You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Residential Property details: Suburban ChicagoEstablished Neighborhood!Property Assessed Value: $4,100*ONLY 20 minutes to Downtown Chicago*Nearby Casinos, Beautiful Beaches, Major Universities CASH SALE!$1 STARTS THE BIDDING! Due to family emergency, we continue liquefying our personal and company land parcels across the the United States... including this beautiful property in suburban Chicago. Everything must go!This property is located on 1409 Sherman in the beautiful southeast Chicago suburbs of Northwest Indiana . More ... Price: $ 203 Property Address: 1409 Sherman State/Province: Indiana Seller State of Residence: Illinois Zip/Postal Code: 46320 Zoning: Residential City: Hammond Type: Homesite, Lot Location: 463**, Hammond, Indiana You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Homesite, Lot Hard to find an ideal in history. By courtesy we call saints and heroes such, but they are very defective characters; I cannot easily find a man I would be. Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his notes on Character Rarely has the character of a mere mortal enjoyed so much attention as that of President Trump. Although his sins and flaws qualify him for Emersons defective label, he is also viewed widely as a hero, if not a saint. Perhaps that is because a hero is true first to himself and his vision, and oftentimes must overcome his own innate weaknesses to accomplish that which fate has decreed for him. Liberal commentators, of course, dismiss Trump on all levels, character included. But it is more instructive to consider how conservatives who have a natural affinity for Trumps policies approach the question of his defective character. A literary feud on this topic between conservative writers Jonah Goldberg and Roger Kimball has now entered its fourth round, and though Goldberg has been knocked to the canvas twice, I fully expect him to jump up like another famous New Yorker Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction and try yet again to put a knife to Trump's character and twist it. Because Jonah Goldberg, like many elite Republicans, really doesn't like Donald Trump. Here's the background for those of you who are new to the world of neocon fatwas and Never Trumper vendettas. Goldberg is a senior editor at National Review, which famously devoted a cover story in early 2016 to being Against Trump. More recently, on Dec. 27 of last year, Goldberg published an essay called Character Is Destiny, in which he opined that Trumps character will be his downfall. Goldberg was amply rebutted by Kimball, editor and publisher of the New Criterion, in an essay at AmericanGreatness.com, where he essentially turned the character issue back on Goldberg and other Never Trumpers. Why, he asked, do you allow your distaste for the mans character to undermine your own conservative principles principles that only Trump has been successful at implementing in national policy? Goldberg responded by insisting that character is more important than accomplishments, which led to the final salvo as Kimball described (in The Character That Matters) the destructive outcome of a politics based solely on character and not results. That has been the model for Republican politicians for the past 30 years, and it led to the collapse of the national character we have all witnessed at the same time we watched politicians (and journalists) patting each other on the back for their collegiality and ability to work together. I commend Kimball for deflecting Goldbergs false arguments. I could certainly do no better, but what I would like to do here is consider Jonah Goldberg in relation to his true foil, Donald J. Trump, partly seen through the prism of Emersons transcendental philosophy. Like Trump, Goldberg is a consummate New Yorker. But whereas Trump's New York is a place of boundless possibility and the capital of the American imagination, Goldberg's is bounded by Columbia University on the north, Times Square on the south, Central Park on the east and the edge of the world on the west. By the edge of the world, I mean the Hudson River, that mythical beginning of the frontier (or American wasteland) that is celebrated most famously in a New Yorker cover by Saul Steinberg. Although both Trump and Goldberg currently have abodes located in the Deep Swamp of Washington, D.C., poetic license allows me to picture both of them in their natural habitat of Manhattan, where I think we will get a much clearer picture of them and better understand why they are sworn enemies. In Goldberg's world, New York is not the capital, but rather the sole domain of imagination, creativity and invention, and the rest of the country nay, the world ought to pay homage to the heightened aesthetic on full display in a cozy West Side walk-up where Jonah envisions himself in a well-worn bathrobe and comfy slippers, sipping on a latte, pinky finger held thus, contemplating who knows what lofty ideals while scratching his navel and pondering with a small part of his very large brain the meaning of "13 down" in the New York Times Sunday crossword. Meanwhile, across town in Trump Tower, another man in a bathrobe is thinking about how damn lucky he is to live in a country of endless ingenuity, where hard work is a currency as good as gold, and where anyone yes, anyone can grow up to become president of the United States just as we were promised in the schoolbooks and speeches. A man could build anything with his own two hands and a blueprint, even a road that led to the White House through the cornfields of Iowa and the stubby mountains of New Hampshire. Call it the American Dream. If I may be allowed a moment of personal indulgence, this battle between Goldberg and Kimball reminds me of the resistance I encountered when I left New York as a young man to move to Montana and find (as Goldberg would have it) my destiny. My friends from the greater metropolitan area were dumbfounded and not a little hurt. "Whaduhya mean yer movin' to Montana? The good people are fightin' to get inta New York, and yer packin' yer bags?!?" I can't remember if they called me a loser to my face, but that was the plain meaning. Montana was just "out there" in the Dead Zone, beyond understanding or possibility. But it wasn't. It was simply beyond their understanding, just as Donald Trump is beyond the understanding of all the Never Trumpers. Goldberg declares that "character is destiny," and therefore has written off the Trump presidency on account of the president's assumed bad character because of his infidelities and coarseness. But I think Goldberg has it wrong for the simple reason that we already know Donald Trump's destiny to be not just a successful real-estate developer, but then a massive celebrity in a culture that values celebrity more highly even than "good" character, and finally to rise to the height of the aforementioned American Dream that anyone who works hard enough can be president. Consider this definition of character by Emerson, the consummate American philosopher, as the wellspring of Trumps success: Character is the habit of action from the permanent vision of truth. It carries a superiority to all the accidents of life. We know that presidents of very bad character, such as the serial adulterer John F. Kennedy, have been very successful in the White House, and that men of very good character, such as the saintlike Jimmy Carter, have been hapless presidents. You could make the case, I suppose, that Kennedys dark character led in a mechanistic universe to his death by assassination, and that Carters personal traits led to his being rewarded with long life, but even if true, those have nothing to do with the arc of their presidencies, both of which were short but of significantly different moment depending on their particular habit of action. Likewise, Trumps presidency may end after one term, or even before that, for a variety of reasons, but it would be premature to write it off as a failure of character. Donald Trump has been underestimated before, not least by Hillary Clinton and by his predecessor, Barack Obama, who quipped in response to a barb from Trump: "At least I'll go down [in history] as a president." Oops. That misfire in prophecy came just two weeks before Trumps election demonstrated that his character as honed by his vision of truth is formidable, if not comfortable. Goldberg may be right that character is destiny, but I for one am betting that Trumps character expressed in his habit of action will reshape Americas destiny for the better. Perhaps we can turn to Emerson for guidance once again as we ponder the man whose rise to power was based on a slogan of national renewal. Great men serve us as insurrections do in bad governments. The world would run into endless routine, and forms incrust forms, till the life was gone. But the perpetual supply of new genius shocks us with thrills of life, and recalls us to principles. Or as Donald Trump has said, more simply: Make America Great Again. Elizabeth City, NC (27909) Today Partly cloudy. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 62F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. WASHINGTON -- The belief that constitutional democracy is superior to other forms of government rests in part on its capacity to encourage open debate and thus social learning. Social learning is underrated. Citizens can and do learn together and from each other. They pick up tidbits and cues from the public debate and then argue over back fences or kitchen tables, in their houses of worship or at their favorite bars and restaurants. True, this is an idealized view. In the Trump era, many people avoid political talk with neighbors or family members they disagree with for fear of igniting bitter shouting matches. And social learning is problematic when we only hang around with people who reinforce our own views and prejudices, as Bill Bishop suggested in his revelatory book, "The Big Sort." Social media pushes us further into ideological silos, something Russian hackers understood in 2016. It ought to be the job of traditional media to help break this cycle. As Matthew Pressman shows in his recent history of journalism, "On Press," there was a purpose behind the old ideas of "objectivity" and "fairness." At their best, journalists examine questions of genuine importance and offer citizens a chance to hear competing arguments on various sides of the issues at stake. This task includes pointing out when claims are at odds with the facts. Now only a naive rationalist would claim that politics is purely cerebral. It's also about passion, self-interest and the foibles of would-be political leaders. But for democracy to work well, we need a balance among reason, emotion and interest. When reason is in retreat and when candidates are given strong incentives to stir up ugly passions, we have a problem. This is where we are now, and President Trump is both the product of this crisis and its apotheosis. He brought home just how nonsensical and dishonest our politics have become with his assertion last Thursday about Mexico paying for his border wall: "Obviously, I never said this, and I never meant they're going to write out a check." This was shocking, even from an unrepentant liar. Trump denied ever saying something that, as David Nakamura reported in The Washington Post, he did say "at least 212 times during his campaign and dozens more since he took office." This points to the media's major shortcoming in 2016: its continuing commitment to "both sides are equally flawed" journalism, which led to its failure to portray Trump as the moral aberration he is. As Frank Bruni recently noted in The New York Times (citing the research of Harvard professor Thomas Patterson), treating Trump and Hillary Clinton "identically" in terms of their "fitness for office" was "madness." And as the Post's media critic Margaret Sullivan noted, journalism needs to pull back from a "focus on personalities and electability" and on blowing gaffes "way out of proportion." She endorsed New York University professor Jay Rosen's idea that the press follow a "citizens agenda" in 2020. Why not more reporting on the problems voters care about and how candidates propose to solve them? There are obvious responses to all this: Many voters knew who Trump was and voted for him anyway because they disliked Clinton even more; the critics just don't like the way the election turned out; and many of our fellow citizens are so stuck in "media bubbles" that what mainstream journalism does won't matter. But whatever their merits, these assertions come down to a denial of responsibility. The mainstream media still greatly influence how we talk to each other about politics and should take this responsibility seriously. Consider just two examples. A video of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's collegiate dancing made for fun stories, but it's far less important than the New York Democrat's proposal for a 70 percent tax rate on incomes of over $10 million. Coverage of Trump's 2016 attacks on Jeb Bush for his "low energy" were a successful distraction from a serious conversation about Bush's prophetic assertion that Trump would be a "chaos president." None of this takes away from the fact that journalists still provide an abundance of accurate information. This includes, thank goodness, smart and tough coverage of Trump. But Bruni, Sullivan, Patterson and Rosen are right to ask the media to ponder what role it has played in bringing our democracy to its current state. The arbiters of the news should be encouraging better conversations over those back fences -- and doing a better job of warning us early on about politicians who lie even about their lies. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group Weve learned from President Trumps intentional weaponization of outrage that if everything is a four-alarm fire, nothing is a four-alarm fire. Democrats must wrestle with this riddle as several women vie for their partys presidential nomination next year and charges of sexism fly around as frequently as presidential tweetstorms. Already Sen. Elizabeth Warrens announcement of her exploratory committee has ignited a discussion about whether its worse -- sexist -- to point out that a woman may not be likable enough to win, than it is to say this of men. Pundits took issue with a piece Politico ran titled Warren Battles the Ghosts of Hillary, asking whether Warren would be written off as too unlikable before her campaign gets off the ground. Those pushing back insist this is simply blanket discomfort with women leaders, having nothing to do with individual personality or character. Many of these voters are people who esteem themselves to be feminists or otherwise free of bias, but who will nevertheless find themselves uncomfortable with a woman in power, unable to articulate what it is that bothers them about Elizabeth Warren -- except for a vague sense that they just don't like her, Moira Donegan wrote in a Guardian piece titled The issue with Elizabeth Warren isnt likability. Its sexism. After a loss by Hillary Clinton in 2016 that stunned and devastated Democrats but didnt surprise others more in touch with Clintons severe likability deficit, there is gnawing anxiety in the party revolving around what it takes to beat Donald Trump, whether the ticket must include a female and/or an African-American or Latino, and how female presidential candidates not named Clinton are perceived. With Rep. Tulsi Gabbard jumping in, then Sens. Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand -- and possibly Sen. Amy Klobuchar or, who knows, maybe Oprah -- this debate should be settled in short order. The partys nominating process, according to Democratic Party insiders who acknowledge that significant divisions on trade and internationalism and spending will burst loudly into the open, is expected to go on nearly a year and a half, until May of next year. These dames could -- God forbid -- end up swiping at one another. People screaming sexist throughout will make it easy for others to dismiss truly sexist attacks. And while its not nice to describe someone as unlikable, and its brutal to be the subject of this debate, thats too bad. A run for president invites this discussion. Debating likability itself is one thing -- but calling that debate sexist is another. If President Nixon could weigh in, he might agree that women could be called sexist for even raising the issue. Now that campaigns have moved off the backs of trains to an entirely different platform -- social media -- the likability question only looms larger. And Democrat seeking the attention of younger voters will have to live there, hang out online and be, you know, human. Senior citizens like Warren, or former Vice President Joe Biden, should he enter the race, arent exempt. Thus far the scenes from Warrens kitchen are quite dull, but who knows if one day some post of her prepping peanut butter popcorn balls doesnt catch fire. The truth is Warren isnt so likable. Her team is trying to poke fun at the issue, labeling a recent fundraising email likability, while the candidate ignores the question. Her full-time video team has been working since last year to capture the real Elizabeth and counter her image as a schoolmarm and a scold. But it clearly bothers her campaign. Warrens biographer was quoted in the Politico story expressing frustration over all Warren has done right, as if that has anything to do with likability. All of us are scratching our heads over why this is happening. She has a great operation, shes very smart about it all, Antonia Felix said. Shes not just a viable candidate, shes someone who can actually win. Its like theyre throwing cold water on that. Warren has other problems, namely questions about her political judgment. Reporting from advisers close to Warren revealed late last year that she and her supporters knew her DNA video reveal, designed to counter Trumps Pocahontas attacks, was a major flop. The timing not only angered Democrats, weeks before the midterm elections when they wanted to remain focused on a message about Trump and Republicans, but it angered Native Americans as well -- a debacle that delighted the president and the GOP. Thus far Warren refuses to talk Trump in her trips through Iowa or in interviews. Thats smart, but its unlikely Warren would resist this temptation as a nominee. She jumped all over Trump in 2016 and appears not only to be vulnerable to battle blunders (like the DNA video) but to becoming less likable in war. Take, for example, her recent attack on former Rep. Trey Gowdy. @TGowdySC foamed at the mouth with power in Congress, then retired because he claimed he didn't enjoy it. Now its clear: Trey Gowdy just wanted a fat lobbyist paycheck. That should be illegal, Warren tweeted the day after he left Congress. Gowdy responded: @ewarren Im not lobbying. Not now. Or ever. Perhaps you were cracking open a beer when that was announced. Dont mind your criticisms. Just be sensitive to facts. Not well played, Liz. What Warren clearly has going for here is her own lane, in presidential campaign parlance, where she will stand out in the overflow crowd of 2020 Democrats as a distinct populist voice on the issues of rising economic inequality. Its hard to argue anyone has better consumer protection chops than Warren, even if she is a former Republican who once championed the free market. She brings the credibility of an expert able to break down complex financial issues, telling voters that all of Washington is beholden to the large corporations that President Trump is prioritizing over workers. And no matter how many beers (Michelob Ultra, what she calls the club soda of beers) Warren chugs on Instagram it may not matter that no one wants to have a beer with her. Likability doesnt always make the sale anyway. Trump isnt likable, and absent her server scandal Clinton may have prevailed despite being roundly disliked. No one has taken more incoming hits in this department than Sen. Ted Cruz, who just won re-election. Sen. Bernie Sanders is a curmudgeon who took off as a candidate anyway. Sen. Mitch McConnell, in public, is one of the least likable politicians in the country and it has never stopped him. No matter who prevails, the women in the race for the Democratic nomination should make it clear they are tough enough to take the questions the men who came before them always have faced. Since achieving overnight stardom last June, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become a news and social media darling of the left, praised as much for her radical socialist ideals as her media savvy. While the newly minted congresswoman entered the nations consciousness basking in the limelight, is her media star beginning to dim? The timeline below shows the average percentage of airtime (as measured in 15-second intervals) on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, from June 1, 2018 to present that mentioned Ocasio-Cortez (using data from the GDELT Projects processing of the Internet Archives Television News Archive). From utter obscurity to overnight star, Ocasio-Cortezs June 2018 New York primary win over 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley made her the most recognizable member of the incoming class of lawmakers. Yet, when it comes to television, her main benefactor has not been the liberal networks, but rather Fox News. Over the past six months Fox has devoted 0.16 percent of its airtime to her, compared with just 0.04 percent each for CNN and MSNBC. For comparison, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi over the same period garnered 0.93 percent of Fox News airtime, 0.6 percent of MSNBCs and 0.46 percent of CNNs. Between her swearing in on Jan. 3 and Jan. 8, Ocasio-Cortez captivated the attention of all three channels, but as of Jan. 9, that interest seems to have largely faded away -- other than on Fox News. She also never seems to have fully recaptured the interest that immediately followed her surprise primary victory. Turning to online news coverage, the timeline below shows the percentage of English-language coverage monitored by the GDELT Project that mentioned her over the same time period, capturing a very similar pattern. Here the difference in interest between her January 2019 swearing-in and her primary victory six months prior is even more stark, as is the rapid fall-off in coverage over the past 10 days. As media coverage has rapidly dropped, are people searching less about her online as well? The timeline below shows the total U.S. search volume on Google about Ocasio-Cortez over the same timeframe. 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. Unlike the medias months-long obsession after last years New York primary, it seems the general public took little notice of her after that initial blip until the November elections and quickly grew bored again until her swearing in. As with media coverage, however, search interest has plummeted over the last 10 days. It seems one of the few bright spots for Ocasio-Cortez has been on social media. According to at least one analysis, she is the most prominent Democrat on Twitter in terms of retweets and likes, though it remains to be seen whether that too fades over time. In the end, all fame is fleeting and Ocasio-Cortez will have to transition from the life of Twitter reality star into effective lawmaker who can accomplish things in Congress. Only time will tell whether she is able to harness her early media power into an effective bully pulpit to pressure her colleagues into supporting her initiatives -- or whether, like so many before her, she simply fades into obscurity. SAN ANTONIO (AP) Assailing President Donald Trump for a crisis of leadership, former Obama Cabinet member Julian Castro joined the 2020 presidential race Saturday as the rush of Democrats making early moves to challenge the incumbent accelerates. Castro, who could end up being the only Latino in what is shaping up to be a crowded Democratic field, made immigration a centerpiece of his announcement in his hometown of San Antonio, less than 200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Two days after the president visited the border to promote his promised wall, Castro mocked Trump for claiming that the U.S. faces an invasion from its ally to the south. He called it a national security crisis, Castro said. Well, there is a crisis today. Its a crisis of leadership. Donald Trump has failed to uphold the values of our great nation. Castro, the 44-year-old grandson of a Mexican immigrant, said he was running for president because its time for new leadership, because its time for new energy and its time for a new commitment to make sure that the opportunities that Ive had are available to every American. He made the announcement during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, and as the field of 2020 contenders widens and anticipation grows around bigger names still considering runs. Castro was San Antonios mayor for five years and U.S. housing secretary in President Barack Obamas second term. He became the second Democrat to formally enter race, after former Maryland Rep. John Delaney. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has also started an exploratory committee for president, and four other Democratic senators are taking steady steps toward running. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to Congress, said this week she is planning a bid, too. For his part, Trump said he isnt worried about the burgeoning field of Democratic opponents. He has already announced that hes running for re-election. I love what I see, Trump said Saturday night when asked about the competition during a telephone interview with Fox News Channel. He recited a list of what he views as his accomplishments, including low unemployment, tax cuts and trade deals. I dont know. How does somebody beat that? the president said. Asked to identify the one Democrat hed like to run against, Trump named former Vice President Joe Biden, a two-time presidential candidate who has yet to announce his intentions for 2020. Castro is getting an early start in trying to stand out. His first trip as a candidate comes Monday, to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, where an outcry has begun as the White House considers diverting disaster funding to pay for the wall. The impasse over paying for a border wall that Trump made a central part of his 2016 campaign has led to the partial federal closure. That stalemate, along with Trumps hard-line immigration stands, drew sharp rebukes from Castro. There are serious issues that need to be addressed in our broken immigration system, but seeking asylum is a legal right. And the cruel policies of this administration are doing real and lasting harm, he said. He argued for securing the border in a smart and humane way. There is no way in hell that caging babies is a smart or a right or good way to do it. We say no to building a wall and say yes to building community. We say no to scapegoating immigrants, he said. Joining Castro at the campaign kickoff was his twin brother, Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, chairman of the Hispanic congressional caucus and a frequent Trump critic. The Spanish-style plaza in the Castro twins boyhood neighborhood was packed with supporters who streamed through the gates between a mariachi band. Castro had said leading up to his announcement that a Latino candidate was a must in the 2020 field. That group of hopefuls is starting to take shape even though the first primary elections are more than a year away. Sen. Kamala Harris of California this past week published a memoir , a staple of presidential candidates. Former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke is doing little to dim speculation that he might jump into a field that has no clear front-runner. Castro is aware he lacks the name recognition of potential 2020 rivals or the buzz surrounding ORourke, whose flirtations with 2020 have tantalized donors and activists after a close race last year against Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Even some supporters at Castros announcement could be torn if ORourke gets in the race. Diana Delrosario, a social worker in San Antonio, warned she might cry while she recounted how Castro once went out of his way as mayor to help wheel her mother out of a restaurant. I have this heart for Julian. But its going to be a big discussion if Beto decides to run, said Delrosario, 45. Castro, who has repeatedly dismissed talk that an ORourke candidacy would complicate his own chances, has framed the neighborhood and his upbringing as the story of an underdog. He was raised by a local Latina activist, and after a brief career in law, was elected mayor of the nations seventh-largest city at 34. It wasnt long before Democrats nationally embraced him as a star in the making, particularly one from Texas, where a booming Hispanic population is rapidly changing the states demographics and improving the partys fortunes. Castro delivered the keynote speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Two years later, Obama picked him to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was on the short list of Hillary Clintons potential running mates in 2016. During Castros trip this past week to Nevada, one state Latino business leader told Castro that he should again be a top contender for vice president if his campaign falls short. Like other Democrats running, Castro has said he will not accept money from political action committees tied to corporations and unions, and he has sought to introduce himself to voters as a champion for universal health care and affordable housing. ___ Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) The partial government shutdown became the longest closure in U.S. history when the clock ticked past midnight into early Saturday as President Donald Trump and nervous Republicans scrambled to find a way out of the mess. A solution couldnt come soon enough for federal workers who got pay statements Friday but no pay. The House and Senate voted to give federal workers back pay whenever the federal government reopens and then left town for the weekend, leaving the shutdown on track to become one for the record books once the clock struck midnight and the closure entered its 22nd day. And while Trump privately considered one dramatic escape route declaring a national emergency to build the wall without a new stream of cash from Congress members of his own party were fiercely debating that idea, and the president urged Congress to come up with another solution. What were not looking to do right now is national emergency, Trump said. He insisted that he had the authority to do that, adding that hes not going to do it so fast because hed still prefer to work a deal with Congress. About 800,000 workers missed paychecks Friday, many receiving blank pay statements. Some posted photos of their empty earnings statements on social media as a rallying cry to end the shutdown, a jarring image that many in the White House feared could turn more voters against the president as he holds out for billions in new wall funding. With polls showing Trump getting most of the blame for the shutdown, the administration accelerated planning for a possible emergency declaration to try to get around Congress and fund the wall from existing sources of federal revenue. The White House explored diverting money for wall construction from a range of other accounts. One idea being considered was diverting some of the $13.9 billion allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers after last years deadly hurricanes and floods. That option triggered an outcry from officials in Puerto Rico and some states recovering from natural disasters, and appeared to lose steam on Friday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called it an unconscionable idea to look at using disaster assistance to pay for an immoral wall that America doesnt need or want. Republican Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas told reporters after discussions with the White House: I feel confident disaster relief dollars will not be tapped. Brady said the administration was looking at the breadth of unspent dollars in other government accounts. Other possibilities included tapping asset forfeiture funds, including money seized by the Department of Justice from drug kingpins, according to a congressional Republican not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. The White House also was eyeing military construction funds, another politically difficult choice because the money would be diverted from a backlog of hundreds of projects at bases around the nation. Despite Trumps go-slow message, momentum grew in some corners for some sort of emergency declaration. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who met with the president on Friday, took to Twitter afterward to urge: Mr. President, Declare a national emergency NOW. Build a wall NOW. Trump has been counseled by outside advisers to move toward a national emergency declaration, but many in the White House are trying to pump the brakes. Senior aide Jared Kushner, who traveled with the president to the Texas border on Thursday, was among those opposed to the declaration, arguing to the president that pursuing a broader immigration deal was a better option. A person familiar with White House thinking said that in meetings this week, the message was that the administration is in no rush and wants to consider various options. The person was unauthorized to discuss private sessions and spoke on condition of anonymity. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has signaled moral opposition to the wall and vowed to oppose any funding, said the president is seeking to divert attention from special counsel Robert Muellers investigation and other White House problems. This isnt a wall between Mexico and the United States. This is a wall between his failures of his administration, Pelosi told reporters. This is a big diversion, and hes a master of diversion. Pelosi sent a letter to colleagues late Friday thanking House Democrats for passing bills to reopen shuttered departments and agencies. Pelosi said theres no excuse for President Trump to keep government shut down over his demands for an ineffective, wasteful wall. She said hes endangering the health and safety of the American people and stealing paychecks from 800,000 innocent workers over the shutdown. Although Trump has been frustrated with aides as he loses the public relations battle over the shutdown, White House attempts to use the trappings of the presidency to buttress his case for the wall have yielded mixed results in the presidents view. Trump has long avoided using the Oval Office as a backdrop for his speeches, telling aides that previous presidents looked stilted and flat in the standard, straight-ahead camera angle. But he was persuaded that the seriousness of the moment warranted the Oval Office for his speech to the nation this week about the fight over the border wall. But since Tuesday nights address, Trump has complained that he looked lifeless and boring, according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. The president also expressed misgivings about his visit to the border, believing it would do little to change anyones mind. In a Friday morning tweet, Trump called illegal immigration on the southern border an invasion, even though border crossings have declined in recent years. Later, he tried to blame Democrats for the shutdown, claiming hes flexible about the needed barrier. I dont care what they name it, Trump said. They can name it peaches. Trump has told advisers he believes the fight for the wall even if it never yields the requested funding is a political win for him. But some of his outside advisers have urged him to declare a national emergency, believing it would have two benefits: First, it would allow him to claim that he was the one to act to reopen the government. Second, inevitable legal challenges would send the matter to court, allowing Trump to continue the fight for the wall and continue to excite his supporters while not actually closing the government or immediately requiring him to start construction. Such a move could put Republicans in a bind. While it might end the standoff over funding and allow Congress to move onto other priorities, some Republicans believe such a declaration would usurp congressional power and could lead future Democratic presidents to make similar moves to advance liberal priorities. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., a leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who speaks to Trump frequently, said that unless Republicans and Democrats strike an unlikely compromise, I fully expect him to declare a national emergency. Most conservatives want it to be the last resort he would use, Meadows said. But those same conservatives, Im sure if its deployed, would embrace him as having done all he could do to negotiate with Democrats. In a sign of growing unease, five GOP senators backed a bill from Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin to resume paychecks for some 420,000 federal employees who are now working without pay during the shutdown. Many Democrats, meanwhile, say they have little reason to give into Trumps demand for border wall funding since taking control of the House in the midterm elections. The American people gave us the majority based on our comprehensive approach to this problem and they rejected President Trumps, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. ___ Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey, Colleen Long, Alan Fram, Lolita Baldor, Darlene Superville, Zeke Miller and Laurie Kellman contributed to this report. Oshawa, Ontario was one of five North American cities hit hard by GM shutdowns announced in November. On Friday, many of the 2,600 autoworkers slated to lose their jobs gathered to protest. It was big, it was loud, it was boisterous. But it was also futile. Not because GMs senior managers are passing them over but because the long-time Canadian auto capital of Oshawa has. The iconic working class city about an hour east of Toronto has managed to reinvent itself, engineering a transformation from a city that made cars to a city that provides services notably post-secondary education and health care. Like individuals, cities sometimes have second acts. Oshawa seems to be in the middle of one. No question, GMs announcement that it will shutter its Oshawa plant hit many in Oshawa hard. But predictions that this will be the end of the blue-collar town on Lake Ontario are like rumours of Mark Twains death greatly exaggerated. The number of auto jobs that Oshawa will forfeit directly is only about one-tenth as many as it has lost in the past 30 years, with the contraction of the North American auto workforce. Oshawa has already suffered a loss of an enormous number of jobs for a city its size. But it is not just surviving, it is thriving. Unemployment rates are down. Population is up by almost 50 percent over the past 25 years. Just since 2011, the citys economy has generated a net gain of 30,000 jobs a number that equals almost 20 percent of Oshawas total population. Oshawa has been able to grow dramatically not in spite of the virtual loss of the auto industry with a constant stream of jobs to robotics and other efficiencies and the shift of jobs to lower-cost countries like Mexico and China but largely because of it. The people of the city and the region are spending their time and energy performing jobs that are more productive and lucrative. Some credit the weakening Canadian dollar, the citys location on the Great Lakes, and solid U.S. consumer demand for Oshawas economic buoyancy. But many Canadian cities are falling victim to the decline of manufacturing as a job provider, despite sharing the same undervalued currency and proximity to robust U.S. import markets. And industrial ghost towns dot the Great Lakes, despite their prime location. Many credit post-secondary education. It certainly is robust. A city that formerly housed 23,000 full-time auto jobs is now home to about that many full-time students at a community college, university campus and the two campuses of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, which in the 15 years since it opened has emphasized the citys industrial heritage, emphasizing manufacturing, technology and engineering. This growth of post-secondary education is more than matched by the surrounding Toronto region, which is home to three large universities and several colleges. Health care has been another driver of Oshawas growth, as the city is home to one of Ontarios largest community hospitals. The facility is also the base of a teaching hospital and a leading cancer center.Health care facilities in Oshawa employ about 5,000 people, or roughly twice as many as will lose their jobs at GM. But while universities, colleges, and health care facilities help a city or region to build synergies and attract talent, they are not necessarily economic life savers. Many cities and regions across North America boast excellent schools of post-secondary education, and state-of-the-art hospitals, but that has not necessarily arrested their decline. Determining what makes a city work and what doesnt is not an easy process, and it is one that is very much open to debate. But one thing is certain: A city is the sum of its people how entrepreneurial they are, how resourceful and talented, and the faith they place in education. Oshawa seems to have these characteristics, allowing it to revitalize itself. The auto industry is not completely disappearing from the city. GM, anticipating a need for considerable technological advancement as they seek to pioneer electric and self-autonomous cars, is retaining an engineering division there that will generate high-paying jobs and continue Oshawas continued growth. Instead of Canadas motor capital, it has become an opportunity capital, allowing it to leave in the dust the forecasts of its demise. North Korea is a hostile power dashing to acquire the capability to launch a devastating nuclear attack upon the U.S.. This alarming state of affairs has so far been treated with astonishing equanimity by the foreign policy establishment on the grounds that the U.S. can easily and effectively eliminate the risk of such an attack by pursuing a policy of deterrence. Susan Rice aptly summarizes this near-universal establishment consensus in a New York Times op-ed, writing that history shows that we cantolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea the same way we tolerated Soviet nuclear weapons during the Cold War. But, just as it would be a mistake to estimate the risk of killing yourself in the next round of Russian roulette by counting up the number of times that you have killed yourself in previous rounds, so too it is a mistake to estimate the risk of playing deterrence roulette with North Korea by counting up the number of U.S./Soviet nuclear exchanges during the Cold War. Combining the correct approach to estimating the risks of a deterrence failure with data on how deterrence worked during the Cold War shows instead that any U.S./North Korea deterrence relationship will be highly prone to a catastrophic failure that leads to a nuclear exchange. So, while a deterrence option that effectively eliminated the risk of a nuclear attack would be the right way to deal with the North Korean nuclear threat, that option does not exist. The options on the table are: i) eliminating that threat by means of a preventive war now against a relatively weak North Korea; or ii) imperfect deterrence that necessarily entails a substantial risk of a devastating nuclear exchange with a far more powerful North Korea in the future. In the absence of a highly improbable diplomatic breakthrough that leads to real and genuine denuclearization, preventive war now is the prudent response to the North Korean nuclear threat. How to estimate the risk of deterrence roulette The risk of a catastrophic deterrence failure that leads to a nuclear attack arises from the very logic of deterrence itself. If two hostile countries are in a deterrence relationship, then each is committed to retaliating if it believes that the other is attacking or is about to attack. While this commitment does indeed limit the possibility that one country deliberately decides to launch an unprovoked nuclear attack on the other (by the standard logic of mutually assured destruction), it simultaneously creates the possibility of nuclear war by mistake. If an event such as political/military crisis, a military misunderstanding, or an early warning system failure leads to one country mistakenly believing that it is or is about to be under attack, that country may in turn mistakenly launch what it thinks is a retaliatory strike (as the logic of deterrence demands). If the probability of nuclear war by mistake is high, then deterrence cannot eliminate the risk of a nuclear attack. How can we estimate the risk of a nuclear war by mistake? We need to base our estimate of what might happen in the future on what could have happened during the Cold War. The simple, obvious, and (as it turns out) wrong way to proceed is to then take what did happen to us during the Cold War as a good representation of what could have happened. Going down this path, we find that there were, in fact, no U.S./Soviet nuclear wars (we tolerated Soviet nuclear weapons during the Cold War). We then infer that the risk of a deterrence failure is low and so happily conclude that, as Scott Sagan put it in Foreign Affairs, the same approach that prevented nuclear catastrophe during the Cold War can deter Pyongyang. The flaw in this line of reasoning is thinking that what did happen to us captures the true range of possible outcomes. When we look back to what happened to us during the Cold War, the only things that could have happened to us are things that are consistent with us ending up where we are now (even though we could have ended up in a very different situation). It follows that our particular path through history may provide a very biased view of what could have happened in general (in statistics this phenomenon is referred to as observer selection bias). Consequently, what did happen to us may prove to be a very poor guide to what might happen in the future. To make this pointless abstract, suppose that you have played some large number of rounds of Russian roulette with a gun that has an unknown chance of killing you in each round. Based upon your history, you wish to estimate the risk of playing one more round. If you approach this problem the way the foreign policy establishment approaches North Korea, you will: i) count up the number of times that you have killed yourself in previous rounds; ii) find that you did not kill yourself even once; and iii) happily conclude that Russian roulette is perfectly safe. But that would be wrong. Since you are alive to do the counting, it must be the case that your path through previous rounds is consistent with your being alive now. The only path that meets this requirement is one in which you did not kill yourself. Therefore, it is an inherent feature of your current situation that you did not kill yourself in the past. So, looking back from your current situation, you will necessarily find that you did not kill yourselfno matter how high the risk of killing yourself is in a given round. Since you observe the same history of non-death for any true probability of killing yourself, the fact that you are alive now tells you absolutely nothing about the risk of playing another round. So, if estimating the risk of a catastrophic deterrence failure is like estimating the risk of death in a game of Russian roulette, then estimating the risk of a deterrence failure by counting up the number of U.S./Soviet nuclear exchanges is the wrong approach to take. Is it? An Office of Technology Assessment report on the consequences of a U.S./Soviet nuclear war found that a full U.S./Soviet nuclear exchange would have destroyed every major city in the U.S., killed in excess of 100 million people, and completely demolished the economy. So, if such an exchange had occurred, many of the people now involved in the what to do about North Korea debate would be dead (or would never have existed), the U.S. would not exist in its present form, and, whatever people in this alternative post-apocalyptic U.S. of 2019 were worried about, it would not be just how effectively can the U.S. deter North Korea?. In short, there is no path from 1960 to anything close to our present situation that includes even a single U.S./Soviet nuclear exchange. Consequently, starting from our present situation, there areby definitionno U.S./Soviet nuclear exchanges in our history. It is, therefore, no surprise that we dont find one when we look. It follows that the lack of U.S./Soviet nuclear exchanges during the Cold War tells us nothing at all about the risk of catastrophic deterrence failure. We cannot tell (from that information) if we made it through the Cold War because the risk of a deterrence failure was low or if we made it through because the risk was high and we were lucky. To figure out how to correctly estimate the risk of a deterrence failure, we need to find some way of dealing with observer selection bias. To do so, we can think of the Cold War as consisting of a series of tranquil rounds and crisis rounds. A tranquil round is one with no risk of a nuclear war; a crisis round consists of an event that could lead to a nuclear war and ends in either a nuclear war near miss or a nuclear war full stop. So, the risk of a nuclear war by mistake increases as the probability of a crisis increases. Our Cold War experience consists of a specific path through history consisting of tranquil rounds and crisis rounds. The set of all possible paths through the Cold War include those with a crisis that ends in nuclear war. Of course, given that we are in our present situation, we know that we did not take such a path. Butcruciallyour path could include nuclear war near misses because a near miss would not have destroyed the U.S. as we know it today. Since a nuclear war near miss indicates a crisis that could have led to nuclear war if circumstances had been ever so slightly different, we can estimate the probability of crisis by counting up (and analyzing) these near-miss events. So, we can correctly gauge the risk of a nuclear war by mistake by examining our experience with deterrence during the Cold War. We have to look for the right things. And the right things to look for are nuclear war near misses rather than nuclear exchanges. The risks of deterrence roulette with North Korea There were a terrifyingly high number of nuclear war near misses during the Cold War. It follows that deterrence roulette is extremely risky and that (as uncomfortable as this is to hear) good luck played a crucial role in getting us through the Cold War without a nuclear exchange. Near misses arose from political/military crises such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, military misunderstandings such as the Able Archer exercise of 1983, and early warning system failures. Examining nuclear war near miss events suggests that a U.S./North Korean deterrence relationship will be far more prone to catastrophic failure than was the U.S./Soviet deterrence relationship. Two episodes, in particular, illustrate just how fragile any U.S./North Korean deterrence relationship will be. On 9 November 1979, a software simulation of a full Soviet nuclear attack was somehow (it is still not clear how) transferred onto the operational warning system displays at NORAD, SAC, and the National Military Command Center. All three commands reacted as if the Soviets had genuinely launched an attack. National Security Advisor Brzezinski wasliterallya minute away from waking President Carter to determine the U.S. response when he was informed that it was a false alarm. The military was able to determine that this alarm was false because they had (barely) enough time to check the raw satellite data to see if it was consistent with the attack reports on their displays. They had this time because Soviet launch sites are a long way from the U.S.. North Korea is a small country bordered by a U.S. ally on one side and oceans open to the U.S. Navy on two others. Any U.S. attack will begin with submarine-launched missiles and strikes by stealth aircraft, and North Korean command and control systems will surely be among the first targets. Consequently, staff operating the North Korean early warning system will have very little time indeed to sort out true alarms from false alarms before having to decide what to do. Systematically analyzing the publicly available data on early warning system performance and false attack alarm rates, Barrett, Baum, and Hostetler put the probability of a U.S./Soviet nuclear war by mistake during the Cold War at about 2% per year (mean estimate)or a 40% chance over 25 years. Given that North Korean early warning system staff will be operating under far greater time pressure than the already extreme time pressure faced by U.S. and Soviet staffs, it would be rash to assume that the chance of a U.S./North Korea nuclear war by mistake is lower than the chance of a U.S./Soviet nuclear exchange during the Cold War. In addition to time, accurately vetting attack alarms requires that early warning system officers exercise (in the words of a recent Chatham House report) independent and prudent judgment, which might involve disobeying previous orders. The Stanislav Petrov incident illustrates just how important judgment can be. On 26 September 1983, Stanislav Petrov was the duty officer at the Soviet early warning system command. Soviet satellites detected the launch of a U.S. first strike, and the reliability of the report was rated as Highest. In this situation, Petrovs standing orders required him to report the alert up the chain of command. In 1983, the Soviet leadership was extremely worried about the possibility of a U.S. first strike. It is therefore likely that, if Petrov had reported the alarm (of the highest reliability) to his superiors, the Soviets would have followed their doctrine and retaliated. Petrovs gut instinct was telling him that the alarm was false. Fortunately for the world, Petrov ignored his orders and went with his gut instinct. To the best of my knowledge, there is no publicly available study on how early warning system officers deal with the uncertain, complex, and stressful situation of a nuclear attack alarm. However, studies of human error in airplane crashes (also uncertain, complex, and stressful events) show that people from uncertainty-averse cultures tend to deal with complex and stressful situations by following rules and avoiding independent judgments. Consequently, pilots from such cultures are more likely to crash planes. South Korean culture is among the most uncertainty-averse in the world. Unsurprisingly, the South Korean airline KAL had a disastrous safety record until the airline explicitly set out to transform its operating culture. It is safe to assume that North Korean military culture will be even more uncertainty-averse than South Korean culture, and it seems unlikely that Kim Jong-Un will actively seek to instill an ethos of independent judgment and initiative in the North Korean officer corps. Consequently, the North Korean officer corps will be spectacularly ill-suited to exercise the prudent judgment that avoiding a nuclear war by mistake requires. To recap: any U.S./North Korea deterrence relationship will inevitably be subject to political/military crises and early warning system failures that create the risk of a nuclear war by mistake. Plausible estimates put the risk of a U.S./Soviet nuclear war arising from an early warning system failure at 2% per year and examining the factors that drive this risk to suggest that the risk of accidental nuclear war with North Korea could be higher still. So, deterrence will work against North Korea. It just wont work very well. Starting From Here Kim Jong-Un vowed in his 2018 New Years address to mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles, and this is one vow that he is keeping. If North Korea continues along its present path, it will ultimately be in a position to launch a nuclear strike that will kill tens of millions of people in the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. We are therefore starting from a poor position. Our goal has to be to find a way of dealing with the North Korean nuclear threat that minimizes the expected number of civilian deaths in the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. The U.S. has three options: i) convincing North Korea to denuclearize via diplomacy; ii) limiting the probability of an attack with deterrence; and iii) eliminating the risk of an attack (and the North Korean regime) by means of preventive war. Diplomacy is, of course, the ideal solution as it solves the problem in a way that does not involve any civilian deaths (and substantially advances North Korean economic development to boot). However, it is apparent that North Korean participation in the diplomatic process kicked-off by the Singapore Summit is just a charade to reduce the chance of a war (which was a definite possibility pre-Singapore) while North Korea strengthens its nuclear arsenal. The real options on the table are imperfect deterrence and preventive war. The U.S. could accept North Korea as a nuclear state and limit the risk of a nuclear war with deterrence. The deterrence option, therefore, enables the U.S. to avoid a preventive war now with a relatively weak North Korea, but only at the cost of a substantial risk of a nuclear war by mistake with a far more powerful North Korea in the future. The only way that the U.S. can eliminate this risk of a nuclear war with a vastly more powerful North Korea in the future is to eliminate that threat now. Since eliminating North Koreas nuclear threat will require eradicating the North Korean regime and destroying the North Koran military, this war could lead to hundreds of thousands of American, South Korean, and Japanese civilian casualties. So, deterrence roulette or preventive war? A nuclear war with North Korea in the future (if it happens) will kill a far, far greater number of American, South Korean, and Japanese civilians than would a preventive war now. So, to conclude that deterrence with a risk of war later is preferable to a preventive war now, one would have to be very certain that the probability of a nuclear war by mistake in the future is very low. It is, of course, easy to reach this conclusion if one estimates the risk of a catastrophic deterrence failure the wrong way. However, if one estimates this risk correctly by examining the evidence on nuclear war near misses, I at least do not see how it is possible to be very certain that the probability of a nuclear war by mistake is very low. North Korea is commonly referred to as the land of no good options. This expression does not mean that there are no good options. After all, an option is neither good nor bad in any absolute sense, but only relative to other options. And, logically, it is impossible for every option to be worse than every other option. Instead, this expression is best understood as a lament that we are starting from here with the options we have rather than starting from somewhere else with an entirely different set of options. I wish that we were starting from somewhere else too. But, due to the utter fecklessness of the Obama administration, we are where we are. And starting from here, a preventive war now is a far better option than recklessly betting the lives of millions of Americans, South Koreans, and Japanese on deterrence roulette. Kevin R. James is an economist in the Systemic Risk Centre at the London School of Economics (@kevinrogerjames). Perhaps also influenced by a pervading persistence of Powell Doctrine adherents within the U.S. military establishment, the Obama administration failed to capitalize upon the lessons learned from prior limited air-centric interventions and preserve U.S. credibility on the global stage. The Powell Doctrine asserts that should the military instrument be called upon to achieve political ends, it should be unleashed with overwhelming and destructive force. This concept influences coercive airpower theory, particularly within the foundational work of Robert Pape. Papes Bombing to Win moved coercive airpower theory from the nuclear to the conventional by examining large-scale use of airpower driven by primary national security objectives.[8] However, Pape did not examine more limited engagements in pursuit of more limited aims, something airpower is uniquely suited to provide, particularly in the realm of no-fly zones. Papes lexicon has come to permeate military strategy, with his strategies of denial, punishment, decapitation, and risk now well-known among warfighting professionals. Of Papes airpower strategies, only the risk strategy falls short of full-scale military engagement that the Powell Doctrine would advise. Denial seeks to deny the adversarys military strategy, punishment to chastise its civilian population or governing regime, and decapitation to pursue both objectives simultaneously to inspire regime overthrow. Risk strategies differ only in level of effort and scale. They inhabit a smaller, more focused segment along the continuum of violence, residing at the boundary of mere threats and force itself. Pape disparages risk strategies, calling them not-credible and claiming they are rarely used except when coercers are subject to political constraints that prevent them from waging full-blowncampaigns.[9] However, the global geopolitical environment only grows more politically constrained over time, elevating Papes theoretical risk strategy to more relevance. The politically successful no-fly zones over Iraq from 1991-2003, Bosnia from 1993-1995, and Libya in 2011 illustrate not only the utility of employing limited airpower for limited-yet-strategic political effect, but also the need to evolve coercive airpower theory to embrace risk strategies as viable and effective. Although the Western airpower adventure over Iraq resulted in a failure of coercive diplomacy and subsequent ground force invasion, the two no-fly zones over the rogue state succeeded in adapting to multiple and shifting political objectives across multiple U.S. presidential administrations. Better described as air exclusion zones, Operations Northern and Southern Watch were created initially to protect Iraqi civilians in the north and to contain the Hussein regime in the south.[10] Over time, each successfully shifted their emphasis to regime punishment as an element of coercive diplomacy, to counter-weapons of mass destruction and inspection enforcement, and ultimately to sovereignty erosion and overt regime change. The Western coalition accomplished these objectives across a 12-year span, using extensive force structure, but well below overwhelming levels of force. The Wests military strategy mirrored its shifting political guidance, featuring first an initial denial strategy emphasizing integrated air defense system and command and control targets both for political expediency and force protection, expanding later to incorporate denial targets such as counter-force ground elements, counter-weapons of mass destruction, and ultimately regime punishment, dual-use targets. Levels of force applied approached meaningful levels only during Desert Fox in December 1998, and as a prelude to invasion in late 2002. Despite costs of upwards of $1 billion per year to the U.S. government, the loss of some post-Desert Storm credibility due to limited expressions of force, and the time necessary to capture actionable lessons learned for the next Western air-centric interventions, the first no-fly zone attempts to employ limited airpower assets to achieve limited strategic objectives were successful. The air exclusion zone over Bosnia began as those over Iraq were still in full-force, again instituted for primarily humanitarian concerns, but Western interventionists and NATO had learned from the Iraqi experience. Once the UN and NATO committed to intervention in the form of Operation Deny Flight on April 12, 1993, the no-fly zone quickly acquired the necessary political authorizations via multiple UN Security Council resolutions to become a full-fledged air exclusion zone in less than two months. By comparison, similar authorities in Iraq took over three years to develop, and then only the southern air exclusion zone benefited. However, UN desire to remain impartial during the Bosnian intervention restricted the application of allied airpower to levels far below credible. Airstrikes conducted during Deny Flight were within the denial category, but they were executed in a reactionary rather than proactive manner. Despite adequate political authorizations for a more aggressive and forceful application of airpower, the coalition remained reluctant to leverage them until the atrocities of Srebrenica in 1995. Only after repeated failures of NATO airpower to protect UN peacekeepers and Bosnian civilians did the Western nations employ levels of coercive force already authorized by existing political guidance. This elevated expression of force took the form of Operation Deliberate Force, a 22-day airpower surge beginning on August 30, 1995. Militarily, Operation Deliberate Force achieved its objectives in just three weeks (i.e., the cessation of Bosnian Serb hostilities against safe areas, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from around Sarajevo, and the restoration of the flow of humanitarian aid). The persistent and credible application of airpower executed via an incremental risk strategy during diplomatic efforts represented a stark departure from the previous 28 months of Operation Deny Flights reactionary denial strategy, and the air exclusion zone also compelled the combatants to pursue a longer-lasting peace. The entirety of Operation Deliberate Force represented a busy, single day in Operation Desert Storm, and the just over 1,000 weapons delivered in Deliberate Force represented a tiny fraction of the 227,340 weapons expended against the Iraqis in the 43 days of Desert Storm.[11] Again, an extremely limited air-centric force had achieved significant strategic and life-saving effect via an eventually effective risk strategy. A U.S. Air Force F-16 prepares for take-off from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, March 19, 2011, in support of Odyssey Dawn. (USAF Photo/Wikimedia) Screen Australia has announced AUD7.5 million in production funding for a raft of projects including four television series and a web series. The slate includes a crime drama series for free-to-air broadcaster Network 10 adapted from Michael Robothams novel The Secrets She Keeps. The six part noir series by Lingo Pictures is written by Sarah Walker (All Saints, Bad Mothers, The Wrong Girl) and Jonathan Gavin (Offspring, Puberty Blues, Rush). It follows two women from vastly different walks of life with one thing in common explosive secrets that could destroy everything they hold dear.Also set for funding is Itch, a 10 part childrens live action adventure series from Komixx; and four part drama Hungry Ghosts from Matchbox Pictures for SBS. The latter explores the lives of three generations of Vietnamese Australian families dealing with the aftermath of war.Meanwile, Halifax Retribution sees Rebecca Gibney return as the forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax. Made by Beyond Lonehand for the Nine Network, the eight part series is once again written by Roger Simpson (Brothers in Arms), Jan Sardi (Shine) and Mac Gudgeon (The Secret River).2018 was a remarkable year for Australian television with series including Mystery Road and Mr Inbetween providing popular with audiences here and overseas, said Sally Caplan, head of content, Screen Australia In an increasingly busy marketplace its great to see that three of the four funded television projects area new concepts, and the majority of them have female central characters.An online series from comedy group Aunty Donna (pictured) based on their award-winning live show Glennridge Secondary College also joins the new content slate.Were delighted to be supporting a new web series from comedy group Aunty Donna whose absurdist sketch videos first captured our attention through the ABC Fresh Blood and Google Skip Ahead initiatives. Aunty Donnas commitment to developing their own audience and making their own success is impressive and I look forward to seeing this team take their unique brand of comedy to new heights, added Caplan.Two feature films have also been awarded funding a comedy starring Jacki Weaver and Jack Thompson called The Chain Breakers and The Lone Wolf, a contemporary political thriller based on Joseph Conrads novel The Secret Agent. ITALY: Ferrovie Appulo Lucane has awarded Stadler a 228m contract to supply four three-car 950 mm gauge diesel multiple-units for its network around Bari, with an option for a further four. POLAND: Infrastructure manager PKP PLK signed a 180m zoty contract at Podeze station on January 7 for design work for a new route linking Podeze with Tymbark and Mszana Dolna, as well as modernisation of the Chabowka Nowy Sacz route. Italian infrastructure manager RFI has completed a 21m remodelling of Monfalcone station on the Trieste Venezia route to accommodate 750 m long freight trains as part of the Modulo 750 programme. Similar work was previously undertaken at Tarvisio, Carnia and Tarcento, and Gorizia station is to follow this year. Believe it or not, Led Zeppelins debut album came out 50 years ago... yes really, January 1969... 50 years ago!!! Led Zeppelin was released on 12 January, 1969 in the United States under Atlantic Records. The album itself was recorded at Londons Olympic Studios in October on 1968. It took a total of 36 hours and less than 2,000 to complete. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit The 150-year celebration kicks off 2019 on campus with the author who inspired the The Butler WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Best-selling author, award-winning journalist and cultural historian Wil Haygood will deliver the keynote address for Purdue Universitys celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the first Giant Leaps Series event in 2019. The event, The Enduring Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22 in Stewart Centers Loeb Playhouse. Haygoods presentation is one of many events celebrating Purdues Sesquicentennial, 150 Years of Giant Leaps. Haygood, who has family roots in the civil rights hotbed of Selma, Alabama, is a Pulitzer Prize nominee, Guggenheim fellow and National Endowment for the Humanities fellow. His lifelong curiosity about the civil rights era has led him to write about many people who lived and worked in Kings orbit and about the American South. He will discuss why Kings quest for social justice still endures, examining issues such as economic equality, voting rights, the criminal justice system and gender rights. Haygoods books have spanned from race politics in sports, to experiences of segregation within the U.S. public education system, to the enduring legacy of Thurgood Marshall. The author of eight books, Haygoods works help people better understand the civil rights movement and the many people and events that shaped the national identity, common values and rich history of all Americans today. Haygoods talent for seeking out good stories comes from his background as a journalist for The Washington Post and Boston Globe, where we worked for 30 years as a national and foreign correspondent. He has covered iconic events such as Nelson Mandelas release from prison after 27 years, the ascent of President Barack Obama and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The 2019 Dreamer Award will be presented prior to Haygoods keynote address. This award recognizes an individual or organization within Purdue whose contributions embody Kings vision of service to others and furthers the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Purdue will host several other events as part of the celebration honoring the contributions and legacy of King. A partial listing of activities is below: * Jan. 14. Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Pfendler Hall of Agriculture, Room 241. Incognito, a one-person play presented by Michael Fosberg, author and activist. * Jan 15. 8:30 and 10 a.m. in Stewart Center 320; 1 and 2:30 p.m. at the Black Cultural Center. American Culture, Corporate Culture, Ethnic Culture workshops with Michael Fosberg, author and activist. For more information and to RSVP, visit purdue.ag/mlkworkshop2019. * Jan. 16. 7 p.m. in Stewart Centers Fowler Hall. Film screening of The Butler inspired by Haygoods Washington Post article, A Butler Well Served by This Election. The movie stars Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and John Cusack. History professor Cornelius Bynum will lead a facilitated discussion following the screening. Admission is free. * Jan. 16. Noon at Pfendler Hall of Agriculture, Room 241. Burmese Integration into America: A Panel Discussion moderated by Amanda J. Dickson of International Programs in Agriculture. * Jan. 17. Noon at Pfendler Hall of Agriculture, Room 241. Presentation of the film Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Historical Perspective. Open post-event discussion following the screening of the film. * January through February. Knoy Hall of Technology lobby. The Minority Technology Association will invite individuals to share their dreams and reflections of Kings I Have a Dream message on Purdue Polytechnics dream wall. * Jan. 18. Noon at Pfendler Hall of Agriculture, Room 241. $100,000 Pyramid Purdue-style featuring a live game show about King and the civil rights movement for faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students and alumni of the College of Agriculture vs. the College of Health and Human Sciences. * Jan. 18. 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 620 Cumberland Ave., West Lafayette. MLK Sabbath: A multi-faith service honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Rodney Lynch of the Baptist Student Foundation at Purdue. * Jan. 18. University Residences dining courts and Purdue Memorial Union will serve free birthday cake during lunch on Jan. 18. * Jan. 20. 4 p.m. at Greater Macedonia Church, 100 S. Murphy St., Lafayette. Ecumenical service, sponsored by the Pastors Alliance of Lafayette. * Jan. 21. MLK Jr. Day of Service, coordinated by Vanessa Pacheco, Purdue's coordinator for civic engagement. Day of Service activities are open to Purdue students, faculty, staff members and retirees. Volunteers will celebrate the legacy of King by serving local community service agencies in Tippecanoe County. Registration and more information is available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service-2019-tickets-52551650401. * Jan. 21. 11 a.m. at the Tippecanoe Public Library, 627 South St., Lafayette. Tribute to King. * Jan. 22, noon at Wilmeth Active Learning Center. MLK, Jr. & You an interactive workshop for change. * Jan. 21. 1 p.m. at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St., Lafayette. Sandra Bridges Southern Roots exhibition and poetry by BCC Haraka Writers. * Jan. 22. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Purdue Polytechnic Institute/Knoy Hall of Technology lobby. Techie Tuesday free doughnuts and hot chocolate when you share your dream. *Jan. 22. 6 p.m. starting at the Black Cultural Center. A candlelight vigil and march to Loeb Playhouse, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. * Jan. 23. 5 p.m. at the Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third St., West Lafayette. Kinfolk Dinner: A Reflection on Servant Leadership. RSVP at tinyurl.com/kinfolk2019. Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-496-2571, oatesw@purdue.edu Renee Thomas, 765-494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Registration is open for Purdue Extensions 2019 Indiana Organic Grain Farmer Meeting. This years event has expanded from its annual meeting to a two-day conference and is Indianas only conference on organic grain farming. The conference will be held March 6-7 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 U.S. 52 W., West Lafayette. Purdue Extension is hosting the event in conjunction with Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District and IDEA Farm Network. We dont have opportunities like this in Indiana, said Michael ODonnell, event organizer. The meeting emphasizes farmer-to-farmer learning, providing a platform for farmers to share their experiences in presentations and panel discussion. Representatives from industry will attend, and there will be plenty of opportunities for networking. The conference will be a full-day workshop with a focus on how farmers can transition into organic grain production. Presentations and farmer panels will cover organic certification, the National Organic Program, fundamentals of organic grain production, strategies for transitioning, and organic grain budgets and markets. The second day offers a more advanced look at organic grain farming practices. Topics include weed management, fertility management, livestock integration, soil health and food-grade grain production, handling, and storage techniques. Registration for the event is open. The cost of the conference is $80 to attend both days, $40 to attend the session on March 6 and $50 to attend the session on March 7. The second day of the conference also offers opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/AMpCXw. Writer: Emma Ea Ambrose, 765-494-2406, eeambros@purdue.edu Source: Michael ODonnell, 765-284-8414, modonnel@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415; Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page Criminal Background Records Any time there is a change or a proposed change in law employers should take note. Not all ban-the-box laws are the same and failure to comply could be a costly mistake. With the New Year laws governing pre-employment background screening will change and 2019 will prove no different than any other year insomuch new ban-the-box laws will be fully enacted or recently announced. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com states: New ban-the-box laws are in play across the country, some new, some changed, but the point is hiring managers should immediately be alerted to work with a third-party pre-employment background screening company in order to stay fully compliant with new, altered, and existing laws governing background screening and, specifically, the use of criminal background records. Elections in 2018 changed Colorados state government and have created an opportunity to revive Ban-the-Box legislation efforts that had previously failed to gain traction. In January political control changed. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com states: Many governmental sectors have Ban-the-Box laws, but Colorado is seeking to join a growing number of states that regulate the public sector with ban-the-box laws. Ban-the-box legislation mandates the removal of any question of criminal history from the initial employment application. While there are certain employment roles that would still demand such a question, a majority will not. Almeida states: Any time there is a change or a proposed change in law employers should take note. Not all ban-the-box laws are the same and failure to comply could be a costly mistake. From theJournal.com (Jan. 08, 19): These rules are already in place for government employers in Colorado and 32 other states. But as of 2016, there were about 1.8 million Coloradans with criminal records, according to a Department of Justice Survey, and having to check that little box on job applications can often effectively disqualify them for contention. (1) Massachusetts, one of the earliest implementers of Ban-the-Box legislation, has recently tightened the Ban-the-Box law. Almeida states: Massachusetts reformed its Ban-the-Box law by changing how misdemeanors are reported, eliminating reportage of any sealed or expunged criminal records, and creating very specific language when asking about criminal history; highlighting yet another example as to why employers should review hiring policies. A recent article posted to JDSupras website surmises the changing and evolving legal landscape in background screening. From JDSupra.com (Jan. 03, 19): And, even for those employers without Massachusetts interests, this is a good time to review employment application documents and procedures to ensure compliance with the countrys patchwork of Ban the Box laws. (2) Almeida concludes: With the onset of a new year political changes take effect and laws governing background screening could change and all employers should ensure their hiring policies remain fully compliant and a best practice to achieve this is to work with a well-qualified third-party employment screening agency. CriminalBackgroundRecords.com is a third-party employment screening company with highly trained operators well versed in the needs and requirements of companies and organizations large and small utilizing public records, such as criminal records, as part of a hiring process. Notes: (1) the-journal.com/articles/123139-ban-the-box-bill-targets-discrimination-against-people-with-criminal-records (2) jdsupra.com/legalnews/strict-updates-to-massachusetts-ban-the-14908/ Tiffs Treats, the original warm cookie delivery company, is excited to celebrate the opening of their new Houston store with a charitable kickoff event. Located at 1051 Heights Boulevard, the store will service the Heights neighborhood with Tiffs Treats fresh, warm cookies. The celebration will take place on Saturday, January 19th, 2019 from 9am to 1pm and will benefit The Connor Man Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and research funds for the deadliest form of pediatric brain cancer, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). To celebrate opening day, the first 40 people in line at 9am will be given a $100 Tiffs Treats gift card. All others in line at 9am will get a $10 gift card (must be 18 or older). As an opening day perk, customers will be able to purchase a dozen cookies for only $5, filled with one of Tiffs Treats most irresistible flavors: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle or oatmeal raisin. No call ahead orders will be taken and customers are limited to 6 boxes per person. Everyone who attends the opening day celebration will also have a chance to win free cookies for a year! Customers are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated to kids at MD Anderson. Everyone that contributes will get a $5 Tiff's Treats Gift Card. We are so excited to be opening a new store in Houstons Heights neighborhood to service more Houstonians with warm, fresh baked cookies, said Tiffany Chen, co-founder of Tiffs Treats. The Heights store is our ninth Houston area location and we will be opening number ten in Kingwood in February. Tiffs Treats will also be giving away prizes at the grand opening including gift cards donated from local area restaurants and shops, randomly inserted into boxes of cookies. More About Tiffs Treats Tiffs Treats created the warm cookie delivery concept. Tiffs Treats makes and delivers classic, baked-to-order cookies and brownies straight from the oven to the home or office, WARM, in about an hour. Founded in 1999, what started as two friends baking cookies at University of Texas at Austin to help fellow students get through exams has now grown to 47 stores in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee, with more than 900 employees, baking more than 100 million cookies since its inception. And the company is consistently focused on giving back: with grand opening fundraisers that fill needs for charities (and hungry bellies for Tiff's Treats fans!), Tiffs Treats has donated $150,000 to worthy causes. For more information, please visit http://www.cookiedelivery.com. Love is sweet at Tiffs Treats. January marks the 20th anniversary year of business for Tiffs Treats, the original warm cookie delivery company that started in a college apartment at the University of Texas in 1999. After college sophomore Tiffany Taylor baked and delivered warm cookies as an apology to Leon Chen for standing him up on a date, the idea for warm cookie delivery was born! To honor this milestone year and the companys sweet success, Tiffs Treats is doing something that has been inherent in the companys brand philosophy from its earliest inception; giving back. As a company that has always been very community centered and philanthropically driven, they will team up with participating non-profit organizations within the communities in which their 46 stores are located, to share 10% of the sales from every box of cookies sold throughout January. Participating charities were selected from a submission process in December 2018 which commanded a fantastic response. Just a few of the many organizations include: The Andy Roddick Foundation, Girl Start, Patriot Paws, local chapters of Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish and Big Brothers Big Sisters, to name a few. In addition to donating a portion of sales to these organizations, Tiffs Treats will also be rewarding the one organization with the highest sales in January with a $20,000 grand prize cash donation. Giving back to charity has been an important part of our companys DNA from early on, shares founder Tiffany Chen. Every single store grand opening event over the past 20 years has benefited a local charity important to each community. In 2018 alone, Tiffs Treats has donated nearly $300,000 in cash, gift cards, and cookies to charitable causes that they feel a connection to. To honor our 20th year in business, we couldnt think of a more meaningful way to acknowledge our love and gratitude than by giving back to the people and communities which have cheered us on, supported us and have been loyal cookie lovers shares co-founded Leon Chen. Things have certainly changed a lot since Tiffany and Leons early start up days of baking and personally delivering warm cookies to college students at the University to Texas. However their recipe for success and the companys commitment and integrity to delivering delicious, warm, freshly baked cookies has never waivered. Tiffany and Leon Chen who started the business as college sweethearts are now married with two children and run the operation out of their 12,000 square foot corporate headquarters in Austin, TX. The company now has 46 locations throughout Texas, Tennessee and Georgia with 13 more stores on the way in 2019 in existing markets plus one brand new market that will be announced shortly. Tiffs Treats now employs 900 people, with some of top management from the original start up days. Technology has played a major role in the companys ability to flawlessly service thousands of orders placed each day from each of their retail operations. And while Tiffs Treats has embraced an almost cult-like following for their warm cookies that are delivered on demand to your doorstep, there are major plans for expansion as they embark on this exciting next chapter. We are very excited to continue to expand our presence in current markets as well as grow the brand nationally shares Leon Chen. More About Tiffs Treats Tiffs Treats created the warm cookie delivery concept. Tiffs Treats makes and delivers classic, baked-to-order cookies and brownies straight from the oven to the home or office, WARM, in about an hour. Founded in 1999, what started as two friends baking cookies at University of Texas at Austin to help fellow students get through exams has now grown to 46 stores in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee, with more than 900 employees, baking more than 100 million cookies since its inception. And the company is consistently focused on giving back: with grand opening fundraisers that fill needs for charities (and hungry bellies for Tiff's Treats fans!), Tiffs Treats has donated $150,000 to worthy causes. For more information, please visit http://www.cookiedelivery.com. But don't worry, arachnologists have come out their poorly lit corners to reassure us that there's no such things as spider clouds that rain down on us as some sort of biblical punishment. No no no, these spiders aren't falling. They're resting on giant invisible webs, waiting to ensnare their prey. Continue Reading Below Advertisement The critter in question, parawixia bistriata, is one of the rare breeds of social spiders, which have learned to work together to hunt in horrific hordes. During the day, they cuddle in mass clusters right beneath our feet, and during dusk, the colony comes to blanket the sky with webs up to 13 feet wide and 10 feet thick to feast on whatever lands in their kill zone, be it flies, mosquitoes, or even birds. Cecilia Juninho Fonseca/Facebook There, feel better now? Continue Reading Below Advertisement While residents of Minas Gerais are still creeped out by the spider walls, they know to expect their itsy-bitsy sky blankets during summers that are excessively hot and humid -- something that's happening more and more for some reason. But Brazilians should be grateful for their appearance, says spider professor Adalberto dos Santos (that is, a professor of spiders, not a spider who is a professor), who told The Guardian that the spider walls are an excellent counter to also-terrifying mosquito swarms that buzz around during the swampy summer days. "They benefit us far more than they harm us," he adds. Sure, try telling that to whatever drunkard stumbles into their webs and gets insta-mummified. Our deep collaboration in the federal government research space has been crucial to our success as an organization, said Greg Harmeyer, TiER1 CEO and co-founder. It's a unique equation for success as it allows us to build innovations that also benefit our commercial clients. TiER1 Performance Solutions, an employee-owned consulting firm and Certified B Corporation that activates strategies through people, has been selected for participation in the U.S. Navys SeaPort Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) multiple-award contract vehicle, which is estimated to annually award approximately $5 billion over the next 10 years. TiER1 is one of 1,870 companies that were awarded 10-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contracts (MACs) for future competition in SeaPort-NxG. Under this contract, TiER1 will help the Navy activate their strategies through their people in systems and process engineering, test and evaluation, research and development, modeling, simulation, prototyping and analysis, system design documentation, analytical and organizational assessment and logistics, computer and information security, and systems analysis and management. We look forward to continuing to support the Navy over the coming years as they seek innovative solutions to human performance and learning challenges, said Greg Harmeyer, TiER1 co-founder and CEO. Our team of skilled consultants already brings a wealth of expertise in research and development to activate the Navy's strategies through people. In 2018, TiER1 was awarded $3 million to research and develop new training innovations for the Navy. Current research and development work includes: ATTICUS (Attentional Trainer to Improve Control of Unmanned Systems), a gamified adaptive training system for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operators to maintain attention and awareness during long shifts associated with extended UAS missions. MedPM (Medical Performance Model), a modeling and analysis tool for identifying effective training methods and tools for combat medic procedures. TARGET (Transformation Accelerated through Redesign, Guidance, and Enhanced Training), a performance support tool to facilitate the design of task-centered learning experiences based on innovative instructional approaches. AWARE (Anti-air Warfare Awareness and Readiness Environment), a mobile, gamified learning simulation designed to create an integrated Naval battle force through a data-driven, competency-centric learning lifecycle. Overall, TiER1 was awarded $5.8 million in 2018 and $1.5 million to date in 2019 for learning development, research, and performance consulting for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Defense Health Agency, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Missile Defense Agency, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health. Our deep collaboration in the federal government research space has been crucial to our success as an organization, Harmeyer said. It's a unique equation for success as it allows us to build innovations that also benefit our commercial clients. Learn more about SeaPort-NxG: https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/1537907/seaport-next-generation-now-accepting-vendor-proposals/ View the full list of awardees: https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/Small_Business_Forum/SeaPort%20NxG%20Awardees%20List.pdf?ver=2018-11-28-123322-177/ About TiER1 Performance Solutions Founded in 2002, TiER1 Performance Solutions is an employee-owned consulting firm that activates strategies through people. As a Certified B Corporation, we are passionate about consulting, designing, and building people-centered business solutions that deliver meaningful, long-term success. We believe that the potential for any organization lies within its people. By unleashing the best of both, we will change the world. TiER1 is a nationally recognized company that has helped over 300 of the worlds most successful corporate and governmental organizations. We are honored to have received a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Award, a PMI Small Business Award of Excellence, 21 Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, and 11 Best Places to Work awards (including twice on Inc.s Best Workplaces list). Were also a 12-time member of the Inc. 5000 (2007-2018). Visit us at https://tier1performance.com/ Author Christopher H. Connor has recently released his new historical fiction, entitled Dalriada The Dawn of a King: A Novel of Love, Honor, and Fury, a poignant historical fiction of love, honor and courage about a close-knit family who band together to save their people from the barrage of adversaries seeking to destroy their kingdom and way of life. As Scotland struggles to emerge in 824 A.D., the people of Dalriada are fighting to endure within a dangerous land where only the most courageous deeds assure survival. While Dalriadans battle for freedom, adversaries advance on every side. Lands to the south and east bring both Briton and Pict while the seas to the north bring the villainous Vikings. The call to the Dalriadans is cleareither fight or die. Alpin and his sons, Coric and Kenneth, are champions of this calling. But these clansmen need more than swords to save their people. They need the heart of a king. As the men struggle to survive the cunning Picts and savage Vikings, treachery imperils the land and prompts Kenneth to set out on a quest to unite his people. But can he carry out his task without forsaking his betrothed, Arabella? Now as the future hangs in the balance, Kenneth and the others must rise up to secure their precious freedom before their savage enemies rob them of life, love, and their destiny. One Amazon reviewer writes about Dalriada: The way faith, and history were weaved together through this fictional account was very enjoyableUnable to put down. In this rousing historical tale, a Dalriadan clansman and his sons answer a calling that asks them to sacrifice everything in order to ensure the future of their beloved land and family. Dalriada: The Dawn of a King: A Novel of Love, Honor and Fury By Christopher H. Connor ISBN: 9781480858077 (softcover); 9781480858084 (electronic) Available at the Archway Publishing Online Bookstore and Amazon About the author Christopher H. Connor lives in Tullahoma, Tennessee, with his wife, Gina, and their four children, Colton, Casen, Cassidy and Caryss. Dalriada: The Dawn of a King is his debut novel and the first book in a trilogy. To learn more about Connor and the Dalriada trilogy, please visit http://www.dalriadatrilogy.com. Contact: LAVIDGE Phoenix Kalin Thomas 480-648-7540 kthomas(at)lavidge(dot)com ### Phi Kappa Phi encourages the love of learning and supports scholarly, interdisciplinary efforts through direct support and recognition of academic excellence, said Scott Willard, a 2018 award recipient. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phithe nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor societyis currently accepting applications for its 2019 award programs including Fellowships, Study Abroad Grants, Literacy Grants and Love of Learning Awards. The award programs provide funding for graduate study, continuing education, professional development, studies abroad and local, national and international literacy initiatives. Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phis award programs have recognized members and students on its chapter campuses for outstanding academic achievement. Nearly $1 million is awarded each year through programs that last year recognized more than 350 individuals. Phi Kappa Phi encourages the love of learning and supports scholarly, interdisciplinary efforts through direct support and recognition of academic excellence, said Scott Willard, a 2018 award recipient. This recognition and support opens doors for members of the Society and encourages continued scholarship. Programs currently accepting applications include: Fellowships: The Society recently announced an expansion of its Fellowship Program from a total distribution of $345,000 each year to $615,000. Beginning in 2019, 50 Fellowships of $8,500 each, six at $20,000 each, and two at $35,000 will be available to members entering their first year of graduate or professional study. The deadline to apply varies by each Phi Kappa Phi chapter. Contact your local chapter for deadline information. Study Abroad Grants: 75 grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to both members and non-members studying abroad. The deadline to apply is March 15. Literacy Grants: Grants of up to $2,500 are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members seeking funding for literacy initiatives. The deadline to apply is April 1. Love of Learning Awards: 200 awards, at $500 each, are available to help fund post-baccalaureate studies and professional development for active members. The deadline to apply is June 30. For more information including eligibility requirements and application instructions for each program, please visit http://www.phikappaphi.org/awards. About Phi Kappa Phi Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." For more information, visit http://www.phikappaphi.org. The Besen Groups CBRS business case tool for neutral host networks is targeted to enterprises in the following vertical markets: education, health care, hospitality, and commercial real estate, multi-family residential and public venues such as airports, sport arenas, shopping malls, and corporate campuses. The Besen Group's CBRS business case tool contains Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model and revenue model with market based assumptions. Enterprises can either use market based assumptions that comes with each model or enter their own inputs into each model. CBRS technology is an excellent choice for venue owners who are interested to deploy CBRS in order to provide their customers with better coverage and capacity. With our CBRS business case tool for neutral host networks, enterprises will have a solid understanding of implementing CBRS neutral host network up to four mobile network operators, said Alex Besen, Founder and CEO of The Besen Group LLC. Our CBRS business case tool is vendor agnostic and will help enterprises to perform multiple sensitivity analysis based on their go-to-market strategy. The Besen Group CBRS business case tool contains the following worksheets: Worksheet # 1: Cover Worksheet # 2: Disclaimer Worksheet # 3: The Besen Group Worksheet # 4: Instructions Worksheet # 5: Acronyms Worksheet # 6: CBRS Neutral Host Network Architectures Worksheet # 7: Business Case Modeling Worksheet # 8: Market Size Worksheet # 9: Inputs: Capex, Opex, Other Worksheet # 10: Capex Calculation Worksheet # 11: Opex Calculation Worksheet # 12: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Summary Worksheet # 13: Service Pricing Worksheet # 14: Income Statement Worksheet # 15: Depreciation Worksheet # 16: Valuation Worksheet # 17: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Worksheet # 18: Graph Data Worksheet # 19: Graphs The limited version of CBRS Business Case Tool for neutral host networks can be downloaded at: http://www.thebesengroup.com/downloads/CBRS.Business.Case.Tool.NH.Limited.xlsx. The Besen Group offers CBRS business case tool for neutral host networks on an individual or corporate license basis in Excel format. For pricing information or customization options, please send an email with contact details including name, title, company name, phone number to tool@thebesengroup.com. In addition, The Besen Group offers CBRS business case tool for private LTE networks and CBRS seminar to enterprises. The limited version of CBRS Business Case Tool for private LTE networks can be downloaded at: http://www.thebesengroup.com/downloads/CBRS.Business.Case.Tool.Limited.xlsx. The CBRS seminar brochure can be downloaded at: http://www.thebesengroup.com/downloads/CBRS.Seminar.pdf. About The Besen Group (http://www.thebesengroup.com) The Besen Group is an international management consulting practice to the mobile industry headquartered in the Washington DC area, with representatives in Paris and Tokyo. Its mission is to provide mobile players with tools, knowledge, and services enabling them to perform optimally in their mobile environment. The Besen Groups competitive edge is based on practical experience with mobile operators, mobile vendors, and a mobile data laboratory. We are excited to offer quality training programs to our retail segment, said APSP Director of Education, Silvia Uribe. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) announced today the availability of its new online self-paced CRP Certified Pool & Spa Retail Professional course. Designed for those interested in running a successful swimming pool and spa business, this eight-hour self-paced online interactive course gives students a strong foundation to effectively and efficiently run a retail business. It introduces the core principles of pool and spa operations and best practices for sales and customer service. Topics covered in the course include: pool finishes, pool and spa circulation systems, basic water chemistry, retail environment safety, customer service and sales and retail housekeeping. We are excited to offer quality training programs to our retail segment, said APSP Director of Education, Silvia Uribe. Retailers are on the front line of business and through quality education we can ensure that we have a more educated sales force that has the tools they need to confidently assist customers and ultimately increase sales. There are no prerequisites for the CRP course. Students taking the course will learn about operations, safety and health, water testing, basic pool water chemistry. Those that successfully complete the course can take the exam either at regional or Chapter events, through a scheduled proctored exam or on-site at a regional event. APSP is on the forefront of what the industry needs, said APSP Retail Council Chair, Mallory Wachowski. Retailers deserve quality education and APSP has delivered. Getting your employees up to speed quickly is the key to better service and sales. The CRP program gives your retail team a solid foundation on the pool and hot tub industry to help advance their career and is a gate way to increased sales. Students can register for the online CRP course at APSP.org/Store. For more information, email APSP University at APSPUniveristy(at)apsp.org or call Ana Hernandez at 703.838.0083 ext. 127. About APSP The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the worlds oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, APSP offers a range of services including professional development, advocacy at the federal and local levels, consumer outreach, and public safety awareness. APSP is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas. For more information, visit APSP.org. Tabio Valentine's Day Men's Cotton Socks Gift Set A new release from leading Japanese sock brand, Tabio, comes just in time to get a special gift for him or her this Valentines Day with their highly anticipated Valentines Day Gift Set. Tabios Valentines Day Gift Set includes your choice of either two pairs of Tabios premium cotton socks or two pairs of luxurious wool socks for your loved one. The Mens Cotton Gift Set features the exclusive Tabio USA release, the Wide-Ribbed Crew Socks with its comfortable design and fit thats great for any look. The Womens set includes an exclusive new release for both the cotton and wool sets from the best selling collections in Japan. These Easy-Fit socks have a beautiful rich color and provide a relaxed and comfortable fit for your feet. The socks come in basic colors so he or she can match their new gift with any outfit, anytime. The socks will be specially boxed and enclosed in a gift bag. Despite the fact that socks contribute to everyday comfort and health, they are often overlooked as gift options. People rarely buy high-quality durable socks for themselves. Gifting high-quality socks for special occasions allows you to give a little extra comfort and luxury that your loved ones otherwise would not have. With Tabios new socks sets, you can indulge your partner with the highest quality and most practical gift. With premium wool or cotton, these socks are perfect for his or her wardrobe allowing them to feel the difference between regular old socks and Tabio. Mens Cotton Sock Gift Set Price: $35.00 Includes: All-Rounder Cotton Crew Socks, Cotton Wide-Ribbed Crew Socks (NEW) Size: M, L Made in Japan Mens Wool Sock Gift Set Price:$38.00 Includes: Aran Cable Knit Wool Crew Socks, Extra Fine Merino Wool Crew Socks Size: M, L Made in Japan Womens Cotton Sock Gift Set Price: $35.00 Includes: Cotton 2x2 Rib Short Crew Socks, Easy-Fit Cotton Short Crew Socks (NEW) Size: M, L Made in Japan Womens Wool Sock Gift Set Price: $38.00 Includes: Jacquard Cable Knit Wool Crew Socks, Wool Rib Crew Socks (NEW) Size: M, L Made in Japan For those looking to give a little more Tabio craftsmanship and outstanding quality this Valentines Day, you can find all of our featured collections on the Tabio USA website. The Valentines Day Gift Set will be available from January 14th, 2019 on tabiousa.com. For product imagery, download from here. About Tabio Producing over 30 million pairs of socks annually, Tabio is the No. 1 sock brand in Japan, with over 270 stores in Japan and 4 stores globally. Tabios revolutionary approach to improving Japanese craftsmanship, quality, and comfort employs some of the rarest machinery, techniques, materials, and yarns in the world. Their attention to detail, like stitching pressure and room temperature, has allowed them to create consistently perfect socks for the past 50 years. Still today, only the best materials go into their socks. Tabio prides themselves on the crafting of each pair of socks with your comfort in mind. Matt Zubiller The companys strong history of innovative market leadership will serve us well as we seek new ways to support and serve our patients and our extraordinary team of dental professionals. Smile Brands Inc., one of the nations leading providers of business support services to dental groups in the United States, today announced the appointment of Matthew B. Zubiller as Chief Growth Officer. Mr. Zubiller will play an integral role in leading the companys plans for accelerated expansion of its network of best-in-class dental practices. He will be responsible for Smiles strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), integration operations, and management of new revenue programs and partner opportunities. This includes continuing to add best in class regional joint venture platforms, growing core Smile Brands practices with new offices and technologies, and seeking innovative alternate site and retail partner opportunities. Mr. Zubiller will report directly to Smile Brands CEO, Steven C. Bilt. Smile Brands is rapidly expanding our network and continually assessing new solutions and strategic partners to make sure we provide the care and experience our patients are looking for wherever and whenever needed, explains Bilt. Matt brings 20 years of healthcare operations, technology, and M&A experience to our Chief Growth Officer role to accelerate growth, deliver on our vision, and better capitalize on new investments areas such as digital scanning, provider and patient engagement, and new value-based payment models. Before joining Smile Brands Inc., Mr. Zubiller served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and M&A for AMN Healthcare Services Corporation (NYSE:AMN), a $2 Billion healthcare staffing and workforce solutions provider. He also spent 11 years with McKesson Corporation in General Management, Corporate Strategy, Innovation, and M&A roles. Im excited to join Steve and the rest of the leadership in driving growth for a very talented Smile Brands team, says Zubiller. The companys strong history of innovative market leadership will serve us well as we seek new ways to support and serve our patients and our extraordinary team of dental professionals. I look forward to expanding and seeking new avenues for growth and working closely with our strongest partners to accelerate our vision. Zubiller earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, studied at the University of California Berkeley Haas Business School and College of Engineering, and earned his MBA, with a concentration in Venture Development and Management, from the London Business School. About Smile Brands Inc. Based in Irvine California, Smile Brands Inc. is one of the largest providers of support services to dental groups in the United States. Recently ranked #25 on Glassdoors 2018 Best Places to Work list, Smile Brands Inc. provides comprehensive business support services through exclusive long term agreements with affiliate dental groups, so dentists can spend more time caring for their patients and less time on the administrative, marketing, and financial aspects of operating a dental practice. Smile Brands supports nearly 400 Bright Now! Dental, Monarch Dental, Castle Dental, A+ Dental Care, OneSmile Dental, Johnson Family Dental, P3 Dental Group, and DecisionOne Dental Partners offices in 17 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Smile Brands is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm based in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit http://www.smilebrands.com. "In working with Sightly and IAS, our clients have increased assurance that their pre-roll video reaches the most interested viewers with the most relevant video ads, with further confidence in where these ads will appear." - Alex Stone, Horizon Media Sightly, a leading performance video advertising and analytics platform, and Horizon Media, a global leader in the performance-driven application of data and marketing insights, today announced the results of a joint beta test using the newly released IAS YouTube Brand Safety and Suitability Solution. Sightly is the first third-party Google partner to use IAS YouTube Brand Safety beta, and achieved over 99% brand safety for participating clients of Horizon Media, the largest independent media agency. Together, this partnership between Sightly, Horizon Media, and IAS aims to empower media buyers by ensuring brand suitable environments on YouTube through which advertisers can reach only the most pertinent and applicable audiences. Brand suitability in the form of context and brand safety is paramount for our clients advertising on YouTube, said Alex Stone, VP, Digital Investment, Horizon Media. We need to ensure our clients that their advertising will only appear alongside brand suitable video content. In working with Sightly and IAS, our clients have increased assurance that their pre-roll video reaches the most interested viewers with the most relevant video ads, with further confidence in where these ads will appear. IAS YouTube Brand Safety and Suitability uses different variables available via the YouTube data API to determine if YouTube videos pass or fail based on brand safety and suitability standards set by the advertiser. The failed inventory is then categorized according to brand risk, such as Adult Content and Violence. In this beta test with Horizon Media clients, Sightly selected the most conservative risk thresholds against all of the categories and achieved a brand safety pass rate of over 99%. By utilizing an extensive real-time blacklist, coupled with people-based targeting models, Sightly was able to find the desired target audience in the most relevant brand safe placements on YouTube and the Google Video Network. "We have always believed that in order to solve big industry challenges all parties have to work together and this YouTube Brand Safety solution is the perfect example of that," said Harmon Lyons, SVP of Global Business Development, IAS. "This solution not only helps protect brands for brand safety but gives advertisers the opportunity to be more selective in what types of videos fit their brand suitability needs." We are thrilled to be the first Google third-party partner to pilot IAS YouTube Brand Safety, and even more thrilled with the results of the beta program with Horizon Media, said Kristlyn Lyons, Director, Business Development and Partnerships, Sightly. Achieving a brand safety pass rate of over 99% is a direct result of our focus on bringing the latest technology solutions to our clients that drive value and deliver better results. For more information, visit http://www.sightly.com. About Sightly Founded in 2013, Sightly is a performance video advertising and analytics platform that enables brands and agencies to deliver the most relevant messages to the most receptive viewers across every device on YouTube and other video destinations. Our software combines People-Centered Targeting with ad personalization and campaign optimization data science to deliver performance KPIs across the entire customer journey. Learn more at http://www.sightly.com. About IAS Integral Ad Science (IAS) is a global technology company that empowers stakeholders in the advertising ecosystem to safely grow the worlds leading brands. Using our ad intelligence, advertisers and publishers can protect their digital investments and maximize every impression to capture consumer attention on a global scale. Founded in 2009, IAS is headquartered in New York with global operations in 13 countries. Our growth and innovation have been recognized in the Inc. 5000, Crains Fast 50, Forbes Americas Most Promising Companies, and I-COMs Smart Data Marketing Technology Company. Learn more at http://www.integralads.com. About Horizon Media Horizon Media, Inc. is a global leader in the performance-driven application of data and marketing insights and the second largest media agency in the US (Source: COMvergence Agency Report, May 2018). The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, and has estimated billings of $8.5 billion and over 2,000 employees. Recognized as one of the worlds ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company, Horizon Media has been recognized as U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek and AdAge, and Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost. Renowned for its incredible culture, Horizon is also consistently named to all the prestigious annual Best Places to Work lists published by Fortune, AdAge, Crains New York Business and Los Angeles Business Journal. Bill Koenigsberg served as the Chairman of the 4As Board of Directors from 2014 to 2017, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the 4As Board of Directors. Bill was the first person from a media agency to hold this prestigious position in the 100-year history of the 4As, the marketing industrys leading trade association. Scott Riddle This honor is well-deserved. Scotts dedication to his clients and our firm is outstanding. He is an important member of our team and a true rising legal star. Scott Riddle, an attorney in the Dallas office of Kane Russell Coleman Logan, has been selected to D Magazines 2019 list of Best Lawyers Under 40. The list is compiled annually and honors up-and-coming attorneys in the DFW Metroplex. This is the second year that Scott has been selected by his peers in the legal community for this exclusive honor. Scott represents clients in commercial litigation with an emphasis on contractual disputes, product liability and mass tort defense, fiduciary and derivative actions, and other complex business matters. His representative clients have included large national corporations, an Entrepreneur Magazine semi-finalist for Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, and a former Nashville recording artist. He also serves as a legal crisis manager, representing clients in critical matters that involve civil litigation and regulatory, congressional, and criminal investigations and enforcement actions. Joseph Coleman, Managing Partner and a Co-Founder of the firm, commended Scott on his achievement, stating, This honor is well-deserved. Scotts dedication to his clients and our firm is outstanding. He is an important member of our team and a true rising legal star. To compile this list, D Magazine editors ask lawyers with a valid Texas Bar number to nominate two lawyers outside their firm and one within their firm. A panel of respected attorneys then evaluates the nominees and works with the magazine's staff to determine the final list, which includes attorneys involved in a range of practice areas. Kane Russell Coleman Logan is a full-service law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. Formed in 1992 with five lawyers, today KRCL employs more than 65 attorneys. The Firm provides professional services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized public and private companies to entrepreneurs. KRCL handles transactional, litigation and bankruptcy matters in Texas and throughout the country. Sappington, a Seattle-based enterprise technology marketing firm, is celebrating the third year of the Pacific Northwest Digital Business Roundtable. The first Roundtable event was held in 2016 at the Rainier Club in Seattle. Sappington founded the Digital Business Roundtable to create a community of regional business and technology leaders who could come together to discuss and learn how to make technology strategic to business operations and customer experiences in tangible ways. The members of the Digital Business Roundtable are leaders from significant Pacific Northwest organizations from a variety of industries, from retail and professional services to healthcare and education. We wanted to create an open environment that would allow for honest discussion around the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, notes Tim Goggin, CEO of Sappington. Since our start, weve held facilitated discussions on topics ranging from why digital to leadership courage to blockchain. Goggin believed thenand still does todaythat Pacific Northwest organizations are best positioned to lead the digital business revolution because of the regions unique history and business culture. The Roundtable meets quarterly. ABOUT SAPPINGTON Sappington is the enterprise technology marketing firm that partners with the brightest minds working at the worlds great technology companies. Sappington helps them bring innovations to market that deliver value to their big business customers. sappington.co CDC Updates Information for the Use and Availability of VARIZIG (Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin [Human]) This update is important for effective distribution and use of VARIZIG for these at-risk patient populations, said Saol Therapeutics Chief Executive Officer, David Penake. VARIZIG has a strong clinical value in the patient populations it serves, and we are pleased that it is now widely available. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated information related to the use and availability of VARIZIG (Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin [Human]) for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella in patients at high-risk, posted on its website (https://bit.ly/2M1l0UR). In the update, the CDC notes that VARIZIG is commercially available from a broad network of specialty distributors in the United States (list available at http://www.varizig.com). This update is important for effective distribution and use of VARIZIG for these at-risk patient populations, said Saol Therapeutics Chief Executive Officer, David Penake, the manufacturer of VARIZIG. VARIZIG has a strong clinical value in the patient populations it serves, and we are pleased that it is now commercially available from a broad network of US specialty distributors. It is very important that all treating physicians realize that VARIZIG can be easily obtained within 24 hours for high-risk patients following exposure to varicella zoster virus. VARIZIG is an FDA-approved immunoglobulin for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella in high-risk individuals, replacing VZIG (discontinued in 2006). VARIZIG is a hyperimmune product that contains antibodies specific for the varicella zoster virus, which causes the viral infection known as chickenpox. Clinical Management of Exposure to Varicella- Despite being considered benign in healthy individuals, chickenpox and shingles may be responsible for health complications and death in high-risk patients.(1-4) These patients may be exposed to varicella through chickenpox, or shingles.(4) Exposure to chickenpox is considered serious and can occur in as little as 5 minutes depending on type of exposure.(4) The CDC recommends VARIZIG for people exposed to varicella or herpes zoster who cannot receive varicella vaccine; varicella-zoster immune globulin can prevent varicella from developing or lessen the severity of the disease. Varicella-zoster immune globulin is recommended for people who cannot receive the vaccine and 1) who lack evidence of immunity to varicella, 2) whose exposure is likely to result in infection, and 3) are at high risk for severe varicella.(5) Please see contraindications below in the Important Safety Information. Evidence of immunity to varicella includes vaccination with varicella vaccine (1 dose 12 months through 3 years of age, 2 doses 4 years of age, adolescents, and adults: 2 doses), birth in the U.S. before 1980 (except for healthcare personnel, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons), laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease, or history of varicella or herpes zoster.(6) High-risk patients include newborns with mothers having varicella symptoms around delivery; pregnant women without evidence of immunity; hospitalized infants born at or before 28 weeks and weighing less than 2 lbs; and immunocompromised patients without evidence of immunity, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients, and patients with autoimmune or immune-mediated inflammatory disorders.(5,7) Post-exposure Prophylaxis with VARIZIG (Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin [Human])- VARIZIG is a single weight based IM injection intended to reduce the severity of varicella in at-risk patients.(7) In an open-label expanded access protocol of over 500 high-risk individuals that received VARIZIG after exposure to chickenpox or shingles, a low percentage (<10%) developed clinical varicella.(7) VARIZIG should ideally be administered within 96 hours for greatest effectiveness.(7) However, a comparison of the incidence of clinical varicella based on treatment window revealed that treatment between 5 and 10 days post-exposure was no different from treatment within 96 hours.(7) VARIZIG is commercially available from a broad network of specialty distributors in the United States (list available at http://www.varizig.com) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT VARIZIG (Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin [Human])- In patients who have severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder that would contraindicate intramuscular injections, only administer VARIZIG if the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks. Thrombotic events may occur following treatment with VARIZIG and other immune globulin products. Individuals known to have severe, potentially life-threatening reactions to human globulin should not receive VARIZIG or any other immune globulin (Human). Individuals who are deficient in IgA may have the potential for developing IgA antibodies and have severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. Products made from human plasma may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g. viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease agent. The most serious adverse drug reactions observed in clinical trials for all subjects and patients include pyrexia, nausea, chills, and vomiting. The most common adverse drug reactions observed in clinical trials for all subjects and patients were injection site pain, headache, chills, fatigue, rash, and nausea. For further information about VARIZIG, contact Susan Clement, Senior Director, Marketing, Saol Therapeutics, at sclement(at)saolrx.com. About Saol Therapeutics- Saol Therapeutics is a commercial specialty pharmaceutical company concentrated on addressing the medical needs of underserved or unserved patient populations and the physicians that treat them. Further information: http://www.VARIZIG.com VARIZIG Full Prescribing Information SOURCE: Saol Therapeutics http://www.saolrx.com REFERENCES: 1. Gershon AA, Gershon MD. Pathogenesis and current approaches to control of varicella-zoster virus infections. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013;26(4):728-43. 2. Gnann Jr. JW. Antiviral therapy of varicella-zoster virus infections. In: Arvin A, Campadelli-Fiume G, Mocarski E, et al., editors. Human Herpesviruses: Biology, Therapy, and Immunoprophylaxis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2007. Chapter 65. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK47401/. Accessed September 13, 2018. 3. Cohen JI. Herpes Zoster. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:255-63. 4. American Academy of Pediatrics. Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, Long SS, eds. Red Book: 2018 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 31st ed. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2018:869-83. 5. Marin M, Bialek SR, Seward JF. Updated recommendations for use of VariZIG United States, 2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62(28):574576. 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travelers. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/varicella-chickenpox. Accessed September 13, 2018. 7. Saol Therapeutics Inc. VARIZIG Full Prescribing Information. Available from: https://varizig.com/VARIZIG_PI.pdf. Accessed September 13, 2018. IXcellerate, a leading data center operator in Russia, and Zenlayer, a global software-defined network and services provider, have signed an agreement to collocate IT infrastructure and create a disaster recovery site for data storage and processing in Russia. Zenlayer is reinforcing its presence in Russia as an important part of its global backbone and overall network strategy its three Moscow points of presence are a testament to its ongoing investment in the region. As more SMBs and large enterprises turn toward global expansion, Zenlayer endeavors to help them drive maximum business efficiency with its SD-WAN and Cloud Connect solutions. Moreover, Zenlayer's corporate standards require backup data centers to ensure cloud infrastructure reliability and sustainability. Through its private global backbone, Zenlayer manages networks and global resources located in more than 100 data centers around the world, allowing it to deliver services to most of the worlds Internet population in 25 ms or less. IXcellerate was selected as partner of choice by Zenlayer as a result of extensive market research and evaluation, as well as for the presence of the independent internet exchange platform, Eurasia Peering IX, in the data center. With IXcellerate, we found a trustworthy IT partner whom we can rely on when implementing our plans in Russia, and who has clearly demonstrated its advantages during the installation phase. We greatly appreciate the presence of a dedicated APAC team and IXcellerates expertise in working with clients from Asia. Russias cloud services growth rates are significantly above global average, and we see great potential to connect its underserved areas and fast-track global connectivity, said Joe Zhu, Founder and CEO of Zenlayer. Guy Willner, CEO of IXcellerate, adds: The Russian IXcellerate team is focused on systematic work with major international clients, especially with enterprises from the Asia-Pacific region. We are grateful for the trust of global corporations and are doing everything we can to ensure their journey along the Digital Silk Road is smooth sailing. About IXcellerate IXcellerate is a leading Russian Tier III commercial data center operator in Moscow. The company offers personalized colocation solutions of scalable, on-demand capacity with 99.999% SLA. IXcellerates customers are multinational corporations, international financial institutions, large trading companies, on-line service providers and IT-companies, leading telecom operators and other organizations processing large quantities of data. The headquarters is located in London. http://www.ixcellerate.com About Zenlayer Zenlayer, a software-defined network and services provider, is headquartered in Los Angeles and Shanghai with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzhen. Enterprises utilize Zenlayer's software-defined platforms to instantly enable worldwide connectivity and deliver superior user experience. Zenlayer offers on-demand bare metal cloud, SD-WAN, cloud connect, edge computing and colocation services in more than 100 data centers on six continents. https://www.zenlayer.com/ Media Contacts Dina Nurkaeva dn@ixcellerate.ru +7 915 234 85 30 Dalerie Wu dalerie.wu@zenlayer.com +1 (626) 412-0089 Its easy to see why Leesburg is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for private jet travelers in the DC Metro Region. ProJet Aviation received national recognition for flight support (FBO) services at Leesburg Executive Airport in the FltPlan.com 2018 Pilots' Choice Awards, achieving a #3 ranking in the competitive Northeast Region. ProJet also ranked #26 in the nation and climbed three spots to #12 in the country for airports of similar size and traffic volume. Leesburg Executive is the closest general aviation jet airport to Washington DC, the Dulles Technology Corridor, and Virginia's growing horse and wine country. The rankings reflect the results of the ninth annual survey of FltPlan's 160,000-plus active, registered users, most of whom fly multiple weekly trips. "Leesburg Executive Airport is the gateway for businesses and visitors from around the world to Leesburg and Loudoun County, and an important engine for the regional economy. The airport's reputation for excellence is paramount to its success, and ProJet delivers excellent services every single day," said Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk. ProJet has ranked highly in the awards every year since becoming the FBO operator at Leesburg Executive (KJYO), and 2018 marks the third year in a row that the company has received a top ranking nationally. "We work hard to establish extraordinary relationships with our clients, whether they are based at Leesburg or coming to our region for a visit. We are a hospitality company first, and our team loves to help people have a memorable experience. People respond to that type of service." said Julie OBrien, ProJet Aviation's General Manager. Its easy to see why Leesburg is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for private jet travelers in the DC Metro Region. ### About ProJet ProJet Aviation is the DC metro region's premier private aviation hospitality company, dedicated to helping people accomplish extraordinary things through the wonder of flight. ProJet provides a world-class flight support/FBO experience including arrival and departure services, fueling, and facilities leasing at Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO), the private aviation gateway to Washington DC, the Dulles Technology Corridor, and Virginia's Horse & Wine Country. Founded in 2007 as a partnership between entrepreneur and educator Shye Gilad, and noted entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila C. Johnson, Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, ProJets aviation hospitality mindset combines the operational integrity of the worlds best airlines with the refined service of a world-class resort. ProJet is the host sponsor of the annual Aviation Education & Career Expo, which provides an aviation and aerospace forum for thousands of students in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships since its inception. ProJets numerous accolades include consistent recognition as one of the top FBOs in the country in the fltplan.com Pilots Choice Awards, a Washington Business Journal Best Place to Work, and an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company. http://projetaviation.com This new digital signage rollout enables Best Western and our hotel owners to more effectively communicate with guests and is yet another example of our constant evolution as a brand. Ping HD, a leading provider of digital signage software solutions, today announced that Best Western International Inc., is near completion of a digital signage rollout to over 2,400 hotel properties throughout the United States and Canada, making this one of the worlds largest multi-site deployments of LG Electronics webOS SoC (System on a Chip) digital signage displays. Best Western Hotels & Resorts selected Ping HD partner Apex Procurement LLC to provide EngagePHD powered LG webOS digital signage displays within the lobby of every Best Western hotel property in North America. The solution is built around 43, 49 and 55 inch LG displays featuring LGs flexible webOS for Signage platform and powered by Ping HDs EngagePHD software. This is a solution that eliminates the need for any external media player hardware, working natively at the SoC level puts you right at the last point of failure, which minimizes capital investment by eliminating the purchase of unnecessary hardware and the labor costs associated with the installation of that unnecessary hardware. Operating expenses are lowered by reducing content management and design effort, support hours and maintenance, says Kevin Goldsmith, Chief Technology Officer at Ping HD, therefore each property only requires the LG display(s) configured with the EngagePHD application and connected to the Internet. Some properties have these screens fitted with a touchscreen overlay that elevates the customer experience from passive to interactive. Typically, Best Western guests will see one to three displays at each property, providing travelers with instant access to information about the hotel, the local area and latest news from Best Western. In addition to relevant local and brand information, property owners can display their own custom content. Some properties are also equipped with a touch screen overlay to allow guests to interact with the screen, helping them gather more information about nearby tourist hotspots, recommended restaurants and, for those properties close to airports, live flight departure information. Ping HD is able to offer live flight data to over 10,000 commercial airports worldwide. Use of QR codes embedded in the content allow the hotel guests to take any of the content with them on their mobile devices. Finally, some properties feature displays in the restaurant and bar areas to show live TV with an L-Bar wrap. EngagePHD is an easy-to-use, web-based design, content management and network monitoring application that has been built to enable users to manage large scale multi-site networks with minimal effort. The Locations based feature enables the customer to minimize the number of variants to the same Layout so that Best Western, does not need 2,400+ unique layouts, one for each display, which would be a labor intensive and logistical nightmare. Instead only a handful of layouts are required and the same layout can be scheduled to all of the Hi-Board screens throughout North America. Based on the location reference, when each layout hits each display, the layout is dynamically populated with site specific content, such as for example the local weather forecast. Kevin Goldsmith, Chief Technology Officer at Ping HD, says: It is an exciting time to be working with the team at Apex Procurement and Best Western Hotels & Resorts. The scalability and power of EngagePHD on LGs webOS displays, demonstrates this affordable and robust player-less digital signage solution exceptionally well. For more information about Ping HDs digital signage software visit https://www.engagephd.com/ JoAnna Pabich, VP Strategic Implementation at Apex Procurement LLC, says: This is the best one stop solution on the market. By combining the highest technological hardware from LG along with Ping HDs cutting edge software platform makes this partnering of technology, experience and software management the easiest and most cost effective method for any business looking to transition to the digital signage marketing experience. Clark Brown, Vice President, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions, says: Best Westerns massive digital signage deployment leverages LGs advanced display technology and Ping HDs feature-rich solution, said Clark Brown, vice president, digital signage, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. This powerful combination, built on our webOS for Signage platform, delivers an unparalleled, flexible digital signage experience. With wide viewing angles and color accuracy, LGs IPS built displays are designed to excel in public venues like Best Western. Dorothy Dowling, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts, says: Todays travelers want real-time access to the most relevant information about their stay, and at Best Western were dedicated to offering innovative amenities that enhance the guest experience. This new digital signage rollout enables Best Western and our hotel owners to more effectively communicate with guests and is yet another example of our constant evolution as a brand. About Ping HD Ping HD is a full service, end-to-end digital signage software company. We design and build digital experiences that help transform the way consumers interact with business. Ping HD is the company behind EngagePHD, an affordable, scalable, flexible and innovative digital signage software solution. We tailor our approach to meet your specific requirements and make the most of your investment. Ping HD digital signage solutions are tailored to meet the needs of the travel, hospitality, sports, QSR, retail, corporate and education industries. https://www.pinghd.com About Apex Procurement LLC Apex Procurement LLC is LGs largest distribution arm for the WebOS digital signage solution displays. Apex along with its partners provides a one stop hardware, software and installation solution. We work very closely with our clients to ensure that the digital signage transition is a seamless and cost effective experience. Our knowledgeable and highly trained staff is able to customize a hardware and software program to fit every clients needs. About Best Western Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of over 4,200 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide*. Best Western offers 13 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. About LG Electronics LG Electronics USA Business Solutions serves commercial display customers in the U.S. digital signage, systems integration, lodging and hospitality, healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions delivers business-to-business technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $49 billion global force in consumer electronics, mobile communications, home appliances and air solutions. LG is a 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. For more information, please visit http://www.LGSolutions.com. Pensa Systems autonomous drone scanning shelves. Pensa Systems, a leading innovator in autonomous perception systems, will demonstrate its new retail inventory visibility system for the first time at the NRF 2019: Retails Big Show. Aimed squarely at eliminating the retail industrys one trillion-dollar blind spot(1) around in-store inventory, Pensas system is designed to inform retailers and brands of what is actually on shelves across all stores, everywhere, at any point in time. Inventory visibility is an age-old problem for brands and retailers, and it is only getting worse as e-commerce and physical store shopping combine. Industry studies(2) report nearly one in 10 items as missing on the shelf or misplaced, leading to lost revenue, dissatisfied customers or excess inventory. Pensas breakthrough approach uses computer vision to see, patent-pending artificial intelligence to learn, analyze and conclude, as well as agile, autonomous drones as roving eyes to automate high value visual tasks for the first time. Pensa is the first company to deliver a broadly scalable system that provides complete, real-time and actionable data and insights, enabling CPG brands and retailers to automatically and systematically track in-store inventory. You cant sell what you dont have on the shelf. In-store inventory visibility remains a giant black hole for the retail supply chain, said Richard Schwartz, president and CEO of Pensa Systems. Retailers and brand manufacturers have tried all combinations of robots, cameras and smart shelving, but these solutions are too expensive, inaccurate and brittle. Pensa addresses this problem differently. By combining AI smarts in the cloud with inexpensive drones for remote data collection, we have created a scalable solution that can break the logjam. At NRF 2019, Pensa is demonstrating its autonomous perception system at a mocked-up retail store in the Intel booth (#3437). Pensas system, utilizing Intel in-store edge servers with Intel architecture to power the analytics, will be featured as part of Intels future of retail showcase, further highlighting the importance of real-time insights and how smart analytics can digitally transform stores. Pensas autonomous drone rapidly scans and automatically senses shelf conditions in the beer section of that store with high accuracy. It then reaches conclusions and makes predictions about stockouts and other conditions for sale. Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) which is a Pensa customer and strategic investor through its ZX Ventures growth and innovation unit has partnered with Pensa on the demonstration, which is based on a real-world pilot with AB InBev. Field-tested with major CPG brands and retailers Pensa has performed multiple live trials of its system, working with major CPG brands and retailers. The system has been piloted in multiple countries on multiple product categories and SKU formats in a variety of shelf conditions, including dry shelf as well as open and closed-air coolers. With minimal changes or integration required at retail locations, the system can scale quickly across stores and product categories, so brands and retailers can minimize stockouts, optimize product planning and increase revenues. Pensa recently completed a successful pilot of its new inventory visibility system with global beverage company AB InBev in the heavily trafficked store of retail partner IGA Extra Beck in Montreal, Canada. With less than 90 minutes of set-up time, Pensas drone-based system collected hourly and daily data on out-of-stocks and real share-of-shelf within the beer section. Over a period of two weeks, Pensas system scanned dry shelves and coolers with multiple product types (i.e., cans, bottles, packs), capturing 15.9M SKU images during 200 flights (totaling 2 miles of travel), with its continuously learning accuracy already reaching 98 percent for out-of-stock detection. Retail out-of-stocks represent a significant challenge for CPG companies and their retail partners, as they can lead to millions of dollars in lost sales, said Andrew Green, Global Director of Innovation at AB InBev. We are very enthusiastic about Pensas novel approach to retail inventory visibility and look forward to testing it in further commercial environments. Any solution that can help us maintain store integrity and ensure we dont have out-of-stocks provides the competitive advantage we need, said Todd Beck, owner, IGA Extra Beck. The ability to learn about a potential out-of-stock situation hours ahead of when our manual systems might notify us represents an opportunity to drive incremental sales and make customers happier in the process. The immediate feedback we can get from the Pensa system can offer tremendous value to our business. NRF Big Show attendees can visit Pensa Systems in the Intel booth (#3437) to view a demo and learn more about how the companys new approach can enable retailers and CPG brands to improve inventory visibility, boost revenues and increase profitability. About Pensa Systems Pensa is a leading innovator in autonomous perception systems for retail inventory visibility. Its system uses breakthrough technology including artificial intelligence, autonomous drones and computer vision to see and understand whats on store shelves, providing crucial data to minimize stockouts, optimize product planning, and boost revenues and profitability. Pensa partners with top retailers and CPG brands globally to address a trillion-dollar blind spot at a critical time for the retail industry. Please visit http://www.pensasystems.com to learn more, and stay connected via Twitter and LinkedIn. Footnotes (1) https://www.retaildive.com/news/out-of-stocks-could-be-costing-retailers-1t/526327/ (2) https://www.nacds.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Retail-Out-of-Stock-Reduction.pdf https://www.supermarketnews.com/online-retail/reducing-online-out-stocks-critical-retailers-says-gma-study Pensa Systems, a leading innovator in autonomous perception systems, today announced it has raised $5 million in additional funding to accelerate deployment of its breakthrough system for retail inventory visibility. The company has now raised a total of $7.2 million. The new round was led by Signia Venture Partners, with participation from new investor Commerce Ventures, as well as existing investors ZX Ventures, ATX Seed Ventures, Capital Factory, Revtech Ventures and others. Ed Cluss, partner at Signia Venture Partners, will join Pensas board of directors. The new funds will be used to fuel adoption of Pensas retail inventory visibility system and accelerate store trials with large retailers and CPG brands in North America and abroad. Aimed at eliminating a trillion-dollar(1) blind spot for the retail industry, Pensa is the first company to deliver a broadly scalable system that automatically and systematically tracks in-store inventory, using advanced computer vision, patent-pending artificial intelligence and autonomous drones to see and understand what is on store shelves. This unique approach can help brands and retailers minimize stockouts, optimize product planning and increase revenue. "Pensa is doing breakthrough work with AI and drones, bringing data to bear on a significant and costly problem for retail the lack of consistent on-shelf inventory visibility," said Cluss. "We were impressed by the teams prior accomplishments, and by the traction the company has already achieved with major retailers and consumer brand manufacturers. Data and technology are critical to retails future, and we are excited to help Pensa bring their vision to reality." This Series Seed funding announcement comes on the heels of $2.2 million in seed funding announced in 2018, as well as the completion of multiple successful live trials with major consumer brands and retailers, including worldwide beverage leader Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), which became a strategic investor through its ZX Ventures growth and innovation unit. Out-of-stock products are a significant challenge for CPG companies and retail partners, with hundreds of millions of dollars in potential sales impact, said Patrick ORiordan, vice president of Explore at ZX Ventures. While weve explored various solutions to the problem, Pensas approach is truly novel. Its unique combination of expertise and technology tools including scalable AI and advanced computer vision provides an opportunity to make both timely and significant impacts to inventory visibility throughout the industry. Past attempts to address retail inventory visibility have fallen short. Store employees can only spot-check with limited frequency. Fixed cameras and ground robots come with accuracy, scalability, cost and complexity issues. Pensa is the first company to deliver a low-friction, low-cost, highly accurate retail inventory visibility solution that can quickly scale to enable supply chain optimization across stores, locations and products. Lack of inventory visibility is an age-old problem for brand and retailers, said Richard Schwartz, president and CEO of Pensa Systems. Retailers and manufacturers go blind staring at products on the shelf to see what is missing or has been misplaced. Advanced artificial intelligence can borrow the best of how people perceive shelf conditions and automate it at scale to continuously read out what is on a shelf at any point in time. This is a win-win proposition for everyone consumers, retailers and brands. We are thrilled to have Signia and Commerce Ventures on board, along with top advisors, to help us scale the business and accelerate our market entry. Pensas advisory board includes several of the worlds top authorities in retail inventory, robotics technology, and AI/machine learning. These include Tom Gruen, a pioneer in out-of-stock and category management analytics, Mick Mountz, founder and CEO of Kiva Systems, which pioneered the use of mobile robots for warehouse automation and was acquired by Amazon, and leading researchers in robotics and machine learning from Carnegie Mellon University and University of Texas at Austin. Retailers today continue to have an inventory problem, with billions of dollars in lost sales due to items being out of stock, said Gruen. Pensas technology comes at a critical time, when there is enormous pressure on retailers and brands to improve retail performance, manage inventory across channels and adapt to changing customer behavior. Their cloud AI-plus-drone approach has the potential to make a big impact on the retail industry. Pensa is demonstrating for the first time its retail inventory visibility system this week in Intels booth (#3437) at the NRF 2019: Retails Big Show, with participation from AB InBev. For more information on this announcement, please visit: https://www.pensasystems.com/news-NRF2019. About Pensa Systems Pensa is a leading innovator in autonomous perception systems for retail inventory visibility. Its system uses breakthrough technology including artificial intelligence, autonomous drones and computer vision to see and understand whats on store shelves, providing crucial data to minimize stockouts, optimize product planning, and boost revenues and profitability. Pensa partners with top retailers and CPG brands globally to address a trillion-dollar blind spot at a critical time for the retail industry. Please visit http://www.pensasystems.com to learn more, and stay connected via Twitter and LinkedIn. About Signia Venture Partners Signia Venture Partners is a unique early-stage venture fund dedicated to helping passionate entrepreneurs realize their vision and build impactful, high-growth ventures. Our team is made up of proven entrepreneurs with a track record of success and experience at every stage of growth and with a hands-on approach to technology investing. For more information, please visit http://www.signiaventurepartners.com/. Footnotes: (1) https://www.retaildive.com/news/out-of-stocks-could-be-costing-retailers-1t/526327/ Our team loves speaking directly with leaders of camps and auxiliary programs nationwide who want to learn more about registration software. We want to thank SAIS and MISBO for the opportunity to bring Payscape Registration to the Music City! Payscape, a leading financial technology and payment processing company, announced it will be sponsoring the 2019 Auxiliary Programs Conference scheduled to take place between January 27-29 in Nashville, Tennessee. The company will be on-site to showcase its brand new registration software, Payscape Registration. The Auxiliary Programs Conference in Nashville has been circled on our calendar for a long time and we cannot wait to exhibit Payscape Registration to a wide audience, says Zack Wing, Director of Product at Payscape. Our team loves speaking directly with leaders of camps and auxiliary programs nationwide who want to learn more about registration software. We want to thank SAIS and MISBO for the opportunity to bring Payscape Registration to the Music City! ABOUT PAYSCAPE Founded in 2004, Payscape is an innovative financial technology company dedicated to making it simple for businesses to process payments and streamline operations. Their mission is to offer a wide array of financial products and services to satisfy a variety of cash flow needs. Learn more about the company at http://www.payscape.com and subscribe to @payscape. With the right approach, lives can be saved, the police can also feel safer, and everybody wins Mitchell Solutions, LLC, announced the launch of the Our Lives Project, a new app and website that intends to offer an easy and actionable online training program to teach young people of color how to safely interact with law enforcement. Although the app will primarily focus on offering safety tips and guidance, it may also be used to build trust between local police and the communities they serve. This is still a sadly common problem that should no longer exist, and our goal for the app is to help bring down the number of Police shootings of unarmed African Americans to zero, stated Marvin Mitchell, the Project's Leader. Too many police encounters result in injuries because the police fear suspicious moves, and even law-abiding young people oftentimes do not know how to properly react when confronted by police. They may get nervous and move in a way that triggers a negative police response. With the right approach, lives can be saved, the police can also feel safer, and everybody wins, Mr. Mitchell commented. According to the Washington Posts Fatal Force report, there were 995 fatal police encounters in 2018 and 41 of the deceased were unarmed. Half of these fatalities affected people of color. The report does not account for injured people who were not killed. This number should be zero, and I believe free and easily accessible education offers that possibility, Mitchell added. The Our Lives App will offer a free, universally accessible, and straightforward online training program. Any person, regardless of location or ethnicity, will be able to take it and users will be able to test themselves with a series of what-if police encounter scenarios. Once the user has answered how he would handle specific situations, his selected multiple-choice answers will be systemically reviewed and automatically generate feedback. When all the questions have been answered, each user will be given a test scorewhich will ideally lead the user to identify potentially risky behavior, and hopefully, adapt his/her reactions to the safest response to Law Enforcement encounters. The Development Team is using information obtained from the National Black Police Association as the foundation of the curriculum, and half of the project's funding is being raised using "Go Fund Me". The campaign, live at http://bit.ly/FundOurLives, is seeking funds that are needed to pay the Software Developers who are transforming the training program into an online application. For more information, please contact Marvin Mitchell, President PO Box 371432, Denver CO 80237 720-284-9450 OurLives@MarvinMitchell.com. ### Cindy is an incredibly talented professional who shares our passion to give our military families the opportunity to thrive, not simply struggle to get by, in the communities they have worked so hard to protect, said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president & CEO of Operation Homefront. Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit serving Americas military families since 2002, announced today that Cindy Campbell has joined the organization as its chief financial & administrative officer. Campbell will be based in the national headquarters office located in San Antonio, Texas. Cindy is an incredibly talented professional who shares our collective passion to give our military families the opportunity to thrive, not simply struggle to get by, in the communities they have worked so hard to protect, said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. She is a tremendous addition to a very talented team. Campbell worked many years as an auditor in local public accounting firms, being a key person to filing a companys initial public offering and as a Senior Vice President with SWBC, a large financial services company, where she was responsible for all internal and external financial reporting. The nonprofit world is familiar territory for Campbell as she worked seven years at SAMMinistries where she served in several roles, the last being Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, she was the Chief Financial Officer for the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. Campbell has a Bachelor of Business Administration from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. She is a Certified Public Accountant. Life is complicated and costly. For the military family, these complications and costs can be significant and overwhelming, Campbell said. I am privileged to be a part of a team that can give assistance and even hope to those serving our great nation. The military life has been a part of Campbells entire life. Her father, siblings, children, and grandchildren have or are serving. Her husband, Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Campbell (ret.), a Vietnam veteran, served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force. The two have a blended family of 7 children and 9 grandchildren. # # # About Operation Homefront: Founded in 2002, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive not simply struggle to get by in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves Americas military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org. Our master butchers took their more than 100 years of steak experience and went to work, which resulted in this custom-cut steak thats guaranteed to be flavorful, juicy and easy to cook, said Senior Vice President and Family Owner Todd Simon. Omaha Steaks, Americas Original Butcher, today unveiled the Omaha-Cut Ribeye, an exclusive new steak cut, a first for the company since 1917. This innovative new steak delivers all the flavor expected in a ribeye, and is carefully handcrafted using generations of experience to deliver the ultimate ribeye experience straight to your door. Each Omaha-Cut Ribeye is: Thick Cut- Omaha Steaks butchers cut each Omaha-Cut Ribeye extra thick, only from the heart of the best 21-day-aged ribeyes. Triple-Trimmed- Everything but the very center of the best ribeyes is carefully carved away- zero imperfections, zero exterior fat. Perfectly Sized- its just the right size for even cooking and great meals. The Omaha-Cut Ribeye is our first brand-new steak since 1917, and its truly unlike any ribeye that has come before it, said Senior Vice President and Family Owner Todd Simon. Our master butchers took their more than 100 years of steak experience and went to work, which resulted in this custom-cut steak thats guaranteed to be flavorful, juicy and easy to cook. Omaha Steaks has a 101-year-old reputation for providing the finest beef and gourmet foods backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, and this ribeye is no exception. The Omaha-Cut Ribeye will be available exclusively through Omaha Steaks who will market the steak direct to consumers online through their website http://www.OmahaSteaks.com or by calling 1-800-228-9055. The new steak will also be available at their 60+ retail locations nationwide beginning in February. For more information about the new Omaha-Cut Ribeye, visit https://www.omahasteaks.com/shop/Omaha-Cut-Ribeye. About Omaha Steaks Omaha Steaks, America Original Butcher, founded in 1917, is an Omaha, Nebraska-based, fifth-generation, family-owned company that markets and distributes a wide variety of the finest quality USDA-approved, grain-fed beef and other gourmet foods including seafood, pork, poultry, slow cooker and skillet meals, side dishes, appetizers and desserts. Today, Omaha Steaks is recognized as the nations largest direct response marketer of premium beef and gourmet foods, available to customers by calling 1-800-228-9055, online at http://www.OmahaSteaks.com or at retail stores nationwide. I dont think residents have a lot of trust in the people up in the Capitol, Hayes told the Norwich Bulletin during his successful campaign for a seat vacated by Danny Rovero, a Democrat. For example, this idea ... to install tolls as a way to fix our transportation system. People have been asked to fund similar ideas in the past and the money has been basically stolen and used to fund other things. Both Owen and Dan have been with the firm for more than two decades. Their contributions were critical to growing the firm into what it is today. - Michael J. Novogradac, managing partner of Novogradac & Company LLP San Francisco-based accounting and consulting firm Novogradac & Company LLP announces that two esteemed partners, Owen Gray and Daniel Smith, retired effective Dec. 31, 2018. The firm, which specializes in affordable housing, community development, historic preservation, renewable energy and opportunity zones, prepared for the anticipated departure of these key individuals to ensure a smooth transition for the firms clients and professionals. Both Owen and Dan have been with the firm for more than two decades. Their contributions were critical to growing the firm into what it is today, said Michael J. Novogradac, managing partner of Novogradac & Company LLP. While Dan and Owen will be missed by clients and colleagues, through careful planning Novogradac is prepared to continue providing the stellar level of service for which they were both known. We wish Dan and Owen well in their retirement and thank them for their tireless dedication to serving our clients and mentoring our staff. Gray, who joined the firm in 1992, was a partner in the San Francisco office of Novogradac & Company LLP. Gray worked extensively in all areas of community development, with an emphasis in the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and the new markets tax credit (NMTC) industries. In addition, he has thorough knowledge of the historic rehabilitation tax credit (HTC) and nonprofits. Gray was a frequent speaker at industry-sponsored conferences and workshops, served as chairman of Novogradac & Companys annual spring NMTC conference, and was the technical editor for the Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit Handbook as well as for the NMTC content in the monthly Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits. He formerly served on the board of directors of the Historic Tax Credit Coalition and Marin Advocates for Children. Gray earned his bachelors degree in accounting from Golden Gate University after serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Novogradac & Company LLP executive committee. MORE Smith, who joined the firm in 1994, was a partner in the Dover, Ohio, office of Novogradac & Company LLP. Smith was experienced in the affordable housing, community development and renewable energy sectors, assisting developers and investors in maximizing the benefits of LIHTCs, HTCs and renewable energy tax credits (RETCs). He also practiced extensively in secondary market transactions with a focus on due diligence, forecasting and consulting to maximize the benefits of such transactions. He was a frequent speaker at industry-sponsored conferences and workshops, was a co-author of the Novogradac Renewable Energy Tax Credit Handbook and served as the technical editor of the monthly Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits RETC content. Smith earned his bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Akron. 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. The firm recently launched a new practice focused on the opportunity zones incentive. Emerald Digital is the partnership between NYC-based HeraldPR and NOLA-based Ember Networks. This partnership is the result of intuitive and innovative digital solutions New York City-based public relations firm HeraldPR and New Orleans-based digital marketing agency Ember Networks announced a collaborative partnership known as Emerald Digital. The union will hone in on each agencys specific skills and abilities to create a comprehensive full-service digital marketing agency to expertly cater to a variety of client needs. Emerald Digital, with offices in New York City and New Orleans, will develop digital solutions and service clients across the globe. The aim is to build connectivity with brands, consumers and distribution channels through a data-driven, creative, market service and analytic approach. The company will leverage decades of brand experience, unparalleled access to media relationships and proven creative capabilities. This partnership is the result of intuitive and innovative digital solutions that can provide clients the benefit of established international distribution platforms, media partners and technology services, stated Matthew Berman, CEO of Ember Networks. HeraldPR, founded in 2012 by Warren H. Cohn, focuses on providing expert services to its clients, specializing in traditional public relations, social media and digital advertising, company and personal branding, website development and crisis management. Its experienced team members value one-on-one interaction with each client, placing focus on increasing their brands awareness through various platforms and print, broadcast and digital media outlets, to create a lasting impression on their customers and target audience. With a consistently growing client list, professional team and office space, HeraldPR has demonstrated a skillful dedication to its industry and clients. HeraldPR will join forces with Ember Networks, a digital marketing agency that specializes in services tailored to deliver targeted traffic, generate qualified leads and grow business with measurable results. Operating since 2011, Ember Networks provides a strategic approach to building business with 360 degrees solutions from strategy to design, development and digital marketing services. Embers integrated and coordinated marketing campaigns include SEO, PPC, event marketing, influencer outreach, and more suited for local, national and global branding needs. Cohn will serve as CEO of Emerald Digital and Berman will serve as President. Matt and I have been best friends since college, Cohn said. We have been working together seamlessly for years, it only made sense to create Emerald Digital as a bridge between our two companies in order to offer public and media relations and digital marketing services to our clients. Emerald Digital is already helping businesses reach their full digital potential and is providing greater resources for long standing clients. The new agency is managing digital campaigns for recognized brands in a variety of industries, including consumer goods, retail and fashion, air travel, and luxury goods and services to high-net-worth markets. As a friend and a business owner, I am thrilled with this decision, Cohn said. I look forward to servicing clients large and small for many years to come. One of the most important things we can do today is understand the Bible, as it is increasingly relevant to modern times. Judith Folse has always had a life-long love for the church, which has given her a lens of love as a worldview. In order to give back to those who have impacted her spiritually throughout her life, from multiple trips to Israel to study scripture to attendance at many different churches, Folse decided to add to the treasure trove of Christian materials that have been available over the last 2,000 years with her new book, Genesis: A Modern-Day Commentary (Midrash). Folses work is the examination of the book of Genesis in the Bible which presents every story in the book, from Adam and Eve to Noahs Ark and more. The book is based upon Folses interpretation of the scriptures, making it a Midrash, enabling it to be written based on the words in the Bible without commentary from previous interpreters. Folse also utilized her professional background as a Certified Public Accountant to distill complex materials into an easily readable book on Christianity for Christians and non-Christians alike. The book also highlights how the Bible is relevant to todays modern world, such as how God took Abraham and made a great nation from him despite Abraham coming from a Pagan background. Paganism was historically looked down upon in the Bible, though Folse shows how no matter where you come from, you are never beyond Gods plan for your greatness. One of the most important things we can do today is understand the Bible, as it is increasingly relevant to modern times, Folse said. Genesis is a new way for us to understand how in our modern world, the creation story can show us the path to Gods plan of redemption for humankind. In Genesis: A Modern-Day Commentary (Midrash), Christians and non-Christians alike can understand the history and relevance that the Bible gives them through moral and practical guidance about how to navigate life successfully. Genesis: A Modern-Day Commentary (Midrash) By: Judith Folse ISBN: 978 -1-9736 -1658 - 0 (sc); 978 -1-9736 -1659-7 (hc); 978 -1-9736 -1657-3 (e) Available at the WestBow Press Online Bookstore, Barnes and Noble and Amazon About the Author Judith Folse has practiced different denominations of Christianity throughout her life from being raised as a Catholic to becoming part of the Baptist Church after marrying her husband. Shes had a life-long love for the Church and scriptures, has studied the Bible as well as traveled to Israel to further her Bible and scripture studies several times in her life. Folse is a Certified Public Accountant by profession with 31 years experience with the IRS and owns a CPA practice, Judith Folse Witteman, CPA, PLLC. She is currently a member of the Kingsland Baptist Church and has been singing in the church for over 25 years. For more about the author and her book, please visit: http://www.judithfolse.com/ General Inquiries, Review Copies & Interview Requests: LAVIDGE Phoenix 480-998-2600 ext. 557 dgrobmeier@lavidge.com Author Alice Alicja Jones has recently released Own Your Power: Day By Day, a straightforward guidebook to spiritual transformation with short, thought-provoking meditations supporting the removal of spiritual, mental and emotional blockages to heal the readers body, mind and broken spirit. Jones book provides comprehensive and effective methods readers can use to release the pain trapped within their body, understand the power of the written word and serve as a catalyst for change. Through daily meditations, those who are lost within their own lives will begin to feel connected to their purpose in the world. The book shares the authors story from a place of empowerment and also illustrates we do not need to live in pain. Each one of the pages in Own Your Power offers a daily nugget of motivation or assistance. Having poured into this book for more than 20 years, Jones pulls inspiration and exudes encouragement from the myriad of experiences she has had along the way in her quest to become the best possible channel for Gods healing energies. So many people think they have the right to tell us how to feel about our lives, Jones said. As a result, we feel like weve lost control of our own feelings. I hope the book helps readers learn to trust in their own feelings and thoughts again. An upbeat, positive, and healing repertoire of ideas and circumstances, Own Your Power: Day by Day, will encourage readers to rise above our problems and pain with the power of love. Own Your Power: Day By Day By Alice Alicja Jones ISBN: 9781504399425 (softcover); 9781504399449 (hardcover); 9781504399432 (electronic) Available at the Balboa Press Online Bookstore, Amazon and Jones website About the author Alice Alicja Jones possesses a bachelors degree in English as well a minor in psychology, history, speech and drama from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is an experienced psychic, medium and intuitive healer who specializes in giving spiritual, past life readings and healings. Jones is certified in Access Consciousness, Quantum Touch, Matrix Energetics, Usui Reiki, Metatronic Healing and Energy Masters Institute. She is also a Reiki Master. Jones is currently a licensed lead minister for the Rays of Healing Church located in Falls Church, Va. She has been a licensed real estate broker since 1973 and co-owns a property management company with her husband in Northern Virginia. To learn more, please visit http://www.alicjajones.com. Contact: LAVIDGE Phoenix Kalin Thomas 480-648-7540 kthomas(at)lavidge(dot)com ### Together, Dathenas AI-driven product suite combined with Microsofts Azure Information Protection (AIP) deliver an intuitive and comprehensive solution, helping customers take control of and protect their data. Dathena, the leading AI-powered Data Protection and Management Platform announces its status as a Microsoft Co-Sell Ready solution. Co-sell at Microsoft is a collaborative selling initiative to enable Microsoft and select partners to drive joint revenue and customer success. In order to get the status of Co-Sell Ready, the solution must meet strict criteria, which Dathena has successfully achieved this year, said Pratima Amonkar, Microsofts APAC Lead for ISV Business. Organizations world-wide face mounting pressure to better protect and secure their ever-growing datasets. As regulators, the public and internal stakeholders increase scrutiny, the consequences for failing to do so can be detrimental to the survival of the organization. Developed by information risk management experts, Dathena intimately understands organizations data privacy and protection needs, and caters to them with an in-house developed Artificial Intelligence-powered technology: the Dathena 99 Core Engine. Together, Dathenas AI-driven product suite combined with Microsofts Azure Information Protection (AIP) deliver an intuitive and comprehensive solution, helping customers take control of and protect their data, said Pratima Amonkar. Christopher Muffat, Dathena Founder & CEO said Were thrilled to have been selected as a co-sell partner by Microsoft. Together, we look forward to helping organizations around the globe secure their data and meet regulatory requirements, allowing them to focus on their core business with peace of mind. Microsoft and Dathena are currently working together on multiple deals with large customers across Asia Pacific. For more information about Dathena, visit http://www.dathena.io and find Dathena on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram About Dathena With offices in Singapore, France and Switzerland, Dathena is a leading Artificial Intelligence company that enables data identification, compliance and protection. Founded by industry pioneers and technology experts, Dathena intimately understands the data privacy and protection needs of organisations, and the best solutions to meet those needs. Dathena is committed to building long-term partnerships based on mutual trust, customer-centric innovation and delivery performance. http://www.dathena.io About Microsofts Azure Information Protection The Azure Information Protection (AIP) is Microsofts cloud-based solution that helps organizations secure data by classifying and protecting its documents and emails with labels. Labels can be applied automatically by administrators who define rules and conditions, manually by users, or a combination where users are given recommendations. Dr. Richard Spinrad The Marine Technology Society (MTS), the premier forum for the exchange of information and ideas in marine science and technology for academia, government, and industry, welcomes Dr. Richard W. (Rick) Spinrad as its new President this January. Dr. Spinrad succeeds Donna Kocak of Harris Corporation, who served as President from 2017-2018. Captain Zdenka Willis (USN, Ret) was also announced as the President-Elect. An internationally recognized scientist and executive with more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Spinrad has served as the Chief Scientist for NOAA under the Obama administration, and previously as the Vice President for research at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon, and from 2005 until 2010, as the head of NOAAs Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the head of the National Ocean Service. Dr. Spinrad has extensive experience in environmental research, management, and teaching. He was a leader in the development of the nations first-ever ocean research priorities and established the U.S. Navys environmental research strategy. He has directed federal research programs and served on the faculty of three major universities. He has been published in pre-eminent peer-reviewed journals and awarded highest honors from three international professional societies. Dr. Spinrad began his career as a research scientist at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine, where he worked on underwater optics and radiative transfer. From there, he went on to serve as President of Sea Tech, Inc. in Corvallis, Oregon (1986-1987) and then joined the Office of Naval Research (ONR) as a program manager (1987-1988). From 1988 to 1993, Dr. Spinrad served as the director of the ocean biology, optics, and chemistry division (1988-1993) and the director of the ocean, atmosphere and space modeling and prediction division (1993-1994), both at ONR. During this time, he also served as an adjunct professor in oceanography at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia (1994-1997). Dr. Spinrad also has experience in the non-profit sector having served as executive director for research and education at the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education, Inc. (CORE) in Washington, D.C. (1994-1999, with then-President ADM James D. Watkins). While at CORE, Dr. Spinrad supervised research studies of midshipmen as an adjunct associate professor at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. (1996-1999). As technical director for the Oceanographer of the United States Navy (1999-2003), Dr. Spinrad served as the senior civilian advisor to the U.S. Navy on operational oceanographic and meteorological research and operations. He also established the priorities for the U.S. Navy investment in application of oceanographic products to fleet operations. During his first tenure at NOAA, Dr. Spinrad served as the head of NOAAs National Ocean Service (2003-2005) and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (2005-2010). During this time, he successfully negotiated the United States position in establishing a global tsunami warning system, co-led the development of the White House Ocean Research Priorities Plan, and established agency-wide policies for scientific integrity and independence, among other accomplishments. While serving as vice president for research at OSU, Dr. Spinrad oversaw a nearly $300-million-sponsored research program in the full spectrum of life, natural, physical, and social sciences for 12 colleges and 18 center and institutes. He developed the infrastructure for engaging industry, which resulted in a 42-percent increase in commercially-sponsored research over two years. Dr. Spinrad received his B.A. in earth and planetary sciences from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. both in oceanography from Oregon State University. He holds a Chartered Marine Scientist certificate from the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology in London, England. He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including: the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award (2003), the Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Navy (2003), the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award (2009), and the Alumni Fellow Award from Oregon State University (2010). He is affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, The Oceanography Society, the Marine Technology Society, and others. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. ** The Marine Technology Society was incorporated in June 1963 to give members of academia, government and industry a common forum for the exchange of information and ideas. Our mission is to: facilitate a broader understanding of the relevance of marine technology to wider global issues by enhancing the dissemination of marine technology information; promote and improve marine technology and related educational programs; advance the development of the tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans. To learn more, visit http://www.mtsociety.org. Press inquiries please contact MTS at (202) 827-7170 or by email at Kathleen.Herndon@mtsociety.org. MTS, the Marine Technology Society, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathleen Herndon, PhD as its next Executive Director. A graduate of the College of William and Mary and Monroe Scholar, Dr. Herndon earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychological Research and Program Evaluation from Walden University. Dr. Herndon has led numerous research studies and has served as the managing editor of multiple trade industry publications. "Dr. Herndon is an accomplished association executive whose experience in the US Foreign Service and with statewide professional associations has uniquely prepared her for the challenges of supporting MTS as we usher in the era of the New Blue Economy," says Dr. Richard Spinrad, President of MTS. "She is well equipped to support MTS in our goal to promote awareness, understanding, advancement, and application of marine technology worldwide. With an extensive background in research and program evaluation, as well as over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Herndon is committed to promoting MTS as the leading authority and advocate for marine technology and resources, while promoting member success and public understanding. "MTS is uniquely positioned to foster cooperation between ocean engineers, technologists, policy makers, and educators, says Dr. Herndon. The Marine Technology Society was incorporated in June 1963 to give members of academia, government and industry a common forum for the exchange of information and ideas. Our mission is to: facilitate a broader understanding of the relevance of marine technology to wider global issues by enhancing the dissemination of marine technology information; promote and improve marine technology and related educational programs; advance the development of the tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans. To learn more, visit http://www.mtsociety.org. Press inquiries please contact MTS at (202) 827-7170 or by email at Kathleen.Herndon@mtsociety.org. The lack of utilization indicates that the marketing support available to partners does not align with the majority of channel partners needs OneAffiniti, a leader in through-channel marketing solutions for global IT partners and brands, today announced the result of its 2018 Pulse of the Channel survey (three surveys collected information from 507 North American IT channel partners). Above all else, the data highlights the fact that only 23 percent of partners report accessing a brand-provided marketing platform on a monthly basis in the past year, with many partners saying they simply dont have enough time to engage with a marketing platform. Nevertheless, the survey also shows that many channel partners are interested in receiving more marketing support from brands, particularly as an incentive. The results suggest there is plenty of room for brands to help partners use marketing platforms more effectively and efficiently. *Partners dont have time, bandwidth for marketing* Only 23 percent of IT channel partners say they have accessed or used a brand-provided marketing platform on a monthly basis in the last year. More than half of partners said that they didnt use the platform because it was too time-consuming or they lacked the resources/bandwidth to put it into action. Fourteen percent of partners said they did not see value in the marketing platform. Here are the reasons that channel partners who are not using brand-provided marketing platforms provided for their non-use: Reason for non-utilization: Percentage Lack of time: 38% Lack of resources/bandwidth: 18% Dont see enough value: 14% Difficult to use: 10% Other: 20% The lack of utilization indicates that the marketing support available to partners does not align with the majority of channel partners needs, said OneAffiniti founder and CEO, Joel Montgomery. And yet, the desire and demand for marketing support among partners clearly exists. Brands and their marketing partners need to do more to help partners achieve their marketing goals. *Many IT SMB focused channel partners spend little on marketing* If partners arent using the marketing resources provided to them by brands, they are unlikely to be engaged in any serious marketing at all. 52% of partners spend less than $5,000 per year on marketing, while 10 percent spend $0. Marketing spend: Percentage $0: 10% $0-$500 per year: 10% $500-$1,000 per year: 10% $1,000-$5,000 per year: 22% $5,000-$10,000 per year: 18% $10,000-$50,000 per year: 17% $50,000+ per year: 6% I dont know: 6% Furthermore, the marketing that IT channel partners are conducting is overwhelmingly non-digital. Among partners who spend less than $5,000 a year on marketing, less than a quarter are meeting the recommended digital spending target of 40%. Things are better, but not that much better among partners who spend more than $5,000 a year: 38% are hitting the recommended digital spending target. Meet recommended spend on digital (%) | Marketing spend 23% of partners | Less than $5,000 a year 38% of partners | More than $5,000 a year *Marketing services and training incentivize partners to sell* There are clear indications that providing marketing services to channel partners is an effective way to address a key pain point for these SMBs and increase partner loyalty. The Pulse of the Channel survey also found that 20% of channel partners said they would be most likely to sell a brands products if they were provided partner marketing services or marketing training. The most popular incentive is cash, with 36% of partners reporting they would be most likely to sell a companys products if provided with cash incentives. While partners signaled that there are a variety of incentives that would make them more likely to sell, here is what they said would be most likely to motivate them. Incentives (Percentage) Monetary rewards: 36% Partner marketing services/training: 20% Invites to brand events: 16% Brand purchasing credits: 14% Partner recognition (awards/certificates): 11% OneAffinitis Pulse of the Channel survey shows that channel partners understand the benefits of marketing, but they simply dont have time or money to invest in marketing at this point, said Montgomery. Brands should challenge the norm and explore options to drive dramatically higher platform utilization through a through-channel marketing system that makes it as easy as possible for partners to participate in brand-provided marketing efforts. *About OneAffiniti* OneAffiniti is a platform-enabled marketing solutions provider unlocking the power of the indirect marketing channel and supercharging a brand's return on investment. OneAffiniti offers channel partners hands-off, sophisticated marketing services fully funded by some of the largest brands across the globe. Through a mix of high-quality digital marketing, innovative content, promotions and insights, OneAffiniti helps channel partners acquire new clients and engage their existing customers. The company was founded in 2008 in Sydney, Australia and has operated in the US since 2015, when it opened offices in Austin, TX. OneAffiniti serves more than 2,500 channel partners in North America, reaching 3 million IT buyers each month. http://www.oneaffiniti.com Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Daiske Yoshida has joined the firms Global Antitrust Law and Investigations + White Collar Defense practices as a partner in the Tokyo office. Mr. Yoshida brings to the firm more than 20 years of cross-border regulatory experience in both the United States and Japan across a wide range of sectors including the life sciences and electronics industries. He began his career in New York before relocating to Tokyo where he has practiced for the last 12 years. Mr. Yoshidas practice focuses on cross-border litigation, arbitration, and investigations. Mr. Yoshida has led large-scale government and internal investigations in Japan, the U.S., and Europe involving antitrust, anti-corruption, securities law, corporate governance, and economic sanctions issues. He has also represented clients in U.S. federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels, and international arbitrations. Daiskes addition strengthens our ability to help our clients navigate the growing complexities of international litigation as well as broad experience with cartel and other investigations, said Ken Siegel, Managing Partner of Morrison & Foersters Tokyo office. His background practicing in both the U.S. and Japan provides our clients with a valuable global perspective and they will benefit from his proven ability to counsel on cross-border matters. Louise Stoupe, head of the Tokyo Litigation Department and co-chair of the firms Commercial Litigation and Trial Practice Group, added: Daiskes deep experience in antitrust and investigations matters will be a tremendous asset for our clients not only in Japan, but globally as well. He has deservedly established a reputation in Tokyo as a market leader who has successfully represented many Japanese companies. Im excited about the depth that Daiske adds to our growing Tokyo Litigation Department. Mr. Yoshida is the latest partner to recently join Morrison & Foersters Global Antitrust Law practice. Lisa Phelan, who is based in Washington, D.C. and has a strong presence in Asia, came to the firm in July after 16 years as the Chief of the National Criminal Enforcement and Washington Criminal I Sections of the Antitrust Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. Vishal Mehta, also located in Washington, D.C., joined the group in October, bringing a broad range of antitrust experience including M&A, investigations, litigation, compliance, counseling, and public affairs. Morrison & Foerster has also been expanding its Investigations + White Collar Defense practice over the last few months. Most recently, former prosecutor and industry-leading compliance executive Christine Wong joined the firms San Francisco office. The commitment Morrison & Foerster has shown to continuing to build out its antitrust and investigations groups on a global scale and to growing its footprint in Japan makes it a perfect fit for my practice, Mr. Yoshida said. I am proud to join the top international law firm in Japan. I look forward to collaborating with the talented attorneys at MoFo and to working with our industry-leading, innovative clients. ABOUT MOFO IN JAPAN Morrison & Foerster has the largest and most diverse practice of any international law firm in Japan, with approximately 120 attorneys in Tokyo (including 45 bengoshi admitted to practice in Japan). We were one of the first foreign law firms licensed in Japan, opening our offices in 1987. Today, we are the largest international law firm in Japan, and one of the six largest firms in Japan, foreign or domestic. Morrison & Foerster was selected as Japan International Law Firm of the Year by the Chambers Asia Pacific Awards in 2018 this is the 6th year in a row that we have received this prestigious honor. We were also recognized by Chambers Asia Pacific 2019 in more Band 1 practice rankings and more "Star Individual" attorney rankings than any other international firm in Japan. ABOUT MOFO Morrison & Foerster is a global firm with exceptional credentials. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, investment banks, Fortune 100, and technology and life sciences companies. The Financial Times has named the firm to its lists of most innovative law firms in Northern America and Asia every year that it has published its Innovative Lawyers Reports in those regions. In the past few years, Chambers USA has honored MoFos Privacy and Data Security, Bankruptcy, and IP teams with Firm of the Year awards, the Corporate/M&A team with a client service award, and the firm as a whole as Global USA Firm of the Year. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education for poor children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, winning asylum for the persecuted, and safeguarding the environment. Jessica Noval, Data Age Sales Operations Manager Jessica understands that in order for our customers to succeed, there has to be an investment in their business, not just from them but from their provider as well. Data Age Business Systems, the developers of PawnMaster, the industry leading pawn shop management software, announced today the promotion of Jessica Noval to Sales Operations Manager. Jessica joined Data Age in 2015 as an Account Manager and used her sales background to immediately connect with the Data Age customer base, quickly acquainting herself with the products, processes, and support protocols. Jessica understood the critical nature of consultative sales, said Len Summa, CEO, Data Age Business Systems. Her understanding the vitalness of connecting the front and back offices within businesses made her a leader in sales, first as an Account Manager and later as a Sales Manager. Jessica understands that in order for our customers to succeed, there has to be an investment in their business, not just from them but from their provider as well. Shes fully committed to her customers, and it shows. Going forward, Jessica will oversee day-to-day operations of Data Ages sales team while acting as a liaison between departments. Her knowledge of our products and the benefits to customers is huge, and she will continue to work with our 4,000 clients on a one-to-one basis in addition to her new priorities, says Summa. Prior to working at Data Age, Jessica was a Global Sales Representative for a locally owned pharmaceutical company. She resides in Florida with her fiance and four children and while not working to connect with our customer base, she creates artwork that she sells and displays in local shows. About Data Age Business Systems/PawnMaster Data Age offers industry leading financial transaction software solutions that enable businesses doing non-traditional lending, buy/sell, check cashing and even traditional retailers to scale their organization, deliver exceptional customer service, capture data quickly and accurately, mitigate risk, adhere to regulatory mandates, manage employee challenges, and drive profitability. To learn more about Data Age and our products, visit https://www.dataage.com, https://www.pawnmaster.com, https://www.buysellmaster.com or call 888-949-7296. The creation of the committee was relatively rare at the Capitol - as Republicans and Democrats still cannot agree on an election that was held more than two months ago. In an unusual move on Opening Day, the state House of Representatives voted to establish the special four-member, bipartisan committee to decide the election that Democrats say was won by state Rep. Phil Young. Jason Silva to Speak at MURTEC 2019 "Jason's energy and enthusiasm will be a 'boost of espresso,'" says Abigail Lorden, vice president and group brand director, Hospitality Technology. Emmy-nominated television personality and world-renowned futurist Jason Silva will kick off MURTEC 2019, being held March 11-13 at The Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Silva is the host of the National Geographic Channels Brain Games and Origins, broadcast in more than 171 countries. "Jason's energy and enthusiasm will be a 'boost of espresso,'" says Abigail Lorden, vice president and group brand director, Hospitality Technology. "He's really going to challenge our attendees with mind-stretching ideas for innovation and productivity." Hailed by The Atlantic as A Timothy Leary of the Viral Video Age, Silva is considered an extraordinary new breed of philosopher who meshes philosophical wisdom of the ages with an infectious optimism for the future. Combining intriguing insights and a mastery of digital film-making, Jason unravels the incredible possibilities the future has to offer the human race. MURTEC attendees will be riveted by Silvas use of video and engaging storytelling to explore the co-evolution of humans and technology. In this not-to-miss session, Silva will offer his hyper-enthusiastic insights on how brands must embrace creativity, innovation, technology, philosophy and humanity. In his opening keynote, Become an Organization of the Future, Silva will challenge attendees to recognize that innovating at the beginning is easy sustaining that enlightened path and not falling victim to disruption is where many organizations falter. Throughout the session, Silva will demand that brands think exponentially and question everything. As a rare blend of philosopher/futurist, Silva will challenge attendees to consider new uses not just for technology, but for the human brain as well. Attendees will leave this session a little more enlightened and perhaps a little scared, but thats a good thing. What seems scary could be the biggest opportunity for success. Jason has been featured in CBS News, The Atlantic, The Economist, Vanity Fair, Forbes, Wired, TED.com, IO9, Huffington Post, BigThink, and BrainPickings, among others, and he was also featured as part of the Gap Icons campaign. ABOUT MURTEC Now in its 24th year, MURTEC has become the "Gold Standard" event for education and networking in the restaurant technology industry. The 2019 event will take place March 11-13, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Hosting 700+ restaurant technology executives and solution providers, About Hospitality Technology Hospitality Technology (HT) is the only publication dedicated to covering the role of information technology in improving business performance for hotel and restaurant operators. Hospitality Technology is published by Chicago-based EnsembleIQ. About EnsembleIQ EnsembleIQ is the leading business intelligence platform serving the retail, consumer goods, health care, food service; pharmacy and hospitality industries focused on helping customers solve big problems and inspiring bold ideas. EnsembleIQ is a portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, a private equity investor with more than 30 years of experience investing in growth companies in partnership with strong management teams. Teen and adult students alike will gain valuable job skills that they can use to help prepare for careers after graduation." Christine Jax, Chief Academic Officer James Madison High School, named the No. 1 online high school for 2018 by Best College Reviews, announces the launch of Career Pathways, a new and affordable online high school program aimed at workforce preparation. Career Pathways is open to any student who can benefit from job skills training during high school, said Principal Megan Bowen. Weve focused on popular trade, allied healthcare, and small business concepts for our first 10 pathway certificates. Theres something for everyone who wants to enter one of these high-demand fields after high school. The program takes the schools typical 23-credit-hour general high school diploma program and sharpens its focus by exchanging two general electives for career-focused courses. JMHS students are able to explore their choice of 10 specialized career paths without additional semesters, credit hours, or study time. Upon graduation, students receive an accredited general high school diploma and a Career Pathways certificate to signify successful completion of a vocational study area. This is a fantastic new program for career-focused high school students, said Chief Academic Officer Christine Jax. Teen and adult students alike will gain valuable job skills that they can use to help prepare for careers after graduation. Not everyone wants or needs to continue to post-secondary school, and we are proud to offer a truly affordable and flexible path for their career development. JMHS Career Pathways certificates are available for carpentry, child care, electrical, event planning, medical billing & coding, medical office assisting, pharmacy assisting, plumbing, sterile processing, and veterinary assisting. Graduates of the veterinary assisting Career Pathways program will be eligible to transfer six credit hours into the Ashworth College veterinary assisting career diploma program to expedite further career training in this high-demand field. For more information about JMHS Career Pathways, please visit http://www.jmhs.com/academics/career-pathways/ or call to speak to an Admissions Advisor at 1.800.957.5412. About James Madison High School James Madison High School is a regionally-accredited online institution that provides flexible and affordable high school education to students around the world. Areas of education include College Prep Diploma, General Diploma, and Career Pathways programs, NCAA-eligible courses, and single courses. Additionally, through a partnership with the Georgia Student Finance Commission, all JMHS students are eligible for Dual Enrollment, a fully-funded program of college-level courses through which they can earn high school and college credits simultaneously. For more information, visit http://www.jmhs.com. JMHS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) and by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). By opening an office in London, we will be able to provide these clients with an even more accessible network of highly skilled lawyers to manage their high volume legal work. InCloudCounsel, a legal technology company offering a global, end-to-end solution for negotiating and managing routine legal work, is pleased to announce the opening of its first European office in London. By establishing dedicated operations in Europe, InCloudCounsel is able to bring its best-in-class solution to significantly more companies in the region. This expansion affirms InCloudCounsels commitment to delivering a seamless global solution to its large enterprise clients - the company plans to work with all major legal markets in Europe and open an office in Asia-Pacific by the end of the year. This also creates opportunities for highly experienced corporate lawyers who are yearning for a flexible yet steady work arrangement. InCloudCounsel provides clients with the confidence that their recurring, yet important, documents and contracts are being thoroughly managed, so their in-house legal teams can focus on other, more complex work, says Troy Pospisil, founder and CEO of InCloudCounsel. Many of our clients have expanded, or plan to expand, into Europe, and by opening an office in London, we will be able to provide these clients with an even more accessible network of highly skilled lawyers to manage their high volume legal work. London is often considered a business hub of Europe, making it an ideal location for InCloudCounsels regional operations. According to Research and Markets Legal Services Global Market Report 2017, the U.K. was the largest European legal market in 2016, accounting for about $45 billion or 7 percent of the global market that year. With its new office located in London, InCloudCounsel will be able to provide European companies with a solution to address the pain points caused by routine legal work. The expansion is led by Bridget Deiters, Managing Director, U.K. at InCloudCounsel. Prior to InCloudCounsel, Bridget practiced corporate and capital markets law at Kirkland & Ellis and Cravath in London. Bridget holds a J.D. from Georgetown and a B.A. from Yale, and she brings extensive international legal experience to InCloudCounsel. We are thrilled to have Bridget join the team, says Pospisil. Her experience at leading firms in the European legal market, coupled with her curiosity, empathy, and drive, make her the perfect person to lead our London office. InCloudCounsels expansion into Europe provides top corporate lawyers with the the freedom to build the practice that best fits their lives. InCloudCounsel works with a select group of some of the worlds top solo and independent practice attorneys who possess deep expertise in specific legal document types. The lawyers working with InCloudCounsel hold an average of nearly 14 years of experience, and most have worked at a top law firm. To learn more about InCloudCounsels ideal solution for negotiating and managing recurring legal work, visit http://www.incloudcounsel.com/. To learn more about attorney work opportunities with InCloudCounsel, visit http://www.incloudcounsel.com/work/. About InCloudCounsel InCloudCounsel is a legal technology company that combines some of the worlds best corporate attorneys with cloud-based software to offer a scalable, end-to-end solution for negotiating and managing routine legal work. InCloudCounsel has helped some of the worlds leading companies effectively streamline their processes, free up resources, and achieve substantial cost savings. InCloudCounsel is a legal technology company that helps highly experienced corporate lawyers achieve the freedom to practice law without the geographic or time constraints of traditional law firm employment, giving them the opportunity to pursue other passions in life, from starting a business to traveling the world to starting a family. Media Contact: Brin Segal brin.segal@walkersands.com +1.310.907.6444 I am proud of my home state of Illinois for taking this great step in bringing awareness to skin cancer and ensuring that from a young age students know applying sunscreen while outdoors is key to combating this epidemic. Illinois has become the 18th state to allow children to possess and apply sunscreen at school, an important step in preventing skin cancer. The legislation known as SUNucate was introduced by Representative John Connor and carried through the Senate by Senator Tom Cullerton. It is designed to eliminate barriers that prohibit students from possessing and using over-the-counter sunscreen in school. Sunscreen often falls under broad reaching medication bans that require a physicians note or prescription to utilize in school. Illinois is only the second state to allow students to wear sun-safe clothing, including hats, and the first to encourage sun-safe behavior in school curricula. I am proud of my home state of Illinois for taking this great step in bringing awareness to skin cancer and ensuring that from a young age students know applying sunscreen while outdoors is key to combatting this epidemic. Allowing children to use sun-protective clothing provides an additional layer of prevention, and teaching kids about how best to protect themselves from the sun will have a lifelong, positive influence, said American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) President Murad Alam, MD, MBA. If we are serious about lowering the incidence of skin cancer, then SUNucate is a common-sense, budget-neutral way for states and schools to become involved. The need for such legislation arose after concerns were raised by dermatologists and reports in the national media about students being required to bring a note or prescription from a physician in order to possess or use sunscreen, which is classified as an over-the-counter drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Preventive Services Task Force both believe that children should have access to sunscreen and other sun-protective measures in order to reduce the risk of skin cancer. ASDSA worked with the Illinois Dermatological Society, Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation, Illinois State Medical Society and other coalition partners to advocate for the passage of this law. To learn more about SUNucate, visit asds.net/SUNucate. # # # About ASDSA With a membership of 6,400+ physicians, ASDSA is a 501(c) (6) association, dedicated to education and advocacy on behalf of dermatologic surgeons and their patients. For more information, visit asds.net/ASDSA. Follow @ASDSAdvocacy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Intrinsic ID "We chose QuiddiKey primarily for delivering cost-effective and robust foundational security. This strong anchor of trust singularly enables our customers to maximize their revenue and reassure their customers with the ability to hold counterfeits at bay." - Dr. Amit Bavisi, IDT Intrinsic ID, the worlds leading provider of digital authentication technology for Internet of Things security, today announced Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT), has licensed QuiddiKey, based on SRAM PUF technology, for security in its wireless charging products. Wireless power implementation is growing rapidly and expanding into multiple markets, so Intrinsic IDs ability to help us deliver our technology in a secure, scalable manner was key to our choice, said Dr. Amit Bavisi, senior director of SoC mobile engineering for IDTs Wireless Power Division. We chose QuiddiKey primarily for delivering cost-effective and robust foundational security. This strong anchor of trust singularly enables our customers to maximize their revenue and reassure their customers with the ability to hold counterfeits at bay. An additional, and more important, benefit is that the use of strong unclonable authentication for legitimate branded devices keeps consumers safe from charging hazards with counterfeits, which may not comply with industry-standard safety requirements. IDT delivers innovative wireless power solutions both for the receivers used in smartphones and other applications, as well as the transmitters used in charging pads and automotive in-car applications. QuiddiKey is based on Intrinsic IDs patented SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) PUF (Physical Unclonable Function) technology and allows semiconductor manufacturers to deliver IoT security via a unique fingerprint identity without the need for an additional security chip, such as a secure element. A root key generated by QuiddiKey delivers a high bar of security because it is internally generated, is never stored, and anchors all other keys and security operations to the IoT-connected product, such as a smart home appliance. IDT wireless charging solutions are used for an expanding range of applications, including small-footprint products such as fitness and health monitors, and charging solutions for smartphones. Authentication has become a necessity as providers of charging base offerings require control over their end-to-end charging system, said Pim Tuyls, Intrinsic IDs chief executive officer. QuiddiKeys ability to create unclonable identities for any IoT-connected product without the need for additional hardware is critical to profitably scale the IoT. About Intrinsic ID Intrinsic ID is the worlds leading digital authentication company, providing the Internet of Things with hardware-based root-of-trust security via unclonable identities for any IoT-connected device. Based on Intrinsic IDs patented SRAM PUF technology, the companys security solutions can be implemented in hardware or software. Intrinsic ID security, which can be deployed at any stage of a products lifecycle, is used to validate payment systems, secure connectivity, authenticate sensors, and protect sensitive government and military systems. Intrinsic ID technology has been deployed in more than 125 million devices. Award recognition includes the IoT Breakthrough Award, the IoT Security Excellence Award, the Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award and the EU Innovation Radar Prize. Intrinsic ID security has been proven in millions of devices certified by Common Criteria, EMVCo, Visa and multiple governments. Intrinsic IDs mission: Authenticate Everything. Visit Intrinsic ID online at http://www.Intrinsic-ID.com. Intrinsic ID, the Intrinsic ID logo, QuiddiKey and Authenticate Everything are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intrinsic ID, Inc., and are protected by trademark laws of the United States and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. With China at our doorstep, Hong Kong bridges East and West, the ancient and modern, and sits at the crossroads of many industries shaping the business of wellness. The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy, today named Catherine Feliciano-Chon, a leading brand development and communications expert with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and Tokyo-based spa/wellness investor and entrepreneur Yoriko Soma to co-chair the leading conference on the business of wellness. The Summit returns to Asia for the third time in its 13-year history and will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from October 1517, 2019. Hong Kong is a vibrant, exciting, business-centric destination, offering a gateway to the Asian marketplace, and we are thrilled to be bringing the Summit here, said Nancy Davis, chief creative officer and executive director of the GWS. From the world-class hospitality of the renowned Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, to top-rated local restaurants led by some of the worlds best young chefs, to the unique wellness scene in this exciting city, GWS delegates are in for an immersive experience of ancient culture and modern innovation that is the hallmark of Hong Kong. According to the Global Wellness Institutes recently released 2018 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, Asia is the biggest growth leader in key wellness markets. The region lays claim to being the fastest-growing wellness tourism market in the world, with China and India ranking first and second in growth worldwide. In addition, Asia boasts the largest number of spas and thermal/mineral springs in the world and has a fast-growing wellness real estate market. Having the Summit in Hong Kong underscores Asias importance to the wellness economy, said Feliciano-Chon, a GWS advisory board member. With China at our doorstep, Hong Kong bridges East and West, the ancient and modern, and sits at the crossroads of many industries shaping the business of wellness. Its an honor to be part of the leadership team for the GWS 2019. Feliciano-Chon founded CatchOn, a strategic marketing communications consultancy with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 2001. Under her direction, the agency has become known for its insights on the Asian consumer and has developed significant industry resources and trend studies, including the China Spa Consumer Study; the annual Future of Food report; 10+10 Made In China; and Raise The Red Lantern or Fly The White Flag: Understanding and Embracing Chinese Travellers. Tokyo-based Soma is also a GWS advisory board member and runs a major investment fund for Asian spa and wellness businesses. She began her career at the Boston Consulting Group in Hong Kong, focusing on the luxury consumer market and has participated in multiple resort, destination and day spa projects in Asia. Corporate success is built on collaboration, and that is exactly what the Global Wellness Summit, with its tagline 'Joining together. Shaping the future.' prides itself in fostering, said Soma. Im excited to be part of the team that will help the GWS delegates uncover insights and opportunities in the Asian wellness economy and help them better understand Asian culture and the best way to approach business in this exploding market. Adds Davis, We are already deep into the planning of this event, from a soul-stirring opening ceremony, to keynote speakers who will extensively explore the business that is bursting at the seams, to the networking that is the hallmark of every Summit. This is going to be an event rich in content and experiences, and were thrilled to have Cathy and Yoriko as part of the team curating the 2019 agenda. The Global Wellness Summit is always a sold-out event. First-time delegates must apply to attend, while previous delegates and invitees who register prior to February 28, 2019, can take advantage of a preferred registration rate. About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, Summits have taken place in the US, Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico, Austria and Italy. The 13th annual Summit will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from October 1517, 2019. FSIoffice, a business specializing in distribution of office supplies and furniture, is proud to announce national certification as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Greater Womens Business Council, a regional certifying partner of the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). We are honored and excited that FSIoffice is now certified as a WBENC-Certified WBE. We see this recognition as a positive affirmation for potential customers that are actively seeking to do business with women-owned businesses said Kim Leazer CEO of FSIoffice This certification also confirms all the hard work FSIoffice has put into delivering outstanding service on large contracts with governmental agencies and corporate entities that are required to show diversity in their procurement practices Leazer also said. WBENCs national standard of certification implemented by the Greater Womens Business Council is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the candidate company and its business practices as well as a site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women. By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies are able to demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs. About FSIoffice: FSIoffice is a family owned and operated business founded in 1962 and is now one of the nations largest independent dealers of office supplies, office furniture and supplies for schools and facilities. With headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina and offices throughout the southeast the company has grown by providing outstanding customer service based on family principals guided by doing the right thing every time. To learn more about FSIoffice, please visit https://www.fsioffice.com. About WBENC: Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nations leader in womens business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 13,000 certified Womens Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and over 300 Corporate Members. More than 1,000 corporations representing Americas most prestigious brands as well as many states, cities, and other entities accept WBENC Certification. For more information, visit http://www.wbenc.org. Next Phase Solutions provides federal managers scalable solutions, both classified and unclassified, to address todays content and data management challenges whether large or small. Next Phase Solutions (NPS), a leader in content and data management services, announced today that Christopher R. Sharpley, former Acting Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has joined its team as Managing Director of Federal Practice. In this role, Sharpley will shape initiatives that provide federal agencies with solutions to data and process challenges, including: improving management of enterprise and mission functions, centralizing content, integrating existing systems to streamline operations and ensuring compliance. Drawing upon decades of experience as a federal executive and innovator who has built award-winning compliance programs in defense, intelligence, energy and financial services, Sharpley has first-hand experience with the how to when it comes to addressing the mission critical challenges presented to managers in the federal workspace. Sharpley served four years as Acting Inspector General at CIA and was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Inspector General. He was awarded a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 2010 by then President Barack Obama. He departed CIA in August of 2018. Next Phase Solutions provides federal managers scalable solutions, both classified and unclassified, to address todays content and data management challenges whether large or small, said Sharpley. Im excited to have the opportunity to assist managers with building new data-intensive missions, strengthening security and broadening capabilities with existing mission enterprise data, and to do more with less in an environment of increasing requirements, evolving threats and shrinking budgets. Next Phase Solution works with customers to identify gaps in business processes, increase compliance and improve efficiency utilizing OnBase by Hyland software and is on GSA Schedule 70. With capabilities including content, data and document management, OnBase is a robust tool that is easily configured out of the box to provide workflow and data management with security and auditability as key tenets. With the addition of Sharpley to the team, Next Phase Solutions strategic goal of providing rapid deployments to Federal agency clients in need of improved compliance, process automation and/or data analytics is greatly strengthened, which allows Federal agencies to meet regulatory changes and maintain the confidence of the public. Prior to his nomination as Inspector General, Sharpley served as Deputy Inspector General at CIA, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the U.S. Treasurys Special Inspector General for Troubled Asset Relief Program and the U.S. Department of Energy. He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2002, having served last as Director of Special Projects (Reserves) with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), in support of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Sharpley held positions as a Senior Intelligence Officer (SIS), a member of the federal law enforcement Senior Executive Service (SES) and a certified special agent. He is trained in intelligence, counterintelligence and anti-terrorism, and attended the Defense Language Institute in Japanese language studies. Sharpley received his masters from the Naval Postgraduate School, where he studied National Security Affairs, and a bachelors from The American University, with a focus on justice. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute (FEI) and attended Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government Senior Programs. New and changing regulations, data silos and the drive to make data and information available quickly within and across agencies requires the Federal Government to have reliable solutions to meet those demands, said David Godiksen, President of Next Phase Solutions. With Christophers previous leadership and process improvement experience, he will bring significant value to NPS customers while also leading a team of industry experts to provide unmatched solutions in the federal market. Sharpleys broad experience and successful record of taking on new and challenging federal missions has earned him the respect of federal managers across government and the Congress. He is recognized for his work in developing effective financial investigative and intelligence programs and for implementing prosecutorial support processes associated with banking and securities fraud during the financial crisis of 2008 - 2010. Sharpley was also recognized for his successes in identifying and recommending fixes to security related issues associated with the nations nuclear weapons complex system of national laboratories at the Department of Energy following the terror attacks of 2001. He was a member of the U.S. Department of Justices White-Collar Crimes, Securities and Mortgage Fraud Working Groups and was a visiting faculty at Justices National Advocacy Center. About Next Phase Solutions, LLC With over 25 years of experience in consulting, architecting, designing, and deploying configurable content and case management solutions for commercial businesses and government, Next Phase Solutions is committed to supporting digital transformation with simplicity. F.A. Davis Company has been recognized by AJN as the publisher of three of the titles awarded 2018 Book-of-the-Year Awards in four different categories. These awards recognize the most valuable publications of the year, as chosen by AJNs panel of judges. Peer-reviewed and evidence-based, AJN is considered the professions premier journal and has been identifying its selections of the years best work since 1969. We congratulate each of the authors on their accomplishments and thank them for their dedication to sharing their knowledge and experience with nursing students, educators, and clinicians, said Jean Rodenberger, Editor-in-Chief, Nursing. These three titles reflect models of learning that are changing how nursing is taught and how students are learning in todays time pressed environments. We are honored that AJN has recognized the contributions of these authors to the education of the next generation of nursing students and to the professional development of the field. Awarded third place in the 2018 AJN Book of the Year Awardin the Digital Products category: Davis Advantage for Basic Nursing Thinking, Doing, and Caring, 2nd Edition Leslie S. Treas, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, NNP-BC Judith M. Wilkinson, PhD, ARNP Karen L. Barnett, DNP, RN Mable H. Smith, PhD, JD, MN, NEA-BC This online personalized learning system accompanies a nursing fundamentals textbook and enables students to engage with interactive content that corresponds to the textbooks chapter. Offers opportunities for students to assess their own learning. Helps students actively engage with difficult-to-learn content.AJN Awarded second place in the 2018 AJN Book of the Year Award in the Advanced Practice Nursing and third place in the Maternal-Child Health/Prenatal Nursing Childbirth categories: Genetics and Genomics in Nursing and Health Care, 2nd Edition Theresa A. Beery, PhD, RN, ACNP M. Linda Workman, PhD, RN, FAAN Julia A. Eggert, PhD, AGN-BC, AOCN, FAAN Has potential use beyond the classroom. Although intended to be a textbook for students, this book is a valuable resource for practicing nurses who have never taken a genetics course. The authors make the complex subject matter understandable and interesting. A multitude of tables, charts, and photographs help clarify the material. AJN Awarded third place in the 2018 AJN Book of the Year Awardin the Community/Public Health category: Family Health Care Nursing Theory, Practice, and Research, 6th Edition Joanna Rowe Kaakinen, PhD, RN Deborah Padgett Coehlo, PhD, C-PNP, PMHS, CFLE Rose Steele, PhD, RN Melissa Robinson, PhD, RN One of this texts greatest assets is that it is easy to read and digest. Its concept-based content can be used for an individual course or applied across an entire program of study. Has multifaceted usability. Is a great read. Is beautifully laid out.AJN These titles are available at bookstores or directly from F.A. Davis Company. For more information, call 800-323-3555 (US) 800-665-1148 (Canada) or visit http://www.FADavis.com. About F.A. Davis Company F.A. Davis Company is one of the oldest independent, family-managed publishing houses in America. Since 1879, we have been meeting the needs of nursing, medical, and health science professionals seeking information of the highest quality. Today, F.A. Davis carries on that tradition through dedication to developing teaching and learning solutions that meet the needs of its print, digital, and online products for students, educators, and clinicians in Nursing and the Health Sciences. Our flagship titles, Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary and Daviss Drug Guide for Nurses are among the most trusted names in health care. For more information, visit http://www.FADavis.com. The First and Largest Master Agent/Broker of Data Center Infrastructure Services such as Colocation, Cloud, Connectivity and Cybersecurity This conference is addressing critical industry challenges and issues with real actionable solutions COLOTRAQ, the foremost global sourcing advisory firm and master agency for data center infrastructure and cloud services, announced today that its CEO, Dany Bouchedid, was selected to moderate a panel discussion at the Data Center World conference in Phoenix, Arizona on March 19-22. The session is entitled The Impact of Next-Gen Technologies Such as Hybrid Cloud, IoT, Edge Computing, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrency on the Data Center Industry, and will be focusing on expert insights on how these next-generation technologies are impacting the data center industry both from a supply/demand perspective, as well as the competitive landscape. Dany was able to assemble a standout panel of subject matter experts that include Lisa Marks-Canty (CEO) of ChainNinja Blockchain Solutions, Michael Levy (Director, Product Management Data Center Solutions) of RackSpace, Tina Gravel (SVP Global Channels and Alliances) of Cyxtera and Nikesh Kalra (Director of Product Management and Emerging Services) of Equinix. This event is unique in the way it focuses on delivering the best vendor-neutral education to IT and Data Center professionals, said Bouchedid. This conference is addressing critical industry challenges and issues with real actionable solutions," continued Bouchedid. COLOTRAQ will also be exhibiting at the conference and they will be demonstrating the features and capabilities of DCITRAQ, their industry leading cloud-based platform for sourcing data center infrastructure services such as Colocation, Cloud, Connectivity and Cybersecurity. The conference will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on March 19-22 and will feature IT Infrastructure and Data Center professionals, executives and thought leaders from a wide array of companies. Topics this year will include cutting edge trends, operations, security and risk management and leadership strategy among several others. For more information on this event, click here About COLOTRAQ COLOTRAQ is the foremost global sourcing advisory firm and master agency for data center infrastructure (DCI) such as colocation, managed hosting, cloud and related network services. Since 1999, COLOTRAQ has been helping find DCI solutions for businesses and institutions worldwide through its unrivaled network of over 400 service providers in over 1,300 cities across 140 countries and territories. COLOTRAQ can instantly match customer requirements from a single rack to thousands of square feet of data center space and related managed or network services. COLOTRAQ on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/colotraq/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/colotraq Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COLOTRAQ/ Hundreds of trees were toppled or extensively damaged by the intense storm that ripped through Connecticut on May 15. State crews and contractors have been working ever since clearing away hundreds of fallen or damaged trees and regrading portions of the park. Care driven by what works best for the patient makes a real difference in their health and well-being. Cigna-HealthSprings Medicare Advantage (MA) customers in Chicagos South suburbs and Southside communities have a new option for their medical care with the addition of JenCare Senior Medical Centers to their network, effective immediately. JenCare operates five centers in Chicagoland providing the access to care and convenience patients expect, including walk-in appointments, expanded hours, expansive office visits, medication dispensing and even door-to-door transportation to those who need it. These centers will be available to customers in Cigna-HealthSprings Advantage (HMO), Premier (HMO-POS) and Primary (HMO) plans. JenCare adheres to the ChenMed approach to high-touch care for Medicare-eligible seniors, that, according to the September American Journal of Managed Care, reduces hospital admissions by 50 percent; decreases health care costs by 28 percent; and improves patient use of preventive medications by up to 41 percent (see AJMC release and abstract). The peer-reviewed journal report shows that JenCare helps MA customers, including those with major and multiple chronic conditions, enjoy more healthy days than MA customers served by standard medical practices. As a customer-centric organization, we continue to seek relationships with physician and hospital systems that improve customer access to high-quality care, said Dr. Stanley Borg, senior medical director with Cigna-HealthSpring in Illinois. JenCares approach to personalized care has shown to help their patients receive the results-driven care they need when they need it. By focusing on delivering quality and armed with the support of carriers like Cigna-HealthSpring, our physicians can provide more time for each patient, which helps earn patient trust, explained Len Scarpinato, DO, MS, FACP, FAAFP, JenCare Illinois chief medical officer. Care driven by what works best for the patient makes a real difference in their health and well-being. JenCare Chicago primary care physicians (PCPs) share their cell phone numbers with their patients. They encourage calls and texts anytime, and they welcome walk-in appointments. All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of St. Louis, Inc., HealthSpring Life & Health Insurance Company, Inc., HealthSpring of Florida, Inc., Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic, Inc., and Bravo Health Pennsylvania, Inc. The Cigna name, logos, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Cigna-HealthSpring complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Cigna-HealthSpring cumple con las layes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. English: ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711). Spanish: ATENCION: Si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711). Chinese: / 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711). Other providers are available in our network. Cigna-HealthSpring is contracted with Medicare for PDP plans, HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select state Medicaid programs. Enrollment in Cigna-HealthSpring depends on contract renewal. About Cigna-HealthSpring Cigna-HealthSpring is a health services company committed to helping Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries live healthier, more active lives through personalized, affordable and easy-to-use health care solutions. Cigna-HealthSpring offers a variety of options and services to support healthy aging and meet customers' individual health care needs through personal attention, wellness and preventive care. About JenCare Senior Medical Centers JenCare operates five primary care medical practices serving seniors in diverse South Chicago communities (Ashburn, Berwyn, Glenwood, Jeffery Manor and Oak Lawn). JenCare brings concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to the neediest populations, as evidenced by a five-year report (see release; report) comparing ChenMed outcomes against quality measures reported by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. The value-based care provider primarily serves seniors with low-to-moderate incomes, most of whom are managing multiple chronic conditions. JenCares (ChenMeds) mission is to honor seniors with affordable VIP care that delivers better health. To do that, JenCare relies on innovative technology and a talented, resourceful, and compassionate team of providers. Founded by Dr. James Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant and cancer survivor, ChenMed operates more than 50 medical centers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Well-known ChenMed brands also include Chen Senior Medical Center and Dedicated Senior Medical Center. These results are very exciting, as for the first time patients who are reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy may have a highly sensitive non-invasive testing option for pre-cancer. CellMax Life, a diagnostics company with a proprietary technology to detect precancer and cancer cells in blood, will present new findings at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium in San Francisco this month, revealing significant advancement in the fight against colorectal cancer. The results from this study show CellMax Lifes blood test, based on its proprietary CMxTM platform, can detect pre-cancers (adenomas) with close to 90 percent accuracy (Area Under the ROC Curve). Results of the study show that based on enumeration of pre-cancer cells, it is possible to accurately differentiate between healthy patients and those with pre-cancer. Further, an increase in cell count was significantly correlated with an increase in disease severity. Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the U.S., with 150,000 new cases and $14 billon spent on treatment annually, said Atul Sharan, Co- Founder and CEO of CellMax Life. Were working to change that. Colorectal cancer is preventable when adenomas are detected and removed. In fact, adenoma removal reduces mortality rates from colorectal cancer by 53 percent. CellMax Lifes FirstSightCRC test will increase compliance with colorectal cancer screenings and increase detection rates at the adenoma stage, saving lives. The FirstSightCRC TM test detects pre-cancer and cancer cells in blood. The test utilizes a patented technology comprising a micro-fluidic chip with proprietary nano (non-sticky) layer for cell capture, high-affinity antibodies, and a special air-foam release technology to gently release the captured cells enabling high intact cell preservation, and thereby high detection rates of pre-cancer. The IRB-approved study included 737 adults, 50 years of age or older - a population recommended routine screening by most U.S. guidelines. Of those, 301 were found to be healthy, 111 pre-cancerous (had adenoma) and 325 were confirmed to have cancer. Diseased patients were confirmed by colonoscopy or tumor biopsy. The test results presented a high accuracy for detecting colorectal cancer, with a close to 90 percent accuracy for pre-cancer and 95 percent accuracy for cancer. This was an expanded study; previous test results were presented at ASCOs Gastrointestinal Symposium in 2018. Colon cancer screening is essential to detect and remove pre-cancer polyps, said Dr Shai Friedland, Chief of Gastroenterology at the Stanford Veterans Administration and lead PI for the ongoing Zenith study to seek FDA-approval for the FirstSightCRC test. These results are very exciting, as for the first time my patients who are reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy may have a highly sensitive non-invasive testing option for pre-cancer. Colorectal cancer incidence is rising among younger adults. New guidelines from the American Cancer Society recommend screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45, down from 50 years. This means that 20 million from the age of 45-50 are newly eligible for testing. But a shocking 33 million of the eligible 100 million in the 50+ age group have never been tested. Until now, colonoscopy has been the only screening method with the sensitivity to accurately detect adenomas. Unfortunately, due to its invasive nature only 38 percent of Americans seek this method of screening. Non-invasive options exist that are either stool or blood based; however, these tests miss a majority of pre-cancers, eliminating their preventive role per gastroenterology guidelines. CellMax Life is poised to change that with the release of these new findings on the effectiveness of its FirstSightCRC test, a first of its kind non-invasive blood test that detects adenomas with the highest accuracy. About CellMax Life CellMax Life is a diagnostics company focused on cancer screening with a proprietary technology for detecting precancer and cancer cells in a single blood sample. CellMax Life is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and has a CLIA certified and CAP accredited laboratory at this location. For more information, visit https://cellmaxlife.com. When To Drop Full Coverage In some cases, keeping full coverage is more expensive than its worth, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Carinsuranceplan.org has launched a new blog post that explains when drivers should renounce full car insurance coverage and keep only the essential policies Full coverage will provide protection for multiple scenarios. But it also costs more. In some situations, keeping full coverage can be a costly mistake. A policyholder should consider dropping full coverage under these circumstances: The car is of considerable age. Vehicles, like many other items, are affected by time depreciation. Their value decreases over time, from the moment they have been purchased. For cars that are 10 years or older, keeping full coverage is not recommended. The car has high mileage. If the odometer shows that the car has traveled 150,000 200,000 miles, its value has significantly dropped. Companies consider annual mileage a very important rating factor. The car shows obvious signs of usage. Providing expensive coverage to a very used car is again, a costly mistake. The policy is too expensive. Although not recommended, it is better to have the minimum coverage and drive legally. Why keep full coverage, miss payments when they are no longer affordable, create lapses and become uninsured? For additional reasons and money-saving tips and free quotes, please visit http://carinsuranceplan.org Carinsuranceplan.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Optimism continues to run high for many small businesses," said Jason Peaslee, managing partner of Thrive Analytics. "Right now one of the biggest challenges is finding qualified workers to fill positions." Thrive Analytics, a digital marketing research and customer engagement strategy consulting firm, released its latest Local Pulse Report, highlighting key small and medium sized small business trends. The study reveals that optimism remains high, despite fluctuations in the stock market and the ongoing trade disputes. Sixty-five percent of businesses expect their sales to increase and 48% expect economic conditions to improve this year. When asked what were the biggest hindrances to growth over the past 12 months, lack of funding (30 percent), and not having enough people /resources to do more business (30%) were among the top reasons. "Optimism continues to run high for many small businesses," said Jason Peaslee, managing partner of Thrive Analytics. "Right now one of the biggest challenges is finding qualified workers to fill positions." In fact, these are two areas businesses plan to address this year. Nearly half (45%) of businesses plan to hire more employees and 40% will invest more in their businesses. Marketing Budgets & Technology Adoption Will Get a Boost Marketing budgets will get a boost with 46 percent of SMBs planning to increase their budgets this year. Top growth areas include mobile advertising (58 percent), SEO (44 percent), SEM (42 percent), online video (40 percent) and social media (40 percent). Nearly half of SMBs (45 percent) stated they were increasing investments in these areas because they view them as more strategic sources of leads, followed by the need to do it to stay competitive (35 percent). "Marketing and cloud-based technology are areas that will see growth. Businesses will be spending more on digital solutions and they will be migrating to cloud-based technology that can help their business become more efficient," added Peaslee. In addition, 30 percent of businesses will be investing more in cloud-based technology. Top areas include accounting services (21 percent), marketing & advertising services (20 percent), POS and payment processing services (20 percent), and payroll services (18 percent). Thrive Analytics' 2019 Local Pulse Report is a comprehensive study covering SMB outlooks, marketing budgets, technology adoption, challenges & opportunities for marketing service providers, satisfaction levels with products and more. Other critical findings from the 2019 Local Pulse Report include: 62 percent of business owners dont know what marketing services they should buy after purchasing an initial digital service. 30 percent of businesses feel mobile technology will have the biggest impact on their business over the next 2-3 years. 50 percent of businesses have abandoned a do it yourself service because it was too complicated. 35% of business still dont have a website. Local Pulse Report Methodology The full study, is available to Thrive Analytics research subscribers. Data highlighted in this release was from Thrive Analytics' Local Pulse survey conducted on small businesses and fielded in December 2018 through Thrive Analytics' partner panel network. 3,500 small businesses in the United States responded to the survey. About Thrive Analytics Thrive Analytics is a leading local search and digital consulting firm specializing in combining targeted marketing research and data analytics with actionable customer engagement strategies for improved business results. With clients spanning leading national brands as well as publishers and agencies serving the small business community, Thrive Analytics pairs proprietary market research services and data analytics tools with time-tested business insights and methodologies to help organizations measurably improve customer experience, loyalty and sales results. Founded in 2010, Thrive Analytics is a privately held company headquartered in Kettering, Ohio. Bullmina the Courageous Bulldog Comes Home, by Lita Eitner-England is a fiction novel following two English Bulldog-loving families as they become neighbors and friends, eventually learning they are connected by a decades-long conflict. The loving nature of their bulldogs brought them together in the first place and helps them see the value of sticking together despite previous family drama. Eitner-England started The Bullmina Foundation in 2005 to support animal rescue organizations, promote childrens literacy programs, and teach responsible dog ownership. She is also a member of the Nor Cal Bulldog Rescue. She began writing the Bullmina series so her children, and fellow bulldog loving families, would have entertaining stories with underlying themes promoting animal rescue and ethical breeding practices. Bullmina the Courageous Bulldog Comes Home demonstrates how pets have a profound impact on their families and can bring love and understanding to any situation. Pet owners and animal lovers will enjoy this story of family, history, and to love of pets. Bullmina the Courageous Bulldog Comes Home By Lita Eitner-England ISBN: 9781546241041 (softcover); 9781546241027 (hardcover); 9781546241034 (electronic) Available at the AuthorHouse Online Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. About the author When Lita Eitner-England couldn't find a good story about Bulldogs for her then nine-year-old daughter, she decided to write one herself. Inspired by her own Bulldogs, Ms. Eitner-England's writing reflects the joys of owning Bulldogs as well as some of the very real health problems they face. She is an advocate of animal rescue and adoption and participates in Visiting Author Programs at local schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more, please visit http://www.bullmina.com. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate hosted its 2nd business expo to connect their family of real estate agents with over 30 local vendors in an effort to learn more about what local companies can do for their clients. The event benefitted the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia. Agents and vendors networked with one another over breakfast at the Terrell Thomas Units brand new multi-purpose pavilion located on Faith Drive in Brunswick, on Tuesday December 4, 2018. Pat Cooper, President and Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, presented Steve Holt (Chairman of the Board) and Brooke Eldridge Parmelee (VP of Business Development) of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia with a check for over $8,200, raised in partnership with the participating vendors. A full list of participants accompanies this release. This is such an awesome event. Its win-win for all of us we have been able to raise over $8,000 for the Boys and Girls Club and help our agents get to know many of our local vendors, said Missy Neu, Vice President of Business Development. To find out more about how you can participate with the next Business Expo, please contact Missy Neu at missy(at)hcrega.com. Learn more about how you can make a difference with the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia by visiting apostiveplace.net. About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate Hodnett Cooper Real Estate is a family-owned and operated company with three offices throughout the Golden Isles offering a full range of real estate services including real estate sales, residential rentals, property management and commercial sales. The brokerage is the premier real estate company in southeast coastal Georgia with a professional and diverse team of agents. Visit http://www.BHHSHodnettCooper.com. About Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia consists of nine clubs serving over 6500 youth on an annual basis. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 5-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation. To find out more about the programs offered at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia or for more information please visit http://www.apositiveplace.net Contact: Catherine Maybank, Director of Marketing Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate (912) 638-5450 catherine(at)hcrega.com Brian Dolan, Chief Professional Officer Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia (912) 265-1455 bgcglynn(at)gmail.com http://www.apositiveplace.net 2018 HODNETT COOPER BUSINESS EXPO PARTICIPANTS Each year, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate recognizes agents that have demonstrated outstanding listing and sales performance, a positive attitude, devoted work ethic and a positive impact on the community. The following agents were recently awarded for their 2018 accomplishments: George Skarpalezos Top Producing Agent of the Year George Skarpalezos was honored with the Top Producing Agent of the Year Award. This award recognizes the exceptional level of accomplishment for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper agent with the highest sales volume for the year. George finished 2018 with over $13 million in total sales volume. Pat Cooper, President and Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate stated, George had an amazing year; we are so proud and so honored to present him with this award. He works tirelessly for his clients and he has the results to show it. Jill Wright Open Heart & Hands Award Jill Wright was the recipient of the Open Heart & Hands Award for 2018. She was nominated by her peers for her numerous charitable efforts and positive community impact. Jill works with several organizations to assist with animal rescue and support. She also lends time to the GIAR Community Relations Committee, assists with the Shop with a Realtor program, Dinner in a Basket, and many more organizations and events. This is one of the hardest awards to give out because so many of our agents make a positive impact on our community. Jill lends a hand to numerous animal rescue efforts and dedicates her time to several organizations. She is passionate and compassionate and keeps our team informed on how we can help too. Jill has a lot of pride and dedication for what she does and it is truly a pleasure to recognize her for her efforts. DeAnne Cohrs - Young Gun Award The Young Gun Award recognizes an agent that has joined the real estate industry within the last 24 months who has demonstrated dedication, a positive attitude and has had an exceptionally outstanding listing and sales performance. REALTOR, DeAnne Cohrs was the recipient of this award. DeAnne has achieved over $3 million in sales during her first year as a real estate agent. She is active in the local community and is enthusiastically engaged in the real estate industry, serving on the Golden Isles Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network and on the Governmental Affairs Committee. Pat Cooper shared, I am so pleased to present this award to DeAnne. She has such a positive attitude and has really kick-started her real estate career with us. We are incredibly proud of these agents for their outstanding achievements in 2018. I cant wait to see what 2019 holds for them, says Pat Cooper. About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate Hodnett Cooper Real Estate is a family-owned and operated company with four offices throughout the Golden Isles offering a full range of real estate services including real estate sales, residential rentals, property management and commercial sales. The brokerage is the premier real estate company in southeast coastal Georgia with a professional and diverse team of agents. Visit http://www.BHHSHodnettCooper.com. About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, based in Irvine, CA, is a brand-new real estate brokerage network built for a new era in residential real estate. The network, among the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name, brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of trust, integrity, stability and longevity. About HSF Affiliates LLC Irvine, CA-based HSF Affiliates LLC operates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate franchise networks. The company is a joint venture of which HomeServices of America, Inc., the nations second-largest, full-service residential brokerage firm, is a majority owner. HomeServices of America is an affiliate of world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Contact: Catherine Maybank (912) 638-5450 catherine(at)hcrega.com Honda CES Booth Baylor Group, Inc., a live engagement agency, was chosen by Honda to provide a customized show stand for attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, January 8-11, 2019. For the past 50 years, CES has been known as the world's gathering place where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. Baylor Group provides creative, modular architectural structures for indoor and outdoor events, trade shows, festivals and global brand activations, and was asked to create an innovative space to display Hondas ground-breaking, new ideas and technologies which focus on mobility, robotics and energy management solutions that support and enhance peoples daily lives. The 10,400 square foot (80x130) exhibit was located at the Las Vegas Convention Centers North Hall, booth 7900. The Honda event space, designed by Baylor Group, featured concept videos, multimedia kiosks and presentations of robots, wireless charging applications, connected vehicle technologies and an off-road autonomous vehicle. Other showcase items included Honda Innovations Silicon Valley (HISV) connectivity using AD/ADAS, and 3D sound advancements. In addition to the developing the booth display, the project also required Baylor to manage logistics for the show, construct private meeting spaces, provide a data capture system for lead management using facial tracking technology, advise on staffing and uniforms and create custom content. "Helping to bring Hondas brand promise of using intelligent mobility solutions to enable people to improve their daily lives was a challenging, but fun, project for us to fulfill," said Mike Croke, President of Baylor Group. "We were able to create an immersive and unique space that was the perfect environment for CES attendees to interact and engage with the companys technology offerings and truly experience the future of connected transportation and integrated vehicle-to-grid applications." About Baylor Group Inc. With offices in Southern California and Southeastern Michigan, Baylor Group Inc., a live engagement agency, creates integrated marketing solutions for indoor and outdoor events, trade shows, festivals and various other global brand activations. We specialize in both live and digital communications and solutions which allow our clients customers to experience their brands and become immersed in the attributes and values they uniquely represent. Whether a large and established company, or an up-and-coming challenger, the Baylor Group can bring your brand to life. Find out more at http://www.BaylorGroup.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, please contact: Jeff Holland PR@Baylorgroupinc.com 562.640.1758 The plot thickens as Sara realizes the kidnapper can also mentally link with her, playing a cat-and-mouse game with her and her husband as they begin to question the kidnappers identity and motive. S.T. McCrea was raised by a mother who had psychic abilities and an almost 98 percent rate of being correct. When forming the main character for her new book, McCrea was interested in having a psychic for the main character, similar to her mother, but wanted her to be able to do more. In Visions, the first in a series of four psychic thriller novels, McCreas main character comes to life. The book follows Sara Allbrooke, a woman with psychic gifts who works as a first grade teacher for special needs children. When Saras school is targeted by a kidnapper who takes a child and threatens their life, Sara discovers that she can mentally link with the child, becoming them through all physical senses. The book also follows the story of Samuel Hawk, a retired Navajo detective who experienced similar kidnappings to the one in Milford, Connecticut, but on the reservation years prior and who was never able to catch the kidnapper. As Allbrookes husband, John, who is on the Milford police force, secretly uses her to help locate the kidnapped child, Hawk works with Saras brother and husband to catch the man that brought extreme pain to the community and reservation. The plot thickens as Sara realizes the kidnapper can also mentally link with her, playing a cat-and-mouse game with her and her husband as they begin to question the kidnappers identity and motives, McCrea said. For readers who enjoy a suspenseful plot with intersecting storylines, Visions will leave them waiting to see the kidnappers identity and then wanting more. Visions By: S.T. McCrea ISBN: 978-1-5320-5277-4 (sc); 978-1-5320-5279-8 (hc); 978-1-5320-5278-1 (e) Available at the iUniverse Online Bookstore, Barnes and Noble and Amazon About the Author S.T. McCrea holds a bachelors degree in history. A retired world traveler, she lives on a small Colorado ranch. She shares her love of writing with her retired Navy veteran daughter, five horses, two dogs, three cats and one burro. This is her first book. General Inquiries, Review Copies & Interview Requests: LAVIDGE Phoenix 480-998-2600 x 557 dgrobmeier@lavidge.com Im excited to keep building on the work weve done and the partnerships weve made. Today, All Around Creative (AAC) officially reached its 10th anniversary, marking a successful decade of client work in website development, marketing and design in the business-to-business space. We are proud of the growth weve driven over the past decade, and remain dedicated to serving our clients with proven creative strategies while embracing new technologies and tactics, President and Founder Shawn Fricke said. Im excited to keep building on the work weve done and the partnerships weve made. Fricke started AAC in 2009 with the vision of a B2B marketing and creative services agency that would partner with clients in a unique way, operating more like an in-house team that just happened to be located off-site. The company started as a design house, eventually expanding in 2013 to add web development and video production, and in 2015, expanding again to include marketing and content. Today, AAC is an established partner for companies in the technology, industrial manufacturing and other complex-product B2B industries, dedicated to optimizing their clients marketing efforts and investing in their business success. Over the years, AAC has grown from a one-person show to a well-rounded staff of 17 that includes website developers, graphic designers, content writers, marketing strategists, video producers and project managers. In that time, AAC has also achieved Gold Tier HubSpot Agency Partner Status and recently joined the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Under Frickes leadership, the company has been lauded for its diligence, reliability and resourcefulness. In fact, David Douglass, Ph.D., Sr. Product Manager at Denton Vacuum, has said, Over the last year and a half, weve developed a close working relationship with All Around Creative. Theyve helped us to develop and execute a fully integrated, strategic inbound marketing program thats generating high quality leads for our sales team. Our recent campaigns have been a success due to their expertise, creativity, and attention to detail. AAC is based out of Medford, N.J., and partners with clients from the Philadelphia area and around the world. For more information on the company and its services, visit http://www.allaroundcreative.com. ABOUT ALL AROUND CREATIVE All Around Creative is a B2B creative services and marketing agency that aligns as a partner with their clients. AAC helps companies with digital marketing, branding, creative services, advertising, web development and ecommerce, integrated marketing, content marketing and more. AAC works with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to established businesses, and in markets from tech to financial services to industrial manufacturing and beyond. The company is based in Medford, N.J., and supports the needs of clients both locally and across the country. Learn more at http://www.allaroundcreative.com. I have never felt anything like that, he said of the crowd's energy, adding that singing the song Hurricane was a challenge. It was very hard to sing that here in Puerto Rico because you know better than I what it is to survive a hurricane. I feel like I'm going back to Maria a little bit every time I sing it. Were excited to bring 4MD Medical on board to improve their B2B payments and credit processes. -- Brandon Spear, president, MSTS MSTS, a global B2B payments and credit solutions provider, today announced 4MD Medical as its first Credit as a Service (CaaS) customer using the Magento eCommerce platform. 4MD Medical, a national distributor of medical, physical therapy, pharmaceutical equipment and supplies for the healthcare field, will engage CaaS tools to ease the B2B payments journey for its customers. With Credit as a Service from MSTS, businesses can issue credit in less than a minute, automate the customer onboarding process, and apply unique B2B customer invoicing, accounts payable and payment term requirements providing their customers flexibility and an enhanced experience. Were excited to bring 4MD Medical on board to improve their B2B payments and credit processes, said Brandon Spear, president of MSTS. 4MD is a leader in their space, making medical supply shopping easier and more convenient, and we align very well with that mission. MSTS Credit as a Service has a suite of tools to accelerate commerce, including InvoiceMe, which will integrate into 4MD Medicals eCommerce platform at checkout and provide a payment alternative to credit cards thereby reducing costs. Developers from both companies are currently collaborating on the development of a Magento plug-in that utilizes InvoiceMe, slated to be available in Q1 2019. Working with MSTS, we know were getting more than a software solution, said Dave Schwartz, executive vice president at 4MD Medical. Were getting a devoted team of experts dedicated to working alongside us to solve our customers biggest pain points. This announcement follows MSTS launch of CaaS for SMBs, which took place in Q4 of last year. The original CaaS enterprise solution was re-imagined to scale with small and mid-market businesses looking to grow, especially in retail and eCommerce. To learn more about the robust Credit as a Service solution from MSTS, visit http://www.msts.com. About MSTS: MSTS is a financial technology company, working globally with B2B companies across transportation, manufacturing, retail and eCommerce. MSTS Credit as a Service solution accelerates business commerce by streamlining payments and A/R processes. On behalf of its clients, MSTS processes $5 billion in transactions per year and collects $370 million each month. MSTS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of World Fuel Services Corporation, has 40 years of experience underwriting businesses for credit and facilitates transactions for its customers in over 190 countries and territories. For more information, visit http://www.msts.com. About 4MD Medical: 4MD Medical is a manufacturer and distributor of high quality medical, physical therapy, EMS and laboratory equipment and supplies. We serve consumers, state and local government entities, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, doctors offices, urgent care centers, dialysis centers, laboratories, surgical centers, physical therapy and rehab, and other healthcare facilities. 4MD Medical is proud to announce we are now offering pharmaceutical/RX supplies, as your one-stop source of brand and generic injectables, tablets, caplets, ophthalmics, otics, ointments, creams, and liquids. Headquartered in Lakewood, NJ, 4MD Medical services customers nationwide through http://www.4mdmedical.com, where customers can receive advice and customer support through the site's live chat feature, email and toll-free phone number offering easy access to over 1,000 suppliers and over 250,000 SKUs at unmatched products assortment, highly affordable prices and guaranteed lowest prices with faster than ever before delivery. 4MD customized service includes: GSA Contracts, Request Quotes, Contract & GPO Pricing, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Auto Reorder, Project Planning, Financing & Leasing. Nic Krasnostein, one of the leading agents in Sydneys east and inner-city precincts, has been recruited by Ray White Double Bay. He had been at BresicWhitney since January 2007, so just short of 12 years. His celebrity clients through the year have included the MasterChef semi-finalist Karlie Verkerk, the Rivkin family, marketing consultant Bruce Pollack, and the hairdresser Stefan Ackerie at the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo. Ray White has also signed on Matthew Carvalho as part of their inner west expansion. It was last September when Elliott Placks took over the Double Bay agency from the founding directors, Craig Pontey and Michael Finger. The property veterans stayed on at the estate agency as sales agents and mentors to the 30-strong sales force. The Ray White Double Bay office sold more than $930 million in property last year, being the number one office in Ray Whites Australian network for the last seven years. Pontey said this was a very natural succession plan which the trio had all been working towards for some time. Placks had been at Ray White Double Bay for 15 years and as a director for the prior seven years. Rival Double Bay agencies also appear to be on a expansionary recruitment drive cherry picking select agents from other agencies. Jane Schumann, who has worked in real estate since 1990, quit Di Jones for Raine & Horne Double Bay late last year. Schumann was part of the team at Di Jones Real Estate Eastern Suburbs for the previous 13 years. She was credited as the firms number one agent in the east. Now, after decades of rapid price hikes, the market is starting to self-correct to a level more traditionally akin to a normal market, with organic ebbs and flows. David Kobritz, executive chairman of Dealcorp, said the housing market in Melbourne has always come back stronger after downturns. Melbournes property market has experienced four significant downturns in the past 30 years and they have all been as a result of tightened credit conditions, whether at the instigation of banks themselves or through government/regulator intervention," Kobritz said. "Every time the housing market comes back stronger due to the release of pent up demand and ongoing population growth; What is happening now is part of the natural property cycle in Australia, every eight 10 years we go through a downturn, but we always recover quickly when common sense prevails. Kobritz suggested the fundamentals in the market remain strong, particularly around low vacancy rates, population growth, increasing cost of construction and foreign buyers with a strong appetite to purchase. "I think we are at or close to the bottom of this downturn/cycle and we should return to strong growth in the medium term, especially as the supply side will reduce significantly over the next few years. He said the heat has been taken out of the market and will return to more normalised conditions. The economy relies on a strong property and construction market and I would expect that some of the restrictions and disincentives imposed by governments and regulators will begin to ease in 2019. Luke Hartman, managing director of Metro Property, said it won't take long for markets to recover, and believes those that are brave enough to buy property when there is weakness in the market are those that will prosper the most. Weve seen this happen all before; any time there is uncertainty about the property sector, particularly around an election, buyers will sit on their hands and wait to see what happens next," he said. "It causes the market to stagnate and drives prices down, the irony of which is that it makes it the perfect time to buy. Markets do recover, and I dont think it will take long. "Next year we will have much more certainty on the direction the market is going following the results of the Royal Banking Commission and the federal election. "Once that happens, I think the market will bounce right back up. There is currently a very small window of opportunity that exists for buyers in the market before that happens. "Theres less buyers to compete with, properties are better value and when the market inevitably picks back up again they will see their investment pay off with significant capital gain. Elias Jreissati, group chairman at Bensons Property Group, said the extent of the current softening is highly exaggerated and sensationalised. "The Melbourne housing sector had very strong growth for nearly 10 years, it is natural that there will be a slowdown for a while," he advised. The fundamental driver of housing is population growth and it continues unabated. Overseas immigration is still strong, people are still growing up and wanting to move out of home, downsizers are still wanting to downsize and people wanting to own their own home still aspire to do so. These facts never change. Caleb Wang, the teenage son of the billionaire owner of Bishopscourt, the 1840s grand sandstone Darling Point mansion, has been handed over its title. It was transferred at $17.5 million, with the recent official paperwork noting it was now owned by a minor, Caleb Ao Wang. Little is know about the 17 year son of Chinese billionaire Wang Qinghui. The landmark Gothic Revival house was transferred at less than its prior $18 million purchase in 2016, taking advantage of the property dip to make the transfer at a marginally reduced stamp duty. The transfer showed transfer duty with $14,500,000 of the purchase price at the premium rate. It was not clear if the transfer was to a resident citizen as otherwise it would incur a total $2.5 million transfer duty. Wang senior, the president of Bonanza Investment, debuted on the Forbes Rich List of China in 2014 arising from his investment in Beijing Telecom. His net worth was put at $10.5 billion on the 2015 Forbes Billionaires List. Qinghui Wang was born in ordinary peasant family, after a hard work, he became a real estate owner in Shenzhen. In December 1999, he became a shareholder of Beijing Xinwei Telecom Technology Group which was founded in 1995. According to Reuters, Beijing Xinwei is designated by five central government ministries to be a key software enterprise for state planning. Chinese billionaire Wang Qinghui's purchase ended 105 years of Anglican Church ownership having been the official residence of its Sydney Archbishop. Still on the market across the road is Greenoaks Cottage, which was listed late last year with $20 million hopes. It's the home of K2 Recruitment boss Phil Kerry and wife Ann-Maree, a former Olympic gymnast. The couple have recently spent $6.25 million on a shoptop a project in Woollahra, the home of Gant menswear. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday criticised Delhi Police action against former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and nine others calling it "absurd," saying the move taken after three years "exposes" the motive of the government. "The charge of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar and others is absurd. If it takes three years and 1,200 pages to make out a charge of sedition (based on a public speech), that alone exposes the motive of the government," Chidambaram tweeted. In another tweet, the senior Congress leader said: "How many in the investigating team have read and understood section 124A of the IPC and the case law on the section? There must be a serious debate if a provision such as section 124A has a place in the laws of a democratic republic." Chidambaram's remarks came after Delhi Police on Monday filed a chargesheet against Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and seven Kashmiri students accusing them of sedition. The charges are framed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with sedition, voluntarily causing hurt, forgery, using as genuine a forged document, punishment for unlawful assembly, unlawful assembly with common object, rioting and criminal conspiracy. The Delhi Police had arrested Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya three years ago under charges of sedition. The case involves an event organised on the JNU campus in February 2016 against the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru during which "anti-national slogans" were raised. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Delhi High Court on Monday put an interim stay on a Jawaharlal Nehru University administration's decision making it mandatory for the faculty to mark their attendance every day. Justice Suresh Kait stayed the JNU circular of November 13, 2018. The court was hearing a plea filed by professor Archana Prasad from the Centre for Informal Sector and Labour Studies who has sought quashing of the circular. Prasad's leaves applications for a legitimate academic purpose were blindly rejected by JNU for non-compliance with the faculty attendance rule. She told the court that she has sent a leave application for attending a conference in South Africa between December 6 and 16, 2018. The leave application was declined by the university administration relying on the November 13 circular. Her other application was rejected by the university administration in January. The November 13's circular read: "All proposals/requests of faculty members, including leave requests, should be forwarded by the Deans and Chairpersons of the School/Centre/Special Centre concerned for consideration of competent authority, only after confirming that the faculty member concerned has adhered to the attendance rules of the university and has been marking his/her attendance. "While forwarding request/ paper/ proposal of faculties, it has to be ensured by the Deans of Schools/ Chairperson of Centres/ Special Centres that the faculty concerned has been taking attendance of students as well. As desired by the competent authority, no request/paper/proposal of faculty will be entertained/ considered if he/ she has not adhered to the above decisions of statutory bodies." Riyadh, Jan 14 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday told the Saudi King and Crown Prince that the murderers of Jamal Khashoggi must "be held accountable", more than three months after the journalist was killed at the kingdom's consulate in Turkey. Pompeo's statement came during his trip to the Middle East which has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The tour was aimed at reassuring allies of Washington's commitment to the region, CNN reported. "Every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to be held accountable," Pompeo told reporters after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his father King Salman in Riyadh. "I think the (Donald) Trump administration has made it clear that our expectation in all those involved in the murder of Khashoggi will be held accountable, so we spent time talking about human rights issues," he added. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of the Saudi Crown Prince, was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 after he went there to get documents for his marriage. After providing conflicting accounts of Khashoggi's fate, the kingdom admitted he was killed "accidentally" in a fist fight at the consulate by "rogue" agents. However, it denied the ruling royal family's involvement in the killing. The killing sparked global outrage. The CIA concluded that the Crown Prince ordered Khashoggi's murder but US President Donald Trump cast doubt on his own intelligence community's assessment. Pompeo, who arrived in the kingdom's capital on Sunday, also stressed the importance of continuing the investigation into the murder of Khashoggi. This month, a Saudi court started the trial of 11 defendants in connection to Khashoggi's death. Saudi prosecutors said they were seeking the death penalty for five of them for their direct role in Khashoggi's killing. Pompeo's visit came after Trump announced last month the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, a move that led to the resignation of his Defence Secretary James Mattis. He also discussed Yemen with the Saudi leadership. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted that both sides agreed on the need for a redoubled effort for peace in Yemen. "On Yemen, (Pompeo and the Crown Prince) agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially ceasefire and redeployment in Hudaydah. A comprehensive political solution is only way to the end the conflict," the Embassy said. The top US official was also scheduled to visit Kuwait but he had to cut short his tour over a family funeral. The State Department announced that he would return to the US after his visit to Oman, adding that he will visit Kuwait in the near future. Kuwait was the last stop of Pompeo's tour where he was scheduled to attend the US-Kuwaiti Strategic Dialogue. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Delhi Police on Monday arrested a juvenile for stabbing his father to death over a financial issue. The police said the incident occurred on Sunday around 11.15 p.m in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar when the wife of the deceased, identified as Hazari Mukhiya,42, informed the local police about the altercation and stabbing. "During investigation, it was found that Mukhiya had an argument with his wife over a financial issue. When he abused her, the accused juvenile took a knife from kitchen and stabbed Mukhiya. He was taken to LBS Hospital where he was declared brought dead," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Kumar Singh. "Mukhiya worked as a labourer in a Noida factory. The accused was later arrested from his hideout in New Ashok Nagar," Singh added. Mumbai, Jan 14 : Writers, activists and journalists in Pakistan on Monday held a nationwide protest against a ban on Indian filmmaker Nandita Das' "Manto", based on the life of the late Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, in the hope the movie will see the light of the day in their country. The filmmaker is grateful. "Beyond borders, the fight for freedom of expression is the same. Thanks to all those in Pakistan who are working to free 'Manto'. Thanks to everyone who has taken to the streets to protest against the ban on 'Manto' in Pakistan. I am there with you in spirit, and so is the entire 'Manto' team," Nandita tweeted. "Amazing to see people out on the streets to protest. Salima Hashmi, artist and daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and others! Respect and gratitude," she added. Saeed Ahmed, a journalist and playwright, a key consultant for "Manto", had initially started an online petition on change.org, urging the Imran Khan government to allow the film's release. In collaboration with the Manto Memorial Society, the peaceful protests were held in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Multan. Nandita had on January 11 expressed her gratitude to Ahmed. "I am overwhelmed by the spontaneous support it has garnered from so many around the world. It is very moving to see that so many writers, artists, activists, concerned citizens have taken it upon themselves to fight the battle to screen 'Manto' in Pakistan. My team and I can take zero credit for this. I hope the needle will move and Geo TV - Har Pal Geo, the distributor, will also join the efforts," she added. In December 2018, Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry had extended help to Nandita. In a message to her via Twitter, Chaudhry had said: "I am trying to pursue importers to bring this movie to Pak(istan). I hope someone will definitely take risk of showing a less commercial film to the viewers." Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui had brought the character of Manto to life in the movie, which follows the most tumultuous years in the life of the writer and those of India and Pakistan which Manto inhabited and chronicled. Danyal Gilani, Chairman, Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), had earlier told IANS that "Manto" wasn't cleared by the Board as the members found it in violation of the censorship code. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Monday announced that it would roll out digital features for Kumbh Mela visitors such as virtual reality, online streaming of events and better internet connectivity. The annual event at Prayagraj (previously Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh would take place during January 15-March 4, 2019. Airtel smartphone customers would also be able to stream the proceedings of the event on the Airtel TV app. "A special channel, dedicated to Kumbh Mela 2019, has been created to on the Airtel TV app to bring all the action excitement from the event to the smartphone screen", the company said in a statement. Airtel has tied up with VR Devotee, a devotional content provider, to bring this exclusive content to Airtel TV app, it said. The company would also boost its mobile network at the venue. "It will be deploying state-of-the-art Massive MIMO technology at the venue to massively enhance its network capacity. Massive MIMO, a pre-5G technology, expands network capacity by five to seven times over the same spectrum and helps a large number of concurrent users to enjoy a seamless high speed data experience," it said. In partnership with VR Devotee, Airtel has also set up special kiosks at the venue to offer Virtual Reality based immersive experience to visitors. The mod, he noted, contains 3 mg of nicotine. The Juul, 50 mg. Pazzani said he no longer sells that brand, but wants lawmakers to keep in mind the need for what he calls legitimate smoking cessation devices, and the flavors that appeal to adults as much as kids. Tehran, Jan 14 : A Boeing 707 cargo plane crashed near the Iranian city of Karaj on Monday, killing at least 15 people on board, authorities said. The cargo plane, which belonged to Iran's Army and had 16 people on board, went down at 8.30 a.m. in a residential area some 45 km west of Tehran, the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) quoted Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Emergency Centre of Iran, as saying. It was supposed to land in Karaj's Payam International Airport but the pilot mistakenly took the plane to the Fath airport, which was not suited for large cargo aircraft. "Due to a mistake by the pilot, it came down at the Fath airport," Fars News reported, citing Iranian officials. After landing at the wrong airport, the plane went out of control and overshot the runway, hitting an empty residential building and catching fire, according to ISNA. The Iranian Army said only one person -- a flight engineer -- of the 16 people on board was found alive and taken to hospital. An Army spokesman said the plane belonged to Iran and that all those on board were Iranian citizens. The cargo aircraft was transporting meat from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. Its wreckage was found near houses between Fath and Payam airport. Prayagraj: Members of Juna Akhara and Kinnar Akhara after holding a meeting ahead of 'Shahi Snan' to mark 'Makar Sankranti' in Prayagraj on Jan 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Prayagraj: Devotees throng Sangam - the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers to take a holy dip on "Makar Sankranti" in Prayagraj , on Jan 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Prayagraj, Jan 14 (IANS) Thousands of faithful descended on this historic city, renamed by the BJP government from Allahabad, for the first 'Shahi Snan (royal bath) on Tuesday to mark the start of Kumbh Mela, where the devout from within and abroad will mingle over the course of the next 45 days for the mega religious, spiritual and cultural congregation that is expected to attract more than 15 crore people. The first 'Shahi Snan', which, according to legends, opens the doors to heaven, will begin on Tuesday at about 5.30 a.m. and will go on till about 4.30 in the evening, officials said. A mini city of 3,200 acres has been set up along the bank of the river Ganga to accommodate the pilgrims. A slew of temporary tent accommodations, at rates ranging from Rs 2,100/night to Rs 20,000/night have cropped along the banks of the Hindu holy river. Additionally, dormitories and tent stalls have been created for the various akharas and saints arriving here in large numbers. Security has been beefed up and the Kumbh administration is prepared for the expected crowd, officials said. "For the first time, three women units have been deployed at the Kumbh Mela site to specially cater to our women pilgrims. A Foreign Help Desk has also been running 24/7 because there is a greater interest among foreigners. We are expecting a unit from MEA to arrive tomorrow to address queries foreign visitors may have," K.P. Singh, DIG Kumbh Mela, told reporters here. He said the paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed in all sectors of the Mela, along with 3,000 traffic personnel to monitor and control the traffic leading up to the Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mystical Saraswati, which is where the devotees are headed to take the holy dip. The Kumbh administration has built four pontoon bridges that lead the visitors to the five-kilometre bathing ghat at Sangam. Personnel have been deployed at all entry and exit points of these bridges to maintain order. Visible in the by-lanes of the city are thousands of devotees -- all headed in one direction, like a swarm of bees -- while religious chantings resonate in the air. Along with those on pilgrimage are hundreds of craftsmen, artisans and local vendors who dot the roads on both sides. All roads of the city lead to only one destination -- Sangam. Vehicles have been prevented from running on these roads. Schools and colleges have been shut down to avoid inconveniences, and the entire city has been lit up in a hue of multiple colours. Arrangements for changing rooms and toilets have been made at the bathing ghats too, officials said. "There is a special emphasis on cleanliness this time at the Kumbh Mela. People were compelled to defecate in the open due to absence of toilets in the previous years but this time 120,000 toilets have been built and double the number of sweepers will maintain cleanliness. The last Kumbh mela had only seen 34,000 toilets," the Kumbh administration said in a press communique. However, hundreds of toilets have turned non-functional due to shortage of water, or being filthy, uncleaned as they are, even before the fair has officially begun. The plastering in several toilets has also eroded, making them completely non-functional. The administration, comprising ADG N. Sawant, Commissioner Prayagraj Ashish Kumar Goyal, DIG Kumbh Mela K.P. Singh and Prayagraj District Magistrate Suhas L.Y were shown pictures of hundreds of toilets that have been rendered unusable by media correspondents ahead of a heated press conference here, in which reporters were handed over the press release citing the number of toilets built for the fair this year. "There are some problems because within a period of one month all preparations were made. Such things happen due to scarcity of time but we are dedicated to serving the visitors," said K.P. Singh. Earlier on Monday, a fire broke out in Sector 13 of the sprawling Kumbh complex due to an explosion in a cooking gas cylinder at the 'Digambar Akhada' camp, destroying a large part of the tented area but no loss of life was reported. In the press conference held after the fire was contained, the officials said that they learned about the fire "from the media" and were able to contain it without any casualty in "the shortest possible time." They said a sufficient number of fire tenders, along with units from NDRF, were on ground to tackle any untoward incident. Over 500 cultural programmes will take place as a part of the Kumbh Mela, along with a laser show and display of India's cultural and mythological heritage in forms of paintings, statues, and exhibits. The Kumbh Mela 2019 is being held from January 15 to March 4, with six important bathing dates. Makar Sankranti, which falls on Tuesday, is the first of these dates for bathing, and officials expect over a crore devotees to take the holy dip on the first day of the fair. ( can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in) Tehran, Jan 14 : At least seven people were killed and another was injured in a Boeing 707 plane crash near the Iranian city Karaj on Monday, the media reported. The cargo plane with 16 on board crashed in a residential area, 45 km west of Tehran, the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) quoted Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Emergency Centre of Iran, as saying. The plane was flying from Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek and was carrying a cargo of meat to Iran, the Iranian Army said in a statement. It was supposed to land in Karaj's Payam Airport but chose to land in the Fath airport for an unknown reason, Naser Charkhsaz, Chief of Iran's Red Crescent Society, told ISNA. According to Press TV, the pilot took the plane to the Fath airfield by mistake, which was not suited for large cargo aircraft. After landing in the wrong airport, the plane got out of control and overshot the runway, hitting an empty residential building and catching fire. It was not clear who owned the plane. A spokesman for Iran's civil aviation department said the plane belonged to Kyrgyzstan, while Kyrgyzstan's Manas International Airport said it was operated by Iran's Payam Air. Kolkata, Jan 14 : Hospital garbage bags containing 16 dead puppies and a dog with signs of severe torture were recovered near a medical college in Kolkata, police said on Monday. "The incident took place on Sunday and an FIR has been filed against unknown persons," an officer of Entally police station said. A video later surfaced on social media where two women were seen beating the puppies near the hostel building of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital. The video has been captured by the students of Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital which is the opposite building. "Yesterday we heard some noises thinking it to be a quarrel between hostel inmates. Later we opened the window to check when we saw two women standing with a stick and some puppies running around. One woman was hitting a puppy when the other woman carried one away," Mainak Das, a dental college student who witnessed the incident said. According to Das, the women said the puppies disturbed them a lot. Some of the onlookers also claimed that one of the woman 'was wearing surgical gloves' but they don't really know who these women were. A hospital employee who had first noticed the puppies in the dump yard on Sunday said the dog made desperate sound and was found tied in three garbage bags used in hospitals. They had been subjected to brutal torture. New Delhi, Jan 14 : Three years after former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested for alleged sedition, the Delhi police on Monday filed a chargesheet naming them and seven Kashmiri students as accused in the case. The chargesheet was filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand, who posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday. The police have slapped charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with sedition, voluntarily causing hurt, forgery, using as genuine a forged document, punishment for unlawful assembly, unlawful assembly with common object, rioting and criminal conspiracy. Both Kumar and Khalid have questioned the filing of the chargesheet ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and said the police action was "politically motivated" and a "diversionary ploy" by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. The case involves an event organsied on the JNU campus in February 2016 against the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru during which "anti-national slogans" were raised. Besides Kumar, the then Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president, former students union vice president Shehla Rashid and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aparajita have also been named in the chargesheet, but not as accused. While 36 others, including Rashid and Aparajita, have also been named for being present at the controversial event, the police have not "found any sufficient and incrimanting evidence" against them. Along with Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya, seven students from Jammu and Kashmir -- Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat-- have been slapped with various offences, including sedition, unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy. The police claim to have sufficient evidence to proceed against them. The police have listed around 90 people, which include JNU staff and security personnel, as witnesses in the case. CCTV and mobile footage are also a part of chargesheet. Kanhaiya Kumar said it was a diversionary ploy by the Modi government to hide its all-round failures. "I have not received any summons or information from the court. But if it is true, then we are thankful to the police and Modi that finally after 3 years, when it is time is for him and his government to go, the chargesheet has been filed. But what is pertinent is the timing of the charge-sheet -- just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "It is evident that there is a political motive behind this. The motive is that the Modi government has been a failure in all aspects, it has not been able to fulfil even a single promise, so it is playing all its cards to divert the attention," he told the media. Pointing to the chargesheet being filed after 3 years of the incident, he said the Modi government, just as all its other promises, was "not serious" and using the issue now as a political tool. Shehla Rashid too accused the Modi government of using the issue to derive political mileage. "Modi government has used this manufactured controversy in installments. The next installment would be on the nomination day for 2019 elections," tweeted Rashid with hashtag "JitteryModi" . Denying the charges, Khalid said the Modi government was trying to change the narrative in an election year to hide its failure. Bengaluru/New Delhi, Jan 14 : Karnataka Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday alleged that the BJP was trying to poach the state's Congress legislators. "Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai. We (Congress) are aware of the horse trading that is being attempted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Our legislators have also admitted to being approached by the BJP," Minister for Irrigation Shivakumar told the media in Bengaluru.A The BJP was trying to "destabilise" the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government by poaching the legislators, he alleged. Shivakumar, however, did not name the MLAs who were reportedly approached by the BJP. The Congress leader spoke to the media ahead of a meeting held in Bengaluru by the party's senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state unit president Dinesh Gundu Rao. The agenda of the meeting held and the outcome were not disclosed by the party leaders. The ruling coalition partner JD-S leader and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, however, asserted that the government continues to remain stable. "All the legislators are in touch with us and we are certain of the stability of the coalition government," Kumaraswamy told the media. Meanwhile, the BJP flayed the coalition government for blaming the BJP to hide its failures. "Daily activity of Kumaraswamy government...Cry Operation Kamala (referring to alleged poaching by the BJP), hide failure to run government by blaming BJP. Fight among themselves for power...," the party's state unit tweeted on the issue. Speaking to media in New Delhi later, BJP's Karnataka unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa rubbished Congress' allegations of poaching. "These allegations of poaching are only rumours and there is no truth to it," Yeddyurappa told reporters in New Delhi. The BJP's MPs and legislators from the southern state are in the national capital to meet its leadership ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in April-May. In the 225-member Karnataka Assembly, the Congress has 80 MLAs including the Speaker, the JD-S 37 and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 104. Beijing, Jan 14 : China on Monday defended the reputation of telecom giant Huawei after its executive was arrested in Poland on charges of spying. The executive was later fired by Huawei and the company said that the incident had harmed its reputation. "This case is an individual case. We hope the Polish side can arrange any consular visit regarding this case in accordance with law and regulation and ensure the legitimate rights and interest of the person involved," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters. The Polish government on Friday reported the arrest of Wang Weijing and Piotr D. The latter, also accused of spying, is a senior Polish official at the Internal Security Agency who previously worked in the Orange telephone company. Wang worked as Sales Director of the multinational division in Poland and had allegedly worked at the Chinese consulate in the Polish city of Gdansk, according to the Polish public television network DVT. Hua came out in defence of Huawei when she was asked if Poland would consider restricting the use of its products in the country's public agencies. "Only with facts and evidence we can see which companies hold security threats. I think the reputation of Huawei is recognized by its partners. We hope the relevant parties can stop smearing and suppressing Huawei and other Chinese enterprises," she said. Huawei announced Wang's dismissal during the weekend, saying his alleged actions were "unrelated to the company" and regretted that the incident in question had harmed its reputation. "Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where it operates and we require every employee to abide by the laws and regulations in the countries where they are based," the company said in a statement. The offices of Huawei and Orange in Warsaw were raided by members of the counterintelligence and national security agency as part of the investigation, authorities said. Wang's arrest in Poland came after Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was held in Canada on December 1 at the behest of the US for allegedly violating sanctions imposed by Washington on Iran. Mumbai, Jan 14 : Popular comedians Cyrus Sahukar and Jose Covaco will take over the social media accounts of contestants of the show "The Anti-Social Network". "Imagine your social media accounts being taken over by someone? Weird updates, bizzare pictures...How crazy would that be? At a time when we are on our phones 24*7, 'The Anti-Social Network' comes with a concept that's both whacky and challenging," Sahukar said in a statement. "Jose and I will bring the craziest elements in this show by taking over social media accounts of contestants. I'm excited to get to work on shows that have such out-of-the-box formats. 'The Anti-Social Network' will be a fun ride," added Sahukar, also a popular host and actor. It is an upcoming game show where the two comedians will take control over two social media influencers' Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp accounts for the duration of the episode. The comedians will then flip the influencers' personality and give them a new character through the tasks that they assign to them. They will study the influencer, about him/her and his/her personality. They will then assign them tasks that will put them out of their comfort zone. Meanwhile, the comedians will have total control over the challenger's social media accounts and will keep posting the tasks on his/her accounts posing as the influencer. The influencer, on the other hand, will have no access to their phone or social media accounts. The replies and reactions to the posts will be highlighted by the comedians and shown on screen. Both the influencers' tasks will follow a story line which will be based on the episode's theme. The final task will see both the influencers performing a big gag. After the gag, the comedians will announce the winner. "I am quite kicked by the idea of getting hold of someone's phone and controlling their social media for a day. How ridiculously fun would that be? 'The Anti-Social Network' is going to let me do exactly this and having Cyrus with me, I know I'll be laughing a lot and we're going to have a blast flipping people's social media accounts," said Covaco. "The Anti-Social Network" is going on-air in February on MTV. Riyadh, Jan 14 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday cut short his Middle East tour over a family funeral, the media reported. Pompeo arrived in the Saudi capital on Sunday as part of his regional tour that has already covered Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The US State Department announced that Pompeo would return to the country after his visit to Oman, adding that he will visit Kuwait in the near future. Kuwait was the last stop of Pompeo's tour where he was scheduled to attend the US-Kuwaiti Strategic Dialogue. Pompeo's tour was aimed at discussing issues of common interest with Middle Eastern leaders, especially regional stability and fighting terrorism. The top US official met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Monday and reviewed aspects of the strategic partnership between the two countries, the latest regional and international developments and the joint efforts being exerted towards them, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted that both sides agreed on the need for a redoubled effort for peace in Yemen. "On Yemen, (Pompeo and the Crown Prince) agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially ceasefire and redeployment in Hudaydah. A comprehensive political solution is only way to the end the conflict," the Embassy said. Jakarta, Jan 14 : Indonesian search teams on Monday recovered the cockpit voice recorder of the Lion Air aircraft which had crashed into the Java Sea in October, killing all 189 people on board, including the flight's Indian captain. The data contained in the cockpit voice recorder, the second of the plane's two recorders also referred to as a "black box", will help investigators find out what caused the Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliner to plunge into the water minutes after takeoff from Jakarta. The flight, piloted by Indian captain Bhavye Suneja, was on a short journey to Pangkal Pinang city on October 29. It crashed minutes after the pilot asked for permission to turn back to the airport. The jet was only about two months old. The flight's first black box, flight data recorder, was found in November, buried in debris on the floor of the Java Sea. "The Hydrography and Oceanography Centre of the Indonesian Navy, assisted by the National Transportation Safety Committee, discovered the cockpit voice recorder," Rear Admiral Harjo Susmoro, head of the Centre, was quoted as saying by the Washington Post. The recorder was found around 8.40 a.m. (local time) by a Navy diver, officials said. Strong currents in the Java Sea previously complicated the search operation as well as the intensity of the crash, which scattered the plane's wreckage all over the deep waters off the coast near Jakarta. The small, bright orange device was found 108 feet under the sea, buried under mud. Findings suggest that Lion Air had put the plane back into service despite it having had problems on earlier flights. According to reports, the pilots appeared to struggle with an automated system designed to keep the plane from stalling. The anti-stalling system repeatedly forced the plane's nose down, despite efforts by pilots to correct it. Investigators said the plane was not airworthy and should have been grounded. The Hartford Boat Show sails south to dock at the new Earth Expo Center at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville Jan. 17 through 20 with the theme Boating Under the Sun. Produced by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association, the event celebrates its 50th anniversary with more than 400 boats and watercraft, 125 exhibitors and 35 dealers with 95 different brands in 150,000 square feet of space. General admission is $14; children under 12 free. A senior/military one-day pass is $10. A two-day pass allowing access to the show any two days is available at $20. Pre-show online tickets are $12 at hartfordboatshow.com. New Delhi, Jan 14 : The 15th Finance Commission on Monday said its members and senior officials led by Chairman N.K. Singh will visit Tripura this week as part of its dialogue with different states. "This will be the 17th state the Commission will be visiting," it said in a statement. During the visit from Wednesday to Friday, the Commission will meet Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb along with cabinet Ministers and government officials. It will hold talks with representatives of the Panchayti Raj Institutions and the Urban Local Bodies. "Meetings are also scheduled with the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, the representatives of the trade, commerce and industry bodies of the state and with representatives of various political parties," the Commission said. Even by the standards of the malignancies that surround US President Donald Trump personally, the one reported by The New York Times on January 11 was stunning in its implication. The Times reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had opened a counterintelligence investigation to ascertain if the President was a Russian agent in the aftermath of him firing the agency's director, James Comey, on May 9, 2017. Given the frenzy of daily newsbreaks about this president, anyone of which would have long unseated any other incumbent, damning news stories just slide by. However, this particular one has been so extraordinary that it may yet foreshadow what a likely report by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is examining the very aspects of Trump and/or his campaign's alleged dalliances with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, could eventually reveal. Think of it as India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opening an investigation into whether the country's Prime Minister is working on behalf of Pakistan. A lot of people may not even be able to process the devastating import of a US President suspected of being a Russian agent but that is precisely what the FBI wanted to find out. Counterintelligence officials within the FBI are particularly serious-minded and they embark on any investigation with great deliberation. To think that they would be so alarmed as to suspect no less a person than the incumbent US President is unprecedented. Within the investigation was the apprehension that Trump is a possible threat to national security. Trump himself has described the Times report as the "most insulting" thing anyone has said about him but has not explicitly denied it. Any denial, of course, would be superfluous in the sense that even if he were "wittingly, unwittingly or half-wittingly", as the famous journalist Carl Bernstein described it, acting as Russia's "pawn" he was unlikely to admit to it. The point here though is much larger. The very initiation of such an investigation underscores the depths to which America's national concerns have fallen since the emergence of Trump on the political stage. It is conceivable that some of Trump supporters may cite the investigation as the ultimate proof of a "deep state" striking back and trying to upend the popular electoral will in electing Trump. However, the FBI's counterintelligence is not known to embark on any action lightly at all and without very serious intimations of a national security threat. As the Times story pointed out: "No evidence has emerged publicly that Mr. Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian government officials." However, "emerged publicly" is the operative part of that sentence. It could well turn out that the FBI overreached in its concern about the President but that is still not conclusive since Mueller is yet to issue a report of his findings. Counterintelligence investigations are by their very nature often open-ended and not conclusive in the traditional sense of criminal investigations. They can begin and end equally quietly without the public finding out the specifics. It is that aspect of such an investigation that opens the FBI to Trump's oft-repeated charge of a "deep state" working against him. Of course, it is a politically expedient refrain that Trump knows helps him with his political base that has so far bought everything he has sold them. It is hard to say what, if anything, the investigation found that might indict or exonerate the President. It may never be found in explicit terms or, for that matter, any terms. It may or may not buttress the Mueller inquiry. It is that uncertainty that makes it vulnerable to Trump's political grandstanding as he prepares for the 2020 presidential election. By his voluble standards, the President has so far been quiet on social media about the Times report. However, it is unlikely that privately his team of lawyers has not been startled by it. Trump phoned in to Fox News where the host Jeanine Pirro, known to be unabashedly pro-President, asked him directly, albeit in a decidedly mocking tone, "Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia?" "It's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked," Trump said but did not categorically deny it. It almost seemed staged that Pirro would ask and he would respond the way he did. It is a measure of how benumbed the national mood has become because of the relentless parade of seriously upending news stories since he became President that even a question like that is unlikely to do any real political damage to him right now. It is only when Mueller issues his report and its entire content is made public will America and the world know whether the stories are malignant or benign. ( is a Chicago-based senior journalist of Indian origin. He can be contacted at mcsix@outlook.com) Shillong, Jan 14 : A group of social activists on Sunday released two volumes of a citizens' report urging the Supreme Court that coal mining in Meghalaya be stopped completely and other forms of energy, which are climate-friendly but need investment, be promoted. The two-volume report released by social activists Agnes Kharshing, Amita Sangma, Angela Rangad, Michael N. Syiem and others has been submitted to the Supreme Court with a plea to consider it for hearing. The submission of the reports is significant in the wake of 15 miners being trapped in an illegal flooded coal mine in East Jaintia Hills districts for a month now, besides the murderous attacks on social activists Kharshiing and Sangma. The first volume of the citizens' report examines the claims about livelihood and tribal autonomy vis-a-vis coal mining. It looks at how and why unregulated and illegal coal mining in Meghalaya continues even after the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court of India. The second volume puts together these reports in the backdrop of the murderous attack on Kharshiing and Sangma by the "coal mafia (coal mine owners that include five public representatives, bureaucrats, administration and police officials) and leaders of self-styled non-state social groups and 'NGOs' and the total state apathy towards these attacks". Based on many existing peer-reviewed research papers, news reports, publicly available government documents, audit reports and civil society experiences, the report demanded that coal mining in Meghalaya be stopped completely and other forms of energy and livelihood that are climate-friendly but need investment be given a push. The report urged the apex court to act against against the coal mafias who are undermining and misleading the democratic institutions such as the NGT and the courts. "All transportation orders be rescinded and no further transportation of coal be permitted. Any coal awaiting transportation should be taken over by the government and used for public sector undertakings," the report noted Urging the court to initiate a CBI inquiry into the attack on Kharshiing and Sangma, the report said: "Legal action be taken against all the people, including government officials, who are responsible for the loss of revenue of the government as named in the Comptroller Auditor General's reports." "There is a need to freeze all land registrations in and around the mining areas... The court has to uphold NGT ruling on ban till proper regulatory framework on prospecting, granting of leases, granting of necessary clearances, environmentally-sustainable mining, mine reclamation, land laws and labour laws are in place," the report said. It noted that Indian Space Research Organisation and North East Space Application Centre should be directed to maintain real-time maps in the three states of Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland through Global Positioning System to monitor the trucks, performance of police, mining and transport departments to ensure transparency and tax compliance. Noting that despite an interim NGT ban on coal mining since April 2014, the report said that fresh mining of coal has continued and illegal transportation of coal also continued as usual. "The state government must develop and host in the public domain an end-to-end, transaction-based management information system that enables suo motu disclosure (as mandated under Section 4, Right to Information Act) of leases granted, mining lease documents, environment clearances, forest clearances, pollution control board clearances, royalties paid, quantum of mineral extracted and royalty paid," the report stated. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiwi Collection, a go-to luxury travel resource and booking solution for the world's leading hotels, has announced the winners of their inaugural Luxury Hotel Awards. The awards celebrate exceptional hotels around the globe that set the benchmark across 13 categories including design, sustainability, wellness and gastronomy. From a far-flung corner of Canada, to the Chilean desert, to big city mainstays and newcomers, this year's award winners are a 2019 hotlist of where to travel and stay. Leading the pack as the Best Overall ("WOW Pick of the Year") winner is Paris' iconic Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, recognized for its reverential modernization project that took over four years to complete. "As an authority on luxury travel, we look at hotels as more than a place to lay your head at the end of the dayour hotels create lasting memories and inspire travel stories that are worth sharing again and again. This year's awards highlight 13 hotels that are truly destinations in their own right." Brian Mumby, President & Co-Founder, Kiwi Collection The 2019 Kiwi Collection Hotel Award Winners: WOW Pick of the Year Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, Paris Best New Hotel The Murray, Hong Kong Most Anticipated Comeback Raffles Singapore Best Family-Friendly Hotel Verdura Resort, Italy Most Romantic Hotel Iconic Santorini Best Sustainable Luxury Singita, Africa Best Boutique Hotel El Fenn, Marrakech Best Pool View Park Hotel Vitznau, Switzerland Best Beach Hotel Amanyara, Turks & Caicos Best Gourmet Getaway Meadowood Napa Valley, California Best Wellness Retreat Ananda in the Himalayas, India Best Far-Flung Escape Fogo Island Inn, Canada Best Adventure Explora, Chile To learn more about this year's award winners, visit: KiwiCollection.com/inspiration/luxury-hotel-awards About Kiwi Collection Kiwi Collection is the world's most diverse curated collection of luxury hotels spanning more than 2200 hotels in 130 countries. Since 2003, Kiwi Collection has provided expert guidance on the best hotelsfrom boutique gems to celebrated luxury brands. All hotels in the collection are hand-selected and reviewed by industry experts before being invited to join. Kiwi Collection guests receive exclusive hotel perks, complimentary concierge services and the best rates guaranteed. The company also powers and manages Visa's global hotel program for their affluent cardholders. To explore the collection, visit: KiwiCollection.com. #carewhereyoustay Media Contact: Terrene Conway Director, Marketing + Partnerships Phone: +1.778.839.3721 [email protected] SOURCE Kiwi Collection Related Links https://www.kiwicollection.com FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bahamas is starting the New Year on the right foot with top tier awards, news of additional airlift and resorts and projected growth for Q1 international arrivals. As temperatures continue to plummet in the north, travelers are flocking The Bahamas and there is no shortage of winter deals, activities and events to take advantage of this January. AWARDS AND ACCOLADES Caribbean Travel Awards 2018 The Caribbean Journal recently bestowed on The Bahamas two key awards in its Caribbean Travel Awards 2018, including "Destination of the Year" and "Best Caribbean Tourism Minister" after the destination has seen the most impressive growth in the region last year. KAYAK Top Trending Destinations The Bahamas was named one of the hottest destinations to travel to in 2019 by KAYAK, after flight searches for the destination have increased 45% year-over-year. Coming in at number four on the list, The Bahamas is the only Caribbean island to have made KAYAK's top ten list. DestinationRecommended.com Top Destinations In 2018, The Bahamas was the second most searched Caribbean destination, and Andros the seventh, based solely on traffic to DestinationRecommended.com. NEWS New Seasonal Airlift out of Chicago American Airlines is now offering Chicago residents a new seasonal non-stop service into Nassau. The new flight departs Chicago O'Hare Airport on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., arriving Nassau in time for lunch on the beach at 12:45 p.m. New Hotel Opening in 2019 Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville hotel brand expands into Nassau with a new resort, Margaritaville Resort Bahamas, opening in 2019. The resort will have 150 guest rooms and 150 oceanfront residences. International Arrivals Increased in Q1 The January Forward Keys survey, which tracks inbound visitor data, reported that forward bookings for the next three months are advanced by 8.9%, thanks to the positive booking situation for January (16.0% ahead) and February (15.0% ahead). EVENTS Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in The Bahamas: www.bahamas.com/events Wonders of the Sea 3D Film Premiere (January 17) The underwater documentary featuring oceanographic explorer, Jean-Michael Cousteau, will debut at 900 theaters in the U.S. during a one night event on January 17. Nearly forty percent of the film was shot in The Bahamas, revealing oceanic life that cannot be seen by the naked eye and highlighting current threats that are harming our oceans. CONTACT Anita Johnson-Patty Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation DEDHAM, Mass., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellesley Information Services (WIS), a leading market research and intelligence firm specializing in enterprise software technologies, including the largest independent membership site of global SAP users, SAPinsider (www.SAPinsiderOnline.com), announced that Raj Joshi has joined the company as its new CTO, Yolanda Maggi as its Executive Vice President of Events and Memberships, and John McLaughlin as its Vice President of Marketing. "The additions of Raj, Yolanda, and John to our executive team represent WIS's continued commitment to investing in top talent. Their expertise will help us fulfill our mission to operate the largest and most active global community of business and technology users in the world. Raj, Yolanda, and John will help us improve our technology and infrastructure, deliver even more value to our 300,000+ member SAPinsider community, and create research-driven engagement programs for our members," said WIS President and CEO, Jamie Bedard. "WIS's SAPinsider community presents endless opportunities for organizations that wish to engage in meaningful, value-added interactions with its members. As part of that, we will develop a unique ROI platform for measurable, omni-channel marketing service value delivery," said Raj Joshi. Prior to joining WIS, Mr. Joshi was CTO of Reputation Institute, VP of Engineering and Big Data at Digilant, and Principal Application Database Architect at Pegasystems. "WIS is undertaking a significant investment to make its in-person events more interactive and experiential for members and sponsors alike. I look forward to delivering a world-class membership experience across all touchpoints, in-person and in the digital space," said Yolanda Maggi. Before joining WIS, Ms. Maggi created and launched membership communities for Ragan Communications, where she was the EVP of Ragan's Executive Leadership Councils and Events. She previously held the role of VP of Conferences and Events. Prior to joining Ragan, Ms. Maggi was a Network News Producer at Fox News, as well as an Associate Producer and Assignment Editor. "We will be 100% focused on delivering value to SAPinsiders," said John McLaughlin. "Our members have an exceptional skill set with enterprise technologies. We will help them enhance that skill set, and we will provide value at every interaction within the community," Mr. McLaughlin continued. Prior to joining WIS, Mr. McLaughlin was VP of Marketing and Creative at Reputation Institute, and Creative Director, Data and Content, at Harte Hanks. WIS is also actively working to fill roles in research, finance, and sales. The company will host a talent acquisition event on Friday, January 18, from 2-5 PM at its global headquarters at 20 Carematrix Drive in Dedham, Massachusetts. Prospective candidates interested in learning more about WIS and attending this event are encouraged to reach out to John McLaughlin directly at [email protected] to discuss the event in detail. About WIS: Wellesley Information Services has a 20-year history of delivering top-quality content that helps individuals and teams strengthen their skills and make the right decisions for their organizations. WIS specializes in SAP users and SAP solutions serving a global audience, offering a diverse set of resources including live SAPinsider events, focused research, lead generation, marketing intelligence, user memberships, display advertising, publications, webinars, and a full portfolio of digital marketing services. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP SE in Germany and several other countries. Wellesley Information Services is not affiliated with SAP SE or any of the SAP SE group of companies. About JAZ'D! Advisors Investment Corporation: JAZ'D! Advisors Investment Corporation, led by industry veteran Jamie Bedard, recently acquired 100% of WIS with a significant investment earmarked to spur long-term growth and innovation. JAZ'D! is a strategic investment and operating company with significant funding from a portfolio of leading technology and investor industry veteran members. JAZ'D! acquires leading companies focused on the technology user community, research, content, and digital marketing services spaces. JAZ'D! takes an ownership position in select companies with the goal of operationally integrating and innovating the companies into a comprehensive marketing and membership platform addressing the go-to-market needs of global technology organizations. Media Contact: Sean Edwards Executive Vice President, Marketing WIS 1-781-751-8604 [email protected] SOURCE Wellesley Information Services ALBANY, New York, January 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The revenue generated by the wearable injectors market stood at US$ 2,920.2 Mn in 2017 and the market anticipated to touch valuation of US$ 9,038.1 Mn by 2026. The global wearable injectors market is likely to expand at robust 13. 95 CAGR over the said forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) On-body Wearable Injectors segment of Product Type to Lead Global Wearable Injectors Market On the basis of type, the on-body wearable injectors segment is likely to hold maximum share in the global wearable injectors market on the basis of revenue. This segment is expected to account for healthy growth during the course of forecast period, owing to increasing inclination for self-administration of drugs. Geographically, North America is expected to account maximum share by 2026 end. High awareness about the wearable injectors in the North America region couple with substantial growth in healthcare investment along with the advancement in technology is fueling growth in this market. Get PDF Brochure for Research Insights at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=41969 The increase in demand for the wearable injectors has been largely depended on increasing cases of severe prolonged disease. Several patients requires self-administrative drug to maintain the health and this likely to influence demand for the global wearable injectors market. For instance, the patients suffering from diabetes requires injection of insulin on the regular basis and this process is carried out through the usage of wearable injection. This in turns propel growth of the global wearable injectors market in the foreseeable future. Apart from this, treatment for several disease such as psoriasis, Crohn's diseases, arthritis, and cancer also comprises usage of the wearable injectors. These are some of the key factors augmenting growth of the global wearable injectors market in the coming years. Request a Sample of Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=41969 Implementation of Traditional Practice May Limit Market Growth On the other hand, despite the facts of advancement of wearable injectors, several healthcare centers and healthcare clinics use the traditional process. These are some of the major factors negatively impacting the overall growth of this market. Conversely, constant growth in the healthcare industry and increasing prevalence of chronic disease is likely to bode well for the growth of the global wearable injectors market. The presence of large number of players in the global wearable injectors market demonstrates competitive structure of the wearable injector market, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR). The marketplace is likely to witness entry of various new entrants during the course of forecast period from 2018 till 2026. The wearable injectors market also features a progressively competitive landscape and this is majorly attributed to presence of large and small players in the wearable injectors market. Request For Discount On This Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=41969 As per report, TMR note that the manufacturers are highly focused towards launch of various initiative and focusing towards the adoption of key strategies to attract more consumers in the coming years. Some of the major players operating in the global wearable injectors market are Ypsomed AG, Dickinson and Company, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Debiotech S.A., SteadyMed Therapeutics, Inc. and CeQur SA. In addition, the manufacturers are largely focusing towards mergers and acquisitions in order to gain strong hold across the globe. Request For Custom Research - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=41969 This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Wearable Injectors Market (Type - On-body Wearable Injectors, Off-body Wearable Injectors; Application - Oncology, Diabetes, Autoimmune Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases, Infectious Diseases; End use Industry - Hospitals, Clinics, Home Care Settings) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 - 2026." Popular Research Reports by TMR: Wearable Medical Devices Market : https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wearable-medical-devices.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wearable-medical-devices.html Smart Medical Devices Market : https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-medical-devices-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-medical-devices-market.html Digital Health Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/digital-health-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact Mr. Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: https://theglobalhealthnews.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterline Data , a global leader in data cataloging solutions and applications, today announced it has been granted a patent for key aspects of its unique Fingerprinting and automated tagging technology, which provides for faster and easier discovery of the vast amounts of data stored in data warehouses, cloud services and databases across the enterprise. Waterline Data Fingerprinting combines big data analysis, machine learning and human curation to automatically catalog data and data lineage at scale, reducing the manual tagging of data by over 80%, increasing the overall data inventory and lineage accuracy 10x, and reducing the people cost for manual tagging and inventorying of data by 90%. Among the chief challenges in implementing a data catalog is populating it with useful information. Many organizations have a business glossary with defined terms and definitions but find that connecting this business metadata with technical metadata (which contains statistical demographics and the actual location where the data lives) is a costly, labor-intensive and highly error prone process. While some catalogs attempt to accomplish this through crowdsourcing, the approach doesn't scale to accommodate the high volume of data that's rapidly pouring into today's petabyte organizations. Waterline Data addresses this challenge though its now patented Fingerprinting technique. The driving force behind Waterline Data's flagship AI-driven Data Catalog , Fingerprinting works on the concept that a column of data has a distinctive signature, or a fingerprint, that incorporates its technical metadata, content, format and context. By examining this signature, an AI system, like Waterline Data's AI-driven Data Catalog, can identify what that data is, determine the other columns that share similar fingerprints, and connect the data to a business term or label for easy discovery and analysis. Waterline's Fingerprinting technique is the industry's only data catalog to combine AI and machine learning with best-in-class crowdsourcing and big data scalability to deliver a modern data catalog that meets today's enterprise needs. The patent publication US 2015-0356123 is titled "Systems and Methods for Management of Data Platforms" with Waterline Data founder and CTO Alex Gorelik as the inventor. Over his career, Alex Gorelik has been granted over 20 patents in Data Management. "It has always been Waterline Data's mission to deliver the fastest and most accurate big data discovery engine with the highest scalability in the industry," said Waterline Data founder and CTO Alex Gorelik. "With Waterline Data's patented Fingerprinting technology powering our data catalog, petabyte enterprises gain a competitive edge through the fast and accurate self-service discovery of complex data using modern analytic approaches. Allowing business users to easily access and analyze data means being able to put your data to work so that it's delivering real value to the organization--now." Enterprise data leaders can see Waterline Data in action by registering for a personalized live demo here . About Waterline Data: Waterline Data automates data discovery, compliance and the ability to take action on data by using a powerful combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning, ratings and reviews, and tribal knowledge to deliver an AI-driven Data Catalog. Our customers spend less time searching for data and more time using it to derive value while complying with data governance mandates such as GDPR. The company is funded by Menlo Ventures, Jackson Square Ventures, Partech Ventures, and Infosys, and implemented in large enterprises around the globe. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more, visit us via www.waterlinedata.com , Twitter or LinkedIn . Chris Blake 415-989-9000 [email protected] SOURCE Waterline Data Related Links https://www.waterlinedata.com/ WCC is taking its place among high-profile automakers, suppliers, tech startups and universities at Automobili-D , a Michigan Economic Development Corporation-driven event held January 14-17 that aims to position Michigan as the global epicenter for advanced transportation. "What the Advanced Transportation Center at Washtenaw Community College offers via our degree and certificate programs and training offered through our Workforce Development department provides students the in-demand skills they need for success in the workforce of today and the future," said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca. "What better place to demonstrate what we offer than at the North American International Auto Show? We're pleased to be back on the global stage at NAIAS for a third straight year." The WCC exhibit, located in booth UA11 in Hall E of the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit, includes one-of-a-kind examples of both the college's advanced manufacturing and information technology programs. In its Advanced Manufacturing labs, WCC faculty and students customized a Polaris Slingshot for the event. Every modification highlights a different skill or technology either currently being taught on campus or in the process of being worked into current program offerings. They include: A dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) system, front and rear LIDAR sensors that display their illuminated targets on a mounted tablet, and a 360-degree object detection system used by self-driving vehicles that streams its image onto a nearby monitor all examples of autonomous and connected vehicle technology. Multiple 3D-printed parts including wheels printed in carbon fiber designed with programs taught in Mechantronics and Numerical Control Tool and printed in the college's 3D Printing labs. Lightweight parts such as a top engine cover, front wings and roll bar humps made of composite materials that were developed, molded and pressurized in the college's autoclave; the same process learned by Auto Body Repair students. Built-in data collection points running on-board diagnostics to a laptop mounted in the vehicle and a strain gauge data logger; technology used by Automotive Test Technician and Motorcycle Service Technology students. Showpiece details such as wheel stands with WCC logos and " Washtenaw Community College " spelled out across an LED-lighted bridge created with a plasma cutter used in the college's welding program. " spelled out across an LED-lighted bridge created with a plasma cutter used in the college's welding program. Multiple parts and vehicle details were powder coated, a process taught in the Motorcycle Service Technology program. "Everything done to this vehicle was something that our students can learn in a class today, and it was done on equipment that is being used in the workplace today," said Advanced Transportation Center Director Al Lecz. "That kind of hands-on experience is what gives our students a competitive advantage when they're seeking employment." The college's recently-acquired information technology tool a mobile hacking workbench will also be on display in the booth. WCC is believed to be the only college in the nation with such a cybersecurity tool, an exact replica of an automobile's complete communication and computer system designed to teach students how to reverse engineer and prevent breaches. The mobile hacking workbench was built for WCC by leading cybersecurity research and engineering firm GRIMM and purchased in October 2018 with funds from the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation grant. WCC partners with the University of Michigan and four other four-year universities on CCAT, which promotes transportation safety through research and development of connected and autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure and traffic control systems. FUTURE AUTOMOTIVE CAREER EXPOSITION Washtenaw Community College will also play an integral role in the auto show's Future Automotive Career Exposition (FACE) on Thursday, Jan. 17. WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca will be part of two panel discussions during the day-long event, designed for individuals interested in careers in the emerging high-tech mobility and automotive sectors. Both sessions are held in the MEDC Theatre in Hall E: Feeding the Beast: Keeping Up with Demand for Mobility Talent. 12-12:45 p.m. Bellanca will be joined by John Bukowicz of the LIASE Group, Robert Chiaravalli of Strategic Labor and Human Resources and Joe LaRussa of Brose North America. Bellanca will be joined by John Bukowicz of the LIASE Group, of Strategic Labor and Human Resources and of Brose North America. Lifelong Learning: Anticipating Your Next Career Shift. 3:10-3:35 p.m. Bellanca will be joined by Doug Smith of Oakland Community College . FACE is a free event for students or recent graduates starting their job search or adults looking to transition into new career paths. It offers opportunities for attendees to talk to HR representatives at automotive companies and suppliers, participate in mock interviews, and get additional job search-related advice. GRIMM DEFENSIVE AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING TRAINING AT WCC GRIMM, the cybersecurity research and engineering firm that built WCC's new mobile hacking workbench, is hosting a five-day Defensive Automotive Engineering Training on the WCC campus beginning Monday, Feb. 25. Participants will gain an understanding of the automotive cybersecurity threat-landscape from an attackers perspective. Each day the student will have hands-on labs to complement the day's lecture. More information and registration is available online. For information about Washtenaw Community College visit: wccnet.edu. SOURCE Washtenaw Community College Related Links http://www.wccnet.edu BERLIN and DETROIT, January 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- VDA Managing Director Braunig at North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) - US market is essential to German auto industry - Important location for US production and exports from US. German passenger car brands took almost 8 percent of US market in 2018 - Companies have 118,000 employees at US plants - With stable trade conditions sales by German automotive industry could exceed 17 million in 2019. VDA Managing Director Braunig at North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) - US market is essential to German auto industry - Important location for US production and exports from US. German passenger car brands took almost 8 percent of US market in 2018 - Companies have 118,000 employees at US plants - With stable trade conditions sales by German automotive industry could exceed 17 million in 2019. "The United States, along with China and Europe, is among the most important sales regions for the German automotive industry. In 2018 the German OEMs sold 1.34 million light vehicles there, equaling the good result from the previous year and mirroring the trend on the overall market. Customers in the US bought a total of 17.2 million light vehicles. This took the market share going to German brands of passenger cars to nearly 8 percent," said Klaus Braunig, Managing Director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The German group brands sold around 16.5 million new cars worldwide last year. "With stable trade conditions, in 2019 we could break through the 17 million mark for the first time," Braunig explained. German automotive industry creates jobs in the US For the German auto industry the US is important not only as a sales market, but also as a production location. This strong commitment benefits the US economy and the employees. Braunig said, "German manufacturers and suppliers are major employers in the US. In 2018 around 118,000 people were directly employed at their plants, more than 80,000 of them at our suppliers. Our US workforce grew by about 8,000 compared with the previous year." In addition to the four large plants belonging to German vehicle makers, our suppliers also operate almost 330 production facilities. "The companies provide jobs and create value in hundreds of municipalities in the US. The German automotive industry therefore makes a key contribution to American prosperity," Braunig stated. German brands have increased production and exports German manufacturers have increased their production in the US significantly in recent years. The US is the German OEMs' third largest foreign location. While total US production has doubled since 2009, German OEMs have almost quadrupled production at their US facilities. In 2018 approximately 750,000 German-branded light vehicles were manufactured in the US. US-made vehicles are not only destined for the domestic market. Braunig explained, "The US is an important export hub. Our OEMs exported 56 percent of their US-made vehicles to destinations like China or Europe. Forty-four percent remained in the US." While the German firms produced around 750,000 vehicles in their US plants, only 470,000 new vehicles were exported to the US from Germany. German US production locations need free and fair trade "Recent developments once again proved that the automotive industry and the jobs it provides depend heavily on free and fair trade - in the US, in Germany and elsewhere. Additional tariffs and local content measures to protect the industry have negative effects both on the local economy and on competitiveness. This is why we are deeply concerned about the direction that US trade policy has taken since 2017. We should always keep in mind that together the EU and the US account for 50 percent of world trade. We could shape global trade as partners, not opponents," Braunig pointed out. For this reason the German automotive industry supports a transatlantic agreement on industrial goods in conformity with WTO rules, which should include the automotive sector. Braunig stated, "Removing import tariffs and reaching the greatest possible understanding on regulations would be the right way to go. That will benefit both sides." Braunig also mentioned the trade conflict between the US and China: "The situation has a major impact on our companies in the US. In 2017 German auto makers exported around 150,000 light vehicles from their US production to China. One in five of all cars that we built in the US went to China. Owing to the trade conflicts, German auto makers exported only 95,000 light vehicles from their US production to China in 2018. We therefore hope that the two countries will be able to resolve their dispute. China's temporary reductions of import duties are an encouraging sign, as are last week's talks between Chinese and American officials. But the situation still remains precarious, and another escalation might be just around the corner." German exhibitors in Detroit This year some major players in the German automotive industry are in Detroit. Volkswagen is presenting the new Passat for North America. The model has been produced in Chattanooga, Tennessee, since 2011 and has been given a thorough make-over so it now offers several new driver assistance systems. Volkswagen regards the NAIAS in Detroit, with its 120-year history, as one of the most important auto and truck shows in the world. Mahle is concentrating at the NAIAS on the efficient urban mobility of tomorrow. The company is demonstrating a mobility concept developed to satisfy the needs of city-dwellers. The 48-volt "MEET" vehicle concept has an efficient and dynamic drive unit with integrated power electronics, and clever thermal management that uses the energy in the vehicle efficiently to provide benefits such as increased cruising range. ZF's presentation NAIAS goes under the slogan "Shaping Next Generation Mobility." The technology group is displaying system solutions that make mobility even cleaner, safer and more accessible. They include sensors and IT for all levels of automated driving and new, innovative occupant-protection concepts for autonomous vehicles. ZF is also showcasing advanced steering, braking and chassis technology, and it has a focus on electric mobility with fully electric propulsion systems and integrated hybrid solutions. Bosch will be present at NAIAS, too. Future mobility with connected cars, solutions for autonomous driving and electric mobility are the company's most important topics at the Auto Show. Schaeffler also presents solutions for future mobility at NAIAS. Besides innovative technologies for e-mobility the company brings a new clutch system for mild hybrid vehicles (MHT) to Detroit. Schaeffler also showcases "space drive", a technological milestone for autonomous driving. Control is no longer performed by mechanical means but within nano seconds through electrical impulses transmitted via cables and wires. Webasto has been committed to the North American region as a supplier for sunroofs and convertible roofs for over 25 years. It recently acquired a California-based company specializing in Charging Technology. The next milestone will be the new regional headquarters and R&D center in Michigan opening next year. Braunig said, "The German exhibitors at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit are emphasizing their intensive market presence on what is for OEMs and suppliers - alongside China and Europe - the most important auto market and location. The Detroit Auto Show is a key trade fair for the US as an automotive nation. That is demonstrated by consistently high visitor numbers. We are therefore following the new orientation of the NAIAS with the greatest interest." Contact: Eckehart Rotter VDA - Press Department Tel.: +49-30-897842-120 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) The Mark Twain House & Museum: Hartford residents get free regular tours of the historic house on Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The last tour begins at 4:30 p.m. Living History tours are not free. Proof of Hartford residency required. Tours also include entrance to the orientation exhibition "I Have Sampled This Life" in the Aetna Gallery, and "Tails of Twain," an exhibition about the Clemens family and its relationship to animals, sponsored by United Technologies. Also included is a Ken Burns' film about Mark Twain in the Webster Bank Museum Center. marktwainhouse.org. According to Mr. Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and Enesel Pte Ltd, and President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), a key challenge facing the maritime industry today is that leaders need to ensure that existing staff are given the necessary training and upskilling needed to use new technologies comfortably in the industry. "It is important that the maritime industry has the right people with the right skills to effectively harness new technologies. Initiatives like the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) are key to making sure that the current workforce has the opportunities to further enhance and improve their skills. Industry leaders need to also work with educational institutions to ensure that our next generation of workforce is equipped with the right skills and knowledge to propel the maritime industry forward in a technological world," said Mr. Poulsson. In assessing the impact of technology on jobs in the maritime industry and whether it is being dehumanised, the report also highlights that despite current jobs being redesigned and requiring new skills from employees, a human workforce is still essential. Kenneth Chia, Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), pointed out that while it seems that technological innovations are making some traditional roles in the industry redundant, this does not mean all workers will be replaced. "It is more evident that technology is altering traditional maritime jobs and changing the types of skills that are needed in the maritime industry, as opposed to it completely removing jobs for the current workforce. "The instinctive knowledge of an experienced industry worker is hard to replace, even with advanced technology. For example, even though we may need a lesser number of crew members working on board a vessel with smart shipping technologies, a larger group of skilled employees is also needed to work onshore so as to remotely manage what is happening out at sea," said Mr. Chia. Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade UBM EMEA, highlighted that with automation and technology is set to play a key role in the maritime industry. As such, the risk of dehumanisation and need for future-proofing will be a topic for discussion at the upcoming Sea Asia 2019 conference which would be held in Singapore. "We need to have a good understanding of the new skills needed in the industry and more importantly, where talent with these skills can be found so that we can be well-placed to attract them to work for our changing industry," said Mr. Hayman. "With that in mind, we are looking forward to a robust discussion during the 'Future of the Maritime Workforce' conference session on the first day of the Sea Asia 2019 conference in April." For more information on technology in maritime and its impact on the workforce, please refer to the report attached. For more information, please contact: About UBM Sea Asia is organised by UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. Please visit www.ubm.com/singapore for more information about our presence in Singapore. About Singapore Maritime Foundation Established in 2004, the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) is a private sector-led organisation that seeks to develop and promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC). As the representative voice for the commercial players of the maritime industry, SMF seeks to forge strong partnerships with the public and private sectors of the maritime industry. SMF spearheads initiatives to promote the diverse clusters of the maritime industry in Singapore and at international frontiers, and to attract young talents to join the sector. SMF is directed by its Board of Directors which comprises prominent leaders in the Singapore maritime community. For details, visit www.smf.com.sg. Sea Asia 2019 is held in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week 2019 (SMW). SMW is the leading maritime event in Singapore driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. SMW gathers the international maritime community in Singapore for a week of conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. These events reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a major international maritime centre. About the Singapore Maritime Week 2019 (6 - 12 April 2019) Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) is one of the world's leading maritime shows and is organised annually and driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Every year, SMW gathers the international maritime community for a week of flagship conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. The range of activities and events organised by MPA, industry stakeholders and research and educational institutions, as well as the cosmopolitan profile of participants, reflects the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a global hub port and leading international maritime centre. SOURCE UBM Related Links http://www.ubm.com NORTHFIELD, Ill., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent industry report suggests hospitals are leaving roughly $24 billion in untapped supply chain savings on the table each year. For academic healthcare organizations that combine all supply purchasing and contracting for academic institutions and health systems like the University of Missouri (UM) System that serves MU Health Care, identifying deep savings can't be done alone. In less than a year after UM System Supply Chain selected Medline as its strategic business partner, it is now on pace to save a projected $14.7 million over the course of the seven-year relationship. "Partnering with one prime vendor across our entire supply chain, particularly where our academic campuses and MU Health Care intersect, helps our entire system collaborate as a single unit," says Tony Hall, assistant vice president and chief procurement officer, UM System Supply Chain. "Medline has identified gaps and opportunities for growth that will help us today and into the future." Preliminary savings are attributed to improved price accuracy and fill rates, utilizing on-site analysts and sales specialists, and enhanced standardization. Additionally, being a manufacturer and distributor allows Medline to co-create with customers to develop unique solutions that make financial and clinical sense. "The UM System is expanding beyond the traditional supplier-provider distribution relationship," says Marc Phillips, corporate sales vice president, Medline. "From customized solutions for branded kits in labor and delivery, to reimagining how the supply chain can be leveraged in new ways, forward-thinking organizations must evolve." Learn more about Medline's distribution capabilities across the continuum of care at www.medline.com/pages/supply-chain. About Medline Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the healthcare industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., the company strategically supports nearly a third of the largest healthcare systems in the United States as an exclusive prime vendor and has experienced year-over-year distribution growth for more than a decade. Customers across the continuum of care have access to 550,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,600 dedicated sales representatives. Learn more about Medline at www.medline.com. About MU Health Care MU Health Care is an academic health center that trains future health care professionals to provide advanced, patient-centered care. It is also home of groundbreaking University Hospital, located in Columbia, which officially became an academic health system in 1952. Specialty areas include the area's only Level I Trauma Center, orthopedic surgery, comprehensive cancer care and kidney transplantation. For more information on MU Health Care, go to https://www.muhealth.org/. SOURCE Medline Related Links https://www.medline.com WESTLAKE, Texas, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan Ross School of Business team won the ninth annual MBA National Case Competition by presenting a well thought out analysis and innovative solution to the business problem posed during the Competition. Team members Thomas Corness, Jessica McClain, Jason Rock and Andrea Schiff earned a combined scholarship of $20,000 for their winning presentation. Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business took second place; University of Virginia Darden School of Business and New York University Stern School of Business followed in third and fourth place, respectively. The competition was held Jan. 3-5 at Deloitte University, Deloitte's leadership center near Dallas, Texas. More than 1,000 students from leading MBA programs across the country entered regional competitions, with 64 advancing to the national finals. At the national finals, 16 student teams developed a strategic proposal and presentation to define a growth strategy for a healthy, fast-casual dining chain. The company, which operates almost 100 stores across the U.S., focuses on the transparency of its value chain, nutritional value of its menu offerings, and sustainable positive impact of its business. Students recommended helping the organization achieve growth by developing an expansion of current product offerings in innovative formats for target consumers, leveraging digital opportunities, and identifying the capabilities and requirements needed to execute the strategy. Leaders from the company attended the competition and served as judges along with industry and Deloitte leaders. "In our ninth year as a competition, we continue to be amazed by the motivation and strategic thinking shown by the students competing. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business team and all other finalists should be extremely proud of their accomplishments," said Bill Lam, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "This year, we challenged the teams with a case focused on creating a growth strategy for a startup health-conscious restaurant chain. The participants approached the case with passion and determination for helping guide a socially conscious, purpose-driven brand. The competition provided the MBA students great exposure to the realities of working in a dynamic, ever-changing business world." "The Deloitte Foundation is committed to providing the emerging workforce with challenging, innovative, experiential learning opportunities," said Sean Morris, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and member of the Deloitte Foundation board of directors. "The MBA National Case Competition, as well as our other education programs, are designed to be a real-world extension of the classroom setting, allowing students to apply their knowledge, and ultimately growing the pipeline of future talent. We continue to be impressed with the exceptional talent showcased during this annual competition." In addition to the winners, this year's finalists included teams of students from the following MBA programs: Berkeley Haas School of Business of Business Columbia Business School Cornell Johnson College of Business of Business Dartmouth Tuck School of Business Duke Fuqua School of Business of Business Emory Goizueta Business School MIT Sloan Northwestern Kellogg School of Management UCLA Anderson School of Management University of Chicago Booth School of Business Booth School of Business University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Kenan-Flagler University of Texas McCombs School of Business About the Deloitte Foundation Deloitte Foundation, founded in 1928, is a not-for-profit organization that supports education in the U.S. through a variety of initiatives that help develop the talent of the future and their influencers and promote excellence in teaching, research and curriculum innovation. The Foundation sponsors an array of national programs relevant to a variety of professional services, benefiting middle/high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and educators. Learn more about the Deloitte Foundation. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 5,000 private and middle market companies. Our people work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace to make an impact that matters delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthy society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. SOURCE Deloitte Related Links http://www.deloitte.com/us ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chris Molen and Chad Werner have joined McGuireWoods' Atlanta office as partners, bringing deep knowledge of the leveraged finance and asset-based lending markets to the firm's nationally respected Debt Finance Department. Molen and Werner, both highly regarded in the Atlanta bar, come to McGuireWoods from King & Spalding. Molen has more than 40 years of experience representing national banks, hedge funds, private equity funds and international financial institutions in transactions around the world. He leads secured and unsecured lending deals, with significant experience in the healthcare and communications sectors. He also advises on debt restructurings, workouts and bankruptcy matters. Molen has held a Chambers USA Band 1 ranking the highest possible in banking and finance law for Georgia for 14 years in a row. He is a past president of the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and is a member of the Commercial Finance Association and the Turnaround Management Association. Werner represents financial institutions, direct lenders, equity sponsors and corporate borrowers on a wide range of secured and unsecured financial transactions, including leveraged-based and investment-grade syndicated credit facilities, asset-based lending subordinated debt transactions, dividend recapitalizations and acquisition financing deals. He is a board member of the Atlanta Bar Association Section of Business and Finance and was named a "Rising Star" by IFLR 1000. "Chris and Chad are highly regarded for their debt finance experience and are prominent members of the Atlanta bar," said Chris Greene, debt finance lawyer and managing partner of McGuireWoods' Atlanta office. "Their experience will be invaluable to clients across the country. We are excited to welcome them to the firm." Raj Natarajan, chair of McGuireWoods' Debt Finance Department, added, "Chris and Chad are major additions to our national practice. Their arrival further enhances our formidable capabilities to deliver for clients in a variety of financing matters." McGuireWoods' finance practice is one of the largest in the United States, with more than 90 debt finance lawyers in the U.S. and London. The firm represents each of the top 10 U.S. banks ranked by assets and has handled domestic and cross-border commitments exceeding $100 billion in each of the past eight years. "McGuireWoods has a well-deserved reputation nationally as a powerhouse firm in the banking and financial services industry," Molen said. "Chad and I look forward to introducing our clients to this impressive platform." "McGuireWoods excels at delivering comprehensive, integrated services to its financial industry clients. I'm excited to be a part of this talented team," Werner added. McGuireWoods has developed nationwide programs to bring together investors and companies seeking financing, including its annual healthcare-focused private equity, lending and finance conference. The firm earned a nationwide ranking in Chambers USA for its experience in healthcare transactional matters as well as its regulatory, litigation and privacy work and for its skill advising private equity firms and companies on investments and sales. McGuireWoods was named 2019's "Law Firm of the Year" for banking and finance law in U.S. News-Best Lawyers' "Best Law Firms." In addition, The Best Lawyers in America recognized 25 McGuireWoods lawyers for banking and finance law, the most of any firm in the United States. For seven consecutive years, McGuireWoods has ranked among the top 10 U.S. law firms for deal count and dollar volume in Thomson Reuters' league tables, and has ranked among the top five firms for deal count six times during that period. McGuireWoods LLP is a leading international law firm with 1,100 lawyers in 22 offices worldwide. It ranks as the top firm in the business of law in Financial Times' prestigious North America Innovative Lawyers report. The firm has been recognized 13 times on BTI Consulting's "Client Service A-Team" elite firms singled out for client service excellence based on unprompted feedback from clients in major companies. Its full-service public affairs arm, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, offers infrastructure and economic development, strategic communications and grassroots advocacy, and government relations solutions. For more information, visit www.mcguirewoods.com. SOURCE McGuireWoods LLP Related Links http://www.mcguirewoods.com Conference call and webcast scheduled for 8:30 a.m. EST TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (NYSE, TSX: TRI) announced today that its full-year and fourth-quarter 2018 earnings will be issued via news release on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Jim Smith, president and chief executive officer, and Stephane Bello, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast that morning at 8:30 a.m. EST. Discussions may include forward-looking information. You can access the webcast by visiting the "Investor Relations" section of the Thomson Reuters website. Registration for the webcast is now open. Additionally, an archive of the webcast will be available following the presentation. Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is the world's leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com. CONTACTS MEDIA Andrew Green Senior Director, Corporate Affairs +1 646 223 4228 [email protected] INVESTORS Frank J. Golden Senior Vice President, Investor Relations +1 646 223 5288 [email protected] SOURCE Thomson Reuters Related Links http://www.tr.com LONDON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- About this market Though the digital payment system is growing across the globe, the hard cash payments are still holding a dominating share. Most retail payments, especially in developing countries were made using hard cash. High share of hard cash in the global payment market will lead to aa high demand from bank notes. The growing global bank note market is expected to increase the demand for currency security paper, which is made using mixtures of two or more materials such as cotton and linen. Technavio's analysts have predicted that the security paper market will register a CAGR of almost 3% by 2022. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5713276 Market Overview Growing global bank note market The circulation of high denomination currency notes in a country is expected to drive the demand for security. This because governments can at any time, annul and replace such currency with new bank notes. The high domination currency is holding a major share in the overall currency circulation. Rising global e- passport market Illegal immigration and trans- border crimes are the key factors driving the global e- passports market. In addition, e- passports ensure quick security checks and verification of induvial at airports and international airports. For the detailed list of factors that will drive and challenge the growth of the security paper market during the 2018-2022, view our report. Competitive Landscape The global security paper market is fairly fragmented and as the market is in a growth phase, the competition among companies is intense. This market research report will help clients identify new growth opportunities and design unique growth strategies by providing a comprehensive analysis of the market's competitive landscape and offering information on the products offered by companies. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5713276 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The increasing government initiatives, and rising adoption of connected and smart technologies are major factors expected to drive the growth of the smart cities market Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05009183 The global smart cities market size is expected to grow from USD 308.0 billion in 2018 to USD 717.2 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18.4% during the forecast period. There is an upsurge in the adoption rate of advanced technologies across businesses. The development in 5G and NB-IoT technologies is expected to drive the growth of the smart cities market. With advancements, smart governments and other sectors would become highly intelligent and self-governing. For smart transportation, the 5G and NB-IoT technologies-based solutions would collect data from multiple sources and share it with a centralized control center by leveraging the benefits of cloud. Such advanced technologies are not only used to enrich the lives of citizens, but also in other areas such as security, privacy, and environmental sustainability. Among focus areas, the smart citizen services segment is expected to account for the highest market share during the forecast period The smart citizen services segment is expected to account for the highest market share during the forecast period.Under smart citizen services, the smart healthcare segment is expected to hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Currently, smart/connected medical devices are driving traffic over the internet across regions.This traffic has considerably affected the growth of the smart healthcare segment, resulting in the increased deployment of smart solutions across the globe. This demand is mainly attributed to the growing IoT deployment in healthcare devices. Among smart transportation, the passenger information management system segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The rising demand for real-time transit information solutions for passengers, increasing adoption of smartphones, rising penetration of IoT solutions in the transportation sector have boosted the adoption of the passenger information management system for providing easy transport access to citizens. Furthermore, advanced communication infrastructure solutions offered by key players, such as Verizon and Vodafone, are expected to drive the passenger information management system segment Among regions, Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period APAC is expected to hold the highest CAGR among all regions, owing to the increasing adoption rate of IoT and rising demand for intelligent and smart solutions, while North America is expected to be the major contributor to the smart cities market. The increasing citizen empowerment and engagement is the major growth factor expected to drive the growth of the smart cities market. In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), marketing directors, innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the smart cities market. The breakup of the profiles of the primary participants is given below: By Company: Tier 1 35%, Tier 2 40%, and Tier 3 25% By Designation: C-Level 65% and Director Level 35% By Region: North America 30%, Europe 35%, APAC 25%, and RoW 10% The key vendors profiled in the report are as follows: Cisco Systems (US) IBM (US) Siemens AG (Germany) Schneider Electric (France) Ericsson (Sweden) Vodafone (UK) Itron Inc. (US) Verizon (US) Telensa (England) ABB (Switzerland) Honeywell International Inc. (US) SAP SE (Germany KAPSCH Group (Austria) AGT International (Switzerland) Research Coverage The smart cities market has been segmented based on focus areas (smart transportation, smart buildings, smart utilities, and smart citizen services) and region. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been undertaken to provide insights into their business overviews; services; key strategies; new service launches; partnerships, agreements, and collaborations; business expansions; and competitive landscape associated with the global smart cities market. Reasons to Buy the Report The report would help the market leaders/new entrants in the following ways: It comprehensively segments the smart cities market and provides the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall market and its subsegments across regions. It would help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide information about the key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. It would help stakeholders understand their competitors better and gain more insights to enhance their positions in the market. The competitive landscape section includes the competitor ecosystem, new service developments, partnerships, and acquisitions. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05009183 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com REDDING, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Go Energistics (GoE) is pleased to announce it has been selected to provide initial outfitting, transition and activation services (IOT&A) for the Redding Outpatient Clinic, through a partnership with VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). GoE is excited to join forces with the VANCHCS in its mission to deliver state-of-the-art facilities that improve and expand access to health care services for Veterans across Northern California. In concert with design and construction milestones, GoE will complete clinical, equipment and low voltage planning, develop the complete interior design, provide acquisition planning support and deliver, install and calibrate all furniture, fixtures and medical equipment for this project. The new 77,000 square feet outpatient clinic is scheduled to be fully activated for the first patient day in April 2021. The clinic will support the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) delivery model that integrates Primary and Mental Health Services. The VA PACT model is designed to maximize staff efficiency allowing providers to have increased time to interact with Veterans and caregivers to improve care and enhance the patient experience. In addition to PACT, the new clinic will also include Urgent Care Services, additional Medical and Surgical Specialties, and Care for Homeless Veterans creating a one-stop offering for Veterans. GoE President & CEO, Adam Shepherd shared, "We are thrilled to join VANCHCS in their pursuit of excellence in serving Veterans. The PACT model of care provides patients with the most valuable service of all increased direct contact with their health care providers when they need it most. We are pleased to support VA with enhancing the Veteran to provider interaction and improving health care delivery throughout Northern California. I have hand-picked a team of subject matter experts, all who have unparalleled experience, to support VANCHCS with this vital endeavor." This is the second recent collaboration between VANCHCS and GoE to support local Veterans. In late 2017, GoE was selected to provide IOT&A services to the Chico Outpatient Clinic (approximately 42,000 square feet). As with the Redding Outpatient Clinic, Chico will also employ the VA PACT model of care. Shepherd continued, "The addition of clinics in both Redding and Chico demonstrates how VANCHCS is prioritizing health care for those who have served our country. It is an honor to expand our support of this noble and necessary vision." GoE's scope for both the Redding and Chico Outpatient Clinics includes project management, interior design, clinical, equipment and low voltage planning, assessment of the existing inventory and reuse analysis, acquisition support, equipment receiving, delivery, installation and testing, transition planning, staff training, activation and relocation services. GoE will collaborate with all project stakeholders, both VA and other contractors, to meet the objective on time, within scope and within budget activation for these important projects. About Go Energistics: Go Energistics (GoE) is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in planning, design, activation and logistical solutions by enabling clients to shape, transform and evolve the healthcare environment with collective experience of over 100 projects nationwide. Founded in 2011, GoE is comprised of collaborative professionals and Veterans that have personally experienced or been impacted by service injuries. Go Energistics is dedicated to "Serving Those Who Serve" and is helping our nation's military and Veterans' healthcare systems plan for and provide innovative buildings, healing environments and the best overall care for those who have served our Nation. http://www.goenergistics.com Follow Go Energistics on Twitter: For industry news and press releases: www.twitter.com/GoEnergistics SOURCE Go Energistics, LLC Related Links http://www.goenergistics.com BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of measurement solutions, has named Marc Tremblay as the new president of Tektronix. Tremblay succeeds Pat Byrne who has served as Tektronix' president since July 2014. Byrne will continue in his senior vice president role at Fortive with Tremblay reporting directly to him. Tektronix President Marc Tremblay "Marc has a proven track record of developing highly effective organizations leading to sustained growth," said Pat Byrne, president of Tektronix. "Marc will build on our growth and continue to advance the company's vision to break down the barriers between inspiration and realization of world-changing technologies." Tremblay joins Tektronix from Thermo Fisher Scientific where he was president of the Chemical Analysis Division. He previously held president, senior vice president and general manager positions at technology companies including DigitalGlobe, Z Corporation and Syncline. Tremblay holds an MBA from Harvard Business School as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, where he focused on smart product design and robotics. About Tektronix Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix delivers innovative, precise and easy-to-operate test, measurement and monitoring solutions that solve problems, unlock insights and drive discovery. Tektronix has been at the forefront of the digital age for over 70 years. Join us on the journey of innovation at TEK.COM. Stay up to date on the latest news from Tektronix on Twitter, Facebook, the Bandwidth Banter blog and in our Newsroom. Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. SOURCE Tektronix, Inc. Related Links http://www.tektronix.com CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- TD launched its Unexpectedly Human brand campaign, which shows how the bank prioritizes modern convenience and customer centricity, while elevating its focus on local communities and small businesses. Developed with a sense of humor and healthy dose of humanity, the campaign celebrates the bank's reputation as a customer service innovator with a distinct culture. "Consumers want to connect with brands that promise outstanding products, provide extraordinary customer service, and make a positive impact on communities," said Pat McLean, Chief Marketing Officer at TD Bank. "At TD, we pride ourselves on delivering customized, seamless experiences that feel local and authentic. Unexpectedly Human takes customer centricity to the next level not only are we vowing to treat you as person, but we're committed to delivering an incredible experience, each and every time. This campaign demonstrates that we're everything you'd expect from a bank plus, everything you wouldn't." A key trademark of the campaign is its personalized, hyper-local approach, which reflects TD's commitment to its customers and communities. The campaign includes video executions that bring the bank's unique personality to life, engaging billboards, local engagement via social media, and experiential activations at transportation hubs in select markets. Unexpectedly Human is currently available via: Video Three different commercials will run on TV in select markets from Maine to Florida , now through the end of February. More than 2,400 spots will run, with placements in a variety of top programs, like Saturday Night Live , Modern Family , and Grey's Anatomy , as well as the Oscars, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Grammys. Video reach will be extended in select markets via online video through providers like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon. Three different commercials will run on TV in select markets from to , now through the end of February. More than 2,400 spots will run, with placements in a variety of top programs, like , , and , as well as the Oscars, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Grammys. Video reach will be extended in select markets via online video through providers like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon. Social media Localized Unexpectedly Human content will be featured on TD Bank's social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, in addition to paid ad placements across all four platforms. Localized Unexpectedly Human content will be featured on TD Bank's social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, in addition to paid ad placements across all four platforms. Internet Sponsored content, online video, and display ads on various sites and ad networks that will drive to a campaign microsite. Sponsored content, online video, and display ads on various sites and ad networks that will drive to a campaign microsite. Outdoor Digital and static billboards on storefronts, bus shelters, and train stations in select markets across our footprint, including station dominations in Boston , New York , Philadelphia , and Washington, D.C. Digital and static billboards on storefronts, bus shelters, and train stations in select markets across our footprint, including station dominations in , , , and Mobile Videos and other content will be available on mobile platforms. Most People Believe They Do Something Nice on Daily Basis, According to Survey The TD Bank Unexpectedly Human survey of 1,513 consumers found that the majority of people believe they act in unexpectedly nice ways more often than they are treated in kind. More than half surveyed (54 percent) say they do something nice for someone else at least once a day, while less than one third of respondents (32 percent) say something nice is done for them just as often. Americans with children lead the way in daily doses of kindness, with six-in-ten respondents (60 percent) doing something nice for others at least once daily There was no significant difference in response between genders, with more than half of men (56 percent) and women (51 percent) answering that they do something nice at least once a day. On the receiving end, men (39 percent) and millennials (38 percent) say someone does something nice for them at least once a day. Only 29 percent of boomers, however, get the same treatment. Gen Xers (29 percent), women (27 percent) and boomers (26 percent), are among the least recognized, and say they receive nice treatment less than once a month. Nice Gesture Often Involves Cash When it comes to the types of kind gestures Americans would appreciate, cash rules, followed by a special experience, like a weekend away or a night out with someone special. Those surveyed would prefer monetary support (29 percent) or a special experience (19 percent) over: Special treat or self-indulgence (15 percent) Day off from responsibilities (10 percent) Support at work (4 percent) Childcare for a day (2 percent) Of those who opted for a financial gesture: One-third (33 percent) wanted $500 towards their holiday budget towards their holiday budget More than one-quarter (26 percent) wanted a bill paid off for them Twenty-two percent wanted their rent or mortgage paid for a month, and 13 percent would welcome a paid grocery tab. Kindness is Appreciated In today's world, it often feels that we hardly have time to catch our breath, much less speak to people. Yet nearly half of consumers surveyed (44 percent) say they most appreciate when someone is unexpectedly nice or kind towards them, significantly outpacing interactions that are just friendly (8 percent), helpful (6 percent), generous (5 percent) or appreciative/thankful (3 percent). TD Bank has been on a mission to treat our customers with consideration and understanding while providing the best in class financial services a rare combination in the banking industry. "At TD, we pride ourselves on doing things differently from the tangible support we give our communities, to the extra conveniences we offer, to the way we engage with our customers," McLean said. "Our Unexpectedly Human brand promises that we'll do what matters most, especially when you least expect it. Think of how you feel when someone holds a door when your hands are full, surprises you with a gift, or treats you to a cup of coffee. These small gestures can change your day. That's how we want our customers to feel when they bank with TD. Our Unexpectedly Human brand seeks to exceed our customers' expectations about what a bank can be." TD Bank teamed up with creative agency partner TBWA\Chiat\Day New York to develop the new brand positioning "Unexpectedly Human," which sets out to defy consumers' expectations of what a bank can be. The new campaign champions all the human aspects of a bank that no one else shows in an unexpected way, features everyday human insights, and aims to contrast the stuffy, apathetic attitude you'd expect to find at your average bank. The launch of Unexpectedly Human comes to life in a multi-channel campaign that spans key markets in TD's regional footprint. Whether it's replacing your lost debit card, saving you from remembering a hundred different passwords, or catching our bankers while they have a little fun, TD Bank showcases what it means to be a treated like a human. To learn more about TD Bank and its Unexpectedly Human brand promise stop by a store, visit us at https://www.td.com/us/ or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/TDBank and www.twitter.com/TDBank_US. Survey Methodology An online (omnibus) survey was conducted through the Springboard America Panel (facilitated by MARU/Matchbox). The omnibus was in field December 19, 2018 and surveyed 1,513 Americans aged 18+. Results were broken out by region, age, gender, income, and education for demographic comparisons. The estimated margin of error for the total sample is +/- 2.5 per cent. About MARU/Matchbox MARU/Matchbox is a professional services firm dedicated to improving its clients' business outcomes. It delivers its services through teams of sector-specific research consultants that have technology in their DNA, specializing in the use of Insight Community and Voice of Market technology. MARU/ Matchbox's research drives decision-making across all aspects of customer experience, including innovation, product, branding, commercialization and communications. About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com. SOURCE TD Bank Related Links http://www.TDBank.com Then turned to walk away from the 3-year-old, he told police, but for some reason turned back to the girl, according to the warrant. They were facing each other, he said, when he grabbed her shirt with one hand on her chest and pulled her down hard to the ground, according to the warrant. Santiago told police the girls head hit the ground first, really hard. When the girl stood up, he said, she was woozy and looked light shed been knocked out. She then fell to the ground and needed help getting up, he told police, according to the warrant. For those fans and collectors anxious to be among the first owners of this iconic sports car, the initial 1,500 production Supras for the U.S. will be Launch Edition models starting at $55,250. Each will be uniquely numbered and have distinctive features signifying the exclusivity and excitement of Supra's return. Toyota dealers will be handling all orders and the Launch Edition models go on sale in Summer 2019 starting at $55,250. The Supra Launch Edition will be available in exterior colors of Absolute Zero White, Nocturnal Black or Renaissance Red 2.0, each featuring high-contrast red mirror caps and 19-inch forged matte black alloy wheels. The Absolute Zero White and Nocturnal Black Supra Launch Editions will have a red interior. Each of the racing-inspired seats will be wrapped in red leather, with red leather steering wheel grips, and a red center console with carbon-fiber accents. The Renaissance Red 2.0 Supra Launch Edition will feature a black leather-trimmed interior, with black seats, a black steering wheel, and black center console. The black interior will also feature carbon-fiber accents. The first 1,500 Supras will feature an individually numbered carbon-fiber badge on the passenger-side dashboard complete with a graphic of Toyota Motor Corporation President and Master Driver Akio Toyoda's signature. Different Grades, Same Power The 2020 Supra will be available in two grades: 3.0 and 3.0 Premium. Both will be powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that produces 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with racing-style paddle shifters. Both grades will also come standard with serious performance features including adaptive suspension, an active rear differential and launch control. The 3.0 grade has a 6.5-inch display with Bluetooth and iPod capability, as well as Alcantara seats. Navigation and JBL Audio will be an available option for an additional $2,460. The 3.0 Premium grade will feature an upgraded 8.8-inch wide-format touchscreen display with Navigation, Supra Connect telematics services, wireless Apple CarPlay, a premium 12-speaker JBL audio system, wireless phone charging and a color Head-Up Display. The 3.0 Premium grade will also feature heated, leather-trimmed seats. The Supra Launch Edition will be based on the 3.0 Premium grade. Standard safety features on both grades, as well as the Launch Edition, include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, road sign assist and automatic high beams. The Driver Assist Package is an additional suite of safety features that will be optional on both grades for an additional $1,195. It includes full speed adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, parking sonar and rear collision warning. Model # Grade MSRP* 20MY 2372 3.0 $49,990 2374 3.0 Premium $53,990 2375 Launch Edition $55,250 *Does not include the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $930 Option Grade 3.0 3.0 Premium Launch Edition Model # 2372 2374 2375 Driver Assist Package $1,195 $1,195 $1,195 Navigation and JBL Audio $2,460 - - Get the Very First One The first 2020 Supra off the production line will go to the highest bidder at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, Saturday, January 19. This one-of-a-kind Supra will be the very first new Supra available in the U.S. in more than 20 years. It will feature a Phantom Matte Gray exterior with the red mirror caps, red leather-trimmed interior, matte black wheels, and will carry VIN number 20201. The carbon-fiber badge on the passenger dash will be numbered 1 of 1,500 with a graphic of Akio Toyoda's signature. The top bidder also will receive an engine cover with Akio Toyoda's personal signature that can be framed or installed on the car. All proceeds of the sale will be shared by the American Heart Association and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The Supra prototype on display at Barrett-Jackson will be representative of the actual production vehicle that will be delivered in the first half of 2019. SOURCE Toyota Motor North America CENTURY CITY, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global investment company Skyview Capital, LLC (www.skyviewcapital.com) has sold the mobile messaging and Interact business units of its wholly-owned NewNet Communications Technologies to ZephyrTel (ZT), an ESW Capital software company dedicated to serving the global telecommunications industry. Skyview will continue to own and operate NewNet's Broadband and Payment Processing business units, which serve high-profile telco and enterprise clients worldwide. Skyview Capital formed NewNet by merging its text messaging company acquisitions into a single fully-integrated video/audio/text mobile text messaging platform. "We recognized the potential of mobile messaging for consumer and B2B applications early on and pursued a strategy that would create a successful mobile text messaging company," said Christopher Aye, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for Skyview Capital. Skyview Capital's exiting of the two NewNet business units follows the recent sales of its other communications industry portfolio companies VoltDelta Contact Center Solutions, which was also acquired by ESW Capital and NewPace RCS Mobile Software, which Skyview sold to Samsung. To meet the requirements resulting from the expansion of its portfolio acquisitions, Skyview Capital added to the company's Operational, Business Development and M&A management teams as well as established a Dallas office. "Skyview's operational management and infrastructure including product development, rebranding, sales and marketing and research and development contributed to the successful sale of NewNet's Messaging and Interact business units to ZephyrTel," added Aye. "A recognized force in global telecommunications, ZephyrTel is the perfect new home for the NewNet Mobile and Interact business units, which are certain to become significant components to ZephyrTel's solutions portfolio," said Alex Soltani, Chairman & CEO of Skyview Capital, LLC. "Our acquisition of both VoltDelta and NewNet's Messaging and Interact units will deliver impressive telecoms technology platforms as well as an additional portfolio of blue-chip customers that will help accelerate ZephyrTel's growth trajectory and ability to further support global Telecoms operators in their digital transformation strategies," said Mike Shinya, Chief Executive Officer, ZephyrTel. About Skyview Capital, LLC: Skyview Capital is a global private investment firm headquartered In Los Angeles specializing in the acquisition and management of mission critical enterprises in the areas of technology, telecommunications, business services and niche manufacturing. By leveraging its deep operational resources and financial acumen, Skyview systematically enhances the long-term sustainable value of the businesses it acquires. To date, Skyview has successfully completed more than 25 transactions within its target market verticals. Visit www.skyviewcapital.com. CONTACT: Steve Syatt SSA Public Relations [email protected] (818) 222-4000 SOURCE Skyview Capital, LLC Related Links http://www.skyviewcapital.com NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Markel Corporation ("Markel" or the "Company") (NYSE: MKL). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980. The investigation concerns whether Markel and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here to join a class action] On December 6, 2018, Markel disclosed that it had been contacted by U.S. and Bermuda authorities on November 30, 2018 regarding "loss reserves recorded in late 2017 and early 2018 at Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd", a wholly-owned subsidiary of Markel. Following this news, Markel's stock price fell $99.70 per share, or 8.69%, to close at $1,048.23 per share on December 7, 2018. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP [email protected] SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Related Links http://www.pomerantzlaw.com LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandhills Publishing's auction platforms and services capped a record-breaking year, exceeding $2.93 billion (gross merchandise value) in 2018. The total includes sales of equipment, trucks, trailers, collectibles, memorabilia, real estate, and other merchandise and assets listed through AuctionTime.com, Pre-AuctionTime, BidCaller.com, Equipmentfacts, and HiBid.com. Each of the platforms reported its highest annual sales to date. AuctionTime.com and Pre-AuctionTime posted a record-breaking 2018, selling over $683.1 million (gross auction proceeds) in equipment, trucks, and trailers. AuctionTime.com processed over 3.2 million bids on 80,054 individual assets listed by 2,825 unique sellers in its weekly online auctions. Assets sold to buyers in all 50 U.S. states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and 91 additional countries worldwide. BidCaller and Equipmentfacts, simulcast and bidder management solutions that facilitate live and online bidding, accepted hundreds of thousands of bids from buyers all over the world. In total, the combined value of assets that moved through the software in 2018 exceeded $830.6 million. HiBid.com reported a 2018 gross merchandise value exceeding $1.37 billion. Over the course of the year, the platform sold over 9.5 million items to bidders in all 50 U.S. states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and 55 countries worldwide. Sandhills' Director of New Products Evan Welch attributes the growth to the company's strategic combining of forces through product evolutions and reinvestments in the utility and scope of each platform. "We're actively working to evolve these products in ways that add value for our auctioneers and for their customers," explained Welch. Even as Sandhills' auction products and services progress, their core value propositions remain focused, he added. "Our auction solutions follow a simple formula: They are user-friendly and cost-effective, and they leverage diverse, multi-channel exposure to get lots in front of as many of the right buyers as possible for consistently superior results." About Sandhills Publishing Sandhills Publishing is an information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our products and services gather, process, and distribute information in the form of trade publications, websites, and online services that connect buyers and sellers across the trucking, agriculture, construction, heavy equipment, aviation, and technology industries. Our integrated, industry-specific approach to hosted technologies and services offers solutions that help businesses large and small operate efficiently and grow securely, cost-effectively, and successfully. Sandhills Publishingwe are the cloud. Contact Sandhills: 120 West Harvest Drive Lincoln, NE 68521 www.Sandhills.com [email protected] (402) 479-2181 SOURCE AuctionTime.com SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce.org, a nonprofit social enterprise, today announced it has acquired roundCorner, which specializes in enterprise CRM solutions for nonprofits and other impact sectors. "Through our technology, industry expertise and employee volunteerism, Salesforce.org is dedicated to empowering the social good sector," said Rob Acker, CEO, Salesforce.org. "Together, Salesforce.org and roundCorner will further power our community of customers with solutions to advance their missions." roundCorner: An enterprise solution to transform the social impact sector roundCorner, the first Salesforce.org Platinum App Partner for the nonprofit market in North America, offers technology solutions for enterprise nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and foundations to become constituent-centric with products such as NGO Connect, Advancement Connect and Foundation Connect. roundCorner empowers customers with fundraising and grants management built on Salesforce, so they can connect with each of their constituents from one single place. In 2016, roundCorner joined Pledge 1% a corporate philanthropy movement started by Salesforce, dedicated to making the community a key stakeholder in every business. Acquisition to accelerate innovation and impact for Salesforce.org's community roundCorner technology will extend the power of Nonprofit Cloud, Education Cloud and Philanthropy Cloud as Salesforce.org continues to deliver solutions for fundraising, alumni and donor outreach. Together, Salesforce.org and roundCorner will accelerate customers' impact in their communities, whether a nonprofit, educational institution or a foundation. By making a unified system for connecting fundraising, advancement and engagement systems, Salesforce.org and roundCorner will unlock new ways to connect to constituents and optimize existing technology solutions. Details Regarding the Acquisition The boards of directors of Salesforce.org and roundCorner have unanimously approved the acquisition. About Salesforce.org Everyone who wants to change the world should have the tools and technology to do so. Technology is the most powerful equalizer of our time, providing access to data, knowledge, and above all connections. Salesforce.org gets our technology in the hands of nonprofits, educational institutions, and philanthropic organizations so they can connect with others and do more good. As a social enterprise, the more missions our technology supports, the more we invest back into technology and communities, creating an endless circle of good. We're here to help; visit us at Salesforce.org . SOURCE Salesforce.org Related Links http://www.salesforce.org OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - The Government of Canada is steadfast in its commitment to protect the environment for future generations while growing our economy. Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced that the proposed Red Mountain Underground Gold Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when the mitigation measures described in the Environmental Assessment Report are taken into account. The project is an underground gold and silver mine proposed by IDM Mining Ltd. located 15 kilometres northeast of Stewart, British Columbia. According to the proponent, approximately 200 jobs would be created during project operations. The project is also subject to requirements under the Nis g a'a Final Agreement, a modern treaty signed by the governments of Canada, British Columbia, and the Nis g a'a Nation. In accordance with the treaty, the Minister has issued a Project Recommendation that includes a determination regarding the potential effects of the project under the Nis g a'a Final Agreement. In reaching her decision, the Minister considered the Project Recommendation and the Environmental Assessment Report, which includes the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's conclusions and recommendations on the potential environmental effects of the project, the potential effects on the Nis g a'a Nation, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any adverse environmental effects and the follow-up program requirements. The Minister's Decision Statement establishes more than 120 conditions the proponent must fulfill throughout the life of the project. These conditions will reduce or eliminate the potential effects of the project on the environment and include measures to protect fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, species at risk, human health, physical and cultural heritage and the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by Indigenous peoples. Today's announcement reflects the Government of Canada's Interim Approach and Principles which ensure project decisions are informed by thorough and science-based environmental assessments, meaningful consultations with Indigenous peoples, public input including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions. Quote "The Government of Canada is committed to conducting environmental assessments that ensure the protection of our environment, foster economic growth and create good middle-class jobs. We are confident that with the mitigation measures in place and the legally-binding conditions the proponent must fulfill, this project will move forward in a way that supports sustainable development." The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Relevant Links Follow us on Twitter: @CEAA_ACEE SOURCE Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Related Links http://www.ceaa.gc.ca LAS VEGAS, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Geoff Kearney, a recognized expert in the field of financial modeling has joined Work At Home Vintage Experts (WAHVE) as CFO. WAHVE, formed in 2010, is an innovative contract talent solution that matches retiring, experienced career professionals with a company's talent needs. "Geoff will add expertise for the next phase of growth for WAHVE," said Sharon Emek, Ph.D., CIC, CEO and founder of Work At Home Vintage Experts (WAHVE) . "Geoff's financial and data analytic background will be strong assets for WAHVE. "We are taking our proven model providing expert insurance professionals to insurance organizations and expanding it to serve greater numbers of jobs, firms and "pretirees," in the accounting and HR fields commented Emek. "Every employer faces the challenge of staffing their firms on a sustainable, flexible, cost-efficient basis and WAHVE offers an alternative that suits workers and employers." "WAHVE has a business model that isn't just unique, but also very timely in an era where people live much longer but are expected to retire at the same time that their parents did. It is an idea that is massively scalable, and I am excited to be part of that process," said Geoff. Geoff has a 35 year history of data driven decision making as a Founder, CEO, CFO and Advisor to organizations of all sizes across multiple industries, including technology, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, services and private equity. Originally from South Africa, Geoff has undergraduate and post graduate degrees in Finance and Economics and is a Chartered Accountant. His focus in recent years has been on developing and executing growth strategies for high growth and disruptive companies. His business mantra is "measure what matters" and he is an avid user of data analytics to drive and support decision making at all levels. About WAHVE: Work At Home Vintage Experts (WAHVE www.wahve.com) is an innovative contract talent solution that matches retiring, experienced career professionals with a company's talent needs. WAHVE answers the corporate talent gap by re-engaging veteran professionals looking to extend their careers in a work-from-home arrangement. From screening to placement, WAHVE is a comprehensive solution to qualifying, hiring, and managing experienced remote talent. WAHVE.com Join the WAHVE LinkedIn group Find us on Facebook SOURCE Work At Home Vintage Experts (WAHVE) PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Portfolios is pleased to announce the hiring of Ann Owen, CFA, as Director of Impact Investing, where she will be responsible for developing Pure Portfolios' ESG & Impact Investing platform. Owen has over 30 years' investment management and analysis industry experience. Prior to joining Pure Portfolios, Owen was a Senior Portfolio Manager & Senior Vice President in U.S. Bank's Wealth Management division, and a Senior Portfolio Manager at U.S. Trust, Bank of America. Before joining U.S. Trust, Owen was a Portfolio Manager at BMO Harris and Wells Fargo. Owen began her career at Yale University's Endowment Fund, where she served as a Financial Analyst. Owen received an undergraduate degree and a MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a CFA charter holder. "David and I were deeply impressed by Ann's drive, passion and creative problem-solving skills, together with her ability to understand the values of our clients in helping to design targeted investments that emulate their core beliefs. Ann's ability to think outside of the antiquated wealth management box perfectly aligns with our firm's core principles and we are pleased to welcome her into the Pure Portfolios family," said Nik Schuurmans, Founder and Managing Director of Pure Portfolios. "Pure Portfolios' unique model of pioneering a progressive client-centric experience meant that joining the firm was a great fit given my investment background and my passion for pursuing better and more forward looking outcomes both for investors and society. Socially responsible investing can have a profound impact on the world in which future generations will inherit and I am deeply excited to help Pure Portfolios build out their ESG & Impact Investing platform," said Ann Owen. "At Pure Portfolios, we recognize the importance of socially responsible investing and our clients have expressed great interest in making a social or environmental impact with their wealth. We are incredibly excited to have Ann join Pure Portfolios and take the lead in developing a differentiated Impact offering that aligns with and honors our clients' values," said David Gewant, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Pure Portfolios. Pure Portfolios was created to shake-up and disrupt the traditional wealth management model by tying fees to client outcomes. Through education, radical transparency, and embracing technology, together with best-in-class partnerships and service providers such as tru Independence, the Pure Portfolios team seeks to be a true advocate for their clients' interests. For media inquiries, please contact Tony Kono at (973)-525-6855 or [email protected]. About Pure Portfolios We believe investment managers need to get back to the fundamental reason the industry exists: to grow client assets. Pure Portfolios strives to align performance with client expectations and, for qualified clients, if we fail to do our job, we receive less compensation. Pure builds custom portfolios aimed at reducing the cost of owning financial assets and striving to maximize net after-tax returns. In addition, we will never employ salespeople. We are asset managers, not asset gatherers. By putting investors first, Pure can raise the standards of professional conduct within investment management. Through education, promoting the highest ethical standards, and providing each client with a Statement of Investor Rights we will be an advocate for change. For more information, please visit www.pureportfolios.com. CONTACT: Tony Kono JConnelly (973)-525-6855 [email protected] SOURCE Pure Portfolios Related Links http://www.pureportfolios.com BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Western Bank is pleased to announce that Jonathan ("Jon") Lorenz has been hired as Colorado Market President. He will be located in Pacific Western Bank's Greenwood Village, Colorado executive offices. Mr. Lorenz is leading Pacific Western Bank's efforts to establish and expand commercial banking services in the state of Colorado. "We are pleased to have Jon on our team, as there is no one more qualified to help us grow our presence in the state of Colorado," said Matt Wagner, President and CEO. "His success in leading CoBiz Financial's banking franchise is a testament to his strong leadership skills and unique ability to build a top tier banking team." With over four decades of banking and finance experience, Mr. Lorenz most recently served as the Chairman and CEO of Colorado Business Bank and Arizona Business Bank, the principal operating subsidiaries of CoBiz Financial. When Mr. Lorenz joined CoBiz it operated two locations with $100 million in assets, and under his leadership it grew to 20 branches with $3.5 billion in assets. Mr. Lorenz is active in his community, and currently serves on the board of the Colorado Parent & Child Foundation. Mr. Lorenz also sits on the President's Gift Planning Advisory Council at the University of Colorado. About Pacific Western Bank Pacific Western Bank is a Los Angeles-based commercial bank with approximately $24 billion in assets. The Bank has 74 full-service branches located throughout the state of California and one branch in Durham, North Carolina. We provide lending and comprehensive deposit and treasury management services to small and medium-sized businesses conducted primarily through our California-based branch offices. We offer additional products and services through our National Lending and Venture Banking groups. National Lending provides asset-based, equipment, real estate and security cash flow loans and treasury management services to established middle market businesses on a national basis. Venture Banking offers a comprehensive suite of financial services focused on entrepreneurial businesses and their venture capital and private equity investors, with offices located in key innovation hubs across the United States. For more information about PacWest Bancorp, visit www.pacwestbancorp.com , or to learn more about Pacific Western Bank, visit www.pacificwesternbank.com . Media Contacts Kristen Mboijana | Pacific Western Bank | 301.634.6905 | [email protected] SOURCE Pacific Western Bank Related Links www.pacificwesternbank.com In December of 2017, OMP purchased the 29 acre site from Morton Salt. The project is already 37% leased, with Building Four (225,679 SF) having been pre-leased to a leading social media/networking company. Morton Commerce Center has been designed with features to accommodate a wide variety of businesses. Project features include 30'-32' clear heights, ESFR fire suppression, additional power capacity, large truck courts that can be converted into extra parking for companies with heavy employee counts, natural gas, and solar ready roof structures. Located only five minutes from Interstate 880 and the Dumbarton Bridge (CA Hwy 84), Morton Commerce Center's strategic Newark location can attract users from the Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and the greater East Bay. "Morton Commerce Center is a next generation manufacturing/industrial project that will stand out from the aging existing building stock with its employee friendly amenities, flexible configurations and modern architecture. The first lease at the project is a great example of how the project fits the market," said John McManus of Cushman & Wakefield. McManus, Executive Managing Director and Victor DeBoer, Senior Director of Cushman and Wakefield, are representing OMP on the project. The speculative project is being developed in joint venture with LaSalle Investment Management. Morton Commerce Center is OMP's third development project in the San Francisco East Bay, which makes the company one of the largest industrial developers in the 880 Corridor submarket since 2008, measured by square footage, number of buildings and total projects. Other projects include The Crossings @ 880 in Fremont, CA (100% leased), OMP Eureka Landing (100% leased), OMP Gateway Marina in San Leandro, CA (100% leased), and Pacific Commons South in Fremont, CA, which is currently under construction. OMP is a privately held company specializing in real estate development, acquisition, master planning, marketing, asset management, property management, construction management, and financial reporting for industrial, office and mixed-use projects. OMP's long-term franchise value, local market knowledge, deep relationships with tenants and the brokerage community and strong institutional relationships have contributed to its success throughout the past 43 years. OMP has constructed and acquired more than 40 million square feet of office, industrial, and mixed-use space, developing more than 1,598 acres of raw land throughout California and Arizona. The firm also owns and manages over 6 million square feet of space in the region. CONTACT: Janine Walker Overton Moore Properties 310-354-2465 [email protected] SOURCE Overton Moore Properties Related Links http://www.omprop.com Following a quote from William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, the group said in a Facebook post: Today is a tragic day for our whole community. We know we are in good company though, the original Globe burned down and today we still love and perform Shakespeares works and will continue to do so. The Shakespeare Theater is all but gone, but the history and magic of the place is not. THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced that its Board of Directors has set the date of the Company's 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time at Newpark Resources' Headquarters located at 9320 Lakeside Blvd, Suite 100 in The Woodlands, Texas. Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of value-added drilling fluids systems, and composite matting systems used in oilfield and other commercial markets. For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com. Contacts: Gregg Piontek Sr.Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Newpark Resources, Inc. [email protected] 281-362-6800 SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc. Related Links http://www.newpark.com Carrefour is meeting the challenge of omnichannel distribution and inventory optimization by using SAS Viya to collect and process data from stores, warehouses and e-commerce sites. Analysis of the data will improve downstream forecasting and upstream ordering with suppliers reducing waste and overstocks. Following an 18-month test period, SAS Viya will be deployed at Carrefour in a way that allows procurement and replenishment teams greater agility for integrating working methods and continuously improving forecasting processes. Robust, secure, open and elastic, SAS Viya stores and processes large volumes of data and will allow Carrefour's experts to develop tailor-made algorithms to meet their specific needs. "The SAS Viya deployment will allow us to take a step forward in our supply chain optimization. Artificial intelligence will free up time for our teams to focus on developing differentiated forecasting strategies and best meet our customers' expectations while reducing waste," said Franck Noel-Fontana, Forecasting Director at Carrefour France. SAS and partner Capgemini will offer Carrefour technological and business expertise throughout the deployment. "With so much talk about AI, it is projects like this one at Carrefour that help separate the reality from the hype," said Oliver Schabenberger, SAS Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer. "We have seen incredible advances in making algorithms perform with stunning accuracy tasks that a human could do." To learn more, download this SAS white paper Assisted Demand Planning Using Machine Learning for CPG and Retail. Follow SAS on Twitter at @SASsoftware and @SASRetail. Follow NRF 2019 news at #SASatNRF. About Carrefour With a multiformat network of 12,000 stores in over 30 countries, Carrefour Group is one of the world's leading food retailers. Carrefour serves 105 million customers worldwide and posted sales of 88.24 billion euros in 2017. The Group has more than 380,000 employees who contribute to making Carrefour the world leader in the food transition for all, offering quality food every day, accessible everywhere and at a reasonable price. For more information, visit www.carrefour.com, Twitter (@CarrefourGroup) and LinkedIn (Carrefour) About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2019 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE SAS Related Links http://www.sas.com CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical practitioners are optimistic about their practices' finances but remain concerned about the impact of politics on the American healthcare industry, finds a survey released today by TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank. According to TD Bank's Healthcare Survey of U.S. doctors in the medical, dentistry, veterinarian and ophthalmology fields, most independent medical offices remain small businesses, with 46 percent being solo practices and 78 percent of all practices (solo and those with partners) operating in just one office location. Investing in Growth Medical practitioners are positive about their growth prospects, with nearly three-quarters expecting practice revenue to rise over the next two years. Female medical professionals and practitioners under the age of 50 report the most optimism, with 81 percent and 89 percent, respectively, anticipating revenue increases. Higher revenues will not come without investments that create efficiencies and expand patient bases. Independent practitioners' largest anticipated financial expenditure in the next five years is equipment financing (45 percent), with physical expansion, relocation or renovation (19 percent) a distant second. The most popular anticipated method for funding these needs is cash (45 percent), followed by a line of credit (34 percent) and credit cards (27 percent). There are obstacles to expansion, however. Medical practitioners named cost (41 percent) as the leading barrier to growing and expanding their practice, followed closely by patient demand and reimbursement levels (both 40 percent). Future Financial Strategies When assessing near-term strategic plans, 74 percent of doctors anticipate purchasing, buying into, merging or selling their practice, and soon 34 percent expect this to happen within the next four years, while 29 percent said they will pursue one of these options in the next five to 10 years. Independent medical practitioners also are developing long-term plans, especially for succession and retirement: 37 percent of survey participants stated partners or colleagues will take over their practice or buy out their share when they retire. 29 percent said their practice will be sold through a transition specialist or broker. When thinking about retirement, 42 percent would prefer to cut back on hours for a slow transition instead of retiring outright. Respondents also expressed confidence in their financial preparedness for retirement. Eighty-six percent of doctors believe they are financially ready, and nearly all (89 percent) said they expect sale of their practice to provide at least a portion of their retirement fund. "Valuations of practices can vary from year-to-year due to ever-changing factors such as the economic environment, area demographics, number of active patient records, and practice production and profitability," said Dan Croft, Head of Healthcare Practice Solutions at TD Bank. "Although it is nice to think about tapering off work before retirement, that may lower a practice's sales price, as valuations are typically focused on the last 12 months of production and net income." Political Landscape Brings Challenges When asked to name their top three obstacles to operating a practice, respondents reported the following challenges: overhead costs (63 percent); growth/new patient acquisition (48 percent); and private insurance reimbursement (45 percent). The majority (70 percent) also are concerned that the new Congress will make changes to the healthcare system. This is a significant jump from the 52 percent of doctors who had such concerns before the 2016 election. When asked which specific issues lawmakers should address, respondents named: Repealing/overturning the Affordable Care Act (37 percent) Increasing regulations on the medical insurance industry (33 percent) Enhancing the Affordable Care Act (30 percent) "Given the uncertainty within the broader U.S. political climate and continued scrutiny around healthcare policy, it is not surprising that practitioners have heightened concerns about healthcare legislation and insurance reimbursement," Croft said. "Potential changes to both Medicaid eligibility and benefits mean doctors need to develop a broader base of collection sources, including fees for service, membership plans and private/commercial insurance payors, in order to avoid a heavy concentration in public reimbursement sources." Survey Methodology TD Bank conducted an online study of 360 physicians, dentists, optometrists and veterinarians that spend any time in an independent solo, group or multi-specialty practice with five or fewer medical professionals. Respondents were selected by ENGINE from a volunteer group. The survey was conducted Oct. 3-14, 2018. About ENGINE Engine is a data-driven marketing solutions company. Powered by data, made by people and driven by results, Engine helps its clients make connections that countleading to bottom line growth, business transformation and an inspired workplace. With global headquarters in New York and 17 offices across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Engine offers clients a vast range of marketing solutionsincluding insights, content, distribution, data and technology. Find out more at enginegroup.com/us or follow @Engine_US. About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com. SOURCE TD Bank DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Unifor National President Jerry Dias will be available to media following today's discussions with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and with Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains on the future of the General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant. Dias is in Detroit to participate in the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council's annual meeting, held during the North American International Auto Show's media preview. WHAT: Media availability WHEN: Monday January 14, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Cobo Centre lobby WHO: Jerry Dias, Unifor National President Despite earning more than $6 billion U.S. this year, General Motors announced plans to end production at the Oshawa Assembly Plant after 2019. The loss of 2,900 direct jobs at GM and thousands more in auto parts and services is not acceptable to Unifor or to Canadian consumers. Thousands have signed an online petition demanding GM allocate product to Oshawa. For more information go to the campaign website SaveOshawaGM.ca Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. SOURCE Unifor Related Links http://www.unifor.org Daniel Jablonsky, President of DigitalGlobe, named as CEO WESTMINSTER, Colo., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR) ("Maxar" or the "Company"), a global technology innovator powering the new space economy, today announced the appointment of Daniel Jablonsky as President and Chief Executive Officer of Maxar, effective immediately. Mr. Jablonsky, who most recently served as President of DigitalGlobe, a Maxar Technologies company, will also join the Maxar Board of Directors. He succeeds Howard Lance, who has resigned from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of Maxar. General Howell M. Estes III, Chairman of the Maxar Board, said, "Dan has been a key member of the management team since his arrival to DigitalGlobe in 2012 and has taken on increased responsibilities following the closing of the Company's merger. Dan's experience as President of DigitalGlobe, after previously serving as both General Counsel and General Manager of the U.S. and International Defense and Intelligence businesses, and participation in Maxar's executive leadership, provides him with a deep understanding of Maxar's businesses, operations and strategy. He has worked closely with many of our largest customers, including the U.S. Government, and has a unique appreciation for the value of our mission-critical services as a former Surface Warfare Officer and Nuclear Engineer in the U.S. Navy. Dan is the right leader for Maxar and now is the right time for this transition as we work to unlock the value of our operations for all stakeholders and maximize returns for our shareholders." Mr. Jablonsky said, "I am honored that the Board has appointed me to lead Maxar at this important time. Our top priority is to serve our government and commercial partners and strengthen our operational and financial performance, including delivering sustainable revenue and cash flows, determining a definitive resolution for the GEO communications satellite line of business, and clarifying longer-term growth prospects, required investments and the optimal capital structure. Maxar has a strong foundation and delivers compelling solutions to serve as a mission-critical partner to our customers. Along with our management team and dedicated team members, I am committed to the future of Maxar and meeting the needs and expectations of all of our stakeholders. We are already working on action plans and will address these plans in the near future." General Estes continued, "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Howard for his service over the last three years. One of Howard's most important accomplishments was the U.S. Domestication and development of a strong and highly-experienced management team, and the Board is confident that this team, under Dan's leadership, will continue serving customers and enhance value for shareholders." About Daniel Jablonsky Daniel Jablonsky has served as President of DigitalGlobe, the global leader in commercial high-resolution satellite imagery, since October 2017 when it was acquired by Maxar Technologies. Under his leadership, DigitalGlobe's IDI and Commercial business increased revenue by more than 10% in 2018. Mr. Jablonsky previously served as General Manager of the U.S. and International Defense and Intelligence businesses at DigitalGlobe, while also serving as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Since 2015, Mr. Jablonsky has also served on the Board of Vricon, DigitalGlobe's joint venture with SAAB, which creates innovative 3D solutions. Prior to joining DigitalGlobe in 2012, Mr. Jablonsky was a partner at Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck, and before that, served as Corporate Counsel at Flextronics International LTD, a global multibillion-dollar technology supply chain company. He also worked as an attorney in the Division of Enforcement at the SEC and at the law firm of O'Melveny and Myers. Mr. Jablonsky holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law. Mr. Jablonsky began his professional career as a Surface Warfare Officer and Nuclear Engineer in the U.S. Navy. About Maxar Technologies As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies 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 commercial 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 New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit http://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 [email protected]maxar.com Media Contact: Turner Brinton Maxar Media Relations 1-303-684-4545 [email protected] SOURCE Maxar Technologies Related Links http://www.maxar.com SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Long before the advent of the #MeToo Movement, California-based manufacturer Lollicup USA, Inc. had its own "zero tolerance" policy for harassment in the workplace. This policy is made known to new employees on their first day of work and emphatically repeated through trainings, handouts, posters, videos, and other educational materials each year. Indeed, Lollicup takes the issue of sexual harassment very seriously. Lollicup also takes its reputation very seriously, and will not give in to unjust claims of wrongdoing including those of sexual harassment. While many employers find it easier (and often cheaper) to "buyoff" claims of sexual misconduct instead of challenging them in court, Lollicup refuses to do so. The recent lawsuit filed against Lollicup by former employee T. Solorzano is a perfect example of this. In December 2016 and after working at Lollicup for only eight months Solorzano filed a lawsuit against Lollicup asserting a laundry list of claims including sexual harassment, disability discrimination, violations of the California Labor Code, and wrongful termination, among others. Lollicup immediately conducted an extensive investigation and concluded that none of Solorzano's claims against it were justified. As part of its investigation, Lollicup also learned that Solorzano had an extensive history of suing (or threatening to sue) former employers and others for claims similar to those directed at Lollicup. And, instead of challenging Solorzano's claims at trial before a jury of her peers, prior defendants opted to settle for an undisclosed amount of money. Lollicup chose a different path and refused to cave to Solorzano's demands. In August 2018, the lawsuit went to trial before Judge Thomas Garza in the Superior Court of California in San Bernardino County. During the five-day trial, Solorzano asked for more than $900,000 in damages. This request would go nowhere; at the conclusion of the trial, Lollicup was vindicated and all of Solorzano's claims against Lollicup were rejected including the claims for sexual harassment. Not only did Lollicup successfully defend the claims, but on January 9, 2019, Judge Garza awarded Lollicup costs of $38,179 against Solorzano for defending the suit. The stance that Lollicup took in response to Solorzano's claims could not have been any clearer; it will not be pressured to pay out frivolous claims, including those involving unsubstantiated allegations of sexual harassment. Established in 2000, Lollicup USA, Inc. is a premier beverage and disposable goods supplier and manufacturer for the foodservice industry. Lollicup is the parent company for four brands: Karat, Karat Earth, Tea Zone, and Total Clean. They have five locations throughout the United States to better serve customers. In total, Lollicup provides more than 400 jobs across the country. For more information, please visit www.lollicupusa.com or email [email protected] SOURCE Lollicup USA, Inc. Related Links http://www.lollicupusa.com NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A $19 billion social enterprise is bringing its community investment model to Charlotte as part of a major effort to expand affordable housing, businesses and jobs across the regionespecially in areas that have not benefited from the area's economic growth. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is launching its 33rd program office in the Queen City and has named Ralphine Caldwell as the executive director. Caldwell is a long-time regional expert on innovative community development strategies, most recently serving as senior vice president in charge of programs for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership (CMHP), a nonprofit housing development and finance organization. "Right now, many of our communities are facing a significant opportunity gap," said Caldwell, "but those challenges don't tell the whole story. They don't speak to the rich culture in our communities or the vibrant energy that runs through our city. LISC will be investing in ways that tap into that strength so we can raise local incomes and improve the overall quality of life for thousands of residents." The launch of LISC Charlotte follows extensive conversations with local nonprofits and civic leaders on strategies to reduce economic disparities and address a worsening shortage of affordable housing. National LISC has committed $25 million to support the first few years of LISC's work in Charlotte. Additionally, LISC will be managing an innovative Housing Opportunity Fund, supported by public and private dollars, to drive affordable and mixed-income housing development. In addition to housing, other priorities include seeding small businesses, revitalizing commercial corridors, and fueling community-based programs that help residents expand their skills so they can take advantage of growth industries and move into living wage jobs. "There is clearly a great deal of innovation and talent in the Charlotte area," said Maurice A. Jones, LISC president and CEO. "And there is work to be done to help everyone to benefit from the city's tremendous growth. We want to help fuel locally driven opportunities that tear down old barriers based on race or zip code so that all of Charlotte's residents have the chance to contribute to, and benefit from, a vibrant local economy." Jones said Caldwell is uniquely suited to spearhead this effort, pointing to her two decades of leadership in raising community investment capital, organizing development projects, collaborating with residents, and advocating for public policies that build stronger neighborhoods. Among her many accomplishments, Caldwell spearheaded the process to have CMHP designated as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), creating new opportunities to attract funding for Charlotte communities. At CMHP, she led a 14-person staff to connect thousands of Charlotte families to rental housing and homeownership opportunities through counseling, down-payment assistance and lending. She managed a variety of federal, state and local housing finance programs to improve the outlook for local residents. Before joining CMHP, Caldwell worked in various positions in mortgage finance and title insurance. Throughout her career, she has also served on a number of advisory boards for banks and nonprofits, including NeighborWorks America, Fifth Third Bank and Housing Partnership Network. "Ralphine knows first-hand what it takes to create quality housing, businesses and jobs in Charlotte communities," Jones said. "She is a great addition to the LISC family." Caldwell will begin work in March, when she will start hiring local staff and reaching out to community partners on strategies for growth. LISC Charlotte's office will be located at 201 South Tryon Street in Uptown. About LISC With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $18.6 billion to build or rehab 376,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 63 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. LISC has been active in North Carolina through its Rural LISC investment program and its affiliates, National Equity Fund and New Markets Support Company, which together have invested nearly $80 million in housing, businesses and jobs across the state. To learn more, visit www.lisc.org. Media contact: Colleen Mulcahy, for LISC 312-342-8244 [email protected] SOURCE LISC Related Links http://www.lisc.org NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG has been recognized by ALM Intelligence as a leader among global providers for Corporate Services Consulting. ALM Intelligence's Vanguard report evaluates firms based on their capabilities to enable digital transformation, build next-generation operating models, unlock hidden value and rethink sourcing strategies. Leaders are deemed "at the top of the market" based on their ability to create client impact through their depth of expertise and ability to deploy it across diverse engagement models. "KPMG continues to elevate the services and capabilities of its Connected Enterprise approach to business-led, digital transformation, driving a customer-first mindset for back-office transformation," Liz DeVito, Associate Director, Management Consulting Research with ALM Intelligence, noted in the report. "The organization has integrated intelligent automation into its Powered Enterprise solution, which is distinguished for its standout ability to rapidly improve support-function operational efficiency and agility, while simultaneously driving innovation throughout the organization." ALM ranked KPMG's Operating System "Best-in-Class," noting that KPMG's Powered Enterprise framework for digital transformation "helps transition the existing back-office operating model to one fit for the digital era. The solution provides pre-built target operating models aligned with pre-configured cloud solutions for finance, HR, procurement and IT as well as some front- and middle-office operations." "This recognizes the work KPMG professionals are doing every day to help position client organizations in every sector for growth and success in the digital era," said Donald M. Mailliard, KPMG principal and Advisory Corporate Services, leader. "ALM's report reinforces our firm's ongoing dedication to leading the way among Corporate Services providers and our commitment to helping our businesses solve today's unprecedented challenges." The ALM report praises the firm's practice structure, noting that KPMG Corporate Services professionals collaborate with industry consulting leaders to provide "a matrixed approach to service delivery," and that clients also benefit from "access to consultants with specialist expertise and the network's service innovations through Global Centers of Excellence dedicated to specific industries and corporate functions." KPMG's service delivery model also was cited, noting that KPMG's Connected Enterprise framework for digital transformation "provides a blueprint for designing a customer-centric operating model that builds experience attributes around brand, products and services, interactions and people." KPMG was rated "very strong" or "strong in every capability ranked. This includes "very strong" versus the competition for its Operating System and Enabling Tools and "strong" in the areas of: Needs Assessment, External Market Insight, Internal Client Insight, Strategy, Management System, Project Management and Client Capability Development. About ALM Intelligence ALM Intelligence provides accurate and reliable market sizing and forecasts on consulting services worldwide, needs-analysis and vendor profiling for buyers of consulting services, timely and insightful intelligence on the top consulting firms in their respective markets, and operational benchmarks that measure consulting performance. ALM Intelligence's research spans multiple service areas, client vertical industries, and geographies. Our analysts provide expert commentary at consulting industry events worldwide and offer custom research for Management Consulting and IT Services firms. More information about ALM Intelligence is available at www.consulting.almintel.com. About KPMG LLP KPMG LLP is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's independent member firms have 197,000 professionals working in 154 countries. Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for KPMG audit clients and their affiliates or related entities. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us or follow us @KPMGUS_News. SOURCE KPMG LLP Related Links http://www.kpmg.com/us HOUSTON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today its global government services business, KBRwyle, has been awarded a $62 million contract modification to continue providing base operating support services (BOSS) at Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific has awarded KBRwyle the first of a possible seven option years on a $515 million fixed-price-with-award fee contract originally won by KBRwyle in 2017. KBRwyle will continue to perform a range of services that will support the base and look after the welfare and wellbeing of its sailors in one of the most isolated regions in the world. These services will include facilities management, IT, supply, utilities, administration and public safety. Additionally, it will provide morale, welfare and recreation support, and port and air operations. "As one of the few companies that has the expertise to support the U.S. military in such remote locations, it's our honor to continue serving the U.S. Navy's men and women in Diego Garcia," said Stuart Bradie, KBR President and CEO. "This work further solidifies our position as a trusted base operating support provider to the U.S. military." KBRwyle will also continue to serve up its award-winning galley services. Its dining facility at Diego Garcia recently earned a 5-Star accreditation the Navy's highest level of evaluation for food service operations. KBRwyle has provided critical operations, maintenance, and logistics services across the globe supporting the U.S. government since WWII. KBRwyle is currently performing these services in the most extreme and austere environments for multiple U.S. Navy and Army military bases around the world, including the largest U.S. base in Africa. About KBR, Inc. KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program lifecycle within the Government Services and Hydrocarbons sectors. KBR employs approximately 34,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with customers in more than 75 countries, and operations in 40 countries, across three synergistic global businesses: Government Services, serving government customers globally, including capabilities that cover the full lifecycle of defense, space, aviation and other government programs and missions from research and development, through systems engineering, test and evaluation, program management, to operations, maintenance, and field logistics Technology, including proprietary technology focused on the monetization of hydrocarbons (especially natural gas and natural gas liquids) in ethylene and petrochemicals; ammonia, nitric acid and fertilizers; oil refining and gasification Hydrocarbons Services, including onshore oil and gas; LNG (liquefaction and regasification)/GTL; oil refining; petrochemicals; chemicals; fertilizers; differentiated EPC; maintenance services (Brown & Root Industrial Services); offshore oil and gas (shallow-water, deep-water, subsea); floating solutions (FPU, FPSO, FLNG & FSRU); program management and consulting services KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, integrated EPC delivery and long term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver. Visit www.kbr.com Forward Looking Statement The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, 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 the company's control that 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 outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; the scope and enforceability of the company's indemnities from its former parent; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company. KBR's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that KBR has identified that may affect the business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, KBR undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. SOURCE KBR, Inc. Related Links http://www.kbr.com Ties between the two countries underwent tremendous challenges in 2018, noted Nye. At the close of China-U.S. vice-ministerial level talks on economic and trade issues, the prospects for a swift settlement still remain unclear. Some today are looking at China-U.S. relations through a Cold War lens, even labeling the two sides as "strategic adversaries." Nye, the University Distinguished Service Professor at Harvard University, stressed the cooperative nature of China-U.S. relations. He suggested that rather than focusing on the negative aspects of the two countries' current relationship, people should think cooperatively, as transnational challenges are impossible to resolve without cooperation. In the face of climate change, for example, "No way can the U.S. solve that problem without working with China. No way can China solve that problem without working with the U.S.," said Nye, noting the same is true when it comes to financial stability, dealing with pandemics, and other issues. "So as we think about this, yes there will be tension, but there has to be cooperation." Nye contrasted today's China-U.S. situation with then Soviet Union-U.S. relations during the Cold War era. In the latter case, he explained, there was almost no trade and no social relations, while today with China, "We have obviously massive trade. And we have 370,000 Chinese students in the U.S., and millions of tourists going in both directions. This is not like the Cold War. And we should not use the language of cold war. I've called it a cooperative rivalry." China's poverty alleviation achievements "good for all of humanity" Nye, perhaps best known as the inventor of the concepts of "soft power" and "smart power," spoke highly of China's achievements in the alleviation of poverty. Smart power refers to the ability to combine the power of attraction with the power of coercion and economic strength. He noted that China has been following a smart power strategy since the 17th CPC National Congress. He further noted that the "economic miracle" of poverty eradication has far-reaching benefits. "China has much to be proud of. If you look at what has happened in China, of raising hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, that's good for China. That's good for all of humanity," Nye said. From 1978, when the reform and opening up policy was first adopted, to 2017, China has lifted 740 million people out of poverty, contributing more than 70 percent to global poverty alleviation work in the past 40 years. Nye advised China to continue its effort in increasing its soft power, "because China's hard power, economic and military, is growing. But if China can also increase its soft power of attractiveness, it makes that more acceptable to other countries." "America First" slogan a blow to American soft power According to Nye, U.S. President Trump has damaged American soft power with his "America First" rhetoric, as well as his decision to drop out of the Paris climate accord and other international agreements. Nye mentioned that the Global Ranking of Soft Power 2018, published by London consultancy Portland Communications, showed the United States' ranking fell from the top position two years ago to fourth today. "You can see this by public opinion polls. When you have a slogan like 'America First,' it makes everybody else feel second. So it may be a good slogan for American domestic opinion. It's a very bad slogan for international opinion," Nye said. In contrast to Trump's "America First" policy, Nye thinks Chinese President Xi Jinping's concept of "building a community with a shared future for mankind" reflects a collaborative spirit required in today's global climate. "I think President Xi's slogan is a way of illustrating that type of cooperation. It's something which is going to be essential for all mankind. I sometimes say that we have to learn not about power over others but power with others. The power with others." SOURCE China.org.cn Today Sunny. High 87F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 96F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. mobilityView recommended in the 2019, 36th edition, of Jeff A. Schnepper 's bestselling book, 'How to Pay Zero Taxes' TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Jeff A. Schnepper (Cherry Hill, NJ) America's leading, if not number one, tax planning expert for the last 35 years is recommending that every employer and employee in the USA use mobilityView's Mobile Cost Management (MCM) solution. Jeff's book 'How to Pay Zero Taxes' is now in its 36th edition and is a testament not only to his stature and expertise in the USA, but also to the popularity of his book. For over three decades 'How to Pay Zero Taxes' has helped business owners and employees save money on their taxes. In all this time Jeff has not seen a solution, such as mobilityView's, capable of tracking every call, text message and data byte in real-time, delivering detailed tax compliant reports showing business / personal usage and cost calculations. "Effective January 1st 2018 there have been significant changes to the Tax Code that affect every employee and employer in the country. A solution like mobilityView is the best tool that can keep employers and employees tax compliant as it pertains to the specific changes in the Tax Code around cellphone and portable computer deductions. I was so impressed that they are featured in the 36th edition of my best selling book 'How to Pay Zero Taxes'," said Jeff Schnepper. With many individuals and companies still unaware of the tax exposure with respect to their cellphones, mobilityView CEO, Thom Damstra, provides some timely advice in managing this issue, "Global tax authorities have for years required employers and employees to keep a mileage book for the personal use of a corporately provided automobile (corporate provided asset / car) and / or the business usage of a personal automobile (bring your own asset / car). Effective January 1st 2018 the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) now requires a mileage book for the cellphone and wireless subscription plan. Business and personal usage is required to be documented and substantiated for every call, sms, and packet of data. The new IRS requirement applies in ALL scenarios including: Corporate paid cellphone and / or wireless subscription plan Employee provided cellphone and / or wireless subscription plan with reimbursement via a Stipend (monthly allowance, defined by the employer, and paid to the employee for business use of a cellphone), full expense reimbursement or partial expense reimbursement All the following wireless deployment strategies, used by employers, are affected by the new changes from the IRS: COPE (Company Owned/Personally Enabled) COBO (Company Owned/Business Only) COLD (Corporately Owned Locked Down) CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) BYOO (Bring Your Own Operator) Stipend (monthly allowance, defined by the employer, and paid to the employee for business use of a cellphone)." Consider purchasing 'How to Pay Zero Taxes' by Jeff Schnepper to obtain a 60 day free trial, and a special purchase discount, for mobilityView's MCM (Mobile Cost Management) cloud service, which can track usage & cost to the penny all calls, text messages and data and automatically creates detailed tax compliant reports showing business / personal usage and cost calculations. The MCM Platform by mobilityView is a cloud service that enables individuals to properly account for the business and personal usage and cost of a mobile smart device (smartphone, tablet, phablet, etc.). The technology has been patented in the USA (and in 3 continents) and is patents pending in over 83 other countries. The tool is great for any individual to automate their mobile smart device expense claim process for economic reimbursement and accounts for voice, SMS, data and roaming scenarios. The solution is also highly applicable for businesses of any size, seeking to only pay for business usage of mobile assets. It provides a complete view of all mobile costs, previously not thought possible. Employers can sleep at night knowing that their costs are contained and employees can experience mobile democracy they are freed up to do whatever they want on their mobile device: Play video games, watch movies; engage in social media with utter privacy. "The MCM Platform provides clear unequivocal and immediate return on investment for businesses of any size", said Thom Damstra, CEO of mobilityView. "The flexibility of the platform opens up the tantalizing possibilities to simultaneously reduce cost, provide new flexi benefits, and increase the usage of mobility within any organization. Until now these three simultaneous benefits have been impossible to deliver." About Jeff A. Schnepper Jeff A. Schnepper (Cherry Hill, NJ) is the author of multiple books on finance and taxation, including all previous editions of 'How to Pay Zero Taxes'. He is a financial, tax, and legal advisor for Estate Planning of Delaware Valley and operates a tax, accounting, and legal practice in Cherry Hill, NJ. He has been invited to the White House to consult in tax law changes and has testified multiple times before the Senate Finance Committee and The House Ways & Means Committee. He was Microsoft's MSN Tax Expert for 16 years and is economic editor for USA Today and tax counsel for Haran, Watson & Company. About mobilityView mobilityView's Smart Business Insight (SBI) Platform drives a series of solutions, such as the MCM Platform, which all deliver quantifiable and unambiguous digital transformation. The solutions are applicable for businesses of all sizes, as a function of data-driven insights from mobile smart devices (smart phones, phablets, tablets, etc.). mobilityView exists to drive business process change that results in accelerating the achievement of business goals and objectives, and profitability. mobilityView enables any business to align mobile smart devices to business goals and objectives, to drive efficiency and profitability, plus an increase in measurable sales and marketing engagement effectiveness with customers. mobilityView transforms mobile smart devices into powerful strategic assets driving measurable productivity improvements and lower costs for a leaner, more competitive, business. mobilityView enables businesses to gain insight, understand mobile spend, reduce mobile costs and simplify mobile expenses, to ensure tax compliance, while putting end users in control of their own privacy. The solution allows enterprises to be data-driven, customer centric and have the right combination of ideas and information to make the strategic decisions. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, mobilityView was incorporated in 2014, with an impressive Board of Directors, very knowledgeable of enterprise mobility, focused on growth and good governance. To find out more, please visit our website at https://www.mobilityview.com SOURCE mobilityView Inc. PATCHOGUE, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their commitment to assist companies in proper brand consistency, internet marketing agency, fishbat, shares four tips that promote brand consistency within chain restaurants. With massive growth in chain restaurants throughout the U.S. and worldwide, it is critical for business survival that every restaurant location maintains the same level of brand consistency. Below are tips that promote brand consistency within a restaurant chain throughout the internet and social media. Promote Logos Customers become accustomed to seeking out logos for their favorite restaurants, so having a sign posted with your company logo at all locations is essential. Most chain restaurants utilize the same layouts and borders at the top of their windows to attract customers, letting them know that they are approaching a particular restaurant. Consistency at physical locations allow customers to know what they are looking for and what they have come to expect. When developing online advertisements and web pages, using these same logos are essential. As the demand for restaurant apps continues into 2019, your restaurant may need to upgrade its operations from a technological standpoint. Internet Training Programs Multiple locations represent multiple employees. Having standardized training methods for your chain can help ensure that your brand's standards and guidelines are met in each location. Since a chain restaurant can have anywhere from several to several hundred locations, it can be difficult to have the same person conduct training for all new employees. Utilizing an internet training program provides consistent training across the board, and can be readily available for all locations. Frontline employees are extremely important brand ambassadors, since they are the face of your brand to customers, and who your customers interact with when they visit a location. Consistent training will help ensure that customers have a similar and pleasant experience with staff whenever they visit. Social Media Marketing Promoting your brand across various social media platforms can be essential for your customer base. However, consistency should remain intact through social platforms, as it does with your chain's dishes. . First and foremost, the company logo and slogan should be posted on any pages and platforms in which the restaurant is presented. Moving forward, all items and commitments made by your brand, including messages, should be consistent. For example, a restaurant whose menu is based on chicken should not be promoting and publishing posts promoting beef or any material that is in conflict with the products of the restaurant. If your brand promotes customer inclusion and markets to a diverse group, then this tone should carry through all platforms. The inclusion of diversity should be the tone and message should be reflected in all published posts made by the restaurant. Market Your Brand For Partnerships Many restaurants align themselves with brand partners for promotion and marketing services. What is their audience? Does it align with my customer base? What is their influence? Will they properly promote my brand? If you choose to align your brand with another, ensure that their goals and missions are consistent with your own. You will need to critique this brand and determine how it will pair with your own. Is this brand something you are comfortable marketing in conjunction with your own? Will this brand supplement or hinder your brand? If your team is comfortable with partnering your restaurant with a particular brand, ensure this partnership is promoted throughout restaurants, advertisements, and social media platforms. For example, if your restaurant is again, a chicken-based restaurant, your restaurant may want to acquire a partnership with a chicken-based company. Before promoting your brand with theirs, ensure that their products are consistent with your standards and guidelines. If your restaurant promotes grass-fed organic chicken, the chicken company will need to meet these same practices. Otherwise, aligning your brand with a partnership outside of your tone and message will confuse customers and upset your brand. About fishbat fishbat is a full-service digital marketing firm that takes a holistic business approach to their clients' digital marketing programs. The fishbat team understands the importance of business principles just as well as the nuances of the latest digital technologies. fishbat offers every digital marketing service available from digital marketing research and planning to brand development to website and asset creation through social media management and search engine optimization programs - all custom calibrated for both B2B and B2C businesses. Press Contact: Scott Darrohn, fishbat Media, 855-347-4228, [email protected] SOURCE fishbat Related Links http://www.fishbat.com FREEPORT, Bahamas, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PO8, the award-winning Bahamian tech company is leading the charge in ocean impact and asset management with blockchain solutions. Selected from a pool of over 250 tech companies competing at Demand Solutions 2018 in Santiago, Chile, PO8's innovative and impact driven solutions earned them the Creative Business Cup Award, a first for the Caribbean. "This achievement demonstrates the significant potential of the innovation ecosystem in The Bahamas and highlights the creativity of Bahamian entrepreneurs," said Mikia Carter with the IDB Lab in The Bahamas. Led by Bahamian tech visionary Matthew Arnett and co-founder Raul Vasquez, the team has found a way to improve the lives of fellow Bahamians by using blockchain technology and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to recover and reshape the ownership of $100B dollars in sunken treasures and artifacts, while driving sustained and inclusive growth to the region. NFTs convert ownership rights of recovered artifacts with economic value into a digital title, while staying in the custody of the PO8 Museum Foundation to be preserved and exhibited. With a stored value derived from its underlying asset, NFTs can be sold to anyone around the world. "NFTs are a new store of value and commodity class," exclaimed Arnett after leading his team to victory in Santiago. "We are shifting The Bahamas from tourism to a new third pillar, which is tech, and giving young people a new dream to create in new industries like blockchain, A.I. and fintech; resulting in social and economic impact to The Bahamas by simply using something rotting away in our waters," added Arnett. The unicorn idea has caught the attention of many, especially after Titanic expeditioner David Gallo join the team last year. The IDB's Luis Alejandro Simon, who worked with all the startup finalists at Demand Solutions added, "This is indeed a great way to inspire other entrepreneurs in the Caribbean to follow PO8. They are an amazing solution for a unique and relevant issue, and I'm certain PO8 will have an outstanding future ahead." About PO8 PO8 is a marine archaeology startup utilizing blockchain technology to excavate underutilized sunken treasures and artifacts from ocean floors, generating untapped sources of revenues for funding social programs, creating jobs and jumpstarting local economies all while protecting marine habitats. Press contacts: PO8 Raul Vasquez [email protected] https://www.po8.io SOURCE PO8 Related Links https://www.po8.io NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HSA administration company, Clarity Benefit Solutions, discusses the importance of making mental health benefits available to employees. Employers need to realize that offering mental health benefits to employees is just as important as healthcare benefits. Studies show that one in five Americans grapples with a medically diagnosed mental illness over the course of their adult life. And, that doesn't even take into account the number of undiagnosed cases. In the workplace, this can translate into habitual tardiness and excessive absences that result in lost productivity that can cost employers hundreds of billions of dollars each year. If an employer is not able to properly manage mental illness in the workplace, the results can be devastating, with situations such as increased accidents, workplace violence, harassment/discrimination claims, and worker's compensation claims. Therefore, it is prudent for employers to offer a full range of mental health benefits to their employees. Experts agree that early intervention is the key to not only reduce incidents of employee mental illness, but to reduce costs associated with these incidents. After all, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all private and individual medical plans offer the minimum coverage for mental health screenings, substance use services, and preventative care. Employees who suffer from mental illness are also protected under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which establishes that plan administrators treat mental illness with no restrictions. Employers should carefully research the mental health programs that will be the best fit with their company and educate employees about their rights to these programs. Establishing an employee assistance program (EAP) will allow employees to confidentially seek help when they are in crisis. Another option is to establish a 24/7 nurse hotline for employees and family members. This way, employees always have access to assistance. Offering a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with mental health benefits coveragepreferably with a Health Savings Account (HSA) to offset any out-of-pocket costs when combined with HDHPscan provide employees with peace of mind that their mental health concerns will be taken care of if there is a need. Appointing a mental health contact that is trained in mental health matters can provide added peace of mind. About Clarity Benefit Solutions: Clarity Benefit Solutions HSA Administration provides technology that makes the health insurance plan selection process fast, easy, and straightforward. For over two decades, we have provided clients with industry-leading technology, compliance, and exceptional customer service. Our offering is designed to save time and lower the costs of managing benefits while also promoting employee self-service and automated ACA compliance. Media Contact Calvin Clark [email protected] 732-428-8272 SOURCE Clarity Benefit Solutions Related Links http://https://claritybenefitsolutions.com/rfl-hsa-employers WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Insurance Brokers, one of the largest full-service, independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States, now offers a comprehensive insurance program specifically for retail pharmacies. Heffernan works exclusively with pharmacy owners across the country and has seen firsthand how California pharmacy owners are struggling to find affordable business insurance that includes professional liability coverage. The program is designed to include professional liability so customers would not need to purchase a stand-alone policy any longer. Options also increased to provide liability limits up to $10,000,000. The program is being piloted in the state of California, with the goal of reaching each state in the future. "There are now more options for small businesses which, in turn, creates more competition and lower prices for our clients," said Steve Boone, Assistant Vice President at Heffernan Insurance Brokers. "This program is perfect for the independent pharmacist looking for an experienced insurance broker who can offer a single source package." For more information, please contact: Steve Boone Heffernan Insurance Brokers 636-778-2150 [email protected] Pharmacy Owners Insurance About Heffernan Insurance Brokers Heffernan Insurance Brokers, formed in 1988, is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Heffernan provides insurance and financial services products to a range of businesses and individuals. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Heffernan has offices in San Francisco, Petaluma, Menlo Park, Los Angeles and Irvine, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA, St. Louis, MO; and London UK. Employee-owned, Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named the Top Mid-Sized Broker in the United States to work for in 2009 by Business Insurance Magazine. The firm has been among the Top Greater Bay Area Philanthropists since 2003, donating more than 15 percent of profits to charity in 2017. For more information, visit www.heffins.com. License #0564249 SOURCE Heffernan Insurance Brokers Related Links http://www.heffins.com BROOK PARK, Ohio, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenkote PLC (greenkote.com), global provider of high-performance anti-corrosion metal coatings, announced that its Chinese licensee has won a major contract to supply 1200 tons of coated hex-bolts for construction of the new Amur Gas Processing Plant (AGPP) in the Amur region of Siberia. When completed, AGPP will be the second largest facility of its type in the world, designed to process 42 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The Greenkote licensee, Shanghai Premier Tension Control Bolts Co., Ltd. is a joint venture of Tension Control Bolts Ltd. (TCB) of the UK, Shanghai High Strength Bolts Plant Ltd. (SHS) and Shanghai Yan Yan Trading (YYT). Greenkote anticorrosion coatings used at this new AGPP facility "We're very proud of Shanghai Premier for winning this significant contract," said Mark Gore, Greenkote CEO. "There were six other suppliers competing, and the performance specifications for the coatings were extremely high. Because of the very harsh Siberian environment, the customer required unusually thick coatings as well the need to pass 1000-hour salt spray testing. Shanghai Premier did an excellent job!" "For the AGPP we are providing a range of Greenkote-coated Grade 8.8 and Grade 10.9 hexagon bolt assemblies, 16mm to 30mm in diameter," said Yan Wei, Vice General Manager of Shanghai Premier and General Coordinator of the AGPP project. "Our bolts are being used as fasteners for the steel structures throughout the AGPP facility. Deliveries began in October of 2018 and will continue until June of 2019." Shanghai Premier operates a full state-of-the-art Greenkote coating line and has added significant new capacity to fill the AGPP contract. The company's Greenkote-coated preload bolts, both tension control bolts (TCB) and hex bolts, all meet the most stringent international standards including ISO C5-M which addresses very highly corrosive marine environments. Greenkote is a proprietary family of high-performance zinc-based coatings that can be applied to ferrous metals and alloys by a patented thermal diffusion process for fasteners and many other applications. Greenkote replaces many older processes such as hot-dip galvanizing, zinc plating, sherardizing and metal flake coating. In addition to its superior anti-corrosion qualities Greenkote also provides improved adhesion and longer wear, and it eliminates hydrogen embrittlement. Greenkote is also eco-friendly, from which its name derives. Unlike many other anti-corrosion coatings, Greenkote processing is totally free of pollutants. It is fully compliant with ASTM A1059/A1059M, an industry standard specification for zinc alloy coatings. Notably, in 2016, Greenkote-coated bolts (provided by Greenkote-licensee TCB of the UK), were also selected for use in constructing the New Safe Confinement Shelter over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site another world-class application in an extremely harsh environment. About Greenkote PLC Greenkote PLC (greenkote.com) is the inventor and global provider of Greenkote anti-corrosion metal coatings. Headquartered in Brook Park, Ohio, (near Cleveland) Greenkote is one of the industry's most innovative metal coating technology companies with significant patents in the area of corrosion protection. Greenkote provides its advanced, eco-friendly coatings through Greenkote coating centers and licensed applicators strategically located around the globe. About Shanghai Premier Tension Control Bolts The parent company, Shanghai High Strength Bolts Plant Ltd., was founded in 1939 and became the leading preload bolt manufacturer in China. The company manufactures high-strength fasteners in a range of types and performance levels that are widely applied in construction, energy, transportation, metallurgy and machinery. The joint venture company, Shanghai Premier Tension Control Bolts Co., Ltd., Is located at 175 Gongxiang Road, Shanghai 201901, PRC. Tel: +86 -21 -5610 1318. Email: [email protected]. *Greenkote is a registered trademark of Greenkote PLC Contact: Al Shultz [email protected] +1 (408) 289-9555 http://alshultz.com/ Greenkote 6435 Eastland Rd. Brook Park, OH 44142 +1 (440) 243-2865 [email protected] http://greenkote.com/ SOURCE Greenkote Related Links http://greenkote.com DUBLIN, Jan 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Poles for Street Lights & Parking Ed 1 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides forecasts and analysis of an important segment of the pole market - Street Light and Parking Lot poles. They account for 21% of the 1.6 billion global population of poles. Light pole sales are growing fast, driven by the rise of the megacities in the developing world and Passive Safety regulations in the developed countries. Report Scope Sales of street light poles in units and $ value are forecast from 2017 to 2025 by country and pole type (steel/aluminium, concrete, wood, composite), for new installations and replacements. Replacements of concrete and wood poles with Passive Safety steel/aluminium poles are analysed. Passive Safety is driving a switch from wood and concrete to steel, aluminium and composite poles in the street light segment of the market, but it is not applicable in parking lots. Passive Safety is a significant driver of the street light pole market. The concept appeared about thirty years ago and is now accepted as essential for road safety in advanced countries. This report explains what it is and how it works. Not all roads need Passive Safety devices. Passive Safety poles choices are based on road category, accident rates and speed limits. These categories determine the type of Passive Safety pole required. Road segments and their requirement for Passive Safety are analysed. Types of Passive Safety poles are described, with their applications. In the developing world, the exponential expansion of megacities is creating a continuous demand for more street lights. Some of the Middle Eastern countries are leading in Passive Safety regulation, with increased cost per unit. The Smart City concept is well established and many cities are introducing smart measures. Street lighting is an important element of the Smart City, including a switch from HPS lamps to LEDs, and CMS. Passive safety is an important ingredient and poles are being modernised. Parking is receiving increased attention. Demand is growing and it uses a disproportionate amount of space in today's cities. The parking situation varies enormously around the world but it is becoming a 'hot' market in some countries. On-street parking is covered with street lights, but off-street parking consists of parking 'garages' which have light fittings, and parking lots, which have light poles. The parking market is analysed together with the parking lot pole population and annual installations. 56 manufacturers of poles of all materials feature in this report including; Valmont, Europole, Induo Systemholztechnik, Sabre Industries, Union Metal, Shakespeare, Strongwell, RS Technologies, Powertrusion, Duratel, Koppers Inc, Scanpole, Sapa, Jerol, Petrofisa, Structa, and others. Report Summary: Chapter 1 - STREET LIGHTING Summary of the world's roads, stock of street lights by major countries and annual installations and replacements. Chapter 2 - THE SMART CITY AND SMART STREET LIGHTING Outline and discussion of the smart city concept and its implications for smart street lighting. Regional developments are dicussed and the major smart lighting manfacturers outlined. Chapter 3 - PASSIVE SAFETY Passive Safety is a fundamental driver of the market for street lightng poles in the advanced countries and is reaching out into other markets. The norms define different speed classes for different levels of safety for passengers, and categorise columns as high energy absorbing, low energy absorbing and non-energy absorbing elements. In addition to composite and aluminium poles, there are two types of frangible steel pole; the breakaway or slip-base pole, and the impact absorbing pole. Outlines of Passive Safety in the EU and the main using countries, the United States and others. Chapter 4 - PARKING Parking is a smaller segment of the market for lighting poles than street lights, amounting to 9% of it. Both on-street and off-street parking can be divided into two categories, regulated and/or paid-for parking and unregulated, free parking. The global markets are outlined and installed bases tabled with annual demand. Chapter 5 - POLE MATERIALS Aluminium/steel, concrete, wood and composite poles, applications with their advantages and disadvantages. Chapter 6 - ANNUAL INSTALLATIONS OF LIGHT POLES 139 tables with analysis of new installations and replacements of street light poles by material (steel/aluminium, concrete, wood and composite) from 2017 to 2025, in units and value. Chapter 7 - MANUFACTURERS OF LIGHTING, PARKING AND DISTRIBUTION POLES Profiels of 56 companies manufacturing poles of all materials; steel/aluminium, concrete, wood and composite, in all maor markets. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary 1. Street Lighting The world stock of street lights Annual installations of street light poles 2. The Smart City And Smart Street Lighting The smart city concept Smart street lighting Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Central management system (CMS) The street lighting market Regional development of smart cities and public lighting Smart street lighting manufacturers 3. Passive Safety Passive safety pole types Safe materials Frangible pole types Breakaway and slip-base poles Impact-absorbing poles High energy absorbing (HE): Low Energy absorbing (LE) Non Energy absorbing (NE) The origins of the passive safety concept Passive Safety in the EU EU National regulations Norway Finland Sweden Belgium Netherlands United Kingdom Slovenia United States 4. Parking United States Europe China Japan Global parking revenues Lighting poles in the parking sector 5. Pole Materials Steel and Aluminium Poles Concrete Poles Composite Poles Wooden Poles Space allocation on joint use utility poles Supply Space Safety Zone Space Communications Space 6. Annual Installations Of Light Poles Regional installations of street light poles in units Regional installations of street light poles in $million Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in Europe Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in North America Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in the CIS Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in Middle East Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in North Africa Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in Sub-Saharan Africa Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in Asia Pacific Steel/aluminium street light poles in units in LAC Wood street light poles in units in Europe Wood street light poles in units in North America Wood street light poles in units in the CIS Wood street light poles in units in Middle East Wood street light poles in units in North Africa Wood poles in units in Sub-Saharan Africa Wood street light poles in units in Asia Pacific Wood street light poles in units in LAC Concrete street light poles in units in Europe Concrete street light poles in units in North America Concrete street light poles in units in the CIS Concrete street light poles in units in Middle East Concrete street light poles in units in North Africa Concrete street light poles in units in Sub-Saharan Africa Concrete street light poles in units in Asia Pacific Concrete street light poles in units in LAC Composite street light poles in units in Europe Composite light poles in units in North America Composite street light poles in units in the CIS Composite street light poles in units in Middle East Composite street light poles in units in North Africa Composite street light poles in units in Sub-Saharan Africa Composite street light poles in units in Asia Pacific Composite street light poles in units in LAC 7. Manufacturers Of Lighting, Parking And Distribution Poles North American manufacturers Cross arms European manufacturers Germany Finland Netherlands Sweden Italy United Kingdom South America Brazil Africa South Africa Kenya Asia Pacific China India Malaysia Australia Middle East Saudi Arabia UAE Turkey For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vlmjtv/global_street?w=5 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets 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 DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Global Market for Nanocoatings to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The incorporation of nanomaterials into thin films, coatings and surfaces leads to new functionalities, completely innovative characteristics and the possibility to achieve multi-functional coatings and smart coatings. The use of nanomaterials also results in performance enhancements in wear, corrosion-wear, fatigue and corrosion resistant coatings. Nanocoatings demonstrate significant enhancement in outdoor durability and vastly improved hardness and flexibility compared to traditional coatings. Recent advances in scalable nanocoatings production are leading to mass produced commercial applications in consumer electronics (waterproofing), wearables (moisture protection), solar cells (self-cleaning), construction (exterior protection and light filtering) and automotive (anti-corrosion). All the latest industry innovations to January 2018 are covered in this report. Nanocoatings covered include: Anti-fingerprint nanocoatings Anti-microbial nanocoatings Anti-corrosion nanocoatings Abrasion & wear-resistant nanocoatings Barrier nanocoatings Smart nanocoatings Anti-fouling and easy-to-clean nanocoatings Self-cleaning nanocoatings Photocatalytic nanocoatings UV-Resistant nanocoatings Thermal barrier nanocoatings Flame retardant nanocoatings Anti-icing & deicing nanocoatings Anti-reflective nanocoatings Anti-glare nanocoatings Self-healing nanocoatings Multi-functional nanocoatings Report contents include: Size in value for the nanocoatings market, and growth rate during the forecast period, 2017-2030. Historical figures are also provided, from 2010 Size in value for the End-user industries for nanocoatings and growth during the forecast period Market drivers, trends and challenges, by end user markets The regional markets for nanocoatings Market outlook for 2018 In-depth market assessment of opportunities for nanocoatings, by type and markets The latest trends in nanostructured surface treatments and coatings Benefits of nanocoatings, by markets and applications Addressable markets for nanocoatings, by nanocoatings type and industry Estimated market revenues for nanocoatings to 2030, by nanocoatings type and end user markets Activities of nanocoatings companies including industry collaborations and agreements in 2018 Functional and smart nanocoatings applications 360 company profiles including products and target markets Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 1.1 Aims and objectives of the study 1.2 Market definition 1.2.1 Properties of nanomaterials 1.2.2 Categorization 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 3.1 High performance coatings 3.2 Nanocoatings 3.3 Market drivers and trends 3.4 Global market size and opportunity to 2030 3.4.1 End user market for nanocoatings 3.4.2 Global revenues for nanocoatings 2010-2030 3.4.3 Global revenues for nanocoatings, by market 3.4.3.1 The market in 2017 3.4.3.2 The market in 2018 3.4.3.3 The market in 2030 3.4.4 Global revenues by nanocoatings, by type 3.4.5 Regional demand for nanocoatings 3.5 Market and technical challenges 4 Nanocoatings Technical Analysis 4.1 Properties of nanocoatings 4.2 Benefits of using nanocoatings 4.2.1 Types of nanocoatings 4.3 Production and synthesis methods 4.3.1 Film coatings techniques analysis 4.3.2 Superhydrophobic coatings on substrates 4.3.3 Electrospray and electrospinning 4.3.4 Chemical and electrochemical deposition 4.3.4.1 Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) 4.3.4.2 Physical vapor deposition (PVD) 4.3.4.3 Atomic layer deposition (ALD) 4.3.4.4 Aerosol coating 4.3.4.5 Layer-by-layer Self-assembly (LBL) 4.3.4.6 Sol-gel process 4.3.4.7 Etching 4.4 Hydrophobic coatings and surfaces 4.4.1 Hydrophilic coatings 4.4.2 Hydrophobic coatings 4.4.2.1 Properties 4.5 Superhydrophobic coatings and surfaces 4.5.1 Properties 4.5.2 Durability issues 4.5.3 Nanocellulose 4.6 Oleophobic and omniphobic coatings and surfaces 4.6.1 SLIPS 4.6.2 Covalent bonding 4.6.3 Step-growth graft polymerization 4.6.4 Applications 5 Nanomaterials Used In Nanocoatings 5.1 Graphene 5.1.1 Properties and coatings applications 5.1.1.1 Anti-corrosion coatings 5.1.1.2 Anti-microbial 5.1.1.3 Anti-icing 5.1.1.4 Barrier coatings 5.1.1.5 Heat protection 5.1.1.6 Smart windows 5.2 Carbon Nanotubes 5.2.1 Properties and applications 5.2.1.1 Conductive films and coatings 5.2.1.2 EMI shielding 5.2.1.3 Anti-fouling 5.2.1.4 Flame retardant 5.3 Silicon Dioxide/Silica Nanoparticles 5.3.1 Properties and applications 5.3.1.1 Easy-clean and dirt repellent 5.3.1.2 Anti-fogging 5.3.1.3 Scratch and wear resistance 5.3.1.4 Anti-reflection 5.4 Nanosilver 5.4.1 Properties and applications 5.4.1.1 Anti-bacterial 5.4.1.2 Anti-reflection 5.5 Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles 5.5.1 Properties and applications 5.5.1.1 Exterior and construction glass coatings 5.5.1.2 Outdoor air pollution 5.5.1.3 Interior coatings 5.5.1.4 Improving indoor air quality 5.5.1.5 Medical facilities 5.5.1.6 Waste Water Treatment 5.5.1.7 UV protection coatings 5.6 Aluminium Oxide Nanoparticles 5.6.1 Properties and applications 5.6.1.1 Scratch and wear resistant 5.7 Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles 5.7.1 Properties and applications 5.7.1.1 UV protection 5.7.1.2 Anti-bacterial 5.8 Dendrimers 5.8.1 Properties and applications 5.9 Nanocelulose 5.9.1 Properties and applications 5.9.2 Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) 5.9.2.1 Applications 5.9.3 NanoCrystalline Cellulose (NCC) 5.9.3.1 Properties 5.9.4 Bacterial Cellulose (BCC) 5.9.4.1 Applications 5.9.5 Abrasion and scratch resistance 5.9.6 UV-resistant 5.9.7 Superhydrophobic coatings 5.9.8 Gas barriers 5.9.9 Anti-bacterial 5.10 NANOCLAYS 5.10.1 Properties and applications 5.10.1.1 Barrier films 6 Nanocoatings Market Structure 7 Market Segment Analysis, By Nanocoatings Type 7.1 Anti-Fingerprint Nanocoatings 7.1.1 Market drivers and trends 7.1.2 Benefits of anti-fingerprint nanocoatings 7.1.2.1 Spray-on anti-fingerprint coating 7.1.5 Companies 7.2 Anti-Bacterial Nanocoatings 7.2.1 Market drivers and trends 7.2.2 Benefits of anti-bacterial nanocoatings 7.3 Anti-Corrosion Nanocoatings 7.3.1 Market drivers and trends 7.3.2 Benefits of anti-corrosion nanocoatings 7.3.2.1 Smart self-healing coatings 7.3.2.2 Superhydrophobic coatings 7.3.2.3 Graphene 7.4 Abrasion & Wear-Resistant Nanocoatings 7.4.1 Market drivers and trends 7.4.2 Benefits of abrasion and wear-resistant nanocoatings 7.5 Barrier Nanocoatings 7.5.1 Market drivers and trends 7.5.2 Benefits of barrier nanocoatings 7.5.2.1 Increased shelf life 7.5.2.2 Graphene 7.5.2.3 Moisture protection 7.6 Anti-Fouling And Easy-To-Clean Nanocoatings 7.6.1 Market drivers and trends 7.6.2 Benefits of anti-fouling and easy-to-clean nanocoatings 7.6.3 Applications 7.6.3.1 Anti-graffiti 7.7 Self-Cleaning (Bionic) Nanocoatings 7.7.1 Market drivers and trends 7.7.2 Market drivers and trends 7.7.3 Benefits of self-cleaning nanocoatings 7.8 Self-Cleaning (Photocatalytic) Nanocoatings 7.8.1 Market drivers and trends 7.8.2 Benefits of photocatalytic self-cleaning nanocoatings 7.8.3 Applications 7.8.3.1 Self-Cleaning Coatings 7.8.3.2 Indoor Air Pollution and Sick Building Syndrome 7.8.3.3 Outdoor Air Pollution 7.8.3.4 Water Treatment 7.9 Uv-Resistant Nanocoatings 7.9.1 Market drivers and trends 7.9.2 Benefits of UV-resistant nanocoatings 7.9.2.1 Textiles 7.9.2.2 Wood coatings 7.10 Thermal Barrier And Flame Retardant Nanocoatings 7.10.1 Market drivers and trends 7.10.2 Benefits of thermal barrier and flame retardant nanocoatings 7.11 Anti-Icing And De-Icing 7.11.1 Market drivers and trends 7.11.2 Benefits of nanocoatings 7.11.2.1 Hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings (HSH) 7.11.2.2 SLIPS 7.11.2.3 Heatable coatings 7.11.2.4 Anti-freeze protein coatings 7.12 Anti-Reflective Nanocoatings 7.13 Self-Healing Nanocoatings 7.13.1 Extrinsic self-healing 7.13.1.1 Capsule-based 7.13.1.2 Vascular self-healing 7.13.2 Intrinsic self-healing 7.13.3 Healing volume 7.13.4 Self-healing coatings 7.13.4.1 Anti-corrosion 7.13.4.2 Scratch repair 7.13.5 Companies 8 Market Segment Analysis, By End User Market 8.1 Aviation And Aerospace 8.1.1 Market drivers and trends 8.1.2 Applications 8.1.2.1 Thermal protection 8.1.2.2 Icing prevention 8.1.2.3 Conductive and anti-static 8.1.2.4 Corrosion resistant 8.1.2.5 Insect contamination 8.2 Automotive 8.2.1 Market drivers and trends 8.2.2 Applications 8.2.2.1 Anti-scratch nanocoatings 8.2.2.2 Conductive coatings 8.2.2.3 Hydrophobic and oleophobic 8.2.2.4 Anti-corrosion 8.2.2.5 UV-resistance 8.2.2.6 Thermal barrier 8.2.2.7 Flame retardant 8.2.2.8 Anti-fingerprint 8.2.2.9 Anti-bacterial 8.2.2.10 Self-healing 8.3 Construction 8.3.1 Market drivers and trends 8.3.2 Applications 8.3.2.1 Protective coatings for glass, concrete and other construction materials 8.3.2.2 Photocatalytic nano-TiO2 coatings 8.3.2.3 Anti-graffiti 8.3.2.4 UV-protection 8.3.2.5 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles 8.3.2.6 Zinc oxide nanoparticles 8.4 Electronics 8.4.1 Market drivers 8.4.2 Applications 8.4.2.1 Transparent functional coatings 8.4.2.2 Anti-reflective coatings for displays 8.4.2.3 Waterproof coatings 8.4.2.4 Conductive nanocoatings and films 8.4.2.5 Anti-fingerprint 8.4.2.6 Anti-abrasion 8.4.2.7 Conductive 8.4.2.8 Self-healing consumer electronic device coatings 8.4.2.9 Flexible and stretchable electronics 8.5 Household Care, Sanitary And Indoor Air Quality 8.5.1 Market drivers and trends 8.5.2 Applications 8.5.2.1 Self-cleaning and easy-to-clean 8.5.2.2 Food preparation and processing 8.5.2.3 Indoor pollutants and air quality 8.6 Marine 8.7 Medical & Healthcare 8.7.1 Market drivers and trends 8.7.2 Applications 8.7.2.1 Anti-fouling 8.7.2.2 Anti-microbial and infection control 8.7.2.3 Nanosilver 8.7.2.4 Medical device coatings 8.8 Military And Defence 8.8.1 Market drivers and trends 8.8.2 Applications 8.8.2.1 Textiles 8.8.2.2 Military equipment 8.8.2.3 Chemical and biological protection 8.8.2.4 Decontamination 8.8.2.5 Thermal barrier 8.8.2.6 EMI/ESD Shielding 8.8.2.7 Anti-reflection 8.9 Packaging 8.9.1 Market drivers and trends 8.9.2 Applications 8.9.2.1 Nanoclays 8.9.2.2 Nanosilver 8.9.2.3 Nanocellulose 8.10 Textiles And Apparel 8.10.1 Market drivers and trends 8.10.2 Applications 8.10.2.1 Protective textiles 8.10.2.2 UV-resistant textile coatings 8.10.2.3 Conductive coatings 8.11 Energy 8.11.1 Market drivers and trends 8.11.2 Applications 8.11.2.1 Wind energy 8.11.2.2 Solar 8.11.2.3 Anti-reflection 8.11.2.4 Gas turbine coatings 8.12 Oil And Gas 8.12.1 Market drivers and trends 8.12.2 Applications 8.12.2.1 Anti-corrosion pipelines 8.12.2.2 Drilling in sub-zero climates 8.13 Tools And Machining 8.14 Anti-Counterfeiting 9 Nanocoatings Companies 9.1 United States (137 Company Profiles) 9.2 Canada (15 Company Profiles) 9.3 Europe (153 Company Profiles) 9.4 Australia (6 Company Profiles) 9.5 Asia (53 Company Profiles) 10 References For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bv49wm/global?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 FRANKFURT, Germany, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- FRA/gk-rap Frankfurt Airport (FRA) served more than 69.5 million passengers in 2018, thus posting a new record high in the airport's history. Compared to 2017, traffic at Germany's largest airport grew by some 5 million passengers or 7.8 percent. This strong growth resulted from the launch of more routes to new destinations from FRA and from airlines increasing flight frequencies. Commenting on the 2018 traffic figures, Fraport AG's executive board chairman Stefan Schulte said: "The previous year has proved once again that there continues to be great demand for flying. In Frankfurt, we have achieved the highest absolute passenger growth in our history. This underscores Frankfurt Airport's position as one of Europe's leading aviation hubs. At the same time, the extraordinary growth in air traffic overall has caused major challenges for us and the entire aviation sector. Together with our partners, we are taking efforts to restore and enhance punctuality and reliability in air traffic." In full-year 2018, aircraft movements at FRA rose by 7.7 percent to 512,115 takeoffs and landings in 2018. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) also increased by 5.1 percent to some 31.6 million metric tons. Cargo throughput (airfreight + airmail) posted a slight 0.7 percent decline to about 2.2 million metric tons, reflecting growing uncertainties in global trade, particularly during the second half of the year. In December 2018, more than 4.9 million passengers traveled via Frankfurt Airport an increase of 7.8 percent compared to December 2017. Aircraft movements climbed by 9.0 percent to 38,324 takeoffs and landings, while accumulated MTOWs grew by 6.5 percent to about 2.4 million metric tons. Cargo throughput (airmail + airfreight) expanded by 1.9 percent to 183,674 metric tons in the reporting month. Airports in Fraport's international portfolio also reported noticeable growth in 2018. CEO Schulte commented: "In addition to Frankfurt, most of our Group airports worldwide also achieved new passenger records last year. We continue to invest in the airports of our international portfolio, thus ensuring their long-term development. To create additional capacity, we are currently carrying out major expansion projects at our Group airports, particularly in Greece, Brazil and Peru." In Slovenia, Ljubljana Airport (LJU) posted a 7.7 percent traffic increase to over 1.8 million passengers in 2018. Combined traffic at the two Brazilian airports of Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) rose by 7.0 percent to some 14.9 million passengers. Traffic at the 14 Greek regional airports advanced by 8.9 percent to a total of almost 29.9 million passengers. The three busiest gateways in Fraport's Greek portfolio were Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) with some 6.7 million passengers (up 7.1 percent), Rhodes Airport (RHO) with around 5.6 million passengers (up 5.0 percent), and Corfu Airport (CFU) where traffic soared by 15.3 percent to nearly 3.4 million passengers. Lima Airport (LIM) in the capital of Peru welcomed more than 22.1 million passengers in 2018, representing an increase of 7.3 percent. On the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the Twin Star airports of Varna (VAR) and Burgas (BOJ) closed the year with combined traffic growth of 12.2 percent to about 5.6 million passengers. Antalya Airport (AYT) in Turkey saw traffic advance by 22.5 percent to almost 32.3 million passengers. Pulkovo Airport (LED) in St. Petersburg, Russia served more than 18.1 million passengers an increase of 12.4 percent. Some 44.7 million passengers used Xi'an Airport (XIY) in China, up 6.7 percent. Print-quality photos of Fraport AG and Frankfurt Airport are available for free downloading via the photo library on the Fraport Web site. For TV news and information broadcasting purposes only, we also offer free footage material for downloading. If you wish to meet a member of our Media Relations team when at Frankfurt Airport, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our contact details are available here. Fraport Traffic Figures December 2018 Fraport Group Airports1 December 2018 Year to Date (YTD) 2018 Fraport Passengers Cargo* Movements Passengers Cargo Movements Fully-consolidated airports share (%) Month % Month % Month % YTD % YTD % YTD % FRA Frankfurt Germany 100.00 4,925,168 7.8 181,145 2.8 38,324 9.0 69,510,269 7.8 2,176,387 -0.8 512,115 7.7 LJU Ljubljana Slovenia 100.00 109,059 -0.9 1,056 -5.6 3,437 39.9 1,812,411 7.7 12,378 0.4 36,512 5.9 Fraport Brasil 100.00 1,428,637 11.4 7,323 40.2 12,430 2.5 14,915,399 7.0 85,973 45.3 139,262 5.7 FOR Fortaleza Brazil 100.00 687,038 25.0 4,170 13.1 5,743 16.2 6,614,227 11.5 46,016 21.6 58,278 11.5 POA Porto Alegre Brazil 100.00 741,599 1.1 3,153 > 100.0 6,687 -6.9 8,301,172 3.6 39,957 87.3 80,984 1.9 Fraport Regional Airports of Greece A+B 73.40 711,278 16.0 675 73.0 7,320 17.9 29,877,203 8.9 8,168 24.3 244,250 8.1 Fraport Regional Airports of Greece A 73.40 543,473 17.9 537 99.4 4,963 16.0 16,614,714 7.9 6,178 23.2 131,096 6.5 CFU Kerkyra (Corfu) Greece 73.40 23,578 11.5 16 n.a. 391 -8.4 3,364,115 15.3 183 > 100.0 26,303 17.0 CHQ Chania (Crete) Greece 73.40 57,675 22.9 32 n.a. 554 70.5 3,008,687 -1.1 453 1.3 19,604 0.5 EFL Kefalonia Greece 73.40 3,386 51.0 0 n.a. 118 49.4 761,647 21.0 1 -63.4 7,167 21.5 KVA Kavala Greece 73.40 6,994 -76.9 9 > 100.0 114 -63.3 406,949 20.4 95 -9.8 4,151 8.3 PVK Aktion/Preveza Greece 73.40 308 -11.5 0 n.a. 56 -30.0 583,666 2.6 0 n.a. 5,394 1.9 SKG Thessaloniki Greece 73.40 449,724 25.9 479 78.9 3,626 23.6 6,689,193 7.1 5,439 22.0 55,307 3.1 ZTH Zakynthos Greece 73.40 1,808 -30.9 1 n.a. 104 -15.4 1,800,457 8.5 7 > 100.0 13,170 6.4 Fraport Regional Airports of Greece B 73.40 167,805 10.3 137 13.9 2,357 22.2 13,262,489 10.2 1,990 27.8 113,154 10.1 JMK Mykonos Greece 73.40 7,525 > 100.0 2 n.a. 149 25.2 1,395,787 15.6 93 > 100.0 17,267 9.1 JSI Skiathos Greece 73.40 1,083 1.6 0 n.a. 56 27.3 437,916 3.3 0 n.a. 4,171 -2.2 JTR Santorini (Thira) Greece 73.40 40,854 17.2 11 n.a. 393 26.4 2,254,926 16.8 179 > 100.0 20,360 19.5 KGS Kos Greece 73.40 19,718 4.8 19 4.7 397 19.9 2,666,307 14.9 291 73.0 20,327 17.3 MJT Mytilene (Lesvos) Greece 73.40 28,119 23.7 30 -21.0 515 54.2 477,056 9.4 384 -1.6 6,157 9.6 RHO Rhodes Greece 73.40 57,648 -4.7 55 34.4 531 -5.2 5,567,748 5.0 774 24.7 38,669 4.3 SMI Samos Greece 73.40 12,858 22.5 19 -16.3 316 37.4 462,749 12.8 268 -10.5 6,203 9.4 LIM Lima Peru 70.01 1,851,493 4.0 26,870 -3.3 16,008 -3.6 22,118,454 7.3 285,637 0.7 192,694 3.1 Fraport Twin Star 60.00 74,902 -3.4 940 -4.0 850 -4.1 5,558,363 12.2 8,565 -41.0 41,060 9.7 BOJ Burgas Bulgaria 60.00 13,007 9.6 929 -4.2 223 15.5 3,277,229 9.9 8,429 -41.1 23,284 8.5 VAR Varna Bulgaria 60.00 61,895 -5.8 11 25.7 627 -9.5 2,281,134 15.8 136 -40.6 17,776 11.4 At equity consolidated airports AYT Antalya Turkey 51.00 847,796 12.6 n.a. n.a. 6,599 17.9 32,268,535 22.5 n.a. n.a. 188,569 20.2 LED St. Petersburg Russia 25.00 1,272,706 17.6 n.a. n.a. 12,728 12.9 18,122,286 12.4 n.a. n.a. 165,418 8.6 XIY Xi'an China 24.50 3,601,379 1.8 32,499 33.7 27,663 5.9 44,653,433 6.7 312,555 20.3 329,783 3.6 Frankfurt Airport2 December 2018 Month % YTD 2018 % Passengers 4,925,414 7.8 69,514,414 7.8 Cargo (freight & mail) 183,674 1.9 2,213,887 -0.7 Aircraft movements 38,324 9.0 512,115 7.7 MTOW (in metric tons)3 2,440,716 6.5 31,611,290 5.1 PAX/PAX-flight4 137.6 -2.2 145.0 -0.3 Seat load factor (%) 75.1 79.3 Punctuality rate (%) 68.9 69.1 Frankfurt Airport PAX share %5 PAX share %5 Regional Split Month YTD Continental 60.8 8.3 64.3 10.8 Germany 11.2 10.3 11.0 4.8 Europe (excl. GER) 49.6 7.8 53.3 12.1 Western Europe 40.8 7.0 44.3 11.6 Eastern Europe 8.8 11.7 9.1 14.6 Intercontinental 39.2 7.1 35.7 2.8 Africa 5.1 14.5 4.4 11.6 Middle East 5.9 2.1 5.2 0.6 North America 12.5 5.3 12.6 3.2 Central & South Amer. 4.6 9.8 3.3 2.3 Far East 11.2 7.5 10.2 0.1 Australia 0.0 n.a. 0.0 n.a. Definitions:1 According to ACI definition: Passengers: commercial traffic only (arr+dep+transit counted once), Cargo: commercial and non-commercial traffic (arr+dep excluding transit, in metric tons), Movements: commerical and non-commercial traffic (arr+dep), preliminary figures; 2Commercial and non-commercial traffic: Passengers (arr+dep+transit counted once, incl. general aviation), Cargo (arr+dep+transit counted once, in metric tons), Movements (arr+dep); 3Inbound traffic only; 4 Scheduled and charter traffic; 5absolute change vs. previous year in % ; *Cargo =Freight + mail Fraport AG Torben Beckmann Telephone: +49-69-690-70553 Corporate Communications E-mail: [email protected] Media Relations Internet: www.fraport.com 60547 Frankfurt, Germany Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport For further information about Fraport AG please click here. SOURCE Fraport AG Related Links http://www.fraport.com/ WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With the nation's reliance on electricity at an all-time high, and threats to the electric grid more serious than ever, Protect Our Power will convene its inaugural best practices conference on Feb. 4 with a focus on establishing an ongoing, independent framework to surface and communicate best practices in physical and cybersecurity for the grid. The full-day conference, "Best Practices Utility Cybersecurity," will be held on the eve of DistribuTECH, the leading annual electric power transmission and distribution conference and exhibition event that will attract more than 13,000 attendees to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Protect Our Power is an independent, not-for-profit organization seeking to build consensus among key stakeholders to launch a comprehensive effort to make the nation's electric grid more resilient and more resistant to all external threats. "The ability of the grid to operate under abnormal conditions is critical," said Tom Fanning, the Chairman, President and CEO of Southern Company and Co-Chair of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council. "The Protect Our Power conference provides a terrific platform for the industry to focus on the best practices and achieve the resiliency required to protect our American way of life." Tom Kuhn, President of Edison Electric Institute, said of the conference, "EEI is a strong believer in celebrating and sharing our member companies' best ideas on how to overcome threats and challenges to delivering a reliable supply of electric power. Protect Our Power at its upcoming conference in New Orleans on Best Practices in Utility Cybersecurity offers valuable insight on what is being done today by some to assure a stronger grid. I highly recommend attending this important event." Rod West, the Group President of Utility Operations at Entergy Corporation, will present the keynote address at the Protect Our Power Conference. Entergy is an integrated energy company that owns and operates regulated and merchant power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of generating capacity. The company's utility business serves nearly three million customers in four states. "Rod West brings the type of insight and experience necessary to really move the ball forward in the discussion of best practices in protecting the electric grid," Protect Our Power Technical Director Paul Feldman said. "Entergy is an important part of the nation's energy network, and getting his perspective will give our influential audience the perspective it needs to move towards a consensus." Other featured speakers include: Dale Peterson , Creator and Program Chair of S4 Events; Leader in ICS Security Research; Industry Evangelist , Creator and Program Chair of S4 Events; Leader in ICS Security Research; Industry Evangelist Andy Bochman , Senior Cyber & Energy Security Strategist, Idaho National Labs , Senior Cyber & Energy Security Strategist, Idaho National Labs Jason Christopher , SANS Instructor, formerly Senior technical Leader Cybersecurity, EPRI; Technical Lead Cybersecurity, DOE' Technical Lead, FERC , SANS Instructor, formerly Senior technical Leader Cybersecurity, EPRI; Technical Lead Cybersecurity, DOE' Technical Lead, FERC Monta Elkins , SANS Instructor, ICS Researcher, author of "Defense Against the Dark Arts" , SANS Instructor, ICS Researcher, author of "Defense Against the Dark Arts" Dave Weinstein , Policy Fellow at New America, Previous U.S. Cyber Command, and New Jersey CIO , Policy Fellow at New America, Previous U.S. Cyber Command, and New Jersey CIO Andrew Ginter , author of "SCADA Security, What is Broken and How to Fix It" , author of "SCADA Security, What is Broken and How to Fix It" Steven Parker , President, EnergySec Protect Our Power Executive Director Jim Cunningham said, "We are committed to improving our ability to deter and recover from attacks on our electric system. Our organization's purpose is to work with all stakeholders to develop and promote public policy initiatives that advocate and facilitate the implementation of electric grid improvements to make our electricity infrastructure more resilient." The registration fee for the event is $195 and includes breakfast, lunch, a post-event reception and great networking opportunities. Attendees of Protect Our Power's Best Practices - Utility Cybersecurity conference will receive a complimentary visitors pass to the DistribuTECH exhibition and will be eligible for a 15 percent discount on the full DistribuTECH conference delegate pass. For more information on the conference please visit: https://protectourpower.org/bestpracticesconference/ About Protect Our Power: Protect Our Power (POP) is a not-for-profit organization designed to build a consensus among key stakeholders, decision-makers and public policy influencers to launch a coordinated and adequately funded effort to make the nation's electric grid more resilient and more resistant to all external threats. The national program must also ensure establishment of an enhanced power restoration and recovery component for all grid operations that would include communications protocols to protect the American public. Protect Our Power has a highly-experienced staff and 25-member Advisory Panel representing a broad cross-section of grid-related disciplines. With both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) status, POP is singularly and uniquely positioned as a non-partisan, unbiased thought leader able to serve as a convening, moderating, action-oriented voice. SOURCE Protect Our Power Related Links http://protectourpower.org What's Included 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. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-334-2557 or email legals@bulletinjournal.com. DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ExamSoft, a secure testing and assessment software company based in Dallas, announced today the launch of ExamSoft Assessment Services (EAS), a professional consulting service that delivers the pedagogical information for educators to make data-driven decisions and drive proactive remediation of student performance. With two decades of supporting thousands of educational institutions around the globe, ExamSoft has experienced many educators who struggle with the time and resources to devote to their own professional development. EAS was created to support educators in their mission to influence positive student learning and achieve programmatic goals, while fostering collaboration with other educators, through a streamlined approach. For over 20 years, ExamSoft's unique assessment tool has provided educational institutions throughout the world with industry-leading solutions for enabling reliable exam creation and delivery, aggregating real-time student performance data, and reducing the time and resources required for student testing and assessment. "ExamSoft Assessment Services provides educators with the support and expert guidance they need to achieve their programmatic goals," says Sebastian Vos, CEO of ExamSoft. "Whether a program is working toward improved item writing, sharpening a course syllabus, or even preparing for an accreditation visit, EAS consultants partner with the institution to help make those goals achievable." About ExamSoft Worldwide Inc. ExamSoft is a SaaS firm, providing a scalable and flexible assessment platform that gives educators actionable data and insights to improve student learning outcomes and academic achievement. Its formative and summative assessment software provides the data required for faculty and administrators to more efficiently and practically administer direct assessments and analyze results to improve curricular design, test design, and accreditation compliance. ExamSoft has served more than a thousand prominent academic, certification, and licensing institutions and has successfully administered millions of exams since its inception in 1998. SOURCE ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc. Related Links http://www.examsoft.com GREAT FALLS, Va., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2016, President Donald Trump signed Enough Is Enough's (EIE) Children's Internet Safety Presidential Pledge, promising to appoint an Attorney General to aggressively enforce federal obscenity, child pornography, sexual predation, and sex trafficking laws, and to advance public policies designed to prevent the sexual exploitation of children online. EIE asks Attorney General nominee William P. Barr to uphold these vital commitments to protect our nation's children. "We can't expect to end the sexual exploitation of children in the digital age if all the laws on our books are not being aggressively enforced," stated Donna Rice Hughes, EIE's President and CEO. "It is an outrage that the United States ranks #2 in the world, next to the Netherlands, in hosting child sexual abuse / child pornography URLs. Additionally, being identified as the top producer, distributor and exporter of prosecutable obscene pornography because past Administrations (except for AG Ashcroft) have failed to uphold the obscenity laws and have given a free pass to the multi-billion-dollar porn industry, is unacceptable. This has led to a pandemic of extreme and deviant content which has become increasingly mainstream, giving our youth free and easy access to harmful content that is wrecking their innocent lives. There is a misconception that obscenity is protected by the First Amendment - it is not! Preventing the sexual exploitation of youth online requires a shared responsibility between the public, industry and government. A growing number of bi-partisan government commissions, task forces, safety experts and scholars have recognized the significant risks associated with unfettered Internet access by youth, and have called upon governments, policy makers, caregivers, industry and educators to take action. Hughes additionally stated, "Governments can't parent, and parents can't enforce the law. Parents alone cannot prevent Internet crimes against their children. Government must do its part and enforce all the laws on the books, not just some of them. The time to drain the cyberswamp is now. Children worldwide are counting on us. In today's divisive political climate, this is a critical and unifying issue which impacts all Americans. We are hopeful that the Senate Judiciary Committee will secure Mr. Barr's commitment to protect children from the scourge of dangerous and illegal criminal content and activity online." The Pledge includes provisions for the necessary resources and tools to prosecute such crimes and calls for the establishment of public-private partnerships with corporate America to step up voluntary efforts to reduce and prevent Internet crimes against children. The research behind the Pledge cites studies that confirm Internet pornography as a fueling factor in the sexual exploitation of children, sexual violence against women and children, addiction, sexual predation and sex trafficking. "Today's youth have fully integrated the Internet into their daily lives they must be protected by those responsible for carrying out the very laws designed to protect them," concluded Hughes who served on the Child Online Protection Commission, the Internet Safety Technical Task Force of the State Attorneys General, The World Congress to Defend Child Dignity and has testified many times before Congress. EIE recently applauded POTUS' Proclamation on National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2019. #DrainTheCyberswamp Enough Is Enough is a national bi-partisan non-profit organization who has led the fight to make the Internet safer for children and families since 1994. SOURCE Enough Is Enough Related Links http://www.enough.org ALGIERS, Algeria, January 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SECURA North Africa 2019 is an annual B2B and B2G exhibition taking place in Algeria that contributes to business meetings between safety, fire, security & emergency equipment suppliers and North African private, public and governmental institutions. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/807756/SECURA_North_Africa_2019_Logo.jpg ) This tradeshow was initially created to follow the amazing development of Algerian local industry needs in terms of safety & security but the strong support of Algerian authorities (the Event is organized under the Patronage of the Algerian Ministry of Interior) gave it an international reach and credibility. The Managing Director of EASYFAIRS NORTHERAL, Olivier-Hicham Allard, explains: "The Algerian government unlocked massive investment budgets such as the 59 billion USD investment plan of its national Oil & Gas company Sonatrach or its brand new International Airport in Algiers for 700 million USD. The country is strongly pushing in a quite successful way to switch its importations into local manufacturing investments. Take the pharmaceutical industry, Algeria is Africa's #1 pharmaceutical market, currently worth 3.8 billion USD. Between 2008 and 2018 it went from 25 % to 65 % of pharmaceutical products locally manufactured. More than 120 pharmaceutical plants have been built that all require advanced safety & security equipment. And now the country is preparing to open its 1200 km of virgin coastline and its desert to tourism as last year only, the Algerian Ministry of Tourism approved 1800 touristic projects among which 260 new hotels, 74 motels, and 58 touristic resorts. The emergence of a strong national industrial capacity but also the geostrategic position of Algeria explains the immediate success of the Event." The first Edition of SECURA North Africa took place in 2018 where 3667 unique professional visitors met 62 suppliers. The event generated onsite deals in construction projects, IPEs, perimeter protection, access control, fire prevention and firefighting, private security, cybersecurity, emergency and disaster equipment. But it is also an excellent platform for international companies in that sector looking for local representatives in Algeria and the North African region. SECURA North Africa 2019 is taking place from 26 to 28 February 2019 in Algiers Exhibition Fairground. Over 5000 professionals and decision makers from North Africa will meet 80 exhibitors on 6000 m and will be able to attend 30 free-to-attend conferences. For detailed information about the event or to register online, please visit www.securanorthafrica.com Contact details SECURA North Africa Number: +213-21-94-60-58 Email: [email protected] SOURCE EASYFAIRS NORTHERAL Established in New York in 1962, Doyle is recognized worldwide for its commitment to providing professional auction and appraisal services of the highest standard. A vital player in the global auction market, Doyle combines vast scholarship and in-depth knowledge of industry trends with the latest digital strategies and technological capabilities. This winning strategy attracts thousands of seasoned buyers and newly affluent collectors from over ninety countries around the world, setting world auction records across all sale categories. "Laura Doyle and Joanne Mournet are experienced and accomplished business professionals who will continue to advance the expansion of Doyle while adhering to our core values of Integrity, Expertise and Service," said Kathleen Doyle. "I am delighted to be working alongside this dynamic team leading us into the future!" "I am passionate about the auction business. We are so fortunate to work with beautiful objects and fascinating people," said Laura Doyle. "New generations of buyers are continually entering the auction market globally, creating new trends in collecting. Never has there been a more exciting time in our industry!" "Doyle is privileged to bring to auction property from distinguished collections and prominent estates throughout the year," said Joanne Mournet. "Together with our team of specialists and regional representatives, I look forward to expanding our relationships with the national trusts and estates community while maintaining the level of excellence that our clients rely on." The youngest daughter of company founder William Doyle, Laura Doyle quite literally grew up in the auction business. During her almost twenty years at Doyle, she has spearheaded digital strategies and continues to implement new technological capabilities with an eye toward the future. An accomplished and articulate spokesperson for the industry, she, together with Kathleen Doyle, discussed technology and the future of the auction industry in a televised program on Yahoo Finance with Andy Serwer. In 2016, Laura Doyle was the founder of Doyle's online-only Hayloft Auctions division in the burgeoning and artistically vibrant South Bronx. A successful Internet start-up, and a valued member of the neighborhood, Hayloft Auctions was honored by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) for its work and commitment to Bronx residents and the community. Laura Doyle and Hayloft Auctions were also recognized by Crain's New York Business in a feature on Bronx business and real estate trends. Ms. Doyle was educated at Deerfield Academy and earned a BA in the History of Art from the University of Pennsylvania, during which time she spent a year studying at the Courtauld Institute in London. She began her career at Doyle in Client Services, later serving as Director of the Jewelry Department. As Vice-Chairman, she expanded Doyle's network of regional representatives while focusing on strategies for global growth in collaboration with Doyle's luxury, digital and real estate marketing partners. She recently oversaw a major renovation of the company's Manhattan headquarters and the acquisition of a new warehouse in the Bronx. Joanne Porrino Mournet has held senior positions at Doyle for over twenty-five years, most recently as Executive Vice President and Executive Director of Estate and Appraisal Services. In her new role as President, she will continue serving as Doyle's senior liaison with prominent banks and law firms in providing Doyle's comprehensive range of professional appraisal and auction services. Highly regarded in the field of Trusts and Estates, Ms. Mournet is frequently invited by law firms and banks to speak as an expert on estate appraisals and the auction industry. She regularly represents Doyle at professional estate planning conferences, among them the New York State Bar Association, The Estate Planning Council of New York, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), UJA law conferences, and The University of Miami Philip Heckerling Law Institute. A graduate of Douglass College, Ms. Mournet is a member of the Professional Advisory Council of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Heart Association Trust and Estates Advisory Council. An accomplished auctioneer, Ms. Mournet has sold collections totaling well over one billion dollars over the course of her career. She has presided over the landmark auctions of countless estates of celebrities and prominent figures of society and commerce, as well as property from our nation's most distinguished public and private institutions. "At Doyle, we believe that every estate and collection is unique," Ms. Mournet is fond of saying. "We excel at tailoring our services to meet the individual needs of each client." Continuing that thought, Laura Doyle stated, "Our goal in this digital age is to ensure that every client, whether a buyer or seller, whether in New York or across the world, receives the personal attention that has always been a hallmark of Doyle." SOURCE Doyle OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As new state leaders are sworn in today, John D. Doak reflects on his eight years as Oklahoma's insurance commissioner. Doak was elected the state's 12th insurance commissioner in 2010 and was re-elected for a second term in 2014. "I'm honored that Oklahomans chose to elect me to represent them, both in terms of insurance company solvency and ensuring fair claims handling," Doak said. "I've been privileged to witness the courage and resilience of Oklahomans in the face of difficult natural disasters. It's also been a pleasure to work with our state Legislature and governor and to travel to every one of Oklahoma's 77 counties, meeting and working with the people who live there." During his tenure, Doak has tirelessly worked to raise awareness of the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) and how it can help Oklahomans. He started a field representative program to reach every corner of the state. He also made it a mission to have boots on the ground as soon as possible after a disaster. Many times Doak himself would visit with storm victims to reassure them that his office was there to help, if needed. Another issue Doak worked on during his time in office was lowering the rate of uninsured motorists. Oklahoma has one of the highest rates in the country. Just a few months ago, the OID announced it would host the Auto Insurance Verification System which allows law enforcement to verify a driver has insurance in real time. "One of my proudest accomplishments is that, as I leave the OID, it is now being recognized as a global leader in insurance regulatory issues," Doak said. Doak's recognition that government must be ready to accept new and innovative ideas and products has helped frame that thinking. His belief that the OID should not only to protect consumers but allow the free market process to bring new quality products to consumers is recognized by many leaders worldwide. More of Doak's accomplishments include: Recovering $27,675,828 for Oklahomans since 2011 for Oklahomans since 2011 The passage of House Bill 2308 which allows the OID to construct and own an office building OID employees earning more than 160 professional designations Co-hosting the National Tornado Summit since 2011 The passage of the Insurance Business Transfer law Developing an earthquake education requirement for insurance professionals Testifying before a U.S. Senate sub-committee about insurance fraud Helping launch the University of Tulsa Cyber District "I wish the best to the new leaders of our state, Gov. Kevin Stitt, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready," Doak said. "Commissioner Mulready has already proven that he is a dedicated public servant with expertise in the insurance industry, and he will continue that tradition in this new role." About the Oklahoma Insurance Department The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state. For more information, contact: Kelly Dexter 405-522-0683 [email protected] SOURCE Oklahoma Insurance Department RICHARDSON, Texas, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- National Partners in Healthcare (NPH) announced today that David Hagey, has joined the leadership team as the Chief Financial Officer. Hagey brings extensive experience and a proven track record of accomplishments to his role at NPH, having spent the past 20 years in senior executive positions with various healthcare companies. "David's extensive executive experience in financial, M&A, and accounting and leadership roles in the healthcare industry makes him a uniquely qualified individual and excellent addition to our executive team," said Mike Saunders, CEO of NPH. Hagey comes to NPH from Epic Health Services, Inc., the nation's largest provider of pediatric home care, where he was responsible for all financial aspects of the company in his role as Chief Financial Officer from 2014 to 2018. In March 2018, Epic was merged PSA, also a provider of pediatric home care, and Hagey continued as the Chief Financial Officer of the combined organization until joining NPH. Prior to joining Epic, he served as President and Chief Financial Officer of IntegraCare, provider of home health, hospice and personal care services in Texas; Chief Financial Officer of Accuro Healthcare Solutions, a company that provided business intelligence and revenue cycle management software to healthcare providers and as Vice President and Controller of U.S. Operations for United Surgical Partners, a provider of surgical centers and hospitals. Mr. Hagey earned a B.A. in Accounting from Texas Tech University and is a Certified Public Accountant. About National Partners in Healthcare NPH is a national healthcare organization delivering best in class anesthesiology services. NPH is dedicated to partnering with high quality anesthesiologists and CRNAs providing the expertise, resources, and long-term sustainable solutions to their medical practices. NPH's anesthesiology partners retain full autonomy of their practice while collaborating with each NPH clinical team to achieve and deliver the highest quality patient care. For more information, www.nphllc.com. NPH is a joint venture between Archimedes Health Investors LLC, a healthcare-focused private equity firm, and BlueMountain Capital Management LLC, an investment firm with extensive experience building enduring partnerships in the healthcare industry. SOURCE National Partners in Healthcare Related Links http://www.nphllc.com http://www.bluemountaincapital.com ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Revolutionary products and experiences are at the center of Daikin's presence at this year's AHR Expo. The Daikin booth will highlight new, advanced residential and commercial HVAC equipment for providing superior air to end-users. Daikin's Innovation Roadshow trailer also made the trip to Atlanta, and is featured as an interactive demonstration of Daikin's industry-leading commercial HVAC solutions, for show attendees to experience Daikin's advanced technology first-hand. "Daikin is invested in the next generation of HVAC technology by continuously creating innovative solutions for improving building efficiency," said Mike Schwartz, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas. "With the Innovation Roadshow trailer, we are able to give visitors a unique and immersive experience with the latest Daikin technology. Customers can dive into the products and fully experience how buildings of all sizes can benefit." Debut of new Daikin One Ecosystem With the introduction of the Daikin One ecosystem, Daikin is up-ending the status quo in the HVAC market, where players have been conservative in adopting IoT technologies and, until recently, relegated leadership in the smart thermostat category to consumer electronics brands. At the heart of the new Daikin One ecosystem is the new Daikin One+ smart thermostat, engineered to communicate seamlessly with all Daikin One ecosystem components, including the new Daikin Fit condensing units, Daikin One air cleaners, and communicating furnaces and evaporator coils. The new Daikin One+ smart thermostat is the first smart thermostat to offer full two-way communications and serves as a cloud-connected hub and controller for sophisticated, communicating HVAC systems. In combination with Daikin's smart inverter HVAC systems, such as the new Daikin Fit systems, the Daikin One ecosystem of indoor air quality modules provides an unparalleled, integrated solution for temperature control and air quality. It allows people to "Visualize the Air" inside their home and reacts on cues to provide a premium indoor air environment. That's "Air Intelligence." The Daikin Fit system provides a cost-competitive condensing unit in the mid-efficiency category with clear design and performance advantages. Daikin Fit condensing units are engineered with high performing, quiet inverter compressors and side discharge cabinet designs that are smaller, lighter and quieter than traditional residential unitary outdoor condensing units and provide efficiencies up to 18 SEER. "This past year, Daikin has again engineered revolutionary HVAC technologies for the North American market. As we move into 2019, the Daikin team looks to find more success by continuing to drive Air Intelligence with new HVAC technology," said Takayuki (Taka) Inoue, Executive Vice President and President, Daikin North America LLC. New VRV products from Daikin include the following: New VRV LIFE System The VRV LIFE system is the industry's first single phase VRV heat pump with optional gas furnace connectivity for residential applications. The system offers solutions to some of the traditional HVAC challenges for single-family applications. The slim, quiet, inverter-driven VRV LIFE system outdoor unit can accommodate up to nine indoor units with multiple ducted and ductless styles for design and application flexibility. All indoors can be controlled and integrated using Wi-Fi based controls. The system is the industry's first single phase heat pump with optional gas furnace connectivity for residential applications. The system offers solutions to some of the traditional HVAC challenges for single-family applications. The slim, quiet, inverter-driven system outdoor unit can accommodate up to nine indoor units with multiple ducted and ductless styles for design and application flexibility. All indoors can be controlled and integrated using Wi-Fi based controls. New VRV IV X Heat Recovery System Daikin's new VRV IV X heat recovery systems adapt Daikin's industry leading VRV technology to the unique North American HVAC market. VRV IV X is the industry's first VRV system to be engineered and assembled in North America . VRV IV X systems are packed with features that provide solutions to traditional commercial HVAC challenges of North America . VRV IV X heat recovery systems are engineered with features that provide ease of configurability and optimal total life cycle cost for multi-phased installations and buildings with changing applications. VRV IV X systems are the industry's first dual fuel, 3-phase, VRV systems. The ability to integrate VRV IV X systems with Daikin communicating gas furnaces provides a choice of heat pump or gas heating. The VRV IV X systems are also the first in the industry to simultaneously launch 208/230V, 460V, and 575V systems. Other new applied products from Daikin include the following: OptiLine Hydronic Vertical Stacked Fan Coil With the smallest footprint in the industry, Daikin's new OptiLine is the ideal solution when livable space is at a premium. Engineered for high-rise apartments, office buildings, dormitories, and hotels, OptiLine provides new levels of quiet, comfortable, and economical heating and cooling in a very slender package. Daikin engineers designed OptiLine to efficiently condition air from 300 to 1200 cfm, optimally matching a building's space restrictions and efficiency needs. With the smallest footprint in the industry, Daikin's new is the ideal solution when livable space is at a premium. Engineered for high-rise apartments, office buildings, dormitories, and hotels, provides new levels of quiet, comfortable, and economical heating and cooling in a very slender package. Daikin engineers designed to efficiently condition air from 300 to 1200 cfm, optimally matching a building's space restrictions and efficiency needs. PreciseLine Large Capacity Blower Coil Daikin's large capacity horizontal blower coil affordably conditions air to precise levels up to 5000 cfm, designed to match a building's air handling demand at a blower coil price point. PreciseLine offers a wide range of standard features that sets this blower coil above the rest. Standard double-wall foam construction provides high energy efficiency and budget-minded lifetime performance, all while conditioning air for large spaces in a small package to meet a wide range of building designs. Daikin's large capacity horizontal blower coil affordably conditions air to precise levels up to 5000 cfm, designed to match a building's air handling demand at a blower coil price point. offers a wide range of standard features that sets this blower coil above the rest. Standard double-wall foam construction provides high energy efficiency and budget-minded lifetime performance, all while conditioning air for large spaces in a small package to meet a wide range of building designs. Daikin Applied Rebel Commercial DOAS with CORE Enthalpy Energy Ventilator Rebel DOAS with CORE pairs the ultra-high efficiency of Rebel's inverter compressor, which maintains extremely consistent tempering of the ventilation air, with energy savings of the CORE's full enthalpy heat exchanger, to provide clean, cool, dry air to the occupied space. The perfected combination of these technologies allows the HVAC installer to provide the highest quality of conditioned fresh air for most applications while not having to compromise energy efficiency. DOAS with pairs the ultra-high efficiency of inverter compressor, which maintains extremely consistent tempering of the ventilation air, with energy savings of the full enthalpy heat exchanger, to provide clean, cool, dry air to the occupied space. The perfected combination of these technologies allows the HVAC installer to provide the highest quality of conditioned fresh air for most applications while not having to compromise energy efficiency. Daikin Intelligent Solutions Daikin's Intelligent Equipment connects directly to 150 points on rooftop units and 350 points on air-cooled chillers to monitor energy consumption at the equipment level for deeper, more accurate performance measurement. Daikin Intelligent Systems can connect up to 127 total devices in a system, with easy-to-use controls, to achieve high performance and efficiency at a building system level. Daikin's connects directly to 150 points on rooftop units and 350 points on air-cooled chillers to monitor energy consumption at the equipment level for deeper, more accurate performance measurement. Daikin can connect up to 127 total devices in a system, with easy-to-use controls, to achieve high performance and efficiency at a building system level. Air-cooled and water-cooled chillers with advanced compressor technology Daikin's Pathfinder (air-cooled) and Magnitude (water-cooled) chillers are both available with compressor technology to maximize efficiency. Magnitude chillers are up to 40 percent more efficient than standard centrifugal chillers with oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor technology. Pathfinder AWV features the industry-first Variable Volume Ratio ( VVR ) technology which allows the chiller's compressor to optimize performance for every condition and at every hour of the day, significantly improving efficiency levels. Daikin's (air-cooled) and (water-cooled) chillers are both available with compressor technology to maximize efficiency. Magnitude chillers are up to 40 percent more efficient than standard centrifugal chillers with oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor technology. Pathfinder AWV features the industry-first Variable Volume Ratio ( ) technology which allows the chiller's compressor to optimize performance for every condition and at every hour of the day, significantly improving efficiency levels. 100 percent outside air water source heat pumps Daikin's SmartSource DOAS 100 percent outside air water source heat pump offers superior discharge air temperature and humidity control at an economical price. Its unique design allows for 100 percent outside air heating down to 0F entering air without the use of pre-heat. To learn more about these and other innovative solutions from Daikin at AHR Expo, please visit us at booth B3239 in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from January 14-16, 2019. About Daikin Daikin Industries, Ltd. (DIL) is a Fortune 1000 company with more than 70,000 employees worldwide, and is the world's number 1 air conditioning company. Daikin North America LLC (DNA) and Daikin Applied (DAA) are both subsidiaries of DIL. DNA, DAA and their affiliates manufacture heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial and industrial use and are sold via a select group of independent HVAC contractors. DIL manufacturing operations include facilities at Houston, TX, Fayetteville, TN, Faribault, MN, Owatonna, MN and Verona, VA. For additional information, visit www.daikin.com. Additional Information: Before purchasing this appliance, read important information about its estimated annual energy consumption, yearly operating cost, or energy efficiency rating that is available from your retailer. The "Daikin" and "VRV" trademarks are owned by Daikin Industries, Ltd. and Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Media Contacts Susan Kaufman Marc Bellanger Daikin Applied Daikin North America 763-203-1679 713-263-5505 [email protected] [email protected] Cassie Batinich Weber Shandwick/Daikin Applied 952-346-6073 [email protected] SOURCE Daikin Industries, Ltd. Related Links https://www.daikin.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP (CGL) is pleased to welcome four distinct senior attorneys who will enhance the DC-based law firm's consumer protection, commercial, antitrust, government relations, labor, white collar crime and intellectual property practices. They are William "Bill" Frick; R. Michael Smith; Mark Dubester; and Christian Hudson. "These proven powerhouse attorneys are each exceptional and add new dimensions to our growing practice areas," explained Charles J. LaDuca, CGL Firm Chairman. Bill Frick recently served as Majority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates, winning multiple awards for leadership on environmental matters, including climate change, and was named "Consumer Champion" by the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition and "Best Local Politician" by Washingtonian Magazine. Prior to serving as Majority Leader, Bill served Montgomery County in the Maryland House for the past 10 years. Bill also practiced law with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP, representing clients in high stakes class action litigation, defending companies facing government investigations, and helping clients address governmental legal and policy challenges since graduating law over 18 years ago. At CGL, Bill will concentrate primarily on government relations and opening a new commercial litigation practice that focuses on continuing to work with Maryland business, associations and individuals. He will also work on antitrust and consumer protection cases. Bill earned a J.D. at Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Northwestern University. Mike Smith joined CGL in the summer of 2018 and recently helped it win a $113.7 million jury verdict on behalf of 13,000 Corrections Officers owed back pay by the Missouri Department of Corrections. A former United States Marine, Mike led the team that wrote a new labor and employment law code for Afghanistan, served as General Counsel for the American University of Afghanistan, represented 30 men falsely accused of terrorism who were imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. On behalf of the National Labor Relations Board, Mike argued 20 cases in eight different federal appeals courts and prevailed in 16, among other achievements. Prior to joining CGL, Mike was Of Counsel at Dechert, LLP for six years. Mike will be working on consumer and commercial litigation at CGL, as well as taking a role in all trials CGL has in the years to come. Mike earned a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, an L.L.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, and B.A. from Colgate University. Mark Dubester, a former federal prosecutor, has more than 30 years experience investigating and prosecuting complex financial crimes, public corruption offenses and other white collar crime. As lead counsel, Mark has conducted more than 20 federal trials, handling the conviction of the notorious Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) on RICO conspiracy charges, among other achievements. He has also served as Special Impeachment Counsel for the United States House of Representatives and a counsel to the House Judiciary Committee. Mark earned a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Tufts University. Christian Hudson joined CGL in the summer of 2018 after practicing as a litigator at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he represented state and federal entities, FORTUNE 500 companies and high net worth individuals. At CGL, he works on antitrust, consumer protection and securities cases in the firm's Brooklyn office. Christian earned a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Yale University. With its principal office in Washington, DC, Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP represents clients nationally in a range of civil justice and legislative matters including civil and human rights, antitrust, consumer protection, product liability, complex white collar crime, securities and intellectual property. SOURCE Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP TSX Venture: KBLT OTCQX: CBLLF FRA: 27O TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. ("Cobalt 27" or the "Company") (TSXV: KBLT)(OTCQX: CBLLF)(FRA: 27O), a battery metals streaming and royalty company offering direct exposure to cobalt, nickel and lithium, integral elements in key technologies of electric vehicles and energy storage systems, today announced its participation in the following investment conferences: Bank of America Merrill Lynch Mr. Martin Vydra , Head of Strategy, will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday January 15 th , 2019 at Bank of America Merrill Lynch Battery & Energy Storage Forum , to be held in New York City , NY. Mr. , Head of Strategy, will be the keynote speaker on , 2019 at Bank of America Merrill Lynch , to be held in , NY. TD Securities Mining Conference Mr. Justin Cochrane , President and COO, will be presenting on Thursday January 17 th , 2019 at 3:00 pm ET , at TD Securities Mining Conference, to be held in Toronto, Canada , on January 16 th and 17 th , 2019. Mr. , President and COO, will be presenting on , 2019 at , at TD Securities Mining Conference, to be held in , on and 17 , 2019. Arlington Pre-Daba Conference Mr. Anthony Milewski , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will be participating on the panel Today's Future Metals at 10:40 am SAST on Friday February 1, 2019 ; and, moderating the investment panel at 1:15 pm SAST, on Saturday February 3 , at the Arlington Pre-Daba Conference to be held in Hermanus near Cape Town, South Africa , on February 1 st through 3 rd , 2019. Mr. , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will be participating on the panel at SAST on ; and, moderating the investment panel at SAST, on , at the Arlington Pre-Daba Conference to be held in Hermanus near , on through 3 , 2019. 121 Mining Investment Cape Town Mr. Anthony Milewski will presenting on Monday February 4 th , 2019, at 11:50 am SAST, and hosting one-on-one meetings as part of 121 Mining Investment Cape Town, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa , on February 4 th and 5 th , 2019 . Mr. will presenting on , 2019, at SAST, and hosting one-on-one meetings as part of 121 Mining Investment Cape Town, to be held in , on and 5 , 2019 Mining Indaba Mr. Anthony Milewski will be participating on the panel Battery metals: What do car makers and battery manufacturers want over the next 10 years and how should the mining sector change to meet their needs?, at 3:10 pm SAST, on Monday February 4, 2019 ; and, on the panel Discussing the importance of ethical cobalt mining in the DRC for bringing the EV & battery industry forward, at 3:00 pm SAST, on Tuesday February 5 , at Mining Indaba to be held in Cape Town, South Africa , on February 4 th through 7th 2019. About Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. is a leading battery metals streaming company offering exposure to metals integral to key technologies of the electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The Company owns 2,905.7 Mt of physical cobalt and a 32.6% Cobalt Stream on Vale's world-class Voisey's Bay mine, beginning in 2021. Cobalt 27 is undertaking a friendly acquisition of Highlands Pacific which is expected to add increased attributable nickel and cobalt production from the long-life, world-class Ramu Mine. The Company also manages a portfolio of ten royalties and intends to continue to invest in a cobalt-nickel-lithium-focused portfolio of streams, royalties and direct interests in mineral properties containing battery metals. For further information please visit the Company website at www.cobalt27.com or contact: Betty Joy LeBlanc, BA, MBA Director, Corporate Communications +1-604-828-0999 [email protected] 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. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. SOURCE Cobalt 27 Capital Corp Related Links www.co27.com NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant, announced today the opening of its newest franchised location in Orlando, Florida. Located at 5850 S. Orange Blossom Trail, the new restaurant marks Captain D's 28th location in the state and comes on the heels of the success the brand experienced in 2018, with more than a dozen new restaurants opened and 10 development agreements signed. This surge in franchise growth is fueled by Captain D's compounding success and the rollout of its new royalty incentive program last year. The Orlando Captain D's is owned and operated by first-time Captain D's franchisee, Amin Gulamali. Successfully operating various Choice Hotels and convenience stores throughout the greater Orlando area, Amin is utilizing his extensive management experience to transition into the restaurant industry and plans to open two additional Captain D's locations in the Orlando metro area over the next few years. "Since signing my franchise agreement with Captain D's in 2016, the excitement around the greater Orlando area has continued to grow," said Gulamali. "Captain D's innovative menu items and welcoming dining experience are in high demand and I'm thrilled to be entering the restaurant industry with a concept that is loved by so many. I look forward to serving the residents of Orlando for years to come and know the brand will soon be a household favorite in the community." Captain D's ongoing growth in Florida further signifies the outstanding success the brand has achieved over the past several years, which has fueled a surge in franchise and corporate development. Throughout the past year, the company has opened more than a dozen new locations and inked numerous franchise development agreements to open new restaurants in states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan and Oklahoma. Coupled with its ongoing menu innovation, Captain D's credits its new restaurant beach design with contributing to the brand's ongoing strong performance. To date, nearly 80 percent of all restaurants have been reimaged to the brand's new vibrant, coastal design. With these efforts, Captain D's has remained true to what it does best serving high-quality seafood with warm hospitality at an affordable price in a welcoming atmosphere. With more than 530 restaurants in 22 states, Captain D's is the fast-casual seafood leader and number one seafood franchise in America ranked by average unit volume. The company is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join in the brand's rapid expansion. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit http://www.captaindsfranchising.com or call 800-314-4819. ABOUT CAPTAIN D'S Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has more than 530 restaurants in 22 states. Captain D's is the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant and was named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50, ranked by AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been offering its customers high-quality seafood at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere for 50 years. Captain D's serves a wide variety of seafood that includes freshly prepared entrees and the company's signature batter dipped fish. The restaurants also offer premium-quality, grilled items such as shrimp, Tilapia and Salmon, as well as hushpuppies, desserts and freshly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea, a Captain D's favorite. For more information, please visit www.captainds.com. Contact: Nikki Rode Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Captain D's Related Links http://www.captainds.com NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP today announced that partner Vivian Maese, widely regarded as one of the leading transactional and regulatory lawyers in the FinTech industry, has joined the firm's Corporate practice in New York. Maese's practice focuses on complex strategic and corporate technology transactions in the financial services industry, with a focus on technology, data regulation and compliance. She advises clients, ranging from bulge-bracket financial institutions to emerging companies, on matters at the intersection of financial services regulation, trading and markets, and technology and intellectual property-based transactions, as well as new technology innovations in financial services, such as blockchain, crypto assets and machine learning. Maese joins Cadwalader from Latham & Watkins, where she was a partner and co-chair of the firm's Financial Institutions Industry Group and FinTech Industry Group. "Vivian is a perfect fit for our firm," said Cadwalader managing partner Pat Quinn. "Vivian has few peers when it comes to her work in the FinTech space, and our firm practices at the forefront of innovation in financial services. Our financial services clients continue to seek the kind of guidance on their deals and regulatory responsibilities that only a lawyer like Vivian and a firm like Cadwalader can provide." William Mills, co-leader of Cadwalader's Corporate Group, said, "Transactions in the financial services industry today are often driven by FinTech and reengineering and reinventing core processes to become faster and more efficient and more data driven. Vivian's large financial institution clients are part of Cadwalader's natural client base, and her focus on representing emerging companies in the FinTech space is the right complement for our growing corporate M&A practice. Vivian knows the challenges our clients face and is one of the most active and experienced lawyers advising in the FinTech industry today." Maese is top-rated in all the major directories and was recently named Band 1, the highest ranking possible, in Chambers & Partners' annual Professional Advisors FinTech ranking for 2019, and was highlighted in the National Law Journal as a "FinTech, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Trailblazer." Prior to entering private practice, Maese was the general counsel and corporate secretary at BIDS Trading, a financial services industry consortium for equities trading. Prior to BIDS, Maese provided oversight on all legal issues related to US cash trading and market data for the New York Stock Exchange. She also spent more than 20 years as an in-house managing director and divisional general counsel for Salomon Brothers and Citigroup, where she was the lead lawyer on many transactions and technology initiatives, including the Fulcrum Project, which transformed electronic trading on Wall Street. Maese has been recognized repeatedly for her FinTech accomplishments. Recently, she was nominated by her clients and received the Markets Media Women in Finance Award and was named to the Women in Fintech Powerlist. In addition, Maese was named a Top 10 Innovative Individual in the Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers 2016 report. "Cadwalader has a best-in-class reputation within the financial services community for its regulatory, compliance and transactional capabilities," Maese said. "I know the firm and its partners very well, and I look forward to expanding the firm's ability to advise financial services clients at a time when there is so much change under way in the industry." Throughout her career Maese has been very active in the community. She was recently named Humanitarian of the Year by the Hope for a Healthier Humanity (HHH) Foundation, which provides resources to cultivate better health care infrastructures, offer education services, and donate medical supplies to people in underdeveloped nations. Maese's arrival is the latest in a series of important lateral partner and senior lawyer additions at Cadwalader in 2018. In London, partner Samantha Hutchinson joined the firm, expanding the firm's transatlantic fund finance offering, along with M&A lawyer Joanne Valentine and disputes lawyer Melis Acunis. In the U.S., 2018 additions to the firm include finance partner Pearl Yuan-Garg, leading antitrust partner Joel Mitnick, M&A partner Stephen Fraidin, financial regulatory partner Mark Chorazak and litigation partner Jonathan Watkins. In addition, M&A partner Chris Cox returned to the firm after several years in a senior corporate role and real estate partner Alan Lawrence rejoined Cadwalader from another major firm. About Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, established in 1792, serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's leading financial institutions and corporations in more than 50 countries. With offices in New York, London, Charlotte, Washington, and Brussels, Cadwalader offers legal expertise in antitrust, banking, corporate finance, corporate governance, environmental, executive compensation, financial restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, private wealth, real estate, regulation, securitization, structured finance, tax and white-collar defense. For more information, visit www.cadwalader.com. Contacts: Ron Brandsdorfer +1 212 504 6712 [email protected] SOURCE Cadwalader Related Links http://www.cadwalader.com VALENCIA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bioness, Inc., the leading provider of advanced, clinically supported medical devices for the treatment of chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin, has launched the first and only Patient Registry for peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) using its StimRouter Neuromodulation System. The launch of the StimRouter Registry demonstrates Bioness' commitment to collecting long-term, robust clinical data that helps educate clinicians to further understand how the StimRouter, a non-opioid, minimally invasive, permanent pain management technology, can be applied across the human body. Physicians and government agencies within the U.S. are beginning to recognize the value of non-opioid treatments for chronic pain with the Joint Commission's new pain management standards directing healthcare organizations to develop pain treatment strategies to include non-opioid approaches. Many clinicians are already offering non-opioid treatmentssuch as the StimRouterto patients who have chronic pain due to stroke, accident, or injury. Bioness' leadership in understanding these patient populations will continue through its StimRouter Patient Registry and synthesizing PNS outcomes to guide future treatment by clinicians. Beginning in Q1 2019, patients will be able to opt-in to the registry. "The StimRouter Registry is part of a comprehensive initiative to study and develop clinical data relative to peripheral nerve stimulation," said Eric Grigsby, MD, MBA, and Chief Medical Officer at Bioness. "We strongly believe that PNS will play a critical role in the management of chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin." The StimRouter was launched in 2016 and is the first neuromodulation device specifically designed to treat chronic peripheral nerve pain. It has been implanted in over 1,000 chronic pain patients at more than 80 leading medical organizations across the country. In addition, the platform technology built into StimRouter is being investigated for additional uses beyond chronic pain. "As the first PNS product approved for commercial use, Bioness was very deliberate about the StimRouter launch to demonstrate safety and efficacy. The Registry is one more piece of our clinical study strategy to deliver robust, prospective clinical data to help define where PNS is best utilized and what we can learn to continue to launch new products that meet unmet medical needs in the neuromodulation market," said Todd Cushman, President and CEO at Bioness. For more information about the StimRouter, visit www.stimrouter.com. About StimRouter Neuromodulation System StimRouter is approved by the FDA to treat chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin, excluding pain in the craniofacial region. StimRouter is a minimally invasive neuromodulation medical device consisting of a thin, implanted lead with conductive electrode, external pulse transmitter (EPT), and hand-held wireless patient programmer. Electrical signals are transmitted transdermally from the EPT through the electrode, down the lead to the target nerve. StimRouter is programmed at the direction of the physician to meet patient requirements but is controlled by the patient to address the patients' specific, changing pain management needs. About Bioness, Inc. Bioness is the leading provider of innovative technologies helping people regain mobility and independence. Bioness solutions include implantable and external neuromodulation systems, robotic systems, and software based therapy programs providing functional and therapeutic benefits for individuals affected by pain, central nervous system disorders, and orthopedic injuries. Currently, Bioness offers six medical devices within its commercial portfolio which are distributed and sold on five continents and in over 25 countries worldwide. Our technologies have been implemented in the most prestigious and well-respected institutions around the globe with approximately 90% of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the United States currently using one or more Bioness solutions. Bioness has a singular focus on aiding large, underserved customer groups with innovative, evidence-based solutions and we will continue to develop and make commercially available new products that address the growing and changing needs of our customers. Individual results vary. Consult with a qualified physician to determine if this product is right for you. Contraindications, adverse reactions and precautions are available online at www.bioness.com. Media Relations Contact Information Next Step Communications [email protected] 781.326.1741 SOURCE Bioness, Inc. Related Links http://www.bioness.com SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC), the holding company for Banc of California, N.A. ("Bank"), today announced that Jim Wiegandt has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Head of Real Estate Banking for the Bank. Mr. Wiegandt joined the Bank in November 2017 as Managing Director, Commercial Real Estate and Multifamily Banking. Mr. Wiegandt will continue to oversee the Bank's Commercial Real Estate, Multifamily and Real Estate Construction Banking groups, and will add leadership responsibilities for the Single Family and Warehouse Banking groups. "We are proud to announce Jim's expanded role and broadened responsibilities," said Doug Bowers, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Since Jim's arrival, he has been instrumental in building out the direct to borrower banking model for multifamily and CRE banking and has demonstrated tremendous leadership throughout our real estate banking verticals. Jim has quickly built a track record of execution and has worked tirelessly to align the Bank's approach to delivering comprehensive financial solutions to our clients." In Mr. Wiegandt's expanded role, he will lead all real estate banking initiatives and will partner with the Bank's Community Banking, Private Banking, Commercial Banking and Treasury Management groups to bring the full breadth of real estate products and services to all of our clients. Mr. Wiegandt is a seasoned real estate professional with over 25 years in the industry. More recently, and prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Wiegandt served as Executive Director, Commercial Lending at JPMorgan Chase for over 10 years. Mr. Wiegandt holds a B.A. in Public Affairs from San Diego State University and has attended the Pacific Coast Banking School's Graduate School of Banking. About Banc of California, Inc. Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) provides comprehensive banking services to California's diverse businesses, entrepreneurs and communities. Banc of California operates 32 offices in California. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe-Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors, including those set forth from time to time in the documents filed or furnished by Banc of California, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and Banc of California, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made. Investor Relations Inquiries: Media Inquiries: Banc of California, Inc. Abernathy MacGregor John A. Bogler, (949) 236-5400 Ian Campbell / Joe Hixson / James Bourne, (213) 630-6550 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Banc of California, Inc. Related Links http://bancofcal.com PICO RIVERA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BakeMark announces today the appointment of Monica Melena as a new National Accounts Manager at BakeMark, effective January 21, 2019. Prior to joining BakeMark, Monica held various positions in Sales, Purchasing and Operations. Most recently, she served as the Director of Sales for Coastal Marketing Group, a broker specializing in building partnerships within the baking industry. Monica also has experience in Purchasing and Operations with companies such as Walmart and Dave & Busters. She received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialty in Culinary Arts from Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, Mexico. "At a time when BakeMark is very much focused on expanding our support to the industry and strengthening partnerships, Monica is a great addition to our National Accounts team and we're excited to have her contribute to our growth plans," said Steve Scales, Senior Vice President of National Sales. This news follows BakeMark's recent additions to their senior executive team, all a part of their growth and expansion strategies under the ownership of Pamplona Capital Management. About BakeMark Based in Pico Rivera, CA, BakeMark is the recognized market leader in the baking industry, as a manufacturer and distributor of bakery ingredients, products and supplies. BakeMark serves North America and customers internationally across all industry channels with its comprehensive product portfolio, including bakery mixes, fillings, icings, glazes, commodities, frozen products and bakery supplies. BakeMark is the exclusive distributor of some of the industry's top brands, including Westco, BakeSense, Best Brands, Multifoods, BakeQwik, Trigal Dorado, C'est Vivant and Sprinkelina, operating through 5 manufacturing plants and 25 distribution centers located across North America. Please visit www.yourbakemark.com for more information. Media contact: David Lopez BakeMark Director of Marketing (562)222-6380 [email protected] SOURCE BakeMark Related Links http://www.yourbakemark.com - Avon to be first direct sales beauty company available on Rappi, an on-demand delivery service with over one million users in Brazil - Pilot in Brazil and Colombia will provide customers with delivery of Avon cosmetics within two hours of purchase - Trial expanding to other cities in Latin America LONDON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) has announced the launch of a new partnership with Rappi, an on-demand delivery service. In the initial pilot more than 100 Avon products will be available for two-hour delivery through selected Avon Representatives to customers in Sao Paulo in Brazil, and Bogota and Medellin in Colombia. The partnership with Rappi will enable Avon Representatives in the pilot group to deliver a rapid, high-quality and responsive experience to customers in Brazil, Avon's largest market and one of the biggest beauty markets in the world. Consumers can order online with a two-hour fulfilment option, thereby allowing Avon's Representatives to provide a personal, high-quality and differentiated customer experience to their communities. Rappi has over one million subscribers in Brazil, and a growing presence across South America. The pilot service is expected to expand to other cities within Brazil and to major cities in Argentina, Chile and Mexico during the first half of 2019. Jose Vicente Marino, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Avon Brazil said: "We're delighted to be trialing this partnership with Rappi to provide a really easy way for our top-selling Representatives to serve their customers better and faster. It isn't just a delivery solution but potentially a whole new approach to connect with consumers. We look forward to seeing the results as the pilot expands." The partnership represents one element of the transformation plan to 'Open Up Avon' by improving access to Avon products for customers anywhere, anytime. With a new focus on transforming and expanding the e-commerce experience for its customers, Avon is becoming a digital-first, fast-beauty brand to respond to changing demand from customers looking for faster access to new beauty products. Jan Zijderveld, Avon Chief Executive Officer, said: "Today's announcement is an exciting step in our efforts to open up Avon to new strategic partnerships to better serve our customers, support our Representatives and grow our business. We expect to scale this and similar delivery services to meet the current and future expectations of our Representatives and their customers. This is just one example of how we're transforming Avon, and we aim to make similar services available far more widely in 2019." ABOUT AVON Avon is the Company that for 130 years has proudly stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and, above all, for women. Avon products include well-recognized and beloved brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, Avon Care, Skin-So-Soft, and Advance Techniques sold through approximately 6 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com ABOUT RAPPI Rappi is a mega high growth, Series C, consumer tech startup looking to be the everything store of Latin America. Rappi is a marketplace that connects users who want to purchase prepared foods, groceries, clothes, cosmetics and virtually anything with independent contractors who can fulfill those needs. Rappi already operates in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina & Chile and is looking to grow rapidly across South America. More information can be found at www.rappi.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to delivery services and new strategic partnerships. Because forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility of business disruption, competitive uncertainties, and general economic and business conditions in Avon's markets as well as the other risks detailed in Avon's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Avon undertakes no obligation to update any statements in this press release for changes that happen after the date of this release. SOURCE Avon Products, Inc. Related Links http://www.avon.com ALBANY, New York, January 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive radar market is signified by the presence of various key players in the market for example, such as, Baumer, Autoliv Inc., Magna International Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, GM Cruise LLC., Continental AG, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Mando Corp., InnoSenT GmbH, and Denso Corporation. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Recently, a well-known research firm, Transparency Market Research analyzed the market of automotive radar and estimated that the market is likely to grow at a decent pace with a significant CAGR of 19.5% within the forecast period from 2017 to 2026. By the end of the forecast period, the global automotive radar market is expected to reach around a worth of US$ 4.9 bn. Get PDF Brochure for Research Insights at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=27473 On the basis of range type, the medium range radar and the long range radar segments account for the revenue of over four fifth of the entire automotive radar market, in 2017. Among these, the long range segment is foreseen to experience a reduction in share in span of coming years. However, the medium radar segment seems to gain more share and revenue in the coming years of forecast period. On the basis of region, the global automotive radar market is classified into Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Japan, North America, and the Middle East and Africa. Among these, the Europe region is estimated to lead the global automotive radar market within the forecast period from 2017 to 2025. Increasing Number of Vehicles in Developing Countries to Augment Growth Automotive radars are meant to hold a key role in the identification of items in a wide range of security frameworks like automated emergency braking, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian detection. A move towards the advanced innovation of driverless vehicles is assessed to offer favorable position to the global market for automotive radar as radars assume an exceptionally substantial role really taking shape of an automotive which is completely self-ruling. Moreover, an accentuation on advancement, flooding sales of vehicles in the developing economies in the globe, and an attention on the healthcare and security are setting off the development of the world market for the automotive radar. Request a Sample of Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=27473 Automotive safety rules which fuels and accelerates the usage of technologically advanced security system over the globe is depended upon in order to fuel the demand for automotive radar. Proper macro-economic situation, for example, improved consumer confidence index, growth in urban population, surge in disposable income, and better scope of employment in developed and developing regions, for instance, Germany, India, South Korea, France, the U.S., China, and Canada, are evaluated to contribute towards the significant development of the mentioned market. Demand for Advanced Features in Vehicles to Propel Demand in Future Moreover, surging requirements for different advanced features, for example, cruise control is foreseen to result in an upsurge in the demand for automotive radars which thus is propelling the world market for automotive radar. Consistent improvements in the plan and working have resulted to be invaluable for the global market for automotive radar too. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=27473 The review is based on the findings of a report by Transparency Market Research, titled "Automotive Radar Market - (Range Type- Long Range, Medium Range, Short Range; Sales Channel - OEM, Aftermarket; Application Type - Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Brake, Autonomous Park Assist, Blind Spot Information, Other Applications) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Growth, Trends, Share and Forecast 2017 - 2026." Browse Research Release at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/automotive-radar-market.htm The Global Automotive Radar Market Taxonomy as presented below: Region North America Latin America Europe Japan APEJ MEA Range Type Long Range Medium Range Short Range Sales Channel OEM Aftermarket Application Type Adaptive Cruise Control Autonomous Emergency Brake Autonomous Park Assist Blind Spot Information Other Applications Browse More Automotive & Transport Market Research Reports Popular Research Reports by TMR: Automotive Blind Spot Detection Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/automotive-blind-spot-detection-systems-market.html - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/automotive-blind-spot-detection-systems-market.html Automotive Telematics Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/automotive-telematics-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/automotive-telematics-market.html Folding Bikes Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/folding-bikes-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals. Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories. TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision. Contact Mr. Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: https://transparencyjournal.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Arfinn Med, a full-service medical education company, announced today the launch of its clinician-based medical cannabis efficacy portal. Designed for licensed medical professionals, the portal allows physicians to properly track, report and share HIPAA-compliant benchmark data for prescribing medical cannabis to patients. As a free tool for physicians, Arfinn Med offers a new way to enhance treatment plans and practices in an emerging industry. Headquartered in Tampa, FL, Arfinn Med was created to address the demand for real-time data surrounding treatment plans and to act as a liaison between the growing medical marijuana industry and medical professionals, as well as stakeholders. The free portal includes four components Reports, Community, Industry News and Resources. Within the portal, medical professionals can obtain peer-based reports on treatment effectiveness, daily dosage, delivery method and other information specific to patient demographics. Arfinn Med also provides medical professionals with access to industry news, trends, specialized groups, forums, blogs and other medical research. Any licensed medical professional is able to register for the portal for free, regardless of state location and medical marijuana legalization. "We are pleased to launch Arfinn Med as the first collaborative and insight-driven medical marijuana portal for medical professionals," said James West, founder and CEO of Arfinn Med. "Our goal is to provide physicians with access to benchmark data, industry news and relevant, peer-to-peer discussions as a tool to further enhance their practices." In addition to the reporting and tracking components, the portal offers a patient engagement tool to allow physicians to communicate in real-time with patients about their treatments plans and outcomes, increasing efficacy rates and the probability that patients return to their prescribing physician's practice. After rolling out the platform to select physicians in October 2018, Dr. Mark Hashim, a board-certified physician and member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, began using the platform to enhance his medical marijuana practice, The Herbal Clinic MD. "As a cannabis physician, it is such a relief to have a portal to share with other physicians about conditions and outcomes," said Dr. Hashim. "It is such an emerging field and the more we can learn what works well, the better we are able to achieve a positive result for patients and improve their quality of life. This is a revolutionary idea that will not only benefit the cannabis patients, but will help guide physicians on decisions about treating various ailments." For more information or to register for Arfinn Med, visit www.ArfinnMed.com. About Arfinn Med Arfinn Med is the first clinician-based medical professional and patient efficacy portal for medical cannabis treatments. Launched in January 2019, the free collaborative portal allows medical professionals to register, share, research and communicate about the best efficacy practices for medical cannabis. Arfinn Med is designed to connect medical professionals via the portal to educate and provide physicians with benchmark data and industry trends to lead to effective treatments for patients. For more information and to register for free, visit www.arfinnmed.com. Media Contact: Bolt Public Relations (469) 340-7368 [email protected] SOURCE Arfinn Med Related Links https://arfinnmed.com From March 2-4, over 400+ elite family offices, prominent conglomerate business owners, sheikhs, royal families, private investment companies, international business moguls, sovereign wealth funds, and industry professionals from across the Middle East and around the globe will gather at the extraordinary Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach under the High Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum. Representing over $3 trillion in investor wealth, the eloquent group will discuss and debate timely topics of interest to the world's leading families during what promises to be a moving and unforgettable experience. "It is an honour to host such an esteemed group of investors in Dubai and to act as a bridge between Middle East families and their counterparts in Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America. We all look forward to networking and exchanging next-level ideas to start the journey of discovery between like-minded peers in a safe-harbour environment. As at past events, we will spotlight notable world experts addressing actionable strategies for generating consequential returns in a low-yield environment, timely world events, foundation of a lifelong legacy, and top-tier investment opportunities," said Anthony Ritossa, Chairman of Ritossa Family Office, a family business dating back 600 years to the Venetian Empire in Europe. "The Summit is dedicated to private, invitation-only, peer-to-peer conversation, networking and cross-border thought leadership and will educate substantial, like-minded families on how to stay ahead and monitor emerging and sustaining trends in wealth management," he said. "The 7th Global Family Office Summit event in Dubai was a crowning achievement for Anthony Ritossa and everyone who participated. The summit is recognised as the largest and most exclusive worldwide family office gathering of all time and it is an honour to provide patronage to such an illustrious event. Similar to past Summits, many prominent families from around the world gathered for high-level discussions on how to enrich the family legacy, grow, preserve wealth, and share ideas. We look forward to future events," said Mohamed Al Ali CEO & Advisor, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum International Investments Enterprise, UAE. "The summit is a good mix of families, of products and services. This sharing of current activities, and future trends is very important in such gatherings as a vehicle to move forward into 2019," said H.R.H. Prince Michel de Yougoslavie Grandson of King Umberto of Italy & Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, Monaco. "For the past couple of years, I have chaired, moderated and spoken at many Family Office's and Investment Summits around the world, but this one has certainly raised the bar. It was an honour to Chair and Moderate Ritossa's Global Family Office Investment Summit," said Hussein Sayed CNBC Arabia Anchor, & Chief Market Strategist, ForexTime (FXTM), UAE. "This is the only global summit where affluence and influence combine synergistic forces to catapult groundbreaking platforms of commerce, wealth, and indescribable opportunities into disruptive global businesses of the future," said Sheila Barry Driscoll Billionaire Foundation, USA. "Your wonderful Summit turned out to be the best conference I have been to. It's only because of your splendid efforts and management, that made it so successful, highly stimulating and beneficial for all participants," said Hadi Al Alawi Chairman, & CEO, Al Hayat Group, Kingdom of Bahrain. "What makes these events exceptional is that they are organised by a family office for like-minded family offices," said Giuseppe Ambrosio President, Monaco Single & Multi-Family Office International Association. "Ritossa Summits are the best in a perfect setting we achieved US$ 360 million of investments," said Nick Ayton Founder & CEO, Chainstarter & Family Office Crypto Advisor, UK For details on future events and the invitation-only 8th Global Family Office Investment Summit in Dubai, please email [email protected] or visit www.RitossaSummits.com. To view a list of event participants, please visit - http://ritossasummits.com/agenda.pdf. Media Contact: Charlotte Luer +1-239-404-6785 [email protected] SOURCE Ritossa Family Office Related Links http://www.RitossaSummits.com SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Achieving the full societal benefits of curing chronic or life-threatening diseases will remain an elusive goal unless the pharmaceutical industry changes its economic model, according to new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report, titled Aligning Economic Incentives to Eradicate Diseases, was recently released. The study recommends that the industry replace its current economic model, which calls for charging by treatment at the time of care, with a licensing model that is based on the entire affected population. BCG's new approach, the payer licensing agreement (PLA), is analogous to models used by major software and media companies. When BCG tested the PLA against the current economic model for cures for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), the analysis showed that the PLA could achieve the following: Triple the number of patients treated and cured within two years Reduce the number of liver-related deaths by some 60% Reduce the total cost to payers by approximately 30%, because patients would be treated much earlierbefore the disease progresses to more costly stages Provide higher and more predictable revenues and profits to pharmaceutical manufacturers "Current economic models in the pharmaceutical industry are well designed to manage diseases, not cure them," said Jean-Manuel Izaret, a BCG senior partner and coauthor of the study. "The solution is to price the cures on the basis of the total population rather than individual patients." BCG's epidemiological and economic modeling of HCV treatment, performed in collaboration with the Center for Disease Analysis, showed that, in every market tested, patients, payers, and pharmaceutical companies would do better under a PLA. The PLA Solves a Frustrating Dilemma The authors chose HCV as their test case because the disease remains a global crisis. Despite the introduction of innovative cures in 2013, more than 90% of the world's infected population (71 million) remains uncured, a far cry from the World Health Organization's target of eradication by 2030. "There are many barriers to curing this population, but the dilemma created by current pricing models is one of the biggest," said Dave Matthews, a BCG principal and study coauthor. The dilemma results because a high price per patient makes treating everyone prohibitively expensive while an affordable price is too low for pharmaceutical companies to earn back their investments. "Switching to a population-based model such as the PLA not only makes the cure affordable, but also creates strong motivation to identify, diagnose, and treat as many patients as possible before the license expires," Matthews explained. Looking Beyond HCV to Curing Other Diseases HCV serves as a robust test case, but BCG views the PLA as an attractive model for other cures as well. "We are convinced that the PLA model could be beneficial from health care, social, and economic standpoints as pharmaceutical companies bring other cures to market," said Mark Lubkeman, a BCG senior partner and one of the study's coauthors. A copy of the article can be downloaded here. To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or [email protected]. About Boston Consulting Group Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with offices in more than 90 cities in 50 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com. SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG) RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tens of thousands of Realtors in the State of North Carolina will now be receiving daily content to post to all social media platforms through an agreement between the North Carolina Association of Realtors and Agent Icon, LLC. Social media has become a primary source for Realtors to promote themselves, find new buyers and sellers and provide valuable information in the communities they serve. Real estate professionals often struggle with creating content to post and share. Agent Icon will be sending them the content they need on a daily basis to ensure that they are viewed as icons in their marketplaces. "This partnership will save each Realtor in North Carolina thousands of dollars per year by providing them social media content at no cost. We know that our members want to stand out on social media and our partnership with Agent Icon will allow them to do exactly that," says Maurice Brown, Partner Program Coordinator for the North Carolina Association of Realtors. "We stand in awe of the work that Realtors do in the communities they serve. We are proud to be able to support them by providing timely content, news and training to promote themselves," says Gregory Robbins, Chief Marketing Officer for Agent Icon. About Agent Icon: Agent Icon, LLC provides social media content to agents and brokers which helps them become icons in their communities. We provide agents daily content to post to social media that includes images, articles and training. We have thousands of agents from around the world utilizing our tools to create and leverage their brands on social media. Media Contacts: Gregory Robbins Maurice Brown Agent Icon, LLC North Carolina Association of Realtors Chief Marketing Officer Partner Program Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] 919-271-9533 336-808-4231 Note: REALTOR is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. SOURCE Agent Icon Related Links https://www.agenticon.com (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/807758/ABP_Port_of_Hull.jpg ) ABP is actively working to support businesses anxious about the event of a No-Deal Brexit and the potential severe disruption this may cause at the Port of Dover. ABP's container and ferry facilities on the Humber are capable of helping businesses bypass such disruption, providing regular and reliable links to Europe. Over 70 sailings every week connect the Humber to a number of destinations including Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland. Investment highlights include: 50 million to boost capacity at its container terminals at ABP's ports of Hull and Immingham; 65 million to help ensure the future of the steel industry on the river Humber; 55 million to enhance the automotive and cruise offering in the Port of Southampton; and a range of other investments throughout its network of 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales. ABP has continued to invest in the very best facilities and services available for its valued customers, supporting their growth, as well as continuing to help safeguard jobs and contribute to the UK economy. Henrik Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of ABP, said: "For ABP, 'keeping Britain trading' is a responsibility that we are passionately committed to. We are continuing to invest in our people, equipment and capability, so that we have the flexibility and resilience we need to help UK trade to flow and grow. We have already seen volumes begin to rise at our ports on the Humber as customers look for alternatives to Dover. Our ports have been operating to world-class standards for many years, we have proved that we are ready to handle new customers' requirements. "We want to send a strong message that ABP stands ready to keep Britain trading through Brexit, and we will continue to invest to drive trade and create jobs over the longer term." ABP is an important component in the UK's trading infrastructure, handling almost 150 billion of UK trade across its port network, contributing around 7.5 billion to the UK economy and supporting almost 120,000 UK jobs across its supply chains. In addition, it has a vast landbank surrounding its ports, which provides ample room to grow and enhance operations. For further information about ABP's Brexit resilience offering, please email [email protected] . Or click here for our resilience brochure. Notes to editors: About ABP (http://www.abports.co.uk) ABP is the UK's leading ports operator with 21 ports and other transport related businesses creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo. The company contributes 7.5 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 119,000 jobs. Our current investment programme promises to deliver an extra 1.75 billion for the economy every year. ABP: - Handles over 1.5 million vehicles every year - Generates around one quarter of the UK's rail freight - Has 1.4 million square metres of covered storage - Has 1,000 hectares of open storage - Handles around 90 million tonnes of cargo each year - Owns 5,000 hectares of port estate - Has 87km of quay. Video content links: Introduction to ABP ABP Vimeo Channel Follow us on social media: Twitter LinkedIn YouTube If you do not wish to receive copies of ABP news releases, you can opt out of future mailings by emailing [email protected]. SOURCE Associated British Ports (ABP) "The Foundation understands that a level playing field has to start early for high-achieving students," said Executive Director Seppy Basili. "Through the Cooke Young Scholars Program, we're able to provide financial support, guidance, and a thriving community of peers to help students access the sort of programs and institutions that can help them to develop their academic talents and ultimately accomplish incredible things." Cooke Young Scholars are curious, passionate, and driven. As members of our scholar community, they develop connections with other motivated peers. Each year at First Summer, a three-week residential experience at the University of Pennsylvania for rising 9th grade scholars, all Cooke Young Scholars take academic courses and create nonprofit organizations to address critical problems facing their communities. In 10th and 11th grade, Cooke Young Scholars participate in community-based academic programs. For example, students have immersed themselves in Greek culture and delved into in-depth research at University of California, Santa Barbara. Scholars going into 12th grade attend Senior Summit and conduct research alongside renowned faculty and advanced graduate students in fields such as materials science, genomics, human rights, and linguistics. To be eligible for the Young Scholars Program, an applicant will: Be entering 8 th grade in the fall of 2019. grade in the fall of 2019. Have earned grades of mostly A's since the sixth grade, with no C's or below in core academic subjects (English/language arts, math, science, social studies/history, foreign language). Share the most recent score report from their state's standardized testing. Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000 . Last year's cohort of new Cooke Young Scholars had a median family income of approximately $39,000 . . Last year's cohort of new Cooke Young Scholars had a median family income of approximately . Reside in the United States or a U.S. territory, and plan to attend high school in the United States . The application deadline is Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET. Learn more about the scholarship program or apply now: www.jkcf.org/ysp. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $190 million in scholarships to nearly 2,500 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $100 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org Media Contact: Amber Styles 571-799-8063 [email protected] SOURCE Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Related Links http://www.jkcf.org PHOENIX, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold Canyon Heart and Home (GCHH) announced today the monumental attempt of 71-year-old Mike Fagan to hike the Triple Crown Trail in one season. The 7,900 mile Triple Crown includes the three longest trails in the United States: The Appalachian Trail (2,184 miles), the Pacific Crest Trail (2,654) and the Continental Divide Trail (3,100). The "I Hike With Mike" project is meant to involve as many 50+ year old individuals as possible in the support and successful completion of this mission. "One person hiking the Triple Crown can inspire thousands. One person hiking the Triple Crown with the support and active participation of others in their age group creates the opportunity to inspire millions." Michael Fagan is an expert in fitness, wellness, nutrition, and most health related fields. He has hiked all over the world in some of the harshest environments. He owns a Health Food store, called Montana Harvest Natural Foods in Billings, MT that focuses on the health and education of its customers rather than just selling products. He also has a radio show, "Let's Stay Healthy" on News Talk 730. The Triple Crown Trail Project is one hiker achieving a monumental goal and will video all three trails using a mosaic approach including volunteers who will hike along his attempt. This project embodies the paradigm that age is just a number, and that aging can be just another part of the way we manage our health. Michael Fagan will complete the Triple Crown Trail Project in one calendar year at 71 years of age. The intention is to involve as many 50+ year old individuals as possible in the support and successful completion of this mission. "One person hiking the Triple Crown can inspire thousands. One person hiking the Triple Crown with the support and active participation of others in their age group creates the opportunity to inspire millions," said Joe Chiappetta, Executive Director of Gold Canyon Heart and Home. GCHH, an Arizona 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is sponsoring this project for Michael Fagan as part of its Senior Outreach and Support Initiatives. Gold Canyon Heart and Home has entered a collaboration agreement with AARP Arizona to help promote and communicate Mike Fagan's feat across 22 states. AARP was approached given their work in Age Disrupting. "We sincerely hope many of our AARP members get inspired to live their lives to the max and make it a purpose to stay active as we age. Mike should be viewed as an inspiration for all, no matter how old we are. Age is just a number and shouldn't define or limit us," said Dana Marie Kennedy, AARP Arizona State Director. To learn more about AARP's Disrupt Aging ( #DisruptAging), please visit https://www.aarp.org/disrupt-aging/. Mike will begin his endeavor on February 5th, 2019 in Springer Mountain Georgia and hopes to be finished sometime in the Fall on 2019 in New Mexico. To learn more about Mike Fagan and the Triple Crown Project, please visit https://www.gchh.org/triple-crown-senior-support/. About Mike Fagan Mike Fagan is an Arizona resident from Clarksdale and a part time resident in Montana. Mike is an expert in fitness, wellness, nutrition, and most health related fields. He has hiked all over the world in some of the harshest environments. He owns a Health Food store, called Montana Harvest Natural Foods in Billings, MT and has a local radio show, "Let's Stay Healthy" on News Talk 730 that supports healthy eating and activities while focusing on the education of its customers rather than just selling them products. About Gold Canyon Heart and Home GCHH is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based out of Mesa AZ that focuses on developing community betterment projects. We specialize in Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Peer-to-Peer support. We utilize proven techniques that aid almost any individual or community cause in need of assistance. Gold Canyon Heart & Home (GCHH) was founded by a group of mentors, sponsors, and peer-to-peer educators from every walk of life and from every age group, vocation, profession, and demographic. GCHH personnel are carefully selected for their unique and diverse background. Staff included teachers, former military and government employees, entrepreneurs from various industries, experts in information technology, published authors, photographers, licensed contractors and more. CONTACT: Joseph Chiappetta (480) 612-5942 SOURCE AARP Arizona & Gold Canyon Heart and Home 1. The Location - Just 45 minutes from downtown Houston and 20 minutes north of The Woodlands, Texas Grand Ranch brings country lifestyle close to the city, with easy access off I-45. Property owners are moving to Texas Grand Ranch seeking more space, lots of privacy and trees, and peace of mind knowing they are surrounded by thousands of acres of protected National Forest and State Park land. 2. The Forest On one side of the community is 2,000 Acre Huntsville State Park, with a massive networks of hiking and biking trails throughout. On the other side of Texas Grand Ranch is the Sam Houston National Forest, boasting 85 miles of multiple-use trails and Lake Conroe as the centerpiece. 3. The Beauty A lot of attention to detail went into planning the layout and terrain at Texas Grand Ranch. Tree-lined nature trails, picnic areas, a pond and a playground provide residents other ways to enjoy the outdoors. 4. The Size of the Homesites Residents love the peace and quiet these secluded 2 to 5 acre homesites provide. 5. High Speed Internet - Texas Grand Ranch offers high speed fiber optic internet. The ultra-fast connection is a rare find in the country. 6. The Price Homesites start at $59,900 with excellent financing including special Texas Veteran financing to qualified buyers. With no time limit to build, you can secure your homesite now, and build when you are ready, with the builder of your choice. 7. The Company Property owners applauded Texas Grand Ranch for their customer service, as well as the knowledge and expertise of the developer, from choosing to use local contractors, to creating a low-impact, environmentally conscious design, to their charitable contributions. For more information and directions to Texas Grand Ranch, visit https://www.txgrandranch.com or call (888) 473-5175. Contact Information: Patten Companies Visit: TXGrandRanch.com Phone: (888) 473-5175 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Texas Grand Ranch BALTIMORE, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- January 18 is Match Day for the 2019 Urology Residency Match Program. On Match Day, hundreds of medical students from the United States, and around the world, will learn which location and U.S. urology residency program they will train for the next five years. "The American Urological Association (AUA) has overseen the Urology Match on behalf of the Society of Academic Urologists for more than 30 years," said AUA President Robert C. Flanigan, MD, FACS. "We are honored to be a part of this life-changing event and look forward to learning more about the talented men and women who are ready to begin their careers in urology." The AUA anticipates a higher percentage of accredited urology residency programs participating in this year's Match than in 2018. Results of the Urology Residency Match are closely watched as they can predict future changes in the urology workforce. View reports from previous Urology Residency Matches. Letters to Match applicants will be emailed Friday morning. The AUA will take to social media to share the results of the Match and encourage those who matched, as well as current urology residents, program directors and others to take part in the excitement on social media using #AUAMatch, #UroRes and #MatchDaySelfie. For more information about the Urology Match visit: https://www.auanet.org/education/auauniversity/for-residents/urology-and-specialty-matches About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy. Media Contact Christine Frey, AUA 410-689-3731, [email protected] SOURCE American Urological Association Related Links http://www.AUAnet.org PHOENIX, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogtopia, the nation's leading dog daycare, boarding and spa franchise, is entering 2019 on a high note after a year of accelerated growth and success. Over the course of 2018, the brand sold 100 units, successfully opened 25 Dogtopia locations and now has over 200 units under development. The Phoenix-based brand has shown impeccable growth not only in store counts, but through charitable initiatives with the Dogtopia Foundation, raising more than $150,000 to sponsor training for service dogs for veterans. As the U.S. pet industry expenditures top $70 billion, and the demand for professional pet care services that go above and beyond continues to increase, Dogtopia plans to open at least 50 stores in 2019. So far, the brand has sold over 30 new stores in January. "Dogtopia is outpacing every pet franchise in North America and we were delighted about delivering another record year," said Alex Samios, VP of Franchise Development for Dogtopia. "Our unparalleled service, support and systems, combined with exceptional franchisees, has positioned us as the leading pet services brand." Further validating Dogtopia's significant growth, the franchise was recently named to Entrepreneur Magazine's esteemed Franchise 500 list. Dogtopia ranked at No. 204 as a result of its outstanding performance in areas of unit growth and financial performance with strong franchisee support. The past year brought many accomplishments for the Dogtopia brand, including its debut into nine new states. The company continues to seek franchise candidates looking to tap into the booming success of the pet industry and foster positive relationships of trust with pet parents in their local communities. Dogtopia was also able to give back to the community in 2018 through the Dogtopia Foundation and the brand's company-wide initiative seeking to enable dogs to positively change our world. Dogtopians raised funds to train 15 service dogs for veterans, as well as participated in programs focused on youth literacy and employment initiatives for adults with autism. With more than 90 locations across North America and Canada, Dogtopia is the nation's fastest-growing brand in the pet industry. At Dogtopia, dogs enjoy an open-play environment with protective rubber flooring to ease joints while promoting safe socialization, exercise, and education. Dogtopia's fees are all-inclusive with meals prepared according to each pet parent's request at no extra charge, or pet parents can bring their own food. Dogtopia's webcams also provide pet parents with peace of mind and the ability to check in on their pups when they are away. About Dogtopia Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is an early pioneer and innovator in the pet services industry, offering an experience focused on quality of care, safety and transparency in the market. With an emphasis on education, exercise and socialization for dogs, pet parents have the assurance of leaving their beloved furry family members in the hands of trained professionals in an environment created with the safety of dogs in mind. With more than 90 locations across North America, the brand is now the largest provider of specialty daycare in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.dogtopia.com Media Contact: Jacklyn Pinna, Fishman PR, 847-945-1300, [email protected] SOURCE Dogtopia Related Links http://www.dogtopia.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 10.8 million Americans are expected to participate in 40,549 events and activities during National School Choice Week, which runs from January 20 26. Designed to raise awareness of the different K-12 education choices that parents have for their children, National School Choice Week will feature open houses, information sessions, student celebrations, school fairs, and other special events across all 50 states. "Parents have more school choices for their children than at any other time in history, and we want families across America to use National School Choice Week to discover the best possible educational environments for their individual children," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. National School Choice Week 2019 events and activities are independently planned by: 21,255 schools of all types 15,300 individual families 1,684 homeschool groups 1,332 individual teachers, campus groups, or organizations 978 local chambers of commerce There will also be more than 70 large, coalition-style celebrations in 42 states during the week, designed to draw positive attention to the skills, talents, and achievements of students, parents, teachers, and schools. First celebrated in 2011, National School Choice Week has grown significantly over the years. Compared to NSCW 2018, there will be 25 percent more events and activities and an estimated 55 percent more participants in 2019. "With so many participating schools, organizations, and individuals and with continued growth for this important public awareness effort we look forward with gratitude to a positive, uplifting, and informative national celebration," Campanella said. National School Choice Week is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, and does not advocate for or against legislation or public policy. For more information, visit www.SchoolChoiceWeek.com. SOURCE National School Choice Week Related Links http://schoolchoiceweek.com HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, an internationally renowned Bordeaux wine tasting event, will return to Pennsylvania during an exclusive event at The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia on Jan. 20, 2019, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The event will offer wine aficionados the rare opportunity to meet with some of the world's top winemakers and taste some of the finest Bordeaux from more than 70 French chateaux. Attendees will be among the first to sample the 2016 vintage and order 2016 Bordeaux futures. In addition, select older-vintage Bordeaux will be available at the on-site Fine Wine & Good Spirits store. Tickets are $250 each and may be purchased online from event organizer Philadelphia magazine at phillymag.com/grandscrus. This is the second time the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux will host an event in Philadelphia. The first occurred in 2017. The Philadelphia tasting is one of only two events being held in the Northeastern U.S. during the week-long North American Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tour. The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux promotes and markets Bordeaux Grand Crus through tasting events. Learn more at ugcb.net. The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits totaling $16.5 billion since the agency's inception are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn M. Kelly, 717.783.8864 SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Related Links https://www.lcb.pa.gov CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Many Americans may be starting the year on a budget after a record-setting season for holiday spending. But for travelers looking to start 2019 with a trip, CheapTickets is sharing its nine cheapest destinations to travel to in the new year. The budget travel site compared average vacation package prices, roundtrip airfare and daily hotel rates with travel dates from January 1-March 31, 2019. The following destinations are the nine cheapest in each category. "There are great deals to top destinations now through spring break season," said Justine McDonald, travel expert for CheapTickets. "If you're on a budget, now's the time to check off some of those bucket list trips while airfares are low and before hotel rates ramp up for the busy spring and summer seasons." 9 CHEAPEST VACATION DESTINATIONS Cheapest Vacation Packages Cheapest Flights Cheapest Hotel Locations Dublin, Ireland Cusco, Peru Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam San Juan, Puerto Rico West Palm Beach, Florida Stockholm, Sweden Isla Mujeres, Mexico Iguazu, Argentina Lexington, Kentucky New Orleans, Louisiana Denver, Colorado Bogota, Colombia Mazatlan, Mexico Long Beach, California Berlin, Germany Barcelona, Spain Providence, Rhode Island Cebu, Philippines Key West, Florida Tampa, Florida Ubud, Indonesia Miami Beach, Florida Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Guadalajara, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Jacksonville, Florida Chiang Mai, Thailand *Data assumes travel January 1-Mar 31, 2019. Prices quoted above reflect average package price (hotel and airfare), average roundtrip ticket price and average hotel daily rates for the specified travel periods. Travelers looking to escape the cold this winter are in luck with low-cost vacation packages to Mexico, Puerto Rico and South Florida. Popular European cities such as Dublin and Barcelona also cracked the top nine. South America leads the way for jet-setters with affordable airfare to Argentina and Peru. Beach lovers can find great flight deals in the U.S., too, with cheap routes to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Long Beach, California, and West Palm Beach, Florida. The cheapest hotels in 2019 are in Southeast Asia. Average prices in Cebu, Philippines, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam are $90 a night or less from January through March. BIGGEST YEAR-OVER-YEAR SAVINGS Country City Travel Dates Mexico Isla Mujeres January March Ireland Dublin March Puerto Rico San Juan March Spain Barcelona January March Jamaica Lucea March *Travel dates compared January 1-March 31, 2018 to January 1-March 31, 2019. CheapTickets is also sharing information about the best places to save big in 2019. The site looked at hot spots with the biggest year-over-year savings in the first quarter compared with the same time last year. According to McDonald, budget-conscious travelers should get their passports ready. "If your New Year's resolution included traveling out of the country, then you really should be booking your next trip sooner than later. From Caribbean beaches to Europe's most popular capital cities, there are incredible savings out there for those who can travel early in 2019." Travel Planning on a Budget A new tool from CheapTickets helps travelers plan their next getaway no matter their budget. With Vacation Value Finder, users input the price they want to pay and top trip preferences, such as locales that are hot or cold, family friendly or romantic, relaxing or active. The tool matches travelers with bookable itineraries from a database of 100+ popular destinations and provides helpful information such as weather forecasts, activity recommendations and area attractions. Travelers who book a trip using the tool when it launches on January 14 through January 30, 2019 will be entered into a sweepstakes where two winners will be reimbursed for their trip up to $2,500. For those who can't afford a getaway just yet, McDonald says travelers can still save on last-minute trips. "We compared booking windows on CheapTickets for the first half of the year and found that travelers can save the most when they book vacation packages and hotels as little as one week out. So there's plenty of time to save if you need extra time to build up your bank account." For low-cost airfare, hotels and vacation packages, visit CheapTickets.com or CheapTickets.com/VacationValueFinder for budget-friendly trip inspiration and itineraries. About CheapTickets Since 1986, CheapTickets.com has provided travelers access to its collection of budget-friendly flights, hotels, cruises, vacation packages and event tickets to help travelers get more out of their next vacation. Through the CheapTickets CheapCash rewards program, customers can also earn rewards towards hotel stays when booking select flights through the website or mobile apps. Follow CheapTickets.com on Facebook and Twitter for more cheap travel deals and giveaways. CONTACT: Mel Dohmen, [email protected] SOURCE CheapTickets Related Links https://www.cheaptickets.com KINGSBURG, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- No worries. Simpler times. Cartwheels and pillow forts. Sun-Maid Growers of California is celebrating the wonder of childhood with a new marketing campaign that encourages moms and dads to experience youth all over againthis time, alongside their own kids. Rooted in the warmth of nostalgia and memories that include little red boxes and sunshine, "Grow Young" journeys into this carefree world to remind parents what made them most happy while growing up and inspire them to recreate those moments with their children. Along the way, the brand is staying true to its commitment to the timelessness of wholesome snacking that parents and kids alike love. "There's a special kind of magic in childhood and the feelings that come with remembering this simple yet happy time," said Harry Overly, CEO and president of Sun-Maid. "Millennials, specifically, love to evoke the wistfulness of being a kidand now they can experience that again through their children, making new memories. During our research, we uncovered Sun-Maid has a strong emotional brand equity, with consumers of all ages remembering the raisins from childhood and the nostalgic memories they elicit. With our new 'Grow Young' campaign, we look forward to reigniting those feelings with Sun-Maid products and sparking new moments of joy and curiosity for families." Launching its first 360-degree marketing campaign in a decade, Sun-Maid is undergoing a significant brand transformation that began one year ago with the hiring of Overly. With an aggressive target growth goal of $100MM within five years, Overly is reignitingand driving relevance ofthe Sun-Maid brand by firing on all cylinders with compelling advertising and activations, increased product innovation and a more strategic retail plan and presence. The healthy snacking market will continue to grow, and Sun-Maid is planning to not only be part of it, but also drive the future of the category. Created by food and beverage creative agency Quench, " Grow Young " explores the adventure of being a kid, from exploring and playing, to the little red boxes of Sun-Maid raisins that fueled it all. The campaign spotlights the happiness and simplicity of childhood, reminding millennials to continue embracing these moments with their children. For more than 100 years, Sun-Maid has stayed true to its rootsliterallywith its steadfast commitment to all-natural, clean products for all. A cooperative of multi-generational family farmers, sustainable growing practices have fostered the beloved brand, now lauded as the world's largest dried fruit producer worldwide. In addition to airing the campaign across television outlets including Bravo, HGTV, Food Network, E!, Lifetime and more, Sun-Maid will also amplify this campaign nationally with digital, social, in-store shopper activation and PR. For more updates on how the brand is rolling out this new campaign, follow Sun-Maid on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sunmaid ), Twitter ( @Sun_Maid ) and Instagram ( @SunMaid ) for the latest product news and promotional offers. About Sun-Maid Growers of California Founded in 1912, Sun-Maid Growers of California is a farmers' cooperative of 750 grower families with vineyards in California's Central Valley. From childhood to adulthood and generation to generation, Sun-Maid snacks have grown up with you. And while some things change, our ingredients haven'tthey're real, minimally processed and consistently good. The timeless and trusted go-to snack that's simple, healthy and versatile, Sun-Maid fills each day with moments of sunshine, one little red box at a time. For more information about Sun-Maid, visit www.sunmaid.com. SOURCE Sun-Maid Growers of California Related Links http://www.sunmaid.com/ BEND, Ore., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its integration of high-quality medical groups and physicians, Summit Medical Group Oregon (SMGOR) announced today that the providers formerly practicing under Bend Urology Associates, a specialty urological care clinic offering treatment of urinary tract disorders to the Central and Eastern Oregon communities for over 50 years, have joined SMGOR. Summit Medical Group Oregon Bend Urology Associates brings four board-certified urologists and two highly-trained physician assistants to SMGOR, which includes Summit Medical Group Oregon Bend Memorial Clinic, the largest physician-owned multi-specialty group in Central Oregon. SMGOR patients now have access to urology services at two main locations: 2090 NE Wyatt Court, Suite 101 in Bend and 1245 NW 4th Street in Redmond. The following SMGOR Bend Urology Associates physician specialists treat disorders of the female and male urinary tract (bladder, kidney, ureter and urethra), as well as those issues related to the male reproductive system: Brian T. O'Hollaren, MD; Nora V. Takla, MD; Meredith R. Baker, MD; and Matt S. Ashley, MD. Physician Assistants include Alyssa Argabright and Jessica Dinsdale. "The integration of Bend Urology Associates as part of the Summit Medical Group Oregon family is a natural evolution of the working relationship between Bend Urology Associates and Bend Memorial Clinic that has existed for over a decade," said Russell Massine, MD, Chief Governance Officer of SMGOR. "We are extremely pleased to bring Urology services under our model of highly-coordinated care, which is the hallmark of SMGOR. The addition of Bend Urology Associates advances our mission to deliver high-quality, value-based patient-centered care to Central Oregon," added Justin A. Sivill, Executive Director and Regional Chief Operating Officer, Summit Health Management, one of the nation's leading physician owned ambulatory care management companies. SHM provides comprehensive management services to SMGOR. "Joining Summit Medical Group Oregon allows physicians and providers more time to focus on patient care and will give us access to additional resources and infrastructure support not easily available to a small group practice," said Nora Takla, MD, a Managing Partner of Bend Urology Associates. "Bend Urology has served Central Oregon for over 50 years, and we are excited by the new strength and vitality of our medical group now known as Summit Medical Group Oregon." About Summit Medical Group Oregon Formed in 2018 through a strategic partnership between Bend Memorial Clinic (BMC) and Summit Health Management, Summit Medical Group Oregon's comprehensive care model includes Summit Medical Group Oregon Bend Memorial Clinic, the largest physician-owned multi-specialty group in Central Oregon, and Summit Medical Group Oregon Bend Urology Associates, a specialty urological care clinic offering treatment of urinary tract disorders to the Central and Eastern Oregon communities. For more information, please visit www.smgoregon.com. About Summit Health Management Founded in 2014, Summit Health Management (SHM) offers a physician-led, professionally-managed model of management services for Summit Medical Group in New Jersey and mid- to large-sized physician practices across the United States. Developed by physicians for physicians, SHM provides an innovative alternative to traditional options for the integration of multi-specialty group practice and the delivery of value-based care. SHM's practice management services are focused in five discrete but inter-related categories essential to running a successful, enterprise-scale medical group: organizational structure and governance, operations management, revenue management, physician management, and population health management. For more information, visit www.summithealthmanagement.com. SOURCE Summit Medical Group Oregon SINGAPORE and RICHMOND, Mass., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Rivetz, an industry pioneer of embedded, decentralized cybersecurity, and Sentinel Protocol, a crowdsourced threat intelligence platform built on blockchain technology, today announced a partnership to incorporate the Sentinel Protocol threat intelligence platform as an oracle for The Rivetz Network. The Rivetz Network is a collection of cybersecurity tools and services available for deploying simple and safe applications. Integration of Sentinel Protocol's threat intelligence system will strengthen the development of more sophisticated cybersecurity policies within The Rivetz Network, taking a synergistic approach with regards to their complementary blockchain-based cybersecurity ecosystems. "Digital currencies have become an increasingly attractive target for cyber criminals," said Patrick Kim, CEO of Sentinel Protocol. "Sentinel Protocol and Rivetz are committed to raising security awareness. Together we are taking the steps to deliver blockchain innovations and provide a more seamless customer experience in securing digital assets and sensitive information." Sentinel Protocol's global, blockchain-based Threat Reputation Database (TRDB) collects data from distributed sources including cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, payment services, along with IT and security companies. The TRDB also crowdsources threat data procured from collective intelligence. In addition, its UPPward Chrome and Firefox Extension protects individual users by allowing them to verify the authenticity of wallet addresses, social media accounts and web addresses. Recently, Sentinel Protocol launched the Uppsala Security Forum, which acts as a community space to provide educational information about blockchain security, and a technical forum for an exchange of knowledge on security related insights. "Digital currencies' decentralized nature has placed the responsibility of security on individual users," said Steven Sprague, founder and CEO of Rivetz. "Rivetz and Sentinel Protocol share a vision to solve this issue this by enabling users to take control of their data and digital assets through seamless decentralized security solutions." Rivetz's best-in-class security solutions hinge upon access to the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), which is an isolated, measured computer environment separate from the operating system. By provisioning all digital transactions through the TEE, Rivetz assures that users' private keys cannot be altered or stolen if the operating system were tampered with or infected by malware. About Sentinel Protocol Sentinel Protocol is the world's first crowd-sourced threat intelligence platform utilizing the advantages of decentralization to protect cyberspace with blockchain security. It aims to equip individuals and organizations with cybersecurity solutions that help protect their valuable cryptocurrency assets from malicious threats, attacks, and fraudulent transactions. Sentinel Protocol is headquartered in Singapore and has offices in Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo, Japan. Follow Sentinel Protocol on Telegram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Medium. About Rivetz Rivetz technology and services aim to provide a safer and easier-to-use model for all users to protect their digital assets using hardware-based trusted execution technology. The device plays a critical role in automating security and enabling the controls that users need to produce high assurance data and benefit from modern services. Rivetz leverages state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools to develop a modern model for users and their devices to interact with services on the Internet. They were selected for Telecom Council's prestigious Innovation Showcase Class of 2018. Find out more at www.rivetz.com and follow Rivetz on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Telegram. All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. Rivetz Media Contact Nikki Dance FortyThree, Inc. [email protected] 831.401.3175 Sentinel Protocol Media Contacts Lynnette Chow Head of Marketing [email protected] John Kirch Chief Evangelist [email protected] SOURCE Rivetz Related Links http://www.rivetz.com Right now, the Red Cross is urging people across the country, especially type O, to schedule an appointment to give. Eligible individuals can make a donation appointment by simply downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App , visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). January is National Blood Donor Month , a time to celebrate generous volunteer donors and raise awareness for the need for blood donations. It is also a month often plagued by snowstorms and seasonal illness that result in low donor turnout at blood drives and force many to delay giving, and this year is no different. This past weekend, blood drives were canceled in several states from the Midwest to the East Coast due to Winter Storm Gia, contributing to already low inventory levels. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports wide spread influenza across nearly half the country and cases of the flu occurring in nearly all 50 states. "During the winter months, snow storms, icy road conditions and seasonal illness like the flu often cause blood donors to delay their donations," said Chris Hrouda, president, Red Cross Blood Services. "This further exasperates our already depleted blood supply from over the holidays. We are working every day to restock hospitals shelves with lifesaving blood products for patients and right now, we need all healthy, eligible individuals to give blood and platelets as soon as possible to ensure we can meet patient needs." The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to review tips for blood donation during flu season . Resolve to help patients like Luna all year long At the young age of one and half years-old, Luna Giles is already a princess warrior. In her first year of life, she had two heart surgeries that required over a dozen blood transfusions. Luna will likely need more blood products for an additional surgery in her future. "Each time, the nurse would bring in a bag of blood for her transfusion, I noticed a small label on each one that said, 'Donation Type: Volunteer,'" said Jessie Giles, Luna's mother. "It made me think about each individual who donated blood for my daughter. I would never know who those individuals were, and they would never see the effect their donation had. But each of those individuals, strangers to us, absolutely saved my daughter's life. They may never know it, but to me, they are heroes." To pay it forward, the Giles family holds blood drives in the community in honor of Luna and other patients. "Luna's story is a reminder of the constant need for blood. People would ask me how they could help and I would tell them to go give blood." Luna is not alone in her need for lifesaving blood products. Patients rely on blood and platelets every day for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. Blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors. Prepare for your blood donation appointment A blood donor card or driver's 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. Donors can help even more people by inviting a family member, friend or co-worker to donate too. Host a blood drive in the community During the weeks of Christmas and New Year's, about 1,350 fewer blood drives were also hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs. With more than 80 percent of blood donations made at blood drives organized by volunteer sponsor groups and coordinators, more hosts are needed to hold blood drives in the months ahead. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up to sponsor a drive this winter, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive. 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 nation's 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. SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links http://www.redcross.org CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With one in four American medical students choosing to attend an osteopathic medical school, the American Osteopathic Association reports a record 6,504 new osteopathic physicians graduated in 2018. In total, the newly published 2018 Report on the Osteopathic Medical Profession found 114,425 osteopathic physicians (DOs) in the United States and nearly 31,000 students enrolled in a college of osteopathic medicine. Nearly 22,000 new DOs participated in residency training, which is required for licensure and independent practice, during the 2017-18 academic year, according to the report. "The growth of our profession is important to the overall health care system, which is feeling the impact of a widening physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved areas," said William S. Mayo, DO, American Osteopathic Association president. "Currently, 65 percent of practicing DOs are younger than 45 and our numbers have tripled over the past three decades. These rising osteopathic physicians will serve patients in their communities for multiple generations." A majority of DOs, about 57 percent, trained in primary care specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. A September 2018 editorial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a quarter of family medicine residency positions were filled by DOs, concluding that "graduates of osteopathic schools are disproportionately helping to fill the gap in primary care." About 20 percent of DOs also choose to work in medically underserved areas or with underserved populations, adding to the overall impact of the osteopathic profession, Dr. Mayo added. "As an ophthalmologist and Mississippi native who is proud to care for the people of my home state, I can tell you that physicians in all specialties are needed, particularly in our rural communities. The osteopathic medical schools developed during the last decade are strategically located in areas where they can significantly improve the overall health of their communities by attracting local students who remain in the state after graduation," Dr. Mayo said. Key findings from the 2018 report include: 65 percent of practicing DOs are age 45 or younger Women comprise 41 percent of practicing DOs 74 percent of all practicing female DOs have entered the profession within the past 14 years Nearly 50 percent of DOs practice in seven states: Pennsylvania , California , Florida , New York , Michigan , Texas and Ohio , , , , , and The top 5 non-primary care practice specialties are emergency medicine, anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and psychiatry Currently, the American Osteopathic Association and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are transitioning to a single system for training new physicians, known as graduate medical education (GME). At the end of the five-year transition, all new physicians will be eligible to apply for osteopathic and non-osteopathic residencies in every specialty. Historically, ACGME and AOA maintained separate accreditation systems for residencies and fellowships, although osteopathic physicians could join programs accredited by either organization. The final AOA Match takes place in February 2019. About the AOA The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 145,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools. To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit www.DoctorsThatDo.org. SOURCE American Osteopathic Association MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Joe M. Jackson, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2019, in Washington State at the age of 95. Joe Jackson was born on March 14, 1923, in Newman, Georgia. Colonel Jackson enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1941, and was promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant before being selected for Aviation Cadet training. After graduation, he spent the remainder of WWII teaching gunnery at Eglin Field, Florida. During the Korean War, Colonel Jackson served as Operations Officer and later as Executive Officer of the 524th Fighter Squadron where he flew 107 combat missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1956, he became one of the first Air Force U-2 pilots, commanding detachments and supervising reconnaissance operations throughout the world. In the early 1960's while still serving, he attended night school graduating from the University of Omaha with a degree in Education. Continuing his education, he attended the Air War College and concurrently attended George Washington University, graduating with a Master's Degree in Political Science. Following a tour in Europe, he was sent to Vietnam where he flew 298 combat sorties and earned the Medal of Honor for actions on May 12, 1968 for his part in the evacuation of Kham Duc while under fire. The medal was presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson at a White House Ceremony on January 16, 1969. He also received his second Distinguished Flying Cross and three additional Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal. Joe Jackson is survived by his wife Rosamond and two children Bonnie and David. Funeral services are pending. There are 73 recipients alive today. About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society BALLERUP, Denmark, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- LiqTech International, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: LIQT) ("LiqTech"), a clean technology company that manufactures and markets highly specialized filtration technologies, today provided an update to the market on its confirmed orders and other operational highlights. Additionally, the Company has scheduled a conference call for today, Monday, January 14, 2019, at 9:00 am ET to further discuss the market update. Details can be found below. Recent Highlights The Company currently has confirmed orders for more than 110 of its standardized water filtration systems; an increase from more than 50 systems announced in mid-November 2018 . . In addition to the confirmed orders, the Company expects to deliver a significant amount of systems in 2019 under the Framework Agreement announced on October 1, 2018 . . The Company reaffirms expectations that revenue during the first quarter of 2019 will be a Company record, driven by fulfillment of orders from current backlog. The Company reaffirms expectations to be solidly profitable in the first quarter of 2019 and onwards. Positive visibility to order flow delivery affirms expectations for the second quarter of 2019 revenue to surpass the first quarter of 2019, setting another new record for the company. The Company remains on track from a manufacturing standpoint to meet all planned deliveries for the first half of 2019. The Company's cash position at the end of December 2018 was approximately $3.8 million , largely unchanged since the end of June 2018 . Management Commentary "The interest in LiqTech's proprietary ceramic silicon carbide water filtration systems for marine scrubber applications is extremely high," commented Sune Mathiesen, CEO of LiqTech International. "During the last couple of months, we made significant progress increasing our confirmed order backlog, which now stands at more than 110 confirmed water filtration systems, and successfully ramping up our manufacturing capacity to meet this increased demand. Further, the market dynamics continue to favor our solutions, as this week China banned the use of open loop scrubbers, following the path that Singapore implemented late last year. We believe this will continue to drive increased demand for closed loop and hybrid scrubbers, which include a water treatment option." "We continue to be ideally positioned to capitalize on IMO 2020 with a superior product offering, attractive value proposition to marine vessel operators, strong partnerships with leading scrubber manufacturers, and positive industry trends towards the use of water treatment options to accompany marine scrubbers. We are carving a path to a market leadership position and look forward to the continued growth in our business in the coming years," concluded Mr. Mathiesen. Conference Call Details Date and Time: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 9:00 am ET Call-in Information: Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (833) 535-2206 or (412) 902-6741. Replay: A teleconference replay of the call will be available until January 21, 2018 at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, confirmation #10127409. Transcript: A transcript of the call will be available on the investor relations section of the LiqTech website following the conclusion of the call at https://www.liqtech.com/investor-relations/. About LiqTech International Inc. LiqTech International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is a clean technology company that for more than a decade has developed and provided state-of-the-art technologies for gas and liquid purification using ceramic silicon carbide filters, particularly highly specialized filters for the control of soot exhaust particles from diesel engines and for liquid filtration. Using nanotechnology, LiqTech develops products using proprietary silicon carbide technology. LiqTech's products are based on unique silicon carbide technology which facilitate new applications and improve existing technologies. LiqTech offers a wide range of filters and membranes for micro- and ultrafiltration, and by incorporating LiqTech's SiC liquid membrane technology with the Companys long-term systems design experience and capabilities, LiqTech offers solutions to the most difficult water pollution problems. For more information, please visit www.liqtech.com Follow LiqTech on Linkedln: http://www.linkedin.com/company/liqtech-international Follow LiqTech on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiqTech ForwardLooking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Although the forward-looking statements in this release reflect the good faith judgment of management, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. Company Contact: Sune Mathiesen, Chief Executive Officer LiqTech International, Inc. Phone: +45 5197 0908 www.liqtech.com Investor Contact: Robert Blum, Joe Dorame, Joe Diaz Lytham Partners, LLC Phone: (602) 889-9700 [email protected] www.lythampartners.com SOURCE LiqTech International, Inc. Related Links https://www.liqtech.com "I'm thrilled to join the Lima One Capital team. It's truly an exciting time in my career to transition from the primary residential to investor side of the industry" said Wasson. "I look forward to bringing the Lima One difference to more investors in the single-family rental, FixNFlip and Multifamily space." Dana's career includes senior management experience in production and operations throughout the past 15 years. Prior to Lima One, Dana held sales and operations leadership positions at Accenture Credit Services, ISGN Solutions and Indecomm Global. Previous to that, Dana was instrumental in product development and sales growth at EquiFirst, a residential mortgage lender formerly headquartered in Charlotte, NC. In addition, she's dedicated many years to collaborating with the MBA and government agencies such as HUD's liaison program and is a graduate of the MBA's leadership program. About Lima One Capital: Lima One Capital is a specialty finance company, founded by Marines, that originates first-mortgage loans to real estate investors on non-owner-occupied investment properties nationwide. Lima One's core loan products are Rental30, a 30-year, fixed-rate, fully-amortizing loan for landlords purchasing or refinancing residential rental properties, the FixNFlip, a 13-month bridge loan for investors who are buying and rehabilitating properties, and a Multifamily program for the purchase or refinance of 5+ unit properties. Lima One Capital is headquartered in Greenville, SC., and has been recognized as "The Fastest Growing Company" in the state of South Carolina, one of the "Best Places to Work" in South Carolina, and the "Most Ethical Company" in South Carolina. Media Contact: Ashlee Kittel I 800.390.4212 x6602 I [email protected] SOURCE Lima One Capital Coller Capital's current fund, Coller International Partners VII, will underwrite the new fund, with Investcorp retaining a continued interest in the portfolio through a meaningful GP commitment to the fund. The transaction also includes fresh capital for any follow-on investments, future investments and co-investments. Investcorp's European Private Equity team will manage both the assets acquired through the secondary transaction and the fund's new capital, as it continues to invest in mid-market buyout transactions across Europe. This transaction, when closed, will provide relevant existing investors with immediate liquidity for some of their exposures as well as an opportunity for Investcorp to seek to further create value through active management and additional capital that is being made available under the transaction. The signing of this transaction is a further key milestone in Investcorp's ambitious growth strategy to reach US$ 50 billion of AUM over the medium term and follows Investcorp's acquisition in 2017 of a US$ 11 billion AUM credit management business, Investcorp Credit Management, and in 2018, a strategic minority investment in Banque Paris Bertrand, an independent Swiss-regulated private bank based in Geneva. Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, said: "The signing of this landmark transaction in the secondary private equity market is the latest step in our global growth strategy. It demonstrates the continued desire by institutional investors to back Investcorp's investment platform. We look forward, at closing, to welcoming Coller Capital to the distinguished list of global institutions who partner with us and to working with them in the coming years to maximise the value of the portfolio." Jeremy Coller, CIO of Coller Capital, said: "This transaction springs from a relationship of many years' standing. It is a complex investment, of strategic importance to Investcorp, and we're delighted to be their chosen partner." *based on FX rate at the end of election period About Investcorp Investcorp is a leading global manager of alternative investments. Led by a new vision, Investcorp has embarked on an ambitious, albeit prudent, growth strategy. The Firm continues to focus on generating value through a disciplined investment approach in four lines of business: private equity, real estate, absolute return investments and credit management. As at June 30, 2018, the Investcorp Group had US$ 22.6 billion in total AUM, including assets managed by third party managers and assets subject to a non-discretionary advisory mandate where Investcorp receives fees calculated on the basis of AUM. Since its inception in 1982, Investcorp has made over 175 Private Equity deals in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and North Africa region and Asia, across a range of sectors including retail and consumer products, technology, business services and industrials, and more than 600 commercial and residential real estate investments in the US and Europe, for in excess of US $57 billion in transaction value. Investcorp employs approximately 390 people across its offices in Bahrain, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha, and Singapore. For further information, including our most recent periodic financial statements, which details our assets under management, please refer to: www.twitter.com/Investcorp www.linkedin.com/company/Investcorp www.instagram.com/investcorp www.investcorp.com About Coller Capital Coller Capital, founded in 1990, is one of the world's leading investors in private equity's secondary market widely acknowledged as an innovator and a stand-out player at the complex end of secondaries. The firm provides liquidity solutions to private equity investors worldwide, acquiring interests in private equity funds, portfolios of private companies, and other private equity-related assets. With headquarters in London, and offices in New York and Hong Kong, Coller's multinational investment team has a truly global reach. In December 2015, the firm closed Coller International Partners VII, with capital commitments of US$ 7.15 billion and backing from approximately 170 of the world's leading institutional investors. Media Contacts: Investcorp Investcorp Prosek Partners Firas El Amine Catherine Johnson +973 3998 7838 +1 646 818 9287 [email protected] [email protected] Coller Capital Montfort Communications Toto Reissland-Burghart +44 7976 098 139 [email protected] Shona Prendergast +44 7798 626 284 [email protected] SOURCE Investcorp RAMSEY, N.J., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Trail Memory Care Living, a specialized Alzheimer's and dementia subsidiary of Fox Trail Senior Living, has launched a pioneer "Living Life Well" program. This exclusive, unique and innovative program encompasses a whole-body approach towards wellness; introducing purpose-driven and ability-appropriate activities for Alzheimer's and dementia residents as a pathway towards a better quality of life. The Living Life Well program was curated specifically with Alzheimer's and dementia residents in mind. It offers a broad spectrum of robust activities designed to stimulate memory, provide comfort and familiarity, and influence a sense of well-being. On any given day, you will find residents immersed in classical theater, yoga, tai chi, or therapeutic essential oil therapy, as well as, enjoying the benefits of Fox Trail's premier concierge and companion care and house call physician programs. "One of the most promising aspects of introducing the Living Life Well program was the positive reception our objectives received from the residents' families, as well as, from our care staff and physician community," said Fox Trail Memory Care Living Managing Partner, Michael Eisele. "It was clear that our staff and administrators aspired to provide more personally relevant activities for their residents, and we are committed to providing them with the resources to do so." Fox Trail's memory care professionals maintain a personalized relationship with residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss, to discern preferences and offer options for meaningful activities, based on their wishes. The ability to offer residents activities catered to their specific needs and preferences demonstrates a positive shift in the philosophy of Alzheimer's and dementia care; ensuring Fox Trail's programming will remain an ever evolving landscape to fully enrich resident's lives. To learn more about Fox Trail Memory Care Living, please visit: www.foxtrailseniorliving.com . About Fox Trail Senior Living: Fox Trail Senior Living, the parent company of Fox Trail Memory Care Living, is a Ramsey, New Jersey-based senior living organization operating 19 boutique communities throughout the United States. Fox Trail Senior Living offers a full range of personalized senior living services, including assisted living, assisted living alternatives, and care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss. SOURCE Fox Trail Senior Living Related Links https://www.foxtrailseniorliving.com At the Composites Pavilion, IACMI The Composites Institute will highlight research and development initiatives that are driving the future of composites for automotive lightweighting. IACMI is showcasing the first large injection molded automotive prototype made with low-cost textile-grade carbon fiber. Produced by IACMI members Techmer PM , Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Michigan State University (MSU), this innovative production approach yields an estimated cost savings of 40 50% compared to a 50,000 filament tow commercial counterpart. The textile carbon fiber was produced by ORNL at the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility (CFTF). TechmerPM addressed unique compounding challenges to provide pellets of PA66, a commonly used thermoplastic nylon, reinforced with 25% of the textile carbon fiber. MSU tuned the molding parameters for the unique compound and produced full-size fenders through injection molding at the IACMI Scale-Up Research Facility (SURF). Through this collaborative effort, textile carbon fiber was injection molded using the Milacron 3,000-ton injection press and at cycle times relevant for high-volume production. Additional trials have demonstrated the versatility of using different fiber content, including fenders with 10% and 45% carbon fiber content. While traditional carbon fiber composites have long been touted for their weight savings in stiffness-critical automotive applications including automotive bodies, b-pillars, and other structural components, the implementation of textile carbon fiber makes these applications more cost-competitive with traditional, heavier materials. Textile carbon fiber has potential for significant impact in the automotive industry because of the reduced cost for supporting weight savings opportunities. "The availability of textile carbon fiber opens new opportunities for lightweighting and design innovation in the automotive industry, and we are excited to be part of the JEC Group's Composites Pavilion to showcase this material in a molded part," said IACMI CEO, John A. Hopkins. "We are proud of this first-of-its-kind validation of technologies and look forward to seeing future implementation in automotive and other applications." IACMI innovation leadership for Michigan Much of the validation for this research project was conducted at the IACMI Scale-Up Research Facility (SURF), which is co-located with partner Manufacturing USA institute, Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT) in Corktown neighborhood in Detroit, Mich. SURF offers full-scale production testing of carbon fiber integration with processes from a Litzler prepreg machine to the only 4,000-ton Schuler compression molding machine available for research and development usage in North America. Additionally, the SURF also offers a 3,000-ton Milacron injection molding machine, which was utilized in this research project. The SURF is managed and operated by IACMI partner, Michigan State University, and funded with support from MEDC, recognizing the opportunity for innovation leadership in Michigan. "The joint facility for IACMI and LIFT offers a unique opportunity to further lightweighting in the automotive industry through multi-material innovations," said MEDC CEO, Jeff Mason. "The research done by both institutes further solidifies Michigan's leadership in the future of the automotive industry. The innovations validated through IACMI's textile carbon fiber project shows the attainable potential for integrating carbon fiber into the automotive industry to increase strength and stiffness in automotive components at competitive cost." Visit IACMI at the Composites Pavilion outside of Entrance C at the Cobo Center January 14 17, 2019. To learn more about the IACMI SURF, visit iacmi.org/surf. About IACMI-The Composites Institute: The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS), is a partnership of industry, universities, national laboratories, and federal, state and local governments working together to benefit the nation's energy and economic security by sharing existing resources and co-investing to accelerate innovative research and development in the advanced composites field. CCS is a not-for-profit organization established by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation. The national Manufacturing USA institute is supported by a $70 million commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office, and over $180 million committed from IACMI's partners. Find out more at IACMI.org . SOURCE IACMI - The Composites Institute Related Links https://iacmi.org NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- National Retail Federation -- Creating a seamless customer experience across channels, Grupo Nazan has embarked on a digital transformation initiative with Oracle. Grupo Nazan sells footwear brands Impuls, Destroyer, and Playa Mayoreo through 100 stores and wholesale channels in Mexico. With a business that was historically driven by catalog, the company recognized an opportunity to expand digitally and physically with the adoption of a modern retail platform. With Oracle, Grupo Nazan will be able to better reach customers on the channel of their choice, while gaining a centralized view of engagement. The initiative is supported by a suite of Oracle Retail omnichannel solutions including: Oracle Retail Xstore Point-of-Service, Oracle Retail Customer Engagement, Oracle Retail Order Broker and Oracle Commerce. "The Oracle Retail solutions will further strengthen our business, with the availability of real-time centralized information," said Moises Macias Gonzalez, systems and logistics director, Grupo Nazan. "Today we have all the stores implemented. With the close integration between our systems and processes, we have the intelligence we need to reach and attract customers through the channels." "Grupo Nazan is inspiring the industry to look for new ways to improve customer experience. After completing their digital transformation, Grupo Nazan can better segment customers to provide more personalized and engaging promotions," said Carlos Victoria, Vice President Latin America, Oracle Retail. "For example, a recent study showed that 85 percent of Mexican consumers expect granular tracking of their delivery status. With Oracle, Grupo Nazan can meet these kinds of customer expectations as they grow in an omnichannel environment." Grupo Nazan worked with Oracle PartnerNetwork Platinum level partner, SkillNet, based on their international Oracle Retail Xstore implementation and digital transformation experience. "SkillNet conducted a capabilities assessment against our business needs. We took a balanced approach to implement best practices with a few modifications that made sense for our business," said Javier Alvarado, Technology Project Manager, Grupo Nazan. About Oracle Retail: Oracle is the modern platform for retail. Oracle provides retailers with a complete, open, and integrated platform for best-of-breed business applications, cloud services, and hardware that are engineered to work together. Leading fashion, grocery, and specialty retailers use Oracle solutions to accelerate from best practice to next practice, drive operational agility and refine the customer experience. For more information, visit our website at www.oracle.com/retail. About Oracle The Oracle Cloud offers complete SaaS application suites for ERP, HCM, and CX, plus best-in-class database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centers throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Oracle Related Links http://www.oracle.com TSX: GPR NYSE American: GPL VANCOUVER, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - GREAT PANTHER SILVER LIMITED (TSX: GPR; NYSE American: GPL) ("Great Panther"; the "Company") announces that further to its agreement to acquire Beadell Resources Limited ("Beadell") (the "Acquisition") and its press release dated December 6, 2018 announcing the Loan Agreement (the "Loan") between Great Panther and Beadell for a non-revolving term loan in the principal amount of US$5,000,000, Beadell has received PIS (Programas de Integracao Social e de Formacao do Patrimonio do Servidor Publico) and COFINS (Contribuicao para o Financiamento da Seguridade Social) tax refunds totaling approximately US$10,300,000. The terms of the Loan provide for prepayment of the Loan from any PIS or COFINS tax refunds. The Company has agreed to accept partial repayment of US$3,000,000 of the principal amount advanced, plus interest and fees accrued to date, and to extend the maturity date of the remaining US$2,000,000 advanced to March 18, 2019 in order to provide Beadell with additional funds for general working capital and operating requirements. "The receipt of the PIS and COFINS tax refunds is good news and provides welcome cash for Beadell in the short term. In addition, the extension of part of our loan will provide Beadell with additional working capital to help manage their operations to the closing of our Acquisition", stated James Bannantine, President and CEO. "The shareholder meetings to approve the Acquisition will take place on February 11th in Vancouver for Great Panther, and on February 12th in Perth for Beadell, and, if approved, the transaction is expected to close within the following two to three weeks. We are very excited about this transaction, which combines Great Panther's strong balance sheet and assets in Mexico and Peru with Beadell's Tucano Mine and significant exploration potential in Brazil." The Acquisition will create a new growth-oriented intermediate precious metals producer focused on the Americas with strong geographic diversity across three leading mining jurisdictions, and a diverse asset portfolio including three producing mines, an advanced stage project, and significant exploration potential. ABOUT GREAT PANTHER Great Panther Silver Limited is a primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol GPR, and on the NYSE American under the symbol GPL. Great Panther's current activities are focused on the mining of precious metals from its two wholly-owned operating mines in Mexico: the Guanajuato Mine Complex and the Topia Mine. The Company is also advancing towards a decision to restart the Coricancha Mine in Peru with the initiation of a Bulk Sample Program following the completion of a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment in May 2018. In addition, the Company has signed an agreement to acquire all of the issued ordinary shares of gold producer Beadell Resources Limited. James Bannantine President & CEO CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing and completion of the Acquisition, the expected use of proceeds of the Loan, and the timing and repayment of the Loan. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Assumptions upon which forward looking statements relating to the Acquisition have been made include that Beadell and Great Panther will be able to satisfy the conditions in the Scheme Implementation Deed, that due diligence investigations of each party will not identify any materially adverse facts or circumstances, that the required approvals will be obtained from the shareholders of Beadell and Great Panther, and that all required third party, regulatory and government approvals will be obtained. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political and social risks involving Beadell and Great Panther's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, physical risks inherent in mining operations, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in respect of Great Panther, in its annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2017 and material change reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and reports on Form 40-F and Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that such forward looking statements will prove accurate; results may vary materially from such forward-looking statements; and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to identify and acquire additional projects or that any projects acquired will be successfully developed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. The Company has no intention to update forward looking statements except as required by law. SOURCE Great Panther Silver Limited Related Links http://www.greatpanther.com ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gig Economy is getting a spike from federal employees who are financially ambushed by the government shutdown. Due to the shutdown, roughly 380,000 federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave or furloughed, and some of those affected are signing on with companies like Fiverr, Uber, TaskRabbit, or Airbnb for work and remedial income. Those supplementing their income with "side jobs" join a group Packaged Facts, in our new report on The Financial Services Market: Targeting Gig Economy Workers (January 2019), classifies as "Side Gig Workers." Numbering 76 million, these adults have performed at least one of an assortment of occasional work activities or "side jobs" within the past month, such as selling goods or services online or dog walking. They may or may not have a "main job" that serves as the primary employment. Some may also be working short-term jobs as independent contractors, one of several self-employment categories that Packaged Facts tracks. The share of employed adults working at one-employee companies, including sole proprietors and independent consultants/contractors, rose from 2007 to 2018. While independent contractors are generally considered the core component of Gig Economy workers, broader shifts in employment benefits suggest that a much wider swath of employed adults have been swept up in changing, and often deteriorating, workforce dynamics. Viewed through this broader lens, an estimated 36% of working households (households in which a head of household and/or spouse/partner are employed) are Non-Benefit Workers, without employment benefits, up from 32% in 2007. While most of Non-Benefit Workers are not classified as independent contractors, they share common traits in the wake of shifts in employment that occurred during and after the Great Recession. Like contractors, these non-benefit workers work strictly for the monetary pay, not including perks such as health insurance or retirement contributions. Jobs without benefits not only imply diminished loyalty to a company or to an employee, they also entail less financial security. Non-benefit workers may file W-2 forms but be more inclined to perceive themselves as contractors for hire. In the end, an increase in the share of jobs without benefits runs counter to traditional employment scenarios, opening the door for emerging, alternative employee-employer working relationships--albeit with the check-writers having an increasingly upper hand. Federal employees wondering what to do with these newly minted jobs once they are allowed back to work or to collect pay need not fret. They can join the more than 26 million working adults who have second jobs or the 35% of half of employed adults who are Side Gig Workersand unlike Non-Benefit Workers, these federal employees can go back to positions with lots of perks and benefits (according to our report, government employees are most likely to have employment benefits). Now on Sale "The Financial Services Market: Targeting Gig Economy Workers" This report identifies and analyzes members of the Gig Economy, a term characterized by independent work arrangements, temporary and/or on-demand employment trends, working more than one "gig" at one time, globalization, digitization, work-at-home trends, and the gradual loss of employment benefits. The report also identifies market opportunities related to alternative financial services, tax services and related financial management tools, prepaid cards, and workforce management solutions. View additional information about The Financial Services Market: Targeting Gig Economy Workers, including purchase options, the abstract, table of contents, and related reports at Packaged Facts' website: https://www.packagedfacts.com/Financial-Services-Targeting-Gig-Economy-Workers-12116969/. About Packaged Facts Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. For more essential insights from Packaged Facts be sure to follow us on Twitter and Google+. For infographics, tables, charts and other visuals, follow Packaged Facts on Pinterest. Please link any media references to our reports or data to https://www.packagedfacts.com/. Press Contact: Daniel Granderson 240.747.3000 [email protected] SOURCE Packaged Facts Related Links https://www.packagedfacts.com SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Garage Gurus will award up to $30,000 in scholarships to future automotive technicians who are accepted or currently enrolled in accredited, U.S.-based automotive technical schools, colleges, and universities, or enrolled full-time at a U.S. high school. This is the fifth consecutive year for the program, part of a comprehensive "Tech First" initiative, including the nationwide Garage Gurus network of technical education centers. Applications are now available for the opportunity to receive one of 12 $2,500 Garage Gurus Automotive Technician Scholarships for the 2019-2020 school year (visit www.FMgaragegurus.com/scholarship). All materials must be submitted by April 29, 2019; winners will be announced on or about May 17, 2019. In addition to the application, students are also required to submit 2 letters of recommendation from non-family members as well as a typed essay or video indicating "Why I Want to Be a Top Technician." All applications and related materials will be reviewed by Garage Gurus' team of ASE Master-certified technicians and other employees. "Through this program, we remain very committed to fostering the education of current and future technicians to perfect their skills and training, as well as to aid in addressing technician shortages throughout our industry," said Brent Berman, director of training and consumer experience, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. "We have continued to support local vocational and technical school students, and, along with our own Garage Gurus' technical education centers, current technicians who want to be better-equipped to meet the challenges of working on today's complicated vehicle systems." Offering onsite, online and on-demand instruction, Garage Gurus is a first-of-its-kind national training platform designed to help front-line automotive service professionals keep pace with the latest vehicle technologies. State-of-the-art Garage Gurus technical education centers are operational in 11 U.S. markets Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Rancho Dominguez, Calif.; South Florida; St. Louis; Suburban Detroit; and Van Nuys, Calif. To learn more about the Automotive Technician Scholarship Program, to submit an application, and to read the full set of rules and eligibility requirements, visit www.FMgaragegurus.com/scholarship. For more information about Garage Gurus and other Federal-Mogul Motorparts "Tech First" resources, please visit www.FMgaragegurus.com. About Tenneco Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, Tenneco is one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers and marketers of Ride Performance and Clean Air products and technology solutions for diversified markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway equipment and the aftermarket, with 2017 revenues of $9.3 billion and approximately 32,000 employees worldwide. On October 1, 2018, Tenneco completed the acquisition of Federal-Mogul, a leading global supplier to original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with nearly 55,000 employees globally and 2017 revenues of $7.8 billion. Additionally, the company expects to separate its businesses to form two new, independent companies, an Aftermarket and Ride Performance company as well as a new Powertrain Technology company, in late 2019. About the Future Aftermarket and Ride Performance Company Following the separation, the aftermarket and ride performance company will be one of the largest global multi-line, multi-brand aftermarket companies, and one of the largest global OE ride performance and braking companies. The aftermarket and ride performance company's principal product brands will feature Monroe, Walker, Clevite Elastomers, MOOG, Fel-Pro, Wagner, Champion and others. The Aftermarket and Ride Performance company would have 2017 pro-forma revenues of $6.4 billion, with 57% of those revenues from aftermarket and 43% from original equipment customers. About the Future Powertrain Technology Company Following the separation, the powertrain technology company will be one of the world's largest pure-play powertrain companies serving OE markets worldwide with engineered solutions addressing fuel economy, power output, and criteria pollution requirements for gasoline, diesel and electrified powertrains. The powertrain technology company would have 2017 pro-forma revenues of $10.7 billion, serving light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway and industrial markets. CONTACT: Karen Shulhan (Federal-Mogul Motorparts) 248.354.4383 [email protected] Drew Shippy (Pinnacle Media) 330.688.3500 [email protected] SOURCE Federal-Mogul Motorparts Related Links http://www.federalmogul.com SHANGHAI, Jan. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 21 of last year, E-3 Green Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. ("E-3") proposed a global initiative to international organizations in the laboratory ventilation equipment industry to hold the first "Shanghai International Laboratory Ventilation Equipment Open" in 2019. As the event initiator, Dr. Tang Ming , Chairman & CEO of E-3, extended invitations to a group of potential participants as the new year begins. These invitees include market leaders or companies with unique technologies in the laboratory ventilation equipment industry, from major markets of China, India, Europe and the United States. The international invitees include: WALDNER (Germany), Renggli (Switzerland), Kewaunee (U.S.), and Hamilton (U.S.), all are reputable market leaders in the laboratory equipment and fume hood industry. Additional invitees include: Phoenix Controls (U.S.), renowned for pioneering and bringing the venturi valve onto the market; TEL-UK (U.K.) and TROX (Germany), known for their advanced single-blade dampers and airflow control solutions; and Citizen Industries, one of India's top laboratory equipment manufacturer. China's domestic invitees include: TMOON (Guangdong), Isong Control (Shanghai), ZEPHIRUS (Shanghai), ZKTL Lab (Shanghai), all have high-end products of single-blade damper, venturi valve, or fume hood; SUNWAY (Beijing) with their advanced low-flow fume hoods; and LBT (Jiangsu) as well as LONTON (Shandong), both with unique active supply-air fume hood technologies. In the invitation letters, Dr. Tang Ming emphasized that for decades, in order to achieve the goal of laboratory safety and energy-efficiency, experts and enterprises around the world have made unremitting explorations. Despite such efforts, the current global state of laboratories are still concerning with much room left for improvement. Laboratories in developed countries are generally safe with comfortable working environments at the expense of high HVAC energy consumption. Most laboratories in developing markets, such as China and India, sacrifice worker safety and indoor comfort due to inadequate HVAC. Thus fundamental changes for improvement are urgently needed. In recent years, many new product technologies have surfaced in the laboratory ventilation equipment industry. In order to promote a healthy development of innovative solutions for safer and energy-efficient laboratories, E-3 proposes to global laboratory equipment enterprises to hold a "Shanghai International Laboratory Ventilation Equipment Open" in 2019. Dr. Tang Ming proposed to the invitees to form the event's "Planning Committee", with a coordination meeting to be held in Shanghai during late February 2019 to discuss in details. If the coordination meeting is successful, the formal registration will be held in March 2019. From April to June 2019, participant teams will complete the construction of their respective model laboratories, and the competition will commence with real-time monitoring and metering from July to September 2019. During the event, global experts in the field of laboratory environmental control and sustainability will also be invited to gather in Shanghai for a seminar to discuss solutions for laboratory safety and energy-efficiency in tandem with the actual on-going results of the competition. SOURCE E-3 Green Technology Inc. AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare has never been easy. We all need it, but picking and choosing what plans to go with, the right doctor to see and making sure the selected facility is in network can be overwhelming. A new alternative is here to take the stress out of choosing your coverage Direct Primary Care packages offered through Cage Free Care. Every day, Cage Free Care is closer to filling a void in healthcare a lot of people didn't know existed and fulfilling the needs of an underserved community, starting with Direct Primary Care. Direct Primary Care is a healthcare option that has proven to be accessible, cost-effective, and high quality. Patients build a lasting, trusted relationship with their DPC, while cutting out the third-party insurance provider along with all of the additional expenses. Visits with a provider can cover a handful of health concerns, including the following: Blood Work Annual Wellness Visits Physicals Pediatrics Emergency Imaging Management of Chronic Illnesses STI Testing When Cage Free Care COO, Isaac Higgins, first learned of DPC, he saw the immediate value for providing this service to the greater-Austin community. "Many people go without healthcare coverage due to daunting costs and corporate-concept insurance companieswe really wanted a model that would give people the care they need and deserve at a reasonable cost," says Higgins. By ditching the external insurance plan, the costs become simple; once a month or once a year. With DPC, patients don't have to worry about any hidden costs, clauses, or fine print. That means no copays, surprise bills, or out-of-pocket expenses. Family Emergency Room is the first to partner with Cage Free Care to offer DPC memberships at their locally owned Austin facilities, while various other area-doctors are ready to hop on board. "Offering Direct Primary Care is just the first step to bringing affordable care to the area," says Higgins. "Our plan for the new year is to continue to expand our offerings and the areas we are able to serve." For more information, please visit www.cagefreecare.com or email [email protected]. SOURCE Cage Free Care Related Links https://www.cagefreecare.com HOUSTON, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular dividend of seven cents ($0.07) per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be paid February 7, 2019 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business January 24, 2019. Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas is a leading independent natural gas producer, with its entire resource base located in the continental United States. For additional information, visit the Company's homepage at www.cabotog.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Matt Kerin (281) 589-4642 SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Related Links http://www.cabotog.com CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Armory Group, LLC, a leading middle market advisory firm specializing in investment banking, consulting, and asset management, is pleased to announce that the firm has been honored with the 2018 Restructuring of the Year between $50 $100 million for Beaulieu Group, LLC. "This restructuring represents the successful implementation of the breadth of services that Armory brings to its clients. Serving as CRO, managing the $90 million asset sale and identifying the ideal acquirer leveraged our unique consulting and investment banking services offerings," said Peter Richter, Managing Director and CEO of Armory Group's consulting practice. "I am proud of our work on this project and it was an honor to work with the company, lenders and the outstanding professionals that represented the company, acquirer and the creditors' committee, without whom this recognition would not be possible." "Since 2002, we have been honoring the leading turnaround transactions, companies and dealmakers. Armory Group was chosen from over 275 participating companies to receive the award. It gives us a great pleasure to recognize Armory Group and bestow upon them our highest honor for distressed investing and reorganization firms and professionals," said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder, The M&A Advisor. "Armory Group represents the best of the distressed investing and reorganization industry in 2018 and earned these honors by standing out in a group of very impressive candidates." The award will be presented at an Awards Gala on March 28th, which is a feature of the 2019 Distressed Investing Summit. The Summit will take place on March 27/28 and will feature 250 of the industry's leading professionals participating in exclusive interactive forums led by a faculty of restructuring industry stalwarts and business media experts. For an event profile CLICK HERE. ARMORY GROUP, LLC Armory Group, LLC provides comprehensive capabilities focused exclusively on the middle market, including investment banking, consulting and asset management. Armory Group's breadth of resources, including our award-winning team of professionals, allows us to deploy the right resources to best serve the specific needs of our clients. Learn more at armorygroupllc.com. THE M&A ADVISOR Now in its 20th year, The M&A Advisor was founded to offer insights and intelligence on mergers and acquisitions, establishing the industry's leading media outlet in 1998. Today, the firm is recognized as the world's premier leadership organization for mergers & acquisition, restructuring and corporate finance professionals, delivering a range of integrated services. www.maadvisor.com. SOURCE Armory Group, LLC Related Links http://www.armorygroupllc.com SAN DIEGO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Altcoin.io, a decentralized brokerage-as-a-service platform headquartered in San Diego, has appointed serial cryptocurrency and fintech entrepreneur Ken Kavanaugh as President. Ken will develop and lead Altcoin.io's go-to-market strategy, helping source commercial partners in both the cryptocurrency and institutional investment industries. After raising almost $1M through WeFunder in 2018 to build a decentralized exchange, Altcoin.io is now white labeling their technology to other projects. Ken will help put the Altcoin.io decentralized trading engine into the hands of brokers, exchanges, and fintech firms at a fraction of the cost of building their own. "Ken is a business leader in both the crypto and fintech spaces, and has handled over $1bn of fintech mergers and acquisitions volume," said Andrew. "Ken's skills and experience will help bring our fast, easy, and secure trading engine to a wider range of users, while also making it easy for the rest of the financial market to enter the crypto space." Ken co-founded Moon Assist, an advanced order management crypto trading platform, as well as led corporate and business development efforts for Lykke DEX, a pioneer in the use of the security token. He generated $400M+ in revenue and closed dozens of fintech transactions over the years, amounting to $1B+ in M&A deal volume. The Altcoin.io team has spent years developing a sidechain architecture for trading altcoins quickly, efficiently, and safely. Most recently, they open-sourced an atomic swap wallet and were the first to achieve a Bitcoin to Ethereum atomic swap. Hiring Ken is their first step towards scaling their technological achievements to benefit a growing trading community. "We want to help business do what they do best," said Ken Kavanaugh, Altcoin.io President. "Why waste time, effort and money building your own exchange, when you could use ours instead? By leveraging our expertise and technology, you can focus on your primary goals while we handle the rest." Until his appointment as President, Ken served as an adviser to Altcoin.io, helping the team navigate what has become a fiercely competitive exchange market. Having co-founded and mentored several decentralized projects, including Everbloom and Moon Assist, Ken will no doubt be a powerful asset to the Altcoin.io team. For more information, email [email protected]. Website: https://www.altcoin.io Telegram: https://t.me/altcoin_io Blog: https://blog.altcoin.io SOURCE Altcoin.io Related Links https://www.altcoin.io (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/807281/Pinar_Tasdelen_Engin_President_UTIB.jpg ) Pnar Tasdelen Engin, President of UTIB (Uludag Textile Exporters' Association) stated that Turkish textiles sector has a very strong image in the global market and said, "The sector stands out thanks to its machinery park with state-of-the-art technology, flexible production ability, capability of producing special products and high-quality workforce." Turkish textiles sector confidently prepared for the Premiere Vision Fair to be held in New York between January 15-16, 2019. 29 companies from Turkey, of which 25 are national and 4 are individual firms, will participate the fair where Turkish textiles manufacturers will invite business people from across the world to invest in Turkey in addition to establishing commercial networks. Pnar Tasdelen Engin, President of Uludag Textile Exporters' Association (UTIB), which will lead the Turkish business people participating in the fair, said the Turkish textiles sector has a very strong image in the global market. Exports to the emerging markets increasing Tasdelen Engin expressed that the Turkish textiles sector paves the way in producing highly admired products of quality for many years thanks to its strong infrastructure and experience of hundreds of years. She also added, "A lot of people in many countries worldwide use Turkish textiles with pleasure, especially for their upper segment needs. Our sector has been engaged in exportation to the saturated and rising markets such as Europe and North America, where competition is quite intense. We managed to become the biggest textiles manufacturer in Europe. Our sector will maintain its assertive position in the future. We will continue to make significant breakthroughs not only in design and fashion but also in technical textiles." Stating that they have the machinery park with state-of-the-art technology, flexible production ability, capability of producing special products with the high-quality workforce, Tasdelen Engin remarked that there are Turkish companies that received design awards on an international level and also have a highly positive image thanks to their manufacturing activities conforming to the technical and health standards. Turkish Textiles Industry is the driving force of Turkish economy Tasdelen Engin also stated that textiles sector is one of the driving sectors of Turkish economy with the added value it produces and its performance and added that the sector is of big importance with regard to the employment opportunities it provides. She said "There are approximately 1 million people employed in textiles and ready-made clothing sectors. This number reaches 2 million if the sectors such as retail and merchandising, which are integrated to the aforementioned sectors, are included. Therefore, our contribution to the social stability of our country is very high. I believe that Turkish textile sector has a very high potential especially in terms of value added production." Highlighting that in 2018 UTIB's export has increased by 7,68% to USD 1,3 billion compared to the previous year, Tasdelen Engin remarked, "In the same period, textiles export performed throughout Turkey reached USD 8,5 billion with a 4,5% increase, realizing an all-time record, by the end of 2018." Turkish Textiles Industry showcase Turkey's potential at international fairs Stating that they started opening stands and promoting Turkey at the fairs abroad under the leadership of Ministry of Trade and Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), Tasdelen Engin continued, "We are the showcase displaying our country's values and potential at fairs that are one of the most important media to promote our sector abroad, and our activities are highly admired. It is of big importance that the companies and their representatives engaged in trading activities with the Turkish textiles sector share their positive experiences with the new generation. One of our most significant missions is to ensure that the actors of our sector all around the world embrace this positive perception. Maintaining our successes with our own brands constitutes one of our fundamental objectives with regard to our sector and we need to exert efforts in this direction. Our exporter companies now have an R&D and design awareness and we attach great importance to improving it. We carry out activities to this end and will continue to work by building on it." Turkish Textiles Industry is the sector with the highest foreign trade surplus Emphasizing that textiles sector is one of the traditional branches of industries in Turkey and among the cornerstones of the success story of industry and export, Tasdelen Engin, President of UTIB, expressed that the Turkish textiles and ready-made clothing sector as a whole is the first sector with the highest foreign trade surplus today. In addition, she said the textiles sector creates employment opportunities and, thus, highly contributes to the decrease in unemployment and public welfare, and added, "Turkish textiles sector has a very special place in the world thanks to its product quality, trendsetting designs and advanced technology. The sector ranks first in our country with its share in the gross domestic product (GDP) and in terms of parameters such as domestic input usage, as well as constitutes the foundation of our existence in the global market." Turkish Textiles Industry: The biggest manufacturer in Europe Tasdelen Engin drew attention to the fact that Turkey is the biggest textiles manufacturer in the continental Europe and stated that it achieved the status of being the seventh biggest cotton producer in the world. "The machinery park, which was established for the production of broderie and guipure for home textiles, is the biggest machinery park in the world. The biggest factory manufacturing quilt covers is located in Turkey. We are one of the top three towel suppliers in the world. In 2018, the share of Turkey in global textiles export stands at approximately 3%, 4.5% in home and interior textiles and 1.5% in technical textiles," said Tasdelen Engin. Turkish Textiles Industry have a big potential in the technical textiles Engin said that another advantage they have is the opportunity to reach dozens of countries on 3 continents in 3-hour flight time and added that experienced, young and dynamic workforce comes to the forefront as another strong side of the sector. She said, "The areas we believe we need to improve in the forthcoming period are technical textiles, promoting, marketing and branding. We have a big potential in terms of technical textiles. In order to turn this potential into reality, we particularly established Bursa Technology Coordination and R&D Center (BUTEKOM) and carry out a number of significant activities within this establishment for all areas in our sector." Engin pointed to the fact that many Turkish products of high-level quality deserve to become global brands and added, "As the private sector, we will continue to focus on this matter in cooperation with our state. On the other hand, our companies should be more active in e-commerce, a relatively new and important area. A foreign intermediary company can buy a high-quality product from Turkey and sell it with a 50%, or even 100% profit through e-commerce channel. We will continue our efforts with regard to this and similar issues." Textile sector will present the most favorable fabrics In the meantime, Turkey's stand that will be opened at the Premiere Vision Fair to be held in New York by UTIB is ready to grab attention. At the fair, both cultural and artistic values of Turkey will be exhibited to professionals from New York. Foreign buyers will find a chance to see and examine the most favorable fabrics of the Turkish participants up close through the trend area at the Turkish stand. Turkish fabrics will be exhibited at the fair with a special design. Tastes from Turkish cuisine will be presented at the Turkish stand. Time travelling to the history of textiles with virtual reality The movie Tekstil (Textile) produced using virtual reality technique, will meet the audience at the New York fair. Different from the standard publicity films, the movie will be watched with special glasses and the audience will find themselves within the scenes. The visitors will witness the history and development of the Turkish textiles by personally experiencing it. Turkey will be promoted on social media during the fair and potential visitors will be reached out. There will also be a sweepstakes on the last day of the fair for the buyers visiting the Turkish stand. A set of Turkish coffee cups will be gifted to three visitors. New Surface, texture, colour, materials and construction methods of Turkish companies will be at UTIB booth (B 27) Premiere Vision New York with "a specially designed artwork" for New York. This artwork is entitled "Fabric Re-Made" by artist Deniz Sagdic. During the show, President of UTIB, Ms. Pinar TASDELEN ENGIN will also be at UTIB booth. Location - Pier 94 15-16 January 2019 Premiere Vision New York FABRIC RE-MADE UTIB & DENIZ SAGDIC (JAN 2019-NY) Turkey, a hub of ideas and cultures. Discover The Potential is an invitation to everyone who wants to share our enthusiasm, knowledge, innovation and creativity thru our services and products. Fashion & Textile Design offers a diverse and creative approach to fabric development and Art is always the best way to communicate between cultures and history. Communication through art can be achieved in many ways that don't rely on words. Explore surface, texture, colour, materials and construction methods at the stand with a specially designed artwork for New York. This artwork is entitled "Fabric Re-Made" by artist Deniz Sagdic. Deniz Sagdic describes "The different colors and the patterns as the perfect metaphor for the diversity of the people from the different walks of life".She believes that making one-piece artwork with all the colorful fabrics that had been provided by companies from all over the country will underline the spirit of "unity in diversity." Fabric Re-Made is a part of an ongoing traveling exhibitions and workshops that aims to connect and communicate directly with people all around the world by the artist. Deniz Sagdc and the art director Selcuk Sepici is taking over the world and spreading a vital message of unity in diversity by highlighting the core identity thru textile. As UTIB (Uludag Textile Exporters' Association)Our goal is to support Turkish innovation and creativity on various international platforms. 29 companies from Turkey, of which 25 are national and 4 are individual firms, will participate in the fair with cutting edge collections. Pnar Tasdelen Engin, President of Uludag Textile Exporters' Association (UTIB): "We are the showcase displaying our country's values and potential at fairs that are one of the most important media to promote our sector abroad, and our activities are highly admired. It is of big importance that the companies and their representatives engaged in trading activities with the Turkish textiles sector share their positive experiences with the new generation. One of our most significant missions is to ensure that the actors of our sector all around the world embrace this positive perception. We present here Turkish Textile with an artistic perspective that includes innovations, diversity and creativity as one voice of TURKEY." The project and idea is designed by leadership Banu Yenici(YBONE Textile Consultancy)on behalf of UTIB. SOURCE Uludag Textile Exporters' Association (UTIB) Mediaite January 14, 2019 President Donald Trump said the United States will devastate Turkey economically if the country attacks Kurdish fighters in Syria. In a Sunday evening tweet, the president wrote that he is Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds, Trump continued. Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Trump also appeared to propose a 20 mile safe zone on the Turkey-Syria border so as to prevent clashes between the Turkish military and Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! he added. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 .Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 Read more This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:57 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Daily Caller January 14, 2019 The Supreme Court will decide whether an illegal alien from the United Arab Emirates was wrongfully convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm. The case was occasioned in December 2015, when Hamid Mohamed Ahmed Ali Rehaif was arrested in Florida after renting a gun at a shooting range and purchasing ammunition. Federal law prohibits certain classes of people from possessing guns, including illegal aliens. Rehaif is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates. He came to the United States in 2013 to attend the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), but was dismissed for academic reasons on Jan. 21, 2015. His lawful immigration status terminated shortly thereafter on Feb. 23, 2015. Therefore, he was in the U.S. illegally when he rented the gun and procured ammunition. At trial, the judge told the jury that the [prosecution] is not required to prove that [Rehaif] knew that he was illegally or unlawfully in the United States. The legal question the Supreme Court will decide is whether that instruction was correct. Read more This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:53 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Mac Slavo SHTFplan.com January 14, 2019 For thousands of years human civilization has documented objects in the sky. With the advent of instant video sharing, weve seen hundreds, perhaps thousands of cases of unidentified flying objects. Scientists and governments have discounted the vast majority of these instances as meteors, asteroids, man-made rocket tests or weather balloons. But on October 19, 2017, a Canadian astronomer saw an anomaly floating through our solar system that cant be so easily dismissed. The object, dubbed Oumuamua, is the first ever object detected by humans that originated outside of our own solar system. Moreover, what makes Oumuamua even more intriguing is that as it rounded the sun it accelerated in such a way that our known laws of physics simply cant explain it. That is, unless the object has its own propulsion system, which would in turn suggest that it is not naturally occurring, but rather, deliberately built by an advanced civilization. The claim sounds like an Ancient Aliens conspiracy theory, until you realize that the scientists behind the theory is none other than Avi Loeb, Chairman of Harvard Universitys Astronomy department and founding director of The Black Hole Initiative. And while most scientists would never risk their careers over wild and outlandish claims, Loeb says he has enough tenure to not be concerned about it. That and he believes his analysis is accurate. According to Loeb, the acceleration data sourced from the Hubble Space telescope is indicative of an object that has been, deliberately sent to the inner solar system, and he believes it could be a reconnaissance spaceship. What does it feel like to sit next to colleagues in a university lunchroom a day after publishing an article arguing that Oumuamua may actually be a reconnaissance spaceship? Loeb: The article I published was written, in part, on the basis of conversations I had with colleagues whom I respect scientifically. Scientists of senior status said themselves that this object was peculiar but were apprehensive about making their thoughts public. I dont understand that. After all, academic tenure is intended to give scientists the freedom to take risks without having to worry about their jobs. Unfortunately, most scientists achieve tenure and go on tending to their image. It was only under consecutive observation for six days, from October 25 to 31 namely, a week after its discovery. At first they said, Okay, its a comet but no comet tail was visible. Comets are made of ice, which evaporates as the comet approaches the sun. But we didnt see a trail of gas or dust in Oumuamua. So the thinking was that it must be an asteroid simply a chunk of stone. But the object rotated on its axis for eight hours, and during that time its brightness changed by a factor of 10, whereas the brightness of all the asteroids that were familiar with changes, at most, by a factor of three. If we assume that the light reflection is constant, that means its length is at least 10 times greater than its thickness. The biggest surprise came last June, when new data from the Hubble Space Telescope showed that the mysterious object had accelerated during its visit to the inner solar system in 2017 an acceleration that is not explained by the suns force of gravity. We have no way of knowing whether its active technology, or a spaceship that is no longer operative and is continuing to float in space. But if Oumuamua was created together with a whole population of similar objects that were launched randomly, the fact that we discovered it means that its creators launched a quadrillion probes like it to every star in the Milky Way. Of course, the randomness is significantly reduced if we assume that Oumuamua was a reconnaissance mission that was deliberately sent to the inner solar system namely, to the habitable region where life would be feasible. But we need to remember that humanity didnt broadcast anything tens of thousands of years ago, when the object was still in interstellar space. They didnt know there was intelligent life here. Which is why I think its just a fishing expedition. Full Interview Via Haaertz: If True, This Could Be One of the Greatest Discoveries in Human History The object Oumuamua is long gone and we may never know what it really was. What we do know is that weve seen similar cigar-shaped objects appear in the skies over Earth throughout history. On April 14, 1561 the town of Nuremberg, Germany was abuzz with contemporary news reports highlighting a celestial phenomenon directly overhead. According to witnesses, there was some sort of aerial battle involving various types of alien aircraft. The event was documented in local newspapers: Here is a brief description of the events of the day translated from the news report above: These all started to fight among themselves, so that the globes, which were first in the sun, flew out to the ones standing on both sides, thereafter, the globes standing outside the sun, in the small and large rods, flew into the sun. Besides the globes flew back and forth among themselves and fought vehemently with each other for over an hour. And when the conflict in and again out of the sun was most intense, they became fatigued to such an extent that they all, as said above, fell from the sun down upon the earth as if they all burned and they then wasted away on the earth with immense smoke. After all this there was something like a black spear, very long and thick, sighted; the shaft pointed to the east, the point pointed west. Whatever such signs mean, God alone knows. While hard to believe, consider the shape of the object identified in October of 2017 and compare it to the images above. If nothing else, its curiously coincidental. Another example of a cigar-shaped or rod-type object was observed as recently as 2010, when it shut down a Chinese airport. The incident was actually reported on by ABC News: The origins of these objects may never be known, but more evidence of the existence of an advanced alien species begins to emerge. Some have even suggested that governments around the world may be actively working with them and utilizing advanced technologies. For now, its all very hush-hush. but perhaps one day the people of the world will witness direct contact with an alien species not of this planet. This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:06 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article RT January 14, 2019 British Prime Minister Theresa May is appealing for the Brexit deal on Monday, arguing it is MPs duty to split with the EU. Her cabinet is facing a no-confidence vote after an expected defeat of the deal on Tuesday. May is to deliver two speeches on Monday in a last-ditch effort to convince legislators to support the deal her government negotiated with the EU on the terms of Britains divorce with the Union. One has been delivered to workers of the leave-supporting city of Stoke-on-Trent in central England. Another one will come later in the day at the Parliament, which is scheduled to vote on Tuesday on whether to accept the Brexit deal, but is expected to turn down Mays plan. In her speech to the workers, May described what essentially amounts to a parliamentary coup, which would undermine the will of the British people expressed in the 2016 Brexit referendum. As we have seen over the last few weeks, there are some in Westminster who would wish to delay or even stop Brexit and who will use every device available to them to do so, May said. I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. She reiterated that opponents of her deal dont have a viable alternative to her proposal and that its the governments duty to deliver on the instructions it received during the referendum in a best possible way. The EU will not offer better terms, she stressed. During the Tuesday vote, some 100 MPs of Mays own party as well as 10 legislators from the Democratic Unionist Party, a Northern Irish partner in her minority coalition, are expected to vote against the deal, joining the opposition. The Labour Partys leader Jeremy Corbyn is expected to file a motion of no confidence sometime after the vote, potentially leading to a new general election. Britain has until March 29 to endorse an orderly exit from the EU and is facing a so-called hard Brexit as an alternative. This scenario is likely to cause significant damage to the national economy. As part of the effort to smooth things before the Tuesday vote, the British government and the EU have exchanged letterson Monday, meant to alleviate some of the concerns. The issue of border control between the Republic of Ireland and UKs Northern Ireland remains the biggest point of contention. This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:08 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Because it encourages racism and homophobia Paul Joseph Watson PrisonPlanet.com January 14, 2019 Left-wing French website Mediapart has published an article calling for heterosexuality to be banned because it encourages homophobia and racism. The opinion piece, written by Merome Jardin, a gay campaigner, takes the form of a long screed blaming heterosexuality for almost every evil on the planet. Heterosexuality is not a sexual orientation, but a system of domination generating and nourishing sexism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and other oppressions such as racism, ableism or classism, states the article, adding that heterosexuality is to blame for the femicide of women and a woman dying every three days at the hands of her male companion, in addition to all rape and the suicides of LGBT people. The absurd article goes on to compare heterosexuality with Holocaust denial, adding that straight people only began to support gay rights when we rubbed their noses in the horrors they created. It also ludicrously claims that heterosexuality was to blame for the AIDS epidemic because it led to the abandonment of gays, bis and trans. The article concludes by asserting it is urgent that heterosexuality be banned. The irony behind the piece is that Jardin is also a member of CCIF (Collective Against Islamophobia). One wonders how his opinion will be received amongst Frances Muslim population, which currently stands at almost 9%. SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: Follow on Twitter: Follow @PrisonPlanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.j.watson.71 ********************* Paul Joseph Watson is the editor at large of Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com. This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 9:29 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Breitbart January 14, 2019 European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) leader Syed Kamall has slammed policies to limit mass migration from the third world, blasting EU nations hypocrisy for refusing to open the border to Africa while their own citizens move abroad. We must learn to open our hearts to genuine asylum seekers people who are fleeing persecution, the UK Conservative MEP told delegates at the Africa Summit 2019 at EU Parliament last week. Opening the ECR-sponsored conference, which was promoted as an opportunity to exchange best practice between the EU and African nations, Kamall complained, Some [European countries] have not even managed to make the distinction between asylum and immigration. The problem is that there is a terrible hypocrisy when it comes to immigration. Lots of countries are willing to see their own nationals go to live and work in other parts of the world but shut themselves off when it comes to accepting immigrants. The fact is, I am the only non-white leader in the European Parliament. I think we all need to be working towards a more diverse and inclusive political community, something I've just been explaining in a video about diversity.#diversity #eu #opportunity #politics pic.twitter.com/GL9H625EUz Syed Kamall (@SyedKamall) February 7, 2018 Read more This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:32 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Westmonster January 14, 2019 The Eurosceptic, anti-mass migration Alternative for Germany (AFD) has agreed that it may campaign for an exit from the European Union unless significant changes take place. Party delegates made the decision at the AFDs congress on Sunday, with the party putting a possible Dexit on the table ahead of the European Elections in May. A draft manifesto agreed by delegates requires a reshaping of the bloc in an appropriate timeframe or Germany must leave, according to their draft manifesto. The party want to see the European Parliament abolished and insist that we see nation states as having the exclusive competence to make laws. Addressing Brexit directly, AFD Co-Leader Alexander Gauland said: When the British leave the EU, they restore a geopolitical state that is more normal in the history of our continent. A projection by Europe Elects would see the AFD as the third biggest party in terms of MEPs in the EU Parliament. Germany, Europe Elects projection: 'If there was European election today' Number of Seats (MEPs) CDU-EPP: 24 (-5) GRUNE-G/EFA: 19 (+8) AfD-EFDD: 15 (+14) SPD-S&D: 14 (-13) LINKE-LEFT: 8 (+1) FDP-ALDE: 8 (+5) CSU-EPP: 5 FW-ALDE: 1 TIER-LEFT: 1 (+1) PARTEI-NI: 1#EP2019 Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) January 12, 2019 To see a major German party openly discuss leaving the European Union shows you just how quickly European politics is changing. This article was posted: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:34 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article WhatsApp launches privacy campaign after backlash WhatsApp has launched its first major privacy-focused advertising campaign in 14 times this year armed robbers heightened fears of insecurity in Ghana A brutal attack on a vehicle transporting cash to a bank on Monday, June 14, 14 times this year armed robbers heightened fears of insecurity in Ghana A brutal attack on a vehicle transporting cash to a bank on Monday, June 14, Police on high alert over possible terrorist attacks in Bolga, Tamale Police in the Northern and Upper East regions have been put on high alert over NLC to meet TUTAG today The National Labour Commission, NLC and the leadership of the Technical #Fixthecountry case adjourned to June 21 An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey has adjourned a case Tullow rules out further layoffs Tullow says there will not be further layoffs in the coming days. Pan-African Parliament: Punches, kicks and death threats Founded with the noble ambition of uniting the continent, a session of the Black Meteors suffer another defeat to South Korea The Black Meteors have suffered another defeat to South Korea in the second Dates for MTN FA Cup Round 32 fixtures announced Matches in the Round of 32 of the MTN FA Cup have been scheduled for Friday, Ghana Assoc. of Bankers to hold an emergency meeting The Ghana Association of Bankers is expected to hold an emergency meeting to Nato warns of military challenge posed by China Nato leaders meeting for a summit in Brussels have warned of the military #Fixthecountry case adjourned to June 21 An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey has adjourned a case Israel strikes in Gaza after fire balloons launched Israel says it has carried out airstrikes against Hamas militant targets in Irish police to be given powers over passwords Irish police will have the power to compel people to provide passwords for Mats Hummels own goal gives France win over Germany at Euros World champions France started their Euro 2020 campaign with a win over Germany Mats Hummels own goal gives France win over Germany at Euros World champions France started their Euro 2020 campaign with a win over Germany 14 times this year armed robbers heightened fears of insecurity in Ghana A brutal attack on a vehicle transporting cash to a bank on Monday, June 14, FRANCONIA [mdash] Donald "Don" Swift was born in Montreal, Quebec, on March 3, 1954, and passed peacefully from his battle with cancer on June 13, 2021, with some family by his side. He is formerly of Scarborough, Ontario, and Beaconsfield, Quebec. He is survived by his two daughters: Katie The snow that South Jersey towns saw accumulate Saturday night and all day Sunday has caused some cancellations and delayed school openings Monday, Jan. 14. The following list of schools and services is being updated regularly. Check back for more details: Cape May County: All Ocean City Schools will Open with a two-hour delay. Cape May County Fare Free Transportation has canceled regular services and shopping runs. Meals on Wheels and Dialysis services will continue to run on their regular schedule on Monday. All countywide Senior Centers will be closed on Monday as well. This includes the Senior Centers in Ocean City, Upper Township, Lower Township and North Wildwood. Ocean County: Tuckerton Elementary School will have a two-hour delayed opening. Buses will pick up students two hours later than normal and students being dropped off should arrive between 9:50 and 10 am. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. The Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has suspended the remittance of check-off dues of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the university to the unions account. The Vice-Chancellor of LASU), Olanrewaju Fagbohun, said the action, which may have deepened the crisis between the university management and the leadership of ASUU, was a reaction to a petition by some members of the union accusing ASUU leadership of fraudulent practices. But the union has denied the allegation, accusing the vice-chancellor of engaging in illegality, and that he was acting on wrong information. In a statement signed by the Acting Head of the institutions Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations (CIPPR), Ademola Adekoya, the university accused the union of retaining the sacked Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the union, Isaac Oyewunmi and Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu, as signatories to the unions accounts. The statement further accused the union of illegally paying the two lecturers N50,000 each monthly as allowances, despite Mr Oyewunmi allegedly taking up employment in an unnamed university following his dismissal from LASU. The statement reads; The Governing Council of the Lagos State University on the 7th of September, 2017 dismissed Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi (erstwhile Chairman of ASUU-LASU) for acts of misconduct bordering on extortion of money from students; and Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu (erstwhile Vice-Chairman of ASUU-LASU) for acts of misconduct bordering on manipulation of students results. By virtue of their dismissal, they ceased to be members of ASUU-LASU from the 7th of September, 2017. The Management is in receipt of a petition signed by a number of members of ASUU-LASU which alleged that Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi is still part of those presently operating the Bank Account of ASUU-LASU despite being a staff of another Institution. Further, that both Dr. Oyewunmi and Dr. Adeyemi-Suenu have illegally been collecting monthly allowance of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) each from the general monthly deductions of members of ASUU-LASU. The petitioners further alleged that the Management is acting in concert with the Executive of ASUU-LASU to defraud members of ASUU-LASU. However, the university said the response of the union to its enquiry on the matter was not satisfactory, saying describing the matter as an internal affair of the union was not acceptable. The relevant financial Institutions have, however, confirmed that Dr. Oyewunmi as at 9th January 2019 is a signatory to the Bank Accounts of ASUU-LASU. The continued management and operation of ASUU-LASU Bank Accounts by Dr. Issac Oyewunmi borders on criminal conspiracy, fraud, and corruption. Management cannot allow the mechanisms of the university to be used to aid and abet fraud and corruption. In the circumstance, the vice-chancellor in the exercise of his supervisory and general responsibility to Council to maintain good order in the university has directed the immediate suspension of remittance of check-off dues of members of ASUU-LASU to ASUU-LASU Bank Accounts pending when the management and operation of the account(s) are properly regularised, the statement added. But in its reaction to the development, the LASU branch of ASUU advised the management to rescind the decision, insisting that the unions operations are backed by Chapter 14 (Trade Union Act), Section 17 (a & b) of the Nigeria Labour Law. In its response to the vice-chancellor, which is dated January 14 and signed by the Secretary and Assistant Secretary, Tony Dansu and Adeolu Oyekan, ASUU said in line with the constitution and extant practices of the union, only its National Executive Council (NEC) can determine and recognise the leadership of a branch and signatories to its account. In this instance, Dr. Isaac Oyewumi is the recognised Chairman in the ASUU-LASU branch of our union, the letter said. The letter, a copy of which was made available to PREMIUM TIMES, and titled; Re: Allegation of Abetting Illegal Operation of ASUULASU Bank Account, noted that both Messrs Oyewunmi and Adewale-Suenu were not on N50,000 monthly allowance from the union but are paid a token from the unions purse to support their upkeep pending the determination of the court case over their illegal dismissal. It reads in part; you would also recall that the purported dismissal of the Chairman is still a subject of litigation in a competent court of law. It is therefore expected that as a Senior Advocate and a law teacher for several years, you should know that this matter is Sub-judice. That Dr. Isaac Oyewumi and Dr. Adebowale-Suenu have been collecting a monthly allowance of N50,000:00 each from the general monthly deductions of members of ASUU-LASU is not only erroneous but clearly demonstrates a crass lack of understanding of the workings of our Great Union. For the avoidance of doubt, check-off deductions of all members including that of ASUU-LASU belong to the national body of our union and in line with its commitment to and solidarity with victimized members; it often gives a monthly stipend until the determination of their illegal dismissal by a competent court of law. ASUU-LASU is only discharging this obligation on behalf of the national body. Mr. Vice-Chancellor Sir, please be informed, that, contained in the unions constitution is a grievance procedure for any member who feels strongly about how the finances of the union are being deplored. It is therefore shocking that the LASU Vice-Chancellors office intends to usurp this sacred responsibility of the National body which is unsolicited. But speaking with Premium Times, one of the aggrieved members of the union and Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Babatunde Yusuf, said it was illegal for dismissed members of the union to continue to lead a union peopled by hundreds of members. ADVERTISEMENT He said; It is unacceptable for someone dismissed for corrupt practices to continue to run the affairs of our union and be receiving stipends from our deductions. It cannot stand, and that is why many members rose to write the petition. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigeria police on Monday arraigned a 22-year-old man, Emmanuel Chukwu, before a Yaba Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl. Mr Chukwu, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of assault and defilement. Police prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the accused committed the offences on November 10, 2018, at 11:30 p.m. at No. 16, Anthony Village, Lagos. Mr Nurudeen said the accused had unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl and told her not to inform anyone about what he did. The complainant started noticing some changes in her body and had to confide in her older sister who then discovered that she was pregnant. My Lord, when the girl told him about the pregnancy in the presence of her sister, he beat her up for telling her sister about what transpired between him and the girl, he said. Mr Nurudeen said the girl was not the first person the accused had defiled in his (accuseds) neighborhood. The offences contravene Sections 137 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 with Section 137 stipulating life imprisonment for offenders. Ruling, the Chief Magistrate, K.B. Ayeye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum. Mr Ayeye said one of the sureties should be related to the accused while both sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. She adjourned the case until March 4 for mention. ADVERTISEMENT The speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeniran Alagbada, on Monday expressed shock and sadness over Saturdays accident that claimed several lives at Iworoko-Ekiti market in the state. At least 15 persons were confirmed dead on Saturday night at Iworoko Ekiti, near Ado Ekiti when a Dangote truck conveying rice bagged with campaign stickers of an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Ondo State, Tayo Alasoadura. Mr Alagbada said the accident had brought a huge loss and damage to the Ekiti people, describing it as a piece of unpleasant news so early in the year. The speakers condolence message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Toyin Babalola, and made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti. I have received with huge shock the report of the death of several persons and others injured in an accident involving a large truck; It is an unpleasant news at this time, he said. Mr Alagbada expressed his condolences to the families of the bereaved and prayed that God should grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. He wished those injured a safe and quick recovery. The speaker assured the victims that he would liaise with the state executive arm on the need to provide the victims with the necessary support to aid their treatment and quick recovery. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several people lost their lives in the accident involving a truck that crashed into a market at Iworoko Ekiti in the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday around 8.45p.m. The truck coming from the Ifaki-Ekiti end of the Ifaki-Iworoko-Ado-Ekiti Road lost control and rammed into the market located in the heart of Iworoko. (NAN) Protesters on Monday stormed the zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Wuse 2, Abuja, demanding the probe of a former Akwa-Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio. The protesters under the aegis of Civil Society Groups for Accountability and Probity requested an investigation to be launched into what they described as the unlawful acquisition of properties and false declaration of assets by the senator. Speaking on behalf of the group, Jonathan Ogwuche said they were at the commission to submit a petition against Mr Akpabio. He said in 2007, Mr Akpabio claimed to have eight buildings, while in 2011 he declared 10 buildings. Curiously however and of worrisome note, in 2016 following an investigative report by an online media, it was alleged that he was among those with properties in Dubai. FLASH: A plush home linked to ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio @SenAkpabio located in Dubai Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) January 21, 2016 Contrary to claims by Sen. Akpabio, the following outlandish properties located at the under-listed addresses could also be traced to him as follows: 1. Plot 5 Ikogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja; 2. Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama; 3. 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and 4. Plot 23 Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos. He said the properties are conspicuously missing in the asset declaration of the former governor. With the exception of a Bedford armour bus which he claimed to be a gift, cars declared in 2007 were copied and pasted in 2011. This doesnt represent the reality on ground as he is known to move about in a fleet of cars. The protesters claimed a son of the former governor who is said to have a property in Abuja (in 2007 declaration) at Games village acquired on 1-1-2005 worth a value of N16.9 million has an annual income of just N350,000, while in 2011 declaration, the value remained unchanged. The source of the house is questionable. We can incontrovertibly submit that Senator Akpabio freely dished out the finances of Akwa Ibom State to his children, friends and other family members while corruptly enriching himself with same at the detriment of the state. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the allegations. Anietie Ekong, a media aide to the senator, told this newspaper that they were not surprised by the allegations. He said they have responded to several other petitions at the commission. This is not the first time we are going to EFCC. We have been responding to petitions since we left office in 2015, he said. He said the petitioners were pursuing a political vendetta. He added that previous petitions had been withdrawn by their originators because of lack of evidence. Controversial Lawmaker Several persons have in the past demanded investigation into the finances of the former governor while he has also been invited by the EFCC several times. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Akpabio was elected in 2007, at a time the nation enjoyed robust oil revenue. He left office on May 29, 2015. Akwa Ibom and Rivers States are Nigerias largest oil-producing states. The two states alternate as first and second top producers periodically. Protesters at the EFCC to demand probe of former governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio Protesters at the EFCC to demand probe of former governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio The two states receive the highest cash allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee monthly. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the office of the Accountant General of the Federation indicate that under Mr Akpabio, known for ostentatious spending, Akwa Ibom received N1. 6 trillion from the federation account between June 2007 and May 2014. At the time he vacated office, the state received staggering funds, excluding other revenues like Ecological Funds, internally generated revenue etc. He recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party on whose platform he served as governor and senator to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian military command at the 7 Division Nigeria, Maiduguri, on Monday flagged off Exercise Egwu Eke III aimed at curbing criminality. Exercise Egwu Eke is anti-crime military operation initiated by the Nigeria army to curb the rising wave of crimes across Nigeria, an official said. Speaking at a brief ceremony organised to kickstart the exercise, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Abdulmalik Biu, said the operation was specifically designed to, among other things, ensure a hitch-free 2019 elections. He also said the exercise will hold till February 28, this year after which it may be reviewed. Mr Biu said Egwu Eke which means python dance (in Igbo language) was not to target innocent civilians. Egwu Eke is out to deal with criminals and this is a warning to all that the python has a large mouth to swallow all criminals should they be found wanting, he said. The theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Benson Akinroluyo, commended the chief of army staff for initiating the exercise. He also reassured residents of their safety during the conduct of the exercise. Egwu Eke has a large belly python that has an appetite for swallowing only criminals in any part of the state and even beyond. So if you dont want to be swallowed, dont commit crimes, he said. The Speaker of Borno state House of Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan, who represented the Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima, flagged off the exercise. He commended the military for returning peace to Borno state after years of fear and displacement. We cannot but continue to thank the military for the wonderful work they have been doing for us in Borno State. Gone were the days of fear and consternation because no one is sure of when the next attack would come. We hardly could sleep with our two eyes closed. But with the coming of the military from 2015 to date, peace has gradually returned to our state, and I believe that with the flag off of Egwu Eke III, Borno will soon bid bye to insecurity. The high point of the event was the ceremonial handing over of the operational flag to the deputy speaker who then flagged off the exercise. Egwu Eke III was officially launched late December 2018 by the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the current partnerships between Nigeria and Britain will be enhanced if he is voted into office in 2019. The former vice president, who said this in an article he wrote for the UK Sunday Express, said the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari, has failed to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and its former colonial master. The article which was published on Sunday, a copy of which was also sent to PREMIUM TIMES outlined Mr Abubakars plans to invigorate the economic and cultural links between the two nations. The British Prime minister, Theresa May, in August, 2018 visited Nigeria in a bid to explore mutual investment opportunities for both nations. She is currently overseeing the tumultuous Brexit, which is the impending withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The move follows the referendum of June, 23, 2016 when 51.9 per cent of those who voted supported withdrawal from the union. Mr Abubakar, in the piece, defended why he would be the best bet to lead Nigeria in view of the British governments foreign and investment policy rather than Mr Buhari. I foresee a new trade partnership between Nigeria and Britain, enhanced cooperation on security and counter-terrorism, and deepening our historic links of culture, family and language, Mr Abubakar said. This agenda will benefit ordinary Nigerians and Britons alike, as well as increasing mutual investment in our respective economies. He said President Buhari had his chance but the international rankings do not lie. He (Buhari) has proven himself neither a leader who can elevate the domestic situation of the Nigerian people, nor one who can inspire foreign investors and international partners, he said. The future relationship between Britain and Nigeria can be bright and prosperous but it requires a change of leadership in Abuja. He fell short of saying that Mrs Mays recent visit to Abuja recently was a wasted venture, with Mr Buhari still in power. Unfortunately for Mrs May, the government that she (May) met with led by President Muhammad Buhari cannot deliver any of this. For Nigeria to move forward, a change is required. In the four years of President Buharis Administration, Nigeria has regressed by almost every domestic and international metric. We have fallen in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business report; we have fallen in Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index; we have fallen in the World Justice Projects Rule of Law Index.n the past four years, India and others have sprinted ahead in the race to reduce poverty, he said. He said the forthcoming elections in February offer the opportunity for a change, which the British should support by ensuring credible polls are conducted. President Buhari has promised the international community that the elections would be free and fair, but there is little confidence amongst Nigerians that he will stick to this promise. What is needed is pressure from the international community to ensure that Nigerians have the right to determine their own futures, and to do so free from harassment, vote-suppression or outright fraud. As a major funder of democracy initiatives around the world, the U.K. has a real stake in this process. He also explained what an Atiku presidency means for Britain and other nations. What does this all mean for Britain, and the future relations between our nations?, he said. Taken together, my new agenda aims to increase the purchasing power of Nigerians across our country: providing economic security, improving quality of life, reducing poverty. ADVERTISEMENT This, in turn, provides a platform of security and certainty for (British) investors to take advantage of new opportunities for collaboration not just oil and a chance to work with a government that is serious about building a prosperous Nigeria. More Knocks For Buhari In the piece, Mr Abubakar made some uncomplimentary remarks on his main opponent in the presidential polls. President Buharis track record proves that he cannot be trusted to safeguard democracy, if left to his own devices, he must be pushed by the international community to do the right thing. President Buharis regime is tired, and a truly democratic change is needed. That means re-establishing the rule of law, the respect for the courts, and a crackdown on corruption. A real anti-corruption process is required so that Nigerians, and foreign investors, can have confidence in our domestic laws, not show trials perpetrated as crackdowns on corruption, where corrupt cronies were allowed to flourish. Equally, as our roads and railways crumble, a new infrastructure programme is needed to revitalise them: such a programme would create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and provide long-term benefits to people across the 36 Nigerian states, Mr Abubakar said. ADVERTISEMENT A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has appealed to the Senate to hasten the passage of the National Commission for the Prohibition of Illegal Importation of Small Arms, Ammunitions and Light Weapons Establishment Bill. In a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES, the groups said the passage of the bill is necessary ahead of the February 16 presidential and National Assembly elections. The bill, sponsored by Suleiman Nazif, was first read on the floor of the Senate on February 21, 2018, but is yet to be read for the second time. It seeks to prohibit the illegal importation of goods, small arms and light weapons into Nigeria and the West African sub-region. It also seeks to produce independent policies on small arms, ammunitions chemical and light weapons. This bill has been in existence in 14 countries except in Nigeria and The Gambia. The treaty was signed in Nigeria here and I think it is only proper that our country should expedite action on the process of signing this Bill into law, part of the statement read. The initiators of the Bill are asking for the rectification of the Bill and passing it into law just like other member nations of the West African subregion have done. The Bill has been delayed for about six years in the National Assembly begging for passage. According to the statement, the leader of the coalition, Suleiman Abubakar, said when passed into law, the commission would go a long way to checkmate all forms of electoral malpractices and associated violence during the conduct of the general election. Information reaching us shows that some politicians have already acquired arms and ammunitions to be given to the youth during the forthcoming general election in addition to sowing Police/Army Uniforms for these youth but if these youths are given the opportunity to serve under this commission before February general election, they would not fall prey to the evil machinations of desperate politicians and this is why we want the bill to be passed by the National Assembly and assented to by Mr president before the election date. This bill will attract foreign investors into the country, guarantee safety of lives and property of the citizenry, eradicating all forms of criminality in the country including kidnapping, rape and killings in parts of the country, it will also provide massive employment to our jobless youths and also generate revenue to the government. As I am talking to you we are working with retired Army generals, Navy and Air Force senior officers in addition to high ranking Police officers. They all join hands in providing useful training to the newly recruited personnel of the commission, he said. Mr Abubakar noted that part of the provisions in the Bill is for employment to about 350 youth in each of the 774 local government areas in the country. He said the proposed law will help to restore security to the grassroots. It will fill the gap created by the advocates of state Police. As I am talking to you Boko Haram insurgents are in every village in the country. Arms and ammunitions are in all nooks and crannies of this country. Kidnappers have taken over virtually all Villages and communities in Nigeria and the only way to fish out all these unwanted elements in our midst is through the establishment of this commission in the country. We have monitoring devices to dictate criminals in our areas, he said. He said the bill would return peace to all parts of the nation and expressed optimism that its speedy passage would enable Nigerians to join the rest member nations of West African subregion in reaping the benefits associated with the law on the recovery of small arms and Ammunitions. The coalition called on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Chief Whip, Shola Adeyeye, senators Shehu Sani, Moa Ohuabunwa, Dino Melaye, Sam Anyanwu, Mohammed Ndume, Stella Oduah, Sam Egwu, Kabiru Marafa, Godswill Akpabio among others to facilitate the passage of the bill for good governance, peace and security of the country. Less than five months to the end of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, one of his ministers has failed to inaugurate the board of an agency under his supervision. Chris Ngige, the minister of labours refusal to inaugurate the 11-member board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has rendered the agency powerless. The board membership was constituted by the Vice-President/ Yemi Osinbajo, in October 2017 in his capacity as Acting President. The membership includes a former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG), Frank Kokori as Chairman; Deputy President of the NLC, Peter Adeyemi; Treasurer of Congress, Khaleel Ibrahim; Larry Etta and Timothy Olawale as representatives of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA). Others are representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the managing director and three executive directors of NSITF and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ibikun Odusote, who represents the ministry on the board. Statutorily, ministers are empowered to inaugurate boards of agencies under their control. However, Mr Ngige has failed to inaugurate the NSITF board 15 months after it was constituted and about five months to the expiration of the current administration. Failed Promises Since the board was constituted in 2017, Mr Ngige has been engaged in a game of excuses on why the board could not be inaugurated. The minister, at different times starting in February 2018, had promised to inaugurate the board but failed to do so. That February, the minister set up an administrative panel of inquiry to look into the financial state of the NSITF to purge it of all negative trails inflicted on it by its last board and management. Constituting the panel tactically helped Mr Ngige abide with a directive by President Buhari that all ministers should inaugurate boards of various parastatal under their supervision. The directive was issued in a circular, dated February 26, 2018, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. The panel was given six weeks to report after which it was expected the board would be inaugurated. Yet, the board was not inaugurated after the panel submitted its report in June. The development got the attention of the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomole, who wrote Mr Ngige in July 2018 requesting he inaugurate all board members appointed under his ministry. In a response letter, however, Mr Ngige promised to inaugurate the board of the NSITF before the end of July. The minister said the delay was caused by an investigation he ordered into an alleged N40 billion corruption scandal by the former board. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which also investigated the matter, had concluded its probe over a year ago and charged indicted officers to court. ADVERTISEMENT Battle Of Wits Not satisfied with the response, Mr Oshiomole publicly threatened the minister same July. If the minister refuses, we will suspend him from the party, Mr Oshiomole had said. For me it is the height of mischief for any minister, you cannot purport to be an honourable minister and you act dishonourably. Nobody is greater than the party, Mr Oshiomole added. To douse the tension, President Buhari called for a meeting of the parties involved. There he approved three weeks for an implementation panel to finish its work, after which the inauguration should take place. The meeting ended peacefully, with all parties agreeing to the stipulated time-frame. However, by the end of July, instead of inaugurating the board, Mr Ngige set up another committee headed by Mrs Odusote, to implement the report of the Administrative Panel of Enquiry. The minister gave this committee two weeks to finish its work promising to inaugurate the board once this was done. Again, he did not keep to his promise. The three weeks elapsed in the middle of August 2018 as the implementation committee was inaugurated on July 26, 2018. Surprisingly, no date or venue has been chosen for the inauguration even as at the time of filing this report. Confusion, Agitation Meanwhile, the situation has fuelled tension among members of the board and other stakeholders. Some of them who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said the development could cripple the agency if not hastily rescued. While narrating his efforts at bringing the board to life, the chairman, Mr Kokori, said he suspects some insiders are afraid of the big wand the board may wave once inaugurated. I suspect that they dont want somebody of high integrity so sit down there to correct what is happening. Maybe my name is what is frightening some people inside, people who benefit from the rot. He traced the genesis of his effort at ensuring inauguration to the time Mr Osinbajo constituted the board. With the minister himself since October last year (2017), weve met many times, thats physical meetings. He would say they are investigating and this issue has even been finalised by the EFCC. So, what is he still probing, I dont know? Its very important that the board be inaugurated because the board is the heart of the NSITF. Anything that has to be approved must pass through the board. So, the management for now is just stagnant, they cant do much. There is no guide for them now. There is no accountability. He prayed the board be inaugurated to allow him and other members carry out their mission of sanitising the agency. Even my people in Delta State are very unhappy. At times they will say they want to demonstrate and I will calm them down telling them the minister said this, the minister said that. My people are not happy at all. Similarly, the National President of the Association of Senior Staff of Bank, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Oyinkan Olasanoye, weighed in saying the development would worsen corruption cases in the agency. It has not made the agency to be effective. One of the reasons the minister gave was that there have been some fraud but if we have a board in place, that has representative of the minister and there was fraud, is it now that there is no board that there will not be fraud? The minister is the only person who could say why it has not been inaugurated. For us, we have said all, we have communicated, we have asked questions yet, nothing is done, she told PREMIUM TIMES in a phone interview. Frustrated by the development, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, in October 2018 mandated the leadership of the union to take all necessary actions to force Mr Ngige to inaugurate the NSITF board. In a communique issued by its president, Ayuba Wabba, at the end of the meeting, the union also resolved to demand report of the EFCC investigation into the alleged fraud in the agency. Blame Game When Mr Ngige was first contacted in November 2018, he referred PREMIUM TIMES inquiry to his media aide, Nwachukwu Obidiwe. Mr Obidiwe had then told this reporter that the board would be inaugurated soon. Two months later, the promise has not been kept. On Thursday, January 10, Mr Obidiwe said the non-appearace of nominees from the NLC nominees for screening remains the only barrier for inauguration. The minister has done his own part, he said. You are aware that the board is a tripartite board. The membership of the board has been sent for security clearance in October 2018. As I speak to you today, the nominees from the Nigeria Labour Congress have not presented themselves for documentation and security screening. Those nominated by the government and NECA have all done so. The matter have been brought to the attention of NLC. Its only when they do it that the board will be inaugurated, he said. He promised that the board would be inaugurated once Peter Adeyemi and Khaleel Ibrahim show up for screening. Sure (it would be inaugurated after their screening), the minister has kept saying it. He has done his own part. Immediately they do it, nothing else is left. But the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress described the ministers claims as false. In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Wabba said none of the two NLC nominees were contacted. That is false. They have never been invited for the screening, he said. I have raised the issue with him (minister), he said a security screening was going on. I gave him their names and contacts, till now, none of them have been invited for the screening. We wrote several times and raised some issues about the delay but its not true that we are delaying the process. I can say authoritatively that they have not been invited. If they were not available, I ought to be informed because they represent an institution. I can state authoritatively that if they are waiting for our nominees, their documents are with them, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The prosecution team charging Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen for false assets declaration allegations has demanded that the top jurist must show up in court to have his charges read to him. Trial opened at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the trial of Mr Onnoghen shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Monday. The senior judge was absent, but 47 senior lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun, made appearances for him. Mr Olanipekun said Mr Onnoghen did not have to appear because the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter. He also said the judge was not properly served of court summons prior to his scheduled arraignment today. Aliu Umar, who leads the prosecution team, however, argued that Mr Onnoghen cannot avoid to appear for hearing. He said there is no law that says a defendant shall refuse to appear before a court just on the grounds of contesting jurisdiction. He should be here, Mr Aliu said, but he may refuse to be arraigned and say that he is contesting the case. Mr Olanipekun argued that Mr Onnoghens personal assistant was served the court summons for onward passage to the chief judge himself, which he said should render the process a nullity. This can be cured by directing that the service be made directly to the chief justice himself, Mr Aliu said, insisting that there are no tenable grounds for Mr Onnoghen not to appear for trial. Uncertainties over whether Mr Onnoghen would appear for trial were palpable across the country throughout the weekend. Several supporters of the chief justice and opposition elements have insisted that he should not appear. Five out of six governors in the South-South, the Niger-Delta region where Mr Onnoghen hails from, also prevailed on the chief justice to shun the tribunal on Sunday night. Mr Onnoghen faces six counts of false assets declaration charges, following a petition that said he failed to disclose a series of bank accounts in local and foreign currency while sitting on the Supreme Court for several years, in alleged violation of the code of conduct law. ADVERTISEMENT At least 47 senior advocates of Nigeria have arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the opening hearing in the false assets declaration case against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen. Mr Onnoghen is accused of failing to declare a series of bank accounts linked to him for several years, in alleged violation of the code of conduct law for public officeholders. A petition containing the allegations was sent to the Code of Conduct Bureau on January 9, and the Code of Conduct Tribunal fixed Monday morning for commencement of trial. The allegations were made by Deniss Aghanya, a politician with history of working for President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Onnoghen denied all allegations against him. He is yet to arrived at the court as of 10:05 a.m. The trial has sparked nationwide outrage, with many condemning the action of the government in bringing the charges. But there are also questions about how Mr Onnoghen came across the humongous foreign currency he was accused of depositing in bank accounts. ADVERTISEMENT Yinka Badmus, a photojournalist who was remanded at the Ikoyi prison for allegedly wearing dreadlocks, has regained his freedom. Stephen Oguntoyinbo, a relative of Mr Badmus, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the magistrate signed his release warrant from the Ikoyi Prison where he was after he was charged by the police. According to reports, Mr Badmus was eating noodles from a street vendor near his home in the Surulere area on the 31 December when he was arrested by anti-cultism policemen. The police, however, said contrary to the report that Mr Badmus was arrested for wearing dreadlocks, he was actually arrested for conspiracy to commit felony with a member of an unlawful society and for belonging to an unlawful society, the Eiye Confraternity. Chike Oti, spokesperson of the states police command said he was charged to court and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000. Mr Oti said he was only remanded because he could not meet his bail condition. This is an issue that is neither within purview of the force nor its control, Mr Oti said. He added that there was no section of the law of Lagos state criminal law and indeed the criminal code that criminalises hairstyles. Therefore, there is no way the said Yinka Badmus could have been charged to court for wearing dreadlocks by the police. Suspects are charged to court based on the existing law and not for mundane reasons, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Jerry Gana, says Nigeria is facing serious challenges threatening its democracy. Mr Gana was declared the presidential candidate of the SDP by a court which nullified the nomination of Donald Duke at the partys convention. He spoke at a briefing on Monday in Abuja where he reacted to the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Mr Onnoghen, who was represented by 47 senior lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun, earlier on Monday was absent at the trial and the Code of Conduct Tribunal was forced to adjourn it until January 22. Mr Gana said the trial violates the constitutional provisions on the trial and removal of the CJN embedded in Article 292 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended). The fact that the planned trial has boycotted the constitutional provision which stipulates that any infraction by Judges must first be investigated and then resolved by the National Judicial Council, to the exclusion of any other body or authority, has further strengthened the suspicion, he said. Mr Gana said Nigeria is facing external threats, internal insecurity and serious economic challenges. He also said the fight against corruption, upon which the federal government toasts its success, is being prosecuted in a manner that tends towards the disruption of the constitutional order. Mr Gana called on all lovers of democracy to close ranks and confront the emerging trend towards the institutionalisation of cultic principles and gangsterism in the political and governance processes. This gangsterism, he said, is seen in the invasion of the homes of serving Justices of the High Courts as well as the apex courts, the selective trial of the Senate President and head of the second arm of government, The prosecution of the President, Nigerian Bar Association, and now the record-breaking commencement of trial against the person of the Chief Justice of the Federation and head of the judicial arm of government. Mr Gana said it is not only the judiciary that is under attack but also the media, making reference to the invasion of Daily Trust newspapers premises and the arrest of its reporter. All of the above happenings at this critical time, weeks to the all-important 2019 general elections tend to mark a clear indication of an agenda by the federal government to muzzle both the bench and the bar, under circumstances that suggest anything but due process. The rule of law and social justice remain the bastion of democracy anywhere in the world. When the rule of law and social justice are violated, democracy lacks credibility and legitimacy. Sadly, such forces, if not promptly arrested and seriously contained can easily lead to the truncation of our hard earned democracy. Noting he agreed corruption must be ruthlessly fought, he said he believes government must never give the impression the fight against corruption is protective to those who belong to the circle of leadership, as such would turn the war into a cult-like fiefdom where only the initiates are set free. He urged the federal government to respect the law of the land and follow due process in pursuing the case as any contrary action will not only undermine the Nigerian Constitution and the Judiciary but will heat up the polity unnecessarily at this sensitive period of electioneering campaign towards the general elections. He said this is an opportunity for President Muhammadu Buhari to prove to Nigerians that the public perception in many quarters that the move is aimed at emasculating and intimidating the Judiciary ahead of the coming general election is wrong. ADVERTISEMENT The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed the forum of South-south governors for the absence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, from his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The Code of Conduct Bureau arraigned Mr Onnoghen on Monday before the tribunal. Earlier on Sunday, six governors from the South-South region rose from an emergency meeting Abuja urging Mr Walter to boycott the arraignment. Mr Onnoghen is from Cross River, a state in the South-south region. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of leading a segment of the society into believing the trial has a political, ethnic and religious undertone. He accused the PDP of trying to heat up the polity by evoking primordial sentiments. Mr Issa-Onilu said: The call by the PDPs South-south governors for the CJNs boycott of the CCT trial further cements our position. Let it be reiterated that nobody no matter how highly placed should be above the laws of the land. We wish to put on record that the virulent attack that has come from the PDP in the wake of the trial of the CJN over alleged false asset declaration is particularly worrisome and suspicious. The APC spokesperson accused the PDP of being sympathetic to corruption and suggested there is a relationship between the opposition, some aspect of the judiciary and civil society organisations. The likely affinity existing between the PDP and a section of the judiciary is further accentuated by the nonappearance of Justice Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday in line with the suggestions made by the PDP governors from the South-south on Sunday, he said. The only logical conclusion in the circumstance is that realising the refusal of Nigerians to allow the deception of the PDP con them into returning the party to power, the opposition party has alongside some pliable human rights activists devised a plot to distract the APC and indeed the good people of Nigeria from addressing the very important issues on the APCs manifesto in the electioneering process. (CNN) The White House's National Security Council asked the Pentagon last year for plans for launching a military attack against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported early Sunday, citing current and former U.S. officials. The request from the council, which is led by national security adviser John Bolton, came after an attack in September on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by a militant group aligned with Iran, according to the Journal. According to the paper, Mira Ricardel, the former deputy national security adviser, described the attacks in Iraq as "an act of war," and said that the U.S. needed to respond accordingly. The request was met with concern by both the Pentagon and the State Department, according to the Journal, with one former administration official telling the paper that people were "shocked" by the request. A senior administration official told CNN on Sunday that it's not accurate to say the Pentagon and State Department were caught off guard by the request, but would not confirm any other details from the Journal's report. Although the Pentagon obeyed the request by the council, the Journal reported, it is unknown whether or not the plans for striking Iran were ever fully developed or even provided to the White House. The Journal also said that it is unknown whether President Donald Trump had knowledge of the request. In a statement provided to CNN on Sunday, Garrett Marquis, a spokesman for the council, said that it "coordinates policy and provides the President with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats." "We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests," the statement read. Marquis also provided the Journal with the same response. Later Sunday, Defense Department spokesman Col. Rob Manning told CNN that the department "is a planning organization and provides the President military options for a variety of threats; routinely reviewing and updating plans and activities to deal with a host of threats, including those posed by Iran, to deter and, if necessary, to respond to aggression." The Journal, citing conversations with people familiar with the talks, also reported that the council requested options for launching strikes at both Iraq and Syria when they made the request for Iran. This story was first published on CNN.com "Wall Street Journal: White House requested plans last year from Pentagon to attack Iran" ADVERTISEMENT The Action Alliance (AA) on Monday reaffirmed its support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in the forthcoming presidential election. The AA National Chairman, Kenneth Udeze, who stated this at a press conference at the partys headquarters in Abuja. We are for Atiku/Obi leadership and we are glad to work with all believers of true federalism and efficient administration of governance at all levels to accomplish this as we approach the forthcoming elections. The National Executives Committee (NEC) of our party are on the same page concerning our support for Atiku, same with all our state chapters in this matter. We hereby restate out position through this medium that AA as a certified and active member of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have not for a moment reconsidered or wished to alter that position. For your information, AA moved the motion for the adoption of Atiku as the Presidential Candidate of CUPP, and we are on it to the end, he said. He said the support for Atiku/Obi was the support for the growth of the countrys democracy and the required restructuring of the country. Mr Udeze added that Ugwunmba Nwosu still remained the governorship candidate of AA in lmo State, and he is the one running for the election under the party, not Governor Rochas Okorocha. We shall do our best to deliver him, as he still remains the Candidate to beat among all the gubernatorial candidates. On this note, let me warn all our members in Nigeria, and the lmo State Chapter, in particular that we dont need any infraction in our party (in fact there is no room for that). It is our unshakable/unfailing resolve to work for the emergence of Atiku/Obi, in the presidential election, and that we must not only be seen to be doing, but to truly do. I will not hesitate to invoke from relevant sections of our Party Constitution to deal with erring members no matter how highly placed, as AA constitution which I swore to protect remains supremely sacrosanct. Please be warned, he said. He also called the federal government to implement its agreement with the Nigerian Labour Congress on the proposed N30,000 new national minimum wage. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Aziz, says Lagos and Kaduna States recorded high enrolment figures in registration into the National Identity Database in 2018. Mr Aziz told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that Lagos and Kaduna so far had 4,247,088 and 1,802,931, respectively. According to him, Ebonyi and Bayelsa States recorded low turnout with 353,700 and 318,233, respectively. He urged those yet to be registered to do so at any NIMC enrolment centre as National Identity Number (NIN) is a prerequisite for one to obtain any services from government or private organisations. Despite the declaration and approval by the Federal Executive Council for the commencement of the mandatory use of the NIN this January, there is still no drastic improvement in the registration. The commencement of the mandatory use of NIN means that all government agencies as well as private agencies will make the NIN a prerequisite for providing services to citizens and legal residents. Agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as embassies are already demanding the NIN prior to the January 1, 2019 proclamation, he said. Mr Aziz also assured that the enrolment process would be easily accessible to all with the commencement of the Digital Identity Ecosystem. He added that with the Digital Identity Ecosystem, all data collecting agencies as well as licensed private operators would be able to enrol and send data back to NIMC. He, therefore, advised states with low enrolment figures to persuade their residents to participate in the exercise. According to him, the exercise is ongoing at all enrolment centres across the local government areas and special centres in the country. He also assured the public that the process was not to inconvenience or witch-hunt anyone, rather, it is of great benefit to all. As it will create an avenue for proper identification and accessibility to services from government and non-governmental agencies, he said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The trial of a the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, stalled on Monday as the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama refused to go ahead due to his absence. Mr Melaye is facing trial for allegedly providing false information to the public regarding an assassination attempt against him. He was arraigned by the federal government through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The matter was slated for today for the continuation of hearing. On Monday, the prosecution counsel, Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that the defence counsel had served him application, requesting an adjournment since Mr Melaye is still in custody. My lord, the case is for continuation of hearing for the prosecution. The defendant counsel approached us this morning explaining the circumstance for which his client could not be in court, he said. Craving my indulgence since we have two dates for the hearing of this case, we have no problem, we agree to the proposal and if the defence counsel us that he would be here on the same date. On his part, the defence counsel, Olusegun Jolaawoz explained to the court why there was the need for an adjournment. We did inform the counsel that our client could not be able to be here because he is on remand. We went on extra mile to obtain an order given by Justice Alilu on January 9. He ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody for an initial period of 14 days, Mr Jolaawo added. After listening to both counsels, the judge, Olasumbo Goodluck, adjourned to January 28 for continuation of hearing. ADVERTISEMENT The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has reacted to rumour he has abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mr Ekweremadu said he is still with the party as he and others are currently working on how to oust the All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming elections. The lawmakers commitment to PDP has been brought under doubt since the party primaries that produced former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as running mate to Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president. Many believed the lawmaker is the highest ranking politician in the South-east and so should be consulted, if not chosen as Mr Abubakars running mate. The scepticism was further fuelled by Mr Ekweremadus silence in the media space since the primaries. Mr Ekweremadu took to his Facebook page to bring the doubt to a conclusion Monday morning. My attention has been drawn to the orchestrated attempts by some characters to create the impression of a divided house in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the coming presidential election. Such characters dish out fake and divisive stories without source on a daily basis and attribute same to me. While I refuse to be distracted by such cheap blackmail, smear campaign, and extreme propaganda, it is important to reassure our supporters that the PDP is united and focused on wrestling power from the All Progressives Congress, APC. After the PDP lost the presidency and majority status at the National Assembly in 2015, I made it clear that I would stand by the party, no matter what. It took other party stakeholders and I a lot of efforts, sacrifices, soul-searching, and painstaking negotiations to hold the party together and rebuild it. If I did not abandon the PDP at its darkest hour, it does not make the slightest sense to say that I abandoned it now that its sun is rising again, he posted on his Facebook page. The lawmaker added that he is working with Mr Obi and others to ensure the victory of PDP in the elections. He urged his supporters to discard the rumour of his disloyalty. The post reads further: Meanwhile, I have held separate meetings with our Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, to work out strategies for the success of our party and candidates in the coming elections. We are also setting up a meeting of South East PDP stakeholders by weekend to continue to strategise on the coming elections. I have no doubt that the South East leaders will deliver the region overwhelmingly to the PDP and I expect that other leaders will also do the same in their respective geopolitical zones. Therefore, I urge our supporters not to be distracted by such propaganda as we approach the critical stages in the coming elections. We should rather focus on delivering the votes to ensure the success of our party. Mr Ekweremadu is aiming to return to the Senate in his Enugu West constituency in the National Assembly election slated to hold on March 2. The presidential election will hold on February 16 according to INEC timetable. Some judicial advocacy groups have criticised the Nigerian government over its planned arraignment of its chief justice, Walter Onnoghen, over false assets declaration. In separate statements sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, the groups called on the government to stop the action and withdraw the charges against Mr Onnoghen. This prosecution, for the records, is unprecedented, said Joseph Otteh, the convener of the Lagos-based Access to Justice. No Chief Justice of Nigeria, before now has been charged in a court of law for any offences. Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is head of the Nigerian judiciary, and whenever a government moves against the head of a Judiciary, if the lessons of history teach us something, it is often a red flag. The Code of Conduct Bureau had scheduled the arraignment of Mr Onnoghen, who was appointed the head of Nigerias judiciary in 2017, on January 14. He is charged with six counts of alleged false assets declaration. The planned arraignment had drawn criticisms from several legal practitioners including the umbrella body of lawyers in the country, the Nigerian Bar Association. Mr Otteh described as unnerving, the circumstances surrounding how the case was stringed together by the accusers and the motives of the government seen through its response to the criticisms. There is extraordinary evidence of back-stage collusion between government and the protagonists of the complaints (evidenced, for example, by the unprecedented haste with which the Code of Conduct Bureau has acted on the petitions), and well-founded fears that the prosecution is politically-motivated and is targeting strategic influence over how an incumbent Chief Justice exercises the roles of that office in the upcoming elections. Mr Otteh said everything about how the case was orchestrated and put forward the alleged links between the petitioners and the president, the amount of personal information of the Chief Justice made available to the petitioners, the haste with which the Code of Conduct Bureau acted on the petitions, giving no reasonable time to conduct credible forensic investigations into them are evidence of a plot to remove Mr Onnoghen from office. The motive is corrupt from the word go and will pitch many of those who want to see a more transparent judiciary, against the move, he said. Overall, this prosecution will be cast as an invidious effort to undermine judicial independence and interfere with the adjudication of election cases, which, really, is what it appears to be more than anything else. On Sunday, South-south governors convened an emergency meeting where they prevailed on Mr Onnoghen to shun appearance before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday morning. Chino Obiagwu, the coordinator of the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), said the charges against Mr Onnoghen are not only unlawful but that the executive arm lacks the constitutional power to discipline or charge any judge to court for a criminal offence unless the judge had been subjected to disciplinary procedure by the National Judicial Council (NJC). LEDAP filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja in October 2016 when some judges homes were raided and some of them arrested, Mr Obiagwu, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said. We challenged the constitutionality of the arrests without prior reference to NJC. In 2017 in a similar suit, the court of appeal confirmed that only the NJC can discipline judicial officers or refer them for criminal prosecution. This was the case of Nganjiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria (2017) LPELR-43391 (CA). The charges against the CJN without reference to, and prior disciplinary actions of NJC, are grossly unlawful. The CCT as a vehicle for such unlawful enterprise, as an arm of the Presidency, contravene the principle of separation of powers under the 1999 Constitution. We call on the federal government to immediately withdraw the charges against the CJN, as well as the purported motion for order suspending him from office. The executive arm of government has no power for seek for such orders. We also call on the Hon Attorney General of the Federation to put a stop to this unconstitutional actions and to allow caution and good sense to rule to avoid the erosion of judicial independence. ADVERTISEMENT The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have spoken on the arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, over his failure to declare his assets. In separate statements on Sunday by their spokespersons, Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan respectively, the two presiding officers urged the federal government to thread with caution. Mr Onnoghen is billed to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Monday. He was charged with six counts of false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on January 10. The charges followed a petition brought against him by a group, the Anti-corruption Research and Data Based Initiative, headed by a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former official of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Denis Aghanya. In a statement, the CCT said it received the request for the trial of Mr Onnoghen on Friday and had slated Monday to commence with the matter. But the senate president, in his statement, advised the federal government to ensure that its plans to put on trial the nations chief judicial officer does not cause chaos in the judicial system and that the due process is not compromised. Mr Saraki added that he believes that if the government truly has genuine reason to put the Chief Justice of Nigeria on trial, it should ensure that every step in the process is transparent and the normal process, as provided by the law, is followed to the letter. He said a situation where the petition which triggered the trial was submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on Wednesday January 8 and by January 10 on Friday, the Chief Justice was presented with it for his reply, only for the charges to be drafted that same day and filed in the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), already indicate unnecessary haste and short-circuiting of the process of fair hearing. It is important for the government and members of the public to know that as somebody who has travelled this route before, we should refrain from any media trial and political players should avoid abusing the judicial process in order to achieve what they could not get through normal political contests. Everybody who is being tried should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. That is the underlining principle of our justice system. The proposed trial of the CJN has once again opened up the debate on the transparency and neutrality of the fight against corruption. The haste with which this trial is being pursued leaves a lot to be desired. From last Wednesday when the so-called petition against the CJN was initiated to the period the trial is scheduled to commence has been barely three working days whereas there are pending cases where the individuals involved have been indicted some months ago but no prosecution is being considered, the senate president said. While noting that the anti-corruption fight has become a case of a separate rule for the people close to the executive branch and another set of rules for the rest of Nigerians, the senate president stated that the fight has been compromised and politicised. All these subjective actions politicise the anti-graft fight. They weaken national institutions. They send wrong signals. The CJN is not above the law but his trial puts the entire judicial system on trial. It sends a signal to the entire world about our judiciary. It has implications for the confidence of local and foreign investors about the system of adjudication over disputes in our country. Thus, the matter should be handled with care, demonstrating intense transparency and strict adherence to due process. This trial, coming just about a month to the commencement of the presidential elections, the aftermath of which the CJN and the judiciary he is leading are set to play crucial adjudicatory role, has already raised suspicion about the real motive. There are already suggestions that this plan is set to disorganize the judicial arm after constant attempts by agents of State to undermine the federal legislature. Senate President, Bukola Saraki Therefore, the entire country and the international community will be watching closely every step in this trial because it is definitely unusual, unprecedented and will set a record in the engagement among the three arms of government recognised in our presidential system. This trial definitely has implications for the principle of separation of powers and concept of checks and balance embedded in our presidential system of government, Mr Saraki said. The speaker, in his own statement called for caution in the charges filed against the judicial officer. Mr Dogara said the House awaits further briefing from relevant agencies. Nevertheless, it is important that due process is followed because Nigeria is a country governed by laws and not dictates of men. He noted that the House is not less zealous in the fight against corruption but said to commence a matter of that grave magnitude with a media trial is pregnant with innuendos least needed by the polity at this sensitive time. ADVERTISEMENT The speaker added that Nigeria is a country governed by laws with clearly spelt-out procedures and processes for their activation and not the dictates of men. It is important that people in authority should exercise power with decorum and not plunge the nation to needless crises as Nigeria is not a banana republic. This is a matter that affects another arm of government and its head which should be treated with caution so as not to send the wrong signal that there is a political undertone or other ulterior motives to the issue. Yakubu Dogara As we raised our voice when the National Assembly was invaded by hooded security men last year, it is incumbent on us as the legislature to voice our concerns because we operate under a system where three arms of government are co equal branches and enjoy a measure of independence guaranteed by the Constitution. As we approach the general elections, it is incumbent on the prosecutorial authorities to exercise caution and treat matters of this nature with utmost circumspection. Various lawyers and the Nigerian Bar Association have condemned the arraignment, describing it as unlawful, politically motivated and a prosecutorial misadventure. The main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party, has also condemned the trial, describing it as a plot by the APC to frustrate the judiciary and rig the forthcoming general elections. The ruling APC has, however, defended the proposed trial, scheduled to start seven days after Mr Aghanyas petition was sent to the CCB. It denied any attempt to stifle the judiciary or rig the general elections, next month. ADVERTISEMENT Determined to ensure the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria are peaceful, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, and the Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, will on Wednesday lead religious leaders across the nation in a two-day conference on the role of interfaith communities during the polls. Coming under the auspices of the General Assembly of Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace [IDFP], the conference, slated for Abuja, will also discuss the imperative of national security in the conduct of the election, the bodys Co-Chairmen, Ishaq Sanni and Sunday Onuoha. IDFP is a national interfaith and intercultural dialogue forum that has the peaceful co-existence of all government recognised religions as well as ethnic groups in Nigeria as its central objective. A statement by the group said other participants at the conference themed, 2019 Elections and National Security: The Role of Interfaith Communities include the leadership of the three arms of the federal government, all state governors, the minister of Federal Capital Territory and INEC. Other participants are heads of security agencies, traditional rulers across all the geo-political zones, chairmen of all registered political parties, labour unions, student bodies, NGOs, socio-cultural and women organisations. Keynote addresses will be delivered by J. U. K. Igwe (SAN) and the Wazirin Katsina, Sani Lugga, a professor, while all KAICIID Dialogue Centre Fellows in Nigeria will be observers at the conference. The Vienna based KAICCID is the only intergovernmental organisation with a Board of Directors made up of representatives from major world religions and founded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Austria and Kingdom of Spain. The Holy See is admitted as a Founding Observer to the centre. The establishment of IDFP in February 2016 was funded and facilitated by KAICIID Dialogue Centre, Vienna, in partnership and collaboration with Interfaith Mediation Centre [IMC], IPCR and The Kukah Centre. ADVERTISEMENT Barring any last minute change in decision, President Muhammadu Buhari has tapped Abubakar Adamu Mohammed as the new Inspector-General of Police, PREMIUM TIMES can report based on interaction with top presidency and police sources. Outgoing Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris met with the president at the State House on Monday afternoon, a visit police sources said has become a tradition for outgoing inspectors-general in recent years. We have a new police IG, a senior officer told PREMIUM TIMES Monday night. Ibrahim Idris has gone home to move his things from the official quarters and we are now waiting for a formal handing over. The source spoke under anonymity to avoid being castigated as disclosing crucial information before formal announcement. Presidency sources also corroborated the development in separate exchanges with PREMIUM TIMES. Top security analysts have also disclosed their awareness. Until his appointment Monday night, Mr Mohammed, from Nasarawa State, is an assistant inspector-general by rank. He is also known within police circles as Adamu Mohammed Lafia, in reference to his place of birth, which is the Nasarawa State capital. Mr Mohammed was born on November 9, 1961. He enlisted in the police in 1986. He has a bachelors degree in geography. He was at one time a director of peacekeeping operations. He is a former police commissioner in Enugu and was an AIG in charge of Zone 5. He is currently a directing staff member at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State. His elevation might see several deputy inspectors-general retired from service, an exercise that would be reminiscent of how Mr Buhari sacked DIGs when he named Mr Idris as IG in June 2016. Mr Idris, who retires tomorrow on age grounds, was an AIG when he was appointed. Mr Idris controversial tenure was capped with widespread insinuations that he might remain in office beyond the period permitted by Nigerian laws. Critics had accused Mr Buhari of scheming to retain him for the 2019 elections, a claim administration supporters rejected. Still, security analysts said critics and supporters of the government alike would be relieved of the controversies that characterised Mr Idris tenure. The former IG was accused of corruption and brutality, although he denied wrongdoing and regularly praised himself as a fine law enforcement officer. Mr Mohammeds spent years of his career with Interpol, the international law enforcement outfit that has Nigeria as a prominent member. He was at the headquarters of the agency in Lyon, France, for several years. Sources familiar with his career described him as a diligent and unruffled police officer. ADVERTISEMENT An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Monday restrained the Code of Conduct Tribunal from proceeding with the trial of Nigerias Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen for alleged false asset declaration. The allegations against Mr Onnoghen were raised in a petition by a former official of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change, a party formed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The case which was has been described by many lawyers as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary, was suspended to January 22, after Mr Onnoghens lawyers challenged the jurisdiction on Monday and argued that their client was not properly served. The CJN was also absent at the first trial on Monday. Following two separate ex-parte applications seeking the same objective at the federal high court, a judge, N.E Maha, directed that parties involved in the matter appear before it on Thursday to explain why the trial should not be halted. The ruling, reported by the Punch Newspaper, added that the parties expected to appear in court on Thursday include the CCT chairman, Danladi Umar, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the National Judicial Council, headed by Mr Onnoghen and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. The applications were brought by the incorporated trustees of two groups: the Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative, and the International Association of Students Economists and Management. In various reactions, lawyers explained the implication of the ruling on the ongoing CCT trial. Simon Ameh, a senior advocate of Nigeria, told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview that said the tribunal is under an obligation to obey the federal high court. A Federal High Court can order a temporary stay of proceedings at the CCT. Though the court is also willing to finish with its matter before the next adjourned date at the CCT, being the 22, he said. But FHC can restrain the CCT and it will be under obligation to obey the order. But they can also decide to disobey it and be ready to face whatever punishment that the court, in this case the FHC, will give it. Another senior advocate, Chijioke Okoli, said the federal court was only exercising its right of judicial review of matters within a lower court. The CCT is not a superior court of record. So that being the case, the FHC can control it by means of judicial review, he said. It is the class of action called judicial review and control of inferior tribunals. In this situation an administrative action may be to quash the proceedings for excess of jurisdiction. Under the judicial review, the high court can control the proceedings in an inferior court. Tribunal members are not judicial officers, Mr Okoli told PREMIUM TIMES. In a similar opinion, another lawyer, Ngozi Ikenga, says the two courts are not the same in many ways. CCT cannot be the same jurisdiction with the federal high court. Appeal moves from the CCT to the federal high court. The CCT is a tribunal while the federal high court is a court of higher authority. The FHC can restrain the CCT and it will have the obligation to obey, Mrs Ikenga said. The first day of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghens alleged false asset disclosure trial took off rapidly on Monday morning, as the prosecution used the top jurists absence to begin mapping out a case for suspicious financial dealings against him. Mr Onnoghen is the first chief justice of Nigeria to be put on trial for criminal charges, coming barely two years after he assumed office in March 2017, and a year after associate Supreme Court Justice Sylvester Ngwuta was discharged in a similar trial. He was absent when first hearing opened at the Code of Conduct Tribunal at 10:05 a.m. on Monday, but a team of 47 senior lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun, entered appearance to extricate him of the charges. The charges have been overshadowed by partisan political rhetoric, with South-South governors demanding after what a source present described as a livid meeting on Sunday night that Mr Onnoghen should shun the trial they saw as a vindictive and undemocratic process. It was not immediately clear whether or not the demand by South-South governors and other members and supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party was amongst what informed the top jurists absence. Mr Onnoghen is the defendant in six false asset declaration charges brought by the Code of Conduct Bureau. The allegations involved questions about whether Mr Onnoghen failed to disclose some bank accounts holding humongous local and foreign currencies while sitting on the Supreme Court. The top jurist said in his initial response to the bureau, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, that he forgot to disclose the bank accounts, which contained dollars, pounds, euro and naira denominations totalling more than N300 million. He, however, said in documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES he had since disclosed the asset in his most-recent filings in late 2016. Although considered criminal, asset disclosure violations, which only apply to public officeholders, do not necessarily attract jail terms, but a convict could face up to ten years ban from public service, and sometimes in addition to heavy fines and forfeitures. Hammering on technicalities But rather than offer categorical grounds for why Mr Onnoghen should not be convicted of the charges, Mr Olanipekun argued that the court has no power to hear the charges at all. The senior lawyer said the National Judicial Council had not previously investigated the allegations, and perhaps had not even been informed of their details. The claims were raised in a petition sent to the Code of Conduct Bureau by Dennis Aghanya, leader of a civic anti-corruption group with long ties to President Muhammadu Buhari. The Nigerian Constitution required in Section 292 that a serving judge must first be investigated and indicted by the National Judicial Council before dismissal or trial for misconduct in open courts. The NJC regulates the Nigerian judiciary. Mr Olanipekun also said the tribunal summons to Mr Onnoghen was delivered to his personal assistant and not him personally, arguing that this was an anomaly and added to the reasons for his absence. The prosecution led Umar Aliyu from the Federal Ministry of Justice rejected the argument, saying Mr Onnoghen was duly served and should be available for trial. The prosecution also said Mr Onnoghen should not have been afraid if he really believed the charges against him were trumped up, suggesting that the judges failure to appear could mean a more rigorous probe of his past financial dealings. He, however, agreed that another summon could be dispatched to Mr Onnoghen to enable him appear before the tribunal. Danladi Umar, the tribunal chairman, adjourned further hearing until January 22. He ordered that Mr Onnoghen must appear to be docked for the charges against him, as well as listen to arguments on whether or not the tribunal could assert jurisdiction. An uncharted territory Born on December 22, 1950, in Biase Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, which is now one of the six states that make up Nigerias South-South, Mr Onnoghen became the 17th Chief Justice of Nigeria on March 6, 2017. Before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2005, he had served as a judge in his home state, as well as the Court of Appeal. He was educated in Ghana. His road to becoming Nigerias chief judge came at a turbulent moment rife with fundamental disagreements between the executive and the judiciary. ADVERTISEMENT Months before Mr Onnoghen was cleared to lead Nigerias judiciary, hooded operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) violently breached homes of seven federal judges in overnight anti-corruption raids. Some of the judges were arraigned for disparate corruption charges, but none has been conducted three years on, including Mr Ngwutas who was cleared in 2018 largely on the grounds that the NJC had not previously investigated or indicted him. Mahmud Mohammed, who led the court from November 2014, was the Chief Justice when the coordinated raids were conducted on October 16, 2016. Mr Mohammed retired less than a month later on November 10. Mr Onnoghen was subsequently made an acting-chief judge, a position he maintained until his appointment for ratified by the Senate on March 6, 2017. During the time Mr Onnoghen acted, his substantive appointment was a subject of widespread concerns amongst the country. President Muhammadu Buhari declined to send the top judges name to the Senate for confirmation for several weeks. It was Acting-President Yemi Osinbajo who ultimately took the bold step in 2017, apparently to stave off potential constitutional crises that could ensue if there is no substantive chief judge in place for six months. Administration officials suggested at the time that the delay was due to a rigorous vetting of Mr Onnoghen being conducted by the SSS. But barely two years into his term, which is expected to expire when he turned 70 and mandatorily retires in December 2020, the judge is facing corruption charges. Asides being the first to be charged for corruption amongst serving or retired chief justices in Nigerias history, the charges against Mr Onnoghen do not seem to have been tested before at the tribunal. The petition against Mr Onnoghen said the chief judge declared his asset in 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court, but failed to do so in 2009. The code of conduct law requires a public officer to disclose fresh asset filings every four years. Mr Onnoghen said he did not know he was supposed to renew disclosure of his bank accounts after four years, saying he had in fact forgotten some of the details. He, however, justified the humongous deposits he made in local and foreign currencies to the accounts, saying they were proceeds of his legitimate incomes, especially allowances and estacodes. Adding to the legal confusions is the question over whether it was appropriate to charge a serving chief judge days into a general election. Nigerias presidential, parliamentary and state-wide elections are slated for February. Critics of the administration are spreading suspicion that Mr Buhari was behind the move to remove a chief judge of southern origin in order to replace him with a judge from his northern region who would be more amenable to political influence. Mary Odili is the most-senior associate judge from the South-South on the Supreme Court. She is a year older than Tanko Mohammed, another associate judge from Bauchi State whom the government had been rumoured to have penned down as the next Chief Justice. Amongst the reasons ascribed to the government for taking the action were that many election-related issues would end up in court, and Mr Onnoghen could not be trusted with the judiciary at that critical stage. The ruling APC strongly denied all allegations of presidential interference in the trial, urging Nigerians to dismiss unfounded and divisive insinuations from partisan provocateurs. An administration official also said in a message to PREMIUM TIMES that neither Mr Buhari nor Mr Osinbajo was briefed before the charges were filed and made public on Saturday. The Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal are directly and absolutely under the executive control. The officers are domiciled under the Secretary to the Governor of the Federation. The tribunal has a coordinate jurisdiction with the Federal High Court, which means appeals from its rulings could only go directly to the Court of Appeal. While details about whether Mr Buhari or other senior administration officers were involved have remain fuzzy three days after the matter first became public, the manner with which Mr Onnoghen is being targeted worries public policy experts. The timing of the indictment is suspicious, Charles Omole, a public affairs analyst and national security expert, said in a message to PREMIUM TIMES. The speed with which it is being pursued strengthens the suspicion as it is uncharacteristic of the slow approach of this administration to act on even far more crucial matters in the past three years. Mr Omole said Mr Onnoghen could be tried since he has no immunity from prosecution and not above the law, especially if there are serious grounds to arraign him. Questions about how Mr Onnoghen came about the humongous deposits he made at different backs over several years have been raised. In some instances, Mr Onnoghen was said in the petition to have made $10,000 deposits in five different transactions, totalling $50,000. Extant financial regulations at the time said any amount beyond $10,000 would be subjected to further scrutiny to confirm legitimacy. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Onnoghen deposited in piecemeal to circumvent the requirement that could trigger further probe of his deposits at the time. But even if Mr Onnoghen had engaged in underhand dealings as a top jurist, Mr Omole warned that the principle of separation of powers appears to have been defeated in the way the trial came about, especially because of the need to dispel insinuations of a sinister ethnic agenda. If the attack on the CJN is perceived as having an ethnic or religious motivation amongst Nigerians in any shape or form, then this may have a debilitating impact on the national security, Mr Omole said. The government should not compromise the cohesion of national security activities. False asset charges can be particularly difficult to prove, as when Senate President Bukola Saraki was arraigned on 18 counts of similar infractions in 2015. The matter ended without any of the charges being substantiated either at the tribunal or appellate courts, with the top lawmaker saying the trial established his long-standing view that the Buhari administration filed the charges as a witchhunt rather than in pursuit of justice. If the charges force Mr Onnoghen out of office, he would be the first Chief Justice to be ousted since Teslim Elias was hounded by Murtala Muhammads military junta in 1975. That former Chief Justice Elias was removed from office by a reckless military junta and not on corruption allegations actually calls for a more careful handling of Mr Onnoghens matter, the expert added. You do not set a powerful precedent with a faulty and clumsy allegation. Arriving on campus for the first time as a freshman can be stressful for a multitude of reasons, so keeping yourself busy is key to settling into a healthy routine. In order to get into this new college lifestyle, Virginia Tech provides its students with plenty of opportunities outside the c ADVERTISEMENT Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria due to be arraigned for alleged false assets declaration charges, was absent in cour when his trial commenced on Monday morning. Danladi Umar, the Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman, called Mr Onnoghens case at about 10:08 on Monday, and the chief justice was absent. Wole Olanipekun, a senior Nigerian lawyer who is leading a team of 46 other senior lawyers to enter defence for the chief justice, began by challenging the jurisdiction of the case. You have to first determine whether you have the jurisdiction to try this matter, Mr Olanipekun said to the tribunal chairman. Mr Olanipekun said Mr Onnoghen has not been indicted by the National Judicial Council as legally required of serving judges before his matter was picked up by the tribunal following a petition filed by a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Mr Olanipekun also said Mr Onnoghen was not given enough time to prepare for his arraignment before being summoned by the tribunal. The chief justice was charged with six counts of false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on January 10. The charges followed a petition brought against him by a group, the Anti-corruption Research and Data Based Initiative, headed by a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former official of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Denis Aghanya. In a statement, the CCT said it received the request for the trial of Mr Onnoghen on Friday and had slated Monday to commence with the matter. Various lawyers and the Nigerian Bar Association have condemned the arraignment, describing it as unlawful, politically motivated and a prosecutorial misadventure. The first hearing in the false asset declaration suit filed against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen opens this morning at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja. Asset declaration infractions are illegal under Nigerias code of conduct law. The scheduled prosecution, which has sparked disparate interest amongst supporters and opponents of the Buhari administration, emanated from a petition filed against the top jurist by a civic group. The tribunal is expected to open at 10:00 a.m. It remained unclear whether Mr Onnoghen would make appearance in person. Dozens of senior lawyers have already packed the court to defend the chief justice. Mr Onnoghen, Nigerias 17th Chief Justice, is the first serving Chief Justice to be arraigned for criminal offences. There is no immediate record of any former chief justice being charged in a similar manner, either. How the charges were filed has been amongst the most controversial aspects of the development since its disclosure on Saturday. The petition was forwarded to the Code of Conduct Bureau on January 9 by Dennis Aghanya, a former media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Enugu State. Lawyers, including the Nigerian Bar Association, have argued that Mr Onnoghens trial would not stand because he has not been previously investigated and indicted by the National Judicial Council as required by an existing judgement. They rely on a decent decision of the Appeal Court in Lagos, which said the NJC must first sanction a serving Judge before they can be arraigned in any court. Although that Appeal Court judgment, which was delivered against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was appealed by the anti-graft office to the Supreme Court, no verdict had been reached on the matter. Mr Onnoghen, who was confirmed Chief Justice in March 2017, is from Cross River State. The case has generated intense political interest, with critics accusing the Buhari administration of trying to oust the chief judge shortly before presidential election, to ensure he faces no risk of unfavourable court decision should the poll be disputed. List of Senior Advocates (SANs) on the defence. Lawyers from the defence and prosecution already present at the tribunal. Members of the defence team include, Kanu Agabi, Adegboga Awomolo, Wale Olanikpekun, CHris Uche among other senior lawyers. The Defence Council at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for trial of CJN Walter Onnoghen Lawyers from the defence and prosecution already present at the tribunal. Members of the defence team include, Kanu Agabi, Adegboga Awomolo, Wale Olanikpekun, CHris Uche among other senior lawyers. On Sunday, five governors of the South South region, where Mr Onnoghen hails from, held an emergency meeting and urged the jurist to ignore the charges. PREMIUM TIMESs Evelyn Okakwu and Samuel Ogundipe are at the tribunal to run updates of the proceeding. Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria due to be arraigned for alleged false assets declaration charges, was absent in call when his trial commenced on Monday morning. Danladi Umar, the Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman, called Mr Onnoghens case at about 10:08 on Monday, and Mr Onnoghen was absent. Wole Olanipekun, a senior Nigerian lawyer who is leading a team of 46 other senior lawyers to enter defence for the chief justice, began by challenging the jurisdiction of the case. ADVERTISEMENT You have to first determine whether you have the jurisdiction to try this matter, Mr Olanipekun said to the tribunal chairman. Mr Olanipekun said Mr Onnoghen has not been indicted by the National Judicial Council as legally required of serving judges before his matter was picked up by the tribunal following a petition filed by a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Mr Olanipekun also said Mr Onnoghen was not given enough time to prepare for his arraignment before being summoned by the tribunal. The prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar, says he has just been served with the application and argues that the arraignment ought to have taken place before any application is brought. Defence lead, Mr Olanikpekun, asks if the tribunal had ordered a specific date for the arraignment. Mr Olanipekun says the prosecution cannot be talking of the arraignment of the person who has not been properly served and who has even appeared in protest of the matter. Mr Umar, the prosecution counsel, says there is no law that says a defendant shall refuse to appear before a court and say that he is contesting a suit. He should be here. He may refuse to be arraigned and say that he is contesting the case, he said. Mr Olanipekun answer, My learned friend with due respect is talking of what he thinks. We are talking of the law. Reading through a 2018 judgement, Mr Olanikpekun insists that the arraignment cannot start where there is a problem with the process. He said the presence of the accused person is only mandated when the trial officially commences. Mr Aliu responds by saying that no application should be heard where a plea has not be taken. He has asked the tribunal to give an order that the CJN be served again, but on a personal note. Mr Umar is asking that a date be selected this week to serve the CJN. But Mr Olanikpekun is insisting that the date cannot be within this week because the matter involves direct service to the CJN. Following pleas by Mr Olanikpekun, the tribunal has adjourned the matter till next Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, discussed the Yemen peace talks and the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi during talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday. Mr Pompeos visit to the Saudi capital is part of his trip to the Middle East, which began on Tuesday, in a bid to dismiss concerns about U.S commitment in the region. Mr Pompeo said he discussed the accountability for Jamal Khashoggis murder. Mr Khashoggi, a sharp critic of the crown prince, was killed on October 2, 2018 after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, a case that has triggered global condemnation. This month, a Saudi court started the trial of 11 defendants all Saudi nationals in connection with the murder. Saudi officials have repeatedly denied reports that the Prince was linked to Khashoggis murder. In December, the U.S. Senate passed two resolutions that offered up a fierce rebuke of President Donald Trumps full-throated support for Saudi Arabia, including a resolution that blamed the prince for the murder of Mr Khashoggi. Mr Pompeo also discussed the Yemen conflict and the need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially a ceasefire and redeployment in the embattled city of Hodeida, according to the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive political solution is the only way to end the Yemen conflict, Pompeo tweeted. In December 2018, Yemens rivals the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-allied rebels reached a truce agreement on Yemens key port city of Hodeida at UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden. Both sides have since accused each other of breaching the ceasefire. Mr Pompeo also met with King Salman earlier on Monday, where they discussed Yemen, Iran and Afghanistan. The U.S. diplomats previous meetings in the region have focused on rallying regional support for its anti-Iran campaign as well as backing up Trumps plan to pull U.S. troops out of war-torn Syria. Mr Pompeo, who already visited Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt on the trip, is also scheduled to visit Oman on Monday. (dpa/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Democratic Republic of Congo faced growing pressure from African neighbours and beyond on Monday for a recount of its contested presidential election in a dispute that threatens more violence in the volatile nation. The December 30 vote was supposed to herald Congos first democratic transfer of power in six decades of independence and a new era after President Joseph Kabilas chaotic 18-year rule. But monitoring groups noted widespread irregularities including faulty voting machines and poorly run polling stations, overshadowing talk of democratic progress in the vast country of 80 million people. Second-place finisher, former Exxon Mobil executive Martin Fayulu, says he in fact won by a landslide with over 60 per cent of votes and that the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Mr Kabila to be declared the victor. Messrs Tshisekedi and Kabila deny this. The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), a 12-member body including Kinshasa allies Angola and Republic of Congo, expressed great concern. We suggest that the competent structures consider counting the votes in order to guarantee the transparency of the results, it added in a statement. Pressure on Mr Kabila has built since the vote, in part because Congos influential Catholic Church said tallies by its 40,000-strong monitoring team show a different winner to that announced by the electoral commission. France, Belgium, the United States and Britain have all expressed concern. But perceived criticism from inside Africa could hold greater sway, with approval from regional partners critical for the legitimacy of president-elect Tshisekedi. The CIRGL statement late on Sunday echoed the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which contains allies of Kinshasa like South Africa and Angola. Government spokesman Lambert Mende, however, told Reuters it was up to the Constitutional Court to decide on a recount. It is not up to an organisation, a foreign state, to tell a judge how to draw his own conclusions, he told Reuters. Recounting the votes is a verification technique that only a judge can decide. Mr Fayulu has gone to the court alleging fraud and the Catholic Church has also weighed in. We recommend that (electoral commission) CENI recount votes to reassure all stakeholders, said Donatien Nshole, secretary general of Congos Catholic Bishops Conference. Isolated post-election violence in Congo has many fearing a return to the kind of conflict and upheaval that killed millions since the 1990s and destabilized the region. Congo is the worlds leading miner of cobalt, a mineral used in electric car batteries and mobile phones, and Africas biggest copper producer. It also mines gold and diamonds. (Reuters/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A second African bloc has called for a recount of the Democratic Republic of Congos presidential election. The demand is raising pressure on Kinshasa to fix a dispute that could fan unrest. The December 30 vote was supposed to herald Congos first democratic transfer of power in six decades of independence and a new era after President Joseph Kabilas chaotic 18-year rule. But monitoring groups noted widespread irregularities, including faulty voting machines and poorly run polling stations, overshadowing talk of democratic progress in the vast country of 80 million people. Second-place finisher, former Exxon Mobil executive Martin Fayulu, says he in fact won by a landslide with over 60 percent of votes. He also said the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Mr Kabila to be declared the victor. Messrs Tshisekedi and Kabila deny this. The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL), a 12-member body, including Kinshasa allies Angola and Republic of Congo, expressed great concern at the controversy. We suggest that the competent structures consider counting the votes in order to guarantee the transparency of the results, it added in a statement. International pressure on Mr Kabila has built since the vote, in part because Congos influential Catholic Church said tallies by its 40,000-strong monitoring team show a different winner to that announced by the electoral commission. France, Belgium, the United States and Britain have all expressed concern about the vote. But perceived criticism from inside Africa could hold greater sway in Congo. The CIRGL statement late on Sunday echoed a statement from the Southern African Development Community, which contains allies of Kinshasa like South Africa and Angola. Approval of the election results from regional partners is critical for the legitimacy of president-elect Tshisekedi. Spokespeople for Messrs Kabila and Tshisekedi were not reachable for comment on the statements from African bodies. Mr Fayulu has welcomed calls for a recount. Isolated post-election violence in Congo has many fearing a return to the kind of conflict and upheaval that killed millions since the 1990s and destabilized the region. Congo is the worlds leading miner of cobalt, a mineral used in electric car batteries and mobile phones, and Africas biggest copper producer. It also mines gold and diamonds. (Reuters/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Federal Government targets achievement of 80 per cent financial inclusion of its adult population by 2020, a revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy released on Wednesday by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown. The strategy first adopted in 2012 aims at reducing financially excluded adult Nigerians from 46.3 percent in 2010 to 20 percent in 2020. Latest figures released by the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) department of the CBN showed about 36.6 million Nigerian adults, representing about 36.8 percent of the Nigerian adult population, do not have access to formal financial services. The overall goal of the strategy, the CBN said, is to promote a financial system accessible to all Nigerian adults at an inclusion rate of 80 percent (formal and informal). The focus of the strategy will be to promote agency banking, mobile banking/mobile payments, linkage models and client empowerment. Nigeria seeks to achieve its financial inclusion target through the National Financial Inclusion stakeholders. The CBN said on Monday that a two-day national financial inclusion conference is scheduled for Abuja on Thursday and Friday for the launch of key policy documents aimed at facilitating the attainment of the financial inclusion target by 2020. The CBN said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES that over 400 delegates are expected at the conference where key policy documents, namely the revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 2.0), the Financial Literacy Framework, the Consumer Protection Framework and the Consumer Education framework, would be unveiled. The conference also aims at ensuring newcomers into the financial inclusion bracket are adequately protected and educated in line with the provisions of the policy documents. The conference to be declared open by the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, will update participants on the growing sophistication of the financial market. The meeting will also talk about the competitive environment the financial services providers operate, and the benefits and value of providing access to financial services among others. While hoping to enhance consumer confidence and trust in the financial services to facilitate progress towards achieving 80 percent financial inclusion target by 2020, the CBN said it will seek to obtain customers feedback on how best to implement the financial inclusion policies. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 09:06:43 Press Information Future Market Insights Contact Us 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/ Vaibhav SEO 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 567 Words 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: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/SEO3479183531 Wireless Synchronized Clocks are the technology extension of the common clock, apart from displaying time, this clock offer technological benefits such as the wireless audio player, and others. Wireless synchronized clocks offer high reliability and assist in maintaining time symmetry all across the organization.Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market: Drivers and RestraintsTime management is the crucial parameter in every industry & sector, which is attributing to spur the demand for wireless synchronized clocks. Apart from serving general benefits of the clock, wireless synchronized offers the wireless audio player for periodic audio announcements, alarm schedule software, and others. These technical benefits are the key driver piloting the growth of the respective industry over the forthcoming years.Replacement of old clock system in airline, railways and other industrial applications is the other factor responsible for the global wireless synchronized clocks market growth. Further, to facilitate technology infrastructure, the demand for GPRS inbuilt Clock system is creating new opportunities for the respective industry to exhibit positive growth rate in the nearer future.A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4574 Also, development of new infrastructure with advanced technology devices inbuilt are also attributing to fuel the demand for the wireless synchronized clock. Wherein, the complexity to configure and required skilled staff to operate are coupled together to obstruct the growth of the market over the forecast period.Global Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market: Market SegmentationGlobal Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market can be divided into four segments, based on Solutions, Product Type Application, and Region.Segmentation on the basis of Solutions for Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market:The major segments of Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market on the basis of the Solutions include:Indoor ClocksOutdoor ClocksSegmentation on the basis of Product Type for Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market:The major segments of Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market on the basis of the Product Type include:Analog Synchronized ClockDigital Synchronized ClockSegmentation on the basis of Application for Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market:The major segments of Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market on the basis of the Application include:RailwaysAirlinesTransportation ServicesOrganization and Hospitality ManagementMedical & HealthcareGovernmentFinancial InstituteEducationMilitary FacilitiesManufacturing PlantsTime and AttendanceRemote Buildings and OfficesSegmentation on the basis of Region for Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market:The major segments of Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market on the basis of Region include:Asia-Pacific excluding JapanThe Middle East and AfricaWestern EuropeNorth AmericaEastern EuropeLatin AmericaJapanGlobal Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market: Regional TrendNorth America is expected to dominate the global wireless synchronized clocks market regarding revenue, owing to increasing vertical application of wireless synchronized clocks, considering same the industry is anticipated to reflect positive growth during the forecast period.Asia-Pacific region is projected to emerge as the fastest growing wireless synchronized clocks market, due to increasing inclination towards the smart product in industrial sectors to facilitate ease in carrying out daily activities such as attendance.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4574 Global Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the prominent players in the Wireless Synchronized Clocks Market includes Pyramid Time Systems, Primex, Inc., Innovation Wireless, BRG Precision Products, Owl Time Clock Inc., American Time & Signal, Franklin Instrument Company, Inc., Spectracom Corp, Simplex Time, Syracuse Time & Alarm Co., Inc., TeleScience Singapore Pte Ltd. and Canadian Time Systems. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Tissue Paper Unwinding Machine Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 - 2027" report to their offering. Tissue Paper Unwinding Machine Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:58:21 Press Information 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 Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 613 Words U.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.comManager+1 03479183531 In last few decades, tissue paper demand is growing across the globe. Tissue paper demand directly affects the demand for the tissue paper unwinding machine and its market is expected to grow during the forecast period. Tissue paper unwinding machine is used in converting a big wide jumbo paper roll into a small narrow jumbo paper roll and one ply jumbo paper roll into two plies or three plies jumbo roll.Tissue paper unwinding machine is available in different working width of large shaft paper, with some other functionality such as cutting, sealing etc. Slitting blades are used for cutting and adjusted according to need such as for making kitchen rolls and industrial rolls etc. The electronic counter is available in the tissue paper unwinding machine which controls the number of sheets to be bound over a given roll. Tissue paper unwinding machine manufacturer always done technological innovation and try to manufacturer such kind of machine which optimizes the manpower and reduce power consumption.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6029 Tissue Paper Unwinding Machine Market Dynamics:Technological innovation is a key trend in the tissue paper unwinding machine market. Fabio Perini S.p.A. was done a technical advancement named constellation that offers unprecedented winding quality. An innovative geometry designed for the machine which consists mobile rolls with independent drives consistently and uniformly from first to the last sheet. Increasing demand for tissue papers in emerging countries creates an opportunity for the local manufacturer of the tissue paper unwinding machine manufacturer. Fluctuation in the price of raw material for tissue paper affects the demand of tissue paper, and it directly hampers the growth of the tissue paper unwinding machine market.Tissue Paper Unwinding Machine Market Segmentation:Tissue paper unwinding machine market can be segmented into product type, by the width of jumbo rolls and by application.On the basis of product type, tissue paper unwinding machine market is segmented into AutomaticSemi-automaticOn the basis of width of jumbo rolls, tissue paper unwinding machine market is segmented into Up to 1350 mm1350 mm to 1750 mm1750 mm to 2000 mm2000 mm to 2400 mmAbove 2400 mmOn the basis of application, tissue paper unwinding machine market is segmented into Kitchen RollsIndustrial RollsPaper TowelFoldable NapkinOthersTissue Paper Unwinding Machine Market Regional Outlook:Geographically, the tissue paper unwinding machine market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Moreover, Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest tissue paper unwinding machine market, due to the rising demand for tissue paper. Western Europe is expected to be the second largest subscriber in terms of volume and value for tissue paper unwinding machine. Apart from this, the great evolution of the retail sector in the growing economies such as India & China is expected to further boost the sales of the tissue paper unwinding machine market in Asia Pacific. Europe is expected to occupy significant share in tissue paper unwinding machine market. Asia Pacific and Western Europe have the largest regional market for tissue paper unwinding machine, owing to high demand from tissue paper manufacturer. The Middle East and Central and South America are expected to observe considerable growth rates in the near future.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6029 Tissue Paper Unwinding Machine Market Major Players:Few of the key players identified across the globe in the tissue paper unwinding machine market are Dalian Mach Co.,Ltd , Fujian Xinyun Machinery Development Co.,Ltd , Wangda Group Co Ltd, Finetech Tissue Machines, Fidan Makina, A Celli Paper SpA, Fabio Perini S.p.A., Birla Hi Tech Machines etc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:12:14 Press Information 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 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ # 422 Words 305 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 Bauxite popularly known as aluminum ore is the major source of aluminum. Bauxite is a mixture of minerals such as gibbsite, boehmite and diaspore, iron oxides such as goethite and hematite, clay mineral kaolinite and some amounts of anatase. Bauxite are found majorly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions such as Africa, West Indies, South America, Australia, Asian countries such as India and China and some parts of Europe (in small quantity). Australia is the largest producer and exporter of bauxite globally, with five bauxite mine contributing more than one fourth of the global bauxite production. There are five steps involved in the extraction of bauxite starting with preparation of bauxite area, secondly, bauxite mining, crushing, ore transportation and lastly rehabilitation of land. On an average one square meter of land can extract one metric ton of aluminum.Around 85% of bauxite mined globally is converted to alumina which is further used for the production of aluminum metal. Other major application of bauxite mining is for commercial purpose such as abrasives and refractorys. Automobile industry is the major end-user of aluminum metal owing to associated benefits of aluminum metals such as corrosion-free, high-density and lightweight features.Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3299 North America has the largest market share for bauxite mining owing to increased aluminum demand in the region. Europe and Asia Pacific region follows North America in bauxite demand. North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the forecasted period. Europe is expected to witness marginal growth. However, Asia Pacific region is expected to witness highest growth in the coming future owing to the increasing domestic demand from the automobile industries in the emerging markets of India, China and Japan.Due to corrosion-free, high-density and lightweight features, aluminum metal is gaining its important in the automobile industries to manufacture lightweight vehicle parts. This is driving the global demand for bauxite mining. Additionally, growth in the transportation sector such as airplanes, trucks, railcars and marine is further expected to increase the global bauxite mining demand.Request Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3299 Owing to the increasing demand of aluminum by the automobile industry have influence the aluminum manufacturing companies to invest more in bauxite extraction business. Some of the major companies operating in the global clinical nutrition products market are Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, Access Industries, Tata Steel Europe Ltd., Halco Mining, Tajik Aluminium Company, Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd., Queensland Alumina Limited, Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd., Australian Bauxite Limited, Iranian Aluminium Company and Alumina Limited. Remote Patient Monitoring Device Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:38:14 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 # 573 Words 305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Team Lead+1-646-568-7751 According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled Remote Patient Monitoring Device Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, the global remote patient monitoring device market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.7% and is estimated to reach US$ 1,502.9 Mn by 2024, creating incremental opportunity of US$ 657.1 Mn between 2016 and 2024. Persistence Market Research analyzes the overall performance of the global remote patient monitoring device market and provides key insights on the factors and trends likely to influence the market during this eight-year period.Market dynamicsRising prevalence of cardio vascular diseases, respiratory disorders, and diabetes in the general population are major factors driving the growth of the global remote patient monitoring device market. Increasing healthcare expenditure and increasing availability of effective treatment solutions for chronic diseases is also projected to boost revenue growth of the global remote patient monitoring device market. Other factors boosting market growth include an increasing awareness among people to self-monitor before disease advancement and government reimbursement issued on homecare settings facilities.Request to Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3287 Lack of trained professionals to help with remote patient monitoring devices is expected to hinder market growth of the global remote patient monitoring device market. Insufficiency in maintaining the privacy and security of the stored data, lack of uniformity in device functionality, and lack of general awareness on patient monitoring devices are the key restraints challenging the market.Market highlightsThe global remote patient monitoring device market is segmented on the basis of Product Type (Cardiac Monitors, Respiratory Monitors, Hematological Monitors), Application (Cardiac Arrhythmia, Diabetes, Ischemic diseases, Hypertension, Sleep apnea, Chronic respiratory diseases, Hyperlipidemia), End User (Hospitals, Homecare Settings, Long-term Care Centers, Others), and Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, APEJ, and MEA).By product type, the cardiac monitors segment is expected to remain the largest segment and is anticipated to reach US$ 765.4 Mn by the end of 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period. By the end of 2024, the respiratory monitors segment is projected to reach US$ 435.0 Mn, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period. By application, the cardiac arrhythmia segment is estimated to reach US$ 307.7 Mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period. The diabetes segment is projected to reach US$ 196.8 Mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% over the forecast period. By end user, the hospitals segment is anticipated to reach US$ 690.1 Mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period. The homecare settings segment is anticipated to reach US$ 347.3 Mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period.Among regions, North America is estimated to dominate the global remote patient monitoring device market with 31.4% revenue share of the overall market by the end of 2016. The Europe remote patient monitoring device market is anticipated to reach US$ 341.1 Mn by 2024. By 2024, North America and Europe markets are expected to account for over four-fifth share of the global remote patient monitoring device market revenue.Vendor highlightsSome key companies covered in the report include Boston Scientific Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Abbott Laboratories, Nihon Kohden Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., LifeWatch AG, Medtronic, and St. Jude Medical. These companies are primarily focused on enhancing their product portfolio through research and development initiatives and through the introduction of innovative technologies in order to gain higher market share and to strengthen their respective positions in the global market.Visit For TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3287 Centrul de Instruire Continua in Domeniul Electoral, cu suportul financiar al PNUD Moldova, anunta concurs de granturi mici pentru biblioteci Kidney Fibrosis Treatment Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:13:28 Press Information 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 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ # 566 Words 305 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 Fibrosis refers to a phenomenon of development of excessive connective tissue as a result of some injury or some disease. It results in formation of a layer around an organ in a repetitive manner which results in improper working of that organ. It often leads to scarring. Fibrosis occurs in various organs and is named according to its location. For instance, fibrosis in lungs is known as pulmonary fibrosis, whereas, fibrosis in liver is known as cirrhosis. Kidney fibrosis may be caused due to disease in kidney. It may be any stage from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this condition, kidneys stop working and gradually require transplantation. Various medications that are available in the market for treatment of kidney fibrosis are Renin inhibitors, Vasopeptidase inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Pirfenidones. Increasing prevalence of kidney diseases and no other alternative treatment available is driving the market for kidney fibrosis treatment.North America, followed by the Europe, dominates the global market for kidney fibrosis due to large number of aging population and better healthcare facilities available in the region. In addition, there is high prevalence of kidney diseases in the region. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a public health institute in 2014, in the U.S., it is estimated that more than 20 million people are suffering from chronic kidney disease. Asia is expected to show high growth rate in the next few years in global kidney fibrosis treatment market. China and India are expected to be the fastest kidney fibrosis market in Asia region. Some of the key driving forces for kidney fibrosis market in emerging countries are increasing R&D investment, large pool of patients, rising government funding and growing level of awareness.Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3102 Diseases such as obesity accelerate the incidence of kidney fibrosis. In addition, habits such smoking also adds to increment in incidence of kidney fibrosis. Increasing patient pool, rising awareness about treatment of kidney diseases and government funding are some of the key factors driving the kidney fibrosis market. In addition, introduction of safer and effective therapeutics for the treatment of kidney fibrosis is driving the market. However, high cost involved and no success for all the cases is restraining the kidney fibrosis market.Introduction of the concept of personalized medicines, mono-therapeutic approaches or combination of therapies are expected to offer good opportunities for kidney fibrosis market. In addition, introduction statins for, which are related to lowering of lipid content, thus expected to be an efficient treatment for kidney scarring. Growing demographics and economies in the developing countries such as India and China in Asia and other countries in South East Asia, Latin America and Middle East are expected to offer high growth in kidney fibrosis treatment market. One of the major trends that have been observed in kidney fibrosis treatment market includes various pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies involved in R&D of some novel medications for the treatment of kidney fibrosis. Some of the key companies dealing in kidney fibrosis treatment market are F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Pfizer, Inc, La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company, Merck & Co., InterMune, Inc. and Galectin Therapeutics, Inc. Other companies dealing the kidney fibrosis treatment market which have significant presence are Genzyme Corporation, ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. and BioLineRx, Ltd.Request Sample Report@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3102 Complementary therapies to treat psoriasis conditions and combination therapies are recent trends in Western Europe, which are creating a positive impact on the phototherapy segment in the regional market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:32:51 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way Suite 2-9018, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 524 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate WaySuite 2-9018,Manager3479183531 In the U.S., acne is one of the most common skin disorders among the teenage population. While topical or oral antibiotics remain the first-line treatment, more advanced therapies are chosen if the condition becomes severe. Increasing resistance of Propionibacterium acnes to standard medications has surfaced as a major concern for both physicians and patients. Therefore, physicians are required to consider other treatment modules that are capable of delivering quicker and more positive results.Phototherapy has emerged as an effective and contemporary treatment module for acne and psoriasis, which is gaining healthy popularity of late. As compared to biologics, phototherapy is more affordable having a similar credibility. Over the next couple of years, demand for phototherapy in regions such North America and Europe is expected to surge to a significant extent. Future Market Insights new report reveals that the North America and Europe phototherapy treatment market revenue is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.0 % over the forecast period (20172027).To Get Sample Copy of Report Visit at: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-na-4297 Distorted eating habits, as well as excessive consumption of fried and ready-to-eat food items, are linked with the early onset of acne in children. Meanwhile, in adults, women face severe acne and psoriasis onset. The report titled Phototherapy Treatment Market for Acne and Psoriasis North America and Europe Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 2027 also cites that North America represents the most lucrative market for phototherapy, followed by Western Europe and Eastern Europe. The market in North America is projected to grow from US$ 594.5 Mn in 2016 to US$ 1,150.0 Mn by 2027-end. In addition, the U.S. currently accounts for more than three-fourth revenue share of the North America phototherapy treatment market. Increasing adoption of phototherapy in dermatology clinics and hospitals in Europe is favouring the growth of the market in the region. Moreover, psychological burdens associated with acne and psoriasis is high in the region, compelling patients to seek professional help in the form of prescription treatments, phototherapy, and others. Germany and the UK are two of the major markets for phototherapy in Europe and expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period.Access Report with Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-na-4297 Key Excerpts from the Report Include:Based on end user, hospitals currently account for the largest value share of the phototherapy treatment market for acne and psoriasis in North America and Europe. However, preference for home care settings among patients is likely to grow in the near future.Demand for blue light therapy is relatively higher than other phototherapy types in both North America and Europe. This trend is expected to continue throughout the assessment period. The blue light phototherapy segment is estimated to reach a market valuation of US$ 1,067.1 Mn towards the end of 2027.Phototherapy being a high margin reconstructive technology is perceived as an opportunity for market players to invest in future growth. Lifespan, UC Irvine Health, Buffalo Medical Group, Blackrock Clinic Limited, The Private Phototherapy Clinic Ltd, National Skin Centre, and Massachusetts General Hospital are some of the leading companies profiled in the FMI report. Report Overview: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-and-europe-phototherapy-treatment-market Peripheral Iv Catheter Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:39:13 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 # 544 Words 305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Team Lead+1-646-568-7751 Persistence Market Research delivers key insights on the Global Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Market in its latest report titled Global Market Study on Peripheral Intravenous Catheter: Increasing Use of Safety I.V Catheters to Drive the Market for Peripheral I.V. Catheters . The global peripheral intravenous catheters market is anticipated to expand at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period.By product type, the global peripheral intravenous catheters market is segmented into short PIVC and integrated/closed PIVC. Among these, integrated/closed PIVC segment is expected to register fastest CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. Short PIVC segment is expected to contribute a maximum share to the global peripheral intravenous catheters market. Non-ported PIVC product type sub-segment is expected to register fastest CAGR over the forecast period.By technology, the global peripheral intravenous catheters market is segmented into conventional and safety. Among these, safety segment is anticipated to be dominant throughout the forecast period and projected to account for around 66% share of the total global peripheral intravenous catheters market revenue by 2021.To know key findings Request Sample Report @: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3324 By end-user, the peripheral intravenous catheters market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, home use, and others. Among these, hospitals segment is estimated to be the largest segment in terms of share, at 60% of the total global peripheral intravenous catheters market revenue by 2015 end. Hospital segment is expected to register fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Ambulatory surgical centers segment is estimated to be the second most attractive segment of the global peripheral intravenous catheters market by 2015 end.Global peripheral intravenous catheter market growth is mainly driven by factors such as an increase in hospitalization rate in emerging countries such as India, China, Brazil, etc., enhancement in peripheral IV catheter technology, increasing the prevalence of diseases among the population, and increase in per capita healthcare expenditure across the globe. Technological advancements and increase in usage of non-irritant material in the manufacturing of peripheral intravenous catheters to avoid associated side effects are also expected to drive demand for peripheral intravenous catheters. However, complications associated with peripheral intravenous catheters such as venous puncture, blood exposure, and needle-related injuries, and the high price of safety peripheral IV catheter in developing regions such as APEJ, MEA, and Latin America are expected to hamper the growth of the global peripheral intravenous catheter market.This report covers the trend of each segment and its sub-segments along with an analysis of the potential of peripheral intravenous catheters market in these regions. North America and Asia-Pacific regions are estimated to collectively account for over 60% revenue share of the total peripheral intravenous catheters market by 2015 end. North America is estimated to contribute a maximum share to the global peripheral intravenous catheters market. Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing market due to increase in hospitalization rate along with improvement in healthcare facilities in the region.Key players in the global peripheral intravenous catheter market include B. Braun Melsungen AG, Smith Medical, Terumo Corporation, Inc., Becton Dickinson and Company, Tangent Medical, Vygon Group, C. R. Bard, etc. Manufacturers of peripheral intravenous catheters are working in partnership with other key healthcare solutions and services providers in order to gain maximum market share.Visit For TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3324 Non Melanoma Skin Cancer Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:38:14 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 # 596 Words 305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Team Lead+1-646-568-7751 In a new report titled Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Forecast 2017 2025, Persistence Market Research analyzes the global non-melanoma skin cancer treatment market over an eight year forecast period 2017 2025 and throws light on the various factors impacting revenue growth of the market over the said period. The report highlights the market forecasts for the different segments and presents deeper insights for informed decision making.Region High Prevalence of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in North AmericaNorth America is estimated to hold a market share of roughly 55% in the global non-melanoma skin cancer treatment market in 2017 and is anticipated to have the highest attractiveness index of 3.0 during the forecast period. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more prevalent in senior citizens and the Population Reference Bureau estimates that Americans over the age of 65 will double to almost 100 million by 2060.Treatment Type Radiation Therapy Larger than Chemotherapy and Photodynamic TherapyRadiation therapy is larger than chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy combined, making it imperative for key stakeholders in the non-melanoma skin cancer treatment market to focus on this treatment type. Radiation therapy is poised to be worth more than US$ 4.7 Bn by end 2025. Within radiation therapy, companies may wish to target superficial radiation therapy.Indication Basal Cell Carcinoma Dominates the Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment MarketEven though squamous cell carcinoma is predicted to record a higher CAGR of 6.4% from 2017-2025, it is unlikely to outpace basal cell carcinoma anytime soon as the latter is likely to value at approx. thrice the size of the former by end 2025. The attractiveness index of basal cell carcinoma is 1.5, considerably larger than the 0.5 of squamous cell carcinoma during the same period.End User Hospitals Popular Channel in the Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment MarketThe treatment modalities for non-melanoma skin cancer usually require expensive radiation therapy. Therefore, hospitals are preferred over ambulatory surgical centers and specialty clinics in the non-melanoma skin cancer treatment market. The hospital segment is expected to reach a value of US$ 2 Bn in 2017 itself.Competition Dashboard in the Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment MarketPersistence Market Research has profiled some of the largest companies actively involved in the non-melanoma skin cancer treatment market. These include Almirall S.A., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Elekta AB, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Merck & Co., Novartis AG, Mylan NV, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Varian Medical Systems, and Sensus Healthcare.Key Findings of the Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment Market ReportNon-melanoma skin cancer places a high economic burden on countries with minimal medical treatment options, particularly at the metastatic stage. Many pharmaceutical companies are now trying to develop treatment options for late-stage non-melanoma skin cancer. In addition, companies seek to use their existing drugs to effectively tackle squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma. Major players such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, and Merck are working on gaining approval for their drugs to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.To know key findings Request Sample Report @: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3648 Regulatory authorities and governmental bodies worldwide are adopting a number of cost-containment measures in the developed world. They are shifting from a volume to value-based system and this is driven by steps taken by life sciences companies and governments. The measures include profit and risk sharing, outcome-based pricing, competitive tendering, and price control. The value-based healthcare system strives to achieve maximum value for every dollar spent on healthcare and improve outcomes by way of integrated care pathways. The system simultaneously levies pricing pressure on medtech and biopharmaceutical companies and could potentially impact R&D investment in crucial, lifesaving medical treatment technologies in the long run. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:55:25 Growing applications, enhanced system efficiency and performance, driver convenience and reduction in emissions are some of the factors continuing to fuel the growth of the automotive temperature sensors market. Temperature sensors enable the enhancement of automotive systems. They are used in numerous applications to sense any damage. Conventionally, thermistor-based temperature sensors are used to send signals to gauges and then to electronic control modules. With increasing complexities, the types and numbers of temperature sensors have also increased due to enhanced performance requirements. Lead frame technology as a sub-assembly was incorporated to improve the traditional single-function and multi-functional sensors. Other than this, with the help of newly developed thermistor-based temperature sensors, it has become easier to monitor temperature range up to 1000 degree Celsius for catalytic converters and exhaust gases. The expansion of automatic HVAC driver information feedback and control has led to a significant increase in the use of temperature sensors for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The automatic HVAC control system also finds usage in cabin temperature sensors where they are used to provide automatically controlled cabin environment. The duct air temperature sensors used in automotive HVAC systems efficiently monitor the ambient temperature.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3104 Automotive Temperature Sensor Market:DynamicsDrivers:The growth of automotive electronics has fuelled the growth of the automotive temperature sensors market. Automotive temperature sensors provide appropriate feedback about the parameters to be controlled. Furthermore, with increasing inputs/outputs from existing electronics in the HVAC systems and engine management, the automotive temperature sensors market is expected to grow during the forecast period. Increasing demand from customers for advanced automatic control of systems and information regarding a vehicles status has led to an increase in the demand for the automotive temperature sensors. In addition, stringent government regulations regarding gas emission control and fuel economy are expected to drive the automotive temperature sensors market during the forecast period.Restraints:Poor accuracy -- it is impossible to gauge errors measuring less than one degree Celsius -- may hamper the growth of the global automotive temperature sensors market during the forecast period. Furthermore, sensitivity of Hall Effect sensors, mobility of majority carriers and electrical resistance of surface elements are affected by temperature. This, in turn, may hamper the growth of the automotive temperature sensors market.Trends:Increased response time by smaller elements and installation in desired locations through smaller packages are some of the major trends witnessed in the automotive temperature sensors market. Furthermore, multi-functional temperature sensors with new as well as existing sensing elements are driving the market for automotive temperature sensors.Automotive Temperature Sensor Market:SegmentationGlobal automotive temperature sensor market is segmented on the basis of product type, application and vehicle type. On the basis of product type, the global automotive temperature sensors market is segmented into conventional and digital automotive temperature sensors. Based on application, the global automotive temperature sensor market is segmented into powertrain, exhaust gas, steering, safety and control, telematics and others categories. On the basis of vehicle-type, the global automotive temperature sensors market is segmented into passenger cars, light-commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3104 Automotive Temperature Sensor Market:Key ParticipantsSome of the key market participants in the automotive temperature sensor market are:Delphi Automotive LLPJIANGXI HAOFENG ELECTRIC APPLIANCES CO., LTD.Okazaki Manufacturing CompanySensata Technologies, Inc.Robert Bosch GmbHDelphi Automotive LLPNXP Semiconductors PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:57:18 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 763 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 Marine propulsion is the system or mechanism used to generate thrust that allows a small boat or even a ship to move across waterways. Modern ships are usually equipped with mechanical systems consisting of an electric motor turning a propeller, or even pump-jets or an impeller. These ships employ reciprocating engines as their main source of power because of their robustness, operational simplicity and lower emissions. The power required by a ship largely depends on the way it is used during regular operations for e.g. A passenger ship requires less power than either a trade or naval ship. The marine propulsion engine market serves offshore support vessels, commercial vessels, inland waterway vessels, submarines and more.Focus on renewable energy fuelling the marine propulsion engine marketA growing need for dependent and fuel-efficient ships is anticipated to be the main driver of the marine propulsion engine market. There has been rapid innovation in the industry that has led to the development of new high-performance engines that are more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. Leading companies in the marine propulsion engine market are continuously innovating and extending their product offerings to handle the growing demand for greater capacity handling. This is mainly due to a rise in international seaborne trade caused by a globalised world with heavy interdependence and interconnectivity.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2804 The second major factor that is likely to impact the marine propulsion engine market is the focus on renewable energy sources. Global warming and an impending energy crisis are some of the biggest challenges faced by the world in the 21st century. Commercial and transport ships notorious for causing a lot of pollution and accidental oil spills not only damage the regional natural ecosystem but also negatively impact the companys goodwill and market image. That is why energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, electric energy and hydroelectric energy are becoming more important than ever before. The development of electric motors that can power ships and reduce fossil fuel consumption will definitely have a positive impact on the marine propulsion engine market. The depletion of shale gas and conventional reserves will increase the demand for LNG, particularly as a marine fuel.Regulatory hurdles the biggest challenge to the marine propulsion engine marketUncontrollable CO2 emissions from conventional engine systems have led to the implementation of stringent environmental regulations and various taxes such as carbon tax to help reduce the impact of climate change. The marine pollution convention (MARPOL) regulations help prevent sewage, oil and chemical spill contamination along with air pollution caused by marine propulsion engine exhaust fumes. Non-adherence to these governmental rules and regulations may lead to severe penalties running into billions of dollars. This can stifle the growth of the marine propulsion engine market particularly as smaller domestic companies may not be able to comply.Asia Pacific is the key marine propulsion engine market to watchAsia Pacific accounts for a major portion of the marine propulsion engine market and is anticipated to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is primarily because of key nations China, Japan and South Korea that have become manufacturing powerhouses heavily dependent on external trade. China is already the worlds largest exporter and would naturally require a greater number of commercial ships, thus having a positive impact on the demand for marine propulsion engines. In addition to trade, countries across the world have begun beefing up their navies to combat ocean piracy. Asian navies, in particular, are rapidly building their defence capabilities and this should increase the size of the marine propulsion engine market across the Asia Pacific region.Marine propulsion engine market: key playersSome of the key players in the marine propulsion engine market are Caterpillar, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., General Electric Company, and Masson Marine.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, types and applications.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2804 The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedTechnologyValue ChainRegional analysis includes:North America (U.S., Canada)Latin America (Mexico. Brazil)Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand)Japan PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 16:11:14 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 # 685 Words Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Team Lead800-961-0353 The global luxury market consist of nine segments including personal cars, personal luxury goods, luxury hospitality, luxury cruises, fine food, fine wine and spirits, luxury furniture, private jet and yachts. Out of these segments, luxury furniture has showcased boom all over the world. Luxury furniture enhances the artistic value of homes, offices, restaurants and hotels in addition to various outdoor and indoor spaces. Over the past few years, the significant growth in real estate industry fostered the growth of luxury furniture market. Movement of people from rural to urban areas, globalization and inclination in the personal disposable income is strengthening the growth of the global luxury furniture market. Rising environmental consciousness among people will lead to rising demand for eco-friendly luxury furniture all over the world till 2025. Besides this, rising penetration of online retailing all across the world is expected to further stimulate the global luxury furniture market. Change in the lifestyle along with rising disposable income would provide substantial opportunities in the global luxury furniture market over the period 2016-2024.The global Luxury Furniture market is segmented on the basis of type of materials which include wood, metal, plastic, glass, leather and others. Wooden furniture segment contributed the highest share in the overall global luxury furniture market in 2014. Over the past few years, furniture manufacturers are introducing products including materials such as leather, metal, leather, glass in order to replace wood. The global luxury furniture market is also divided on the basis of end use which include commercial and domestic use. The commercial segment is further sub-segmented on the basis of hospitality, office and others. Whereas the domestic segment is sub-segmented by living and bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, lighting, outdoor and others. In 2014, the domestic luxury furniture segment contributed the highest share in the overall revenue of global luxury furniture market. Bedroom and living room segment marked substantial share in the global luxury furniture market in 2014. The global luxury furniture market is also segmented on the basis of unorganized and organized sector.Inclination in the online retailing and higher media penetration are some of the major factors driving the growth of global luxury furniture market. Apart from that, rising impact of globalization, organized retailing, and robust growth in real estate sector is anticipated to foster the growth of global luxury furniture market. Rising demand of eco-friendly luxury segment is also expected to bolster the growth of global luxury furniture market. Apart from this, rising trend of modular kitchen is also strengthening the demand for global luxury furniture market and will impel the market from the period 2016-2024.Geographically, the Global Luxury Furniture industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Amongst all the regions, Europe captured the highest share in the global luxury furniture market in 2014. China is expected to be the biggest and rapidly growing furniture market in future which will drive the overall Asia luxury furniture market. Latin American region is also anticipated to showcase fast growth over the next few years till 2024. The requirement of luxury furniture especially in the hospitality sector in Middle East region and African region is expected to drive the market of this region in future.The major players identified across the value chain of global Luxury Furniture market include Muebles Pico, Valderamobili, Scavolini, Laura Ashley Folding Plc, Nella Vetrina, Henredon Furniture Industries Inc., and others. It has been noticed that furniture manufacturers are concerned about reduction in carbon footprints and initiated offering eco-friendly furniture. The global luxury furniture market is highly competitive with large number of players (both small and big) dominating the industry. In the next few years, various furniture manufacturers are anticipated to enter in this market.Request to view Sample Report:The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, and applications Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 09:02:43 Press Information Persistence Market Research CONTACT: Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway,7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 United States T: +1-646-568-7751 Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353 Yogesh Sengar Team Lead 8999655266 email https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 549 Words CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Team Lead8999655266 Global LRVP market will witness promising growth in the first half of the forecast period (5.5% CAGR), which will incur a slight dip post-2020, (4.9% CAGR). However, the overall CAGR of the market estimated for 2016-2024 is estimated at 5.2%. Research Analyst, Industrial Automation Domain, Persistence Market ResearchAccording to Global Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Market Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016-2024, the global liquid ring vacuum pumps market will reach US$ 2,871.3 Mn by the end of the forecast period.Regional analysis indicates that the US$ 535 Mn North American market will rule the roost with an estimated 6% CAGR over 2016-2024. Towards the close of 2024, this region is expected to attain revenues worth US$ 851.1 Mn. Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific are identified to be the next key markets for LRVP. North America, Europe, and APAC will collectively hold a whopping 75% share of the total market size in 2024.In developing economies within Asia Pacific, leading LRVP manufacturers are tackling the competitive pricing issue in order to deliver customer-centric products. Moreover, China and India host a swelling number of small manufacturers specifically serving pharma and chemical process industries. These factors will play a vital role in pushing the sales of liquid ring vacuum pumps in near future within Asian markets. Reaching a value beyond US$ 504 Mn, APAC market is likely to expand at a moderate CAGR of 5.3% over 2016-2024.Request to Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12991 LRVP market expanding at the backdrop of a slew of factorsIncreasing demand from oil & gas, and power industriesGrowing preference for high capacity-high cost liquid ring vacuum pumpsExtending applications in chemical and general process industriesConstant innovation by manufacturersStrict EPA regulationsPromising emergence of low water consuming pumpsBurgeoning M&A between key playersLucrative opportunities in Asia countriesSegment analysis: Consumption by oil & gas segment crossing US$ 931 Mn by 2024In terms of capacity, 500-1500 cfm segment will continue to lead with the maximum revenue sales, followed by < 500 cfm segment. However, < 500 cfm segment will possibly thrive fastest at a CAGR of 5.2%, followed by > 1500 cfm segment with an estimated 4.4% CAGR over 2016-2024.Considering material type, cast iron segment will continue dominance with over 60% value share, reaching a value of US$ 1,718.2 Mn in 2024. This segment will also demonstrate the fastest CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period. Stainless steel segment will also grow moderately at 5%, attaining a value worth US$ 876 Mn in 2024.Based on the end-use industry, oil and gas sector will retain dominance over others, with over US$ 931 Mn by the end of 2024 in terms of revenues. Chemical processing and general process industries will continue to maintain the second and third largest segments respectively. Among these, general process industries will display a higher CAGR of 5.8% over 2016-2024, bagging the revenues of over US$ 511 Mn. Paper and pulp, and power segments are expected to grow steadily throughout the assessment period.Request Report TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/12991 Report analyzes the key company profilesDekker Vacuum Technologies Inc., Busch Vacuum Technics Inc., Flowserve Corporation, Tsurumi Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Atlas Copco Airpower N.V., Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems, and Graham Corp. are some of the key players that constitute the competitive landscape of the global liquid ring vacuum pumps marketplace. Persistence Market Researchs report includes in-depth profiling of key companies. Research Report Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 15:58:04 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario T: +1-631-721-4201 Vikas Bahurupi Manager 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 884 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, OntarioT: +1-631-721-4201Manager6317214201 Lingerie market has occupied a significant position in the apparel industry in recent years as it not only serves its functional benefits but also is considered as an basic necessity to every woman. The the global lingerie market has been bifurcated on the basis of product types into bras, knickers and panties, lounge wear, shape wear and others which includes baby doll, corsets, chemises and chemisoles among others. Bra as an essential necessity and also a fashion accessory to every women and it has captured the largest market share in 2015. Knickers and panties also occupied a significant position in the same year, thus contributing significantly to the overall market size of the lingerie industry.The market is further segmented on the basis of distribution channel into online stores and storefront. Online stores captured the largest market in 2015 due to high penetration of internet services and rapid advancements in the field of technology, thus creating a strong platform for the manufacturers of lingerie Further, the e-commerce giants are engaged in strong promotional activities due to which they provide with continuous discount options and various other offers which attract both consumers and manufacturers to avail this platform.Request For Report Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114599/Lingerie-Market Females in the developing countries are experiencing latest trends towards carrying themselves in public. They are changing their outlook towards accepting innerwear as a casual affair and take time to choose and make a purchase. The outerwear of women has undergone a dramatic change and due to this women prefer selecting inner wear, especially bras that can match with their attire. They try to purchase lingerie depending on the occasion or event, such as there are special sport wear bras for gymnasium purpose. It can be demonstrated from the product differentiation brought by the lingerie manufacturers over online and retail stores. Thus this is a key factor complementing the growth of the global lingerie market.Lingerie has witnessed a rapid acceptance in the fashion industry. Women from all backgrounds want to try out the latest trends in the inner wear segment. Most of the large brands have exclusive stores in shopping malls or independent stores. In developing countries like India and China, brands like Jockey try to reach out to customers through small roadside innerwear shops. Additionally, lingerie is available at stores as well as online. Brands like Victoria Secret have country specific websites for easier transactions and shipment.However, the lingerie wear maintains high cost for advertisement and other marketing promotions. This is due to the cost of celebrities or models that are hired for being featured in the photo shoots. Moreover, the destination or location cost of the photo shoot depends and therefore larger brands do not compromise in keeping high cost for their lingerie wear. Therefore, this factor is majorly hindering the growth of the market and the impact of the same is likely to reduce by the end of the forecast period.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114599/Lingerie-Market Moreover, the global lingerie market is experiencing moderate growth in the apparel segment as nowadays individuals are more inclined towards branded items, most of which are usually priced on the higher end. People from all backgrounds and income group want to avail a comfortable and lasting inner wear that can be fashionable as well as skin-friendly. There are many local brands or companies that manufacture cheap quality products to cater to the wide population in the under developed or developing countries. Mergers and acquisitions are a strategic way of entering the market and understanding the current needs and preferences of the population. Through this, the large companies will benefit in capturing the market and at the same time, will enable the small companies to fight for a better position in the market..Moreover, in this report the study provides different countries included in different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. North America includes U.S. and Rest of North America. Europe includes U.K., Germany, France, Russia, Italy and Rest of Europe. Asia Pacific includes countries such as India, China, Japan and Rest of Asia Pacific. In addition, Middle East and Africa includes country such as UAE, South Africa and Rest of Middle East and Africa. Latin America comprise of countries such as Brazil and Rest of Latin AmericaAsia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Transition in the lifestyle of the consumers which is backed by rapid urbanization and increasing purchasing power is a major factor behind the high growth of this market in Asia Pacific. Further, consumer exposure to the same by way of advertisements through televisions, and print media among others is another key factor responsible for the growth of the Lingerie Market in this region.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114599/Lingerie-Market Some of the major key players operating in the global contact lens market are, Jockey International Inc. (Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S), Hanes (North Carolina U.S.), Groupe Chantelle (Cachan, France), LVMH (Boise U.S), L Brands Inc. (Columbus, Ohio), MAS Holdings Limited (Colombo, Srilanka), Ann Summers (London, U.K.), Marks and Spencer (London U.K), PVH Corporation (New York, U.S) among others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 16:11:16 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 # 610 Words Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Team Lead800-961-0353 Hemp protein refers to the industrial by product of hemp seeds. Hemp seeds have a composition of approximately 45 percent oil, 35 percent protein and 10 percent carbohydrates. Hemp seed is very eco- friendly, as it can be grown without using herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides. Also, it can efficiently absorbs carbon dioxide. Hemp protein is a rich source of all essential amino acids that are necessary to meet the protein needs of humans. Hemp protein cannot be considered as a pure protein supplement owing to its composition of 10% fatty acids and higher fiber content. Owing to the higher fiber content, hemp proteins lowers the risk for constipation, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and diverticular disease. Hemp proteins are easily digestible, and are used as an active ingredient in shakes and smoothies. Health benefits of hemp proteins includes anti-fatigue properties, enhances immune system, and have kidney protective effects. The growth of hemp protein market is propelled by improved economic conditions coupled with increase in household wealth, due to which consumers have shown willingness to spend on food products that are rich in hemp proteins so as to maintain their health.Owing to the high nutritional benefits of hemp protein, the market is expected to witness modest growth in coming years. The growth of hemp protein market is driven by increasing demand of hempseed oil, growing health consciousness among consumers, rising demand for nutritional food products, new product developments, and improved supply chain to ensure the product availability. Hemp protein market is characterized by the stringent regulations laid by various regulatory bodies that govern and inspect the food products and issues guidelines for food processing.Hemp protein market is segmented on the basis of form, application and geography. Based upon form, hemp protein market is segmented into powdered form, and liquid form. Hemp protein in the powdered form is expected to witness high demand over the forecast period. Based upon application, hemp protein market is segmented into pharmaceutical, food & beverages, cosmetics, industrial, and others. Food & beverages is expected to be the largest application segment in global hemp protein market. High demand of hemp protein in food & beverages segment can be attributed to its high fiber content. Rise in the health concerns among consumers escalates the demand of hemp protein over the forecast period. Pharmaceutical application segment is poised to witness fastest growth in the global hemp protein market owing to the increased application scope in ailment of various cognitive diseases, diabetes, and health diseases. Owing to the combination of essential fatty acids and fiber, it is used in cosmetic products to maintain healthy skin and hair.Based on geography, hemp protein market is segmented into seven different regions namely North America, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Japan. North America is expected to lead the regional market for hemp proteins during the reviewed period. The high market share can be attributed to the strong demand from U.S. Western Europe is expected to hold second largest market share in global hemp protein market over the forecast period while Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing region in the global hemp protein market owing to the increased demand from China and India. Leading manufacturers in the hemp protein market focus to leverage opportunities posed by emerging economies like India and China to expand their revenue base.Request to view Sample Report:Some of the key players in the hemp protein market include Navitas Naturals, Hemp Oil Canada, North American Hemp & Grain Co., Hempco, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, Cosucra Groupe Warcoing SA, CHII Naturally Pure Hemp, GFR Ingredients Inc., and Green Source Organics among others. Following the 1912 elections, New York Democrats were in firm control of state government and looking to do big things. Today, the party has its largest majority in the state Senate since that apex over a century ago and there are a few legislative lessons to learn from their Progressive Era predecessors. Heading into 1913, Democrats had strong majorities in the state Legislature and newly elected Gov. William Sulzer felt he had a mandate to shake things up. Electoral reforms were on the agenda and an effort was gathering strength to institute a statewide workers compensation program. But things did not go according to plan for Sulzer and his colleagues. A group of independent Democrats led by the governor would take on the Tammany Hall political machine and lose. Sulzer would be out of the governors mansion by the end of the year, while Republicans took advantage of the intraparty warfare to seize the Senate and the governors mansion in the 1914 election. Now, New York Democrats have their strongest hold on state government since then, and they too are poised to make history perhaps in similar ways. Election reforms, labor laws and local control Democrats made two big changes to state elections in 1913: establishing primary elections and passing the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which allowed for the direct popular election of U.S. senators once it took effect in 1914. Democrats also overcame business interests opposed to providing compensation when workers were killed or maimed on the job. Any believer in local control can also thank Progressive Era Democrats for passing a bill that provided cities statewide with a form of home rule that allows voters to decide their own city charter. Big breaks for presidential wannabes The 1913 legislative session was when Al Smith was elected speaker of the Assembly, after first getting elected to the chamber in 1904. He soon used that position to build upon his image as a reformer with a common touch. His one-year tenure as speaker also served as a springboard for his subsequent rise through state politics that culminated in his four terms as governor and nomination as the first Catholic to run for president on a major party line. But 1913 was not only a big year for Smith. A state senator named Franklin Roosevelt also was moving up with his appointment as the assistant secretary of the Navy, a position once held by his then-more-famous uncle Teddy. The art of the comeback Is there life after death in politics? There was for Sulzer, who became the first and thus far only governor in state history to be impeached and removed from office. His administration opened with virtually a declaration of war against the legendary Tammany Hall machine, The New York Times observed years later. But party boss Silent Charlie Murphy struck back. Sulzer soon faced allegations of perjury and campaign finance fraud regarding his campaign war chest of $5,460. Though the state Legislature would give him the figurative boot after 10 months in office, this was not the end of Sulzer as a force in state politics. Weeks later he was elected to the Assembly and the following year he made another gubernatorial run as the Prohibition Party candidate, helping to throw the election to Republican challenger Charles Whitman. Hearing Protection Devices Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 09:01:19 Press Information Persistence Market Research Contact Us Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Yogesh Senger Associate Consultant 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 459 Words Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comAssociate Consultant800-961-0353 According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled Global Market Study on Hearing Protection Devices: Stringent Safety Regulations and Increasing Demand for Reusable Earplugs to Drive the Market, the hearing protection devices market is estimated to be valued at US$ 951.3 Mn by the end of 2015, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.4% during the forecast period (20152021) to account for US$ 1,943.8 Mn by 2021.Request for Report Methodology @: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3036 Global demand for hearing protection devices is increasing mainly driven by rapid growth of the construction, manufacturing and military weapons industries. An increasing number of regulations to reduce noise-induced hearing loss across various industries along with a rise in employment in manufacturing and construction sectors is expected to further drive overall growth of the hearing protection devices market over the forecast period. Moreover, some other factors that help to drive the growth of the market are increasing demand for next-generation HPD in military sectors, increasing urbanization and development activities, low-cost earplugs to boost demand in developing regions. However, lack of awareness and improper hearing attenuation are some of the major factors that restrict the growth of the market.Rising emphasis on custom-tailored hearing protection devices, mergers, and acquisitions, technology shift towards ear plugs with acoustic filters, increasing demand for uniform attenuation earplugs, growing market share of regional players and increasing investment in North America HPD market are some of the trends observed in the global HPD market.By region, North America is estimated to dominate the hearing protection devices market with over 34.4% share by 2015 end and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Earplug is the largest segment in global hearing protection devices market. The global earplug segment is expected to increase at a CAGR of 13.6% in terms of value during the forecast period. Earmuffs is the second-largest segment in the global hearing protection devices market and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.2% in terms of value during the forecast period.Asia-Pacific represents the most lucrative market, followed by Europe for hearing protection devices. This is primarily due to rise demand for hearing protection devices in India, China, Bangladesh, Philippines and Indonesia. Asia-Pacific is expected to account for 20.4% market share in the global hearing protection devices market by 2015 end, which is expected to increase to 20.9% market share by 2021.Request to Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3036 Key market players covered in this report are 3M, Honeywell International Inc., Amplifon, Hellberg Safety AB, Dynamic Ear Company, Centurion Safety Products Ltd, Sonomax Technologies Inc, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, ADCO Hearing Products Inc., Elvex Corporation and Moldex-Metric Inc. These players have been profiled on the basis of various attributes such as company overview, recent developments, growth strategies, SWOT analysis and sustainability. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:11:59 Press Information 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 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ # 371 Words 305 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 Cataract is the clouding of the eye lens. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Intraocular lens is a synthetic artificial lens placed to replace natural lens. Intraocular lenses are used for the surgical treatment of cataract. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2010, approximately 20 million cataract surgeries were performed and are expected to reach approximately 32 million by 2020. Several types of intraocular lenses implants are available to improve vision. Monofocal intraocular lenses are best choice for limited budget. Whereas, premium intraocular lenses are specifically designed to reduce patients need for glasses. Tronic intraocular lenses, multifocal intraocular lenses and accommodating intraocular lenses are some of the premium intraocular lenses.Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3290 North America dominates the global market for intraocular lens due to large number of aging population and availability of reimbursements. Asia is expected to show high growth rates in the next five years in the global intraocular lens market. China and India are expected to be the fastest growing intraocular lens markets in Asia-Pacific region. Some of the key driving forces for intraocular lens market in emerging countries are large pool of patients and rising government funding.In recent times there is increased use of intraocular lens due to increasing prevalence of cataract in aging population. Rise in adoption of premium intraocular lens such as accommodating intraocular lens and multifocal intraocular lens and increasing government initiatives are some of the key factors driving the growth for global intraocular lens market. In addition, increasing healthcare awareness is also fuelling the growth of global intraocular lens market. However, high cost related with surgical procedure and post-operative complications such as refractive errors are some of the major factors restraining the growth for global intraocular lens market.Availability of advance technologies such as micro-incision cataract surgery and femtosecond lasers would develop opportunities for global intraocular lens market. The trend for global intraocular lens market is multi-distance vision capabilities. Some of the major companies operating in the global intraocular lens market are Alcon, Inc., Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Rayner Intraocular Lenses Limited, Eyekon Medical, Lenstec, HumanOptics AG, STAAR Surgical Company and Hoya Corporation.Request Sample Report@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3290 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 04:54:27 BEDFORD, MA / ACCESSWIRE / JANUARY 13, 2019 / FORMULATRIX has announced that their digital PCR assets, including the CONSTELLATION series of instruments, is being acquired by QIAGEN N.V. for up to $260 million ($125 million upfront payment and $135 million of milestones). QIAGEN has announced plans for a global launch in 2020 of a new series of digital PCR platforms that utilize the advanced dPCR technology developed by FORMULATRIX combined with QIAGEN's expertise in assay development and automation.Digital PCR is one of the fastest-growing molecular testing techniques in the life science industry with a wide range of applications. It has proven specificity and precision advantages over quantitative PCR (qPCR). The increased specificity allows for the detection of rare mutations that were not possible to detect with existing qPCR methods. QIAGEN intends to develop this technology for future applications in clinical healthcare beyond the initial focus on life science applications.FORMULATRIX has developed a novel plate-based dPCR technology that has many advantages over existing dPCR technologies. The fully automated workflow has a fast time-to-answer and low hands-on time. The sample throughput is much higher than existing instruments, with up to 200 samples per hour. The available 6-channel detection also allows for high multiplexing."The dPCR technology that we've developed is unlike anything on the market today, and we are excited that QIAGEN will be bringing the technology to researchers around the world. We believe the combination of QIAGEN's strong expertise in PCR and broad global presence will advance digital PCR to a new level," said Jeremy Stevenson, president and CEO of FORMULATRIX."The addition of a digital PCR platform, which builds on the highly differentiated assets we are acquiring from FORMULATRIX, is a logical evolution for our PCR portfolio and presents a very exciting opportunity for QIAGEN," said Peer M. Schatz, Chief Executive Officer of QIAGEN N.V. "As the use of digital PCR continues to emerge and gains utility across a wide range of applications in Life Sciences, we plan for expansion into applications for Molecular Diagnostics. We expect to launch the first of these new digital PCR solutions in 2020 and create seamless integration with our workflows, assay menus and service offerings to help customers unlock valuable molecular insights." About FORMULATRIXFORMULATRIX was established in 2002 to provide protein crystallization automation solutions. Since then, we've been developing the next generation of liquid handlers (the MANTIS and TEMPEST) using our patented microfluidic technology. From there we have expanded our technology portfolio to include the digital PCR solution that is being acquired. Headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, we supply software and robotic automation solutions to leading pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions around the world. Our team works tirelessly to provide the best products in the industry with support that is second to none. We are committed to researchers, their labs, and to the breakthroughs that will improve the lives of generations to come. To learn more about FORMULATRIX, please visit www.formulatrix.com About QIAGENQIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare), Applied Testing (forensics, veterinary testing and food safety), Pharma (pharma and biotech companies) and Academia (life sciences research). As of Sept. 30, 2018, QIAGEN employed approximately 4,900 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com CONTACT:FORMULATRIXLance Ramsey+1 919-428-4034SOURCE: FORMULATRIX Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Foil Pouch Packaging Market : Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 - 2027" report to their offering. Foil Pouch Packaging Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:13:55 Press Information 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 Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 661 Words U.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.comManager+1 03479183531 In todays world, foil packaging has appeared as an integral part of the brand packaging & promotion. Foils made up of aluminum, silver, etc. are kind of metallic elements which are available in plenty across the globe and are rather used as a barrier resistant packaging material to the protection of food & beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, etc. Foil pouches form a remarkably corrosion-resistant packaging solution and are also chemically neutral. Foil pouches of various sizes & shapes are readily manufactured from foil sheets as per product & packaging requirements.Moreover, foil pouches in terms of food packaging have many advantages as this pouches can sustain temperature changes likened other packaging materials. Foil pouches form a simple, cost-effective and reliable packaging solution and most frequently used form of pouch available in the market. With more & more number of industries turning towards foil packaging, foil pouch packaging market is expected to see an incremental growth over the forecast period.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5464 Foil Pouch Packaging Market: Drivers & RestraintsGrowing consumer inclination towards convenient & sustainable packaging is the crucial factor that fuels the growth of foil pouch packaging market. Foil pouches especially the aluminum foil pouches are suitable for easy cooking of food products using ovens/microwaves as they have the ability to retain flavor, odor, original texture, etc. which fuels the larger part of the demand for foil pouches. Moreover, with a substantial rise in working-class population resulting in growth in demand for processed packaged food over the years has subsequently led to the growth of foil pouches market. However, in the recent time, growing inclination of the customers, as well as brand owners towards cost-effective substitute packaging solutions such as paper or plastic pouches, are likely to hamper the growth in the foil pouch packaging market.Foil Pouch Packaging Market: SegmentationThe global foil pouch packaging market is segmented as followsOn the basis of product type, the foil pouch packaging market is segmented into:Stand-up PouchesSpouted PouchesZipper PouchesOthersOn the basis of material type, the foil pouch packaging market is segmented into:Aluminum foil pouchSilver foil pouchTin foil pouchOthersOn the basis of end use, the foil pouch packaging market is segmented into:FoodSea foodReady-to-eat mealsPet foodBaby foodSoups & SaucesOthersBeveragesCosmetics & Personal carePharmaceuticalOthersFoil Pouch Packaging Market: Regional OverviewGeographically, the global foil pouch packaging market is segmented into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).The demand of foil pouches is directly relational to the growth of food & beverages industry across the world. The growth of the APAC foil packaging market is projected to be relatively high compared to other regions of the globe as a result of increasing preference among the consumers towards suitable and attractive packaging with rise in disposable income. Also, add-on-factors such as high demand for fresh ready-to-consume food & beverages, also, application of aluminum foil pouches in cosmetics & personal care industry are likely to further drive the foil pouch market in this region during the forecast period. North America and European region especially the Western Europe is a matured market for foil pouches and is thus projected to create significant demand over the forecast period. Latin America region especially the emerging economies such as Brazil, Mexico, etc. are estimated to witness immense growth opportunities from the on growing food and beverages industry.Overall, Global foil pouch packaging market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5464 Foil Pouch Packaging Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players that operate in global foil pouch packaging market are Amcor limited, Ampac Holdings, LLC, Sealed Air, Mondi Group, Bemis Company, Inc., Sonoco Products Company, Winpak Limited Company, Berry Plastic Group, Inc., Flair Flexible Packaging Corporation, and many more. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:57:09 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 642 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 Fire Truck or Fire Engine is a vehicle primarily designed for firefighting operations. Many fire and safety companies employ these vehicles for various other applications such as rescue purposes and emergency medical purposes. Fire Engines transport firefighters to the sites, providing water and other necessary equipment to fight the fire. Generally, a fire truck carry equipment such as hydraulic rescue tools, ladders, ventilating equipment, a self-contained breathing apparatus and first aid kits. Growing demand for multi-tasking trucks is a new trend in the global fire trucks market.Global fire trucks market is expanding widely owing to the modern day fire and safety issues arising from new design infrastructures, rapid development of huge and complex buildings, and larger residencies in lesser spaces especially in developing countries. Global fire trucks market finds opportunity for fire trucks with advanced digital technology tools for supporting performance-based design, and field surveys are improving the quality and teamwork in the built environment.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2732 The flat and mall culture in both developing and developed countries compelled the governments to declare stringent safety regulations. The growing population along with changing demographics as well as psychographics of the modern day society resulted in surge in the number of tall residential buildings. The result is the demand for more fire trucks to enforce the safety 24x7, and this is expected to drive the global fire trucks market over the forecast period.Global Fire Trucks: Market DynamicsDrivers:In the global fire trucks market, new and advanced technology acceptance is the key driver for the market growth. Use of modern electronics and advanced digital tools will enhance the quality, efficiency and capability of the fire truck.Development in the fire and safety departments and municipal budgets of governments are also projected to fuel the global fire trucks market growth. Moreover, economic growth in developing countries is estimated to create new opportunities for global fire trucks market.Restraints:In the global fire trucks market, low rate of replacements is a factor hampering the market growth. Though the fleets are ageing, the fire trucks are not being replaced easily. This may hinder the growth of fire trucks market.Global Fire Trucks Market: SegmentationThe global fire trucks market is segmented on the basis of types as follows: Rescue, Mini Tanker and all other Pumpers (mini pumpers, multi-tasking trucks).On the basis of application, fire trucks are segmented as follows: Conventional, rescue, wild land, airport application and othersGlobal Fire Trucks Market: Regional OutlookOver the past few years, the developing countries such as China, India and South Korea have witnessed a stable growth in the infrastructure coupled with rising awareness about safety. This is expected to boost the demand for fire trucks over the forecast period. Fire Trucks are a necessity in airports and other enterprises to ensure public safety. The strengthening of governmental regulations regarding the matter is also a positive factor for the growth of global fire trucks market. The high production capacity in China coupled with lower labour charge contribute to the expansion of fire trucks market in the country. Moreover, the technological advancements and growing application in the manufacturing sector fuel the fire trucks market growth. In North America, stringent regulations and large number of fire stations are the key growth factors driving the market. The Middle East and Africa fire trucks market is expected to witness a significant growth over the forecast period owing to the product innovation coupled with technological advancements in the region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2732 Global Fire Trucks: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global fire trucks market identified are:W.S. Darley & Co.Oshkosh CorporationZiegler FirefightingMagirus GmbH (CNH Industrial Group)Rosenbauer International AGGimaex GmbHMorita Holdings CorporationE-one Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the Drinkable Peanut Powder Market foreseen to grow exponentially over 2016-2024" report to their offering. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:13:48 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 # 697 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 This Market Study offers an eight-year forecast of the global drinkable peanut powder market between 2016 and 2024. The report defines 2015 as the base year and provides data for the following 8 years. In terms of value, the global drinkable peanut powder market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period (2016-2024).This report provides a detailed analysis of the global drinkable peanut powder market, while identifying factors contributing to the growth of the market across key regions. This study offers insights about the market dynamics and trends of various regional markets that are influencing the current nature and future dynamics of the global drinkable peanut powder market during the forecast period.This report provides insights on the basis of product types, such as soluble (powder) and insoluble (particle). Increasing demand for nutritious and plant-based beverages is a major factor creating a significant shift in the preferences for drinkable peanut powder globally. Manufacturers and new players in the market are investing in R&D activities to develop and launch new and innovative products, in order to sustain in a competitive environment and expand consumer base. A detailed analysis by each product type, further enables clients to formulate strategies for every stage of their business.The report provides insights on the basis of application such as shakes, smoothies, and flavored beverages. Increasing consumer preferences for beverages and convenience food are expected to drive demand for shakes and other drinkable beverages. Consumer inclination towards healthy shakes is attributed to increasing health consciousness and the shift towards healthy lifestyle by consumers. This report offers business insights to clients about how all applications are contributing to increased consumption of this rapidly growing market.As per analysis, product availability plays a very important role, and hence this report offers an in-depth analysis on the different distribution channels and their role in market growth. Growth of the global drinkable peanut powder market is primarily driven by robust sales through channels such as super market & hypermarket, departmental stores, and online retailing. This report covers all the data and analysis on growth and strategic insights of distribution management in the market.Increasing product penetration in markets across various regions through super market & hypermarket channel is a major factor driving market growth across the globe. Sales of drinkable peanut powder through super market & hypermarket is anticipated to result in significant growth over the forecast period, owing to higher consumption of beverages and health supplements by consumers globally. Online retailing has become the most widely used channel of shopping, which is growing at a rapid pace and expanding the reach of several manufacturers across the globe. This report offers business insights to clients about how the aforementioned channels are contributing to the growth and enhancement of global drinkable peanut powder market.The following section of report includes analysis of the global drinkable peanut powder market on the basis of regions. It provides market outlook for 20162024, and sets the forecast within the context of drinkable peanut powder markets. This study discusses the key regional trends contributing to the growth of the global drinkable peanut powder market and also analyses the degree at which the global drivers are influencing this market in each region. Key regions covered in this report are North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).Download Free Sample Copy of this report @ https://www.xploremr.com/connectus/sample/1074 In the final section of the report, competitive landscape has been included in order to present the client with a dashboard view of the various categories of providers, their respective product offerings and portfolios, and key differentiators.It also enables identification and evaluation of key competitors based on in-depth assessment of their capabilities and success in the marketplace. The report provides comprehensive profiles of companies operating in the drinkable peanut powder market in order to evaluate their long- and short-term strategies, key offerings, and recent developments.Key companies covered in this report include The J.M. Smucker Company, Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts, Santa Cruz, Bell Research Companies, Peanut Butter & Co., The Tru-Nut Company, Sukrin Ltd., Protein Plus, LLC, BetterBody Foods, and Nutrinity Foundation. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Display Paper Box Market : Global Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 2027" report to their offering. Display Paper Box Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:54:52 Press Information 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 Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 612 Words U.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.comManager+1 03479183531 Over the years, grocery stores were the only choice available to consumers, especially in urban regions for shopping purpose. Retailing, one of the dominant sectors in the global economy, is going through a transition phase throughout the world, shifting to organized retail. The global display paper box market is correlated to the growth in the organized retail sector. In recent few years there has been an increase in the trends for aesthetic and appealing looks of the packaging. In such a way, display paper box have seen tremendous growth over the forecast period 2017 2025.In addition, consumers are mainly looking for point of purchase (POP) display as the most important feature for buying products kept in display paper boxes. Manufacturers of display paper box are therefore targeting business segments with retail merchandising and branding objectives. Display paper box with high-quality printing and designs, prove to be an effective marketing tool for the promotion of consumer products within the store.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5996 Global Display Paper Box - Market Dynamics:Global display paper box market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to enhancing of brand presence for FMCG companies by using display paper boxes. Furthermore, most of the customers while purchasing food & grocery products, makes a buying call in the retail stores. This shift can be attributed as change in purchasing habits and focus more on display paper boxes. In addition, manufacturers of display paper box are pointing the business segments with retail marketing objectives. The traditional grocery market segment has witnessed the shift to supermarkets, hypermarkets, etc. which in turns increases the market for display paper box. Moreover, current trends for ecommerce shopping is restricting the scope for the applications sold by using display paper box. Even the increasing prices of corrugated paper used for display paper box is hampering the display paper box market.Global Display Paper Box - Market Segmentation:The global display paper box market can be segmented by material type, product type, sales channel, and by application.On the basis of material type, the global display paper box market is segmented intoBleached PaperboardUnbleached Kraft PaperboardCorrugated PaperboardOthersOn the basis of product type, the global display paper box market is segmented intoCounter DisplayFloor DisplayPallet DisplaySide Kick DisplayOthersOn the basis of sales channel, the global display paper box market is segmented intoHyper MarketSpecialty StoreConvenience StoreSupermarketDepartmental storeOthersOn the basis of application, the global display paper box market is segmented into -Food & BeveragesCosmetics & Personal CarePrinting & StationeryElectronicsPharmaceuticalsOthersGlobal Display Paper Box Market Regional Overview:The global display paper box market can be divided into seven major regions which are as follows -North AmericaAsia-Pacific excluding JapanLatin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaEastern EuropeJapanWestern EuropeThe market of display paper box in North America region is expected to dominate over the forecast period 2017-2025. But being a mature market for retail services, it is expected to witness lesser growth. This market for display paper box is then followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe as second and third most favourable market. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America region are also anticipated to witness substantial growth due to the preference for display paper box in these regions.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5996 Global Display Paper Box Market Key players:Few of the key players in the display paper box market are DS Smith Plc, International Paper Company, Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, Menasha Packaging Company, LLC., WestRock Company, Sonoco Products Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, etc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 16:11:04 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 # 604 Words Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Team Lead800-961-0353 Drying or dehydration is a process through which moisture or water content is removed from the food. Removing of water content from food makes them lighter and smaller. It helps in preservation of food for longer period of time. Dehydrated food do not require any refrigeration while preserving at home or at the time of consumption. Moreover, dehydrated food is ideal for preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables. Dehydrated food offer high nutritional value, easy storage properties and availability at low price, which is driving the demand of dehydrate food across the globe.Dehydrated food market can be segmented on the basis of technology which includes spray dried, freeze dried, vacuum dried, sun dried, hot air dried and others. Traditionally among all these segments sun dried process of dehydration was the major segment in terms of usage by food manufacturers followed by hot air dried process. However due to the introduction of new technology spray dried is expected to account for largest share in terms of market revenue contribution, followed by freeze dried during the forecast period. Vacuum dried segment is expected to show a consistent growth as compared to others. Limited usage in food products is expected to be the restraining factor for the growth of vacuum dried technology in dehydrated food market in the near future.Furthermore, dehydrated food market can also be segmented on the basis of types. This includes dehydrated dairy products, dehydrated fruits, dehydrated meat products, dehydrated vegetables and others. Among all these segment meat products is expected to account for largest market share followed by dairy products. Increasing demand for enhanced year around availability of processed and canned meat products among the manufacturers is expected to support the demand of dehydrated meat products in the near future. Moreover the dehydrated fruits and dehydrated vegetables segments respectively are expected show a favorable growth during the forecast period. This is attributed to rising demand of seasonal fruits and vegetables.Dehydrated food market can also be segmented on the basis of region. Globally, North America is expected to account for the major market share. In North American region the U.S is expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue followed by Canada. Increased consumption of meat products in North America is expected to support the demand of dehydrated food products across the region. Europe is also expected to be one of the prominent contributor in dehydrated food products market in terms of revenue followed by Asia Pacific. Among all the countries in the European region United Kingdom is expected to contribute the highest during the forecast period. Moreover in terms of production of dehydrated food China is expected to be one of the prominent producer of dehydrated food products. In addition, China is one of the largest meat products producer along with prime producer of various seasonal fruits and vegetables. This is expected to contribute towards significant growth in the country.Rising demand of food products with longer shelf life coupled with the increasing demand of seasonal products across the year is supporting the growth of dehydrated food market during the forecast period. Moreover, increasing demand of food manufacturers for preserving food product for longer period so that they could use it as an ingredient in their final product is also fuelling the demand of dehydrated food market during the forecast period.Some of the international players operating in dehydrated food market are General Mills Inc., Ting Hsin International Group, Unilever China Ltd, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., House Foods Corp, Nissin Food Holdings Co. Ltd. and Kraft Foods Inc, among others.Request for Report Sample : https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/5933 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:05:04 Rising use of helicopters in transportation, touring, and VIP movement has fuelled the demand for helicopters over the past few years. Helicopters can be employed in emergency situations as well, since they offer enormous manoeuvrability especially in small space and can reach to any affected area avoiding all the traffic on road as well as any natural calamity such as earthquake and flood. Moreover, these helicopters are equipped with passenger seats, better sound proofing capabilities, and air conditioning. Manufacturers are trying to make more visually appealing, carpeted interior and glossy finished commercial helicopters.The commercial helicopters can be used in the tourism industry, oil & gas transport, and VIP or corporate shuttle. In tourism industry, tour companies hire or purchase the fleet of helicopters for the transportation of the tourists offering aerial viewpoints of the tourist places. Secondly, corporate shuttle and VIP are preferred by leasing companies, VIP service or corporates. These helicopters are featured with advanced cabin comfort features. Thirdly, oil & gas support duties include pipeline patrols and light lift cargo flights.Commercial Helicopter Market: Dynamics The increasing per capita income coupled with aging fleet is expected to fuel the demand for global commercial helicopter market. Moreover, growing tourism industry is further expected to upsurge the demand for commercial helicopter market during the forecast period. However, stringent emission norms and high cost associated with helicopters can act as challenges for the growth of commercial helicopter market. Most of the countries impose tax on commercial helicopters, thereby hampering the growth to an extent.Helicopters produce sound level up to 110 decibels that is slightly less than the noise produced by a large chainsaw. The pressure on helicopter manufacturers to make more eco-friendly helicopters is likely to rise in the near future owing to the increasing number of rotorcrafts entering service. The developing countries such as Brazil, India and China are experiencing increase in demand for commercial helicopters owing to the growing tourism industry. Moreover, manufacturers expect that attractive financing schemes will encourage market sales, as consumers are getting favourable terms on purchase of new helicopters.Commercial Helicopter Market: Outlook Commercial helicopters cause pollution in two ways: gas emission from engine and noise pollution through its blades. Airframe and engine manufacturers are under immense pressure from environmental activists and governments to reduce the impact of rotorcrafts. Asia Pacific and Europe are estimated to be the promising markets for the delivery of helicopters in the upcoming decade. In Europe, the Clean Sky initiative by private/public partnership involving EU is developing technologies, which can be implemented in the production of new aircrafts. Similarly, Green Rotorcraft project is also taking initiatives to reduce emissions from commercial helicopters. Moreover, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) imposed new rules on helicopter air ambulance services.Commercial helicopters are often the transportation option available to reach remote locations and hence play an important role by supporting lifesaving missions such as medical emergencies and rescue & search operations. The commercial helicopter fleet is also used for commerce and businesses such as in filmmaking, mineral, oil & gas, tourism, and mining.SegmentationOn the basis of size, the commercial helicopter market can be segmented into: Light Helicopter (< 4.5 T), Medium Helicopter ( 4.5 to 8.5 T), Heavy Helicopter (> 8.5 T)On the basis of engine type, the commercial helicopter market can be segmented into: Single Engine, Multi EngineRequest For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3655 Commercial Helicopter Market: Market Participants Examples of some of the market participants in the global commercial helicopter market identified across the value chain include- Airbus Helicopter (Airbus Group), Lockheed Martin Corporation (Sikorsky),Leonardo S.p.A.,Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.,MD Helicopters Inc. Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the Broadcasting Equipment Market to Witness a Pronounce Growth During 2016 2024" report to their offering. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:13:50 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 # 388 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 According to the latest report published by Persistence Market Research, titled Broadcasting Equipment Market: Asia Pacific Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, the broadcasting equipment market in APAC region is expected to be valued at US$ 5,104.8 Mn by 2024.The broadcasting equipment market in APAC region was valued at US$ 2487.5 Mn in 2015 and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.1% from 2016 to 2024. The growth of broadcasting equipment market in APAC region is primarily driven by convergence of high definition technologies such as 4K with IP. As per the report, 4K services are expected to be available on IP networks over the next four to five years via satellite launching and cable platforms.The report has segmented the APAC broadcasting equipment market into traditional TV broadcast, traditional radio broadcast, IP converged broadcasting and asset management systems.A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11317 Traditional TV broadcast segment was valued at US$ 1123 Mn in 2015 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period (20162024). The traditional radio broadcast segment was valued at US$ 544 Mn in 2015 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. The IP converged broadcasting is projected to be the fastest growing segment in APAC broadcasting equipment market, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period.Traditional TV broadcast segment accounted for 45.1% share in terms of value of the total APAC broadcasting equipment market in 2015. Consumption of high definition content in APAC region is increasing at a rapid pace, supported by rising sales of HD ready TVs.The traditional TV broadcast equipment market is further segmented into camera, monitors, routers, switchers, cable, transmitter, receiver and other accessories. Routers sub-segment is projected to expand at the highest CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. Content creators across the region are shifting towards 4K cameras in order to capture high definition video. This is being supported by sales of 4K UHD television that has gained momentum due to rising disposable income in the region.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11317 Key players of the APAC Broadcasting Equipment market include Media Excel Inc.(US) , ChyronHego Corporation (US), TVU Networks Corporation (US), XOR Media Inc.(US) , FOR-A Company (Japan), ORACLE Corporation (US), Unlimi-Tech Software Inc. (US), Grass Valley (Canada) and General Dynamics Mediaware (Australia). Posted Monday, January 14, 2019 10:15 am Two of Washington's most famous and accomplished trackers died in 2018. Cash and Mishka were the first Karelian Bear Dogs to work for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Over the course of their respective careers, they assisted in hundreds of wildlife conflict calls. The two canines helped bust poachers, find and save orphaned cougar kittens and proved that a couple lied about being attacked by a cougar. Mishka first started at the agency in 2003, as a puppy. He worked alongside Rocky Spencer, a wildlife biologist specializing in large carnivores, particularly cougars. Spencer died in 2007 during a bighorn sheep relocation project when he was struck and killed by the angled blades of a helicopter. Mishka was orphaned. That's when retired WDFW enforcement officer Bruce Richards stepped in. "I'd known him since he was a puppy. I'd worked with Rocky and Mishka," Richards said. "We were pretty good friends." Mishka became Richards' right-hand dog, and in the process became the first Kareilian Bear Dog to work with a wildlife enforcement agency in the nation. He proved his value to the agency quickly. In 2007, a bull elk had been poached in the Olympic National Park. Rangers had spent more than 600 hours looking for evidence to pin on the poacher. Trip after trip, they turned up empty-handed. Until Mishka arrived. Richards, Mishka and the park ranger went searching in the spring, nearly a year after the actual poaching occurred. Richards was not optimistic, and when he saw the rough, steep terrain, his hopes faded even more. But within 15 minutes, Mishka was digging furiously through the winter debris until he uncovered a stash of elk bones. DNA testing matched the bones with the poached elk and the poacher was convicted in federal court. Mishka wasn't done. Not long after the elk case, Richards got a call about a couple who had been attacked by a cougar in Puyallup, Wasington. Richards and Mishka arrived at the scene of the alleged attack. Normally, when Mishka smelled a cougar, the hair on his back would raise and he'd react with concern. That didn't happen. Richards and Mishka continued walking, eventually arriving at the victims' home. Mishka remained calm the entire time. At the house, they found a pit bull covered in blood. The two had been attacked by their own dog and had lied about it because they worried the dog would be put down. "If Mishka had not given me a reason to question the scenario, there would have been six game wardens chasing a phantom cougar for weeks, and that story would have gone on national news, knowing how sexy a cougar story is in the news," Richards wrote in a memorial to Mishka. After 12 years, Mishka retired in 2015. "He turned into a house dog and a yard dog," Richads said. He died on the night of Dec. 27, lying next to Richards. "As far as leaving a legacy, he left one that few animals could surpass," Richards wrote. Cash is one of those few animals. He started with WDFW in 2005, said his owner Rich Beausoleil, WDFW's statewide bear and cougar specialist. Cash captured and/or hazed more than 500 bears and 150 cougars. He also pushed bighorn sheep away from roads and up mountains, saving them from vehicle collisions. He scared numerous moose out of downtown Wenatchee, Beausoleil said. All told, the dog traveled one-half million miles throughout the state. The canine was instrumental in finding a bear that mauled a Bellevue councilman in 2010. He also helped locate numerous orphaned cougar kittens, who live in zoos across the United States. Cash died of prostrate cancer in August. He was 13. "He worked all the way through the end," Beausoleil. "Didn't let aches and pains get in his way. It was only the last two weeks or so that he actually got really bad." Part of the appeal of Kareilian Bear Dogs is their ability to be aggressive hunters and yet calm around people. The breed, which was formalized in 1946, originates from Scandinavia. Cash and Mishka both were minor celebrities making numerous school visits, serving as powerful ambassadors for WDFW. "These are people-friendly dogs," Richards said. "They're bear and cougar hunters, but they're people friendly." PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:44:36 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way Suite 2-9018, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 845 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate WaySuite 2-9018,Manager3479183531 Bioactive Bone Grafts is specialized reconstruction Martials which are prominently used in various bone reconstruction surgeries. Bone grafts usually comprise products like oesteocounductiove matrix that work as a framework for the growth of new bone fibers, osteoinductive proteins that support mitogenesis of identical bone cells and osteogenic cells which are capable of creating new bone in the appropriate environment. Primary objective behind the utilization of bone graft is to achieve healing from fractures and bone injuries. Bioactive bone grafts are designed to facilitate bone growth with optimized porosity that promotes rapid vascularization, playing an important role in the bone regrowth process by providing nutrients , oxygen, lymph And essential growth elements for bone growth. The bioactive bone grafts are formulated to provide ease in storage and handling. The property of bioactive bone grafts allows the products to be shaped into multiple forms to adopt to various surgical and operative needs. Furthermore, the prefilled syringes of bioactive bone grafts allows rapid and efficient application. Bioactive Bone Grafts Market: Drivers and RestraintsBioactive Bone Grafts are among the most preferred choice of bone graft in various bone reconstruction surgeries such as maxillofacial surgical procedures, due to their advantage over other allograft techniques. Increasing number of musculoskeletal disorder and orthopedic procedures which intends the utilization of bioactive bone grafts is anticipated to drive the growth of the bioactive bone grafts market. For example, as per the American academy of orthopedic surgeons (AAOS), nearly 2.8 million musculoskeletal surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States alone. In addition to this approximately 2.1 million orthopedic surgeries are performed every year in the United States involving the use of bone grafts and bioactive bone grafts. Thereby growing adoption of bioactive bone grafts combined with increasing incidence of orthopedic disorders demanding bioactive material is anticipated to boost the growth of bioactive bone grafts market. Furthermore, major key players introducing new products in the bioactive bone grafts segment that will lure additional number end users and thus drives the growth for bioactive bone grafts market. For example, Baxter in September 2018 announced the USFDA clearance of its ALTAPORE Bioactive Bone Grafts specially optimized to enhance bone growth. To Get Sample Copy of Report Visit at: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7680 Bioactive Bone Grafts Market: SegmentationBased on product type, the Bioactive Bone Grafts market is segmented into:PrefilledPutty basedothersBased on Application type, the Bioactive Bone Grafts market is segmented into:Cranio-maxilofacialDentalFoot and AnkleJoint ReconstructionOthersBased on End User, the Bioactive Bone Grafts market is segmented into:HospitalsClinicsTrauma CenterEmergency DepartmentBioactive Bone Grafts Market: OverviewThe Bioactive Bone Grafts market is observing a prominent growth globally owing to growing demand for advanced bone growth solutions combined with continuous research and product innovation in orthopedic care. The market for bioactive bone grafts is highly fragmented with presence of major manufacturers like Baxter and DePuy Synthes Companies in the bioactive bone grafts market. The advanced enhancement properties of bioactive bone grafts such as optimized porosity, increased cellular activity and greater volume of new formed bone is expected to offer new growth opportunities for bioactive bone grafts market. Surgical use of bioactive bone grafts in providing added osteoconductive scaffold for new bone growth coupled with enhanced bioactivity in rapid bone growth with calcium phosphate deposition. The primary key players in the bioactive bone growth market is focused on providing advanced bioactive bone growth products and improving clinical outcome. The growing number of geriatric population with arthritis condition and increasing number of accident are anticipated to act as primary driving factor for Bioactive Bone Grafts market. Access Report with Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7680 Bioactive Bone Grafts Market: Region-Wise OverviewThe global Bioactive Bone Grafts market is segmented into the following regions - North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding China & Japan, China, Japan and the Middle East & Africa. North America is the dominant regional market for Bioactive Bone Grafts due to growing number of geriatric population in the region. In North America, the U.S. is the dominating market due to segregation of Bioactive Bone Grafts manufacturers in the region combined with increasing investment in advanced medical technologies. Europe is anticipated to be second dominating regional market for Bioactive Bone Grafts due to wide availability of bioactive bone grafts and increasing technological advancement in orthopedic technologies in the region. APAC is a fast-growing regional market for Bioactive Bone Grafts due to increasing demand for standard orthopedic care and raising number of orthopedic injuries coupled with rising number of geriatrics in the countries like India and china. Growth in the Latin America and the Middle East and Africa is growing gradually due to progressively increasing healthcare spending. Bioactive Bone Grafts Market: Key ParticipantsExamples of some of the key participants in the Bioactive Bone Grafts market are Baxter International, Inc., DePuy Synthes Companies, Medtronic plc., NuVasive, Inc., Orthofix Holdings, Inc., Stryker Corporation, Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., and Bioventus. Among others. Report Overview: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/bioactive-bone-grafts-market Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Beetroot Molasses Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 2027" report to their offering. Beetroot Molasses Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:08:04 Press Information 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 Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 635 Words U.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.comManager+1 03479183531 The syrup that is separated from the last crop of sugar and from which no more sugar can be economically crystallized is called molasses. Beetroot molasses is a by-product of the sugar beet industry. It is obtained in the form of a thick dark syrup from the processing of sugar beet into sucrose. It consists various fermentable carbohydrates and non-sugar organic materials. The fermentable carbohydrates include glucose, sucrose, and fructose whereas the non-sugar organic materials include amino acids, minerals and trace elements, and vitamins of the B-group. Beetroot molasses is majorly used as a raw material in the production of ethyl alcohol, food acids, bakery yeast, and livestock feed additive.Market Segmentation:Beetroot molasses market is segmented on the basis of application in different industries as animal feed industry, food and beverage industry, and other applications. In the animal feed industry, it is mainly used as a livestock feed additive that stimulates the total feed intake, improves milk yield in cattle, and is also an effective binding agent, hence dominates the beetroot molasses market by application.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4075 Similarly, in the food and beverage industry, beet molasses are used in biscuits & cookies, and fermented beverages as well as in the production of bakers yeast. Other applications include the use of beet molasses as raw materials in production of ethanol which is used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemical intermediates, personal care products and cleaners and sanitizers. The global beetroot molasses market is also segmented on the basis of organizational structure such as unorganized and organized market.Beetroot molasses market is further segmented on the basis of regions as North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East and Africa.Market Regional Outlook:On the basis of regions, the beetroot molasses market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. In regional markets North America is the largest producer of beetroot molasses. Over the next few years, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing market for beetroot molasses. India is projected to grow with the highest CAGR in the beetroot molasses market by country, owing to the increasing standard of living.Market Drivers and Trends:Rapid rise in the utilization of beetroot molasses as animal feed coupled with the growing demand of ethyl alcohol has played a major role in driving the growth of the beetroot molasses market across the globe. Around 40% of beet molasses are used as animal feed across the world. Feed molasses stimulates the total feed intake, thus lowering the feed costs. It is also a cost effective alternative to traditional animal feed products. Thus the growth of animal feed demand drives the market for beet molasses.Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is a form of absolute spirit produced also using beet molasses. The growing demand for ethanol is industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemical intermediates, personal care products and cleaners and sanitizers has thus fuelled the growth of the beet molasses market across the globe. Another factor responsible for driving the beet molasses market is the rising usage of beet molasses in bakery and confectionery products such as cookies and biscuits as the usage of beet molasses in the same make the cookie dough softer, improve moisture content and makes the dough more suitable for handling.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4075 Beetroot Molasses Market Key Players:Some of the key players in the beetroot molasses market include Renuka beet sugar, Spreckals Sugar Company, Michigan Sugar Company, Amalgamated Sugar Company, Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co. Ltd., American Crystal Sugar Company, Crosby Molasses Company, Daqahila Sugar Company, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, and ED&F MAN Deutschland GmbH. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Barrier-coated Papers Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 - 2027" report to their offering. Barrier-coated Papers Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 12:59:24 Press Information 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 Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 609 Words U.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.comManager+1 03479183531 Barrier-coatings are applied to the packaging surface to obtain a smooth surface for brightness, printability, and aseptic packaging. In many of packaging applications, the paper is used for packaging of several products. Paper packaging offers several advantages such as paper is biodegradable, flexible, and cost-efficient. The barrier-coated paper is the paper which has coating of various barrier materials such as silicon oxide, ethyl vinyl alcohol, aluminum oxide, polyethylene, polyolefin, polyethylene glycol, and among others. The coating on the paper provides a better surface for printing. The barrier coatings are applied on papers to facilitate aroma, grease, etc. Apart from barrier properties, the coating provides immense opportunities for manufacturers for printing. The global market for barrier-coated papers is expected to grow over the forecast period as the barrier-coated paper offers many advantages.Global Barrier-coated Papers Market Drivers and restraintsThe global market for barrier-coated papers is expected to grow over the forecast period due to various reasons increasingly. One of the reasons for growth of barrier-coated papers market is its extensive use in food & beverage and pharmaceutical packaging. In food and pharmaceutical packaging, barrier coated papers are used for packaging of products which require protection from moisture, oxygen, and light.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6030 The flexibility in design and effective functionality of barrier-coated papers for packaging are preferred solution for among industrial and consumer products. The main reason which drives the market for barrier-coated papers is that barrier-coated papers ensure the protection of the products packaged and also reduces the use of preservatives. Many manufacturers are inclining towards the use of barrier-coated papers for packaging of different products. The consumer trend of using smaller pack sizes of ready-to-consume products increases the demand for barrier-coated papers. For these reasons, the growth of global barrier-coated papers market is expected to further rise in the near future.Despite from the positive outlook, there are some challenges that might hamper the growth of the global barrier coated papers market. The additional barrier coating applied to the barrier coating papers need a separate process for separation of different layers at the time of disposal. Another reason is the availability of alternatives.Global Barrier-coated Papers - Market SegmentationThe global market barrier-coated paper is segmented on the basis of coating type, on the basis of paper type, and on the basis of end use.On the basis of coating type, the barrier-coated papers are segmented intoConventional coatingPlastic coatingBiodegradable coatingOthersOn the basis of end use, the barrier-coated papers are used inFood and beverages industryPharmaceutical industryDairy IndustryBuilding and construction industryOthersGlobal Barrier-coated Papers Market - Regional OutlookGeographically, the global barrier-coated papers market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East & Africa and Japan. The global barrier-coated papers market is expected to grow over the forecast period. APEJ and North America are considered as the largest producers of the barrier-coated papers. The consumption of barrier-coated papers is increasing for packaging due to the increase in the disposable incomes. Apart from this, Latin America and Western Europe are anticipated to have considerable growth in the global barrier-coated papers market. However, Middle East & Africa and Japan are anticipated have the moderate growth in the global Barrier-coated Papers market over the forecast period.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6030 Global Barrier-coated Papers Market - Key PlayersSome of the players in the global barrier-coated papers market are Mondi Group, Archroma Packaging & Paper Specialties, Michelman, Inc., Kuraray Co. Limited, Imerys Paper and Packaging, Cork Industries, Inc. and among others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:56:19 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 628 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 Modern day automobiles widely use starters and alternators. These are generally used in diesel and gasoline engines. The rising investments on R&D by key players in the market coupled with acquisitions and mergers is expected to make the global automotive starter and alternator market flourish in near future. The manufacturers of automotive starters and alternators are expanding their businesses to emerging economies like China, India, Russia, etc. as these countries are focused on development of automotive sectors in order to serve the rising demand across the globe.Electric starters are expected to dominate the segment during the forecast period. The different types of electric starters used in automotive sector are gear reduction, inertia starter, folo-thru drive and moveable pole shoe. Based on alternator type, the claw pole alternators are projected to witness significant growth in near future.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2575 Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: DriversOne of the major factors driving the growth of the global automotive starter and alternator market is increase in production of vehicles across the globe. According to OICA, the total vehicle production increased by around 1% in 2015. Moreover, increasing adoption of electric vehicles due to environment concerns such as rising air pollution, is further expected to escalate the demand for automotive starter and alternator market during the forecast period. Additionally, increasing preference for light weight and fuel efficient vehicles is further projected to escalate the demand for automotive starters and alternators in near future.Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: RestraintsThe increasing production of hybrid vehicles is anticipated to hamper the growth of the global automotive starter and alternator market. The hybrid vehicles use one or more motors which ignite with the help of internal combustion engine. Due to this reason, these vehicles have eliminated the use of automotive starters and alternators which, in turn, is expected to restrict their demand in near future.Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: SegmentationThe global automotive starter and alternator market can be segmented on the basis of starter type, alternator type and vehicle type. On the basis of starter type, the market can be segmented into electric, hydraulic and pneumatic. On the basis of alternators, the market can be further segmented into claw pole alternator and cylindrical alternator. On the basis of vehicles, the global starter and alternator market can be further segmented into light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and passenger cars.Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Region wise OutlookBased on regions, Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the automotive starter and alternator market over the forecast period. Asia Pacific, led by emerging economies like China and India, is projected to be the dominant region during the forecast period due to the presence of continuously increasing automobile manufacturing companies in this region. North America, led by U.S. is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The increasing demand for starters and alternators in North America, owing to rising production of vehicles, coupled with continuous investment in this market is expected to fuel the demand for automotive starters and alternators in near future. The automotive starter and alternator market in Middle East & Africa and Latin America is anticipated to witness steady growth due to sluggish demand in this region. However, increasing demand for vehicles is expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for automotive starters and alternators in near future.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2575 Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants identified in the global automotive starter and alternator market are mentioned below:Valeo SADenso CorporationRobert Bosch GmbHNingbo zhongwang auto fittings Co.,LTD Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Mitsubishi Electric CorporationASIMCO Technologies LtdHella KGaA Hueck & Co. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:55:37 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 660 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 Automotive glasses are the aesthetics driven structures of a vehicle serving the purpose of protecting the occupants from the harsh exterior environment, aid in the circulation of fresh air whenever required, allow passage of natural light into the compartment, prevent the accumulation of heat in the interior space of the vehicle and improve the overall visual aspect of a vehicle. Passenger safety being one of the most important facets considered when designing a vehicle, puts a special emphasis on the designing of automotive glass as well. Hence, automotive glasses are designed in such a way that it contributes minimal weight to the vehicle, withstand high external forces, minimize the drag induced on the vehicle and remain shatterproof in the unlikely event of being struck by external or internal agents. Both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Aftersales Manufacturers play important roles in the growth of automotive glass market. Aftersales Manufacturers enjoy an improved growth as far as distribution segment is concerned owing to increased replacements being witnessed due to frequent damage of the automotive glass.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2262 Automotive Glass Market: DynamicsAutomotive glasses serve as an integral part of a vehicle and will continue to remain so in the future. Continuous innovations in the practical usage of automotive glass and implementation of smart glass is expected to fuel the growth of the automotive glass market. The spreading out of automotive glass market not only depends on the yearly production of vehicles worldwide, but also on the number of glass replacements carried out on the existing vehicle parc. The average cost of a typical automotive glass plummeted in the 2008 financial crisis solely due to the reduced production of vehicles, but since then has improved considerably leading to a healthy and improved market value of automotive glass. Higher disposable income, increased preference of consumers towards safety, luxury & comfort and changing lifestyle have made automobiles more of a necessity than a hard to reach luxury product, thereby directly influencing as a healthy prospect for the growth of the automotive glass market.Automotive Glass Market: SegmentationAutomotive GlassMarket can be segmented by vehicle type, sales channel, glass type and application.By vehicle type, automotive glass market can be segmented as:Passenger VehiclesLight Commercial VehiclesHeavy Commercial VehiclesBy sales channel, automotive glass market can be segmented as:Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)AftermarketBy glass type, automotive glass market can be segmented as:Laminated GlassTempered GlassBy application, automotive glass market can be segmented as:WindshieldBack GlassDoor Glass (Side Window)Quarter GlassVent GlassBack GlassMoon RoofAutomotive Glass Market: Regional OutlookAutomotive glass market from the perspective of worldwide sales can be segmented into seven geographical regions such as Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa. In terms of vehicle production, China emerged as one of the global leaders registering more than double the output than the next country, the U.S., prompting steady growth in the automobile glass market in both Asia Pacific and North America regions. Japan comes after the U.S. in terms of the number of vehicles produced per year further fuelling the market growth. The prospects of market growth in the Western Europe region is also expected to be fruitful, thanks to the improved vehicle production in Germany, France and Spain. The sales of automobiles in the Eastern Europe and Middle East & Africa region have considerably increased due to cheap vehicle prices and higher disposable wealth paving a way for better prospects of the automobile glass market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2262 Automotive Glass Market: ParticipantsSome of the examples of the participants involved in the Global Automotive Glass Market are:Dura Automotive SystemsAsahi Glass Co., Ltd.Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.Shenzhen Benson Automobile Glass Co., Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:57:27 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 603 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 In the automotive market, initially mechanical brakes were used which were gradually replaced by hydraulic brakes, where brake fluid was required. The first hydraulic system was developed in 1914 by Frederick Duesenberg, an American automotive pioneer. Today, most automotive brake fluid is either silicone based (DOT5) or glycol based (DOT3).Most drivers check their engine oil or tire pressure regularly, but very often drivers check the brake fluid in their vehicle. Automotive brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic clutches & brake applications in motorcycles, automobiles and some bicycles. It plays a crucial role as it transfers force when a driver applies the brake. Additionally, automotive brake fluid helps prevent corrosion and serves as lubricant for all movable parts.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2856 Automotive brake fluids, across the world, are regulated products and need to meet certain specifications and recommendations set by industry agencies and associations such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Japanese Standards Association (JSA the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations (FMVSS), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and GB12981-2003 in China.Automotive Brake Fluid Market: DynamicsThe burgeoning demand for vehicles in countries like China and India is forecasted to drive growth for the automotive brake fluid market. Companies are establishing production sites in these regions so as to satiate the local demand. For instance, BASF opened an automotive brake fluid production plant in Pudong, Shanghai to support the demand of local customers; which in turn is driving demand for automotive brake fluid in China. However, the lack of awareness/understanding among end user is restraining growth of the global automotive brake fluid market.The main route to this market is via the aftermarket, which includes workshops, automotive service centers and retailers for supply to DIY (do it yourself) end users. The retail aftermarket includes general & automotive retailers and petrol forecourts. The remaining market for brake fluid is held by OEMs for the first fill in a vehicle. Therefore, tie ups with OEMs becomes an important driver across all regions since they provide an assured route to the market through the sale of new cars.Automotive Brake Fluid Market: SegmentationAutomotive brake fluid are of two types: petroleum and non-petroleum. Petroleum-based automotive brake fluids are rarely used in the automotive industry.The DOT (department of transportation) classifies automotive brake fluids by their chemical composition and boiling point. Therefore, the global automotive brake fluid market can be segment by type as: DOT 3 (glycol ether based), DOT 4 (glycol ether based/borate ester), DOT 5 (silicone based), DOT 5.1 (borate ester/glycol ether). DOT 5.1, DOT 4, DOT 3 are based on poly glycol compounds and DOT 5 is based on silicone. Gylcol fluids are used in 99% of the motor vehicles in various grades. Additionally, most cars run on DOT 3 which has lower water content since fluid causes corrosion in the brake system. Brake pistons, cylinders and lines undergo wear and tear as a result of braking over a period of time. The cost of replacing any component is significant and replacing brake fluid can help save a major portion of that cost. Automotive brake fluid varies from vehicle to vehicle, depending on various factors such as model, vehicle production year and type of brake system.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2856 Automotive Brake Fluid: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global automotive brake fluid market identified across the value chain include:Beijing Haidian Huiyuan Synthetic AgentsBoschCoptonCnpcCastrol(Bp)CaltexExxon MobilDelian Group PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:56:51 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 630 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 The global automotive alloys market is estimated to grow phenomenally owing to rapid urbanization, increasing vehicle production and fuel efficiency regulations. The global automotive alloy market has immense growth potential in terms of electric vehicle production and integration of advanced safety and comfort technologies in vehicles.The global automotive industry is gradually transitioning towards light weighted vehicles. Due to a growing demand for safety and comfort technologies, automotive vehicles are becoming heavier. Light weighted vehicles are more fuel efficient and contribute to reducing emissions. Research and development on fuel economy of automotive vehicles shows a direct correlation between fuel efficiency and vehicle weight. This has influenced the trend to reduce weight in automobiles and to opt for light weighted alloys in automotive body panels. Thus, OEMs are now getting inclined to use lighter materials in vehicles. Growing demand for fuel efficient vehicles, and government regulations on reduction in vehicle weight are estimated to drive the growth of light weighted automotive alloys in automobiles. Automotive alloys are classified as steel alloys, magnesium alloys, aluminium alloys and others (composites).In the global automotive alloys market, steel alloys account for the largest market share owing to a growing demand for steel alloys in India and China for manufacturing vehicles. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry use magnesium alloy as a light metal alloy. Magnesium alloy offers thermal stability, strength, rigidity, ductility and specific strength; it also weighs lighter. Magnesium alloy is primarily used in the automotive body & chassis structure of a vehicle (oil pumps, housings, the crank shaft, the cylinder crankcase, mounts, brackets and the radiator support), and other interior parts. The market for magnesium alloys is estimated to grow at a stable rate over the forecast period. The aluminium alloy segment is estimated to grow fastest owing to a high demand for light weighted vehicles with aluminium alloys.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2665 Global Automotive Alloys: Market DynamicsDrivers:It is projected that the global automotive alloys market will be driven by the high demand of light weighted vehicles and the increasing pace of vehicle production.Also, the global automotive alloys market is estimated to be fuelled by rapid urbanization and regulations on fuel efficiency and greenhouse emissions.Restraints:In the global automotive alloys market, the relatively high cost of magnesium and aluminium alloys may hamper growth over the forecast period.Global Automotive Alloys Market: SegmentationFollowing is the segmentation for the global automotive alloys market:On the basis of type of alloy, the global automotive alloys market is segmented as: Steel, Aluminium, Magnesiumand others.On the basis of application, the global automotive alloys market is segmented as:Structural, Powertrain, Exterior and others.On the basis of type of vehicle, the global automotive alloys market segmented as:Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV), Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV)and Passenger Car.Global Automotive Alloys Market: Regional OutlookAsia-Pacific is estimated to be the largest market for automotive alloys due to stable economic growth, increasing vehicle production, rapid urbanization and the growing demand for light weighted vehicles over the forecast period. The countries contributing largely to the growth of the Asia-Pacific automotive alloys market are China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. In countries such as China and India, a large population base has contributed to the increase in automobiles sales.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2665 Japan, Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to grow at a steady rate over the forecast period. North America and Europe are matured markets for automotive alloys.Global Automotive Alloys: Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants identified in the global automotive alloys market are:ConstelliumAMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.KOBE STEEL, LTDNovelis, Inc.UACJ CorporationArcelorMittal S.A. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Apple Cider Vinegar Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 2027" report to their offering. Apple Cider Vinegar Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 13:14:50 Press Information 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 Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 598 Words U.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.comManager+1 03479183531 Vinegar can be defined as a condiment made from various sugar and starchy materials processed through alcoholic and subsequent acetic fermentation. Apple cider vinegar is one of the type of vinegar, widely used as an antimicrobial and flavoring component in the cuisines. Apple cider vinegar is rich in acetic acid, magnesium, potassium, probiotics and enzymes. It helps to regulate body pH, lowers the blood sugar and cholesterol level, supports heart health, cure sinus infection, and prevent skin irritation. Apple cider vinegar also supports weight loss and metabolism. Additionally, high anti-fungal abilities of apple cider vinegar enables it to be used for cleaning purpose. It kills harmful bacteria and prevents the formation of fungus. It is used as a flavoring agent in soups and condiments, salad dressing.Apple Cider Vinegar Market SegmentationApple cider vinegar market can be segmented on the basis of applications, distribution channel, and by regions. Based on applications, apple cider vinegar is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and others. Others include various household and industrial applications. Apple cider vinegar, being a key ingredient in various ethnic and foreign cuisines, is anticipated to witness relatively high share in the food & beverages segment. Pharmaceutical segment is expected to expand at relatively high CAGR owing to the wide use of apple cider vinegar in pharmaceutical segment. It helps in balancing blood sugar and help in improving diabetes. It is also applied to soothe sunburn.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4121 Based upon distribution channel, apple cider vinegar market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores, specialist stores, and others. Others include independent retailers. Supermarket/hypermarket is expected to hold relatively high share in the apple cider vinegar market. Expansion of retail chain format on global level has contributed significantly to the growth of supermarket/hypermarket over the forecast period.Regional Outlook of Apple Cider Vinegar Market:On the basis of geographical market segment, it is segmented into seven different regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia-Pacific region, Japan and Middle East and Africa. In regional segments, North America is expected to hold relatively high share in terms of market value. Asia Pacific region is expected to witness relatively high growth in the apple cider vinegar market owing to the rising health consciousness and increasing disposable income in the region.Apple Cider Vinegar Market Trends and Market Drivers:Apple cider vinegar market is expected to witness sustained growth over the forecast period. Growth of apple cider vinegar market is driven by its wide applications in the food & beverage industry. It is considered as one of the essential component in salad dressing, sauces and soups, and food preservatives. Other factors attributable to the high growth includes increase in ageing population, rising health consciousness, increasing purchasing power, rise in per capita health expenditure. Presence of natural ingredients in apple cider vinegar coupled with growing awareness regarding its health benefits contributes significantly to its volume growth over the forecast period.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4121 Apple Cider Vinegar Market Key Players:Some of the key players in the apple cider vinegar market include Barnes Naturals, The Kraft Heinz Company, Carl Kuhne KG, Castelo Alimentos S/A, Old Dutch Mustard Co., Inc., Marukan Vinegar USA Inc., and Aspall among others. Companies in the apple cider vinegar market are heavily investing in research and development activities to enhance the functional profile of apple cider vinegar. Companies also focus upon building efficient supply chain to ensure wide availability of apple cider vinegar in the market. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 10:55:48 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, Vall sales@futuremarketinsights.com Manager 3479183531 email Published by Vijay Kundekar 13479183531 e-mail ' ' . c2c_truncate_link("www.futuremarketinsights.com", "0", "", ".") . '' # 600 Words U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way,, Suite 2-9018, VallManager3479183531Vijay Kundekar13479183531 The aircraft lighting market has gone through high technological advancements in the recent years. These technological advancements and innovative equipment contribute to spur the global aircraft lighting market. The growth of aircraft lighting market is relational to the growth of the global aircraft industry and growth in air travel. Additionally, factors that drive the aircraft lighting market include use of energy efficient aircraft lights, efficient lighting alternative and growth in aircraft deliveries.Aircraft lighting is the major security concern of aircrafts. New aircraft lighting systems have innovative working design that save fuel and consume less power. These lighting systems are divided into two segments: interior and exterior aircraft lightings. Exterior aircraft lightings are used for visibility and security purpose to make the aircraft more visible to other aircrafts. During takeoff and landing of flights they also improve visibility of pilots. They include strobes, navigational lighting systems, beacons, and equipment. Interior lighting systems are used to provide lighting to the cargo hold, cockpit and cabin. These consist of lights mounted on reading lights, ceilings, mood lighting and sidewalls.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2330 Global Aircraft Lighting Market: DynamicsIncreasing air travel and aircraft industry are the primary factors which are driving the aircraft lighting market.A key growth driver is expected to be the use of energy efficient aircraft lights, and efficient lighting alternatives. The global aircraft lighting market is witnessing high opportunity potential in low weight aircraft lights segment.Additionally, global economic uncertainty is acting as growth restraints in the global aircraft lighting market.Global Aircraft Lighting Market: SegmentationGlobal aircraft lighting market is segmented on the basis of lighting type as follows: Interior Light, and Exterior Light.The global aircraft lighting market is segmented on the basis of lighting fit as retrofit and line fit, wherein, the retrofit segment is estimated to dominate the global aircraft lighting market in terms of value over the forecast period, owing to increasing aftermarket demand for aircraft lighting and increasing MRO services. Also, the demand for aircrafts in emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil is growing steadily, thus in the commercial segment it is expected that retrofit segment may have a higher opportunity to grow.The global aircraft lighting market is also segmented on the basis of aircraft type as follows: Narrow Body Aircraft, Very Large Aircraft and Wide Body Aircraft. The narrow body aircraft type is estimated to grow at a faster rate owing to its high demand from airline carriers. The market for narrow body aircraft is comparatively larger in Asia Pacific, Western Europe, and North America, owing to increase in domestic civil aviation and cost effective carriers market.Global Aircraft Lighting Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of region, Asia Pacific aircraft lighting market is expected to grow at a faster rate over the forecast period. The key countries mentioned in the Asia-Pacific region are China, South Korea, Japan and India as an outcome of growth in the aircraft industry and airline travel which in turn is resulting in increase in demand for aircraft lighting market in these countries. Japan, Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to grow at a steady rate over the forecast period. The North America and Europe are dominant market over the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2330 Global Aircraft Lighting: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global aircraft lighting market are:B/E Aerospace, Inc.Cobham plcUTC Aerospace SystemsHoneywell International Inc.Diehl Stiftung & Co. KGAstronics CorporationZodiac Aerospace PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 19:22:19 The emergence of innovative solutions, that improve mechanical endurance of food products and provide them longer shelf-life, has exerted importance on the use of active and modified atmosphere packaging. In terms of value, the global market for active and modified atmosphere packaging is predicted to reach US$ 17.0 Bn in 2016, and will continue to expand at a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period 2016-2024. Research Report Insights (RRI) has compiled in-depth research on the markets insights and global analysis of growth opportunities is compiled in the report titled, Active and Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016-2024.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114681/Active-And-Modified-Atmosphere-Packaging-Market Developments in global food packaging industry such as self-venting microwave packs and respiring trays will continue influencing the demand for active & modified atmosphere packaging solutions. Moreover, the consumption for active & modified atmosphere packaging products will be majorly concentrated among meat producer and retailers as they require packaging methods that provided better sustenance in terms of biodegradability and compostability. Although, packaging material recyclability and increasing initial costs in packaging processes are expected to curb the expansion of global active & modified atmosphere packaging market.In terms of revenues, the global market for active & modified atmosphere packaging is projected to exceed US$ 26.0 Bn by the end of forecast period 2016-2024. APAC region will dominate the market, increasing at a CAGR of over 6% over the forecast period.Based on the applications, the global market for active & modified atmosphere packaging is segmented into processed food products, bakery & confectionery, fruits & vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry & seafood, and others. Demand for modified atmosphere packaging is higher in fruit & vegetable vendors, while active packaging products are consumed higher in food processing companies. By 2016, the processed food segment is anticipated to account for 15% of the total revenue share of global active and modified atmosphere packaging market.Based on the material type, the global market is further segmented into polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene, and others. Polymer materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate provide additional properties to several active & modified atmosphere packaging materials.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114681/Active-And-Modified-Atmosphere-Packaging-Market Among the markets regional segmentation, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will continue to procure leading value share in the global market. However, the APAC region will face close competition by the active & modified atmosphere packaging market in Latin America, which will exhibit a similar CAGR during the forecast period.Amcor Limited, Sealed Air Corporation, Winpak Limited Company, Coveris Holdings S.A., Berry Plastic Group Inc., Bemis Company Inc., Linpac Packaging, ULMA Packaging, and S. Coop and Ilapac International S.A.,Report Analysis@ among others are recognised as some of the leading companies contributing to the growth of the global active & modified atmosphere packaging market. Posted Monday, January 14, 2019 10:13 am Federal workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport who already were living paycheck to paycheck say the government shutdown has taken them to the brink of financial instability, as they consider loans, temporary jobs and unemployment benefits to get by. Brianna Specht's husband is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee who has been working without pay, and the two have a 6-year-old daughter. The situation has left Specht and her husband feeling helpless, as they worry about how they'll pay rent if the shutdown continues. "A lot of people just think it's that the national parks that aren't open, but it's so much more," she said. "It's our future. This kind of thing has become normal, and it shouldn't be." At a resource fair Friday organized by the Port of Seattle, credit unions, nonprofits and utility companies told federal workers such as Specht's husband how they could access short-term loans, late bill-payment support and emergency assistance. Nonprofit Within Reach signed up two workers for food stamps, and the United Way of King County gave workers information about an upcoming eviction-prevention event. The partial federal government shutdown will soon enter its fourth week, as President Donald Trump continues to press Congress to fund a wall on the nation's southern border -- a move Democrats oppose. Friday marked the first missed paycheck for many of the roughly 800,000 federal employees who are furloughed or working without compensation. Around 2,000 workers are affected at Sea-Tac Airport. For Specht, the shutdown has overshadowed normally happy events such as Christmas and her birthday. The family has meager savings to fall back on, and the bank has been calling every few days about a payment that's past due, she said. They're living off money Specht makes baby-sitting, and help from her father, who is retired but started working a minimum-wage job to help the family get through the shutdown. Across Washington state, federal workers have found themselves in positions they didn't expect. Some are using food banks and applying for special low-interest loans, while others have considered applying for government benefits. Monika Warner, president of a union that represents professional aviation safety specialists, has started looking into unemployment benefits, as well as part-time jobs she can drop once she's called back to work. Warner said she hasn't been able to sleep, kept awake into the early morning hours calculating her financial position. A single mother, with two teenagers living at home, she wonders how she'll continue to pay the mortgage, utilities, credit-card bills, car payments and insurance for her children. "Right now, I can make zero financial decisions except scrambling for money," she said. "I just want to get back to work." The shutdown has reportedly led to an increase in TSA workers who have called in sick, causing delays at some airports. Port of Seattle officials have said that hasn't been the case at Sea-Tac, which has seen normal security-line times. It took most passengers five to 12 minutes to get through security Friday, Port of Seattle spokesman Perry Cooper said in an email. "This isn't our busiest time of the year after the holidays, so that may help a bit," Cooper said. "However, we're very appreciative of the TSA and other staff who are coming to work without pay and making sure our travelers remain safe." Roger Smith, who has been a TSA employee for around 17 years and on Friday was looking into getting a loan, said that's exactly why he's continued to show up to work during the shutdown. "This goes beyond just earning a paycheck," he said. "I feel a responsibility to the flying public, to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely." PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-14 08:31:07 Press Information Future Market Insights Contact Us 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/ Vaibhav SEO 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 740 Words 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: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/SEO3479183531 Achiote powder is extracted from the seeds of ever green shrub Bixa Orellana, commonly known as annatto. Achiote is traditionally being used as spices, food color, and medicinal purpose and as commercial dye. Achiote is originated from Mexico and being used for decoration, rituals and in paintings since 16th century. It is traditionally being used as coloring and flavoring agent in Latin America. In central and South America seeds were originally used to make red body painted and lipstick, and hence achiote is sometimes called as lipstick tree. Oil can also be extracted from achiote and used in different dishes for giving them nice color. Apart from seeds plant leaves have medicinal properties and also used in skin diseases treatment.A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1997 As looking at achiotes properties and important uses achiote powder global market demand is high.Achiote PowderMarket SegmentationAchiote powder market is segmented on the basis of its applications in different industries. In condiments or spices, as a dye in textile industries, as food colorant in bakery and other food products, in cosmetics and in Pharmaceutical industries. Achiote powder is traditionally being used and sold as spice in the South American market. As containing color pigments it is being used in textile industry as natural dying agent .Uses of achiote powder in cosmetic industry is quite popular as traditionally being used in lipsticks as well as in skin infections. It has been popular as medicine recently due to its therapeutic properties like antifungal, antimalarial laxative, antibiotic and many more, and its medicinal properties have derived its market demand.Achiote powder market is further segmented on the basis of its forms. Achiote powder is available in market in different forms as water soluble extracts, mainly used in the water based food items and water based products. Another form is oil soluble extract for oil soluble products and cosmetics. And dry spray form is also available in market.Archiote powder market is later segmented on the basis of region asLatin America, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia pacific excluding Japan and Japan. Where Peru from America and Kenya from Africa are the major exporter of achiote. Japan possess major import market for achiote powder as all synthetic coloring is banned in japan.Achiote Powder Global Market TrendsAchiote powder possess significant demand in all the regions due to its therapeutic, food ingredient applications. Increasing emphasis on Ayurveda medicines, natural dyes, and natural food colorants is a major trending factor for achiote powder market.Also banning of certain synthetic pigments/colorants by major players like Japan. And research and development in plant medicines sector is another market trend setter for achiote powder market due to its therapeutic properties.Achiote Powder Market DriversAchiote powder is in high demand due to its applications in several industries. Principle factor driving market demand are continuous rising demand for natural colorants products due to rising regulations on uses of synthetic color agents in food and other materials by various governments. Also growing health consciousness in consumers and hence rising market demand for natural products based cosmetics and pharmaceutical products becoming another market driver for achiote powder.In countries like Peru achiote powder uses and production is high as traditionally known for its medicinal properties. In Japan, Europe and North America markets achiote powder is highly sought due to high regulated uses of synthetic colorants. In Japan market the uses of synthetic colorants are banned and hence recent years Japanese market has grown as another major exporter of achiote powder. In Europe Netherlands and UK are the major users of achiote powder as a colorant for hard cheese and uses in margarine. In North America U.S. market is the major exporter of achiote powder from Peru.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1997 Achiote PowderMarket Key Players:Achiote tree has been traditionally grown and marketed in Latin American countries, however Peru and Kenya are the major exporters of the achiote powder.Small volume producers and exporters market includes the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Angola in Africa, and India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in Asia. Key players operating in achiote powder market include Brownana Gh Ltd.,MG Natura Peru SAC, Mama Sitas, Marven bio chem, Amerilure, Kolorjet Chemicals Pvt.Ltd ., Denton Spice Company, SENSIENT Pharmaceuticals etc. Frank Bruni, formerly the New York Timess White House reporter and now a columnist for the paper, has a long, long op-ed that is unintentionally revealing. It is headlined, Will the Media Be Trumps Accomplice Again in 2020? As though the press were pro-Trump in 2016! We have a second chance. Lets not blow it. A second chance to help a Democrat beat Donald Trump. Brunis piece displays a remarkable lack of self-knowledge. Republicans should be happy to note that he still has no idea why Trump won in 2016: he thinks Hillary was a fine candidate, and it was the presss fault for not being sufficiently anti-Trump. Through the first half of 2016, as Trump racked up victories in the Republican primaries, he commanded much more coverage than any other candidate from either party, and it was evenly balanced between positive and negative appraisals unlike the coverage of Clinton, which remained mostly negative. The press, including the Times, promoted Trump during the primary process because they thought he would be a weak candidate, and helping him to the nomination would guarantee Hillarys victory. Since he won the nomination, the presss coverage of Trump has been the most relentlessly negative of any politician in American history. The Timess own coverage has been obsessivelyalmost comically, in a black sort of wayhateful. Brunis arrogance when he describes the role of the liberal presswhich he consistently refers to as weis breathtaking: Above all, it [the liberal presss success or failure] will have an impact on who takes the oath of office in January 2021. Democracies dont just get the leaders they deserve. They get the leaders who make it through whatever obstacle course and thrive in whatever atmosphere their media has created. That is the function of the pressto create an obstacle course sufficient to defeat President Trump. The funniest thing about Brunis column is that, for expertise on how to cover a presidential election, he turns toDan Rather! Seriously: The shadow of what we did last time looms over this next time, the former CBS newsman Dan Rather, who has covered more than half a century of presidential elections, told me. Bruni uses Rather as a Greek chorus, the voice of wisdom. Without irony. Brunis theme is that the press needs to stop paying attention to the Trump spectacle and instead focus on substance. He doesnt mean it, though. He certainly doesnt have in mind talking about Trumps strong economy, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, reduced regulations, foreign policy successes or judicial appointments. On the contrary, this is the kind of thing he has in mind: I think that weve improved since then, and all along our efforts have included significant in-depth reporting. The Timess acquisition and exhaustive analysis of confidential financial records of Trumps from the 1990s and its conclusion, in an epic story published in October, that he used questionable schemes to build his wealth is a sterling example. Heh. If Bruni thinks that is a sterling example of how the liberal press can defeat President Trump next time around, I can already hear the GOP cheersFour more years! This New York Times article is called Ocasio-Cortez Pushes Democrats to the Left, Whether They Like It or Not. The Times Shane Goldmacher writes: Not so long ago, left-wing activists were dismissed as fringe or even kooky when they pressed for proposals to tax the superrich at 70 percent, to produce all of Americas power through renewable resources or to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then along came Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her social-media megaphone. In the two months since her election, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has had the uncanny ability for a first-term member of Congress to push the debate inside the Democratic Party sharply to the left, forcing party leaders and 2020 presidential candidates to grapple with issues that some might otherwise prefer to avoid. Ocasio-Cortez is a phenom and a force. But Goldmacher gives her too much credit. It was Bernie Sanders who, above all others, pushed Democrats to the left. Sanders, a socialist, came from nowhere (not even from the Democratic party) to nearly defeat Hilary Clinton. Had the playing field not been strongly tilted in Clintons favor, he might well have been the Democratic nominee for president. Some may view the Sanders vote as an anti-Clinton vote. But Clinton was reasonably popular among Democrats, popular enough to deter all challengers for the nomination considered serious by party leaders and the media. Once he got rolling, Sanders generated tremendous enthusiasm among white Democratic voters. One doesnt generate a high level of enthusiasm simply by not being Hillary Clinton. Nor was there much about Sanders other than his ideology that could have generated enthusiasm. Therefore, it was all but inevitable (1) that in last years elections, far left Democrats would pick off some congressional seats in deep blue jurisdictions and go on to raise a little hell in Congress and (2) that some Democratic presidential aspirants would pitch their campaigns at Sanders voters by sounding, and expanding upon, Sanders themes. It wasnt inevitable that a 29 year-old former bartender would play an outsized role in any of this. Ocasio-Cortez deserves credit for pushing herself to the forefront. However, she should be viewed more as a symptom of the Democratic partys expedition to the left than as one of the causes. Even Sanders is, to some degree, a symptom. Goldmacher says that not so long ago, left-wing activists were dismissed as fringe or even kooky when they pressed for proposals to tax the superrich at 70 percent. But many Democrats have long favored taxing the superrich at a rate like that. More generally, many Democrats have long disliked American capitalism. Sanders contribution was his willingness to make his dislike of capitalism the centerpiece of a run for the presidency a run that opened the floodgates. Sanders failed to win the nomination in part because party officials stacked the deck against him and in part because he couldnt win many votes from racial and ethnic minority groups. Herein lies Ocasio-Cortezs potential contribution to the Democratic left (which Goldmacher misses). She appears to have the ability to blend Sanders-style socialism with leftist identity politics. (I say blend rather than marry or merge because the two are probably insufficiently compatible to support a marriage or even a true merger). Ocasio-Cortez cant run for president. Thus, for purposes of the 2020 campaign, the blend will have to be sold to the American public primarily by someone else someone like Kamala Harris or Cory Booker. Standing alone, socialism or would be ruinous for America So would the prevalence of hyper-identity politics. A blending of the two would be truly toxic. 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. Remember those old paper customs declaration forms we used to scramble to fill out before we got off the plane on the approach to Guam? Read more The U.S. Small Business Administration will close its Dededo Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 5 p.m. Wednesday. "SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to Guam businesses and residents who were affected by Typhoon Mangkhut that occurred Sept. 10 to 11, 2018. Until the center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to be available to meet with businesses and residents to answer their questions, explain SBA's disaster loan program and close their approved disaster loans," stated Director Tanya Garfield of the SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center-West. Businesses and residents can meet with SBA representatives from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the Astumbo Gym, Dededo. The center will close at 5 p.m. Jan. 16. No appointment is necessary. Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Applicants may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. The deadline to apply for property damage is Feb. 5. The deadline to apply for economic injury applications is Sept. 9. Posted Monday, January 14, 2019 10:10 am OLYMPIA As state lawmakers stream into Washington Capitol building from points near and far, Democrats boast their strongest majorities since 2010. Many of those legislators are walking into the 2019 legislative session fired up over what they see as President Donald Trump's adversarial presidency and eager to mold Washington into the more progressive version they have talked about for years. Many state Democrats in recent years have proposed or campaigned on implementing a capital-gains tax, passing aggressive policies to fight climate change, expanding health-care and education programs and spending more on social programs. Despite their proposals, pleas and the promises, several years of divided government -- a Republican coalition held the Senate between 2013 and 2017 -- and last year's razor-thin Democratic majorities forced Democrats to set aside many ambitious proposals. But November's elections shifted the scales in Olympia. Democrats picked up 10 seats in the Legislature, giving them a 28-21 majority in the Senate and a 57-41 edge in the House. "Now the troops have arrived," Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday in an interview. The governor has for years seen many of his signature priorities on climate change wither away in Olympia due to opposition or disinterest. The governor already has laid out an ambitious $54.4 billion 2019-21 state operating budget proposal. It includes Democratic priorities to fight climate change and save killer whales, fund state-worker raises and expand education spending. It also includes a plan to reshape Washington's deeply-troubled mental-health system and improve K-12 special-education funding, two areas that Democrats and Republicans broadly agree must be a priority. Lawmakers in both parties are also talking about efforts to address the crises in homelessness and housing affordability, both of which have spread far beyond Seattle. To fund his priorities, the governor proposed a tax package of more than $3.7 billion for the two-year cycle, which drew swift condemnation from the GOP and consternation from some Democrats. Inslee's State of the State address is scheduled for Tuesday. Republicans come to Olympia this year alarmed about the scope of proposed spending and taxes -- and about the big Democratic majorities. "In a one-party state, there is a tendency to crush dissent," said Republican House Minority Leader Rep. J.T. Wilcox of Yelm. "There's no effective government and agency oversight, because one party doesn't investigate itself," he added. "You hear a lot of complaints about that at the national level, and we have that issue here, to some extent." As lawmakers tackle these issues in the 105-day session that begins Monday, they have a governor actively exploring a 2020 presidential bid. Inslee has started a political action committee to fund those efforts. He traveled to Nevada on Saturday and is scheduled to fly to New Hampshire later this month. Both are early key states for candidates. Though it's natural for politicians to be running for higher office, Wilcox said he hoped the governor would do his best to focus on Olympia as "his first job." "I also think it does make it more difficult to really concentrate on good government when you've got a lot people looking for the next position," Wilcox said. The governor pointed to his proposals on early-childhood education, and environmental issues including climate change -- longtime priorities of his -- as reason for him to stay engaged in Olympia. "These are things that I am intensely, personally committed to," Inslee said. "So you can be assured I am going to do what's necessary to do everything possible to get them across the finish line." Here's a look at a few of the big issues lawmakers are facing: Mental health Lawmakers and Inslee in recent years have poured roughly $900 million into the state's mental-health system in response to court orders and federal inspections highlighting the shortage of psychiatric beds and qualified workers, as well as unsafe conditions for staff and unlawful treatment of patients. The money and attention couldn't stop the decertification of Western State Hospital, Washington's largest psychiatric facility, which has for years struggled with severe safety and staffing issues. That cost the state $53 million in annual federal funding, and state officials say getting the hospital recertified by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid would be too expensive to justify for its aging campus of buildings in Lakewood. "Right now, we've got a two-pronged problem, we don't have beds, and we don't have people to work" in mental health facilities," said state Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax. "So we're going to have to build both as we move ahead. And I agree the Legislature probably hasn't done a good job. That's why we need a plan moving ahead." Inslee has proposed a $675 million blueprint to add hundreds of new mental-health and supportive housing beds, partnering with the University of Washington to build a teaching hospital focused on behavioral health, and proposals to train and attract more workers. The governor has also proposed building several state-run hospitals, as well as a replacement for Western State Hospital. Democrats and Republicans don't agree on the size of all the facilities or whether they should be run and owned by the state or privately staffed and operated. But lawmakers in both parties have said they agreed with the need to build a replacement facility for Western State Hospital. Education Last June, the state Supreme Court ended its oversight of the multiyear, high-stakes K-12 school-funding order that stemmed from its 2012 McCleary decision. Funding that court order -- which ruled that the state had violated its constitution by underfunding basic education costs -- has for years dominated the agenda in Olympia. Even with the court's oversight ended, legislators in both parties say they have to do more to fund K-12 special-education programs. The governor and Democratic lawmakers also want to spend more money to expand early childhood education. Compared to recent investments in K-12 education and college affordability, "We haven't done as much as the third leg in the stool, on early learning," said Senate Democratic Majority Leader Andy Billig of Spokane. "Which is actually probably the place where you get the biggest bang for your buck." Environment The days of Inslee's bold, overarching carbon-reduction plans are done for now. State voters rejected carbon-fee initiatives in 2016 and 2018, and the governor's cap-and-trade and carbon-fee proposals failed in recent years to advance through the Legislature. Now, the governor has proposed $268 million package to fight climate change. That is spread across several smaller proposals that he says will add up to "a clean-energy smart deal" that would cut greenhouse-gas emissions 25 percent below their 1990 levels by 2035. The proposals include a clean-fuels standard targeting auto emissions, the gradual elimination of "super-pollutant" hydrofluorocarbons that are used in air-conditioning, more electric-vehicle incentives and stricter energy-efficiency regulations for buildings. Inslee has also proposed a plan to save the southern resident population of killer whales, and Democratic lawmakers have also discussed the idea of more oil-transportation safety legislation. Republicans have been broadly skeptical of more environmental regulations, arguing they could hurt the state's economy. For a different approach, Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis said he is preparing legislation similar to a bill he sponsored last year that focuses on incentives to encourage utilities to phase out fossil fuels. Taxes and spending A booming economy has brought Washington big windfalls in projected revenue from existing taxes. Lawmakers in the summer of 2017 approved a $43.7 billion two-year operating budget, and added to that in a supplement budget last year. Even without any new taxes, the state will have roughly $50 billion to spend over the upcoming two-year budget cycle. To pay for his ambitious budget proposal, Inslee has proposed a 9 percent tax on some capital-gains earnings. The governor is also pushing for a hike in part of the business-and-occupation tax, as well as a restructuring of the real estate excise tax. But a handful of Democratic senators are already opposed to that package, making it very unlikely for that package to pass the Senate. Lawmakers will need some new revenue to fund existing programs and new priorities, according to Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island. But Rolfes, the Senate's chief Democratic budget writer, said her party doesn't have the votes -- or necessarily the agreement -- to "unilaterally do a lot of radical things." For new revenue, Rolfes said eliminating some tax preferences or a version of the governor's real estate excise tax plan, could work. She also said a smaller version of the governor's proposed business-and-occupation tax might gain traction. That plan would raise the rate for some services, including accountants, architects, attorneys, janitorial services, massage therapists and beauticians. In addition to opposing most big tax proposals, Republicans have also expressed concern at the increase in government spending in recent years. The state has gone for many years without an economic downturn. Wilcox, the GOP House minority leader, said the state could get into a situation like it did when the Great Recession hammered Washington's tax collections. In response, lawmakers then had to cut deeply into the budget -- decisions that officials to this day say caused ongoing problems in Washington's mental-health and social-service systems. Said Wilcox: "The people that are most in need of help get hurt the most when you lose control of budget growth." Charleston, SC (29403) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. 350 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising On Friday night the bombshell news hit the airwaves. That was when the (not failing) New York Times reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had investigated whether President Trump was working for Russia. Since then there has been a lot written about this new, shocking information. Trump attacked the Times for publishing the information. Republicans defended Trumps attacks while Democrats pounced on the revelations, saying that they show that the president not only colluded with Russia but in fact committed treason as a Russian spy. And the American people seem to be in a state of shock. The new information is almost too much to believe. Could the occupant of the White House really be working on behalf of Russia instead of on behalf of the United States? Still, as the Washington Post points out in an insightful article today, with all of the hubbub and the recriminations, there is still one thing missing: Trump has never actually denied that he has been working for Russia. Advertising Trump did go on Jeanine Pirros Fox News show Saturday night, where he said that the implication that he was working for Russia wasinsulting. However, despite his lengthy comments, he never actually addressed the question of whether it was true or not. He never said that it was untrue. For the sake of accuracy, we are showing Trumps entire rambling comments in their entirety below: PIRRO: The New York Times reported that the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation the day after you fired James Comey in May of 17. And the investigation was whether you were actively working for Russia or unwittingly. So, Im going to ask you: Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia, Mr. President? TRUMP: I think its the most insulting thing Ive ever been asked. I think its the most insulting article Ive ever had written. And if you read the article, youd see that they found absolutely nothing. But the headline of that article its called The failing New York Times for a reason, theyve gotten me wrong for three years. Theyve actually gotten me wrong for many years before that. But you look at whats going on, you know, I fired James Comey. I call him Lying James Comey because he was a terrible liar, and he did a terrible job as the FBI director. Look at what happened with the Hillary Clinton and the e-mails and the Hillary Clinton investigation, one of the biggest screw-ups that anybodys ever seen as an investigation. And what happened after I fired him? Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, his lover, Lisa Page, they did it. And, you know, theyre all gone. Most of those people, many, many people from the top ranks of the FBI, theyve all been fired or they had to leave are. And theyre all gone. This is what they were talking about. And, obviously, nothing was found. And I can tell you this, if you ask the folks in Russia, Ive been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other probably any other president period, but certainly the last three or four presidents, modern day presidents. Nobodys been as tough as I have from any standpoint, including the fact that weve done oil like weve never done it, were setting records in country with oil and exporting oil and many other things. So, which is, obviously, not great for them, because thats what they thats where they get their money for the most part. But many other things. So I think it was a great insult. And the New York Times is a disaster as a paper. Its a very horrible thing they said, and theyve gone so far that people that werent necessarily believers are now big believers, because they said that was a step too far. They really are a disaster of a newspaper. In the presidents semi-coherent 350-word response he never says that the content of the Times article was wrong. He never says there is no FBI investigation. And he never says he is not a Russian asset, or a Russian spy. Saying that he was insulted is not the same as saying that the reporting is false. Also, its not clear why Trump attacked the newspaper and the article they published. As the Post points out: The article didnt say Trump was a Russian asset; it said the FBI launched an inquiry into the matter. Trumps hostility would seem better reserved for the FBI than for the paper that revealed what his backers have argued was an overzealous inquiry. This is both killing the messenger and changing the subject. And that just so happens to be a good way to rhetorically avoid the actual question Pirro was asking him. It turns out that many Republicans in Washington also have noticed that Trump has so far not denied that the Times article is true, or that he has been working for Russia all along. And they are not happy about it. Admittedly there are many unanswered questions in the Mueller probe, and in other federal investigations into Donald Trump and his presidency. But one of the biggest ones is this: Why hasnt Trump denied he is a Russian asset? The answer might be that he is a Russian asset, and he knows that Mueller has evidence to prove he is a Russian asset, so he doesnt want to lie about it in public. If so, this could be the first time that Donald Trump has ever been reluctant to lie to the American people, since his entire candidacy and presidency have been built on lies. 595 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising By P.J. Huffstutter NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) Thousands of U.S. farmers waited to hear President Donald Trump speak in Louisiana on Monday, hoping for an update on a White House trade war with China that has left them struggling. Farmers gathered in New Orleans at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, an event Trump was due to attend for a second year in a row even as a partial government shutdown in Washington dragged into its 24th day. Trumps speech, due to begin at 12:40 p.m. ET (1740 GMT), was delayed. Advertising U.S. farmers, numbering some 3.2 million, have been reliable Trump supporters, despite struggling financially since Beijing imposed a tariff on imports of U.S. soybeans in July in retaliation for Trumps tariffs on Chinese goods. China bought about $12 billion in American soy in 2017, but mostly shifted purchases to Brazil last year because of the trade dispute. The shutdown meanwhile has delayed applications for federal farm loan applications and an aid package meant to ease the pain of the trade war. Im hoping to hear about trade. Trade, trade, trade, said Brian Duncan, an Illinois crop and livestock farmer and vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau who was at the convention. The president authorized about $11 billion in aid payments last year, billing it as a promise kept to a key constituency. The administration last week extended the deadline for aid applications because of delays processing them due to the shutdown over Trumps demand that Congress fund a wall at the border with Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture would like to reopen Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, and is working with the Office of Management and Budget, Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Fox Business Network on Monday. Steven Mayer, a Nebraska corn, soy and cattle farmer at the convention, said he was waiting for a loan from FSA to build storage bins for grain. Im a Trump supporter and I am trying to keep my hopes up, he said. These have been tough times for farmers. I really am hoping the president gives us some good news. We need it. Trump canceled a planned visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week, because of the shutdown. With everything going on, hes coming here to talk to us to farmers, said Francine Davies, who was at the convention and said most of her family grows crops and works in Wisconsins dairy industry. That means something to us. (Reporting PJ Huffstutter in New Orleans. Writing by Tom Polansek in Chicago; Editing by Caroline Stauffer and Howard Goller) Advertising By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he never worked for Russia, his first direct denial after a media report saying the FBI in 2017 opened a counterintelligence investigation of whether he acted on Moscows behalf. Trump also said a Washington Post report that he had concealed details about his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and confiscated his interpreters notes was false. The New York Times had reported on Friday that the FBI opened the investigation after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, out of concern the presidents actions may have presented a threat to national security. Since the report emerged, Trump attacked the FBI and the newspaper but he did not issue a specific denial about working with Russia until Monday. Advertising Not only did I never work for Russia, I think its a disgrace that you even asked that question because its a whole big fat hoax, Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Louisiana. The Republican president has long dismissed the federal investigation into whether his 2016 presidential campaign worked with Russia to sway the election as a hoax and a witch hunt. He repeated those attacks on Monday, calling the officials who initiated the FBI probe known scoundrels and called Comey a bad cop. Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to take over FBI investigations involving Trump and Russia in May 2017 after Trump fired Comey. The investigation has hung over his Trumps presidency with several former top aides including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort among dozens caught up in Muellers probe. On Saturday, the Post reported Trump took notes that his interpreter made during a 2017 meeting with Putin in Hamburg. The Post said he also told the interpreter not to talk to other administration officials about what had was said in the meetings. I just dont know anything about it, he said of the interpreters notes. Russia has denied interfering in the election. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Makini Brice; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Trott) 2.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Trump dug his own political grave on Monday morning by claiming that he never worked for Russia as Democrats are preparing to get his tax returns. Trump said: I just dont know anything about it. I read it this morning. Its a lot of fake news. That was a very good meeting. It was actually a very successful meeting. And I have those meetings with everything. I just know nothing about it. It was a very, very successful meeting. We talked about Israel. We talked about the pipeline that Germany is paying Russia a lot of money. I dont think its appropriate. We talked about that. We talked about many subjects. I have those meetings one on one with all leaders including the president of China, including the prime minister of Japan, Abe, we have those meetings all the time. No big deal. I never worked for Russia. And you know that answer better than anybody. Not only did I never work for Russia, I think its a disgrace that you even asked that question because it is a whole big fat hoax. Its just a hoax. Video: Advertising Democrats are going to have Trump's tax returns soon, so the claim of not working for Russia is political suicide. pic.twitter.com/axFqAyS5YZ Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 14, 2019 The Truth Will Come Out Soon On Trump Working For Russia These words are going to come back to haunt Trump in about a month, as House Democrats are going to be getting and releasing the presidents tax returns to the public. The tax returns will show if Trump has taken any money from Russians for work. Trump spent years claiming that he never tried to do a deal in Russia for a Trump Tower when it turns out that he was trying to make a deal with the Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump could prove that he never worked for the Russians by releasing his tax returns and the notes from his meetings with Putin. The president wont do this, but instead thinks that we should trust him as he blusters on about hoaxes and fake news. The fake news routine has gotten old. Most Americans want the truth and facts, and Donald Trump refuses to deliver on both fronts. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 1.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Famous Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein has reported that he has received confidential information concerning the draft report soon to be issued by special counsel Robert Mueller. According to Bernstein, Muellers report will provide convincing evidence that President Donald Trump in many ways helped Russia destabilize the United States. Mueller draft report says Trump helped Putin destabilize the United States, Watergate journalist says. Mueller draft report says Trump "helped Putin destabilize the United States," Watergate journalist says https://t.co/V6djwPHXZg pic.twitter.com/9IPq2ZDmUL Newsweek (@Newsweek) January 13, 2019 Advertising Bernstein became globally famous for his investigation and writing about the Watergate scandal which resulted in the resignation of former President Richard Nixon. He was on CNN on Sunday discussing two new bombshell reports released this weekend which provide more evidence that Donald Trump not only had very close ties to Russia but in fact may have been working as a Russian spy. The reports, one from The New York Times and one from The Washington Post, revealed new details about Trump and his associates colluding with Russia. The Post reported that Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal several conversations he has had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Times article revealed that the FBI had started a formal counterintelligence investigation into the president after he fired former FBI director James Comey in 2017. The FBI had obtained sufficient information to make them believe that Trump might be working on behalf of Russia as an intelligence asset. Trump of course immediately denied all reports that he worked on behalf of Russia, and has even attacked the Times and other media outlets for even reporting on the FBI investigation. But Bernstein strongly criticized the way that Trump attacked the media and dismissed the FBI probe, saying: This is about the most serious counterintelligence people we have in the U.S. government saying, Oh, my God, the presidents words and actions lead us to conclude that somehow he has become a witting, unwitting, or half-witting pawn, certainly in some regards, to Vladimir Putin. From a point of view of strength rather, he has done what appears to be Putins goals. He has helped Putin destabilize the United States and interfere in the election, no matter whether it was purposeful or not. Bernstein also revealed that he knew from his own confidential, high-level sources that Muellers draft report would specifically discuss this same assessment, that Putin had used Trump to achieve his goals. And that is part of what the draft of Muellers report, Im told, is to be about, the journalist said. He concluded by adding: We know there has been collusion by former national security adviser Michael Flynn. We know there has been collusion of some sort by Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The question is, yes, what did the president know and when did he know it? Advertising Michael Cohens former lawyer, Lanny Davis, said Sunday that the incessant attacks President Trump has leveled against his former client are because Trump views Cohen as the greatest threat to his presidency. This pattern of incessant attacks on my client and his family show what the American people have already witnessed, that Donald Trump sees Michael Cohen, and I would say justifiably, as the greatest threat to his presidency and what could be criminal and impeachable actions, Davis said on MSNBCs Kasie DC. The comments from the prominent Washington attorney come a few days after the announcement that Trumps former personal attorney and fixer would testify in public before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, chaired by Elijah Cummings of Maryland. Trump has repeatedly criticized Cohen since his former lawyer agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors after his guilty pleas last August. Trump was interviewed by Fox News over the weekend and said that his former attorney was going public with his testimony in order to to get his sentence reduced. Advertising Trump also said, mysteriously, that Cohen should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because thats the one that people want to look at. This is the first time that Cohens father-in-law has been mentioned in the case, and the reference by the president has no clear or apparent meaning. Trumps hostile comments toward Cohen raised alarms from three powerful House Democrats, all of whom chair important committees. On Sunday they released a statement warning Trump against any action to obstruct oversight efforts from congressional committees. Davis also accused the president of attempting to intimidate a witness with his statements about Cohens father-in-law, which might be viewed as a threat. Cohens attorney also commented that I and most Americans have no idea what Trump is fantasizing about in demonizing the father-in-law of Cohen. In August of last year, Cohen pleaded guilty to several federal charges, including one count of lying to Congress. Last December he was given a sentence of three years in prison. Since pleading guilty he has been voluntarily cooperating with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. He has reportedly met with Muellers team several times and spent many hours talking to them, providing them with information about the Trump Organization and his contacts at the White House. Davis confirmed that his client has information that the Oversight Committee would like to hear about but about which Cohen will likely be unable to testify. This is because any topic that is currently being investigated by Mueller is off limits and cant be disclosed to the committee. According to Davis, Cohen does have an agenda for his testimony. He said that his client would disclose the lying, the immorality and the willingness to abuse people who work for him from Trump. There is no question that Cohens testimony will be devastating to Donald Trump, especially if it is televised or otherwise made public. Republicans and the conservative media have already begun to try to destroy Cohens credibility, calling him a criminal and a liar. But this defense of Trump wont work, because all of Cohens lies and crimes were committed at the request of and for the benefit of Donald Trump himself. And the president also participated in the crimes and lies. A large majority of the American people will know that Cohen is telling the truth in his public testimony. After he reveals what he knows about Donald Trump while the whole world is watching, Trumps approval rating will plummet even more than it already has. He will have no chance of being reelected, and he will probably bring the rest of the Republican Party down with him. So Lanny Davis is probably correct: Michael Cohen is indeed the greatest threat to the Trump presidency. Advertising WASHINGTON (Reuters) Two congressional committees are considering whether to subpoena President Donald Trumps interpreter to testify about what was discussed in his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. Representative Eliot Engel said on Monday. Engel, Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the panel was working with intelligence committee staff on whether a subpoena should be issued after a Washington Post report that Trump took the interpreters notes. I would prefer not to do that. We have to see what we can find out. We may have no choice, Engel told CNN in an interview. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by David Alexander) 3.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising The FBI counterintelligence investigation of Donald Trump is not tied to the special counsel investigation and could continue for long after Robert Mueller issues his report. NBC News Justice and National Security correspondent Julia Ainsley explained: A counterintelligence investigation doesnt always end with criminal charges. Sometimes, it can last for a decade, as the FBI gathers more evidence of players in a particular scheme, from a foreign government who is trying to use certain people to infiltrate our government. That can go back the other way. They can try to find people who they flip to become, you can call them spies, for the United States. It is kind of this game that goes back and forth. It is really unusual, when the president is involved, however. That means that the way this would end, and being able to inform the executive branch of a potential problem with national security that could impact foreign policy, the person you report that to is the executive branch. Of course, the head of the executive branch being the president, thats problematic. What The Washington Post story does is it gives context as to why this could be crucially important. There were at least five face-to-face interactions the president is having with Vladimir Putin hes not only keeping from the American public but from his senior advisers. These are the people going out to defend the president every day, defend his policies, and to call the Mueller investigation a witch hunt and a hoax. Perhaps these people arent getting all of the information. What does all of this boil down to? One, as Pete just talked about, we might get a Mueller report by the beginning of March. This counterintelligence investigation could keep going. Two, Congress matters more than ever. If this keeps going, it could be that it is mentioned in the Mueller report, but it is redacted and the public wouldnt know the details. It would take Congress to say, no, this doesnt work in this situation, and to be able to step beyond what we typically see in a counterintelligence investigation, and try to make the details public. Theyd argue it matters for the American people. Advertising Video: The FBI counterintelligence investigation of Trump is not tied to Mueller and could last for years to come. In other words, Trump's Russia problems aren't going anywhere anytime soon. https://t.co/pNtibkleS6 pic.twitter.com/73yjus7hbR Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 14, 2019 The FBI Investigation Will Continue After Mueller Is Done The main Republican talking point in defense of Trump is to falsely claim that he has been tougher on Russia than Obama was, but that avoids the real question. Republicans dont want to talk about Trumps relationship with Russia, because the honest answer is that they dont know the depth and scope of the presidents relationship with Putin. When Trump was a candidate, they never asked, and now that he is president, they never investigated. The FBI investigation will continue probably long after Mueller has turned in his report. It very well could continue after Trump leaves office. Trumps Russia problem isnt going away anytime soon, which is why Republicans who turn a blind eye to Trumps Russia ties are betraying their own country, and need to pay for these borderline crimes. 1.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) has accused President Donald Trump of improperly profiting from his job as President of the United States. Cummings made his accusations against Trump in an interview with 60 Minutes aired on Sunday evening. The senior Democratic lawmaker told CBS that he is convinced that Trump is making a lot of money off the presidency. Its not okay, Cummings added. I still believe that people the average citizen, the guys on my block, they ought to know if the president is making a deal, whether hes making it making it in his self-interest or that of the country. The White House immediately responded, calling Cummings claims completely baseless in a statement sent to CBS News. They added that they could not comment further about ongoing litigation. Advertising Cummings will be one of the most powerful people in Congress as he uses his position on the Oversight and Reform Committee to begin a significant number of investigations into the Trump administration. He has vowed to hold Trump and his people accountable for the first time. As chair of the House Oversight committee, Rep. Elijah Cummings has become one of the most powerful people in Washington, with the authority to investigate anything he wants, including the president. https://t.co/sAYKlPnKbI pic.twitter.com/lw52onOFyX 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 13, 2019 The Baltimore congressman sent out 51 letters to the heads of various government agencies several weeks ago. He is seeking documents on a series of congressional probes into White House and Trump Organization officials. He is expected to begin to hold hearings shortly. One of his guests will be former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen, on February 7. Cummings said on 60 Minutes that he has not heard back from the administration on his many document requests. One area he will explore is the creation of Trump policies, such as its zero tolerance policy that led to family separations at the Mexican border. In order to do oversight, you got to have documents, Cummings said, adding that he is ready for court battles with the White House over document requests. You got to have emails. You got to have information, the congressman said. Cummings nationally televised remarks are not the first time that Trump has been accused of profiting off his presidency. There are several lawsuits claiming that he is operating his businesses in such a way that he is earning money in violation of the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution. The attorneys general of Maryland and Washington, D.C., for example, have filed emoluments clause lawsuits. They claim that he violated the Constitution by accepting payments from foreign and state governments through the Trump International Hotel in Washington. Advertising For most political debates in the modern era, the country tends to be split roughly down the middle. But when it comes to this Donald Trump-created government shutdown, we are seeing something quite different. According to recent polling, voters blame the president and Republicans for the government shutdown by a stunning double-digit margin 52 percent to 33 percent. In other words, the American people are firmly with the Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesnt need to cave to the presidents childish stunt of closing the government until he gets his fantasy wall on the southern border, no matter how many tantrums he throws in the Situation Room. CNNs Harry Enten underscored this point on Wednesday: Advertising Trumps approval rating is in the low 40s, by a 20 pt margin Americans say the GOP is more to blame than the Dems for the shutdown, & the GOP just lost a campaign in which Trump made immigration a key issue Why would Pelosi budge on the wall? (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 9, 2019 Nancy Pelosi is not going to cave to Trumps tantrums There are three key reasons why Democrats arent about to cave in, regardless of how many times this petulant president lashes out. The first is that immigration was a key issue during the campaign; Trump made sure of it. In the final days, he shifted the entire focus to the so-called caravan of people marching toward the border. It didnt work. Second, the American people do not support the construction of a vanity wall on the southern border. Not only dont they support the wall, but even more Americans dont believe the government should be shut down over it. Third, Trump is still a deeply unpopular president. As Harry Enten pointed out, his approval rating is mired in the low 40s and it looks to be in decline, according to the RealClearPolitics average of all current polling. Ultimately, this is a lose-lose for the White House and Republicans. Trump, an unpopular president, is shutting down the government over an unpopular policy that a majority of the American people voted against in the most recent national election. Democrats are right not to back down, because the American people are on their side. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 109 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising By David Brunnstrom and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) A partial U.S. government shutdown over President Donald Trumps demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border entered its 22nd day on Saturday, making it the longest shuttering of federal agencies in U.S. history, with no end in sight. Trump, holed up in the White House with Congress adjourned for the weekend, warned of a much lengthier impasse and blamed the Democrats. Theyre the ones that are holding it up, he said during a telephone interview with Fox News on Saturday night. It would take me 15 minutes to get a deal done, and everybody can go back to work. Advertising Democrats say Trump shut the government in a temper tantrum by refusing to sign bipartisan funding legislation last year that did not include money for his wall. The closure, which began on Dec. 22, broke a decades-old record by a 1995-1996 shutdown under former President Bill Clinton that lasted 21 days. (Graphic on government shutdowns https://tmsnrt.rs/2ASK2RN) Federal workers affected missed their first paychecks on Friday, heightening concerns about mounting financial pressures on employees, including air traffic controllers and airport security officials who continue to work without pay. Roughly 800,000 federal workers did not receive paychecks that would have gone out on Friday. Some have resorted to selling their possessions or posting appeals on online fundraising sites to help pay their bills. Miami International Airport said it will close one of its terminals early over the next several days due to a possible shortage of security screeners, who have been calling in sick at twice the normal rate. A union that represents thousands of air traffic controllers sued the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday, saying it had violated federal wage law by failing to pay workers. It is at least the third lawsuit filed by unions on behalf of unpaid workers. The head of the U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting Trump, has warned employees that financial stress can lead to depression and anxiety. Keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble, Director R.D. Tex Alles wrote in a memo seen by Reuters. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), responsible for airport security screening, said its rate of unscheduled absences rose to 5.6 percent on Saturday from 3.3 percent a year ago but that security standards have not been compromised. The FAA, which oversees air traffic controllers, said on Saturday it had seen no unusual rates of sick leave among its controllers and no disruptions to air traffic control operations. To support its workforce, the TSA said it was processing pay for employees who worked on the first day of the shutdown and announced $500 bonuses for uniformed screening officers. Trump is considering a possible national emergency declaration that would end the shutdown and allow him to obtain his wall funding by circumventing Congress. But on Saturday, he told Fox News Jeanine Pirro that he would rather Democrats take action, adding that he was waiting at the White House ready to cut a deal. I want to give them a chance to see if they can act responsibly, Trump said, calling the situation at the nations southern border a humanitarian crisis. They think its politics. I think its bad politics. This country wants to have protection at the border, Trump said. Democrats, who call a wall an ineffective, outdated answer to a complex problem, have passed several bills in the House of Representatives to reopen the government without funding for Trumps barrier. But the legislation has been ignored by the Republican-controlled Senate. Trump originally promised Mexico would pay for the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs. But Mexico has refused. U.S. government departments including the Treasury, Energy, Commerce and State departments, shut down when funding lapsed on Dec. 22. Funding for other portions of the government, including Congress and the Department of Defense, was approved, allowing them to continue regular operations. Trump has repeatedly described the situation at the Mexico border as a humanitarian crisis as speculation has increased this week that he would circumvent Congress to begin building his signature wall a move that would be sure to draw a court challenge from Democrats who say the barrier would be barbaric and ineffective. Instead, the president urged lawmakers to provide him the $5.7 billion he is seeking for border security. A national emergency would allow Trump to divert money from other projects to pay for the wall, which was a central promise of his 2016 campaign. That, in turn, could prompt him to sign bills that restore funding to agencies that have been affected by the shutdown. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom, David Morgan and David Shepardson in Washington; Additional reporting by Ginger Gibson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Jonathan Oatis) There was another high roller event on the schedule today at the 2019 PCA and it came in the form of the $25,000 Single-Day High Roller II. After nearly 11 hours at the felt, Justin Bonomo claimed the title and the $383,650 first-place prize when he defeated Jesus Cortes in heads-up action. The year is starting to look a lot like the previous edition in 2018 when Bonomo ran over the poker world to top the career money list. After a couple of fourth place finishes in the $10,000 High Roller and the $50,000 Super High Roller yesterday, this will go down as his third cash here at the 2019 PCA. With one more $25,000 event still to come, the American poker pro will be looking to add some more cash to his pocket before he leaves the Bahamas. It also wasn't a bad day for Jose Cortes who is coming off his largest career cash in the $100,000 Super High Roller. Cortes has re-emerged on the live poker scene in the Bahamas and is showing that he still has what it takes. Adding another $265,200 to his pockets for his efforts today will leave him walking away with a smile. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (USD) 1st Justin Bonomo United States $383,650 2nd Jesus Cortes Spain $265,200 3rd Steffen Sontheimer Germany $169,280 4th Igor Kurganov Russia $129,780 5th Nick Petrangelo United States $101,560 6th David Peters United States $79,000 The day surprisingly got started on time when eight players took their seats just after the scheduled 3:00 p.m. start. Each player started with 100,000 chips and it was actually Cortes who was the first elimination during the opening level. With a single re-entry allowed, Cortes was able to jump back into the action and made great use of his second bullet. The tournament attracted a total of 47 entries that made up a prizepool of over $1.1 million. Many players fired off two entries by the time late registration closed after the second break, but the eliminations were fast and furious throughout the entire day. It only took another four levels after late registration closed to reach the unofficial final table of nine. Pablo Cabrera, Henrik Hecklen, and Mikita Badziakouski all hit the rail before the money bubble would burst. Final Table Summary Once Badziakouski was eliminated on his four big blind stack, the final six players were all guaranteed at least $79,000, more than three times their buy-in. Six-handed play continued for over an hour until David Peters collided with Bonomo blind versus blind. Peters shipped just over ten big blinds with seven-five suited and Bonomo snapped him off with pocket sixes. The board missed Peters completely and he headed to the payout desk in sixth place. Just a couple of hands later, Nick Petrangelo flopped a pair and got it all in against Steffen Sontheimer's two over cards. Both the turn and river hit Sontheimer and Petrangelo exited in fifth place. After a quick break, Igor Kurganov was unable to keep up his early run of success going when again, blind versus blind, the PokerStars Pro moved all in from the small blind with ace-eight and was called by Bonomo's king-ten suited. Bonomo turned a ten and Kurganov was forced to settle for a fourth-place finish. Three-handed play had its fair share of twists and turns and Sontheimer rode the waves of tournament poker with multiple double ups going in his favor and against him. Unfortunately, in the end, he found himself on the wrong side when Cortes spiked a three-outer on the turn to eliminate the German high-stakes player. Igor Kurganov That left Cortes and Bonomo to battle heads-up in what started out to be an even matchup. However, Bonomo took a sizeable lead after Cortes paid off a large turn and river bet. Cortes battled back with a double up of his own and after briefly taking the chip lead, the pendulum swung in the other direction again. Both players were dealt a pocket pair, Bonomo's being the larger, and got all of the chips in the middle preflop. Bonomo held on for a massive double up and left Cortes with just 10 big blinds. Although Cortes doubled up once, in the last hand of the night, the Spaniard shipped all in after Bonomo limped the button. Bonomo woke up with the same pocket sixes as earlier and Cortes was drawing slim with queen-five. The board ran out clean for Bonomo and his pocket pair held on to earn him the victory. That wraps up another single-day high roller with tons of money being dished out here at the Atlantis Resort, but there is still more to come. Stay with us as PokerNews continues to bring you coverage of the Main Event along with another $25,000 high roller that begins tomorrow. Sunday Briefing: Patrick Leonard Bubbles One, Wins One January 14, 2019 Matthew Pitt There were some massive scores in the online poker tournament world on Jan. 13 despite thousands of poker players being in The Bahamas for the 2019 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, which you can follow via our live reporting pages. Lets take a look at some of the biggest results from PokerStars, partypoker, and 888poker from Jan. 13. PokerStars Sunday Million Date January 13th Buy-in $215 Guarantee $1,000,000 Entrants 5,909 Prize pool $1,181,800 ITM 1,052 Some 5,909 players turned out for this weeks Sunday Million, smashing the $1 million guarantee by $181,800, which meant the top two finishers walked away with six-figure scores. The nine-handed final table soon became eight-handed when the United Kingdoms Jamie Ship It 2010 OConnor crashed out and got his hands on $9,386. OConnors exit meant the surviving eight players would add more than $13,000 to their PokerStars accounts. AlinAUT, TheDudes777, and nili-nilsen were the next casualties to exot, leaving only five players in the hunt for the top prize of almost $160,000. Canadas FREDYWOLF ran out of steam in fifth-place and banked $38,699 while ReraiseRob re-raised once too many times and busted in fourth-place for a $55,144 score. Heads-up was set when kirdface of the United Kingdom busted in third-place for $78,579. This left Caz_Cerneiro of Brazil and r1d3rst0rm from Canada to lock horns one-on-one for the title. No deal was struck despite there being a near $58,000 difference between first and second-place, so when r1d3rst0rm sent their Brazilian opponent to the showers in second-place, they banked the $159,563 first-place prize and resigned the Brazilian to a $111,973 consolation prize. Place Player Country Prize 1 r1d3rst0rm Canada $159,563 2 Caz_Carneiro Brazil $111,973 3 kirdface United Kingdom $78,579 4 ReraiseRob United Kingdom $55,144 5 FREDYWOLF Canada $38,699 6 nili-nilsen Germany $27,157 7 TheDudes777 Germany $19,058 8 AlinAUT Romania $13,374 9 Jamie Ship It 2010 OConnor United Kingdom $9,386 PokerStars High Roller Club: $2,100 Sunday HR Date January 13th Buy-in $2,100 Guarantee $100,000 Entrants 79 Prize pool $158,000 ITM 9 PokerStars High Roller Club: $2,100 Sunday HR is always a star-studded affair but this weeks edition was something else. After Patrick pads1161 Leonard burst the money bubble by exiting in 10th place, youngstar28 of the Netherlands helped themselves to the $5,499 ninth-place prize. RickLogrado of Brazil and ExactSystems from Poland busted in eighth and seventh-place respectively to leave six well-known players, all of whom would have been a worthy champion. Swedish star Johannes Greenstone25 Korsar busted in sixth-place for $11,396 and was joined as a spectator by British high stakes guru Elior Crazy Elior Sion. Fifth-place was worth $14,529. $18,522 and a fourth-place finish went to the Austrian sensation known as bencb789 before Swedens iamivar busted in third-place for $23,614. This set up an intriguing heads-up battle between Joseph subiime Cheong and Ukrainian grinder Roman RomeOpro Romanovsky. The two highly aggressive players butted heads for a while before Romanovsky came out on top to scoop $38,381, leaving Cheong to net $30,105 for his $2,100 investment. Place Player Country Prize 1 Roman RomeOpro Romanovsky Ukraine $38,381 2 Joseph subiime Cheong Canada $30,105 3 iamivar Sweden $23,614 4 bencb789 Austria $18,522 5 Elior Crazy Elior Sion United Kingdom $14,529 6 Johannes Greenstone25 Korsar Sweden $11,396 7 ExactSystems Poland $8,939 8 RickLogrado Brazil $7,011 9 youngstar28 Netherlands $5,499 Roman Romanovskyi partypoker Sunday High Roller Bounty Hunter Date January 13th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $150,000 Entrants 133 Prize pool $150,000 ITM 20 Patrick Patrick_Leonard Leonard made amends for bursting the bubble in the PokerStars High Roller Club: $2,100 Sunday HR earlier in the night by walking away with the title of partypoker Sunday High Roller Bounty Hunter champion at his sponsors site. First-place in this event was worth a combined $40,100 when the bounties were included; Leonard won $21,515 from the bounty prize pool and $18,585 from the main prize pool. Leonards final opponent was Latvias rudiqa1. Leonards bounty prize was so high because he not only won rudiqa1s bounty, he also claimed the substantial payment on his own head as you do in PKO tournaments. Fourth-placed Dark_Poker from Malta must have been busy claiming scalps along the way to the final table because they walked away with a total prize larger than third-place finisher x_zola25. Dark_Poker collected $6,871 for their fourth-place finish and this was boosted by an impressive $5,915 worth of bounty payments; only Leonard got his hands on more. Place Player Country Prize Bounty Prize Total Prize 1 Patrick Patrick_Leonard Leonard United Kingdom $18,585 $21,515 $40,100 2 rudiqa1 Latvia $13,338 $2,860 $16,198 3 x_zola25 Denmark $9,700 $1,592 $11,292 4 Dark_Poker Malta $6,871 $5,915 $12,786 5 i remember Canada $4,850 $1,300 $6,150 6 Richard RichyDubini Dubini Argentina $3,839 $1,982 $5,821 7 MinusEve Austria $3,055 $845 $3,900 8 Paul07new Malta $2,425 $650 $3,075 Patrick Leonard partypoker Sunday High Roller Bounty Hunter: $200K Gtd Date January 13th Buy-in $530 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 397 Prize pool $203,462 ITM 56 Another big PKO event at partypoker on Jan. 13 was the Sunday High Roller Bounty Hunter: $200K Gtd, a $530 buy-in tournament that attracted 397 players to the partypoker felt. Either of the top two finishers would have been a worthy champion as they approached the tournament aggressively and both secured substantial bounty payments. Runner-up OMGLOLWTF of Poland won $11,798 from the bounty prize pool in addition to the $13,597 second-place prize, while champion JoGa_Bonito of Colombia banked $16,080 from the bounty prize pool in addition to the $18,956 top prize. Earlier at the final table, WSOP bracelet winner Elio donzledubru Fox crashed out in seventh-place and turned his $530 investment into a combined score worth $6,344. The only other player, aside the top two finishers, to scoop five-figures was third-place finisher Beocanin of Bulgaria who saw a total of $10,296 added to their partypoker account. Place Player Country Prize Bounty Prize Total Prize 1 JoGa_Bonito Colombia $18,956 $16,080 $35,036 2 OMGLOLWTF Poland $13,597 $11,798 $25,395 3 Beocanin Bulgaria $9,329 $967 $10,296 4 KryptoKing420 Canada $6,550 $2,830 $9,380 5 easylimpp Poland $4,684 $1,689 $6,373 6 Algorhytm Sweden $3,414 $1,739 $5,153 7 Elio donzledurbru Fox Canada $2,411 $3,933 $6,344 8 LintyontheLash United Kingdom $1,756 $1,681 $3,437 888poker $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep Date January 13th Buy-in $215 Guarantee $100,000 Entrants 443 Prize pool $100,000 ITM 45 888poker added $11,400 to the prize pool of the $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep to ensure the guarantee was hit and tmurdah took full advantage of this extra money by topping a field of 443-entrants to win the $19,350 top prize. Forty-five places were paid and by the time the eight-handed final table was reached at least $2,400 was up for grabs. RenanToniolo busted in eighth-place for $2,400, the first of two Brazilians at the final table. The other Brazilian was Yuri shitakimushu Martins who navigated his way to a fifth-place finish, which was worth $5,700 this weekend. Torresfan03, the first of two Brits at the final table, busted in fourth-place for $8,250 and was joined on the sidelines by Russias Anton surprisefirm Petrov who collected $11,000 for his third-place finish. BL1NDRAZOR of the UK fell in second-place to bank $14,500, leaving tmurdah to bask in the glory of victory and win $19,350. Place Player Country Prize 1 tmurdah $19,350 2 BL1NDRAZOR United Kingdom $14,500 3 Anton surprisefirm Petrov Russia $11,000 4 torresfan03 United Kingdom $8,250 5 Yuri shitakemushu Martins Brazil $5,700 6 zavor4ik Austria $4,400 7 PulledPorker Canada $3,400 8 RenanToniolo Brazil $2,400 Fifth place for Yuri shitakemushu Martins ($5,700) 888poker $20,000 Sunday Challenge Date January 13th Buy-in $109 Guarantee $20,000 Entrants 253 Prize pool $25,300 ITM 27 The 888poker $20,000 Sunday Challenge saw its guarantee surpassed by $5,300 this week and Russias 77kol0bok77 was the player who walked away with the lions share of the prize money, namely $5,439. A field of 253 was outlasted by the Russia star, who defeated Eclecctic of Austria heads-up for the title, resigning Eclecctic to a $3,291 consolation prize. Everyone finishing in seventh-place and above won a four-figure amount. SirHennie finished in seventh-place for $1,012 and was joined on the rail by sloanstar14 from the United Kingdom, a finish worth $1,265. $1,518 went to Argentinian grinder Pepepepepe. after they crashed out in fifth-place before piraturosu turned $109 into $2,213 when they fell in fourth-place. The penultimate elimination was that of Swedens Namlleh who banked $2,972 for their third-place finish. Place Player Country Prize 1 77kol0bok77 Russia $5,439 2 Eclecctic Austria $3,921 3 Namlleh Sweden $2,972 4 piraturosu United Kingdom $2,213 5 Pepepepepe. Argentina $1,518 6 sloanstar14 United Kingdom $1,265 7 SirHennie $1,012 8 SergSkorp Russia $759 9 Limonad19 Russia $506 The Stars Group is a majority shareholder in iBus Media Gavin Larsen in Balanchine's Duo Concertant at Oregon Ballet Theatre. Blaine Covert, Courtesy University Press of Florida New Documentary Examines Controversy Regarding True Authorship of the Bible PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE MOSES CONTROVERSY to Release in Movie Theaters Nationwide March 14, 16, and 19 Only "Is the Bible true? If not, what should I put my faith in?" -- Timothy Mahoney Contact: Jennifer Willingham, Icon Media Group, jennifer@iconmediagroup.com MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 14, 2019 / Christian Newswire / -- Award-winning filmmaker Timothy Mahoney (Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus) is bringing evidence to light in the ongoing debate about the true authorship of the first five books of the Bible in his latest documentary: Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy. Presented by Fathom Events and Thinking Man Films, Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy is in movie theaters nationwide for three days only -- March 14, 16 and 19. In Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy, Mahoney invites viewers on a global trek to uncover the truth behind the oldest and most significant book in history--the Bible. The thought-provoking documentary features interviews with some of the world's leading experts in Egyptology, ancient Hebrew, religion and archaeology and asks hard questions in search of evidence to determine once and for all whether Moses could really have authored the Torah. Mahoney asks, "If Moses did not author the Torah, as Scripture says, then some of the Bible is true, and some is not. How can we know what to trust? Is the Bible based on history, or merely folklore?" Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy highlights one of the most groundbreaking discoveries of the modern age and presents a well-organized "pattern" to answer what could be the most important question for people of faith. With stunning cinematography and life-like recreations, Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy will captivate audiences of all ages. According to Mahoney, the biggest overarching question is whether Moses actually had the ability to write the events of the Exodus as a true eye-witness account, as is referenced in Scripture, or did the Exodus of Israel predate alphabetic writing. Most mainstream scholars believe Moses' authorship to be an impossibility due to commonly-cited historical dating systems which place the story of the exodus to 1250 B.C., hundreds of years before the invention of the alphabet in which the Torah is written. Mahoney examines the earliest forms of text including hieroglyphics, and more recently-discovered cave inscriptions found in the Sinai region which some believe links the Hebrews to an early alphabetic system and offers a new narrative about the origins of the first alphabet. "In my own search for the evidence, I had to ask myself if I believe the Bible because it's true, or because it's just what I believed because of my upbringing," says Mahoney. "Since the rest of the Bible is based on the writings of Moses, the credibility of the exodus and the rest of the Bible is directly connected to the question of Moses' authorship." About Thinking Man Films: Thinking Man Films and its publishing division, Thinking Man Media, is an international media company that creates investigative documentaries, books and curriculum. The company is led by Timothy Mahoney, filmmaker of the highly acclaimed, award-winning documentary Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus. Winner of 13 awards, the original film has been endorsed by many Christian leaders and scholars including Anne Graham Lotz, Dr. Norman Geisler and Dr. Walt Kaiser. For more information, please visit www.patternsofevidence.com More Information: Twitter: @pattevidence Facebook: patternsofevidence Instagram: @patternsofevidence Hashtag: #MosesControversy #PatternsofEvidence Press Contact: Jennifer Willingham Icon Media Group Did you know you can save your preferences across all your digital devices and platforms simply by creating a profile? Would you like to get started? Yes, I'd like to register/log in Not right now No, never ask again NEW ORLEANS Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is questionable to return to Sundays playoff game at the New Orleans Saints with a foot injury. Cox was injured in the second quarter on a Saints fake punt that was converted. He stayed down on the turf while trainers worked on him and then limped to the sideline, where he was worked on in the blue medical tent. He headed to the locker room shortly after. The Eagles lead the Saints, 14-7, in the latter stages of the second quarter. Cox is one of the most indispensable members of the Eagles, regardless of position. Cox made his fourth Pro Bowl and first All-Pro team after he recorded a career-high 10.5 sacks in the regular season. The 28-year-old is dangerous against the run and the pass, and the Eagles invest in him with a lucrative long-term contract in summer 2016. The Eagles other active defensive tackles are Tim Jernigan, Haloti Ngata and Treyvon Hester. Cornerback Rasul Douglas also went to the locker room with an ankle injury. He was announced as questionable to return. He returned to the sideline, but he hasnt returned to action. Josh Hawkins, who the Eagles signed to their practice squad in December and promoted to the active roster on Christmas Eve, replaced him. --@danieljtgallen By Max Boot On Friday, the New York Times reported that "in the days after President Donald Trump fired James Comey as F.B.I. director, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the president's behavior that they began investigating whether he had been working on behalf of Russia against American interests." That investigation may well be continuing under the auspices of special counsel Robert Mueller III. We don't know what Mueller has learned. But we can look at the key, publicly available evidence that both supports and undercuts this explosive allegation. Here is some of the evidence suggesting "Individual 1" could be a Russian "asset": - Trump has a long financial history with Russia. As summarized by Jonathan Chait in an invaluable New York magazine article: "From 2003 to 2017, people from the former USSR made 86 all-cash purchases - a red flag of potential money laundering - of Trump properties, totaling $109 million. In 2010, the private-wealth division of Deutsche Bank also loaned him hundreds of millions of dollars during the same period it was laundering billions in Russian money. 'Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,' said Donald Jr. in 2008. 'We don't rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia,' boasted Eric Trump in 2014." According to Trump attorney Michael Cohen's guilty plea of lying to Congress, Trump was even pursuing his dream of building a Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign with the help of a Vladimir Putin aide. These are the kind of financial entanglements that intelligence services such as the FSB typically use to ensnare foreigners, and they could leave Trump vulnerable to blackmail. - The Russians interfered in the 2016 U.S. election to help elect Trump president. - Trump encouraged the Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's emails on July 27, 2016 ("Russia, if you're listening"),on the very day that Russian intelligence hackers tried to attack Clinton's personal and campaign servers. - There were, according to the Moscow Project, "101 contacts between Trump's team and Russia linked operatives," and "the Trump team tried to cover up every single one of them." The most infamous of these contacts was the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between the Trump campaign high command and a Kremlin emissary promising dirt on Clinton. Donald Trump Jr.'s reaction to the offer of Russian assistance? "If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer." - The Trump campaign was full of individuals, such as Carter Page, George Papadopoulos, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates and Michael Flynn, with suspiciously close links to Moscow. - Manafort, who ran the Trump campaign for free and was heavily in debt to a Russian oligarch, now admits to offering his Russian business partner, who is suspected of links to Russian intelligence, polling data that could have been used to target the Russian social media campaign on behalf of Trump. - Trump associate Roger Stone, who was in contact with Russian conduit WikiLeaks, reportedly knew in advance that the Russians had hacked Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's emails. (Stone has denied it.) - Once in office, Trump fired Comey to stop the investigation of the "Russia thing" - and then bragged about having done so to the Russian ambassador and foreign minister while also sharing with them top-secret information. Later, Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions because he would not end the special counsel investigation that resulted after the firing of Comey. As Lawfare editor Benjamin Wittes argues, "the obstruction was the collusion" - Trump has been effectively protecting the Russians by trying to impede the investigation of their attack on the United States. - Trump has refused to consistently acknowledge that Russia interfered in the U.S. election or mobilize a government-wide effort to stop future interference. He has accepted Putin's protestations that the Russians did not meddle in the election over the "high confidence" assessment of the U.S. intelligence community that they did. - Like no previous president, Trump attacks and undermines the Justice Department and the FBI ("a cancer in our country") - two institutions that stand on the front lines of combatting Russian espionage and influence operations in the United States. - Again, like no previous president, Trump attacks and undermines the European Union and NATO - he has suggested that France should leave the E.U. and that the United States should leave NATO, reportedly saying, "NATO is as bad as NAFTA." The E.U. and NATO are the two major obstacles to Russian designs in Europe. - Trump supports populist, pro-Russian leaders in Europe, such as Viktor Orban in Hungary and Marine Le Pen in France, just as the Russians do. - Trump has praised Putin ("a strong leader") while trashing just about everyone else from grade-B Hollywood celebrities to leaders of allied nations. Trump even praised Putin for expelling U.S. diplomats and, notwithstanding instruction from his aides ("DO NOT CONGRATULATE"), congratulated Putin on winning a rigged re-election. - Trump was utterly supine in his meetings with Putin, principally in Hamburg and Helsinki. Even more suspicious, according to a Washington Post article on Saturday, Trump "has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with ... Putin, including on at least one occasion taking possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructing the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other administration officials ... Several officials said they were never able to get a reliable readout of the president's two-hour meeting in Helsinki." - Trump defends the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and repeats other pro-Russian talking points. - Trump is pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, handing that country to Russia and its ally Iran. - Trump has effectively done nothing in response to the Russian attack on Ukrainian ships in international waters, thereby encouraging greater Russian aggression. - Trump is sowing chaos in the government, most recently with a record-breaking partial government shutdown and "acting" appointees in key posts such as the Defense Department and Justice Department, thus furthering a Russian objective of undermining its chief adversary. Now that we've listed 18 reasons Trump could be a Russian asset, let's look at the exculpatory evidence... (This page intentionally left blank) I can't think of anything that would exonerate Trump aside from the difficulty of grasping what once would have seemed unimaginable: that a president of the United States could actually have been compromised by a hostile foreign power. In his own defense, Trump claims he has been tougher on Russia "than any other President," but literally in the next sentence he says, "getting along with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing." When the United States actually has taken steps to get tough with Russia in the past two years, it has usually been the work of Congress (the 2017 Russia sanctions bill) or Trump aides (expelling 60 Russian diplomats). The Post reports that Trump was "furious" when his administration was portrayed as being tough on Russia, and NBC News reports that he instructed subordinates never to publicly discuss plans to sell weapons to Ukraine. This is hardly a beyond a reasonable doubt case that Trump is a Russian agent - certainly not in the way that Robert Hanssen or Aldrich Ames were. But it is a strong, circumstantial case that Trump is, as former acting CIA director Michael Morell and former CIA director Michael Hayden warned during the 2016 campaign, an unwitting agent of the Russian federation (Morell) or a useful fool who is manipulated by Moscow (Hayden). If Trump isnt actually a Russian agent, he is doing a pretty good imitation of one. Max Boot, a Washington Post columnist, is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a global affairs analyst for CNN. He is the author of The Corrosion of Conservatism: Why I Left the Right." His work appears occasionally on PennLive Opinion. A Pennsylvania woman who tried to buy two bulldogs online ended up being scammed out of $2,800, state police said Monday. Trooper Christopher Soo said the Mill Hall, Clinton County, resident sent a $1,100 payment to the supposed seller via a Walmart in Houston, Texas. Soo said the woman then sent two payments of $850 each for travel insurance for the dogs to Walmarts in Colorado and Ohio. The case is being investigated as a theft, the trooper said. Crews are still searching the ice-cold Susquehanna River in Wyoming County, looking for the body of a 24-year-old woman whom investigators say was killed by her boyfriend and thrown over a bridge. For the second day on Sunday, crews donned dry suits and scoured the river for the body of Haley Lorenzen in Falls Township, WBRE is reporting. Her boyfriend, 31-year-old Phillip Walters, of Mill City, was arrested Wednesday and charged with criminal homicide, according to reports. She had moved from Oregon to Falls Township last year, and he reported her missing on New Years Day. Investigators now say after killing her, he tied a bag of rocks to her body and threw her over a bridge into the river, according to reports. Sunday was the second day of the search, made difficult by the frigid waters, Winola Fire Chief Geme Dziak told WBRE. But crews are putting in a tremendous amount of work to find her, he told the station. Meanwhile, Walters is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday. A 60-year-old Pennsylvania man was arrested Monday on charges that he molested a boy 15 to 21 years ago. Keith D. Buch of Mohrsville admitted to the offenses and was charged with child endangerment, corruption of minors, Berks County Chief Detective Michael Gombar said. Gombar said his office began investigating in October after a now 29-year-old man claimed Buch had begun molesting him in January 1998 and continued the abuse until January 2004. The detective said Buch admitted to detectives last month that he had improper sexual contact with his accuser when the accuser had sleepovers at his home, which was then in Fleetwood. After his arraignment on the charges, Buchs bail was set at $25,000 unsecured and he was released pending a preliminary hearing, Gombar said. Soon after students settled into their seats, Jeff Remington directed them to begin downloading an application on their school-issued iPads that would teach them about the language - called coding - that tells computers what to do. Then he flipped on an 8-minute video explaining why coding is something the Palmyra Middle School students should know: Tech companies anticipate the need for a million more coders over the next decade. Remington interrupted the video to make sure students took note of the playground-like atmosphere that tech companies, like the one in the video, offer in hopes that playing video games and riding scooters down hallways will entice prospective employees. You dont even need a college degree for some of these jobs. You saw the life that you lead by working for these companies, Remington told the class. This is where we got to be moving. Remington and other educators want students across Pennsylvania to see science as a way to fulfill their dreams. Educators said the state needs to adopt a new set of science standards that helps public school students recognize that science is part of everyday life. Specifically, educators like Remington are calling on the state to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or a state-developed set of learning expectations adapted to them. They say the new standards would deliver science education more consistently and effectively across Pennsylvanias schools. Remington and his district are doing what they can to expose all 900 of its middle school students to think about science, technology, engineering and mathematics as a career with a 30-day Introduction to STEM course and other offerings at the elementary and high schools. But Remington, a national STEM teacher ambassador, will be the first to admit its not enough to truly prepare students for the world that awaits them after high school. Educators say a more aggressive statewide emphasis on science is needed. Palmyra Area Middle School teacher Jeff Remington said Pennsylvania needs to update its science standards to better prepare students for life after high school. What is NGSS? Teachers like the Next Generation Science Standards because they incorporate the major advances that have occurred in the world of science in recent years. This new set of science, technology, engineering and math standards was introduced in 2013 and has since been adopted by 19 states with 21 others approving something similar. Pennsylvania began developing its current set of science standards in the mid-1990s and adopted them in 2002 five years before the first iPhone was invented. In 2010, a revised version of the science standards was posted on the education departments website but was offered only as a voluntary resource for schools. But more than that, NGSS focuses on getting students to work on problems the way scientists and engineers do in real life through interdisciplinary, collaborative exploration. The new standards help students to become divergent thinkers who can accept that there can be more than one solution to problems. Thats the way the real world works, doesnt it? Remington said. If were thinking theres one right answer to everything, thats what these kids are conditioned to think so they cant think outside the box. For several years, Remington and science teachers around the state have been calling on state policymakers to join the growing number of states using the new standards. To date, they have been unsuccessful. So instead, they are limited to teaching to what the current state science and technology standards require and spicing up their lessons when possible with what Remington calls random acts of STEMness. Montgomery County environmental science teacher Andy Walton, president of the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association, shared a lesson he is using that encourages his students to think divergently, as the NGSS standards emphasize. Rather than telling his Upper Moreland High School students about the environmental problems created by the worlds growing population and asking them to regurgitate information on a test, he asked them to research issues related to it. Then they are to create possible solutions and make a video to share their solutions. It takes the lesson from just learning about a problem, to problem-solving investigations that the students get excited about, Walton said. Thats how science, technology, engineering and mathematics should be taught, giving students the opportunity to consider how different factors can affect the solution, said Shippensburg University education professor Christine Royce, president of the National Science Teachers Association. Its not about teaching students to be good Jeopardy! players, she said Its teaching them to think about the components and arrive at what the best answer is because there are many outcomes depending on what happens initially. Elevating STEM education The need to elevate the importance of STEM and computer science education draws no argument from Gov. Tom Wolfs administration. During a Friday visit to Winding Creek Elementary School in the Cumberland Valley School District, Wolf talked about the need for students to acquire the relevant skills that 21st century employers require. He also agreed that the state needs to take a look at its academic standards in all subjects to ensure students are getting the education they need to succeed in life. Matt Stem, the state education departments deputy secretary for elementary and secondary education, said the Wolf Administration already has taken serious steps toward preparing students for college and careers in high-growth areas. He pointed out the governor succeeded in encouraging the State Board of Education to adopt computer science standards. Remington called that a good step but there is little indication that teachers across the state are being trained to know how to use them. And, without an assessment to verify those computer science standards are being implemented, districts may not be embracing them as much as they should. Among other initiatives, the Wolf Administration created a $30 million grant program to fund computer science and STEM education, apprenticeships and job training opportunities to prepare students for these in-demand careers, Stem said. That puts Pennsylvania second in the country in its investment in STEM and computer science, according to the Education Commission of the States. In line with these efforts, the Board of Educations new master plan states that updating science standards will be a priority in the coming years, which Governor Wolf supports, Stem said. But that response doesnt satisfy the teachers pushing for adoption of NGSS. Despite all the messaging out of the Wolf Administration about Pennsylvania being a STEM leader, they say these initiatives are more or less window-dressing that places too little value on the science and engineering portions of STEM education in Pennsylvania. They note the NGSS standards emphasize those areas. While appreciative of the attention that the governor has given to STEM, Walton said, Im hoping he starts to see you cant just fix the problem without going back to the root of it, which is how we educate our students. Pressing the issue Science teachers plan to turn up the pressure on the states policymakers this year to adopt more up-to-date science standards. Their outreach efforts will include letters, emails and visits. Sending my letters to PDE in the hopes we may actually get some modern science standards soon @TeachPASci #NGSS pic.twitter.com/G9YcXeosPY Galen Kreiser (@GKreiser21CCCS) January 4, 2019 Newly appointed House Education Committee Chairman Curt Sonney, R-Erie County, said no one has spoken to him yet about a desire to adopt NGSS. All that he knew about this set of standards was what he saw on a website. He didnt know yet if or where NGSS would fall on his committees priority list of issues to consider. Senate Education Committee Chairman Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County, meanwhile, has had several conversations with educators from across his district as well as Remington about this new set of science standards. While he didnt list NGSS among his initial priorities for his committee, Aument said, I do think its something we have to take a look at. He said he would discuss it with the committee and suggest a hearing as a way to start the conversation. Science teachers say there are some practical reasons why the time is past due to update the states science standards. For one, Remington said finding instructional materials that align with the states 2002 adopted standards is getting harder to come by. For another, using the updated materials that is more readily available puts teachers at risk of not preparing students for the 2002 way of thinking about science and technology that is measured on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and Keystone Exams. He and others suspect one reason why Pennsylvania is lagging in updating its science standards: money. The state would not only have to develop new standards but a brand-new assessment that models authentic real-life experiences and could have multiple right answers, Remington said. That alone is going to be a pretty expensive task, he said. Additionally, Walton said veteran teachers, particularly at the high school level, are high-level thinking, deep teachers with great content knowledge but many arent trained to teach their course using real-world problem-solving. Without a push from the state adopting standards that emphasize that kind of instruction, Walton said, "Districts arent necessarily willing to support that or pay for the professional development that teachers need. On top of the cost associated with developing new standards and assessments, teacher training, and a willingness on policymakers part to take on the task, Remington also suggests some of the resistance to NGSS could stem from its tackling of some sticky topics. That part of the Next Generation Science Standards didnt go unnoticed by the new Senate Education Committee chairman. There are some issues of some controversy that have been heavily debated in other states with regard to climate change and evolution and age of the Earth and those types of things," Aument said. "I think thats something the General Assembly will have to take a look at as far as what is the right fit for Pennsylvania. Royce points out that other states have managed to navigate through those thorny issues surrounding NGSS with patience, time and focus, including a traditionally conservative state like Idaho that adopted NGSS last year. Its not a reason to ignore this effort to give student a solid K12 science education that prepares them for college and careers. This is not going away and we in Pennsylvania really do need to have that opportunity for our students to all have that foundation to move forward, Royce said. Its vital. A large out-of-control fight broke out Monday at lunchtime at Harrisburg High School, drawing officers from three agencies who said they needed to use pepper spray to defuse the violent situation. At least one officer was punched during the cafeteria melee, which was reported about noon at the main high school at 2451 Market Street. Police arrested at least one student in connection with the assault on an officer. Officials werent sure what kicked off the dispute but those involved appeared to be Hispanic students fighting against African-American students, police said. An ambulance was at the scene along with at least half a dozen police cars at one point. A female student reportedly sustained a foot injury. School officials also had to deal with students contaminated by the pepper spray. Officers responded from the Harrisburg, Swatara Township and Capitol Police departments. The fight comes three days after school officials announced a partnership between the school district and police department that welcomes officers into the schools for mentoring and to boost safety. During a news conference on Friday, Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney said school officials had noticed increased gang activity in the schools this year. We know that once our students enter into the building, they dont leave the outside world or our society behind them, Knight-Burney said. That society walks into the building with them. And for that reason, we need to have external partnerships that can support our students and families and staff. In September, the school also had a series of fights that broke out in the cafeteria. School leaders at that time changed the lunch schedule to try to separate different groups of students that had been feuding. Matt Smith, a prosecutor for Cumberland County and the military, announced Monday that he is running for one of the countys two open judgeships. The Camp Hill man is first assistant district attorney for the county. He is a 17-year veteran of the DAs office. A Pennsylvania National Guard veteran of the Iraq War, Smith recently returned from an 11-month tour on active duty in Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, where he instructed foreign military officers in the laws of war. He also served at the U.S. embassy in Kuwait. I have dedicated my life to serving our country and community, Smith said. I will use my proven experience as a prosecutor and as a Judge Advocate General officer in our military to ensure Cumberland County is a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. (CNN) U.S. President Donald Trump blasted recent reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times that raised questions about his private meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and revealed an FBI investigation into his behavior after he fired FBI Director James Comey. During a phone interview on "Justice with Judge Jeanine," Trump told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday evening that the stories were "all nonsense." Putin meetings The Washington Post reported Saturday that Trump had gone to "extraordinary lengths" to conceal the specifics of his conversations with Putin. According to the Post, on at least one occasion Trump confiscated notes from the interpreter present at meetings between the two leaders and instructed them not to discuss the details of the conversations with other administration officials. There is "no detailed record, even in classified files" of Trump's face-to-face meetings with Putin, the Post reported. When asked by Pirro about the story, Trump said he and Putin had "a great conversation." "I'm not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous. These people make it up," Trump said. He compared his conversations with Putin to what "every president does you sit with the president of various countries." Strobe Talbott, who served as deputy secretary of state to President Bill Clinton, called Trump's secrecy surrounding the meetings "unusual" and "outrageous," according to the Post. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders called the Post's report "inaccurate" in a statement. FBI investigation The Washington Post story is the second in 24 hours to highlight Trump's unusual dealings with Russia and its leader. On Friday, the New York Times published a story about an FBI probe into Trump's behavior following his firing of former FBI Director James Comey. According to the newspaper, law enforcement officials were so concerned they began investigating whether the President was working on behalf of Russia against U.S. interests. Sanders called the report "absurd." "James Comey was fired because he's a disgraced partisan hack, and his Deputy Andrew McCabe, who was in charge at the time, is a known liar fired by the FBI," Sanders said. Asked by Pirro if he'd ever worked on behalf of Russia, Trump did not directly answer the question. Instead, he said, "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked. I think it's the most insulting article I've ever had written. And if you read the article, you'd see that they found absolutely nothing." Trump takes to Twitter Trump began responding to the New York Times report with an angry stream of tweets aimed at the FBI on Saturday. "Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin' James Comey, a total sleaze!" Comey appeared to respond to Trump's tweet, writing on Twitter: "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made. FDR" The reports, and Trump's harsh criticisms of them, come as Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election continues. Trump repeated to Pirro his frequent criticism that the investigation is a "hoax." Trump also took the opportunity during the 25-minute interview to touch on several other topics including the government shutdown, the U.S.-Mexico border, and a potential race against former Vice President Joe Biden. This story was first published on CNN.com "Trump says he had 'great conversation' with Putin, calls media reports 'nonsense'" When a Susquehanna Township convenience store was robbed last week, the clerk described the culprit as a man who had injuries on his face, police said. On Monday, the township cops said they charged Kenneth L. Pailin, 37, with robbery for that crime. Police said Pailin robbed the store at North Progress Avenue and Walnut Street just before 1 p.m. on Jan. 8. The robber claimed he had a gun, but none was displayed, investigators said. The culprit fled in a taxi. Officers found the cab near Sixth and Boas streets, police said, and the money stolen from the store was found on Pailin when he was arrested. They said Pailin had been released the night before the robbery after being charged with unspecified counts by police in another municipality. A search of the criminal docket did not reveal any charges involving Pailin. The 1.8 million Pennsylvanians who depend on food stamps to put food on the table for themselves and their families will see benefits for February loaded on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards on Friday and be available for use on Saturday. But the state Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller said that will be the only benefit payment Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients will receive for February and should be prepared to make it last in the event the partial federal government shutdown continues. Payments beyond February will be determined based on the availability of United States Department of Agriculture funds, according to the state Department of Human Services. The department awaits information from the federal government USDA on plans for March benefits. SNAP is the nations most important anti-hunger program. Without it, 1.8 million Pennsylvanians would have greater trouble affording food for themselves and their families, Miller said in a news release. This early payment allows us to get SNAP recipients their benefits for February, but they will have to make this payment last for an undefined period as the shutdown continues. The early payment follows a Jan. 8 announcement from the notifying states that the partial federal government shutdown would not affect benefits for February, but benefits must be issued by Jan. 20. The department worked with its vendors to ensure the benefits were loaded on recipients EBT cards, Miller said. The partial federal government shutdown has real implications for millions of people in Pennsylvania and around the country who use SNAP to keep food on the table, Miller said. Changes in the way people get their benefits and uncertainty regarding future benefits creates confusion and concern that should be avoidable. The federal government must come to a solution so people who already face food insecurity do not continue to be caught in the middle of a situation that they did not create. In the meantime, the state human services department will continue to process applications for all benefits during the shutdown. Recipients should continue to report changes and submit any semi-annual reviews or renewals they receive during this period to not risk an interruption of their benefits in the future. Those with questions about their benefits could contact their local county assistance office or call the statewide customer service center at 1-877-395-8930. Clients with questions about their benefits can contact their local County Assistance Office or can call the statewide customer service center at 1-877-395-8930. Clients who reside in Philadelphia should call 1-215-560-7226. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on Tuesday will begin holding special food distributions to help federal employees living without paychecks as a result of the longest-ever federal government shutdown. The organization, which serves 27 counties in the Susquehanna Valley, will distribute food to federal workers on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Lower Paxton Township and Williamsport. It plans to do so again at the same times on Wednesday and Thursday, and during subsequent weeks for as long as needed. Were expecting several hundred federal employees to potentially come tomorrow, said Joe Arthur, the executive director. One on level, Arthur said, its hard to get a firm handle on how many federal workers in central Pennsylvania are living without paychecks and might be straining to afford food. Thats partly due to the fact that federal sources his organization would normally use to determine local impact are closed because of the shutdown. It has been hard getting data, to be honest with you, he said. Still, the federal government is the biggest or among the biggest employers in assorted central Pennsylvania counties, including Cumberland, Lebanon, Franklin, Union and York. Those are department of defense jobs and arent affected by the shutdown. But theres an unknown number of federal contractors whose work and pay is tied to those bases and who are going without pay. Beyond those, employees of federal prisons, including central Pennsylvania facilities at Lewisburg and Allenwood, and possibly some airport workers, among others, are working without pay. Theres also concern about the indirect impact on incomes of people living in the areas surrounding the prisons. According to federal sources, roughly 12,500 federal employees in Pennsylvania are impacted by the shutdown. Arthur said his organization has been in contact with sources including unions representing federal workers and human service agencies, trying to gauge the number of people in its service area who might be going without food or other essentials. Just based on interactions with those, we are thinking there could be a significant response, he said on Monday. We feel its best to plan for substantial need. If were surprised and its less, thats OK. We think the reality is that it will be hundreds per day starting tomorrow. All told, there are about 1.2 million federal workers across the United States, including about 97,000 in Pennsylvania. About 65 percent, or 800,000, are going without pay, with many missing their first pay check on Friday as the shutdown reached reached three weeks. Rae Lynn Cox of the United Way of the Capital Region said the organization as of Monday had yet to hear from any struggling federal workers. One of the organizations the biggest short-term concerns, she said, involves people who rely on the federal SNAP program, also known as food stamps. Although officials said there was funding to continue the program during a short shutdown, there funds werent expected to last long. The food distributions for federal employees will be held at Central Pennsylvania Food Bank locations at 3908 Corey Road in Lower Paxton Township and 3301 Wahoo Drive in Williamsport. People must show their federal employee ID. More information about the program can be found at www.centralpafoodbank.org or by way of a recorded message at 717-547-6336. Editors note: This story was updated to correct that federal prisons are located in the Lewisburg area. Harrisburg School District will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at the administration building, 1601 State St. to appoint an eligible candidate to the boards vacant seat. The vacant seat was formerly held by Melvin Wilson, Jr., who passed away unexpectedly in December. According to a district statement, it plans to publicly interview eligible candidates and appoint a new board member during the meeting. Other business may also be discussed at that time, the district confirmed on its website. All 11 people indicted in the 2016 triple homicide in Franklin County are in custody, but state police and federal authorities will not be able to share more details at this point. And they likely wont be able to until the partial U.S. government shutdown is over. Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Trooper Brent Miller said today that the U.S. Attorneys press office is currently on furlough, but a joint press conference with the state police, federal authorities and other agencies will be held once the government reopens. Its then that they will answer questions about the brutal killings of Phillip Jackson, Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole and the 2 1/2-year investigation that followed. Despite the shutdown, the criminal-prosecution process is underway for all 11 defendants named in the indictment, which was filed Dec. 20 and unsealed Friday. The first of the defendants, Kevin Coles, was scheduled for arraignment today. The others are Devin Dickerson, Torey White, Christopher Johnson, Jerell Adgebesan, Kenyatta Corbett, Michael Buck, Nicholas Preddy, Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, Terrance Lawson and Tyrone Armstrong. According to reports from the time and from the unsealed indictment, the incident and investigation unfolded like this: Phillip Jackson, 36, lived on a farm on the 11000 block of Welsh Run Road in Montgomery Township, not far from Mercersburg. Phillip was a very good father. He was a good husband. Regardless of what anybody thinks about what went on here, he was a good man, his mother-in-law, Tammy Campbell, said shortly after the June 25, 2016 killings. What was happening on that farm was that Jackson was buying drugs from defendants Coles and White for personal use and for distribution, according to the indictment. At the same time, Wendy Chaney, 39, of Hagerstown, Maryland, who was selling drugs for Coles, White and Dickerson, started working as an informant for the Washington County Drug Task Force in Maryland. The three began to suspect her, and recruited the help of some defendants from Baltimore, many of whom were members of the Black Guerilla Family gang, according to the indictment. Federal authorities say the defendants hatched a two-part plan to lure Chaney to Jacksons farm, where the gang members and associates would kill her and rob Jackson of cash, firearms and drugs as payment for the killing. On the day of the triple homcide, defendants Adgebesan, Corbett, Johnson and Jenkins-Armstrong drove from Baltimore to meet defendant Buck at his Hagerstown home, and Buck went with Corbett to conduct reconnaissance on the Jackson Farm, the indictment says. That same day, White, who was in a romantic relationship with Chaney, enticed her to go to the farm, federal authorities said in the indictment. At the farm, the group subdued Jackson, Chaney and Brandon Cole, 47, of Fayetteville, and bound their hands behind their backs with zip ties, the indictment says. It wasnt clear in the indictment who authorities believe fired the fatal shots, but it says Adgebesan, Johnson, Jenkins-Armstrong, a person referenced only as D.C. and others used and caused to be used a firearm to shoot the three in the head or back. Cole and Jackson were shot once each, and Chaney was shot twice. All three were set on fire. When police arrived, Cole and Chaney were dead. Jackson was flown to York Hospital, where he died from his injuries. It wasnt clear in the indictment how Cole was connected to Jackson and Chaney or why he was at the farm. The indictment simply says he was killed with the intent to prevent the communication by him to a law enforcement officer of the United States. The neighbors in this quiet, rural community didnt suspect drug activity, but the farm was well known to township officials. Some neighbors had come to some township meetings prior to this event, and they had a lot of concerns with the amount of shooting going on at that residence, said Montgomery Township Supervisor Mike Rife. Mr. Jackson, who lived there, had an assault rifle, as well as other guns, and he liked to shoot. Neighbors found bullets lodged in trees and fences and had called the state police numerous times. With the freedom to carry arms and shoot arms, he was in violation of nothing, Rife said. After the killings, Rife said it was pretty much known that the accused perpetrators were from outside of the area, but its still a relief that they are in custody. The day of the triple homicide, the indictment also accuses Johnson of pistol-whipping and robbing a customer at a Hagerstown convenience store. And the following month, Coles and Dickerson were arrested on narcotics trafficking offenses. The indictment also says Johnson, Preddy, Jenkins-Armstrong, Lawson and Armstrong conspired to kill Adgebesan when they suspected he was assisting the government as a potential witness before a federal grand jury and in future trials in connection with the triple homicide. They found him and restrained Adgebesan in Baltimore, but he managed to escape. The inauguration of the governor of Pennsylvania have traditionally been held outside. In some years, however, bad weather forced the ceremonies indoors. Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman will be inaugurated on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. PennLive.com in its archives has vintage photos of these inaugurations: George H. Earle, Jan. 15, 1935 Earle was the first Democratic governor in Pennsylvania in four decades. The day after his inauguration, according to The Evening News, The Governor and Mrs. Earle this afternoon will make a tour of inspection of the Executive Mansion to consider changes they desire made. Former Gov. Gifford Pinchot and Mrs. Pinchot moved the last of their belongings from the staid, Victorian dwelling Monday but the new first family has not yet moved in. Two of Earles sons, Hubert and George, marched in their fathers inaugural parade with the John B. Kelly Marching Club of Philadelphia. Arthur James, Jan. 17, 1939 The Evening News reported that a huge throng sees James take oath and that the parade afterward was one of largest at any inaugural here. The crowd was so large that at one point it broke through the protective police line, temporarily blocking the parade on Third Street. The crowd also jammed the Farm Show buildings where the inaugural ball was held. According to The Evening News, farm week was also being held there. Edward Martin, Jan. 19, 1943 Martins inauguration was the first to be held indoors at The Forum because of bad weather and indications of a sudden downpour. However, it didnt rain. The sun came out, according to The Evening News, just minutes before Martin took the oath of office. Martin also was the first war-time governor to be sworn in since 1864. Martin retired from the U.S. Army as a major general and served in the Philippines. John C. Bell Jr., Jan. 2, 1947 Bell served as governor from Jan. 2-21, 1947 the shortest term of any governor. Bell was the former Lt. Gov. He was sworn in after Edward Martin resigned so that he could take the oath of office of a senator. On Jan. 21, Bell stepped down after Attorney General James H. Duff became governor. James Duff, Jan. 21, 1947 Attorney General James Duff was sworn in as governor on a very windy and cold day in Harrisburg. It also was his 64th birthday. The Evening News noted that despite the bitter cold, Duff and former Gov. John Bell traveled from the Executive Mansion to the Capitol in an open car. John Fine, Jan. 15, 1951 The Evening News headline for the day Fine was inaugurated was, Thousands jam city for inaugural. The atmosphere was described as holiday-like. The paper noted that Fine also would be moving into the Executive Mansion with his wife and two sons. Gov. Duff did not have children. The children of Martin and James were adults when their fathers served as governor. George Leader, Jan. 19, 1955 The day Leader was inaugurated The Evening News described him as youthful and serious minded. Leader was 37 when he took office. One of Leaders goals was to restore the states financial solvency in the red, by his figuring, up to half a billion dollars. In his inaugural speech he said his administration would be no hayride, for anyone. David Lawrence, Jan. 21, 1959 Lawrences first move, within a day of being inaugurated, was to direct his cabinet to cut their expenditures to the bone, according to The Evening News. Cabinet members also were told to freeze hiring and within two weeks given him a review of their budgetary allocations. Lawrence also said, We will not tolerate dishonesty of any kind, and we will not be pestered by any fixers or seekers of special favor. He emphasized his demand for honest and loyal service. William Scranton, Jan. 15, 1963 In his inaugural speech, Scranton said the Pennsylvania has the trump cards resourcefulness, imagination, fortitude and faith to overcome challenges facing the state. More than 12,000 people attending the inauguration at the Farm Show. According to The Evening News, part of Scrantons speech was drowned out by cannons fired by the National Guard during a salute to the new governor. Raymond Shafer, Jan. 17, 1967 After he was inaugurated, Shafer said, With imagination, with boldness and with enthusiasm, we shall make Pennsylvania the most envied state in the nation. According to The Evening News, Shafer was the first man in Pennsylvania history to advance directly by election from lieutenant governor to governor. His ceremony, like Scrantons and Lawrences, was moved inside the Farm Show because of the weather. Milton Shapp, Jan. 19, 1971 Shapp was Pennsylvanias first Jewish governor and the first to benefit from an amendment to the state constitution allowing governors to serve two consecutive terms. Shapp pledged to get Pennsylvania on solid financial ground. We can and will restore the peoples faith in their government and close the widening gap that now separates those who are governed from those who govern. When Shapp began work, author James Michener called his administration the Ship Shape Shapp Shop. Jan. 21, 1975 During his second inaugural address, according to The Evening News, Shapp pledged to continue to speak on local, state and national issues and suggest ways to improve conditions for all people. In 1976, Shapp sought the Democratic nomination for president but after not even winning Pennsylvania he ended his 89-day campaign. Last Week the big news from the Wall Street Journal is that the top end 2019 iPhones will offer a 3-lens camera set up. Our report pointed to Samsung offering a quad camera set up on one of their budget phones. So a 3-lens camera is not exciting. Today a Korean tech report claims that Samsung's Galaxy S10 debuting on February 20 will likewise be adding a rear 4-lens camera system set up. The translated Korean tech report states that "Samsung Electronics' 5th generation (5G) smartphone model name was finalized as' Galaxy S10 X '. Considering that it is the 10th anniversary of the Galaxy S series, it emphasizes 'X (Roman numeral 10)', and it also includes meanings such as experience (eXperience) and expansion (eXpand). In Korea, it will be released in late March." What the report didn't say is that they're copying Apple again, as in the iPhone X. Samsung loves to blur the lines in copying Apple. This would be another in-your-face move. The Korean report further noted that "The Galaxy S10 X features the world's first 5G network support, as well as a megaton-class specification such as an under display fingerprint sensor, 6 cameras, and 1 terabyte (1TB) of internal memory. Life pattern '(tentative name) that automatically sets various performance / functions according to consumer smartphone usage pattern is loaded. Samsung Electronics confirmed the first 5G smartphone to the Galaxy S10 X and delivered the main contents such as specifications and functions to three mobile communication service companies. Galaxy S10 X has the latest specifications. The phone will reportedly introduce rear quad camera (4 lenses) and a front dual camera (2 lenses) setup; a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display; an Axis 5100 chipset; a whopping 5000mAh large capacity battery (the iPhone Xs Max offers a 3,174mAh battery); more than 10GB of RAM (iPhone Xs Max 4GB), and a 1TB large memory. The Galaxy S10 secret weapon is a 'life pattern' mode. The technology to automate the smartphone function based on the artificial intelligence (AI) based on consumer smartphone usage pattern is applied for the first time. Considering that smartphones are personal-life necessities. Instead of adapting to the smartphone, the smartphone will show an unprecedented way to suit the user. Lee said, "Galaxy S10 X is equipped with differentiated features and features of the previous generation." The Galaxy S10 series is made up of four lineups, including the Galaxy S10 Light, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 Plus and the 5G version of Galaxy S10 X. The 5G version of the Galaxy S10 X will be available from March 29th. Starting prices are likely to range from 800,000 won to 900,000 won (US$720 to US$920) and for low-end models and roughly US$1429 for one of their high-end Galaxy S10 models. For more reasonably priced smartphone models costing US$135 to US$215, move to India where Samsung will be introducing their "M" series of all-Indian made smartphone later this month. Samsung sources hinted this model would be coming to Europe and the U.S. but I wouldn't count on it. The price contradictions would hurt their high priced Galaxy phones. Samsung Electronics will be unveiling the Galaxy S10 series on June 20 (local time) in San Francisco, USA. A Samsung official did confirm that "MWC 2019 (smartphone related) is not scheduled for a separate unpacking or press conference," on the new Galaxy 10. It was revealed last week in testimony at the FTC vs. Qualcomm trial that Apple had intentions of introducing a 5G iPhone in 2019. The complications of finding a quality second source may have side-lined the project. Samsung on the other hand manufactures their own Exynos 5G Modem chips which side-steps any legal complications with Qualcomm. Lastly, Wccftech reports today that Samsung has two billboards in Paris that translates from Korean "the future unfolds" on February twentieth. The reference is to Samsung's foldable smartphone that will make another appearance at the February 20th event. After Congress and Senate committee's grilled Silicon Valley's bad boys Facebook, Twitter and Google, the tech sector knows that privacy laws are going to be put into place to protect consumers from the deceit of tech companies that have sold consumer data to advertisers unbeknownst to the public. When looking back at Facebook's CEO giving away billions to non-profit organizations to be seen as a good guy, the modern Robin Hood of his time, the company was actually involved in selling their customer's private data. That should have been enough to put the little weasel in jail. Instead, Facebook and its CEO endured a grilling from the government. The average bank robber with a weapon will get 10 years. A Silicon Valley geek gets scolded. What's wrong with that picture? The Verge reports today that "For the past year, discussions involving data privacy have heated up in Congress, and new federal legislation now seems inevitable. Today, a leading technology policy think tank, supported by Google, Amazon, and Facebook, proposed a "grand bargain" with lawmakers, arguing that any new federal data privacy bill should preempt state privacy laws and repeal the sector-specific federal ones entirely. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundations (ITIF a technology policy think tank) proposal lays out a few basic characteristics for legislation that the industry has frequently discussed in the past, like requiring more transparency, data interoperability, and users to opt into the collection of sensitive personal data. All 50 states have their own laws when it comes to notifying users after a data breach, and ITIF asks for a single breach standard in order to simplify compliance. It also calls to expand the Federal Trade Commissions authority to fine companies that violate the data privacy law, something industry leaders have asked for in the past. But the "bargain" would also preempt state laws like Californias new privacy act, and repeal every other existing piece of federal privacy legislation, including landmark laws like Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Every sector- or issue-specific privacy law would be removed, and state and local lawmakers would be unable to draft stricter, more specific regulations in the future." This is pure self serving evil and Apple's CEO blasting social media for this kind of activity was extraordinary. Cook noted in part: "As far back as 1890, future Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis published an article in the Harvard Law Review, making the case for a Right to Privacy in the United States. "He warned: Gossip is no longer the resource of the idle and of the vicious, but has become a trade. "Today that trade has exploded into a data industrial complex. Our own information, from the everyday to the deeply personal, is being weaponized against us with military efficiency. "Every day, billions of dollars change hands, and countless decisions are made, on the basis of our likes and dislikes, our friends and families, Our relationships and conversationsOur wishes and fearsOur hopes and dreams. "These scraps of dataeach one harmless enough on its ownare carefully assembled, synthesized, traded, and sold." That's why the new proposal from ITIF represents what Google, Facebook and Twitter want, and not Apple. Apple is not associated with selling user data. The Verge's report further noted that tech groups like ITIF argue that a 'patchwork' of privacy legislation would stifle innovation and increase service prices for consumers. ITIF senior policy analyst Alan McQuinn, co-author of the report wrote that "Privacy regulations arent freethey create costs for consumers and businesses, and if done badly, they could undermine the thriving U.S. digital economy." Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) says the think tanks latest proposal is self-serving. "If Big Tech thinks this is a reasonable framework for privacy legislation, they should be embarrassed. This proposal would protect no one it is only a grand bargain for the companies who regularly exploit consumer data for private gain and seek to evade transparency and accountability. " Blumenthal further added that "Big tech cannot be trusted to write its own rules a reality this proposal only underscores. I look forward to rolling out bipartisan privacy legislation that does in fact maximize consumer privacy, and puts consumers first." For more on this, read the full report from The Verge here. Apple's war on Silicon Valley's Google, Facebook and Twitter continued last week with a gigantic multi-story banner promoting Apple's position on Privacy. Earlier today Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer testified in the FTC vs. Qualcomm trial and stated that Apple wanted to use Qualcomm's 4G LTE processors in its newest iPhones, but the chipmaker wouldn't sell to it. Two reports posted last week revealed the testimony of another Apple executive talking about 5G chips and testimony from Qualcomm's CEO (01 & 02). According to C/Net, Williams testified that Qualcomm continues to provide Apple chips for its older iPhones, including the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, but it won't give Apple processors for the newest iPhones designed since the two began fighting over patents. Williams continued by stating that the royalty rate Apple paid for using Qualcomm patents -- $7.50 per iPhone -- is too high. We also learned a little more from Florian Mueller's trial blog today covering the case that Williams testimony went a little further than C/Net's account by stating that that when renegotiating $7.50/per phone rate in 2012 "we had a gun to our head" otherwise would revert back to "high teens" rate paid via Foxconn & other contractors. Apple was facing $1b increase in royalty rates On January 9th Patently Apple posted a report on the FTC-Qualcomm trial noted that "Some of the largest phone makers in the world have had Qualcomm's licensing gun put to their head. It's akin to the tactic used in the movie "The Godfather" when Marlo Brando's Character Vito Corleon says: "I made him an offer he couldn't refuse." The deal was either to put his signature on the line or his brains. What is a company like Apple, Huawei or Samsung to do at the last minute when Qualcomm puts a gun to their head and said no license-no chips." The analogy was spot on. In the end, Williams testified that they didn't sign an agreement directly with Qualcomm because of "patently unfair" cross licensing requirements. C/Net's report further noted that Williams further stated that "We have been unable to get them to support us on new design wins past that time [when Apple filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm]. This has been a challenge." "The strategy was to dual source in 2018 as well," Williams said Monday. "We were working toward doing that with Qualcomm, but in the end they would not support us or sell us chips." He said he contacted Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf to get him to sell chips to Apple. When Qualcomm refused, Apple had to call Intel's CEO at the time, Brian Krzanich, to ask him to supply all modems needed for the iPhone instead of only half the volume. "He had to scramble," Williams said. "We would have loved to continue to have access to Qualcomm's tech." For more, read C/Net's full report here. As a reminder to veterans familiar with Veterans Assistance Commission services and to those veterans new to the community, the VAC office is located at 200 W. Front St., Suite 400D, Bloomington, in the Health Department building; the phone number is 309-888-5140. The VAC provides a variety of services to McLean County veterans, including assistance with rent and utility bills; acquiring military service documents (DD 214s), military medical records and other documents; offering daily weekday transportation to the Bob Michel VA Clinic in Peoria; scheduling transportation to Illiana VA Health Care Medical Center, Danville. The VAC regularly assists veterans in identifying who to contact at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and/or federal Department of Veterans Affairs to resolve questions and problems with the VA. This column is provided weekly by the VAC with the cooperation and assistance from The Pantagraph. AMERICAN LEGION TO HOST PAST NATIONAL COMMANDER Ruel-Neal American Legion Post 79, LeRoy, will host immediate past national commander Denise Rohan on Jan. 26 in the local session of the American Legion National Membership Caravan. A dinner will begin at 4 p.m. at the Post building. Rohan will speak after the dinner. Reserve a dinner seat at 309-530-1313. The Legion was founded in 1919 at the end of World War I, making 2019 the official 100th anniversary of the veterans organization. All Legion members are invited to the LeRoy event. Seventeenth District post commanders and adjutants should bring membership cards or have them delivered to the meeting by calling 309-824-7748. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. NEW CONGRESS A total of 96 military veterans were sworn in as members of the 116th Congress. According to the Army Times, 19 are serving in the Senate and 77 in the House for an overall veteran percentage of 17.9 percent. Forty-eight served in the military after the year 2000. Thirty are Democrats and 66 are Republicans. Nineteen are first-time lawmakers and seven are women. Four decades ago, veterans in Congress exceeded 70 percent. Q: I am a veteran and am enrolled in VA Health Care. I live about 50 miles from the nearest VA health care facility. If I use the local emergency room in my hometown, will the VA pick up the cost? A: The answer can be somewhat confusing! If your need for ER care is for a life-threatening condition, generally the answer would be yes. The VA determines life-threatening using the Prudent layperson definition of an emergency. The veteran must notify the VA within 72 hours of the use of the emergency room, or the VA may deny the claim. Additionally, if the veteran has not used VA Health Care at a VA facility within two years of the ER visit, the VA will deny the claim. Nationally, a records study covering Jan. 1, 2015, through Sept. 1, 2017, showed 219,681 ER claims were denied, with a $791 million price tag for the veterans. The same study found that many ER claims were denied inconsistent with the standing determination rules. The VA is retraining to ensure the determination rules are administered properly. Possession of a VA Health Care card does not automatically guarantee that the VA will cover the costs associated with a visit to a non-VA emergency room. SNEAK PEEK The Jan. 21 column will include information on veterans employment and how the local veterans employment representative and disabled veterans outreach program specialist from the Illinois Department of Employment Security can assist veterans to prepare to succeed in the labor market. Vogler is superintendent of the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission. BLOOMINGTON As Central Illinois residents dug out from the weekend snowstorm on Sunday, forecasters are advising them to keep those snow shovels and snowblowers close by. And, salt. "We have a different type of storm developing, but there is enough agreement across the models to suggest that a low will move into southern Illinois, which usually puts up into some type of wintry precipitation at this time of the year, said Ed Shimon, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. It is still too early to tell, he added, but some models suggest a winter storm event that could rival, in some ways, this past weekends storm. NWS' forecast updated Monday afternoon states that freezing rain is "likely to develop" overnight Monday throughout Central Illinois and continue into Tuesday morning, making driving and walking on sidewalks, parking lots and driveways treacherous. The freezing drizzle is expected to start in areas along and north of Interstate 74 after 2 a.m. Tuesday, then spread south into the of the region, said the NWS. This one is going to be more progressive and there will be a rain/snow line some place across Illinois and where that falls is the real big question mark," he said. One model is showing it near Interstate 72 and so we could begin with a period of freezing rain before it switches to snow. It could bring heavy snow, as well, but Shimon said not to worry just yet. Everyone should keep a close eye on the forecasts because as this system gets closer, we will get more clarity, he said. The timing could be similar in when it starts, because it could be a Friday and Saturday type of thing, although it shouldnt be something where it will start and then snow for almost two days like we had with this one. The storm that dumped about 8 inches of snow in the Twin Cities on Saturday meant Illlinois State University crews were still working Monday morning the first day of classes for spring semester to clear some building entrances and parking lot, said Eric Jome, director of media relations. The fact that the campus wasn't really up and running was a saving grace, said Jome. But we did have students moving back into the residence halls and apartments. The university sent messages via social media advising students of the weather conditions and suggesting they delay their return until Sunday, instead of traveling at the height of the storm. 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}} The grounds crews have been working very, very hard, said Jome. The biggest priority was making sure the residence hall areas were cleared. They made sure at least one accessible entrance to every building was cleared and salted, he said. Because of the recent snow, which dropped between 8 and 12 inches on Illinois, depending on the location, the coming storm could cause other potential problems. It does raise an eyebrow because we are still freshly reminded of this one, he said. "There could be ice with this one, or heavy snow." One reporting station, two miles east of Lincoln, reported 11.2 inches of snow. Elsewhere in Central Illinois, Mackinaw and Hopedale received 11 inches of snow. Springfield had 10.9, there was 10.5 in Tremont, 10 in Mount Pulaski and Eureka, 9.9 in northwest Normal, 9.3 in Pontiac and at least 9 inches in most of the rest of Central Illinois including Bloomington, Streator, Decatur and Clinton. A partly sunny sky is expected Monday and the sun will begin melting some of that snow, but the high is expected to only be 28 degrees. Temperatures will reach 34 degrees for Tuesday through Thursday. It was 11 degrees at 6:30 a.m. Monday in Bloomington. Photos: Commuters brave winter Monday morning in Bloomington Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 1 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. By Mu Xuequan, Xinhua | Jan. 11, 2019 Japan Airlines Co. (JAL) received fresh disciplines from the Japanese government to improve its operations on Friday, after one of its flight attendants was found drunk on duty last month in the most recent scandal involving flight crews, local media reported. An internal investigation showed that on a flight from Tokyo to Honolulu on Dec. 17, 2018, a 46-year-old female attendant's breath smelt of alcohol and failed two breathalyzer tests conducted after a colleague noticed, JAL said. She has also admitted to consuming alcohol on a flight in November 2017, the airline said. Friday's action came as an addition to pressure JAL into enhancing its safety management after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued a business improvement order for JAL in December. "The company as a whole lacks awareness and this is a critical problem in terms of safety," said transport minister Keiichi Ishii. "I deeply apologize for a series of cases of misconduct," said JAL President Yuji Akasaka, after receiving the newest recommendation from the government. Akasaka and Eri Abe, head of the cabin attendants division, had taken 20 and 10 percent salary reductions for one month, respectively, to shoulder the responsibility of the incident. The airline has been embroiled in other drinking incidents involving its staff. A JAL co-pilot, who exceeded the British alcohol limit by around 10 times prior to a flight in October, was arrested in London and sentenced to 10 months in prison in late November 2017. The airline said after the London incident that it planned to introduce breathalyzer tests for the flight attendants as well. The Mid-Michigan Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) is sponsoring a seminar "Process Intensification: Using LESS to Make MORE", presented by Greg Theunick from The Dow Chemical Co., from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at The Dow Chemical Co.'s 1790 Building, Room 272, Washington Street, south of Discovery Way. Theunick will present an overview of process intensification (PI), which is a strategy focused on revolutionary, not evolutionary, changes in the way we design our processes and make our products. The core driving principle is to make dramatic improvements in manufacturing that result in cost savings, capital reductions, and efficiency gains. He will also provide some industry examples showing how it has been applied, and talk about industry initiatives to advance Process Intensification. Editors note: This is a weekly Q&A focused on the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System. Got a question? Submit it to politics@oregonian.com. Q: Was there a spike in PERS retirements in 2018? A: No. A rush to the retirement exits is routinely described as one of the risks of reducing PERS members benefits, as nearly a third of active and inactive PERS members are eligible to retire. Each time the Legislature considers or enacts reforms, typically in an odd-numbered year with a regular legislative session, the resulting anxiety drives a bump in retirements. But it didnt happen in 2018, as there were no proposals considered in the short session to change member benefits. PERS processed 5,435 retirements through the first three quarters of 2018; thats a nearly 29 percent decline from the nearly 7,000 processed during the same nine months of 2017. In a mid-November report to the Legislative Fiscal Office, PERS Senior Policy Advisor Marjorie Taylor said the system continued to see high call volumes and participation in education sessions by prospective retirees, likely because so many are eligible to retire. She also said retirements are expected to increase in 2019, due to possible discussions during the legislative session about PERS and its $25 billion unfunded liability. Just FYI, this rush to the exits doesnt make a lot of sense under the Oregon Supreme Courts current interpretation of contract law. The court has ruled that lawmakers (and voters) cant touch benefits already accrued for members past service. In other words, those close to retirement dont have a great deal at risk in any legislative reform to the system. They simply need to determine whether theyre willing to continue working with retirement benefits potentially accruing more slowly for the remainder of their career. Getting out early doesnt save, or lock anything in per se, as accrued benefits are already protected, and each additional month of service accrues more benefits. The real impact of any potential PERS change is on younger employees, who have many years of potential service ahead of them. A top, longtime aide to Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney resigned over the weekend as a report on sexual harassment by lawmakers and their staffers continues to reverberate through the Capitol. Robin Maxey, a former reporter who served as the Salem Democrats spokesman for 11 years, was named in both the civil rights complaint filed by then-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in August and the investigatory report released by Avakians agency in late December. The agency took legislative leaders, including Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek, to task for doing too little to stop harassment. Both documents cited allegations by a woman, employed by a different Democratic senator, who claimed Maxey repeatedly stood close enough to touch her during a social event. Days later, she claimed, he sent her a message containing inappropriate song lyrics on Facebook. Employee reported that the Director had offered to buy her a beer at an event, and had stood so close as to be touching the side of his body with hers; that she declined his offer for a beer and moved across the bar, but the Director followed her and repeated the same unwelcome conduct, which Employee continued to decline, Avakian wrote in his complaint. In his resignation letter, Maxey said the labor bureaus decision to highlight the complaint is a distraction in the walkup to the next legislative session, which starts Jan. 22. While a complaint against me was resolved 44 months ago, the inclusion of hearsay by the Bureau of Labor and Industries in its recent report have proven disruptive at a time when the Legislature is preparing for the important work of a new session, Maxey wrote. The labor agencys report also has raised questions about some of Courtneys decisions. The report disclosed that the Senate presidents former office manager alleged she was given an ultimatum to either resign or be fired or be demoted because he disapproved of her dating a House lawmaker. Courtney has denied that he asked his staffer to leave because he disapproved of her relationship. Maxey said that working for Courtney was the greatest professional honor of my life during which he came to know hundreds of people whose friendship and respect I will always cherish. Courtneys chief of staff Betsy Imholt wrote in an email that no one in Courtneys office or the Senate Democratic caucus sought Maxeys resignation, nor did they sign any agreement related to his employment. In an interview shortly after Avakian filed his complaint in August, Imholt told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the woman complained to her about Maxeys Facebook message. It was a Facebook private post, said Imholt, who reviewed the message. It said something to the effect of, From tonights workout. And then it just said, it was just a quote from some song lyrics, it was actually from the Heart song Crazy on You. Imholt said legislative staff presented the woman, who is not named, with a couple of options for handling the situation ranging from personally telling Maxey to leave her alone to filing a formal complaint. According to Imholt, the woman said she wanted someone else to tell Maxey not to have any contact with her. The woman has since become a lobbyist, Imholt said. Maxey could not be reached for comment on Monday. Maxey told Imholt that he meant to post that on his Facebook (page) rather than privately posting on the womans page, and that he wanted to apologize but he was directed not to, Imholt said. She said in August that she had not received any other complaints about Maxey. In an interview with Bureau of Labor and Industries investigators, Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, said that after Avakian filed his complaint, she heard from young people working in the Capitol that they had similar interactions with Maxey. Theyre like, Yeah, everybody knew that about [Robin Maxey], and other people have those complaints about him, Gelser told workplace investigators. And it was nothing actionable. Like, I couldnt say, This person had this experience on this day, nor could I tell whether it was true or not But I called Peter and I said You need to know that theres women around the building saying theyve had this experience too. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 SALEM -- A scathing report on workplace harassment at the state Capitol cast a long shadow Monday over what is normally a collegial ceremony christening the new legislative session. Legislators were already in high dudgeon over a Jan. 3 report by state labor regulators that found substantial evidence of sexual harassment and hostile working conditions in Salem. It also concluded that the most powerful lawmakers and administrators in the Capitol mishandled, downplayed and ignored the issues. But if Mondays session was supposed to be a fresh start, it instead raised questions about whether those issues will eclipse some of the ambitious goals Democrats have for the 2019 session that starts Jan. 22. In a highly unusual move, a freshman senator from Portland, Shemia Fagan a Democrat no less voted against the reelection of the Senates longtime potentate, Senate President Peter Courtney. The civil rights lawyer said she made the decision because Courtney stood credibly accused of gross misuse of power a reference to allegations that Courtney had forced a former office manager to resign in 2015 because he didnt approve of who she was dating. Courtney, who denies the characterization of the personnel issues in his office, was the only nominee, and was reelected 27-to-3. But meanwhile, his longtime aide and spokesman, Robin Maxey, resigned over the weekend after being named in both the civil rights complaint filed in August by then-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and the investigatory report released by Avakians agency in late December. The Senates organizational floor session started normally enough. Students from the Oregon School for the Deaf posted the colors. The McKay Chamber Orchestra played Oregon My Oregon. A state Supreme Court justice administered the oath of office to newly elected and reelected senators. But with formalities out of the way, and Courtneys election complete, the floor session quickly moved into a heated debate over how to update confidentiality provisions and the statute of limitations on complaints in the Legislatures workplace harassment rules. Courtney did entreat fellow senators Monday to treat each other with respect and kindness. But the irony was not lost that he was repeatedly referenced in the report for downplaying harassment allegations. He has since conceded that he reacted in anger when one alleged victim of harassment, Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, approached him last year to discuss the problems and suggest that lawmakers not fight Avakians investigation. Meanwhile, House Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland addressed the workplace issue head-on Monday the only top Democrat to do so -- after she was reelected to her leadership post. Its important to remember that were at the top of the food system here in this building, Kotek told fellow House members. The problem of poor Capitol culture starts with us. Having a good Capitol culture starts with us. And if anyone is sitting here on the (House) floor today thinking were not part of the problem, I would ask that you catch yourself. Democratic leaders have good reason to be worried about fallout from the report. After strengthening their majorities in both the House and Senate in November, they crafted a wide-reaching agenda for next weeks session that includes raising billions of dollars in new taxes for schools and Oregons Medicaid program. Gov. Kate Brown, who hammered on the need for more taxes and other proposals during her inaugural address Monday afternoon, declined to speculate on whether the sexual harassment case could divert attention and slow down her priorities. The governor also sidestepped a reporters question about whether Courtney should resign, given the allegations against him. Courtney and Kotek are absolutely committed to making sure that we have a state Capitol that is harassment free and that theres no discrimination of any type occurring in the building, she said. Brown, a lawyer who practiced family law and has spoken about her personal experience with employment discrimination, was asked by another reporter whether Courtneys alleged actions qualify as discrimination. I certainly read the report, Brown said. I havent studied all of the facts and havent listened to the other side. The Bureau of Labor and Industries report included allegations that Courtney forced his office manager to resign in 2015 because he disapproved of who she was dating another legislator. The employee resigned with five months pay and health insurance after she signed a severance agreement agreeing not to sue. In short, she accused President Courtney of a gross misuse of power. I believe her. For this reason, I voted no on his nomination for Senate President, Fagan said in a statement released Monday. She was joined by Republican Sens. Brian Boquist of Dallas and Herman Baertschiger of Grants Pass in voting against Courtney. But Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, the Gresham Democrat who nominated Courtney, called him a caring team leader with integrity, honor and passion. Lawmakers kicked off their work amid reports of Maxeys resignation. Labor bureau officials cited allegations by a woman, employed by a different Democratic senator, who claimed Maxey repeatedly stood close enough to touch her during a social event. Days later, she claimed, he sent her a message containing inappropriate song lyrics on Facebook. Employee reported that [Maxey] had offered to buy her a beer at an event, and had stood so close as to be touching the side of his body with hers; that she declined his offer for a beer and moved across the bar, but [that Maxey] followed her and repeated the same unwelcome conduct, which Employee continued to decline, Avakian wrote in August. In his resignation letter, Maxey said the labor bureaus decision to highlight the complaint would be a distraction during the session. While a complaint against me was resolved 44 months ago, the inclusion of hearsay by the Bureau of Labor and Industries in its recent report have proven disruptive at a time when the Legislature is preparing for the important work of a new session, Maxey wrote. In an interview shortly after the complaint was filed in August, Courtneys chief of staff Betsy Imholt told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the woman complained to her about Maxeys Facebook message. It was a Facebook private post, said Imholt, who reviewed the message. It said something to the effect of, From tonights workout. And then it just said, it was just a quote from some song lyrics, it was actually from the Heart song Crazy on You. Imholt said legislative staff instructed Maxey not to have any contact with the woman, who has since become a lobbyist. Maxey could not be reached for comment Monday. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 Ted Sickinger | tsickinger@oregonian.com | 503-221-8505 A Bethany-area man disappeared Saturday while duck hunting on the Columbia River, according to media reports. KOIN (6) reports Riley Salisbury, 19, was hunting with his father and younger brother near Karlson, Russian and Minaker islands. He disappeared after paddling away from them in a small boat, according to the news station. U.S. Coast Guard and Clatsop County Sheriffs Office crews searched for him beginning Saturday evening, the news station reported. They werent successful. They did, however, find Salisburys gun on Karlson Island. His boat was floating about a mile from Russian Island, and his bag and cellphone remained inside. Salisburys lifejacket was also inside his boat, according to KPTV (12). KATU (2) reports the Coast Guard looked for Salisbury for 19 hours before suspending the search, which is now a recovery effort. Salisburys father told KATU his son was wearing waders and camouflage neoprene. He also told the news station his son is an experienced hunter familiar with the area. Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. By a wide margin, more Americans blame President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress than congressional Democrats for the now record-breaking government shutdown, and most reject the president's assertion that there is an illegal-immigration crisis on the southern border, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Support for building a wall on the border, which is the principal sticking point in the stalemate between the president and Democrats, has increased over the past year. Today, 42 percent say they support a wall, up from 34 percent last January. A slight majority of Americans (54 percent) oppose the idea, down from 63 percent a year ago. The increase in support is sharpest among Republicans, whose backing for Trumps long-standing campaign promise jumped 16 points in the past year, from 71 percent to 87 percent. Not only has GOP support increased, it has also hardened. Today, 70 percent of Republicans say they strongly support the wall, an increase of 12 points since January 2018. Concerning the allocation of blame, 53 percent say Trump and the Republicans are mainly at fault, and 29 percent blame the Democrats in Congress. Thirteen percent say both sides bear equal responsibility for the shutdown. That is identical to the end of the 16-day shutdown in 2013, when 29 percent blamed then-President Barack Obama and 53 percent put the responsibility on congressional Republicans. A predictable partisan divide shapes the blame game, with 85 percent of Democrats citing Trump and Republicans as the cause and 68 percent of Republicans pointing the finger at congressional Democrats. Independents fix the blame squarely on the president and his party rather than on the Democrats, by 53 percent to 23 percent. Women blame Trump and Republicans by a margin of 35 points, and men blame the president and the GOP by 13 points. The deep partisan divide over who bears responsibility for the partial shutdown and over the wall itself is likely to have contributed to the length of the standoff. Neither the president nor Democratic congressional leaders have shown any willingness to compromise. Republicans in Congress continue to show support for Trump's positions. Last week, the talks broke down during a contentious meeting at the White House at which Trump walked out when told by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that she would continue to oppose the wall in border security negotiations, even if the government was reopened. As of this weekend, there is still no clear path ahead to end the shutdown. At this point, most Americans say they are not feeling the effects of the shutdown. Eighteen percent say they have been inconvenienced, including 7 percent who say it has been a major problem. If the shutdown continues for several months, as the president has threatened, 38 percent of Americans say they would consider that a crisis, 41 percent say it would be a serious problem but not a crisis, and 18 percent say it would not be a serious problem. Partisan differences also shape the choices ahead. Of the 54 percent of Americans who oppose the wall, 27 percent say Democrats should continue to resist Trump's demands for $5.7 billion for a barrier, and 23 percent say Democrats should compromise with the president. Of those 42 percent who support the wall, 24 percent say Trump should continue to demand the level of funding he has asked for, and 16 percent say he should strike a deal with the Democrats. Overall, Democrats appear somewhat more conciliatory than Republicans. The poll finds that 42 percent of Democrats who oppose the wall say congressional Democrats should refuse to budge even if it extends the shutdown; 37 percent say they should compromise with Trump. Among Republicans, 58 percent both support the wall and say Trump should continue to demand funding, compared with 22 percent who say he should compromise to end the shutdown. Trump has threatened repeatedly to declare a national emergency to break the stalemate and to order the start of construction of a wall, although on Friday, he retreated from his previously aggressive rhetoric by noting that he is not ready to take such a step now. The president faces sizable opposition from the public were he to do so. By more than 2-1 (66 percent to 31 percent), Americans say they oppose invoking an emergency to build a border wall. The poll finds 51 percent say they strongly oppose such a declaration. However, two-thirds of Republicans would support the president's decision to use those powers. In his nationally televised address he delivered from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump asserted that there is a humanitarian and security crisis at the border because of illegal immigration. Nearly half of all Americans (47 percent) say there is a serious problem at the border but decline to call it a crisis. Just under a quarter label the current situation a crisis. Almost half of all Republicans (49 percent) say the situation at the border is a crisis, and 43 percent say it is serious but not a crisis. Among Democrats, just 7 percent say the situation amounts to a crisis, and 52 percent say conditions are serious. Roughly one-fifth of independents agree with Trump's characterization, and about half say things are serious but are not a crisis. The Post-ABC poll was conducted Jan. 8-11 among a random national sample of 788 Americans reached on cellular and landline phones. The overall results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. -- The Washington Post Brett Campbell | For The Oregonian/OregonLive When violist Kenji Bunch left his native Portland for music school in New York more than a quarter-century ago, contemporary classical music wasnt much on the Rose Citys radar. Outside New York, there wasnt a lot going on anywhere, compared to today, Bunch remembers. New music didnt have the cachet or excitement it generates today. The next year, a group of Portland musicians formed an ensemble devoted to elevating contemporary classical music. Five years ago, that ensemble, Fear No Music, selected Bunch as its new artistic director. Returning home after winning a reputation in New York as one of the nations finest and most listener-friendly composers of his generation, Bunch found a very different city and musical culture than the one hed left. Definitely theres a real vitality now in the new music scene, he says. The level of attention nationally to our region has only grown and developed. Theres a real interest in and fascination with Portland nationally. Bunch immediately decided to showcase that vitality by creating an annual concert of music by Portland composers. On Monday, Jan. 21, Fear No Music plays its fifth Locally Sourced Sounds concert, featuring half a dozen homegrown compositions, including: Works by another composer who followed Bunchs Portland-New York-Portland trajectory. Bunch describes Ryan Francis Music for Four Hands as a really delicate, soft, slow piece, informed by electronica music and pop harmony but that also (reflects) a deep understanding of classical traditions. Willamette University music professor John Peels Cielo, the third in a series of duets written by Oregon composers for Fear No Musics wife-and-husband team of violinist Ines Voglar-Belgique and violist Joel Belgique, who both also play in the Oregon Symphony. Pieces by two more Fear No Music/Oregon Sympony members, including movements from cellist Nancy Ives solo cello suite written in response to J.S. Bachs famous set of six, and clarinetist James Shields Lost Man Loop, which Bunch says ripples with a driving rhythmic energy reminiscent of the music of leading contemporary American composer John Adams. Oregon composers John Peel and Nancy Ives are among those whose works will be featured in Fear No Music's next "Locally Sourced Sounds" concert. (John Peel photo courtesy of Willamette University; Nancy Ives photo by Torsten Kjellstrand) Bunch, who teaches composition at Portland State University and privately, especially relishes the chance to showcase promising young local composers. Last spring, he was so impressed on hearing graduating Portland State University senior Julia Kinzlers trio Swirls, inspired by the patterns of water in a stream, he added it to the program. Converse was written by Reed College senior Yiyang Wang, one of his viola students, for Bunch and his pianist wife, Fear No Music executive director Monica Ohuchi, to play at Wangs graduation last year. Its almost impressionistic but then theres this folk-like dance in the middle, Bunch says. It has a sense of humor and a lyrical, rhythmic energy. The emerging composers success reflects Portlands burgeoning 21st-century new music scene. I think its only getting more robust, Bunch says. Its a trend Ive noticed since we came back, and I see no sign of that slowing down. He also sees it diversifying. Citing Third Angle New Music and other local ensembles that program new music, I think all of our groups have made a real push the last couple seasons to show the visibility of composers of color, female composers to show people that composers do indeed look like all of us, Bunch says. Fear No Music also tries to cultivate that representation with its Young Composers Project for teens, which its had to double in size to meet demand. The diversity is only going to grow and invigorate the already pretty robust scene we have here, Bunch says. That diversity extends to the styles hes hearing in the music emerging from Portland composers. He draws an analogy to another area of Portland creativity. I read something recently about the food scene in Portland, Bunch muses. We dont have an iconic dish like cheese steak or pan pizza, but what is characteristic of the Portland culinary scene is the availability of amazing ingredients: fresh produce, seafood, locally sourced ingredients. So the food scene is about honoring the ingredients in creative ways. I think thats what happens in music too. Stylistically, things are all over the map, but theres this sense of free spirit, of unbounded creativity that doesnt have roots in a specific tradition but can borrow freely from multiple traditions. Composers seem fearless here, willing to take creative risks just get out there and do something without worrying if the proper traditional hoops have been jumped through in advance. More than ever, Portland composers and audiences really do fear no music. Locally Sourced Sounds When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 Where: The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave. Tickets: $10-$25, fearnomusic.org or at the door A protester who spit at federal officers and tried to kick them as they moved in to arrest her during a July 9 demonstration outside Portlands U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building was sentenced Monday to six months of probation. Cole Holland Buford, 22, was on speaker phone from Houston, where Buford is attending Houston Community College. In November, Buford pleaded guilty to simple assault, a misdemeanor. U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta accepted the probationary sentence jointly recommended by a prosecutor and defense lawyer after finding Buford had demonstrated remorse and apologized for her actions. Federal probation officers in Texas will supervise Buford in Houston. Last summer, Buford was among hundreds of people who set up camp outside the ICE headquarters in Southwest Portland, protesting President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy, including his administrations separation of children from their parents. The ICE office closed temporarily due to safety concerns. On June 28, the headquarters reopened after federal officers and Portland police took down the encampment and made several arrests. Cole Holland Buford, 22, was sentenced to 6 months of federal probation after she pleaded guilty to simple assault, a misdemeanor. According to a criminal complaint, officers from the Federal Protective Service responded on July 9 to the building to find a protester who had ripped down caution tape put up to provide employees with a safe entrance to the building. That's when Buford spit at two officers, the complaint said. "Buford approached (Federal Protective Service) Inspector C.B. in the employee parking lot and began shouting, pointing and lunging at the inspector while appearing to be restrained by two other protesters," Federal Protective Service special agent Micah Coring wrote in the complaint. "Buford became increasingly agitated and spit in the direction of Inspector C.B. and an FPS Special Agent, neither of whom responded. Buford spit a second time, hitting Inspector C.B in the legs. FPS inspectors took Buford into custody. I used a government-issued video camera to record the incident. I have spoken with Inspector C.B. and learned that Buford attempted to pull away and kick the FPS inspectors while being placed in a marked police unit," Coring wrote. Seven other Occupy ICE protesters arrested in June are awaiting a three-day trial set for March 11. They are accused of failing to comply with federal officers' orders to leave the ICE office. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Green Packaging Market by Application, Packaging Type and Industry Analysis, 2014-2022 : Amcor Limited, E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Mondi Limited, Sealed Air Corporation, TetraPak International S.A. Green Packaging https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/343?utm_source=as_opr https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/343?utm_source=as_opr https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/green-packaging-market?utm_source=as_opr https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014 - 2022, the global green packaging market generated revenue of $132,556 million in 2015, and is expected to reach $207,543 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 5.41% from 2016 to 2022. The food & beverage segment accounted for more than three-fifths of overall share in the applications segment.Rise in hygiene & health concerns among consumers boosts the demand for green packaging with applications in sustainable packaging. Moreover, stringent government regulations on nondegradable plastics and increase in demand for recycled packaging products have fueled the market growth. Furthermore, reverse logistics in packaging industry has eased the transportation of municipal wastes to recycle plants. Initiatives by multinational companies such as Dow Chemical Company, Henkel AG & KGaA, and Mitsubishi Corporation to promote sustainable development by forming a community called Together for Sustainability provides opportunity to the market. This initiative supports the United Nations Global Compact and Responsible Care to achieve sustainable development.Download report sample at:The recycle content packaging segment is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.92%. Bioplastics have flourished in healthcare and pharmaceutical applications, and are accepted as an alternative for polymer oil-based products. In addition, reverse logistics and increase in number of legislations for ecological packaging techniques have facilitated the recycle of municipal wastes.Bioplastic is a new ecological alternative to oil-based polymers with promising growth in pharmaceutical sectors.For purchase enquiry at:KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:The European region is expected to continue to lead the market, followed by North America during the forecast period.German green packaging market is estimated with a CAGR of 5.10%.The Middle East region is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.15%.The North American and Asia-Pacific regions jointly accounted for more than half of the total share in 2015.Utilization of degradable raw materials has shown major growth in developed and developing nations. In 2015, Europe demonstrated maximum demand for bioplastics with the potential to witness significant growth in future. In addition, Asia-Pacific accounted for approximately one-fourth share of the total volume.Access full summary report at:The prominent players profiled in the report are Amcor Limited, E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Mondi Limited, Sealed Air Corporation, TetraPak International S.A., Ardagh Group Co., PlastiPak Holdings, Inc., Bemis Company, Inc., Uflex limited, and ELOPAK AS.About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions. AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1-800-792-5285UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1?855?550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Lithium Air Batteries Market Impact of Existing and Emerging Trends and Top Key Players (Mullen Technologies, Poly Plus Battery Company, Lithium Air Industries) | Global Forecasts 2019 2022 Lithium Air Batteries Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/123080 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/123080/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/123080 Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Report 2019 offers elaborated knowledge on the market parts like size, Key Regions, growth, trends, dominating firms, Major Manufactures. The Lithium Air Batteries report introduces market competition situation among the vendors, revenue, product & services, latest developments and business strategies.Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Overview:According to market analysts, Global Lithium Air Batteries Market is projected to grow at a high CAGR value from 2019 to 2022.Sample Copy of Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Report Available @The lithium-air battery (Li-air) is a metalair electrochemical cell or battery chemistry that uses oxidation of lithium at the anode and reduction of oxygen at the cathode to induce a current flow.The growth in the global lithium air batteries market can be attributed to the various technological developments undertaken by battery manufacturers across the world. Moreover, the increasing penetration in advanced industrial applications such as drones and robotics, etc. on account of falling prices of lithium batteries is further anticipated to boost the Global Lithium Air Battery Market.The Lithium Air Batteries Market is segmented based on types and applications, and regions. On the basis of type, the market is sub-segmented into aprotic Li-air batteries, aqueous Li-air batteries, mixed aqueous/aprotic and solid state Li-air batteries.Regionally, North America and Europe are anticipated to be the largest markets for lithium-air batteries. Adoption of electric vehicles in countries such as the U.S., Germany, and France is projected to create high demand for lithium-air batteries. Furthermore, Asia Pacific is a developing market for lithium-air batteries due to the well-established manufacturing and automotive industries in the countries such as China, India.Purchase this report online along with table of contents @Key Regions:1 North America Country (United States, Canada)2 South America3 Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea4 Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy5 Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCCTop global key service provider companies covered in the study include:1 Mullen Technologies Inc.2 Poly Plus Battery Company3 Lithium Air IndustriesGrab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @Key Questions Answered in this Report:1 How has the Lithium Air Batteries market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?2 What are the price trends of Lithium Air Batteries?3 What is the structure of the Lithium Air Batteries industry and who are the key players?4 Who are the key vendors in the global Lithium Air Batteries market?5 What are the latest market trends?Table of Content:1 Lithium Air Batteries Definition2 Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Major Player Share and Market Overview3 Major Player Lithium Air Batteries Business Introduction4 Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Segmentation (Region Level5 Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Segmentation (Type Level6 Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Segmentation (Industry Level7 Global Lithium Air Batteries Market Segmentation (Channel Level8 Lithium Air Batteries Market Forecast 2019-20229 Lithium Air Batteries Segmentation Type10 Lithium Air Batteries Segmentation Industry11 Lithium Air Batteries Cost Analysis12 ConclusionAbout us:BusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Mobile Commerce Market Is Booming across the World by Major Vendors: Ericsson, Gemalto, Google Inc., IBM Corp., Mastercard Inc., Mopay AG, Oxygen8, Paypal, SAP AG, and Visa Inc. Mobile Commerce Market https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=5162 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=5162 https://www.reportconsultant.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=5162 www.reportconsultant.com Report Consultant has added a new report to its database that qualifies an expressive and professional look into this market."Many of the payments have been mobile compatible and applications for the various kinds of activities such as funds transfer, bill payments have been deployed, which further aids to the growth of mobile commerce globally. Advancements in integrated electronics enable availability of many kinds of technologies, like broadband internet, in Handsets and the supporting service networks. All these developments open up the possibility of offering the user many services of unprecedented nature. The goal of all the services in one way or the other has to be generation of revenues. This represents an ever-increasing scope of Mobile Commerce or m-commerce as a subset of the more generic Electronic Commerce or e-commerce, which in general too has been booming with the increasing popularity of the Internet. Report Consultant's analysts forecast the global Mobile Commerce Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of +24.41%."Download Sample Report @Top Key Players of Mobile Commerce Market: Ericsson Gemalto Google Inc. IBM Corp. Mastercard Inc. Mopay AG Oxygen8 Paypal SAP AG Visa Inc.The competitive landscape of the Mobile Commerce Market has been scrutinized carefully as it forms a major factor contributing to the revenue generation. The key players such as Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America form the key global regions of which, the region showcasing as the one generating highest market share and the one which is the fastest growing is also described in detail. It serves as a document providing the necessary insights to vendors, therefore enabling them to make data-driven decisions and avoid business losses.The report offers a multi-step view of the Mobile Commerce Market. The principal approach passes through an outline of the market. This comprises numerous arrangements, definitions, series and configurations of the industry as a whole and also gives a brief on the different applications of the global market. This section also syndicates a thorough analysis of the abundant growing strategies and government guidelines that influence the global market, which includes its cost structures, and manufacturing procedures.Get Upto 50% Discount on Report @The major strategies accepted by the established players for a better saturation in the global mobile commerce market also form a key section of this study. These methods can be employed by the upcoming players for a better view in the market. The global market has also been examined in terms of its revenue. Dynamics such as market drivers, restraints and opportunities have been combined and displayed which helps in collecting the statistics on the future growth of the market.Reasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining mobile commerce market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the size of Mobile Commerce Market are as follows:History Year: 2013-2018Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Enquiry before Buying Full Report @About Us:Report Consultant - A global leader in analytics, research and advisory that can assist you to renovate your business and modify your approach. With us, you will learn to take decisions intrepidly. We make sense of drawbacks, opportunities, circumstances, estimations and information using our experienced skills and verified methodologies.Our research reports will give you an exceptional experience of innovative solutions and outcomes. We have effectively steered businesses all over the world with our market research reports and are outstandingly positioned to lead digital transformations. Thus, we craft greater value for clients by presenting advanced opportunities in the global market.Contact Us:Rebecca Parker(Report Consultant)Akasaka Biz Tower,5-3-1 Akasaka Minato-Ku,Tokyo, JapanContact No: +81-368444299sales@reportconsultant.com Aluminum-Extruded Products Market 2023 | Global Key Player; Alcoa Inc., Aluminum Bahrain B.S.C., Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, Bhp Billiton Ltd https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3034 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/aluminum-extruded-products-market-3034 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/3034 Market Scenario:Aluminum-extrusion is the process of transforming aluminum alloy into objects with a definite cross-sectional profile. The aluminium-extruded products offer strength and stability, especially when alloyed with other metals.The major driver for the growth of the aluminum-extruded products market can be attributed directly with properties of the aluminum metal. Aluminum-extruded products are used for a range of purposes by many end user companies such as construction, automotive, internal space stations, electronics and others. The aluminium-extruded products are preferred for the manufacturing of light weight and durable products of various end-use industries, thereby driving the growth of the market. However, the growth of this market can be restrained by the huge initial capital investment required for the manufacturing of the aluminum-extruded products.The aluminum-extruded products Market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 6 % during the period 2017 to 2023.Get Sample Copy @Study Objectives of Aluminum-Extruded Products Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global aluminium-extruded products market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the global aluminum-extruded products market based on various tools such as Supply Chain Analysis, and Porters Five Force Analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by product type, end-use and region To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global aluminium-extruded products market.Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports. Alcoa Inc. (U.S.) Aluminum Bahrain B.S.C. (Bahrain) Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (China) Bhp Billiton Ltd. (Australia) Century Aluminum Company (U.S.) China Hongquiao Group Limited (China) Hindalco Industries Limited (India) Norsk Hydro ASA (Norway) Rio Tinto PLC (U.K.) United Company RUSAL (Russia)Get Complete Report@Intended Audience Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesAsk Query to Our Expertise@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 FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Car Wax Market Outlook, Growth by Top Company: Sonax GmbH, Turtle Wax Inc., Future Development (Manufacturing) Ltd. KAO Chemicals Ltd, Mothers Polishes Wax Cleaners Inc. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2268 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-2268 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights published market report titled Car Wax Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013-2017 and Opportunity Assessment 2018-2028 examines the car wax market and offers crucial market insights for the next ten years. According to Future Market Insights analysis, the global sales of car wax is estimated to be valued at US$ 743.5 Mn by the end of 2018 and is expected to register a 4.2% CAGR over the period of 20182028. This report divulges the demand for car wax and its break-up on the basis of different types, forms and end uses.DynamicsThe global car wax market is expected to witness steady growth, owing to the growing production of vehicles in different regions. This increasing vehicle production is expected to drive the demand for car wax products, which are particularly used in the finishing line in the manufacturing of a vehicle. Car wax products also register high demand from automotive aftermarket services. The increasing vehicle fleet is expected to upsurge the demand for car wax products, which are mostly used in car wash and car cleaning services.For Requesting a Sample Copy of This Report, Please Visit @North America held the lions share in terms of the global vehicle fleet in 2017. As per the reports of OICA, the region holds a 21.2% share in terms of global vehicle fleet. Western Europe, with a 19.8% share in the global vehicle fleet, is also expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the sales of car wax products in aftermarket car care services.Segmentation AnalysisThe global car wax market is estimated to witness steady growth, owing to the increasing demand from aftermarket car care services. Increasing vehicle fleet is the key driving force surging the demand for car wax products in aftermarket car services. SUV, mid-range and upscale cars account for around a 47% share in the demand for car wax products in aftermarket car care services.As per the reports of OICA, global vehicle production was reported to be 7.1% of the global vehicle fleet in 2017. Attributing to this, the demand for car wax products is expected to remain high in aftermarket car care services over the forecast period. Liquid car wax is expected to gain traction over the forecast period, owing to its easy to apply characteristics and low cost. The demand for the liquid form of car wax is expected to remain high in aftermarket car care services, owing to the less time required for applying liquid car wax as compared to paste car wax. The demand for paste car wax is expected to be driven by vehicle manufacturers who usually prefer long-lasting products for the finishing of vehicles.Regional Market ProjectionsOn the basis of region/country, China is anticipated to dominate the global car wax market throughout the forecast period. In China, the car wax market is expected to expand at a CAGR of around 9.6% during the forecast period. Moreover, Latin America and India are anticipated to register relatively higher CAGRs during the forecast period. These two regions, coupled with Latin America, are expected to register attractive growth rates in the global car wax market during the forecast period. The Western Europe car wax market is at a mature stage and is expected to witness slow growth over the forecast period.Customized Research Report As per your Requirements @Global Car Wax Market Competitive LandscapeSome of the players reported in this study on the global car wax market include 3M, Turtle Wax Inc., Darent Wax Company Ltd, Mothers Polishes Wax Cleaners Inc., Sonax GmbH, Treatment Products Ltd, Northern Labs Inc., Swissvax AG, Waxpol Industries Ltd, Carsco0 Inc., Shenzhen Marpa Imp & Exp Trading Co., Ltd and Kao Chemicals GmbH, among others.ABOUT US:Future 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 centres 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 customised 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: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: Health & Beauty Retailing in Germany Market Shares Summary and Forecasts to 2022: Dm, Rossmann, M Health & Beauty Retailing in Germany https://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012414197/sample https://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012414197/discount https://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012414197/buying ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Health & Beauty Retailing in Germany Market Shares Summary and Forecasts to 2022 report detailed insights about the aspects responsible for augmenting as well as restraining market growth and analyses the market potential for each geographical region based on the growth rate, macroeconomic parameters, consumer buying patterns, and market demand and supply scenarios.Health & Beauty Retailing in Germany, Market Shares, Summary and Forecasts to 2022Summary"Health & Beauty Retailing in Germany, Market Shares, Summary and Forecasts to 2022", provides data for historic and forecast retail sales, and also includes information on the business environment and country risk related to Germany retail environment. In addition, it analyzes the key consumer trends influencing Germany health and beauty industry.The German health & beauty sector is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.3% to reach 57.4 billion by 2022. Healthcare is growing much faster than beauty and remains the major contributor to overall sector sales due to increasing health consciousness among consumers and an aging population.By Top CompaniesDm, Rossmann, MGet more Information Download a Sample Copy atWhat else does this report offer-- In-depth analysis of the latest trends in consumer shopping, covering the factors driving shopping, consumer insights, market dynamics- The report also details major retailers in health and beauty category group with their product proposition analysis and market positioning in 2017 along with recent key developments- Market insights based on consumer trends, changing economic and demographic factors, technology innovations, and other macroeconomic factors- Retail sales and the fastest-growing product categories in health and beauty sector- Qualitative and quantitative insights of changing retail dynamics in health and beauty sector.Exclusive Discount On this Report atScope- Germany retail market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% during 2017-2022- Growing health consciousness and an aging population to drive growth- Rising awareness of beauty trends and new products will drive growth- Aging population to drive demand for healthcare products- Drugstores retain their dominant presence while sales through e-commerce are rising- Online channel grows steeply, although penetration is low compared to other sectors- dm and Rossmann, the market leaders take a 31.4% share in 2017- Lidl produced the highest sales growth during 2016-2017.Reasons to buy- Gain a comprehensive knowledge on health and beauty sector in Germany retail market and develop a competitive advantage from the start of your supply chain- Investigate current and forecast behavior trends in health and beauty category to identify the best opportunities to exploit- Analysis of key international and domestic players operating in the health and beauty market- Explore novel opportunities that will allow you to align your product offerings and strategies to meet demand by analyzing the vital economic and population trends, key consumer and technology trends influencing the health and beauty market- Analysis of key international and domestic players operating in Germany retail market - including store counts and revenues that give you a competitive edge and identify opportunities to improve your market share.Place Direct Purchase order For Complete report @Contact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comOrganization: ReportsWebPhone: +1-646-491-9876About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Speech Generating Devices Market is Set to Experience Revolutionary Growth by 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3536 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3536 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Speech generating device are the electronic device which allow the user to select the message which to be spoken aloud. Speech generating devices are also known as voice output communication aids. Speech generating devices help individual users with limited verbal interaction ability to communicate effectively and in an easy way. Development of the prototype of Speech generating devices was noted from mid-1970. Over period of time many technology advancements are taken place in electronic technology to make the devices more user interactive and portable.For instance, in March,2013 Lingraphica has launched MiniTalk speech generating device that has 7-inch screen for people with Aphasia and Apraxia speech, this device have 7,00 graphic icons, words and others features.Currently, the speech generating devices are present in many variants based on the levels of physical, cognitive abilities, symbol system, eye tracking system, text based, and tongue switches.Speech Generating Devices Market:Drivers and RestraintsSpeech generating devices market is mainly driven by user friendly devices and technology advancements by the manufacturers. Companies are focusing on the touch screen devices to navigate them easily. In addition to that, they can be connected to various versions of smart phone as of Android and iPhone.Request to Sample of Report @Owing to its portable in nature, it is gaining traction from various speech related disorder patients creates significant opportunities to the speech generating device manufacturers. According to NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders), it was estimated that approx. 7.5 million U.S population have trouble in their voices. As of restraints, the market of speech generating devices are having very low penetration and high cost of speech generating devices might hamper the growth of the market over the forecast period.Speech Generating Devices Market:SegmentationSpeech generating devices market segmentation based on:Based on Display Type:Fixed display deviceDynamic display deviceBased on Outcome:Digitized speechSynthesized speechBased on disorder types:AphasiaApraxiaBased on Distribution Channels:E-commerceHospitalClinicsSpeech Generating Devices Market:OverviewSpeech generating devices market is still in nascent stage. Currently very few players are operating in this segment. Active funding by government organizations to manufacturers to develop new products in low cost to make the devices affordable to the patients. Furthermore, favorable government reimbursement policies is also expected to contribute the growth of the market. For instance, the U.S. Medicare, and Medicaid Services provides reimbursement for evaluation and therapeutic services for the speech generating devices due to that speech generating devices might have a positive growth over the forecast period. Medicare CPT Code 92607, 92608, and 92609 are coded for speech generating devices. Under CPT code 92609 - Therapeutic services for the use of speech-generating device, including programming and modification gets reimbursement of US$ 111.97.Speech Generating Devices Market:Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of region, Speech Generating Devices Market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America have the major market share in the global market due to awareness of the speech generating devices in the region. Furthermore, government is providing speech generating devices to the students via school.Europe is expected to grow over the forecast period due to increase in speech related disorders in the region. For instance, in Europe over 2.0 million of population suffering from speech disorders.Request Report for TOC @Speech Generating Devices Market:Key PlayersSome of the players in speech generating devices are AMDi, Tobii Dynavox, Prentke Romich Company, TOBY CHURCHILL Limited, Lingraphica, and Tobii ABAbout 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 centres 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 customised 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.U.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Flue Gas Desulfurization System Market Size, Share, Industry Trends Analysis 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2419 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2419 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com International awareness of environmental concerns has been increasing in recent years resulted in the stringent environmental regulations regarding sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission in the many countries. Flue Gas Desulfurization System (FGDS) is a set of technologies which works to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from exhausted gases from the emission of the sulfur dioxide emitting processes. Basically, the flue gases are removed using a variety of reagents such as caustic, lime, fly-ash, magnesium oxide, soda ash, sea water, limestone, ammonia and double alkali. The flue gas desulfurization system efficiency is based on the reagents and the type of the technology used to desulfurize the Sulfur dioxide (SO2). The FGDS are available in size range from 5 MW to more than 2000 MW capacity.Flue Gas Desulfurization System Market Drivers and RestraintsThe global FGDS market is expected to show a rapid market growth over the forecast period. The sulfur dioxide is responsible for the acid rain formation, the stringent government regulations to protect the environment have been implemented in many countries to limit and control the emission of the flue gas which is the major factor driving the global FGDS market. The increasing number of energy power plants to meet the rising demand of power needs more FGDS systems which drive the growth of the global FGDS market. The increasing industrialization and set up of chemical, iron and steel and cement manufacturing plants boost the demand of the FGDS which drives the growth of the global FGDS market.Request to Sample of Report @However, the alternative methods used to remove the sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the flue gases after combustion such as Catalytic hydro desulfurization and fluidized bed combustion methods may hamper the use of FGDS system and restrain the growth of the global FGDS market.Flue Gas Desulfurization System Market SegmentationOn the basis of type, theglobal FGDS market is segmented as follows:Wet flue gas desulfurizerDry flue gas desulfurizerSemi dry desulfurizerOn the basis of applications, theglobal FGDS market is segmented as follows:Power generationChemicalIron and steelCement manufacturingOthersFlue Gas Desulfurization System Market Region Wise OutlookThe global FGDS market is segmented into the seven regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). The North America region has contributed the leading share to the global FDGS market in terms of revenue due to higher demand of the FGDS from the power generation industry and chemical, iron industry. The Western Europe has also contributed the significant shares to the global FGDS market followed by North America.APEJ region is the most lucrative market, followed by the Eastern Europe and expected to register the descent growth to the global FGDS market due to the rising industrialization, manufacturing and processing units of the industries such as power generation, coal, steel and cement. Japan and Eastern Europe are contributed descent growth to the global FGDS market. The MEA and Latin America are at a nascent stage and expected to show a moderate growth for the forecast period. Overall, the global FGDS fabric market is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period 2016 to 2026.Request Report for TOC @Flue Gas Desulfurization System Market Key PlayersSome of the key players in the FGDS market are as follows:Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.Marsulex Environmental TechnologiesFLSmidth & Co. A/SThermax LimitedSiemens AGClyde Bergemann Power GroupBurns & McdonnellAlstom SAMitsubishi Electric Corporation, Ltd.Hamon CorporationAbout 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 centres 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 customised 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.U.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Resources companies must register Landowners through NID, says Maru Following Trudeaus call to PM Modi, India to supply 5 lakh doses of vaccines to Canada India takes up with Canada reports of threats to Indians, asks Canadian authorities to ensure safety Shutdown: Canada ATC staffers send pizzas to US counterparts with no pay International oi-Shubham Ghosh Washington, Jan 14: The US has already seen the longest shutdown its government has faced and around eight lakh federal employees are working without pay since December 22 for a crisis which has turned into an ego clash between President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponents over the building of the wall on the country's Mexico border. The employees who have been working without pay include air traffic controllers, like those in the New York Air Traffic Control Center, and to their pleasant surprise, the ATC staff members have found their colleagues from Canada coming up with a solidarity gesture. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canadian ATC staffers from the Atlantic province towns of Gander and Moncton ordered pizzas for their counterparts in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York state. According to CBC, a notice came out at the Long Island centre announcing the arrival of 32 pieces, thanks to the Canadian Air Traffic Controller Association (CATCA). Why Pakistan University will be observing Sisters' Day on Valentine's Day An image of the feel-good notice was posted on Reddit by David Lombardo, a former ATC staff at the Long Island centre besides other employees on Twitter. The gesture was widely appreciated. Thank you to @CATCA5454 for your generosity! We all appreciate you standing side by side with us. The Air Traffic Family world wide is amazing. pic.twitter.com/bwI69MPZWy Joseph lanzetta (@TinPusher688) January 12, 2019 Thank you @CATCA5454 for sending our brothers and sisters at Boston Center pizza! We appreciate your support during our #GovernmentShutdown pic.twitter.com/7umefjrikq NATCA New England (@NATCANewEngland) January 12, 2019 @CATCA5454 our brothers from the north sending love and solidarity to @NATCA border facilities pic.twitter.com/Jb6GANYk3o Mark Sheehy (@zbw_atc) January 11, 2019 #ShutdownStories: #AirTrafficControllers in Canada have sent pizza to their adjoining U.S. facilities in a show of solidarity & support. #AirTrafficControl Vancouver Center to Seattle ARTCC Winnipeg Center to Minneapolis ARTCC Toronto Center to Cleveland ARTCC Lew W (@atclew58) January 11, 2019 However, this is not the first time that an American air traffic control center received such gift from their Canadian counterparts. Woman finds sperm donor of her teenage daughter, falls in love with him "Ever since controllers in Edmonton reportedly ordered pizzas for their colleagues in Anchorage, Alaska on Thursday, Canadian control centers have sent pizzas to 35 U.S. units including those in Boston, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Cleveland," said a report in Mashable India. It was also learnt that the initiative was taken by the Canadian employees themselves, Ron Singer, spokesperson for Nav Canada, which owns and operates the country's civil air navigation industry, praised them for such a move, reported HuffPost Canada. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 9:42 [IST] At least 25 killed in Kabul suicide attack Another blast in Afghanistan near National ID Card department 4 killed, 90 injured in blast reported near Green Village compound in Kabul International oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Kabul, Jan 14: Four people were killed and 90 others injured, including 23 children, in a huge blast reported near Green Village compound in PD9 east of Kabul. Foreign NGOs and foreigners live around the area on Monday. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) confirmed that at least 40 people were wounded in the blast and have been shifted to hospitals for medical treatment. According to footage shown by Afghanistan media Tolo news, ambulances returning from a blast scene in Kabul's PD9 -- near Green Village compound on Kabul-Jalalabad road. 12 injured in Paris explosion, police suspect gas leak Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish confirmed that a truck bomb explosion happened near Green Village compound in Kabul's PD9. Danish told Tolo news that a number of civilian houses around the area have been damaged in the explosion in Kabul's PD9. Footage shows ambulances returning from a blast scene in Kabul's PD9 -- near Green Village compound on Kabul-Jalalabad road. pic.twitter.com/e4KZx3jH3Z TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) January 14, 2019 Why Malaysia may prefer LCA Tejas over China-Pak's J-17 fighter? India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 14: Malaysia has shown interest in LCA Tejas and reports say that Kuala Lumpur may even prefer it over Sino-Pakistani JF-17 'Thunder'. After years of delay and hiccups in the Tejas project, its a shot in the arm for the HAL that a foreign country has shown interest in procuring it. It is not yet know how will the HAL ramp up its production of Tejas as the PSU has its hands full with IAF's requirements. The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is considered far deadlier than the JF-17 Thunder fighter by many experts. The current version of Tejas might be slightly costlier than its Sino-Pakistani counterpart, but the HAL manufactured fighter reportedly offers better performance. [IAF's depleting fleet: The choices India has] Tejas excels JF-17 in the technologies that are utilised in it, including lightweight composite material body, sophisticated quadruplex digital flight control system, microprocessor-based utility controls and the superior American GE-404IN engine among others, said reports. As far as meeting the requirements of the IAF is concerned, HAL has been given green signal to start manufacturing of Tejas Mk1 under Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has ordered 40 Tejas LCA Mark-I with HAL. 20 Tejas LCA in initial operational configuration - 16 fighters and four trainers - have been produced so far. The weaponised version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas equipped with capabilities of mid-air refuelling, AESA radar, electronic warfare suites and a variety of other features is likely to be inducted into the Indian Air Force by this year-end. The final operational clearance (FOC) for all these systems is, however, pending. JF-17 Thunder fighter: The JF-17 was primarily developed to meet the Pakistan Air Force requirement for an affordable, modern, multi-role combat aircraft as a replacement for its large fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5 fighters, Nanchang A-5 bombers, and Chengdu F-7 interceptors, with a cost of US$500 million, divided equally between China and Pakistan. The aircraft was also intended to have export potential as a cost-effective and competitive alternative to more expensive Western fighters. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 5:00 [IST] COVID-19 Vaccine: Sputnik V likely to be available at Delhis Indraprastha hospital from June 15 India, China should consider buffer zones on LAC, hotline: Retired Chinese military official Waited for a year on Galwan but no clarity: Sonia Gandhi What the construction of 44 roads along the Indo-China border means India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The government will construct 44? strategic roads along the border with China and over 2100 km of axial and lateral roads in Punjab and Rajasthan, abutting Pakistan, a CPWD document shows. According to an annual report (2018-19) prepared, and released earlier this month by the Central Public Works Department, the agency has been asked to construct 44 "strategically important" roads along the India-China border to ensure quick mobilisation of troops in case of a conflict. The nearly 4000-km-long Line of Actual Control between India and China touches areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. Mechanical sweeping begins at Noida The report comes at a time China is giving a priority to projects along its India borders. Last year, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a face-off at the Doklam tri-junction after the neighbouring country had begun building road in the area.? The standoff ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement under which China stopped the construction of the road and India withdrew its troops. The report stated that these 44 strategically road along the India-China border will be constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 21,000 crore. "The CPWD has been entrusted with construction of 44 strategically important roads along the Indo-China Border spanning 5 states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh," the report stated "The total Cost of work as per DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) is Rs 21,040 crores (approx.)," the report stated. It said the process of approval of DPRs by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is underway. The CPWD report also stated that lateral and axial roads measuring over 2,100 kilometers will be built with a cost of around Rs 5,400 crore in Rajasthan and Punjab along the Indo-Pakistan border. From potholes to garbage, when will Bengaluru roads be liberated? The DPRs for this project are under preparation in CPWD, which is a major construction agency of the central government. "A total of 945 km of lateral roads and 533 km of axial roads lie in Rajasthan (tentative cost Rs 3,700 crores) and 482 km of lateral roads and 219 km of axial roads in Punjab (tentative cost Rs 1,750? crores)," it stated. The road projects will secure the vast and remote border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab, it stated. India's border with Pakistan runs through four states, Jammu and Kashmir (1,225 km, which includes 740 km of Line of Control), Rajasthan (1,037 km), Punjab (553 km) and Gujarat (508 km). Tejashwi Yadav meets Akhilesh, pledges support to SP-BSP alliance India oi-Deepika S Lucknow, Jan 14: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday offered full support to the BSP-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "I congratulate Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji for forging this alliance in national interest. It was necessary in light of the situation in the country right now. Those who were slaves of British are in power right now," the Yadav scion said. When asked about Congress' exclusion from the alliance in UP, Tejashwi said the Samajwadi Party and BSP are enough to beat Modi. "The by-elections are also an indication of it. You can also read Rahul ji's statement, he has said 'BJP is not going to get seats here, who is in the alliance is not important," ANI quoted him as saying. Tejashwi Yadav meets Mayawati, predicts BJP's 'whitewash' in UP, Bihar Launching an attack at the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, Tejashwi said his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is in jail because "Modiji saw him as a threat". The former Bihar chief minister was convicted in the fodder scam cases in January last year and is serving a jail term of 3.5 years. Tejashwi also used the opportunity to target the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying that the central agencies had become alliance partners of the BJP. Tejashwi met Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati in Lucknow on Sunday to congratulate her on sealing an alliance with the SP. After meeting Mayawati, the younger son of RJD founder Lalu Prasad claimed that the BJP will be whitewashed in UP and Bihar. While the SP and the BSP have finalised their alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the general elections, teething problems are dogging the mahagathbandan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 15:28 [IST] Shift 3 Gauri Lankesh murder accused to Mumbai from Bengaluru: Bombay HC India pti-PTI Mumbai, Jan 15: The Bombay High Court Monday ordered that three accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case be shifted from a Bengaluru jail to Mumbai's Arthur Road prison to enable them to file affidavits and defend a petition by the Maharashtra ATS seeking their custody in an arms haul case. Justice Mridula Bhatkar gave the direction when hearing an application filed by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad seeking custody of the three accused Amol Kale, Amit Baddi and Ganesh Miskin. The three are currently lodged at the central prison in Bengaluru after they were chargesheeted for their alleged role in the killing of writer-journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017. In October 2018, the ATS took custody of the three for their alleged involvement in a case pertaining to recovery of arms at Nalasopara on outskirts of Mumbai. They were then produced before a Mumbai sessions court, which remanded them in ATS custody for six days. The sessions court later refused to extend their police remand and sent them to judicial custody following which they were shifted to Bengaluru. Karnataka: 'We don't need to poach BJP MLAs', says Kumaraswamy Special public prosecutor Raja Thakare Monday told the high court that the previous six-day police remand was not sufficient for the ATS in its investigation in the arms haul case and further custody of the trio was required. Justice Bhatkar, after hearing brief arguments, issued notices to the three accused through the superintendent of the central prison in Bengaluru. "It is directed that these respondents/accused are to be transferred from the central prison in Bangalore to Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to enable them to reply and defend this case," the court said in its order. The judge directed the state government and additional director general of ATS to make necessary security arrangements for transferring the accused from Bengaluru to Mumbai. The HC posted the petition for further hearing on January 28. PTI Punjab Bumper Lohri Lottery Results 2019: Win Rs 2 crore, two days to go India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa The Punjab Bumper Lohri Lottery Results 2019 is all set to be declared. The results once declared will be available on the official website. This bumper lottery is known by two names - Punjab state New Year bumper lottery and Punjab State Lohri bumper lottery 2019. The Punjab State Lottery ticket is prize at Rs 200 plus Rs 90 extra for postal and packaging charges. Be warned that due to the number of visitors once the draw is held the website may be slow. Be patient, as the website would speed up once the traffic reduces. The first prize of Rs 2 crore is guaranteed from the sold ticket. The second prize is Rs 1 crore. The third and fourth prizes are Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. While there is only 1, first and second prizes, there are 10 and 20, third and fourth prizes respectively. The first, second and third prizes will be drawn only out of the sold tickets. The Punjab State Lohri Bumper Lottery 2019 is available for sale. The results would be declared on January 16 2019 and the winning numbers would be available at 5.30 pm. For more details about how to purchase the ticket and also to check the results you can go to https://www.gandhibrotherslottery.com/punjab-state-lottery/. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 11:24 [IST] LS seat sharing: Kumaraswamy warns Cong against treating JD(S) as 'third grade citizens' India pti-PTI Bengaluru, Jan 14: As Karnataka's ruling coalition constituents Congress and JD(S) get down to brass tacks for the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said his party should not be treated as "third grade citizens" and that both the partners adopt a "give and take policy" to put up a united fight against the BJP. With the coalition partners expected to hold talks on the tricky seat-sharing issue amid pressure within the Congress not to cede much to Janata Dal (Secular), Kumaraswamy stressed there should not be any "pettiness" on both sides. In an interview to PTI, the chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma was "fading" with growing anti-incumbency, and pitched for Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the top job while also admitting that there was a lack of consensus among anti-BJP parties on choosing Gandhi. As his government completed seven months in office, the JD(S) leader downplayed reports of contradictions within the coalition and said he would overcome all the "bitterness" smoothly. "Both of us (Congress-JD(S)) should go together (in Lok Sabha polls) is our opinion. Because the reason behind forming this government (in Karnataka) is to stop the BJP from coming to power and improve the atmosphere in the country..." Kumaraswamy said when asked whether the JD(S) would go it alone if seat-sharing talks fail. He said after the formation of the coalition government in the southern state, a lot of changes had taken place in the country's political landscape, including BJP's downslide and Congress victory in some bypolls and assembly elections in three states. "...in my opinion if Congress loses its way and tries to move with overconfidence, what will happen they will understand, with their past political experience, I do not think they will forget them. "They should treat us respectfully. They should not treat us as third grade citizens. There should be give and take policy," Kumaraswamy said. The JD(S) has demanded 12 out of 28 seats for the Lok Sabha polls, to which the Congress has expressed its reservations. In the 2014 polls, BJP had won 17 seats in the state, Congress 9 and JD(S) 2 seats. Seat-sharing is expected to be a litmus test for the Congress-JD(S) combine, mostly in the old Mysuru region constituencies, where the JD(S) is a dominant force in the Vokkaliga heartland and the Congress has its sitting MPs. Reiterating that the coalition intend to face the Lok Sabha polls together, the Karnataka chief minister said leaders of both the parties are expected to discuss and come to a final decision later this month. "Our national president (H D Deve Gowda) feels that after the government formation, for every thing two-third (for Congress) and one-third (for JD(S)) concept was adopted like in the ministry or board corporation appointments. "There are 28 seats...they (Congress) should take two- thirds and give us one-third, this is what his feeling is, and mostly, I feel they will also agree," he said. Asked whether his party's demand for 12 seats was negotiable, Kumaraswamy did not give a direct response. He however, said the two-third and one-third was the Congress' formula for the coalition. Congress and JD(S) had bitterly fought the May 2018 assembly polls, but joined hands as the polls threw up a hung verdict. "Some may say that it (coalition) may survive only till parliament elections. I want to say that after the parliamentary election also the government that will be formed in Delhi and the environment that will be created will lead to a situation where the Karnataka government continues to work safely," the chief minister said. Is Operation Lotus back in Karnataka? Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government by trying to poach coalition MLAs. "I know who they (BJP) are approaching, what they are offered to MLAs. I am collecting all the news and doing whatever (possible) from my side to see to that BJP does not disturb the government..." he said. Kumaraswamy said the coming together of BSP's Mayawati and SP's Akhilesh Yadav was a "strong combination" and it may scuttle and slow the BJP's speed in Uttar Pradesh. He also claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's image has "diminished", while Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD was getting sympathy, and in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the BJP did not perform well as it did the last time. Asked about possible cracks in the anti-Modi front, the chief minister said, "I feel a strong combination may emerge against the BJP. I also feel that the 'mahagatbandhan' may emerge as an alternative to national parties". Regarding projecting Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial face of the anti-BJP combine, Kumaraswamy said Deve Gowda had announced JD(S) support to the Gandhi scion and that "others will also come on board". "I feel after the results, every one will agree on a common leadership despite differences," he said. Kumarawamy also termed the Centre's latest move of providing reservation to economically backward among the general category as a "desperate" step ahead of polls. PTI Kolkata shame: 16 puppies killed ruthlessly and wrapped in plastic bags India oi-Shubham Ghosh Kolkata, Jan 14: We don't really who to call "animals" here. The real animals - the innocent 16 puppies - or those who killed them, caring little about the fact that those little lives too had their rights to live? Fifteen dead puppies were found wrapped in disposable bags outside a premier hospital in Kolkata on Sunday, January 13, leading to a massive outrage. The incident was widely covered both by the local and national media after local people spotted the carcasses in plastic bags. A dog was also wrapped inside and though it did not die, it was badly injured and bleeding profusely. Kolkata: 72-year-old man sentenced to imprisonment for molesting minor Preliminary reports suggested that the puppies were beaten and poisoned to death and the police were examining the CCTV footage of the ghastly incident which has left common people and animal activists terribly disheartened. The civic authorities of the city vowed to take action against the perpetrators. Meanwhile, a video of two women slamming a puppy with rods was doing the rounds and it was filmed by somebody from an adjacent building. The puppy was crying in pain and became stagnant though it could not be understood if it died because of the torture. Crime against animals, especially dogs, has been on the rise. Cases of puppies being flung from roof tops or being put on fire have been reported from various corners of the country in recent times. As per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001, killing stray dogs is illegal. Kolkata: Skeletons of 14 babies found wrapped in plastic bags Last November, the Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to the Sakaleshapura municipality in Karnataka for allegedly having 350 stray dogs killed in violation of its earlier orders, the Telegraph reported. Here are some the reactions that the Twitterati came up with: Culling of animals is a proof of sick minds. I don't believe where India is heading ? 16 puppies & a mother dog was beaten to death or poisoned in the hospital campus of a reputed college in Kolkata. I strongly condemned such actions. #WeWantJustice pic.twitter.com/293LJuKS21 Nayani Ghosh (@NayaniGhosh) January 14, 2019 The Kolkata Kolkata Police authorities must take absolute measures against the culprits clearly identifiable in the video itself engaging upon the Criminal act on those puppies which has now been identified as dead! https://t.co/xe2CboFGwv Abhijeet kar (@karabhijeet_kar) January 13, 2019 Cruel Students from NRSMC college(Kolkata) poisoned Puppies after beating them heavily. I request authorities to kindly take action so that faith on humanity would remain same. #PuppiesKilling @peta @narendramodi @Manekagandhibjp @PetaIndia @pfaindia @ASPCA Aditi Dubey (@dtdubey200) January 14, 2019 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 17:59 [IST] Kerala: Now, tribal people protest against trekking of women to Agasthyarkudam peak India oi-Madhuri Adnal Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14: Tribal people in Bonacud protested against trekking of women to Agasthyarkudam peak, the final resting place of sage Agasthya, who is an eternal celibate. Women trekkers were earlier not allowed on the mountain during the 41-day trekking season between January 15 to March 2. Members of the Kani tribe believe the hill, the second tallest in Kerala, and the shrine at its peak to be the resting place of the sage Agasthya, who appears briefly in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The sage Agasthya is also, like Ayyappa, meant to be an eternal celibate, leading to the ban on women trekking to the temple. Earlier, the Kerala High Court had ruled on November 30 that there could be no gender-based restriction on climbing or trekking Agasthyarkoodam. The ruling further pointed out that no one had any vested right over the hill, as it was a reserve forest and a UNESCO heritage site. It further opined that the Kani tribe did not have any customary right of worship over the area as there was no physical shrine there, only an idol. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 13:12 [IST] Operation Lotus: No threat to govt, says Kumaraswamy, BJP rubbishes reports India oi-Deepika S Bengaluru, Jan 14: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government by trying to poach coalition MLAs. "Our chief minister is a bit lenient towards the BJP. By ''lenient'', I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it," the minister said. "The chief minister is adopting a policy of wait and watch. If I was in his place, I would have exposed it within 24 hours," he added. LS seat sharing: Kumaraswamy warns Cong against treating JD(S) as 'third grade citizens' His statement comes after Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar claimed that three Congress MLAs were 'camping' at a hotel in Mumbai with BJP leaders. Alleging that the BJP was trying to poach the Congress MLAs with an aim to topple the ruling Congress-JDS alliance government in Karnataka, Shivakumar exuded confidence that the BJP would fail in its attempts. Shivakumar went on to accuse CM Kumaraswamy of being soft on the 'ongoing conspiracy' by the BJP. Former Karnataka chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa rubbished reports that Congress MLAs were in touch with the saffron party to break them away from the coalition. "There is no truth to all these rumours of three Congress MLAs in touch with BJP. This is between the Congress and the Janata Dal Secular. We are not in touch with any of their MLAs. We are only focused on keeping our MLAs energised," he said. Meanwhile, Karnataka's Deputy CM G. Parameshwara dismissed that the Congress MLAs that are in Mumbai or are said to be incommunicado were rebelling. Is Operation Lotus back in Karnataka? He said, "Some of our MLAs have gone out. We don't need to be worried. They may have gone out for temples, family outings, or vacations. But they are not going to join the BJP to destabilise the government." The Congress has called a meeting in Bengaluru in the backdrop of its worry about "Operation Lotus", which describes allegations that the BJP is trying to draw away ruling coalition lawmakers and take power in the state. Kanhaiya Kumar incited mob to chant anti-India slogans says 1,200 page chargesheet India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The Delhi Police on Monday filed its chargesheet against former student union leaders, Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and eight others for allegedly holding an anti national event at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in February 2016. The police said that it had evidence to proceed against the accused, which also included seven students from Jammu and Kashmir. The police has accused them of organising the event against the hanging of Afzal Guru, who was hanged in connection with the Parliament attack. The police alleged that Kumar had incited and was part of the mob that shouted anti India slogans. Kanhaiya Kumar's convoy attacked in Bihar's Begusarai, 6 injured The police said there is no direct evidence against 36 other accused, including Communist Party of India leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, but they can be summoned for questioning. The chargesheet has been filed under IPC section 124A (sedition), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (forgery), 471 (using as genuine, forged document), 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), 149 (unlawful assembly with common object), 147(rioting), & 120B (criminal conspiracy). The others charged in the 12,000 page chargesheet are Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat. Court directs JNU not to take coercive steps against Kanhaiya Kumar till July 20 The police said there is no direct evidence against 36 other accused, including Communist Party of India leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, but they can be summoned for questioning. The police said there is no direct evidence against 36 other accused, including Communist Party of India leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, but they can be summoned for questioning. Farmers' Protest: Farmers are not being allowed to come to Bengaluru, says DK Shivakumar Is Operation Lotus back in Karnataka? India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Bengaluru, Jan 14: Karnataka Water Resource minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state's coalition government was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders". "Horse trading is going on in the state. Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai in a hotel with some BJP MLAs and leaders. We are aware of what has transpired there and how much has been offered to them," he said. Congress-JD(S) will fight LS polls together: DKS Operation Lotus is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by BS Yeddyurappa in Karnataka in 2008. Shivakumar, who had earned the reputation of being a "trouble-shooter" in the Congress for bailing out the party from many crises in the past, accused Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy of being "lenient" towards the BJP. "Our chief minister is bit lenient towards the BJP. By 'lenient', I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it. "The chief minister is adopting a policy of wait and watch. If I was in his place, I would have exposed it within 24 hours," Shivakumar said. The minister said former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Congress state president Dinesh Gundu Rao were aware of the development. Karnataka BJP chief Yeddyurappa meets Shivakumar, sparks alliance speculation Shivakumar, however, exuded confidence that the BJP would not succeed in its attempt. "You have been saying that a 'kranti' (revolution) may happen after Makar Sankranti. Let us see. It is not so easy because there is already anti-defection law in place, but we are aware of what you are hinting at," he said in an apparent reference to the opposition BJP in the state. The water resources minister also wondered why the income tax department and the anti-corruption bureau failed to initiate any action on a complaint by Dinesh Gundu Rao on the matter. "We do not know what progress these two agencies have made so far, but sitting on the complaint by a political party is not good," he said. Many Congress MLAs in the southern state have alleged that they were approached by the BJP leaders to quit their party and join them. The saffron party has trashed the charges, saying the coalition partners were hiding their shortcomings and internal strife by making false accusations at the opposition. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 6:23 [IST] India, US authorities working frantically to expedite Tahawwur Rana's extradition India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 14: The Indian and the US authorities are working frantically to ensure that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the Mumbai 26/11 attack who is seving jail term in the US, is extradited to India before his current jail term ends, said reports. The Indian government, with "full co-operation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork, said a PTI report. Rana, who was arrested in 2009, is currently serving a 14 year jail term in the US for providing material support to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, the outfit which carried out the Mumbai attack. It was earlier reported that a team of the NIA was in the US recently to seek his extradition. An NIA source had told OneIndia that the extradition would take place. However, there is a process involved and it could take up to some time. "There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said, as pert the PTI report. The NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities. Following a recent visit to the US by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. In the US the double jeopardy clause prevents a punishment for the crime twice. Due to this, India renewed its bid to secure Rana's custody on the ground that he was involved in the planning of an attack on the National Defence College in New Delhi. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 13:05 [IST] Honey trapped soldier arrested for passing information to ISI India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: An Army jawan posted in a tank regiment at Jaisalmer has been arrested by the Rajasthan police after he was allegedly found to be honey trapped by an ISI operative on the social media. He is alleged to have shared some vital information after being trapped, investigations have shown. The jawan was in touch with a suspected ISI spy using the profile name of 'Anika Chopra' on Facebook and was chatting regularly on the social media and exchanging details and information about the jawan's armoured unit and its movement. Army Jawan who was honey-trapped grilled by Intelligence Bureau The incident comes in the wake of the agencies recently busting a module of the ISI which had allegedly honey trapped a BrahMos employee. Further investigation into the incident is on. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 5:55 [IST] Rape victim dies in Delhi hospital after being 'set afire' by kin of accused in UP's Bulandshahr Hoardings with pics of Bulandshahr violence accused come up in district India pti-PTI Meerut (UP), Jan 14: Hoardings featuring Bajrang Dal's Yogesh Raj, the main accused in the Bulandshahr violence, have been put up across the district, extending greetings on 'Makar Sankranti' and Republic Day. Raj, a leader of the Hindutva outfit, was arrested on January 3 for his alleged role in the mob violence that killed a police officer and a local. The hoardings also have photos of Satish Lodhi, Ashish Chauhan, Satendra Rajput and Vishal Tyagi, all accused in the case, along with a bigger picture of Raj, extending wishes on behalf of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal. The Bajrang Dal said the hoardings were put up by local leaders "on their own". The outfit's western UP region co-convenor Praveen Bhati, whose photo also appears in the hoardings, said the hoardings carry pictures of local functionaries of the group and since Raj is the Bulandshahr unit convenor hence his picture is also there. SP-BSP: Electoral math sorted, challenge ahead is political chemistry "Also, they all are accused in the case, not guilty. It is for the court to decide. Putting pictures of organisation's office bearers on hoardings is not a crime," Bhati told PTI. He also re-iterated that the Bajrang Dal stands in support of its office-bearers accused in the case and is providing them with all legal aid. On December 3, inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was killed in a mob violence that broke out in Siyana area after cattle carcasses were found strewn outside a village. A local, Sumit Kumar of Chingrawathi village, was also killed in the violence. Two cases were lodged at the Siyana police station, one for violence, in which the police had turned complainant, and the other for alleged cow slaughter, on a complaint by Raj. Twenty seven people, including Raj, were named in the FIR, while 50 to 60 unidentified people were booked under charges of murder, attempt to murder and sedition, among others. Raj was arrested on January 3 and was produced in a local court which had remanded him in 14-day custody. He would be again produced in the court later this week. So far 36 people have been arrested in connection with the case. PTI Governments new snoop order on computers: SC issues notice India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 14: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Union Government among others on a petition that challenged the decision authorising 10 agencies to monitor, decrypt any computer. The petition filed by advocate, M L Sharma challenged the validity of the order was passed by the Ministry for Home Affairs last week. The petitioner cited right to privacy, while challenging the order of the government. The government had said that had authorised 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt all the data contained in "any" computer system and asserted that this was being done to prevent "any unauthorised use of these powers". The new order, issued late Thursday night, "does not confer any new powers" to any security or law enforcement agency, the Union Home ministry said in a statement as the opposition termed the move an assault on fundamental rights and joined hands against it. The order was brought out by the 'cyber and information security' division of the ministry under the authority of Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba. According to the order, 10 central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer interception and analysis, officials said. The agencies, according to the order, have been authorised "for the purpose of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said Act (section 69 of the IT Act, 2000)". In a clarificatory statement, the Home ministry said adequate safeguards are provided in the IT Act, 2000 and similar provisions and procedures already exist in the Telegraph Act along with "identical safeguards". The ministry said "each case" of such computer interception, monitoring and decryption is "to be approved by the competent authority, which is the Union home secretary". Cyber crime becoming industry, may occur 'very often': Rajnath Singh "The present notification is analogous to the authorisation issued under the Telegraph Act. The entire process is also subject to a robust review mechanism as in case of Telegraph Act. Every individual case will continue to require prior approval of Home ministry or state government. MHA has not delegated its powers to any law enforcement or security agency," it said. The ministry used Rule 4 of the IT (Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules 2009 to elaborate its point. It provides that "the competent authority may authorise an agency of the Government to intercept, monitor or decrypt information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource for the purpose specified in sub-section (1) of Section 69 of the Act", the ministry said. Therefore, it said, the latest order has been issued "in accordance with rules framed in year 2009 and in vogue since then and no new powers have been conferred to any of the security or law enforcement agencies". The notification, it said, has been issued to notify the ISPs (internet service providers), TSPs (telecommunications service providers), intermediaries among others to codify the existing orders. "These powers are also available to the competent authority in the state governments as per IT (Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules 2009," it added. According to rule 22 of the IT (Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules 2009, all cases of interception or monitoring or decryption are to be placed before the review committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, which shall meet at least once in two months to review such cases, the statement said. In case of state governments, it added, such cases are reviewed by a committee headed by the chief secretary concerned. Cylinder explosion triggers blaze at Kumbh mela camp, no casualties India oi-Deepika S Allahabad, Jan 14: A cylinder exploded in a tent at the Digambar Ani Akhara at the Kumbh Mela site, triggering a massive fire on Monday, a day before the fair officially opens. According to reports, the fire began around 12.45 PM in Digambar Akhara near Digambar Ghat due to gas leakage, and quickly spread to other makeshift shelters. The fire was brought under control within a few minutes, fire fighters told news agencies. Local reports suggest a cylinder blast led to the fire. Around 10 ambulances and an air ambulance were immediately sent to the spot. "No casualties have been reported so far," Nodal Officer, Disaster Management, Dr Rishi Sahay told news agency ANI. The Kumbh Mela is set to begin in Prayagraj, formerly called Allahabad, from January 15. More than 12 crore people are expected to take part in the event over the next 50 days. Kumbh Mela 2019: Airboat service from Varanasi to Prayagraj from Jan 26 During the mela, millions of pilgrims including ash-smeared ascetics, bathe at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and a mythical third river, the Saraswati. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 15:03 [IST] Congress starts assessment of failing to get majority in MP from the Vindhya region India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Jan 14: The Congress has started assessment at the high command level that why the party failed to secure majority in Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections. Former leader of opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh was called to Delhi to tell the reasons for the defeat of the Congress in Vindhya region. The Congress missed the chance of getting majority due to its poor performance in the Vindhya region of the state and he himself lost the election. He was asked more questions because it was he who had brought more leaders from other parties to the Congress fold and his decisions prevailed in the matter of the region. NCP-Congress to fight Maharashtra elections together, MNS kept away The issue of neglecting leaders like Rajya Sabha member and chief of the OBC Cell of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Rajmani Patel was also raised in the meeting. It is being said that the OBC leader had brought out a yatra across the state but attempts were made to keep him away from the election campaigning. The meeting related to Madhya Pradesh was held in the presence of general secretary in-charge Deepak Babaria. The concern of the party is that how will the Lok Sabha election will be won after the defeat of Assembly elections in the Vindhya region. There are five Lok Sabha seats in the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh where not only the Bharatiya Janata Party is strong but the Bahujan Samaj Party too has sizable vote bank. Congress to fight all 80 seats in UP alone, says SP-BSP "closed the chapter" Leaders brought to the Congress from the BJP and BSP failed to live up to the utility of the party. Meanwhile, one of the senior leaders of the party suggested the high command to make Ajay Singh the state Congress president. However, Congress leaders in Delhi are suggesting the Congress president Rahul Gandhi not to change state president till the Lok Sabha elections as it might harm the party. Some other leader argued that there are seven Rajput ministers in the state government therefore Brahmin, OBC or ST leader should be made state president to make the caste balance. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 11:44 [IST] Congress needs widespread reforms to show it's no longer in inertia: Kapil Sibal Trouble for Congress in Bihar? 13 MLAs could soon defect to JD(U) Congress President approves appointment of CP Joshi as Rajasthan Assembly Speaker India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Jan 14: Congress President Rahul Gandhi approved the appointment of C P Joshi as Speaker of 15th Rajasthan Assembly, Mahesh Joshi as chief whip, and Mahendra Chaudhary as deputy chief whip. CP Joshi, 68, has been elected from the Nathdwara assembly constituency. He was the Member of Parliament from Bhilwara in the 15th Lok Sabha and had served as the Union Minister For Road Transport and Highways from 2009 to 2013. HD Deve Gowda backs Rahul as prime ministerial candidate but there is room for improvement Joshi was one of the first 19 members of India's new cabinet sworn in on 22 May 2009, despite being a first-time member of the Lok Sabha. In 2012, after Mamata Banerjee went out of UPA and Mukul Roy resigned as Railways Minister, CP Joshi got extra charge of Railways Ministry. Senior BJP legislator Gulab Chand Kataria took oath as the pro-term speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly on Monday. He will conduct the first meeting of the 15th Legislative Assembly beginning Tuesday. (With PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 18:01 [IST] BJP to call election war cry after Makar Sankranti with slew of programmes in Uttar Pradesh India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Jan 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will intensify its election campaign after Makar Sankranti that will be the auspicious time for the party to start anything and a slew of programmes and activities will be organized after this. Makar Sankranti is on January 15. Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have already called a war cry for the party workers on the Ramlila Ground during the national council meeting of the BJP. The party president has fixed the target of winning 75 seats for workers in Uttar Pradesh. Sources said that the party president will address all the six regional conventions of booth in-charges to give them tips of winning booths. Shah will be in Lucknow on January 30 to address booth in-charges' conferences of Awadh region and in Kanpur the booth in-charge of Kanpur and Bundelkhand region. BJP plans to respond SP-BSP alliance by wooing 2.44 crore farmers of Uttar Pradesh Coordination of booth in-charge has been given to the state party vice president J P S Rathore. The BJP will also organise 19 conferences of sector co-coordinators besides booth in-charge conference. This conference will be organised in 18 commissionaires and also in Sitapur which is the 19th commissionaire as per organisation. Several more such programmes will be organised. The BJP will be organising youth parliament and intellectual conference. BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that with the help of programmes and contacts the BJP will leave the 'gathbandhan' much behind. People of Uttar Pradesh know the repercussion of the alliance. The election campaign of the BJP will have a reflection of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The party is being given mantra to create an environment in favour of the BJP with the help of GST and upper caste reservation. Workers of the party are now rejuvenated after the National Council. The BJP workers have to tell people about the achievement of the party and conspiracy of the opposition. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 2:10 [IST] Celebrating birthday, braiding hair: How Odisha health workers are helping people get through pandemic Monsoon sets in over Odisha, to cover entire state in 2 days Baby delivered by 14-yr-old residential school student dies, locals protest in Kandhamal India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Kandhamal, Jan 14: A baby delivered by 14-year-old student of a state-run tribal residential school in Odisha's Kandhamal district died at a hospital where she was admitted along with her mother. Locals protested after a minor girl gave birth to a child in the hostel of a residential school in Kandhamal. Prateek Singh, SP said, "Preliminary inquiry revealed that 7-8 months ago when the victim went to her home, she was raped by a 23-year-old man in her village." "On the basis of this information police immediately detained the accused. The administration has also taken immediate action against the school staff, said the police officer. Kerala: Now, tribal people protest against trekking of women to Agasthyarkudam peak The girl, a student of Class 8 school run by the tribal and rural development department of Odisha, delivered the baby on Saturday night. The minor girl and the newborn had earlier been admitted to the Baliguda sub-divisional hospital in Kandhamal after being rescued, Kandhamal District Welfare Officer Charulata Mallick told PTI. Later on Sunday night, they were shifted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur where the newborn died, the hospital authorities said. (With PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 20:27 [IST] AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel granted permission to call family abroad India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 14: A special CBI court on Monday granted permission to alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, Christian Michel, to make phone calls abroad to his family and lawyers. Michel has reportedly been granted 15- minute time in a week to speak to his family and lawyers. Michel, lodged in Tihar central jail here, moved an application through his advocate before special judge Arvind Kumar, who directed the jail authorities to file a response to the plea by Monday. The accused told the court that jail authorities rejected his plea seeking the permission. Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the ED on December 22. The court had earlier imposed restrictions on Michel meeting his lawyers while he was in ED custody after the agency had said he was misusing legal access by passing chits to the advocates, asking them how to tackle questions on "Mrs Gandhi". Later, he was sent to judicial custody in the case on January 5. He is also lodged in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam. [India grants consular access to Christian Michel: MEA] Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland. The CBI, in its charge sheet, has alleged an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 15:45 [IST] A big section of AAP leaders expresses its willingness to join Congress after Sheila takes over India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Jan 14: With the announcement of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit as the new Congress president of Delhi, a big number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers have called up to the close associates of the former chief minister of Delhi to join the Congress. Some of them are old Congressmen. They want to come back to the their parent organisation once again. Interestingly they have started making efforts immediately after the announcement of the name of Dikshit as the party chief of Delhi. Sources said that the Congress leaders started assessing the situation in the party that how the unrest in the AAP camp can be utilised for the gains of the party in Delhi when Lok Sabha elections are very close. Arvind Kejriwal will not contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections Dikhshit will take over charge of the party president on January 16, 2019 and where these old workers will be accommodated is being discussed among the senior party leaders. As far as alliance with the AAP is concerned, one faction of the Congress is opposing it. Dikshit has the experience of working as chief minister of the state for 15 year so she started assessing the matter. Actually the party workers are opposed to any alliance with AAP. So Dikshit is tight lipped. One of his colleague who was active with her for 12 years as minister in her government Harun Yusuf too is helping her out. He is keeping a tab on the possible exodus from the AAP. This is to recall that the Congress has announced all the 280 block presidents. Dikshit does not want to change anyone on them. AAP will defeat BJP on all 7 LS seats in Delhi: Kejriwal So the Congress is considering to make some new cell in the party to accommodate these leaders in the Congress. Old workers are visiting him with their good wishers. All the three executive presidents Harun Yusuf, Devendra Yadav and Rajesh Lilothia too are meeting her to take her guidance. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 14, 2019, 15:48 [IST] Roxana Huamani eagerly awaits the arrival of Creighton students. She serves as a host mother for Creightons Discovering Peru: Church, Society and Language in Context summer program welcoming students into her home in the Villa El Salvador district of Lima, Peru, for weekly stays. I believe that we learn as much from you as we teach you, Huamani says of her Creighton visitors. Many students have stayed in my house and shared what little I have. I can honestly say that I have learned something from each one of them. At the same time, I know that I am teaching them about my life and about my struggles, and it is a good feeling to share that. I used to think that those from other countries were better than I am, but I know that we are equals. Discovering Peru is one of 19 Faculty-Led Programs Abroad (FLPA) offered at Creighton through the Global Engagement Office. Selected students travel to Peru and participate in academic service-learning and community engagement during the month of May. Both of these physicians also have privileges at Nebraska Medicine and continue to, even after Childrens suspended their privileges. One would logically think that if there were valid reasons to suspend their privileges at Childrens that the other hospitals would follow suit, which they have not. Childrens released a statement that it stands behind its executive leadership, medical team and their processes. How can we trust the validity of the statement? Are the ones issuing the statements directly or indirectly under the CEO? Are they in fear of losing their jobs if they do not support Dr. Azizkhans position? I think it would behoove the Childrens board of directors, less Dr. Azizkahn, to release a letter stating their position and that each board member sign that letter. I feel this level of transparency is necessary for all the families who entrust the care of their children. Beth Norris, Papillion Paul Hartnett a great educator The story on Paul Hartnett (Paul Hartnett, 91, steps out of the public eye after five decades of service, Jan. 3 World-Herald) reminded me that he has contributed to society not only through public office but also as an educator. Authorities have identified the man who died in his Council Bluffs apartment after it caught fire Jan. 8. Charles Ruckman, 59, lived in one of the four units of an apartment building near North 30th Street and Avenue C. The Council Bluffs Fire Department was called to the building about 3 p.m. after a neighbor saw heavy smoke coming from a window. The fire was extinguished quickly. Crews found Ruckmans body when searching the building. The Iowa State Medical Examiners Office completed an autopsy and said the preliminary cause of Ruckmans death was smoke inhalation. Alia Conley 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. WASHINGTON Republican Rep. Steve King will be blocked from committee assignments for the next two years after lamenting that white supremacy and white nationalism have become offensive terms. King, in his ninth term representing Iowa, will not be given committee assignments in the Congress that began this month, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Monday night. King served on the Agriculture, Small Business and Judiciary Committees in the last Congress, and he chaired Judiciarys subcommittee on the Constitution and civil justice. McCarthy, R-Calif., called Kings remarks beneath the dignity of the Party of Lincoln and the United States of America. Kings comments call into question whether he will treat all Americans equally, without regard for race and ethnicity, McCarthy said, adding: House Republicans are clear: We are all in this together, as fellow citizens equal before God and the law. The action by the GOP steering committee came after King and McCarthy met Monday to discuss the remarks on white supremacy. KEARNEY, Neb. Veterans will be moving into the Central Nebraska Veterans Home, their new facility in Kearney, this week. Escorted by members of the Nebraska Patriot Guard Riders, residents will move from the Grand Island Veterans Home in groups of three buses or vans starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, said Holden Armstrong, communications director for the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs. Gov. Pete Ricketts is scheduled to meet the first group of people moving into the Kearney home . Armstrong said the move into the 225-bed home is closed to the public . Moving buddies and relatives will be on hand to help the veterans transition to their neighborhoods and rooms. Some dignitaries will be on hand to welcome the vets. It will be a little hectic for the members, and we dont want to bombard them with too much, Armstrong said. In addition to the VA services, there are loads of activities, they said. One example: people from the nonprofit group Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing come in and teach fly-tying and fly-fishing classes, and veterans can go on fly-fishing trips. American Legion members supplement residents groceries with food pantries, and bingo games offer food prizes. People can get together and talk about old times or current problems at social events such as Yack and Snacks. There are community dinners. Rose, who worked in food service in the Air Force, occasionally whips up meals of beef stroganoff and fruit cobbler. Theres always something to do, and you can get involved just as much as you want, Holt said. Not everything goes swimmingly all the time. We are talking about 90 people who were homeless, or nearly so, now all living in the same building. It takes some people a while to figure out living with rules, Holt and Rose said. Holt has lived there about two years, after going through a hospital mental health program, living in Salvation Army housing, then on his own in an apartment where, even thought the landlord was a good guy, there was a lot of drug use, fighting and people who didnt belong there coming in and causing trouble. Soon, a series of monuments along North 24th Street will tell the story of the African-American experience in Omaha. The Omaha Economic Development Corp. is commissioning monuments for a four-block walking tour through history between Ohio and Blondo Streets. The group is asking members of the public to fill out a survey, which can be accessed at http://bit.ly/24thstreetmonumentproject. We just want to get the feel from the general community here what will have the biggest impact, said Michael Maroney, CEO of the development corporation. The 24th Street Monument Project will be funded by grants from the Douglas County Visitors Improvement Fund. Maroney said his group already has secured $32,000 to commission its first monument. Work on the monument should begin no later than July 1. Maroney said he hopes that the project will include at least five monuments created by local artists. They could be sculptures, statues, plaques or other forms of art. This weekend brought Omaha its most snowfall for a single day since 2016, and the wet, heavy snow was the perfect material for building snowmen, sledding and having snowball fights. Officially, the city recorded 5.4 inches on Saturday and a bit more the day before. The last date the city received more snow was Feb. 2, 2016, when 6.4 inches fell. Joe Stolze, above, said hes been waiting a long time for a snow like this so that he and his daughter, Sidney, could build a snow sculpture at their home at 74th Street and Western Avenue. Stolze said the two spent about five hours making the dragon. You just pile snow into a great big pile and whittle away, he said. Stolze credited the final effect to his daughters artistic eye and sense of dimension. The Stockmann sisters, at left, Caroline, 7, and Eliza, 8, dressed up this snowman and a buddy nearby, at their Omaha home. The snow was great, they said, and now the only thing they need is more snow for a day off from school. Unfortunately, thats not in the cards. Mostly sunny skies are forecast for this week. The next chance for snow in the Omaha area isnt until Friday or Saturday. Nancy Gaarder 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. It was devastating, Fauver said. To keep Renna as healthy as long as possible, they took her on walks three or four times a day. Litz drove her to a canine rehab center in Denver for physical therapy, but over time, the dog lost function in her back legs. They were faced with a choice: put Renna down or put her in a wheelchair. They chose the chair. She took to the wheelchair like a duck to water, Fauver said. The first time I saw her, she came at me at a full sprint. Renna spent a year and a half using the wheelchair, just as happy as ever, they said, only with limited mobility. She always was a fairly lazy dog, preferring to chill on the couch or dog bed, they said, so her quality of life didnt diminish all that much at first. During Rennas life with the couple, Fauver traveled to Liberia in the fallout of the Ebola outbreak, then to Mexico to study mosquitoes and the Zika virus. The family moved from Colorado to St. Louis, and Fauvers research led to the development of a new technique for isolating genetic information and the discovery of seven new types of viruses. He was wrapping up work on the years-long research when Rennas condition worsened. A 66-year-old man sustained serious injuries Sunday in a one-vehicle crash Sunday night in Mineola, Iowa. Kenneth J. Kleffman, 66, of Glenwood, Iowa, was taken by ambulance to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. He was later transported to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for further treatment. Investigators from the Iowa State Patrol determined that just before 6 p.m., Kleffman was southbound on 4th Street near the Maple Street intersection in a 1994 Ford Explorer. He lost control of the Explorer, which crashed into the south ditch on Maple Street. The incident remains under investigation. The Mills County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene. 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. (CNN) There are no detailed records of five personal meetings President Donald Trump has had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing U.S. officials. Trump has gone to what the Post described as "extraordinary lengths" to keep the specifics of his conversations with his Russian counterpart under wraps. Current and former U.S. officials told the paper that Trump's efforts include confiscating the notes from his interpreter and not allowing them to discuss the details of the meetings with other officials in his administration. The Post notes that this behavior by Trump is not usual per past presidential standards. In one instance, following a meeting Trump had with Putin in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017 that former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was also present for, a White House adviser and a senior State Department official were seeking additional information from Trump's interpreter that was more than the information provided in a readout from Tillerson. That, according to the Post, was when US officials became aware of Trump's efforts. A White House spokesman told the Post that the Trump administration has looked to "improve the relationship with Russia" after the Obama administration "pursued a flawed 'reset' policy that sought engagement for the sake of engagement." The Post reported that the White House spokesperson added that the Trump administration "has imposed significant new sanctions in response to Russian malign activities." The spokesman talked to the Post on the condition of anonymity and said that following the 2017 Hamburg meeting that included Tillerson, the former secretary of state "gave a fulsome readout of the meeting immediately afterward to other US officials in a private setting, as well as a readout to the press." Trump responded to the reporting in a phone interview with Fox News' Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night. "I had a conversation like every president does. You sit with the president of various countries," Trump said. "I do it with all countries. We had a great conversation, we were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things and it was a great conversation. I'm not keeping anything under wraps. I couldn't care less." White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders called the report "outrageously inaccurate" and said that Trump has taken a stricter line on Russia than his predecessors. "The Washington Post story is so outrageously inaccurate it doesn't even warrant a response," she said in a statement. "The liberal media has wasted two years trying to manufacture a fake collusion scandal instead of reporting the fact that unlike President Obama, who let Russia and other foreign adversaries push America around, President Trump has actually been tough on Russia." The statement echoes one she gave Friday night about a New York Times report that the FBI opened a counter-intelligence investigation into the President following the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. Thursday, prior to the publishing of The Washington Post's story, Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN that he was planing to sit down with his counterpart in the House to discuss priorities. And, he said if he had subpoena power, the first thing he'd go after would be the notes from the translator in the Putin meeting. "I'd like to get the notes of the meeting that the President had with Putin. There was a translator so I'm sure she took notes down simultaneously in order to translate. Unless she's destroyed them, they would be of interest," he said. The Post's report comes as special counsel Robert Mueller continues to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether there were any ties between the Kremlin and Trump campaign associates. Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Washington Post: Trump concealed details from meetings with Putin." The Scottsbluff mother and son who were arrested a day after their CBD store opened no longer face criminal charges. Heather Kaufman Beguin, who turns 46 on Tuesday, and Dreyson Beguin, 23, were each charged in mid-December with one count of possession of a controlled substance. Scotts Bluff County Attorney David Eubanks said he filed paperwork Monday to dismiss the charges, citing various reasons. The Nebraska Legislature, he said, needs to clarify the law. He agrees with other county attorneys in the state that other crimes are a higher priority than this one. And he said it would be hard to get a guilty verdict from a jury because an increasing number of people support medical marijuana. The statute is poorly worded, its out of date and the Legislature needs to change it, Eubanks said. CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, is found in hemp, a version of the marijuana plant that is low in THC, the chemical in cannabis that gives users a high. State and federal law define hemp as being less than 0.3 percent THC. LAS VEGAS Hello future, you are weird. At least it was at CES 2019, the tech industrys biggest annual conference, held last week. Its where companies big and small come to launch gadgets and test new ideas. Not all of them make it to stores. But theres an eternal optimism that technology can solve, well, almost any problem even ones you never knew you had. There are suitcases that push themselves and automatic toilets for dogs. The big news this year is that artificial intelligence is working its way into all sorts of places, from your bedroom to the concierge desk. Amazons Alexa is battling with Google Assistant to control our fans, faucets, clocks you name it. Alexa is winning the race for more gadgets, though Google seems smarter just ask it to be your interpreter. Walking the show floor this year, we picked these products some practical, some downright strange that captured the spirit of where things are headed . The roll-up TV: LG Signature OLED TV R The timeline is getting serious, even though a lot of work on the rules was done before the shutdown, said Dawn Caldwell, who heads government affairs for the Aurora Co-Op, a Nebraska-based business that sells goods and services to farmers and ranchers at 82 locations in seven states. We definitely need this done right, she said. To be fully prepared and legal by June, were approaching a challenge. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said the exact timing of when the shutdown needs to end to allow enough time for the rule-making isnt clear. But the EPA has told him that it plans to get the rules done in time to meet the June deadline, he said. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees the EPA, brought up the E15 situation when she met privately Thursday with acting EPA chief Andrew Wheeler, she said. Wheeler has been nominated to permanently head the agency, a nomination that will be reviewed by Ernst and the rest of the committee. He said that he doesnt have quotas for the number of patients who must be seen but that all doctors, employed and independent, need to be productive. They must build up a solid patient base over time. Everybody tracks productivity, he said. We all are sensitive to being efficient and effective. Greg Mertz, managing partner at Virginia-based Physician Strategies Group, said employed doctors bring more competition into the market and chip away at the patient base that private doctors once had. For young doctors who emerge from medical school with $200,000 in student loan debt, Mertz said, it can be hard to get a loan to start a private practice. Nevertheless, Mertz said, If a physician has a good business mind, they can do quite well in private practice. Mertz said he has no reason to believe that the quality of care is any better in one model than the other. As far as Mertz knows, quality is physician-specific and not a result of being employed or in private practice. Dr. Jerry Fischer, an Omaha kidney specialist who retired a couple of years ago, said he always liked the ability to control his own practice. Fianna Fail TD for Offaly, Barry Cowen has expressed concern at the number of vacant posts in occupational therapy services in Laois-Offaly. Deputy Cowen was commenting as a HSE response on capacity outlined that even if all posts were filled [the HSE] is unable to meet the growing demands for services. Deputy Cowen explained, Occupational therapy services are entering 2019 as they left 2018, understaffed and under-resourced. We currently have five vacancies in paediatric OT services and despite assurances given in the Budget that extra resources towards childrens assessments would be provided, children across Laois and Offaly still have to wait for excessively long periods to get their first-time assessment." In their response to me the HSE outlined that the Primary Care Paediatric OT vacancy has been prioritised for approval but that in the meantime an agency OT had been appointed until the end of January 2019." What happens at the end of January if the permanent position remains unfilled? Will the agency therapist remain in place? We know that there is a huge recruitment and retention crisis in the HSE and that hundreds of millions are spent each year on agency staff which results in a massive budget overspend." The timelines involved in recruitment is currently eight to ten months and I have heard from constituents, whose family members, having lived and worked abroad would now like to return to Ireland to work in our health services but have found the system of recruitment, arduous and bureaucratic." The HSE must get to grips with this crisis. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) which seeks to reduce waiting times for public patients is currently only available for inpatient cases and does not cater for the lengthy waiting lists experienced by children waiting for first-time assessments." "The Minister must consider extending the NTPF to alleviate outpatient lists and to allow parents access private OT assessments for their children. There are children whose health is deteriorating as they await their first assessment of need, concluded Deputy Cowen. Offaly TD Carol Nolan has called on Josepha Madigan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to ensure that compensation for lands permanently designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protected Areas (SPAs) is paid to all affected farmers who had permanent designations imposed on them under the European Directive (1997). This directive required the Irish State to set aside lands that were considered essential to conservation of flora and fauna. The National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) designated almost 13% of the land mass which includes large areas of privately owned land, farmers were compensated for agricultural losses caused by the restrictions under the National Farm Plan Scheme (NFPS) up until 2012. Deputy Nolan said that the losses incurred by farmers are "significant and are estimated by Teagasc to be 200 an acre." Deputy Nolan recently wrote to Minister Madigan about the issue after been contacted by a number of concerned farming families who have significant portions of their land under permanent designation. Deputy Nolan said that she was now calling on the Minister to "immediately restore the compensation to farming families" and went on to say that many of these families were "enduring a significant loss of income due to the designation and that this was unacceptable given that these families are already under great financial strain due to high production costs, falling incomes and the uncertainty of Brexit." Deputy Nolan concluded by saying that Minister Madigan now needs to "take urgent action on this compensation issue which has been ongoing for some time." Ronn Torossian Google is back in the downside of the PR cycle, dragged into the headlines over allegations of covering up sexual misconduct claims against two former executives. This time, however, the news concerns two shareholder lawsuits that have been filed effectively accusing the board of Googles parent company, Alphabet Inc., of playing a direct role in the alleged cover up. At this point, the company has declined to comment about the allegations. And in this stage of the story, thats probably the best course of action. Taking a step back and looking at their options, the company could: Completely deny the allegations. Speak out, while neither confirming or denying allegations. Admit someone knew something but say they cant talk more about it due to the lawsuit. Admit the allegations but deny guilt. Say nothing. Lets take a look at the possible PR consequences of each option in turn. If the company comes out and denies the allegations, its denial effectively bumps the story up in the news cycle, meaning that more people will read about it. Even if it manages to convince some readers or viewers without being able to offer evidence to the contrary, most will either not form an opinion or assuming theyre dissembling. If the company speaks out but offers a no comment due to ongoing legal matters, that also bumps the story up in the news cycle, creating more sticky points for consumers to connect with the news. In this case, the less its in the media while everything is undecided, the better it is for Google, so talking about not talking is fundamentally counterproductive. The result is essentially the same if the company comes out and admits someone knew something, but it cant say anything more about it. While, yes, there may be some empathy points won if someone in the company says theyre looking into it or something of the kind, those goodwill points are essentially erased by the multiple stories repeating the allegations. Admitting the allegations but denying any guilt, at this juncture, might be the worst possible choice. In recent years, weve seen CEOs and PR reps come out and admit that the content on the video or facts in that report are true, but its not bad for insert unfortunate reasoning. In almost every case, comments along those lines only served to magnify the PR crisis. Its rarely a good look to express no sympathy for the perceived victim, then try to play the victim. Which brings us to the current tactic Alphabet is employing: say nothing. By saying nothing, it gives the media nothing to report. Stories are shorter, headlines are less dramatic, and they dont run the risk of saying the wrong thing before all the facts are presented. That adds up to a winning strategy at this juncture. *** Ronn Torossian is CEO of NY PR Firm 5WPR. Frederick Hill Frederick Hill, who led media outreach for the Senates Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and its chairman Republican John Thune (SD), has joined FTI Consultings strategic communications unit as managing director in Washington. The 17-year veteran of Capitol Hill dealt with Committee issues regarding consumer safety, Internet regulation, Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization and space policy. Hill also served as spokesperson for former California Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, who chaired the House Oversight and Reform Committee. He reports to FTIs Jackson Dunn, who leads the firms Americas PA/government relations practice. Can you imagine wearing only one color every day for three and a half decades? Abou Zakkour, a 68-year-old man from the war-torn Syrian city of Aleppo has become known as the Yellow Man after wearing only yellow for the last 35 years. The story of the Yellow Man of Aleppo started on January 25, 1983, when Abou Zakkour made the decision to only wear yellow, because in his eyes the color represented love. Its unclear what he did with his old wardrobe, but from that day forward, Zakkour only wore yellow garments, including underwear and accessories like neckties and hats, as well as yellow footwear. Even his umbrella and smartphone cover are yellow. And when he couldnt find something to match his attire, he simply took a bottle of yellow nail polish and painted the differently-colored item to fit his Yello Man persona. Photo: Arabic Post For me the yellow color represents love and something no one has ever done and no one even endures, the Yellow Man of Aleppo recently told Chinese news agency Xinhua. I believe no one in the world can wear yellow for 35 years, day and night, indoors and outdoors. Wearing another color would make me feel off-beat and strange because I am wearing yellow for 35 years and its a long time. I cannot even have any different color within my yellow attire, Zakkour added. Apparently, many items in his small apartment in the Maari neighborhood of Alepo are yellow as well, including the tablecloth on his kitchen table, the bed sheets and even the trashcan. The color yellow has been such a big part of his life over the last three and a half decades that he cant help but surround himself with it. The Yellow Man of Aleppo had become a well known figure in the Syrian city and a symbol of peculiarity before the civil war turned into a war zone, but then everything changed. Because he continued to walk the streets of his city in his iconic yellow garb and stuck out like a sore thumb, people spread all kinds of rumors about him. Some said he was an informer for Bashar al Asads regime or that he was a pimp, while others associated his yellow clothes with ISIS or Al-Qaeda. In a heartbreaking video that went viral in 2013, members of the Syrian Liberation Army can be seen beating and tormenting the Yellow Man of Aleppo, asking him where his allegiance lied, or why he wore yellow. Zakkour can be heard telling his tormentors that he only owns yellow clothes, but that doesnt seem to matter to them. After seeing how the Liberation Army treated Abou Zakkour 5 years ago, many were surprised that he survived the civil war. In a recently published photo feature, he can be seen walking the streets of Aleppo in his signature yellow clothes, once again putting a smile on peoples faces. When I walk down the street or go to crowded places, people would smile and take photos with me. Many people stop to talk to me and joke with me and I think its called love, this living, breathing legend of Aleppo told Xinhua, adding that he will never wear another color but yellow for as long as he lives. I have a feeling that the Yellow Man of Aleppo and the Green Lady of Brooklyn would really hit it off. After all, theyve both been obsessed with a single color for several decades and are considered icons of the cities they live in. Sources: UN Forum, Arabic Post A Chinese woman recently made the news after being diagnosed with a very rare form of hearing loss which leaves sufferers unable to hear low frequency sounds, like mens voices. The woman from Xiamen, on Chinas east coast, knew something was wrong when she woke up one morning and realized that she couldnt hear anything her boyfriend said. She had been suffering from nausea and ringing in her ears the night before, but figured that a good night sleep would make everything better, so she went to bed. But when she woke up the next morning, she was shocked by the realization that she couldnt hear a word the man beside her was saying. The woman, known only as Ms. Chen, was rushed to a local hospital where an ear, nose and throat specialist diagnosed her with a rare condition known as reverse-slope hearing loss. Photo: bohed/Pixabay She was able to hear me when I spoke to her, but when a young male patient walked in, she couldnt hear him at all, Dr. Lin Xiaoqing, a female ENT specialist at Qianpu Hospital, told reporters. Data shows that reverse-slope hearing loss, or low-frequency hearing loss, only affects one in about 13,000 people with hearing problems, and its usually very difficult to diagnose because neither the sufferer nor the doctor knows can tell it exists. For example, some people are only unable to hear very low-frequency sounds, like the humming of a refrigerator, so it doesnt really affect their day-to-day life. However, Ms. Chens case is an extreme one, as the condition left her unable to hear mens voices as well as other low-frequency tones. Dr Xiaoqing believes that the patients reverse-slope hearing loss may have been triggered by stress, as Ms. Chen revealed that she had been struggling with fatigue due to working long hours and not getting enough sleep. Because she hadnt suffered any other hearing problems before, the ENT doctor expects her to make a full recovery. Until then, the woman and her boyfriend will just have to text each other, or learn sign language. Reverse-slope hearing loss gets its name from the shape that results on an audiogram, the test conducted to determine a persons ability to hear sounds of increasing frequency. The most common type of hearing loss is when you lose the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds, which looks like a downward ski-slope on an audiogram graph. When people lose the ability to hear low-frequency sounds, the graph looks like a rising sky slope from left to right, hence the name. A 63-year-old Vietnamese woman who recently underwent a laparoscopic procedure to have a tumour from her throat removed was shocked to hear that the doctors removed a six-inch leech from her throat instead. The parasite had reportedly been living in the womans throat for about three months. The unnamed woman from Vietnams mountainous Ha Giang Province had been complaining about severe headaches, frequent nasal congestion and a constant sensation of mucous fluid flowing down the throat, for several weeks. She eventually checked into a local hospital where ENT (ear nose and throat) specialists performed various tests and discovered an unidentified mass in her throat. The woman was scheduled for laparoscopic surgery to have the mass believed to be a tumour removed, but during the procedure, doctors were shocked to find a live leech attached to the womans throat. Photo: video screengrab In a video shot by Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Deputy Director at a hospital in Ha Giang, and shared with the patients consent, you can see the six-inch leech wriggling on a medical tray after being removed from the womans throat. Its unclear exactly how it got there, but doctors suspect that the unnamed woman accidentally ingested it while bathing in or drinking spring water. Judging by the duration of the symptoms described by the patient, Dr. Thanh Nam estimates that the blood-sucking parasite must have been living in the womans throat for at least 3 months. Doctors said that this kind of case is extremely rare and tough to diagnose properly. If not removed, the leech could have moved up the womans sinuses and caused excruciating headaches and facial pain, or could have moved towards the larynx, causing life-threatening breathing problems. This isnt the first time weve seen a leech thriving inside a persons body. Just last Fall we reported about a similar medical case in China, where doctors removed a leech that had been living inside a mans nostril for three months. Mr. Pompeo said he had spoken to Prince Mohammed about concerns over the imprisonment of womens rights activists. Their commitment was that the process, the lawful judicial process here, would take place, he said. They understand the concerns that some have. But many of the most prominent activists being held have not been charged with any crimes, making it unclear what process Mr. Pompeo was referring to. Critics also question the independence of the judiciary in Saudi Arabia, one of the worlds few absolute monarchies, where few trials are open to the public or the news media. Amid the growing criticism of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump has voiced his backing of Prince Mohammed, 33, who has secured power in the kingdom by ousting his rivals, including detaining other members of the royal family in the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. But many other American officials, including in the State Department, Pentagon, C.I.A. and Congress, have been more circumspect and increasingly view the prince as an unreliable partner. The visit with Prince Mohammed on Monday was the first for Mr. Pompeo since an emergency trip in October, as the diplomatic crisis over the murder of Mr. Khashoggi was ballooning. In his previous visit, Mr. Pompeo flew to Riyadh and posed for photographs in which he shook hands with the prince and smiled, drawing intense criticism for the images of bonhomie. Since then, Mr. Pompeo has had regular calls with the prince, said a former American official. Mr. Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit team while visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, Turkish officials have said. The C.I.A. assessed that Prince Mohammed had ordered the killing. President Trump has declined to endorse that finding and has said the United States would continue its relationship with Saudi Arabia and with the prince, who is close to Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and main Middle East adviser. LONDON Ahead of a vote on her Brexit plan that could go down to a humiliating defeat in Parliament, Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain was fighting on Monday less to avert the loss than to limit its scale. In that vein, Mrs. May enlisted fresh promises from Europes most senior officials through an exchange of letters and warned supporters of Britains withdrawal from the European Union that the whole project would be threatened if her deal was voted down as expected. Neither tactic looked likely to change the overall outcome, but if Mrs. May can curb the magnitude of any defeat to manageable proportions, she could avert an immediate political meltdown. That, given the precarious state of events, would be a victory of sorts. [What is Brexit? A simple guide to why it matters and what happens next.] Speaking in a ceramics factory in Stoke-on-Trent, an area that voted heavily to leave the European Union, Mrs. May warned that Britains failure to withdraw from the bloc would risk a subversion of the democratic process and do catastrophic harm to faith in politics. WARSAW The mayor of Gdansk, Poland, a leading liberal critic of the populist, right-wing national government, died on Monday after being stabbed at a public charity concert Sunday night, the minister of health told reporters. Mayor Pawel Adamowicz, 53, the mayor of the northern port city since 1998, was known as a supporter of gay rights, and he had campaigned for the rights of immigrants in a country whose governing party has leaned heavily on anti-immigrant rhetoric. It was impossible to win against everything that had happened to him, Lukasz Szumowski, the health minister, said of the stabbing. God rest his soul. The attack stunned a nation that is increasingly divided politically. Tens of thousands of Poles joined rallies all over the country on Monday evening to condemn violence and hate speech. MOSCOW Security forces in the Russian region of Chechnya have again cracked down on gay people, killing two and applying tactics once used against Islamist terrorists to find and arrest dozens of others, a Russian rights group said in a report issued on Monday. Since late last year, two gay men have been killed and about 40 men and women who are either homosexual or suspected of being homosexual have been detained in a makeshift prison, according to the rights group, the Russian LGBT Network. Though Russia decriminalized homosexuality during the breakup of the Soviet Union, the police in Chechnya have periodically detained gay people in extrajudicial arrests without repercussions from the federal authorities. The regions leader, Ramzan A. Kadyrov, was the beneficiary of an arrangement with the Kremlin to keep the peace in the aftermath of two wars by Chechen rebels for independence in the late 1990s and early 2000s: In exchange for his loyalty to Moscow, Mr. Kadyrov was granted wide leeway to rule as he wished at home. KABUL, Afghanistan A bomb-laden vehicle detonated in a large explosion heard across Kabul late on Monday, and officials said the blast killed at least four people and wounded 90. The vehicle blew up in the eastern part of the Afghan capital, home to government offices, the countrys elections commission, housing for foreign security contractors and agencies of the large United Nations mission. The exact target was not clear. Witnesses and officials suggested the vehicle had detonated at a roundabout, an indication the blast occurred before the actual target had been reached. BEIJING Chinas diplomatic clash with Canada escalated sharply on Monday, when a Chinese court sentenced a Canadian to death for drug smuggling at a one-day retrial ordered weeks after a Chinese executives arrest in Canada. In announcing the death penalty against the Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, the court, in the northeast city of Dalian, gave no indication that his sentence might be reduced to prison time. Mr. Schellenbergs fate could become a volatile factor in diplomacy between Beijing and Ottawa in the aftermath of the arrest by Canadian authorities of a Chinese technology executive in British Columbia last month a move that incensed the Chinese government. Mr. Schellenberg had appealed a 15-year prison sentence for smuggling methamphetamines. But during his retrial, against the backdrop of sharply increased tensions between China and Canada, the court sided with prosecutors who called for capital punishment. KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo The blaze that consumed the headquarters of the main opposition party of the Democratic Republic of Congo was so devastating that the bodies of several men were charred beyond recognition. The men were among dozens killed protesting the rule of President Joseph Kabila. Were dealing with a rogue state, said the opposition leader, Felix Tshisekedi. That was a little over two years ago. Last week, shortly after he was anointed president-elect, Mr. Tshisekedi paid tribute to Mr. Kabila, describing him as a partner for change, not an enemy. While the situation in Congo remains fluid after an election that most independent observers, including the Roman Catholic Church, consider to be illegitimate, one thing does seem certain: In the absence of intense international pressure or a determined domestic uprising, the Kabila government seems likely to continue running the country in everything but name. If these measures are not enough for some procedures, Dr. Friedrichsdorf said, the answer is nitrous gas and, rarely, when necessary, forms of deeper sedation. [Sign up for the Well Family newsletter.] Dr. Chambers leads the It Doesnt Have to Hurt initiative in Canada, which provides parents with evidence about childrens pain control so they can advocate for their children. An article she wrote in September in the journal Pain Reports summarizes developments in the field of pediatric pain research. She told a story of one mother who took her baby to the emergency department and asked if she could breast-feed while the baby was having a procedure done. The initial response was no; theres a lot of misconceptions, the baby will associate pain with feeding, or the baby will choke, Dr. Chambers said. But the mother persisted and finally prevailed, and eventually the resident said, go ahead, and then said, this was one of the best procedures Ive ever done. Pediatric pain specialists speak with real passion about their ability to shield kids from even the routine pain of shots and blood draws. But they acknowledge that change in medical practice can be slow, and that parents are their most important partners in advocacy. Simply asking the question, What can be done to manage my childs pain, just bringing that possibility up, often starts doctors and nurses thinking about better pain management, Dr. Chambers said. And of course, children are not the only ones out there who are frightened. We dont talk about how many adults are afraid of needles or avoid getting needles, Dr. Chambers said. Weve had many parents in our initiative say, these strategies have worked not only for my kids but for me. So what gets in the way? Dr. Friedrichsdorf points out that veterinary medicine requires much more training in how to handle pain before you can operate on a hamster than is required of pediatricians and even of surgeons. And the logistics of providing this kind of pain management for routine shots and blood draws can be very daunting for institutions or busy practices: all those topical anesthetics to be applied, all those distraction techniques to be taught and practiced. An international initiative, ChildKind, certifies hospitals that meet standards for pediatric pain control, attempting to build in both standards and a strong incentive for the best evidence-based practices. And Minnesota is working with five other childrens hospitals in the United States and Canada to replicate its comfort promise initiative, while others are implementing these changes independently. A 2016 study in Michigan of 377 bereaved women whose babies were stillborn or died soon after birth found that they were four times more likely to be depressed and seven times more likely to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress than were 232 mothers with live babies. High levels of psychological distress persisted for at least nine months among the women whose babies had died. In the Michigan study, directed by Dr. Katherine J. Gold and colleagues at the University of Michigan, 18 women whose babies had died reported that they didnt get to see them, 36 did not get to hold their infants, and 34 reported that they were told they could not hold them. In an interview, Mr. Fricker said that thanks to the CuddleCot, Brittany, our labor and delivery nurse, told us we could spend as much time as we wanted with our babies, who were born just shy of 23 weeks gestation weighing 1 pound, 1 ounce each. We held them, told them how much we loved them and had them baptized. We got to choose when to say goodbye to them, about 12 hours later. In deciding on a CuddleCot donation, Mr. Fricker said, We tried to think of a way to memorialize our babies. What better way than to provide other parents the gift of time to spend with babies they lost. The Frickers have already raised money to make a second and possibly a third donation of a CuddleCot, this time to a hospital in an underserved community where it can make an impact on a big group of people who otherwise wouldnt have access to something like this, Mr. Fricker said. A loss is a loss regardless of who experiences it. LOS ANGELES More than 30,000 Los Angeles public-school teachers began a strike on Monday, the first in three decades in the district. Holding plastic-covered signs on rain-drenched picket lines across the city, they demanded higher pay, smaller classes and more support staff in schools. The strike effectively shut down learning for roughly 500,000 students at 900 schools in the district, the second-largest public school system in the nation. The schools remained open, staffed by substitutes hired by the city, but many parents chose to keep their children at home, either out of support for the strike or because they did not want them inside schools with a skeletal staff. With negotiations apparently at a standstill, the strike could last days or even weeks. The decision to walk off the job came after months of negotiations between the teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Although educators on all sides agree California should spend more money on education, the union and the district are locked in a bitter feud about how Los Angeles should use the money it already gets. Although district officials have agreed to come closer to meeting some of the unions demands, they say fulfilling all of them would bankrupt the system, which is already strained by rising health care and pension costs. Democrats have demanded that Mr. Barr protect Mr. Mueller as he completes the investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election, including whether Mr. Trump sought to obstruct the inquiry on behalf of Moscow. Democrats have also focused on whether Mr. Barr would turn over to Congress any report Mr. Mueller compiles . Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and the new Judiciary Committee chairman, told reporters after meeting with Mr. Barr last week that the nominee had said he saw no reason to fire Mr. Mueller and had pledged to err on the side of transparency about any report. But neither statement addressed what he would do if Mr. Trump ordered him to act otherwise. Mr. Barr is likely to be confirmed because Republicans control the Senate and because defeating him would leave in place the acting attorney general, Matthew G. Whitaker, a Trump loyalist whose installation in that role Democrats see as illegitimate and a threat to Mr. Mueller. Ethics officials advised Mr. Whitaker to recuse himself from the Russia case, but he refused. But Mr. Barr has already drawn scrutiny over the revelation last month that he sent an apparently unsolicited 19-page memo to the Trump legal team in June arguing that Mr. Mueller should not be permitted to investigate Mr. Trump for criminal obstruction of justice. Mr. Barrs argument derived from his broad view of executive power: The Constitution, he claimed, does not permit Congress to make it a crime for the president to exercise his executive powers corruptly even if he were to fire a subordinate, pardon someone or use what Mr. Barr termed his complete authority to start or stop a law enforcement proceeding to cover up crimes by himself or his associates. The claim that the framers of the Constitution empowered presidents to impede investigations for corrupt ends goes too far, many legal scholars say. But Supreme Court precedents offer few definitive guideposts, giving the attorney general broad latitude. The interpretive approach of Justice Department lawyers to the Constitution is very important because many separation-of-powers issues never wind up in court, said Peter Shane, an Ohio State University law professor. Barrs method is not uniquely his, but it does represent a particularly aggressive school of executive power thought. A federal judge on Sunday granted a request by more than a dozen states to temporarily block the Trump administration from putting into effect new rules that would make it easier for employers to deny women health insurance coverage for contraceptives. Contraception is covered by the Affordable Care Act as a preventive health service, something employers and insurers are generally required to provide at no charge. But the Trump administration developed rules to allow employers to opt out of the mandate if they had religious or moral objections. A version of those rules was stymied by the courts in 2017, so the administration issued a new set of rules in November, which had been scheduled to take effect on Monday. However, the judge, Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. of the United States District Court in Oakland, Calif., granted a request by 13 states and the District of Columbia for a preliminary injunction, writing that the new rules are nearly identical to the ones that he had previously blocked. According to S&P Global Platts, prices for American-made hot-rolled coil steel, the industry benchmark, jumped 41 percent in the first half of 2018 and then fell about 21 percent from that peak in the second half of the year. That trend is likely to continue this year. Steel prices remain under pressure to begin 2019, said Michael Fitzgerald, a metals pricing specialist at S&P Global Platts. Typical seasonal improvements following the slower holiday period are yet to take hold as domestic steel buyers no longer fear a supply crunch. American businesses and trade groups have repeatedly urged the Trump administration to remove the tariffs, arguing they hurt domestic companies, not competitors, and will ultimately undercut economic growth. Tariffs are taxes paid for by American families and American businesses not foreigners, said Thomas J. Donohue, the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. American steel makers are feeling the pressure. Despite strong earnings in 2018, the stock prices of steel companies have been in a deep slump as investors fret that they are being propped up by government support that will be temporary. In the last year, shares of AK Steel are down 56 percent, US Steel is down 46 percent, Steel Dynamics is down 29 percent and Nucors stock is down 18 percent. John J. Ferriola, the chief executive of Nucor, said that the falling stock price is head-scratching because he believes that the industry is on solid footing. While Mr. Trumps tariffs have provided a tailwind, a strong economy, tax cuts and anti-dumping measures put in place by the Obama administration have revived the steel industry, Mr. Ferriola said. Theres a lot of doomsday talk about the tariffs and a lot of misinformation, Mr. Ferriola said in an interview. I keep hearing about how it is driving down demand and putting our customers out of business. We had a record year last year, and many of our customers also had a record year. SAN DIEGO Migrants who are allowed to remain in the United States to pursue asylum are usually given a choice when they are released from detention in San Diego: Go to the Greyhound bus station and fend for themselves, or try to find a cot and a shower at a local shelter. One way or another, once the migrants have been dropped off by discreet white Immigration and Customs Enforcement vans in border towns across the Southwest, they are no longer the federal governments problem. President Trump has tried and failed to end a practice he derisively calls catch and release, and thousands of undocumented migrants apprehended at the border every month are still being granted routine entry to the United States while their cases are processed by immigration courts. But as the number of migrant families in recent months has overwhelmed the governments detention facilities, the Trump administration has drastically reduced its efforts to ensure the migrants safety after they are released. People working along the border say an ever larger number of families are being released with nowhere to stay, no money, no food and no means of getting to friends and relatives who may be hundreds or thousands of miles away. The man who fatally shot Hadiya Pendleton, whose death six years ago became a tragic national symbol of gun violence, was sentenced Monday to 84 years in prison. Hadiya, 15, performed at President Barack Obamas second inauguration one week before Mickiael Ward shot her in Chicago after mistaking the group she was with for members of a rival gang. Mr. Obama mentioned her during his State of the Union address weeks later and hosted her parents at that event, and the first lady, Michelle Obama, attended her funeral. On Monday, Judge Nicholas Ford of Cook County Circuit Court described Hadiyas murder as highly premeditated and accused Mr. Ward, 24, of showing little remorse in court. A Delta Air Lines passenger carried a loaded gun by accident through airport security in Atlanta earlier this month and took it on a flight to Japan, officials with the Transportation Security Administration said. The passenger later discovered the firearm and alerted the authorities, who met the plane when it landed on Jan. 3 in Tokyo, officials said. The gun was taken through a T.S.A. checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Jan. 2, the 11th day of the partial federal government shutdown, as concerns were growing that security agents, who are working without pay, might not show up. But a T.S.A. spokesman, Michael Bilello, insisted on Monday that the shutdown was not to blame for the security breach and that the gun was undetected because standard procedures were not followed. About five percent of T.S.A. employees nationwide did not report to work on the day of the flight, Wednesday, Jan. 2, which was the identical rate of unscheduled absences on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, Mr. Bilello said. He said the agency did not release staffing rates for individual airports and would not specify what standard procedures were not observed. There are 51,000 airport security agents nationwide. Good morning. (Heres the sign-up, if you dont already get California Today by email.) The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster for Los Angeles public schoolteachers, parents and students. After months of tense back-and-forth, more than 30,000 teachers were set to walk off the job on Thursday. But on Wednesday, legal questions prompted union leaders to postpone the strike until today. And as the two sides didnt renew negotiations over the weekend, pickets are set to begin at 7 a.m. My colleagues, like Jennifer Medina, will be covering the action today, but in the meantime, heres what you need to know: Why are the teachers striking? Teachers and employees of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system, say that working conditions have become untenable. Despite Californias reputation as a progressive bastion, the state still spends relatively little on public education about half as much as New York spends on the average child. Now, educators are demanding higher pay, smaller class sizes and the hiring of more support staff like counselors and librarians. What the Constitution Means to Me, Heidi Schrecks autobiographical play that uses a childhood speech and debate competition to explore the treatment of gender in American legal history, will transfer to Broadway this spring. Ms. Schreck, a writer and performer in television as well as theater, has been working on the play for years, and stars in it. Clubbed Thumb staged a production during its Summerworks festival in 2017; that was followed by Berkeley Repertory Theater last spring, New York Theater Workshop last fall, and then an extension of that production at the Greenwich House Theater. The show, which also features another actor (Mike Iveson) and a New York City high school student debater (Rosdely Ciprian and Thursday Williams, alternating), will play at the Helen Hayes Theater, Broadways smallest house (the theater is owned by a nonprofit, Second Stage, which is renting the building to this plays commercial producers for the run). It is scheduled to begin previews March 14, to open March 31 and to close June 9. [Check out our Culture Calendar here.] The play, based on Ms. Schrecks experience as a high school student giving speeches about the Constitution to earn tuition money for college, is directed by Oliver Butler, and the Broadway run is being produced by Diana DiMenna, Aaron Glick and Matt Ross. The design, the culmination of nearly a dozen styles Mr. Weiss played with before starting the company, is offered in either 38 millimeters, about 1.5 inches, or 42 millimeters in diameter. Its something that, if it went away in a safety deposit box for a hundred years and then it came out, the person taking it out would actually want to wear it, he said. The timepiece on his own wrist the Weiss American Issue Field Watch, with a stark white face and clean black numbers, on a thick hand-finished leather strap illustrated the point. The watch sells for about $2,000, while several limited-edition versions have been introduced recently at $2,500. Other mechanical models (the Standard Issue, with a different movement and a canvas strap) start at about half that amount. One of the questions I got from a lot from friends, younger people, Mr. Weiss said, was, Whats a good watch for $1,000? I never really knew what to tell them. So that was the target price for me: I wanted to make something that I could say, Thats a good watch and, as a watchmaker, I like that watch, but it doesnt have to be so expensive. A Barneys New York executive would agree. It spoke to someone who wanted something timeless, but didnt want to, for lack of a better word, break the bank, said Melissa Gallagher, a senior vice president and the divisional merchandise manager of mens footwear and accessories, and home. We have found that it hits the mark where someone can come in and see something thats attractive and know that theyre getting a quality piece, a piece that is a little more timeless than a flashy gold piece or something they might get tired of quickly. Any farmers who have a loan with the Farm Service Agency will have the agencys name on any checks they get in the mail for sales of grain or cattle. Now no one at the agency can sign their name on those checks, and they cant be deposited until that happens. Those farmers cant get money to pay bills. Farmers who are in financial straits cant apply for a guaranteed loan from their local bank, because they have to look for F.S.A. concurrence when decisions are made on one. When banks cant get the confirmation, farmers cant get loans. Money isnt moving, and when farmers arent moving their money, whole towns suffer. Thousands of towns. All across America. Mark White has been farming for 40 years. His farm, which his brother rents and operates, is just south of the county line, near Williamson, Iowa, population of approximately 150. Mr. White works with Smith Fertilizer and Grain, a full-service fertilizer, feed supplier and grain-receiving facility. The biggest problem is immediate cash flow, he said. It doesnt necessarily mean that they are broke or headed out of business but they are having to use some equity that they have built up over the years to survive a downturn like we are in. Using equity, he said, means putting land or equipment up as collateral against operating notes, or past operating notes they cant pay off. He says this can be risky and is taking a step backward. Younger farmers and farmers who rent and dont own land are more at risk. These less secure farmers with cash flow problems are the ones most at risk during the shutdown because they cant cash F.S.A. checks or get loans. Farming for most is a losing proposition already because of low commodity prices the tariffs and shutdown hurt even more. Many Americans cant afford to lose their monthly paychecks and that includes farmers. My banker friend tells me we lost a generation of farmers because of the farm crisis of the 1980s, and if it gets much worse, she fears we could see it again. Most rural American farms are not big corporate operations. The most recent available farm census data, from 2012, shows that Iowa has nearly 89,000 farms, and 57 percent are small farms under 180 acres. Generally, to make a living on farm income, operations of at least 225 to 750 acres or more are needed. Of the farmers that Mr. Trumps tariffs and shutdown are hurting, about 80 percent are family businesses. To the Editor: Re F.B.I. Investigated if Trump Worked for the Russians (front page, Jan. 12): The F.B.I. had enough evidence to open up a counterintelligence investigation of the president of the United States. This is a mind-boggling pronouncement. That the investigators considered the president a possible threat to national security is in and of itself a startling proposition. We should all take stock of the state of our nation. The American people need to know whether their president is a Russian asset. We need to know that our nation is secure. We need to know if the president, whether wittingly or unwittingly, is acting against American interests and in the national interests of Russia. Did he conspire with a foreign entity to manipulate our electorate? We need answers, and we need them now. Our nation is in peril, and we cannot wait patiently for investigations to play out. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the special counsel, Robert Mueller, to assuage our fears, or confirm them, by giving us a clear conclusion to his investigations in the very near future. Ellen Silverman Popper Whitestone, Queens To the Editor: Why are people surprised that the F.B.I. investigated whether President Trump was working for the Russians? Of course the agency would be suspicious, and it is its job to investigate when suspicious. Last week, in a meeting with Democratic leaders, President Trump called the government shutdown a strike. This was an enigmatic use of a hallowed term, although it might have simply been Mr. Trumps confusion about the blue flu epidemic afflicting employees of the Transportation Security Administration, who are working without pay and registering their protest by calling in sick, and in some cases quitting outright. Last Saturday, about 5.6 percent of the roughly 51,000 T.S.A. officers stayed home sick, the Federal Aviation Administration reported. In contrast to a strike, blue flu a condition that has also been known to afflict police officers is a quiet form of protest, with no stated principles or claim for public attention or sympathy. At the end of the day, each worker goes home and calculates his or her ability to go another week or two or months or years, as the president has threatened without a paycheck and acts accordingly. Since T.S.A. agents, who are among the most visible of the affected workers, make do on a starting wage of about $23,000 a year (with the possibility of going up to about $43,000), these can be hair-raising calculations: Skip the childrens dentist appointments and pay the electric company? Or try to get an extension on the utility bill and go without getting the car fixed? The issue over the mercury rule has focused on costs and benefits. Mr. Wheelers E.P.A. argues that the Obama administration was wrong to include co-benefits that would result from the rule. The scrubbers that remove mercury from coal plant emissions also reduce other pollutants, especially particulates, which are deadly, so this co-benefit keeps lethal pollution out of the air. Reductions in heart and lung disease from particulates prevent up to an estimated 11,000 premature deaths a year. And those other hazardous air toxics coming from industrial coal stacks? As someone who has survived kidney cancer my oncologist vaguely explained it was one of those environmental cancers I can promise you these arent things we want to breathe: probable carcinogens like cadmium, arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde, among others. The cost associated with harm from these was not even monetized by the E.P.A. Keeping them out of our air is a freebie. If anything, the benefits of reducing mercury have been vastly understated. Since the rule was finalized, the science documenting the severe health impacts of mercury has become even stronger. New studies show that the quantified benefits of reducing mercury are now in the billions of dollars; a study published in the journal Environmental Health in 2017 estimated that the societal costs associated with the neurocognitive deficits from methylmercury exposure in the United States that year was $4.8 billion . Among those urging the E.P.A. to leave the mercury standards alone was, surprisingly, the nations electric utility industry, which found that implementation cost far less than they had anticipated. Power industry experts indicate the true costs of the standards are $2 billion or less than a quarter of what the agency originally estimated. Mr. Wheeler ignored the industrys request that the standards be left in place. As the Rev. Mitch Hescox, president of the Evangelical Environmental Network, wrote in The Christian Post, addressing Mr. Wheelers legalistic cover of not overturning the rule but making it vulnerable to legal attack: God is not fooled and neither are we. He added, Well never give up on protecting children and the unborn from mercury pollution. Never. President Trumps pro-polluter agenda is profoundly radical and immoral. We are in danger of normalizing the presidents ruthless disregard for health- and science-based protections. Mr. Wheelers cynical ploy to upend the mercury regulations is emblematic of his agenda. His fingerprints are all over proposed rollbacks of environmental regulations covering cars, carbon emissions from power plants, coal ash and more. For this destructiveness, Mr. Trump praised him in November, saying he had done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him. Mr. Wheelers E.P.A. is also weakening implementation of a bipartisan law passed in 2016 protecting the public from toxic chemicals; people with chemical industry resumes dominate his staff. And Mr. Wheeler has sought to roll back an Obama-era rule requiring energy companies to monitor and repair leaks of methane; these leaks can occur from the moment a well is fracked until the gas gets to your home. Methane is an extremely powerful and swift contributor to global warming. Rather than move the country onto a path toward climate safety, Mr. Trump and Mr. Wheeler are leading us and the world closer to mutually assured destruction. Mr. Wheeler is more media savvy than Mr. Pruitt ever was, and that makes him more dangerous. His nomination to run the E.P.A. is among the most consequential and cynical of all the cabinet appointments that Mr. Trump has proposed. Mr. Wheelers disregard for the agencys core mission to protect public health and the environment is brazen. But what else should we expect from a former coal industry lobbyist? Andrew Wheeler has demonstrated over and over again why he should not be entrusted with protecting us from harm. If his failure to do one single thing to address the global warming catastrophe isnt bad enough to stop this nomination, perhaps his decision to upend the mercury rule, which could threaten the brains of tiny babies, will wake up senators. No one voted to make America dirty again . Dominique Browning is the senior director and a co-founder of Moms Clean Air Force. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. NASHVILLE In 2004, Johnny Allen, a real estate broker in his 40s, picked up a 16-year-old girl named Cyntoia Brown at a drive-in restaurant here. Mr. Allen bought her some food and then took her to his house, agreeing to pay her $150 for sex. Ms. Brown shot him to death as he slept, taking his money and two of his handguns with her when she fled in his truck. Its easy to understand why prosecutors at Cyntoia Browns trial in 2006 saw this as a slam-dunk case. A prostitute, a robbery, the coldblooded murder of a sleeping man: How much nuance can there be in such a scenario? The jury apparently agreed, finding Ms. Brown guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery. She was sentenced to life in prison. In 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled against sentencing juveniles to life without parole, but last month the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld Ms. Browns sentence on the grounds that she would be eligible for parole when she is 69 years old. But in the case of teenage criminals, even teenagers guilty of the most hideous crimes, there are no slam-dunk cases. Ms. Browns attorneys argued that she had killed Mr. Allen in self-defense, fearing for her life, and that she had taken his guns and his money out of fear of her pimp. (A 2011 documentary, Me Facing Life: Cyntoias Story, details her enslavement to the pimp, who was known as Cut Throat.) [Want to join the debate? Follow us on Instagram at @nytopinion.] If you look at Cyntoias original transcripts, they are peppered with the phrase teen prostitute, Derri Smith, founder and chief executive of the nonprofit End Slavery Tennessee, told CNN. We know today theres no such thing as a teen prostitute because this teen may think that she decided this was her idea to be raped multiple times a day and give money to someone else, its pretty clear theres an adult behind that whos manipulating and exploiting her. In Los Angeles, they have had more success. After his plan to move half of the Los Angeles district students into charter schools failed to get traction, the billionaire and charter school supporter Eli Broad and a group of allies spent almost $10 million in 2017 to win a majority on the school board. The board rammed through the appointment of a superintendent, Austin Beutner, with no educational background. Mr. Beutner, a former investment banker, is the seventh in 10 years and has proposed dividing the district into 32 networks, a so-called portfolio plan designed in part by the consultant who engineered the radical restructuring of Newark schools. In my 17 years working with labor unions, I have been called on to help settle countless bargaining disputes in mediation, wrote Vern Gates, the union-appointed member of the fact-finding panel called in to help mediate the Los Angeles stalemate last month. I have never seen an employer that was intent on its own demise. Its a vicious cycle: The more overcrowded and burdened the regular schools, the easier for charters to recruit students. The more students the district loses, the less money, and the worse its finances. The more the district gives charters space in traditional schools, the more overcrowded the regular classrooms. Enrollment in the Los Angeles school district has declined consistently for 15 years, increasing the competition for students. It now educates just under a half-million students. More than 80 percent are poor, about three-quarters are Latino, and about one-quarter are English-language learners. On most state standardized tests, more than one-third fall below standards. For 20 years, Katie Safford has taught at Ivanhoe Elementary, a school so atypical and so desirable that it drives up real estate prices in the upscale Silver Lake neighborhood. Ivanhoe parents raise almost a half million a year so that their children can have sports, arts, music and supplies. But parents cannot buy smaller classes or a school nurse. Mrs. Saffords second-grade classroom is a rickety bungalow slated for demolition. When the floor rotted, the district put carpet over the holes. When leaks caused mold on the walls, Mrs. Safford hung student art to cover stains. The clock always reads 4:20. I was born to be a teacher, Mrs. Safford said. I have no interest in being an activist. None. But this is ridiculous. For the first time in her life, she marched last month, one of more than 10,000 teachers and supporters in a sea of red. Monday she walked the picket line outside a school where just eight of the 456 students showed up. Now her second graders ask the questions no one can answer: When will you be back? How will it end? Unfortunately, far too often, the opposite is true. Ive heard and seen horror stories from the front lines: the guy who retires a couple of years after acquiring your business and hands you off to his son-in-law or a junior broker who just left business school. The mansplainer who takes only the husband seriously and barely lets a widow get a word in as he rejiggers her estate. Or the one who scales back his hours to two days a week but doesnt bother to tell you because he has collected enough clients to fund a perpetual state of semiretirement logging enough days with his second wife down in Florida to claim residency and avoid state income tax. While gendering any ability or trait can make people uncomfortable in these forward-thinking times, which sex seems better equipped to help families nurture and protect their nest egg? The gender gap in finance looks increasingly like not only an ethical quandary but also a financial blow to millions of households. And its persistence stems from both explicit historical exclusion and a self-selecting process, in which the crowd most attracted to finances clubby reputation pushes hardest to get in, then feels most at ease once there, perpetuating the reality. Two generations ago, when newspapers still ran gender-segregated ads, there were virtually no women on Wall Street aside from the secretaries. But once women were grudgingly welcomed to the business world, Wall Street was not their first choice. Male brokers largely worked for commissions alone an eat what you kill mentality that did not appeal to women. Instead, professional women gravitated to stable sources of income in fields like law, education or medicine. Those divides have a way of calcifying. The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute the premier global association for investment professionals surveyed its members in 2016 and found that 83 percent of women and 80 percent of men chose their career before age 25. Only 18 percent of its members are women. The public doesnt perceive brokers as loyal stewards of their clients and neither do enough young women considering career options. First, theyll need to see it to believe it. Informal mentorship is great, but women need institutional advocacy, not just someone who is willing to grab a cup of coffee and chat. Firms should also take a look at their investment committee members and client-facing advisers. If theyre mainly men, theres a problem. Just a bit farther north are a few temples that embody Bangkoks Hindu and Buddhist past and present. It is here where the biennale blends in most respectfully and gracefully. Most notably is the Thai artist Nino Sarabutras What Will We Leave Behind, more than 125,000 tea bag-size porcelain skulls that line the walkways of the Wat Prayurawongsawas temple. They massage the feet as you comb the temple. They glisten. They break. Life underfoot. Next door at Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, the touristy Buddhist temple that was restored in 2017 with the finest of detail, several artists have immersed their pieces gently into this vast complex of radiant tiles and selfie-obsessed tourists. And at Wat Po, the reclining Buddha temple across the river, the artist Huang Yong Ping has installed Zuo You He Che, a pair of massive legs topped with animal heads carrying scriptures in their mouths. The pieces meld seamlessly into their surroundings to the point that hundreds, if not thousands of tourists, pass by daily, never aware of the modern art infusion. One of the Bangkok Biennales final acts is the performance artist Kawita Vatanajyankurs Knit, a critique on how women are exploited in the work force. She weaves her body in and out of a loom of red yarn around 12 white poles in an oval shape, becoming knotted and contorted. This performance is not being performed in a museum or abandoned warehouse but in the soaring lobby of the posh Peninsula Hotel during afternoon tea a new spin on how Bangkoks engine of tourism and its women converge again. But a more potent depiction of this idea is on display at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center, and it, like a few other pieces, has pushed the limits of censorship in Thailand. Chumpon Apisuks video installation I Have Dreams, shows sex workers from Chiang Mai directly addressing the viewer, giving a rare voice to the hundreds of thousands of women and men who the country and its often careless tourists mostly ignore. I have a dream, to build a new house for my family, one woman says. Then I can open a small grocery shop. Its a simple and earnest aspiration, heartbreaking and heartfelt. Yet it roars from a small video room in a corner of an arts center. Bangkoks biennale has set the stage for its return in 2020 with the simplest of words and yet the most profound statement of how art can define a city and redefine what it means to be racy and taboo in Bangkok. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Airports across the country were starting to buckle Monday under the strain of the partial government shutdown as a rising absentee rate among federal transportation security officers, who are not being paid, led to the closing of checkpoints and increased wait times for travelers. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, the checkpoint in Terminal B remained closed at midday because of a shortage of screening agents, Patrick Trahan, a spokesman for the Houston Airport System, said. On Sunday, Bush Intercontinental became the second big airport to close a main passenger screening portal because of abnormally high absenteeism since the shutdown began on Dec. 22. On Monday, about one of every 13 screeners nationwide failed to report for work, compared with about one out of 30 a year ago, said Michael Bilello, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration. Mr. Bilello said Washington-Dulles International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airports were exercising contingency plans due to call-outs. The T.S.A.s 51,000 employees were ordered to work without pay during the shutdown. On Friday, they saw their first missed paycheck, a lapse that travel industry officials worried would cause more of them to stay home or quit their jobs, leading to more disruptions for travelers. These empty storefronts are representative of businesses that disappear as a result of rising rents and the popularity of online retailers. Its a troubling trend we looked at in September, and it seems to be getting worse. Recently, Cornelia Street Cafe in the West Village closed after four decades, thanks to a rent increase, the owners said. In some neighborhoods it can feel like every street has vacancies. I just walked by a restaurant on Ninth Street that recently closed, State Senator Brad Hoylman said on the phone as he walked in his Manhattan district yesterday. A block later: Now, Im opposite a vacant storefront. In 2017, Mr. Hoylman released a report on the high-rent blight on Bleecker Street. Now he and his fellow Democrats control the State Legislature. But he seemed less than enthused by Mayor Bill de Blasios recent proposal to tax landlords who leave storefronts vacant. Supporters say a vacancy tax would push landlords to fill empty spaces or work with their tenants so they dont leave in the first place. Landlords, not surprisingly, think its a bad idea. At Times Square Station Dear Diary: I was wandering through the Times Square subway station at rush hour when I noticed a blind woman walking perilously close to the tracks. I approached her and offered my assistance. She took my arm with her left hand and held her walking stick in her right. She said she was on her way to catch a No. 1 train. I said it would be my pleasure to walk her there. As I led her along, following the clearly marked signs toward her destination, we started to talk. I was recounting the story of my life when she stopped me short. So she enrolled in Parsons School of Design part-time in 2010. But by 2014, finances became too strained as she and her family faced eviction from their Bushwick apartment when the landlord wanted to sell and housing court costs added up, Ms. Fleming said. It was a do-or-die situation, said Ms. Fleming, who attended Parsons while raising her daughter, Symarrah, 10. Ms. Fleming decided she had to drop out of school, just one semester short of finishing. It was devastating. I moved to New York, to be the first one graduating from college, and Im right here that was my dream, its still my dream. But now I need work. Today, Ms. Fleming has $70,000 in student loans and still owes Parsons $8,000. Because she could not work while taking care of her daughter and attending school part-time, Ms. Fleming has been unemployed since 2009. But she said she has never given up hope. I realize Im a person who never gives up. I never quit, Ms. Fleming, 46, said in her apartment in the Mott Haven neighborhood in the Bronx, where she moved in 2016. Im very resilient. But taken as a whole, this swarm of cultural mayflies represents a meaningful shift in our culture. Joke-making, a sometimes cruel enterprise, has been mechanized and democratized. Humor now emerges from the ether, authorless or, more accurate, authored and improved upon by everyone. Jokes are communal now, and constant. Online, everything that happens all day in politics, in culture, in the news is rapidly repurposed for laughs, by everyone, all at once. For the most part, this is harmless. After all, what could possibly go wrong in a culture where all anyone wants is to be perpetually amused? Before Trumps border wall was the cause of a government shutdown, it was a mnemonic device less a policy proposal than a string tied around the finger. According to a recent article in The Times, the wall was a memory trick for an undisciplined candidate. Trumps advisers Sam Nunberg and Roger Stone knew that getting tough on immigration would play well to a right-wing audience, but they also knew the man they were dealing with. He has a mind for the tactile, so they gave him something gigantic to hang onto: an 1,800-mile-long slab of concrete. But Trumps talking points were never just talking points. They were more like bits. His campaign rallies were rambling, unscripted affairs, almost like an open-mic comedy set: Not a fearsome Nuremberg rally, but an aging showman road-testing material, seeing what caught the audiences attention. Early on, his speeches were all over the place, the NBC reporter Katy Tur told Frontline, but as time passed, he started to really hone his message, and he started to remember what lines worked. In the same episode, the writer Marc Fisher said Trump told him that he would simply wait to see the red lights on the TV cameras in the press box turn on, indicating he was live, and then he would say whatever it took to keep the red light on. The border wall kept the lights on. At a 2016 rally in Burlington, Vt., Trump mentioned the wall to tremendous, wonderful applause, then paused and asked his audience, And whos gonna pay for the wall? The crowd roared back, MEXICO! They he and his crowd did this two more times together, then Trump laughed. Ive never done it before, I swear, he said, throwing his arms up as if surprised it had worked. That was pretty cool. Were gonna have to use that. This incentive structure, in which an easily distracted person says a bunch of stuff he kind of means to an assembled audience, slowly learning what generates a reaction and what doesnt, is familiar: Its like posting online. This is the process that nudged the wall ever closer to reality, despite the fact that it was only ever supposed to be a metaphor, a shorthand, a catchphrase. It is an idea with no real owner or creator, passed from person to person, from lectern to grandstand to TV and Twitter and back again, copying itself and growing and mutating until it became big, beautiful and tipped with spikes forged from American steel. The border wall is, in the truest sense, a meme: an idea that persists not because it will benefit us but simply because it thrives in our environment. It was so effective at doing whatever it did that it couldnt be contained, spilling out of the presidents brain and spreading throughout our entire body politic, cooling and hardening like bacon grease, until it finally brought everything to a standstill. And I hate to admit it, but that is a little funny. Before reading the article: The headline of the article you are about to read raises a question about a particular course of study at a public university. What is your reaction to the idea that a university may no longer offer history as a major? How do you think the universitys leaders determined this might be a good course of action? Now, read the article, Students in Rural America Ask, What Is a University Without a History Major? Then answer the following questions: 1. What financial challenges does the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point face? How, according to Bernie Patterson, its chancellor, will the university respond? 2. How have critics of the plan responded? What questions do they raise? 3. In the article, Greg Summers, the universitys provost, compares changes in Wisconsin and in the universitys funding with climate change. How does he explain this comparison? 4. Where else in the United States are public universities facing similar difficulties? How have they responded? Part of it has been gentrified, so youll find trendy bars and restaurants right next to slums, he added. There are a lot of poverty-stricken people here, borderline homeless. Falling In Yet in Clock Alley, it continues to be business as usual from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day (except Sunday) for most shop owners and repairmen, including Park Jong-hyun, 73. He sat in his closetlike shop, its walls lined with shelves holding rows and rows of brown boxes, all containing old watch cases. Still, his shop seemed to be the busiest on the street perhaps because it was filled with laughter. Throughout the day there was a flow of customers, most of whom sat for a while on the small bench right next to his work station. I opened this shop here in 1986 but learned the repair skills in 1962, Mr. Park said. Back then we didnt get to choose our vocation, I just fell into it. Most of the visitors were walk-ins and repeat customers. One man, a regular who had called that morning to be sure Mr. Park was open, brought three quartz watches needing new batteries. Five minutes and 10,000 won, or almost $9, later, he was on his way out. So when does Mr. Park plan on retiring? Ill be here until God takes me, he said. Watches inspired four volumes published in recent months: Two offer looks at real or ideal collections, one tells the story of a watchmaking legend and the fourth applies the illustrated genre to timepieces. Rolex: The Impossible Collection, by Fabienne Reybaud Assouline, 194 pages, $895 Tackling the subject of Rolex for Assoulines Impossible Collection series posed a twofold challenge for Fabienne Reybaud, editor of watches and jewelry at the French daily Le Figaro. Rolex would not collaborate, and none of the owners wanted to be identified. Still, Ms. Reybaud succeeded in tracking 87 Rolexes that she considered rare enough for the book. It makes clear that all the timepieces are objects of desire, although all are not created equal. On the cover, for example, is the most coveted of all Rolexes: the Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239, also known as Paul Newmans Paul Newman. This watch made headlines in 2017 when it sold at auction for $17.8 million. The buyers identity remains a well-guarded secret and for those who may wonder whether Ms. Reybaud uncovered that information, the cover image was provided by Phillips, the house that handled the auction. GENEVA When AkriviA was announced as the Mens Watch winner at the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve in November, most of the audience members probably knew little more than the name of the six-year-old brand. Some fans, however, cheered loudly as its founder, Rexhep Rexhepi (pronounced RAY-jep RAY-jepee), made his way to the stage to collect the prize for his Chronometre Contemporain. You seem to be very popular, sir, said Edouard Baer, the events master of ceremonies, with a hint of surprise that AkriviA won over a roster of established brands that included Vacheron Constantin, MB&F and Kari Voutilainen. In todays age of the selfie and self-care, it seems only fitting that the watch industry would do some reflecting of its own: Several fashion savvy watch brands are creating timepieces with mirror dials. A mirrored surface is a reflection of the contemporary woman and our modern times, said Carolina Bucci, the London-based jeweler who has been collaborating with the watchmaker Audemars Piguet. We live in a world where we are attached to our phones the whole time, taking pictures, reflecting our world and bouncing it off to everyone else. In 2016, Ms. Bucci shook up the cult classic Royal Oak, creating a limited edition with a bejeweled frosted finish in either white or rose gold. Now, she has introduced yellow gold and a mirror dial. I wanted a complete contrast, with a perfectly slick dial, Ms. Bucci said. Ms. Renier, who at 43 is also one of Richemonts younger chief executives, agreed that the watch industry is old-fashioned It is, definitely but doesnt plan to champion women in senior management roles. I strongly believe in diversity in general, she said. Man and woman we all bring something to the table. Her initial months at Jaeger-LeCoultre have coincided with a critical time for Swiss watchmaking. According to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, exports of Swiss watches rose last year after a period of decline, but global financial and political tensions, along with the ongoing impact of changing consumer habits, continue to present traditional watch houses with significant challenges. In line with Richemont policy, Ms. Renier wont disclose her companys financial performance or discuss whether it is growing in parallel with industry exports, which were up by 7.1 percent in the year to November over 2017 totals, according to the federation. The brand is a strong brand, she said. Were confident. Jaeger-LeCoultre employs more than 1,200 people at Le Sentier, in the mountainous Vallee de Joux north of Geneva, Ms. Renier said. Among them, they provide 180 skills, including enameling, the decorative art of guillochage and many watchmaking techniques. As for the future, Ms. Renier said her vision for the company was to ensure its product offering was well balanced in style and appeal, to develop long-term customer relationships and to improve its distribution to online and brick-and-mortar sales points, but that her greatest challenge was communication. Weve not been a high communicator in terms of sharing our stories, our knowledge and our manufacture, she said. To begin remedying that problem, The Art of Precision, a campaign that Ms. Renier said would highlight the companys fine watchmaking and metiers dart, will be introduced this year, beginning at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva this week. At the watch fair, the company also will be unveiling a number of high complications that she describes as Jaeger-LeCoultre signatures. One of the Shizukuishi hallmarks is the mirrorlike glow of its watch cases and bracelets, the result of an exacting technique called zaratsu, used by Seiko since the 1950s to create polished, distortion-free surfaces. Also, its dial patterns are inspired by the mountains and, in the winter, the snowy environment of Shizukuishi. While Seikos midmarket quartz watches are made at several locations, all the companys mechanical timepieces are made and assembled in Shizukuishi, from the tiny parts churned out in oil-filled baths (parts so minuscule their shape can be seen only through a microscope), through processing, assembly and adjustment, and on to testing (more than 400 hours for each timepiece). Image A Grand Seiko model. Credit... Ko Sasaki for The New York Times Employees of all ages, including the 90 master craftsmen and women of Shizukuishi, mill about in the various production rooms. They wear cotton factory uniforms gray or black trousers and jackets of various colors. (On a recent day, Mr. Hayashi wore a pink jacket, but he noted that the colors didnt have any special meanings.) The organization of the Shizukuishi factorys production lines resembles that of its Swiss counterparts, but the atmosphere is singularly Japanese. Visitors entering the building must replace their shoes with a pair of company-provided plastic slippers. And twice each workday, around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., employees absent-mindedly stretch, bend and jump, the calisthenics called radio taiso that are done in many Japanese factories. Its refresh time, Mr. Hayashi said as the factory loudspeakers began to broadcast the instructions, done in song and accompanied by piano notes. If 3-D printing can be used to make a gun, why not a watch? So reasoned a collection of creative minds in Besancon, Frances watch center. And then they did. The watch, named Specimen 01, has been called Frances answer to the Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanio, which the Richemont-owned brand Officine Panerai introduced in 2016 as the worlds first high-end mechanical watch made by 3-D printing and which carried a six-figure price tag. Besancons model, which sells for a more accessible 965 euros, or $1,099, was presented as the first automatic mechanical watch made by 3-D printing in France. And, unlike the 3-D Panerai, which was adapted from an existing model, it is said to be the first designed to be mass-produced. Fumito Ganryu , who rose through the ranks of Comme des Garcons until he had his own Ganryu label there, left the company in 2017 and has since begun a line under his own name. His first Paris show is scheduled Tuesday afternoon. Takahiro Miyashita, who was a hero to mens wear fanatics for his psychedelic-surrealist Number (N)ine label (1997-2009) , returned to fashion with a label called The Soloist, whose exquisite oddity was presented simply in showroom settings in its early seasons. His first Paris show, Nocturne of Emotions, is scheduled Tuesday night: His take, according to a statement, on survival clothing to get through todays reality. Joining these newcomers will be one of Japans most beloved masters, Issey Miyake, whose Homme Plisse line for men who want Pleats, Please is to stage its first presentation later in the week. Jonathan Anderson has moved his show from London to Paris for the first time, with his J.W. Anderson label scheduled on Wednesday. A few womens looks will be in the mix, a representative for Mr. Anderson said, but declined to share any further hints or details. Thousands of craft beer brewers across the country have a problem: Sales are slowing, tastes are changing and stiff competition is coming from new directions. Wine and spirits have cut into market share. Cannabis deregulation looms. Despite a dozen years of growth in the industry, some people in the business are wondering aloud if the post-craft era is nigh, and some are embracing the opportunity to broaden their appeal. From niche beers to inviting taprooms and branding, the business is formally investing in its cultural diversity as never before. Not just because brewers think its the right move because its a smart move, too. If you are going to grow, you cannot simply sell beer to young white dudes with beards, J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham said in May, in her opening address as the first diversity ambassador for the Brewers Association, craft brewings largest trade group, which represents nearly 7,000 small, independent brewers. Over the last year, she has traveled to brewers guilds and industry conferences, and developed guidelines and resources to help brewers make their workplaces, customers and brands more inclusive. She also worked with organizers of the inaugural Fresh Fest, an event in Pittsburgh last August that billed itself as the countrys first for African-American beer enthusiasts, in what she called a pilot case that will inform how the association can best support more events like it. Emphasis on was. In recent weeks, Mr. Pecker has emerged as a cooperating witness in the federal investigation that prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are pursuing into the schemes to pay six figures to Ms. McDougal and Stormy Daniels, another woman whose story of an affair with Mr. Trump was buried by the company. In the Sunday-night tweet, Mr. Trump was effectively vouching for the credibility of Mr. Pecker and his newspaper whose name in the Trump era hasnt exactly been equated with accuracy. To wit, Hillary Clinton is still alive, proving that The Enquirers campaign-year reports of her imminent death were a bit of an exaggeration. Mr. Peckers word is of high value to prosecutors and highly dangerous to Mr. Trump. Mr. Pecker provided vital corroboration for the story told by Mr. Trumps former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, when he pleaded guilty last year to arranging the payments to Ms. Daniels and Ms. McDougal. Mr. Cohen said he had arranged them with the full knowledge that they were equivalent to illegal campaign disbursements, because they were intended to help Mr. Trump win the election. He also said he had made the payments at Mr. Trumps direction, essentially accusing his former boss of being the driving force behind the whole thing. In December, Mr. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison on those charges and others. In a court filing provided ahead of that sentencing, the New York prosecutors disclosed the extent of American Medias cooperation. The companys willingness to help is why there have been no charges against those involved with the running of the tabloid, prosecutors said. The cooperation of American Media officers was highly significant, because Mr. Cohen made for a flawed witness. His long track record of lies meant anything he said to law enforcement officials would require corroboration, if it were to be of any real value. After months of public denials that the payment to Ms. McDougal had been coordinated with Mr. Trump or Mr. Cohen, American Media flipped the script, telling prosecutors that it had coughed up the cash in cooperation, consultation and concert with, and at the request and suggestion of, one or more members or agents of Mr. Trumps campaign. The publisher also explained why it had done so so that Ms. McDougal did not publicize damaging allegations and thereby influence that election. Mr. Newsom said Monday that he had been in constant contact throughout the week and over the weekend with the company and regulators. Everyones immediate focus is, rightfully, on ensuring Californians have continuous, reliable and safe electric and gas service, he said. Fire investigators determined PG&E to be the cause of at least 17 of 21 major Northern California fires in 2017. It is also suspected in some of the 2018 wildfires that have been described as the worst in state history, including one that killed at least 86 people and destroyed the town of Paradise. PG&E said it faced an estimated $30 billion liability for damages from the two years of wildfires, a sum that would exceed its insurance and assets. The bankruptcy announcement, in a filing with federal regulators, led the companys shares to plunge more than 50 percent. The shares had already lost almost two-thirds of their value since a wave of wildfires in early November, and its bond rating had been downgraded to junk status by two rating agencies. Californias utilities have been seeking favorable regulatory and legislative support to guard themselves against wildfire liability but none more than PG&E, the primary gas and electricity supplier to the northern half of California, serving about 16 million customers over 70,000 square miles. A New York hedge fund known for gutting newsrooms is backing a hostile takeover bid for Gannett, the publisher of USA Today and 100 other newspapers. The unsolicited offer, worth over $1.3 billion, would create the largest newspaper company in the United States and further consolidate a struggling industry. In an open letter to the Gannett board, MNG Enterprises, which is owned by the hedge fund Alden Global Capital, offered on Monday to pay $12 cash per Gannett share, a 23 percent premium on the companys closing price on Friday. Gannett shares were trading about 19 percent higher around midday. MNG said in its letter that Gannett, which owns The Detroit Free Press, The Tennessean in Nashville and other newspapers in nearly three dozen states, had suffered from a series of value-destroying decisions made by an unfocused leadership team. Operating under the name Digital First Media, MNG owns around 200 publications, including The Denver Post and The San Jose Mercury News in California. It said it was Gannetts largest shareholder, with a 7.5 percent stake. Mr. Tepper said that for many travelers, general-use credit cards like the American Express Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve were much better options. While their annual fees are high $550 for the American Express card and $450 for the Chase card they provide hefty credits that can be used with any airline to cover expenses like checked bags and in-flight purchases, along with other benefits like access to airport lounges. Travelers must ultimately consider which benefits matter most to them. An airline-specific credit card could be the right choice if priority boarding and a free checked bag are primary concerns. But Mr. Tepper cautioned not to expect much else, even from a top-tier airline card. When it comes to getting elite status, youre not really going to get that with a credit card, he said. If you are on an American flight three times a week and youre going all over the place, youre probably getting that elite status all by yourself. And elite frequent fliers will usually get access to airline lounges and free checked bags whether or not they have the airlines credit card. It is possible to get elite status with some airline cards if you spend enough money, but the threshold is high $25,000 a year on Delta and United Airlines, for example. Otherwise, airlines require a minimum amount of flying each year to achieve frequent-flier status. Most travelers will have to pay for a top-tier credit card if they want to maximize their benefits. Like the American Express and Chase Sapphire cards, the airlines top cards usually cost at least $450 annually, and even the most expensive cards are rarely enough to bolster frequent-flier standing by themselves. So dont expect free upgrades to first class. Without frequent-flier status, youll still have to use miles or pay cash for that bigger, more comfortable seat. BEIJING Local officials in eastern China are investigating complaints that more than 100 children received expired polio vaccines after aggrieved parents protested violently over the weekend, the latest in a string of such vaccine scandals that have provoked anger nationwide. The government of Jinhu County in Jiangsu Province said on Friday that 145 children had received oral polio vaccines after their December expiration date. The children were between the ages of 3 months and 4 years, according to the state news media. In a statement on its website, the Jinhu government said that the incident exposed the negligence and supervision failure of the relevant departments. The county discipline commission is investigating senior local officials, including the deputy county head, according to the statement. At Mr. Boltons request, the National Security Council asked the Pentagon last year to offer military options to strike Iran, Defense Department and senior American officials said on Sunday. The background: The request came after Iranian-backed militants fired three mortars or rockets onto the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Military officials at the time chose not to retaliate. Another angle: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, today to discuss several issues that have weakened the U.S.-Saudi alliance, including the war in Yemen. News analysis: The void left by Americas growing disengagement in the Middle East is being filled by Russia and Iran, our bureau chief in Beirut, Lebanon, writes. PRISONER My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison Solitary Confinement, a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, and the Extraordinary Efforts It Took to Get Me Out By Jason Rezaian 311 pp. An Anthony Bourdain Book/Ecco/HarperCollins Publishers. $29.99. Before the Iranian government arrested him as a spy, Jason Rezaian made a terrific Tehran bureau chief for The Washington Post. No one in Iran was as qualified as he, and possibly nobody outside Iran could have gotten the requisite journalist visa. Rezaian was born and raised in Marin County, Calif., to an Iranian father and an American mother, his family maintained business as well as family ties to the old country and hes a dual national Iranian-American citizen, as familiar with and connected to each country as almost anyone else in the world. He also has an Iranian wife. In an on-camera interview for CNNs travel and food show, Parts Unknown, he told Anthony Bourdain that he both loved and hated Iran, but its home. The authorities tossed him into the notorious Evin Prison before the episode even aired. Fitting then that he is being published by Anthony Bourdain Books. Prisoner is more than just a memoir that reads like a thriller. Its also an intimate family history, an anguished love letter to an ancient and broken homeland, and a spirited defense of journalism and truth at a time when both are under attack almost everywhere. Image Ostensibly, Rezaians crime was espionage, but the evidence against him didnt even rise to the level of specious. He started a half-joking Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund an avocado farm in Iran, wrote a brief story about an Iranian-made video clip for Pharrell Williamss song Happy and kept a messy inbox. Conspiracy theorists normally try to find better evidence, but his accusers, he writes, were the most hardheaded and least sophisticated people I had ever encountered, with the intellectual and emotional maturity of second graders. Image Lamalera Beach Credit... Doug Bock Clark Clarks writing is supple but unshowy. Heres an account of one harpooners encounter with a whale: Ignatiuss ship approached near enough to the closest fleeing whale that he could read the history of the animals victories inscribed in its gray hide ellipses of Os dimpled across its snout, stamped there by the suckers of giant squids it devoured a mile below the surface. He leapt onto the whales back with a practiced determination, driving his harpoon precisely into the soft flesh two feet below the dorsal hump. You learn many things while reading The Last Whalers: how to make rope and wooden ships; how to track a whale that has submerged; how pods of whales form walls with their tails to protect themselves from hunters. One thing you learn, in squeamish detail, is how to carve up a dead beached whale. By the end, Clark writes, only the flippers retained their skin, so that they rested against the flesh like mittened hands trying to cover a naked torso. The piles of whale meat are divided almost equally among the population. Anthropologists have called Lamaleran culture, Clark writes, one of the worlds most cooperative and generous, a necessity when it comes to coordinating dozens of men to defeat colossal whales and then equitably share the bounty. Modernity, in the form of capitalism and new ways to sell their catch, threatens this cooperative culture. And what of threatening the whales themselves? Clark notes that several hundred thousand sperm whales exist in the wild, and suggests that the tribe has little impact on the animals global population. Writing about Joseph Conrad, George Orwell said that his most colorful passages may have dealt with the sea, but he is at his most grown-up when he touches dry land. Its possible to say something similar about Clark, who has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine and The Atlantic, among other publications. The 2019 PEN America Literary Service Award will be given to Bob Woodward, The Washington Post editor known most recently for Fear: Trump in the White House, one of the biggest political books of 2018 with nearly two million copies sold. Woodward has set the standard for dogged and objective reporting and gripping storytelling, said Suzanne Nossel, the chief executive officer of PEN America, in a statement. His work has helped fortify American democracy for decades. Woodward played a central role in bringing to light Richard Nixons role during the Watergate scandal through his reporting for The Washington Post and wrote a number of books on the subject, including All the Presidents Men, written with Carl Bernstein. He pioneered in the use of anonymous sources, which allowed him to report on details that might not otherwise have become public. He has also tackled a number of other presidents including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The PEN America Literary Gala, which will be held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on May 21, will also recognize Scholastic chief executive officer Richard Robinson, who has led the company for more than 40 years. Scholastic has informed the next generation and inspired them to be empathetic, engaged citizens, read PEN Americas statement. HAPPY TOGETHER 8:30 p.m. on CBS. The first season of this sitcom about Jake (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Claire (Amber Stevens West), who host a pop star (Felix Mallard) in their suburban home, wraps up with an intimate concert that gives the couple of homebodies a reason to enjoy a night out. Writing in The Times, Mike Hale called the premise this seasons most artificial situation. Its not a bad idea, he said, but the writing tends toward the bland and sentimental. DAUGHTERS OF THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS (2018) 9 p.m. on Starz. The documentarian Dana Adam Shapiro charts the creation of the new-and-improved Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader squad that made its debut in 1972. Original members look back at their time on the sidelines with nostalgia, while the squads former director, Suzanne Mitchell, recalls the high-stakes nature of her job. The movie suggests that the cheerleaders highly sexualized and demanding roles may have, at once, liberated and exploited them during a time when American women were increasingly demanding control of their bodies. LAST CALL 9 p.m. on Bounce TV. After his manager drains his bank account, a former N.F.L. player (Charles Malik Whitfield) opens a comedy club in the back room of his last remaining asset: a bar in his hometown called Last Call. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking with unusual candor, said Sunday that the United States had tried but failed to end a Saudi Arabia-led blockade of Qatar, a crucial military partner in the Middle East. He also said Saudi leaders needed to ensure that they would take full responsibility for the death last fall of Jamal Khashoggi, an outspoken dissident who lived in Virginia and who was killed on a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Mr. Pompeo made his remarks in Doha, Qatar, just before flying to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where he is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms most powerful figure, on Monday. Taken together, the comments underscored the challenges faced by the Trump administration as it tries to maintain its relationship with Saudi Arabia and build a coalition against Iran, while mitigating the fallout from a range of actions undertaken by the kingdom and Prince Mohammed, its de facto day-to-day ruler. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) A Palace official on Monday downplayed the reportedly massive presence of Chinese fishing vessels in the West Philippine Sea. According to a report by U.S. based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China controls most of the fishing vessels in the Spratly group of islands, particularly around Subi and Mischief Reefs, two of Beijing's military outposts in the contested area. The CSIS said there were more Chinese ships there in 2018 as compared to 2017. READ: Think tank flags increase in number of Chinese fishing vessels in Spratlys It is unclear if the Chinese vessels were actually fishing in the disputed waters, but Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Malacanang sees no problem if they were. "Kung fisherman lang naman, pareho rin tayo nagpupunta rin tayo sa what they claim to be theirs, pinababayaan tayo mag-fish. Walang problema kung fishing-fishing lang," Panelo said in a Palace press briefing. However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in July 2016 that Mischief is part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This means the Philippines has sovereign rights in these areas, which the government calls West Philippine Sea. The tribunal also said China violated the Philippines' rights when it failed to prevent Chinese-flagged vessels from fishing in Mischief Reef and other areas within the Philippine EEZ. Meanwhile, the tribunal agreed with the Philippine contention that Chinese-occupied Subi Reef is a low-tide elevation not capable of appropriation by occupation or other means since it does not generate entitlement to a territorial sea, exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. Subi Reef lies around 14 nautical miles from Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island also known as Thitu. China rejects the arbitral ruling and stands by its sweeping claim to almost the entire South China Sea. Panelo said Malacanang does not want to speculate if Beijing's fishing vessels were manned by Chinese soldiers, adding that it expects the Department of National Defense to be looking into any possible security threat. "I'm sure whoever is authorized to oversee that area, e alam nila ang gagawin nila if they feel na may security threat," Panelo said. The Duterte government has been criticized for its soft stance in the long-standing maritime dispute with China. President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to bring the arbitral ruling up with China within his term, which ends 2022. Mr. Adamowicz, 53, has been mayor of Gdansk since 1998 and was re-elected as an independent in November elections that underscored a deep divide between Polands liberal cities and conservative countryside. He has advocated gay rights and tolerance for minorities, and expressed solidarity with the citys Jewish community last year when a synagogues windows were broken. The A.P. quoted the police as saying the suspect in the knife attack was a 27-year-old with apparent mental problems who had previously carried out bank robberies, and that he had gained access to the area where Mr. Adamowicz was speaking with a media badge. Mr. Adamowicz was brought to the Medical University of Gdansk for surgery after the attack. The A.P. quoted Dr. Tomasz Stefaniak, a doctor at the hospital, as saying early on Monday morning that Mr. Adamowicz was alive but remained in a very serious condition. In a Twitter post on Sunday night, Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, condemned the attack on Mr. Adamowicz and expressed solidarity with the city he leads, his family and supporters. In November, 17 Iranians made off with the Epervier, taking it from the docks of Boulogne and sailing to Dover, where they were arrested. And on a dark night just before Christmas, 14 migrants, including several children, made it seven miles off the coast on a boat stolen from the inner harbor at Boulogne, the St. Catherine, before the motor gave out. The thieves had forgotten to open the cooling valves. They completely fried the motor, said Quentin Gillon, who was sorting a tangled mass of ropes on the deck of the Saint Catherine, his cousins boat. And then the boat got stuck. On New Years Eve, it was the turn of the Caprice des Temps: The police, making the rounds on the quay, arrested 17 people, including a mother and two children, before the boat was able to depart. On Christmas Day, the dashboard of the Don Lubi, the boat belonging to Mr. Pinto, the regional fishing official, was ripped out. The thieves were trying to connect wires underneath to start the engine. They failed, but ruined the motor in the process. That same day, around 40 migrants made it across the Channel. Mr. Pinto said he was not unsympathetic to the plight of the migrants, but he was concerned both for their safety and his livelihood. These nonprofits that are supposed to be helping the migrants, they should come down here on the quays and warn them not to risk their lives, he said. Mr. Maduro was sworn in for a second term as president on Thursday, after an election that was widely denounced by other countries as fraudulent. During his six years in office, the countrys economy has unraveled, leading to widespread hunger and violence. An estimated three million people have fled Venezuela since the crisis took hold. On Friday, Mr. Guaido, 35, called for Venezuelans to take the streets in protest against Mr. Maduros continuing rule, and asked the armed forces to support his becoming interim president while new elections are held. Mr. Guaido argued that the Constitution gave him the legitimacy to carry out the charge of the presidency over the country to call elections, adding: But I need backing from the citizens to make it a reality. Mr. Maduro accused the opposition leader of trying to stir dissent. The National Assembly, which Mr. Guaido leads and which is controlled by lawmakers who oppose Mr. Maduro, was essentially nullified in 2017 when the president created a new Constituent Assembly. That body, which was given broad powers to write and pass legislation, is controlled by supporters of Mr. Maduro. SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras A new caravan of migrants is forming in Honduras, and even ahead of its scheduled departure at dawn on Tuesday, battle lines were being drawn to the north, with some vowing to help them on their journey north, and others to block them. For President Trump, the timing of the caravan offered fresh ammunition in his fight with Congress over the $5.7 billion he wants for an enhanced border wall between Mexico and the United States. The dispute has led to a partial shutdown of the federal government. As he did last fall, when another caravan made the same trek, Mr. Trump portrayed the migrants who say they are trying to escape poverty and violence, and who in seeking asylum are exercising a legal right in an ominous light. There is another major caravan forming right now in Honduras, and so far were trying to break it up, but so far its bigger than anything weve seen, Mr. Trump said on Thursday. And a drone isnt going to stop it and a sensor isnt going to stop it, but you know whats going to stop it in its tracks? A nice, powerful wall. A winter storm that slammed some parts of the Midwest and that officials say contributed to the deaths of at least nine people moved east on Sunday, causing travel disruptions and power failures. Much of the snow was winding down in the Midwest, Dan Pydynowski, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, said. There is still some light lingering snow around St. Louis and parts of central Illinois, he said, adding that it was expected to stop by late Sunday evening. But as the Midwest dug itself out, the storm continued east on Sunday. The system delivered snow to Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Delaware; parts of New Jersey; and the mountains in Virginia. Mr. Pydynowski said the snow would continue across southern New Jersey until very early Monday morning before ending. As of early Sunday afternoon, OHare International Airport in Chicago reported 35 delayed flights and four cancellations, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.com. But the airport showed signs on Monday morning of returning to normal operations: Only one flight had been canceled so far, according to the site. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Liz G. Rodriguez Quinonez grew up schooled in being able to throw her body to the floor in the middle of the night, in the event that stray bullets from a nearby shootout came crashing through her window. But it was only this past fall when Ms. Rodriguez, who operates a food truck in a town just east of the Puerto Rican capital, experienced her first murder: Standing by the stove in her truck one morning in September, she heard a series of pops, then screaming, and realized that the man who was the intended target of the gunfire was standing right behind her truck. She ducked thanks to the training from her youth but there was no hope for the man, who died only a few feet away. It was not yet noon. I saw the dead body. He was around 30 years old. It was horrible, Ms. Rodriguez, 30, said with a shudder. Puerto Rico has long had one of the highest murder rates in the country, almost all of it attributable to gang violence. But a recent spree of brazen daylight killings, some of which were captured on video and widely shared on social media, have shaken the population and worried local and federal law enforcement officials who thought they had seen everything in the roiling, populous city of San Juan. In December, President Trump made an extraordinary declaration about U.S. involvement in Syria: We have won against ISIS. Now, its time for our troops to come back home. Ignoring advice from his generals and advisers, Trump said that the U.S. would leave Syria. Defense Department officials said that they were ordered to do it within 30 days. [explosion] Then came a flurry of criticism, even from inside his own party. I believe it is a catastrophic mistake. This is very disappointing. It needs to be reconsidered. Then, the resignations. First, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis quit. And Americas chief diplomat in the fight against ISIS, Brett McGurk, soon followed. Now, the timeline for a full withdrawal is unclear. I never said were doing it that quickly. He went on to say that the U.S. will leave at a proper pace while continuing to fight ISIS, a shift from Theyre all coming back, and theyre coming back now. The nearly eight-year-long war in Syria has left hundreds of thousands of people dead. [explosion] So, how did we get here and what are U.S. forces doing in Syria? In 2011, uprisings rippled through the Middle East. Leaders fell in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. And after months of anti-government protests in Syria, the U.S. had a message for President Bashar al-Assad: This morning, President Obama called on Assad to step aside. He didnt and the conflict escalated. In 2012, Obama warned Assad against using Syrias stockpile of chemical weapons against his own people. Thats a red line for us, and that there would be enormous consequences if we start seeing the use of chemical weapons. A year later, Assads army launched a chemical attack on a Damascus suburb, killing 1,400 people. [screaming] In response, the U.S. debated airstrikes, but they were avoided when Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons. But a new threat was also emerging ISIS. In 2014, the U.S. began supporting rebel groups to fight extremists, while also conducting airstrikes as part of an international coalition. These efforts expanded and the U.S. troop numbers grew from hundreds to the low thousands. In 2016, U.S.-supported fighters took control of the ISIS stronghold of Manbij and in 2017 their de facto capital, Raqqa. There are now around 2,000 American forces in Syria who are largely fighting alongside the Kurdish groups. This has been a problem for Americas ally Turkey, which has a long-standing conflict with the Kurds. U.S. troops have had run-ins with Assads forces as well as groups backed by Russia and Iran. Since taking office, Trump has ordered two strikes on areas controlled by Assad in response to chemical weapons attacks. We are prepared to sustain this response, until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents. U.S. officials and allies dispute the claim that ISIS has been defeated. They warn that an American departure will weaken U.S. influence in the region and may embolden Russia, Iran and Turkey, who are also on the ground. The other worry? The move may inspire some ISIS fighters to return to Syria. WASHINGTON President Trumps efforts to hide his conversations with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and new details about the F.B.I. inquiry into his ties to Moscow have intensified debate over his relationship with Russia, adding fuel to Democrats budding investigations of his presidency and potentially setting up a clash between the White House and Congress. Representative Adam B. Schiff of California, who now leads the Intelligence Committee as part of the new Democratic House majority, implored his Republican colleagues Sunday to support his effort to obtain notes or testimony from the interpreter in one of the private meetings between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin. Will they join us now? Mr. Schiff wrote on Twitter. Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting America first? The administration appears unlikely to acquiesce to such a demand without a fight. Mr. Trump has repeatedly withheld details of his conversations with Mr. Putin, according to current and former American officials, a practice that has left officials blind to the dynamic between the two leaders and intensified questions within the administration over the presidents actions. Mr. Trumps comments about Mr. Cohen on Saturday, made during a friendly interview with Jeanine Pirro of Fox News, were his first extended remarks on the matter since Mr. Cohens congressional testimony was announced. Asked by Ms. Pirro if he was worried about the testimony, Mr. Trump called Mr. Cohen weak and asserted in contradiction to filings by federal prosecutors in Manhattan that Mr. Cohen had no information on him. Hes in trouble on some loans and fraud and taxicabs and stuff that I know nothing about, Mr. Trump said. And in order to get his sentence reduced, he says, I have an idea, Ill tell Ill give you some information on the president. Mr. Trump then implied that Mr. Cohen ought to be sharing information instead on his father-in-law, whose name he said he did not know. But he should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because thats the one that people want to look at, he said, adding, Thats the money in the family. Pressed by Ms. Pirro for more details, Mr. Trump said, I dont know, but youll find out, and youll look into it because nobody knows whats going on over there. Mr. Cohens father-in-law, Fima Shusterman, emigrated from Ukraine in 1975. The year before his daughters marriage to Mr. Cohen, he pleaded guilty to evading federal reporting requirements for large cash transactions, admitting that he had cashed $5.5 million worth of checks to evade disclosure laws. He was sentenced to probation after cooperating with prosecutors in a related case. Saturday was not the first time Mr. Trump has targeted Mr. Cohens family. After Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to his crimes, the president said Mr. Cohen had done so only to save his wife and his father-in-law. As they prepared to indict him, prosecutors had signaled to Mr. Cohen that his wife could be implicated, since she had also signed his tax returns. That threat helped push Mr. Cohen to plead guilty to the charges, according to a person familiar with the events. Mr. Bolton, 70, is not the only Iran hawk in Mr. Trumps circle of top advisers. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared in a speech at the American University in Cairo last week that countries increasingly understand that we must confront the ayatollahs, not coddle them. Earlier this month, he warned Iran against launching three spacecraft, describing them as a pretext for testing missile technology that is necessary to carry a warhead to the United States and other nations. His statement appeared aimed at building a legal case for diplomatic, military or covert action against the Iranian missile program. It was surprising because Iran has used these modest space missions, mostly to deploy satellites, since 2005. The senior American official said that the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies disagreed with Mr. Pompeos interpretation of the threat posed by the satellite launches. Speaking on Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation during a visit to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Pompeo discounted the argument that Mr. Trumps decision to withdraw 2,000 American troops from Syria in the coming months undercuts Washingtons ability to achieve its other goals in the region. That certainly includes in Syria, he said. It certainly includes into Iran, if need be. But Mr. Pompeo also opposed the idea of an airstrike on Iran after its attack on the embassy, according to a former senior administration official. On Sunday, he declined to comment about The Journals report. On each stop of his Middle East trip, Mr. Pompeo, a former Army officer, has spoken of the need to counter Iran, but has not talked of military action. When Mr. McMaster, then a three-star Army general, took over as national security adviser in early 2017, he ordered a new overall war plan for Iran. Mr. Mattis, who is himself an Iran hawk from his days as a Marine Corps commander in the region, delivered options. But those plans were not for the kind of pinpoint strikes that Mr. Bolton envisioned after the attack on the American Embassy on Sept. 6. If you cant do Government 101, what makes you think youre going to do Advanced Placement Government like finding the money for an infrastructure bill? RAHM EMANUEL, the Democratic mayor of Chicago and a former chief of staff for President Barack Obama, describing the obstacles to bipartisan policymaking under a bitterly divided government. Two men sit in darkness, remembering the light. Images flare, flicker and disappear, like matches struck and snuffed, as these residents of a Dublin prison recall life before incarceration. Could it really have been that glorious? Probably not. But the past they summon a time when, as one of them puts it, they existed at the very bulls-eye of life without knowing it almost blinds in its radiance before being swallowed by night. Theres nothing like regret and Gaelic retrospect to find the poetry in the prose of the everyday. That, more or less, describes the ravishing first third of Sebastian Barrys On Blueberry Hill, the seriously imbalanced new play about love, hatred and redemption that opened on Sunday night at 59E59 Theaters as part of Origins 1st Irish Festival. It is a common point of view in Irish literature, this transformation of nostalgia into a sacred elegy. But Mr. Barry, whose works include the acclaimed novels The Secret Scripture (2005) and Days Without End (2016) and the excellent play The Steward of Christendom (1995), has an uncommon gift for finding hypnotic music in this perspective. And when his language is delivered by consummate Irish actors like Niall Buggy and David Ganly, the entire cast of On Blueberry Hill, its hard not to sink into a state of contented sadness that you half wish would go on forever. Lindsey Jarratts son, Brayden, was a year old when the Child Protective Services of Dinwiddie, Va., took him to live with strangers. There are things about the months surrounding that moment that Ms. Jarratt cant remember heroin has a way of erasing time. But this much is still etched in her mind: how he screamed and sobbed, the way his baby fists clutched at the nape of her shirt, the feel of his tiny body pressed so desperately against hers that the two had to be pried apart. She sobbed, too, she says. She begged the social workers to let her mother take custody. Or her cousin. Or her best friend. Someone she knew. Someone he knew. Please. But by then, there were too many strikes against her and the babys father, Aaron Jarrell: shoplifting charges, jail time, an overdose (Mr. Jarrells) in the babys presence. Their urine was dirty, their arms lined with track marks. And so their little boy would have to go into foster care . Their little boy. Both parents had ached to know him from the moment they discovered Ms. Jarratt was pregnant. She was not one of those young women for whom motherhood hung like a question mark. She adored children; she had studied to be a teacher and had always known that one day she would have a family of her own. If that day had come sooner than anticipated she was 24 it was still a cause for joy and hope. Leader Kim Jong-un of North Korea has met for a fourth time with Chinas president, Xi Jinping. Hes still waiting for a second coveted summit with President Trump. With Beijing seemingly in his corner, and few words from the White House, Mr. Kim has mused about possibly finding a new way forward on denuclearization. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. MONDAY PUZZLE To paraphrase Joe Pesci in the movie Goodfellas, what exactly is Craig Stowe trying to say to us? Do we make him recoil? Are we horrible people? Do we smell? I wont end this the way Mr. Pesci did, and Im not really offended. But its an interesting theme Mr. Stowe is offering. I also believe this is his first New York Times puzzle, so lets welcome him. Even if he is calling us names. Tricky Clues 65A: Ive always loved guess the word games, so the NOOSE that is the Hangmans loop was nothing grisly to me because it reminded me of the many hours spent playing Hangman. I played on paper with my parents, and I always won, especially near the sixth consecutive hour, when they would start to whimper and plead with me to go do something else, like read comic books. 1D: I didnt get through all of the Japanese clutter expert Marie Kondos book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but I have recently started watching her Netflix program called wait for it Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. I have to say that it is a very satisfying show, especially when you are lying on the couch, nodding at the advice she is giving to others and not tidying up on your own. Sputnik and RT were keying off two articles in The New York Times, which broke the news of the Alabama efforts. The first, by Scott Shane and Alan Blinder in late December, detailed an operation that included the creation of fake Russian Twitter accounts, as well as a phony Facebook page purportedly set up by conservative Alabamians opposed to Mr. Moore, who ended up losing to his Democratic opponent, Doug Jones. One of the people behind that effort, Jonathon Morgan, of the cyber security firm New Knowledge, minimized the effort by saying it was only an experiment to observe how such Russian-style tactics work in real time (though an internal report said the project was seeking to depress turnout for Mr. Moore). The main financial backer of that project, the LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, disavowed it, saying he did not know the money he had donated to groups affiliated with Democrats would finance such a thing. I want to be unequivocal, he wrote on Medium. There is absolutely no place in our democracy for manipulating facts or using falsehoods to gain political power. Mr. Jones, the politician who benefited from the operation, angrily denounced it and called for a federal investigation. So maybe there was reason to think it was all just a blip. Then came the second Times article, last week, on another shady tactic used against Mr. Moore. This one involved a Facebook page for a fake group of Baptists supporting Mr. Moore as a potential ally in their bid to ban alcohol in Alabama a surefire way to alienate voters if ever there was one. The phony teetotaling campaign was the work of another group of liberal activists with different financiers, whose identities remain unknown. And it came with an implicit warning: Get used to it. Automakers are preparing to introduce dozens of fully electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles over the next three years, and Hyundai, Kia, Mini, Nissan and Audi will display electric models due in the United States this year. It is a gambit based on the idea that many mainstream car owners will rush to make the leap from gasoline. But to sell all those cars, the manufacturers have to attract a new class of customer. Mainstream consumers may be harder to win over than the wealthy luxury car buyers, hard-core environmentalists and early adopters who have flocked to buy Model 3s and delivered Teslas rapid sales growth. That may be especially true in the middle of the country, because charging stations are more sparse there than on the coasts, where most Tesla models are sold. Mr. Westerman, for example, said hed like an electric car with a range of 600 miles about as far as his Prius takes him on a full tank of gas. Manufacturers are developing so many electrified models primarily to compete in China and Europe, where government subsidies and stringent environmental laws are spurring sales of zero-emission vehicles, said Mark Wakefield, a managing director at AlixPartners, a consulting firm. The sales pace is less certain in the United States, in part because gasoline remains cheap and the Trump administration has pulled back on emissions regulations. In the U.S., you cant assume youre going to be selling 100,000 of one model, Mr. Wakefield said. You dont want to dedicate an entire factory to E.V.s as Tesla has done. Perils mount for the Trump presidency. The shift of power in Congress and news reports are combining to confront President Trump with the prospect of a political war for survival that may make the still-unresolved partial government shutdown pale by comparison, our chief White House correspondent writes. News reports: A Times report detailed how, after Mr. Trump fired James Comey as F.B.I. director, the bureau became so concerned by the presidents behavior that investigators took the aggressive step of opening a counterintelligence inquiry into whether he had been working on behalf of Russia. That inquiry was taken over by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, when he was appointed. And The Washington Post first reported that the president had gone to great lengths to conceal his conversations with President Vladimir Putin of Russia over the past two years. Current and former officials told our reporters that this practice has caused anxiety within Mr. Trumps own administration . Hays isnt the type to entertain academic theses, but some of those words do seem to apply here. Hes a marginalized figure within an authoritarian and systemic racist structure. And practically speaking, it keeps him from doing his job. Back in the 1980 timeline, for example, Hays and West get their first huge break in the case when one of the victims classmates recognizes the dolls that were found in the forest near Will Purcells body. The boy tells them that Will and Julie found similar-looking dolls in their trick-or-treat bags on Halloween, and he outlines the neighborhood that they walked that night. Hays and West come together on a plan to surveil the neighborhood for a couple of days, search the homes of those willing to comply and see if anything shakes loose. [Read our recap of the Season 3 premiere.] The trouble with the plan, from a political standpoint, is that Arkansans dont like having their privacy and property rights infringed upon. Any evidence gleaned from these searches, the detectives are told, wont hold up in court. Hays makes the argument that winning a court case isnt as important as finding the missing girl. He loses that argument. The one card in their hand is revealed in a news conference that succeeds mostly in alarming the community. Knowing that a potential killer may lurk in any one of the 114 households outlined by the victims friend, parents simply stop sending their kids to school. The morning bus travels down the usual stops, but no kids are aboard. (Shades of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the Bay Area with a letter stating: School children make nice targets, I think I shall wipe out a school bus some morning. Just shoot out the front tire + then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out.) For Hays and West, the decision is deeply unhelpful, potentially alerting the perpetrator and sowing fear and suspicion among the people of West Finger. Hays lashes out at his partner for failing to be more persuasive. I knew they wouldnt listen to me but you should have stopped that, he says, adding: They aint my tribe, man. To the Editor: Re The Disputed Vote in Gabon, (Opinion, Sept. 9): Last months election was conducted in accord with Gabonese law, which requires voters to register using a biometrically secure ID card or birth certificate. At all polling places, an election committee from Gabons independent electoral commission and representatives of each candidate were present and publicly counted the votes. Gabon invited more than 1,200 international observers from the European Union, the African Union, N.D.I. and other election experts to observe this process. All said, the election was free, fair, and transparent. The State Department and the African Union stated that any challenge to the election results conform to Gabonese election law. The Constitutional Courts review will also conform to the law. A recount of the vote will be completed by the Constitutional Court and the winner confirmed. MICHAEL MOUSSA-ADAMO New York The writer is the ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to the United States, the United Nations, the United Mexican States, and the Republic of Haiti. The data, which measured how Americans were doing six years into the economic recovery, show that incomes in the middle, measured in 2015 dollars, were still 1.6 percent below the previous peak of $57,423 a household, which was attained in 2007, just before the economy sank into what has come to be known as the Great Recession. How does that look compared to the nations recent history? After the economy slipped into recession in 1969, it took only three years for incomes in the middle to rebound and surpass their previous peak. After the downturn of 1973, it took five; after back-to-back recessions in 1981 and 1982, it took seven. And, except for the long expansion that ran from 1991 through 2000, it has been getting worse. The economic growth from late 2001 to about the end of 2007 never even managed to deliver incomes above the previous peak for the typical household, reached near the end of Bill Clintons presidency. The expansion underway today may not get there, either. Today, median household incomes are still 2.4 percent below the absolute peak they hit in 1999 when Facebook had yet to come into existence, the big news in the music business was Napster, and the good times in Silicon Valley were about to come crashing down with the collapse of the dot-com bubble. At the bottom of the ladder, households at the 10th percentile those poorer than 90 percent of the population are still a bit poorer than they were in 1989. Americans have managed to develop an internet economy, invent social media and build driverless cars since then, but not to improve the lot of those at the bottom. Whats more, changes starting in 2013 in the way the census asks people about their incomes can distort comparisons with previous years. After adjusting the data for these changes, according to Elise Gould of the Economic Policy Institute, the income of American households in the middle of the distribution last year was still 4.6 percent below its level in 2007 and 5.4 percent below where it was in 1999. NAIROBI, Kenya The Shabab militant group continued its relentless campaign against civilians on Tuesday, detonating a large truck bomb near the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia, that killed at least 15 people. The Shabab, who have sworn allegiance to Al Qaeda, have slaughtered thousands of civilians in recent years in a string of bombings and mass shootings. On Tuesday morning, witnesses said, a truck loaded with heavy explosives blew up in front of the popular SYL Hotel, which is near Villa Somalia, the presidential palace. Government security officials were meeting inside the hotel at the time of the attack. The bomb ripped through the hotels concrete facade and sent up a plume of white smoke that could be seen for miles. With Donald J. Trump behind in the polls, one apparent sign of hope for Republicans is the dwindling Democratic advantage in voter registration, particularly in battleground states like Florida and Pennsylvania. But a closer look, using data from state officials and from L2, a nonpartisan voter file vendor, and Catalist, a Democratic data firm, shows far more favorable trends for the Democratic Party. Democrats are actually registering more new voters than Republicans. In addition, more new voters are registering as independents. These voters are far younger and more diverse than the electorate as a whole, and they appear to lean Democratic. And although the total number of registered Democrats is falling, many of the voters switching parties probably have not voted Democratic in a presidential election in a long time their party registration is finally catching up with how they actually vote. These trends in voter registration arent being driven just by Mr. Trump. The changing tallies are a lagging indicator of what we already know: Many voters who used to consider themselves Democrats now vote Republican. Professor Scheve and Professor Stasavage found that democratic countries have not consistently embraced more redistributive tax policies, and most people do not vote strictly in their narrow self-interest. As the right to vote broadened through the centuries, for example, and people without property began to vote, they did not consistently act to tax the rich. These findings run counter to a popular narrative. Recall that in 2012, Mitt Romney said that in a democracy, a candidate who offers tax breaks to the less well-off at the expense of the rich will win mass support no matter what. That claim does not appear to be supported by the historical record. Instead, it appears that, for better or for worse, the majority of people share simple notions of entitlement and fairness. Professor Scheve, Professor Stasavage and their colleagues found that in 2014, when people in the United States were asked what marginal tax rates they would most like to see on family incomes of $375,000, the median answer was 30 percent, with the bulk of answers ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent. (The federal marginal tax rate for that income is 33 percent.) This is consistent with my own survey results, which focused on inheritance taxes. In 1990, Maxim Boycko, then with a Moscow think tank, the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, and I asked both New Yorkers and Muscovites: In your opinion, what inheritance tax rate for really wealthy people do you think we should have? The average answers in the two cities were virtually identical: 37 percent in New York, 39 percent in Moscow. Taxing around a third of wealth, more or less, seemed fair to people. And perhaps it is reasonable, in the abstract, yet what will we do in the future if this degree of taxation wont produce enough revenue to meaningfully help the very poor as well as the sagging middle class? Along with nine other economists, I contributed to a project that engaged in really long-term forecasting. The results appeared in a book edited by Ignacio Palacios-Huerta of the London School of Economics: In 100 Years: Leading Economists Predict the Future, (M.I.T., 2013). None of us expressed optimism that inequality would be corrected in the future, and none of us ventured that any major economic policy was likely to counteract recent trends. For example, Angus Deaton of Princeton, commenting on what he called the grotesque expansions in inequality of the past 30 years, gave a pessimistic prediction: Those who are doing well will organize to protect what they have, including in ways that benefit them at the expense of the majority. And Robert M. Solow of M.I.T. said, We are not good at large-scale redistribution of income. Both Professor Deaton and Professor Solow are fellow Nobel laureates. No one seems to have an effective plan to deal with the possibility of much more severe inequality, should it develop. In the disturbing book Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation, (Oxford, 1983) Amartya Sen, a Harvard professor, documented an extraordinary thing: In each of four devastating famines in different parts of the world, there was enough food to keep everyone alive. The problem in each case was that the food was not shared adequately. Systems of privilege and entitlement permitted hoarding of food by people of status whose lives went on much as usual, except that they had to brush off starving beggars and would occasionally see dead bodies on the street. Satyajit Rays 1973 movie Distant Thunder depicted one of those terrible episodes, the Bengal famine of 1942-43. Millions died, almost all from the lower echelons of society. Among the privileged classes, only the most moral seemed to find the situation troubling enough to help in a significant way. Despite past failures, we should not lose hope in our ability to improve the world. In a recent column, I described ways in which society might change a deep-rooted sense of entitlement by radically broadening wage and job insurance. Such a program would be a start in getting us prepared to deal with some of the immense challenges that may lie ahead. PHOENIX Three years ago, Kate Rogers was caught in the Bay Area struggle. She paid the astronomical rents. She did the crushing commute. She lived the frustration of always thinking about money even though she was a well-paid professional in the booming technology industry. And then, just like that, the stress went away. All she had to do was move to Arizona. I didnt want to have to decide between picking my son up at school and being successful at my job, said Ms. Rogers, who runs the Phoenix-area offices of Weebly, a San Francisco company whose software makes it easier for regular people to build websites. In San Francisco, that would not have been possible. As start-ups across San Francisco and the Silicon Valley try to contend with high salaries and housing costs, many are expanding to lower-cost cities in the West and employing more people like Ms. Rogers. For Phoenix, which is about a 90-minute flight from San Francisco, the Bay Areas loss is its gain. It may be hard to remember, but Americans once appreciated the government that serves them. Thats long gone. Over the last six years, according to the Pew Research Center, four out of every five or more have said the government makes them feel either angry or frustrated. Last March, the ranks of the incensed included 78 percent of Bernie Sanderss supporters and a whopping 98 percent of those backing Donald J. Trump. More than half of voters including 61 percent of Mr. Trumps supporters feel they are not keeping up with the rising cost of living. Three-quarters of Mr. Trumps supporters feel that life for people like them is worse than it was 50 years ago. Some of this is caused by irreversible forces. The days when white men kept an uncontested hold on political power, when young adults without a college degree could easily find a well-paid job, are not coming back. WILMINGTON, Del. For decades, many of the nations biggest companies staked their futures far from the fraying downtowns of aging East Coast and Midwestern cities. One after another, they decamped for sprawling campuses in the suburbs and exurbs. Now, corporate America is moving in the other direction. In June, McDonalds joined a long list of companies that are returning to downtown Chicago from suburbs like Oak Brook, Northfield and Schaumburg. Later this month, the top executive team at General Electric whose 70-acre wooded campus in Fairfield, Conn., has embodied the quintessential suburban corporate office park since it opened in 1974 will move to downtown Boston. When the move is completed in 2018, the renovated red brick warehouses that will form part of G.E.s new headquarters wont even have a parking lot, let alone a spot reserved for the chief executive. But even as they establish new urban beachheads, business giants like G.E. are also changing the nature of their headquarters, staffing them with a few top white-collar employees and a smattering of digital talent, rather than recreating the endless Dilbert-like pods they once built in the burbs. HOBART Hobart police found a man unresponsive in his vehicle Sunday night near 38 N. Michigan St. while responding to a call of a robbery and a man with a gun in the area, according to police. The man, identified as William Hawkins of Hobart, was charged with operating while intoxicated, after authorities found him seated on the driver's side of his car, engine running, with his foot on the brake, Hobart police Capt. James Gonzales said. Officers were able to elicit a response from Hawkins and remove him from the car, Gonzales said. Hawkins was taken into custody after officers observed that the man's speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and his manual dexterity was slow and exaggerated, police said. Gonzales said police investigated, but were not able to substantiate the initial report that drew police to the area. Love 4 Funny 27 Wow 3 Sad 9 Angry 10 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. MICHIGAN CITY It wasn't just brick and mortar. The joys of birth and saving lives along with sorrow were alive there for 114 years. A closing ceremony and prayer service held recently marked the closure of Franciscan Health at 301 W. Homer St. on Michigan City's west side. The Catholic-owned hospital shut its doors after the move Saturday to the new $233 million facility along Interstate 94, said Dean Mazzoni, president and CEO of the hospital. He said the new hospital containing 123 inpatient beds went into service when the emergency department opened its doors at 6 a.m. Saturday. The first patient at the new facility at 3500 Franciscan Way arrived at the emergency department at 6:05 a.m. Transportation of existing patients at the Homer Street location began at 8 a.m. Saturday and the final patient arrived shortly after noon, a hospital spokesman said. In all, 52 patients were transported by crews from Superior Ambulance. Mazzoni said plans call for an urgent care facility to open inside a small portion of the old hospital in March. What will be done with the rest of the empty 400,000 square feet of space has not been decided. GARY Detectives are investigating two weekend shootings in the city's Midtown and Glen Park West sections. Police were dispatched about 12:33 a.m. Saturday to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville to take a report of a gunshot wound victim who says he was injured by gunfire in the 3800 block of Jefferson Street. The 21-year-old male victim, from Merrillville, reported he was a passenger inside a vehicle with three friends earlier that night on Friday, according to Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamdady. The driver of the vehicle was taking one of the friends to his home in the 3900 block of Jefferson Street when a unknown subject fired into the vehicle several times. The man was struck by a bullet in the face and arm before fleeing the area. He is in stable condition, according to Hamady. Sgt. Gregory Wolf is investigating this incident. Anyone with further information is urged to contact the Violent Crimes Division at 219 881-1210. Police are also investigating a second shooting that occurred Sunday in the 2400 block of Washington Street. Police were dispatched about 12:20 p.m. to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus to speak with a 20-year-old gunshot wound victim in Gary. The Lake County Sheriff's Department has urged Region residents not to drive during a winter storm expected that could drop up to 7 inches of The Times Media Co. is accepting nominations to the Northwest Indiana Business & Industry Hall of Fame. Nominations of individuals who have made substantial contributions in their field of business, and of enterprises that have contributed significantly to the economic development of Northwest Indiana, can be made at nwi.com/halloffame. This year's class will be the Business & Industry Hall of Fame's 12th. There are currently 63 individual members, and three businesses have been honored as Enterprise of the Year. Last year's inductees were William Hasse of Hasse Construction Co., Dr. Vidya Kora, Terry McMahon of McMahon & Associates, Scott Albanese of Albanese Confectionery Group and Jeff Strack of Strack & Van Til. The Enterprise of the Year was Monosol. Nominators will be asked for the nominee's name, business and occupation, and for contact information, as well as a reason for the nomination. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 9. The business people and enterprise selected for induction will be honored at a luncheon this spring, and will be profiled in the April issue of The Times Media Co.'s In Business magazine. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The partial government federal shutdown is now the longest in American history. And, I don't feel like Americans are nearly as concerned as they should be. I think this is perhaps because people don't understand how dire the situation truly is. Federal employees are split into exempted and non-exempted, with the latter group suffering the consequences. (The wording was changed from essential and non-essential because workers apparently don't feel great about being called non-essential.) Hoosiers seem to be particularly aloof. WalletHub published a study Jan. 3 which listed the states and Washington, D.C. based on the impact of the shutdown. Indiana ranked near the bottom on nearly every metric including: share of federal jobs (43rd), federal contract dollars per capita (43rd), real estate as a percentage of gross state product (48th), access to national parks (50th), and percent of families receiving food stamps (30th). Even for those who are affected, half-measures are being implemented to remove some of the sting. The United States Department of Agriculture is urging states to request early issuance next months of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding for next month to side-step the lack of appropriations. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced Friday they are preparing to issue food stamps early for February to nearly 585,000 Hoosiers on Jan. 16. The Internal Revenue Service has decided to continue issuing refunds to taxpayers, even though that may be illegal. The National Parks Service is now dipping into entrance fees to pay to keep them open. But, just because people don't realize this is hurting them, doesn't mean it won't. Breweries can't get new beers approved with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau being shut down. Per U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, the Food and Drug Administration has stopped most of its food safety inspections. Transportation Safety Administration employees are required to show up for work without being paid, and many have either quit or simply called in sick. If we want the shutdown to end anytime soon we have to let the pain be felt by those apparently unbothered by the wheels of government being allowed to grind to a halt. Stop sending people tax refunds, shut down the parks altogether, and stop issuing food stamps. Then, you'll see this end in a hurry. But, ideally, I would go even further than that. The amorphous term government is blamed for so much by conservatives. We might never have another shutdown again if we stopped separating government workers into exempted and non-exempted groups. And, not just federal workers, but state and local, as well. Shut down the whole thing the next time politicians want to start playing games. Tell the firefighters to go home. Tell the police to take some time off. Don't clear the snow off the roads during the winter. Dont pick the trash up. The jobs done by government workers are mostly thankless because no one notices until they stop doing it. Feeling their absence may be the only way to show the importance of their presence. Shelly Fitzgerald, the suspended Roncalli High School guidance counselor, officially filed a charge of discrimination Jan. 7 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Fitzgerald, along with her attorney, David Page, first announced they were planning to proceed with such litigation against Roncalli High School and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis at a press conference in November 2018. In August 2018, Fitzgerald was placed on administrative leave after school officials received a copy of her marriage license showing her spouse was her wife, Victoria. They had been married four years and together for over 20. In the months since, she has seen students, parents, and supporters across the country rise in solidarity with her cause. A few weeks after the controversy broke, Fitzgerald appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where $25,000 was donated to the new Shelly's Voice Advocacy Group. Groups including DignityUSA, Indiana Youth Group, and New Ways Ministry have rushed to her defense. In the meantime, another Roncalli High School guidance counselor, Lynn Starkey, announced that she also was filing a charge of discrimination for similar reasons. To date, both women remain employed at Roncalli High School, however, Starkey, was allowed to remain in her position and continue her duties at the school, according to a Monday press release. Starkey has worked at the school for over two decades. Like Fitzgerald, she is also a gay woman, and has been in a civil union with her spouse since 2015. Upon receipt, the EEOC will begin an investigation into the allegations and make a determination on the merits of the charges. The average time it takes the EEOC to investigate and resolve a charge is about 10 months. Once a determination is made by the EEOC, Fitzgerald will have 90 days to decide whether to file suit in federal court, according to the release. In the filing, Fitzgerald alleges that the school and church's actions constitute a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 USC 2000e. Hoosiers who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, will be receiving their February benefits this week. But, after that, the plan is unclear as to when further benefits will be released. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has been informed by the United States Department of Agriculture the state must issue SNAP benefits for the month of February on Wednesday, rather than the previously-reported date of Saturday. The announcement came after the current government shutdown became the longest in American history over the weekend. In Indiana, SNAP benefits are usually issued to recipients according to an alphabetical schedule over a 19-day period throughout the month. This one-time early benefit distribution was identified by USDA officials as a mechanism provide SNAP benefits during the partial federal government shutdown, stated a Monday press release. No SNAP benefits will be issued in the month of February, so recipients are strongly encouraged to budget their SNAP benefits to ensure the amount received provides for their food needs through the entire month of February. January benefits are being distributed according to the normal schedule. FSSA will continue to accept and process applications for benefits for January issuance through Jan. 31. FSSA remains in contact with federal partners and will provide further updates if warranted. The distribution of SNAP benefits for March remains unknown, depending reserve funds or an end to the shutdown. "We appreciate FSSA's commitment to deliver services within their power to prevent nearly 600,000 Hoosiers from experiencing a deeper lack of access to food," stated Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks. "We remain seriously concerned about the impact of this shutdown on Hoosiers at risk of hunger, however...Our clients already report that SNAP benefits don't last for the full month, which is why they also rely on the charitable sector to put enough food on the table. We fully expect an overwhelming demand on our food banks and the pantries they serve in the month of February and perhaps beyond. Bryant further stated that beyond those who receive benefits, they are also concerned about the health of government workers and their families who are without a source of income during the shutdown. "We also recognize that many federal employees are now missing paychecks, which could put them at risk of hunger. We would encourage anyone in need of help to call Indiana 2-1-1 to find community resources to help get through the shutdown," stated Bryant in a Friday press release. "Finally, we would implore our elected officials to end this government shutdown. Food insecurity, by definition, is not knowing from where your next meal will come. Without the security of consistent access to federal nutrition programs like SNAP through the United States Department of Agriculture, thousands of Hoosier families are further in danger of experiencing hunger, which is unacceptable." To help food banks meet the growing need during this extraordinary shutdown, Bryant encouraged the public to contribute to Indiana's food banks. Donations can be made at www.feedingindianashungry.org. Please include a note that the contribution is for shutdown relief and it will be passed along to the food bank serving the donor's community. The Indiana FSSA website provides no additional information at this time for SNAP recipients. Its safe to say that drumming runs in Adam Deitchs blood. My great uncle was a drummer, and he taught my father to play drums, says the Lettuce drummer. My dad has played since he was a kid and went to Berklee. My mom is also a drummer. Its the family business basically. Lettuce returns to Indianapolis for a show at the Vogue on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Beforehand, we chatted with drummer Adam Deitch about jazz, the Fugees, and much more. NUVO: What styles of drumming did your family members specialize in playing? ADAM DEITCH: My great uncle was a big band drummer. He played with a professional big band in the 1940s and 1950s. My dad started out as a big band jazz drummer, and then he got really into funk, jazz fusion, and that kind of stuff. My mother is into funk, soul, R&B, and some jazz. NUVO: What style did you start out playing? DEITCH: I started playing along with Earth, Wind & Fire records. That was really what I was into. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and that kind of stuff. NUVO: When did you start trying your hand at jazz? DEITCH: Jazz was a very important part of the household. We listened to it all the time. Im still learning how to play jazz now, I guess. Ive really concentrated on funk my entire life, but jazz has always been right there and is always an inspiration. NUVO: You have your own Adam Deitch Quartet. When was that something you first started doing? DEITCH: I met this organist named Will Blades, who is phenomenal. He lives in San Francisco. Whenever Lettuce would do a show out there, we would do an after show with just me, him, and whoever was around. And then, the Lettuce horn section (Benny Bloom and Ryan Zoidis) wanted to be a part of it. So thats how that got birthed. NUVO: Youve been playing with the guys in Lettuce for so long. Id imagine it almost feels like second nature now. DEITCH: Yeah. Its to the point where theres a lot of psychic stuff going on. Its to the point where I set up a miniature drum set in the back of the bus, and we jam before shows and write music after shows. Were very much into hanging out and making music together, and that makes it a lot more fun. Ive been in other bands where its not like that, and this is how its supposed to be. We are completely in the zone and love playing with each other. NUVO: You all have had your hands in other projects as well. I would imagine that has helped to keep things refreshing with Lettuce? DEITCH: We all had done other stuff in our lives before we committed to Lettuce as a full-time job. That helped inspire us and brought new influences into the music. We never feel stagnant. Weve had so many experiences playing with other people that we want to be here and we want to be playing with each other. NUVO: Some of your work outside of Lettuce is particularly interesting to me. You played drums with the Fugees for a short time. How did that opportunity come about? DEITCH; Jesus Coomes, the bass player in Lettuce, was doing a recording session with Wyclef Jean and DJ Quik, and he invited me to the session. He said, Hey. Im in New York working with DJ Quik and Wyclef. They want to have a drummer come in the studio today, and I recommended you." I was like, Wow, thats really nice of you. Thats super cool. I go in, and its my boy Jesus and two hip-hop legends. We ended up really getting along. I grew up with a lot of East Haitian friends in New York, so we connected on that level and talked about traditional Haitian music. He was shocked that I knew all that. Next thing you know, Im playing with him and his cousin Jerry Wonda. And then, he said, Were doing a Fugees reunion. I actually couldnt even do the Fugees reunion because I think I had a Justin Timberlake session or something like that at the time. But I rehearsed with the Fugees, and I did like one gig with them. And then, I think I gave it to my friend Joe Tomino, whos a great drummer. NUVO: I know Lettuce has made friends with some Indianapolis musicians over the years. What do you look forward to when visiting Naptown? DEITCH: Ever since I met Sleepy Floyd, Nick Gerlach, and the rest of that crew, Ive always looked forward to being there. Those guys hold down the jazz-funk meets hip-hop aesthetic. Were like a fraternity. [laughs] In every city, there are people that really represent that scene and want to bring those genres together. Its always great to be there. Ill probably bring the guys to the Mousetrap after, and well hang out, sit in, and jam. On Jan 5, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library closed its Emelie Building location at 340 N. Senate Ave. just as its lease expired. But the Vonnegut museum, which opened this street-front space in 2011 to celebrate the life and legacy of the Indianapolis-born author, is not disbanding. Its merely in a state of transition, says founder and CEO Julia Whitehead. The museum is actively searching for a new location and will likely have an announcement about a new space very soon. We have narrowed the search down to a few different locations, but Im not at liberty to say at this point whats happening with that, says Whitehead. In the interim, they will open a pop-up retail space in Circle Center Mall in early February. Within its small space in the Emelie buildingdonated by the law firm Katz, Korin, and Cunninghamthe museum was able to do a lot in eight years. Visitors were able to view, among other items, Vonneguts Smith-Corona Coronamatic 2200, which he used to type his novels Jailbird and Breakfast of Champions. They could have also sat in a recreation of his office space, taken in exhibits highlighting his social advocacy, and attended the art exhibitions and readings the museum occasionally hosted. But it soon became apparent that there only so much that the museum could do with its 1100 square feet of space. Their office space was off-site, and much of the museum collection had to be housed in the Indiana History Center. Since the museum had clearly outgrown the Emelie Building, a move was planned in early 2017. The organization chose a location at 646 Mass Ave, which had five times the square footage, and a lease was signed. However, before a grand opening celebration could be held in April 2017, serious structural issues were found with the building. The museum was forced to cancel the move. The aborted move resulted in litigation between the museum and the buildings owner and delay plans for moving. Now the dispute between the parties has been resolved, with 646 Partners agreeing to make a significant donation to the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library to support and preserve the legacy of the Hoosier legend as well as highlight the 646 Mass Ave Partners passion for the arts and culture in Indianapolis, according to a statement by the museum. Whitehead admits that the past two years have been difficult, and she is looking forward to 2019, the 50th anniversary of the publication of Vonneguts Slaughterhouse-Five. To mark the anniversary the museum is giving away 86,000 copies of the book to all Hoosier high school sophomores. The museum plans to open the new space, wherever that might be, with an exhibition called Slaughterhouse 50, that will honor the books 50th anniversary of publication. The exhibit will feature 50 pieces of art inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five and created by renowned artist and war veteran, Lance Miccio. During VonnegutFest 2019, in November, a permanent exhibition for Slaughterhouse-Five will be unveiled. In the interim, the pop-up at Circle Center Mall will act as more than just a retail space. There will be three display cases with some artifacts from our museum, says Whitehead. But the bulk of our artifacts are going to be archived for us kindly by the State Museum. So that is a great partnership that we are striking up in this particular time to find a home for precious artifacts like Vonneguts typewriter which we believe will be on display at the State Museum. The museum also has a full plate of events. Were excited about Night of Vonnegut being held in the Athenaeum this year with Salman Rushdie who will be interviewed by the historian Douglas Brinkley who has his own following. Since its a 1969 theme, patrons will be invited to wear clothes from the era to the event. We will have reenactors, or I guess I should say actors, representing individual characters from the book Slaughterhouse Five, who will interact with the audience that night, says Whitehead Whitehead says that she is encouraged by ongoing support from the community fiscally and otherwise. As we start 2019 is this city is like were receiving a giant hug from the city of Indianapolis and individuals saying we value you and the things that you do, she says. Community Reporter Erica Welch is the special sections editor for The News-Review, mother of two and a native of Roseburg. She is an alumni of RHS, UCC and Western Oregon University. Contact her at ewelch@nrtoday.com or 541-957-4218. This may be frustrating for Note 9 owners hoping to update their devices over the next few days. By contrast, Samsung initially started rolling out One UI to Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ owners just before Christmas. However, Samsung did state on its official One UI road-map that it would be releasing the update in February this year, so this news is not wholly surprising. Please keep in mind that there has been no official confirmation whether the February 1 expected release date only applies to Turkey or to other countries and regions too. One UI succeeds Samsung Experience, which replaced TouchWiz in 2016. The update includes a new Night Mode among other features and has less bloatware than previous Samsung versions of Android. Samsung has stressed that One UI will help people "focus on what really matters" by making the OS easier to navigate with one-hand. Let us know in the comments about your experiences with One UI beta on your Galaxy Note 9 and if you have had encountered any issues that remain unresolved. Huawei might be on its way to becoming the world's second-largest smartphone maker, but the latest move made by the Chinese brand might be a costly one in the long run. The EMUI 9.0 update will come without access to third-party launchers, although this limitation will only be applied in China in the beginning. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 5G , Accessory , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker Huawei's EMUI interface is not bad at all, but the user should also be allowed to choose something else. Unfortunately, the top Chinese smartphone maker seems to think otherwise and has decided to block third-party launchers on devices running EMUI 9.0. The good news is that at least for now this change is only going live in China. The official reason for this apparently (very) bad move by Huawei is the company's concerns about security and performance problems that might come with the use of third-party launchers. Obviously, many Android launchers currently available come with bloatware and sluggish performance, but this does not mean that all are this way. In the worst-case scenario, Huawei could at least come up with a certification program and a nice "EMUI-compatible launcher" label for launcher developers to apply to their work. This would still provide some degree of freedom to the users of Huawei handsets while allowing the Chinese brand to exert an increased level of control over the apps that can have a negative impact on the behavior of its custom interface. The name of a Council Bluffs man found dead after an apartment fire Jan. 8 has been released by officials. The body of Charles Ruckman, 59, was found after a fire at 221 N. 30th St., Council Bluffs Fire Department officials announced Monday. The autopsy, performed by the Iowa State Medical Examiners Office, ruled the preliminary cause of Ruckmans death was smoke inhalation. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Ruckman lived at the apartment, they said. Firefighters responded to the scene Jan. 8 at about 3 p.m. for the fire. Ruckman was the only resident who lived in one of the four units at the complex, the department said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. With ski masks pulled over their faces, Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram turned toward cameras and set the record straight in the aftermath of the New Orleans Saints' 20-14 playoff win against the Eagles. There are the originals, and there are the imitators, they said. Before Kamara and Ingram could take a question from reporters in the postgame locker room, safety Chris Banjo swooped in from the side holding up his phone and saying, Take me through it. What was the vibe? Ingram responded by saying, Man, there was a lot of talking early, but in the end it wasnt too loud. We just had to mask up like we said we was the original. So we had to mask up. The issue lies with the way Philadelphias defenders have been spotted on the sidelines wearing a ski mask after big plays this season. The Saints claim that particular brand for themselves. Weve been on the ski mask," Ingram said. "(Alex Okafor), thats his sack dance celebration for years. So when he got hurt last year, we all started doing the ski mask. Then Mike (Thomas) ran out with the ski mask when we played the Eagles, he ran out of the tunnel with the ski mask on, and them boys got the ski mask on the next week. Its just a little something. Kamara and Ingram have brought up their displeasure in the past. Kamara did his Week 16 postgame interview in a ski mask. Though he never brought up the Eagles directly, Ingram made it clear the Saints noticed a lot of frauds out here rockin ski masks. Its a copycat league, Kamara said. Saints survive rough start to beat Eagles 20-14, advance to the NFC championship game Louisiana bettors got a step closer to being able to start wagering on sporting events by fall if the governor approves the second of two bills that is about to clear the Legislature. A plaque that memorialized something called the Children of the Confederacy Creed, explicitly rejecting slavery as the underlying cause of the Civil War, was gone from the Texas Capitol on Monday (Jan. 14) after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders agreed to remove it in a vote last week. It would be good for onlookers in New Orleans, Louisiana, and other places to note that the bipartisan board that approved the removal of the plaque rejected complaints of political correctness and ruled in favor of historical accuracy. The plaque, which was donated to the state Capitol in 1959, presented a view that is simply contrary to reality. We, therefore, pledge ourselves to preserve pure ideals to study and teach the truths of history (one of the most important of which is that the War Between the States was not a rebellion, nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery). Like the plaque that was donated almost 100 years after the war ended, those truths belong to the Cult of the Lost Cause that helped bolster Jim Crow laws, the revival of the Ku Klux Klan and a white supremacist movement that remains active today. Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat, cited the cults revisionist history as a reason he pushed to remove Confederate monuments in the city before he left office last year. Abbott, a Republican, said in October that the Capitol should not have substantially inaccurate historical statements on permanent display. He and other members of a preservation board voted Friday to remove the plaque. Conservative legislators, and more recently Republicans, have resisted taking down the creed. But Texas state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the lawmaker Republicans have backed to become the next speaker of the Texas House, applauded Abbotts call this month for the board to consider the future of the plaque. "I commend the governor for calling this meeting to begin the process of removing the Confederate plaque from the halls of the State Capitol," Bonnen told The Dallas Morning News. "It is historically inaccurate, and I stand by those who have called for its removal." The change comes less than two months after the Texas State Board of Education revised its standards for social studies curriculums in public schools to say that the expansion of slavery played the central role in causing the American Civil War. The previous Texas standards, adopted in 2010, listed slavery as one of several causes of the Civil War, after sectionalism and states rights. The new standards will say that elementary school students should be able to identify the central role of the expansion of slavery in causing the Civil War and other contributing factors, including sectionalism and states rights. This should hardly be news. James McPherson, a Princeton Civil War historian and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning history Battle Cry of Freedom, said almost a decade ago that the consensus on the issue was clear. Probably 90 percent, maybe 95 percent of serious historians of the Civil War would agree on the broad questions of what the war was about and what brought it about and what caused it, McPherson said in 2010 interview, which was the increasing polarization of the country between the free states and the slave states over issues of slavery, especially the expansion of slavery. The biggest question is why so many people still wont accept the truth. State Rep. Eric Johnson, a Democrat from Dallas, worked for more than a year to remove the "Children of the Confederacy Creed," which he noted, is not historically accurate in the slightest, to which any legitimate, peer-reviewed Civil War historian will attest. In a statement after the unanimous vote last week to pull down the plaque, Johnson said, "none of us in state government should be high-fiving each other or patting ourselves on the back today." The plaque should never have been put up by the Legislature in the first place, and it certainly shouldnt have taken 60 years to remove it, he wrote. And thats on Republicans and Democrats alike, to be perfectly honest. The next time that Confederate monuments become an issue in Louisiana, lawmakers should think about that. The truth should be bipartisan. Tim Morris is a columnist on the Latitude team at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Latitude is a place to share opinions about the challenges facing Louisiana. Follow @LatitudeNOLA on Facebook and Twitter. Write to Tim at tmorris@nola.com. Some 200 protesters marched near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Monday (Jan. 14), where President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak at the American Farm Bureau Federations annual meeting, calling for an end to the now 24-day partial shutdown of the federal government over funding for a proposed border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump has said that parts of the federal government will remain closed until Democrats agree to provide $5.7 billion in funding for the border wall, one of his key campaign promises, in order to deter criminal elements from crossing the border. The budget stalemate is now in its fourth week, affecting approximately 800,000 federal workers who missed their first paycheck on Friday (Jan. 11). At 10:30 a.m., the first of the protesters, about 40, gathered near the ferry terminal at the end of Canal Street, holding signs that read Nobody is above the law and Federal employees are not hostages. Ricardo Gutierrez, 60, who said he was with members of the NAACP attending the protest, said people were coming to express a variety of concerns, including their opposition to the Trump administrations immigration policies. That sums it up for me right there, he said, pointing to a sign: You dont care who you hurt. A woman who declined to give her name said her husband works in the U.S. Coast Guard and hasnt been paid this year. Friday marked the first payday missed since the shutdown started Dec. 22. He didnt attend the protest because hes still on the job, despite not being paid, she said. People dont know the (Coast Guard) is still patrolling the waterways here, they are not getting paid. We were supposed to get paid tomorrow, thats not going to happen," the woman said. Her family was able to obtain a loan through USAA that will take them through February, she said, but she was not sure what they would do if the shutdown continues beyond that. Sculptor Brent Barnidge joined protestors, with one of his works in town on a trailer pulled by a pickup truck parked along Convention Center Boulevard. The corpulent figure, reminiscent of Napoleon Bonaparte, straddled a bomb with trefoil radiation symbols on each side. The entire sculpture was painted a shade of gold. It was a labor of loathe, said Barnidge, who said he made the sculpture two months ago. 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 Construction along Convention Center Boulevard forced protesters to take their march farther downtown. As people watched from the sidewalk, one man gave the protestors a thumbs down. Another sipping coffee asked Why arent they at work? A waiter from a nearby restaurant recorded the protest march on his phone, pumping his fist in the air as marchers passed by. In addition to Barnidges sculpture, other protesters toted a mock guillotine with a Let them eat king cake sign on it. Their route eventually brought them in front of the convention center, where protesters gave speeches on an amplified bullhorn. Traffic was shut off from the venues main drag to accommodate the presidents visit, yet protesters were not allowed past a police barricade near where Trump would enter the facility. A handful of Trump supporters gathered on the curb across from the convention center as protesters marched by, one wearing a Trump flag around his shoulders. Chrystel and Douglas Olander, husband-and-wife owners of Big Ds Seafood Inc. in St. Mary Parish, held up signs in support of Trump. Both said their industry has been hurt by the low cost of imported seafood, and they said they supported the concept of the border wall. Trump is my president, Chrystel Olander said. Trump was expected to speak at the Farm Bureau convention just before noon, but The Associated Press reported that mechanical issues delayed Air Force One from leaving Washington, D.C., on time, pushing back Trumps appearance. The Farm Bureau event is closed to the public, a spokesman for the group confirmed Monday morning. Reporter Beau Evans contributed to this report. You've heard of the New Orleans Saints bandwagon? Well, after the black-and-gold's dramatic come-from-behind playoff victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (Jan. 13), now there's such a thing as the New Orleans Saints subway system. At least, there was for a brief time Monday morning in New York City, when "Today" host Hoda Kotb -- a former WWL news anchor and devoted member of Who Dat Nation -- ensured that co-host and Eagles fan Savannah Guthrie made good on a bet the two made before Sunday's game. The result: Guthrie, in head-to-toe Saints attire, handing out coffee and fleur-de-lis cookies to New York City commuters while singing "When the Saints Go Marching In." Following behind to offer encouragement, and a few "Who Dats": Kotb, who was fittingly giddy at the sight, even at the early hour. Granted, neither Guthrie's black-and-gold enthusiasm nor her pitch was exactly up to snuff, but afterward she admitted she's been converted to the cause. "I'm with the Saints all the way to the Super Bowl now," she told her "Today" co-hosts after the three-minute segment aired. "This is my theory of the case: because you want to lose to the ultimate winner. So now I say, Saints to the Super Bowl." Watch Mondays segment below or at the Today YouTube channel. John F. Kennedy High School and Holy Cross School have canceled classes Monday (Jan. 14) because of low water pressure, according to school officials and a report from WWL-TV. The Sewerage and Water Board confirmed via the NextDoor neighborhood app that it is responding to a 12-inch water main break at 5900 Cartier Drive (map). Cartier Drive is closed to traffic from Athis Street to Burbank Drive, the message said. S&WB did not say what caused the break or when it is expected to be repaired. John F. Kennedy High School officials in a written statement Monday morning said the water pressure at the Paris Avenue school is too low to maintain normal operations. Holy Cross officials told WWL that its Paris Avenue campus will be closed for all students in grades 5-12 because of the break, which it described as massive in a letter sent to parents. WWL published the letter. Holy Cross said its Elysian Fields campus has water pressure and will continue classes as scheduled, according to our news partners at WVUE Fox 8. There was no immediate word when classes would resume at John F. Kennedy High School or Holy Cross Schools Paris Avenue campus. 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. Authorities arrested a 17-year-old Thibodaux High School student Sunday (Jan. 13) after he threatened to bring a gun to school, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Office. The teen from Thibodaux was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on a charge of cyberstalking in connection with online threats, according to the Sheriffs Office. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune generally does not identify juveniles. Deputies responded to a complaint of harassment around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, authorities said. Several students received social media messages from the teen threatening to bring a gun to school and kill them, police said. Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Louis Voiron Jr. said the school system takes all threats seriously and out of an abundance of caution, the high school will take extra security measures on Monday (Jan. 14), according to a release from the Sheriffs Office. If the teen posts bond, which is set at $10,000, he will not be immediately allowed on school grounds, Voiron said. This case remains under investigation. Jury selection is expected to begin Monday morning (Jan. 14) in the Jefferson Parish murder trial of Gregory Donald, one of the men accused in a violent Kenner robbery that ended with the fatal stabbing of Raising Canes manager Taylor Friloux. Mother of slain Raising Cane's manager tearfully asks, 'Why?' Donald, 21, of Kenner, is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, false imprisonment while armed with a weapon, intimidation of a witness and obstruction of justice in the June 29, 2016, holdup. He is the first of the four suspects arrested in the case to head to trial. Codefendants Mark Crocklen and Ariana Runner pleaded guilty to their roles in the robbery last year. The crimes alleged mastermind, Joshua Every, 26, still awaits trial. Every is charged with first-degree murder and faces the death penalty. Brutal stabbing Authorities say Donald and Every ambushed Raising Canes employees about 1:15 a.m. as they were taking out the trash behind the business, located at 3344 Williams Boulevard. Every was a former employee who had worked under Friloux. Donald also briefly worked at the location, according to Kenner police. Armed with a knife and a box cutter, Every and Donald forced Friloux, 21, to open the business locked back door. Every stabbed Friloux twice in the chest before they all entered the building, Kenner police said. With no guns, knife-wielding Raising Cane's robbery suspect went 'old school:' Kenner police Once inside, the robbers had Friloux open the store safe. Donald grabbed a bag of cash and ran out of the business to a parked getaway vehicle, driven by co-defendant Crocklen, authorities said. Video surveillance cameras recorded Every crouching over Friloux after she collapsed to the ground. He viciously stabbed her in the neck, head and chest, before fleeing the restaurant, Kenner police said. Friloux suffered knife wounds to her windpipe and liver, as well as a cut that almost severed her ear. The fatal injury was a punctured aorta, according to the Jefferson Parish coroners office. Friloux died at University Medical Center in New Orleans. 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 Detectives immediately identified Every as a suspect in the case because his former coworkers recognized him, authorities said. Crocklen surrendered to authorities after hearing of Frilouxs death. He confessed to the robbery, telling authorities that murder wasnt part of the original plan. A judge sentenced him to a total of 40 years in prison after Crocklen pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, false imprisonment while armed with a weapon, intimidation of a witness and obstruction of justice. Robbery recruit Prosecutors sealed the plea agreements for Crocklen and Runner, so theres no confirmation of whether they are expected to testify against Donald. But Runner, who pleaded guilty Sept. 7 to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and obstruction of justice, has not yet been sentenced. She admitted connecting Donald with Every, who was looking for a getaway vehicle and another accomplice during the robberys month-long planning stage, authorities said. Everys first recruit for the crime backed out after the mans girlfriend demanded a cut of the take to keep her mouth closed, according to Kenner police. Every is accused of having stabbed the girl after she made the demand. Runner suggested Donald, her coworker at Walmart, 300 West Esplanade Ave., Kenner. Donald supplied the alleged getaway vehicle, a gold Toyota Highlander that belonged to the mother of his then-girlfriend, authorities said. Detectives used automated license-plate recognition cameras to identify the SUV and tracked the registration to a Kenner home. Donald walked out of the house while police were conducting surveillance, authorities said. Noting that he fit the description of the second robber, police took Donald into custody. Crocklen identified Donald as one of the co-conspirators, according to court records. During questioning, Donald confessed to taking part in the robbery, but claimed he was the getaway driver, Kenner police said. He later admitted going into the restaurant when detectives showed him a photo from the stores video surveillance system, according to authorities. Judge Lee Faulkner of the 24th Judicial District Court will preside over the trial, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. A St. Charles Parish man was named Monday (Jan. 14) as the suspect in Saturdays fatal shooting in St. Rose. Duvell London Sr., 58, of St. Rose is accused of second-degree murder in the killing, reported about 4:30 p.m. on 2nd Street, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office. Responding officers found the victim, a 54-year-old Avondale man, shot dead in a yard in the 100 block of the street. London was arrested shortly after the killing, but authorities did not publicly identify him as the suspected shooter until Monday. The Sheriffs Office has not named the victim or revealed a possible motive for the shooting. Man found fatally shot in St. Rose, sheriff says Anyone with information on the homicide, which remains under investigation, is asked to call St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Detective Jenni Barrette at 985-783-1135 or 985-783-6807. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. A text message saying a 10-year-old boy had been kidnapped from Algiers was part of a game the boy was playing, the New Orleans Police Department said Monday (Jan. 14). The boy was reported missing Sunday from his home on Pinewood Court but was later found in good health at the Walmart on Behrman Highway in Algiers, said NOPD spokesman Juan Barnes. New Orleans police initially reported that the 10-year-old was kidnapped outside of his home while taking out the trash. Police said his mother noticed he was missing around 3 p.m. Sunday, and she later received a text message sent from his phone that said he had been kidnapped. Further investigation revealed that the boy was playing a game that calls for participants to hide or go missing, Barnes said in an email. The boy was not kidnapped, he said, adding that detectives are still looking into the case, which was reclassified from a kidnapping to a missing-juvenile case. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayunes Olivia Prentzel contributed to this report. A 12-year-old boy is accused of negligent homicide in Saturdays (Jan. 12) shooting death of a 9-year-old girl in New Orleans East, the New Orleans Police Department said Monday. The boy is a relative of the victim, who was found with a fatal gunshot wound in her upper body late Saturday at a home in the 6700 block of Bundy Road, police said. Police are not identifying the boy because he is a juvenile, NOPD spokesman Gary Scheets said in an email. Late Monday morning, police had not responded to requests by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for details regarding the circumstances of the shooting. 9-year-old girl fatally shot on Bundy Road late Saturday: NOPD 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 Officers responded to a call of a shooting about 11 p.m. Saturday and found the girl shot in the upper torso, lying on the floor of her home. She was taken to University Medical Center, where she later died, police said. Late Sunday, the NOPD said Homicide Detective Sarah Cherny had made an arrest in the shooting and that the person arrested had been booked with negligent homicide. Cherny is in charge of the ongoing investigation and can be reached at 504-658-5300 with any information regarding this incident. Citizens with information that can help solve a crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. NOTE: Story updated at 11:30 p.m. to reflect that the 10-year-old was found. A 10-year-old boy reported missing Sunday (Jan. 13) in Algiers has been found in good health" and was not kidnapped, a New Orleans Police Department spokesman said. New Orleans police initially reported that Vince Johnson was kidnapped after taking out the trash outside his home in the 30 block of Pinewood Court. Police said his mother noticed he was missing around 3 p.m., and she later received a text message that said he had been kidnapped. An NOPD spokesman said further details would be released later. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump, blamed by a majority of Americans for the record-long government shutdown, lashed out Monday at congressional Democrats including New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, who left Washington and spent the weekend in Puerto Rico. The trip, sponsored by Bold PAC, the political action committee of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, included meetings with top officials in Puerto Rico, still struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria. The Democratic contingent, which included Menendez, also attended a performance of Hamilton starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, who brought his play to the island to help raise money for storm recovery. Ive been here all weekend, Trump told reporters before departing for New Orleans to address the American Farm Bureau Federation. A lot of the Democrats were in Puerto Rico celebrating something. I dont know, maybe theyre celebrating the shutdown. The government shut down Dec. 22 after Trump refused to sign a spending bill with more than $5 billion in taxpayer funding for a southern border wall that he promised Mexico would pay for. While he never proposed funding the wall in his budget when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress, he insisted that the new House Democratic majority now approve the money. The Democrats have to do something, Trump said. We cant solve it without their votes. They now control the House. Lets see if they can lead. I dont know that they can lead, but were going to soon find out. Dems in Puerto Rico as Shutdown hits day 24. @foxandfriends Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019 Ive been waiting all weekend. Democrats must get to work now. Border must be secured! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019 The trip was planned long before the shutdown and was being held in Puerto Rico to allow lawmakers to assess the islands recovery and discuss what more needed to be done. Thanks for drawing attention to this @realDonaldTrump. Members of the CHC were in Puerto Rico to raise awareness for our brothers and sisters who are still suffering from Hurricane Maria no thanks to you. https://t.co/huRRG2qQCo BOLD PAC (@BOLDPAC) January 14, 2019 House Democrats already have voted to reopen the government, leaving it up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to bring up the legislation, almost identical to the spending bills his chamber passed last year. Trump has threatened to get around Congress by declaring an emergency and finding money for the wall from elsewhere in the federal budget, including possibly the federal aid going to Puerto Rico to help in its recovery. Only Trump would consider stealing relief funds critical to states affected by natural disastersincluding Puerto Rico where nearly 3000 American citizens perished after #HurricaneMariajust to fund his ludicrous, ineffective wall.https://t.co/w41LVfNBFt Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 11, 2019 Menendez spokesman Steven Sandberg said the senator met with Governor Ricardo Rosello, Senate Majority Leader Carmelo Rios Santiago, other legislators and the mayors of San Juan, Ponce and Guaynabo. He also met with business, nonprofit and tourism leaders, talked to air traffic controllers working without pay due to the shutdown, and joined a roundtable discussion on the recovery effort, Sandberg said. Keep in mind that New Jersey is home to the third-largest Puerto Rican population on the mainland, so Puerto Ricos recovery is very much a local issue for him and his constituents, Sandberg said. Great to meet with @RicardoRossello and @CarmeloRios to discuss the Trump Admins failed response to #HurricaneMaria and listen firsthand about the immediate needs to strengthen the Puerto Rican economy and other pressing issues. #PuertoRicoStrong pic.twitter.com/0Ngad9fCYg Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 13, 2019 During a break in the action, Menendez attracted unwanted attention when he was seen on the beach. Spotted: Sen. Bob Menendez on the beach at a resort in Puerto Rico on Day 22 of the partial government shutdown. Reports say dozens of Dems are in PR for the CHC BOLD PAC winter retreat including meetings on Maria cleanup, and a party with PRs Hamilton cast. pic.twitter.com/6FaBYKPo4L David McAlpine (@DavidMcAlpine) January 12, 2019 Politicians in bathing suits is almost always a bad idea, especially if they have expensive beach villas in their background, said Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall University. However, it is important to note the senator was leading a huge group of elected officials to Puerto Rico to try and figure out how to help communities still devastated by the hurricane. Menendez and Rep. Albio Sires, D-8th Dist., who did not make the trip, are members of Bold PAC, which made $4.9 million in contributions for the 2018 election. The PAC backed Menendez and Reps. Jeff Van Drew, D-2nd Dist. and Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist. in the last election. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. New Jerseys top law enforcement official said Monday his office is investigating whether generous corporate tax incentives championed by former Gov. Chris Christie ran afoul of state law after a scathing audit found widespread problems. In a rare public statement acknowledging a state inquiry, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said the Economic Development Authoritys failure to adequately track billions of dollars in tax breaks was deeply troubling and suggested his office could sue to recoup money from companies that failed to deliver on promises to create jobs. I intend to figure out what exactly happened and whether any laws were broken, Grewal said. If it turns out that taxpayer dollars were distributed in violation of civil or criminal law, I will use the full powers of my office to seek recovery of those funds and ensure that the proper parties are held accountable. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who appointed Grewal, ordered the state comptroller to audit the programs as one of his first moves after coming into office last January. He had accused Christie, a Republican, of throwing lucrative tax breaks at huge corporations and depleting state coffers of badly needed revenue. That audit, released Wednesday, found the EDA may have improperly awarded, miscalculated, overstated and overpaid tax credits, resulting in the loss of untold amounts of potential tax revenue. The audit found state regulators were incapable of verifying the businesses that are poised to receive $11 billion in tax breaks have made the investments in jobs and capital they had promised. Under the program rules, the tax breaks arent supposed to come until the companies reach certain benchmarks, including hiring workers. Its unclear what the attorney generals inquiry will look like. As the states top prosecutor, Grewal oversees the Division of Criminal Justice, which handles major criminal cases, the Divisions of Law and Consumer Affairs, which oversee civil enforcement, and the newly formed Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which handles corruption probes. Grewal, a former federal prosecutor who specialized in white collar crime, said in his statement he is very concerned whenever I see a state agency distributing so much money, with so little oversight, over such a long period of time. A spokeswoman for the attorney general declined to answer questions regarding the scope of the investigation. State Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex, said Monday he had called on state authorities to investigate, saying the comptrollers report showed a pattern of failure and dereliction of duty. The EDAs incentive programs seem to have been spending taxpayers money more freely than a Kardashian on a shopping spree, Codey said. If an individual taxpayer or small business showed such little regard for meeting their tax obligations, they would be held responsible and made to settle their debts, the former governor added. The corporations that have manipulated these programs should be held to the same standard. All efforts should be made to hold them accountable for any funds owed or subject to return based on failure to meet award terms. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. A half century after the Watergate scandal set off a scramble to push big money out of American politics, big money is bigger than ever. Reformers keep trying to set up barriers, and politicians keep finding ways around them, often with the help of the courts. But there is one consolation: We can force disclosure of political spending, so that voters can at least try to connect the dots. New Jersey is poised to make huge progress on that front, finally. A strong bill to pry open the books of dark money funds is suddenly on a fast-track for approval in both the Senate and Assembly, after collecting dust for more than two years. Gov. Phil Murphy says he supports the bill as well. What changed? It would be nice to think that these guys had a sudden change of heart. But the truth is a bit darker. Both Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney were embarrassed by their reliance on these funds in two separate incidents this month. First, a group of senior advisors to Murphy, including his campaign manager, Brendan Gill, broke their promise to reveal the names of donors who contributed to a dark money fund they use to promote Murphy's agenda. The group raising those funds, New Direction New Jersey, is technically independent of the governor. But that's a fiction. He appears in its TV commercials, and last week he belatedly admitted that he solicits donations as well. He says that he wants the group to voluntary release the names of donors, but when they refused, he did nothing to break ties with them, or even criticize them by name. So, we still don't know who sent those checks to Team Murphy. Was it unions with contracts to negotiate? Lawyers seeking state work? Murphy won't help us find out. Next came Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester. Four months after he pushed through an outrageous and widely criticized bill to subsidize PSEG's nuclear power plants by $300 million a year, the company sent a $55,000 check to a dark money fund associated with his chief ally, George Norcross. It was revealed only because PSEG mistakenly sent the check to the wrong fund, one that must reveal its donors. Now, Murphy and Sweeney need to do some penance, and the pending bill was just the thing. Sponsored by Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, and Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, D-Mercer, the bill would put New Jersey on an equal footing with states like Connecticut and New York. It would force dark money funds like 501c4's to reveal their donors and expenses. Sweeney said he wants to modify the bill to include money spent trying to influence the operations of government, not just campaigns. He also wants to make it retroactive to the start of 2018, a legally questionable move. Both changes deserve close scrutiny. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said he supports the original bill in principle, and it studying those changes. Hearings are expected soon, with a possible vote in both houses at the end of this month. That's lightning speed by Trenton standards. To avoid mistakes, it's vital that the committees call Jeff Brindle, of the Election Law Enforcement Commission, who has pushed for this change for years and helped the sponsors craft the bill; and representative of the Brennan Center for Justice, a leading national voice for campaign finance reform, whose people also helped in the crafting. This is great news. Voters deserve to know who is pulling the strings backstage. If that happens because Murphy and Sweeney see fresh reason to restore faith in their integrity, so be it. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. An Ocean County girl suffered head and neck injuries Sunday when the sled she was on crashed into a parked car, authorities said. The girl, whose name and age were not released, was hurt on Drake Drive in Berkeley Township, police said in a statement. Police called the injuries moderate and said the girl was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center for evaluation. Further details were not available and the accident remained under investigation on Monday, according Sgt. Michael Ptaszenski of the Berkeley Township Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 732-341-6600. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Five alleged victims who say they were sexually abused by a New Jersey priest settled their lawsuits against the Catholic Church for a total of $400,000 -- and a sixth cases against him is still in court, an attorney said. The Rev. Michael Mitch Walters was accused of molesting both boys and girls at St. Cassian Church and school in Montclair and St. John Nepomucene Parish in Guttenberg in the 1980s and 1990s. He denied the accusations and was removed from ministry in 2016. Five lawsuits against Walters were settled in July after the cases went to mediation, said Mitchell Garabedian, the Boston-based attorney for the alleged victims. Garabedian, who was portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the 2015 film Spotlight, is known for representing victims in cases against the Catholic Church. A sixth case filed by an alleged victim abused as a child is still in court. In that case, the alleged victim is suing Walters, the Archdiocese of Newark, St. Cassian Parish and St. Cassian School. The Archdiocese of Newark is working diligently towards the healing and reconciliation of survivors and seeks to resolve all claims, whether through mediation or otherwise. We are hopeful that the settlement of these five claims will begin the healing process for the victims-survivors, and we continue to work toward the resolutions of similar matters, the archdiocese said in a statement. Church officials have previously said New Jerseys five dioceses have paid out a total of at least $50 million in settlements with clergy sexual abuse victims. Much of that money came from the dioceses' insurance reserve funds. Danielle Polemeni, one of the alleged victims who settled a case against the priest, said Walters groped her on multiple occasions when she was 13 and 14 years old and attending St. Cassians Church and the parishs school in Upper Montclair. During an eighth-grade class trip to the Poconos, Walters groped her breast and buttocks as he carried her around a swimming pool for several minutes, Polemeni alleged. I also thought that that was just how men behaved, Polemeni, now a teacher in Ohio, told NJ Advance Media in 2016. That, sometimes they were creepy, and gross, and you just had to wait for them to go away. In the sixth case still pending in court, both attorneys for Walters and the Catholic Church asked for the case to be thrown out entirely or in part, Garabedian said. In court papers, the church attorneys have alleged contributory negligence or comparative negligence, meaning the cases should be dismissed because the alleged victim was partially at fault for the alleged abuse. The same arguments were made by church attorneys in the five other cases that were eventually settled, Garabedian said. The legal language filed on behalf of the archdiocese is a standard response to these types of cases. It is unfortunate and extremely disingenuous for the plaintiff counsel to call out such language and mischaracterize it so as to sensationalize the case for heightened media attention," the Archdiocese of Newark said in a statement. The announcement of the settlement of the cases against Walters come as the Catholic Church in New Jersey is preparing to release a list of all priests and deacons who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. Church officials said the list is expected to be released by the Archdiocese of Newark and the four other dioceses -- Metuchen, Paterson, Camden and Trenton -- early this year. It is unclear how many names will be on it. New Jerseys attorney general set up a task force last year to investigate priest sexual abuse and whether the Catholic Church covered up the crimes. The investigation is modeled on a similar two-year probe in Pennsylvania that used subpoenas to gather decades of church files that revealed more than 1,000 children were sexually abused by at least 300 priests in that state. The New Jersey attorney generals task force set up a hotline -- (855) 363-6548 - for people to report allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. One of two men shot at Newport Centre mall in Jersey City Friday has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and a slew of other offenses for a daytime shooting last week, authorities said. Jalil Holmes, 19, had been hospitalized after he was shot in the food court area of the Downtown Jersey City mall Friday night, but he was released from RWJBarnabas Healths Jersey City Medical Center Sunday and taken into custody by police. The other shooting victim has also been discharged from the hospital, Jersey City spokeswoman Ashley Manz said. Jersey City police announced Monday afternoon that Ahmad Broadway is wanted for the mall shooting and his photo was released to media outlets. Anyone with information on Broadway should contact police at 201-395-4000. Broadway, who has at least two convictions for weapons offenses, was released from state prison in March. Holmes, who is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday, is accused of shooting two people Wednesday on Grant Avenue, an incident that led to three schools being placed on lockdown. He was also charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of aggravated assault and weapons offenses that include possession of a firearm by a felon, Manz said. Regarding the mall shooting Friday, Holmes was issued a summons for rioting, Police say a fight broke out in the malls food court and shoppers ran for their lives when gunshots rang out at roughly 6 p.m. Two days earlier, it was Holmes pulling the trigger in a lunchtime shooting that sent two men to the JCMC, police said. The violence leading to the shootings appears to be based on a beef between gang members from Wilkinson Avenue and others from the Marion Section, according to someone familiar with the investigation. Gang members from Marion are said to be aligned with gang members from Bidwell Avenue and others from Martin Luther King Drive. Holmes is slated to make his first court appearance on the charges stemming from the Grant Avenue shooting at 9 a.m. Wednesday before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Editors note: This report was updated with new information at 3:49 p.m. Q. How does one find out if the owner of a property in New Jersey is paying their property taxes? -- Curious A. This information is pretty simple to find. That's because property tax information is public record in New Jersey. It can be researched directly through New Jersey's website, or you can go directly to the municipality where the property is located, said Steven Gallo, a certified public accountant and personal financial specialist with U.S. Financial Services in Fairfield. But, Gallo said, if you're curious because you're planning to purchase the property, it's a moot point. "In New Jersey, all property purchases must go through a legal closing process in which a property search is conducted," Gallo said. "No property can change ownership without all outstanding taxes being paid by the seller at closing, therefore giving the new owner clear title and a fresh start." You can also learn if there are any liens against the property, and those, too, would be paid off at the closing. Good luck on your search! Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com. Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter. How do you describe a thriller that transcends the term's generally accepted meaning? Taylor Adams' "No Exit" (William Morrow, 352 pp., $26.99) is a thriller on high test with no pauses, a non-stop narrative in which the tension escalates with the turn of every page - yes, every page. Darby Thorne has left her Utah college campus to visit her dying mother. When she encounters a blinding snowstorm in the Colorado mountains, the steadily worsening road conditions force her to pull into a rest stop. She takes shelter inside a visitor's center, where a woman and three men already have escaped from the storm. She tries to phone her mother, but there's no service. One of the men directs her to an area outside where he got a single bar. She leaves in search of a connection, but to no avail. Returning to the building, she passes a parked panel truck and senses movement inside. Brushing off the rear window she sees a child inside a cage. Clearly, one of the building's occupants owns the van. But which one? With no means of communication, Darby can't summon police. And if she could somehow free the child, what would be her next step in the middle of a blizzard with impassible roads? Still, determined to save the child, she plots a means of doing it - but each turn of events will require recalculating. To tell you any more would spoil this gripping thriller. Suffice it to say you've never read anything quite like it. Me, I'm going on a hunt for Adams' previous books to fill the time while awaiting his next. You'll find Kristyn Kusek Lewis's "Half of What You Hear" (Harper Paperbacks, 384 pp., $16.99) measurably more calming - although not without intrigue. Bess Warner has loved the small Virginia town Greyhill ever since her first visit - and she's been there plenty to visit her husband Cole's parents. She's even fantasized living there. Just not this soon. But Bess has been fired from her job as assistant to the First Lady and, consequently, she is the talk of D.C. Clearly, remaining in Washington would be awkward. Cole is fine with moving to Greyhill, where many of his childhood friends have remained. His parents have conveniently decided it's time for them to retire from running the local inn, and Cole is eager to take over the business. The deal is sealed when the house across the street from his parents - a house Bess has always coveted - comes on the market. If just this scant information suggests a story where every loose end gets tied up in a bow, you're only partly right. But that doesn't make the story entirely predictable. First, much as Bess has loved Greyhill as a visitor, she never anticipated feeling like an outsider. But it's a gossipy town, and after national publicity detailing private comments she made about the First Lady goes viral, no one is unaware of her disgrace. And while she adores her father-in-law, she's always felt her mother-in-law's disapproval. Moreover, one of the couple's twins is being bullied in school. Then she gets an offer to do a profile of the town's legendary Susannah Lane, daughter of Greyhill's oldest family. It's rumored she's going to sell her land to a developer and, Susannah being the town's biggest landowner, that concerns everyone. With each visit to her home, Bess becomes closer to Susannah. She begins to see her as a friendless, misunderstood and persecuted victim. But does Susannah, who seems to overly dwell on her long-ago romance with Clay's father, have an agenda of her own? Is she playing Bess? The story won't end where you expect it to, and its strong women's-relationships theme underscores many truths. Fran Wood, retired Star-Ledger op-ed columnist and former books editor, blogs at nj.com. Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 49F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 49F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Connecticut Democrat Rep. Jim Himes appeared on on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures in a heated interview by Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo. Himes sits on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Financial Services Committee and is the chairman emeritus of the New Democratic Coalition. He was on hand to talk about investigations into President Donald Trump. Bartiromo began by asking what Himes what his priorities are before going into what she called "abuse" of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Watch a clip below and click here for the full interview. Tyler Sizemore / Associated Press "We know that there was real FISA abuse where the FBI did not tell the FISA judge who paid for the dossier, that it was a political document etc. Are you going to pursue that? Are you going to seek the truth there?" Bartiromo asked. Himes responded that that was not accurate, and that it had been made clear that the objective was to "find adverse information" against President Trump. The conversation became argumentative when Bartiromo suggested the judge should have been made aware that Hilary Clinton paid for the document, to which Himes responded that naming names would be a violation of department of justice procedure. Andy Kropa/Associated Press Bartiromo then brought up collusion between Trump and the Russia. Himes said there is "more than circumstantial evidence" of it. He listed several examples including Trump's son having Russians to Trump Tower and asking them for help in the election, the president asking Russia for help finding emails and the fact that Trump administration members are going to jail for lying about their contact with Russia. "This has been a circus of constant talk of collusion in the zeitgeist and we have yet to see any real evidence," Bartiromo responded. "You said you have circumstantial evidence that Donald Trump colluded with the Russians. I have not heard it yet." Himes then listed the aforementioned examples again and Bartiromo responded that the indictments of administration members have nothing to do with collusion. "I'd just like you to look at both sides, Congressman. I hope you come back soon to finish the conversation," she said ending the interview. The following are recent arrests released by the New Haven Police Department on Jan. 14, 2019. Jan. 11, 2019 A 21-year-old Hurlburt Street male was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. A 19-year-old Lloyd Street female was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace. A 50-year-old Congress Avenue male was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree assault, second-degree threatening, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace, and criminal attempt. A 23-year-old Waterbury male was charged with risk of injury to a child, second-degree breach of peace, and third-degree criminal mischief. A 25-year-old Judson Avenue male was charged with interfering with an officer and sixth-degree larceny. A 48-year-old Ferry Street male was charged with third-degree burglary, disorderly conduct, and breach of peace. A 33-year-old Edgewood Avenue male was charged with possession of less than half-an-ounce of cannabis, possession with intent to sell, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and interfering with an officer. A 21-year-old Frank Street male was charged with two counts of possession of narcotics. A 34-year-old Henry Street male was charged with third-degree strangulation, second-degree strangulation, two counts of third-degree assault, interfering with an emergency call, third-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree breach of peace, two counts of risk of injury to a child, fourth-degree sexual assault, second-degree threatening, illegally operating a motor vehicle under suspension, and failure to obey traffic controls. A 24-year-old Hilltop Drive male was charged with being a fugitive of justice. A 28-year-old East Pearl Street male was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of less than half-an-ounce of cannabis. A 45-year-old West Haven female was charged with second-degree breach of peace. A 19-year-old West Street male was charged with fifth-degree larceny. Jan. 12, 2019 A 23-year-old Rock Creek Road male was charged with two counts of third-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell, illegally operating a motor vehicle under suspension, improper turn signaling, two counts of first-degree failure to appear, third-degree strangulation, and two counts of violation of a protective order. A 53-year-old Grand Avenue male was charged with first-degree criminal trespassing and sixth-degree larceny. A 32-year-old Hallock Street male was charged with interfering with an officer, possession of less than half-an-ounce of cannabis, improper parking, and illegally operating a motor vehicle under suspension. A 18-year-old Gilbert Avenue male was charged with possession of narcotics, possession with the intent to sell, and first-degree criminal trespassing. A 60-year-old Dixwell Avenue male was charged with interfering with an officer, disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A 39-year-old New Haven female was charged with assaulting a safety officer, first-degree criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and interfering with an officer. A 52-year-old Chapel Street female was charged with second-degree breach of peace and first-degree criminal trespassing. Jan. 13, 2019 A 28-year-old Sherman Parkway male was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility with a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer, unsafe movement of a stopped vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without a license, illegally operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and following another motor vehicle too closely. A 29-year-old Genesee Street male was charged with interfering with an officer. A 52-year-old Bassett Street male was charged with simple trespass and failure to pay for an infraction. A 48-year-old North Haven male was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. A 30-year-old Hamden female was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. A 31-year-old Hazel Street female was charged with third-degree assault and creating a public disturbance. A 19-year-old Goffe Terrace female was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. As of January 2019, Hearst Connecticut Media does not include names in online police blotters. WEST HAVEN The free ride will be over soon for those who have been parking at the train station without paying the fee, as the states Department of Transportation is about to crack down. The CTDOT will soon be starting parking enforcement activities at the West Haven Station lot, said DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick. Our estimation is that roughly one quarter of vehicles in the facility are parked illegally. He would not release details of the enforcement plan. Nursicks statement comes on the heels of Michael Mercuriano, longtime chairman of the citys Railroad Station Committee, renewing his call for the DOT to build a parking garage that was part of the plan for the $130 million train station, but never built. Mercuriano said there is a severe shortage of spaces and its dangerous because people speed around frantically looking for spaces. He wants legislators to write a bill to fund the garage. Mercuriano said a garage would generate income and solve the shortage. He said the DOT has been promising enforcement for years, but nothing happens. But Nursick said enforcement the parking fee is paid electronically through a machine on premises would free up many spaces for paying customers. With enforcement activities set to begin, we expect additional spaces to be available to commuters, Nursick said. The CTDOT is not pursuing the construction of a parking garage. Mercuriano said the popular train station his passion attracts riders from the shoreline, Orange, Bethany and beyond, as many would rather not use the New Haven train station. The Metro-North railroad station opened in August 2013. He said that by not building the parking garage, the state has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees. Parking is currently paid for by obtaining a ticket at a machine, making it a kind of honor system, because no one is there to enforce payment. The citizens of Connecticut have been shortchanged, Mercuriano said. Mercuriano, who has lobbied several years for the garage, said hes seen people driving 35 miles per hour, desperate for spaces, to catch a train. Someones going to get hurt speeding all around, he said. I would like our legislative committee to get together and write a bill. Mercuriano estimates there are 600-plus cars parked daily at the station and a garage originally slated to be built between Railroad Avenue and Hood Terrace would provide another 500 parking spaces. NEW HAVEN Even as we feel the arch of civil rights buckling today to bigotry and hatred, its more important than ever to remember that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. kept his resolve while jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, for his participation in a peaceful demonstration, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said Sunday. DeLauro said she is heartened that a year after King was in that jail, he stood in the White House for the signing of the Civil Rights Act. We will turn back the forces of today and stand together, DeLauro said. The goal of America is freedom. DeLauro and several other dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, were among those who spoke to a packed church for the West Haven Black Coalitions 33rd annual tribute to King. The coalition was founded and is led by Carroll E. Brown. Because of work being done at the events usual locale, West Havens First Congregational Church, the tribute was held at Center Church on the Green. The tribute annually draws about 500 and is considered the areas kickoff to a week of celebration of the slain civil rights leaders birthday. The Rev. Carl Howard, temporary pastor at First Congregational Church of West Haven and associate pastor of Dunbar Congregational Church in Hamden, told the audience that in modeling King, people should remember his tenacious, tough side and look beyond the famous I Have a Dream speech. Howard said King during his time was despised and vilified by many, and faced challenges from the black power movement and for speaking out against the Vietnam War at the risk of alienating President Lyndon Johnson. Even Jackie Robinson and the Southern Leadership Conference turned against King, Howard said. If were going to be like Dr. King, we have to give our all as well, Howard said. King withstood adversity and stayed focused, Howard said. Sometimes, we have to walk alone, Howard said. He saw what needed to be done and he did it. He dared to challenge the status quo, despite consequences. Howard told the audience that in continuing Kings work today, We have to stop being sidetracked by the side show. Blumenthal said many think of Martin Luther King Day as a day off, but it should really be a day on in the struggle for criminal justice reform, better housing, better education. Blumenthal said hell continue working for that in Washington, D.C. He drew parallels to today, noting the current government shutdown has 800,000 people either out of work or working without pay. He said King died while organizing a strike of sanitation workers in need of economic equality. Blumenthal said that like King, We should all be holding our governments feet to the fire. Blumenthal invoked the famous, timeless quote by King: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Bysiewicz said fighting for economic justice and fighting poverty were among Kings top agenda items and they are tops on the list for her and newly elected Gov. Ned Lamont. She said they want the minimum wage raised to $15, paid family medical leave and equal pay for women. She said they are also working hard to see that the states staff reflects the diversity of our state. Bysiewicz said they want to keep people in the state. The civil rights movement and the legacy of Dr. King depends on all of us, Bysiewicz said. NEW HAVEN Its not ordinary for Pomp and Circumstance to play in January, but three recent graduates of New Haven Public Schools hadnt been ordinary students. Leny Addiel Maldonado-Albelo, Gabriel Segui and Kevin Correa-Martinez, all students of the Sound School, graduated from high school Monday morning through a pilot program to give academically at-risk students an opportunity to receive high school and college credits at the same time. Today, you can not only call yourselves high school graduates, but because of the credits you earned today, youre well on your way to becoming college graduates, said Gateway Community College President Paul Broadie. The Gateway to College program, a partnership between the city school district and Gateway Community College, launched at the start of the academic year. Its part of the Gateway to College National Network, an Oregon-based organization, and is being funded for three years in New Haven by the Barr Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation in Massachusetts. The graduates are three of 48 students who entered the program this year, and officials announced the program will continue, with 20 students being interviewed to join the program this month. Mark Kosinski, Gateways dean of academics, jokingly debated whether 17- and 18-year-olds were old enough to have second chances. This is a place of second chances, he said. The graduates themselves said the program had been a revelatory second chance for them. I was told I wasnt going to make it throughout childhood, said Correa-Martinez, 18. I didnt imagine this path, said Maldonado-Albelo, 17. He said he lost enthusiasm for school at some point and began missing classes, but he truly wanted to graduate. He now plans to pursue an associate degree in automotive technology and already has found a job at a dealership in Milford. He also participated in Gateway Community Colleges automotive technology certificate program. Correa-Martinez works full time at a Wallingford car dealership. Segui, 18, will go to Florida to work in underwater welding. Our greatest accomplishment as a program is your success, said Gateway to College resource specialist Donnell Hilton. Your skills need to be applied beyond high school. Hilton, who delivered the keynote address, encouraged the graduates to embody four attributes: competency, humility, ambition and dependability. Chad, as he called it, is somebody who every employer wants to hire. Chad drives a BMW, Hilton said. Big, fat checks will be written to you for being Chad. Although the three graduates were able to make it through the program in one semester, Kosinski said it ordinarily runs for three semesters and makes available several of the community colleges certificate and training programs. Superintendent of Schools Carol Birks said there are 165 students in the districts alternative education program. Last year, two of the three alternative high schools were closed as a cost-saving measure, and a number of students were sent back to their original high schools this year. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com 3 1 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3 WALLINGFORD Police arrested a man and a woman in connection with an alleged armed robbery at a Citgo Gas Station on Main Street. Police said on Saturday around 7:45 p.m., a witness saw a suspect running away from the station into the passenger seat of a vehicle. The witness took down the plate information and reported it to police, who pursued the vehicle to a highway rest area in North Haven. UPDATE: 12:04 PM MONDAY Police have identified the victim as Eduardo Concepcion, 30, of Bridgeport. Lt. Frank Eannotti said the preliminary investigation reveals that two males were sitting in a parked car on Regency Terrace when they were approached two males on foot. The males exchanged words, and one of the males produced a firearm and fired at least one shot striking the victim. The victim had been an occupant of the vehicle. The two males on foot fled the area. Anyone with information is asked to call the Stratford Police department at 203-385-4140 or 4128 and information may be shared anonymously on the Stratford Police TIP411 app. EARLIER STORY STRATFORD Police are investigating Stratfords first homicide in more than a year and a half, after an early morning streetside shooting led to the death of a male victim at Bridgeport Hospital. Police said the victim was sitting with someone else in a parked car on Regency Terrace when they were approached by two other males at about 2:20 a.m. The parties exchanged words, Stratford Police Capt. Frank Eannotti said, and one of the approaching males pulled out a gun and fired, with at least one shot striking the victim inside the car. Eannotti said police did not expect any further information, including the victims name, to be released Saturday. Before Saturday, the last homicide in Stratford had been Aug. 15, 2017. Raenetta Catchings, 27, of Stratford, was shot dead by her uncle, 21-year-old Michael Catchings. Police charged him with her murder. The other homicide in Stratford that year was on May 27, 2017, when 27-year-old Andre Pettway was shot on Garibaldi Avenue and later died in the hospital. Three people were charged in connection with Pettways killing Brandyn Ford, then 24, of Stratford; Jose Rivera, then 24, of Bridgeport; and Wilfredo Martinez, then 23, of Bridgeport. Pettways homicide was the first one the town had seen since 2011, according to city-data.com, a website that provides statistics on towns and cities nationwide. The data recorded on the site goes back to 2002 and showed that Stratford had two murders in 2002, 2003 and 2008; one murder in 2005, 2010 and 2011; and none in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. On Saturday afternoon, Police were piecing together what happened in the overnight hours. On Regency Terrace, as on many streets in Stratford, there is a Neighborhood Watch sign under the posted 25 mph speed limit. Warning, the sign reads, all suspicious persons and activities are immediately reported to our police department. A man around the corner on Peace Street was taking Christmas lights down from a tree next to his house, dogs wandered around fenced in front yards and a few cars drove down the street. At the corner of Peace Street and Regency Terrace there were broken down Stratford police barriers left behind from the murder investigation. Another pile of signs were left on the sidewalk at the corner of Regency Terrace and Barnum Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call the Stratford Police Department at 203-385-4140. Anonymous tips can be submitted on the Stratford Police Tip411 smartphone application. CORRECTION: The story has been updated to indicate that the last homicide in Stratford was Raenetta Catchings, not Andre Pettway. Catchings murder was in Aug. 2017 and Pettways was in May 2017. That made the total for 2017 two murders, not one as previously reported. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A major winter storm that hammered the Midwest and mid-Atlantic over the weekend missed Upstate New York, but another one looms for next weekend. The National Weather Service office in Binghamton said a potentially major winter storm" is shaping up for Saturday and Sunday, and has already alerted the media and emergency managers. Many of our longer-range models are pointing toward a snowstorm, said Dave Nicosia, the warning coordinating meteorologist in Binghamton. Since it is five to six days out, there is considerably uncertainty. The federal Climate Prediction Center said computer forecast models have keyed in on the potential for a strong low pressure system" for the eastern U.S. this weekend. Some guidance suggests that this storm could lead to significant snowfall, but it is still too far out to predict exact snowfall amounts or the location of the rain/snow line, said the center, which has posted a slight risk of heavy precipitation for the Northeast. The Binghamton weather service office said the storm has the potential to drop about an inch of liquid precipitation, and the exact temperature when that moisture arrives would determine whether it falls as an inch or rain or 10 or more inches of snow. Temperatures appear to be cold enough for snow, though. Snow ratios could be high in parts of the area with this type of setup, the weather service said. The potential for a plowable snowfall is increasing. The exact track and speed of of the storm will also make a big difference. The likely scenario is for the low pressure center of the storm to move slowly and stay south of New York, which would likely bring a widespread accumulating (and potentially significant) snowfall to our area between later Saturday through Sunday, the Buffalo weather service office said. If the storm moves faster and passes directly over New York, that would greatly increase the odds of a mixed precipitation or even a rainfall event, the weather service said. Nicosia said the weather service will issue briefings and hold conference calls with emergency managers later this week. Stay tuned for updates on our weather page. Statistics Canada releases national tourism indicators for third quarter 2018 OTTAWA, Jan. 11, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada's tourism sector is a driver of the Canadian economy: it contributes to economic growth and creates opportunities and jobs for the middle class across Canada. The tourism sector is an important source of employment for Canadians, supporting 1.8 million jobs across the country. Yesterday, Statistics Canada released a report that highlights the latest numbers for Canada's tourism sector. From January to September of 2018, tourism spending in Canada was $80.8 billion, an increase of 5.9% compared to the same period in 2017. Domestic revenues edged up 6.9% to almost $63.3 billion, and tourism revenues from international travellers increased 2.3% to $17.5 billion. In the first nine months of 2018, tourism activities directly accounted for $33.9 billion of Canada's GDP, an increase of 5.9% over the same period in 2017. Tourism directly accounted for over 750,000 jobs from January to September 2018, an increase of 1.3% compared to the same period in 2017. Tourism is a vital and growing part of the Canadian economy. From 2014 to 2017, Canada's tourism sector gained ground by almost every measure. International arrivals in Canada grew by an average of 8% per year and the tourism sector's contribution to GDP grew by an average of 4.6% per year. From 2014 to 2017, the number of jobs in Canada's tourism sector grew by an average of 1.7% per year. Quote "These numbers prove that the tourism sector deserves to be recognized for its high growth potential. It's a driving force in job creation for the middle class. This is why I'm crossing the country to hear from leaders in the industry on new ways to grow Canadian tourism opportunities and increase competitiveness globally. And it's why our government created the Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy. People worldwide have never travelled so much, and we are working on a national tourism strategy to help communities across the country, large and small, draw more visitors to their regions. The future is bright for Canadian tourism." The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie Quick facts Canada's tourism industry is thriving, supporting over 1.8 million jobs across the country. tourism industry is thriving, supporting over 1.8 million jobs across the country. From January to October 2018 , Canada welcomed a record 18.6 million international tourists, an increase of 1.2% over the same period in 2017. , welcomed a record 18.6 million international tourists, an increase of 1.2% over the same period in 2017. The Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy is made up of business owners, entrepreneurs, and tourism operators and professionals who recognize the economic importance of the tourism sector. Associated links Follow @cdntourism on social media for tourism-related news: Twitter, Instagram SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada For further information: Jeremy Ghio, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected] Related Links http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/home Travellers can enjoy the sunny shores of Mexico with one-way flights from $159CAD CALGARY, Jan. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - Today Swoop celebrates its inaugural flight from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) to Puerto Vallarta's Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). Swoop flight WO600 departs from Abbotsford at 12:20 p.m. PST and arrives in Puerto Vallarta at 7:02 p.m. CST. This marks Swoop's second inaugural flight to Puerto Vallarta this week, the first from Hamilton, Ontario on January 8, 2019. Travellers can also enjoy flights from Hamilton to Cancun beginning January 14, 2019 and Abbotsford to Mazatlan beginning January 20, 2019. "Mexico is an important market for Swoop, with an estimated 1.9 million Canadians visiting every year," said Karen McIsaac, Senior Advisor of Communications at Swoop. "We are pleased to see many first-time snowbird vacationers on our flights to Mexico which is confirmation of our mission to bring affordable fares to more Canadians, allowing them to travel more often." "Swoop offers multiple weekly flights from YXX to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan which is excellent news for travellers in our region," said Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun. "The Abbotsford International Airport continues to grow and our partnership with Swoop is a significant contributor to that success. YXX now serves our region with daily flights to Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, as well as multiple weekly flights to Nevada and Mexico." "Puerto Vallarta's airport has been enjoying a continual increase in flights in the past two seasons and these new flights are a sign on the continuous interest in Puerto Vallarta's tourism offerings," said Javier Aranda Pedrero, General Director, Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. "Our guests will find that Puerto Vallarta can offer an exceptional warm and sunny vacation at every budget." Flights are now available for booking through to April 27, 2019. Details of Swoop's service to Mexico: Service Between Service Offered Weekly Frequency Total One-Way Price From* Hamilton and Puerto Vallarta Tuesday, Saturday 2 x per week $139 CAD Hamilton and Cancun Monday, Friday, Saturday 3 x per week $139 CAD Abbotsford and Puerto Vallarta Monday, Saturday 2 x per week $159 CAD Abbotsford and Mazatlan Thursday, Sunday 2 x per week $159 CAD *Every day low fares. Lower promotional fares may be available during select travel periods. To learn more about Swoop's destinations, schedule and ultra-low-cost model visit FlySwoop.com or connect with Swoop on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. About Swoop Established in 2018, Swoop is Canada's leading ultra-low-cost airline, independently operated as part of the WestJet Group of companies, offering point-to-point scheduled service to 14 destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Swoop offers completely unbundled products and services, creating the unique opportunity for travellers to control their costs and customize their experience by purchasing only the extras they desire. Swoop operates a modern fleet of six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, equipped with in-seat power and Wi-Fi connectivity. A total of ten aircraft are expected in operation by the end of 2019. Swoop's mobile app allows travellers to quickly and easily book flights, manage bookings, check-in, view boarding passes, track flights and access Wi-Fi service in-flight. For more details on Swoop, including employment opportunities, visit FlySwoop.com. SOURCE Swoop For further information: Media contacts: To contact media relations, please email [email protected] 10.1% CC YoY Revenue Growth in Q3 Leads to Upward Revision in Guidance BENGALURU, India, Jan. 11, 2019 /CNW/ - "With increased client relevance, we saw double digit (10.1%) year-on-year growth in Q3 on a constant currency basis," said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. "We also had another strong quarter in our digital business with 33.1% growth and large deals at $1.57 billion which gives us confidence entering 2019", he added. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg ) 8.5%-9.0% Revision in FY 19 Guidance in CC terms 2.7% QoQ revenue growth in CC terms 33.1% YoY Digital revenue growth in CC terms $1.5 Bn+ Large deal signings 22.6%* Operating margin *Includes additional depreciation and amortization impact of 0.4% due to reclassification of assets of Panaya and Skava from "Held for Sale." Q3 19 revenues grew year-on-year by 8.4% in USD terms; 10.1% in constant currency terms Q3 19 revenues grew sequentially by 2.2% in USD terms; 2.7% in constant currency terms Digital revenues at $942 million (31.5% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 33.1% and sequential growth of 5.0% in constant currency terms (31.5% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 33.1% and sequential growth of 5.0% in constant currency terms 9 months revenues grew by 7.4% in USD terms; 8.1% in constant currency terms FY 19 revenue guidance in constant currency revised upward to 8.5%-9.0%; Operating margin guidance retained at 22%-24% Announces buyback under open market route of 8,260 crore at a Maximum price of 800 per share Announces a special dividend of 4 per share 1. Financial Highlights - Consolidated results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) For the Quarter ended December 31, 2018 - Revenues were $2,987 million, growth of 8.4% YoY and 2.2% QoQ - Operating profit was $675 million, growth of 0.9% YoY and decline of 2.6% QoQ# - Basic EPS was $0.12, decline of 33.9% [email protected] and 13.6% QoQ# For nine months ended December 31, 2018 - Revenues were $8,740 million, growth of 7.4% YoY - Operating profit was $2,038 million, growth of 3.7% YoY - Basic EPS was $0.37, decline of 11.3% YoY##@ # Includes additional depreciation and amortization expenses of $12 million for Panaya and Skava. Additionally, Basic EPS includes reduction in fair value of Skava which together resulted in a reduction in EPS by $0.02. ##Includes additional depreciation and amortization expenses, reduction in fair value and carrying value of Panaya and Skava, respectively which resulted in a reduction in EPS by $0.03. @Includes impact on account of conclusion of an APA with the US IRS which has led to an increase in EPS of $0.05 for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2017. "Volume growth was strong and revenue productivity was stable despite Q3 being a seasonally weak quarter. We had good growth across geographies and large business segments," said Pravin Rao, COO. "Attrition declined during the quarter and we are continuing on the path of increased interventions and employee engagements to reduce it further." "We saw significant currency volatility during the quarter and managed it effectively by our hedging strategy," said Jayesh Sanghrajka, Interim CFO. "Cash generation was strong during the quarter. Executing on the capital allocation strategy announced in April 2018, we have announced a share buyback program and a special dividend." 2. Capital Allocation Policy The Board in its meeting held today approved the following: Buyback of Equity Shares, from the open market route through the Indian stock exchanges, amounting to 8,260 crore (Maximum Buyback Size) (approximately $1,184 million ) at a price not exceeding 800 per share (Maximum Buyback Price) (approximately $11.46 per share), subject to shareholders' approval by way of Postal Ballot, and ) at a price not exceeding 800 per share (Maximum Buyback Price) (approximately per share), subject to shareholders' approval by way of Postal Ballot, and A Special Dividend of 4/- per share (approximately $0.06 per share) that would result in a payout of approximately 2,107 crore (approximately $302 million ) (including dividend distribution tax) After the execution of the above, along with the special dividend (including dividend distribution tax) of 2,633 crore ($386 million) already paid in June 2018, the Company would complete the distribution of 13,000 crore, which was announced as part of its capital allocation policy in April 2018. As the USD/INR* exchange rates have moved from April 2018 when the capital allocation policy was announced, the total capital allocation in US$ terms amounts to $1,872 million (comprising $1,184 million pertaining to buyback as mentioned above, $386 million towards special dividend paid in June 2018 and $302 million towards special dividend to be paid to shareholders in January 2019). *US$ 1= 69.78 as at December 31, 2018 3. Assets Held for Sale The company had earlier classified its subsidiaries Kallidus & Skava (together referred to as "Skava") and Panaya as "Held for Sale". During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, based on evaluation of proposals received and progress of negotiations with potential buyers, the Company concluded that it is no longer highly probable that sale would be consummated by March 31, 2019. Accordingly, Panaya and Skava have been de-classified from "held for sale" in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 5. On de-classification, the Company recognized additional depreciation and amortization expenses of $12 million and a reduction of $65 million in the carrying value for Skava. The impact of the same on the Basic Earnings Per Share was a decrease of $0.02 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.The Company plans to repurpose Skava's micro services based business and refocus Panaya's suite of products. 4. Board Update Based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board approved the re-appointment of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as the Lead Independent Director from April 1, 2019 to March 22, 2023, subject to shareholder approval. "I am delighted that the Infosys Board of Directors has unanimously recommended Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for reappointment as the Lead Independent Director," said Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the Board. "Kiran has been a pillar of strength to the board, especially over the last eighteen months as we steered the company to stability and growth. As chair of the Nominations & Remuneration Committee, she played a critical role in the CEO and CFO selection process. Her continuity, experience and insights are greatly valued by the Board as it guides the company in executing its strategy in the coming years," he added. 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. Safe Harbor Certain statements mentioned in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. These filings are available at www.sec.gov . Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law. Infosys Limited and subsidiaries Audited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as at (Dollars in millions except equity share data) December 31, 2018 March 31, 2018 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 2,357 3,041 Current investments 1,407 982 Trade receivables 2,130 2,016 Unbilled revenue 688 654 Prepayments and other current assets 776 662 Derivative financial instruments 60 2 7,418 7,357 Assets held for sale(4)(5) - 316 Total current assets 7,418 7,673 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 1,817 1,863 Goodwill 514 339 Intangible assets 108 38 Investment in associate - - Non-current investments 650 883 Deferred income tax assets 174 196 Income tax assets 932 931 Other non-current assets 259 332 Total non-current assets 4,454 4,582 Total assets 11,872 12,255 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Trade payables 219 107 Derivative financial instruments - 6 Current income tax liabilities 247 314 Client deposits 5 6 Unearned revenue 434 352 Employee benefit obligations 229 218 Provisions 83 75 Other current liabilities 1,190 1,036 2,407 2,114 Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale(4)(5) - 50 Total current liabilities 2,407 2,164 Non-current liabilities Deferred income tax liabilities 76 82 Employee benefit obligations 6 7 Other non-current liabilities 63 42 Total liabilities 2,552 2,295 Equity Share capital- 5 ($0.16) par value 4,800,000,000 (2,400,000,000) equity shares authorized, issued and outstanding 4,347,938,160 (2,173,312,301), net of 20,709,738 (10,801,956) treasury shares as at December 31, 2018 (March 31, 2018), respectively 340 190 Share premium 268 247 Retained earnings 11,252 11,587 Cash flow hedge reserve 5 - Other reserves 385 244 Capital redemption reserve 9 9 Other components of equity (2,947) (2,317) Total equity attributable to equity holders of the company 9,312 9,960 Non-controlling interests 8 - Total equity 9,320 9,960 Total liabilities and equity 11,872 12,255 Infosys Limited and subsidiaries Audited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the (Dollars in millions except equity share and per equity share data) Three months ended December 31, 2018 Three months ended December 31, 2017 Nine months ended December 31, 2018 Nine months ended December 31, 2017 Revenues 2,987 2,755 8,740 8,134 Cost of sales 1,956 1,773 5,660 5,208 Gross profit 1,031 982 3,080 2,926 Operating expenses Selling and marketing expenses 161 136 464 405 Administrative expenses 195 177 578 555 Total operating expenses 356 313 1,042 960 Operating profit 675 669 2,038 1,966 Other income, net(3) 105 149 317 413 Reduction in the fair value of Disposal Group held for sale(4) - - (39) - Adjustment in respect of excess of carrying amount over recoverable amount on reclassification from "Held for Sale"(5) (65) - (65) - Share in net profit/(loss) of associate, including impairment(6) - - - (11) Profit before income taxes 715 818 2,251 2,368 Income tax expense(7) 213 22 633 453 Net profit 502 796 1,618 1,915 Other comprehensive income Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Re-measurements of the net defined benefit liability/asset, net (4) 2 (3) 3 Equity instruments through other comprehensive income, net 8 - 10 - Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Fair valuation of investments, net 6 (4) (3) 2 Fair value changes on derivatives designated as cash flow hedge, net 8 1 5 (6) Foreign currency translation 295 229 (634) 182 Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 313 228 (625) 181 Total comprehensive income 815 1,024 993 2,096 Profit attributable to: Owners of the Company 502 796 1,618 1,915 Non-controlling interests - - - - 502 796 1,618 1,915 Total comprehensive income attributable to: Owners of the Company 815 1,024 993 2,096 Non-controlling interests - - - - 815 1,024 993 2,096 Earnings per equity share(8) Basic ($) 0.12 0.17 0.37 0.42 Diluted ($) 0.12 0.17 0.37 0.42 Weighted average equity shares used in computing earnings per equity share(8) Basic 4,347,673,466 4,550,149,608 4,347,130,342 4,564,373,542 Diluted 4,352,731,387 4,552,763,140 4,352,705,150 4,568,574,984 NOTES: The audited condensed consolidated Balance sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended December 31 , 2018 have been taken on record at the Board meeting held on January 11, 2019 . A Fact Sheet providing the operating metrics of the Company can be downloaded from www.infosys.com . Other income for three months and nine months ended December 31, 2017 includes interest on income tax refund of $31 million and $41 million respectively. In the three months ended March 2018 , Kallidus and Skava (together referred to as "Skava") and Panaya, were classified as "Held for Sale". Consequently, a reduction in the fair value amounting to $18 million and $39 million in respect of Panaya was recognized for the year ended March 31, 2018 and three months ended June 30, 2018 , respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2018 , based on evaluation of proposals received and progress of negotiations with potential buyers, the Company concluded that it is no longer highly probable that sale would be consummated by March 31, 2019 . Accordingly, Panaya and Skava have been de-classified from "Held for Sale" in accordance with IFRS 5. On such reclassification, the Company recognized additional depreciation and amortization expenses of $12 million and an adjustment in respect of excess of carrying amount over recoverable amount of $65 million in respect of Skava during the three months ended December 31, 2018 . During the nine months ended December 31, 2017 , the Company has written down the entire carrying value of $11 million in its associate DWA Nova LLC. During the quarter ended December 31, 2017 , on account of the conclusion of an Advance Pricing Agreement ("APA") with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), the Company has reversed income tax expense provision of $225 million which pertains to previous periods which are no longer required. Previous period share numbers and EPS have been adjusted for September 2018 bonus issue in accordance with IAS 33, Earnings per share IFRS-INR press Release: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2018-2019/Q3/Documents/IFRS-INR-press-release.pdf Factsheet: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2018-2019/Q3/Documents/fact-sheet.pdf SOURCE Infosys Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The Senate has agreed Monday in an all-members caucus that it is standing pat on its assertion that there is no need for a bicameral conference committee meeting on the abolition of the Road Board. "Insofar as the Senate is concerned, we have adopted the House version, and therefore, there are no disagreeing provisions. We stand firm on our position that we finished the process and now, we will submit the printed copy, or what we call the enrolled copy, to the President for his consideration," Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said. Drilon said the Senate could simply transmit the enrolled bill even without the signature of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as Congress leaders do not have the power to block the passage of a measure by simply refusing to sign it. "That is in effect a veto. The presiding officers cannot veto the act of their respective chambers," he said. Drilon said senators also asked Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri to sit down with House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya to convey their position. Congressional procedures only require a bicameral conference committee meeting when the Senate and the House passed different versions of a measure. In a bicameral meeting, representatives from both chambers discuss how to thresh out the differences to come up with a unified bill. But senators contend that there is no need to convene a bicameral meeting as the Senate has adopted the House's version of the bill abolishing the Road Board and splitting the motor vehicles users' charge (MVUC), which it manages, into four trust funds, separately overseen by the public works, transportation and environment departments. Drilon said convening a bicameral meeting would require the Senate to rescind its passage of the House's Road Board abolition measure, which the lower chamber earlier rescinded. But the Senate is not completely shutting its doors to a bicameral conference committee meeting, Zubiri said. The Senate majority leader said both chambers could agree to hold a bicameral meet should they agree on minor amendments to the measure. "We can discuss the parameters kasi kung marami sila (House) planong i-amend na sa tingin namin sa Senado ay medyo kontrobersyal at baka matagalan pa ang measure na ito, we might just stick to our position to adopt the approved House version," Zubiri said. [Translation:We can discuss the parameters because if they (House) plan to amend many provisions which we, at the Senate, deem a bit controversial and may further delay this measure, we might just stick to our position to adopt the approved House version.] Zubiri said some senators want the Road Board completely abolished and the fund be reverted to the national treasury to allow the government to use it for whatever purpose. But Andaya has other ideas. "The President gave a new directive. He wants the money for disaster-stricken areas. That completely shoots down both of our proposals," he told CNN Philippines' The Source. Speaking at a briefing on the effects of Tropical Depression Usman, Duterte vowed that the disaster-prone Bicol Region would be the first to benefit from the abolition of the Road Board and the funds it manages. But Andaya said Congress cannot legally do this without a supplemental budget coming from the Executive department as the MVUC collections managed by the Road Board are not reflected in the proposed 2019 budget. "We don't see that happening yet. It's forthcoming," he said. Article VI, Section 25 (1) of the Constitution bars Congress from increasing appropriations recommended by the President. Duterte has advocated for the abolition of the Road Board, which state auditors have repeatedly hit for alleged anomalies. OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde responded to today's federal cabinet shuffle stating continued commitment and progress on First Nations priorities is critical to moving forward and closing the gap between First Nations and the rest of Canada. "Cabinet positions will change, but First Nations peoples and issues must remain a top priority," said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. "We will work to ensure the entire cabinet understands that the First Nations agenda is Canada's agenda. Progress moves us all forward. We'll be delivering this message to the Prime Minister and his cabinet at our meeting today on First Nations priorities." National Chief Bellegarde and AFN Regional Chiefs are meeting with the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers this afternoon consistent with commitments under the AFN-Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities. The meeting was scheduled prior to the announcement of today's cabinet shuffle. National Chief Bellegarde noted some changes to key portfolios dealing with the First Nations agenda. "I look forward to meeting with the new Minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O'Regan and the new Attorney General David Lametti as soon as possible," said National Chief Bellegarde. "We lift up the work of former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould as the first Indigenous Justice Minister and her efforts to bring a First Nations perspective to Canada's legal system. I look forward to our continued work together in her new role as Minister of Veterans Affairs. Justice for First Nations veterans has been a long-standing priority for me and for the AFN. I'm honoured to have worked with the new Treasury Board President Jane Philpott and acknowledge all her efforts as Minister of Indigenous Services. Her openness and commitment to working together is a positive example for all governments." The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates. SOURCE Assembly of First Nations For further information: Jenna Young Castro, Senior Communications Advisor, Assembly of First Nations, 613-241-6789 ext 201, 613-314-8157 (cell), [email protected]; Monica Poirier, Bilingual Communications Officer, Assembly of First Nations, 613-241-6789 ext. 382, 613-292-0857, [email protected] Related Links www.afn.ca OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is excited to celebrate its' thirty-fifth anniversary. Incorporated on January 12, 1984, the organization was founded by two individuals from England who came to Canada with the intention of starting a guide dog training organization, something that was lacking at the time. Prior to 1984, many Canadians had to travel to the U.S.A. to receive guide dogs. However, with the opening of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind in 1984, staying at home in Canada to train with and receive a guide dog became a reality. Kristen Spring, a client of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, speaks about her experience in training with and using guide dogs from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Golden retriever is one of the most common breeds used by Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. (CNW Group/Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind) Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is a national charitable organization. The National Training Centre is located in Manotick, a small community in the south end of Ottawa, Ontario. It's from there the services provided extend into every province of the country. Kristen Spring of Kingston, Ontario has trained with and received five guide dogs from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Spring says, "Having a guide dog means the freedom to go anywhere I want, the freedom to do pretty much anything I want. When you are going up steps, the dog judges how high the step is by going up onto that step. I never have to worry that I am going to walk into something and not be able to figure out how to go the rest of the way. I just have to ask the dog to find the way. I can't say enough about how good the training is, not just for the dog but for the people. Co-Founder Jane Thornton remains with the organization today as its' Chief Operating Officer. Thornton says, "Because of everyone involved, from our clients, board member, donors, volunteers and staff, we are thriving. From the first guide dog team, John and Sasha, to the latest guide dog team, from the west coast to the east, from the money donated by a child who has saved their allowance, to the largest sponsorships, everyone should rejoice at the incredible teamwork put forth to create and sustain our organization." Serving Canadians since 1984, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is open to applications from Canadians who would benefit who are registered as legally blind and benefit from enhanced mobility and independence through the use of a guide dog. For more information on applying for this free service, or to donate to help Canadians receive guide dogs, visit www.guidedogs.ca. SOURCE Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind For further information: Steven Doucette, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Assistant to the C.O.O., 613-692-7777. A Company with an Iconic Brand, Offering Organic Certified Cannabis and Organic Certified Cannabis Derivatives TSX: ACB | NYSE: ACB EDMONTON, Jan. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. ("Aurora" or the "Company") (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) announced today that the Company has entered into a letter of intent ("LOI") to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of privately held Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation ("Whistler"), in an all-share transaction valued at up to approximately $175 million, including certain milestone payments (the "Transaction"). Located in Whistler, British Columbia, Whistler has developed one of Canada's most iconic cannabis brands, built on quality, award-winning organic certified BC bud. The Transaction is expected to provide Aurora with a premium and differentiated organic certified product suite, expanding both its medical and adult-use offerings, and reinforcing Aurora's presence in the well-established west coast cannabis market. Strategic Rationale Whistler has developed a strong reputation with patients and adult-use consumers alike for providing premium quality cannabis products. Founded in 2013, Whistler is one of Canada's original ten licensed producers, and was the first licensed producer to obtain organic certification and sell a full suite of organic certified cannabis products. Whistler operates two indoor licensed production facilities, with its first located in Whistler, British Columbia, and the second, a recently licensed, purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility located a 20-minute drive from the Whistler facility. Once the second facility reaches full capacity (anticipated for Summer 2019) the facilities are anticipated to have a combined production capacity of over 5,000 kg per year. Whistler sells medical cannabis derivatives internationally to both Australia and the Cayman Islands, and through the addition of Aurora's deep experience in completing EU GMP certified facilities and its large global distribution network, Aurora plans to pursue additional international export opportunities. Additional transaction highlights: History of profitability driven by industry-leading pricing : Whistler has achieved positive cash flow since 2015, with EBITDA margins in excess of 30%. By ensuring consistency, quality, and maintaining its organic commitment, Whistler has achieved average selling prices in excess of 50% greater than the average Canadian medical market, and maintains a similar premium to provinces for adult-use. : has achieved positive cash flow since 2015, with EBITDA margins in excess of 30%. By ensuring consistency, quality, and maintaining its organic commitment, has achieved average selling prices in excess of 50% greater than the average Canadian medical market, and maintains a similar premium to provinces for adult-use. Organic Certified EU GMP compliant production : Whistler is certified by the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association (FVOPA) and conforms to International Organic Growing Standards. Whistler's second facility is constructed in compliance with EU GMP standards which, upon certification, will enable the Company to supply organic certified cannabis products to the European market. : is certified by the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association (FVOPA) and conforms to International Organic Growing Standards. second facility is constructed in compliance with EU GMP standards which, upon certification, will enable the Company to supply organic certified cannabis products to the European market. Iconic Whistler brand: Through the premium quality of its products, as well as the location association with Whistler, British Columbia , which receives over 2.7 million visitors annually and consistently ranks as one of the top global travel destinations, Whistler has established an iconic brand that resonates strongly across Canada and international markets. Through the premium quality of its products, as well as the location association with , which receives over 2.7 million visitors annually and consistently ranks as one of the top global travel destinations, has established an iconic brand that resonates strongly across and international markets. Broad product portfolio : Whistler has commercialized more than 30 flower varieties and strain-specific oil products, from an extensive genetics bank of over 150 strains. : has commercialized more than 30 flower varieties and strain-specific oil products, from an extensive genetics bank of over 150 strains. Further strengthened presence in Western Canada : Already one of the strongest performing companies in the Western Canadian adult-use markets along with the Aurora, AltaVie and San Rafael '71 brands, Whistler will further add a premium organic certified brand with exceptional traction and visibility in British Columbia, Canada's third most populous province. Already one of the strongest performing companies in the Western Canadian adult-use markets along with the Aurora, AltaVie and San Rafael '71 brands, will further add a premium organic certified brand with exceptional traction and visibility in third most populous province. Whistler's growing domestic footprint: In addition to its existing supply arrangements in British Columbia , Saskatchewan and the Yukon , Whistler has received product requests from Alberta , Manitoba , and Ontario . In addition to its existing supply arrangements in , and the , has received product requests from , , and . Organic certified large-scale extraction: Whistler has differentiated large-scale cold-water extraction technology and processes, creating a full suite of organic certified oil products (including THCA, CBG, and high CBD oils). Management Commentary "This transaction adds an iconic, organic certified BC-based brand with exceptional traction and a significant price premium in both the medical and retail markets," said Terry Booth, CEO of Aurora. "We intend to accelerate the completion of Whistler's Pemberton expansion project, and leverage our domestic and international distribution channels to increase market reach for their exceptional products. Whistler has established leadership in the organic cannabis market, and we look forward to welcoming Christopher and his team to the Aurora family." Christopher Pelz, CEO and Founder of Whistler, added, "With its commitment to the highest product quality standards, as well as its large footprint in both the Canadian and international cannabis markets, Aurora is the ideal partner for Whistler to enhance our growth and margin profile. We feel there is a strong cultural fit, and believe that Aurora is the right home for us to maintain our organic craft cultivation identity, while being able to leverage the resources and capabilities of a large and rapidly growing global company." Neil Belot, Chief Global Business Development Officer of Aurora, added, "Whistler, the longest operating certified organic cannabis producer in Canada, has an exceptional track record built on the consistent delivery of premium user experiences. This has resulted in strongly-rated products that command among the highest prices in the Canadian adult consumer use industry, targeting the premium organic craft segment in both the consumer and medical markets. Furthermore, as the only cannabis producer in the world-renowned resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, the company has developed broad brand appeal, both across Canada and internationally." Transaction The all-share transaction includes certain milestone payments in relation to Whistler achieving certain operational objectives. Including these milestone payments, the all-share transaction values Whistler at up to $175 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including execution of definitive documentation, completion of satisfactory due diligence, receipt of approval of the shareholders of Whistler, and receipt of applicable third party and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions customary in transactions of this nature. Stoic Advisory Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP is acting as legal advisor to Whistler Medical Marijuana Corp. McMillan LLP is acting as legal counsel to Aurora. About Aurora Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with funded capacity in excess of 500,000 kg per annum and sales and operations in 22 countries across five continents, Aurora is one of the world's largest and leading cannabis companies. Aurora is vertically integrated and horizontally diversified across every key segment of the value chain, from facility engineering and design to cannabis breeding and genetics research, cannabis and hemp production, derivatives, high value-add product development, home cultivation, wholesale and retail distribution. Highly differentiated from its peers, Aurora has established a uniquely advanced, consistent and efficient production strategy, based on purpose-built facilities that integrate leading-edge technologies across all processes, defined by extensive automation and customization, resulting in the massive scale production of high quality product at low cost. Intended to be replicable and scalable globally, our production facilities are designed to produce cannabis of significant scale, with high quality, industry-leading yields, and low per gram production costs. Each of Aurora's facilities is built to meet EU GMP standards, and its first production facility, the recently acquired MedReleaf Markham facility, and its wholly owned European medical cannabis distributor Aurora Deutschland, have achieved this level of certification. In addition to the Company's rapid organic growth and strong execution on strategic M&A, which to date includes 15 wholly owned subsidiary companies MedReleaf, CanvasRX, Peloton Pharmaceutical, Aurora Deutschland, H2 Biopharma, Urban Cultivator, BC Northern Lights, Larssen Greenhouses, CanniMed Therapeutics, Anandia Labs, HotHouse Consulting, MED Colombia, Agropro, Borela, and ICC Labs Aurora is distinguished by its reputation as a partner and employer of choice in the global cannabis sector, having invested in and established strategic partnerships with a range of leading innovators, including: Radient Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RTI), Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. (TSXV: HEMP), Cann Group Ltd. (ASX: CAN), Micron Waste Technologies Inc. (CSE: MWM), Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO), Capcium Inc. (private), Evio Beauty Group (private), Wagner Dimas (private), CTT Pharmaceuticals (OTCC: CTTH), and Alcanna Inc. (TSX: CLIQ). Aurora's Common Shares trade on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "ACB", and are a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite Index. For more information about Aurora, please visit our investor website, investor.auroramj.com Terry Booth, CEO Aurora Cannabis Inc. Forward looking statements This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include, but are not limited to the completion of definitive agreements and closing of the Transaction. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly 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 law. Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc. For further information: For Media: Heather MacGregor, +1.416.509.5416, [email protected]; For Investors: Marc Lakmaaker, +1.647.269.5523, [email protected]; Rob Kelly, +1.647.331.7228, [email protected]; U.S. Investors: Phil Carlson / Elizabeth Barker, KCSA Strategic Communications, Phone: (212) 896-1233 / (212) 896-1203, Email: [email protected] / [email protected] Related Links https://auroramj.com/ Not long before President Trump expounded on how "honorable" he finds China's communist regime, my friend Ti-Anna Wang found herself and her 11-month-old baby in custody in the Hangzhou airport. How she came to that predicament, after flying halfway around the world, offers a useful lesson on the regime's honor or lack thereof - and on the vindictive, bullying lengths it will go to keep one young woman from visiting her ailing father. Ti-Anna, 29, barely knows her father, because in 2002 he was abducted by Chinese security agents while on a visit to Vietnam, bundled across the border, thrown into jail and, eventually, sentenced to life in prison after a one-day closed trial. His ostensible crimes were espionage and terrorism. His true offense was advocating democracy in China from his exile in North America. In the fall of 2008, Ti-Anna took a year off before starting college to advocate for her father's freedom. As part of that effort, in January 2009, she wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post. "When I was born in 1989, my parents named me Ti-Anna in commemoration of the Tiananmen Square massacre," she wrote. "This year, before I resume my schooling, I hope to raise awareness about my father's case and tell his story to remind people that despite China's economic success, it is still a country that has yet to embrace universally accepted values of human rights. "Any government that jails its own people for political dissent still has a long way to go to become a respected member of the international community." Much has changed since Ti-Anna wrote those words. She went to college and law school. She married and had a child. But her father, Wang Bingzhang, remains in solitary confinement, perhaps now China's longest-serving political captive. And since she wrote that op-ed a decade ago, Ti-Anna has never been permitted to see him, though other relatives are allowed visits from time to time. So when last summer she was granted a multiple-entry visa, she was, she told me, "pretty ecstatic." She had appealed in her letter of request for "goodwill and compassion." "I assumed if they read the letter and gave me a visa," she said, "they were going to let me in." A fair assumption, you might think. But when she landed in China on Wednesday morning, she was pulled aside at passport control, was ushered into a holding room and was told, after an hour, that she would not be permitted into the country. Her husband and baby could enter. Her brother Times Wang, traveling separately, was allowed to enter. But Ti-Anna was told: "You need to leave right now." No reasons were offered; no appeal was permitted. "It felt very purposeful," she said. "It's way more agonizing to get the visa, make all these plans, have all this anticipation and then not be able to enter the country. "Immediately, of course, I began to think: 'If I don't get to see him this time, I don't know if I'll ever see him again.' This felt like the closest I would ever get. And then I would think of my dad. I can only imagine that he was looking forward to it as much as I was." Six hours later, Ti-Anna was marched, with her husband and daughter, onto a jet, was photographed in her seat and was sent off to South Korea. Her father, who was later allowed a 40-minute visit with Times, called the action "extremely cruel." Why would the regime grant a visa and then deny entry? Maybe someone had a change of mind. Maybe one ministry overruled another. Or maybe Trump's "honorable" interlocutors simply wanted to torment a young woman a bit more and send a message to anyone else who might dare to criticize them. Not long ago, China's strongman Xi Jinping boasted that China "has achieved a tremendous transformation: It has stood up, grown rich and is becoming strong." But what kind of strength does it take to keep a grandfather locked up as his health declines? Where is the strength in depriving him of the chance to meet a granddaughter? And what kind of nation uses its strength to toy with the emotions of his daughter? "It's almost laughable that they would see me as a threat," she said. Laughable, maybe. But not funny. And not honorable. NEW FAIRFIELD Voters narrowly rejected an ordinance that would have allowed the town to regulate properties that have become health or safety hazards. The blight ordinance failed in a 671 to 633 machine vote, which was held from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at Meeting House Hill School. This was the towns fourth attempt at passing these types of rules. In a post on the town Facebook page, First Selectman Pat Del Monaco wrote she was disappointed with the results, but pleased with the turnout. Please stay engaged, come to meetings and make your voices heard, she said. (Selectman) Khris (Hall) and I will continue to explore ways to address the blighted properties in our town. New Fairfield is one of only two towns in the Danbury area without an anti-blight ordinance. Some residents had said at public hearings the ordinance was an example of government overreach. The ordinance would have created a blight prevention board that would work with homeowners to deal with dilapidated properties. More News News Remainder of grant could cover demolition of Brookfield... This board would have the power to investigate and issue violations against properties and hold hearings to develop plans to resolve the problems within certain time frames. Violators could be fined, but special considerations would have been given to elderly, disabled or low-income residents who might struggle to fix the properties on their own. This story will be updated. BROOKFIELD If the town does not build a new Huckleberry Hill Elementary School, Brookfield could need to spend more than $20 million over 10 years to fix its elementary schools. Thats the latest estimate from the district, and school officials said it is another reason voters need to approve the $78.1 million plan for a new Huckleberry. Doing nothing is no longer an option and everyone involved in this project firmly believes this is the best option going forward, said Colette Sturm, chair of the school board. A special town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium for voters to send the project to a referendum. The referendum is proposed to be held March 5. The selectmen and finance boards have approved the project. The school board will give a presentation on the project and residents will be able to share feedback and ask questions. Were hoping for a significant portion of the community to turn out, not only to set the referendum date, but to hear more about the school project, Sturm said. The project calls for building a new Huckleberry on the site of the existing school. The existing Huckleberry building has a host of problems, including a lack of energy efficiency and handicap accessibility. A potential state grant would bring the cost to Brookfield down to $63.3 million. At most, the project would cost the average homeowner an additional $367 in taxes in 2023, with no new taxes in the first three years. When all potential town capital projects are included, the average homeowner could see an additional $570 in taxes in 2022, with the additional taxes decreasing each year after that, according to an analysis by the towns financial director and controller. The town could also implement different financing options to less the burden on taxpayers. The proposed new school would serve pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The building would include a Fifth-Grade Academy and an Early Learning Center for pre-kindergarten through first grade. Fifth-graders now go to Whisconier Middle School, but if they went to Huckleberry the district could ditch the old portables at the middle school. Replacing those portables would cost $700,000. The plan would also allow the town to vacate Center Elementary School, where pre-kindergarten through first grade attends now. Center is the only completely wooden school building in the state and its windows and walls are in poor condition, among other problems, architects have said. The elementary buildings are in such bad shape it would take more than $20 million over the next 10 years just to keep them functional, Sturm said. The town has not figured out exactly how the Center building would be used, but officials have said meetings or other community programs could be held there. School officials estimate the district would save annually $200,000 in energy costs, $145,000 in staff consolidation, $55,000 for maintenance and $500,000 for capital improvements. CORRECTION: This article originally reported that the Huckleberry project would cost the average homeowner $570 in additional taxes in 2022. The article has been corrected to reflect that this would be the tax increase when all potential capital projects are included. New Delhi: President Donald Trump warned Turkey on Sunday of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the US troop withdrawal from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," Trump tweeted, while pushing for the creation of a 30-kilometre safe zone. "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long-term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" ALSO READ | US threatens sanctions over Russia-Germany gas pipeline Earlier, Donald 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 | US shutdown sends economy into uncharted waters 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: Republican lawmakers on Sunday warned against Donald Trump declaring a national emergency to secure funds for a border wall. Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, told CNN that he would "hate" to see Trump invoke emergency powers for a wall. "If we do that, it's going to go to court and the wall won't get built," he said. And Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told ABC, "We don't want it to come down to a national emergency declaration," even if he believes Trump has the authority to do so. ALSO READ | US threatens sanctions over Russia-Germany gas pipeline Trump only recently backed away from talk of an emergency declaration, after pressing it for days as a way out of the continuing budget standoff. Democrats have strongly opposed the idea. The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin, said Sunday on ABC that "if this president is going to turn to national emergencies every time he disagrees with Congress, I'm against it." He urged Trump to "put an end to the shutdown and put everything on the table." As the partisan battle drags on, the effects of the partial shutdown have become steadily clearer, and new polls show growing public dissatisfaction. On Sunday, Trump acknowledged, at least indirectly, the mounting costs of the shutdown. "The damage done to our Country from a badly broken Border - Drugs, Crime and so much that is bad - is far greater than a Shutdown, which the Dems can easily fix as soon as they come back to Washington!" he said. Earlier, Donald Trump had 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 had said in a series of four tweets. ALSO READ | US shutdown sends economy into uncharted waters "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 had tweeted. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A cargo plane, with 10 people, crashed west of the Iranian capital of Tehran on Monday after the pilot lost control amid severe weather conditions, the local Iranian media reported. A Boeing 707 Kyrgyz cargo plane got in trouble while landing in the severe weather, the Associated Press quoted the Iranian state TV. Iran Press News Agency has tweeted on Monday that the Boeing 707 has crashed "into Safadasht, in the west of Tehran amid severe weather conditions". Local media reported that the pilot mistakenly landed at Karaj, near the capital of Tehran, before losing control of the aircraft. Firefighters were rushed to the spot. Irans aviation organisation spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh told state broadcaster IRIB: The plane was a cargo Boeing 707 that overshot the runway during its landing." Footage shows the site of cargo plane crash near #Iran's Fath Airport pic.twitter.com/D8m1bbg4qA Press TV (@PressTV) January 14, 2019 For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Flash China on Monday said Canada's criticism on China's detention of two Canadian citizens is groundless, noting one of them has no "diplomatic immunity." Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier that coercive measures have been taken against two Canadians suspected of jeopardizing China's national security. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday accused China of ignoring a former Canadian diplomat's "diplomatic immunity" when the man was detained last month. Noting that Chinese authorities handled the case according to law, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that no matter which point of view you take, the former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig does not enjoy diplomatic immunity stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Hua said that Kovrig currently is not a diplomat, and he came to China with an ordinary passport and business visa. The Chinese side took coercive measures against him because he was suspected of engaging in activities that endanger China's national security. Therefore, according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and International Law, Kovrig does not have diplomatic immunity. "I would like to suggest that Canada's relevant people should first study and seriously research the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the International Law before they express their views, instead of being plausible and exposing themselves to ridicule," said Hua. Hua also called on the Canadian side to first take practical actions to prove itself to be judicially independent. Jakarta/Chicago: Navy divers have located the cockpit voice recorder of a Lion Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea in October, Indonesian officials said Monday, in a possible boost to the accident investigation. Ridwan Djamaluddin, a deputy maritime minister, told reporters that remains of some of the 189 people who died in the crash were also discovered at the seabed location. "We got confirmation this morning from the National Transportation Safety Committee's chairman," he said. A spokesman for the Indonesian navy's western fleet, Lt Col Agung Nugroho, said divers using high-tech equipment found the voice recorder beneath 8 meters (26 feet) of seabed mud. The plane crashed in waters 30 meters (98 feet) deep. The 2-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet plunged into the Java Sea just minutes after taking off from Jakarta on October 29, killing everyone on board. The cockpit data recorder was recovered within days of the crash and showed that the jet's airspeed indicator had malfunctioned on its last four flights. If the voice recorder is undamaged, it could provide valuable additional information to investigators. The Lion Air crash was the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 on board. Lion Air is one of Indonesia's youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people. Last year, a lawsuit was filed in Chicago in December that blamed Boeing for the deadly Lion Air crash off the coast of Indonesia that killed all onboard, claiming the manufacturer's airplane was "unreasonably dangerous," a US law firm announced Wednesday. The suit, which was filed on December 26 in the Midwestern city where Boeing is based, alleged the two-month-old plane's safety system improperly engaged and pilots were not adequately instructed by the plane manufacturer on how to respond. Lion Air Flight 610 vanished from radar 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta on October 29, crashing into waters off the north coast of Indonesia's Java Island and killing all 189 people onboard. About 30 relatives of the crash victims have filed lawsuits against Boeing, alleging that faults with the new model 737 MAX led to the deaths. The Chicago lawsuit was filed on behalf of the family of passenger Sudibyo Onggo Wardoyo, 40, of Jakarta. "Not only did Boeing place sensors that provided inaccurate data, it also failed to provide the plane's pilots adequate instructions. It was like Boeing first blindfolded and then tied the hands of the pilots," the family's attorney Thomas Demetrio said in a statement. The preliminary crash report from Indonesia's transport safety agency suggested that pilots struggled to control the plane's anti-stalling system immediately before the crash. Boeing responded to the November report by pointing to the actions of the pilots and claiming an earlier flight on the same plane ended safely when pilots successfully dealt with erroneous sensor data. "The 737 MAX is as safe as any airplane that has ever flown the skies," the manufacturer said in a statement. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A car bomb exploded near a heavily fortified foreign compound in Kabul on Monday, killing at least four people and wounding 44, officials said, in the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital. At least 10 children were among the wounded, said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the huge blast, which shook the city, but it comes as diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year war with the Taliban gather pace. Danish added that a number of civilian houses around the area have been damaged in the explosion in Kabul's PD9, Tolo News reported. "Residential houses nearby have sustained heavy damages," Danish said. "Special police forces' units have been deployed to the site to check if there are more attackers." An Afghan government security source told news agency Reuters that the explosion had taken place on Monday in eastern Kabul. "A blast was heard in Kabul, we are still investigating further," police spokesperson Basir Mujahid Kabul told Reuters. Police spokesman Basir Mujahid told Reuters that said a vehicle full of explosives had detonated. The area is cordoned off...and search operation underway for suspects and attackers, he said. It was a powerful car bomb that knocked (down) a wall between Green Village and the (adjacent) customs office, a security source told the news agency. The attack caused at least several casualties who were taken to hospital, he said. The last assault on a foreign compound was in late November when a Taliban-claimed vehicle bomb exploded outside the compound of British security firm G4S, killing at least 10 people. Five G4S employees were among the dead. That was followed by a suicide and gun attack on a government compound in Kabul on December 24 that killed at least 43 people, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the city last year. The latest bombing comes as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad visits the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the 17-year war in Afghanistan, which by some estimates was the world's deadliest conflict zone in 2018. Khalilzad, who met Taliban representatives last month in Abu Dhabi, is travelling to Afghanistan as well as China, India and Pakistan on the trip lasting through January 21. The leaking of US President Donald Trump's plan to slash troop numbers in Afghanistan, however, has threatened to derail those efforts. The recent flurry of activity to get the Taliban to the negotiating table has caused disquiet in Afghanistan, with the government feeling sidelined from the discussions. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to talk to Kabul, which it sees as a US puppet and ineffective. (With AFP inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: An Iranian Boeing 707 cargo plane coming from Kyrgyzstan crashed on Monday while trying to land west of Iran's capital, state media reported, with an emergency official saying only one person of the 16 on board was known to have survived. Fire immediately engulfed the aircraft after it skidded off a runway and crashed into a wall separating the Fath Airport from a residential neighborhood. Images carried by Iran's state-run media showed the burned-out tail of the plane sticking out, surrounded by charred homes. The plane crashed at Fath Airport, which belongs to Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, when it was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 40 kilometers west of Tehran, the Iranian capital. Authorities did not immediately offer a reason for the crew's decision to land there, though they said the crew had declared an emergency prior to land. Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the country's emergency medical services, said of the 16 people on board the plane, only the flight engineer was known to have survived. Iranian media reported seven bodies from the crash had already been recovered. The plane reportedly was carrying a cargo of meat from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital, to Iran. Iran's air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible "martyrdom," is under investigation. It wasn't immediately clear who owns the plane, though Gen. Shahin Taghikhani, an army spokesman, told state TV that the plane and its crew were Iranian. Iranians often use the word "martyrdom" for those who die in war or national service, suggesting the aircraft may have belonged to the air force. The Iranian air force does operate Boeing 707s; it also has a civilian airline, SAHA. Meanwhile, the US sanctions have hit the Tehran airport. In August last year, Air France and British Airways had announced that they will halt flights to Tehran, citing low profitability as the US reimposes sanctions on Iran. Air France, which had run connections to the Iranian capital through its low-cost operator Joon, said it would axe the route on September 18, blaming "poor commercial viability". The French carrier had already cut down on its Paris to Tehran connections from three a week to just one earlier this month, its communications service had said. British Airways had also announced that it was scrapping its London to Tehran service as it was "currently not commercially viable". The last outbound flight to Tehran was on September 22, and the last inbound flight from Tehran was on September 23, the British flag carrier had added. British Airways had said its decision was unrelated to US President Donald Trump's imposition of new sanctions on Iran, which has prompted many foreign businesses to pull out of the country. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday he will ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held accountable for their crime. "We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo told a news conference in Qatar. Pompeo is due to travel to Saudi Arabia later on Sunday as part of an eight-day trip to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and finally Kuwait City. ALSO READ | US-Mexico Wall Row: Republican leaders oppose border 'emergency' "So, we'll continue to talk about that and make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable, certainly by the Saudis but by the United States as well." He will meet the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, before heading to Saudi Arabia. The prince, the heir to the Saudi throne, has faced intense international scrutiny over the October 2 murder of journalist Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate -- which critics say has left the oil-rich Gulf nation diplomatically weakened. Assaf, a former finance minister who was detained last year in what Riyadh said was an anti-corruption sweep, replaced Adel al-Jubeir as foreign minister in the sweeping government shake-up ordered by King Salman. Jubeir, who sought to defend the tainted government internationally after Khashoggi's murder, was appointed minister of state for foreign affairs, which was widely seen as a demotion. "This is far from the truth," Assaf said. "Adel represented Saudi Arabia and will continue to represent Saudi Arabia... around the world. We complement each other." ALSO READ | Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds, says Trump Khashoggi was critical of Prince Mohammed and the countrys intervention in Yemen. Prince Mohammed has overseen Saudi Arabias Yemen war effort, a highly controversial intervention to bolster President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadis government in the face of an insurgency by Huthi rebels. However, US President Donald President Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder. Washington is eager for regional unity to gain widespread support its fight against Iran. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Delhi: Be it her chic airport styles or her glamorous red carpet looks - Kareena Kapoor Khans sartorial choices have rarely failed to hit the mark. And in case you have any doubt, we suggest you check her recent airport pictures as she returned from Paris with little Taimur Ali Khan. Kareena Kapoor kept it cool and classy in a black full-sleeve tee teamed with a pair of black trousers. The ensemble was paired with a sleeveless leather jacket. This upped the glamour quotient quite a bit. While red lipstick and sunglasses completed her look, a pair of black sneakers and a sling bag rounded it off well. Taimur, on the other hand, was seen looking adorable in an Adidas tracksuit. Surely, Khan can do the chick style like no one else. Check out the pictures: Kareena Kapoor Khan and son #TaimurAliKhan return from their Parisian getaway! pic.twitter.com/0uSpZv5bHB Kareena Kapoor Khan (@KareenaOnline) January 12, 2019 With Taimur, how is travelling like now? Kareena answered this question to a media portal recently, and said, ''Well, Im experiencing motherhood for the first time, so everything with Taimur is a first. Travelling with him is especially new and excitingeven if were going to a place Ive been to before, taking him there makes it so different. I loved the Maldives holiday, loved showing him all these new things and places, and seeing them with him. The country's favourite mini Nawab #TaimurAliKhan is back in town pic.twitter.com/2e55yDzJKa Kareena Kapoor Khan (@KareenaOnline) January 12, 2019 Kareena Kapoor was asked to comment on Taimur's growing popularity, and she had recently said, "Taimur cant run away from his popularity and neither can his parents. When I saw the doll, I wondered what was I supposed to say. But Saif pointed out that it is because people love him so much and such things are a blessing for him. There is so much genuine warmth for our son that its bad to stop people from clicking his pictures or making his dolls. But, they should understand that he is a two-year-old child and needs a normal life. Both Saif and I are struggling to give him that and will continue to do so without telling the media to back off, no matter how annoying it gets after a point. Its tough on him as its on Saif and me." On the work front, Kareena will be next seen in Good News with Akshay Kumar, Kiara Advani, and Diljit Dosanjh. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Narendra over the Union Home Ministrys snooping order that empowered 10 agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system. The top court has given six weeks to the Centre for the reply. Last year, a public interest litigation was filed against the Centre seeking to quash the snooping order. On December 20 last year, an order signed by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, 10 central agencies were granted sweeping powers of "interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer" under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The 10 agencies granted the snooping powers are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and Delhi Police commissioner. The move triggered a massive controversy with Opposition parties led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi launching an all-out attack against the "stalker" Modi government. Criticising the move to authorise central agencies to snoop on any computer, Rahul Gandhi termed Modi an "insecure dictator". In fact, there were reports that the Narendra Modi government was also looking to amend the Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, which will break the end-to-end encryption and empower the government agencies to access unlawful content. According to an Indian Express report, there was a meeting held on Friday last week between government officials and the executives of major online giants such as Google, Twitter and WhatsApp among others. If the amendments are made, the online companies would be liable to reply to government within 72 hours. The report said that the companies have been given time till January 7 to come up with their plan on governments new request. The draft rules have been shared with us, and we will issue a detailed analysis. But on the face of it, they seem to be contemplating pro-active censorship and breaking encryption with traceability. They will make the Internet a corporal environment damaging the fundamental rights of users, Apar Gupta, lawyer and co-founder of The Internet Freedom Foundation was quoted as saying. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lucknow: A day after meeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will meet Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. According to reports, the former deputy chief minister of Bihar will meet SP chief at his residence at around 2 pm and both the leaders will have lunch together. It is being speculated that both the leaders will discuss about political equations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh ahead of upcoming elections. Tejashwi will also congratulate Akhilesh for the pre-poll alliance with BSP. Earlier, Tejashwi on Sunday met Mayawati at her residence and offered his support to the SP-BSP alliance. The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the RJD leader said after meeting Mayawati. "There is an atmosphere today where they (BJP) want to scrap Baba Saheb's constitution & implement 'Nagpur laws'...They won't win even 1 seat in UP, SP-BSP alliance will win all seats," he added. The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said after meeting BSP supremo Mayawati at her Lucknow residence Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/tUQzNsPciX pic.twitter.com/fxH1Gwqis0 ANI Digital (@ani_digital) January 13, 2019 The SP and BSP have announced that they will contest on 38 seats each during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. The SP-BSP alliance has decided not fielded candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi respectively. The Congress has not been included in the alliance, but the grand old party is hopeful that it would become part of the alliance. The agreement between Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party was not the final word, senior Congress leader said. Speaking about shutting the alliance door for the Congress, Mayawati had said that they have decided to leave the Congress out of the SP-BSP fold since there was no real gain by allying with the Grand Old Party as its vote is not transferrable. A day after meeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will meet Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. According to reports, the former deputy chief minister of Bihar will meet SP chief at his residence around 2 pm and both the leaders will have lunch together. It is being speculated that both the leaders will discuss about political equations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh ahead of upcoming elections. Tejashwi will also congratulate Akhilesh for the pre-poll alliance with BSP. Earlier, Tejashwi on Sunday met Mayawati at her residence and offered his support to the SP-BSP alliance. The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the RJD leader said after meeting Mayawati. "There is an atmosphere today where they (BJP) want to scrap Baba Saheb's constitution & implement 'Nagpur laws'...They won't win even 1 seat in UP, SP-BSP alliance will win all seats," he added. The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said after meeting BSP supremo Mayawati at her Lucknow residence Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/tUQzNsPciX pic.twitter.com/fxH1Gwqis0 ANI Digital (@ani_digital) January 13, 2019 The SP and BSP have announced that they will contest on 38 seats each during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. The SP-BSP alliance has decided not fielded candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi respectively. The Congress has not been included in the alliance, but the grand old party is hopeful that it would become part of the alliance. The agreement between Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party was not the final word, senior Congress leader said. Speaking about shutting the alliance door for the Congress, Mayawati had said that they have decided to leave the Congress out of the SP-BSP fold since there was no real gain by allying with the Grand Old Party as its vote is not transferrable. and keeping the Congress out of the alliance. The parties, however, said they would not field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. They also left two seats out of the 80 in the state for smaller allies, without naming them. But there have been talks with Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal. Making the announcement jointly with SP president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, BSP chief Mayawati mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Mumbai will witness another high-profile wedding when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackerays son Amit will marry Mitali Borude, the daughter of a well-known physician, Dr Sanjay Borude on January 27. Leaders from across party lines have been invited for the wedding, which is scheduled at Lower Parels St Regis. Thackeray also visited his estranged cousin brother Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on January 5 to personally invite him for the wedding. According to the Hindustan Times report, the MNS president has not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as of now. The report said that Thackeray had sent his two aides to Delhi for inviting key political leaders. Among those who have been invited include Rahul Gandhi, LK Advani and ministers of the Narendra Modi government. The report said that last year, when quizzed about invitation to PM Modi, Thackeray had quipped, Does Modi believe in the institution of marriage? Once an ardent supporter, Thackeray has turned into a bitter detractor of PM Modi. In March last year, the MNS chief launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government. He had also called for Opposition unity and a "Modi-mukt Bharat" by 2019. Addressing party workers at a rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai, Thackeray had said, "The country is fed up with the false promises made by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and his government." All Opposition parties should come together to get rid of the BJP-led NDA government to ensure a "Modi-mukt Bharat", he had said, while reminding the audience of the BJP's "Congress-mukt Bharat" slogan. "India got its first Independence in 1947, second in 1977 (after the post-Emergency election) and 2019 can bring a third independence if India becomes Modi-mukt," the MNS chief had said. If the Modi government was ousted and an inquiry was ordered into demonetisation, it (the note ban) might turn out to be the biggest scam in the country since 1947, he had said. Quoting an ISRO report, Thackeray had said, "A large-scale desertification of Maharashtra is going on due to depletion of groundwater. After Rajasthan, our state has reported the second highest rate of desertification in the country." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lucknow: Shivpal Yadav, Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singhs brother and founder Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), has declared that his party is ready to join hands with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. "I am in touch with Congress. Talks are on," Shivpal said at India Today conclave. "Without the secular alliance fighting together, the BJP cannot be defeated. We have a very small group," he was quoted as saying. Shivpal Yadav has already shown interest in forming an alliance with any secular party including the Congress to oust BJP out of power in 2019 polls. No alliance can defeat the BJP without the support of the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), Bahujan Mukti Party and our other alliances. We are ready to form an alliance with other secular parties to keep the BJP out of power, he had said. Shivpal Yadav, the estranged uncle of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, had formed Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) in August 2018 after being sidelined in the Samajwadi Party. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati held a joint press conference in Lucknow on Saturday to announce their alliance ahead of 2019 General Elections. While addressing the press conference, Yadav told media persons that alliance between SP and BSP was necessary to defeat the arrogance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BSP and SP have decided to contest the 2019 general elections together in Uttar Pradesh sharing 38 seats each of the 80 in the state. This would be the first time in 26 years that SP and BSP will fight the elections jointly. Last time, it happened in 1993, when Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram came together. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lucknow: In a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday extend support to SP-BJP alliance and said that it will wipe out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "There are 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP and 40 in Bihar. After this alliance, the BJP will lose at least 100 seats. We have seen that the BJP lost Lok Sabha bypolls last years because of this alliance," the former deputy chief minister of Bihar said while addressing a press conference in Lucknow. The RJD leader also slammed the BJP is using its influence to arm-twist investigating agencies. He went on to say that the veteran RJD leader Lalu Prasad is in jail because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "CBI and ED are no longer agencies, they have now become alliance partners of BJP. Lalu ji is in jail only because Modi Ji saw him as a threat," he was quoted as saying by ANI. He also reiterated Congress President Rahul Gandhi's assertion that the sole motive of the alliance between the opposition parties was to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party. "The SP-BSP alliance is historic and it will show the way not just in UP or Bihar but will also decide who comes to power in Delhi," said Tejashwi, who met Mayawati yesterday. The RJD leader also flayed PM Modi for denying special status to Bihar despite repeatedly promising it. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav too slammed the Modi government for only making hollow promises. "Despite our repeated demands for a bullet train connecting Delhi with Kolkata via UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand, Modi shamelessly gave the bullet train to his home state connecting Mumbai," said Akhilesh Yadav. Earlier, Tejashwi on Sunday met Mayawati at her residence and offered his support to the SP-BSP alliance. The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the RJD leader said after meeting Mayawati. "There is an atmosphere today where they (BJP) want to scrap Baba Saheb's constitution & implement 'Nagpur laws'...They won't win even 1 seat in UP, SP-BSP alliance will win all seats," he added. Check Out Highlights Of Joint Press Conference 14:28 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Our CM is a good human being but he only talks about BJP's policy, says Akhilesh Yadav 14:25 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In People of Uttar Pradesh are happy with SP-BSP alliance, says Akhilesh Yadav 14:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In There was anger amongst people when bullet train was started from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, says SP chief Akhilesh Yadav 14:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav begins press conference 14:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Lucknow: CBI and ED are no longer agencies, they have now become alliance partners of BJP.Lalu ji is in jail only because Modi ji saw him as a threat pic.twitter.com/QwYyF9yKkl ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019 14:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In CBI and ED are no longer agencies, they have now become alliance partners of BJP.Lalu ji is in jail only because Modi ji saw him as a threat, says Tejashwi Yadav 14:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Lalu Yadav is in jail because Narendra Modi considers him a threat, says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav 14:24 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Theres undeclared emergency like situation in the country, says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav 14:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP wants to replace India's Constitution with Golwalkar's 'Bunch of thoughts', says Tejashwi Yadav 14:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Lucknow: I congratulate Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji for forging this alliance in national interest. It was necessary in light of the situation in the country right now. Those who were slaves of British are in power right now pic.twitter.com/GcVwD3nryq ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019 14:42 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In I have faith in voters of Uttar Pradesh that in coming days the will support the SP-BSP alliance. People of UP and Bihar will decide who will rule in Delhi, said Tejashwi Yadav Tejashwi Yadav on Congress not part of UP alliance: Samajwadi Party and BSP are enough to beat Modi ji, the by elections are also an indication of it. You can also read Rahul ji's statement, he has said 'BJP is not going to get seats here, who is in alliance is not important' pic.twitter.com/E3JrivIPCI ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019 14:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We are assured that the BJP will be whitewashed from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, says Tejashwi Yadav For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Flash There is both optimism and a need for the United States to resume cooperation with China in space exploration, a veteran astronaut and former NASA administrator said days after the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e 4 made a historic soft-landing on the far side of the moon on Jan. 2. "China should feel very proud of having accomplished this. Anytime you can do something that has not been done before, it's a reason for excitement and celebration," said Charles F. Bolden, chief of the space agency from July 2009 to January 2017. Congressional prohibitions on space cooperation with Chinaas stipulated by the 2011 Wolf Amendment to NASA appropriations billsis a "significant legal constraint" and "hindrance" that should be relaxed or reversed, Bolden said. "I'm incredibly optimistic. I just think cooler heads will prevail," Bolden said in an exclusive interview. Bolden was only the second astronaut in NASA's history to hold the position of administrator. During his career as a NASA astronaut, he flew four space shuttle missions, including one that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. "If this administration went to the Congress and said, 'Look, we want to relax the stipulations on the Wolf Amendment' or 'We want to eliminate the Wolf Amendment', it could get passed in a heartbeat, and that would remove the restriction and we'd be able to collaborate in human spaceflight," he said. Asked why he had such confidence, Bolden said, "Who thought Nixon would ever go to China?" referring to U.S. President Richard Nixon's 1972 historic visit. Bolden also gave an example of cooperation between Russia and the U.S., which some people think are "like two different worlds." "There is no better partnership with Russia than NASA and Roscosmos, because we have a common mission," he said. Roscosmos is the Russian state corporation in charge of space activities. However, early last month, U.S. Representative John Culberson, who then chaired the House Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees NASA and other science agencies, said he was "hopeful" Congress would continue to prohibit NASA from engaging in bilateral cooperation with China unless certain conditions are met, spacepolicyonline.com reported on Dec. 7. Culberson, a Republican from Texas, lost his re-election race. After Democrats took control of the House on Jan. 3, the subcommittee chairmanship changed parties. Bolden said that many international partners are working collaboratively with the Chinese space agency. For example, Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency, who had a highly successful mission on the International Space Station, and other European astronauts are training with Chinese astronauts. "My fear is that the U.S. may be left out," he said. There have been signs of cooperation and goodwill between the space authorities of the two countries in recent months. Immediately after Chang'e 4 made the first soft-landing on the far side of the moon, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine sent the team a message of congratulations. Bridenstine met his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Kejian, chief of the China National Space Administration, on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress in Bremen, Germany, in October. "I think it's really important for the NASA administrator to speak for the United States, in reaching out to other nations of the world to say, you know, we are with you, we look at this (Chang'e 4 landing) as an achievement of humanity. And we really want to remain partners in this effort," Bolden said. "Because if we decide we're going to fracture and break it up, (and) everybody tries to do what's only good for me, none of us are going to succeed," he said. Bolden, who has met with most of the Chinese astronauts who have flown to space, said when he talked to his colleagues in the Chinese space agency and everywhere else, they still would love to be able to work cooperatively with the U.S. in human spaceflight. "Both nations have the financial wherewithal and the technical expertise to further advance this quest for humanity to go deeper and deeper into space," he said. In addition to removing legal constraints, another requirement for U.S.-China space cooperation is for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to reinvigorate the U.S.-China space dialogue, Bolden said. For China, one of their first steps must be reciprocity and transparency, Bolden said. The U.S. had engaged in cooperation with China in Earth science, aeronautic research and air traffic management before and during his tenure as NASA chief. The U.S. also signed an agreement with the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2016 to help smooth the flow of traffic through major Chinese airports, according to Bolden. "My firm belief is that we should integrate China into the International Space Station program. It doesn't have a lot of time left," Bolden said, referring to the planned retirement of the ISS in a few years. That would help China "avoid some of the mistakes that were made with building the International Space Station", he said. China is developing its own space station, named Tiangong or Heavenly Palace, which officials said is expected to be fully operational around 2022. It's likely to become the world's only space station if the U.S.-led International Space Station is retired as planned. Bolden said he expected Tiangong to become a "nice follow-on" to the ISS, where nations of the world can go to do research, "in addition to being on some of the commercial platforms that NASA is really trying to push, to facilitate the development of, today." New Delhi: With less than 100 days left for the battle of Lok Sabha Elections, political parties have begun forging new alliances. As part of the poll preparations, Tejashwi Yadav is likely to meet Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today. Apart from this, India gets into festive mood with Makar Sankranti, Bihu and Pongal. Today also happens to be the penultimate day before the Ardha Kumbha 2019 commences tomorrow. News Nation brings all the action from around the globe. Stay updated with all the breaking news: 23:32 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In AFC Asian Cup 2019: Bahrain defeats India 1-0 in the Group A match 23:00 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad admitted to AIIMS, Delhi for sinus treatment. 22:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed, a monetary penalty of Rs 10.0 million on Bajaj Finance Ltd. (the NBFC) for violation of Fair Practices Code of Master Direction DNBR. PD. 008/03.10.119/2016-17 dated September 01, 2016. 21:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In United States President Donald Trump took a jibe at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports that the former was secretly working for Russia. 20:32 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In CRPF personnel Mahesh Kumar Meena, who was airlifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre, New Delhi after sustaining bullet injuries during the encounter at Tral, Pulwama on January 5 succumbed to his injuries this evening. 19:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Shivpal Singh Yadavs party symbol Shivpal Singh Yadavs Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia (PSPL) gets key as poll symbol. 18:52 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Karnataka CM H. D. Kumaraswamy on BJP leader B. S. Yeddyurappa's horse trading allegations: Congress and JDS have sufficient numbers, we don't need to poach BJP MLAs. 18:36 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal invests Rs 650 crore in Ola, says report. 18:31 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Senior Congress leader CP Joshi to be Rajasthan Assembly speaker. 18:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Justice AK Sikri refuses to comment on current controversy. 18:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Consumer Inflation down to 2.19 % in December 2018 Consumer Inflation down to 2.19 % in December 2018 as compared to 2.33% in November 2018. 17:32 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NSA invoked against 7 accused held in December 3 cow slaughtering case in Bulandshahr case National Security Act invoked against 7 accused held in December 3 cow slaughtering case in Bulandshahr: Administration officials. 17:07 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In B.S Yeddyurappa accuses Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy of horse trading Former Karnataka CM & BJP Leader B. S. Yeddyurappa in Delhi: Despite being the CM of Karnataka, he is doing horse trading, he promised money & ministership to our Kalaburgi MLA, that's why we are here showing unity. We will be here for another 1-2 days. 16:40 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Narendra Modi receives the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award. The Award focuses on the triple-bottom-line of People, Profit and Planet. pic.twitter.com/u2cUnlkGqW ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 15:52 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Alleged AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel has been granted 15-minute time in a week to speak to his family and lawyers by a special CBI Court. 14:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Chargesheet filed against ex-JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar Delhi Police files 1200-page chargesheet under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 124A 323, 465, 471,143, 149, 147, 120B, in 2016 JNU sedition case. 14:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In India is angry, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav blasts Narendra Modi government during joint presser with Tejashwi Yadav 13:05 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In WPI inflation at 8-month low of 3.80% in December on softening fuel, food prices. 13:01 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Fire breaks out in in Kumbh Mela complex 12:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Boeing cargo plane crashes west of Tehran, 10 feared dead The Associated Press quoting Iranian state TV: Boeing 707 Kyrgyz cargo plane crashes west of Tehran amid severe weather, 10 crew feared killed 11:54 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Terrorist Sarfaraz Ahmed Sheer of Hizbul Mujahideen apprehended A terrorist Sarfaraz Ahmed Sheer of Hizbul Mujahideen apprehended from Bandipora by a joint team of 13 Rashtriya Rifles, 162 battalion of Territorial Army and Jammu And Kashmir Police. 11:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court issues notice to Modi govt on snoop order The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Narendra Modi government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Union Home Ministry's December 20 notification allowing ten agencies to monitor any computer resource. The top court says, it will examine the issue, seeks Centre's reply in six weeks. 11:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court seeks CBI reply on an appeal filed by Sajjan Kumar The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the CBI on an appeal filed by Congress leader, Sajjan Kumar challenging the Delhi High Court verdict convicting and sentencing him to life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy to commit murder in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. 10:29 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Tamil Nadu gears up for Jallikattu Bulls and bull-tamers registration was concluded yesterday in Madurai, ahead of Avaniapuram Jallikattu, scheduled to be held tomorrow on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar said the BJP's ''Operation Lotus'' to topple the state's coalition government was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders". "Horse trading is going on in the state. Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai in a hotel with some BJP MLAs and leaders. We are aware of what has transpired there and how much has been offered to them," he said. Operation Lotus is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by BS Yeddyurappa in Karnataka in 2008. Shivakumar, who had earned the reputation of being a "trouble-shooter" in the Congress for bailing out the party from many crises in the past, accused Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy of being "lenient" towards the BJP. Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy: All 3 of them (Congress MLAs) are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My govt isn't under any threat. I know who all BJP is trying to contact & what they're offering. I can handle it, why should media be concerned? pic.twitter.com/GJSJlmNDp8 ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 Union Minister & BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda: They (Congress) should keep their house in order. They are not able to keep their MLAs in Karnataka together and just simply pin pointing at BJP. pic.twitter.com/gouy5FPEwd ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 Karnataka Dy CM G Parameshwara: BJP leaders are saying this govt will fall. But it won't happen. Some of our MLAs have gone, they can go for temples, holiday, family outings, we don't know. Nobody said that they're going to join BJP & destabilise the govt. All our MLAs are intact pic.twitter.com/VFUdXlBuvg ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 "Our chief minister is bit lenient towards the BJP. By ''lenient'', I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it," he said. "The chief minister is adopting a policy of wait and watch. If I was in his place, I would have exposed it within 24 hours," Shivakumar said. Karnataka Dy CM G Parameshwara: Today I had called all our ministers, belonging to our party in this coalition, to discuss the next budget which is going to be presented by the CM in the first week of February & also to take stock of implementation of last year budget provision pic.twitter.com/1NVczEJcND ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 Karnataka Minister & Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda: The fact is BJP is indulging in poaching undemocratically, against democratically established Karnataka govt. BJP is behind efforts to de-stabilise this govt. It is not specific to today. pic.twitter.com/ic4ITlzQHz ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 The minister said former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Congress state president Dinesh Gundu Rao were aware of the development. Shivakumar, however, exuded confidence that the BJP would not succeed in its attempt. "You have been saying that a 'kranti' [revolution] may happen after Makar Sankranti. Let us see. It is not so easy because there is already anti-defection law in place, but we are aware of what you are hinting at," he said in an apparent reference to the opposition BJP in the state. The minister also wondered why the income tax department and the anti-corruption bureau failed to initiate any action on a complaint by Dinesh Gundu Rao on the matter. "We do not know what progress these two agencies have made so far, but sitting on the complaint by a political party is not good," he said. Many Congress MLAs in Karnataka have alleged that they were approached by the BJP leaders to quit their party and join them. The BJP has trashed the charges, saying the coalition partners were hiding their shortcomings and internal strife by making false accusations at the opposition. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A day after Justice AK Sikri turned down a post-retirement job offer, a report suggests the Supreme Court judge did not want to be part of the three-member selection panel that decided to remove Alok Verma from the post of CBI director. Sources close to Justice Sikri told NDTV that he had conveyed his reluctance to the two other members of the high-powered committee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader and opposition's representative Mallikarjun Kharge. "In future, no judge would like to be part of this process of appointment. All judges will recuse themselves from this process," NDTV quoted sources as saying. On Sunday, Justice Sikri withdrew his consent to a government offer to nominate him for president/member in the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). Sources close to the second senior-most judge after the Chief Justice of India told news agency PTI that the consent was withdrawn on Sunday evening when the judge wrote to the government. "The government had approached him for the assignment last month. He gave his consent. The job required attending two to three hearing per year and came without emoluments," the sources said. Also Read | Justice AK Sikri turns down Modi government offer to nominate him to Commonwealth Tribunal The Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal was established and operates under a Statute agreed by Commonwealth governments in 1995. It was formed to meet the requirements of the Agreed Memorandum on the Commonwealth Secretariat (1964) which was revised by governments in 2005. The CSAT has a full complement of eight members comprising the President and seven other members. The members are selected by commonwealth governments on a regionally representative basis from among persons of high moral character who must hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country. The members are appointed on a four-year term which may be renewed only once. Justice Sikri was part of the three-member panel along with Modi and Kharge which decided to remove Verma as of CBI chief. While Modi and Justice Sikri voted against Verma, Kharge filed a dissent note and contested the CVC report. He had also argued that Verma be given an opportunity to present his case before the selection committee. Verma was transferred as Director General, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday. On Friday, Verma refused to take up the new job and resigned from the Indian Police Service (IPS). Justice Sikri is set to retire from the Supreme Court on March 6. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A French cyber security researcher and ethical hacker, Robert Baptiste, on Monday morning tweeted that the official website of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been compromised and that someone had unauthorised access to the full data on the website. Baptiste, who goes by name of Elliot Alderson on Twitter, says that the person who has unauthorised access to narendramodi.in uploaded a text file on the site server as proof and then alerted him. Baptiste is infamous in India for pointing out the security loopholes and bugs in UIDAI's Aadhaar programme and Aadhaar app. The website usually contains news about Narendra Modi, his biography, his public schedule as well as has interactive tools for users. Baptiste tweeted, "Contact has been done with their team... I had a nice chat with the narendramodi.in team. They will take the appropriate measures and solve the issue." From his tweet it is clear that Baptiste is not the one who got the access to narendramodi.in servers. He says that someone else did it and then alerted him. It seems that the team that runs Modi's website noticed tweet from Baptiste and quickly got in touch with him as reported by India Today. Hi @narendramodi, A security issue has been detected on your website. An anonymous source uploaded a txt file containing my name on your websites in realtime. He also have a full access to your database. You should contact me in private and start a security audit ASAP! Regards, pic.twitter.com/AuDupzRlrL Elliot Alderson (@fs0c131y) January 14, 2019 Earlier Baptiste had tweeted: "Hi @narendramodi, A security issue has been detected on your website. An anonymous source uploaded a txt file containing my name on your websites in realtime. He also have a full access to your database. You should contact me in private and start a security audit ASAP!" In his next tweet, Baptiste clarified, "PS: The vulnerability is working for the staging subdomain but also for the main website PS1: I didn't upload this file, I'm not that stupid. PS2: The source deleted the file on my request just after I see it." PS: The vulnerability is working for the staging subdomain but also for the main website PS1: I didnt upload this file, Im not that stupid. PS2: The source deleted the file on my request just after I see it Elliot Alderson (@fs0c131y) January 14, 2019 I had a nice chat with the https://t.co/MVQckTvI6L team. They will take the appropriate measures and solve the issue pic.twitter.com/Jg5D8UQk69 Elliot Alderson (@fs0c131y) January 14, 2019 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After sustaining bullet injuries during the encounter at Tral Pulwama on January 5, CRPF constable Mahesh Kumar Meena today succumbed to injuries. Earlier, Meena was airlifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre from Army's 92 Base Hospital Srinagar. He was shifted to Army's 92 Base Hospital Srinagar where from he was shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, said an official, adding that the trooper succumbed at AIIMS today. (More details are awaited) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, has been granted 15-minute time in a week to speak to his family and lawyers by a special CBI Court on Monday. Michel is one of the three middlemen -- the two others Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa -- being probed by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the case. Last week, India granted consular access to Michel, a British national who was brought here from the UAE last month in connection with the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal. The British High Commission had sought consular access to Michel after he was arrested in the first week of December. Michel, 57, was brought to India following his extradition by the United Arab Emirates in connection with the chopper deal case. At present, he is lodged in the Tihar jail in New Delhi. Michel has denied the charges. The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland. The CBI, in its charge sheet, has alleged an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's appeal against his conviction in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul also issued notice on Sajjan Kumar's bail plea. Sajjan Kumar, convicted in the case, surrendered before Karkardooma Court in New Delhi on December 31 with the high court's December 17 judgment, which sent him to prison for the "remainder of his natural life". The riots broke out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards. ALSO READ | Supreme Court issues notice to Modi govt over home ministrys snooping order, gives six weeks for reply His counsel Anil Kumar Sharma had said that his client will comply with the High Court judgment as Supreme Court is unlikely to hear his plea against the High Court verdict during the vacation. We have removed the objections and the appeal in the apex court has been numbered. Presently, there are no benches in the Supreme Court. Even if we mention the matter for urgent hearing, the registrar will decide whether it will be heard by the bench. No time is left now, Anil Kumar had said. The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced relates to the killing of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar Part-I area of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and the burning down of a gurudwara. On December 17, the Delhi High Court had found Sajjan Kumar guilty in the killings of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar part-I area in South West Delhis Palam Colony on November 1-2, 1984 and burning down of a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar part II during the anti-Sikh riots. Besides Sajjan Kumar, Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and former Congress councilor Balwan Khokhar have been sentenced to life imprisonment, while Kishan Khokkar and former legislator Mahender Yadav have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. ALSO READ | Alliance with BSP will work till Akhilesh Yadav continues to bow down in front of Mayawati: SP lawmaker Hariom Yadav More than 3,000 Sikhs were brutally killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, one of the scariest incidents of communal violence in the country. The riots had broken out following the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31 by her Sikh bodyguards. Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar were accused of masterminding the riots against the Sikh community. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Delhi: Shahid Kapoor started 2018 on a rocking note as his first release, Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmaavat was super-successful at the box-office. The actor received a lot of adulation and praise for his role as Raja Rawal Ratan Singh. The film also starred Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in vital roles. During the shoot of the film and even at the time of promotions, there were rumours about Shahid not getting along with SLB and Ranveer. However, the actor has finally reacted to the ongoing rumours. In the latest episode of Koffee With Karan 6, when Karan Johar asked Shahid about not getting along with his co-stars, he replied, "It's really a big film and the stakes were very high for everybody. So everybody wanted to have their A-game on. Everybody was doing everything it takes to kind of be in the centre of the limelight. I'm sure everybody felt a bit threatened by each other at some level, it's natural." He went on to say, "I had a great time during the film, and of course, there are many small things which happen when it's a multi star-cast film. And I wouldn't say that it was a smooth ride and we were all throwing love at each other. But looking back, I feel it's an amazing film in my filmography and I feel like it's great that I did it, it's all good." When Shahid was asked about his relationship status with Ranveer, Deepika and SLB, the talented actor revealed that they never became a part of his friend circle. The actor said that he looks forward to spending time with his kids and has not been able to bond with the celebs. Shahid said, "My relationship status with most of the industry is zilch. Honestly, Deepika, Ranveer and Sanjay sir never became a part of my friend circle as such. I think it was more a professional thing. And it's not the status was different and it's changed in any manner. We connected when we were working and now we don't have any connection." On the professional front, Shahid was last seen in Batti Gul Meter Chalu alongside Shraddha Kapoor and will next be seen in Kabir Singh. He will also star in the Hindi remake of Telugu hit film Arjun Reddy. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Delhi: Noted filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who is known for delivering several blockbusters film like PK, 3 Idiots, and Munna Bhai MBBS, has been accused of sexual harassment by a woman, who worked in his last release Sanju. The woman said Hirani first made a sexually suggestive remark on April 9, 2018, and then assaulted her. However, Hirani has denied all such allegations. In a statement, the filmmaker said, ''I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation. The allegations are now affecting Hiranis work as his upcoming film, Munnabhai 3 has been put on hold till Rajkumar Hirani gets a clean chit, as per a report in Mid-Day. A source from Star India revealed to the tabloid, ''In a meeting in late December, it was decided that Fox would pull the plug on Munna Bhai 3 if Hirani was found guilty. The studio stands in solidarity with the survivor. VVC Films too has taken the matter seriously, and dropped Hirani's name from the promotional material of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga." "An ICC set up by VVC Films will investigate the matter. Munna Bhai 3, however, by default, is on hold till Hirani gets a clean chit, the source added. According to an article published on the HuffPost India, the woman narrated her ordeal through an email dated November 3, 2018. "I remember forming these words on my lips - 'Sir, this is wrong. Because of this power structure. You being the absolute power and me being a mere assistant, a nobody - I will never be able to express myself to you'," HuffPost India quoted her November 3 mail to Chopra. Meanwhile, Chopras wife and film critic Anupama Chopra, who was also marked in the mail, confirmed that the Vinod Chopra Films (VCF) has set up a committee following her complaint and will address allegations of sexual harassment. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack which left the whole nation in a dark-cloud is getting a recreation, this time, to sing praises of the unsung heroes. For movie-goers, 2019 will see a lot of dramas based on real-life incidences and people. From Nawazuddin Siddiquis Thackeray to Anupam Khers The Accidental Prime Minister to the Mumbai terror attacks titled Hotel Mumbai among many others, the trailer of Hotel Mumbai also sees Hotel sees Anupam Kher and Dev Patel in a clutch-holding performance in one of the darkest times Mumbai has ever seen. Also Read | Total Dhamaal: Ajay Devgn all set to tickle your ribs with Crystal With powerful flashbacks of the horrifying ordeal, the trailer of Hotel Mumbai shows the chilling true story of the 2008 siege on Mumbais Taj Hotel. The 3 minutes 4-second-long trailer opens with the Lion actor, Dev Patel, a hard-working hotel waiter who is expecting the arrival of a new baby. Watch the trailer of Hotel Mumbai here: The trailer shows Anupam Kher as a renowned chef Hemant Oberoi and Dev Patel as a hard-working waiter, who dares life to save the civilians trapped in the horrifying ordeal. We also get a gist of how the two unsung heroes, among the many others, go through unimaginable sacrifices to ensure the safety of their guests. Fused with emotions and spine-shilling recreation, the trailer takes you to an emotional flashback to one of the worst terror attacks. The Indian-American-Australian thriller film is scheduled to be released on March 29, 2019. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. You are here: World Flash A woman who was reported missing was found lifeless, a day after a gas explosion blew up a building in the center of Paris, a state radio reported on Sunday. French rescuers have found the victim's body buried under the rubble earlier on Sunday, France info said, citing a source from Paris prosecutor office. The death of the 28-year-old woman, who lived in the exploded building, brought the death toll to four. Two firefighters and a Spanish tourist were confirmed dead on Saturday. A powerful explosion caused by gas leak occurred at around 9:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Saturday in a closed bakery on the Rue de Trevise in the 9th district of Paris, one of the French capital's main shopping area. At least 47 people were wounded, of whom 10 were seriously hurt, according to data released by the Interior Ministry. The blast blew out the entire ground floor of the building, with storefronts blown out and windows shattered up to the fourth floor. Shop windows were smashed, and other buildings and parked vehicles nearby were also damaged by the force of the blast. "The explosion was particularly violent, it spread over 100 meters," Paris fire brigade commander Eric Moulin told reporters. Paris authorities were mobilized to help the evacuated residents and tourists with temporary accommodations. An investigation has been under way, according to the Regional Directorate of Judicial Police. New Delhi: After Raid, T-Series and Panorama Studios have joined hands to produce their next, a courtroom drama, titled Section 375. The film that went on floors today in Mumbai stars Akshaye Khanna and Richa Chadha in the lead roles along with Rahul Bhat who plays a pivotal role. The film is directed by B.A. Pass (2012) fame Ajay Bahl. The film will be a courtroom drama as the title suggests. Akshaye Khanna and Richa Chadha will play lawyers in this drama fighting on opposite sides of the case. Actress Richa Chadha shared her excitement to her fans via Instagram urging them to wish her luck for the new film's beginning. New film begins today! Please wish me luck - I need it for this one! Loads of love. Happy Monday to all. Excited to work with Ajay Bahl (BA Pass fame) and Akshay Khanna (been a fan since - Dil Chahta Hai, HulChul, Taal, Mom). And my first collaboration with @panorama_studios @abhishekpathakk ! Thank you for the warm welcome and being so cool and supportive. Lots of love!, She captioned her video. As the title suggests, the films storyline will revolve around sexual abuse and rape with title hinting towards this particular section as defined in the Indian Penal Code. The project backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat, and Abhishek Pathak will wrap around the end of February. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Shivpal Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singhs brother and founder Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), has been approved key as his partys election symbol by the election commission. Shivpal Yadav, the estranged uncle of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, had formed Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) in August 2018 after being sidelined in the Samajwadi Party. He has declared that his party is ready to join hands with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. "I am in touch with Congress. Talks are on," Shivpal said at India Today conclave. "Without the secular alliance fighting together, the BJP cannot be defeated. We have a very small group," he was quoted as saying. Shivpal Yadav has already shown interest in forming an alliance with any secular party including the Congress to oust BJP out of power in 2019 polls. No alliance can defeat the BJP without the support of the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), Bahujan Mukti Party and our other alliances. We are ready to form an alliance with other secular parties to keep the BJP out of power, he had said. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati held a joint press conference in Lucknow on Saturday to announce their alliance ahead of 2019 General Elections. While addressing the press conference, Yadav told media persons that alliance between SP and BSP was necessary to defeat the arrogance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir State Board of Secondary Education is likely to release the Class 11 Result 2018 soon. According to the sources, the board is expected to announce the result in next two or three days. Earlier, there were reports which suggested that the results would be announced on January 08, 2019. Soon after the formal declaration of the results, the JKBOSE 11th Result 2018 for Kashmir Division will be available online on the official website of the board i.e. jkbose.ac.in. The candidates can find result link on the homepage of the website. In order to check the result, the students will have to submit the roll number or the name of the student. The roll number of the students must be the same as present on the admit card. According to the sources, the scorecard contains the name of the students, boards name, class name, subject name, marks in the individual subject, overall marks, result status and some other important information. The exams for class 11 were conducted from October 26 to November 14, 2018. The first and the last exams were of IT & ITes/ Retail/ Healthcare/ Tourism and Chemistry/ Elective Language respectively. The result for class 10 and 12 was announced on December 29, 2018, and on January 07, 2019 respectively. Both results were announced around at 7:30 pm. About Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) The Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education is renowned as the JKBOSE. This is actually a governmental body that is responsible for the development as well as maintenance of Jammu and Kashmir school education. Under the state government administration, this governmental body acts as the autonomous body of education. Apart from this, the JKBOSE also looks after the quality of the education which is provided to the student at a school level through 10,609 affiliated schools in the state. Besides from the responsibility of giving the quality education, the board also promotes the equality of opportunity by providing the essential facilities. At the same time, the Jammu and Kashmir State Board also conducts annual 10th and 12th Class Exams every year. Actually, they want to shape up the strong basis of higher education for students of Jammu and Kashmir. There are number of government as well as private schools in the state which are affiliated with the JKBOSE. They try to provide all the education-related facilities to the students, who are learning under the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education. Delhi: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is likely to declare the result of the Group D examination in mid-February. The exam was conducted in September-December 2018.While confirming this news to Hindustan Times, Executive Director of RRB Angaraj Mohan said, that RRB Group D result is expected to be out around the middle of February. When HT asked him if any exact date for the result can be given, he said, Recently we have released the answer key for the examination. Candidates will raise their objections and then we will have to complete the whole process of result preparation. So an exact date for the result announcement cannot be given at this moment. He, however, said that the result of the RRB Group D examination is expected to be released in the middle of February. On January 11, RRB had released the question paper of the CBT for Level 1 posts along with the option selected by the candidates and the correct answer tick marked on it. Candidates can raise objections against the questions or the answer key until till January 19. In order to raise any objection, the candidate is required to pay a fee of Rs 50/- per question. In case the objection raised is found to be correct, the fee paid shall be refunded to the candidate. The refund will be made to the account from where the candidate has made the online payment. Tokyo: The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has alleged her husband is being held in harsh conditions and subjected to round-the-clock interrogations intended to extract a confession. In a letter to Human Rights Watch, Carole Ghosn urged the group to highlight the case of her husband, who has been in detention in Japan since his shock arrest on November 19 and faces three charges of financial misconduct. The nine-page letter says the former high-flying executive is held in a cell that is lit even at night, and is denied his daily medication. For hours each day, the prosecutors interrogate him, browbeat him, lecture him, and berate him, outside the presence of his layers, in an effort to extract a confession, the letter says. It claims prosecutors have pressed Ghosn to sign documents in Japanese, which he does not understand, providing only an oral translation, and without his lawyer present. I urge Human Rights Watch to highlight his case... to press the government to reform its draconian system of pretrial detention and interrogation, the letter adds Read More | Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn arrested on charges of corruption, financial misconduct Ghosns ongoing detention has prompted some international criticism of Japans legal system, which permits prosecutors to hold suspects while they investigate an allegation, and also allows lengthy pre-trial detention once charges have been filed. Ghosns lawyer has acknowledged his client is unlikely to be freed before a trial, and that the case could take six months to come to court. The former Nissan chief has so far been denied visits from anyone except his lawyers and diplomats from the three countries where he holds citizenshipBrazil, France and Lebanon. But a court ruling last week means Ghosn can now begin receiving family visits. His lead lawyer Motonari Otsuru also denied last week that Ghosn was being pressured to sign documents or a confession in Japanese. Not once has Ghosn said to us he has any concerns about being asked to sign something in a language he doesnt understand, he told reporters. He also said Ghosn had now been moved to a larger cell with a Western-style bed, adding that his client had not complained to him about the conditions of his detention. Also Read | Nissan to recall 150,000 cars due to improper checks Ghosn faces charges of under-reporting his compensation, trying to shift personal losses onto Nissan books, and using company funds to repay a friend. He denies wrongdoing and in a first court appearance this week said he had been wrongly accused and unfairly detained. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Monday dropped over 150 points tracking weakness in other Asian markets amid heavy selling by foreign investors. Market sentiment also turned cautious ahead of the release of key macroeconomic data. The 30-share index fell 174.61 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 35,835.23 in early trade. Similarly, the NSE Nifty shed 60.10 points,or 0.57 per cent, to 10,733.85. On Friday, the Sensex had fallen 377.81 96 points to end at 36,009.84; and the Nifty too slipped by 26.65 points to close at 10,794.95. According to analysts, this week, stock market movement will be driven by the announcement of macroeconomic data points and quarterly earnings by various companies, including bluechips RIL and Wipro. ALSO READ | Fuel prices witness sharp hike, check January 14 rates in your city The government is scheduled to release the wholesale price index (WPI) and consumer price index (CPI) data later in the day. The market would also continue taking cues from the movement of rupee, crude oil and investment trend by foreign investors, traders said. On a net basis, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 687.20 crore Friday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 123.17 crore, provisional data available with BSE showed. In the morning session on Monday, the biggest losers in the Sensex pack were Axis Bank, L&T, Tata Steel, Vedanta, HDFC, M&M, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, NTPC and SBI, falling up to 1.61 per cent. Shares of Avenue Supermarts, which runs the D-Mart chain, fell over 8 per cent after the company posted 2.1 per cent rise in its net profit to Rs 257 crore for the December 2018 quarter. On the other hand, Infosys was the biggest gainer, rising 3 per cent, after the company on Friday said it will buyback shares worth up to Rs 8,260 crore and offer shareholders a special dividend of Rs 4 per share as part of the company's Rs 13,000 crore-capital allocation policy. India's second largest IT firm, however, reported a 30 per cent drop in its December quarter net profit on higher expenses. Other gainers include Yes Bank, Sun Pharma and HUL, rising up to 2.61 per cent. Globally, elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 1.43 per cent, Kospi fell 0.66 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index was trading 0.56 per cent lower in early trade. Japan's Nikkei, however, gained 0.97 per cent. ALSO READ | Air India's passenger revenue grows by 20% in Q3 of 2018-19 On Wall Street, Dow Jones Industrial Average ended marginally lower at 23,995.95 points on Friday. The rupee, meanwhile, depreciated against the US dollar to 70.56. The benchmark Brent crude futures dropped 0.94 per cent to USD 59.91 per barrel. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its mid-sized sedan City priced at Rs 12.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new trim -- ZX MT -- is powered by 1.5 litre petrol powertrain mated with manual transmission and comes with added features like rear parking sensors. Some of the key features of the Honda City ZX MT variant includes a complete LED package which comes with LED headlamps, DRL, fog lamps, rear combi-lights, license plate lamps, and trunk-lid spoiler lights. The company said it has brought in the new trim due to high demand from buyers for top-spec petrol variant in a manual transmission. Currently, Honda also sells an automatic version of the sedan. Honda has also introduced two new exterior colour schemes Radiant Red Metallic and Lunar Silver Metallic. The Honda City is available in four trims SV, V, VX and ZX. ALSO READ | Hyundai i20 Elite 2019 unveiled, know its new prices, variants The petrol unit on the City is a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine producing 117bhp and 145Nm of torque. The Honda City is 4,440 mm long, 1,485 mm tall and 1,695mm wide and has a kerb weight of 1,085 kg. The interior of the sedan which comes with ample leg room is done with beige coloured leather upholstery. The new trim is introduced due to high demand from buyers for top-spec petrol variant in a manual transmission, according to the company. "The addition of new colours and standard application of rear parking sensors will further strengthen the City offering in the market," Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) Senior Vice President and Director (Sales and Marketing) Rajesh Goel said in a statement. The model comes with various features like six airbags, electric sunroof, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers among others. The car also gets a 7 touchscreen on its dashboard, which is finished in black with silver accents. ALSO READ | Mahindra XUV300: Bookings open for compact SUV, details inside Both, the petrol and diesel variants come mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox. The higher-spec petrol variants (V, VX and ZX) further come with the optional six-speed CVT transmission with paddle shifters, Drivespark reported. Honda had first launched City in India in January 1998, and till date has sold over 7.5 lakh units of the sedan. Please purchase a subscription read this premium content. If you have a subscription, please sign up for a digital website account or log in. Flash Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday called for ending the continuing crisis between Qatar and mainly its Arab Gulf neighbors. Speaking at a joint news conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Pompeo said that the diplomatic rift among the Arab Gulf countries benefited their adversaries. "We are all more powerful when we are working together and disputes are limited. When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful," Pompeo said. Pompeo arrived in Doha earlier in the day from Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as he continued his ongoing tour of the Middle East that has already taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the UAE. He will travel to Saudi Arabia as his next stop. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has strongly denied the accusations. Last week, Anthony Zinni, the U.S. envoy tasked with resolving the Qatari crisis, announced his resignation, citing that he felt he reached a dead-end in the efforts to end the Gulf dispute. In the 18th and 19th centuries it travelled eastward across northern Canada, before making an abrupt turn northwards at the start of the 20th century. At the start of the 21st it began speeding up, going from 9km/year in the late 20th century to its present speed of at least 55km/year. "It didn't move much between 1900 and 1980 but it's really accelerated in the past 40 years," British Geological Survey scientist Ciaran Beggan told Reuters. It's now not far from the actual North Pole, on a beeline for Siberia. "The location of the north magnetic pole appears to be governed by two large-scale patches of magnetic field, one beneath Canada and one beneath Siberia," Phil Livermore, a geomagnetist at the University of Leeds, said at a recent meeting, Nature reports. "The Siberian patch is winning the competition." Since a massive "geomagnetic pulse" detected beneath South America in 2016, the recent model has been outdated, Nature reports. An urgent meeting was scheduled to be held on January 15 at the request of the US military, but was called off thanks to US President Donald Trump's government shutdown. It's now pencilled in for January 30. There has been speculation recently that the accelerating pole movement could be a sign the poles are about to flip. Scientists estimate that happens every few hundred thousand years. The last time it happened on a long-term basis was 780,000 years ago, suggesting we're overdue. About 41,000 years ago a temporary pole reversal lasting 440 years took place, during which time the strength of the Earth's magnetic field dropped 95 percent. If that happened now we'd be bombarded with lethal cosmic rays and the atmosphere might be stripped away, and we wouldn't be able to call 111 because our mobile phones wouldn't work. A normal reversal would take hundreds to thousands of years to complete, and scientists say it would be a bigger problem for birds who rely on the magnetic field for migration than it would humans. Scientists who looked into the evidence last year concluded it was "probably" not undergoing a reversal. And don't delete Google Maps if it does happen. While the magnetic field is important for navigating at sea and the poles, your phone and car navigation system relies more on satellites. "It doesn't really affect mid or low latitudes," Dr Beggan told Reuters. "It wouldn't really affect anyone driving a car." The magnetic South Pole isn't directly opposite the North, and its movement doesn't always match. It's spent the last 200 years moving away from the South Pole, and is currently outside the Arctic Circle. Newshub. Parents are being advised to feed babies eggs and peanuts in their first year of life, regardless of their allergy risk factors in order to prevent them from developing allergies. The new guidelines have been published in the Medical Journal of Australia with scientists advising parents to "deliberately" feed their infants foods that can trigger allergies. But one Kiwi mother Simone Mullan whose daughter was nearly killed by an allergy as a baby says the move is a scary prospect for new parents. Ms Mullan experienced every new parent's worst nightmare when her baby was just under a year old. "She started vomiting and frothing at the mouth and becoming unconscious, but I thought she was sleepy and had a bit of a bug but my brother-in-law actually alerted me that something else didn't look right so we took her off to A and E and they quickly took her off our hands and administered adrenalin." Ms Mullan had innocently fed dairy to her daughter Lizzie, now 21. But it turned out Lizzie had an array of severe allergies. "Egg being the most dangerous, peanuts, nuts, dogs, cats, grass, trees, dust mites. So we suddenly thought we had a baby we had to keep in a bubble." The new guidelines recommend parents introduce solid foods when their baby is six months old and before they're 12 months old - introduce peanut and egg, regardless of allergy risk of factors. Experts have welcomed the advice saying exposure to common food allergens helps desensitise children to them. They hope it'll also help doctors to identify allergies early and make a diagnosis. Up to 10 per cent of Kiwi infants have food allergies, with milk, eggs and peanuts the main culprits. In a group of 640 infants with certain ailments, some were given food containing peanuts until they were five years old. Only 1.9 per cent of them developed peanut allergies. Another group wasn't fed peanuts and 13.7 per cent developed peanut allergies. And Ms Mullan's advice to parents is to proceed, with caution. "Seek advice, know your family history, listen to your gut, take care and watch your child." Newshub. One of the men who discovered the building blocks that make up life is under fire for saying the same blocks that determine our race also affect our intelligence. James Watson, alongside colleague Francis Crick, discovered "the secret of life" when the pair figured out DNA's double-helix structure in the early 1950s. Nearly a decade later they were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine, and Dr Watson went on to spend nearly four decades as director and president of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and helped kickstart the Human Genome Project. But following comments made in a new documentary, Cold Spring Harbor has stripped him of several honours, including "honorary titles of Chancellor Emeritus, Oliver R.Grace Professor Emeritus, and Honorary Trustee". Dr Watson was asked by the makers of PBS documentary American Masters: Decoding Watson whether he still believed black people were less intelligent than others, as he claimed in a 2007 interview. "Not at all," the 90-year-old said. "I would like for them to have changed, that there be new knowledge that says that your nurture is much more important than nature. But I haven't seen any knowledge. And there's a difference on the average between blacks and whites on IQ tests. I would say the difference is, it's genetic." In 2007, Dr Watson told the UK's Sunday Times he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa", because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours, whereas all the testing says not really". While he wanted each race to be equal, "people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true", he claimed. A woman has been arrested after an attack on an elderly Northland woman that disgusted the community. On January 9 the 92-year-old was attacked in her Kawakawa home by two young female offenders. Police say they knocked on the woman's door and asked for fuel before assaulting her, stealing property and fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The crime was met with a wave of outrage from locals, prompting police to issue a warning against vigilante justice. On Monday it was announced a 24-year-old woman will be charged with aggravated burglary and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. She will appear in the Kaikohe District Court on Tuesday, facing six other burglary charges in relation to previous incidents. Detective Senior Sergeant Johnston has thanked the community for providing valuable information about the crime. He says police are investigating the identity of the second offender and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Police on 09 407 9211 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Newshub. While some areas are expected to have just a little drizzle or a few showers, other parts of the country will have heavier rain with a chance of thunder. The risk of thunderstorms is considered moderate about Buller and western Nelson on Monday morning and about Taranaki later in the morning, MetService says. There is also a "moderate risk" of thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening in Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne down to Manawatu and the Tararua District, as well as Marlborough in the south. "The rain will come as a cool change to some of the high temperatures we have seen across the country over the last few days," MetService meteorologist Mark Bowe said. "Napier got to 33degC on Saturday which is very close to the highest January temperature on record for that area", Mr Bowe explained, and those high temperatures are set to ease this week. Auckland and Wellington have seen temperatures higher than normal January averages, according to MetService. Some South Island towns also saw temperatures reach higher than average at times during last week. "The southwest change will cool temperatures down a little as the wet weather moves across the country," Mr Bowe said. He said there is "plenty to keep an eye on as changeable weather is expected". Newshub. When asked if he felt threatened by the 'E Ihowa' verse of 'God Defend New Zealand', Mr Chong said no. "I just only need to sing the original version," he explained. "If we all have to be made to sing the anthem in two languages, then the haka should be sung in two languages too." 'E Ihowa Atua' was written in 1878, just two years after 'God Defend New Zealand' was first performed. The lyrics, which aren't a direct translation of the anthem, are commonly sung before the English verse. It's not Mr Chong's first race-related controversy. In November 2018 he told NZME that he flew the Confederate flag (regarded as a pro-slavery symbol) during New Plymouth's Americarna festival. In the same radio interview he also defended the Hawera group who wore blackface in an A&P parade. In 2015 Mr Chong was criticised by Mayor Andrew Judd for making fun of Asian accents, and in 2017 he referred to National and Labour as "Natori" and "Labori" in disparaging reference to the amount of money being spent on te reo Maori. Mr Chong has been approached for comment regarding his remarks on Facebook. Newshub. The Irish tourists who wreaked havoc on Takapuna Beach have allegedly been spotted misbehaving in other Auckland locations. Video of a man, woman and child littering and verbally abusing other members of the public went viral earlier on Monday, with Kiwis disgusted at the visitors' antisocial behaviour. But the beach trip wasn't the end of the group's misadventures on Sunday. Auckland man Martin Folan says he saw the same people at Northcote's Backyard Bar at about 4:30pm that same afternoon. The group - estimated to have been as many as 12 people, including multiple young children - asked him and his partner if they knew what time the neighbouring Indian restaurant opened. Do you have more information about the group? Contact news@newshub.co.nz. It was an innocent enough question, but Mr Folan says he immediately got the feeling they were up to no good. "The little kids were even trying to eye up my 9-year-old boy, he never noticed but I did and had a slight chuckle to myself as he was tiny to my son," he wrote on Facebook. "[We] also saw the very large man just looking at us and I knew they were no good." GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more You are here: World Flash Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday ordered to set up a fund of 20 million U.S. dollars to evacuate African immigrants in Libya to their home countries. The fund, which will be under the auspices of the African Union (AU), should cover the costs of sending illegal African immigrants from Libya back to their original countries, the official Qatar News Agency reported. The Qatari ruler's decision coincided with a visit by the AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki to Doha on Sunday. The two sides reviewed the cooperation between Qatar and the AU in several fields as well as issues of mutual interest. Faki thanked Sheikh Tamim for Qatar's continuous support for the development projects in Africa, particularly the initiative to establish the latest fund. Libya is one of the largest hubs for the transit of illegal immigrants headed for Europe via the country's coasts. Refugee centers in Libya are crowded with thousands of immigrants rescued in the high seas or arrested inside the country by Libyan security agencies. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced in December 2018 that it sent more than 16,000 immigrants back home from Libya in 2018, compared to nearly 20,000 in 2017. There are unpaid prison guards feeding New Year's Day steak dinners to convicted felons. More than 1,000 federal workers set up GoFundMe pages to help cover bills, while others put their personal belongings on Craigslist to make ends meet. Even federal employees who want to be done with it all and retire can't because there's no one to process the paperwork. But amid all the heartache there was a bright spot for one family of a federal worker: As hundreds of thousands of federal workers were lamenting their missed checks, Carrie Walls was picking one up. Walls won the Virginia Lottery's "Ford Expedition Plus $100K," a scratch-off contest. In a picture posted by the state's lottery commission, she's seen smiling inside the driver's seat of the new white SUV, holding a Virginia Lottery check almost as wide as the front door. "I cried," said Walls, who is from Ashburn, Virginia, of the moment she knew she was a winner. "I couldn't believe it." Walls, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, had the winning ticket out of 554,000 entries. She bought the scratch-off on Dec. 4, two weeks before the federal government shutdown began. A month and a half later, her family is perhaps one of the only ones not feeling the squeeze. As The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis wrote Friday, unions representing federal workers who haven't been paid filed suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, demanding full compensation for time and overtime they have worked. "This lawsuit is not complicated: We do not believe it is lawful to compel a person to work without paying them," Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said in a statement. "With this lawsuit we're saying, 'No, you can't pay workers with I.O.U.s. That will not work for us." On Friday, Congress passed legislation guaranteeing back pay for furloughed workers. President Donald Trump spent Saturday battling criticism that he doesn't have a plan to end the shutdown. "I do have a plan on the Shutdown," he tweeted. "But to understand that plan you would have to understand the fact that I won the election, and I promised safety and security for the American people. Part of that promise was a Wall at the Southern Border. Elections have consequences!" For now, the Walls family doesn't have to worry about that. They're planning a trip to Disney World. The talk of 2018 has been about the record rain fall that was 50 percent above average which created a challenging year for farmers, construction workers and loggers. Farmers were rained out of the hay fields for three weeks in May, which is the prime time to harvest quality hay, then theyve had the mud to contend with to feed their cattle this winter. Im thankful that Im not a cow this winter! The natural gas pipeline crews couldnt have picked a wetter year to lay the two controversial lines from the West Virginia gas fields to Virginia and North Carolina. But the most exciting thing that happened in 2018 was the drop in energy prices. Im not going to give President Trump credit for this, but I will give Obama credit for the destruction of the coal industry that was booming 10 years ago. The invisible hand of the free market is responsible for the over-abundance of petroleum products today. We Americans have been blessed with cheap energy starting with coal that created the Industrial Revolution, on to the oil well at Titusville, Pa., to the oil fields in Texas and finally to the Dammam No. 7 well in Saudi Arabia in 1938. We were in energy heaven until the neo-cons and the evangelical Christians starting sticking their noses into the affairs of the Middle East. The Arabs retaliated with the 1973 oil embargo. This sent shock waves to the Americans who were used to going everywhere they wanted to and when they wanted to at an affordable price. According to the press in the late 1970s, the world would be completely out of oil by the end of the century. This caused the politicians to start running around like chickens with their heads chopped off, first by promoting fuel made from food (ethanol), then to green energy (solar and wind) and even to electric cars. After trillions of tax dollars were squandered, alternative energy sources never came up with over 5 percent of the total energy. About 40 people attended a Mentor City Council meeting on coyotes in the wake of one killing 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. NEW CANAAN Some of the most talented photographers in the New England region celebrated their work Saturday night at the opening reception of the Carriage Barn Arts Centers 39th annual photography show. We had about 800 submissions, said executive director Hilary Wittman. Just 104 pieces by around 70 photographers making the grade for the exhibition, which runs through Feb. 15. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya is asking the Supreme Court (SC) to compel Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to release the fourth tranche of the salary standardization law, despite the re-enactment of the 2018 budget. A 27-page petition filed Monday by Andaya and 51 government employees said Diokno and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) "lawfully neglected the performance of ministerial acts" in not releasing the scheduled pay hikes for government workers this year. "Secretary Diokno should not be allowed to arbitrarily dictate on when and how he will use the MPBF, using no particular standards, except his own whims and caprices as basis for his decision," they said. The petitioners argued that the 99.45 billion miscellaneous personnel benefits funds (MPBF) may be used by the DBM to cover salary adjustments of government employees, which they estimate would cost the government 42.71 billion only. They added that even if the DBM refuses to allot funds for the full 42.71 billion for the fourth tranche of salary adjustments, the Budget department could just allocate a quarter's worth of pay hikes as the 2019 budget may still be passed within the first quarter of the year. Some senators have backed Andaya's position, including the Senate minority bloc which wants the upper chamber to express its view that the salary hikes for 2019 could be funded using the MPBF. READ: Andaya 'lacks common sense' on 2019 budget for salary hike Palace But the DBM said it cannot use the MPBF for salary increases for government workers without Congress passing the 2019 budget. "We need specific appropriations from Congress for the implementation of the fourth tranche of salary increase under EO (Executive Order) 201," Budget Assistant Secretary Myrna Chua said Monday in a press briefing after Andaya sued Diokno and the DBM. EO No. 201 provides for the implementation schedule of salary hikes for government workers "subject to appropriations by Congress." The same executive order also said that the funding for the additional salaries of employees under national government agencies would be sourced from the National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress for its approval. But Andaya said Section 46 of the 2018 budget law allows the use of the MPBF since it says that the executive department could use funds for personnel services for the payment of personnel benefits and deficiencies in authorized personnel benefits. The petitioners listed down the instances when the DBM used the MPBF to fund pay and allowance hikes of government workers and uniformed personnel, including the increase in the base pay of police and military personnel in 2018. But the DBM said they could not use the MPBF to fund the fourth tranche of salary hikes, as there are no appropriations for it in the 2018 budget, which was re-enacted after Congress failed to pass the 2019 budget on time. "I think many of these problems could have been avoided had Congress just approved the General Appropriations Act," Diokno said. READ: Gov't workers to get 4th tranche of salary hike in February Budget chief Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo backed Diokno's position, saying that since the budget is re-enacted, there could be no source of funding for the fourth tranche of pay hikes for government workers. However, petitioners said that the re-enactment of the 2018 budget generates savings which can be realigned by the executive to fund pay hikes for government workers. The DBM said they are readying to respond to the case filed in the SC, which they expect to ask them to respond to the petition. CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario and Xave Gregorio contributed to this report. Housebuilders social and financial contribution to Southern region Paul Crispin Housebuilder David Wilson Homes Southern, based in Hungerford, has built 711 homes in its operational area during the past year and contributed more than 85.7m to the UKs economic output. The achievements are highlighted in a new report which measures the housebuilders social and economic contribution to the Southern region, covering Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, over the past financial year (July 1, 2017, to June 31, 2018). Included within the companys socio-economic footprint are key figures relating to the firms support for the housebuilding supply chain, local communities, environment, public services and employment. The figures revealed the housebuilder: Supported more than 1,400 jobs directly and through its contractors and suppliers. Supported 250 subcontractor companies and 400 supplier companies. Ninety per cent of components used in the construction process were manufactured in the UK. Planted or retained 2,200 trees or shrubs on its developments. Hired 14 graduates, apprentices and trainees on various employment programmes. David Wilson Homes Southerns managing director Paul Crispin said: As a five-star housebuilder, we are very aware of the vital role we play in helping to boost the local economy. We are committed to a strategy that includes leaving a positive and lasting legacy in the communities in which we build homes. This can be through anything, including job creation, strengthening surrounding businesses or enhancing and protecting the local environment. We are very proud to be a major force in the growth and prosperity of the region and look forward to continuing our work in 2019. The report on David Wilson Homes Socio-Economic Footprint in 2018 was carried out by planning consultant Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP). Newburyport - Paul James Matthews, 95, a resident of Newburyport, died Monday morning June 14, 2021 at Port Healthcare Center in Newburyport. He was born on January 26, 1926, in Newburyport, Mass., to the late James and Mary Matthews. Paul was raised in Newburyport and was a graduate of Newb The four largest food banks in Massachusetts are meeting on Monday to discuss how to respond to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown. The food banks, in addition to two non-profit organizations, will brainstorm a response if the shutdown drains resources and supplies for low-income residents and federal workers who have turned to food banks, according to the Boston Globe. "It's really hard and if they really shut down the government how we suppose to survive," Massachusetts resident Carmen Gonzalez said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Jan. 8 that its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, is fully funded for January and February. Monday's meeting will include the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Project Bread and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute will also be present during the meeting. A former Massachusetts state employee has been indicted amid allegations of overtime abuse, Attorney General Maura Healey announced Monday. Katelynn Sullivan, 33, of Lowell, has been indicted by a Suffolk County Special Grand Jury on larceny over $250 and false claims. The attorney general's office alleges that from July 2015 through March 2017, Sullivan was paid for 1,428 hours of overtime that she did not perform while working at the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Authorities said Sullivan worked at a group home for adults with intellectual disabilities that is owned and operated by DDS. During the time she worked, the attorney general's office said employees were required to document the date, time, hours and reason for overtime on a handwritten log. The information would then be approved by a manager and entered into an online payroll platform. Authorities alleged Sullivan would enter hours she did not work into the online payroll system without authorization. According to the attorney general's office, Sullivan was paid over $42,500 in false overtime. Sullivan will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Feb. 4. The utility company blamed for the massive natural gas disaster that rocked the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts last year says it will resume normal billing cycles in February. Columbia Gas announced Monday that normal billing cycles will resume in February for utility customers who had appliances either repaired or replaced following the Sept. 13 disaster. Officials at the utility said the bill customers will receive in February for January service could also include balances that were due before the explosions and fires that rocked the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. The utility also warned in Monday's press release that the rate for natural gas has been adjusted for the winter season, and that there will be an increase that amounts to less than 1.5 percent compared to last winter. Monday's announcement came on the heels of outcry from some customers who reported receiving massive gas bills earlier this month. Paul Craney, who was one of the thousands of affected Merrimack Valley residents, got an invoice from Columbia Gas saying he owed them $820.92, which he said caught him off guard. Columbia Gas officials say customers with questions or concerns can contact their helpline at 1-866-388-3239 or visit a Columbia Gas walk-in center in Lawrence, Andover or North Andover. The September natural gas disaster left a teenager dead, injured more than 20 others and damaged more than 100 buildings. Over-pressurized gas lines during a routine pipeline replacement has been blamed for the disaster. He has survived eight years of war and billions of dollars in money and weapons aimed at toppling him. Now Syrian President Bashar Assad is poised to be readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he forcefully crushed the uprising against his family's rule. Gulf Arab nations, once the main backers of rebels trying to oust Assad, are lining up to reopen their embassies in Syria, worried about leaving the country at the heart of the Arab world to regional rivals Iran and Turkey and missing out on lucrative post-war reconstructive projects. Key border crossings with neighbors, shuttered for years by the war, have reopened, and Arab commercial airlines are reportedly considering resuming flights to Damascus. And as President Donald Trump plans to pull out America's 2,000 soldiers from northeastern Syria, government troops are primed to retake the area they abandoned in 2012 at the height of the war. This would be a significant step toward restoring Assad's control over all of Syria, leaving only the northwest in the hands of rebels, most of them jihadis. It can seem like a mind-boggling reversal for a leader whose military once seemed dangerously close to collapse. But Russia's military intervention, which began in 2015, steadily reversed Assad's losses, allowing his troops, aided by Iranian-backed fighters, to recapture cities like Homs and Aleppo, key to his rule. Assad rules over a country in ruins, with close to half a million people killed and half the population displaced. Major fighting may still lie ahead. But many see the war nearing its end, and the 53-year-old leader is sitting more comfortably than he has in the past eight years. "Rehabilitation by Arab states is inevitable," said Faysal Itani, a resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. A key motive for Sunni Muslim Gulf countries is to blunt the involvement of their Shiite-led foe, Iran, which saw its influence expand rapidly in the chaos of Syria's war. "Saudi Arabia tried briefly to help overthrow him when he seemed most vulnerable using proxy militants," Itani said. "With his regime likely to survive, however, Saudi Arabia would prefer to try and exercise influence over Assad to balance against Iran while avoiding escalation with Iran itself." After Assad led a crackdown on protesters in 2011, Syria was cast out as a pariah by much of the Arab and Western world. It lost its seat at the Arab League and was hit by crippling sanctions by the international community, as the U.S. and European diplomats closed their diplomatic missions. But Syria's isolation was never complete. China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa maintained diplomatic ties. In the Arab world, Lebanon, Iraq and Algeria never broke ranks with Syria. Propped up by Russia, China and Iran, Assad never really felt the pinch politically. A Saudi attempt to patch up relations with Assad would be a public acknowledgement of the kingdom's failure to oust him. At the same time, the involvement of Gulf Arab governments and private companies is crucial for any serious reconstruction effort in Syria. Reconstruction costs are estimated between $200 and $350 billion. Last month, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, himself an international outcast, flew to Damascus on a Russian jet, becoming the first Arab leader to visit Syria since 2011. The visit was largely seen as a precursor for similar steps by other Arab leaders. On Dec. 27, the United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus with a public ceremony, in the most significant Arab overture yet toward the Assad government, almost certainly coordinated with Saudi Arabia. The Bahrain Embassy followed the next day. The debate now appears to be about when, not whether, to re-admit Syria to the Arab League. At a meeting in Cairo on Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said Syria's return to the League is connected to developments on the political track to end the crisis. Some officials in Lebanon insist Syria should be invited to an Arab economic summit the country is hosting next week, although final decision rests with the League. "It could happen slower or faster, but if Assad is going to stay where he is, then obviously countries in the region are going to try to make the best of that situation," said Aron Lund, a fellow with The Century Foundation. "American politicians can sit in splendid isolation on the other side of an ocean and pretend Syria isn't what it is," he said. "But King Abdullah of Jordan can't." The Arab overtures come amid a shifting landscape in the Western world. The planned U.S. pullout from Syria is part of Trump's "America First" policy. He has repeatedly said he was not interested in removing Assad from power or keeping American troops involved in "endless wars" in the region, most recently describing Syria as "sand and death." Right-wing parties and populist movements on the rise in Europe are also on friendly terms with Assad, seeing him as a secular bulwark against Islamic extremists. Even Turkey, whose president in 2012 famously vowed to pray at Omayyad Mosque in Damascus after Assad's ouster, has signaled it would consider working with Assad again if he wins in free and fair elections. For Syrians who rose up against Assad's rule, it can seem like the country is right back where it started eight years ago, only with half a million dead and cities in ruins. Analysts believe Syria under Assad will likely continue to face conflicts and sputter on in limbo for years to come, with only a partial recovery. But he will likely cling to power and do business with anyone who will do business with him. "I don't imagine Assad's Syria becoming a fine upstanding member of the international community, but nor do I think it will languish in isolation," Itani said. Miami International Airport's Concourse G returned to normal operations Monday morning. The airport said that the decision to shut down the terminal was a "precautionary measure due to uncertainties created by the lapse in federal government funding." Concourse G will close at 1 pm on Sunday. However, the closure at the terminal will end sooner than expected. "MIAs Concourse G will return to normal operations on Monday morning, with the TSA fully staffing the Concourse G checkpoint. MIA and TSA will continue to monitor checkpoint staffing levels and make adjustments as necessary," the airport said in a statement. MIA said it did not anticipate a significant impact to flight schedules or the overall passenger experience. The Transportation Security Administration tasked with guaranteeing U.S. airport security last week acknowledged an increase in the number of its employees calling off work during the partial government shutdown. MIA urges travelers to arrive at least two hours ahead of a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. TSA employees are expected to work without pay during the shutdown because their jobs are considered essential. Friday marked the first missed paycheck for about 800,000 federal employees furloughed or working without pay causing anxiety and frustration for many. The union representing the United States air traffic controllers is suing the Trump administration over pay that has been frozen as part of the partial government shutdown. Police in Arizona are investigating a long-term care facility after a report, based on a single anonymous source, that a woman who has been in a vegetative state for at least a decade gave birth. Phoenix police would only say that "the matter is currently under investigation," when asked about the report of a patient in a vegetative state at Hacienda HealthCare facility giving birth to a baby boy on Dec. 29. A unidentified source told local station KTVK that caretakers weren't aware the woman was pregnant until shortly before she gave birth, and a nurse only realized that the patient was in labor when she started to moan. The source, said by KTVK to be someone "familiar with the situation," said the baby is healthy. The source also said the patient has been in a vegetative state and at the facility for about 10 years after a near-drowning incident. Navy divers have recovered the cockpit voice recorder of a Lion Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea in October, Indonesian officials said Monday, in a possible boost to the accident investigation. Ridwan Djamaluddin, a deputy maritime minister, told reporters that remains of some of the 189 people who died in the crash were also discovered at the seabed location. "We got confirmation this morning from the National Transportation Safety Committee's chairman," he said. A spokesman for the Indonesian navy's western fleet, Lt. Col. Agung Nugroho, said divers using high-tech "ping locator" equipment had started a new search effort on Friday and found the voice recorder beneath 8 meters (26 feet) of seabed mud. The plane crashed in waters 30 meters (98 feet) deep. The device is being transported to a navy port in Jakarta, Nugroho said, and will be handed over to the transportation safety committee, which is overseeing the accident investigation. "This is good news, especially for us who lost our loved ones," said Irianto, the father of Rio Nanda Pratama, a doctor who died in the crash. "Even though we don't yet know the contents of the CVR, this is some relief from our despair," he said. The 2-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet plunged into the Java Sea just minutes after taking off from Jakarta on Oct. 29, killing everyone on board. The cockpit data recorder was recovered within days of the crash and showed that the jet's airspeed indicator had malfunctioned on its last four flights. If the voice recorder is undamaged, it could provide valuable additional information to investigators. The Lion Air crash was the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 people on board. Lion Air is one of Indonesia's youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people. A strike by tens of thousands of teachers in Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest school district, began Monday with picketing and a protest march to district headquarters after the two sides did not renew negotiations over the weekend. Talks broke down Friday when the teachers' union rejected as "woefully inadequate" a new offer from the LA Unified School District. With no new discussions scheduled, pickets began Monday morning as teachers stood firm on sticking points including higher pay and smaller class sizes. "We are here for the kids, to try to get the district to understand that our classes are too large," one teacher said as he held an umbrella to ward off rain. "We need more help in the classrooms, we need more help in the offices. We need nurses paid for at every school, and we had no choice. We don't want to be out here; I'd rather be in my classroom. But that's where it's gotten, and we'll be out here as long as we need to be." Schools will stay open despite the walkout. The district has hired hundreds of substitutes to replace teachers and others who leave for picket lines. The union has said it was "irresponsible" to hire subs and called on parents to consider keeping students home or join marchers during the strike. At a Monday morning news conference, United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl addressed fellow union members, parents and students at John Marshall High School. It was one of the locations where picketing began. "Here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state that's blue as it can be -- and in a city rife with millionaires -- where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students," Caputo-Pearl said. "Here we are in a fight for the soul of public education. The question is: do we starve our public neighborhood schools so that they (become) privatized, or do we re-invest in our public neighborhood schools for our students and for a thriving city?" The district's latest offer included adding nearly 1,200 teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians to schools, reducing class sizes by two students, and capping class sizes to between 32 and 39 students, depending on age and curriculum. The offer also included the district's previously proposed 6 percent salary increase over the first two years of a three-year contract. The district issued a statement via social media Sunday night, noting that district campuses on Monday "will be open providing every student with a safe and welcoming learning environment," although early education centers will only be open for special-needs students, and state preschool sites will be closed. "Los Angeles Unified did not want a strike and offered UTLA leaders a $565 million package to significantly reduce class sizes, add nearly 1,200 educators in schools and provide all UTLA members with 6 percent salary raises," the statement continued. "Los Angeles Unified remains committed to contract negotiations and will continue to work around the clock to find solutions to end the strike which will hurt students, families and communities most in need throughout Los Angeles." The union, United Teachers Los Angeles, wants a 6.5 percent hike that would take effect all at once and be retroactive to fiscal 2017. Union officials said some of the district's proposals would expire after a year, calling it disrespectful. Officials said the district was imploring the union to reconsider, adding that it rejected the new offer without proposing a counteroffer. "We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible," superintendent Austin Beutner said at a Monday news conference. "We made our last proposal to UTLA on Friday, which was rejected... We urge them to resume bargaining with us anytime, anywhere, 24-7. We'd like to resolve this." A majority of UTLA's 35,000 members are expected to join the work stoppage. A large crowd of protesters with picket signs gathered in the rain Monday morning outside Los Angeles City Hall. They were planning to march to district headquarters. Abram van der Fluit, a Los Angeles teacher opposed to the strike, said in a statement Sunday that colleagues who agree with him are "fearful" of speaking out against the union. He's a former UTLA member and currently part of the California Teachers Empowerment Network, which describes itself as a nonpartisan information source for teachers and the public. "I don't support the rationale for the strike as articulated by UTLA," he said. "I don't believe that the reasons for the strike should be our priorities, as teachers." Van der Fluit, a 20-year LAUSD veteran who teaches high school biology, said the union should prioritize other issues including creating access to vocational education classes and providing options for students who want to pursue careers that don't necessarily require a college degree. Much of the acrimony between the district and the union centers around the new superintendent, Austin Beutner. The investment banker and former Los Angeles deputy mayor took the job last year without any experience in education. The union argues that Beutner is trying to privatize the district, encouraging school closures and flipping public schools into charter schools. Charters are privately operated public schools that compete with the school system for students and the funds they bring in. Beutner has said his plan to reorganize the district would improve services to students and families. The teachers are tapping into a shift in public sentiment that supports better wages for educators that came with a "Red4Ed" movement that began last year in West Virginia, where a strike resulted in a raise. The movement spread to Oklahoma, Kentucky, Colorado, Arizona and Washington state. As the second largest school district in the nation, LAUSD covers an area totaling 710 square miles and serves more than 694,000 students at 1,322 schools, although 216 schools are independent charter schools, most of which are staffed with non-union teachers that would not be affected by the strike. LAUSD says about 500,000 students and 1,100 schools will be impacted by the strike. About 80 percent of the district's students come from low-income households and qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch, and around 25 percent are learning English. The district says it intends to keep all of its schools open in the event of a strike while it also continues to serve around 1 million meals each day. The district also says it intends to attempt to keep some instruction going for students during the strike. Four hundred substitutes have been hired for the task, and 2,000 administrators with teaching credentials have been reassigned. However, with more than 25,000 teachers expected to strike and at least 31,000 UTLA members set to walk out, LAUSD is expected in many cases to do no more than supervise students during the day in auditoriums and other large spaces. LAUSD has established an information hotline for parents at (213) 443-1300 to answer questions about the planned strike and its possible impact. Picketing, Rallies Begin Monday Morning Picketing began Monday morning and coincided with the news conference at John Marshall High School. A rally and march started at Grand Park on Spring Street in front of City Hall and was expected to head downtown to LAUSD headquarters. There, more picketing by teachers, parents and students is set for between 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in front of Marianna Avenue Elementary School, 4215 Gleason St. union officials said. The proceedings will wrap up with a 5 p.m. news conference at the UTLA building on 3303 Wilshire Blvd., organizers said. The UTLA said it will stream most events live on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Calls for Negotiations On Sunday, United Way of Greater Los Angeles released a letter signed by a number of civic leaders that urged both sides to come together. "This crisis cannot be solved by the Los Angeles Unified School District alone. LAUSD is on the brink of fiscal insolvency -- a stark reality that has been acknowledged by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and other elected officials, UCLA Education Professor Pedro Noguera, President Obama's former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, several forecasts commissioned by multiple LAUSD superintendents, and by the Los Angeles Times," the letter read. "...We urge the teachers union and the school district to reach an agreement and avert a strike, and to put their collective efforts toward securing resources for our teachers and students without devastating the finances of the district. This must include resolving the issue of the district's unsustainable pension liabilities." The city of Los Angeles has established a web site, at www.lamayor.org/StudentsAndFamilies, describing city resources available to students and parents during a strike. Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city would bolster staffing and resources at city recreation centers, libraries and Family Source Centers "to support families with additional options." Meanwhile, L.A. County Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Hilda Solis filed a motion on Friday seeking to identify up to $10 million in county funds that could be directed to the LAUSD to enhance health care for students. The motion will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The county operates dozens of school-based health centers on LAUSD campuses, and the County Department of Mental Health also provides outpatient mental health services and crisis counseling throughout LAUSD. "A strike would disrupt the lives of so many students and their families. L.A. County is stepping up to help LAUSD because it is incumbent upon all of us to help find a way out of this impending crisis," Ridley-Thomas said. What to Know A gunman took two hostages after bursting into the UPS sorting facility in Logan Township, New Jersey, Monday. One worker said the gunman pistol-whipped a security guard then fired three shots into the ceiling. After about three hours, the incident ended with the gunman being shot and killed by police. The hostages were safe. A gunman burst into a UPS mail-sorting facility in New Jersey Monday, shot into the air and took two women hostage for more than three hours before he was shot and killed by police, investigators said. The man, identified as William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the scene. facebook photo Police officers swarmed the UPS Mail Innovations warehouse on Birch Creek Road in Logan Township around 8:30 a.m., after receiving a report of a gunman inside. Dan Severa, a housekeeping staffer at the building, told NBC10 he was outside the facility when he saw a frantic woman screaming that a man was inside, waving a gun around. He then heard a gunshot and ran inside toward the danger. "I seen all the women in the office. Told them to stay in there and close the door," Severa said. Severa told NBC10 he urged a group of about 10 women to run out of the building. "I could get shot. Oh well," Severa said. "But my first reaction was to get them help." One worker said the gunman pistol-whipped a security guard then fired three shots into the ceiling. Severa told NBC10 he spotted the security guard. "When I got him in the office, he had blood coming from his mouth," Severa said. "Think his nose was broke." Ashraf Hajomar, a truck driver who was making a delivery to the facility at the time of the incident, told NBC10 he saw the suspect attack one of the women. @NBCPhiladelphia active shooter at UPS mail facility in Swedesboro, New Jersey confirmed. https://t.co/2UuYvnhPxs Lucy Bustamante - News Anchor/Journalist (@LBustamanteNBC) January 14, 2019 "He grabbed his girlfriend, started punching her," Hajomar said. "He said, 'I have nothing to lose.' And he pulled a gun and shot in the air." Severa said he also spotted the suspect with the hostage. "All I heard him say was, 'I'm not going to jail.' And something about, 'I'll kill you.' And that's pretty much when it was my turn to get out of the building," Severa said. "I just walked right out the front door I came in and told the cops exactly where he was standing." Severa, a former firefighter, said he helped keep some of the evacuees warm inside his van. "Turn the heat up real high and got as many in as I could," he said. Responding police officers blocked roads and sent nearby businesses and schools into lockdown as the standoff dragged on. Gail Wright told NBC10 her sister received a call stating her son, William Owens, was the suspected gunman. "I started crying," Wright said. "And I started praying. Praying to God that everybody come through this okay." One of the hostages was Owens' ex-girlfriend, a law enforcement source told NBC New York investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst. Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore would only say that Owens and at least one of the women had some sort of relationship. No one was struck in the initial shooting, Fiore said. It was not known if the security guard whom the worker said was pistol-whipped was seriously hurt. Shortly before noon, a burst of gunshots could be heard coming from the warehouse. NBC10 cameras were rolling as shots were fired more than half a mile away from an area where media members were being kept. Gunshots can be heard from the staging area near a Logan Township, New Jersey, UPS processing facility where a gunman was shot after taking hostages. "The matter has been resolved," Fiore said shortly after the shots were heard. Officials later confirmed multiple members of law enforcement shot and killed Owens. They have not yet confirmed whether or not Owens fired at police. "I'm not certain whether he did or not," Fiore said. "There are no injuries from a law enforcement standpoint." The Attorney General's Office is investigating the incident. None of the hostages were seriously hurt. Owens' mother told NBC10 she was, "angry, frustrated and trying to make sense of what happened." Other family members said mental health issues may have played a role. "Right now, I just know he's not in a good state of mind," Owens' niece, who did not want to be identified, told NBC10. "This isn't my uncle. He was never like this." Officials say they will continue to speak to Owens' family members as the investigation continues. "It's hurtful. It's hard," Paris Thomas, Owens' current girlfriend, said. "This is all surprising to me. I didn't even know this was going to happen." Stephanie Keith, the mother of Owens' two daughters, told NBC10 she had been on the phone with him at least twice a week for several months and had sensed he wasn't mentally right. She said Owens had worked at the facility and was crying out for help. "He didn't go there to hurt, you know, to literally hurt anybody," she said. "He went there for someone to hurt him. And for it all to be done and maybe he just wanted her to be a witness of what was going on." Owens had been in and out of jail and juvenile centers for years, according to Keith. She said he was wearing an ankle bracelet due to charges stemming from the ex-girlfriend he took hostage. Keith also claimed Owens was trying to make peace with people over the past few weeks, including his daughters. "There's so many people that cared about him," Keith said. "I can't believe they allowed him to slip through the cracks. I just want everybody to know that he's not this monster." The supply chain processing facility had about 60 employees inside at the time. Police used yellow school buses to transport about 32 workers from the facility to a nearby Holiday Inn, county dispatchers said. The American Red Cross offered assistance to the workers at the hotel. The UPS facility is surrounded by other facilities including Home Depot, Amazon and CEVA Logistics warehouses. Workers at some of those facilities said they were told by police to go into lockdown. Logan Township School District schools went on a "modified lockdown," which means all exterior doors and classroom doors were locked, but teachers continued to hold class. The lockdown was lifted after the standoff ended. Many law enforcement agencies joined Logan Township police at the scene. The FBI confirmed that it was assisting local police. UPS said it was assisting local law enforcement with the incident and called it an "active shooter situation" as it unfolded Monday morning. UPS thanked law enforcement in a brief statement following the incident. The company said that support services would be available, "for employees who work at the site... as they recover from this unfortunate incident." The shipping giant uses its regional mail innovations facilities, like the one in Logan Township, to sort and verify mail before it reaches its destination, the company says on its website. The facility remained closed Tuesday. Drivers should avoid the area. Birch Creek Road was blocked and Center Square Road was closed between Interstate 295 and Route 130. Police in Gloucester County continued to investigate the aftermath of a hostage standoff situation at UPS facility in Logan Township on Monday. The suspect, William Owens, was shot and killed by police after three hours of negotiation. The two women Owens held hostage were not seriously injured. The UPS sorting center remained closed Tuesday. President Donald Trump on Monday denied he ever worked for Russia against U.S. interests, addressing an extraordinary question that has haunted his presidency and shows no sign of going away. Speaking from the South Lawn, Trump issued a flat denial: "I never worked for Russia." He blasted former FBI and Justice Department officials and repeated his claim that the investigation into his ties to Moscow is a hoax. Trump raised eyebrows over the weekend when he didn't directly answer the Russia question in an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, a personal friend. He was asked about a New York Times report that law enforcement officials began investigating, in 2017, whether Trump had been working on behalf of Russia against U.S. interests. Trump said the question was "insulting," but did not directly deny it. Monday's clear denial demonstrated the unprecedented pressure Trump faces as the special counsel's Russia investigation shows possible signs of wrapping up. After two years in office, the president is still being questioned about whether he was compromised by Russian intelligence agencies and he is still struggling to answer clearly. White House aides expressed regret over the weekend that the president did not more clearly and forcefully deny being a Russian agent on Saturday when asked by the usually friendly Fox News host, according to three White House aides and Republicans close to the White House. The three spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private conversations. When Pirro asked if he had ever worked for Russia, Trump said it was "the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." "I think it's the most insulting article I've ever had written, and if you read the article you'll see that they found absolutely nothing," he said. Trump went on to assert that no president has taken a harder stance against Russia than he has. "If you ask the folks in Russia, I've been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other ... probably any other president, period, but certainly the last three or four presidents," he said. On Monday, Trump also defended his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, a move that has drawn Mueller's scrutiny. Trump called the Russia probe "a whole big fat hoax." Special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into Russian election interference and whether Trump's campaign coordinated with the Russians. He also is investigating possible obstruction of justice by Trump. AP writers Zeke Miller and Catherine Lucey contributed to the story. What to Know Two men were shot inside an SUV in the St. Albans section of Queens Sunday night ,police said, one of them fatally The driver, 33-year-old Donald Francis, was pronounced dead at the scene; the 31-year-old passenger is in critical condition Both victims have criminal histories but a motive in the shootings remains unclear; a suspect hasn't been identified Police are investigating after two men were found shot in and around an Audi SUV in Queens Sunday night, one of them fatally. The 33-year-old man in the driver's seat, Donald Francis, had gunshot wounds to the head and chest, and was pronounced dead at the scene, in the area of 114th Drive and 196th Street in St. Albans. An unidentified 31-year-old man, who police say had been sitting in the front passenger seat, was found collapsed behind the car with gunshot wounds to the chest and leg. The unidentified victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical but stable condition. No arrest has been made. Neighbors said they believe at least one of the men inside the car lived on the block. One resident, Tandi Singh, said police came by and gathered surveillance video from her house. The camera caught one of a couple different angles of the fatal shooting, which Singh described as a series of gunshots. "We just saw the car speed off, and there was a gentleman running on foot," she said. Calvin Melville also said, "We just heard some shots and the car drove off." Police said Francis and his passenger do have a criminal history, but a motive wasn't clear. The investigation is ongoing. What to Know The NYPD said Monday the case of Michael Stewart, a missing Staten Island father of two, has been deemed a homicide The 40-year-old Staten Island father was last seen on Dec. 20; the next day he sent his mother a text message saying "Please help me" No body has been found; NYPD and other officials were searching a Pennsylvania landfill last week in connection with the case The case of a missing Staten Island father last seen five days before Christmas at a restaurant in his home borough has officially been deemed a homicide, the NYPD said Monday, confirming the long suspected belief that 40-year-old Michael Stewart met with foul play. Stewart, a father of two, was last seen inside O'Neills, a pub on Forest Avenue around dinner time Dec. 20. The next day, he sent a text message to his mother, writing, "Please help me," the New York Post reported. That was the last communication from Stewart, who has been presumed dead though his case wasn't officially deemed a homicide until Monday. No body has been found and no arrests have been made. Last week, the NYPD traveled to a Pennsylvania landfill in their search for Stewart, law enforcement sources say. Stewart was seen on surveillance video the day he went missing horsing around with his friend Angelo Nesimi in a barber shop in Port Richmond. Nesimi is a person of interest in Stewart's disappearance, the Staten Island Advance reported. Nesimi, 33, was arrested Dec. 31 in connection with a violent attack on his girlfriend, Zammara Sanchez, police told the Post. The couple was previously questioned in the suspected killing of Stewart, and Sanchez told detectives that her boyfriend "killed somebody -- and he made me go with him to get rid of the body in New Jersey," the Post reported, citing sources. Investigators believe it's possible that Stewart's body was dumped in New Jersey and that sanitation workers may have picked it up with the trash and it was incinerated, the Advance reported, citing a source. Another source said surveillance video shows Nesimi and Sanchez tossing what could be a body into a dumpster in Perth Amboy before driving away in a Chrysler sedan. Sources also told the Post that Stewart had a relationship with the couple: "It was a relationship between the three of them that ended with [Stewart] stabbed up," a police source told the Post. Nesimi told the Daily News in a jailhouse interview this month, "I didn't do it, 100 percent. They're trying to pin it on me." Both Stewart and Nesimi have criminal records. Nesimi claimed he knew Stewart only for the past few years and that they kept up with each other because they went to the same barber shop, but said they weren't close. What to Know A gunman took two hostages after bursting into the UPS sorting facility in Logan Township, New Jersey, Monday. One worker said the gunman pistol-whipped a security guard then fired three shots into the ceiling. After about three hours, the incident ended with the gunman being shot and killed by police. The hostages were safe. A gunman burst into a UPS mail-sorting facility in New Jersey Monday, shot into the air and took two women hostage for more than three hours before he was shot and killed by police, investigators said. The man, identified as William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the scene. facebook photo Police officers swarmed the UPS Mail Innovations warehouse on Birch Creek Road in Logan Township around 8:30 a.m., after receiving a report of a gunman inside. Dan Severa, a housekeeping staffer at the building, told NBC10 he was outside the facility when he saw a frantic woman screaming that a man was inside, waving a gun around. He then heard a gunshot and ran inside toward the danger. "I seen all the women in the office. Told them to stay in there and close the door," Severa said. Severa told NBC10 he urged a group of about 10 women to run out of the building. "I could get shot. Oh well," Severa said. "But my first reaction was to get them help." One worker said the gunman pistol-whipped a security guard then fired three shots into the ceiling. Severa told NBC10 he spotted the security guard. "When I got him in the office, he had blood coming from his mouth," Severa said. "Think his nose was broke." Ashraf Hajomar, a truck driver who was making a delivery to the facility at the time of the incident, told NBC10 he saw the suspect attack one of the women. "He grabbed his girlfriend, started punching her," Hajomar said. "He said, 'I have nothing to lose.' And he pulled a gun and shot in the air." Severa said he also spotted the suspect with the hostage. "All I heard him say was, 'I'm not going to jail.' And something about, 'I'll kill you.' And that's pretty much when it was my turn to get out of the building," Severa said. "I just walked right out the front door I came in and told the cops exactly where he was standing." Severa, a former firefighter, said he helped keep some of the evacuees warm inside his van. "Turn the heat up real high and got as many in as I could," he said. Responding police officers blocked roads and sent nearby businesses and schools into lockdown as the standoff dragged on. Gail Wright told NBC10 her sister received a call stating her son, William Owens, was the suspected gunman. "I started crying," Wright said. "And I started praying. Praying to God that everybody come through this okay." One of the hostages was Owens' ex-girlfriend, a law enforcement source told NBC New York investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst. Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore would only say that Owens and at least one of the women had some sort of relationship. No one was struck in the initial shooting, Fiore said. It was not known if the security guard whom the worker said was pistol-whipped was seriously hurt. Shortly before noon, a burst of gunshots could be heard coming from the warehouse. NBC10 cameras were rolling as shots were fired more than half a mile away from an area where media members were being kept. Gunshots can be heard from the staging area near a Logan Township, New Jersey, UPS processing facility where a gunman was shot after taking hostages. "The matter has been resolved," Fiore said shortly after the shots were heard. Officials later confirmed multiple members of law enforcement shot and killed Owens. They have not yet confirmed whether or not Owens fired at police. "I'm not certain whether he did or not," Fiore said. "There are no injuries from a law enforcement standpoint." The Attorney General's Office is investigating the incident. None of the hostages were seriously hurt. Owens' mother told NBC10 she was, "angry, frustrated and trying to make sense of what happened." Other family members said mental health issues may have played a role. "Right now, I just know he's not in a good state of mind," Owens' niece, who did not want to be identified, told NBC10. "This isn't my uncle. He was never like this." Officials say they will continue to speak to Owens' family members as the investigation continues. "It's hurtful. It's hard," Paris Thomas, Owens' current girlfriend, said. "This is all surprising to me. I didn't even know this was going to happen." Stephanie Keith, the mother of Owens' two daughters, told NBC10 she had been on the phone with him at least twice a week for several months and had sensed he wasn't mentally right. She said Owens had worked at the facility and was crying out for help. "He didn't go there to hurt, you know, to literally hurt anybody," she said. "He went there for someone to hurt him. And for it all to be done and maybe he just wanted her to be a witness of what was going on." Owens had been in and out of jail and juvenile centers for years, according to Keith. She said he was wearing an ankle bracelet due to charges stemming from the ex-girlfriend he took hostage. Keith also claimed Owens was trying to make peace with people over the past few weeks, including his daughters. "There's so many people that cared about him," Keith said. "I can't believe they allowed him to slip through the cracks. I just want everybody to know that he's not this monster." The supply chain processing facility had about 60 employees inside at the time. Police used yellow school buses to transport about 32 workers from the facility to a nearby Holiday Inn, county dispatchers said. The American Red Cross offered assistance to the workers at the hotel. The UPS facility is surrounded by other facilities including Home Depot, Amazon and CEVA Logistics warehouses. Workers at some of those facilities said they were told by police to go into lockdown. Logan Township School District schools went on a "modified lockdown," which means all exterior doors and classroom doors were locked, but teachers continued to hold class. The lockdown was lifted after the standoff ended. Many law enforcement agencies joined Logan Township police at the scene. The FBI confirmed that it was assisting local police. UPS said it was assisting local law enforcement with the incident and called it an "active shooter situation" as it unfolded Monday morning. UPS thanked law enforcement in a brief statement following the incident. The company said that support services would be available, "for employees who work at the site... as they recover from this unfortunate incident." The shipping giant uses its regional mail innovations facilities, like the one in Logan Township, to sort and verify mail before it reaches its destination, the company says on its website. The facility remained closed Tuesday. Drivers should avoid the area. Birch Creek Road was blocked and Center Square Road was closed between Interstate 295 and Route 130. Police in Gloucester County continued to investigate the aftermath of a hostage standoff situation at UPS facility in Logan Township on Monday. The suspect, William Owens, was shot and killed by police after three hours of negotiation. The two women Owens held hostage were not seriously injured. The UPS sorting center remained closed Tuesday. What to Know Harvey Weinstein's lead attorney, Benjamin Brafman, wants off the case, a source with direct knowledge of the matter tells News 4 The source said Brafman would be asking Judge James Burke for permission to withdraw from the case "very soon) Weinstein is charged with raping a woman he knew in a hotel room in March 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on another woman in 2006 The lead attorney in Harvey Weinstein's criminal case in New York wants out, a source with direct knowledge of the matter tells News 4. The source said Monday that Benjamin Brafman, the noted Manhattan criminal defense attorney who has represented high-profile players from Dominique Strauss-Kahn to ex-pharma exec Martin Shkreli, would be asking Judge James Burke for permission to withdraw as Weinstein's attorney. Details on the reasoning -- and Weinstein's possible reaction -- were unclear. Brafman declined comment when reached by News 4 Monday morning. His reported self-ouster comes weeks after Burke denied a motion to dismiss Weinstein's criminal case, setting aside defense contentions that alleged improper police conduct in the investigation that led to the arrest should negate the indictment. Burke's ruling buoyed a prosecution that has appeared on rocky ground in recent months amid a prolonged defense effort to raise doubts about the case and the police investigation. At the time, Brafman said he was disappointed with Burke's ruling, but that he remained confident Weinstein would be "completely exonerated" at trial. "We intend to vigorously defend this case to the best of our ability," Brafman told reporters after the late December hearing. "It does not in any way suggest that the case against Mr. Weinstein is going to end badly." Weinstein is charged with raping an unidentified female acquaintance in his hotel room in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on a different woman in 2006. He has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex and is free on $1 million bail. Weinstein's next scheduled court date is in March. President Donald Trump's warning that if Turkey attacks U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, the United States will "devastate Turkey economically" has drawn a sharp response from Ankara and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman. Trump's decision to pull American troops out of Syria has left the United States' Kurdish allies in the war against the Islamic State group vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin responded to Trump on Twitter by saying: "Terrorists can't be your partners & allies." He also insisted that Turkey "fights against terrorists, not Kurds" as a people. In Sunday's tweet, Trump also warned the Kurdish forces not to "provoke Turkey." The U.S. withdrawal has begun with shipments of military equipment, U.S. defense officials said. But in coming weeks, the contingent of about 2,000 troops is expected to depart even as the White House says it will keep pressure on ISIS. Once the troops are gone, the U.S. will have ended three years of organizing, arming, advising and providing air cover for Syrian, Kurdish and Arab fighters in an open-ended campaign devised by the Obama administration to deal the militants, also known as ISIS, a lasting defeat. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions," Trump tweeted. "Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds." Trump's decision to leave Syria, which he initially said would be rapid but later slowed down, shocked U.S. allies and angered the Kurds in Syria. It also prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and drew criticism in Congress. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, called the decision a "betrayal of our Kurdish partners." Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser contributed to this report. What to Know The 39-year-old has spent just under two years on the Third District Court of Appeal after being appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott. For the second time in less than a week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has picked a Miami-Dade judge to serve on the states Supreme Court. During an event in Aventura, DeSantis named Judge Robert Luck as his next selection for the highest court in the state. The 39-year-old has spent just under two years on the Third District Court of Appeal after being appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott. Before that, Luck spent four years on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court and nearly a decade as an attorney that included a five year stint as an assistant U.S. Attorney with the Southern District based in Miami. Luck said he agreed with DeSantis that courts should not overreach and essentially become legislative bodies that create law. He said his priority would be to adhere closely to the Florida Constitution. "The Constitution, not the judiciary, is supreme. I have taken an oath to make the Constitution and not the judiciary supreme. I swear to you governor I will keep that oath today, tomorrow, and God willing, for the next 35 years," Luck said. DeSantis said Luck clearly stood out on the list of 11 finalists for three spots on the Supreme Court that opened when justices reached mandatory retirement age just as the new governor took office last week. The announcement was held at the Jewish Scheck Hillel Community School, where Luck's children attend and where he went to kindergarten. A large Israeli flag was displayed behind the lectern at the announcement. "He will be a formidable force on the Florida Supreme Court," DeSantis said. "Everybody loves this guy. Nobody says anything bad. Really across the board people know him, like him and respect him." Luck, a Miami native, received his bachelors degree from the University of Florida before working in Washington D.C. for two Republican senators, eventually returning to earn a law degree from UF in 2004. Last Wednesday, DeSantis appointed another member of the Third District to fill the first vacancy on the Supreme Court selecting Hialeah native and Judge Barbara Lagoa as the first Hispanic woman to serve on the high court. DeSantis still must fill one remaining vacancy. Luck also made headlines in February 2015 when he was attacked by a man inside his courtroom during a hearing, but was not seriously hurt and returned to the bench the next day. What to Know While waiting for police, the three children ages 6, 4 and 1 were eventually found by one of the adults inside the freezer. Police in one North Florida county are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three children after they were found not breathing inside of a freezer outside of a home. Suwannee County Sheriffs Office officials said on their Facebook page that deputies were called to the Live Oak home Sunday evening after two female adults called and said they could not find the children after they had been playing in the yard. While waiting for police, the three children ages 6, 4 and 1 were eventually found by one of the adults inside the freezer that had not been plugged in yet. All three were unresponsive when found and rushed to the hospital by Fire Rescue crews, where they later died. Officials say their preliminary investigation following interviews revealed the three children climbed inside when one of the adults went inside to use the restroom. That female adult woke up another female inside the home and the two began searching the area as well as other homes nearby. Deputies investigated the freezer and found that an after-market hasp had been installed on the freezer to secure a padlock and they believe it fell shut when the children closed the door, trapping them inside. Officials do not suspect foul play at this time, but sheriffs officials and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement continue their investigation. The Florida Department of Children and Families has been notified and the case will be turned over to the State Attorneys Office for review. A young man suspected of killing a Wisconsin couple, kidnapping their teenage daughter and holding her captive for three months said he took the girl after seeing her board a school bus one day and kept her under his bed, prosecutors alleged in a criminal complaint. Jake Thomas Patterson told police while allegedly confessing to killing James and Denise Closs and kidnapping their 13-year-old daughter Jayme Closs that he was driving to work at the Saputo Cheese Factory when he stopped behind a school bus on U.S. Hwy. 8 and saw Jayme Closs boarding her school bus. Patterson "stated he had no idea who she was nor did he know who lived at the house or how many people lived at the house," the criminal complaint read. "The defendant stated, where he saw [Closs], he knew that was the girl he was going to take." The charging documents are the first to shed light on why he targeted the teen girl. Patterson made his first court appearance Monday afternoon. Prosecutors formally charged the 21-year-old with two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping before his afternoon court hearing in Barron County Circuit Court. His bail was set at $5 million. Investigators believe Patterson broke into James and Denise Closs' home near Barron on Oct. 15 by blowing the front door open with a shotgun blast. Investigators allege he fatally shot the couple and abducted their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme. She escaped her captor late last week in a rural, heavily wooded area in northwest Wisconsin. Patterson told police he put "quite a bit of thought into the details" of how he would abduct Closs, according to the complaint, stealing license plates from another vehicle and modifying his Ford Taurus, disconnecting the dome light and trunk light and removing "what he described as the glow in the dark kidnapping cord" from inside the trunk. Patterson's defense attorneys, Charles Glynn and Richard Jones, said they believe Patterson can get a fair trial, but they're not sure where. The public defenders didn't reveal many specifics about what they expect from Monday's court hearing, but they acknowledged the case was "a tragic situation from every perspective." Glynn and Jones issued a statement Saturday saying they were relying on the court system to treat Patterson fairly. "It's been an emotional time for this community and a difficult time for this community. We don't take that lightly. But we have a job to do in protecting our client," Jones said. The complaint detailing Closs' three-month captivity states Patterson hid Closs from friends and relatives at his home by barricading her under his bed with totes and laundry bins filled with weights. He would play loud music to keep her from being heard and would tell her "nobody was to know she was there or bad things would happen to her," the complaint states. Closs was kept under the bed for as many as 12 hours at a time without food, water or bathroom breaks, officials alleged. Closs told police that Patterson, on at least one occassion, "got mad" and hit her "really hard" on her back with something she described as a handle for an item used to clean blinds. The New York Post published photos of the cabin on Monday. They show a shabby living area with a couch, refrigerator and old television set. The ceiling is unfinished. Exterior photographs show a lean-to loaded with firewood, a three-car garage and an empty box of adult female diapers in a trash can. A sign over the cabin's front door reads "Patterson's Retreat." Closs escaped after Patterson told her "he was going to be gone for five or six hours," according to the complaint. She told police she was able to push the bins and weights away from the bed and crawl out before putting on a pair of Patterson's shoes and fleeing the house. Closs was finally found Thursday, when a woman walking her dog spotted the teen along a road near Gordon, a town about an hour's drive north of Barron. The woman says the girl begged her for help, saying Patterson had been hiding her in a nearby cabin and that she had escaped when he left her alone. Neighbors called 911, and officers arrested Patterson within minutes. He has no criminal history in Wisconsin. When police later stopped his vehicle, Patterson told authorities he knew why he was being stopped and said, "I did it," the complaint states. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said he met Jayme for the first time Sunday, and that she had an "awesome" smile on her face. He said she showed him her room at her aunt's home in Barron. "It was a moment I'll never forget," Fitzgerald said. The weekend off-campus death of an 18-year-old UC Irvine student led to the suspension of a university fraternity, authorities said Monday. Irvine, California police were dispatched at 9:42 a.m. Saturday to a home at Turtle Rock and Campus Drive in response to a man who was "unresponsive," according to Kim Mohr of the Irvine Police Department. He was pronounced dead at the home. The incident occured in a residential area off campus. The man was identified as UCI student Noah Domingo, of La Crescenta. The Interim Vice Chancellor Edgar J. Dormitorio from the UCI Student Affairs office sent out an email informing the campus community of the incident. "Our hearts go out to the student's family and community of friends who have been impacted by this incident," the email said. Police are awaiting the results of a coroner's investigation to determine a cause of death, and to determine if drugs or alcohol were factors, Mohr said. UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman emailed students and educators Saturday, saying Domingo died "at an off-campus home during the overnight hours." Gillman also noted an unrelated incident involving another student who was "seriously injured" while struck by a car Sunday on Campus Drive at Stanford Road. "Our love and support go out to the students' friends and families during this unthinkably difficult time,'' Gillman wrote. Dormitorio said the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity has been placed on interim suspension. The Irvine Police Department and the Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct are working on the investigation. "This means that the fraternity has been directed to cease all of its activities pending the investigation of the Irvine Police Department and review of the incident'' by the university, Dormitorio wrote in a statement to the campus community. "Over the course of the next few days and weeks, we will be working with the Greek community at UCI to provide support to affected members,'' Dormitorio said. "We will also closely examine the larger context in which this tragedy occurred and will be working with the Greek community to help ensure that they are engaging in behaviors and practices that are in alignment with university policies and their own values.'' After a tentative agreement was reached Tuesday, Los Angeles teachers will return to classrooms on Wednesday after a strike that stretched into six days, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said. The announcement comes after thousands of teachers and parents marched outside schools and in downtown LA last week. Union leaders and district officials held a series of meetings through the weekend and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to try to come to a deal. Garcetti said that it came after a "21-hour marathon session that wrapped up just before sunrise this morning." UTLA teachers went on strike Jan. 14, calling for smaller class sizes and the hiring of more support staff, such as nurses, counselors and librarians. It was the first such teachers' strike in 30 years. For the first time since 1989, teachers in Los Angeles went on strike. Kim Baldonado reports for NBC4 News at 6 p.m. in Jan. 14, 2019. Lolita Lopez of the I-Team takes a look at the demands from the teachers' union and LAUSD ahead of a potential strike on NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2019. The man who shot and killed a rookie California police officer left a letter on the bed in the home where he lived claiming police bombarded him with ultrasonic waves, officials said. Police in the college town of Davis near Sacramento on Saturday made public the one-paragraph letter they said was written by Kevin Douglas Limbaugh, 48. He killed himself Thursday after fatally shooting Officer Natalie Corona. Police spokesman Lt. Paul Doroshov said the paper was found face up on the gunman's bed. "The Davis Police department has been hitting me with ultra sonic (sic) waves meant to keep dogs from barking," the letter said. "I notified the press, internal affairs, and even the FBI about it. I am highly sensitive to its affect (sic) on my inner ear. I did my best to appease them, but they have continued for years and I can't live this way anymore." KCRA The handwritten note was signed "Citizen Kevin Limbaugh." Also recovered as evidence from the man's home were two unregistered guns. Davis police did not immediately respond Sunday to a telephone message seeking comment on whether Limbaugh had reported his claims to officials. Investigators have not identified a motive for the ambush shooting of the 22-year-old officer as she investigated a car accident. The Sacramento Bee reported that court documents show Limbaugh was charged and convicted in a battery case last fall, and he agreed in November to surrender the weapon. The case stemmed from Limbaugh getting arrested in September for assaulting someone at Cache Creek Casino, Yolo County Sheriff's Sgt. Matthew Davis said. Yolo County Sheriff's Office Authorities have not determined where Limbaugh obtained the two semi-automatic handguns he was believed to have used in the Thursday night attack that killed Corona. Police said a gunman on a bicycle ambushed the officer, shooting her from the shadows as she investigated a car accident, then reloaded and narrowly avoided wounding others before walking home. At his house a few blocks away, he casually chatted with his roommate as if nothing happened and even went outside to watch as police from around the region began rushing to the shooting scene, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said Friday. The gunman left behind a backpack that helped police track him to the house. The chief said as police began to surround it, he stepped outside wearing a bulletproof vest. "He shouted some stuff, went back in and came back out with a firearm, then went back inside, pushed a couch in front of the door and officers heard a gunshot," Pytel said. Police eventually sent a robotic camera in and found the gunman had shot himself in the head. Police found the handguns in the home. Davis Police Department The shooting devastated the Davis Police Department, which has about 60 sworn officers and about 30 other employees. Corona was the first officer in the department to die in the line of duty since 1959. She had only been patrolling solo for about two weeks, the chief said. A candlelight vigil for the slain officer was held Saturday night. "Roma" is the top winner at the Critics' Choice Awards, winning best picture, foreign language film and a pair of individual honors for director Alfonso Cuaron. The 24th annual ceremony held Sunday at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, also split the top actress award between Glenn Close for "The Wife" and Lady Gaga for "A Star Is Born." The split win comes a week after Close won the Golden Globe Award for best actress in a film drama, an award that many expected Lady Gaga would win. "The Americans" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" tied for top television winners with three apiece. "Maisel" won the top comedy honor for the second year in a row, and series star Rachel Brosnahan also was a repeat winner for best actress in a comedy series. "Black Panther" and "Vice" each won three awards, including a pair of acting honors for Christian Bale for his portrayal of former Vice President Dick Cheney. The best actress prize wasn't the only award that resulted in a tie: Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette split the best actress in a limited series or movie made for television honor. Elsie Fisher won the best new actress honor for her breakthrough role in "Eighth Grade." The show was broadcast live on the CW network and hosted by Taye Diggs. Full list of winners of the 2019 Critics' Choice Awards, presented Thursday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California: Film: "Roma" Actor: Christian Bale, "Vice" Actress: TIE, Glenn Close, "The Wife" and Lady Gaga, "A Star Is Born" Supporting actor: Mahershala Ali, "Green Book" Supporting actress: Regina King, "If Beale Street Could Talk" Young actor:/actress: Elsie Fisher, "Eighth Grade" Acting ensemble: "The Favourite" Director: Alfonso Cuaron, "Roma" Original screenplay: Paul Schrader, "First Reformed" Adapted screenplay: Barry Jenkins, "If Beale Street Could Talk" Cinematography: Alfonso Cuaron, "Roma" Production design: "Black Panther" Editing: "First Man" Costume design: "Black Panther" Hair and makeup: "Vice" Visual effects: "Black Panther" Animated feature: "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" Action movie: "Mission Impossible: Fallout" Comedy: "Crazy Rich Asians" Actor, comedy: Christian Bale, "Vice" Actress, comedy: Olivia Colman, "The Favourite" Sci-fi or horror: "A Quiet Place" Foreign language: "Roma" Song: "Shallow," ''A Star Is Born" Score: "First Man," Justin Hurwitz Drama series: "The Americans" Actor, drama series: Matthew Rhys, "The Americans" Actress, drama series: Sandra Oh, "Killing Eve" Supporting actor, drama series: Noah Emmerich, "The Americans" Supporting actress, drama series: Thandie Newton, "Westworld" Comedy series: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Actor, comedy series: Bill Hader, "Barry" Actress, comedy series: Rachel Brosnahan, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Supporting actor, comedy series: Henry Winkler, "Barry" Supporting actress, comedy series: Alex Borstein, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Limited series: "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" TV movie: "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" Actor in a TV movie or limited series: Darren Criss, "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" Actress in a TV movie or limited series: TIE: Amy Adams, "Sharp Objects" and Patricia Arquette, "Escape at Dannemora" Supporting actor in a TV movie or limited series: Ben Whishaw, "A Very English Scandal" Supporting actress in a TV movie or limited series: Patricia Clarkson, "Sharp Objects" Animated series: "BoJack Horseman" NBC Connecticut meteorologists have issued two First Alerts for wintry weather expected Friday and again on Sunday. Temperatures will dip Thursday night before a wintry mix moves in for Friday morning. As much as two inches of snow is possible as well as sleet and rain before the storm ends. The snow and sleet will come during the morning commute time, which could lead to some school delays. [[308443961,C]] The second shot of wintry weather arrives late Saturday evening and continues into Sunday. Still several days out, what we know now is that there will be a powerful storm that moves toward Connecticut. The biggest question now is what type of storm will it be? That all depends on the track it takes. A track farther north would result in a wintry mix or even all rain. A track to the south could bring us a significant snowstorm. Either way, the NBC Connecticut meteorologists will be keeping a close eye on the forecast and bring you the latest information as we get it. President Donald Trump often points to farmers as among the biggest winners from the administration's proposed rollback of federal protections for wetlands and waterways across the country. But under longstanding federal law and rules, farmers and farmland already are exempt from most of the regulatory hurdles on behalf of wetlands that the Trump administration is targeting. Because of that, environmental groups long have argued that builders, oil and gas drillers and other industry owners would be the big winners if the government adopts the pending rollback, making it easier to fill in bogs, creeks and streams for plowing, drilling, mining or building. Government numbers released last month support that argument. Real estate developers and those in other business sectors take out substantially more permits than farmers for projects impinging on wetlands, creeks, and streams, and who stand to reap the biggest regulatory and financial relief from the Trump administration's rollback of wetlands protections. But Trump and his administration put farmers front and center as beneficiaries of the proposed rollback because of the strong regard Americans historically hold for farming, opponents say. Trump was scheduled to speak Monday to a national farm convention. "The administration understands good optics in surrounding themselves with farmers," in proposing the rollback, said Geoff Gisler, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. "Surrounding themselves with folks that would represent the industries that actually benefit would not be as good an optic." Backers "have been really happy to have farmers be the face of it," said Kenneth Kopocis, the Environmental Protection Agency's deputy assistant administrator for water under the Obama administration. But the building industry, oil and gas and others with lower profiles in the campaign "are going to be some of the big beneficiaries." The more than 300-page financial analysis the administration released last month when it formally proposed the rollback appears to starkly quantify that disparity. Of 248,688 federal permits issued from 2011 to 2015 for work that would deposit dirt or other fill into protected wetlands, streams and shorelines, the federal government on average required home builders and other developers to do some kind of mitigation pay to restore a wetland elsewhere, generally an average of 990 times a year, nationwide, according to the government's analysis. In all, other industries and agriculture obtained an average of 3,163 such wetlands permits with some kind of extra payment or other mitigation strings attached each year. Farmers represented just eight of those on average in a year, according to the administration's figures. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which administers the wetlands protections with the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Association of Home Builders confirmed Friday that developers and other industries, not farmers, have felt the biggest impact from the federal wetlands protections and would get most of the financial breaks under the rollback. "The residential construction industry does pull more wetlands permits than farmers do," Liz Thompson, spokeswoman for the National Association of Home Builders, said in an email. The Trump administration's pending rollback of wetlands protections "could be a benefit to builders who will see some relief in terms of cost and time. That said, builders will still be regulated and will still be the industry that pulls the largest number of 404 permits which are very costly," Thompson wrote, referring to the section of the Clean Water Act dealing with the regulatory enforcement and permits. The administration's proposal greatly narrows what kind of wetlands and streams fall under federal protection. If it is formally adopted after a public comment period, it would change how the federal government enforces the landmark 1972 Clean Water Act and scale back a 2015 Obama administration rule on what waterways are protected. Environmental groups say millions of miles of streams and wetlands would lose protection. Trump signed an order in February 2017 directing the rollback. With farmers as well as homebuilders by his side, Trump called the waterways protections then in force a "massive power grab" targeting "nearly every puddle or every ditch on a farmer's land." The farm bloc has been one of the most loyal to Trump, despite farmers' complaints that the administration has favored oil and gas producers over corn ethanol farmers, and their worries over a trade war with China. Acting EPA head Andrew Wheeler surrounded himself with farm bureau representatives and farm-state Congress members in signing the rollback proposal last month. In Tennessee, Wheeler, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and farm industry leaders from Washington stood in front of tractors and U.S. flags last month to urge farmers to campaign for the rollback. "The EPA has done its job, now all of us in this room have to help to get this over the finish line," Zippy Duvall, head of the American Farm Bureau Federation, told the Tennessee farm crowd then. Farmers who support the rollback call the federal protections of wetlands and creeks a burden, and insist farmers know best how to protect their property. Environmental groups, public-health organizations and others say it's impossible to keep the country's downstream lakes, rivers and water supplies clean unless upstream waters are also regulated federally. The targeted regulations also protect wildlife and their habitats. The Clean Water Act permits deal with work that would dump dirt or fill into a wetland or waterway. Breaks for farmers long have been written into the law, so that a farmer doesn't need permits for ordinary ongoing farming that, for instance, sends some soil running off into a wetland. The American Farm Bureau Federation one of the most active promoters of the scaling back of the Clean Water Act's reach says the 2015 Obama version of the rule could force farmers to pursue costly wetlands permits and mitigation for routine plowing and other farm work. "It's just really a nightmare for farmers to have to navigate," said Don Parrish, the senior director of regulatory relations at the agriculture trade group. "It can cost them the use of the land, generally they have to stop using their land" if they run afoul of it. "If you could see me, I'd be laughing" at that claim, Kopocis, the lead Obama water official behind the 2015 rule, said by phone Sunday. "Every single exemption or exclusion that agriculture had" was preserved in the Obama administration's 2015 work on the wetlands rule, he said. In an email, Cindy Barger, an Army Corps of Engineers official involved in the proposed regulatory change, confirmed that the rules targeted by the Trump administration had kept the regulatory relief for farmers. Compared to other industries, as wetlands protections currently stand, "the agricultural industry has less economic exposure because of the permit exemptions," Barger said. The gain for farmers would be the Trump administration's attempt to streamline definition of protected wetlands, meaning farmers wouldn't have to consult experts to know if an area is protected, she said. John Flesher contributed. With the government mired in shutdown week four, President Donald Trump rejected a short-term legislative fix and dug in for more combat Monday, declaring he would "never ever back down." Trump rejected a suggestion to reopen the government for several weeks while negotiations would continue with Democrats over his demands for $5.7 billion for a long, impregnable wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The president also edged further away from the idea of trying to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress. "I'm not looking to call a national emergency," Trump said. "This is so simple we shouldn't have to." No cracks were apparent in the president's deadlock with lawmakers after a weekend with no negotiations at all. His rejection of the short-term option proposed by Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham removed one path forward, and little else was in sight. Congressional Republicans were watching Trump for a signal for how to move next, and Democrats have not budged from their refusal to fund the wall and their demand that he reopen government before border talks resume. The White House has been considering reaching out to rank-and-file Democrats rather than dealing with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to try and chip away at Democratic opposition to the wall. A White House official said plans were in the works to call freshman representatives, especially those who initially did not support Pelosi's bid for the speakership. It was uncertain whether any Democrats would respond to the invitation. Separately, around a dozen senators from both parties met Monday to discuss ways out of the shutdown gridlock. Participants included Graham and Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Tim Kaine, D-Va. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was aware of the group's effort but added, "I wouldn't go so far as to say he's blessed it." The odds of the group producing an actual solution without Trump's approval seemed slim. In the past, centrists of both parties banding together have seldom resolved major partisan disputes. Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill late Monday "discouraged," as GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota put it, as all signals pointed to a protracted fight. Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, the GOP chairman of the Appropriations Committee, compared the shutdown saga to the play "Waiting for Godot." "And Godot never shows up," Shelby said. "We could be protracted here for a long time. There's nobody on the horse coming to rescue us ... that I know about." Meanwhile, the impact of the 24-day partial government closure was intensifying around the country. Some 800,000 federal workers missed paychecks Friday, deepening anxieties about mortgage payments and unpaid bills, and about half of them were off the job, cutting off some services. Travelers at the Atlanta airport, the nation's busiest, dealt with waits of more than an hour Monday as no-shows by security screeners soared. Trump spent the weekend in the White House reaching out to aides and lawmakers and tweeting aggressively about Democratic foes as he tried to make the case that the wall was needed on both security and humanitarian grounds. He stressed that argument repeatedly during a speech at a farming convention in New Orleans on Monday, insisting there was "no substitute" for a wall or a barrier along the southern border. Trump has continued to insist he has the power to sign an emergency declaration to deal with what he says is a crisis of drug smuggling and trafficking of women and children at the border. But he now appears to be in no rush to make such a declaration. Instead, he is focused on pushing Democrats to return to the negotiating table though he walked out of the most recent talks last week and seized on the fact that a group of House and Senate Democrats were on a retreat in Puerto Rico. Democrats, he argued, were partying on a beach rather than negotiating though Pelosi and Schumer were not on the trip. White House officials cautioned that an emergency order remains on the table. Many inside and outside the White House hold that it may be the best option to end the budget standoff, reopening the government while allowing Trump to tell his base supporters he didn't cave on the wall. However, some GOP lawmakers as well as White House aides have counseled against it, concerned that an emergency declaration would immediately be challenged in court. Others have raised concerns about re-routing money from other projects, including money Congress approved for disaster aid. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have also warned that acting under an emergency order would set a troubling precedent for executive power. For now, Trump apparently sees value in his extended fight to fulfill a key campaign pledge, knowing that his supporters whom he'll need to turn out in 2020 to win re-election don't want to see him back down. Trump was taking a wide range of advice on both sides of the issue, including from his new chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, senior aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Rep. Mark Meadows, as well as outside political advisers. In the House, Democrats look to keep the pressure on Trump by holding votes this week on two bills: one that would reopen the government until Feb. 1, and a second that would reopen it until Feb. 28. Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said the bills offer "additional options" to end the shutdown and would give lawmakers time for negotiations on border security and immigration. A key question is how long Trump is willing to hold out in hopes of extracting concessions from Democrats. Recent polling finds a slight majority of Americans opposed to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and few see the situation at the border as a crisis but views are predictably divided by partisanship. Polls also show that Americans are more likely to fault Trump for the shutdown. A large majority of Democrats put responsibility on Trump, while a slightly smaller majority of Republicans blame Democrats. A modest share of Republicans either hold Trump responsible or say both sides are at fault. A Washington Post-ABC News poll published Jan. 13 found that 54 percent of Americans oppose a wall along the border, while 42 percent express support for it. Fully 87 percent of Republicans favor the wall, compared with about as many Democrats (84 percent) who are opposed. A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on Monday in a sudden retrial of a drug smuggling case and Beijing said that it has denied a Canadian diplomatic immunity, ratcheting up tensions since Canada's arrest of a top Chinese technology executive last month. A Chinese court in northeastern Liaoning province announced that it had given Robert Lloyd Schellenberg the death penalty, reversing an earlier 2016 ruling that sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly condemned Monday's proceeding, suggesting that China was using its judicial system to pressure Canada over the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. In his strongest comments yet, Trudeau said "all countries around the world" should be concerned that Beijing is acting arbitrarily with its justice system. "It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply a death penalty," Trudeau said. Canada later updated its travel advisory for China to warn Canadians of "the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws." Further escalating the diplomatic rift between the two countries, a Chinese spokeswoman said earlier Monday that Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat taken into custody in apparent retaliation for Meng's arrest, was not eligible for diplomatic immunity as Trudeau has maintained. A senior Canadian government official said Chinese officials have been questioning Kovrig about his diplomatic work in China, which is a major reason why Trudeau is asserting diplomatic immunity. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the case, spoke on condition of anonymity. Kovrig, a Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank, was on a leave of absence from the Canadian government at the time of his arrest last month. Schellenberg was detained more than four years ago and initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2016. But within weeks of Meng's Dec. 1 arrest an appeals court suddenly reversed that decision, saying the sentence was too lenient, and scheduled Monday's retrial with just four days' notice. The court gave no indication that the death penalty could be commuted, but observers said Schellenberg's fate is likely to be drawn into diplomatic negotiations over China's demand for the release of Meng. "Playing hostage politics, China rushes the retrial of a Canadian suspect and sentences him to death in a fairly transparent attempt to pressure Canada to free the Huawei CFO," Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth said in a tweet. The Chinese media began publicizing Schellenberg's case after Canada's detention of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder, at the request of the United States, which wants her extradited to face charges that she committed fraud by misleading banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. Days after Meng's arrest, Kovrig and Canadian businessman Michael Spavor were detained on vague national security allegations. Meng is out on bail in Canada awaiting extradition proceedings that begin next month. Schellenberg's lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said prosecutors had not introduced new evidence to justify a heavier sentence during the one-day trial, during which Schellenberg again maintained his innocence. He said his client now has 10 days to appeal. "This is a very unique case," Zhang told The Associated Press. He said the swiftness of the proceedings was unusual but declined to comment on whether it was related to Meng's arrest. The court said it found that Schellenberg was involved in an international drug-smuggling operation and was recruited to help smuggle more than 220 kilograms (485 pounds) of methamphetamine from a warehouse in the Chinese city of Dalian to Australia. A Chinese man convicted of involvement in the same operation was earlier given a suspended death sentence. Fifty people, including Canadian diplomats and foreign and domestic media, attended Monday's trial, the court said in an online statement. Earlier Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said authorities had determined Kovrig was not entitled to diplomatic immunity, rejecting a complaint from Trudeau that China was not respecting longstanding practices regarding immunity. Hua told reporters that Kovrig is no longer a diplomat and entered China on an ordinary passport and business visa. "According to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations and international law, he is not entitled to diplomatic immunity," Hua said at a daily briefing. "I suggest that the relevant Canadian person carefully study the Vienna Convention ... before commenting on the cases, or they would only expose themselves to ridicule with such specious remarks." A former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, said interrogating Kovrig about his time as a diplomat in China would violate Vienna Convention protections of residual diplomatic immunity that mean a country is not allowed to question someone on the work they did when they were a diplomat. "It's difficult not to see a link" between the case and Canada's arrest of Meng, Saint-Jacques said. Hua said the allegation that China arbitrarily detained Canadian citizens is "totally groundless." Canada has embarked on a campaign with allies to win the release of Kovrig and Spavor. The United States, Britain, European Union and Australia have issued statements in support. Trudeau called U.S. President Donald Trump about their case last week and the White House called the arrests "unlawful." Last week, Poland arrested a Huawei director and one of its own former cybersecurity experts and charged them with spying for China. The move came amid a U.S. campaign to exert pressure on its allies not to use Huawei, the world's biggest maker of telecommunications network equipment, over data security concerns. The arrests raised concerns over the safety of Poland's nationals in China, although Hua brushed off such worries, emphasizing China's desire for the "sound and steady" development of relations with Poland. "As long as the foreign citizens in China abide by Chinese laws and regulations, they are welcomed and their safety and freedom are guaranteed," Hua said. Hu Kaihong: Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this SCIO briefing. Starting today, we will hold a series of briefings to introduce the statistical data of China's economic performance for the full year of 2018. Today, we are delighted to invite Mr. Li Kuiwen, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs, and director general of the Department of Statistics & Analysis, to talk about the state of China's imports and exports in 2018. He will also answer questions of interest to you. Now, I will give the floor to Mr. Li. Li Kuiwen: Before taking your questions, I would like to give you a brief introduction of the general situation with China's foreign trade imports and exports in 2018. In 2018, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, all localities and departments actively implemented a series of policies and measures to promote the stable growth of foreign trade, effectively responding to the profound changes in the external environment. During the year, foreign trade remained stable overall and saw steady growth, with the import and export scale reaching a record high. Therefore, China is expected to maintain its position as the world's largest trader in goods. According to customs statistics, the total value of China's foreign trade, imports and exports together, was 30.51 trillion yuan in 2018, an increase of 9.7 percent from 2017. Of that, exports grew 7.1 percent to 16.42 trillion yuan, while imports went up 12.9 percent to 14.09 trillion yuan, and the foreign trade surplus shrank 18.3 percent to 2.33 trillion yuan. Priced in terms of U.S. dollars, China's total foreign trade value was US$4.62 trillion in 2018, up 12.6 percent. Exports amounted to US$2.48 trillion of that, up 9.9 percent, and imports were US$2.14 trillion, up 15.8 percent from the previous year. The foreign trade surplus stood at US$351.76 billion, shrinking 16.2 percent. Specifically, the foreign trade situation presents the following characteristics. First, imports and exports have seen a steady upswing, reaching a combined value of 10 trillion yuan for the first time in 2005, then 20 trillion yuan in 2010. In 2018, the volume hit a new height by exceeding 30 trillion yuan, 2.7 trillion yuan more than the previous year. Second, imports and exports of general trade grew rapidly as well, representing an increased proportion. The volume reached 17.64 trillion yuan last year, a growth of 12.5 percent year over year. This constituted 57.8 percent of the country's entire imports and exports, 1.4 percentage points higher than the ratio in 2017, indicating an improvement of trade structures. Third, China's imports and exports with major trade partners secured overall growth. China maintains good cooperative momentum with countries along the Belt and Road. Trade with China's top three partners, namely the European Union, the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), increased by 7.9 percent, 5.7 percent and 11.2 percent respectively in 2018. In combination, these accounted for 41.2 percent of China's total imports and exports. At the same time, trade with the countries along the Belt and Road reached 8.37 trillion yuan in aggregation, up 13.3 percent year over year and 3.6 percentage points higher than the country's holistic trade growth. The potential of trade partnerships between China and countries along the Belt and Road has continued to evolve, forming a new driving force behind the country's foreign trade as a whole. Specifically, imports and exports to Russia, Saudi Arabia and Greece increased by 24 percent, 23.2 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Fourth, the import and export of private enterprises have increased, and their proportion of China's total imports and exports has also grown. In 2018, the import and export of private enterprises in China was 12.1 trillion yuan, an increase of 12.9 percent compared to 2017. Private enterprises accounted for 39.7 percent of China's total import and export value, an increase of 1.1 percentage points over 2017. Exports were valued 7.87 trillion yuan, an increase of 10.4 percent. Private sector exports continued to dominate the Chinese export market, accounting for 48 percent of the total export market, an increase of 1.4 percentage points over 2017. Meanwhile, imports reached 4.23 trillion yuan, an increase of 18.1 percent. In 2018, the contribution of private enterprises in China to the growth of foreign trade imports and exports exceeded 50 percent, which became a highlight of China's foreign trade development. During the same period, the import and export of foreign-invested enterprises were 12.99 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.3 percent, accounting for 42.6 percent of China's total imports and exports. The import and export of state-owned enterprises were 5.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.8 percent, accounting for 17.4 percent of China's total imports and exports. Fifth, the growth rate of imports and exports in the central, western, and northeastern regions was higher than the overall national growth rate, and regional development was more coordinated. In 2018, the growth rate of foreign trade in the 12 provinces and cities in the west registered at 16.1 percent, exceeding the national growth rate by 6.4 percentage points. The growth rate of foreign trade in the six provinces and cities in the central region was 11.4 percent, exceeding the national growth rate by 1.7 percentage points. The growth rate of foreign trade in the three northeastern provinces was 14.8 percent, exceeding the national growth rate by 5.1 percentage points. Finally, the growth rate of foreign trade in the 10 eastern provinces and cities stood at 8.8 percent. Sixth, mechanical and electrical products took a larger share of China's exports, and the export commodity structure has been further optimized. In 2018, exports of mechanical and electrical products amounted to 9.65 trillion yuan, an increase of 7.9 percent, accounting for 58.8 percent of China's total exports. And this percentage grew by 0.4 percentage points from 2017. China's automotive exports grew by 8.3 percent and cellular phone exports by 9.8 percent. Toys, garments and five additional labor-intensive products exported by China in 2018 reached a combined total of 3.12 trillion yuan, which is 1.2 percent more than last year, accounting for19 percent of the total. Seventh, both the import price and volume of oil, gas, copper and other commodities are on the rise, while the import volume of iron ore and soybean have fallen. China's import of crude oil amounted to 462 million tons, gas 90.39 million tons, refined oil products33.48 million tons and copper 5.3 million tons, up 10.1, 31.9, 13 and 12.9 percent from last year, respectively. On the other hand, the import of iron ore fell by 1 percent to 1.064 billion tons and soybeans fell by 7.9 percent to 88.03 million tons. Preliminary estimates indicate that the China's import prices on the whole increased by 6.1 percent in 2018, and that the import price of oil grew by 30 percent, refined oil products by 20 percent, gas by 22.9 percent and copper by 3.2 percent. After months of speculation and secrecy, the 2020 presidential primary season is about to explode. With several Democrats already in the race, a half dozen more are locking down final travel, staffing and strategy to launch White House bids in the coming weeks. While plans may change, the announcements are expected to come in waves, the first featuring a group of ambitious Senate Democrats including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who face pressure to join the race after Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's entrance two weeks ago. The second wave will likely feature political heavyweights like former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg and former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, whose advisers believe they have sufficient financial backing and name recognition to join the crowded field on their terms later in the first quarter should they decide to run. "It is really starting to heat up," said Deidre DeJear, who lost her bid for Iowa secretary of state last fall, but remains an influential figure in the state's first-in-the-nation Democratic primary. She was among a group of Iowa Democratic women who sat down with Warren last week in suburban Des Moines. "I feel like Warren put people in a place as if to say 'come on, step up,'" DeJear said in a subsequent interview. "If you're in it, you're in it. No reason to wait now." Interviews with senior aides for several top Democratic prospects, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning, indicate the waiting game is almost over. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who left office last week, added foreign policy adviser Jeremy Rosner, finance director Dan Sorenson and a senior communications adviser Marie Logsden to his political action committee in recent days, according to an aide. Hickenlooper is traveling to Los Angeles this week to meet with donors and has scheduled visits to early voting states later in the month. The 66-year-old term-limited governor and former businessman, who remains largely unknown to many primary voters, does not plan to launch his campaign before March. Sanders, the lone 2020 prospect who ran in 2016, has interviewed close to 20 people to fill senior positions such as campaign manager and directors of policy, communications and his field program. A senior aide said the hiring process has been particularly focused on adding diversity in both gender and race that didn't exist in his last presidential campaign. The aide said allegations of sexual harassment between Sanders' former campaign staff had no impact on the timeline of an announcement, which is not expected before the end of the month. Despite his challenges, Sanders is sitting on a war chest of roughly $15 million and an active nationwide network. In a show of early force, liberal activists hosted hundreds of house parties across the nation on Saturday to cheer on a second Sanders run. Meanwhile, O'Rourke, 46, is taking steps toward a run, but an aide said he's not expected to announce until next month at the earliest. However, he's traveling outside Texas to introduce himself to voters in the coming weeks. Oprah is scheduled to interview him in New York City next month. The first states on the primary calendar are not on O'Rourke's immediate itinerary, but that's not stopping supporters in Iowa and South Carolina from launching draft efforts. A leader of South Carolina's "Draft Beto" movement, former Democratic National Committee member Boyd Brown, said he's having conversations with Democratic donors, local officials and potential staffers, to help stave off commitments to other candidates as the field starts to take shape. "We might be taking a shot in the dark, but we're building an apparatus that we can hand off to an actual campaign should he run," Brown said in an interview. "We're treating this like a presidential campaign until told otherwise." A more seasoned political star, Biden remains silent about his plans. The 76-year-old Democrat has done little to build teams on the ground in key states, instead sticking to the schedule of huddling with aides while he moves closer to a decision. While it may seem early, the sheer size of the likely field makes it difficult for some candidates to wait much longer. Upward of two dozen high-profile Democrats could run for a chance to deny President Donald Trump a second term. The first Democratic primary debate will take place in June, while the first primary contest is likely a year away. With a field this big, there's only so many donors and top staffers to go around. "At this point the cycle, it's a race for money and talent, and unless your name is Joe Biden or Beto O'Rourke, you've gotta get in soon if you want attract either one of those things," said former Obama strategist Stephanie Cutter, who has been offering advice to some contenders. Gillibrand, 52, joins some of her Senate colleagues on a more aggressive timeline. She's already identified a likely location for a campaign headquarters, added staff and planned trips to key states. The Democratic senator is eying a headquarters in Troy, New York, a small upstate city on the Hudson River. Gillibrand, who has made headlines with her work against sexual violence and occasional profanity in public speeches is scheduled to make her Iowa debut next weekend. Booker is expected to run his campaign from Newark, where he lives and served as mayor. The 49-year-old Democrat has identified a likely campaign manager, Addisu Demissee. The Democratic operative previously managed Booker's special election campaign in 2013 and subsequently worked for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and most recently led California Gov. Gavin Newsome's successful gubernatorial bid. Like Gillibrand and Booker, Harris is expected to join the race in the coming weeks. The first-term senator and former California attorney general has broadened her national profile in recent days by launching a tour to promote her book, "The Truths We Hold." Like her would-be competitors, the 54-year-old Democrat has not publicly committed to running, but she has said repeatedly that the country needs a leader who "provides a vision of the future of the country in which everyone can see themselves." A handful of lesser-known candidates have already entered the race. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, 37, announced her intention to run in a CNN interview that aired on Saturday. That same day, former Obama housing chief Julian Castro formally kicked off his campaign Saturday in his San Antonio hometown. Not to be forgotten, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are openly considering joining the 2020 contest, although neither is as far along in preparations as their potential rivals. Meanwhile, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to make his first New Hampshire appearance next week. He talked up his liberal record and willingness to take on Trump during a weekend appearance in Nevada. "He cannot stop us," Inslee said of the president. "He has not stopped me, either." AP writers Thomas Beaumont, Will Weissert, Bill Barrow, Elana Schor and Juana Summers contributed to this report. A Waterford man was injured in a snowmobile accident in New Hampshire. Officials from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said they responded to a snowmobile accident in the town of Groton on Saturday afternoon and learned that 59-year-old William Dawley, of Waterford, had been thrown from his snowmobile after hitting an obstacle in a trail and his injuries were not life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Speare Memorial Hospital. More faces of the partial government shutdown are going public every day the slowdown continues. That was the case on Monday at Bradley International Airport, as TSA and air traffic control employees discussed their angst over missing their first pay period as a result of the partial shutdown. I dont want to become a professional Zamboni driver. Its certainly not one of my life goals, said Christopher Scofield, who works at Bradley as an airway transportation systems specialist. He says he picks up anywhere from 25 to 30 hours each week driving the Zamboni, but says thats a bonus under normal circumstances, not something meant to pay his bills. Im very happy with my full-time job. I help airplanes land on the ground safely every day. Im very proud of that and I enjoy that greatly. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined the group of workers at Bradley, supporting their legal efforts to secure some kind of labor department benefits for going without pay for so long. He says Democrats do not shoulder the responsibility for the shutdown, instead focusing on Senate Republicans who could call bills to reopen the government, but to this point have not done so. The path forward here is pretty clear. Put to a vote on the floor of the Senate the bills that would reopen the government, Blumenthal said during a visit to Bradley International Airport, Mitch McConnell ought to be ashamed and embarrassed that he is standing between these laws and the workers of our country getting paid. JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines all told NBC Connecticut that there has been minimal disruption so far, as the shutdown has stretched onward. Sarah Small, a TSA officer of more than 11 years, says shes felt the disruption, but is making it work as best she can. Ive been OK just because Im good with my money so, I try not to spend, just on necessities, Small said. She does not think the country needs a wall along the Southern border, but says those discussions can certainly happen once the federal government is reopened for business. You can open it, and then you can fight as much as you want to get what you need but I believe that we shouldnt be held, almost accountable, for trying to get what you want. New Britain police have arrested a man after investigating a suspected case of child abuse and said the 3-year-old victim suffered a skull fracture. Frank Alezander Santiago, 24, of New Britain, turned himself in to police on Sunday. Police said they responded to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center Thursday after a little girl with a skull fracture had been admitted. They said the victims injuries allegedly happened the day before and the girls parent initially sought treatment at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, but the 3-year-old was transferred because of the severity of her injuries. Police said the mothers boyfriend was the only caregiver for the girl when she was hurt and investigators later learned that he got upset with her and caused her head to hit the ground. The victim sustained extensive internal and external injuries from the assault, according to police. Santiago was charged with assault in the first degree and risk of injury to a minor. He is being held on a $750,000.00 bond and is due in court today. Gov. J.B. Pritzker was officially inaugurated as Illinois' 43rd governor on Monday, delivering an address that highlighted his campaign promises, subtly jabbed at his predecessor and painted a soaring picture of the state's future. "Everything is not broken," Pritzker said in his inaugural address. "So today, with all the challenges Illinois faces, Democrats and Republicans will work together, and we must begin with our most basic responsibilities," he continued. "We will propose, debate and pass a balanced budget this year." Pritzker delivered that line to raucous applause, in what could be seen as a dig at Gov. Bruce Rauner, who presided over the longest state budget impasse in U.S. history for more than two years beginning in 2015. Rauner was in the audience as Pritzker took the oath of office at the Bank of Springfield Center, as part of a ceremony that began at 11 a.m. with several choir and band performances that got audience members on their feet. "Balancing the budget means lowering the cost of government while delivering the high quality services Illinoisans deserve," Pritzker said. "But be clear about this: I wont balance the budget on the backs of the starving, the sick, and the suffering. I wont hollow out the functions of government to achieve an ideological agenda I wont make government the enemy and government employees the scapegoats. Responsible fiscal management is a marriage of numbers - and values," he added. Pritzker then vowed to work toward what was one of the main tentpoles of his campaign agenda: a progressive income tax system. Illinois is bound by its state constitution to a flat tax, meaning the change would need a constitutional amendment - a task more difficult than the passage and signing of legislation. "The current tax system is simply unsustainable. Others have lied to you about that fact. I wont," Pritzker said. "The future of Illinois depends on the passage of a fair income tax." "Im not naive about what it will take to do this. All who enter a discussion about our states budget and a fair tax system in good faith will be welcomed to the table. But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics you will be met with considerable political will," Pritzker said, the spectre of his massive campaign funds draped over that line. A billionaire venture capitalist and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, Pritzker shattered records by donating more than $171.5 million of his own money to his campaign, and announced last week that he would double some key staff members' salaries from his own money as well. Pritzker outlined what he planned to do with the revenue he hoped to generate from a progressive income tax: update infrastructure like roads and bridges, deliver high-speed broadband internet to everyone across the state, and more. He also vowed that one of his first acts as governor would be Illinois' joining of the U.S. Climate Alliance, to uphold "the goals and ideals of the Paris Climate Accord," the landmark international environmental protections agreement from which President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2017. Pritzker also highlighted his push for a $15 minimum wage and the legalization of recreational marijuana. One line of his speech that drew perhaps the loudest round of applause was his praise of diversity in government. "I have built a cabinet of people who bring with them experiences I dont share, from communities I did not come from, with expertise I dont have, because to lead well, all of Illinois must be represented in the decision making," he said. "Furthermore, I want all the children of Illinois to see someone who looks like them in my government." Pritzker ended his speech on a hopeful note, sharing the story of a Barrington couple whose neighborhood all flew rainbow flags after their flag was stolen, calling to light what he said was Illinoisans' "capacity to be kind." "Thank you Illinois, for your faith in me," Pritzker closed. "I promise to live up to it every day. Together lets go into this new century with enough faith to help each other out of our troubles, with enough foolishness to believe we can make a difference in the world, and with enough kindness to find the courage to change." His speech was immediately followed by the swearing-in of Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton, Illinois' first African-American woman to fill that role, as well as the oaths of office for the rest of the statewide officers, including Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Treasurer Michael Frerichs. The inauguration ceremony was preceded by a whirlwind weekend leading up to the main event. Pritzker hosted an Open House on Sunday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield that was attended by Illinois residents and numerous dignitaries, including Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker also hosted a day of service on Saturday, serving dinner at the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois residence in Aurora and participating in an emergency preparedness event in Rockford with the Illinois Red Cross. Following Mondays inauguration, the governor hosted a party at the Exposition Building of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. That party, which came with a price tag of $250 per ticket, was headlined by Maroon 5 and raised money for the Cabrini Green Legal Aid fund and the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation. After the parties wrap up in the capital, Pritzker will get to work on the ambitious agenda that he laid out during both his contentious election battle with Rauner and his inaugural speech. He will do so with big Democratic supermajorities in both legislatures, though that certainly won't guarantee him any victories. The legislature, seated last week, will remain firmly in Democratic hands as they have a governor from their party for the first time in four years, and the task before them will be great as they get to work as well. A World War II veteran from Vermont received the highest award Congress can bestow upon a civilian. Al Besser of Morrisville was praised for his dangerous duty overseas during the war, which included spy missions behind enemy lines. My wifes done a lot of things, but she really pulled this one off, Besser remarked, describing how his wife, Gretchen, kept the news of the honor a secret until Monday. Besser received the elite Congressional Gold Medal, which other members of his WWII unit were also honored with. The 94-year-old retired attorney was part of a unit called the Office of Strategic Services, or OSS. It was a precursor to the CIA. He was still a teenager during the war when he volunteered for hazardous duty. Bessers language skills meant he was sent to Asia, to gather intelligence behind enemy lines and work with local forces in China to undermine Japan. Im in awe, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, said of Bessers bravery during World War II. Welch was part of an effort in Washington to have the OSS recognized collectively with a Congressional Gold Medal. The unit long went without fanfare, because of its secret work, the Democrat said. Now, Besser is one of just a hundred or so surviving members, Welch noted and received a replica of the OSSs collective medal for him and his family to keep. Today, Vermont was able to honor one of our great people, the congressman told necn and NBC10 Boston. It brings back a lot of memories, and it makes me feel how very, very, very lucky I am to be here, Al Besser said of the Congressional Gold Medal he and his unit received. There were so many others who deserved honorswho were in much greater peril than I was. Bessers honor was met with a standing ovation inside Montpelier City Hall, from friends and neighbors who gathered to celebrate his accomplishments. The way hes received this honor is the real lessonhis humility, observed Rabbi David Fainsilber of the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, which counts Besser as a member. He sees his life as a blessing. And we are so indebted to his service. As a state and country said thank you, the former spy joked he will stay much more alert to any potential tricks his proud wife may try pulling on him. The United States and Israel officially quit of the U.N.'s educational, scientific and cultural agency at the stroke of midnight, the culmination of a process triggered more than a year ago amid concerns that the organization fosters anti-Israel bias. The withdrawal is mainly procedural yet serves a new blow to UNESCO, co-founded by the U.S. after World War II to foster peace. The Trump administration filed its notice to withdraw in October 2017 and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed suit. The Paris-based organization has been denounced by its critics as a crucible for anti-Israel bias: blasted for criticizing Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem, naming ancient Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage sites and granting full membership to Palestine in 2011. The U.S. has demanded "fundamental reform" in the agency that is best known for its World Heritage program to protect cultural sites and traditions. UNESCO also works to improve education for girls, promote understanding of the Holocaust's horrors, and to defend media freedom. The withdrawals will not greatly impact UNESCO financially since it has been dealing with a funding slash ever since 2011 when both Israel and the U.S. stopped paying dues after Palestine was voted in as a member state. Since then officials estimate that the U.S. which accounted for around 22 percent of the total budget has accrued $600 million in unpaid dues, which was one of the reasons for President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw. Israel owes an estimated $10 million. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay took up her post just after Trump announced the pullout. Azoulay, who has Jewish and Moroccan heritage, has presided over the launch of a Holocaust education website and the U.N.'s first educational guidelines on fighting anti-Semitism initiatives that might be seen as responding to U.S. and Israeli concerns. Officials say that many of the reasons the U.S. cited for withdrawal do not apply anymore, noting that since then, all 12 texts on the Middle East passed at UNESCO have been consensual among Israel and Arab member states. In April of this year, Israel's ambassador to UNESCO said the mood was "like a wedding" after member nations signed off on a rare compromise resolution on "Occupied Palestine," and UNESCO diplomats hailed a possible breakthrough on longstanding Israeli-Arab tensions. The document was still quite critical of Israel, however, and the efforts weren't enough to encourage the U.S. and Israel to reconsider their decision to quit. In recent years, Israel has been infuriated by repeated resolutions that ignore and diminish its historical connection to the Holy Land and that have named ancient Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage sites. The State Department couldn't comment because of the U.S. government shutdown. Earlier, the department told UNESCO officials the U.S. intends to stay engaged at UNESCO as a non-member "observer state" on "non-politicized" issues, including the protection of World Heritage sites, advocating for press freedoms and promoting scientific collaboration and education. The U.S. could potentially seek that status during UNESCO Executive Board meetings in April. The United States has pulled out of UNESCO before. The Reagan administration did so in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. The U.S. rejoined in 2003. Investigators in Houston said Monday that they have a surveillance video image of a pickup truck from which a driver fired several shots into a car carrying a family, killing a 7-year-old girl and wounding the child's mother. The image of the red, four-door pickup was captured shortly before the shooting occurred Sunday morning, Harris County sheriff's Lt. Christopher Sandoval told reporters. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez declined to speculate on what prompted the driver of the pickup to pull alongside and fire into the car carrying Jazmine Barnes, three of her sisters and her mother. Jazmine died at the scene, her mother suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and her 6-year-old sister was injured by shattered glass. The mother, 30-year-old LaPorsha Washington, remained in a hospital Monday. Gonzalez described the shooting as "totally unprovoked." "The family should be celebrating and spending time together anticipating the new year and instead they're making plans to bury this innocent, precious child," Gonzalez said. 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." Authorities initially said the shooting occurred as Washington was leaving a Walmart parking lot, but Gonzalez on Monday said it occurred on a nearby service road as the family was heading to a store. The gunman was described as a bearded man in his 40s wearing a red hoodie. "I hope with each passing moment his conscience is eating away at him," Gonzalez said, later adding, "Do the right thing and turn yourself in. There's no need for anyone else to be harmed." Jazmine's father, Christopher Cevilla, who appeared with Gonzalez at Monday's news briefing, pleaded with the public to provide relevant tips to authorities so that an arrest can be made. "My daughter was 7 years old, loving, caring, very passionate with people, very sweet, just an innocent young girl," Cevilla said. "Very smart in school. There's just a lot of things that's being robbed of me and my family at this moment that we will never be able to get back." San Francisco Mayor London Breed hatched a creative plan Sunday to solve two problems in one fell swoop. The mayor is looking into hiring all 300 drivers laid off by private bus company Chariot. It would keep those drivers out of the unemployment ranks and would help solve Munis operator shortage, which has caused long wait times across the city. Breed announced her plan to the public with a tweet: "With Chariot shutting down, we're exploring offering all 300 of their drivers a job with @sfmta_muni, which will help address Muni's operator shortages. This makes sense for the drivers, Muni, and the City." The transition couldnt happen right away. Even though Chariot drivers have Class B licenses, they would need extensive Muni training before becoming Muni operators. San Francisco-based Chariot, an app-based shuttle service owned by Ford, announced Thursday it was going out of business by the end of the month. A U.S. judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, D.C. Judge Haywood Gilliam granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward. But Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide. The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds. California and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies. "The law couldn't be more clear employers have no business interfering in women's healthcare decisions," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement Sunday. "Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care. It's 2019, yet the Trump Administration is still trying to roll back women's rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the reproductive healthcare they are guaranteed under the law." The U.S. Department of Justice said in court documents the rules "protect a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs." At issue is a requirement under President Barack Obama's health care law that birth control services be covered at no additional cost. Obama officials included exemptions for religious organizations. The Trump administration expanded those exemptions and added "moral convictions" as a basis to opt out of providing birth control services. At a hearing on Friday, Gilliam said the changes would result in a "substantial number" of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a "massive policy shift." The judge previously blocked an interim version of the rules a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court. The ruling affects California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn in Beijing on Jan. 10, prominent American political scientist Joseph Nye commented on Chinese companies expanding overseas. Chinese companies should focus on creating high quality products and services, he noted, but also essential to their overseas success is a demonstrated adherence to local laws and environmental standards. Nye is Professor Emeritus at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He was the first to put forward the concepts of "soft power" and "smart power." Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar hosted by Ogilvy Public Relations in Beijing, he added that Chinese companies have great potential to help increase the country's soft power. However, those now navigating global markets should be careful to follow local rules and norms. Nye said that if Chinese companies develop a reputation for violating local laws or cultural norms, that hurts China's soft power. He also noted there is a discrepancy between what a company claims in its brand advertising and its actual behavior, such as the quality of its product or its adherence to strict standards. Chinese companies are striving to cast off an image as makers of cheap and shoddy goods. Over recent years, product quality has improved tremendously, but reputation in some markets still lags behind. Working on brand and reputation is critical to wining over the trust of foreign consumers. In addition to Chinese companies, Chinese cities are also increasingly turning their gaze overseas. An array of Chinese cities, including Chengdu and Xi'an, have designed overseas marketing campaigns to lure overseas tourists and investors. Joe Zhou, managing partner of Ogilvy and head of the firm's location branding work, said Chinese cities have a lot to offer, including unique tourist experiences, new technologies, business opportunities, and education, but cultural appeal should be the key element when it comes to promoting the city's image. "Only by building cultural appeal, can Chinese cities earn greater recognition by the international community," he said. The multinational public relations company has played a major role in helping Chinese cities build their brands overseas. "In the past, Chinese cities tended to focus on what they wanted to say, paying little attention to the overseas audience, but now they are beginning to consider and deliver what overseas audiences care about," Zhou said. "This is a big and important shift in branding strategy." A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer was injured in a traffic collision early Sunday on the Bay Bridge, according to the San Francisco CHP office. The CHP officer was traveling westbound on the Bay Bridge, west of Treasure Island, a little before 7:30 a.m. with his lights activated behind a slow moving disabled vehicle in the far right lane, the CHP said. A big rig was traveling in the lane to his left. The big rig veered into the officer's lane for unknown reasons, throwing the officer off the bike and onto the roadway, the CHP said. The officer was able to move off the roadway fast enough to avoid oncoming vehicles. The officer was treated at a hospital for minor to moderate injuries, the CHP said. The big rig driver cooperated at the scene, and drugs and alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, the CHP said. The crash is under investigation. (Natural News) Tens of millions of Americans were outraged by what they perceived as Democratic chicanery following the midterm elections, when a dozen or so Republican candidates appeared to have been victorious on election night, only to have their victories reversed days or weeks later following the suspicious appearance of uncounted ballots. Such antics were further proof, conservative voters complained, that the party of the donkey is not only corrupt, but willing to do anything to steal power. Since then, Democratic leaders are doubling down on that perception by pursuing policies that GOP voters see as a naked attempt to steal elections for the foreseeable future. As PJ Media reports, the new Democrat majority in the House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are pursuing legislation that would remove all state control over elections and guarantee voter fraud: Democrats in Congress have announced their top legislative priority, and it isnt health care, immigration, or taxes. Instead, they want to centralize power over elections in Washington, D.C. H.R. 1 is number one on the legislative agenda because it is the number one priority of House Democrats, leftist groups, deep-pocketed dark money, and those who use election process rules to help win elections or at least to cause chaos. The 571-page bill imposes a raft of federal mandates on states, despite the fact that the Constitution was implicitly designed to decentralize power regarding our elections and electoral processes, putting states in charge of them. But that process was designed to promote both state sovereignty and individual liberty. H.R. 1 takes all of that away, placing power in the clutches of a more authoritarian Washington, D.C. And with 218 co-sponsors, nearly all of them Democrats, that should tell you all you need to know about which party in our nations capital isnt interested in freedom. This is all about ensuring Democratic control forever Among the bills requirements, it forces states to implement mandatory voter registration, and while that may sound democratic, consider this: Motor-voter. Known formally as the National Voter Registration Act, the 1993 law has been utilized by Left-wing groups to undermine, not promote, legal voting. (Related: Dems push new law to REPEAL voter ID laws nationwide, allowing vote fraud to dominate the future of U.S. elections.) The NVRA, fully utilized, provides important tools that progressive political interests can use to shape the voter rolls to their advantage. Only recently have a small number of conservative organizations recognized and utilized the potential of the NVRA to combat corrupted voter rolls and the voter fraud that can flourish because of those corrupted rolls, claims J. Christian Adams, an election law expert and former Justice Department official who quit in 2010 after the Obama administration failed to pursue an obvious voter intimidation case involving members of the Black Panther Party. Also, the legislation would mandate that anyone receiving federal welfare benefits or housing subsidies would be automatically registered to vote. The problem? Sixty-three percent of illegal alien households have access to federal welfare benefits and Democrats know this; requiring them to be registered to vote would be a boon for them. H.R. 1 also would allow felons to vote as well. At present, states have the power, under the Constitution, to decide voter eligibility in many instances, and that includes whether or not to allow criminals to cast ballots (some states do, others dont). Florida voters, for example, just approved a ballot measure mandating felon re-enfranchisement, no questions asked. Like it or not, thats Floridas right; however, Democrats support such measures because they believe former criminals will support them, and if that happens in Florida, that could flip the state blue. Finally, H.R. 1 forces states to extend their voting periods, which many have concluded is too expensive and does not appreciably increase voter turnout (some say it decreases participation). The bottom line is this: If this legislation was not going to empower Democrats, they would not be proposing it. That alone is reason to oppose it. Read more about Democrat vote fraud at VoteFraud.news. Sources include: PJMedia.com Heritage.org NewsTarget.com (Natural News) The amount of zeal with which liberal Democrats are bellyaching about the alleged plight of illegal immigrant children at Americas southern border would make it seem as though these bleeding hearts are out there on the front lines every day fighting for all children everywhere though thats not actually the case. You see, its politically expedient right now, with President Trump in office, for the Leftist Mob to highlight every single mainstream media news item about illegals that makes the Commander-in-Chief look like a monster. First it was children in cages; then it was children dying; then it was children trying to escape tear gas; and so on and so forth. For visual manipulation purposes, these libtards have discovered that spreading images of children crying next to border patrol pickup trucks or lying on the floor behind fencing makes those resisting Trump appear noble and virtuous because only a tyrant would allow such things (even though many of the images being circulated were actually taken while Obama was in office). Nevertheless, the dumbest segments of the left-leaning population seem to fall for this fake news every single time and yet theyre nowhere to be found in defending American children from much worse threats, like compulsory vaccination. As we reported back in 2015, for instance, California Senator Richard Pan, a Democrat, single-handedly eliminated exemption provisions in the Golden State allowing parents to opt their children out of compulsory vaccination for personal and philosophical reasons, and the Leftist Mob was quick to storm the streets in protest, right? Wrong. Even though vaccines harm and injure tens of thousands of American children every single year, almost nobody on the Left has ever said a thing about this mass genocide masquerading as medicine. Similarly, the Left is completely silent when it comes to the many American children who have been raped and killed by the precious illegal aliens whom they would seem to make their number-one priority. Why is this, youre probably asking? Because the Left has devolved into little more than a herd of mindless, brainwashed sheep. Those who listen to what the likes of MSNBC and CNN have to say about world events have been programmed to believe that enforcing immigration laws is evil, but injecting children with deadly chemicals that impair them for life, or in many cases kill them, is perfectly fine. President Trump is the first president in recent history to actually make protecting American lives a top priority Its a pandemic of cognitive dissonance and flat-out willful ignorance on the part of these virtue-signaling phonies, who seem entirely unable to discern good from evil. Keep in mind that President Trump, whom many of these Leftists believe to be literally Hitler, is actually the first president in recent history to actually make Americans a priority rather than illegal aliens and other special interest groups. This was made evident back in December when President Trumps Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to implement a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division that would eliminate mandatory vaccination nationwide and this was all done under the directive of President Trump himself. President Trump is similarly standing his ground in ensuring that an effective border wall is constructed between the United States and Mexico to prevent illicit drugs, human trafficking, and other heinous evils from continuing to move back and forth across the border again an indication that he cares for Americans and wants to protect them from the plight of globalism. But the Left is unable to see any of this, unfortunately, and would rather pretend as though the president is sitting there in the Oval Office laughing with his pinky in the air like Dr. Evil as illegal immigrant children are being sniped by Border Patrol. Its Trump Derangement Syndrome to the max, and it doesnt appear to be letting up anytime soon. Sources for this article include: QZ.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A former official under the Obama regime has been outed for running a massive social media disinformation campaign that involved embedding fake news all over Facebook in order to discourage conservatives from voting in the 2018 midterm elections. Mikey Dickerson of American Engagement Technologies (AET) reportedly headed up a team of secret Democratic operatives, The Daily Caller News Foundation has learned, whose job it was to pretend to be disgruntled conservatives encouraging other conservatives to stay home and not vote. The scheme was apparently funded by left-wing billionaire Reid Hoffman, who had previously been exposed for running a similar false flag effort in 2017 that ultimately derailed Alabama Republican senatorial candidate Roy Moores bid for office. According to The Daily Caller, Dickerson purchased ads for two separate Facebook pages he created, The Daily Real and Todays Nation, that appeared to be published by frustrated conservatives urging other conservatives to get back at the Republican Party by voting blue or third party in the midterms, or just staying home. In order to make them appear legitimate, Dickerson had the two pages carefully adorned in American flag imagery so that they came across as more patriotic. The various articles published there were also designed to manipulate the enthusiasm of conservative voters in order to throw the election to Democrats. One of the sponsored articles on The Daily Real deceitfully stated that the expected blue wave was unreliable, for instance, the aim of this lie being to downplay the importance of the election in order to discourage conservatives from participating in it. Everyone else hearing more recent stories that the Blue Wave is a myth, and the Republicans are going to win and upset mainstream pollsters once again? the ad stated, followed by a link to an article entitled, Consider the Source: Polls Predicting a Blue Wave are Unreliable. In another fake ad on Todays Nation, the question was asked, Are congressional Republicans facing the consequences of betraying real conservatives? followed by a link to an article entitled, So-called conservatives arent even trying to hide their betrayal of our values. Yet another of the deceptive postings aimed at frustrated populist Republicans tried to plant doubt in the minds of potential voters about President Trumps track record thus far. It stated that it was time to send a message to the Republican Party because Trump is failing us. AETs operations in the 2018 midterm elections show that the Hoffman-funded group went further than previously known in attempting to mislead American voters for the purpose of swinging an election, writes The Daily Caller reporter Peter Hasson. The misleading ads collectively garnered millions of impressions on Facebook, The DCNFs review of Facebooks archives found. So it was DEMOCRATS that conspired to meddle with the American election process There were many more ads as well, including some that tried to convince conservatives that there were no good choices in the 2018 midterms, and that the best option was to vote for Democrats. Another went so far to claim that none of this even matters, accusing both sides of the aisle of shouting so much that it wasnt even worth voting. Another Hoffman-funded group known as News for Democracy reportedly created its own fake news page on Facebook as well, entitled Our Flag Our Country, that pushed similar anti-Trump sentiments. Facebook is said to be currently investigating whether or not News for Democracy violated the sites rules against publishing misleading political advertising, as revealed in a report published by The Washington Post. According to The Daily Caller, neither Dickerson nor Hoffman responded to requests for comments about the scandal. For more related news, be sure to check out Faked.news. Sources for this article include: DailyCaller.com NaturalNews.com WashingtonPost.com (Natural News) In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture is often used to relieve pain and other health complaints. According to the results of a study, acupuncture is just as effective as drug therapy when treating high blood pressure (hypertension). The study was conducted by researchers from the Jiaozuo Tongren Hospital in China. Can acupuncture reduce high blood pressure levels? The study findings revealed that acupuncture is equally effective for the treatment of hypertension as the drug nifedipine. Nifedipine is the generic name for a pharmaceutical drug used to treat high blood pressure and angina. It relaxes the heart muscles and blood vessels. However, nifedipine can also cause these common negative side effects: Constipation A cough Decreased sexual ability or desire Dizziness or lightheadedness Edema (swelling in the legs or feet) A headache Nausea Heartburn Muscle cramps Weakness Nifedipine can also cause serious side effects like: An allergic reaction Symptoms may include trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, rash or hives, or swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue. Symptoms may include trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, rash or hives, or swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue. Chest pain (angina) Patients who take nifedipine report that the drug may aggravate angina or increase its frequency. Patients who take nifedipine report that the drug may aggravate angina or increase its frequency. Edema (fluid retention) Symptoms include swelling in the arms, hands, lower legs, feet, or ankles. Symptoms include swelling in the arms, hands, lower legs, feet, or ankles. Liver damage The symptoms of liver damage include jaundice or the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The symptoms of liver damage include jaundice or the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Low blood pressure or low heart rate This can cause symptoms like lightheadedness or fainting. For the study, researchers observed 51 patients with primary hypertension. The participants were randomly divided into two: an acupuncture treatment group and a drug control group. There were 27 individuals in the treatment group and 24 individuals in the drug control group. The acupuncture group included 15 males and 12 females who were aged 37 to 72 years old. The average age of the group was 57.39 years. The patients in this group either had high blood pressure with systolic blood pressure 179.97 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic blood pressure 110.39 mmHg. Meanwhile, the drug control group was made up of 14 males and 10 females aged 36 to 72 years old. The average age of this group was 59.14 years. The volunteers in this group either had high blood pressure with systolic blood pressure 181.95 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 109.93 mmHg. The researchers compared the effects of acupuncture therapy with the administration of nifedipine for the immediate reduction of high blood pressure levels in the participants who had primary hypertension. Based on the results of the randomized controlled clinical trial, both acupuncture and nifedipine reduced blood pressure by 30 to 40 mmHg. (Related: Scientists confirm: You can use acupuncture to lower your blood pressure.) The study showed that acupuncture and nifedipine offered different advantages for the management of high blood pressure. Drug therapy reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures after five to 20 minutes, but acupuncture took longer at 30 to 60 minutes. The researchers noted that there was no statistical difference between the effects of acupuncture and nifedipine for the management of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. On the other hand, acupuncture significantly reduced systolic and diastolic pressures among the participants with extremely high blood pressure. Acupuncture moderately reduced systolic and diastolic pressures in the volunteers who had moderate levels of high blood pressure. The researchers said that acupuncture offers a clinical advantage since it can offer a regulated lowering of blood pressure relative to the clinical needs patients. The study determined that nifedipine can excessively lower blood pressure, especially during the first use of the drug or if the patient is dehydrated once the drug is taken. Compared to drug therapy, acupunctures homeostatic properties suggest that it can be used to treat hypertension without any negative hypotensive reactions. Treating hypertension with acupuncture and felodipine The results of a separate study, which was conducted at the Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, determined that combining acupuncture with drug therapy can effectively address primary hypertension. In this study, the researchers randomly and equally divided the participants into an acupuncture treatment group and a drug group. The drug group was given felodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension. In the drug group, using only felodipine had a total effective rate of 73.3 percent. In the acupuncture treatment group, combining acupuncture and felodipine had an 86.7 percent total effective rate. The researchers concluded that the integrative medicine approach to the treatment of high blood pressure can improve patient outcomes by at least 13.4 percent. To read more articles about natural treatments like acupuncture, visit AlternativeMedicine.news. Sources include: IntegrativePractitioner.com Healthline.com On Tuesday, 15 January 2019, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, will meet the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Viktor Muzhenko, in the margins of the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session. Still images of the meeting with the Deputy Secretary General will be available on the NATO website after the event. Follow the Deputy Secretary General on Twitter @Gottemoeller. Also follow us at @NATOPress. Jerri-Lynn here. In this short post, Jomo Kwame Sundaram makes the case against the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) a free trade agreement originally intended to draw the US back into the Pacific region to counter the influence of China. To endorse this agreement would have required Trump effectively to flip flop on his previous decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The CPTP is a free trade agreement among eleven countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Canada Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The agreement entered into force on December 30, 2018 among the first six countries to ratify it: Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore. Once fully implemented, its 11 member countries will form a trading bloc representing 495 million consumers and accounting for 13.5% of global GDP. By Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former UN Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development. Originally published at Inter Press Service After US President Donald Trump withdrew from Obamas Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), involving twelve countries on the Pacific rim, on his first day in office, Japan, Australia and their closest allies proposed and promoted the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to draw the US back into the region to counter Chinas fast-growing power and influence. Geostrategic Deal to Re-engage US in East Asia The modest projected gains claimed by the most popularly used trade models are based on dubious methodologies. President Obama had explicitly promoted the TPP for geostrategic reasons even though both US government cost-benefit analyses found very modest gains from the free trade agreement (FTA). With miniscule real trade gains from the original TPP, US withdrawal has made benefits from the regional agreement even more trivial. Without the US market, the TPPs supposed benefits largely disappeared with the CPTPP. Hence, while its proponents hope the CPTPP will re-engage the US as hegemon in the region, TPP advocates have become even more desperate for US participation. The Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), the main TPP and CPTPP advocate, claimed most (85%) growth gains from non-trade measures (NTMs), not trade liberalization per se. Such claims were largely refuted by the 2016 US International Trade Council (ITC) report. The World Bank used PIIE consultants to make even more exaggerated claims of TPP gains in early 2017, ignoring most costs and risks. CPTPP advocates have made even more extravagant claims about supposed benefits since. To make matters worse, besides the meagre trade gains, enhanced intellectual property rights (IPRs) and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions will fetter developing countries catch-up economic prospects. Besides raising costs, e.g., for buying medicines and technologies, strengthened IPRs will further limit technology transfer. ISDS will enable foreign investors to sue CPTPP governments, not in national courts, but rather, private arbitration tribunals. Besides undermining national judicial sovereignty, small country governments with limited legal resources will be disadvantaged. Ironically, Trumps US Trade Representative now rejects reciprocal ISDS for undermining US sovereignty! From the Frying Pan into the Fire Informed analysts know that CPTPP losses, costs and risks are much greater than for the TPP while gains will be more trivial despite cheerleaders claims to the contrary. More worryingly, very few developing country negotiators have actually scrutinized and understood the likely implications of the 6350 page TPP agreement. Some minor changes were made to the TPP agreement for the CPTPP. Several onerous provisions were amended, and some others suspended, leaving most unchanged. Only a few CPTPP governments secured side letters, exempting them from some specific clauses. Thus, most onerous TPP provisions remain. The CPTPP has committed Malaysia to further trade liberalization, accelerating deindustrialization, besides constraining the growth of modern services, development finance and policy space. With the economic slowdown of the last decade wrongly attributed to the end of trade expansion since 2009, and the more recent populist-nationalist reversal of trade liberalization, wishful thinking has emerged that the CPTPP will somehow magically enhance economic growth and progress. Developmental, Multilateral FTA Needed Increased market access for exports typically requires trade liberalization by others, but trade liberalization also undermines food and industrial production. Recognizing such problems after the end of the Uruguay Round of trade talks led to the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the mid-1990s, most developing country members have since sought to ensure that WTO rules are more development-friendly, launching a Development Round at its Doha biennial ministerial conference in late 2001. As trade liberalization advocate Jagdish Bhagwati has argued, bilateral and plurilateral FTAs have long undermined WTO-led trade multilateralism. At the national level, developing country governments should amend legislation and policy in line with their needs, especially for development, not at the behest of corporate lobbyists or geostrategic priorities. Reminding the world that he is, as one critic put it, a reckless advocate of military force, the Wall Street Journal revealed on Sunday that President Donald Trumps National Security Adviser John Bolton asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran last year, generating concern at the Pentagon and State Department. It definitely rattled people, a former U.S. official said of the request, which Bolton supposedly made after militants aligned with Iran fired mortars into the diplomatic quarter of Baghdad, Iraq that contains the U.S. Embassy in early September. People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran. The Pentagon complied with the National Security Councils request to develop options for striking Iran, the Journal reported, citing unnamed officials. But it isnt clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether Mr. Trump knew of the request, or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time. The Journals report, which comes just days after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered an arrogant tirade of a speech vilifying Iran, sparked immediate alarm among critics of the Trump administrations biggest warmongerswho, over the past several months, have been accused of fomenting unrest in Iran and laying the groundwork for war. Daniel W. Drezner, a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, called the news a reminder that when it comes to Iran, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo are batshit insane. In which the @WSJ provides your occasional reminder that when it comes to Iran, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo are batshit insane. https://t.co/YVIojDpgl1 Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) January 13, 2019 Trita Parsi, founder of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), tweeted, Make no mistake: Bolton is the greatest threat to the security of the United States! Parsi, an expert on U.S.-Iranian relations and longtime critic of Bolton, called for his immediate ouster over the request detailed in Journals report. MAKE NO MISTAKE: Bolton is the greatest threat to the security of the United States! After 2 unclaimed attacks NEAR US facilities in Iraq last year, Bolton asked Pentagon for plan to go to war with Iran.@realDonaldTrump should fire Bolton right away! https://t.co/s20Fn25dv6 Trita Parsi (@tparsi) January 13, 2019 This administration takes an expansive view of war authorities and is leaning into confrontation with Iran at a time when there are numerous tripwires for conflict across the region, NIAC president Jamal Abdi warned in a statement. It is imperative that this Congress investigate Boltons request for war options and pass legislation placing additional legal and political constraints on the administrations ability to start a new war of choice with Iran that could haunt America and the region for generations. In a series of moves that have elicited concern from members of Congress, political experts, other world leaders, and peace activists, since May the Trump administration has ditched the Iran nuclear dealformally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)and reimposed economic sanctions. NIAC, in November, urged the new Congress that convened at the beginning of the year to challenge the administrations hawkish moves and restore U.S. standing on the world stage by passing measures to block the sanctions re-imposed in August and November, and reverse Trumps decision to breach the dealwhich European and Iranian diplomats have been trying to salvage. Iran continues to comply with the terms of JCPOA, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, Ali Akbar Salehi, Irans nuclear chief, told state television on Sunday that preliminary activities for designing modern 20 percent (enriched uranium) fuel have begun. While Iran has maintained that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, the nation would still have to withdraw from the deal if it resumed enrichment at the level. As Iran signals that it is considering withdrawing from the JCPOA, the Journal report has critics worried that Bolton and Pompeo have the administration on a war pathwith Bolton, just last week, insisting without any evidence that Iranian leadership is committed to pursuing nuclear weapons. Some have compared that claim to former Vice President Dick Cheneys infamous lie in 2002, to bolster support for the U.S. invasion, that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Bolton, 2019: We have little doubt that Irans leadership is still strategically committed to achieving deliverable nuclear weapons. Cheney, 2002: Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. https://t.co/0eomJyGh7I Matt Duss (@mattduss) January 12, 2019 John Bolton and fellow Iran hawks believe they have two years left to collapse the Iran nuclear deal and trigger a disastrous war that the American people want no part of, Abdi concluded. We know that Bolton and other administration officials preferred an Iran war to negotiations prior to serving Trump. Now there is confirmation that they are still seeking out opportunities to fulfill their war agenda. As the Journal noted, Alongside the requests in regards to Iran, the National Security Council asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with options to respond with strikes in Iraq and Syria as well. Buyers must use their ID cards to buy fireworks in Beijing during the upcoming Spring Festival, a city official said recently, which is the latest measure to control fireworks after placing bans on the materials in special regions across the city. Tang Mingming, an official from the Beijing Emergency Management Bureau, said that the city will cut the retail outlets of fireworks from around 80 to 30, with no outlets within the fifth Ring Road, and sales will only take place from Jan 30 to Feb 9. Each outlet will be equipped with special devices to identify buyers with their ID cards, and if safety problems occur, the buyers will be punished, Tang said, according to a report on the newspaper Beijing Youth Daily. Beijing has already banned fireworks within the fifth Ring Road in recent years, and some districts also banned fireworks in certain regions. Tang said that the Tongzhou district, Beijing's sub-center, will completely ban fireworks this year. Many Chinese cities have banned fireworks during Spring Festival, considering the potential for air pollution and injuries. Beijing's neighboring city Tianjin has banned fireworks across the whole city during the upcoming Spring Festival. Last week, Xiongan New Area's Rongcheng county in North China's Hebei province also issued an entire ban on fireworks during the upcoming Spring Festival. Today, we have two articles on CalPERS election mess. The first describes what might be deemed a predictable CalPERS screw-up, illustrating yet again how much the institution has fallen in terms of integrity, particularly its bad habit of covering up rather than cleaning up problems. Not only did changes in CalPERS board election procedures approved in 2016 fail to deliver any of the promised benefits, but the 2018 ballot count suffered a major operational failure, and the scramble to remedy it showed how insecure and untrustworthy the process is. The second article describes a far more troubling aspect in depth. CalPERS staff jeopardized the confidentiality of beneficiary data and lied to the board and public about its relationship with the company that got the information. We learned, thanks to a Public Records Act request, that CalPERS had a company called Votem Corp. tally the votes for the 2018 election when CalPERS has no legal relationship with Votem whatsoever. CalPERS continued to give the board the impression that the former vendor, Everyone Counts, managed the tabulations, when as well explain longer form in the next post, that was clearly false. Understand how serious this is. CalPERS member database was in the hands of an outside party with whom CalPERS had no contract whatsoever, no agreement to maintain confidentiality, no agreement to return the records, and no basis for asserting liability if any of that data was purloined or got out into the wild. The sale of Everyone Counts assets to Votem closed on October 1, meaning at the latest at the end of the business day in California (and more likely, before the end of the day Eastern time, since Votem is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio). The fact that it was a sale of assets and not stock means that Votem did not inherit the Everyone Counts agreement with CalPERS. CalPERS decided to depend on the kindness of strangers. CalPERS effectively operated on a handshake with Votem, hoping that the firm would consider itself to be bound to the terms of the former vendors agreement. The election was open until midnight and voters were most assuredly trying to make last minute votes. The election vendor had access to the CalPERS member database to conduct the phone election and provide PINs for the Internet channel. Recall that we ascertained in 2017 that Everyone Counts used contractors working out of their homes to field calls from voters. So they werent running a very tight ship from a information security standpoint. The tally wasnt completed until October 4, which means it is very likely that Votem had access to the member database for days if not longer with no confidentiality obligation and no legal recourse for CalPERS. And as well discuss in the second post, CalPERS still has no contract with Votem. Letting Votem handle such a sensitive task with no contract meant CaLPERS had no recourse in the event of misconduct and screw-ups, which as well show in this post, happened. It also means that CalPERS is certain to have made misrepresentations to the Secretary of State, who certified the election. CalPERS would either depicted its former vendor, Everyone Counts, Inc, a company that was defunct, as being responsible for and presenting the vote tally, when that was impossible. Or it would have falsely presented Votem as having been authorized to make the count, when it had no legal authority to do so. On top of that, CalPERS did not have the old agreement signed over to Votem as of January 8, and well explain in the next post why that cant happen. Nor from what we can see on CalPERS bid opportunities log, is it looking to hire election vendors, which is what it would have to do it if were to enter into new agreements with K&H Printing (which made an agreement with Everyone Counts, with K&H confusingly using the name of Integrity Voting Systems, to fulfill the 2016 CaPERS election contract) and Votem. CalPERS not only sought to mislead the board and public about who handled the 2018 election, it is going into the 2019 election with no contract in place and no realistic process to get one signed by the time the board is scheduled to approve this years election process at its February board meeting. This is a fiasco of epic proportions, and it is not an idle issue. Potted plant Board member Henry Jones term expires in January 2020 and we understand from retiree groups that there are candidates who will challenge him this year. The fact that insurgent candidate Jason Perez won in 2018 is no great cause for comfort. Despite CalPERS considerable promotion of its audit-trail-free Internet voting, over 60% of the votes cast were by paper ballots which could be recounted. That greatly constrained the opportunity for mischief. Background: CalPERS Dubious Rationale for Implementing Unsound Voting by Internet and Phone CalPERS changed its election procedures in 2016 and they were effective for the 2017 board elections, in which two seats were contested (both all member seats). CalPERS made the following major changes: Going from a secret paper mail-in ballot to non-secret paper ballots. Previously, the required voter signature certifying the vote and the bar code associated with each voter were on the mailing envelope, which would be separated from the marked ballot at the time of processing. The new procedures had the bar code and signature on the ballot, making it possible at any point in time to identify how a CalPERS member had voted. These non-secret ballots sit in a warehouse even today, and union officials or employers might be able to access them to find out and punish individuals who cast votes for the wrong candidate. Implementing voting by phone and voting by Internet. CalPERS implemented both methods even though both are explicitly illegal for California elections, per the California Election Code 19205. CalPERS has argued that it can set its own election methods and ignore the California election code. CalPERS staff claimed that the reason for the changes were to increase participation, which has always been very low, and to reduce cost. However, there were other motives at work. Until the 1994 board election, the unions were able to exercise a great deal of influence over the vote. Ballots were distributed at work, either by the shop steward or with the steward close on the heels of the responsible party, telling voters who they should pick.. A court ruling invalidated this procedure and forced CalPERS to implement mail-in ballots. So the union push for electronic and online ballots was significant. CalPERS acknowledged the role of the unions in getting the changes approved. From the August 16, 2016 Finance and Administration Committee: Operations Support Services Division Chief Kim Malm: At this time, Id like to take a minute of personal privilege, Mr. Chair. Id like to thank the staff that have worked really hard on this over the last couple of years. Anthony Martin, Christina Nutley, Nina Dinsdale, and Dallas Stone from my staff. Also Erin Lopez and Renee Salazar from the Legal Office, and also Public Affairs. We would not have been able to do this without them, in addition to the constituents that have been extremely supportive over the last couple of years. And especially Dave Lowe and Terry Brennand who kind of got this in front of some people important people to help us push this forward. Dave Low and Terry Brennand are the two big union power brokers at CalPERS. Until recently, Low was the Executive Director and chief lobbyist of the California School Employees Association. Brennand is the Director of Revenue, Budget, and Pensions, SEIU California. Why, pray tell, are the unions meddling in how CalPERS conducts its elections? As weve seen, the unions hoped to be able to exercise more influence over member votes. One way was for union members to call voters and offer to punch them through to the call-in number and help them navigate the phone prompts.1 The unions asked for a special dial in number, raising the concern that people who used that number would face fewer delays than voters who used the regular number.2 Another way was to push members to vote, using their phones or iPad, at union meetings while the elections were open.3 But the biggest mechanism would be vote suppression. As we wrote earlier this year: CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost has said she wants to eliminate paper balloting entirely. The justification, that this would save costs, is a convenient cover for the real aim, that of suppressing votes by retirees, who have a higher level of election participation, and have also been strong supporter of board members who have the temerity to ask questions and demand accountability, like Margaret Brown and former board member JJ Jelincic. In other words, even before you get to the opportunity to engage in nefarious conduct, the motive is to give the unions even more sway over the board. And that is before you get to other concerns about voting by phone and Internet. As we have written at some length, voting by Internet is not secure and is tamper friendly. Election experts are virtually to a person opposed to it. For instance, a September 2018 report by the National Institute of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, based on two years of study, recommended against Internet voting forcefully (emphasis theirs): Internet voting should not be used at the present time, and it should not be used in the future until and unless very robust guarantees of secrecy, security, and verifiability are developed and in place. Even worse, the vendor responsible for the Internet voting, Everyone Counts, did not generate a paper trail for its vote, a bare minimum requirement for verifying accuracy. Cynics might think they were chosen for the ease of tampering with results and not getting caught. As we chronicled at length last year, then candidate Margaret Brown visited one of the two election vendors, K&H Printing, which has a sideline under a doing business as it calls Integrity Voting Systems. K&H was printing and mailing the paper ballots, and also receiving mailed ballots and scanning them. Brown observed many irregularities, such as the ballots not being held securely in cages, and instead being in a room to which pretty much anyone had access (one door opened directly on to the parking lot) and being opened and scanned each day, rather than at the end of the voting, as was legally required. After a huge outcry over these and other election deficiencies, CalPERS made only minimal changes to its election process, that of getting rid of the clearly-illegal non-secret paper ballots, where it was possible to determine which vote beneficiaries submitted. That is a clear-cut violation of the California constitutional requirement that Voting shall be secret. CalPERS went back to its former approach of having the bar code and voter signature on the envelope, separate from the ballot on which they marked their choice. Election Fiasco 1: New Methods Backfire, Deliver Worse Results Remember that the stated goals were to increase turnout and lower costs? The reverse happened. The November 2018 report on the elections stated: Voter turnout for the 2018 Public Agency Member election was 6.4%..In comparison, the voter turnout for the 2014 Public Agency Member election was 6.8%. Oops. And the same report describes CalPERS voter outreach methods. The absolute number of votes fell too, despite the number of eligible voters having increased slightly. Recall that last year, Jason Perez challenged incumbent Priya Mathur. On the merits, this election should have attracted more interest than the last time Priya faced voters. First, in 2014, Mathur was up against a lackluster opponent, an advocate of pension reform which means cutting benefits. This time, Mathur had been involved in questionable behavior, such as censuring fellow board member Margaret Brown and denying her access to her mail, failing to stop the process of board members illegally pre-signing expense claim form in blank until this blog made a stink about it, and forcefully defending former CFO Charles Asubonten and CEO Marcie Frost when they were shown to have made major misrepresentations during the hiring process (and in Frosts case, after she joined CalPERS). Challenger Perez had also gotten some press, such as for calling out CalPERS Treasurer John Chiang for pushing for gun-related divestments as a stunt to boost his gubernatorial bid. Despite these controversies, which should have sparked voter interest, fewer participated. Costs also went up: The total cost to conduct the 2018 Public Agency Member election for Fiscal Year 2018-19 was $474,688.14. The cost per vote received was approximately $29.22. In comparison, the 2014Public Agency cost per vote received was $26.87 And the newfangled methods appear to have failed to achieve the third objective, of moving enough voters to Internet voting so as to be able to get rid of the auditable paper ballots. Recall CalPERS was aggressively promoting Internet voting. As we wrote in September, just after the election started: And we arent exaggerating when we say that CalPERS is pushing the most tamper-friendly method hard. First, the Election home page tells eligible voters to Vote Now before it gives them any other information: And if you click on the little icon in Vote Now above, you go to this page: And if you didnt get the message, CalPERS flogs insecure Internet Voting later in the same page: But even for the 2018 contest, where the eligible voters were all current employees and therefore presumably more Internet-receptive on average than old school retirees, and despite CalPERS doing everything it could to promote online voting, most voters used paper ballots: Election Fiasco 2: Violation of Election Regulation, Tabulation Fail, Followed by Demonstration of Ease of Election Tampering The 2018 voting period ended on October 1. On October 2, envelopes containing paper ballots were opened and scanned at K&H Printing facility in its Everett, Washington facility. Lets stop here. This procedure is a clear violation of CalPERS regulation, which it couldnt be bothered to change to conform with the slap-dash way in which it counts ballots. This is what CalPERS election regulation requires: On the date specified in the Notice of Election at the location designated by CalPERS, the validated paper ballots shall be tabulated publicly by an independent, neutral agent appointed by CalPERS for that purpose. It is clear that: 1. The paper ballots are to be tabulated. That means the ballots proper, not scanned images. 2. The tabulation was to be done publicly. Yet no member of the public was able to see what software was used and how it made the computation. 3. The date is a date specified, meaning one and only one date in the the Notice of Election. And that date was 9:00 AM on October 2. CalPERS violated its own rules by changing the date to October 4. Why the delay? More on that in our next post. Contrast CalPERS idea of what a public count looks like. .with the UKs 2017 snap election. Notice how officials of the various parties hover right over the people sorting the ballots. All aspects of the vote count are similarly in the open: And thats before the public having no way to be sure that the scanned ballots from Everett werent tampered with or didnt become corrupted on their way to La Jolla, California,4 where the phony public tabulation was to take place. But that tally became a fiasco. The people in La Jolla (I cant call them a vendor because CalPERS had no legal agreement in place) that were handling the count couldnt open the file of scanned ballot images from Washington. Via e-mail from an observer at the tabulation: And if you look at this video clip, T-Shirt Guy looks to be in charge of trying to open the files. You then see, at about 1:14, Blond Woman reach across and install a USB stick on her computer. Not long after that, both T-Shirt Guy and Brunette Woman are looking at Blond Womans scrreen, when they had been focused on what T-Shirt Guy was trying to do before (there are more video clips that show T-Shirt Guy as the earlier center of the action). Video clip: IMG_0402.mov You can see Blond Woman grabbing something from the side of T-Shirt Guys computer: And then inserting something in one of the ports on her laptop: Now the point is not that the people here actually did a switcheroo of the flash drive, but that the entire process was so badly run that that could easily have taken place. Theres nothing dimly approaching the sort of public oversight of the process that is routine in places that care about election integrity like the UK.5 CalPERS almost certainly never would have admitted to this train wreck had board member Margaret Brown and another observer not been there. CalPERS predictably underplayed the mess in the report to the board (the language was approved by CalPERS), as you can see from the embedded document at the end of this post. Moreover, the Incident reports starts with five Big Lies, which is quite impressive in such a short space: The 2018 CalPERS Public Agency Member Election was conducted by the Everyone Counts/IVS Joint Venture. Everyone Counts has since been acquired by Votem, Corp. The election team and tabulation platform remained the same. First, the election vendors admitted in 2017 (just the way CalPERS finally confessed that CalPERS Direct was not direct investing) that its election joint venture was no such thing. It was an operating agreement between K&H Printers-Lithographers, Incorporated, dba Integrity Voting Systems, and Everyone Counts, Inc.6 In keeping, the two parties signed the agreement as separate entities. Second, the parties nevertheless attempted to depict the contract repeatedly as a joint venture, even stating in the operating agreement that the services were to be provided in the name of the IVS/Everyone Counts Joint Venture. So Votem also misrepresented the name by putting Everyone Counts first, implying it is the more important player. We have the agreement embedded at the end of our second post. It makes very clear that K&H Printing, operating as IVS, was the dominant party. Third, Votem falsely stated that the elections were conducted by the soi disant joint venture. That is false because Everyone Counts defaulted on the agreement by selling its assets to Votem before the election was over. Fourth, Votem says it acquired Everyone Counts. It did not do so. It acquired only Everyone Counts assets, deliberately leaving the liabilities and the legal entity behind. Finally, Votem claims that it acquired Everyone Counts after the election. This is false, since the sale of assets closed before the election was over and days before the tabulation took place. But its not hard to see why CalPERS would entertain doing business with Votem. They lie as easily and badly as CalPERS staff. ____ 1 This would appear to be a violation of the California constitution requirement that Voting shall be secret, but the Supreme Court has ruled that voters can bring someone with them into the ballot booth (in the days of mechanical voting machines with curtains) to assist them if they needed assistance (as in had vision problems or other disabilities). Clearly this is a big stretch of what assistance amounts to. 2 There were many complaints this year and last year about the difficulty of getting through on the phone; I experienced over 15 minute waits the two times I tried. 3 This didnt work as well as planned since voters needed a PIN to vote by phone or online. Those PINs were sent with the ballots, begging the question of why would anyone vote online if they had located their PIN in the mailed materials. At that point, filling in the simple ballot cards and signing the envelopes would be easier than going to the site and figuring out how to navigate it, or dealing with the cumbersome phone system (see here to see the horrible and confusing script). Voters could also get a PIN by phone, but see Footnote 2 above. They proved to be not so easy to obtain. 4 Well, members of the public could ask for a recount to make sure the numbers squared, but who would bother to do that as a matter of principle? 5 The clip we provided from the 2017 snap election gives only a snippet of the process. Ballot boxes are conveyed by hand, in full view of many election volunteers, and often cameras, to the counting places, which are typically gymnasiums of public schools. There the opening and count of the ballots is totally in the open, with lots of people standing right over the folks at the table handling the ballots. 6 From a September 2017 post: CalPERS has managed to outdo itself in terms of screwing itself up, and in this case, its beneficiaries too, by flouting contractual arrangements in its board member elections. CalPERS chose to outsource a core government activity, the administration of its elections. It then got caught when one of its vendors pulled out at the worst time, while the 2018 election was underway. That left CalPERS over a barrel. While this situation would be difficult even for a well-run government agency, CalPERS has been cavalierly incompetent in dealing with it. Not only has CalPERS painted itself in a corner, but it has put sensitive identifying information of hundreds of thousands of its members at risk. CalPERS had no legal agreement with the party that handled the close of CalPERS 2018 board election, an Internet voting company called Votem Corp. That means part of, and potentially the entire CalPERS member database, one of CalPERS crown jewels of intellectual property, was in the hands of an outside party where CalPERS had no contractual protection of any kind, most importantly of the confidential treatment of member data. Would you give someone you barely knew the keys to your house? Thats effectively what CalPERS did with vast amounts of sensitive beneficiary information. While it may not seem as sexy, CalPERS being left in the lurch by its old election vendor, Everyone Counts, defaulting on its agreement via effectively going out of business, also meant CalPERS has no one legally authorized to manage its 2018 election. Everyone Counts sold virtually all of its assets to Votem right before the CalPERS election finished. Votem handled the 2018 closing hours of the election and the vote count on an unofficial, extra-legal basis. For basic legal reasons that well cover, CalPERS still has not been able to assign its old agreement with Everyone Counts and a second company, K&H Printers, that used the name of Integrity Voting Systems (IVS), to Votem. CalPERS conduct here looks a lot like that of Theresa May in dealing with the European Union, of refusing to abandon a negotiating approach that is clearly never going to get anywhere. Yet even though the board is set to approve the 2019 election notice at its February meeting, CalPERS hasnt switched to the obvious Plan B of entering into a new contract or contracts, and is persisting with the non-starter of trying to assign the dead agreement. CalPERS will likely try to divert attention from this massive screw-up by asserting that Votem has good security. Thats irrelevant and not even necessarily true. Information obtained via a Public Records Act request shows that CalPERS did zero in the way of due diligence on Votems operations. They simply ran some searches and had a couple of chats with Votem, and checked three not-impressive references.1 This mess sits squarely on CEO Marcie Frosts desk. She is setting up Doug Hoffner, whose name is on the signature line of the yet-to-be-signed contract amendment, to get a massive raise, from roughly $187,000 to as much as $312,500. It appears he is to be rewarded for his burgundy-wearing enforcement of staff showing support for Frost having lied about her education, which was evident in an earlier Public Records Act response, and other demonstrations of loyalty. His failure to take notice of and do damage control for this fiasco show that he regards the substance of his job as unimportant. And that is likely an accurate reading of Marcie Frosts priorities. First, some stage setting so you can appreciate what a complete mess this situation is. We will cover: How CalPERS implemented insecure, tamper-friendly Internet and phone voting How CalPERS election vendor Everyone Counts defaulted on its agreement Why CalPERS pet remedy of an amendment to a dead agreement has not worked and will never work Why the company that bought Everyone Counts assets, Votem Corp., looks shakier and shadier than Everyone Counts did How CalPERS board vehemently refused to supervise the staffs administration of the 2018 election even after candidates Margaret Brown and Mike Flaherman documented many problems in the 2017 election We asked K&H Printing, a second election contractor to CalPERS (using its dba Integrity Voting Systems, or IVS) and Votem for comments. K&H did not respond. Votems Stefanie Histed wrote: Thank you for contacting us. It is our policy to not comment on our clients or any specific electoral events in which we support them. We do hope you understand! Since CalPERS cannot be a client of Votem, since they have no contractual relationship, this gives you an idea of Votems honesty. How CalPERS Implemented Insecure, Tamper-Friendly Internet and Phone Voting As we have described at length in earlier posts, CalPERS board approved voting by phone and Internet in 2016 even though voting by Internet is explicitly prohibited by the California election code. CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost said that she intended eventually to get rid of paper ballots. This plan flies in the face of the overwhelming evidence that Internet voting is much less reliable than paper ballots. It also ignores the strong possibility that no online voting vendors will survive the next few years, as the vulnerability to hacking continues to garner press attention and further diminishes already weak public support. As with private equity, CalPERS is going in the opposite direction of best practice. For instance, consider the subhead of a May 2018 article in CSO [Chief Security Officers]: If you thought electronic voting machines were insecure, wait til you meet online voting. Key section of the story: The purpose of an election is not just to select a winner, but to convince the loser, and their supporters, that they lost. Trust in the voting process is, therefore, an essential element to any voting system. Voting over the internet is not secure enough to be trusted for government elections, [cryptographer Dr. Vanessa] Teague tells CSO. Its not verifiable. CalPERS also chose to ignore how security experts are unified on their objections to Internet votingwhich CalPERS should have found via a basic Google search on Everyone Counts. Authenticating a voter, yet preserving the anonymity of his vote is a problem that still hasnt been solved. From a January 2016 Atlantic article: Theyre pretending like voting is no different than buying a book on Amazon, and theyre completely, by virtue of ignorance or malice, ignoring the truth of the world, said Joe Kiniry, a cybersecurity researcher. The simplest way to check the veracity of their statements is to call up any security researcher in the world that you find online who has made public statements about end-to-end verifiable elections and ask them. And you will find that 999 out of 1000 will tell you that [the likes of] Everyone Counts, [other online voting venders], and Estonia are full of shit. One concern of cybersecurity experts is protecting both the anonymity of a voter, and allowing the voter to prove that their vote was actually cast. Voting is different from banking because of the privacy issue, said [Commissioner Christy] McCormick [of the Election Assistance Commission, a federal agency that develops voluntary voting-system guidelines and a system for accrediting voting system testing laboratories]. The bank has to know who you are when you deal with them in banking. But when you vote, you still have to make sure that person still has the right to secrecy of the ballot. That part we havent figured out yet. Concerns about security have led to more and more explicit recommendations against Internet voting. For instance, from a March 2018 article in LA CityWatch: Last week, in a rare bi-partisan move, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee directed all U.S. states to replace any voting system that doesnt create a paper ballot, and cease and desist from using any election system that connects through the Internet. CalPERS big motivation for defying these authoritative warnings appears to be to suppress retiree votes and give the unions more sway over the elections. Retirees are believed to have a stronger preference for voting by mail than current government employees. JJ Jelincic was the lone board member to object to weakening CalPERS election procedures. When CalPERS solicited interest for vendors to run CalPERS elections, which would include mailed paper ballots plus voting by Internet and phone, they received multiple responses, but most of the interested parties wanted to handle only one or two election channels, not all three. Its not clear how K&H Printing-Lithographers, via its Integrity Voting Systems persona, teamed up with Everyone Counts, Inc. Nevertheless, they presented themselves as a single party to bid on the opportunity as CalPERS specified it and were the only one to bid. In fact, despite the repeated handwaving about joint venture in the agreement below, the two vendors have admitted that all they have is an operating agreement. If you read the document at the end of the post, K&H is clearly the dominant party: it ran the negotiations, acted as the project manager and is in charge of receiving and disbursing payment and keeping the financial records related to performing on the contract. K&H is a very large and sophisticated printer, certified to print many of the ballots used in California elections, Everyone Counts was a much less substantial firm. I am chiding myself for failing to write up what I had noticed: that Everyone Counts had an awful lot of employees relative to the the business it appeared to be doing. However, it was venture capital funded. VCs can tolerate losses for a long time if they are taken with an enterprises high concept. As we chronicled at length in 2017 and 2018, the newfangled elections were plagued with problems. A partial list: Lack of any audit trail for Internet voting, which should have made it completely unacceptable Everyone Counts use of contractors who worked out of their homes rather than employees to handle calls about phone voting and to get replacement ballots and PINs for Internet and phone voting. These temps had access to Everyone Counts copy of the CalPERS member database 2 Long hold times for to reach the phone reps and vote by phone A very confusing script for voting by phone which looked designed to suppress votes for challenger Margaret Brown Lack of secret ballot, as paper ballot voters were required to write their names on the ballot card itself, and a barcode associated with each voters name was also printed on each ballot Failure to secure paper ballots Paper ballots being impermissibly scanned daily, which raised the question of whether CalPERS staff was impermissibly keeping a running tally of results. The reason that is of concern is that CalPERS staff had clear preferences among the candidates in the 2017 election. The staff could have alerted unions and other allies to get out the vote for the candidates they liked if the election looked close enough to sway in the final days How CalPERS Election Vendor Everyone Counts Defaulted on Its Agreement Documents that CalPERS provided in response to our Public Records Act request #4133 show that Everyone Counts blindsided CalPERS and K&H Printing by notifying them in July 2018 that Everyone Counts intended to sell its assets to a company called Votem Corporation and close the deal on August 11. Recall that in 2018, CalPERS had a contested election for one board seat, that of the so-called Public Agency board member. Ballots for that election were to be mailed on August 31, which meant they had to be printed and processed in August. This was an astonishingly high-handed move. With the election so close to starting, Votem and Everyone Counts were clearly out to muscle CalPERS to accept a party that K&H and likely also CalPERS had previously never heard of to step into Everyone Counts role. And Everyone Counts further proposed that K&H, CalPERS, and other Everyone Counts clients agree to the substitution. What may not be obvious to all of you that if Votem had bought the stock of Everyone Counts, CalPERS and K&H would have no say in the matter unless their agreements gave them rights in the case of a change in control of Everyone Counts. However, Votem was only going to buy the assets of Everyone Counts, leaving its liabilities and legal entity behind. Votem could not assign an Everyone Counts contract to itself because it would lack the legal right to do so.3 Why CalPERS Pet Remedy of an Amendment to a Dead Agreement Has Not Worked and Will Never Work Regardless of other legal issues, the proposed amendment to substitute Votem for Everyone Counts has proven to be a non-starter for a very simple reason: K&H Printing rejected it as legally non-viable. K&H also sensibly proposed that Everyone Counts finish the current election, which would mean at a bare minimum completing the count of the election according to the election schedule, on October 2. If you are used to reading corporate communications, the terseness of K&H President Darren Lokens cover e-mail to the Everyone Counts CEO, James Simmons, is Not a Good Sign. And as well explain, K&Hs executives would be completely within their rights to be furious. The documents provided by CalPERS show that a Doug Hoffner direct report, Chief of Operations Support Services Division Kim Malm, who was in charge of the elections, went to the state of Washington on September 30 so as to be there October 1, a day before the the ballot opening and scanning was to start. The plan was for Malm to get K&H Printing to sign the contact amendment. But K&H didnt. Moreover, it turns out CalPERS could not have executed the amendment then even if K&H had been game. Votem was not registered with the California Secretary of State to conduct business of any type in the state. That meant CalPERS could not possibly have contracted with Votem before that happened, which was on October 3. The need to get the registration appears to be the reason for moving the tabulation back from October 2 to October 4. In the meantime, CalPERS election database was sitting with an outside party CalPERS could not possibly have tied down contractually. And CalPERS evidently still has yet to do so. As indicated, K&H did not sign the amendment on October 1. E-mails within the Operations team on October 24 and November 5 show K&H still hadnt executed the document. I e-mailed Brad Pacheco, the CalPERS head of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, asking it if had been signed, and got this reply on January 8: In answer to your last question, the amended contract with the Joint Venture (Votem/Integrity Voting Systems) has not been signed and executed to date. As you can see from the embedded document below, CalPERS isnt endearing itself to K&H, which goes as Integrity Voting Systems or IVS for its ballot-processing services. IVS was quite insistent about having its name first in references to the joint venture presumably because it was the lead player. And on a much more basic level, the amended contract is a non-starter because there is as of yet no new joint venture between K&H (as IVS) and Votem. And even if there were to be one, K&H does not seem keen about pretending it has a time machine and representing that an operating agreement that didnt exist before 2019 contracted with CalPERS in 2016. What CalPERS is trying to push through is awfully reminiscent of the sort of document fraud readers remember from the foreclosure crisis, like back-dated mortgage assignments. Shorter: if the amendment hasnt been executed after months of CalPERS, Everyone Counts and now Votem pressing K&H, its a safe bet K&H is not going to sign it. K&H is of the view, which we share, that Everyone Counts voided the joint venture when ceased operations by selling its assets to Votem. That means the agreement cant be assigned. The old joint venture is dead because one of the two parties to it is unable to perform on it. Votem, by not having acquired the Everyone Counts legal vehicle, cannot act on behalf of the former Everyone Counts (although it can confuse not-very-alert parties like the CalPERS board by invoking the Everyone Counts name). An influential stakeholder cut to the chase: Even a high school student who took a business class would know you cant amend an agreement with Votem because they were not on the original agreement. Even if K&H were willing to enter into a new agreement with Votem (and bear in mind K&H may be trying to maneuver CalPERS to enter into separate contracts with K&H and Votem), the parties appear to be hung up on a new joint venture. Darren Loken, the President of K&H, sent this e-mail to CalPERS: Its not hard to imagine why K&H and Votem would be at an impasse. Votem may not be keen about an arrangement that puts K&H so clearly in charge. But as important, K&H has ample reasons to distrust Votem and be leery of going into business with them. Votem screwed K&H via buying only the assets of Everyone Counts. As you can see from the embedded document at the end of this post, the old joint venture provided for the parties to be jointly and severally liable. So if Everyone Counts took a questionable action and CalPERS or another party can assert a claim, K&H is now totally on the hook, since all that it left of Everyone Counts is an empty legal shell.4 So K&H might want Votem to pick up the liability for Everyone Counts in the former joint venture and Votem would not doubt try to fight that. And its not hard to come up with plenty of other reasons why K&H may not relish the idea of going into business with Votem and is setting its negotiating posture accordingly.5 Why Votem Corp. Looks Shakier and Shadier Than Everyone Counts Did Its a safe bet that Everyone Counts was on the verge of bankruptcy. Its hard to come up with any other reason for defaulting on the joint venture when it would have taken Everyone Counts only a few days more to complete its obligations to CalPERS for the 2018 election. The apparent business failure of Everyone Counts should have alerted CalPERS to the fact that Votem, a smaller company with what looks like weaker backing, could also default on any agreement due to running out of money. Yet CalPERS did no financial due diligence on Votem whatsoever. 6 As we indicated at the top of this post, the press has taken up near-universal expert concerns about the integrity of mere electronic voting, meaning the use of equipment not connected to the Internet in local polling stations, as being so tamper-friendly as to necessitate that they generate paper trials or be replaced with voting systems that do. If neither of those can happen, officials need to reinstitute paper ballots to assure election integrity. Internet voting is obviously leagues more risky. That means that Votem now faces a hostile environment and a contracting market for its services. Governments, far and away the biggest targets for Internet voting, are rapidly backing away from insecure voting systems. Parties that run private elections have to be reading the RussiaRussia! press. Many of them wont want to risk criticism by taking an Internet voting flier any time soon. And it is unlikely Internet voting will stand up to more tires-kicing. 7 Everyone Counts was a vastly more substantial business than Votem is. Everyone Counts was founded in 1997, had estimated annual revenues of $15 million, and roughly 90 employees. It also had $30 million of funding. And it had a much higher press profile, as witness that it featured prominently in the Atlantic story we cited earlier. Votem was founded in 2014. It had 24 employees before acquiring the assets of Everyone Counts.8 It appears to have raised under $3 million in funding: less than $1 million from founder Peter Martin. The Fast Facts sheet it gave to CalPERS said it raised $1.2 million in a Series A round from 14 individuals and roughly $360,000 in a Bitcoin-like initial coin offering (ICO) from five individuals. Using an ICO for fundraising for development of its voting platform is a huge red flag. It says Votem had to resort to a gimmick which is widely regarded as a scam and which the SEC has decided to crack down on aggressively, in a marked departure from its usual complacency. Mind you, Votem did make a Form D filing with the SEC saying it was making an unregistered securities offering with its ICO. However, the SEC is taking a very tough stand and has subpoenaed many ICO issuers over whether they complied with the usual exemption cited for making an unregistered offering, that of selling the securities only to accredited investors, meaning individuals with over $1 million in net worth or $200,000 in annual income. The SEC is seeking disgorgement and payment of fines in the event of violations. While CalPERS did ask Votem about past and pending litigation, it didnt ask whether the SEC had subpoenaed Votem, another due diligence lapse. And even if Votem did comply fully with SEC requirements, there is still cause for concern. Votem didnt do a conventional funding with its current investors or try to expand the base of investors in its company. That does not speak well to the confidence of Votems investors in its business. On top of that, at least one of Votems major investors might deter others from joining. We obtained the names of all 14, which Votem did cough up when CalPERS insisted. Earlier, Votem had identified only its >5% investors, in addition to its founder/CEO Peter Martin. Top of that list of major investors, and out of alphabetical order, implying it was the largest, was: Greg Landegger (Parsons Whittemore Family Office) Parsons & Whittmore is an Alabama paper mill family. The patriarch of the Parsons & Whittemore family, George Landegger, pled guilty in 2015 to a Federal criminal charge of hiding assets in a Swiss bank account. It is very likely that some, and probably most, of the money managed by the family office comes from George Landegger. As our Clive pointed out: Even if were generous and say Votem has $3M in funding, that barely covers worker comp. Thirty employees earning 100k a year would burn that in a year. Or sixty people drawing $50k a year [remember, Votem has said it will take the Everyone Counts employees that were serving them, it likely has to make similar commitment to the other four Everyone Counts clients it hopes to convert]. The ICO prospectus lists over ten employees just on the coin side of the business which has no discernible income stream. Theyre likely going to need additional funds to survive to the end of 2019, unless they get some significant sales volumes coming through on the electronic voting platform. And then we get to the wee problem that we have seen very little of Votem in action, yet what too often it hadnt been on the up and up. Recall that Votems marketing specialist falsely depicted CalPERS as a client of Votem. In refusing to respond to a part of our Public Records Act request, Votems general counsel Deena Giordano Ullom parses contractual terms when it had no contract with CalPERS.9 But more consequential are the lies Votem has told to the wider world. Votem did not accede to a cheeky CalPERS request that Votem use Everyone Counts letterhead for its report on the tabulation screw-up at a November board meeting, a full month after Everyone Counts was effectively dead. Nevertheless, Votem misled the board by pretending it has a contractual relationship with CalPERS and was legally authorized to count the election, when that was false. Votem continues to flagrantly misrepresent its purchase of substantially all of Everyone Countss assets. At the top of the landing page of Votems website: At this point, we should not have to belabor the obvious, that Votem didnt acquire the company, Everyone Counts. Votem seems desperate not to depict the deal accurately. Votem could have played this honestly by saying it had acquired the business of Everyone Counts, or alternatively, the operations of Everyone Counts. But as we observed in our companion post, Votems willingness to fib may be one reason CalPERS is willing to do business with them. A scrupulous vendor might not be sufficiently pliable. How the CalPERS Board Vehemently Refused to Supervise the Staff Administration of the 2018 Election The CalPERS board is culpable for this fiasco for not only failing to supervise staff, but also for criticizing board member Margaret Brown for wanting to engage in modest oversight by attending the public viewing of hte election count. Some of the embarrassing remarks from board memebers: Board Member David Miller: I think my view is that have a great deal of confidence in our Im I professional staff. I personally dont see the need for the Board to have a presence. I have total confidence in our staff to oversee that process.. Board Member Henry Jones: I think, you know, many times we approach these kind of issues where weve delegated to staff the responsibility to carry out a function, and then we tend to try to ease back in and try to usurp some of that delegated authority but I dont think we should have a delegated authority process, and then make decisions about, you know, interfering with that process on a case-by-case basis. This is a flat-out declaration by board members that they are unwilling to do the work of a fiduciary, which is be ultimately responsible for the prudent management of beneficiary funds. Henry Jones channeling of Pontius Pilate, that he and other board members can wash their hands when theyve delegated authority to staff is bogus, particularly in light of the fact that, as we discussed above, the 2017 board elections were plagued with vendor problems. Perhaps Miller and Jones should have a chat with the board members being sued personally in the Kentucky Retirement Systems fiduciary duty suit, Mayberry v. KKR, and find out how well that We delegated the matter to our trusted staff defense is working out for them. We now know that the tabulation breakdown was only the tip of the iceberg of a monstrous security and operational failure that CalPERS has yet to address. At a minimum CalPERS has to abandon the legally-unworkable idea of amending a defunct contract and start the process of entering into new agreements with election vendors. It appears that the operations empires desire to cover up this sorry affair has now put the election timetable in jeopardy. How can CalPERS board authorize the election notice in February when it has no one signed up to run it? But on top of that, this fiasco show that CalPERS is completely incompetent at due diligence and contracting. And CalPERS still flatters itself that it wont be taken completely to the cleaners in its pending private equity outsourcing scheme. ___ 1 These were not impressive references. Votem could not even produce three clean, relevant references. One was for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where Votem had to splain away a site crash and other problems, and another was Washington D.C., where Votem did not handle an election, merely online voter registration and absentee ballot requests. CalPERS also appears to have placed way too much faith in Votems promises that it would keep the Everyone Counts personnel and technology that it had used on the CalPeRS election. First, as we point out later, Everyone Count was a bigger company which had raised more funds that Votem has. Yet the sale appears to be the result of financial distress. Votems promises about retaining staff and operations cant be taken seriously unless Votem commits to that contractually. We didnt see CalPERS saying it would require that, and since there is still no contract, that cant have happened yet. Second, how does CalPERS know whether former Everyone Counts employees remained? Employees of an acquired business know they are more vulnerable to being fired than those of the buyer. The better Everyone Counts employees are likely to have started looking for new jobs. 2 We could not ascertain whether all or some of the phone reps were temps, but the ones we managed to get to speak to us were contractors. 3 In theory, this was not an unsolvable problem. Everyone Counts could have transferred its rights in the CalPERS election agreement to Votem prior to the closing of the sale of its remaining assets. But Everyone Counts, even in what one presumes is a financially stressed state, would not be so dumb as to transfer something of value to Votem without getting consideration for it. That would require agreeing on a price and papering it up. Thats a lot of brain damage, particularly since the point of the deal from Votems point of view was to take advantage of Everyone Counts. Its owners would not have accepted a sale of assets as opposed to a sale of stock unless they were desperate. 4 Well, there may have been a few assets that Votem didnt want, like old computers and office equipment, but its pretty certain nothing of meaningful value was left behind and whatever there was has been sent off to liquidators. 5 Just a few possibilities: Integrity Voting Systems is a sideline business for K&H. K&H may have concluded that its not worth the bother. K&H may have decided this joint venture isnt a good idea and if its going to enter into one, it wants more stringent terms, when Votem would take the position that at most, it would accept the former Everyone Counts pact. Strategically, K&H may recognize that the US policy is moving solidly against Internet voting, and it sees no reason to help a competitor for its print business. 6 Obtaining names of investors does not amount to financial due diligence, which is an assessment of the companys financial soundness. There is nothing in the short list of due diligence questions about whether Votem was profitable or cash flow positive or given the small amount of funds it had raised, how it would support a much higher expense base by taking on some Everyone Counts employees, as it had said it would doe for CalPeRS 7 Despite all the whiz-bang razzle-dassle about blockchain, Votem and Everyone Counts systems are insecure due to the overall design. So what if you have encryption of certain parts? You have individuals working out of their homes in bathrobes and bunny slippers with access to sensitive CalPERS member information and the voting system. And Internet voting system are a failure in a second sense: poor ability to verify that the person who cast a vote is the one entitled to vote. As our Clive explains: You can, like Votem does, over-engineer the management of the vote and the recording and tracking of a vote through the tabulation mechanism. But thats the easy bit of a vote. The hard stuff is being absolutely sure that youve enrolled every single voter who has the franchise while purposely excluding anyone who is ineligible to participate in the poll. You then have to capture every vote which has been validity cast but rigorously screen out votes which have been invalidated and there are many reasons why a vote which has been cast by a registered and authorised voter might be deemed invalid, plus the possibility that the vote has been cast by someone other than an eligible voter. Thats why you stumble to the end Votems outpouring of technical-sounding buzzwords unable to answer the simple enough question: how do we get our voters onto the Votem platform in the first place? If even Votem cant explain it, its probably because it cant be done. A voting platform which cant offer a facility to build the electoral roll is fatally flawed from the get-go. 8 Our colleagues volunteered that the assets of Everyone Counts had very little value, so its not as if Votem had to write a big check. 9 Votem was within its rights to decline the part of our request that CalPERS forwarded to Votem, but to have an attorney tell such a ham-handed falsehood is not a good look. By Lambert Strether of Corrente. UPDATE I got a late start, so I added more. lambert Trade Fortnites Digital Goods Are Key to the Future of Global Trade [Bloomberg]. Discussions about globalizationand its costs and benefitsoften focus on physical goods such as steel beams, cars, or soybeans. The reality is that the integration of economies is increasingly a digital one that happens in invisible daily burstslike the sessions in which far-flung armies of Fortnite players face off against each other on an imaginary island. The digital economy is everywhere, and much of it is international without our even knowing it, says Anupam Chander, a law professor and expert on digital trade at Georgetown University. If we dont always fully appreciate the scale of whats going on, its because much of digital trade is not being captured in official statistics, says Susan Lund of the McKinsey Global Institute, the consultants in-house think tank. In a report, Lund and her co-authors documented an explosion in global data flows that they argued generated $2.8 trillion in economic output in 2014 alone and was doing more to benefit the world economy than the stalling international trade in physical goods. Maybe this is why the elites are letting women take over defense industry, the Pentagon, and chores like torture; the real action is digital. Perhaps a global warming play as well? China has a lot more to lose than the US in trade war, says Credit Suisse [South China Morning Post]. The possibility that the United States and China are closer to resolving their trade dispute has stoked optimism among investors. But insufficient attention may be being paid to what happens if no deal is struck, according to John Woods, Credit Suisses chief investment officer for Asia-Pacific. Its quite clear to me that China has a lot more to lose than the United States and, hence, the apparent willingness of the authorities to go the extra mile and secure something meaningful, Woods said. The threat of a trade war is helping reset supply chains as exporters in some countries find opportunities amid the disruption. Most Asia-Pacific nations support removing trade barriers. even as many are finding short-term opportunities to attract manufacturing exporters seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs on Chinese products. The trade battle is accelerating a trend of manufacturing shifting from China to Southeast Asia [Wall Street Journal]. Still, many businesses say they prefer predictability and are eager to see the dispute end. For Southeast Asias manufacturing and shipping businesses, supply-chain disruptions and slower global growth are a larger threat. Logistics and transportation networks have contributed increasingly to the regions economy as container-port traffic has expanded there in recent years. Politics But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51 2020 New Cold War One of the creepier tweets Ive read recently: An important reminder to all left- and center-left folks who have fallen in love in recent years with counterintelligence: Doing counterintelligence well requires counterintelligence authorities. Please don't forget that when all this is over. Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) January 13, 2019 Of course, Witte confuses left and liberal. The left remembers counter-intelligence operations like COINTELPRO quite well, thank you very much. Not to forget the mole British military intelligence planted inside the Sanders campaign because, ya know, the Five Eyes always help each other out. Realignment and Legitimacy To Take Back the Map, Democrats Need a Plan to Revive Heartland Cities [Washington Monthly]. To avoid watching in horror as the Senate slips away forever while the Electoral College map becomes ever more daunting, liberals need a long-term strategy to combat the decline of heartland citiesto turn Clevelands into Denvers. To do so, they need to first recognize that geographic inequality did not come out of nowhere. It is not the inevitable product of free market forces clustering new skill and innovation around where all the old skill and innovation are foundnothing makes people in St. Louis or Milwaukee any less talented than people in San Francisco or Washington, D.C. Instead, its the result of nearly four decades of policy choices in Washingtonsuch as giving large banks and other corporations in elite coastal cities free rein to acquire rival firms headquartered in cities in Americas interior. This has stripped those interior cities of what were once their economic engines, even as it has enriched the already wealthy coastal megalopolises. I cant imagine why Clara let this through. Its an open assault not only on Clintons optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward formulation, but on the very idea of meritocracy. Possibly because its a monopolies story? In Bangor, first the malls destroyed the downtown. I dont know if thats a monopoly story or not. Then Amazon destroyed the Malls. I dont know what happens now. Serial predator: L.A. writer has been sounding alarm on Ed Buck for over a year [NBC]. [Jasmyne Cannick] conducted interviews with first-hand sources: men who said they went to Bucks apartment for paid sex and drugs, several of whom told her that Buck offered them more money for the chance to administer an injection of crystal methamphetamine, the most dangerous way to take a dangerous drug. All of her reports are published on her personal website. The California Democrat Party establishment has some splainin to do Stats Watch There are no official statistics of note today. Debt: Fed: Q3 2018 Household Debt Service Ratio at Series Low [Calculated Risk]. The Feds Household Debt Service ratio through Q3 2018 was released last week: Household Debt Service and Financial Obligations Ratios. I used to track this quarterly back in 2005 and 2006 to point out that households were taking on excessive financial obligations. This data has limited value in terms of absolute numbers, but is useful in looking at trends This data suggests aggregate household cash flow has improved significantly since the great recession. Commodities: The worlds biggest soybean buyer just gave DowDuPont Inc. a late Christmas present. China approved the companys new herbicide-resistant soybean, opening new markets for American farmers who are struggling to control hard-to-kill weeds: [Wall Street Journal]. DowDupont had been holding back on sales in the U.S. as China considered the strain. Beijings decision this week on the Enlist soybean and other genetically engineered crops developed by Bayer AG and Syngenta makes good on part of a trade pact aimed at speeding up the biotech approvals process, which some U.S. industry officials criticize as opaque. The move comes as trade negotiators are working to ease tensions between the two countries. Retaliatory tariffs drove U.S. soybean exports to China down by 62% in the first 10 months of 2018, squeezing U.S. farmers who are spending more on chemicals as herbicide-resistant weeds spread across the U.S. farm belt. The Bezzle: Tidal under criminal investigation in Norway over faked streams [Engadget]. High-fidelity music streaming service Tidal is under criminal investigation in Norway for allegedly inflating album streams for Beyonces Lemonade and Kanye Wests The Life of Pablo. The alleged faking of streaming numbers was exposed last year by Norwegian newspaper Dagens Nringsliv (DN), which said it had obtained a hard drive with the tampered data. Around 1.3 million accounts were supposedly used to lift the play counts of said albums by several hundred million, with Tidal paying out higher royalty fees to the two artists and their record labels as a result. Today, DN revealed that Norways National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (kokrim) has begun an investigation into data manipulation at Tidal. Though still in its early stages, kokrim says that at least four former Tidal employees (including its former head of business intelligence responsible for analyzing streams) have been interrogated in front of a judge as part of the investigation. Tidal emerged from Jay-Zs acquisition of its Norway-based parent company Aspiro in 2015. But its been dogged by reports of failed royalty payments and faked subscriber counts since 2016. The following year it received a welcome boost when Sprint purchased a third of the company for $200 million. Later in 2017, Tidal lost one of its original artist-owners in Kanye West, who claimed the company owed him $3 million. The Bezzle: Scooter startup Bird tried to silence a journalist. It did not go well. [TechCrunch]. The whole debacle started after Doctorow wrote about how Birds many abandoned scooters can be easily converted into a personal scooter by swapping out its innards with a plug-and-play converter kit. Citing an initial write-up by Hackaday, these scooters can have all recovery and payment components permanently disabled using the converter kit, available for purchase from China on eBay for about $30. Bird didnt like this much. Tech: PayPal Quietly Took Over the Checkout Button [Bloomberg]. PayPals most impressive statistic may be its conversion rate. People who design online and mobile shopping apps are obsessed with smoothing and shortening the path from idle browsing to purchasehumans are acquisitive and impulsive creatures, but theyre also easily distracted and bad at remembering their credit card numbers. Too many options hurts conversion, and so does having to type out stuff or wait for a page to load. PayPals conversion rate is lights-out: Eighty-nine percent of the time a customer gets to its checkout page, he makes the purchase. For other online credit and debit card transactions, that number sits at about 50 percent. Astonishing, but true. When I hit the PayPal button, my decision is already made. Not sure why. UPDATE Tech: Contactless payments are coming to the US, another threat to the use of cash [Quartz]. Contactless payments are set to finally become widespread in the US, posing a renewed challenge to the use of cash Britains experience with contactless payments shows how it gives physical cash a run for its money. Spending using contactless cards rose to 3 billion ($3.8 billion) in 2017, up from 117 million in 2014, according to the UK Cards Association. A CMSPI consultancy case study of a large fast-food chain found that contactless payments catch on quickly, cannibalizing both cash and card payments. The study showed that contactless transactions increased by 64% in one year to account for 27% of all purchases, while cash declined by 11%. Contactless payments in the UK also got a boost when the London underground tube network began using them. New York Citys subway is adopting the same technology, which is expected to go online this year. Well see how New Yorkers like it, especially since their subway has other and more pressing issues. When I was in London, I had to used contactless, and I loathed it, because it wasnt contactless at all; you had to tap a card, which you also had to load, making it slower than cash. There were also vendors who used contactless exclusively the Post Office, I think so in order to print a couple of Xeroxes, I had to go through an enormous rigamorale. Tech: AWS, MongoDB, and the Economic Realities of Open Source [Stratechery]. MongoDBs enterprise version [are governed by] a new MongoDB-created license called the Server Side Public License (SSPL). The SSPL is like the AGPL on steroids: it compels companies selling MongoDB-as-a-service to not only open-source their modifications, but also open-source their entire stack The largest company selling software-as-a-service is, of course, Amazon. This is very interesting article, which culminates in a discussion of how a dominant AWS stack running open source software could end up making everyone worse of. Tech: America desperately needs fiber internet, and the tech giants wont save us [Recode]. Were paying rent essentially as a country to a handful of companies that are selling second-rate, extraordinarily expensive internet access. Its basically the cable companies. If you live, say, in Austin, youve got one choice of a cable operator, local cable monopoly, whos gonna sell you internet access. And its extraordinarily expensive. Its asymmetrical, meaning that youre mostly downloading, not uploading. This is actually dumbing down the entire country and our ability to compete on the international stage. Thats the issue. Rural broadband would be nice. Youd expect my town, a university town, to have it, but of course we dont. Tech: The five most important new jobs in AI, according to KPMG [Quartz]. I dont see a job description for whoever has to clean up the mess when they go nuts and have to be rebooted, because nobody knows how to maintain them, because nobody understands why they do what they do. Maybe that jobs gonna be outsourced UPDATE Manufacturing: The Next American Car Recession Has Already Started [Bloomberg]. American automakers are closing factories, cutting shifts and laying off thousands of workers. The industry is behaving like a recession has arrived. In one segment of the market, it has. Detroit is in the grips of a car recession marked by the collapse of demand for traditional sedans, which accounted for half the market just six years ago. Buyers have made a mass exodus out of classic family cars and into sport utility vehicles Sales of the passenger-car body style thats dominated the industry since the Model T will sink to 21.5 percent of the U.S. market by 2025, according to researchers at LMC Automotive, relegating sedans to fringe products. That leaves automakers with excess factory capacity that can turn out about 3 million more vehicles than buyers want. And overcapacity is precisely what spurred losses the last time a recession wracked the industry. Yikes! Mr. Market: Markets Take the Lead When It Comes to Factoring in Recession [Bloomberg]. Many financial markets are already signaling that the U.S. is more likely than not hurtling toward recession. But will they prove prescient or overly fretful?.Bank of Americas recession indicators have also jumped noticeably in recent weeks, even as their analysts say the economic data doesnt show that. . The fundamentals are changing, but not as bad as what the market seems to be pricing in, said Aaron Clark, a portfolio manager at Boston-based GW&K Investment Management managing $36 billion. The one risk was that could change, and maybe all this pessimism turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the equity-market and asset-price declines have contagion to the real economy.' Mr. Market: Are Market Moves Happening Faster? [A Wealth of Common Sense]. Try as I may, I couldnt find a discernable difference in the speed of downdrafts or recoveries between in the pre-Internet and current information age. Both environments were filled with quick market moves, drawn-out bear markets, short recoveries, brutally long sideways periods and everything in between. Every generation assumes the current state of the world is uniquely terrible, uncertain, or special. The same seems to apply to market environments. Rapture Index: Closes unchanged. [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 181. Testing the 180 floor again. Remember that bringing on the rapture is a good thing. The Biosphere BP just discovered a billion barrels of oil in the Gulf of Mexico [CNBC]. Swell. Leave it right there. That way well always know where it is. Our Famously Free Press UPDATE The ABCs of Jacobin [Columbia Journalism Review]. New magazines begin here: with the sure knowledge that something is missing, that the existing options arent cutting it. what seems indisputable is that socialist has been sapped, at least among Democrats, of its derisive force. And while its too much to suggest that Jacobin was responsible for this change, its equally too little to suggest that the magazine was swept along helplessly but happily by a rising red tide. More than once [publisher Bhaskar Sunkara] told me that he has always thought of Jacobin as a political project, not a media project. What the rise of Jacobin suggests, however, is just how inextricable, and maybe even indistinguishable, those categories turn out to be. Come, come. Anybody who reads the Times or WaPo knows that. Class Warfare The Truth About the Gig Economy [Annie Lowry, The Atlantic] (original). Last week two influential labor economists revised down their much-cited estimate of the size of the alternative workforce, meaning workers in temporary, on-call, contract, or freelance positions. Lawrence Katz of Harvard and Alan Krueger of Princeton had initially found that this workforce grew five percentage points in the decade up to 2015, accounting for nearly all job creation over that time period. Now they think it is more like one or two points. Their correction comes shortly after a major government surveyone that surprised a lot of labor and workforce expertsfound that 3.8 percent of workers held contingent jobs as of 2017, roughly the same share as in 2005. Oops. L.A. teachers strike: Tens of thousands walk off job in Los Angeles [Los Angeles Times]. Tens of thousands of Los Angeles teachers went on strike Monday after negotiations in the nations second-largest school district collapsed. Braving rain, teachers carrying signs saying on strike for our students and umbrellas stood in picket lines Monday morning demanding smaller class sizes, more nurses, counselors and librarians, higher wages for educators and more accountability for charter schools. There were picket lines at 900 schools across the city, United Teachers Los Angeles union president and teacher Alex < said at a news conference Monday." AOC instantly weighs in-- So very proud of LA public school teachers today for taking a stand. Teachers are the unsung heroes of American democracy. Today theyre putting everything on the line so our nations children can have a better shot. https://t.co/wlAUJoitmx Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 14, 2019 Nancy? Chuck? UPDATE Streaming Class Struggle [Jacobin]. On Saturday, one of the biggest retail traffic days of the year, she released a Bernie Sanders-style video, in which she interviews laid-off Toys R Us workers in the Bronx. The video is notable for how it addresses class struggle head on. Workers tell stories of working conditions steadily deteriorating until they lost their jobs altogether, followed by their bosses denying them promised severance pay. The workers subsequently won about $20 million for a severance fund for around thirty-three thousand workers. But workers and advocates claim they are owed at least $75 million. The video runs across the screen the names of the heads of venture capital firms and lenders responsible for shutting down Toys R Us, noting how much each has paid to the workers severance fund. As we might expect, most have contributed nothing. Sanders has been producing class-struggle videos and posting them online regularly since early 2017. Many of the videos are wildly popular, with some of the live town hallstyle events receiving more viewers than cable news programs running at the same time. Sanders is reportedly obsessed with the videos view numbers, frequently asking staff how recent videos are being received. You want intersectionality? Look at a strike, and to the unions: News of the Wired The Dog Who Took the Witness Stand [Hidden History]. nd now call the dog, said Judge Edward Kimball to the bailiff. How to Counter Misinformation [Anthropology News]. The problem with the presss standard fact-checking approach is that the refutation of lies often backfires due to the familiarity of the misinformation (familiarity backfire effect), the complexity of the refutations (overkill backfire effect), or the defensive processing of facts at odds with partisan views (worldview backfire effect). These backfire and boomerang (Hart and Nisbet 2011) effects mean that the traditional fact-checking approach may even lead people to strengthen factually inaccurate understandings when presented with preference-incongruent information (Nyhan and Reifler 2010) The key to correcting misinformation lies in creating what George Lakoff calls a truth sandwich or adopting what John Cook describes as a fact-myth-fallacy structure for refuting false claims. I read the whole thing twice, becaue the contemporary relevance is obvious, and I couldnt find a simple formula for the structure. Then I found it, in a textual figure not labeled as a figure. Typing the formula in: How to Counter a False Claim. 1 State, repeat, and reinforce the fact. 2 Warn of and point out the false claim 3 Explain how the false claim distorts. Physician, heal thyself? Comparison of 3 P2P protocols [Christopher Reay, Googledocs]. Holochain, ActivityPub, Secure Scuttlebutt. The Rise and Demise of RSS [Vice]. Though of course some people really do still rely on RSS readers, stubbornly adding an RSS feed to your blog, even in 2019, is a political statement. That little tangerine bubble has become a wistful symbol of defiance against a centralized web increasingly controlled by a handful of corporations, a web that hardly resembles the syndicated web of [Kevin Werbachs imagining [in Release 1.0]. For this old-timer, it looks like an RDF/namespaces debacle, or debacle squared. Oh well. Different aesthetics (1): Alas, one of the best refutations of Marie Kondo isn't available online: Hugh Kenner's "The Untidy Desk and the Larger Order of Things (Discover magazine 1987 & Kenner's collection "Mazes"). Someone should post! Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) January 14, 2019 (Heer found Kenners essay: The Untidy Desk and the Larger Order of Things (PDF). Different aesthetics (2): A isn't enough for this floor routine by @katelyn_ohashi. pic.twitter.com/pqUzl7AlUA UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) January 13, 2019 * * * 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 (via): Hesperantha coccinea (Scarlet river lily; crimson flag lily). are two of the many common names used for * * * : 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! The November 2018 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Advanced Level results are out and candidates can start collecting them from their respective centres starting tomorrow. Zimsec board chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje, made the announcement at a press briefing this afternoon. On behalf of The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Board and Management it gives me pleasure to advise the nation of the release of the November 2018 ZIMSEC Advanced Level Examination results, he said. Prof Mwenje said the candidates recorded a 81.9 percent pass rate. More to follow Herald Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Exiled former Minister of Youth Patrick Zhuwao has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa that ZANU PF legislators are plotting to impeach him. Writing in his Zhuwao Brief on Monday Zhuwao said, You already know that most of the ZANU PF legislatures are itching to impeach you as you correctly observed on Wednesday 30 May 2018. The mass action is spurring them on to save the nation and their constituents from further suffering and to also protect their jobs. Zhuwao said Mnangagwa has failed to uphold the constitution and those are the grounds that will be used to impeach him. Grounds for your impeachment in terms of Section 97(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe for (a) serious misconduct , (b) failure to obey, uphold and defend the constitution ,and (c) willful violation of the constitution are being prepared. Zhuwao further urged Mnangagwa to follow the example of former President Robert Mugabe and accept his fate to save the lives of Zimbabweans. As your impeachment looms, it is in your best interest that you accept it and contain your die hard sycophants from engaging in conduct that will be attributed to you in both local courts and International courts of justice. You must take a leaf from President Mugabe who chose to save lives by accepting your treachery in November 2017.The nation needs to move forward with dialogue to institute necessary reforms and restore legitimacy as the basis for resolving the economic crisis. Last year there were reports that Vice President Constantino Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga was plotting with ZANU PF officials and members of parliament to impeach President Emmerson Mnangagwa soon after elections. During the harmonized elections campaign President Mnangagwa warned ZANU PF members for plotting to impeach him and told them that he had all the information of their plots. Zhuwao is in exile after fleeing the bloody the coup that ended Robert Mugabes 37 years of iron fist rule. Bulawayo24 Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News ZDF soldiers have been spotted patrolling Bulawayos streets as the situation intensified in the protest against the recent hike in the price of fuel by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. However, it is yet to be established if the soldiers have been deployed onto the streets to restore order especially in light of what happened on August 1, 2008, when the military shot and killed at least 6 innocent civilians in Harare. Earlier on the police were being pelted by stones in Bulawayo. Bulawayo has had the more intense of demonstrations today as protesters in Harare appeared subdued by riot police. Commuters were stranded in Zimbabwes two main cities on Monday as angry protesters reacting to the weekend more than doubling of fuel prices, burned tyres and used rocks to barricade roads and blocked buses from carrying passengers. Residents in Epworth, a poor suburb east of the capital Harare, on Monday woke up to find boulders blocking roads leading to the city centre. Its tense since early morning, Nhamo Tembo, a resident told media. Roads are blocked with huge stones and there are angry people preventing commuter buses from carrying passengers. People are just stranded, he said. In the city of Bulawayo, demonstrators attacked kombis heading to the city centre and used burning tyres and stones to block the main routes into town while some schools were turning away pupils fearing for their safety. In Mabvuku high density suburbs in Harare, protesters turned rowdy and looted a grocery supermarket Choppies. More to follow Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Zimbabweans finding it hard to embrace a shock 150 percent overnight fuel increase should park their cars and ride bicycles instead, a minister said on Sunday. Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi also issued a chilling threat on Zimbabweans contemplating taking their protest into the streets, warning they may lose a limb. Transport operators and businesses were reviewing their prices upwards on Sunday after President Emmerson Mnangagwa, speaking to reporters late Saturday, said his government raised the price of petrol to $3,31, up from $1,38, while diesel will now sell for $3,11 per litre up from $1,32. Mnangagwa said the shock increase, which would make fuel unaffordable for many Zimbabweans, would address a persistent shortfall in the fuel market attributable to the increased fuel usage in the economy and compounded by rampant illegal currency and fuel trading activities. Former presidential candidate Nkosana Moyo said the government was practising voodoo economics and MDC vice president Professor Welshman Ncube said Mnangagwa was worse than Robert Mugabe, the man he toppled in a military coup in November 2017 while promising to make things better. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the countrys main labour movement, called for an indefinite nationwide stay-away starting on Monday, accusing the government of provocation. Adding fuel to the fire, Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi the second top ranking government spokesperson suggested Zimbabweans should sell or park their cars. Faced with high fuel costs, clever people know what to do and here are some tips: Avoid fuel guzzler, reduce fleet, cancel unnecessary trips and use bicycles where possible to save BIG. Do not protest in the street you can lose a limp (sic) in skirmishes, Mutodi said on Twitter. https://twitter.com/energymutodi/status/1084431251317108736 He claimed the new fuel prices, the highest in the region, would stamp out arbitrage in the fuel sector and normalise fuel supply even as he added that Zimbabweans must brace for commodity price volatility emanating from the fuel price shock. Volatility will be temporary before goods prices normalise, he insisted. The embattled government knows it is sitting on a powder keg and has been making threats to deter the opposition and labour unions from taking their frustrations into the streets. Mutodis warning that Zimbabweans will lose limbs appeared designed to harvest the fear induced by the August 1 street shooting of 35 opposition activists by the military in central Harare during protests against delays in announcing results of the Presidential Election held on July 30 last year. Surely, by now, it must be abundantly clear even to the most intellectually ungifted that a condition sine qua non (condition precedent) of Zimbabwes progress is the removal from power of Zanu PF in all its manifestations either as a civilian formation or quasi-military entity, Professor Ncube said on Sunday. MDC leader Nelson Chamisa on Saturday said he was ready to lead and stand ready to play a key role in finding a lasting solution, but has not outlined what his party intends to do to bring the pressure to bear on the Zanu PF government which he has refused to recognise since the disputed election. ZimLive Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwas motorcade was on Friday allegedly blocked by a long-winding fuel queue at Westgate roundabout in Harare West. Mnangagwa is said to have been on his way to attend the Addrotech machinery showcase at Gwebi College. The motorists reportedly refused to move off the way and Mnangagwa was forced to abandon the journey. The country has been experiencing acute fuel shortages over the past three months. Long snaking queues have become the order of the day. The government seems to be at sixes and sevens in dealing with the crisis as it not able to diagnose the cause of the crisis. Shortage of foreign currency, hoarding of fuel, consumption of fuel by small luxury cars, and social media have all been blamed by the officials for causing the fuel crisis. Commuter omnibuses, private motorists and long distance buses are spending endless and often fruitless hours queuing for petrol at the countrys dry filling stations. Zimbabwe has, for a long time now, been struggling to pay its foreign suppliers of fuel and other commodities due to its dire finances which economists say has been worsened by corruption and mismanagement. The president of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (Paz), Tafadzwa Goliati, told the Daily News yesterday that the ongoing transport blues in the country were a manifestation of a national crisis. Passengers are suffering because commuter operators use their own discretion to hike fares, and the government has been quiet. Passengers are now boarding transport that is not recommended, trying to save as much money as possible. Passengers are even boarding the top deck of buses, paying $1, while others are faced with the crisis of using $6 for a single trip to and from work, Goliati said. This comes as both commuter omnibus and long distance bus operators have sharply increased their fares, citing the fuel shortages and the rising prices of spare parts which they now pay for in US dollars. In the meantime, the demand for fuel has also increased following the return from the festive season by most people, as well the opening of schools. As a result, most commuters are now paying as high as $8 for trips that normally cost $1, while long distance bus operators are charging anything up to $60 on routes that once attracted a high fare of $25 before the fuel crisis kicked in. In the capital city, the representative of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators (Ghaco), Ngoni Katsvairo, said until the fuel shortages were resolved, the current transport crisis would continue. All this is because the fuel situation has remained the same. We wait for hours in fuel queues and use a full tank just for about one to two days, and then we return again to the fuel queue. In terms of price hikes perhaps this is because of cartels, especially those who operate mushika-shika, but at the ranks fares should still be the same, Katsvairo said. According to the government, Zimbabwe now requires on average US$100 million per month to cater for its fuel imports. However, the acute shortages of foreign currency in the country have seen the worsening of long and winding fuel queues which Zimbabweans had hoped would now be a thing of the past. The country is currently in the grip of a huge economic crisis which has also resulted in shortages of basic consumer goods and medicines. Apart from shortages, the government is also struggling to end the doctors strike and to avoid further industrial actions by the rest of the civil service, which is pressing for salaries to be paid in US dollars. ZoomZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The Zimbabwe Republic Police has deployed officers in all residential areas, shopping centres and the Central Business District to conduct patrols, surveillance and stop and search following some social media articles agitating Zimbabweans to engage in violence and unsanctioned demonstrations. In a statement yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema implored Zimbabweans to disregard the social media posts. My ministry assures all peace loving citizens and visitors that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has deployed officers in all residential, shopping centres and CBD to conduct patrols, surveillance, stop and search and in the process account for unruly elements who may try to disturb the tranquil environment which is prevailing in the country, he said. May I urge Zimbabweans to continue undertaking their various social and economic activities as usual. Members of the public should feel free to access services from various entities without any hindrance. In the same vein, said Minister Mathema, transport operators should continue to offer services to potential passengers as stipulated in their Road Service Permits and Route Authorities. He urged drivers to report any acts of intimidation and incitement to commit violence to the police for swift action to be taken. My ministry has implored security agencies to take action on some rogue groups who are circulating old photo-shopped videos and pictures of purported violence and demonstrations on the pretext that this is taking place in Zimbabwe, said Minister Mathema. The Commissioner-General of Police has put the Zimbabwe Republic Police on high alert and will ensure that the law is applied without fear or favour on anyone who incites or engages in any form of violence and unsanctioned gathering. The Zanu-PF Youth League also issued a stern warning against opposition elements bent on causing chaos in the country. Addressing a Press conference yesterday, Youth League national deputy secretary Cde Lewis Matutu said: We will not allow the opposition to push us into a corner, we know they have promised to destroy cars and infrastructure, so we say to them this is not going to help anyone, it is either them or us, no one is going to be helped by demonstrations. This is not a church, obviously we will not sit down and watch them destroy us, causing anarchy and violence in Zimbabwe. That is not going to happen. Cde Matutu said people should not be misled by the opposition. So, those people who are going to be very unfortunate to be misled we would like to say to them at the end of the day after you would have been abused and used to cause violence in town, at the end of the day you will go back to your homes, he said. These demonstrations are not going to provide these basic commodities to you. Our appeal is not to the MDC, but to the general public as they are the ones who my then be caught unaware of the consequences, so we say to them do not be misled or abused. After years of international isolation, Zimbabwes economy has been in decline for more than a decade with cash shortages, high unemployment and a recent scarcity of basic staples like bread and cooking oil. In a televised address late Saturday, Mnangagwa said prices of petrol and diesel would more than double to tackle a shortfall caused by increased demand and rampant illegal trading. Mnangagwa, who took over from longtime leader Robert Mugabe and won a disputed election last July, also announced a package of measures to help state workers after strikes by doctors and teachers over poor pay. He said from midnight on Saturday, petrol prices would rise from $1.24 a litre to $3.31 (2.89 euros) and diesel from $1.36 a litre to $3.11. Herald Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A former aide of ousted president Robert Mugabe has spilled the beans from his foreign base, saying Zanu PF has serious divisions that do not always play out in public. Lawrence Kamwi, who served as head of former first lady Grace Mugabes office and principal private secretary to the president also insinuated that Mugabes lieutenants used to make decisions behind his back. In two revealing publications, published by a United Kingdom-based online publication, Kamwi, said there were a lot of cover-ups over the past years on what was really transpiring within the corridors of power. He said the country is paying a heavy price for years of cover-ups, warning ominously that because government and political party voices remain largely untrustworthy, Zimbabweans face a clear and present danger. Truth must be accorded its place. My previous instalment was summarised as portraying president Mugabe as a man held hostage, a man who was not acting alone. That is a fair comment. However, I wish to add that my experiences inside government and my contact with Zanu PF revealed desperate attempts to hold a fragmenting or fragmented edifice together. By day, elaborate, subtle and sly efforts to choreograph(ed) unity and cohesion in Zanu PF and a singleness of purpose in government seemed to work. Behind the scenes, a different act was playing out, Kamwi said. He said Mnangagwa was particularly powerful in Mugabes Government to the extent that he together with Chiwenga at one time held the former President hostage at State House for more than four hours. Mnangagwa could change Mugabes meeting schedules and overturn decisions of the former President, said Kamwi in the article in which he painted a gloomy picture of the prospects of turning around the fortunes of ZBC and making its editorial line more professional. According to the foreign-based former advisor, the country has lived a lie for too long. At one time, I would join colleagues in the airport VIP lounge while waiting for either the presidents arrival from or departure for a trip. That was until then CDF (Commander Defence Forces) Constantino Chiwenga accosted me, and asked me to tell the bosses to leave the farm in Banket, Mashonaland West Province. I did not know about the farm. On our next encounter, the CDF asked then police commissioner-general, Augustine Chihuri, to brief me on the farm. In short, the story was the Mugabes must leave the (High Court) Judge to farm in peace; after all he is one of the few who remains loyal to the party, he said. He further said after the incident he received two phone calls from Grace, who told him to be careful, claiming he may be shot. The failure to speak truthfully about the countrys problems, to deal and work honestly, has immensely contributed to the plague of mistrust that is synonymous with Zimbabwes politics. Trying to drown out the peoples legitimate grievances will not work; neither will the reckless use of propaganda. This evergreen counsel should prick consciences: communication should not be a crisis management or reputational repair tool. Can Zimbabwes politicians rise above self-interest, myopia and incompetent behavioural responses? he questioned. His statement comes at a time when the government junior doctors have just agreed to go back to work after a strike that lasted 40 days. They were demanding to be paid in United States dollars. In apparent reference to the Mnangagwa-led administrations intention to be viewed as a new dispensation, Kamwi said the problems the country is facing date back to the Mugabe era, where allegations of State repression were rampant and economic meltdown characterised the former presidents 37 years in power. It is easy to speak about Mugabes days of terror, repression, economic meltdown, selfish inward looking, international isolation, unprecedented corruption and gross incompetence. But he did not operate on his own. Further, people have overestimated his power. I worked with the man. No, he was not a saint. However, in similar fashion, I do not accept the exaggeration of his sins, he said. He also spoke about the militarys escapades in the diamond mining project. On another day, Mnangagwa and the CDF held an extraordinarily long meeting with the president. I only got to know how acrimonious the meeting was when Mrs Mugabe called. The two had allegedly held the president hostage in his office for four hours. At issue was the subject of diamond mining, where the defence forces were unilaterally expanding the size of their concession. In this expansion, they had also taken over a protected concession. The former first lady claimed they refused to listen to the presidents reasons for the existence of the disputed mining claim, he said. Kamwi got his first job as a reporter at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). After six years at the ZBC, he joined government information services in 1995. He also served as head of the first ladys office and principal private secretary to the president. After his wife lost a struggle with pulmonary embolism in 2006, he applied for early retirement to become a full-time single parent and an aspiring writer. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Hainan Provincial People's Government was inaugurated in Sanya over the weekend with the aim of soliciting advice and suggestions that will further advance the opening-up of the tropical island and the development of the China (Hainan) Pilot Free Trade Zone established by the central government in April. Seated on the first advisory council are five well-known Chinese entrepreneurs and economists: Jack Ma, founder and chairman of Alibaba, Pony Ma, chairman and CEO of Tencent, Ning Gaoning, chairman of Sinochem, Zhou Qiren, a professor and economist at Peking University's National School of Development, and Liang Jianzhang, co-founder and chairman of online travel agency Ctrip. Jack Ma was elected council chairman and Pony Ma vice-chairman at the meeting on Saturday. Shen Xiaoming, governor of Hainan, said the business leaders will focus on the strategic positioning of the Hainan FTZ, the largest of its kind worldwide. They will offer advice and suggestions to help the province achieve major national strategic objectives, and fulfill its main responsibilities, set by the central government, to comprehensively deepen Hainan's reform and opening-up and build the pilot free trade zone and free trade port with Chinese characteristics. The advisory council will grow and include more Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs, said Ni Qiang, secretary-general of the provincial government. They will meet in Hainan every December to provide advice and suggestions to help make the government decisionmaking more forward looking and scientific. At the first advisory council meeting, whose theme was how to best situate the Hainan FTZ within the global resource allocation pattern, Jack Ma suggested the province build a digital free trade port, explore new trade rules in the digital economy era, and make trade simple, convenient, modern and universal. He called for more attention given to cultivating small and mediumsized enterprises into big companies, promoting vocational education and attracting more young people to start innovative businesses, and set off a real "gold rush". Pony Ma suggested closer regional integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and industrial synergy to highlight smart tourism. Ning encouraged Hainan to introduce strategic measures that can lead the nation's reform and opening-up drive and build a legal system that is in line with international practice. Zhou suggested Hainan levy zero tariffs islandwide and make good use of its advantages in medical services and seed breeding to tap markets in North Asia and Southeast Asia. Xia Feng, a researcher at the China Institute for Reform and Development in Haikou, said the advisory council will be an effective and timely mechanism for promoting the development of e-commerce and digital economy in Hainan, crucial in the initial stage of free trade zone (port) development. The entrepreneurs will also set an example in helping to bring in talented management professionals, who are in short supply in Hainan, he added. And their suggestions and experience in helping to upgrade the business environment will help Hainan catch up with advanced cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen and become a national leader. The advisory council is also expected to help explore institutional innovation, open opportunities of cooperation between Hainan and top domestic and overseas business players and help cultivate the province's global image, said Ni. Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris has stepped up his real estate game. Emerging as a star for the high-flying Nuggets, the 24-year-old recently purchased a luxe condo in Denver for $4.5 million. The three-bedroom, 3.5-bath private residence atop the Four Seasons Hotel offers custom finishes and city skyline views. A missing 12-year-old girl that was sought by the Live Oak Sheriff's Office was found safe in Laredo, according to officials. An Amber Alert was issued Monday morning after Marisol Arroyo was reported missing. A man drove himself to the hospital after a suspect shot him in the face with a shotgun late Sunday on the South Side, police said. The victim and a woman were pulled over on the side of the road after 11 p.m. in the 800 block of Fitch Avenue when the suspect allegedly approached and shot at them. San Antonio police arrested another suspect believed to be responsible for the slaying of a 51-year-old man during a home invasion in October. Officers took Henry Lozano, 29, into custody after pulling him over in a traffic stop, police said in a Facebook post Monday. He was wanted for murder in connection to the fatal shooting of David Escobedo. A woman who had been charged with capital murder in the killing of a San Antonio police officer in Atascosa County was sentenced Monday to life in prison for her role in the death. Jenevieve Ramos and her boyfriend, Shaun Puente, had robbed four small businesses in San Antonio at gunpoint during a two-week spree. Ramos was driving the getaway car when they became involved in a highway chase that began in San Antonio and ended in Atascosa County when Puente repeatedly fired a pistol out the back window of the car around midnight Dec. 8, 2013, hitting San Antonio Police Officer Robert Deckards patrol car. Detectives are searching for three men accused of breaking into a northeast Houston home and robbing a woman inside. Home surveillance video of the daring mid-morning heist shows three men enter the home around 10 a.m. Nov. 8 in the 7200 block of Springdale Street. The sound of the break-in awoke the woman in the home, who searched throughout the home for anything amiss and found the back door propped open, according to the Houston Police Department. NEW: Man charged in New Year's Day crash that killed innocent driver She called her sister, who also lives in the home, to check if she had left the door open before leaving earlier in the day. The sister told the woman that she had not left the door open, police said. Moments later, the three men entered the home again. This time, one of them was armed with a handgun and another with a pan from the home's kitchen. By that point, the woman had barricaded herself in her bedroom to hide from the intruders. One of the men kicked down her bedroom door and stole her iPhone before the trio fled the scene. The first suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 23 years old with a medium build, white shirt and red pants. The second suspect is described as black male, 20 to 23 years old with a black hoodie and red pants. Detectives did not release a detailed description of the third suspect. Anyone with information about the robbery is urged to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-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 Many Chinese parents have mixed feelings about the government's latest move to lighten the schoolwork burden on primary and middle school students. While some parents think the move to reduce the study burden might free their children from the pressure of a pile of papers and textbooks and let them enjoy childhood, others worry that when public schools reduce the number of homework assignments, make tests easier and downgrade the importance of scores, it is the parents who must step into the vacuum to provide their children with more extracurricular learning to help them stand out from their peers and eventually gain admission to a good university. The government's "academic burden reduction" policies have been around for decades, but recently re-entered mainstream public debate. That was prompted by the Ministry of Education and eight other departments issuing a guideline on Dec 28 containing 30 detailed measures not only for schools but for after-school training institutions, parents and education authoritiesall aiming to reduce students' academic burden. The Chinese government issued its first guideline on reducing students' academic pressure in 1955. A more recent guideline, issued by the ministry in 2013, mainly focused on schools, including forbidding primary schools from setting up key classes based on students' scores and forbidding middle schools from having enrollment tests. The new guideline forbids afterschool training institutions from engaging in exam-oriented training or hiring teachers from public schools. It also forbids education authorities from evaluating schools on the basis of their students' enrollment rates in top high schools and stresses the need to reform the high school and college entrance exam systems, which evaluate schools solely on test scores. Parents should form scientific parenting concepts and refrain from competing with others, it said. Cui Shifeng, principal at Hefei Hupo Mingcheng Primary School in Anhui province, said that although the education authorities had been discussing ways to reduce the burden on children since 1955, pupils' workloads had, ironically, increased over the years. The root cause for that is the unbalanced distribution of educational resources among different schools, which induces parents to do everything they can to send their children to better schools, he said. "It's ironic that the education authorities ask parents to focus less on their children's academic scores but continue to admit students to high schools and colleges solely on the basis of scores in entrance exams," Cui said. "The new guideline provides good ways to lighten the heavy workload on students, yet I question whether the education authorities and schools have the motivation to implement it." Cui cited the example of the government's long push for the elimination of enrollment tests, from kindergarten to primary school and from primary school to middle school. Although the practice has been outlawed since 2013, the exams still exist covertly, and no school principals have been punished for implementing them. "If the principals of top middle schools were stripped of their posts, they would not dare to organize such tests in the future," he said. However, some parents argue that attempts to reduce student workloads would merely shift the teaching burden from schools to parents. Liu Yong, the father of a fifth-grade student in Shanghai, said no parent wants his or her child to start academic life from a disadvantaged position, so when the school day ends so early, at 3:30 pm, working parents have no choice but to send their children to after-school tutoring classes. His son attends seven after-school tutoring classes every weekthree each in English and mathematics and one in Chinese. They usually last two to three hours each. His son usually returns home from the tutoring classes around 8:30 pm. He needs to finish his homework from school and the training institutions and sometimes goes to bed around midnight. His weekends are also packed with tutoring classes. "I do feel sorry for him when I see him yawning while writing the seemingly endless homework, and although I really want my son to have more time to play, I have to remind myself to be rational," he said. "To qualify for admission into a key middle school, my son has to study hard now. Only by entering a key middle school can he study at a key high school and later at a good university. There's no other option." Google Maps A motorcyclist died on Friday after crashing into an SUV during a brief police chase near Houston Hobby Airport, according to the Houston Police Department. A deputy constable with Harris County Precinct 2 tried to stop the motorcyclist around 4:30 p.m. near Airport Boulevard and Monroe. A gas leak outside a Montrose bar prompted the evacuation of several pets inside a nearby veterinary clinic Monday. Houston firefighters rushed to La Grange bar on Ralph Street near Westheimer Road around 12:45 p.m. to reports of the leak. As crews worked to cap it, firefighters helped evacuate several pets from the Central Houston Animal Hospital, which could be seen in crates lining the sidewalk around the building. Firefighters left the scene around 4 p.m., and the animals were allowed back in the building. None of them were harmed, a spokesperson said. A Facebook post by CHAH stated that all appointments and drop-offs were cancelled for the rest of the day due to the evacuaton. The cause of the leak was not immediately clear. 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 0 NEW YORK Though narco-trafficking has long relied on old technologies like boats, trucks and tunnels, both dealers and U.S. authorities have started adapting to the digital age. That became clear last week when prosecutors at the drug trial of Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Mexican crime lord known as El Chapo, suddenly unveiled the cyber-spy tale of a 20-something IT expert who helped take down the kingpins empire. The techie-turned-informant, a young Colombian named Christian Rodriguez, told his story of working for and eventually betraying Guzman in two days of jaw-dropping testimony in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. At first, Rodriguez said, he helped Guzman develop an encrypted cellphone network that was accessible by Wi-Fi even in the crime lords hide-outs deep in the Sierra Madre mountains. He also fed his bosss obsession with snooping by quietly installing spyware on the phones he gave his wife, two mistresses and other cartel operatives. But then came the 21st-century twist: After a covert sting operation, the FBI recruited Rodriguez to infiltrate the same communications systems he had built. With his help, U.S. authorities were able to obtain a trove of Guzmans private calls and text messages. El Chapos Singsong Voice An FBI agent, who had studied the audio of Guzmans calls, as well as the audio in several videos, described El Chapos voice as high-pitched with a nasally undertone. It has a kind of sing-songy variation to it, he told jurors. On Tuesday the jury watched the 2015 Rolling Stone video (again). As he does often, El Chapo pulled back in his chair, eyes cast down at the screen, and watched the videotaped interview from the farthest position possible. Comparing the intercepted phone calls to the Rolling Stone video, the FBI agent said, the speech patterns are slower, more deliberate because of the nature of an interview. But, he said, the singsong nature of El Chapos voice was still evident. To further identity El Chapo, federal authorities also examined audio from phone calls the kingpin made in May during his detention at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. A Chapo Home Tour El Chapo had a home in a gated community in Los Cabos, Mexico. Using cellphone footage from an FBI operation, the prosecution took the jury on a grand tour of the estate, where they had seized phones, ledgers and other paperwork. Three people were arrested during the takedown: Agustina Cabanillas Acosta, Maria Macias and Omar Hinojosa. Judge Brian M. Cogan characterized the lengthy tour complete with a closet survey as a real estate brokers presentation, warning the prosecution: Dont beat a dead horse. Via cellphone footage, the jury walked through the bedroom and bathroom (replete with womens makeup and grooming products), as well as the closet housing size 9 Nike sneakers, a medium-size Banana Republic shirt and a vast collection of jeans. Did you ever find the defendant? the prosecutor asked one of the FBI agents from the raid, who testified this week. No we did not, the agent responded. Cartel Workers on the Governments Payroll The FBI got both Rodriguez and a woman named Andrea Velez to cooperate in exchange for no jail time, plus payments of $460,000 and $290,000, respectively. So essentially, Rodriguez got paid for his cooperation after having worked for years with the Cifuentes family and El Chapo, and after trying to work with a Russian crime organization that turned out to be a group of FBI agents on a high-stakes sting operation. The U.S. government paid the pair for services and expenses they incurred while cooperating; according to Rodriguez, his payments came mostly in cash-stuffed envelopes. Rodriguez didnt even have to pay taxes on those payments until recently. But he said, I never lied, adding, They never asked me about it. By the time the IRS caught up to Rodriguez, he owed $35,000. So far hes paid $10,000 of that, paying a comfortable $250 per month. Grammar Quiz As the defense has repeatedly pointed out, Guzmans formal education did not extend past the second grade, and in fact he has a fair amount of difficulty writing, one of his attorneys, Eduardo Balarezo, told the jury last week. Still, Guzman is often scrawling notes on a yellow legal pad and providing them to his attorneys. His handwriting is atrocious, according to one member of the defense team. Rodriguez also had a hard time believing it. He used to read the reports directly in the past, so I dont think he had any problems reading, Rodriguez said of the spyware reports frequently produced for Guzman. Rodriguez added that Guzman spent a fair amount of time reading those reports. (Then again, Rodriguez testified that during their first face-to-face encounter, Guzman told him that he didnt like to write on the computer. He preferred to talk.) The Million-Dollar Gift Anyone who has ever recalled a story among family knows the phenomenon: Someone across the table immediately corrects you and tells it completely differently. The jury was treated to just such a comparison last week. Two brothers have testified in the trial: elder sibling Jorge Cifuentes Villa testified in December, and Alex Cifuentes Villa began testifying Thursday. (He will continue Monday.) They told some of the same stories albeit a little differently. Jorge Cifuentes version: Around 2003, he flew to the mountains of Mexico for his first-ever meeting with El Chapo to celebrate the second anniversary of the drug kingpins escape from jail (the first time). The final flight, aboard a rickety airplane (Guzman was known for using outdated Cessnas), took about 30 to 45 minutes. The flight made Cifuentes feel awful, he said. I actually had to pray three Our Fathers, he said. Then they landed on an ascending airstrip. As a result of such a rough experience, Jorge Cifuentes decided to gift El Chapo a $1 million blue helicopter so that he would fly in a more civilized way. When he told El Chapo about the gift, the kingpin got really excited, and his little eyes were actually shining, Cifuentes recalled, adding: And he said, Thank you.' Later, pilots crashed the helicopter at an ostrich ranch. Thinking fast, Cifuentes simply rolled the damaged helicopter off a cliff to collect the insurance so El Chapo could buy another helicopter. But, in his own retelling, Alex Cifuentes instead thrust himself as the protagonist of the story of how El Chapo got a helicopter. He told the jury Thursday that he once asked Guzman if he could fly a plane. (Cifuentes brothers could, but Chapo could not.) Flying ensured security in case of an attempted arrest or other problem, Alex Cifuentes told him. If he could fly, He could get in the helicopter, turn it on and fly from one mountain to the other. Then, Alex Cifuentes told his brother, Jorge, to send their own helicopter to increase Chapos security. The helicopter later burned at an aircraft hangar in Culiacan, Mexico. The Week Ahead The government announced Thursday that it would likely rest its case next week. But before that, expect a few surprises. On Monday, Alex Cifuentes, will return to the stand. For years, Alex Cifuentes told jurors he was so close to Guzman that the kingpin called him both his right-hand man and left-hand man. By his own account, he oversaw nearly every aspect of the crime lords business. He arranged cocaine deals in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama. He bought farms for Guzman in Costa Rica. He sold cocaine and heroin for him in New York and often purchased weapons on his behalf. Cifuentes even said he interpreted for Guzman at trafficking meetings conducted in English. There were hints last week that one of Guzmans mistresses, Lucero Guadalupe Sanchez Lopez, would also testify. Sanchez, a former legislator from Guzmans home state of Sinaloa, was arrested on drug charges in California in 2017. If called to the stand, she may walk the jury through text messages she exchanged with the defendant. Guzmans lawyers offered their own hints last week about how they plan to defend him. As court adjourned Thursday, they told Cogan they intend to remove an unnamed criminal from prison to testify on their clients behalf. This article originally appeared in The New York Times The 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a communique at its third plenary session held from Friday to Sunday. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addressed the session, while other Party and state leaders, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng, attended the meeting. A work report of CCDI, delivered by Zhao Leji, head of the CCDI, was passed at the session, according to the communique. CCDI members agreed that it is an important political task for all the Party members to carefully study and implement Xi's speech delivered at the session, the communique said. The top priority of the CCDI's work in 2019 remains firmly safeguarding Xi's status as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, as well as the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the communique said. CCDI will work to make "greater strategic achievements" in full and strict governance over the Party and consolidate the "sweeping victory" of the campaign against corruption, according to the communique. The communique listed eight priorities for 2019. -- CCDI will continue to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and upgrade the education campaign with the theme "staying true to our founding mission." -- It will take up resolute actions against the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism. -- The institution of disciplinary inspection and supervision will be innovated to enhance the effectiveness of governance. -- It aims to make breakthroughs in regular and long-term supervision. -- Inspection on the implementation of political rules will be intensified, and the strategic structure of disciplinary inspections improved. -- CCDI will direct its anti-graft actions to key projects, fields and posts, particularly departments and sectors where power is centralized and money and resources are intensive. -- The efforts to address corruption and malpractices that occur on people's doorsteps will be continued so the people will have a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. -- CCDI will develop an "iron army" of disciplinary inspection and supervision officials who are loyal, clean and have a strong sense of responsibility. Priorities include big departments and companies, areas of concern to public China's top anti-graft watchdog will step up supervision efforts this year in larger departments and industries with more funding and resources, according to an official communique. It will also resolutely prevent officials from being enlisted and corrupted by interest groups, it said. The communique was published after the third plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was concluded in Beijing on Sunday. More importantly, the commission will focus its anti-graft efforts in areas that concern the public the most, such as education, healthcare, environmental protection and food and drug safety. Corrupt officials at the grassroots level will also be targeted, especially those who offer protection for mafia-like gangs and act like village tyrants, the communique said. "China has had great achievements in fighting corruption, which has played an important role in economic development and social stability," said Qi Zhenhong, director of the China Institute of International Studies. Anti-graft authorities need to focus on fighting corruption in project bidding, appointing of officials, law enforcement and administering State-owned assets, Fu Kui, secretary of the CPC Hunan Discipline Inspection Commission, told the China Discipline Inspection and Supervision Newspaper, the official publication of the CCDI. They also need to target officials who are corrupt both financially and politically, Fu said. Anti-corruption efforts in financial fields should be stepped up, particularly in key projects, areas, and positions that concern the country's overall development and security, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said on Friday during the three-day plenary session. Wang Xingning, secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Discipline Inspection Commission, told the China Discipline Inspection and Supervision Newspaper that the local commission plans to use confessions of corrupt officials and case studies to warn others to avoid such behavior. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Party officials, especially high-ranking officials, have received clear requirements on intra-Party activities as part of the all-out effort to enforce strict Party discipline. This year, the Party vows to firmly fight against formality for formality's sake and bureaucratism. Those who make vague statements, act perfunctorily and are slack at work will be punished, the communique said. The sweeping victory secured so far in the anti-graft campaign must be further consolidated this year so that officials don't dare to, are unable to and have no desire to commit acts of corruption, it said. The nation and Party's oversight system will also be further improved, the communique added. Around 621,000 people were punished for corruption last year, including 51 officials at or above the provincial or ministerial level, according to the CCDI and the National Supervisory Commission, which was set up in 2018 as a part of efforts to reform the State supervisory system. "The reform has helped to consolidate different anti-corruption forces. Now, supervision authorities need to refine the workflow so they can handle cases more efficiently," said Guo Yong, director of Tsinghua University's Center for Integrity and Governance Research. China EV100, a private electric vehicle association of over 200 leading Chinese electric mobility industries, is organizing the 5th China EV100 Forum in Beijing from January 11-13 and will see participation from government as well as industry representatives from all over the world. Anil Srivastava, principal advisor at NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, Government of India, led an industry delegation from India, addressed summit forum "Global Zero Emission and All Electric Vehicle", and had a meeting with Chen Qingtai, president of China EV100. Addressing the forum, Mr. Srivastava informed the audience of GOI's policy for promotion of electric mobility, current state of play and future roadmap. He mentioned that India is committed to global environmental commitments, and will encourage development and adoption of clean energy and new energy transportation. He mentioned that for India's ambitious objective of achieving electric mobility by 2030, we see very substantive role for the Chinese EV players. In his meeting with President of China EV100, he mentioned that given the market size of India and China together, there is huge cooperation potential for EV industries of both countries. He mentioned that EV industries of both countries should have more interaction and proposed to establish a formal interaction mechanism between an Indian EV Industry association, supported by NITI Aayog and China EV100, which can meet periodically. He proposed to organize an industry meet of players of two sides in the first half of this year in Beijing or a suitable venue to explore cooperation possibilities between EV Industries of two countries. President Chen Qingtai mentioned that India is an important country for Chinese EV players and he welcomes Chinese industries participation and investment in Indian EV market. Industry delegates from leading Indian auto-makers such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata, TVS, and industry associations such as Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), are participating in the three-day event. The Indian industry is looking for technologies related to DC motor, motor control systems, EV battery cells, etc. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson proposed on Monday the removal of the controversial 75 billion allocation in the proposed 2019 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Lacson, during the plenary deliberations on the budget proposal, said he and Senator Loren Legarda have agreed to delete the amount. Legarda is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee and sponsor of the DPWH's budget. "During the break, there was an agreement between this representation and the distinguished sponsor and we need the comment of the agency that the 75 billion that they have admitted not knowing except when or until it was included in NEP (National Expenditure Program) be deleted in the proper time during the period of amendments," Lacson said. Legarda accepted Lacson's motion, saying the DPWH is amenable to the proposal. "He already mentioned it to me before the break," she said, referring to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar. Legarda, citing information from Villar, explained that the agency's original budget request amounted to 651 billion. However, the Department of Budget and Management gave the agency a budget ceiling of 480 billion, which the agency followed when it submitted its final budget proposal. It was only when Villar saw the NEP that he knew about the additional budget, Legarda said. South Africa: Deadline for employment equity submissions looms This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has commended the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for conducting free, fair and credible elections. On Thursday the DRC electoral commission, CENI, released provisional results which declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo as the newly elected President. E... See more When Mike Madigan first became speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1983, Illinois was among a handful of states that enjoyed a AAA credit rating. In 2013, Illinois was declared the least creditworthy state in the nation. Now the state is just one notch above junk status. Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant. And that will continue, as House members this week elected Madigan to his 18th term as speaker on a 72-44 vote, following the inauguration of the 101st General Assembly. State Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, will retain his role as House minority leader. There was a wrinkle, however. One House member, state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, voted present. It was the first time in Madigans more than three decades as speaker that a freshman Democrat refused to cast this vote for him. Stava-Murray has been a vocal critic of the speakers handling of sexual harassment allegations in his party organization and his treatment of the #MeToo movement generally. Her lone voice of dissent highlights the overwhelming, unique power Madigan wields as speaker and as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Madigan holds a 21 percent job approval rating statewide, according to Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Yet he is re-elected to the speakership every two years due to the pain he can inflict on dissenters. How? What truly gives the speakership so much power is another vote in the House the vote for the rules of the chamber. Through the House rules, Madigan can assign committee chair positions and the $10,000 stipends that come with them, control who votes in committees, dictate when a bill will be called for a vote, and even control what bills make it to a vote in the first place. No other state legislative body in the nation grants such broad powers to its House speaker. It should be noted that Republican leadership expanded the power these rules granted legislative leaders in the 1990s. But Madigan has been happy to further expand and cement them in the two decades since Democrats took back control of the House. The House will likely vote on its rules for the 101st General Assembly on Jan. 29. But its not just the rules from which Madigan draws power. He is also the only legislative leader in the nation to head a state political party. As chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, Madigan simultaneously controls policy, politics and purse strings. Voting present for speaker will likely cost you the ability to have your bills see the light of day. But it also puts you squarely in the crosshairs for a well-funded primary opponent. Of course, Stava-Murray will undoubtedly face consequences for her speaker vote. The fact that her stance is so costly is exactly why the House rules vote granting one man extraordinary power is so important. Austin Berg is a writer for the Illinois Policy Institute. He can be reached at aberg@illinoispolicy.org. Monday Roberts, R. Estella Stella. 11 a.m. Monday at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Visitation 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Ryan, Geraldine Geri Ryan. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Church of Our Saviour. The family will meet friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, prior to the service, at the church. Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge. Tuesday DeFrates, Kyle Shawn. 11 a.m. Tuesday at Williamson Funeral Home. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will meet friends 4-7 p.m. Monday. Fox, Kelly Dennis. Memorial service 5 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 309 Springfield Road, Athens. Wednesday McGath, Robert Lee. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Williamson Funeral Home. Burial with military rites 1 p.m. Wednesday at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. The family will meet friends 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Thursday Long, Marie S. 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at Williamson Funeral Home, with burial at Franklin Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Saturday, Jan. 19 Zingher, Dessie Jane. Memorial service 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Rushville First United Methodist Church. Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville is in charge. Saturday, Feb. 9 Coates, Don Eldon. A celebration of Dons life 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St., Orono, Maine. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the parish hall following the service. A service of remembrance also will be held in late summer at Somesville Union Meeting House in Mount Desert, Maine. Brookings-Smith funeral home in Bangor, Maine, is in charge of arrangements. Chinese companies are pushing ahead with their United Kingdom investment activities in pursuit of long-term goals, despite short-term Brexit uncertainties. Some have prepared a range of plans for different scenarios, depending on the details of the final Brexit withdrawal deal, but analysts say most Chinese companies have relatively standalone UK and European Union operations, and the Brexit impact, therefore, will generally be small. "We have taken a comprehensive study of the potential Brexit impact, and we feel it will be minimal," said Su Lei, general manager in the UK for Mindray, a Shenzhen-based medical devices company that entered the UK in 2006 and that supplies equipment to more than half of the UK's around 700 public hospitals. The biggest potential impact Mindray faces is in the realm of logistics. Its Shenzhen-manufactured medical devices are transported by sea to the Netherlands, and, from there, to the European countries it sells to. If Brexit means goods coming to the UK via the EU will incur extra tax, then Mindray will transport its devices directly from Shenzhen to the UK. "The additional costs to us will be small," said Su. "The logistics process will be handled by our current logistics supplier, which also has a big UK operation, therefore meaning this logistics change will not disrupt our business." If Brexit creates no extra tax on products from the EU, then Mindray will continue to ship via the Netherlands. Despite Brexit uncertainties, Mindray's UK revenue grew by an average of 25 percent during each of the past three years, and its headcount grew each year by 10 people. ABP Group, a property developer, is similarly optimistic. It has pushed forward with its plans to develop a new business complex in East London, the first phase of which, comprising 60,400 square meters of office space, is due for completion in a few months. More than half of the units have already been sold, according to John Miu, ABP London's chief operating officer. Miu said most British developers have put plans on hold over fears there will be a fall in demand but ABP's confidence in the UK has seen it take a different approach. "We feel that, if we push on now, rather than waiting for Brexit uncertainties to clear, we will be ahead of the competition when the market bounces back and we can take advantage of the ongoing shortage of office properties, and the post-Brexit increase in property values," Miu said. He and his team have ensured that all loan contracts and supplier contracts have been priced in pounds, to avoid currency risks. Although the financial services sector is one of the most vulnerable segments of the economy to Brexit-induced problems, both Agricultural Bank of China and SPD Bank showed their confidence by establishing London branches in 2018. "We don't feel there is a major implication to SPD from Brexit," said a SPD Bank spokesman. "We are prepared for any outcome." Gerard Lyons, an independent non-executive director of Bank of China (UK), said, from his observations, most Chinese banks will not make significant adjustments to their UK operations post-Brexit, because their UK operations are already relatively separate from their EU operations. Uncertainties aside, many Chinese companies are optimistic about long-term China-UK business collaboration prospects, and believe Brexit will propel the UK government and its businesses to look further afield for collaboration opportunities. A survey of 300 Chinese business leaders completed in November by the business advisory company Brunswick Group found 47 percent of respondents were more likely to invest in the UK as a result of Brexit. In comparison, 30 percent said they were putting investment plans on hold until they gained post-Brexit certainty, and 15 percent were less likely to invest because of Brexit. Meanwhile, Brunswick Group also surveyed 1,000 educated people in the UK and found 54 percent believe China-UK trade relationships will be better post-Brexit. Bilateral trade between the two countries hit $79 billion in 2017, which was up by 6.2 percent year-on-year. And British exports to China grew by 19.4 percent in 2017, reaching$22.31 billion, according to Chinese government statistics. These trends are consistent with analysts' observations. "If Brexit could end up being handled in the right way for both the UK and the EU, it should, in theory, provide the UK with more flexibility to cooperate with China, and work with Chinese partners on projects in Belt and Road countries," said Jiang Suwei, a UK-based Partner at PwC. A Meredosia-Chambersburg Elementary School first-grader ended the fall semester by bringing a bottle of medication on the school bus, according to Thad Walker, Meredosia-Chambersburg Community Unit School District 11s superintendent and elementary school principal. The child managed to open the bottle and spilled the pills on the bus, along with taking something of the medication, Walker told the district school board during a recent meeting. When school faculty had a hard time reaching the childs mother, they called an ambulance to take the child to the hospital, though the mother was reached before the ambulance arrived, the ambulance was canceled and the mother took her child to the hospital on her own, Walker said. In other board business, students from the Class of 2019 told school board members about the agenda for their class trip to Hawaii. The students will leave on April 30. While in Hawaii, they plan to visit Pearl Harbor, go to the beach, hike at Diamond Head and visit a cultural center. Walker plans to have board members hear a presentation about the potential for solar energy at the school. The solar panels at the heart of the presentation are managed by a computer system and can be installed at no cost to the school district, Walker said. Two of the districts bus drivers are retiring, though the district has three new bus driver applicants, Walker said. The school lost $650,000 in grant money, but for a good reason. The grant was intended to help schools with low academic levels improve their educational standing. Meredosia-Chambersburg students improved two levels to commendable status on recent testing, which made the grant money unnecessary. The school still received $50,000 of the money, Walker said. ROODHOUSE It was early this month when an albino deer known around Roodhouse as Marshmallow visited Michael Presleys land and posed for his gaming camera. She walked in with another doe and she turned and looked right at the camera, Presley said. It was almost like she was posing. The deer, a rare sight for many people, has made a home in Roodhouse. She has been named Marshmallow by many Roodhouse residents because of her white fur and pink eyes. People have been seeing her around, Presley said. She hangs around the Roodhouse reservation. Shes a pretty rare sight. With 12 cameras throughout his property, Presley said the most common sights to be captured by his cameras are coyotes, rabbits and other animals, but this is a first for him. While the pictures do not show her pink eyes, Presley said she is the only albino deer he has ever seen. An avid hunter, Presley said this hunting season left him deerless, but it was one of his best. It was the best hunting season ever and I didnt even get a deer, Presley said. Even if I didnt shoot a deer, seeing her made it the best. She is beautiful and she posed like she knows it, too. Ed Cross, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said albino deer are a rare sight, as are many other types of albino animals. Hunters will often see the average whitetail deer, but it is much more rare to see an albino, Cross said. They are far and few, so its always a treat when you get to see them. While genetic, Cross said albino deer and other animals tend to die earlier in life because they are easier to spot by predators. Many dont live past their early years, so that is one of the reasons we dont see them out there that often, Cross said. Because of their rarity, Cross said it is illegal to hunt them, although there are deer that look albino that are not true albinos. It can be very difficult to tell, because if there is even one spot that isnt white, they arent albino, Cross said. If it is unclear whether a dear is an albino, its best to leave it alone. For Presley, getting pictures of Marshmallow was almost like getting pictures of Bigfoot for those in Roodhouse. Everyone in town is happy that someone finally has good pictures of her, he said. People keep asking me if they can see her pictures. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. A new state alert system from the Missing Persons Awareness Network in partnership with Crimestoppers is intended to help police find people who go missing but arent not covered by the Amber Alert system. The Illinois State Wide Alert System, created in honor of Kianna Galvin, who went missing in 2016 and has not been found, will send alerts to those who opt-in via their cell phones or email. At the time of her disappearance, Galvin was listed as a runaway, even though she had never gone missing before; no Amber Alert was sent because she didnt meet the criteria. The new system hopes to alert the public without those who disappear having to meet the same criteria as an Amber Alert. We know the first 48 hours, what you hear in the media and see on TV, is crucial to the investigation and finding that person, Morgan and Scott County Crimestoppers coordinator Loren Hamilton said. With an Amber Alert, there has to be some type of potential danger. This will go out for any missing child or adult where a police report has been filed, regardless of the condition of why theyre missing. Kianna Alerts will go out to those who have asked to receive them by texting the word Add to (312)-561-3319 or by going to MissingInIllinois.org. An alert to help law enforcement receive tips also will go out when subjects have inflicted serious harm or death to a child or adult and are likely to do so again. Those alerts will be activated in the case of abductions, kidnapping, serious cases of domestic battery, domestic violence and assaults, murder, arson, and dangerous home invasions when there is a suspect or person of interest and/or vehicle. A tip can be left about such cases simply be responding to the alert. A trial run already has proven successful, Hamilton said. Weve accepted tips for the network through our state Crimestoppers line, Hamilton said. We had a young gal found in a hotel in Lansing, Illinois, and another young man disappeared from Rockford and he was found in Chicago. Both were found alive. Weve already seen the success from this alert. The alerts will go live on Tuesday . Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper. Kwame Raoul was sworn in today as the states new attorney general. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman presiding over the ceremony at the inauguration in Springfield. Raoul, the song of Haitian immigrants, was joined onstage by his children, Che and Mizan, as well as his fiancee, Lisa Moore, and his sisters, Edwidge Raoul and Ninaj Raoul. Kwame Raoul paid tribute to Lisa Madigans 16 years of service as attorney general. He pledged to advocate for residents and announced plans to work with the Legislature to pass legislation to create a bureau within the Attorney Generals Office to protect people from wage theft, misclassification, workplace discrimination and other violations. He also emphasized the need for a statewide approach to addressing the opioid and gun violence crises. Kwame Raoul appointed Kim Janas as chief of staff, Adam Braun as executive deputy attorney general and Brent Stratton as chief deputy attorney general. 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: Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Click here to get access You are here: Business Prosecutors in China's Tianjin Municipality have approved the arrest of 16 suspects on suspicion of organizing and leading pyramid selling activities as well as other crimes, in the case of Tianjin-based healthcare industry giant Quanjian on Sunday. Earlier on January 7, a total of 18 people were arrested and two others are out on bail in the same case. Among the 16 suspects, the company's actual controller, a 51-year-old man surnamed Shu, was also included. Chinese authorities initiated a nationwide campaign to battle against irregularities in the healthcare product market after the scandal was exposed. MOTRAN members gather for annual meeting The Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance wrapped up the year with its annual meeting at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. The organizations president, James Beauchamp, recognized the outgoing chairman Eric West, for his ongoing efforts to helping the areas infrastructure. He then introduced Sondra Eoff,, the boards incoming chairwoman. Beauchamp also recognized CrownQuest Operating, Tryon Lewis and Betsy Triplett-Hurt for their support in helping MOTRAN achieve its goals. One of the keynote speakers was Alvin New, Texas Transportation commissioner. Through his slide show, New discussed the population increase in Texas and that by 2050, projections are that 54 million people will call Texas home. He also said that the last day there was not a fatality on a Texas road was in November 2000. John Stoody of the Association of Oil Pipelines also spoke at the lunch. He highlighted notable members of congress who were defeated or retired and how that could affect legislation in regards to energy and pipelines. Halfway through the meeting, guests enjoyed a buffet of prime rib, chicken, potato grits, green beans, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, wedge fries, rice, and desserts. Kids ring in the new year at KC Nutty Roller Skating, party hats, glow sticks and horns brought in the new year for many local kids and their families at KC Nutty Rollers annual New Years Eve party. The special skate night included the limbo, special races and the hokey-pokey. Skaters celebrated at midnight with horns and whistles provided by the rink. After the countdown, kids had the option to continue skating for the first hour of the new year. While these choices may be out of the hands of originators who work at larger companies, managers who are in charge of smaller shops have a real responsibility to determine the best way to store client data. Using desktop as a service also enhances the ability to roll out software users and permissions much easier, Kolbrener said. Its a good way of maintaining identity access and permissions for users, but also, the data never leaves the data center. Its not on the local machine. And thats really why we like it, because now, youre relying on the security of the data center, which is likely way more secure than somebodys office. This is of particular importance to smaller broker shops and lenders; their technology budgetif one does, in fact, existmight not include security at all, and theres just no way that the safeguards in place locally are in any way comparable to those of a large data center. There are not only virtual safeguards, firewalls and so on, but also physical security, such as armed guards. Kolbrener said that the current marketplace has a very broad range of diverse company types, and that the size and amount of investment has a lot to do with financial ability and available resources. If theyre non-bank and theyre not really audited that much, then they probably dont have an appreciation for the things that would improve the security of their environments. Its probably only after they have experienced a problem that they start to think about what they could be doing in order to improve the security and efficiency of their technology environments, he said. A California man has pleaded guilty charges related to a $1.7 million mortgage fraud scheme involving two waterfront residential properties in Broward County, Fla. In early 2018, George Jones Jr. identified two residential properties in Fort Lauderdale that he fraudulently pledged as collateral in order to obtain mortgage loans from a private lender. The properties were owned by corporate entities that Jones had no affiliation with and which were in fact owned by independent third parties. As part of the scheme, Jones created fake identification documents and email addresses in order to impersonate officers of the corporate owners of the two properties. He then submitted bogus loan applications and other documents to a private lender in which he pretended to be the owners of the properties. As a result of this scheme, he defrauded the private lender out of approximately $1.7 million. U.S. space technology firm SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, will lay off about 10 percent of its more than 6,000 employees, according to media reports. The cuts were cited in an email sent to employees. In a statement, a company spokesman confirmed the layoff without specifying how many employees will be released. "To continue delivering for our customers and to succeed in developing interplanetary spacecraft and a global space-based Internet, SpaceX must become a leaner company," said the statement of the company. "This means we must part ways with some talented and hardworking members of our team... This action is taken only due to the extraordinarily difficult challenges ahead and would not otherwise be necessary," the company was quoted by media as saying. According to reports, SpaceX is providing a minimum of eight weeks' pay and other benefits to the fired workers. A company source said SpaceX remains financially strong and can continue to "manufacture and launch at a reliable cadence in the years ahead." SpaceX was launched in 2002 by Elon Musk for space exploration. This year the company plans to test hop Starship, a prototype designed for human travel to Mars. 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. In December, Morningstar manager research analysts upgraded the Morningstar Analyst Ratings of seven funds and one separately managed account, downgraded the ratings of 10 funds and one SMA, and affirmed ratings on 127 funds and two SMAs. The team also assigned new ratings to 11 funds and four SMAs and placed three funds under review. Below are some of Decembers highlights, followed by the full list of ratings changes. Affirmed IShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) maintained its overall Bronze rating in December and continues to offer a standout option for a diversified, market-cap-weighted, foreign-stock exchange-traded fund. It held more than 900 stocks as of December 2018, and its top 10 holdings represented 13% of portfolio assets. So, it has a diverse base to help to avoid some of the volatility caused by the markets worst performers. The fund has struggled during sluggish markets versus some of its peers that can actively hedge risk. It also excludes stocks from Canada and emerging markets, so its long-term returns have lagged those of its foreign large-blend Morningstar Category peers, which typically hold a combined 10% allocation. But the funds market-cap-weighted structure provides the benefit of lower turnover and trading costs. Its 0.32% expense is also less than half of the category average 0.86% expense ratio. What's the best way to get more people to save for retirement on the job? In 2019, a large national experiment will take shape that tests two very different approaches. Some large states--including California and Illinois--will launch state-sponsored programs that mandate participation by employers. Meanwhile, Congress likely will approve a new type of 401(k) aimed at small employers that relies on voluntary employer participation. You are the owner of this article. Former Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo was sworn-in in front of a full house Jan. 13 at Council Chambers of Lorain City Hall by Lorain Judge Mark J. Mihok after winning the vote against Lorain Municipal Court Deputy Clerk Jeff Bearer. For centuries, sachets have been worn and exchanged as tokens of hope, happiness, and prosperity in northwest China's Gansu Province. Today, innovative designs are injecting new life to the millennium-old handicraft. The sachets produced in Gansu's city of Qingyang are handmade silk pouches stuffed with Chinese herbal medicines and embroidered with colorful patterns, ranging from vegetables to the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. The craft dates back more than 2,000 years and was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. But in recent years, the craft has gradually lost attraction to the youth, which has raised concerns for the city's sachet makers. "Traditional Qingyang sachets are deemed old-fashioned by many young people now because they lack variety in patterns and colors," said Liu Lanfang, 53, an inheritor of the craft and manager of a sachet making company in the city. "The old craft needs to keep up with the times to stay alive," said Liu, who has been designing sachets for over four decades. Since 2013, Liu and her company's design team have been working to revive traditional Qingyang sachets with new designs while keeping the craft's original flavor. The design in which Liu takes the most pride is a donkey-shaped sachet, with a cartoonish look and available in various colors. "Donkeys are common household animals in Gansu and used as a typical pattern in Qingyang sachets," she said. "But the traditional design is more like a realistic representation of the animal, black and dull." To make the design more vivid, Liu gave the donkey a fluffy tail, pointed ears, big round eyes, a cute smile as well as all kinds of colors. The newly-designed sachet has also been produced in different sizes to expand its use. People can use the small sachets as cell phone chains and the big ones as car decorations, in addition to wearing them as talismans to pray for happiness and ward off misfortune. "The new design quickly caught on with the consumers and has won awards in many tourism product competitions in China," she said. "Some donkey farming bases even asked to use it as their mascots." So far, Liu's company has designed over 500 types of sachets, based on traditional Qingyang sachet patterns. It sold over 300,000 sachets last year, many of which were exported to countries including the United States, Germany, Italy and Belarus. The growing demand in foreign markets has also motivated Liu to design sachets tailored for overseas consumers. Inspired by Halloween pumpkins, she embroidered pumpkin-shaped sachets with the masks of the Shaanxi opera, a style of Chinese folk opera popular in northwest China. "I sent the pumpkin-shaped sachets to my friends in the United States, and they were very interested in them," she said. "The sachets represent the blending of Chinese and Western cultures." Besides making the designs more appealing, Liu's company has also used new materials to create more diverse sachets, such as using lavender as the filling and replacing silk with cotton and linen to make the pouch. "Only when we keep innovating can we pass down the craft to future generations," she said. Winter heating assistance is available for residents who need help paying their heating bills, according to a news release from the Lorain Cou The Elyria NAACP celebrates new officers and the late Rev. Julius C. Hope on Jan. 12 during the branch Musical Installation Ceremony at Second Baptist Church, 427 Chapman Lane in Elyria. New officers elected every two years are celebrated with a ceremony, but Hope, who passed away at 86 on Oct. 24, was also commemorated for his work as former NAACP Regional III Director. The first dinner will let the owners of the coffee shop, Christian and Erica Ramazzini, tell their story of how they got into the coffee-roasting business and why they are putting their energy and resources toward this project, Ervin said. They love the Guatemalan community and want to see it thrive, she said. Ervin wants to emphasize that this is not an event just for Guatemalans, but for the whole community. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come, she said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} There will be translators at each dinner, so there will be no language barriers, she said. The second dinner in the series will bring in a Guatemalan artist that will make some renderings of the mural that will be painted. They also will have a time where those in attendance can put together their own collages of what they would like the mural to look like or represent. The last dinner will be a celebration to reveal the design of the mural. Several vendors from the Guatemalan community will be showcasing their items as well. A date has been set for the annual count, which helps to get an approximate look at the amount of homeless in Burke County. All those who are unsheltered, whether that be living in a tent, with family or friends, or living in a car are asked to come to Burke United Christian Ministries on Jan. 31 between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to be counted for the Point in Time Count. It is essentially a way for us to get a snapshot of the unsheltered and homeless here in the county, said Alison Azbell, executive director for The Meeting Place Mission, a nonprofit organization in Burke County that serves those who are homeless. The count helps local and national organizations see if there are increases or decreases in the homeless populations and gives an idea as to how much funding is needed in each specific area. We want to make sure we are increasing housing options for them and doing what we can to help them get out of living in a tent or living with family or friends or living in a car, Azbell said. During the count, those who participate will be asked to take a survey where they will be asked a series of questions about their current living situation, what barriers they face and what they think would help the homeless population the most. New Delhi, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised a red-flag on the spike in non-performing assets (NPAs) under the government's flagship scheme to support micro enterprises in the country -- the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. According to Finance Ministry sources, RBI has cautioned the ministry that the scheme might turn-out to be the next big source of NPAs, which have plagued the banking system. The central bank has flagged that bad loans under PMMY have risen to Rs 11,000 crore. As per the annual report of PMMY, 2017-18, total disbursements under the scheme stood at Rs 2.46 trillion in FY 18. Out of this, 40 per cent were disbursed to women entrepreneurs and 33 per cent to social categories. More than 4.81 crore micro borrowers have benefited through PMMY during the year FY2017-18. The PMMY was launched on April 8, 2015. Under the scheme, banks are required to finance micro and small entrepreneurs for up to Rs 10 lakh. Loans can be granted under three categories - up to Rs 50,000 under 'Shishu'; Rs 50,001-Rs 5 lakh under Kishore' and between Rs 5,00,001 and Rs 10 lakh under Tarun' category. In addition, RBI's caution comes at a time when the country's financial system in reeling under sevier stress due to the IL&FS crisis which continues to hurt banks with impairments, the most recent case being IndusInd Bank. On January 9, IndusInd Bank in its latest quarterly earnings result statement without naming the IL&FS Group, said: "Advances granted to various companies and SPVs belonging to a Group in the infrastructure sector against certain identified cash flows and pertaining to specific assets are 'Standard' as at December 31, 2018 on the basis of the conduct of the accounts till date. "Since October 1, 2018, certain governance and management changes have taken place in the Group and measures to turn it around through a Resolution Plan are underway." The bank said it was monitoring the developments and implications of the 'Resolution Plan'. "In the interim, as a prudential measure, the bank has made a contingent provision of Rs 255 crore on these 'Standard' assets during the quarter ended on December 31, 2018, in addition to an amount of Rs 275 crore made during the quarter ended on September 30, 2018. Total provisions attributable to this exposure is Rs 600 crore," the statement added. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. The major indices of the Indian stock markets were range-bound on Monday and closed with small losses over Fridays close. On the NSE, there were 660 advances, 1,081 declines and 344 unchanged. The trends of the major indices in the course of Mondays trading are given in the table below: The Indian equity indices traded in the red on Monday. The Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange also slumped and was around the 10,700-mark level during the afternoon session. Weakness in the Asian markets and depreciation in the Indian rupee dampened the domestic market sentiments, analysts said. The rupee was trading around 70.80 (1.32 p.m.) against the previous close of 70.49 per dollar. Except IT (information technology) and Teck (technology, media and entertainment) stocks, all the sectoral indices declined during the day, led by selling pressure in banking, capital goods and auto stocks. India's annual rate of inflation based on wholesale prices eased to 3.80% in December 2018 from 4.64% in November, official data showed here on Monday. However, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data furnished by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry was higher than the rise of 3.58% reported for the corresponding period of 2017. "The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 3.80% (provisional) for the month of December, 2018 (over December, 2017) as compared to 4.64% (provisional) for the previous month and 3.58% during the corresponding month of the previous year," the Ministry said in its review of "Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India" for December. "Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was 3.27% compared to a build-up rate of 2.21% in the corresponding period of the previous year." Transport fuel rates were hiked for the fifth time this month and saw their steepest rise on Sunday, amid global crude oil rates continuing to climb handsomely following the implementation of output cuts by oil producers from January 1. Private lender Yes Bank has appointed former bureaucrat Brahm Dutt as its non-executive part-time Chairman till July 4, 2020. According to the company, Dutt has been on the Board of Yes Bank since July 2013 as an 'Independent Director', and has contributed to almost all the sub-committees of the Board during this period. He is currently the Chair of the 'Nomination and Remuneration Committee'. The company said the bank now has eight members on its Board which includes Rana Kapoor, T.S. Vijayan, Uttam Prakash Agarwal, Pratima Sheorey, Ajai Kumar, Subhash Kalia and Mukesh Sabharwal. Yes Bank shares closed at Rs195.40, up 6.22% on the NSE. Coal India's subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) on Saturday said production and dispatches at its Talcher unit in Angul district of Odisha came to a "grinding halt" in the last few days due to a stir by local activists. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: New Delhi, After a controversy erupted, Supreme Court judge A.K. Sikri, who last week sided with the government in the three-member committee to remove CBI Director Alok Verma, on Sunday withdrew his "consent" to be nominated to the post of President/Member of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). Sources close to the jugde said that Sikri communicated to the government on Sunday expressing his withdrawal of consent after news broke out over his nomination to the post. They said that the judge was asked by the government in December about his inclination to hold the post. He had then agreed. As there was "no word of communication" from the government till the news broke out about his nomination, Sikri told the government on Sunday evening that he was withdrawing his earlier consent, the sources said. Sikri was part of the Selection Committee including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge that on Thursday decided 2:1 to remove CBI chief Verma from the post. Kharge gave a dissent note and opposed Verma's ouster. The CSAT was established to meet the requirements of the Agreed Memorandum on the Commonwealth Secretariat (1964) which was revised by governments in 2005. In fulfilment of its obligations under the Agreed Memorandum, the UK government passed the Commonwealth Secretariat Act 1966 which, among other things, gives the Commonwealth Secretariat legal personality and accords it certain immunities and privileges. The CSAT has a full complement of eight members comprising the President and seven others. The members are selected by Commonwealth governments on a regionally representative basis from among persons of high moral character who must hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country. The members are appointed on a four-year term which may be renewed only once. Born on March 7, 1954, Sikri was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge on April 12, 2013. He earlier served as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. You are here: Arts Sino-Israeli cultural and trade-promotion activities were launched at the China Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, attracting many Israelis, on Tuesday. The three-day event included a Sino-Israeli cultural-innovation roadshow, a cultural-and creative-product exhibition entitled China Style and a photography exhibition, titled This Moment in Pudong, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. China Style showcases the development of the country's cultural and creative industries in high-tech sectors, innovation capacity and market prospects. Shao Peiran, a 12-year-old boy, displayed his oil painting, A Dream Within a Dream, which portrays goodness in a child's eyes. This Moment in Pudong presents 30 pictures that demonstrate achievements in Shanghai. It features business, culture, society and life in the city's Pudong New Area and the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. The Jewish Refugees and Shanghai exhibition and a Yue Opera class were also held. The activities will enhance the two countries' practical cooperation in culture and promote the development of cultural and tourism industries, says Ren Yibiao, president of the National Base for International Cultural Trade (Shanghai). These activities "are very good because Israeli people are not very familiar with Chinese culture", the Israel-China Friendship Society's vice-chairman Gal Furer says. Cultural exchanges are increasing as relations grow stronger, Furer says, adding that he's happy to see more Israelis gaining exposure to Chinese cultural products. The event featured China's national intangible cultural heritage, pottery, silk, embroidery and tea ceremonies. Sale of passenger vehicles in the domestic market declined by 0.43 per cent on a year-on-year basis in December to 238,692 units, according to data released on Monday by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Domestic sales of passenger vehicles in 2017 stood at 239,723 units, the data said. Among the sub-segments of passenger vehicles, sale of passenger cars in the domestic market during the month was 155,159 units, 2.01 per cent lower than what was sold in the year ago period. Further, the number of utility vehicles sold in India declined by 2.33 per cent to 65,506 units in December 2018 while 18,027 vans were sold last month, up 25.95 per cent from 2017. In the commercial vehicle segment, domestic sales declined by 7.80 per cent to 75,984 units last month, the SIAM data showed. The White House's national security team last fall asked the Pentagon to provide it with options for striking Iran after a group of militants aligned with Tehran fired mortars into an area in Baghdad that is home to the US Embassy, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. The request by the National Security Council, which is led by John Bolton, sparked deep concern among Pentagon and State Department officials, the newspaper reported, citing current and former US officials. The Pentagon complied with the request, but it is not known whether the options for an Iran strike were also provided to the White House or if President Donald Trump knew about it. The decision to seek options striking Iran was prompted by an incident in September in which three mortars were fired into a diplomatic quarter in Baghdad, the newspaper said. The shells landed in an open lot and no one was hurt. Two days later, unidentified militants fired three rockets that hit close to the US consulate in the southern city of Basra but caused no serious damage. The State Department did not comment on the report. The Pentagon said it provides the president options for a variety of threats. NSC spokesman Garrett Marquis, said the NSC does the same and it will continue to consider "the full range of options" after the attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a televised address to the nation from his desk in the Oval Office about immigration and the southern U.S. border on the 18th day of a partial government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 8, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1874104B10 President Donald Trump has threatened to "devastate" Turkey economically if the NATO-allied nation attacks US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria following a pullout of American troops from the war-torn country, and also urged the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. Last month, President Trump surprised the world by announcing that he is withdrawing 2000 American troops from Syria. The pullout began last week. The US troop withdrawal has left America's Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. Trump also warned ISIS that America would hit them hard from nearby military bases if it regains momentum. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," the president said in a tweet. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20-mile safe zone.... Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," Trump said in a hard-hitting tweet on January 13. Trump's tweet is a stark threat toward an ally in the region that has partnered with the US in the fight against ISIS. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out at US National Security Adviser John Bolton for saying the US withdrawal was contingent upon Turkey's pledge not to attack US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria once troops leave. "Bolton made a serious mistake. If he thinks that way, he is in a big mistake. We will not compromise," Erdogan said. The Pentagon has said that there is no timeline for US troop withdrawal and it would be based on ground realties. "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long-term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Trump said. His announcement has come following a visit to the region by Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "The roughly 2,000 uniformed soldiers that are in Syria today are going to be withdrawn. That activity is underway. We're going to do so in an orderly, deliberate way, a way that protects America's national security, a way that allows us to continue the important mission that they were on," Pompeo told CBS News in an interview on Sunday. "The counterterrorism mission, the effort to make sure that the destruction of ISIS is not only complete but that their resurgence is not possible, our efforts to counter the threat from terrorism stemming from the Islamic Republic of Iran those are all real missions. The tactical change we've made in the withdrawal of those 2,000 troops is just that, a tactical change," he said. Noting that the mission remains the same, Pompeo said Turkish leadership has made it clear that it understands there are people down in Syria that have their rights. "We also want to make sure that those in Syria aren't attacking, terrorists aren't attacking Turkey from Syria. We're fully engaged," he said, responding to a question if Turkey has promised the US not to attack the Kurdish allies. Pompeo argued that there was no danger to American interest even after its withdrawal from Syria. "The United States of America can project military power from lots of places in the world. The absence of a couple thousand soldiers on the ground in Syria in no way materially diminishes the capacity of the United States of America and our amazing Armed Forces to deliver American power to accomplish our objectives anywhere in the world," he said. "That certainly includes in Syria. It certainly includes into Iran, if need be. We still have those tools. American diplomats still have that leverage and that power standing behind them. I am very confident in our military capabilities here in the Middle East," Pompeo said. Ground troops first arrived in Syria in autumn 2015 when then-President Barack Obama sent in a small number of special forces to train and advise YPG fighters. A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria President Bashar al-Assad seven years ago turned into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has left more than 350,000 people dead, devastated cities and drawn in other countries. Saudi Arabia's Riyad Bank has chosen Goldman Sachs to advise on its merger talks with National Commercial Bank, two sources familiar with the matter said. NCB, the kingdom's biggest lender by assets, and Riyad Bank said in December they had begun preliminary talks to potentially create a combination with $183 billion in assets. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, and the government are major shareholders in both banks. Riyad Bank did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Goldman Sachs declined comment. Goldman also advised Saudi British Bank, which in October signed a deal to merge with rival Alawwal Bank to create Saudi Arabia's third-biggest lender with a market capitalisation of about $17.2 billion. NCB is also considering proposals after more than half a dozen banks including HSBC and Citigroup pitched for an advisory role last week, sources familiar with the matter said. The banks were not immediately available for comment. A wave of bank mergers is sweeping in the Gulf region, as profit margins have been squeezed by lower government and consumer spending in the face of weak oil prices. Two of the biggest banks in the United Arab Emirates, where regulatory pressure is also mounting on smaller banks in particular, linked up to create First Abu Dhabi Bank in 2017. Nawaz Sharif Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the country's anti-graft body's appeal against the suspension of the jail sentences of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family in the Avenfield corruption case. In July 2018, an accountability court here handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar upheld the Islamabad High Court's verdict that ordered suspension of prison sentences awarded to Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The apex court, in its ruling, said that the NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case. The 69-year-old three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Sharif is currently in jail after an anti-corruption court sentenced him on December 24 to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case while acquitting him in the Flagship Investments corruption case in the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. The NAB approached the apex court after the Islamabad High Court, on September 19, suspended prison sentences of the Sharifs awarded by an accountability court. The accountability court convicted Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced them to eight years and one year, respectively, in prison. Upholding the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court bench threw out the NAB's request to revoke the Sharifs' bails, observing that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the "grounds for cancellation of bail". The IHC did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case, Geo TV quoted the bench as observing. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country's next chief justice later this month, stated that the IHC decision was temporary and the apex court would not interfere with the decision. "Nawaz Sharif is already behind the bars. He did not misuse the bail, and regularly appeared in the trial court [for hearings]," Justice Khosa remarked. Three cases of corruption the Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the NAB on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif. The apex court initially set six month deadline to conclude the cases but it was subsequently increase around eight times on the request of the accountability court. China will launch a probe to collect samples from the moon around the end of this year, a space official said on Monday, weeks after Beijing hailed the successful touch down on the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-4 lunar probe landed on Jan. 3 and transmitted the first-ever "close range" image of the far side of the moon. China's National Space Administration applauded the event as a first that "lifted the mysterious veil" of the far side of the moon and claimed it as a major achievement for the country's ambitious space programme. The tasks of the Chang'e-4 include astronomical observation, surveying the moon's terrain and mineral makeup and measuring the neutron radiation and neutral atoms to study the environment of its far side. The Chang'e-5 mission, set to collect samples from the near side of the moon, will be carried out at the end of the year, while another probe will be sent to Mars by 2020, Wu Yanhua, deputy head of the space administration, told a briefing, according to an official online transcript. The Chang'e 5 mission will lay the ground work for further probes to be sent to the moon's south pole and possibly to return samples from the far side of the moon, depending on the results collected in the upcoming mission, Wu said. Tests carried out by future missions could lay the groundwork for building on the moon's surface, by testing technologies like 3D printing or the use of moon soil in construction, he said. "China, the United States, Russia and European nations, among others, are all exploring whether or not to build a base or research station on the moon," he said. The moon is tidally locked to Earth, rotating at the same rate as it orbits our planet, so most of the far side - or "dark side" - is never visible to us. Previous spacecraft have seen the far side, but none has landed on it. China has made space exploration a top priority in recent years, as it races to catch up with Russia and the United States and become a major space power by 2030. Beijing plans to launch construction of its own manned space station next year. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) might contest on most of the 17 seats reserved for SC/ST in Uttar Pradesh, along with seats in Western UP, according to a report by The Economic Times. BSP formalised its alliance with Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) on January 12, with both parties contesting from 38 seats each while leaving two for allies and deciding not to contest from Rae Bareli and Amethi. According to the report, while Yadav and his father, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, will be contesting the polls from Kannauj and Mainpuri respectively, Mayawati too may look to re-enter Lok Sabha after over 15 years. The report states that key seats like Bulandshahr, Agra, Bijnor, Meerut, Saharanpur, Nagina and Aligarh will be contested by BSP, while SP is expected to field candidates from Etawah, Lucknow, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Kanpur and Azamgarh. The SP-BSP alliance has left Baghpat and Mathura for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) led by Ajit Singh, but would field its candidates in case the latter decides to ally with Congress. According to the report, the alliance is hoping for vote transfer. For instance, while the BSP has identified seats where the party will be able to win with enough Dalit-Muslim backing, it also hopes that the Yadavs, traditionally backing the SP, will vote for the party. Similarly, while the SP has identified seats where the Muslim-Yadav population is decisive, it hopes that Dalits will back the party due to the alliance. "Who gets which seat depends also on who finished second on which seat in 2014 and 2009, as well as considering either partys traditional strengths in terms of voters," an SP leader told the newspaper. Hoping to re-capture its pole position from rival Xiaomi, Korean giant Samsung will launch its 'Galaxy M' series of smartphones -- first in India -- as it looks to clock double-digit growth in this hyper-competitive market. The range, which will include phones priced up to Rs 20,000, will be sold online only. While initially, the devices will be available on Samsung's website and Amazon, it will be extended to other online platforms later. "Samsung India will be the first country to launch the new Galaxy M series smartphones later this month. This new range has been inspired by millennials and designed in India," Samsung India Senior Vice President Asim Warsi told PTI. He added that the new range will help the company achieve "strong double-digit growth" in 2019. "This is our first salvo in 2019. We have been investing in the Indian market not only in terms of devices but also our factory expansion and our experience centre...we continue to remain focused on the needs of the Indian consumer," he said. On the government's move to tighten norms for e-commerce companies, Warsi said Samsung will continue to conform with the laws. In December, the government had introduced new regulations -- effective February 1 -- that would bar online marketplaces with foreign investments from selling products of the companies where they hold stakes, and ban exclusive marketing arrangements. Citing GfK data, Warsi said the company exited the December 2018 quarter with a 40 per cent value share of the market. However, reports from other research organisations like IDC and Counterpoint have positioned Xiaomi to be ahead of Samsung (in terms of units shipped) for many quarters now. Xiaomi has a dominant position in the online smartphone sales and has been aggressively expanding its offline presence over the last many months. Warsi maintained that while Samsung will continue to focus on its offline channel, the latest range will cater to the millennials shopping online. The new M series will include three devices to begin with. These devices will include 5,000 mAH battery with fast charging. One of the three phones will also come with a three-camera setup. Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav arrives at his official residence which authorities wanted to vacate, in Patna, Wednesday, December 5, 2018. Patna district authorities cancelled the move to get Yadav's bungalow vacated till further order after his lawyer met them and apprised them about a writ filed in Patna High Court. (PTI Photo) (PTI12_5_2018_000062B) Stressing the message of BSP-SP alliance has gone down well throughout the country, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday said Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will decide who will be in power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. "It is not just UP but the entire country where the message of alliance has gone...(now) the people of UP and Bihar will decide as to who will come to power at the Centre," Tejashwi told newspersons here after meeting SP president Akhilesh Yadav. The RJD leader had met BSP supremo Mayawati here last night. "In UP there are 80 seats while Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats...along with Jharkhand which has 14 seats a major chunk of 134 seats are in these states...The BJP has around 115 seats of these...with alliance in these states, the BJP will lose 100 seats," Tejashwi claimed. Asserting that people are not happy with the saffron party, he said they had also come to "cheat" Bihar, with the prime minister promising special package. He also referred to "CM chacha" (Nitesh Kumar) going with the BJP after breaking the alliance with RJD. "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," he said, adding that it will prevent the country from going into the "clutches" of the RSS. Tejashwi said his visit to congratulate the BSP and the SP was in fact realisation of the dream visualised by RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav. Claiming there is undeclared Emergency in the country, he said all constitutional institutions are being damaged to serve personal interests and there is also an effort to replace the Constitution by MS Golwalkar's (RSS leader) "Bunch of Thoughts" and the "Nagpuri law". Tejashwi also referred to the CBI and the ED saying that his family and he himself, even when he was 13 years old, has been facing cases but stressed there was no need to compromise and instead fight against them. "There is a move to tarnish and sully the image by giving negative publicity...after elections all will come to know who is dishonest and how the 'chowkidar' has tricked the people of the country and only indulged in jumlebaazi, he said. "Our organisation in Uttar Pradesh will lend support to the alliance," he said. Speaking on the occasion, Akhilesh said Tejashwi's move will further cement the alliance. The people of the country are today unhappy with the BJP and want to remove it, he said, adding alliance in UP alliance has been received well. "...from Delhi to Kolkata, people are against the BJP as all have been deceived by them," he said. "I can assure the BJP that we samajwadis will not change our language even if they try," Akhilesh added. The RJD leader, who arrived in the state capital last night, hoped that the alliance formed in Uttar Pradesh will be extended to Bihar and that all parties will work together to defeat the BJP. Sources said that despite the alliance being announced in Uttar Pradesh, parties like the RJD could be accommodated on isolated seats on the lines of Kairana, where Tabassum Hasan won on RLD ticket in a Lok Sabha by-election though she had close links with the Samajwadi Party. In return, the RJD, which already has its alliance with the Congress in Bihar, could accommodate some candidates of the BSP and the Samajwadi Party, sources said. Speaking to newspersons, Tejashwi had said, "I am the youngest. I have come to wish her (Mayawati) on her birthday in advance and take blessings...she is a matured leader and we should keep getting her guidance in future. The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana hasnt seen an increase in demand for services from the shutdown, but the food bank and its distribution network of hunger relief agencies are ready to assist anyone, regardless of whether they are a federal employee, if they need help during this difficult time, Emily Cutka, the agencys director of community partnerships, said in an email. Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Odisha and Kerala Tuesday to launch a series of projets, including a railway line and a highway bypass. In Odisha, he will dedicate to the nation a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jharsuguda and other developmental projects, and inaugurate a new railway line between Balangir and Bichupali. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone for a permanent building at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sonepur, a statement from his office said. The MMLP has been constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore and will facilitate export-import and domestic cargo including, private freight traffic. It is located adjacent to the Howrah-Mumbai line which is 5 km from Jharsuguda railway station. Many important industries including steel, cement, paper are located around the facility and will benefit from it. The 15 km Balangir-Bichupali new railway line would connect coastal Odisha with the western parts of the state synchronising development across the state, the statement said. It will reduce travel time from Bhubaneswar and Puri to major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. The line would also benefit many small, medium and cottage industries in Odisha and open up opportunities for the mining sector in the state. The prime minister is also likely to dedicate to the nation electrification of 813 km of Jharsuguda-Vizinagaram and Sambalpur-Angul lines done at a cost of Rs 1,085 crore. It will ensure seamless rail connectivity on the line. He is likely to dedicate doubling of 13.5 km Barpali-Dungaripali and Balangir-Deogaon road line. The doubling of the line will boost industrial capacity in Odisha. Modi will also inaugurate the renovation and restoration works at Nilamadhav and Siddheshwar temple in Gandhaharadi (Boudh).These are some of the earliest instances of Odishan temple architecture celebrating western Odisha's 'Hara-Hari cultural fabric. In Kerala, the prime minister will inaugurate the Kollam bypass on National Highway 66. It is a 13 km-long two-lane bypass, and includes three major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake. The project will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, and will also decongest traffic in Kollam town. In Thiruvananthapuram, Modi will visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple and is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of visitor facilities there. Mayawati-akhilesh-sp-bsp Viju Cherian With so much political developments in Uttar Pradesh for the ensuing general elections, it was a busy weekend for political parties in India. On Saturday, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders announced their alliance, in which each party would contest 38 seats (76 of the 80 seats) in the upcoming national polls. BSP chief and former UP Chief Minister Mayawati said that of the four remaining seats, two were left to the allies, probably Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and the seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli were left for the Congress. Excluding the Congress from the BSP-SP alliance is a politically wise move by the two regional parties, a blessing in disguise for the grand old party and could give the BJP cause for concern. The SPs reluctance to join hands with the Congress is quite understandable especially after the drubbing it received in the 2017 assembly results after joining hands with the Congress. Of the 403 assembly seats, the SP won 47 177 less than what it won the previous election. Mayawati, at the best of times, has had a tense relationship with the Congress and her reluctance to accommodate the Congress is a clear sign of her attempts to revive the fortunes of the BSP in UP in 2014, the party won none of the 80 seats it contested and in 2017 it won 19 of the 403 assembly seats contested. Rather than taking the exclusion as an insult or so, the Congress could benefit from this alliance. If the Muslim and lower caste votes are likely to consolidate with the SP and BSP respectively, the Congress could work towards taking the upper caste Hindu votes away from the BJP. The Congress soft Hindutva campaign strategy used in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan could see a repeat in this case. This would be a multi-pronged electoral attack on the BJPs vote base. In a different outcome, the discrepancies in the BSP-SP alliance and the dissent towards the BJP government could benefit the Congress. Either way, if it plays its cards wisely, the Congress stands to gain. Moreover, rather than being a muffled voice in a grand alliance in a state where it is not the senior party, it is better for the Congress to fight the polls on its own this will help the party in the long run and could also work to its benefit. In 2009, to the surprise of many, when it contested alone the Congress won 21 of the 80 seats it won 11 more seats than the BJP, one more than the BSP and two less than the SP. Congress President Rahul Gandhis statement that his party will fight with our full capacity, and the partys state in-charge Gulam Nabi Azads words that the party will contest on all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh should be seen from this context. It is too early in the day to say how this exclusion will work, but for both the BSP-SP alliance and the Congress the goal is clear to defeat the BJP. With a view on this, there could be a tacit understanding between the three anti-BJP parties (where the Congress would field a weak candidate where the BSP-SP candidate is strong and vice versa). If the Congress manages to win around 10 seats, and provided its performance in other states are better than 2014, it could be a major player in the opposition space. Either way the alliance is bad news for the BJP. After winning 71 of the 80 seats in the state, its an uphill task for the BJP to repeat or better its tally. The tailwinds of the Modi wave have receded and the headwinds of demonetisation, GST, lynching and joblessness could work against the BJP. The last time the BSP and the SP came together was for the 1993 assembly polls, in the wake of the Ayodhya movement. The alliance then pitted the electoral battle as a Mandal vs Kamandal one. A revival of that sentiment could work against the BJP. Todays BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership is projecting a more inclusive face with a focus on development (Sabha Saath, Sabka Vikas). If the BJP decides to go back to focusing on temple politics, it would be a referendum on the past five years of its government. The BJP has dismissed the alliance as an opportunistic one if thats the case, why did its senior leaders spend considerable time on this topic at its national executive in Delhi? If the incoherence in governance and bitter falling apart of the BSP-SP alliance 26 years ago is still fresh in voters mind, it is safe to assume that the same voters will remember the failure of the BJP to deliver on many of its promises over the past five years. This could work to the benefit of the Congress, which was taught a lesson in the 2014 electoral drubbing it received and has since then showed signs of revival under Gandhi. HD Kumaraswamy Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday said there was no question of "instability" in the Congress-JD(S) dispensation as he sought to downplay reports about the BJP allegedly attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple his government. He, however, reiterated his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine even as he expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides. "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media...I was surprised to see the report," Kumaraswamy said. "I don't know who will benefit from such reports, but in my opinion it will cause loss to the people of the state," he told reporters in Mysuru. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in 2008. Speculations are rife that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side. There are also reports that a few of them have gone incommunicado. Asked about Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said, they were in constant touch with him. Not revealing their names, he said "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government." "(The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me," the chief minister said. "I spoke to them at 7:30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add politics to it," Kumaraswamy said. "...if my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" he asked. Shivakumar had on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state's coalition government was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel. He said the chief minister was being "lenient" towards the BJP, by not exposing it. The BJP holding up all its 104 MLAs, who had gone to Delhi for the party's national council meeting, in the national capital and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara calling a breakfast meeting of Congress ministers here, along with KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and CLP leader Siddaramaiah added fuel to the speculations. Asked about meetings by the Congress and the BJP, Kumaraswamy said the leaders were holding meetings for matters related to their respective parties. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister asked. Kumaraswamy said he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. "When media friends report that 12 (MLAs) are going, 14 and 18 are going, without the BJP luring them will you get the information? But none of our Congress and JD(S) MLAs will go, falling prey to their allurements. There is no such situation," he said. Parameshwara also said the government was stable. "There is no chance (of the government becoming unstable)," he said. Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be...why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." Accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, Parameshwara said the opposition party would not be successful. "We have faith in our MLAs, so we need not worry," he said, adding that the party was watching the developments. Citizenship-bill The Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal immigrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for Indian citizenship.It does. The conditions are: the applicant or the immigrant should have entered legally, and resided in India past for the past 11 of the 14 years from the date of his/her application.The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has proposed to considerably ease these conditions. It seeks to nearly halffrom 11 to six yearsthe period required to stay in India for claiming citizenship, even after illegally entering India.Thats not the central concern. They key worry is that once voted into law, it will allow Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan to become Indian citizens, even if they have entered illegally.The Bill seeks to introduce a hierarchy of citizenship, a case of some illegal immigrants being more equal than others, on the basis of religion. This may violate Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees right to equality.Clearly not. The Bill seeks to overhaul the definition of illegal immigrants, purely on the basis of religion. For one, it seeks to override many rules of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920. Currently, these two laws empower the central government imprison or deport illegal immigrants found to be living in India, regardless of their nationality or religion. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, if passed in Parliament, will imply that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014 will not be deported or imprisoned for being in India even if found to be living without valid documents. So, effectively, anybody belonging to any of these six religions from these the three countries can claim Indian citizenship, if they have entered India by December 31, 2014 and have been staying in the country for at least six years, even if illegally. The unstated the motive, according to some critics, is to make India the natural abode of the Hindus, just as colonial and Zionist projects established Israel as the global homeland of Jews The move has gained momentum after the Narendra Modi-led government rode to power in 2014, although from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of the Congress had said in 2013 that he will seek refugee status for people who migrated to India from Bangladesh following religious persecution. This will mean a central law for those who were forced to leave their homes. It will be on the lines of political asylum, Gogoi had said in 2013. There is near undisputable opposition to the Bills provision among the Assamese speaking spanning across the length and breadth of the Brahmaputra Valley. It is not animosity for other communities that this behind the resistance. There is a growing fear, in Assam and the rest of the North East, about being reduced to a minority in their homeland, outnumbered by a swarming influx of immigrants from Bangladesh. There is a fear that the Assamese speaking will be reduced to a statistically weak minority in their own state. This could trigger a rapid cultural erosion. Assam boasts of a very progressive literature, music and cinema movement. The opposition to the Bill stems from the fear that a flood of Bengali-speaking immigrants who will legitimately settle down in Assam and rest of North East can fast alter the existing cultural ecosystem, blurring indigenous identities. The Bill also appears to violate the Assam Accord, both in letter and spirit. The Assam Accord, signed between the then Rajiv Gandhi-led central government and the All Assam Students Union (AASU), had fixed March 24, 1971 as the cutoff date for foreign immigrants. Those illegally entering Assam after this date were to be detected and deported, irrespective of their religion. The Citizenship Amendment Bill moves the cutoff date for six religions by more than 43 years to December 31, 2014, something that is not acceptable to the Assamese-speaking in Brahmaputra Valley, who insist that all illegal immigrants should be treated as illegal. There is also an economic problem. If tens of thousands of leave Bangladesh and start staying legally in Assam and North East, the pressure will first show in the principal economic resourceland. Also, since these will be legitimate citizens, there will also be more people joining the queue of job hopefuls that can potentially lower opportunities for the indigenous and the locals. It also boils down to the political rights of the people of the state. Migration has been a burning issue in Assam. There is a view that illegal immigrants, who will eventually become legitimate citizens, will be determining the political future of the state. But doesnt the Bill enjoy support among those staying in Barak Valley?The Bill does enjoy a groundswell of support in Barak valley bordering Bangladesh, dominated by Bengali-speaking Hindus. Assam is divided by these two valleys with the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in between. The Centre has set up a high-level committee to look into the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, 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. It has also decided to accord scheduled tribe (ST) status to six tribesSutiya, Moron, Motok, Tai Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes, although several tribal leaders have questioned the motive coming as it does just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections The move has come at an extremely critical political period. The state is in the midst of updating the controversial National Register for Citizens (NRC), an Assam Accord mandated exercise aimed at coming out with a credible list of bona fide citizens of India living in Assam. The NRC exercise is being carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The first draft of the NRC was released on December 31, 2017 and the second final draft was published on July 30, 2018 Of 3.29 crore applicants, 2.89 crore people made it to the final draft leaving out 40.07 lakh people. The list is now the process of being updated based on claims and objections filed by those whose name did not feature in the final draft. NRC in Assam is not a linguistic/religious/caste/ethnicity-based population census. Its limited, but extremely important, focus is to find out residency status in Assam through legacy data like parents' and grand parents' names in voters' list before March 24, 1971. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has queered the pitch for NRC on three counts. First, by having two cut off dates for illegal foreign immigrantsDecember 31, 2014 for Hindus, Buddhists, Parsis, Jains, Christians and Sikhs, and March 24, 1971 for the rest. Two, by making some illegal immigrants more equal than others. Three, it will open up the possibility of Indian citizens from other states to stake claims for their names being included in the NRC. The move has made stirred up the alliance matrix for the BJP in the north east. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has walked out of the government in Assam and the Meghalayas Chief Minister National Peoples Party (NPP) supremo Conrad Sangma has termed the passing of the Bill in the Lok Sabha as unfortunate, clearly voicing his discomfiture at the proposed legislation, amid speculation that NPP may soon severe ties with BJP-led Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA). The North East states send 25 members of the Lok Sabha. The BJP was targetting to win 21 of these, a possibility that now looks shaky. The BJP, however, would be hoping the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will help the party make significant inroads among the Bengali Hindu votes in West Bengal that has 42 Lok Sabha seats. But will these be enough to offset the potential losses in North East? As of now, that looks a like calculated risk. But before that, the Bill has to pass the Rajya Sabha test. It does not look like a done deal yet. Congress workers and supporters celebrate after the party's victory in Rajasthan Assembly elections, at party office in Jaipur. (Image: PTI) Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee will launch on January 20 'Project Shakti', the brain-child of AICC leader Rahul Gandhi, to strength the party from the grassroots-level here. Minister of Public Works and PCC leader A Namassivayam said in a press release here Monday that AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, project coordinator Praveen Chakravarty, AICC secretary Sanjay Dutt, also in-charge of the Congress party affairs in Puducherry, Territorial Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and Ministers would be among those who would participate in the launch of the project. Namassivayam said an emergency meeting of the executive committee of the PCC held here yesterday adopted a resolution announcing the formation of the 'Project Shakti.' He said the meeting also through other resolutions decided to distribute handbills door-to-door to bring into focus the 'monumental failure and blunders' the Narendra Modi-headed NDA government at the Centrehas committed since it assumed office. The executive committee meeting was attended among others by the Chief Minister, Ministers, Deputy Speaker V P Sivakolundhu and party MLAs. BJP_bhartiya Janta party The BJP will win both the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls scheduled this year due to its "structure and organisational strength", the party's state chief and Jalna MP Raosaheb Danve said on Monday. Danve, who was in Kolhapur after completing a tour of 36 parliamentary seats in the state, also downplayed the continual verbal duels between his party and ally Shiv Sena. Brushing aside the impact of alliances being formed against the BJP, Danve said, "BJP will succeed in upcoming state and Parliament elections because of its structure and organisational strength." On the routine war of words between the Sena and BJP leadership in the state, he said his party still wanted like-minded groups to come together for the forthcoming polls. "The BJP wants like-minded parties to come together. But if that does not happen, then we will fight in all the seats in Maharashtra and win," he claimed. The latest war of words between the bickering saffron allies occurred after BJP chief Amit Shah recently said if an alliance happened, the BJP will ensure victory for its allies, but if it did not, the party will thrash its former allies in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Without naming anyone, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, at a public meet on Sunday in Mumbai, said, "I have heard words like 'patak denge' from someone. One who will trounce the Shiv Sena is yet to be born." On another query about Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena MLA from Jalna, Arjun Khotkar, being a likely candidate against him, Danve said he would be fighting Lok Sabha and not Assembly polls. He, however, added, "If Khotkar tries to oppose me (in LS polls), then I will defeat him." He refused to speculate on the BJP's LS candidates from Kolhapur, Hatkanangale, Satara and Sangli seats and asked media to wait till March when he claimed the LS poll notification is expected to be issued. representative image The ruling AIADMK Monday indicated that it was not averse to forging an electoral alliance with the BJP for the coming Lok Sabha polls, saying that "anything can happen." Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who holds the top party post of 'coordinator' in the AIADMK, told reporters "at the time of election, anything can happen." His response, seen as a clear indication that AIADMK was not averse to striking an electoral deal with the saffron party, came when he was asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remark that BJP cherished its old allies and was open for alliances. Panneerselvam, recalling that political alignments had witnessed sharp turns in the past, said that the BJP had aligned with AIADMK first and later switched to the DMK camp. Again the saffron party had struck a deal with the AIADMK years ago, he said. The AIADMK top leader's remark comes days after his party stoutly opposed key legislations piloted by the BJP led Centre in the Parliament like the triple talaq and 10 per cent reservation for economically backward upper castes. The AIADMK will form an "appropriate alliance, mega alliance and one that is liked by the people will be announced," he told reporters later at Madurai. "Whenever election is announced, be it Parliamentary or local body polls, the AIADMK is fully geared up to fight and win," he said. BJP State unit chief Tamilisai Soundarajan meanwhile told reporters in Chennai that her party is open to strike an alliance with any party, except those in the DMK-Congress combine. She said the BJP would have a tie up with parties that "repose faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and subscribe to development agenda and good governance." Moneycontrol Contributors GST is now over 18 months old. So how is GST doing in January 2019? With the elections just a few months away, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the eighteen-month-old toddler they call GST. Sure, there have been tumbles, but will this toddler be able to hold on his own and soon, are the questions we will examine on this edition of Digging Deeper with Moneycontrol with me Rakesh Sharma. A brief history of GST GST, the Goods and Services tax, was implemented on July 1, 2017. The government claimed it was revolutionary, and all businesses would benefit from it. The truth was far more complex. The perception we carried, especially in the initial days of the rollout, was that some things became cheaper because of just one countrywide tax while certain other things became more expensive, thanks to the different rate slabs that ranged from 5% to a huge 28%. We need to understand what GST means to you, I and every other individual in this country. To paraphrase the explainer from Kotak Bank, we earlier paid a "tax on tax" for every purchase that we made throughout the value chain. This not only increased the taxes we paid to a pretty high rate - roughly 25-30%. Consequently, the end cost of goods and services were pretty high as well. As Livemint noted, GST replaced 17 central and state taxes that existed before and has led to the removal of check posts at state borders, transforming India into a single market. The Goods and Services Tax is, at its core, a single tax on the supply of goods and services - right from the manufacturer to the end consumer. Its purported aim was to remove unpredictability and bring equality in the prices of products across the country. It eventually hopes to reduce the manufacturing cost of businesses, and to create a unified and streamlined market where the cost of goods and services will be more even across the country. What that means in understandable terms for you and I is, GST was structured such that essential services and food items were placed in the lower tax brackets while luxury services and products have been placed in the higher tax bracket. So yeah, the Macbook or the Michael Kors bag aint getting much cheaper. Given the governments moves to curtail the discounts offered by e-commerce companies, you might as well buy desi. The absolutely necessary items for daily life - fruits and vegetables, milk, buttermilk, curd, natural honey, flour, besan, bread, salt, jaggery, cereal grains, fresh meat, fish, chicken, eggs are exempt from GST. As are, I kid you not, bindi, sindoor, kajal, bangles, drawing and coloring books, stamps, judicial papers, printed books, newspapers, jute and handloom, hotels and lodges with tariff below INR 1000 etc. Because, lets face it, GST on bindi and sindoor would be ridiculous. You can just picture a bollywood film scene where the newly widowed sister of the hero wipes off her sindoor in utter grief, and youre thinking, ab GST bhi nahi bharna padega. Anyway, GST was meant to be the solution to VAT, or Value Added Tax, which was applied at different rates in different states. Yes, I know, taxes are named very creatively. As Bloomberg noted, When a country...the size of India, with its multi-party federal structure, with both the centre and states having their own fiscal autonomy, looks to introduce GST, it was a given that the design (would) be India specific with basic principles borrowed from other Value Added Tax/GST laws. What that meant was that GST was the the biggest tax reform to be implemented in independent India. Vivek Tiwari, MD and CEO at Satya Microcapital Ltd, wrote in YourStory.com that GST has streamlined the countrys indirect taxation system, underlining its promise of a unified domestic system of indirect taxes. Its impact on the economy and various sectors have been largely positive, barring some initial teething problems that are only expected with a reform undertaken on such a large scale. Nevertheless, the impact of the reform on the services sector, specifically the financial services sector, has also been significant. GSTs journey Tiwari lists out what he sees as the main advantages of GST: eliminating the cascading effect of tax; raising the threshold for registrations to 20 lakhs (The exemption limit is the threshold of annual turnover above which companies have to mandatorily register under the GST regime.); small businesses benefitting from composition scheme; compliance made simpler due to online procedures etc. GST increased the number of taxpayers to 3.4 million, according to the Economic Survey 2017-18. The increase in this tax base will help the exchequer with higher receipts when economic growth quickens. While that presents the positive side of the GST picture, there has been definite blowback faced by the government. Even now, a large part of the economyfuels, electricity, land and real estate excluding construction contracts - is still outside GST. One of the criticisms from the Congress party is that GST has multiple tax slabs, the highest slab is 28% against a cap of 18% that the UPA had proposed. The NDA government countered this saying GST has brought down the tax rate on 97.5% of commodities to 18% or less, as against an effective rate of 31% on most of the items in the pre-GST era. The opposition also alleges that the GST regime was rolled out in haste, without adequate preparation, resulting in hardship for traders across the country. This resulted in blowback, as we mentioned earlier. Rahul Gandhi famously calls GST Gabbar Singh Tax. Which is surprising, since the UPA government was mulling over the GST for ages. This week, during his tour of the UAE, he said, We will take some rational economic decisions. We will restructure the GST and we will embrace investments from the Middle East and other parts of the world. Gandhi claimed foreign investment was at a multi-year low in India due to the ill-advised and badly thought out economic moves such as demonetisation and a poorly designed GST. Lets examine Mr Gandhis claim. Between April and June 2018, foreign investors withdrew 61000 crores from Indias capital markets. Renewed confidence in the economy resulted in back-to-back monthly inflows of 2300 crores in July and 5200 crores in August of 2018. That particular rebound came after improved macro-economic growth indicators and corporate earnings as well as a positive report from the IMF in early August. Business Today, in its year end review a few weeks ago, noted that in FY16, FDI inflow was $55.56 billion while the next year saw FDI growth slow to 8.38%, clocking in at $60.22 billion. In FY18, said the paper, total FDI inflow was $60.97 billion with the growth dropping further to 1.24%. So even as there was growth in absolute numbers, the rate of growth has fallen for two years consecutively. The Economic Times reported on December 28, 2018 that, according to data from Dealogic, a global M&A and capital markets data provider, Indias foreign direct investment was the highest ever with 235 deals amounting to $37.76 billion in the last calendar year. Kalpana Morparia, chief executive for South and Southeast Asia at JP Morgan Chase & Co, told ET, India has had a busy M&A calendar in 2018 and we will continue to see good traction in inbound M&As. One analysis in BloombergQuint claimed that At the very outset it was clear that...lawmakers and GST Council drafted a law, a rate structure and a base that was far from ideal. The objective was to implement GST first, and then tweak it periodically, basis feedback and improve the structure as we go along. The report adds, This is evident from the fact that the GST Council in the last 18 months has met 31 times and taken successful decisions through consensus. The GST Council as a constitutional body has had unparalleled success which many were sceptical about, and due credit goes to the Finance Minister of the Union of India and all State Finance/ Revenue ministers besides the untiring efforts of the GST working committee. The changes, or updates, to the GST over its 18-month life have largely been in the areas of rate rationalisation (the cursed 28% slab), ease of compliance, and improvements through changes in the Acts and rules. The improvement in the ease of compliance has been a pleasant surprise GST attempted monthly reporting at transaction level with invoice matching, which was a big change from the summary reporting - monthly, quarterly, bi-annual - in previous central and state laws. It was also the area that saw many hurdles. It was a shift so substantial that companies had to spend significant time and money in upgrading their ERP systems in order to be able to comply with GST. It now appears that the government might have miscalculated how much of a shift this would prove to be. The first three months of GST were, to put it delicately, very painful. Stakeholders, especially taxpayers, faced near chaos in those initial months of implementation - chaos that resulted in course corrections and the introduction of GSTR3B summary monthly reporting and filing of only the GSTR1 form instead of the planned GSTR1, GSTR2, GSTR2A and GSTR3 along with invoice matching every month. How does GST benefit me? We benefit via GST rate cuts. Transparency in GSTs computation has made the high incidence of indirect tax on many daily use items apparent, which has prompted the GST Council to cut tax rates. The council estimates that the rate cuts announced so far amount to a benefit of 80,000 crore a year. That said, the issue of businesses not passing on GST rate cut benefits to consumers continues to be a problem. For example, many consumers have filed complaints which are being examined by the National Anti-profiteering Authority. GST collections, or the lack thereof Now we come to important matter of collections. GST has been at the receiving end of no small amount of derision, especially when it came to collections. How is that working out for the centre? Livemint reported last week that the monthly run rate of collections until November was less than 90,000 crore, much lower than the monthly average of 1.05 trillion required to meet the annual target. Business Standard reported that the centre had collected Rs 94,726 crore as GST in December. As far as annual targets of GST go, the expected income was Rs 6.04 lakh crore from the Central GST in 2018-19. Business Standard claims CGST revenue stands at Rs 3.41 lakh crore in nine months (i.e, April-to-December), or 56% of the annual target. That puts pressure on the government - it needs to make Rs 87,000 crore in January, February and March to make up for the shortfall. That includes tax collected as CGST as well as settlement towards CGST from the IGST account. The worry for the government is that the highest inflow as CGST was recorded in July 2018 - Rs 58,796 crore. It also has another headache - evasion. Shiv Pratap Shukla, minister of state for finance, shared data in Parliament on january 4 that showed the percentage of eligible taxpayers who avoided filing returns rose sharply. A year ago, 84.4 million hadnt filed returns; this has risen to 283.1 million. Coming to monthly numbers, here are the figures for GST collections: In April 2018, collections were at 1,03,459 crores. That dropped to just over 94,000 crores in May. It went up to 95,610 crores in June, and 96,483 crores in July. It dropped below 95,000 crores the next two months but bounced back to register collection of over 1 lakh crore in October 2018. It dropped top 97,637 crores in November and 94,726 crores in December. Youre probably thinking at this point, whats with the fluctuations? E-way bills didnt quite prove to be the panacea they were expected to become. When e-way bills were implemented in April 2018, it was expected that lower effective taxes, along with increased compliance, would accelerate formalization, and organized businesses would gain share and tax collections would surge. But it seems now looks as if the mechanism has failed to yield the desired results. For instance, when analysts from JM Financial Institutional Equities visited Haryanas Yamunanagar - where 550-600 plywood manufacturing units are located - they reported that while invoicing levels increased, e-way bill implementation was still not strict in most places and companies were able to get away with under-invoicing. MS Mani, partner, Deloitte India, said, ...collections, while admittedly below the targets, seem to indicate the revenue is stabilising at around Rs 95,000 crore a month, despite the rate reductions in the current fiscal year. A lower revenue than the target could lead to more compliance pressures on businesses and more focus on anti-evasion measures. One expert told Livemint, Our understanding is that people are still gaming the system and this has to do with input credit...these companies are claiming input credit by showing estimates of their sales in the GSTR-1 form, as you just have to give details of your sales in this form and not show the actual invoices based on which the input credit is being availed. Later, they avoid paying GST, as payment of taxes happens when you file the GSTR-3B form. So, in many cases, registrations are made, and initial GST payments are missed. By the time the tax authorities figure it out, many of them have deregistered or shut shop. However, it seems unlikely that the government is going to be too strict in an election year. With Lok Sabha elections due in May, the GST Council has eased the compliance burden for small businesses. The Council, chaired by finance minister Arun Jaitley, relaxed the tax exemption limit from Rs 20 lakhs to Rs 40 lakh during its 32nd meeting on January 10. A point to be noted here is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in that famous interview to ANIs Smita Prakash, had said the centre wanted the threshold to be raised to 75 lakh. The council also extended the composition scheme to traders from informal sector rendering services or mixed supplies with a turnover up to Rs 50 lakh. There has been some speculation that the GST Council also plans to converge the 12% and 18% slabs to a midpoint of 15%. Jaitley himself had written about this in a Facebook post three weeks ago titled 18 months of GST. M.S. Mani, partner, Deloitte India, approves of this idea. He said, Chief economic adviser (Arvind Subramanian) had in the past suggested a revenue-neutral rate between 15% and 16%. Hence, the intention to move to that rate would be very welcome. Such a move would make GST a two-slab tax, barring the exempt items and luxury and sin goods taxed at 28%. The FM also wrote, The country should eventually have a GST which will have only slabs of zero, 5% and standard rate with luxury and sin goods as an exception. As of now, the highest slab of 28% has only 27 categories of products, down from the 228 at on July 1, 2017. Or, as Jaitley put it somewhat grandiloquently, The Sun is setting on the 28% slab. Maybe I should have opened with that? The Supreme Court of India (SC) on January 14 said it will examine the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowing 10 central agencies to monitor computers. The home ministry had on December 20, 2018, authorised 10 Central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer. The move had witnessed protest from Opposition parties, which termed it "unconstitutional and against fundamental rights." However, the Central government said the rules for intercepting and monitoring computer data were framed in 2009 when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power and its new order only notified the designated authority which can carry out such action. Following the furore, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the top court challenging the government's December 20 notification. The plea, filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, termed the notification "illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires to the law". He also sought to prohibit the agencies from initiating any criminal proceedings, enquiry or investigation against anybody under the provisions of the IT Act based on the notification. The petition alleged that the notification gives the state the right to access every communication, computer and mobile and "to use it to protect political interest and object of the present executive political party". The apex further court sought the Centre's response on the matter within six weeks. (With inputs from PTI) Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is leading in Bhokar. Launching a sarcastic attack on ruling BJP, the Congress in Maharashtra Sunday said the government will unleash new set of "jumlas" (gimmicks) like quota for the general category, in the run-up to Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a programme marking culmination of the party's Sangharsh Yatra campaign here, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan said his party's electoral victory in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan has busted the myth that BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are invincible. "People are fed up with Modi government, they have lost patience. Now 'jumla' series number 2 has started- reservation for the general category. I wonder how many announcements will be made in the next 60 days, but they won't work as the next government will be ours. These 'jumlas' will come out through media but you will have to see the facts," he told a gathering. The Parliament recently cleared a Constituional amendment bill granting 10 per cent reservation to the Economically Backward Class (EBC) among the general category. Accusing the BJP of being power drunk, Chavan said the Congress never used arrogant language like the BJP despite being in power for decades. "Has party president Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi ever used such language like 'ukhad denge, fek denge'?" he asked the gathering. He also criticised the government over withdrawal of the invitation of noted author Nayantra Sahgal for the 92nd Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which concluded Sunday in Yavatmal. "Have we ever heard that litterateurs being stopped from expressing their views at literary meets fearing criticism? Government faces criticism from litterateurs many times on such platforms. They have the freedom of speech. Who has given the government the right to prevent authors from speaking?" he questionned. This is violation of democracy but the people should show the government what real democracy is by voting Congress back to power, he said. The former chief minister said he was told that the BJP will use the "money power" to retain its rule in Maharashtra in upcoming assembly polls. "But I want to tell BJP that the people of Maharashtra are not for sale. You think you can buy them.... people have seen through all your 'jumlas'," he said, adding that people are fed up with the "false promises" of the BJP governments. The teenage driver was seriously injured in the crash and taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where he was initially unable to speak with investigators, police said. His two passengers, identified as a 16-year-old boy from Schiller Park and a 17-year-old girl from Chicago, as well as the drivers of two other cars, were also treated at area hospitals, according to police. The Delhi Police has filed a 12,000-page charge sheet against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and others in a sedition case that was lodged in 2016. Delhi Police claimed they have evidence to proceed against 10 former students of JNU, including Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and seven students from Jammu and Kashmir Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat. To charges of sedition being framed against him, Kanhaiya Kumar told CNN News 18, I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulate this government for filing the charge sheet after three years." Framing sedition charges against me is not fair. Basic facts are hidden in the case and everything is politically motivated. Parties are getting desperate ahead of polls, he added. The 10 students have been accused of organizing an event on the college campus against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack mastermind Afzal Guru on February 9, 2016. The police have said there is no direct evidence of the involvement of the other 36 accused, including Shehla Rashid and CPI leader D Rajas daughter Aprajita, adding that they can be summoned later for questioning. Lets rejig our memories on what the case was and what the people associated with the case have to say on the matter: What is the JNU sedition case? On February 9, 2016, a group of students, at the behest of the then JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, had organized an event on the college campus to commemorate Afzal Gurus third death anniversary. The 2001 Parliament attack convict was hanged to death in 2013. The organisers had put up posters across the campus inviting students to gather against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat and in solidarity with the struggle of Kashmiri migrants at the Sabarmati dhaba on the campus. The event was purported to showcase the protest through poetry, art and music. The event stirred a row with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging a counter-protest demanding the expulsion of students and the varsity ordering a disciplinary inquiry into the matter, saying the event was conducted despite the administration denying permission. The slogans and their ramifications The ABVP members had accused students at the event of chanting anti-national slogans. Students were seen chanting slogans like Kashmir ki azadi tak Bharat ki azadi tak, jang rahegi jari in a purported video that was doing the rounds. Although event organisers denied these allegations, BJP MP Maheish Girri filed a complaint against unknown persons with Delhi Police for chanting anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans. As a result, a case was registered on February 11, 2016, under IPC Sections 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) against unknown persons. The students were also barred from academics although they were allowed to stay in the hostels. What is sedition? According to Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government of India, he/she shall be punished with imprisonment of three years which may extend to life and pecuniary fine. Sedition was not a part of the original IPC enacted in 1860 and was introduced in 1870. Since then, the law has been applied several times and undergone several interpretations. Kanhaiya Kumar arrested Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on February 12 on charges of sedition and remanded in police custody for three days by the Delhi High Court. The arrest sparked passive outrage among JNU students. The snowball effect On February 15, ahead of Kanhaiya Kumars hearing in Patiala House Court, a mob dressed in lawyers' robes thrashed supporters of the students and mediapersons outside the court. Meanwhile, Kanhaiya filed a bail application in the Supreme Court, which was transferred to the Delhi High Court. The top court emphasized that order be maintained outside the court premises. However, in gross defiance of the apex courts order, miscreants attacked Kanhaiya Kumar minutes before his hearing on February 18, hurling abuses and throwing flower pots at him and a team of six senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal. On March 2, 2016, Kanhaiya Kumar was granted interim bail for six months by the Delhi High Court, which ordered his release immediately. He was held in Tihar Jail in New Delhi for around five days. On August 26, Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were finally released on regular bail. After his release, Kanhaiya addressed a group of students with a fiery speech in which he said, [We want] Azaadi in India, not Azaadi from India. What did political leaders have to say over the issue? At that time, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had released a statement saying, If anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on the countrys unity and integrity, they will not be spared, which ultimately led to Delhi Police arresting the students. On the other hand, the then Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had castigated the ruling BJP for suppressing the voice of the institution and crushing the students. Meanwhile Left leaders, including Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, along with Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Anand Sharma, had visited the campus to express solidarity with the students, terming the developments at JNU a political conspiracy to terrorise the students. The validity of Aadhaar was the biggest talking point in India in 2018, kickstarting debates about the government's ability to handle public data. The Centre backed use of the unique identity card saying that it saves the country billions of dollars by weeding out fake beneficiaries of welfare schemes. But, how credible are these claims? Many government officials, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, have cited a 2016 World Bank report which pegged government's annual savings from the usage of Aadhaar at $11 billion, which is nearly Rs 77,000 crore. When the constitutional validity of Aadhaar was being determined in the Supreme Court, the government had submitted this report as a supporting document. However, experts who studied the document have deemed its methodology 'shaky', Quartz reported. Content and intent of the report Anand Venkatanarayanan, a cybersecurity researcher and an expert on Aadhaar, reached out to one of the World Bank officials who produced the report. The latter said the international body was privately skeptical of the Aadhaar programme's implementation. The World Bank official is quoted in the news report as saying, "the (savings) number came with three caveats that you continue to ignore: -it's a potential, and not an actual estimate,-it is based on extrapolation of existing studies done by academics and researchers and not by World Bank staff, -and it is conditional on having an accountable government that is keen to empower and not control its citizens. In today's India, many of the underlying conditions are not met and hence the potential has yet to be realised." The official went on to question the government using the report without mentioning these points. Some senior World Bank officials have claimed in public that Aadhaar has already helped the government save a loot of money. To this, the official responded saying many senior officials talk about the benefits that may have come from digital identification while stressing that much of this potential remains unrealised because of missing complements like "accountable governments and inclusive institutions". "It is obvious these complements don't exist to make such a large saving possible at this stage in India," the official said, adding that the report was meant to reflect how digital technologies and dividends like growth, jobs and services have lagged behind. The $11 billion savings footnote In the World Bank report, there was a controversial footnote which made the claim that the government will save $11 billion from Aadhaar annually. This data is attributed to a study by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, but Quartz claims that this study did not make any such statement. It only stated that $11 billion was the total estimate of the government's annual expenditure on "major cash transfers". After economists Reetika Khera and Jean Dreze studied the matter intensively and contacted the international organisation, the footnote was changed and the new footnote actually cites reductions observed in two government programmes. "It was bad enough that when the 'error' in the World Bank's savings figures was pointed out, instead of correcting their mistake, they made another convoluted attempt to justify the earlier error," Khera told the news website. "Almost a year after the discredited savings figures were exposed, FM Jaitley used them again in his blog on Aadhaar." A former manager of the Renukamata Multi-state Co-operative Urban Credit Society based in Ahmednagar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 13 for helping three companies launder Rs 120 crore to Hong Kong, according to a report by The Times of India. The money was allegedly laundered money using fake import documents for three companies, which were booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in 2018. The companies and their directors allegedly laundered around Rs 2,000 crore, the report cites ED as saying. Investigation into the laundering case led the agency to Machindra Khade, who was the co-operatives Nagpur branch manager in 2013-14. According to the report, Khade deposited large amount of money in the societys account using fictitious names before redepositing them in the societys bank accounts. The money would be later transferred abroad through real time gross settlement (RTGS). "As and when there was a demand, he would take out these blank RTGS slips and fill the amount and beneficiary details. He used to take Rs 50 lakh commission for each transaction," the report quoted ED as saying. The co-operatives name came under the agencys scanner in 2018, while it was probing the money laundering case allegedly involving Yogeshwar Diamonds, Shree Charbhuja Diamonds, Kanika Gems and their directors Anil Kumar Toshniwal, Sunil Chokhara and Anil Chokhara, the report stated. Commenting on the same, IndusInd Bank clarified that these are 5-6 year old cases (involving several banks), where the bank itself had proactively made the necessary regulatory reporting as far back as 2013-14 and had also filed subsequent police reports in co-ordination with, and under guidance from, the Enforcement Directorate in 2015. The Bank has no exposure in relation to these transactions, and has not suffered any loss on this account, it stated. Christian Michels extradition from UAE in Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal (Image: Reuters) The big man R reference found in despatches allegedly authored by the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, Christian Michel, is likely to be Russia and Rosoboronexport, according to a report by The Economic Times. On December 29, 2018, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had told Delhis Patiala High Court that it needed to decipher reference made by Michel to big man R. The mysterious reference by Michel had led to a political slugfest with some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders relating the R to Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had claimed that Michels reference to 'Mrs Gandhi', 'son of Italian lady', 'big man', 'R' points to only one family". Taking a dig at the Congress, Javadekar said it should answer who all Michel was referring to and claimed that people know of one 'R', who had torn an ordinance of the Manmohan Singh government, referring to Rahul Gandhi. PM Modi had also claimed that Michel was close to the Congress. Without taking names, the prime minister said: Recently, a defence middleman was caught and brought back to India. But do you know who this middleman is close to? This middleman is close to the current First Family of the Congress. According to the report, initial investigation in the case is indicating that the correspondence alluded to Russia and a Russian company Rosoboronexport, which was the "front runner" to bag the VVIP chopper deal. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. However, the company had withdrawn from the race by refusing to sign the integrity contract, which had been made mandatory under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) introduced by the UPA government, the report suggests. After Rosoboronexport dropped out, there were only Sikorsky and AgustaWestland left in the race. Probe agencies are investigating why the UPA government did not take the deal offered by Russia which was reportedly to be cheaper than that of AgustaWestland. Rosoboronexport is Russia's state-run intermediary agency for imports and exports of defense-related products, technologies and services. The agencies are considering investigating if the Russian company was deliberately forced to drop from the deal. New Delhi: Congress Party worker celebrate as initial trends show the party leading in the states Assembly elections, at Congress office, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Dec.11, 2018. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)(PTI12_11_2018_000027B) Amid a row over the ouster of CBI director Alok Verma, the Congress party on January 13 sought for the "immediate removal" of the chief vigilance commissioner, alleging the government had made him act like a "puppet" to "escape a probe" into the Rafale deal. There was no immediate reaction from the Central Vigilance Commission or the government on the charge. "We seek the removal, the departure, the exit of the collaborator for violating the Constitution -- the CVC (chief vigilance commissioner). He must go. It is irrelevant whether he resigns or is sacked, but he must go," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here. The Congress alleged that CVC K V Chowdary is being made to "act like a puppet" to avoid any probe into the Rafale case. "Till now, we have been told that only the CBI was the 'caged parrot' but we are now seeing a new 'vigilant' slave of the government, a collaborator for violating the constitution of the Central Vigilance Commission," the Congress spokesperson alleged, taking a swipe at the Modi government. Verma was unceremoniously removed on January 10 as the CBI director after a high-powered panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi found that he had not been functioning with integrity expected of him. "The CVC has been acting like an ambassador for Asthana (CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana), lobbying for Asthana, and acting as an agent and messenger for the government, to do their hatchet jobs," Singhvi alleged. The vigilance commissioner has forgotten that he is supposed to do vigilance for public interest, and not be a "vigilant puppet in the hands of political masters", he said. The senior Congress leader said, he was putting forth the views of his party, based on "objectives facts" that has emerged in the press in connection with the CBI controversy. These facts are in the public domain and "viable", he said, claiming these "can't be denied nor have been denied". "The data and facts in writing demand an immediate action and that action must start with the removal and sacking of the CVC. The sequence of events indicate that the CVC acted like a hatchet man of the government," Singhvi alleged. Now, the question arises as to why the commissioner acted like this and "at whose behest" he was doing it, he asked. "The answer is self-evident, and none except the top two people in this country, who rule this country dictatorially, can claim the power to treat and make the CVC act like a puppet. These master puppeteers can be doing this to hide something, to hide something like Rafale," Singhvi alleged. The government has repeatedly denied all charges levelled by the Congress in connection with the Rafale deal. "Only Rafale (issue) can make them try to make the CVC act like a puppet," he alleged. Singhvi on Saturday had alleged that the government stood exposed after Justice (retired) A K Patnaik claimed that he had not seen the commission's recommendations against Verma and not accorded his assent. He said the selection committee removed Verma based on Asthana's charges, whose plea to quash the FIR against him was dismissed by the Delhi High Court. The senior Congress leader Sunday claimed that one of the "objective facts" that has emerged in public domain is that "Verma had written in great details that the CVC was backing entirely for Asthana". The CVC has forgotten that he has to be "vigilant for public interest, for the nation and not for Asthana or his masters", Singhvi said. "It is clear that to escape any probe into the Rafale case, they made the CVC into a puppet (Rafale ke jaanch se bachne ke liye chowkidar ne CVC ko kathputli bana diya)," he alleged. He said if the prime minister or his government has even an "iota of shame" left, then the CVC should be sacked, removed or tender his resignation. "In Ramlila Maidan (event), Modi spoke about lofty ideas and truthfulness. Maryada Puroshottam Ram is a symbol of truthfulness. If Modi doesn't remove the CVC, his complete truth and lie will come in front of the public," he said. Singhvi alleged that the shoulder of the CVC was "first lent by the CVC, happily and willingly, and then used by the government to fire bullets. Mumbai: A view of Dharavi depot after over 33,000 employees of Mumbai's civic transport undertaking BEST went on an indefinite strike since midnight over their demands, including higher wages, in Mumbai, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade) (PTI1_8_2019_000074B) The striking BEST workers' union and the Maharashtra government Monday failed to reach an agreement before the Bombay High Court to end the stir. The high court Monday said it would pass appropriate orders on Tuesday on the 7-day-old BEST bus strike if the union and state authorities failed to end the deadlock. A bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice NM Jamdar also said "things cannot continue as they are". The high court bench Monday directed the high power committee, constituted by the Maharashtra government last week to negotiate with the striking union, to submit a report in a sealed cover clarifying its views on some of the urgent demands of the union. The bench has been urging the union, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the state government and BEST undertaking to resolve issues in a "congenial environment" and ensure minimum inconvenience to the public. Over 32,000 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) are on strike since Tuesday last week and 3,700 buses in its fleet are off the roads. The high court has been hearing, since last week, a PIL filed by lawyer Datta Mane urging the court to pass interim orders directing BEST workers to call off the strike immediately. Following the high court's intervention, the state government constituted a committee headed by the chief secretary and held meetings with the union and all other stakeholders. On Monday, the state and the BMC told the bench that while they had proposed several solutions to resolve the issues being faced by the BEST workers, the union was still adamant on not withdrawing the strike. Appearing for the state, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni reiterated before the bench that the strike was "illegal" in view of the state's laws on essential services and a previous order of the Industrial Court in the city. "The strike has no legal sanction. The union has made its point by calling the strike and all concerned authorities, including this court, have taken a serious note of their demands. Therefore, the strike must now be called off and the union must enter into negotiations with the committee with an open mind," Kumbhakoni said. The union's counsel Neeta Karnik, however, told the bench that the workers were most concerned about the pay grade of around 15,000 junior-level employees who earn less than Rs 15,000 per month. And they would think about going back to work only if they were convinced that the authorities were going to address the above issue on a priority basis, Karnik told court. The advocate general and the BMC's counsel Anil Sakhre told the bench Monday that the authorities were ready to look into the grievance surrounding the pay scale of the junior level employees subject to the strike being called off. President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said on January 14 that Turkey expected the United States to honour their strategic partnership after US President Donald Trump warned it would devastate Turkey economically if they attack a Kurdish militia in Syria. Relations between the two NATO allies have been strained over US backing for the Kurdish YPG, which Turkey views as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that is waging a decades-long insurgency on Turkish soil. "Mr @realDonaldTrump It is a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK, which is on the US terrorists list, and its Syria branch PYD/YPG," spokesman Ibrahim Kalin wrote on Twitter. Mr @realDonaldTrump Terrorists cant be your partners & allies. Turkey expects the US to honor our strategic partnership and doesnt want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda. There is no difference between DAESH, PKK, PYD and YPG. We will continue to fight against them all. https://t.co/Yyzgyp9RQ4 Ibrahim Kalin (@ikalin1) January 13, 2019 "Terrorists can't be your partners & allies. Turkey expects the US to honor our strategic partnership and doesn't want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda," he said. Trump tweeted earlier about the United States starting its pullout from Syria, while hitting the remaining Islamic State fighters there. "Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone...Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," Trump wrote. The Kurdish YPG has been a US ally in the fight against the Islamic State group and it controls swaths of northern Syria. Erdogan has vowed to crush it in the wake of Trump's decision to pull US troops out of the region. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Jammu and Kashmir Bank (J&K Bank) ended 3 percent higher on Monday on the back of strong numbers declared by the company for the quarter ended December 2018 (Q3FY19). The bank has reported a 43 percent year-on-year increase in December quarter profit at Rs 103.75 crore, driven by other income and operating income. Profit in same quarter last year stood at Rs 72.47 crore. Net interest income increased 13 percent year-on-year to Rs 881.63 crore in quarter ended December 2018. Asset quality weakened as gross non-performing assets were higher at 9.94 percent as of December 2018 against 9 percent as of September 2018. Net NPA were also higher at 4.69 percent against 3.91 percent, QoQ. Other income (non-interest income) grew by 52 percent year-on-year to Rs 163.5 crore and operating profit jumped 11 percent to Rs 425 crore in Q3. At the end Jammu and Kashmir Bank was quoting at Rs 37.40, up Rs 1.10, or 3.03 percent on the BSE. Ola 1 Sachin Bansal has invested Rs 150 crore in ride hailing firm Ola, a week after it raised $74 million from existing investor Steadview Capital, according to documents filed with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) sourced from data intelligence firm PaperVC. The fund infusion has come in as part of the ongoing Series J round. Bansal, who is also setting up a $1 billion fund, has invested here in his individual capacity. ANI Technologies Pvt, which owns and operates Ola, is allotting 70,588 fully and compulsorily cumulative Series J preference shares having a face value of Rs 10 at a subscription price of Rs 21,240 to Bansal. According to a source privy to the development, this money is part of a larger round size of Rs 650 crore which is to come from Bansal. However RoC has not been updated with the other documents as yet. Ola last announced a fund-raise of $1.1 billion from Chinas Tencent Holdings and existing investor SoftBank Group in October last year and said it was in talks to raise another $1 billion. This latest fund raise is expected to be a part of the $1 billion, the company has been trying to raise. Last year, it also added $50 million of funding from Hong Kong-based private equity firm Sailing Capital and China-Eurasian Economic Cooperation Fund, a Chinese state-backed investment fund. This is likely to be one the biggest bets of Bansal, who has invested in dozen other Indian companies so far. The development comes at a time when Ola is aggressively competing with the global rival Uber in India. At the same time, the company has also expanded to overseas markets. Six months after foraying into Australia, Ola launched its operations in the United Kingdom in September 2018. In India, Ola operates across over 100 cities. In Australia, it has set-up operations in seven cities. It claims to have registered 40,000 drivers on its app in Australia. The company is also focusing on non-core business such as food and bike rides. Last month, it announced a strategic partnership with scooter sharing firm Vogo. It plans to invest in 100,000 scooters on the Vogo platform for $100 million. The company is also learnt to be entering into the e-pharmacy space. It is reportedly in talks with medicine delivery firm Myra for a potential acquisition. It runs its food delivery business through Foodpanda, which it acquired in 2017. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has given its approval to start the insolvency proceedings against realty firm Parsvnath Developers' subsidiary, which is developing a housing project in the national capital. The NCLT, Delhi, has admitted an insolvency petition filed by three homebuyers against the subsidiary firm - Parsvnath Landmark Developers - for inordinate delay in the development of this project and non-refund of their payment. The tribunal appointed Yash Jeet Basrar as an interim resolution professional (RP) to run the corporate insolvency resolution process of Parsvnath Landmark Developers. A two-member bench of the NCLT, headed by President Justice M M Kumar, has directed that all the personnel connected with the Parsvnath Landmark Developers, erstwhile directors, promoters or any other person associated with the management must cooperate with the RP in managing the affairs of the company. The tribunal has also directed that in case there is any violation committed by the ex-management or any tainted/illegal transaction by ex-directors or anyone else the interim resolution professional/resolution professional would be at liberty to make appropriate application before it for passing an appropriate order. The NCLT has directed the Registrar of Companies to update the status of 'corporate debtor' and specific mention regarding admission of this petition must be notified on its portal. The tribunal direction came over a petition filed by Alka Agarwal and two others, who had booked flat at La Tropicana project of Parsvnath Landmark Developers at Khyber Pass in Delhi for a consideration of Rs 10.93 crore. According to the flat buyer agreement executed between the parties on October 1, 2009, Parsvnath Landmark Developers was to hand over the possession within 36 months from the date of commencement of construction with grace period of six months. However, even after the expiry of more than nine years, construction of the said flat has not been commenced so far. The buyer has several communications with the company either to hand over the flat or return the money with interest as per the agreement. The counsel for Parsvnath Landmark Developers did not participate in the hearing. However, in a written submission filed by its authorised representative, it said that the application was not maintainable and delay was on account of various clearances and the matter of issue of ownership of the said land is still pending before the Delhi High Court. It further said that in the flat buyer agreement, it was agreed that the construction of the flat would likely to be completed within 36 month of commencement of construction on receipt of sanction of building plans and all other requisite approvals for construction. It also conceded that the buyers are not financial creditors. Rejecting the company's submission, NCLT said, "The amount has been raised from the petitioners/allottees under a real estate project. In such a situation not only the debt has a commercial effect of borrowings and come within the scope of 'financial debt', but also the petitioners are covered by the definition of expression 'financial creditor'. NCLT said, It is confirmed that applicants-financial creditors had disbursed the money to the respondent corporate debtor as consideration for purchase of a residential flat. Though a considerable long period has lapsed, even the principal amount disbursed has not been repaid by the respondent corporate debtor. As per the provision of clause 11 of the flat buyer's agreement, it has committed a default, the tribunal added. It is accordingly held that respondent corporate debtor has committed default in repayment of the outstanding financial debt which exceeds the statutory limit of Rs 1 lakh. Thus, the application warrant admission as it is complete in all respect. Accordingly, in terms of Section 7 (5) (a) of the Code, the present application is admitted, said NCLT. Many NCR-based developers, including Jaypee Infratech, Amrapali and an arm of The 3C Company, are facing bankruptcy proceedings as per the direction of the NCLT. Chetan Phalke What matters now is how we re-balance our portfolios & re-check the initial investment hypothesis. If a mistake has been made, one should be ruthless to reverse it. 2018 has turned out to be a tumultuous year for Indian stock market investors. Most of the gains made during 2017 have been washed out. We often hear things like, I should have sold last year, I should have raised more cash, my portfolio is underperforming & so on. But the truth is - If you cannot take underperformance & drawdowns, you cannot stick to a certain style of investing. Many investing styles are lumpy & demand staying invested throughout. Few years of zero returns are covered up by very high returns in just one year. Tweedy, Browne Company LLC, carried out a paper called 10 ways to beat an index. It analyses track record of nine value-oriented fund managers with careers spanning over few decades & having exceptional track record. It included Buffett Partnership, Walter Schloss Limited Partners, Wheeler Munger & Co. Partnership, Pacific Partners Limited, Tweedy Browne, Templeton Growth Fund & more names. None of them outperformed the index every year. Stretches of underperformance ranged from one year to six consecutive years. Almost everyone underperformed for 30% to 40% of the time, and yet achieved superior investment outcomes which were beating the index by a large margin. For example, Sequoia returned just 0.07% from 1970 to 1973, compared to S&P 500s 9.97% during the same period. However, in the subsequent period from 1974 to 1983, Sequoia did exceptionally well & returned 24.4% compared to S&P 500s 10.5% CAGR return. Similar examples can be found in India, and other parts across various time frames. Underperforming the broader market for 30 to 40% of the time is a normal part in any investors as well as fund managers long term success. The point is investors must stop hitting themselves if no money is being made for extended periods of time. Outperformance in each & every financial year is not a given. The harsh reality of equity investing is that returns are always non-linear & come in spurts. Investors tend to tire themselves out by continuously chasing what has worked in the recent past & eventually end up nowhere. The key to outperformance over a period is to stick to the process & staying invested. Most investors tend to abandon their process just because it has not worked in the previous 3 years. Temporary underperformance is okay, but if mistakes have occurred, then we must be open to correct them immediately. For most investors, major part of their present equity & mutual fund portfolio was constructed over the last 2 3 years. As markets gained momentum, big churn has happened. Some themes like unorganized to organized, transitioning from Business to Business (B2B) to Business to Consumer (B2C) models, asset heavy to asset light were overplayed & witnessed all-time high multiples. In the last leg of the bull market, FOMO (fear of missing out) plays a big role. 2017-18 was no different. The street just rushed into buying the hottest stock of the hottest sector, those who missed out went looking for the second hottest idea & the quality of ideas just kept dropping with every rise. In such period, mistakes are bound to happen. And this is the time to deal with them. What matters now is how we re-balance the portfolios & re-check the initial investment hypothesis. If a mistake has been made, one should be ruthless to reverse it. There is no point in betting on the purchase prices to come back. Rather than thinking you are booking a loss, think as if you are switching to a better horse. If one has over-committed to certain themes / sectors, then it needs to be brought to a more normalized level. On the other hand, if there was under-commitment to themes that look promising now, then this is the time to increase the stakes. Momentum buyers vanish on the way down & drawdowns in the stock price can be used to take advantage in such cases. The economy has witnessed subpar credit growth over the last 3-4 years. Capacity utilizations across old economy sectors is picking up, orderbook enquiries are building up and capex cycle is poised for a fresh start. Sectors which were laggards of the previous cycle may turn out to be the leaders for the next several years. There will be lot of noise in the run up to 2019 Loksabha elections. It has already begun with populist farm loan waivers. As the sense of uncertainty grows, markets might throw interesting opportunities occasionally. One should be fully prepared to take advantage of them. There can not be a better time to correct the mistakes of the past & re-construct the portfolios. Oyo Hospitality firm OYO Hotels and Rooms on Monday said it is planning a centre of excellence for training and capacity building in the city. The company has also made an offer to the West Bengal government to maintain a realtime data repository for 'Digital Arrival and Departure Register'. "We are looking to set up an OYO Centre of Excellence (OYO Skill Institute) towards the end of the year, as we continue to scale our business further in the state. The government has extended support with space," CEO, India and South Asia, Aditya Ghosh said here on the sidelines of CII Bengal Tourism Global Meet 2019. The space for the training institute is likely to be in New Town area. At present, OYO trains about 3,500 people per month from 26 institutes globally, company officials said. It estimates a capacity of around 7,500 rooms in West Bengal. OYO manages a total of 4.5 lakh rooms across the world, including 1.64 lakh rooms in India, they said. About the digital data repository, Ghosh said it aims to provide realtime updates to state governments on arrivals and departures, making this a "more efficient and transparent" process as compared to the manual version. "At this point, we have seen acceptance from the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Telangana of our proposed digitisation of guess entry and departure records," an OYO official said. West Bengal Tourism Minister Gautam Deb said the state was developing tourist areas and circuits, and is seeking private investments. The state was also planning to come up with an app for tourists to give their feedback, besides other digital support. Oyo Hospitality firm OYO Hotels and Rooms on Monday said it is working on a roadmap for 1-million room inventory from the existing count of 4.6 lakh. "We will have one million rooms inventory into our fold in the near distant future. I think, it should happen in a year and a half," OYO CEO, India and South Asia, Aditya Ghosh told PTI. This will help OYO to become the "world's top player from number three now", he claimed. The company has set a target of 2.5 million rooms by 2023, its promoter Ritesh Agarwal said. At present, OYO has over 13,000 franchised and leased hotels, and over 450,000 rooms, adding over 64,000 rooms every month, globally. "In India, we have over 8,700 leased and franchised hotels, and more than 164,000 rooms," a company official said. The firm has changed from the aggregator model to own inventories through the franchisee or lease operation model. In China, a traditionally strong market for corporates, OYO's revenue is lower despite having a higher inventory of about 1.8 lakh rooms in that country, the official said. OYO has active presence in seven countries, and is planning to expand to at least 15 countries with focus on Asian nations. Over the next few weeks, it is expected to announce a fresh corporate growth plan focused on Asia and Japan, where it aims to become the largest player by the 2020 Summer Olympics, company officials said. The hospitality firm is also aggressively putting in place a digital record system to facilitate direct data sharing of customers' arrivals and departures with various state governments. The state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Telangana have so far shown interest in this digital record system, Ghosh said. OYO on Monday extended an offer to the West Bengal government, too, to maintain a realtime data repository for 'Digital Arrival and Departure Register'. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Here are stocks that are in the news today: Results Today: Indiabulls Ventures, ICICI Securities, Supreme Infrastructure India, Tata Metaliks, Prakash Industries Infosys Q3: Profit down 12.2 percent to Rs 3,609 crore versus Rs 4,110 crore; revenue up 3.1 percent at Rs 21,400 crore versus Rs 20,609 crore; $ revenue up 2.2 percent at $2,987 million versus $2,921 million and constant currency revenue growth at 2.7 percent QoQ. Company raises FY19 constant currency revenue growth guidance to 8.5-9 percent from 6-8 percent and maintains EBIT margin guidance at 22-24 percent. Infosys: The board approves a special dividend of Rs 4 per share and buyback up to Rs 8,260 crore at maximum Rs 800 per share. Cadila Healthcare: Zydus received final approvals from the USFDA for Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream and Amlodipine & Atorvastatin tablets. Jammu & Kashmir Bank Q3: Profit rises 43 percent to Rs 103.75 crore versus Rs 72.47 crore; net interest income increases 13 percent to Rs 881.63 crore YoY. GNA Axles Q3: Profit rises 41.6 percent to Rs 18 crore versus Rs 12.7 crore; revenue increases 47.5 percent to Rs 246.3 crore versus Rs 167 crore YoY. Federal Bank: Executive Director, Ganesh Sankaran steps down Yes Bank: Bank announces Brahm Dutt as non-executive part-time chairman. Adani Green Energy: Company acquired balance 51 percent equity of Kodangal Solar Parks Private Limited (KSPPL) from FS India Devco Private Limited. With this acquisition, KSPPL has become wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Shree Rama Newsprint Q3: Profit at Rs 9.74 crore versus loss of Rs 3.43 crore; revenue falls to Rs 139.3 crore versus Rs 144 crore YoY. Avenue Supermarts Q3: Profit rises to Rs 257.11 crore versus Rs 251.77 crore; revenue jumps to Rs 5,450.94 crore versus Rs 4,093.89 crore YoY. Sundaram Multipap: Board approved the draft scheme of amalgamation of E-Class Education System Limited (ECESL), a 51 percent subsidiary of Sundaram Multipap with Sundaram Multipap (SML). HCL Technologies: Audit Committee recommended the appointment of BSR & Associates LLP as the statutory auditors of the company who will hold office for a period of five consecutive years. Tata Sponge Iron Q3: Consolidated profit falls to Rs 26.81 crore versus Rs 36 crore; revenue rises to Rs 260.83 crore versus Rs 214.47 crore YoY. PNC Infratech: Company received resignation from Rakesh Kumar Gupta from the post of director. NTPC: Company to raise Rs 4,000 crore through private placement of secured non-convertible bonds in the nature of debentures at a coupon of 8.30% per annum. KNR Constructions: Two wholly owned subsidiary companies have received the financial closure letter from the National Highways Authority of India. Sun Pharma Advanced Research: Company had out-licensed XELPROSTM to Sun Pharma in June 2015 and this commercialisation of XELPROSTM, has triggered a milestone payment of $10 million and sales linked royalties, by Sun Pharma to company. IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company: Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited terminated the contract for construction of metro stations for Package-1 of North-South Corridor for Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase-1. TRF Q3: Loss at Rs 18.35 crore versus loss Rs 26.8 crore; revenue falls to Rs 86.4 crore versus Rs 114.3 crore YoY. BLS International: Company expanded operations and added more centres for Attestation and Apostille services across the country. This follows the renewal of its contract by the Ministry of External Affairs. Suzlon Energy: Company has completed sale of securities of Rudra held by the company to AMP Ventures for Rs 14.21 crore and accordingly Rudra has ceased to be a subsidiary of the company. Marg: Board made a preferential allotment of 1,26,99,533 equity shares at a price of Rs 61.68 per share to non promoters. Bulk Deals on January 11 Ajooni Biotech: Prism Medico and Pharmacy sold 40,000 shares of the company at Rs 28.85 per share on the NSE. MK Proteins: Nirmal Gupta bought 32,000 shares of the company at Rs 77 per share on the NSE. Apollo Tricoat Tubes: Dinesh Pareekh sold 1,28,500 shares of the company at Rs 132.60 per share on the NSE. (For more bulk deals, click here) Analyst or Board Meet/Briefings TVS Srichakra: A noard meeting is scheduled on February 9 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter that ended on December 2018. KRBL: Board meeting is scheduled on January 24 to consider the standalone and consolidated unaudited financial results for the third quarter (Q3) and nine months ended December 2018. Gallantt Ispat: Board meeting is scheduled on January 21 to consider the standalone unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 2018. Jaypee Infratech: Meeting of Committee of Creditors to be held on January 17. Genus Power Infrastructures: Board meeting is scheduled on January 22 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 2018. Dishman Carbogen Amcis: Board meeting is scheduled on January 23 to consider the un-audited financial results of the company for the quarter ended on December 2018. Jindal Hotels: Board meeting is scheduled on January 22 to consider the unaudited financial results of the 3rd quarter ended on December 2018. Wonderla Holidays: Board meeting is scheduled on January 25 to consider the unaudited financial results of the company for the quarter ended December 2018. La Opala RG: Board meeting is scheduled on February 14 to consider the un-audited financial results of the company for the third quarter ended December 2018. LG Balakrishnan & Bros: Board meeting is scheduled on January 31 to consider the standalone audited financial results of the company for the third quarter ended December 2018. Zuari Global: Board meeting is scheduled on February 7 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Zuari Agro Chemicals: Board meeting is scheduled on February 7 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Sundaram Finance: Board meeting will be held on January 31 to consider the unaudited standalone financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 2018. Hindustan Oil Exploration: Board meeting is scheduled on January 19 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Bharti Infratel: Board meeting is scheduled on January 23 to consider the audited financial results (standalone & consolidated) for the third quarter (Q3) and nine months ended on December 2018. Gujarat Pipavav Port: Board meeting is scheduled on January 30 to consider the unaudited financial results for quarter ended December 2018. Phillips Carbon Black: Board in a meeting to be held on January 16 may consider the declaration of special / interim dividend for the financial year. Gruh Finance: Board meeting is scheduled on January 25 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Pioneer Distilleries: Board meeting is scheduled on January 30 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Omax Autos: Board meeting is scheduled on January 18 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Himadri Speciality Chemical: NCLT convened meeting of secured creditors on February 13. Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care: Board meeting is scheduled on February 7 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Gillette India: Board meeting is scheduled on February 7 to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Shoppers Stop: Company proposes to hold investors call with institutional investors and analysts on January 30 to discuss on the financial results of the company for the third quarter and nine months ended December 2018. Mahindra & Mahindra: Company's officials will be meeting Southeastern Asset Management on January 14 and Canara HSBC Life Insurance on January 17. Linc Pen and Plastics: Company's officials will be meeting ICICI Prudential MF on January 16. Blue Dart Express: Board meeting is scheduled on January 30 to consider the un-audited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. Tata Steel: Company's officials will be meeting Daiwa SBI Singapore on January 14. Torrent Pharmaceuticals: Board meeting will be held on January 30 to consider the audited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended on December 2018. JK Cement: Board meeting is scheduled on February 2 to consider the unaudited financial results for the 3rd quarter ended on December 2018. Vijaya Bank: Board meeting is scheduled on January 23 to consider the reviewed financial results of the bank for the quarter ended December 2018. : Board meeting is scheduled to be held on January 23 to consider the un-audited financial results for the quarter ended December 2018. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company shares gained 4.5 percent intraday Monday after receiving milestone payment from the parent company after commercialisation of Xelpros drug. "Consequent to the receipt of US Food and Drug Administration approval, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has informed SPARC about commercialisation of Xelpros (Latanoprost ophthalmic emulsion) 0.005%," the research company said. SPARC had out-licensed Xelpros to Sun Pharma in June 2015 and this commercialisation of Xelpros has triggered a milestone payment of USD 10 million and sales linked royalties, by Sun Pharma to SPARC, it added. The drug is used in the treatment for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP, or pressure inside the eye) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Both companies had received approval from USFDA for this drug in September 2018 and this approval was from Sun Pharma's Halol (Gujarat, India) facility. At 11:56 hours IST, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company was quoting at Rs 186.05, up Rs 2.25, or 1.22 percent and Sun Pharmaceutical was up 0.55 percent at Rs 445.65 on the BSE. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) may issue guidelines shortly mandating foreign entities to store data pertaining to India locally, reports Business Standard. Financial institutions like Citi, JP Morgan, HSBC and Deutsche Bank operate brokerage and custodian services in India and typically prefer to store data digitally at their regional centres such as in Hong Kong and Singapore. The regulator fears that access to such data could be blocked by another country in the event of a data war. Foreign brokerages access servers in Singapore and Hong Kong for their daily transactions. Now, what happens if a country like China cuts off access to that in Hong Kong? It may seem like an extreme situation but we can potentially become a data colony of some other country, a senior industry official told the paper. To mitigate such a risk, SEBI wants all such data to be stored on Indian servers or real-time back up be created, thus enabling local access, the report stated. However, experts told the paper that both these arrangements could significantly jack up costs for foreign players as it entails huge investment in infrastructure, technicians, maintenance and space. Creating a real-time back up of data is almost as challenging, the official said. As per the report, SEBI is likely to take a call on this matter soon, which will impact all entities regulated by it. It is also likely to take into account recommendations of a panel led by Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. The SEBI diktat comes close on the heels of the Reserve Bank of Indias April 2018 order asking global payment companies to store transaction data of Indian customers locally. The government fears foreign regulators can access data relating to the financial sector, the report said. The regulators concern is justified if data is stored at certain specific locations within Asia. But if it is kept with global providers such as Dropbox or Microsoft, then we are at same risk as any other country, Viraj Kulkarni, founder and CEO, Pivot Management Consulting told the paper. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The December quarter earnings season is expected to be a mixed bag with banks driving performance on a low base, most analysts said. Analysts are expecting some downgrades to continue after third-quarter earnings. But, according to them, the one positive thing that is going to happen in Q3 is growth in broader space earnings, which is likely to be better than frontline space. "After analysing coverage universe (162 companies) 61 largecaps and 43 midcaps we find that underlying business conditions are improving in favour of midcap companies, with 24 percent sales growth and 26 percent PAT growth versus largecap companies, with 18.7 percent sales growth and 5.7 percent PAT growth," Elara Capital said. Both large and midcaps are feeling pressure at the operating margin level, as EBITDA margin is likely to contract by 1.5 percent and 7.2 percent for largecaps and midcaps, respectively, it added. The likely muted bottomline growth of 5.7 percent by largecap companies, despite banks posting a healthy earnings expansion of 69 percent, is primarily due to expected contraction in auto, energy and telecom sectors. On an ex-commodity basis, the research house expects PAT growth at 13.8 percent YoY. In case of Nifty companies, margin is expected to be healthy, with an EBITDA margin (ex-financials) of 15.6 percent YoY and PAT margin of 11.5 percent YoY, it said. It feels the impact of declining crude prices would be felt the most in the energy space due to inventory losses (energy PAT down 23.8 percent YoY). During the quarter-ended December 2018, international benchmark Brent crude fell 35 percent while in the year 2018, it dropped around 6 percent. Elara said NBFCs are expected to bear the brunt of tightening liquidity, down 18.6 percent YoY, whereas banks would benefit, up 69 percent YoY, due to improving credit deposit ratios and improvement in pricing power, given the stress in the NBFC space. Softening coal, petcoke and diesel prices coupled with operating leverage benefits would benefit cement, up 39.1 percent YoY, while a sharp ramp-up in execution is likely to boost infrastructure, up 20.4 percent, the brokerage added. It expects healthcare sector earnings growth of 9.5 percent which would benefit from seasonal strength of Q3 (flu season) while a strong business outlook and receding benefits of rupee depreciation are likely to reflect in IT which can show 3.5 percent earnings growth in Q3 YoY. According to the research house, it would be a challenging quarter for auto space as earnings are expected to be down 27.9 percent YoY on lackluster festival sales and elevated cost of ownership. Within its coverage universe, Elara expects the most PAT expansion in Federal Bank at 156 percent YoY, Oberoi Realty at 157 percent, Karur Vysya Bank at 155 percent, Glenmark at 154 percent and JK Lakshmi Cement at 136 percent. Among largecaps, at the stock level, SBI is expected to post earnings growth (on a free float weighted basis) of 131.6 percent YoY, aided by NPL recoveries and credit expansion moving it from loss to profit, followed by HDFC Bank (likely earnings growth of 34.4 percent YoY, driven by expanding retail credit growth). On weaker side, Indian Oil Corporation is likely to disappoint as earnings are expected to fall by 71.7 percent YoY and HPCL down 32.4 percent YoY due to gross refining margin compression, it said, adding HDFC is likely to contract by 28.6 percent YoY due to tightening liquidity. Here are at least 15 stocks where Elara is bullish, and the consensus estimates of sales, EBITDA and PAT. These stocks La Opala RG, Motherson Sumi, Petronet LNG, ABB India, Britannia Industries, MRPL, IndiGo, Supreme Industries, KNR Constructions, Persistent Systems, Wipro, Union Bank of India, Bharti Airtel, City Union Bank and Karur Vysya Bank could give 3-55 percent return. : The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Beleaguered airline Jet Airways landed in a spot of trouble in Singapore as a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit held back 18 of its CFM56 engines that power the bulk of its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft because of unpaid dues, Business Standard reported. ST Engineering's MRO is demanding $125-150 million to release these engines that have been stuck for months, sources told the paper. The ailing Jet has defaulted on many vendors and lease repayments, which has led to the grounding of many planes. The airline has 123 planes, 86 of them are Boeing 737. Five of the latter are new 737 Max, powered by CFM Leap-1B engines. Jet Airways has been able to function somewhat seamlessly because it has a big fleet and many spare engines, the report said. More disruption could be on the way for the airline as promoter Naresh Goyal is unable to strike deals to raise funds. Till March 2018, the airline owed Rs 1,700 crore. The MRO in Singapore restores damaged engines and replaces faulty ones. Components of the engine need to be replaced after 20,000-30,000 flight cycles. When Jet had set up in 1993, ST Engineering's MRO had provided components for its aircraft. MRO's responsibilities were extended to engine maintenance in 2007, the report said. The two parties signed a power-by-the-hour agreement in 2010, under which Jet was required to pay a monthly fee to cover all maintenance-related expenses. The agreements were renewed in 2015 and new deals were put in place that covered all the Boeing 737 aircraft. The contract value rose to $700 million from $350 million. Jet has not paid these dues on time for a while and they are piling up, the report stated. This is not the first time such a thing has happened. Jet had been unable to pay the dues in 2012 to the MRO and the payment was completed only after Etihad Airways acquired 24 percent stake in the airline. Jet Airways owes banks nearly Rs 8,000 crore. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Etihad Airways, which owns 24 percent of debt-laden company Jet Airways, plans to increase its stake in the Indian airline, a source close to the Abu Dhabi carrier told Reuters on Monday. Shares in India's Jet Airways jumped over 18 percent on Monday after CNBC TV18 reported earlier on Monday that founder and chairman Naresh Goyal was likely to step down from the board and give up majority control. The report also said that Etihad may infuse more capital into Jet. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Goyal was on his way out but did not clarify if that would mean he is stepping down as chairman or from the board. Etihad putting more money into the Indian carrier is conditional on Goyal diluting his stake, a source told Reuters last month. Even so, Etihad's stake will be capped at 49 percent due to foreign ownership rules in Indian airlines and if it goes past the 25 percent ownership threshold, it would need to adhere to capital markets regulations and make an open offer to shareholders to buy a further 26 percent stake. CNBC TV18, citing sources, reported that Goyal would trim his 51 percent stake to 20-25 percent and agree to voting rights on his stake being capped at 10 percent. Etihad declined to comment. Jet and Goyal did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Jet said on Jan. 2 it had defaulted on debt payments to a consortium of Indian banks and that it was in talks with the consortium led by State Bank of India. 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. Last week, Reuters reported that crisis talks between Jet and aircraft lessors had failed to ease the row over late payments, prompting some lessors to explore repossessing their aircraft. Representative image The Centre is planning a set of incentives for small traders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The government is looking at providing insurance cover, cashbacks for digital payments and subsidies and finance for buying computers and digitisation of businesses to woo small traders, according to a report by The Times of India. "The government will pay the premium for traders who are registered under GST (Goods and Services Tax)... The other steps are expected to upgrade and modernise the existing retail trade," a person familiar with the development told the newspaper. This comes soon after the government announced 10 percent quota for economically weaker sections of upper castes and also doubled the GST exemption limit for small traders. Government is looking at addressing concerns of traders of kirana stores, wholesalers and also exporters who felt an impact on their businesses due to GST and demonetisation. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) is already working on elements of what is being billed as a retail policy, the report suggests. Small businesses already have received many relaxations in the GST structure which is being seen as the Modi governments attempt to reach out to them. Also read | PM Modi mulls cash handout for farmers ahead of Lok Sabha polls: Report Apart from small traders, the government is also extending support to exporters. It is reportedly working on a new incentive scheme which will also address concerns of countries like the US that have dragged India to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The report, citing government sources, further suggests that the commerce department has worked out a proposal under which the current incentive scheme through Merchandise Exports from India Scheme will only be available for farm exports. In addition, the costs incurred by exporters on aspects such as property registration will be covered by the government. For this, the government is working on a duty and tax refund mechanism on the lines of Rebate on State Levies (RoSL). We are like one big family where everyone belongs, so we can learn from each other, Koryciarz said. I know we are different, we look and speak differently and we celebrate different holidays, but we, in fact, we are the same people. In a bid to align with the best corporate practices, the Finance Ministry has asked the public sector banks to gradually bring down the government's equity to 52 percent, a top official said. "The government is essentially a major shareholder. So, this need to be aligned to the best corporate practices. The shareholding needs to come down to at least 52 percent in the first phase. As and when market condition allows, banks will take step in that direction. They have all the permission in hand," Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar told PTI. Dilution of government stake will help banks to meet 25 percent public float norms of market regulator Sebi. Some of the public sector banks have government's holding beyond 75 percent. Besides, it will encourage the banks to follow the prudential lending norms. The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has already initiated step for Rs 20,000 crore share sale through qualified institutional placement (QIP). Post QIP, the government stake will be diluted from the existing 58.53 percent. Last month, shareholders of the bank approved sale of shares to fund the business growth. Many other banks are planning to raise capital through some means or other, depending on the market condition. Some of the lenders like Syndicate Bank, Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Oriental Bank of Commerce among others have already issued or in process of issuing Employee Share Purchase Scheme (ESPS). He further said the government has also initiated the process for consolidation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to better serve the needs of the rural India. Recently, the Centre has amalgamated three RRBs -- Punjab Gramin Bank, Malwa Gramin Bank and Sutlej Gramin Bank -- into a single RRB with effect from January 1. The central government, after consulting the sponsor banks of the three RRBs, felt that in the interest of the banks and the areas served by them, they should be amalgamated into a single RRB. Besides, Punjab Gramin Bank (PNB), and Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank (UCO Bank) has been amalgamated with Madhya Bihar Gramin Bank (PNB). While the consolidated RRB in Punjab is called Punjab Gramin Bank, with headquarters at Kapurthala, the one in Bihar has been rechristened as Dakshin Bihar Gramin (based in Patna). These banks were formed under the RRB Act, 1976 with an objective to provide credit and other facilities to small farmers, agricultural labourers and artisans in rural areas. Currently, the Centre holds 50 percent in RRBs, while 35 percent and 15 percent are with the concerned sponsor banks and state governments, respectively. 1947-48 | Independent Indias first budget, presented by finance minister RK Shanmukham Chetty, earmarked a total expenditure of Rs 197.39 crore. Nearly half of this (46 percent) or Rs 92.74 crore was allocated for just one department. Which department was this? Ans: Defence Services (In image, Shanmukham Chetty, Finance Minister broadcasting on the Budget presented by him in the Indian Parliament in November 1947; Wikimedia Commons) 1948-49 | Finance minister R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, in independent Indias second budget, used a term that later became an institutional process for every year the Lok Sabha elections are held. What is this term? Ans: Interim Budget. This was the first time Chetty introduced it in his budget speech for 1948-49. Subsequently, Interim Budget began to mean a budget for a short period, usually presented just ahead of Lok Sabha elections. (Finance Minister P Chidambaram arrives at the parliament to present the interim budget in 2014: Reuters) 1949-50 |This budget abolished a tax that is currently very prevalent and is closely monitored by tax authorities to prevent evasion? What tax is this? Ans: Capital Gains Tax (Reuters) 1950-51 | This budget formally announced a new body headed by the Prime Minister that was entrusted with the task of steering a defined development programme. What is the name of this body? Ans: Planning Commission (In image, Govind Ballabh Pant with TT Krishnamachari and members of Planning commission in 1957; Wikimedia Commons) 1951-52 | This budget doubled the surcharge to 100 percent in a group of widely consumed agro-based items. Which are these products? Ans: Ale, beer, spirits, and other fermented liquor (Reuters) 1952-53 | This budget announced the receipt of assistance from a very popular US-based philanthropic organization. Which organization is this? Ans: Ford Foundation (In image, 1956 Ford Continental Mark II; Wikimedia Commons) 1953-54 | This budget raised the minimum income tax exemption limit for individuals by nearly 17 percent, offering relief to thousands of taxpayers. What was the new limit? Ans: It was raised to Rs 4,200 a year from Rs 3,600 earlier (In image, taxpayers line up to submit their income tax returns in New Delhi; Reuters) 1954-55 | This budget announced plans to set up a specialized financial institution to offer loans to the industry. Which institution was this? Ans: ICICI (Reuters) 1955-56 | A highly significant income tax change was proposed in this budget. What was it? Ans: It proposed different tax-exempt slabs for married and unmarried persons as part of a plan to create a suitable scheme of family allowances. (Reuters) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Start-Up India programme in 2016, offering tax breaks, funding options and easier procedures to aid fledgling start-ups. The signature initiative was intended to build a strong ecosystem that is conducive for the growth of startup businesses, to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities. The Government through this initiative aims to empower startups to grow through innovation and design, it said. The 19-Point Startup India Action Plan envisages several incubation centres, easier patent filing, tax exemptions, ease of setting-up of business, a Rs 10,000 Crore corpus fund, and a faster exit mechanism, among others. For being eligible for tax exemptions for three, a startups turnover should be less than Rs 25 crores in any of the previous financial years. Under the scheme, an entity shall be considered as a startup up to seven years from the date of its incorporation or 10 years in case of startups in the bio technology sector. The move, however, had faced criticism as three-year tax breaks have not yielded benefits given that small-bore, innovative ventures struggle for several years before breaking even. Startups and investors are also crying foul over a tough taxation climate in India. The biggest bone of contention is the so-called `Angel Tax, which is levied on startups who are raising money from in terms of equity issuance from friends, family and angel investors. It is regarded as taxable income, from other sources. Angel tax was introduced in the 2012 finance bill aimed at tackling money laundering by investors. Startup entrepreneurs, however, say that this results to an effective taxation rate of 30 percent, and makes it difficult for them to raise funds. Around 350-400 startups raise angel funding every year and the tax is impacting most of them. The government has allowed tax concession if the total investment did not exceed Rs 10 crore and have said that it will look into the issue again. The governments decision last week barring online retailers such as Flipkart and Amazon from selling products of companies in which they own stakes, need to be seen in this context. The new rules stipulate that such companies will also not be allowed to offer cashback schemes to charm customers to shop at their online market places. Online retailers will also not be allowed to strike exclusive deals to promote brands through flash/festive season sales. The new rules, which will come into effect from February 1, 2019, are aimed at levelling the field among online and offline retailers. Offline retailers have been lobbying with the government that online marketplaces, flush with foreign money, are driving brick-and-mortar stores out of business. Offline retailers say e-tailers such as Amazon and Flipkart were adopting discriminatory and predatory pricing to attract customers by offering deep discounts. Smartphone flash sales, and festive season sales of fashion and electronic products were examples of such destructive pricing. E-tailers get into exclusive tie-ups for deep discounts with brands and also push products of preferred vendors which they partly own or have preferential contracts. Such heavy price markdowns, while very attractive for consumers, appear to have seriously impacted the business of mom-and-pop stores as also large offline retailers selling the same brands The governments move comes after local traders complained that they were being put out of business. The new rules appear to be the Modi governments way of demonstrating its intent to walk the talk in support of the local traders. Online marketplaces have found the new rules restrictive. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shalby Hospitals, which is on an expansion spree is in talks to take over two hospitals in Delhi and Kolkata at an estimated cost of around Rs 250 crore. The Delhi hospital has a 150-bed capacity, while Kolkata is a 200-bedded hospital. We typically go for the 150-200-bed hospital; we dont go for very large hospitals. We cater to the patients surrounding 5-7 kilometres, people these days dont like travelling, said Dr Vikram Shah, CMD of Shalby. He declined to name the hospitals, as the talks are still on. These two hospitals are in addition to the Rs 160-crore capital expansion undertaken by the Ahmedabad-headquartered hospital chain to add 538 beds. Part of this expansion plan includes setting up multi-speciality hospitals in Nashik and Vadodara with a total capacity of 263 beds. Rest of the additional beds will come from two hospitals in Mumbai that the company plans to take over. In the first one, the healthcare provider has taken over operations and management (O&M) of 50-bedded Zynova Hospital in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, and is adding another 100 beds to make it a 150-bed hospital. Shalby also entered into an agreement to takeover O&M of 110-bedded Asha Parekh Hospital in Santacruz, Mumbai which was shut down in February last year due to losses. Shalby is further expanding Asha Parekh Hospital by adding 65 beds. Present network Shalby started by Shah, an orthopaedic surgeon in 1994, has emerged as a market leader in joint replacement surgeries in India, with around 15 percent share among private hospitals, according to Frost & Sullivan. Around three-fourths of its Rs 3,923 revenue in FY18, came from joint replacement surgeries. The rest from other specialities such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, bariatrics, liver and renal transplant. Shalby mainly operates in western and central India. The company operates dozens of outpatient clinics in India, Africa and UAE to feed its hospitals. At present, Shalby has a network of 11 hospitals with 2012 bed capacity, of which around 50 percent are operational. Eighty percent of its overall revenue and close to 100 percent of EBITDA came from four mature hospitals Vijay Shalby, SG Shalby and Krishna Shalby in Ahmedabad and Shalby Vapi. Shah said the hospital chain will be going for one more round of fundraising this year. The promoters will be diluting 10 percent stake through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) We have to do another dilution in a years time because we have not done 25 percent dilution as planned. We have done only 17-18 percent, Shah said. The promoters of Shalby led by Shah, his family members and associates hold around 79.41 percent stake. The company has a market capitalisation of Rs 1,570 crore as on January 14. Shah said the government decision to cap the prices of knee implants actually helped them, as more people were able to get knee replacement surgeries with prices coming down. Shah said the government decision reduced the prices of knee implants by around 25-30 percent, which they were able to pass on to the patients. A total knee replacement surgery cost varies anywhere between Rs 250,000 and Rs 350,000 depending on the hospital and implants used. Leading private sector general insurance company ICICI Lombard has been accused of offering kickbacks such as all-expenses-paid foreign trips and gifted gold coins to top executives of housing finance and auto companies, by independent journalist Dharmesh Thakkar. Thakkar has put out emails purportedly between executives of ICICI Lombard and the executives were rewards for business associates is being discussed. The practice is banned by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and under ICICI Lombard's own Code of Conduct. While dealers and banks are provided commission for each policy sold along with a housing or car loan, the emails leaked by Thakkar suggest that off-the-books rewards were handed to bank officials and dealers. As per the screenshots, an email from November 2014, to two ICICI Lombard senior managers listed details of a trip to Italy organised for the top management of PNB Housing Finance Ltd, which cost the insurance company more than Rs 48 lakh. One of the employees responded to the email with an "ok". According to the report, another email exchange revealed that an ICICI Lombard employee sought approval from senior managers to offer "20-gram gold coins" for "directors they have tied up with," listing seven heads of cooperative banks. The same was reportedly approved by a senior manager. In a third email, according to Mumbai Mirror, approval was sought for a group tour of senior leaders and employees of a large Mumbai-based NBFC in May 2014 to Prague. The cost of the trip was pegged at over Rs 19 lakh as per the report. code of conduct @ICICILombard prohibits gifting gold coins, foreign tours, expensive gifts to business associates and govt officials but top management approved gold coins, international holidays and extravagant gifts @airindiain @PNBHousing @LabourMinistry officials @CVCIndia pic.twitter.com/MKZA7Jk1nF January 11, 2019 ICICI Lombard told Moneycontrol in a statement: "At the outset, the company notes that the social media account that is circulating various internal and confidential emails of employees of the company are based on stolen data and makes selective releases for promoting malafide conclusions." It continued, "The expenditures primarily alleged in the article are business expenditures spent on trainings, conferences and seminars conducted from time to time for persons responsible for distribution of insurance products. "Insurers organise necessary trainings and conferences regularly to train and give exposure to the intermediaries and others about the products they distribute and the allied processes." Further, the general insurance company said, "...the company has necessary codes, guidelines and processes that need to be adhered to by its employees in their day to day operation. These include matters like gifting and activities conducted such as trainings, conferences and familiarisation programs for distribution partners." "The company will examine allegations and review complete records pertaining to the period from 2012 to 2014 or earlier as required and to ascertain that the expenditures incurred were in line with applicable company policies." The company noted that action would be taken against if lapses are found in the conduct of any employee. An ICICI Lombard spokesperson rubbished talk in social media that the insurance firm had threatened to sue Thakkar. Section 31B of the Insurance Act restricts insurers from paying any amount by way of remuneration or commission in respect of insurance business exceeding a certain specified (mostly monetary) cap. Section 40C instructs insurers to declare details of all expenses before the regulator. This article has been updated to incorporate the response of ICICI Lombard general insurance. China's crude oil imports in December surged nearly 30 percent from a year earlier to the second highest for a month on a daily basis, Reuters calculations of customs data showed on Monday. The surge was bolstered by year-end stockbuilding by small independent refiners trying to use up annual quotas and crude cargoes imported for tests on two new private refineries. December shipments into China, the world's top crude oil buyer, were at 43.78 million tonnes, or 10.31 million barrels per day (bpd), holding above the 10 million bpd mark for the second straight month, and just a touch below the record of 10.43 million bpd in November, according to the data released by the General Administration of Chinese Customs. For the whole of 2018, China's crude oil imports rose 10.1 percent versus the previous year to a record 461.9 million tonnes, or 9.24 million bpd. This makes China the top crude oil importer for the second year running, after it first overtook the United States on an annual basis in 2017. The 2018 growth represents an increase of 846,600 bpd - more than 2017's net growth of 770,000 bpd - and roughly the size of consumption by the Netherlands or Turkey. Peak operations at giant state refiners during most of the first three quarters accounted for the bulk of the import growth, joined later by new purchasing from two privately-run mega refineries ahead of trial runs, said Seng-Yick Tee of consultancy SIA Energy. Strategic stockpiling at several state reserve sites that have just started up, such as Jinzhou in the north and Huizhou on China's southern coast, also contributed to more shipments during the last few months of 2018 as China took advantage of steep falls in benchmark prices from mid-November, said Tee. Independent oil processors, sometimes called "teapots", played a smaller role in 2018 than in previous years due to marginal increases in their import quotas and a new tax policy that pinched their appetite for overseas crude. "Unlike the previous two years when teapots led the incremental growth, state giants became the main drivers for last year's growth," said Tee. China also exported a record amount of refined fuel products last year at 58.64 million tonnes, up 12 percent from 2017, aided by a larger amount of government export quotas to relieve a growing domestic fuel surplus. RECORD GAS IMPORTS Gas imports, including piped gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipped in tankers, hit a record last month at 9.23 million tonnes, up 17 percent from the same month in 2017. The previous monthly record of 9.15 million tonnes came in November. The hefty imports were spurred by another year of strong demand growth for the cleaner-burning fuel as Beijing extended a campaign against smog by switching another 3 million of homes to gas from coal for winter heating. Imports for the year expanded 31.9 percent over 2017 to 90.39 million tonnes, holding the top spot among gas importers globally after overtaking that position from Japan as recently as October. For LNG alone, China retains its spot for the second year as the world's No.2 buyer, behind Japan, after leapfrogging South Korea in 2017. In an effort to avert the supply crunch experienced in the 2017/18 winter, state energy firms stepped up their imports of LNG and build up stocks in underground storage. Also, I'm quite familiar with the history of the tollway and how it's been used as a platform for Republican patronage. If you remember when the tollway first opened, there were promises the tolls would disappear once the bonds used to build the roads were paid off. We would be driving on modern freeways. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana opposes President Rodrigo Duterte's idea of arming civilians to fight communist rebels. In a statement on Sunday, Lorenzana said, "it may not be advisable to arm everybody for all the problems that it may cause." This is in response to Duterte's January 9 speech wherein he said, "Ako sinasabi ko lang sa NPA (New People's Army), ayaw kong armasan ang mga tao. Pero 'pag sige ganun ang ano, I will allow the purchase of individual firearm. Pati 'yung mga mayor bigyan ko 'yan ng armas talaga. Wala akong magawa eh." [Translation: I'm just telling the NPA, I don't want to arm everyone, but if push comes to shove, I will allow the purchase of individual firerams. Even the mayors, I will give them arms. I have no choice.] READ: Duterte mulls arming mayors to combat communist rebels Lorenzana said what the President is thinking is "possible but with lots of challenges." "I would suggest not arming everyone. Who are the people to be armed? Do we have enough firearms to arm everybody?" Lorenzana said, adding that they should get proper training first. The country's defense chief also raised a concern over how the government can make sure these firearms would not be used for unauthorized activities. What the government can do instead is to train and hire more militiamen or members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). "The beauty of the CAFGU program is that they are under the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and subject to military justice." Duterte has been following recommendations made by Lorenzana. For the first time in three years, the Duterte government in did not reciprocate the NPA's unilateral ceasefire for Christmas and New Year, as Lorenzana said a truce would only give rebels a chance to catch government troops off guard. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which has been waging a five-decade insurgency, the longest-running in Asia. Duterte walked away from peace talks with the rebels in November 2017 as both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations. Matthew F. Chapman, 38, of Winthrop Harbor, was being held on $750,000 bail Monday in the Lake County jail after he was charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child less than 13 years of age, a Class X felony, according to a news release from the Winthrop Harbor Police Department and court records. I want to pass down my love of reading to my kids, its one way they get exposed to the diversity of the human experience, they may be growing up on the North Shore but that diversity, thats real life, Casper said. MIDLAND, MI - Midland-based DowDuPont Inc. along with other prominent petrochemical companies are being challenged by a California group to disclose when there are plastic-pellet spills in the ocean and elsewhere. Conrad MacKerron, senior vice president of the nonprofit As You Sow, said his organization has filed shareholder proposals with DowDuPont, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Phillips 66 to disclose in annual reports the number of plastic-pellet spills in the United States and the measures in place to prevent and clean up those spills, if they occur. DowDuPont declined to say if it has had any recent plastic spills. But the company did issue a statement via email. Dow is a pledged partner in operation clean sweep an international program designed to prevent resin pellet, flake and powder loss and help keep pellet, flake and powder out of the marine environment," wrote Rachel Schikorra, director of corporate communications and public affairs. Schikorra said the company regularly engages with shareholders on sustainability issues as well as collaborating across the plastics value chain to develop solutions to keep plastic out of the environment. Dow also contributed to and is a founding member of Circulate Capitals $100 million initiative to finance companies and infrastructure that prevent waste in the oceans. MacKerron said his group is asking for annual reporting on plastic-pellet spills because it could help to reduce the amount of plastic waste that finds its way into the ocean and into the digestive systems of fish and other marine life. Its a totally avoidable situation, especially around (chemical) facilities around waterways, he said. Were just basically asking for a responsible request to see if they have an initiative (on dealing with plastic pellets and cleanups)." MacKerron that the danger is that the pellets are small and look like eggs, so they can be consumed by fish. The pellets are produced in that specific form because they are easier to transport, as well as making them easier to be melted down and used for things such as keyboards, action figures or other items that contain plastic. GRAND HAVEN, MI Skydivers will descend on Grand Haven this summer to boogie. The Dink Dink Boogie, expected to attract upward of 200 skydivers, will be held in Grand Haven for the first time this year. The event is scheduled for Aug. 15-18, with some landings on the city beach south of Notos Restaurant. The gathering will be a convention of sorts for skydivers from around the country, said organizer Joseph Thompson. Thompson formed the Raw Dogs skydiving formation group. The Dink Dink Boogie has been held in Hastings, but never in Grand Haven, Thompson said. The move to the beach came at the invitation of Sky Dive Grand Haven, a skydiving operation established last year, he said. How could we not? Thompson said. The Grand Haven City Council has given its blessing to the event. The event will feature all types of skydiving, including formations of flying wingsuits, Thompson said. Theres a plan to beat the state record of nine participants in that particular type of formation, he said. Landings will occur at the Grand Haven Airport as well as on the beach, he said. Beach landings most likely will occur around sunset on Aug. 16-17, though all jumps on weather dependent, Thompson said. The Raw Dogs generally jump at 13,500 feet, he said. Their canopy formations have been as big as 16 in Michigan, he said. Skydivers are drawn to boogies based on their location, the aircraft used and the organizers, Thompson said. Two 16-seat jet turbine planes will be brought to Grand Haven for Dink Dink, he said. As for the location, a beach on a freshwater lake is hard to beat, he said. Every skydiver wants to look cool landing on a beach, he said. ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP, MI -- The wife of an Army sergeant, together with another soldier stationed at the same Georgia base as the married couple, plotted her husbands death, according to the Berrien County Prosecutors Office. Kemia Hassel, 22, also an active duty member of the Army, was arrested and charged with premeditated murder after her husband, Army Sgt. Tyrone Hassel III, 23, was shot and killed on New Years Eve, according to a news release from the prosecutors office. An investigation into the killing revealed the woman was having an affair with another soldier stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia, where she lived with her husband and 1-year-old child, the release said. Police say the pair plotted to kill Hassel in order to continue their relationship and reap financial benefits resulting from his death. Hassel and his wife were staying with his father in St. Joseph Township while home on military leave over the holidays. He was at a family gathering in Benton Harbor on the night of his death. When he returned to his fathers home around 11 p.m. to bring his wife some food, he was confronted by an assailant who shot and killed him, the release said. Hassel was found gravely injured with multiple gunshot wounds" after police responded Monday, Dec. 31, to 2086 Colfax Ave. in St. Joseph Township, the release said. A second suspect, a 24-year-old Hinesville, Georgia, man is in jail in Georgia facing charges of first degree premeditated murder and felony firearm, the release said. MLive is withholding the mans name pending arraignment. The man traveled from Fort Stewart to Chicago several days prior to Dec. 31, police said. He waited for directions from Hassels wife to ambush the victim, and did so on New Years Eve, the release said. Kemia Hassel was arrested and taken to the Berrien County Jail Saturday, Jan. 12, according to jail records. She faces a charge of first-degree, premeditated murder. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of life without the possibility of parole. She was arraigned on the charge Monday, Jan. 14, and her bond was set at $2.5 million, with a requirement for a GPS tether should she post bond. Hassel is expected back in court at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, for a preliminary examination. JACKSON, MI - A $1,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to an arrest in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in downtown Jackson. Jazzrell Witherspoon was walking north about 10 p.m. Sept. 26, 2018, in front of Frank's Finer Foods, 418 First St., when a dark-colored SUV approached him, police say. Those inside opened fire. Witherspoon was shot multiple times. He was hospitalized in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 29. Now, police are seeking more information on the shooting, according to a release from the Jackson Police Department. Specifically, they want information on the SUV, shown in the images above released by police. The SUV is believed to be a gray Chevrolet Traverse with possible damage on the passenger side, police said. The shooting is not believed to be random, police previously said. Those with information on the death are asked to contact Jackson police Det. Richard Burkart at 517-768-8770 or Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 855-840-7867. JACKSON, MI It would take 67 years for the city of Jackson to fix all 155 miles of its roads at its current pace of reconstructing 2.3 miles each year. New streets have a healthy lifespan of 20 years, Councilwoman Colleen Sullivan said, which is why she believes Jackson needs a new plan. Shes presenting that plan to the City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 15. If approved, voters will have the final say at the May election. Sullivans $161.4 million plan requires nearly $97 million from a millage, while the remaining $64.5 million would come from special assessments. Sullivan proposes creating a special roads fund in the city charter to do this. "By creating it this way, it can't be pulled out for anything else," Sullivan said. "You can't say, 'Well, we're going to use this to build a building over here.'" If approved, the City Council could levy a millage of up to 5 mills. The millage would last indefinitely, although Sullivan said she'd recommend it be reconsidered in 20 years. The 5 mills would bring in $3 million in the first year. A homeowner with a property valued at $100,000 would pay $250 more each year. After seven years, Sullivan proposes transferring 5 more mills to dedicate to roads, taken from the Act 345 police and fire pension fund. City officials expect the fund to be in good shape and can be lowered from its current 7.45 mills. By 2039, residents will have paid roughly $99 million for street construction. "Jackson certainly being half the size it once was and having the housing crash is ill-positioned to be able to handle all the mileage we have," Sullivan said. "But we're not in a unique situation in terms of not having the funding to do it." Three Jackson County townships have recently enacted road millages Blackman, Summit and Spring Arbor with each asking for 2.5 to 4 mills. Concord and Pulaski townships voted down such a millage. Jackson County, which receives state dollars to fix roads in the township, is providing a 30 percent match to all township road projects. The city receives its own road funds just more than $3 million each year, Sullivan said so it isnt eligible for the countys match program. Another key difference with the citys proposal is the reliance on special assessments. The townships are using millage funds instead of special assessment dollars, while the city would utilize both funding sources. Townships also reimbursed residents who had recently paid special assessments prior to the vote. Sullivan considered plans that would end special assessments, but said they would need 10 mills from the start, which isn't feasible. "I think it is very unlikely that 10 mills would pass," Sullivan said. "I hate to throw a way an opportunity to actually get out of this problem." Residents are charged special assessments, based on a variety of factors, when their street is redone. City special assessments have increased from about $350,000 in 2015-16 to an estimated $2 million in 2018-19, per the city budget. Some residents were charged more than $10,000 in 2018 in their assessment. Here's a breakdown of how Jackson's 155 miles of roads would be fixed, Sullivan said: 65 miles of local streets would see a deep mill and repave 32.5 miles of local streets would be completely reconstructed 25 miles of major and local streets would see minor repairs 21.7 miles of major streets would see a deep mill and repave 10.8 miles of major streets would be completely reconstructed "The whole idea here is to not do anything as a Band-Aid," Sullivan said. "Whatever it takes for each individual road to give it a 20-year lifespan, that's what we want to do." Wilder ideas about how to better build roads were also considered, Sullivan said. She looked at having Jackson be a testing ground for a new type of roads built of plastic material which are being tested on a bike path in the Netherlands, she said. Its too experimental right now, Sullivan said, as researchers are dealing with traction issues. Jackson Countys new road recycler isnt an option for the city either, City Manager Patrick Burtch said. Obstacles like brick under the pavement, city curbs, manhole covers and other infrastructure would make the recycler inefficient on city streets, he said. Sullivan has presented her plan at community meetings in recent weeks. The final one is at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 925 Backus St. Specific wording for the ballot question is on page 134 of Tuesdays City Council agenda packet although details on the plan itself are absent. In 20 years, we could actually have the best roads in the state because we fixed this problem, Sullivan said. When we talk about needing to attract residents and business, I think this is an excellent way to do it. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A man who acted as a Big Brother and foster parent will be sentenced Monday, Jan. 14, for convincing teen-age boys produce child pornography. William John Easterling Jr., 53, once a candidate for the state House of Representatives and member of the Robinson Township Zoning Board of Appeals, was convicted by a federal jury of three counts of sexual exploitation of a child or attempted sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography. Easterling, who lived near Grand Haven, has denied any inappropriate conduct with children, court records said. Federal prosecutors said at trial that Easterling mentored and befriended a boy and had him, at the age of 16, take video of himself masturbating. Another teen, who was mentored by Easterling through Big Brothers, made a similar video, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Sanford said in court documents. The teen told the Ottawa County Childrens Advocacy Center that Easterling provided him with a camera to take videos of himself using a sex toy. (He) went into a bedroom in Easterlings basement and made a porno of himself using the sex toy. He told authorities Easterling gave him alcohol and cigarettes, Sanford said. A former foster child told authorities that Easterling provided the teen with a sex toy. Sanford said police found a document titlted, That Little Boy Who Used to Come Over and Play, that said it was Written by William Easterling. It listed fun activities and gifts he had given the 16-year-old, which the prosecution said was evidence of grooming by building his trust and befriending him. Easterling had met the boy years earlier at church and acted as a mentor. Defense attorney Helen Nieuwenhuis said that advisory sentencing guidelines call for a life sentence but the maximum statutory penalty for exploitation is 30 years in prison. The minimum is 15 years. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo could order sentences be served consecutively, however. Even if Easterlings sentences are to be served concurrent, he still faces a staggering amount of time," his attorney said. She asked for the minimum sentence possible. Anything else would essentially be a life sentence. He suffers numerous, serious health problems. He had a heart attack in 2011 and has cancer and arthritis among other issues. Mr. Easterling knows he faces substantial prison time and does not want to remain idle, his attorney wrote in a sentencing memorandum. She said Easterling has as a college education, and has certification as a master auto technician and training in engineering software. He has held steady jobs. He is interested in further training while serving his time by taking any software related classes, classes in the library sciences, and culinary arts. Nieuwenhuis said her client previously had only a misdemeanor, contributing to the delinquency of children in Holland, on his criminal record. Mr. Easterling has maintained his innocence in this case, but he does not underestimate or downplay the nature or severity and gravity of the crimes which are the result of his conviction. Before his arrest, Easterling had been married for 24 years, and successfully fostered many children prior to this conviction, his attorney said. GRAND BLANC TWP, MI Police in Grand Blanc Township are asking residents to add a few steps to their nighttime routine to help prevent becoming a victim of property crime. The idea that was previously started by a Florida sheriffs office comes following a rash of vehicle break-ins in which residents left their vehicles unlocked during the overnight hours. Law enforcement departments across the country have picked up on the 9 p.m. started by the Pasco County Sheriffs Office in Florida as a simple reminder for residents to lock their doors, according to a Tampa Bay Times story. Grand Blanc Township police Chief Ron Wiles and Grand Blanc Township police Sgt. Scott Theede teamed up for a video on the departments Facebook page to discuss the effort starting at the Genesee County department. For this program to be successful we need your help. We have a great community here, a safe community, says Wiles in the video. We can make it even better and safer with your help by just doing three things every night at 9 oclock before you go to bed or put your kids away. The actions mentioned by Wiles include making sure no valuables are in vehicles, doors are locked every night, and turning on exterior lights at residences. Those three things will greatly reduce the opportunity for someone to commit a crime in the township and make sure you are not victimized by crime, he adds. Theede notes those out looking for unlocked vehicles at night want that quick, easy target and making those actions a daily ritual will harden your property, youre going to deter crime, and its going to make your life that much simpler and its going to make our job that much easier. The duo pledged to post a reminder at 9 p.m. every night for residents on the social media page. FLINT, MI -- U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee met with air traffic controllers Monday, Jan. 14, and called President Trump childish for his behavior before and during the partial federal government shutdown. This is really a childish position the president has taken, the Flint Democrat said in a news conference after meeting with the controllers from Bishop Airport. He literally stormed out of (negotiations) because he didnt hear the right words. Kildee and other members of Congress are returning to Washington for their first full week of legislative business since control of the House reverted to Democrats. They are immediately facing a partial shutdown thats gone on for 24 days. Although Trump has pushed for a deal on funding for wall along the U.S.-Mexico border before agreeing to fully reopen the government, Kildee said the solution is to reopen first, and continue with discussions of border security. Democrats have and will support a plan thats effective, he said. Air traffic controllers just want to have this resolved and they dont want to have either party shut the government down because we cant come to agreement on one part of the federal governments budget, Kildee said. No air traffic controllers from Flint appeared at the news conference Monday, but they are among the 10,000 or so in the U.S. who have been working without pay since Dec. 22. This is a job that already brings with it a lot of stress and to have the additional stress of having to think about whats happening at home, of getting a paycheck that has a zero on it, just adds to the stress that these individuals face, Kildee said. Trump is expected to sign legislation this week authorizing back pay for some 800,000 federal workers who either have been idled or are working without pay for as long as the shutdown lasts. Kildee said the crisis thats developing doesnt have to go on. What we have is agreement among the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, on the entirety of the federal budget with one exception, and its the wall that the President wants to build from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Im willing to commit significant financial resources to border security ... , said Kildee, who is chief deputy whip in the House of Representatives. We want border security but we have a difference of opinion of how we do it. (Information from the Associated Press is included in this report.) ANN ARBOR, MI - Investigations conducted by Michigan State University and the University of Michigan found that a political science professor sexually harassed graduate students. The Lansing State Journal reports that Michigan State hired a consulting firm last year to investigate allegations against William Jacoby. One former student alleged he propositioned her to start an affair, while another told investigators Jacoby asked for sexual favors in return for academic guidance on her research. Michigan State's report says the evidence shows a "distinct pattern of behavior." UMs report also concluded that Jacoby violated the universitys sexual harassment policy, according to the Associated Press. One former MSU graduate student, Rebecca Gill, detailed allegations about Jacobys conduct in a Facebook post. She recalled an uncomfortable conversation she had with Jacoby while he was a lecturer with the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research Summer Program at UM in the summer of 2002. When students and Jacoby went to a bar on the final day of class, Gill said he spent the entire evening talking with her in a conversation that veered off course. He started to talk about how mysterious I seemed the first time hed seen me, said Gill, who is now the director of the Womens Research Institute of Nevada and Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Finally, he asked if I would consider having an affair with him, suggesting that it would be good for my career to work with him. Jacoby has denied the allegations. He says the UM report is biased and incomplete. He says hes looking into appealing the Michigan State report, according to the AP. Jacoby retired from Michigan State on Jan. 1. The former editor of the American Journal of Political Science stepped down in May. MSU Spokesperson Emily Guerrant said the university continues to encourage anyone who has concerns or claims of sexual misconduct to come forward. An OIE investigation was launched previously and concluded in early January, Guerrant said in a statement. "While there was a finding, any decisions regarding corrective action or sanctions for the respondent will not be made until the conclusion of the appeal process. Although he has retired, the university still considers this to be an on-going personnel matter. PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - Michigans only womens prison will close to visitors next week to treat its population for scabies. The move comes after 39 prisoners were found to have the infestation amid a year-long rash outbreak at the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield Township, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz said. Those who have a rash or suspected scabies, 224 prisoners, will begin treatment with a round of Ivermectin and 24 hours of isolation Monday, Jan. 14, Gautz said. Their clothing and bedding will be laundered and bunkmates who want it will also receive the medication. Next week, the entire prisoner population, about 2,070 inmates, will be treated in the same manner. The effort is expected to begin Tuesday, Jan. 22 and last four days, said Gautz. No visits will be allowed, but loved ones can keep up with the closure by signing up for Nixle alerts sent by the facility. A mysterious rash was initially reported by the Detroit Free Press to be afflicting 50 prisoners in March. Its believed to have begun several months before then. It spread to more than 100 prisoners by October and nearly 200 prisoners by November. Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the human itch mite, and marked by intense itching and a pimple-like rash, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Officials initially ruled scabies out through testing and dermatologist evaluations in February and March 2018, Gautz previously said. Spotting mites in scrapings for testing is unlikely, because of how the few mites - about 10 to 15 - on a person might burrow, said Dr. Carmen McIntyre, chief medical officer for the MDOC, in a phone call with Gautz. "You can be carrying live mites and not know it," she said. Still, officials immediately treated the entire Gladwin unit of the prison, where the rash was initially found, with Ivermectin. However, some prisoners were symptom-free carriers who could have re-infected the treated prisoners, McIntyre said. "We did not catch everyone that time around that had actives scabies," she said. Prison officials then suspected improper use of inmate cleaning chemicals and prisoners washing clothing in trash cans with prisoner-made soap, which still is suspected in some rashes. Though they sent prisoners to dermatologists earlier in the year, it was bringing specialized dermatologists into the facility that bore fruit, said McIntyre. An epidemiologist recommended the entire prisoner population receive treatment for scabies, Gautz said. Nearly 1,400 pills have been shipped in for the treatment plan Monday and 16,000 are needed for the rest of the population next week, Gautz said. Prisoners who refuse the treatment will be placed in isolation until they are deemed safe to renter the population. Two rounds of the medication will need to be administered, costing an estimated $80,000 to $90,000, McIntyre and Gautz said. Staff and prisoners were being alerted to the plan Monday morning, Gautz said. "They've been happy to hear that a diagnosis has been made and that we're providing treatment to get this over with," Gautz said. Prisoners and loved ones for months expressed concerns that the facility wasnt doing enough to address the spreading outbreak. Some also questioned the scabies diagnosis when it was announced at the start of the year, citing concerns with possible mold at the facility. Gautz has refuted the claims, pointing to months of work to identify the cause, air and water testing at the facility and an inspection by the warden, himself. Prisoners, Carolyn Taylor, 54, tearfully described sleepless nights and incessant itching during the outbreak. Taylor is serving up to 20 years in prison for embezzlement "You can't even sleep so you can't even begin to start to heal your soul or any other part of you, and nobody cares," she said. Afflicted prisoners still could face four to six more weeks of itching and possible scars, McIntyre said. The facility is looking at how the matter was handled, she said. Educating more prisoners on limiting skin-to-skin contact might have helped. The facility had a few scabies cases in 2017 and 2016 that did not result in treatment for entire units or the facility, she said. ANN ARBOR, MI - Buy art, get marijuana. A Washington, D.C-based business planted its seeds in Ann Arbor about two weeks ago to expand On High Road, a concept where customers can buy a piece of cannabis art and receive a free gift: marijuana and a salty or sweet snack. Virginia-native Brandon Williams began his venture in 2017, which expanded to Boston, Detroit and now the city known for Hash Bash, an annual event centered around marijuana. How it works: order a product then get it delivered with marijuana. Customers can purchase products from $55 to $150 and choose from a free muffin, cookie, sour candy, hot fries and more, along with marijuana but no more than 2.5 ounces, the limit under Michigan law, Williams said. The snacks do not contain marijuana, rather they are an addition to enjoy with the art and cannabis. Demand is pretty great, Williams said. Were doing pre-orders for next week. We got slammed with orders because the demand is extremely high. Im actually hiring more drivers for the Ann Arbor area. The Ann Arbor operation currently has two drivers who can either personally deliver it, with an added charge, or meet a driver in downtown Ann Arbor. I dont feel like Ive faced any hurdles so far, Williams said. For the most part, I stay within the legal area of whats written in the law. We cannot deliver on the college campus but when people go through the checkout process, we will have a couple options for them to choose from for a different pick up location. I have a daily limit that I dont go past. I dont want to ruffle any feathers. There could be a lot of money to be made but Im going to be abiding by the law." Williams directly saw how marijuana positively impacted people battling depression or managing pain and was inspired to start On High Road, he said. Im a firm believer that it actually works," he said. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited Grand Rapids Monday, touting recent executive directives designed to eliminate the gender pay gap among state workers and create more opportunities for small businesses. Speaking at OST, a business and information technology consulting firm on the citys Northwest Side, Whitmer said her directives will elevate the opportunity to make a really good living here in the state of Michigan. Businesses will be able to hire more workers and attract talent from within their communities, and this will put more money in peoples pockets, she said. When small business thrives in Michigan, Michigan thrives. Whitmer, a Democrat from East Lansing, has signed 10 executive directives since she was sworn into office earlier this month. They include requirements for state employees to report imminent health and safety threats seen as a response to the Flint water crisis and a ban on the use of private emails for state business. During her Grand Rapids visit, Whitmer was joined by female business owners and state lawmakers, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, as well as former Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. Since leaving office, Calley has taken a job leading lobbying and communications efforts for the Small Business Association of Michigan. He said the small business executive directive which aims to remove barriers and increase state-government contracts with businesses in low-income areas has been one of his associations top objectives. It will identify and remove barriers that are keeping smaller companies from getting a fair shot, a level, even playing field when it comes to government contracting, Calley said. Whitmer also highlighted her executive directive that aims to eliminate the gender pay gap among state workers. The order prohibits state agencies and departments from asking for job applicants previous salary until they are made a job offer. She said allowing employers to seek such information prior to a job offer perpetuates a wage gap by enabling perspective employers to offer lower salaries to women than they otherwise would." While Whitmers directive only applies to state government workers and not the private sector the governor said it provides an important signal to the rest of the state. I think that the greatest thing that were doing is showing the world what we expect out of workplaces in Michigan, that women are not a separate group, she said. We are hardworking people who deserved to get paid what we should be making, what our colleagues who are male are making. On a per-dollar basis, theres a 22-cent wage gap between men and women in Michigan, according to a 2018 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families. Compared to men, women tend to hold lower-paying jobs, work in lower-paying industries, and spend less time in the formal workforce, the report says. These trends result from factors ranging from pervasive stereotypes and social norms about gender and work, to a lack of workplace support for family caregiving, to gender and racial discrimination, to the devaluation of work when it is primarily done by women and the effects are both starker and qualitatively different for women of color. Whitmer said she wants to work with the Republican-controlled Legislature to expand her gender pay gap directive to all Michigan workers. Its something Ill have to work with the Legislature to get done, and I know that thats not something that will happen overnight, but it is something that I believe we can get done, she said. There are people from both sides of the aisle standing up here who I think could have powerful voices in that, and when women are paid what theyre worth it strengthens communities, it strengthens our economy, and it lifts a lot of kids out of poverty who are in a one parent household. Man who kidnapped, assaulted woman gets life sentence Carleous Clay was sentenced to life in prison in January 2019. CHICAGO (AP) More than three years after the crime, a Holland man has been sentenced to life in prison after authorities say he kidnapped an Illinois woman from her home in 2015, drove her to an ATM where he stole money from her account, then sexually assaulted her and set her on fire. Carleous Clay, 36, who authorities say goes by the alias Mad Dog, last year pleaded guilty in federal court to kidnapping and sexual assault for the crime spree. In addition to the life sentence, the judge gave Clay an additional 10-year term for trying to take a prison caseworker hostage inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, according to the Associated Press. The kidnapping and assault charges from 2015 stem from an incident in which Clay broke into a home in Lansing, Ill. and stole several items. When he returned to the house a second time later that day, the homeowner was there, according to the Associated Press. After kidnapping her, Clay drove the woman to Munster, Ind., where he used an ATM to steal $140 from her account. He sexually assaulted her, tried to strangle her, then set her on fire. The woman, 53, suffered permanent injuries. She now uses a wheelchair, had to learn to speak again, and has burns over one-third of her body. She attended Clays sentencing last Friday in Chicago. Im very good. Its finally over. I can move on with my life, the woman told ABC Channel 7 in Chicago. Ive let go of my hatred and all of my anger and I can move forward from here. LANSING, MI -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will begin issuing February food assistance benefits in January, instead, under direction from the federal government. Michigan usually issues food assistance benefits on a 21-day schedule throughout each month. In this case, the state will start issuing February benefits on Saturday, Jan. 19. Those on food assistance will get their benefits that week or the following week. This means Michiganders on food assistance will get two months' worth of benefits in January and none in February. The department is encouraging people to set their food budget accordingly. The move is precipitated by the partial shutdown of the federal government as President Donald Trump and Congress clash over funding for a proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Michigans food assistnace program is federally funded, and as the shutdown stretches on, MDHHS spokesman Bob Wheaton said, there were questions as to whether the states would receive federal funding for food assistance for the month of February if the shutdown continued. The federal government determined the February payments would be made available, Wheaton said, but the assistance had to be issued in January instead of February. Were not entirely clear as to the reason that the early issuance is needed in order to ensure February payments go out, Wheaton said. Its unclear what will happen with March assistance payment if the federal government shutdown continues. According to the latest available data from MDHHS, from November of 2018, 1.2 million Michiganders are on the states food assistance program. The average monthly assistance is $121.02 in person. MDHHS expects February Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits to be distributed as is typical. The show, based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek and William Steig's 1990 book, follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek and a talking donkey as they attempt to right the wrongs of an evil ruler and rescue Princess Fiona from the castle where she is trapped. UPDATE: Grand Rapids police search for vehicle involved in targeted killing GRAND RAPIDS, MI A man who reportedly suffered a gunshot wound was found dead in the Towne and Country Shopping Center parking lot Sunday afternoon. Grand Rapids Police Department confirmed Sunday, Jan. 13, that a male was killed by what is reported as a gunshot wound in the shopping centers parking lot, located on Kalamazoo Avenue near 44th Street. We cant confirm there was a shooting yet, GRPD Sgt. Cathy Williams said. All we can say is that one person has been confirmed dead due to a gunshot wound. In a tweet, the Grand Rapids Police Department said to expect a update on the case later this evening. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Developers behind a condominium project planned for Grand Rapids Belknap Lookout neighborhood, across I-196 from the citys burgeoning Medical Mile, are moving to squeeze more condos into the development and offer less expensive one-bedroom units. In addition, the original developer Angel Gonzalez, owner of the Artesian Group is backing away from the project. He says hes selling the land, which includes at least 10 houses that will be demolished to build the condos, to Allendale-based RJM Properties. Its a big project for me and our company, and its going to take a lot longer than what I want to give to something right now, Gonzalez said. Last week, the city of Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved several changes to the project, known as Coit Square. Its proposed along the east side of Coit Avenue NE between Trowbridge and Fairbanks streets. The overall footprint of the project has expanded from 45,536-square-feet to 52,802-square-feet. Developers are planning to squeeze more units into that space. Originally, the project called for up to 36 condos. Now, RJM wants to build up to 50 condos. Fourteen will be one-bedroom units. Previous plans did not include one-bedroom units. The addition of the one-bedroom units, and some smaller two-bedroom units, will result in a lower price range. Previously, the two- and three-bedroom condos were expected to cost between $250,000 to $375,000. Now, the price of the one- and two-bedroom units will range from $169,900 to $329,900. There will be two three-bedroom units original plans called for 10 such units with a base price of $499,000. Jason Vos, of RJM Properties, said he envisions a range of buyers, from graduate students and first-time home buyers to empty-nesters. We have a wide range of people that want to live close to Grand Rapids and have an affordable condo-unit with parking, he said. Later, he added: We have a lot of interest on these units, especially the one-bedroom units. The Belknap Lookout neighborhood is home to several new apartment projects, as well as Grand Valley State Universitys recently built Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. Other changes to the Coit Square plan include more parking and the elimination of a proposed community deck. Previous plans called for private outdoor space for each unit. Moving forward, such space will not be provided for all units, according to materials RJM submitted to the city. The new plans also show there will be, in some instances, less expensive materials used to build the condos. Plans still call for brick and fiber cement siding, though there will now be more vinyl siding on the sides of the condos not facing the street, according to city documents. Two people, including one man Dean Rosendall who identified himself as a neighbor, spoke out against the additional vinyl siding during the planning commission meeting. Planning commissioners, when approving the project, required the developer to change its plans and wrap the facade materials the more expensive brick and fiber cement siding around a portion of the side of the buildings. There are at least 10 houses located within the projects footprint, planning documents show. According to city property records, six of those houses are owned by Artesian Group. The other four houses, property records show, are owned by DDN LLC, VI Investments LLC and TGAG Investments LLC. The houses have primarily served as rental units. Vos wasnt immediately sure how many people were living in those rentals. He said the leases are month-to-month. If all goes to plan, demolition of those homes and site work could begin in April or May, Vos said. RJM is considering adding an affordable housing component to the plan, though Vos said his firm has not worked out the details. Vos said RJM will be seeking a Brownfield tax reimbursement for the project. Brownfield tax reimbursements enable a developer to recapture future tax revenue to recover costs associated with environmental site assessment activities, demolition, site preparation and public and private infrastructure improvements. A request made in April by the previous developer, the Artesian Group, for a Brownfield reimbursement was not approved by the city. In November, members of the Grand Rapids City Commission discussed creating a policy that would require developers who receive public funds such as Brownfield reimbursements to help pay relocation costs of residents who are displaced because of development projects. Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said part of the impetus of the discussion was the Coit Square Brownfield request. "When I asked very clearly and straightforward if those moving would be able to be relocated in their neighborhood, the answer was no," Bliss said at the time. Personally, I had a real issue with incenting a development that would result in significant displacement of families when we clearly have a goal around affordable housing. TRAVERSE CITY, MI A former Michigan corrections officer is facing charges for allegedly facilitating communication between inmates at the Grand Traverse County Jail. Brandon Veenstra, 37, of Cadillac has been charged with one misdemeanor count of Willful Neglect of Duty by a Public Official after the Michigan State Police found evidence that he had been passing notes to inmates while on the job. Veenstra, who turned himself in, was arraigned in the 86th District Court in Traverse City on Jan. 11. According to a news release, some of the inmates had no contact orders in place, which prohibited them from communicating. The investigation found no evidence that any other officers had knowledge that these communications were occurring. The case began in September when a detective from the MSP Cadillac Post found policy violations while looking into Veenstra. His employment was terminated by the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office a short time later. DETROIT, MI -- Federal employees at a Michigan roundtable last week said their jobs were being affected by the federal shutdown, which has stretched into the longest in U.S. history. Those jobs affect governmental work that happens in Michigan, from fewer employees at the Transportation Security Administration at local airports to a lack of governmental regulation on fuel emissions to affects on Michigan farmers. Now in its 24th day, the partial shutdown of the federal government is ongoing as President Donald Trump pushes for funding to fulfill his campaign promise of building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Democratic members of Michigans congressional delegation held a roundtable last week focusing on the workers and Michigan functions associated with the shutdown. U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Twp., said as congress considers border protection, its not that members are against all barriers. We want to do whats smart to protect our borders, not just build a big wall because someones ego says its necessary, Levin said. As the debate rolls on in Washington D.C., Michigan is seeing some of the effects. So far, Michigan airports havent seen the long wait times attributed to the shutdown at other airports. But with staff being affected, that could change. Gregory Simpkins, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 778, said four of the unions TSA employees quit last week, and three the week before. Right now TSA employees are deemed essential and still going to work, but are not getting paid. Wanavia Wilson said employee morale at the TSA is the lowest shes ever seen it. With personal budgets stretched, shes afraid they will lose even more workers. One worker told her he soon wont have enough gas money to drive to work, she said. Federal environmental work is also lapsing because of the shutdown. If Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac were to spill, part of the emergency response is affected by the federal shutdown, said Dave Fanslow, a biologist and local union president who works at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor. The computers that run the model for emergency response to a Line 5 oil spill are turned off. The lab also does work on weather forecasting that isnt getting out right now. Were not providing the products to the public that we all think are incredibly important, Fanslow said. Mark Coryell, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 3907, represents Environmental Protection Agency employees who work at the Motor Vehicle Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor. He and his colleagues are furloughed, meaning they are not working right now and not getting their pay. And for the public, their not working means regulation is lagging. His lab certifies the fuel efficiency numbers automakers display when selling cars, and ensures new vehicles meet emission standards. The auto companies are reliant upon us to completing our certification work so they can move forward and introduce new vehicles into commerce, Coryell said. Michigan farmers, too, are experiencing a lack of access to federal employees at a critical time, according to the Michigan Farmers Union. Farmers are seeking advice from United State Agriculture Department service centers on things like applications for the Market Facilitation Program, direct aid payments for farmers affected by recent trade changes. This is foolishness said Dennis kellogg, a Michigan Farmers Union board member and farmer, in a press release. I am counting on those funds to help settle my upcoming tax bills and the retaliatory tariffs, coupled with a government shutdown need to be negotiated to a settlement. Its not clear, yet, when the federal shutdown will end. But federal employees say they want a resolution, soon. Coryell said he was hopeful for some movement this week. Wuppertal: Counter Terrorism, Peace & Integration Seminar / PEP Seminar in Germany On the weekend of 22-23.12.2018, a seminar on Peace Education Programme was held in Wuppertal at the MQI Wuppertal on the topic of counter-terrorism, peace and integration. The seminar was organized by Minhaj Youth League and Sisters League Wuppertal, Ennepetal and Berlin. Few learning aims of the PEP Seminar were to assist members of Minhaj-ul-Quran International in Germany to obtain a clear and consistent understanding of the issue of (so-called Islamic) radicalization and a basis for coming up with effective solutions to the problem; the importance (and definition of) ideology (especially in relation to violent extremism. A key aim of the workshop was also to develop the ability of members to critically evaluate and put into perspective the variety of often contradictory and controversial messages in the media regarding violent extremism and its proposed solutions. The Seminar attracted participants of MQI from all Germany interested in the work of Peace Education Programme and its potential to maximize peace and community cohesion within the local community. Dr. Zahid Iqbal, Director of Peace Education Programme, conducted the proceedings of the event and welcomed the participants to the workshop. He informed the participants that the Seminar was designed as a form of training for individuals within MQI and the wider society so that individuals are able to garner a rational and coherent understanding of the issue of extremism. The Seminar started with a Debate and Discussion session using cue cards led by Dr Zahid Iqbal in which the audience were prompted to share their views and perspectives on certain topics. This was followed by a session titled Terrorism Its causative factors in which Dr. Zahid Iqbal delved into the various causative factors leading individuals towards terroristic tendencies. This session was key in giving individuals an insight into the different causes of terrorism and radicalization. In the final session Dr. Zahid Iqbal and Khadija Atikonson discussed the achievements of the Peace Education Programme till date and its future potential in resolving the issue of extremism and terrorism and also creating ambassadors of peace who are able to carry the vision of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri of peace, love and brotherhood. In addition, a session on productivity was incorporated into the seminar on both days. This unit drew conclusions for the successful implementation of the seminar topic. Furthermore, the future of MQI Europe was discussed and some questions about this: What is the strength of MQI? which fields can be further developed? Where does MQI Europe see itself in Europe in the future? How to spread Peace Education Programme around Europe? One Session at Day 2 was about pastoral care. Yasar Ahmad Sb., President of Minhaj-ul-Quran Wuppertal is a lecturer in Islamic pastoral care diploma courses and has presented some important aspects of his profession. He trains Islamic pastoral care students with the Colorado Theology Uni. According surveys around 1500 persons are needed in this field in Germany. The Peace Education Programme is a fundamental aspect for this field. Dr. Zahid Iqbal thanked all participants for taking time out and attending the seminar. The Seminar was concluded with Yasar Ahmad Sb, President of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Wuppertal. Concluding with a Naat and a dua by Mohammad Arshad. Just because your vacation may be delayed by COVID doesn't mean it can't be better than in prior years. Navy sailors soon will be able to access their personnel records using a mobile phone or tablet without needing common access card, or CAC, authentication. Depending on how well the service's beta test of a mobile personnel application works, the other services may follow suit. The Navy is conducting a full-scale beta test of a mobile application called MyRecord App, which eventually will allow sailors to conduct all personnel transactions using a phone or tablet. Chief of Navy Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke said in a service-wide message Jan. 8 that the goal is to provide access to the My Navy Portal with the "same level of security as [sailors] expect from their personal banking services." "As functionality improves, you can expect to find an increasing number of tools at your fingertips that will allow you and your spouse to accomplish things that previously required a trip to a Personnel Support Detachment," he said in the release. Burke is asking sailors to participate in the beta test to help evaluate the app's security. To do so, they must start by registering and completing the installation process at a CAC-enabled desktop computer. Viewing the My Navy Portal on a CAC-enabled computer, sailors will see an option to start "CAC Free Setup." The app will then walk the user through establishing a multi-factor authentication account. Users must download Okta Verify, a common, free app that enables multi-factor authentication, and the Navy's MyRecord App. Both are available on Apple Apps and Google Play. Sailors initially will be able to access a read-only version of some of their data. Once Navy officials have determined that the system works securely as promised, it will begin widening its capabilities, they said. Speaking at a symposium on maritime security concerns Thursday in Washington, D.C., Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith said this type of technology is exactly what sailors expect when they join the service. "Sailors very much enjoy getting their hands in some of the most cutting-edge and lethal technology that we employ. It's this personal technology where we lag behind and are just starting to catch up," Smith said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He added that the Navy beta test is a "test case in two-factor authentication" that the Defense Department will monitor and possibly institute on a wider scale if it's a success. "[The Navy is] taking the risk, but it's well worth it," Smith said. The service is encouraging sailors to provide feedback on the app and tell the Navy Personnel Command what functions they'd like to see in the future. "Coupled with the improved customer service and responsiveness of My Navy Career Center, you can expect continuous improvement in how personnel services are delivered in the coming months," Burke said. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at patricia.kime@monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie called on a federal union Monday to apologize for a chapter president's suggestion that veterans affected by the partial government shutdown might resort to suicide. "The notion that most veterans are so fragile from their service that the slightest hint of hardship can push them to the brink of mental breakdown or even self-harm is preposterous," Wilkie said in his letter to J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. "One of the most insulting and misleading stereotypes about veterans today is that of the 'veteran as victim,' which is why veterans and veteran advocates are continuously fighting this shopworn canard." The letter to Cox singled out Edward Canales, a federal Bureau of Prisons employee in California, a 100 percent disabled Army veteran and president of AFGE Local 3584. Wilkie said Canales told ABC News 2 last week, "If this shutdown does not stop, we are going to have fatalities. We're going to have suicides." Related content: Wilkie charged that Canales "exploited the real tragedy of veteran suicide to make political arguments about the partial government shutdown." "I ask you to apologize publicly for your AFGE colleague's reckless comments and to outline the steps you plan to take to ensure AFGE leaders demonstrate proper respect for our nation's heroes," he said in the letter to Cox. In a statement in response, Cox did not directly comment on Wilkie's charges about suicides, but said that veterans in the federal workforce are under stress from the shutdown. Cox said the Trump administration is "one of the worst on record for our country's heroes. Federal government-employed veterans are hurting right now." "Regardless of their continued service to our country, the president and his Cabinet have left them out in the cold," Cox said, "forcing them to work without pay or subjecting veterans and their families to the uncertainty of not knowing when or where their next paycheck will come from." Will Attig, executive director of the Union Veterans Council of the AFL-CIO, told Mililtary.com that Wilkie is ignoring the financial insecurity that studies have shown could put veterans at risk. Wilkie's statements show that he is "completely out of touch with the reality that federal workers face every single day," Attig charged. "We believe this letter [from Wilkie] is an attempt to whitewash the issue." He added, "We're hearing it from hundreds of veterans every day. We're all hearing the same thing -- the stress from the financial insecurity." Separately Monday, Wilkie issued a lengthy statement outlining the VA's efforts to curb veteran suicides, which now average about 20 daily. He said the VA is "making great strides in our top clinical priority -- suicide prevention -- and in improving mental health care for veterans, including through Telehealth and same-day mental health services." Dr. Keita Franklin, the VA's new director of suicide prevention, "has added more than 20 staff to her team, worked to improve the office's organizational structure and brought clear lines of responsibility and accountability to VA's suicide prevention efforts," Wilkie said. "We also ramped up our spending on suicide prevention outreach in a big way," he added. "During fiscal year 2019, our total budget for suicide prevention is approximately $47.5 million, and we plan to spend $20 million of that budget on outreach." However, a report by the Government Accountability Office last month charged that the VA in the previous fiscal year spent only a fraction of allocated funding for suicide prevention outreach and media support -- about $57,000, or one percent, of what was in the budget. At a sometimes testy joint Senate-House hearing Dec. 20, Wilkie blamed the failure to spend the money on disorganization but said the issues were being addressed and the funds were now flowing under new leadership at the suicide prevention office. The VA is fully funded for 2019 and is not among the nine government departments and several smaller agencies affected by the partial government shutdown, which is now in its 24th day -- the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. About 800,000 federal workers have either been furloughed or are working without pay during the shutdown, and government figures show that veterans comprise about 31 percent of the federal workforce. The major issue blocking a compromise resolution to the shutdown has been the dispute between the White House and congressional Democrats over funding for extending existing portions of the southern border wall. President Donald Trump has demanded $5.7 billion for the wall while Democrats have offered $1.6 billion for border security enhancements, not including the wall. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. President Donald Trump said in a tweet Sunday that creation of a buffer zone in northern Syria could protect the mix of Syrian Kurd and Arab Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the U.S., from a threatened attack by Turkey. Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to a planned withdrawal of the estimated 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, while continuing to destroy the remnants of the Islamic State. "Create 20 mile safe zone" in northern Syria, the president said via Twitter. "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." Trump also said that attacking the SDF would be against Turkey's long-term interests. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," he said. Trump gave no timetable, but said that once troop withdrawal is complete, the U.S. could attack from a base outside Syria if ISIS attempted to regroup. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions," he said. "Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms." Trump returned to the theme that the U.S. has borne the burden of fighting ISIS, and it is now time to withdraw. "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies," he said. "We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Also on Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the planned U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria amounted to a "tactical change" that would not alter the overall U.S. mission to inflict a lasting defeat on the Islamic State, counter Iran and safeguard local partnered forces. "We have lots of tools in our arsenal," Pompeo said on CBS-TV's "Face the Nation" program. "The tactical change we've made and the withdrawal of those two thousand troops is just that -- a tactical change. Mission remains the same." The withdrawal would be "orderly and deliberate" in accordance with the "incredibly clear" guidance from Trump, said Pompeo, a West Point graduate, former Army captain, and former CIA director. The Dec. 19 announcement via Twitter by Trump that U.S. forces in Syria would withdraw was followed the next day by the resignation of then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Trump said at the time that the troops were "coming home now," but has since said that the withdrawal would be "slow and coordinated" with allies. The first official announcement that the withdrawal had begun came in a terse statement Friday from Army Col. Sean Ryan, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), the U.S. military regional command for Iraq and Syria. Ryan said the U.S. "has begun the process of our deliberate withdrawal from Syria. Out of concern for operational security, we will not discuss specific timelines, locations or troop movements." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the London-based monitoring group that has activists on the ground in Syria, reported several U.S. armored vehicles and trucks had pulled out of northeastern Syria and crossed into Iraq. Later Friday, Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement, "The withdrawal is based on operational conditions on the ground, including conversation with our allies and partners, and is not be subject to an arbitrary timeline." Robertson indicated that the withdrawal thus far has been limited to equipment. "We will confirm that there has been no redeployment of military personnel from Syria to date," he said. "The mission has not changed. ... We will continue to work with partners and allies to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS by sustaining military gains and promoting regional security and stability." Since Trump's Dec. 19 withdrawal announcement, Turkey has renewed threats to launch an offensive into northeastern Syria against the Syrian Kurdish YPG (People's Protection Units), the main fighting force within the U.S.-backed SDF. The SDF, with U.S. air and artillery support, has liberated much of eastern Syria from ISIS, but Turkey considers the YPG to be allied with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), a separatist group in eastern Turkey that has been labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S., Turkey and the European Union. Last week, National Security Adviser John Bolton said the U.S. withdrawal would be based on conditions on the ground and would include safeguards for the SDF. He went to Ankara in an effort to outline the U.S. position, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused to meet with him. Also last week, the commander of the SDF, Gen. Mazloum Kobani, said it was his understanding that the U.S. was engaged in "serious attempts" to halt a Turkish offensive. In an interview with Reuters on Dec. 13, Kobani said that Ambassador James Jeffrey, the U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement who traveled with Bolton to Turkey, "knows well that Turkish attacks will make the fight against Daesh [ISIS] fail and all the work between us will go to waste." "We are ready for any attack and will respond strongly," Kobani said, but "our diplomatic attempts are ongoing to deter this." "If there is a Turkish attack, the YPG forces will be forced to come protect the borders, to defend their families," he added in the interview, and "the battle against Daesh is not possible." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com. Antonio D. Young, 25, of the 5000 block of Ohio Street, was charged with armed violence, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery of someone over the age of 60 in connection with the 5:45 a.m. holdup of the Shell station at Route 25 and Kings Road, according to a Carpentersville Police Department news release. All of the charges are felonies. 'At the Limits of What I Can Do:' Marine Corps Commandant Makes Plea for Funding Gen. David Berger told Congress that the service has trimmed assets and people and needs full funding to ensure readiness. National Security Adviser John Bolton asked the Pentagon last fall to develop military options for a strike against Iran following a mortar attack in Baghdad by a Tehran-backed militant group, a request one former official said "shocked" some in the meeting. While it is unclear if the president knew of the plans, Bolton's request worried many in the Pentagon and the State Department concerned with the more hawkish approach toward Tehran. According to a former U.S. national security official, Pentagon participants at the meeting were "shocked and dismayed" at the request, concerned that such an escalation could lead to all-out war with Iran. Then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "resisted" the request. While the Pentagon did provide military options to the National Security Council, Mattis "tried to manage expectations." Ultimately, the U.S. did not respond militarily. "It definitely rattled people," one former senior U.S. administration official told the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the request. "People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran." The former U.S. national security official told Fox News the Journal account was accurate. Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said in response to the report: "The Department of Defense is a planning organization and provides the President military options for a variety of threats; routinely reviewing and updating plans and activities to deal with a host of threats, including those posed by Iran, to deter and, if necessary, to respond to aggression." Garrett Marquis, a spokesman for the National Security Council, similarly told the Journal that the council "coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats." "We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests," he said. The mortar attack targeted Baghdad's diplomatic quarter, which is home to the U.S. Embassy. The three mortars, however, landed in an open lot and nobody was harmed in the attack. Bolton, a hawk who previously served as ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush, has been vocal about his support for a regime change in Tehran and the report of the military options against Iran highlight the more confrontational approach toward the Islamic Republic the administration has taken since he took the post at the NSC in April. While Bolton's approach has seen him butt heads with a number of people in Trump's Cabinet -- most notably Mattis -- he has found an ally in Pompeo. Last year, Bolton quickly pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear-containment deal brokered during the Obama administration and tightened economic sanctions against Iran -- moves that were championed on the campaign trail in 2016 by then-candidate Trump. In speech in September, Bolton sent a stark warning to Tehran that there would be "hell to pay" if the country threatened America or its allies. As part of long-term redevelopment plans, services provided by Cook County Health are being relocated throughout the south suburbs and some external facilities have closed on the Oak Forest campus, including the chapel, Schlikerman said in a statement. This is being done to reduce operating and maintenance expenses and be more efficient with Cook Countys real estate footprint. The campus will be studied to determine the best future use. PORTLAND A 46-year-old Middletown man has been charged with operating an unlicensed repair facility. Joseph Walden, of McKenzie Street, was arrested and charged by Portland police Jan. 10. Walden was released after posting $10,000 bail. He is due to be arraigned in Superior Court in Middletown Jan. 22. Walden pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed repair facility in Middletown in May 2018, after he was arrested in August of the prior year. At the time, he was regional president of the Ruthless for Life Motorcycle Club and ran an unlicensed shop under the name Walden Enterprises on Walnut Street. The Middletown Police Department Street Crime Unit and Connecticut State Police Auto Theft Task Force conducted a three-month investigation at the time that led to Waldens arrest. Walden was issued a six-month suspended sentence with one year conditional discharge in that case, judicial records show. He was also ordered to pay a $500 fine. About the owner: I went to French cooking school when I was 17 or 18. I got my certificate in French cuisine, said Stacey about attending Dumas Pere in Glenview. Through family and friends who live in Italy I was able to spend six months (there) when I was 21, building my repertoire and literally getting a taste of what else is out there. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday called on the Justice Department to ensure that the suspects in the killing of AKO-Bicol Party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. While she commended the Philippine National Police for swiftly identifying the mastermind behind Batocabe's killing, Arroyo said authorities should ensure justice is served to his family. "Now that the mastermind and his co-conspirators have been identified, in behalf of the House, I join all our colleagues who have made a call for our pillars of justice that now the job is to ensure that the mastermind and the co-conspirators be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Arroyo said during the necrological service held for Batocabe at the House of Representatives. "There should be no let up, no stone left unturned until justice is served," she added. Batocabe and his aide SPO2 Orlino Diaz were shot dead on December 22 last year during a gift-giving activity. The PNP has tagged Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind behind the killing. All six suspects who surrendered to the PNP have attested to the police's claim. Baldo, however, vehemently denied the allegation. READ: Subpoena served to Daraga town mayor over alleged involvement in Batocabe slay Batocabe remembered During the memorial service, tributes poured in for the slain partylist lawmaker. Arroyo remembered Batocabe as a serious and hardworking member of the House while Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza recounted the lawmaker as a good friend. Minority Leader Danilo Suarez lauded the representative's dedication in passing bills especially on issues close to his heart. Meanwhile, the Batocabe's son, Justin, said their family will continue his father's legacy of public service and made sure violence doesn't reign in Daraga. "We will not allow greed and violence to ruin my father's beautiful hometown. We will not allow the injustice of indolent leadership. Together, we shall honor his memory by continuing his good deeds and public service," the younger Batocabe said. Come hell or high water, Anthony Gerald shows up. Be it with a cane, a walker or simply limping; he rarely misses a community event because he knows how important it is to be a shining example to his children, often seeks out every opportunity he can to serve as a blessing to someone else. The chamber began when a group of business owners had been meeting regularly, and opened an account at First National Bank, calling itself the Barrington Association of Commerce. In 1965, the group changed its name to Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, and about three years later, Barrington resident Carol Beese was named chamber president, a job she had for the next 32 years. There are thousands of supermarkets and grocery stores in America, meaning competition between chains is fierce. With the competitive landscape more crowded than a Costco on the weekend, its a great time to sift through inventory and rank the top 20 supermarket chains in the country. For the purposes of this list, The Daily Meal defined supermarkets as brick-and-mortar grocers, membership-only warehouse clubs and nationwide department stores that have supermarkets. In addition, The Daily Meal considered only supermarkets that have outposts in multiple states and that have at least five locations. The stores were judged on stock, departments, innovation, customer service, and contribution to the community. The Prespa Agreement has been contributing, from the day of its signing, to the establishment of stability and peace in the Balkans. It constitutes an internationally recognised paradigm for the resolution of differences between two independent sovereign states under the aegis of the UN, free of third parties' intervention; differences that have long been undermining the prospect of the peoples in the region to peacefully co-exist and to work together for the benefit of the regions stability and the security. Our international partners are called upon to respect the spirit and letter of the Agreement and to embrace the fact that the political leaderships in both countries exhibited the necessary political courage in order to come to a solution on a particularly thorny issue, while defending their national interests. Invoking domestic political developments in friendly countries by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not in line with the level of relations between Greece and Russia and the long-standing ties of friendship between our peoples. At the same time, it fuels reasonable concerns, as it overlooks the coordinated and effective democratic functioning of institutions in Greece, whose Constitution contains clear provisions for every possibility in the interior political order, which certainly does not constitute a field favourable to comments on the part of third parties. We express our certitude that Russia, which has for years recognized fYROM as the Republic of Macedonia will respect the sensibilities of the Greek people in using the name Macedonia and will henceforth refer to this country with its new constitutional name, i.e. North Macedonia, and most importantly that it will refrain from such statements, which constitute an intervention in Greeces interior affairs. Tri-Star Resources, which has a 40% stake in the project, announced on Monday that, despite production of crude antimony trioxide and stockpiling of this material for use in commissioning the furnace, engineering issues have delayed the project. Tri-Star did not indicate when full commissioning of the plant would be achieved. On October 30 last year, Tri-Star said that the first round of antimony production had been expected at... This was due to delays to the production of first metal and to the full commissioning of the plant. QUITMAN [ndash] Arrangements are currently incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Mr. Robert Goodwin, 70, of Quitman, who died Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. The wait will finally come to an end this April, when the final season of our very beloved fantasy epic 'Game of Thrones' premieres on 14th April, 2019. HBO recently made the announcement at the beginning of the premiere episode of another of its popular show, 'True Detective'. HBO A short teaser followed the announcement, and it is the max we have seen of 'Game of Thrones' season 8. While the teaser, like all the others we have seen over the years, looks extremely promising, viewers cannot be sure if it is the real deal or simply a distraction to amp up the intrigue in the minds of eager audience. HBO The teaser begins with the Stark children's homecoming, to reunite in their family's crypt at Winterfell. Watch the entire teaser here, to find out what follows next: As per a Polygon report, it is being speculated that the first episode of the final season of GOT might open with a full-blown Stark reunion, where we will witness a joint meetup between Sansa Stark, who currently holds the reins of Winterfell, and Jon and Daenerys who are on their way back from the disastrous trip to the wall. HBO Things are expected to get tense when Sansa is asked to swear allegiance to Dany in the upcoming season, but until we can see all of that for ourselves, we will have to wait for the premiere episode to air in April. All we can say right now is, #CantWaitWontWait Most people struggle with back pain at some point, and its effects on the quality of life can be far-reaching. A new study looks at the outcomes of different types of back pain over time in a representative cohort. Share on Pinterest How does back pain affect us? A new study investigates. Past research has shown that back pain specifically lower back pain is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence throughout much of the world. Moreover, according to a study previously covered by Medical News Today, back pain is also associated with numerous mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Due to the far-reaching effects and the fact that the right treatment can often be difficult to find, healthcare costs for back pain can be quite steep. One study , published in JAMA in 2016, found that in 2013 alone, low back and neck pain accounted for the third-highest amount spent on healthcare in the United States, coming to an estimated total of $87.6 billion. Now, three specialists at the Krembil Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, have looked into the effects of back pain in the general population over time, assessing information about comorbidities (coexisting health conditions), disability, and the use of medication, among other factors. Borax, a naturally occurring mineral, has been an ingredient in cleaning products for decades. It is not safe to ingest. Some people also use it to make childrens toys, such as homemade slime. Borax can be harmful and may cause many serious side effects. In this article, we look at the safety and risks of borax. What is borax? Share on Pinterest Many household cleaning products include borax as an ingredient. Borax is the common name for the chemical sodium tetraborate. It is a salt of boric acid. Powdered borax consists of soft white crystals that dissolve in water. Many people know borax as a cleaning product. However, it has many other uses, including: treating mold and mildew killing insects softening hard water neutralizing odors acting as a fire retardant Also, many household products contain borax, including soaps and detergents. Manufacturers sometimes use borax to prevent or slow bacterial growth in cosmetic products, such as shampoo, makeups, and body soaps. In some cosmetics, manufacturers use borax as an emulsifier to stop products ingredients from separating. Is borax safe? Many people automatically assume borax is safe since it is a naturally occurring substance. While the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies borax as being noncarcinogenic, it does pose some risks, including: skin, eye, and respiratory irritation digestive problems infertility kidney failure shock death In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned borax as a food additive. Borax is not safe to ingest. According to the NLMs Toxicology Data Network, borax is easy for the body to break down when either inhaled or swallowed. However, if inhalation or ingestion occurs, both serious poisoning and organ damage can result. Ingesting borax can also lead to reproductive issues, including with the testes, a developing fetus, and fertility. Borax and children Share on Pinterest Borax is an ingredient in some slimy play products for children. Children should avoid contact with borax and products that contain borax. In previous years, people used borax to make slime for children to play with. However, children are particularly at risk from borax toxicity. According to the Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin, as little as 5 grams of borax can be harmful and potentially fatal if a child ingests it. Some potential risks if a child ingests borax include: diarrhea shock vomiting death People with children should avoid using pesticides, cosmetics, or other products containing borax. For example, if a child touches a pesticide, they may accidentally ingest it into their bodies through contact with their hands. Instead, a person should look for products with ingredients that are nontoxic to children. Borax and pets Pets are also at risk of accidental exposure and consumption of borax. People should avoid using pesticides that contain borax if they have pets that will wander through the area. In addition, a person should store products containing borax away from where pets can access them. Risks Borax offers several potential risks to humans and animals. A person should strongly consider not using products that contain borax when possible. Manufacturers do not need to list borax as an ingredient on the label of their products unless it is present in a pesticide. For people interested in avoiding products with borax, the Environmental Working Group recommend looking for the Green Seal or EcoLogo. Some of the products a person should use caution when purchasing include: slimy products made for kids cleaning products cosmetic products Precautions Share on Pinterest Wearing protective clothing while using borax can help reduce health risks. For those in regular contact with products that contain borax, some safety tips include: wearing rubber gloves when handling cleaning products washing away any cleaning product with water avoiding contact with nose, mouth, and eyes covering any open wounds before handling a borax product keeping products out of reach of children or pets making homemade doughs and slimes for children without borax avoiding breathing in the powder washing skin that comes in contact with the product by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 14, 2019 Google announced Monday an investment of $1.2 million to create a news publishing platform with Automattic/WordPress. The platform, called Newspack, aims to provide a fast, secure, low-cost publishing system for small newsrooms. The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Civil Media also collectively contributed another $1 million to the project. In this project, Google also steps into an advisory role, aside from becoming a financial backer. The platform is being created to help small publishers that follow Googles best practices write articles without having to worry about technical issues of publishing. Journalists should be writing stories and covering their communities, not worrying about designing websites, configuring CMSs, or building commerce systems, Jim Albrecht, product management director of search at Google, wrote in a blog post. Their publishing platform should solve these problems for them. advertisement advertisement The idea of the platform is to help small publishers succeed by building in best practices suggested by Google. Publishers using Newspack will have access to plugins created by the WordPress developer community. Automattic will work with Spirited Media and News Revenue Hub to understand what contributes to the success of publishers. They also will work on developing tools that help publishers measure the business impact of offered by Newspack. Albrecht expects that Newspack will begin development in the coming weeks. It is scheduled to become available to publishers globally later in the year. "The Newspack project takes another step following on our Google News Initiative Cloud Program and GNI/YouTube innovation funding towards our goal of local news sustainability by providing critical pieces of technology at high quality and low cost," Albrecht wrote. by Ray Schultz , January 14, 2019 Email scammers are using the government shutdown to swindle people, the Pennsylvania State Police warn in a Facebook post. For example, bad actors are sending emails, claiming to be from a government office. They tell intended victims that their federal benefit direct deposits will be cut off unless they verify their bank information. The person is instructed to click on a link to a site that downloads malware. Such scams are also being conducted through telephone calls and web pop-ups. The phone calls often feature a spoofed local number to make them look authentic. Typically, these messages threaten people with loss of Medicare benefits. Police also warn of fake job offers that are sent to furloughed workers. Such postings demand an application fee. The Federal Trade Commission consumer complaint system is non-operational due to the shutdown, they add. In another scheme not related to the shutdown, cyber criminals are offering pre-approved loans or grants, but demand personal bank information to deposit the money. advertisement advertisement The police note that government agencies rarely, if ever, call or send emails to people. And they will not ask for personal information by phone or email Consumers are advised to not open links from an email that contains spelling mistakes or bad grammar, and to never provide personal information such as a Social Security number, bank account information, credit card details or birth date. The police conclude: Above all, use common sense. If something does not seem right, it probably is not right. So the sex apps are not leading you anywhere, and Craigslist is always a (sometimes literal) crap shoot. What other sites, groups, or resources have you tried? FetLife surely has groups and message boards you can peruse. Theres the Male Feet and Tickling Network, a Facebook-esque social network for men into feet. Theres a site called FeetFetishDating.com. Theres a MeetUp group for Chicago male foot fetishists, which, fine, only has four members, but hey, could be worth a shot or connect you to others who might know where to land a hot dude who wants to worship your arches (or whichever parts you enjoy). Theres a Facebook group (and website) called Foot Fraternity, which is for men into mens feet and footwear, and claims to be a place to make friends, share ideas, share photos and enjoy yourself. A place where you can go and see you're not alone. There are others! A place of affirmation. A place where you can share your feelings. This sounds so sweet and supportive EVEN I WANT TO JOIN. And I feel quite tepid about feet. by Melynda Fuller , January 14, 2019 The Wall Street Journal reported hedge-fund-backed MNG Enterprises, or Digital First Media, submitted a proposal to Gannett, publisher of USA Today, in an attempt to scoop up its stable of titles. Having acquired a 7.5% stake in the company, Digital First Media proposed a sale, stating in a letter to the board that Gannetts management is incapable of running the company effectively. The letter cited Gannetts 41% drop in value since it emerged as a public company over two years ago. Digital First is offering $12 a share for Gannett, marking a 23% premium over its closing price of $9.75 as the market closed on Friday. The media group, backed by hedge fund Alden Global Capital, asked that Gannett halt the acquisition of digital assets and enter into talks before hiring a new CEO, ahead of the pending departure of Robert Dickey. advertisement advertisement Digital First Media is well-known for buying up papers, then consolidating resources and slashing staff in an effort to maximize revenue. After it stripped The Denver Posts stable of editors and writers, among other positions, the papers staff revolted, runnin g op-eds and articles calling out the nefarious practices of Digital First and asking the group to sell the paper if it wouldnt properly fund it. Should Gannett accept Digital Firsts bid, the growing conglomerate would add USA Today and over 100 local papers, including The Detroit Free Press, The Tennessean, The Indianapolis Starand The Arizona Republic to its coffer. Digital First Media owns around 200 newspapers and other publications, including the Boston Herald, which it won in a bankruptcy bidding war last year. Gannett published public comment for shareholders today, stating: Consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, the Gannett board of directors will carefully review the proposal received to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the company and Gannett shareholders. No action needs to be taken by Gannett shareholders at this point. Dickey sent out a similar internal memo to Gannetts staff. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 14, 2019 Salesforce on Monday introduced a visual search feature and recommendations API through its ecommerce platform for retailers and brands that sell direct to consumers, as well as businesses that sell to other businesses. Einstein Visual Search through Salesforce Commerce Cloud -- which runs sites like Adidas.com, as well as B2B sites -- allows consumers to upload a picture to the website and search for similar products. The visual search feature, which searches on attributes such as color and texture, adds to the companys search offering for ecommerce sites. Rather than type in the words 'black jacket' into the Einstein search engine on an ecommerce site, I can now upload a photo and the search engine will return a variety of black jackets based on the photo, said Salesforce Vice President of Product Marketing Gordon Evans. Today the feature -- built into Commerce Cloud, Salesforces ecommerce platform -- runs on mobile websites, but the feature could end up as an API, which would allow brands and retailers to integrate it into their mobile app, similar to the API created for the recommendations feature also released today. advertisement advertisement Ecommerce companies can now add the Einstein Recommendations API to their mobile apps to support sales and customer service. Visual search isn't new. Google and Microsoft offer the same capability to search across their respective engines. Google Lens allows people to upload a photo into the search engine to retrieve similar images. Microsoft Bing also offers a visual search API for Google Android and Apple iOS. These days, marketers need to consider a variety of channels from ecommerce websites and apps, email, virtual assistants and Amazons marketplace. Business increasingly sell to other businesses on Amazon. Fifty percent of orders through Commerce Cloud are now done on mobile devices. About 26% of recommendations are done through artificial intelligence. The list of features announced by Salesforce at the NRF 2019 show also includes a feature that checks inventory availability to ensure that ecommerce sites only show consumers the merchandise they have on hand. It also will check for nearby available inventory -- for example, if the consumer wants to buy a jacket or snow chains online and pick up the item in a nearby store. The feature, called Inventory Availability, keeps track of stock levels in real-time. by Rob Williams , January 14, 2019 Last week, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, Mackenzie, announced they are getting a divorce. The split may have broad effects on how the business empire of the worlds richest man gets carved up. That includes his ownership of The Washington Post, which Bezos bought for $250 million in 2013. The Bezos family lives in Washington state; its law says the assets accumulated by married couples are community property that must be split equally in a divorce. Bezos and his wife reportedly didnt have a prenuptial agreement when they got married in 1993, a year before Bezos started Amazon. A divorce settlement hasnt been made public, leaving investors, the press and other analysts to speculate on how they will split their vast fortune. It may mean The Washington Post gains a new owner, unless arrangements are made for him to buy out her possible claim on the newspaper or liquidate it entirely. Presumably, Mackenzie Bezos stood to inherit most, if not all, of her husbands wealth in the event of his death, which would have made her the worlds wealthiest widow. Bezos has a net worth of $137 billion, which includes his 16% interest in Amazon, six homes and land holdings. advertisement advertisement The couple announced their split after the National Enquirer informed them it planned to print a story about its four-month investigation into Bezos personal life, the tabloid said. Its bombshell story alleged the Amazon founder was caught cheating with former TV host Lauren Sanchez, the estranged wife of Patrick Whitesell, executive chairman of talent agency Endeavor. The announcement was civil and didn't hint at any deep personal animosity between Jeff Bezos and his wife. I once interviewed Bezos in the mid-1990s for a case study about Amazon, and he was one of the most sincere and friendliest people I've ever talked to. The Enquirer said it followed Bezos and Sanchez in private jets, swanky limos, helicopter rides, romantic hikes, five-star hotel hideaways, intimate dinner dates and quality time in hidden love nests. Later stories claimed Bezos sent lovelorn texts and an X-rated picture of himself to Sanchez. The National Enquirers claim about its extensive story led to speculation the tabloid targeted Bezos because of an ongoing rivalry between President Donald Trump and the tech mogul. Its hard to imagine his position as a high-profile foil of President Trumps didnt factor into the Enquirers investment, Adam K. Raymond wrote last week in New York magazine. Raymond recounts the history of the cozy relationship between David Pecker, CEO of National Enquirer parent company American Media Inc., and Trump. The company last month admitted in a consent agreement that it made an illegal hush payment to a former Playboy model to quell her story of an affair with Trump. Trump has lashed out at Bezos dozens of times on Twitter, blaming The Washington Post owner for negative press coverage. He also claimed Amazon doesnt pay enough taxes, kills retail jobs and unfairly benefits from the U.S. Postal Service for package delivery. Whether The National Enquirer intentionally targeted Bezos as an enemy of Trump is a non-issue, akin to blaming tech billionaire and Trump supporter Peter Thiel for Gawker Medias bankruptcy. Thiel may have helped to bankroll wrestler Hulk Hogans lawsuit against Gawker in a privacy suit, but that money didnt change the merits of the case. The story about Bezos was bound to come out eventually, especially with the competition among gossip reporters. He has had a much higher public profile since last year, when he became the worlds richest man, ahead of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Bezos has been one of the worlds most recognizable business leaders for more than two decades. Time named him Man of the Year at the height of the dot-com bubble in 1999, only a few years after he started Amazon. Trump, who has had plenty of experience with divorce settlements and big payouts to ex-wives and alleged mistresses, was asked to weigh in on the Bezos split. I wish him luck, Trump said on Thursday as he left on a trip to the U.S. border with Mexico. Its going to be a beauty. The president followed up with a tweet on Sunday aimed at Bezos that said: "So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post. Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands!" Wound Care Biologics Market Highlights Biologic wound care products involve assisting in wound healing. Biologic wound care products restore the tissue integrity by regeneration and scar formation. It is gaining popularity as a treatment modality for the management of chronic wounds and burns injuries. Global Wound Care Biologics Market is anticipated to have held a market value of USD 1.20 billion in the year 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% during the forecast period. Growing aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and burn injuries, and increasing healthcare expenditure are expected to drive the growth of the market. According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2015, about 30.3 million suffer from diabetes in the Americas. Moreover, in the US, 486,000 were suffering from burn injuries from 2011 to 2015. On other hand, the high cost of treatment, lack of awareness, and poor education and training can restrain the market growth over the assessment period. Request Sample Copy at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6563 Wound Care Biologics Market Segmentation: The global wound care biologics market has been segmented into product type, wound type, and end user. Based on product type, the market is segmented into biological skin substitutes and topical agents. The biological skin substitutes segment is expected to account for the largest share and fastest growing segment of the global market in 2017. The market growth of the segment is attributed to increasing adoption and result oriented product. Based on wound type, the market is segmented into ulcers, surgical & traumatic wounds, and burns. The ulcer segment has been further segmented into diabetic foot ulcer, pressure ulcer, venous leg ulcer, and others ulcer. The global wound care biologics market, by end user, has been segmented into hospitals, clinics, and other end users. Wound Care Biologics Market Regional Analysis: Geographically, the Americas is expected to dominate the global market owing to the presence of well-developed healthcare sector, rising prevalence of diabetes, increasing rate of accidents and rising expenditure for the healthcare sector. Europe is expected to hold the second largest position in the global market owing to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases coupled with increasing occurrences of burn cases. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market owing to the large population base of the diabetic patients and increasing developments in the healthcare segment. Furthermore, the Middle East and Africa region is expected to account for the least market share in the global market. Browse Complete 100 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 82 Respective Tables and Figures at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/wound-care-biologics-market-6563 Wound Care Biologics Market Top Players: Some of the prominent players in the global wound care biologics market are Integra LifeSciences Corporation (US), Smith & Nephew (UK), Wright Medical (US), Molnlycke Health Care AB (Sweden), MiMedx Group (US), Vericel Corporation (US), Anika Therapeutics (US), Osiris Therapeutics (US), Marine Polymer Technologies, Inc. (US), Kerecis (Iceland), Solsys Medical (US), ACell (US), and Organogenesis (US). Brief TOC 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 Chapter 5. Market Factor Analysis 5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.1.1 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers 5.1.2 Bargaining Power Of Buyers 5.1.3 Threat Of New Entrants 5.1.4 Threat Of Substitutes 5.1.5 Intensity Of Rivalry 5.2 Value Chain Analysis 5.3 Investment Feasibility Analysis 5.4 Pricing Analysis Chapter 6. Global Wound Care Biologics Market, By Product Type TOC CONTINUED. Check Discount at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/6563 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 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Tattoo Removal Market Overview The Tattoo Removal Market is growing with the rapid pace; mainly due to changing trends, and poor artwork. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, the tattoo removal market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period growing rapidly. Tattoos are permanent markings in the skin made by injecting ink using needles into the second layer of skin called dermis. The practice of tattooing is now an acceptable form of body art. Tattoo is sported to mark special events, to pay honor or respect, to celebrate life, choices, and to pay tribute and memorial to lifes purpose and companions. Over the past years, the tattoo has become an attractive, artistic, and expression among the people. Having said that, most of the people getting their skin inked are between the ages 18 to 24. About 80% of these decisions are made from immaturity. Get Exclusive Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1701 Despite these significant driving factors, high of laser procedures, and scars left after the surgical removal of tattoo, and number of sittings for laser treatment are expected to decline the market growth. Among the several types of tattoo removal treatments available in the market, the most effective and most commonly used tattoo removal method is Laser Therapy. However, the Laser therapy is time consuming and it takes multiple sessions to remove the tattoo based on the size and the colour of the tattoo. The more the number of sessions, higher the cost of treatment. Key Players for Tattoo Removal Market: Some of the key players in this market are: Astanza Cutera Inc CynoSure Dimyth Lutronic Syneron Medical Ltd. Quanta System S.p.A. In past few year various market players has come up with the advanced laser technologies. For instance, in the year 2016, Cutera Inc launched enLighten III which is used to remove multicolour pigments. The laser was launched with three wavelengths. 1064nm, 532nm and 670nm On considering the recent trends, it is observed that the licensing the technology with local players to reach untapped regions has also attracted a great deal of attention. Looking at the scenario for the tattoo removal the number of people are increasing. The company by licensing out their technique can reach out the other geographic areas. The expansion of the tattoo removal services in to new regions will grow the market significantly. Segments Tattoo Removal Market Tattoo Removal market has been segmented on the basis of treatment method which comprises of Laser Therapy, Surgical Method, Topical Creams and others. Laser therapy accounted for the largest market share of 66% of total market in 2016. On the basis of end user, market is segmented into Laser centers, dermatology clinics, and other. Laser centers dominated the global market with the largest market share of 60.9% of the total market in 2016. Tattoo Removal Market Competitive Analysis There are numerous large scale and small scale players operates in this market all over the globe. The companies mainly include the manufacturers of the equipment such as Laser systems, and some of the manufacturers of the topical aesthetic products such as tattoo removal creams and ointments. The major revenue in the market is generated by the Laser centers and cosmetic surgeons working at the dermatology clinics. Cutera Inc. is one of them by holding a strong share in the market. The veteran laser and optical engineers founded this company. The Cutera is involved in medical aesthetic devices. Company has a wide range of products for face and body medical aesthetic medical devices. Introduction of innovative products have been Cuterass key growth strategy. For instance, in the year 2016, the company has received FDA approval for enLighten III laser. CynoSure is also one of the leading market player in tattoo removal market. Cynosure is highly innovative company that has 37 U.S patents and markets over 14 different light based systems, representing advanced levels of solid-state, liquid and semiconductor laser technologies. On March, 2017, CynoSure was acquired by Hologic The Science of Sure. Astanza (U.S.), Cutera Inc (U.S.), CynoSure (U.S.), Dimyth (China), Lutronic (U.S.), Syneron Medical Ltd. (U.S.), and Quanta System S.p.A (Italy) are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the tattoo removal market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Browse Complete 80 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 87 Respective Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/tattoo-removal-market-1701 Regional Analysis of Tattoo removal Market: Globally North America is the largest market for Tattoo removal. This large share is majorly due to the large number of tattoo studios in the United States and the huge tattoo loving population. Number of people getting their skin inked is more in North American region which ultimately helps in growth of the tattoo removal market in the region. Europe is the second-largest market majorly due to recent advancements in the laser technology and the increasing adoption of the laser technology by the European countries for the purpose of body aesthetics. Furthermore, Asia-Pacific market is expected to be the fastest growing market for Tattoo removal due to continuous developments in developing countries like India and China. China and Japan are the countries having cultural connection with the tattoos that goes long back in the history. Rising number of people opting to go for Laser therapy in order to get rid of tattoos is boosting the tattoo removal market in this region. On the other hand, Middle East & Africa are the countries with less craze for the art of a tattoo making and also due to the affordability issues and hesitant approach of people towards body aesthetics is slowing the growth of the tattoo removal market in the region. 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 The Tribunes editorial board writes often about the importance of providing better learning access to our most disadvantaged kids, putting education over politics. So why no headline this week that district students now lead the nation in Advanced Placement success? It's a big deal. More CPS students earned AP Capstone Diplomas this past year than in any other school district in the country. Beyond doing well on AP exams, the diploma demands student achievement in AP seminars and research classes that teach critical thinking, academic writing and communication skills. It translates to a lot of college credits earned by our high school students. It means that Chicago students are now better prepared to succeed in college given their intensive coursework. It also means that by earning more college credits while at CPS, our citys kids will be better able to afford a college degree. Thats something we should be reading about in our paper. During our fourth week of session, the Senate was busy at work with several committees hearing and vetting legislation. We also voted on our f Both veteran and new legislators from Paulding said the countys legislative delegation was keeping a close eye on a certain addition to the c Athletes from all over the South came to Cobb County this weekend to compete, but not for a big paycheck or sponsorship deal. The area of south Fulton took action in 2018, continuing both to encourage growth and work on managing it. The year also saw its namesake city In honor of Valentines Day, RA Sushi in Midtown is inviting its guests to heat things up. Feb. 7, guests can participate in Roll of Attractio Get Cobb County news and local guidance about the coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for our Email News Alerts. OK, if a border barrier is immoral, whats a shutdown? Unethical. There are 800,000 federal employees hit by the shutdown, about evenly divided between those at home without pay and those on the job but not receiving their paychecks. Among the employees reporting for duty each day but worried about paying the rent are air traffic controllers and airport security workers employed by the Transportation Security Administration. While those TSA employees are required to work, the absentee rate is rising, which has led to checkpoints being closed at some airports. The strain is showing. For the third year in a row, Marion citizens will have the chance to learn what it means to wear the badge of honor and serve as a police officer. The Marion Police Department is taking applications for their third annual Citizens Police Academy, to run every Thursday from Feb. 28 to April 18 at 6 p.m. The Citizens Police Academy program is designed to provide citizens with firsthand information on how the police department operates. The academy does this by giving citizens the opportunity for hands-on experience in law enforcement. This is our third annual Citizens Police Academy and we are very excited to host it, said Marion Police Chief Allen Lawrence. What makes this program so interesting and fun is that our staff does as much hands-on time as we do in the classroom. We actually take time to show citizens what we do each and every day as a police officer so they see firsthand and not from Hollywood. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The program is an eight-week course with a wide variety of topics, including patrol operations, crime prevention/community watch, 911 communications, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, narcotics, defensive driving and firearms. SPRINGFIELD Lawyer James J. Martin was found guilty Monday by a Hampden Superior Court judge of three counts of indecent assault and battery. The woman who accused him was talking with him in November 2015 because she faced foreclosure of her house from the bank Martin was representing. The incident happened when Martin followed her to her car outside Westfield District Court. Judge J. Gavin Reardon Jr. delivered his verdict in the jury-waived trial about a half hour after hearing closing arguments from defense lawyer Alan J. Black and Assistant District Attorney Eileen Sears. Martin, 41, of Amherst, chose not to take the stand in his own defense. Despite Blacks request to let Martin go home Monday night and come back for sentencing Tuesday at 9 a.m., Reardon revoked Martins bail and he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs. The three counts of which he was convicted charged that Martin touched the womens breasts and between her legs and put his tongue in her mouth while trying to kiss her. Reardon found Martin not guilty of a charge assault and battery that alleged he pushed her into the drivers seat in her car. The 56-year-old woman said Martin asked her for a ride to his car, parked a short distance away, and she said no. The woman said Martin followed her to her car and pushed his body up against hers as she tried to unlock the door. Martin kept asking her to kiss him, the woman said. She said she pushed him away, but he pushed her down into the drivers seat and was over her very close. Then Martin put his tongue in her mouth, touched her breasts and put his hand between her legs, she said. In his closing argument, Black said of the woman, This is not a credible witness. He said the fact that she didnt come forward to proceed with charges against Martin for 11 months meant no investigation could take place looking for witnesses who might have seen something. Sears said, She was a woman in jeopardy of losing her home. She said the woman knew Martin was representing the bank. She is thoroughly vulnerable, Sears said of the woman at the time of the incident. Martin sent the woman a text message, which was evidence in the case, that said, I assume our parking lot encounter is just between us. Martin faces two more trials on separate indecent assault and battery assault cases, with one of the two women also alleging rape. There is no minimum mandatory sentence for the three counts of which Martin was found guilty. The maximum is five years if a state prison sentence is given. If a judge instead gives a house of corrections sentence, the maximum is two and one-half years. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is staffing up ahead of another potential run. Politico reports he is adding staff to his digital operations ahead of a potential 2020 campaign for president. Citing multiple sources familiar with the campaign, Politico reports the Sanders team is in talks with the film team that created a viral campaign video for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the political newcomer who unseated Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley in New Yorks 14th congressional district. It's time for a New York that works for all of us. On June 26th, we can make it happen - but only if we have the #CourageToChange. It's time to get to work. Please retweet this video and sign up to knock doors + more at https://t.co/kacKFI9RtI to bring our movement to Congress. pic.twitter.com/aqKMjovEjZ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 30, 2018 Additionally, Politico reports, two former members of the Sanders campaign in 2016 have agreed to join again should Sanders announce a 2020 campaign. Sanders, 77, has not yet announced whether he will run for president again. He mounted a 2016 campaign for the office but the Democratic nomination was secured by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Connecticut State Police investigating the suspicious death of All That Remains guitarist Oli Herbert have examined a will signed by the Longmeadow native a week before his death. The will -- signed at a Hartford car dealership on Oct. 9 -- was notarized by a person who was a friend of Herbert and his wife, Elizabeth, according to The Hartford Courant. There is no attorney signature on the will, which was filed in probate court in late December, or any indication that it was reviewed by any legal representatives, the newspaper reported. The will names Elizabeth Herbert as executor and sole benefactor, adding that under no circumstances should Oli Herbert's sister, Cynthia Herbert, become executor or receive anything from his estate. Manchester attorney Anthony Spinella, who is representing Elizabeth Herbert, told the newspaper his client initially cooperated with the state police and allowed them to search the couple's Stafford Springs home and answered questions. However, he said he has now informed police that any further requests should come through him. Herbert's body was found on Oct. 17 near a pond behind his house. The state medical examiner has said Herbert drowned, although he hasn't determined a manner of death. Some fans have espoused various theories surrounding the metal guitarist's death and a Facebook page, Justice for Oli Herbert, has more than 11,000 followers. Herbert began playing guitar at 14. His first paid gig was a Battle of the Bands on his final day of his senior year at Longmeadow High School. He made a name for himself in Western Massachusetts clubs with Netherworld, a thrash metal band he formed in 1991. Herbert co-founded All That Remains with Phil Labonte in 1998. LONGMEADOW - The Massachusetts attorney general's office has launched an investigation into whether the Longmeadow School Committee violated the state Open Meeting Law before voting on Nov. 14 not to rehire Superintendent M. Martin O'Shea. Three committee members allegedly confronted the superintendent on Oct. 30 with a "loud, shouting-laden series of criticisms" about his performance during an unposted meeting ostensibly called to discuss curriculum issues, according to a complaint and related documents filed by the Longmeadow Education Association. Members Beth Baron, Kerrin Morrin and Stephanie Jasmin had "clearly discussed and evaluated the superintendent's performance previously and had already reached a foregone conclusion" not to renew his contract, the documents state. Two weeks later, the committee voted 4-3 against renewing O'Shea's contract when it expires on June 30. Committee members Baron, Morrin, Jasmin and Melanie Rothstein voted against renewing the contract, while members Ryan Kelly, Bronwyn Monahan and Armand Wray voted in favor. The Oct. 30 evaluation session was not only conducted without public notice, it also served as "an impetus" for the full committee's later vote against renewing O'Shea's contract, the complaint states. "I believe this was an intentional omission of posting," wrote Kathleen Rossotto, president of the union representing more than 380 teachers, administrators, custodians, cafeteria workers and support staff. Given the board's actions, the vote against rehiring O'Shea should be rescinded, Rossotto wrote. A lawyer representing the committee rejected the complaint and said no evaluation of O'Shea's performance took place during the Oct. 30 meeting. "You were not present at this meeting and Ms. Baron, Ms. Morrin and Ms. Jasmin did not discuss the details of this meeting with you," attorney Jennifer King wrote in a response to Rossotto's complaint. A spokesman for the AG's office Thursday confirmed the complaint was under investigation, but refused to comment on the case. Rossotto declined to comment for this story. The school board's decision to seek a replacement for O'Shea has drawn criticism from teachers, school administrators, town officials and residents. The committee received a no-confidence vote from the school employee's union, and a Special Town Meeting has been called for Jan. 17 to consider amending the town charter to allow the removal of elected officials from office before their term expires. O'Shea's supporters are also posting emails, memos and other school documents obtained under the state's public records law on a Facebook page titled Renew @threemoreyears. In a town that prides itself on good schools and high test scores, the increasingly public battle over O'Shea's tenure is unusual and unlikely to end anytime soon: O'Shea has five-plus months left on his contract, and neither he nor his critics on the school board have plans to resign. To justify their vote against rehiring O'Shea, the four committee members cited repeated failures to communicate with the board and carry out its recommendations - criticisms that first surfaced in a May 2018 board evaluation that found O'Shea's performance as "needing improvement." The four committee members who voted against rehiring O'Shea have been harassed and subjected to veiled threats, Baron said in a letter published last month in the Longmeadow News. His supporters, however, see O'Shea as the target of a vendetta by four members who decided months ago to remove him from office and who violated state law and the committee's own ethics guidelines to accomplish their goal. A second Open Meeting Law complaint, filed on Dec. 29, again accuses committee members of conducting private deliberations on whether to renew O'Shea's contract. "Baron, Jasmin, Morrin and/or Rothstein have engaged in a systematic pattern of circumventing the open meeting law," Longmeadow resident Paula Leahey Welch wrote in an Open Meeting Law violation complaint sent to the committee on Dec. 28. Baron said the committee's lawyer found the first Open Meeting Law complaint unfounded, and is reviewing the second one. "Just because a complaint has been filed doesn't mean there is an actual violation," she said. O'Shea's supporters also point to a three-page email sent to Baron on Nov. 12, two days before the committee voted on O'Shea's contract. The email, written by Longmeadow resident Randy Davis, offers advice on how to "frame" the committee's handling of O'Shea's contract at the upcoming meeting, according to a copy posted on the Renew @threemoreyears Facebook page. Davis, whose son Oliver was president of Longmeadow High School's graduating class of 2018, said the email summed up his discussion with Baron from the day before. The chairman, Davis suggested, should consider delivering the following remarks: "We have voted Not to renew Marty's contract going forward. I want to be very clear that he is not being fired, but we believe he can not take us where we need to go. We believe that we need a fresh perspective to take us forward." The letter also recommends a "fresh look at how we define success for Longmeadow students," with a decreased emphasis on"excessive tests, homework and grading practices by teachers ... that can be perceived as punitive and actually demotivate" students. The chairman's closing remarks, Davis said, could sound something like this: "Lastly ... we will execute a search for a school superintendent to deliver on the vision that we create TOGETHER." Davis and his wife Amy spoke in favor of the committee during the Nov. 14 meeting. More than a dozen others, including the town's police and fire chiefs and state Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow, expressed support for the superintendent and urged the committee to renew his contract. Baron said the email reflected advice from a friend, and did not influence her vote or the statement she made to explain it. "I would refer you to our Longmeadow Cable Access recording of ... our vote 11/14 for a complete record of my statement," she said. "You will find when you compare the two statements, that they are substantially different," she said. A former Massachusetts state employee has been indicted for billing the state for $42,500 in overtime pay for hours she did not work. Attorney General Maura Healey announced Monday that Katelynn Sullivan, 33, of Lowell, an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, was paid for 1,428 hours of overtime that she did not work between July 2015 and March 2017. Sullivan worked for a state-run group home for adults with intellectual disabilities. According to Healeys office, employees who worked overtime were required to document the date, time, hours, and reason for overtime on a handwritten log in the home, and that information would be approved and entered into an online payroll system. Sullivan, without authorization, allegedly entered hours that she did not work into the online system. She was indicted by a Suffolk County Special Grand Jury on charges of larceny over $250 and false claims. She will be arraigned Feb. 4 in Suffolk Superior Court. According to the state payroll database, Sullivans base salary gradually increased from around $29,000 in 2010 to nearly $41,000 in 2016. Through 2014, she earned less than $3,300 a year in overtime pay. In 2015, her overtime pay jumped to more than $10,000, and in 2016, she took home more than $32,000 in overtime. She stopped working for the state in 2017. Police in Medford are searching for a suspect after a restaurant delivery driver was robbed and attacked Saturday night. Authorities say around 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, a 911 caller reported that a delivery driver had been robbed and stabbed in the area of 6 Washington Street in Medford. Officers found the victim lying on the ground with an apparent stab wound to his lower back, Medford police said in a statement. The victim was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital for emergency surgery and remains in stable condition, according to police. Little information has been released about a potential suspect, but police in Medford urge anyone with information to call them at 781-395-1212 or leave an anonymous tip through the Tip 411 app. Police in Massachusetts can still arrest people for driving under the influence of marijuana if the officer observes signs of use. The state Supreme Judicial Court made that finding in a ruling issued Monday as more and more retail marijuana shops pop up across Massachusetts. The ruling involved Mark J. Davis, a man who was arrested July 2015 on the Massachusetts Turnpike after he was pulled over by Massachusetts State Police. Troopers pulled over Davis as he sped along the highway at 80 mph and tailgated other cars, the ruling states. Davis was driving and had two people inside the car. The trooper detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana and an odor of fresh marijuana inside the car, according to the ruling. Davis also smelled like pot. A jury acquitted Davis on drugged driving and gun possession charges, but he was found guilty on a drug possession charge. Davis appealed his arrest based on the search of his car after the arrest. When troopers seized and searched the car, they found oxycodone, cocaine and a gun, records said. Davis argued troopers did not have probable cause to arrest him for driving under the influence of marijuana and therefore the search of the car was not lawful. But the SJC said the initial arrest for driving under the influence of marijuana was legit based on the troopers observations during the traffic stop. Along with the odor of burnt marijuana, Davis had red and glassy eye and struggled to keep his eyes open, the trooper reported at the time. Davis had difficulty focusing and following simple directions, the trooper further noted. The defendant told the officer that he had smoked marijuana earlier that day, before he left to drive to Somerville, according to the ruling. Tucked in the opinion is a statement by the SJC about the difficulty police face when trying to determine if someone is under the influence of marijuana. We acknowledge that it is often difficult to detect marijuana impairment, because the effects of marijuana consumption vary greatly amongst individuals, the SJC wrote. There are no validated field sobriety tests in terms of drug use, the ruling adds. The SJC also ruled troopers were justified in searching Davis car without a warrant under an automobile warrant exception. It was that search that led to the discovery of the gun and drugs. The drug possession conviction was upheld in the SJCs ruling. Davis trial lawyer told jurors to, Go ahead and find him guilty of the drugs in the glove box. Those are his, according to the ruling. The lawyer argued at trial that Davis should not be found guilty of the drugged driving and gun charge. The jurors agreed. Massachusetts regulators have allowed a Mashpee medical marijuana dispensary to reopen, but only to sell a limited supply of marijuana. On Dec. 13, the Department of Public Health temporarily shut down dispensaries run by Triple M in Plymouth and Mashpee because the company was using pesticides at its Plymouth cultivation facility. The department banned the sale of any marijuana grown at that facility. Triple M has since posted on its website that it reopened its Mashpee store with a limited menu. It is now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. Its Plymouth location remains closed, although the company said on its website that we hope to have good news regarding its reopening soon. According to the Cannabis Control Commission, the cease and desist order was updated on Dec. 20 to allow the Mashpee dispensary only to sell marijuana products that it bought from a different dispensary, Revolutionary Clinics. The Cannabis Control Commission took over operation of the states medical marijuana program on Dec. 23, and it is continuing to look into the use of pesticides by the company. The use of any pesticides in medical marijuana is prohibited by both the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Triple M said it had been using natural pesticides that are approved for growing produce. It discontinued their use in September. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) A Filipino couple drowned to death in the Maldives on Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Leomer Lagradilla, 30, and his wife, Erika, 29, were declared dead on arrival at a hospital in the Maldives, a popular Indian Ocean destination. The DFA, in a statement, said the couple were married on December 18, 2018 and left for their honeymoon in Maldives on January 9. They were snorkeling in a resort in Dhiffushi Island when they started drowning, it added. "The DFA is in touch with the next of kin of the two overseas workers and has assured them of its assistance in the repatriation of their remains," the DFA said, as it expressed sympathies to the couple's families. "The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, which has jurisdiction over the Maldives, has been instructed to coordinate with authorities in the Maldives and in making arrangements for the repatriation of the two drowning victims who are both from Laguna." Speaking to CNN Philippines Monday, Mhapolle Lagradilla, the sister of Leomer said they still do not know what exactly happened to her brother and his wife. "We don't have the full details of what happened to them. I just read the article last night (about) what happened because the hotel cannot give us the full incident what happened to my brother and sister," she said. Lagradilla said the incident happened around 11 a.m. Sunday, Maldives time. She added there were other tourists with the couple, but only her brother and sister-in-law were harmed. "Magkasabay daw po, pero parang magkahiwalay po. Medyo malayo po kung saan po sila nag-start yung dalawang kasama. Based din po sa sinabi sa akin ng taga-hotel last night," she told CNN Philippines' Newsroom on Monday night. [Translation: They went together with other tourists, but a bit far from where they started. That's also based on what the hotel told me last night.] Lagradilla added no tour guide accompanied the couple. "Ang sabi po e hindi naman kailangan ng tour guide kasi hindi naman ganun kalalim yung beach. Parang ang nabasa ko po sa Google, 10 feet lang po yung lalim, so hindi na po kailangan... Hindi naman po ganon kalalim so they don't need their... No need po ng tour guide," she said. [Translation: It was said that the beach was not that deep, so there's no need for a tour guide. I read online that it was only 10 feet, so they don't need a tour guide.] The couple's kin is now trying to raise over P1 million to bring their bodies home. The figure given to Lagradilla was $23,960. "Kailangan po mag-down (payment) ng kahit anong amount para ma-process na po kasi pag wala pa pong down payment, hindi po mapo-process yung bodies nila, naka-stay lang po doon," Mhapolle said. [Translation: A downpayment is needed to process the bodies because while there's no downpayment yet, the bodies stay there.] She, however, said the company her brother worked for in Singapore partially shouldered the expenses to bring his body home. The couple's families and friends are now raising the remaining amount needed for the repatriation of their remains. Authorities are investigating the incident, the DFA added. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is getting fed up with the federal governments partial shutdown, now in its 24th day. My pox is on all the houses down there, a visibly frustrated Baker told reporters at the Statehouse Monday. Baker, a Republican, has frequently been a critic of Republican President Donald Trumps administration. But Baker said he faults both sides Trump and Congress, which is split between Republican and Democratic control for the shutdown. The inability of all of the players down there to actually get their act together and come to terms on something they could all agree to is appalling, Baker said. Baker said his biggest concern is the 47,000 federal employees in Massachusetts and the thousands of contractors, many of whom are furloughed and going without pay. In many cases, youre putting important projects at risk and scaring the bejesus out of a lot of people about whether or not theyre going to be able to pay their rent or pay their mortgage or buy food or whatever, Baker said. I think they should all get together and deal with it, and if that means people dont get exactly what they want, well, welcome to government and welcome to life in the public sector. Baker confirmed that state officials are looking at whether it would be possible to provide unemployment benefits to out-of-work federal employees. But he said that is difficult because of the need to appropriate money and the structure of the states unemployment insurance program, which is paid for by employers. The other issue is how do we charge the federal government for the fact that at that point in time, we would basically be paying benefits to their employees and their contractors, who through no fault of their own were out of work because the federal government couldnt get its act together and continue to operate, Baker said. Baker said Massport, which controls Logan Airport and the ports, is managing. Although Transportation Security Administration workers are required to work without pay, many are calling in sick and creating long lines throughout the countrys airports. Baker said the longer the shutdown continues, The more likely it becomes that someone makes a mistake, which obviously no one wants to see happen. Baker said state officials are also worried about ensuring the continuation of the federal food stamp program, although federal officials have said they have money to provide benefits through February. The shutdown is due to Trumps demands for money for a border wall, which Congress is declining to give him. Baker said border security is a really big deal, due to the influx of drugs over the southern border. But he said if the wall is the only issue, Congress and Trump should figure out some way around it to reopen the federal government. An audit of the Berkshire County District Attorneys office found it can take more than two years for forfeited funds to be collected. The delay, according to the audit, could leave the DAs vulnerable to theft or losing the seized cash. Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump released a transitional audit of the office Monday, which highlighted recommended improvements for the office. Certain funds used in illegal activities, including the purchase and all proceeds from the illegal sale of drugs, are subject to seizure by law enforcement. State law requires those funds be collected and recorded by the local district attorneys office and distributed among police departments in the county. The office of the state auditor reviewed the offices management of those funds from July 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018. During that period, the district attorneys office received 76 forfeitures totaling $266,631. Auditors selected a sample of 20 forfeitures of cash from defendants. Of those randomly chosen, seven were not paid to the district attorneys office within the mandated 30-day window with one received more than two years after it was ordered to be turned over by a court. As a result, [the Berkshire County District Attorneys office] and local law enforcement agencies went without funds to which they were entitled for an extended period, the audit states. Because forfeited funds are in cash, not recording them within one bank cycle (30 days, or one month) increases the risk of theft or loss. The Berkshire County District Attorneys office was audited in 2014, at which time state auditors found delays in remitted funds for up to 232 days after cases were concluded. The office says its taking measures to handle forfeitures in a more timely fashion, noting that delays have occurred due to appeals. The office saw significant change in 2018 with a new district attorney for the county. Andrea Harrington overcame a write-in challenge from Berkshire County District Attorney Paul J. Caccaviello on Election Day, claiming victory as Berkshire Countys next district attorney. Caccaviello, who spent nearly 30 years in the DAs office, was appointed to lead the office after David F. Capeless retired in March after 14 years in office. He lost the Democratic primary to Harrington in a three-way race but went on to lead a write-in campaign. No Republican was on the ballot. Harrington has 15 years experience practicing criminal defense and civil litigation and ran on promises to reform the bail system and use diversion for first-time offenders. As Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington takes the reigns of the office, I encourage her to use this audit as a roadmap for improvement, State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump said in a statement, of the audit. The recommendations in this audit will ensure the office quickly receives revenue due it is owed, and help to strengthen its defenses against risks that could threaten its ability to accomplish its goals. Harrington said her office is "working closely with the State Auditor to implement tighter controls and look forward to welcoming her back to Pittsfield soon so she can see the changes. NORTHAMPTON - Katherine Spillar, and executive director of the Feminist Majority Foundation, will deliver the lecture, "Rise Up: Resisting Patriarchy in the Age of Trump," Friday, Jan. 25, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., in the Carroll Room in the Smith College Campus Center, 100 Elm St. Spillar is well known for her work as one of the founders, along with others including President Eleanor Smeal, of the FMF that dates to 1986 and is dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health and non-violence. Recently presented an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Texas Christian University, Spillar will be introduced by Smith President Kathleen McCartney. Spillar was presented the doctorate in recognition of FMF being nominated in 2002 for a Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts in 1996 to stop the Taliban's human rights abuses against women and girls in Afghanistan. Spillar earned a bachelor of science degree in urban studies from the TCU in 1975 and also holds a master's of science interdisciplinary degree in economics, urban studies and business. Spillar has been quoted widely in the media on FMF advocacy in a number of areas including for more women in law enforcement to help de-escalate violence and for the enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act aimed at reducing violence against abortion providers, clinics, staff and patients. The Trump administration has blocked U.S. funds to international family-planning organizations that offer abortion-related services, ruled domestic violence not a reason for seeking asylum and its changes to the Title X family planning program would block the availability of federal funds to family planning providers like Planned Parenthood that also offer abortion services. Feminist Majority is one of the sponsors of the Jan. 19 Women's March in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of thousands of women took part in the historic march on Washington Jan. 17, 2017 a few days after President Donald Trump took office. Speakers included Smith College's Gloria Steinem, one of the founders of the National Women's Political Caucus and Ms. Magazine. NORTHAMPTON NETA New England Treatment Access which opened one of the first recreational marijuana shops in Massachusetts in November, has been sold to a larger company with marijuana operations in Florida, Texas, and Nevada. The deal was announced Monday . The sale price was not disclosed. The buyer, Surterra Wellness, says it has a rapidly growing national operation with a headquarters in Atlanta but operations, including its growing of marijuana, concentrated in Florida. We are thrilled to partner with NETA to expand health and wellness offerings to patients and customers in Massachusetts, which is anticipated to be one of the U.S.'s most rapidly growing markets. With operations combined across four states, Surterra is positioned to grow tenfold in 2019 and realize significant profitability, said Surterra CEO William Beau Wrigley, Jr. Since 2009, NETAs founders have been recognized as pioneers and innovators in the cannabis industry. Their wide range of premium products, extraordinary service, diversity programs and strong community partnerships set them apart. Importantly, the acquisition of NETA was founded on our aligned set of values and reputable track records. Surterra has been on an expansion kick. In September, it reached a licensing deal with Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville team to create a new medical marijuana brand, Coral Reefer. Surterra said it has 300,000 square feet of canopy-covered growing space throughout Florida with contracts to expand to more than 500,000 square feet of cultivation by mid-2019. Surterra grew from 100 to over 550 employees in 2018 and anticipates continued aggressive growth throughout 2019. NETA opened as a medical marijuana dispensary in Northampton in October 2015. It hired more than 100 staffers in its run -up to legal recreational sales. It also has a medical operation in Brookline that it would like to expand with recreational marijuana sales. The company grows its product in Franklin, Mass., and has plans to add recreational marijuana sales there in the near future. NETA employs more than 450 in Massachusetts. The founders of New England Treatment Access, which has marijuana operations in Northampton, Brookline and Franklin, says they are not just cashing out their investment by selling the company to the larger Surterra Wellness. Instead, co-founder Kevin Fisher said NETA is positioning itself to take advantage as more states and he believes the federal government liberalize marijuana laws in the coming years. Its a maturing of the industry, thats for sure, Fisher said. I think youll see more of this across the industry. You will see some organizations cash out. For us, this is about continuing to build a business. New England Treatment Access' name will not change in the near term. Fisher will continue as an executive with Surterra, gaining a himself a seat on the board of the combined company. Fisher did not know what would happen with the other NETA founders. NETAs other employees will transition to becoming Surterra employees. On Monday, NETA, which opened one of the first recreational marijuana shops in Massachusetts in November, was sold to a larger company with marijuana operations in Florida, Texas, and Nevada. The sale is subject to approval by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and will require certain local approvals, according to a news release. The sale price was not disclosed, but Surterra touted it as one of the largest transactions ever in the cannabis industry. NETA first opened as a medical marijuana dispensary in Northampton in October 2015. Fisher expects that at some point, marijuana will turn into a commodity a product mostly differentiated by price and not necessarily by brand name or variety. "You are going to have to have some scale," he said. Governors in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and most recently New York have announced plans to at least explore legalizing marijuana. Talks are ongoing in New Jersey as well. Opening marijuana businesses in multiple states is hard. It takes capital to invest and the expertise of running a large company that deals with many different sets of state-by-state regulations. Add to that the entrance of major players in the marijuana business. In December, Altria, the maker of Marlboro and other brands of cigarettes, bought a 45 percent stake in Cronos Holdings, a Canadian marijuana company, for $1.8 billion. The marijuana industry is moving very quickly right now," Fisher said. We have interest in other states. There are skill sets we dont have. Thats where Surterra Wellness and CEO William Beau Wrigley Jr. comes in, Fisher said. Wrigley is one of those Wrigleys, an heir to the chewing gum fortune. In 1999, he took over the business his great-grandfather started in 1891. He grew the company, buying Altoids and Life Savers, before selling the whole company to Mars Inc. in 2008 for $23 billion The expertise Fisher said NETA needs is Wrigleys history as an executive with the family candy and gum company. Up until now, Surterra Wellness has been in the medical, not recreational, marijuana business. Its headquarters are in Atlanta, but its operations are centered in Florida, where medical marijuana is legal. NETA locations in Massachusetts won't change very much with the sale, Fisher said. But Surterra does have some products that NETA doesn't offer and that he'd like to offer here. Also, Surterra allows NETA to offer a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a stock-purchase plan. He said NETA plans to expand its medical marijuana facility in Brookline into recreational sales. He also said NETA also will add marijuana sales to it growing operation in Franklin. NETA has 450 employees now and will grow to 550 in a year. Surterra Wellness said it grew from 100 to over 550 employees in 2018 and anticipates continued aggressive growth throughout 2019. Surterra said it has 300,000 square feet of canopy-covered growing space throughout Florida with contracts to expand to more than 500,000 square feet of cultivation by mid-2019. In September, it reached a licensing deal with Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville team to create a new medical marijuana brand, Coral Reefer. Funeral services have been announced for a retired Townsend police sergeant and his wife who were killed in a wrong-way crash in New Hampshire last week. Calling hours for John and Heidi Johnson will be held Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Townsend. Funeral services will be held the following morning at 11 a.m. at St. Johns Church in Townsend, and the couple will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery. John Johnson, 58, and Heidi Johnson, 57, both of New Ipswitch, were killed Thursday evening in Epping, New Hampshire, after a wrong-way driver collided with their car on Route 101. Ryan Kittridge, the 31-year-old driver of a Dodge pickup, made a U-turn on Route 101 west sometime before 11:41 p.m. Thursday, proceeding to drive the wrong way and subsequently striking Johnsons vehicle. A third vehicle crashed into the wrecked vehicles, injuring another driver. The couple were pronounced dead at the scene, while Kittridge was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for treatment of serious injuries. The third driver was taken to Exeter Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Kittridge appears to have been impaired, according to The Boston Globe. John Johnson worked as a police officer in Townsend for nearly 40 years, retiring as a sergeant in July, according to his obituary. He enjoyed cooking, scuba diving, woodworking and playing the bagpipes. His wife, Heidi, worked at the Hannaford Supermarket in Rindge, New Hampshire, for many years. She enjoyed lighthouses, llamas and camping, but her obituary said her family was most important to her. She leaves behind two sons and two daughters. The couples family said memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752 or to Best Buddies Massachusetts 529 Main St., Suite 202, Boston, MA 02129. Cambridge firefighters are working to extinguish a four-alarm fire on Hunting Street. The fire was reported at 5:41 a.m. Monday and crews remain on scene pouring water on the structure. Firefighters are dumping water on the structure, hoping it would not spread to other building in the densely populated area, officials said. The cause of the fire has not been identified. No injuries have been reported. A 29-year-old Fall River man turned himself in to authorities in the city on Monday on charges connected to the Saturday night homicide of Joseph Reading. Adam James Conners, of Fall River, is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing substantial injury. He is expected to be arraigned Monday afternoon, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn. At about 11:35 p.m. Saturday police were called to Church and Hall Streets for reports of a car crash. When officers arrived, they found Joseph Reading, 39, in the drivers seat of a vehicle bleeding and unresponsive, according to Quinns office. Reading had multiple stab wounds, according to police. A police investigation shows the victim attended a gathering at 160 Hall Street in Fall River where he was injured in a fight. Reading was taken to St. Annes Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Massachusetts State Police and Fall River police continue to investigate the incident. featured MOUNT CLEMENS Top county planner named as one of Hackel's deputies Chief Macomb County planner named as one of Hackel's four top advisers In this file photo, Clifford Freitas leaves federal court with his attorney, Donald Garon. Freitas recently filed a motion on his own asking for a judge to recommend he be placed in a halfway house. MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO Green For Life waste-hauling trucks pick up trash from a Clinton Township neighborhood. Will a new contract cost residents more money for the same service? MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO Sabato Caputo of Lansing, left, and David Zemens of Rockford at Mt. Brighton in Brighton at the end of their record-breaking Michigan ski area trek. 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, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: January 14 2019 Bellone: "No one should have to live with a permanent mark on their body that reminds them of a violent and abusive time." Suffolk County, NY - January 14, 2019 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today joined with law enforcement officials and members of the Suffolk County Task Force to Prevent Family Violence to announce a partnership with Dr. Scott Blyer, a plastic surgeon with Cameo Surgical Center, to help facilitate the recovery of human and sex trafficking victims by offering tattoo removals, at no cost to the victim, to remove painful reminders of their past. The announcement took place on Friday, January 11, which is dedicated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. No one should have to live with a permanent mark on their body that reminds them of a violent and abusive time, said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. This new partnership brings us one step closer to helping victims of these heinous crimes recover and live a life with dignity. Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said: We cant undo what has happened to survivors of human trafficking, but we will continue to connect them with victim advocates in my office and with the outstanding service organizations in Suffolk County. Now, with this new program, we can also try to erase the physical reminders of the horrific trauma theyve endured. As law enforcement, we will continue to do everything in our power to arrest and prosecute traffickers to prevent further victimization. Id like to thank County Executive Bellone; our law enforcement partners in the Suffolk County Police Department and Suffolk County Sheriffs Office; the service agencies who work each and every day to provide assistance to survivors of trafficking and domestic violence; and of course Dr. Blyer for partnering with Suffolk County to offer this innovative and potentially life-saving new program. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day was implemented to raise awareness among Americans that human trafficking does not just happen in other countries, but in states and communities across the United States. Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 U.S. States. It is estimated that between 20 to 30 million men, women and children around the world are victims of human trafficking. Trafficking affects all communities and people, regardless of race, class, education, gender, age, or citizenship. Victims of human and sex trafficking are often times marked or branded with tattoos ranging from the name of the trafficker, their initials, a rose, or a crown, to symbolize a traffickers ownership over a victim. The removal of these tattoos assists survivors of human trafficking in the recovery process. Member agencies of the Suffolk County Task Force to Prevent Family Violence will provide Dr. Blyers practice with referrals of victims seeking to have their tattoos removed. Tattoo removals will be provided free of charge on a first come first serve basis. The Suffolk County Task Force to Prevent Family Violence seeks to educate and protect victims, increase public awareness, and help to prevent family violence, including intimate partner violence and abuse and neglect of children, adults and elders, in Suffolk County. In 2017, this task force formed a Human trafficking committee, which has forged alliances with hospital networks and the SCPD Suffolk County Human Trafficking Unit to best understand the complex issue and advocate for the implementation of policies to serve the victims. Member advocacy agencies of the task force include, EAC Network, SEPA Mujer, Brighter Tomorrows, Crime Victims Center-Parents for Megans Law, The Retreat, Long Island Against Domestic Violence, Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk, and New Hour for Women and Children In order to combat human trafficking in Suffolk County the Suffolk County Police Department launched a Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, the first of its kind on Long Island that has led to record levels of human trafficking and sex crimes arrests. The Suffolk County District Attorneys office has a companion unit that includes prosecutors assigned to the District Attorneys Human Trafficking Team. Additionally, Suffolk Countys Human Trafficking Court connects victims to counseling, drug treatment and job training. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said: The Suffolk County Police Departments recently-formed Human Trafficking Unit actively works to identify victims of human trafficking and assists them in obtaining the help they need to escape the cycle of victimization. Through our innovative partnerships, including this latest one with Dr. Blyer, we are helping these women continue on their journey to reclaiming their lives. Jennifer Hernandez, Executive Director, Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island said: The services our county executive and his staff secured today signifies more than the removal of a branding, it acknowledges that this is a home grown issue on Long Island and across our country and that we as a community are giving these individuals a chance to feel supported and cared for during what is probably the most traumatic experiences in their life. Sports & Recreation, Nature & Weather, Local News, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: January 14 2019 Outdated Fluke Allocation Hurts New Yorks Commercial Fishing Industry. New York, NY - January 14, 2019 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James today announced that New York has initiated a lawsuit against the federal government challenging the unfair quota allocated to New York's commercial fluke (summer flounder) fishery. New York is seeking a revised allocation to give New York's commercial fishermen and women an equitable share based on current data about the fishery. New York commenced this litigation in response to the adoption of federal regulations on December 17, which established state allocations for the 2019 fishing year that were based on 40-year-old fisheries data. "New York's commercial fishing industry is a critical economic driver that for decades has been held back by outdated federal restrictions," Governor Cuomo said. "After countless attempts to work with the federal government to adjust the quota, New York is taking action and demanding fair treatment of the hardworking men and women of this industry. The message is loud and clear: we will fight this unfair quota until New York's access to summer flounder is consistent with national standards." "The Federal Government's reliance on inaccurate and outdated data to set limits on commercial fluke fishing in New York is a direct threat to our state's fishing industry," said Attorney General Letitia James. "This suit asks that the federal government use the best available science to allocate fluke fishing quotas, and to ensure that New York's fishermen and women are no longer denied their fair share of the permitted catch. My office will fight to protect our commercial fishing industry, and the many New York people and communities that depend on its continued economic health." "The federal government has turned a blind eye to low quotas and restrictive inter-state fishery management plans that are putting unreasonable limits on New York's commercial fishing industry," said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. "These unfair quotas have forced New York State to restrict fishing access and are limiting the economic prospects of the next generation of commercial fishermen and women." Captain Anthony (Tony) DiLernia said, "I congratulate Governor Cuomo and the State of New York on the decision to proceed with litigation challenging the current commercial summer flounder system. For years New York's delegates to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have tried to negotiate a revised allocation system only to be blocked by states that are unwilling to reexamine the quota distribution out of fear of losing a small portion of their quota. The current allocation system utilizes data that is nearly 40 years old, and this data no longer applies to the current distribution of the stock. Science produced by NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center indicates the stock of summer flounder has shifted north, and policy guidance by NOAA recommends allocations be reexamined every 10 years; yet NOAA continues to accept the same 40-year-old data in the management of the fishery. It is time for a change!" Before filing the lawsuit, New York made numerous requests to federal agencies to correct these longstanding and unfair allocations. In March 2018, the State filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, demanding that commercial fluke allocations be revised to provide New York's fishing industry with equitable access to the fishery. In addition, the State provided multiple formal comments to the federal government challenging its unfair commercial allocation of this shared natural resource. The publication of the 2019 allocations in the federal register requires New York State to take formal legal action against the federal government over commercial fluke allocations. Scientific studies have shown that the distribution of summer flounder and the summer flounder fishery have shifted north toward New York waters since federal allocations were established. The current federal fluke allocations were set in 1993, based on data from the 1980s, when the fluke population had been fished to very low levels. Since then, the population has recovered; larger, older fish are more common, and these bigger fish tend to be found closer to New York. In addition, fluke may be found further north due to rising water temperatures associated with climate change. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that fishery conservation and management measures adopted by the federal government be consistent with 10 National Standards. New York contends that the quota assigned to New York is inconsistent with five of the standards, including National Standard 2, which requires that those measures be based upon the best scientific information available, and National Standard 4, which requires that such measures are fair and equitable in assigning fishing privileges. Prior to the March 2018 petition, New York State had been pursuing equity for its commercial fishing industry, as well as modernization of regulations to reflect the fishery as it currently exists, by participating in the amendment process to the fluke fishery management plan through the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This amendment process has been ongoing since 2014, but has yet to result in equity for New York or consistency of the fishery's management with best-available science. The State's repeated efforts to introduce alternatives that significantly increase New York's share of the commercial quota for fluke have been thwarted by other voting members representing the interests of other states. In the absence of action from the council, New York is calling on the federal government to end this unfair treatment of New York State's commercial fishermen and women. State-by-state allocations for commercial fluke were set in the early 1990s using incomplete landings data from 1980 through 1989. At that time, New York's allocation was set at 7.6 percent of the coast-wide quota, while neighboring states were allocated up to 15.7 percent for Rhode Island, and 16.7 percent for New Jersey. Virginia and North Carolina were allocated 21.3 percent and 27.4 percent. New York's commercial fishermen and women and seafood dealers have suffered under this low allocation since the 1990s, resulting in closures and daily trip limits of 50 pounds in 2017 and 2018 for most of the year. Local News, Crime, Business & Finance, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 14 2019 Settlement Concludes States Multi-Year Efforts Against FedEx to Enforce Public Health Laws Aimed at Reducing Cigarette Usage. New York, NY - January 14, 2019 - Attorney General Letitia James and City Corporation Counsel Zachary W. Carter announced a $35.3 million settlement today with FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (FedEx) to resolve claims over illegal cigarette deliveries to residents throughout New York City and State made by FedEx over a ten-year period. This settlement resolves three lawsuits against FedEx alleging that it partnered with cigarette trafficking businesses to illegally ship hundreds of thousands of untaxed cigarettes to New Yorkers. In addition to the payment, FedEx will implement internal reforms and hire an independent consultant that will oversee FedExs compliance with the law and provide compliance reports to the City and State. The settlement follows the October 2018 ruling by federal district judge for the Southern District of New York, Edgardo Ramos, finding that FedExs conduct over many years for customers with such names as Cigarettes Direct To You established without the need for a trial that FedEx had knowingly violated a federal anti-cigarette trafficking statute and a 2006 Assurance of Compliance with the New York Attorney Generals Office in which, to avoid prosecution, FedEx expressly agreed to cease residential cigarette deliveries and comply with a New York law prohibiting those deliveries. For years, FedEx knowingly engaged in illegal and harmful behavior at the expense of New Yorkers health, said Attorney General Letitia James. Not only did FedEx violate laws created to protect the public from the serious health risks associated with cigarettes, but they also swindled New York City and State out of millions of dollars in tax revenue. Let this serve as a message that we will never allow companies - however large or small - to cheat or harm New Yorkers. This settlement forces FedEx into compliance with State and City laws enacted to discourage smoking through the imposition of cigarette taxes. For the worst of reasons profit FedEx shipped millions of untaxed cigarettes to residents throughout the State, cheating the City out of millions of dollars in tax revenue and with apparent indifference to the impact on public health, said Zachary W. Carter, City Corporation Counsel. The illegal deliveries cheated the City out of millions of dollars in tax revenue in addition to violating public health laws intended to deter access to cigarettes by young people. The evidence is clear that cigarette taxes are the most effective means of deterring smoking. As New York has increased the tax rate on cigarettes, the number of smokers in New York has sharply declined. According to the World Health Organization, maintaining high taxes on cigarettes is the most effective anti-smoking policy intervention, particularly among youth. By enabling cigarette traffickers to sell and ship untaxed cigarettes to New Yorkers, FedEx caused damages to New York State and City in lost tax revenue. In addition to the monetary tax loss, FedExs conduct frustrated the public health purpose underlying such taxes to reduce cigarette smoking. Under this settlement, New York State and New York City recovered substantially more than the amount of the tax loss. This additional amount represents, in large part, a penalty based on the fact, among others, that FedEx was previously investigated for this same conduct, the conduct was longstanding and pervasive throughout the company, and the conduct had the potential to negatively impact public health. Under the terms of the settlement, FedEx agreed to implement reforms to ensure compliance with various laws. FedEx agreed to: Cease domestic shipments of tobacco products, including cigarettes (with limited exceptions set forth in the Settlement Agreement); Implement company-wide communications and annual training concerning tobacco shipments, including mandatory notices by employees to company officials if tobacco shipments are discovered; Take disciplinary action against any employee or contractor who knowingly facilitates tobacco shipments; and Retain an independent consultant recommended by the City and State to both advise and monitor the companys compliance with the settlement agreement and with federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the shipment of tobacco. The consultant will immediately report violations to the City and State and provide quarterly reports. The terms of the settlement agreement will be extended by one year for each year in which there is a material breach of the agreement upon a court, or special master determination. The Attorney Generals Office thanks the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for their invaluable assistance on this case. This case was jointly investigated and prosecuted by the New York Attorney General and the City of New York. The trial team was led by Manisha M. Sheth, former Executive Deputy Attorney General of the Division of Economic Justice, and included Assistant Attorney Generals Leslieann Cachola, Brant Campbell, Paulina Stamatelos, of the Health Care Bureau, Assistant Attorney Generals Joseph Kowalczyk and Samantha Liskow of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Assistant Attorney General Sandra Pullman of the Civil Rights Bureau, Senior Advisor & Special Counsel Laura Wood, and Assistant Solicitor General Judith Vale of the Division of Appeals and Opinions. The Offices Chief Economist Peter Malaspina provided invaluable assistance in the prosecution and resolution of this matter. The Health Care Bureau is overseen by Lisa Landau and the case was supervised by Matthew Colangelo. The Health Care Fraud Bureau is part of the Division of Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice Jennifer Levy With gross public debt at 177% of GDP at the end of September, Lebanon spends more servicing its debt than on public services. Interest payments may reach 49% of government spending this year, Fitch ratings agency forecast, while its pegged currency and import-dependent economy are increasingly vulnerable to rising US rates. Only Japan and Greece have higher debt-to-GDP ratios. With an agreement on a new government reported to be close for the past few weeks, a succession of officials have hinted at reforms, conscious that the continued political crisis, coming on top of the countrys economic problems, may spill over. Historically, Foreign Direct Investment, supported by Lebanese nationals abroad, averaged USD248 million from 2002 until 2017 while the Central Bank, Banque du Liban (BdL), has offered high interest rates in order to support the Lebanese pound, pegged to the USD for more than 20 years. The BdL also boasts a healthy USD44.4 billion in reserves, excluding gold. Yet on paper investors have plenty of macro-economic concerns. Inflation is running at more than 5% and GDP growth forecasts point to a consensus of 1.7% for 2019. Growth has been persistently sluggish since collapsing from more than 8% in 2010 before Syrias civil war. Lebanons current account deficit was USD3 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2018, and may widen to more than 20% of GDP as the government covers electricity subsidies and interest payments and overspends on salaries. The country also has balance of trade deficit with USD18 billion of imports compared with just USD2 billion of exports. The Associated PressIn this 2015 photo, New York State Assembly member Crystal Peoples-Stokes, stands behind Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, during a news conference at the Capitol in Albany. Heastie says any marijuana legalization must be accompanied by the expungement of past criminal convictions for marijuana possession. A Snells Beach couple are dismayed by the apparent vandalism of at least two pohutukawa trees at the northern end of Snells Beach. Resident Mick Saunders was walking along the beach-side walkway on the morning of December 30 when he discovered two young trees had all of their branches removed. Mick says the damage was too great to be a regular pruning exercise and the branches had been left lying over what remained. I walked the same path quite late the day before and the trees were fine, so someone has come in at night with secateurs to take them down, he says. While he wouldnt like to speculate, the only logical reason he can think of for the offence is that someone doesnt want their sea view obstructed. Mick and his wife June also believe that two other young pohutukawas in the vicinity have been poisoned, as they are dying. I just feel its really wrong. So many in the community got together to make that beautiful walkway and enhance it with plantings. For someone to put their selfish interests first is a bit mean. If we make a noise about it, they might be a bit more wary before they do it in the future. The couple did contact Auckland Council, which has since had its arboriculture contractor inspect the damage. Auckland Councils acting head of operational management and maintenance, Gwyn De-Arth, says it appears to be an intentional attack on the trees, although one that should not be life threatening. Pohutukawa are an iconic New Zealand tree and we take instances of poisoning and intentional damage seriously, Gwyn says. Maximum penalty for this offence is two years imprisonment or up to a $600,000 fine. Council will be doing remediation work on the trees. This is not an isolated case. Beach front pohutukawas were poisoned in Arkles Bay in September last year. Protests by around 70 animal activists failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Warkworth Rodeo organisers, who said they had a fantastic event on January 1, with more than 2000 people attending. Arena coordinator Paul Manton said they took the anti-rodeo demonstration in their stride, and are now focusing on pulling out all the stops for 2020, which will be Warkworth Rodeos 60th anniversary. They plan to bring in international riders and increase prize money. Parents at Warkworth Primary School have been told that a $13 million redevelopment project at the school has been delayed for six months because of a budget shortfall at the Ministry of Education. The senior school moved from the old school across Hill Street to the junior school in July, on the understanding that the demolition of the old school was about to start. At the end of the school year in December, Board of Trustee chair Sheralyn Cotton said in a school newsletter that the school was very disappointed by the delay. We moved to the junior campus at the Ministrys request, at the end of Term 2, which we now find was well premature, she said. Unfortunately, these delays were not anticipated by the Ministry or the project managers who control the building project. The school has no control over these matters. However, the Ministrys head of education infrastructure service, Kim Shannon, says the move in July was necessary to allow work to start on the buildings that are being retained. This work required the interruption of electrical and internet services, which would have disrupted teaching and learning if the senior school had not relocated, Ms Shannon says. As is common in large construction projects, some design changes were required. These have been resolved and submitted to Auckland Council to issue consents. Pending these consents, we expect the work to recommence next month. As part of the senior school redevelopment, 10 existing classrooms, the administration area and the old school dental clinic will be demolished, and a new two-storey block with 14 teaching spaces, three music rooms, a library and a changing room will be built along the western edge of the campus, parallel with Kaspar Street. The school hall will remain, along with the current staffroom and resource room, which will be redeveloped as a stand-alone building. The new school layout has been designed to allow for the maximum hard court play area, so students have space for sport and play should Shoesmith Domain be closed for any reason. Ms Cotton says the work is expected to be finished around the middle of next year. That will be followed by the removal of the old buildings on the junior campus, after which the new play areas will be formed, she says. The school has just over 300 senior students. The old senior classrooms have been fenced off ready to be demolished since July. Happy New Year! Can you remember your New Years Eve celebrations? If not, then this column might help you in years to come. On my recent travels to Germany one thing struck me like a hammer when I visited liquor wholesalers, which was frequently I might add. It was the amount of non- and low-alcohol beverages, particularly beer, that is available. It is staggering. Many breweries produce a non-alcoholic beer, and they dont all taste like cats pee. Some of them would be difficult for the average beer drinker to discern the difference. Now I love the taste of beer and would drink it all day given half a chance, but there are, of course, side effects to this hobby work, life, driving the list goes on. Recently, local brewery 8 Wired produced a beer with the wonderful moniker of Ghost Chips. This beer weighs in at a feathery mass of 1 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV). Light indeed. So light, in fact, that under New Zealand liquor laws it cannot be classified as a low-alcohol beer ... yeah, go figure right. But producing a tasty low or non-alcoholic beer is no mean feat. So, when Soren Eriksen at 8 Wired decided to try to produce one, he started by tasting lots of beers in that category. Not a job I would be putting my hand up for, as many of them are insipid shadows of the thing called beer. Enter Ghost Chips. It is styled on the New England cloudy/hazy pale ales from the northeast coast of the USA. It is a style that is very in on the beer scene. Renowned for its hazy look and juicy finish, these beers can be astonishingly delicious. Whilst Ghost Chips doesnt deliver the full New England IPA experience it will fool most. In fact, it has done at the Tahi Bar. Few people have picked it as an only 1 per cent alcohol beer until they have been told. The secret to enjoying low alcohol beers is to start drinking them first. If you go to them after a fuller flavoured, higher alcohol option, then the former will overpower the latter. I am hoping that more brewers join this revolution and that lower ABV beers in the future are nearly as flavoursome as their bigger brothers, without breweries having to make them taste like some poor relation to a citrus juice. Recalling those anti-drink driving ads: Spook ... Spacehead I CAN have your Ghost Chips. Cheers. Ian Marriott, Tahi Bar www.tahibar.com If you ever find yourself in front of daunting red and blue lights, be thankful they don't belong to Houston's top cop like one Houston driver experienced Friday. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo was driving on the Hardy Toll Road when the driver of a Dodge Viper allegedly blew past him at 140 mph, the chief told Chron.com. "It almost took my doors off," Acevedo said describing the moment. He radioed the driver into police dispatch and gave chase in his police Chevrolet Tahoe, topping out around 120 mph, he said. NEW: Houston socialite allegedly harassed for 20 years The Viper eventually pulled over on the side of the toll road, Acevedo said. Acevedo said the man told him he'd been going 140 mph for about 30 seconds, managing to travel a little more than a mile in that time. Acevedo wrote the driver a $304 ticket for the traffic violation. On Twitter, Acevedo noted that he could have arrested the driver but opted to give the driver a ticket instead, citing the "totality of the circumstances, including flow of traffic, etc." His last high-speed ticket went to a driver traveling at 130 mph, he said. "I've been a cop for 33 years," Acevedo said. "It's never too late to experience something new." Acevedo said he's happy to be doing the same work that his officers do day in and day out on the streets of Houston, whether it's helping catch bad guys or solving other crimes. "It's not my first time," he said, "and it won't be my last." 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 Washington President Donald Trump surprised his aides by deciding to call in to Jeanine Pirro's show on Fox News on Saturday night to push back against coverage of his presidency on multiple fronts, particularly published reports about his approach toward Russia. Even then, the president did not directly answer when Pirro asked whether he currently is or has ever worked for Russia. The question came after The New York Times reported that in 2017, law enforcement officials began investigating whether Trump had been working on behalf of Russia against U.S. interests. The newspaper said the investigation came after the president's firing of FBI Director James Comey. "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked," Trump told Pirro. Trump went on to assert that no president has taken a harder stance against Russia than he has. White House aides expressed regret that the president did not more clearly and forcefully deny being a Russian agent. Trump also objected to a report in The Washington Post that said he went to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin even from high-ranking officials in his own administration. The report cited unnamed current and former U.S. officials. "As Attorney General, my allegiance will be to the rule of law, the Constitution, and the American people," Barr said. "That is how it should be. That is how it must be. And, if you confirm me, that is how it will be, and I have not given him any, other than that I would run the Department with professionalism and integrity." EDWARDSVILLE The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is excited to be collaborating with accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) and the Greater East St. Louis Business Development Association (GEBDA) to bring a specialized Making Sense of the New Tax Law workshop to Belleville from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. The session brings together local certified public accountants, Justin Price and other business resources to the table to support small business owners. It will be held at Bellecourt Manor located at 225 E A St. in Belleville. Sign in will begin at 11 a.m. Lamin Sanneh, a Yale Divinity School professor who was raised a Muslim, converted to Christianity and became a leading scholar of both religions, most notably as a pioneer in the study of Christianity's transformation from a Western institution into a world-spanning faith, died Jan. 6 at a hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. He was 76. The cause was complications from a stroke, said his son, Kelefa Sanneh, a staff writer at The New Yorker. Raised in the tiny West African nation of the Gambia, Sanneh had a dignified, even regal bearing that betrayed his royal lineage. He traced his ancestry to the rulers of Kaabu, a successor state of the Mali Empire, although by the time he was born, that empire had given way to years of British colonial rule. While his father made a modest living working for the British government, Sanneh was "summoned from the margin," as he put it in the title of his 2012 autobiography, pulled by God or fate or sheer force of will from a Gambian backwater to college in the United States, and later to graduate school in Britain and teaching posts at Harvard and Yale. The author or editor of 20 books and more than 200 scholarly articles, he focused primarily on Christian missions and missionaries, and on the faith's development into a diverse, international religion with a majority of members scattered throughout Africa, Latin America and Asia. He also offered a convincing explanation for its explosive growth, arguing in "Translating the Message" (1989) that Christianity was defined in large part by its inherent translatability. While Arabic and Hebrew play central roles in Islam and Judaism, no single language holds theological significance within the Christian church. "What he did was point toward a view of Christianity that reflected the demographic changes going on," said Dana Robert, director of Boston University's Center for Global Christianity and Mission. "It was not obvious then. The colonial guilt was so huge that Westerners were completely bogged down in self-flagellation about colonialism, rather than seeing the growth of the church in other ways and other places." "The fact that he was a distinguished African scholar saying this blew the lid off mission studies," she added, "and opened the way to what we now call world Christianity, which is looking at local cultures in dialogue with a world tradition." For Sanneh, the idea that Christianity in Africa was a result of Western imperialism was nothing short of caricature. Local missionaries, he said, played as great a role in spreading the faith across West Africa as did white missionaries from the West. He also argued that the translation of the Bible into indigenous languages was an act of affirmation, a sign that local cultures had no less dignity than those of Europe. A Catholic who served on two pontifical commissions, Sanneh also worked to explore connections between Christianity and Islam, tracing their spread across West Africa. But he initially faced opposition from peers who dismissed his focus on African religion. "The pews of Christianity had relocated to the global South, but the pulpits were still located in the global North," said John Azumah, a world Christianity and Islam professor at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. "A few scholars, like Andrew Walls, paid attention to his calls, but there were quite a number who dismissed him, saying African Christianity is 1 mile wide and 1 inch deep - that it's superficial, with a lot of corruption, and mixed with traditional African religions," Azumah added. Sanneh's work was all the more remarkable given his difficult path to academia. He had been "thwarted" in his original plan to "study theology and be ordained," he wrote in an email to Azumah shortly before his death, and instead "went through a terrible period of confusion and doubt. It was like a sickness in which I wondered whether God really wanted me. I started to emerge out of that hole when I saw that I could offer my training and scholarship as a small tribute to the God of Jesus, with Muslims within hearing distance." Lamin Ousman Sanneh was born in Georgetown (now known as Janjanbureh), 150 miles upriver from the mouth of the Gambia River, on May 24, 1942. He attended a government-run Islamic boarding school before moving to the capital city of Banjul, where he eventually returned to high school and, in 1963, received a scholarship to attend college in the United States. While in Banjul, he also turned from Christianity to Islam - an unlikely change, he noted in his autobiography, given his singularly Muslim background. "There was no church in town when I was growing up; I had never seen a Bible in my life; I had never heard anyone teach or preach about Christianity; there was no mention of Christianity in the book we read at school." Nonetheless, he said he became "transfixed" with Jesus, considered a prophet in Islam, and embarked on a religious journey that included pivotal encounters with a "self-avowed atheist" in the English colonial service, a "charismatic evangelical" nurse and a supermarket book rack, where he found a selection of cheap paperbacks by novelist and theologian C.S. Lewis. Sanneh received a bachelor's degree from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., in 1967, followed by a master's degree from the University of Birmingham in England in 1968 and a doctorate in history from the University of London in 1974. He taught at the University of Ghana, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and Harvard University before joining Yale in 1989, holding dual appointments in the Divinity School and history department. With Walls, a historian long based at the University of Edinburgh, Sanneh created a yearly conference on missions and world Christianity; since its inception in 1992, the gathering has grown from about a dozen participants to about 700 scholars. Sanneh also was an editor at large of the magazine Christian Century and edited the Oxford Studies in World Christianity series. In September, the University of Ghana announced the creation of a new research institute named in his honor, to be led by Azumah with a focus on religion and society in Africa. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Sandra Sanneh of Hamden, Connecticut, a senior lector of Zulu language and literature at Yale; two children, Sia Sanneh, a senior attorney at the Equal Justice Initiative, and Kelefa Sanneh, both of Manhattan; five brothers; two sisters; and two grandsons. Sanneh sometimes spoke on current events, lamenting a trend toward secularization and an understanding of "freedom of religion" that, in his view, too often meant "freedom from religion." In one of his last major works, "Beyond Jihad" (2016), he highlighted a pacifist tradition within West African Islam - one that ran counter to rhetoric in which Islam was portrayed as a radical, militant faith. "It would be damaging to Western interests to adopt this view and reduce Islam to nothing more than a security threat and pursue actions that are counter to the principles and values we cherish in the West," he told a Yale Divinity School interviewer after the book's release. "The only thing worse than being the target of religious extremism and violence," he continued, "is the forsaking of the very values and ideals that violent extremists find so abhorrent. The enemy doesn't deserve that outcome because the West is worthy of more noble ends. It would be ironic if we became in the hands of our tormentors the rod of our own chastisement." WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard saw a nearly fivefold increase in the number of migrants it intercepted off the coast of southern California in 2018, underscoring the challenge that will remain in stopping illegal migration even if President Donald Trump secures funding for his southern border wall. The numbers, released to The Washington Post in recent days, show the service intercepted 1,022 migrants at sea there in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. That was up from 213 in 2017 and 142 in 2016. Nationwide, the number of migrant intercepts at sea dropped from 2,512 in 2017 to 1,668 in 2018, indicating a shift in which more migrants are now intercepted off the West Coast. The majority of migrants taken into custody there come from Central and South America, while migrants caught along the East Coast are more likely to come from Haiti or other islands in the Caribbean Sea. A Coast Guard spokesman, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Barry Lane, said that the migrants intercepted at sea in 2018 come from numerous countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Guatemala. Others came from farther away nations that include China, Sri Lanka, India and Jordan, he said. For years, the Coast Guard intercepted more migrants off the coast of Florida than anywhere else. Those numbers plummeted in 2017, after the Obama administration normalized diplomatic relations with Cuba and ended the so-called wet-foot, dry-foot policy that allowed most Cubans who made the 90-mile trip by sea to pursue legal residency. The service also intercepted 209,000 kilograms of cocaine at sea in 2018, falling just behind its record grab of 223,843 kilograms in 2017. The majority of those drugs are interdicted by a handful of Coast Guard cutters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, as they meet ships heading from Central and South America. Intercepts at sea represent a fraction of a much larger trend. Customs and Border Protection reported 415,517 total apprehensions at the southern border in fiscal 2017, and 521,090 more in fiscal in 2018. More than 60,000 migrants were arrested in each of the last three months attempting to enter the country illegally. But the statistics will still serve as new fodder for advocates of the Coast Guard, whose service members are among the federal employees working without pay amid a partial government shutdown caused by a political dispute over President Trump's proposed southern border wall. Service members are due a pay check on Tuesday, and unlikely to get their money. The shutdown was 24 days old - and the longest in U.S. history - as of Monday. Although the service is considered a part of the U.S. military, it has no funding because it is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Most other branches of service are part of the Defense Department, which has funding approved. The shutdown also has threatened the pensions of Coast Guard veterans. Adm. Charles Ray, the service's No. 2 officer, said in an email to retirees on Saturday that there is the "distinct possibility" that retiree pay and money for the Survivor's Benefit Plan, an insurance policy for the surviving spouses of Coast Guard veterans, may be delayed if the shutdown continues into late January. "Please be assured that we are continuing to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security, the Administration, and Congress to reduce the impacts of this funding lapse on our Coast Guard workforce - past and present - and I will keep you informed as additional information becomes available," Ray wrote. The shutdown has put other strains on the service, as Trump seeks funding for the wall. The president has promised to fund new polar icebreaker ships for the Coast Guard, but funding for them is no longer a certainty. A Senate appropriations bill passed last year included $750 million for the first ship, but the House version did not include the money. It is not clear whether the money will be included if a spending bill makes it to the White House. The Coast Guard commandant, Adm. Karl Schultz, has posted a series of social-media messages in recent days as he seeks to reassure the force. "I recognize that there is anxiety & uncertainty about the status of your pay this evening," Shultz tweeted Monday night. "Your senior leadership team continues to work on your behalf. We will provide an additional update by 1200 EST. Continue standing the watch - I am proud of your unwavering devotion to duty." Seventeen kilos of methamphetamine was seized by Laredo police following a traffic stop on Interstate 35. Police said an officer pulled over a Chevy TrailBlazer near the 24 mile marker because the vehicle "displayed defective equipment." READ ALSO: Laredo PD: 27-year-old man arrested for sexual assault of a child The officer noticed the driver was nervous, LPD said. "The driver would avoid all eye contact, stutter when spoken to, and slightly tremble when utilizing his hands," according to police. LPD said the driver consented to a search of the vehicle. Police then took it to an international bridge to X-ray the TrailBlazer. "The images returned showed inconsistencies within the vehicle panels," LPD said. RELATED: Mugshots: Traffic stop nets 5 suspects for drug possession During a further search of the vehicle at LPD headquarters,17 bundles of a white powdery substance, later determined to be crystal meth totaling 17 kilograms, were found on both panels in the front of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, 40-year-old Juan Pablo Mesta-Arriaga, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, was then arrested and charged with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance. The Birth of Loud: Leo Fender, Les Paul, and the Guitar-Pioneering Rivalry That Shaped Rock 'n' Roll By Ian S. Port Scribner. 352 pp. $28 --- Consider the Fender Stratocaster. Asked to picture an electric guitar, most people will immediately bring to mind inventor Leo Fender's most famous creation. Upon its introduction in 1954, the Stratocaster not only redefined the sound of American music but immediately became, with its sweeping curves and jewel-like colors, a stunning piece of midcentury design on par with a Bel Geddes radio or an Eames chair. Yet the Strat's iconic shape was not a bold foray into space-age aesthetics as much as it was an on-the-fly modification. Many musicians found the Stratocaster's predecessor, the Telecaster, cumbersome, so Fender simply streamlined the instrument with beveled contours that echoed a player's body - and a classic was created. "A radical design had been born through Leo's obsession with practicality," author Ian S. Port writes; for Fender, form followed function as naturally as morning followed night. This and many other fascinating accounts are the bounty of "The Birth of Loud: Leo Fender, Les Paul, and the Guitar-Pioneering Rivalry That Shaped Rock 'n' Roll." Port's book is a lively and vivid account of the careers of Fender and his main competition, Les Paul, the star guitarist whose name adorns the Gibson six-string that rivals Fender's instruments in popularity and influence. "The Birth of Loud" traces the dual arc of the men's rise with consummate skill and authority. Although they were close for a few years in the late 1940s (Port writes that, tantalizingly, Paul turned down a position with Fender in 1951), and would be forever linked in their fame, they were in many respects opposites. Fender was a taciturn man who could be found tinkering in his laboratory until late at night, whereas Paul was a showman, a musical and technical whiz who, with his wife, Mary Ford, was one of the biggest stars of the postwar, pre-rock 'n' roll pop era. What they shared was that ineffably American knack for experimenting and stirring the pot, for trying out harebrained ideas and pushing homemade contraptions to their limits. They were "untrained men who could build or fix almost anything because, back then, anythings were simple," Port observes. They also shared a keen itch for the main chance. Fender, Port relates, frequented the gritty honky-tonk joints in the crude postwar boomtowns springing up around Fullerton, Calif., talking shop with rawboned country musicians; what they needed, he quickly sussed out, was an electrified guitar that could be cranked up for maximum volume, and that was cheap, sturdy and easy to repair. Out in New York City, Paul was experimenting along similar lines; in 1940, he had created a Frankenstein's monster-like object called "the Log," an ur-electric guitar fashioned out of a plank of pine and a crude pickup that "looked like a lumberyard mutant, a stick bound with steel cables." Paul was already a seasoned professional musician with a distinctive style, but the reaction he got one night from a stunned crowd in a bar in Sunnyside, Queens, of all places, told him everything he needed to know about the future of the instrument. The guitar arms race was on. The next two decades were probably the most transformative in the history of American music, and Port does an outstanding job of tracking the ways each new musician, from Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix, vaulted over the next, engaging the new instruments with ever-surprising results. Port tells the story elegantly and economically, but two turning points are identified with exceptional insight. In 1960, now-forgotten surf icon Dick Dale pushed Fender's amplifiers to the limit and beyond during his thunderous concerts at a roadhouse in Orange County, Calif., called the Rendezvous Ballroom, thus inventing a style of music that was specifically built on excessive volume. And the 1966 recording of John Mayall's album "Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton," in Port's estimation, was a ground-zero moment when the signature sound of an overdriven Les Paul - "a molten, billowing wail" - was first recorded. These passages highlight one of Port's true strengths: his ability to marry an agreeably anecdotal writing style to a musician's ear. Describing sound is extraordinarily difficult; Port can do it without channeling one of those weird, adjective-heavy descriptions of wine or perfume. I myself have owned and played both a Fender Telecaster and a Gibson Les Paul for many years now, and Port's descriptions of their respective sonic capabilities is the most articulate and accurate I have ever read. The way a Telecaster snaps and sizzles, the way a Les Paul purrs with liquid, violin-like tones; he just gets it. Port's descriptive elan is particularly in force in his account of Hendrix's famous rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock in 1969, which pushed rock guitar playing to a height it may never again reach. Port wisely ends his narrative here, and it's an apt capstone. The story of these instruments is the story of America in the postwar era: loud, cocky, brash, aggressively new. --- Lindgren is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post. The memorial service for Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona, who was fatally shot Thursday while responding to a routine car collision in downtown Davis, is slated for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Activities and Recreation Center on the UC Davis campus. Police say Corona, 22, was ambushed by Kevin Douglas Limbaugh, who rode up on a bicycle before shooting Corona then indiscriminately firing at a passing bus, a fire truck and a firefighter who also was responding to the collision. A 3D recreation of what the Maya bath may have looked like in its heyday. Archaeologists have discovered an ancient steam bath that the Maya likely used for religious rituals and possibly relaxation more than 2,500 years ago. The steam bath, discovered in the ancient Maya city of Nakum in what is now Guatemala, had fragmented ceramic vessels and obsidian tools in it artifacts that were possibly used for rituals, said excavation co-leader Jarosaw Zraka, an assistant professor of New World archeology at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. "It is one of the oldest steam baths in Mesoamerica," Zraka told Live Science in an email, adding that the bath is "almost entirely carved into the limestone bedrock." [Photos: Carvings Depict Maya Ballplayers in Action] Zraka and his team found the steam bath about five years ago, but they're still excavating the site. "We initially thought that we were dealing with a tomb," excavation superperviser Wiesaw Koszkul, an archaeologist at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, told Science in Poland. "But while gradually uncovering subsequent parts of the structure, we came to the conclusion that it was a steam bath." Archaeologists excavate the ancient Maya bath in Guatemala. (Image credit: Jarosaw Zraka) Both the ancient and modern Maya people associate steam baths with ritual activity, the archaeologists said. For instance, the ancient elite, including priests, likely used baths not just to wash their bodies but also to symbolically cleanse their souls before important events, the researchers said. "In the Maya beliefs, caves and baths are treated almost the same way: the places where not only the gods, but also the first people were born and emerged from," Zraka told Science in Poland. "They are also considered to be entries to the underworld, the world inhabited by gods and ancestors. Caves and steam baths were also associated with the harvest and the place of origin of life-giving water." The steam bath certainly looked cave-like when the archeologists first discovered it. First, the team found a downward-sloping tunnel carved into the rock. But this tunnel is actually where the steam bath's excess water flowed, the archaeologists soon discovered. Archaeologists covered the site with a tent to protect it. (Image credit: Wiesaw Koszkul) The Maya also constructed an easy way to enter the bath; both sides of the tunnel have stairs leading up to the steam room, which has rock-cut benches where the bathers could sit. Across from the entrance is an oval-shaped hearth, where large stones were likely placed, heated up and then splashed with water to produce steam, the archaeologists said. Then, the excess water would have flowed down a channel in the middle of the floor, toward the exit, the archaeologists added. It's also possible that the Maya made a giant structure out of wood, stone and mortar to keep the steam from leaving the room, the archaeologists said. The Maya used the bath from about 700 B.C. to 300 B.C. before covering it with mortar and rubble. "Perhaps it was related to the change of dynasty, which ruled in Nakum, or other important changes in the Mayan social and religious life," Koszkul told Science in Poland. Archaeologists have discovered other ancient Maya baths over the years, but most of those were only fragments of the original structures. "That is why our discovery of an almost completely preserved complex is so important," Zraka told Science in Poland. Originally published on Live Science. The beleaguered orca population in Puget Sound near Seattle finally has something to celebrate one of the females recently delivered a baby. A baby killer whale was spotted in aerial footage that aired on Jan. 10 on local television stations in Seattle, representatives of the Center for Whale Research (CWR), a Washington nonprofit that has monitored the region's orcas since 1976, said in a statement. While watching that footage, a CWR researcher saw a baby orca swimming close by a 31-year-old female known as L77, one of the killer whales in the "L" pod, according to the statement. [Photos: Drone Reveals Killer Whales] Orcas live in small populations; this particular group is known as the southern resident killer whales, and it contains three social groups known as the J, K and L pods. From 2006 through 2011, there were 85 to 89 southern resident whales, but their numbers have steadily declined since then, according to the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), a federal agency monitoring the conservation of orcas and other marine mammals. On Jan. 11, CWR scientists went out on a boat to investigate the baby sighting, and they confirmed the presence of a new calf at 9:50 a.m. local time, CWR reported. "The calf appeared to be about 3 weeks old and was bouncing around between [other L pod orcas] L25, L41, L77 L85 and L119," according to the statement. As the adult orcas in the group traveled to the northwest, the young newcomer "kept up well," the scientists reported. While the researchers were unable to identify the calf's sex, they were hopeful that future observations would provide more information about the new addition to the pod. Baby orca L124 swims alongside two other killer whales in the L pod: L41 and L85. (Image credit: Center for Whale Research) Last year, the southern resident population lost a newborn and a 3-year-old female, which reduced their number to 74 the lowest in 34 years, according to the MMC. After a newborn orca in the J pod died in July, its mother pushed the corpse around for 17 days before finally abandoning the body of its dead baby. And an ailing young whale nicknamed Scarlet, also in the J pod, slowly starved and was presumed dead in September, despite a month-long effort by veterinarians and biologists to save her life. With the arrival of the new calf, now dubbed L124, the population of the southern resident whales returns to 75 individuals. However, the calf faces an uncertain future about 40 percent of killer whale newborns don't survive past their first year, according to the statement. Originally published on Live Science. James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, was stripped of his titles due to his racist remarks. James Watson co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA back in the 1950s. Now, the famous scientist is being stripped of his honorary titles at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) because of his recent racist remarks, according to The New York Times. In an interview for a PBS documentary called "American Masters: Decoding Watson" that aired January 2, the now 90-year-old said that blacks and whites had average differences in I.Q. because of genetic differences that evolved through natural selection. Studies, such as this 2016 paper in the journal of Personality and Individual Differences, have refuted the belief that average I.Q. differences can be explained by genetics. [Genetics By the Numbers: 10 Tantalizing Tales] This isn't the first time that Watson has made racist remarks. In 2007, he suggested that black people are not as smart as white people. In response, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he had previously served as director for over 25 years, stripped him of his administrative duties and his position as chancellor. Watson later apologized for the statement and said that there's no scientific basis for this belief, but the scientist's new comments "effectively reverse the written apology and retraction Dr. Watson made in 2007," a statement from the lab said. In response to his most recent comments, as aired in the documentary, the lab went further than it had in 2007 and revoked Watson's honorary titles of "chancellor emeritus," "Oliver R. Grace professor emeritus and honorary trustee." "Dr. Watson's statements are reprehensible, unsupported by science, and in no way represent the views of CSHL, its trustees, faculty, staff, or students," the statement read. "The Laboratory condemns the misuse of science to justify prejudice." Originally published on Live Science. Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush said Monday that he'll introduce a censure resolution over the Iowa Republican's remarks to the New York Times. The paper quoted King as asking how the terms "white supremacy" and "white nationalism" became offensive. The shape of Earth's magnetic field is the result of both the planet's north and south magnetic poles as well as the stream of particles coming from the sun. Earth's north magnetic pole is on the move, unpredictably lurching away from the Canadian Arctic and toward Siberia. It's wandered so much, that the current representation of the entire globe's magnetic field, just updated in 2015, is now out of date. And so, geologists have come up with a new model. This updated model, called the World Magnetic Model, was supposed to be published Jan. 15, but it's now been delayed to Jan. 30, on account of the government shutdown. Once it's made public, the new model will inform a wide array of navigation, including those directing airplanes and ships to people checking Google Maps on their smart devices. [Earth from Above: 101 Stunning Images from Orbit] The World Magnetic Model is one of a handful of models another is called the International Geomagnetic Reference Field that track so-called declination, or the difference between true, or geographic, north (that is, the North Pole) and magnetic north (the point where your compass needle points). Knowing that declination for points across the globe allows one to convert between a magnetic bearing and a true bearing, according to a report on the 2015 model. In that way, ships, aircraft, antennas, drilling equipment and other devices can be oriented. The latest World Magnetic Model was designed to last until 2020, but magnetic north's rapid and unexpected surge toward Siberia was so great, that researchers had to amend the model early, Arnaud Chulliat, a geomagnetist at the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) National Centers for Environmental Information, told Nature. News of the magnetic north's meanderings isn't exactly new. Researchers figured out in the 1800s that magnetic north tended to drift. Then, in the mid-1990s, it began moving faster, from just over 9 miles (15 kilometers) a year to about 34 miles (55 km) annually, Nature reported. In 2018, magnetic north skipped over the International Date Line and entered the Eastern Hemisphere. Core message The North Poles erratic movements are largely the result of Earth's liquid-iron outer core, known as the core field. (Other factors play a role, too, including magnetic minerals in the crust and upper mantle, as well as electric currents created by the flow of seawater, but these influences are small compared to those from the core field, according to the 2015 report on the World Magnetic Model.) No one has ever seen the core field, but you can imagine it like this: Picture a bar magnet at the center of the Earth that has two poles: north and south. This magnet represents about 75 percent of the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field at the surface today, said Ronald Merrill, an emeritus professor of Earth and space sciences at the University of Washington, who wasn't involved with the new World Magnetic Model research. (In reality, electric currents and not a giant bar magnet in Earth's core create the magnetic field, but it's easier to think of it in terms of magnets, Merrill said.) But the intensity of this so-called bar magnet is decreasing over time, by about 7 percent every 100 years, Merrill told Live Science. That bar magnet is also moving right now, so that it's tilted toward Canada at slightly less than 10 degrees, he noted. The other 25 percent of the magnetic field comes from another field, which can be envisioned as bar magnets that are moving around, Merrill said. In other words, as the giant, central bar magnet loses its intensity, this other magnetic field gains more influence over Earth's magnetic field. "And that's what's causing this field to move in the direction [of Siberia]," Merrill said. [Doomsday: 9 Real Ways Earth Could End] In fact, the weakening of this giant bar magnet has alarmed some scientists, who wonder if it's a sign that Earth's north and south poles might flip, as they last did about 780,000 years ago. Such a flip wouldn't happen for thousands of years, and it remains to be seen what will happen. But a 2018 study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found evidence that Earth's magnetic field has weakened before without flipping. However, this weakening could lead to a field wobble, which could affect technologies such as electronics aboard low-Earth-orbit satellites, Live Science previously reported. A roving magnetic north has other implications, too. As it moves, it's likely that the best locations to see the Northern Lights will change over time. "In a hundred years, there might be a better place to see the Northern Lights than there are today," Merrill said. Digging in For now, scientists are trying to figure out exactly why magnetic north is shooting toward Siberia. One idea is that its rapid flight is connected to a high-speed jet of liquid iron under Canada, Nature reported. It appears that this jet is weakening the magnetic field beneath Canada by smearing it out, which means that Canada doesn't stand a chance against Siberia, Phil Livermore, a geomagnetist at the University of Leeds, in England, told Nature. "The location of the north magnetic pole appears to be governed by two large-scale patches of magnetic field, one beneath Canada and one beneath Siberia," Livermore told Nature. "The Siberian patch is winning the competition." Originally published on Live Science. The first human colonists on Mars will have to forgo many of the creature comforts of Earth things like enjoying an ozone layer, for example, or opting out of rearing genetically engineered Martian babies. Fortunately, one essential earthly amenity these hardscrabble colonists may not have to give up is wine. Georgia, a country with an 8,000-year-old viticulture tradition, is putting its top space and wine scientists to work figuring out how to grow grapes on Mars. The project, named IX Millennium, ostensibly as a nod to Georgia's ninth millennium making wine, will involve several phases of research into building an agricultural infrastructure on Mars. One critical step: identifying the grape varietals on Earth best equipped to withstand the harsh radiation, fearsome dust storms and severe temperature swings of the Red Planet. This research could help hydrate permanent settlements on Mars a soon as 2024 the year when SpaceX founder Elon Musk intends to launch the first crewed mission there. (NASA hopes to follow in the 2030s.) [Mars InSight Photos: A Timeline to Landing on the Red Planet] "If we're going to live on Mars one day, Georgia needs to contribute," Nikoloz Doborjginidze, founder of Georgia's Space Research Agency and an adviser on the wine project, told The Washington Post. "Our ancestors brought wine to Earth, so we can do the same to Mars." (The origins of wine are still debated, but Georgia holds a valid claim thanks to their recent discovery of an old wine-stained pot dated to 6000 B.C.) The first wine on Mars The new space wine project will kick off later this year with the installation of "vertical greenhouses" inside a hotel in the capital city of Tbilisi, according to Georgian news agency Agenda.ge. There, floor-to-ceiling pods of soil and seeds (including grapes, strawberries and arugula) will be left to grow under hydroponic lights with minimal human interference, simulating the possible conditions of a controlled agriculture pod on Mars. In the meantime, Georgian wine experts are hard at work trying to figure out which grape varietals might best survive harsh Martian conditions. Over the next few years, researchers at Tbilisi's Business Technology University plan to simulate a Martian environment in the laboratory, exposing soil samples to subzero conditions, high carbon monoxide levels and thin air meant to mimic the atmospheric pressure at "20,000 feet [6,000 meters] altitude on Earth," The Washington Post reported. These experiments likely will not bear fruit until at least 2022, but scientists already have a hunch that white wine will fare best on the Red Planet. "Whites tend to be more resistant to viruses," Levan Ujmajuridze, director of Georgia's vineyard Laboratory, told The Washington Post. "So, I'd imagine they'll do well against radiation, too. Their skin could reflect it." These experiments could well provide future Martians with grapevines but the actual fermenting, bottling and aging would be up to them. Nobody knows exactly how fermenting grapes in microgravity will actually work yet, but NASA scientists think it's possible. The Georgia team's boozy experiments aren't the first foray into space agriculture. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have already begun growing salad crops in microgravity, while China's recently deployed Chang'e-4 lander will attempt to grow potatoes and rockcress (a flowering plant similar to cabbage and mustard) on the moon. The makers of Budweiser, meanwhile, have launched barley seeds into space three times in hopes of becoming "the first beer on Mars," while a batch of Ardmore scotch whisky spent three years aboard the ISS from 2011 to 2014. That project showed Earthlings that even an old drop of the pure is apparently not immune to the ravages of microgravity; the scotch reportedly came home tasting of "antiseptic lozenges" and "rubbery smoke." Originally published on Live Science. Upon taking the oath, Pritzker supplanted Rauner as Illinois richest governor. He pumped more than $171 million into his campaign, and Pritzker flexed his wealth again in recent days. He announced he will use his own money to double his top government aides salaries, and he promised to shift some of his immense wealth into a blind trust to avoid conflicts of interest, though its unclear whether he will be able to fully wall off his fortune from his official duties. Im advocating perhaps for a consent decree, if necessary, between the citizens of Chicago and the city of Chicago to form a City Council review board chaired by an official with judicial experience, McCarthy said at a City Hall news conference to discuss his plan. He has opposed the consent decree governing the Chicago Police Department agreed to by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former Attorney General Lisa Madigan to try to reform the department following McDonalds fatal shooting. The snowplow was stopped in a lane of traffic with its emergency lights activated as it helped control traffic after another, unrelated crash on I-294, officials said. The 21-year-old driver of the Malibu lost control and struck the rear of the snowplow. WHILE many lips were sealed amid Taylor Swifts lavish Christmas holiday in Limerick, the GAA club in Glin has reacted in the most Irish way possible. Taking to Twitter with a bit of tongue in cheek, Glin GAA club jokingly revealed a lottery ticket by the 10-time Grammy award winner. The bigger joke is that Taylor didnt even win the jackpot, which is now apparently at 5,400. Glin GAA club said on Twitter, sharing a picture of the ticket: Great to see @taylorswift13 support our GAA club on her recent holiday in Glin, Ireland. Thank you Taylor! Dunnes Bar in Glin said on Facebook on Sunday: Hard luck Taylor! Dont forget to play online next week! Taylors not-so-lucky numbers were 10, 18, 20 and 25. Taylor Swift holidayed at Glin Castle over the Christmas period with her boyfriend, actor Joe Alywin, who is a friend of Dominic West, it is understood. And despite the fact that many locals knew the 29-year-old superstar was there, no one really bat an eyelid, according to one. It is reported that Ms Swift left Ireland via a private jet at Kerry Airport on St Stephens Day, though the airport could not comment on the matter. CONCERNS about jobs at the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick are back on the agenda as the expected lifting of US sanctions against owners RusAL has run into difficulties and fallen foul of party politics in the US. The sanctions were originally proposed last April to target Oleg Deripaska, the majority shareholder in RusAL, and other Russian oligarchs but were postponed on several occasions since. The Irish government lobbied strongly, arguing that the sanctions would have adverse and unintended consequences for Aughinish and its 460 strong workforce and hundreds of contractors. Last month, this work seemed to have paid off with the announcement that Mr Deripaska had adjusted his shareholding and that sanctions against RusAL would be lifted within 30 days. Now however, with just days to go before the sanctions were due to be lifted, Democratic members of Congress in the US are coming out against the move, threatening to block or at least stall the move. They are concerned it signals a softening of approach by the Trump administration. Over the weekend, the partys minority leader in the Senate Chuck Schumer said he would force a vote this week, saying he believes the proposal is flawed and fails to sufficiently limit Oleg Deripaskas control and influence of these companies. Responding to developments, Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins said this Monday: It is worrying. We thought it had been sorted conclusively. I now call on the government to redouble its diplomatic engagement to ensure the matter is finalised once and for all, he added. More to follow. Please find it in your heart to consider the punishment already endured by him that will continue for the rest of his life, she wrote. There was no malice, no ill intent or hatred on that fateful night when my husband was faced with a split-second decision. He believed he was making the right choice that night. LIMERICK has received a boost with the news that telecommunications firm Three Ireland has confirmed 30 jobs at its centre in Plassey. The positions are being set up at the firms customer service centre, and will bring the total staff headcount to 500. Ashley Cook, customer-relationship manager at Three said: These new roles present a great opportunity for candidates to join Limericks best employer and become part of a dynamic and growing team. A testament to the quality of our operation in Limerick is the long service of many of our employees, some of whom have been with us for over 20 years. This is due to a number of factors including strong learning and development opportunities, a genuine focus on wellbeing, and a competitive salary and benefits package. We are delighted to be announcing these new roles as we expand our Customer Service Centre in Limerick. The Limerick Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan added: I want to congratulate Three Ireland on its announcement . We recently announced Three as the regions best employer and these jobs further demonstrate Threes commitment to Limerick and its employees here. Todays announcement marks the start of what I know will be an exciting year for Limerick as we continue to work with our members throughout the county. A GUINEAN national was sentenced to three months imprisonment after he admitted biting a garda who was trying to carry out a search at his home in Limerick. Ousmane Baah, aged 29, of no fixed abode, also received a consecutive one month sentence for kicking the window of a fast-food restaurant in the city centre after he was refused entry. Limerick District Court was told the assault matter happened at an address on the southside of the city at around 9am on July 5, last. Sergeant Donal Cronin said gardai had called to the property and were seeking to locate another person when the defendant started to complain in a not very polite way. He became increasingly aggressive and following an altercation in the sitting room of the house bit the gardas arm resulting in bruising. Addressing the court, Mr Baah, who has more than 70 previous convictions, apologised saying he was emotional. Solicitor Sarah Ryan said her client believed he was the intended target of the garda operation but now accepts he was out of order. Imposing a three month prison sentence, Judge OLeary expressed concern that a number of young children were in the house at the time. She also commented that a number of testimonials submitted to the court did not accord with his conduct on the day. A one-month sentence was imposed in relation to the criminal damage incident at Supermacs, OConnell Street at 12.10am on August 8, last. A SPECIAL talk will take place this Tuesday in the Hunt Museum, focused on using social media for social causes. Run by BNest, Irelands first social enterprise innovator, campaigners, activists, and non-profit companies will be given the opportunity to learn how to use social media for positive social change. The special guest speaker on the night is Craig Dwyer, the founder of 'ForaChange Digital Strategy for Social Change'. He will share his experiences on the importance of an effective digital strategy to succeed in your cause, along with simple practical lessons that can help you succeed without the need for large budgets. BNest founder Eamon Ryan said: When I attended Craigs talk on digital media strategy, I was really impressed with his knowledge and positive attitude. The idea of inviting Craig to one of our monthly open events came to my head instantly and were delighted Craig found time in his busy schedule to come to Limerick to share his knowledge and experience in such an important matter. The free event takes place downstairs in the exhibition area of the Hunt Museum on Rutland Street, Limerick on Tuesday, January 15 from 6:30 pm to 8pm.For more information, please contact kasia@bnest.ie, visit www.bnest.ie, or telephone 061-332929. THE Dean OBrien Swimming Pool Committee is stepping up its campaign for a new, public swimming pool in Newcastle West, ahead of next Mays local election. Last month, the committee wrote to all six local councillors asking them to support their campaign but so far, just three replies have been received. These came from councillors Michael Collins, Jerome Scanlan and Seamus Browne. Both Cllrs Collins and Browne confirmed their commitment to a new public pool while Cllr Scanlan said that improved swimming facilities are very desirable. However, Cllr Scanlan added: Value for money, ongoing management in terms of private public partnership, and financial supports, as pointed out in various consultative reports, need to be demonstrated. Rossa McMahon, spokesman for the pool committee, acknowledged the three councillors yet to reply had shown support in the past. However, he said: The Committee would like to see the support turn to action. He noted that Limerick City and County had decided unanimously last November to commission an all-Ireland pool strategy. It is disappointing that the swimming pool strategy might not be delivered until later this year at the earliest, he said, and we would be concerned that this report would not be used to take the issue off the agenda for the local elections. A number of reports have been done on swimming in Newcastle West in recent years and now the Council wants more reports. This is not rocket science. Newcastle West used to have a public pool which was modest by todays standards but which was successful and was of huge benefit to the area. The need and the demand are there and are increasing all the time, Mr McMahon continued, and he cited the councils own Hinterland report which demonstrated the need for increased infrastructure and amenities in Newcastle West. What is abundantly clear and not in dispute is that swimming facilities in Newcastle West are not adequate for the population of the region, Mr McMahon stated, pointing out that population had increased 57% between 2002 and 2016. The difficulty is that the council does not believe that a robust business case has been made. We disagree, and we believe the time to start planning for proper public swimming facilities is now. We find it hard to understand why the active support is not there from the council, particularly since they built one in Askeaton ten years ago, Mr McMahon continued. Like Askeaton, Newcastle West also had a strong swimming culture. And he cited the example of Carolyn Hayes, an international triathlete who won gold at the Dakhla ATU Sprint Triathlon African Cup in Morocco before Christmas. Carolyns father Tony Hayes is well known in Newcastle West and was chairman of the old Dean OBrien Pool where Carolyn got started as a child. But since the pool closed, a generation of people in Newcastle West has grown up without a public swimming pool, Mr McMahon added. The committee is convinced that funding can be obtained from central government but also believes funding could be made available by the council. In 2018, Mr McMahon pointed out, over 13m of a 560m budget was allocated to sport and recreation. If the will was there the facility could be delivered, he declared. The committee doesnt have a preference as to whether it is council or central government funding but the reality is that government funding will not happen without the support of the council. The town needs the support of the councillors and the council and we need a commitment to deliver a facility, Mr McMahon said. A part-time worker with An Post from Laois appeared at Naas District Court on January 10 charged in connection with a number of alleged theft offences amounting to just over 10,000 from accounts at Newbridge Post Office. Aisling Downey, 24 The Willows, Forest Park, Portlaoise, is charged with six counts of theft under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Act 2001. Garda Sgt Brian Jacob, prosecuting, said the Director of Public Prosecution has opted that the case can be heard in the District Court, but only if Ms Downey, a part-time worker and student, pleads guilty. If not it will go to the Circuit Court. The matter has been adjourned until March 7 for the defence to decide on its options. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, potential contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, are drawing criticism from some quarters that has nothing to do with politics or policy. Its the number on their birth certificates. Sanders will turn 79 in 2020, and if elected would become the oldest president in history. Ronald Reagan holds that distinction. He was 73 when elected to a second term in 1984. Donald Trump would surpass that mark if hes re-elected; hes now 72. There is no age limit on the presidency, and no serious discussion about amending the Constitution to enact one. The Constitutional sets a minimum age of 35. Teddy Roosevelt was the youngest to be sworn in, at 42. John F. Kennedy was 43. If Sanders and Biden enter the fray, theyll likely be sharing the podium with other septuagenarians. Elizabeth Warren will turn 71 in 2020. Michael Bloomberg will be 78. Hillary Clinton will be 72. Nancy Pelosi will be 80. The open Democratic field is attracting many younger hopefuls as well. On the Republican side, Mitt Romney will be 73 in 2020. Mike Pence will be 61. What do you think? Should politicians think twice about entering the presidential race at a certain age? Have a say in our informal, unscientific poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comment section. Washington craziness. Rep. Rashida Tlaib took her oath on the Quran and attended a reception sponsored by Move.org, where her foul mouth declared her intention of impeaching Trump. Rep. Brad Sherman introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump. Rep. Steve Cohen introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed through a bill giving an additional $12 billion in foreign aid for abortions overseas, but no money for border security. Rep. Alexandria Cortez wants a 70 percent tax rate on the wealthy to fund foreign countries. Whos working for America? Their oath of office contains the words I will support and defend the constitution of the U.S. against all enemies foreign and domestic. This oath is required by the U.S. constitution and prescribed by law. How is helping immigrants illegally enter America, financially supporting them and protecting them from prosecution in sanctuary cities, while neglecting the needs of our most vulnerable Americans, upholding this oath? I never thought Americans would have to defend America against politicians. Ronald Reagan said governments first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives. Border patrol agents say we need a wall. Walls work. Ask some of our wealthy congress people and past presidents who live in gated communities. Trump stated we have a growing humanitarian and security crisis at our border. Past videos show these same outspoken opponents agreeing with this. Why must Americans safety be at risk because of their hatred of Trump? Bea Mackey Harmony Township Update: The gunman who held two women hostage inside a UPS warehouse in New Jersey on Monday morning died following a standoff with police, authorities said. The gunman who took two women hostage inside a UPS warehouse in New Jersey on Monday died after being shot by multiple police officers, and the hostages have been rescued safely, authorities said. The armed man, later identified as William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, who authorities say had a prior relationship with one of the women, held police in a standoff for more than three hours after entering the UPS facility in Logan Township, Gloucester County, around 8:30 a.m. Police took the building by force. While the extent of his injuries was not immediately known, the state Attorney Generals Office later stated he had died. He did not surrender, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore said earlier Monday of the man He did not know how many shots were fired, or if the man fired back. Earlier on Monday, officials said the suspect was taken to a hospital, and his condition was not immediately known. Fiore said police received a call Monday morning for a potential active shooter situation. When authorities arrived, they found the man barricaded in the building holding two women, both UPS employees, hostage. It was not immediately known if the man also worked there. Shots were fired by the suspect earlier Monday, Fiore said. No one was hit, but it was not clear where the suspect was when those shots were fired, Fiore said. The attorney generals shooting response team is at the scene, prosecutors said. The building was evacuated and 32 employees from the UPS warehouse in an industrial park on Birchcreek Road were relocated in school buses to the nearby Holiday Inn. By 1 p.m., the workers were leaving the hotel. I heard one of my fellow employees say, Run, hes got a gun, then I heard the little pop of the gun I guess, and we all ran and law enforcement took over, employee Allen Anthony Dowling said. A woman who came to the Holiday Inn identified herself as the suspects niece and told reporters she was concerned for her uncle. Youve got to be there for your family members, said the niece, who asked not to be identified. Nobody in our family had seen this coming. It just came out of nowhere. My uncle has kids. Im hoping its going to be a good outcome as far as him staying alive. She said she had not received any information about injuries to her uncle. Hostage negotiators were in communication with the gunman during the standoff, Fiore said. Logan Townships schools were placed in a modified lockdown, according to the district website. UPS issued a statement earlier Monday saying, UPS is working with law enforcement as they respond to an active shooter situation at one of the companys supply chain processing facilities in Logan Township, New Jersey. We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time. An employee at a nearby Home Depot lumber warehouse in the industrial complex said workers are being kept inside the building. Were on lockdown," said the employee who declined to give her full name. "Were not even allowed near the windows. Police in Logan Township, Gloucester County have blocked off roads leading to the UPS warehouse where an active shooter has been reported. Police cars are stationed at Pedricktown and Center Square roads. (Amanda Hoover | For NJ.com) Staff writers Anthony G. Attrino, Jeff Goldman and Chris Franklin, and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. In most cases, weddings are a joyful celebration, after all what can be better than gathering for the sake of love. However, in some unfortunate situations, happy events have turned sour. It is a sad time for the friends and family members of a young man identified simply as Murphy who reportedly died a day to his wedding. The sad occurrence was reported by one Viviana Osakwe on Facebook. According to her, the groom-to-be passed on after completing his marriage introduction. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria Murphy with his bride-to-be Photo source: Viviana Osakwe/ Facebook Source: UGC READ ALSO: Nigerian man dies three weeks to his wedding (photos) Murphy with his bride-to-be Photo source: Viviana Osakwe/ Facebook Source: UGC What was supposed to be a happy day turned out to be a sad one seeing as the young man was buried on the date fixed for his wedding. The cause of his untimely death was not ascertained. Late Murphy Photo source: Viviana Osakwe/ Facebook Source: UGC READ ALSO: Young bride-to-be dies a day to her wedding in Bauchi Friends gather to mourn the late Murphy Photo source: Viviana Osakwe/ Facebook Source: UGC May his soul rest in peace. Meanwhile Legit.ng previously reported that popular Kogi-born M.C, Nathaniel Adejoh, passed on just eight months after getting married. A Facebook user identified as Agnes Jack shared the sad news on social media and revealed that he was a free spirit who wanted everyone around him to be happy. Sources claim that late Adejoh died after a battle with heart related ailment. His family and friends held a candle night to pay their last respects on December 28, 2018. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (formerly NAIJ.com) HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Medical Expert Speaks About High Rate of Maternal Death in Nigeria | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng News I said from Day One were going all the way through, and I need to see this all the way through, said Hadiyas father, Nathaniel Pendleton Sr. People like this need to be off the street, so Im happy right now. But its not over. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) Malacanang on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte was acting in self-defense in his tirades against the Catholic Church. "'Di ba ang sabi niya 'you are using the pulpit to attack me, hindi pupwede yung ginagawa niyo. So I'll be using my own office para sagutin ko kayo'," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing. "He's only defending himself from attacks. It's self-defense." "If you can unleash tirades against the President then be ready to receive some in return," Panelo added. He was asked about the flak the President has received for calling on street loiterers to steal from wealthy bishops and even kill them. READ: Duterte tells 'tambays' to rob, kill rich bishops Panelo reiterated saying things like this is the President's "style" and this particular statement was meant to criticize "rich" bishops who "are living in comfort (while) people are wallowing in poverty." Despite controversial statements against the Catholic Church in public speeches, Duterte remains open to a dialogue, Panelo said. "Anything that is beneficial to the nation palagi niyang gusto. Okay sa kanya lahat 'yun," he said. Duterte in July 2018 met with Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Romulo Valles in a one-on-one conversation, where the President vowed to stop his outbursts against God and the Church. This was supposed to be followed by Malacanang's dialogue with the CBCP, which has yet to happen. Duterte remains popular in surveys despite majority of Filipinos being Catholics. The Church has been one of the institutions critical of Duterte's controversial polices, including the bloody war on drugs, which has seen over 5,000 deaths in police operations. But even before Duterte assumed presidency, he, as Davao City Mayor and presidential aspirant, hogged headlines for supposedly cursing Pope Francis. This led to a meeting between him and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, where he imposed a P6,000 "fine" on himself for cussing. Three years after, Duterte still lets out expletives in public and attacks the Catholic Church. - EFCC has warned politicians across Nigeria to desist from vote buying in the forthcoming general elections - Tony Orilade, the commission's acting head of media and publicity, said that the agency would not tolerate any act of vote buying by the politicians - The anti-graft agency, however, urged Nigerians to vote for candidates of their choice with clear conscience The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it would not tolerate vote buying by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) during the forthcoming general elections. Legit.ng reports that the acting head, media and publicity of the commission, Tony Orilade, said this at an event tagged: Say No To Vote Buying in Abuja, on Monday, January 14. Orilade said it was becoming a trend that politicians buy votes from the electorate instead of going to campaign and sell their policies and programmes to them. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda It is a crime and should not be tolerated and the only way we can do that is to create awareness that there is danger in vote buying. When you sell your vote you have mortgaged your conscience for four years. You cant complain because you have sold it. Vote the person you believe in; vote the person you believe will protect and provide for the citizens, he said. Speaking at the event, Usen Asanga, the senior programme officer,Youth Alive Foundation, said campaign against all forms of corruption was everybodys business. Asanga described the spate of vote buying as alarming, saying it was a threat to Nigerias democracy. If we sell our votes, we do not have that moral standing to demand for accountability from our leaders. It is important that we vote with our conscience, to enable us have the moral standing to challenge our leaders when they go wrong, he said. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections. Earlier, the organiser, Olanrewaju Toriseju, popularly known as Ambassador Wahala, urged the youth to shun acts of thuggery before, during and after the elections. We are here to preach the gospel against vote buying through music and stage plays, he said. Toriseju, who is also a comedian and human rights activist, said the event was with the support of the anti-graft agency aimed at highlighting the ills of corruption in the country. (NAN) READ ALSO: PDP governorship aspirant in Gombe donates Marcopolo bus to president Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Garba Abari, the director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said that the agency had perfected plans to tackle void votes, vote buying and vote selling across the country to ensure a credible election. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Buhari, Atiku, Sowore, Ezekwesili? Who will win if election is held today? - on Legit TV Source: Legit - The re-election of President Buhari will strengthen democracy according to Alhaji Buhari Musa-Bizara - Alhaji Buhari Musa-Bizara is a vice chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Zaria local government area of Kaduna state - Musa-Bizara claimed the APC has credible candidates that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people Alhaji Buhari Musa-Bizara, vice chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) Zaria local government area of Kaduna state, says the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari will strengthen Nigerias future. Musa-Bizara made the remarks during the presentation of certificates to contractors awarded infrastructure projects in Gyallesu ward of Zaria Local Government. LIVE UPDATES: Hundreds of lawyers, journalists await CJN Onnoghen arrival at CCT (photos) The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that community leaders in each ward were mobilised by the local council to monitor the execution of the projects to ensure compliance to set standards. The APC vice chairman noted that though: Buharis victory is certain in the upcoming polls, there is still need for all party members to redouble efforts on house-to-house campaign to ensure landslide victory. According to him, the APC has credible candidates that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. He disclosed that political leaders in the area had made a commitment to reward any polling unit and ward in the local government that recorded highest votes for the APC. Musa-Bizara commended the contributions of the local council chairman and the chief of staff to the governor, Alhaji Bashir Saidu for their unwavering commitment to the party and its members, as well as general well being of the people. He particularly commended the state government over the prudent manner it handles public finances, saying it was what has now enabled local councils to execute projects with direct bearings on the people. This is completely different to what obtained in the past during the reign of PDP when local governments were struggling to pay salaries and completely unable to execute projects. Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai deserves commendation for giving the local governments free hand to carry out meaningful developmental projects for the benefit of the people. He called on the electorate to vote for all APC candidates across the state. Earlier, the Council Chairman, Zaria Local Government, Aliyu Idris-Ibrahim sought for support and cooperation of the electorate in the forthcoming general elections He said the projects being awarded were made possible by the foresight of El-Rufai, and called on the electorate to vote APC in the forthcoming elections. Th chairman told members of communities were the projects are cited, to monitor execution and report any lapses to relevant officials. Earlier, Abubakar Rilwanu, media aide to the chairman, said the projects were being executed in fulfillment of the chairmans campaign promises. Rilwanu said APC is the only party that would take Nigeria to the next level of development in view of the quality of its leaders who had displayed commitment to serve Nigeria diligently. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects include solar boreholes, bridges, drainage, blocks of classrooms and culverts, among others. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to decide on whether he would appear at the presidential debate scheduled for January 19 by the Nigeria Election Debate Group, the presidency has disclosed. The special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said on Thursday, January 3, that Buharis decision will be made public in due time. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. I married four wives, built houses under Buhari's regime - farmer boasts| Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria - President may not attend the January 19 presidential debate according to the All Progressives Congress - The party said the debate is one of the mediums through which presidential candidates engage the public on their programmes and Buhari may choose not to use the medium - However, Prince Tony Momoh, a former minister of information, urged President Buhari to attend There is nothing special about the presidential debate, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed on Sunday, January 14. The party said the its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, may choose not to attend if he feels there are other viable options with which he can engage Nigerians, Independent reports. According to the news outlet, the debate is one of the mediums through which presidential candidates engage the public on their programmes for the country if elected. LIVE UPDATES: Hundreds of lawyers, journalists await CJN Onnoghen arrival at CCT (photos) This was disclosed by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the partys national publicity secretary. What is special about presidential debate? Presidential debate is one of the several platforms for presidential candidates to engage with the public. As a party, we will look at all the options and pick the ones that we can accommodate and those that will be impactful and effective in achieving our goals. We will be the ones to determine that. If presidential debate happens to be one of that, fine. If it wasnt, then it is no big deal. There is nothing special about any debate. It is just one of the several platforms to engage the electorate, he said. Speaking on the issue of presidential debate, Prince Tony Momoh, a former minister of information,urged President Buhari to seize the opportunity to attend and brief Nigerians of his achievements and plans for the future. This is election period and all opportunity to explain what you have done must be taken advantage of. If for instance, the president is supposed to appear at the debate, I will advise he makes the difference by appearing. The one that was organised by NTA where the president and the vice president sat down to answer questions and then attend to issues that has to do with their tenure was very beautiful. That is different from debate where they ask you questions and ask you to respond within two minutes. Buhari is not afraid of presidential debate. He was present during the debate of 2003 which he attended alongside the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, but the then President Olusegun Obasanjo did not show up. In all these debates held in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015, I doubt if any sitting president showed up. Goodluck Jonathan did not show up in 2011 and 2015, Obasanjo also did not show up. Buhari, however, has shown up in all the debates. I do not think the president should also do what has happened in the past where the incumbent president and the VP didnt show up, he said. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to decide on whether he would appear at the presidential debate scheduled for January 19 by the Nigeria Election Debate Group, the presidency disclosed. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said on Thursday, January 3, that Buharis decision will be made public in due time. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. I married four wives, built houses under Buhari's regime - farmer boasts| Legit TV. Source: Legit - Victor Oye, national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, has preached that Nigerians be committed to peaceful elections - He said that election was a process in a democracy where the electorate had the opportunity to freely choose a leader they want - The APGA chairman also reminded Nigerians that their votes were their power and urged them to use it wisely Victor Oye, the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has said that Nigerians irrespective of political, religious or regional divides must be committed to ensuring peaceful elections. Oye made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday, January 14. He said that election was a process in a democracy where the electorate had the opportunity to freely choose a leader they want and not a time for morbid quest for power. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He decried the heightening desperation among the political class and their supporters across the country, adding that it was as if the country was going to war. The APGA chairman, who said his party and its candidates for the various elective positions had been busy campaigning, urged the electorate to be discerning in making their choice. He said: I dont know why people are overheating the polity; they should focus on their campaigns and not fanning the embers of hate among Nigerians. APGA is saying that everybody, politician, the masses; the clergy should be united in support of free, fair peaceful election as opposed to violence and bloodletting. Elections come every four years in our clime, therefore, Nigerians must have unfettered liberty to choose their leaders in order to keep our country united and unbroken after the elections. We should be ready to allow the wish of the majority of the masses to prevail and if you are not chosen, you wait for another time, it should not be a do-or-die affair." Oye said that General John Gbor, APGA presidential candidate, remains the best choice for Nigeria and called on all to massively vote for him and all APGA candidates. He reminded Nigerians that their votes were their power and urged them to use it wisely. The APGA chieftain added: People should endeavour to be at the location where they registered as voters so that they can vote on the election days; they should also collect their PVCs. They should vote wisely, it will be foolish for anybody to sell his or her vote for any amount, they should vote for good leadership. That is why they should vote for APGA, because APGA stands for good governance. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that APGA had condemned alleged attempts by some politicians in Anambra state to bribe traditional rulers with car gifts instead of giving account of their stewardships and their manifestoes. Arinze Awogu, the campaign coordinator of the party in the council, on Saturday, January 12, when addressing a political group, Ogbaru 16-OVA-16 Facilitators, in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra state, called on the traditional rulers in the area to reject car gifts from politicians. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Agbor Man Lists President Buhari's Achievements - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - David Mark has refused to appear before the Presidential investigation panel - The former Senate president is accused of owning properties offshore and was invited for questioning - However, Mark has challenged the legality of the panel in court Former Senate president, David Mark, has challenged the legality of the investigation done by the federal governments Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) against him. The Punch reports that Mark filed a suit to challenge the legality of the panel. The former Senate president reportedly backtracked on his promise to appear before the SPIPRPP over allegation that he owns some offshore companies. READ ALSO: Just in: Panic in Borno as Boko Haram attacks Magumeri Sources said the former Senate President was invited for questioning by the SPIPRPP in respect of 20 companies in British Virgin Island and other tax havens. This investigation was reportedly carried out by the national intelligence agency in collaboration with the SPIPRPP after a revelation in Panama Papers allegedly linking Mark and other top Nigerians and political leaders around the world to some companies and other assets held offshore. The former Senate president was first invited to appear before the Panel in December, 2018 but in a letter through his lawyer, Ken Ikonne, Mark pleaded for it to be postponed citing health reasons. Recall that Mark is being probed by the panel over the alleged ownership of some offshore companies. Investigation was prompted by the revelation in Panama Papers which allegedly linked Mark and some other political leaders around the world to some companies and other assets held offshore. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: A letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda A source said the former Senate president had been invited for questioning in respect of his alleged ownership 20 companies in British Virgin Island and other tax havens. Reports have emerged that Mark was originally invited to appear before the panel for questioning on December 11, 2018, but the former Senate president was said to have sent a letter through his lawyers to the panel pleading for the rescheduling of the questioning to December 21, 2018. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! The EFCC stage a walk against corruption | Legit TV Source: Legit Love is beautiful and the journey to becoming one with whom one loves is even more amazing. Nigerian man, Elvis Iwuji, had the internet praying for such a beautiful romance as his when he asked his gorgeous girlfriend to marry him while on a flight from Owerri to Lagos. The romantic man had planned the surprise before take off on an Airpeace flight and popped the question while they were thousands of feet in the air. The pretty lady said yes and the two got officially engaged in 2017. After being together for two years, they decided it was time to tie the knot officially and journey to their hometown to receive blessings from their parents. The couple dazzled in lovely native attires and represented their culture and traditional as they exchanged vows and became husband and wife in the presence of family and friends. READ ALSO: Chioma allegedly calls Davido an idiot for lying to fans over their breakup The adorable wedding photos were shared with Legit.ng and anyone can tell love and trust rule the heart-warming relationship Iwuji and his wife have built over the years. Here are the photos below: Elvis Iwuji and his bride got engaged on a flight in 2017 (Picture/Facebook) Source: Facebook Elvis and his sweetheart tie the knot in beautiful traditional wedding ceremony (Picture/Facebook) Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Genevieve Nnaji thanks Kerry Washington as she congratulates her on Lion Heart Couple exchange vows in the presence of family and friends (Picture/Facebook) Source: Facebook Congratulations to the couple. Meanwhile, a pretty young lady recently took to her Twitter handle to reveal why she rejected her boyfriends marriage proposal. According to her, she turned down the proposal because of the size of his manhood. Did you know? NAIJ.com (naija.ng) is now-> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Top-4 Nigerian Celebrities and Politician Weddings on Legit TV: Source: Legit Newspaper - The chief of air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has officially commissioned a 18X2 bedroom accommodation for the force officers in Jos - The NAF boss charged officers of the Nigerian Air Force to remain focused and professional in their duties of protecting Nigerias territorial integrity - He also stated that the housing project was geared towards enhancing the welfare of personnel to enable them focus on their tasks The chief of air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has officially commissioned 18 x 2 bedroom accommodation built for the force officers at the 551 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) station, which is situated in Jos, Plateau state. In a statement made available on its Facebook page, the force director of public relation and information, Ibikunle Daramola, said Abubakar, commissioning the project, also charged officers of the Nigerian Air Force to remain focused and professional in performing their duties of protecting Nigerias territorial integrity. Stating the reason for the project, the NAF boss said the 18 x 2 bedroom accommodation was a move geared towards enhancing the welfare of the force personnel to enable them focus on their tasks while spurring them to do more in adding value to the service. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Abubakar also enjoined the beneficiaries of the new housing unit to make the best use of the facility and ensure that the structure was properly maintained. The NAF boss also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his endless support for the force towards its efforts to curb the festering menace of the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast part of the country. He noted that these successes recorded so far would not have been possible without the resolute support of the president. He said: We are indeed grateful to the government for this support and promise to continue to sustain our efforts towards enhancing a strong and prosperous nation. See post on Facebook: PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian Air Force said the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Diran Mikiya successfully neutralised an armed bandits hideout at a compound West of Tsamari in Birnin Magaji local government area of Zamfara. Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF director of public relations and information, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, December 30, in Abuja. He explained that the attack was conducted at dawn on December 28, following intelligence reports indicating that a compound was being used by the armed bandits as a camp from where they launched attacks on innocent civilians. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. Nigerian Air Force vows to apprehend Badeh's killers | Legit TV Source: Legit Newspaper - Some thugs reportedly attacked the family residence of Senator Bukola Saraki - 11 people were injured while 50 vehicles were destroyed - Saraki urged the people to be calm and not engage in reprisal attack The family residence of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, in the Agbaji area of Ilorin has been attacked by hoodlums leaving 11 people injured. The Punch reports that the attack took place on Sunday, January 13, as the hoodlums damaged 50 vehicles. It was also reported that Solagberu and Aliagan mosques were damaged as a result of the attack. Alhaji Olanrewaju Yusuf who is the president of Agbaji Development Association claimed the armed thugs shot into the air when they arrived. He said a seven-year-old boy died as a result of the attack which he claimed was carried out by members of an opposition party. READ ALSO: Just in: Panic in Borno as Boko Haram attacks Magumeri Yusuf said: We learnt that a boy in Ode Alausa, just opposite this house (Sarakis homestead), who was hit by a bullet has died. His name is Abubakare. The thugs came around 11.30am and shot into the air. In fact, they were provided cover by the police. At least 11 people sustained injuries from bullets, while about 50 cars including that of Imam Aliagan were destroyed. The thugs also stole four motorcycles, money and jewelry from shops deserted by their owners. The director general of the Peoples Democratic Party campaign council in the state, Professor Suleiman Abubakar, claimed the violence was perpetrated by the All Progressives Congress leaders so as to instill fears in residents ahead of the elections. Saraki hurriedly returned to Ilorin from Erin-Ile in the Oyun local government area of Kwara state where he had gone to address a political rally. The Senate president who visited Agbaji quarters, urged his people to remain calm and advised them not to carry out reprisal attacks. He also visited the General Hospital, Ilorin, to sympathise with the victims of the attacks. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has accused Saraki of misinforming the public with his claims that suspected thugs working for the APC invaded his family compound in Kwara with the help of some policemen and destroyed a lot of things. The allegation was denied in a statement by the police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in which the police said Saraki had not lodged complaint to the Force as of the time he held the press conference where the allegations were made, The Cable reports. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Here's what Saraki and Tambuwal's defection means for the APC - on Legit TV Source: Legit - The Nigeria Police Force has moved Senator Dino Melaye to SARS headquarters - Melaye was moved to SARS facility after he refused to be admitted at the DSS hospital - The police said Melaye will be arraigned within the next 14 days Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West senatorial district, has been moved from the Department of State Security (DSS) Hospital to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Headquarters at Guzape in Abuja. The police moved Melaye to the DSS hospital on Friday, January 11, for further medical examination but the senator allegedly refused to be admitted into the DSS facility and spent two nights outside the hospital. The Nation reports that the Police yesterday decided to relocate him to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Headquarters after the senator refused to be admitted into the DSS facility. READ ALSO: Alleged $5m bribe: Court approves suit seeking to arrest Ganduje's wife Police spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, who spoke on the relocation said: The police medical team at our facility examined him and concluded that he was okay to stand trial, but he insisted that he was not okay. He was later taken from DSS Hospital on Friday but he refused to enter. He preferred to sleep outside. His insistence to sleep outside showed that he is healthy. So, he has been taken to detention at IRT Office and we have 14 days warrant. He will be taken to court within the 14 days period. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to intimidate those it sees as enemies in the National Assembly. Saraki also alleged that the ordeal of Senator Dino Melaye was one of the attempts to silence both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other lawmakers in the National Assembly. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Saraki is key to Atiku winning in 2019 - Primate Ayodele| Legit TV Source: Legit A fresh attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents have been launched on a community in Borno state. The number of casualties is yet unknown as gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram extremist group attacked a community in Magumeri, a local government headquarters in Borno state. Premium Times reports that the insurgents attacked the community around 6pm Sunday, January 13. READ ALSO: IGP not after Saraki's life - Police The details of the attack are still sketchy as at the time of filling this report but this isn't the first attack launched on the community by the Boko Haram insurgents. The community was first attacked on November 25, 2017, during which three soldiers were killed while six others got injured. The Nigerian Army had then blamed the November 2017 attack on the collusion of the residents with the insurgents; an allegation that was rebuffed by leaders of the community. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that troops of the Nigerian Army, in the afternoon of Sunday, January 13, successfully detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by members of the Boko Haram insurgent groups in the Konduga area of Borno state. A short statement by the Nigerian Army accompanying the photographs of the process by the soldiers, said the success was achieved at about 1pm. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: We have updated to serve you better! Exclusive: Freed Dapchi Girl Recounts Her Ordeal with Boko Haram (Nigeria Breaking News) - on Legit TV: Source: Legit.ng During the hearing, Assistant States Attorney Erin Antonietti described how the DePaul student used an app to arrange a meeting with Gilmore and have sex with her in exchange for money. The student used Uber to reach the 4200 block of West Wilcox St., where he met Gilmore on the street and was directed to an abandoned home, Antonietti said. - The Middle Belt Forum has adopted a presidential candidate ahead of the 2019 presidential election - The influential forum has settled for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim - In reaction, Olawepo-Hashim said he was a candidate with capacity to unite Nigeria and bring prosperity to the land The Middle Belt Forum has adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its choice for the February 16 presidential election. Leaders of the Forum, at a meeting in Abuja recently ratified the choice of Olawepo-Hashim, bringing to an end a process that started six months ago. Leader of the forum and former military governor of Plateau state, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd), who announced their choice, said that the choice of Olawepo Hashim has been ratified. Legit.ng gathered that the forum is spread in 12 out of 19 northern states, a new development could alter the calculations ahead of the 2019 presidential election. PAY ATTENTION: Access your favourite news site Legit.ng instantly in 3 simple steps According to Suleiman, the journey for the ratification of a common Middle Belt candidate started when southern leaders asked them to produce a common candidate that would be supported for the presidency by both regions. He said that the forum identified many aspirants from the Middle Belt and later shortlisted three of them who met with the leaders at the home of the former governor of Kwara state, Chief Cornelius Adebayo in Lagos. He said that the forum had assured the three shortlisted candidates that a final choice would be made and that all of them must be ready to work together. He also stated that the Middle Belt would continue to network with southern leaders on the adoption of the common candidate. What we are doing here today is to tell you that the Middle Belt has completed the exercise and we have settled for a candidate and that candidate is you (Olawepo-Hashim), the retired Air Force Officer and former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) said. READ ALSO: Division in PDP as Ekeremadu reportedly stays away from Atikus campaign Olawepo-Hashim, who expressed gratitude to leaders and members of the Middle Belt Forum for the adoption, said that he was a candidate with capacity to unite Nigeria and bring prosperity to the land. He said that his adoption was not just because he hailed from the Middle Belt, but more of a recognition of his capacity to keep the country safe and united, a role, he said the Middle Belt has always played. He said that the Middle Belt has remained the mainstay of Nigerian unity, adding that Middle Belters fought in the frontlines as soldiers, policemen and forces that keep the country united. Olawepo-Hashim said: That Nigeria is still standing as one today is due to the sacrifices of all of you. Most of you were not just soldiers in mouth, you also led in the battle field to keep Nigeria one. The forces that fought either as Air Force officers, or as combatant soldiers and Police officers are all from Middle belt. Today, the country is facing an existential threat. Eleven out of 19 Northern states are today ravaged by cross border banditry and all manners of criminality. The south is threatened by kidnappers, armed robbers, you can hardly travel from Port Harcourt to Lagos on road without major incidents. So the country is facing existential threat. The next election is not just about choosing a president, it is a battle for the soul of Nigeria. He promised to address the imbalance in state creations in the country and form a National Guard to enhance security if elected president. Other leaders of the Middle Belt present at the brief gathering included the president of Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, former governor of Kwara state, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, former military governor of Rivers state, Major General Zamani Lekwot (rtd), former deputy governor of Niger state, Nuhu Zagbayi, retired DIG Porter Dabup and members of the executive committee of the forum. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Olawepo-Hashim recently called on politicians to rise above partisan fray in their reactions to the recent killings of Nigeria troops in the northeast region. Instead of politicizing the sad event, Olawepo-Hashim, rather called for a cross-party, consensual approach in dealing with the national scourge, according to a statement signed by his spokesman, Hassan Ibrahim. He stressed that it was time politicians desist from matters that could affect national security. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We keep evolving to serve our readers better. We are honestly tired of Buhari and Atiku | Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria If you want any trip or vacation to run perfectly, you need to choose a means of transportation in advance. In the 21st century, the most popular transport is air. Many Nigerians prefer to travel by air. Do you know how many international airports there are in Nigeria? Picture from bizwatchnigeria.ng International airports in Nigeria The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) manages five functioning international airports throughout the country. 1. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Brief information: Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos is one of the busiest airports in Nigeria. There are two terminals in the airport, namely the International and Cargo terminals. The international terminal works around the clock every day, and the national terminal works only 16 hours per day. Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos is one of the busiest airports in Nigeria. There are two terminals in the airport, namely the International and Cargo terminals. The international terminal works around the clock every day, and the national terminal works only 16 hours per day. Official website: https://www.lagos-airport.com/ Since 1970, the buildings of the terminals were renovated many times. But the most significant renovation was in 2013 what was concerned with the start of the Remodelling/Rehabilitation Programme for the airport across the whole of Nigeria. Thanks to this programme, the airport got the most apparent change, that was the sizeable expanding of the lounge area new passenger handling conveyor systems that now were capable of handling more than one thousand customers per hour. Annually, Muhammed Murtala International airport serves about 5 and 3 million passengers through international and national terminals respectively.s just the Lagos International Airport. The airport's name was changed to the contemporary one in honor of General Murtala Muhammed, who governed Nigeria in 1975-1976. Photo from faan.gov.ng READ ALSO: List of international airports in Nigeria and their locations 2. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Brief information: NAIA was instituted in the early 2000 and launched in 2002. This is the airport located in the federal capital of Nigeria, the city of Abuja. NAIA was instituted in the early 2000 and launched in 2002. This is the airport located in the federal capital of Nigeria, the city of Abuja. Official website: https://abuja.airport-authority.com/ The airport was named in honor of Dr. Nnandi Azikiwe, a leading nationalist and one of Nigeria's establishers. When it comes to official visits of authorities representatives and family vacations, NAIA is the place of their final destination to meet Nigeria for the first time. There are two terminals in the airport. There is also a design to open the second runway at the airport so that it will overcome the substantial air traffic on the only existing runway. Today, the NAIA serves more than three million tourists annually. Picture from newsaero.info 3. Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Brief information: The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport was renovated and approved on the 15th of March, in 2015 by HRH, Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido. MAKIA's place of location is an old city of Kano, which is in the North part of Nigeria. The airport was named in honor of an outstanding Nigerian politician, who was born in Kano, Mallam Aminu Kano, who was a nationalist, statesman, and resolute opponent of the poverty in Nigeria MAKIA is among the Nigerian international airports that were built long ago. In addition, it is an important transition spot for the annual flights of Muslims from Haji to Mecca. Source of photo: thewillnigeria.com 4. Port Harcourt International Airport Brief information: The Port Harcourt International Airport is considered to be the best solution for traveling to any spot of the world from Nigeria. It is especially convenient when it comes to flying to western countries. The Port Harcourt International Airport contributes a lot to the financial and economic aspects of Nigeria. And this is due to its advantageous location in Port Harcourt, which is the heart of Nigerias oil and gas enterprise. The Port Harcourt International Airport provides straightforward air connections between the country and essential points across the planet, particularly to and from the Western part of the world. Today, renovations are going in the old terminal of the airport. Anyway, it does not hinder the terminal from being active and serving passengers. Picture from multimedia.nan.ng 5. Akanu Ibiam International Airport Brief information: Akanu Ibiam International Airport is one of the five Nigerian international airports. It is administered by FAAN, upon the recommendation of the Federal Government. The location of Akanu Ibiam International Airport is the city of Enugu, best known for its coal industry, that alludes to the past times when it was the core of a successful coal mining industry. Consequently, AIIA is strategically located in Enugu to serve this part of the country. The airport has been established in Enugu city with the strategical precision in order to achieve particular purposes and to get the most profit of it. Photo from thebreakingtimes.com/wp-content Now you the answer to the question -how many international airports does Nigeria have? You can find more information on FAAN website. READ ALSO: Airports in Nigeria - What are they? Source: Legit.ng - Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the attempted military takeover in Gabon - The president called for respect for constitutional provisions in Gabon - President Buhari urged military officers with political ambitions to resign or face their constitutional role President Muhammadu Buhari has called for respect for constitutional provisions in Gabon, the oil-rich Central African nation. The president, in a statement issued by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, January 8, said the call had become necessary following reports of attempted military takeover in that country. The military officers in Gabon should understand that the era of military coups and governments in Africa and indeed worldwide, is long gone. READ ALSO: Buhari warns Nigerians against electing governors who refused to pay salaries Democracy is supreme and the constitutional stipulations on the peaceful change of administration must be respected. That is the only way we can ensure peace and stability not only within the country but also in the region, the Nigerian leader said. President Buhari, who is also the ECOWAS chairman, urged military officers with political ambitions to resign or face their constitutional role. He also enjoined the people of Gabon to remain on the side of peace, security, stability and democracy in their country. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app In a previous report by Legit.ng, a Gabonese government spokesmen stated that the political situation in Gabon is "under control", following an attempted military coup. According to BBC, authorities have arrested all five of the rebels who tried to take control of the government on Monday morning, January 7, as President Ali Bongo recovered from a stroke in Morocco. Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon said a New Years eve address by Bongo reinforced doubts about the presidents ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office." NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: We have updated to serve you better! How to be an African president - on Legit TV: Source: Legit Justice AK Sikri, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, has turned down a post-retirement posting offered to him by the government nearly a month ago. Reports on Sunday claimed that he has written to the Law Ministry, formally conveying his decision of turning down the part-time assignment. The Centre, in the last month, had approached Justice Sikri to serve as a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT) after he retires on March 6, 2019. The annual report of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), tabled earlier this month, stated that the agency has been asked by the government to develop roadways in frontier parts to ensure quick mobilisation of troops. The government has asked for the construction of 44 "strategically important" roads along the Line of Actual Control with China, the CPWD documents showed. At least 10 sailors, including 8 Indian nationals, have been stranded on a vessel off the coast in UAE for the last 33 months. Their passports and seamen books have been confiscated by the authorities at Sharjah anchorage, whereas, the ship has been abandoned by the Abu Dhabi-based firm which owns it -- as it has run into losses. Stay updated with LatestLY for latest news across the globe. New Delhi, January 14: In a shocking bizarre case of road rage, a foreign national bit off a part of a man's cheek in Delhi in anger on being called out for brushing past him. The incident happened in the outskirts of Delhi in Nihal Vihar. According to reports, the accused has been identified as Ba Ousseynou, a Senegal national, and has been taken into custody. 50-yr-old Killed in Road Rage Shooting in Delhi. Ousseynou reportedly brushed past a man while he was driving a scooty. When the man asked him to drive slow, he bit the man's cheek in rage. He has now been booked for causing hurt by dangerous means. He has also been charged under the Foreigners Act after it was found that his visa had expired. Shocker: Senegal National Bites Off Man's Cheek I told the man to drive slowly, but he grabbed my collar. I also grabbed his collar after which he chewed off a part of my cheek," said Jitender, the victim, as quoted by TOI. Jitender was rushed to the hospital from the spot where doctors advised him a cheek surgery to sew the wound. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2019 01:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). With the new law and ACLU agreement, officers went from documenting their stops on so-called contact cards about the size of small notecards to a 1-page document that includes dozens of boxes to check and space to give a detailed justification for the stop. At the time of the change in early 2016, the Chicago Tribune reported that officers complained about how much longer the paperwork took to fill out, keeping them from their street duties. All the questions on the new forms also increased their anxiety about being second-guessed on whom they stopped and whether the stops were legally justified. As a result, the number of street stops plummeted. Rome, January 14 - Rome mayor Virginia Raggi said Sunday that she would personally oversee the management of coins thrown by tourists and Rome residents into the Trevi Fountain after confusion over whether Catholic charity Caritas would continue to benefit. The coins are thrown for luck as part of a longstanding tradition and total about 1 to 1.5 million euros per year. The Rome mayor said that on Monday she would call a meeting to clarify the new administrative system that will be in place starting in April for Caritas to directly manage the coins. Raggi said that she was confident a solution would be found to protect the activities carried out by Caritas in recent years. The mayor has in previous years taken part in Christmas celebrations held by the charity. In October 2017 the Rome town council decided to 'internalize' the management of the coins to allocate them to charity initiatives. The town council then decided to extend the current system for all of 2018 in order to work out the details of the new system, which however has not yet been done. A recent note by the town council has however indicated Italian utility giant ACEA as "the party to task with" the collection of the coins and envisaged that "the revenue from the collection will mostly go towards, after subtracting the amount necessary to cover the contractual expenses of ACEA, financing social projects and the remaining part to maintenance of cultural heritage". The choice led to polemics, with Democratic Party (PD) politician Stefano Pedica calling for the "mayor to change her decision on taking the Fonta di Trevi coins away from Caritas. Every day we should be thanking the over 5,000 volunteers and 300 workers involving in helping the neediest. Caritas's work should be rewarded and not defunded. I hope that, given her decision to handle the situation directly, Raggi will be giving us good news." The Rome branch of the La Caritas Diocesana used social media networks to thank all the "journalists, politicians, priests and citizens" who had called for the money to remain with it to manage, saying that it would in any case continue with its "commitment to justice and dignity for those suffering". Raggi said on Monday that "Caritas and all the thousands of people it helps can rest assured. I personally guarantee that this administration will never take away its contribution. On the issue of the coins, I confirm that they will continue to go to the charity. No one ever considered taking them away." Bergamo, January 14 - League Senator Roberto Calderoli was found guilty by a court in the northern city of Bergamo of calling former integration minister Cecile Kyenge an orangutan in 2013. Kyenge, a doctor by profession with Congolese roots, became Italy's first black minister when she was served in ex-premier Enrico Letta's government in 2013 and 2014. The court ruled that racism was an aggravating factor and sentenced Calderoli to a 18-month jail term at the end of the first-instance trial. Rulings in Italy are not considered definitive until the appeals process had been exhausted and prison terms of under two years are usually suspended. Kyenge did not stand as a civil plaintiff in the trial and will not get damages. Rome, January 14 - An Italian government Falcon 900 aircraft carrying former leftwing terrorist Cesare Battisti landed at Rome Ciampino airport on Monday. The 64-year-old was arrested in Bolivia at the weekend after around 38 years as a fugitive of Italian justice. He is set to serve a life sentence for four murders committed in Italy's 'years of lead' of political violence in the 1970s and 1980s. Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede said Battisti will be taken to a high-security jail at Oristano, in Sardinia, and will be held in isolation, at least initially. Prosecutors said Battisti will serve the whole term and will not be eligible for time off his sentence for good behaviour or any other forms of leniency or benefits. "It's a great result that was due, not just in abstract terms so that justice is done, but also because we owed it to the families of the victims," Premier Giuseppe Conte told a press conference. Battisti, a former member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism (PAC), had recently fled from Brazil, where he had lived openly for many years and and been granted asylum, anticipating an order for his arrest by a Brazilian judge. New Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had promised to have Battisti extradited. "I reiterated our enormous thanks in the name of 60 million Italians for having made it possible to close the Battisti case in a positive way," Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said. "We made a commitment to meet soon in Brazil or in Italy to reinforce relations between our peoples and our governments and strengthen our personal friendship". Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial and was convicted in absentia in 1990. After initially fleeing to Mexico, he moved to France, where he became a successful writer of crime novels. Battisti fled from France to the end of the Mitterrand doctrine which gave sanctuary to fugitive leftist guerrillas. Milan prosecutors have opened a probe into the network that helped Battisti while he was a fugitive. Rome, January 14 - Interior Minister Matteo Salvini called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday to thank him for supporting the capture and return to Italy of former leftwing terrorist Cesare Battisti. "I reiterated our enormous thanks in the name of 60 million Italians for having made it possible to close the Battisti case in a positive way," Salvini said. "We made a commitment to meet soon in Brazil or in Italy to reinforce relations between our peoples and our governments and strengthen our personal friendship". Interior ministry officials said the call was "long, cordial and constructive". While the allegations have a familiar ring, the details in the complaint hinted that it could be the tip of the iceberg for Burke. According to the complaint, the FBI had won a judges approval to wiretap Burkes cellphone and was already recording his calls before the alleged shakedown at the center of the charge began to unfold in May 2017. Rome, January 14 - Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede on Monday hailed the return of former leftwing terrorist Cesare Battisti to Italy after 38 years. "I like to say this is s result for the whole country, a historic result," Bonafede said at Rome's Ciampino shortly after Battisti landed there. "When the Italian institutions are united, nothing can stop us. Today Italy has its head held high. We are talking about a multiple killer who sullied himself with very serious crimes and offended the country with his escape. Justice will be done when he enters prison and serves his life sentence". Rome, January 14 - The Italian government's Falcon 900 aircraft carrying former leftwing terrorist Cesare Battisti landed at Rome Ciampino airport on Monday. The 64-year-old was arrested in Bolivia at the weekend after 38-years as a fugitive of Italian justice. He is set to serve a life sentence for four murders committed in Italy's 'years of lead' of political violence in the 1970s and 1980s. Battisti, a former member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism (PAC), had recently fled from Brazil, where he had lived openly for many years and and been granted asylum, anticipating an order for his arrest by a Brazilian judge. New Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had promised to have Battisti extradited. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial and was convicted in absentia in 1990. After he initially fleeing to Mexico, he moved to France, where he become a successful writer of crime novels. Battisti fled from France to the end of the Mitterrand doctrine which gave sanctuary to fugitive leftist guerrillas. President Donald Trump wants $5.7 billion to build a wall on the border with Mexico, and he has threatened to keep the government shut down until he gets it. Democrats say the wall would be a poor use of federal money, and talks to reopen the government have so far failed. Many public opponents of pornography have come out against the distribution of pornography on the Internet, a worldwide computer network. Examples include Sen. Jim Exon's (D-Neb.) proposals to regulate and censor traffic on the information superhighway. But, such regulatory policies will not achieve their stated goal. Instead, an unregulated Internet is a powerful anti-pornographic tool. An effective anti-pornography policy would do two things: permits free trade on the Internet and denies the copyright protection of pornographers. The marketplace will do the rest. In response to such a policy, the production of pornography will drop off quickly. The "consumption" or use of pornography will soon follow. The Internet provides for the extremely cheap reproduction and distribution of "information" in the form of words, graphical images, or movies. An image can be scanned into a computer in a matter of minutes. Once in digital format, that image can be copied thousands of times and distributed through the Internet to thousands of users. Because graphical pornography requires no instruction manual or translation from one language to another, the end users end up with a final product that costs no more than a penny per user. Because, in the absence of copyright protection and government regulation of the Internet, Internet consumers of pornography will quickly obtain pornography at essentially no charge and traditional means of obtaining pornography, such as the purchase of magazines or video tapes, will become unattractive. As more and more consumers of pornography obtain access to the information superhighway, the profits of producers of traditional pornographic media will dry up. And these producers will not have much success collecting revenues on the Internet if they are denied copyright protection. Thus, once access to the information superhighway is as common as the ownership of a telephone or television, we can expect little or no new pornography. We will then see the consumption of pornography fall. One may argue that, unlike other industries, the pornography industry is insensitive to profits. It is certainly true that some people would produce porn regardless of the profit level, but is this any more true than the claim that some people would still become lawyers or that some people would still create inventions even if there were no financial gain? Production in any market is largely, although not solely, motivated by profits. And pornography profits, as estimated by porn opponent Catharine MacKinnon in her book "Only Words," are in the billions of dollars per year. Taxpayers will like this policy because it stipulates that the government fail to do things. The government should fail to monitor and regulate the Internet; it should fail to prosecute pirates. As a result, the policy will fail to cost the taxpayers much money. During the initial phase of this policy, the use of pornography will be high while the making or production of pornography, in terms of the number of women and children "employed," will fall. Because much of the opposition to pornography has to do with the "employment" or "exploitation" of these women and children, even this initial transition will be seen as desirable. Some porn opponents, including Catharine MacKinnon, have objected to the consumption or use as well as the production of porn. For these others, the desirability of the proposed policy will depend on their willingness to trade high levels of current porn consumption for low future levels. It is tempting to, in the transitional phase, try to regulate to trade of old porn and promise not to regulate the new porn so as to have the best of both worlds--low current consumption and low future consumption. However, today's new porn is tomorrow's old porn so future governments will probably succumb to the same temptation, thereby rendering incredible our current promise not to regulate. It is therefore wise to mirror our copyright and patent policies--which are intended to encourage the production of "goods"--by consistently encouraging the pirating and unauthorized distribution of "bads," such as pornography. Our government extends copyright protection to WordPerfect, Microsoft and other software companies so that piracy does not erode their profits to the point where little or no new software is produced. Does it not make sense for an opponent of porn to refrain from protecting pornographers from pirates? Censorship of the Internet will serve as a protection of pornographers from piracy. A consideration of the relevant market forces reveals that censorship on the Internet is a pro-porn policy. As a medium that facilitates pirating, an unregulated and uncensored Internet will produce for our granddaughters a world that is relatively free of pornography. As Foti began working her way through the documents, she found troubling hints that there was more to her grandfathers story than the heroic legend she was raised on. Because of Noreikas fame, Foti felt like a princess as a child in Chicagos Lithuanian community, the largest outside the homeland. But eventually she uncovered a pamphlet her grandfather wrote in 1933. It was filled with rants against the Jews as economic exploiters of Lithuania and urged: We wont buy any products from Jews! The Travel Channel is premiering a new show called Lost Gold, where they seek out America's most fabled missing treasures. Peter Netzel of Billings worked as production consult on an episode of Lost Gold filmed on the Big Horn River near Hardin. Netzel is an avid Montana historian. He and his wife have written a series of books called "Lost Treasures of Montana," totaling over 2,900 pages. One of those stories tells the tale of Captain Marsh and the Far West steamboat. The story says the Far West came from Bozeman carrying gold, but was diverted to pick up the wounded from the Battle of The Little Bighorn. To reduce the boat's weight, it's said Captain Marsh buried the gold offshore. Netzel posted on Facebook this story along with a map of the believed location of the treasure. That's when he received a message. Netzel says, "Where did you get that info, and I said years of research. And so they said well we're with the Travel Channel and would you be willing to be an on site consultant for our filming? And I waited for about two days because I thought they were pulling my leg, because you know these things don't normally happen." Netzel met with Travel Channel's "Lost Gold" producers and hosts at Stella's downtown for breakfast back in May. Then, he led them to the possible treasure site on the Bighorn River. "We had our books out less than two years and then to land a Travel Channel episode, well that's doing pretty good," Netzel joked. He said the site is near the General Custard Fishing Access Site just North of Hardin. Netzel explains he believes that is the site because General Marsh's journal describes a gold ridge northwest of the island where the steamboat stopped. Netzel said he doesn't know what the show found at the site, but the experience alone is one that will stick with him. "I do like watching lost treasure things on TV but after being in one I would say I hope I'm never in another one. There was a lot of stress leading up to it, there's a lot of stress in this thing," Netzel said. Peter Netzel told KULR-8 he wasn't paid for his work on the show, and actually had to take a day off from work to film. He joked that he did at least get a free breakfast. The first episode of "Lost Gold" premieres on January 14th on the Travel Channel. The "Missing Gold of The Little Bighorn" episode featuring Netzel will premiere on February 4th. Denise Smith with the Montana Rescue Mission said MRM will be getting rid of military discounts. On top of that, they will be providing senior discounts one day out of the week from now on. Smith said Montana Rescue Mission evaluated the discounts and the reality of it is that those discounts translate into lost revenue for the organization in serving the hungry and homeless of Billings. She said the number one purpose of having the bargain centers is for financial support to run the shelters, the meal program, and to provide all the different programs MRM offers. She also said taking away military discounts does not mean they don't support those in the military. In contrary, they serve the military and veterans every single day. "If we can take that revenue from the store and provide them with shelter, with counseling to overcome their PTSD or whatever the case may be and serving those veterans who we love and adore, it's going to be more affective for us to do that within the shelter," Smith said. As for those senior discounts, MRM is doing what they did in the past and provide senior discounts on Wednesdays. Smith said they're hoping this can make it easier for seniors who live in senior living. Jan. 16: Calusinski, then 22 and said by her lawyers to have low IQ, undergoes 10 hours of questioning from investigators. She suggests she might have accidentally hurt Benjamin but eventually answers yeah when an detective describes her throwing him to the floor. She is charged with first-degree murder and held in the Lake County jail. Calusinski and her lawyers later insist the confession was coerced and that she believed the questioning would not stop until she gave it. But Judge Daniel Shanes allows the statements to be entered as evidence at her trial. Trump managed to get some voters to believe that he could be a master negotiator in Washington, working with Democrats and Republicans. It didnt take long for him to figure out that hed have to choose sides. Naturally, he chose the party that put him into office, and the arrangement has been mutually beneficial. On the Go with Joe at NOLA Doughnuts Steve Garbacz is editor of The News Sun. If you never have before, attend a sentencing hearing or two in your local criminal court. Youll hopefully almost immediately have a greater understanding of how the legal system actually works. Email him at sgarbacz@kpcmedia.com. Clearly not my best work, but it illustrates something young people should be learning about writing namely, that there is a music to prose, and developing an ear for that music is part of a well-rounded readers (and writers) abilities. My stretch for dame, a word I dont think Id used before (or since) is me trying to solve a writing problem, and solving writing problems is how we learn to write. (Left) During a stop for his book tour in Missoula, Montana Dec. 3, 2018, former Vice President Joe Biden discussed his 2020 prospects. (Right) President Donald Trump said Jan. 11 he is still open to declaring a national emergency over immigration at the southern border, but made clear he would "rather not," calling it an "easy way out." Since then, Holmquist has fleshed out the rest of their band, which now includes Raul Cotaquispe, Katelyn Cohen, Chris Colson, Tim Newsum, and Will Hulseman. The group quickly went to work on Esters next album, an as-yet-untitled 12-song collection which finds the group taking a noticeable departure from their last release. I had been feeling like I heard a bigger sound in my head for my songs and wanted to create something fuller. Theres only so much you can do, Holmquist said. I love working with other musicians because they think of something I would never think of. This new music, Holmquist said, is louder and fuller. Featured instruments include the flute, multiple cello parts, and electric guitars. The latter is an instrument Holmquist switched over to only recently from the acoustic guitar. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) No Filipinos were hurt in a gas leak explosion in Paris on Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. In a statement Sunday, the DFA said none of the four fatalities and the 50 injured in the incident was Filipino. The blast occurred at a bakery at 9 a.m. local time, as over 200 firefighters were responding to reports of the leak. Two firefighters were among the fatalities. The Philippine Embassy in Paris has extended its condolences to the families of the victims. There are around 25,000 Filipinos in France, majority of them are in Paris. Tristan Tiarks was admitted to the Benton County Jail on Friday (Jan. 11) with three counts against him: rape, second-degree battery, and aggravated assault on a family or household member. Missy Elliott becomes first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame The Herald reports: A $350,000 donation to the Greens in December is the largest single donation to a major political party in almost a decade. It was also the largest to the Green Party in its 30-year history. Now I think this is a good thing. I think it is good when people who support a political party donate to it. I have no problems with large donations from people, living or estates, so long as they donor is disclosed. But there is one party that does have a problem with large donations. They want to ban them. They say that such donations are potentially corrupt and you cant trust the motives of donors or parties. Heres their policy from the last election: place an annual limit of $35,000 on total donations from any single person or entity So will this political party condemn the Greens for accepting a donation of $350,000 from this estate. That is ten times the limit they say should be possible. Of course they wont, as the said political party is also the Greens in a classic case of do what we say, not what we do. When other parties get large donations is is corruption, but when the Greens get them it is democracy in action! Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Reddit Pinterest Print Tumblr Stuff reports: The Ministry for the Environment spent $45,000 a month to jet its staffers around the globe. Policy experts were sent on 116 individual international trips to countries including Korea, Jamaica, Germany, France, Africa, Canada, the United States and China. An Official Information Act request by the Taxpayers Union has revealed the ministry spent $769,955 on international travel between July 2017 and December 10, 2018. No doubt most of these meetings were to discuss climate change. Williams said sending policy analysts on first class trips to international conferences was an insane use of money for a ministry who tells Kiwis not to fly. The ministrys website offered advice to New Zealanders looking to reduce their carbon footprint, including flying less, working remotely and using video conferencing. Do what we say, not what we do. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Reddit Pinterest Print Tumblr WASHINGTON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday predicted the United States would reach a deal with China to end a tit-for-tat trade war, saying Beijing wants to negotiate and that talks are going well. Trump, who made the comments to reporters at the White House, has vowed to increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports on March 2 if China fails to address intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and other non-tariff barriers. The world's two largest economies held mid-level talks in Beijing last week and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters that China's top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, would likely visit Washington later this month. The meetings in China were the first face-to-face discussions since Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires in December and agreed to a 90-day truce in the trade war that has disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jeffrey Benkoe) 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) - Millennials will become the largest generation this year, even surpassing the Baby Boomers, which makes them the next target demographic for the precious metals market. But, how do millennials feel about gold and why are they not investing more? It is not due to golds lack of shine that has millennials looking away from the precious metal as a viable investment option, according to analysts, who instead point to lack of excess capital, describing an investment in the precious metal as a luxury for the younger generation. The standard advice is to have 5-10% gold exposure in your portfolio, but the problem is that millennials dont really have a portfolio, they dont have a sufficient enough nest egg. What does 10% look like for someone who is trying to save for a house? Pepperston head of research Chris Weston told Kitco News. Millennials are just looking for a quick buck, Weston added, noting that they prefer speculation. Theyve got a high-risk tolerance; they are not looking to have property, stocks, fixed income, and some bond exposure. They are just looking in a very concentrated group of markets that have high risks and high returns, he said. Basics First, Safe-Havens Second It is not that millennials dont like gold, said TD Securities head of global strategy Bart Melek, adding that for the younger generation it is more about saving up for their first house or a first car. They have massive debt coming out of university. If you look at their participation in the 401ks in the U.S., they are not participating there either. They are not buying cars or houses as well. And it is not because they dont like houses, Melek said. From a policy perspective, we need those young folks trained in skill sets that are marketable and get them into jobs that actually pay benefits or stocks, so they are not in precarious work their entire life. That is the biggest factor here. Not so much that they dont like gold, he explained. Overall expenses are also harder to keep up with for millennials due to high debt levels, said RJO Futures senior market strategist Phillip Streible. Debt levels are near record highs with school costs and general expenses heightened. But, you should always put away 10% of your paycheque into some type of retirement-type asset your entire life, he said. Some Statistics Millennials (ages 20 to 35) are expected to rise to 73 million this year, outnumbering babyboomers (ages 52 to 70) who are expected to decline to 72 million, for the first time, according to Pew Research Center. And some of the statistics around millennials retirement savings, property ownership, and debt levels are staggering, but not that surprising considering majority of them entered the workforce around the 2007-08 financial crisis. Retirement savings: About 66% of people between the ages of 21 and 32 have nothing saved for their retirement, according to a report published by the National Institute on Retirement Security in 2018 based on the U.S. Census data collected in 2014. Only one-third of millennials are actually putting some money away for retirement, with most reporting less than $20,000 on their accounts. Homeownership: Owning a home is also out of reach for many millennials. Last year's report from the Urban Institute revealed that homeownership for people ages 25 to 34 is 8 percentage points lower than baby boomers at that age and 8.4 points lower than Generation X. Debt levels: On average, each millennial is $42,000 in debt, according to Northwestern Mutuals 2018 Planning & Progress Study, with credit card balances taking up a quarter of that debt, followed by student debt. Spending: Millennial spending is also on the decline, with the Gallup poll form 2017 revealing that people ages 18 to 29 are spending nearly $20 less every day than their counterparts roughly 10 years ago. Items most affected are the basics, including clothes. Car Ownership: About 84% of older millennials those born in 1980s own cars. But, when it comes to the younger millennials, fewer than half purchased their first vehicles, according to statistics from AutoTrader.com. Love Affair With Cryptos Gone Wrong A lot of millennials got burnt in the crypto market, which was driven by ease of investment, new blockchain technology and fear of missing out (FOMO), analysts pointed out. The younger generation is so technology-focused and they fell for the trap of buying so heavily into bitcoin and cryptocurrencies that they overlooked other investments like metals that have stood the test of time, said Streible. This crypto craze, which began in 2017, has taken a significant amount of money away from gold, added Streible. Bitcoins and all those alt coins bubbles bursting on them should have been a wake up call that they should look at gold and silver to be added to their portfolios as an alternative currency. Why Gold Is Attractive Gold can make a very attractive investment for millennials, especially considering that some of them lost some money in the crypto craze, analysts said. One of the important pro-gold arguments is that the precious metal has a long history of preserving wealth. They need to know that gold is an asset class that is nobodys liability, unlike pretty much anything else, and it stands the test of time. And since they are young, almost by definition, the implication is that they need some stabilizing asset class in their portfolios over the long-term to preserve wealth and keep stability, Melek said. The strategist added that over the last few decades gold has shown to outperform many other asset classes. When you look 30 years ago, gold is a lot more valuable today in spite of ups and downs weve seen, he said. Second, gold serves as a unique protection mechanism against other risks in the marketplace, which can benefit the more high-risk prone millennials. If you compare gold to other assets classes it merits consideration in many investor portfolios simply because it behaves differently in times of crisis. It is a unique asset class that adds diversification benefits, said RBC Capital Markets commodity strategist Christopher Louney. Also, it is relatively easy to get exposure to the gold market these days without having to worry about storing and ensuring any physical metal. There are more opportunities to invest in gold now. Theres been a lot of new low-cost entries into the gold ETF space. There are more ways to access gold as an investment. Over the longer term, it will provide an opportunity for investors to invest, noted Louney. Finally, gold attracts certain personality types that fit millennials, added Weston. Gold is attractive to some of the anti-fiat currency type of investors, which is what a lot of younger generation people liked about blockchain in the first place. So, if you dont like what the central banks are doing to the world, if you dont like whats happening to currencies over time, then gold is probably a good place to be, he pointed out. There is also an interesting distinction to make between millennials in the West and the rest of the world, noted Refinitiv director of metals demand Cameron Alexander. If you saw a currency collapse then buying gold is protection against weakness in a currency. Weve seen that this year in places like Iran and Turkey. In the developing world, weve seen that buying gold you are actually protecting your assets. But having that translate to the Western world is a difficult task, Alexander explained. A similar diversion was highlighted by Mitsubishi analyst Jonathan Butler as well, who examined Chinas millennials and their spending patterns. If we look at sectors of the population with similar incomes and careers in China, there is a lot of competing products for the millennial dollar ranging from luxury goods, to cars, to real estate, which in China, were not there 15 or 20 years ago. Thats true to a degree in the West, although things are perhaps a little different there, he noted. What Else Can The Precious Metals Space Do? More technology infused apps and trading mechanisms would make the precious metals market stand out to the tech-savvy millennials, analysts pointed out. Millennials would get more involved if somehow there was a GLD type of product within a coin-based application, suggested Streible. It is all about making gold products easily accessible for younger generations, added Alexander. And that might mean through apps, which would make it easy for people to trade in and out and to use gold as a way of payment, he said. Editor's Note: The article was updated to reflect a drop in price ahead of the North American equity open. (Kitco News) - Gold prices are near steady in early U.S. trading Monday, and lost their moderate overnight gains that came on some safe-haven buying interest when world stock markets started out the trading week in a sell off following some very weak economic data coming out of China. The near-term technical postures for gold and silver remain bullish, which continue to invite chart-based speculative buyers. February gold futureswere last up $0.10 an ounce at $1,289.70. March Comex silver was down $0.026 at $15.63 an ounce. European and Asian stock markets were lower overnight, while U.S. stock indexes are also pointed down when the New York day session begins. There is keener risk aversion in the market place to start the trading week, following some very downbeat economic news coming out of China. China's exports in December were down a surprising 4.4%, year-on-year. Exports were up 5.4% in November. China's imports fell 7.6% in the same period. In past months both imports and exports saw double-digit gains. The trade war with the U.S. has really hurt China's economy, the latest import and export numbers suggest. Such will likely embolden the U.S. is its trade posture against China. Last week the two sides met in Beijing and are scheduled to meet next in the U.S. There was also dour economic news coming out of the European Union Monday. The Euro zone's factory output dropped 1.7% in November from October, for the largest monthly drop in three years. The reading was down 3.3%, year-on-year, for the biggest drop in six years. In other overnight news, Newmont Mining and Goldcorp reported the two companies plan to combine to create the world's largest gold miner. Brexit is back in the minds of traders and investors in Europe. Voters in the U.K. on Tuesday are likely to reject Prime Minister May's latest Brexit plan, putting the entire Brexit situation into serious turmoil. The U.S. government partial shutdown is now the longest on record. The matter is not a serious drag on the marketplace, but many markets are lacking normal economic reports to drive their daily price action, which is causing uncertainty and some anxiety amid the dearth of news, which is generally bearish for those impacted markets. The important outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly lower. The index remains in a near-term price downtrend. Meantime, Nymex crude oil prices are lower and trading just below $51.00 a barrel. There is no major U.S. economic data due for release Monday. Technically, the gold bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a two-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close in February futures above solid resistance at $1,300.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at $1,260.00. First resistance is seen at the January high of $1,300.40 and then at $1,310.00. First support is seen at the overnight low of $1,287.70 and then at last week's low of $1,280.20. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5 March silver futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. A two-month-old uptrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $16.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $15.00. First resistance is seen at last week's high of $15.88 and then at the January high of $15.955. Next support is seen at last week's low of $15.56 and then at $15.385. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0. (Kitco News) - First Majestic Silver Corp. reported Monday that the company achieved record full-year production in 2018 and listed guidance calling for even higher output in 2019. Production during 2018 reached 22.2 million silver-equivalent ounces, a 37% increase over 2017 and at the upper end of the guidance range of 20.5 million to 22.6 million silver-equivalent ounces, First Majestic said. This included 11.7 million ounces of silver, 111,084 ounces of gold, 16.1 million pounds of lead and 5.7 million pounds of zinc. The annual silver output was just below guidance of 12 million to 13.2 million ounces primarily due to lower-than-expected production at La Encantada, First Majestic said. Meanwhile, fourth-quarter production was 6.5 million silver-equivalent ounces. This includes 3.3 million ounces of silver, 34,487 ounces of gold, 3.3 million pounds of lead and 1.5 million pounds of zinc. First Majestic projected 2019 total production will be between 24.7 million and 27.5 million silver-equivalent ounces, including 14.2 million to 15.8 million ounces of silver. "The addition of San Dimas effectively doubled our production profile and total Mexican workforce overnight," said Keith Neumeyer, president and chief executive officer. "Unfortunately, due to falling silver prices in the second half of 2018, we needed to implement various cost-cutting measures, including placing the La Guitarra mine on care and maintenance, reducing our workforce by approximately 15%, and scaling back capital investments by approximately 20%." For 2019, Neumeyer added, "we expect to reach another new production record of between 24.5 and 27.5 million silver-equivalent ounces along with a much leaner cost profile primarily due to a full year of production from San Dimas, the start-up of the roaster at La Encantada and the installation of high-intensity grinding mills at the Santa Elena and La Encantada operations. The combination of the HIG mill and roaster at La Encantada is extremely encouraging as it has the potential to re-establish the operation as a significant silver producer of 4 to 5 million ounces per year once these mill upgrades are completed." As an officer at a trust company, I often find myself defending the use of a professional trustee to attorneys and prospects. Typically, criticisms of trustees center around fees, locality and beneficiaries perceived lack of access to funds and to the administrator. Occasionally, though, I hear this challenge: Trust administration just isnt that difficult. The reported court cases between unhappy beneficiaries and equally unhappy related trustees indicate otherwise. Heres a story that illustrates how common-sense solutions can lead to unanticipated consequences that professional trustees know to avoid. A retired attorney (lets call her Betty) is in search of a successor trustee. Bettys parents had identical estate plans with trusts for Bettys two siblings (lets call them Jack and Jill). Betty, whom her parents viewed as the responsible one, received her share in each estate outright, but since the second of their parents passed away eight years ago, Betty has served as trustee for two separate trusts apiece for Jack and Jill. Its not uncommon for parents to want to control an inheritance for a seemingly wayward child. The four trusts are close in value, with about $550,000 in each. The trusts are identical in that the trustee has the power to pay from income and principal each year for the beneficiarys health, maintenance and support, but with no requirement to distribute anything. Betty has served diligently for eight years, keeping records of all her actions, without collecting any fee or even any reimbursement for her expenses. Betty declined to collect a fee because she felt that her siblings resented her service and the trusts enough without having to pay her, too. But now Betty is tired and wants to quit dealing with all this work. When I reviewed the trust agreements, it was clear why Betty had not merged Jack and Jills trusts into one apiece. Their mother had executed an amendment to her estate plan after their fathers death that made that impossible. Under the fathers plan, when Jack and Jill each passed away, the trust passed only to their descendants. But the mother, feeling that Betty had gone above and beyond for her, executed an amendment providing that when Jack and Jill each passed away, the mothers trust for each should be divided again among her surviving children, which meant another possible share for Betty and the likelihood that Jack and Jills children would get much less benefit, if any, from the trust. That change put Betty in a precarious position as an interested trustee, because she can make decisions about her mothers trusts that could either put additional money into Bettys pockets someday or diminish Bettys share. Of course, Betty only receives a share if she survives Jack and/or Jill. So, to be fair, Betty dutifully ensures that she invests Jack and Jills trusts in the exact same asset allocation and investments. She pays out all the income from each trust every year. Whenever Jack or Jill needs an additional distribution, she takes the distribution in equal portions from both her mothers trust and fathers trust, to ensure that her mothers trust, which may eventually also benefit Betty, will grow or diminish at the same rate as her fathers trust, which will never benefit Betty. Betty took it one step further. Whenever she makes a principal distribution to Jill from her trusts, she then makes an equal distribution to Jack from his trusts, regardless of whether it is warranted. Betty figures this is fair because keeping the trusts equal will ensure that she gets about the same amount from each of her mothers trusts. Over the years, all four trusts have stayed essentially equal relative to when they first divided. Although Bettys decisions all seem fair and prudent, they may possibly be a breach of trust that can result in a judgment that Betty caused a loss that she must replace from her own assets. Let me explain: Jill has few other resources. Each year, she spends every trust distribution of income and principal she receives just to get by. Also, Jill has been the only beneficiary who has ever requested an additional distribution, which she does several times a year. At Jills death, Jack will receive an additional share of one of Jills trusts, if he survives her. Jack, on the other hand, has substantial resources and retirement income. He has been accumulating both the income and principal he has received from his two trusts in his own investment account, spending only as needed to pay his taxes. If Jill survives Jack, she will receive a share of one of his trusts at his death. However, Jack has steadily been given funds from that trust that presumably will benefit only his spouse and descendants, not Jill. So, while Betty has tried to be fair to Jack and Jill, she has essentially been undermining the trust assets that may eventually pass to the ultimate beneficiaries of Jacks trusts by distributing funds unnecessarily to Jack. Under Jacks control, those funds could pass under his Last Will to anyone he chooses, such as a new spouse and stepchildren. In addition, by keeping the trust principals equal, Jill has actually given herself a financial benefit. Since her mothers trust will not entirely benefit Jack and Jills descendants, Betty could have made all principal distributions from her mothers trusts in order to increase the likelihood that Jack and Jills descendants whom Jack and Jill would likely want to benefit more than their siblings would indeed receive a greater share of the trusts at Jack and Jills death. Instead, Betty has ensured that she gets a pro rata share equal to the initial division at the expense of Jacks and Jills descendants. Trust administration requires more than common sense, and the trustees duties to the beneficiaries require a keen consideration for objectivity and loyalty. Corporate trust officers are trained, credentialed, supervised and audited to ensure that the multitude of policies and procedures are followed and provide a proper and defensible result within the trusts terms and the standard of care for ethical and prudent administration. Theres a lot of gray area there, and the consequences of a breach of trust even inadvertently can be a financial nightmare for an individual trustee just doing her best. DULUTH, Minn. (AP) One man is dead and a Duluth police officer is wounded in a shootout that also took the life of a police dog. Authorities say officers responded to a report of a domestic assault Sunday evening at a residence in Duluth. Police say they negotiated with a man in the home for about an hour before he began shooting at them, striking one officer and killing the dog. At least one officer returned fire. After police gain access to the home they found the man dead in a room. The officer's injuries are not life-threatening. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating. AUSTIN, Minn. A Stewartville woman is pleading not guilty to several charges in a Mower County domestic dispute. Angelica Maria Quintero, 31, is facing two counts of 1st degree burglary and one count each of 5th degree assault, 4th degree criminal damage to property, and driving after revocation. Authorities say they were called to a home along 1st Street NW in Grand Meadow on December 29, 2018. Quintero is accused of going to the home of the father of her children, banging on the front door, and then entering without permission. A woman at the home says she was afraid Quintero was going to attack her. Law enforcement says after Quintero was forced out of the home, she got into her SUV, smashed it into the front of the other womans car, and then left the scene. The Mower County Sheriffs Office says Quintero was then arrested in Olmsted County and said she went to the home to get money for her children. Her trial is scheduled to start on April 29. MASON CITY, Iowa A drug sting ends with probation for a North Iowa woman. Rachel Adele Bendickson, 38 of Mason City, was arrested in May 2018 for delivering a little over one gram of methamphetamine to someone working with the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force. A warrant was issued for her in March but it took two months before she was captured. Bendickson pleaded guilty to possession of meth with intent to deliver and received a deferred judgment Monday. She will spend three years on supervised probation and must pay a $1,000 civil penalty. If Bendickson successfully completes here probation, this conviction will be removed from her record. MASON CITY, Iowa Driving a stolen truck results in jail time for a North Iowa man. James Grant Dulude, 30 of Mason City, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle without the owners consent and was sentenced to 14 days in jail. He was arrested after a traffic stop on November 26, 2018. Police say the truck Dulude was driving had been reported stolen that day from River City Fence Co. Jason Hammel opened Lula Cafe almost two decades ago, setting the standard for farm-to-table dining in Logan Square, and is also the mastermind behind Marisol, which opened in late 2017 in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Both restaurants focus on locally sourced ingredients presented in artistic ways with an obvious love of vegetables. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa A man is facing federal charges for illegally buying weapons from a Mason City gun store. Braiden Robert William Despenas is charged in Cedar Rapids Federal Court with four counts of possession of a firearm by a drug user and four counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Iowa says Despenas bought guns from Hart Brothers South in October 2017 and March, April, and May of 2018 and each time lied about being a marijuana user. Despenas is accused of buying three 9 millimeter pistols, a .38 caliber revolver, and a rifle. Charges were filed against Despenas on January 9 and he was arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on January 11. ROCHESTER, Minn. Just days after she was captured in Chicago and returned to Olmsted County, a former Rochester woman is sentenced for stalking. Latisha Lynnette Roby, 50 of Aurora, Illinois, was accused in April 2017 of slashing an ex-boyfriend in the stomach with a knife. She entered an Alford plea to one count of stalking but failed to show up for her sentencing in August 2018. A Twin Cities bounty hunting agency says it apprehended Roby and brought her back to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. Roby was then sentenced Monday to 26 days in jail and five years of supervised probation. An Alford plea means Roby was does not admit guilt but concedes she could be convicted at trial and accepts sentencing. Six Men's Sheds groups in Kilkenny are to benefit from government funding, it was announced today (Monday). The groups in Callan, Castlecomer, Thomastown, Kilkenny city, Fen (Kilkenny) and DGK (Cuffesgrange) have been approved to receive funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development - a total of 8,696. Minister Michael Ring announced the allocation of the funding under the Mens Sheds stream of the Community Enhancement Programme. This will enable individual Mens Sheds to upgrade their facilities by purchasing equipment or by carrying out minor works to improve their shed. The initiative was developed in association with the Irish Mens Sheds Association. Grants awarded to the Kilkenny Men's Sheds Callan Men's Shed - 1,449 for equipment Castlecomer Men's Shed - 900 for wheelchair accessible planters DGK Men's Shed (Cuffesgrange) - 1,586.75 for fitness/ gym equipment Fen Men's Shed (Newpark, Kilkenny city) - 1,586.75 for electric supply and plumbing Kilkenny Men's Shed - 1,586 for a steel shed and to build a storage area for timber Thomastown Men's Shed - 1,586.75 for the completion of ground works for the erection of a shed ESB is calling on Irish energy start-ups to apply for a coveted spot on the prestigious Free Electrons programme, the global accelerator initiative that connects worldwide utilities with entrepreneurs to refine and test their products with the potential to reach 73 million customers in more than 40 countries. Now in its third year, the programme gives start-ups direct access to the worlds leading utilities with the opportunity to showcase their products and services and take part in global pilot projects. The winning company also receives 200,000 in a cash prize. The programme attracts more than 500 applications annually with 30 start-ups initially selected to showcase and pitch their respective solutions. This year, Dublin and ESB will host the selected entrepreneurs for a three-day bootcamp where they will compete for 12 coveted final spots. The finalists will then compete in two other modules in the US and Asia, before the final pitch-off event in Portugal in September. The Dublin Bootcamp takes places from April 2 to 4 in the Smock Alley and Guinness Storehouse. Two representatives from each start-up will present their market-ready and customer-focused solutions, after which they will have a 30-minute interviews with each of the 10 utilities. Speaking about the importance of the Free Electrons programme in identifying and supporting energy start-ups, Jerry OSullivan, ESBs Deputy Chief Executive, said: The transition to a low-carbon future requires radical thinking, new technologies and creative ideas. This programme and Dublin Bootcamp offers ESB and the other participating utilities the unique opportunity to work with dynamic and exciting start-ups that are developing solutions to meet the demands of todays consumers and industry. As one of the founding programme partners, ESB continues to work closely with a number of finalists including Climote, the Dundalk-based heating control specialists and Driivz, the e-mobility experts. We are also undertaking pilot projects with SterBlue, the French drone software start-up, solar companies HST Solar and BEON, smart grid experts Depsys, as well as artificial intelligence and block chain experts Jungle AI and Verv. The programme runs between April and October 2019 with the aim of recruiting energy start-ups that will drive the next generation of ideas in clean energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility, digitisation, and on-demand customer services. In the last two years, Climote and Limerick-based Gridwatch were selected as finalists. The utilities and accelerators behind the Free Electrons programme will offer expertise, resources and access to their customer base in exchange for investment and partnership opportunities. More than 50 pilot projects have been completed by Free Electrons over the past two years. Closing date for 2019 applications is Friday 22 February. When I wake up in the morning, I dont think of myself as Im a transit rider. Im a bike rider. I happen to be both, she said. People want more options at their fingertips. They want to know how to piece together the fastest and most affordable route. Like other growers in the state, Highland Park-based Grassroots Cannabis is juggling an expansion of its growing capacity at its facility in Litchfield, about 210 miles southwest of Chicago, and figuring out how best to prepare for the opioid program on the retail side. It is considering adding checkout systems and extending hours at its eight affiliated dispensaries around the state, which operate under different names, CEO Mitch Kahn said. Patients at most of those dispensaries can now also order online to cut down on the in-store wait. Just as the Salt Creek tiger beetle is endangered, so are the areas saline wetlands they call home. However, coordinated efforts by a variety of government agencies, nonprofits and businesses have teamed up to preserve this exceedingly rare habitat one thats found only in the Lincoln area for future generations. Lincoln recently added to land protected by these collaborative efforts. Using money from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and park acquisition funds, the city purchased another 61 acres of land along Salt Creek within its three-mile jurisdiction beyond city limits. That parcel, adjacent to another city-owned marsh, joins more than 6,100 acres of such habitat in and around Lincoln that are owned by conservation groups or preserved by conservation easements. Lincoln is one of the founding members of the Greenprint Challenge, which was founded near the turn of the century to preserve wetlands, prairie, floodplains and streams. To go from zero to 6,100 acres in 14 protected areas in that time is astounding and deserves praise. Much of this natural heritage has been turned over to the public for hiking and other activities that add to humans quality of life, too, with plenty of access points in northern Lancaster and southern Saunders counties. The newly acquired land will one day be a park as well. Nancy Pelosi, the new Democratic speaker, understands the dangers here and is resisting the demands from the red-hots in her caucus. Impeachment is a very divisive approach to take, and we shouldnt take it without the facts, she said on MSNBC. Facts is the key word here. Trump is the Prince of Prevarication with 7,645 false or misleading statements by the end of 2018, according to The Washington Post so the Democrats must be the exact opposite, rooting their decisions in a rigorous devotion to reality. Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which would handle any impeachment effort, advises Democrats to hold their fire until special counsel Robert Mueller issues his report on Trumps actions during and after the campaign. We have to get the facts, he stressed on CNN. We will see where the facts lead. Maybe that will lead to impeachment. Maybe it wont. It is much too early. But the pressures are growing on Democratic leaders to act quickly and rashly. Two House members already have filed articles of impeachment, and one of them, Brad Sherman of California, insists, Impeachment is on the table. You cant take it off the table. ORD The Catholic priest from Ord charged with sexual assault will make his first court appearance at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Valley County Court. The Rev. John Kakkuzhiyil has been charged with committing sexual assault/forcible-first degree on Nov. 22 in Ord. That crime is a Class 2 felony. The alleged victim is an adult woman. Kakkuzhiyil, 62, is being represented by Grand Island attorney Mark Porto. The prosecutor is Valley County Attorney Kayla Clark. County Judge Kale Burdick set bond at $150,000, with 10 percent of that amount necessary for release. He is being held in Valley County Jail. Until recently, Kakkuzhiyil was pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ord and Sacred Heart in Burwell. Earlier in his career, he worked at St. Marys Catholic Church in Grand Island. We would love to get the brewery open, he said. I certainly hope it happens sooner rather than later. Its hard to tell. We were in the middle of the review process. I can only imagine the backlog happening nationwide on these people when they do get back to work. Despite part of their business being in limbo, McFarland is thankful for the success of the winery. The good news is we have our winery, and we have a lot of new things going on there. We have a lot of new events for the spring and summer, McFarland said. The third Friday of each month is date night at Macs Creek. The evening features food and live music, and there also will be events to celebrate Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day. There will be a variety of tastings and events throughout the spring and summer, and the outdoors will undergo renovation this year at Macs Creek. Along with 15 different wines offered through the year, the winery also serves a hard apple cider and sparkling wine. When the brewery opens, they will have three or four beers on tap. Once they receive their licenses, the McFarland family plans to celebrate the brewerys grand opening as well as Macs Creeks 16th anniversary that they had to postpone in December due to the weather. Companies have made similar devices to treat the condition in older children for years, but Abbotts device is the first specifically approved for premature babies. Now, many babies born with the condition simply live with it until the opening closes on its own or until theyre older and can use one of the larger, already available devices. If the opening is small, people can sometimes live with it and never need treatment. Chino, CA (91710) Today A mix of clouds and sun. Near record high temperatures. High near 95F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Myanmar has postponed a planned visit by the UN refugee chief to Rakhine state following renewed fighting between security forces and insurgents, a spokesman said Monday. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi was due to visit last week but Myanmar authorities scrapped the trip to Rakhine, where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims were driven out in a military crackdown that started in 2017. Fighting has flared after 13 police officers were killed on January 4 in an attack by Rohingya militants on border posts near the frontier with Bangladesh. Based on assessment of Myanmar authorities of the security situation in Rakhine, the visit has been postponed, said UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic. Britain is expected to raise the issue at the UN Security Council later this week, according to diplomats. The decision to delay Grandis trip and uncertainty surrounding a separate planned visit by the UN envoy Christine Schraner Burgener to Myanmar is fueling concerns that authorities are backtracking on their commitments to address the Rohingya refugee crisis. They have done nothing at all and didnt particularly want that to be exposed, said a Security Council diplomat of the decision to postpone Grandis visit. Myanmars mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for information. Britain in December circulated a draft Security Council resolution on Myanmar that would have set a deadline for authorities to roll out a strategy for addressing the Rohingya crisis. China, backed by Russia, however raised strong objections and refused to take part in negotiations, suggesting it was ready to use its veto at the council to block the measure. Myanmars violent military campaign in 2017 forced more than 720,000 Rohingya across the border to Bangladesh, with refugees bringing accounts of murder, rape and arson. Britain, France, the United States and UN chief Antonio Guterres have described the campaign as ethnic cleansing while UN investigators have called for top generals to be investigated for war crimes. Rohingya in Buddhist-majority Myanmar have suffered decades of persecution and are denied citizenship rights. Myanmar has denied that it has singled out the Rohingya and described its army operation as a campaign to root out terrorists. Twenty years after the war for Kosovos independence, victims of alleged war crimes committed by ethnic Albanian guerrillas have all but given up hope of justice. Now, finally, relief may be on the horizon. Kosovos press is speculating feverishly that an EU-backed international court, based in The Hague, could this week issue its first indictments for Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans who led the 1998-99 independence war. Tiny Kosovos Albanian population suffered most in the conflict against much-stronger Serbia, which ended with an 11-week NATO bombing campaign. But a section of Kosovos ethnic Albanian population, as well as the territorys minority Serb and Roma, were targetted by the KLA and feel their suffering has been forgotten. They refer to their fallen as second-class victims. This tribunal presents the last chance to shed light on the assassinations in Kosovo, said Beriana Mustafa, a 36-year-old journalist in Pristina, whose father was murdered outside his house after criticising rebellion commanders. The worlds attention has focused on atrocities committed by Serbian forces under strongman Slobodan Milosevic, who died in prison in The Hague in 2006 while awaiting trial on 66 counts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. While leaders on the Serbian side have been judged and sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), no KLA leaders have been sentenced. Hope is always the last to die, said Natasa Scepanovic, 54, who leads an association of Serb victims still holding out for justice. Her own fathers body was discovered in 2003, years after he was killed. Her mother is one of about 1,700 people still listed as missing. Kosovos prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, was acquitted by the ICTY for alleged crimes committed when he was a KLA commander. The court also exonerated ex-commander Fatmir Limaj, who heads a political party now in Kosovos governing coalition a slap in the face for many KLA victims. Dead witnesses The Kosovo conflict left more than 13,000 dead, including some 11,000 ethnic Albanians, 2,000 Serbs, and about 500 Roma. The territory of some 1.8 million people unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade still regards Kosovo recognised as a state by over 100 UN members as its southern province. In 2008, crimes allegedly committed by the KLA were highlighted in a book published by former ICTY prosecutor Carla del Ponte. That was followed in 2011 by a Council of Europe report alleging the KLA carried out kidnappings, assassinations, unlawful detentions, and other crimes during and after the war. The EU-funded Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) was created in 2015 to investigate alleged KLA crimes including the deaths or disappearances of some 500 individuals, including 400 Serbs. Speculation abounds about who will be targeted with indictments, and whether President Hashim Thaci, who was the KLAs political leader, will be among them. While heartened by the prospect of indictments in the pipeline, Mustafa noted that prosecutors will likely be dealing with incomplete evidence, eroded by the passage of time and witnesses dying. Her father, Xhemajl Mustafa, was an adviser to Kosovo leader Ibrahim Rugova, of whom a large portrait still looms over the central square in Pristina today. Remembered by some as the Father of Kosovo, popular Rugova represented an obstacle to rebel groups aspirations for power, resulting in several allies, including Mustafa, being assassinated. No-one has been brought to book, but indications are this may soon change. A just war Arianit Koci, a lawyer for wartime KLA commanders, Rrustem Mustafa-Remi, 47, and Sami Lushtaku, 57, told local media on Friday that the pair have been summoned to answer questions in The Hague on Monday. The court declined to comment. A third man, 48-year-old Sylejman Selimi, had not made the journey to The Netherlands by the end of last week, citing medical reasons, while a fourth, 54-year-old Remzi Shala had indicated he will ignore any summons. In December, investigators travelled to Pristina to question Sokol Dobruna, the 79-year-old former head of a wartime guerilla court. Despite the speculation of imminent indictments, many remain doubtful that justice will ever be served. Serb Marinko Djuric, 59, who lost his father and six other family members in the war, was pessimistic. Everything that has happened suggest that these cases will never be concluded, he told AFP. Sudanese police fired tear gas Sunday at crowds of anti-government protesters in Khartoum and war-torn Darfur as organisers called for more nationwide rallies against President Omar al-Bashir this week. The demonstrations in Darfur were the first of their kind since unrest erupted on December 19 over a government decision to triple the price of bread. The protests have since swiftly escalated into nationwide rallies widely seen as the biggest threat to Bashirs rule in his three decades in power. Protesters who took to the streets in the capitals Bahari district chanting peace, peace and revolution is the peoples choice were quickly confronted by riot police, witnesses told AFP. Authorities say the protests have left 24 people dead so far, while Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 40, including children and medical staff. The European Union said on Friday that security forces have used live ammunition against protesters causing casualties, although Sudanese officials including Bashir have blamed the violence on thugs and conspirators. Protest organisers have called for near daily demonstrations across the country against Bashir this week, calling it a Week of Uprising. In Khartoum on Sunday protesters were seen carrying the Sudanese flag as others held banners bearing the words peace, justice, freedom, which has become a key slogan in the rallies. Witnesses told AFP that police were pursuing protesters down Baharis streets and alleys. Its like a cat and mouse game, a witness said. Stench of tear gas Many of the protesters were women who wore masks to protect themselves from tear gas as they whistled and clapped in the streets of Bahari, the hub of Sundays demonstration, witnesses said. Some residents in Bahari took protesters inside their homes and offered them juice as tear gas canisters stuck the facades of their buildings, a witness said. Video posted on social media showed police arresting several protesters. The footage could not be independently verified. Police dispersed the rally later on Sunday, but the smell of tear gas lingered across the neighbourhood, witnesses said. Several streets remained blocked with burnt tyres and rocks thrown by protesters, a witness said, adding that riot police, some in vehicles loaded with machineguns, remained deployed in the area. Protests broke out in Darfur after calls for rallies there by the Sudanese Professionals Association, which has spearheaded the demonstrations. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who took to the streets of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state and in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, witnesses said. Darfur, a region the size of France, has been torn by violence since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. Bashir, who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, has been charged by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) with genocide and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur. Economic crisis Protests were also reported in the central town of Madani and in some villages of the eastern impoverished, agricultural province of Gadaref. Anti-government demonstrations first erupted last month in towns and villages before later spreading to Khartoum. Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists as well as demonstrators. The crackdown has drawn international criticism, with countries like Britain, Norway, Canada and the United States warning Khartoum that its actions could have an impact on its relations with their governments. Although the unrest was triggered by the rise in the price of bread, Sudan has faced a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency. Repeated shortages of food and fuel have been reported in several cities, including Khartoum, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled. Bashir and other officials have blamed Washington for Sudans economic woes. The US imposed a trade embargo on Khartoum in 1997 that was lifted only in October 2017. It restricted Sudan from conducting international business and financial transactions. But critics of Bashir say his governments mismanagement of key sectors and its huge spending on fighting ethnic minority rebellions in Darfur and areas near the South Sudan border have been stoking economic trouble for years. Great Bear to Host a Webinar on Thursday January 17th @ 11:00am PST/2:00pm EST Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) - Great Bear Resources (TSXV: GBR) (the "Company" or "Great Bear") today provides a 3D model of gold mineralization drilled to-date at the Company's 100% owned Dixie project. All previously reported drill results from the Dixie Limb (DL), Hinge (DHZ), and South Limb (DSL) zones are provided, in addition to the primary geological units. Figure 1: 3D view of the geological model The model represents an approximately 12 square kilometre area of the approximately 100 square kilometre Dixie property, from surface to 1 kilometre depth, centred on the area of most drilling, and includes (Figure 1): Mineralization models for the DL and DHZ/DSL zones Interpreted geological units from geological and geochemical data including: 12,008 litho-geochemical samples, 2,998 structural measurements, and 20,898 gold analysis Interpreted D2 fold axes which are related to mineralization Additionally, the Company reports that its fully-funded 30,000 metre, 150-drill hole program has resumed after a brief break for the holiday season. The Company will mobilize a second drill rig early in 2019 in order to more rapidly drill the known mineralized zones and simultaneously test new gold targets. Results will continue to be released in batches as received. A downloadable video of the model is provided on the Company's web site at www.greatbearresources.ca/presentation. A live webinar to be hosted by Great Bear's Director and Vice President, Exploration Mr. R. Bob Singh and Great Bear's President and CEO Mr. Chris Taylor reviewing the digital model and results to-date, will be held at 11:00am Pacific Time on Thursday January 17, 2019. Participation instructions are provided below. Mr. Taylor said, "Great Bear is completing a large number of drill holes throughout 2019 and 2020, totalling at least 30,000 metres. The Company is fully funded for this work and anticipates a very active sequence of news flow. We are providing a video of our current geological model due to high investor demand, and so that shareholders may more easily monitor our progress as we continue to explore the multiple gold zones at our flagship Dixie project. We would also like to invite any interested shareholders and potential investors to listen to myself and our Director and Vice President of Exploration, Mr. Bob Singh provide a live webinar detailing our results to-date on Thursday January 17th." Webinar Great Bear will host a webinar to discuss the Company's recent results and the 3D model. The webinar will take place on Thursday, January 17 at 11:00am PST/2:00pm EST. Management will be available to answer questions following the presentation. Online access and dial-in numbers are as follows: Readytalk Platform (access at the time of event): http://www.readytalk.com/join Access code: 5147677 Dial-In Numbers: Canada: +1-647-722-6839 United States: +1-303-248-0285 Access Code: 5147677 A replay of the webinar will be posted on our website January 18 at www.greatbearresources.ca/media/ About Great Bear The Dixie property is located approximately 15 minutes' drive along Highway 105 from downtown Red Lake, Ontario. The Red Lake mining district has produced over 30,000,000 ounces of gold and is one of the premier mining districts in Canada, benefitting from major active mining operations including the Red Lake Gold Mine of Goldcorp Inc., plus modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce. The Dixie property covers a drill and geophysically defined multi-kilometre gold mineralized structure and newly discovered gold-mineralized vein systems similar to those hosting other producing gold mines in the district. In addition, Great Bear is also earning a 100% royalty-free interest in its West Madsen properties which total 3,860 hectares and are contiguous with Pure Gold Mining Inc.'s Madsen property. All of Great Bear's Red Lake projects are accessible year-round through existing roads. Note on the 3D Model The model incorporates drill hole and geological data produced by Great Bear and historical data originating from a number of past explorers. Great Bear has conducted gyroscopic downhole surveys on its own drill holes which most accurately define their orientation, and continues to resurvey historical drill holes when these are located and are accessible for resurvey. The Company also continues to resurvey historical drill collar locations using a differential GPS as drill collars are located. Information regarding this work was provided in a news release on November 29, 2018. The Company has not undertaken a National Instrument 43-101 resource calculation and cautions that data provided in the 3D model is subject to change pending ongoing drilling and resurveying work. QA/QC Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located in Red Lake Ontario. Core samples from the program are cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are sent to Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Ancaster Ontario, and SGS Canada Inc. in Red Lake, Ontario, both of which are accredited mineral analysis laboratories, for analysis. All samples are analyzed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 3.0 g/t gold are analyzed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Certified gold reference standards, blanks and field duplicates are routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of Great Bear's quality control/quality assurance program (QA/QC). No QA/QC issues were noted with the results reported herein. Mr. R. Bob Singh, P.Geo, Director and VP Exploration for Great Bear, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of technical information contained in this news release. For further information please contact Mr. Chris Taylor, P.Geo, President and CEO at 604-646-8354, or Mr. Knox Henderson, Investor Relations, at 604-551-2360. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Chris Taylor" Chris Taylor, President and CEO Inquiries: Tel: 604-646-8354 Fax: 604-646-4526 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.greatbearresources.ca Neither 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 new release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. We seek safe harbor Summerville, SC (29483) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Working together When I was planning to retire, I decided to live in Winston-Salem. I had lived in several communities in Western North Carolina but Winston-Salem had all the things I was looking for in a community. Here are a few experiences that remind me I made the right choice. Twice in one week, I saw bus drivers helping folks in small but important ways. One of them helped a man in a wheelchair when he did not have the strength to push his wheelchair over a bump to get on the sidewalk. A mother and her four children were standing in the rain unsure about where the bus stopped. The driver saw them a few feet from the stop and picked them up. Also, I am so proud of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board. The boards willingness to cross party lines to elect those who would be most qualified for what is needed to care for our students and school personnel is an example for our state and nation to emulate (School board, stand firm, Jan. 19. I pray we will continue to be kind and work together to make our community the best it can be. The Rev. Beverly Gaska Winston-Salem Making things up No doubt some of these platitudes are well-intentioned, a way of trying to be helpful. Americans are notoriously bad at situations that don't involve easy and good outcomes. Anyone who suffers a serious illness in the United States can tell you how they are routinely told about various miracle cures and/or people who recovered from what was thought to be terminal cancer. This sort of advice, however, becomes a way of not just avoiding the main problem but of also allowing the perpetrator to escape blame for the situation. As I documented in my book "Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry," many helpful-sounding suggestions about how to manage your money are a way of putting the responsibility for greater economic and political woes on the individual. Can't afford child care or that four-figure health-insurance deductible? Cut back on your coffee and avocado toast! Invest your savings! If you can't pay your mortgage bill, it's on you. What do you mean you didn't have a three months of emergency savings set aside, or you can't get a side gig because you're already working overtime? You should have known this could happen to you! It makes him the center of attention. It tells his base that he is willing to stand up for the idol they adore. It pushes aside inconvenient news about the Russia probe, about the administrations flipping and flopping on Syria, about the many administration posts that are empty. And it creates the appearance that he is doing something when, in fact, he is doing nothing at all, except keeping large numbers of federal employees from carrying on and earning a living. Trumps phony crisis talk means he may have to call his own bluff. This is why there is a good chance he will invoke emergency powers to force the military to build the wall. The move would perfectly sum up his approach to government: It would look dramatic and strong, it would waste federal funds for self-aggrandizing reasons, and it would be an abuse of his authority, since the emergency in question is not an emergency at all. Already, sane voices are proffering compromises for example, to give Trump some wall money in exchange for protecting the Dreamers, undocumented immigrants brought to the United States by their parents when they were young. A one-act play by a local playwright has local activist groups asking why the local arts community is presenting and promoting the play now. Hate Out of Winston and Winston-Salem Democratic Socialists of America say the play Our Time: A Conversation in Black and White whitewashes local history surrounding the removal of a Confederate statue and promotes white supremacy. But Lynn Felder said her play is not about the statue and doesnt defend white supremacy. OAKLAND, Calif. A U.S. judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states, including North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Judge Haywood Gilliam granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward. But Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide. The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds. California and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies. Cooper knew he was supposed to hear back by the end of October but when Halloween came without any word, he didnt expect to make it. But later that day, there was a message informing him of his selection to participate. I get home and its in my inbox, and I looked at it and I was like, ah thats a joke, thats a joke, he said. And yeah, thats that I got the email saying I got in, and I confirmed the next minute that I was going, and the rest was history. Cooper said this is easily one of, if not the, biggest musical opportunities of his young career. He said he sees this as a chance to not only rehearse and perform, but have broader discussions about the pieces and dig deep into them. Thats a question that sometimes you dont get answered, What exactly does the music mean? he said. And that environment provides ample time to talk about not necessarily how to play the music, but what is the intention of the music. He said he looks forward to the opportunity to play alongside musicians from across the world and what he can learn from them. A tweet from the city of Winston-Salem indicated more than 100 roads were blocked by fallen trees in the city. One victim was homeowner Gary Hicks, who said a tree fell about 7 a.m. on a corner of his Wicklow Drive home in the Town and Country neighborhood of Winston-Salem. Beyond the damage to his home, the downed tree affected power lines into the neighborhood for most of the day. My wife and I were awakened by a loud crash, Hicks said. A tree we had been watching for the last 20 years had decided to take a bite out of the side of our house. I just thought it was just another big limb falling on the roof. Ive had so many fall on there Ive become immune to them. I was surprised the whole tree had gone down. Duke Energy Corp. reported that as of 7:30 a.m., 18,023 of its customers were without electricity in Forsyth, according to its website. Guilford County had 2,431 outages. Forsyth was by far the hardest county hit by the ice storm in the utilitys western network compared to Rockingham County (5,484), Stokes County (5,149), Wilkes County (689), Yadkin County (489), Surry County (227), Davie County (146) and Davidson County (27). Buena Vista, CO (81211) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 88F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Cold day During Sundays dueling demonstrations, the temperatures forced both sides to wear heavy coats, gloves, and toboggans. About 10 officers stood on the perimeter as they watched both sides. The police departments mobile command unit was parked nearby on Third Street in front of the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office. Bill Starnes, a statue supporter who lives in Gaston County, said he read news accounts about how the statue might be moved and wanted to come up and see it before that happened. I dont think the monument should be moved, but if that is the final outcome, it should be done in a respectful way, Starnes said. Statue protesters then started a loud chant as he spoke. It seems kind of ironic because they are talking about hate, and they are out here doing all the hating, Starnes said. The pro-statue event, which was organized by a group called Heirs to the Confederacy, included the laying of flowers at the base of the monument, followed later by a loud rendition of Dixie. A project site plan was submitted to the town May 9 by HPC Seefried NC 1 LLC on behalf of Amazon. Landscaping of the property began in August. The center is not likely to open until 2020. John H. Boyd, a national site-selection expert based in New Jersey, has projected the Kernersville fulfillment center could represent a $150 million capital investment. Amazon recognized, under its new growth strategy, that it is shy of distribution centers in North Carolina, Boyd said. The site is near the FedEx Ground operations in Kernersville, as well as within 10 miles of the FedEx sorting hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport. On July 26, Amazon affiliate Amazon DEDC LLC signed a memorandum of lease agreement for up to 40 years for the site. The initial lease would run for 15 years. The agreement allows Amazon to extend the lease five times for five years each. The memorandum also gives the Amazon affiliate the rights of first offer and first refusal to buy the property during the terms of the lease. The memorandum was signed by Jonathan Levy, a vice president for the Amazon affiliate. Amazon has not made a public request for local or state economic incentives, according to Hatling. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) A Filipino-American story artist is tapping into his roots as he creates the first ever Filipino-American characters for a Pixar short film. Pixar Animation Studios story artist Bobby Rubio is delving into the director's seat with Pixar's upcoming short entitled "Float." Rubio has revealed on his Twitter that it will be starred by two Filipino-American computer-generated characters. It's OFFICIAL! I can finally tell you I'm the #Writer / #Director of the #Pixar #SparkShort "Float"! I'm so proud to be a part of this program and to be among these very talented people! And I have to give a shout-out to my wonderful and talented crew, Team Float! https://t.co/08Q9FRVgRS Bobby Rubio (@Bobby_Rubio) January 10, 2019 The artist who has worked on animated films "Tarzan," "Avatar: The Last Airbender" series, and "Up" shared how important it is to finally have characters that represent millions of Filipinos all over the world. "I am proud to tell our stories. I know what it means to see our culture represented on screen! #RepresentationMatters," he wrote. "I am so grateful to tell our stories. I know what it means to be underrepresented... Im going to do my best to tell MORE!" he wrote in another tweet. "Float" will be a part of Pixar's SparkShorts, an experimental storytelling initiative of the American animation company. The shorts under SparkShorts will hit YouTube starting February, but Rubio's film still has no release date. This year, we launched #SparkShorts, an experimental storytelling initiative that welcomes new creative voices at Pixar to share their stories. See the first three shorts at the @ElCapitanThtre beginning 1/18, followed by an exclusive launch on @YouTube in the weeks that follow! pic.twitter.com/9ssK5Sn1bn DisneyPixar (@DisneyPixar) January 10, 2019 Although born and raised in San Diego, California, Rubio remains proud of his Filipino roots. He often shares Pinoy pop culture artworks on his Twitter page. One of his most recent creations? A sketch of Miss Universe 2018 and fellow Philippine pride Catriona Gray. AMVETS WV Post 38 is located at 186 Boat Dock Drive, Falling Waters, WV 25419. This sign for the post is on the side of the road that will point drivers in the direction of the building. A projected new sign will be put up in the next few months according to officers of Post 38. Evelyn "Berniece" Anderson, age 89, of Pierce City, Missouri, passed away following an illness on June 12, 2021. Berniece was born on April 22, 1932, in Neosho, Missouri, to Truman and Louella (Ball) Patrick. At 21 years old, Berniece married her best friend, Millard Anderson. Before his pas Aaron Perry, of Wakarusa, Kan., has purchased the 1939 Texaco station on Route 66 in Galena and plans to renovate the building back to its original state over the next several years. Perry snapped photos of his 1958 Ford parked in front of the building in August when he noticed the "For Sale" sign in the station window. Courtesy | Aaron Perry Page Content The Citys Environmental Health Department will keep two Food Lovers Market outlets in Soweto closed until they have been fully vetted for health risks. Environmental Health inspectors shut down a second Food Lovers Market outlet yesterday after an inspection revealed the need for deep cleaning and fumigation. The closure of these outlets, one in Jabulani and another in Diepkloof, was precipitated by a video, which went viral on social media, showing a rodent inside a fridge where food was being kept. The Citys Environmental Health inspectors have been monitoring the Food Lovers Market in Diepkloof since it opened in 2013, focusing mainly on rodent infestation. Before the latest video was leaked to the public, notices to comply with waste management, pest control, and hygiene requirements were issued to the outlet to no avail. The latest inspection exposed both outlets to not being fully compliant with numerous food safety regulations and recommended immediate remedial action. The decision to inspect both Food Lovers outlets in Soweto followed an instruction from the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, who ordered an investigation into non-compliance to environmental health issues. Dr Phalatse is adamant that food outlets that do not comply with environmental health provisions and continue to endanger the lives of residents would be shut down. I would like to commend environmental health practitioners who upheld the Citys service with pride objective and put the health of residents first, said the MMC. Anyone operating a food outlet in the City of Joburg must adhere to food safety regulations, this is not negotiable, she emphasises. Dr Phalatse says the Citys environmental health practitioners will continue to act without fear or favour against people who transgress municipal bylaws. Page Content City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and MMC of Housing, Councillor Meshack van Wyk conducted an oversight visit to the Riverside Housing Project near Diepsloot on Thursday. The Riverside Housing Project is just one of the numerous housing developments across Johannesburg which will now come to a grinding halt as a result of the Gauteng Provincial Governments abuse of power in unlawfully cutting the Citys Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) funding by R180m. The completion of 1 485 RDP houses at this specific project will be stalled due to the Gauteng Provincial Governments irrational. After exhausting efforts to resolve this dispute with the Department of Human Settlements and the Provincial Government, the City Manager this past week subsequently wrote to the Director-General of National Treasury, in terms of section 44 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, to seek their urgent intervention in this dispute. The City Manager will be seeking a meeting with the Director-General of National Treasury as a matter of urgency. By exercising its powers, it is hoped that National Treasury will be able to promptly intervene in this dispute and assist the City in receiving funding which will result in the construction of thousands of housing units for Johannesburgs most needy residents. Mayor Mashaba said it was clear from his oversight visit that foundational work had already been completed and developers were ready to come on sight to continue the construction of the houses. He said this clearly showed the lies being peddled by the MEC of Human Settlements, Uhuru Moiloa, when he alleges that funding was reduced as a result of contractors not been appointed or paid. Emily Mieure covers criminal justice and emergency news. She also leads the News&Guides investigative efforts. She has reported for WDRB TV in Louisville, Ky., WFIE TV in Evansville, Ind., and WEIU TV in Charleston, Ill. Kylie Mohr covers the education and health beats. Mohr grew up in Washington and came to Wyoming via Georgetown. She loves seeing the starry night sky again. Burke Tackles Modern Racism in Book Jan. 14, 2019 Colorblind Racism by Meghan Burke BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Fighting against racism requires more than simply ignoring race, as Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology Meghan Burke explores in her new book Colorblind Racism, now available in print and e-book formats. In what many scholars and sociologists consider to be a post-racial age, Burke argues that the well-intentioned trend of colorblindness, or disregarding the importance of an individuals race, does not in fact lead to racial equality. Rather, by downplaying the harmful impact that both overt and subtle racism has on racial minorities, colorblindness only masks the prejudices that are still present in America today. It takes an anything but racism approach to understanding these realitiesthus the colorblindness, and as such limits our ability to effectively name practices that perpetuate inequality or act to change themthus racism, Burke told Midwest Sociology in a 2018 interview. Burke became interested in the dynamics of white identity in graduate school, particularly the ways that some white individuals make pointed efforts to downplay the significance of their whiteness, a conscious effort to distance themselves from a racial identity that has perpetuated racism for centuries. These were committed anti-racists, who seemingly couldnt grapple with the realities of a white racial identity and practices that could perpetuate racism in their own lives, she told Midwest Sociology. I found myself thinking about how these practices might show up in spaces where there was an even more obvious influence over racial outcomesin organizations or institutions that influence the lives of people of color and continue to confer advantages to whites. Drawing upon various approaches and case studies, Burke outlines how colorblindness has evolved throughout the history of racial discrimination, and to what extent systemic colorblindness is present in our everyday lives, both institutionally and throughout modern culture. Meghan Burke We must remain grounded in concrete social practices and begin our investigations there, rather than with the theories or frames that we suspect we will affirm, Burke explained when describing her method of analyzing colorblindness and racism to Midwest Sociology. Refusing to do so will cause us to miss key insights that can help us understand the complexity of modern racismand it is only from that vantage point that we can consider meaningful resistance to any form of racism that expresses itself in these concrete settings. Burke hopes that her insights will lead to concrete solutions in changing colorblindness, and that readers, regardless of whether they find themselves practicing colorblindness, will feel a responsibility to address quiet forms of racism in their own lives. I firmly believe that humanizing rather than demonizing these dynamicsall while retaining a sharp critique of racism and other intersecting inequalitiesbest helps us to work in our spheres of influence to try to get closer to the ideal of a society where race truly does not matter for issues of access and well-being. Burke also analyzes a pinpointed aspect of colorblindness in Sympathetic Racism: Color-Blind Racisms Liberal Flair in Three Chicago Neighborhoods, a featured article in Challenging the Status Quo: Diversity, Democracy, and Equality in the 21st Century , edited by Sharon Collins and David G. Embrick. By Rachel McCarthy 21 South Korean smartphone giant Samsung will launch a series of budget smartphone models in India before it releases them in other countries, in a bid to beat back the challenge from Chinese vendors. Reuters reported that the company was looking to regain sales in what is now the world's second largest mobile market, where it had fallen behind companies like Xiaomi. The three new phones, which are part of Samsung's M-series, will be sold through Samsung's website and Amazon's Indian division. The head of Samsung's mobile business in India, Asim Warsi, said that this would help the company to double its online sales in India. The three phones would be launched in other countries after being released in India at the end of January. They are being made in India and will cost from 10,000 rupees (US$141.80) to 20,000 rupees, Warsi told Reuters, adding that they would have bigger batteries and features such as quick charging. In India, Samsung sells through 250,000 retail outlets and over 2000 exclusive stories. Two thousand service centres offer support. Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies has sacked an employee in its Polish offices after the man was arrested for allegedly being involved in espionage. The company dismissed Wang Weijing, saying the incident had brought its name into disrepute. It acted before judges heard Weijing's plea on the alleged charges. Bloomberg quoted Brock Silvers, the managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, as saying the incident could have "a very significant impact" on Huawei's business in Europe. "Regardless of how the allegations against Wang are ultimately resolved, it seems likely that Huaweis important European business will suffer in 2019," he said. Poland has indicated that it may look at excluding Huawei from its IT market,the country's cyber security chief Karol Okonski. A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman told a regular news conference in Beijing on Monday that Weijing's case was an individual one.A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman told a regular news conference in Beijing on Monday that Weijing's case was an individual one. Hua Chunying said: "Both the relevant Polish side and Huawei have said in their statements that the case of Wang Weijing is entirely an individual one. "The Polish side should arrange for a consular visit by the Chinese side immediately, handle this case in accordance with the law and regulations on the basis of facts, and earnestly safeguard the legitimate and legal interests and humanitarian treatment of the person involved." The US has banned the use of Huawei equipment in its 5G networks, claiming that the company can be a conduit for spying by Beijing. Australia and New Zealand have both followed the US lead and banned the company from roles in their respective 5G rollouts. In November 2018, there were reports that the US was stepping up the pressure on its allies to give the cold shoulder to the Chinese firm which is the world's biggest supplier of telecommunications equipment. ANALYSIS Ex-NSA employees are the most likely sources for a yarn that ran in the American website Politico last week, claiming that researchers from Russian security firm Kaspersky Lab had tipped off the NSA that one of its employees, Harold Martin, could be worth investigating, after he allegedly sent Twitter messages to them. While the article claimed to be articulating an unlikely angle that Kaspersky Lab, which has been pushed out of the US public market by a well-organised government campaign, had helped the spy agency which probably provided information for the campaign against it it actually serves to revive an old narrative: that the Shadow Brokers, an unknown person or persons who dumped a large number of NSA exploits on the Web in 2016, are Russian or have Russian links. Martin is one of two NSA employees in government custody for taking classified material home; he is said to have taken nearly 50 terabytes of data home over 20 years and was arrested in August 2016. The claims about his contacting Kaspersky Lab researchers were made after a court hearing in his case resulted in the release of redacted proceedings that mentioned some of the tweets in question. Politico said it had obtained five messages sent from an account that had been traced to Martin; in the court proceedings only two were mentioned and most of the material about them was redacted. Shortly after the messages landed, the Brokersa number of NSA exploits online and announced that they would be offering more similar exploits for a price. One message asked for a meeting with "Yevgeny" and this was taken to refer to Kaspersky Lab chief Eugene Kasperksy, whose actual first name is Yevgeny. Another said, "Shelf life, three weeks." The Politico yarn, written by freelancer Kim Zetter, claims that the messages, along with the fact that Martin was working for the NSA, led the Kaspersky researchers to suspect a link with the Shadow Brokers and, as a result, contact the NSA to turn in Martin. This is the first time that there has been an attempt to link the Shadow Brokers to Russia through Martin. Prior to this, there was speculation that another arrested NSA employee, Nghia Hoang Pho, had unwittingly been the source for the Shadow Brokers. Pho was taken into custody in 2015 after taking hacking tools home. The fact that files from Pho's computer had been uploaded to Kaspersky's servers was made known by the Russian firm itself; a report from Kaspersky Lab in October said Pho had the company's anti-virus software running on his PC, but appeared to have turned it off in order to run a key generator so he could install a pirated copy of Microsoft Office; had the A-V not been turned off, it would not have allowed the key generator to be run. Later, when he turned the anti-virus back on, it had run a scan on his computer, and since Kaspersky Security Network was running, it had submitted samples of suspected NSA malware code present on his machine to Kaspersky's servers for analysis. Like any A-V solution, the software uploads suspicious files to a server for later analysis and when it encountered the NSA files on Pho's machine, it did the same. How the Russians obtained these exploits has never been made clear, with allegations in the media that after they reached Kaspersky's Moscow offices, they were handed over to Russian government hackers. Kaspersky has denied handing over any files and said that once the nature of the files was noticed, they were all immediately deleted. iTWire understands that the investigation carried out by Kaspersky Lab was done by a senior researcher from its American operations, Brian Bartholomew, a former employee of the US State Department. The fact that Zetter took the story to Politico, rather than The Intercept for which she writes as well a website with a much better reputation is an indication that it was leaked by intelligence sources. The editor of The Intercept, Glenn Greenwald, is known to be strongly opposed to providing a forum for unnamed government and intelligence sources to ply their wares in the publication he runs. Despite the bid to link the Brokers to Russia, the logical explanation is that they are English-speaking individuals and most probably ex-NSA employees. One indication in this direction is the language used by the Shadow Brokers in a number of posts they made on the websites Steemit and Medium. While broken English was used in these posts, it is clear to anyone with a knowledge of the language that they had to be written by someone whose first language was English. Secondly, the Shadow Brokers have displayed knowledge about the inner workings of the NSA that only someone from within could have. For instance, in April 2017, they published a number of tweets, since deleted, providing specific details about some of the work undertaken by a former spook, Jake Williams. The tweets provided details about his involvement in a number of hacks during his days as a member of the NSA's Tailored Access Operations unit (which was disbanded in 2016 and absorbed into the agencys new Directorate of Operations). The tweets startled Williams who, until then, had not disclosed the fact that he had worked for the TAO during his NSA days. They were published shortly after he had written a blog post about the Shadow Brokers on the website of Rendition Infosec, a company he now runs. Both the leak of NSA secrets by former contractor Edward Snowden and the Shadow Brokers are said to have shocked the NSA and created a crisis of confidence within the organisation. And the theory that says ex-NSA employees were the leakers in the second case argues that they did it in order to ensure that there would be change within the organisation. This is not the first time that someone or a group has sought to create a narrative that links the Shadow Brokers to Russia. A Washington-based security company, InGuardians, slipped a report to former Washington Post employee Brian Krebs in 2017, containing claims about the identity of the person behind the leak of NSA exploits by the Shadow Brokers, and claiming he was Russian. Krebs ran the story in great detail and then suddenly took it down (archived version here). He mentioned the takedown at the very end of a story he wrote about the arrest of Pho. Comments were not allowed on this article, presumably to avoid criticism of his earlier claim. When iTWire quizzed Krebs as to the reasons for his taking down the article, he did not provide a reply, indulging instead in personal slurs. Krebs' agenda in writing up the InGuardians "research" was questioned by well-known US security blogger Marcy Wheeler. Zetter can probably take comfort in the fact that she is not the first one to be recruited to run this line. And she probably won't be the last either. Chinese phone manufacturer OPPO has launched its new entry-level camera phone, the AX7, in Australia. The company said in a statement that the device has an AI-enhanced dual camera, a 4230mAh battery, waterdrop design and a 6.2-inch HD+ full-screen display. The device comes with Corning Gorilla Glass and is based on Android 8.1, with the company's own ColorOS5.2 providing an updated UI. The AX7 will sell for $399 at JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, The Good Guys, Woolworths, Mobileciti, Telechoice and Yes Distribution, with a date for its availability yet to be announced. It is available from Optus right now, for an RRP of $319. Michael Tran, the managing director for OPPO Australia, said: "The AX7 is OPPOs next premium-grade smartphone, giving Aussies access to a beautifully designed smartphone and amazing features, without having to break the bank. "We believe our customers shouldnt have to compromise on quality or design when choosing an entry-level smartphone. "This is what our A series delivers and it continues to be extremely popular with Australians. With the new features and capabilities the AX7 has brought to this price bracket, we expect our latest device to be a major hit locally. The AX& will be available in Glaring Gold and Glaze Gold. OPPO was the top smartphone brand in China in 2016 and ranked fourth worldwide. DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT Height: 15.59cm/155.9mm Width: 7.54cm/75.4mm Thickness: 0.81cm/8.1mm Weight: 168g Basic Parameters Colours: Glaze Blue, Glaring Gold Operating System: ColorOS 5.2, based on Android 8.1 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 GPU: adreno506 Battery: 4230mAh/16.28Wh (TYP) RAM: 4GB Storage: 64GB (Expandable up to 256GB) DISPLAY Size: 6.2 inches Type: In-Cell Resolution: HD + (1520 by 720 pixels) Colours: 16.7 million colors Touchscreen: Multi-touch, Capacitive Screen (10 points) CAMERA Rear Sensor: 13MP & 2MP Front Sensor: 16-megapixel Flash: LED Flash Aperture: Rear: f/2.2 + f/2.4 Front: f/2.0 CONNECTIVITY Frequencies: GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz WCDMA: Bands 1/2/4/5/6/8/19 FDD-LTE: Bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/18/19/20/26/28 TD-LTE: Bands 38/39/40/41 SIM Card Type: Nano GPS: GPS/A-GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo Bluetooth: 4.2 Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n OTG: Supported NFC: No SENSORS E-Compass Light Sensor Proximity Sensor G-Sensor Acceleration Sensor The arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Canada last month may make it difficult for former US intelligence personnel to travel to countries that are friendly to Beijing, a former NSA hacker has warned. Jake Williams, who worked for the NSA's elite Tailored Access Operations Unit, told iTWire soon after the indictments of two Chinese men for allegedly hacking into US companies last month, that while he had already decided against travelling to China, he would now have to think twice about travelling to countries which had good ties with the Asian power. "I had already decided I wasn't travelling to China based on earlier US/China confrontations," Williams, who now runs his own infosec outfit, Rendition Infosec, said. "But every additional provocation (Huawei CFO, charging/outing government hackers, etc.) brings additional concern. "My big concern now is that China will do something like we did with the Huawei CFO and have them arrested in transit. It's making me think twice about travel through countries that are friendly to China, even if I'm not clearing customs." The arrest of Meng was carried out by Canadian authorities based on a request from the US, which claims she has been involved in breaking American sanctions on shipping US-made equipment to Iran. Williams has warned in the past of reprisals following indictments of foreigners by the US Justice Department. He slammed the US Government when the FBI named a North Korean in a criminal complaint in September last year, pointing out that the man had no option but to carry out the orders he was given.. Williams made a similar statement after the US Justice Department issued an indictment in July last year, naming 12 Russians for alleged hacking offences connected to the 2016 US presidential election. The indictments of the two Chinese in December 2018 said they had "conducted global campaigns of computer intrusions targeting, among other data, intellectual property and confidential business and technological information at managed service providers, which are companies that remotely manage the information technology infrastructure of businesses and governments around the world, more than 45 technology companies in at least a dozen US states, and US government agencies". Irene Jaehne Mouser beloved mother, grandmother, and friend went home to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 93, in Huntsville, Tx. on June 9, 2021. Irene met her husband Leroy Mouser while working at the Houston Police Department. In 1947, Leroy and Irene were married, had three sons, December 20, 2018 POCATELLO Students in the Idaho State University College of Business accounting programs will once again offer the community and fellow students the opportunity to have their taxes filed for free as part of the IRSs Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Students will begin filing on Jan. 24 through March 28 every Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Rendezvous Complex Room 213. In order to qualify for VITA services, patrons must make an annual income of $52,000 or less. They are also asked to bring all tax documents, their social security card and a form of ID. International students will also need to bring their passports. In addition to providing free tax assistance to the community and to students, VITA also provides invaluable experience for College of Business students in the undergraduate and graduate accounting programs. Over the past several years, students have surpassed their goal of returns filed and even filed more than area schools of a greater size. Last year, students filed 430 returns over the two-month period, which was the second largest year-to-year increase the College of Businesss program has seen thus far. According to the Program Director and accounting Professor, Dawn Konicek, most other schools of a similar size and student participation, file around 70 to 80 returns through the whole two-month span. The program typically has around 20 student volunteers including preparers and more advanced students helping to review and finalize each return before submitting. According to Konicek, before students can volunteer for the program, they must pass three exams covering volunteer code of conduct, an intake and review sheet exam, and a basic and advanced tax exam. Monday, January 14th, 2019 (7:57 am) - Score 2,742 The CEO of UK cable broadband ISP and TV operator Virgin Media, Tom Mockridge, has called on the countrys political parties to put their differences aside and deliver clarity when the Prime Ministers Brexit deal with the EU is voted on tomorrow. Clarity is vital for the sake of stability and greater certainty, said Tom. There are few debates or decisions more divisive than Brexit. You can see that simply by talking to people in the street and by the on-going lack of any solid direction or agreement coming from MPs at Westminster. The country continues to be split and it seems increasingly unlikely that tomorrows key vote will bring any kind of resolution to this state of affairs before Brexit Day (29th March 2019). The situation is particularly tedious for telecoms operators like Virgin Media, which is owned by Liberty Global that has various operators, complicated relationships and supply chains to consider across the EU. The company is currently investing c.3bn into the UK to fuel its Project Lightning network expansion, which originally aspired to cover an extra 4 million UK premises by the end of 2019 but now seems likely to achieve far less. Rival operators like BT, O2 and Vodafone are also in similarly complex positions, where any deviation from the current EU framework could create some difficult operational and financial challenges. On top of that some operators, such as BT, have large contracts with the EUs political institutions that could now end up being scrapped in favour of sourcing similar services from rival EU based operators. Tom Mockridge, CEO of Virgin Media, told ISPreview.co.uk: A no-deal Brexit would leave us with more questions than answers. As a major investor in this country, clarity is vital the uncertainty that has hung over British businesses for many months must come to an end. Political differences should be put to one side for the sake of stability and greater certainty. Thats what Britain needs most at this time. Somehow we doubt that the certainty Virgin Media and others seek will arrive by the end of play tomorrow. If found guilty, the two face death sentences or life imprisonment for high treason, while the defamation of the State charge carries a maximum two years in prison and/or a fine. The two will face their trial at the Sittwe District Court. It is not yet clear if they will appeal to the Supreme Court of the Union. That our appeal was dismissed means the verdict of the Sittwe District Court is affirmed, said defense lawyer for Wai Hin Aung told reporters. They then lodged an appeal to the Rakhine State High Court to withdraw the charges. The court however denied the appeal, said defense lawyer U Kyaw Nyunt Maung. The two men were facing charges for high treason, defamation of the State and unlawful association. At the event, politician U Aye Maung and author Wai Hin Aung reportedly expressed support for the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group recently denounced as an insurgent group by the Myanmar government after it launched attacks on four border police outposts in Buthidaung Township, northern Rakhine on Jan. 4. SITTWEThe Rakhine State High Court has rejected the appeal to withdraw charges against a prominent Arakanese politician and an author who have been detained since their arrest in January last year over their remarks at an event commemorating the 233rd anniversary of the fall of the Arakan Kingdom to the Burmese in 1785 held in Rathedaung Township, northern Rakhine. U Aye Maung at Sittwe Court in May 2018. / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy U Aye Maung at Sittwe Court in May 2018. / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy N.Korea Leader Visits China after Warning of Alternate Path to US Talks With Farms Atop Malls, Singapore Gets Serious About Food Security Four Decades on, Cambodia Reflects on its 'Killing Fields' Nightmare Asia Must Be Alert to Rise in Anti-LGBT+ Rhetoric Ahead of Polls Analysis: Behind the Threats and Warnings of Chinese Ambassadors Kachin Visit China's Xi Nudges N.Korea, US to Meet Half Way as Second Summit Planned Loikaw Residents Protest Felling of Trees to Make Way for Govt Office What Does the Arakan Army Bring to Rakhine State? Confederation the Only Option for Arakanese People, AA Chief Says Two Years After U Ko Ni Assassination, Key Witnesses Yet to Testify The Causes and Likely Effects of the Arakan Armys Attacks From Tibet to the 'Nine Dragons,' Vietnam's Mekong Delta is Losing Sand Poland Could Limit Use of Huawei Products After Worker Arrested Too Scared to Return Home, Myanmar Refugees in Thai Camps Face an Uncertain Future We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window. News KNU Likely to Rejoin Formal Peace Talks Members of the KNU and the governments Peace Commission meet for informal peace talks in Chiang Mai, Thailand on January 13, 2019. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy CHIANG MAI, ThailandMyanmar government peace negotiators have said their latest round of informal talks with Karen National Union (KNU) leaders saw progression towards resuming formal peace negotiations which have been stalled since early November. Both sides (the government and the KNU) are trying to get back on track as soon as possible and the informal negotiations channel is for [informal to formal meetings] only, said U Zaw Htay, spokesperson and director general of the State Counselors Office, which is overseeing the peace process. Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo, secretary of the KNU, pledged that they would move forward with the current peace process. No further details on the negotiations were disclosed by either side. Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo led the KNU delegation in the informal talks with the government, accompanied by the KNUs military and security affairs advisor Col. Saw Htoo Htoo Lay, head of foreign affairs Padoh Saw Taw Nee and others. U Zaw Htay accompanied the secretary of the Peace Commission U Khin Zaw Oo, commission member U Aung Soe and advisor U Hla Maung Shwe on separate meetings with a number of ethnic armed organizations. Following the KNU meeting on Sunday, they met the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Monday. The informal talks follow a series of similar talks in November and December with the same delegation in Chiang Mai. The KNU leads the Peace Process Steering Team, a group made up of the 10 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signatories, but due to some internal issues it did not attend discussions with its allies for a number of months. KNU negotiation leadership has also shifted within vice chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win being replaced with secretary Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo last year. Speculations have arisen surrounding the KNUs possible exit from the steering team, with rumors that they would approach peace talks independently, but these claims have been denied by Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo. On Sunday he told reporters, it is not true and we will continue our collaboration with other [ethnic armed organizations]. Peace negotiations with both signatories and non-signatories of the NCA have been on and off under the current National League for Democracy government. Though State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi leads the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC), it is former military leaders U Thein Zaw, the centers vice chair, and Peace Commission Secretary U Khin Zaw Oo who lead the face-to-face negotiations with various ethnic armed organizations. The current chief negotiators believe that sessions of the Panglong Peace Conferenceswhich are to be held biannuallyshould be conducted only when all NCA signatories take part, emphasizing the importance of KNU being involved in the process. The Peace Commission has also been holding talks with NCA non-signatories and this month they are to meet ethnic armed organizations based in northern Shan State and Kachin State, according to U Zaw Htay. News Chinese Envoy Urges Northern Alliance Leaders to Talk Peace Ethnic Kachin welcome Chinese envoy Sun Guoxiangs delegation to Laiza on Jan. 11. / Hkun Awng Niam / Facebook Chinese Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang visited the Kachin Independence Organizations headquarters in Laiza last week, where he met with leaders of the Northern Alliance. Hundreds of ethnic Kachin, including soldiers from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), waved Chinese and KIA flags on the streets of Laiza on Jan. 11 to welcome Suns delegation. He met our KIO committee. At the meeting, he stressed that China seeks border stability, said Colonel Naw Bu, a spokesperson for the KIO/KIA. Sun urged the KIO to show tolerance and remain open to peace talks. He urged the group to seek possible routes to open peace talks with the Myanmar government. He told the KIO that instead of fighting, it is best to sit down at the peace negotiating table, Col. Naw Bu said. Suns visit coincided with the Chinese New Year, and he told the KIO that this was another reason for his friendly visit to Laiza. KIO chairman General NBan Hla led the committee meeting with Sun, according to Col. Naw Bu. The Myitsone Dam was not discussed at the meeting, Col. Naw Bu said. Sun met individually with leaders of the Northern Alliance member groups, including the Arakan Army (AA). He discussed ways of ending the fighting in Rakhine with AA leaders. AA spokesperson Khine Thukha confirmed to The Irrawaddy that leaders of the group met Sun in Laiza to discuss the current situation between the AA and the Myanmar military. We had a discussion on how to end the current fighting in Rakhine. They also asked about the attacks on Jan. 4 and how the AA could join the peace process, he said. The spokesperson said the AA delegation replied that the AA had been forced to defend itself, as the government had used excessive force. The AA attacked four Border Guard Police outposts in Rakhines Buthidaung Township on Jan. 4, killing 13 police. Khine Thukha told the BBC he did not see many prospects for an end to the fighting, as the AA was determined to continue fighting for the communitys ethnic rights. The Northern Alliance comprises four ethnic armed organizations that have yet to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and are engaged in ongoing clashes with the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw): the KIA, the Taang National Liberation Army, the AA and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. Burma Kachin Leaders Condemn Chinese Embassy Dam Comments The Chinese ambassador, Chinese officials and Kachin political leaders at Palm Spring Hotel in Myitkyina, Kachin State in December 2018. / Chinese Embassy in Myanmar / Facebook YANGONProminent political parties in Kachin State announced on Monday that a statement released by the Chinese embassy in Yangon, which described the Kachin peoples support for a controversial hydropower project in the state, was inaccurate and misleading and that the Kachin want to permanently halt the project. In response to The Irrawaddys story published about recent meetings between Kachin leaders and the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, the Chinese embassy on Sunday released a statement saying that Kachin people were not against the resumption of the dam project which has been suspended for seven years. The embassy said the Ambassador Hong Liang visited Kachin State at the end of December to meet the leaders of local political parties and social organizations. The local people of Kachin State do not oppose the Myitsone hydropower project: it is some individuals and social organizations from outside that oppose the project, said the statement. Locally known as the Myitsone Dam, the $3.6 billion project slated to be developed at the confluence of two rivers which form the start of the Irrawaddy River, known as Myanmars lifeline, was suspended by then-president U Thein Sein in 2011 amid widespread public outcry over the dams serious social and environmental impacts. Environmentalists warned that it could potentially flood an area the size of Singapore, destroying livelihoods and displacing more than 10,000 people. The three prominent Kachin party leaders who met with Ambassador Hong Liang said the embassy statement was inaccurate and misleading. The Chinese ambassador visited Kachin State on Dec. 28 and 29, 2018 and met with Gumgrawng Awng Hkam, president of the Kachin Democratic Party (KDP), Manam Tu Ja, president of the Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP), U Hkyet Thing Nan, president of the Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State (UDP-KS) as well as Rev. Hkalam Samson, president of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC). The three political parties are the most popular among Kachin people and they recently merged as a single party called the Kachin State Peoples Party and will contend for the 2020 elections. KBC is the largest and most influential religious organization in the state and has a reputation for providing assistance to war refugees, working in drug eradication and educational support for locals. The Chinese ambassador also separately met U Si Phar Lar Lu, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party which won two seats in the Lower House of Parliament in 2015s general election and U Sai San Wae, chairman of the Shan Ethnic Affairs Society which represents Shan communities living in Kachin State. The Irrawaddy contacted the political and religious leaders for their responses to the Chinese embassy statement. Gumgrawng Awng Hkam, President, Kachin Democratic Party We have been opposed the Myitsone Dam project since the outset of the project. Our people dont agree with project and our party is also against it. We oppose the project now and forever. However, China refuses to give up and keeps trying [to move forward with the project]. They are giving the reasons that Chinese investors are hesitant to make new investments [in Myanmar] due to the failure of the Myitsone Dam. We did not say in the meeting with the Chinese ambassador that we agree to restart the Myitsone Dam. They wrote the statement as they want. We dont agree with it. I would like to again say clearly to the Chinese ambassador and China that our party and I totally disagree with the Myitsone project. Manam Tu Ja, President, Kachin State Democracy Party We three Kachin parties met with the Chinese ambassador together. It took more than one hour. I did not say what they mentioned in the statement. I definitely did not say it. Our people have not changed their minds. They dont agree with the construction of the Myitsone project in Kachin State. Our stance on the Myitsone project has not changed. We also discussed the peace process and other IDP issues. The [Chinese embassy] should have issued a clearer statement. It made the Kachin people confused. It is misleading, they should not say that. Rev. Hkalam Samson, President, Kachin Baptist Convention I expressed my concern for the people who are living downstream of the dam project if the Myitsone Dam were to collapse. I also told them we dont want to destroy the beauty of Myitsone which is also the [starting point] of Myanmars lifeline river, the Irrawaddy. I told them that I could not make any decision on my own on whether to restart the Myitsone Dam. I have to discuss it with all the leaders in our organization. In my opinion, it would be better to have a public consultation about the dam instead of only our leaderships comments on the issue. I was also misquoted in the statement which said I told them about the differences between China and other countries and about strengthening cooperation with China. I only said that western countries first priority is human rights while China is focused on development issues. We have a lot of Kachin people in Yunnan, China so our religious leaders want to propagate the Kachin people in Yunnan. I told them we could have closer friendships between the KBC and Kachin people in Yunnan. I did not mean that we should have more cooperation with their country [China]. I actually meant that I would like to have more cooperation with Kachin people in China. Asia From Tibet to the 'Nine Dragons,' Vietnam's Mekong Delta is Losing Sand A crane moves sand from a ship on the Mekong River in Hau Giang Province, Vietnam, on Dec.19. / Reuters MO CAY, Vietnam In the dead of night, the entire front half of shopkeeper Ta Thi Kim Anhs house collapsed. Perched on the sandy banks of the Mekong River, it took just a few minutes for one half of everything she owned to plunge into its murky depths. Our kitchen, our laundry room, our two bedrooms, all gone, said Kim Anh, speaking amongst the twisted metal and rubble of her house, from which she still sells eggs, soap and instant noodles to villagers in Ben Tre, a province in Vietnams Mekong Delta region. Wed be better off living in a cave instead, said Kim Anh, who has used coconut husks and old tires to reinforce the riverbank under her home. Upstream damming and extensive mining of the Mekongs riverbed for sand is causing the land between the sprawling network of rivers and channels near the mouth of one of the worlds great rivers to sink at a pace of around 2 cm a year, experts and officials said. The 4,350-km river, known as the Lancang in its upper reaches, flows from Chinas Tibetan Plateau along the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, through Cambodia and finally Vietnam, where it forms the delta known in Vietnam as the Nine Dragons. Reuters visited three provinces straddling different branches of the delta, where it has supported farming and fishing communities for millennia. Across the region, local authorities are struggling with a rapid pace of erosion that is destroying homes and threatening livelihoods in the Southeast Asian countrys largest rice-growing region. A key cause is the years of upstream damming in Cambodia, Laos and China that has removed crucial sediment, local officials and experts said. That sediment, vital for checking the mighty Mekongs currents, has also been lost due to an insatiable demand for sand a key ingredient in concrete and other construction materials in fast-developing Vietnam that has created a market both at home and abroad for unregulated mining. Its not a problem of the lack of water, its the lack of sediment, said Duong Van Ni, an expert on the Mekong River at the College of Natural Resources Management of Can Tho University, the largest city in the Mekong Delta region. Sand never reaches us At this time of year the waters of the Mekong used to flow into Vietnam as a milky-brown crawl, locals and officials said. Now, the river runs clear. And without fresh sediment from upstream, the deeper riverbed creates stronger currents, which in turn eat away at the banks of the Mekong, where those who rely on the river for their livelihoods have their homes. The problems began when China built its first hydropower plants in the Upper Mekong Basin, said Ni at Can Tho University. That left Laos, Cambodia and Thailand as the main source of sediment for the Mekong in Vietnam, he said. Sand mining in Cambodia boomed over the last 10 years, fuelled in part by demand from wealthy but cramped Singapore, where it is used to reclaim land along its coast, and culminating in a government ban of all Cambodian sand exports in 2017 under pressure from environmental groups. Hydroelectric projects have continued, however. Earlier this month, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen opened a $816 million hydroelectric dam in Stung Treng Province, near the border with Laos, built by companies from China, Cambodia and Vietnam. The new dam is the Southeast Asian countrys biggest hydroelectric project to date and will have a catastrophic impact on fisheries and biodiversity in the Mekong River, environmental groups have said. Hun Sen has dismissed criticism of the project, which he says benefits Cambodia and its people. Since China built hydropower plants, new sand almost never reaches us, said Ni. If we use up the sand we have here, there will be no more. Chinas Foreign Ministry said in response to Reuters questions that it pays great attention to the concerns and needs of downstream countries on the Mekong, adding that its regulation of water flows from hydro dams has already become an important instrument in preventing floods and droughts. Singapores Ministry of National Development said in a statement emailed to Reuters the city state imports sand on a commercial basis from various countries. We have stringent controls to ensure that suppliers obtain sand in accordance with the source countrys laws and regulations, it said. Slingshots and sand thieves Regional officials in southwest Chinas Yunnan Province have defended the building of dams on the Mekong there as fully legally compliant. Downstream, however, the problem is made worse by thieves who illegally mine for sand, usually at night. The unlicensed sand miners are very quick and devious, Nguyen Quang Thuong, vice head of Ben Tre Provinces Agriculture Department, told Reuters in a recent interview. They escape very fast, so having groups of local people helping out the authorities is very helpful. One such group in Ben Tre, some of whom are as old as 67, have been using homemade weapons such as slingshots and rudimentary catapults to drive the sand thieves away. We patrol 24/7, and in the first few months we managed to get rid of 90 percent of the thieves, said Nam Lai, a member of the group. Since 2018, none of them dare to go near our shore. Still, activists and environmental groups worry that on the Mekong, which runs through six countries with competing needs to exploit the rivers hydroelectric potential, the damage has already been done. Pianporn Deetes, at the International Rivers campaign group, who has worked on the Mekong for two decades, said there was a lack of political will among the countries that share the river to acknowledge the cross-border impact of such projects. Without the recognition of the existing problems, I dont think there is any hope, she said. Asia Poland Could Limit Use of Huawei Products After Worker Arrested The logo of Huawei is seen in front of the local offices of Huawei in Warsaw, Poland, on Friday. / Reuters WARSAW Poland could consider banning the use of Huawei products by public bodies, a senior government official said on Sunday, following the arrest of a Chinese Huawei official in the east European country last week. The Polish government could also look to tighten legislation to allow the authorities to limit the availability of products made by any company deemed to pose a threat to security. Poland arrested a Chinese employee of Huawei and a former Polish security official on spying allegations, officials and sources told Reuters on Friday, a move that could fuel Western security concerns about the telecoms equipment maker. A government official who is responsible for cyber security told Reuters abrupt policy changes towards Huawei were not warranted after the arrests. But he said the use of the companys products by state entities could be reviewed. We will analyze whether our decision can include an end to the use of Huawei products, Karol Okonski told Reuters. We do not have the legal means to force private companies or citizens to stop using any IT companys products. It cannot be ruled out that we will consider legislative changes that would allow such a move, he added. A spokesman for Polands security services said on Friday the Polish official arrested by the countrys Internal Security Agency had been responsible for issuing security certificates for equipment used by public administration. [He] used to work for a number of public institutions, held important managerial positions and was also connected with institutions that protect internal security, he told public broadcaster TVP. Seeking to distance itself from the incident, Huawei said on Saturday it had sacked its employee, adding his alleged actions have no relation to the company. Huawei, the worlds biggest producer of telecommunications equipment, faces intense scrutiny in the West over its relationship with Chinas government and U.S.-led allegations that its devices could be used by Beijing for spying. No evidence has been produced publicly and the firm has repeatedly denied the accusations, but several Western countries have restricted Huaweis access to their markets. Polands internal affairs minister, Joachim Brudzinski, called for the European Union and NATO to work on a joint position over whether to exclude Huawei from their markets. We are examining the readiness of the [EU and NATO] countries to work on a joint position, Okonski told Reuters, referring to the new generation of 5G telecoms infrastructure. News 19 Diplomatic Missions Considering Move to Capital: Govt A man leads a bull cart crosses a road in Naypyitaw. / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAW Nineteen countries have proposed opening embassies in the diplomatic zone of Myanmars capital, Naypyitaw, and three have already acquired land there, said U Min Thu, a member of the Naypyitaw Development Committee. Bangladesh and Malaysia have bought land in the diplomatic zone while Brunei has exchanged its embassy compound in Yangon for property in the capital, U Min Thu told reporters in Naypyitaw on Saturday. They have paid money and signed agreements. And Qatar is in the final stage of signing the agreement, he said. South Korea and Australia have also come and seen the land in the diplomatic zone and made inquiries, he added. The Naypyitaw municipality has set the price of land at $500,000 per acre. Each plot measures over five acres, and diplomatic missions are allowed to purchase two plots each. Major powers such as the United States, China and India have proposed purchasing more than two plots, said U Min Thu. Naypyitaw could benefit from the relocation of the diplomat community, said Daw Pyone Cathy Naing, a member of the Lower Houses International Relations Committee. Their relocation will attract investment in healthcare and education [for the diplomats children] and related infrastructure development, so it is good, she said. The diplomatic zone is located in Dekkhinathiri Township and covers a total 1,500 acres, including 120 plots for foreign missions. Roads, electricity and water have been provided to facilitate their relocation. The Naypyitaw municipality is also preparing to build hospitals and colleges that meet international standards, said U Min Thu. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Lifestyle The Best Bars for Live Music in Yangon SamRaz performs at the Atlas Rooftop Bar on Jan. 5. / Atlas Rooftop Bar / Facebook YANGON After a busy day, or a long week, most people just want a nice place to chill and relax with their friends. There are plenty of pubs, bars, clubs and karaoke parlors across Yangon. But some people prefer live music. So heres a list of some great live music venues to try. 7th Joint Bar & Grill 7th Joint Bar and Grill is the only reggae bar in town and is popular with teens and adults alike. The bar is always packed with both foreigners and locals, especially on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and weekends. It has an open mic on Tuesdays, Burmese music on Wednesdays and international music on Fridays with local bands. On Sundays the bar hosts unplugged music nights. The bar is located on the ground floor of the Urban Asia Center, at the corner of 47th Street and Maha Bandula Road. Its open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Atlas Rooftop Bar & Lounge Named the Best Nightlife Experience in Yangon by Myanmore in 2017, this rooftop bar will give you the best views of the night and has a live band every Wednesday and on weekends. This Saturday, the international artists of SamRaz will play Latin and jazz tunes. Its located at No. 84 Pan Hlaing Rd. in Sanchaung Township. Hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe Yangon The popular Hard Rock Cafe chain has come to Yangon and you can enjoy authentic American dining with live music. It has its own bands from abroad playing Tuesday to Sunday. Hard Rock Cafe Yangon is located on the fourth floor of Myanmar Plaza and is open from 5 p.m. until late. 50th Street Restaurant & Bar 50th Street Restaurant & Bar is already popular with expats and locals because of its good food, cool vibes and music nights. It hosts both live music nights and DJ events. The bar has acoustic sessions every Friday and announces special events on its Facebook page. 50th Street Restaurant & Bar is located on the lower block of 50th street and easy to find. Its open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Terminal5 Bar & Grill Terminal5 is a small bar but has two branches, one at the corner of Sanchaung Street and Padonma Street and another on 19th Street. The drinks are cheap but good and the bar has live music on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Most of the bands play Burmese songs. It is a nice spot to chill and stays open from 4 p.m. until late. Harrys Bar Yangon The Yangon branches of this Singapore brand offer the best of Singapores dinning experience and Harrys Premium Larger beer. The first Harrys Bar in Myanmar opened on the ground floor of Myanmar Plaza, the second at Junction Square. The bars are popular, with unplugged nights at the Myanmar Plaza branch every Tuesday. After a long day at work, a drink with good music is the perfect way to unwind for the music lover. We hope you all have a great time. Interview NLD Lawmaker Stands by His Windbag Jibe at Yangon Mayor Municipal workers collect garbage at a public dumpsite in Yangons Sanchaung Township. / Aung Kyaw Htet YANGONLower House lawmaker U Bo Bo Oo of Yangons Sanchaung Township on Jan. 9 called Yangon Mayor U Maung Maung Soe a windbag in a social media post complaining about public sanitation services in his constituency. His post caused a storm on social media. The Irrawaddys Thazin Hlaing interviewed the lawmaker about his criticism of Yangon municipality. Why did you call the Yangon mayor a windbag on social media? I called him that because I dont think hes carrying out his duties. What do you mean by his duties? As he is the mayor, anything related to the development of the city is his duty. He has ultimate responsibility. He must be able to manage [the city] properly. But Ive found that he has neglected that duty. Can you give some examples of things he failed to do in your township? For example, the sewerage system was not functioning properly, and [human waste] was spilling into the drains. [The municipality] didnt handle it, though I filed a complaint. It has also failed to handle the problem of stray dogs. In a letter, I asked [the regional government] to handle those problems, and it sent me a telling me how it would do so. But it hasnt been able to handle the problems on the ground. So, local residents face the problem of stray dogs daily. Furthermore, the sidewalks [in Sanchaung] are occupied by vendors, forcing people to walk in the street. Its unsafe. As the 2018 YCDC [Yangon City Development Committee] Law has come into effect, I want [the municipality] to apply it. But I see no [implementation] on the ground. Far from implementing it, the situation gets worse. If the new YCDC Law does not take effect, thats a threat to the rule of law. That wouldnt be good for the country or the people. Why did the municipality fail to respond to your complaints? There is a problem with management. There is a mechanism in place for different levels of management to handle these issues. [The mayor] must be able to handle it effectively. He doesnt need to go around town looking into ditches. Id be happy if he just did his job. You are a lawmaker of the National League for Democracy (NLD). U Maung Maung Soe was also appointed by the NLD. Some say you should have spoken with him privately, rather than posting about him on social media. What do you say to that? The mediaregardless of which typeare meant to serve as bridges between the people and the authorities. This must be accepted. There have been strong responses to your criticism of the mayor from both from the public and within the party. This is normal. The NLD is fully democratic, internally. It is normal for party members to argue with each other at party meetings. This is the essence of democracy. The NLD has the strongest democratic values in Myanmar. Every executive of the NLD is elected. We are the only party that exercises democracy in Myanmar. So, [such criticism] is normal to me, as we implement democracy on the ground. Has the party leadership or the government spoken to you about your criticism? Our party allows internal criticism. There are frank discussions and criticism within the party. These are the [partys] values. I read in a news report that [NLD spokesperson] Monywa U Aung Shin speculated that I would be punished by the party. His speculation undermines the partys image. His speculation amounts to underestimating the party. The party places a very high value on democracy. The fact that he doesnt know this means he has lost touch with the party. You compared the mayors of Mandalay and Yangon. What differences have you noticed as a lawmaker? Though I am a lawmaker, let me speak colloquially: They are as different as fragrance and feces. What kind of mayor do you want for Yangon? A mayor who works like the Mandalay mayor. What needs to be done to get such mayor? I mean, will it be done by the people or by the government? For the peoples part, there will be municipal elections on March 31. Six people will be elected to the YCDC, and one will be the vice mayor. It seems that we will have to place our hopes in him or her. It would be good if the current mayor changed his mind and worked [for the city]. What is your response to those who say the mayor has no authority? That is shifting the blame. He shifts blame to his superiors to cover up his inactivity. I dont believe he has no authority. People had high hopes when the new municipal law was enacted, as it carries jail sentences for violators. How is it being implemented on the ground? People have a good opinion of the law. They anticipate its enforcement. So, I want to urge the YCDC to implement it boldly. Then, people will follow. What is the main obstacle to implementing it? The mayors failure to do his job. The Trump administration expects Saudi Arabia to hold "every single person" responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi accountable, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. His comments came after talks with senior Saudi officials that also focused on Middle East crises and countering threats from Iran. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Mr Pompeo said he had raised the Khashoggi case in his meetings with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as other human rights concerns, and the fate of women's rights activists who have been detained in the kingdom. "We spoke about human rights issues here in Saudi Arabia, women activists," he told reporters at the end of a trip to Riyadh. "We spoke about the accountability and the expectations that we have. The Saudis are friends and when friends have conversations you tell them what your expectations are." "Our expectations have been clear from early on: every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to be held accountable," Mr Pompeo said. He said the Saudis understood and had reiterated pledges to pursue the case wherever it leads. Mr Pompeo would not comment on US intelligence suggesting the crown prince may have ordered the killing. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following Mr Khashoggi's brutal killing and dismemberment at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Members of Prince Mohammed's entourage have been implicated in the killing and US lawmakers have demanded America pull back its support of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. On the detained women rights activists, Mr Pompeo said the Saudis had committed that the "lawful judicial process would take place and they would do so quickly and that they would continue down that path". "They understand the concerns that some have and they are going to do their best to communicate as appropriate," he said. Mr Pompeo travelled to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader Middle East tour that has already taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. He was to depart from the kingdom for Oman shortly after his meetings in Riyadh but cancelled plans to wrap up the trip in Kuwait on Tuesday, due to a death in his family. At each stop, Mr Pompeo has sought to reassure Arab leaders that President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw US forces from Syria does not mean Washington is abandoning the Middle East or the fight against Islamic State. Mr Pompeo said he believed he had been successful in explaining Mr Trump's position, despite a lack of detail on exactly how and when the withdrawal will take place and differences with Turkey over the fate of US-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters after American forces leave. He also tried to impress upon leaders the importance of a political solution to the conflict in Yemen, the Arab world's most impoverished country, and the need to step up efforts to counter Iran's increasing assertiveness in the region, manifested by its support for Lebanon's militant Hezbollah movement, Syria's government of President Bashar Assad, Shiite militias in Iraq and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. In Riyadh, Mr Pompeo lamented that the Houthis were not living up to pledges they made at UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden. "We need both sides to honour those commitments and to date, the Iranian-backed Houthis have chosen not to do that," he said. Mr Pompeo also pressed the Saudis on bringing an end to the near two-year-old dispute with its Gulf neighbour Qatar, which has badly hindered US efforts to create a united Arab military alliance to counter Iran. "It diminishes our ability to all work together," he said of the spat that began in June 2017 with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boycotting Qatar, alleging it funds extremist groups and has too-cosy ties to Iran. In Doha on Sunday, Mr Pompeo made similar remarks but said that while the United States could try to play peacemaker, it is ultimately up to the countries involved to resolve the situation. Despite our housing crisis, politicians seem all too ready to object to developments. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and former tanaiste Joan Burtons objections to a four-storey development in Castleknock were unsuccessful. Some time ago Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin lodged an objection over plans for accommodation for 350 students in his constituency. Last week Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath voiced his opposition to the residential mix of 377 apartments and eight houses proposed for Marino, in Dublin. This cage-rattling might have credibility beyond the self-serving if these politicians, and there are many more, advocated as stridently on other environmental issues. However, they, more often than not, act on foot of representations from NIMBY constituents. Despite that, they should find the courage to say no more often. Leadership can be bruising. An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for over 300 homes in East Cork. This was an independent ruling and shows that we have a long way to go before we accept the cultural changes needed to resolve the housing crisis. Why did US secretary of state Mike Pompeo travel to the heart of the Arab world to deliver a speech largely intended for partisan political consumption at home, asks David Eckels US Secretary of state Mike Pompeos much-marketed speech in Cairo was rich in straw man fallacies while short on substantive specifics, a speech bursting with contradictions that reminded me just how hard it must be to speak for a president who has, at best, an incoherent foreign policy. Mr Pompeos speech appeared to have three intended audiences, none of which was actually present in the American University in Cairo auditorium: the US Oval Office, the Saudi royal court, and US president Donald Trumps political base, which hungers for ABO (Anything but Obama), however inaccurate. The strange revisionism of Mr Pompeos Cairo speech was hard to miss. He began by excoriating Barack Obama for words the former president never spoke. Referring to Mr Obamas 2009 Cairo speech, Mr Pompeo said that Mr Obama had told Egypt that radical Islamist terrorism does not stem from an ideology and that 9/11 led my country to abandon its ideals. Mr Pompeo argued that Mr Obama was guilty of seeing the US as a force for what ails the Middle East and that the results of these misjudgments have been dire. Of course, Mr Obama never said any of that. As his presidency began, in a Middle East still roiled by the American invasion of Iraq, a blunder opposed by most of the Arab world, Mr Obama defended the US: America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. He did make it clear that I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and for good reason: President George W Bushs own administration had come to believe that Guantanamo and the fallout of the Abu Ghraib torture scandal had badly damaged Americas image, aided terrorist recruitment, and made it harder for the US to bring Arab allies to its side. Mr Obama never said that radical terrorism was devoid of ideology; in fact, like his predecessor, he argued that America is not and never will be at war with Islam. He separated the terrorists from the religion, in order to pull the Muslim world closer in isolating and fighting those very extremists who were bastardising a religion. Its not a new phenomenon for the Trump administration to rewrite the history of the Obama administration. But this time it was particularly brazen. Mr Pompeo argued that, after Syrias 2013 poison gas attacks, in our hesitation to wield power, we did nothing; he neglected to mention that it was Republican senate leader Mitch McConnell who opposed granting Mr Obama the authority hed asked for to conduct airstrikes, or that then-private citizen Mr Trump opposed US intervention of any kind in Syria. But the big question is why an American secretary of state would travel to the heart of the Arab world to deliver a speech largely intended for partisan political consumption at home. One might argue that Mr Pompeo had little choice but to engage in rhetorical broadsides, given the difficulty of explaining Mr Trumps vision. The secretary argued that the age of self-inflicted American shame is over; he might want to check with his commander in chief, who has famously defended autocrats who kill journalists and innocents and said, our country does plenty of killing too. It requires extraordinary rhetorical dexterity to attack his predecessors for abandoning the Middle East less than a month after Mr Trump, without warning, announced a unilateral, precipitous withdrawal of US special forces from Syria, prompting the resignation of defense secretary Jim Mattis in protest. But my lasting worry about Mr Pompeos speech is more than its contradictions; its the wilful misunderstanding of what Mr Obama sought to achieve in the region. Mr Pompeo doesnt need to agree with Mr Obamas policies to understand and be informed by their motivation. Mr Obama in 2009 sought a reset with the populations of the Middle East because he diagnosed the danger of Americas image being defined in the region to serve our adversaries agendas; the Arab Spring which followed two years later confirmed why the US needs to tend to its image on Arab streets, not just with autocratic allies: theres no guarantee their reigns will endure. Mr Pompeo should worry now that Mr Trump, in mismanaging Americas image, has once again handed Iran and others a convenient weapon of mass distraction. He should certainly worry that Mr Trumps decision to put all his eggs in the basket of personal relationships with two or three leaders in the volatile region could prove shortsighted. Mr Pompeo should also remember that the Obama administration performed a delicate diplomatic dance: rather than plunge into a unilateral war with Iran, Mr Obama won even grudging Gulf Arab support for an Iran nuclear weapons agreement that is still working in spite of the absence of the US. By seemingly taking sides on ancient Sunni-Shia sectarian divisions between Riyadh and Tehran, Mr Trump is exacerbating tensions instead of seeking an uneasy equilibrium that serves Americas interests. And, of course, in decrying the Obama approach that successfully decimated Islamic State (which hasnt changed in practice under Mr Trump but has shifted in rhetoric) Mr Pompeo forgets that secretary of state John Kerry began his diplomacy to organise the coalition against Islamic State in Jeddah. Having the kingdom, home of Mecca and Medina, prominent in a coalition against Sunni extremists was pivotal in mounting an operation that couldnt be mistaken as a war against Islam. It was Saudi Arabia that appreciated the ways the Obama administration bent over backwards to demonstrate that we were not at war with their religion. Mr Pompeo, like all US secretaries of state, will ultimately be judged on substance, not speeches. But make no mistake, last week in Cairo, he made his own job a little harder. Some listening is in order to the Arab Street, and to history. David Eckels Wade was chief of staff to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chief of staff to the US Department of State from 2013 to 2015. @davideckelswade In one of those ludicrous articles where players putative contractual valuations are bandied about, Harry Kane was priced at 330m on Saturday. Whats he worth now, I wonder, after striking out last night? More to the point, whats De Gea to be booked in at half a billion? The Spaniard, whos also better with his feet than some of his clumpier defenders, was obviously man of the match last night, and he had some us reminiscing about the old Schmeichel days. Do you remember some of those cracking away games against the best sides of the 90s? United would often end up under the cosh for lengthy spells but we would handle being besieged in a very Fergie United manner confidently, bravely, and always with an eye for nicking a brilliant winner on the break. More often than not, King Eric would then do the honours; last night it was Rashford, hitherto often more of a knave than a prince, applying a regal finish to a sublime set-up. But it stems from confidence built on the firmest foundations. Schmikes could be relied upon to stand tall in those kinds of games, and so can De Gea; it is why keeping him should be item one on any new bosss agenda. And is Pochettino still the most credible candidate for that role after last night? That implies an absurd leap to judgment, but the scoreline demands the question be asked, according to many fans. Their argument is as simple as it gets; if Ole keeps answering and overcoming the challenges put to him, at what point does Woodward simply have to surrender to the forces of natural justice? The bond between Ole and the fans especially those who travel was already firm. You could see at full-time last night, when the boss went over to salute the Army, that it might be threatening to turn into something thats all but unbreakable. Give it Ole, was the phrase I kept hearing last night. As the old song says, please dont take my Solskjaer away. And then should United overcome PSG next month... well, lets not get ahead of ourselves. But theres no denying that this sixshooting display out of the traps, beating Busbys record, has got us wondering whether top four may now be an achievable aim, a mere month after everyone had written it off. Much of what happens next surely depends on the key player and leader who had, to be frank, appeared to down tools under Mourinho. Pogba was very good in London, and wont need any motivating for the looming Paris tie. Nevertheless, he remains the kind of player, and kind of personality, who needs constant pushing against the smaller fry and in the less glam matches, of which there are many to come, starting this weekend against Brighton. He, like the rest of his fellow escaped prisoners from Camp Jose, had clearly made the extra effort this past month to show the world what they thought of Mourinho. But it still sticks in many a throat, this obvious proof that so many had simply not been giving of their best because they had decided they didnt want to play for the manager. In an ideal world, they would now be forced to hand back their wages to us for the past four months, because fans were being cheated. Danny Baker used to suggest that players be called up one by one to be paid in the centre circle at full time, in front of the crowd. That would wheedle out the bottlers, idlers and spoofers, he reckoned, who wouldnt have the gall to step up; it would certainly have saved Woodward millions this season. Enough millions for him to buy out Pochettinos contact, perhaps? Not if canny Danny Levy has his way. He blatantly set the price-tag range over the weekend by letting it be known that we couldnt have Poch even for 50m. So; about 55m should do it, then. At which point a little Red Devil on Eds shoulder should be muttering into his ear: 55m compo and a huge salary for a bloke who cant even win trophies, mate? When you can have babyfaced assassin Ole, who could never stop winning em, for next to nowt? Might this be the bottom-line thinking thatd finally swing it for the beancounting Woodward? After so many expensive failures, perhaps hes due a cheap success... Everyone wants to save the planet from global warming, and the focus has been on reducing fossil fuels for energy creation. This trend is likely to continue, but its not the only way to combat climate change. Actions to protect wildlife, to improve water quality in rivers and lakes, or to grow more native, broadleaf trees, so as to increase forestry cover, could also have an impact. The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has made a submission to the Committee on Climate Action, calling for recognition of the important role that better protection of nature can play in mitigating climate impacts and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Ireland, and the world at large, are also experiencing a nature extinction crisis: Both crises can be dealt with at the same time. There are two important ways in which better protection for nature can help us in our climate challenge, according to the IWT. Firstly, healthy rivers, soil, forests, and seas lessen the impacts of extreme weather. We have 600 specially protected (Natura) sites under EU law, covering 13% of the land. However, the regulations have been poorly implemented, with few management plans for protected areas and most habitats and species in poor condition. Theres is an urgent need to invest in an independent nature authority, as well as in other conservation initiatives, the IWTs Padraic Fogarty says. And nature can achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. A 2017 Nature Conservancy study found that nature-based solutions such as rewetting bogs, expanding natural forests, and better-managing farmland so that soil absorbs carbon can provide up to 37% of the emissions reductions needed to meet global targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Were unlikely to see a better carbon-capture and storage technology than that which nature provides; we just need to give it the best chance to do its job, the study points out. UK research has found that if total forest cover was upped to 18%, and if all bogs, grasslands and agricultural lands were managed in the best way possible, they could account for one-third of the required cuts by 2050. No comparable figures are available for Ireland, but, Mr Fogarty says, a similar scale could be expected here. In Ireland, forestry has been seen as part of the solution to emissions reductions, though it is based largely on non-native trees, which are not always helpful to nature and can lead to water pollution. Studies have found that mixed forests are better at absorbing carbon, while native woodlands can provide multiple benefits, from wildlife habitat to water-purification and flood-alleviation. Despite many piseogs, Irish soil doesnt have supernatural healing powers. According to new research, however, it has remarkable bacterial ones; microbes living in it are able to see off notorious superbugs such as MRSA. Infectious diseases, the scourge of humanity, could not be treated effectively until 70 years ago, when substances able to kill nasty germs were discovered. These antibiotics transformed the practice of medicine, saving countless lives. However, the good times may be coming to an end; superbugs, against which we have no defence, are on the rampage. And its our own fault. Antibiotics can despatch most of the bacteria in cases of infection. However, a few germs will have the genetic make-up to dodge the magic bullets. Once their normal peers have been killed off, these mavericks come into their own; with the field all to themselves, they multiply. Its a classic example of un-natural selection. Increasing their numbers, they are ready to fight another day. The profligate use of antibiotics, in human and animal medicine, has allowed superbugs to prosper. According to the World Health Organisation, they are one of the biggest threats to global health today. Its estimated that the bugs could kill up to 1.3m people in Europe over the next 30 years. Ethno-pharmacology is the scientific study of folk medicine; researchers seek to identify the ingredients in traditional remedies which appear to render them effective. This line of inquiry also helps scientists in their search for antidotes to super-bugs. Gerry Quinn, a member of the Swansea research team, used to live in Boho, near Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. The limestone substrate of the soils there are skeletal remains of ancient corals and molluscs. The parish had a Neolithic settlement 4,000 years ago, a tomb dates to the Bronze Age and druids are said to have gathered there in Iron Age times. Occupation has continued, through the Christian era, down to our own day. Alternative remedies are produced by trial and error and handed down through the generations, apparently successful ones becoming part of tradition. Given its ancient lineage, its not surprising that folk medicine flourished in Boho. People would visit the area to collect soil from the graveyard; a celebrated faith-healing priest is buried there. Sufferers would wrap soil in cloth and place it under the pillow at night. Held against the jaw, the soil was said to reduce toothache. Throat ailments were treated by applying it to the neck. With such faith in its efficacy, Boho soil was a candidate for ethno-pharmacological examination. When the Swansea researchers analysed soil samples, they discovered a strain of bacteria previously unknown to science. It belongs to the Streptomyces genus, from which over two thirds of the antibiotics prescribed today are derived. The name, from Greek, translates as twisted mushroom. When the Boho bacteria were let loose on super-bugs, they inhibited growth in four of the six most lethal ones, including the notorious MRSA. The soil samples were found to contain other organisms which may be able to resist pathogens. Although sleeping with Boho soil under you pillow is unlikely to solve your health problems, it seems that the folk healers of Fermanagh were on to something. The teams next task is to identify the components of the new bacterial strain responsible for killing pathogens. Luciana Terra et al. A novel Alkaliphilic Streptomyces inhibits Eskape pathogens. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2018. Bantry Bay: A beautiful vista with five green islands of various sizes decorating the harbour. One tranquil summers evening in 1907 there was barely a ripple on the water. It was like a scene from an impressionist painting. Into this tranquil paradise, accompanied by his mother, rowed a young jeweller and silversmith from the town of Bantry named William OCallaghan. He would never return. Also boating that evening in the vicinity of Chapel Island was an English miner, Charles Phillamore Roscoe, who was working in the baryte mines near the town. His hobby was shooting. After the two parties passed each other, Roscoe took aim at a gull perched on a rock. He cant have imagined the consequences. The bullet missed the gull, ricocheted off a rock or the surface of the water, and struck the jeweller in the chest, fatally wounding him. The Southern Star reported that the only other occupant of the row boat was OCallaghan mother, a lady of advanced years, who was shocked and alarmed beyond description. Mrs OCallaghans screams were heard and responded to by a passing steamer, the Lady Elsie, which plied its trade between the town and Glengarriff. Mr OCallaghan, 22, still alive, was lifted onto the steamer but expired immediately. The newspaper reported that the shooting caused the utmost sensation in the town. The impact of the accidental shooting was exacerbated by the fact that exactly a year to the day in 1906 that the baryte mine, where the accused and his brother worked, had had another tragedy where several men drowned after a pillar in a shaft collapsed. Roscoe was later acquitted. Chapel Island is a slender glacial remnant between Bantry and Whiddy joined by a short stony isthmus. There is the ruin nof one house on the eastern side. The Topographical Dictionary of Ireland in 1837 records five inhabitants on the Island. This tome states: It comprises about 24 acres of extremely fertile land, which is in a high state of cultivation, and as part of the Bandon estate, in which parish it is locally included, is the property of the Duke of Devonshire. This brief mention also notes that Chapel Island and the adjoining Hog and Horse Islands which also belonged to the duke, are more than 30 miles from any other portion of the Bandon estate. The proximity of the island to Bantry Bay and Castletownbere where it had a base for its fleet, proved very attractive to the British navy, which established a firing range on Chapel Island. Several guardships and cruisers anchored in the bay in the late 19th century including the HMS Howe, the HMS Collingwood and the Warspite. Ruin on the island The Cork Examiner in 1894 reported the latters object in coming here was to avail of the almost unsurpassable ground which is here to be found for carrying out the practice of ball-firing. The officers and men were delighted with the area and are becoming extremely popular with the inhabitants, reported the Cork Examiner. One of the most important sources for historic information on Bantry Bay was local historian Paddy OKeeffe, whose collected papers comprising 22 boxes was presented to the Cork City Archives after his death. There are voluminous references to Whiddy Island, Bantry House and many other points of interest. There is scant reference to Chapel Island. However, it does note that Mr OKeeffe was advised by a reverend JM Cronin of a reference in a 12th century papal document to Pope Innocent III to Inis Cuinge, now Chapel Island. The reverend had speculated that Chapel Island and Whiddy Island were once the one island and that a church the historian mentioned was in fact on Chapel Island and hence was so named. Today nothing remains of this church. Is it possible its walls were used for target practice by the British navy and the rubble later removed for construction elsewhere? Bantry Bays is one of three chapel islands in Ireland, the others being at Strangford Lough and Co Galway. There are several other church islands, indicating a strong connection between Irish islands and Christianity. Who could have guessed? R P ODonnell on why punctuation is no laughing matter Roger Casement, the Irish revolutionary, was arrested in 1916 on charges of treason against the English crown. He faced death if convicted. But Casement (who either had brass knockers or nothing to lose) argued that the Treason Act was originally unpunctuated, and so could be interpreted to forbid only domestic treason. And as Casement cheerfully pointed out, he had committed all of his treason abroad. Holiday treasoning, as it were. The English judge, however, found Casement guilty of mispunctuation while Irish. The verdict was treason poor Roger was hanged on a comma. Punctuation, the backbone of the English language for 500 years, has recently found itself at a crossroads. Or rather, we have found ourselves at the crossroads of the Digital Age, wondering how much further we have to carry punctuation a gasping and frail (albeit stubborn) relic of the Print Age. This wouldve been unthinkable just a few decades ago. Punctuation imposes structure and clarity on sentences, and in that way, even minor changes in punctuation can have serious ramifications. As Casement discovered, absent-minded or slack-jawed punctuation can lead to disaster. Especially when lawyers get involved. Roger Casement In 1991, Graham Greene changed a single comma in his will and then swiftly expired. His estate, containing classics of English literature, has been tied down in legal disputes over that comma ever since. Even now, punctuation still holds clout. Oakhurst Dairy recently lost $5m in a lawsuit; its contracts were missing a single Oxford comma. And Oxford commas are largely a matter of taste (despite endless, frothing, and tedious arguments to the contrary). Punctuations importance goes beyond structure and clarity. One of the main drawbacks of print compared to speech is that readers cant hear inflection, which makes it difficult to determine the speakers tone. (Are they being sarcastic? Ironic? Light-hearted?) Enter the humble comma. Writers convey emotion in prose by shaping and pointing their sentences with punctuation. For this reason, careful punctuation is vital to good literature. As almost every writer has said, from Sally Rooney to Oscar Wilde, you can spend a whole day deliberating over one comma. But these days, texts and emails dominate everyday life. We have gone past enjoying them; we rely on them now. Instant communication means anything slower than instant is unacceptable. Punctuation was one of the first things we chucked overboard to speed up the process. Which is perfectly natural, I think. Do we really need to spend hours crafting carefully pointed prose just to tell our wife were stuck in the bathroom with no toilet paper? But with punctuation uneasily getting its affairs in order, we need a different way to quickly show our emotions in text. Enter emojis. (Exit commas, chased by a bear.) Emojis, it can be argued, are a punctuation surrogate if not a replacement. Theyre a faster, more direct way of conveying the writers emotions and have become understandably endemic. Emojis, however, are like the Oxford comma. There are scores of otherwise level-headed people who suddenly contemplate arson when they see one. A school in England recently announced that teachers were using emojis to teach English literature. There were the expected cries of outrage when people read the announcement on their smartphones. Or heard it on a podcast, or from Alexa. Print media, while not dead yet, is not exactly as sacred to people as they pretend it is. Ive touched an oar from the Lusitania (on display in a church in Castletownshend, of all places) but the unadorned and gorgeously clear prose of Erik Larsons Dead Wake is the closest Ive come to smelling the smoke of the doomed ship itself. Dead Wake is filled with the voices and letters of the Lusitanias passengers. The last letters of victims some sent before departure, some interrupted halfway through make for some of the most lingering heartache for readers. If the Lusitania happened today, we wouldnt have letters from victims and survivors. We would have texts and emails. And these would be filled with emojis. Any writer of the event would have to include them. When I asked Larson about emojis, he told me that while he thinks they would be a distraction to readers in literature, in real life he occasionally uses them to clarify a hurried email that could be misinterpreted. Does this then betray a growing lack of confidence, he asked me, in our ability to use [conventional] English to make clear what correspondents of yore... seemed so effortlessly to convey? It does of course. We need punctuation; a punctuation-less world is scary to imagine. So do we flail frantically backwards and try to resuscitate it? Or do we lean into the change, into the Digital Age, and send a Dear John email to punctuation? That school in England has clearly chosen the latter. For what its worth, I think its right. From Homer and the orators scoffing at the scribes, to libraries and theatres turning up their noses at radio and TV, people have always overreacted to the dangers of a new development. But then, irresistibly, love and literature move on, hand in hand with the new technology. Maybe its time we learn how to skip the gut reaction and get right to the acceptance, so we can get back to what wed all rather be doing arguing about the Oxford comma. Ireland has changed for the better over the past years and referenda. And yet the gossip about ones life choices endures. Why do we accept this? asks Anna O'Donoghue. They say that the millennials are the most open-minded and accepting of all the generations, so why does it feel like Im being pointed at? How do you house-share? Hows that love life of yours? Youre pushing on. Sure, youre always out. If I had a euro for the number of times I had to put on a face to answer these questions, I wouldnt still be writing to Eoghan Murphy with my housing crisis horror stories. These are questions asked by the very same people who preach about how this generation has shifted the norm, bent the rules, and opened peoples minds. This little country of ours has come a long way in the last few years. We now have the choice to marry whomever we choose and, most recently, women have gained power over their own bodies, so why cant I just simply live my life the way I want to without feeling like Im on 20 Questions? Theres still an expectation that by a certain age you will couple up, buy a house, get married, and have kids. Although the age range of this expectancy has extended greatly, its still classed as the norm and the fairytale ending of every life story. But what would be so wrong with an alternative ending? It could be as dramatic as someone living the fairytale wedding but choosing not to have kids, or having two kids, never get married and using the wedding fund to homeschool their kids while travelling the world. Or as little as never marrying, never settling down, and embracing a life with no ties. Unless peoples choices involve hurting themselves or others, it doesnt make sense for anyone to be bothered by the fact that other people take different life paths than we do; and yet *insert Countdown theme tune here*. According to studies in human societies, the phenomenon is called normative idealisation. The tendency to idealise a persons own lifestyle and believe that others would benefit others. Do you hear that? No. Its your biological clock, my dear. You know my life didnt begin until I had my kids So, mine didnt begin when I spent a few years backpacking around Australia or when I graduated with my 1.1 masters degree? The idea seems very innocent at first. Just kind-hearted people who like their lives and want to share that sentiment with others. According to 'The What I Am Is The Way You Ought To Be', a paper published by researchers at Stanford University and University of Waterloo, its much more than that. They found people tend to look down on other lifestyles to make themselves feel better about their own. But sure, dont mind that blackguarding, Irish people would never do that hush, will you Sound familiar? In most cases, yes, but what if these people are well and truly happy with what theyve worked to achieve and dont intend to set out to make you feel inferior. Lets face it, not everyone asks you about your struggles with the renting crisis and your single status to try and make them happier about their four-bedroom bungalow and canvas-printed wedding photos. But why do the questions make you feel like youve been life-shamed? Because you have. They are just fully unaware that theyre doing it. Did you see Mary wearing that skirt the other day? No girlfriend by Paul yet, hed want to cop on to himself, I know. Did you see Martins son is bringing his kids off to Dubai Dubai, of all places. Now THESE phrases sound familiar, dont they? Weve grown up with it. During our childhood, these questions popped up everywhere, from our school halls to our local shops and the GAA sidelines. Ireland has been obsessed with the normative for as long as anyone can remember. If you didnt partake in the standard Mass-pub-local shop' routine on a Sunday morning, everyone in a 10-mile radius would have heard a different side of the story. Our need for acceptance and fear of not being accepted (also known as being talked about) has been a powerful influence on our thoughts and feelings from very early days Group inclusion has been seen as necessary for survival in all areas of life and with todays addition of social media, you have created a generation of anxious people-pleasers. While anxiety is a brain disorder and not a choice, self-acceptance can quieten those local gossips in an anxious mind. If youre constantly judging yourself based on the schoolyard chatter, how can you see your self-worth? In the words of RuPaul: If you cant love yourself, how in the hell can you love somebody else? The strive for self-acceptance differs from person to person but proves difficult when the soundtrack to Countdown continuously plays in the background. It looks like the only way to stop the music is to marry the first person you vaguely enjoy the company of, book the church wedding, pay a down-payment on the house and have the kids. Even then the pop quiz murmurs in the background: Did you see their little boy plays with Barbie? Make. It. Stop. Why do we take one giant step forward and scream from the rooftops that we believe, in this day and age, a man can marry a man in this country, but tut at the heterosexual married couple who choose not to have kids? As well as being the generation to stand up and speak about change, lets be the people to actually follow through with it. Lets applaud the people outside of the norm box instead of gossiping about why they are out there. The mother of a man shot to death in the front garden of his home by a teenager has said she will never understand why her "gentle giant" of a son was murdered. Doris O'Neill made a statement during the sentencing hearing for Warren Nolan, 22, who was aged 18 when he shot Alan O'Neill, 35, at Kiltalown Road in Tallaght on May 27, 2015 in an attack that was planned over several days. Nolan was found guilty of Mr O'Neill's murder by a majority jury verdict in December. He was also found guilty by a unanimous verdict of setting fire to the car he used in the "hit". Justice Paul McDermott today sentenced Nolan to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder and six years for setting the car on fire. Both sentences were backdated to September 2017. Before sentencing, Ms O'Neill told the court that losing her son the way she did was "too horrific, so traumatising, so devastating, so unbearable and so unforgettable." Her family, she said, fell apart and were made shells of themselves by their sadness, pain, depression, anxiety and grief. Alan, she said, was her first born and helped her to bring up his siblings. She added: "He was always there for family, a shoulder to cry on, a hug, advice, chat even for hours if needed. We were all close-knit, happy, lucky and blessed to have each other. He was artistic and creative, she said, and loved doing charity events and helping to feed the homeless. He loved music and dance and was known to his friends and family as a gentle giant. She added: "I will never understand why anyone would want to hurt him, and maybe I will never know. Heaven has gained an earth angel that gained his wings. We will forever be heartbroken." 'He knew when we needed a hug before we knew ourselves' Mr O'Neill's stepdaughter Chantelle Usher said the shooting happened ten days before she began her leaving certificate exams. She said: "The hardest thing I had to do was to leave the funeral home and sit my exams when all I wanted was to spend every moment available saying my goodbyes. "But I felt I owed it to Alan as he spent the last year of his life dropping and collecting me from grinds, helping me study and ensuring I got all the rest and good food I needed in the lead up to my orals and exams." Her step dad's priority had always been to "love and protect us", she said. He made them feel safe and knew them better than they knew themselves. She added: "He knew when we needed a hug before we knew ourselves and he was well able to deal with anything we threw his way." Michael Bowman SC, counsel for Nolan, said his client had a difficult background having seen his mother die from an asthma attack as a young child. He was brought up by his grandmother who Mr Bowman said is the only positive influence in his life. He had become a drug user, taking cannabis and tablets and is in the low range of intellectual ability. Detective Garda Conor Harrison told the court that Nolan has 24 previous convictions including one for possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances for which he was sentenced to five years imprisonment in June 2015, two weeks after Mr O'Neill's murder. Det Gda Harrison said the firearms offence related to an incident in which a gun was pointed at a member of An Garda Siochana. The gun was subsequently found to contain no ammunition, he said. In sentencing Nolan for setting the car on fire, Justice McDermott said an appropriate sentence would be between seven and ten years but taking into account his young age and other mitigating factors he sentenced him to six years. 'I just didn't believe what was going on' Michelle Usher gave evidence that she was in her living room when she saw her partner, the deceased, park his car on the driveway at about 10pm on May 27, 2015. When Ms Usher saw a people carrier pull up behind she leaned closer to the window as she thought it "peculiar". Then a "dark figure" came into the garden. He looked like a "young fella" and so when she heard two "really loud bangs" she thought it was a joke until, as she opened the door, she heard another bang, saw a blue flash and a black gun in the dark figure's hand followed by Mr O'Neill screaming out in pain. Ms Usher caught hold of Mr O'Neill and brought him in the doorway to the living room while another shot smashed the window of the hall door. She said: "Everything happened so quickly and I just didn't believe what was going on." She saw the figure with the gun run out of the garden and get back in the people carrier which then "took off". By his posture and movements she thought he was a "young boy" or a "teenager" but she didn't see his face. 'I only set the car on fire' Nolan was arrested within minutes of the shooting. The alert had just gone over garda radio when Detective Garda Conor Harrison and a colleague pulled over a car that they believed to be suspicious at nearby Belfry Manor. Det Gda Harrison then heard another car revving hard and coming at speed. When he saw a youth pull up his hoodie and "move with purpose" away from him he decided to take a closer look and around the same time became aware of a car that had been set on fire about 100 metres away. As this was unfolding Nolan arrived "like he had been shot out of a cannon," and almost ran into the detective. Det Gda Harrison said he immediately formed the suspicion that Nolan had come from the burning car which had come from the shooting in Kiltalown Road. He brought Nolan to the ground and as he did so, he said he noticed a lighter fall from the suspect's gloved hand. The detective later recorded in his notebook that Nolan called out: "I only set the car on fire, I only set the car on fire." Nolan was arrested and taken to Tallaght Garda Station where, during a series of interviews, he denied any knowledge of Mr O'Neill's murder and said he was in Tallaght visiting his aunt and hanging around with friends. Evidence He couldn't remember where he had been or where any of his friends lived. He also denied that he was there to meet the driver of the suspicious car - the alleged getaway car - that had been stopped by Det Gda Harrison and his colleague. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy told the trial that Mr O'Neill died from a bullet wound that went through his forearm and into his side, damaging the body's main blood vessel and puncturing the liver. Another bullet entered the right thigh but did not damage any major structures. From the trajectory of the wounds she said it is likely that he was already on the ground when he received the wound to his leg. Forensic scientist Dr Tom Hannigan examined gloves that were confiscated from Nolan and found firearms residue on one of them. Dr Barbara Buchanan found evidence of petrol on the t-shirt, runners and tracksuit bottoms worn by Nolan when he was arrested and on the gloves. CCTV evidence also showed the Mazda people carrier burned out by Nolan "stalking" Mr O'Neill in the hours leading up to the shooting. The car had been stolen two weeks previously, the court heard. Calls have been made to introduce a vaccination to prevent thousands of children catching the highly contagious chickenpox each year. The Varivax vaccine is not part of the national childhood immunisation programme at present, despite having been successfully rolled out in other countries. Both Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail are now calling for the vaccination, which is currently available privately, to be rolled out as part of the public system. Fianna Fail health spokesman Stephen Donnelly said that along with the health benefits of any vaccination there is also the economic impact of parents having to take time off work to look after a sick child. I do know as a parent of three children, when your kids get chickenpox, on the basis of both parents working, which is the reality for many families now, it does take the parent out of work for up to a week so there is an economic element to this too. We are poor in Ireland at preventative public health. We under-resource public health, he said. Sinn Fein health spokesperson Louise OReilly said she would support the roll-out of a chickenpox vaccine along with an information and education campaign. Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, who has raised the issue in the Seanad, said: There are many risks associated with chickenpox such as pneumonia, meningitis, and, in later life, shingles, all of which can be very dangerous in themselves. It is part of the vaccination programme in many countries, such as the United States of America. Since its introduction into the national programme of that country 15 years ago, hospital admissions and deaths due to chickenpox have dropped by 80%. She said children whose parents cannot afford to pay to have them privately vaccinated are being left at risk. Varivax can be given to children over 12 months, is administered in two doses, and is very effective in children under the age of 13. The calls come as pressure mounts to also include a catch-up vaccination programme for the meningitis B strain. Graffiti artists could be in line for grants of up to 10,000 for art works that enhance the uniqueness of Cork City and make it a more attractive place to visit. The special fund was announced this evening as details of a free afternoon parking deal in the city-run carparks at Paul St and North Main St were also unveiled. Chief executive Ann Doherty said that parking in both carparks will be free between 2pm and 5pm until February 14. The fresh parking incentive is the latest effort by city management to support traders in the city centre since the reintroduction of the afternoon car ban and bus lanes on St Patricks Street. This mural on Tobin St is an example of one of the placemaking projects which Cork City Council wants to promote. Picture: Jim McCarthy The launch of the new fund by city council is also designed to help. Urban artists, business network groups, community groups and others, who are involved in vibrant or quirky projects, are now being encouraged to come forward with ideas and apply for money under the new City Centre Placemaking Fund. Street art, urban planting or greening projects, the creation of parklets, creative seating, the installation of atmospheric lighting and new, unique events are just some of the projects which could be supported financially under the scheme. The city councils city centre co-ordinator, Paul McGuirk, said that the initiative is designed to support projects that will enhance, improve and enliven peoples experience of Cork City centre. However, it is also hoped the schemes will increase footfall and support the local economy. It is hoped that one of the many spinoff benefits will be the encouragement of collaboration in specific streets and neighbourhoods, as has happened in the Douglas Street area. Lord mayor Mick Finn welcomed the launch of the fund. Our city centre continues to evolve with lots of new developments underway, he said. The lighted tree outside St Peters visitor centre on North Main St. Picture: Jed Niezgoda As part of its city centre strategy, Cork City Council has been actively encouraging groups at a street or neighbourhood level to work collectively to enhance their area. We have several examples of this and we believe this is another tool to help support that process. With community-based participation at its centre, effective placemaking capitalises on a local communitys assets, inspiration, and potential, and it results in the creation of quality public spaces that contribute to peoples health, happiness, and wellbeing. It helps local communities to reimagine everyday spaces, he said. Mr McGuirk said that while groups can apply for up to 10,000 for capital projects, many projects may cost much less. He said that new events may also be eligible if considered unique and contribute significantly towards the funds objectives. Creating a sense of place is key to a vibrant city centre, he said. Things like street art, interesting events, planting and creative seating make our public spaces more people-friendly and attractive. We have several examples of these across the city centre and we are hoping this initiative will foster other ideas through local groups working together to creatively improve their area. We are open to discussing any new project which enhances visitors or residents experience of the city centre. Anyone who has an idea they think could benefit from the fund, and enhance the city centre, should email paul_mcguirk@corkcity.ie or phone 021 492 4773. Homeowners will face only modest increases in their Local Property Tax (LPT) bills if at all, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said. Speaking on Monday in Dublin, Mr Varadkar made it clear that a sharp rise in house prices will not lead to spikes in LPT bills from next year. He confirmed the Government will adjust the tax bands and adjust the rate so that either people have no increase at all or any increase in the cost. But a lot of people feel that because house prices have increased by 50% or more than that in the last couple of years that that means Local Property Tax will increase by that much. It wont. We will adjust the bands and adjust the rate so that either people have no increase at all or any increase in the cost and that wont happen until 2020, he said. Were the Government not to amend the rates and bands, homeowners would face increases of between 200 and 1,000 depending on the value of their properties. Controversy arose yesterday when Culture Minister Josepha Madigan broke ranks and called for LPT charges in areas with high house values. Her Dublin Rathdown constituency would include some of the most valuable houses in the country. Mr Varadkar said the way the property tax works is its based on the value of the house and we dont intend that to change. Local authorities have the power to vary property tax upwards and downwards and we dont propose that to change either, he said. I know a lot of people are concerned that because property prices have recovered so much in the past couple of years that thats going to mean a big increase in property tax in 2020. Thats not the case, he added. Obviously were examining the changes that we need to make but the intention is not to dramatically increase the yield from the Local Property Tax. So well have to make changes in the bands and changes in the rate as well so that people see no increase or perhaps only a modest increase or a modest decrease in 2020 after the revaluation, he said. Meanwhile, local county councillors should continue to decide the level of local property tax (LPT) each area pays, according to Communications Minister Richard Bruton. Mr Bruton said the Taoiseach and finance minister have long ago signalled that there will be no big increases this year when asked did he agree with Ms Madigan. He said the way the property tax is designed, it is the local authorities in each area that have discretion over the rate and can modify it by increasing or lowering the tax by 15%. He said it is his view there wont be much deviation from that, however, he said the review will determine if the role or discretion of the local council will be enhanced in the future. On Sunday, the Independent Alliance who are part of the coalition government warned that its ministers will vehemently oppose any suggestions of an increase in Local Property Tax in 2020. As partners in government, we welcome the recent statement from the Taoiseach indicating that Fine Gael supports our position on this. We have made our opposition to any increase absolutely clear in our submission on the Local Property Tax Review, the statement said. Monaghan people are most likely to do their civic duty and serve on a jury, with more than half of all those called making themselves available for trials. Irelands least populous county Leitrim is the place where you were least likely to serve, with just 15% of those called last year attending in court. The Courts Service has also confirmed it plans a major revamp of selecting jurors with a centralised system set to be introduced this year. Figures show over 11,000 people were called up for jury duty each month in 2018, with wide variations in how many attend across different counties. Statistics covering 2017 and most of 2018 show Monaghans track record for jury service is the highest in the country. In the first 11 months of last year, 1,075 people were called up with 634 attending court as required. Only 77 were excused from duty in Monaghan, with 364 failing to turn up and not providing any excuse. Some 37,600 people from Dublin were called for jury duty in the period. Of those, 7,546 showed up as requested, with a further 26,782 excused for a variety of reasons. Another 3,272 people were no shows, according to the figures. From those listed as excused, 495 turned out to have been dead, while in 2,385 cases, their letter was returned to sender. Other counties with high attendance records were Wexford and Westmeath where around 30% of potential jurors ended up attending for service. More than half a dozen counties had attendance rates of less than 20% after no-shows and excused jurors were counted. These include Waterford, Laois, and Kerry. Cork and Kerry both had high rates for excusing jurors with 75% of those called given permission to avoid serving. Excusal rates in Meath and Wicklow were much lower, with only around half of those summoned for duty allowed not to sit on a jury. Some categories of people are automatically exempt from service and are considered either ineligible or excused as of right. Ineligible jurors are people involved in the administration of justice like judges, gardai, soldiers, prison officers, and lawyers. People suffering from serious ongoing illnesses are also exempted. Those excused as of right include TDs and Senators, many medical personnel who provide an important community service, and some who can demonstrate that their work cannot be done by anybody else. Self-employed people particularly sole traders can sometimes be excused from service as their business could suffer if they were forced to serve through a long trial. Others are excluded from service whether they like it or not, including those convicted of serious offences, anybody who has been given a jail term of five years or more, and anyone who in the last decade has been given a prison sentence of at least three months. Wide variations between counties are at least partly down to socio-economic reasons and also the accuracy of the electoral roll, from which jurors are drawn. Counties with high levels of self-employment in agriculture and construction can often have higher than normal excusal rates as well. A spokesman for the Courts Service said there had been a significant drop in the numbers not attending for jury service compared to a decade ago. UK prime minister Theresa May faces a new threat of a vote of no confidence as she heads into the crucial Westminster Brexit vote. As Mrs May faces almost certain defeat on the Brexit vote in the Commons tomorrow, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has warned that he will soon call a vote of no confidence in her. In Dublin, the Cabinet is to discuss measures relating to health and transport tomorrow as the possibility of a no-deal Brexit increases. It is expected that the Dail and Seanad would have to sit five days a week with all other business shelved to deal with 45 measures, including strengthened compulsory purchase orders and sign-off on unlocking the budget to dramatically increase staff at ports and airports in the case of a no-deal. The Business Committee will draw up a timetable for emergency Dail sittings and will discuss this on Thursday; however, the Government will push this out as close to the March deadline as possible. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty assured the public the Government has strong contingency plans to handle a no-deal Brexit and vowed the haulage industry would still be sustainable. She said: We will get and we will issue the contingency plans for health and transport this week, the following week there will be two more departments, my own department will be in the coming weeks. Seanad Brexit Committee chair Neale Richmond said a no-deal would put Ireland in an emergency scenario leaving it necessary to immediately pass legislation. Mrs May withdrew the vote before Christmas in the hope that she could muster sufficient support for the withdrawal agreement hammered out with the EU. In a last-ditch attempt to gain backing, she warned of a catastrophic breach of trust in democracy if her exit plan is defeated. Separately Mr Corbyn told the BBC: We will table a motion of no confidence in the government at a time of our choosing, but its going to be soon, dont worry about it. Meanwhile the department of Health said immediate problems wont arise for medicine supply if there is a no-deal Brexit. A spokesperson for Minister Simon Harris said companies usually have eight to 10 weeks stock already, adding that the Department, HSE and HPRA would be advising against stockpiling A man has told a court that the trauma of witnessing raids 'by the British Army and the RUC' as a child is partly to blame for his over 60 convictions. Paul Druse (44) of Ard na Gaoithe, Knockatallon, Co. Monaghan was before the Galway District Court charged with public order offences and having a weapon in his possession. Irish consumers are the biggest shopaholics in the world with more spent in department stores than any other nation. Figures from Euromonitor International reveal that Irish shoppers are the biggest spenders per capita ahead of Hong Kong, South Korea, and Switzerland. The research revealed that we splashed out 764 per head of population last year in department stores such as Dunnes Stores, Debenhams, and Marks and Spencers. The international market researchers revealed that sales rose in 2018, but high street shops are expected to be hit by internet sales in the coming years. Department stores retail current value sales rise by 7% in 2018 to reach 3.7bn. Some department stores continue to struggle against competition from internet retailers, while others flourish, said an analyst at Euromonitor International. The report pinpointed Dunnes Stores as the leading department store in the country. Researchers predicted that sales in department stores in Ireland would reach 4.5bn in 2023. Sales in department stores here have bucked the international trend by shooting up by more than a quarter (28%) from 598 per head in 2013 to 767 last year. While Irish shoppers have ramped up their spending, sales have seen a small but steady decline in the UK over the past five years, says Euromonitor. Irish people forked out three times as much as their UK neighbours last year. The researchers noted that there will be increased pressure on department stores from internet shopping with closures anticipated. The number of department stores in Ireland is expected to decline over the forecast period, said the report. There is significant competition between department stores and internet retailers in particular. It noted: Some department stores in Ireland are struggling, with a number likely to become commercially unviable in the coming years. Euromonitor said British retailers Debenhams and House of Fraser are two players that could see store closures, particularly post- Brexit if there is a return to a hard border. The study also noted that the shops on the high street are working hard to keep customers, with Arnotts giving its beauty hall a makeover in 2018. It noted that the company brought a number of new beauty counters along with exclusive brands into the store. The study into the countrys shopping habits said that homegrown shops are expected to see strong brand loyalty in the coming years. Dunnes Stores and Brown Thomas (are) both set to see growth due to strong brand loyalty and the high-end service that customers receive in store, said Euromonitor. With regard to Dunnes Stores internet retail channel, the report said: The company currently only sells its homewares and apparel products online. However, it is widely expected that it will invest in its grocery department over the coming years to keep the pressure on grocery competitors Tesco and SuperValu. Top 10 spenders per capita Gardai have disrupted a gang they believe were behind a spike in bike thefts in north Cork. They have recovered several bikes which were believed to have been stolen for quick sale - one is valued at around 3,500 - and they also recovered suspected cannabis and cocaine with a street value of around 3,000 during the same search operation. One man has been charged and files are being prepared in relation to two other men who were arrested during the course of the operation. Gardai had mounted a number of extra patrols in the Mallow area following a spike in bike thefts, particularly from the Castlepark area of the town in recent weeks. At around 1.30am on Sunday, gardai on patrol in the town stopped and searched a car in the Castlepark Avenue area. The driver, a man in his 20s, was arrested and charged in relation to road traffic offences. He has since appeared before the courts. The stopping of that vehicle led to the identification of a 'property of interest' in the town. Acting on foot of a search warrant, gardai later searched a house at Maple Square in the town and seized five bicycles they believed had been stolen in the town in recent days. Suspected cannabis and cocaine with an estimated value of 3,000 was also seized during the search and will now be sent for analysis. Two men, one in his 20s and one in his 30s, were arrested at the scene and taken to Mallow Garda Station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 for questioning. They were later released without charge and a garda spokesman said files in relation to the investigation will be prepared in due course for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Crime Prevention Officer Sgt John Kelly reiterated the advice contained in the garda bike security campaign, Lock It or Lose It launched late last year in a bid to raise awareness of the need for better bicycle security. "We would advise that you spend 10% to 20% of the value of your bike on two locks and lock your bike tightly to an immovable object, or lock your bike indoors or in well-lit areas if possible," he said. "Take a photo of your bike, note the serial number and email it back to yourself so you have a record of it forever. "I would also ask that anyone who has had their bicycle stolen recently and has not reported it to Gardai, to do so. "We regularly post photos of bicycles weve recovered on the Garda website www.garda.ie to try and reunite them with the owner." Many of the bikes stolen in the Mallow area recently were taken from unlocked sheds. Figures released last year show that more than 14,000 bikes worth an estimated 2m have been stolen since 2016, with 83% stolen in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway. Just over half of all bikes were stolen on public streets, with almost a third stolen from homes. The average cost of a bike stolen is 510. Garda data also shows that your bike is most likely to be stolen between 8am and 5pm, with bike thieves most active on Fridays. Of the 14,000 or so bikes stolen since 2016, only 16% had the bike frame numbers recorded by their owners. Gardai in Dublin are appealing for the public's help in tracing the whereabouts of a missing 18-year-old. Dylan Keogh is missing from his home in Glasnevin since January 11. Update, February 6: The body of Robert Murray has been found. Foul play is not suspected and gardai have thanked the public and media for the assistance. Gardai in Galway are appealing for the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of a missing 25-year-old man. Robert Murray was last seen on Shop Street in Galway city last Tuesday, January 8 at 10.15pm. He is described as being 5 foot 10 inches in height, of thin build and has black hair. When last seen, he was wearing black trousers and a khaki green colour jacket. Anyone who has information is asked to contact Gardai in Galway Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. This article was amended on 16 January 2019. The Department of Social Protection is refusing to reveal information on the Data Protection Commissioners investigation into the lawfulness of the public services card. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties had asked the department about the commissioners investigation under Freedom of Information legislation. Refusing the request, the department said it would be contrary to the public interest to release information about the investigation. Another reason for refusing the request was that the requester concerned would thereby become aware of a significant decision that the body proposed to make. The ICCL, a leading independent human rights organisation, had asked for all information about the investigation by the commissioner, Helen Dixon. In October 2017 it was reported that Ms Dixon, had opened a formal investigation to see if the card fully complied with the law. Ms Dixon presented a draft report to the department in August 2018, according to correspondence that the department provided to the ICCL in response to their FoI request. It was reported last September that the commissioner gave the department two weeks to respond to the draft report. The ICCL believes the public services card is a disproportionate interference with privacy and does not provide adequate safeguards from abuse. Council director Liam Herrick said full transparency was needed on the legal basis for the public services card because it violated the privacy and data protection rights of people living in Ireland. We have been campaigning against its introduction because its unnecessary, costly, and of questionable efficacy, said Mr Herrick. He said it was deeply troubling that the Government had continued to roll the card out for essential services while a question hangs over its legality. The ICCL intends to appeal the departments decision to the Office of the Information Commissioner. We believe that the public has an immediate right to know what decisions are being taken behind closed doors about our privacy, said Mr Herrick. Cork County Council is to draw up plans to create more sheltered housing in towns and villages, thus providing suitable accommodation for a rapidly-aging population. Michael Lynch, the council's director of planning, said specialised housing for older people will for the first time be addressed with policy enshrined in the upcoming review of the County Development Plan. He was responding to a motion from Cllr Marcia D'Alton who said it is vital such infrastructure is built now as Ireland is several years behind other European countries in terms of addressing this issue. She said she wanted an assessment of sheltered housing for the elderly, both public and private, currently available in each town in the county and that, arising from this assessment, the council would adopt a number of policies aimed at creating more such projects into the future. Cllr D'Alton pointed out that the last Census in 2016 showed an increase of more than 19% in people aged over 65. There was also a 15.6% increase in the number of people aged over 85. This is a huge success story in terms of lifestyle and health, but our national and local policies must recognise the implications of this demographic shift and start planning for it now so that we can as a nation embrace rather than fear growing older. Research carried out by the charity Alone found that 49% of people aged 60 live alone, more than half in private homes. Of those almost 59% live in a house with five rooms or more, she said. Cllr D'Alton said research undertaken in 2017 showed some of those living in nursing homes reported they moved there because they were alone and could not or did not want to manage their own home any longer. Older people want to age in their local area, but without a choice of appropriate housing, many cannot. That housing needs to be offered across a spectrum, open to all older people, regardless of whether they qualify for social housing or whether they can avail of private options. It needs to include both purpose-built homes, dispersed in the community and dedicated sheltered housing, Cllr D'Alton said. She said she was glad a policy would be created in the forthcoming County Development Plan, which forms the blueprint for future development in Cork from 2020 - 2026. Cllr Kevin Conway said Ireland was at least 10 years behind what is being done to address the situation in Britain. He said he recently met an 80-year-old widower who wanted to sell his house and move into sheltered accommodation. He said this would free-up larger houses for younger families and it made absolute sense in the face of the national housing crisis. This needs to foremost in our minds to provide safe and secure accommodation for our elderly people, There are many people living in large houses who can't afford Local Property Tax and would gladly downsize, Cllr Seamus McGrath said. Cllr Ian Doyle said there are sites within easy walking distance of county towns which should be acquired now. A chip pan left on a hot plate was the most likely cause of a devastating fire that claimed 10 lives at a Dublin halting site in 2015. Investigators examined an electric cooker at the scene of the fire and found that a chip pan had been left on a hot plate on full power. The victims were Thomas Connors (27) his wife Sylvia (30) and their children Jim, five, Christy, three, and six-month-old Mary. Willie Lynch (25) and his partner Tara Gilbert (27) who was pregnant, and their daughters Jodie, aged nine, and Kelsey, age four also perished. Jimmy Lynch (39) a brother of Willy, also died in the blaze. The fire broke out in the early hours of October 10 2015 at the Glenamuck Halting site in Carrickmines, Dublin. Detective Inspector Martin Creighton, senior investigating officer told an inquest into the deaths that the cause of the fire was the primary focus initially. Once this was identified, the investigation moved to examine how the fire spread to a neighbouring unit. Dublin Coroners Court heard the two units destroyed by the blaze were situated one metre apart on a temporary emergency halting site off the Glenamuck Road. The scene was officially preserved by Gardai for a period of 26 days from October 10 until November 4, DI Creighton told the court. He said Gardai followed hundreds of lines of inquiry, took 200 statements and examined CCTV footage. The jury at the inquest viewed drone footage of the charred remains of the site depicting firemen sifting through burnt debris. The site was not subject to any planning or accommodation guidelines due to its temporary nature. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) prepared the site with ground works and provided electricity, water, toilet and washing facilities and waste collection. Residents provided their own mobile homes and were responsible for the contents, the court heard. Prior to moving to Carrickmines, the family had been living in unacceptable conditions on a roadside in Sandyford, Co Dublin, former DLRCC Director of Housing Tom McHugh said. The council was obliged to provide accommodation and the site at Glenamuck was the only available land, Mr McHugh said. The site was temporary because it could never have been sustainably used because it was severely compromised by the road layout, Mr McHugh said. The parcel of land was earmarked to provide for road widening works but the layout was the subject of discussions with developers. The layout was not finalised until 2017. The works have yet to be completed, the court heard. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane asked Mr McHugh how long temporary emergency accommodation can remain operational. It would never have been intended in 2008 for it to go on that long, Mr McHugh said. Asked by the coroner if a temporary site is subject to the same regulations as a permanent site, Mr McHugh replied no. There is an exemption, he said. In late 2014 Thomas Connors and his wife Sylvia moved to an unauthorised portable building onto a field at the halting site. The council agreed to accommodate the family. A sketch was made of where the unit would be placed and groundworks were carried out. There was no involvement from architects, planners or engineers since the site was not subject to regulations, the court heard. The unit was placed one metre away from a neighbouring dwelling in accordance with the owner's wishes. We didnt think there was any safety issues with it, former senior staff officer Conor Peoples said. The optimum safe distance between units is six metres, the court heard. The inquest heard details of electrics that were 'tampered with so badly' they were deemed unsafe. Electrical contractor Karl Fortune gave evidence of cables taped together, exposed wires, signs of burning and overload and an extension lead lying on a wet tiled floor. Electrical upgrade works were carried out in May 2015. Fire safety equipment including fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke alarms were provided at the site. After the devastating blaze of October 10, three fire extinguishers were examined and found to be in perfect working order. They had never been used. The inquest continues tomorrow with evidence from family members and from a taxi-driver who came upon the tragic scene of the blaze. Whether youve been following it or not, Brexit will make an impact on your daily life, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra O Cionnaith Deal. No deal. Article 50 extension. Second referendum. Backstop. Norway-Plus. Canada-Style. Whatever your view on Brexit, one point everyone can agree on is that the deepening diplomatic war is full of jargon. However, that doesnt mean you should ignore it. Over the next two months, the Dail, Westminster and Brussels will be dominated by increasingly panicked last-ditch attempts to find a breakthrough to the long-running stand-off. When Leinster House and the Seanad re-open after their winter hibernation this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will repeat his January 3 press conference warning that they must clear the decks for Brexit protection plans. While the Oireachtas business will continue in relative normality in January and February, March will be set aside to ensure 45 new laws and amendments bundled into four pieces of lengthy primary legislation are passed before the March 29 Brexit divorce date. Similarly in Britain, MPs will this week face the mother of all Brexit bloodbaths, with the existing Brexit deal almost certain to be voted down by Westminster on Tuesday. The situation will force prime minister Theresa May to publish a Plan B by Friday that is almost certain to be rejected by the EU, or face the unenviable prospect of crashing out with no deal, or being bounced into an election or second referendum. The pressure is also being felt in Brussels, not only by negotiators but also MEPs, who are all too conscious of the May elections coming quickly into view, and do not want any awkward Brexit questions putting a smudge on their shiny CVs when they go to the polls. This three-pronged pressure means that for the next 74 days leading up to Britains departure from the EU, your TV, radio and favourite websites will be flooded with serious people in suits talking about the minuscule details of the most complex crisis in EU history. But despite the clutter of comments, most of those speaking wont make it the least bit clearer what Brexit will mean for the one person who matters most: you. Whatever happens come March 29, when all the jargon is pushed to one side, Brexit is set to have a major impact on your personal finances, housing plans, working life and even your weekly shopping. If the existing EU-UK deal is somehow dragged over the line either in tomorrows Westminster vote or at a later date, food supplies and access to medicines will be largely unaffected, as will travelling to and from Northern Ireland, flying through British airspace and the work of road hauliers being sent to the continent. However, in a worst-case crash-out scenario, ordinary Irish people risk becoming collateral damage, with concerns medicines will have to be stockpiled, thousands of farming and fishing jobs at risk, up to 390m potentially wiped from the tourism economy and claims Ireland could have a 3.6bn Brexit-shaped hole in its budget. There are likely to be some benefits to Ireland in a no-deal crisis, with floods of new jobs potentially being created as a knock-on effect of major companies fleeing the City of London to set up shop in the Dublin-based IFSC. However, these benefits are at real risk of being overshadowed by serious concerns that such a sudden influx of people will further deepen Irelands existing housing, homelessness and rental crises which are already spinning out of control. The long-winded Brexit debates over the past two and a half years may have bored half the country to tears and made the other half break down and cry. But, beneath the layers upon layers of jargon lie serious ways it will affect your daily life in a matter of weeks whether you have been studiously avoiding anything to do with the crisis since June 2016 or not. Food Food and drink exports to the UK are worth 4.5bn a year. We import about 4bn worth, so the stakes are very high. Deal: If there is a deal, relatively little will change in terms of the existing food supplies between between Ireland and Britain. While some tariffs may be imposed due to Britains departure from the EU, meaning there will be a slight increase in the cost of some UK-based products, it is widely expected those products will continue to be available in Ireland. No deal: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar quipped in recent days that nobody will go hungry in Ireland in a no-deal Brexit, while Boris Johnson similarly joked at a Dublin Business and Leadership conference last week that the only food limits in Britain will be rationed Mars bars. However, it is not that simple. While Britain will undoubtedly be worse off than Ireland when it comes to food access in a no deal scenario because Ireland exports more to Britain than it receives, daily food products from Britain are likely to at least temporarily disappear from Irish store shelves. Priti Patels famine threat wont happen, but do expect less choices than normal on your weekly shopping list. Housing crisis An influx in people and businesses fleeing Brexit risks deepening Ireland and Dublins housing crisis. Deal: In any Brexit situation, it is accepted thousands of extra people will come to Ireland and particularly Dublin due to firms fleeing Brexit. That will force house prices and rental costs up even further and risks a rise in homelessness due to increasing demand. Provided there is some form of deal, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy have been at pains to stress Ireland can cope with any increase in housing demand. This is because in a deal scenario the Government believes its existing Rebuilding Ireland plan will ensure the housing market can handle what is coming. However, the opposition insists the plan is already out of date and that the problem is being ignored. No deal: A no-deal scenario could potentially lead to bedlam, with the number of firms already planning to re-locate to Dublin expected to surge dramatically - pushing an already suspect Brexit housing plan to its absolute limit. Speaking at an Oireachtas housing committee meeting in November, Department of Housing principal officer Damian Allen said despite Government plans, a hard Brexit poses genuine homelessness concerns. Noting the fact there is likely to be a surge in firms and people fleeing Britain to Ireland, Mr Allen said affordable house prices could rise dramatically due to growing demand and that very significant net migration increases could cause a separate housing crisis. The view was repeated by the ESRI and the Nevin Institute, both of which have warned the Governments Rebuilding Ireland housing programme has not been Brexit-proofed and will be obsolete if any hard Brexit hits. Medicines Brexit risks seriously disrupting access to vital medicines for hospitals, GPs and vulnerable patients. Deal: If a Brexit deal is agreed, existing drugs links between Ireland and Britain will continue, meaning there will be no cut-off either short-term or prolonged when it comes to accessing medicines needed to treat vulnerable patients. In addition, the Department of Health, the Health Products Regulatory Authority and cross-border groups have insisted they are in regular contact with their counterparts in Britain to ensure people are not affected. Similarly, the HPRA and its regulatory counterpart in Britain have already examined a joint labelling system for drugs in Ireland and Britain in the event of a deal Brexit. No deal: If Britain crashes out of the EU at the end of March with no deal, access to drugs becomes far more complex, with potentially serious implications for the general public. Drugs manufactured in Britain risk being unavailable in Ireland for either a short or medium-term period, while existing licenses for the UK and Ireland due to the comparatively small market base in this country will be obsolete. During a visit to Rome last July, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar admitted medicines will have to be stockpiled by hospitals to ensure seriously ill patients can still be treated. However, in recent weeks senior Irish officials have declined to say which specific drugs or conditions could be affected. Going to Northern Ireland as a member of the public A no deal doomsday scenario will cause havoc to shoppers, families and tourists alike. Deal: Thousands of people living in the Republic regularly cross the border to shop in Newry and other nearby border towns to take advantage of deals. Similarly, thousands more travel over the border to experience geographically close sites such as the Giants Causeway or to visit friends and family. If a deal is accepted, ordinary punters will still be able to hunt for a deal in the north even though the new customs arrangements could limit the deals available, while tourism and family visits are unlikely to be drastically affected. No deal: If a no deal scenario occurs, all of this will change. The likely imposition of customs checks on the border will significantly increase the amount of time it takes to travel to the North. Similarly, there is a real risk of full-scale passport checkpoints which will further delay matters on both roads and Irish Rail with the latter group confirming last summer that it is already planning for passport checks on trains. And while you will still be able to travel to Northern Ireland in the hunt for deals, the ease of doing which helped make the trend so popular is likely to come to a shuddering halt. Going to Northern Ireland as a business Any suggestion of a return to border checks or a hard border could wipe millions of euro off company budgets. Deal Since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the number of firms in the Republic conducting business in the North has surged due to the peace process. Currently 99 substantial businesses operate on both sides of the border in addition to more than 7,000 small ad hoc deals every year interactions worth almost 4bn a year to both economies. If a Brexit deal is dragged over the line the positive business steps will continue as the frictionless border will allow the easy passage between both jurisdictions to remain. No deal The threat of a return to a hard border in a no-deal Brexit, and at a minimum customs checks and tariffs on goods, will badly damage the current multibillion-euro arrangement. In addition to the potential new difficulty in operating on both sides of the border, tariffs imposed on items that may be needed for construction firms to operate could cause difficulties. Ongoing trade may also suffer, all of which will inevitably have a real impact on employment levels among affected companies. The rights of British people living in Ireland and Irish people living in Britain The rights of people in both countries are set to be protected whatever happens. Deal: If the UK-EU Brexit deal is accepted, London, Dublin and Brussels have all confirmed there will be no changes to the citizenship or working rights of people living in different countries within Britain and the EU. In simple terms, this means if you are an Irish person living or working in Britain you will not be asked to leave. Similarly, if you are a British person living or working in Ireland you will also have your rights protected. No deal: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Simon Coveney, British prime minister Theresa May and senior EU officials have all insisted the same guarantees outlined in any deal will apply even if British crashes out of the EU without an agreement in place though it may be trickier to implement in practice. The risk of violence if a hard border returns A worst-case scenario Brexit risks dragging Ireland back to the dark days of the Troubles. Deal: Should the existing Brexit deal be accepted by Westminster this week, there will be no threat of a hard border and therefore the potential risk of a slow-step return to violence in Northern Ireland will reduce dramatically. In addition, the backstop will be protected, meaning the subtle political nuances surrounding identity in Northern Ireland can continue to be implemented. While calls for a united Ireland referendum are likely to increase, the lack of a hard border or physical infrastructure on the border means it is highly unlikely violence will be sparked. No deal This is one of the most serious problems posed by Brexit. Officially and even unofficially, Irish officials have insisted the Government is not preparing in any way for the return of a hard border and the potential security risks this will bring. However, if a hard border is reintroduced, there are genuine fears it will lead to a rise in potential violence in Northern Ireland. And while British police said last week they will send officers to the north to help address any outbreaks of violence if this is needed, such a move would inevitably throw yet more petrol onto the flames. The economy Any Brexit will hit public finances, but a hard Brexit risks throwing us back into a recession. Deal: There is no getting around the facts Brexit will damage the Irish economy. Even in a best-case scenario of the existing EU-UK deal being implemented, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned Irelands GDP will drop by at least 4%, affecting businesses, jobs and the money in your pocket in equal measure. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe have stressed last Octobers budget and the 500m rainy day fund is Brexit-focussed and that the fact Irelands economy is now running a surplus will protect us from the coming storm - a view disputed by the opposition. No deal: If a 4% dip in the economy frightens you, try 8% and a 3.6bn hole in our economic plans. During the same Oireachtas finance committee meeting last November where the 4% best case scenario situation was outlined, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Councils official Martina Lawless also said a crash-out no deal will see GDP plummet by 8%. An ESRI report last month similarly said a doomsday Brexit scenario could create a massive 3.6bn hole in Irelands economic plans which risks sinking the country. While Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has demanded an emergency budget to be considered for this spring to cope with any expected fallout, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar remains insistent this is not necessary. Farmers and the fishing community Thousands of jobs risk being lost from the vital sectors. Deal: While Brexit will affect all aspects of Irish life, the farming and fishing industries are by far the most vulnerable due to long-standing connections with the British market. Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has said even in a best case scenario Brexit deal, thousands of jobs could be lost from the sectors due in part to tariffs on goods being sent to Britain. While this will be off-set by continued land bridge access to continental European markets through Britain, job losses are expected. No deal: The no-deal situation is potentially disastrous for two of the stalwarts of the Irish economy. If Britain crashes out of the EU in just two months time without a deal, up to 40% of the beef industry could be at risk because of its export focus on Britain. Similarly, Mr Creed said up to 4,000 jobs could be lost in the 10,000-strong fishing industry if Britain claws back complete control of its fishing water rights. While the Government is seeking alternative beef markets to Britain and hopes to find a resolution to the fishing crisis with Mr Creed indicating last week a potential EU cash injection for beef farmers may be offered there is no way of ignoring the seriousness of the situation. Road hauliers and importers/exporters Forget the British lorry convoy PR exercise last week hauliers, exporters and importers have a Brexit target on their backs. Deal: In its 100-plus page Brexit contingency planning document published last month, the Government said a Brexit deal situation will allow Irish hauliers to continue to travel through the British land-bridge to continental Europe. The land bridge which is effectively just a fast-track drive through Britain is a crucial part of the Irish import and export market. However, questions have been raised over the impact increased customs checks will have on the sector, even if everything goes to plan. No deal: If you tend to lose your cool in a normal traffic jam, you may want to look away now. Despite the mainly British PR about how a no deal Brexit will not necessarily bring lorries and trucks carrying goods to a grinding halt, the Irish Freight Association and the Irish Road Haulage Association have specifically warned of this exact scenario. Among the PR put out in recent weeks has been the British governments claim that checks on hauliers trucks and lorries will take less than 40 seconds and offer little to no disruption. Frankly, no one believes a word of it, with both Irish organisations ridiculing the prediction as being completely unrealistic and their counterparts in Britain saying Theresa Mays PR focussed lorry convoy test run last Monday designed to show how speedily trucks will still roll was pointless as it took place outside of rush hour traffic. What does this mean for you and accessing the goods, and markets, you need? In simple traffic terms, gridlock, not green light. I work in a vulnerable Irish business, what will happen? Depending on who you ask, the Government is either ready to bail out at-risk firms or is sleepwalking into a crisis. Deal: A Brexit deal will undoubtedly impact on the economy, with border companies, those in the south east who are dependent on Rosslare, and agri-food firms in Cork and Kerry flagged by Government and independent groups as the most at-risk. However, the Government is of the view that an existing Brexit business preparedness fund involving grants and other supports will be enough to prevent major fallout in the majority of cases an issue ministers have spent months emphasising to firms. No deal: This is where the Government promises get tricky. While ministers are at pains to stress the supports and grants which are already available through the Department of Business, they will be stretched to the absolute limit in a worst case scenario no-deal Brexit. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dail last December officials have contacted the EU about relaxing existing State aid rules, a complicated way of saying they have asked Brussels for hundreds of millions of euro more in funds to shore up firms. However, after receiving a written parliamentary question response on the matter last week, Fianna Fail business spokesperson Billy Kelleher said little progress has been made on the issue to date just two months out from the Brexit divorce date. I work for a multinational firm in Ireland, what might happen? Multinational firms special relationship with Ireland, or at least our English-speaking workforce and corporate tax rate, is expected to only grow due to Brexit. Deal: Love them or loathe them, there is no escaping the current importance of multinational firms to the economy. With Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and other heavy-hitters locating their European bases in Ireland, in part because of our corporate tax policy, keeping the companies happy during Brexit will be key. While the current question marks over what will happen with Brexit have led to legitimate concerns being raised due to the increased difficulties in accessing the British market, it is widely expected Ireland will remain central to multinational firms plans. No deal: One of the few upshots of a no-deal situation for Ireland will be the likely surge in multinationals coming to this country from Britain. While the UK government has signalled it may try and make itself more attractive to firms by cutting its own corporate tax rate, the fact that a no deal situation will see the country completely cut off from Europe is almost certain to be a deciding factor. With English-speaking Ireland still in the EU, and provided our controversial corporate tax rate remains in place, there is a strong belief that more multinational firms not fewer will be based in this country post-Brexit. British businesses fleeing London and coming to Ireland Banks, financial services and other businesses are already planning to come to Ireland regardless of the Brexit outcome. Deal: Even if the existing Brexit deal is somehow passed through Westminster on Tuesday, firms currently based in Londons financial hub are planning to relocate to Ireland. To date, four leading banks and financial services have agreed to move to Dublin. They include Lloyds moving its EU headquarters from London to Dublin; JP Morgan agreeing to transfer hundreds of positions from London to Dublin, Frankfurt and Luxembourg; and Barclays moving 150 jobs to the Irish capital from London to set up a new EU headquarters. Bank of America is also moving its headquarters from London to Dublin No deal: Irelands and particularly Dublins close proximity to London means this trend will only grow if Britain crashes out without a deal. Although it brings its own problems namely where on earth to house thousands of new workers suddenly flowing into the capital the Government will at least be privately rubbing its hands at the opportunity for Dublin to benefit from the City of Londons financial woes in a doomsday Brexit. The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is already a major business hotspot, and is set to grow significantly even if the worst happens on the political scene. Tourist industry The Brexit crisis could cost the tourism industry a whopping 390m. Deal: In a best case Brexit deal scenario, British tourists are predicted to continue coming to Ireland but in smaller numbers However, both Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland are fearful a drop of up to 20% in British tourists over the coming years could still happen due to the deteriorating relationship between the two countries. To combat the possible problems, Irish tourism bodies are continuing to push advertising campaigns both in Britain and potentially more crucially in other European countries and North America to help protect the sector from any fallout. No deal: Nice holiday? Feeling relaxed? Great, now just the bill, sir. Asked about the consequences of a no deal by politicians at an Oireachtas tourism committee meeting in November, Failte Irelands chief executive Paul Kelly didnt pull his punches, saying a crash out Brexit could cost the Irish tourism sector up to 390m. Mr Kelly said the figure - which is 130m more than what the Tourism Industry Council officially predicts is based on a 20% drop in British tourism, with fears the scenario could be as damaging and more long-term than the 2010 ash cloud crisis and the 2001 foot and mouth disease scare. And he was not alone in his concerns, with Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons telling the same committee rural Ireland will be affected more than anywhere with the West, South-West and border areas expected to be worst hit. Flying to the UK and Europe Trips to Britain and continental Europe are facing into short-term Brexit turbulence. Deal: If, like just about everyone in Ireland, you want to get away from all this Brexit talk with a nice, stress-free holiday abroad, you might want to cross your fingers for a deal. Under existing open sky rules, there is no hindrance to British, EU and Irish planes flying through each others airspace, a situation a deal would maintain in a move that would benefit everyone involved. No deal: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar caused uproar in Derrynane, west Kerry, last July when he said British planes will not be able to use EU airspace in a hard Brexit, but he had a point. Unfortunately, the flip side of the issue is that Irish planes will not be able to use British airspace either. Since the controversial remark, EU, Irish and British officials have moved to address the problem, with the EU no deal Brexit contingency plans published in December saying British planes will be allowed access to EU airspace on a point-to-point basis. This means they can travel to one destination and back to Britain, but cannot travel on from the EU destination to a third country. The offer is based on an equivalent agreement being reached for EU planes flying to or through British airspace. But at the very least, it means there is the risk of more potential Brexit turbulence for Irish passengers just trying to get away from it all. Theres no escape from Brexit, basically. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Michael Creed, has announced today that funding worth 2.4m will be allocated to 12 marine businesses over the next three years. The funding, which will be provided by the Marine Institute, aims to help drive continued innovation in Irelands ocean economy. This is a key requirement of the Marine Institute led National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy (2017-2021). The 12 grants of up to 200,000 each which are being provided to individual companies and company-led consortia will support research and development, as well as the development of new technologies in key growth areas such as marine engineering, renewable energy and the blue bioeconomy. Five universities will also be working in collaboration with the businesses. Minister Creed said: Irelands blue economy continues to grow and develop in line with the targets of the national integrated marine plan, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth. "Indigenous small and medium enterprises are identifying new commercial opportunities across a range of marine sectors which can lead to economic growth and new jobs. "These industry-led awards provide the opportunity for companies to build their R&D capacity and to innovate towards new products and processes," he said. Marine Institute CEO, Dr Peter Heffernan, said, The Marine Institute is committed to assisting industry-led development through knowledge transfer, capacity building, research and Innovation. Job creation in the marine sector is increasing as a result of such investment and Irish marine companies have built an excellent reputation internationally for innovation and best practice. "The 12 companies receiving funding through this funding call have demonstrated the demand and capability to fuel further growth through marine research," he said. The full list of businesses awarded grants can be seen here. She may be Young but she managed not to be Offended as the judges in Dancing with the Stars gave her the lowest score of the night and the criticism that she needs to practice more. In fairness Young Offenders star Demi Isaac Oviawe has enough of a testing time these days while her fellow dancers get in a bit more practice, the Mallow Leaving Certificate student will tomorrow morning be sitting a history examination on the 1916 Rising. The 18 year-old scored 10 points three each from two of the judges for her Cha Cha Cha with professional partner Kai Widdrington. She was praised for her youth and exuberance and joyful energy but the unanimous message was that she needs to knuckle down for even more study. At the other end of the age spectrum 66-year-old Eilish OCarroll of Mrs Browns Boys fame was told by judge Loraine Barry that age does not hold you back for sure. Her tango scored her 15 points with judge Julian Benson praising here wonderful staccato movement. Model Holly Carpenter has a natural hip movement which caught the eye of Julian and fellow judge Brian Redmond. She scored 16 points for her salsa. Country music star Cliona Hagans quickstep routine managed to incorporate elements of a line-dance which somehow managed to work in her favour as she topped the leaderboard with 21 points. Then almost five months to the day after welcoming her daughter Bonnie to the world, television and radio presenter Mairead Ronan managed to waltz her way to 18 points with judge Loraine Barry praising her sublime posture. Finally Clelia Murphy of Fair City fame managed to divide the judges with her jive. Brian Redmond said she and her dance partner Vitali Kozmin spent too long sitting at a bus stop at the start of the routine he said it seemed like there was a bus strike. Clelia Murphy and dance partner Vitali Lozmin dance a jive to Tell Her About It by Billy Joel. But Julian Benson and Loraine Barry disagreed. So when it came to the scoring it was not surprising Brian gave the pair a five while the other two gave sevens giving her a total of 19. As with last week no one was eliminated from the competition the votes from tonight will count towards next weeks show after which one couple will dance no more. As lifestyle tips and New Years resolutions fill our news and social media feeds, Irish businesses are busy setting goals for the year ahead. Companies are looking to develop in 2019, with two-thirds of small businesses intending to recruit and invest in their companies, according to a survey by the Small Firms Association. Taking time to look back at the previous years achievements is valuable for any business. And the first few weeks of January are an opportune time to set targets and revisit goals. Co-founder Karina Murray of Aunua Academy, a non-profit which provides free resources on mental health, hopes to build on an incredible year. She believes a review of your business is useful when setting goals: I have big plans on where I see Aunua Academy going and looking back is always the best way to help move forward. Isabel Ronayne of Ardmore Jewellery agrees that conducting a review is an essential exercise to do at this time of the year. Ms Ronayne, who runs the new company with her mother Marie, is learning as the company grows. Marie Ronayne designs and makes the brands sea and naturally-inspired jewellery while her daughter runs the business side. The company started as a hobby and grew into a business in 2017. The duo began this years goal-setting with a review of the previous year. We started by listing everything we achieved last year and what were grateful for. The assessment helped them to focus on their strengths and to learn from other companies. Having missed out on events focused on Irish-made products, this years calendar is full of dates. One item on their 2019 to-do list is to prepare to exhibit at Showcase Ireland in 2020. A key challenge for businesses in 2019 is attracting and retaining staff, according to a recent Dublin Chamber survey. Celebrating achievements and acknowledging the contribution of employees is a crucial element to building a team. Recognising wins is essential. Ms Ronayne says: Its good to pat ourselves on the back for what weve done because we are so small and so new. Ms Murray plans to expand the Aunua Academy team from its current staff level of 30. She believes celebrating milestones is a great way to show volunteers the value of their work and what it is possible to achieve through organised teamwork. Setting up in October 2017 and having run two pilots early in 2018, the Aunua Academy team is busy with plans to deliver mental health seminars at schools and developing an online platform. Its main partnership is with Belouga, a social education platform in over 2,500 classrooms in 82 countries. Having developed the business with the help of a private sponsor, a big priority for the company in 2019 is to secure additional funding to achieve its goals. Family business Good4U is thriving and its managing director Bernie Butler wants to continue the momentum built up over the past two years. While businesses are cautiously optimistic about 2019 most of the respondents to a survey by the SFA still believe that business conditions are improving. However, one of the biggest challenges is, of course, the looming threat of Brexit. Most of Good4Us business is in the UK. Ms Butler, who runs the company with her husband Paul, daughters Laura and Michelle and son Karol, says the company is ploughing on. You could get overwhelmed with the what-ifs and decide to do nothing, she says. She aims to build on UK growth, having secured three significant contracts with major retailers for 2019. We will face challenges if there is no deal and like everyone else, were trying to plan for that. But by the same token, were looking at increasing our capabilities, our capacities and our factories, she says. The company makes private-label and branded products with ranges including protein balls, salad toppers, seed and fruit snacks, as well as roasted and sprouted seeds and pulses. It says it is on track towards its goal to become a leading health-food brand. The best antidote to the current world trade turmoil is innovation, the creation of products and services that make life better whether its butter, vaccines, or text messaging. Every country wants to foster a culture of innovation, but its not easy to do. Ireland has been trying hard, but as shown in the latest release from the EUs statistics office, the results are patchy. Just before the recession, Ireland was ranked 12th most intensive country in the EU for research and development (R&D). We have since fallen to 18th. After the economic crisis, public investment in R&D has been slow to recover. Officials in the Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation point to the lack of funds because of the recession. Hence R&D expenditure by governments in the years following the recession fell from the peak of 930m to receiving a budget allocation of 751m in 2018. The business enterprise sector, which has continued in the decade to increase investment in research and in developing new products and services for global markets has managed to keep Irelands position looking relatively healthy. When you add in the business R&D spend to that of the States, the picture looks somewhat more encouraging: It has risen from 2.4bn in 2007 to 3.1bn in 2017. However, the average spend in the EU 28 countries rose by 38%, while that of Irelands, despite the extra effort of the business community, rose only 25%. The Government believes it can still meet the EU Innovation 2020 targets which also encompass Irelands Strategy for research and development, science and technology for the period 2016-2020. The vision is for Ireland to be a global innovation leader, driving a strong sustainable economy and a better society. The Department of Enterprise accepts that reaching the targets by December 2020 will be very challenging. Part of its response has been to appoint an external consultancy to carry out a mid-term evaluation of the strategy so that relevant adjustments can be made in a timely manner to ensure successful delivery on the vision and objectives. The consultancy contract has been issued in recent weeks, with a brief to review the strategys vision and the objective of reaching the target of 2.5% of GNP research intensity Irelands commitment under the Europe 2020 plan. We are currently less than half-way there. Reaching the target in less than 24 months is highly aspirational. There are some Europe 2020 targets that will be met. The target of doubling of private funding of R&D in higher education is likely to be achieved, according to the department, with private funding increasing from 31.2m to 48m. Big pharmaceutical and computer companies are leading the way with universities here. Bell Labs has relationships with a number of institutions including Trinity College, Dublin City University, University College Dublin, and the University of Limerick. It came to Ireland a decade ago as one of the States first major R&D co-investments. From February 2014 to August 2018, researchers in Ireland secured 577m in competitive funding under Horizon 2020 the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation which is well ahead of the target for the period. Business is likely to benefit but supports to the sector must be critically reviewed. Two actions in particular need to be tailored: Existing R&D supports and the allocation of a much larger Government budget. Both are crucially inter-related and will need major surgery in the coming years to keep Irelands businesses competitive. Streamlining of enterprise supports for R&D is needed to make it easier for businesses to tap them. There needs to be a reality check by the Government to reach the EUs target of 2.5% of GNP; Ireland would need to achieve an annual R&D spend of 7.5bn. The business sector usually co-funds half of the expenditure in any research project, hence the Government needs to allocate 3.75bn in 2020. Five times the current spend. Santa Clara, Calif. - January 14, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Natron Energy, a developer and provider of disruptive new battery products using Prussian Blue electrode chemistry, has closed a strategic investment by Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV) to support the development of stationary energy storage systems for demand charge management at electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Natron Energy will adapt its battery technology, originally developed for data center and utility-scale applications, to meet the power requirements of the emerging EV fast charging market. "Chevron Technology Ventures is excited about the opportunity to support Natron Energy's development of high-performance energy storage systems," said Jesse Teichman, who led the investment by CTV. "The high-power density and fast charging time of Natron's unique battery technology make it an attractive storage solution for the EV station of the future." Prussian blue dye, commonly used in blueprints, stores and releases energy in the form of sodium ions. Unlike the electrode materials found in most lithium-ion batteries, Prussian blue enjoys a widespread availability and low cost that make batteries based on Prussian blue electrodes an economically attractive, environmentally friendly technology. "This investment furthers CTV's objective to foster and support the innovation that will enable the next generation of energy products and services," continued Barbara J. Burger, CTV's president. Natron's patented technology uses Prussian blue pigments in both the positive and negative electrode of the battery. Prussian blue has a unique structure and composition that allow it to store energy much more rapidly and reversibly than other types of battery electrodes. For this reason, batteries based on Prussian blue can be fully charged and discharged tens of thousands of times at very high power. This has allowed Natron to build the first battery in which chemistry does not limit the lifetime of the system, opening up new opportunities for energy storage to support EV charging, renewables such as solar and wind, and industrial applications. In addition, Natron's batteries provide improved safety compared to incumbent technology as they are nonflammable during overcharge, hard short circuit, nail penetration, and under external heating to over 200 C. "Vehicle electrification will be one of the defining economic trends of the next decade. Widespread EV adoption depends in part on technologies that enable ubiquitous fast charging and that mitigate drivers' range anxiety. As a global leader in transportation energy services, Chevron has recognized this," said Colin Wessells, CEO at Natron Energy. "We are thrilled that CTV has chosen to support Natron. This investment provides a terrific boost to us as we develop and demonstrate energy storage products that will make fast charging stations a reality." According to the U.S. Department of Energy, access to fast charging stations, in combination with the recent increase in EV range, has reduced range anxiety associated with battery electric vehicles and may accelerate EV adoption. However, there are high electricity delivery costs for high power fast-charging stations. One potential technology solution for fast charging stations may be the use of stationary batteries to supplement demand for grid power. About Natron Energy, Inc. Natron Energy is developing battery products based on a unique Prussian blue chemistry for a wide variety of energy storage applications ranging from critical backup power systems, material handling, behind-the-meter applications, and renewables support. Natron's battery offers higher power density, faster recharge, and significantly longer cycle life than incumbent technologies. Natron builds its batteries using commodity materials on existing cell manufacturing lines. Natron was founded as Alveo Energy in 2012 as a spin-out from research originally performed at Stanford University. Natron's mission is to transform industrial and grid energy storage markets by providing customers with lower cost, longer lasting, more efficient, safer batteries. Natron is backed by leading venture capital investors and has received support from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). About Chevron Technology Ventures Formed in 1999, CTV pursues new business solutions and externally-developed technologies that have the potential to enhance the way Chevron produces and delivers affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy. CTV fosters innovation outside and inside Chevron, supporting vibrant startup ecosystems externally and championing technology integration and innovation internally. Through its technology deployments and venture capital portfolio, CTV has supported a wide range of pioneering companies and technologies and is helping shape the future of energy. 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 New York, NY - January 14, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Dash, the top digital currency for payments and e-commerce, has announced the release of the Dash Core v0.13.0 software to serve as the foundation for Dash Evolution, a series of network updates designed to make Dash the most user-friendly blockchain-based payment system in the world. Dash Core encourages all Masternode operators, exchanges, pools, and explorers to update to v0.13.0, as the upgrade will be required in order to continue receiving rewards. The software release focuses on improving consensus methods on the network, and includes the following highlights: Automatic InstantSend, which will improve the speed of most transactions at no additional cost A deterministic masternode list, which will provide a single source of truth for clients validating transactions Special transactions to accommodate non-financial transactions on the blockchain Several improvements to private transactions, including speeding up the mixing process, as well as introducing an additional denomination of .001 Dash Ryan Taylor, CEO of Dash Core Group, said: This is an exciting upgrade for us as we continue to make progress on the launch of Dash Evolution. Version 0.13.0 will improve numerous key functions within the Dash network, including both InstantSend and PrivateSend, and accommodates new transaction types that lay the groundwork for many future uses of the Dash platform, such as the ability to build applications or attach metadata to transactions. Currently, Dash offers instant, peer-to-peer payments with micro-fees and is accepted by thousands of merchants worldwide. Dash Evolution is a decentralized payments platform built on Dash blockchain technology. The platform will take payments to the next level by providing businesses and developers with the ability to build user-friendly, Venmo-like applications that allow people to create accounts with customized user names instead of cryptographic addresses to exchange Dash. Additionally, Evolution will enable developers to build dApps without the infrastructure needed to run a full node, made possible through decentralized hosting. As part of Dash Evolution, Dash Core Group, Inc. plans to release its own consumer-facing payments app called Dashpay to demonstrate the platform's capabilities. For more information on how to implement the upgrade, view the blog post here. CEO of Dash Core Group Ryan Taylor is Available for Interview About Dash: Dash is the leading payments and e-commerce focused digital currency, and the rising alternative to bitcoin. Experiencing significant growth since its beginnings in 2014, Dash is accepted at more than 4,000 merchants, including 2,500+ in Venezuela, in addition to being accessible via 700+ ATMs and 90+ exchanges worldwide - making it one of the few offering safe, decentralized solutions to real world problems. Dash is digital money that is better than cash, it is instant, global, and easy to use. Dash can be spent online and in stores at merchants across the globe, with near zero fees, instant settlement, and no chargebacks. Dash protects merchants and their customers equally and gives the power of payments back to its users. With over 60 members on the team and a unique treasury and blockchain mining model, Dash is the only major self-funded, self-governed organization in the cryptocurrency industry. This allows for constant development and funding for the entire project. 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 January 14, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Regulation, last years total rumble. Yes or no, risky or safe? Everybody whos a part of the blockchain movement already is looking for an answer to that specific situation. One of the cases where obtained knowledge seems to point towards is the tokenization of assets. Massive investment opportunities are the benefits typically reserved for the few. Decentralized blockchain network can change that. Just like bitcoin is significantly changing the financial landscape, a blockchain asset tokenization can make investing in real world assets far more convenient and efficient. With this method, tangible assets can be divided into small units increasing their liquidity and enabling more market participants to join. Regulation would not be an issue but an answer if the right conditions where to appear. Enter Tokenize-IT. Tokenize-IT is the very first fully compliant platform for creating, launching and investing in tokenized assets: Companies can conduct a compliant security token offering for verified accredited investors with both fiat and digital currency contribution options. Through our bank-grade compliancy standards, we ensure full KYC/AML due diligence is completed before an investor participates on our platform and meets accredited investor status. In Costa Rica, the equivalent of the Securities Exchange Commission, called SUGEVAL , issued a regulation two years ago which stated that cryptocurrencies are seen as commodities, not as securities. , issued a regulation two years ago which stated that cryptocurrencies are seen as commodities, not as securities. Tokenize-IT has been granted broker/dealer license from the commodities exchange and acquired a currency exchange license for al G10 currencies which allows the company to separate crypto from fiat; solving the conflict of missing the asset classes. Foreign technology companies can apply for an International Free Zone space. When granted, your cryptocurrencies initiative/business is tax exempt for ten years. Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO), personalized experiences, immediate solutions, and quality assurance practices you will not find anywhere else. We listen to our customers, take advantage of data and technology creating a seamless experience that provides great service and support. Tokenize-IT is located in Costa Rica, mostly because of the countries policies towards cryptocurrency, and it's world renowned BPO services. Issues on liquidity of assets, fractional ownership, diversification of risk, newer models for raising capital, control over investment, a big decrease in the number of intermediaries and liquidity can be solved with Tokenize-IT's resources. There are many assets that can be moved to blockchain: stocks, real estate properties, gold, even fine art. The main point is to tokenize very expensive assets that only a few can afford at the moment. You can be a merchant, or you can be a trader who is willing to diversify their assets portfolio and be subjected to little less investment risk. This company is part of a bigger project that will certainly push the blockchain world forward. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. For more information on this project follow this link: http://www.tokenizeit.cr http://wisecr.com Genesis Exchange and Wallet App @GenesisBlockch GBT is a powerful cryptocurrency centralized / decentralized exchange which will include a broad range of services and benefits from cryptocurrency and blockchain markets development, while avoiding complications and risks arising from crytocurrency ownership, transfer, and exchange. The powerful GBTDesk aggregator ensuring exchange of cryptocurrencies for fiat currencies under smart contracts without intermediaries is a key element of GBT. Download the Genesis Exchange and Wallet App at Google Play 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 investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. 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. More disclaimer info: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Disclosure: Genesis Blockchain Technologies is a paid sponsor of the #CryptoCorner podcast at Investorideas.com https://www.investorideas.com/crypto-corner/ Learn more about sponsoring the crypto corner and other branded content http://www.investorideas.com/About/News/Clientspecifics.asp Vancouver, British Columbia - January 14, 2019 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Biocure Technology Inc. (CSE: CURE) (OTCQB: BICTF) (the "Company" or "Biocure") BiocurePharm, Korea ("BPK"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Biocure Technology Inc. ("CURE") has entered into a collaboration agreement with Y Biologics ("YB"), a private R&D company in Korea who is specialized in antibody therapeutics in cancer, autoimmune disease and metabolic disease. The purpose of this agreement is to research the effectiveness of combined treatment of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein-1) developed by YB and anti-CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy developed by BPK. BPK and YB believe that the above combined treatment could maximize anticancer effects and eventually develop a next generation anticancer treatment for solid tumors. BPK and YB agreed to collaborate in the following areas to verify combined therapy of YBL-006 and anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy; Plan and implement pre-clinical trial(animal) for combined therapy Conduct a study of action mechanism and bio marker of combined therapy Development of anticancer treatment and exchange of information And other essential items to fulfill the intended goal of the agreement Dr. Sang Mok Lee, CEO & President of CURE explains "I am excited to see BPK collaborate with Y Biologics to take the first step to move forward to develop a next generation anticancer treatment for solid tumors. CURE will be able to commercialize a blood cancer immune therapy using CAR T Cell Therapy within 2 years and it is our ultimate goal to treat solid tumors with CAR T Cell Therapy. I believe that a successful outcome from this collaboration could bring CURE an opportunity to present epoch-marking anticancer therapy for solid tumors to life-threatening patients. This might be one of our most powerful pipeline products to give the significant returns to our loyal shareholders who have been supporting us for many years." Y Biologics is a Korean private R&D Company specialized in antibody therapeutics in cancer, autoimmune disease and metabolic disease. It has three platform technologies to accelerate development of antibody therapeutics - Human antibody library, Receptor library and mammalian transient expression. Y Biologics has a plan to enter into a preclinical trial for YBL-006 imminently. About Biocure Biocure is a South Korean based Bio Pharmaceutical company specializing in the development and potential commercialization of biosimilar pharmaceutical products. Biocure is in the process of pre- clinical trials of five major biosimilar products in South Korea, including Interferon Beta 1b, PEG- Filgrastim and Ranibizumab as well as CAR-T Cell Therapy. Interferon Beta 1b is used for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis ("MS") Filgrastim is used to treat neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and other conditions. Ranibizumab is used for treating macular degeneration. It is also used to treat a type of eye problem known as macular edema, as well as certain eye problems caused by diabetes. Biocure is also developing a foot and mouth disease vaccine, a hair growth production product and a breast cancer detection kit. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS /S/ "SANG MOK LEE" CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Biocure Technology Inc. Telephone: 604-609-7146, or Rebecca Greco Investor Relations (416) 822-6483 Certain statements in this news release, which are not historical in nature, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under applicable Canadian securities law. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements or information concerning the Company's proposed activities under the Agreement and the expectations of the Company regarding funding payments due pursuant to the Agreement. These statements reflect management's current assumptions and expectations and by their nature are subject to certain underlying assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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 Vancouver, British Columbia - January 14, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSXV: SIL.V; NYSE American: SILV) ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSXV: SIL) (NYSE American: SILV) ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the promotions of Stephany ("Rosy") Fier to the position of Vice President, Exploration & Technical Services and Nicholas Campbell as Executive Vice President, Business Development for the Company. Ms. Fier is a mining and geological engineer with more than 10 years' experience in exploration, construction and mine production in Mexico, Canada, USA, and Central America. She has been the Exploration Manager for the Company since its inception in 2015 and has lead the SilverCrest team in the discovery of a high-grade precious metal vein system at the Las Chispas Property. Previously, Ms. Fier held several roles with SilverCrest Mines Inc. at the Santa Elena Mine in Sonora, Mexico, from 2009 to 2015. These roles included exploration manager, resource modeller, construction supervisor, and production engineer for both open pit and underground mining. Mr. Campbell has been the Vice President, Business Development for the Company since October 2016 and has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Business Development. Michael Rapsch has resigned from his position as Vice President, Corporate Communication. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng comments, "The promotions of both Rosy and Nick are a testament to their hard work over the last three years to help make SilverCrest another success story in the industry. Congratulations to them and their dedication. The Company sincerely thanks Mr. Rapsch for his contributions and services and wishes him the best in his future endeavours." OTHER CORPORATE UPDATES An online web-based platform called "VRIFY" has completed a virtual tour of Las Chispas, which is available on the homepage of the Company's website, www.silvercrestmetals.com. SilverCrest will be presenting at the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2019 on January 20 to 21 and the AME's Mineral Exploration Roundup 2019 conference in Vancouver on January 31. Various intercepts, including those of Record Hole BA18-122 (9.3 metres grading 6,336 gpt AgEq) recently announced on January 9, 2019, will be on display in the Core Shack at Roundup. ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC. SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company's current focus is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Project resulting in numerous discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metals mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng Chief Executive Officer SilverCrest Metals Inc. For Further Information: SilverCrest Metals Inc. Contact: Fred Cooper, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1730 Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313 Toll Free: 1-866-691-1730 (Canada & USA) Email: info@silvercrestmetals.com Website: www.silvercrestmetals.com 570 Granville Street, Suite 501 Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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 investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. 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. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Disclosure: Investorideas.com is compensated by SilverCrest Metals Inc for annual news publishing effective January 2017. Additional info regarding BC Residents and global Investors: Effective September 15 2008 - all BC investors should review all OTC and Pink sheet listed companies for adherence in new disclosure filings and filing appropriate documents with Sedar. Read for more info: http://www.bcsc.bc.ca/release.aspx?id=6894. Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Vancouver, British Columbia - January 14, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSXV: SIL.V; NYSE American: SILV) ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #635 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 20 - Monday January 21, 2019. The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the bellwether of the junior mining market for the last twenty-five years. It is the number one source of information for investment trends and ideas, covering all aspects of the natural resource industry. Each year, the VRIC hosts over 60 keynote speakers, 350 exhibiting companies and 9000 investors. Investment thought leaders and wealth influencers provide our audiences with valuable insights. C-suite company executives covering every corner of the mineral exploration sector as well as metals, oil & gas, renewable energy, media and financial services companies are available to speak one on one. This is a must-attend for investors and stakeholders in the global mining industry. For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference We look forward to seeing you there. For Further Information: SilverCrest Metals Inc. Contact: Fred Cooper, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1730 Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313 Toll Free: 1-866-691-1730 (Canada & USA) Email: info@silvercrestmetals.com Website: www.silvercrestmetals.com 570 Granville Street, Suite 501 Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1 ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC. SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company's current focus is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Project resulting in numerous discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metals mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng Chief Executive Officer SilverCrest Metals Inc. 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 investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. 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. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Disclosure: Investorideas.com is compensated by SilverCrest Metals Inc for annual news publishing effective January 2017. Additional info regarding BC Residents and global Investors: Effective September 15 2008 - all BC investors should review all OTC and Pink sheet listed companies for adherence in new disclosure filings and filing appropriate documents with Sedar. Read for more info: http://www.bcsc.bc.ca/release.aspx?id=6894. Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp California workers compensation insurers and their customers are getting a bit of a break this year. The California Insurance Guarantee Association wont be collecting its annual assessment on 2019 workers comp policies. Its the first time CIGA wont collect the assessment on workers comp policies in about 20 years, according to Brad Roeber, the associations executive director. At one point there were more than 100,000 workers comp claims being handled by CIGA. Were down to about 12,000 now, said Roeber, who on Jan. 1 took over the role from retiring CIGA chief Wayne Wilson. CIGA can collect an assessment for three funds to pay off property/casualty claims: workers comp, auto and homeowners and all the rest. Assessments are rare for all but the workers comp fund, largely due to numerous workers comp insurer insolvencies around 2000 going forward. According AJ Longo Insurance Brokers, a workers comp industry watcher, CIGA at one point had a deficit in the workers comp fund of $4 Billion, while the past 20 years of employer assessments have ranged from 1 percent to 2.6 percent of premium. CIGA can assess up to 2 percent, but must get permission from the insurance commissioner to assess more than that. For the better part of 20 years theres been assessment in the comp fund, Roeber said. The decision to not have the assessment this year was made by the CIGA board over the summer. Its effective on 2019 policies. Roeber said the reason for foregoing this years assessment is a simple one. We havent had a workers comp insolvency in a little while, he said, chalking that up to numerous potential factors. Solid regulation, and responsible underwriting and pricing practices lead to success in our business. Before taking on the role at CIGA, Roeber was COO at Meemic and Freemont Insurance Cos. in Michigan starting in 2014. He was a regional president at AAA in Aurora, Ill. before that. Despite having no assessment, workers comp premium in California has been declining, according to the Workers Compensation Rating Bureau of California. The WCIRB in December issued its quarterly experience report, which showed premium for the first nine months of 2018 was 3 percent below the same period for 2017. According to Roeber, CIGA is now handling around 30,000 total claims, and the number of claims has been declining in all three funds. CIGA has seen some recent activity handling claims from Merced Property & Casualty Co., which was pushed to insolvency by the Camp fire that sparked Nov. 8, 2018, and nearly destroyed Paradise and surrounding towns. Regulators in early December moved to take over the insurer. The company only had 200 policies in all of Butte County, however it was a small insurer, listing only $23 million in liabilities, records show. Since CIGA received the Merced files, Roeber said claims have started to be paid out and refunds are being made on all unearned premiums. He said the process of paying out the Merced claims has picked up lately. Now were starting to move them pretty quickly, he said, adding that the claim sizes are significant. Lots of big ones. We have been issuing checks. We havent seen a property insolvency for a long time. Related: Topics Carriers California Claims Workers' Compensation San Francisco, Calif.-based Woodruff Sawyer has promoted Zac Overbay to the position of chief operating officer, and Norman Allen has been named chief revenue officer. As COO, Overbay will direct the firms geographic regions in New England, Mountain, Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Overbay has been with Woodruff Sawyer for 17 years. He most recently was the chief administrative officer. Overbay began his career in the insurance industry in 1992. He joined Woodruff Sawyer in 2002 as practice leader of the claims consulting group. Allen has been with Woodruff Sawyer for nine years. He most recently was the firms Northern California management liability practice leader. Prior to joining Woodruff Sawyer in 2009, he spent 10 years at Carpenter Moore Insurance Services, where he was senior managing director, a member of the executive team, and the executive in charge of claims. Woodruff Sawyer provides property/casualty, management liability, cyber liability, employee benefits, and personal wealth management services. Topics California Profit Loss The threat of catastrophic wildfires has driven a California town to launch a Goat Fund Me campaign to bring herds of goats to city-owned land to help clear brush. Nevada City in the Sierra Nevada began the online crowdsourcing campaign last month with the goal of raising $30,000 for the project. The campaigns website explains that because it takes time to secure grant funding, the town needs money now to hire goat ranchers because theyre only available this winter. The ranchers have rented out their herds to other municipalities in California the rest of the year and were expanding their herds to meet demand, city officials said. Why not do something and as soon as we can? Vice Mayor Reinette Senum told the Los Angeles Times. If were not proactive, if we dont help ourselves, no one else is going to step up. The foothill community is about 47 miles southeast of Paradise, which was decimated by a wildfire in November that killed 86 people and destroyed about 14,000 homes. City officials said booking a herd costs between $500 to $1,500 an acre. Some 200 goats can munch on an acre of overgrown brush daily. City Manager Catrina Olson said she, along with residents attending council meetings to talk about the project, are excited about the impending work, an idea thats catching on because theres such high fire danger in our state. Its an interesting way to run a city campaign, said Brad Fowler, a local rancher working with the city to rent out goats. I like how people can choose to spend their money. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Rodney Helton stood in a cotton field in Atmore, Ala., on a Thursday morning, just over the Florida state line, with puddles of wet, mushy soil and water gathering over his dirty boots. He reached out and plucked a sopping wet cotton boll off of a brown, rotting stem and held it between his fingers, shaking his head. See this? he said, peeling the wet cotton apart like an orange. Thats not how its supposed to be. Its supposed to be fluffy, its cotton. Thats no good. No good. Like almost all farmers in the northern ends of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, 2018 was one for the record books, and not in a good way. The Pensacola area saw just over 90 inches of rain total last year, which is 2 feet more than it normally does. Mickey Diamond, a cotton and peanut farmer in Jay, said his town saw over 100 inches of rain. The rain was relentless, farmers said. It didnt just come in a handful of big weather events like it usually does. Instead, the rain came just about once a week, every week, during the fall and winter, drenching crops, fields and equipment and giving nothing a chance to dry. We just kept losing the crop, Helton said. A half-inch of rain is not bad, but 2 to 3 inches at a time, every time, is bad. Just about every time, it had enough time to get dry, there was another rain event. Cotton, which is planted in the spring and usually harvested by Thanksgiving, was drenched before it had a chance to sprout. The cotton that was lucky enough to sprout was drenched by rain and unable to be picked up by the equipment. Helton also has about 400 acres of peanut fields he cant harvest, since his equipment cant make it through the muddy fields. Even if it could, it wouldnt do much good, since the vines are rotted from so much rain and the peanuts shake off the stems too easily to be picked up by the machine. Diamond, the Jay farmer, has acres of fields still planted with cotton, when hed normally be planting cover crops by now, which are crops like wheat or oats usually planted between winter and spring that can keep the soil from eroding until its time to plant new, bigger crops. Its been an unreal hard year this year for farmers, Diamond said. One of the worst weve ever seen. A normal amount of yearly rainfall for the extreme western Panhandle region is about 65 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama. Of the 90 inches of rain logged in Pensacola in 2018, 16.55 inches came just in the month of December, hampering farmers last-ditch efforts to get all of their crop out of the ground before the new year. We hope to be done by Thanksgiving every year, Diamond said. Right now, were a long way from being through. Farmers made it through the first half of the year being optimistic about the 2018 crop. Rains had been steady but held off at the right times, and farmers were thinking theyd be turning large profits if the trend continued. On the first of August, this county probably had the best cotton crop weve seen in 30 years, Diamond said. We had a lot of pounds per acre, a lot of lint. But from the first day of August, it all went downhill from there. Tropical Storm Gordon blew through in September and decimated farmers crops, blowing over entire fields of cotton and drenching the soil. Rain from Hurricane Michael in October further added to farmers woes when it dumped at least 7 inches in the northern part of the counties. Almost weekly rain events followed all the way into the new year, killing crops in a slow death, bringing farmers to their knees. The cotton, which needs water to grow but needs to stay dry once it blooms, was a soggy mess, hanging off its stems like a head too heavy for its body. The peanuts sat in a muddy, mucky mess in their rows in the fields, buried in mud and not able to get out into the sunlight to dry. We put every penny we could spend into that ground, Helton said, standing in the middle of his peanut field, which he said will just wind up being next years fertilizer. It wasnt like it just happened in the spring with a June hailstorm that wiped out our crop. It was once a week, every week. Agriculture is big business in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Census study from 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties sold more than $100 million worth of agriculture products, including peanuts, cotton, soybeans and watermelon, in 2012. The counties also consistently lead the state of Florida in cotton and peanut production. The vast majority of agriculture takes place in the northern end of the counties, where seemingly endless fields of crops and farms replace the endless rows of condos and housing developments characteristic of the southern end of the counties. Farming is a way of life, Diamond said. At 52 years old, he said hes been farming his entire life. Farming aint for everybody. It takes a lot of faith, a lot of trust in the good Lord to provide for us so we can survive. Helton and his brother run Helton Brothers Farms, which owns seven farms in Century, Florida, and Atmore, Alabama, totaling more than 3,500 acres. At 63 years old, Rodney is a third-generation farmer who started learning the ropes from his father when he was 16. Over the past five decades, Helton said he knows to expect to have a bad season every so often. He used to be a pecan farmer, until Hurricane Ivan blew over every single one of his pecan trees in 2004. But even that wasnt as bad as the loss hes experienced in the past year. Lately, its been happening way too often, he said of bad farming seasons. Last year was pretty bad, too. We had a lot of ground we couldnt get planted because it was so wet and the harvest season was kind of rough. Weve had a couple of bad years, but one every 10 years is all you want. Helton estimates he lost about $900,000 in profit in 2018 due to the rain, mostly in peanut and cotton crops. Thats about 1,000 bales of cotton and more than 1,000 tons of peanuts. In Jay, Diamond said he was still in the process of counting his losses. As much as 20 percent of his cotton crop is still in the ground. You would need about 900 pounds of cotton crop to break even, and were nowhere close to that, he said. I would say our cotton crop took a hit of about $100 to $300 an acre. In towns like Jay and Century, where everyone is touched by agriculture in one way or another, last years losses are being felt by many. Most people dont understand the reality of a rain event like this for us, Diamond said. The trickle down effect of a bad crop in a small town like Jay, Florida, means everyone will feel it. Diamond said many farmers like him are late paying their bills since they havent been able to pull their cotton out of the ground at the time of year they normally would. Everyone from banks to timber companies to farmhands are feeling the sting of the rainy season. Were behind on everything because we cant get into the field to finish nothing, he said. You cant work outside. In addition to poor crops, local cotton farmers say theyre also being hit by a series of tariffs imposed on goods, including cotton, by the Trump administration in September that has driven the price of cotton down as much as 20 cents per pound. Farmers like Diamond are reluctant to sell the cotton they do have until the market price goes back up. Still, its too early for experts to be able to quantify the exact impact last years losses will have on the local economy, but most agree it likely wont be pretty. Imagine a man who owns a hardware store who loses 20 percent of his stock, Diamond said. Its the same way for us. If as much as 20 percent of crop production was lost last year, economists at the University of West Floridas Haas Center say it would mean an almost $12 million loss in earnings for local farmers. It could also impact as many as 390 jobs and lose as much as $1.4 million in taxes on production and imports. But farmers like Helton and Diamond are keeping their heads up. Theyll continue to work the ground as much as they can until their crop is out of the fields, and next year, when spring comes, theyll do it all over again. Helton tries not to worry about the weather too much, he says. If he does, itll probably kill him. I figured out a long time ago that if I was going to survive what Im doing, Ive got to worry about things that I can change, he said. Dont worry about the things you cant change. Itll just kill you, internally. So I stick about $3 million in the dirt every year and just hope to get it back, he added. Diamond said savings from years hes had good crops and his faith in God have kept him afloat this year. But hes hopeful God will send less rains in 2019. You know whats coming, you know theres going to be good crops and bad crops, he said. Weve got faith that maybe its going to get better. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Agribusiness Wetland ecologist Scott Nesbit drove down a gravel oil field road in Louisiana in an all-terrain utility vehicle, zipping under a heavy forest canopy toward what he says is the source of it all. Nesbits target was a shuttered and overgrown former Shell Oil production facility near a T-intersection where the forest has given way to the sky, scrub and open marsh in the heart of the Spanish Lake basin. Backed with scientific measurements of land in Spanish Lake and the underlying aquifer, Nesbit and his business partners in the Spanish Lake Restoration land bank contend Shells shuttered main production facility and its oilfield pit near the T are the primary source of historical contamination across the swamp. The allegations have come to light in an eight-year-old state court lawsuit in Iberville Parish that Spanish Lake Restoration land bank has brought against Shell Oil and other operators in the St. Gabriel oil field, where drilling first started in 1938. Just 30 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge, the Spanish Lake basin is a huge patch of forest bounded by Bayou Manchac, a green jewel steeped in history amid the suburban sprawl emanating from the city. Underneath that forest canopy, though, the legacy of oil drilling in the basin is hard to miss. Flow lines, old drill pits now filled with water, well heads, concrete slabs and other detritus of that era scatter the property held by the land bank, left from dozens of wells operated by a variety of companies. Spanish Lake Restorations experts contend the contamination stems from millions of barrels of brine water and other drilling byproducts that came up through decades of drilling and were held in unlined, earthen pits. Carved from the swamp, the pits allowed the contaminants to seep back into the ground or overflow into the surrounding swamp now held by the private Spanish Lake Restoration land bank and other landowners. These salts, the heavy metal barium, and naturally occurring radioactive material killed cypress forests decades ago, the land bank contends in court papers. But the contaminants also continue to scar the 10,000-acre swamp in and out of the 4,000-acre land bank by inhibiting regrowth of cypress and likely contributing to elevated chlorine levels in nearby Bayou Manchac. There was a long term and permanent impact to this subbasin, of a public resource of significance, said Nesbit, a senior wetland ecologist with Natural Resource Professionals and the chief technical officer for the land bank. The contention about the impact of old oilfield pits, for which state Department of Natural Resources ordered a statewide cleanup and closure in the mid-1980s, is not an unfamiliar one. The suit is one of 473 oil legacy cases DNR is monitoring. Spanish Lake Restoration land bank is being represented by the leading firm in legacy cases, Talbot, Carmouche and Marcello. The firm and the legacy suits have drawn fire from the oil industry, which charges that the financial risk the suits pose creates a poor business climate that undermines the health of their industry. Spanish Lake Restoration wants a $350 million to $700 million remediation of a few hundred acres of its land. On the cases current trajectory, though, the plaintiffs prospects for a cleanup on Shells dime arent looking good, leaving open the questions of how the basin will be cleaned up and who will do it. Nesbit said whether or not the case reaches a successful judgment or settlement, he wants to the public to take an interest in the swamps cleanup once the civil court dispute ends and moves to regulatory agencies. I guess my main point, its just not our property, he said. The responsibility would fall to DNR. Patrick Courreges, spokesman for DNR, said the agency has been monitoring the case and could pursue cleanup from the responsible operators regardless of any civil court ruling. Any state-mandated cleanup would likely benefit the bottom line of the federally permitted land bank, which makes money by selling wetlands credits to people and businesses seeking to build elsewhere in wetlands. The land bank uses the credits to finance restoration of its private property in the Spanish Lake basin. The Spanish Lake case had been in settlement negotiations last year and, for a moment this fall, was headed for a jury trial, pending key rulings. In dispatching those matters, though, retired state 21st Judicial District Judge Bruce Bennett, the ad hoc judge presiding in the case, apparently decided to throw out Spanish Lake Restorations remaining claims before trial. Before a final judgment could be filed, though, Bennett recused himself in October amid complaints from Spanish Lake Restoration. The judge filed his reasons for throwing out the claims with his recusal, which Shell is appealing. A host of other operators in the St. Gabriel oil field have been dismissed by or settled with the land bank in its long-running suit, but the court fight with Shell has continued since the lawsuit was filed in December 2010. Among the mountain of documents Spanish Lake Restorations attorneys have unearthed is an internal Shell Oil memo from June 13, 1980, assessing the bad state of the St. Gabriel and other oil fields in Shells Riverlands Unit. The memo notes widespread problems and violations of the law with the pits operation, where fluids were allowed to escape into the environment and waterways and to kill surrounding vegetation. Facility operations such as these are what cause regulations to be formulated by government agencies, V.A. Harris, a then-Shell conservation manager, wrote to his superiors. In a statement last month, a Shell spokesman issued a blanket denial of the suits allegations and said the company is proud of its operations. But, in court, the dispute has been less about whether there is contamination and more about its extent and whether Shell should pay to clean it up so many years later. Part of Shells counter argument has been that the contamination has been visible and was well known for years to Spanish Lake Restoration and prior landowners and they failed to pursue a claim back then when legal deadlines were still fresh. In recent court papers aimed at throwing out the plaintiffs legal claims before trial, Shell underscored the testimony of the plaintiffs own experts earlier this year, attempting to show how clear and long-standing the contamination has been. Though the court has never fully tried the facts of the plaintiffs contamination claim, an earlier judge handling the case in June 2014 found that it had clearly been shown that the property had some brine or salt intrusion that caused damage to the property. But that finding became part of a ruling to relieve Shell of responsibility for pre-1996 damage under the argument Spanish Lake Restorations suit was too late. Spanish Lake Restoration has tried to use the discovery of the groundwater contamination underneath Shells pit site and surrounding land held by the land bank to defeat Shells timeliness claims. Though a land bank expert acknowledged other non-Shell pits did contribute to the contamination, he found the majority stems from a large plume of underground salt and barium contamination underneath and around that one main Shell pit. The plume extends half-mile to mile outward, the land bank expert found. The salt contamination reaches 90 feet deep and could be leaching deeper into the Mississippi River Valley Aquifer. In an interview and court testimony, Nesbit said that, while he had some awareness of an old salt burn on the surface, the prior landowners never told him about the groundwater contamination when Spanish Lake Restoration bought the property in the late 2000s. He said his first inkling about the full scope of the salt contamination didnt occur until after the controversial reopening of the Alligator Bayou floodgate on Bayou Manchac in early 2009. Spanish Lake Restoration and Nesbit were among those who pressed Iberville Parish government to open the floodgate in the late 2000s in a bid to restore the natural hydrology and improve the swamps health. The regularly closed floodgate held up water levels in the basin. Once the gate was left opened and water levels dropped, the popular Alligator Bayou Swamp Tours, which used to ply the waters in Spanish Lake, was driven out of business. Nesbit said signs of salt contamination also emerged once the water was gone. The water masked the damage, he said. Shells experts say Spanish Lake Restoration has overstated the extent of the contamination. Regrowth has already happened in some areas and the remaining contamination could be allowed to naturally attenuate. If a cleanup were needed, it should cover about 16 acres at a cost of $1.3 million, far less than what the land bank wants, Shell has argued. But Nesbit said the long-term impact of this contamination is that the affected land cant regrow the large cypress that used to populate it. During a site visit over the fall, Nesbit showed a towering cypress on another part of the land bank property that, he says, was sealed off by oilfield roads from the contamination. In contrast, he said, affected areas have been repopulated by less productive, more salt-tolerant species. Whats in place of it is a cattail marsh, a very low habitat quality, he said, standing next to one of the big trees. Courreges said DNR wont comment on Spanish Lake Restorations findings while the case is pending but will pursue a cleanup if the agency has indications environmental standards have been exceeded. The state Department of Environmental Quality, which like DNR was provided a copy of Spanish Lakes expert report, also wont comment with the suit pending. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Legislation Louisiana Property Pollution Energy Oil Gas After being accused of openly lying to authorities in France, Danske Bank A/S says it now faces the prospect of fresh charges being brought against it in connection with a $230 billion money laundering case. Denmarks biggest bank said on Friday [Jan. 11] that its been summoned for questioning by French authorities. The lead investigative judge envisages placing Danske Bank under formal investigation, the lender said. The announcement follows a presentation by Bill Browder, the co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management and a driving force behind criminal money laundering complaints against banks, alleging that top-level employees at Danske lied to authorities. The development prompted Danske to temporarily delay a bond sale as investors digested the information. Browder said on Thursday [Jan. 10] he was unaware of Danskes bond sale plans and that he didnt time his presentation to coincide with them. Danske is under investigation in multiple jurisdictions, including in the U.S. But when it comes to France, the bank said a year ago that it was no longer facing charges in an anti-money laundering investigation by authorities there, and that its status had been changed to that of assisted witness. In a presentation delivered at the Danish parliament on Thursday, Browder said French authorities decided to review that decision, based on his evidence. Browder says the new information he presented in Copenhagen concerns official statements from the top legal representatives of the bank which he says reflects very poorly on Danske Bank. Speaking in an interview, he also said it raises questions about the credibility of statements theyre making to other authorities. In a written comment on Thursday, Danske spokesman Kenni Leth said the bank does not believe that we have provided incorrect information to the French authorities. On the contrary, it is clearly in our interest to obtain as accurate a picture of what happened in Estonia as possible. In material accompanying his presentation, Browder said Danskes former general counsel, Flemming Pristed, misled a French judge as recently as January 2018. In October of that year, Danske announced that Pristed was leaving the bank, without having lined up another job. The fact that they were relegated from suspect to witness never made any sense to me, Browder said. And now that Ive been able to see the transcripts of the interrogation, I understand why the French did that. But the answers that Danske Bank gave were false. Danish lawmaker Michael Aastrup hosted Browders press conference, which followed a parliamentary briefing on the Magnitsky Act. The Act is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a former colleague of Browder who died in a Russian prison in 2009 after investigating widespread corruption. Browder has lobbied for Europe-wide adoption of the Act, which targets human rights offenders. Danske now faces fines potentially in the billions of dollars. Its share price plunged almost 50 percent last year, while Thursdays string of bad news sent the stock down about 3 percent. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics France Marsh announced it placed more than 10,000 risks in 2018 through Placing Platform Ltd. (PPL), the electronic insurance placement platform used by Lloyds, London market insurers, and brokers. Marsh has now bound more than 15,000 risks in total on the platform. PPL is a core component of the London Market Groups Target Operating Model (TOM), which aims to make it easier to transact insurance in the London market, said Marsh. PPL enables brokers and insurers to quote, negotiate and bind business digitally, removing paper from the process and creating a digital information flow and audit trail. PPL aims this year to have 100 percent of risks entering the market placed electronically through the platform. In an announcement made last month, the Corporation of Lloyds confirmed its electronic placement targets for the first half of 2019. For Q1, each syndicate will be required to have written no less than 40 percent of its risks using a recognized electronic placement system (beyond PPL) with the target increasing to 50 percent in Q2, said Lloyds in a statement issued in December. A quote target will also be introduced in Q2 2019, and all targets will now apply to both lead and follow business. To support electronic risk placement adoption across the market, Lloyds brokers will be required to connect to a recognized electronic placement platform by June 1, 2019, said Lloyds. (Recognized platforms are listed on Lloyds website). In last months target announcement from Lloyds, the markets Chief Operating Officer Shirine Khoury-Haq, said: Since we implemented this mandate across the Lloyds market, weve seen a marked increase in the adoption of electronic trading, which is fast-tracking our transformation. The latest developments, including quote targets and the Lloyds broker requirement, are essential next steps in our journey to digitize our market and to provide the best possible service to our clients. The electronic trading mandate was issued in the first quarter of 2018. It is designed to accelerate the markets digital transformation to ensure the market realizes the benefits of electronic placement. With todays PPL progress announcement from Marsh, Paul Moody, CEO, UK Specialties, commented: Were delighted to achieve this significant milestone on PPL. By driving adoption of electronic placement we are able to enhance service to clients by producing key documentation when the risk is bound, which can then be sent to clients on the same day. With all policy details stored digitally in one place, insurers can easily access risk information in the event of a claim, making the process more efficient for clients. Marsh fully supports PPL and is committed to accelerating adoption of the platform. The electronic placing platform provided by PPL was launched in July 2016, initially for standalone terrorism business. Today, all classes of business are available on the platform, with 58 brokers and 124 carriers signed up. Related: Topics Agencies Excess Surplus London Lloyd's Indonesia found the cockpit voice recorder from the Lion Air plane that crashed in October, giving investigators a real chance at solving the mystery of what brought down a modern jet. The CVR of the Boeing Co. 737 Max aircraft was intact when it was recovered in the Java Sea, according to said Agung Nugroho, a spokesman for Indonesian Navys first fleet command. The CVR, together with the flight data recorder that was found in November, are jointly known as the black box of an aircraft. The crash survivable memory unit of the CVR will be taken to the National Transportation Safety Committees facilities for downloading the recording of the conversation and data, the agency said in a statement on Monday. It may take the investigators about three to five days to download the recording, Soerjanto Tjahjono, chairman of the committee, told reporters. The CVR is intact even though it has some scratch marks and dents from the impact, Nugroho said. While lauding the efforts of authorities to recover the CVR, President Joko Widodo said the recording will help clarify the cause of the fatal crash. The recordings may include conversations from the previous trip of the ill-fated jet during which the pilots experienced issues with its airspeed and altitude readings, Nurcahyo Utomo, the lead investigator told reporters. The recorder, which can hold about 2 hours of conversations, may have details of what transpired between technicians during repair and also during preparations for boarding, he said. Lion Airs JT610 nose-dived into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff Oct. 29, killing all 189 on board to become the countrys worst air disaster in two decades. Poor safety procedures and the inability of pilots to gain control of a malfunctioning aircraft may have contributed to the crash, according to a preliminary report by Indonesian investigators in November. Confusing Warnings While the report didnt specify the cause of the tragedy, it outlined how pilots handled confusing anti-stall warnings during the last two flights of the almost brand-new 737 Max 8. It also recommended that Lion Air improve its safety culture. In response to the report, Boeing said the 737 Max series of jets is as safe as any airplane that has ever flown. Lion Airs co-founder, Rusdi Kirana, threatened in December to scrap aircraft orders from Boeing, saying he felt betrayed by the manufacturers reply. Lion Air is the third-largest buyer of the updated single-aisle plane from Boeing, behind Southwest Airlines and Flydubai. With assistance from Rieka Rahadiana. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Aviation Federal investigators say they may recall employees furloughed under the government shutdown to start examining a limousine that crashed in upstate New York three months ago, killing 20 people. The National Transportation Safety Board says its coordinating investigative efforts with the Schoharie County District Attorneys Office. They had complained last month that prosecutors prevented access while the criminal case proceeded, but with the help of the county court, the federal investigation can now move forward. On Dec. 14, the NTSB sent a letter to District Attorney Susan Mallery saying safety-critical evidence has been lost because of its inability to inspect the vehicle. The NTSB said its having a structure built to house the vehicle at State Police headquarters near Albany. The limo operator was charged with criminally negligent homicide. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York One common exposure occurs in the business relationship between a grower or manufacturer, and dispensaries carrying their products that are increasingly requiring to be named as an additional insured on the policy. If theres a product liability claim that results from your product that theyve sold, then your policy would pick up the coverage there, said Deneen, adding that a lot of suppliers werent previously carrying product liability coverage because they were assuming that the dispensary selling the product would be the one that the product liability claim is going to come back on. In reality, anyone who touched the product will get named in a lawsuit, and seed-to-sale tracking thats in place in most states will allow a lawyer or anyone investigating a claim to track exactly where that product originated. D&O and E&O policies are meanwhile evolving to address the managerial risks of those involved in the cannabis industry, demonstrating the rapid pace at which this insurance segment is blooming. When it comes to D&O, Generally, it was really one of the last lines of the coverage that carriers have been willing to step into on the cannabis side, said Deneen, because of concerns around regulatory issues and mismanagement that are amplified when businesses have to navigate a complex legal environment. Nonetheless, he added that, The fact that there are a couple of carriers that are willing to offer that coverage is a step in the right direction. On the E&O side, Deneen told Insurance Business, Theres been recognition that a simple product liability policy isnt necessarily going to cover a claim if the allegation is that the dispensary failed to warn the customer about the potential side effects of a product, or that they didnt label it correctly. Business owners are thus waking up to the fact that product liability insurance might not apply in certain situations, such as if an employee or budtender isnt giving proper advice to customers on how products should be used, which could result in a bodily injury claim. E&O coverage is really designed to fill that gap, said Deneen. Carriers playing in the cannabis insurance space are also now turning over a new leaf in their pricing and product offerings to stay ahead of the competition in this burgeoning marketplace. What were seeing is carriers getting more competitive in their pricing and broader in terms of their exclusions, so the same carrier that might have written a product liability policy with a problematic exclusion last year, theyve recognized that this a competitive marketplace so theyre giving broader coverage than they have in the past, said Deneen. Because of these developments, he recommends that brokers and agents with commercial cannabis clients get ongoing education and maintain close contact with insurance providers. If youre not staying in contact and routinely checking in with all the carriers that are writing this space, they may make changes without you ever being aware, he explained. Take a deeper dive into this issue at Cannabis Cover Masterclass Denver. Lloyds, for its part, cited how much it has compensated affected residents. While it wasnt directly offering a response to the 60-page document filed with the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Lloyds outlined how it has approached the insurance claims. It would be inappropriate for Lloyds to comment on specific legal proceedings, said a Lloyds spokesperson in an emailed statement to Insurance Business. However, policyholders can be sure that the Lloyds market is always committed to meeting its obligations and that Lloyds underwriters review all claims as swiftly as possible. So far, the Lloyds market has paid US$84 million in respect of homeowners claims in Hawaii and hard work is going into resolving all other outstanding claims. The statement, as it was a general assertion, did not touch the particular issue of the alleged lava exclusion in the Lloyds policies. The Lloyds market has approached all these claims in good faith, it continued. This approach has included paying claims where there is no or limited cover, as well as providing indemnity for damaged contents and additional living expenses. Only a small number have been declined and only for legitimate reasons. Lloyds added that the market has built its strong reputation over the centuries by consistently honouring its promise to pay. They will always remain committed to helping protect policyholders, said the spokesperson. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson claimed he has acquired the franchise rights of Miss Universe (MU) in the Philippines. This is contrary to Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta's earlier statement that the organization remains as the official local franchise holder of the pageant. In an interview with Philippine Star columnist Wilson Lee Flores, Singson said the franchise "is already with me," but it has yet to be announced. "I think it shall be formally announced this January or February, when Catriona (Gray) comes back again to the Philippines," he added. Singson said he has been in talks with the MU Organization regarding the franchise takeover since 2016 when he helped fund the Philippines' hosting of the international pageant. "'Binibining Pilipinas Universe' will be replaced with 'Miss Universe Philippines.' Noon pa binibigay sa akin 'yan (It was being offered to me since before), because I've been helping them since 2016," he said. "Instead of talking to many companies before, they just talked to me and I then gave them a non-refundable deposit of $1 million. Who would disagree to that, non-refundable? I gained their trust. Before the signing in 2016, they even first asked me to pay $12 million," he recounted. Singson even revealed that the international pageant's installation next year will be held in South Korea and North Korea will send a delegate for the first time. "The 2019 Miss Universe will be unique because for the first time in history, North Korea will participate but no swimsuit portion for their candidate, only the national costume," he added. Speculations about the franchise changing hand came when Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray went back to the Philippines shortly after winning in Thailand accompanied by Singson and his daughter Richelle Singson-Michael, who was part of the judges during the pageant. READ: Catriona Gray wins PH's 4th Miss Universe crown Araneta, earlier this month, put to rest rumors that the BPCI is no longer the franchise owner. "It's still with us. We saw people saying something else, let them talk about it," Araneta told reporters. The BPCI owns the MU franchise since 1964. The country's delegate to the international pageant, along with other beauty contests such as Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Globe and Miss Intercontinental, is chosen through the organization's annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant. While the board will submit its final recommendations by February 22, it has already made a number of suggestions to reduce the effects of underwater noise and possible collisions between ships and marine mammals, such as killer whales. NEB is calling for Trans Mountains marine protection plan to be implemented three months before it starts operations. The corporation is also being asked to describe how it would incorporate indigenous traditions and knowledge in creating the protection programs. CTV News reported that the board is planning to limit the number of whale watching boats and the amount of time they can spend on the water. NEB is also recommending that greenhouse gas reduction measures related to marine shipping should be pushed for. Fisheries minister Jonathan Wilkinson commented on the recommendations, saying that the conditions are an important step towards meeting the reasonable timeline that we provided, and the type of progress that Canadians expect to see. The National Energy Board is an independent regulator and is responsible for overseeing the review on marine shipping, Wilkinson added. We will carefully review them and provide comment, as necessary. Trans Mountain has also confirmed that it has seen the draft recommendations. We will be providing further comments to the National Energy Board within the timeframe established by the board, the company said in a statement. Before then Smith worked at RSA for more than 18 years, where his remit included heading underwriting for international civil liability in London. He also managed major workers compensation accounts in the US. In his new group role at MAPFRE, Smith will be in charge of client relationship strategy and policies for the global brokers channel. He will report to Jose Manuel Corral, general manager of the corporate business and clients area. The appointment was given final approval at an executive committee meeting. Paul Muir, a veteran in the insurance compliance space, says these insurers are often unable to fund a dedicated compliance professional so could find themselves breaching regulation over time. One area Im getting asked to help with more and more is with smaller, online insurers, says Muir. Often, theyre still in start-up mode so they cant really afford a full-time compliance specialist. Muir, who spent almost 30 years rising through Suncorps ranks to become executive manager of compliance for the firms insurance arm, says smaller insurers tend to enter the market in compliance but open themselves up over time. Certainly, when they get set up, they get all the advice from lawyers and accountants etc. on what licenses they have to get whether thats an Australian Financial Services license, or the adoption of the General Insurance Code of Practice, etc. says Muir. But then because most of their spend is in other areas, they cant afford a full-time compliance expert and, quite often, the small changes they make over time start to give them compliance consequences. While the size and scale of an operation is taken into account when reviewing breaches, Muir says the era of small firms getting off lightly may be over. Laws take scale and size into account, but I think thats old thinking. When you look at the customer, it doesnt matter who they buy from, theyre entitled to receive the protection that the law and general insurance code offers to them, he tells Insurance Business. At the end of the day, it shouldnt matter from a consumer perspective who they buy insurance from, theyre entitled to have the protection of all the consumer laws. It is important both dealer groups and vendors progress with realistic expectations, particularly around the pre-work that needs to be done to ensure financial advice can become an ideal candidate for automated solutions, Symons said. If the financial services industry wants to increase the likelihood that effective statement of advice (SoA) review solutions emerge at a faster rate, then we need to come together and collaborate... working together is going to be key to developing highly reliable, automated review solutions. The two organisations said that before the industry could leverage AI and machine learning in financial advice, existing pre-conditions needed to be in place, including managing expectations, recognising the limitations in training data, and resolving diverging approaches to SoA construction, automatic programming language, and product comparison logic. Unless you have standardised inputs, you wont have standardised outputs, Symons said. Brian Knight, Kaplan Professional CEO, said the industry should use the next 12 months to come up with clearer and crisper documentation and procedures. It needs to be down to the level where the industry can utilise these technologies to assist those on the frontline, while training the next generation and retraining existing advisers on their exact obligations, Knight said. Members of the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce's 2019 board of directors pose for a group photo after being sworn in Jan. 9 at the Tower Club in Tysons. (Photo by Brian Trompeter) Arlington County Board member Katie Cristol cuts the ribbon at the Safe Havens program on Jan. 10, 2019. Shown to the right of Cristol in the photo are Judges Robin Robb and George Varoutsos of the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below. The Barchart Chart of the Day belongs to the motorsports equipment company Leatt ( OTCQB:LEAT ). 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 stocks... Read More Phosphate rock (27-35% P 2 O 5 ) is the feedstock for phosphate fertilisers and phosphoric acid, with small supply as slag from the steel industry (10-20% P 2 O 5 ). The ore is processed into fertiliser using acid. Sulphuric acid produces MAP, DAP, SSP and complex fertilisers, while phosphoric acid results in TSP. Nitric acid produces slurry NP for use as a feed in complex fertilisers (see table). In 2008, global production was 174.4m. tpa, the main producers being China (29%), the USA (18.5%), Morocco (16.7%), and Russia (6.5%). The term potash broadly refers to potassium salts, although in commercial terms it is generally understood to mean potassium chloride (KCl) or more precisely, muriate of potash (MOP). Potassium minerals are often mixed with other evaporite minerals including halite, anhydrite or gypsum, and epsomite. Supply Global potash production is estimated at 61.2m. tpa. North America is home to the worlds leading potash producers and to the most exploration projects, Canada leading the way with major production. Russia is the second major producer after Canada. Europe has limited producers but a substantial supply. Brazil has a small potash output at present, but new projects are expected to come into production by 2016 to significantly increase the countrys capacity. China, which has a very little domestic potash production, imports the vast majority of its consumption. Securing future supply is very high on Chinas agenda. There are no potash producers in Africa or India but several exploration projects are underway in these regions. Global phosphate production was about 174.4m. tpa in 2008, the main producers being China (29%), the USA (18.5%), Morocco (16.7%) and Russia (6.5%). The main phosphate producers are The Mosaic Co., PotashCorp. and CF Industries in the USA in addition to Office Cherifien des Phosphate (OCP) in Morocco which has a 20m. tpa capacity. North Africa is host to significant phosphate reserves, notably in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Western Sahara. Morocco is said to have the largest phosphate reserves in the world. The balance in the phosphate routes may change within the next two years when Saudi Arabia is expected start new phosphate production. The Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) will be the countrys first phosphate producer with 12m. tonnes of phosphate rock output from 2011. With Saudi Arabia close to the markets of India and Pakistan, the two major phosphate consumers could switch to Saudi phosphate from North African sources. Markets Although the fertiliser mine-to-market chain has been hit hard since the end of 2008, the industry seems to be bouncing back with high demand for phosphate and, above all, potash. In addition to North America, Asia (mainly China and India) and South America (mainly Brazil) are big consumers of fertiliser minerals. Sub-Saharan Africas appetite for phosphate and potash is also expected to grow significantly within the next decade. As potash soared towards $1,000/tonne in 2008 it was hailed as the first mineral to smash the high bulk, low value perception of industrial minerals. When the global economy crashed in September of that year, demand for the fertiliser mineral quickly evaporated. But potash is back to the centre of attention as shown by the BHP Billiton/Potash Corp. saga which started in August 2010. Existing potash producers remain focused on significantly expanding operations. About 85-95% of phosphate is used for the fertilisers industry, including phosphoric acid. The remaining 5-10% is consumed for industrial uses (chemical reagent, electro polishing, catalyst); medical uses (pharmaceutical, water treatment, dental); and retail uses (soap, carbonated drinks, animal feed). After gloomy times following to financial downturn, the mid to long-term trend is very positive for the phosphate industry and phosphate consumption is expected to grow closely in parallel to developing population and increasing wealth of emerging countries such as China and India. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (above), speaking at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol July 18, 2018 in Washington, DC, announced Jan. 11 her plans to run for president. Indian American Senator Kamala Harris is expected to announce her candidature for the Democratic Party nomination next week. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Three-year-old Sherin Mathews was found dead in a culvert in Richardson, Texas on Oct. 22, 2017, allegedly after her Indian American adoptive father Wesley Mathews watched her choke on her milk late night and then hid her body outside the family home. (Love & Justice for Sherin Saraswati Mathews photo via Facebook) If you spend enough time on Tik Tok, you'll surely stumble upon videos showing Indians pulling of some of the darnedest things. One such video of this UP youth cutting a birthday cake not with a knife, but with a gun! No kidding! TikTok ALSO READ: Chennai Teenager Hangs Precariously On The Wheel Of A Speeding Bus, Video Goes Viral This guy actually took shots at a cake and the entire incident was recorded on a roadside. The video quickly went viral and the people in the video have come under the police scanner. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME Cutting cake using knife is such a cliched thing. In this video, a youth is seen taking repeated shots at the cake to 'cut' it while others cheer him. The incident is said to have happened in Meerut. pic.twitter.com/DE7yzmOF2V Piyush Rai | (@Benarasiyaa) 12 January 2019 According to one report, the viral video was shot near Jagriti Vihar extension. Soon after the video went viral on Twitter, the police came into action. @meerutpolice - Kindly look into it UP POLICE (@Uppolice) 13 January 2019 The UP police tagged Meerut police on Twitter and requested them to look in to the incident. The latter, however, did their research and established that the incident isn't from Meerut. MEERUT POLICE (@meerutpolice) 13 January 2019 So far, the police haven't been able to establish the location and the people in the video have not been identified. But the video points to a worrying culture of gun use; many of these youngsters don't give two hoots about their safety or that of the others, or the repercussions that follow. ALSO READ: A New Viral Trend Of Jumping In Front Of Vehicles For Tik Tok Video Is Gripping Kerala Being blindly in love is one thing and being absolutely obsessed is another. And then there are some who take things to the next level of insanity. Case in point: a 32-year-old man identified as Sarabjit, from Mohali, Punjab, reportedly shot himself in the thigh after his girlfriend refused to go on a night out with him. Reuters According to TOI, the police on Sunday learnt he had allegedly shot himself and concocted a story to mislead them. ALSO READ: How A Couple From Odisha Is Changing The Lives Of Abandoned And Poor Children Reportedly, Sarabjit was forcing his girlfriend to come along with him outside the city for a night out. He allegedly threatened to shoot himself when she refused to give in to his demands. When the woman remained determined, he allegedly shot himself on his thigh. Reuters Meanwhile, Sarabjit told the police that some assailants while attempting to snatch his pistol in a park at Phase VII at around 11 pm on Friday, opened fire at him. The police doubted his version of the story as the weapon was seized from his car and if someone had attacked him and tried to to snatch his weapon, the attackers would not have left it behind. Kuldeep Singh Chahal, Senior superintendent of police (SSP), said that the accused has been booked for endangering life or personal safety of other, possessing illegal arms and misleading the police. Sarabjit would be arrested after he gets a fitness certificate from the doctors. He is currently undergoing treatment. ALSO READ: Gujarat Couple Wants To End Politics Over Rafale Deal, Print Invitation Card With An Explainer Recently, one Harvard astronomer has been preoccupied with other life in the Universe. He's speculated about various recent scientific mysteries that could point to aliens and now, he opens up about what First Contact with other life forms could be like for us. Avi Loeb made the comments in a recent interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel. Loeb was co-author on two recent studies focused on Oumuamua, the mysterious missile-shaped object that recently passed through our solar system. He and his co-authors have speculated, with reasonable logic, that the rock could be an alien probe similar to our own New Horizons spacecraft, sent to explore from a world light years away. Also Read: NASA Scientist Claims Aliens May Have Visited Earth, And We Are Just Too Dumb For Our Own Good Loeb has also commented in the past that the fast radio bursts we've been observing from space since almost a decade ago could be an attempt at communication with us. So far, there hasn't been enough evidence to the contrary to strike down his theories, so they hold the potential for fact as much as any other. But in the interview, Loeb focuses more on how the discovery of alien life could be one of the most extraordinary finds in human history. Avi Loeb - Wikimedia Commons "If you think about the history of humans, the perspective has changed as we have evolved - from a single individual to a family, a tribe, a country, and finally we even found other continents with people living there," he told Der Spiegel. "If we were now to find other beings beyond planet Earth, this would be the biggest step ever." Also Read: Scientists Say Oxygen On Alien Planets Doesn't Mean It Will Automatically Have Intelligent Life However, he also points out we don't know what that first contact will be like, given that we can't predict how life would have evolved away from Earth. "I can't tell you what this moment will look like," he said. "But it will be shocking. Because we are biased by our own experiences. We imagine other beings to be similar to us. But maybe they are radically different." It's important to keep your smartphone secure, given that you're probably using it for everything from work emails, to clicking photos, to paying for shopping online. Someone could potentially get a lot of crucial data from it, so here's how you can secure it from prying eyes. 1. Don't use easy PINs and passwords Setting an effective password doesn't necessarily mean a random string of characters, though that helps. Feel free to use a phrase as long as it's not something logical or easily guessed, like 'BlueTreeSap' for instance. The same goes for your phone PIN, just absolutely do not use digits like 1234 or 0000. That's just asking for a thief to have unlimited access. 2. Never reuse passwords It's just good practice to use different passwords for different online accounts and services. That way, if one is cracked somehow, the damage is limited to just that account. If you have trouble remembering passwords, make use of a password manager to organise them all. That way you just need to remember the one master password. Also Read: Every Android Phone Since 2012 Has This Security Flaw, And There's Nothing You Can Do To Fix It 3. Beware free Wi-Fi If you must use free Wi-Fi while out, make sure you never send sensitive data over it or log into any of your accounts. Any hacker that's managed to infiltrate the network can access data passing through it. They can't glean anything useful from you watching videos or just visiting websites, but make sure you're not typing in passwords on the Wi-Fi. 4. Phishing is attractive, but bad Phishing is one of the most common types of hacking methods, where a malicious source tries to make you click on an infected link using an email or message that appeals to you. It might be an income tax rebate, or an official looking email from one of your services, or a communication from your bank. Always ensure you're double checking the sender address or number, and make sure you scan links before clicking on them. 5. Don't sideload apps It might be tempting to download apps from third party sites, either because they're not available on Google Play or because you're pirating them. However, it's almost impossible to guarantee the authenticity of these apps, and you could be downloading straight up malware. You're best bet is to stay away from these, no matter how promising they look. Also Read: 9 Million People Were Fooled By Another 85 Malware Apps On Android, Here's How You Stay Safe 6. Secure individual apps Certain apps allow you to secure them with a PIN or fingerprint, and many phones allow you to do this for specific apps too. It might not necessarily provide any added protection against a thief above your regular phone lockdown, then again it's great for keeping out snoopers in your office or home that might have access to your unlocked phone. WhatsApp just recently announced it will have this capability too, which is great considering how many Indians use it. 7. Keep your OS up to date One of the worst offenses you can make is to fail to update your phone's software as soon as it's available. Aside from occasional new features and tools, these updates typically also fix bugs and vulnerabilities hackers can use to hijack your device or steal your data. Always ensure you're updating as soon as one is available, because that does more for your phone's security than many of these tips put together. If you don't believe what people eat, speak and get offended by, are enough rallying points between India and Pakistan - here's another stellar one for you - a Pakistan college will celebrate Valentines Day as Sisters Day. It's another easy one though. Well, lovers are soft targets on each side of the border. The idea is the brainchild of a Pakistan University Vice Chancellor (turns out, crazy VCs is another thing common these days between the two countries). Zafar Iqbal Randhawa, the VC in question believes a Sisters' Day would allow, "A softer image to develop" and make the world realise just how much Pakistan loves its sisters. It's not yet clear whether he will try to move Rakshabandhan (or Rakhi) to another day, or if he feels there is enough love to celebrate sisters for two days in a calendar year. Reuters A friend from across the border jumps in, to explain. Even though Rakhi is celebrated by the country's minority Hindu community, it's not widespread, and most of its awareness is because of Bollywood films and Indian TV serials that are generally accused of degenerating the Pakistani values by the extremists and of course the politicians near elections. ALSO READ: Do You Know Valentine's Day Has Its Importance In Mughal History, Read What Happened On 14 February Regardless, to ensure this is followed he's issued some sort of a directive to the boys that if they are to gift anything to the girls on valentines day, it shouldn't be giant teddy bears, or chocolates and definitely not long stemmed red roses. Instead, the ideal gift for such an occasion is to give abayas and headscarves to the sisters. Reuters It's not very clear whether he has issued separate directives or whether the same directive applies to women who get presents for other women, women who get presents for men or men who get presents for other men. Just in case you are wondering what this fine institution is - this is the University of agriculture in Faislabad. TBH, Pakistan has a significantly big hate-hate equation with Valentines Day - The Islamabad High Court in 2017 and 2018 banned all Valentines Day celebrations, and print and electronic media were asked to, Stop all Valentines Day promotions immediately. ALSO READ: Pornhub Is Giving Singles Free Premium Content On Valentine's Day So They Are Not Really Alone Meanwhile, back home in India, the right wing fringe groups seem to be less planned and have not announced whether or not, they will be heckling young couples in parks, or cars, or bikes, or pubs. They've been a little quiet on Valentine's day in the last couple of years, but this reminder from across the border might just ignite the spark within them. Reuters Also, remember, we recently had a VC who was openly inciting students for murder, its possible there are others who're already readying lists of acceptable presents, wardrobes and defining physical proximity. So, remember, next time someone says India and Pakistan don't have anything in common, you can tell them - we both have loonies in equal amount. ALSO READ: On Valentine's Day, Mumbai Police Dedicate Video Expressing Their Love For The Maximum City Even while the Noida police is investigating the two incidents of racist attacks on Africans in the city earlier this week, yet another similar incident was reported on Wednesday. ANI news agency reported that a Kenyan woman was assaulted near Alstonia Apartments in Greater Noida. BCCL/ Representative Image The woman, identified as Maria Burendi, alleged she was beaten and kicked in the abdomen without by the driver of the cab on which she was travelling. The woman, in her 20s is said to be a college student. She was taken to a nearby hospital in Noida. ANI There were no visible marks of injury, she has been discharged, Dr Sanil Kapoor, Medical Superintendent, Kailash Hospital told ANI. The police have said that they are investigating the matter. This is the third attack on African nationals in Noida this week alone. On Monday four Nigerians, all students were attacked by locals in two separate incidents of possible racist motivated attack. ANI Noida has a considerable African population, mostly student studying in colleges and universities there. While the world will celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14, things are a little different in this Pakistani University. The University of Agriculture in Faisalabad will celebrate Sisters Day on February 14. As part of the celebrations, female students can be gifted scarves and Abayas (clothes) by male students. According to the University's Vice-Chancellor Zafar Iqbal Randhawa, the celebrations are compatible with Pakistans culture and Islam. He claimed that celebrating Sisters Day would allow a soft image to develop, and that people will realise that this is how much sisters are loved in Pakistan, Randhawa told a Pakistani news channel. Randhawa also claimed that 'Sister's Day' was an opportunity to promote women empowerment. Women are at a very high rank for us. Today the era of gender empowerment is here, Western thinking is being promoted. But the best gender empowerment and division of work is in our religion and culture. BCCL This is not the first time Valentine's Day has courted trouble in Pakistan. The Islamabad High Court in 2017 and 2018 banned all Valentines Day celebrations, and print and electronic media were asked to stop all Valentines Day promotions immediately. BCCL Incidentally, the university in Pakistan is not alone in giving a spin to Valentine's Day. In schools and institutions run by controversial self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is facing rape allegations, February 14 is celebrated as 'Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas', a day to worship your parents instead of celebrating Valentine's Day. Being a business and industry-friendly state is not the first thing that comes to the mind of someone when describing Kerala. In fact, the state has lagged behind when it comes to employment generation in the industry sector. But the state is all set for a radical change with a new integrated Startup ecosystem in Kochi. The Maker Village & Bionest which was inaugurated on Sunday is spread over 1.82 lakh sq ft. Read More Here are the top news of the day: 16 Dead Puppies Found Stuffed In Plastic Waste Bag In Kolkata, Video Of 2 Women Killing Them Raises Furore In a heinous crime, seventeen pups were found stuffed in a plastic bag along with an adult dog-probably the mother. Times of India reported that 15 of the 17 puppies are dead while the dog is in a critical condition. Read More SC Judge Justice Sikri Rejects Govt Offer For Lucrative Post-Retirement Job In London Senior Supreme Court judge, Justice AK Sikri who was one of the three members of the Selection Committee that removed Alok Verma as the CBI chief has withdrawn his nomination to the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). Justice Sikri who was nominated to the Selection Committee by CJI Ranjan Gogoi to represent him had voted in favour of removing Verma. Read More Blue Visual Indicators Installed By Central Railway To Prevent Mumbaikars From Catching Running Trains Mumbai is not only Indias largest city but a financial hub buzzing with glamour, multinational corporations and lavish shopping complexes. The sprawling city has become the most sought after location for the working population which has led to a lot of congestion in recent years. Despite, metro connectivity, Mumbai locals lie at the heart of its fast-paced life. Read More Tired Of Cattle Eating Crops, Farmers In Noida Lock 50 Cows In A School Times of India reported that farmers of Badalpur have locked up almost 50 cows inside a government school because they were destroying all the crops. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon. The local police had to intervene. They managed to free the cattle at around 4 pm on the same day. The farmers were inspired by a similar incident in Prayagraj. The farmers of Mahawad told the publication that they had to guard their fields like watchmen to keep away the cows from destroying their harvest. Read More Gujarat Couple Wants To End Politics Over Rafale Deal, Print Invitation Card With An Explainer Last month, a couple from Goa won everyones heart when they appealed their friends and family to pledge their eyes for donation as their wedding gift. With a total population of 15 lakh in Goa, only 3,000 individuals in the state had pledged to donate their eyes. To set a good precedent in the coastal territory they urged their near and dear ones to support this social cause. In Gujarat, however, couples are urging their guests to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Read More Ambassadors from African countries have said that India has failed to deter xenophobic and racial attacks against Africans in the country. In their first official reaction since the recent incidents of attacks on Africans in Noida, the Heads of African Mission Accredited to India in a joint statement said India failed to condemn the attacks. AFP Their statement said, "The meeting unanimously agreed that these accumulated attacks against Africans are xenophobic and racial in nature." The African Heads of Mission "...express their deep concern and also take note that these reprehensible events, both outstanding and unresolved cases against Africans, were not sufficiently condemned by the Indian authorities." PTI They also said that they plan to call for an independent investigation into the attacks by the Human Rights Council and other Rights bodies. Reacting to the development, India's External Affairs Ministry said the statement was unfortunate and unwarranted. "It is unfortunate that a criminal act triggered following the untimely death of a young Indian student under suspicious circumstances has been termed as xenophobic and racial," the MEA said. PTI MEA also said that the country has taken steps to ensure safety to Africans living in the country. "Local authorities have also taken measures to strengthen safety and security of Nigerian nationals. Coordination meetings have been held by local police in Delhi as well as Greater Noida, with African nationals." PTI The attack on five African students in greater Noida by a mob had once again sparked fears among the community who say that they are being targeted because they look different. Last month, a couple from Goa won everyones heart when they appealed their friends and family to pledge their eyes for donation as their wedding gift. With a total population of 15 lakh in Goa, only 3,000 individuals in the state had pledged to donate their eyes. To set a good precedent in the coastal territory they urged their near and dear ones to support this social cause. In Gujarat, however, couples are urging their guests to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Earlier this month, the wedding card of a Surat-based family read, 'Our gift is your vote for Modi in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections'. Now, another Gujarati couple has designed a wedding card in which they have asked votes for BJP and PM Modi and have gone the extra mile to defend the Rafale deal also. Just like any government manifesto would read before the elections, the couple has laid down proper points defending why Rafale is a legitimate contract. Our gift would be whatsoever you may wish to contribute towards BJP via NAMO app and your vote for Modi in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Photo: Times Now Yuvraj Weds Sakshi wedding card has another leaflet that reads Keep calm and trust NAMO. They have then concisely mentioned nine points that include only fools would compare prices of a simple flyaway aircraft with a weaponized jet. The wedding card further read that the price quoted by Congress is nowhere in the official documents. Congress keeps citing Rs 1.30 lakh crores. Now it was UPA which decided in 2005 that offset partners in India must get 40-50 per cent of total work. Since the total deal is Rs 58,000 crores, it would amount to Rs 29,000 crores. read the third point. Photo: Times Now From HAL, DRDO to even the delivery of jets, every point made by the opposition party has been answered for by this soon-to-be-married couple. Another man named Bhushan Branson tweeted his wedding invitation card which not only asked people to vote for him but also highlighted his governments schemes, policies and achievements. He wrote, "We have to take care of Modi, Modi will take care of the nation. Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal's movie Raazi proved to be one of the biggest winners at the box-office in 2018. The film's victory also proved that we are more than welcoming towards female-led stories. The film won the hearts of the fans and the critics and Bhatt's performance gained her a lot of praises. You might be living under a rock if you are unaware of the fact that the movie was based on the Harinder Sikka's novel Calling Sehmat. And now, if reports are to be believed, a sequel to Raazi is already on the cards. Dharma productions The report has been confirmed by Harinder Sikka, the author of Calling Sehmat. A mid-day report quotes the author as saying, Dharma Productions "After I wrote Calling Sehmat in 2008, I spent another 10 years with her, on and off, depending on the little time she gave me. [The book will focus on] how she went into depression after the mission but fought her way out of it. It will reflect her personal journey since her return from Pakistan. The mysteries around her will be decoded in Remembering Sehmat." There is also a strong buzz that Alia Bhatt was also a part of the discussion around the sequel. Dharma productions While neither KJo's production house nor the actors have given any sort of confirmation on the same. But considering how successful the first part was, who wouldn't want to bet the money on the sequel? Bollywood can be an attractive place to look at from a distance. Many people dream and aspire to make a mark in one of those big banner films. Millions reach Mumbai to fulfil their dreams, hoping for a big break. Unfortunately only a few succeed and many return empty handed. The industry is glamorous and people who are a part of it are truly blessed. But there are a few who don't follow the herd or give in to industry pressure. Here's taking a look at seven such celebrities who spoke against the film industry. 1. Katrina compares Bollywood to a dysfunctional family Speaking to a leading daily, Katrina Kaif claimed that the film industry is a dysfunctional family and that every member here has different quirks. Katrina who usually maintains silence over issues says there are times that you dont like certain members of your family but it does not change the fact that they are close. She further added that after working in Bollywood for so many years, she has best of relationship with some and with others she harbours angst but that still is a relationship because ultimately its all in the same family. 2. John Abraham calls Bollywood actors clowns in a circus John Abraham has been one of the few actors who is not seen in the A-lister circuit. He is seen in films and then goes back into his personal space. Whether it's airport looks or night parties, John is hardly seen anywhere. He likes to keep his personal life private and it's admirable how he's succeeding in this. Speaking about trolls to a leading daily, John said, "There is but aren't celebrities also asking for it, wearing funny clothes outside airports and doing funny things. You can only be laughed at if you decide to be a clown in the circus. It's your choice. I'm not an actor who dances at shows or weddings for money. I find it demeaning. I'm not saying that I'm right, but I wouldn't do it, ever." "As an actor, you are here to show your craft. How much money do you want to mint? Why is it important to be on a list of the highest earners? What about the audience you are robbing with crap you put out? I have always worked hard for credibility, I get that, I move on quietly. I wish we had more actors cut out from the same fabric," he added. 3. Anurag Kashyap feels Bollywood is to blame for India's inability to deal with reality The director has no background or support system from Bollywood. From Varanasi, a few miles away from Wasseypur, Anurag created a stir which was not a commercial venture but in parallel cinema space. He feels the movies that are made in Bollywood are far from reality which are mostly either shot in the locales of Switzerland or elite studios. In one of the interviews in The Guardian, Anurag said, "I swear as long as there are fucking movies in this country, people will continue to be fooled." 4. Yami Gautam feels Bollywood is a consuming place Yami Gautam's latest release is Uri. But she did not have it so easy. Starring in Fair and lovely adverts, Yami was noticed by a filmmaker and since then, there has been no looking back. She likes to focus on her projects without checking out her peers' work. "It can either take one film or more for someone to be up there. There is no formula for it. When you are up there it is about how you survive and how you handle it, how you take it forward is important. At one point I was a newcomer and there will be new people coming in, if I look left, right and centre I would not be able to focus on my work. It is a very consuming place, it can absorb you, it can drain you emotionally." 5. Ratna Pathak Shah feels Bollywood has run out of ideas The actress was recently seen on Netflix in Selection Day. Finally choosing the digital platform, the actress feels Bollywood movies are no longer experimental. I think we have run out of story ideas in films, really. Nobody wants to put money in experimental stories. Even if they want, which is very few in number, they play it safe. They want a star, established names, one or two songs that will help them to promote the content. 6. Tanushree Dutta thinks Bollywood is synonymous with bullshit Tanushree Dutta started a wave in Bollywood no actor could ever do. Despite not being in the industry for 10 long years, the actress ensured what happened with her a decade ago is out there in the open. The actress, who was labelled as the flag bearer of #MeToo movement, levelled allegations against Nana Patekar for sexually harassing her. She was disappointed how no one stood up for her back then and even now how no action is being taken. Speaking to a leading daily, the actress said, "No actor stood up for me. No actor has even now. Not a single call or message from any actor. There's just one word that comes to my mind, hypocrisy. Bollywood is synonymous with bullshit. They have bullshitted their way to the top. Worn these guards of righteousness. Everyone is a saint. All you need is a little bit of polishing to be a saint. Everyone is showing by their silence what their actions are." 7. After the Hrithik epsiode, Kangana felt Bollywood is spineless She's an outsider and ensured everyone knows the handwork that goes being becoming an insider. The actress made her way up to the top with a lot of hard work and the correct choices in cinema. Kagana reportedly had a brief relationship with Hrithik Roshan and the duo washed their dirty linen in public after their "alleged" break up. She found the industry spineless as they didn't take a stand. She also started the never ending topic of Nepotism and put the spotlight on Karan Johar. Speaking about her colleagues, Kangana said, "Even the most successful women want to be liked by others. There is the alluring promise of heaven for those who can love selflessly. Its fine if they cant look themselves in the eye, but the world should see them as the epitome of holiness. They (her colleagues) dont stand up for themselves, forget doing it for others." Appreciating health care at Sioux San And those who secured services for usBy Ernestine Chasing HawkNative Sun News Today Staff Writer Sometimes we, as American Indians who utilize Indian Health Services, can become complacent and unappreciative of the services we receive at Sioux San Hospital here in Rapid City. As tribal people, we are told we have an inherent right to health care via Indian Health Services because our ancestors were insightful enough to guarantee health care for us when they signed the 1851 and 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaties. However it is sometimes this reasoning that can lead to our complacency and our failure to also recognize those brave souls whose insightfulness secured health care services for us at Sioux San Hospital and in turn for other urban Indian Health Centers across the United States. According to the Indian Health Care Services Website, in the early 1800's health care for Indians began under the War Department. Also under the War Department were Indian Affairs and Indian Education. It wasnt until 1849 that Indian programs were transferred to the newly created Department of the Interior. In 1912 with the creation of the Public Health Service, appropriations designated specifically for general health services to Indians first appeared. Ernestine Chasing Hawk. Photo courtesy Native Sun News Today Then in 1955 health services for Indians was transferred from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under Public Law 568, 83rd Congress, 2nd session (42 USC 2001) with oversight by the Surgeon General. Among the authorities transferred to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from the Secretary of Interior, were those outlined in the 1924 Snyder Act. The act provided authority to "expend such moneys as Congress may from time to time appropriate for the benefit, care and assistance of the Indians throughout the United States... for relief of distress and conservation of health." (It was also the 1924 Snyder Act that gave citizenship to American Indians) According to IHS this is the basic appropriation authorization for Indian Health Service. Consistent with this statutory language Congress has, in the legislative history of certain annual appropriations, directed the Indian Health Service to expend money on specific activities leading to changes in the scope of the program. It was also this language "expend such moneys as Congress may from time to time appropriate for the benefit, care and assistance of the Indians throughout the United States that a group of insightful American Indian community leaders living in Rapid City saw as the opportunity to advocate for an Urban Indian Health Center located in Rapid City. For nearly a century Indians living off the reservation in Rapid City, located within the boundaries of the Great Sioux Nation Treaty Territory, were denied access to health care services. Although they could receive health care services from their respective agency IHS facilities, travel was often cumbersome and sometimes even impossible. According to IHS, in the late 1960s, a group of Rapid City urban Indian community leaders began advocating at the local, state and federal levels for culturally appropriate health programs addressing the unique social, cultural and health needs of Indians residing in urban settings. These community-based grassroots efforts resulted in programs targeting health and outreach services to the Indian community. In response to the efforts of the urban Indian community leaders in the 1960s, Congress appropriated funds in 1966, through the I.H.S. for a pilot urban Indian clinic in Rapid City. The very first Indian Health Center funded under Indian Health Service, located in an urban setting, was located on the Sioux San Campus in Rapid City, South Dakota. Ernestine Chasing Hawk can be reached at staffwriter@nativesunnews.today Copyright permission Native Sun News Today Join the Conversation Related Stories HARRISBURG What is done in love is done well. This quote from Vincent van Gogh is on the back of shirts that line the shelves at Percent Tap House, Harrisburgs first brewery that opened at the end of December. It is the perfect description for the brewery located in Harrisburgs Town Center since the four owners took a leap of faith and love to pursue this dream, giving up secure cooperate jobs with Publix. The owners are Carl-Jay Castaneda, Neil Grassi, Zach Hinschberger and Alec Barnes. The foursome met at work and bonded over their love for craft beer. Hinschberger said he had just moved to the area from Florida and the four began visiting breweries across North and South Carolina together. We had planned on doing it twice a month and then twice a month wasnt enough, so we kept going, Hinschberger said. Sometime during those visits, they started talking about creating their own brewery. Especially when Hinschberger learned that Grassi was brewing his own beer. Then the daydream of something fun to do became a real business proposal. The group calls Hinschberger the pioneer of Percent Tap House. Meanwhile, there is other issues within the outdoors community that shows a disregard to ethics and proper behavior. We all have constantly been bombarded about the federal government shutdown. There are plenty of articles to keep your interest whether you are for or against it. One of the repercussions of the shutdown is the skeleton crews around and in the national parks. Unlike past government shutdowns, the parks have remained open. However, with the lack of manpower to properly maintain and enforce rules and regulations, the parks have succumbed to the visitors and what they leave behind. Many of the parks have been taken care of by volunteers for such things as trash removal and property maintenance. A recent volunteer group in the Great Smoky National Park cleaned up items you would expect from typical littering such as drink bottles and cans. Things you would not expect to clean up were car parts, dirty diapers, and animal remains. One group found where someone had basically dumped all of their garbage one area. Parks like the Yosemite and Death Valley were having to switch to day use only due to restrooms becoming overflowed, trash left in all areas, and vehicle use in natural areas destroying the landscape and flora in what would usually be pristine untouched locations. It shows that it is not just the hunting community that can push things too far. People in general can be their own detrimental creatures to the lands that they preach they love and want to protect. It seems it would be common sense that if a park not operating, one should not leave their trash in bins, at campsites, or on the side of the road or in the open landscape. Donald Trump has kept his hard line on the partial government shutdown, now in a fourth week over his insistence on billions of dollars for a wall at the US-Mexico border. When it comes to keeping the American people safe, I will never, ever back down, the president said, repeating his view that the wall is needed on both security and humanitarian grounds. He was speaking to farmers at a convention in New Orleans. President Trump Delivers Remarks at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Annual Convention https://t.co/tMWj5zj3K0 The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) January 14, 2019 As Congress returned to Washington for a second week of legislative business since House control reverted to Democrats, the shutdown hit day 24, affecting federal workers and services. Mr Trump has demanded 5.7 billion dollars (4.4 billion) for his long-promised wall, while Democrats, who oppose the wall as both immoral and ineffective, insist he reopen the government before they negotiate further border security. Before leaving for the speech, Mr Trump said he had dismissed a proposal from Republican senator Lindsey Graham to reopen the government for several weeks and continue dealing with Democrats over money for the wall. I did reject it, yes, he said. Im not interested. I want to get it solved. I dont want to just delay it. The truth? Republicans started the #TrumpShutdown a and Democrats are working to end it. @realDonaldTrump, itas time for you to stop standing in the way of re-opening the government. Let the Senate vote! #EndTheShutdown pic.twitter.com/8Wn438DCfM Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 14, 2019 He also backed further away from the idea of declaring a national emergency as an escape hatch, saying: Im not looking to call a national emergency. This is so simple we shouldnt have to. From the White House, he argued he alone was ready to negotiate, noting that a group of House and Senate Democrats were touring hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. A lot of the Democrats were in Puerto Rico celebrating something. I dont know, maybe theyre celebrating the shutdown, he said. Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer were not on the trip to Puerto Rico. Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted: Speaker Pelosi has been in DC all weekend working from the Capitol. Mr Trump asserted weeks ago that he would own the shutdown, and polls show he is taking most of the blame from Americans, but he now blames his political foes. He targeted Ms Pelosi and Mr Schumer on Twitter, arguing that the shutdown has become their, and the Democrats, fault! He has kept Washington on edge over whether he would resort to an emergency declaration, citing what he says is a crisis of drug smuggling and the trafficking of women and children at the border. The president initially sounded as though such a move was imminent, but then pulled back. He has said several times since he first mentioned the idea in public this month that he prefers a legislative solution. Mr Trumps decision to leave Syria has left the United States Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will devastate Turkey economically if it attacks US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria. Mr Trumps decision to pull American troops out of Syria has left the United States Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. In a tweet, Mr Trump also warned the Kurdish forces not to provoke Turkey. The US withdrawal has begun with shipments of military equipment, US defence officials said. But in coming weeks, the contingent of about 2,000 troops is expected to depart even as the White House says it will keep pressure on the IS network. Once the troops are gone, the US will have ended three years of organising, arming, advising and providing air cover for Syrian, Kurdish and Arab fighters in an open-ended campaign devised by the Obama administration to deal the militants, also known as Isis, a lasting defeat. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining Isis territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions, Mr Trump tweeted. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Mr Trumps decision to leave Syria, which he initially said would be rapid but later slowed down, shocked US allies and angered the Kurds in Syria. It also prompted the resignation of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and drew criticism in Congress. Senator Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, called the decision a betrayal of our Kurdish partners. The popular liberal mayor of Polands port city of Gdansk has died after being stabbed at a charity event by an ex-convict with a history of violent crime. The killing plunged the politically divided country into shock and grief and brought Poles into the streets for solemn vigils in a rare show of national unity. Pawel Adamowicz, 53, died from the wounds inflicted by a 27-year-old man who stormed onstage on Sunday evening while the mayor was addressing an audience during the Lights to Heaven, the finale of a nationwide fundraiser for sick children. Mr Adamowicz had just expressed gratitude to the generous crowd, adding: This is a wonderful time of sharing good things. You are dear. Gdansk is the most wonderful city in the world. Thank you! The assailant rushed up and stabbed him three times, then grabbed a microphone to tell the audience that he acted in revenge against the countrys main opposition party, Civic Platform, which Mr Adamowicz was a member of for many years but left in 2015. With the music still playing and pyrotechnics erupting onstage, the attacker told the stunned crowd he had been wrongly imprisoned under a Civic Platform-led government. I was jailed but innocent. Civic Platform tortured me. Thats why Adamowicz just died, he said. The mayor was taken to hospital where doctors struggled to save him, but a five-hour operation and blood transfusions were not enough. Expand Close Pawel Adamowicz addresses a rally (Wojciech Strozyk/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pawel Adamowicz addresses a rally (Wojciech Strozyk/AP) The assassination came with the nation torn by bitter political divisions that are similar to those in the US. The right-wing ruling Law and Justice party faced accusations that a hostile atmosphere against Mr Adamowicz and other liberals has created fertile ground for violence. Government officials pushed back, strongly denouncing the attack and stressing the assailant had a history of violent bank robberies. Identified by authorities only as Stefan W, he was arrested and charged with murder. Deputy chief prosecutor Krzysztof Sierak said there were questions about the mental state of the attacker, who used a 5.5in knife, and that two psychiatrists will examine him. He had served more than five years in prison and was released towards the end of last year. President Andrzej Duda, who is aligned with the ruling party, opened a news conference with a minute of silence and said a day of national mourning will be observed when Mr Adamowiczs family holds his funeral. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Mr Duda called him a truly great human being, a great politician and great resident of Gdansk, and denounced the attack as an act of unimaginable evil. Ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Polands most powerful politician, expressed his great pain and solidarity with Mr Adamowiczs family. Expand Close People place candles as they mourn Pawel Adamowicz in Gdansk (Wojciech Strozyk/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People place candles as they mourn Pawel Adamowicz in Gdansk (Wojciech Strozyk/AP) In the evening, vigils were held in Gdansk, Warsaw and other cities. Many carried candles in glass jars and some used phones to produce flickers of light, an apparent reference to the Lights to Heaven event. Donald Tusk, a founder of Civic Platform who was prime minister when the attacker was imprisoned and who is now president of the European Council, joined mourners in Gdansk, also his home town. I want to promise you today, dear Pawel, that for you and for all of us, we will defend our Gdansk, our Poland and our Europe from hatred and contempt, Mr Tusk told the crowd. The city flag was lowered to half-mast and masses were held in Gdansk, Warsaw and elsewhere. Mr Adamowicz was part of the democratic opposition formed in Gdansk under the leadership of Lech Walesa during the 1980s. After leaving Civic Platform, he was re-elected to a sixth term as an independent candidate in the autumn. As mayor, he was a progressive voice, promoting sex education in schools and tolerance for LGBT people and minorities. He showed solidarity with the Jewish community when the Gdansk synagogue had its windows broken last year, strongly denouncing the vandalism. He also advocated bringing wounded Syrian children to Gdansk for medical treatment, but the plan was blocked by the Law and Justice government. After he took that stand, a far-right group, the All-Polish Youth, issued what they called a political death notice for him. Government critics said they believed the violence could be partly traced to the animosity voiced against Mr Adamowicz by some ruling party officials, which at times was carried on state TV, as well as by extremists from other groups. Visit: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via Reuters Donald Trump has rejected allegations that he tried to keep secret his conversations with Vladimir Putin by confiscating his own interpreter's notes. He also insisted he was "insulted" the FBI had investigated whether he was working for the Kremlin. Mr Trump was said to have seized the interpreter's notes after a private meeting with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg in July 2017. He also told the linguist not to discuss with other US diplomats and security officials what was said in the meeting, the 'Washington Post' reported. The report came a day after it emerged that, following the firing of FBI director James Comey in May 2017, the agency opened an investigation into whether Mr Trump was working, intentionally or unintentionally, for the Kremlin, and to see whether he posed a national security risk. Mr Trump lambasted the fresh Russia-related developments, phoning in to Fox News to call them "ridiculous". One of its hosts, Jeanine Pirro, a friend of the president, asked him: "Are you now, or have you ever, worked for Russia, Mr President?" The president responded: "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." Denying he had sought to keep the conversations secret, he added: "I'm not keeping anything under wraps. I couldn't care less. I have many one-on-one meetings, nobody ever says anything about it, but with Putin they say, 'Oh what did they talk about?' We talked about very positive things. Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is open for grabs." Asked whether he would release conversations with Mr Putin, he said: "I would, I don't care," adding that they were "great conversations". Mr Trump never answered Ms Pirro directly, but went on to assert that no president has taken a harder stance against Russia than he had. Mr Trump's claim was disputed by Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. He said almost all the sanctions on Russia arose not in the White House but in Congress, due to concerns by members of both parties about Moscow's actions. Mr Trump's officials have complained there are few detailed records of his five meetings with Mr Putin, including one in Helsinki last summer that lasted two hours. That compares with copious public notes of meetings between previous presidents and Russian leaders. The officials said they were being left in the dark as to how to deal with Russia, and fear Mr Trump may be left open to manipulation by Mr Putin. However, allies of Mr Trump suggested he had sought to restrict notes of his conversations with world leaders because his own officials kept leaking them. With more confidence that details would not leak out, Mr Trump was able to establish better personal relationships with world leaders, including Mr Putin, they said. The suggestion the interpreter, who has not been named, had been told to keep quiet emerged after officials from the State Department and National Security Council approached him to find out more about what had been said. The interpreter told them his notes had been taken and he was not allowed to discuss the meeting. Rex Tillerson, then Mr Trump's secretary of state, was also at the Hamburg meeting. He said much of it focused on Syria but did not give a detailed account to other officials. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said the suggestion Mr Trump tried to silence an interpreter was "so outrageously inaccurate it doesn't even warrant a response". The news came as the government shutdown extended to a record 23rd day with a Republican close to Mr Trump saying the president is not giving in on his demands for $5.7bn (4.97bn) for a wall along the US-Mexico border. Lindsey Graham said he encouraged Mr Trump to reopen government for a period of weeks to try to negotiate a deal with Democrats, but that Mr Trump wants a deal first. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah said that India is seeking peace in Afghanistan. Abdullah gave this statement while addressing a session with the Council of Ministers here on Monday. Last week on Friday, India reiterated its commitment and support to Afghanistan's efforts towards a peace and reconciliation process that is led, owned and controlled by Kabul. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar informed that a meeting took place on January 10 between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the United States special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, where the officials shared their perspective on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process and has been pushing for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process. In November last year, India had participated in talks on Afghanistan peace process in Moscow at a non-official level. New Delhi sent two former diplomats to the meeting, which was also attended by Taliban leaders even though India has a policy on not engaging with the terrorist group. During the Moscow meeting, the Taliban had said that the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan was the only way forward for maintaining peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue that recently took place in New Delhi between India and the United States, focused over the diplomatic stance of the two countries in stabilising peace in Afghanistan. -ANI The US secretary of state insists he will press Saudi Arabia's crown prince to ensure that the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held accountable. Mike Pompeo is meeting Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Saudi Arabia as part of his Middle East tour. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following the October assassination of 'Washington Post' columnist Mr Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Members of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's entourage have been implicated in the killing and US members of Congress have demanded America pull back its support of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Mr Pompeo said: "We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring that the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi. "We'll continue to talk about that and make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable certainly by the Saudis, but by the United States as well, where appropriate." Mr Pompeo has also said that an ongoing boycott of Qatar by four of America's allies in the Middle East "has dragged on too long". Stopping off in the small, energy-rich nation on the tour, he made a repeated point to say that "great things" were happening between Qatar and the US. An Italian militant who was convicted of murder in his home country nearly three decades ago has been arrested in Bolivia. The Italian government sent an aircraft to pick up Cesare Battisti, who was captured by Bolivian police working with Italian agents on the ground in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Italian police said. The 64-year-old had been living in Brazil for years, but Brazils outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently leading to Battistis latest effort to elude authorities. Italian police released a video of Battisti they said was taken hours before his capture, showing him seemingly oblivious to surveillance cameras tracking him as he walked casually down the street in jeans, a blue T-shirt and sunglasses. A subsequent image showed Battistis mug shot under the seal of the Bolivian police. Expand Close Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (Italian Police via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (Italian Police via AP) Cesare Battistis long flight is over, justice minister Alfonso Buonafede declared, adding that he would be taken to Romes Rebibbia prison as soon as he landed in Italy. Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said Italy, and the families of Battistis victims, had waited too long for justice. Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini called Battisti a delinquent who doesnt deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces a life term for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweller and a butcher. He has acknowledged membership in the group but has denied killing anyone and has painted himself as a political refugee. Expand Close Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti enters a plane before it takes off for Italy (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti enters a plane before it takes off for Italy (AP) After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then went to France, where he joined dozens of Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled during Italys years of lead, a bloody and turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants carried out bombings, assassinations and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him asylum in 2010. Battisti was eventually released from jail but was arrested again in 2017 after he was caught trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border carrying undeclared cash. He was released after a few days. As a result of that incident, Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Justice Luiz Fux said in December that Interpol had issued a request for Battistis arrest on tax evasion and money laundering charges, leading him to issue a Brazilian warrant. Based on that, outgoing Brazilian President Michel Temer signed the decree ordering the fugitives extradition. A left-wing Italian militant convicted of murder three decades ago has arrived in Rome to serve a life sentence after his time as a celebrity fugitive came to an abrupt end with his arrest in Bolivia by Interpol agents. An Italian military aircraft carrying Cesare Battisti landed at Romes Ciampino airport shortly after 11.30am (1030GMT) after an overnight flight from Bolivia. As snipers kept close watch, Battisti emerged and descended from the plane, surrounded by police. Wearing a brown jacket, a look of resignation and no handcuffs, Battisti was escorted to an airport facility to be processed a remarkably quick finale to one of Italys most drawn-out and politicised efforts to bring a fugitive home. Expand Close Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino airport (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino airport (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Battisti was arrested on Saturday in Santa Cruz, Bolivias largest city, where he was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices. Italy sent an aircraft to pick him up and bring him back for the first time since he fled Italy in 1981 as he was awaiting trial. The 64-year-old, who became a successful author during his life on the run, had lived openly in Brazil and France for years and enjoyed the protection of left-wing governments on both sides of the Atlantic, much to the consternation of Italy. But Brazils outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently sparking Battistis latest effort to flee to Bolivia, where he had tried unsuccessfully to obtain political asylum. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces a life term for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweller and a butcher. Expand Close Battisti was finally captured in Bolivia (Italian police/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Battisti was finally captured in Bolivia (Italian police/PA) Battisti acknowledged membership of the group but denied killing anyone and painted himself as a political refugee who would face certain torture or death in Italy. After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then went to France, where he joined dozens of left-wing Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled Italy during that nations years of lead, a bloody and turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants on the left and right carried out bombings, assassinations and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But then-Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him political asylum in 2010. Battisti was eventually released from jail but was arrested again in 2017 after he was caught trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border carrying the equivalent of about 7,500 dollars in undeclared cash. He was released after a few days. As a result of that incident, Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Justice Luiz Fux said in December that Interpol had issued a request for Battistis arrest on tax evasion and money laundering charges, leading him to issue a Brazilian warrant. Expand Close Cesare Battisti was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices (Gregorio Borgia/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cesare Battisti was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Based on that, outgoing Brazilian president Michel Temer signed the decree ordering the fugitives extradition. Brazils new right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, vowed to follow through with his extradition, hailed Battistis arrest and denounced Mr da Silvas government for having granted the Italian asylum. Finally, there will be justice for the Italian assassin and partner of ideas of one of the most corrupt governments to ever exist, Mr Bolsonaro tweeted in a reference to Mr da Silvas Workers Party. Bolivias public defender David Tezanos said Battisti formally requested asylum in Bolivia on December 21, but he had not received a response from the leftist government of President Evo Morales. Mr Tezanos said Battistis rights were being violated with his hasty expulsion. Brazils foreign and justice ministries said in a joint statement that Battisti will leave Bolivia direct to Italy to serve his life sentence. The statement was significant since under Brazilian law people extradited to serve life sentences must have their sentences capped at 30 years a concession rejected by Italian officials on Sunday in insisting that Battisti serve his full term. By capturing Battisti in Bolivia and avoiding his return to Brazil, Italy was not bound to observe Brazils cap on the sentence. Aereo con #CesareBattisti decollato adesso direzione Italia: sono orgoglioso e commosso! pic.twitter.com/lWWWZkubsl Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 13, 2019 Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini praised Bolivian police and Brazils new government for following through on the fugitives case. He called Battisti a delinquent who doesnt deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison. Hermes Investment Management has ramped up contingency plans against a hard Brexit by setting up a subsidiary in Ireland. The move comes ahead of a crunch day in Parliament on Tuesday where MPs are set to vote on Prime Minister Theresa Mays contested Brexit deal. The 36 billion wealth manager established Hermes Fund Managers Ireland as part of its contingency plans it started drawing up after the referendum in June 2016 and is based on the presumption of a hard Brexit Britain crashing out of the European Union without any transitional arrangements. Hermes follows other asset managers such as Legal & General, Ashmore and Barings in setting up hubs in Ireland. Chief executive Saker Nusseibeh said: Since the referendum in 2016, we have always planned for a hard Brexit. We recognised early on that we had to make appropriate contingency plans in the absence of certainty, in order to ensure, to the extent possible, that we remain able to manage our clients assets in line with their expectations of us. He said Hermes has a decades worth of investment management activities and service provider relationships in Ireland with its European mutual funds business domiciled there. Given this, and our European business growth, we have taken the Brexit opportunity to bolster our presence in Ireland with the establishment of a management company to lead the management of Hermes European product offering and facilitate distribution to European clients. The company said the new Irish management company, which was authorised by the central Bank of Ireland in December, is also part of its strategy to expand in Europe. By the end of the year the company expects to hire between eight to 10 people in the Dublin office, including a head of compliance, with at least six hired by the end of March. Hermes currently employs around 470 people across the group. Hermes has appointed Carol Mahon as head of Ireland and Aoifinn Devitt as head of investment Ireland at the new Dublin base, which is expected to become operational by March 29, the date Britain is expected to leave the EU. Ms Mahon joins Hermes from a 17-year career at Fidelity International, where she was most recently chief of the Fidelitys Irish life insurance business. She will be responsible for developing the Irish base and any branches in the European Economic Area. While Ms Devitt will be responsible for the development of the investment management side of the Irish business. She was previously chief investment officer of the Chicago Policemens Annuity & Benefit Fund, a 2.6 billion US-dollar (2 billion) American public fund. Throw a coin over your shoulder into Rome's Trevi Fountain, the legend says, and you will one day return to the Eternal City. It is an essential tradition for millions of tourists. But few will have suspected their loose change would also spark a bitter row between Rome's secular authorities and the Catholic Church. Traditionally, the 1.5m of coins scooped out of the stunning Baroque fountain each year are actually destined for the Catholic charity Caritas to help the city's poor and homeless. Now Rome's mayor Virginia Raggi says the 4,000 worth of coins tossed into the fountain every day belong to her administration. From April 1, the donations will no longer be paid to Caritas, but are to be used by Rome City Council for the maintenance of cultural sites and social welfare projects. The proposed changes, reportedly approved by the council at the end of December, have provoked a backlash from the Church. 'Avvenire', the daily paper produced by the Italian Bishops Conference, launched a scathing attack on the council in its Saturday edition, describing the city's bureaucracy as "the enemy of the poor" in a front-page article headlined "money taken from the poorest". Caritas confirmed that the changes would take effect from April even though it was still hoping the council would back down. Meghan Markle's female bodyguard, who was by the Duchess's side throughout her high-profile tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand in the autumn, has quit the team after just six months. She is understood to be leaving the Metropolitan Police for reasons unconnected to the duke and duchess or their household, and is said to be highly regarded. The senior personal protection officer, who is not being named for security reasons, had been a prominent part of the couple's security service as the only woman accompanying them on public engagements. Melissa Touabti, the personal assistant to the duchess, left the palace last year after six months, Samantha Cohen, the couple's private secretary, is expected to leave later this year or next year. Destruction: Debris and car wreckage litters the street after the bakery explosion in central Paris. Photo: CARL LABROSSE/AFP/Getty Images Rescuers have found a woman's body under the rubble of a bakery in Paris that was blown apart by a powerful explosion, bringing the overall death toll to four. The blast on Saturday morning in the Rue de Trevise in north-central Paris also injured dozens of people. Expand Close Flowers for the dead firefighters outside their station in Paris. Photo: THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flowers for the dead firefighters outside their station in Paris. Photo: THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images Paris Fire Department spokesman Eric Moulin yesterday that nine people were still in critical condition from the explosion that devastated a Paris street. Up to 45 others were also injured but not as seriously. He had said earlier that rescuers were searching for a missing woman living in the building where the bakery was located. Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said the cause of the blast appeared to be accidental. He explained that firefighters had already arrived on the scene to investigate a suspected gas leak at the bakery when the explosion happened. Two firefighters were among those killed. About 30 firefighters were at the site yesterday to search for other potential victims, amid a mountain of debris and wrecked cars. Authorities said 12 neighbouring buildings that were damaged by the blast, apparently due to a gas leak, have been evacuated. Temporary accommodations were provided for about 40 residents while dozens of others have been housed by family and friends. The city hall of the arrondissement was offering meals and collecting clothes yesterday to help evacuated people. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell revealed that a Spanish woman was among the four who died in the blast. The 'El Pais' newspaper reported the woman was a tourist staying in a hotel near the bakery. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner visited the scene and said: "Unfortunately the human toll is particularly serious". He paid tribute to the courage of rescuers who notably saved the life of one firefighter who was buried under the rubble for two-and-a-half hours. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was also at the scene, extended a "message of affection and solidarity" to victims. Mr Heitz said: "The judicial police have started investigating, the scientific police as well." He added: "The origin of the explosion seems accidental. We are at the beginning of the investigation, everything will be done to establish the exact origin of the explosion as soon as possible." Witnesses described the overwhelming sound of the blast and people trapped inside nearby buildings. Charred debris and broken glass covered the pavement around the apartment building housing the bakery, which resembled a blackened carcass. Authorities said around 200 firefighters and police were involved in the operation. A helicopter landed in the area to evacuate the wounded. Silver-helmeted firefighters and red firetrucks filled the street and inspected adjoining courtyards. Pedro Goncalves, an employee at the Hotel Mercure opposite the bakery, said he saw firefighters enter the bakery in the morning but he and his co-workers "thought maybe it's a joke, a false alarm" and they went back to work. About an hour later, he said a blast rocked the surrounding streets. "In the middle of nothing, I heard one big explosion and then a lot of pressure came at me (and) a lot of black smoke and glass," he said. "And I had just enough time to get down and cover myself and protect my head." The bakery is around the corner from the Folies-Bergere theatre and not far from the shopping district that includes the famed headquarters of Galeries Lafayette. French riot police take position in a cloud of tear gas during clashes with yellow vest protesters in Lyon. Photo: AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani French media organisations have denounced attacks on journalists by "yellow vest" anti-government protesters and called for better protection after a series of incidents this weekend. Paris police fired water cannon and tear gas to push back demonstrators from around the Arc de Triomphe monument, in the ninth straight weekend of protests against French President Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms. Journalists covering the protests are increasingly becoming a target for the demonstrators. In the western city of Rouen, LCI TV reporters were attacked by a group of protesters. One of the security agents working with the TV crew was beaten while he was on the ground and had his nose broken, with footage of the incident widely shared on social media. In Paris, an LCI reporter was pushed to the ground as demonstrators tried to take away her camera, the station said, adding it would take legal action against the attackers. Several other stations, including BFM TV and franceinfo, showed images of reporters being hassled or pushed around during Saturday's "yellow vest" marches. Reporters without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire called on authorities to take action. "This is anti-democratic blackmail from people who consider they can beat up journalists if they disagree with the way events are covered," he said on France Info radio. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on his Twitter feed that anyone attacking reporters would be brought to justice. "In our democracy, the press is free... attacking journalists is attacking the right to inform," he said. US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) threatened to "devastate Turkey economically" if it attacked the Kurds in the region. While reiterating that the US began the pullout of its troops from Syria, Trump tweeted, "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone...." Turkey views some Kurdish groups as terrorist organisations operating in the region. Apart from that, the Kurds, an Iranian ethnic group, found in parts of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey, make up the majority of US-allied fighters fighting in the Syrian civil war against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, CNN reported. "....Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Trump added. Earlier this week, an administration official told CNN that the first US military ground equipment has been withdrawn from the war-torn country. Trump'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 previous week, Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton had announced that Washington would withdraw its troops from Syria only after defeating ISIS and ensuring that the Kurds are safe. Bolton, who recently travelled to Israel to reassure the US ally of the Trump-ordered withdrawal, said there was no stipulated time for the pullout of American forces in Syria, but insisted that it was not an "unlimited commitment. -ANI President Donald Trump talks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House (Evan Vucci/AP) US President Donald Trump has denied he ever worked for Russia, answering a question he declined to directly address over the weekend. Speaking from the South Lawn before departing the White House for New Orleans, Mr Trump called former FBI and Justice Department officials known scoundrels and dirty cops. He was reacting to a New York Times report that law enforcement officials began investigating, in 2017, whether Mr Trump had been working on behalf of Russia against US interests. I never worked for Russia, he told reporters. The president did not directly answer the question in a Saturday Fox News interview. I think its the most insulting thing Ive ever been asked, Mr Trump told Jeanine Pirro, a personal friend. I think its the most insulting article Ive ever had written, and if you read the article youll see that they found absolutely nothing. If you ask the folks in Russia, I've been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other ... probably any other president, period, but certainly the last three or four presidentsDonald Trump Mr Trump went on to assert that no president has taken a harder stance against Russia than he has. If you ask the folks in Russia, Ive been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other probably any other president, period, but certainly the last three or four presidents, he said. White House aides expressed regret over the weekend that the president did not more clearly and forcefully deny being a Russian agent when asked by the usually friendly Fox News host, according to three White House aides and Republicans close to the White House. Mr Trump on Monday defended his decision to fire FBI director James Comey, a move that has drawn the scrutiny of special counsel Robert Mueller. The president called the Russia probe a whole big fat hoax. The chain came close to collapse last year after a black hole was discovered in its finances (PA) Another director has left the troubled parent of Patisserie Valerie, marking the latest change to the board in the wake of its brush with collapse last year. Non-executive director James Horler will leave with immediate effect to focus on his position as chief executive of Ego Restaurants, Patisserie Holdings said on Monday. Mr Horler, who is also chairman of coffee chain Notes and restaurant group Ping Pong, is a frequent business partner of Patisseries chairman Luke Johnson. His departure is the latest in a string of changes to the groups board. It leaves Mr Johnson and non-executive director Lee Ginsberg as the only remaining board members who have been in their posts since before the discovery of a black hole in the companys accounts in October last year. The accounting irregularities pushed the group into a crisis which saw it almost cease trading. A rescue plan was passed by shareholders in November, resulting in the issue of 15 million worth of new shares. Chief executive Paul May left the company later that month and was replaced by turnaround specialist Stephen Francis. New finance boss Nick Perrin joined Patisserie in December, replacing predecessor Chris Marsh who had quit in October. Meanwhile, Mr Johnson has pledged to step back from his other commitments at a range of leisure companies to focus on the recovery of Patisserie Holdings. The firms shares remain suspended on Londons junior market. Challenger bank Tide has partnered with ClearBank to bid for a share of the Royal Bank of Scotlands 775 million fund aimed at increasing competition in Britains business banking sector. Tide and ClearBank, the first clearing bank to launch in Britain for 250 years, have applied for a grant worth up to 120 million from Pool A of the Capability and Innovation Fund that forms part of RBSs alternative remedies package. If successful, the grant will allow Tide and ClearBank to develop advanced business current accounts and products for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. RBSs alternative remedies package is part of conditions attached to its 45 billion Government bailout a decade ago at the height of the financial crisis, with the cash being distributed by the Banking Competition Remedies body. Winners of the first round of financial awards are expected to be announced in February. The companies said the bid blends ClearBanks payments infrastructure and Tides digital banking platform. A number of challenger banks have launched in recent years with the aim of taking market share from the traditional high-street lenders and are looking to expand their offering to small businesses. Tide chief executive Oliver Prill said RBSs alternative remedies package is a golden opportunity to inject competition and innovation into the business banking market and the grant will allow the company to go even further, faster, for UK SMEs. He said it would be a mistake to give all the top prizes in the RBS alternative remedies package to high-street banks to do more of the same with and upgrade legacy systems. As any investor knows, its important to diversify your portfolio and we are the only player with an exclusive focus on SMEs, a cutting-edge technology stack and no costly overheads like branches. Tide has already demonstrated its credibility by being the fastest growing business banking service provider in the UK and I very much hope the competition judges, when deciding who to award the grants to, recognise we are not only leading innovation but are a safe pair of hands. Tides business accounts do not have monthly, weekly or annual fees, or card usage fees, but costs are incurred when transferring funds from non-Tide accounts, ATM use and cash deposits at the post office. A left-wing Italian militant who spent decades on the run after being convicted of four murders committed in the 1970s has been captured in Bolivia and will be extradited to Italy as a "little gift" from Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro to the populist Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Cesare Battisti was arrested on Saturday by local police and an Interpol team as he was walking alone through the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. According to reports, he was unarmed and put up no resistance. "Italian terrorist Cesare Battisti was detained in Bolivia and will be soon brought to Brazil, from where he will probably be sent to Italy to serve a life sentence," tweeted Filipe G Martins, a senior aide to Mr Bolsonaro. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the government had dispatched a plane to Latin America to bring Battisti back to Italy. Battisti, a founder of the far-left Italian radical group Armed Proletarians for Communism, was convicted in absentia in 1993 of four political killings committed in the 1970s and sentenced to life in prison. The 64-year-old has always maintained his innocence. Mr Salvini praised Battisti's arrest and tweeted a caricature of him sitting on the beach with the caption: "The party is over." Yesterday, Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of president Bolsonaro, tweeted to Mr Salvini: "Brazil is no longer a land of bandits. The 'little gift' is coming." Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] In a recent visit to a section of a famous ancient Ethiopian monastery where "men only" are allowed, high ranking female officials who were travelling with the Taoiseach had to remain outside the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion monastery. When questioned, a spokesman for the Taoiseach said: "It is appropriate to respect the rules and customs of different cultures and religions, especially when you are in their countries, holy places or homes." Yet, the Irish culture, under the very same Taoiseach, is being systematically dismantled stone by stone under the guise of "progress" and political correctness. We don't want to "offend" people of other cultures who are living here. In my experience, most people of other cultures living in Ireland actually embrace the Irish culture. For example, I have been wished a "happy Christmas" by Muslims living here, not "happy holidays". This culture destruction is being perpetuated by Irish liberals, who find in Leo Varadkar and other government ministers willing accomplices, who then use it as an excuse to promote their own selfish agendas in order to gain extra votes. It has nothing to do with "offending" people of other cultures. The hypocrisy of Varadkar is beyond comprehension. Martin Heneghan Fairview, Dublin 3 Deadlock at Stormont is an injustice to the people The lack of will exemplified by both political parties in Stormont to bring about a return of devolved government is an injustice to the young people of Northern Ireland. Last week marked the two-year anniversary since the collapse of power-sharing in Belfast. Since January 2017, both political parties have engaged in petty squabbles, partnered with a lack of realisation of the issues facing the citizens of Northern Ireland. Not since the declaration of World War II has Britain faced a challenge which poses a such a profound threat to both the integrity of constitution and its relationship with allies around the world. While the unbreakable impasse continues in Stormont, the citizens of Northern Ireland are left in limbo, considering that come March 29, how will Britain's exit from the European Union affect their ability to travel and study within the European Union and indeed what will the future relationship with the Republic of Ireland look like? Those unwilling to break the deadlock at Stormont are doing a disservice to those who elected them. Furthermore, those who are exploiting this deadlock for political means are not fit to hold elected office. I would like to echo the words of An Tanaiste Simon Coveney. In a speech at Queen's University last week, he implored both parties to come together at this tentative time for Northern Ireland. One must think to the courageous decisions made by the guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement just over 20 years ago. They proved that politics is well and truly the art of compromise. Jude Perry Belfast Protests add to heartache for miscarriage patients Approximately one in four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage or stillbirth. This is always an upsetting experience. Imagine how much worse it would be to be confronted with a picket line of signs saying "let her be born", just after you have been informed that your baby will not, in fact, be born living. Marianne McDonald Grange, Co Cork Dublin anthems belong at Croker, not the RDS I applaud the achievements of all our Irish rugby teams but, as a visceral Dublin GAA supporter, it makes my blood boil when I hear 'Cockles And Mussels' and 'Come on Ye Boys in Blue' belted out in the Aviva or the RDS. These anthems belong on Hill 16 and anything else is appalling, blatant, inverse cultural misappropriation. Please stop. Tom Farrell Swords, Co Dublin Harris was right not to delay abortion roll-out Some doctors have criticised Health Minister Simon Harris for the piecemeal roll-out of abortion services, with several saying he should have waited a few months until the system was ready to launch in one fell swoop. However, Mr Harris, from his engagement with the campaign to Repeal the Eighth, knew that we could not wait, that every day the introduction of service was delayed, more Irish women would have to make that long, difficult journey to England for terminations. Already, the number of GPs providing abortion services in Ireland has risen from 165 at the start of the year to nearly 250, and all 19 of our maternity hospitals provide some degree of service, and these numbers are set to rise throughout the year as training and infrastructure is extended. Well done, minister. This is what we voted for. Laurie Myers Tower Street, Cork Library rule could teach politicians something Two-hundred-and-thirty-six years ago, James Madison, who went on to become US president, proposed the Congressional Library. One section of the executive order for the library read: "It is no longer permissible for politicians to know absolutely nothing. Every member of the House and Senate is now required to read at least one book so he knows something, anything." Mattie Lennon Blessington, Co Wicklow Theresa May's date with EU fate comes tomorrow and all the omens appear rather discouraging. She is most unlikely to get the necessary MPs' approval for her unloved EU-UK divorce deal and is probably in line for a very heavy defeat, opening further weeks of uncertainty. On Tuesday, the UK House of Commons is at long last to have its say on the British prime minister's Brexit deal. She cancelled the so-called "meaningful vote" on December 10 last because she faced certain defeat by a margin of anywhere between 100 and 200 votes. The hoped-for change of heart over the Christmas holidays just did not happen. If anything, the iron entered the soul of her opponents within her own party, and the Democratic Unionist Party. The upshot is that the numbers still are not there for her. As further evidence of her weakness, Mrs May lost two important procedural votes in the House of Commons last week. In the longer term, this may augur well for parliamentary democracy and also shows that there is not an appetite for a no-deal Brexit among the majority of MPs. We are, however, left with the more immediate problem that there is no clear UK parliamentary majority for any alternative. And approval for Mrs May's deal is the only chance of a stable and trustworthy outcome in the immediate term. Theresa May has won the admiration of many for the fight she has put up over the past few months. She is still looking at strategies to help her cause, including seeking last-minute assurances from Brussels, possibly accepting a Conservative Eurosceptic amendment intended to give parliament a say on "backstop" provisions, and/or endorsing a Labour Brexiteer proposal to guarantee workers' and environmental rights. But Mrs May's procedural defeats effectively lessen her chances of "running down the clock" on Brexit and leaving her deal as the only show in town. In practice, she may have just three sitting days from tomorrow to come up with an alternative strategy and the MPs would still have scope to amend those plans. But so far, no alternative to Mrs May's Brexit plan is anywhere near commanding a majority. The overwhelming atmosphere is one of confusion and delay. Many observers believe an extension of Britain's Article 50 exit process looks increasingly likely. That would mean Britain would not leave on time on March 29, 2019. Such a result would be better than the economic carnage of a no-deal Brexit. But it would also just postpone a decision which cannot be dodged for too much longer. It happens every January. You polish off the last Crunchie from the selection box and go to put the empty box in the recycling bin. You stare into the bin and think: "How in the name of God did I eat five full selection boxes and three packets of mince pies?" Panic ensues, you break out in a non-exercise related sweat and then charge out to join the nearest gym. It's January and once again, your New Year's resolution is to be fitter, healthier and skinnier. From January 2, credit cards are flung across the counters of gyms around the country, in an effort to get rid of mince-pie stomachs and selection-box thighs. Gyms are big business now. Owners are making fortunes from enticing clients to "get fitter", "lose those Christmas pounds", "shift that party-season weight". It's now estimated that 500,000 people are members of Irish gyms, with total revenues of about 300m. Eager and determined clients sign up. Personal trainers are booked, classes are joined, work-outs are drawn up - until about February/March, when it all wears off and the thought of trying to coordinate your arms and legs on a cross-trainer surrounded by Lycra-clad gym bunnies makes you want to weep. When your enthusiasm for the gym wanes, you feel guilty because you're not exercising and because of all the money you're wasting. A report from Deloitte showed that people here pay an average fee of 48 a month. There is a free alternative to gyms. It's called nature. Nature has been proven to improve not just physical health but mental wellbeing, too. It's a win-win. You can exercise and feel calmer and less anxious at the same time. Research shows that people living in built-up urban areas can reclaim their mental wellbeing by heading to the nearest park, sitting on a bench, listening to the birds, and soaking in their surroundings. Researchers at King's College London developed a smartphone app called Urban Mind. The app monitors how an individual's exposure to nature affects their wellbeing. Neuroscientist Dr Andrea Michelli says that the app and results of the study found a strong link between exposure to nature and wellbeing. But what it also showed was that the benefits of exposure to nature can last for up to seven hours. So, if you take the dog for a walk before work, or if you walk, run or cycle to work, you can improve your mood and wellbeing for the whole day. Most interestingly, the study found that people who were at greater risk of developing mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, benefit even more from getting outdoors than others. The Japanese have been promoting the healing powers of nature for decades. In 1982, "forest bathing" - also known as Shinrin-Yoku - became part of a national public health programme. Shinrin-Yoku first took root after research showed that spending time in forests promoted lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure and that it decreased levels of hostility and depression. With Irish GPs saying they are inundated with patients suffering from anxiety and stress, we need to get outside more. Getting outside will also boost your levels of vitamin D, which most Irish people are deficient in. Staying indoors can also have a negative impact on your immune health. A Japanese study evaluated the effect of "forest bathing" on immune function. For a group of Japanese adults, a three-day trip to the forest increased the number of white blood cells in their blood. These levels of white blood cells stayed elevated for more than 30 days after their adventure in the woods. Happy mind, happy body, happy person. Save your money, look out of the window, put on your runners and get outside. The TDs are back at Leinster House tomorrow and Fine Gael deputies in particular fear something very nasty lurking in the shadows. It could well be that fatal combination of elections and tax hikes. There is a growing view that carbon tax increases - to modify behaviour, of course - are now inevitable before this Government faces the voters next year seeking a stronger mandate to govern. The Taoiseach has said he would like to see a cross-party approach on the issue but in the run-in to an election he should not bet the farm on that. Meanwhile, in the more prosperous suburbs of Dublin and elsewhere, the risk of property tax hikes is looking perilous. The local property tax hit us all in 2013 but was mercifully based on financial crisis-era house valuations. In the ensuing five years property prices have soared and those downtime valuations are set to expire later this year. Let's randomly look at Dublin 14 where back in 2013 the average valuation was 336,000, giving an average local property tax of 585 per year. By 2018 that average Dublin 14 value had jumped to 632,000. If the valuation was updated accordingly, and the current system applied, that would mean an average local property tax of 956 per year. Big picture, you can think of that as a very painful hike. Not the kind of thing you want hanging about as you go out looking for votes. Now why pick on Dublin 14 as an example? Well, it's the postal address for the constituency offices of Culture Minister Josepha Madigan. Expand Close Suggestion: Culture Minister Josepha Madigan tweeted that south Dublin should face a different property tax regime due to high house prices. Photo: Fran Veale / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Suggestion: Culture Minister Josepha Madigan tweeted that south Dublin should face a different property tax regime due to high house prices. Photo: Fran Veale And the numbers are a very pithy example of what we are talking about. It is no great surprise to find that Ms Madigan, a first-time TD since February 2016, just does not want anything like that to happen. Ms Madigan took to Twitter over the weekend to advocate on behalf of her south county Dublin constituents. This was after the Irish Independent reported the soaring property prices and their potential to drive soaring local property taxes. "I would like to see a lower rate in areas with the highest house prices. Residents of south Dublin, for example, should be entitled to reliefs as they could be most affected," Ms Madigan wrote. Unsurprisingly, she was instantly castigated for seeking special treatment for people living in affluent suburbs. No surprise that People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett called on the minister to campaign for an end to the tax. But mortgage campaigner David Hall said she was showing bias towards better-off people and argued there can hardly be a property tax not related to market valuations. The real rub appeared to come from Fianna Fail housing spokesman Darragh O'Brien. He said Fianna Fail doesn't want any increases in property tax and he believed the rate needs to decrease nationally. Mr O'Brien accused Ms Madigan of making a "ridiculous suggestion" in advocating a different method of property tax calculation for south Dublin. But the Fianna Fail deputy did urge the Government to publish its plans, taking it beyond general but vague assurances that property tax increases will be "modest". Until we see the detail of the new regime, these scare stories will flourish. Josepha Madigan's stance is unlikely to be the only example of prominent Government TDs putting their heads above the parapet on this one, although things are particularly tight in her three-seat constituency of Dublin Rathdown. We will hear more of this in the coming weeks as TDs prepare for the general election. A Pakistan High Commission officer was called by the Delhi police for obtaining clarification on an altercation he had with an Indian woman at Sarojini Nagar market on Saturday. As per sources from the Ministry of External Affairs, the officer wrote an apology letter to the police after which the matter was resolved on the same day itself. "The Indian lady complained against him (Pakistan High Commission official) at a police station and took him there after the altercation. He apologised to the lady and was let off. There was no arrest," the source added. -ANI 'At my local farmers market on Saturday, the usual banter around produce provenance and rising prices were completely eclipsed by expectations around the imminent arrival of UFOs.' Photo: Saskia Vermeulen 'So, anything strange?" Such is the standard greeting heard all over the country these days as the frolics of Christmas fade away in the deafening silence of our empty wallets. And the general reply during January's drab and lifeless days is invariably: "Devil a bit. Yourself?" Well, friends, this year has the potential to be a very different story - so much so, in fact, that it might just help to blow Brexit and Trump clean off the headlines. In a nutshell, January 2019 may well go down in history as the month we discovered we are not alone. Really. Those mysterious radio signals from distant galaxies have helped lift the typical new year blues these past few days, and acted as a conversation starter supreme all over the country. At my local farmers' market on Saturday, the usual banter around produce provenance and rising prices were completely eclipsed by expectations around the imminent arrival of UFOs - with one lady even pondering opening her B&B in the off-season. "Sure even spacemen will want to take a tour of the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way," was her judicious reasoning on the matter. Premium John Downing Opinion Lets lose the Covid fear but we must intensify the caution and the vigilance Today, for the first time since last October you can have a pub pint even if it is in a car park masquerading as a beer garden. In theory you can even do that on your way back from the gym and you might stop at a friends house later. Samaritans Ireland is looking for volunteers who can give up three hours a week to those most in need. More than 1,800 volunteers work at over 20 branches offering emotional support to its 24-hour telephone service. Samaritans are best known for the vital support given to callers on its 24-hour telephone service, but volunteers are also on hand to offer support by text messages, email and face-to-face in communities, festival, outreach events and in prisons. Regional Director for Samaritans Ireland, Cindy OShea, said it received 1,000 calls on Christmas day. As Samaritans volunteers, we offer round-the-clock emotional support to those people and anyone who is struggling to cope with whatever life has thrown at them. Even on Christmas Day we answered almost 1,000 calls, spending more than 150 hours on the phone. Our busiest hour was between 10pm to 11pm when volunteers answered a call every 45 seconds. As the new year begins, we call on people to consider making a difference to someones life by volunteering with Samaritans in one of our 21 branches nationwide. As well as supporting people emotionally, there are a wide range of roles which ensure the running of the service 24/7, from administrative support to fundraising, so please contact your local branch to find out more. There are now 21 Samaritans branches across the country with over 1,800 active volunteers on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Mary, a carer, began volunteering with Samaritans over 12 years ago. During my time with Samaritans I have learned so much. Ive grown and developed as a person and the sense of satisfaction I get from knowing I was able to help and support someone is the best feeling, she said. For me, Samaritans is a family and we offer each other help and support whenever we need it - whether we are dealing with something personal in our lives or with a challenging call. My experience of volunteering with Samaritans has been life-changing. It takes commitment and dedication, but youll be paid back a hundredfold. Enda, an air traffic controller, has been volunteering since 2012. Anyone can be a Samaritan as long as you believe in what youre doing and youre willing to listen, he said. Allowing someone the space to talk, and really listening to what they want to talk about, are skills Ive tried to adhere to both on and off duty. What really drives me though are the callers and knowing that by being there to pick up the phone I may have given them a beacon of hope. No matter where you are in life, the need to be heard and the need for empathy are things that will be with us always. To find out more about volunteering with Samaritans visit www.samaritans.ie/volunteer. There's nothing Sara Donohue (24) likes more than being outdoors. And living in Royal Oak, Co Carlow, with her parents and a younger sister, means she has plenty of access to nature The smell of the trees, the soft earth underfoot and the gentle gush of a stream all inspire her. But she also likes to challenge herself, whether that be completing tasks for college, or writing a book. Yet, there was a time when all Sara could manage was to lie on the couch, all day long. Even worse, she didn't even know why she had been so totally floored by illness. Her ordeal began in late August 2012, when her leg became swollen. The first doctor she saw suspected it was an over-reaction to an insect bite and prescribed medication. "That seemed to calm it down," she says. But she still wasn't well, so her mother asked that Sara be tested for Lyme disease; however, that test came back negative. "Some weeks later, I started to feel totally exhausted and began to miss days at school," Sara says. "So I went back to the doctor and was diagnosed with post viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS)." She was then told she would have to spend four weeks resting at home, which was a shock, given she was in her Leaving Cert year. However, even though she did take the time off, she felt even worse afterwards and couldn't rejoin her classmates. "I developed massive intolerances to gluten, dairy, soya, sugar, fish and many other foods," Sara says. Fortunately, she was still able to tolerate a little meat and some vegetables. For 18 months, Sara and her distraught family did their utmost to get to the bottom of her debilitating condition. "I was so sick, so zoned out, I didn't really know what was going on," she says. "My poor parents went through the mill, driving me all over the country, looking for any treatment that might help. They were just amazing." Having consulted a number of doctors, Sara's symptoms were given many labels, among them chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia. Eventually, a family friend heard a talk by Ann Maher, a Kilkenny resident who had been living with Lyme disease for over 20 years. "She said Ann's symptoms sounded very like mine. So, we contacted Ann, and as a result, we sent a blood sample to Germany," Sara says. "It tested positive for Lyme disease, which is an infection caused by bacteria known as borrelia burgdorferi. With this, you can also get lots of co-infections, which means people can have different symptoms." Kerry Lawless, who has lived with Lyme disease for 12 years, and who volunteers at Tick Talk Ireland, confirms this disease is caused by borrelia bacteria, which is spread by ticks. "The bacteria is shaped like a corkscrew [called a spirochete] which enables it to burrow through body tissue, which most other bacteria wouldn't be able to penetrate." She says the first obvious sign may be a bullseye rash (outer and inner red circles) at the site of the bite. However, the rash only manifests in about half of affected patients. Chronic flu-like symptoms and fatigue are usually experienced soon after. If an infected tick bite is discovered early enough, antibiotics may prevent further problems. However, if Lyme disease goes undetected, it can get totally out of hand. Unfortunately, Sara ended up with full-blown Lyme disease. Following her diagnosis in 2014, she then travelled to Germany for treatment, expecting to be put on strong antibiotics; but they said she was already so sick, it would be too risky. "All I could do at that point was lie on the sofa all day long, wearing a tracksuit and several different tops while covered in blankets, and I was still cold. Meanwhile, my parents were roasting," she says. "With Lyme, if any bug is going around, you'll get it. Tummy bugs, flu, or whatever. For example, I got pneumonia, and that's quite common with Lyme." Sara's doctors in Germany recommended a number of special supplements. She kept a timetable on her wall to remind her to take certain things at particular times of the day. It was very much a case of trial and error. So, she kept trying different combinations until she began to feel better. By 2016, this protocol was working so well that Sara began to feel bored, which suggested her health was improving. So, she settled herself on the sofa with her laptop and started writing a story. "It was prompted by fantastic yarns told to us by a family friend, when we were children," she says. "One of them was about a tunnel that runs from a church to an old abbey. I based my story on that." That story turned into a recently published novel called The Tunnel. It was written for pre-teen children, and has two main characters who end up living in the same house, but 50 years apart. While the plot is steeped in mystery and intrigue, it does focus on personal achievement and the fact that life isn't always straightforward. It also touches briefly on Lyme disease. Sara believes she and many patients like her suffer lengthy periods of illness unnecessarily, because the test for Lyme disease in Ireland is unreliable. "It's based on the presence of antibodies," she says. "By the time I was tested, my immune system had already shut down, so I didn't have any antibodies. There is no truly accurate test for Lyme disease. But the German system uses various methods of testing, and that gives a more accurate result." Kerry Lawless agrees that testing here is not equal to the task. "The HSE says the two-tier testing model is accurate and can be relied on to diagnose Lyme disease. However, patient experience refutes this. Research has shown it has a 50pc accuracy rate at best," Kerry says. "Even the overly cautious UK guidelines acknowledge it is not definitive. Yet the HSE continues to insist the test is robust." Fortunately, Sara has fared somewhat better than many others living with Lyme disease, who have to battle this devastating illness for many years. Fortunately, she is now almost wholly recovered. Currently, she is in the midst of a business degree, while enjoying a totally justified sense of achievement, having recently published her novel. "I feel really good again," she says. "People with Lyme disease mustn't give up hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel." For more information on Lyme disease, contact Tick Talk Ireland, see ticktalkIreland.org The Tunnel by Sara Donohue costs 9.50. For a list of stockists, see authorsaradonohue.blogspot.com Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will come under increasing pressure to make an early decision about who will be Ireland's next EU Commissioner. There are growing signs in political circles that Mr Varadkar will offer the current incumbent, Phil Hogan, another five-year term in the job which, carrying a gross salary of 290,000 a year, is the biggest political plum job a Taoiseach has to offer. Mr Hogan became Agriculture Commissioner in autumn 2014 and his five-year term ends in November. But in a year of huge change in Brussels senior posts, EU leaders will have their first discussion on the issue at a summit in March and decisions on who will head the new Commission are due this summer. Many government TDs believe an early declaration would help secure another influential post for the Irish nominee as the EU enters its most challenging years since its foundation in 1957. Well-placed sources have said Mr Hogan is "very likely" to get the nod from Mr Varadkar for another term and he is known to be interested in continuing in Brussels. Renewal of the Confidence and Supply Agreement underpinning the Coalition means the Taoiseach will have the power to make the appointment. Tight parliamentary numbers also rule out the prospect of appointing a Fine Gael TD. Mr Hogan, who still carries a deal of influence within Fine Gael, was helpful to Mr Varadkar's successful party leadership bid in the summer of 2017. The Agriculture Commissioner has control of almost 40pc of the EU's annual 150bn budget. That gives him considerable political leverage in Brussels and across the other EU capitals and he is rated by independent observers as having done a very good job in Brussels and internationally. While there are 27 EU Commissioners, there are few jobs with real political clout. Mr Hogan could retain the agriculture portfolio, but others tip him for another influential post like trade commissioner along with the prospect of a vice-president's post. A spokesman for the Taoiseach praised Mr Hogan's work thus far, but suggested there will be no rush to make a decision on the appointment, for now at least. "The Taoiseach has often said Commissioner Hogan is doing a very fine job," the spokesman told the Irish Independent. Mr Hogan was not available for comment on the issue. Fine Gael TDs will today discuss how to navigate the introduction of a carbon tax without losing votes in upcoming local, European and general elections. As the Dail returns tomorrow, the party's TDs and senators will gather in Dublin today to hear how the Government will tackle Ireland's international reputation as "laggards" in introducing measures to tackle climate change. The party will hear reports from Environment Minister Richard Bruton, who is responsible for climate change response policies, and Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, whose sector is deemed responsible for a third of Irish carbon emissions. Mr Bruton has promised a report from all ministerial departments next month in an effort to frame an overall government response to the issue. Having faced huge criticism in October for failing to address the issue in this year's Budget, everyone accepts that action must be taken. But the issue dovetails neatly with the other agenda item at the day-long meetings: the local council and European Parliament elections due on May 24, and a general election likely next year. Party chairman Martin Heydon said the meeting will focus on Ireland's response to climate change. "The focus will be on measures to change people's behaviour - not raise revenue," Mr Heydon said. Fine Gael lost 110 council seats in the last local elections in 2014 and hopes to reverse that in May. The meeting will be addressed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Junior minister John Paul Phelan, who is director of local elections. There will also be a contribution from Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, named as director of organisation last month and likely to be director of elections for the general election in 2020. Handout photo taken from the Twitter page of @PSNIAirSupport of a support aircraft in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. Photo: @PSNIAirSupport/Twitter/PA Two men died in separate falls within an hour of each other yesterday in the Mourne Mountains in Co Down. Police Service of Northern Ireland Inspector Frances McCullough said: "Police received a request for assistance after a male was reported to have fallen while walking on Wee Binnian shortly before midday, and received a further request for assistance after a male was reported to have fallen while walking on Slieve Commedagh shortly before 1pm. "Police and other emergency services responded but unfortunately both men died at the scene." The officer said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious. Another man was injured in a third falling incident later yesterday. Ankle Inspector McCullough added: "A third male was also rescued from the mountains with a suspected broken ankle following a fall close to the Saddle at around 2.30pm." The Mourne Mountains are classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty and are popular with hill walkers. South Down MP Chris Hazzard expressed his condolences to the families of the two men. "The tragic news that two men died today while walking in the Mournes will have shocked the entire local community," said the Sinn Fein representative last night. "I'd like to commend Mountain Rescue and the emergency services who responded to today's incidents and who also rescued a third walker who got into difficulties elsewhere in the Mournes. "My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of those who tragically died in these incidents in the Mournes." A judge has rejected a HSE paramedics application to reverse his guilty plea to assaulting two female first aid students when he placed them in a choke hold six years ago. At Ennis Circuit Court on Monday, Judge Gerald Keys rejected the claim by Andrew Long (36) that he was put under undue pressure to plea guilty or that emotional reasoning was used to entice a plea of guilt. Judge Keys told Mr Long: I am fully satisfied that your guilty plea was an acknowledgement of your guilt having been fully advised by your solicitor and by your junior and senior counsel. Judges Keys stated: I believe that it was a carefully thought out decision made by you when at the time you were fully capable of making such a decision. In his judgement, Judge Keys told Mr Long: You have failed to show good and substantial reasons why this court should now allow change your plea from guilty to not guilty. It is now 10 months since Mr Long pleaded guilty to the offences and he was initially due to be sentenced last July when he first gave notice that he wanted to change his plea. Mr Long has remained on bail during that time and Mr Long will now be on bail for one year after Judge Keys said that sentencing in the case will take place on April 9th after ordering a Probation Report in the case. Judge Keys further remanded Mr Long on bail to that date and in the case Mr Long is facing a jail term up to five years after pleading guilty to the assault causing harm against Mary Nihill contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act. In the case, Mr Long of Carraig Dubh, Tobertaosceain, Ennis knocked mother of one, Mary Nihill out and rendered her unconscious with his choke hold and Ms Nihill was in court today for the day long application. Mr Longs second assault victim, mother of three, Elise McMahon from Broadford and she also attended the course the same night and was seven months pregnant at the time. In evidence, during the trial, Ms Nihill recalled how Mr Long knocked her out during an evening Civil Defence first aid class at the Vocational Education Centre in Scarriff in March 2013. Ms Nihill told the court that after the incident I was in shock. I thought I was in safe hands with a professional paramedic. He tried to knock me out - he did knock me out. She said: I was choking and slipping on the chair and telling him to stop. I wanted to go out, but I couldnt escape. Mr Longs second assault victim, Ms McMahon told the court that Mr Long put his arm wrapped around her neck from behind. She said: My airwaves were cut off. I was conscious, but literally I couldnt talk. I had no voice. It was the weirdest feeling. It scared me. The only way to stop was to push my body forward. At the hearing where Mr Long was seeking to change his plea last November, counsel for the State, Philip Rahn BL told him that he has told a mixture of plain nonsense, half-truths and lies in seeking to change his guilty plea to 'not guilty'. Mr Rahn told Mr Long: I have to suggest to you that you pleaded guilty because you are guilty. In response, Mr Long said: Im not guilty. Mr Rahn told him: You reached a point where the road had run out for you and you were advised how the trial had run. You pleaded guilty to try to avoid going into custody after a guilty verdict had been returned and you didnt want to take the risk. Mr Long told the court that he was ill at the thought of entering his guilty plea in court last March. Mr Long told the court last November: I thought i was going to vomit - that is why I paused (when pleading guilty)." Asked why he thought he was going to vomit, Mr Long said: At the thought of pleading guilty to something I didnt do. In an affidavit read out in court, Mr Long said that in the consultation room with his legal team prior to changing his plea to guilty, he said: My brain is Swiss cheese lads - you are asking me to go to jail for something I didnt do. Mr Long said that in the consultation room with his lawyers, he said: I was visibly frozen in fear and I remember getting pins and needles in my right shoulder and down my right upper arm. Mr Long claimed that he was put under a continuing and unrelenting barrage of duress to change his plea. Mr Longs claims of duress were fully denied by his former solicitor in the case, William Cahir who was in court on Monday for Judge Keyss judgement. Handout photo taken from the Twitter page of @PSNIAirSupport of a support aircraft in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. Photo: @PSNIAirSupport/Twitter/PA A former senior policeman was one of two men who lost their lives in separate accidents in the Mourne Mountains yesterday. The deaths took place on Slieve Commedagh and on Wee Binnian around midday, the PSNI said. One of the victims was named last night as former RUC Chief Superintendent Robbie Robinson, who had served as a District Commander in Co Down. The second man who died has been named locally as Sean Byrne, who is believed to be a father from Camlough in south Armagh. A third man was injured in an another incident in the mountains. PSNI Inspector Frances McCullough said: "Police received a request for assistance after a male was reported to have fallen while walking on Wee Binnian shortly before midday and received a further request for assistance after a male was reported to have fallen while walking on Slieve Commedagh shortly before 1pm. "Police and other emergency services responded, but unfortunately both men died at the scene. "A third male was also rescued from the mountains with a suspected broken ankle following a fall close to the Saddle at around 2.30pm." Both men died after falling from crags, according to the Mourne Mountain Rescue team, Rescue helicopter 116 flew from Dublin to help in the emergency operation, but because of the poor weather conditions was unable to assist. Twenty-one Mourne Mountain Rescue Team members were involved in the operation. Mr Robinson, who was in his 60s, lived in Banbridge with his wife and their son. Ulster Unionist councillor Ian Burns said he will be "sorely missed". "I knew Robbie very well," he said. "He lived in Banbridge with his wife Barbara and his family. "He was an absolute gentleman. He was always so pleasant, always with a smile on his face. "I would have met him every Sunday morning at church and he always had a wave and a smile for you, and many a morning we would have had a laugh together. "Robbie was always very active. "He would have been walking in the mountains quite a bit and would have been a keen cyclist. "He was very fit and very much an outdoor person. He was a big part of our church, Holy Trinity Church, Seapatrick. "He co-ordinated our church fete every year. "Our rector told us all of the news on Sunday night. "Everyone is in deep shock. People haven't had a chance to take it in," he continued. "Robbie was an absolute gentleman who was always smiling and had time for everyone. "We have a big church community, and everyone gets on so well with everyone, and Robbie was right at the heart of that. "He will be very badly missed by everyone who knew him. Former South Down SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said she had known Mr Robinson well while he was Down District Commander. "It's dreadful to hear of his death in such tragic circumstances," she said. "He was very well thought of, very jovial. It's very sad." Newry and Armagh Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy told the Armagh website that the news a Camlough man was one of those who had lost their lives in the Mournes had resulted in "utter shock throughout the close-knit community". Conditions on the mountains were described yesterday as "horrendous" by walkers who were on the slopes. Natalie Irwin (41) from Dromore told the Belfast Telegraph she, her daughter and a friend had to turn back from their walk on Slieve Binnian yesterday because of the weather. "We had just gone up for exercise, but the weather closed in on us really quickly," she said. "The wind was so strong it almost blew me off my feet. "We had to hide under rocks from the gusts. We knew we had to turn back. "We weren't as well equipped as we should have been, we just had gym gear on." Natalie was with daughter Holly and friend Andrea. "There were hundreds of people on Slieve Binnian alone, it was very busy," she said. "Some of them even had little children with them, others were running up the track, others running down. Visibility was very poor, and it got dark very suddenly around 1pm. "We had to run back because it was just so dangerous." Christopher Rogan was on the Mournes yesterday morning with friends Andrew McCullough and Keith and Svenja Gadd. He said weather conditions were worsening as the group descended. "We were there at 9am on Sunday morning and the fog was very heavy and rain was light," he said. "But as we reached a summit the conditions started to clear. "So we had lunch at the top of a mountain around 11am. "At that stage we could see clearly around us. "But then we started descending, and at around 12 noon the winds really started picking up. "At one stage the wind was so strong my friend was able to lean into it. "The winds really did pick up at that stage but there was still loads of people and families heading up as we were leaving." Public representatives offered their condolences to the families of the victims. Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said: "The tragic news that two men died today while walking in the Mournes will have shocked the entire local community. "My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of those who tragically died in these incidents in the Mournes today." Ulster Unionist Alan Lewis said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two men who have tragically died following separate incidents on the Mournes. "Traditionally the trails are busy at weekends with walkers and mountain enthusiasts flocking to enjoy the iconic and scenic scenery the Mournes has to offer. "Unfortunately today, what is a routine and enjoyable trip for many ended in absolute horror." Independent unionist councillor Henry Reilly said Newry, Mourne and Down Council should consider placing information signs on the mountains in the wake of the tragedy. "Everyone I have been speaking to this evening really are in shock at this tragic news," he said. "The weather conditions were extraordinarily mild yesterday but there were really strong wind gusts and I think that has what has caught people out on the mountain. "The severity of the winds at times yesterday would have literally blown you off your feet and that was on the lowlands, so up in the highlands you could multiply that several times. "The mountains can be a very, very dangerous place. "Our council has a policy of promoting the Mournes as a tourist venue and a walking destination. "We have people coming from all over Europe and the world to walk in the mountains. "Maybe we have to look at providing more information points and guidance for those walking up in the mountains, reminding people what they should do before they go up into the mountains and of the dangers of walking in the Mournes. A spike in meningitis cases leading to three deaths is causing concern and unease among many parents across the country. (stock picture) An Irish GP has called on the Government to fund a catch-up campaign for the meningitis B vaccine, after receiving an influx in calls about the jab this week. A spike in meningitis cases and three deaths have caused concern and unease among many parents across the country. The HSE recently announced that there have been 11 cases of meningococcal disease reported since the last week of 2018, more than double the five cases for the same time period last year. A public petition has gathered over 28,000 signatures to introduce a free catch-up campaign for the vaccine. At present, children born before October 2016 are not covered for a free MenB vaccine, which can cost between 300-450 privately for the doses needed. Speaking with Sean ORourke on RTE Radio One, Dr Yvonne Williams said her clinic in Co Clare had been inundated with calls for information since last week. Weve been inundated since last Wednesday with worried parents, with questions about meningitis and the meningitis fee, and trying to book their children in for those who havent been vaccinated, she said. The Shannon-based GP said that many parents cannot afford to pay the private fee for the vaccine, despite having concerns for their children from the recent rise in cases reported. We have had to tell parents the cost of the vaccine and unfortunately for some parents, they simply cant afford that, and they are very worried. It is a lifesaving vaccine, its free for children in the UK, and we think its something that the government should introduce. 90pc of meningitis cases are now caused by meningitis B. I have three children myself all born before the cut-off date, and it was something we decided as a family to prioritise. It's January and a time when parents dont have a lot of money left over after Christmas. Read More Parents are worried, they would love their children to have it, and I really do wish that the Government would reconsider their decision not to fund a catch-up campaign for children born after October 2016. According to Dr Williams, Ireland is nowhere near the uptake rate required to eradicate the B strain of the disease in the country. Looking at the uptake rates for the vaccine around Ireland at vaccines that are free, there is an issue with uptake. We need about 95pc or more children to get the vaccine or more to keep everybody safe, and were nowhere near those figures, she said. Tipperary-south was the only area in recent years that met that target, so there are children out there that can avail of a free vaccine and their parents arent availing of that. Following the news of three deaths, the HSE said of the three patients who died, two different meningococcal strain types were identified, none of which was MenB. Dr Williams said that cases of MenC, another strain of meningococcal disease, have fallen in recent years and that MenB is now the most common. We have a vaccine for meningitis C and the rates of that have fallen hugely in recent years since that vaccine was issued, meningitis B is now the most common strain, she said. There is a meningitis A and Y vaccine, and in the NHS, that vaccine for meningitis C and Y, the combination vaccine, is offered to all their teenagers when they start school and to students who attend for the first time. There are vaccines out there that cover more strains that arent yet available in Ireland, but I think if we could start by encouraging parents of that 25pc of children that havent had them, please get your children vaccinated for meningitis, its life-saving. Following the news of the three deaths last week, a spokesperson for the HSE said the rise in cases was a "concern" and urged people to look out for the symptoms. Dr Suzanne Cotter, Specialist in Public Health Medicine at the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said: "Although meningococcal disease incidence generally increases in the winter months, the recent increase is cause for concern and the HSE wishes to alert the public to the signs and symptoms of this disease so that immediate medical attention can be sought if someone has symptoms that could be caused by this bug. "If anyone has any concerns about meningitis they should ring their GP in the first instance. Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together and symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. "Early symptoms can include; fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps, fever with cold hands and feet and a rash, but do not wait for the rash to appear. "If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately. "Parents of children should also check that they are up-to-date regarding their childhood meningococcal vaccinations." Photo: Contributed It's a silent killer that is present in every building in the province. Radon gas is a tasteless, odourless radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium naturally present in the rock and soil. Outdoors, radon levels are low, but the gas can enter buildings through openings in the foundation, making indoor levels much higher, especially in basements and lower floors. Exposure to radon gas is known to cause lung cancer and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smoking Canadians. The only way to know if radon is present in a home is to test. Revelstoke Mayor Gary Sulz has become an advocate for testing after finding excessive amounts of the gas in his home. The Health Canada guideline is that remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling whenever the average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m3 in the normal occupancy area. Sulz's home tested at 4,500 Bq/m3. Sulz, who is also Revelstoke municipal director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, made a presentation to the board on the dangers of gas. "I'm like the poster child for radon testing," says Sulz, who was visibly emotional as he described how his father-in-law, who lived in that home for much of his life, died of lung cancer. In the year since the home was tested, Sulz has conducted mitigation measures including venting measures so the radon cannot build up inside the home. Tests now show the home as in the acceptable range. The costs associated with radon mitigation is similar to other home maintenance projects, like installing a furnace or air conditioner. "It was not invasive to have it done and the costs was not that expensive, especially when it comes to the safety of your family," says Sulz. "I would say, get it checked out." As part of the initiative to spread public awareness of radon a free public information session in Salmon Arm on tonight from 7-9 p.m. Residents can join the 100 Test Kit Challenge and receive a free radon test kit. The session will be held at Okanagan College, Room 130. Honour: Vicky Phelan speaks after receiving the Fitzgerald Bible Award at a ceremony in the JFK Memorial Centre in Bruff, Co Limerick. Photo: Keith Wiseman Campaigner Vicky Phelan has hit out at Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's response to the CervicalCheck scandal saying he is "all talk and no action". Ms Phelan said she did not believe Mr Varadkar thinks the controversy is "as important as it is" when every woman in the country has to have smear tests. She was awarded the Fitzgerald Bible Bruff Award for 2018 at the weekend - exactly one year after being given a terminal cancer diagnosis, having earlier received a false negative smear test result. Ms Phelan is credited with lifting the lid on the CervicalCheck scandal and received a standing ovation as she accepted the award at the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre in Bruff, Co Limerick, on Saturday night. The award is named after former US president John Fitzgerald Kennedy and is bestowed on those who inspire others to seek justice by taking responsibility for political or social action. Previous winners include Philomena Lee and Sr Stanislaus Kennedy. Speaking before she accepted the award, Ms Phelan praised Health Minister Simon Harris for his efforts to improve screening standards, but she was scathing in her assessment of Mr Varadkar's response to the crisis. Expand Close Vicky Phelan marked the first anniversary of her terminal cancer diagnosis with husband Jim and children Amelia (12) and Darragh (7). Photo: Fergal Phillips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Vicky Phelan marked the first anniversary of her terminal cancer diagnosis with husband Jim and children Amelia (12) and Darragh (7). Photo: Fergal Phillips "At least you know that there is a willingness there [with Mr Harris], where there isn't in other parts [of Government]. "I wouldn't have that same confidence in the Taoiseach, put it that way. He doesn't inspire me with confidence. "I think he is very much all talk and no action, and I just don't get [the] sense that he thinks this is as important as what it is really, when you consider half the population in the country are women, and every woman in this country has to have a smear," she said. On January 12 last year, Ms Phelan was given between six and 12 months to live with no hope of a cure for her cervical cancer. After declining a palliative treatment plan she discovered a so-called 'wonderdrug' Pembrolizumab (Pembro) through her own research. Since then she has successfully campaigned for the drug to be made available to all women diagnosed with cervical cancer. Speaking on Saturday night, on the first anniversary of her terminal diagnosis, the mother of two said her tumours had shrunk by 60pc - which she attributes to Pembro. Celebrating the milestone with her husband Jim, and their children Amelia (12) and Darragh (7), she punched the air and said: "I'm actually after outliving my prognosis." She said she was "humbled" to receive the award, adding her "wish for the new year is to improve outcomes for people with terminal illness". "That's not necessarily just cancer. But cancer, unfortunately, is the one that is killing everybody in this country. The numbers are really creeping up. We are now at one in three, it was one in four." Ms Phelan said she will continue to put pressure on the Government to achieve her aims in fighting for others in similar situations. In response to Ms Phelan's comments, a spokesman for Mr Varadkar said: "The Taoiseach has the highest regard for Vicky Phelan. "When they met last year he was impressed by her courage, and by her commitment to the CervicalCheck programme. "Her input and advice continues to guide the Government's response. "The Taoiseach, like Vicky, has said he wants something good to come out of this controversy. That means implementing the Scally Report in full and working to ensure that cervical cancer becomes a rare disease through the expansion of the HPV vaccine to boys, and improving screening by becoming one of the first countries in the world to bring in the new smear test." Bug: CPE lives in the gut and is dangerous if it gets into the blood Hospitals are to be given 20m a year to try to control a lethal superbug which is posing a growing threat for patients. The three-year plan is targeted at CPE, which is difficult to treat because it is resistant to so many antibiotics. CPE lives harmlessly in the gut but can be dangerous if it gets into the bloodstream - more than half of all patients who develop infections with CPE die directly or indirectly as a result. It poses a particular risk to people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. The bug was declared a public health emergency in October 2017 after cases grew to 433. About 5,000 former hospital patients had to be informed last year they have shared space with someone who carried a potentially deadly superbug. CPE was first reported here in 2009 and the numbers have increased in recent years. The three-year plan will consist of four specific actions, including more screening in hospitals and deficits in infection prevention and control. It also aims to improve infrastructure deficits that make it difficult for hospitals to isolate patients to prevent spread. Health Minister Simon Harris said: "CPE continues to be a significant threat to the Irish health system and if not contained will have significant implications for health care delivery." A recent inspection report from Hiqa blamed insufficient infection control and poor infrastructure for an outbreak of the infection involving 16 patients at Mercy Hospital in Cork. The poor infrastructure included a lack of single rooms with en-suite facilities. The hospital had stepped up screening and surveillance since, which Hiqa commended. The hospital said it wanted to assure the public the problem was being tackled. It plans to build 12 new single rooms. Scene of the fire in which 10 people lost their lives A Garda looks at flowers laid in memory of those who died in the Carrickmines fire tragedy Pictured: Some of the victims of the deadly Carrickmines fire An engineer who installed fire extinguishers on the halting site in which 10 people died in a blaze said he was shown three extinguishers after the tragedy and found them to be in perfect condition and said they had never been used. The inquest into the deaths of five adults and five children at the temporary halting site at Glenamuck, Carrickmines, Dublin, will hear from a family member who said the fire extinguishers did not work on the night of the tragedy. Expand Close Lisa Algan, representing the Connors family, arriving at the inquest into the deaths of 10 people at a halting site in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, in 2015. Pic: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lisa Algan, representing the Connors family, arriving at the inquest into the deaths of 10 people at a halting site in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, in 2015. Pic: Mark Condren However giving evidence at Dublin Coroners Court this afternoon, service engineer Michael ODriscoll said he was shown three extinguishers recovered by gardai from the site and all were in perfect condition. They had never been used. If they had been used the pressure gauge would have been reading in the red, he explained. Expand Close Thomas Connors and his wife Sylvia / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thomas Connors and his wife Sylvia He said a pin has to be removed from the extinguisher lever before it activates. The inquest was told that each of the four bays in the halting site had its own extinguisher. Expand Close Tara Gilbert and Willie Lynch / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tara Gilbert and Willie Lynch Family members of the victims are due to begin giving their evidence tomorrow morning. The blaze, which gardai believe was started by a chip pan, claimed the lives of Thomas Connors (28), his wife Sylvia (30), and their children Jim (5), Christy (3) and five-month-old Mary. Expand Close Tara and Willie's daughters Kelsey and Jodie died in Carrickmines fire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tara and Willie's daughters Kelsey and Jodie died in Carrickmines fire Also killed were Willie Lynch (25), his partner Tara Gilbert (27), who was pregnant, and her daughters Jodie (9) and Kelsey (4). Jimmy Lynch (39), a brother of Willie, also lost his life in the fire. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane told the inquest jury that Thomas and Syliva lived at the halting site. William, a brother of Sylvia, and Tara were visiting the site that night with her children. Jimmy, another brother of Sylvia, was also visiting the site on the night of the tragedy. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Scene of the fire in which 10 people lost their lives A Garda looks at flowers laid in memory of those who died in the Carrickmines fire tragedy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Scene of the fire in which 10 people lost their lives Harrowing photographs of the aftermath of the blaze were shown to the jury, including the charred remains of the portacabin where the fire started. Detective Inspector Martin Creighton said an electrical cooker was found to be the probable source of the fire. He said the blaze probably started due to a chip pan being left on a hot plate at full power. Meanwhile Conor Peoples, a senior staff officer at the Traveller Accommodation Unit at Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council told how the temporary halting site was extended to accommodate Thomas and Sylvia Connors and their family. He said the original plan had been for the familys cabin to be placed perpendicular to the Glenamuck Road, however it ended up being craned into a parallel position due to the fall of the site. It meant the Connors cabin was placed about a metre away from another portacabin. This second cabin also caught fire as the blaze spread from the Connors cabin on the night of the tragedy. Asked by Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane if there were regulations about distances between units, Mr Peoples said: My understanding now is the optimum distance was six metres. Niamh Foley, barrister for the Lynch family, put it to Mr Peoples that an expert commissioned by the gardai to carry out a report on the fire found there was no fire blankets, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. Mr Peoples said he was surprised to hear that as all these items had been supplied at the halting site and there were documents to show this. Brian Kennedy, a senior caretaker with the Traveller section of the council, said a fire extinguisher was put in the bay occupied by the Connors cabin and that a smoke alarm had been fitted inside the cabin. He said Thomas Connors insisted that his cabin be located in the position it was as he wanted to be able to see from his front door when his children walked to the toilet block at night. Electrical contractor Carl Fortune told the inquest this afternoon his company carried out a substantial refit of the electrics at the halting site in May 2015 and said they were 100pc safe after this. He said the fusebox inside Thomas Connors cabin was replaced and a smoke alarm was installed. In relation to the smoke alarm, he said: There were complaints of it going off so it was replaced with a heat detector. The inquest continues tomorrow. Court victory: Emma Mhic Mhathuna won a 7.5m settlement, but later died from her illness. Photo: Collins Courts Sixty-three High Court actions related to the cervical cancer screening programme have been initiated since the 2.5m settlement with Vicky Phelan last April. Court records reveal an explosion in the number of actions initiated against the HSE and screening laboratories since the settlement highlighted serious problems with the CervicalCheck programme eight months ago. More cases are expected to be filed in the coming months. The updated figures come just weeks after a senior member of the judiciary called for more judges to be appointed. Mr Justice Kevin Cross said the High Court personal injuries list had been swamped with complex cases, including those related to the CervicalCheck controversy. He warned that women suing over alleged screening failings or delayed diagnosis of cancer could die before their cases were heard. Despite the stark warning, there have been no signs the Government intends to appoint additional judges to the High Court. Ms Phelan, a Limerick mother-of-two, was diagnosed with cancer three years after 2011 smear test results were incorrectly reported as clear. Prior to her settlement, just eight High Court actions had been initiated against laboratories involved in the CervicalCheck programme. It later emerged that more than 200 women were not informed of an audit which revised their earlier, negative smear tests. The HSE is listed as a defendant in all 63 cases initiated since the Phelan settlement, while New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics is listed as a co-defendant in 42 of the actions. Another screening laboratory, MedLab Pathology in Dublin, is listed as a co-defendant in 27 actions. MedLab's sister firm Clinical Pathology Laboratories (CPL) is listed as a co-defendant in nine cases, while CPL's owners Sonic Healthcare are co-defendants in seven. The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, which also has a screening laboratory, is listed as a co-defendant in eight cases. The National Maternity Hospital is a co-defendant in six cases, while Tallaght Hospital is a co-defendant in one. A number of hospital consultants are also being sued. Solicitor Cian O'Carroll, who represented Ms Phelan, is acting for plaintiffs in 35 of the 63 cases. Although Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged last May that no woman caught up in the cervical cancer scandal would have to go to court to get compensation, a tribunal model suggested to the Government by a senior judge will still require women affected to prove negligence. A settlement of 7.5m was reached with the terminally ill Emma Mhic Mhathuna. She later died. A second case, involving another woman, was settled on a confidential basis. However, a third case, taken by Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul against the HSE, Quest Diagnostics and MedLab Pathology is still before the High Court. She is suing over the alleged misinterpretation of her cervical smears in 2009 and 2012. The HSE admitted it owed a duty of care to Ms Morrissey, but not to her husband. The laboratories deny all claims. The widow of a man killed in a traffic collision held up a photo of her husband in court and shouted that she wanted the man responsible for his death to see how young he had been. Michael Jones (25), a roofer from Whitestown Drive, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Hong Qing Qu at Blanchardstown Rd. South on November 17, 2015. The jury returned a guilty verdict on day nine of his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last December 19, after deliberating for just over two and a half hours. In her victim impact statement, which she read aloud in court, Mr Qu's widow said that her two children always ask her Where's Papa?. She said because they are too young to understand death she tells them that he is a hero. If the driver slowed down just a little bit, I wouldn't have lost my husband and my children wouldn't have lost their father, she revealed. She said that her husband's parents had not seen their son in ten years by the time they saw him lying dead in the hospital. She asked the court to picture an old man shouting and screaming at his son to wake up. She said she wanted justice and to let my children know that the law in Ireland is truthful and that the person who made the mistake has to take responsibility. After reading her statement she held up a photo of her husband to Jones and shouted that she wanted him to see how young Mr Qu had been at the time of his death. Sergeant Stephen Byrne told Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, that Mr Qu was driving home from work when his car was struck by an Audi A3 driven by Jones. Mr Qu sustained serious injuries and was brought to James Connolly Hospital in Dublin where he was pronounced dead. Sgt Byrne said that gardai were able to determine that Jones had driven through a red light and had been travelling between 115km/h and 137km/h at the point of collision. The speed limit of roads in the area was 60km/h, the court heard. Jones was taken from the scene by men who put him into a Volkswagen Passat and drove him to a hospital, where they left him lying on the ground. Jones gave a false name and said he had injured his leg in a fall. Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, said his client wished to express his remorse for his actions. Mr Dwyer submitted that this case fell in the medium range of offending and that a term of imprisonment of four or five years would be appropriate. Jones has no previous convictions. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned the matter for finalisation this Thursday, January 17. A public inquiry into the fitness to practice of a radiographer registered with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) has started after allegations of misconduct from a patient in the United Kingdom. Filipino national William Santos (43) is alleged to have made inappropriate comments to a woman - referred to as patient A to protect her anonymity - before later contacting her on social media in January 2016. The woman was attending an MRI scan of her bowel when the incident is alleged to have happened. During opening remarks from Eoghan OSullivan, legal counsel for CORU, who regulate health and social work professionals in Ireland, he described details of the complaint made. Mr Santos, who did not attend the meeting at CORUs Dublin office, is alleged to have told patient A: "Can I tell you a secret? I want to have sex with an English girl. If I had sex with an English girl, I would die". "He then sent patient A a private message on Facebook saying 'hi patient A I apologise for what happened today I hope you arent going to hate me,'" the inquiry heard. A number of witnesses gave evidence via video link during the first day of the inquiry including two detectives from Sussex Police Department who investigated the allegations DC Donna Powell said Mr Santos went on to say he felt the female patient was flirting with him as she was talking about her ex Filipino boyfriend during an interview. She added that he had denied having sex with an English girl would be his fantasy. Mr Santo also told police officers that the comments were made in gest and said patient A had made it clear that she was single and her ex-boyfriend was Filipino. Management at InHealth Ltd where Mr Santos worked when the complaint was made also gave evidence via video link to the inquiring committee. Cheryl Barton, who is a senior manager with the company, which provides diagnostic services such as cardiograms and MRI scans to the NHS, said Mr Santos repeated that he felt like she was flirting with me. In a transcript from the meeting with Ms Barton, Mr Santos told her; I think the incident happened for me to learn something. The three person committee, which includes a registered radiographer, adjourned and is set to resume this morning when a decision is to be made. It is not known whether Mr Santos worked in Ireland despite being registered with CORU. Following an inquiry by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom, Mr Santos was subsequently struck off. In his closing remarks yesterday, Mr OSullivan told the committee that the UK found Mr Santoss fitness to practise was impaired and that he failed to notify CORU of their findings despite being obliged under Irish legislation. The recent arson attacks on hotels earmarked to become direct provision centres have had a number of knock-on consequences. For one, the asylum seekers, who already live in a constant state of limbo, are further displaced. Many of those who could have taken up accommodation in Rooskey, Roscommon, and Moville, Donegal, are living in a hotel in Monaghan. There are currently 124 asylum seekers living in the 43-room Treacys Hotel in Carrickmacross. But unlike the fire-bombed hotels, the situation in Treacys Hotel is not a permanent fix. It's quite the opposite. The hotel, which is part of the Treacy Group, is providing emergency accommodation for those living in the direct provision system. The Department of Justice has a contract with private company Trenthall Limited which procures hotel rooms for the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA). However, the RIA does not have exclusive use of these rooms and they are generally booked on a nightly basis. Trenthall is run by former Monaghan County manager Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney. Treacys Hotel's contract is with Trenthall and it provides up to 35 rooms to the company when possible. Treacys Hotel is also a working resort which hosts weddings and other functions. This means when the hotel has other bookings all 124 residents pack up their belongings and are moved to another premises. This happened on at least two occasions last year when the hotel was booked for functions. And it will continue to happen in the future as the hotel plans to accept future bookings, as is its right. People representing the local asylum seekers complained about the situation in Monaghan. A Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland spokesperson said: "People are being imported and exported like goods for the kitchen. Read More "Some weekends they're faced with a different bed, reception and rules for collecting their food. "The Government has a responsibility to these people who are seeking international protection because the Government signed up to the UN Refugee Convention," he added. In response to queries, a Department of Justice spokesperson said: "In December 2018, RIA became aware after the event that residents were transported from Treacys Hotel in Carrickmacross to Wexford to facilitate an event in the hotel. "The hotel provider was contacted by RIA and told that this was not to happen again without consultation and if residents had to vacate the hotel on a short-term basis in the future, that suitable local alternatives would have to be found and agreed," he added. Mr McEnaney confirmed residents were brought to Hotel Rosslare in Wexford. However, hotel owner John Treacy said he was not aware of residents being brought to Wexford but said they were transferred to a three-star hotel in Ennis, Co Clare, which is also part of his family owned business. He said this happened on two occasions since October for one night each time. Mr McEnaney said he was not aware of people being brought to Ennis. Either way, the fact remains people living within the direct provision system were moved from the hotel they were staying for an evening to make way for a private function. Mr Treacy said his hotel was required to fulfil contracts he had with wedding parties and tour operators. "The unfortunate thing is when we decided to take the asylum seekers in we already had bookings in before we took them so we told them we didn't have availability on certain days because we had to be loyal to our previous bookings that are already booked in. "There was a wedding there, deposits were paid so what am I supposed to do - go tell a happy couple that are getting married 'I'm very sorry but I can't take your wedding because I've taken this group'," he added. Mr Treacy said he would continue to take bookings for weddings and tour groups. Treacys Hotel in Carrickmacross was officially opened by RTE star Francis Brennan in November 2017 . However, in September 2018 a sink hole appeared at the nearby Magheracloone GAA club. A second hole followed in December and resulted in a number road closures in the area. The sink holes were claimed to have been caused by supports collapsing in a local mineral mine. The news concerned tour operators who had groups booked into the hotel. "Unfortunately, the roads started to close. You could still get to the hotel but people started cancelling. Health and safety has to be the main priority of these travel groups so what could we do?" Mr Treacy said. Around this time, the hotel was asked if they would take in asylum seekers while permanent accommodation was being arranged by RIA. Mr Treacy said his company was "trying to help people out" and believes those staying in his hotel are happy with the conditions. "The people are happy, they are happy with the area ad they love the staff there." The country's direct provision system is accommodating 6,000 asylum seekers. This includes 227 people living in Cavan and Monaghan. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said the service was operating at "full capacity" and "authorities are stretched". "The issue of direct provision is a significant challenge and I accept the current regime is far from ideal" The Department of Justice spokesperson said: "New centres that were due to open in Moville and Rooskey have been delayed due to recent malicious events. These centres would have provided accommodation for 180 of the cohort currently in emergency accommodation." The final series of Game Of Thrones will come to UK and Ireland screens on April 15, it has been announced. The hotly-anticipated last outing of the epic fantasy drama series was confirmed by its American broadcaster HBO to air on April 14, and it will be broadcast in the UK at 2am the following day on Sky Atlantic. The hit adaptation of the novels of George RR Martin will also air on Now TV for the eighth and final series, which will have six episodes. The elaborate TV juggernaut returns to screens after a near two-year wait since the seventh series, and brings it to an end after dominating screens since it began in 2011. Game Of Thrones has become a super-brand of its own and has made stars of many of its cast members, including Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams and Lena Headey. They will all reprise their roles for the last outing when the main players fight for survival one last time. A new trailer for the drama was revealed, showing Harington, Turner and Williams walking down a dark corridor. Haringtons character Jon Snow is seemingly coming to terms with his true parentage, as a member of the Stark family, alongside Turner and Williams characters Sansa and Arya Stark. The moody trailer ended with an icy air flowing through the tunnel. Photo: Contributed Accolades are pouring in for SilverStar Mountain Resort. The North Okanagan ski hill has taken top honours with USA Today, British Columbia Magazine and Okanagan Life's 'Best of' Reader's Choice Awards. For an impressive seventh year in a row, Okanagan residents valley wide have voted SilverStar the No. 1 ski resort in the Valley in Okanagan Life Magazine. Additional 'Best of' honours for the resort in the magazine include Best Family Resort, Best Place to Get Married, Best Tourist Attraction, and Best Place for an Adrenaline Rush. USA Today also ranked the SilverStar/Sovereign Lake trail network in the Top Ten Cross-country Ski Destinations in North America, and most notably the only Canadian Resort to be named on the list. British Columbia Magazine also named SilverStar No. 1 on the Cool List of Top Places to XC Ski in BC. Business Insider ranked SilverStar Mountain the 9th least expensive resort to visit in North America. It's humbling to have people throughout the Okanagan, and across North America, continue to recognize us for the incredible village, terrain and conditions we offer to both Alpine and Nordic skiers from around the world. said Ian Jenkins, director of sales and marketing for the resort. Not everyone knows about us, but it usually only takes one visit to realize how special this place is and become a loyal guest." Director Josie Rourke has spoken about her decision to include a shot of menstrual blood in her new film about Mary Queen Of Scots. The outgoing artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse has made the leap to the big screen with the period drama about the Scottish queens rivalry with Elizabeth I, played by Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie respectively. The film features a rare depiction of menstruation, in a scene showing Marys blood as she is washing, shortly after her marriage to Henry Darnley, and Rourke said she hopes the scene will start to normalise images of this kind. Expand Close Director Josie Rourke, with stars Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie (Isabel Infantes/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Director Josie Rourke, with stars Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie (Isabel Infantes/PA) She told the Press Association: In America I was asked how difficult was it to shoot that menstrual blood scene? But it was probably the most straightforward scene that we shot because there were six women there and we all know what happens and we all know what to do. I think that its probably one of the few contexts in which I can say normalisation is a good thing, we just need to see that, because it happens to pretty much half of us at some point in our lives and that weve not shown it before is probably just a bit disappointing more than anything else. I would say about that scene that thats also about the intense focus of any renaissance court on what is going to happen with Marys body, whether or not shes going to procreate, whether shes going to have an heir, that is what Elizabeth is thinking about so it filters into the story, but lets just show this stuff so we can start to not be shamed. A story of two powerful women thatas more relevant than ever. Don't miss #MaryQueenofScots in cinemas next Friday. pic.twitter.com/E4f053Ro00 Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) January 12, 2019 Rourke said the film shows that little has changed with regards to how women in power are treated, adding: I think a lot of that, and this is a big part of the film, is to do with how much womens bodies, even when they are crowned heads of Europe or perhaps especially, dominate the conversation. She added: Do you remember when Andrea Leadsom (Leader of the House of Commons) came out and said that she was more qualified to lead because she had had a baby? Its still very present, I think. Rourke added that her storytelling has been particularly informed by the fact she is still greatly outnumbered by her male counterparts. She said: Because I am a woman and I am a woman who had tried to follow paths, even as a theatre director which you would think was a very inclusive and liberal place, that havent really been trodden by a lot of women before, you dont have a lot of other womens live to navigate by. I think that when that happens to you, naturally some of that flows into your work so Im almost trying to tell stories that reflect both my experience and my observation of what its like to be a woman in a male-dominated setting or an unusual setting, what that feels like. And its just not in a strong women are great way, this movie is about telling the whole range what that thing is, how difficult, how embarrassing, how hard, how confusing, how vulnerable that can make you, as well as the strength that is shown. A lot of people have said this feels like a very Me Too movie, now we made it largely before that sprung up through the US and I think actually what is happening is that we are just starting to look at stuff that has already existed, we are giving that bit more exposure, we have moved the camera and gone Shall we look over here? Its not a sudden outbreak of sexual misconduct, is it? Its been happening for a while, its just weve chosen to look at it. Mary Queen Of Scots is released in UK cinemas on January 18. Comedy duo Stan Laurel (1890 - 1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892 - 1957) perform the sketch 'A Spot Of Trouble' on stage during their tour of the UK, 25th February 1952. A comedy? A tragedy? Or perhaps simply a really beautiful love story? Stan & Ollie, a new film about comic legends Laurel and Hardy, details a vulnerability and devotion between two best friends that even made the movie's director cry when he first read the script. But despite the obvious love between the comedy duo, John C Reilly, who plays Oliver Hardy in the movie, wants people to stop using the word 'bromance' when describing loving relationships between two male friends. "I don't like that word 'bromance'," he tells the Sunday Independent. "It's a thing that people say to make friendship and love between men sound silly or it is as if it's in need of some special word." With co-star Steve Coogan, Reilly is sitting in Dublin's Olympia Theatre, where Laurel and Hardy once performed. He says: "Men can love each other. It's fine. It's not sexual if they love each other. It doesn't need to be called 'bromance'." On the moment in the film when Laurel tells Hardy he loves him, Coogan says: "I like that line because it's utterly free of ambiguity. There's nothing hidden. There are no agendas or ulterior meanings. It's just a straightforward, simple line about what he feels towards Oliver." Discussing the fact that Hardy broke a promise to his wife, Ida, to make his health a priority and never work as part of the double act again, Reilly adds: "He is saying, what can I do? I am helpless to this fact." Before the closing credits, an 'end card' describes how Laurel continued writing comedy material for years after Hardy died - despite the fact that none of it would ever be preformed. Director John S Baird says: "To me, that's love. Because the man was heart-broken." "It was like half of him had died," Coogan adds. Speaking about his own life-long lessons in relationships, the Alan Partridge star, who once famously dated Courtney Love, said: "I am not particularly a paragon of virtue in terms of love but what I do think is that, you know, it's the old Beatles song: Love is All You Need." Drawing on the work of influential psychologist Alfred Adler, Coogan adds: "At the end of his life - from all his experimenting with the human condition and human behaviour - he just came to the simple conclusion that people should be a bit nicer to each other, and that sounds simplistic but I think it would cure a lot of ills." "What it comes down to," says Reilly, "is that love is something you get if you risk heartbreak, and that vulnerability begets love. Expand Close Comedy duo Stan Laurel (1890 - 1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892 - 1957) perform the sketch 'A Spot Of Trouble' on stage during their tour of the UK, 25th February 1952. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Comedy duo Stan Laurel (1890 - 1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892 - 1957) perform the sketch 'A Spot Of Trouble' on stage during their tour of the UK, 25th February 1952. "If we are brave enough to fail in front of each other then that engenders that kind of trust - and from that trust you get this kind of chemistry and love and, yeah, that's a risky endeavour." Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy became Hollywood legends early in the 20th Century and remain the defining slapstick duo. Stan & Ollie sheds light on what happened after their career faltered and the pair set out to win back audiences with a 1953 tour of the UK and Ireland. We first see them at the height of their fame in 1937, preparing to shoot a dance routine for their latest movie, Way Out West. But unhappy with their lot, Stan is moaning to Ollie about their pay in comparison to other screen comedians such as Charlie Chaplin. He wants to end their contract at the studio, but an easy-going Ollie isn't convinced. Ollie stays, Stan leaves, but they can never reignite their on-screen magic as separate acts. By 1953 they are back together and find themselves washed-up in England, at the start of a largely unheralded UK tour. Thus begins the blame game and the fights, flanked by their two loyal wives, until love - and Hardy's quickly deteriorating health - make them see sense. Comic gold in parts, tragic in others, the warm-hearted biopic has proved a massive success with critics. The film has already picked up three Bafta nominations, and Reilly was nominated at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards for his performance. The movie has also been tipped ahead of this year's Oscar nominations. But neither actor is keen on winning over the other. As Reilly explains: "I have to say - any time someone singles out me over Steve or him over me, or gives one of us a nomination over the other, it makes me feel like you are missing the point." 'Stan and Ollie' is out in cinemas nationwide now. Christian Bale and Olivia Colman were among the British winners at the Critics Choice Awards (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Christian Bale and Olivia Colman were among the British winners at the Critics Choice Awards. The awards, handed out by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, honour the best in film and television each year and are considered an accurate indicator of the Oscars. Bale was the nights big winner, picking up both the best actor and best actor in a comedy prizes for his role in political biopic Vice. Bale underwent a drastic physical transformation to play controversial vice president Dick Cheney. Accepting the comedy prize, Bale said: I guess time sort of allows it to be considered a comedy, but its really a tragedy. A week earlier at the Golden Globes, Bale compared Cheney, who was instrumental in the USs foreign policy in the wake of 9/11, to Satan. Expand Close Christian Bale won the award for best actor in a comedy movie for Vice at the 24th annual Critics Choice Awards (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Christian Bale won the award for best actor in a comedy movie for Vice at the 24th annual Critics Choice Awards (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Bale won the overall best actor gong ahead of A Star Is Borns Bradley Cooper. Norwich-born Colman, fresh from her success at the Golden Globes, strengthened her Academy Awards credentials by picking up the best actress in a comedy prize, ahead of fellow British performer and Mary Poppins Returns star Emily Blunt. However, she lost out on the overall best actress award, which was a tie between Glenn Close for The Wife and Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born. Expand Close Claire Foy received the #SeeHer award for her contribution to women in film (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Claire Foy received the #SeeHer award for her contribution to women in film (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Roma, Alfonso Cuarons semi-biographical black-and-white film, was named best picture. It won ahead of Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, The Favourite, First Man, Green Book, If Beale Street Could Talk, Mary Poppins Returns, Roma, A Star Is Born and Vice. First Man star Foy, who was nominated for best supporting actress, delivered a powerful speech while accepting the #SeeHer award in recognition of her contribution to women in film. She said: I accept this award as an encouragement to myself to be brave enough to face and see myself, and by doing, hopefully, I can understand and see others, and ultimately I can help others to see themselves. Expand Close Glenn Close shared the Critics Choice Awards best actress prize with Lady Gaga (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Glenn Close shared the Critics Choice Awards best actress prize with Lady Gaga (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Viola Davis, who received the award in 2016, presented the honour to Foy, which represents the #SeeHer movement, aiming to accurately portray women and girls in film. Foy was beaten to best supporting actress by If Beale Street Could Talk star Regina King, who won in a category also containing Amy Adams, Nicole Kidman and The Favourite stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. Ben Whishaw added to the British winners list when he picked up the best supporting actor gong in a limited series or movie made for television. The actor was recognised for his role in A Very English Scandal, in which he stars opposite Hugh Grant. Thandie Newton won best supporting actress in a drama series for her role in Westworld while Matthew Rhys took home the male equivalent for The Americans. And the BBCs drama Killing Eve was also recognised, with star Sandra Oh named best actress in a drama series. Expand Close Ben Whishaw won the award for best supporting actor in a movie/miniseries for A Very English Scandal (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ben Whishaw won the award for best supporting actor in a movie/miniseries for A Very English Scandal (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) In her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to Liverpool-born co-star Jodie Comer. Lady Gaga paid a tearful tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star Bradley Cooper as she won best original song for Shallow, the hit song from the musical drama. She said: Ill never forget playing it for Bradley for the first time and seeing his face light up and then singing it live together, take after take. Cooper, who made his directorial debut on the movie, missed out on the best director gong, which instead went to Roma filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron. Green Book star Mahershala Ali added to his Golden Globes success from earlier this month by picking up the best supporting actor gong. Ali plays jazz musician Don Shirley and dedicated the prize to Green Books composer, Kris Bowers. Expand Close Sandra Oh won the award for best actress in a drama series for Killing Eve at the 24th annual Critics Choice Awards (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sandra Oh won the award for best actress in a drama series for Killing Eve at the 24th annual Critics Choice Awards (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) On stage, Ali said: I really appreciate you brother. British actor Richard E Grant was also nominated for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, as were Beautiful Boys Timothee Chalamet, BlacKkKlansmans Adam Driver, A Star Is Borns Sam Elliott and Michael B Jordan for Black Panther. The Favourite, which led the way in nominations with 14, won the best acting ensemble prize. Best original screenplay went to Paul Schrader for First Reformed while best adapted screenplay went to Barry Jenkins for If Beale Street Could Talk. Crazy Rich Asians won best comedy. Hoping for a hit: Idris Elba in the new Netflix comedy 'Turn Up Charlie', in which he plays a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor who reluctantly becomes a male nanny to his famous best friends wild child daughter. Netflix will release an earnings update this week. Photo: Nick Wall/Netflix/PA Wire All eyes will be on Westminster tomorrow when the House of Commons tries, for the second time, to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. It is expected the vote will be defeated. Mrs May postponed the vote last month, acknowledging she didn't have the numbers to win. ECB President Mario Draghi is due to address the European Parliament about the bank's annual report, which is out tomorrow. Citigroup, JP Morgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Netflix are among the international corporations releasing quarter-four 2018 earnings updates this week. Domestically, Tullow Oil will release a trading update on Wednesday, while on Thursday Associated British Foods announces a trading update. Elsewhere, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has a number of data releases this week, including the trade statistics in respect of October 2018 out today, the consumer price index for December 2018, which is released tomorrow, and goods exports and imports for November 2018, also out tomorrow. It will release the residential property price index for November on Wednesday, as well as the domestic and non-domestic building energy ratings in respect of quarter four for 2018, which are also out on Wednesday. Scandal: Cars stand in one of Volkswagen's twin towers at its Autostadt customer centre in Wolfsburg, Germany. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is considering recalling more Volkswagen cars due to its emissions scandal, the 'Bild am Sonntag' newspaper has reported. The KBA has opened an investigation into whether a software update for 1.2-litre engine cars, including the popular Polo, enabled them to cheat emissions tests, the newspaper said, without naming its sources. It said prosecutors were preparing charges against unnamed Volkswagen managers for suspected fraud, noting the company gave assurances in 2016 that the 1.2-litre engines did not use illegal emissions-cheating devices. VW has had to recall hundreds of thousands of cars since it admitted in 2015 to installing illegal software in engines to cheat US anti-pollution tests. Martin Wells has been appointed as the Managing Director of eir Business, joining from his role at Ibec Commercial Director. Taking up the new position in April, Martin will work with the current Interim Managing Director of eir Business Noel Donnelly over the coming months. At Ibec, Martin oversaw the work of the 37 trade associations and also had responsibility for member engagement, sales and marketing and corporate events. eir CEO Carolan Lennon said: "Since I became CEO my priority and ambition has been to provide the best mobile and broadband network services to homes and businesses across Ireland. "Martins deep knowledge of customer experience and transformation, together with our 1bn network investment plan, will help us deliver on that ambition for eir Business customers." Martin previously held a number of senior telecommunications roles at Vodafone including Commercial Operations Director, Customer Experience Director and Marketing Director. He holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Henley College and has undertaken post graduate education in IMD Lausanne, Said Business School and Imperial College London. Some 49pc of men receive a pension contribution, compared with 39pc for women. Stock photo: PA Women in the workforce get less in pension benefits and bonuses than men. But women are more inclined to take up flexible working than their male counterparts, according to a survey carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes for Aviva. The most common benefit provided to employees is a pension contribution. Almost half of employees report that their employer provides this. However, the survey exposes a gender divide when it comes to employee benefits, with men more inclined to seek and receive more financial extras than women. Some 49pc of men receive a pension contribution, compared with 39pc for women. Both men and women emerged as relatively financially savvy from the survey. This is because the majority favour long-term rewards such as pensions and health insurance compared with short-term money items, such as bonuses and travel subsidies. Karen Gallagher, of Aviva, said: "The findings support the widely held contention that women have fewer financial provisions then men, particularly when it comes to pensions." The survey also found that small numbers of employers pay health insurance contributions and even fewer pay for insurance that would pay out in the event of a staff member being unable to work due to a serious illness or an accident. Just 15pc of employers pay health insurance contributions, and only 4pc pay income protection premiums. Ms Gallagher said: "This is concerning, because less than half the workforce has private health insurance and far fewer have income protection, which leads us to believe that there is a high level of financial exposure when it comes to illness in Irish households." Aviva said the findings point to a growing trend where workers are looking for a greater degree of flexibility from employers when it comes to where and when they work. The survey found one-in- five millennials would choose flexible hours above other employment benefits. The mobile millennial workforce wants to work from home, or while travelling to and from work. Just 16pc of those over the age of 50 would choose flexible working hours. The survey found 45pc of employees said they benefited from a pension contribution. Other benefits provided to fewer employees include flexible hours, provided to 30pc of those surveyed, and an annual or performance bonus, which was provided to 24pc of employees. Around one in five workers has access to a canteen. I'd LIKE to introduce you to Mercy*. I met her recently at a party. Smiling and chatty, her bright personality didn't indicate the many hardships which prompted her to live here. The party's host explained a bit to me, and I had to know more. Mercy was gracious to answer my questions and share her story. Through it, I know we'll all find more ways to communicate gratitude to ourselves and - even more importantly - to others around us. Mercy was born in Abu Dhabi to Somalian parents who had been living and working there for many years before she was born. She described fond family memories of their time together. However, when Mercy was 21, her father lost his job and with it the opportunity to continue living in the UAE. She and her entire family were ordered back to Somalia. "I had never stepped foot in Somalia before being deported. I knew nothing about it," she recalled. "Immediately there were problems." The first was the fact that her dad deserted the family. "He just disappeared." Then, in part because Mercy was fluent in Arabic, she was forcibly recruited by a Islamic militant group, Al-Shabaab, to teach their radical religious beliefs to children. She told me her safety was constantly at risk if she disobeyed the gang's leaders, and tears filled her eyes as she remembered this harrowing time. "I was targeted because I was a young woman with no husband." After a few months of this, Mercy's mother, desperate to find a means of escape for her daughter, enlisted the help of an "agent". Mercy told me that at the time she had no understanding that the man was essentially a human smuggler - paid to move her illegally across borders. "Never in my wildest dreams, did I think I would come this far. I remember clearly that I was left at Dublin Airport with a European passport that wasn't mine and I didn't even know how to say, 'I came to seek asylum' or even what being a refugee meant." Mercy said, fortunately, the immigration officials were helpful. "They helped me understand the process." Now, several years after her arrival, Mercy has official legal status as a refugee and is living in direct provision. Mercy is grateful for sanctuary and a chance to make a new life for herself. She counts her mother as a hero. WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR? Here are some foundational building blocks to help you remember to communicate this better to yourself - and others. 1) BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LIFE We can all restart our gratitude barometers at this one. If you're alive, then a career, relationship, or some other opportunity still potentially awaits. Don't give up. While your business or professional situation may have taken a dip in the past quarter, just consider Mercy. Her situation took an unexpected and dramatic turn just four short years ago. And yet, here she is. Surviving. As long as you remain on this planet, there's still hope. 2) BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORTERS Who has your back? Is it a colleague, a relative, a supervisor? As often as appropriate, it is critical to not only be grateful for them, but to tell them so. Remind them of the difference they have made for you. Don't think that being professional means you're not allowed to be emotional. Since arriving in Ireland, Mercy says, "To my surprise, I have only met good people to date and my life has changed as a whole." Take some time and compose a message that details specifically how that person or group of people helped you. Strive to be meaningful with your words. 3) BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR DIFFICULTIES A quote often repeated is, "Everything happens for a reason." I have never bought into that. I think a lot of things just happen. It's how you respond to them that gives them reason. I can't imagine urging Mercy to be thankful for being shipped back to Somalia or for being coerced by Al-Shabaab. But when we manage to come through to the other side, many of us can at least appreciate having learned something. What crisis has hit you? Did you become more resilient, or gain empathy for others? For that, you may be thankful. 4) BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR STRENGTHS Mercy is tireless and determined. Her day starts at 5am to catch the first of two buses that transport her from her accommodation to her college classes. The journey takes two hours. Each way. What is it that keeps her going? "I want to find myself. To learn what makes me unique from others," Mercy says. "I'm really in a very early stage of finding out what I truly want to do and what I can become." Michelle Obama's book, which I read over the Christmas holiday, is titled Becoming. You have developed strengths, too. I'm betting you can develop even more as you discover what more you can become. Especially if you wrap your personal and professional development with a spirit of gratitude. * Names have been changed to protect identities In the verdant southern highlands of Ethiopia, coffee farmer Gafeto Gardo is thinking about calling time on an industry that has sustained families for generations. Over the past year, the amount Gafeto gets for a kilogram of coffee beans has fallen a third to 8 birr, or just 29 cents, reducing his income from a cappuccino sold in the West for $3 to $4 to under a cent. We are now losing hope. We are not reaping as much as we should and I am worried this will have a huge impact, said Gafeto, flanked by labourers laying coffee cherries on jute mats in the rolling hills of Ethiopias Shebedino district. Coffee is our life here. Unlike producers of commodities such as oil and natural gas, coffee farmers have long suffered from being at the wrong end of the value chain - receiving only a small fraction of the retail price of their crop. Now, a slump in global coffee prices to their lowest in nearly 13 years in September is raising questions about whether its worth growing beans at all in some of the traditional coffee heartlands of Central America, Colombia and Ethiopia. It is labour intensive and costly. They were struggling as things were before, let alone now prices have gone down. We fear they could abandon the crop en masse, said Desalegn Demissie, head of the Shebedino cooperative development office. But at the other end of the chain, coffee has never been hotter. Millennials in the West who grew up with Starbucks drink lots and have fuelled a proliferation of coffee shops and pricey innovations from cold brew to nitrogen coffee. The industry has also seen a wave of acquisitions as companies such as Nestle, JAB Holding and Coca-Cola spend billions to boost their market share. For struggling farmers, though, times are tough. Growers around the world have warned coffee company executives in the West of a growing social catastrophe, unless they can help to raise farmers incomes. In a letter last year to chief executives at companies such as Starbucks, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) and Nestle, a group representing growers in more than 30 countries said there was a risk farms would be abandoned, fuelling social and political unrest as well as more illegal migration. BUMPER BRAZIL CROP Some companies are responding. Starbucks, for example, has committed $20 million to help smallholders they do business with in Central America until coffee prices rise above their cost of production. For us that is an initial step, acknowledging we need to do something helpful in the near term in the countries that need it most, said Michelle Burns, head of coffee at Starbucks, which buys about 3 percent of the worlds coffee. The main factor behind the latest slide in prices was a bumper coffee crop in Brazil, by far the worlds biggest producer. The Brazilian harvest hit the price of arabica beans traded in New York at the ICE Futures U.S. Exchange. On Sept. 18, a kilogram of arabica fell to just 95.10 cents a lb, or $2.09 per kg, a level not seen since December 2005 and less than a third of the peak in 2011. Four months later, the price is still hovering around a dollar a lb. For Gafeto and the 4,500 other farmers in the cooperative he helped establish in Ethiopia, the fluctuations in financial markets in New York quickly feed through to prices at home. The internal market in Ethiopia is largely determined by daily auctions run by the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange but prices correlate closely with trends in global futures markets. One problem for Ethiopian farmers is that most of their coffee is exported in bulk as green, unroasted beans, with most of the processes that add the greatest value taking place afterwards in the countries that consume the coffee. There hasnt been a really significant change in how coffee has been transported, purchased or produced in many decades. It has always just been extracted from the country, said Rob Terenzi, co-founder of Vega Coffee in the United States. Ethiopia is landlocked so an exporter who buys coffee at auction will normally transport the commodity to neighbouring Djibouti where it is shipped onwards in containers. The main points of arrival in Europe include Hamburg and Bremen in Germany and Antwerp in Belgium. The beans will then be roasted, blended and packaged in Europe before being distributed to coffee shops and retail chains. While Ethiopia does produce some high-quality varieties, only a small proportion of its beans are sold as exclusive, specialty coffees from a specific location. It is used a lot for blending and just gets sold as branded coffee, either in supermarket brands or roaster brands, one coffee trader in Germany said. CHANGE THE RULES Ethical labels such as Fairtrade have sought to help farmers by guaranteeing a minimum price but companies such as Vega Coffee www.vegacoffee.com and Kaffee-Kooperative.de in Berlin believe a radical overhaul of the supply chain is needed. Fairtrade is good but it is just a better way in an unfair market system. You have to change the rules completely to make a difference to the farmers, said Xaver Kitzinger, co-founder of Kaffee-Kooperative. The German company has partnered with a cooperative in Rwanda to sell coffee which is not only grown in the East African country but also washed, roasted and packaged before being shipped to Europe. Vega Coffee has created similar partnerships, such as building a roasting centre in Nicaragua and training farmers in all aspects of the production process. What weve found is because farmers have been working with coffee for generations they are really good at creating a really perfect final product, Vegas Terenzi said. Roasted coffee has been getting more expensive over the last 10 to 15 years. But there is no back end justification for it. Farmers, overall, their wages have been declining, he said. Terenzi said farmers working with Vega could earn up to $11 per kilogram although that would be for a completely finished product which had been dried, selected, roasted, packaged - even up to putting the postage on the box. But there are obstacles to making the model mainstream, partly because big buyers often blend beans from many countries to ensure consistent quality, given that different crops can be affected by weather and other factors from year to year. A lot of good quality coffee is a blend from multiple origins, said Daniel Martz, who heads up sustainability practices at JDE. We have thousands of different recipes to produce the same quality and consistency. Industry sources also said the value of the crop must not only reflect its contribution to beverages in coffee shops but to supermarket coffee too, where the cost per cup is a tiny fraction of the price of a Starbucks latte. Fierce competition between large retailers has helped drive down prices and consumers often respond less to information about the provenance of the product in supermarket aisles than when soaking up the ambience of a coffee shop, said Chris Stemman, executive director of the British Coffee Associatihere. Swiss food giant Nestle said there needed to be a collective, constructive approach across the industry to improve the lot of farmers around the world. Addressing underlying issues to the current crisis is beyond the scope of any one companys actions, it said. The United States on Friday signaled it would not bow to the European Unions request to keep agriculture out of planned U.S.-EU trade talks, publishing negotiating objectives that seek comprehensive EU access for American farm products. The objectives, required by Congress under the fast-track trade negotiating authority law, seek to reduce or eliminate EU tariffs on U.S. farm products and break down non-tariff barriers, including on products developed through biotechnology, the U.S. Trade Representatives (USTR) office said. Agricultural issues were among the major sticking points in past negotiations for a major U.S.-EU trade deal, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), before talks were shelved after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington on Wednesday that the 28-country bloc could not negotiate on agriculture in a new, more limited set of negotiations expected to start this year. We have made very clear agriculture will not be included, Malmstrom told reporters after meeting Lighthizer, adding that the two sides had not yet agreed on the scope of the talks. Trump and EU president Jean-Claude Juncker agreed last July to re-launch negotiations to cut tariffs on industrial goods, including autos, and also discuss ways for Europe to buy more U.S. soybeans. Trump told Juncker that he would refrain from levying threatened 25-percent tariffs on EU-produced cars and auto parts, which he is considering imposing worldwide on national security grounds. Trump has long complained about Europes 10-percent import tariff on autos. The U.S. passenger car tariff is only 2.5 percent, although U.S. tariffs on pickup trucks and other commercial trucks are 25 percent. The U.S. negotiating wish list does not specifically mention autos, but pledges to seek duty-free market access for U.S. industrial goods that eliminate non-tariff barriers such as unnecessary differences in regulation. USTRs decision to push for a full-fledged trade negotiation on agricultural goods follows a hearing in December at which U.S. farm, food and beverage groups argued for their products to be included. Influential lawmakers such as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa farmer, have warned they might not support an EU deal that did not include agriculture. Now that the U.S. objectives have been published, the USTR may be ready to formally launch negotiations in as little as 30 days. But the EUs own negotiating mandates on industrial goods and regulatory cooperation need to be cleared by the European Commission, the blocs executive branch, and approved by member states, and it is unclear how long that process will take. The United States had a $151 billion goods deficit with the EU in 2017, despite two-way annual trade of about $1.1 billion. USTR also said it will seek commitments by Europe not to impose duties on any digital downloads of U.S. software, movies, music and other products nor any rules that restrict cross-border data flows or require data localization, USTR said. In an objective aimed at Europes efforts to tax products and services from U.S.-based internet giants, including Alphabet Incs Google, Facebook and Amazon.com, USTR said it would seek a guarantee that these products will not face government-sanctioned discrimination based on the nationality or territory in which the product is produced. Photo: Breaking Benjamin Facebook Breaking Benjamin is headlining Power 104s annual Powerball rock bash at the South Okanagan Events Centre this spring. The American rock band will be supported by Asking Alexandria, The Wild! and Diamante in Penticton on Saturday April 13, 2019. The show is a part of a 20-stop tour of the United States and Western Canada for Breaking Benjamin. The band has produced six studio albums, with their latest, EMBER, released in April at no. 3 on the Billboard Top 200. Asking Alexandria comes from the United Kingdom and has released five albums since formation in 2009. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 18, 10 a.m. for $52.50 & $62.50 plus fees. The incidence rate of TB in Cork has largely remained the same over the past number of years, but there is a significant difference between north and south of the county. Eoin Ryan, a vet with the Department of Agriculture told farmers at a recent ICMSA meeting that north Cork currently has a 5.79pc herd incidence of Tb, with 172 herds currently restricted. In south cork, the TB incidence rate is 2.77pc, with 82 herds currently restricted. There is only a very slight increase in incidence from the same time last year, he said. However, while the overall the level of incidence for Cork has remained vastly the same, the incidence rate in north Cork has got worse, while south cork has gotten significantly better, he said. The situation is as good as it has ever been but the herd incidence has significantly decreased over the years. However, it is still too high. The situation is not the same across the country. Theres substantial progress been made but I dont think anyone would say we should stop now." He also reminded farmers not to allow their families or themselves to drink unpasturised milk. We can only pick up 25pc of herds by through checks for TB in the slaughter house because it is not a full post mortem." Reactors that do not show lesions are in the early stages of Tb according to Eoin, as they are microscopic at this stage and subclinical disease. "I understand how farmers could be angry when they have a reactor, which shows no lesions, but this is good news. This means it has been caught early, before it has time to spread and the animal is coughing it up and spreading it to other animals. Only 30-40pc of reactors have lesions." How to Reduce TB risk on your Farm The vet advised farmers who are purchasing cattle to ask for the Tb history of the herd. A clear history, he said, will mean a lower risk of bringing TB onto the farm. For contract rearing, he advised that both parties ask about the herd TB history and for those rearing heifers he said the fewer source herds for heifers means the lower the risk. He also advised farmers to cull any inconclusives immediately and to cull older animals alive during previous breakdown. There is nothing worse than having inconclusive rotten with TB, because instead of just one theyll spread TB to the rest of your herd and it could be disastrous. It's much better to find the animal that to miss it because in another year it could spread to a lot more of your animals Whitbread, which owns the Premier Inn hotel chain, has purchased the Twilfit House development site in Dublin 1. The group intends to build a new 180-bedroom hotel on the site. Located close to OConnell Street, Temple Bar, Trinity College and other tourist attractions, the site is Whitbreads first freehold acquisition in Dublin. The group said it represented a "significant" step in Premier Inns expansion into Ireland as the business looks to fulfil a requirement for 2,000-2,500 bedrooms in Dublin. "Securing Twilfit House is an important landmark in Premier Inns expansion into Ireland and builds strong momentum to our acquisition drive in Dublin," Kevin Murray, head of acquisitions (North & Ireland) for Whitbread, said. "Being close to many major tourist attractions and great transport links makes Twilfit House an excellent location for a Premier Inn hotel and we expect it to trade very well on opening." The group is also "actively pursuing" other live freehold and leasehold opportunities, including potential office-to-hotel conversions and going concern purchases, as it seeks to expand in the capital. This is the second Premier Inn hotel to be secured in Dublin city centre after Whitbread confirmed last autumn it had secured planning permission for a 97-bedroom Premier Inn hotel on South Great Georges Street. In addition it has an existing 213-bedroom hotel at Dublin Airport. He came tantalisingly close to owning New York's world-famous Empire State Building back in the early 1980s. Now, more than 30 years later, Johnny Ronan is weighing up his chances of taking another bite of the Big Apple, the Sunday Independent can reveal. This time round, the developer's interest has been piqued by the arrival on the market of the celebrated art deco skyscraper, the Chrysler Building. "It's such an iconic property and Johnny is absolutely looking for the details from the selling agent," a source close to the businessman said following last Wednesday's news of the Manhattan landmark's sale. While Ronan's company, Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) is already involved in the delivery of 3bn worth of office projects in Dublin with its funding partners, Colony Capital, the acquisition of the Chrysler Building would propel the developer into an elite cohort of trophy asset-owning real estate tycoons. In a rare and wide-ranging interview in 2017 with the UK's commercial property bible, Property Week, Ronan described his failure to secure the ownership of the Empire State Building as the worst decision he had ever made in business. "Worst [decision]? Not buying the freehold [lease] of the Empire State Building in the early 1980s. We bid $500,000 less than the winning bid," he said. Expand Close Johnny Ronan, Ronan Group Real Estate. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Johnny Ronan, Ronan Group Real Estate. The sale of the Chrysler Building by its current owners, the Abu Dhabi-based investment fund Mubadala, and real estate firm, Tishman Speyer, is being handled by the CBRE Group's New York office. Abu Dhabi acquired its 90pc interest in the property through its sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) for $800m in 2008. The fund became a part of another of Abu Dhabi's investment arms, Mubadala Investment Co, following a merger last year. The Chrysler was the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1930. It held the title for just one year before being overtaken by the Empire State Building. Clerical abuse survivor Marie Collins has warned that complacency is gaining ground in the Irish church on child safeguarding with some Catholics arguing that the church is being targeted and the crisis is behind us. In her address to members of the catholic group, We Are Church Ireland in Dublin on Monday evening Ms Collins said, The Church has not acted proactively only reactively on child protection. She stressed that any improvement in safeguarding is not universal and that the Church globally still has a long way to go. You can be sure there is abuse of minors in every country where the Church has a presence as it is in every society. The survivor, who was abused by a Dublin priest while in hospital as a child, noted that in each country where survivors come forward for the first time and begin to speak out the Church reaction is a mirror image of what we were hearing here in Ireland thirty years ago. I spoke recently with someone from Poland where the crisis is just now breaking. There the bishops are saying it is enemies of the church behind it, it is an aggressive media with an anti-church agenda. All very familiar and an absolutely disgraceful attitude in 2019. Speaking ahead of the first global gathering of bishops called by Pope Francis for 21-24 February in Rome to discuss the worldwide scandal of abuse in the Church, she hit out at the sleeping mandarins in leadership in our Church who seem to feel if they turn a blind eye it will stay hidden and they will not have to deal with it. While they look away children are being hurt, she told the gathering of reform minded Catholics at the Mercy International Centre in Dublin. In a scathing assessment of the Vaticans curia, she said Clericalism is embedded in its fabric. It is inefficient, full of cumbersome bureaucracy, jealousies between departments which leads to lack of cooperation, those in leadership are often chosen because of their titles or contacts rather than their skills or expertise. She called for the strongest possible penalties for the perpetrators of child abuse and for anyone in church leadership who would protect perpetrators. She called on Pope Francis to make a clear statement at the February summit outlining what is the accountability process being used by the Church to hold bishops accountable if accused of negligence, protection of abusers or cover up. Who is investigating? Who are the judges? What are the penalties? she questioned and urged the Pontiff to commit to publishing the names of those found guilty of abuse. Other recommendations she made included a call for a clear definition of what constitutes sexual abuse of a minor and for the Vatican and the Church to commit to abiding by this definition in all cases. She warned that canon laws vagueness on a definition of sexual abuse often leads to a failure to secure a guilty verdict in cases where most people would see clearly abuse has occurred. She also recommended that the Church agree a clear definition of the term zero tolerance and commit to its implementation. Ms Collins, who resigned from the Vaticans Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2017 over curial resistance to the PCPMs recommendations, stressed that canon law on the abuse of vulnerable adults needed to be separated from the abuse of minors. The abuse of power leading to the sexual exploitation of young seminarians or any persons who are over 18 should not be confused with abuse of minors. The processes in dealing with the two issues should be completely separate, she said. For decades, possibly centuries even, politicians have deliberately turned their big set-piece speeches into miniature farces because it is in their interest to do so. In 2019, the key bits of any big speech are sent to the media the night before it is delivered. They appear on the front page of the newspapers, they are discussed on the breakfast TV and radio shows, all of which means that by the time the prime minister stands up and goes through the motions of reading out the words everyone has already read, the world has already moved on. They do this because by sending out their preferred quotations and nothing else, they get to control the message. They are likely to be guaranteed at least one morning of the coverage they want. If the media are made to wait to see the speech in full, like the rest of the world is, its likely they wont, to take one example, have a front page that reads, Stop the infighting and do your duty, May warns cabinet, as the Daily Mail did on 5 October 2017. But rather than focusing on that, instead, theyll lead on, say, the fact that she took a P45 from a prankster, then lost her voice for half an hour, and then the set fell apart. Occasionally however, this tactic can backfire with magnificent consequences. Sir Vince Cables party conference speech last year will be remembered for nothing more than the agonising wait for whether or not he really would say the words erotic spasm, the answer being that, no he would not, he would say the words exotic spresm instead. All of which brings us on to the latest mindbending chapter in the now fully auto-parodic Brexit story, which took place in a pottery factory in Stoke on Monday morning. We are now at the eleventh hour and roughly fifty-ninth minute of Theresa Mays attempts to save her Brexit deal before the vote finally takes place on Tuesday. For the last two and a half months, as the inevitability of its death has become overwhelming, she has singularly failed to come up with anything new to say about it. It delivers on the will of the British people. It respects the result of the referendum. Yadda, yadda, yadda. And so, in the pre-released material sent out to journalists on Sunday night, a seemingly original point was made. On the rare occasions when parliament puts a question to the British people directly we have always understood that their response carries a profound significance, it said she would say. When the people of Wales voted by a margin of 0.3 per cent, on a turnout of just over 50 per cent, to endorse the creation of the Welsh Assembly, that result was accepted by both sides and the popular legitimacy of that institution has never seriously been questioned. So it was unfortunate in the extreme that by the time she would come to deliver these words, a History MA student at Exeter University by the name of Joe Oliver had managed to look far enough into the Hansard website to reveal that, hang on, in 1997, after the referendum took place, a large number of Conservatives voted against the creation of the Welsh Assembly, and that one of them was, yes, thats right, the prime minister herself. Among the others, who these days earn their crust issuing veiled threats about the damage to democracy that will come from a second Brexit referendum, are Iain Duncan Smith, Bill Cash, Bernard Jenkin and, for sheer delight, Welsh national anthem mouther John Redwood. And then theres the question of the 2005 Conservative election manifesto, which promises a second referendum on devolution in Wales, and on which May, the MP for Maidenhead, stood and was successfully elected. This was, it should be made clear, Mays final roll of the dice, to command MPs to do as they were told. To warn them of the perils of defying democracy. And to do so she warned them not to do the very thing she did herself 22 years ago. All of which meant that by the time these words were to pass her lips, they had been gently tweaked to the following: When the people of Wales voted by a margin of 0.3 per cent, on a turnout of just over 50 per cent, to endorse the creation of the Welsh Assembly, that result was accepted by parliament. Indeed we have never had a referendum in the United Kingdom that we have not honoured the result of. No longer a blatant falsehood then, just a little shimmy of the rhetorical hips, so as to not be struck down by her own big lie. Mainly though, it was simply an embarrassment. Close students of Westminster matters might have noticed this supposedly killer Welsh Assembly referendum argument had a touch of deja vu about it. Indeed Sir Patrick McLoughlin made it at Prime Ministers Questions on 12 December. Back then, May called it a very important point. It may be that she decided then she would save it up for her own use later. And perhaps, if it had not come on a day when she might have been a touch distracted by the fact that her own MPs were voting on whether or not to remove her, she might have recalled her own actions back in 1997. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events For Sir Patrick McLoughlin, who was Tory party chairman right up until the point that the Tory party came to take a view on his performance in organising the 2017 election campaign, one imagines the wait for a thank you from the prime minister for this latest intervention is ongoing. Moments before she spoke, the European Union published a set of vague promises concerning the Irish backstop that represent Mays final push towards saving her deal. They stopped short of confirming, in writing, that the backstop would be time limited. Their reluctance, nay their refusal to do so, even though they know that if they did it might save their deal with the UK, tells you everything you need to know about how important they consider the potential permanence of the backstop to be. She had hoped the letters might bring the likes of the Democratic Unionist Party round to backing her deal. Instead they said it confirmed, and indeed entrenched, their opposition to it. Then, an hour later, one of her whips, a hitherto unknown man called Gareth Johnson, resigned, because he couldnt bring himself to whip his MPs to vote for something he himself wanted to vote against. These are mad, mad days. And the maddest phase of all hasnt even begun. Donald Trump wants you to think he is pressuring Iran with an iron fist. His secretary of state Mike Pompeo sounded bullish when he announced in Cairo last week that the goal was to expel every last Iranian boot from Syria, crushing the Iranian power that emerged from President Barack Obamas dire misjudgements. And reports on Sunday night claimed Trumps national security advisor John Bolton had asked the Pentagon to draw up options for military strikes against Iran last year, after two incidents in Iraq which were referred to as acts of war. However, the devil is always in the detail. Its not clear how serious those plans were, and certainly nothing came of them. And in the meantime, Trump has been making all his own misjudgements by withdrawing from Syria, and giving away all Americas cards for free. To understand Trumps strategy in the Middle East, look no further than Israel. Recommended US plan to host Iran conference in Poland angers authorities in Tehran When Pompeo was traveling around the region, trying to clear a path for the military drawdown, Bolton was doing the real business. He was in Israel reassuring Netanyahu, not on Israels security (as this is guaranteed by the US no matter what), but rather on Americas burgeoning new ties with its historical Arab foes. The US is using Iran to prompt Arab states to cement their new and ongoing normal relations with Israel. In May, Trump decided to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and re-impose fatal economic sanctions, with a stated goal to reduce Irans oil exports to zero. Everyone thought: Thats it, Iran is done! But it didnt take long for eight countries to receive waivers allowing them to carry on buying Irans sanctioned oil. Americas Middle East allies were left baffled. The waivers stopped an imminent hike in oil prices, which would have jeopardised Trumps economic narrative at home. That gave Iran some time, and allowed its hawkish leaders to mount a backlash. More importantly, those waivers showed that Trumps strategy is a show of power, an extortion based on maintaining cash flow and political position. Every time Trump appears to destroy the Obama legacy it rallies support with his base. No wonder Cairo was Pompeos first choice to announce Americas radical diversion from the policy Obama once revealed from the very same city. The message is loud and clear: America no longer cares for the Muslim word (as Obama tried to promote in his 2009 speech), but at the same time wont withdraw from the region. It is a paradox, but it is true that since Trumps inauguration, US influence in the region is on the wane. The Iraqi governments traumatic birth, after May elections in which Iran gained an upper hand, was a total American defeat. The war in Yemen continues, with the Stockholm Agreement left on the verge of collapse. The gulf dispute between Qatar and its neighbours is being left unresolved. Human rights have rarely been so low on a US administrations agenda. And in the midst of this , Trump wants to simply walk away from the US much-needed role in Syria. Russia will happily fill the gap, and that is not some off-the-cuff strategy. In the Middle East, Vladimir Putin reaps what Trump sows, even on the only serious American achievement in the region; the not-quite defeat of Isis. The two super powers dance round each other. Putin knows that Trumps only interest is Israel, and he has no problem with it as long as Russia can meddle in every other havoc-wreaking conflict in the region. Benjamin Netanyahus visit to Oman in October was a weighty statement that Washingtons focus is to bring Israel in from the cold. Pompeo claimed credit for that trip, as well as for the visit of an Israeli minister and judo team to the UAE last year. Qatar is piggybacking on a deal to transfer millions of humanitarian dollars to Hamas via Israel to cement its own relationship with the Israelis. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated, in a painful interview with 60Minutes this month, that his countrys cooperation with Israel is at its closest ever. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Although many in the Trump administration are hardcore believers that regime change is necessary in Iran, Trumps policy, in fact, seems closer to Obamas than any previous Republican president. He has said he would love to negotiate" with Tehran. The Iranians "are not ready yet, he said, but they will be." On Friday, Pompeo revealed that Arab foreign ministers will take part in a meeting in Poland next month to discuss tackling Irans influence. On Sunday, the Israeli media confirmed that Netanyahu (who is also the foreign minister) had received an invitation. Trump is doing what he can to nudge Israel into the same room with the Arabs. Obviously. In other words, Trump wants a soft exit from his Iran problem. For him, it was never about the Arab world and the Arabs interests; it has always been about the terms of the deal. He is not what you might call a hard Iranxiteer. The Arabs have long confronted Iran without openly pursuing cooperation with Israel, and for years that behind-closed-doors approach has worked for everyone. Trump, however, wants an arrangement where Israel has a place at the table. For him, it is not an alliance against Iran, it is an alliance with Israel. And it wont end there. If the Arab coalition with Israel holds, then in all likelihood it will be called on to do heavy lifting in Trumps so-called deal of the century. This latest bid to make meaningful progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was due to be unveiled but has been kicked down the road as the regions complications intervene. Q I have five days in Uzbekistan later this year. How should I divide my time to make the most of the country in such short order? Trevor C A The first good red tape news of the year was that Uzbekistan is abolishing the need for visas for stays of up to 30 days for tourists from dozens of countries, including the UK, from 1 February 2019. A mynah bird was discovered on board a flight from Singapore to the UK. The bird, native to southern Asia, was found around 12 hours into the Singapore Airlines flight to London, which usually takes 14 hours. The feathery passenger had good taste: it appeared in the business class cabin. A business class ticket from Singapore to London, departing tomorrow, costs S$5,969 (3,431). In a video posted on Facebook, the black bird is seen perched on top of a passengers headrest, unperturbed by the activity in the rest of the cabin. When a member of Singapore Airlines cabin crew tried to grab it, the black bird flew off. It's not clear how the bird managed to board the 6,736-mile flight. "It was subsequently caught by cabin crew with the assistance of some of the passengers," a Singapore Airlines spokesman told local newspaper The Straits Times. Recommended United Airlines bans emotional support puppies and kittens Upon landing at Heathrow, the bird was then handed over to animal quarantine authorities. Its not the first time that birds have been found trying to enter an aircraft cabin. Last month, 70 live finches were discovered stowed in a passengers hand luggage at New York JFK airport. Last January, a woman was barred from bringing her emotional support peacock, thought to be called Dexter, onboard a United Airlines flight. Airline passengers flying to, through or from Germany on Tuesday 15 January face chaos as security staff strike at key airports. In an unprecedented move, no passengers will be able to board flights at the nations main hub, Frankfurt, unless they arrive in transit. Lufthansa, which is based in Frankfurt, said: Due to a strike by the security staff at the airport, Lufthansa Group flights to and from Frankfurt will be considerably impaired. Security checks outside the transit area are not occupied. If you start your journey in Frankfurt, you will not be able to reach your flight during the entire strike period. "Lufthansa therefore asks you not to go to the airport. The Ver.di union says the strikes follow four unsuccessful rounds of negotiations with the security provider, BDLS, over pay. The union is seeking a minimum hourly wage of 20. The German airline has cancelled hundreds of flights ahead of the action, including links to and from Heathrow and Manchester. While much of the very profitable long-haul operation will still be operating, there are some long delays. The Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Nairobi is showing as running 10 hours late. The airports of Hannover, Bremen, Leipzig/Halle, Dresden, Erfurt and Hamburg will also be hit by the industrial action. Lufthansa said: Munich Airport is also affected by a strike, but this has only an indirect impact on passenger controls. However, cancellations and delays cannot be ruled out here either. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events British Airways has cancelled three of its nine outbound departures from Heathrow and London City to Frankfurt, but all the inbound flights from the German city. Planes will fly back empty. The airline said: We are offering affected customers the option of rebooking or claiming a refund. Ryanair has cancelled its round-trip between Stansted and Frankfurt. Negotiations are due to begin again on 23 January in Berlin. Photo: The Canadian Press Hugh Grant arrives at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. British actor Hugh Grant has a plea for the thief who broke into his car: Please return the script that was inside. Grant, who shot to fame in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" in 1994, tweeted about the break-in late Sunday night. He said that in "the unlikely chance that anyone knows who broke into my car tonight and stole my bag, please try and persuade them to at least return my script." There were, he added, many weeks' worth of "notes and ideas." It is not clear what script he was working on. He asked for the script to be sent to a film company in west London. Grant also expressed concern about the fate of his children's medical cards. Police did not immediately comment on the reported theft. Reports suggest that the Red Bull Racing charger will work as an observer on Saturday alongside the FIA's panel of FE stewards officiating in Marrakesh, with former F1 driver Vitantonio Liuzzi acting as the FIA drivers' steward in Morocco. "Max Verstappen will attend the Marrakesh E-Prix as a result of the stewards' decision at the 2018 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix", said a statement from the sport's governing body, the FIA. Verstappen, who has five Grand Prix victories to his name, was handed the penalty at Interlagos after a clash with Esteban Ocon, who was attempting to un-lap himself midway through the race. Backmarker Ocon collided with Verstappen in the closing stages of last year's penultimate race when the Red Bull driver was on course to win. "The Stewards understood from Max Verstappen that he was extremely upset by the incident on track during the race and accepted his explanation that it was not his original intent to strike Ocon, but that he was "triggered" and caused him to lose his temper". It is yet not clear how Verstappen will be required to serve the second day of his public service. Before the punishment was announced, Verstappen said he did not want to do anything that would make him "look like an idiot" because he felt "already very harshly treated". "So we'll find something suitable". Verstappen had said later that the community service would have to be "suitable". "I will probably be one of the last people in the world to try and buy the last barrels of oil", he joked. At least 15 people have been killed after a military cargo plane crashed in Iran. The army said a flight engineer survived and was taken to hospital, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. A fire engulfed the Boeing 707 immediately after it skidded off a runway and crashed into a wall separating the airfield from a residential neighbourhood in the town of Safadasht, reports said. State-run media showed the burnt-out tail of the plane surrounded by charred homes. The plane was heading for Payam International airport, about 25 miles west of Tehran, when it made an emergency landing at Fath airport nearby. The plane was making an emergency landing on the outskirts of Tehran (AFP/Getty) (HASAN SHIRVANI/AFP/Getty Images) A Boeing cargo 707 plane carrying meat from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan had an emergency landing at Fath airport today ... the flight engineer has been dispatched to the hospital, the army said. It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway. Authorities have yet to explain the reason for the crews decision to land there, though they said the crew had declared an emergency before landing. Fars said the plane crash-landed after mistaking the airport with another airfield because of the bad weather. 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 Seven bodies from the crash have been recovered, Iranian media reported. Irans air force said that the fate of the crew, including their possible martyrdom, is under investigation. Iranians often use the word martyrdom for those who die in war or national service, suggesting the aircraft may have belonged to the air force. The air force does operate Boeing 707s. The mayor of the city of Gdansk in Poland has been stabbed while on stage at a televised charity event. Pawel Adamowicz, 53, was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being attacked at around 8pm local time (7pm GMT) on Sunday. Polish President Andrzej Duda said he was informed that doctors succeeded in reanimating the heart of the seriously injured Mayor Pawel Adamowicz and there is hope, but his condition is very difficult. He added: Today I am unconditionally with him and his loved ones, just as I hope all of us compatriots are, said Mr Duda. I pray for his return to health and full strength. The stabbing was described as act of inexplicable barbarity by interior minister Joachim Brudzinski, who confirmed a suspect had been arrested. Recommended Poland shuts down 13 escape room sites after fire kills five teenagers Polish media reported that the attacker shouted from the stage that he had been wrongly imprisoned under the previous government, which was led by the mayors former party Civic Platform. European Council president Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister who co-founded Civil Platform and is from Gdansk, responded to the news by writing on Twitter: Lets all pray for Mayor Adamowicz. Pawel, we are with you. Mr Adamowicz has been mayor of Gdansk, a Baltic port city, since 1998. He was part of the democratic opposition born in that city under the leadership of Lech Walesa during the 1980s. While in office he has supported LGBT+ rights and tolerance for minorities and condemned vandalism of the citys synagogue. Poland's mayor of Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz speaks on stage moments before stabbing The fundraising event in Gdansk, known as the Grand Finale, was organised by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity to collect money for healthcare. It is believed the stabbing took place as crowds gathered in Gdansk for the traditional Lights to the Sky fireworks display. A man is held on the ground by security staff after the attack on the mayor of Gdansk during a charity event (AFP/Getty Images) Police said there was no evidence to suggest the attack was linked to the charity event itself. 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 head of the charity, Jerzy Oswiak, blamed what he described as an atmosphere of hate under the ruling Law and Justice party for the attack on the mayor. He later issued a statement calling for Poles to stay united. We must not create a divide or split this country in two, he said. No one has the right to say that there are two countries where there is one Poland. Poland is just like we are here today good, wonderful, amazing. Additional reporting by Associated Press Two French policemen have gone on trial accused of gang-raping a Canadian tourist at their headquarters in Paris. The officers are alleged to have attacked the woman after meeting her in a pub and inviting her for a late-night tour of 36 Quai des Orfevres, a famous address depicted in many films and novels. Both officers work for the elite BRI force, a unit of the French National Police that investigates gangs and serious crime. The woman, aged in her 30s, met a group of officers at an Irish pub across the street from the police headquarters on the night of the alleged attack in April 2014. After several drinks, the officers are said to have invited the woman to look around their workplace. "I've seen so many films about the place and I was fascinated about it," she said in a November 2017 interview with France 3 TV. 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 While in the police building, the officers are alleged to have tried to ply the woman with whisky before raping her repeatedly. They smashed my face against the desk," she said. "I was stunned, I was seeing stars. I couldn't see anything for a while. Three officers were arrested after the woman filed a rape complaint, but only two have faced charges. Judges initially threw out the case but the Paris prosecutor and the alleged victim won their appeal to have it brought to a trial, which starts on Monday. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The officers, both aged in their late 40s, face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. One of the pair claims he had consensual sex with the woman. The other initially denied any sexual activity before saying there had been reciprocal touching. The officers DNA was found on the womans underwear along with that of an unknown person. The third suspect has not been found despite a major operation in which DNA samples were taken from hundreds of officers. At least two people have reportedly been killed in what appears to be another crackdown on gay men and women in Chechnya. The news comes nearly two years after reports first emerged of mass arrests and torture in the Islamic republic on Russias southern border. Then, over two months in early 2017, at least three people were killed and nearly 200 people tortured, with many still missing. In a video address published on Monday, Igor Kochetkov, head of the Russian LGBT Network, said at least another 40 people have been arrested and tortured in the latest wave. Two of them did not survive the torture, he said. While arbitrary arrests and torture have continued at a lower level since early 2017, it is understood the new reports mark a major new chapter in the affair. 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 According to Mr Kochetkov, the latest arrests followed the 29 December detention of an administrator of an LGBT+ social media group. That arrest led to a large database of names and contact details falling into the hands of authorities, he told The Independent. The majority of the arrested were taken to a detention centre in Argun, a semi-legal facility that achieved notoriety during the last wave of arrests. They were tortured, forced to sign blank witness statements, and threatened with fabricated criminal prosecutions. Some have since been released to their families, Mr Kochetkov said, but only with the expectation of further punishment. The regions irascible leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who is tolerated and supported by the Kremlin in exchange for security guarantees, has denied issuing an order for the 2017 crackdown. But on several occasions he has also made it clear that Chechnya remains hostile to gay men and women. Mr Kochetkov said it was unfathomable Mr Kadyrov and leading members of his security apparatus did not play a direct role in the latest events. They were only possible because of the Kadyrov regime and its policy of cleansing Chechen blood from what it sees as harmful elements, he said. But the greater responsibility lies on [Moscows] shoulders. They failed to properly investigate the crimes of 2017, and any investigations they allowed were of a formal nature intent on covering up tracks. Human Rights Watch report confirms 'gruesome' extent of gay persecution in Chechnya For a long time, Moscow authorities said they could not investigate the allegations, since no witness had come forward. With the taboo nature of homosexuality in Chechnya, and the risk of honour killings, this was hardly surprising, and few expected the situation to change. But in October 2017, one man, a Russian national who had been working in Chechnya, stepped forward. In an emotional press conference, 30-year-old Maxim Lapunov recounted the terror of his own 12-day incarceration in March 2017. He described the howling, torture and blood-soaked cellars of the Argun detention centre. I was sure they were going to kill me, he told journalists. I was preparing for that. But Mr Lapunovs revelations did not lead to an investigation in any real sense. After hitting a brick wall, he took his case to the European Court of Human Rights. He has since been evacuated out of Russia on safety grounds. In December the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe published a long-awaited report documenting wide scale rights violations in Chechnya. Condemning the extrajudicial arrests, torture and killing of LGBT+ people, it opened up the possibility of future prosecutions in the International Criminal Court. Hundreds protest at Russian embassy over 'gay concentration camps' in Chechnya In the absence of any real intervention from Moscow, Mr Kochetkovs Russian LGBT Network remains the front line of efforts to protect at-risk Chechens. Working in difficult conditions, the group provides psychological support and organises evacuation to safer Russian regions and, on occasion, abroad. On Thursday, the network issued a warning for all gay men and women to flee the region, and The Independent understands several have taken up the opportunity. But leaving is not always a straightforward choice, said Ekaterina Sokrianskaia, director of the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Centre. Merkel raises concerns with Putin over Chechnya 'torture' of gay men Complicated family relations create desperate conditions for LGBT+ Chechens. On the one hand, they face the risk of honour punishments from relatives. Authorities have been particularly effective in using this as a way of outsourcing their own violence. On another hand, Chechens understand attempts to flee the region may have knock-on effects for their family. The principle of collective responsibility has been applied very broadly in Chechnya for years, said Ms Sokrianskaia. They know that if they flee, their brothers, cousins, fathers and sometimes even women in the family could be subjected to this horror. And many decide to bear the responsibility themselves. Leaving the region is not always an escape from punishment. Authorities have also been known to place fleeing gay men and women on Interpol wanted lists falsely claiming they had returned from fighting in Syria. "As soon as the word Syria appears on computer screens, migration authorities are never interested in the detail of what happened, she says. They simply deport. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Many are understandably afraid to entertain such risks, and become so paralysed they are unable to devise survivor strategies to get out. To coin a Russian phrase, it is like rabbits looking at a boa constrictor, says Sokrianskskaia. A 22-year-old man has been jailed for the gleeful and sadistic torture and killing of a kangaroo in Australia. Dylan Leslie Griffin pleaded guilty to punching the animal with knuckledusters before shooting it in the eye. He was sentenced to 11 months in prison. He is the third man to be sentenced in the shocking case. After the judgement was handed down, violence broke out outside Joondalup Magistrates Court, Perth. Men identified as supporters of Griffin attacked camera crews, verbally abusing them and punching the lenses of cameras before being restrained. Griffins defence team said he had grown up in an outlawed motorcycle gang in Victoria, and had been grieving the deaths of his uncle and a close friend at the time of the attack on the kangaroo, and may have been suffering from depression. Magistrate Gregory Benn said this did not explain the animal cruelty, and dismissed the claim Griffin had shot the animal in the eye as a means of putting it out of its misery, local news outlet communitynews.au reported. (Western Australia Police Force ) (Western Australia Police Force) The prosecution said Griffin had not shown any remorse and had not cooperated with police despite turning himself in after a video of the attack was widely shared on social media. The gun and knuckledusters have never been recovered. 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 Griffins lawyer said he had been at home drinking beer and taking acid and cocaine, and had not intended to go out that night. They said while he was peer pressured to attend a boys night out, the kangaroo shooting had not been a planned event. But the prosecution said the group was going for a shoot and Griffin knew what they were doing. Magistrate Benn said he understood the cruelty to be a kind of rite of passage for the motorcycle gang, as disgusting at that sounds, the ABC reports. He said the attack was not just friends out shooting, but was directly related to motorcycle gang culture. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A fourth man is due in court in connection with the kangaroos death in July. A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian man to death for drug smuggling, amid growing tensions between the countries over Canadas detention of a Huawei executive. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg had originally been given a 15-year sentence after being found guilty in November, but prosecutors have now said the sentence was too lenient. Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court in the northeast province of Liaoning retried Mr Schellenberg and handed down the death penalty, the court said in a brief statement on its website. The case is likely to inflame relations between Beijing and Ottawa, which have been tense since Canadas arrest of a Chinese executive at the request of the United States in December. This was followed by Chinas detention of two Canadian citizens on suspicion of endangering state security. The court said Mr Schellenberg has the right to appeal his sentence. Mr Schellenberg was first arrested by Chinese authorities in 2014, in a case which went largely unnoticed by western media. But the retrial comes amid a deepening diplomatic row over Canadas arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested at Vancouver airport on 1 December 2018 at the request of US authorities. America wants Ms Meng, the daughter of Huaweis founder, extradited to face fraud charges. She is accused of using a subsidiary company to circumvent sanctions against Iran. It has been suggested Beijing is attempting to use Mr Schellenbergs case as a bargaining chip with Canada in an effort to increase the pressure on the Canadian authorities. 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 Beijing has expressed dismay at Ms Mengs arrest and has warned Canada of severe consequences if she is not repatriated. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events China has also detained two other Canadians who are reportedly suspected of national security crimes. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdraws duty-free trading access over human rights concerns. The EU began a formal procedure to strip Cambodia of its Everything but Arms (EBA) status in November, after Hun Sen returned to power in a July general election in which his party won all of the seats after a crackdown on the opposition. If you want the opposition dead, just cut it, Hun Sen said in a speech at the inauguration of a ring road around the capital, Phnom Penh, addressing the European Union and referring to Cambodia's EBA status. If you want the opposition alive, don't do it and come and hold talks together, he said. EBA is an initiative aimed at helping poorer countries. It can be withdrawn in the case of serious violations of human rights conventions. Brussels threatened to withdraw the trade preferences because of a crackdown on the opposition ahead of the July election, which it condemned as not being credible. Hun Sen, 66, who also marked 34th year of his premiership on Monday, said that he would not forgive those who had appealed to Western countries to cut aid to press his government, and said critics should get ready to flee abroad. People are prepared to flee, be prepared, Hun Sen said. I won't forgive them. Cambodia's Supreme Court dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and banned 118 party members in 2017 at the request of the government after accusations that the party was plotting to take power with the help of the United States. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Both the CNRP and Washington have rejected the existence of any such plot. CNRP leader Kem Sokha was released from prison in September after spending more than a year in jail on treason charges but remains under house arrest in Phnom Penh. 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 He denies any wrongdoing. Other senior party members have left the country, in fear of arrest. EU countries took about 40 percent of Cambodia's exports in 2016, the bulk from the garment sector that employs about 700,000 people. EU Ambassador George Edgar and the CNRP did not immediately responded to requests for comments on Monday. Reuters Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general will tell Senators at his confirmation hearing it is vitally important that Special Counsel Robert Mueller be allowed to complete his Russia investigation. William Barr is scheduled to face questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, which will include his views on the special counsels probe into Russian election medlling and potential coordination between Moscow and the presidents 2016 campaign. Mr Barr will say he has known Mr Mueller for decades, respects him and believes he should be allowed to complete his work, according to the transcript. Democrats have raised concerns about comments Mr Barr has made about the seemingly intensifying probe, including an unsolicited memo he sent the Justice Department last year criticising the special counsels inquiry into whether Mr Trump sought to obstruct justice. A controversial choice to lead the Justice Department, Mr Barr appears to hold many of the same views as his predecessor in the role, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, particularly when it comes to immigration. Recommended Trump nominates Barr as Attorney General and Nauert for UN role Mr Barr will also tell senators he believes the department should continue to prioritise immigration enforcement and the government must be able to hold and remove people who illegally enter the US, the transcript revealed. He will reportedly say the Justice Department cannot allow people to flout Americas legal system by crashing in through the back door. 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 His comments on the Russia investigation may come as a slight relief to Democrats, after Mr Trump has complained that his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, did not protect him from the investigation. Legislatorshad demanded assurances that Mr Barr will be impartial and allow Mr Muellers investigation to continue. The latest nominee will tell the Senators Tuesday that Mr Trump did not seek any assurances or promises over the investigation before nominating him, according to the transcript. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Barr says the president sought no assurances, promises, or commitments from me of any kind, either express or implied, and I have not given him any, other than a promise to run the department with integrity. Additional reporting by AP White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway has said that Donald Trump did not destroy any notes from a meeting with Vladimir Putin and that leaks may have led the president to be secretive about his talks with the Russian leader. A recent report from The Washington Post have alleged that Mr Trump went to extraordinary lengths to conceal his discussions with Mr Putin, including reportedly taking the notes from his interpreter after a meeting with the Russian leader in 2017. Ms Conway told reporters that the president is transparent, and that the level of "leaks" during the administration would have justified a heightened sense of concern that his talks with Mr Putin would get into the public domain. The president at that time in 2017 was suffering from a great number of leaks, as you remember, Ms Conway said on Monday morning outside the White House. I think, week one or two of being here, his calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia had leaked. He had an oval office meeting in May of 2017, the contents of that leaked. And so there was great concern at the time. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff the House Intelligence Committee chairman has floated the idea of subpoenaing those notes. But, Ms Conway said when asked that nothing was destroyed. Nobody said he destroyed these notes. This president has had one on one meetings with many different leaders as you know. Hes very transparent to you, as you know, Ms Conway said. I havent discussed this with him, but we were very concerned about were always concerned about leaks obviously, she added. Thats what I know about it. US officials have indicated that Mr Trumps reported concern about the contents of his meeting getting leaked have created an unusual situation for an American president, with as many as five face-to-face meetings between Mr Trump and Mr Putin lacking a physical record. 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 president was, however, reportedly joined by then-Secretary of State Rex TIllerson during the 2017 meeting. It is not clear that Mr Tillerson kept notes on the meeting. While speaking with reporters on Monday, Mr Trump said that he did not know anything about The Washington Posts report on the notes from his 2017 meeting with Mr Putin. Its a lot of fake news. That was a very good meeting; it was actually a very successful meeting, he said, adding that they discussed several subjects including Israel and the natural gas pipeline in Germany that Russia is funding. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The news comes amid another report from The New York Times claimg that the FBI opened up an investigation to determine whether Mr Trump was working on behalf of Russia after he fired former FBI Director James Comey in 2017. On Sunday, Mr Trump called the suggestion insulting during an interview on Fox News, but did not explicitly deny being an agent of Russia. He clarified on Monday morning when speaking to reporters outside of the White House: I never worked for Russia. Democrats are looking to subpoena the interpreter present at the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, after it was reported the US president took their notes and told them not reveal the contents of the conversation. Mr Trump was obliged to tell the media he never worked for Russia, following separate reports over the weekend one saying the FBI had opened a probe into whether the US was a Russian asset after he fired James Comey, and a second saying he went to extraordinary lengths to conceal the details of his conversation with the Russian leader. In the second report, The Washington Post, said such was Mr Trumps determination to limit who knew what he said to the Russian leader, he took the notes of his own interpreter and told the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other administration officials. Over the weekend, he dismissed the report as ridiculous, telling Fox News. I had a conversation like every president does. You sit with the president of various countriesWe were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things Im not keeping anything under wraps, I couldnt care less. I mean, its so ridiculous. He added: Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs. On Monday, amid reports the White House was concerned the president had not been sufficiently forceful in his denial of being a Russian agent one of the many bizarre moments that historians of this presidency will likely study Mr Trump doubled down in front of the cameras as he left Washington to fly to Louisiana and address farmers. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Not only did I never work for Russia, I think its a disgrace that you even asked that question because its a whole big fat hoax, he said. But Democrats, newly empowered with their control of the House of the Representatives, and smelling blood over Russia, seized on the issue, saying two congressional committees were considering issuing a subpoena to Mr Trumps interpreter, Marina Gross, a state department employee, to testify about what was discussed with Mr Putin. Democratic congressman Eliot Engel told CNN: I would prefer not to do that. We have to see what we can find out. We may have no choice. 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 He said he would rather that Ms Gross, said to have been the only other person in the room when Mr Trump spoke to Mr Putin in Helsinki in the summer of 2018. He also had a private conversation with the Russian leader on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Hamburg in July 2017. Its been several months since Helsinki and we still dont know what went on in that meeting, Mr Engel told the Post. Its appalling. It just makes you want to scratch your head. Mr Engel said the House foreign affairs committee, that he now chairs, was working with the intelligence committee to discuss a possible subpoena of the interpreter. Republicans and White House officials have defended Mr Trumps actions, saying he had been the victim of a number of leaks. US intelligence agencies have concluded Moscow led a propaganda and hacking campaign designed to tip the 2016 White House race to Trump. Russia has denied interfering. Photo: CTV News The Russian republic of Chechnya has launched a new crackdown on gays in which at least two people have died and about 40 people have been detained, LGBT activists in Russia charged Monday. The new allegations come after reports in 2017 of more than 100 gay men arrested and subjected to torture, and some of them killed, in the predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia. The Associated Press and other media outlets have interviewed some of the victims, who spoke about torture at the hands of Chechen law enforcement officers. Chechen authorities have denied those accusations, and federal authorities conducted a probe into the earlier reports but said they found nothing to support the charges. Alvi Karimov, a spokesman for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, told the Interfax news agency on Monday that the latest reports are "complete lies and don't have an ounce of truth in them." Karimov insisted that no one has been detained in Chechnya on suspicion of being gay. But the Russian LGBT Network, which has been monitoring the situation in Chechnya and helping victims, said in a statement Monday that about 40 men and women have been detained on suspicion of being gay since December and that at least two of them have died of torture in detention. The detainees are believed held at the same facility that was named in the 2017 reports. The crackdown was first reported Friday but the activists didn't release full details at the time. "Widespread detentions, torture and killings of gay people have resumed in Chechnya," Igor Kochetkov, program director at the Russian LGBT Network said. "Persecution of men and women suspected of being gay never stopped. It's only that its scale has been changing." Kochetkov said the new wave of anti-gay persecution started at the end of the year when Chechen authorities detained the administrator of a social media group popular with LGBT people in the North Caucasus. Kochetkov said the mass detentions began after the authorities got hold of contacts on his phone. LGBT activists in 2017 helped to evacuate around 150 gay men from Chechnya to help them restart their lives elsewhere in Russia. Many of them have sought asylum and resettled abroad. Donald Trumps approval rating is at the lowest point for a year, according to a conservative-leaning poll the president often cites. The poll by Rasmussen Reports found 43 per cent of people approved of the presidents performance as he prepared to mark two years in office, while 55 per cent said they disapproved. The disapprovers included 46 per cent of people who said they strongly disapprove of the job the he was doing. The presidents overall job approval rating has been falling since his Oval Office address last week calling for enhanced border security and the building of a wall to help stop illegal immigration, the polling company noted. This is his lowest daily approval rating in nearly a year. It said the last time Mr Trumps approval rating was lower, was in in January 2018, when it tumbled to just 42 per cent. Commentators have pointed out the Rasmussen poll, which tracks the rating on a a daily basis, often gives the president a higher approval than over polling companies. A poll by CNN currently puts his disapproval rating at 37, while an average of polls collated by RealClearPolitics scores it 41.4. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Such has been the frequency that Rasmussen scores higher for Mr Trump than other firms, the president has cited its findings on social media. The Hill pointed out that last month Mr Trump pointed to a Rasmussen poll that showed his approval rating at 50 per cent. He claimed it would be as high as 75 per cent were it not for Robert Muellers Russia investigation. 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 Without the phony Russia Witch Hunt, and with all that we have accomplished in the last almost two years (Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judges, Military, Vets, etc.) my approval rating would be at 75% rather than the 50% just reported by Rasmussen, Mr Trump tweeted. Rasmussen said among new findings it was set to release, were that almost two-out-of-three voters think illegal immigration is a serious issue, and nearly half of voters think the government is not working hard enough to stop it. It said 52 per cent believe a wall is likely to slow or stop illegal immigration, but just as many oppose the president declaring a national emergency to get it built without congressional funding. The White House is said to have asked the Pentagon to draw up options for military strikes against Iran last year. The request was made after two incidents in Iraq in September, the first of which saw Shia militia fire three mortar shells into the diplomatic district of Baghdad, where the US has its embassy. The second saw missiles fired by unknown militants fell near the US consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra a few days later. The National Security Council, led by Donald Trumps national security advisor John Bolton, is said to have asked for the plans. The seriousness of his request unnerved officials from state and defence departments, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing current and former officials. While planning for the potential future conflict is part of the normal operation for an administration, the tone of the request is said to have caused concern. According to the paper, Mira Ricardel, the former deputy national security advisor, described the attacks in Iraq as an act of war, and said that the US needed to respond accordingly. Recommended US plan to host Iran conference in Poland angers authorities in Tehran It definitely rattled people, a former senior US administration official was quoted as saying. People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran. The Pentagon reportedly complied with Mr Boltons request, though its unclear if Mr Trump was aware of it or if a serious plan was developed. Mr Bolton is an advocate of a hardline policy towards Iran. In a speech at the end of September, Mr Bolton warned that if Tehran harmed the US or its allies, there would be hell to pay. If you cross us, our allies, or our partners; if you harm our citizens; if you continue to lie, cheat, and deceive, yes, there will indeed be hell to pay, he said. Mr Trump pulled the US out of an international nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018. The deal had been signed by Barack Obama, as well as the leaders of the UK, China, Russia, France, Germany and the European Union in 2015. Mr Trump also ordered a tough sanctions campaign in the autumn. 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 In a statement on Sunday, Garrett Marquis of the National Security Council said that the organisation coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threat. He added: We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is on a tour of the Middle East, pushing the administrations position on Iran. On Sunday, he was in Saudi Arabia, having flown in from Qatar, calling for the region to unify against the threat posed by Iran. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Iran was angered by Mr Pompeos announcement last week that Poland will host an international conference on Iran in February. On Sunday, Iranian authorities summoned Warsaws top diplomat in the country and called off a Polish film festival. The moves followed a tweet by Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who denounced the upcoming summit as Americas anti-Iran circus. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels has filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio police officers who arrested her during her strip club performance in July 2018, accusing them of engaging in a conspiracy to protect President Donald Trump. Last summer, Ms Daniels, 39, was arrested by undercover cops during her performance at Sirens Gentlemens Club in Columbus. She was charged with three offences for inappropriately touching a female undercover officer, but those charges were dropped within hours. Ms Daniels has made headlines over the past few years for publicly claiming she had an affair with Mr Trump more than a decade ago, and is currently suing the president for defamation. In the federal civil rights suit, Ms Danielswhose legal name is Stephanie Cliffordalleges cops arrested her because she was deemed a threat to Mr Trump. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Defendant Officers believed that Ms. Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding President Trump, the lawsuit filed on Monday in an Ohio federal court said. The lawsuit also said that the cops also arrested Ms. Clifford because they believed that doing so would damage her credibility in relation to any statements she had make or might in the future make against President Trump. Damaging Ms. Cliffords credibility in this way was another purpose of Defendant Officers conspiracy. The top Republican in the House of Representatives has promised to take action against congressman Steve King following his much-condemned comments about white nationalism and white supremacy. House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said that he would be meeting with Mr King on Monday to discuss the remarks and Mr Kings future in the Republican Party. Action will be taken, he said. However, Mr McCarthy did not specify what the action against the Iowa representative would be. That language has no place in America, Mr McCarthy said on CBSs Face the Nation. That is not the America I know, and its most certainly not the party of Lincoln. Mr King, who has a long history of incendiary remarks, has been condemned by members of both the GOP and the Democrats over remarks made to The New York Times in a recent interview. White nationalist, white supremacist, western civilization how did that language become offensive? he said. Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization? Mr McCarthy said of the remarks: I will not stand back as a leader of this party, believing in this nation that all are created equal, that that stands or continues to stand and have any role with us. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, joined the chorus against the comments on NBCs Meet the Press. What Steve King said was stupid, he said. It was stupid. It was hurtful. It was wrong. And he needs to stop. I think all of us ought to be united, regardless of party, in saying, white supremacism, white nationalism, is hatred. It is bigotry. It is evil. It is 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 Congressional Black Caucus had previously called for concrete steps be taken against Mr King. If Republicans really believe these racist statements have no place in our government, then their party must offer more than shallow temporary statements of condemnation, said chairwoman Representative Karen Bass, a Democrat from California. Instead, they must actually condemn Mr King by removing him from his committee assignments so that he can no longer affect policies that impact the very people he has made it clear he disdains, Ms Bass added in a statement on Saturday. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr King has sought to walk back his remarks in the wake of the backlash, saying he rejects white nationalism and white supremacy. It's not part of any of my ideology, Mr King told NBC News. I reject anyone who carries that ideology. A statue of the Saudi Arabian flag is to be removed from World Trade Centre grounds after several people made complaints about its proximity to the site of the September 11th attacks. The statue is a part of an art installation sponsored by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey featuring the flags of G20 countriesArgentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United Statesas candy with their respective flags as the wrappers Created by French Artist Laurence Jenkell, the Candy Nations exhibit was originally commissioned in 2011 ahead of the G20 summit in Cannes, France, and was supported by companies and organisations including the Chanel Foundation, the International Olympic Committee and Coca-Cola, according to Port Authority. The Candy Nations exhibit was in display in New Yorks Garment District Alliances Art on the Plazas programme before its display on the World Trade Centre campus. Soon after the exhibit was displayed on the World Trade Centre, complaints about the Saudi Arabian flags presence near the tragic site started flooding Twitter. I personally think the Saudi flag candy display shows very poor judgement and a lack of empathy on the part of the Port Authority, Terry Strada, the chair of the 9/11 Families for Justice umbrella group, told BuzzFeed News. The 9/11 Families for Justice was instrumental in the adoption of the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which allowed the Arabian Kingdom to be sued in American court for its citizens role in the 9/11 attacks. Fifteen out of the 19 hijackers behind the 2001 terrorism attack were Saudi Arabians associated with Al-Qaeda. The other hijackers included two from the United Arab Emirates, one from Egypt, and another from Lebanon. Ms Strada also contacted Port Authority to express disappointment in the statues appearance nearby the World Trade Centre. 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 Ms Jenkell, the artist of the piece, told BuzzFeed News she never sparked outrage from the installation that she had faced in New York. The Candy Nations exhibit was displayed in 25 countries around the world. Given the unique and justified sensitivities surrounding the World Trade Centre, it came to my mind to propose to remove the sculpture showcasing the flag of Saudi Arabia, or relocate it to a less sensitive location, Ms Jenkell said. But there is no way I can do such a thing as the flag of Saudi Arabia is entirely part of the G20 just like any other candy flag of this Candy Nations show. And G20 is all about that: Peace, Unity and Love among mankind. Exactly [the] same meaning as my candy flags sculptures bringing joy and happiness to everyone on earth. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Instead of removing the Saudi flag from the exhibit, the Port Authority decided on Monday to move the entire exhibit from the World Trade Centre campus. The exhibit will be on display at John F Kennedy International Airport in the near future. We have been in contact with the 9/11 Memorial and various stakeholders, and in full collaboration with the artist will relocate the exhibit from its current location, the Port Authority told BuzzFeed in a statement. We believe this solution respects the unique sensitivities of the site and preserves the artistic integrity of the exhibit. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has said she doesn't plan on retiring before the presidential election in 2020 but Republicans appear to have other ideas. Donald Trumps White House and close allies have begun preparing for her replacement, with senior Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham saying he will be hell-bent on replacing the notorious liberal justice with a conservative upon her departure a move that could radically shift the balance of the court for decades. Despite the Supreme Court indicating the justice was recovering well after having two malignant nodules removed from her lung, the South Carolina Republican said on Fox News Sunday he would seek to fill the next open seat on the nations highest court with a conservative judge like the two others Donald Trump has selected during his presidency, including Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. I hope Justice Ginsburg serves for a long time, but if theres an opening on this court, Im going to be hell-bent to put a conservative to replace whoever steps down for whatever reason, Mr Graham told host Chris Wallace. My Democrat colleagues felt, when they were in charge, we should confirm judges by a majority vote, he continued. They changed the rules to accommodate President Obama, they tried to stack the court, they never thought [Hillary Clinton] would lose, so what youre going to have is Harry Reid and Chuck Schumers desire to stack the court on their Democratic watches come back to haunt them. Recommended Ruth Bader Ginsburg back to work 72 hours after lung cancer surgery The senator went on to note that he would urge the president to nominate a qualified conservative if Ms Ginsburg were to step down from her role on the court during his presidency. The comments arrived shortly after reports indicated Mr Trumps White House had already begun the process of laying the groundwork for vetting and selecting a conservative justice to fill the next open seat on the Supreme Court. 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 A source told Politico the administration was taking the temperature on possible short-list candidates, reaching out to key stakeholders, and just making sure that people are informed on the process last week, even after the Supreme Court released a memo indicating the justice was in good health after her December surgery. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events If and when Mr Trump nominates a new conservative judge to the court, Mr Graham predicted they would get through the Senate, adding, I expect it to be along party lines. This is what happens when you change the rules, he added. This has come back to bite them, I predicted it would, and well see. A man who allegedly beat a 4-year-old girl to death after she dropped juice onto a games console has been indicted on four counts of first-degree murder. Johnathan Fair, 19, a resident of Waukegan, Illinois, is currently held in Lake County jail with bail at $5 million. If convicted, Mr Fair faces between 60 years and life in prison. Toddler Skylar Mendez died in December 2018 after suffering a head injury. Her death was officially ruled a homocide after an autopsy. Assistant State Attorney Steve Scheller called the crime heinous and alleged that Mr Fair phsically punished the 4-year-old girl after she spilt juice on an Xbox. Mr Fair was supposed to be babysitting her at the time. Recommended Guatemalan toddler dies after being held in ICE detention centre Mr Scheler alleged the girl was kicked down a hallway, and was brought to the hospital after she passed out. Mr Fair initially said the girl fell and hit her head, but then admitted to shaking her really hard as punishment, the prosecutor said. The toddler was treated at Lurie Childrens Hospital and passed away a few days later, Mr Scheler said. 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 Far was initially charged with aggravated battery to a child. But the charges upgraded to include four counts of first-degree murder. Sam Amirante, the defence attorney for Fair, told the Associated Press that his client will be acquitted when the real facts come out. A GoFundMe page was created for funeral preparations for the the deceased toddler. Our beautiful niece Skyler only 4-year-old had a tragic accident, Cecilia Villalpando wrote. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events At her early age, God had called for her. Unfortunately for a tragedy like this, we were not financially prepared, the statement added. The GoFundMe paid raised more than $3,000. Fair will appear before Lake County Judge James Booras in his next scheduled court date on 17 February. The man suspected of kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents in their Wisconsin home allegedly decided to take the 13-year-old after spotting her getting onto a school bus one day, accordng to a criminal complaint filed in court. Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, will be formally charged with two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping before his afternoon hearing in Barron County Circuit Court, according to prosecutors. A criminal complaint alleges Mr Patterson told investigators that, on his drive to a job at a cheese factor in Almena, Wisconsin, he spotted Jayme get on the school bus one day and came up with the idea to abduct her. He knew that was the girl he was going to take, the criminal complaint said. Investigators believe Patterson broke into Jaymes home in Barron on 15 October by blasting the front door open with a shotgun. They also believe that he shot Ms Closss parents, and then abducted the young girl. Jayme escaped from captivity late last week and was found in the town of Gordon northwest Wisconsin. Gordon is about an hour's drive north of Barron. Mr Patterson allegedly went to the Closs home twice before eventually abducting Ms Closs and killing her parents. The first two attempts were unsuccessful since there were too many people around before he would be able to kidnap Ms Closs, the criminal complaint said. Jayme is said to have told police that she allegedly tried to hide from Mr Patterson, but he dragged her from her home and threw her in the back of his vehicle. The girl was initially hiding in the bathroom with her mother when Mr Patterson came to the front door. The mother and daughter heard a gunshot, and knew at that moment Patterson killed her father, the compalint states. Investigators said that there are no evidence linking online interactions between Mr Paterson and Jayme. The girls family insists that they do not know the 21-year-old suspect. Robert Naiberg, Ms Closss grandfather, told AP that his grand daughter told FBI agents that she does not know Mr Patterson at all. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald told CNN it was it was priceless, very heartwarming to see Ms Closs having a big smile on her face, after being found. Ms Closs seems to have some sense of peace, after escaping and returning ro her family, Jennifer Halvorson, a friend of Jayme's aunts told People. Several photos posted of her reunion with family shows the 13-year-old smiling and hugging her relatives. The defence attorneys for Mr PattersonCharles Gylnn and Richard Jonessaid the believe their client can be given a fair trial. Public defenders did not reveal specification information on what they expect the court hearing will involve, but acknowledged the case was a tragic situation from every perspective. 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 been an emotional time for this community and a difficult time for this community, Mr Jones told the Associated Press. We dont take that lightly. But we have a job to do in protecting our client. In the immediate aftermath of Ms Closss disappearance, more than 3,500 tips were sent to the authorities, but none of them resulted in a hard lead. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ms Closs was found on Thursday when the teen girl went to a woman walking her dog and asked for help. The woman who discovered Ms Closs said the the girl begged for her help, and that told her that she had been in a nearby cabin. Jayme said she escaped when she was left alone. Neighbours called 911, and police arrested Mr Patterson after Jamye provided a description of a car, according to authorities . The 21-year-old has no criminal history in Wisconsin. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has fired back at Donald Trump after he dismissively asked: Who cares? when a journalist him about her. The president made the throwaway remark in front of reporters on the White House lawn, prompting Ms Cortez to tweet: I bartended for *years* in New York City. I understand guys like this like the back of my hand. We got under his skin. The youngest-ever Congresswoman then suggested the real reason the president is hiding his taxes from the public is because he doesn't actually make the amount he suggests. Id say wed be taxing 70 per cent of Trumps income, but he probably hasnt made more than $10m in years - and thats the real reason hes hiding his taxes, she wrote with a winking emoji. Ms Ocasio-Cortezs response has since been liked more than 12,000 times and received hundreds of comments from people agreeing with her. You are so right, one person commented. Another said: Exactly, I dont believe hes as rich as he boasts. Others have praised the Congresswoman for standing up to the president. Girl, you are my hero, one person said. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In October 2018, Forbes reported that the presidents net worth is $3.1bn - down from $4.5bn in 2015. The US Navy is planning to sail a warship through Arctic waters, a spokesperson has said, as it works to challenge the presence of Russia and China. A Navy warship will conduct a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the coming months, navy secretary Richard Spencer told The Wall Street Journal. It will be the first time the Navy has conducted such an operation in the Arctic. Mr Spencer said the Navy is also planning to station resources in Adak, Alaska, at a base operated from the Second World War and through the Cold War, from 1942 to 1997. The concept is, yes, go up there, Mr Spencer said. Were developing them as we speak. 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 new detachment at the base could include surface ships along with P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, he said. It has some amazing facilities, Mr Spencer added. Could we bring some surface ships there? Yes. As more ocean waterways open up in the Arctic as a result of climate change, nearby nations have increasingly looked to gain an advantage in the region. Russia operates dozens of icebreakers and is working to develop its capabilities in the Arctic for both trade and defence, including the establishment of military bases. China is working on building a fleet of icebreakers and has expressed a desire to build a polar silk road in the region. Arctic Report Card 2018: Arctic has experienced five warmest years on record says US government agency The Navys operation is intended to better understand how to operate in extremely cold conditions, Mr Spencer said. He added: Weve got to get up there and learn. Theres no other way to do it. China condemns presence of US warship in South China Sea The US Navy and the Royal Navy have carried out FONOPs in the South China Sea to challenge Chinas maritime claims. Beijing recently lodged stern representations with Washington after a US guided-missile destroyer patrolled near the disputed Paracel Islands, which China claims. Photo: The Canadian Press Newmont Gold Quarry pit in Battle Mountain, Nev. Newmont Mining Corp. has signed an agreement to acquire Canadian miner Goldcorp Inc. in a deal it valued at about US$10 billion. The companies announced Monday that Newmont will exchange 0.328 of a share and two cents in cash for each of Goldcorp's outstanding common shares. The combined company will be called Newmont Goldcorp and will be owned 65 per cent by current Newmont shareholders and 35 per cent by Goldcorp shareholders The agreement follows the recently completed merger of Barrick Gold Corp. and Randgold Resources Ltd. Goldcorp president and CEO David Garofalo said Newmont Goldcorp will be one of Canada's largest gold producers, with a North American regional office in Vancouver that will oversee more than three million ounces of gold production. The companies said Goldcorp's Vancouver headquarters will also be the base for some of its global functions, including oversight of Indigenous community relations. "The strategic rationale for combining Goldcorp with Newmont is powerfully compelling on many levels, and both teams are fully committed to delivering on the transaction's value proposition for all of our stakeholders," Garofalo said in a statement. The deal has the unanimous support of the directors of both companies, but requires approval by shareholders of both companies as well as regulatory approvals in several countries. Newmont chief executive Gary Goldberg will lead the combined company and Newmont president and chief operating officer Tom Palmer is also expected to remain in the same role. Newmont chairwoman Noreen Doyle will head the board of the combined company, while Goldcorp chairman Ian Telfer will be deputy chairman. The companies said the combined entity is expected to maintain a significant Canadian presence on its board and among the management of its Canadian properties. Goldberg said the company expects to generate up to US$100 million in annualized "synergies" before tax and operate in the Americas, Australia and Ghana. Newmont Goldcorp will also divest between US$1 billion and $1.5 billion of assets over two years to optimize gold production of six to seven million ounces annually. A passenger managed to board plane with a gun in their hand luggage after being screened by security at an American airport. Having accidentally packed their firearm, the unnamed traveller managed get on to the Delta Air Lines plane to Tokyo at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on 3 January, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has admitted. After realising their mistake after the aircraft had taken off, the passenger immediately alerted staff on board, who in turn told the TSA. Japanese authorities met the plane on arrival in Tokyo. The TSA denied the lapse in security was because of the government shutdown, which has seen its workers go unpaid for weeks and an uptick in employees not turning up to work. TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening", the agency said in a statement. Recommended TSA agents calling out sick causes lines and chaos in US airports The breach came two weeks into the ongoing government shutdown. The TSA has reportedly seen an increase in staff not turning up for shifts since they began being asked to work without pay. But the agency insisted: The perception that this might have occurred as a result of the partial government shutdown would be false." The national unscheduled absence rate of TSA staff on Thursday January 3 2019 was 4.8% compared to 6.3% last year, Thursday January 4 2018. So in fact, the national call out rate was higher a year ago than this year on that date. Nevertheless, the agents who were responsible for the lapse in security would be held appropriately accountable, the TSA said. 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 Last month the TSA released a statement highlighting a case where a passenger accidentally bringing a gun in their luggage to an airport was caught during screening - the 35th handgun discovered by agents at Pittsburgh Airport alone. The head of the TSA union, Hydrick Thomas, said earlier this month 50 to 100 employees were calling in sick at most airports. They are not coming to work because they dont have the money to get to work. Theyre not just taking off. Theyre not saying Were going to shut things down. They are the lowest-paid employees in the federal government, and they dont have the money to get to work. It was another proud moment for Canada: a Saudi teenager who had just been granted asylum walking through the arrivals gate at Toronto airport embraced by the countrys popular foreign minister. Wearing a grey sweatshirt emblazoned with the word Canada, 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun smiled at the cameras that greeted her. But she left it to Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland to do the talking. The minister presented her as a very brave new Canadian. Where we can save a single person, where we can save a single woman, that is a good thing to do, said Ms Freeland, who refused to answer repeated questions about how this decision will affect Canadas strained relationship with Saudi Arabia. And Id like to also emphasise, this is part of a broader Canadian policy of supporting women and girls in Canada and around the world. The Saudi teenager became a cause celebre for womens and refugee rights after fleeing her family during a holiday in Kuwait to seek asylum. Saudi teen Rahaf al-Qunun posts video as she lands in Canada after being granted asylum She described her life in an interview with The New York Times as one of unrelenting abuse at the hands of her family, who live in the city of Hail, in northern Saudi Arabia. She said she was once locked in a room for six months because she had cut her hair in a way that her family did not approve of and that her family members used to beat her, particularly her brother. 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 Two years ago, after an unsuccessful suicide attempt, her family did not seek help for her, she said. It was then she started planning her escape. Her chance for freedom came last week, when her family took a trip to Kuwait, which does not have the same restrictions on women. But once she arrived in Bangkok last Saturday, planning to travel on to Australia, she said her passport was confiscated and Thai officials threatened to return her to her family. Her brother and father arrived in Bangkok, demanding that she return with them. Instead, she barricaded herself in a Thai airport hotel, opened a Twitter account and mounted a social media campaign for her asylum. After Thai officials relented, and the United Nations declared her a refugee, the Canadian government agreed to grant her asylum. New York Times Two women have been rescued after being taken hostage at a UPS facility in New Jersey, a local prosecutor has said. The women, both UPS employees, were not seriously injured during the hours-long standoff, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore said at a news conference. The suspect has been apprehended after the incident at the UPS processing facility in Logan Township. The incident was reported between 8.30am and 9am on Birchcreek Road in Logan Township. A Swat team was activated to head to the facility, with a number of police vehicles already outside. Recommended Chaos as money pours onto highway after armoured truck crashes We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time, a UPS statement said. One of the hostages had a prior relationship with the suspect, Mr Fiore said. New Jersey State Police confirmed that both local and country authorities responded to the incident. Employees were evacuated from the building, leaving only the two women and the suspect. In an interview with local television station 6ABC, UPS employee Ashlee Erickson said: Then there was a massive police presence as soon as we were walking out of the building, there were a good ten cop cars, they all had their guns drawn out heading toward the main entrance of the building, 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 Logan Township Schools had been placed on a modified lockdown. School district officials said that all students and staff are safe. There have been no other reports of injuries. The bodies of three children aged 1, 4 and 6 have been discovered in a chest freezer left outside a home in Suwanee County, Florida. Deputies from the Suwannee Country Sheriff's Office said they responded to a 911 call at a residence where three children were found not breathing. Adults were reportedly performing CPR on the children when the deputies arrived at the scene. The children were immediately transported to the hospital for resuscitation efforts, but were unsuccessful, according to CBS affiliate KEYE. According to deputies, the adults were at home when the children were playing outside wen they climbed inside the chest freezer. The freezer, which had recently been brought to the property, was not plugged in at the time of the incident on Sunday night. Witnesses said the children climbed into the freezer when an adult female at the residence went inside the house to the use the bathroom, according to the sheriff's office. The woman then went back outside, but could not find the children. She then woke up another woman, who was resting before her night shift, and they began to search the property. S 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 Soon after, they opened the freezer and found the three children inside not breathing. An after-market hasp used to secure a padlock has been installed on the freezer, deputies said. Authorities believe the lid closed after the children climbed in, and then the hasp shut and trapped the children in the freezer. The freezer did not have a padlock. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Florida Department of Children and Families have been notified. The agency said foul play is not suspected at the time. The case has been forwarded to the Third Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office for review. A large section of downtown Detroit has been told that their water could be is unsafe to drink, and that residents should boil it before use. The boil water advisory was prompted after a water main broke in the downtown area on Sunday, just as a large auto show in the city was set to get started. Crews are working through Sunday evening into Monday to replace a 10-15 foot section of the water main, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) officials said in a statement. Water services were not disrupted, that department said, but that the 42-inch pipe break meant that water must be boiled. Officials hope that the water service will be back up and running by Wednesday or Thursday. Recommended US to send warship to Arctic in show of strength to Russia and China We dont know that we had any customers who lost service, Gary Brown, the director of the DWSD, said during a press conference. Thy may have lost pressure, but not service. The boil water advisory has disrupted local businesses that rely on running water for things like food prep, according to The Detroit News. It makes it hard to do food prep, but were handling it okay, Reilly Reynolds, the manager of Maru Sushi & Grill, told the outlet. They said that they have been using bottled water and buying ice from a nearby shop that sells ice by the bag. 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 Were doing okay now, but if this continues for a while, its going to be an intensive process getting everything ready. Were hoping for the best, they continued. A spokeswoman for the North American International Auto Show said that the show would go forward with its planned start day on Monday in spite of the water issues. There are few things that everyone agrees on in the Brexit debate, but one of them is that Theresa May is heading for a historic defeat on Tuesday. Knowing the exact number of votes that she will lose by when MPs make their decision soon after 7pm on 15 January is difficult, with some last minute mind-changing likely. But for some time now estimates have been that around 100 from her own benches could ally with the opposition parties and move against her. Even friendly MPs say it would be a victory for Ms May if the numbers of Tories opposing her is in double digits. A no-deal Brexit would be an economic and social catastrophe, a senior banking industry leader has warned. Stephen Jones said leaving the European Union (EU) without an agreement could lead to a 1930s-style economic depression, with widespread job losses, homeowners unable to afford their mortgages, and mass defaults on loans. A no-deal Brexit on 29 March, where we crash out of European Union, is a catastrophe, the head of the UK Finance trade body told Channel 4 News. Its a social catastrophe, its an economic catastrophe. The devastation caused by a disorderly exit would not just hurt the banks bottom lines, but hit ordinary people, he warned. I dont wish to be labelled a doom mongerer but if our economy contracts by 10 per cent thats 1930s-style contraction," he said. "That is a massive increase in credit card losses, mortgage losses, vehicle loan losses. This is about jobs, this is about people not being able to pay their mortgages, not being able to pay back their loans, and thats really bad news and its an outcome we can avoid. Mr Jones, who leads the British banking sector's lobby group, added: I think there is a real risk of No Deal happening by accident if the prime ministers deal is voted down, we are in totally uncharted territory. Asked if he backed Mrs Mays deal to prevent a no-deal scenario, Mr Jones would only say he backed a solution that avoids a no-deal Brexit. He added: Its not a great deal, theres an awful lot of money being paid for a political declaration, which quite frankly is not worth the paper it is written on. Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Show all 16 1 /16 Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Britain Before Brexit: Greater London West Croydon A police vans speed and siren bring people to shop windows, keen to watch the drama of the public space, curious to know if a crime has been committed and lining up like townsfolk in a western movie Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Trafalgar Square Morning light illuminates a typical scene outside the National Gallery. Everyone interacts with a phone, held in hands and gazed at, or held in the hands of others and posed for. The figure in the background is on another level, an exception, an anomaly Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London East Croydon A dispute about shoplifting outside a stores entrance, conducted in French, revolving around a gold watch Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Bank The Chinese flag hangs over the centre of British finance, its red blush bringing luck to the morning. St Pauls Cathedral occupies the blue distance Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Bond Street Three pairs of legs and feet in different states, playing different roles in the heart of British commerce: one clothed, striding purposefully; another of white plastic, made to model and convince; the last barefoot, not standing Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Upton Park Plastic bags dress naked trees, only partially, flaying in the wind, torn and damp, leaving most of the branches exposed, like black cracks spreading across thin ice, across the tower block of civilisation Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Westminster A pro-Brexit protester walks past the Houses of Parliament and the anti-Brexit protesters camped opposite. Both have appropriated the Union Jack, claim to be acting in the national interest and to be patriotic. Caught in between are child and mother, who photographs the home of democracy, or herself Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Islington A new tube map is put up outside the station, hands reaching high, stretching upwards, as if in worship of the security camera, in awe of surveillance itself, one of Londons most valued currencies Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Tooting Broadway A huge bingo hall hidden away from the high street, populated sparsely by a few players. Theres so much concentration and focus. I cant decide if theyre there to play, to win, to hide, to escape, or to kill time Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London The Mall Horses are tourist attractions in certain parts of London, especially when theyre dressed in military regal attire and carrying a soldier or a guard. Tourists pose alongside them for selfies and generic holiday snaps, which when taken daily in their millions, re-enforce a global image of London as a hub of ceremonial pomp and ritual Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Tooting Bec An anonymous critique of an adverts imagery, wheeling out the age-old distinction between lust and love, sex and companionship, surface and interior, shallowness and depth, superficial and real Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Wandsworth A declaration of the existence of community is damaged and broken. A sign portraying strength and solidarity looks weak and sad and lonely when it begins to crumble and fall apart Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Buckingham Palace I watch a lineup of paparazzi photographers outside the palace. They wait to pounce upon blacked out windows concealing guests to the Queens Christmas lunch. They appear bored and unenthusiastic, as if photography were for them but a chore that flashes light on celebrity faces Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London St Pauls The city is reflected by its values: a relentless list of imperative commands to become something else, some better version, upgraded; a message that says we need to acquire to improve; a hard-hitting reminder of your inadequacy and incompleteness Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Colliers Wood A laundrette on the peripheries, zone 3, where a man sits below another London Piccadilly Circus with its giddy movements and interactions, its colours and vibrancy, where life is shaken up and spun, as if in one of the washing machines below, rotating and loud, everything inside blurred Richard Morgan/The Independent Britain Before Brexit: Greater London Uxbridge A building site concealed with an image of what will be. A common way to cover up the messy process of (de)construction. The housing development claims to be affecting time and space, moving people into new places and better futures, fundamentally altering their existence Richard Morgan/The Independent The political declaration is the second part of the withdrawal agreement which sketches out how Britain and the EU will build their new future relationship after the UK has formally left the 27 nation bloc. Unlike the rest of the document which deals with how Britain disentangles itself from the EU and will pay 39bn in the so-called divorce bill the political declaration is not legally binding nor does it go into significant detail. Londons position as the centre of the financial world will end after Brexit, Mr Jones also bemoaned, and the Brexit process had diminished the capitals status in the world. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events London as the European financial centre appears to most us to be frankly, quietly over. Well do our best to retain what we can, within the context of whats negotiated, no deal or a deal, but Frankfurt and Paris will become much more important financial centres in a European context. The government has been ramping up preparations for a no-deal Brexit in recent weeks. A Treasury minister was photographed with a briefing note which warned it could cause no food and no Channel tunnel after leaving a meeting with officials. Suppliers have been urged to stockpile food in the event of the prime ministers Brexit deal being rejected, and some people have also been hoarding food and essential supplies themselves in case Mr Joness dire warnings come true. Theresa May has made a desperate last-ditch plea begging her own MPs to back her Brexit plans in the face of an expected historic defeat. The prime minister beseeched Conservative MPs at a closed meeting to think of the future of their party and compromise, with around 100 of them considering voting against her. But Brexiteers still left the meeting determined to reject her plans, while Ms May also now faces up to 12 separate attempts from rebel and opposition MPs to re-shape her strategy before the final vote on Tuesday. She gave no indication as to her course of action if she loses, but Labours Jeremy Corbyn spoke to his own MPs in a room nearby restating his determination to call a motion of no confidence and trigger an election. After 19 months of negotiation, a dozen EU summits and countless hours taking questions at the despatch box, Ms May will finally put her Brexit deal to a vote of the Commons on Tuesday. With her final chance to address all MPs coming shortly before the vote due after 7pm, she held a private gathering of Tories on Monday night to try to win over rebels. Those inside said the prime minister had urged them to think in the long term and be pragmatic. She said the Conservatives had always been successful because they had been willing to compromise. She warned again, as she and other ministers have done before, how difficult achieving a no-deal Brexit will be and how damaging it could be to Britain. Boris Johnson discusses what he thinks will happen with May's Brexit deal and his regrets about not running for Prime Minister Minister Nadhim Zahawi said she had told them they needed to deliver on Brexit and prevent a Labour government. She said we have got to keep Jeremy Corbyn as far away as possible from No 10, he said. To do that, we have got to come together. Among those who backed her message were foreign office minister Alistair Burt who told Brexiteers in the room to accept the fact that they have won and to bank that and move on to the next stage. Solicitor general Robert Buckland said the meeting was in a sombre, reflective mood, but key figures in the European Research Group, Steve Baker and Mark Francois, left indicating that Ms Mays appeal had fallen on deaf ears. Much of the opposition to her deal to focuses on the hated Irish backstop, which would come into play if no future trading arrangement is in place by December 2020, and could keep the UK in a customs union indefinitely. Theresa May says if her Brexit deal is defeated, 'paralysis in parliament... risks there being no Brexit' Earlier in the day, Andrew Murrison MP tabled an amendment to the Brexit motion to create a sunset clause preventing the backstop extending beyond the end of 2021. It was one of a series of amendments that speaker John Bercow could call to be voted on ahead of the main vote on Tuesday. Others include an aim to secure a new referendum and block a no-deal Brexit. Downing Street are said to be supportive of the Murrison plan but have not explicitly said so, with some ministers having suggested that if it is passed, it would give Ms May an opportunity to return to Brussels with a mandate for further renegotiation. On Monday, Ms May set out the details of assurances given in a joint letter from Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker over the hated Irish backstop, which is preventing so many of her MPs from supporting her deal. She said she knew some MPs wanted a mechanism to allow the UK to decide unilaterally to exit the backstop or a time limit to the arrangement. Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images But she added: The EU would not agree to this, because they fear such a provision could allow the UK to leave the backstop at any time without any wider agreements in place and require a hard border to be erected between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Ms May said the letter made clear that if her deal was approved in the Commons on Tuesday, talks on a future relationship agreement could start immediately. Labour leader Mr Corbyn said Ms May has completely and utterly failed to allay MPs concerns about her Brexit deal. Mr Corbyn, speaking in the Commons, said letters from the EU and the prime minister over the Irish backstop were nothing more than a repetition of exactly the same position that was pulled more than one month ago. He said: It categorically does not give the legal assurances this House was promised and contains nothing but warm words and aspirations. On Monday night, Ms Mays deal suffered its first official parliamentary defeat in the House of Lords as peers voted by 321 votes to 152 to reject it. With the majority of 169, peers backed an opposition motion warning the deal would damage the UKs economic prosperity, internal security and global influence. After a marathon three-day debate, the approved motion also urged MPs to emphatically reject a no-deal Brexit. Nobody at Westminster expects Theresa May to win Tuesday nights vote on her Brexit deal. But a wide range of outcomes are possible, and they will determine what happens next. Under an amendment passed by increasingly rebellious MPs last week, May must respond to a defeat within three sitting days by Monday 21 January. But her Commons statement will not necessarily offer a definitive plan B; she could say she is seeking further negotiations with the EU. The debate and vote on her motion would not have to take place on Monday, giving May a small window for further talks. What, then, are the most likely outcomes of Tuesdays vote, and what would follow? The numbers game More than 100 Conservative MPs have criticised Mays withdrawal agreement. On paper, if they and the 10 Democratic Unionist Party MPs, all voted against the deal, it would be defeated by around 200 votes. In practice, that will not happen. Some of the Tory critics have reluctantly decided to back the deal; a small number of Labour MPs have pledged support. So has one Liberal Democrat. Mays twin threats of a no-deal exit and no Brexit could persuade other critics to back her agreement or abstain. So May might benefit from the expectations game if the defeat does not look so bad on the night. Brexit so far: in pictures Show all 53 1 /53 Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson led the VoteLeave campaign PA Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson MP, Labour MP Gisela Stuart and UKIP MP Douglas Carswell address the people of Stafford in Market Square during the Vote Leave Brexit Battle Bus tour on 17 May 2016. Their lead line on the tour was: We send the EU 350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead. Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Voting day A man shelters from the rain as he arrives at a polling station in London on 23 June 2016. Millions of Britons voted in the referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Referendum results Leader of Ukip, Nigel Farage, reacts at the Leave EU referendum party at Millbank Tower in central London as results indicated that it was likely the UK would leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Protesting the result A young couple painted as EU flags and a man with a sign reading Im not leaving protest outside Downing Street against the voters decision to leave the EU on 24 June 2016 Getty Brexit so far: in pictures David Cameron resigns British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns on the steps of 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016 after the results of the EU referendum were declared and the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Theresa May Becomes the new Conservative Party leader Theresa May receives a kiss from her husband Philip, after becoming the new Conservative Party leader on 11 July 2016. May became Prime Minister two days later and although she voted to remain in the referendum was keen to lead Britains Brexit talks after her only rival in the race to succeed David Cameron pulled out unexpectedly. May was left as the only contender standing after the withdrawal from the leadership race of Andrea Leadsom, who faced criticism for suggesting she was more qualified to be prime minister because she had children AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Lancaster House keynote speech on Brexit British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her keynote speech on Brexit at Lancaster House in London on 17 January 2017. Where she spoke about her offer to introduce a transition period after the UK formally leaves the European Union in March 2019. Despite repeating the pro-Brexit mantra of no deal is better than a bad deal, the Prime Minister claimed she wanted a tone of trust between the negotiators and said Britain was leaving the EU but not Europe. She said there should be a clear double lock needed for the transitional period to make sure businesses had time to prepare for changes to their trading relationships with the EU Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Triggering of Article 50 British Prime Minister Theresa May in the cabinet, sitting below a painting of Britain's first Prime Minister Robert Walpole, signs the official letter to European Council President Donald Tusk invoking Article 50 and the United Kingdom's intention to leave the EU on 29 March 2017 Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Gibraltar nonsense Tensions have risen over Brexit negotiations for the Rock of Gibraltar. The European Council has said Gibraltar would be included in a trade deal between London and Brussels only with the agreement of Spain. While former Conservative leader Michael Howard claimed that Theresa May would be prepared to go to war to protect the territory. Spain's foreign minister stepped in only to assert that there was no need for the dispute Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Shock snap election Soon after triggering Article 50, Theresa May called on 18 April 2017 for a snap general election. The election would be on 8 June and it came as a shock move to many, with her reasoning to try to bolster her position before tough talks on leaving the EU AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Dissolution of Parliament for General Election Campaign Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement in Downing Street after returning from Buckingham Palace on 3 May 2017. The Prime Minister visited the Queen to ask for the dissolution of Parliament signalling the official start to the general election campaign Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Conservatives lose parliamentary majority An arrangement of British daily newspapers showing front page stories about the exit poll results of the snap general election. British Prime Minister Theresa May faced pressure to resign on 9 June 2017 after losing her parliamentary majority, plunging the country into uncertainty as Brexit talks loomed. The pound fell sharply amid fears the Conservative leader would be unable to form a government AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Labour gains Britains opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn gives a tumbs up as he arrives at Labour headquarters in central London on 9 June 2017 after the snap general election results showed a hung parliament with Labour gains and the Conservatives losing their majority AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit negotiations begin Brexit Minister David Davis and European Commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations Michel Barnier address a press conference at the end of the first day of Brexit negotiations in Brussels on 19 June 2017 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures May speaks in Florence British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks on 22 September 2017, in Florence. May sought to unlock Brexit talks after Brussels demanded more clarity on the crunch issues of budget payments and EU citizens' rights AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures EU council summit insufficient progress German Chancellor Angela Merkel joins other EU leaders for a breakfast meeting during an EU summit in Brussels on 20 October 2017. The EU spoke about Brexit and announced that insufficient progress had been made AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures DUP derails settlement on the withdrawal part of Brexit DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds walks off after speaking to members of the media as a protester holding flags shouts after him outside the Houses of Parliament on 5 December 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to pull out of a deal with Brussels after the DUP said it would not accept terms which see Northern Ireland treated differently from the rest of the UK Getty Brexit so far: in pictures May suffers defeat over EU (Withdrawal) Bill Theresa May suffers defeat in parliament over EU (Withdrawal) Bill on 13 December 2017. The Government was defeated by Conservative rebels and Labour MPs in a vote on its key piece of Brexit legislation. MPs amended the EU (Withdrawal) Bill against Theresa May's will, guaranteeing Parliament a meaningful vote on any Brexit deal she agrees with Brussels. Ms May's whips applied pressure on Conservative rebels who remained defiant in the Commons throughout the day and in the end the Government was defeated by 309 votes to 305 Brexit so far: in pictures EU council summit sufficient progress Britain's Prime minister Theresa May arrives to attend the first day of a European union summit in Brussels on 14 December 2017. European leaders discussed Brexit and announced there was finally sufficient progress at the end of the two days AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures The game moves to transition Brexit Secretary David Davis gives evidence on developments in European Union divorce talks to the Commons Exiting the EU Committee in Portcullis House, London, on 24 January 2018 PA Brexit so far: in pictures Trade deal is what May wants French President Emmanuel Macron gestures to Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May after they hold a press conference at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, on 18 January 2018. May and Macron agreed a new border security deal, through which the UK will pay more to France to stop migrants trying to reach British shores on 18 January 2018 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Transition period agreed The UK and EU agree terms for Brexit transition period on 19 March, 2018 Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures No agreement on Irish border The EU and UK however failed to reach an agreement on the Irish border during the successful talks on other Brexit issues AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures EU attacks Mays fantasy strategy For months after the March deal is struck there is little significant progress in talks. One senior EU official tears into Britains fantasy negotiating strategy and accuses Theresa May of not even having a position on a variety of important issue Getty Brexit so far: in pictures UK releases Ireland plan Britain releases a new customs plan to solve the Northern Ireland border but Michel Barnier says it leaves unanswered questions and would not prevent a hard border EbS Brexit so far: in pictures Chequers plan agreed The cabinet agrees on a plan known as the "Chequers deal" on July 6 2018. The plan seeks regulatory alignment on goods and food, divergence on services, freedom from the European Courts of Justice and an end to free movement. Many were surprised that the hard Brexiteers of the cabinet would agree to this plan PA Brexit so far: in pictures Chequers plan sparks resignations Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and numerous ministers resign in the days following the Chequers agreement Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures Davis out, Raab in On 9 July, Dominic Raab replaces David Davis as Brexit Secretary. Raab is a keen Brexiteer and was a housing minister before taking over from Davis Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures Barnier's "deal like no other" EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier claims on August 29 2018 that they are prepared to offer Britain a trade deal like no other, though he stressed that they will not divide or change the single market to accommodate Britain AP Brexit so far: in pictures "My deal or no deal" In an interview on Panorama on September 17, the Prime Minister insists that any Brexit deal will be offered to the EU on her terms. She asserts this amongst continued attacks on her approach to Brexit by Boris Johnson and the European Research Group, headed by Jacob Rees Mogg BBC/Jeff Overs Brexit so far: in pictures EU leaders reject Chequers Quite the blow was dealt to the Prime Minister at a EU leaders summit in Salzburg on September 20. European Council President Donald Tusk stated that the Chequers deal "will not work" Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures May demands respect Following the rejection of her Chequers plan the day before, the Prime Minister voiced her anger that the EU had dismissed it without offering an alternative. She stated that throughout this process, I have treated the EU with nothing but respect. The UK expects the same. A good relationship at the end of this process depends on it." Getty Brexit so far: in pictures People's Vote march As the People's Vote campaign and The Independent's Final Say campaign gain traction, 700,000 people turn out in London to demand a final say on the UK's Brexit deal on October 20 2018 PA Brexit so far: in pictures More resignations As the Prime Minister settles on a Brexit deal, Brexit secretary Dominic Raab resigns along with Work and Pensions secretary Esther McVey and many other ministers Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Final Say petitions delivered to Downing Street People's Vote supporting MPs Chukka Umunna, Justine Greening and Caroline Lucas and The Independent editor Christian Broughton deliver over a million signatures in favour of a People's Vote to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street on December 3 2018 PA Brexit so far: in pictures May delays vote On December 10, the Prime Minister delayed the vote on her Brexit deal as it was near certain not to pass through the Commons due to Tory rebels and lack of DUP support AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures No confidence motion Tory MPs triggered a confidence vote in the Prime Minister on December 12. She won by 200 votes to 117 Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures Commons rejects the deal Following the delay, the Prime Minister's deal was rejected in the Commons by a historic 230 votes AFP Brexit so far: in pictures Corbyn tables a no confidence motion Following the rejection of the Prime Minister's deal, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in the government, which the government won by a margin of 19 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Plan B The Prime Minister won the support of the commons to return to Brussels to renegotiate the backstop on January 29. In the same sitting, MPs also voted against a no-deal Brexit in a non-legally binding motion PA Brexit so far: in pictures EU council president savages Brexit campaigners who failed to plan for departure: Special place in hell There is a special place in hell for pro-Brexit campaigners who demanded Britain leave the EU without explaining how it should happen, Donald Tusk has said. The European Council president launched the scathing attack as he accused anti-EU campaigners of pushing for Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely. Mr Tusk also dismissed suggestions that the EU could reopen negotiations over the controversial Northern Ireland backstop, dealing a blow to Theresa Mays hopes of securing fresh concessions as she tries to get her exit deal through parliament. Speaking in Brussels alongside Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Mr Tusk said: Ive been wondering what a special place in hell looks like for people who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely. He also tweeted the accusation moments later Getty Brexit so far: in pictures EU and UK announce talks to restart after Theresa May visits Brussels Both have agreed to restart Brexit talks to find a way through the deadlock in Westminster, following a visit by Theresa May to Brussels. In a joint statement the British government and European Commission said Ms May had had a robust but constructive meeting with president Jean-Claude Juncker, and that the pair would meet again before the end of the month. But the EU again refused to reopen the withdrawal agreement and its controversial backstop with any negotiations expected to focus on the future relationship between the UK and EU instead Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit strategy lost MPs voted down May's Brext plans, with a majority of 45. The prime minister did not appear in parliament to see another defeat PA Brexit so far: in pictures Labour and Conservative MPs resign and create the Independent Group Back row of Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Chuka Umunna and Mike Gapes, middle row of Angela Smith, Luciana Berger and Ann Coffey and front row of Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Joan Ryan PA Brexit so far: in pictures Non-biding votes on amendments to Brexit motion On February 27 he house held a series of votes, unanimously calling for the UK and EU to guarantee citizens rights in a no-deal scenario AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Attorney General publishes legal advice A hammer blow for May as Geoffrey Cox said her renegotiated deal can still leave UK in backstop against its will. Mr Cox did say the prime ministers efforts had reduced the risk of the UK being trapped in the backstop indefinitely. MPs went on to vote against her deal by 391 to 242 UK Parliament/PA Brexit so far: in pictures No-deal off the table MPs rejected a no-deal Brexit by 43 votes on March 13, with cabinet ministers rebelling in another humiliating defeat for Theresa May. A day later they voted in favour of the prime minister seeking an extension to Article 50 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures House speaker bans May from third Commons vote on same Brexit deal John Bercow sensationally told Theresa May he would stop her making another attempt to pass her Brexit deal unless she has secured changes. The Speaker said a further meaningful vote would be ruled out of order if the motion was the same or substantially the same under an ancient convention to stop the government bullying parliament on issues MPs have rejected Parliament Live Brexit so far: in pictures May writes to Tusk The prime minister wrote to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, to ask for a three-month extension to give her more time to try to get her deal through parliament. However the European Commission advises the EU27 should offer a short extension to May 23 or a longer one meaning the UK would participate in European elections 10 Downing Street/AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures European Council summit Theresa Mays request to extend triggering Article 50 until the end of June was rejected by the EU, and instead offered a shorter time frame. She accepted the offer of a delay until May 22 if her withdrawal deal is approved by Parliament. If MPs rejected it for a third time, the EU said Britain must propose a new plan by April 12. Ms May said she will not support a long delay because it would mean Britain participating in elections for the European Parliament Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brussels confirms preparations for a no-deal Brexit are completed They warned that it is increasingly likely the UK will crash out. In a statement the European Commission (EC) said preparedness and contingency work, which the EC has been conducting since December 2017, was now finished. The announcement came days after EU leaders agreed to a request by Theresa May to extend the UKs Brexit date AFP Brexit so far: in pictures May resigns Reuters Crushing defeat Defeat by more than 100 votes on such a flagship policy would normally see the resignation of a prime minister. But these are not normal times, and May would regard it as her duty to plough on. However, a three-figure margin would be humiliating, and would encourage MPs to try to seize control of the Brexit process for example, by demanding a series of indicative votes on a possible plan B including a Final Say referendum; a Norway plus arrangement inside the single market and a customs union; an EU-Canada-style free trade agreement and a managed no deal. Supporters of the different options are keen for their plan to be the last one still standing after all the others have been rejected, so much will depend on how such indicative votes were held. If there is no majority for any alternative deal, the prospect of a referendum would increase. After a crushing defeat, it would be harder for May to claim her deal could be amended and put to a second Commons vote after further EU concessions. The cabinets position would be important although, like backbenchers, ministers are divided between a plan B deal involving a softer Brexit, and those willing to risk a no-deal departure. Ministers might finally call time on Mays deal, and persuade her to stage indicative votes and then adopt whichever came out on top. May would probably need her own plan B to avoid having one imposed on her by the cabinet or Commons. After surviving a confidence vote as Tory leader last month, her Eurosceptic MPs cannot challenge her for another year. The threat to her is now from parliament. So she might try to build a majority with the votes of Labour MPs perhaps by embracing a permanent customs union, something she has always opposed. May could make a managed no deal the governments central policy to honour her pledge to leave the EU on 29 March. But that would provoke cabinet resignations and MPs would likely find a way to block it. Some ministers expect May to lose by between 70 and 100 votes. She could claim some momentum towards accepting her deal, and go to Brussels to seek improvements. She would probably get one more chance to put a revised deal to the Commons. The EUs role will be critical in this scenario. EU insiders suggest they will be more flexible once parliament has voted on the deal, and might even reopen the withdrawal agreement. But they would first need to know what MPs would accept. 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 As good as it gets Some ministers believe that limiting the losing margin to under 70 votes would show that Mays deal is still alive. Its the best she can hope for, and the expectations game would work in her favour. She would tell the EU that legally-binding guarantees that the backstop to prevent a hard Irish border is temporary, might secure a Commons majority in a second vote. May would be tempted to repeatedly put her amended deal to MPs until she got over the line. Health warning In a series of votes on Tuesday, parliaments arcane procedures will be very important. Bizarrely, it possible that there is no specific vote on Mays deal, because MPs will first vote on amendments. Hilary Benn, Labour chairman of the Brexit select committee, has tabled one rejecting both a no-deal exit and Mays agreement. If passed, MPs would not vote solely on her deal. Benn is under pressure to withdraw his amendment as, if approved, it could minimise the scale of Mays defeat (as about 50 hardline Brexiteers will not vote against no deal.) The other amendment to watch, tabled by Tory MP Andrew Murrison, would end the Irish backstop after a year in December 2021. Ministers are encouraging Tories to back it. Brussels has refused to put a time limit on the backstop; passing this amendment would put the ball back in the EUs court. The amendments, and the order in which they are voted on, will be selected by Commons speaker John Bercow, putting him back in the spotlight, after he was accused of anti-Brexit bias last week. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Delay? In the Commons today, May repeated her determination not to extend the two-year Article 50 process beyond 29 March. However, she might be forced to rethink once her deal is rejected. Even if she salvaged it in later votes, time would be running out to push through key legislation needed by exit day. MPs are likely to vote for the government to ask the EU to extend the time limit not least to head off a cliff-edge departure. Although much of what happens next is shrouded in uncertainty, there is one good bet: an extension of Article 50. Three ex-ministers have revealed their plan to give rebel MPs in parliament control of Brexit, if Theresa Mays strategy is defeated this week. Nick Boles admitted on Monday that he and two others would try to push through a new law giving a senior panel of MPs responsibility to come up with its own compromise deal. Mr Boles denied the move was a coup, but admitted it would see power handed to the Liaison Committee chaired by a supporter of a new referendum to formulate a way forward. It came amid frantic political manoeuvring in Westminster, with another plan allegedly being hatched to change parliaments standing orders to give MPs control of the legislative process. In some good news for Ms May, a handful of Conservative MPs said they would now back her plans in the crunch vote on Tuesday night. Mr Boles said the European Union Withdrawal Number 2 Bill backed by himself, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan would allow MPs to frame a compromise Brexit deal if Ms May approach fails. He said all three would vote for the PMs deal but would act if it failed, adding: This bill would do the following, it would give the government three more weeks to get a compromise deal, a plan B, through parliament so that we are leaving the EU on time on March 29 with a deal. If that failedit would give the Liaison Committee the responsibility to try and come up with its own compromise deal, which would have to go back to the house for a vote. Cabinet minister Liam Fox: 'No Brexit is possible' He said that the first step would be laying an amendment that, if passed, would allocate a day quite soon in parliament in which the business of the government would be put to one side and parliament would be presented with a very short bill. But chair of the Liaison Committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, poured cold water on the plan almost immediately saying on Twitter: The Boles plan appears to have been developed with just 2 other MPs and not discussed in advance with the committee they propose to implement it. So hardly a coup. Would also point out that liaison ctee (sic) doesnt draft legislation or conduct pre-legislative scrutiny. The Sunday Times reported at the weekend upon a backbench bid, said to be led by Dominic Grieve, to rewrite Standing Order 14 of the commons rules dictating that government business takes precedence, effectively giving the backbenches control of the way ahead. Twelve Conservative former ministers also wrote to Tory MPs urging them to vote against the prime ministers Brexit deal, including Boris Johnson and former Brexit secretaries David Davis and Dominic Raab, arguing that doing so may encourage the EU to come back to the negotiating table. Jarvis Cocker compares Brexit result to 'a single entering the chart at no 19' But the last-ditch attempt to maximise Tory opposition to the PMs deal comes after four fellow Brexiteers said they will back the agreement, despite speculation they would vote against it. The MPs, including Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and Sir Edward Leigh, said they would support the government in the meaningful vote. Tory former minister Andrew Murrison said he also had reservations, but had decided to back the deal, as did MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Caroline Johnson. Mr Murrison is also tabling an amendment to the Brexit motion to create a sunset clause preventing the hated Irish backstop extending beyond the end of 2022. The amendment backs Ms Mays deal, subject to a legal codicil to the withdrawal agreement which states that the backstop must end by December 31 of that year. Ms May has also received the public support of a respected veteran Labour backbencher, Sir Kevin Barron, a former Commons standards watchdog chief. The MP for Rother Valley, said he was truly saddened that some MPs were trying to overturn the 2016 referendum result, adding: I know it will disappoint many within my party but I will be voting in support of the prime ministers deal on Tuesday as that is the only option on the table that truly enacts the promises that I made to my constituents and avoids the horror of a no-deal Brexit. Photo: The Canadian Press Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right meets with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Royal Court, in Riyadh, Monday, January 14, 2019. The Trump administration expects Saudi Arabia to hold "every single person" responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi accountable, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday after talks with senior Saudi officials that also focused on Mideast crises and countering threats from Iran. Pompeo, speaking to reporters at the end of a trip to Riyadh, said he had raised the Khashoggi case in his meetings with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as other human rights concerns, and the fate of women's rights activists who have been detained in the kingdom. "We spoke about human rights issues here in Saudi Arabia, women activists," he said. "We spoke about the accountability and the expectations that we have. The Saudis are friends and when friends have conversations you tell them what your expectations are." "Our expectations have been clear from early on: every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to held accountable," Pompeo said. He said the Saudis understood and had reiterated pledges to pursue the case wherever it leads. He would not comment on U.S. intelligence suggesting the crown prince may have ordered the killing. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following Khashoggi's brutal slaying and dismemberment at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October. Members of Prince Mohammed's entourage have been implicated in the killing and U.S. lawmakers have demanded America pull back its support of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. On the detained women rights activists, Pompeo said the Saudis had committed that the "lawful judicial process would take place and they would do so quickly and that they would continue down that path." "They understand the concerns that some have and they are going to do their best to communicate as appropriate," he said. Pompeo travelled to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader Middle East tour that has already taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. He was to depart from the kingdom for Oman shortly after his meetings in Riyadh but cancelled plans to wrap up the trip in Kuwait on Tuesday, due to a death in his family. A Labour MPs will delay the birth of her child to vote against Theresa Mays Brexit deal, because she does not trust the government to honour any pairing arrangement. Tulip Siddiq has defied medical advice to postpone her caesarean section by two days and intends to be pushed through the voting lobby in a wheelchair by her husband on Tuesday evening. Usually, heavily pregnant MPs, those with babies and those who are sick are paired with an opposition MP who also cannot vote so the overall result is not affected. But the tradition broke down after the Tory chief whip, Julian Smith, was accused of secretly telling Conservative MPs to ignore pairing arrangements before a knife-edge Brexit vote last summer. Ms Siddiq warned she could no longer trust any promise of a pair, saying: If the pairing system is not honoured, theres nothing I can do, and its going to be a very close vote. Ive had no pressure at all from the whips to come and vote but this is the biggest vote of my lifetime. Ms Siddiq had a difficult first pregnancy with her daughter Azalea, now two, and had originally been due to give birth by elective caesarean section on 4 February. However, after developing gestational diabetes, doctors at the Royal Free Hospital in North London advised she deliver the baby at 37 weeks, either today or tomorrow. She asked medical staff if she could shift the date back to Thursday, which they agreed to. The 36-year-old added: If my son enters the world even one day later than the doctors advised, but its a world with a better chance of a strong relationship between Britain and Europe, then thats worth fighting for. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters But she added: The Royal Free has been very clear on their legal and health duties. This is a high-risk pregnancy and I am doing this against doctors advice. Im choosing in a sense between career and my family life and I feel its totally unfair and, if we want more women in politics and we want people to come from different backgrounds, we need change and to introduce proxy voting. Last July, the Conservative party did not deny that Mr Smith told a total of three Tory MPs to vote to avoid a damaging defeat on leaving the EU customs union, despite being paired. Brandon Lewis, the party chairman, did break his pair accidentally he insisted but the other two sought further advice and ignored the instruction, it was reported. Ms Siddiq told the London Evening Standard: Ive sat down with my husband Chris and he said to me this is my choice but that he would support me. I am thinking about my childs future when I made this decision his future in the world. If it comes to an absolute emergency, I will of course prioritise the babys health. Senior MPs are set to take the first steps in parliament towards a fresh Brexit referendum this week. As Theresa May faces defeat on her withdrawal agreement on Tuesday, MPs from the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP have drawn up legislation that would deliver a Final Say on Brexit. The two bills to establish the legal framework for a referendum and decide what is on the ballot paper could be put forward as early as Wednesday, The Independent understands. The move comes ahead of a critical 48 hours for Ms May, where she will warn MPs that parliament could block Brexit, in a last-ditch bid to get her deal over the line. It comes as: Recommended Labour braced to call confidence vote in government within days * Jeremy Corbyn said he was poised to launch a bid to topple the government if Ms Mays deal is defeated, as part of Labours efforts to force a snap general election. * Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay warned MPs there was a growing risk that parliament could frustrate Brexit completely, after reports emerged of a plot to change Commons rules to enable backbench motions to take precedence over government business. * Transport secretary Chris Grayling admitted military staff have been sent to Whitehall departments to help them prepare for a no-deal Brexit. * Former Tory prime minister Sir John Major renewed calls for the government to suspend Brexit and give the public a Final Say referendum. On Monday cross-party MPs will publish draft plans to break the Brexit impasse, drawn up by a team of experts including former Commons clerk Lord Lisvane. Tory rebel Dominic Grieve said the move would offer the government an escape hatch, as there was no majority in parliament for Ms Mays deal or a no-deal exit. This bill provides a legally credible way forward, and a politically credible way forward, the former attorney general said. The legislation, which will be tabled in the House of Lords if Ms May is defeated, would allow a referendum to be held before the European elections in May. More than 1.1 million people have backed The Independents campaign for a Final Say vote on Britains exit from the EU since it was launched in June, with hundreds of thousands of supporters attending a rally in London. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: This bill puts flesh on the bones of our campaign for a Final Say. Crucially, it shows how quickly a peoples vote can be delivered. Labour MP Chuka Umunna said the people deserved a Final Say as Brexit looks nothing like what was originally promised during the referendum. He added: The government should stop wasting time on a doomed deal, and let the Commons address this real plan for a peoples vote as soon as possible the principal way for the UK to avoid crashing out with no deal in a few weeks time. 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 Ms May is widely expected to lose the meaningful vote on her Brexit blueprint on Tuesday, with analysis by Sky and BBC News placing the scale of the defeat at around 200 votes. If she loses the vote, she will be forced to return to the Commons within three days with a plan B, which would be the window for Labour to intervene. The Labour leader refused to commit to the exact timing of the challenge, telling The Andrew Marr Show: We will table a motion of no confidence in the government at a time of our choosing. But its going to be soon, dont worry about it. It comes after Mr Corbyn appealed to rival parties to back Labours confidence motion, admitting his party would need the support of Tory rebels to win. Mr Corbyn also dashed hopes that he was coming round to supporting a Final Say referendum, saying he would prefer to get a negotiated deal now than to pursue a fresh public vote. Meanwhile, Ms May will make a last-ditch bid to win support for her deal, by warning that MPs are now more likely to block Brexit than leave without a deal. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Addressing workers at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent, she will say: As we have seen over the last few weeks, there are some in Westminster who would wish to delay or even stop Brexit and who will use every device available to them to do so. I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. Imagine if an anti-devolution House of Commons had said to the people of Scotland or Wales that despite voting in favour of a devolved legislature, parliament knew better and would overrule them. Or else force them to vote again. What if we found ourselves in a situation where parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a Remain vote? Peoples faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. A Treasury minister discussed the possible threat of no food if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, his briefing note reveals. Mel Stride was pictured walking out of a meeting with his officials showing they also discussed the issue of no Channel tunnel after a no-deal Brexit. The picture prompted speculation that the financial secretary had allowed the note to be captured as a joke, but The Independent understands it is genuine. Jo Stevens, a Labour supporters of the anti-Brexit Best for Britain group said it was shameful that Theresa May had failed to rule out a no-deal departure. It is the latest in a series of gaffes which have seen ministers confidential briefing notes photographed and the second to raise the threat to rail links to the EU. Recommended Labour MP to delay birth of child to vote against Brexit deal A government source confirmed that both food restrictions and the risk to road and rail links to the continent were discussed with Treasury officials, both at Mr Strides instigation. The government has urged suppliers to stockpile food in the event of the prime ministers Brexit deal being rejected. Civil servants have also warned that some products may not be available. Meanwhile, the French government has warned that Eurostar trains would be turned back from Europe if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal. Mel Stride holds his notes which highlight no food and no channel tunnel (Steve Back) The Treasury refused to comment on why the two stark warnings were scrawled on the paper Mr Stride carried out of the meeting with his officials. "Brexit betrayal" march in London Show all 43 1 /43 "Brexit betrayal" march in London "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds an anti-BBC sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator holds a sign in the picket line Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester carrying a noose at the "Brexit betrayal" march. The man carrying it told a reporter: "That's what the traitor May deserves." AP "Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro-brexit supporters hold a sign opposed to Nigel Farage Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters carry a defaced British flag on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Tommy Robinson addresses a rally after taking part in a Brexit 'betrayal' march in central London PA "Brexit betrayal" march in London Police officers attempts to keep rival protesters from clashing at the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London Victoria Jones/PA "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds an anti-Theresa May sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator and his dog Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator at the protest Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit sign at the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro-brexit demonstrators endorse UKIP Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A Brexit 'betrayal' march protester wearing a Make Britain Great Again hat in London on 9 December 2018 Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty "Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London The "Brexit Betrayal" march passes through Central London Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Tommy Robinson tells protesters to join Ukip via their mobile phones on stage next to leader Gerard Batten (right) at the Brexit 'betrayal' march Gareth Fuller/PA "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester speaks thorugh a megaphone on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator walks in the picket line Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit anti-May sign at the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester carries a Union Jack on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator wrapped in the Union Jack Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit anti-May sign at the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro brexit demonstrators move through Central London Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator marches with sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator holds a rude sign in the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London The march passes down Victoria Street near Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A festive protester marches near Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds a mock noose as the march passes down Victoria Street towards Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester wrapped in the Union Jack marches down Victoria Street towards Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester makes some noise on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester dressed as a dinosaur holds a sign rallying against "Davocracy" - in reference to the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds a pro-brexit sign on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London The march approaches parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester distributes pro-brexit lapel badges Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A demonstrator wears an anti-EU poster and holds an anti-BBC sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A smoke bomb is deployed in Parliament Square as the march comes across the counter-demonstration Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A flag bearing the Arms of Plantagenet flies in theprot Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters on the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters on the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Ms Stevens added: The government clearly know the harm a no-deal Brexit would cause, so its shameful theyre still using the no deal threat to scare MPs into backing the prime ministers bad deal. Shes basically trying to hold the people of this country to ransom in order to stay in power. Close Theresa May compares the vote to the Welsh Assembley: 'We've never had a referendum in the United Kingdom that we've not honoured the result of' Theresa May made a last-ditch attempt to convince MPs to back her Brexit deal, as she warned that parliament could block Britain's withdrawal from the EU. Speaking ahead of tomorrow's "meaningful vote" on her proposed agreement, the prime minister admitted she had failed to secure a legally-binding time limit on the controversial Northern Ireland backstop. But she insisted her plan was the only way to avoid a no-deal Brexit and guarantee that Britain exits the EU as planned. Delivering a speech at a factory in Stoke, Ms May claimed some in Westminster would use every device available to them to delay or even stop Brexit. She hailed letters of clarification on the backstop that were published by EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk on the eve of the vote, but admitted she "did not achieve" a time limit on the controversial backstop. Theresa May will travel to the Leave stronghold of Stoke-on-Trent on the eve of the crucial vote to warn MPs that blocking her deal risks stopping Brexit altogether. The prime minister is expected to say that public faith in the democratic process and in politicians would suffer catastrophic harm if the referendum result is overruled. Addressing workers at a factory in Stoke, which voted 69.4 per cent in favour of Brexit, Ms May will argue on Monday that parliament has a duty to honour the decision of the British people. She is expected to say: In June 2016, the British people were asked by MPs to take a decision: should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or should it leave? In that campaign, both sides disagreed on many things, but on one thing they were united: what the British people decided, the politicians would implement. In the run-up to the vote, the government sent a leaflet to every household making the case for remain. It stated very clearly: This is your decision. The government will implement what you decide. Those were the terms on which people cast their votes. If a majority had backed remain, the UK would have continued as an EU member state. No doubt the disagreements would have continued too, but the vast majority of people would have had no truck with an argument that we should leave the EU in spite of a vote to remain or that we should return to the question in another referendum. On the rare occasions when Parliament puts a question to the British people directly we have always understood that their response carries a profound significance. When the people of Wales voted by a margin of 0.3 per cent, on a turnout of just over 50 per cent, to endorse the creation of the Welsh Assembly, that result was accepted by both sides and the popular legitimacy of that institution has never seriously been questioned. Parliament understood this fact when it voted overwhelmingly to trigger Article 50. And both major parties did so too when they stood on election manifestos in 2017 that pledged to honour the result of the referendum. The prime minister will also warn MPs against force the public to vote again on Brexit. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events She will say: As we have seen over the last few weeks, there are some in Westminster who would wish to delay or even stop Brexit and who will use every device available to them to do so. I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. Imagine if an anti-devolution House of Commons had said to the people of Scotland or Wales that despite voting in favour of a devolved legislature, parliament knew better and would over-rule them. Or else force them to vote again. What if we found ourselves in a situation where parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a remain vote? Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Peoples faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum. The prime minister is facing a historic defeat on her Brexit deal on Tuesday, with some estimates suggesting she could lose by around 200 votes. Jeremy Corbyn has indicated he would call a confidence vote in the government soon afterwards as part of Labours efforts to force a snap general election. A group of Labour MEPs has written to Jeremy Corbyn to ask him to back a second EU referendum warning that giving the public a final say on Brexit is the only way through the deadlock in Westminster. In a letter seen by The Independent, the seven MEPs, Julie Ward, Seb Dance, Jude Kirton-Darling, Catherine Stihler, Mary Honeyball, Wajid Khan and David Martin say they applaud Mr Corbyns criticisms of Theresa Mays Brexit deal but that the party needs to go further. We now face the challenge of what to do in light of its near certain defeat if we dont manage to secure a rapid general election, the MEPs say. The cowardly postponement of the vote by the PM means that time is running out and we need to bring forward decisions that will garner the support of the majority of our members and supporters. The MEPs, who represent a spread of areas across the North West, North East, London and Scotland, point to polling evidence that suggests that in recent months, many Leave voting areas have changed their minds and want to remain in the EU. Recommended Corbyn indicates Labour will back Brexit delay We are living through a profound national crisis that will define our country for decades to come, and largely affects the future of our young people, who we know voted overwhelmingly to Remain in the EU, the MEPs say. Isolationism has never, and will never be, the answer to the many global and international problems we must solve together with our allies. We need to have a seat at the table in order to shape the future, including reform of the European institutions. They add: With the current impasse in Westminster, giving the people a final say on what to do is the only way through the deadlock. This is the democratic way forward, especially in the light of so much information and evidence that has come to light. Labour has 20 MEPs in the European parliament, making the call for a second referendum a minority position of around of a third of representatives in its delegation as this stage. Surveys of party members and voters suggest most would welcome another vote though many prioritise other issues. Mr Corbyns party faces a dilemma on whether to back a second referendum: polling suggests that Labour will lose the support of Remain voters if it is seen to endorse Brexit, while it would lose the support of many of its Leave voters if it tries to frustrate the referendum result. The party has left the possibility of another referendum on the table but says its priority is to secure a general election. A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Show all 65 1 /65 A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A Peoples Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at Londons march for the future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA On Brexit the party says it would negotiate a closer relationship with the EU than Theresa May inside a customs union and with a tighter relationship with the single market. It has been ambiguous on the question of free movement. In a speech on Thursday about Brexit Mr Corbyn told the prime minister: If you are so confident in your deal, call that election, and let the people decide. He said if a general election could not be secured all options were on the table, including the option of campaigning for a public vote. The full text of the letter can be read here. The EU has written to Theresa May to assure her MPs about the Brexit deal ahead of a crunch vote in the House of Commons but warned that nothing about it can be changed. Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, the presidents of the Commission and Council, said the EU wanted to do a trade deal by 2020 to make sure the agreement's controversial backstop clause would never have to come into force. But they said they were not in a position to agree anything that changes or is inconsistent with the withdrawal agreement. In his section of the letter Mr Tusk said earlier reassurances on the deal drawn up by the European Council in December had "legal value", but stopped short of formally committing the EU to signing a deal by a certain date. Mr Juncker also repeated in writing a pledge he made in December to start preparing for negotiations on a future relationship immediately after the signature of the withdrawal agreement in order to maximise the chance of doing a deal quickly. Behind the scenes in Brussels officials do not believe the latest letter will do much to convince sceptical MPs to vote for May's deal. Conservative eurosceptics, who are set to rebel en masse on Tuesday, want real changes to the withdrawal agreement to give the UK the ability to leave the backstop whenever it wants or a time-limit on it. Though both the UK and EU say the backstop ought never be used, in reality it is likely to become the de facto relationship between the UK and EU for many years, because the prime minister's proposals for frictionless trade a requirement to replace it have been rejected. She has produced no alternative plans and rejected those suggested by the EU. Labour says it cannot back the plan because it does not meet its tests of keeping the benefits of single market membership and a customs union. It has also criticised the backstop in its current form. Trade deals take years to negotiate and most trade experts say it is unrealistic to expect a deal to be concluded before the backstop comes in at the start of 2021. In the letter, the EU chiefs assured Ms May that the transition period could potentially be extended to prevent the backstop coming into force though there are limits to how long it can be dragged out for. The transition itself is not popular with eurosceptic MPs, some of whom have claimed it amounts to "vassal" status. During the period, the UK would have to follow all EU rules, including new ones, with no say in drawing them up. In her letter to the EU the prime minister had said the deal is at risk because of concerns in the UK parliament about how we are delivering our commitments in relation to Northern Irelands border with Ireland. She said that worries could be mitigated by changes to the backstop itself, naming suggested proposals for a way in which the UK would choose to exit the backstop unilaterally were it ever to come into force, or for a hard time limit on the duration of the usage of the backstop. Speaking in Stoke-on-Trent on Monday morning after the letters were exchanged, Ms May said the EUs assurances make absolutely clear the backstop is not a threat or a trap. Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images I fully understand that the new legal and political assurances which are contained in the letters from Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker do not go as far as some MPs would like, she said. But I am convinced that MPs now have the clearest assurances that this is the best deal possible and that it is worthy of their support. MPs will vote on the proposal on Tuesday evening, with current protections suggesting a historically wide margin of defeat for the Government. Government plans to tackle toxic air pollution have been described by green campaigners as a missed opportunity to tackle the problem of traffic emissions. Lauded by ministers as a strategy that places the UK above the rest of the world in the fight for cleaner air, the strategy does not address the car fumes that have repeatedly landed the government in court. Despite this omission, the plan does float severe crackdowns on wood-burning stoves and pollution from farms to cut harmful particulates and ammonia gas from the air. Air pollution is one of the nations biggest public health threats, and has been linked to everything from breathing difficulties to dementia. The new targets, which were published in draft form for consultation last May, are intended to cut billions from the economic losses arising every year as a result of costs to the NHS and sick days triggered by filthy air. Environment secretary Michael Gove said tackling emissions from car exhausts was only one part of the story, emphasising the focus on all forms of air pollution. Under the new plans, the most polluting wood burners and coal for open fires will be banned, and farming reforms will be introduced to cut huge quantities of ammonia the industry pumps out. Our ambitious strategy includes new targets, new powers for local government and confirms that our forthcoming environment bill will include new primary legislation on air quality, said Mr Gove. New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Show all 14 1 /14 New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels India's Rashtrapati Bhawan is partly visible due to smog as traffic plies on Rajapth. Smog levels spike during winter in Delhi, when air quality often eclipses the World Health Organization's safe levels AP New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Cooler air traps pollutants -- such as from vehicles, building sites and farmers burning crops in regions outside the Indian capital -- close to the ground AP New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels A man wearing a protective mask walks amidst smog in the early morning in New Delhi Reuters New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Indian people receive treatment for respiratory problems at a hospital in New Delhi AFP/Getty New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Buildings shrouded in smog Reuters New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels A combination of pictures showing people wearing face masks to protect themselves against air pollution AFP/Getty New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Indian workers are seen in the morning smog as they clean a lane littered with remains of firecrackers AP New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Smog envelopes the horizon in New Delhi AP New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Motorists on a busy road amid heavy smog AFP/Getty New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels A man cycles past a government building amid heavy smog AFP/Getty New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels Commuters are seen amid heavy smog in New Delhi AFP/Getty New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels An Indian shepherd walks along his herd of sheep amidst heavy smog AFP/Getty New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels A train moves through heavy smog EPA New Delhi toxic smog pushes air pollution to peak levels A pedestrian crosses a road near the Indian President's house AFP/Getty Professor Alastair Lewis, an atmospheric chemist at the University of York, welcomed the proposals to cut domestic and agricultural emissions, which he said had quietly been increasing in recent years. However, Simon Alcock, head of public affairs for environment law firm ClientEarth, condemned the strategys failure to address traffic pollution. It instead claims that it is being dealt with by other plans, he said. What it doesnt say is that those plans are in total disarray, so once again the government has missed a golden opportunity to clean up illegal levels of air pollution. ClientEarth has successfully taken the government to court three times over its inadequate action to curb illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide which pervade many British cities, mostly from vehicles. Campaigners said Mr Gove and his department could not wait for Chris Graylings Department for Transport to clean up Britains roads. They urged the government to bring forward a switch to electric cars and the ban on the sale of high-polluting vehicles. A 2040 phase-out date for diesel and petrol is effectively saying that yes, your grandchildren deserve clean air, but your children will just have to go on breathing toxic fumes so as not to disrupt the car industrys sales forecasts, said Greenpeace clean air campaigner Morten Thaysen. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events However, a commitment in the new strategy to halving the number of people living in areas with dangerous levels of particulate pollution by 2025 makes the UK the first major economy to set goals based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The government said such targets go far beyond those set for EU member states. WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UKs new strategy set an example for the rest of the world to follow. But green groups, who have been closely scrutinising the UKs environmental plans for a post-Brexit future, said the promises laid out by Mr Gove would only be worth anything if the timeframes are ambitious and they are enshrined in law. Jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been asked by the countrys Revolutionary Guard to spy against Britain to secure her release from a Tehran jail, her husband has said. The revelation is believed to have prompted foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to summon the Iranian ambassador for an urgent meeting on Monday afternoon. The approach by two interrogators has left the British charity worker terrified, Richard Ratcliffe said. He said she was asked to spy on Britains Department for International Development (Dfid). Mondays revelation comes on the same day that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 40, began a hunger strike about the alleged refusal to grant her proper access to medical treatment while she is held in Evin Prison, Tehran. Mr Ratcliffe told a press conference that he was also due to speak later on Monday to Mr Hunt in order to press him to grant the jailed British charity worker legal diplomatic protection status that might allow the UK to intervene more strongly in her case. On social media, Mr Hunt described Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes continued detention in far from diplomatic terms, calling it totally unacceptable and a fundamental breach of human rights. Mr Ratcliffe said the approach made on December 29 by two Revolutionary Guard interrogators was simply outrageous. They tried to pressure her to be a spy for Iran, spying on Dfid and [anti-censorship NGO] Small Media, he said. They told her it would be safer for her and her family if she agreed to do this. In a transcript of Nazanins account of the conversation with the interrogators, Mr Ratcliffe and his supporters said that one interrogator had moved towards suggesting she spy on the UK government by saying: Maybe you can help us? What do you know about UK Aid and Dfid? And what do you know about Small Media? When she furiously refused to be a Revolutionary Guard agent, the transcript says, one of the interrogators replied: Have a think about it. The two men said they would come back to see her again. Husband of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe gives Christmas update on British charity worker jailed Iran Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was enraged, and relayed the message to her husband: How dared they ask that at the end of all this? Mr Ratcliffe said: She came out of that conversation terrified, and in no doubt that she had been warned that the only way she would get out [of jail] would be if she agreed to become a spy. This pressure was seemingly applied despite the Iranian authorities and state media having demonised her as a British spy ever since she was arrested in Tehran in April 2016 when trying to return to London after a holiday with her then 21-month-old daughter Gabriella. Her incarceration has been widely condemned as a travesty of justice, but the British governments handling of her case became hugely controversial in November 2017 when the then foreign secretary Boris Johnson accidentally and wholly erroneously bolstered the Iranians by saying the dual-national had been teaching journalists in Iran. In fact the charity worker has never worked as, or trained journalists in her life. She had been visiting Iran to spend time with her parents, who were also keen to see Gabriella, their granddaughter. Mr Ratcliffe has previously said that his wifes treatment at the hands of her captors had amounted to torture and had left her feeling suicidal. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her cellmate, the jailed Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammedi have gone on hunger strike to demand that they be allowed to attend appointments with medics, and that they receive a written commitment that this will not just be a single token visit to a doctor. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe is demanding medical treatment to check lumps found in her breasts, neurological care for her neck pains and numbness in her arms and legs, and access to an outside psychiatrist. The current plan is to limit her protest to three days in the hope the Iranian authorities will have responded positively by then, but Mr Ratcliffe said he was worried about whether his wife had the physical and mental strength to withstand a hunger strike. A hunger strike of three days is a completely different thing to one that she decides to extend. At the moment, I am calm, but if she decides to extend the hunger strike, I will panic. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A Foreign Office spokesman said: The foreign secretary will call for Nazanin to be immediately given the healthcare she requires and for her and other innocent British Iranian dual nationals to be released. We have repeatedly lobbied the Iranians to release Nazanin on humanitarian grounds and we will continue to raise all our cases at every level and every opportunity. The Iranian government has previously said that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe has at all times been treated fairly and in accordance with justice. Thousands of Army ration packs will be donated to charities to help feed poor families and the homeless across the country. Defence chiefs have announced that 20,000 unused operational ration packs will be donated over the next few years. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the food will be handed to charity FareShare, which will then divide them up between charities across the UK including community groups, homeless hotels and lunch groups for the elderly. The ration packs contain enough to give 10 soldiers 4,000 calories to sustain them over a 24-hour period and include items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, such as porridge, sausages, baked beans, pasta and rice. Minister for defence people and veterans Tobias Ellwood said: Ration packs help provide nutritionally-balanced meals to our armed forces on operations around the world. But charity begins at home, and Im pleased our partnership with FareShare will make sure no food goes to waste. FareShare does a fantastic job redistributing food across the country and Im proud the military can support communities in this way. The ration packs will help the recipient charities save on food bills, allowing them to re-invest money into essential support programmes. About two million ration packs are used by the military every year, with less than one per cent of the MoDs stock requiring disposal. Food banks are more likely to open in local authorities with higher unemployment rates and in areas which have had greater aggregate cuts in welfare spending (Getty) This scheme means when it becomes clear a batch of ration packs cant be used, there is an opportunity to gift to those in need and ensure any good food does not go to waste. The operational ration pack provides a two-course breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner, as well as a number of drinks, both hot and cold. Roger West, director of the MoDs procurement organisation, said the move was the right thing to do. I am delighted to be able to provide support for this important issue, he said. This solution will deliver food products where they are needed while also minimising waste. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Tens of thousands of people are turning to foodbanks for help each year. The Trussell Trust a charity which co-ordinates a nationwide network of foodbanks reported a 13 per cent increase in the distribution of three-day emergency packs last year. The Trusts foodbank network distributed 1,332,952 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis between 1 April, 2017, and 31 March, 2018, 484,026 of which went to children. Two of the primary reasons people were referred to foodbanks was because of benefit delays and benefit changes. Photo: The Canadian Press Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa, Friday November 30, 2018. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to shuffle his cabinet today to account for the sudden resignation of Nova Scotia MP Scott Brison from his post as Treasury Board president. Montreal MP David Lametti, a former McGill University law professor, walked into Rideau Hall in advance of the swearing-in, a sign he's due to be promoted from his position as parliamentary secretary to the industry minister. Insiders confirm that Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott will take over for Brison, and Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan is also on the move. He has cancelled an event that was set to take place today in his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The prime minister also must elevate a legislator from Nova Scotia to cabinet to make up for the void Brison leaves. Political observers have speculated that person will likely be either Sean Fraser or Bernadette Jordan possibly taking over for O'Regan at Veterans Affairs. KFC, McDonalds, Nandos and Dominos Pizza are subjecting billions of chickens to lives of misery that end in a painful death, according to what is thought to be the first global investigation of its type. The worlds nine biggest chains also including Burger King, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Subway have, following the investigation, been rated poor or failing on chicken welfare, and accused of putting birds through chronic pain in brutal industrial-scale systems hidden from the consumer. World Animal Protection (WAP)s report found an almost-universal disregard among the brands for improving the treatment of chickens throughout their global supply chains. The fast-food brands say they adhere to Red Tractor standards or their own animal welfare guidelines, or exceed minimum legal standards. About 40 billion meat chickens or broilers are raised each year in factory farms, living in pain and suffering lameness, skin lesions and even heart failure, the report claims. Two-thirds are genetically selected to develop so fast their legs cannot bear their weight, and are raised in barren, dark warehouses that curb their instinctive behaviour, the report says. It identifies six common problems: being bred to grow too quickly; overcrowding; cages that severely restrict movement; alien, unhealthy environments; unnatural lighting, and often squalid conditions. No company was graded higher than poor in the report. Dominos was judged failing. KFC, Nandos, Pizza Hut and McDonalds were rated very poor. In most areas companies do not even guarantee humane slaughter WAP report Three of the nine Burger King, Starbucks and Subway had policies to address the problems but in only one region or country, while none had a global policy on improving chicken welfare, the report said. Transparency was universally poor, with all companies providing little or no information to show how they are performing when it comes to chicken welfare, it added. Notable exceptions [on welfare] occur in some regions, the document says. For example, in the UK, natural light and enrichment are being introduced by a few companies. A 14-day-old broiler chicken in a commercial indoor system (World Animal Protection) However, in most areas where they operate, companies do not even guarantee a humane slaughter for the chickens used in their businesses. Three months ago, WAP handed KFC a petition signed by 500,000 people in at least 10 countries urging the company to give its chickens better lives. Jonty Whittleton, of WAP, said: There is no excuse for the pain, fear and stress that a factory farmed chicken feels for much of their life. Billions of chickens never get the chance to see sunlight, to grow at a natural rate or behave as they would do in the wild. How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Show all 16 1 /16 How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 A crowded transport truck Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 A thirsty pig on transport truck is given water by a Melbourne Pig Save activist Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada Pigs being transported to slaughter in freezing weather Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada A volunteer gives water to thirsty pigs Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada Pigs en route to an abattoir How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Canada A cow looks out of transport truck just outside the slaughterhouse gates Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain Stacked crates of rabbits awaiting slaughter Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Australia A pig finds some air at a sale yard Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada Pigs in a transport lorry en route to an abattoir Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 A pig in a transport truck touches noses with a man Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 Chickens in transport crates Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain, 2014 A rabbit's nose and feet poke out from between plastic crates Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain A rabbit looks out between plastic crate slats Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Nepal, 2017 A chicken looks out through fencing on a crowded transport truck Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain Broiler chickens are captured and loaded into transport crates for slaughter Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Israel, 2018 A ship carrying up to 30,000 sheep and cattle from Australia to Israel arrives at port after almost three weeks at sea Jo-Anne McArthur / Israel Against Live Shipments These iconic companies must respond to growing consumer concerns over chicken cruelty. The Change for Chickens campaign is calling on the fast food industry to source birds from higher-welfare farms, avoid use of live shackling and ensure they are unconscious when slaughtered. A Nandos spokesman said: Nandos never uses caged chickens anywhere in its global supply chain. All our chickens are reared in deep-littered, well-ventilated barns. In the UK, all our chickens are barn-reared to Red Tractor standards. Our internal technical teams undertake regular visits to all our suppliers across the world. A spokesperson for KFC globally said: KFC is committed to the wellbeing and humane treatment of chickens. We are proud of our responsible, industry-leading animal welfare guidelines and have a longstanding commitment to improving farm animal welfare through our multi-stakeholder Animal Welfare Advisory Council and our global animal welfare policy. A KFC UK spokesperson added: Were proud that World Animal Protection has recognised the progress made in Western Europe and of the strong working relationship weve fostered with them. Subway said: We work closely with suppliers to ensure animals are treated well in accordance with our global animal welfare policy. Globally we support the principles of the Farm Animal Welfare Council Five Freedoms. We are working with Compassion in World Farming in Europe and the USA. All our chicken suppliers source from independently verified farm-assured schemes which go above the minimum requirements of legislation. In the UK this includes rearing chickens at a much lower stocking density. In Europe cages are never used. A Pizza Hut spokesperson said: As a business, we have animal welfare policies in place and we are talking to World Animal Protection to understand how they reached their conclusions. Dominos said it would comment soon on the findings, and McDonalds said it would comment, but did not do so before publication. Starbucks and Burger King were approached for comment but did not respond. A driver who collided with cyclists and pedestrians outside the Houses of Parliament has denied committing a terror attack. Salih Khater, 29, is accused of deliberately ploughing his silver Ford Fiesta into victims at traffic lights, before speeding towards police officers and crashing into security barriers in Westminster. Three people were treated for non life-threatening injuries after the crash on 14 August last year. Mr Khater, a British citizen originally from Sudan, denied two counts of attempted murder and two alternative charges of attempting to cause previous bodily harm. The charges accuse him of trying to kill people at the junction of Parliament Square and St Margaret Street, and police officers in Abingdon Street, in what prosecutors allege was a terror attack. Recommended Westminster crash suspect Salih Khater to face trial next year Mr Khater was due to stand trial next month but at a hearing on Monday, Mr Justice Sweeney pushed the date back to 24 June. The defendant, wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a maroon jumper, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Belmarsh prison. He spoke only to confirm his name before entering not guilty pleas to all four charges. Mr Khater, of Highgate Street in Birmingham, was remanded in custody. Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Show all 30 1 /30 Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Forensic officers by the car that crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police arrest the man Sky News Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Forensic officers work at the scene EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Damaged bikes near the crash site Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police arrest the man who crashed a car into the barriers ITV Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police activity outside the Houses of Parliament after a car crashed into security barriers BBC/PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Bicycles lie on the ground at the scene REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A forensics investigator arrives at the scene REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police and emergency response teams work outside the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament The area is cleared near to the incident PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A forensics investigator works at the scene REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Armed police on Victoria Embankment PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A forensic officer attends the scene near the Houses of Parliament PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police officers and a search team secure the roads around the Houses of Parliament as forensic teams continue their work around a vehicle Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police forensics officers outside the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament The car crashed into parliament barriers Vincent McAviney/NBC News/Euronews/Twitter/PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Fire fighters attend the scene Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament A police dog team works behind the cordon REUTERS Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament olice and emergency services respond EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police on Westminster Bridge PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police respond EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament EPA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Armed police stand in the street after the incident Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police officers stand at a cordon Reuters Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Police activity on Millbank PA Westminster incident: car crashes into barriers outside parliament Reuters Additional reporting by PA A student who killed a doctor on a zebra crossing after failing to defrost his windscreen has been jailed. Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, drove into 30-year-old Jasjot Singhota after failing to see her on the crossing in Tulse Hill, southeast London. The uninsured driver was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta with frost on the windscreen when the accident happened on 25 January, 2017. He stopped at the scene. The detective leading the investigation said Dr Singhotas death could have been avoided entirely. Dr Singhota, who worked as an anaesthetist at St Thomas Hospital, in Lambeth, London, was rushed into emergency surgery but died the following day after suffering a traumatic brain injury. Recommended Baby fighting for life after mother killed by car while pushing pram Police say she saved the lives of five other people through being an organ donor. University student Fitzgerald, of Selwood Road, Essex, was handed a 10-month prison sentence and a 23-month driving ban at Kingston Crown Court on Friday. He had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and causing death by driving uninsured. Dr Singhota's sister, Neha Santasalo, said the sentence provides closure allowing us to focus on our sister, her life and all that she achieved. Student Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, has been jailed for 10 months after killing doctor Jasjot Singhota on a zebra crossing in London. (Metropolitan Police) She added that clearing a windscreen during cold weather is a simple action that takes no time at all but can prevent any other family having to go through what we have. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Fitzgerald's 54-year-old father, Gary Fitzgerald, pleaded guilty to permitting the use of a motor vehicle with no insurance at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court in May last year. He was given eight penalty points on his licence, a 250 fine and ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs. There were 164 casualties from crashes on Britains roads in 2017 when a drivers visibility was impaired due to a frosted, dirty or scratched windscreen or visor, Department for Transport figures show. One in eight respondents to an AA survey admitted they do not fully clear ice off their windscreen before setting off. The organisations president Edmund King urged drivers to ensure ice is removed from all windows and mirrors, adding that he often sees drivers peering out of a small gap on the windscreen like a tank commander. An alleged far-right terrorist accused of uploading a song named White Man to the internet has appeared in court. Tristan Morgan appeared at the Old Bailey via video link on Monday charged with two offences under terrorism legislation. The 51-year-old, from Exeter, in Devon, is charged with encouraging an act of terrorism on or before 21 July last year. He is accused of uploading the song White Man to the website Soundcloud. Morgan, of no fixed address, is also charged with collecting information likely to be useful for the purposes of terrorism, namely the White Resistance Manual. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and that he was British during the brief hearing on Monday. The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, set a date of 1 July for the trial, which is expected to last up to three weeks. Mr Morgan was remanded in custody and will next appear in court on 1 February. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Superintendent Matt Lawler, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: I would like to reassure and stress to everyone that there is no increased threat to anyones safety as a result of this announcement today. I hope that everyone will understand that, given the nature of these charges and due to the ongoing court proceedings, we are legally not able to share any further specific information at this stage. It is crucial that we maintain the fairness of the court process and avoid unnecessary speculation. Further court hearings are planned, and we do intend to release further information when it is appropriate for us to do so. Im not saying anybody stole anybody elses Nobel prize. Nothing was stolen. At the same time, it feels as if somebody was robbed. But you decide. The facts are clear enough. Back in 1967, Jocelyn Bell was a 20-something graduate student at New Hall (now Murray Edwards College) in Cambridge, studying astrophysics, doing a PhD in radio astronomy. In fact she was one of the pioneers of radio astronomy in Cambridge. It wasnt all theory back then. You still had to build the telescopes, which looked more like antennae, sprouting up out of the countryside. Bell got her hands dirty, banging a thousand poles into the fields north of Cambridge, and stringing 120 miles of wire between them. From the point of view of outer space, it must have looked like acres of fine mesh laid down like dew on the green and pleasant lands. What Bell and others were trying to catch in their net was electromagnetic manna from heaven. Bell had the job of analysing the data. Sounds easy now, but I know how hard it was back then (I have a twin brother who really is a rocket scientist, wrote his PhD on X-ray astronomy, and used to curse the roomfuls of paper he regularly had to scour in search of elusive gems of hard information). Bell was specifically looking for fluctuations in radio emissions, known rather lyrically as interplanetary scintillations. She had to keep an eye on four three-track pen recorders, which collectively churned out 96-feet of printouts every single day. The Polish border with Germany might not seem like an obvious place for a holiday. However, this old buffer zone between the Soviet Union and the west is home to some of Europes most wild and untouched landscapes. I came here to see white-tailed eagles ahead of plans to reintroduce them on the Isle of Wight next year, more than 230 years after they were last seen there. The Oder Delta, sometimes referred to as the Amazon of the north, sits on the Baltic coast in both Germany and Poland. Largely devoid of human habitation, this fought-over land has been left as a haven for lynx, European bison and wolves. In the Szczecin lagoon on the Polish side (which was part of Germany for 123 years) there are 50 breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles patrolling an area of 100 square kilometres. With an astonishing six-foot wingspan, these raptors are Europes largest eagle. There is a higher density of them here than anywhere else in the world. I am here with my brother as part of a tour organised by the newly formed and rather makeshift Oder Delta Safaris company. It is based in a village called Kopice, 20 miles north of the regional capital of Szczecin and three hours drive from Berlin. The firm is run from the living room of a couple called Iwona Krepic and Reginald Sciezka, who live at the end of the village. The day before we arrive a deer is taken down by wolves just metres from their front door. The wife of former Nissan chair Carlos Ghosn has written to Human Rights Watch to protest against her husbands detention in Japan. My husbands is a case study in the realities of this draconian system, Carole Ghosn wrote in a letter to the groups Tokyo branch. Mr Ghosn was arrested on 19 November and has been charged with underreporting his income by tens of millions of dollars and breach of trust. The businessman maintains he is innocent. According to Ms Ghosn, the former Nissan boss is being held in an unheated 75sq-ft cell, being denied medication and has mainly rice and barley to eat. As a result he has lost 3kg in two weeks, she claims. Recommended The Japanese criminal justice system is in the dock with Carlos Ghosn The prolonged detention of the motor industrys most prominent executive has put Japanese justice under the spotlight more than ever before. Prosecutors have a conviction rate of more than 99 per cent, while the accused are frequently questioned for weeks or even months without access to a lawyer. For hours each day, the prosecutors interrogate him, browbeat him, lecture him and berate him, outside the presence of his attorneys, in an effort to extract a confession, Ms Ghosn said. No human being should be detained under conditions so harsh that their only plausible purpose is to coerce a confession. Ms Ghosn added: My husband is well-known as a person of unimpeachable honour, honesty and integrity. Meghan Markle has reportedly confirmed the due date for the royal baby. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Birkenhead, Wirral, today as part of their first joint official engagement of the year. Upon their arrival in Merseyside where they are expected to visit a number of local organisations the couple undertook a royal walkabout among the large crowds. And it was here that Markle reportedly confirmed just how far along her pregnancy is. According to several royal reporters, including ITVs Chris Ship, Markle told a women in the crowd that she is six months pregnant and expecting to give birth this coming April. For those who want to know about these things: Meghan told one lady in the crowd that she is six months pregnant and another woman that her due date is around April, he wrote on Twitter. Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello!, also confirmed the news writing: Meghan has told wellwishers in Birkenhead that she is six months pregnant due end of April/beginning of May! Lots of baby chat today! But, theres more news. According to Rebecca English, royal correspondent at the Daily Mail, Markle also revealed she doesnt know the gender of their baby. But Meghan said she didnt know whether they were having a boy or a girl. She said she wants it to be a surprise! Nash wrote on Twitter. While Kensington Palace previously confirmed that the Duchess is due in Spring 2019, this is the closest royal fans have got to a confirmation of her due date. It has also been reported that Markle is considering Frimley Park hospital in Surrey for her delivery, which would be a huge departure from St. Marys Hospital in London, where Kate Middleton and Princess Diana delivered their children. During their trip to Merseyside, the couple have visited a number of locations including a statue erected to mark the 100th anniversary of war poet Wilfred Owens death, Together Women Wirral an organisation that supports women in vulnerable circumstances- and a supermarket and community cafe. Several restaurants listed on the Just Eat platform have been providing incorrect information concerning food allergens that could be life-threatening, a BBC Panorama investigation has discovered. The takeaway delivery service currently asks customers to enquire with restaurants directly if they have a food allergy. However, even when customers do so, theyre not guaranteed to receive accurate information about the ingredients that their food contains. BBC Panorama reporter Tina Daheley pretended to be a customer with food allergies when ordering food at restaurants through Just Eat. She ordered a chicken chow mein dish from Tong Feng House in Greater Manchester, a restaurant that has five-star customer views on the Just Eat app but a zero-star hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency. Despite being assured that the dish didnt contain any wheat, this claim proved to be false when the food was sent for scientific testing. Daheley also ordered a burger without a bun from Mama Mia Pizza in Birmingham, another restaurant with a zero-star hygiene rating. The reporter was incorrectly informed by an employee that the burger didnt contain any wheat. In another instance, Daheley called Karos Pizza in Liverpool to ask whether it would be safe for her to eat their cheese burger as an individual with a wheat allergy, a question that the employee on the phone was unable to confidently answer. Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Show all 6 1 /6 Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Six healthy breakfast recipes to try You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost. Method: 1) Cook your turkey breast so that its ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as its healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. 1) Cook your turkey breast so that its ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as its healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon Method 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurts credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if youre trying to lose weight. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of healthy fats, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day. DW Fitness The investigation also uncovered the fact that more than 100 restaurants on Just Eat are labelled as a Local Legend, despite having a zero-star hygiene rating. Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), emphasises the importance of providing customers with trustworthy information when it comes to hygiene standards in restaurants. The food hygiene rating system is vastly important for us understanding how good a restaurant is, she states. To have a zero rating I dont think in anybodys mind would be a local legend. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Following the BBC Panorama investigation, Karos Pizza has stated that its going to undergo a new hygiene inspection, and Tong Feng House is going to retrain its team. Karos Pizza and Mama Mia Pizza also said that their employees didnt understand the questions asked by Daheley concerning food allergens. Recommended Half of adults who think they have food allergies are wrong A Just Eat spokesperson sent The Independent a statement revealing that the company has launched an immediate investigation. We were concerned to learn about the restaurants not providing accurate information, which falls below the standards we expect, they state. Whilst it is a restaurants responsibility to ensure they are compliant with the law, we actively work to raise standards. We offer free accredited food hygiene training, including on allergens, to any restaurant that signs up to our platform and also invest to improve education and awareness. The BBC Panorama investigation Takeaway Secrets Exposed is airing on 14 January at 8.30pm on BBC One. The creator of the worlds most popular Instagram post has revealed how a picture of an egg from an unknown account found unprecedented viral success. The @world_record_egg account gained more than 25 million likes in just 10 days after posting a stock image of an egg on 4 January with the caption: Lets set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. It overtook the 18 million likes given to a picture posted in 2018 by reality star Kylie Jenner, which showed her newborn daughters hand holding her finger. Despite the popularity of the egg post, little is known about the person behind it. The account holders real name remains unknown, but some details about their identity and how the social media phenomenon came about have been revealed. Im an individual living in London, the account holder told The Independent, who used the pseudonym Eugene the egg. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Show all 11 1 /11 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Hide and reorder filters Filters are a core part of Instagram, but there are so many available it can be easy to get lost. You can change the order in which they appear, and even hide the ones you never use, to speed up your photo-sharing process. On the filters page, scroll to the end, tap Manage, then drag and drop the ones you want to reorder, and un-check the ones you want to hide. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Never miss a post Instagram controversially ditched its reverse-chronological order feed for a new order determined by an algorithm, making it easy to completely miss some posts. To make sure you never miss a certain somebodys updates, you can set up notification for them by visiting their profile, tapping the three dots in the top right-hand corner and selecting Turn On Post Notifications. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Eat less data If youre worried about how much of your mobile data Instagram saps, you can limit it by sacrificing the speed at which the photos and videos in your feed load. Go to your profile, tap the three dots in the top right corner, open Cellular Data Use and choose Use Less Data. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed See your Likes Its easy to lose track of your friends old posts on Instagram, but if you know you Liked it, youll be able to track it down easily. Just go to your profile, hit the three dots at the top and select Posts Youve Liked. You can also save posts in a folder only you can see by tapping the bookmark icon underneath it. Take a look at everything youve bookmarked by tapping the same icon that sits near the top of your profile. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Find relevant hashtags Everyone knows you can expand the reach of your posts by using a number of relevant hashtags, but what those are arent always glaringly obvious. You can easily find the right ones for you by typing a keyword into Instagrams search bar, selecting a hashtag from the list and swiping along the Related row that appears at the top of the screen. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Clear your search history Whatever your reasons are, you can clear your recent searches by going to your profile, hitting the three dots in the top right and selecting Clear Search History. To go a step further and hide your Suggested searches too, go to the search page, tap and hold the account you want to hide, and choose Hide from the pop-up window. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Hide photos youre tagged in Tagged photos on Instagram arent as prominent as they are on Facebook, but anyone can still browse through other peoples pictures of you by visiting your profile and tapping the photo of you icon. If youre tagged in a picture you dont want other people to see, go to your profile, hit the photos of you icon, tap the three dots at the top of the screen and choose Hide Photos. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Secure your account Make your Instagram account much harder to hack by enabling two-factor authentication, a security feature that protects you even if your login details are stolen. Go to your profile, tap the three dots, open Two-Factor Authentication and toggle it on. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Share lots at once If you want to upload a bunch of related pictures and videos without flooding everyone elses feed, you can shared them all as one post. Hit the + icon, select Gallery, choose Select Multiple, pick out up to 10 of the pictures and clips you want, tap Next and reorder them by dragging and dropping. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Record hands-free Instagram Stories has been a massive hit since it came out last year, but you might not know that you can record Stories clips without having to hold one of your digits on the record key. On the Stores screen, just swipe through the options at the bottom until you get to Hands-Free. 11 useful Instagram features you didn't know existed Edit posts after publishing Most people know you can delete any of the images youve already posted, but not everyone is aware that you can also edit them. Instagram unfortunately doesnt let you tinker with filters and effects, but you can change your original caption, tag people and update the location. The person said they were not sure how the post took off so quickly, especially considering their personal Instagram account only has 400 followers. I wish I could tell you how I managed to get the egg photo to go viral but Im still working that out myself. Its been a whirlwind week and Ive just been running with it, they said. The idea to try to beat the world record for Instagrams most-liked post came on the evening of 4 January, when they were reading about the top 20 Instagram posts of 2018. It was quiet for the first few days with only 8,000 likes on Tuesday night. But then on Wednesday the likes started to pick up then the followers built up over the weekend, they said. I thought it would be an interesting experiment to try and beat the record with something as basic as possible. Which led to me deciding on the egg. I guess its also a comment on celebrity culture and how fragile and easily cracked it is pun intended. But really I just thought it would be funny if something as simple as an egg could take the crown. In achieving the most-liked Instagram picture, the picture of the egg also became the most popular post across the internet. A similar grass-roots campaign to generate retweets on Twitter saw a fan of fast food restaurant Wendys earn more than 3.5 million retweets in an effort to get free chicken nuggets. The tweet has since been surpassed by a post by Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, who offered people the chance to win money if they retweeted him. The most-liked tweet is one shared by former US president Barack Obama, who posted a picture of children looking out of a window alongside a quote by Nelson Mandela. It os not clear whether the mystery egg account plans to do anything with their new-found fame, but they say there may be more to come. They said: Whats next for the egg? Ive got a few ideas. Stay tuned. Photo: Google Maps The mayor of a city in Poland was stabbed Sunday while he was on stage during the finale of a large charity event and he was transported to a hospital, officials and Polish media reported. Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz was attacked with a sharp tool during the "Light to Heaven" charity event, charity spokeswoman Magdalena Skorupka-Kaczmarek, told Polish news agency PAP. She said there was no immediate word about the mayor's condition at the hospital. Adamowicz has been mayor of Gdansk, a Baltic port city, since 1998. Polish broadcaster TVN24 said that around 8 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) a man rushed the stage and shouted something. It says the mayor was seen holding his belly. TVN24 says a suspect was detained. Other Polish media reported that a knife was used in the attack. A middle school located on Long Island, New York is requesting that students, aged 11 to 13, refrain from wearing popular $350 (272) designer hats - after numerous occasions where students have lost the beanies and become inconsolable. In a letter home to parents, administrators at Great Neck North Middle School asked that they suggest their children leave their expensive Moncler hats at home, as they have become disruptive. We understand that fashion is very important to our middle schoolers, the letter reads, according to the New York Post. However, we have had many students who have worn their Moncler Winter Pom Pom hats to school, and either lost or misplaced them. We need your help! Please try and redirect your middle schooler from wearing these hats to school. According to the middle school, when students misplace the hats, the result is hours spent looking for them - hours the students should actually be spending learning. Recommended New Moncler fashion collection ridiculed on Twitter In addition to consuming a great deal of our time trying to locate these missing hats, the school principal also noted it has been disruptive to the students focus and time as well. The knit beanies topped with a fox-fur pom poms from the designer winter-wear brand come in different colours and cost $350 (272), with Moncler jackets beginning at $925 (719). But despite the principals plea, parents told The Post they dont think the issue warranted a letter home. The hats cost $350 (Moncler) Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events I think theres other things that should warrant parents attention, one parent said. If they lose it and freak out, they freak out. I dont know why they have to send an email about it. The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows. Thats just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, Professor Eric Rignot from University of California, Irvine and lead author of the study published in Nature Geoscience. As the Antarctic ice sheet continues to melt away, we expect multi-metre sea level rise from Antarctica in the coming centuries. The new analysis provides a breakdown of how ice losses in different sectors of Antarctica have changed and helps address confusion that has led to some climate change sceptics claiming the Antarctic ice mass is growing. While western Antarctica has had some of the most visible ice loss, particularly to the extent of its sea ice, some studies have suggested that ice coverage is increasing in eastern Antarctica fast enough to cancel this out. The latest study shows that east Antarctica ice loss has been a significant contributor to sea level rises, and called for more research on the factors that affect this. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary The Wilkes Land sector of east Antarctica has, overall, always been an important participant in the mass loss, even as far back as the 1980s, as our research has shown, Professor Rignot said. This region is probably more sensitive to climate than has traditionally been assumed, and thats important to know, because it holds even more ice than west Antarctica and the Antarctic peninsula together. The researchers found no significant change in snow fall across the continent, but sea level warming has been driving the accelerating ice loss by speeding up the rate that glaciers around the continents edges are melting. As climate warming and ozone depletion send more ocean heat toward those sectors, they will continue to contribute to sea level rise from Antarctica in decades to come, said Professor Rignot. The backlog of small business loans held up by the federal government shutdown is getting bigger by the day. The Small Business Administration halted its program supporting 7(a) loans for working capital and 504 loans for commercial properties on December 22, the day the government shutdown began, The Washington Post reports. Usually, the SBA manages about 200 loans for working capital and 120 loans for commercial properties per day, amounting to roughly $200 million worth of loans every day for small and midsize businesses. Currently, only funds for disaster-related loans remain active. As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history drags on to day 24 with no clear end in sight, small business advocates are urging the president to restart the SBA's lending program. "It is important that small businesses who apply for loan guarantees that they are able to get their money," Nydia M. Velazquez, chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business told The Washington Post. "This is going to have a direct impact on the operation of their businesses." Hungry to meet seasonal hiring goals, U.S. employers requested more than 96,000 H-2B visas in New Year's Day--this despite experiencing plenty of headaches in the process. The Department of Labor recently announced the blockbuster figure, which was first reported as 97,800 and then later revised to 96,400--well surpassing last year's record of 81,600 petitions on New Year's Day--to explain why its online processing system, called iCERT, crashed earlier this month. The H-2B visa, which grants work-authorization to immigrants on a temporary basis, is typically used by seasonal businesses, like resorts or landscaping companies. And it is more popular than ever. "The legacy iCERT System experienced a failure preventing applications for H-2B temporary labor certifications from being submitted to the Department," said the Labor Department in a statement, attributing the crash to an "an unprecedented volume of simultaneous system users" on January 1, 2019. The agency added that it received 30 times more user requests on January 1 2019 than it did on the first day of 2018. New Year's Day is the first day business owners were able to apply for the 33,000 H-2B visas available for the six-month period beginning April 1. The visas, which are capped at 66,000 annually, are typically granted on a first come, first serve basis twice a year. The site glitches, which were first reported by the The Wall Street Journal, have left it operational for just five out of the first 10 days of 2019. Those who've suspected that the ongoing partial government shutdown might be the culprit are not correct, however. The Department of Labor, which manages the iCERT system, is fully funded through September 2019. The website should be glitch-free now, according to the agency, and it is continuing to accept H-2B visa petitions through January 16. Swelling demand for seasonal immigrant workers caught the agency off guard, even though it's been rising sharply in recent years as the labor market has tightened. This time last year, the agency also received an unprecedented number of requests, which were three times greater than the year before. The uptick in interest is why the Labor Department changed its process last year; now an employer's application is reviewed according to the exact time it was filed, down to the millisecond. (The Center Square) Like many other service-sector industries, rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber are looking to pick up where pre-pandemic business left off, and part of that means continued expansion into downstate Illinois communities. Regardless, John said the wall balloons the national debt and is a folly and blames President Trump, although Trump has only been in office two for two years. Of course, John places no blame on Chuck Schumer (in Congress since 1981) and Nancy Pelosi (17 terms in Congress); that's over 60 years between them and both voted 12 years ago to fund billions for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, then did nothing. Protecting a sovereign nation's border is not folly. Folly is not protecting American citizens from drugs, crime, gangs, human trafficking, disease, debt etc. President Trump points out the follies of the self-righteous liberals, which is why the mainstream media and liberal Democrats hate him. 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. We serve a monthly meal at the womans shelter, do the meal at the Westminster Rescue mission once a month, and we support Shepherds Staff in any way we can. We support individual homeless people in transition, and homeless families too. And there is so much more. Whatever opportunity we see, we try to seize upon it and to be helpful. 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. Israeli-led group buys endangered coral reef in Belize by Abigail Klein Leichman January 13,2019 | Source: Israel21c This is My Earth has crowdfunded $30k much of it from Israelis toward the purchase and protection of a strategic parcel of the Turneffe Atoll. The Turneffe Atoll on the Caribbean island of Belize is the largest and most biologically diverse coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Destructive and unsustainable development have damaged or destroyed Turneffes coral reef, backreef flats, sea grasses and mangrove forests, according to the Turneffe Atoll Trust (TAT). But hope is on the horizon, thanks to a $30,000 crowdfunding campaign by the Israeli-led international nonprofit organization This is My Earth (TiME). According to TiME founder and CEO Prof. Uri Shanas, a conservation biologist at the University of Haifa-Oranim, the funds will enable TAT to buy and protect a five-acre strategic parcel of the Turneffe Atoll and ensure there will be no development on what Shanas calls an amazingly beautiful spot. TiME donors, who can contribute as little as $1 annually toward purchasing and protecting land in biodiversity hotspots, vote online to determine which targeted projects will receive the crowdfunds. At the end of each year, TiME allocates donations according to the voting results. With the funds raised in 2016 and 2017, we have purchased two parcels in the upper Amazon and they are protected areas now. Hundreds of kids and adults from all over the world but mostly from Israel have participated in this successful story, Shanas tells ISRAEL21c. He explains that habitat loss is the main driver of species extinction. Tropical forests, home to two-thirds of the worlds biodiversity, are fast disappearing due to urbanization, climate change, deforestation and commercial exploitation in the case of Turneffe, a hotel project. All lands acquired by New York-based TiME are given to indigenous peoples working in collaboration with local conservation organizations to protect the land. Shanas also reports that TiMEs educational program in English, Hebrew and Arabic is becoming popular in schools. Kids learn with the TiME program about conservation, geography, language and social sciences, and discuss issues such as democracy, equity, responsibility and activism, he says. RGB Media Theme(s): Others. Bangladesh lends land to islanders as water devours homes by Rafiqul Islam January 14,2019 | Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation Ferdousi Akter's family struggled to survive after a crumbling riverbank forced them to abandon their home and move to a new part of the island where they live, off the Bangladesh coast. Her husband worked as a day labourer on fishing boats but earned too little to cover their expenses. Just over a year ago, however, the five-member Akter family was one of 45 households offered land on Hatiya Island under a decade-long free lease by the Bangladesh Forest Department. "I got a pond and a piece of land for 10 years," said Akter. "Now I am farming fish in the pond and cultivating vegetables on my land - and getting benefits." She has already sold fish for 10,000 taka ($120), and hopes to increase her earnings to 100,000 taka in the next few months. Riverbank erosion made worse by heavy monsoon rains upstream had displaced the family repeatedly from their home on Hatiya, a 371-sq km (143-sq mile) island located in an estuary where the Meghna River flows into the northern Bay of Bengal. A few years ago, the Akters moved to a coastal embankment in another part of the island, where they built a makeshift house. As more Bangladeshi families are uprooted by climate change pressures, including rising seas and coastal erosion, the Forest Department is distributing fallow land formed from river silt. Poor, landless people can use the plots without paying rent for 10 years, although they cannot live on the land, as much of it is outside protective embankments. The land scheme, launched two years ago by the Bangladesh government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), covers Hatiya and some islands in Bhola district. So far, 9 hectares (22 acres) of fallow land in Hatiya sub-district have been divided up between 45 families who have each received a plot with a pond to farm fish. Fruit and timber tree saplings have also been handed out to plant on the land. The families have been trained to rear ducks and grow vegetables, so that they can earn more money. Demand to participate in the programme is rising by the day, said UNDP community development officer Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan. Forest officials said a new effort is underway to distribute another 20 hectares with ponds to 100 families in Hatiya, which has a population of about 500,000 and the scheme may be expanded further. "There are huge fallow lands (belonging to) the Forest Department in the islands," said divisional forest officer Islam Towhidul. Such land is at risk of being appropriated for financial gain by powerful people like politicians and landlords, he said. Leasing the land to vulnerable families can protect it from encroachment, while tackling poverty, he added. The Forest Department expects the 10-year leases to be extended, he noted. When the Hatiya homestead and farmland of Mosharraf Hossaion, in his 60s, went under water in 2001 due to erosion by the Meghna River, his life turned into a nightmare. "Once I had a happy family at Vendar village ... but riverbank erosion snatched away our home and all our belongings," he explained. Leaving everything behind, Mosharraf's family moved to Aladia village in the same sub-district where they built a house on an embankment right by the sea. Two other villages were also flooded, uprooting more than 1,000 people, said Mosharraf. They are now at the mercy of extreme events like tidal surges and cyclones each year as they live so close to the sea, he added. Nizam Majhi said his family's lives had become miserable after they lost not only their home and possessions to sea flooding but also their family ties, leaving them facing an uncertain future. 2019 Thomson Reuters Foundation Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. From Tibet to the 'Nine Dragons', Vietnam's Mekong Delta is losing sand January 14,2019 | Source: Reuters In the dead of night, the entire front half of shopkeeper Ta Thi Kim Anh's house collapsed. Perched on the sandy banks of the Mekong River, it took just a few minutes for one half of everything she owned to plunge into its murky depths. "Our kitchen, our laundry room, our two bedrooms, all gone," said Kim Anh, speaking amongst the twisted metal and rubble of her house, from which she still sells eggs, soap and instant noodles to villagers in Ben Tre, a province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region. "We'd be better off living in a cave instead," said Kim Anh, who has used coconut husks and old tyres to reinforce the riverbank under her home. Upstream damming and extensive mining of the Mekong's riverbed for sand is causing the land between the sprawling network of rivers and channels near the mouth of one of the world's great rivers to sink at a pace of around 2 cm (0.75 inches) a year, experts and officials said. The 4,350 km (2,700-mile) river, known as the Lancang in its upper reaches, flows from China's Tibetan Plateau along the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, through Cambodia and finally Vietnam, where it forms the delta known in Vietnam as the "Nine Dragons". Reuters visited three provinces straddling different branches of the delta, where it has supported farming and fishing communities for millennia. Across the region, local authorities are struggling with a rapid pace of erosion that is destroying homes and threatening livelihoods in the Southeast Asian country's largest rice-growing region. A key cause is the years of upstream damming in Cambodia, Laos and China that has removed crucial sediment, local officials and experts said. That sediment, vital for checking the mighty Mekong's currents, has also been lost due to an insatiable demand for sand - a key ingredient in concrete and other construction materials in fast-developing Vietnam - that has created a market both at home and abroad for unregulated mining. "It's not a problem of the lack of water, it's the lack of sediment," said Duong Van Ni, an expert on the Mekong River at the College of Natural Resources Management of Can Tho University, the largest city in the Mekong Delta region. At this time of year the waters of the Mekong used to flow into Vietnam as a milky-brown crawl, locals and officials said. Now, the river runs clear. And without fresh sediment from upstream, the deeper riverbed creates stronger currents, which in turn eat away at the banks of the Mekong, where those who rely on the river for their livelihoods have their homes. The problems began when China built its first hydropower plants in the Upper Mekong Basin, said Ni at Can Tho University. That left Laos, Cambodia and Thailand as the main source of sediment for the Mekong in Vietnam, he said. Sand mining in Cambodia boomed over the last 10 years, fuelled in part by demand from wealthy but cramped Singapore, where it is used to reclaim land along its coast, and culminating in a government ban of all Cambodian sand exports in 2017 under pressure from environmental groups. 2019 Reuters Theme(s): Others. Will a later closing time affect public safety, for good or bad? Will it increase revenue for businesses or increase operating costs? How many establishments will stay open until 2 a.m. if given the choice and how will that affect competition with others inside and outside the county? Will a more expensive license fee for increased hours put off business owners? Criminal Probe Opened Over 320M Fake Streams On Tidal Official Norwegian criminal justice unit kokrim has opened an investigation into hundreds of millions of possible fake streams on Tidal that benefited new releases by Kanye West and Beyonce. kokrim, The National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime, is Norway's central unit for fighting economic and environmental crimes. kokrim is both a police unit and a prosecution authority Norwegian news outlet DN broke the story last May that at least 320 million fake plays for new releases by Beyonce and Kanye West had been added to Tidal's listening stas. That led to higher chart positions and payouts that come at the expense at the expense of other artists on Tidal, according to the news outlet. in the week's that followed, four Norwegian music organizations filed reports related to Tidal with the authorities. Tidal has repeatedly denied tampering with data. In a May, CEO Richard Sanders said in a statement: We reject and deny the claims that have been made by (Norwegian newspaper) Dagens Nringsliv. Although we do not typically comment on stories we believe to be false, we feel it is important to make sure that our artists, employees, and subscribers know that we are not taking the security and integrity of our data lightly, and we will not back down from our commitment to them." Share on: Judge Smith emphasised that actual performance of the tasks is required, not mere agreement to carry out those tasks. As no work had been undertaken under the first agreement, the Trust could have a trial period in Mr Roach's second employment agreement. This approach could have been reconciled with the definition of "employee" in the Act, which is prefixed with "unless the context requires otherwise". However, the Court did not go so far as to say that the context of the trial period provisions in the Act required a narrower definition of "employee" (to exclude a person intending to work). The Court noted that the Act creates the unusual situation where employees with 90-day trial periods in their employment agreements have more rights in relation to bringing a personal grievance before they commence work than they do for the first 90 days (ie they can bring an unjustified dismissal personal grievance from the time the employment agreement is signed up until he or she starts work, but not from that time until the end of the trial period). Payment in lieu of notice Mr Roach also argued the Trust could not rely on the trial period clause because he was not given the required one week's notice. Critically, the trial period in his employment agreement did not contemplate a payment in lieu of notice. When it terminated Mr Roach's employment, the Trust paid him one week's pay in lieu of notice. The Court found that the Trust's failure to comply with the trial period clause meant that it could not rely on it to prevent Mr Roach from raising an unjustified dismissal claim. Unjustified dismissal The Court then went on to consider whether Mr Roach had been unjustifiably dismissed. Prior to the dismissal, the Trust failed to communicate any concerns it had to Mr Roach. Mr Roach was completely unaware of any issues the Trust had with his workplace conduct. Secondly, there was no evidence in support of an argument that the Trust's concerns were justified. Judge Smith ultimately decided that "relying on unsubstantiated concerns in emails without further inquiry, or attempting to discuss them with Mr Roach, was not what a fair and reasonable employer could have done". Without the protection of the 90-day trial period, the Court inevitably found the Trust had unjustifiably dismissed Mr Roach. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. As the wall dominated the weeks news, a pitiful juxtaposition of two realities one the hard truth, the other a lie emerged to clarify the destructiveness of the American presidents toxic narcissism. Federal workers facing their first payday without a check were selling their possessions on social media so they could pay their bills. President Donald Trump told NBC News correspondent Kelly ODonnell that he can relate to the unpaid workers. The president added: And Im sure that the people that are on the receiving end will make adjustments. They always do. And theyll make adjustments. People understand exactly whats going on. Many of those people that wont be receiving a paycheck, many of those people agree 100 percent with what Im doing. No, no, no and no. That is, no, billionaires cant relate to people dependent on their next paycheck, unless perhaps they became billionaires after first serving time in the middle class. Obviously, this isnt Trumps resume. Though he says he made a fortune, it surely helped to begin with a multimillion-dollar starter loan from dear ol dad. And, no, people wont make adjustments when they cant. For the 4 out of 5 American workers who live paycheck to paycheck, there arent many ways to adjust. Thirdly, no, they dont understand what youre doing because it makes no sense. Trumps purely extortionist maneuver hand over $5.7 billion for a wall or Ill furlough everybody doesnt actually make the U.S.-Mexico border a national emergency, as Trump has considered declaring so he can access disaster funds for his wall. Finally, though some off-payroll folks may agree that border security needs tightening and may even support some sort of new barrier, the pertinent question hasnt been properly posed: Would you still support the wall if it meant that youd indefinitely be unemployed or continue working for no pay? Do I hear a you betcha? Didnt think so. Trumps imperviousness to others misfortunes is by now legendary. What other president would toss rolls of paper towels to hurricane victims? But then, narcissists see only their own suffering, always someone elses fault, and empathy is for schmucks. The wall, meanwhile, is subterfuge for his personal fulfillment. Once envisioned as a massive concrete wall with a big, beautiful door perhaps a monument to the Trump brand it lately has morphed into a hodgepodge of found objects: metal slats here, some cyclone fencing there, here a bit of steel and over there, maybe, a bit of papier-mache. The specter of the hyped-up, Central American caravan that kept hysterics busy with images of terrorists, rapists and body snatchers seemed to vaporize after the midterm elections. Now that 2020 is up for grabs, the wall must go up. Trump supporters do deserve our sympathies. Though many disavow his behavior yet remain committed to a conservative Supreme Court, theyre stuck defying logic and defending the untenable. The man they must pretend to love seems to loathe them. Evidence is abundant and clear in his coldhearted shutdown. And weve seen that Trump will throw anyone under the bus to get his way. He hires and fires with all the wisdom of, well, a reality-TV host. He pits countries and allies against one another with the impulsiveness of a binge shopper watching QVC at midnight. Meanwhile, facts rarely furrow the presidents brow. Fact: The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has decreased over the past decade by 1.5 million, says the Pew Research Center. Fact: The number of unauthorized immigrants entering the U.S. via Canada, nearly half of them Mexican, has increased by 142 percent since 2017, according to CBS News. For about $300, Mexican citizens can fly to Toronto or Montreal without need of a visa and then relatively easily sashay into the United States. Would Trump shut down the government for a northern wall? Of course not. This is because Build the Wall and Mexico will pay for it were campaign slogans created by a guy who never expected to become president. Now that he faces possible rejection, the wall has become a metaphor for his identity, his very being. To fail would be to suffer narcissistic injury, which, given Trumps immaturity and predilection to punch back, could lead to a real national crisis. As he said, hed be proud to shut down the government and keep it shut down for months or years if need be. All for that stupid wall. Parker is a columnist for the Washington Post. Some federal agencies make such tax payments to the state every few months or every month, but some send the money every two weeks, according to the comptrollers office. That means that if the shutdown continues, the state will have less cash coming in. In 2017, the state enacted a law designed to punish Texans who participate in anti-Israel boycotts. It requires that contractors wanting to do business with any state entity or municipality certify that they do not boycott Israel and will not do so for the duration of the contract. The law targets the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, movement, which encourages worldwide boycotts of Israel as a means of nonviolent opposition to Israels occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, among other things. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, which takes no position on BDS campaigns or the Israel-Palestine conflict, recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Texans, seeking to have the anti-BDS law declared unconstitutional. Like the ACLU of Texas, I oppose this anti-BDS law because it is a violation of the First Amendment right to boycott. I am a pro-Israel, pro-peace, anti-BDS American Jew. I see a two-state solution as the only way of preserving the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and of giving the Palestinian people the right of self-determination to which they are entitled. I reject BDS campaigns because they single out Israel as the sole obstacle to peace. However, I still oppose Texas violation of our First Amendment rights through this law. There are many people, such as the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, who honestly believe that BDS campaigns are the best path toward achieving peace in the Middle East. They are not anti-Semitic. I disagree with them, but I must engage those holding opposing views in debate and not rely on the government to stifle them or coerce them into taking a particular political stance. One of the plaintiffs in the ACLU of Texas lawsuit, John Pluecker, is a translator who has contracted with the University of Houston for many years. When the new law went into effect, and the No Boycott of Israel certification made its way into two contracts provided to Pluecker, he refused to sign the certifications. As a result, he was not permitted to continue his work. Pluecker committed no unlawful act and didnt bring his views about BDS into the university classroom. His work has nothing to do with this international conflict. He merely refused to compromise his own political beliefs by pledging allegiance to the viewpoints of our current state officials. There could be no clearer violation of free speech rights. That same clarity has already been established by the courts. In NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly established that the right to engage in political boycotts is protected by the First Amendment. That 1982 landmark civil rights case involved black activists boycotting white merchants in a protest for racial equality and racial integration. Two federal courts have also recently found that laws requiring contractors to certify that they do not boycott Israel infringe on this same right, and previous federal efforts to pass anti-BDS legislation in Congress have failed. Wherever you stand on this particular topic or other issues of public importance, you need only imagine the government requiring you to choose between giving up your beliefs or giving up your livelihood, like Pluecker had to, to understand the violation here. What might be next? Could academic freedom be stifled by muzzling professors at state-funded universities who refuse to sign a pledge? Could Texas require this pledge of all teachers in public schools? Could it have required that contractors not boycott South African goods during apartheid? No the state couldnt then and it cant now or in future debates. This law crosses a firm line. The First Amendment to our Constitution thankfully prevents us from having to bend our views to suit the government. Therefore, we must defend it. Asofsky is a current board member and former board president of the ACLU of Texas. On Friday, the New York Times reported that "in the days after President Donald Trump fired James Comey as F.B.I. director, law enforcement officials became so concerned by the president's behavior that they began investigating whether he had been working on behalf of Russia against American interests." That investigation may well be continuing under the auspices of special counsel Robert Mueller III. We don't know what Mueller has learned. But we can look at the key, publicly available evidence that both supports and undercuts this explosive allegation. Here is some of the evidence suggesting "Individual 1" could be a Russian "asset": - Trump has a long financial history with Russia. As summarized by Jonathan Chait in an invaluable New York magazine article: "From 2003 to 2017, people from the former USSR made 86 all-cash purchases - a red flag of potential money laundering - of Trump properties, totaling $109 million. In 2010, the private-wealth division of Deutsche Bank also loaned him hundreds of millions of dollars during the same period it was laundering billions in Russian money. 'Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,' said Donald Jr. in 2008. 'We don't rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia,' boasted Eric Trump in 2014." According to Trump attorney Michael Cohen's guilty plea of lying to Congress, Trump was even pursuing his dream of building a Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign with the help of a Vladimir Putin aide. These are the kind of financial entanglements that intelligence services such as the FSB typically use to ensnare foreigners, and they could leave Trump vulnerable to blackmail. - The Russians interfered in the 2016 U.S. election to help elect Trump president. - Trump encouraged the Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's emails on July 27, 2016 ("Russia, if you're listening"),on the very day that Russian intelligence hackers tried to attack Clinton's personal and campaign servers. - There were, according to the Moscow Project, "101 contacts between Trump's team and Russia linked operatives," and "the Trump team tried to cover up every single one of them." The most infamous of these contacts was the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between the Trump campaign high command and a Kremlin emissary promising dirt on Clinton. Donald Trump Jr.'s reaction to the offer of Russian assistance? "If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer." - The Trump campaign was full of individuals, such as Carter Page, George Papadopoulos, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates and Michael Flynn, with suspiciously close links to Moscow. - Manafort, who ran the Trump campaign for free and was heavily in debt to a Russian oligarch, now admits to offering his Russian business partner, who is suspected of links to Russian intelligence, polling data that could have been used to target the Russian social media campaign on behalf of Trump. - Trump associate Roger Stone, who was in contact with Russian conduit WikiLeaks, reportedly knew in advance that the Russians had hacked Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's emails. (Stone has denied it.) - Once in office, Trump fired Comey to stop the investigation of the "Russia thing" - and then bragged about having done so to the Russian ambassador and foreign minister while also sharing with them top-secret information. Later, Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions because he would not end the special counsel investigation that resulted after the firing of Comey. As Lawfare editor Benjamin Wittes argues, "the obstruction was the collusion" - Trump has been effectively protecting the Russians by trying to impede the investigation of their attack on the United States. - Trump has refused to consistently acknowledge that Russia interfered in the U.S. election or mobilize a government-wide effort to stop future interference. He has accepted Putin's protestations that the Russians did not meddle in the election over the "high confidence" assessment of the U.S. intelligence community that they did. - Like no previous president, Trump attacks and undermines the Justice Department and the FBI ("a cancer in our country") - two institutions that stand on the front lines of combatting Russian espionage and influence operations in the United States. - Again, like no previous president, Trump attacks and undermines the European Union and NATO - he has suggested that France should leave the E.U. and that the United States should leave NATO, reportedly saying, "NATO is as bad as NAFTA." The E.U. and NATO are the two major obstacles to Russian designs in Europe. - Trump supports populist, pro-Russian leaders in Europe, such as Viktor Orban in Hungary and Marine Le Pen in France, just as the Russians do. - Trump has praised Putin ("a strong leader") while trashing just about everyone else from grade-B Hollywood celebrities to leaders of allied nations. Trump even praised Putin for expelling U.S. diplomats and, notwithstanding instruction from his aides ("DO NOT CONGRATULATE"), congratulated Putin on winning a rigged re-election. - Trump was utterly supine in his meetings with Putin, principally in Hamburg and Helsinki. Even more suspicious, according to a Washington Post article on Saturday, Trump "has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with ... Putin, including on at least one occasion taking possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructing the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other administration officials ... Several officials said they were never able to get a reliable readout of the president's two-hour meeting in Helsinki." - Trump defends the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and repeats other pro-Russian talking points. - Trump is pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, handing that country to Russia and its ally Iran. - Trump has effectively done nothing in response to the Russian attack on Ukrainian ships in international waters, thereby encouraging greater Russian aggression. - Trump is sowing chaos in the government, most recently with a record-breaking partial government shutdown and "acting" appointees in key posts such as the Defense Department and Justice Department, thus furthering a Russian objective of undermining its chief adversary. Now that we've listed 18 reasons Trump could be a Russian asset, let's look at the exculpatory evidence... (This page intentionally left blank) I can't think of anything that would exonerate Trump aside from the difficulty of grasping what once would have seemed unimaginable: that a president of the United States could actually have been compromised by a hostile foreign power. In his own defense, Trump claims he has been tougher on Russia "than any other President," but literally in the next sentence he says, "getting along with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing." When the United States actually has taken steps to get tough with Russia in the past two years, it has usually been the work of Congress (the 2017 Russia sanctions bill) or Trump aides (expelling 60 Russian diplomats). The Post reports that Trump was "furious" when his administration was portrayed as being tough on Russia, and NBC News reports that he instructed subordinates never to publicly discuss plans to sell weapons to Ukraine. This is hardly a "beyond a reasonable doubt" case that Trump is a Russian agent - certainly not in the way that Robert Hanssen or Aldrich Ames were. But it is a strong, circumstantial case that Trump is, as former acting CIA director Michael Morell and former CIA director Michael Hayden warned during the 2016 campaign, "an unwitting agent of the Russian federation" (Morell) or a "useful fool" who is "manipulated by Moscow" (Hayden). If Trump isn't actually a Russian agent, he is doing a pretty good imitation of one. Boot, a Post columnist, is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a global affairs analyst for CNN. While the legislative session started in Austin last week, early voting begins today to select a representative for House District 145. Thats not the usual order of things. This special election has been delayed because Republican Gov. Greg Abbott dragged his feet in scheduling the Senate District 6 special election to replace now-Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. The winner was then-state Rep. Carol Alvarado, who now has to be replaced as well. On the losing end of these political shenanigans are the voters in this largely Hispanic, Democratic-leaning district, which straddles Interstate 45 from downtown to Pasadena. They may see their political power diluted this year as the Legislature starts without their new representative in place. The victor in this eight-way race will need the skill and experience to effectively advocate for constituents despite a truncated timeline. Luckily, voters have that candidate in Melissa Noriega. The former city councilwoman actually held this seat in 2005 while her then-husband, Rick Noriega, was on active military duty in Afghanistan. She then ran for the at-large position 3 seat on City Council, which she held until term-limited out in 2013. During that time she developed a reputation as a well-informed consensus-builder and routinely earned our endorsement. Since then she has worked as a vice president at Baker-Ripley, focusing on disaster response after Hurricane Harvey. Appearing alongside four opponents at the editorial boards endorsement meeting, Noriega, 64, spoke with specificity about the challenges facing this district, including overburdened schools, disaster recovery, flooding and the planned redesign of I-45 and Interstate 69. On all issues she speaks like a true Democrat we have a lot of people working really hard to be poor yet pointed to Jerry Patterson, a Republican former land commissioner, as a political model. Thats because they both understand how to build and maintain relationships within the Legislature without compromising ideals. We were also impressed with Christina Morales, 50, a businesswoman and city planning commissioner whose family has been a longtime fixture of east Houstons Hispanic community. Morales is probably running the strongest campaign in this race. Also running are Clayton Hunt, a young libertarian who wants to abolish ICE and also gun control regulations; Oscar Del Toro, a Mexican-born advocate for redistricting reform who has twice run unsuccessfully for Pasadena City Council; and Elias De La Garza, a local business owner. Candidates Alfred Moreno, Ruben Dario Gonsalez and Martha Elena Fierro, the only Republican, did not meet with the editorial board. Early voting runs until Friday, Jan. 25. Polls will be closed Monday, Jan. 21 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Election Day is Tuesday, Jan. 29. UPDATE AT 9:30 A.M.: The protest is being held just outside the gates of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, which is located at 2101 NASA Pkwy. NASA employees have endured three government shutdowns in the past year, each time halting their groundbreaking work as political skirmishes in Washington, D.C., are hashed out. The first two came in the beginning months of 2018, but they were short: more of an annoyance, really. But the current closure which started Dec. 22 and has no end in sight has been beyond frustrating for many, not just because of money lost but because of work delays. Its been enough of a hindrance that some experts worry it could drive NASA engineers to the fast-growing space projects in the private sector. How long will the best and the brightest want to work at an agency that continues to get callously tossed into political churn? Casey Dreier, chief advocate and senior space policy adviser for The Planetary Society, wrote in December. The society is a nonprofit involved in space research. Nationwide, the shutdown has put 96 percent of the space agency federal workforce or 16,700 employees out of work as President Donald Trump holds firm on his demand that Congress fund a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. In Houston, NASA employees upset about the shutdown are expected to protest at noon Tuesday outside the gates of Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway. And unlike in decades past, NASA engineers and researchers have viable private options where they can continue their work. SpaceX and Boeing each are in the process of building spacecraft to carry humans to the International Space Station; commercial companies have been tapped by NASA to construct unmanned probes destined for the moon; and theres talk of heavy commercial involvement in the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, a mini-space station Trump wants to build to orbit the moon. If this frequency of shutdowns continues, I fear that we will see more and more NASA employees ask themselves why they put up with such needless disruptions and leave for jobs [in] the private sector, Dreier said. Shutdown pro Holly Griffith, a safety engineer at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, now jokingly calls herself a shutdown pro. All you can do is laugh about it at this point, said Griffith, who works in life support systems for Orion the spacecraft being built to take humans back to the moon for the first time since 1972. Griffith was part of the group of furloughed workers at Johnson for each of the three shutdowns in 2018. This one has been the longest. She and the other 2,800 or so workers at Johnson who are furloughed have no idea when they will return to work. And on Friday they missed their first paycheck since the beginning of the shutdown . Griffith said she isnt thinking of leaving NASA her husband isnt on the federal payroll, they dont have kids and they have some savings. They also can borrow money from family members if push comes to shove. But Keith Cowing, editor of NASA Watch, a website devoted to space news, suspects the duration and frequency of the shutdowns soon will plant seeds of doubt in peoples minds about working at the history-making space agency. A lot of people take a salary cut to work at NASA, Cowing said. But when you cant pay the bills and you have to do chores for your landlord for rent, theres nothing worse than having your dream job taken away from you because of this. A decision like that is a heartbreaking one, Cowing said, but its one that the next shutdown could force people to make. Theres nothing worse than thinking, My god, I got to NASA and I cant afford to stay here, he said. Further delays But its not just furloughed employees wallets that are suffering their work does, as well. NASA projects operate under deadline and budget constraints, so any interruptions have negative impacts. This is a very real fear for Griffith, who works on Orion. The program already has experienced significant delays in its quest to take humans back to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era in the 1960s and early 1970s. We have international partners, like (the European Space Agency), so Im worried about how much work they can do without NASA? Griffith said. Orion is already delayed and its like, What will this do in terms of schedule? Will we have to go in front of Congress and explain why we need more money? The first Orion spacecraft mission, which will not have a crew, was supposed to fly in 2017. It was delayed until the mid-2020s, but then a NASAs Office of Inspector General report last year found that it likely wouldnt make that launch date either: cost and scheduling problems continue to plague the rocket that will send it into space. That means the second Orion mission being built to send humans around the moon no later than 2023 could also experience delays. So far, Griffith hasnt heard if Orions schedule will be impacted by the shutdown, but that doesnt put an end to her anxiety. I havent heard word of anything. Were not allowed to check our email or use our government computers or anything like that, she said. If I see anything, its on Twitter or its on the news. NASA has, for the most part, remained mum about any negative impacts the shutdown may have on its projects. Earlier this week, the space agency announced that the main camera on Hubble Space Telescope, its 29-year-old observatory, stopped working because of a hardware problem. The issue is being investigated, officials have said, but the majority of NASA employees arent allowed to work right now. NASAs SOFIA telescope which is mounted to a Boeing 747 aircraft and is used to observe transient events that happen over oceans isnt operating because of the shutdown, according to SpaceNews.com, and space agency personnel are not allowed to speak at conferences, such as the American Astronomical Society held recently in Seattle. Missions will be delayed inevitably because of this, Cowing said. If this happens again this year, well start seeing people scratching their heads like, Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Career considerations Commercial companies arent immune, however, to the whims of political officials. SpaceX one of two commercial companies tasked by NASA to build spacecraft to take humans to the International Space Station was forced to delay the launch of its Falcon Heavy rocket during the January 2018 shutdown. And this week, the company delayed the launch of its first, uncrewed test flight by about a month. Though NASA officials said the delay was the result of additional testing and reviews, the current shutdown certainly didnt help matters. SpaceX is assessing any impacts of the partial government shutdown to our commercial launches, Eva Behrend, a SpaceX spokeswoman, said in a statement Thursday. NASA continues to support Commercial Crew Program operations as we move toward our first demonstration mission of Crew Dragon next month. The company was hit with another blow last week when officials announced it would be laying off 10 percent of about 6,000 employees, saying it needed to be leaner. Cowing said the recent government shutdown casts doubts on the feasibility of a career at NASA, which had been the end goal for kids like him who dreamed of exploring space. Its already hard to get people because of competition from the private sector, Cowing said. It doesnt take a lot of shutdowns to convince you working for NASA is not the wisest thing to do for your kids college education. Due to predicted cold, rainy weather for the weekend of Jan. 18-21, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation are delaying a planned closure and repairs to the bridge deck on Interstate-45 overpass at the intersection of Rayford and Sawdust roads until Jan. 25-28. The closure will be from 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 to 5 a.m., Monday, Jan. 28, officials announced on Tuesday. Emily Black, a spokesperson for TxDOT, said the total closure of the southbound lanes of I-45 will now start at 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, and continuing through 5 a.m., Monday, Jan. 28 when the lanes are expected to re-open to traffic. The construction is dependent on weather, and the schedule could change, Black noted. "The total closure of Interstate Highway 45 southbound at Rayford/Sawdust Road in the Woodlands has been rescheduled from this weekend to next weekend," Black said Tuesday. "The closure is now scheduled for 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 to 5 a.m., Monday, Jan. 28, pending favorable weather conditions. Forecasted weather conditions this weekend are too wet and cold to lay concrete." Similar to the northbound closure, drivers using the southbound I-45 lanes from evening Jan. 25 through the early morning of Jan. 28 will need to exit the interstate at the Rayford/Sawdust roads exit, drive southbound on the feeder road, and re-enter the interstate at the on-ramp about a half mile south of Sawdust Road. The u-turn lanes underneath the overpass will also be closed during the construction project. SURPRISE RESIGNATION: Woodlands seeking new transit manager after resignation Black also said if drivers need to go through the area, they should expect delays. Law enforcement officials will be on hand to direct traffic and help drivers, she noted. The change in the closure of I-45 at one of the busiest intersections in Montgomery County comes days before a large storm system is predicted to hit the Houston region with low temperatures and rainy conditions. The project had gotten off to a good start the weekend of Jan. 11-14, with the closure of the northbound lanes that was scheduled for 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 through 5 a.m. Jan. 14, cut short after workers completed the repairs much faster than expected, Black said. The northbound I-45 lanes re-opened in the early evening on Saturday, Black confirmed. They finished early; the construction was completed Saturday. The early completion of the work and re-opening of the northbound lanes combined with an unexpected closure of two lanes of southbound I-45 on Saturday caused some confusion, though, after a Tweet posted on the TxDOT Twitter account. The tweet noted workers had finished the northbound lane repairs and were moving to the southbound lanes. The confusion prompted Montgomery County Sheriffs Office Lt. Scott Spencer to reply to the tweet asking about the southbound lane closures. Black said the unexpected southbound lane closures were the result of dangerous conditions discovered on I-45 by an on-site engineer. VILLAGER Q&A: Alex Sutton, co-president of The Woodlands Development Company, discusses community The southbound two lanes were closed after an engineer saw large potholes and he decided we couldnt leave them unfixed, Black added. It was an emergency repair that was not planned. Project details We are going to be replacing the (load) bearing pads, which are the pads under the (overpass) columns. We have to jack the (overpass) deck up to do that. We are going to have some closures (on I-45), Black said. We are going to have to close the U-turn lanes during non-peak hours, too. Black said TxDOT officials and construction crews from the firm doing the repairs ISI Contracting Inc. will follow department guidelines in regard to closures, trying to keep traffic flowing during peak commuting hours in the early morning and evenings and weekdays. She urged drivers to follow the TxDOT mantra when it comes to navigating their way though construction projects: Slow down. Be Aware. Obey signs and instructions. The project involves only 0.12 miles of repairs to the overpass, with the focus on replacing the various load-bearing pads under the columns of the overpass and then a full replacement of the bridge deck as a whole on the southbound side of Interstate 45. The project has an overall price tag of slightly more than $405,000. jeff.forward@chron.com A little more than a decade ago, Chigozie Obioma arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to study, and while he was there, he found a story. Obioma flew to the Mediterranean island from his home in Nigeria and met a young man who had been swindled, a not-uncommon occurrence there. The young student was in love and hoping to improve his station in life, so he put his modest savings into the care of a swindler who offered education, room and board with no intention of providing any of the three. The young man was ruined. Obioma tried to assist, but the story ultimately ended tragically. It stuck with Obioma, at the time an aspiring writer. His second novel, An Orchestra of Minorities, uses those themes of love, sacrifice and deception to tell a visceral wide-screen epic story about a poultry farmer willing to give up his foothold in the world for love. Obiomas story follows the odyssey of Chinonso, a poultry farmer emotionally untied to the world. His mother is long gone, and his father has recently died. One night he comes across Ndali, a woman about to jump from a bridge. Chigozie Obioma When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet Details: 713-523-0701, brazosbookstore.com See More Collapse He talks her down, and a connection is made, albeit one of the star-crossed variety, as her educated family treats him with disdain. So Chinonso gives up everything to travel to Northern Cyprus for an education that, he believes, will change his fortunes. Obioma instantly generates a red-eyed tension upon Chinonsos arrival. His expectations are immediately twisted. It has to be a shocking, vulnerable feeling, he says. Thats what this man told me. He was engaged, he wanted to make money quickly and go back to Nigeria and be with the woman he loved. But he was deceived. I wanted to get that feeling across. About giving up everything and finding nothing. A better tomorrow? Obiomas first novel, The Fishermen, was a widely acclaimed piece of fiction and a finalist for the Booker Prize four years ago. An Orchestra of Minorities finds this remarkable talent working with a broader and grander canvas and proving up to the task. At times, the novel is reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird and Paradise Lost and some works of Shakespeare, and it finds a novel way to update the general arc of The Odyssey. Yet Obiomas use of language and his incorporation of Nigerian cosmology make for a piece of fiction that emerges independent of its influences. His is a bracing and searing work that projects an ordinary life into an epic journey. The story is narrated by a chi, a spiritual guide that jumps from host to host across millennia. Chinonsos chi serves as his attorney in a sense, making a case that his circumstances diverted a good man into a bad place. Whats a persons tomorrow? reads one line, and a telling one, as Obioma is fascinated with fictional texts that consider actions and fate. Its a primal question that human beings grapple with for eternity, he says. What will be tomorrow? What will I be? Will I be rich? Successful? If I had to put myself in any sort of literary tradition, Id probably call myself an ontologist. Im interested in the metaphysics of being and fate. Inspired by Milton, Shakespeare Obioma traces that interest back to Nigeria, where he went to his fathers bookshelves and fished out Shakespeares plays and Miltons Paradise Lost. I probably internalized some of the structures and archetypes, he says. You mentioned the star-crossed lovers. The journey of the man. My aesthetics and my sense of storytelling are all shaped by those things. He connects those centuries-old storytelling traditions to those he grew up with in Nigeria. And he writes with a studious eye for detail. When Ndali discusses meeting her family, Chinonso already sitting in the lowest seat in his home sinks further, a haunting touch of foreshadowing. Throughout the book, his connection to birds both the chickens he raises and the predatory birds of prey that are his adversary is described in gorgeous detail. The book takes its title from the sounds generated by Chinonsos birds. I love writing about animals, he says. Especially birds. I was fascinated as a child, though sadly Ive lost some of the flair for it now. But the animals Id see and hear on my walks, they were always interesting to me. Nearer the storys end, as Chinonsos concept of his old home becomes obscured, the birds fade to the periphery and a flying roach becomes the winged-creature of focus. The effect is devastating, as Obioma connects wisely into the breadth of the notion of losing everything, a concept that means different things to different people. Almost moved to Houston Obioma will read the book Saturday when he stops by Brazos Bookstore. His book tour brings him to a town he considered moving to years ago. Unlike the young man whose ruin he witnessed in Cyprus, Obioma wasnt preyed upon by opportunists and left the island with a college education. He furthered his study earning an MFA at the University of Michigan, where he spent his first proper winter. I was so disturbed, I almost didnt make it, he says. I left my studies, almost. And considered living with my uncle, who lives in Houston. But now Im used to it. He settled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where hes now a creative writing professor. There, he acknowledges, it can feel remote, but he appreciates the quiet environment to write. He worked there on The Fishermen, which took a Cain and Abel-type story and rendered it new. And with An Orchestra of Minorities he has again worked with rudiments that feel familiar, yet presented them in a way that feels entirely new. Many people have written about a character on a journey, he says. But I wanted to do something different, to show the acts in how people can really change, change for the good and for the worse. How somebody can become almost the opposite of who he used to be. andrew.dansby@chron.com For Republicans, Florida stands out as the best political news from an otherwise grim year, a show of strength in a state that has voted for every presidential winner since 1992 and seems to be growing more favorable to their party at a moment when demographic changes are lifting Democrats elsewhere. The successful courting of up-for-grabs Hispanics, the surge of transplanted senior voters, the solidifying support in conservative North Florida: All illustrate why this prized battleground state is tilting to the right. As for Democrats, they remain just as shellshocked as they were after Election Day, when it became clear that Bill Nelson, the states longtime senator, and Andrew Gillum, the electrifying young mayor of Tallahassee, had lost by exceedingly close margins. As of Tuesday, there was still only one Democrat in statewide office. We just live in a red state here, said Alex Sink, a former Democratic state official who once narrowly lost a bid for governor. I think its just tilted toward the Republicans now, and I hate to say that. The question looming over the state going into 2020 is the same one Democrats are wrestling with elsewhere: How can the party narrow its losses with voters who are older and in many cases white without alienating younger, nonwhite voters? What is so agonizing for Democrats is that 2018 did little to clarify the best path. The party put forward Mr. Gillum, a 39-year-old black progressive, and Mr. Nelson, a 76-year-old white moderate who had been in elected office for nearly half a century. Mr. Nelson lost by about 10,000 votes and Mr. Gillum didnt fare much worse, losing by about 32,000 votes. More than 620,000 people will rejoin the workforce this year, some with training and experience, and almost all looking for a career. But most hiring managers will reject them out of hand. When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high, determined I would rise above the shame, Merle Haggard sang in 1967 of his experience as a convicted felon. I paid the debt I owed them, but theyre still not satisfied, now Im a branded man out in the cold. President Donald Trump and Congress have realized the error in locking people up too long for too little. Trump signed the First Step Act last month, the most significant criminal justice overhaul since Haggard recorded Branded Man. The act gives federal inmates reduced time for completing job-training programs that reduce recidivism. It also evens out sentencing guidelines that punished crack cocaine offenses more severely than powdered cocaine crimes, a blatantly racist policy. On HoustonChronicle.com: Misused prisons waste capital, labor and real estate Inmates also earn more credits for good behavior and can gain release earlier. The federal prison system will release between 6,000 and 7,000 people earlier than planned this year, adding to the 1,700 released every day. How well these men and women transition back into society depends on how the business community treats them. A top priority for a recently released felon is a job. Nearly half wont get hired in the first year. Most employment forms, whether paper or online, have a box to check if the applicant was ever convicted of a felony. That check automatically bars the candidate from further consideration in many cases. Only 17 percent of whites and 5 percent of blacks with criminal histories get callbacks, according to research by the Hamilton Project. Many more applicants simply stop filling out the form when they see the box, assuming they are wasting their time. There is a national campaign to Ban the Box, but the Texas Association of Business opposes it. Employers want to know early in the process whether someone is a felon. But advocates say the interview is the better place to discuss a persons conviction, the circumstances of the crime and the likelihood of recidivism. Disturbingly, though, some studies show that where the box is banned, managers interviewed fewer African-American men, using race as a stand-in for the box. Prejudice is deeply persistent. Rental applications also have a felony box, and the results are equally devastating. A former prisoner is 10 times more likely than the average person to become homeless within two years of release. And since police often arrest homeless people for petty crimes, parolees can land back in prison. Landlord background checks force former felons into substandard apartments, often in high-crime neighborhoods. Such housing makes it more difficult for them to change their lives or commute to jobs in better parts of town. Experts believe these barriers to re-entry contribute to the 37 percent rearrest rate of former felons within three years of release, according to a Pew study. And they worsen the high overdose death rate within the first year of freedom, according to Brookings. On HoustonChronicle.com: Shark Tank for felons teaches more than business plans The U.S. incarcerates 698 of every 100,000 residents, five times more than other wealthy countries. About 6.85 million Americans are on parole, probation or correctional supervision. We cannot afford to shun these people, either morally or economically. A study of former felons in the military found they were no more undisciplined than other recruits, earned promotions faster and reached higher ranks than nonoffenders. Other studies found that workers with criminal histories are more loyal to the companies that hire them and have fewer disciplinary problems. The First Step Act only applies to federal prisons, which hold just 13 percent of U.S. prisoners. State systems need sentencing and prison reform, and could release more of our fellow Americans sooner, helping address the current labor shortage. Former felons who are committed to changing their lives are some of the most emotionally vulnerable people Ive met. They often describe their journey from prison to productive society as moving to a foreign country where they feel painfully unsure of themselves. If American society, and employers in particular, cannot find a way to forgive and rehabilitate these people, they will end up burdening our communities with crime, addiction or homelessness. We should allow them to hold their heads up and make something better of themselves. Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy. chris.tomlinson@chron.com twitter.com/cltomlinson A security checkpoint to Terminal B remains closed at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Monday morning because of low staffing associated with the government shutdown. Houston Airport System spokesman Bill Begley said staffing issues prompted the decision made by the Transportation Security Administration at 3:30 p.m. Sunday to close the checkpoint through Monday morning, at the earliest. As of 10 a.m., the checkpoint was still closed, according to airport officials. The lobby to the shuttered checkpoint emptied soon after the closure, with luggage-toting travelers being funneled through Terminals C and E to reach their Terminal B flights. The wait time at the remaining checkpoints ranged from an estimated 10 to a sluggish 24 minutes as of 8:30 p.m. Airport officials pitched a sign along John F. Kennedy Boulevard to warn approaching travelers of the closure, while police blocked the departure ramp to Terminal B with their cars. A TSA spokesperson addressed the closure amid the federal shutdown that has left cash-strapped government workers without pay checks. We are aware of the situation at Houston Bush Airport, the official said in a text message. As TSA has stated previously, airports in certain locations will begin exercising consolidation options during peak periods. These decisions will be made at the local level. The official later said key stakeholders decided that the checkpoint would remain closed even as it was scheduled to re-open 4:30 a.m. Monday, the 24th day of the shutdown. The official did not say when the checkpoint could reopen. The continuous closure makes it easier for (TSA workers) to stage their equipment overnight at Terminal C to begin daily operations, rather than have everything staged at B for normal operations, the official explained. At HoustonChronicle.com: Federal employees in Houston squeezed as payday comes without paycheck The no-show TSA workers are among an estimated 30,000 federal employees in the Houston area, all of whom have been furloughed or required to work without pay amid President Trumps demands for $5 billion to build a wall along the Mexican border. The dispute has blocked the passage of government funding bills. In the meantime, federal employees have little choice but to show up to work if they are deemed essential, as TSA agents are. The TSA recorded a nationwide rate of unscheduled absences at 7.7 percent Sunday morning, up from 3.2 percent a year ago, the agency said. It screened 1.6 million passengers nationwide on Saturday, with 99.9 percent of those travelers waiting less than 30 minutes and about 94 percent waiting less than 15 minutes. Over the weekend, TSA officials at Miami International Airport were first to close a security checkpoint to Concourse G also because of absent workers with plans to reopen it Monday. Mayor Sylvester Turner used the closure to remind travelers to always arrive two hours before flights. Shortage of TSA workers, unpaid during the US govt shutdown, is causing this change, Turner said. A ticketing counter at the Terminal B lobby for United Airlines was closed as well, Begley said. In a statement, United Airlines said it is working closely with TSA, the Houston Airport System and other relevant agencies to ensure our customers get to their destinations safely. Erin Douglas and Brett Coomer contributed to this report. Andrea.Leinfelder@chron.com Nicole.Hensley@chron.com R. Kelly was set to host a Spring Break event in April in his home state of Illinois, however, the application that would secure the location has been recently denied. The refusal to lease the Illinois State Fairgrounds concert space was made official this on Thursday, January 10. Organizers of the Spring Break Jam concert, who had already announced the event with R. Kelly as their host, were informed that their event posed security concerns. While the rejection is somewhat related to the controversial documentary series presented by Lifetime, the allegations made in Surviving R. Kelly are not the direct reason for the officials' decision. Illinois Department of Agriculture spokeswoman, Denise Albert, explained how the subsequent protests are the cause, citing the demonstration held outside of Kelly's studio in Chicago on Wednesday. View footage of the actions that may have played into this decision below. Scott Olson/Getty Images According to Albert's statement, the event did not meet 3 of the 13 criteria for approval as stipulated by the IDOAs Administrative Code: The security of both the physical premises and persons upon the premises of the State Fairgrounds Reasonably foreseeable problems with security caused by either the nature of the usage or the identity of the proposed lessee or his/her patrons The welfare of the general community Albert specified that another proposal for the event might be considered for approval in the future as long as it does not include R. Kelly. [via] As reported this past week, Mystikal has his bond set at $3 million, and until the prospects of leaving his containment cell were looking grim. But as TMZ is reporting, Mystikal's attorney Joel Pearce is rounding up financial contributions from the rappers' friends and family. Pearce is also counting on the proceeds from a recently-signed record deal which calls for Mystikal to hand over three separate albums he'd already completed. Pearce fell short of a dollar amount estimate of where they currently sit in the donation. That said, Pierce remains confident his client will be out on bail by the end of next week. For added context, Mystikal was awarded a new judge in the case over his first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping charges. This past week, Joel Pearce echoed his client's persistence with a PR message of sorts. "I dont think that anyone should be made to stand trial for number one, something they did not do, Pearce told the media. "And number two, something thats caught up in this political movement, the #MeToo movement. Michael is not guilty of anything." Mystikal's other attorney Tim Yazbeck confirmed that while a record deal is in place, his release next week is contingent on the distributor forwarding a monetary advance in a timely manner. If not, Mystikal aka Michael Tyler will not receive a pardon, it's as simple as that. Jesy Nelson of the pop group Little Mix is currently facing a ton of heat for willingly singing along to an R. Kelly song in a post she made public via Instagram. Given the circumstances, it didn't take long for the backlash to reach Nelson directly, prompting the immediate deletion of the post. But as always, the Internet screenshot reigns sovereign over each and every one of our sober mistakes. Although in this scenario, I suspect Nelson should have exerted better judgment. As you can see, Nelson was at a dinner party with a friend, when the "Ignition" Remix comes on. She immediately pulls her friend into camera view and begins to sing along to the lyrics. The backlash stemming from the controversial "sing-along" has mostly come from her own fans. This is the same Jesy Nelson who once encouraged her friend to enunciate the N-Word in a song, in a video she ended up posting herself. Without delving too deep into the culture of discrimination in Europe, it's interesting to note that R. Kelly has been able to secure bookings in Germany but not in his home state. As for Jesy Nelson, I do hope her flippant behavior is born out of social isolation and nothing else. I've been duped before. Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a management agreement with Myanmar partners Crown Advanced Construction Co. Ltd to operate a 308-key hotel near downtown Yangon, Myanmar. Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a management agreement with Myanmar partners Crown Advanced Construction Co. Ltd to operate a 308-key hotel near downtown Yangon, Myanmar. Hilton Times City Yangon marks the company's continual expansion in Myanmar and will be its first hotel in the Myanmar city when it opens in 2022. The hotel is strategically located between Yangon International Airport and the central business district: a short 20-minute drive from the airport and 15-minute drive from downtown Yangon. Part of a mixed-use development, the hotel will comprise suites and a serviced apartment and sit alongside an office tower, high-end residential and a retail mall. "It is an exciting time to be expanding our footprint in Myanmar, with an optimistic outlook for inbound tourism and the country expected to receive 7.5 million tourists by 2020. As the commercial and financial capital of the country, Yangon holds much of the potential for growth. We are delighted to be bringing our Hilton brand into Myanmar's largest city to cater to the projected travel boom. There is no better way to kick off Hilton's 100th year anniversary than with a milestone announcement such as this, and we are confident Hilton Times City Yangon will be top of mind for leisure and business travelers alike, whether they are passing through or visiting Yangon," said Paul Hutton, vice president, operations, South East Asia, Hilton. Hilton Times City Yangon will feature five dining outlets, including an all-day dining restaurant, one specialty restaurant, two bars and a Grab and Go outlet. Guests can hold meetings and events at the hotel's event spaces spanning nearly 1,250 square meters, including a ballroom of over 550 square meters. There will also be a business center, a fitness center and a spa, as well as a pool for guests to work out and unwind. "We always seek to grow our brands in the right location, with the right partners and we are honored to have the chance to work with Crown Advanced Construction Co. Ltd to bring our Hilton brand to Yangon. With the increase of flight connectivity to Yangon, growth in multinational companies setting up operations here combined with an influx of foreign investment business travel is anticipated to grow very strongly and the close proximity of our hotel to government embassies and downtown Yangon is a great advantage. Hilton Times City Yangon will be ideally positioned to cater to leisure and business travelers when it opens in 2022," said Guy Phillips, senior vice president development, Asia & Australasia, Hilton. "Hilton as a brand is recognized across the globe, and people know it for the great guest experiences and quality stays they can expect at any Hilton hotel. We are delighted to have found a great partner in Hilton to build and operate our first hotel, and we are confident that it will be one of the most highly sought after accommodation venues for any traveler coming into the city," said U Myat Min, Project Director, Crown Advanced Construction Co.,Ltd. Hilton currently operates three hotels in Myanmar: Hilton Nay Pyi Taw, Hilton Mandalay and Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa. In addition to Hilton Times City Yangon, the company has two hotels in the development pipeline that will open in Inle Lake and Bagan over the coming years. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Performance 14 January 2019 Profit levels at hotels in the Middle East & North Africa remained under pressure in November, as revenues were hit by declines in both price and volume in the normally reliable commercial segment, according to the latest data tracking full-service hotels from HotStats. Advertisements Profit per room continued along a downward trend, as year-over-year GOPPAR fell 8.8 percent to $92.74. Though the number was 33 percent higher than the profit per room recorded in the region for year-to-date 2018, it represented a third consecutive month of profit decline. Falling profit levels were hit by declining revenues across all departments this month, including Rooms (down 4.6 percent), Food & Beverage (down 5.7 percent), Conference & Banqueting (down 2.6 percent) and Leisure (down 4.4 percent), on a per-available-room basis. As a result of the movement in departmental revenues, TRevPAR at hotels in MENA fell by 4.6 percent YOY in November to $227.36. Once again, the drop in revenue was impacted by rising costs, which included a 0.9-percentage-point increase in payroll to 25.4 percent of total revenue, as well as a 1.0-percentage-point increase in overheads, which grew to 24.1 percent of total revenue. Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators - Middle East & North Africa (in USD) November 2018 v. November 2017 RevPAR: -4.6% to $131.61 TRevPAR: -4.6% to $227.36 Payroll: +0.9 pts. to 25.4% GOPPAR: -8.8% to $92.74 While top- and bottom-line revenue at hotels in the region were ahead of the YTD performance due to the typical uplift in activity from the commercial segment, there was a distinct weakening in the sector as rates fell in both the Residential Conference (down 11.7 percent) and Corporate (down 15.9 percent) segments. "The Middle East & North Africa hotel market continues to be challenged and, unfortunately, it is the base business that is now being hit the hardest, with crippling rate decline in the commercial segment over the last 36 months, including a drop of $50 in the corporate segment and more than $35 in the residential conference segment," said Michael Grove, Director of Intelligence and Customer Solutions, EMEA, HotStats. One outlier is Abu Dhabi, which fared well in November, recording a 1.8-percent increase in profit per room, in spite of a 2.2-percent decrease in TRevPAR. November is typically a strong month of top- and bottom-line performance for hotels in Abu Dhabi, which is fuelled by demand from the Formula One Grand Prix. This month was no exception, with GOPPAR peaking for the year at $145.76, almost 200 percent above the profit per room recorded in the UAE capital for YTD 2018, at $49.78. This month also provided some respite from a fairly challenging year for Abu Dhabi hotels, which have recorded five months of YOY profit decline so far in 2018, leaving YTD GOPPAR levels 5.5-percent lower than during the same period in 2017. And whilst TRevPAR levels peaked for 2018 this month, at $289.95, the YOY decline in this measure was as a result of falling revenue across all departments including Rooms (down 3.0 percent), Food & Beverage (down 3.8 percent), Conference & Banqueting (down 8.1 per cent) and Leisure (down 9.4 percent), on a per-available-room basis. However, cost savings, which included a 0.9-percentage-point drop in payroll, to 20.2 percent of total revenue, managed to offset the negative revenue performance and helped hotels in the UAE capital to record a YOY increase in profit. Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators - Abu Dhabi (in USD) November 2018 v. November 2017 RevPAR: -3.0% to $170.55 TRevPAR: -2.2% to $289.95 Payroll: -0.9 pts. to 20.2% GOPPAR: +1.8% to $145.76 The growth in profit in Abu Dhabi this month was all the more impressive considering the 3.0-percent YOY drop in RevPAR to $170.55, which was as a result of a softening in rate across the entire market mix, but primarily the commercial sector, including the Residential Conference (down 12.3 percent) and Corporate (down 9.4 percent) segments. In stark contrast to the performance of hotels in Abu Dhabi, properties in Amman recorded a 13.1-percent YOY decline in profit per room in November, in spite of a 0.2-percent increase in RevPAR. In addition to the growth in rooms revenue being outpaced by declines in non-rooms revenues, hotels in Amman also suffered an increase in costs, which was led by a 3.1-percentage-point increase in overheads, which grew to 38.4 percent of total revenue. The uplift in overheads was as a result of YOY increases in expenses in Admin. & General (up 14.9 percent), Sales and Marketing (up 13.8 percent) and utility costs, which grew by 9.8 percent to $12.90 on per-available-room basis. The GOPPAR drop in November contributed to the 17.7-percent decline in profit per room for hotels in Amman for YTD 2018, equivalent to a profit conversion of 21.9 percent of total revenue. Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators - Amman (in USD) Opinion Article 14 January 2019 Wow another year, so as promised in the last newsletter, here's the What was Hot of 2018. Looking at the subjects that caught our attention and which brands grabbed got the most attention. So while a lot of the analysis is included in this email, I recommend you check out the article online so you can play around with the interactive chart :-) PLAY WITH THE CHARTS. I also wanted to thank everyone who pre-ordered their copies of Tell Trends! So while the incredible pre-order price is over. I'm still giving all subscribers a special discount voucher of 25% off! Use the code VIPFRIENDS on checkout. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW Advertisements Food for thought: Looking back at 2018 OTAs Are Winning the Marketing Game Over the last two years, the "Direct vs OTAs" debate has lost a lot of steam. It is still a topic that people want to know about, but it isn't the most important topic at all. Last year was the first time general news about OTA activities was more important than Direct Revenue. This year confirmed it and news about what OTAs are doing to innovate and change got the most views again. I don't think this is because hotels are ignoring Direct Revenue, but probably most have understood by now that there would be no winner on a war against OTAs. Optimizing one's distribution mix is probably a lot more productive than fighting OTAs. SEE THE INTERACTIVE CHART Disruption is Coming to Hotel Marketing While the past years have seen mainly Airbnb as the disruptor, this year Amazon began to make ripples as well. But of course this has been a banner year for Airbnb in the hotel sector, so much so that it is also the most mentioned brand of the year. Google's increasing presence in the industry is concerning more than just hotel groups now, it's worrying the OTAs. With Booking even admitting that their Google-dependency is similar to hotel's OTA-dependency and they're trying to drive more direct traffic (there's always a bigger fish). On the advertising front, Amazon's return to the travel industry has been interesting for many hoteliers, much more so than the last time they made an appearance (according to the headlines). AIRBNB AND AMAZON PICKING UP STEAM Innovations, Technology and Trends Though less prevalent than previous years, trends and innovation remain interesting to hotel marketers. In fact is one combines these into one category they are the most interesting topic. This is slightly skewed by the fact that this year includes news from Hospitality.net and as mentioned above most of it is vendor-written to promote their products. But like all media, we like news and new things so it makes sense that this category is growing. The startup scene in hotel technology is growing quite rapidly at the moment and the news is grabbing hoteliers attention. This is healthy for the industry, and maybe it can grow further (a few years ago this was the number one category in hotel trends). We need more innovation, now is not a time to settle on following what the OTAs do. JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON LINKEDIN Airbnb, Expedia, Booking and Amazon are top brands This year Airbnb became the number one brand in hotel marketing which is quite a feat. Dethroning both Expedia and Booking who have been competing for the spot every year since 2013. Amazon coming in at 4th place is quite interesting and shows that hotel marketing people really are looking at the disruptors and watching what is happening there. Google has steadily been declining in hotel marketing interest. Probably because Google wants to ensure they are very far from the limelight while they slowly take more market share with their various products. However, they moved from 6th place in 2017 to 5th place in 2018 so they're not fully being ignored. TripAdvisor peaked at 3rd place in 2017 but vent back down to 6th place in 2018, and unlike Google they need more visibility as they need the revenue. Will they manage to get that back with their social stream product? It would be awesome if they could. As I've said before, the product seems great, but a little late. Hotel Chains have not managed to get much attention this year, outside of Marriott and for all the wrong reasons. 5 YEARS OF EVOLUTION IN TOP BRANDS STAIR volunteers come from all walks of life no experience required just a desire to help kids read. STAIR provides volunteer training and a clear, educator-developed curriculum. The program pays big rewards. By the end of the school year, 70 to 75 percent of the students will be reading at grade level or above. Tutors, parents and teachers are all smiles, as they listen to their second grader reading with confidence. Press Release 14 January 2019 Americas report solid growth- Latin America outperforms North America - Strong growth forecast for both regions in 2019 - ITB Berlin exclusively publishes latest World Travel Monitor findings Berlin, 11 January 2019 - With five per cent more international trips, outbound travel from the Americas has shown solid growth in 2018 with a plus of 5 per cent. In contrast to the previous year, where North American growth exceeded Latin America, the first eight months of 2018 reflected the contrary. While North American outbound travel increased by four per cent, Latin America was twice as strong with eight per cent more international trips. Looking at 2019, the latest results of the World Travel Monitor by IPK International point to an uplift due to stronger growth in North America. Advertisements Overall, North America showed solid increases with a plus of four per cent in international travel during the first eight months of this year, which was in line with the forecasts of last year's World Travel Monitor. Despite lower growth rates compared to last year, Europe remained a growth driver. Trips by North Americas to Europe increased by eight per cent during the first eight months of 2018. Among the destinations, benefiting most from these increases were Spain and Italy, while trips to the UK stagnated. Trips to Asia grew solidly with a plus of five per cent, while inner-American travel rose by three per cent. The strong growth of North American outbound travel was evenly distributed between holidays, visits to friends and relatives (VFRs) as well as business trips. While business trips underperformed worldwide, North America showed opposing developments with a six per cent increase. However, as in other parts of world, this growth was due to an increase of promotable business trips (MICE), while traditional business trips continued on a downward trend. Within the holiday segment, growth distribution was also quite evenly distributed. Cruises reported the strongest increase of eight per cent. Tour holidays increased by five per cent, city trips by four per cent and sun & beach holidays by three per cent. Overall, the average length of outbound trips by North Americans decreased slightly, while spending was one per cent higher. Looking ahead, an uplift is expected for North American outbound travel in 2019, with IPK's Travel Confidence Index forecasting eight per cent growth for next year. Inner-regional travel booming in Latin America Latin America outperformed North America during the first eight months of the year with eight per cent more international trips. One of the key influencing factors was high growth in the Mexican outbound travel market, which declined last year but recovered strongly between January and August. The main reason for this turnaround was an increase in visits to the US, which dropped in 2017 but picked up strongly again. Compared to North America, where trips to Europe remained the growth driver, Latin Americans mainly headed to destinations within the Americas. According to World Travel Monitor figures, inner-regional travel by Latin Americans increased by 13 per cent. Europe reported solid growth rates of five per cent, while Asia received two per cent more visitors from Latin America. Holidays were the key contributing factor for the growth of outbound trips by Latin Americans, with an increase of ten per cent. Business trips also grew strongly, rising by nine per cent. The reason for this were promotable business trips (with a plus of 12 per cent), and not traditional business trips (down one per cent). Visits to friends and relatives (VFR) recovered with a plus of three per cent compared to the declines during the same period last year. "This is due to increases of Mexican outbound trips, which tend to have a higher share of VFR." explained Juan Alberto Garcia, consultant at IPK International. Looking at the different holiday types, city trips grew strongly in the Latin American market and gained 18 per cent. Further strong increases were recorded for sun & beach holidays with a plus of 15 per cent, following declines during the same period last year. Cruises also reported similar growth rates, although this segment only accounts for a very small share of the total holiday market. Tour holidays, while recovering worldwide, were below average in the Latin American market with a growth rate of 3 per cent. In terms of spending, Latin Americans spent slightly less, while the average length of stay increased by three per cent. With Latin America registering strong growth in the first eight months of the year, the outlook for 2019 is also very positive. According to the IPK Travel Confidence Index, Latin American outbound travel is expected to grow by 8 per cent next year. Most American destinations recorded more visitors According to World Travel Monitor figures, the Americas received about three per cent more international visitors overall between January and August 2018. In North America, the US, which declined last year, now seems to be recovering with seven per cent more international visitors. Canada on the other hand more or less stagnated in the first eight months of the year. Mexico recorded a plus of around two per cent, while another destination with a strong growth was Chile, with eight per cent more international visitors. "Cruises and city tours are the main growth drivers of the travel markets in the Americas. Outbound travel from South America to the US has displayed unusually high growth. This may be proof that, despite President Trump's best efforts, he has as yet been unable to make the country any less attractive", said Martin Buck, Senior Vice President, Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin. Additional information on specific topics regarding World Travel Monitor data from IPK International will be published soon by ITB Berlin. Conclusive travel trend findings for 2018 will also be presented by the end of the year. Rolf Freitag, CEO of IPK International, will present the findings of the World Travel Monitor for 2018 at the ITB Future Day during the ITB Berlin Convention as well as forecasts for 2019. The World Travel Monitor is based on the results of representative interviews with more than 500,000 people in over 60 global travel markets. It has been published for more than 20 years and is recognised as the most widescale continuous survey of global travel trends. Press Release 14 January 2019 Hostels have traditionally been for backpackers happy to share rooms with strangers, trek down hallways to shower and cook their own meals in basic kitchens in exchange for cut-rate accommodation. Advertisements But now hostels are increasingly borrowing ideas from more highly-rated hotels: barista-served coffee drinks, late-night cocktails, plush bedding, big-screen TVs and free wi-fi. These hostel-iers seek to capture a slice of the youth market specifically groups of friends traveling together, who want to keep an eye on their budget but aren't ready to sacrifice comfort or give up an opportunity to stay at an Instagram-worthy destination. A new moniker These new-look hostels are even being given a new moniker: poshtels. "The hostel experience remains one for people who want something alternative to the traditional hotel chain experience," Lauro Ferroni, a director of research at JLL. "But with some of these new concepts, that experience is no longer synonymous with 'roughing it.'" Some major hotel chains have already set their sights on the category. In October, Hilton launched Motto by Hilton, which will offer something approximating the hostel experience, but with a sophisticated gloss. The rooms with an average size of 163 square feet will have lofted beds and en-suite bathrooms. Guests who share a room are able to split the cost during the reservation process. Motto by Hilton outposts will be located around Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. One of the first under development is in London, on the site of the former Old Marylebone Road hotel. There are others in various stages of development in Savannah, San Diego, Boston and Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, European group Accor has a Jo&Joe offering, which will be opening stylish hostel experiences in Budapest, Krakow and Paris in the next couple of years. Modernizing the sector The humble hostel has been a part of the travel landscape since the early 1900s, when a German teacher, Richard Schirrmann, opened the first youth hostel after he realized that the students he was leading on school trips had no place to stay. Through the next few decades, the concept spread through Europe before catching on in other parts of the world. They were originally conceived as dormitories with rows of bunk beds to sleep a dozen or so young people. Later, various room configurations became available, sleeping two or more, but inevitably still retaining the bunk bed format, with a bathroom in the hallway, and not much else to the room. There is typically a communal room by the entrance for lounging and connecting with other backpackers, and limited on-site food and beverage options. Until the early 2000s, prospective visitors often couldn't book online and had to call around or drop in and see if beds were available. Now, hostels are offered on major hotel booking engines such as Expedia. Amid the shift, the sector is being given a second look by investors and developers, who have noted the potential for growth. "In the top cities for leisure travelers around the world, hostels offer new opportunities for investors," says Ferroni. Developers may not only be looking at shuttered hotels when looking to create these emergent hospitality spaces, Ferroni says. "It can be expensive to convert an existing hotel," he says, adding that former office spaces, for example, could also be reconfigured to accommodate hostels. "Operators are only looking at the top-travelled urban destinations for travelers London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York. This is not something that would grow to scale in, say, Tulsa, Oklahoma." An alternative to home-sharing The recent focus on elevating the hostel concept is also a response to the might of Airbnb and other home-sharing sites, which attract groups of friends traveling together, says Ferroni. The more flexible hotel operators are, the more appealing the concept, he added. Moxy, by Marriott, gives guests a choice of options at its year-old south Times Square location, from a standard single room for someone traveling solo to bunk-bed style rooms for a group of friends. Still, while Marriott might be pitching Moxy as an alternative to traditional hostels, the pricing would be a bit steep hostel-goers accustomed to paying as little as $10 a night. On a recent visit to the Times Square property, a room that sleeps two was close to $400 a night. But young travelers and students on a gap year might not be the only audience for the luxe hostel concept. With many of the new hostels offering private rooms and en-suite facilities, they could also welcome families with children and business travelers, Ferroni says. "As hotel chains, developers and private equity investors reinvent hostels, it would behoove them to keep in mind shifting demographics and tastes as well," he says. Putting the posh in "poshtel" To differentiate from hostels of yore, poshtels need upgraded the amenities travelers expect: free wi-fi, quality food and beverage and design-led features, Ferroni says. It also needs to provide different lodging options for guests. Generator, which operates hostels across Europe, has flexible room options. In its London outpost, guests can choose between female-only dorm rooms or select a private space. There are late night cocktails at the bar and gourmet-fare in the restaurant. In short, it has the same stylings as a four-star boutique hotel, without the four-star prices. "As the hospitality industry transforms, a lot of things are being redefined," Ferroni says. "We're seeing examples of vintage motels becoming hip again, hostels can be fancy - there is creative change." Press Release 14 January 2019 Not many have avoided noticing the mark Norwegian Air Shuttle - Norwegian for short - CEO, founder and majority owner Bjrn Kjos has left on Norway's aviation, travel and hospitality industry in the years following the airline's launch 26 years ago, in a marketplace characterized by far more expensive flight fares. His importance for the industry is almost unrivaled, making international headlines for aviation "made in Norway". It should come as no surprises, then, that HSMAI decided to make some fuss, granting him the Special Award during the Norway HSMAI Awards in Oslo Tuesday night. Close to 500 professionals representing the travel, hospitality and event industry, as well as clients, attend the award ceremony Tuesday night, celebrating individuals and companies excelling within Norwegian hospitality, with awards for events and marketing, as well as to theYoung hotelier of the year, the Hotelier of the year and the Young leader of the year.In addition to these annual awards HSMAI sometimes rewards people who have left a particular mark, and Bjrn Kjos has indeed done so, to such a degree that it simply cannot go unnoticed, on a global scale. Advertisements An international giant Today Norwegian is considered a global force to rely on, granted the following awards, during this last year alone: named the most fuel-efficient airline on transatlantic routes by The International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT); World's Best Low-Cost, Long Haul Airline, Skytrax World Airline Awards; Europe's Best Low-Cost Airline, Skytrax World Airline Awards; The Ambassador's Award; Most Innovative Company in Norway, Innovasjonsmagasinet; Best Overall Passenger Experience Low Cost Carrier in Europe, Passenger Choice Awards; Four-star rating, Passenger Choice Awards; Best WiFi in Europe, Passenger Choice Awards; Four-star rating, Skytrax World Airline Awards; Airline Program of the Year, Europe & Africa, Freddie Awards; Best Campaign in Europe/Africa, Freddie Awards. Mr. Kjos himself has been the focal point of much attention, not least when the U.S. ambassador to Norway rewarded him The Ambassador's Award for his efforts to strengthen Norwegian-American relations, while securing the airline's foothold in country after country, all over the world. An ambassador for Norway Speaking of ambassadors, Norway couldn't possibly dream of a better one than Mr. Kjos, promoting Norwegian aviation, innovation, service, entrepreneurship and sustainability in aviation. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that he is now given the HSMAI Special Award, to standing ovations in Oslo Tuesday the 8th of January 2019. HSMAI salutes him in awe! The jury says: Bjrn Kjos has left an international mark as an ambassador for Norwegian aviation, innovation, service, entrepreneurship and aviation sustainability. For 26 years he has been working with relentless determination, to build a low-cost airline, brick by brick, until it has grown to the international giant it is today, placing Norway in the international aviation hall of fame, as it were. Norwegians abroad can take a glance at a random runway, in an almost 100 percent certainty that he or she will be able to point out an aircraft from back home, thanks to Mr. Norwegian himself. Bjrn Kjos. In addition to making the world more accessible for Norwegians, Norwegian Air Shuttle has made a substantial contribution to opening Norway for the international audience. Under his management the airline has collected awards world-wide, at a pace likely to take the breath away from even the most blase. Bjrn Kjos himself was rewarded The Ambassador's Award by the U.S. ambassador to Norway, for his efforts to strengthen Norwegian-American relations, while securing the airline's foothold in country after country, all over the world. With a background as a fighter pilot and lawyer, Mr. Kjos is the very definition of a self-made man, widely known for his warm laughter and a smile in store. HSMAI Region Europe awarded him an award already in 2011, for the exceptional development of Norwegian Air Shuttle. If there is such a thing as a deserving recipient of HSMAI's Special Award, that person would be Mr. Bjrn Kjos. HSMAI offers its heartfelt congratulations! Event All hoteliers with interest in the HotelCamp in Paris can register here. Simply enter the registration code of one of the partners and register for free. We are looking forward to see you. Who we are The Hospitality Industry Club is a community of service providers in the hotel branch. We got together to present hoteliers with innovative solutions, technologies and ideas in a relaxed atmosphere yet inspiring. Should you expect a classic sales event with product presentations our events are the wrong place. What we do Our community of selected providers will meet you at twelve cities in Central Europe. Most times in a slightly different setup than the week before. During the evening camp our experts exchange know-how and deliver new insights on topics defined together with you, the hoteliers. Sounds great and is a lot of fun. How does it work out We start at 6:30 PM planning with 4-5 hours for a short innovation talk by one of the partners, a quick introduction round, networking, exchanging ideas and, most important, defining the topics which shall be covered together for the workshops. To make sure you don't sit there all evening starving, there are, of course, delicious local specialities - in every city created by a local hero in loving handwork - and of course beer, wine, coffee and soft drinks. You are invited. HotelCamp | Paris is organized by Hospitality Industry Club Event CLUB FCS Talk is a series of thought leadership events organized by FCS that aims to identify technology trends and opportunities in the hospitality industry. Please join us on 17 January at the Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel at 10.00am for the talk led by Mark Tsujikawa, Business Director & Senior Expert at NEC Corporation on: "Technology trends toward Digital Transformation - UseCase for customer experience, operation and management" We look forward to seeing you there. CLUB FCS Talk - Kuala Lumpur is organized by Appointment 14 January 2019 Bespoke Hotels is delighted to announce that it has appointed Mike Rothwell to the role of Director of Advisory. A specialist in asset management, bank recovery and advisory work, Rothwell will work as the head of Bespoke's burgeoning Advisory Division. A longstanding member of the Institute for Turnaround (IFT), Rothwell can point to over 20 years of hotel management experience across the UK, alongside a proven track record in assisting banks and lending institutions, as well as overseeing turnaround projects and repositioning. Now Open 14 January 2019 Situated roughly five miles from Toronto Pearson International Airport Marriott International's Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport East in Toronto, Canada has opened. Sunray Group owns. It manages the 186-key hotel. Earlier the hotel was known as the Quality Hotel & Suites Toronto Airport East. The property is at a convenient location at 2180 Islington Ave giving access to Woodbine Racetrack which is downtown Toronto and to Toronto Pearson International Airport. It is only five miles away. There are 14 suites, more than 940 square feet of meeting space and common-area amenities such like 24-hour fitness center, business center, full-service dining, car rental, free Wi-Fi, airport shuttle service and safe deposit boxes offered by Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport East. Janis Milham, senior vice president & global brand leader, Classic Select Brands said that designed with the everyday traveler in mind, Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport East will be a convenient stay for anyone looking to enjoy the world-class attractions of Toronto. It will have equal access to families and business travellers. Mitchell High School science teacher Noah Kearns traveled to Seattle earlier this month for the American Astronomical Society meeting where he met his research team that he will work with on an astronomy project over the next year. Pictured from left: Kearns, Andrea Galloway, Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Vin Urbanowski, mentor educator from the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering, Stamford, Connecticut; Geoff Holt, Madison (Wisconsin) Metropolitan School District Planetarium; and scientist Varoujan Garjian. Henry was busy around the parish during the day working with some of the 40-some outreach ministries. He was forceful, polite, and focused as if he were looking for a meeting to run or some complicated issues to resolve. He drove himself around Annapolis and had his favorite parking spot in the St. Mary's parking lot next to the Charles Carroll House. 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 Mostly sunny. High 77F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 54F. Winds SE at 3 to 6 mph. E d Smith is the author of The Borough Market Cookbook, the official cookbook for the famed foodie heaven in SE1. Smith gave up his job as a City lawyer in 2011 and retrained as a chef, hosting supper clubs around London. His first recipe book, On The Side, was a sourcebook of 140 inspiring side dishes. WHERE I LIVE I live in Islington, on the edge of De Beauvoir or Dalston, depending whos asking. I lived in Newington Green when I first moved to London in 2007. I think theres something about the first place you live in London that will always feel like home. It feels like a proper neighbourhood with cafes and parks. My wife bought a property here before we got married and I moved in. Its a flat in an old Victorian school building, with lovely big high ceilings. Our kitchen is within the living room so when Im doing recipe development, I have to be quite tidy. MY DECOR Its quite plain, with white walls and wood floors. All our beds, tables and desks are from Unto This Last in Brick Lane. It sells slightly Scandinavian, slightly classic-looking items. Everythings laminate and pieces come in many different sizes. We have lots of bookshelves dividing rooms and within rooms. My wife, Laura Mucha, is a writer as well. BEST HOMEWARE STORE Borough Kitchen has really nice utensils and ceramics; there are branches in Hampstead and Chiswick as well. Our dinner plates are classic white from German brand Kahla. I used them for the supper clubs. And Im lusting after wineglasses designed by wine critic Jancis Robinson. She worked with British designer Richard Brendon. This is a one glass shaped for every wine concept red wine, champagne, sherry which is useful when we have such space in our cupboards. Best for homewares: Borough Kitchen, with stores in Borough Market, Chiswick and Hampstead / Photo by StAle Eriksen BEST MARKETS Food markets are my catnip. Borough Market is a one-stop shop for speciality ingredients. There arent really any other places stocked with so much British and international produce. For the new book, I spent a year walking round the market, interviewing traders and creating recipes inspired by market produce that are easily cookable at home. Its such a convivial, bustling part of London and we hope the images and stories in the book go some way to capturing the essence of the place. Best markets: Southwarks renowned Borough Market, a one-stop shop for speciality ingredients / Jeremy Selwyn I also rate Growing Communities in Stoke Newington, which has an organic farmers market every Saturday. Marylebone Farmers Market is a properly good, well-supported market, as is Parliament Hill. Broadway Market is also great for food and theres a terrific knife shop, Kitchen Provisions in Netil Market, where you can also find tempting street food. FAVOURITE GALLERY In Canonbury Square theres the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art which recently had a brilliant exhibition of Campari posters. SECRET SHOP Present & Correct is a stationery shop with great little pencils and pads and good scissors, round the back of Sadlers Wells Theatre in Clerkenwell. Secret shop: Present & Correct, for office sundries and iconic stationery in Arlington Way, Clerkenwell BEST DESIGN STUDIO Theres a couple of east London ceramicists, Jess Joslin and Skye Corewijn who have a little shed called Klei in Netil Market, just off Broadway Market selling really nice ceramics that are not too overdesigned, not too rustic that theyre going to be out of fashion in a years time. I have their breakfast bowls and coffee cups, and use their ceramics for photo shoots. Best design studio: Klei in Netil Market, E8, for rustic ceramics by Jess Joslin and Skye Corewijn / Stephen Makin AMAZING ARCHITECTURE I think whats particularly good about Londons architecture are the accidental vistas things you see when you stop for a moment and look up. One example, is when standing in Stoney Street looking through to one of the entrances to Borough Market. Above the sign theres the train tracks, and then the Shard poking out from behind. I try to remember to look up at the cathedral-like glass ceiling when in the middle of Three Crown Square, too, and to pause at the curled wrought-iron frontage to Brindisa restaurant that was originally from the Royal Opera House. As an ex-lawyer I also like walking from the Royal Courts of Justice down Fleet Street, dipping into Inns of Courts, and have a soft spot for the Goldman Sachss Art Deco building [the former Daily Express Building]. Andrius Bernotas, a midshipman 4th class, is originally from Massachusetts and said he liked seeing a lot of snow. He worked with Braun to help shovel the sidewalks, and said the past two days for him have consisted of playing cards, finishing homework and binge-watching shows on Netflix. For him, getting some fresh air was a nice change of place. US president Donald Trump has rejected a suggestion from Republican lawmakers to reopen shutdown federal government departments as efforts continued to find funding for a wall along the southwestern borer. That was a suggestion that Lindsey made but I did reject it yes. Im not interested, the president told reporters referring to suggestion from Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally who has also led several efforts to end the shutdown, which is now in the 24th day. I want to get it solved. I dont want to just delay it. I want to get it solved. Graham had suggested reopening the government for a few weeks as negotiations continued. Before he pulls the plug on the legislative optionand I think we are almost thereI would urge them to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, Graham said on Fox News Sunday, referring to a move being considered by the president to declare a national emergency and find money for the wall elsewhere in the government for it the department of defenses budget for constructions, for one but has insisted that was absolutely his last option. Legal challenges are bound to follow, for one, experts have said. And, two, Republicans have opposed it in principle, with some of them arguing that declaring national emergency to deal with this stalemate could open the door for Democrats to use the instrument to push their agenda, such as climate change. Graham had added: See if we can get a deal. If we cant at the end of three weeks, all bets are off. See if he can do it by himself through the emergency powers. Thats my recommendation. The president has rejected it it, as he said. And earlier in the day the president called out to Democrats to resume negotiations and sought to blame them from the shutdown. He had ended the last round or talks last week with a dramatic bye-bye. Nancy and Cryin Chuck can end the Shutdown in 15 minutes, he wrote on Twitter in the morning, referring to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. At this point it has become their, and the Democrats, fault! He had in an earlier tweet complained, as he has several times before, he has been waiting in vain for them in the White House. The president has sought $5.7 billion for a wall along the border with Mexico, which he is not scaled down to describe as a steel barrier. Democrats have rejected it, but have said they can continue talking and have urged the president to reopen the government. A day before the crucial vote is held in the House of Commons on the EU withdrawal agreement, a senior cabinet minister in the Theresa May government admitted that it is unlikely to win the support of MPs, reflecting opposition to it from various quarters. Liam Fox, a fervent Brexiteer and secretary for international trade, said, I think that it is unlikely that we would win the vote tomorrow, to be frank. Its not impossible, but its unlikely. But I think it is possible that before we leave the EU, MPs will come to the conclusion that we have a duty to leave as instructed by voters of this country. We also have a duty to do it in a way that minimises any potential disruption to ourselves and our own economy and to our trading partners in Europe. Westminster was already discussing various scenarios in the event of the May government losing the vote on Tuesday evening. According to May, the United Kingdom will move into uncharted territory if the vote is not passed in the House of Commons. Possible scenarios include a no-deal Brexit on March 29, renegotiating the current agreement with Brussels, a mid-term election, another referendum and a vote of no-confidence moved by the opposition Labour. May was due to make a last-ditch effort in a speech on Monday to persuade her party MPs opposed to the agreement, as well as MPs from other parties. She was also due to publish correspondence with Brussels on the key provision of backstop in the agreement that has riled many MPs. In extracts of her speech released in advance by Downing Street, May says that she now believes that no Brexit is more likely than a no-deal Brext, after many MPs used parliamentary devices to give parliament greater role in the Brexit process. May says: I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. Imagine if an anti-devolution House of Commons had said to the people of Scotland or Wales that despite voting in favour of a devolved legislature, Parliament knew better and would overrule them. Or else force them to vote again. What if we found ourselves in a situation where Parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a remain vote? Peoples faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum. New clarifications from Brussels on Monday failed to bolster the Theresa May governments efforts to seek parliamentary endorsement for the EU withdrawal agreement on Tuesday, with no Brexit and paralysis cited as the most likely fallout of the impasse. Making last-ditch efforts to persuade MPs to support the agreement, May said she was against extending the deadline of March 29 under Article 50 to leave the European Union, or holding another referendum. May was told categorically by Brussels that we are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the withdrawal agreement, when she sought clarifications on the controversial backstop in the agreement. The 5-page letter by EU leaders Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker was perceived by critics as aspirational, replete with words of good intent and warm words, but did not fundamentally deliver what May wanted to help assuage MPs worried about the backstop. On Tuesday, May is scheduled to close the House of Commons debate on Brexit before the agreement (and the political declaration on future UK-EU relations) will be put to vote in the evening. Before making another statement in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, May travelled to Stoke-on-Trent in north England to reiterate her position: that the agreement is the best that is possible, and one that delivers on the verdict of the 2016 referendum to leave the EU. The only ways to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are: to abandon Brexit, betraying the vote of the British people; or to leave with a deal, and the only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night. But while no deal remains a serious risk, having observed events at Westminster over the last seven days, it is now my judgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in Parliament that risks there being no Brexit. Labours shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer responded to the clarifications from Brussels: The prime minister has once again failed to deliver. This is a long way from the significant and legally effective commitment the prime minister promised last month. It is a reiteration of the EUs existing position. Once again, nothing has changed. As Westminster pondered over various scenarios if and when the agreement is voted down on Tuesday evening including Brexit not happening at all leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson claimed that whatever happens, the UK will leave the EU on March 29. He said: I think, possibly, some colleagues are being scared by this idea that there might be no Brexit as a result of voting it down. I think thats nonsense. Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and thats the bottom line. Any move by parliament to frustrate Brexit, he added, would be seen by voters as a betrayal. And I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the country. A Pakistani university will celebrate Sisters Day on February 14 to promote Islamic traditions, according to the vice chancellor. Female students can be gifted scarves and Abayahs (clothes) as decided by Vice Chancellor Zafar Iqbal Randhawa of the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad and other decision makers, Dawn news reported. The vice chancellor believes it was compatible with Pakistans culture and Islam, the report said. February 14 is celebrated as Valentines Day across the world. On the day, people express their love and affection with greetings and gifts. The university announced that it will celebrate Sisters Day on February 14 to promote Islamic traditions, Randhawa said. While speaking to DawnNewsTV, he said that he was not sure if his suggestion to celebrate Sisters Day would click or not. He said that although some Muslims have turned Valentines Day into a threat, My thinking is that if there is a threat, convert it into an opportunity. The report quoted Randhawa as saying that women face certain conditions related to their attire which dictate that their body should not be revealed. Women are at a very high rank for us. Today the era of gender empowerment is here, Western thinking is being promoted. But the best gender empowerment and division of work is in our religion and culture, the vice chancellor said. He claimed that celebrating Sisters Day would allow a soft image to develop, and that people will realise that this is how much sisters are loved in Pakistan. Is there a love greater than that between brother and sister? On Sisters Day, it is greater than the love between husband and wife, Randhawa said. Valentines Day has been a controversial subject in Muslim-majority Pakistan for years, with some celebrating and others protesting against it. The Islamabad High Court in 2017 and 2018 banned all Valentines Day celebrations, and print and electronic media were warned to stop all Valentines Day promotions immediately. In 2016, then president Mamnoon Hussain urged Pakistanis to forego celebrating Valentines Day, saying it was not a part of Muslim tradition, but a Western innovation. Questions about whether Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe will personally implicate Donald Trump are back at the forefront after three weeks of partisan strife over the presidents proposed border wall. Even as the U.S. government shutdown officially clocks in as the longest ever, Democrats are refocused on Muellers 2016 election-meddling inquiry, insisting the investigation be completed without interference. They say theyll be seeking those assurances from Attorney General nominee William Barr when he testifies this week before a Senate panel. The FBI opened a probe in 2017 to determine whether Trump had worked, knowingly or unknowingly, on behalf of Russia, the New York Times reported Friday. The next day, the Washington Post said he went to great lengths to hide details of his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, whose demands for money to build a U.S.-Mexico border barrier prompted a partial government shutdown now in its fourth week, unleashed a torrent of tweets criticizing the FBI following the new reports. For a president who views the border wall as a winning issue with his base, the shutdown has provided what might be considered a welcome reprieve from the focus on the much more perilous Mueller probe. But that could change this week. Brexit brink | Prime Minister Theresa May will make a last-ditch attempt to save her Brexit deal in the U.K.s most pro-Leave city during a speech warning that lawmakers voting against her could mean Britain stays in the European Union. Its a reflection of how Parliament has mobilized to try to prevent a no-deal Brexit and comes as pro-EU lawmakers step up efforts to force a second referendum. Expect a tumultuous 48 hours. Trade war carnage | Chinas exports slumped in December, adding pressure on Beijing to strike a deal with the Trump administration to end a months-long trade war. The numbers raised fresh concern about global growth, prompting a fall in global stocks one of the benchmarks the U.S. president is also watching closely. Greeces acid test | The political class in Athens is about to test the idea that the years of turbulence over a severe economic crisis are a thing of the past. While Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras may win a confidence vote this week triggered by the defection of an ally, theres an election due by the fall and hes struggling in the polls. So one way or another therell probably be a political transition to negotiate. Scratchy Communications | Huawei axed a sales director arrested in Poland on suspicion of espionage, saying hed brought the embattled Chinese telecoms giant into disrepute. The company has become a lightning rod for U.S. fears about Chinas economic and technological rise, and the case may fuel concerns that Huawei helps Beijing spy on Western governments. Congos vote dispute | The Democratic Republic of Congos neighbors are urging the government to conduct a new count of last months presidential vote in a bid to head off unrest in the worlds biggest cobalt producer. One opposition leader, Martin Fayulu, is challenging the victory of his rival, Felix Tshisekedi, in the Constitutional Court, while a key Catholic bishops body says the official results dont reflect the findings of its observer team. What to Watch And finally... A quartet of young Democratic women, new to Congress and unafraid to push boundaries, is making an audacious attempt to set their partys agenda and shape the 2020 presidential campaign, Sahil Kapur writes. Chief among them is New Yorks Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whos floated tax rates as high as 70 percent on top incomes to fund a Green New Deal and end fossil fuels. To contact the author of this story: Kathleen Hunter in London at khunter9@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Caroline Alexander at calexander1@bloomberg.net, Karl Maier For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Democratic Republic of Congo faced growing pressure from African neighbours and beyond on Monday for a recount of its contested presidential election in a dispute that threatens more violence in the volatile nation. The Dec. 30 vote was supposed to herald Congos first democratic transfer of power in six decades of independence and a new era after President Joseph Kabilas chaotic 18-year rule. But monitoring groups noted widespread irregularities including faulty voting machines and poorly run polling stations, overshadowing talk of democratic progress in the vast country of 80 million people. Second-place finisher, former Exxon Mobil executive Martin Fayulu, says he in fact won by a landslide with over 60 percent of votes and that the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Kabila to be declared the victor. Tshisekedi and Kabila deny this. The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), a 12-member body including Kinshasa allies Angola and Republic of Congo, expressed great concern. We suggest that the competent structures consider counting the votes in order to guarantee the transparency of the results, it added in a statement. Pressure on Kabila has built since the vote, in part because Congos influential Catholic Church said tallies by its 40,000-strong monitoring team show a different winner to that announced by the electoral commission. France, Belgium, the United States and Britain have all expressed concern. But perceived criticism from inside Africa could hold greater sway, with approval from regional partners critical for the legitimacy of president-elect Tshisekedi. The CIRGL statement late on Sunday echoed the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which contains allies of Kinshasa like South Africa and Angola. However, some regional powers remain wary of interfering in Congo in case it stokes violence or influences the result. In separate statements on Monday, South Africa and Zambia both softened their tone and said they would not push for a recount. Congo government spokesman Lambert Mende told Reuters it was up to the Constitutional Court to decide on a recount. It is not up to an organization, a foreign state, to tell a judge how to draw his own conclusions, he told Reuters. Recounting the votes is a verification technique that only a judge can decide. Fayulu has gone to the court alleging fraud and the Catholic Church has also weighed in. We recommend that (electoral commission) CENI recount votes to reassure all stakeholders, said Donatien Nshole, secretary general of Congos Catholic bishops conference. DEADLY VIOLENCE Isolated post-election violence in Congo has many fearing a return to the kind of conflict and upheaval that killed millions since the 1990s and destabilised the region. Congo is the worlds leading miner of cobalt, a mineral used in electric car batteries and mobile phones, and Africas biggest copper producer. It also mines gold and diamonds. But unrest, disorganisation and corruption has left many in poverty, dissatisfied with Kabilas rule. Armed groups roam Congos eastern border with Uganda and Rwanda, hobbling efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak that has killed nearly 400 people. The government cancelled the election because of insecurity in these eastern opposition strongholds and in the northwestern town of Yumbi where unrest broke out. Clashes between Batende and Banunu ethnic groups in and around Yumbi killed over 400 people over two days in December, a local priest and a civil society activist told Reuters on Monday, a death toll three times higher than earlier estimates. The fighting on Dec. 16-17 was some of the worst to hit the normally peaceful area in years. Some of the surrounding villages remain deserted after hundreds fled across the Congo River into Congo Republic, the sources said. A Canadian man, serving a jail sentence for smuggling drugs, has been sentenced to death by a Chinese court on Monday amid ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries. The Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court in northeast China ordered Robert Lloyd Schellenberg to be executed, setting aside an earlier verdict that found him guilty of smuggling 200 gm of methamphetamine and had put him behind bars for 15 years. The earlier verdict was found to be lenient by the court, reports said Monday. A Reuters report, quoting a court statement from its website said Schellenberg was told in court that he has the right to appeal to Liaoning High Court within 10 days on receiving the ruling. The Canadian was involved in organised international drug crimes, the court said. The verdict comes in the backdrop of a diplomatic row between China and Canada after the Canadian police arrested Meng Wanzhou, a top official at the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, on a request from the US. She was granted bail in December. Meng, 46, is the daughter of Huaweis founder and her detention angered China and soured its relations with both Canada and the US. Earlier in the day, the foreign ministry said that Canadas criticism of China detaining two Canadian citizens is groundless, noting one of them had no diplomatic immunity. Chinese foreign ministry confirmed earlier that coercive measures have been taken against two Canadians suspected of jeopardising Chinas national security, a state media report said. Noting that Chinese authorities handled the case according to law, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that no matter which point of view you take, the former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig does not enjoy diplomatic immunity stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Hua said: Kovrig currently is not a diplomat, and he came to China with an ordinary passport and business visa. The Chinese side took coercive measures against him because he was suspected of engaging in activities that endanger Chinas national security. I would like to suggest that Canadas relevant people should first study and seriously research the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the International Law before they express their views, instead of being plausible and exposing themselves to ridicule, said Hua. An octogenarian scientist who received Chinas top science and technology award this month has said that the underground steel great wall created by him for missile bases located under mountains could withstand attacks from nuclear and hypersonic weapons. Qian Hu, 82, called the steel wall Chinas last line of defence and inseparable part of the countrys no first strike nuclear doctrine. Attached to both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Qian received the 2018 State Supreme Science and Technology Award during a conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing earlier this month. In an interview to state media, Qian said if attacked with nuclear or futuristic hypersonic weapons, the protective wall will give China the ability to retaliate. Calling Chinas nuclear and missile arsenal spears, Qian said the development of the shield was an important follow-up to developing weapons. The development of the shield must closely follow the development of spears. Our defense engineering has evolved in a timely manner as attack weapons pose new challenges, Qian told the Global Times. Also read: India to build 44 strategic roads along China border for Rs 21,040 crore The underground steel great wall is a series of defence facilities located deep under mountains. While the mountain rock is thick enough to resist enemy attacks, entrances and exits of these facilities are often vulnerable and Qians work was to provide extra protection for these parts, the report said. If other lines of defence including the strategic missile interception system, anti-missile system and air defense system fail to function against hypersonic missiles and recently developed bunker-busters, Qians work can still thwart such attacks, it added. National defence challenges do not only emerge from the development of advanced attack weapons but are also a result of an unpredictable international environment, Qian said. The defence facilities against nuclear explosions are steel underground great wall for our country, Qian had said in an earlier interview with state news agency China News Service. Also read: China develops naval radar which can monitor area the size of India, says Report If nuclear weapons such as atomic bombs are upgraded, so should our defence system. My goal has been to design a nuclear weapons-proof wall for my country, he said. Besides Qian, 82, Liu Yongtan, 83, also received 8 million yuan (US$1.2 million) for his contribution to developing Chinas first high-frequency radar system. Lius latest research helped improve the accuracy of radar-detected signals and target detection even against the backdrop of sea clutter, atmospheric noise or radio signals. Under his direction, Chinas first high-frequency radar system became a leader in target detection in the 1990s, state media reported. Also read: China deploys vehicle-mounted cannons in Tibet along border with India China on Monday firmly opposed transferring technology to Taiwan to make submarines, saying countries which have relations with Beijing should earnestly abide by the one China principle and stop any form of military links with Taipei. Taiwan media last year reported that the US State Department had approved the transfer of technology that will allow Taiwan to produce its own submarines. There were reports that six foreign companies, including one from India, have already submitted design proposals for the submarines. Among the six companies, there are two from Europe, two from the US, as well as an Indian company and a Japanese firm offering designs for the submarines, the Taiwan News reported in October last year. According to the report, the designs would come up for approval by Taiwanese government in March this year. The report did not give details of the six companies from these countries. Replying to a question from the official Chinese media here on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing that China is firmly opposed to any country selling arms to Taiwan. China is firmly opposed to any country to have any military links with Taiwan. China is consistent and clear cut. The US and other countries fully recognise the sensitivity and the danger of this issue, she said. China claims that Taiwan which broke away in 1949 is part of Chinese mainland and is opposed to any country having diplomatic contacts with Taipei. Hua said the countries which have relations with China should earnestly abide by the one China principle and not to allow any enterprises to participate in the submarine programme of Taiwan and stop any form of military links with it. They should prudently and properly handle Taiwan related issues thus avoiding harming of bilateral relations and peace stability across the Taiwan straits, she said. A decades-old Iranian Boeing 707 military cargo plane reportedly carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan crashed on Monday while trying to land west of Irans capital, killing 15 people on board and leaving a sole survivor, authorities said. The crash of the jetliner marked just the latest aviation disaster for Iran, which hoped to replace its aging fleet under terms of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. But instead, President Donald Trumps withdrawal from the accord in May scuttled billions of dollars in planned sales by Airbus and Boeing Co. to the Islamic Republic, only increasing the danger for passengers in Iran planes. The aircraft, which bore the paint scheme of the Iranian air forces Saha civilian airline, was making emergency landing around 8:30 am Monday at Fath Airport, an airfield controlled by Irans powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The plane skidded off the runway, crashed through a perimeter fence and into a residential neighbourhood. Iranian state television aired images of smoke-charred homes and the fuselage of the aircraft lying on the ground in the neighbourhood. Nearby was one of its land gear, torn away. Small fires burned around it. The plane was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Tehran, the Iranian capital. Authorities did not immediately offer a reason for the crews decision to land there. Fath is some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southwest of Payam. Its runway is some 1,100-meters (3,600-feet) long, compared to Payams 3,600 meters (11,800 feet). In November, a commercial airline reportedly mistook Fath for Payam, but was able to abort its landing. Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the countrys emergency medical services, said that of the 16 people on board the plane, only the flight engineer was known to have survived. Iranian media reported nine bodies from the crash had already been recovered. Irans air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible martyrdom, is under investigation. It wasnt immediately clear who owns the plane, though Gen Shahin Taghikhani, an army spokesman, told state TV that the plane and its crew were Iranian. Iranians often use the word martyrdom for those who die in war or national service. The plane reportedly was carrying a cargo of meat from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstans capital, to Iran. Since 2016, Iran has been importing meat from Kyrgyzstan, usually via Saha. It imported 150 tons in 2016 and 350 tons in 2017. Saha Airlines operated one of the worlds last commercial flights of the Boeing 707, which was first manufactured in 1958 and helped usher in the jet age. The four-engine, narrow-body aircraft were built until 1979. Maintenance information regarding the Boeing 707 that crashed Monday was not immediately available. However, Iran has struggled obtaining parts for its aging fleet of airlines, nearly all purchased during the time of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Saha Airlines Boeing 707s suffered a previous fatal crash in April 2005, when a flight coming from the Kish island crash-landed at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, killing three passengers. A car bomb exploded near a heavily fortified foreign compound in Kabul on Monday, killing at least four people and wounding 44, officials said, in the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the huge blast, which shook the city, but it comes as diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year war with the Taliban gather pace. Militants targeted Green Village, located near a busy road in the east of the city and where some foreign workers are based, said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish. At least 10 children were among the wounded, he added. Until recently some United Nations staff had lived and worked at the highly secure compound, but Danish said the area was now largely empty and only a number of guards were left. Residential houses nearby have sustained heavy damage, Danish said. Special police forces units have been deployed to the site to check if there are more attackers. The explosion happened in the early evening when traffic is normally heavy. The last assault on a foreign compound was in late November when a Taliban-claimed vehicle bomb exploded outside the compound of British security firm G4S, killing at least 10 people. Five G4S employees were among the dead. That was followed by a suicide and gun attack on a government compound in Kabul on December 24 that killed at least 43 people, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the city last year. The latest bombing comes as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad visits the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the 17-year war in Afghanistan, which by some estimates was the worlds deadliest conflict zone in 2018. Khalilzad, who met Taliban representatives last month in Abu Dhabi, is travelling to Afghanistan as well as China, India and Pakistan on the trip lasting through January 21. The leaking of US President Donald Trumps plan to slash troop numbers in Afghanistan, however, has threatened to derail those efforts. The recent flurry of activity to get the Taliban to the negotiating table has caused disquiet in Afghanistan, with the government feeling sidelined from the discussions. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to talk to Kabul, which it sees as a US puppet and ineffective. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed once against any suggestion he was working for Russians or was under their influence as his nominee for attorney general, William Barr is expected to tell lawmakers he will allow special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his probe into the Russian interference in 2016 elections. I never worked for Russia. Not only did I never work for Russia, I think its a disgrace that you even asked that question because its a whole big fat hoax, Trump told reporters, and added that his meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin were like the one-on-ones he has had with other world leaders. A news report over the weekend said the FBI had launched an investigation against President Trump in the aftermath of his firing of then director James Comey to determine if he was working for Russians. Another report had said the American president goes to extraordinary extents to conceal details of his meetings with President Putin even from his own senior aides. Questions about Russian interference in the 2016 elections to help Trump will have dogged the presidents presidency from even before he took office, and his meetings and calls with President Putin have also drawn close scrutiny. Questions have also been raised about what Barr, the nominee for the post of attorney general, plans to do with Muellers probe, having been critical of it in the past, before getting the nomination. And lawmakers have worried he might shut it down, given how his boss, the president, feels about it. Trump has slammed it as a witch-hunt. On my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work, Barr said in prepared remarks ahead of two days of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee that is scheduled to start on Tuesday. Barr, a former former attorney general to President George H.W. Bush, will face questions from lawmakers about his views that the Russia probe was fatally misconceived. Sex Education Cast - Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa Rating - 4.5/5 A few hundred kilometres outside Delhi, as you take the highways, youll begin to notice curious signages on the side of the roads. The older ones are hand-painted, while the more expensive signs are printed and presented proudly on billboards. Some of them feature the face of an unremarkable-looking middle-aged man. But all of them - the cruddy old ones, days away from being washed away by the rain, and the plasticky new banners, advertise one thing -- sex therapy. Clinics such as these are common not only in small towns but also in large cities, where they operate, seemingly unaffected, by the more modern and conventional ones. Take a stroll down the gullies of Old Delhi and youll find several of these hakim shops, with hennaed old men bent over counters, selling potions and promises. These clinics cater to an altogether different clientele, certainly not the woke big city crowd that believes in dealing with their bedroom problems through conversation and consultancy. But regardless of the who the patient is, they are united by one dominant emotion: shame. And this is the central theme of the distractingly titled new Netflix series, Sex Education. Watch the Sex Education trailer here Gillian Anderson plays a man-eater sex therapist who, with her teenage son, lives in an idyllic hillside bungalow at the corner of a quaint English village. Her son, Otis, is the sort of kid who has the ability to make even French unsexy - awkward, repressed (not in a bad way) and endearingly shy. He is perfectly happy spending his days being left alone, unnoticed in the corner. What sets Otis apart from other kids his age - and indeed, this is what distinguishes Sex Education from other raunchy teen comedies - is that his life doesnt revolve around the need to get laid. Otis, played by Hugos Asa Butterfield, would much rather goof around with his best friend, Eric, who is, conservatively speaking, Kinsey-6 gay. Ncuti Gatwa and Asa Butterfield in a still from Netflixs Sex Education. (Sam Taylor/Netflix) But when he, like so many sensitive romantic heroes before him, meets Maeve, a street-smart, unattainable outsider, Otis experiences an awakening. Maeve has been unlucky in the family department, left to fend for herself by an absentee father and an addict mother. In the need for a quick buck, she convinces Otis to put his superior knowledge of sex to use in the place where it is needed the most: high school. And thus begins a rather unconventional business. Maeve handles the monetary side of things, and Otis sets up his consultancy everywhere from the out-of-bounds asbestos-infested bathroom, to the bleachers and the chemistry lab. Kids of all shapes and sizes - each of them frighteningly vulnerable - approach him with questions they cant have answered anywhere else. A lesser show would have been perfectly content in expanding on this terrific premise, patting itself on the back with each new episode, as Otis tackled the problem-of-the-week. But keeping with the tradition of the best sex comedies, Sex Education reveals itself to be so much more than the unfortunate labels its genre has been bound by. It is a wonderfully heartfelt series, a sweeping romantic comedy, in which even the most tertiary of characters are written with warmth. Asa Butterfield and Emma Mackey in a still from Netflixs Sex Education. (Jon Hall/Netflix) As Otis and Maeve struggle to understand their feelings for each other - each of them reacts in different, yet relatable ways - the stories of supporting characters are fleshed out. Eric fights prejudice and hatred with pride, even when the cruel world knocks him down; the school bully, Adam, struggles to live up to his father, the school principals standards; and the trio of mean girls reveal internal complexes. Important themes such as gender politics, religion, feminism and identity are touched upon - but never at the expense of the shows sweetly raunchy tone. Its been rated 18+, which by Netflixs barometer of kinkiness is saying something. But Sex Education is a worthy addition to this niche genre, arriving in what has become a second wave of great teen comedies, after Judd Apatows streak of success about a decade ago. But Sex Education is really a coming-of-age story, and what sets it apart is its delicate balance of outward American brazenness and very dry, very British humour. Sex Education: Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley. (Jon Hall/Netflix) Emma Mackey, as Maeve, is a revelation; perhaps the best performance by a young British actress Ive seen since I discovered Florence Pugh. Shes alluring yet distant, pragmatic yet emotional, whip-smart yet foolishly in love. An early episode in which she is compelled to undergo a medical procedure (alone) is one of the best episodes of television in many, many months. And its a wonderful exhibition of Mackeys staggering talents. It should also be noted, and appreciated, that Sex Education is largely put together by a female team - it has been created and predominantly written by women, and half of its eight episodes have a female director. It was perhaps necessary to advertise Sex Education in the manner that it was, but once the crowds have been pulled in, they will discover a show with tremendous depth; a cracking way to pop 2019s cherry. Follow @htshowbiz for more The author tweets @RohanNaahar Police seized 350 cartons of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 35 lakh, which were being smuggled in a truck to eastern UP and Bihar, and arrested two persons during a midnight checking near Mahamaya Flyover in Noida on Sunday. According to police, the accused were identified as Vikas Jha, a native of Chandaniya village in Lakhi Sarai of Bihar and Yusuf from Alimev village in Haryanas Palwal. One more accused, identified as Billu who is a native of Faridabad, managed to escape during the checking. Police said that the accused were carrying 350 cartons of two different brands of whiskey, which were smuggled from Haryana in a 16-wheeler heavy transport vehicle. Our team near Mahamaya Flyover in Sector 39 intercepted a truck around 2 am on Sunday, with the three accused on board. While we tried to arrest them, Billu managed to escape and search for him is on. All the accused have been booked under sections 60, 63 and 21 of the excise act, said Uday Pratap Singh, station house officer, Sector 39 police station. Police said that the net value of 215 cartons of Royal Stag whiskey and 135 cartons of Imperial Blue whiskey is around Rs 35 lakh. According to police, the accused revealed that they are associated with a mafia having presence across north India. The miscreants also told police that they have been smuggling liquor from Haryana to parts of eastern UP and Bihar in particular, which faces an alcohol ban since 2016. We are questioning them to find out for how many years they have been doing these activities and how strong is the network of their liquor mafia. Moving such a heavy package means that they are experienced players. They have revealed till now that they sell liquor in Gorakhpur and Bihar cities bordering UP and the consignment (seized liquor) was meant for these places, said Singh. More than 13,000 people were killed in 35,957 road accidents in 2018, up from the 12,511 deaths in 36,056 mishaps in 2017, according to the data from the Maharashtra highway traffic police. According to the Maharashtra highway police officers, who collect data on all road accidents and analyse them, human error such as drink driving, lane-cutting, speaking over the phone while driving, etc emerged as the main cause behind majority of the mishaps. Officers said their main focus this year is to increase enforcement and crack down on over-speeding. Vinay Kargaonkar, additional director general of highway traffic police said, We will increase awareness as well as work on enforcement. We will send proposals to the regional transport offices (RTO) to cancel licences of errant motorists. Motorists need to be more careful of their own safety and that of others. In the past two months, the highway traffic police sent 8,106 proposals to the RTOs across the state to cancel licences of errant motorists. Of this, 866 licences have been cancelled. They said they will try to get the rest of the licences cancelled to send a strong message to those who violate traffic norms. Kargaonkar further said each police station across the state has formed a special team, which includes officials from the public works department (PWD) and the traffic police, to analyse each accident and find out its cause. Their analysis also points to over-speeding, drink driving, lane-cutting and speaking on the phone while driving, as some of the offences for which the highway police will write to the RTOs to cancel motorists licences. The highway police have also been granted 15.45 crore to purchase equipment for enforcement. Vijay Patil, superintendent of highway traffic police, said, We are going to purchase interceptor vehicles, speed guns and other equipment for enforcement to crack down on traffic violations. He also said they are working in coordination with the PWD and other concerned authorities to ensure all potholes, which is another reason for accidents, are filled as soon as possible. . A 35-year-old rape victim committed suicide by hanging herself from the roof of her residence in Kernalganj area of Gonda district on Monday, a fortnight after the two rape accused got a clean chit from district police. In September last year, the victim and her husband had attempted self-immolation outside Vidhan Bhawan in Lucknow to highlight her plight. They then had accused the police of laxity in the investigation. The victim, a mother of two, had accused Shankar Dayal and his brother Ashok Kumar, also of Kernalganj area, of raping her several times in August last year. The case was investigated first by the local police and then by the district crime branch. Both the investigation officers gave a clean chit to accused in December. The two accused are absconding. Following the suicide, superintendent of police of Gonda RP Singh suspended both the investigating officers and sent the station house officer (SHO) of Kernalganj to the police lines. The Gonda police had lodged an FIR on August 7 under section 376D (gang rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC along with relevant sections of IT Act against the accused. The victims husband said, The accused had not just raped her but also made a video clip of the act. She was very upset when police gave the accused a clean chit, and so committed suicide. | BY Ricki Green | Lester Wunderman, chairman emeritus and founder of Wunderman, the original and largest direct marketing advertising agency, has passed away in New York of natural causes. He was 98 years old. A trailblazer in the advertising industry, Wunderman launched a new kind of advertising agency in 1958one that focused on delivering sales for its clients. That agency concept caught on and led to the creation of todays trillion-dollar direct marketing industry. The visionary marketing techniques he conceived and perfected over his long and brilliant career transformed the advertising industry and continue to shape the interactive marketplace. Wunderman is fondly remembered by Sue, whom he married in 1975, his son Marc and daughter Karen and three stepchildren, Patrick, James and Thomas. He is also remembered and revered by the thousands of people who work for the agency that bears his name. While he left the helm of Wunderman in 1998, he reported to work every day at the agencys offices, where he often visited with clients, executives and interns alike. A New Yorker throughout his life, Wunderman was born in 1920 in the Bronx. After an apprenticeship served at several agencies, he joined Maxwell Sackheim & Company in 1947, where he became executive vice president. In 1958, he founded Wunderman, Ricotta & Kline, now known as Wunderman. In 1967, in an address at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wunderman identified, named and defined direct marketing which led the theoretical and practical growth of the industry ever since. As a result of that speech, he was named The Father of Direct Marketing. Wunderman received many awards and tributes from the direct marketing industry, including inductions into the Direct Marketing Associations Hall of Fame in 1983, and the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame. In the July 23, 2001 issue of Time, Mr. Wunderman (along with David Ogilvy and Sergio Zyman) was heralded as Great Pitchmen over the Years. Most recently he was awarded the Golden Apple from the Direct Marketing Club of New York in recognition of over 50 years of contributing to the direct marketing community and Marketing EDGEs Lifetime Achievement Award. His book Being Direct was published by Random House in January 1997 and reissued in 2004 with new information, including the first-ever Consumers Communications Bill of Rights, and his views on the Internet. In 2010, it was translated and published into Chinese. An earlier book, Frontiers of Direct Marketing, was published in 1981, and his speeches and articles have appeared in publications worldwide. Wundermans achievements do not, however, fully describe the impact he has had on our industry. In 1967, he served at the behest of President Lyndon Johnson to champion usage and acceptance of the fledgling U.S. Postal Services Zip Code. A passionate believer in the arts, Wunderman collected the artwork of the Dogon tribe of West Africa. Wunderman made two visits to the region including spending time living there. He donated his collection to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Dapper Foundation in Paris, which is now part of the Louvre. Wunderman became fascinated by photography many years ago, studying at The New School in New York City and working privately with several well-known photographers. Long ago, he met regularly with Cornell Capa, Karl Katz and Jacqueline Kennedy to discuss the possibility of a professional school of photography. And so, the International Center of Photography was born, and has thrived ever since. His photographs have been on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in association with his collection of Dogon sculpture, and 50 photographs remain in its permanent collection. As the head of Wunderman, he served as an inspiration and visionary, providing thoughtful counsel and valuable insight. Says Mel Edwards, CEO, Wunderman: Lester possessed the curiosity of a scientist, an artists eye, the soul of an author and the heart of an entrepreneur. Says Mark Read, CEO, WPP: Lester was a true visionary with a lifelong commitment to innovation and creativity. He will be remembered and respected for his achievements and revered as a friend and colleague. In Lesters own words, If there is a lesson to be learned, I believe it is to not do anything half-heartedly. If you are going to do it at all, give it all that you have to give. In 19-year-old Komal Aggarwals life, only some years stand out. The year 2014 was certainly one. She thinks its when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) beat 60 years of Congress rule. Even more memorable was 2017, when Manushi Chhillar, the winner of that years Miss India pageant from Haryana, became Miss World. She was from my university in Sonepat. Her success inspired normal girls like us because she made it big without having any connections in high places. She made us believe that even girls who live in villages can do something. So many girls in my college took to modelling after her win. Even I gave it a thought at one point, said Komal, whose other role models also happen to be women achievers from Haryana, from wrestlers to judges. Komal was born in Ateli town in Mahendragarh district where her father runs a ration depot and her mother, the house. Mahendragarh makes news for one thing alone: its missing girls. The oldest of four siblings (three sisters and a brother), she has kept track of every female achievement in the area. Two seniors from my school in Narnaul have become IAS officers. One is a judge posted in Rajasthan. Girls in this part of Haryana are very advanced in education, Komal said. Indeed, Mahendragarh records a female literacy rate of 64.57%, higher than Haryanas average of 56.91% Court vs. Kitchen A second-year law student in Bhagat Phool Singh Womens University in Sonepat, she wants to take entrance exams for the post of judicial magistrate after finishing her Bachelors and Masters courses. When she is not running between college and hostel in Sonepat, she is home in Ateli with 20 other members of a joint family spanning three generations. Few of them have gone to college. My father only studied up to class 10 and my mother up to class 12, she said, surrounded by her female relatives in the family homes courtyard. Only one of them is more educated than her at this point. My bua [fathers sister] has finished her graduation, Aggarwal said. Is she headed for a job? No. She is headed for marriage. She is 23, after all, the grandmother, Sumitra Aggarwal, seized the question. Komal says, in many ways, her Haryanvi family is typically conservative. My mother says girls shouldnt speak that much. When I was younger, I wasnt allowed to leave the house alone, but my brother was. When I wanted to opt for law, my uncles discouraged my father from letting me. My father himself wasnt very keen on women entering the world of courts. Its equally true, she says, that things are slowly changing in her family and community. My father is still wary but he has left the decision about working after university to me. My grandmother still believes in arranged marriage, but she is making her peace with love marriages as long as the girl doesnt elope from home but shares her desires with her family. My mother still believes in different rules for boys and girls, but she is open to listening to me. Girls, she says, must talk to their families. If girls wont speak for themselves, how will they get ahead in life? Every time we fight, my cousin says, Stop dreaming about joining the judiciary; all you are going to do is work in the kitchen! I talk back to him, Lets see in a few years who idles on the cot and who earns a salary! BJP good for Haryana Her family partly attributes the change in mindsets to the BJP governments policy initiatives. Just four or five years ago, we heard news every day of someone or other in the town getting arrested for killing girl children. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is changing that, said her mother, Sarika Aggarwal. The states SRB has risen steadily over the past few years. In 2018, all but two districts recorded an SRB of over 900 girls to every 1,000 boys. Mahendragarh was one of the two, but at 894, the numbers have improved from 770 in 2012. Earlier, families only celebrated the birth of male child through the ritual of kuan pujan [worshipping a well]. Now they get 50,000 to do the same for baby girls. Everyone has started doing it, said Komals aunt, Kavita Aggarwal. Families are lined up to open accounts for their girl children under the tax-free Sukanya (Samriddhi) Yojana. I also deposit 1,000 for my daughter every month. She can use the fund after 14 years for her education, Kavita added. The average age at which families are getting girls married has gone up from 18 to 24, said Komal. Some of this perception doesnt match reality. The recorded numbers for child marriages, murders by family members over relationships, and rape, are on the rise in Haryana. However, Komal and her family believe in BJPs vision for the state. [Mahohar Lal] Khattar is doing good work. Roads have become wider, sewers have been dug, exam papers are not getting leaked, people are getting jobs without channelling connections, and government offices are accepting applications without asking for bribes. We got subsidy on electricity bills and are getting included in Ayushman Bharat scheme, said Kavita. Modi fever Narendra Modis last election pitch made such a strong enough impression on the Aggarwal family that they switched their votes from the Congress to the BJP. When Komal casts her first vote this summer, she wont have to think at all. Modi is the only Indian political leader who makes her hopeful about the country. Her image of the Prime Minister is perfect even if not always accurate. He has been on so many world tours, but always at his own expense. Under his regime, there have been more encounters in Kashmir than ever. Look at how he timed demonetisation with surgical strikes. The fake currency coming in from Pakistan was stopped right at the border, she said. His biggest problem is people they dont listen to him, she added, shaking her head in exasperation. If people stop thinking only about themselves, they will see the wisdom in his moves. GST [Goods and Services Tax] will simplify taxes even though it has made things difficult for now. My chacha, my mamaall of them in businessare no longer so keen on Modi. But you have to give him more time for the results to show. What can a man do in just five years! The World Wide Web Komal and her family get all their political news from Facebook. We follow various pages: ABP News, Aaj Tak, Amar Ujala, said Kavita. They are suspicious of WhatsApp posts forwards, however. Most of it is fake, she pointed out. How do they differentiate real news from fake? You know from taking one look at it. You apply your mind; you ask yourself what can and cannot happen in this country, she explained. Whether real or fake, the internet is Komals go-to place for most of her needs. She uses YouTube to prepare for her exams. The teachers dont even show up for class in our government college. Our entire syllabus is there on YouTube channels. Students dont even buy textbooks anymore, she said. For fun, there is TikTok. On this teen-friendly video-based social-media app, Komal is the leading star of her life as she posts 15-second clips of her acting, miming, dancing and lip syncing. I have kept my account private. Only my family follows me, she said. Her relatives are as proud of her whacky talents as they are of her academic ambition. Members of her joint family sister, uncles, aunts-- also feature in these videos jointly scripted and shot at various locations in the house. Ram Mandir Now, Jobs Later Its a pity she wont be allowed to carry her smartphone into the poll booth. That doesnt dampen her enthusiasm about her first vote, though. What will she be voting for? My first demand is that reservations be scrapped for everyone. People should work hard to get ahead. Mukesh Ambani didnt get reservation. Narendra Modi didnt get reservation. They worked hard, she said. I also want the end to male domination. In every position of power in India, there is male, male, male! She thinks religion shouldnt be on any political partys election agenda, but this excludes the demand for a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Ram Mandir should be built. It is very important. Otherwise Hindus will say that this government has done nothing for us. What about jobs? This government has increased the number of available jobs, she said. Reminded that the governments own data contradicts this view, she said she wasnt going to judge Modis performance based on jobs. Not yet. I dont have to think about jobs for another 2-3 years. Then I will. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said that his party will not forge an alliance with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The former Union agriculture minister made the statement during a press conference in Kolhapur, to clarify his partys stance over the ongoing speculation that NCP was likely to tie-up with MNS, ahead of the upcoming general polls. The NCP and MNS are not joining hands for the upcoming elections. Also, there are no talks going on between the two parties, said Pawar in response to queries over the possible tie-up. The NCP had proposed that MNS can be accommodated in the grand alliance in September last year. However, the idea was opposed by the Congress. NCP leaders were of the opinion that making MNS a part of the alliance would help the Congress-NCP prospects in 25 urban seats as the party would eat into the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vote bank. However, after the Congress opposed the idea, the NCP now seems to have ruled out the tie-up officially. Pawar also said that the seat-sharing talks with the Congress for the Lok Sabha constituencies in the state would be completed in a week, as the two parties are lacking consensus only on three seats now. Last week, Pawar had held a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi to finalise the talks on seat-sharing, along with other senior leaders from both the parties. Our discussions with the Congress party are on. Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, we are waiting to reach a consensus only on three seats. Both, the Congress and the NCP, are analysing which party has better poll prospects on these three seats. The issue will be sorted out in the next eight days, the NCP chief said about NCPs talks with the Congress on pre-poll alliance. The NCP chief also said that the 10% reservation to the economically weaker sections (EWS) of general category, passed by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government may fall through, as the Supreme Court has capped the reservation quota at 50%. The Central government has provided 10% reservation to the economically weaker sections of the general category. But the question is whether it will withstand legal scrutiny. I spoke to several legal luminaries and they were of the view that the decision on the raised quota ceiling may fall through in the court. The government is arguing that they have made constitutional amendment but the apex court has already cleared that they cannot change the basic structure of the constitution by allowing reservation over and above 50%, Pawar pointed out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked supporters to fill up a survey on the NaMo app that would, he says, help the party gear up better for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. One of the 12 questions relates to the impact of the grand alliance by opposition parties against the BJP that top party leaders have so far described as an illusion and an opportunistic pact. The question, Do you see any impact of the proposed mahagathbandhan in your constituency? asks for a simple yes or no answer without asking for details of what sort of impact the grand alliance may be having in any particular constituency. The survey starts with a question on the assessment of the Modi governments performance and goes on to ask the workers as to what would be their key considerations when going to vote. Watch: PM Modi seeks feedback on app, asks voters about impact of mahagathbandhan Exhorting the workers to fill up the form, Modi had said that their responses would help the party prepare for the impending elections. Your feedback matters. It will help us take important decisions. Will you all fill that survey and also urge others to do so, the prime minister said in a 30-second video message posted on Twitter and Facebook. The survey also asks questions as to who are the three most popular BJP leaders in their constituency and if the person who is filling up the survey knows who are the three most popular party leaders in the state. The survey also asks pointed questions as to whether the MPs in various constituencies are accessible or not and whether the person filling the survey knows about the MPs work and initiative and if the MP is popular in the constituency or not. The survey also goes on to ask whether the person is happy with amenities and infrastructure such as roads, power, drinking water, healthcare, education jobs and opportunities etc in their constituency. Apart from asking whether they have donated to the BJP or if they would be interested in volunteering for the BJP and if they have any NaMo merchandise, the survey also asks the person if the working culture of the government of India is improving or not. The last question asks if the respondent felt more optimistic about the country than before. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will crowdsource its sankalp patra, or manifesto, for the national elections. It will hold events across the country over the next few months to get inputs from different sets of voters for the purpose, according to two BJP leaders. Union home minister Rajnath Singh-led Manifesto Committee of the BJP decided to form 15 sub-panels to reach out to the different group of voters at its first meeting at the party headquarters in Delhi on Sunday. Amit Shah, the BJP chief, and the partys general secretary, Ram Madhav, were among those who attended the meeting. These [sub] committees will hold dialogues with different stakeholders and seek feedback from them on what needs to be done after [Prime Minister] Narendra Modis government returns to power, Singh told reporters after the meeting. He added some of these suggestions will be included in the BJPs manifesto. Another Manifesto Committee member said the sankalp patras making will be a big event. He added separate meetings with voters like farmers, youths, women, businessmen and others will be held in different locations. The member said the voters would be told about the Modi governments achievements over the last five years. He added they would seek their advice on what more needs to be done. The activity on the ground will be supplemented with an online campaign to crowdsource suggestion on the making of the sankap patra, the leader said. The 20-member Manifesto Committee includes Union ministers like Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman, Thaawarchand Gehlot, Piyush Goyal, and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. It also has former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Bihars deputy chief minister Sushil Modi, his Uttar Pradesh counterpart, Keshav Prasad Maurya, among its members. The Manifesto Committee was constituted on January 6. A woman ,believed to be in her mid-30s, came close to the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate on Sunday morning during the rehearsal for the Army Day wreath-laying ceremony and allegedly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. Police said the woman also pushed soldiers who were on duty and created ruckus around the monument. Senior police officers said that a medical examination revealed the woman was mentally challenged. She was later taken to a care home. Investigation said that the womans family had filed a missing report in Nizamabad in Telangana two days ago. Her family was informed of her rescue, police said. A video of the woman was also circulated on social media in which she is seen shouting slogans. Some defence personnel who are deployed at the spot can also be seen in the video trying to restrain her from getting too close to the the Amar Jawan Jyoti. Police identified the woman and said she was a resident of Mumbai. Deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said that a police team arrived at the spot when they were informed of the incident and the woman was taken to the police station. She is originally from Nizamabad in Telangana. Her in-laws live in Mumbai. Two days ago, a missing complaint was lodged in Nizamabad after the woman had left for Mumbai. She told us that she came to Delhi from Mumbai by train. We took her for a medical examination and she was also jointly questioned by police and intelligence sleuths. Nothing suspicious was found. Doctors found that she was mentally challenged, Verma said. The DCP said they found was no Pakistan connection. She is an Indian national, he said. Verma also said that the woman was then moved to a care home and her family members were informed. We are waiting for her family members to arrive and she will be handed over to them. She could not give more details about herself and therefore we are waiting for her family to arrive. Her husbands details are not available. She was divorced 12 years ago. No case has been registered in this regard, the officer said. The Central Vigilance Commissions (CVCs) November report to the Supreme Court on allegations of corruption against ousted Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma is a mixed bag. CVCs inquiry substantiated four charges against Verma even as it found another three charges unsubstantiated. One allegation was partly substantiated, and it could not complete the investigation in one of the cases because of paucity of time. An internecine fight between Verma and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana, has rocked the agency over the past few months. On the intervening night of October 23 and 24, the government divested both of their powers and sent them on forced leave. Verma challenged his removal in the top court, which on January 8 ordered his conditional reinstatement. On January 10, a selection committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Justice of Indias representative justice AK Sikri, and the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, met. In a 2:1 decision (Kharge dissented), the panel transferred the CBI director out of the agency. Watch: Mallikarjun Kharge on Alok Verma - Action was taken only on basis of CVC report Read | Congress Mallikarjun Kharge gives dissent note on Alok Vermas removal as CBI chief The key CVC report on Verma, which is at the heart of the case, found some allegations substantiated and recommended further inquiry. A few allegations turned out to be incorrect. Heres a look at some of the charges and the findings: 1) While CVC found no direct evidence to suggest that Verma was bribed by Hyderabad-based businessman Sana Satish Babu, it recommended a probe to verify circumstantial evidence. CVC noted that Verma overruled the arrest of Babu despite recommendations to the contrary by the officials handling the case. One of the main lines of the probe was Asthanas allegation that Verma accepted Rs 2 crore from Babu to ensure he wasnt indicted in a case against controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. 2) The CVC inquiry also found that Verma deliberately excluded the name of a key accused in an IRCTC corruption case. There are allegations that conditions for tender to build a hotel were changed to ensure that a certain company could qualify and bid for the contract. But allegations that Verma tried to call off searches on the Patna premises linked to accused in the case turned out to be incorrect. 3) The CVC inquiry into whether an officer of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), who was allegedly demanding money from a lawyer to influence Verma, was tipped off about him being under surveillance was not conclusive. It notes as mentioned in the complaint, that officers handling the case were abruptly transferred proved to be correct. ED probes financial crimes. 4) CVC found allegations of Verma trying to recruit at least two tainted officers in CBI to be correct. CVC observed that explanations offered by Verma were not convincing. 5) The allegation that Verma tried to help a cattle smuggler who was booked by CBI was found to be incorrect. 6) The allegation that Verma, as the Delhi Police commissioner, had tried to help a man smuggle in 500 gold coins was found to be incorrect. Asthana had alleged that inquiry needs to be done to establish who helped the man. CVC said its findings didnt show any involvement of Verma, but pointed out to a letter from CBI to Delhi Police that asked for records of the bust and also requested that the letter be destroyed. CVC asked for a fresh investigation. 7) The allegation that intelligence about two businessmen wanted by CBI and ED trying to flee India was deliberately ignored Verma turned out to be incorrect. The two are suspected to be involved in the coal block allocation case and the 2G spectrum case. 8) CVC could not verify the allegation whether or not Verma and one of his deputies received bribes in a land acquisition case in Haryana that was being investigated by CBI. The Centre is working on developing a network of waterway projects spread over 4,000 kilometres in the North-East and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh to enhance connectivity to the region as part of its Act East policy of developing better economic and political relations with South-East Asia. The seven states of Indias northeastern region are dependent on a narrow stretch of about 22-kilometre land in West Bengals Siliguri for connectivity to the rest of the country. Nepal and Bangladesh are located on either side of the corridor. The shipping ministry made a presentation regarding the waterway projects to the Fifteenth Finance Commission, on January 2. It said the network was aimed to connect heart of India to the regions extreme end to boost trade. We are working towards the decongestion of the highly congested Siliguri Corridor and establishing an alternate modal choice for cargo and passenger movement, a shipping ministry official said on condition of anonymity. The India-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), which was signed in 2015, allows Indian and Bangladeshi vessels to use identified waterways in the two countries. The two countries had decided that the 309-kilometre Ashuganj-Zakiganj stretch of the Kushiyara River and 146-kilometre Sirajganj-Daikhowa that of the Jamuna will be developed for round the year navigation as part of PIWTT at a cost of Rs 300 crore. The Sirajganj-Daikhowa stretch can facilitate connectivity between National Waterway-1 (the Ganga) and National Waterway-2 (the Brahmaputra) and enable movement of larger vessels from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Assams Sadiya, via Bangladesh. India is working to develop the National Waterway-1 as part of the World Bank-funded Rs 5,369 crore Jal Marg Vikas Project from Haldia in West Bengal to Varanasi. Bangladesh and India also signed an agreement for passenger and cruise services. India will also soon be able to use Bangladeshs busiest ports Chittagong and Mongla for cargo movement. In Myanmar, India is working on Rs 904.04 crore Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project to provide an alternate route to the North-East. It will connect Myanmars Sittwe Port to the region. It is expected to contribute to North-Easts economic development by opening up the sea route to it. It, too, will reduce pressure on the Siliguri Corridor, the shipping ministry noted in its presentation. We are providing connectivity between Haldia and Kolkata by sea up to Sittwe (539 kilometres) through inland waterways terminal up to Paletwa (158 kilometres) and by road (121 kilometres) to the Indo-Myanmar Border to Mizoram. We have already completed phase 1, which involved sea dredging on Sittwe-Paletwa stretch of Kaladan river. The road construction along the border has also begun, the official said. India is also looking to establish inland waterway connectivity between India and Nepal as decided during the Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Olis visit to India in April 2018. A Delhi court on Monday allowed alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, to make phone calls to his family members and lawyers abroad. Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted 15 minutes a week to Michel to make international calls. The accused had moved the court claiming that the jail authorities had rejected his plea seeking the permission. Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 22 last year. The court had earlier imposed restrictions on Michel meeting his lawyers while he was in the EDs custody, after the agency said he was misusing the legal access by passing chits to his lawyers, asking them how to tackle questions on Mrs Gandhi. The EDs counsels, DP Singh and NK Matta, had also claimed that during questioning, Michel had spoken about the son of an Italian lady and how he was going to become the next prime minister of the country. We also need to decipher who is the big man referred to as R in the communications between Michel and other people, the ED had told the court. On January 5, Michel was sent to judicial custody in the ED case. He is also lodged in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The ED, in its chargesheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about ~225 crore) from AgustaWestland. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. ) Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on petitions challenging a rule that allows government agencies to intercept communication on all social platforms and electronic devices. An interim petition to stay the government order would be taken up at the next hearing, which would be heard after six weeks. On December 20, the government had issued a notification allowing 10 government agencies to monitor and decrypt any information stored in electronic device on grounds of internal security. The order drew triggered a political firestorm and caused a ruckus in Rajya Sabha after the opposition flagged the order as dangerous and likely to be misused. Apart from the IB, CBI and tax department, the other agencies empowered to intercept include Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Investigation Agency, Research and Analysis Wing and Delhi Police Commissioner. The armed forces Directorate of Signal Intelligence will also have this power for its operations in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Assam. Also Read: License to snoop: Opposition hits out at order to monitor computers Officials however said the outrage over the order seems misplaced simply because these agencies already had this power under the Information Technology (IT) Act and the rules framed under the act, according to current and former government officials. Still, the order may violate aspects of the privacy judgment given by the Supreme Court on August 23 last year, one expert said. Finance minister Arun Jaitley maintained in Rajya Sabha that authorised agencies have right under the law to intercept any attempt to subvert national security, defence, public order or integrity of India but Congress president Rahul Gandhi seized the opportunity to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet that said, Converting India into a police state isnt going to solve your problems, Modi Ji. Its only going to prove to over 1 billion Indians what an insecure dictator you really are. A report compiled by social activists has urged the Supreme Court to put a total stop to coal mining in Meghalaya as it has led to severe environmental degradation. The 379-page report, entitled Curse of unregulated coal mining in Meghalaya Volume 2, was released on Sunday by Angela Rangad, Agnes Kharshiing, Michael Syiem and Amita Sangma, among others. The report also urged the apex court to disallow further transportation of already mined coal. Coal mining in Meghalaya has to stop completely and other forms of energy and livelihoods that are climate-friendly need investment, the report said. Despite the 2014 ban by the National Green Tribunal on coal mining in the state, illegal extraction has continued and the Supreme Court needs to use real time satellite data to take stock of the violations, they sought. The report has been compiled across two volumes after collecting reports related to coal mining and transportation after the ban. Rangad said that the second volume was submitted to the Supreme Court last week in the hope that it will be examined at a hearing on January 15. The first volume was submitted in December. She added that the reports findings have been compiled after substantiating claims and figures from information received through the RTI Act, reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, newspaper reports, etc. Not only did coal mining allow the rich to grab community land for mining, but it destroys the environment and pollutes the rivers while not generating much revenue for the state. Coal mining leads to absolute degradation of the environment, extortion, criminal activities and the mafia raj, Rangad said. The report also rubbishes claims that the ban on mining has hurt the livelihoods of poor indigenous people as it claims only a few rich people benefitted from mining. We want the Supreme Court to understand that such people are abusing the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to grab land, Rangad said, adding that 76% of tribals in Meghalaya are landless. The report wants new land registrations to be frozen around mining hotspots until a proper regulatory framework on prospecting, granting of leases, necessary clearances, environmentally sustainable mining and labour laws are in place. The courts granting of more and more time for coal that was supposed to have been extracted before the 2014 ban to be transported has led to widespread corruption, Rangad claimed. After the NGT ban mine owners claimed that 121 lakh metric tonnes of coal was above ground after extraction. But Rangad claimed that the real figure was 66 lakh metric tonnes. We are also surprised that out of around 52 months since the ban was imposed, 32 months have been allotted for transportation of coal. How can this be if there was no fresh digging of coal taking place? she sought to know. Extracted coal has never been exhausted because coal mining has been going on not only in East Jaintia Hills (the location where 15 miners have been trapped in a flooded mine since last month), but in other coal-rich districts, she added. The report has also sought legal action against government officials responsible for a loss of revenue through mining taxes for the state government and a direction that coal miners pay for reclaiming all coal mines. It also states that it is important that there be an independent committee monitored by the apex court to check the conflict of interest that exists when it comes to mining the families of several MLAs on both sides of the political divide have invested in mining. | BY Ricki Green | AdFest has unveiled its first speakers of 2019 featuring provocative creative thinkers from Dentsu Webchutney (Gurgaon), VANDAL (Sydney), The Royals (Sydney), The Brand Agency (Perth), McCann Worldgroup (New York), and Contagious (London). AdFest 2019 takes place at PEACH, Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Pattaya, Thailand and its program is divided across two streams: Craft@ADFEST on 20th 21st March, and Creative@ADFEST on 22nd 23rd March. Craft@ADFEST will dive deep into the latest production, digital, content and technology trends, while Creative@ADFEST is all about creativity the DNA of AdFest. Ideas. Patterns & A.I. presented by Vishal Sagar, Creative Director and Gurbaksh Singh, Chief Creative Technologist at Dentsu Webchutney, Gurgaon Craft@ADFEST: Wednesday 20th March, 12.25-13.00 The human brain is pretty good at recognizing and rearranging patterns but its being outperformed by Artificial Intelligence. How far are we from a future where bots take over the role of creatives? Vishal Sagar and Gurbaksh Singhs credentials as A.I. specialists are unparalleled. At ADFEST 2019, theyll shed light on the future of ideas, patterns and A.I. and equip delegates with the insights they need to evolve and up-skill in the new era of A.I. Augmented Reality is the Future of Advertising presented by Emile Rademeyer, Digital Strategist and Creative Director at VANDAL, Sydney Craft@ADFEST: Thursday 21st March, 12.25-13.00 VANDALs Emile Rademeyer will explain why AR is not just the latest fad its the future of advertising. Advertising has traditionally been a one-way communication medium. Not anymore. Advertisings future is to not only sell products or ideas, but to digitally transform entire environments with an augmented, digital overlay, explains Rademeyer, who also oversees curation of the notorious VANDAL Art Gallery in Redfern. His session will demonstrate why Digital Placemaking technology like Augmented Reality is more powerful than many of its digital predecessors. Why the world needs more agencies and how to start one presented by Nick Cummins Creative Partner, The Royals, Sydney Creative@ADFEST: Friday 22nd March, 10.40-11.15 Nick Cummins has accidentally started two independent advertising agencies and grown them to become multi-award-winning, culture-led businesses. As Creative Partner at The Royals in Sydney, he believes our industry is at a crossroads and needs the passion, clarity, drive and fresh thinking that new ventures create. Hell reveal why he believes it is easier to start an agency from scratch rather than change an old agency. Hell also share tales of selling his first agency to a white-collar criminal who ended up in a Columbian prison charged with fraud, and how notorious gangster Chopper Read once told him he was giving him a fuckin headache. If you run an agency or are thinking of starting your own venture, Cummins session is a must. The New Era of Creative Problem Solving presented by Marcus Tesoriero, Executive Creative Director at The Brand Agency in Perth Creative@ADFEST: Friday 22nd March, 16.15-16.50 The Mad Men days are over. To capture an audience that doesnt stand still, our industry must evolve from ad makers into problem solvers, says The Brand Agencys Marcus Tesoriero, whose career spans DDB, Ogilvy and McCann combined with a mix of more specialised digital shops. By singling out standout examples of brands that are solving problems in new and innovative ways, Tesoriero will explain how the best agencies of today are a bit of everything inventors, scientists, filmmakers, product designers, data geeks and more. Its doom and gloom if youre stuck in the old school of advertising, he admits, but for the problem solvers of tomorrow, its an exciting new world. The Chicken, the Egg, or in todays tech world, does the Omelette come first? presented by Elav Horwitz, VP, Global Innovation Director at McCann Worldgroup, New York Creative@ADFEST: Friday 22nd March, 16.50-17.25 In a world in which tomorrow is already here today, where VR glasses can take you anywhere and robots can generate ideas, how do you even start the creative process in a way that is grounded in real human needs and contact? asks Elav Horwitz, who leads innovation for McCann Worldgroup globally. In a not-to-be-missed session, shell share examples of innovative and creative work, decoding the process behind them. Horwitz leads McCann Worldgroups HumanTech offering and has deep partnerships with a vast network of startups, tech companies, industry experts and teen entrepreneurs. She has been awarded at She Runs It, an industry organization dedicated to supporting women leaders in marketing and media, and recently launched the global Women in Tech initiative, which helps to mentor the careers of emerging women leaders in technology within McCann Worldgroup. Fortune Favours the Brave presented by Paul Kemp-Robertson, Co-Founder, Contagious, London Creative@ADFEST: Saturday 23rd March, 14.30-15.05 Scientific studies prove that standout creative ideas kick the living crap out of ordinary ideas. But science also shows that marketers are subconsciously hardwired to avoid taking risks. This explains a universal tension at the heart of the advertising industry: if everyone knows that award-winning work sells, why are so many brands scared to buy it? The answer, as you will discover, is biological, but preventable. Contagious Co-Founder Paul Kemp-Robertson is also the co-author of The Contagious Commandments: Ten Steps to Brand Bravery. At ADFEST 2019, he will issue a rallying cry for calculated bravery and showcase creative ideas that have shattered the cognitive immunity of jaded consumers. The Uttar Pradesh government included on Monday stringent charges under the National Security Act (NSA) against three people accused of slaughtering cows in the Bulandshahr district, an incident from last month that is believed to have been the trigger for violence that led to the deaths of two people, including a police inspector. So far 35 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, including the alleged shooter of the inspector, Prashant Nat and Yogesh Raj, a district co-ordinator for a right-wing group. Suspects charged under NSA can be detained for up to a year without a chargesheet in court, as opposed to regular rules that entitle a person to default bail if investigators fail to bring a formal indictment within 90 days. Their actions hurt the sentiments of Hindus in the area... This had disturbed public order and communal harmony, said Bulandshahr district magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha. He added that the three applied for bail, which was rejected. A district administration official, who asked not to be named, said the police feared the perpetrators could slaughter more cows and that this may cause serious threat to law and order, peace and communal harmony in the area. Therefore, it has been decided to book them under NSA, added the officials. Afaq Ahmad, advocate for the three accused, said they had been falsely implicated in the cow slaughter case. I have not received a copy of NSA against them. If it is true, we will challenge the decision, he added. The NSA is usually invoked in far more serious cases involving matters of national security, although the law gives administrators and police officials wide leeway in its use. Late last year, a Manipuri journalist was held under NSA and jailed for a year for criticising the local government. Violence in Bulandshahrs Mahav village on December 3 saw mobs of right-wing Hindu groups to go on a violent protest. One of the protesters is believed to have shot dead the local police station in-charge Subodh Kumar, while a local resident was killed as cops opened fire to tackle the situation. The use of NSA comes at a time when the UP police and the government are accused of going easy on the suspects, including Raj, the district coordinator of Bajrang Dal, a hardline group affiliated to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Over the weekend, local Bajrang Dal members put up posters featuring the faces of Raj and several others accused in the December violence. The groups western UP region co-convenor Praveen Bhati, whose photo also appears in the hoardings, said the hoardings carry pictures of local functionaries group. Also, they all are accused in the case, not guilty. It is for the court to decide. Putting pictures of organisations office bearers on hoardings is not a crime, Bhati told PTI The murder of inspector Kumar is part of a separate investigation from the case against the alleged cattle traders who were booked under NSA: Azhar Khan, Nadeem Khan and Mehboob Ali of Syana town. Cattle carcasses were found strewn in the fields outside village Mahaw in Siyana on December 3. Wracked by dissidence and despondency, Congress in Odisha suffered a severe blow after one of its working presidents and MLA from western Odisha, Naba Kishore Das announced that he was joining the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Attending a meeting in Samasingha gram panchayat of Kolabira block last evening, Das said he will contest the 2019 elections from the BJD. People of Jharsuguda have urged me to fight from BJD in the upcoming general elections and I will do what my people want. As I always do what my supporters and well-wishers want. I will definitely consider joining BJD very soon, he said. Das said he would join BJD when chief minister Naveen Patnaik visits Jharsuguda district on January 24 to address a meeting and inaugurate a cancer hospital, drinking water supply project, modern diagnostic centre and pathology centre and a railway over-bridge. Incidentally, Das is Congress is likely to happen just a day before party president Rahul Gandhi visits Odisha to address a public meeting. Das, the sitting MLA from industrially-important disrict of Jharsuguda in western Odisha, has been in the news over the last six months over rumours of him being wooed by BJD. Known for his organisational skills, Das had defeated BJD candidate and former Assembly speaker Kishore Kumar Mohanty twice in the Jharsuguda constituency. In 2017 panchayat polls, Das managed to steer Congress to victories in the Zilla Parishad elections in Jharsuguda district even as the party was drubbed elsewhere. Incidentally, Das had recently said he would contest the upcoming elections on Congress ticket. Four days ago he had praised Odisha Pradesh Congress president Niranjan Patnaik and his leadership. The desertion of Das seems a repeat of similar exit of senior Congress leaders from the party just before 2014 assembly polls. Just a month before 2014 assembly polls, then-leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh had joined Biju Janata Dal after expressing his displeasure over a coterie running the party. The desertions made it difficult for the party to find candidates for the 147 assembly and 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Apart from Singh, several other senior leaders including Nayagarh district president of Congress and scion of Nayagarh royal family, Kumar Hemendra Singh had joined BJD. Hours after Karnataka water resources minister DK Shivakumar alleged that the BJP was trying to break away three Congress MLAs in a bid to topple the coalition government in the state, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy clarified that all three MLAs were in contact with him and that there was no threat to his government. All 3 of them (Congress MLAs) are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My government isnt under any threat. I know who all BJP is trying to contact and what theyre offering. I can handle it, Kumaraswamy said. Earlier, Shivakumar had accused the BJP?of indulging in horsetrading as part of its Operation Lotus. Horse trading is going on in the state. Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai in a hotel with some BJP MLAs and leaders, he said alleging that the BJP was trying to destabilise the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government by poaching the legislators. Also Read | Have no hesitation in backing Rahul Gandhi as next prime minister, says former PM HD Deve Gowda At the same time, Shivakumar criticised the Karnataka chief minister for being too lenient on the BJP and said that the CM should expose the BJP as quickly as possible. By lenient, I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies...The chief minister is adopting a policy of wait and watch. If I was in his place, I would have exposed it within 24 hours, he said. The BJP in turn responded to Shivakumars horsetrading charges and said that the party should keep its house in order instead of pointing fingers. They (Congress) should keep their house in order. They are not able to keep their MLAs in Karnataka together and just simply pin pointing at BJP, Union Minister and BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda said while reacting to Shivakumars statement. The Karnataka Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara reiterated Kumaraswamys statement that there was no threat to the state government. BJP leaders are saying this government will fall. But it wont happen. Some of our MLAs have gone, they can go for temples, holiday, family outings, we dont know. Nobody said that theyre going to join BJP and destabilise the govt. All our MLAs are intact, Parameshwara said. Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy had, in an interview to PTI, said that the Congress should not treat his party, the JDS, as third grade citizens where seat sharing was concerned. He said that if the Congress wanted to defeat the BJP, it should present a united front with the JDS and should adopt a give and take policy. The JDS and Congress had fought a bitter contest during the elections in May 2018, but had come together after the election results threw up a hung assembly with no party winning a clear majority. The Congress had won 80 seats with the JDS winning 37 seats. Together they had 117 seats of the 225 seat assembly. The BJP had won 104 seats. Reacting to the Congresss allegations of horsetrading, former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa said that the BJP was only interested in keeping its cadres energised. There is no truth to all these rumours (of reports of 3 Congress MLAs in touch with BJP). This is between Congress and JDS. We are not in touch with any of their MLAs. We are only focused on keeping our MLAs energised, Yeddyurappa said. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday watched a joint amphibious exercise off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern-most island of the nation, which saw participation of the three armed forces. Andaman and Nicobar is an Integrated Services Command. Smt @nsitharaman inspects Joint Amphibious Exercise by Integrated Service Command,ANC off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern most island of the nation. pic.twitter.com/Jwti4dSzaj Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) January 14, 2019 Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is straddled strategically near the mouth of the Malacca Straits. The Malacca Straits is also an important sea lane of communication and is used by navies of several countries, including China which has been stepping up its military infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region. Sitharaman also reviewed the presentation made by senior officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. A day after a 14-year-old girl student of class-VIII delivered a baby girl in the toilet of a hostel in Odishas Kandhamal district, the infant died in a hospital. The minor girl and the newborn were initially admitted to the Baliguda Sub-Divisional Hospital and later shifted to the MKCG Hospital after the delivery yesterday. Kandhamal district collector Brunda D said the newborn was grossly underweight and had little chances of survival. The girl had delivered the baby in the toilet of the Sevashram School Hostel in Daringibadi block on Sunday morning, but once the local people got wind of the matter they staged a road blockade. Police officials said the girl became pregnant after she was raped by a 23-year-old youth of her village when she had gone home during vacations 8 months ago. The accused Sraban Pradhan has already been arrested. The district administration suspended 4 persons including the school headmistress Radharani Dalai and dismissed six others including two matrons and an auxiliary nurse midwife for dereliction of duty. Odisha SC/ST development minister Ramesh Majhi, meanwhile, assured that CCTV cameras would be installed in 1000 residential schools run by his department. Meanwhile, the police in Kandhamal on Monday arrested a youth over allegations of impregnating a minor girl after promising to marry her. The police arrested accused Riku Nayak of G Udaygiri block after the girls family lodged a complaint. The Calcutta High Court on Monday allowed a 32-year-old woman to terminate her 24-week-old foetus , which, according to the petitioner, has a severe brain anomaly. The directive came from a single bench after a medical board recommended the abortion. The medical board of SSKM (Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research ) has expressed its opinion in favour of abortion. Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty expressed concern about the health of the mother. He has also asked me to submit a report after the procedure is completed, said Amitava Ghosh, advocate for the petitioner. On Friday, the woman, a resident of Jodhpur Park area in south Kolkata, was referred to a medical board by Justice Chakraborty. Last week, she told a TV channel that she had taken the decision after she was told by her doctors that the baby is likely to be born with grave abnormalities. On Saturday, she faced the board at state-run IPGMER that comprised a general physician, a gynaecologist, a paediatrician and a neonatal expert. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, does not allow abortion after 20 weeks. However, the Union health ministry is working on a proposal to raise the ceiling to 24 weeks, and in case of substantial foetal abnormalities, to do away with the upper limit for termination. The board was set up following a 2017 Supreme Court order directing states/Union Territories to constitute permanent medical boards to examine cases referred to by district courts, high courts and the apex court for abortions beyond 20 weeks for immediate opinion on these matters. On Friday, Ghosh submitted medical test report in court, which revealed that the babys brain had not matured and that its condition was deteriorating. He also said that two gynaecologists had advised termination of pregnancy for the sake of the mothers health. The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exchanged accusations of poaching legislators belonging to the rival in Karnataka where the former, in partnership with the Janata Dal (Secular), runs the state with a majority of seven seats. The current controversy was triggered after the state Cabinet was expanded on December 22. Soon after, several disgruntled Congress legislators, including influential Belgavi leader Ramesh Jarkiholi who was dropped from the ministry, threatened to quit. On Sunday, the Congresss key troubleshooter and the irrigation minister of the state, DK Shivakumar, alleged that three party MLAs were in Mumbai at the behest of BJP leaders. He said this was part of Operation Kamal [Lotus], the BJPs name for its operation to form a government in the state. When election results to the 224-member House were declared last May, the BJP, with 104 members, emerged the single largest party, but it was the Congress (80) which formed the government in partnership with the JD(S) (37). The latters HD Kumaraswamy was made the chief minister. Kumaraswamy downplayed the threat, as he has all though his reign as CM, and claimed that the three MLAs were in touch with him. They are in Mumbai for some personal work and I have spoken to them, said Kumaraswamy, asserting that his government would complete its full five-year term. Senior Congress leader and deputy CM G Parameshwara said, There is no worry regarding stability of the government. They [BJP] are trying [to topple us]. But I am confident that they will not succeed. Senior BJP leaders, including former CM BS Yeddyurappa and Union minister Sadananda Gowda, who are in Delhi, refuted these charges. They claimed that it was the JD(S) and the Congress which were trying to lure BJP MLAs with money and other inducements. It is actually CM Kumaraswamy who has been approaching our MLAs by offering huge money and ministerships, said Yeddyurappa The BJP leader also claimed that his party would not form the government as it doesnt have the numbers. Denying reports that the legislators are being moved to Gurugram, Sadananda Gowda said the legislators will soon return to Karnataka. A senior party leader said MLAs and former MLAs from the state were in the Capital to attend the BJPs national council meeting on Friday and Saturday and then stayed back for a meeting to chalk out election plans for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The election planning meeting is part of the exercise being conducted with leaders of all states to prepare for the general elections and it was planned days in advance, he said on condition of anonymity. Political analyst Harish Ramaswamy said that while the BJP is concerned that if it topples the government before the Lok Sabha polls, its rivals would go to town about subversion of democracy, it cant entirely give up attempts to form a government because this is the way to keep its own flock together. He added that this state of affairs could last till the polls. A division bench of the Nagpur high court heard a case that seeks all details of CBI special court judge BH Loyas death in late 2014 and alleges that he was poisoned using a radioactive isotope. The bench allowed the petitioner, lawyer and activist Satish Uke to amend the so-called prayer clause, where a plaintiff lists expectations of the court, and deferred hearing by two weeks. Two earlier benches refused the hear the case. Judge Loya, who was presiding over the Sohrabuddin Shaikh encounter case, died of a heart attack in 2014 while staying at the government guest house Ravi Bhavan in Nagpur. Amit Shah, who was Gujarats minister of state for home at the time of the alleged fake encounter, was once named in the case but subsequently discharged. A CBI special court recently acquitted all the accused in the case and the judge also said the investigation by CBI was politically motivated. The Bharatiya Janata Party says the Congress tried to use the CBI to frame Shah. Senior counsel Sunil Manohar appeared for the government along with government pleader Sumant Deopujari and demanded the petitions dismissal, pointing out that the issue was already decided by the Supreme Court. The SC ruled on April 19, 2018 that it did not have reason to believe there was anything mysterious about Judge Loyas death. Uke clarified that he was not demanding a reinvestigation into the case, but wants all records pertaining to judges death. The Supreme Court will next month hold a detailed hearing on a petition that seeks a special probe into the spate of police encounters in Uttar Pradesh. It is a very serious matter which requires a detailed hearing, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said. The court will take up the case on February 12. The top court was hearing a petition that asked for a court-monitored probe by a special investigation team into the police encounters that witnessed a spike after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took charge in February 2017. The Chief Minister had signalled a hardline against criminals soon after he took over, warning them that they should either leave the state or be ready to face police action. In just about a year, the police had reported nearly 1,300 encounters that led to death of 44 criminals, injuries to 327 and another 3,124 arrests. Four policemen were also reported. Human rights activists have, however, alleged that some of the encounters were staged and have sought independent probes. Last week, the office of the High Commissioner for United Nations Human Rights also red flagged the encounters after four rights experts expressed concerns over 59 encounter deaths in 22 months from March 2017. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country, has always accounted for the largest number of complaints to the National Human Rights Commission. But experts contend there has been an attempt to build a narrative by the state that appears to encourage police encounters, which are projected as the governments success in clamping down on crime, and criminals. It was in this context that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his address to top police officers, stressed that human rights were for people, not terrorists and criminals. According to the chief minister, over 12,000 criminals had got their bail cancelled due to fear of the law. Also Read | UP gangster scared to step out of prison, wife says police may kill him in fake encounter Criminals and anti-social elements will not be spared. They will have to face the heat if they get involved in crime or anti-national activities, the chief minister said, adding that the police had claimed to give police a free hand to tackle criminals. India and Pakistan were on Monday embroiled in a fresh spat over the treatment of their diplomats, with people familiar with developments saying Pakistani security personnel had behaved aggressively with the Indian envoy and his deputy in Islamabad. The Indian high commission in Islamabad submitted a formal protest to Pakistans Foreign Office on January 10 about the behaviour of a Pakistani security official towards the countrys envoy and attempts to hack the social media accounts of two second secretaries, the people said. The Indian mission had formally complained on two occasions last month to Pakistans foreign ministry about power supply being deliberately cut at the home of a second secretary. On Sunday, Pakistan had formally protested to India about an official from its high commission in New Delhi being held at a police station for several hours after a woman alleged he behaved inappropriately with her at a market. The official, an assistant to the Pakistani naval attache, was at Sarojini Nagar market when he was involved in an altercation with the woman, who made a complaint at the nearby police station. Following this, the Pakistani official apologised in writing and the matter was closed. Delhi Police officials denied reports the Pakistani official was arrested or detained. However, Islamabad was upset as the official was held for several hours at the police station even after he identified himself as a staffer of the high commission, a person said. In its protest to Pakistans foreign ministry, India said a Pakistani security official had closely followed and aggressively kept watch on the Indian high commissioner and deputy high commissioner while they were attending a wedding reception at a hotel in Islamabad on December 4. The Indian side also complained about attempts to hack the social media account of a second secretary. One instance of hacking involved a fake profile similar to that of one of his relatives, people familiar with developments said. The other second secretary received an email from Facebook that repeated attempts were made by unknown people to log in to his account, the people said. The Indian side informed Pakistan that such incidents of aggressive surveillance, violation of privacy and harassment amounted to a breach of the understanding reached by the two sides in March last year to treat their diplomats in line with a 1992 code of conduct. Former diplomat Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, who served as Indias last consul general in Karachi, This is kind of routine whenever relations take a downturn, to have Pakistani security personnel following and harassing Indian diplomats. It also conveys a sense of what the relations are like. Duluth, MN (55816) Today Sunny. High 69F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. The Centres ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will suffer huge setbacks in the key Hindi heartland states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwai Yadav said after meeting Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Monday. The RJD vice-president, who met Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati on Sunday night and congratulated her for her alliance with the SP, said he had no doubt that the BJP will be wiped out from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar two states that played a major role in Prime Minister Narendra Modis landslide victory in 2014. The SP-BSP alliance has sent a message across the country, Tejashwi said at a joint press conference with Akhilesh, adding that the coalition of the erstwhile rivals would go down in history as a big step in Indian politics. Efforts are under way in the Opposition camp to stitch up state-specific alliances to take on the BJP in the general elections this summer. Further, the BJPs losses in three key states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in December have buoyed the bloc. In Bihar, the RJD has formed an alliance with the Congress, and erstwhile BJP allies, Hindustani Awami Morcha and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party. In UP, the BSP and the SP have joined hands, declaring they will contest 38 each. They, however, have kept the Congress, which plans to contest all 80 seats in the state, out of the fold. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar together have 120 seats (80+40), and if you add Jharkhands 14 seats, thats 134 seats that the BJP will not be able to win in the Lok Sabha elections. Together, the three states will account for at least a 100-seat loss for the BJP, Tejashwi said. In 2014, the BJP alone won 71 seats in UP and 22 in Bihar. In tribal-dominated Jharkhand, it won 12 seats. These three states contributed 105 of the total 282 seats that the BJP won in the general elections, forming a government at the Centre with a comfortable majority. SK Dwivedi, a political analyst and former head of the department of political science at Lucknow University, said outcomes in states was expected to have a bearing on the results of the Lok?Sabha elections. The states might play a significant role for any party or alliance that wins or loses a majority of these 134 seats, he said. Lauding the SP-BSP alliance, Tejashwi reiterated that his father, Lalu Prasad, had dreamt of such a partnership. This alliance will fight the dangers that the country is facing and will defeat the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] agenda. I congratulate Mayawatiji and Akhilesh ji on forging this alliance in the national interest, he said. Read: SP-BSP alliance: An important part of the jigsaw is now in place Tejashwi also said the only reason his father, Lalu Prasad, was in jail is because Modiji saw him as a threat. Lalu Prasad, who is lodged in a Jharkhand prison in a corruption case, felt the need for alliances of regional parties in the wake of the BJPs resounding victories in 2014, Tejashwi said. The RJD even allied with rival Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) for 2015s Bihar assembly elections, and their alliance trounced the BJP. Nitish broke ties with the so-called grand alliance and joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in 2017. At his press conference with Akhilesh, Tejashwi launched an attack on the BJP government, saying the atmosphere in the country was becoming vitiated. UP BJP leader Chandramohan lashed out at what he termed an opportunistic alliance. On the one hand, they say that the BJP hasnt done anything. On the other, they are joining hands out of fear of a likely defeat. This opportunistic alliance of politicians, many of whom have corruption cases against them and generally products of dynastic politics, holds no credibility and would be exposed in 2019 LS polls, says UP BJP leader Chandramohan, he said. Let me begin with the part thats the most uncomfortable to write or read about. Some years ago, my wife was gang-raped by eight men. They took photos and videos of her during and after the rape and used the recorded material to blackmail her. She was shot naked and they used the pictures to rape her for a year-and-a-half. We were not married when this was happening. I heard about it from her soon after we were engaged in September 2015, when I met her for the first time. Our parents had arranged the wedding. I visited her home with my parents, who approved the match, and I was not to see her again until the marriage ceremony four months later. That is the tradition in rural Haryana. We stayed in touch via the odd phone call to each other; me from Chhattar village and her from Jind, about 30km apart. One day, she said she had something important to tell me, and asked if I could visit once more with my parents. When we made the trip later that week, she told us she was a rape survivor and said she didnt want to start a relationship with a lie. With tears in her eyes, she looked into mine and said, I am not worthy of this relationship, please do not marry me. My conscience started haunting me and I thought to myself, God will not forgive me if I dont marry her. I told her, I will not only marry you, I will also ensure that you get justice. The pursuit of justice started before our wedding. Haryana has a huge rape problem. In the state whose name means the abode of Hari, or God the number of gang rapes also outnumber that in any other Indian state. Yet, this crime is discussed in hushed tones. Our society places the blame entirely on the women. Most men in the situation I found myself would have immediately withdrawn the marriage proposal a woman who has been raped is considered to have no honour. Parents constantly fear for their daughters safety in the abode of Hari. I remember that in Chhattar village, men would hang around the girls school and harass the older female students, who would never complain to their parents as it could mean no longer being allowed to go to school to study. Another place where women would get routinely harassed was on the Haryana Roadways bus from Chhattar to Jind, which was used daily by college students. Because of the harassment, many Chhattar families had forced their girls to drop out of college. When I was a student travelling to Jind on the same bus in 2004, I wrote about the issue to the district general manager of Haryana Roadways, and campaigned for a separate, women-only bus for female students. I wanted them to be able to continue their education without fear. Within a couple of months, a new vehicle on the Chattar-Jind route was reserved only for female students. Then in 2013, I worked with the local Thua khap panchayat to help prevent sex selection and female foeticide in 24 villages in Jind. I learnt as I grew. There was a time when I believed that alcohol, drugs and fast food were responsible for increasing rapes. For a while, I was known as a khap leader who said eating chowmein leads to rape. Contrary to what the media has made me out to be in the past, I have always believed in furthering the cause of women. I had also told journalists that men need to be educated about the issue, and that our children need to be taught traditional values, which include respecting women, but those bits were somehow left out. Two weeks after my visit to my fiancees home, I vowed to get her rapists punished. I helped her file an FIR against the eight men, hired lawyers, and initiated legal proceedings. We got married in December 2015 despite several threats being made to her family and mine. The men were wealthy young men from politically connected families, with their main business being poultry, which is extremely lucrative in these parts. Thugs were sent to our house to threaten us, evidence that we had placed before the police was kept out of court, and three fraudulent FIRs were filed against me (all of which were found to be fabricated on investigation). My parents stood by me and my wife, but that battle was difficult. I was threatened against pursuing the case and also offered money to withdraw my complaint. The district court acquitted the accused. I have now taken it to the high court and have had to sell some land to pay for fighting the case. We sold two plots of land in Chhattar to raise about Rs 14 lakh in legal fees. We also have to live in Jind, instead of the village, as it is closer to the courts. We have lost our peace of mind. Only bringing the perpetrators to book will assuage my wifes pain. She has frequent nightmares. Women in Haryana have little agency of their own. After marriage, I quit my family farming business in Chattar and moved to Jind so my wife can be closer to her parents. I am also pursuing a degree in law, after which I will fight my wifes case myself as I cannot afford any more legal fees, and neither do I trust other lawyers. We are fortunate that my parents have given their blessings to what we know will be a long and hard battle for justice. It is not possible, in these parts, to do such a thing without your parents permission. Their support has also helped us in the eyes of the villagers, most of whom have been on good terms with my parents for years. In fact, before the wedding, the entire panchayat came out in support of my decision to take up my wifes fight for justice. At my suggestion, my wife is now also studying law. I have made plans to move our family soon to Chandigarh, where we will practice law together and provide women from rural India access to the legal machinery. We also have a two-year-old son, who we will enrol in a private school in Chandigarh, away from Haryanas vicious patriarchy and rape culture, which continues to destroy the lives of women. But we have hope that one day, soon, there will be a huge shift in the situation. Like urban India has got its #MeToo movement, we hope that things will start changing for women in the villages too. My wife and I are doing our best. We hope we can bring change. Jitender Chattar features in the upcoming documentary SON RISE a film by National Award winning filmmaker Vibha Bakshi Gujarat government will give 10% reservation to the economically weaker sections in general category of the community, chief minister Vijay Rupani said on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state on Sunday became the first in the country to announce implementation of the 10% quota for economically weaker sections, a day after President Ram Nath Kovind signed the Constitutional (Amendment) Act 2019. There will be 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in general category in all higher education admissions and government jobs from January 14, chief minister Vijay Rupani said in a statement. The release added that this will also be applicable to jobs announcement for which has been made but procedure is yet to commence. Rupani added that the 10% reservation will be in addition to the 7% quota for the Scheduled Caste, 15% for Schedule Tribes and 27% for the Other Backward Classes in the state. In 2016, a year after influential Patidars launched an agitation against the state government demanding OBC status, the BJP government had passed an ordinance for 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in general category. The ordinance was quashed by the Gujarat High Court as the Constitution then didnt allow a quota above 50%. The Centres landmark amendment bill was almost on the lines of the Gujarat government ordinance, allowing the BJP to go back to its promise of reservation to the poor among upper castes. In the wake of Patidar quota agitation, the BJP had suffered heavy losses in subsequent elections, including the 2015 local body polls and 2017 assembly elections. With the new Act coming into force months before the Lok Sabha elections, it is expected to help the BJP woo back Patidars, who form 12% of over 6 crore Gujaratis. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won all 26 seats in Gujarat. Also read: Citing Marathas, Hardik Patel revives Patidar quota demand, corners Congress, BJP Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda criticised the hurriedly made announcement, saying it will create confusion. The government has said it will implement the provision from January 14, which is Uttarayan holiday. The chief minister should explain the logic behind this announcement and the process to implement it, he said. The BJP government should also explain the status of a stay granted by the Supreme Court on the similar 10% reservation for EWS category in Gujarat that was introduced when Anandiben Patel was chief minister, Chavda added. A massive fire at a camp in Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh on Monday engulfed a tent triggering panic among pilgrims. The Kumbh Mela starts tomorrow. Authorities have started an evacuation of the area. There are no reports of any casualty yet. One car, which was parked near the tent, was also gutted in the fire. According to reports, the fire started in one of the tents at Digambar Akhara and quickly spread. Fire fighters and police are at the spot to carry out rescue operations. Watch: Massive fire at a camp in Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj triggers panic The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh had gone on an overdrive to ensure that the Kumbh Mela, the largest pilgrimage of Hindus, goes off smoothly and had adopted several safety measures. On Sunday chief minister Adityanath claimed that in just 22 months since his government took charge of the state, Uttar Pradesh had bagged second position in tourism in the country. He added that UP would notch the top position once the Kumbh started in Prayagraj. He also said the area of Kumbh fair had been increased from 1,700 acres to 3,200 acres while more that a thousand bio toilets had also been arranged at the venue. Besides, over 264 roads and streets have undergone widening and repair work even as 20,000 pandal had been erected to provide temporary accommodation to devotees. Integrated security system had been put in place to handle lawlessness, the CM said. In a major bust, Assam Rifles troopers apprehended one alleged smuggler carrying 1,44,000 party drug popularly known as WY (World is Yours) tablets and 732 grams of brown sugar worth Rs 5.78 crores during a routine checking at Khudengthabi post in Tengnoupal, about 90 km south of the state capital on Sunday. Tipped off by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), troops of Kudengthabi post stopped a van travelling from Moreh to Imphal for checking at around 1 pm on Sunday, the Assam Rifles (South) PRO said in a press release. The troopers found packets with 1,44,000 tablets and orange colour powder packets suspected to be brown sugar weighing approximately 732 grams hidden inside charcoal bags kept at the rear of the vehicle. Noor Khan (31), son of Md Angaou of Urup Awang Leikei of Thoubal district was apprehended for smuggling the narcotics, the release said. The WY tablets were contained in 720 pouches weighing 15kg and worth Rs 4.32 crores, while the brown sugar was contained in 54 pouches with a street value of approximately Rs 1.46 crores. The total worth of the seizure is Rs 5.78 crores, it added. The seized narcotics and the suspect were handed over to DRI, Imphal. Manipur has been grappling with a drug problem for a long time. Despite regular seizures, the state continues to be a transit hub for narcotic trade and has a sizeable young population addicted to drugs. On April 2 last year, the Assam Rifles seized Rs 16 crore worth of WY tablets from a person travelling on a bus in Manipurs Tengnoupal district. The seizure is said to be one of the largest in 2018. Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is often described as the chankaya of the northeast who helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stitch up unlikely alliances in the region to achieve its Congress-mukt northeast (Congress-free northeast) mission. Sarma, 49, spoke to Kumar Uttam over the Asom Gana Parishads (AGP) decision to withdraw support to the Assam government over the contentious Citizenship Bill, which seeks to give citizenship rights to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the likely impact of this issue on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Edited excerpts: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has decided to walk out of the government in Assam. Is it a setback to the BJP? Assam recently had panchayat elections. The AGP made the Citizenship Bill an issue in that election. When results came, the BJP got 270 zila parishad seats and the AGP got 11 or 12. There was a tussle between us during the panchayat election, and since then there was an uneasy situation. We knew that the AGP will not remain in the alliance. They walked out of the alliance on the issue of the Citizenship Bill, but our approach is that we will not be hostile to them. We will welcome them if they want to return to the NDA (National Democratic Alliance). The BJP won former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahantas seat. We won all four zila parishad seats in AGP president Atul Boras area. We also won four seats in the area of their working president Keshav Mahanta. It is not an electoral setback. But, yes, it is an emotional setback for us, because they were friends, and by and large our ideological line was the same. I am more emotionally upset, rather than electorally. Are you still keeping doors open for the AGP? There are some natural alliances in this country, like that of the BJP and the Akali Dal. Irrespective of electoral results, they are natural alliances. With changing demography in Assam, we feel that the BJP should work with the smaller tribal parties of Assam and the AGP to maintain the social equilibrium. What electoral impact these parties have is a different matter, but it (such an alliance) is needed for the social equilibrium. In Assam, we call it a rainbow alliance of tribal parties and the AGP. We will never close the doors for the AGP. Because we do not want a single division of the indigenous Assamese in the name of party, caste or group. All indigenous Assamese, people of Indian origin and tribals should unite to fight the demographic invasion that has happened in Assam. But the AGPs main charge is that the Citizenship Bill will disturb the social equilibrium in Assam and other northeastern states. How do you respond to that? They (AGP leaders) are emotional. When we talk of social equilibrium, the AGP thinks that purpose is served with only mainstream Assamese, and we should only serve the interest of the mainstream Assamese. Of course, it is our responsibility to stand with the indigenous Assamese. When we include tribals, this social alliance does not cross 35%. So, people of Indian origin or in our political language those who consider India as their mother should be added to the social equilibrium. But the AGP is not ready to accept this reality. The mindset of their leadership is stuck in the days of the Assam agitation. When I used to speak to AGP leaders, I would tell them that Assam has changed and if you stand only by indigenous Assamese, then you cannot fight demographic invasion. We want alliance at the society level. The AGP does not understand this today, but they will realise this in days to come. They will take a pragmatic view. The protest is not limited to the AGP alone. Even the Meghalaya chief minister has expressed reservations. Will it have any impact on the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA)? It is not Meghalaya chief minister alone. The Manipur chief minister belongs to our party, and he has some reservations. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, too, has some concerns. The issue is that these tribal states do not want any demographic change whether from Hindus or Muslims. They want to protect their tribal culture. Meghalaya CM has reservations because of that. But in a democracy, we need to appreciate that reservation. NEDA was formed to merge the diverse opinions, not to fight conflict with conflict. We want to accommodate conflict. I dont think NEDA has any impact politically. But, we appreciate the compulsion of Meghalaya CM. In your state you have this position, if you take a cabinet resolution, you agitate against the bill or you protest through democratic norms, we will appreciate it. We should not take it as a confrontation. Politically, the Meghalaya alliance is stable. There is no negative impact. The Manipur CM has asked for certain exception for the state in the bill. Is there scope for it? They are reacting more on an emotional basis. The students organisation in Assam influences such bodies in other northeastern states. There is an effort for a negative projection of the bill in Assam, and its impact is showing in some other parts of the northeast. I feel this bill will impact Assam, Tripura...but Meghalaya and Manipur has no major impact. If the Centre can accommodate views of Meghalaya and Manipur, we do not have any problem. Manipur CM has met home minister Rajnath Singh and we would like that Meghalaya CM also meets him. If Manipur has 2,500 Bengali Hindus, Rajnath Singh has said the Centre can incentivise them if they want to move to any other state of the country. The Centre will try to see to it that entire burden does not come to northeastern states alone and is distributed to other states too. How confident is the BJP about winning northeast despite all the controversies surrounding the bill? This is not an electoral issue. This is a social and emotional issue. If people are moving away from the BJP, who will they vote for? The fight will be between the BJP and the Congress. The Congress has a stated position that both Hindu and Muslim refugees should be accommodated. The BJP has a stated position that only Hindus, Christians, Jains and such should be accommodated. If you trust the Congress, your burden will be doubled. If you trust the BJP, you burden is reduced by 50%. So, here is a situation, where no party can take political benefit out of the situation. Its electoral impact is nil. We will achieve the aim of winning 20-21 seats from the northeast. But if I say that it has no impact in society, then it will be a wrong statement. Some people are pained, people are emotionally upset, and there is anger among some people because of the lack of information. When such a strong decision is taken in the countrys interest, then it becomes our responsibility, as party workers, to communicate the right information about this to the people. We will try to do that. We believe social balance will finally return. As Karnatakas ruling coalition constituents Congress and JD(S) get down to brass tacks for the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said his party should not be treated as third grade citizens and that both the partners adopt a give and take policy to put up a united fight against the BJP. With the coalition partners expected to hold talks on the tricky seat-sharing issue amid pressure within the Congress not to cede much to Janata Dal (Secular), Kumaraswamy stressed there should not be any pettiness on both sides. In an interview to PTI, the chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modis charisma was fading with growing anti-incumbency, and pitched for Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the top job while also admitting that there was a lack of consensus among anti-BJP parties on choosing Gandhi. As his government completed seven months in office, the JD(S) leader downplayed reports of contradictions within the coalition and said he would overcome all the bitterness smoothly. Both of us (Congress-JD(S)) should go together (in Lok Sabha polls) is our opinion. Because the reason behind forming this government (in Karnataka) is to stop the BJP from coming to power and improve the atmosphere in the country... Kumaraswamy said when asked whether the JD(S) would go it alone if seat-sharing talks fail. He said after the formation of the coalition government in the southern state, a lot of changes had taken place in the countrys political landscape, including BJPs downslide and Congress victory in some bypolls and assembly elections in three states. ...in my opinion if Congress loses its way and tries to move with overconfidence, what will happen they will understand, with their past political experience, I do not think they will forget them. They should treat us respectfully. They should not treat us as third grade citizens. There should be give and take policy, Kumaraswamy said. The JD(S) has demanded 12 out of 28 seats for the Lok Sabha polls, to which the Congress has expressed its reservations. Also read: 3 Congress MLAs in Mumbai hotel with BJP leaders: Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar In the 2014 polls, BJP had won 17 seats in the state, Congress 9 and JD(S) 2 seats. Seat-sharing is expected to be a litmus test for the Congress-JD(S) combine, mostly in the old Mysuru region constituencies, where the JD(S) is a dominant force in the Vokkaliga heartland and the Congress has its sitting MPs. Reiterating that the coalition intend to face the Lok Sabha polls together, the Karnataka chief minister said leaders of both the parties are expected to discuss and come to a final decision later this month. Our national president (H D Deve Gowda) feels that after the government formation, for every thing two-third (for Congress) and one-third (for JD(S)) concept was adopted like in the ministry or board corporation appointments. There are 28 seats...they (Congress) should take two- thirds and give us one-third, this is what his feeling is, and mostly, I feel they will also agree, he said. Asked whether his partys demand for 12 seats was negotiable, Kumaraswamy did not give a direct response. He however, said the two-third and one-third was the Congress formula for the coalition. Congress and JD(S) had bitterly fought the May 2018 assembly polls, but joined hands as the polls threw up a hung verdict. Some may say that it (coalition) may survive only till parliament elections. I want to say that after the parliamentary election also the government that will be formed in Delhi and the environment that will be created will lead to a situation where the Karnataka government continues to work safely, the chief minister said. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government by trying to poach coalition MLAs. I know who they (BJP) are approaching, what they are offered to MLAs. I am collecting all the news and doing whatever (possible) from my side to see to that BJP does not disturb the government... he said. Kumaraswamy said the coming together of BSPs Mayawati and SPs Akhilesh Yadav was a strong combination and it may scuttle and slow the BJPs speed in Uttar Pradesh. He also claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars image has diminished, while Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD was getting sympathy, and in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the BJP did not perform well as it did the last time. Asked about possible cracks in the anti-Modi front, the chief minister said, I feel a strong combination may emerge against the BJP. I also feel that the mahagatbandhan may emerge as an alternative to national parties. Regarding projecting Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial face of the anti-BJP combine, Kumaraswamy said Deve Gowda had announced JD(S) support to the Gandhi scion and that others will also come on board. I feel after the results, every one will agree on a common leadership despite differences, he said. Kumarawamy also termed the Centres latest move of providing reservation to economically backward among the general category as a desperate step ahead of polls. On 9 February 2016, students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) allegedly shouted anti-national slogans during a protest at the university campus marking the death anniversary of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru and Kashmiri separatist Maqbool Bhat. The protest was organised by members of the Democratic Students Union (DSU) and the event was held despite the JNU administration withdrawing permission shortly before it began. The permission was withdrawn following opposition from the members of the ABVP. The event saw clashes between various student groups. Two days later, on February 11, 2016, Delhi Police registered a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy. On February 12, Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested, sparking massive outrage among students. Two weeks later, on Feb 24, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested. Read more| Kanhaiya Kumar charged in JNU sedition case, says it is pre-poll politics Evidence and investigations Police said the statements of 90 witnesses were recorded. These included JNU administrative and security staff, students of the varsity, those who had gathered for the protest, three constables of Delhi Police who were at the campus in civil dress, and the reporter and the cameraman of Zee News. Police said they have 10 mobile phone clips of the protest, the video recorded by the TV channel, which was found untampered according to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, posters and social media posts allegedly used for the protest. The eyewitnesses were three police officers -- head constable Rambir and constables Karambir and Dharambir -- who were wearing plain clothes and were present during the sloganeering. Charges against 10 accused Sections explained IPC 124a sedition imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine IPC 143 unlawful assembly imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both. IPC 147 rioting imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. IPC 149 member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of a common object imprisonment up to six months IPC 120b criminal conspiracy as per the offence committed (in this case according to IPC 124a - sedition) IPC 323 voluntarily causing hurt imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both Additional charges against Umar Khalid IPC 465 Punishment for forgery imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. IPC 471 Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record as per the nature of forgery, the maximum punishment is life imprisonment Bihars health department Monday banned, with immediate effect, the business, sale, transportation and storage of all kinds of fish, dead or alive, within the municipal limits of state capital Patna. The ban, initially for 15 days, comes after high content of formalin and heavy metals like lead and cadmium, were found in fish samples collected last October from 10 different locations within the Patna Municipal Corporation area, it said. Anyone violating the ban would be liable to imprisonment of up to 7 years and fine of Rs 10 lakh, under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which deals with punishment for unsafe food. Used for preserving fish, formalin is a carcinogenic substance, while heavy metals affect human kidney, lungs, eyes, bones and reduce immunity. It is quite possible that the heavy metals may be present in the food chain of fish. While trying to sensitise people during this intervening period, we will also request the animal and fisheries resources department to send a team to Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, the two states where Bihar primarily imports frozen fish from, to ascertain the source of heavy metals and formalin in fish, said principal secretary, health, Sanjay Kumar, who is also the commissioner of food safety. The health department also instructed its food safety wing to collect legal samples from other major fish consuming districts like Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Darbhanga, besides Patna, he said. We did a sample survey in Patna municipal area. We will now do legal sampling, which is collection of a sample in four parts, of which one is given to the vendor from whom the sample is collected, Kumar said. Asked about the urgency to impose the ban without doing legal sampling, he said: There was a sense of urgency after getting the laboratory reports because it concerned public health. Defending the delay in collection of samples and obtaining the laboratory test reports, he said, Normally it takes 6-8 weeks for laboratory testing. The laboratories are also overloaded. The health department had collected fish samples on October 10, 2018, and got the result in the first week of January. It had collected 10 fish samples, of which six were from Andhra Pradesh, two from West Bengal and two were local. While all 10 samples were found to be contaminated with heavy metals, high presence of formalin was found in seven of them, said Kumar. Fish sellers slam move Fish sellers were livid with the governments decision to ban fish in urban Patna. The decision would affect an average daily business turnover of Rs 1 crore (approx.) in the wholesale fish market at Bazar Samiti here. The government is acting at the behest of a powerful lobby, which breeds fish locally, said Anuj Kumar, secretary of the Bihar Fish Sellers Association. We have government-approved high rapid formalin test kit, which gives result in just 2 minutes. We check for formalin every day and can still test before anyone and show that no fish from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal or the local variety contain formalin, he added. Kumar said the result, which took 2-3 months to arrive, was not above suspicion. The result contradicts the pre-dispatch test result undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh government. All trucks coming to us from Andhra Pradesh are randomly tested for formalin and contain a certificate to this effect, issued by the AP government. It is also quite possible that the samples collected here may have been doctored. The government should explain why it took so long for the result, he asked. According to the association, the states average daily wholesale business of dead, frozen fish, imported from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal is Rs 4 crore (approx.) of which Patna accounts for Rs 1 crore (approx.) An average daily 35 truckloads of fish, or 350 tonnes, is imported from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal to Bihar of which 70 tonnes is consumed in Patna. An average 6 tonnes (approx.) of fish comes from West Bengal daily of which Patna consumes nearly 5 tonnes Bihar accounts for 5 tonnes (approx.) of fresh water fish produce, mostly from East Champaran (Motihari), Siwan, Patna (Masaurhi), of which Patna consumes nearly 3 tonnes Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav is expected to meet Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Singh Yadav later today in Lucknow to discuss the present political situation in the country, sources said. The meeting is expected to take place after Tejashwi addresses a press conference. While Akhilesh went on record on Sunday to say that the alliance has triggered unrest among BJP workers in UP, one of his own MLAs - Hariom Yadav - said the SP-BSP alliance will not work in Firozabad. It would work only as long as the SP bows to Mayawatis wishes, ANI quoted Yadav as saying. Tejashwi met Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati in Lucknow on Sunday to congratulate her on sealing an alliance with the SP. After meeting Mayawati, the younger son of RJD founder Lalu Prasad claimed that the BJP will be whitewashed in UP and Bihar While the SP and the BSP have finalised their alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the general elections, teething problems are dogging the mahagathbandan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar. Neither the SP nor the BSP is part of the Bihar grand alliance. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)s decision to sever ties with natural ally Bharatiya Janata Party is an emotional loss but the development will not have any bearing on the Lok Sabha elections this summer, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. The 49-year-old leader, who is considered the BJP point person for the northeast where the party has made significant gains in the past three years, said he was ready to welcome the AGP if it wanted to return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). We will never close the doors for the AGP, Sarma said in an interview. Yes, it [the AGP walking out of the alliance] is an emotional setback for us because they were friends, and by and large our ideological line was the same. I am more emotionally upset, rather than electorally. Last week, the Assam-based party pulled out of the BJP-led government in the state over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which seeks to give citizenship rights to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The AGP has its roots in the 1985 Assam Accord, which said anyone who entered the state after March 1971 would be seen as an illegal immigrant and should be deported. The Bill has plunged Assam into a turmoil, creating an unprecedented common ground for the AGP and traditional rival Congress. The overtures from the Congress on at least two occasions suggest possibilities of potential new political fronts in the future, HT reported on Sunday. At present, the common ground, leaders of both parties say, is limited to resisting the bill. Sarma said Assam had changed, but the AGP leadership was still stuck in the days of the Assam agitation. The AGP does not understand this today, but they will realise this in days to come, Sarma said, adding that an alliance between indigenous Assamese, tribals and those who consider India as their mother was needed to maintain social equilibrium. Sarma admitted that certain states, such as Manipur and Meghalaya, have reservations over the bill, but the Centre had offered to incentivise the Bengali Hindu population that wanted to relocate to other parts of the country. He said the BJP will try to clear the confusion around the bill and communicate the correct message. We believe social balance will finally return, he said. As many as 150 million Indians living in 111 strategic and important border districts may finally get identity cards to prove their nationality and improve security along the countrys border. Currently, many of them face harassment on account of not having proof of identity. The move is part of the planned restructuring of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), senior government officials said on condition of anonymity. The Centre spends about Rs 9,000 crore every year on border districts. BADP aims to meet the special development needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border, a home ministry official who did not want to be named. Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal were the biggest beneficiaries of this programme, receiving about Rs 72 crore, Rs 81 crore and Rs 85 crore respectively in 2017-18. The Union Cabinet gave its nod to the restructuring of the BADP programme in the last week of December, one of the government officials said. The ministry of home affairs has written to Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to examine the feasibility of issuing identity cards to the Indian citizens living in the border districts, a second government official said. Apart from issuing identity cards, the revamped BADP programme will focus on creating infrastructure in the strategically located and important border districts. In 2017, the Union home ministry reviewed the BADP programme. The home minister met representatives from 17 states that have border districts. The revamp is aimed at ensuring that people are not forced to leave these areas for want of better infrastructure. The idea is to make strategic and important villages along the border, model villages, that have every possible infrastructure, the third senior official said. It is a much-needed thing and a need of the hour. From the security point of view, this an extremely significant decision. Better infrastructure will help retain our people and importantly, Indians will have proof of their identity, KM Singh, former additional director of the Intelligence Bureau and a senior member of the Vivekananda International Foundation said. The move to issue the identity cards to Indians who live in border districts was also recommended by the Kargil Review Committee. An estimated 140-150 million Indians inhabiting the 111 border districts of India, may now get identity cards, the first official said. The cards will be issued using the database of the National Population Register (NPR), which records the identities of all Indian residents. The data is maintained by RGI. NPR uses the family as the basic enumeration unit and was compiled during the 2010-2011 Census. It was updated in 2016. NPR has biometrics of individuals to enable the issuance of identity cards to citizens. The government plans to update the data, based on data currently being collected for the 2021 Census and issue the cards, the second official said. The data verification will be done as per processes outlined in Citizenship Rules, 2003 to create a National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) of border districts. The governments decision to issue identity cards to Indians living in border districts will build on a pilot project done in 2004-2009. This was carried out after amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 and framing of rules in 2003 (under an earlier National Democratic Alliance regime), mainly in border areas including Hira Nagar in Jammu, Kutch in Gujarat, Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh, Pithoragarh in Uttrakhand, and Murshidabad in Bengal. As many as 1.3 million people have issued identity cards certifying them as Indian citizens. These citizenship cards issued have inbuilt security features and can be verified offline. Priya Prakash Varrier shined in a black and gold sequined dress at an event in Mumbai on Monday. If you dont know who Priya Prakash Varrier is, you will soon enough. The actor, who shot to fame overnight with her infectious wink in the song Manikya Malaraya Poovi from her debut Malayalam film, Oru Adaar Love, has landed herself a role in upcoming Bollywood film, Sridevi Bungalow. At the teaser launch of the film, Priya Prakash Varrier wore a strapless floor-length gown with a dazzling sequin embellished skirt and a black corest-style bodice. She let her luminous sequined gown really shine with muted accessories, namely black pointed-toe pumps and dangling earrings. Take a look for yourself: Interestingly, actor Deepika Padukone was spotted wearing a similar two-tone gown, not once but twice. In case you need a recap, when Deepika attended the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar party, she wore a black and gold Monique Lhuillier and at Vogue Beauty Awards 2012, Deepika chose a similar Dolce and Gabbana gown. Deepika styled her gold and black gowns with messy curls. Priya wore her hair similarly in a one-sided hairstyle. However, it is worth pointing out that each celeb wore very different make-up. While Priya Prakash Varrier added drama to her look with red lips, bold black eyeliner and several coats of black volumizing mascara, Deepika Padukone went more nuetral. She chose high-shine nude lip gloss and amped up her eyes using a bevy of metallic eyeshadows, which complemented her dazzling red carpet looks. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter The Congress has decided to contest all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Paradoxical as it may sound, the decision is born both out of choice and compulsion. Many within the party, particularly in the state unit, strongly advocated going it alone. This, they argued, would help in the process of Congress revival in the state which, in turn, is central to its national revival. The alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in 2017, according to this school of thought, had weakened the Congress further. Putting up candidates in only a dozen or fewer seats as a part of any broader alliance would mean that the party would have no presence in the other seats. Its already depleting cadre would shift loyalties and move elsewhere. They also cited the 2009 performance of the Congress in UP when it won more than 20 seats to suggest that failure was not inevitable. But the compulsion is hard to miss too. The SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) decided not to include the Congress within their alliance. Mayawati, in particular, made it clear at her press conference that this stemmed from their realisation that the Congress could not transfer its votes to others. It also comes from a hard look at numbers, which show that the Congress won just two seats and came second in half a dozen seats or so in 2014. The tactical calculation here appears to be that Congress candidates would actually cut the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) upper caste votes and could in fact help the Mahagathbandhan. It is too early to predict how the Congress will fare in the state. For a respectable performance, it will need to reconstruct its old coalition of upper castes, Muslims and Dalits. Some in the Congress feel this is possible because Brahmins in particular are resentful of the Thakur domination in UP, and Muslims recognise that the national alternative to the BJP can only be the Congress. This would, of course, be the partys best case scenario. But there is another possibility: a split in Muslim votes between the SP-BSP alliance and the Congress. If this happens, the BJP naturally benefits. How the Congress maximises its prospects of victory, while ensuring that the BJP does not end up benefiting from a triangular battle, is the big question for the party in the state in 2019. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said it will install 625 smart poles equipped with panic buttons near gates of 43 school buildings, 16 Metro stations and prominent markets and other sensitive spots by December 2019 as a means of additional security. NDMC officials said the panic button will help people contact officials at the civic agencys command centre in cases of emergency. The CCTV cameras on these poles will be equipped to revolve 360 degrees and will be able capture footage of up to the range of 100 metres. The information collected from these smart poles would be sent to the NDMC command centre at Palika Kendra, senior NDMC officials familiar with the project said. The moment someone presses the panic button, an alert will be sent to the command centre which works round-the-clock. Our officers at the command centre will communicate with the person through speakers on the smart pole. There will be facility for two-way communication through this button as well. We will then help the person depending on their grievance, said a senior official. NDMC chairman Naresh Kumar said, It has been observed that areas outside some Metro stations become dark and desolate at night. We will install these smart poles keeping in mind the safety of passengers. We have 17 metro station gates in our jurisdiction and one pole will be erected outside each gate. Likewise, we have plans to install these poles to beef security outside schools and prominent markets such as Sarojini Nagar, Bengali Market, Netaji Nagar, BK Dutt Colony, Bengali Market and Gole Market, said Kumar. The command centre will store data from these poles for at least a month. The poles will also have smart LED lights, Wi-Fi access points, air quality monitoring system and will also function as cellphone towers. The LED light can be remotely switched on or off. We can also set up time schedule for these. For example, after midnight some lights can be powered down to 50-60%. We can monitor and decide depending on requirement, said a senior NDMC official. Last year, the civic agency had conducted a safety audit through an NGO, Safetipin, and identified 16 dark spots including those near Shivaji Stadium and backside of Sarojini Nagar. This prompted us to get into action and we decided to improve our streetlight infrastructure. We replaced them with LEDs for better illumination and energy saving. Their numbers were also increased from 16,500 to 17,500. After completing the process, we got another audit conducted from the same NGO and it has given us a clearance certificate, said the NDMC official. As part of the Centres Smart City Mission, NDMC had installed 55 energy saving smart poles on busy roads at Connaught Place, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Sansad Marg, Janpath, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg and nearby areas last year. But that time, our focus was use them as smart metres to monitor air quality. After the successful implementation of that project, the civic agency decided to use the facility to beef up security in its areas, said the NDMC official. Multiple agencies in the national capital have come together for the first time to create a comprehensive walkability plan that will start with remodelling 19 key locations to make the city safer and more accessible for pedestrians. According to senior officials and government documents accessed by Hindustan Times, the changes include redesigned pedestrian crossings, open cables moved underground, street furniture, trees planted to provide shade, pelican lights, and gaps fixed in existing footpaths along with the construction of new ones. Some areas will also be designated as non-motorised transport (NMT) lanes on the lines of the Chandni Chowk redevelopment project. Delhis first guidelines for walkability are being prepared by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and will be ready soon, according to Delhi Development Authority (DDA) vice chairman Tarun Kapoor. The DDA is the main land-owning agency in the Capital and has powers to issue policies and regulations related to urban development and mobility. The other agencies involved in the plan are the three municipal corporations (MCDs), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the Delhi governments Public Works Department (PWD) and transport department, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Unified Traffic Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC), and the Delhi traffic police, making it the most comprehensive project to promote walking in the city. According to a 2015 study by the Delhi Traffic police, out of the 1,582 fatal accidents in which 1,622 people were killed, the number of pedestrian fatalities was 684. The 19 areas selected to kick-start the project are ITO, North and South campuses of Delhi University, Uttam Nagar crossing, the three inter-state bus terminals, INA, Hauz Khaz-IIT, Adhchini on Aurobindo Marg, Nehru Place, Bhikaji Cama Place, Karol Bagh, the Saket-Malviya Nagar stretch, Lajpat Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Dwarka Sector 21, and the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations. A direction had come from the Prime Ministers Office to look for an immediate solution to better the experience of pedestrians in the city. Accordingly, DDA met of all agencies last December 20 and it was decided that walkability plans will be created and executed in 17 areas as a pilot project, Kapoor said. A UTTIPEC official, who asked not to be named, said the agency has been asked to prepare the walkability plans and that one of the first areas of focus is ensuring all footpaths are six inches above the road level with ramps for easy access for the differently abled. While UTTIPEC will appoint consultants for the project, the plans will be executed by the road-owning agencies of the respective areas, the official added. A second DDA official said on condition of anonymity that PMO asked Delhi to prepare a plan similar to one implemented by Chennai. Shreya Gadepalli, urban mobility expert and South Asia Programme Lead at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), which collaborated with the Greater Chennai Corporation over the last eight years, highlighted that Chennai became the first city in India to adopt an NMT policy in 2014. The policy calls for 60% of Chennais transport budget for implementing the NMT policy. Chennai has already redeveloped about 100 km of walkable streets and is redesigning 400 additional streets. On small local streets, the city is set to place various traffic calming measures. Other key initiatives like effective parking management are being implemented, she said. The Chennai model is being implemented in 10 other cities of Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore and Madurai. Experts said the move is significant because Delhis agencies were working in silos until now, resulting in the city not being able get a a unified walkability policy. A dedicated policy on walkability has been a long-pending demand as governments have only been focusing on building road space to facilitate faster movement of vehicles. Under the plan, agencies should start with the ensuring all footpaths are continuous in Delhi, said K Ravinder, principal scientist, transportation planning division, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). Also, since most people prefer on-street walking options, all traffic signals should compulsorily have working signals for those on foot, which would require changing the signal cycles. More than a meaningful debate over how much the poor upper castes will be benefited with the provision of reservation, our discourse everywhere is focused on how much the Narendra Modi government will benefit? Has the government foiled the sharp attacks by the opposition with this single move? Such questions are bound to arise in the election year. A significant reason behind this discussion is that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had faced the ire of the upper castes in the assembly elections of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Voters had started expressing their resentment even before the polls. The election results merely echoed it. Needless to mention here that this section has always been a reliable vote bank for the BJP. Although the BJP had started social engineering much earlier, it always maintained its influence over the urban upper castes. During this time the leadership of the party became so engrossed in enhancing the partys vote base that it did not even realise that the old bonds are cracking. The Gujarat elections last year made it very clear. But the assembly election results in December were so disastrous that the party coordinators felt it was not the time for contemplation but for immediate action. The reservation wager is an effort to change that perception. That is why it is now being asked if the upper castes once again will try with all their might to bring Modi back to power. During the debate over the reservation proposal, the restlessness that was apparent among the major opposition parties in Parliament confirms it. In the last four and a half years, those who were seen ripping every decision by the government apart in both the Houses of Parliament were seen supporting this proposal, even if without enthusiasm. They had only one thing to say which they repeated time and again with great tenacity and intensity, namely, that the intention behind this decision was just to reap electoral benefits. They raised the question that if the government was so concerned about the poor upper castes then it should have taken this decision four years ago. Had it done so, the ruling coalition would have collapsed well in time as a result of the objections by the leaders who had doubts over this decision. Its certain that the opposition will harp on this during the coming electoral circus. Will this reduce the impact of this political missile deployed by Modi? Please recall that in November, when Dharam Sansad was organised in Ayodhya under the leadership of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, it was asked loud and clear why the issue of Ram temple was being taken up after four years of the tenure of the ruling government have passed? Had the ruling party and its allies been so serious and concerned about this issue, they would have taken some meaningful action right in the beginning. This issue, emerged strongly during the television debates, continued to chase the BJP during the assembly elections in five states. The result is before us. The saffron party had to lose three states. Will the reservation bet by Modi also meet the same fate? Before reaching any conclusion, we should keep in mind that the Ram Janmabhoomi issue is decades old. Religion can be sanatana (eternal) but the controversies emerging or cultivated from it cannot be stretched for long. Once the delicate thread of faith is snapped, it cant be mended entirely, however hard we may try. On the contrary, the issue of reservation is directly related to our livelihood. For the last 70 years, a large section of the society has been living with the feeling of being deprived of the present system of reservation. If this feeling of hurt can be mitigated a little by this decision, then the government and the ruling party can benefit a little. If the opposition wants to undermine BJPs gains, then it will have to present its case before people intensely and with genuine arguments. Do they have populist arguments for this issue? Here is a crucial question. It has been almost 70 years since reservation was implemented in the country. In all these years, India has gone through many phases of social and economic changes. This is the time to reconsider this system (of reservation) too. Are we not creating a new section of the deprived along with the upliftment of the oppressed classes? If it is so, then how far is it appropriate to lay the foundation of a new imbalance in the society in the name of social equality? The people who point out the flaws of the reservation system allege that the parties have always kept their political interests in mind while implementing it. But issues like education, health and welfare of deprived people have been sidelined. We have been a failure in creating an economy which could make people economically self-dependent. Though some people did get government jobs, the road to progress and welfare of all became increasingly narrower. Had our political leaders reached a consensus on this issue during the election year, it would have been much better and fruitful. But they have chosen to continue with their age-old ways. Times have changed, when will our leaders change? Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan The views expressed are personal A Pakistan High Commission officer was called by the Delhi police for obtaining clarification on an altercation he had with an Indian woman at Sarojini Nagar market on Saturday. As per sources from the Ministry of External Affairs, the officer wrote an apology letter to the police after which the matter was resolved on the same day itself. The Indian lady complained against him (Pakistan High Commission official) at a police station and took him there after the altercation. He apologised to the lady and was let off. There was no arrest, the source added. Etihad Airways PJSC has agreed to lead a rescue of cash-strapped Jet Airways India Ltd. in a move that will see the Abu Dhabi-based carrier double its stake to 49 percent, according to television reports. Etihad is in talks to lift its holding from the current 24 percent, Indias BTVI channel reported Monday, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. CNBC-TV18 said that Jet founder Naresh Goyals stake could drop to 20 percent from 51 percent, and that hell stand down as chairman. Shares of Jet Airways closed 16 percent higher in Mumbai, where it is based. The company ranks as Indias biggest full-service airline, but has failed to post a profit in nine of the past 11 fiscal years. Cash is running short as fare wars depress revenue and turbulent oil prices increase costs. An increase in Etihads Jet stake would come at a time when the Persian Gulf carrier is cutting thousands of jobs and shrinking its fleet amid mounting losses from over-expansion and failed investments. India remains an attractive prospect because of the size of its travel market and the pace of growth. Etihad said in an email that it does not comment on rumour or speculation. Jet didnt immediately respond to requests for comment, though it said in a filing earlier that it had made no decision requiring a stock-market disclosure. People with knowledge of the matter said last week that the airline is seeking funds from investors including Etihad. Also read: Jet Airways is said to seek to rework vendor contracts to cut costs The deal, if it goes through, will give the third-biggest Mideast carrier more say over Jets operations and its day-to-day management, with Goyals voting rights capped at 10 percent, BTVI said. Indian regulations cap airline ownership by foreign operators at 49 percent, and also prohibit them from taking control. Etihad, which lost $3.5 billion over two years, last week scrapped orders for 10 Airbus SE A320neo aircraft and revealed plans to cut 50 pilot posts this month. Chief executive officer Tony Douglas has put the brakes on a costly bid to challenge bigger Gulf rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways, saying hell focused more on local needs rather than carrying passengers between continents. Also read: Jet Airways fails to pay December salary to some more employees Also read: In a first, Indian airlines add 120 planes to their fleet in one year Momentum is easing across the worlds major economies, according to a gauge the OECD uses to predict turning points. The Composite Leading Indicator is the latest sign of a synchronized slowdown in global growth, adding to recession warnings sparked by industrial figures in Germany last week and and slumping trade figures for China earlier on Monday. The indicator, which is designed to anticipate turning points six-to-nine months ahead, has been ticking down since the start of 2018 and fell again in November. The OECD singled out the US and Germany, where it said tentative signs of easing momentum are now confirmed. Just two weeks into 2019, the OECD economic indicator follows a run of numbers that mean growth this year could be even slower than currently anticipated. For Bloomberg Economics, the data point to slowdown, not meltdown, but it still says the loss of momentum is striking. China Trade-tensions with the U.S. are showing up in data. Chinese exports slumped 4.4 percent in December from a year earlier, marking the worst performance in dollar terms since 2016. Imports also dropped the most since 2016, hinting at softening demand at home that could have implications for exporters to China. The numbers sent stocks lower in Europe and Asia. The Stoxx 600 Index was down almost 1 percent as of 12 p.m. Frankfurt time. Euro Area Industry in the regions major economies had a grim month in November. Output declined 1.7 percent, with a slump in Germany sparking talk that it could shrink for a second quarter, putting it in a technical recession. There are also concerns about Italys economy, while riots and protests in France have hit growth there. US Jobs growth remains strong, according to the latest payrolls report, but measures of activity have weakened. The Institute for Supply Managements key manufacturing gauge is at a two-year low, and the housing market is cooling. Overall expansion is forecast to moderate this year, partly due to a fading boost from the Trump administrations tax cuts. Federal Reserve policy makers have taken note of the changed outlook and suggested they could pause their interest-rate hike cycle as they await clarity. Chairman Jerome Powell said last week that the Fed can be patient and flexible and wait and see what does evolve. No one really minds a Monday if it spent with kids. Bollywood mommies welcomed the new week in the company of their children at birthday parties, book events and more. Sonali Bendre, who is back in Mumbai receiving treatment for cancer in New York, was seen with her son Ranveer at Facebooks office in Mumbai. The two held a session of her Sonali Book Club together. She even shared pictures from the event on Instagram. Thank you @rockbehl for recommending Half Brother by @kenneth.oppel and for discussing this with me for #SBC. Thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and I hope our readers did too! Looking forward to growing with you as we continue to read many more books together, she captioned a fun picture with her son. Actor Kareena Kapoor was spotted at Sea Princess Hotel in Juhu for a birthday party with her son Taimur and mother Babita. Kareena was seen in a black and white polka outfit while Taimur wore a khaki green T-shirt. Her sister Karisma Kapoors kids, Samaira and Kiaan were also seen at the party. Actor Tusshar Kapoor was also spotted their with his son Lakshaya. Kareenas sister-in-law and actor Soha Ali Khan was also seen at the birthday party with her little daughter Inaaya. She wore the cutest dress and hairband and turned around to see the photographers and their cameras. Actor Sunny Leones husband Daniel Weber was also seen with their cute daughter Nisha. The father-daughter duo were seen sharing a moment. Shah Rukh Khans son AbRam was also seen giggling with his friend Yohan, son of actor Sohail Khan. Check out all the pictures and videos: Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Sharman Joshi on Monday said he stands by his 3 Idiots director Rajkumar Hirani, who has been accused of sexual assault by a woman. The actor has called the filmmaker a man of immense integrity, character and honour. Sharman tweeted: Raju Sir is a man of immense integrity, character, honour, compassion and truthfulness, all the virtues one would imagine are non-existent in people today, someone I am absolutely inspired by and have learnt from and because of whom I believe I have gone onto being a better person. All I want to say, Sir is that this too shall pass. I can imagine how demeaning it might be to even stand up for yourself in a situation such as this, Sharman added with a I Stand For Raju Hirani hashtag. According to a HuffPost India article on Sunday, the woman claimed that Hirani sexually abused her on more than one occasion over a six-month period between March and September 2018. The 56-year-old filmmaker has denied the allegation. I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation, Hirani said in a statement. The development comes close on the heels of Hiranis name been dropped from the new poster and trailer of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, directed by Shelly Chopra. A still from the films teaser, which released on 27 June, 2018, carried Hiranis name as co-producer. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has not yet commented. Hiranis is the latest name to be called out in Indias #MeToo storm, which has engulfed many a stalwart such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan and former Union minister M J Akbar. Follow @htshowbiz for more Ranveer Singh has shared the first song from his upcoming film, Gully Boy. Apna Time Aayega is a rage anthem that provided the hook in the recently released trailer for the film, based in part on the lives of Mumbai rappers Divine and Naezy, and the citys underground hip-hop scene. The song is performed by Ranveer, and composed by Divine and Dub Sharma, with lyrics by Divine & Ankur Tewari. Apna Time Aayega borrows a key lyric from Divines recent song, Teesri Manzil. The video shows Ranveers character, the titular Gully Boy performing on stage and leaving the crowd in raptures with his rap skills. Tu nanga his toh aaya hai, kya ghanta le kar jaayega? (You were born with nothing, what the hell will you take with yourself when you die), he says, as the crowd goes nuts. The two-and-a-half minute video also offers new glimpses from the film, notably of Alia Bhatts feisty character, who is apparently a romantic interest to Ranveers rapper. We also see quick shots of Ranveer practising his rapping with a mentor-like figure, who warns him at the beginning of the video of the many traps he must avoid as a rapper. New details about Ranveers character, such as his job as a driver - remember, his father is also a driver, according to the trailer - and his attraction to a life of crime, are seen. It is also implied that he is lured by money and attention when Kalki Koechlins character enters his life. Speaking at the recent trailer launch event for the film in Mumbai, Ranveer said, When somebody told me about the script of Gully Boy, I told them that it is my film. If any other actor would have been a part of this film instead of me then I would have got burnt with jealousy. I was born to do Gully Boy and I knew only I can pull off this character. Gully Boy is directed by Zoya Akhtar, and has been scheduled for a February 14 release. Check out a part of the lyrics to Apna Time Aayega: Uth ja apni raakh se Tu ud ja ab talaash mein Parwaaz dekh parwaane ki Aasmaan bhi sar uthaayega Aayega Apna Time Aayega Meray jaisa shaana lala tujhe na mil paayega Yeh shabdon ka jwaala meri bediyyan pighlaayega Jitna toonay boya hai tu Utna hee toh khaayega Darr ko bhi sataayega Zinda mera khwaab Kaise tu dafnaayega Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Dia Mirza has reacted to the allegations of sexual assault made against film director Rajkumar Hirani. She has worked with him in films like Lage Raho Munna Bhai and Sanju. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Dia said, I am deeply distressed by this news. As someone who has known and respect Raju Sir for 15 years, I can only hope that a due official enquiry is conducted. He is one of the most decent human beings I have ever worked with and I think it would be grossly unjust on my part to speak on this as I do not know the details. Hirani has been accused by a woman who worked with him on his 2018 film Sanju. He has denied the allegations, terming them false and malicious and aimed at destroying his reputation. Director Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of harassing a woman on the sets of Sanju. (IANS) In an article published by HuffPost India, the woman alleged that Hirani sexually abused her more than once between March and September 2018. She detailed her allegations in an email dated November 3, 2018, to Hiranis frequent collaborator and Sanju co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Film critic and Vidhus wife Anupama Chopra has confirmed that the woman had shared an account with her, and that Vinod Chopra Films (VCF) has since set up a committee to address complaints of sexual harassment. After the article went viral on internet, the filmmaker released a statement in which he said he was shocked when the claims were brought to his notice two months ago. He said he suggested the case be referred to a committee or a legal body but the complainant chose to go the media instead. I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation, Hirani said in a statement. So far, directors Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl, actors Nana Patekar and music composer Anu Malik, among many others, have been removed from projects after allegations of sexual harassment were made against them in what has come to be known as Indias MeToo movement. Follow @htshowbiz for more Today marks one year of the press conference by four senior judges of the Supreme Court, laying bare the improprieties in the highest echelons of the judiciary before the nation. The aftermath of the meeting was pregnant with possibility. Would Chief Justice Dipak Misra (now retired) resign? Would Parliament, which had been angling to pass a judicial accountability law, do so? Above all, would it mark a new beginning for the Supreme Court itself as an introspective institution, candid about its faults and open to being scrutinised by noisy journalists, as the judges at the press conference were? One year on, none of these possibilities have come to fruition. While it would have been naive to expect a structural transformation of the Supreme Court to take place overnight, the stasis that followed was equally unexpected. The basic grievance at the press conference Justice Misra was not functioning independently was not addressed in any meaningful way. His absolute discretion as master of the roster to allocate cases to different benches was not substantively reformed. While the collegium worked overtime in making several recommendations, this had much to do with the dynamics of the judges who comprised the collegium. With a different combination, there is little guarantee that such efficiency wont unravel. An impeachment motion, hastily put together and ill-conceived, was nipped in the bud. With Justice Misra retiring, to many, the problems had solved themselves. The lack of any meaningful structural change demonstrates the bleak political economy of judicial reform. It was apparent in the aftermath of the press conference that the Supreme Court was a divided institution. A stronger collective with greater zeal for restoring the public confidence in the judiciary would have spoken decisively in a single institutional voice and taken control of its own destiny. The full court of judges failed to do so then and continues to fail to proactively introduce any genuine reform measure. Absurdly short tenures of successive chief justices might have much to do with this seeming lack of institutional cohesion. The government, like most governments before it, was content in observing the in-fighting of the judges from the sidelines. Serious questions of corruption and lack of independence of judges were sidestepped. This general inclination towards a convenient inertia was strongly espoused by influential voices of the Supreme Court Bar. Fali Nariman recommended to judges who gave the press conference to lump it and wait for the chief justice to retire. Soli Sorabjee accused them of squabbling like company shareholders. The status quo of an administratively creaking, functionally opaque institution with the possibility of nefarious dealings at the very top had to be lumped lest public in-fighting reduced the majesty of the institution and made it more transparent and, worse still, all-too-human. The esprit de corps of the legal fraternity makes it near-impossible for genuine transparency and accountability reform to emanate from within the judiciary itself. This leaves us with Parliament. Although ever quick to unanimously condemn activist judges for their overreach, when the opportunity to enact judicial reform statutes presented itself after the press conference, Parliament squandered it. That political parties still view judicial reforms through the lens of scoring party-political brownie points, reflects as poorly on the parties as it does on their constituents. Every right thinking citizen, irrespective of her views of the correctness or otherwise of Supreme Court judgments, cannot help but be concerned with devotees at Sabarimala physically preventing women from entering the temple, highway liquor shop owners reopening their shops and diesel taxis plying on the sly in Delhi. Cocking a snook at the Supreme Court is the surest sign of erosion of its credibility. The press conference gave us some insight into why this might be happening. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, in the interval between his participation in the press conference and taking over as chief justice, said in a public lecture that judges should be on the front foot because the judiciary didnt need reforms, it needed a revolution. Despite a promising start, on the administrative front, the court seems to have retreated to its favoured back foot defence. If the press conference is to retain its significance as the seminal event ushering in an era of judicial transparency, accountability and independence, the chief justice and the Supreme Court must walk their talk. Otherwise it is neither reform nor revolution, but only public disillusionment that will ensue. Arghya Sengupta is research director, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy The views expressed are personal Robert Kleinhenz, executive director of research at the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting & Development DOYLESTOWN >> Not since the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic has the number of new cases in Bucks County been as low as now. 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! Hong Kong: Govt mulls measures to help needy The Government will review the amount of monthly earnings Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients can keep. After attending a radio programme today, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong told reporters that the maximum amount of disregarded earnings per month is $2,500, an amount set in 2003. Dr Law said it is definitely time to review this figure and that the Government is considering measures to help the needy and to provide more support for them. He also said the Government will consider first examining the disregarded earnings for CSSA recipients aged between 60 to 64. Due to recent discussions on the decision to adjust the eligible age for elderly CSSA recipients to 65 from February 1, the Government may need to advance some changes that it had considered in the past, he added. This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Joseph Hill Reachback Tutorial Program will offer free after-school tutoring for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Catawba County starting Feb. 5 at Morning Star First Baptist Church in Hickory. The tutoring is set for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The after-school program was started by a group of Catawba County residents and educators in 2002 and originally named the Reach Back Tutorial Program. It will return Feb. 5 led by Thomas Hill, the son of the after-school programs founder, Joseph Hill. My dad was huge on education and huge on helping the community, Thomas Hill said. Joseph Hill became terminally ill in 2010. The program eventually stopped, according to his wife Genita Hill. Joseph Hill died in 2014. Thomas Hill is bringing the program back. A lot of people that went to the program, I went to school with, Thomas Hill said. I saw how it helped them. Thomas Hill currently works for Catawba Countys IT department and will be volunteering his own time. Thomas has walked in his fathers footsteps in so many ways, Genita Hill said. He is definitely a computer lover and he loves helping teach and tutor, just like his dad. Randy Venanzi was eager to have his double knee replacements done at the Elite Surgery Center in Uniontown so that he could recover in the comfort of his own home. Matthew Umstead mumstead@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. Small pockets of property in Martinsburg that havent been annexed by the city remain a concern for some members of the Berkeley County (W.Va.) Council. I dont think it makes sense to continue to annex reaching out when you dont annex what youre already surrounding, council Vice President Dan Dulyea told City Attorney Kin Sayre before Dulyea voted Thursday to approve the annexation of a 0.88-acre parcel in the citys north end. It just doesnt make sense to me to continue that in one direction and not take care of the small pockets ... that have created problems within the city that the county is part of, he said. We have (county) spot zoning thats taking care of small parcels inside of the city limits when the city should be taking care of that. The county has spot-zone regulations for what is known as the Windewald zoning district, which includes an L-shaped section surrounded by a city-annexed blocks, including portions of Thompson and Jefferson streets, West Virginia and Virginia avenues, and Jasmine Lane. The Windewald area also includes the Relax and Heritage inns in the 1000 block of Winchester Avenue, and neighboring properties along the road, from Thompson Street to Apple Harvest Drive. The multiblock district continues east along the north side of Apple Harvest Drive from Winchester to New York avenues, overlaying properties along Sheridan Avenue. Sayre responded that it is a policy issue for the mayor and city council to decide, and later noted that the city hasnt moved to annex private property without receiving a petition from interested parties. We wouldnt havent done an annexation if they didnt want in, he said. Private property owners in the Windewald area would see a slight increase in property taxes if they were annexed into the city, but Sayre said they also would gain municipal services, such as street paving. The city also has the option to pursue annexation of property by minor boundary adjustment, which Sayre said was used to annex a portion of New York Avenue in 2017. In that case, it was difficult for us to determine who all had an interest in the roadway, Sayre said. The adjustment process requires the county to hold a public hearing and consider a variety of factors, including possible opposition to annexation, according to state code and Sayre. Sayre told council members Thursday that the city probably would return within the next month or two for another New York Avenue-area annexation request regarding the former Rankin Homes property at W.Va. 45, which was purchased in October by a Northern Virginia firm. An application to zone the 4.4-acre property as community business is pending before the Martinsburg Planning Commission, and an ordinance to annex the property into the city is on its third reading before the Martinsburg City Council. New York Avenue Mixed Use LLC, an entity of Falls Church, Va.-based Uniwest Development LLC, acquired the Rankin Homes property from RDS Inc. for $1.75 million in October. The neighboring Porterfields Collision Center property, which also is outside of the current municipal boundary, was sold last week for $2 million to 1601 WV LLC, an entity of Washington, D.C.-based Arcland Property Co., according to deed records. Arclands plans for a self-storage facility at the 5-acre Porterfields property were reviewed and advanced in September by the Berkeley County Planning Commission. Jennifer Fitch waynesboro@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. Aerial photography is being used by Franklin County, Pa., government to find improvements to properties that might now be subject to higher tax assessments. Photographs taken from an airplane were tied into the countys geographic-information system starting about five years ago. While that system primarily is used to digitize land records, it provided an added benefit in discovering new garages, houses and other property improvements not initially added to tax rolls. The software used for GIS compares the countys old aerial images, most recently from 2003, to the newer ones. It identifies improvements to land that are not on one set of pictures, but are on the other set of pictures, Franklin County Commissioners Chairman Dave Keller said. The software flagged structures that were demolished, but it also highlighted newly built structures, including those at businesses. Sometimes, improvements are made and a (building) permit isnt obtained or the permit wasnt communicated to the assessment office, Keller said. The county added assessments totaling millions of dollars to its records since conducting the first flyover. Because Pennsylvania government entities are funded primarily through property taxes, those increased assessments mean more tax revenue for the county, municipalities and school districts. Assessed value of county properties increased $3.5 million in 2015, $5 million in 2016, $1.7 million in 2017 and $996,410 in 2018, according to records from the tax-assessment office. School districts have the highest tax rates among Franklin Countys taxing bodies. I think school districts have been seeing measurable increase in their revenue, Keller said. The Waynesboro Area School District gained nearly $2.5 million in assessed property values, meaning about $230,000 in new annual revenue was created, according to Eric Holtzman, the districts business administrator. The normal growth to the tax base is about 1 percent a year, but the aerial photography allowed the county to outpace that rate. Property owners received notice of their changed assessment, along with instructions on how to appeal the amount. The county took two years to analyze the imagery from its first flyover in 2015. It since has done a second flyover and found fewer anomalies than before. Julie E. Greene julieg@herald-mail.com Washington County Commissioners President Jeff Cline said he would like the board to have one meeting a month in the late afternoon to give people who normally cant make the morning meetings a chance to attend. Cline, in a recent telephone interview, mentioned the possibility of having a meeting begin at 4 or 5 p.m. in downtown Hagerstown. Some items would be scheduled for the later meetings that would be of interest to the public, he said. The commission meetings typically begin in the mornings on Tuesdays. The board schedules at least one evening meeting a year in each of the smaller municipalities and Maugansville. Cline also said he doesnt think the board should come out of closed session and vote on an item in public session unless that item already is on the public agenda. That way, the public knows a vote is scheduled. An exception would be votes such as appointments to advisory boards, he said. It is not uncommon for the board to approve appointments to its advisory boards without them being listed on the agenda. Cline said he could still be outvoted by three commissioners to have votes on bigger issues, after a closed session, that are not on the public agenda. To give the public and commissioners more of a heads-up about when some issues will be discussed, Cline said he wants the county to start listing dates for when some projects or issues will be presented to the commissioners. The school board includes a tentative list of upcoming presentations on its agenda, and Cline said that is a great idea. That would give new commissioners more time to learn about a project or issue that has some history before it comes up at a meeting, he said. Cline said he suggested the other commissioners each take a turn meeting with him and County Administrator Robert Slocum as they review the agenda for the next meeting. Randy Wagner, one of the new commissioners, already has done that, he said. It would develop teamwork and help commissioners learn how the agenda is assembled with various topics for discussion or vote, he said. Julie E. Greene julieg@herald-mail.com A winter storm system that began moving into the region Saturday dumped more than four inches of snow in Hagerstown by Sunday evening and forced the closure of public school systems Monday in West Virginias Eastern Panhandle and delays elsewhere, including Washington County. Hagerstown weather observer Greg Keefer reported on his website at i4weather.net that 4.5 inches of snow had fallen in Hagerstown as of 6:14 p.m. Sunday. Other snow accumulations reported Sunday included Shepherdstown, W.Va., with 4 inches; 5.5 inches in Martinsburg, W.Va.; and 5.1 inches in Boonsboro, according to the National Weather Service. The bulk of the snow had fallen by daylight Sunday morning. Light snow was expected to continue on and off through Sunday, and a winter storm warning was posted for the Hagerstown area until midnight Sunday, according to the NWS. With the storm system centered more to the south, the snow was deeper in those regions, National Weather Service meteorologist Ray Martin said. Public schools in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties in West Virginia will be closed Monday, along with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg, officials said. Washington County Public Schools were operating on a two-hour delay, according to an automated telephone message at 7:10 p.m. Sunday. The Central Fulton and Forbes Road school districts in Pennsylvania are operating on a two-hour delay, according to the school systems websites. A snow-emergency plan was lifted for Washington County at 2 p.m. Sunday, but put back into effect at 6:30 p.m. as area roads became snow-covered again. We just want to make sure everyones safe, a spokeswoman for the Hagerstown detachment of the Maryland State Police said Sunday night. The snow emergency plan will remain in effect until further notice, the spokeswoman said. When the emergency plan is in effect, drivers are not to go out on roads unless they need to and to slow down. Also, disabled vehicles left along road shoulders can be towed to help plows clear snow, Maryland State Police Sgt. Stephen Hudacko said. All vehicles traveling on designated snow-emergency routes must be equipped with chains, snow tires or all-season radial tires, according to the plan. Its shaping up to look like a relatively cold week, with nighttime lows in the low 20s and daytime highs in the 30s and low 40s, according to the NWS. There is a chance of snow starting Thursday night and extending through Sunday. Don Aines daines@herald-mail.com A South Carolina man said getting arrested for robbing a West Virginia pharmacy was the best thing that ever happened to me before pleading guilty to another pair of unarmed pharmacy holdups in 2013 in Washington County. Jesse Lee Gibson pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery. Washington County Circuit Court Judge Daniel P. Dwyer sentenced him to 15 years in prison, all suspended, and three years of unsupervised probation. Gibson. 32, formerly of Hedgesville, W.Va., admitted his involvement in the two incidents in January 2013 in which he entered as Rite Aid in Hagerstown and asked for Xanax pills. I dont want to talk too loud about it, Gibson told employees at the pharmacy counter, according to charging documents read by Assistant States Attorney Sarah Miollett-Gaumer. He asked them not to press the alarm button, she said. Gibson did not mention a weapon, but a witness saw a bulge in his coat and thought he might have one, Mollett-Gaumer said. In the other case, Gibson went to the pharmacy counter of Weis Market in Hagerstown, again asking for Xanax pills, Mollett-Gaumer said. In that inciden, Gibson indicated he had a weapon and would use it if he had to, she said. Gibson was arrested later in 2013 in West Virginia, also for pharmacy robberies and a bank robbery, The Herald-Mail reported in 2014 in a story about his sentencing there. Assistant Public Defender Stephen Musselman said Gibson spent five years in prison in West Virginia. Gibson said he is on parole from West Virginia and is being supervised in South Carolina. His arrest made it possible for him to face his drug addiction, get steady employment as a mechanic, earn his GED, and be a few credits away from an associates degree, he told the judge. Im just so grateful. ... The system has really worked for me, Gibson told Dwyer. Staff reports The Herald-Mail Monday, Jan. 14, weigh-in 7 to 9:15 a.m., meeting 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. First Christian Church, 1345 Potomac Ave., Hagerstown. Call Patsy P. at 301-582-2292 or Patsy M. at 301-733-1905. Monday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 712 Church St., Hagerstown. Group meets every Monday. Monday, Jan. 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 33 E. Church St., Frederick, Md. Use side entrance. An anonymous self-help program for friends and family whose lives have been affected by someone with a gambling problem. Call 240-409-2395. Monday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. Meritus Medical Centers John R. Marsh Cancer Center, Robinwood Professional Center, 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 129, east of Hagerstown. Support group that helps people with cancer deal with how treatment affects appearance. The group meets the second Monday of each month. To register, call Valerie Miller, licensed social worker, at 301-665-4657. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Hebron Mennonite Church, 13315 Highlane St., Hagerstown. Group meets every Tuesday. Call Chris at 301-331-8790 or go to www.gamblersanonymous.org. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. Robinwood Medical Center, 11116 Medical Campus Road, Suite 122A, east of Hagerstown. For those who have had bariatric surgery and those interested in learning about it. Group meets third Tuesday of each month. For information, call 301-714-4044. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. Meritus Medical Centers John R. Marsh Cancer Center, Robinwood Professional Center, 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 129, east of Hagerstown. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month from September to May. Registration is recommended. To register, call Crissy Weaver, licensed certified social worker, at 301-665-4656. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 4 to 5 p.m. Total Rehab Care, Robinwood Professional Center, 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 201, east of Hagerstown. Use red entrance. For stroke survivors, their families and caregivers. Group meets third Tuesday of each month. No registration required. For information, call 301-790-8296. Wednesday, Jan. 16, noon. The Improved Order of Red Men Tribe 84, 16129 Lappans Road, Williamsport. To RSVP or for information, contact Jorja Kline at 301-293-1309 or jjkline13@msn.com; or Sharon Guyton at 301-991-9099 or artlover59@msn.com. Wednesday, Jan. 16, weigh-in 9 a.m., meeting 10 to 11 a.m., Shiloh United Methodist Church, 19731 Shiloh Church Road, Hagerstown. New members welcome. For information, call Kathie Boyce, secretary, at 301-305-2773. Wednesday, Jan. 16, noon to 1 p.m. Christ Reformed Church, 140 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown. For those with an addiction with mental or emotional diagnosis. Closed meeting every Wednesday. Call John B. at 240-452-9113. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m., Behavioral Health Services, 11116 Medical Campus Road, east of Hagerstown. Meets weekly. Free group for those who care about someone who is addicted and are lost, confused or stressed because of a loved ones addiction or substance-abuse problem. No registration required. Use Robinwood orange entrance. Call 301-766-7600. Thursday, Jan. 17, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Haven Lutheran Church, 1035 Haven Road, Hagerstown. Twelve-step meeting for men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. For more information, call 301-293-2243 or go to www.coda.org. Thursday, Jan. 17, 5 to 7 p.m. Parkway Neuroscience and Spine Institute, 13 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown. All are welcome; light refreshments. Meets the third Thursday of the month. Email romalley@pnsi.org or call 301-797-9240. Friday, Jan. 18, 4:30 p.m. weigh-in, 5 p.m. meeting. Christ Lutheran Church, 216 N. Cleveland Ave., Hagerstown. Call Marie at 240-722-8056. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, call 301-733-1109, and dial zero. A group for anyone affected by a family members or friends drinking. Call 240-285-9831. Call 800-777-1515 or go to http://na2day.tripod.com. This legislation represents an enormous push to fortify FOIAs foundations in the state beyond its current loophole-heavy status. If these bills do move past committee and the houses, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) may have a chance to make good on his 2017 pledge to the Bristol Herald Courier Editorial Board to toughen Virginias Freedom of Information laws if elected. Although these bills were not introduced by representatives from Virginias 4th or 5th districts, they certainly connect with past actions of local officials in the area. For instance, in August 2017, a judge ruled that members of the Abingdon Town Council violated FOIA when they and then-town attorney Deborah Icenhour sent a letter to a circuit court judge asking for aid and guidance on another Town Council member without first holding a public meeting and public comment on the matter. Under these new bills, this incident may have resulted in stiffer penalties for those found in violation. Abingdons 32nd annual march celebrating King will be held on Saturday. The event will start at Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, 322 E. Main St., at 12:30 p.m. with the program People Like Us: Building Allies for Justice led by Jerry Hill. The march will begin at 1:30 p.m., and attendees will then walk to Abingdon United Methodist Church for a service that will include student speakers from local schools and performances of songs linked to the civil rights movement by a combined choir from Washington County schools. On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., there will be a screening and discussion of the documentary, Traces of the Trade: Stories from the Deep North, hosted by filmmaker Katrina Browne at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Abingdon. The documentary follows Browne and nine other relatives who discover that their New England ancestors were the largest slave trading family in U.S. history, and retrace the Triangle Slave trade, uncover northern complicity in slavery and grapple with issues of reparation and restorative justice. Food will be served to attendants, and the screening will be followed by a discussion moderated by Brown. CLINTWOOD, Virginia A Friday night shooting led to the arrest of a Clintwood man on firearm and auto burglary charges. Travis Wampler, 33, Clintwood, was arrested and charged with use of a firearm causing bodily injury and auto theft. According to Rick Mullins, chief of police for the Clintwood Police Department, officers received a call about a shooting Friday night a little after 8 p.m. When they arrived, they found a man who had been shot in his shoulder and chest. After speaking with the victim, officers were told Wampler was the person who fired the gun. Wampler is the man's nephew. He was found and arrested on the charges. The victim was transported to a local hospital and there has been no word on his condition. Northeast Tennessee lawmakers said they believe Medicaid expansion, sentencing reform, medical marijuana, Ballad Health, school vouchers and some form of a waiver program that would allow parents to get care for their disabled children without being penalized for income will be among the issues they will deal with during the 111th General Assembly. Bills Introduced Some of the bills introduced in the House and Senate, as of Friday, include proposals to: End the statute of limitations for aggravated rape, rape, rape of a child and aggravated rape of a child charges Establish the presumption that a minor who is the victim of a sexual offense or engaged in prostitution held a reasonable belief that the use of force is immediately necessary to avoid imminent death or serious bodily injury Authorize a county or city governing body to require the director of schools to face a retention election and prohibit boards of education from extending the contract of a director of schools if the majority of the members vote against retaining the official Remove authorization to suspend, restrict or revoke driver licenses for nonpayment of fines, court costs and litigation taxes for driving offenses, upon proof of inability to pay Create the Green Alert system within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to assist in the identification and location of a missing veteran at risk Establish a three-year pilot program to provide child care payments to eligible relative caregivers Authorize sports betting only in jurisdictions that approve sports betting by local option election and impose a 10 percent tax on gaming revenue. The tax would be distributed as follows: 40 percent to the states general fund; 30 percent to state colleges of applied technologies and community colleges for equipment and capital projects; and 30 percent to local governments for education and infrastructure Prohibit a person who owns a partial interest in a hoofed mammal from using the milk of the animal for the persons personal consumption or other personal use Remove requirement that 52 percent of the 5 percent commission retained by county registers of deeds for collecting and reporting recordation tax must be remitted to state treasurer and credited to state general fund Authorize an attorney for a county, municipal or metropolitan government to seek an injunction against a person who harasses an employee of the county, municipal, or metropolitan government, or any agency thereof Recognize teen suicide as a health crisis in Tennessee Recognize gaming disorder as a mental health condition Allow inmates who are authorized to enroll in courses offered by a Tennessee Board of Regents institution to be eligible to receive a Tennessee reconnect grant for courses leading to completion of an eligible program of study The session opened last Tuesday. Although it was just an organizational week to get the session up and running, several bills were introduced. With a new governor and more than 30 new legislators elected, plus a new speaker of the House, a slower legislative process and a longer session is anticipated by legislators this year. Each years session ends in late April or May, though it sometimes stretches into June. Since its early in the session, Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, and Rep. John Crawford, R-Kingsport, didnt yet have a lot of information about bills they plan to carry but shared a few details and their thoughts on some upcoming local and state issues. Sen. Lundberg As of early last week, the senator said hes carrying 15 bills, and the three hes prioritizing deal with pay increases for elected county officials, drones and autopsies. He said county officials have asked him to introduce a bill that would do away with, or at least modify, a state law that automatically gives elected county officials, such as the mayor and the county clerk, a pay raise when state employees receive one. Lundberg said the law creates a significant burden on the budgets of rural counties and has even led to property tax increases. The legislation would change the law to allow county commissions to vote on whether those pay increases would be given. Another bill Lundberg is carrying seeks to increase the penalty for flying a drone over critical infrastructure, such as Eastman Chemical Co. and Domtar. Under current law, the penalty is a misdemeanor similar to a speeding ticket, Lundberg said. He wants to increase that to a low level felony with the goal of reducing drone traffic over critical infrastructure because they pose security risks. As for autopsies, Lundberg said he will introduce a bill that would save Tennessee counties hundreds of thousands of dollars by eliminating required autopsies of people who die alone. Current law requires an autopsy on every person who dies without a witness present and Lundberg believes thats a financial burden on rural counties like Carter, Johnson, Hawkins, Greene and Sullivan. If approved, his bill would leave the decision up to district attorneys. Another bill he plans to introduce would create a Katie Beckett Waiver program, which would waive parents income when determining eligibility for TennCare coverage of disabled children. Theres recently been a push locally from several families of disabled children for the program to be enacted. States have the option to enact the federal program or variations of them. Lundberg said he supports creating the program because its unsatisfactory to him that the only options for families with disabled children who make too much money to qualify for TennCare coverage are to quit their jobs, get a divorce or move out of state. Its absolutely ridiculous and that should not be the policy of the state, he said. The bill is still being developed and Lundberg said hell have more details in a couple of weeks. Another local concern for which many constituents have asked legislators for help is more transparency from Ballad Health about operations decisions, which came to a head late last year when Ballad announced that Johnson City Medical Center will become the regions sole Level I trauma center, meaning it will provide the highest level of surgical care for the most seriously injured patients. Ballad was formed when the regions two health systems, Wellmont and Mountain States Health Alliance, merged in early 2018. The planned overhaul will downgrade Bristol Regional Medical Center from a Level II to a Level III trauma center; downgrade Holston Valley Medical Center from a Level I trauma center to a Level III; add a pediatric emergency room at BRMC; close the neonatal intensive care unit at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport; and shift all NICU operations to Niswonger Childrens Hospital in Johnson City. Ballads plans were met with backlash from residents and local leaders. The Sullivan and Hawkins county commissions approved resolutions opposing the changes. Lundberg didnt say he plans to carry a bill regarding Ballad, but he thinks portions of its Tennessee Certificate of Public Advantage, or COPA, and a law passed in Tennessee last year that keeps some operations information confidential will be reviewed by the legislature this year. The law signed by Gov. Bill Haslam on May 1, 2018, keeps pricing, financing, strategic business plans, employment issues and other proprietary and confidential business information from public disclosure. Well review what we passed in the past because legislation that not only created Ballad, but the other things that we did to keep some of that confidential, we may have to revisit some of that, he said. I think the formation of Ballad was strong and solid. As far as how they go about the decision-making process, if we need legislation to improve that transparency then well introduce it and pass it. Regarding statewide issues, Lundberg expects Medicaid expansion and sentencing reform proposals to come up. He said reform is critical to bring consistency to sentences because under current law, sentences vary for the same crime based on where people are charged. We need consistency thats what true justice is, Lundberg said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} A consistent threshold is needed, he added, so that everyone knows the minimum sentence theyll serve. Rep. Hill Because its early in the session, Hill only shared details about one bill he plans to carry, which would increase the penalty for violating orders of protection in the state. Under current law, a violation can mean a fine of $25, according to Hill, which he believes isnt enough. His bill seeks to raise the minimum fine to $250. The bill is the result of concern from a constituent, Hill said. Through the legislative process, it remains to be seen exactly where well end up, but we feel like, just like my constituent shared with me, there should be a required minimum because of how important the orders of protection are. Hill said he could end up carrying a bill to create a Katie Beckett Waiver program in the state, but because theres a lot of interest in the issue, he isnt sure yet who will carry it. Weve got a group of legislators that are very interested in the passage of the Katie Beckett Waiver, Hill said. Theyre certainly trying to bring care to the most vulnerable. As for Ballad, he expects constituents concerns will come up. Im certainly keenly aware of the concerns that people have voiced, he said. How does that translate into legislation or if theres a need for legislation? That remains to be seen. Rep. Crawford Crawford shared details on one bill he plans to carry that he believes would give money back to Tennessees counties. It would eliminate the state taking a portion of a 5 percent commission county registers retain from tax collections. A bill has already been introduced in the Senate. Crawford said he hopes the extra money could be used to update computer systems and software in the offices. Crawford wouldnt provide specifics, but said hell look into how to legislatively address the divide between Ballad Health, Sullivan County and the community. Im going to be looking at ways that we can fix this divide, he said. Theres got to be an answer to where we can all get along and do whats best for the community. I dont know how much can be done [by] the state, but I am willing to work with both sides to see if we cant get the problem fixed. Statewide issues Crawford expects to come back up are school vouchers and legalizing medical marijuana. He said he doesnt support school vouchers, which are funded by the government for students to redeem in place of tuition fees at private schools, because he believes they have the potential to hurt public school systems. We dont need to be doing anything that would take money away from our public schools and educating our children, Crawford said. Gov.-elect Bill Lee, who will be inaugurated on Saturday, has said he would support a pilot voucher program. Crawford said he hasnt taken a stance yet on legalizing medical marijuana because he wants to see more research from the medical community and listen to constituents views. Current trajectory During a legislative breakfast on Friday in Kingsport, Lundberg, Hill and Crawford said they plan to keep with the current trajectory of the state on issues and are looking forward to the new session. They didnt discuss specific goals. Representatives Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport, David Hawk, R-Greeneville, Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, and Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville also spoke, but only Hulsey and Hawk shared details of issues they plan to tackle during this years session. Hulsey plans to work on education, sentencing reform, the opioid epidemic, and mental health services issues. Hawk said he plans to focus on solutions to better support and fund drug addiction treatment and counseling. After the event, when asked about legislation to legalize medical marijuana, Lundberg said there needs to an open and honest argument among lawmakers about the issue because he believes those pushing for medical legalization are actually veiling their intent to legalize recreational marijuana. Lundberg said he doesnt think legalization of the drug for medical use is needed because its already available in the state by prescription to those with certain medical conditions. Under current law, whats allowed isnt marijuana its cannabis oil with less than 0.9 percent of THC and can only be prescribed to people with intractable seizures who are part of a clinical research study. When asked about the issue, Hill said he will keep an open mind. Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, announced Thursday they will introduce a bill that would allow patients diagnosed with certain illnesses to legally purchase marijuana products with a medical card from dispensaries that the state would license. 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. 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. 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. The husband of a woman who suffered a catastrophic stroke after the birth of their second child has said all he wants is to bring his wife home. Aleksandra Filak (34) suffered a stroke just three weeks after giving birth to her daughter Anastasia in November 2017. Following the stroke, the mum-of-two also suffered a bleed to the brain and was left in a condition known as "locked-in syndrome". Her condition prevents all movement and communication verbally due to the total paralysis of almost all muscles in her body, except for vertical eye movements and blinking. Polish native Aleksandra's husband, Marcin, said that there is no cure but added that Aleksandra can understand everything that is happening around her and can communicate with her young family by blinking her eyes. "My wife is at home for the weekend so she is in good form at the moment, but we want to be able to bring her home permanently," Marcin told the Herald. Expand Close Aleksandra Filak and Marcin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aleksandra Filak and Marcin Treatment Following the stroke, Aleksandra was sent to the Mater Hospital, where she underwent treatment for nine months before moving to the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire, where she has been for the past five months. "The NRH is a very good hospital and they are doing everything they can to help her," Marcin said. "I spend every day with her in the hospital and I have seen slight improvements, so I have some hope for the future. "Six months ago, her swallow was at 20pc, now it's at 80pc. "There have been some movements with her eyes too. "She suffers from double vision so can't see very much but that has improved slightly too. "I have to keep hope that things will continue to improve." Marcin, who is originally from Poland but now lives in Co Meath, said that he is waiting for a community nurse to become available so that his wife can be cared for at home. "Her doctors said she can come home for good but I can't bring her home until a nurse becomes available to look after her. "We are just waiting every day to bring her home. "It's very frustrating. We have no idea how long it will be until a nurse is available. Suitable "Aleksandra is happy at home and we all just want her home, but I can't do it all myself. "After Aleksandra became ill, I began looking for a new wheelchair-accessible house so that we could take her home at some point. "It took several months before I found a house suitable for us to rent. We have prepared everything now for her to come home. We are just waiting." Marcin is now the sole carer for the couple's two children Peter (13) and Anastasia (13 months). "At the moment, we are coping OK because we have some help. My mother and mother-in-law help me when they can and I'm very happy to have that help," he said. Marcin said that the local community has also been great and thanked everyone who has helped fundraise for the family. Marcin had to give up his job as an engineer in order to care for his family but hopes someday to return to work. "I spend every day in the hospital with Aleksandra. I am waiting for the day when I can have her at home with me." The HSE has been contacted for comment. An alleged Islamic State (IS) fighter arrested in Syria two weeks ago fraudulently gained Irish citizenship by marrying a British woman in a 3,000 sham marriage. The 36-year-old ex-wife of Alexandr Ruzmatovich Bekmirzaev confessed that her nine-year marriage to the Bela- rusian was a complete sham, describing it as "a very stupid, childish thing I did". The woman married Bekmirzaev in 2001 when she was a 17-year-old waitress living in Dublin away from her family. "He gave me 3,000, but I literally believed I was stopping someone from being sent back to a country where they would be killed," she said. "There was never romance, he wasn't my type, but he was my friend and I needed friends because I found it hard to make friends when I was living in Dublin. "He really needed help and I did what I thought was the right thing at the time." Bekmirzaev, who had registered ownership of a grocery store on Talbot Street, was captured by Kurdish-led forces in Syria in recent weeks. The Syrian Democratic Forces said he and his alleged fellow IS fighters were preparing to attack civilians when they were captured. Idiot The revelations that Bekmirzaev's citizenship was based on a lie comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar vowed that, as an Irish citizen, he would be entitled to consular assistance. The woman, who remained on good terms with Bekmirzaev for more than a decade, said she was "genuinely shocked" at news of his suspected involvement. "I can't believe he got himself wrapped up in that. What an idiot," she said. The woman was introduced to Bekmirzaev by a doorman at a pub where she worked shortly before they registered their marriage in January 2001. "I was only 17, but I had studied Russian in school for five or six years. A doorman in a pub off Grafton Street, where I worked, introduced us," she said. "To be honest, I thought about this for years afterwards, and I think they had that intention for us to marry from the beginning. "I think it was just the fact I had a British passport, I was on my own and I was young and vulnerable and that's why he befriended me. "The marriage was a very stupid and childish thing I did, but I literally believed I was stopping someone from being sent back to a country where they would be killed. "It was something afterwards I very much regretted doing. "I just think I was really stupid and very naive, and I regretted it." It is understood that although Bekmirzaev applied for asylum after arriving in Ireland in 2000, he withdrew this application and was granted residency status after he married the woman in January 2001. Remaining in Ireland and claiming more than five years of reckonable residence and marriage to an EU citizen, he was granted citizenship in 2010. Paul Keating was seen taking the package on CCTV footage A young man who stole a parcel of iPhones from a delivery depot had developed a cocaine problem and run up a drug debt, a court heard. Paul Keating (23) was seen on CCTV taking the package containing two phones worth a total of 738. Judge David McHugh said he would order him to carry out 240 hours of community service instead of a five-month prison sentence if he is found suitable. Keating, of Brookhaven Grove, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to theft. Blanchardstown District Court heard the incident happened at DPD Ireland, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, on January 12 last year. Sgt Maria Callaghan said the victim reported the theft on January 19, telling gardai he had viewed CCTV and saw Keating taking his parcel containing two iPhones. Spiralled When questioned, Keating said he took the parcel, but it contained only one mobile phone, and he sold it on to someone else. The property was not recovered. Keating also admitted separate motoring offences - driving without a licence or insurance three times in west Dublin in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Keating had five previous convictions for motoring offences. He had wanted to join the Army or fire brigade but went "off course," developed a cocaine problem and ran up a substantial drug debt. This got him into a lot of problems and things spiralled out of control, his lawyer said. He had now completely disassociated himself from peers he had been hanging around with and was looking for work. Judge McHugh ordered a community service suitability report and told Keating to pay compensation. The case was adjourned. This is the one-legged man accused of burgling a house in South Dublin before Christmas. Eddie Valentine (43), who has a prosthetic leg, allegedly climbed a wall during the incident, with gardai saying they identified him on CCTV footage by his "distinctive gait". The prosecution has been given more time to prepare its case against him after he was refused bail. Mr Valentine, of Carrickmount Drive, Rathfarnham, is charged with burglary at nearby Mountain View Park last December 16. He appeared via video-link when his case came before Cloverhill District Court. Ludicrous Judge Victor Blake was told the directions of the DPP were needed on the charge, which will determine whether the case remains in the district court or is sent for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. A garda sergeant said a file was being compiled and gardai would be seeking that the case is dealt with by trial on indictment. All disclosure documents had been provided to the accused's solicitor, the garda sergeant added. Judge Blake asked if the defendant was consenting to an adjournment. When his barrister conveyed this question to Mr Valentine, the accused, wearing a light grey tracksuit, replied: "Yeah, yeah." The judge confirmed that legal aid had been granted, before adjourning the case to February 8. Mr Valentine was further remanded in custody. Previously, Judge Patricia McNamara had refused to grant Mr Valentine bail when he was first taken before Tallaght District Court. In that hearing, Garda Austin Larkin objected to bail, citing the nature and seriousness of the allegations. He said it was alleged that the accused approached the house in question between 8pm and 9pm and knocked on the front door a number of times to see if anyone was in. It would be alleged that Mr Valentine went around the back of the house and climbed the wall. Gait Gda Larkin said the incident was captured on CCTV and he recognised Mr Valentine in the footage because of his "distinctive gait". Defence solicitor Michael Hennessy said it would be "physically impossible" for his client to climb over a wall given that he had a prosthetic leg, and the idea that he could do this or scale the roof of a house was "ludicrous". Gda Larkin said it was not ludicrous to suggest he could do such things, adding that he had seen the accused riding a bicycle "all the time". It was an "insane proposition" that Mr Valentine could perform such physical acts, Mr Hennessy said. Gda Larkin rejected this claim. Judge McNamara said she was refusing bail having considered the evidence. One of the Kinahan cartel's most senior associates will appear in court this morning following an international investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering. Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh (51) is due to appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court after a combination torch and stun gun was discovered during a search targeting his trafficking network in the UK. The Drimnagh man has been a long-term target of several national garda units and is suspected of controlling a lucrative drugs patch in the UK's Midlands. Sources have described the operation between UK police agencies and gardai as one of the most significant joint criminal investigations between both countries. Mansion On Saturday, members of the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), assisted by gardai, searched Kavanagh's luxurious mansion in the affluent Staffordshire neighbourhood of Tamworth. Expand Close Freddie Thompson and Thomas Kavanagh at David Byrnes funeral / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Freddie Thompson and Thomas Kavanagh at David Byrnes funeral Kavanagh, along with a 20-year-old associate, was arrested at Birmingham Airport after the 51-year-old stepped off a flight. The NCA said that he was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to import and supply drugs, firearms and ammunition, as well as money laundering offences. While he has not yet been charged over the long-running investigation into his trafficking enterprise, UK police discovered a stun gun during the searches on Saturday - which are illegal to own and possess in the UK. "Thomas Kavanagh, of Tamworth, was detained as he arrived at Birmingham Airport, and arrested on suspicion of conspiring to import and supply drugs, firearms and ammunition, as well as money laundering," a spokesperson for the NCA said. Expand Close Gardai and officers from the National Crime Agency raid Thomas Kavanaghs home / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gardai and officers from the National Crime Agency raid Thomas Kavanaghs home "NCA officers, supported by colleagues from An Garda Siochana and Staffordshire Police, conducted a number of searches and recovered a combination torch and stun gun - which is illegal to own and possess in the UK. "Kavanagh was remanded in custody overnight and will appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court. "A 20-year-old man, who was arrested alongside Kavanagh at Birmingham Airport, has been released under investigation. "A third man, aged 19, was also arrested and released under investigation," the spokesperson added. Originally from Drimnagh, Kavanagh has been a long-term associate of the Kinahan cartel and is related to top cartel lieutenant Liam Byrne through marriage. He has rarely returned to Dublin since leaving almost 10 years ago after being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). However, he was spotted at the funeral of his brother-in-law David Byrne, who was shot dead in the Regency Hotel murder in February 2016. The CAB has previously described 'Bomber' Kavanagh as directing a wider organised crime network in Birmingham. As well as operating in the British Midlands, gardai suspect that Kavanagh also directs operations of the Kinahan cartel's Irish associates based in Liverpool. In October 2017, the NCA dealt a major blow to Kavanagh's network when around 5.5m of drugs and more than 225,000 (252,000) in cash were seized in raids across the Midlands and Dover. Allies "For the purpose of tackling organised crime groups, An Garda Siochana has commenced the new year in the manner in which it intends to proceed in 2019 - by engaging in the most impactful possible co-operation with law enforcement authorities at an international level," said Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll, who is in charge of Special Crime Operations. "In this regard, the UK National Crime Agency is one of our most important allies, with whom we share a common desire to put organised crime groups who operate within the Common Travel Area out of business. "An Garda Siochana will not make any comment regarding any particular operation which is currently ongoing," Mr O'Driscoll added. Kavanagh has also come to the attention of UK police previously, having been given a suspended sentence in 2017 over a 85,000 fraud. Some 276 families became newly homeless after being issued with notices to quit by landlords in the space of six months. Of these, 162 provided reasons for their terminations, with more than 80pc of the reasons being that the landlord wanted to renovate, sell or have the property for family use. The figures from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) come after a number of leading figures addressing the crisis called for more secure tenancy laws. These families declared as homeless between January and June 2018 across the Dublin region. Support The DRHE said that, on first presentation, families fill out an initial assessment for placement and support purposes in which they are asked to detail the reason or reasons they have become homeless. It detailed that of 162 which provided details of their eviction, 87 were told by the landlord that they intended to sell the property. Another 25 landlords said they required the property for their own or family use, while a further 24 had to vacate the rental property because the landlord intended to renovate it. The remaining reasons were that 33 were in rent arrears, eight landlords went into receivership and another eight proved unsuitable accommodation for the tenant. It said that six more were invalid or illegal notices of termination. Last month, Dublin City Council housing boss Brendan Kenny and Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid told the Herald the majority of those presenting as newly homeless were as a result of eviction in notices to quit. Mr Reid said this accounted for around 70pc and was rising, while Mr Kenny said it was more than 50pc in his council. "We're still getting about 200 families a month coming in presenting as homeless, mainly coming from the private rented sector. We've a private rental sector that's dysfunctional, it's just not working and that's the biggest issue for us," Mr Kenny said. Ruined The council assistant chief executive insisted every effort was being done on its part to provide more accommodation but evictions were undoing that work. "All that's being ruined by the fact that the amount of presentations coming in has been increasing all the time," he added. Mr Reid pointed out that Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has committed to bringing in legislation on this issue -which he says has come on the back of councils' pressure. Meanwhile, homelessness campaigner Fr Peter McVerry has repeatedly called for regulations to be brought in to prevent anyone being evicted from homes into homelessness for a number of years during the crisis in order to alleviate the situation. The Tri-States TRUSTED news source. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to Herald-Dispatch. Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists. Learn more about HD Media 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. POLICE are searching for an escaped rhea which has been disrupting traffic in Peppard and Sonning Common. Thames Valley Police were called at 11.47am yesterday (Sunday) to help capture the bird after the bird was seen in the road at Chiltern Bank, Peppard Common. The rhea, which can run at speeds of 40 mph, evaded officers and was later seen in Shiplake Bottom and Hilcrest Lane, and is still on the run. Officers posted a picture of the bird to Twitter with the message: This fella on the loose causing a few road issues in Sonning Common, when we approached him he gave it the legs! For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Henley Standard, out on Friday. Picture: Thames Valley Police A WOMAN has spoken of her delight after breeding a litter of one of the rarest types of dog in Britain. Lavinia Bolton, who lives near Wyfold, was thrilled when her two-and-a-half-year-old dandie dinmont terrier Jemma gave birth to five male puppies. She named them Roger, Mikey, Pepper, Salty and Billy with help from her daughter Charlotte Snowden and granddaughter Audrey, 12. The breed, which is named after a Sir Walter Scott character, is so rare that only 79 puppies were registered with the Kennel Club in 2015 and just 80 the next year. Originating in the Scottish Borders, the dogs were first bred to kill badgers and otters. Mrs Bolton bought Jemma when she was a puppy more than two years ago as she had always wanted a dandie dinmont. She said: They are very rare. We went to Crufts three years ago and put our name down for one. Within a month a litter came up for sale in High Wycombe. She chose Jemma and decided to breed from her when she was old enough. She went through the Kennel Club and Dandie Dinmont Association and Jemma was paired with a Crufts champion dandie dinmont called Harley, owned by a woman in Plymouth. Mrs Bolton said: She came into season and went down to Plymouth to stay with her new husband for a week and she came back pregnant. I took her to the vet and they said I had to have an X-ray to see how many puppies there were. They couldnt keep her still enough to scan her and thought there were four heartbeats. Usually they have two or three and the fact we had five was, I think, due to better feeding. The puppies arrived 10 weeks ago. Mrs Bolton said: I sat up with Jemma all night and she gave birth with no help from me whatsoever. Shes the most wonderful mum. She did everything for the first three weeks. All five puppies have now been sold via the Kennel Club and are due to leave home soon. I had so many offers, I could have sold them 10 times over, said Mrs Bolton. Because they were all boys I thought it was going to be difficult. One has been sold for 1,400 to a buyer in Finland while others are going to homes in Padstow, Uttoxeter, Reading and Norfolk. Mrs Bolton said she would miss the puppies after getting into a routine with them. She said: I just fell in love with their faces they have got this really puppy face and big eyes. I havent been able to go anywhere because they are fed at 8am, noon, 4pm and 8pm. It has curtailed my social life! They are totally loving and lovable but they rule the household. She intends to breed Jemma again in a years time.from Audrey, a pupil at Langtree School in Woodcote, said the puppies were about as big as her hand when they were born. She said: It has been really fun, especially when we could let them outside. They are older and more playful now so they sort of attack you. Im going to be quite sad when they leave. Roger is my favourite so Im going to be quite upset when he has gone. Ms Snowden said: They have been lots of fun they are such amazing characters, especially Roger. I like watching mum walk across the yard followed by five puppies. It has been a pleasure to have them and well be sad to see them go. They are so cute. El Paso owner opens Mariscos seafood restaurant The first clue that Mariscos is unlike its sister restaurants is whats missing. When you sit down, no basket of tortilla chips arrives, nor bowls of sauce. Whats up? Mariscos, owner Mauricio Montanos third El Paso-branded restaurant and fourth overall (he also owns Tequilas), is a seafood restaurant, mostly. Its still Mexican again, mostly, one lunch item is a tuna sandwich with fries and offers a seven-page supper menu of everything from cheese sticks and oysters on the half shell to deep fried snapper to the $49.99 Parrilla Deluxe skillet loaded with lobster, skirt steak, shrimp, plantains and vegetables. Montano said he wanted Mariscos to be different from his more conventional Mexican restaurants on Spartanburg Highway and in the Best Western on Sugarloaf Road. Hes achieved that, both in decor and menu. A renovated space in Plaza La Fiesta on Asheville Highway, the dining room is spacious and colorful, with walls painted the color of sky and sea. Instead of the chips, a server brings a cup of drinkable fish soup and a mini-loaf of bread. Its a completely different concept, Montano said. People come in and ask for what they have at El Paso. Mariscos lacks some of those menu items, for sure. Theres no refried beans, for instance. Ask directions to the salsa bar and youll find out theres not one. But theres still plenty of the regular fare, too. Lunch specials include chimichangas, burrito wraps, quesadillas and, of course, fish tacos. Mariscos real ambitions are evidenced in the night-time menu, which includes lobster, 11 different camarone (prawn) dishes ($14.99), eight other seafood specialties ($11-15) and five famous skillets with chicken or steak ($14-19). Appetizers include a plate of wings for $8.99, oysters ($18.99 for a dozen), seafood broth with shrimp and crab legs and shrimp ($8.99) and cheese empanadas ($9.99). Dessert includes pastel tres leches ($4.99), fried ice cream ($3.49) and flan Napolitano ($4.99). The restaurant also has a full bar serving beer (including 12 Mexican brands), wine, Margaritas and other mixed drinks. * * * * * Mariscos El Paso, in Plaza La Fiesta at 2111 Asheville Highway, is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Phone: 828-513-4118. Havre Police Department A caller at an 11th Street West business asked to speak with an officer at 9:22 a.m. Friday. -- A caller at a Montana State University-Northern residence hall reported a head-on crash between two vehicles Friday at 9:55 a.m. -- A hit-and-run vehicle crash was reported at a U.S. Highway 2 West business at 12:26 p.m. Friday. -- A hit-and-run vehicle crash was reported on First Avenue Friday at 3:35 p.m. -- A motor vehicle crash was reported on Ninth Street Friday at 4:41 p.m. -- Geno Valdez Menard of Havre, 21, was issued a summon on a charge of criminal contempt at the police station Friday at 7:08 p.m. in relation to a drug patch violation. -- David Larry Sanchez Jr. of Harlem, 33, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license and on two Justice or City court warrants during a vehicle stop Friday at 7:54 p.m. on Fifth Avenue West, that was prompted by a suspicious activity report from a Blaine County official on First Street West at 7:47 p.m. Friday. -- A caller at an 11th Street West business reported Friday at 10:19 p.m. a woman stole a phone charger. -- A gray Chevrolet pickup truck was reported stolen Saturday at 1:49 a.m. on Second Avenue. -- A purse was reported stolen at a First Street business at 9:27 a.m. Saturday. -- A gas drive-off was reported from an 11th Street West business Saturday at 4:43 p.m. -- Verlas Reylynne Chiefstick of Box Elder, 59, was arrested on charges of probation violation, disorderly conduct and theft of labor or services after a Havre business caller asked for assistance with a woman Saturday at 5:19 p.m. -- Avery Jordan Boe of Hays, 34, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant after a caller at a First Street business reported a man was passed out on a bench Sunday at 7:06 a.m. -- Montana Department of Transportation reported Sunday at 12:03 p.m. that a vehicle had run into one of their gates. -- Officers assisted with an ambulance call on Second Avenue Sunday at 12:28 p.m. -- A Second Street caller reported Sunday at 12:57 p.m. finding needles in her backyard. -- Officers assisted a Seventh Avenue caller Sunday at 1:04 p.m. with retrieving some property from another person. -- Matthew Michael Converse of Havre, 41, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license during a vehicle stop Sunday at 1:06 p.m. on 13th Street. -- Alan Patrick Romero of Havre, 57, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant served on Second Street Sunday at 3:04 p.m. -- An officer-initiated vehicle stop on Second Avenue Sunday at 3:23 p.m. prompted an investigation, but no arrest was made. -- Courtney Storm Oelke of Havre, 23, was arrested on a charge of false reports to law enforcement, after she called in a noise complaint on 16th Street West at 2:25 a.m. today. Hill County Sheriff's Office Jason Stewart of Havre, 41, was arrested on a state District Court warrant and a Justice or City court warrant at Hill County Detention Center Friday at 2:19 p.m. -- Alesia Joyce Cantrell of Box Elder, 28, was issued a summons on a shoplifting charge after a caller at a U.S. Highway 2 West business reported a shoplifter Friday at 6:51 p.m. -- David Larry Sanchez Jr. of Harlem, 33, was arrested on a possession of dangerous drugs charge on intake at the detention center Friday at 10:15 p.m. -- Sally Jo Miller of Havre, 70, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant at the detention center after Miller stopped there at 4:20 p.m. to visit someone. -- Emory Jay Lamere of Box Elder, 39, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license and on a Justice or City court warrant during a vehicle stop in Box Elder Sunday at 1:30 a.m. -- Matthew Michael Converse of Havre, 41, was arrested on charges of possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia upon intake at the detention center Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Montana Highway Patrol A single-vehicle crash was reported to the Montana Highway Patrol Sunday at 3:23 a.m. on U.S. Highway 2 West near the former Havre Kmart. The vehicle has driven off the road and crashed into a light pole, minor injuries were reported. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical personnel responded to one call Friday, one call Saturday, six calls Sunday and one call early this morning. -- Firefighters were called to the 10 Block of Third Avenue for a stove-top grease fire Friday at 11:44 a.m., but the fire was extinguished before HFD's arrival. Havre Animal Shelter The Havre shelter this morning held two medium-hair cats, one long-hair 8-month-old kitten and two long-hair 26-week-old kittens of unknown gender and six medium-hair male cats. -- The Havre shelter this morning also held a male American bulldog, three female mixed-breed dogs, a female Labrador retriever dog, a female Anatolian shepherd/husky 10-month-old puppy and a male pit bull-Labrador 9-month-old puppy. Births A girl was born Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, to Tonya S. and Walter Buckland of Havre. Big Equipment owner Ron Harmon and his son Tim Harmon stand Saturday in front of their new building, which is under construction. The Harmons expect the building to be operational by springtime or early summer. From the ashes of a fire that burnt down Big Equipment on Christmas Eve 2017, new growth is happening right now, Ron and Tim Harmon said. Big Equipment owner Ron Harmon said construction of a new facility on the site of Big Equipment just south of the intersection of U.S. highways 2 and 87 is only Phase One of their project to rebuild the facility and grow the company. With time, he added, they can expand the business and build new Big Bud tractors. Big Equipment specializes in working on large farm equipment, especially Big Bud Tractors. Harmon bought the Havre company in the 1970s, and manufactured the two largest tractors in the world. Harmon said, rather than the fire being a complete negative, they have taken it as a way to expand the business and explore new opportunities for the company. Phase One, he said, is building a dealership as well as getting their management, sales and parts department up and running. "We want to take a little while to figure out what Phase Two will look like," he said. The new dealership that they are building, Harmon said, is fully capable of expanding over time, even doubling if needed. He added that the new facility in construction, now, will be approximately 12,000 square feet. The previous Big Equipment building, which housed both the rebuild operations as well as all the other operations for the company, he said, was 40,000 square feet, although, he added, that space was not efficient for the operation. "We knew we needed a more uniform facility for parts, sales and a training center," he said. "We're excited about it; we think that this will allow Big Equipment to grow and do a better job with its customers and run a better organization." He added that another change is that they have hired Dan Spiker as the general manager with Spiker handling the day-to-day operation for the company. Harmon said they have also brought in a new service manager and another sales person. He said they had a specific idea of what they wanted it to look like if they were going to bring new management in and do it differently. They have accomplished goals in both areas, he said. "I think we got some really, really good people we have brought in," Harmon said. "If it weren't for our customers, first off our employees, that have stuck with us, this would not be here," Harmon said. "I mean, it just wouldn't be here, there would be no reason for it, so we want to give high accolades to our customers, to our employees." His son, Harmon Properties Vice President Tim Harmon, said in a separate interview that because of the fire the company was able to start new and rebuild. He said the new facility that is being built will be specifically a dealership and a parts store. The construction Ron Harmon said before they could work on constructing the new building they had to remove the debris and conduct a complete tear down of what was left of the old facility after the fire. Due to the harsh winter last year, that process took months, he said, but they were already beginning to plan the new facility and how they could restructure the company. They knew that they didn't want all of the operations under one roof this time, he said Harmon said that he expects to be able to be in the the new building by spring or early summer of this year. The new facility will be more customer-friendly, he said, as well as having a number of amenities that were not previously available. "We are not trying to rush this along. We want a quality facility," he said. Clausen and Sons Construction is doing a beautiful job in building it, he added. He said architect Becky Miller has really "stepped up to bat" and helped them achieve their our goals on what the building should be and what it should look like and how to meet their needs. Harmon said that Big Equipment has been doing very well over the past year despite of the fire. The changes in the new building, he said, will allow them to expand and provide much better support to their customers. He added that this will provide a more-efficient work space and a more-efficient parts sales department. The equipment they use is not getting less technical, it is getting more technical, Harmon said "What we think we are able to do with this facility is to step up and address that," he added. One of the new additions to Big Equipment's facility will be a media center used to educate employees and customers on how to safely and properly use their equipment, he said. "We are going to be using that a lot," he said. "We see that as the future in the ag business, that knowledge must be shared with your suppliers and vendors, it must be shared with your employees, and, further, it must be shared with your customer base." He added that he believes that idea is a new trend for the agricultural business. "This is the future," he said. " ... It is absolutely necessary," he added. "We can't just keep going down this road with this technological equipment and just expect everyone to, I don't know, just learn it through osmosis. We gotta do better than that. For us this is way more than just another office building." The new facility will also have a large area for parts and a coffee bar for customers, he said. Harmon said he wants the new building to be welcoming to people who come in and have his employees working with customers on what their needs are and providing supports and service the best way possible. "It's time to get back to the basics," he said. "The idea of this building is that when you step in through the front door, you don't have to go to other parts of the building to get what you need as a customer," he added. "Whether it be sales, whether it be a training center, whether it be the parts department, it's not in multiple facilities. Pretty much everything that affects this business will be managed out of here." The past year Big Equipment has been renting office space near the Atrium Mall for the past year, Harmon said. They have also leasee a shop, west of town, where employees can specifically work on rebuilds and repairs. He said acquiring this building in the early months of 2018 allowed them to quickly get up and get servicing taken care of. Harmon added that business has, in fact, grown in the past year. "The ag business, meaning farmers in our region, equipment business has been challenging over the past two to three years," Harmon said. "Commodity prices being the No. 1 problem, you have to have healthy farmers to buy new or used equipment. That hasn't improved much over the past year but, overall, sales and business have grown over the past year, after the fire. We are a bit surprised at that." The rebirth of the Big Bud tractors Harmon said that he believes that it is hard to be all things to all people and harder to be good at everything and that is why Big Equipment has contracted with Rome Industries to build new Big Bud tractors. He said that they have an agreement with Rome Industries, a company and has been in the agricultural industry for a long period of time that does quality work, to do the manufacturing. He added that there is no timeline yet for when Big Buds will be back in production. Big Bud is world-famous for manufacturing the Big Bud 747, the largest farm tractor in the world, along with more than 500 other heavy-duty articulated tractors, most of which still are in use. Recently, Big Equipment upgraded a Big Bud for a customer, making that tractor the second-largest in the world. Tim Harmon said that it would take tens of millions of dollars to build a facility to build Big Bud tractors themselves, so Big Equipment decided to contract out the manufacture of the tractors. Rome Industries has shown interest for a long period of time, Harmon added, and with the company's reputation, he believes they will do a good job. Harmon said that the tractors may be made outside of Havre, but the tractors' roots will always be firmly planted in Havre and Big Equipment will have them available once they go into production. Ron Harmon said that since the fire he has received a number of phone calls from all across the country as well as overseas regarding the future of the Big Bud tractors. While the No. 1 thing Big Equipment stands for is that technology is a good thing, Harmon said, major companies have gone too far with making specific, specialized equipment that only specialists can work on. He said he believes that when they are building tractors, they should go back to standardized components and go back to tractors that most anybody can fix. He added that this has been lost over the past few years within the industry. "We believe in building heavier-duty tractors and components than what are generally offered with the major industry," he said. Havre Daily News/Ryan Berry The engine components of a Big Bud tractor, intact despite being in a 2017 fire, rest in the former Big Equipment facility Saturday. Portions of the tractors are burnt and disintegrated but much of each machine is in relatively good shape, Tim Harmon said. He said the new Big Bud tractors will be utilizing higher technology when needed but standardized higher technology so that most mechanics know how to work on it. The customer needs options, he added. In the past there used to be 13 manufacturers back in the 1980s, now, he said, there are maybe four. Harmon said people need more and more competition in the market to assure better equipment. Tim Harmon said that Big Equipment receives numerous complaints from customers that the equipment that they purchase is over-complicated and over-specialized. "Instead of trying to be all things to all people, make equipment that can be worked on by all people," Ron Harmon said. "That is how it has to be." He added that it has been fun taking Big Equipment to where it is today. "We have been blessed with some experiences that have been helpful and supportive to some of the decisions that they are having to make now," he said. " ... We are not going to lose where we were at before." I love fish the way they look, the way they fry up, the secret lives they live u It is now clear that Trump isnt waiting for a better moment. This was not an anomaly. Its not an accident. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Haiti - News : Zapping... Venezuela : Deputy Gary Bodeau denounces "I denounce with the utmost severity the Government intimidation and repression against the Parliament of Venezuela. The arrest of the Speaker of the National Assembly Juan Guaido [Note HL: member of the opposition released a few hours after his arrest Sunday] is unacceptable. No parliamentarian shall be persecuted or deprived of liberty in the exercise of his functions," Deputt Gary Bodeau, Speaker of the Lower House. Promise for a safer 2019 year Ronsard Saint-Cyr, the Secretary of State for Public Security has promised on the radio of the capital that the year 2019 will be safer than 2018, ensuring that for this purpose, strategies are already in process to be implemented... Diaspora France : 300 artists supporting Haiti The support concert in Haiti, organized Saturday, January 12, 2019 by the Toulouse school Gospel Walk, Zenith Toulouse, brought together 300 artists. And allowed to collect 10,000 euros which will be donated to two humanitarian associations that help children in Haiti, Haiti center of life and Culture Gospel South. "Between Propaganda and Realities" In the 164-page book of the Chamber of Deputies published in the C3 Editions "Chamber of Deputies : Between Propaganda and Realities" the Chamber presents the results of its work since the opening of the 50th Parliament in 2016 and the prospects for the new legislative year which opens this Monday, January 14, 2019. This report, which presents a condensed texts of laws and conventions, reports 3 ratified agreements and conventions and 31 law projects and 15 bills voted. Mandatory vest for motorcyclists Ronsard Saint-Cyr, the Secretary of State for Public Security announces that the wearing of vests by motorcyclists in Petion-ville and Delmas will be implemented in February before spreading throughout the country. 500 Gourdes will be claimed from the concerned. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Petit-Goave : Support for the candidacy of Senator Senatus, as new President of the Senate While end this Monday, January 14, the term of the Senate Speaker, Senator Joseph Lambert and a new President will be elected to replace him, the Federation of "Youth Organizations" and "Organizations for the Defense of the Family" working at the level of the Region of Palmes supports the candidacy of Senator Jean Renel Senatus aka "Zokiki" to the Presidency of the Senate. Sunday at a press conference in Petit-Goave, Dorvil Walter, coordinator of "Konbit Jen Lide Ayisyen", Joseph Reginald, President of "Inisyativ Sitwayen Pou Sove Fanmi yo", Maxilien Denis, coordinator of "oganizasyon Jen Devwe Pou avansman", engineer Nazaire Pierre-Louis, coordinator of "Mouvman Jen Pwogresis" asked other Senators to choose their colleague Senatus as the new president of the Upper House. They justified their position by citing, among other things, the positive results of the actions taken by Senator Senatus at the head of the Justice, Defense and Security Commission, his proposals for legislation, his competence, his determination, his sense of responsibility, his conciliatory nature, his concern to defend the higher interests of the Nation, his stand in favor of the most deprived and his relations with all sectors of national life [...] affirming in conclusion "The youth sees in Senatus a father responsible and a friend of sustainable change [...] Youth and the family support competence, change, will and morality, and we rely on each Senator's understanding." HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goave) Haiti - Education : Minister Cadet's important mission to Washington D.C. At the invitation of the Global Partnership in Education (GPE), Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of Education National, at thye head of a delegation left the country Sunday, January 13 to Washington DC to participate, on 14 January 16, 2019 at a high level Technical Workshop. This activity is part of the finalization of the 10-Year Education and Training Plan (PDEF) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25804-haiti-politic-last-line-for-the-education-and-training-ten-year-plan2018-2028.html and of financing of education projects in Haiti by the v. This is an essential step in the partnership between the GPE and Haiti, which should ultimely lead to the access to a funding of $16.5 million for the country to support education projects. The Haitian delegation includes, among others, Delima Pierre, Director General of the National Office for Partnership in Education (ONAPE), Jackson Pleteau Chief of Staff to Minister Cadet, Bayard Lapommeray, Director of the Unit of Studies and Programming (UEP) and the Inspector General, Mr. Gustave Joseph. The Minister and the delegation will be back home on January 17. In her absence, Mrs. Greta Clement Roy, Minister of Health will act as interim of Minister Cadet. See also https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25349-haiti-politic-end-of-consultations-on-the-10-year-education-plan.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25804-haiti-politic-last-line-for-the-education-and-training-ten-year-plan2018-2028.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : First flight of Haitians deported from the Bahamas expected today This Monday, Jan. 14, the Bahamas authorities are expected to deport to Haiti, a first group of 45 Haitians out of 311 Haitian immigrants who have entered the archipelago irregularly since the beginning of 2019, according to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) which specifies that after the passage before the local courts, the process of extradition began for these Haitians in irregular migratory situation. The Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Hubert Minnis, who recently spoke on the issue of illegal immigration pointed out that the increase in the number of illegal arrivals of Haitians represented a threat to society, affecting the health system, education and the economy and a firm response will be given "We continue to deal with this issue very aggressively because it can pose a threat not only to our economy, but also to our national security." Let's recall that nearly 70,000 immigrants (18% of the population of the Bahamas) live on this territory, most of them in an irregular situation, including at least 50,000 Haitians. RBDF officials pointed out that immigrant smuggling is on the rise because of the particular wind conditions that favor the arrival of boats from Haiti. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26633-icihaiti-social-130-haitian-boat-people-intercepted-off-the-bahamas.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26594-icihaiti-bahamas-4th-boat-of-illegal-haitian-migrants-intercepted-in-7-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26565-haiti-bahamas-16-haitian-boat-people-intercepted-east-of-south-beach.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25309-haiti-flash-the-bahamas-will-demolish-all-slums-where-haitians-live.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12477-haiti-politic-the-hunt-for-illegals-is-open-to-the-bahamas.html SL/ HaitiLibre Two years ago, Oppo attended MWC 2017 but didnt showcase a smartphone. Instead, the company chose to announce the worlds first dual camera with 5x zoom. Now the company is ready to go even further and is sending out media invites for its 10x lossless zoom solution. The event will take place in Beijing, China, on January 16. The current 5x setup is essentially a 5P lens, followed by a 90-degree angular prism that directs the light to a vertically positioned camera sensor. The OIS unit is put on the other end, so it would work even when the zoom is maxed out. Chinese sources say there is scarce information if Oppo is launching an actual market-ready smartphone or is just demoing a new technology. Since we are yet to see their phone with 5x zoom hit the shelves, the 10x introduction is likely to be on a prototype device. Source (in Chinese) | Via Samsung's new M series smartphones are supposed to finally launch later this month. In the meantime, more and more details are leaking out. Today we get a couple of images that seem to be part of the upcoming M20's manual. They show us that water drop notch (for Samsung's Infinity-V display), as well as the fact that the headphone jack is in - nestled at the bottom near the USB-C port. The Galaxy M20 has a dual rear camera system, as well as a fingerprint scanner in its vicinity. The volume and power keys are on the right. The handset has a 6.3-inch LCD panel with 1080x2340 resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio, with a pixel density of 409 ppi. A 5,000 mAh battery keeps the lights on, while the M20 measures 156.4 x 74.5 x 8.8 mm and weighs 183g. The rear cameras are a 13 MP unit with f/1.9 aperture and 1.12m pixels, as well as a secondary 5 MP shooter for depth information. Powering the device is Samsung's Exynos 7885 SoC, aided by 3GB of RAM and 32 or 64GB of storage. It runs Android 8.1 Oreo. The entire Galaxy M series is expected to launch in India first, where it will be exclusive to Amazon. Source (in Dutch) It's official: the foldable Galaxy phone will be fully unveiled on February 20 Samsung announced that the Galaxy S10 phones will be Unpacked on February 20. Now the company officially confirms that the foldable Galaxy F phone will be on stage as well. This info comes from a couple of Samsung billboards in Place de la Concorde, Paris. The first reads (in Korean) The future unfolds, the second February 20. This isnt a Google Translate reading either, the Samsung press release offers this translation. Photos of the billboards in question The phone was announced late last year, but few details were given. It was also demoed at CES for a select audience. However, little has been made public about it - even the name hasn't been confirmed ("Galaxy F" is more of a placeholder). Source I have always played the mediator role in the relationships in my life. From breaking up playground feuds or acting as an impromptu therapist between couples during high school, it was no wonder I ended up studying internal communications. From both my life experiences and my studies, my biggest take away was that for communication to work, everyone needs to know what is expected of them and, more importantly, why those expectations exist. Related: How to Bond With Your Employees Without Compromising Your Authority This is especially true in the workplace. And let me tell you, my friend's fight over who got to keep the signed Nirvana poster after their breakup has nothing over some of the office drama I've seen go down between employees and managers over mishandled communication. Employees and managers. In most companies, there is a big communication gap between managers and employees, and it has a strong effect on employee engagement rates. Employee engagement in the U.S. is, according to Gallup, around 34 percent. That means most people are not satisfied or emotionally invested in their workplace. You can work to fix this. Managers should take time to understand their employees. Workers should be aware of their companys goals. As a leader, you can make sure your employees trust you and know why you are leading them the way that you do. This will keep all sides engaged. The scope of mishandled communication. Transparent communication in a team is something you as a leader should feel personally responsible for. Jordan Wyner from Bonfyre writes, When C-suite or mid-level leaders choose not to participate, it sends an equally loud message to employees. Whether your team realizes it or not, leadership communication and participation directly affect how employees perceive and value corporate initiatives. Related: As a Leader, You Need to Be Both Positive and Aggressive How to you measure the impact. The clear benefit here is that both employees and managers get that they are working towards the same goal. Because, in the end, everyone from the CEO to sales intern work towards the same thing -- success of the company. This will have a strong impact on your employee engagement and happiness. A great example of this approach to goals and communication is Google. They have used the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) methodology since before they had 40 people in the company. OKRs solve one of the main issues between managers and employees. It gives both sides enough information about what is going on. And yes, managers care more about this info. It is their job is to grade and analyze this information. But employees will also have an opportunity to stay in the know -- and that will help many of them.. Objectives and Key Results: The Book says that there are three main benefits for the system: Always knowing what people are working on Having enough information to make decisions Focusing on the work that matters These are also the three aspects that make sure you can reduce the gap between your employees, managers and the C-suite. If everyone has enough information about other peoples work, theyll understand that they are all in this together. Related: Want to Be a Great Leader? Here's Why Personal Mastery Is the Single Best Place to Start. Gaining an edge. If you are not sure what the best way is to measure your teams engagement, there are a lot of resources out there. For instance, Erik van Lupen writes about the topic at length in his AIHR blog. And if you are one of the organizations that actually works on the problem, youre in luck, as you have a clear advantage over those who do not. While this gap between different levels of an organization isnt always a big problem, it can turn into one really quickly, especially when people with the wrong attitude are in charge or when the company is growing very quickly. So remember, if your company doesnt care enough to understand its employees, youll be face with disengagement, slow communication and, worse, people leaving. You can avoid this. Related: Reducing the Communication Gap Between Employees and Management Five Reasons Why Chatbots are the Future of Customer Service The 3 Types of Communication You Need to Maintain Your Business Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The following are recent arrests released by the Danbury Police Department on Jan. 14, 2019. Jan. 11, 2019 A 23-year-old Franklin Street male was charged with permitting a minor to have possession of alcohol. Jan. 13, 2019 A 19-year-old Hayestown Heights male was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, possession of less then half-an-ounce of cannabis, interfering with an officer, and disorderly conduct. A 29-year-old Milford female was charged with sixth-degree larceny. A 19-year-old Austin Street female was charged with evading the responsibility of injury or property damage and failure to drive upon right. A 59-year-old Hillandale Road male was charged with disorderly conduct. A 29-year-old Virginia Avenue female was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault, and threatening. As of January 2019, Hearst Connecticut Media does not include names in online police blotters. The tech industry has proven time and time again that theres nowhere to go but up, and proof of this lies with the fact that some of the deserving heroes behind this growth are actually heroines. Women may not populate the industry as much as their male counterparts, but just stop a moment and take a look at all the awards and conferences out there now dedicated to women in tech and business: We're talking the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Women in Silicon Valley annual conference. Related: Why Gender Diversity In Tech Matters If these symbols of prestige tell us anything, its that the world is pushing for more women to take the lead. Women are stepping up to the challenge. Until the time comes when the industry offers all women equal opportunity and representation, the following six up-and-coming women are role models and evidence of female leaders making tech waves from multiple corners of the globe. Image credit: JP Yim | Getty Images Sophia Amoruso A few years ago, you might have heard about Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso and her unlikely story of having built a multi-million-dollar online vintage clothing store. Her rags-to-riches story -- and New York Times bestselling autobiography -- arguably catapulted the #Girlboss lifestyle to mainstream fame. But then disaster hit; and after Nasty Gals very public bankruptcy filing in 2016, Amoruso stepped down as CEO and sold the company. That didnt stop her entrepreneurial journey, however. After Nasty Gal, Amoruso founded Girlboss Media, an L.A.-based media company churning out online content and hosting annual conferences for career-oriented women and women entrepreneurs. This year, 2019, shes waded into the tech industry by developing a women-exclusive social networking platform (also named GirlBoss) meant to fill the gaps that even professional social site LinkedIn is missing. Image credit: Bloomberg | Getty Images Edith Harbaugh With more than 10 years of experience in product, engineering and marketing for both consumer and enterprise startups, Edith Harbaugh has topped off her impressive track record iwith her newest brainchild, LaunchDarkly: a company and product thats making waves for any business that tackles product development. Harbaugh first noticed the product development problems she works on in previous jobs; instead of waiting for solutions to come, she created them herself. Today, LaunchDarkly is a feature-management platform designed to help software developers control the entire lifecycle of product development and launch. The platform has been such a hit in recent years that Harbaugh has landed huge clients -- the likes of GoPro and Microsoft -- while receiving millions of dollars in funding. Image credit: Karma Elsa Bernadotte Sustainability and zero waste take the front seat in founder Elsa Bernadottes app. In 2015, Karma became the first Swedish-born app that connects grocery stores, cafes and restaurants to eager customers who want to buy unsold food at discounted prices. Related: 4 Keys to Bringing More Women Into the Tech Industry Bernadotte envisions a more eco-conscious world, so shes leading the way with Karma one food provider at a time. The companys efforts of fighting global food waste have landed Bernadotte a spot on the 2018 Forbes 30 under 30 list, while her company has been tbagged one of Wired UKs top 100 hottest startups in Europe. Sadaf Monajemi The field of medicine is one of the hardest industries in which to innovate due to its complexity, but thats exactly what founder and director Sadaf Monajemi has done. In 2017, she launched See-Mode Technologies, a med-tech startup thats helping doctors and medical professionals predict strokes in at-risk patients without conducting multiple and costly tests. Monajemi completed her Ph.D. at the National University of Singapore, majoring in machine learning and AI for medical applications. Image credit: AngelCentral Shao-Ning Huang Shao-Ning Huang is currently the chief angel and co-founder of AngelCentral, a Singapore-based community that manages and facilitates angel investments across Southeast Asia. Today, she links over 500 angel investors to countless Asian startups that have the potential to create positive change around the world. When shes not bridging startups to investors, Huang is a consultant to tech startups and a supporter of causes that champion women-founded and women-led businesses. Kathleen Yu The youngest founder on this list, Kathleen Yu was only 23 when she had the idea to use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to revolutionize talent recruitment. After years spent in incubators, Yu developed a concept that eventually garnered grants and awards at international startup competitions, giving rise to what became Rumarocket. Related: 4 Ways to Attract and Retain Top Female Talent in Tech Now 26, Yu has taken a path to entrepreneurship in the tech industry -- complete with rejection and failures -- tht's led her to an $8-million business thats solving the hiring needs of multinational clients in different industries around the world. Related: Reclaiming Your Entrepreneurial Dreams: Searchie's Sahiqa And Harvey Bennett Asians Believe in Cherishing and Treasuring Relationships. Here's Why 6 Inspiring Women Changing Tech and Business This New Year Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved CES may be the worlds largest showcase for technology's giants, but its also one of the primary hubs for the scene's innovative upstarts. One of its convention areas, known as Eureka Park, often hosts more than 1,200 startups from more than 40 countries. And although flashy booths from the likes of Google, Intel, Huawei and more typically generate buzz, its the startups that tend to have riveting stories -- and even some of the most talked-about products. Here are five of the most inspiring startups we found at the show. Image credit: Timekettle Leal Tzen has always been a fan of science-fiction novels. Thats why The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxys Babel fish -- a creature that can reside in your ear and translate any language spoken to you in real time -- inspired him to co-found his translation tech company. Launched in November 2018, Timekettle's headline product is the WT2 Plus, a set of AI-powered translation earpieces thats already brought in about $3 million in sales despite little to no advertising. Another of Tzens inspirations? His parents, who speak only one language. He sent them on vacation to the Alps in 2016 and downloaded many translation apps for them, but Tzens parents didnt use them -- even when his mother got altitude sickness. It was too awkward, he remembers hearing. Finally, Tzen understood that it wasnt just about translation -- it was about communication, comfortable interaction and building closer relationships. We believe translation is not enough, he said. Currently, most translator options on the market require more work on the consumers part than the WT2 Plus does. Competitive translation products usually dictate that one person speak at a time, that someone needs to download an app or that one person speaks into a smartphone while the other uses an earpiece. But using Tzens solution, people can communicate via simply splitting the earpieces and sharing one with another; then, they can both start communicating immediately. The earpieces also make use of dual-noise reduction tech by way of neural networks, and they can translate more than 36 languages. MATE Image credit: MATE Build something you yourself would buy, and others will likely do the same. Thats one of the reasons Christian Adel Michael and Julie Kronstrom Carton founded MATE in 2016 after spending about two years searching for a cool, affordable electric bicycle. The brother-and-sister team hail from Copenhagen, a city that apparently has more bikes than people. When the two couldnt find a hip, clean-cut e-bike, they knew there was a hole in the market, Michael said. They decided to fill it, starting work on the project in 2016 and simultaneously launching their first crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Since that first campaign, MATE has sold 8,000 bikes to customers in more than 50 countries. Thats key because if the siblings had gone the traditional route of distribution chains, they wouldve needed to adhere to store inventory guidelines, potentially manufacturing many more products than people would order. By selling directly to their customers, they manufactured the exact amount of bikes that were ordered (and likely saved 10 to 40 percent on manufacturing costs, said Indiegogo CEO David Mandelbrot). The company also reached a prominent crowdfunding platform milestone: After raising $20 million over two campaigns, MATE has raised more money than any other company in Indiegogo history. Common crowdfunding advice is to work on creating hype for your product for up to six months or a year, but Michael and Carton didnt do that, instead opting to put some money towards targeted ads on Facebook and elsewhere online. The e-bikes are available now, and until Jan. 31, 2018, discounted pricing starts at $699 plus shipping costs. After that date, prices in the U.S. will likely rise to between $1,400 and $2,000, Carton said. Eargo Image credit: Eargo Its difficult to disrupt the hearing aid industry -- its institutional, and its regulated by the FDA. But among individuals ages 20 to 69 with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids, only about 16 percent has ever used them. That suggests the time is ripe for something new. And Eargo -- cool, invisible hearing aids sold directly to consumers instead of through a clinician -- offers just that. Prices range from about $1,950 to $2,750, which the company says is much lower than the $8,000 to $10,000 industry standard for invisible hearing aids, and they come with a sleek portable charging case. Founders Florent Michel, a medical doctor, Raphael Michel and Daniel Shen wanted to decrease hearing aid cost and stigma, and they did it by way of the formers invention of Flexi Fibers -- medical-grade silicone and a key part of Eargo hearing aids. In Dr. Florent Michels work as an ENT surgeon, he encountered many patients with hearing loss and saw the stigma associated with hearing aids firsthand. His son Raphael met Shen at Stanford -- the former was in the design program, while the latter was studying medicine -- and in 2010, they launched the company out of Raphaels Palo Alto garage. Hearing aid regulations were stringent, but Eargo found a grey area: The FDA doesnt regulate the sale of hearing aids. Thats regulated state by state, and if youre certified to sell (or dispense) hearing aids in one state, youd have to pass an examination to sell them in another. Eargo put its product up for sale online, directly to consumers. Industry veteran Christian Gormsen thought it was crazy (What kind of consumer is going to spend thousands of dollars on hearing aids online, especially when many are in their 60s and older?) Now, Gormsen is Eargos CEO. Pillo Health Image credit: Pillo Health In 2005, Emanuele Musinis father passed away from a heart condition. He hadnt been taking his medications as directed or following all of his doctors orders, Musini said, and the tragedy hit his family hard. A nagging thought kept at Musini over the following years: What if there had been a someone there to help keep an eye on his father and his health plan? What would have happened then? Musini resolved to design one: a someone inside the home to serve as a sort of health aide, especially when it comes to taking medications as scheduled. Home caregivers are cost-prohibitive for many families, and he wanted to make aging in place -- in the comfort of ones own home -- more accessible. Thats why he created Pillo, a healthcare assistant for the home, after co-founding his company Pillo Health. The device is available now and costs $499, plus a $39 monthly subscription. Scheduled reminders cause Pillo to wake up, scan the room for an individual and alert them its time to take a certain medication. The user can then opt for Pillo to dispense it. If they dont take their medication for a set period of time, Pillo will alert the users care team (whether medical professionals or family) so they can start a conversation. Another feature of Pillo: A user can ask it questions about health, from general (How many calories are in an apple?) to specific (Show me my wellness plan). They can scroll through their medication types and times, as well as their carefriends (or caregivers). Intelino Image credit: Intelino Consumer robotics company Intelino is the very definition of a startup: founder Dr. Armen Kroyan officially launched it the first day of CES 2019. Its first product? A $99 smart train set billed as the first of its kind, complete with engine, wagons, track pieces, decals, charging cable and -- perhaps most unique -- action snaps, or small, colored plastic tiles that can snap onto any piece of track. The tiles colors are correlated with different smart features -- green denotes speed, for example, so placing three green action snaps in a row would command the train to move fast, two would yield a medium speed and one would mean slow. One red action snap tells the train to stop for two seconds, while three in a row would make it stop for 10. Blue is associated with direction, while yellow is for dropping off a wagon. And theres an optional bluetooth-enabled companion app that can act as a train dashboard, manual override mode, way to create custom action commands for the snaps and more. Kroyan dreamed up the new take on connected play from firsthand experience as a parent to two young boys. His older son, now age 7, has been playing with train sets since he was 2, but the way he played with them shifted over the years: At first, he needed a lot of help building the tracks, but as he grew, he built more and more elaborate track designs. Kroyan wanted to create a way for kids, including his own, to use technology actively instead of passively consuming content by way of screens. Inspired by his son, he decided to take the intuitiveness of the classic toy train experience and augment it with an interactive, tactile layer of technology. Trains were a perfect platform for the sort of sequential thinking used in STEM, he thought -- before a child builds a track, they often need to preconceive what itll look like on the whole. The train set, available to consumers in March 2019, is retrocompatible with wooden tracks so that it can serve as an addition to any childs set, and Kroyan hopes it will grow up alongside kids that may first use it as an ordinary train set, then move on to use action snaps to build elaborate sets. As a rule, those steps dont require any sort of screen interaction, Kroyan said, but if parents want to allow usage of the accompanying app later on, it can add a new layer to what a child can do with their train set. Related: 5 Incredible Startups We Found at CES 10 cosas presentadas en el CES que si vas a querer comprar The 15 Craziest Cars and Futuristic Vehicles of CES 2019 Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The software development world is changing drastically, making more and more new technologies and tools readily available and allowing for faster release cycles. Those faster cycles have come about in response to online users' demands for not only those features themselves but for their faster introduction. Related: How to Atract In-Demand Tech Developers in the Competitive European Market And that in turn has required a whole new version of "the product team," whereby enterprises can deliver on user demands without sacrificing great customer experience. The challenge facing those teams will be to establish new standards for the future of work where software development teams can balance technical skills with non-technical skills in order to build exceptional products that will excel in the market. How to do that? The introduction of three key characteristics will redefine what makes for a successful product team and in the process will attract, retain and develop the talent necessary to achieve that perfect "balance." Those characteristics: The ability to incorporate social skills into building product teams Softer power skills such as creative thinking, communication and teamwork tend to be more prevalent in liberal arts studies in the humanities and social sciences, and in the creative arts. Creating outlets to marry traditional science with the humanities by either attracting new types of talent altogether or expanding training will add a better rounded perspective for product design. A product team that's diverse in this way will be able to challenge a particular application in the context of varied customer scenarios, serving as a catalyst for user advocacy. As an example, look to Microsoft Windows' AI assistant, Cortana. Microsoft built its team with not just software engineers, but also poets, comedians, fiction writers and other types of expertise beyond the traditional skills developers offer. Behind the biggest companies, including Apple and Amazon, we find diverse fields of studies designed to drive a more humanized technology. The ability to increase emotional intelligence using "soft skills" The more emotional intelligence (EQ) that's found in products, the more successful those products will be in terms of their adoption by global populations. One big reason for that success will tbe the steadfast avoidance of biased or ethnically insensitive decisions during product development. Related: The 5 Non-Technical Skills Any Great Developer Needs in Order to Advance For example, following a devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia, family members searching for survivors received celebratory balloons and confetti in Facebook messages. The reason was that a Malay word, selamat, used in those messages means both "congratulations" and "survive." Facebooks automatic (and insensitive) displays of balloons and confetti, in that case, where user permission was absent, lacked emotional intelligence. But we can all learn from that episode: To leverage artificial intelligence and gather more data on users, leading to greater insights about those users from that data, we will need to balance what's been the traditional use of formulaic decisions ... with softer people skills. I think that the world is focused very heavily on hard skills like computer science, data science and artificial intelligence, Anant Agarwal was quoted as saying in a Capgemini Digital Transformation Institute report on digital talent. Agarwal is founder and CEO of eDX, an open online education (MOOC) provider. Let us be clear those skills are very important," Aarwal said of hard skills. "However, the combination of hard skills and power skills, like communications, critical thinking and teamwork, is most vital. These skills are required in every job and are critical for professional success across all industries. Software development teams are infamous for "hand-offs" between disparate teams that design, develop, test and deploy a product. But fostering co-creativity among teams will help foster a beneficial product for all stakeholders across the software development life cycle. For example, by having developers co-create feature requirements with designers and co-create tests with quality engineers, teams can ensure they are developing what the user actually wants. This practice is supported by modern approaches to development, like behavior-driven development. Today, we're seeing more and more job descriptions for developers asking not only for test-driven experience but also behavior-driven design and development experience; and we're seeing these job descriptions from major companies from GE Digital to Liberty Mutual Insurance. Incorporating approaches such as behavior-driven development can create a shared understanding on how an application fosters continuous learning and co-creation among all stakeholders. Related: Employers Are Paying Freelancers Big Bucks for These 25 In-Demand Skills The ability to incorporate user advocacy at every stage of software development The future of work for software developers lies in the industry's ability to embed diversity, emotional intelligence and co-creativity into product teams, in order to prioritize a user perspective. With user advocacy at the forefront, developers will be able to successfully enrich their technical expertise with people, social and communication skills to create powerful products and services that excel in the market. Related: 3 Capabilities the Software Industry Needs, to Solve the Developer Talent Crunch Successful Startups Know How to Motivate Top Software Developers How Software Teams Can Learn to Make Beautiful Music Together Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Judgment in the case in which Vincent Phologo of Makopong village is fighting for survival in his bid to remain Kgosi has been postp t, which stripped him off bogosi, which he argues in court papers that it rightly belongs to him. Phologo argues that he is entitled to rescission of the judgment so that the real issues in dispute between the parties can be fully ventilated. Phologo was in April last year relieved of his duties as Sub-chief for Makopong village following a court order by Justice Michael Leburu that his appointment to the position back in 2016 was unprocedural and should be set aside. The judgment followed a successful bid by some members of the Makopong community who challenged in court his appointment without elections being held.Phologo was subsequently released from his job by the Minister of Local Government, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi who also addressed a kgotla meeting in the village and told residents that she was still looking into the matter. Phologo on the other hand launched an urgent application before Justice Leburu, praying for stay of execution of the order that, his appointment as Sub-chief be set aside and that the respondents bear the costs of the application on ordinary scale. In his affidavit Phologo argued that he has filed the urgent application for stay of execution shortly after filling another application for rescission. The protection I seek from this court is that by reason that I have filed an application for rescission of the judgment in question, this court should grant an order staying the execution of the judgment in respect of which rescission proceedings are pending, read part of the affidavit. The respondents in the case; Dixon Radijeng and others (representing members of the Makopong community) opposed the urgent application saying the application was not urgent and that there was nothing to stay because the court order has already been carried into effect by the minister. Delivering his judgment at the time, Justice Leburu noted that the applicant did not approach the court with the necessary promptness. He waited for over 60 days before approaching the court to vindicate and assert his rights, he argued, adding that the application for stay of execution was even filed six days after the minister executed the judgement of the court. The judge then dismissed the application for stay of execution. The case for rescission of the judgement was then transferred to Justice Dube following Justice Leburus transfer to Gaborone. Speaking to Botswana Guardian on behalf of the community, Helper Chabanga, who is listed as third respondent in the matter confirmed that the judgment has been postponed to the 31st of January. Chabanga expressed worry at the delay saying it is almost a year now that the Makopong community has been without a Kgosi.As a community we are a bit concerned. We dont have a problem with the judicial system as we trust it will look at the matter with an independent eye, our major concern is the delay, he said. Chabanga wondered why the concerned minister did not go back to the community to address them and explain why a Kgosi could not be appointed following Justice Leburus judgment. We expected the minister to come back to us, she only addressed us in April last year and she said she will appeal the matter, but since government has not appealed Leburus judgment we expected her to start the process of appointing a new Kgosi, he said. He is of the view that government is biased towards Phologo at the expense of the whole community. Chabanga argues that some high-ranking officials took interest in the Makopong bogosi because Phologo is related to a high-ranking Botswana Democratic Party member in the village. As the community we will continue fighting for our rights, he said. When sailor Jerome Rand completed his solo trip around the world last year, he knew people would have some questions about his remarkable journey. He knew theyd ask how he coped when his fresh-water pump broke and he had to depend on rain for drinking water. And that theyd be curious about what inspired his 29,805-mile voyage. What he didnt realize was there would be so much interest, that Q&As after his presentations would sometimes run longer than the talks themselves. But Rand doesnt mind at all; he loves sharing his story and enjoys public speaking (especially after nine months at sea). And he genuinely understands why his adventure captures peoples imagination. Sailing alone nonstop around the world is a very rare thing, said Rand, who will recount his tale, with photos and video, at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Thursday, Jan. 24. The Michigan native, whose family summered in Gloucester, Mass., for decades, said when you get to really small boats like his, 32 feet and under, only four have completed this trip. Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only four people have taken this size boat around the world. Rand said a similar sea route is taken by competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race (for multimillion-dollar, corporate-sponsored yachts), but as far as your normal everyday sailor taking a boat around the world, its very rare. Speaking from the British Virgin Islands, via Facebooks Messenger service, Rand said he experienced everything from dangerous waves to brilliant starry nights, which photos will never do justice. He also saw whales up close and lost 45 pounds because his food supply ran low. Yes, fishing helped. Discussing what led to his journey, Rand said one thing was the joy/challenge of hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2012. You go through so much suffering and pain to get to a certain point, and when you reach it theres a euphoria you cant find anywhere else, he said. It was only magnified by this bigger trip. ... The longer you are out at sea, the better you feel when you get back ... so maybe it was to find the pinnacle of what that might be. Rand was the watersports director at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands prior to setting sail from Massachusetts on Oct. 3, 2017. He returned on June 30, 2018, and is writing a book about it, while also working on his boat. Today Im trying to get the wind generator to work, he said. When Im off the grid, my power supply has to come from solar and wind. We asked if his water pump was fixed yet. No, he said. I kind of like the challenge of collecting rainwater. There is something fulfilling about watching a jug fill up from a squall that comes in. I really enjoy that. When it rains its a whole different perspective. Some have asked Rand if hes crazy. His answer: I wouldnt say crazy, Id say unique. Ive always taken a different approach to life. Youve got to do what feels good. ... lkoonz@newstimes.com; Twitter: @LindaTKoonz 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. President Trump used the Oval Office and prime time broadcast time to inform the nation of the need to build a steel wall across our border with Mexico at a cost of some $5 billion ... and unless he gets it, large portions of the U.S. government will remain shut down. Meanwhile, the Chinese are landing robots on the far side of the moon and are busy constructing a world-spanning road and belt infrastructure network that will link China with Europe, Asia and Africa. Roll that over in your mind for a minute: The Chinese are building actual, functioning, purposeful infrastructure including roads, bridges, ports, power lines, mines and railroads across the world. We are tied up in knots trying to decide whether or not to build a useless steel wall as our own internal infrastructure deteriorates. Kent Boyles Greensboro Up in smoke The price of a pack of cigarettes in North Carolina just went up. At least it seems that way. The website WalletHub has just put a different spin on the numbers, boiling them down to the individual smoker, in almost microscopic detail. Released last week, the study concludes that, in North Carolina, smoking a pack a day costs an individual $27,882 per year. That number includes lost income ($4,026 per year), out-of-pocket costs ($1,730), health care costs ($2,853) and financial opportunity cost ($19,040). What does financial opportunity mean? WalletHub explains it as the amount of return a person would have earned by instead investing that money in the stock market over the same period. As for lost income, the numbers were based on a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta that concluded that smokers tend to earn 20 percent less than nonsmokers, 8 percent of which is attributed to smoking and 12 percent to other factors. So WalletHubs researchers deducted 8 percent for each state. His attack on Warren, who officially jumped into the 2020 presidential race last month, drew perhaps the biggest reaction online thanks to its invocation of a particularly disgraceful chapter of American history. In late 1890, 470 U.S. soldiers intercepted a group of Chief Big Foot's Sioux, who had been heading south across the plains toward a refuge, according to an account by Mark Hirsch, a historian at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. The soldiers led the Sioux, who had 106 warriors and roughly 250 women and children, to a camp at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. When the U.S. commander, Col. James W. Forsyth, ordered Big Foot's people to surrender their weapons on Dec. 29, 1890, shooting suddenly erupted and the soldiers surrounding the camp began indiscriminately gunning down the Native Americans. "Women and children were riddled with shrapnel. People ran, but the soldiers pursued them. Bodies were later discovered three miles from camp," Hirsch wrote. "When the smoke cleared, 146 men, women, and children lay dead. Others perished from their wounds or froze to death in the hills." Trump has already faced backlash for his use of "Pocahontas" to describe Warren, particularly after he unleashed the taunt at a November 2017 event honoring Navajo code talkers. Guilford County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay today as the region copes with the aftermath. The school system announced late Sunday that the delay will not affect the Twilight School, which operates on its normal 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. schedule. All Rockingham County Schools are closed for students and the system will hold an optional workday for teachers. Teachers should not report to work until 10 a.m. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are also on a two-hour delay today. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Sunday, seeking to help utility crews restore electricity more quickly after power lines fell due to freezing rain, ice and toppled trees. Areas of the states western mountains and foothills were hardest-hit along with the western Piedmont region, and nearly 1,000 state transportation workers were called out to clear ice and snow. Duke Energy reports roughly 140,000 customers in the region were without electricity Sunday morning, with more than half of the outages reported in the Greensboro and Winston-Salem area. Other swaths of outages were reported largely in the mountains in and around Asheville. Duke Energy was still assessing the damage late Sunday to determine restoration times. Statue protesters then started a loud chant as he spoke. It seems kind of ironic because they are talking about hate, and they are out here doing all the hating, Starnes said. The pro-statue event, which was organized by a group called Heirs to the Confederacy, included the laying of flowers at the base of the monument, followed later by a loud rendition of Dixie. Lance Spivey, the chairman of the board of the Heirs group, said his group canceled an event that had been planned earlier in the day in Chapel Hill at the base of the monument where Silent Sam stood, but didnt tell anyone but the police about the cancellation because he wanted to fool the other side into showing up for nothing. Spivey said his group was in Winston-Salem to support not only this monument, but every monument. Most of us here are here because they are descended from people who were not slave owners, Spivey said. He said that he sees the monuments as reminders of a terrible past. Abuzuaiter said Wednesday that Bassnectar bringing his own medical team is like condoning the use of illicit drugs. She feels like that told patrons that it's OK to overdose because doctors would be there to take care of them. "I appreciate him reaching out to me," Abuzuaiter said of McQuaid's note. "If we know there is a known entity that will tax our public safety, our ER, the coliseum staff, it becomes a major concern." Councilwoman Sharon Hightower said Wednesday she knew nothing about the concert or the concerns until she received McQuaid's email. She called him after reading it and forwarded the email to the council, asking for an investigation. Hightower said she wants to know who knew what ahead of the concert and why the city approved an event with a reputation for having illicit drug activity. "You are telling me that you are supporting a venue where they have to bring in emergency personnel as a standby in case of medical emergencies and overdoses, not because of heart attacks or older people, but drug activity," Hightower said. "I think in my mind that that is supporting a culture we have a problem with. 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. The Living Spring: Profound Book Chronicles Author's Spiritual Awakening Takes readers on a journey from the United States to Ireland, as the author discovers the hidden living spring of life, full of quotes and reflections. Contact: Phil Mitchell, 773-375-0816 CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2019 / Christian Newswire / -- 'The Living Spring' takes readers on a journey from the United States to Ireland, as the author discovers the hidden living spring of life. From his Christian faith to his views on the future of American democracy, this life-changing journey gave Mitchell new wisdom on all facets of life. Now, in a reflective memoir, he shares all he learned. Synopsis: Phil Mitchell travels to Ireland and discovers the hidden living spring of life. The book is full of quotes and reflections as he reflects on his heritage. Phil explorers his Christian faith with new meaning and what America should be going forward. Teaching in a school, being a composer, making a pilgrimage, and meeting people in everyday life. All these things add to his journey. "I really can't put into words how much this pilgrimage opened my eyes up to who I really was and how I really wanted to live," explains the author. "With renewed faith and understanding, it allowed me to rediscover life in an enriching and prosperous way. I hope sharing this journey will inspire others to consider doing something similar." Continuing, "It's a classic story that will reach out to all readers, no matter their background, and help them recognize that life is far from random. It's a journey where we're all asked to serve, and therefore we have a responsibility to live to this purpose." Goodreads: Amazon: "If you take $10 and go to Food Lion or Walmart or Aldi or whatever store you shop at, it's going to be worth $10," said Shante Woody, the People's Market manager. "But if you take those same $10 on your card and come here, we are going to give you $20 to spend." Commerce officials told the Raleigh newspaper that Ralph Lauren had received $451,409 in state incentives over three years. Loren Hill, president of the High Point Economic Development Corp., said the city authorized up to $2.4 million in incentives to Ralph Lauren for the November 2010 and June 2012 expansions. Hill said Ralph Lauren has been paid a combined $1.95 million for the expansions with another $442,000 remaining in the agreement. Ill know if they qualified for that remaining payment whenever they next make a submission, Hill said. Its likely they will qualify. Since the 2012 expansion announcement, Ralph Lauren has confirmed eliminating at least 107 jobs in High Point and has about 1,200 employees in the city, according to Commerce. The company has moved out of a 340,000-square-foot facility at 4190 Eagle Hill Drive in High Point. The facility was taken over by Hanesbrands Inc. in November. It sold on Dec. 28 its 655,095-square-foot distribution center at 4100 Beechwood Drive in Piedmont Centre for $20 million to Fastenal. 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. When RockinghamNow asked if the business uses jamming equipment, the sole worker there said, I cant tell you what were using in here, and shut her office door, declining to give her name or title, or to share the business owners name. Further explaining how a jammer could handicap vehicles, Levitan said, When you listen to the radio, youre tuned in to a certain frequency. There are a couple thousand channels allocated to different things like cell phones and key fobs. Generally, these signals are very sensitive. These (jamming) devices create static so these radio waves are interrupted. Zapped, one car at a time Jennifer W. Griffin of Eden said she has grappled with the car crippling issue four times since the fall after parking near Lucky Day. El Parral is a Wednesday night dining tradition for Griffin, and on repeated visits shes seen her key fob and car locks malfunction. And whatever the disruptive signal is, it blitzed her entire family over the holidays, one car at a time, Griffin said. Indeed, just before Christmas, Griffins mother Martha J. Wright had to resort to a towing service when she was unable to start her Cadillac in the El Parral lot. This is another piece of the policy puzzle, but the other side to the coin is we have to have more resources to support our teachers and correct the behavior on an ongoing basis, Bourne said. The former Richmond School Board chairman credited the number of complaints to having more SROs, whose presence he said allows teachers to take an easy approach and send disruptive students their way. Amy Woolard, the policy coordinator at the Charlottesville-based Legal Aid Justice Center, attributed the large number of police referrals in part to a lack of understanding of the role of SROs. Charges like disorderly are stemming from a confusion of the role of school resource officers in our school buildings, she said. Disorderly conduct is really taking an issue that is for schools to handle and suddenly putting it under the purview of law enforcement and our courts. Disorderly conduct complaints made up 13 percent of all complaints from SROs, according to state data. A bill from Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, would require schools with resource officers to have a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement to define what exactly the officers are supposed to do. Staff file photo/The state Department of Transportation is looking at ways to ease congestion on the rails by linking MBTA lines outside Boston. One proposal would connect the Rockport commuter line with the Fitchburg line, linking Cape Ann to Cambridge, Somerville and other points west of Boston. Diners enjoy the offerings at Superfine Food in Marblehead, in this file photo, taken in August. The landlord of the restaurant's Newburyport location has confirmed that both the Marblehead and Newburyport locations have closed. (File photo) Trump Warns Turkey Against Hitting Syrian Kurds By VOA News January 13, 2019 President Donald Trump is warning Turkey it would face economic devastation if it strikes at the Kurds when U.S. forces pull out of Syria. "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," Trump said in a tweet late Sunday. Without giving any further details, he wrote "Create 20 mile (32 kilometers) safe zone." "Russia, Iran, and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long-term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria -- natural enemies," he tweeted. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (YPG) were among the United States' closest allies in the fight against Islamic State militants inside Syria. Turkey says the YPG is tied to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has been fighting a long guerrilla war for more Kurdish autonomy inside Turkey. Turkey considers the PKK a terrorist group and there are fears Turkey will attack Kurdish fighters inside Syria when the Americans leave. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday he is "optimistic" the Syrian Kurds will not be abandoned and confident the U.S. and Turkey can work out a deal to assure the Kurds will be safe. The Kurds are looking for protection against a possible Turkish attack and Syria's Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan told reporters Sunday his government would like an intensified dialogue with the Kurds. "Many of the Kurdish statements were positive regarding their concern for the unity of Syria," he said. Kurdish officials have said they would like Russian mediation in any talks with the Syrian government. Trump tweeted Sunday that what he calls the "long overdue" U.S. pull-out from Syria has started "while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard and from many directions." But a U.S. defense official has denied that it was withdrawing any troops from Syria, telling VOA the initial stages of the pull-out involve "equipment, not troops." Trump unexpectedly announced last month that U.S. forces would be leaving Syria, causing confusion and concern among U.S. allies. The White House hinted that a pull-out could be complete within 30 days. National Security Advisor John Bolton has since said there is no time-frame for a withdrawal. US to Stay in Syria to Help PYD Strike Better Deal With Damascus - Opposition Sputnik News 16:44 13.01.2019(updated 16:46 13.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States is likely to maintain its military presence in Syria long enough to allow the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) to negotiate an acceptable deal with the Syrian government, member of the Syrian Negotiations Commission Bassma Kodmani told Sputnik. "The United States will withdraw its military forces but they will be also maintaining the presence to protect the Kurds of PYD. Strategically, I think, they know that this military and political force would have to initially negotiate the end of its control over the area but on condition slightly better than simply surrendering and dissolving its own forces. They want to maintain a certain level of military capacity in Syria to allow them to prevent Turkish military offensive and to seek a better agreement with the Syrian regime", Kodmani said. According to Kodmani, Washington feels moral responsibility for the Kurds, who have been instrumental in fighting Daesh* in Syria. "Besides, they feel that if they will let them down not only they will be letting down their allies but sending a wrong message to any allies anywhere," she noted. Kodmani also underlined that the US military establishment might fear that Iran could step into a vacuum that the United States would leave in Syria after troops' pullout. "This vacuum can be filled not by the [Syrian] regime forces but Iran-led militia. It would increase the Iranian control over Syria and this is something that the United States doesn't want and the Syrians definitely resent and fear," she concluded. Earlier this week, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said Damascus had intensified negotiations with the Kurds in Syria's northeast in light of Turkey's pledges to launch an operation against the US-backed Kurdish militias. Mekdad said he was optimistic about dialogue with the Kurdish groups. However, Turkey decided to postpone its planned military operation shortly after the United States announced its plans to withdraw troops from Syria. Washington said that it would not disclose a timeline for withdrawing its troops, and pledged that the US-led international coalition's fight against terrorism would continue. *Daesh [ISIL, IS, Islamic State] a terrorist organisation banned in Russia Sputnik Damascus Confirms Talks With Kurds Intensified Due to Threats by Turkey Sputnik News 18:11 13.01.2019 DAMASCUS (Sputnik) - Ayman Soussan, an assistant to the Syrian Foreign Minister, confirmed on Sunday that talks between Damascus and the Kurdish forces in Syria's northeast have intensified due to a possible Turkish military operation. "The Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian nation. We are sure that we are able to resolve a number of difficult issues through a dialogue, and this is guaranteed as long as the dialogue is based on the principle of territorial integrity of Syria and the unity of its people," Soussan said at a press conference, adding that the dialogue between Damascus and Kurds continued, but further intensified against the background of possible offensive against Kurds by Turkey. On Wednesday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said that Damascus intensified negotiations with Kurds in Syria's northeast in light of Turkey's pledges to launch an operation against Kurdish militias. He added that he remained optimistic regarding the talks' prospects and did not think that the negotiations were in a stalemate. In December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the Turkish army was ready to start an offensive against the Kurdish forces on the eastern bank of the Euphrates at the earliest opportunity. However, after talks with US President Donald Trump, who informed the Turkish counterpart of the US troops withdrawal from Syria, Erdogan shelved its plans, saying that the offensive would be launched only after the complete pullout of the US forces. Sputnik Netanyahu Confirms Israeli Strikes On Iranian Targets In Syria January 13, 2019 Israel at the weekend carried out an air strike on Iranian weapons in Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. "Just in the last 36 hours, the air force attacked Iranian warehouses containing Iranian weapons in the Damascus International Airport," Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on January 13. Syrian state media had reported that Israeli warplanes fired several missiles toward Damascus late on January 11. Syrian air defenses shot down most of the "hostile" missiles, though one hit a warehouse at Damascus airport, according to the SANA news agency. In televised remarks, Netanyahu said Israel had succeeded in "curbing Iran's military entrenchment in Syria" by attacking Iranian and Hizballah targets there "hundreds" of times." "The accumulation of recent attacks shows that we're more determined than ever to act against Iran in Syria, just as we promised," he also said. Netanyahu's comments mark a rare public acknowledgement of Israeli activity in Syria. Iran, along with Russia and Lebanon's Shi'ite militant group Hizballah, has given Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government crucial support throughout the war, which began with a government crackdown on protesters in March 2011. The conflict has left more than 400,000 people dead, displaced millions, and devastated many historic sites across the country. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/netanyahu-confirms -israeli-strikes-on-iranian-targets -in-syria/29707243.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. High-profile opposition leader ready to visit Damascus Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 08:05AM The head of a foreign-backed Syrian opposition group says he is ready to visit Damascus for talks with the government following reports that the United States has started withdrawing its troops from the country. Ahmad Jarba, leader of the Cairo-based Tomorrow Movement, made the announcement during a visit to Baghdad, Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television channel reported on Sunday. He said he expected the Iraqi government to help establish dialog with Syrian authorities, the channel said, citing Jarba. Jarba's group supports tribal militants within the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which is mostly comprised of Kurdish militants armed and equipped by the United States. "The initiative that he plans to suggest to the Syrian government envisages the creation of tribal groups to protect the border with Iraq following the withdrawal of US military forces from Syria," al-Mayadeen added. US President Donald Trump last month unexpectedly unveiled his plan to withdraw troops from Syria, with US military spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan announcing on Friday that the pullout had begun. Pentagon officials later said the US military had started withdrawing some equipment, but not yet troops, amid continuing confusion over Washington's claims to disengage from the complex war which it has helped to drag on. Washington and many of its Western and regional allies have been supporting militant and terrorist groups in a bid to topple the Syrian government since 2011. Damascus, however, has decisively pushed against the violent outfits with the help of its allies, most notably Russia and Iran as well as Lebanon's Hezbollah. The combined effort has reversed the trend of the conflict in favor of the Arab country, which has now re-established control over much of the territories held by terrorists. Recent calls by Syrian Kurds for a deal with the Syrian government regardless of US plans for withdrawal, could perhaps mark the most important milestone in the war if the negotiations bear fruit. If a deal is reached, the two biggest chunks of Syria splintered by seven years of war will be pieced together, leaving only a small corner in the northwest in the hands of Turkish-backed militants. Jarba was among the organizers of the first round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva in 2014, and supported the idea of holding the Congress of the Syrian National Dialog, which took place in Russia's Black Sea resort city of Sochi last January. His request to go to Damascus came after Saudi-backed militant groups called on world nations to stop rebuilding ties with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Nasr al-Hariri, the head of the so-called High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said this month he was surprised that some Arab leaders who used to support anti-Assad forces in the past, were now seeking reconciliation with Damascus. Last month, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir became the first Arab head of state to pay an official visit to Damascus and sit down for talks with Assad. Bashir currently has very intimate relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and many analysts believe he would not have visited Damascus without coordinating it with Riyadh. His visit was followed by the UAE and Bahrain re-opening their embassies in the Syrian capital and reports that Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt were also considering normalizing relations with Syria. Syria says not intimidated by new Israeli airstrike Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:42AM Syria has complained to the UN about Israel's new air raids, stressing that the "cowardly" attacks will fail to hamper its resolve to defend the country and confront its enemies. In separate letters to the UN chief and the Security Council chairman, the Syrian Foreign Ministry denounced missiles fired by Israeli warplanes on a number of sites near Damascus on Friday. The ministry said the fresh attack was in flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 350, which enshrines a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Damascus, first put in place in 1974. A Syrian military source told the official SANA news agency that the Syrian air defenses had "intercepted hostile missiles and downed most of them." According to the report, the Israeli aggression caused material damage to one of the warehouses at Damascus International Airport. Israeli warplanes, apparently deterred by buoyed Syrian air defense systems, sneak into the Lebanese airspace and fire missiles at their targets inside Syria. The ministry said the Israeli actions in Syria were no different from those of Takfiri terrorist groups marauding across parts of the country. "The deliberate repeat of these grave provocations and cowardly aggression is a clear proof of the fact that what Israel is doing is no different from what Daesh and Jabhat al-Nusra organizations are doing in terms of terrorist methods and threatening international peace and security," it said. The ministry also condemned the US support for Israel and the Security Council's silence in the face of the Israel crimes. "Syria stresses that the continuation of Israel in its serious aggressive approach would not have been possible without the political, military and media cover provided by the US administration in the context of a state of immunity from any accountability provided by well-known states in the Security Council, which could enable Israel to continue to practice state terrorism," the letters read. Israel frequently attacks military targets inside Syria in what is considered as an attempt to prop up Takfiri terrorist groups that have been suffering heavy defeats at the hands of Syrian government forces. In an interview with the New York Times earlier this week, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, the Israeli army's outgoing chief of staff, said that Israel had carried out "thousands" of airstrikes in Syria in recent years. Israel claims the attacks target Iranian military advisers and Hezbollah fighters, but an Israeli intelligence website recently put the kibosh on the claim, saying the raids in fact hit Syrian army positions. The Tel Aviv regime has occupied and annexed Syria's Golan Heights, a move never recognized by the international community. In its letters, the Syrian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Israeli provocations would not "dissuade Syria from confronting whoever tries to attack the Syrian people and sovereignty or affects its determination to restore the occupied Syrian Golan." It further called on the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibility in maintaining international peace and take a prompt action to prevent further recurrence of the Israeli aggression. Israel, it said, should also be held accountable for its crimes and continued support for terrorist outfits. Schumer Says He Will Force Vote On U.S. Move To Ease Sanctions On Deripaska By RFE/RL January 13, 2019 U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will use the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act to force a vote on a resolution disapproving a decision by President Donald Trump to relax sanctions on companies connected to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. "After consultation with the relevant committee ranking members and my colleagues, I have concluded that the Treasury Department's proposal is flawed and fails to sufficiently limit Oleg Deripaska's control and influence of these companies, and the Senate should move to block this misguided effort by the Trump administration and keep these sanctions in place," the Democratic senator from New York said in a statement on January 13. Congress has been reviewing the Trump administration's decision -- announced in December -- to lift sanctions against three companies that Deripaska, who has close ties to the Kremlin, controls: Rusal, EN+, and JSC EuroSibEnergo. Early last year, the Trump administration indicated it was planning to sanction Rusal -- one of the world's largest aluminum companies -- but that announcement roiled global markets, sending metal prices soaring. The Treasury Department delayed imposing the sanctions several times, amid a reported lobbying campaign by Deripaska's companies. In December, the administration notified Congress it would lift the sanctions. That triggered a clause in Congress that gives lawmakers 30 days to try to reverse the decision by passing a joint resolution of disapproval. In a statement on January 12, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Deripaska remained under sanctions and "his property and interests remain blocked, and any companies he controls are also sanctioned." House Democrats, however, have been publicly angry, with the leader of the chamber, Nancy Pelosi, calling it "one of the worst classified briefings we've received from the Trump administration." "[Mnuchin] answered some questions, but he didn't give testimony. They had an intelligence briefing, which I won't go into, and then they read a document that was unclassified, wasting the time of members of Congress," she said. Deripaska is a billionaire tycoon who made his fortune in aluminum and metals trading. He was barred from entering the United States in the 2000s, on allegations of ties to organized crime. He was also a business partner of Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman during part of the 2016 presidential election. With reporting by The Hill, Reuters, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/schumer-says-he-will- force-vote-on-u-s-move-to-ease-sanctions -on-deripaska/29707496.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. US threatens German companies with sanctions on Russian gas imports Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 07:03PM The United States has threatened German energy companies with possible sanctions over their dealings with Russia, after President Donald Trump warned that reliance on Russian energy makes Berlin a "captive" of Moscow. Washington has long taken issue with Germany's plans to import gas from Russia through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, an $11 billion project that would carry Russian gas straight under the Baltic Sea. The pipeline has also been criticized for depriving Ukraine, a staunch US ally, of lucrative gas transit fees. US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell warned several German companies in a letter that they could face sanctions for the pipeline project under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the US embassy said Sunday. "The letter reminds that any company operating in the Russian energy export pipeline sector is in danger under CAATSA of US sanctions," the embassy spokesman said, claiming there were other European states who also opposed the pipeline. Germany and some other nations, have accused Washington of using the CATSAA to meddle in their foreign policy and energy affairs. Signed into law by Trump in 2017, CAATSA imposes sanctions against primary targets Iran, Russia and North Korea and paves the way for secondary sanctions against those who trade with them. The US embassy denied accusation by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, which first broke the news of the letter, that Grenell was trying to blackmail German companies. "The only thing that could be considered blackmail in this situation would be the Kremlin having leverage over future gas supplies," the embassy spokesman said, calling the letter a "clear message" rather than a "threat." Grenell's letter took some in Chancellor Angela Merkel's government by surprise. One German diplomat said Grenell, who was appointed recently by Trump, did not follow common diplomatic practices and that Berlin would raise the issue in future direct talks with US officials. Juergen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman for the ruling conservative party in parliament, said the move was "unacceptable." He also took a swipe at Trump, arguing that the American head of state wanted to look "tough" in order to dodge questions about his alleged ties to Moscow. "If the US president thinks he has to publicly show he is getting tough on Russia in view of the many question marks regarding his relationship with Moscow, he should not thereby impair the relationship with his most important ally," Hardt explained. Russian gas giant Gazprom is jointly implementing the Nord Stream with Western partners Uniper, Wintershall, Engie, OMV and Shell. Despite being at odds over the 2014 reintegration of the Crimean Peninsula to Russia, Moscow and and have shown strong interest in the Nord Stream 2 project, which would double capacity of the existing Nord Stream 1 route. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Thursday the dispute over Nord Stream 2 could not be resolved through sanctions and that Europe and not Washington should decide European energy policies. White House Requested Set of Options to Hit Iran Reports Sputnik News 21:27 13.01.2019(updated 23:19 13.01.2019) Following revelations of Israel's strikes against Iranian targets in Syria, it became known that Washington had also mulled over plans to attack Iran after three mortar shells landed in Baghdad's diplomatic quarter near the US Embassy in September 2018. The US blamed Iran for the attack, despite Tehran's categorical denial. The Pentagon has agreed to lay out options for hitting Iran at the request by US National Security Adviser John Bolton, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a former senior presidential administration employee. The outlet points out that it remains unclear whether the US president was aware of this, but said that the White House had mulled a military attack on Iran after three mortar shells struck the diplomat quarter in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, near the US Embassy in September 2018. While no one was wounded in the incident, it angered the US. "It definitely rattled people. People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran", former US high-ranking official told The WSJ. The attack on the green zone in Baghdad escalated growing tensions between the US and Iran over Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear deal and slapping Tehran with new sanctions. The US blamed Iran-aligned militants for the incident, although there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack. "Iran did not act to stop these attacks by its proxies in Iraq, which it has supported with funding, training, and weapons", the White House's statement said. The US warned Iran not to launch attacks on US government facilities in Iraq, saying: "America will respond swiftly and decisively in defence of American lives". Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for "indirect fire", while Tehran dismissed the allegations as US "propaganda and false accusations" and condemned any attacks on diplomatic sites. The revelations about the US preparing options to hit Iran came hot on the heels of recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Israeli Air Force had struck Iranian targets in Syria. He pointed out that "the accumulation of recent attacks proves that we are determined more than ever to take action against Iran in Syria, and we will strike harder in Syria if needed". This fell in line with his earlier vows to continue Israeli operations in Syria to counter Iran's military presence in the country, despite Tehran's insistence that its presence is limited to military advisors assisting the country's forces in their fight against terrorism. Sputnik Iran Protests To Poland Over Upcoming Summit By RFE/RL January 13, 2019 The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Polish envoy in Tehran to protest Poland jointly hosting a global conference with the United States focused on the Middle East, and Iran in particular, local state media reported. A ministry official told Poland's charge d'affaires, Wojciech Unolt, that Iran saw the decision to host the gathering next month as a "hostile act against Iran" and warned that Tehran could resort to unspecified "counteraction" toward Poland, the IRNA news agency reported on January 13. The report said that the Polish diplomat "provided explanations about the conference and said it was not anti-Iran." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on January 11 that the ministerial meeting -- to be held in Warsaw on February 13-14 -- would "focus on Middle East stability and peace and freedom and security here in this region." It will include "an important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence," said Pompeo, who is on a tour of the Middle East. Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said he hoped the conference would bring the EU and U.S. positions closer. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the conference a "desperate anti-Iran circus." Relations between Tehran and Washington have worsened following President Donald Trump's decision in May 2018 to withdraw the United States from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and six major powers. The Trump administration moved to reimpose sanctions on Tehran, as well. Other partners in the deal, however, have sought to keep the agreement from completely unraveling. With reporting by IRNA, Reuters, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran -protests-to-poland-over-upcoming -summit/29707056.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. White House Reportedly Asked For Options On Iran Strike Last Year January 13, 2019 President Donald Trump's national security team asked the Pentagon last autumn for possible options to strike Iran in response to an attack on an area in Baghdad where the U.S. Embassy is located, according to The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper, citing current and former U.S. officials, reported on January 13 that the National Security Council raised concern at both the Pentagon and the State Department with its request. The request came in response to a September 7, 2018, attack where militants aligned with Iran fired three mortars inside Baghdad's Green Zone, where the U.S. Embassy is housed. The shells failed to hit any target and there were no casualties. The Pentagon did as asked, but the newspaper did not say whether the White House was given options for a strike, nor whether Trump directly knew about it. The mortar attack was the first such incident in several years in the Iraqi capital's Green Zone. Tehran called the accusations implicating it in the attacks "astonishing, provocative, and irresponsible." Based on reporting by The Wall Street Journal Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/white- house-reportedly-asked-for-options-on-iran- strike-last-year/29707491.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. Iran summons Polish envoy to protest US 'circus' in Warsaw Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:05AM The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned Polish charge d'affaires in Tehran, Wojciech Unolt, to protest an anti-Iran US summit which Warsaw is set to host on February 13-14. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that the summit is going to focus on Iran has drawn strong reaction from Tehran, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denouncing it as a "desperate anti-Iran circus." "This is a hostile measure by the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Poland is expected to avoid assisting the US in holding the conference," an Iranian Foreign Ministry official told Unolt on Sunday. According to official news agency IRNA, Unolt provided explanations regarding the upcoming summit and said that it was not against Iran. "He said Poland's stance is different from that of the US and does not conform with the recent remarks made by US officials," the agency added. The Iranian official, however, rejected the explanation as insufficient, saying the Poland government should immediately compensate for the move or have Iran "inevitably take reciprocal measures." Pompeo said on Friday that the summit would purportedly focus on stability and security in the Middle East, including on the "important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence." The top US diplomat announced the summit as he began a tour of the Middle East with the aim of building up a campaign against Iran as part of the Trump administration's stepped-up pressure on Tehran. The meeting will reportedly bring together leaders from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Western Hemisphere, and the Middle East, including some of Iran's sworn enemies such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US has synced its policies on Iran with Israel since President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran and reimposed Washington's most draconian sanctions ever on the Islamic Republic. Pompeo has claimed that Washington's tough sanctions were aimed at giving Iran's people a chance to have better lives, drawing ridicule from many officials as well as ordinary Iranians. "The sanctions on Iran have this ultimate goal: creating an outcome where the Iranian people can have better lives than they have today," Pompeo told Newsmax TV last week. Foreign Minister Zarif on Friday expressed discontent with Warsaw's move to co-host the conference, saying it would bring disgrace to the participants. He took to Twitter to lash out at Poland and to remind both the hosts and participants that the ones attending the last conference against Iran "are either dead, disgraced, or marginalized." Zarif also reminded Poland of Iran's hosting as many as 120,000 Poles released from Soviet gulags during the Second World War, exclaiming as to why Warsaw was reciprocating that goodwill gesture with an anti-Iran conference. White House asked Pentagon for Iran military strike plans in 2018: Report Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 02:20PM The White House National Security Council (NSC) had asked the US Defense Ministry to list available options to strike Iran after a militant attack near the American diplomatic mission in Iraq last year, a new report has revealed. Although the attack in early September did no harm and saw three mortars only hit empty ground in Baghdad's International Green Zone, John Bolton, President Donald Trump's hawkish national security adviser and head of the NSC, called several meetings to discuss a "forceful" American response, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. Back then, Bolton and some others in Washington thought that since the attack followed the torching of the Iranian consulate in the Iraqi oil hub of Basra and was claimed by a Shia group, then it must have had something to do with Iran. They were also under the impression that Iran was behind the unrest in Basra, the report added. The idea was so far-fetched that the NSC's request shocked many people in Washington. "It definitely rattled people," a former senior US administration official told the WSJ, adding, "People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran." American officials were particularly stunned that Bolton was ready to use an attack that did no damage as the basis for waging war against Tehran. The Pentagon, however, complied and provided the NSC with possible scenarios for attacking Iran, officials confirmed. It was not clear whether Trump was filled in on the plans or whether they proceeded to become serious options to attack the Islamic Republic, the report noted. Garrett Marquis, a NSC spokesman, appeared to be confirming the report, saying the council routinely checks for available options once US military personnel abroad come under attack and reports it findings to the president. The NSC "coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats," he said. "We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests," he added. The move by Bolton, who provides security, economic and military advice to Trump, underlines Washington's willingness to go to extremes in order to pressure Iran. Last year, Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran and re-imposed "toughest" sanctions against the Islamic Republic and warned that he would tighten the pressure campaign until Iran agrees to dismantle its ballistic missile program and rolls back its regional influence. Iran has been one of the key allies of the Iraqi and Syrian governments in their years-long fight against Daesh and other foreign-backed terror outfits, offering critical military advice that has helped them purge terrorists from their territories. Perhaps that explains why, according to the report, the NSC asked the Pentagon to provide options to respond with possible strikes in Iraq and Syria as well. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also appeared to be confirming days after the mortar attack that Washington was willing to attack Iran. "Iran will be held accountable for those incidents," he said in a Sept. 21 CNN interview. "Even militarily?" he was asked. "They're going to be held accountable," Pompeo replied. "If they're responsible for the arming and training of these militias, we're going to go to the source." The push for attacking Iran seems to be a personal dream of Bolton. A strong supporter of regime change in Iran, Bolton has made it clear that he would not say no to military action if that is what it takes to achieve his objective. He has been aggressively championing attacking Iran long before joining the Trump administration, people familiar with the discussions told the WSJ. In 2015, he even penned a New York Times op-ed titled, "To stop Iran's bomb, bomb Iran." In a trip to Israel earlier this month, Bolton said Trump was ready to attack Iran if he sensed Tehran was moving towards developing nuclear weapons. "The president looks at all his options constantly," Bolton said. "On a subject of this seriousness, this is something we coordinate very closely with Israel on, but for reasons I'm sure you can understand, we have to keep our cards close to the vest." The report comes ahead of an anti-Iran US summit in Poland next month. Iran taking first steps to design 20% modern nuclear fuel: nuclear chief Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 02:30PM Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi says the country has broken new ground in the field of nuclear technology and is now taking preliminary steps toward production of 20-percent modern nuclear fuel. Speaking in an exclusive interview with the IRIB News Agency on Sunday, Salehi said the new nuclear fuel produced by domestic specialists will be able to keep all kinds of reactors similar to the Tehran Research Reactor running. "Preliminary steps have been taken to design modern 20-percent fuel and we are on the threshold [of producing it]. This [new] product is different from the previous 20-percent fuel and we can supply fuel to any reactor similar to the Tehran [Research] Reactor," Salehi said. Iran's nuclear chief added that the Tehran Research Reactor has been operating on older types of nuclear fuel so far, but the new modern fuel will boost its productivity. He said Iranian scientists have made such remarkable advances in the field of nuclear technology that instead of reverse engineering, they are now capable of designing new fuel, which is a major achievement for the country. Salehi further stated that supplying fuel and designing the control room were major steps in building a reactor, adding, "At the present time, designing a reactor has become very possible for our specialists." AEOI's spokesman, Behrouz Kamalvandi, told reporters last June that Iran would soon start re-building the Arak heavy water reactor once a Chinese expert team finished examining the last phase of the re-designing process. "According to the timetable, we have fortunately made good progress, and the detailed stage has been completed on our part and delivered to the Chinese side, which will enter the next stage within 2 to 3 months; that is, we'll start the next phase of building and [installing the reactor's] equipment," he added. Kamalvandi said the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which is officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), would not affect the re-designing process of the Iranian reactor. US President Donald Trump withdrew his country in May 2018 from the landmark Iran nuclear deal, and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Last November, the Trump administration announced the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran's banking and energy sectors with the aim of cutting off the country's oil sales and crucial exports. A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector. The US administration hoped to get the other parties to the deal with Iran to likewise scrap the deal, but instead, they stressed that not only would they stick to the agreement, but they would also work to sustain it in the face of increased US pressure. Europeans believe that the nuclear deal is an important element of international security. Iran, Iraq foiled US moves to sabotage mutual ties: FM Zarif Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 03:46PM Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has commended Iraq's positive stance on the promotion of ties with Iran, saying the two countries have managed to foil US bids to sabotage mutual relations. "After [achieving] victory against Daesh, some countries, including the US, have created certain problems in the way of the two countries' cooperation, but fortunately, they were defused thanks to the wisdom of the two countries' officials," Zarif told reporters upon his arrival in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday. Iran's top diplomat praised the Iraqi government's positive stance on unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States against the Iranian nation and noted that he plans to hold talks with senior officials of the Arab country about ways to further boost cooperation. Zarif called the US a "losing horse" and recommended countries not to lay bet on a losing horse. "The US has faced failure over the past 40 years in its policies against the Iranian people," Zarif said. The Iranian foreign minister also noted that he would attend three trade meetings between the economic agents of the two countries' private sectors in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Karbala and Sulaymaniyah. Meeting with Iraqi premier During his visit to Baghdad, Zarif had a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi on Sunday evening. In the meeting, Zarif congratulated the Arab country over the political achievements of the Iraqi nation and the formation of the new government, stressing Iran's support for stability and national sovereignty and democratic achievements in Iraq. Abdul-Mahdi, in turn, highlighted the request of the Iraqi people and government to have excellent relations with Iran. The two sides also talked about collective efforts to settle regional disputes and exchanged views on the issues of Syria and Yemen. No interference allowed in Tehran-Baghdad ties The Iranian minister said Tehran and Baghdad enjoy solid relations, stressing that the two sides do not allow anyone to interfere in their ties. "Relations between Iran and Iraq are not harmful to anybody and for this reason, we do not allow anyone to interfere in them," Zarif said in a joint press conference with Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Alhakim. Zarif noted that he had held very important talks with his Iraqi counterpart mainly on mutual relations in various sectors such as trade, politics, tourism, health, pilgrimage and regional developments as well as cooperation in international organizations, saying that the two countries have a very close stance on these issues. The top Iranian diplomat hailed Iraq's efforts to help the normalization of relations between the Arab world and Syria and its support for Damascus rejoining the Arab League. He said Iran and Iraq emphasized the importance of maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and threw their weight behind the peace process in Yemen aimed at ending the ongoing war in the impoverished country. The Islamic Republic believes that support for the Israeli regime poses the main danger to the region, Zarif said, adding that all nations back the Palestinian people's cause. The Iraqi foreign minister said for his part that he and his Iranian counterpart had discussed various issues regarding bilateral relations and regional developments. Alhakim added that cooperation in fighting terrorism in Syria, management of land and maritime borders, emphasis on the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and underlining the importance of implementing the Stockholm agreement on the Yemen war were highlights of the two foreign ministers' discussions. In another part of his remarks, the Iraqi foreign minister said despite unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States against Iran, Baghdad will continue economic cooperation with Tehran. "There are historical, friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries and expansion of political and economic collaboration will be beneficial" to both countries, Alhakim noted. US President Donald Trump withdrew his country in May 2018 from the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, which is officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Last November, the Trump administration announced the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran's banking and energy sectors with the aim of cutting off the country's oil sales and crucial exports. A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector. Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Zarif arrived in Baghdad on Sunday on a four-day visit. The visit comes a few days after the Iranian foreign minister traveled to India, where he exchanged views with the country's officials on financial and banking cooperation, energy and transit. Back in November, Iraqi President Barham Salih paid a two-day visit to Tehran at the head of a delegation at a sensitive time when the US was pressuring regional countries to go along with Washington in "squeezing" Iran under the sanctions re-imposed on the Islamic Republic. In a post on his official Twitter account, Zarif expressed delight at the visit by the Iraqi president and his accompanying delegation, saying Iran and Iraq were committed to win-win cooperation. "Constructive exchanges on next steps to work together towards regional peace & security," Zarif said. Iran dismisses rumors on JCPOA exit IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi categorically dismissed the rumors on Tehran's exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He made the statements in reaction to recent media hype that the Islamic Republic has quit the nuclear deal it reached with world powers in July 2015. Qasemi strongly dismissed Iran's exit from JCPOA, saying that there rumors are aimed at ensuring the profiteers' interests and launch psychological confusion among the public. Since the Iranian people always keep vigilance, such rumors will get nowhere, he said, noting that any decision on JCPOA lies only within the authority of the High Council of Supervising JCPOA and not any other entity. 8072**2050 Iraq underlines cooperation with Iran despite US sanctions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Baghdad, Jan 13, IRNA -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Hakim said on Sunday that despite US unilateral economic sanctions, his country insists on economic cooperation with the neighboring state of Iran. At the end of his detailed talks with the Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, he read out a joint statement on the topics discussed during the meeting to the reporters. "I had a significant and detailed meeting with Zarif and accompanying delegation. The meeting was a suitable opportunity for exchanging views on various issues such as bilateral ties and regional developments," he said. There are historic and friendly relations between the two countries, Hakim said, noting that promoting political and economic cooperation will be in the interest of them. Mechanism for issuing visas, commercial and pilgrimage visits, multilateral collaboration in the UN, cooperation in fighting terrorism in Syria, the country's territorial integrity and national sovereignty, supporting Palestine and the need to end Israeli occupation as well as the results of Stockholm talks were among the other issues dealt with during the meeting with Zarif, Iraqi top diplomat said. Zarif arrived in Baghdad on Sunday at the head of a politico-economic delegation. He is scheduled to hold talks with President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Mohamed al-Halbousi. 8072**2050 France's Macron Calls Fellow Citizens to National Debate By VOA News January 13, 2019 French President Emmanuel Macron has released what he calls a "letter to the French," encouraging a national debate on issues that have led to two months of anti-government protests. "This is how I intend to turn anger into solutions," Macron said Sunday. "Your proposals will help build a new contract for the nation, organizing the actions of the government and parliament, but also France's positions at the European and international levels." Macron plans to hold a number of town hall meetings across the country over the next eight weeks. Among the questions he is opening for debate are which taxes should be cut, what public spending should be a priority, are there too many bureaucratic layers, and questions surrounding the environment and immigration. While Macron said no topic will be off the table, the right of people to seek asylum in France will not be up for debate. "We won't agree on everything, which is normal in a democracy. But at least we'll show we're a people which is not afraid of talking, exchanging [ideas], debating." So-called "yellow vest" marches erupted in France in November against a now-scrapped fuel tax. But they have since expanded into a general anti-government protest, especially in rural France, where many see Macron as someone more interested in the wealthy than their problems. Some of the marches have turned violent, leading to government proposals to ban anyone wearing face masks from joining in or starting their own march. The free speech group Reporters Without Borders has called on protest organizers to condemn violence against journalists covering the marches. The group says reporters have been beaten, kicked, and threatened with rape. US Offered North Korea to Conduct Summit in Vietnam in Mid-February - Reports Sputnik News 08:11 13.01.2019 TOKYO (Sputnik) - US administration has offered North Korea to hold the next meeting of the two countries' leaders in Vietnam in mid-February, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday. North Korea is currently considering this proposal, the publication said, referring to sources in US, South Korean and Japanese diplomatic circles. No official response has yet been received, it added. The first ever US-North Korean summit was held in Singapore on June 12. Following the meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un confirmed his intention to denuclearize, and US President Donald Trump pledged to provide security guarantees to Pyongyang. Since then, Pyongyang has been waiting for Washington to fulfil the agreements reached, and the US administration is unhappy about the lack of new steps by the DPRK on nuclear disarmament. The parties have already begun to discuss the second summit, but no specific results have been achieved yet. Trump's top security aide John Bolton said in December that Washington intended to hold it in January or February. At the same time, he noted that US administration did not plan to lift sanctions against Pyongyang. Sputnik China's 'Underground Steel Great Wall' capable of defeating hypersonic weapon attacks: academician Global Times By Deng Xiaoci and Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/13 17:33:39 China should stay alert to US low-yield nuclear warheads China's "Underground Steel Great Wall" could "guarantee the security of the country's strategic arsenal" against potential attacks, including those from future hypersonic weapons, Qian Qihu, recipient of the country's highest science and technology award, told the Global Times. Qian, 82, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, received the 2018 State Preeminent Science and Technology Award during a conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. The "Underground Steel Great Wall" is a series of defense facilities located deep under mountains. While the mountain rock is thick enough to resist enemy attacks, entrances and exits of these facilities are often vulnerable and Qian's work was to provide extra protection for these parts. China's nuclear strategy follows the principle of "no first use" and requires the country to have the capability of withstanding a nuclear attack before it responds with its strategic weapons. Qian's work guaranteed the safety of the country's strategic weapons, launch and storage facilities as well as commanders' safety during extreme times, said Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator. In an exclusive interview with the Global Times on Friday, Qian describes his work, the "Underground Steel Great Wall," as the "country's last national defense line." If other lines of defense including the strategic missile interception system, anti-missile system and air defense system fail to function against hypersonic missiles and recently developed bunker-busters, Qian's work can still thwart such attacks. "The development of the shield must closely follow the development of spears. Our defense engineering has evolved in a timely manner as attack weapons pose new challenges," Qian said. According to the academician, hypersonic weapons that move 10 times as fast as the speed of sound are capable of changing trajectory mid-flight and penetrate any anti-missile installations. US media outlet CNBC reported that in March 2018 during a State of the Nation address, Russian President Vladimir Putin debuted new nuclear and hypersonic weapons, which he described as "invincible." The US is also trying to develop hypersonic weapons, as then US Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, now acting secretary of defense, said in October. "We are going to fly sooner and more often than people have ever expected," CNBC reported. Emerging challenges National defense challenges do not only emerge from the development of advanced attack weapons but are also a result of an unpredictable international environment, Qian said. He cited the recent US stance whereby the Donald Trump administration is mulling lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons deployment. The US is planning to loosen US nuclear weapons constraints and developing low-yield nuclear warheads, the Wall Street Journal reported in January 2018. It is highly possible that US weapons with low-yield nuclear warheads are bunker-busters, with a higher surgical strike capability that may cause larger damage, military experts previously noted, warning that China should stay alert and upgrade its own national defense. Qian has also provided advice on civilian construction projects, including the Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the giant South-to-North Water Transfer Project, according to a China Global Television Network report. Asked how he would spend the 8 million yuan cash award, Qian said that part would go to research on national defense, and the rest used for social welfare projects such as fighting poverty and supporting poor students. "I have never had a thought of earning any prize money for my research, nor would I think it came too late," Qian said. "I am only grateful that national recognition offers a great opportunity to raise the public's national defense awareness." Communication Session With Spektr-R Space Telescope Fails - Roscosmos Sputnik News 17:08 13.01.2019(updated 17:09 13.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A representative of Russian space agency Roscosmos told Sputnik on Sunday that an attempt to establish contact with Russia's only space telescope Spektr-R has failed. "No communication has been established with the vehicle so far. There is a certain algorithm, work will be continued tomorrow," the representative said. Earlier in the day, a source in the rocket and space industry told Sputnik that experts from the Lavochkin Research and Production Association (Lavochkin NPO) had started a communication session with Spektr-R following the loss of contact with the space vehicle due to a communications failure on Saturday. The telescope was scheduled to start observing the M106 galaxy located in the Canes Venatici constellation from Monday in case of full restoration of communication. Sputnik Trump: 'Broken Border' More Damaging Than Government Shutdown By Ken Bredemeier January 13, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump contended Sunday that the damage from the country's "badly broken border" with Mexico is "far greater" than the effects of the longest-ever partial government shutdown, now in its 23rd day. "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!" Trump claimed on Twitter. About 800,000 federal workers missed their first paychecks on Friday in the closures that have shuttered about a quarter of U.S. government operations. The dispute centers on Trump's demand for more than $5 billion to build a barrier along the 3,200-kilometer border with Mexico to thwart illegal immigration. There was no movement toward a settlement, with Congress not meeting again till Monday. "I'm in the White House, waiting," Trump said. "The Democrats are everywhere but Washington as people await their pay. They are having fun and not even talking!" Trump was ridiculing about 30 opposition Democratic lawmakers who flew to the sun-drenched Caribbean island territory of Puerto Rico for a charity performance of the hit Broadway show "Hamilton." Trump most recently has blamed Democrats for the government shutdown, but before it started Dec. 22, he said he said he would be "proud" to "own" it. Numerous government services have been curtailed, while some museums and parks have been closed during the shutdown. The 800,000 federal civil servants who went without normal pay last week have been furloughed or ordered to work without pay, although they will be paid retroactively when the stalemate over Trump's border wall plan is resolved. Trump was asked late Saturday by Fox News talk show host Jeanine Pirro why he has not declared a national emergency to build the wall without congressional approval as he signaled last week he was ready to do. But Trump said he wants to give Congress a chance to negotiate a deal. "I want to give them a chance to see if they can act responsibly," Trump said. Trump walked out of a White House meeting last week with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, when they refused to approve a border wall, even if he reopened the government and negotiated over border security for the next 30 days. Democrats have offered $1.3 billion in new border security funding, but none specifically for a wall. Trump contended, "I'm ready, willing and able to get a deal done. This country wants to have protection at the border. Many of our crimes, much MS-13 comes through the border, drugs, a big proportion of the drugs from, you know, that we have from this country in this country come through the border." New polls on wall, shutdown Two new polls, by The Washington Post and ABC News, along with one from CNN, showed American voters blame Trump and Republicans more than Democrats for the partial government shutdown and oppose construction of the wall. The Post-ABC poll said a slight majority (54 percent) opposes construction of the wall, with 42 percent favoring it. CNN's poll said the split against was 56-39. CNN said the public generally blames Trump for the shutdown, with 55 percent saying that he is more responsible to 32 percent for Democrats, with 9 percent saying both are responsible. The Post-ABC poll pegged the blame on Trump and Republicans at 53 percent to 29 percent on Democrats. Breakthrough Made in Treating Ebola Virus By Carol Pearson January 13, 2019 In northeastern Congo, more than 600 people have fallen ill with the Ebola virus, and at least 368 people have died from the disease. It's been difficult to contain the virus because of conflict in the region, despite medical advances, including a vaccine. The Democratic Republic of Congo is where Ebola was first discovered in 1976, when the country was called Zaire. The disease was named after the Ebola River where the virus was spreading. Between then and 2013, there was no treatment or a vaccine. The outbreak ran its course in quarantined communities. Scientists started studying the virus, however, trying to come up with better ways to handle its various deadly strains. They succeeded in producing a vaccine to help end the Ebola epidemic that swept through three West African countries between 2013 and 2016. More than 11,000 people died in that outbreak. Treatment found At that time, treatment for the Zaire strain of Ebola was developed. It was costly to produce and didn't work on two other lethal strains, the Sudan and Bundibugyo viruses. But now scientists have found one. Their research produced a drug cocktail called MBP134 that helped monkeys infected with three deadly strains of Ebola recover from the disease. What's more, the treatment requires a single intravenous injection. Thomas Geisbert, Ph.D., led the research at the University of Texas Medical Branch, part of a public-private partnership that also included Mapp Biopharmaceutical, the U.S. Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Must treat all strains In an interview with VOA, Geisbert stressed the need for a treatment that would be effective against all strains of Ebola. "When an outbreak occurs, we really don't know which one of those three strains, species, we call them, is the cause of that particular episode," Geisbert said. He added that the treatments available have been effective only against the Zaire species, which leaves people infected with the other species unprotected. "Our goal was to develop a treatment that would work regardless of the particular strain of Ebola that was causing it," Geisbert said. "If I have to make a drug that only works against Zaire, and another drug that only works against Sudan and another drug that only works against the Bundibugyo species, that is extremely expensive," he added. Geisbert said the treatment will save valuable time in determining which strain of Ebola is circulating in a particular outbreak. It will save lives because people can be treated immediately, and it will also save money. No profit There's no profit for the pharmaceutical companies that produce the drugs. "It's not like you're making up vaccine for flu where companies [are] going to make a profit. There's really a small global market for Ebola so it really has to be sponsored by the government," he said. In addition to the U.S. Army and the Canadian government, the U.S. National Institutes of Health has supported much of this research. Geisbert said the work ahead involves tweaking the dose to its lowest possible amount, making it easier to distribute again to reduce costs and conducting clinical trials in humans to ensure the treatment is safe and effective. Geisbert is confident it will work in humans, although he cautioned that in science, nothing is certain. The treatment may not be ready to help those with Ebola in the Congo outbreak, but the promise is that countries affected by the virus could have the treatment at the ready to stop future Ebola outbreaks. It also means that should someone with Ebola walk into a hospital outside of Africa, as happened in Texas when a Liberian man sought treatment, the patient can be cured, and health care workers can be protected. Trump Announces Beginning of 'Long Overdue Pullout' of US Troops from Syria Sputnik News 02:18 14.01.2019(updated 02:46 14.01.2019) US President Donald Trump tweeted that Washington is beginning its pullout of US troops from Syria. Trump announced on his Twitter page that US troops in Syria are starting their pullout "while hitting the little remaining ISIS [Daesh*]' terrorists 'from many directions", adding that US "will attack again from existing nearby base if it [Daesh terrorist group] reforms". In tweets, Trump claimed that 'Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria'. The US president also warned that it 'will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds'. In December 2018, Trump declared victory over Daesh additionally claiming that he would withdraw some 2,000 US troops currently deployed in the war-torn Middle Eastern nation. Previously Washington said that it would not disclose a timeline for the withdrawal of its troops, and pledging that the US-led international coalition's fight against terrorism would continue. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month said that ensuring the Turkish military does not massacre the Kurds would be a key priority for the United States following the Pentagon's withdrawal of its troops from Syria. A US-led coalition of over 70 member-nations has been conducting military operations against the Daesh terror group in Syria and Iraq. Coalition strikes in Syria are neither authorized by the government of President Bashar Assad nor by the United Nations Security Council. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with government forces fighting opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Since 2015, Russian forces have been supporting the Syrian army in its fight against terrorism. In late 2017, a defeat of Daesh in the Middle Eastern country was declared. Syrian government forces that have regained control over the majority of territories once controlled by terrorists are still fighting against remaining militants in some areas. *Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State), is a terrorist group banned in Russia, the US and many other countries Sputnik Opposition and Democracy Activists Criticize Election Coverage in Bangladesh By Maaz Hussain January 13, 2019 In the wake of Bangladesh's recent general election, opposition coalition and pro-democracy activists expressed disappointment with alleged episodes of vote manipulation going largely unreported in the local media. But several journalists argue that fear of government reprisals led many media outlets to avoid publishing stories about the alleged wrongdoing. "The level of vote robbery in the December 30 general election was unprecedented in world history. Ahead of conducting the massively rigged election, the government introduced some black laws, like the Digital Security Act, to shackle the media," BNP senior joint secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed told VOA. "In different ways the government issued threats to the domestic media outlets to keep them away from reporting freely and not to let the outside world know of the massive vote manipulation," he said. A Dhaka-based national TV channel news producer said many media outlets could not exercise their freedom during the election. "Ahead of the general election, the Election Commission issued new guidelines strictly limiting the coverage-related activities of the journalists during the polling. In a first ever such move, it banned photography, videography or live telecast of the polling-related activities inside voting centers," said a Dhaka-based national TV channel news producer who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal by the government. 'Chilling message' "Journalists got a chilling message that if they flouted the guidelines they would face serious retribution from the government. In such a terrifying situation, the rigging-related activities went largely unreported." Other journalists who told VOA similar stories did not want to be quoted, saying they feared reprisals from the government. "They are facing severe pressure on many fronts, including arbitrary arrests and beating by police, forced disappearances and tough criminal defamation and online security laws that have put many in jail," said Steven Butler, Asia Program coordinator of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). "They also endure repeated intimidating advisory phone calls from police, army intelligence and the government. The net result is a siege mentality. So, it's not surprising they are afraid to report on election irregularities they have witnessed," Butler added. Vote fraud allegations After the schedule of the general election was announced by Bangladesh's election commission in early December, the government reiterated that the election would be free, fair and all-inclusive. But hours before the polling began on Dec. 30, the opposition alliance alleged that activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) were illegally stuffing ballot boxes at many voting centers across the country in the presence of election and security officials. On the day of the polling, the alliance also alleged that tens of thousands of its polling agents, intimidated by AL supporters, had been driven away from the voting centers across the country. After the election commission announced that the Awami League and its allies had overwhelmingly won 288 of the 300 parliamentary seats in the election, the Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF), the main political opposition coalition, rejected the results, saying it was a "massively rigged, farcical" election. AL leaders, however, said the charge of rigging was baseless. "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," senior AL leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif told VOA. JOF leader Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said there was far less evidence of vote manipulation in this election largely because many journalists were not allowed to work freely during the polling. "While rigging was going on at almost all voting centers in the presence of the election and security around, we asked some reporters to go and cover the incidents. But they all said they were too scared to report on those wrongdoings and stayed away from the voting centers," Tuku told VOA. Social media activity Although the mainstream media largely refrained from reporting on the allegations of fraud, social media remained very active. Many users wrote on Facebook about their experiences at the voting centers. Hundreds of video clips, in which people claimed that they had been stopped by AL activists from casting their votes, circulated across social media. Video clips that claimed to show AL activists casting illegal votes also surfaced on Facebook and Twitter. Pro-democracy activist Pinaki Bhattacharya said the threat of the Digital Security Act also kept many journalists away from the election. "Journalists in Bangladesh fear of being framed in multiple cases under the Digital Security Act. So, they are refraining from reporting the truth in many cases as it happened during the December 30 election. This act has robbed the spirit and freedom of journalism in Bangladesh," Bhattacharya, who is also known as a popular online activist, told VOA. The Dhaka-based activist, who has been in hiding since August after a military intelligence agency reportedly began hounding him, used his Facebook and Twitter pages to report on alleged malpractice during the election. The election was not sufficiently documented, with most mainstream media outlets largely staying away from reporting the alleged rigging, Bhattacharya said. "No independent international election observer group operated during this election. In such a situation, reports in the mainstream media in Bangladesh would have played a key role to document the election. In 95 percent or more voting centers, votes were rigged. But such malpractices have now remained largely undocumented in the absence of proper journalistic reporting," Bhattacharya said. 'Immeasurable' suppression Hong Kong-based rights activist Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman of the Asian Legal Resource Centre, said the media "blackout" during the election was "immeasurable and irreparable." He said the charge of election fraud "should have been independently investigated by the mainstream media outlets that have extensive networks across the country. It would have helped the world to know how a government is being installed in Bangladesh via a massively rigged election." Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, media adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said that "few" journalists might have "faced restrictions" in Bangladesh. "But, if you generalize the comment like this, that the journalists in Bangladesh are working under some sort of threats or restrictions, that will not be fair because it may have happened to just one, two, three or four journalists," Chowdhury told VOA. If any journalist received a threat from police or a military intelligence agency he should have filed an official complaint within the country, he said. "[In Bangladesh] there are professional bodies like the Editors' Council, Press Institute and Press Council. If it is so that they have been restricted, they have been threatened by the intelligence agencies or police, I don't know whether they have complained to these bodies. I don't think that there is any complaint received by these bodies. Also, here they can file any case against these [security] agencies in the court," he said. He added, "I would not comment on what these reporters and journalists said to people or bodies outside the country [to VOA or CPJ]. At least if we do not receive any complaint from any reporter, we cannot comment on this." Regional Bloc Urges Vote Recount in DRC Poll By VOA News January 13, 2019 A southern African regional bloc urged officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo Sunday to recount the votes of its recent contested presidential election. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) called for a unity government in a statement issued by Zambian President Edgar Lungu, citing examples of similar deals struck in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi was declared the winner of elections Sunday, but runner-up Martin Fayulu has challenged the outcome of the country's election in court, claiming that his opponent made a deal with outgoing president Joseph Kabila. Fayulu's opposition coalition said Friday he captured 61 percent of the vote, citing figures from the Catholic Church, which placed 40,000 election observers across the Central African country. The coalition said Tshisekedi won 18 percent of the vote. By law, only the electoral commission can announce election results in Congo. Fayulu, who has members of the Republican Guard deployed outside his home, called for a manual recount of the election. Pre-election polls indicated that Fayulu was the favorite to replace outgoing President Joseph Kabila. Kabila backed another candidate, his former interior minister, Emmanuel Shadary. Congo has never seen a peaceful transfer of power since winning independence from Belgium in 1960. Last week's election was originally scheduled for 2016 but was delayed as Kabila stayed in office past the end of his mandate, sparking protests that were crushed by security forces, leaving dozens dead. UN welcomes progress in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia naming dispute 13 January 2019 - The Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the naming dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Matthew Nimetz, has welcomed the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia parliament's decision to ratify an agreement on a new name for the latter country, following a dispute that has lasted some 28 years. In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Nimetz congratulated the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia parliament and the country's citizens who approved the name change in a referendum held in September 2018 for the move, and the democratic manner in which the process was undertaken: "this historic Agreement between two neighbours opens the door to a new relationship between them and to a firmer basis for peace and security in the Balkans. I look forward to completion of the process as outlined in the Agreement," said Mr. Nimetz, adding that the United Nations remains "committed to working with the two Parties in finally resolving the difference between them." However, in order for the country to be renamed the Republic of North Macedonia, the Greek parliament must also vote to ratify the deal. On Sunday, it was reported that the issue has led to a Greek government crisis, with the governing coalition split over the name change: Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is reportedly planning to call a confidence vote, which is expected to be held on Wednesday. The dispute stretches back to 1991, when the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia, and announced its intention to be named "Macedonia." Neighbouring Greece refused to recognise the name, insisting that only the northern Greek region of the same name should be called Macedonia, and arguing that the former Yugoslav Republic's use of the name was a challenge to Greek sovereignty. Interview With Margaret Brennan of CBS's Face the Nation Interview Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates January 13, 2019 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, we are in the middle of this shutdown, and I know a number of State Department employees are not getting paid, including a quarter of U.S. employees in foreign countries. You've been going to U.S. embassies. What are you telling staff about when they can expect a paycheck? SECRETARY POMPEO: Look, it's unfortunate that we're in this shutdown. I wish we weren't too. I hope that it's resolved quickly, and I've certainly told our teams that. But you have to know these great Americans who are working in our embassies around the world, they understand the mission and they understand its importance. They understand that whether the government is open or closed they have a task to do, and they are hard at it. QUESTION: Well, I do want to ask you since we are so focused on what's happening with the shutdown here at home, the State Department, when it comes to border issues, has issued a report in 2017 about counterterrorism, and it says that there is no credible evidence that international terrorist groups have established bases in Mexico or sent operatives via Mexico into the United States. It adds the southern border is vulnerable, but terrorist groups likely seek other means of trying to enter the United States. How does this match with the claim that there is a border security crisis? SECRETARY POMPEO: Make no mistake about it, Margaret; keeping our southern border secure is an important national security component. It's critical that we do that while there's a real risk to the United States of America. We need to take this seriously. We need to secure our southern border. We need to make sure that those who want to do us harm don't have a way to access us in that way. There are many things we have to do; one of the reasons I'm in the Middle East is to work on prevailing against terror. There are lots of elements of this, but border security is certainly an important component. QUESTION: So is the State Department report wrong to say that this is not how terrorists are trying to enter the United States? SECRETARY POMPEO: Margaret, terrorists try to get into our country lots of ways. One of the ways they can come in is across our southern border. What you saw was an unclassified report. Make no mistake about it; terrorists will always find the weakest link, and we need to make sure that the weakest link in our national security isn't our southern border. QUESTION: I want to get to your trip through the Middle East, but I first want to ask you about this New York Times report that says right after President Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey, the FBI began investigating whether President Trump himself was a potential threat to national security and whether he had been working for Russia or unintentionally influenced by Moscow. What is your reaction to this? SECRETARY POMPEO: I'm not going to comment on New York Times stories, but I'll certainly say this: The notion that President Trump is a threat to American national security is absolutely ludicrous. QUESTION: Just to clarify, since you were CIA director, did you have any idea that this investigation was happening? SECRETARY POMPEO: Margaret, Margaret, Margaret, I've answered this question repeatedly indeed, on your show. The idea that's contained in the New York Times story that President Trump was a threat to American national security is silly on its face and not worthy of a response. QUESTION: One of the reasons you're in the Middle East is to reassure and explain to some of our allies what the U.S. policy in Syria is. So I'd like you to do that for us today, because the Pentagon announced yesterday that it actually has begun its withdrawal from Syria, yet the U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said that wouldn't happen until two things: one, the U.S. defeated ISIS; and two, Turkey assured us it wouldn't go after our Kurdish allies. Have those two conditions been met? SECRETARY POMPEO: Margaret, the President's guidance is incredibly clear. The roughly 2,000 uniformed soldiers that are in Syria today are going to be withdrawn. That activity is underway. We're going to do so in an orderly, deliberate way, a way that protects America's national security, a way that allows us to continue the important mission that they were on. The counterterrorism mission, the effort to make sure that the destruction of ISIS is not only complete but that their resurgence is not possible, our efforts to counter the threat from terrorism stemming from the Islamic Republic of Iran those are all real missions. The tactical change we've made in the withdrawal of those 2,000 troops is just that, a tactical change. The mission remains the same. QUESTION: So has Turkey's president promised you not to attack our Kurdish allies? SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, look, when President Erdogan and President Trump spoke, they talked about this issue. The Turks have made clear that they understand that there are folks down in Syria that have their rights. We also want to make sure that those in Syria aren't attacking, terrorists aren't attacking Turkey from Syria. We're fully engaged. Ambassador Jeffrey is fully engaged in conversations with the Turks as well as with the SDF in Syria to make sure that we accomplish all of those missions. We can do each of those things, Margaret. QUESTION: The SDF among some of the fighters that we were talking about, Kurdish allies there, just to explain for our audience. SECRETARY POMPEO: That's right. QUESTION: I want to ask you here though, because you know as a diplomat the threat of credible use of military force is what gives you power at the negotiating table. How does taking out U.S. troops from Syria get you any closer to expelling Iran? SECRETARY POMPEO: Margaret, the United States of America can project military power from lots of places in the world. The absence of a couple thousand soldiers on the ground in Syria in no way materially diminishes the capacity of the United States of America and our amazing Armed Forces to deliver American power to accomplish our objectives anywhere in the world. That certainly includes in Syria. It certainly includes into Iran, if need be. We still have those tools. American diplomats still have that leverage and that power standing behind them. I am very confident in our military capabilities here in the Middle East. QUESTION: So by that, are you saying that having U.S. troops in nearby Iraq will fill any kind of vacuum left by pulling out of Syria? SECRETARY POMPEO: Margaret, we have lots of tools in the arsenal. I was out visiting some amazing warriors out at NAVCENT yesterday in Bahrain. We have an enormous amount of American military capacity. Our ability to achieve what we need to do militarily is there. My task as America's Secretary of State is to make sure that we don't have to use that tool, that we get the diplomatic outcomes to secure the Middle East and keep it stable and protect the American people as well. QUESTION: When it comes to Iran, the Trump administration has taken some confrontational tactics here pulling out of the nuclear accord, saying that Iranian threats would be matched here. But we saw this week another American, a Navy vet, Michael White, has been behind Iranian bars since July. So the Trump administration is not stopping Iran from taking Americans hostage. What is happening with this American? SECRETARY POMPEO: This administration is proud of the work that we've done to get Americans released all across the world. With respect to the Michael White case in particular, I can't say much. It's an ongoing consular matter. But the American people should know we take the security of every American, wherever they are traveling in the world, as one of our foremost priorities. We will continue to work to get each of them back. And your point, your point about the Islamic Republic of Iran, is spot on. It's why the JCPOA was such a horrible idea. Many Americans are being held there today that were taken by the Iranian regime. These are a group of people who are among the worst terrorists in the world and who have the least respect for human rights in the world, and it's why this administration has taken the very hard line you just described against Iran. QUESTION: Is the Trump administration open to a prisoner swap with Iran? SECRETARY POMPEO: I'm not going to talk about something like that. QUESTION: Well, I ask you because Michael White's mother spoke to CBS, and she said she would like the administration to negotiate for her son. She said, "What is a human life worth? I would like the U.S. to negotiate. I want him home." What can you tell her you're doing to bring her son home? SECRETARY POMPEO: I have great sympathy for the families of those Americans who are wrongfully detained all across the world, and we do everything we can every day to get their return. We use our diplomatic tools in every corner of the world to reach out to these places, to get these young men and women home. We are intent to do that in Iran. We are intent to do that all across the world. We take this obligation as a solemn one, and this administration has had quite a few successes. I hope we have more. QUESTION: Potentially open to negotiations then? SECRETARY POMPEO: We're using every tool that we have in our arsenal to get these Americans back home wherever we find them. QUESTION: Ambassador Bolton said the next summit with Kim Jong-un would be in January or February. We're in that window. When will we see President Trump sit down with the North Korean leader? SECRETARY POMPEO: We're working out the details, Margaret. You will be among the first to know. QUESTION: I know, sir, you're at the end of this trip. You will be headed to Saudi Arabia. It has been about a hundred days since Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered. Will you raise this issue with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince? SECRETARY POMPEO: Of course. QUESTION: And what will you say? SECRETARY POMPEO: I'll say what Margaret, I'll say what we have said consistently. America's position both privately and publicly is the same. This was an outrageous act, an unacceptable murder. Those who were responsible will be held accountable by the United States of America. We're determined to do that. We're determined to get at the facts just as quickly and as comprehensively as we can. We have had a policy that's been remarkably consistent with respect to this. We, like the rest of the world, value human rights all across the globe, and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was outrageous, and we'll hold those responsible accountable. And then we'll talk about all the important things we do with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all the support they provide to keep Americans in Kansas and Colorado and California and in Washington, D.C., safe. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for your time. Safe travels. SECRETARY POMPEO: Margaret, thank you very much. You have a great day. Washington, Doha Sign Deal to Expand al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar - Pompeo Sputnik News 14:28 13.01.2019(updated 16:22 13.01.2019) Last year, Qatari Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah said that the government of Qatar was expanding the US military's al-Udeid Air Base and sought to make the facility and Washington's presence there "permanent". "We signed a new MoU on the expansion of our presence at al-Udeid. It hosts thousands of US military personnel and the CENTCOM forward headquarters. This place is key to American security", Pompeo said after signing a bilateral deal to expand the military base. Al-Udeid is already the largest US military base in the Middle East. The military base in Qatar is home to the US Air Force Central Command (AFCENT). It houses as many as 11,000 personnel and is critical for the projection of US air power in the region. The senior official has also urged the Gulf States to end a rift in relations. "We are all more powerful when we are working together and disputes are limited. When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful", he said at a press conference in Qatar. A Saudi led-coalition of other Middle East countries issued a trade blockade against Qatar in 2017 over accusations that it supported terrorism, sparking a diplomatic crisis. Qatar firmly denies the allegations. Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, for his part, said that he had discussed the situation in Syria and the fight against terrorism, among a number of other issues of mutual interest, with Pompeo. "We have held an extended dialogue during the seven meetings of the conference of dialogue between Qatar and the United States and discussed all issues of mutual interest, in particular, the crisis between the Gulf countries, the Middle East [peace] process, talks on Afghanistan, the situation in Syria, and efforts aimed at combating terrorism", Al-Thani said at a press conference after his meeting with Pompeo. Pompeo arrived in Doha earlier in the day from Abu Dhabi, where he had travelled as part of his Middle East tour. The secretary's next stop will be in Saudi Arabia. Sputnik Hezbollah Head Nasrallah Suffers Heart Attack Reports Sputnik News 14:56 13.01.2019(updated 15:10 13.01.2019) The news comes amid the conclusion of the Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) Operation Northern Shield, aimed at demolishing secret tunnels, allegedly dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon to Israel. Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has been hospitalised after suffering a heart attack, the newspaper Israel Hayom reported, citing Lebanese journalist Jerry Mahar. According to Mahar's source, "a senior figure in the Hezbollah organisation was hospitalised" on Saturday in Beirut, while other sources confirmed that it was Nasrallah, adding that he "has been fighting cancer for years". Hezbollah has not commented on the reports and has not provided information on its secretary-general or his condition. Nasrallah has not been seen in public since November, when he criticised a possible ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Israel and Hezbollah last clashed in 2006, with Israeli forces invading Lebanon after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. Ties between Tel Aviv and Beirut further deteriorated after the IDF launched Operation Northern Shield in early December 2018, destroying suspected Hezbollah tunnels used to funnel militants and arms across the Israel-Lebanon border. Sputnik Poland Plans to Build Artificial Island on Outskirts of Russian Exclave Sputnik News 19:35 13.01.2019 The island will be owned by the Polish government, but it remains unclear what purpose it will serve. According to media reports, access to the island will be restricted. Poland has revealed plans to construct an artificial island in the Kaliningradskiy Zaliv (also known as the Vistula Lagoon), not far from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, Polish newspaper Wyborcza reported. The island will be made from earth dug up during the construction of a channel going through the Kaliningradskaya Kosa (also known as the Vistula Spit) to the Baltic Sea. The construction of both could reportedly cost some $236 million. The tender outlines that the 2-3 metre high island would have an elliptical shape with its main axis being 1,932 metres long and its total area reaching 181 hectares. The newspaper noted that the island would be "visible from space". It's unclear what purpose the island will serve, but it will be off-limits to ordinary citizens and ships. Poland is planning the construction of an artificial strait through the Kaliningradskaya Kosa as an alternative maritime route for ships going for Elblag. Currently, all ships, sailing to the Kaliningradskiy Zaliv have to cross Strait of Baltiysk, which is located within Russia's maritime borders. Both Russia and the EU have expressed concern that the artificial strait may negatively affect ecological situation in the region. Sputnik Greek Defense Minister Resigns Over Macedonia Name Deal By RFE/RL January 13, 2019 Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos announced his resignation ahead of a parliamentary vote to ratify a deal ending a decades-old name dispute with Macedonia. "The Macedonia issue does not allow me not to sacrifice my post," Kammenos said on January 13 following talks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. He also said that his right-wing populist Independent Greeks (ANEL) party was quitting the government. Tsipras later said he will ask for a vote of confidence in parliament in the coming week. Kammenos has long opposed the accord signed by the Greek and Macedonian governments in June 2018. The deal would change the name of Greece's northern neighbor to the Republic of North Macedonia. In exchange, Athens would lift its objections to the former Yugoslav republic joining NATO and the European Union. Macedonia's parliament voted on January 11 to ratify changes to the constitution called for in connection with the agreement, which now needs backing from the Greek lawmakers to come into effect. The deal has met with opposition in both countries with critics saying it makes too many concessions to the other side. Athens argues that use of the term "Macedonia" implies territorial claims on Greece's northern province of the same name, and on its ancient Greek heritage. In a parliamentary session on January 11, 81 Macedonian deputies in the 120-seat parliament voted in favor of the proposed changes to the country's constitution, securing the required two-thirds majority. It came after three days of negotiations between Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and lawmakers that opposed the changes. Zaev said on January 12 that the lawmakers had "made history," adding: "I know how difficult that was. ... We are putting the bitterness in the past and we are looking now proudly to the future." Greece's 300-member parliament needs a simple majority for ratification. Tsipras has said that the chamber would be asked to ratify the agreement with Macedonia by the end of the month. His left-wing Syriza party has 145 deputies in the legislature, and the prime minister may need votes from opposition lawmakers to pass the deal. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ macedonia-name/29706890.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. I have been tougher on Russia than any other president: Trump Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 03:34AM US President Donald Trump claims he has been "far tougher" on Russia than past presidents, following new revelations about a 2017 FBI probe into whether he was working for the Russian government. Reacting to a New York Times report on Friday about the FBI investigation, Trump further argued in a Saturday Tweet that it was right to seek positive relations with Russia, while insisting that his administration had confronted Moscow on the global stage more than the previous three administrations. "I have been FAR tougher on Russia than Obama, Bush or Clinton," Trump wrote. "Maybe tougher than any other President." The embattled US president then went on to add, "At the same time, & as I have often said, getting along with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. I fully expect that someday we will have good relations with Russia again!" The New York-based daily reported that FBI agents opened a probe shortly after Trump fired James Comey, the FBI director that was leading a probe into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia to determine whether the US presidential nominee at the time was directly working on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the United States. Trump's claim that he has taken stronger positions against Moscow than his predecessors echoed a Friday statement released by the White House on Friday night pushing back on the Times report. The Trump administration faced a shaky relationship with Moscow for most of 2018, especially in the latter half of the year when Washington imposed new sanctions on a dozen individuals related to Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukraine crisis. Earlier in the year, however, the US-Russia ties appeared headed in a different direction following a summit between Trump and Putin in Helsinki, after which Trump shocked many in Washington by appearing to agree with Moscow's explanation for election meddling in 2016 over the conclusion of US intelligence agencies. The president later retracted his words after a storm of controversy, claiming to have misstated his conclusion on whether Moscow was involved in the hack of Democratic Party organizations during the 2016 presidential poll. The development came amid a new report by the Washington Post daily alleging that Trump had also concealed meeting with Putin from administration officials on multiple instances. Top intel official injured in Houthi drone attack dies Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 11:28AM A high-ranking intelligence official injured in a Houthi drone attack on Yemen's largest air base held by Saudi mercenaries has died of his wounds, AFP news agency reported on Monday. Brigadier General Saleh Tamah was wounded on Thursday in a strike on a military parade at al-Anad air base in southwestern Lahij province, some 60 kilometers north of Aden. Medical sources told AFP that Tamah underwent several surgeries in a hospital in Aden but died Sunday morning. So far, at least seven ranking officials have been killed in the attack which also left 11 other senior members of the Saudi-led operations center injured. The attack came in response to repeated Saudi airstrikes which have put a UN-brokered peace agreement in the strategic port city of Hudaydah in jeopardy. Among those injured were deputy chief of staff Saleh al-Zandani, senior commander Fadel Hasan, and Lahij provincial governor Ahmad Abdullah al-Turki, with AFP saying the latter two had been transferred to Saudi Arabia for treatment. Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen in 2015 with the aim of reinstating former president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi who resigned amid a political deadlock in January 2015 and then fled to Riyadh. The invasion has fallen short of its purpose, but has reportedly killed over 56,000 people and put the country in the throes of an acute famine. With the war drawn into a deadlock, Saudi Arabia is virtually mired in a quagmire, having faced repeated military backlashes in Yemen and reprisal attacks inside its own territories. On Saturday, the Yemeni army fired two ballistic missiles against military positions in Saudi Arabia's Najran region, while artillery fire struck strongholds in the nearby Jizan, Yemen's al-Masirah TV reported. The strikes came after Saudi Arabia fired as many as 60 mortar rounds at various areas in Hudaydah despite the ceasefire which was hammered out in Sweden late last year. Aden refinery fire spreads Also a fire sparked by an explosion at an oil refinery in Aden on Friday spread to a second storage tank, injuring six people, Reuters news agency reported. Sources close to Saudi Arabia have blamed Houthi fighters for the fire but Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of the Houthi movement, rejected the allegation on Twitter. He said Yemen's combined defense forces only seek to expel the invaders, adding they have always refrained from damaging the country's vital infrastructure. Aden has been the scene of intermittent clashes between UAE-backed militants and those supported by Saudi Arabia, raising speculation that the two invaders are competing for influence in Yemen. Hamas to 'intensify confrontation' if Israeli military attacks besieged Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 01:51PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has held the Tel Aviv regime responsible for the ongoing escalation in the blockaded Gaza Strip, warning that the movement "will intensify the confrontation with Israel" in the coastal sliver if the Israeli military launches new attacks against the enclave. "The Israeli occupation [regime] bears the consequences of continuing to commit its follies against peaceful protesters and deliberately killing them in cold blood as well as bombing sites of resistance," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement on Sunday. He further noted that the escalation of situation in Gaza and "playing with fire" will never led to security for Israel and its people. The statement came after Israeli military aircraft carried out several airstrikes against multiple locations across the besieged Gaza Strip late on Saturday. Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported that Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile towards a military site belonging to Hamas east of Gaza City. Two other sites were targeted, one in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, and another in the city of Khan Yunis south of the enclave. The Israeli airstrikes caused fires to erupt in several targeted sites; however there were no reports of human casualties. The Israeli military frequently bombs the Gaza Strip, with civilians being the main target of such attacks. Israel has also launched several wars on the Palestinian coastal sliver, the last of which began in early July 2014. The military aggression, which ended on August 26, 2014, killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians. Over 11,100 others were also wounded in the war. The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in the standards of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty. The Israeli regime denies about 1.8 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs with proper wages as well as adequate healthcare and education. Yemeni forces, allies have many drones, modern ballistic missiles in inventory: Army spox Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 03:22PM The spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces says army troopers and allied fighters from Popular Committees have a large number of domestically-developed combat drones and ballistic missiles in their inventory. Speaking during a press conference in the capital Sana'a on Sunday, Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the Yemeni Military Industry has made great leaps concerning the production of home-grown unmanned aerial vehicles, stressing that 2019 will be the year of Yemeni drones. He went on to say that Yemeni forces have manufactured several state-of-the-art combat drones and ballistic missiles, which will be put on display in near future. The development came on the same day that the head of the military intelligence loyal to Yemen's resigned president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi succumbed to wounds sustained in an air raid against Saudi-paid mercenaries at an air base in the country's southwestern province of Lahij on January 10. Local medical sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Major General Mohammed Saleh Tammah died in hospital in the coastal city of Aden. Saree said on Thursday that Yemeni soldiers and their allies had attacked Saudi mercenaries at al-Anad Air Base with a Qasef K2 (Striker K2) drone. He added that the new drone could strike its designated targets from 20 meters away, and that it could carry a large payload of explosive materials. Later on Sunday, Yemeni soldiers and Popular Committees fighters launched a barrage of artillery rounds at a position of Saudi troopers and Saudi-paid militiamen in the Jabal al-Qais mountainous area of the kingdom's southern border region of Jizan. Scores of Saudi soldiers and mercenaries were killed and injured in the process. 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. Greek prime minister calls confidence vote after ally quits Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 03:59PM Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called an immediate vote of confidence in his government at the parliament after his Defense Minister Panos Kammenos a coalition ally announced his resignation in protest against a deal to solve a long-standing dispute with neighboring Macedonia. The Greek prime minister, of the left-wing Syriza Party, announced his decision following a meeting with right-wing Kammenos, the head of the Independent Greeks Party (ANEL), at the Maximos Mansion in the capital, Athens, on Sunday, ahead of an upcoming parliamentary vote to end a 27-year name dispute with Macedonia. "I have taken my decision and have informed the president of parliament that we will immediately move to the process outlined by the constitution for the renewal of the confidence in my government," Tsipras told reporters. He also paid tribute to Kammenos for his "irreplaceable, important contribution" to the government, saying he and the defense minister had had "honorable and honest cooperation" for almost four years. Tsipras also appointed Adm. Evaggelos Apostolakis, the director of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, as the new defense minister. In the 300-member Hellenic Parliament, Kammenos's party has seven seats, which has so far enabled Tsipras's government with 145 legislators and the support of one other lawmaker to pass the threshold of 150 deputies needed to run a coalition. Earlier in the day, Kammenos said he would pull his party's ministers and junior ministers from his party out of the government, leaving Tsipras bereft of a parliamentary majority and raising the possibility of snap elections. However, it is not yet immediately clear whether the two other ministers from ANEL the tourism minister, Elena Kountoura, and the deputy minister for rural development, Vasilis Kokkalis would quit the government as Kammenos did. Kammenos, himself a parliament member, further clearly warned that if any of the other six legislators of the Independent Greeks Party voted in favor of the incumbent administration, they would be expelled from the party. On Wednesday, Tsipras, a leftist, said in a televised interview that if his current coalition government broke up, he would prefer to call snap elections rather than head a minority government, which would be "a problem politically." However, his Sunday decision showed that he preferred the less risky move of calling for an immediate confidence vote. The deal and its controversy Since 1991, when Macedonia declared its independence from former Yugoslavia, Greece, a member of NATO and the European Union (EU), has insisted that the name Macedonia implied territorial claims on a northern Greek province of the same name. Although Macedonia became a member of the United Nations (UN) in 1993, due to the name dispute with Greece, it was admitted under the provisional description the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), a name that is also used by NATO and the EU. During the past 27 years, Greece has barred its neighbor from becoming a NATO and EU member state, saying that Macedonia must change its name if it wants to become a member state of these two international bodies. However, back in June, Athens and Skopje reached a landmark deal, according to which the small Balkan country was named the Republic of North Macedonia. The deal triggered protest rallies in both countries, particularly in Greece, with protesters expressing their dissent against any compromise. On Friday, Macedonian legislators voted the agreement through, with 81 lawmakers of the 120-member parliament supporting the name change, securing the required two-thirds majority to ratify it. Now, it needs backing from Greece's Hellenic Parliament. Kammenos has time and again said that he is ideologically opposed to the Macedonia deal. "The Macedonia issue does not allow me not to sacrifice my post," he said after the meeting with Tsipras on Sunday. "I thanked the prime minister for the cooperation and I explained to him that for this national issue we cannot continue," he said, adding that his party "is pulling out of the government." Greece's next parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2019. There is both optimism and a need for the United States to resume cooperation with China in space exploration, a veteran astronaut and former NASA administrator said days after the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e 4 made a historic soft-landing on the far side of the moon on Jan 2. File photo of Charles F. Bolden. [Photo: AP] "China should feel very proud of having accomplished this. Anytime you can do something that has not been done before, it's a reason for excitement and celebration," said Charles F. Bolden, chief of the space agency from July 2009 to January 2017. Congressional prohibitions on space cooperation with Chinaas stipulated by the 2011 Wolf Amendment to NASA appropriations billsis a "significant legal constraint" and "hindrance" that should be relaxed or reversed, Bolden said. "I'm incredibly optimistic. I just think cooler heads will prevail," Bolden said in an exclusive interview. Bolden was only the second astronaut in NASA's history to hold the position of administrator. During his career as a NASA astronaut, he flew four space shuttle missions, including one that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. "If this administration went to the Congress and said, 'Look, we want to relax the stipulations on the Wolf Amendment' or 'We want to eliminate the Wolf Amendment', it could get passed in a heartbeat, and that would remove the restriction and we'd be able to collaborate in human spaceflight," he said. Asked why he had such confidence, Bolden said, "Who thought Nixon would ever go to China?" referring to US President Richard Nixon's 1972 historic visit. Bolden also gave an example of cooperation between Russia and the US, which some people think are "like two different worlds". "There is no better partnership with Russia than NASA and Roscosmos, because we have a common mission," he said. Roscosmos is the Russian state corporation in charge of space activities. However, early last month, US Representative John Culberson, who then chaired the House Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees NASA and other science agencies, said he was "hopeful" Congress would continue to prohibit NASA from engaging in bilateral cooperation with China unless certain conditions are met, spacepolicyonline.com reported on Dec 7. Culberson, a Republican from Texas, lost his re-election race. After Democrats took control of the House on Jan 3, the subcommittee chairmanship changed parties. Bolden said that many international partners are working collaboratively with the Chinese space agency. For example, Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency, who had a highly successful mission on the International Space Station, and other European astronauts are training with Chinese astronauts. "My fear is that the US may be left out," he said. There have been signs of cooperation and goodwill between the space authorities of the two countries in recent months. Immediately after Chang'e 4 made the first soft-landing on the far side of the moon, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine sent the team a message of congratulations. Bridenstine met his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Kejian, chief of the China National Space Administration, on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress in Bremen, Germany, in October. "I think it's really important for the NASA administrator to speak for the United States, in reaching out to other nations of the world to say, you know, we are with you, we look at this (Chang'e 4 landing) as an achievement of humanity. And we really want to remain partners in this effort," Bolden said. "Because if we decide we're going to fracture and break it up, (and) everybody tries to do what's only good for me, none of us are going to succeed," he said. Bolden, who has met with most of the Chinese astronauts who have flown to space, said when he talked to his colleagues in the Chinese space agency and everywhere else, they still would love to be able to work cooperatively with the US in human spaceflight. "Both nations have the financial wherewithal and the technical expertise to further advance this quest for humanity to go deeper and deeper into space," he said. In addition to removing legal constraints, another requirement for US-China space cooperation is for the administration of US President Donald Trump to reinvigorate the US-China space dialogue, Bolden said. For China, one of their first steps must be reciprocity and transparency, Bolden said. The US had engaged in cooperation with China in Earth science, aeronautic research and air traffic management before and during his tenure as NASA chief. The US also signed an agreement with the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2016 to help smooth the flow of traffic through major Chinese airports, according to Bolden. "My firm belief is that we should integrate China into the International Space Station program. It doesn't have a lot of time left," Bolden said, referring to the planned retirement of the ISS in a few years. That would help China "avoid some of the mistakes that were made with building the International Space Station", he said. China is developing its own space station, named Tiangong or Heavenly Palace, which officials said is expected to be fully operational around 2022. It's likely to become the world's only space station if the US-led International Space Station is retired as planned. Bolden said he expected Tiangong to become a "nice follow-on" to the ISS, where nations of the world can go to do research, "in addition to being on some of the commercial platforms that NASA is really trying to push, to facilitate the development of, today". Sudan police fire tear gas at protesters in Khartoum, Darfur Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 04:02PM Sudanese police have fired tear gas at crowds of anti-government protesters in the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur during nationwide demonstrations against the 30-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir. Protests broke out on Sunday in Darfur after calls for rallies there by the Sudanese Professionals' Association, which has spearheaded the demonstrations. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who took to the streets of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state and in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, witnesses said. The demonstrations in Darfur were the first of their kind since unrest erupted last month over a government decision to triple the price of bread. The protests have since swiftly escalated into nationwide rallies widely seen as the biggest threat to Bashir's rule in his three decades in power. Protesters who took to the streets in the capital's Bahari district chanting "peace, peace" and "revolution is the people's choice" were quickly confronted by riot police. Protest organizers have called for near daily demonstrations across the country against Bashir this week, calling it a "Week of Uprising." In Khartoum on Sunday, protesters were seen carrying the Sudanese flag as others held banners bearing the words "peace, justice, freedom," which has become a key slogan in the rallies. Police arrested several protesters, witnesses said, as footage of the rally which could not be independently verified spread on social media networks. Sudan has been gripped by mass protests triggered by rising prices and shortages of food and fuel since December 19. The public display of anger later escalated into calls for President Bashir to go. Authorities say the protests have left 24 people dead, while Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 40, including children and medical staff. Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists as well as demonstrators. GCC is ineffectual, needs new principles of management: Qatari FM Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 05:47PM Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has no executive power left, calling for change to the structure of the six-member regional intergovernmental political and economic union. During a meeting with visiting GCC Secretary General Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah in the Qatari capital Doha on Saturday evening, Al Thani said the Riyadh-based council, which comprises of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is in need of new principles of management, Russia's RT Arabic television news network reported. On December 15, 2018, the top Qatari diplomat described the GCC as a "toothless" organization, incapable of holding its members to account. "They have mechanisms in place and never trigger them, because some countries believe they are non-binding," he said at the time. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017, after officially accusing it of "sponsoring terrorism." The administration of the Saudi-backed and former Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Libya, the Maldives, Djibouti, Senegal and the Comoros later joined the camp in ending diplomatic ties with Doha. Jordan downgraded its diplomatic relations as well. Qatar's Foreign Ministry later announced that the decision to cut diplomatic ties was unjustified and based on false claims and assumptions. On June 9, 2017, Qatar strongly dismissed allegations of supporting terrorism after the Saudi regime and its allies blacklisted dozens of individuals and entities purportedly associated with Doha. Later that month, Saudi Arabia and its allies released a 13-point list of demands, including the closure of Al Jazeera television network and downgrade of relations with Iran, in return for the normalization of diplomatic relations with Doha. The document containing the demands by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain also asked Qatar to sever all ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement. Qatar rejected the demands as "unreasonable." Iran-Taliban talks: An effort to promote regional peace Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 05:56PM Tehran has confirmed that it has been in talks with the Afghan Taliban in an effort to promote Afghan and regional peace. Analysts say the move would also prevent the region from turning into a hotbed for Takiri terrorist groups, especially Daesh, which has already gained a foothold in Afghanistan as well. Daesh terrorists, who have been militarily defeated in Iraq and Syria, have been increasingly active in Afghanistan, clashing with both the Kabul government and Taliban militants and alarming neighboring nations, including Iran. Daesh has established a foothold in eastern and northern Afghanistan. The terrorist group has mostly been populating the eastern province of Nangarhar, from where it has carried out high-profile, brutal attacks at major population centers across the country. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a speech last year said that the United States had been relocating the terror group from the Middle East to the South Asian country in an attempt to justify its military presence in the region. In recent weeks, senior officials in Tehran have stressed that Iran has been holding talks with the Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government in order to prevent continued foreign presence in the region and restore peace to the violence-wracked country. Bahram Qassemi, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said in a news conference last month that the talks were intended to set the parameters for negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. He noted the Taliban "are in control of 50 percent of Afghanistan" and had sought the meetings with the Iranian government. The remarks came a day after Iranian diplomats held a meeting with a Taliban delegation in Tehran, on December 30. Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian deputy foreign minister for political affairs, headed the Iranian negotiating team. On January 5, Araqchi visited Kabul to brief senior Afghan officials, including President Ashraf Ghani, on Iran's talks with Taliban representatives. Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, during a December 26, 2018 visit to Kabul also said that Tehran was in talks with the Taliban "to help curb the security problems in Afghanistan." "The Afghan government has been informed of the communications and talks carried out with the Taliban, and this process will continue," Iran's top security official added. On November 28, addressing the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also called on the international community to facilitate "inclusive" dialog between the Taliban and the Afghan government in a bid to restore peace to Afghanistan. In his speech, the top Iranian diplomat also warned against the continued presence of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, which has failed to restore security to the country 17 years after the US invasion. "The presence of foreign forces has never brought stability in our region and has historically provided a recruiting ground for extremists." Iran's foreign minister also said that the Daesh emergence had radicalized local armed groups in a competition over followers and recruits. "A new challenge is the introduction of Daesh to Afghanistan, which has led to more bloodshed and introduced dangerous sectarian tendencies." "Believe me, as no one gained from introducing and supporting Daesh and other extremists in Syria and Iraq, no one will gain from introducing them to Afghanistan and Central Asia. This horrific trend needs to be arrested before it reaches catastrophic proportions," he noted. Appreciating Iranian peace efforts, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in an interview with ISNA news agency on January 10 that the Iran-Taliban talks were beneficial to Afghanistan. "Iran is in contact with the Taliban, which is definitely beneficial to Afghanistan," he said. The US Department of Defense also in a recent report sent to Congress acknowledged Iran's key role in restoring peace and stability to war-torn Afghanistan, backtracking on Washington's earlier claims that Tehran supports the local Taliban militant group. "Iran seeks a stable Afghan government that is responsive to Iranian goals, the elimination of ISIS-K, the removal of the US/NATO presence, and the protection of Iranian concerns, such as water rights and border security." The developments come as Kabul government has stepped up efforts to convince the Taliban to end the 17-year militancy amid Washington's failures on the battleground. 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. President Ghani disclosed in November last year that nearly 29,000 soldiers and police personnel had been killed in battles against Taliban and other militant groups since 2015. Afghan Defense and Interior Ministry chiefs informed the national parliament in October 2018 that around 40 military and police personnel were being killed every day in Taliban attacks. The US, too, has been holding talks with the Taliban. US State Department's special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has said he had held "productive" meetings in Abu Dhabi with Afghan and international partners "to promote intra-Afghan dialogue towards ending the conflict." Khalilzad said the Taliban seek an agreement on the withdrawal of foreign forces, while the US wants assurances from the militant group that its forces would not be attacked. The talks are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at putting an end to the war in Afghanistan, which began with the US-led invasion 17 years ago. The United States led a coalition in invading Afghanistan in October 2001 after the September 11 attacks. US forces have remained bogged down there through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and now Donald Trump. Trump has ordered the start of withdrawing some 7,000 troops from Afghanistan, about half of the total number of American boots on the ground in the war-torn country. Taliban militants have pledged to step up their attacks unless US forces fully withdraw from Afghanistan. UN monitor of Yemen's truce exited agreed path: Houthis Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 06:49PM Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has boycotted a United Nations (UN)-led ceasefire monitoring team in the war-ravaged country's flashpoint city of Hudaydah, accusing the head of the team of pursuing "other agendas." Houthis' chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, made the remarks on Twitter on Sunday, saying that retired Dutch Major General Patrick Cammaert, who was to chair the meeting, had "exited from the course of the agreement by implementing other agendas." "It seems that the task is greater than his capabilities," he further said, referring to the Dutch general. Cammaert is leading a UN joint committee tasked with overseeing a truce in the western city, a lifeline for the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid. In December, Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement and the country's former Saudi-backed government signed an agreement for a ceasefire in Hudaydah during UN-brokered peace talks held in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy for Yemen, mediated the negotiations. According to the agreement, the Houthi fighters, who are in control of Hudaydah, and Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi's armed militia together Saudi-led forces who have placed the city under a tight siege since June must withdraw from the port and hand it over to UN observers. "If Griffiths does not address the issue, it is going to be difficult to discuss any other matter," Abdulsalam added, without elaborating. According to the UN, the fragile ceasefire has largely held since it came into force on December 2018, but there have been delays in the agreed withdrawal of the Houthis and Hadi's forces. The limited ceasefire and withdrawal, if implemented, could offer a potential breakthrough in a nearly four-year Saudi-led war that has brought Yemen to the brink of starvation and created the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Leading a coalition of its allies, Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall Hadi, who had resigned amid popular discontent and fled to Riyadh, and to eliminate the Houthis, who have been running state affairs and defending Yemeni people against the Saudi brutal campaign during the nearly past four years. The invasion, which has failed to achieve any of its goals, has reportedly killed over 56,000 people. It has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN officials 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. With the war drawn into a deadlock, Saudi Arabia is virtually mired in a quagmire, having faced repeated military backlashes in Yemen and reprisal attacks inside its own territories. Several Saudi troops killed in Yemeni forces' retaliatory attack on Jizan Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:06PM Yemeni forces have carried out a retaliatory drone attack against Saudi forces, killing a number of them in the Kingdom's Jizan region. According to Yemeni media, the drone attack was conducted by the Yemeni army and popular forces, and targeted a gathering of Saudi soldiers in Jizan region. The attack reportedly left a number of soldiers killed and injured. Yemen's Houghi Ansarullah movement had previously threatened to carry out more retaliatory attacks against the Saudi-backed forces. Earlier on Thursday, a Houthi drone attack on Yemen's largest air base held by Saudi mercenaries in Lahij province killed at least seven ranking officials including top Saudi intelligence official Brigadier General Saleh Tamah, and left 11 other senior members of the Saudi-led operations center injured. Among those injured were deputy chief of staff Saleh al-Zandani, senior commander Fadel Hasan, and Lahij provincial governor Ahmad Abdullah al-Turki, with AFP saying the latter two had been transferred to Saudi Arabia for treatment. The Ansarullah movement said that Thursday's drone attack came in response to the continued aggression and blockade by the Saudi-backed forces, and repeated Saudi airstrikes which have put a UN-brokered peace agreement in the strategic port city of Hudaydah in jeopardy. In December, the Ansarullah movement and Yemen's former Saudi-backed government signed an agreement for a ceasefire in Hudaydah during UN-brokered peace talks held in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. However, the Saudi coalition has repeatedly violated the truce deal. According to the agreement, the Houthi fighters, who are in control of Hudaydah, and Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi's armed militia together with Saudi-led forces who have placed the city under a tight siege since June must withdraw from the port and hand it over to UN observers. Meanwhile, the Ansarullah movement's chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam announced on Sunday the Houthis have boycotted the ceasefire monitoring team in Hudaydah, accusing the head of the team of pursuing "other agendas." The Yemeni official said retired Dutch Major General Patrick Cammaert, who was to chair the meeting, had "exited from the course of the agreement by implementing other agendas." Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen in 2015 with the aim of reinstating former president Hadi who resigned amid a political deadlock in January 2015 and then fled to Riyadh. The invasion has fallen short of its purpose, but has reportedly killed over 56,000 people and put the country in the throes of an acute famine. With the war drawn into a deadlock, Saudi Arabia is virtually mired in a quagmire, having faced repeated military backlashes in Yemen and reprisal attacks inside its own territories. Yemen conducts missile attack on southern Saudi Arabia IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- The Yemeni missile units targeted Saudi forces' positions in Najran with two missiles, Yemeni media reported. According to Yemeni TV Channel ' Al-Masirah', Yemeni army shot two Zelzal-1 missiles to Khazra crossing, in Najran, southern Saudi Arabia. Based on the report, Yemeni missiles have hit the targets precisely. Meanwhile, Yemeni artillery units targeted Saudi forces' positions in Al-Manarah, Jizan. This is while, Saudi-coalition forces shot 60 mortar shells to Al-Hudaydah on Saturday night. The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2451 to support the Stockholm Agreement on deployment of a team in order to facilitate monitoring and implementing the Agreement and establishing truce in important Yemeni ports. The 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. However, Saudi forces have violated the truce agreement many times. The fourth round of Yemen peace talks kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden on December 6 with the attendance of the UN special envoy Martin Griffith and the government representatives. It 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**1771 Intelligence commander of Yemen's deposed gov't killed IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Yemeni sources announced Sunday that the commander of the Intelligence Organization of Yemen Mohammad Saleh Tammah who had been injured in Ansarullah drone attack succumbed to his injuries. According to Arab media 'Rai al-Youm', after bombarding 'Al- Anad' Air Base in Aden by Ansarullah drone unit, some of the military and political figures were killed or injured. Earlier, Yemeni TV Channel 'Al-Masirah' reported that a drone targeted position of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's forces parade in 'Al- Anad' Air Base, southern Yemen. The attack resulted in killing and injuring senior officials. The fourth round of Yemen peace talks kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden on December 6 with the attendance of the UN special envoy Martin Griffith and the government representatives. It 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**2050 Trump Dismisses New Allegations He Is Beholden to Putin By Ken Bredemeier January 13, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump is dismissing news reports suggesting he is beholden to Russia and President Vladimir Putin or hiding accounts of his private talks with the Russian leader the five times they have met, including at their July summit in Helsinki. Asked directly late Saturday by Fox News talk show host Jeanine Pirro whether he is now or has ever worked for Russia, Trump said, "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." The U.S. leader said, "If you ask the folks in Russia, I've been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other probably any other president period, but certainly the last three or four presidents, modern day presidents. Nobody's been as tough as I have from any standpoint." Trump was reacting to a report in The New York Times that Federal Bureau of Investigation officials started investigating whether he "was knowingly working for Russia or had unwittingly fallen under Moscow's influence" because they were so alarmed by Trump's behavior after he fired former FBI chief James Comey in May 2017 when he was leading the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. "It's a very horrible thing they said," Trump said. "They really are a disaster of a newspaper." Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee that has been investigating Trump campaign links with Russia, told CNN on Sunday that at times Trump has "almost parroted" Putin's policies. "It's a very real consideration" whether Trump is a willing agent of Russia, Warner said, especially considering information that surfaced last week that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort shared Trump campaign polling data in 2016 with a former business associate of his that U.S. investigators believe had ties to Russian intelligence. Another key Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, told ABC News there are "serious questions" about why Trump is "so chummy" with Putin. Earlier, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement that in the coming weeks his panel "will take steps to better understand both the president's actions and the FBI's response to that behavior. There is no reason to doubt the seriousness or professionalism of the FBI, as the president did in reaction to this story." Trump also assailed The Washington Post's new account that he has gone to extraordinary lengths to hide details of his conversations with Putin over the last two years. On one occasion, the newspaper said Trump took possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructed the linguist to not discuss what had transpired with other Trump administration officials. The newspaper said that incident occurred after Trump and Putin met in Hamburg in 2017, a meeting also attended by then-U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump's most high-profile meeting with Putin occurred in Helsinki, where the two leaders met for two hours behind closed doors with only their interpreters listening in. No official accounts of their talks have been released, but Trump told Pirro there was nothing to hide about their discussions and could release a transcript. "Well Jeanine I would, I don't care," Trump said. "I had a conversation like every president does. You sit with the president of various countries, I do it with all countries. We had a great conversation. We were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things. And it was a great conversation. I'm not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous." He added, "Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs." Trump's first two years in office have been consumed by the now 20-month investigation whether his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to help him win and whether, as president, Trump obstructed justice by trying to thwart the probe by special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over the investigation after Trump ousted Comey. Shortly after Trump dismissed Comey, he told NBC news anchor Lester Holt that he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he decided to fire the FBI chief, saying that he felt the investigation was created by Democrats dismayed that Trump had upset former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to win the White House. Mueller is believed to be nearing the end of his investigation and is expected to write a report on his findings. Trump has often assailed the Mueller probe, telling Pirro, "You know, the whole Russia thing, it's a hoax. It's a terrible hoax." Trump has denied that his campaign colluded with Russia or that he has obstructed justice. But Mueller and other federal prosecutors have won convictions or secured guilty pleas from key figures in Trump's orbit, including Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign aide Rick Gates, foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos and his one-time personal attorney, Michael Cohen, among others. Trump Refutes Reports About Hiding Details of Talks With Putin Sputnik News 08:17 13.01.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump refuted on Saturday media reports that he had allegedly hidden some details of his one-on-one conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier in the day, the Washington Post reported, citing sources, that Trump had hidden the details of his conversations with Putin from his administration. The publication claimed that even the classified US files did not contain a single detailed record of conversations in five locations over the past two years. "It was a great conversation. I'm not keeping anything under wraps. The Washington Post that's basically lobbyists for Amazon," Trump said in an interview with Fox News. He noted that he had been holding one-on-one talks with the leaders of all countries without delegations, but "no one says anything about it." "Everyone knows there was no collusion [with Russia]," Trump added. The Washington Post said that it remained unclear whether Trump took away the recordings of translators in other cases, however, according to officials, they did not manage to get a reliable report on the two-hour meeting of the two presidents in Helsinki. Then, unlike the meeting in Hamburg, Trump did not allow representatives of the administration to be present at the negotiations. In addition, Trump held personal conversations with Putin at meetings of world leaders without the presence of his aides. In particular, he spoke with Putin at a banquet in Hamburg in 2017 in the presence of only Putin's interpreter. Sputnik Trump Denies Hiding Details Of Putin Meetings By RFE/RL January 13, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump has denied hiding details of conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin from administration officials, saying he is "not keeping anything under wraps." Trump made the comments in a telephone interview late on January 12 with Fox News, after The Washington Post reported that the U.S. president "has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details" of his conversations with Putin. Citing current and former U.S. officials, the paper said that on at least one occasion, in Hamburg in 2017, Trump took away his interpreter's notes following talks and instructed that person not to discuss what had transpired with other officials. Trump also said he had "a great conversation" with Putin during their one-on-one, nearly two-hour meeting in Helsinki in July 2018. When asked why not release details of the talks, held behind closed doors, he said: "I would. I don't with care. "I mean, I had a conversation like every president does. You sit with the president of various countries... We were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things ... I'm not keeping anything under wraps. I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous," the U.S. president said. Trump's relations with Russia before his election in 2016 are the focus of an ongoing criminal inquiry led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Investigators are trying to establish whether there was any collusion between Trump's campaign team and Russian officials. The U.S. president has described the inquiry as "a witch hunt." On January 11, The New York Times reported that the FBI had opened a counterintelligence probe in 2017 into whether Trump was working for Russian interests. This alleged investigation was eventually merged into the Mueller investigation. At least three different congressional committees have also been probing various aspects of Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 election. The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia engaged in a campaign of hacking and propaganda to sway voters during the vote, largely aimed at bolstering Trump's chances at the presidency. Russian officials have repeatedly denied any such effort. With reporting by AFP and the BBC Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-denies-hiding-details -of-putin-meetings/29707274.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. US officials reportedly kept in dark about Trump-Putin meetings Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 01:48AM US officials have reportedly been unaware of details in the meetings between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. There are no detailed records of Trump's face-to-face meetings with Putin as the US president concealed any details, according to a report published on Saturday by The Washington Post. In one of the meetings, Trump himself took notes and directed a linguist not to discuss the details with the administration officials. Trump's former secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has acknowledged that he "was present for the entirety of the two presidents' official bilateral meeting in Hamburg," yet he has declined to discuss the details. At a press conference last year following a summit in the Finnish capital Helsinki, Trump backed the Russian leader's denial of alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election despite the American intelligence community's assessment. Trump's performance kicked off a hailstorm of criticism against him, forcing the president to deny his comment about alleged Russian meddling later and cancel a scheduled meeting with Putin. Ever since Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, the US intelligence community has overwhelmingly maintained that Moscow sought to meddle in the 2016 election. The Trump campaign is also accused of collusion with the Kremlin to find damaging information on his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Russia has denied meddling in the election as well as being in possession of any damaging information on the US president. House Democrats eye reported FBI probe of Trump Iran Press TV Sun Jan 13, 2019 09:54AM A US House committee will look into a media report that claims the FBI launched an inquiry in 2017 to find out whether President Donald Trump had been working on behalf of Russia, against US interests, says the panel's chairman. The New York Times reported Friday that FBI agents opened a probe shortly after Trump fired James Comey, the FBI director, who was leading an investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia to determine whether the US presidential nominee at the time was directly working on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the United States. Now, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler says his panel "will take steps to better understand both the president's actions and the FBI's response to that behavior" in coming weeks. Lawmakers will also seek to protect investigators from Trump's "increasingly unhinged attacks," Nadler, a New York Democrat, said in a statement on Saturday. "There is no reason to doubt the seriousness or professionalism of the FBI, as the president did in reaction to this story," he added. Trump on Saturday reacted to The Times report, saying he has been "far tougher" on Russia than past presidents. Nadler also said the newspaper report revealed that Trump, in the earliest days of his administration, displayed so "erratic and concerning" behavior that prompted the FBI "to do the unprecedented - open a counterintelligence investigation into a sitting president." The Trump administration faced a shaky relationship with Moscow for most of 2018, especially in the second half of the year when Washington imposed new sanctions on a dozen individuals related to Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukraine crisis. Earlier in the year, however, the US-Russia ties appeared headed in a different direction following a summit between Trump and Putin in Helsinki, after which Trump shocked many in Washington by appearing to agree with Moscow's explanation for election meddling in 2016 over the conclusion of US intelligence agencies. The president later retracted his words after a storm of controversy, claiming to have misstated his conclusion on whether Moscow was involved in the hack of Democratic Party organizations during the 2016 presidential poll. Sat Saturday 96 /65 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the mid 60s. Honor View20 might carry approx Rs 40,000 price tag in India News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The device will be available as an Amazon exclusive product and the pre-bookings will go live from January 15. Honor, Huawei's sub-brand has offered some pretty impressive smartphones back in the year 2018 such as Honor 9, Honor 8X and Honor Play among others. The company has also introduced its first smartphone that features a punch-hole display panel, i.e, the Honor View20. The Honor View20 is the latest flagship offering by the Chinese smartphone manufacturer which has been released as Honor V20 in company's hometown China. The global launch of the smartphone is set for January 22, however, it will be released in the Indian market on 29th January 2019 and the pre-bookings of the device will go live tomorrow in the country. Now, some new reports give us a picture of the pricing of the upcoming Honor View20 smartphone. The Honor View20 will come with a 48MP primary camera setup and will be priced roughly around Rs 40,000 in India, suggests a report from IANS. As mentioned earlier, the pre-booking of the smartphone will start from tomorrow in India on Amazon. The device will be available as an Amazon exclusive product. At this price range, the device will be competing with other premium smartphones such as OnePlus 6T, LG G7+ ThinQ, and others. Honor View20 specifications and features: The Honor View20 smartphone offers a tall 6.4-inch IPS LCD display panel which has an aspect ratio of 19:5:9 and offers a screen resolution of 1080 x 2130 pixels. The display like mentioned earlier comes with a punch-hole up front that accommodates the front camera to offer a full view display. At its core, the smartphone makes use of an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 980 chipset which is based on the 7nm architecture process. The processor onboard is clubbed with Mali-G76 MPP10 GPU to render high-resolution graphics and 6/8GB of RAM for multitasking. The smartphone offers an onboard storage space of 128GB/256GB and packs a 4,000mAh battery unit which comes with Quick charge support. 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 HMD Global might launch Nokia 9 PureView and Nokia 6.2 at MWC 2019 News oi-Sandeep Sarkar Nokia 9 PureView will be powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which will be coupled with 8GB of RAM for multitasking. The MWC 2019 is approaching and we are coming across a number of smartphone releases which are expected to take place during the event. Most of the smartphone manufacturers are eying the MWC 2019 to unveil their upcoming smartphones including Nokia which is expected to release two of its highly anticipated smartphones. We all know that Nokia is working towards its next flagship the Nokia 9 PureView and a mid-range Nokia 6.2 smartphone. Now, some latest reports suggest that both of these smartphones will be unveiled by the company during the MWC 2019. Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global, has teased a grand Nokia MWC 2019 launch event along with throwback video of MWC 2018 with a hashtag #coolnewstuff. This teaser hints that the company will be introducing its next big offerings during the Mobile World Congress 2019 event which will take place from 25th to 28th February this year at Barcelona. If we look at the Nokia launches during the MWC 2018, then the Finnish smartphone manufacturer had launched its premium Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus along with the mid-range Nokia 6.1 Plus and the feature phone Nokia 8110 4G. Considering that the market is currently flooded with the leaks and rumors surrounding the flagship Nokia 9 PureView and the mid-range Nokia 6.2 smartphones we can expect these smartphones to be released during the event. Though, the official release date of both the smartphones is yet to be confirmed officially by the company. As for the rumored specifications of the Nokia 9 PureView, the device will be powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which will be coupled with 8GB of RAM for multitasking. The device will offer an onboard storage space of 128GB and will run on Android 9 Pie OS. Backing it up will be a 4,150mAh battery unit. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. 13 dead from swine flu in Georgia, emergency treatment to be free for all - GeorgianJournal 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 University of Vermont released its deans list for the fall 2018 semester and Philomaths Meaghan Alba is among those who earned inclusion. Alba, who graduated from Philomath High School in 2018, is majoring in professional nursing in the universitys College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She is in her freshman year at the Burlington, Vermont, school. To be named to the deans list, students must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of their class in their respective college or school. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low 81F. SE winds shifting to NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Plentiful sunshine. High 84F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Other crews will be dedicated overnight to improving conditions and removing snow from intersections, turn lanes, crossovers and shoulders along I-95, primary and high-volume secondary roads. Work will continue to make initial passes into subdivisions and along lower-volume secondary roads to create an 8 ft. to 10 ft. path into residential areas for emergency access. These initial passes may not reach each street in a neighborhood. When conditions have improved on priority routes, VDOT crews will return to plow all state-maintained roads in these areas. If additional snow accumulates on Interstate 95 and primary roads, crews will be diverted to make repeated passes on these priority routes to keep them clear. VDOT's goal is to have all roads passable 48 hours after the storms end. With snowfall ending late Sunday, this means VDOT will strive to have all roads plowed and passable by Tuesday evening. Shoveling a driveway? Remember to shovel to the right while facing the street. This will reduce the amount of double work that may be required after a snowplow makes a pass along your street. If possible, please park vehicles in driveways. This will assist snow plow drivers as they seek to remove as much snow as possible from roads and cul-de-sacs. Nelson said that he plans to meet with Idlewild residents about implementing the first phase soon. City staff is working up figures for the fiscal year 2020 budget, and will present them to City Council in March. The price tag for a bike lane, or possibly a lane shared with vehicular traffic, could be $50,000 to $60,000, Nelson said. The reality is that when youre putting bikes on streets, there are a lot of safety issues and well have to hire professionals, he said. These arent quick and dirty projects. You cant just put down paint. The Fredericksburg Pathways Plan is an update of the citys 2006 plan for integrating safe routes for pedestrians and bicyclists into the citys street network. It was created by a steering committee using input from staff, the public and the Planning Commission with a goal of making neighborhoods safer, interconnected and cohesive. Council members adopted it last summer. The plan covers five years. Year Twos focus will include whats termed the EastWest Connector, which will feature 1.78 miles of on-street improvements on Fauquier and Lewis streets from Sophia Street to Washington Avenue, and on Cornell Avenue and Rowe Street as far as Stafford Avenue. The city of Huntington has been the U.S. locality hit hardest by opioid addiction, with its attendant ills of crime, poverty and family discord. But once different elements in Huntingtons community began pulling together in late 2014, its citizenry put a big dent in what had seemed an intractable problem, Williams said. Overdoses are down 40 percent, and deaths from overdose are down more than 50 percent. I say that Huntington is the epicenter of the solution to the opioid epidemic, because what weve been doing is nothing short of remarkable, he said. Everybody in our town has taken ownership of this issue. It is vital for people and their communities to end the societal shame placed on people with drug dependence, said Jae K. Davenport, Virginias deputy secretary of public safety. We have to work to get rid of that stigma, Davenport said. When somebody has a heart attack or diabetes, we treat it. There has to be education that addiction is not a choice, that it is a chronic behavioral disorder. Karl Colder, a recently retired Drug Enforcement Administration official, joined Williams and Davenport in urging communities to combine harm-reduction efforts, for those unable or unwilling to seek treatment, with comprehensive addiction treatment. He discovered that this areas red clay is high in iron oxide, and thought that the science aspect of using it as a natural dye was cool. But he wasnt sold until he ran across a quote that he found by noted American historian and magazine editor Richard M. Ketchum. If any land in America deserves to be called hallowed ground, Ketchum said, it is the red clay soil of Virginia on which so much of this nations past is preserved. Using some of that hallowed ground as dye, Pearson and Conrath, realized, would add a historical dimension to the new apparel line. Figuring out exactly how to do that took some trial and error. The first batches were made using a five-gallon bucket in Pearsons kitchen. We had to find the right blend of material, Pearson said. Every thread absorbs the dye a different way. His wife eventually told him he had to get the operation out of their house. He and Conrath, who also has a day job working for the federal government, have a setup in an office building off Warrenton Road. They plan to look for a large space and more washing machines once their lease is up. 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. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Homewatch CareGivers Opens New Office in Malden Renowned Home Care Company Expands to Meet Local Demand for Higher Quality Home Care Services January 14, 2019 // Franchising.com // MALDEN, Mass. - Homewatch CareGivers is expanding to meet the increased need for a superior home care provider in Malden. The leading home care company with more than 200 franchised units across 34 states domestically, as well as in Canada, Central and South America, announced today the opening of a new location that will service the region - Homewatch CareGivers of Malden. The opening of the new operation allows Homewatch CareGivers to provide its high quality at-home assistive services to a greater number of clients. Tete Adeleke is the owner of Homewatch CareGivers of Malden. Established to provide the area with the high-quality care necessary for residents to remain independent and healthy within their own homes, the companys services are flexible and customized specifically to blend seamlessly into clients day-to-day life. I understand firsthand the difference a quality caregiver can make for a loved one and his or her family, said Adeleke. Having been the primary caregiver for loved ones in my life, I know how important it is to provide care on an individualized basis by catering to the needs of each client. I am excited to hire and train caregivers who believe in our vision and provide the highest quality service with integrity and compassion to our community. Homewatch CareGivers of Malden provides home care services for families arranging care for senior-aged loved ones and others living with chronic illnesses, convalescing after illness or surgery or who prefer to age in their own homes under the supervision and care of highly trained caregivers. Following a 35-year career as a computer software programmer, Adeleke gained firsthand knowledge of the importance of caregiving when she became the sole caregiver for her mother and nephew. This experience made her passionate about the need for individualized attention in caregiving and drove her to make a difference in the lives of others by offering professional caregiving services. Adeleke plans to use her background in meeting the needs of the user in computer programming to provide clients the best quality in-home care. She felt fulfilled in her previous career as a computer programmer when she was able to understand and meet the needs of the user. Similarly, she knows that with Homewatch CareGivers she can provide clients the best care by focusing on the needs of the individual. Every time we open a new location, we have the opportunity to touch peoples lives, said Chip Baranowski, vice president of franchise development for Homewatch CareGivers, I know that Tete will make an outstanding new member of our organization, and her commitment to service and the local community will make her business a trusted partner for residents in the Malden area. The companys Franchise Support Center provides unparalleled support and expert advice to help franchisees establish a thriving enterprise on a localized level. Homewatch CareGivers strives to provide the finest foundation on which its franchisees can grow their services, staff and location. For more information about Homewatch CareGivers of Malden and its assortment of at-home assistive services, visit www.hwcg.com/malden or contact Tete directly at 781-605-0920 or at tadeleke@homewatchcaregivers.com About Homewatch CareGivers Homewatch CareGivers, LLC is based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The companys franchisees deliver a variety of person-directed, professional at-home services including elder care, care for individuals with developmental and physical conditions, after-surgery care and dementia care. With a heavy involvement in the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA), the Homewatch CareGivers mission is to provide the best-in-class care for each and every client, to serve as a vital part of the continuum of care and to provide the support franchisees and caregivers need to find success and make a difference in their communities. About Authority Brands Homewatch CareGivers is an Authority Brands company. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands, LLC is the franchisor of multiple franchise concepts focused on home services. Together, these brands provide recurring home services through more than 750 franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya, Indonesia and Puerto Rico. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. To learn more about Homewatch CareGivers services and franchising opportunities, visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com. Media Contact: Alex Hopkins All Points Public Relations (847) 897-7469 ahopkins@allpointspr.com SOURCE Homewatch CareGivers ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Cauldron Ice Cream Expands California Presence with New Irvine Location Starting Saturday, Irvine Will Be The New Home Of The Viral OG Puffle Cone And Expanding Ice Cream Concept January 11, 2019 // Franchising.com // IRVINE, CA - Cauldron Ice Cream, the rapidly growing Orange County-based scoop shop known for its made-to-order nitrogen ice cream, innovative flavors, and viral OG Puffle cone, will open doors at its new Irvine, California, location (14001 Jeffrey Rd.) on Saturday, January 12. The new location will host a grand opening celebration from 3 - 10 p.m., offering exclusive Cauldron Ice Cream merchandise and giveaways to the first 100 people in line. Our goal is to create a truly memorable experience for each guest, whether theyre enjoying a bold flavor like Earl Grey Lavender or trying our newly launched Fluffypuff - a Japanese fluffy pancake ice cream sandwich, said James Ho, founder and CEO of the Cauldron Collective franchise group. Irvine is the ideal location for our unique twist on a classic treat, and we look forward to welcoming the community to try our delicious, creative ice cream flavors. The Irvine location is the second of three stores to open under Cauldron Collective, a franchise organization comprised of James Ho, Dan Nguyen, and Steven Cao. The group is exploring prospective locations for one additional Cauldron Ice Cream store that will open in Orange County in the next year. Despite only joining the scene in 2015, Cauldron Ice Cream quickly made a splash in the media with features in Cosmopolitan, People Magazine, Food Network, and more for its creative flavor offerings and unique presentation. The concepts small batch flavors include a mixture of unique mainstays, like Earl Grey Lavender, Milk and Cereal, and H20 Rose, while also offering seasonally rotating flavors to keep the menu fresh and intriguing. The ice cream is served as traditional or rose-shaped scoops in Cauldron Ice Creams signature OG Puffle Cone, an egg-based waffle cone inspired by a popular Hong Kong street snack. Cauldron Ice Cream currently operates locations in Santa Ana, Artesia, Glendale, Pasadena, Temple City and Chino Hills, with over 20 units coming to Canada, Texas and California. Cauldron Ice Cream 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. The concept is 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 Cauldron Ice Cream on Facebook and Instagram. About Cauldron Ice Cream Despite only joining the scene in 2015, Cauldron Ice Cream quickly made a splash in the media with features in Cosmopolitan, People Magazine, Food Network, and more for its creative flavor offerings and unique presentation. The concepts small batch flavors include a mixture of unique mainstays, like Earl Grey Lavender, Milk and Cereal, and H20 Rose, while also offering seasonally rotating flavors to keep the menu fresh and intriguing. The ice cream is served as traditional or rose-shaped scoops in Cauldron Ice Creams signature OG Puffle Cone, an egg-based waffle cone inspired by a popular Hong Kong street snack. For more information about Cauldron Ice Cream, visit www.cauldronicecream.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 growthas of 2015, over 1,000 new restaurants are in development across their current portfolio. For more information, visit www.fransmart.com. Media Contact: Jessie Beach Largemouth Communications O: 919.459.6455 Jessie@largemouthpr.com SOURCE Cauldron Ice Cream ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus 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 Just the thought of bed bugs is enough to make most peoples skin crawl, but actually getting them in your house could be just as costly as it is uncomfortable; and cases are on the rise. (Meredith) A South Carolina lawmaker is proposing a new bill that would require high school students in the state to take a personal finance class. Under the legislation from Sen. Luke Rankin (R-Conway), the students would also need to pass a course-related exam at the end of the school year in order to graduate. The bill is currently sitting in the state Senate Education Committee. If it passes the statehouse, the South Carolina Department of Education would be tasked with developing a new curriculum for the course by July 1, 2020. The requirement would then take effect at the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Before the storm, there had been only 1.4 inches of snow this season at BWI, the Baltimore regions point of record. All of that came in November. There was not even a trace of December snow here for the first time since 2001, according to weather service statistics. UNION COUNTY, SC (FOX Carolina)- The Union County Sheriff's Office says that it arrested two suspects that are accused of attempted murder and murder for shooting incidents that occurred in 2015, according to a release. (CNN/Meredith) -- A total of 475 people on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas cruise ship have been sickened by a stomach illness. Because of the illness, the ship will returned to Port Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday, a day earlier than expected. "All of the ship's guests will receive full refunds of their cruise fare paid," said Owen Torres, spokesperson for Royal Caribbean. "We think the right thing to do is to get everyone home early rather than have guests worry about their health." The cruise embarked on a seven-night journey on Jan. 6. It's itinerary showed stops in Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico. Cody Haddap, a cruise passenger, spoke to CNN affiliate WESH on Wednesday and said he became sick after the ship left Haiti on Tuesday. "We left port there around 4 yesterday, started getting sick last night around 10. We've been pretty much confined to our rooms." He shared a letter he received to his cabin from the cruise line: "During this sailing, there has been a small percentage of guests onboard who have experienced gastrointestinal illness, thought to be norovirus." Officials with Royal Caribbean said they are waiting for lab results to determine whether the illness is norovirus, the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. In 2018, there were 11 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships and five were determined to be norovirus. Royal Caribbean's last outbreak was in 2017 on the Independence of the Seas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Haddap said when they arrived to Jamaica the next day, no one was allowed to leave the ship. The Oasis of the Seas is one of newest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet and holds more than 8,000 people, meaning about 3 percent of people aboard the ship fell ill. Another passenger, Brenda Torres, talked to CNN affiliate WESH, and said she had seen an increase in staff sanitizing common areas. "From our balcony, we can see the rock climbing wall," she said, "and after every user, they are actually hand cleaning every single knob on the hand climbing wall." Royal Caribbean plans on fully sanitizing the ship in time for the next sailing. "Our guests sail with us to have great vacations, and we are sorry this cruise fell short," Torres said. By Amanda Jackson and Hollie Silverman, CNN BIRMINGHAM (WVTM/CNN/Meredith) -- A police officer in Birmingham, Alabama was killed and another was injured while investigating a car burglary early Sunday morning. Authorities say two individuals suspected of breaking into cars were confronted by an undercover officer and a uniformed sergeant around 2 a.m. local time. According to police, one of the individuals pulled out a gun and began shooting, fatally wounding the sergeant -- who has been identified as 44-year-old Wytasha Carter -- and critically injuring the undercover officer. Both suspects were taken into custody. One of the suspects was also injured in the shooting. The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation will investigate the incident. The identities of the injured officer and the suspects have not been released as of Sunday afternoon. The injured suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The second suspect was taken into police custody. Birmingham police said Carter had been with the department since 2011 and was promoted to sergeant in February of last year. He was also a U.S. Air Force veteran and began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer in Shelby County. Carter is survived by his wife and children. Mobile County Public Schools and Mobile Police are investigating social media threats to two schools in the county. One of the threats appears to be legitimate, while the other looks like it is not valid. The school system told FOX10 News Reporter Tyler Fingert that Mobile Police made an arrest in the Theodore High School threat case. We are told the person arrested is a minor who does not attend the high school. That suspect will be charged with making a terrorist threat. Police are still investigating the 7th grader accused of making the Clark-Shaw Magnet School threat, at this point they have not announced if he will be arrested. Police believe the Theodore High School threat was not valid, but they said the Clark-Shaw Magnet School one is legitimate. The Mobile Public School System and Mobile Police said both school campuses are safe and kids can go to class Monday without worrying. "The situation is under control and does not pose a threat, said an automated voice recording sent to parents of students at Clark-Shaw. It is safe to come to school tomorrow." Families of students are still concerned about the threat even though police will have extra officers on both campuses on Monday, out of an abundance of caution. My heart dropped because of the idea of that happening here, so close to home, is just terrifying, said Sheryl McDonald, who has a niece that goes to Clark-Shaw Magnet School. She said when she saw the post she was very concerned. The first thing I thought of, not only her, but all of the other kids, they're precious we can't not afford to lose them, McDonald said. The threat to Clark-Shaw Magnet School reads in part, "I will come to school Tuesday with an AR-15 if I get rejected one more time." I immediately got on my phone and started calling people because something needed to be done and I just panicked myself, McDonald said. The post caught the attention of the school system and Mobile Police, but it was not the only one. A post being linked to Theodore High School was posted anonymously. The school system said an arrest has been made in that threat case. Police said it appeared to have started out of state and they said students are not at risk, but it is still concerning for Theodore High School parents. To know that there have been a threat with all the things that have been going on through the years throughout the United States, several people have been killed, several kids have been killed, it's concerning to me, said Cossie Pines, who is the father of students who attend the school. Police are continuing to investigate the Clark-Shaw threat, they said they have made contact with the 7th graders parents and they are currently doing a risk analysis on the student to make sure he is not a threat. All threats are serious, you need to investigate, you need to make sure that everyone is safe, McDonald said. Mobile Public Schools said the student in the Clark-Shaw case will not be on campus tomorrow and it is safe for students to come to school. A school district spokeswoman tells FOX10 News Reporter Tyler Fingert they take threats like this very seriously as their concern is for the safety of students and staff. NEW ORLEANS (WALA) - New Orleans Police said a 10-year-old boy was not kidnapped Sunday and the child was playing a prank on his family. According to investigations, the child's mother called police when she could not find her son. The mother told officers that she called her son's cell phone and did not get an answer. According to investigators, the mother then received a text message from the boy's phone that said he was kidnapped. Police later found the child at a Walmart near his home. Officers said he claimed to be playing a game that calls for children to go missing or hide from their families. The goal of the United States should be to create foreign policy that is less militaristic and expensive. That is why the U.S. must remain committed to NATO involvement. One of the key factors when it comes to bringing peace and stability is this: If we dont want U.S. troops fighting in foreign lands, we need to maintain our alliances. Our commitment must focus on changing foreign policy to reduce the amount we spend on defense and end the number of aggressive wars we enter. As a member of NATO, our allies can help us achieve this goal by helping in our national security through collaboration and to help maintain stability by working with international partners to bring about and maintain peace. The Mobile County Commission approved a $4 million incentive package for Airbus at its meeting Monday morning. The incentives will support Airbus new A220 Final Assembly Line at the Brookley Aeroplex. Groundbreaking for the facility will be held Wednesday. Airbus is a major industrial leader here in Mobile County, said Commission President Connie Hudson. The companys vision and its teamwork with our local leaders has been a great success. We welcome their expansion and continued contributions to the county. Terms of the agreement call for Mobile County to contribute $400,000 annually for ten years. The incentives are tied to measurable achievements by Airbus, including a $210 million capital facilities investment and the hiring of 432 new employees. The agreement encourages Airbus to partner with AIDT and Flight Works to provide job training. The Commission made a $500,000 commitment to Flight Works in August 2018. Airbus is dedicated to providing new jobs in our community, said Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. We are proud to support Airbus and also to support its commitment to AIDT and Flight Works Alabama in training our workforce. I recently flew across country in an Airbus built here in Mobile. I was so proud to know it was built in Mobile County by our great workforce, said Commissioner Jerry Carl. Check out the latest Ford earnings call transcript. The full-year numbers are in, and it was a tough, tough year for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) in China. The Blue Oval's sales in China fell 36.9% in 2018, with mainstream Ford passenger models accounting for much of the decline. This isn't just about a slumping market for new cars in China, though that has been a growing factor in recent months. It has become clear that Ford needs to completely retool its approach in China if it's going to have a substantial presence in the world's largest vehicle market. Ford's stock price took a big hit last month, in part because of worries about China. Fortunately, the retooling is already starting to happen. But before we get to that, let's take a closer look at what happened to Ford's sales in China in 2018. A deeper dive into Ford's China results Most of the vehicles Ford sells in China are built by two joint ventures between Ford and Chinese automakers. Changan Ford (CAF) builds and sells Ford-brand passenger cars and SUVs, most of which (but not all) would be familiar to Americans, though some wear different nameplates in China. JMC, a joint venture between Ford and truck maker Jiangling Motors, makes -- you guessed it -- trucks, including commercial vans and a truck-based Ford SUV called the Everest. In addition to the vehicles sold by CAF and JMC, Ford imports vehicles to sell in China under the Ford and Lincoln brand names. At least as of right now, those 4 categories (CAF, JMC, imported Fords, and Lincolns) account for just about all of the vehicles that Ford sells in China. Here's a look at how each of those categories performed in December and for all of 2018. Period Total Ford China CAF JMC Lincoln Imported Fords Dec. 2018 57,216 27,916 22,180 5,730 1,390 Change vs. Dec. 2017 (59%) (72.7%) (26.9%) (5%) (9.3%) Full year 2018 752,243 417,215 263,582 55,315 16,131 Change vs. 2017 (36.9%) (49.5%) (9.9%) 2.2% (14.3%) As you can see, while Lincoln did pretty well for the full year, and JMC's commercial vehicles held their own, Changan Ford got absolutely clobbered in 2018. Ford stopped reporting monthly sales of individual models in China after September -- but through September, every mainstream Ford model sold by CAF was down over 25% from the same period in 2017. It's not unreasonable to assume that trend continued through the last three months of 2018. Long story short: Commercial vehicles and Lincolns are still doing OK for Ford in China, but regular Ford model vehicles aren't. How can Ford turn this around? How Ford is working to fix this mess A little over a year ago, Ford announced a turnaround plan for China. The key points: A lot of new products: over 50 by 2025, including eight all-new SUVs. Ford will build more vehicles locally. Right now, in addition to the Ford-brand imports, all Lincolns sold in China are imported. That will change. More consumer-friendly technology, including internet connectivity in all vehicles by the end of this year. Cost reductions. Major changes to Ford's distribution and dealer network. The results aren't visible in Ford's China sales numbers yet (to say the least), but some important progress has already been made. Ford has reworked its distribution network to simplify its wholesale operations, and has worked with dealers to help reduce excess inventories of aging products. The inventory reduction hurt Ford's results for a while, because it was shipping fewer vehicles-but it helped Ford's struggling Chinese dealers return to profitability. Ford has also hired a strong new leader for its China operation. Anning Chen, the former CEO of Chinese automaker Chery, because president and CEO of Ford China on November 1. He has moved quickly to boost Ford's marketing, sales, and service team, which directly supports its dealer network, and to bring in more executives with deep local experience. Right now, Ford is in the process of launching three new products. An all-new Focus is in the works, as is an all-new version of its lower-cost China-only compact sedan, called the Escort. Also, Ford's launching a new low-cost crossover developed specifically for China, the Ford Territory. More new products are on the way, including the all-new Lincoln Aviator and an all-new version of the compact Kuga SUV, a near-twin of the U.S.-market Escape. That will all help. But unlike rival General Motors (NYSE:GM), which is also planning to launch a slew of new products in China this year, Ford has a lot of rebuilding to do with its customers and stakeholders. Given the slump in China's new-vehicle market, it may be several months or more before we know whether Chen has Ford China on the right path. By David Morgan and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee will look into a newspaper report that the FBI investigated whether President Donald Trump has been working on behalf of Russia, against U.S By David Morgan and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee will look into a newspaper report that the FBI investigated whether President Donald Trump has been working on behalf of Russia, against U.S. interests, the panel's Democratic chairman said on Saturday. The New York Times reported that the probe began in the days after Trump fired James Comey as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in May 2017 and said the agency's counterintelligence investigators had to consider whether Trump's actions constituted a possible threat to national security. Trump rejected the Times piece in a late Saturday night interview on Fox News as "the most insulting article I've ever had written" and lashed out at Comey and the FBI in half a dozen tweets. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said his panel "will take steps to better understand both the president's actions and the FBI's response to that behavior" in coming weeks. He also said lawmakers would seek to protect investigators from the president's "increasingly unhinged attacks." "There is no reason to doubt the seriousness or professionalism of the FBI, as the president did in reaction to this story," Nadler, a New York Democrat, said in a statement. "We have learned from this reporting that, even in the earliest days of the Trump administration, the president's behavior was so erratic and so concerning that the FBI felt compelled to do the unprecedented - open a counterintelligence investigation into a sitting president," Nadler said. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said he could not comment on the specifics of the report, but said his committee would press ahead with its probe of Trump's contacts with Russia. "Counterintelligence concerns about those associated with the Trump campaign, including the president himself, have been at the heart of our investigation since the beginning," said Schiff, a California Democrat. Schiff said meetings, contacts and communications between Trump associates and Russians, as well as "the web of lies about those interactions, and the presidents own statements and actions," have heightened the need to follow the evidence where it leads. Trump took notes from his interpreter made during a 2017 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hamburg and took other steps to conceal details of their conversations, a report in the Washington Post said on Saturday. Trump denied on Fox News that he was keeping anything under wraps on his face-to-face meetings with Putin. The New York Times said FBI officials became suspicious of Trump's ties to Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign, but held off on opening an investigation until Trump tied his dismissal of Comey to a probe into allegations of election meddling by Russia. The FBI also considered whether the Republican president's firing of Comey amounted to obstruction of justice. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller took over the investigation into Trump days after the FBI opened it, as he examined allegations of Russian election interference, the Times reported. Russia denies it sought to influence the election. Trump lashed out at the Times and former FBI leaders, and criticized the agency's earlier probe of Democrat Hillary Clinton, his rival in the 2016 election. "Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin James Comey, a total sleaze!," Trump tweeted. Comey took to Twitter later on Saturday, offering a quote he attributed to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt: "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made." (Reporting by David Morgan and Timothy Gardner; editing by Jonathan Oatis and G Crosse) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. In his tweet, Donald Trump had also pushed for the creation of a 30-kilometre (20-mile) 'safe zone' in Syria, but offered no details on who would create, enforce or pay for it, or where it would be located. Syria: Turkey on Monday said it would not be intimidated by threats after US President Donald Trump warned of devastating economic consequences over any attack on Kurdish forces, but indicated Ankara was open to the idea of a security zone in Syria. "We have said repeatedly we are not scared of and will not be intimidated by any threats," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding: "Economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere." Trump on Sunday warned via Twitter that the US would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds" in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria. Cavusoglu hit out at Trump's use of social media. "Strategic partners, allies do not hold discussions via Twitter, via social media," he told reporters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin earlier vowed Ankara would continue to fight against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia despite Trump's warnings. Cavusoglu added that Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria, during a press conference in Ankara with his Luxembourg counterpart Jean Asselborn. Trump had also pushed for the creation of a 30-kilometre (20-mile) "safe zone" in his tweet, but offered no details on who would create, enforce or pay for it, or where it would be located. "What is our concern? There is a terror corridor on the other side of our border, a terror organisation that wants to divide Syria and this terror organisation is a threat to us. We are targeting this terror organisation (YPG)," Cavusoglu added. American military support to the YPG has been a major source of tension between Turkey and the United States because Ankara accuses Washington of working with a "terrorist offshoot" of Kurdish insurgents fighting against the Turkish state since 1984. The YPG has spearheaded the fight against the Islamic State (ISI) extremist group in Syria. But for Turkey, the YPG is the Syrian extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara, the US and the European Union. But when Trump announced he would pull out 2,000 American troops, the NATO allies' relations appeared to be back on track with Erdogan welcoming Trump's move. Since then, comments by US officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in support of protecting Kurdish fighters have provoked angry retorts from Ankara. No, they talk to doctors might I say that they are one of the biggest contributors to the opioid crisis about over prescribing or unnecessarily prescribing opioid pain killers when other non-addictive drugs would actually work. Or the manufacturers who are selling drug replacement therapies that are just as or more addicting then the opioid habit they are trying to kick? Or, my favorite, politicians that have no business weighing in on any of it without firsthand knowledge about what is the best drug-free alternative to free our state of this opioid crisis. KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese security forces clashed with protesters in three cities on Sunday as demonstrations against Omar al-Bashir's rule continued for a fourth week, witnesses said. In Khartoum North, across the Blue Nile from the centre of the capital, security forces chased groups of protesters down side streets and fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations in several areas, a Reuters witness said. They also confronted protesters with tear gas in Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira state, southeast of the capital, and for the first time in Nyala, the main city in South Darfur, witnesses said. KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese security forces clashed with protesters in three cities on Sunday as demonstrations against Omar al-Bashir's rule continued for a fourth week, witnesses said. In Khartoum North, across the Blue Nile from the centre of the capital, security forces chased groups of protesters down side streets and fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations in several areas, a Reuters witness said. They also confronted protesters with tear gas in Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira state, southeast of the capital, and for the first time in Nyala, the main city in South Darfur, witnesses said. Protests triggered by an economic crisis have rippled across Sudan since Dec. 19 in the most sustained challenge yet to Bashir's close to 30-year rule. Security forces have used live ammunition and tear gas to break up demonstrations, as well as arresting protesters and opposition figures. A government fact-finding committee has recorded 24 deaths and Amnesty International has said that at least 40 have died. Officials have blamed the protests on "infiltrators" and said they are working to address economic problems. In Khartoum North on Sunday hundreds of people braved a heavy security presence to protest despite police and other security personnel trying to clear the area ahead of the rally. Some carried national flags and were chanting "freedom, freedom" and "with our soul, with our blood, we sacrifice ourselves for you Sudan". "We will continue to demonstrate until Bashir falls ... the country needs change," one 36-year-old protester told Reuters. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by David Goodman) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A local police spokesman said the detained man was a 27-year-old who lived in Gdansk, a Baltic coast city with a population of around half a million that was the cradle of Poland's anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s. Warsaw (Poland): The mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk died on Monday, a day after a knife-wielding assailant stabbed him in the heart in front of hundreds of people at a charity event, local media reported. "Despite all our efforts, we failed to save him," Doctor Tomasz Stefaniak, director of Gdansk's University hospital said, quoted by the Polish PAP news agency. Anti-violence rallies are being planned nationwide after Sunday's shock attack on Mayor Pawel Adamowicz. The 53-year-old suffered a serious wound to the heart and cuts to his diaphragm and abdominal organs, according to surgeons who operated on him for five hours at Gdansk's university hospital. Earlier, Jerzy Karpinski, a physician with the Gdansk regional health department, told the PAP news agency: "Mayor Adamowicz is on life support in a very critical condition, and the prognosis for his life and health is uncertain." Video footage showed the attacker, who police said was wearing a press badge, bursting on to the podium and launching himself at Adamowicz, who had been waving sparklers with others on stage as the fundraiser was winding down on Sunday evening. After knifing the mayor several times, the man turned to the crowd with his arms raised triumphantly, but was quickly tackled to the ground by security guards and arrested. Atmosphere of aggression Paramedics had resuscitated Adamowicz at the scene before rushing him to the hospital. Gdansk residents flooded blood donation centres following news that Adamowicz had received 15 litres (32 pints) of blood and required more of the rare O Rh- type. "There is an atmosphere of aggression in Poland," a blood donor who identified himself only as Zygmunt told AFP, reflecting on the broader context of the attack. A local police spokesman said the detained man was a 27-year-old who lived in Gdansk, a Baltic coast city with a population of around half a million that was the cradle of Poland's anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s. In a video recording of the attack posted on YouTube, the suspect was seen seizing the microphone and claiming he had been wrongly jailed by the previous centrist government of the Civic Platform (PO) party and tortured. "That's why Adamowicz dies," he said. One witness told broadcaster TVN that the man appeared "happy with what he had done". 'Solidarity' with mayor Adamowicz has been mayor of Gdansk for two decades and the Opposition Civic Platform, the arch-rival of Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, had supported his re-election in 2018 municipal polls. Since winning office in 2015, the PiS has systematically blamed PO politicians for an array of issues, ranging from VAT fraud to the 2010 crash of a Polish presidential jet in Russia that claimed the life of then president Lech Kaczynski, the identical twin brother of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Sunday's fundraising event was part of a popular annual nationwide drive to purchase medical equipment for children and featured a colourful stage set-up including lights, smoke and pyrotechnics. "Despite our political differences, I stand without question in solidarity with him and those close to him... I pray for his swift recovery," PiS-allied President Andrzej Duda said on Twitter. By Ahmed Eljechtimi RABAT (Reuters) - Hundreds of people gathered in Morocco's capital Rabat late on Saturday to mark the start of the Amazigh new year with a sit-in calling on the state to make the celebration a national holiday. Home to North Africa's biggest Amazigh, or Berber, population, Morocco long marginalised its language and culture in favour of Arabic and French, giving rise to an Amazigh identity movement which has steadily gained influence. By Ahmed Eljechtimi RABAT (Reuters) - Hundreds of people gathered in Morocco's capital Rabat late on Saturday to mark the start of the Amazigh new year with a sit-in calling on the state to make the celebration a national holiday. Home to North Africa's biggest Amazigh, or Berber, population, Morocco long marginalised its language and culture in favour of Arabic and French, giving rise to an Amazigh identity movement which has steadily gained influence. Demands of the Amazigh movement featured prominently in 2011 protests which led to Morocco adopting a constitution and the Moroccan monarch to devolve some of his power to an elected government. "This day is an occasion to highlight our strong attachment to the land and pay tribute to those who defended our freedom," Adil Adasko, an Amazigh civil society leader, told the rally. The first day of the year in the Amazigh calendar, rooted in seasons and agriculture, marks the anniversary of the ascent of Libyan King Sheshong to the throne of Egypt, according to historians. The new year which begins on Sunday is year 2969. Morocco recognised Amazigh as an official language only with the new constitution in 2011. Eight years on, parliament has yet to enact the legislation required to establish its use in education and public life, and activists accuse the government of dragging its feet. Last week, 143 out of a total of 395 members of parliament submitted a motion to Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani asking for the Amazigh new year to be recognised as a national day, a step already taken by neighbouring Algeria. Government spokesman Mustapha El Khalfi said Othmani was studying the issue. The Amazigh movement has also played a role in protests in some of Morocco's marginalised areas, including demonstrations over economic and social grievances in the Rif region in 2016 and last year in the Souss region. (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Ulf Laessing and Raissa Kasolowsky) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's foreign ministry summoned a senior Polish diplomat to protest at Poland jointly hosting a global summit with the United States focused on the Middle East, particularly Iran, state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said the summit -- to be held in Warsaw over Feb DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's foreign ministry summoned a senior Polish diplomat to protest at Poland jointly hosting a global summit with the United States focused on the Middle East, particularly Iran, state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said the summit -- to be held in Warsaw over Feb. 13-14 - would focus on stability and security in the Middle East, including the "important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilising influence". An Iranian foreign ministry official told Poland's charge d'affaires in Tehran that Iran saw the decision to host the meeting as a "hostile act against Iran" and warned that Tehran could reciprocate, IRNA added. "Poland's charge d'affaires provided explanations about the conference and said it was not anti-Iran," the agency added. The Polish foreign ministry confirmed that the meeting took place on Saturday. "The international community has the right to discuss various regional and global problems," it said in a statement on Sunday, adding that Poland has the right to co-host a conference that aims to develop a platform for action for the stability and prosperity of the Middle East. Relations between Tehran and Washington are highly fraught after the decision in May by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and to reimpose sanctions, including on Iran's oil sector. CHANGING IRAN'S "BEHAVIOUR" Speaking in Qatar on Sunday, Pompeo said the aims of the summit will include changing the "behaviour" of Iran, which Washington accuses of destabilising the region and supporting terrorism. Tehran denies the accusations and says U.S. military presence in the Middle East causes tensions and instability. "We will gather around a number of different topics ... fighting ISIS is part of that ... and address how we can get the Islamic Republic of Iran to behave like a normal nation," Pompeo told reporters in Doha. "There will be countries from Asia, Africa and all across the world. It won't be confined to the U.S., Europe and the Middle East." The United States and its regional ally Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in the conflicts in Yemen and Syria as well as rival political groups in Iraq and Lebanon. On Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticised Poland for hosting the meeting and wrote on Twitter: "Polish Govt can't wash the shame: while Iran saved Poles in WWII, it now hosts desperate anti-Iran circus." Zarif was referring to Iran hosting more that 100,000 Polish refugees during the Second World War. Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said the summit was being held because U.S. sanctions had failed to bring Iran to its knees. "Americans thought pressures would break down our economy. They wanted to bring our oil exports to zero but failed ... Now they've decided to hold an anti-Iran conference in Europe," the semi-official news agency Fars quoted Jahangiri as saying. Meanwhile, a cultural official said that a planned Polish Film Week in Iran would be cancelled if the summit plans are not dropped. "Iranians have hosted various nations and ethnic groups with open arms, especially the Poles," Hossein Entezami, head of the Cinema Organization of Iran, said on Twitter. "To protect the honour of Iran and Iranians, the holding of the Polish Film Week will depend on Warsaw's appropriate behaviour." (Reporting by Dubai newsroom, additional reporting by Anna Koper in Warsaw and Erik Knecht in Doha; Editing by Kim Coghill, Raissa Kasolowsky and David Goodman) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday said he would call a confidence vote in his government after his coalition ally quit, leaving him bereft of a parliamentary majority and raising the possibility of snap elections. By Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday said he would call a confidence vote in his government after his coalition ally quit, leaving him bereft of a parliamentary majority and raising the possibility of snap elections. Earlier, Greece's right-wing defence minister resigned in protest at a deal ending a long running dispute with Macedonia over its name, saying he was taking his other six ministers in cabinet with him. The crisis left the fate of a 2018 deal changing the name of Macedonia to North Macedonia in limbo. Greek parliamentary endorsement of the name is required for the tiny Balkan nation to join the European Union and NATO. Macedonia's parliament has already ratified the accord with a constitutional amendment. Outgoing Defence Minister Panos Kammenos's Independent Greeks party had seven MPs, enough to get Tsipras's administration past the threshold of 150 deputies in the 300-member parliament. Tsipras's Syriza party has 145 seats and also the support of one independent lawmaker. "I have taken my decision and have informed the president of parliament that we will immediately move to the process outlined by the constitution for the renewal of the confidence in my government," Tsipras told journalists. The confidence vote is expected to take place later this week and parliamentary speaker Nikos Voutsis proposed Jan. 16. Kammenos said he would not support Tsipras in the vote. Syriza is trailing between eight and 12 points behind the main conservative New Democracy party, which also opposed the deal with Macedonia, in pre-election polls. A firebrand leftist, Tsipras was elected in 2015 on a platform of anti-austerity but was forced into a third international bailout to bring back Greece from the brink of bankruptcy. The country exited a bailout programme in mid-2018. Kammenos, who forged a coalition pact with Tsipras in 2015, never concealed his hostility to the deal with Skopje. Greece has a province called Macedonia and long demanded Skopje change its country name to remove what Athens considered to be an implied claim to Greek sovereign territory. The wrangle had long frustrated Macedonia's EU and NATO aspirations. Greece is a member of both institutions and has a say in who gets to join, like other member countries. Kammenos said that any deal including "Macedonia" in the name of the Balkan state to Greece's north was unacceptable as the name was irrevocably tied to Greek civilization and culture. The Greek parliament's vote on the name deal has been expected later this month. The government hopes the pact will pass with the support of centre-left and independent lawmakers. (Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Mark Heinrich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Prominent Bangladeshi Hindus have criticised the NDA governments determined bid to push through Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, stating that the move may pave the way for Bangladesh to become an Islamic theocratic state like Pakistan Prominent Bangladeshi Hindus have criticised the BJP-led Indian governments determined bid to push through the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, fearing the move may pave the way for Bangladesh to become an Islamic theocratic state like Pakistan and some of the West Asian countries. Their criticism of the Bill echoes the anger being felt across the North East in India. Debapriya Bhattacharya, a leading development economist in Bangladesh, says, "This legislative action will have negative implications for our religious minorities. If one of the motivations of the amendment is to give legal protection to the minorities of the neighbouring countries, this may end up doing exactly the opposite. In fact, it will further weaken the position of the religious minorities in their respective countries." Bhattacharya, a former Bangladeshi ambassador to World Trade Organisation and United Nation offices in Geneva and Vienna, compares the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, to a double-edged sword: The religious minorities, in general, and the Hindus, in particular, have been struggling for generations to establish their core fundamental rights in Bangladesh. The legal measure will undercut their resolve to fight the prevailing discrimination and dilute their long-term stake in the country's future. Besides, this legal measure will be used as an excuse by a section of people with vested interests to drive out the religious minorities from Bangladesh to India." The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship by naturalisation to people of six religions Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan provided they have been residing in India for at least 12 months immediately preceding the application for citizenship and for six of the 14 years preceding the 12-month period. The government justifies the move on grounds that these people are being persecuted by the dominant Muslim community in the three South Asian countries. Presently, there is no fool-proof mechanism to determine the antecedents of illegal immigrants and the place and duration of their stay in India. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the India-Bangladesh border across Assam is largely porous. Moreover, these people have been offered immunity from being imprisoned or deported under the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 the two main laws under which foreigners are declared illegal, if they were present in India on or before 31 December, 2014. Echoing similar views, Rana Dasgupta, general secretary, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a leading platform for minority communities in Bangladesh, says, If this Bill be passed in the Indian Parliament, then Bangladeshs communal and fundamentalist forces will be more inspired to drive away the minorities with a view to grab their land and properties, even without any compensation. The Bill will also put Bangladeshs democracy in danger and may turn the country into a theocratic state like Pakistan or some other West Asian countries." Consider the gradual erosion of minority population in then-East Pakistan, or modern-day Bangladesh, since the Partition. In 1947, the minority population in then-East Pakistan was about 30 percent. In 1970, the figure came down to about 20 percent. And, in 2011, according to Bangladesh Population Statistical Bureau, the percentage of minorities Hindus, Buddhists and Christians has come down to about 10 percent. The Bureau stated a year ago that the Hindu population has increased by about 2 percent over the last 5 years. Going by that figure, the minority population (in Bangladesh) is about 11.7 percent, says Dasgupta. Pankaj Bhattacharya, president of the Oikya National Awami Party (Oikya NAP) and a leading pro-minority rights champion in Bangladesh, says, "The Bill passed in the Lok Sabha smacks of discriminatory and divisive politics, which goes against Indias secular fabric. The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, could have a serious negative impact on Bangladesh. It also carries the risk of provoking persecution against the minorities in Bangladesh by the Muslim majority community. The Bill could trigger negative reactions among Indian Muslims as well. And, that the Bill has sparked off widespread protests in Assam is emblematic of this apprehension. "We cannot also ignore the fact that even after 48 years of Bangladeshs independence the political narrative continues to get caught in a tug-of-war between whether to follow the ideals of an Islamic Pakistan or to create a secular liberal republic. Bangladeshs liberal, progressive and secular sections of the society and the media, along with the Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, have managed to keep the fight alive despite Pakistans repeated attempts to Islamise the country, he adds A 1971 Liberation War veteran, Pankaj, however, sounds optimistic: Eventually, humanity and equality will triumph. The democratic forces will have to rally around each other to ensure that religious fundamentalism is not used as a tool to influence voters for the sole motive of capturing power. One hopes Indias secular public wont let this Bill become a law." President Donald Trump said on Monday that he expects to be able to reach a trade deal with China, which is feeling the impact of US tariffs. Washington: President Donald Trump said on Monday that he expects to be able to reach a trade deal with China, which is feeling the impact of US tariffs. "We are doing very well with China. They're having a hard with their economy because of the tariffs," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China." US officials were in Beijing last week for talks aimed at ending the bruising trade confrontation that has subjected more than $350 billion in two-way trade to steep tariffs. Chinese officials said the next round of negotiations would be held in Washington between 30 and 31 January. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed on 1 December to a three-month truce in the escalating spat. "I can tell you we are getting things that before I became president you would have had no chance at getting," Trump said. "They would have laughed in your president's face." As Trump has pressed Beijing to increase imports of US goods, China's trade surplus with the United States hit a record last year of $323.3 billion, an 11 percent increase over 2017, according to Chinese customs data released on Monday. However, in a sign that the White House's punitive measures are having an impact, China's exports to the US sank in December, 2018. And China's total exports fell 4.4 percent in December from a year earlier, while imports dropped 7.6 percent, reflecting sluggish demand at home and abroad. Last week, at least one worker was killed and dozens wounded during protests over salaries, prompting the government to form a panel of factory owners, union leaders and government officials to investigate the pay demands. Dhaka: Garment manufacturers in Bangladesh have agreed to raise workers pay, the commerce minister said on Sunday, urging people to return to work after a week of violent demonstrations. Last week, at least one worker was killed and dozens wounded during protests over salaries, prompting the government to form a panel of factory owners, union leaders and government officials to investigate the pay demands. On Sunday, at least 20 people were hurt in further clashes between protesters and police outside Dhaka. All parties involved agreed to raise wages across 6 of the 7 pay grades, leaving the minimum wages unchanged at 8,000 taka ($95), Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told reporters after a meeting of the panel. Low wages and trade deals with Western countries have made the sector a $30 billion industry accounting for 80 percent of Bangladeshs exports, making Bangladesh the worlds second-biggest garment exporter, behind China. Earlier on Sunday, Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) had threatened to cut off workers pay if they did not return to work. If you dont return to your work by tomorrow (Monday), you will not be paid any wages and we will shut down factories for an indefinite period, he said. Despite repeated assurance of meeting the demands, the workers are being incited to create unrest. We will not allow this anymore. The revised wages are effective from December and will be adjusted from January, Munshi said. Amirul Huq, who represented union leaders on the panel which met with Munshi, said, The discrepancies in the wage structure have been resolved by the prime ministers intervention. We welcome the new wages. As trade unions, we have the right to protest, but that does not mean vandalising factories or blocking roads. Workers will go back to work." On Sunday, the police used teargas and water cannons to disperse workers blocking a major highway in the Ashulia garment manufacturing belt, on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka, according to Saminur Rahman, a director for the Industrial Police, which patrols the countrys business hubs. The protests are a test for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who just won a third straight term in a 30 December election. The vote was marred by violence and allegations of widespread rigging and voter intimidation. The government said in September that the minimum wage for garment workers would increase by up to 51 percent to 8,000 taka ($95) a month, payable in January, the first increase since 2013. But union leaders say that increase will benefit only a small percentage of workers in the garment sector, which employs 4 million out of the countrys 165 million people. Most of the workers do not want vandalism. They want to work. They dont want their factories are closed, said Munshi, also a former president of the BGMEA. I hope they will join work peacefully, the minister added. tech2 News Staff Researchers may have come significantly closer to finding an answer for one of the longest-held mysteries in the field of astronomy quick, powerful bursts of radio waves that have been difficult to detect or trace back to any known natural source in the universe. One of the most powerful forms of radio energy in the universe that detectors on Earth can pick up on is 'fast radio bursts' or FRBs. These bursts rarely last longer than a few milliseconds and cover a range of frequencies. The bursts are usually single spikes in energy, which are stable and consistent for the short periods of time for which they last. Astronomers today are still unaware of the sources of these bursts what event in the cosmos could be causing thousands of these powerful bursts every single day. At a recent meeting of the American Astronomical Society, scientists at a Canadian telescope centre shared that they detected 13 new fast radio bursts (FRBs) in a mere two months of observations. The newly-detected bursts are rare repeaters scientists had observed a series of six flashes from the same spot in the sky, which they hope can make it easier to pin down the source of the signal. Only one other 'repeating' FRB has ever been found in the history of astronomy. Interestingly, astronomers found that the repeated burst they discovered has the same structure as the only other repeater they have a record of. The researchers that made the discovery think that the origin of these bursts is a region in space roughly 1.5 billion light-years away from Earth. These things are coming to us from halfway across the universe and we dont really know anything about them. Isnt that exciting? lead author of the study, Dr Shriharsh Tendulkar from McGill University, told the university press. #ICYMI scientists have detected some rather interesting radio signals from the depths of intergalactic space thanks to the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment. Find out more about #CHIME here: https://t.co/kMS3vINpof pic.twitter.com/70W6HjGArD Canada (@Canada) 13 January 2019 The radio waves that were detected are very likely getting twisted, scattered or absorbed by gas and plasma during their travels through space, which prompts the researchers to think all thirteen bursts came from turbulent parts of the universe from near supernova remnants or black holes. We are trying to build up clues and trying to understand whether the repeating fast radio bursts and single fast radio bursts are different populations. Do they come from different objects? Or are they related in some way to each other? We are trying to figure these things out, so thats really exciting, Tendulkar told university press. When the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) detected the new bursts, it was only running at a fraction of its capacity, and the team is excited to see how many more will appear in their data now that the instrument is fully up and running. The findings and results from the study are published in Nature. tech2 News Staff The Supreme Court on Monday asked the government to respond in six weeks on pleas challenging a recent home ministry order that allowed some agencies to monitor personal computers of citizens. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi issued the notice to the government against the controversial order. However, the Supreme Court has not stayed the order. Last month, the home ministry had issued an order authorising 10 federal government agencies to intercept and monitor information from any computer, a move opposition parties said would risk creating a surveillance state. The authorisation has been given under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. It allows the government to direct any agency in the interest of the sovereignty, defence of India and security of the state among other reasons. And notably so, as per the order, not just calls or emails, but any data on any computer can be intercepted and devices can be seized. MHA: Competent authority hereby authorizes the following security and intelligence agencies (in attached statement) for purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said act pic.twitter.com/3oH9e7vv6T ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2018 According to the order, the person who the computer belongs to will have to provide access and technical assistance to the aforementioned agencies. If they fail, there will be a punishment of up to seven years. The agencies that have been granted the permission are The Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, National Investigation Agency, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation. Cabinet Secretariat (R&AW), Directorate of Signal Intelligence (For service areas of Jammu & Kashmir, North-East and Assam only) and Commissioner of Police, Delhi. With inputs from Reuters Can there be any other issue more reasonably on which voters should expect bipartisan support among Republicans and Democrats in Congress than defending their own power of the purse? Whether or not the GOP leaders in both chambers are moved to buck their president would be revealed by their votes on this issue. Press Trust of India Hundreds of workers of the Samsung mobile company Saturday protested in Noida, demanding salary hike and change in shift timings, police said. The workers assembled on the premises of the company's office in Noida Phase-II in the morning and remained there till around 10.00 pm, they said. Samsung representatives could not be contacted immediately for a response. "The protestors were demanding that their work timings which have been changed since January, be restored to the previous pattern. They were also peeved over changes in holidays, food, and other such issues. These issues were reportedly discussed with the management and resolved," Circle Officer, Noida 3rd, Shwetabh Pandey, said. "The workers were also demanding a hike in their salaries, which the management has reportedly said was a policy issue and needed more discussion," he told PTI Saturday night. Pandey said there did not arise a law and order situation and no disruption to traffic happened as the protestors had assembled within the premises of the private company. The Samsung plant, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2018, has witnessed similar protests in the past also. Nearly 500 farmers, belonging to different outfits such as Sanyukta Kisan Parishad, Kisan Sabha, had staged a protest outside the company''s office in October demanding "more jobs for the local youth". In August, at least 80 people were arrested during a protest at the plant for similar reason, according to officials. tech2 News Staff Samsung's M-series smartphones have been rumoured for a few weeks now. We have come across rumours about their Infinity-V displays, chipsets and RAM configurations. However, there was no official word to it. Until now. Samsung has recently confirmed that it will be launching its India-first budget M-series of smartphones on 28 January. Samsung India also revealed that the new M-series of phones will be exclusively sold on Amazon India and Samsung's own website. While the company hasn't officially revealed what these smartphones will be called, all rumours till now suggest that Samsung will launch three new smartphones the Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20, and Galaxy M30. A recent Reuters report also suggests the launch of three new smartphones under this series in January. The same report also quotes the head of Samsungs Indian mobile business, Asim Warsi, saying that the M-series will be priced from less than Rs 10,000 to up to Rs 20,000, and will carry chunkier batteries and features such as quick charging. Besides that, from what we know so far, the Galaxy M-series will be a budget lineup and will look to challenge the likes of Xiaomi in India. However, after an India-first debut in the country, the series is also expected to sell in other markets. It is also said that the new Galaxy M series will be manufactured in Samsung's huge factory at Noida, India. Some reports also claim that the new M-series from Samsung would likely be replacing the mid-range Galaxy J-series and On-series smartphone lineup, while others say that the series is expected to be priced higher than the company's Galaxy On series. In addition to that, late last month a report also suggested that the M-series of smartphones will come with an Infinity-V display. Infinity-V is essentially a display with a notch that looks quite similar to the waterdrop notch, but it has more pronounced, straight lines. A similar notch has been seen on the likes of OnePlus 6T, Realme 2 Pro and others. Besides this, some specifications and features about the Galaxy M10, M20 and M30 have also been leaked so far. Here's all that we know. Samsung Galaxy M10 leaks Last year, a new device with the model name SM-M105F (believed to be the Galaxy M10) surfaced on Geekbench, according to which, the purported Galaxy M10 may feature an Exynos 7885 SoC coupled with 3 GB of RAM. The device will apparently run Android 8.1 Oreo out-of-the-box. The rumour also revealed that the new smartphone's Samsung Exynos 7885 chipset features an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-A73 CPU cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 6 Cortex-A53 CPU cores clocked at 1.6 GHz, and a Mali G71 GPU. In terms of optics, the chipset supports up to dual 16 MP + 16 MP cameras, which can be featured on either the front or the back. In addition to that, the report also pointed out that the smartphone could come with LTE, 802.11ac, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. Samsung Galaxy M20 leaks Coming to the Galaxy M20, the smartphone is rumoured to come with the Exynos 7885 mid-range SoC as well, but will be backed by 3 GB of RAM. It is said to have 32 GB internal storage. Also, the report claimed that the Galaxy M20 will be fuelled by a 5,000 mAh battery. Samsung Galaxy M30 leaks Finally, there have also been specification leaks about the Galaxy M30, which is rumoured to feature the Exynos 7885 SoC as well, but with 4 GB of RAM, and Android Oreo 8.1 onboard. The phone will apparently come in 64 GB and 128 GB storage variants. Besides the Galaxy M10, M20 and the M30, there are also rumours about the Galaxy M50, but there are little details about it, suggesting that its launch could be pushed to a later date. tech2 News Staff Samsung plans to launch a budget smartphone series in India ahead of a global release, aiming to regain ground ceded to Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi in the worlds second-biggest mobile phone market. Samsung's Indian market share by shipments has lagged Xiaomis in two of the three 2018 quarters for which data is available, according to technology researcher Counterpoint. Till now we have hear Samsung working on three M-series phones, the Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20, and Galaxy M30. Reportedly, Samsung plans to sell this series of smartphones only through its website and Amazon.coms Indian operation. The series is expected to be priced higher than the company's Galaxy On series. The M-series will apparently help the company to double online sales, the head of Samsungs Indian mobile business told Reuters. The M series has been built around and incepted around Indian millennial consumers, Asim Warsi said, adding that the phones will be rolled out globally after the Indian launch at the end of January. He declined to give specifics but said that online sales account for a double-digit percentage of the companys overall mobile phone revenue. Samsungs mobile phone sales in India touched 373.5 billion rupees ($5.3 billion) in the 12 months to end-March 2018, according to regulatory filings sourced by paper.vc, a business intelligence platform. The India-made phones, priced from less than 10,000 rupees ($141.80) up to 20,000 rupees, will carry chunkier batteries and features such as quick charging, Warsi said. Samsung has been sharpening its focus on India, home to more than a billion wireless subscribers and where roughly 350 million users still do not use smartphones. Last year it opened what it said was the worlds biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of Indian capital New Delhi as well as its biggest mobile phone store globally in Bengaluru. A lot of our insights, R&D and developments for consumers in India ... they have great connect with many other consumers in many other parts of the world, Warsi said. Samsungs Indian business sells its phones through 250,000 retail outlets and more than 2,000 exclusive stores, with support offered by 2,000 service centers. Besides the M10, M20 and the M30, there are rumours about the Galaxy M50, but we are not sure at the moment if it will be part of the launches that Samsung has in store next month. With inputs from Reuters Reuters Poland could consider banning the use of Huawei products by public bodies, a senior government official said on Sunday, following the arrest of a Chinese Huawei official in the east European country last week. The Polish government could also look to tighten legislation to allow the authorities to limit the availability of products made by any company deemed to pose a threat to security. Poland arrested a Chinese employee of Huawei and a former Polish security official on spying allegations, officials and sources told Reuters on Friday, a move that could fuel Western security concerns about the telecoms equipment maker. A government official who is responsible for cyber security told Reuters abrupt policy changes towards Huawei were not warranted after the arrests. But he said the use of the companys products by state entities could be reviewed. We will analyse whether ... our decision can include an end to the use ... of Huawei products, Karol Okonski told Reuters. We do not have the legal means to force private companies or citizens to stop using any IT companys products. It cannot be ruled out that we will consider legislative changes that would allow such a move, he added. A spokesman for Polands security services said on Friday the Polish official arrested by the countrys Internal Security Agency (ISA) had been responsible for issuing security certificates for equipment used by public administration. (He) used to work for a number of public institutions, held important managerial positions and was also connected with ... institutions that protect internal security, he told public broadcaster TVP. Seeking to distance itself from the incident, Huawei said on Saturday it had sacked its employee, adding his alleged actions have no relation to the company. Huawei, the worlds biggest producer of telecommunications equipment, faces intense scrutiny in the West over its relationship with Chinas government and U.S.-led allegations that its devices could be used by Beijing for spying. No evidence has been produced publicly and the firm has repeatedly denied the accusations, but several Western countries have restricted Huaweis access to their markets. Polands internal affairs minister, Joachim Brudzinski, called for the European Union and NATO to work on a joint position over whether to exclude Huawei from their markets. We are examining the readiness of the (EU and NATO) countries to work on a joint position, Okonski told Reuters referring to the new generation of 5G telecoms infrastructure. tech2 News Staff A fresh round of leaks surrounding the Nokia 9 PureView are suggesting that the phone may arrive at Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC) at the end of February rather than later this month, as initially expected. According to a new Instagram throwback video posted by HMD Chief Product Officer, the executive reveals a new hashtag titled #coolnewstuff, which is placed against the #nokiamobile hashtag. Since neither HMD nor Nokia have something unique planned for the audience that they arent already aware of, both entities could be gearing up to launch the Nokia 9 PureView. A Twitter account that goes by the username Nokia Leaks and is known for relatively accurate information on upcoming Nokia phones claims that HMD Global has postponed the launch of the Nokia 9 PureView to MWC 2019. Another Twitter account that leaks details of forthcoming Nokia smartphones (Nokia anew) state that if the company had really planned to debut the Nokia 9 PureView in January then the company would have begun sending out invitations by now. About the announcement of Nokia 9. If the announcement takes place in January, the invitations will be sent until Wednesday. If Juho is really postponed the announcement at MWC is the REAL FAILURE. The cool flagship will be eclipsed by new smartphones of other brands. #Nokia9 Nokia anew (@nokia_anew) January 13, 2019 Rumours of the Nokia 9 PureView originated during the start of 2018, with November of last year revealing renders showing off the five-camera smartphone. Tipster Evan Blass had also posted an image of the device on Twitter, revealing that it has an in-display fingerprint sensor. He also confirmed the device has five cameras. The units are expected to come with Zeiss-branded optics. Another leak, this time by NokiaPowerUser, has also listed a bunch of expected specifications of the device, to wit, the Nokia 9 will feature a 5.9-inch display, an aluminium frame and a glass unibody design. There is no word on the total pixel count of this camera system, but it could pretty high. One report did mention that three out of the five rear cameras are rumoured to be 41 MP units, one a 20 MP unit and the fifth one a 9.7 MP unit. The Nokia 9 PureView is expected to be powered by Snapdragon 845 SoC and not the upcoming Snapdragon 855. This is expected to be paired with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage. While we're all very excited to see what five rear-facing cameras have to offer, other smartphone launches including that of the Samsung Galaxy S10 lineup will overshadow the launch of the Nokia 9 Pureview at MWC. Anyway, that's for HMD Global to worry about. Reuters Germanys antitrust watchdog plans to order Facebook to stop gathering some user data, a newspaper reported on Sunday. The Federal Cartel Office, which has been investigating Facebook since 2015, has already found that the social media giant abused its market dominance to gather data on people without their knowledge or consent. The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said the watchdog will present the US company with its ruling on what action it needs to take in the next few weeks. A Facebook spokeswoman said the company disputes the watchdogs findings and will continue to defend this position. The investigation is being closely watched amid mounting concerns over leaks of data on tens of millions of Facebook users, as well as the use of social media by foreign powers seeking to influence elections in the United States. The German watchdog objects in particular to how Facebook acquires data on people from third-party apps - including its own WhatsApp and Instagram services as well as games and websites - and its tracking of people who are not members. The paper said it is still not clear how strictly Facebook will have to comply with the German order, noting that the watchdog looks likely to set a deadline for compliance rather than insisting on immediate action. As the Congress deals with issues concerning its alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, the infighting in the grand old party came to the fore on Sunday after veteran leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa reportedly called Home Minister MB Patil a 'monkey'. As the Congress deals with issues concerning its alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, the infighting in the grand old party came to the fore on Sunday after veteran leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa reportedly called Home Minister MB Patil a "monkey". The two leaders exchanged barbs after Shivashankarappa claimed that the Lingayat movement in 2017 was funded by money gathered through illegal means. "This is a completely baseless allegation. The rallies, conventions and the entire (Lingayat) movement was organised through donations from followers," Patil was quoted as saying in Hubbali by the Deccan Herald. He warned Shivashankarappa that he would reveal "details" about him if he continues to make allegations, adding that he was being forced to break his pact of not speaking about the Lingayat issue after taking over as a minister in Karnataka. Patil had spearheaded the Lingayat movement to demand separate minority religion status for the community. "The fire (the demand for a separate religion tag for Lingayats) has not been doused yet. Some people played divisive politics with money. Since the election is around the corner, they are raising the Lingayat issue again," The New Indian Express quoted Patil as sating. He added that he respected Shivashankarappa as a father figure, but "his statements show he is greedy and only concerned about his family". Responding to Patil's statement, Shivashankarappa said: "He is a child. I did not speak about him. I just spoke about what happened. In fact, (BJP leader) Prabhakar Kore and I have helped him grow. I do not want to comment much." "What does he (Patil) know? He is a monkey," he said, according to The Hindu. On Monday, Shivashankarappa lashed out at Patil again, alleging that the Karnataka home minister had won the elections by "spending crores". Ex Karnataka Minister&Sr Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa: Some people in our community trying to destroy us by saying different things &some with Benami money&corruption. Many including Vinay Kulkarni & my son became victims but MB Patil won elections by spending crores pic.twitter.com/biOiIElQXM ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 According to Bangalore Mirror, Shivashankarappa had tried to clarify on Sunday that he never called Patil "monkey" and had been misquoted. Going by the vote shares of the most recent elections, a BJP defeat in Uttar Pradesh can be possible only if the Congress puts aside its hurt for being excluded from the SP-BSP alliance and extends its support. Anti-BJP political spectators were hopeful of a grand alliance between the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh after the Grand Old Party wrested power from the saffron front in two Hindi heartland states Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan with the support of the Akhilesh Yadav- and Mayawati-led outfits. They remained optimistic about a possible Samajwadi Party-BSP-Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh even though Mayawati had snubbed the Congress in Chhattisgarh and joined hands with Ajit Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh. But both Akhilesh and Mayawati dashed these hopes on Saturday, when they formally announced their 50:50 partnership each party will contest from 38 seats for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, they decided to not contest in Amethi and Raebareli, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in a move that one could even say was compensation for leaving the Congress out of the alliance. The Congress has appeared surprisingly nonchalant since the development, with party president Rahul Gandhi saying soon after the announcement on Saturday that being left of the alliance in Uttar Pradesh was not a "setback" for the Congress, exuding confidence that the results of the elections "would surprise people". "I have tremendous respect for the leaders of the BSP and Samajwadi Party and recognise that they have the right to do what they want. It's on us to strengthen the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh, and we will fight to our full capacity," Rahul said at a press conference in Dubai. The move forced the Grand Old Party to announce that it will contest all 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh solo and it was open to allying with "like-minded" parties, but it has few options left. Former Samajwadi Party leader and Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Yadav's newly-launched party, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia, could hardly be considered a threat. Although Rahul might seem confident for the Congress if the anti-incumbency sentiments against the BJP are anything to go by the reality on ground might be far from what he sees. With support from the Samajwadi Party and BSP now out of question, the party's prospects in Uttar Pradesh seem bleak, as does its goal to bring together an anti-BJP front for the Lok Sabha elections. Being sidelined by the Samajwadi Party and BSP means losing out on a significant chunk of the vote share in Uttar Pradesh, a state considered crucial in deciding who assumes power at the Centre. The Congress has only followed a downhill path in Uttar Pradesh in terms of vote share since the 2012 Assembly elections and the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. From 11.6 percent in 2012, its vote share dropped to 7.5 percent in 2014 and further to around 6 percent in the 2017 Assembly elections. In contrast, the BSP's vote share rose to 22 percent in 2017 from 19.8 percent in 2014, though it dropped from the nearly 26 percent of the vote share it had secured in 2012. The Samajwadi Party, too, has a similar graph, securing around 22 percent of the votes in 2017 and 22.3 percent in 2014. Collectively, the vote share of the BSP and Samajwadi Party in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls came to 42.1 percent, marginally below the BJP's 42.6 percent, indicating that the two parties joining hands could make a dent in the saffron front's voter base and also eat into another chunk of anti-BJP votes (which could be considered the secular votes usually reserved for the Congress). Looking at these figures, it is clear that the BSP-Samajwadi Party alliance can deal a blow to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The results of the 2017 bypolls to the Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana Lok Sabha seats also indicate that the BSP and Samajwadi Party could, indeed, have a chance of wresting a significant number of seats from the BJP. Earlier, it was believed that support from Mayawati and Akhilesh for the Congress could have had an immediate impact in Uttar Pradesh in 2019. But going by the vote shares of the most recent elections and the apparent understanding the parties have with the Congress, a BJP defeat in Uttar Pradesh can be possible only if the Congress puts aside its hurt for being excluded from the partnership and extends support to the alliance. While former finance minister P Chidambaram said he hopes the Samajwadi Party-BSP alliance without the Congress was not the "final word", there are Samajwadi Party and BSP members who are hopeful that the the Congress contesting the polls on its own could eat into the BJP's upper-caste vote base and benefit them. After Akhilesh and Mayawati's press conference, Rahul had said he "won't be disappointed about the BSP-Samajwadi Party alliance as long as the BJP does not come to power", adding that contesting the elections solo would have the same end result "the BJP won't get their seats". So if the Congress really stands by its statement that its prime focus is to ensure the BJP's dethroning at both the Centre and in states, and if the Grand Old Party is willing to accept its likely defeat in Uttar Pradesh, this is how the politics in the state could play out in 2019. Two days after BSP chief Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav announced their alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, RJD founder Lalu Prasad's son Tejashwi said he supported their alliance and foresaw the defeat of the BJP. Two days after Bahujan Samaj Party party chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav announced their alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Rashtriya Janata Dal founder Lalu Prasad's son Tejashwi said he endorsed their alliance but did not specifically say if the RJD was going to be a part of it. At a joint press conference with former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, Tejashwi said he felt "compelled to travel to Lucknow from Patna to congratulate the Uttar Pradesh leaders for this tie-up". Tejashwi Yadav on Congress not part of UP alliance: Samajwadi Party and BSP are enough to beat Modi ji, the by elections are also an indication of it. You can also read Rahul ji's statement, he has said 'BJP is not going to get seats here, who is in alliance is not important' pic.twitter.com/E3JrivIPCI ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019 Asked what would be his party's stand regarding the Congress in Bihar in the wake of the SP-BSP combine dumping it in Uttar Pradesh, Tejashwi was quoted by IANS as having said, "The Congress has been with us from early on." He said the ideal situation would be to defeat the BJP but repeated that the RJD is with the Congress. Tejashwi said the country, under BJP rule, was in the grip of an "undeclared emergency". "Constitutional institutions are being used for the government's own gain. The youth in the nation have no income or jobs. Farmers are ready to commit suicide. The slaves of the British are in power now and they have imposed the law of Nagpur, which is the agenda of the RSS. The Constitution of India has been replaced by the thoughts of Baba Golwalkar," he said. This is not the first time that the RJD scion has spoken for the alliance. Tejashwi had, on Sunday, visited Mayawati and extended brithday wishes to the BSP chief. "The grand alliance Laluji had imagined has become a reality thanks to Akhileshji. I told Mayawatiji as much yesterday," he said, adding that the BJP is set to lose nearly 100 seats in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. At Mayawati's residence as well, Tejashwi had predicted a "whitewash" of the BJP by opposition parties. The Indian Express reported Tejashwi as having said that the by-elections just concluded are an indication of the BJP's impending defeat. Speaking of the "collective anger" felt by farmers, labourers and businessmen, Tejashwi said the BJP was responsible for making them "see big dreams" but not following up on them. "I ask chacha Nitish (Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar) how a double engine government can fool people this badly," he added. Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar had formed the government in Bihar after contesting the Bihar Assembly polls in alliance with Congress and RJD but ended the alliance midway to form the government with BJP. Calling the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, "not agencies but the BJP's alliance partners", Tejashwi said his father is in jail now because Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks of him as a threat. "I was barely 13, in 2005, and did not even have a moustache when the BJP began slandering me," he added. Lalu was convicted in the fodder scam cases in January 2018. Akhilesh, on his part, largely echoed Tejashwi's assertion that the country welcomes the SP-BSP alliance. "The fact that you (Tejashwi) congratulated us, will convince people that the alliance has been cemented. From Delhi to Kolkata, the whole country is overjoyed thanks to the SP-BSP tie up," he said. The SP leader did not comment when asked who he thought should be the alliance's prime ministerial candidate. He had earlier said he would endorse his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, for the role. Congress leader and MLC Prem Chand Mishra said the party has invited top Opposition leaders from across the country to attend Rahul Gandhi's rally. Patna: As the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are inching closer, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address an anti-BJP rally named 'Jan Aakansha' at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on 3 February. This is the first time after 28 years that the Congress is holding a massive rally in the state without having any alliance. Congress leader and MLC Prem Chand Mishra said the party has invited top Opposition leaders from across the country to attend the rally. "It will be a huge rally as the party is holding it after 28 years without any alliance. All party workers, MPs or MLAs have geared up to make this rally a big success. We have invited all Opposition leaders to attend this rally in Patna. People of Bihar have the right to know what the central and Bihar governments have done so far for the poor and common people," he added. While the NDA in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JDU, has already announced its seat-sharing formula, the Opposition has yet to arrive at a consensus. BJP, JDU, and LJP have already announced the seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, with the BJP and JDU contesting 17 seats each, leaving six seats for Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP. Can we all agree that the federal government should not be held hostage even partially by an impasse over policy, particularly so dubious a policy? Not only is hurting Americans in an immediate and meaningful way antithetical to what government is supposed to be about, but the shutdown is not even helpful politically to its instigator. Polls show most Americans oppose border wall construction and primarily blame President Trump for the current impasse. And how could any of that be a shocker? Mr. Trump invited the mantle of Trump shutdown weeks ago. What has happened since that moment has been entirely predictable if moronic. Rarely has a tailed wagged a dog in Washington like extremist anti-immigration talking heads like Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity have with their insistence that President Trump not budge on the wall, no matter the impact on his administration or the future of the Republican Party. Nitin Gadkari didn't make a direct reference to the row over the invite to Nayantara Sahgal being withdrawn Marathi Lit Fest, but said politicians should learn not to interfere in other fields and people in universities, educational institutes, literature and poetry should deal with their areas. Mumbai: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday advised fellow politicians not to interfere in "other fields". The senior BJP leader was speaking at the valedictory function of the annual Marathi literary meet at Yavatmal, which has been embroiled in controversy after an invitation to writer Nayantara Sahgal was withdrawn. Without making a direct reference to the row, Gadkari said, "Politicians should learn not to interfere in other fields. The people who are in universities, educational institutes, literature and poetry, they should be dealing with their (respective) areas. "When I say there should not be any interference, it does not mean there should not be any contact between the people from the field of literature and politicians," he added. "During the Emergency, speeches of (Marathi) writers like Durga Bhagwat and PL Deshpande drew bigger crowds than political rallies. Both of them, however, returned to literature after elections. They did not even seek political postings like Rajya Sabha membership," Gadkari noted. While Bhagwat had criticised the Emergency openly, Deshpande had campaigned for the Janata Party after the Emergency was lifted and elections were announced in 1977. "There should be cooperation, coordination and communication between writers and politicians. Lack of communication leads to miscommunication and then arguments," Gadkari said. "We should only respect the person who is expressing opposite views." Sahgal, a noted Indian English writer who was in the forefront of an "award wapasi" campaign a few years ago, had been invited to inaugurate the 92nd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which started at Yavatmal on 11 January. But organisers withdrew the invite after local leaders of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) opposed the invitation to an "English language writer". The decision drew flak from several quarters even as MNS chief Raj Thackeray said it was not his party's official stand. Opposition parties alleged that it was the BJP that did not want Sahgal to attend the meet, a charge the state government denied. Chidambaram said if it took three years for the government to make out the charge of sedition, it 'exposes the motive of the government'. New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday dubbed the charges against former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others in the JNU sedition case as "absurd" while his party said it hoped that the legal process will be carried out rightfully. Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police filed its chargesheet against Kumar and nine others in the case before Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand. It charged Kumar, former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya and seven others for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university campus on 9 February, 2016 to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. Chidambaram said if it took three years for the government to make out the charge of sedition, it "exposes the motive of the government". He also demanded a debate on whether a provision like Section 124A (sedition) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) has a place in the laws of a democratic republic. "The charge of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar and others is absurd. If it takes three years and 1,200 pages to make out a charge of sedition (based on a public speech), that alone exposes the motive of the government," the former home minister said in a series of tweets. "How many in the investigating team have read and understood section 124A of the IPC and the case law on the Section? There must be a serious debate if a provision like Section124A has a place in the laws of a democratic republic," Chidambaram said. The said event had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which had termed it as "anti-national". A case was registered on 11 February, 2016 following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the ABVP. "We are confident that no tinkering will be allowed to be done with the evidence, as there is news about the video being doctored. We hope that the legal process will carry on rightfully and there will be no tinkering," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said. "The people have lost faith in this government and the processes adopted by it," he added. The accused have been charged with offences under various sections of the IPC, including 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), besides 124A. The charge sheet also contains CCTV footage, mobile footage and documentary evidence. Judge Anand put it up for consideration before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on Tuesday. A significant takeaway from Narendra Modi's speech was that it represented his first real pushback against Congresss campaign strategy of portraying him as a corrupt dictator who undermines public institutions and imperils Indian democracy. As the 2019 battle draws near, the lines are getting rapidly drawn. BJP president Amit Shah's inaugural speech at the two-day BJP national convention on Friday revealed the party's campaign agenda. The Lok Sabha elections will be set in terms of a civilizational clash a third battle of Panipat, for instance, where competing ideologies will clash, and failure will ostensibly take India back by a few decades. Through his 80-minute concluding speech on Saturday at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi addressing 12,000-odd party workers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made two things clear. First, he pitched the election as a presidential contest and then picked Rahul Gandhi as his competitor doubling down on the competing ideologies. The BJP holds that 'one is a hard-working servant of the people who believes in the Constitution, public institutions and lokshahi (democracy), the other a cavalier, entitled dynast who undermines the Constitution, public institutions and propagates rajshahi (dynastic politics).' Modi's speech was delivered almost simultaneously with the announcement of arch-rivals Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) coming together to give mahagathbandhan a desired shape in Uttar Pradesh. The prime minister took apart the concept of mahagathbandhan as a comical alliance of desperate leaders who can only throw up a majboor (helpless) government. But his sharpest criticisms were aimed at Congress and its president (he never took Rahul's name but referred to him with the moniker naamdar). This is aimed at decluttering the noise of campaigning and simplifying the contours of a tough battle, but also a pointer to BJP's belief that a Modi versus Rahul contest will serve its presidential model and keep alive the possibilities of post-poll coalitions with regional chieftains should the need arise. Another significant takeaway from Modi's speech was that it represented his first real pushback against Congresss campaign strategy of portraying him as a corrupt dictator who undermines public institutions and imperils Indian democracy. Through an aggressive tone and tenor, Modi mounted a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi and portrayed him as the embodiment of corruption and the flagbearer of a toxic legacy that right from Jawaharlal Nehru has prevented India from taking its rightful place in the comity of nations. The Congress has targeted Modis integrity and his image of incorruptibility by launching a shrill campaign over alleged corruption in Rafale and has sought to link the turmoil in CBI and other institutions to it. The story being presented was that of a malevolent dictator who in cahoots with crony capitalists is out to destroy all institutions after being caught with his finger in the pie. On Saturday, Modi turned the dictator theme around on to Congress and posited that it is the Congress which has no faith in democracy and has weakened all public institutions. It was interesting to note the examples that Modi gave to buttress his claim. He picked up the National Herald case to remind everyone that Rahul and Sonia Gandhi are currently out on bail in the UPA-era case that has been going on since 2012 but despite countless summons from various agencies, including the Income Tax department, the CBI or the ED who are probing the matter from different angles, the Congresss First Family has never bothered to cooperate with the investigation and has refused to appear before the agencies despite being called 44 times overall and six times in the last six months. Congresss top leaders are mired in land grab and funds embezzlement cases, seek to hide their tax return details and refuse to appear before probe agencies. Therefore, surmised Modi, these people who are out on bail and disrespectful of institutions can never respect the Constitution or democracy. Whereas, recalled Modi, as the chief minister of Gujarat he was made to sit through a nine-hour grilling by the Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) and hounded by all agencies (that were subverted and used by the UPA against him) for 10 long years but never refused to cooperate with agencies and subjected himself to all procedures because he believes in the Constitution, the law and truth. Congresss First Family behaves like a royal family We have faith in institutions. They do not have faith in the CBI, CAG. Can we hand over the country to them? We believe in the Constitution, they believe in the sultanate. Modi described this as a fundamental difference between the two parties approach and said that the electorate must choose wisely between the two. Do people want a sevak who provokes family members, steals from the house, distributes the goodies among his family members and talks ill of the family with neighbours, goes on long leave or a sevak who works day and night, works more than the owners of the house and always thinks of their welfare. The way you will choose a Sevak, you decide what kind of Pradhan Sevak you want he said, accusing the Congress of denigrating all public institutions including the Election Commission, investigating agencies, Supreme Court and even our foreign ministry. Modis case was made stronger through a recent CBI court judgement in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh false encounter case, where Special CBI Judge SJ Sharma in a 350-page judgement on 21 December observed that the CBI, ostensibly under political pressure, instead of conducting a probe in accordance with law and finding out the truth, was more concerned in establishing a particular pre-conceived and premeditated theory" and the entire investigation was thus targeted to act upon a script to achieve the said goal and in the process of its zeal to implicate political leaders, CBI created evidence and placed witness statements in the charge-sheet." The BJP accused the Congress of using the CBI to fix Shah with an ultimate aim of getting to Modi. The prime minister said that while the UPA Government worked with the single-minded agenda of ambushing Modi by hook or by crook by misusing the CBI, the Gujarat government under him never prevented the probe agency from functioning in Gujarat unlike the governments in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. What is it that they fear?, asked Modi, suggesting that it is CBI today; it could be some other institution tomorrow. He recalled that in 2007, a Congress minister had predicted that Modi will be imprisoned in a few months. Shah was even put behind the bars. But we didnt stop the CBI from entering Gujarat. We were aware of the law too. These people are blaming CBI because theyre scared, he said. Calling his own government spotless on corruption, Modi drew a link between AgustaWestland chopper deal middleman Christian Michel and the alleged controversy over Rafale, suggesting that Michel was lobbying for competitors in the Rafale deal. The reference is aimed at drawing Congress into the murky dealings and blunting Rahuls posture on Rafale. Though he covered his governments achievements and the 10 percent quota for economically weaker sections bill, large parts of Modis speech were aimed at reinforcing the difference between the BJP and the Congress. To Modi, Congress isnt just a party but a mindset that must be defeated to set India on course for global greatness. In that respect, 2014 was just the preamble. The real and the last fight will be fought in 2019. Detailing Congress' 2019 strategy, Rahul Gandhi focussed on corruption charges against Modi (Rafale deal, to be specific) and reiterated Centre's 'over-zealous' involvement in all the crucial institutions in the country The gloves are officially off. The rat race for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections has begun. Starting with the BJP's national convention in New Delhi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arousing speech implored the crowd to decide what kind of 'pradhan sevak' it wants for the next five years to Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party announcing their tie-up in Uttar Pradesh and keeping the Congress out of the scene the political landscape in India is about to get very interesting. Joining the chorus, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has also jumped in the ring with his allegations and promises for the next five years. Speaking exclusively to News18-India detailing his party's 2019 strategy, Rahul focussed on corruption charges against Modi (Rafale deal, to be specific) and reiterated Centre's "over-zealous" involvement in all the crucial institutions in the country Central Bureau of Investigation, Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate, etc. The Congress chief also weighed in on the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh where the respective party supremos Akhilesh and Mayawati decided to share 38 seats each keeping Congress out of the equation. Rahul told the channel that no one from, either the SP or the BSP, reached out to Congress before announcing the alliance. "Congress respects both Akhilesh and Mayawati but the party will put everything at stake in the state and fight the elections. We will not back down from a fight. I think both Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav have underestimated the Congress and what it can do," Rahul said. Congress is preparing to contest all the 80 constituencies on its own and party chief Rahul is slated to undertake a vigorous campaign in the state. Rahul is slated to address 10 public meetings in Uttar Pradesh in February and is slated to make more frequent visits to the state in the run up to the polls in a bid to boost the party's prospects. Attacking the Centre for the Rafale deal and the ongoing CBI drama, Rahul said that these incidents indicate that the anti-corruption image of the Modi government is a farce. "What was the rush in ousting Alok Verma, and that too twice? First, in a decision taken at midnight, the Centre removed the CBI director, then Supreme Court ordered for him to be re-instated and then a selection committee headed by Modi chose to transfer Verma again. No one else from the government Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari are asking for his removal, only the prime minister. The question I ask is, why," Rahul told News18 India. Reiterating the allegations against Modi and the Centre on the Rafale "cover-up", Rahul said, "Entire nation knows that Alok Verma was investigating the Rafale case. Entire nation knows that the CBI director was under pressure. Entire nation knows it was Modi's decision to investigate Alok Verma. Now, Rahul Gandhi can't respond to these allegations, only Modi can," Rahul said. When asked how he would respond to BJP's allegations that the Congress chief was defaming the nation on an international level, Rahul said, "Our (India's) foundation isn't that weak. When I am asked a question, I respond. The prime minister is quiet on corruption allegations, he does not come to the Parliament to debate but I respond. The truth is that corruption is rampant under Modi's rule." The prime minister speaks of merit, said Rahul, "So, why didn't the Rafale deal go to HAL? They have been manufacturing aircraft for the past 70 years. Anil Ambani does not have any experience in manufacturing aircraft but the Rs 30,000-crore worth contract was awarded to him. How is this merit-based?" "Ease of doing business in India is a joke. Economics is in shambles. Ask any vendor, shop owner, small business owners, they will say 'remove Narendra Modi'. This is the truth of India," Rahul said. The Opposition has trained all its guns on the ruling government and has decided it to corner it over corruption and high-handedness of the top national organisations. The Congress, especially, is banking heavily on influential caste leaders in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies for 2019 general elections. The party is adopting a multi-pronged approach and reviving its frontal organisations to counter the BJP's grass root connect with voters. The party has decided that a few dominant community leaders, identified in each parliamentary constituency, will be attached to the Congress candidate fielded from that Lok Sabha seat to ensure electoral gains. The Congress will also follow the BJP's footprints in preparing an outcome-based 2019 plan, and all its departments and frontal organisations such as the Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, Seva Dal and National Students' Union of India will design the activities and analyse the expected results at both the national and state-level, Firstpost reported. According to latest reports, BJP is claiming that its MLAs are being poached, following which the party has shifted more than 100 of its MLAs to Delhi and they soon would be sent to a resort in Gurugram in BJP-ruled Haryana. Politics in Karnataka has heated up with reports of horse trading flying thick from both the Congress-JD(S) coalition camp and the Opposition BJP. According to latest reports, BJP is claiming that its MLAs are being poached, following which the party has shifted more than 100 of its MLAs to Delhi and they soon would be sent to a resort in Gurugram in BJP-ruled Haryana. According to India Today's report, BJP sources have claimed that 10 Congress and three JD(S) MLAs are ready to switch over to the saffron party. The Opposition may even bring a no-confidence motion against the government next week, the report suggested. However, the Congress too has claimed that three to five BJP MLAs are in touch with the Congress-JD(S) alliance, while Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao has expressed confidence in his government and the unity of its MLAs. 'Operation Lotus' Earlier on Monday, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy Monday said there was no question of "instability" in the Congress-JD(S) dispensation as he sought to downplay reports about the BJP allegedly attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple his government. He, however, reiterated his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine even as he expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides. "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on 17 January, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media... I was surprised to see the report," Kumaraswamy said. "I don't know who will benefit from such reports, but in my opinion, it will cause loss to the people of the state," he told reporters in Mysuru. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring MLAs from rival parties to defect to either retain or remain in power. The term was first used in 2008 when the BJP used it on MLAs from opposition parties to ensure the stability of its then-government in Karnataka headed by BS Yeddyurappa. Karnataka water resource minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday that the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the JD(S)-Congress alliance government was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders". "Horse trading is going on in the state. Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai in a hotel with some BJP MLAs and leaders. We are aware of what has transpired there and how much has been offered to them," he said. Congress loses nerve, Kumaraswamy underplays development Shivakumar, who had earned the reputation of being a "trouble-shooter" in the Congress for bailing out the party from many crises in the past, accused Kumaraswamy of being "lenient" towards the BJP. "Our chief minister is a bit lenient towards the BJP. By 'lenient', I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it. The chief minister is adopting a policy of wait and watch. If I was in his place, I would have exposed it within 24 hours," Shivakumar said. The Karnataka minister also said that Siddaramaiah and Rao were aware of the development. Shivakumar, however, exuded confidence that the BJP would not succeed in its attempt. "You have been saying that a 'kranti' (revolution) may happen after Makar Sankranti. Let us see. It is not so easy because there is already anti-defection law in place, but we are aware of what you are hinting at," he said in an apparent reference to the opposition BJP in the state. Shivakumar also wondered why the Income Tax Department and the anti-corruption bureau failed to initiate any action on a complaint by Rao on the matter. "We do not know what progress these two agencies have made so far, but sitting on the complaint by a political party is not good," he said. Many Congress MLAs in the southern state have alleged that they were approached by the BJP leaders to quit their party and join them. When asked about Shivakumar's claim, Kumaraswamy said, the three Congress MLAs were in constant touch with him. Not revealing their names, he said, "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government. (The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me." "I spoke to them at 7.30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add politics to it," Kumaraswamy said, adding, "...if my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" When asked about BJP MLAs meeting in Delhi, Kumaraswamy said the leaders were holding meetings for matters related to their respective parties. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for the Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister said. Kumaraswamy said that he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. "None of our Congress and JD(S) MLAs will go, falling prey to their allurements. There is no such situation," he added. Trouble in Congress-JD(S) alliance? According to reports, all may not be well in the Congress-JD(S) alliance. Earlier in an interview with PTI, Kumaraswamy had said that his party should not be treated as "third-grade citizen" and the partners should adopt a "give and take policy" to put up a united fight against the BJP. Former chief minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda had also said that he would speak to Rahul Gandhi about the problems troubling the coalition. However, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara reiterated that the Karnataka government was stable. "There is no chance (of the government becoming unstable)," he said. When asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be... why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." He, however, didn't shy from accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, while claiming that the opposition party would not be successful. "We have faith in our MLAs, so we need not worry," he said, adding that the party was watching the developments. Meanwhile, the BJP has trashed the charges, saying the coalition partners were hiding their shortcomings and internal strife by making false accusations at the Opposition. Daily activity of @hd_kumaraswamy government Morning : Make fake promises in media get full coverage & enjoy breakfast Afternoon : Cry operation Kamala, hide failure to run govt by blaming BJP Night : Fight among themselves for power & go to sleep Next day : repeat.. BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) January 14, 2019 With inputs from PTI Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government said on Sunday that it will implement the 10 percent reservations in government jobs and higher education for the economically backward sections in the general category from 14 January. The Constitutional amendment to provide the 10 percent quota received assent of President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday. "The economically-weaker sections from the general category will get 10 percent reservation in admissions to higher education and government jobs starting Uttarayan on 14 January," the state government said in a release. The new quota will also be implemented in admissions and jobs which were advertised before 14 January but for which the actual process has not started, it said. In such cases, fresh announcement about the admission process or jobs will have to be made, it added. However, if the recruitment or admission process tests or interviews has started before 14 January, the 10 percent quota would not apply, the release added. Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda criticised the announcement, saying it will create confusion. "The government has said it will implement the provision from 14 January, which is Uttarayan holiday. The chief minister should explain the logic behind this announcement and the process to implement it," he said. The BJP government should also explain the status of a stay granted by the Supreme Court on the similar 10 percent reservation for EWS category in Gujarat that was introduced when Anandiben Patel was chief minister, Chavda added. The "hurriedly-made announcement" will create confusion among the candidates, he claimed. By the end of January, all the wings of the Congress will complete their consultations with key stakeholders and interest groups and submit important notes to the manifesto committee headed by former finance minister P Chidambaram. New Delhi: A buoyant Congress, after sweeping three states in the recently concluded Assembly elections, is banking heavily on influential caste leaders in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies for 2019 general elections. The party is adopting a multi-pronged approach and reviving its frontal organisations to counter the BJP's grass root connect with voters. A senior party leader told Firstpost that a high-level meeting was held in the first week of January, where top leadership of the grand old party discussed several key issues, including a draft action plan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The leaders at the meeting cleared a proposal to identify the influential leaders belonging to caste or professionals like lawyers, doctors and academics, or people from trade unions, rotaries and business associations. Personal interactions will be held to motivate them to campaign for the Congress in the upcoming elections. A national convention is also planned for 3 March in Delhi, where recruited community leaders will be invited to meet Congress leaders. Moreover, the party has decided that a few dominant community leaders, identified in each parliamentary constituency, will be attached to the Congress candidate fielded from that Lok Sabha seat to ensure electoral gains. The Congress will also follow the BJP's footprints in preparing an outcome-based 2019 plan, and all its departments and frontal organisations such as the Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, Seva Dal and National Students' Union of India will design the activities and analyse the expected results at both the national and state level. "The Congress will have an integrated campaign plan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls under the supervision of general secretaries and state in-charges so all departments and frontal organisation work in total harmony. We have also told state leaders to finalise a proposal for the Congress president's rallies with a clear agenda, including the target audience and the ultimate objective of a rally. The strategy will help ensure that each and every event provides us leverage," a Congress leader said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently declared, "Win the booth, and victory is ours." The Congress has decided to follow a similar strategy, but it will also train its workers on election laws so that those in charge of booths can raise issues like discrepancies in electoral rolls and violations of the Model Code of Conduct. Sources in the party said they are in the process of putting together a team of dedicated workers to be made in charge of booths and conduct frequent state-level interactions. "By 25 January, all pending appointments at various departments and frontal organisations of the Congress will be completed with the approval of party president Rahul Gandhi," sources in the party said. "Similarly, a full-fledged legal department will become functional at central office within a week, and a team of a similar strength will be stationed at states to coordinate on legal matters and resolve other issues. We think by mid-February, central, state and local levels will start coordinating full swing." By the end of January, all the wings of the party will complete their consultations with key stakeholders and interest groups and submit important notes to the manifesto committee of the Congress headed by former finance minister P Chidambaram. Sources said at least three weeks of consultations are scheduled with interest groups to finalise specific poll promises, which will reflect in the party's 2019 manifesto. Kumaraswamy said he enjoyed the support of 120 MLAs and Yeddyurappa was making 'futile attempts' to destabilise his government. Bengaluru: A fresh political war erupted in Karnataka on Monday as the ruling Congress-JDS coalition and BJP accused each other of making a renewed bid to poach MLAs, with chief minister HD Kumaraswamy saying he has "sufficient numbers" to run a stable government. Amid speculation that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side and some lawmakers of the ruling coalition have gone incommunicado, Kumaraswamy said there was no question of "instability" in his government. As the Congress-JDS combine accused the BJP of luring away its MLAs offering bribes and other allurements, BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa rubbished reports that his party was attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the government. He said there was no truth in the charge and alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to woo his party MLAs. Media reports about Congress MLAs willing to cross over to the BJP and some remaining incommunicado fuelled speculation about a possible threat to the government. Adding to the speculation was BJP holding up all its 104 MLAs, who had gone to the national capital for the party national council meeting, in Delhi itself and having meetings. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in 2008. "I have sufficient numbers for giving a stable government here, it is not necessary for Congress or JD(S) to poach the MLAs from BJP, we have sufficient numbers," Kumaraswamy said. Kumaraswamy said he enjoyed the support of 120 MLAs and Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government. "In which BJP MLA's name rooms were reserved in which resort, how many rooms were reserved....how many Congress-JD(S) they were making attempts to lure and take them away..don't I have the information?" he said. "The coalition government enjoys support of 120 MLAs," he said. He also said, "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media..I was surprised to see the report." Asked about Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said, they were in constant touch with him. "(The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me," the chief minister said. "I spoke to them at 7:30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add politics to it," Kumaraswamy said. "If my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" he asked. Shivakumar had on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel. He had said the chief minister was being "lenient" towards the BJP, by not exposing it. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister asked. Kumaraswamy said he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. Deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also said the government was stable. Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be..why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." Accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, Parameshwara said it would not be successful. Hitting back, Yeddyurappa told reporters in New Delhi, "despite having majority, Congress-JD(S) combine is trying to lure our MLAs and indulging in horse-trading, BJP is not doing it. We with 104 MLAs are ready to work as Opposition peacefully." Accusing the Congress-JD(S) coalition of trying to create confusion, he asked it to focus on developmental works and said BJP was ready to function as a "sincere" opposition. "They are trying to lure our people with money and ministerial position. We have not done this to any Congress-JD(S) MLAs. Kumaraswamy is doing it," he added. Yeddyurappa said the BJP legislators would be in New Delhi for "one or two days" and would later go to their constituencies and begin preparations for the Lok Sabha polls in all the 28 constituencies. Reports suggest that BJP legislators in Delhi were likely to be shifted to Gurgaon, to keep its numbers intact, with Congress and JD(S) allegedly planning to poach BJP MLAs as a retaliatory measure to Operation lotus. However Yeddyurappa clarified "There is no need for us to do any "resort politics", we are not doing also", he said, adding that "a few of them will be in Delhi, a few are going to Gurgaon, they will go and come back...There is not even an iota of truth in BJP taking some ruling coalition MLAs to Mumbai...only Congress-JD(S) know (why their MLAs are stationed in Mumbai), we don't know about it," he added In the 224-member Assembly, BJP has 104 members, Congress-79, JDS 37, BSP, KPJP and Independent one each, besides Speaker. BSP, KPJP and an Independent are supporting the coalition. The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said after meeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati at her residence on Sunday. Lucknow: The BJP does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said after meeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati at her residence on Sunday. There is an atmosphere today in which they want to scrap Baba Saheb's constitution and implement 'Nagpur laws'. People welcome the step taken by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. BJP will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They will not win even one seat in Uttar Pradesh. The SP-BSP alliance will win all seats," Tejashwi told media. In a joint press conference on Saturday, Mayawati and Akhilesh announced that their respective parties have formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to contest the upcoming general elections. SP and the BSP will contest on 38 seats each, while they will not field their candidate against Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli. They have also kept two seats for the smaller parties. Left out of the grand alliance by SP and BSP, the Congress on Sunday announced that it will contest on all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on its own in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and aims to emerge as the largest party like in 2009 general elections. The BJP, facing an anti-incumbency wave made stronger by the BSP-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, might deny tickets to at least 50 sitting MPs in the state, reports said, adding that the party's leadership is formulating a game-plan to counter the alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, which is facing an anti-incumbency wave in Uttar Pradesh, made stronger by the alliance between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), might deny tickets to 57 sitting MPs, reports said. The saffron party's leadership is formulating a game plan to counter the alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. A few BJP MPs are already "in touch" with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP president Mayawati, CNN-News18 reported. Once arch rivals, SP and BSP announced their alliance in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, criticising the BJP for creating an atmosphere of an "undeclared Emergency" in the country. "The BJP and its allies should be stopped from coming to power at the Centre at any cost," Mayawati had said. The BJP decided to deny sitting MPs tickets after an internal survey of the party's parliamentarians relayed negative reports and showed that the politicians had not followed BJP president Amit Shah's mandate of creating awareness about the Centre's schemes and policies on the ground. #NewsAlert -- @BJP4India set to deny tickets to more than 50 sitting MPs. Sources tell CNN-News18 that few of them in touch with Mayawati and @yadavakhilesh. Detailed inputs by @pranshumisraa. | #BattleOf2019 pic.twitter.com/grtuQP2w4q News18 (@CNNnews18) January 14, 2019 Shah conveyed the decision to the MPs at a meeting on 9 January, CNN-News18 reported. As the BSP-SP alliance is likely to appeal to multiple sections of society, including Dalits, the BJP is looking to field new faces in Uttar Pradesh to fight the anti-incumbency sentiments. The BJP survey was conducted by a US-based research institute, which interviewed people in at least 800 blocks in the state, UNI reported. A party leader said the "holistic" survey included the opinions of people from over 97,000 villages in Uttar Pradesh. "The basic finding of this study was that a majority of the MPs failed to connect with the masses. Selection of beneficiaries of different schemes was left to the administration, and these MPs never tried to meet them or make an attempt to tell them that whatever benefits they had got was because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," the BJP leader was quoted saying. The survey said: "The farm loan waiver has failed to make any political impact as BJP leaders failed to make farmers realise that it was the Adityanath government that was instrumental in extending that sop. With the passage of time, the memory faded, and now farmers do not talk about this." Imagine not being able afford to buy enough diapers for your baby. When they run out, you wash soiled ones in bleach, or keep a urine-soaked one on your baby longer than is healthy. Or you embarrassingly ask to borrow one from a neighbor. In the most desperate cases, you shoplift, even though you know its wrong. Climate change has already made the mountain communities in the Tibetan Plateau and the Nepali villages in the west that border it very vulnerable, and new infrastructure adds to the risk By Ramesh Bhushal Also read: Abandoned by Nepal and China, the Hilsa village lives in fear of floods Amid politicking, Nepal's largest dam project has left locals in limbo for decades Climate change is affecting the Himalayas more than almost any region in the world. Southwestern Tibet, western Nepal and northern India where the Karnali River flows are no exception. While infrastructure projects such as dams and roads gather pace in China, Nepal and India, there is no cooperation between countries to tackle the growing problems associated with climate change. Nepals western region is the most underdeveloped in the country, and has experienced repeated famines and droughts. Climate change is making these events worse, but the response has been slower than in other parts of the country. Image by Nabin Baral thethirdpole.nets Nepal editor Ramesh Bhushal and photographer Nabin Baral travelled along the Karnali river, which originates in southwestern Tibet and flows through Nepal into India. They accompanied a team of scientists, covering about 1,100 kilometres along the river over six weeks. It isnt as cold as it used to be a few years ago at this time of year, said our Tibetan guide Mingmar Tashi as we walked on the southwest of Mount Kailash to the source of the Karnali, Nepals longest river. This river is the biggest tributary of the Ganga by volume and originates in Tibets Burang county. In late September, most residents in Kardung village the first village on the Karnali river in Burang county were busy preparing for the winter, harvesting paddy and moving livestock down to the valleys. The winters are changing. The Tibetan guide and drivers we drove with for nine days in the Mount Kailash region said their land is getting warmer. Chinese studies suggest that the Tibetan plateau is warming three times faster than other parts of the world. In southwestern China, the mean annual temperature increased 0.12 degrees Celsius per decade from 1961 to 2010. Other studies project that by 2050, the mean temperatures in the Hindu Kush Himalayas will increase by 1-2 degrees, with a rise of 4-5 degrees in some places. Image by Nabin Baral Although the scientists we accompanied were not allowed to talk to locals in Tibet because they did not receive necessary research permission, the limited responses of our guides gave some indication of the changes. Snow in the mountains in Tibet is declining and I can see that, Mingmar Tashi said. A recent study from Chinas Lanzhou University showed that the snow-covered area in Tibet has decreased at altitudes above 2,000 metres above sea level, but increased at lower altitudes. Rising temperatures will lead to more rapid snowmelt from the mountains, with severe impacts on people living in the region. This will result in fluctuation of water flow in the streams and rivers that originate in the plateau, impacting both farmers and hydropower. It would have been useful to talk to farmers to get a sense of how this is affecting their lives, but as we were not allowed to do so, and our guides could say little, we must rely on research. Even this gives only a general picture. Changes in hydrology in high altitude areas are poorly understood because these areas are hard to access and the complex interplay between climate, glaciers and hydrological processes. Nevertheless, available research shows reduced snow cover reduces the water storage capacity of glaciers in a warming climate. A warming climate may lead to either rising or decreasing river flows, depending on the state of glacier retreat, stated a recent study published in the proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, USA. The study compared glacier melt and river flows in Nepal and Chile. A 2015 report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reviewed the impacts of climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, including Nepal. The changing probabilities and magnitudes of extreme events can place additional risk on power generation infrastructure (dams and hydropower plants) as well as secondary infrastructure (roads and transmission lines). Further, hazards associated with shrinking glaciers, such as glacial lake outburst floods, can jeopardise large infrastructure investment, the report stated. Image by Nabin Baral It is also estimated that food production throughout the Hindu Kush Himalayan region will be affected by the delayed or early onset of monsoons, more variable rainfall and increase of extreme events including floods and droughts. Most of the agriculture in the mountains is rain fed and therefore highly vulnerable to rainfall variability, stated The Himalayan Climate and Water Atlas, published by ICIMOD. Troubled and trapped The changes are easier to document in Nepal. Devi Fadera, from Srinagar village in Nepals Humla district bordering Tibet, was in a rush in early October. Rice fields near the bank of the Karnali River were yellow and it was harvest time. The weather is becoming more uncertain every year, so I have to harvest during these sunny days. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? he said. There has been very little rainfall in the region over the last three years. The drought of 2016 was the worst in the last three decades, affecting thousands of people. But there was sufficient rainfall this year. This year, rainfall was good, so the paddy was good, Fadera said with a smile on his face. Image by Nabin Baral Food produced from his field lasts for about five to six months on a good year. From the farm, you can see the Karnali, but it is at the bottom of a deep gorge and there is no way to bring any water for irrigation. Most of the villages along the river depend on monsoon rains. When the food runs out, mules bring supplies from elsewhere in the country, but that doesnt really help much. People in this region have the lowest purchasing capacity in Nepal. Malnutrition and even famine are common, compounded by the fact that only 0.9 percent of the land in Humla is arable. While Devi Fadera was in a rush to harvest his paddy, Dirgha Shahi was hurrying to Kermi in Upper Humla to get some flour transported from Tibets Burang county. The only way to get food from the southern plains of Nepal is via air, and that is expensive. The abundant rainfall in 2018 brought only misery to Shahi. It was continuous from July and August. Too much water destroyed our vegetables, especially beans. Image by Nabin Baral It is difficult for policymakers to micro-plan to this extent. We havent been able to integrate bits and pieces in an organised way when it comes to climate change, as its quite a vast topic that ranges from the global negotiations to local impacts, said Maheshwar Dhakal, chief of the climate change division at Nepals Ministry of Forests and Environment. However, the government has been providing support to several vulnerable communities through local level adaptation projects like Nepal climate change support programme, which has its major focus in the Karnali region, he added. Haphazard development, increasing vulnerability Road construction is the most common phenomena we saw on our 1,100-kilometre journey along the Karnali from Tibet to India. But the roads are poorly planned, poorly implemented, with no attention paid to where the debris construction is dumped. Its very likely that such haphazard development will bring more trouble than joy in future. Huge embankments, highways and the massive reconstruction of towns and cities are underway in Tibet. Little is known about the environmental impact assessments of construction done by the Chinese government. In Nepal, everybody knows that taking care of the environment is not a priority. The governments project to link the southern plains in Banke district to the northern border in Humla has cut through the hills and mountains. Dynamite blasts were a constant menace as we walked, drove and rafted for one-and-a-half months. Karen Bennett, a geologist in our team, said she was shocked to see the unnecessary level of destruction. Roads are necessary, but the situation is worrisome. Most of the settlements along the river corridor are built on landslide-prone areas, and people have built over previous landslides. These are inherently unstable, and improper road construction increases their vulnerability. Incremental investment during construction would have saved the billions that will be needed for future maintenance, she said. If such haphazard construction continues, villages along the Karnali river will suffer badly. Rampant road construction has already led to serious problems in recent years. The Karnali highway linking Nepals western border with Tibet was on the drawing board for two decades, but moved forward after 2015, when the job was given to the Nepal Army. One of the biggest projects in the country, the 500-kilometre road will link India and China. But its being built with no attention to basic principles of road engineering in mountain regions. It is not just the highways. All rural municipalities in Nepal have a mission to link each village ward with roads in the next few years. In the next three to five years we will have all the villages linked with rough roads, said Devraj Devkota, mayor of Panchadeol rural municipality in Nepals Accham district. Image by Nabin Baral As the hills and mountains are excavated, most of the debris is thrown directly into the river. This will create geological instability and will have severe impacts on aquatic species, said Deep Narayan Shah, an aquatic expert and assistant professor at the Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuwan University, and a member of the expedition team. We have not been able to address impacts of climate change and these kinds of activities will exacerbate the problems, increasing the vulnerability of communities already under stress, said Ajaya Dixit, executive director at the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition Nepal (ISET-Nepal). More connectivity, less cooperation Blacktopped highways from Tibet have reached the Nepal border. Nepal is also focusing on enhancing road connectivity with its northern neighbour and all the main corridors are along the major rivers the Sunkoshi, Trishuli, Kali Gandaki and the Karnali. The Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are already connected with Nepal by road. Experts say there is also a need to connect people and governments to fight against disasters and climate change. Image by Nabin Baral Rajan Kotru, from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development , headed the Kailash Sacred Landscape conservation programme, the first of its kind involving all three countries in the region. When I asked Kotru what the programme had achieved over the last five years, his answer was diplomatic, We were able to lay the foundation for dialogue between countries and people at local level. There is also a greater realisation that coming together will benefit all and is necessary, he said. Even this realisation is progress, since cooperation between Nepal, India and China at a multilateral level on river basins is negligible. Nepal shares a 1,400-kilometre land border with China, and Nepals foreign ministry has several mechanisms to talk with China on various issues, but they do not include anything on water resources. Water resources have hardly been on the agenda, though our rivers originate there, said Ajaya Dixit. Image by Nabin Baral When it comes to water, Nepals relationship with its southern neighbour India is also turbulent. Experts say theres no real cooperation, just formal communication. I dont think there is cooperation between Nepal and India. If there had been any then we would have solved problems rather than exacerbating them over the last few decades. And climate change doesnt even get a mention when we talk about cooperation, Dixit added. This story is jointly published by thethirdpole.net and Nepali Times. The Third Pole is a multilingual platform dedicated to promoting information and discussion about the Himalayan watershed and the rivers that originate there. This report was originally published on thethirdpole.net and has been reproduced here with permission. TDP has vehemently denied allegations by YS Sharmila that they had a role to play in circulating rumours online that the YSR Congress Party leader had links with a Tollywood actor. Hyderabad: Y S Sharmila, sister of YSR Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Monday filed a police complaint over certain online and social media posts linking her with a popular Tollywood actor, even as she accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of spreading such rumours. The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party is operational in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Condemning Sharmila's allegations, Andhra Pradesh Women Development Minister Paritala Sunitha said the TDP has nothing to do with the social media posts. "The TDP will condemn such derogatory posts not only against Sharmila but any woman," Sunitha said in a statement. In the complaint lodged with Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar, Sharmila sought action against those responsible for posting objectionable material against her in social media and for spreading rumours. The YSR congress leader alleged that the TDP was behind spreading the rumours. A case under the IT Act and IPC section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) has been registered against unknown persons, police said. "We have registered an FIR and taken up investigation," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crimes) KCS Raghu Vir told PTI. Speaking to reporters, Sharmila rubbished the "false propaganda" unleashed by vested interests by linking her name to that of an actor. The conspiracy was hatched to defame her ahead of the general elections to get political mileage, she alleged. "I swear on my children, I never met him (the actor) nor have I spoken to him...there is not an iota of truth," she said. "If I do not react, my silence may lead to some unpleasant conclusions, which is the reason why I lodged the complaint seeking action against those who are responsible for such libellous comments using the social media as tool," she said in the complaint. The motive behind the rumours are meant for her character assassination, she alleged, adding that the posts were an insult to all women. "TDP is known for spreading rumours and this is no different," she said. "Earlier, TDP spread rumours that my father (then chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh, late YS Rajasekhara Reddy) was a factionist and they also spread rumours against my brother (Jagan) that he is arrogant. They tried to defame my father and brother but they were proved wrong. And now these rumours against me also by TDP just before the 2019 elections," she said. Asked why she preferred to lodge a complaint with Hyderabad Police and not Andhra Pradesh police and whether she did not trust the AP police, Sharmila said "I don't have belief." Refuting the allegations, Paritala Sunitha alleged that the social media wing working under Jagan Mohan Reddy had earlier posted "objectionable" content on TDP women MLAs. "You may have forgotten this. But, people haven't forgotten such posts," Sunitha said, adding that the TDP never indulges in mudslinging at women. Earlier in June 2014, Sharmila had lodged a police complaint in Hyderabad seeking action against certain websites for allegedly spreading stories linking her with a popular film actor, following which police had then arrested some people. The new rules, applicable throughout the country, came into effect through a notification on 11 December, 2018. A recent government order (GO) by the Union Department of Personnel and Training on child care leave has irked a group of women IAS officers in Uttar Pradesh. The officers have contended that the new rules according to which the leave can be granted to female government servants and single male government servants constitute a very regressive step. The group of women IAS officers has written a letter to the Uttar Pradesh IAS Officers Association demanding that the child care leave should be made optional for both parents for a combined total of 730 days. The new rules, applicable throughout the country, came into effect through a notification on 11 December, 2018. Earlier, only women government servants could avail of child care leave. The suggestion to include single male government servants (those who are unmarried, widowers or divorcees) in the ambit of the provision for the leave was made by the Seventh Pay Commission. However, the officers who have objected to the new rules have argued that they, too, are against the spirit of equality. Commenting on the provision on child care leave, the letter says, This means all the female government servants are expected by the government to take care of their children all alone, without cooperation from their male counterparts. Not only is this unfair to women officers but also unfair to male officers and their children. The father should have equal opportunity to contribute in the upbringing of the children if he wishes. It further contends that the regulations amount to officially announcing that care giving of children is solely a womans responsibility and the men are supposed to do it only if there is no woman in the family. However, Pravir Kumar, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh IAS Officers Association, has said that he is not aware of the letter and declined to comment on the issue. Speaking to Firstpost, a signatory to the letter said, This issue is an agenda point in our Annual General Body meeting (AGM), which is slated to be held on 3 February. That is a positive development for us." Laying out the reasons why some officers have expressed objections to the child care leave rules, the signatory said, "When this announcement was made, it was seen in some quarters, including the media, as a positive step. However, such a view would not be correct. In today's day and age, when the government changes archaic rules, its actions should be based on equality. When the government formulates such regulations, it is like an official stamp of approval being given to the idea that child care is primarily a woman's responsibility and not that of a man." She also compared the government's stand on this issue as against its stand on giving women equal property rights. "The Supreme Court had ruled that both daughters and sons have equal rights over their parents' property. The earlier law in which it was presumed that the property would only be passed on to the sons was an archaic one. When the government changed this law, it was a indeed a good step. However, unfortunately, such an approach does not appear to have been taken in this case." The letter addressed to the Uttar Pradesh IAS Officers' Association also points to the "substantial number of women" who are part of the service. It states that about 32 percent of the IAS officers in the 2014 batch were women, while the corresponding figure for the 2015 batch was 31 percent. The officer quoted above also rued that even paternity leave is rarely granted in Uttar Pradesh although a legal provision for it exists. "When officers apply for paternity leave, they are laughed at, or their letters are not forwarded. Since senior officers did not get paternity leave in earlier times, they are reluctant to grant the same to officers now. They ask applicants to get to work and sometimes say that applications for paternity leave are mere excuses. This is the mindset of several people." While only a small minority of male government servants are likely to be eligible for child care leave, the paternity leave, which is open for all male members of the service, is only for fifteen days. In its report, the Seventh Pay Commission had states, "The Commission notes that in the event a male employee is single, the onus of rearing and nurturing the children falls squarely on his shoulders. Hence extension of CCL to single male parents is recommended. Sleuths of a special cell of the Delhi Police arrested two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a minor, in a joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir police in Shopian on Sunday. One pistol and 14 live cartridges were recovered from their possession. Shopian: Sleuths of a special cell of the Delhi Police arrested two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a minor, in a joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir police in Shopian on Sunday. One pistol and 14 live cartridges were recovered from their possession. The duo has been identified as Kifayatullah Bukhari, a resident of Now Pora Bara in Shopian, and a juvenile in conflict with the law. According to the police, they were in contact with the ex-constable of the Jammu and Kashmir Police who had joined militant ranks in 2017 and was acting as a district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen. Acting on specific inputs that a Hizbul Mujahideen militant has procured a sophisticated weapon and is about to join the ranks of the terrorist outfit as an active militant, the Delhi Police sent two of its officials to Shopian. Subsequently, a joint operation was conducted with the help of the Shopian Police, and a trap was laid to nab the duo. According to the Delhi Police, militants prefer to procure sophisticated small firearms for targeted killings from the Delhi-NCR region as the same are difficult to arrange for in Jammu and Kashmir. A case under relevant sections of the law has been registered at the Shopian Police Station. There is a strong possibility of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, currently serving a 14-year jail term in the US for plotting the 2008 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, being extradited to India. Washington: There is a "strong possibility" of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, currently serving a 14-year jail term in the US for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, being extradited to India, an informed source said. The Indian government, with "full co-operation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition of the Pakistani-Canadian national before his current jail term ends in December 2021. Rana was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. As many as 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged, following a death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. "There is a strong possibility of the extradition of Rana to India on the completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. India's Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice and the US' State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. "And they are unwilling to cut down or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition," the source added. Following a recent visit to the US by members of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before Rana's current jail term ends in December 2021. The NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the time and bureaucratic formalities. In case, the US government, in co-operation with the Indian government, is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials here said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. As per the existing US law, Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release. However, people familiar with the matter told PTI, that there is a "desire" so there is assurance from the highest level in the Trump administration that all necessary steps would be taken in timely fashion to ensure extradition of Rana before his release. According to the US officials, the extradition of Rana would help in cementing the relationship between the two countries, boost up the counter-terrorism co-operation and enhance America's image among Indians. On the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, in November 2018, the Trump administration had reiterated its resolve to bring to justice those involved in it. Vice-President Mike Pence had raised this issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. During their recent visit, the NIA team also received guidance from their US counterparts on the paperwork which India needs to complete to meet the requirements of the American judiciary system and their standards. India would not seek extradition of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the "double jeopardy" clause in the US justice system prohibits to punish a person twice for the same crime. India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based National Defense College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also forgery case registered against him in India. Citing the partial government shutdown, the State Department and the Department of Justice expressed their inability to respond to the questions related to the extradition. The Indian Embassy in the US and Rana's attorney did not respond to a question on this issue. India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj participated in the first-ever 'India-Central Asia Dialogue' at Uzbekistans Samarkand India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj emphasized strong India-Central Asia links while participating in the first-ever 'India-Central Asia Dialogue' at Uzbekistans Samarkand. Swaraj proposed a dialogue on air corridors with Central Asian countries in an attempt to boost connectivity for enhancing trade and commerce. The dialogue, attended by foreign ministers of India, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, has also backed an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled". India has invited the Central Asia Republics to participate in the Chabahar Port project that is being jointly implemented by New Delhi and Tehran to move Indian goods to landlocked Afghanistan. All the countries participating in the dialogue are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which has become a wider regional forum for talks on counter-terrorism, investment, energy, transport, energy among others. India is a new entrant in the SCO. While Central Asian countries are willing to increase export of energy resources, they also face considerable geographical and infrastructural constraints. According to Swaraj, "While geographically, Afghanistan and Central Asia are landlocked, there are several ways in which India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries can join hands to work on promoting connectivity in the region so that trade and commerce may flow between us and our people to people exchanges may prosper," further noting that "Chabahar provides a shining example of what strong partnership can achieve to overcome any obstacles." She did not forget to mention that India has been using the Chabahar Port to send "very substantial quantities of wheat to Afghanistan", while also mentioning the opening of local office by an Indian company at the Shaheed Behesti Port at Chabahar. India has also supported multiple regional connectivity initiatives in Central Asia: New Delhi has recently joined the Ashgabat Agreement, which seeks to establish an International Transport and Transit Corridor between Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has recently built a rail link between Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. India would like to see this railway link being further extended to Afghanistan's Herat. India is not opposed to any connectivity projects that pass through non-disputed areas, it was noted. New Delhi's participation in the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) is clearly indicative of this stand. Swaraj has reiterated India's long-held position that "connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognised international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency, and equality. They must follow principles of financial responsibility and must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity." These remarks must be viewed against the backdrop of India's strong sovereignty objections to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a vital component of the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With increasing concerns being raised about BRI projects, India will not want to see hydrocarbon-rich Central Asian countries relying exclusively on China for their exports or falling into the 'debt trap'. India has shown interest in promoting a "dialogue on air corridors with the participation of civil aviation authorities, air freight and aviation companies of India and Central Asia so that goods, including perishable items, can be transported efficiently and swiftly". India has already been operating air corridors between India and several Afghan cities in order to bypass Pakistan which has consistently denied the transport of Indian goods overland to Afghanistan through its territory. Most Central Asian countries have constructed a complex network of roads, railways, pipelines from East to West and North to South. India's attempts to deepen ties with Central Asia can be understood from the perspective of securing access to valuable energy resources as well as getting a foothold in an emerging market for export. China has already established strong links with these nations. From China's perspective, security and stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan is integral to its own Xinjiang province, apart from China's overall energy security. Beijing is already participating in major oil production projects in many Central Asian countries. It has taken a vital stake in financing the construction of oil and gas pipelines connecting Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and China. Most importantly, Russia and China have developed many convergences in Central Asia including a shared interest in keeping the NATO and the US out of the region. Both share misgivings about a hidden American plot of keeping long-term military presence in Afghanistan as a coercive geopolitical tool. Recent years have witnessed an upsurge in Indias bilateral ties with Central Asian countries. For instance, Kazakhstan has a civil nuclear pact with India to provide much-needed uranium. In terms of consuming Indian tea, Kazakhstan is ranked fifth in the world. India has ties with Kyrgyzstan on import of oil and petroleum products. New Delhi assists Kyrgyzstan with human resource development in the IT sector and the visa process for Kyrgyz citizens wishing to travel to India, which has become easier. Uzbekistan imports pharmaceutical products, mechanical equipment, automotive parts, and optical instruments from India. Uzbek president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had visited India in October last year. Both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are interested in instituting joint defence production with India. On the sidelines of the SCO Summit in China in mid-2018, Modi met three Central Asian leaders separately. For many Central Asian countries, India's growing economic power makes it an attractive partner. However, Indias current trade volume with Central Asia is minimal, and cannot be increased without substantially improving transport connectivity. However, the most important dimension of India's diplomatic efforts bringing the Central Asian countries on a single platform is to forge a regional consensus on the resolution of Afghan conflict. India has been trying to fine-tune its diplomatic approach amidst crucial negotiations between America and the Afghan Taliban as well as reports of an imminent US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump has unrealistically asked both India and Pakistan to be militarily involved in the fighting in Afghanistan. As Afghanistan's most trusted regional ally, India has a special responsibility to ensure that all Central Asian countries stand together with the Kabul government when it comes to counter-terrorism and regional connectivity. Trump's strategy to radically change Rawalpindis manoeuvrings inside Afghanistan by using diplomatic threats and withholding of military aid to Pakistan has failed to produce the desired outcomes. In fact, the US military involvement in Afghanistan was doomed because Washington always underestimated Rawalpindis 'spoiler' behaviour and did not target the Taliban safe havens in Pakistan. Pakistan's security establishment, which views Islamist extremism as less of a threat than Pashtun nationalism and India's presence in Afghanistan, is increasingly getting ready for a Taliban takeover. Inaction or vacuum carry consequences. The Kabul government cannot avoid diversifying and strengthening its regional relationships, and India would be more than willing to help it achieve this objective. India's interest in expanding ties with its extended neighbourhood stems from New Delhi's desire to promote security, stability and growth. Therefore, strengthening of relations between India and Central Asia is a win-win proposition as it would benefit all countries involved, including Afghanistan. The Citizenship Amendment Bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha and it would now be presented in the Upper House of Parliament. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said a plea challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, could only be taken up after the bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it would keep the plea filed by the "Nagarikatwa Aain Songsudhan Birodhi Mancha" (Forum Against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill) and others pending and might hear it only after Parliament took the final view on the bill. "Having heard the counsel for the petitioners, we are of the view that this matter should remain pending and be taken up only after the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the consideration of which is now stated to be pending before the Rajya Sabha, reaches its finality...The petitioners will be at liberty to mention the matter at the appropriate time," the bench, also comprising justices Ashok Bhushan and SK Kaul, said. The bill has been cleared by the Lok Sabha and it would now be presented in the Upper House of Parliament. The public interest litigation (PIL) has sought to declare the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015 and the Foreigners (Amendment) Order as "discriminatory, arbitrary and illegal". "We can keep this plea pending and if it (bill) is passed in the Rajya Sabha, then the lawyer can mention it for hearing," the bench said. The bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on 8 January, provides for according Indian citizenship to the Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India, instead of the 12 years currently, even if they do not possess any document. It also seeks to provide relief to the persecuted migrants who have come through the western borders of the country to states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh etc., the home minister had said. The PIL opposed the bill on the ground that it had introduced religion as a new principle into the citizenship law and termed it as "communally motivated humanitarianism". "Never before has religion been specifically identified in the citizenship law as a ground for distinguishing between citizens and non-citizens. It has introduced religion as a new principle into the citizenship law and can be conveniently branded as 'communally motivated humanitarianism'. "The illegal immigrants who are to be granted the benefit of this legislation are to qualify for citizenship only on the basis of religion, a requirement that goes against one of the basic tenets of the Indian Constitution, secularism," it said. It further claimed that the "direct and inevitable" effect of the bill would be the dilution of the Assam Accord inked in 1985, which presently made anyone entering Assam from Bangladesh after 24 March, 1971 an "illegal immigrant". "The amendment defeats the purpose of the accord and opens the floodgates to more illegal immigration and consequently, increases claims on diminishing resources. The transformation of migrants, hitherto perceived as illegal encroachers, into legitimate citizens cannot be justified," it said. The plea further claimed that the bill had the potential to "derail and nullify" the gains made by updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. "Many persons, who could not otherwise establish their claims and were therefore excluded from the draft NRC published recently, can now take shelter under this and subsequently, become legitimate Indian citizens at the cost of the indigenous people of Assam," it said. The petition further alleged that Assam had repeatedly witnessed ethnic clashes and violence, which were arising out of existential threat perceptions, fear of being reduced to minority in one's own homeland and giving up territories to foreigners and imposition of foreign or alien culture. The PIL sought directions to the Centre, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Assam government to declare the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015 and the Foreigners (Amendment) Order as "discriminatory, arbitrary and illegal". It further sought directions to the Centre to constitute a National Immigration Commission or any other appropriate body to frame a National Immigration Policy and a National Refugee Policy. The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into the recent encounter killings in the state. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) or Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the recent encounter killings in the state. After hearing a plea of the litigant, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi stated, "It is a very serious matter which requires a detailed hearing." The matter has been posted for further hearing on 12 February. According to information released by Uttar Pradesh Police in January, 2018, there were a total of 1,142 police encounters held in the state between 20 March, 2017, and 31 January, 2018. Recently, Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had alleged that police encounters in Uttar Pradesh are fake and are being executed allegedly under the patronage of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "Encounters are to deceive. The law and order worsened at the places where these encounters have taken place," said Akhilesh Yadav. He said that most of the encounters have taken place in western Uttar Pradesh and law and order situation has worsened there. "Not only are the opposition parties saying that these encounters are fake but also the National Human Rights Commission and the court have raised fingers on these encounters," said Yadav. He further said people are falsely implicated as criminals before their encounters and even policemen shoot upon themselves to prove that these encounters are not fake. The Supreme Court decided to keep the public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill pending, with Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi saying the Bill is yet to be passed by the Rajya Sabha The Supreme Court on Monday decided to keep the public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill pending. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said the PIL cannot be heard yet as the Bill yet to be passed in the Rajya Sabha. Supreme Court keeps the PIL filed against Citizenship Act (Amendment) Bill pending. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi says, bill yet to be passed in Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/FH55Y764qw ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 Gogoi said the PIL will be left pending till both houses of the Parliament decide on it. "The Parliament should take a call first and decide whether this is an appropriate time (for the Supreme Court) to intervene," the chief justice said. News18 reported that the apex court cannot recognise a PIL against a Bill that is yet to become a law and as such, Gogoi has not dismissed the petition but asked for it to be brought up at an appropriate time. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan based on some conditions. The Bill was tabled by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and was passed by the Lok Sabha on 9 January, amidst walkouts staged by opposition parties, Congress and Trinamool Congress. The Bill has not been passed by the Rajya Sabha in its Winter Session and is likely to come up in the Parliament's Budget Session. Should it thereby receive the President's consent, it will become an Act. In December, 2018, a PIL had been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking direction to strike down the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, which regularise the entry and stay of immigrants in India by the 'Nagarikatwa Aain Songsudhan Birodhi Mancha' (Forum against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill). The PIL challenged the rules and notifications that regularise the entry and stay in India of people from six religions, Hindu, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh and Parsi. Author Hiren Gohain, former director-general of police Hare Krishna Deka and journalist Manjit Mahanta filed the plea. Following protests and widespread outrage over the Bill in the North East, the Assam Police filed a case against three intellectuals, including Gohain and Mahanta, of the state on charges of sedition after they raised the issue of separate statehood for Assam if the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 was passed by the government. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Army, the CRPF, the Jammu and Kashmir police and intelligence bureau men are acting in better coordination to ensure that Kashmir is peaceful in spite of Pakistan's efforts. Lakhimpur Kheri: Kashmir is still a challenge for India due to destabilising activities carried out by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Uttar Pradesh town on Monday. He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the administrative building, residential block and officers' mess at the Sashastra Seema Bal sector headquarters at Lakhimpur Kheri. "Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by neighbouring Pakistan. However, the Army, the CRPF, the J&K police and intelligence bureau men are acting in better coordination," he said. Speaking about Maoist attacks, the home minister said they had dropped by 50 percent during the last four years. Extremist violence in northeastern areas saw a decline of 80 percent, Singh said. Lauding improvements made on the internal security front, he said, "No major terrorist incident had taken place in India during the last four-and-a-half years (of the Narendra Modi government)." Singh said the country's economy at this point is counted as the "world's fastest growing." "By 2030, the Indian economy will rank among the top three economies of the world," he said. "The Modi government has launched the world's largest universal healthcare scheme Ayushmaan Bharat which has benefitted 7.5 lakh people so far," Singh said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Odisha and Kerala Tuesday to launch a series of projects, including a railway line and the Kollam bypass New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Odisha and Kerala Tuesday to launch a series of projects, including a railway line and a highway bypass. In Odisha, he will dedicate to the nation a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jharsuguda and other developmental projects, and inaugurate a new railway line between Balangir and Bichupali. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone for a permanent building at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sonepur, a statement from his office said. The MMLP has been constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore and will facilitate export-import and domestic cargo including, private freight traffic. It is located adjacent to the Howrah-Mumbai line which is 5 kilometres from Jharsuguda railway station. Many important industries including steel, cement, paper are located around the facility and will benefit from it. The 15-kilometre Balangir-Bichupali new railway line would connect coastal Odisha with the western parts of the state synchronising development across the state, the statement said. It will reduce travel time from Bhubaneswar and Puri to major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. The line would also benefit many small, medium and cottage industries in Odisha and open up opportunities for the mining sector in the state. The prime minister is also likely to dedicate to the nation electrification of 813-kilometre of Jharsuguda-Vizianagaram and Sambalpur-Angul lines done at a cost of Rs 1,085 crore. It will ensure seamless rail connectivity on the line. He is likely to dedicate doubling of 13.5-kilometre Barpali-Dungaripali and Balangir-Deogaon road line. The doubling of the line will boost industrial capacity in Odisha. Modi will also inaugurate the renovation and restoration works at Nilamadhav and Siddheshwar temple in Gandhaharadi (Boudh). These are some of the earliest instances of Odishan temple architecture celebrating western Odisha's 'Hara-Hari cultural fabric. In Kerala, the prime minister will inaugurate the Kollam bypass on National Highway 66. It is a 13 kilometres-long two-lane bypass and includes three major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake. The project will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, and will also decongest traffic in Kollam town. In Thiruvananthapuram, Modi will visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple and is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of visitor facilities there. This will be the third official visit of the prime minister to Kollam. His first visit to the city was in December 2015, when he unveiled the statue of R Sankar. The prime minister also visited Kollam in April 2016, hours after a fire tragedy. The Bombay High Court Monday said it would pass appropriate orders on Tuesday if the BEST workers' union and Maharashtra state authorities failed to end the deadlock Mumbai: The striking BEST workers' union and the Maharashtra government Monday failed to reach an agreement before the Bombay High Court to end the stir. The high court Monday said it would pass appropriate orders on Tuesday on the 7-day-old BEST bus strike if the union and state authorities failed to end the deadlock. A bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice NM Jamdar also said "things cannot continue as they are". The high court bench Monday directed the high power committee, constituted by the Maharashtra government last week to negotiate with the striking union, to submit a report in a sealed cover clarifying its views on some of the urgent demands of the union. The bench has been urging the union, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the state government and BEST undertaking to resolve issues in a "congenial environment" and ensure minimum inconvenience to the public. Over 32,000 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) are on strike since Tuesday last week and 3,700 buses in its fleet are off the roads. The high court has been hearing, since last week, a PIL filed by lawyer Datta Mane urging the court to pass interim orders directing BEST workers to call off the strike immediately. Following the high court's intervention, the state government constituted a committee headed by the chief secretary and held meetings with the union and all other stakeholders. On Monday, the state and the BMC told the bench that while they had proposed several solutions to resolve the issues being faced by the BEST workers, the union was still adamant on not withdrawing the strike. Appearing for the state, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni reiterated before the bench that the strike was "illegal" in view of the state's laws on essential services and a previous order of the Industrial Court in the city. "The strike has no legal sanction. The union has made its point by calling the strike and all concerned authorities, including this court, have taken a serious note of their demands. Therefore, the strike must now be called off and the union must enter into negotiations with the committee with an open mind," Kumbhakoni said. The union's counsel Neeta Karnik, however, told the bench that the workers were most concerned about the pay grade of around 15,000 junior-level employees who earn less than Rs 15,000 per month. And they would think about going back to work only if they were convinced that the authorities were going to address the above issue on a priority basis, Karnik told court. The advocate general and the BMC's counsel Anil Sakhre told the bench Monday that the authorities were ready to look into the grievance surrounding the pay scale of the junior level employees subject to the strike being called off. PTI AYA BNM SOM SOM 01141814 NNNN Kanhaiya Kumar has questioned the timing of the Delhi Police's chargesheet in the JNU case, pointing out that the Centre's is making a number of moves ahead of the elections. Three years after an event organised by students at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) allegedly saw "anti-national" slogans being raised, the Delhi Police on Monday filed charges of sedition against 10 people, including student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya. The Delhi Police has named them in a 1,200-page chargesheet, which the Patiala House Court in Delhi will take up on Tuesday. The police registered cases against the 10 accused under section 124 A (sedition), 147 A (rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused were named in the chargesheet for allegedly shouting slogans calling for the "fragmentation" of India. This was after the Delhi Police, on Sunday, wound up its investigation into the JNU case. They had begun the inquiry in February 2016 and obtained the sanction of the Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and the prosecution to file a chargesheet, The Times of India reported. Responding to reports of the chargesheet, Kanhaiya said: "All of this, starting from the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to the 10 percent quota Act, to this charge, is coming up at the time of the elections. Why did the police take so much time to file a chargesheet for sedition? I can see a complete lack of seriousness on the part of the Narendra Modi government regarding everything." Kanhaiya was the president of the JNU Students' Union president when the controversial event was organised at the university in February 2016. Other than Kanhaiya, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, all the others named in the chargesheet are Kashmiri students. They include Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayees Rasool, Basharat Ali and Khalid Bashir Bhat. The Delhi Police investigated as many as 36 people in the case, including several JNU students and security personnel. Among the 36 are JNU student leader Shehla Rashid and CPI leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, News18 reported. According to the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, investigators decided to register a case of sedition after hearing witness statements and examining CCTV footage handed over by the university. Of all the videos sent for forensic examination, only four were found to be authentic, News18 reported. The Delhi Police commissioner was quoted as saying by India Today that the investigation was "complex" as the team "had to visit other states to take statements". In 2016, Kanhaiya, Umar Khalid and Anirban had been arrested for organising an event at JNU allegedly in protest against the hanging of Parliament attack mastermind Afzal Guru. The police had alleged that they had not completed the formalities to obtain permission to hold the event, that protesters had retaliated with violence when they were informed that they did not have permission to go ahead with the meeting, and that Kanhaiya, who has since shot to national fame, had led a violent mob with his slogans. Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban had all served jail sentences based on an FIR accusing them of sedition in 2016. Violent lawyers at the Patiala House Court had launched an attack on Kanhaiya on 17 February at his bail hearing. The Opposition had then criticised the police for "working at the behest of the ruling BJP". Justice AK Sikri of the Supreme Court wants the controversy, over his proposed post-retirement assignment and nomination on the PM-led panel which removed Alok Verma as CBI chief, to 'die' even as some senior advocates Monday termed the incident mischievous and aimed at targeting him. New Delhi: Justice AK Sikri of the Supreme Court wants the controversy, over his proposed post-retirement assignment and nomination on the PM-led panel which removed Alok Verma as CBI chief, to "die" even as some senior advocates Monday termed the incident mischievous and aimed at targeting him. "See I don't want the controversy to be dragged. I want it to die," Justice Sikri told PTI on the sidelines of a private function relating to the release of a book on the life of former Chief Justice of India YK Sabharwal. He refrained from making any further comments on the episode. A controversy broke out on Sunday over Justice Sikri getting a government offer last year for a post-retirement assignment at the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), three days after his vote, as a representative of CJI Ranjan Gogoi on the panel, helped decide the removal of Verma as CBI director. Apparently stung by the controversy, Justice Sikri withdrew his consent to the government offer. On Monday, Justice Sikri, the senior-most judge after Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, maintained a safe distance from scribes but former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said he has been "unfairly targeted" by some political leaders and activist-lawyers. "There is no connection between the two issues and people who don't know the facts and circumstances under which the two things happened giving consent for assignment at London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal and his nomination by the CJI in the Prime Minister-led panel on the former CBI chief issue are instrumental in making allegations which are utterly false and malicious," Rohatgi said. Criticising some activist-lawyers who had used social media to allegedly "malign" the judge, Rohatgi said, "such people only want publicity without knowing the facts about the person whom they are speaking." "The issue was raised completely with mischievous intent to malign the judge. It is scandalous," he said. His view was shared by former high court judge Ajit Kumar Sinha and senior advocate Vikas Singh, who said it was "unfortunate" that some persons and activist-lawyers "mischievously" linked the two incidents. They said Justice Sikri had given oral consent in December 2018 to the government offer to nominate him for president/member of the CSAT and the CJI nominated him in the PM-led panel after judgment in the Verma case in January 2019. Singh said the lawyers have to make comments sensibly but these activist-lawyers are "loose cannon" and "I think it was mischievous on part of the activist-lawyers to create an unnecessary controversy". Sinha said creating controversy like this only denigrate an institution from where both the bar and the bench derive privilege. He also said people who have created the controversy have been earlier praising the CJI but now criticising him for nominating Justice Sikri on the high-level panel. A senior advocate, who recently resigned as Additional Solicitor General, and knows Justice Sikri for three decades, said: "some people are only trying to malign the judge". He said it has become a routine for some activist-lawyers to target judges who take a decision contrary to their wishes. Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami has already rejected the allegations made against him by the two accused in the break-in case of former CM Jayalalithaa's estate at Kodanad. Chennai: Two accused in the Kodanad estate break-in case, who had reportedly linked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami to the incident, were brought to Chennai on Monday by the city police, a day after they were picked up in Delhi. Palaniswami has already rejected the allegations made against him by those accused, made in a video released by Delhi-based journalist and former Tehelka managing editor Samuel Mathew last week. The police have filed a case, even as the chief minister assured of "strong action" in this matter. On Monday, two of the accused persons, VK Sayan, and Valayar Manoj, were brought from Delhi by police in a private flight and whisked away for further interrogation. They were reportedly seen making purported remarks linking the chief minister to the April 2017 break-in, in the video. On Saturday, referring to Mathew releasing a video in Delhi on 11 January, Palaniswami had denied his involvement. The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) co-coordinator had said a police case had been filed in the matter and that "strong action" would be taken against those who released the video. He had suspected a "political" motive behind the matter, even as the opposition DMK has demanded that he step down to facilitate a "fair" probe. DMK president MK Stalin had said on Sunday that he plans to meet state Governor Banwarilal Purohit over the issue on Monday. In April 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate, the late Jayalalithaa's retreat home in the hilly district of the Nilgiris, was found dead. It emerged during the probe that Jayalalithaa's former driver C Kanagaraj and Sayan had allegedly plotted the crime. Ten people had been arrested in the case, with a chargesheet also being filed later. However, Kanagaraj and Sayan's wife and daughter were killed in separate road accidents during the probe, even as another employee of the property was found dead, in a case of suspected suicide. In India, large hydro projects have already been associated with some of the countrys worst floods, deforestation, and submerging of forest lands. In the context of changing energy landscapes, there is a shift across the world beyond the conventional categorisation of energy as renewable and non-renewable, and towards the deployment of terms such as low-carbon, zero emission and green to represent the normative aspirations about the kind of sustainable energy that should fuel our economies. Energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind fulfil these criteria. But locating hydroelectric power within the binaries of renewable and non-renewable energy proves to be more complex. This article makes the argument that electricity from large hydroelectric power projects is not renewable in nature, and further, does not fulfil the criteria of being low-carbon and emission-free. The Ministry of Powers proposal to re-classify large hydropower projects as renewable energy The 43rd Report of the Standing Committee on Energy was presented in Parliament at the beginning of this month. The Committee recommended the classification of electricity generated by large hydro power plants as renewable energy. This follows a media report last month, about the Ministry of Powers efforts to seek the approval of the Cabinet for such a classification a proposal that, as per the Report, is at an advanced stage of inter-ministerial consultations. Under the present scheme, only small hydro projects (of 25MW or less) are treated as sources of renewable energy. Small hydro projects are the domain of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), while the Ministry of Power oversees large hydro projects. Large hydroelectric projects rely on creating a barrier to river water flowing downstream, which is then channelized into a large reservoir for storage. This can be distinguished from smaller run of the river hydro projects, where water passes through a turbine and is released downstream without being stored, which is why they are regarded as a renewable source of energy. The underlying rationale for the Ministry of Powers proposal is reportedly to help meet Indias goal of 175GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022 and to mitigate the grid instability arising from the variability of solar and wind-based energy. The proposal to treat all types of hydropower as renewable energy can be traced back to the 17th Report of the Standing Committee on Energy in 2016. Based on this recommendation, as per the 33rd Report of the Lok Sabha Standing Committee on Energy in 2018, the Ministry of Power stated that it had initiated policy intervention to formulate a hydropower development policy that envisaged among other measures declaring all hydropower (irrespective of size) as renewable energy, along with additional financial benefits. Do large hydropower projects produce renewable energy? Interestingly, although the Electricity Act, 2003 does not define the term renewable energy, it treats electricity from hydro as a category distinct from renewable energy. This is evident from Section 3(1) of the Act, which empowers the central government to prepare the national electricity policy and tariff policy, based on optimal utilisation of resources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear substances or materials, hydro and renewable sources of energy. The 2018 draft amendments proposed to the Electricity Act, 2003 seek to redefine renewable energy sources to include hydro generating stations of capacity defined by the central government. In contrast to its parent Act, the National Electricity Policy under Clause 5.2.5 states that [h]ydroelectricity is a clean and renewable source of energy. The draft National Energy Policy released by NITI Aayog in 2017 also recommends a strong push to large hydro projects to manage the grid instability arising from the variability of solar and wind energy. That said, as on date, large hydro projects have been consciously kept outside the category of renewable energy. To change this classification, the Ministry of Power must necessarily demonstrate the change in underlying circumstances warranting such a re-classification. Regrettably, it has failed to do so. For Indian states that have struggled to meet their renewable purchase obligations, this re-classification could be important (assuming they have hydropower). On the international front, the re-classification will have less impact on Indias Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment under the Paris Agreement for 40 percent of its energy capacity in the year 2030 to come from non-fossil fuel sources (and not renewable sources). But the re-classification could be significant for Indias NDC pledge on renewable energy capacity. As per MNREs Annual Report for 2016-17, at the end of 2016, electricity from large hydro projects contributed 43,140 MW of the countrys electricity. As per another study, at the end of November 2018, this figure increased to 45,399.22 MW. An addition of this 45.399 MW of hydro to the existing renewable energy installed capacity (which stood at 72 GW at the end of November 2018) would certainly help Indias likelihood of successfully meeting its NDC target of 175GW of renewable energy installed capacity by 2022. But can ends justify the means? On the one hand, there have been no technological advancements that have rendered electricity from large hydro to be re-classified as renewable". On the other hand, we are witnessing changes in the nature and flow of rivers, due to changing climate patterns. To categorise power from large hydropower projects as renewable energy would be based on a flawed and anachronistic view of the term, since it would assume that all river water the source of generating such electricity is infinite (as opposed to a fossil fuel like coal or lignite). This underlying assumption is incorrect. Climate change is exacerbating Indias water crisis in several different ways, including an erratic monsoon cycle. Water resources are becoming progressively scarce, and therefore, less dependable for generating electricity through large hydro. Countries such as Brazil, which has traditionally relied extensively on large hydro as a source of power are now increasingly looking at alternatives due to unreliable precipitation. In India too, rivers such as the Ganga and the Cauvery are facing an unprecedented reduction in flow and volume. Many Himalayan rivers are projected to face a drastic reduction in flow due to climate change by the middle of this century. Impact on the Environment and Society Worse, it has been projected that the large-scale damming of the Himalayas will cause the submerging of hundreds of square kilometres of forest, resulting in the loss of hundreds of species of fish, plants and vertebrates. In India, large hydro projects have already been associated with some of the countrys worst floods, deforestation, and submerging of forest lands. Large dams also cause sediments to become trapped instead of flowing freely, which has the dual effect of depriving the river downstream of nutrients, and causing eutrophication in the reservoir leading to ecosystem collapse. Further, hydroelectric dams create artificial reservoirs where organic matter prevented from flowing downstream decomposes to release greenhouse gases (GHG). Far from generating clean electricity, large dams are potentially a significant source of GHG emissions, the full impact of which needs to be studied in greater detail. Aside from the environmental impact of large hydro projects, their construction also leads to a huge displacement of people. As per an estimate made by the World Commission on Dams as far back as the year 2000, dams had led to the displacement of 40 to 80 million people worldwide. As per another study in 2011, 16.4 million people have been displaced in India due to the construction of dams over a 50 year period. Even after construction, the functioning of large dams continue to pose a huge risk to life, and India has seen a number of dam disasters: for example, through reservoir-induced seismic activity, and the bursting of pipes. Due to the variety of reasons discussed above, governments across the world are progressively becoming more cognizant of the adverse impacts of dams. Many countries, such as the United States of America, Brazil, China and Peru, are now actively taking steps to de-commission existing dams, or to abort plans for commissioning future dams. Similarly, it has been recommended that unsafe and unproductive dams in India should be de-commissioned. Policymakers should desist from shifting the goalposts by re-classifying large hydro as a source of renewable energy. In view of the large environmental and social costs of energy from large hydro, it may be more prudent at this juncture to reduce dependence on large hydro, and if required, signal this through a reduction in the NDC target of 175GW to 125GW. The authors are with the India Energy Program of the World Resources Institute (WRI) India. India on Sunday said it was committed to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, and to promote an inclusive 'Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled' peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country. Samarkand (Uzbekistan): India on Sunday said it was committed to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, and to promote an inclusive "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country. India's position was enunciated by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj at the historic India-Central Asia Dialogue in Uzbekistan, with the participation of Afghanistan, which focussed on a plethora of regional issues including enhancing connectivity to the country ravaged by terrorism. "I would like to specifically point out that our region is facing serious challenges posed by terrorism. India, Central Asia and Afghanistan are societies which are tolerant and plural. The ideology of hate which the terrorists would like to spread has no place in our societies," Swaraj said while addressing the first session of the dialogue. "We also need to ask who these terrorists are, who funds them, how do they find sustenance, who protects and sponsors them," she said. "No business development, no investment can take place in a country suffering from terrorism. To promote business development in our region, we agreed to fight the scourge of terrorism together," Swaraj said, adding that terrorism seriously erodes all avenues of development which a country can have. Development partnership has emerged as an important component of India's engagement with Afghanistan. The minister offered to extend this partnership to Central Asia as well, where India can bring countries closer by taking up concrete projects under lines of credit and buyers' credit, and by sharing its expertise. She said more efficient connectivity will lead to the full realisation of the growth potential of the region. "We are geographically close and, in terms of air connectivity, only about three hours away," she said adding the time has come to develop more efficient transit routes, as well as to better utilise existing opportunities and find innovative solutions. India has proposed the setting up of the 'India-Central Asia Development Group' to take forward this development partnership between India and Central Asian countries. The group will come up with concrete proposals, Swaraj said. She mentioned the joint efforts of India, Iran and Afghanistan that have led to the development of the Chabahar port in Iran as a viable route to connect to Afghanistan and potentially to Central Asia. "Chabahar provides a shining example of what strong partnership can achieve to overcome any obstacles," she said. India has already sent a very substantial quantity of wheat to Afghanistan using the Chabahar port. Last month, an Indian company opened its office and took over operations at the Shaheed Beheshti port at Chabahar, she said. India is also looking to develop the Chabahar-Zahedan railway link which would bring it close to the Zaranj-Delaram road link which India has already built in Afghanistan. India has also put forward several proposals towards enhancing cultural cooperation and training programmes for capacity building for candidates from Central Asia. Swaraj said "India supports the people and government of Afghanistan in their efforts to build a united, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable, prosperous and inclusive nation. India supports all efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan which are inclusive and Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled". These efforts should preserve the gains of the last 18 years. The violence and terror imposed on Afghan people should end. It should strengthen unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, she said. India is extending development assistance to Afghanistan of over $3 billion, focused on reconstruction, infrastructure development, capacity building, human resources development and connectivity. Under the 'New Development Partnership' launched in September 2017, new projects are being taken up including Shahtoot Dam drinking water project for Kabul city, low-cost housing in Nangarhar province, 116 High Impact Community Development Projects and a host of other infrastructure development projects. Over 3,500 Afghan nationals are trained and receive education in India every year, she said. Bound together by shared history and cultural linkages, India and the Central Asian states look forward to the dialogue as an important initiative to enhance their cooperation in wide-ranging spheres including exploring ways to substantially enhance India's economic involvement in business and development sector of Central Asia, the MEA had said. Swaraj arrived in the ancient city of Samarkand on Saturday on a two-day visit to attend the first-ever India-Central Asia Dialogue. The MEA earlier said that the first-ever India-Central Asia Dialogue, with Afghan participation, "will take India's outreach to the region to a new high." Foreign ministers of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan are also participating in the dialogue. India will host the next India-Central Asia Dialogue with the participation of Afghanistan at the foreign ministers' level in 2020. On 10 January, Alok Verma was removed from his post at the CBI after a high-powered selection committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Justice AK Sikri of the Supreme Court. Former United States president Chester A Arthur, who was also a distinguished attorney, once said, "Men may die, but the fabrics of free institutions remains unshaken." Sadly, in the case of ousted Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma, it is becoming evident that to save an individual, all democratic institutions are not only being shaken to the hilt but are also being defamed and damaged beyond repair. Verma, against whom several allegations of corruption stand "correct", "substantiated" or "partially substantiated" has been made to look like a victim since the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) submitted its report, and all democratic institutions have been dubbed "perpetrators". On 10 January, Verma was removed from his post at the CBI after a high-powered selection committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Justice AK Sikri of the Supreme Court, who was nominated by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to represent him, recommended his transfer. It was clear from the beginning that the prime minister's vote would be against Verma and Kharge's vote would be in favour of the ousted CBI chief. A point that everyone will agree on is that it was the casting vote of the Supreme Court judge that swung the panel's decision against Verma, which otherwise would have drawn a totally different result. Justice Sikri wrongly maligned Whether Justice Sikri would be hailed as a hero "who saved democracy by saving Alok Verma" or would face slander and insinuations would have depended on whether he voted for or against Verma. As he voted against Verma, ensuring his transfer, it took no time for the expected to unfold: Ulterior motives were attributed to his decision. A news website reported that Justice Sikri had been offered and had consented to being appointed a member of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). The report, with the headline "Justice Sikri, whose vote decided Alok Verma's fate, gets Modi government nod for plum posting", clearly hinted at a quid pro quo, after which Sikri wrote to the law ministry to formally withdraw his consent from being appointed a CSAT member. While the fact remains that Justice Sikri was offered this post and he consented to his appointment much before he was nominated to hear Verma's case by the chief justice, it mattered least to those fighting to "save democracy". However, those questioning Verma's removal from the CBI director's post by casting aspersions on the selection committee's decision were quick to point out that the Supreme Court judge, knowing that he was taking a post-retirement post, should have recused from being part of the panel meeting. In this case specifically, the argument that a judge should be above suspicion only accentuates the palpable hypocrisy. The apologists to the ousted CBI chief need to answer whether the same rule applies to the head of an investigative agency whose most important mandate is to check corruption. They need to answer why Verma did not resign when faced with serious allegations of corruption and failing to protect the integrity of the agency. Why not expect such "virtuous" code of conduct from the CBI chief? The second most senior judge of the top court was conveniently and swiftly placed under the shadow of suspicion just because he had consented to an offer by the government, much before he became part of the panel that was to decide the fate of an officer who has been projected to be above any institution and an elected government. If institutions are targeted in a similar manner, it would not only damage their reputation but would also lead to the collapse of the entire institutional edifice. Consider this: The law provides that the chairperson and two members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should be a former chief justice of India, a practicing or retired judge of the Supreme Court of India and a present or retired chief justice of a high court. The question that arises is whether the Supreme Court and high court judges, the future chairperson and members of the NHRC, should accept these posts at all as in their entire tenure, they may have delivered a few judgments "favourable" to the government. Does this mean that to qualify for a post retirement position, a judge must have only given "anti-government" judgments? The most important question is whether the fairness of a decision can be judged by whether it suits a particular narrative, a certain viewpoint and some vested interests, or by the fact that it honoured procedures established by law. Damage inflicted on constitutional bodies cause for concern The institutional damage in the current case is not limited to the judiciary but has spilled over many other institutions. While constitutional-political offices like that of the prime minister are bound to face the Opposition's onslaught in a democracy, it is the damage done to institutions like the judiciary and statutory bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) that are cause for grave concern. The CVC was established in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K Santhanam, to advise and guide central government agencies in the field of vigilance. It took more than three decades before the CVC acquired a statutory status through an ordinance in 1998. It was that year that the CVC was granted powers to exercise superintendence over the functioning of the CBI and also to review the progress of agency's investigations into alleged offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. An Act of Parliament finally replaced the ordinance in 2003, and the next year, the CVC became the designated authority to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption, or misuse of office, and to recommend appropriate action. This was the agency entrusted with the task of investigating the charges against Verma. In its inquiry report as Kharge highlighted in his dissent note four of the 11 charges against Verma were "substantiated"; the allegation in one case was "partially substantiated"; and those in four cases were "not substantiated" and needed no further inquiry. The CVC said that further inquiry was needed in a case and also recommended re-investigation by a different branch of the CBI in one. In another case, the commission said the allegations were found to be true. But as the report failed to give a "complete clean chit" to Verma, the CVC investigation was dubbed "compromised", and Central Vigilance Commissioner KV Chowdary has been accused being a "puppet" in the hands of the government. On Sunday, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged that the CVC had acted as an "ambassador" for CBI special director Rakesh Asthana and as an agent and messenger for the government to do "their hatchet jobs". In a series of tweets, he made serious allegations against the CVC chief and sought his removal. Retired Justice AK Patnaik has only added to this is a bizarre assertion. One of the supervisors in the CVC investigation against Verma, Patnaik said "there was no substantiating evidence to back the corruption charges" against Verma. At the same time, he had said, "The principle of natural justice was fully followed during the CVC inquiry against Verma. As the supervisor appointed by the Supreme Court, it was my job to ensure that the principle of natural justice was scrupulously adhered to." Justice Patnaik also said that he had not authored any of the findings in the CVC report, and that Verma had had access to all the documents and was granted a personal hearing, as well, in the course of the investigation. He further claimed that there was no evidence of corruption against Verma, whereas at least two allegations against the former CBI director were found to be true, as highlighted in Kharge's dissent note. When read together to come to a coherent conclusion, all these statements only cause more confusion. In this case, two facts remain most important. First, the CVC, in its investigation, found a few allegations against Verma to be true, which formed the basis of his transfer from the director's post. Second, the selection committee could decide on Verma's transfer because of Justice Sikri's vote. These two facts alone can establish the fairness of the decision, and it won't do any good to the democracy to target independent institutions like the judiciary and CVC. People should understand this. Bureaucrat Jaideep Govind on Monday joined the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)as it's 15th secretary-general, officials said. New Delhi: Bureaucrat Jaideep Govind on Monday joined the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)as it's 15th secretary-general, officials said. A 1984-batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, Govind, before joining the NHRC, was posted as the special secretary and the financial adviser in the ministries of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Department of Land Resources, the NHRC said in a statement. He succeeds Ambuj Sharma as the next secretary-general of the rights panel that has completed 25 years of its existence. Govind has held various important posts in the Union government, such as the additional secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and looked after critical areas of left-wing extremism, police modernisation and procurement for the Central Armed Police Forces. We know that right now is the time to pass the minimum wage. We know that at our hospitals, we know that our auto mechanics, we know the contractors for local government and state government do not make $15, McCray said. HS Phoolka said, 'BJP has always supported us in our fight for anti-Sikh riots victims. I met Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and they supported my stand on it.' New Delhi: Former AAP leader HS Phoolka was felicitated on Sunday for his legal battle for anti-Sikh riot victims at an event hosted by Union minister Vijay Goel, who said the doors of the BJP were open for all "good" people. Phoolka, though accepted his "closeness" with several BJP leaders, ruled out joining any political party. "BJP has always supported us in our fight for anti-Sikh riots victims. I met Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and they supported my stand on it," Phoolka told reporters. He, however, denied speculations that he might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "I am not joining any political party," he said. Goel lauded Phoolka as a "good man" and his friend who fought to give justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "It does not matter that he was associated with AAP. He is a good person who did a good thing. That is why we are felicitating him. People ask me if he will join my party. BJP wants all good people to join it," he said. Phoolka had resigned earlier this month from the Aam Aadmi Party without giving any reason behind the move. He had met Goel to greet him on his birthday on 4 January, amid speculations that he might join the BJP. Commenting on Phoolka's resignation from AAP, Goel had said, "He quit AAP recently. (It is) better late than never." Phoolka has avoided giving any reason for quitting the AAP and expressed his desire to float a non-political outfit in Punjab to fight the drug menace and the perceived politicisation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He, however, was averse to any alliance between the AAP and the Congress. Reports about a pre-poll tie-up between the two parties is doing the rounds, with none of them denying it officially. The sources claimed Phoolka was also annoyed over the AAP's stand on the demand to strip former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi of the Bharat Ratna for "justifying" the anti-Sikh riots. Phoolka had said that the conversion of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement into a political party in 2012 was a wrong step. He has not declared his future political move, though he has announced he will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Gaya residents living in Bengaluru, gathered at the Freedom Park, demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged rape and murder of a teenager in the power loom city, stating the police solved the case without any medical or forensic evidence Bangalore: With clouds of grief and anger looming large over Gaya, the power loom city in Bihar, following the gruesome rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl, more than 300 people, mostly from Gayas Patwatoli residing in Bengaluru, gathered at Freedom Park in Indias Silicon Valley demanding a CBI inquiry and a speedy trial into the case. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the protesters, both men, women and children, came to the venue with placards and banners and shouted slogans like we want justice, we want CBI investigation for hours. As the sun started to set, the protest turned into a peaceful candlelight vigil and floral tributes to the victim. The police are conveying wrong stories to the media. Police forcefully took the statement from a five-year-old child studying in UKG and reportedly solved the case without any medical or forensic investigation terming the case as one of honour killing. A serious CBI investigation must be carried out along with a forensic report, says Jitendra Kumar, who organised the protest. Rakhi, who is from Gaya, and is currently working in Bengaluru, describes how her peaceful hometown has become unsafe in recent times for women and her family members. I am scared to even go to my city, and even more scared to step out of my house. Now, the environment in Patwatoli is fearful. People there are scared. The police are trying to curb the evidence to save the real culprits. The sister of the victim says that she was being forced to give false statement else they would be jailed. We all (will) protest until we get justice." The Gaya police, last Friday, arrested the girl's father along with other family members and his friend. The father of the victim and his friend were produced in the local court, which sent them to 14 days judicial custody on the charges of hatching a conspiracy to eliminate the victim. The mother and sister of the victim were released in the evening of the same day. Later, the case took a new turn with family members of the deceased alleging that they were subjected to third-degree torture to admit the incident to be a case of honour killing. Shelley Das, a Bengaluru-based social activist who came and led the protest, told 101Reporters how she came across a tweet about the protest and joined them at Freedom Park to raise her voice against the police. "There is a lot of twist and fabrication in the story and that hurts the most. We all will stand together unless we get justice and peace for the girl, she adds. Towards the evening a few more people joined the protest and the voices grew louder. The anger towards the incident was visible in the protester's eyes, including children, as they stood holding placards for hours. In Gaya, people who organised protests against the murder and alleged gangrape of the minor girl have complained of receiving threats for carrying out protest rallies. Saurabh Ranjan (name changed to protect identity), who organised a candle march from Patwatoli to Gaya Chowk last week, was forced to keep his mobile number switched off after receiving threats for his activism. Patwatoli, from where the victim belonged, is also known as the Manchester of Bihar with over 1,000 power looms operating out of the area dominated by Patwa weavers. The locality is also known for producing IITians as several students from Patwatoli invariably feature in the list of successful IIT-JEE aspirants. A timeline of the event: 28 December, 2018 A 16-year-old girl goes missing. 4 January, 2019 An FIR is registered after pressure from local media. 6 January Mutilated body of the girl is found in a farm field, about 700 metres from her house. 9 January A candle march is taken out from Patwatoli to Gaya Chowk by over 10,000 protesters. After the candle march, the police take the victim's family in custody. 11 January Mother and sister of the rape victim are released. Both of them later claimed that they were forced to give false statements, and threatened with jail. The authors are freelance writers and members of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters The incident occurred despite the presence of elaborate security measures in view of the 55-day long Kumbh Mela, which will start on 15 January and end on 4 March. A day before the Kumbh Mela is scheduled to begin, a fire broke out at one of the temporary camps set up for the mega event. PTI quoted police officials as saying that a cylinder blast caused the blaze at a camp in Digambar Akhada in Prayagraj on Monday. Prayagraj: Fire breaks out at a camp of Digambar Akhada at #KumbhMela pic.twitter.com/yq0yO7jr4i ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019 According to officials, the fire broke out around 12.45 pm. Soon after, six fire tenders and eight ambulances were rushed to the spot. The firefighters with the help of the event administration, fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) took about 10 minutes to bring the blaze, which had engulfed the makeshift structure at the venue, under control. Two vehicles and some materials kept at the site were damaged in the fire. There were no reports of casualties. India Today reported that twelve tents had caught fire in the incident. The head of the Digambar Ani Akhada told PTI the fire began at an adjoining tent and spread to the kitchen of their camp, triggering the cylinder blast. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to immediately grant compensation for the loss. He also directed the fire department to inspect all the tents and take necessary precautions, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow. The incident took place despite the presence of elaborate security measures taken in view of the 55-day long Kumbh Mela, which begins on 15 January and will go on till 4 March. The fair is the largest human congregation in the world, with over 130 million pilgrims expected to participate in the festival. With inputs from agencies Today's top stories: 10% EWS quota to come into force in Gujarat from today; Petrol touches Rs 70-mark in Delhi for first time in 2019; Congress seeks immediate removal of chief vigilance commissioner; and more. 10 percent quota to come into force in Gujarat today The Gujarat government on Sunday said it will implement 10 percent reservation in government jobs and higher educational institutes for people from the economically weaker sections in the general category from Monday. President Ram Nath Kovind had approved the constitutional amendment to provide the 10 percent quota on Saturday. "The economically weaker sections from the general category will get 10 percent reservation in admissions to higher educational institutes and government jobs starting Uttarayan on 14 January," the state government said in a press release, adding that the new quota will also be implemented in admissions and jobs that were advertised before 14 January, but for which the actual process has not started. Petrol touches Rs 70-mark in Delhi for first time in 2019 Fuel prices on Monday continued to witness an upward trend, with petrol and diesel being sold at Rs 70.13 and Rs 64.18 per litre respectively in the national capital. On Sunday, petrol retailed at Rs 69.75 a litre in Delhi, Rs 75.39 in Mumbai, Rs 72.40 in Kolkata and Rs 71.97 in Chennai. Diesel was sold at Rs 63.69 in Delhi, Rs 66.66 in Mumbai, Rs 65.46 in Chennai and Rs 67.26 in Kolkata. Rates vary from state to state depending on the rate of local sales tax, or VAT. Fuel prices peaked on 4 October when Brent crude prices touched $86 per barrel. The rupee-dollar exchange rate is a major factor that influences the price of petrol in India. Between 16 August and 4 October, the price of petrol was hiked by Rs 6.86 and diesel by Rs 6.73 per litre. On that day, the government decided to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre each and asked state-owned fuel retailers to subsidise the price by another Re 1 a litre by reducing their margins. CBI row: Congress seeks immediate removal of chief vigilance commissioner Amid a row over the ouster of CBI director Alok Verma, the Congress on Sunday sought "immediate removal" of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) KV Chowdary, alleging that the government had made him "act like a puppet" to "escape a probe" into the Rafale deal. There was no immediate reaction from the Central Vigilance Commission or the government on the charge. "We seek the removal, the departure, the exit of the collaborator for violating the Constitution the CVC. He must go. It is irrelevant whether he resigns or is sacked, but he must go," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said at a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi. Verma was on Thursday removed unceremoniously as the CBI director after a high-powered panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi found that he had not been functioning with the integrity expected of him. Modi takes dig at Opposition over 'grand alliance' The prime minister on Sunday derided the Opposition's efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the upcoming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic alliances" and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people". During an interaction with booth-level BJP workers from five parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu via video-conference, Modi said, "Unlike other parties, we are not in politics for divide and rule or building vote banks. We are here to serve the country in every possible way." "On one hand we have our development agenda and on the other, there are opportunistic alliances and dynastic parties. This election is an opportunity for us to take the agenda of development to new heights," he said. Uddhav promises merger of BEST, BMC budgets While the bus strike of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) workers in Mumbai entered the sixth day on Sunday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party will fulfil its promise to merge the budget of the transport undertaking with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Sena controls the BMC, apart from being a partner in the BJP-led Maharashtra government. One of the demands of the BEST workers, who have been on strike since 8 January, is the merger of the budgets of the BMC and the loss-making BEST. The Shiv Sena had promised to merge the budgets during the civic poll campaign in 2017. "The financial condition of the BEST has deteriorated. I had given the promise of merger of the budgets and that will be fulfilled. A solution can be found only through talks. Even though the BEST strike issue is in court, I am ready to be part of the discussion if necessary," Thackeray said. Farmers attack sugar factories in Maha over payment delay Angry over delayed payment for their crop, farmers have attacked and set on fire several offices of sugar factories in parts of western Maharashtra since Friday. According to farmers' organisations, sugar mills in Maharashtra owe Rs 4,500 crore to sugarcane cultivators in pending dues. A group of protesters torched the office of Krishna Sugar Factory at Karad in Satara district on Friday. Some important documents, computers and furniture were destroyed in the blaze. Offences were registered against unidentified persons by the Karad Rural Police. The office of another sugar factory in neighbouring Sangli was set on fire on Saturday morning. Protesters also vandalised and tried to torch the office of Kranti Sugar Factory at Walwa in Sangli district on Saturday and later fled the spot. BJP will effectively wipe off BSP-SP, says Adityanath Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday claimed the recently-forged alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party will have no impact on the politics of the state, and that the BJP will "effectively wipe them off". Speaking at an event in Lucknow, Adityanath noted that the BSP-SP alliance denoted "casteist mentality" and "anarchic elements". "The (SP-BSP) alliance means giving power to people who are corrupt, anarchic elements and have casteist mentality. This alliance will have no impact on the politics of the state. It is good that both these parties have come together. It will help us to effectively wipe them off," he asserted. Once arch-rivals Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had on Saturday announced their tie-up in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, sharing 38 seats each and keeping the Congress out of the alliance. No light at the end of the tunnel for Meghalaya miners Sunday marked exactly a month since 15 miners got trapped in an illegal rat hole coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district. The chances of their rescue continue to remain bleak as dewatering the mine has been a futile effort, so far. Scientists and top notch agencies, known for their work in underground mines of the country, arrived in the East Jaintia Hills on Sunday to step up efforts to rescue the miners in what is perhaps the country's longest rescue mission. Till date, the dewatering of the 370-foot-deep mine where the miners are trapped has proved futile as over one crore litres of water has been pumped out of the main shaft in the past one month, but there has been no visible change in the water level. Another 2 crore plus litres of water was pumped out from the nearby abandoned mines suspected to be connected to the mine where the miners are trapped, but the rescuers are clueless 'how' and 'where' the water is coming from. Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie warring over Cleopatra role Lady Gaga and Angelina Jolie are in a battle to land a chance to play Cleopatra in a mega-budget film reboot. Oscar-winning Angelina, 43, has been in on-off talks for months with studio bosses at Sony over playing the part, which was essayed by Elizabeth Taylor in a 1963 film version. But Gaga, 32, is now also in the running, following the success of A Star Is Born, her big screen debut as a leading lady. A senior production source at Sony told The Daily Star it could be so close between Jolie and Gaga that "both of them will have to audition a pretty rare ask of an A-list star". India take on Bahrain in must-win match After securing an emphatic victory in their first AFC Asian Cup group-stage fixture against Thailand, India were beaten by hosts UAE on Thursday. India's defeat leaves the level on points, with third-placed Thailand, but ahead on goal difference. The Blue Tigers are set to face Bahrain in the third and final Group A match on Monday, which they need to win to ensure their qualification for the knockout rounds. Call of Duty publisher under investigation for securities fraud Activision, the developer behind the popular Call of Duty game franchise, is under investigation for securities fraud. The investigation was launched soon after Bungie (Destiny, Halo) split from Activision, taking with it the full publishing rights for Destiny 1 and 2. The investigation will examine whether certain executives of the Activision team were involved in securities fraud or other unlawful activities. A 16-year-old girl from Hyderabad has alleged that she was repeatedly gang-raped and threatened by four men, reportedly her cousin and his friends, for the past four years. A 16-year-old girl from the Bahadurpura area of Hyderabad has alleged that she was repeatedly gang-raped and threatened by four men for the past four years. Three of the four men, reportedly her cousin and two others, have been arrested. In her statement, reports The Indian Express, the girl has alleged that the accused began assaulting her in 2015. They had spiked her soft drink with sedatives, raped her, filmed it on one of their cellphones and shared the video with a few others. They then repeatedly issued threats to her in the course of the nearly four-year period. While NDTV and The Indian Express reported that the accused were the girl's cousin and his friends, Times Now has said that they were tenants who lived in the first floor of the house owned by the girl's father. Police officials told The Indian Express said the victims father had adopted the main accused, the son of his sister when he was six-years-old. The survivor narrated the ordeal to her family on 24 December, after being issued fresh threats by one of the accused. She and her family then approached a Bharosa centre run by the city police, reports say. Until then, neither the girl's family nor anyone else had been aware of the incident. A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Three of the four, reportedly called Raj, Shubham and Abhijit, are in police custody while the fourth person, who was named as a witness by police, has been absconding. "How can they turn an accused into a witness. A friend of another accused has also been made witness. What if they change the story in court? We want all the guilty to be punished immediately," a cousin of the girl told NDTV. The girl's family and neighbours staged protests as well. The Congress and the BSP are yet to confirm their participation in the mega opposition rally proposed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) here on 19 January ahead of the general elections. Kolkata: The Congress and the BSP are yet to confirm their participation in the mega opposition rally proposed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) here on 19 January ahead of the general elections. Leaders of various other opposition parties have already confirmed their participation, TMC sources said. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had earlier in the day said that she had a telephonic conversation with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and that he had assured his presence at the rally. "Such a major meeting of opposition parties has not happened in recent times," she told reporters at the state secretariat. A vociferous critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she has been touring the country for the last one year, attempting to build a strong opposition front to challenge the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls. On Saturday, Banerjee had welcomed the SP-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the Parliamentary polls. The TMC has invited several opposition parties including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (Secular), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) among others for the mega rally to be convened by Banerjee at the Brigade Parade grounds. According to Congress sources, the party has not yet decided whether it wants to be part of the rally and if its top leaders chief Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi would be present on the occasion. The West Bengal Congress, however, wants Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to stay away from the rally and instead send a party leader, as Banerjee, who was invited to the swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh in December, 2018, had skipped the event and sent party MP Dinesh Trivedi instead. On 1 January, 2018, violence had erupted during the 200th anniversary celebrations of Bhima Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed activist and professor Anand Teltumbde's plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Pune Police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence. However, the judicature granted him protection from arrest for four weeks, during which he can seek bail from a trial court. "Investigation is getting bigger and bigger. At this stage quashing of the proceedings is uncalled for," said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The apex court also refused to interfere with the ongoing probe in the case. This is the second time that Teltumbde's plea has been dismissed in this regard. On 21 December, the Bombay High Court had turned down his petition and granted interim protection from arrest for three weeks. On 1 January, 2018, violence had erupted during the 200th anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured. The Citizenship Amendment Bill relaxes the definition of the foreigners from six religions from the three countries while also legalizing their status from illegals. What is the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016? Other things remaining same, anyone who was in India as on 26 November, 1949, automatically become Indian citizens. The other modes of acquiring Indian citizenship are: By birth (any person born in India on or after 26 January 1950) Citizenship by descent (any person born outside India to Indian parents on or after 26 January, 1950) Citizenship by registration (by application) Citizenship by naturalization (any foreigner who has continuously resided in India for at least 12 years) Indian citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act 1955, which has been amended several times in the pastin 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005 and 2015. Another amendment is being proposed nowviz. Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 (CAB)which is the cause of the present unrest in the northeastern states. This Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship by naturalization to people of six religions (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from three countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan) if they have been residing in India for at least 12 months immediately preceding the application for citizenship and for six of the 14 years preceding the 12-month period. At present, a foreigner has to continuously reside in India for 11 of the 14 years preceding the 12-month period to apply for citizenship. So basically, the Bill seeks to relax the 11-year requirement to six years for people of these six religions from three countries. Moreover, these people from six religions from three countries have been offered immunity from being imprisoned or deported under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the two main laws under which foreigners are declared illegal, if they were present in India on or before 31 December, 2014. Why is it creating so much of problem in the North East? The North East states have a lot of bitter legacy issues with illegal immigration from Bangladesh. With many of the hilly states having a very thin density of population, an exodus of immigrants from Bangladesh would alter and upset the delicate demographics. As a result, the entire indigenous people of North East have come together and taken a stand against this bill. Tripura is one standout example of how the indigenous people have been rendered a small minority in their own land due to the incessant mass migration of immigrants from Bangladesh. The polity, society, culture and economy is now totally dominated by these migrants. Why is there trouble in Assam? In Assam, the demography of the Bangladesh-bordering districts, western Assam and certain other areas have changed significantly since Independence and Partition. The mass migration has come in several waves and continues according to various reports. While Hindu Bangladeshis have migrated to Assam mainly due to fears of religious persecution, Muslim Bangladeshis have migrated mainly due to economic reasons and to carve out living space. Because of the growing threat of becoming a minority in their own land, there was a six-year-long mass movement in Assam led by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) against the foreigners from 1979 which resulted in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985. The AASU agreed to the cut-off year of 1971 to determine who is a foreigner and who is not. It has also resulted in a dichotomy in Indian citizenship laws in India. So the passing of the CAB would a key clause of the Accord. It will also violate the critical understanding that foreigners are foreigners irrespective of the religion they belong to. The CAB further relaxes the definition of the foreigners from six religions from the three countries while also legalizing their status from illegals. What is the status of the Bill now? For a bill to become a law or an act, it has to be passed by both Houses of Parliament. While the Lok Sabha has already passed it, the Rajya Sabha is expected to take up the Bill when it meets again for 10 days on 31 January, 2019. What are the political implications? Key BJP allies in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have strongly protested against the CAB while some BJP ruling party members have criticised the Bill in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. What lies ahead? With the North East putting up a strong united stand in an unprecedented manner, new regional political forces will be unleashed. If pushed ahead, there is a strong chance that the Bill will be seen as a trampling down of rights in the face of vociferous protests of the sons of the soil. These charges show to what extent the administration can go to abuse freedom of expression and suppress dissent, says Assam intellectual Hiren Gohain. It was a late lunch for Hiren Gohain on Saturday afternoon, barely two days after he was slapped with sedition charges for a speech that he had delivered at a rally in Guwahati to oppose the religion-based Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The 80-year-old Sahitya Akademi awardee and one of Assams most influential public intellectuals, Gohain was granted interim bail, along with Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti chief Akhil Gogoi, by the Gauhati High Court on Friday. I have been speaking to people the whole day today, Gohain said, in a tired yet resolute voice. Outside his quaint house, one can hear angry outbursts over the sedition charges, many calling it an attempt by the government to gag voices. The Assam Police, taking suo motu cognisance, had filed an FIR at the Latasil Police Station in Guwahati on 8 January against Gohain, Gogoi and journalist Manjit Mahanta under Indian Penal Code sections 121 (waging or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against government), 123 (concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) and 124(A) (sedition) after their speech at a Jana Sabha (public meeting) in Guwahati. I have no idea why the police brought this absurd and baseless charge against us. It is a dangerous example of the widespread and un-resisted abuse of power by the ruling dispensation. The police are making a mountain out of a molehill. These charges just show to what extent the administration can go to abuse freedom of expression and suppress dissent, Gohain said. Assam has been restive for several months now over the contentious Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis, among others, if they have lived in India for six years. Not only does it violate Article 14 of the Constitution that guarantees right to equality but also contradicts the citizenship cut-off date of 24 March, 1971, as was decided in the Assam Accord. The amendment Bill seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus of Bangladesh and others who had entered and settled in Assam by 31 December, 2014. Indigenous groups in Assam, who speak their own language and have different cultures, now lead a precarious existence. There is anxiety and fear that attempts to pass the Bill by force will lead to an overwhelming majority of one group, resulting in their political and cultural domination over the indigenes, he said. Gohain also felt the Bill is likely to disturb the states tradition of tolerance and coexistence among various faith systems. Neither is fanaticism of one section or chauvinism of the other welcomed by people here, said the Cambridge scholar. So what happened at the public rally that got authorities to accuse Gohain of secessionist thinking? Some young leaders, in their anguish and frustration, had said how the Centres attitude towards Assam may compel them to raise the issue of states sovereignty again. I was on the platform when this comment was made. I realised that it could lead to unwelcome divisions among audience and organisers. Personally, too, secessionist approach has never been my outlook. I intervened, saying the question of sovereignty would only arise when all democratic resources are explored and exhausted. My speech is on record, recalled Gohain. The BJP had formed a government in the state in 2016 with the promise of implementing the Assam Accord, claiming it would preserve the indigenous peoples jati, mati and bheti (community, land and home). The BJP government took a 180-degree turn months after coming to power, saying they would give shelter to Hindu immigrants, said Gohain. Always vocal about his opinions, Gohains protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill has been questioned by critics who remind people about his strong indictment of the anti-foreigner movement. But the academic strongly contended that he never shifted positions. I was not an opponent of the movement. That is a stupid travesty of my position. In 1982, during the Assam Movement, I had opposed atrocities committed on innocent people. At the same time, however, I had also said that perhaps there is something worth listening to in the complaints of the people. I was condemned for this even by my supporters and called a traitor, he said. The contentious Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on 8 January, even as the whole of North East and Assam, especially, observed a complete shutdown in protest. The solution to Assams illegal immigrant and citizenship issue lies in easing divisions and listening to democratic opinions from all sides in a tolerant and receptive manner. Let the NRC process go on and let the Bill be dropped. Let genuine dialogues start among all communities. But this will take time, Gohain said. What is the Assam Accord? Illegal infiltration has been a burning issue in Assam since Independence. A six-year-long agitation, starting 1979, was launched by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) demanding identification and deportation of illegal migrants from the state. The movement later culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord. It is a tripartite agreement, signed on 15 August 1985, between the Centre, the state government and the AASU which had set the cut-off date of 24 March, 1971 to grant citizenship to people who had come from Bangladesh. The agitation leaders later formed the Asom Gana Parishad party that came to power in the state in the Assembly elections of 1985. What is the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and why are people protesting against it? Under the Citizenship Act, 1955 a migrant can become a citizen only if she or he has resided in India during the past 12 months and 11 of the previous 14 years. The Bill relaxes this to six years for people belonging who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who had entered the state by 31 December, 2014. This means it will bypass the cut-off date stated in the Assam Accord as well as the NRC. This also implies that illegal migrants who are Muslims or atheists will not be eligible for a citizenship. People in the state are against this differential treatment to illegal migrants on the basis of their religion. It is being seen as a threat to the states secular ethos. The Assamese also fear the Bill will make them a minority in their own homeland. A Delhi court on Monday allowed alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, to make phone calls to his family members and lawyers abroad. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday allowed alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, to make phone calls to his family members and lawyers abroad. Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted 15 minutes a week to Michel to make international calls. The accused had moved the court claiming that the jail authorities had rejected his plea seeking the permission. Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 22 December, 2018. The court had earlier imposed restrictions on Michel meeting his lawyers while he was in the ED's custody, after the agency had said he was misusing the legal access by passing chits to his lawyers, asking them how to tackle questions on "Mrs Gandhi". The ED's counsels, DP Singh and NK Matta, had also claimed that during questioning, Michel had spoken about the "son of an Italian lady" and how he was going to become the next prime minister of the country. "We also need to decipher who is the 'big man' referred to as 'R' in the communications between Michel and other people," the ED had told the court. On 5 January, Michel was sent to judicial custody in the ED case. He is also lodged in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The ED, in its chargesheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland. The CBI, in its chargesheet, has alleged an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer due to the deal that was signed on 8 February, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is releasing his latest budget proposal and celebrating his second inauguration this week in Annapolis, while members of the General Assembly begin a push for what might end up being the hottest issue of the session: raising the states hourly minimum wage. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh moved Supreme Court, seeking a review of the verdict by which several pleas challenging the deal for procurement of Rafale fighter jets were dismissed. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker Sanjay Singh on Monday moved the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the verdict by which several pleas challenging the deal for procurement of Rafale fighter jets were dismissed. A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, had on 14 December, dismissed as many as four petitions challenging the deal and had said that there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making process" that warranted setting aside of the contract. "Our country cannot afford to be unprepared when it comes to fighter aircrafts," Gogoi observed. The bench also said that the country's defence preparedness needs to be looked after. The bench ruled out a probe into the details of the Rafale deal, and asserted that it was not a case of "commercial favouritism". The Chief Justice had also said, "Its not a case of commercial favouritism as offset doesn't require to be chosen by Indian government. The perception of individuals can't be a subject matter of initiating inquiry." Separate pleas were filed by Singh, lawyer ML Sharma, Vineet Dhanda, former BJP leaders Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan against the deal. Singh, a Rajya Sabha lawmaker of AAP, has filed the review plea through lawyers Dheeraj Kumar Singh and Mrinal Kumar. Nuance, layers and more flavours than you can imagine, Indian food is definitely more than spices and curry. Its influences come from its diverse geographical topography, locally available produce as well as its religious and cultural traditions. The world is both fascinated and mesmerised with everything from the humble Khichdi to elaborate Nalli Nihari, Dum Biryani and Raan and street eats like Chaat and Puchka. Soul stirring and inspirational, here is a quick guide to eating well wherever you travel in India. At the very crown of the subcontinent - North India is rugged - dotted with snow-capped mountain ranges and deserts. This is reflected in its foods too - spices to lend depth of flavour and heat, smoked and slow-cooked meats and plenty of ghee-laden fried sweets. While youve probably heard of Chicken tikka masala and samosas, there is plenty to appreciate in simple beans and rice staples like Rajma or Chole -chawal. Milk in all its forms is also popular in the North and lends itself perfectly to everything from thick gravies to deliciously smooth, cold lassi. But, if youre ever in Delhi do try out the chaat. From Aloo tikki and Puris to Paapdi chaat, Golgappe and Dahi Bhalla - youll be hard pressed to pick a favourite. North-East Still at the top of the country, the further North-East you travel, the more surprised you will be at how vastly different the food looks and tastes. Against the backdrop of some unique tribal culture, the food here is deceptively simple to look at but resplendent in its representation of the local tastes. Mostly meat-based and often heavily favouring ingredients like Bhut Jholokia (Naga Chillie), Bamboo shoots and the sour Ou Tenga or Elephant Apple, every dish is delicious. Served piping hot, Laksa features strings of rice noodles, your choice for seafood or meat and a blend of coconut milk, tamarind and spices. Popular with locals and travellers alike, you cant leave without trying this very satisfying broth. While there arent as many sweet treats here, the cuisine of the North East masters the subtle art of hearty, flavourful broths and steaming, smoking meat and fish, that will leave you spellbound and coming back for more. East While both meats and vegetables dominate the table, food preparations are scrumptious but fuss-free. Rice, Mustard oil and the ever popular Panch phoran - a five-seed-blend of equal parts cumin, fennel, nigella, fenugreek and mustard seeds are everywhere. Now you know why Bengali food has such a distinguishable aroma! While the interiors favour delicious versions of meat-filled momos and Thukpa (a clear soup), the coast is markedly different. You will want to fall asleep after a leisurely lunch of Aloo Poshto (potatoes with poppy seeds) and Machhar Jhol (fish curry in a tomato gravy). Food and the eating of it take on a whole new meaning in this part of the country. With a wide array of milk and sweet treats, it's no wonder that East is where you go if you have a serious sweet tooth. You learn quickly that Sandesh, Jamun, Rasgollas, Chom Chom and Misti Doi are not singular sweets but broad categories filled with diverse flavours and different additions depending on where you try them. South From the verdant land of filter coffee and coconuts, pepper and rice comes food that is best enjoyed in person. While the backwaters of Kerala call to your mind and spirit, the unpretentious people that prepare these inexpensive eats are what you mustnt miss. Awaken your senses with the delicious aromas of Sambhar, Rasam and fresh coconut chutney while travel to Coorg for the Fish gassi (coconut based fish curry) and Pepper chicken. Lentils of every kind make their way into soupy curries and combinations like Bisi Bele Bath which literally means hot lentil rice and even into sweets like payasam and melt-in-your-mouth Mysurpa. With so much vegetarian fare to pick from like aviyal, poriyal, pachady and olan, it is still not uncommon to find a great Mutton stew with Idi Appams on the table for breakfast. West The real flavours of Mumbai are not in its restaurants. Its in the homes of the people and the street food. Think fiery Vada or Missal pav, butter-laden Pao Bhaji, piping hot Ragda pattice and all the khiri and kebabs you can eat. Step into the city around festive times and you will taste sweet treats like delicious coconut and jaggery filled modaks or sugary sweet Petha during the Urs. While weve talked a lot about the vegetarian fare in the region, East Indians specialty Vindhaloos and Fugiyas are a must mention along with Mughlai specials like Mutton Kheema, Haleem and the ever-popular Chicken/Mutton Biryani. Follow the Western coastline to Goa and youll find meats are cooked with plenty of vinegar, onions and garlic, while the seafood curries feature subtle coconut gravies. Tuck into thick Rechado suffed crab and Fried Mackerels and end your meals with chilled Feni or sweets like Dodol and Bibinca. Set against pristine soft sand beaches, Goa promises inexpensive stay, long, relaxing meals and beaches with something for everyone. Also, along the coast is colourful Gujarat. Food here is largely vegetarian but never boring. With arguably the largest line-up of unique snacks youll see anywhere - Dhokla, Khaman, Faffda and Tepla youll always have options for when you feel peckish through the day. This is a partnered post. Though TCS is seeing a drop in prices by competitors, it will not follow suit, COO N Ganapathy Subramaniam said Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country's largest software exporter, said it is still focussed on winning the US market. CEO Rajesh Gopinathan said in an interview to the Economic Times that US-China trade war is yet to be seen. He said that the IT major has the operational discipline to deal with a slowdown but is still focused on winning the US market. "I want to be cautious about not talking ourselves into a situation. We will deal with it as it unfolds," he said to ET. Meanwhile, news reports mentioned that TCS won't offering discounts to get new deals. It will not engage in a price war, it said. Though the IT major is seeing a drop in prices by other firms, it will not follow suit, a report in Mint said. "We are not worried about the pricing play of our competition because we have always maintained you cannot compromise margins to funnel growth," said chief operating officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam. On Thursday, TCS reported a record quarterly profit helped by gains in its key banking, financial services and insurance (BSFI) division and said it was well positioned for 2019 with a strong pipeline of client orders. The crown jewel in the Tata Group reported 24.1 percent growth in net profit at Rs 8,105 crore for the quarter ended December 2018. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 6,531 crore in the same period last fiscal as per Indian accounting norms. Pakistan wants to attract investment and other financial support to tackle a soaring current account deficit caused partly by rising oil prices. Gwadar, Pakistan: Saudi Arabia plans to set up a $10 billion oil refinery in Pakistan's deepwater port of Gwadar, the Saudi energy minister said on Saturday, speaking at the Indian Ocean port that is being developed with the help of China. Pakistan wants to attract investment and other financial support to tackle a soaring current account deficit caused partly by rising oil prices. Last year, Saudi Arabia offered Pakistan a $6 billion package that included help to finance crude imports. "Saudi Arabia wants to make Pakistan's economic development stable through establishing an oil refinery and partnership with Pakistan in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor," Saudi Energy Khalid al-Falih told reporters in Gwadar. He said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman would visit Pakistan in February to sign the agreement. The minister added that Saudi Arabia would also invest in other sectors. Beijing has pledged $60 billion as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that involves building power stations, major highways, new and upgraded railways and higher capacity ports, to help turn Pakistan into a major overland route linking western China to the world. "With setting up of an oil refinery in Gwadar, Saudi Arabia will become an important partner in CPEC," Pakistan Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said. The Saudi news agency SPA earlier reported that Falih met Pakistan's petroleum minister and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi in Gwadar to discuss cooperation in refining, petrochemicals, mining and renewable energy. It said Falih would finalise arrangements ahead of signing memorandums of understanding. Since the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan came to power in August, Pakistan has secured economic assistance packages from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China. In November, Pakistan extended talks with the International Monetary Fund as it seeks its 13th bailout since the late 1980s to deal with a looming balance of payments crisis. BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Lebanese government is 'absolutely not proposing' a restructuring of public debt and is committed to paying all maturing debt and interest payments on the predetermined dates, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said on Sunday. Khalil, speaking after a meeting with Lebanon's president, prime minister and central bank governor, also said the state was committed to safeguarding rights of depositors, banks and holders of sovereign debt instruments BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Lebanese government is "absolutely not proposing" a restructuring of public debt and is committed to paying all maturing debt and interest payments on the predetermined dates, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said on Sunday. Khalil, speaking after a meeting with Lebanon's president, prime minister and central bank governor, also said the state was committed to safeguarding rights of depositors, banks and holders of sovereign debt instruments. The meeting and statement marked a top-level effort to reassure investors after comments by Khalil about the public debt late last week sparked a sell-off in Lebanese dollar-denominated bonds. After Sunday's meeting, Khalil said current proposals were for the implementation of reforms to bring spending under control, reduce the budget deficit, activate the economy and to "secure financial balance". Lebanon was bound by its commitments to pay "maturities and interest at the predetermined dates without any other measure" Khalil said in a statement. Lebanon has one of the biggest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world at around 150 percent, and the economy has suffered from years of low growth. After falling on Thursday on comments by Khalil, Lebanon's dollar-denominated sovereign bonds tumbled for a second day on Friday when he told Bloomberg that a fiscal reform plan included a debt rescheduling. Khalil, in Friday's comments, said such a rescheduling would be undertaken in coordination with the central bank and banks. The plan did not include any change to Lebanon's fixed exchange rate, he told Bloomberg. The International Monetary Fund urged Lebanon in June to carry out "an immediate and substantial fiscal adjustment" to improve debt sustainability. But more than eight months after an election, political leaders have still not been able to agree a new government that could set about the reforms needed to boost confidence. Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri's cabinet has continued in a caretaker capacity. Khalil, a top figure in the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, has recently become more vocal in his warnings about the economy. Last month, he said Lebanon was in an economic crisis that had started to turn into a financial one, which he hoped would not become a monetary one. Khalil has held the post of finance minister since 2014. A deal on forming the new cabinet to be led by Hariri appeared close last month but the last obstacle was not resolved. (Reporting by Tom Perry and Laila Bassam; Editing by Kevin Liffey) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The gross non-performing assets (NPAs) as a percentage of total advances by end of December 2018 fell to 9.94 percent as against 10.08 percent as on 31 December, 2017. New Delhi: Jammu & Kashmir Bank has reported 43 percent increase in its net profit at Rs 103.75 crore for the third quarter ended December 2018. The bank had earned a profit of Rs 72.47 crore in the October-December quarter of previous fiscal, the bank said in a statement. Total income of the bank rose to Rs 2,184.22 crore as against Rs 1,790.77 crore in the same period a year ago. The gross non-performing assets (NPAs) as a percentage of total advances by end of December 2018 fell to 9.94 percent as against 10.08 percent as on 31 December, 2017, it said. However, net NPAs rose marginally to 4.59 percent of the net loans from 4.29 percent in the corresponding period a year ago. The NPA coverage ratio, though static on a year-on-year basis and still comparable with the best in the industry, has seen a dip on sequential basis to 65.82 percent mainly on account of downgrade of IL&FS which reflects that the bank has been able to tide over the IL&FS shock without any major deterioration in the balance sheet parameters, it said. From now onwards, the bank will focus on the transformation exercise by aggressively implementing the business plan 2022 prepared in consultation with management consultants and expects to clock a profit of Rs 2,000 crore by end of 2022. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. Maharashtra is launching a programme which is a virtual life cycle management for every farmer. Mumbai: Maharashtra has managed to save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver alone by adopting a digital platform that helped eliminate bogus claimants, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. The state had, in June 2017, announced a farm loan waiver worth Rs 34,022 crore amid rising incidents of farmer suicides due to crop failures or falling prices and rising input costs. The scheme made each farmer with a debt of up to Rs 1.5 lakh eligible for the write-off. Maharashtra was following other states like UP, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh among others. "Our farm loan waiver scheme was executed on a digital platform and by that we could save Rs 12,000 crore just because of digital intervention. Had it been the regular way, we would have ended up paying Rs 12,000 crore more to the people and that is the power of digitisation," he said at an industry event organised by corporate lobby CII, without offering any details. He further said the state is launching a programme which is a virtual life cycle management for every farmer. "From sowing to harvesting, everything will be managed through a digital platform and that will give advantage to farmers to make this sector more sustainable, predictable," he said, adding it will be launched on Monday. Fadnavis further said the state has collaborated with the World Economic Forum for Fourth Industrial Revolution and has started a pilot project to introduce drones in agriculture. "We are trying to make agriculture more precision-oriented so that we bring down the cost, make it predictable and connect farmers directly to technology," he said. The state aims to cover all the villages under its broadband connectivity programme by the end of this year. "As part of Bharat Net, we have started our Maha Net, which has already reached out to 60 percent of our targeted villages and by the end of this year we will be reaching rest of the villages. Hopefully our fibre will reach every single village. And with this robust connectivity, we will empower every single citizen to leverage on digital governance and digital economy," he said. He further said his government's Aple Sarkar Service Kendra has also provided internet access to villages. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. There is a need to bring down the tax rates from the current high levels as it will help in improving revenue collection and reduce black money generation, according to HDFC vice-chairman and chief executive Keki Mistry Mumbai: There is a need to bring down the tax rates from the current high levels as it will help in improving revenue collection and reduce black money generation, according to HDFC vice-chairman and chief executive Keki Mistry. But he was quick to point out he does not expect any changes in tax rates soon as the next budget will be a vote-on-account due to the general elections which are due in April-May. There is always going to be a demand from people to get more benefits, reduce taxes but at the same time the government of the day has to take into account fiscal position, Mistry said. "My personal view is that we really need to bring down tax rates because whatever little black money generation happens now is because of high tax rates. If you bring down tax rates, you bring down the inclination of the people not to pay taxes," Mistry told reporters on the sidelines of an ICAI seminar here on Friday. He said lower tax rates will also help in collecting more money. "We cannot let the fiscal slip too much. The government has to keep that in mind. It's a close balancing act," he said. Mistry expects the full budget, which will be presented by the new government to give a lot of focus on the rural economy as it needs a lot of support. "If a spurt is given to the rural economy, it will ultimately translate into all-round economic growth," he said. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. The government had estimated a fiscal deficit of Rs 6.24 lakh crore, or 3.3 percent of the GDP, for the current fiscal. But, for April-November itself, deficit stood at Rs 7.16 lakh crore, or 114.8 percent of the target. Budget 2019 is not far and there are signs of the government missing the 3.3 percent fiscal deficit target set for 2018-19. If that happens, this will be the third consecutive year the government being stuck at almost the same deficit level of 3.5 percent. Any economist that you come across would tell you that higher deficit is no good thing. In fact, you dont need to be an economist to say that. When income falls below expense, things can turn awry. Remember, even the 3.3 percent is a delayed target and a clear deviation from the earlier commitment stipulated under the Fiscal Responsibility Budget Management (FRBM) Act. In the Budget 2018, the target was 3.2 percent but the government ended up with 3.5 percent target. This year, given the unimpressive revenue collection (mainly GST revenues missing expectations by a far margin), higher expenditure and likely populist packages that is typical in an election year, the government is sure to miss even the the 3.3 percent target set. According to India Ratings and Research, the slippage in Central government's fiscal deficit in 2018-19 is likely to be Rs 39,900 crore, corresponding to a higher deficit figure of 3.5 percent. We dont know whats it going to be. The government can defer some expenditure or try a last minute disinvestment rush riding on the back of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), the governments official milch cow. But, despite all this, there is a likelihood that the fiscal deficit may end up above the target of 3.3 percent. If that happens, India is consistently failing to honor the fiscal deficit commitment under the FRBM. This would raise some uneasy questions on the countrys commitment to fiscal prudence. Originally, the government had estimated a fiscal deficit of Rs 6.24 lakh crore, or 3.3 percent of the GDP, for the current fiscal year. But, for April-November itself, the deficit stood at Rs 7.16 lakh crore, or 114.8 percent of the target. Needless, yet again missing the fiscal deficit target will be a clear turnoff from the point of view of multilateral institutions watching Indian economy and rating companies. The FRBM came into existence in 2003 in order to make the government accountable to sound management of its finances but it has not been a big success so far. This Act was reviewed in 2016 and the committee concerned charted out a path to cut the fiscal deficit to sub-3 percent in the years post 2020. Earlier, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) too had raised an alarm on the government taking the FRBM Act too easily. It said that the government resorted to market borrowings for revenue as well as capital expenditure, after it exceeded expenses from the FRBM set limits. Of course, the Act offers some leeway to the Central government to deviate from the deficit target; for instance if there is a severe economic crisis in the country on account of drought, but we have no such situation as of now. Of course, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has, time and again, expressed his confidence in achieving the target. But that doesnt look likely as of now. There are a few reasons. First, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections have been lower than expectations. The GST collection dropped to Rs 94,726 crore in December 2018, lower than Rs 97,637 crore collected the previous month. The GST collections have consistently fallen below target. In the nine months (April-December) of the current fiscal, the government has mopped up over Rs 8.71 lakh crore from GST. According to economists at SBI research, the shortfall in indirect taxes will be to the tune of Rs 90,000 crore on account of the poor GST show and excise duty cut on petroleum products. Now, look at the disinvestment figures, which constitute a major part of the revenue. So far, the government has managed to mop up Rs 34,142 crore as against a target of Rs 80,000 crore. There was no investor appetite to put money on the table to facilitate large-scale disinvestment. Direct tax collections, on the other hand, have kept up with pace. The direct tax mop up grew 14.1 percent to Rs 8.74 lakh crore during April-December 2018, according to the finance ministry data. But, good show in direct taxes may not be enough for Jaitley to achieve what is hoping for. Also, dont forget that the government is in a difficult year as it looks for some ways to spend money so as to appease the voters ahead of the 2019 general elections. Between now and April-May, there is a fair likelihood of more distributions happening. We dont know what it is going to be. Politics is much more important for any government than good economics when confronted with crucial elections. The Central government is not legally bound to honor FRBM targets; at the best it is a guiding path. In the UPA years too, there have been multiple occasions when these targets were given a convenient miss. But, the question is if no government is particular about the FRBM Act, if the targets are too flexible to tweak every now and then, do we really need an FRBM Act? (Data from Kishor Kadam) To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. ClearView Wealthsays the criminal charge laid against Independent Non-Executive Director, David Brown has been dropped.Brown was arrested in Papua New Guinea in August 2018 over a claim by the Melanesian Trustee Services.The claim concerned an alleged attempt to remove and replace the current fund manager of the Pacific Balanced Fund by Browns employer National Superannuation Fund.Brown is the chief investment officer of the National Superannuation Fund Ltd (NASFUND) in Papua New Guinea.Shares in ClearView Wealth Limitedlast traded at $0.90. Phillipe Jordan Jr., the last of 18 defendants to be sentenced in the case, was sentenced to 10 years, with all but 3.5 years suspended, and five years of supervised probation by Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Mark W. Crooks. Toronto, Canada--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) -Golden Share Resources Inc. ("Golden Share" or the "Company") (TSXV: GSH) is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of December 24, 2018 and January 2, 2019, it has completed the previously announced spin-out of its energy storage business. The spin-out was completed by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Arrangement") under which Golden Share transferred its energy storage business to Harmony Energy Technologies Corporation ("Harmony") in exchange for 3,862,079 common shares ("Harmony Shares") of Harmony, which have been distributed to Golden Share shareholders on the basis of one Harmony Share for each 10 Golden Share common shares held as of the close of business on January 3, 2019. In connection with the Arrangement, each Golden Share common share has also been exchanged for a new Golden Share common share. In addition, Harmony has completed a previously-announced concurrent financing, whereby Harmony has issued 100,000 units ("Units") for proceeds of US$100,000. Each Unit consists of one Harmony Share and one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of Harmony. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Harmony Share at a price of US$1.00 for a period of 36 months from the issuance date. The voluntary trading halt of Golden Share's common shares is expected to be lifted at market open on January 16, 2019. About Golden Share Golden Share Resources Corporation is a junior natural resource company focusing on mineral exploration in the province of Ontario, Canada, a mineral rich and politically stable jurisdiction. WARNING: Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. A description of risks affecting the Company's business and activities appears on pages 16 to 18 of its 2017 annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Additional risks relating to the Arrangement and to Harmony Energy Technologies Corporation's business are set forth in the Circular. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in order to account for any new information or any other event, except as required under applicable law. The reader is warned against undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities by Golden Share, Spinco or any other party for sale in the United States, nor may any securities referred to herein be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration as provided in the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. The securities referred to herein have not been registered pursuant to the Securities Act and there is no intention to register any of the securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, please visit www.goldenshare.ca or contact: Golden Share Resources Corporation Nick Zeng, President & CEO Tel: (905) 968-1199 E-mail: info@goldenshare.ca NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Zabka, the Leader of Convenience Stores in Europe in Cooperation with AiFi Will Combine Advanced Sensor Fusion Technologies and Artificial Intelligence to Provide Customers with an Entirely New Shopping Experience NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2019 / National Retail Federation - AiFi, a technology company developing the most advanced store automation systems in the world, and Zabka, a chain of convenience stores operating more than 5400 sales points throughout Poland, have announced at the NRF conference--the biggest retail trade fair taking place in New York--that together they will implement stores using unique artificial intelligence and sensor fusion technology that combines information from sensors registering different types of data such as weight and image. The goal of this cooperation is to create convenience stores which enable checkout-free shopping. In the coming months, Zabka and AiFi will develop a prototype store that will be open to customers. With the knowledge and experience gained through this process, the technology will be implemented on a wider scale. Moreover, Zabka is planning to expand the format of the modular store, which to date has only been located seasonally (for example, at seaside resorts). AiFi will deliver its NanoStore technology to these new stores, enabling checkout-free, fully-automated stores open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By implementing AiFi technology, Zabka is launching the next stage of its large-scale digital transformation. The planned technological solutions are designed to support franchisees in the development of the stores they run. Additionally, the employee working time saved through technology will help improve customer service quality, especially in the Zabka Cafe mini catering service, which offers freshly ground coffee or hot snacks like hot dogs. With the new technology, stores will be better equipped to inform customers about new services and functionalities. In the last year, Zabka has introduced a number of solutions to optimize the way the chain works, as well as to improve customer service. The chain focuses on small format stores, between 60 and 70 square meters, so a major issue at this stage is to introduce technologies that allow more customers to be served with shorter transaction times, and to offer an ever-growing number of services in limited space and employee availability. AiFi technology meets this need perfectly. AiFi creates automated solutions for retailers wanting to implement advanced innovations, from very small stores to large-area stores with more than 50,000 square feet/4645 square meters. Zabka will receive newly-designed AiFi solutions that will enhance existing stores with new purchasing and checkout-free paths for customers, while also retaining traditional salesperson service. These stores will utilize AiFi artificial intelligence, combining information from sensors and cameras to enable no-checkout shopping. This AI technology uses algorithms to analyze data in real time, identifying customers' different actions and products. The technology also enables a wide range of applications to further facilitate the work of franchisees and salespeople. With real-time analytics, franchisees and salespeople will immediately be notified of the need to stock shelves, understand sales levels, identify those products which sell best, and receive recommendations for subsequent orders. "We are excited to be the first to offer an entirely new quality in stores on the European market," commented Tomasz Blicharski, VP for Finance and Development. "The solutions we create are designed to adapt us to customer expectations by offering them the most advanced, convenient and fastest shopping experience on the market. AiFi technology will enable us to offer customers faster service and optimize the management of traditional stores by franchisees, facilitating their daily operations. Additionally, we are working on developing a format of fully-automated stores, to be deployed in locations with very strong traffic. We can't wait to let our customers and franchisees share the experience of a new dimension in daily shopping," added Blicharski. "Deciding to implement state-of-the-art technologies of the future, Zabka is becoming a leader among companies offering global innovations, which is why we are very excited to have a partner like this," added Ying Zheng, CTO and co-founder, AiFi. "Zabka's clients will benefit from automated stores where they will have easy access to what they need." The self-service Zabka store concept is a container, delivered almost ready to connect, which can operate without personnel, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The same technology will be implemented in both new and modernized stores. The AiFi project is fully compliant with stringent European legal standards to ensure full security and respects customers' privacy. Zabka is a leader in the convenience market in Europe, using state-of-the-art global solutions designed in Silicon Valley to simplify the daily lives of millions of customers. Cooperation with AiFi is another step in the innovations recently announced by the company. To learn more about AiFi, their technology and NanoStores, visit aifi.io or nanostore.ai. To learn more about Zabka, visit www.zabka.pl. Images here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1GobDO4o1LVTpXYaHIYFozz6BzMR-eZ1s ___________________________________________________ Zabka is the largest franchise convenience chain in Central and Eastern Europe, operating more than 5400 stores. Established twenty years ago, Zabka has developed and undergone major changes. Just 7 experimental Zabka stores were established in Poland in 1998. By 2000, the number of stores increased to 400, and a decade after its establishment - nearly 2000. For the past twenty years a store with the Zabka logo had been launched in Poland every other day, on average. The company achieved the position of leader in convenience sales. Its stores are visited daily by 2 million customers. 12 million customers live no further than 300 m away from the nearest Zabka. The company grows responsibly. Its CSR pillars include: care for the natural environment, responsible food sales, personal development and education, support for local communities, as well as care for health and active lifestyles. Since 2017, the chain has been owned by one of the largest private equity and investment consultancy companies in the world - CVC Capital Partners. AiFi is a technology company developing the most advanced store automation systems in the world. Combining artificial intelligence, edge computing and sensor fusion technology, AiFi delivers automated checkout solutions to sellers all over the world. AiFi's NanoStore provides small-area stores with a modular, ready-to-use, connectable automated store of the future which can be open 24/7. NanoStore shops enable faster, more convenient shopping closer to homes, offices, schools and transit areas. To learn more, visit aifi.io. Media Contact: AiFi Press Office Erica Zeidenberg press@aifi.io 925-631-0553 office 925-518-8159 mobile Zabka Polska (Poland) Press Office e-mail: biuro.prasowe@zabka.pl tel. +48 514 877 509 SOURCE: AiFi View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/532653/AiFi-and-the-abka-Chain-of-Stores-Join-Forces VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2019 / CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA, OTCQX International: MBAIF) ("CIBT" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has filed on SEDAR its consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for its first quarter ended November 30, 2018 (collectively, the "Q1 Filing"). The following is selected financial information for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 ended November 30, 2018 ("Q1 2019") and comparative results. Please refer to the Q1 Filing in its entirety which is available under CIBT's profile at www.sedar.com. Quarter Ended November 30, 2018 Quarter Ended November 30, 2017 % Change ($) ($) Total revenues 17,066,583 14,203,870 20% Educational revenues - Sprott Shaw College Corp. 8,715,241 8,454,150 3% Educational revenues - Sprott Shaw Language College/Vancouver International College 3,002,794 2,408,670 25% Educational revenues - CIBT School of Business & Technology Corp. 746,839 637,523 17% Design and advertising revenues - IRIX Design Group Inc. 279,446 377,054 -26% Commissions and referral fees - Global Education Alliance Inc. 174,927 305,156 -43% Rental revenues - Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("GECH") 3,328,226 2,021,317 65% Development fees - GECH and Corporate 819,110 - 100% Other operating expenses 8,409,550 7,425,862 13% Gain on change in fair value of investment properties 3,100,000 8,634,612 -64% Income before income taxes 2,065,136 6,863,875 -70% Net income 2,188,236 6,863,875 -68% Net income - CIBT Education Group Inc. shareholders 1,179,398 784,013 50% Income per share - CIBT Education Group Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted 0.02 0.01 100% EBITDA [non-IFRS] 4,042,691 7,830,935 -48% The following reconciles the net income to EBITDA (non-IFRS): Quarter ended November 30, 2018 Quarter ended November 30, 2017 % Change ($) ($) Income - Continuing operations 2,188,236 6,863,875 Deduct: interest income (18,284) (118) Add: interest on borrowings 1,462,460 596,311 Add: income tax provision (123,100) - Add: depreciation and amortization 533,379 370,867 EBITDA [non-IFRS] 4,042,691 7,830,935 Deduct: gain on changes in fair value of investment properties (3,100,000) (8,634,612) Adjusted EBITDA [non-IFRS] 942,691 (803,677) 217% Please refer to the note at the end of this news release concerning non-IFRS financial measures. Highlights for Q1 2019 compared to the same period last year ("Q1 F2018") are as follows: Total revenue increased by 20% Combined education revenues increased by 8% Rental income increased by 65% Development fees revenues increased by 100% Gain on fair value changes in investment properties decreased 64% due to the timing of recognizing certain gains for the year General administrative expenses increased by 13% EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation Amortization) decreased 48% Net income attributable to CIBT shareholders increased by 50% due to higher operating income Adjusted EBITDA increased by 217% Income per share increased by 100% Total cash and cash equivalents increased by 91% "During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we experienced strong growth throughout our entire operation, including both our education and real estate platforms," commented Toby Chu, Chairman, President and CEO of CIBT Education Group Inc. "Our strong top-line growth was supported by revenue growth of 8% (as compared to the same period last year) from our schools. Our student housing portfolio achieved rental income growth of 65% year-over-year. The timing of recognizing fair value gains on investment properties depends on various factors including the timing of project completion. We are expecting to complete two pending transactions in the coming quarters and earn development fees associated with those projects in fiscal 2019. CIBT continues to be a significant value-added leader to Vancouver's education and student housing markets. We will continue to be a market leader in finding creative and modern ways to bring safe, clean, convenient and affordable living to an underserved market while remaining profitable thanks to our refined business model and ability to successfully exit some of our real estate investments from time-to-time while retaining a long term property management contract. We look forward to re-setting our next portfolio milestone from $1 billion to $2 billion in the next five years." About CIBT Education Group: CIBT Education Group Inc. is one of the largest education, and student housing investment companies in Canada focused on the global education market since 1994. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and U.S OTCQX International, CIBT owns business and language colleges, student housing properties, recruitment centres and corporate offices at 43 locations in Canada and abroad. Total annual enrollment for the group exceeds 12,000 students. Its education providers include Sprott Shaw College (established in 1903), Sprott Shaw Language College, Vancouver International College and CIBT School of Business. Through these schools, CIBT offers business and management programs in healthcare, hotel management, language training, and over 150 career, language and vocational programs. CIBT owns Global Education City Holdings Inc., an investment holding and development company focused on developing education-related real estate such as student hotels, serviced apartments and education super centres. Total portfolio and development budget of projects under the GEC brand is more than C$1 billion. CIBT also owns Global Education Alliance ("GEA") and Irix Design Group ("Irix Design"). GEA recruits international students on behalf of many elite kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in North America. Irix Design is a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us online and watch our corporate video at www.cibt.net . Toby Chu Chairman, President & CEO CIBT Education Group Inc. Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 318 or | Email: info@cibt.net FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (the "forward-looking statements") about CIBT Education Group Inc. and its plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause CIBT's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements, including but not limited to obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of CIBT's management at the time they are made, and CIBT does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by law. NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS The Company uses: (a) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"); and (b) Adjusted EBITDA which is EBITDA adjusted for the gain (loss) on the change in fair value of the Company's investment properties which are non-IFRS financial metrics in this news release. Non-IFRS financial measurements do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management uses EBITDA metrics to measure the profit trends of the business units and segments in the consolidated group since it eliminates the effects of financing decisions and Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of net income without the impact of gain (loss) on the change in fair value. Certain investors, analysts and others utilize these non-IFRS financial metrics in assessing the Company's financial performance. These non-IFRS financial measurements have not been presented as an alternative to net loss or any other financial measure of performance prescribed by IFRS. Reconciliation of the non-IFRS measure has been provided throughout the Company's MD&A filed as part of the Q1 Filing under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. SOURCE: CIBT Education Group Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/532651/CIBT-Reports-Financial-Results-for-First-Quarter-of-Fiscal-2019 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) - Millrock Resources Inc. (TSXV: MRO) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #1213 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 20 - Monday January 21, 2019. The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the bellwether of the junior mining market for the last twenty-five years. It is the number one source of information for investment trends and ideas, covering all aspects of the natural resource industry. Each year, the VRIC hosts over 60 keynote speakers, 350 exhibiting companies and 9000 investors. Investment thought leaders and wealth influencers provide our audiences with valuable insights. C-suite company executives covering every corner of the mineral exploration sector as well as metals, oil & gas, renewable energy, media and financial services companies are available to speak one on one. This is a must-attend for investors and stakeholders in the global mining industry. For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference We look forward to seeing you there. For further information: Millrock Resources Inc. Millrock Resources Inc. 1-877-217-8978 mhenderson@millrockresources.com www.millrockresources.com ASKER, NORWAY (14 January 2019) - TGS will release the interim financial statement for Q4 2018 along with 2019 guidance on 7 February 2019 at approximately CET 7:00 am. CEO Kristian Johansen and CFO Sven Brre Larsen will present the results and 2019 guidance during the company's Capital Markets Day which will take place in Oslo, Norway on the same day. The Capital Markets Day opens at CET 8:30 am at Felix Konferansesenter, Bryggetorget 3, 0125 Oslo. The schedule of presentations will commence at CET 9:00 am and is expected to finish by 12:30 pm. Please register for the event by sending an e-mail to investor@tgs.com (mailto:investor@tgs.com). The presentations will be webcast live with a recording and presentation materials to be made available on www.tgs.com (http://www.tgs.com/). Company summary TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) provides multi-client geoscience data to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies worldwide. In addition to extensive global geophysical and geological data libraries that include multi-client seismic data, magnetic and gravity data, digital well logs, production data and directional surveys, TGS also offer advanced processing and imaging services, interpretation products, permanent reservoir monitoring and data integration solutions. For more information visit TGS online at www.tgs.com (http://www.tgs.com/). Forward-looking statements and contact information All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include TGS' reliance on a cyclical industry and principle customers, TGS' ability to continue to expand markets for licensing of data, and TGS' ability to acquire and process data products at costs commensurate with profitability. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward-looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason. TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSLO:TGS). TGS sponsored American Depositary Shares trade on the U.S. over-the-counter market under the symbol "TGSGY". For additional information about this press release please contact: Sven Brre Larsen Chief Financial Officer Tel: +47 90 94 36 73 Email:investor@tgs.com (mailto:investor@tgs.com) This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to 5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act). This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: TGS via Globenewswire Regulatory News: NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX) (Paris:ALNOX), a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), announced today that pursuant to the liquidity contract entrusted to Invest Securities by NOXXON Pharma N.V., on December 31, 2018, the following assets appeared on the liquidity account: Number of shares: 30,716 Cash balance of the liquidity account: 19,090 As a reminder, on June 30, 2018, the following assets appeared in the liquidity account: Number of shares: 27,424 Cash balance of the liquidity account: 9,116 About NOXXON NOXXON's oncology-focused pipeline acts on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking the tumor protection barrier, blocking tumor repair and exposing hidden tumor cells. Through neutralizing chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, NOXXON's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses against the immune system and enable greater therapeutic impact. Building on extensive clinical experience and safety data, the lead program NOX-A12 has delivered top-line data from a Keytruda combination trial in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients in 2018 and further studies are being planned in these indications. The company initiated preparations for an additional trial with NOX-A12 in brain cancer in combination with radiotherapy, for which an orphan drug status has been granted in the US and EU. The company's second asset, NOX-E36 is a Phase 2 TME asset targeting the innate immune system. NOXXON plans to test NOX-E36 in patients with solid tumors both as a monotherapy and in combination. Further information can be found at: www.noxxon.com Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp. https://www.linkedin.com/company/noxxon-pharma-ag https://twitter.com/noxxon_pharma Disclaimer Certain statements in this communication contain formulations or terms referring to the future or future developments, as well as negations of such formulations or terms, or similar terminology. These are described as forward-looking statements. In addition, all information in this communication regarding planned or future results of business segments, financial indicators, developments of the financial situation or other financial or statistical data contains such forward-looking statements. The company cautions prospective investors not to rely on such forward-looking statements as certain prognoses of actual future events and developments. The company is neither responsible nor liable for updating such information, which only represents the state of affairs on the day of publication. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005062/en/ Contacts: NOXXON Pharma N.V. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) - Mammoth Resources (TSX-V:MTH) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #1035 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 20 - Monday January 21, 2019. The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the bellwether of the junior mining market for the last twenty-five years. It is the number one source of information for investment trends and ideas, covering all aspects of the natural resource industry. Each year, the VRIC hosts over 60 keynote speakers, 350 exhibiting companies and 9000 investors. Investment thought leaders and wealth influencers provide our audiences with valuable insights. C-suite company executives covering every corner of the mineral exploration sector as well as metals, oil & gas, renewable energy, media and financial services companies are available to speak one on one. This is a must-attend for investors and stakeholders in the global mining industry. For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference We look forward to seeing you there. For further information: Mammoth Resources Thomas Atkins 4165094326 tr_atkins@rogers.com http://www.mammothresources.ca LONDON, January 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd edition of SGTech Europe 2019, the Smart Grid Innovation Project Exchange, takes place 26-28 March 2019 in Amsterdam. Supported by the IEC, ENTSO-E and EDSO this year's programme has been revised and refreshed to address the most timely and mission critical issues facing European TSOs and DSOs as they embark on the next phase of their smart grid technology implementations primarily in the substation, SCADA, telecom and cybersecurity domains. "This multi-conference forum has always provided the practical real-world insights into smart grid projects that technical teams need to help them drive their implementation plans forward with confidence." says Mandana White, Director of Smart Grid Forums (formerly Phoenix Forums) organisers of SGTech Europe 2019. "This year we go one step further by introducing a series of innovation focused case studies that balance the here-and-now with future possibilities sparked by trends in IOT, Machine Learning, AI, and Blockchain among others. Participants not only get the opportunity to fine-tune their implementation plans of the next 12 months but also to fully prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead." The programme begins on Tuesday 26th March with a morning of plenary sessions tackling the big themes. Presentations from senior smart grid representatives of National Grid, Orsted, Stedin, Enedis, Vattenfall and EDP among others, address how leading utilities are driving digital transformation across their grids. In the afternoon and throughout conference day two the audience breaks into 3 distinct groups, each deep-diving into lessons learnt from recent digitalisations of substations, SCADA systems, and telecom infrastructures. Day three invites cybersecurity leaders to join with domain experts for a thorough review of cybersecurity innovations in new policies, processes and practices to protect the end-to-end grid from cyberattack as it transforms into a more dynamic and complex infrastructure. Scheduled alongside the case-study programme is a series of end-user focused roundtable discussions, a number of technology innovation panel debates, live demo labs of the latest digitalisation tools and technologies, a solution zone displaying 20+ suppliers of state-of-the-art smart utility products and services, and a networking evening reception open to all participants. Programme benefits include: Strategic Plenary Sessions - Hear the strategic plans and priorities of leading electric utilities and understand where budgets are being focused and resource is being allocated to drive the practical implementation of the smart grid in the next 2-3 years - Hear the strategic plans and priorities of leading electric utilities and understand where budgets are being focused and resource is being allocated to drive the practical implementation of the smart grid in the next 2-3 years Track 1: Digital Substations - Asses the new functionalities being integrated into next generation digital substations to ensure cost-effective, high functionality, futureproofed automation of the end-to-end grid - Asses the new functionalities being integrated into next generation digital substations to ensure cost-effective, high functionality, futureproofed automation of the end-to-end grid Track 2: SCADA System Integration - Understand how SCADA systems are being developed to offer more extensive and real-time monitoring, control, and analytics capability in a more complex and dynamic smart grid environment - Understand how SCADA systems are being developed to offer more extensive and real-time monitoring, control, and analytics capability in a more complex and dynamic smart grid environment Track 3: Utility Telecoms - Determine the optimal migration path towards an IP enabled, fixed and wireless, utility telecom network that provides secure, reliable and cost-efficient connectivity of the end-to-end grid - Determine the optimal migration path towards an IP enabled, fixed and wireless, utility telecom network that provides secure, reliable and cost-efficient connectivity of the end-to-end grid Seminar: Cyber-Securityfor the Smart Grid - Evaluate the latest technologies, innovative processes and high impact policies that will establish and reinforce unbreakable end-to-end cyber-security in the smart utility environment 40+ utility case-studies including: Roisin Quinn , Head of National Control ESO - National Grid , Head of National Control ESO - Ivan K. Pedersen , Director, Head of Energy as a Service - Orsted , Director, Head of Energy as a Service - Peter Hermans , CTO - Stedin , CTO - Jean-Baptiste Galland , Strategy Director - Enedis , Strategy Director - Peter Soderstrom , Asset Development & Innovation Portfolio Manager - Vattenfall , Asset Development & Innovation Portfolio Manager - Aurelio Blanquet , Director of Networks Digital Platforms - EDP Distribuicao , Director of Networks Digital Platforms - Markus Lenzin , Head of Substation Automation - Swissgrid , Head of Substation Automation - Dr. Tahir Kapetanovic , MBA, Head of National Control Center - Austrian Power Grid , MBA, Head of National Control Center - Walter Schaffer , Head of Electrical Power Grids - Salzburg Netz , Head of Electrical Power Grids - Bergur Thordarson , CTO - Orkufjarskipti , CTO - Indrek Kunnapuu , CISO - Elektrilevi OU , CISO - Juergen Tusch , Head of Telecommunications - innogy , Head of Telecommunications - Joel Nouard , Project Director - RTE , Project Director - Luis Matias , Associate Director, Digital Grid, Networks' Digital Platform - EDP , Associate Director, Digital Grid, Networks' Digital Platform - Arnaud Ulian , Head of R&D - EDF , Head of R&D - Alexander Harsch , Head of Cyber Security Resilience, innogy , Head of Cyber Security Resilience, Pablo Humeres Flores , Head of Digital Supervision - Eletrosul Brazil , Head of Digital Supervision - Mika Loukkalahti , System Manager, Electric, Power Systems - Helen Electricity Network , System Manager, Electric, Power Systems - Mohseen Mohemmed , Protection & Control Engineering Manager - Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks , Protection & Control Engineering Manager - Ernst Wierenga , Technologist, Protection, Control & Telecommunication - TenneT , Technologist, Protection, Control & Telecommunication - David MacDonald , System Monitoring Lead Engineer - Iberdrola , System Monitoring Lead Engineer - Zigor Ojinaga , Industrialisation Project Leader - Iberdrola , Industrialisation Project Leader - Tom Segers , Technologist - Fluvius , Technologist - Henri Zarubin , Project Manager - Elektrilevi , Project Manager - Roman Bogomolov , Head of Department - SO UPS , Head of Department - Peter De Koning , Lead Architect - Alliander , Lead Architect - Laurent van Groningen , Lead Architect - Alliander , Lead Architect - Jari Martikainen , ICT Manager - Finigrid , ICT Manager - Karel Jiranek , Head of Distribution Processes Support - PREdistribuce , Head of Distribution Processes Support - Anargyros Kiourkos , Senior Software Engineer - CERN , Senior Software Engineer - Helge Nielsen , SCADA, Product Manager - Energinet DK , SCADA, Product Manager - Klaas Hommes , Business Development, Customers & Markets - Tennet , Business Development, Customers & Markets - Pal Josten , Leader IT Infrastructure - Eidsiva , Leader IT Infrastructure - Giovanna Dondossola , Transmission and Distribution Technologies Department - RSE , Transmission and Distribution Technologies Department - Armando Temporal , Electrical Engineer - CHESF , Electrical Engineer - Carlos Montes Portela , Senior DSO Security Officer, Information Security for OT, IT/OT and Smart Grids - Enexis , Senior DSO Security Officer, Information Security for OT, IT/OT and Smart Grids - Lars Lengersdorf , Engineer, Foundation and Research Department - Amprion , Engineer, Foundation and Research Department - Frans Campfens , Senior Consultant, Energy Consulting - Liandon , Senior Consultant, Energy Consulting - Nargis Shabbir Hurzuk , Engineer - Statnett , Engineer - Rene Troost, Grid Strategist - Stedin plus many others! For the complete programme and speaker line up: www.smartgrid-forums.com/sgtech Testimonials from past events: "An enjoyable conference providing a very good overview of the state-of-the-art SCADA technology and solutions as well as addressing questions that really matter, like SCADA security. The visit was a very good investment." Walter Schaffer, Head of Electrical Grids & Smart Grids Program Manager - Salzburg Netz "A great opportunity to meet utilities from all over Europe, and to hear about their plans to upgrade their networks to support packet-based services. It was interesting to see different migration strategies and how utilities adapted to that. The conference was very well organized. Exactly according to plan. High quality presentations which fully covered the different challenges in the industry." Brre Jensen, Manager of Network Department - BKK Fibre "Participating in SGTech Europe has been very fruitful and interesting because I had the opportunity to exchange our thoughts and challenges with many different colleagues (other utilities and vendors). I consider this event a powerful platform to share knowledge and find different approaches and solutions to our concerns." Javier Figuera Pozuelo, Engineer - Red Electrica Espana "It was a great conference since the most relevant and challenging areas for many energy utilities were thoroughly addressed. We came home with great insights!" Nuno Medeiros, ICS and Smart Grids Security Officer - EDP Distribuicao Event dates and location : Conference: SGTech Europe 2019 Location: Novotel Amsterdam City Hotel, The Netherlands Event website: www.smartgrid-forums.com/sgtech For more information, interview and media accreditation : Mandana White, Director - Smart Grid Forums Tel: +44-(0)-20-3691-1700 Email: mandana.white@smartgrid-forums.com Phoenix Forums is now Smart Grid Forums. We work hand in hand with engineering professionals to create innovative event concepts and high-quality programmes that inform technical decision makers and enable them to deliver exceptional results. Our approach is entirely market led. We stay exceptionally close to industry developments. Through our regular, rigorous and unbiased process of depth interviews with TSOs, DSOs, power generators, engineering consultancies, and technology innovators, we stay one step ahead of industry developments and provide live event platforms that act as a catalyst for new ideas, new directions, and new approaches to achieving future energy security. Phoenix Forums t/a Smart Grid Forums Evergreen House North Grafton Place London, NW1 2DX T: +44-(0)-20-3691-1700 E: registration@smartgrid-forums.com Integration of Callware's proven WFO and Speech Analytics business confirms Sabio as one of Europe's leading contact centre consultancy and WFO specialists Sabio Group continues ongoing growth plan to broaden call centre and customer experience solutions portfolio and expand geographic coverage The Sabio Group has announced the acquisition of Callware, Spain's leading specialist provider of Workforce Optimisation (WFO), Unified Communications and Cloud contact centre solutions with operations in Spain and Mexico The acquisition strengthens Sabio Group's domestic capabilities establishing them as the largest independent contact centre specialist in Spain. Bringing Callware into the Sabio Group confirms Sabio as a leading independent provider of advanced Workforce Optimisation solutions and business consultancy, with a particular focus on the application of Speech Analytics, Workforce Management and Customer Experience Process Optimisation. By combining these specialisms, the Sabio Group will be able to deliver increased value to clients across all geographies. The acquisition follows Horizon Capital's original 2016 strategic investment in Sabio, and is part of an ongoing growth plan to broaden the company's solutions portfolio and geographic coverage. To date this has included the acquisitions of SaaS solutions provider Rapport in March 2017, DatapointEurope - one of Europe's leading contact centre technology providers in July 2017, customer insight and contact centre benchmarking experts Bright UK in March 2018, and flexAnswer Solutions, the leading Singapore-based provider of innovative Virtual Assistant solutions in December 2018. "At Sabio we know that engaged staff and effective workforce optimisation processes are essential in enabling businesses to deliver brilliant customer experiences," commented Andy Roberts, CEO of the Sabio Group. "Workforce Optimisation continues to be a major investment area for organisations looking to differentiate experience through customer engagement. The acquisition of Callware is a smart move as it helps to scale our global WFO activities and establishes Sabio as Verint's leading partner in Europe." "Beyond adding major clients such as Atento, Banco Sabadell, BBVA, Orange and Securitas, this acquisition significantly strengthens Sabio's ability to offer an increased range of skills to our combined family of clients in Spain," he continued. "Callware is also established in Mexico which enables us to re-inforce our involvement in the Intelligent Communications Alliance (ICA) across Central and South America, by providing our local partner BellTech with specialist WFO and Analytics skills." "Callware brings a track record of Workforce Optimisation success to the Sabio Group, backed by in-depth expertise in key disciplines such as Speech Analytics, added Santiago Martinez, Callware's CEO. "Joining Sabio also gives Callware a strong platform to extend our business transformation proposition and leverage Sabio's growing customer experience portfolio, including Voice Of the Customer and Virtual Assistant Solutions, to address key digital transformation challenges." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190114005312/en/ Contacts: Sabio PR Team Cheryl Billson +44 (0)7791 720460 cheryl.billson@commacomms.com The sharing economys troubles have been brought into the limelight again by a protracted patent dispute between two power-bank sharing companies. Guangzhou's intellectual property court at the end of last year ordered Jiedian, a power bank-sharing company owned by New York-listed online beauty retailer Jumei, to compensate rival Laidian for two patent infringements of its charging devices. A file of the December 28 verdict seen by FinanceAsia shows the payment was reduced to Rmb30 million $4.4 million from an initial Rmb36 million because Jiedian was said to be making a loss, which is interesting given Jumei's interim report in... The robbery attempt at the House of Spirits liquor store Saturday night marked the second time in two months the shop had been held up at gunpoint. A man armed with a gun entered the store at 2300 Fleet St. and announced a robbery, and he was shot by a store employee who also had a gun, police said. Shivarajkumar starrer's Kavacha which was initially supposed to hit the theaters last December, was pushed to 2019. Previously, reports were making rounds that the movie was scheduled to release on January 18, 2019. However, now we have learned that due to possible technical issues, the release date has been pushed further.According to Chitraloka, Kavacha is also dealing with the censor board regarding one of its dialogues. Apparently, the makers are now combining another phrase with the previous dialogue and also dubbing it in other languages. This could be one of the reasons for the delay in its release. The songs from the movie have been released and they have received good number of views on YouTube. For Kavacha, Shivarajkumar used one of Dr Rajkumar's iconic tracks. The remix of the song Hosa Belaku was out last week. Arjun Janya has composed the music for the song and it is sung by none other than the singing sensation Vijay Prakash. Though the movie is a remake of Malayalam film Oppam, nearly 50 % of the script has been altered to meet the needs of the Kannada audience. Talking about the same director Vasu told 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." , he further added. MOST READ :SHOCKING Revelations About Ambarish By Yograj Bhat & Venkatesh; 'Refused To Cheat In Politics' Shivarajkumar will be playing the role of visually-impaired man. This is first remake movie the actor is working on after 14 years. Kruthika Jaykumar and Esha Koppikar will be playing the female leads 'The Accidental Prime Minister' director Vijay Gutte's mother has lodged a complaint of domestic violence against her husband at Parli in Beed district of Maharashtra. Sudamati Gutte lodged the complaint against Ratnakar Gutte and his six family members. "In her complaint filed on Friday, she (Sudamati) alleged that her husband and his family members subjected her to mental and physical torture over a family dispute. They also threatened her to transfer a property to their name," said the official. Based on her complaint, a case was registered against Ratnakar and his family members, he said. They have been booked under IPC sections 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and others. In the complaint, Sudamati alleged that her husband had the habit of drinking and visiting dance bars, and used to subject her to physical and mental torture, saying he did not like her, the police said. No arrest has been made in this connection so far, the official said, adding investigation was underway. Total Dhamaal First Look: Ajay Devgn's Co-Star Is Crystal From Hollywood Film 'Hangover 2'! In August last year, Vijay Gutte was arrested for alleged Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud of over Rs 34 crore. He had been booked under section 132 (1)(c) of the CGST Act, which pertains to "wrongful availment" of input tax credit using bills and invoices that have been issued without any supply of goods or services. The film, based on a book of the same name on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, hit the theatrical screens on 11th January, 2019. (Inputs From PTI) Ranveer Singh Says Ranbir Kapoor Doesn't Need Relationship Advice From Anybody For This Reason! Sonali Bendre Snapped At Facebook Headquarters Sonali Bendre was at the Facebook Headquarters in Mumbai for a live discussion. Her son Ranveer Behl accompanied her. Sonali sported a sweatshirt which read, Our Time Is Now.' Sonali has been fighting cancer for a few months now and had been undergoing treatment in New York until she returned to Mumbai last month. Sonali, has been vocal about her fight against cancer has become an inspiration to many. Last week, Deepika Padukone was snapped at the Facebook HQ for a live discussion. Janhvi Out And About In Casual Attire Dhadak actress Janhvi Kapoor was spotted in Bandra, Mumbai on Monday night. Janhvi looked hot in a casual white avatar as she was snapped. She was wearing a white tank top and white tights, with her hair tossed in a messy bun. Bollywood Newbies Snapped At A Cafe Bollywood newbies Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl were snapped at a cafe on Monday afternoon. The two are being launched on the silver screen by Salman Khan in his upcoming production Notebook' which will hit the theatres on March 29th, 2019. The two sported casual looks as they posed for the cameras. Shahid & Mira Hit The Gym Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput were both snapped after a workout session today, but they did not hit the gym together. Shahid was wearing a grey t-shirt and grey shorts, looking totally cool in his gym look. Shahid had just returned from a shoot in Delhi. Mira Rajput was snapped at the gym later in the evening. She waved for the cameras. Varun's Monday Gym Look Sui Dhaaga actor Varun Dhawan was also snapped at the gym on Monday afternoon. He looked like a hunk in a blue t-shirt and shorts, and a matching hat. Varun has been busy filming for Karan Johar's Kalank, alongside Alia Bhatt. 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. A tractor which was stolen in Essex was recovered by the police before the owner knew it had been stolen. On Friday, January 11, officers from Chelmsford Local Policing Team were on duty in Wickford when they spotted a tractor that looked out of place on land off Meadow Lane. They checked the surrounding area and searched the Police National Computer to find the owner. When contacting the owner to inform him of his missing tractor, he was unaware it had been stolen from his farm off Walden House Road, Great Totham overnight. Sgt Richard Everitt, from Chelmsford Local Policing Team, said: The man was pleased his tractor had been recovered so quickly but of course, frustrated that it had been stolen. Weve returned it to him this morning. We will continue to disrupt and tackle theft in rural areas. The incidents follows the NFU telling the Solicitor General for England and Wales that sentences for rural crime must act as a deterrent as concerns grow within the farming industry. The union raised its concerns that prosecutions of rural crime and the sentences given do not act as a suitable deterrent. Data shows rural crime cost the UK 44.5m in 2017 with the future trend showing a rise in this form of crime as thieves become more brazen as they target the countryside. Farmers in Scotlands most fragile rural areas need clarity on how hill and upland livestock production is going to be supported in future, a rural group has said. The forthcoming reduction in payments through the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) was first announced in 2015 following changes to EU rules. Last week, the Scottish Government published changes to funding for the LFASS, stating support will be retained at 80% in 2019 and 40% in 2020. However, after much backlash, the Scottish Government's Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, partially reversed this position and instead announced that this funding will remain at 80% of the current level for both 2019 and 2020. The sheep sector have heavily criticised the cuts to hill farming support, with NFU Scotland calling the budget slash unacceptable. LFASS payments are seen as a vital vital financial boost to those farmers who are trying forge a living out of some of the hardest land in the country. 'Quickly progress' The Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), a membership organisation for landowners and farmers, said it was now essential that the Scottish Government and the industry quickly progress its plans for supporting farmers. David Johnstone, chairman of SLE, said: This is not a Brexit issue, however the future of support for Scottish agriculture needed to be addressed regardless of our future within the EU. Whilst SLE has been reiterating its position on support for upland farming and land management in meetings with politicians and civil servants, this issue has almost certainly received less public attention because of Brexit. Any future support must consider what we want achieved from Scotlands land and the best way of funding that. Land managers are well placed to contribute to the delivery of climate change and biodiversity targets with the right support as well as improving productivity of food, fuel and other goods. There are some areas where farming will always struggle to be profitable, but where that farming activity performs several important functions for the environment and society then support is clearly justified, he said. 'Coherent strategy' Scottish Land & Estates added that it welcomed other announcements, including a planned Scottish Agriculture Bill, but said forming a 'coherent' agriculture and land use strategy was required before legislation was introduced. Mr Johnstone added: We are supportive of an agriculture bill for Scotland which if properly constructed can enhance the future of the industry over future decades. That legislation, however, needs to be underpinned by a thorough land use strategy which takes account of not just agriculture but other land uses such as forestry, sporting and tourism. We dont have clarity on the timescale for the bill nor do we know about public support for land management after 2024 but the sector and government needs to start deciding what it wants to achieve as soon as possible to enable the best possible legislation to come into force, he said. Lamma's move to the NEC in Birmingham has been hailed a great success by the farming industry and the thousands of visitors who attended the two-day event. The revamped event saw 650-plus exhibitors who came along with the latest farming machinery, equipment and technology. It was Lamma's first indoor event in its history following last year's outdoor show which had to close for one day due to severe weather. The move to the NEC helped the show build on its reputation as a launch pad for a host of machinery from the UK and across the globe. Many exhibitors used the new venue to unveil tractors, combines, drills and cultivation equipment, feeder wagons and forage machinery, as well as a wide range of new technology. The event also attracted hundreds of smaller agricultural engineering and machinery firms from across the UK. The buoyant mood was reflected by a raft of tweets from visitors and exhibitors, and summed up by Essex farmer and NFU vice-president Guy Smith. Impressed @lammashow today. Lots of kit and farmers. I always felt when our industry lost Smithfield and The Royal we lost more than the events themselves. It was good to witness what felt like a statement of faith in the future of U.K. ag at the NEC. @NFUtweets ran out of cake! pic.twitter.com/NlHdprajDq Guy Smith (@essexpeasant) January 8, 2019 The Warwickshire Farming Partnership backed up that sentiment. Well done ?? @lammashow crying out for a venue like this for years , cracking atmosphere and felt a real buzz inside. No more negativity in agriculture the future generation dont need it .The big boys missed a trick not turning up. #LAMMA19 #dontruinit Warwickshire Farming Partnership (@farmerangus1) January 8, 2019 Krones UK head of marketing James Duggleby said: The LAMMA move to the NEC has been fantastic. Weve seen what we think is record attendance, great positive mood, fantastic enquiry levels and everybody seems to have really embraced the move indoors. Kuhns Kate Bennett added: Its a great improvement now were indoors, end users and exhibitors have been really impressed. Weve had a constant flow of people and great interest in the machines. Some key launches at the event included: Armatrac 1254 Lux CRD4 tractor McCormick X7 series P6-drive tractors Manitou Pivot Steer 516-75H loader Claydon T6C compact drill Fendt Ideal Combine Deutz Fahr C9306 combine Weaving Machinery GD6001T drill Merlo high capacity telehandler Landquip CV3530 self-propelled sprayer Dewulf RCA3060 potato harvester Alpego Maratona cultivator Krone Big X 1180 self-propelled forage harvester Kuhn Maxima 3TD maize drill Grimme Pro Air precision planter Ovlac Xperience plough range Mzuri Xzact Pro-Til drill JCB CommandPlus Cab Zetor Crystal 170 HD tractor Deutz Fahr 5D tractors Landini 5 series tractors Dieci telehanldler range Avant E6 electric loader Redrock C300 bale shredder Abbey Machinery Feeder Plus mixer wagons For more information on upcoming agricultural shows and events in the UK, please see FarmingUK's Shows page. The government's new strategy to tackle air pollution in the UK looks at new regulations to be introduced for farmers to tackle ammonia emissions. The Clean Air Strategy, announced on Monday (14 January), highlights ways for farmers to tackle ammonia emissions through new funding and the introduction of new regulations. Agriculture is responsible for 88% of UK emissions of ammonia gas which can travel long distances, be damaging to the environment, and combine with other pollutants to form fine Particulate Matter pollution, which are harmful to human health. The government said it will provide farmers with the support they need to make important changes to tackle emissions. For example, funding will be provided through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment, including low-emission spreaders. The scheme is due to run again in 2019. Funding is also available through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments. The government will also consult with the farming industry to introduce new requirements, despite criticism regarding over-regulation. Specific emissions-reducing practices include: A requirement to take action to reduce emissions from urea-based fertilisers. The government will consult on this policy in 2019 with a view to introducing legislation in the short timeframe. A requirement for all solid manure and solid digestate spread to bare land (other than that managed in a no-till system) to be incorporated rapidly (within 12 hours) with legislation to be introduced quickly. A requirement to spread slurries and digestate using low-emission spreading equipment (trailing shoe or trailing hose or injection) by 2025. The government will also consider options for phasing in this requirement so that those spreading digestate or large volumes of slurry may be required to adopt the practice at an earlier date. A requirement for slurry and digestate stores to be covered by 2027. The government will consider options for phasing in this requirement so that those producing or storing digestate or large volumes of slurry may be required to adopt the practice at an earlier date. Mandatory design standards for new intensive poultry, pig and beef livestock housing and for dairy housing. The standards will be designed in collaboration with industry experts and will include design features to improve animal health and welfare and minimise environmental pollution to air (including greenhouse gas emissions), water and land as far as practicable Before the release of the strategy, the NFU called on the government to consider alternatives to additional regulation looking to curb ammonia pollution. Some within the industry call for more government action. Responding to the strategy, the Soil Association said new food and farming policies that specifically support the shift away from intensive livestock production methods are needed. Liz Bowles, head of farming at the Soil Association said: There is a higher risk of ammonia emissions with intensive livestock production methods, since emission rates increase at higher stocking densities. It is vital that the strategy sets out government actions to support and promote a wider shift towards more extensive farming systems, such as grass-based systems and organic, which have higher animal welfare standards and lower stocking-densities. Air pollution is one of the biggest threats to public health in the UK - behind only cancer, obesity and heart disease. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), applauded the new strategy, and highlighted how air pollution kills 7 million people globally every year making it an urgent threat to global health. More than 40 towns and cities in the UK are at, or exceeding, air pollution limits set by the WHO. Deputies at the time asked to see her identification while she was sitting on a curb eating lunch. They arrested her on an outstanding immigration warrant related to her failing to show up to court after having been detained after crossing into the country years before, court records state. Firefighters have rescued 39 cattle from an overturned articulated lorry in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The incident happened on Cavan Road, Newtownbutler on Friday 11 January. Three bulls died in the incident. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a call at 6.22am to attend the 1 vehicle road traffic collision. A NIFRS spokesperson said: NIFRS Large Animal Rescue Team from Omagh Fire Station and Fire Crews from Lisnaskea and Enniskillen Fire Stations attended the incident which involved 42 bulls trapped in the overturned lorry. Firefighters stabilised the vehicle and used hydraulic cutting equipment to release 39 bulls (Photo: Northern Ireland Fire Service) Firefighters stabilised the vehicle and used hydraulic cutting equipment to release 39 bulls assisted by farm workers 3 bulls died in the incident. The driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s was out of the vehicle prior to arrival of Fire Crews and was treated at the scene by Ambulance personnel he did not attend hospital. The incident was dealt with at 9.49am. A local Vet also attended the incident. When released the bulls were contained in a nearby field. Last November, a lorry carrying 600 live turkeys overturned in Norfolk causing significant delays and leaving oil spillage. Research which shows farmland values falling by a fifth due to Brexit may be over-exaggerated, according to an agricultural law expert. Recent research from real estate company Savills claimed that farmland was likely to be the worst-hit area in the entire UK residential and commercial property sector with commercial farmland values falling by 3.6% a year over the next five years. In their research, Savills said farmland was likely to be the worst-hit sector in the entire UK residential and commercial property sector. But Joel Woolf, who advises farmers at law firm Wright Hassall, has said that average farm prices are much more likely to stagnate overall than fall as is widely predicted. He said the research is 'over-egging the pudding' and prices will more likely stagnate. The reality for farmers is likely to be much more nuanced than what has been predicted. What will likely fall are farm rents as the subsidy system was always seen as a factor when assessing rental value which will impact the already low margin on agricultural land, Mr Woolf said. What is likely to increase is the overall variability in prices across the market. I agree with the research that bare land with little else going for it may struggle, but competition for land is likely to remain high because of its tax treatment especially where inheritance tax is concerned. The relatively beneficial tax treatment of agricultural land tends to mean that it is held as an asset by an individual, which limits supply into the market; reduced supply tends to push value up. He said of greater impact to the market value of land would be significant change to its tax treatment. Prices are also likely to remain higher where there is significant development potential and where farmers who have sold out for development are chasing rollover claims, Mr Woolf points out. This will generate competition in the market which will inevitably have an upward effect on values, he added. There is not much a landowner can do to protect its land value against the market, but making the business profitable and making use of opportunities will mean that when land comes up for sale a farmer will be in a better position to acquire that land. Wall Street analysts have given iShares Latin America 40 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 Latin America 40 ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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 First Republic Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides private banking, private business banking, and private wealth management services to clients in metropolitan areas in the United States. It operates through two segments, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management. The company accepts deposit products, such as checking, money market checking, savings, passbook deposits, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also offers a range of lending products that comprise residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, multifamily loans, commercial real estate and construction loans, personal and business loans, single family construction loans, and other loans and lines of credit to businesses and individuals. The company's loans are secured by single family residences, multifamily buildings, and commercial real estate properties. In addition, it provides wealth management services, which include various investment strategies and products, online investment management services, trust and custody services, full service and online brokerage, financial and estate planning, and access to alternative investments, as well as investing, insurance, and foreign exchange services; and treasury services. Additionally, the company offers online and mobile banking services; refinancing services; and ATM and debit cards. As of December 31, 2020, the company offered its services through 92 offices, including 80 licensed deposit-taking offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, and San Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; Boston, Massachusetts; Palm Beach, Florida; Greenwich, Connecticut; New York, New York; and Jackson, Wyoming, as well as 12 additional offices that provided lending, wealth management, and trust services. First Republic Bank was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of SK Telecom Co.,Ltd: ADT CAPS Co. Ltd., ADT Caps, Atlas Investment, CAPSTEC Co. Ltd., Cyworld, DongGuan Iriver Electronics Co. Ltd., Dreamus Company, Eleven Street Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Hungary) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Vietnam Company Limited, Hana Card, Hanaro Telecom, Happy Hanool Co. Ltd., Home & Service Co. Ltd., ID Quantique, Id Quantique LLC, Incross Co. Ltd., Infra Communications Co. Ltd., Iriver China Co. Ltd., Iriver Enterprise Ltd., K-net Culture and Contents Venture Fund, Korea Thrunet, LG HelloVision, Life & Security Holdings Co. Ltd., Life Design Company Inc., Mindknock Co. Ltd., Onestore Co. Ltd., PS&Marketing Co. Ltd., Panasia Semiconductor Materials LLC, Quantum Innovation Fund I, SK Broadband, SK Broadband Co. Ltd., SK Communications Co. Ltd., SK Global Healthcare Business Group Ltd., SK Infosec Co. Ltd., SK M&Service Co. Ltd., SK O&S Co. Ltd., SK Planet Co. Ltd., SK Planet Global Holdings Pte. Ltd., SK Planet Japan K. K., SK Telecom China Fund I L.P., SK Telecom China Holdings Co. Ltd., SK Telecom Innovation Fund L.P., SK Telecom TMT Investment Corp., SK Telink Co. Ltd., SK stoa Co. Ltd., SK telecom Japan Inc., SKP America LLC, SKT Americas Inc., SKinfosec Information Technology (wuxi) Co. Ltd., Service Ace Co. Ltd., Service Top Co. Ltd., Shopkick, Tbroad Nowon Broadcasting Co. Ltd., YTK Investment Ltd., iRiver Ltd, and id Quantique Ltd.. I am livid about this slander, and this misrepresentation of my reputation and my character, Zoll said. The implication of anti-Semitism made her feel not only outraged, but terrified for her family's safety. She said she was fine with Chabad for the years before the addition was built; the lawsuit, she said, has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with the calm she feels the addition took from her neighborhood. The Stamford Board of Finance made sure last night that police have money to reinstate foot patrols in certain city neighborhoods when they deem it necessary. The board also saw to it that the Traffic and Parking Department will have money to pay signal repair crews for standby time and approved additional funds to continue the search for a new police chief. Before voting 5-1 for an additional $319,949 appropriation requested by the police department for overtime, finance board members questioned police administrators if the money, a large part of which is to be used in conjunction with a state drug enforcement grant, could be used more efficiently in community policing efforts. 15 years ago Rapist gets 9 months for tampering A convicted rapist had nine months tacked on to his 12-year prison sentence for having his cellmate make a phone call to his victims sister. Fenix Dhaity, 24, of Castle Court, Stamford, was sentenced on one count of tampering with a witness in state Superior Court. A jury in March convicted Dhaity of first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping. He tried to contact the victims sister a month later while awaiting sentencing, Assistant States Attorney Richard Colangelo said. The victims sister received a call from Dhaitys cellmate, who offered her $10,000 if she could persuade the victim to change her testimony. He presented it as a business opportunity, Colangelo said. 5 years ago Stamford mayoral race cost more than $1.3 million Final campaign finance reports show Republican mayoral candidate Michael Fedele collected more than half a million dollars for his unsuccessful mayoral campaign against Democrat David Martin in a race in which the final price tag surpassed $1.3 million. Fedele, who lost the Nov. 5 election to Martin by 569 votes, raised and spent $536,220 for his nine-month campaign, according to finance disclosure statements filed with the Town Clerk's Office Friday. Martin, who took office Dec. 1, collected $394,501 since launching his campaign and was still fundraising at his inaugural gala Saturday. Democratic City Committee Chairman John Mallozzi bemoaned the election's high cost. "It's a shame that we have to spend that kind of money to run for the mayor of Stamford," Mallozzi said Monday. "A lot of money that was spent was a waste of time. You don't learn anything from the literature they send you. I got a brochure saying, 'I want strong schools.' Everybody wants strong schools. What are you going to do about it?" An iconic Connecticut theater and an integral part of a Fairfield County community was turned to rubble this weekend. In other news, Hearst Connecticut Media analyzed state tax dollars sent to Washington, examined fatal police shootings in recent years and talked to municipal leaders about what some of them believe is an ineffective state mediation process. Here are seven stories you may have missed this weekend: Shakespeare theater in Stratford burns to ground Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media The iconic Shakespeare theater in Stratford burned to the ground early Sunday morning. The building, where many famous theater stars performed, was an integral part of the community. Stratford will never be the same, Marie Schiller said while standing on Shore Road and recalling how her three children went on field trip there years ago. Connecticut sends more money to DC than it gets back Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media As Gov. Ned Lamont takes office facing a $1.7 billion deficit, elected officials will once again confront a long-standing reality: Connecticut sends way more to Washington in taxes than it get back in government spending. Connecticut already pays the most per-capita federal taxes in the nation and that ratio will likely only get worse when President Donald Trumps 2017 tax packages kick in. CT cops have fatally shot 24 people since 2013 Tara O'Neill / Hearst Connecticut Media Two dozen people have been shot and killed by Connecticut police officers since the start of 2013. State prosecutors did not file any charges against the officers, finding all of them to be justified, according to a Hearst Connecticut Media analysis of state reports. Arbitration often puts fired cops back on the job / Carol Kaliff Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and other state municipal officials say the process of the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration, a six member panel empowered to resolve labor disputes, is tilted in favor of unions and costs taxpayers large payouts for back wages, litigation and other expenses. According to a Hearst Connecticut Media analysis, seven police officers fired by Connecticut municipalities over the last two years were reinstated by the mediation board. Dan Haar: Did Lamont say unions must give more? Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Only Gov. Ned Lamont's budget chief knows if the newly sworn-in governor signaled in his State of the State address last week that public employee unions need to cough up more concessions. Winter weather provides forecast for tick season Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media One expert predicts the amount of Lyme disease cases this year in the state will likely remain about the same as 2018, but that all depends on the weather. Goudarz Molaei, director of the tick-testing program at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven and a professor at the Yale School of Public Health, says shorter and warmer winters will result in more ticks later in the year. CT ranks 31st for serving people with IDD Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticuts efforts to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ranks 31st in the nation, according to a new report by two social services organizations. The biggest factors affecting Connecticuts score include poor marks for promoting independence and serving those in need. Cummings, who represents most of Baltimore and lives in the city, underwent heart surgery in 2017 and spent six months of the past year and a half in the hospital. But he told Kroft that he is determined to move forward despite his physical ailments. Adrian Pellot and his wife Sarah Small are among the roughly 150 Transportation Security Administration agents at Bradley International Airport who missed their first paycheck last week, and the couples concerns are mounting as the federal government shutdown rolls into a 24th day. Pellot, 36, who has worked as a behavior detection officer for more than 10 years, said he thinks about his missed paycheck almost constantly and feels frustrated that the government isnt thinking about federal workers as people that have bills to pay. Instead the government is holding us as a bargaining chip so its agitating, Pellot said. He and Small are now depending on their savings to pay their bills. Small, who works part-time as a transportation security officer while in nursing school, said not bringing in any income is hard. Its more nerve-wracking because of the fact that if this shutdown lasts any longer one us is going to have to find something, Small said. About 25 percent of the federal government closed after funding ran dry Dec. 22, including the Department of Homeland Security, which has authority over the TSA, There are more than 8,000 federal workers in Connecticut, and Pellot and Small are among 1,500 affected by the shutdown. Some of those impacted workers, like Pellot and Small, are considered essential and required to work without pay. Others were furloughed. On Monday, there was little progress made to end the shutdown, although a bipartisan group of senators planned to meet in the evening to try to work something out. Last week, talks collapsed between President Donald Trump, who is demanding an additional $5 billion to build a border wall, and congressional Democrats, who are holding firm on their objections to the creation of that barrier. Pellot and Small were among a handful of federal workers and union officials who met with Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Monday morning. Blumenthal said those TSA workers and roughly 40 air traffic controllers at Bradley who work for the shuttered Department of Transportation at Bradley are suffering real harm and hardship from the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. It is also having a rippling effect throughout our economy it is impacting industries and economic development and real jobs, real people who need their pay and income, Blumenthal said. He called on the state labor department to give those who are working without pay unemployment compensation, just as it will be doing for furloughed employees, and said lawmakers should change the law if necessary. The senator also criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for failing to call a package of bills to the chambers floor that would reopen the government. If he calls these bills to a vote this afternoon they will pass and if Donald Trump vetoes them, I believe there will be enough votes to override that veto, Blumenthal said. Christopher Scofield, a technician who works in Bradleys control tower and on the airfield, said he is picking up as many shifts as he can at his second job as a Zamboni driver at a local skating rink. Scofield said his washing machine broke last week and he is not sure when he will be able to replace it. Scofield said he is worried for all of the roughly 800,000 federal employees that are currently furloughed or working without pay, and noted it can only get worse from here as far as affording bills. Pellot, who is also a U.S. Air Force veteran, said he believes strongly in border security that involves more technology, training and people. A physical barrier can be discussed after workers get paid, he added. If we dont have the people there to police those things then whats the point? We need the people, Pellot said. I believe that the human element is the strongest element of any security operation. Then we can worry about a physical security fence or whatever they want, but before any of that needs to happen, how about we pay the people, how about we do what the government is supposed to do and debate that in another venue rather than using us as a poker chip, Pellot said. Quinnipiac University released a poll Monday that showed that two-thirds of the voters surveyed want the government reopened while wall funding is negotiated, the position offered by congressional Democrats. Nearly six in 10 polled by Quinnipiac said the wall is not a good use of taxpayer dollars. Other recent polls show similar results. Voters say, Mr. President, its on you said Tim Malloy, the polls assistant director. Meanwhile, there are efforts in Connecticut to help federal employees who have had their pay stopped. Connecticut United Way said it would join a new effort to assist furloughed federal workers and others impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. United Way said it is preparing for an expected uptick in calls to 211 from those seeking assistance with rent and mortgage payments, utility bills and groceries and will address those new needs by bringing together United Ways deep community knowledge with organized labor and our corporate partners who want to help those in need during the extended shutdown. Food pantries have been established for Coast Guard members who are also victims of the shutdown. On Monday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, urged affected Coast Guard employees to apply for help from the Connecticut Military Relief Fund, which provides grants of up to $5,000 for military members and their families who are experiencing a financial hardship due to military service. The Trump administration has moved to blunt some of the impact of the shutdown on ordinary Americans, ordering the shuttered Treasury Department to process income tax refunds and verify incomes of those seeking mortgages. It has also extended the life of the food stamp program, which is run by another closed agency, the Agriculture Department. But federal workers affected by the shutdown wont get any relief until the closed agencies are reopened and because Congress approved legislation last week that would allow it these workers are also likely to receive back pay. When sailor Jerome Rand completed his solo trip around the world last year, he knew people would have some questions about his remarkable journey. He knew theyd ask how he coped when his fresh-water pump broke and he had to depend on rain for drinking water. And that theyd be curious about what inspired his 29,805-mile voyage. What he didnt realize was there would be so much interest, that Q&As after his presentations would sometimes run longer than the talks themselves. But Rand doesnt mind at all; he loves sharing his story and enjoys public speaking (especially after nine months at sea). And he genuinely understands why his adventure captures peoples imagination. Sailing alone nonstop around the world is a very rare thing, said Rand, who will recount his tale, with photos and video, at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Thursday, Jan. 24. The Michigan native, whose family summered in Gloucester, Mass., for decades, said when you get to really small boats like his, 32 feet and under, only four have completed this trip. Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only four people have taken this size boat around the world. Rand said a similar sea route is taken by competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race (for multimillion-dollar, corporate-sponsored yachts), but as far as your normal everyday sailor taking a boat around the world, its very rare. Speaking from the British Virgin Islands, via Facebooks Messenger service, Rand said he experienced everything from dangerous waves to brilliant starry nights, which photos will never do justice. He also saw whales up close and lost 45 pounds because his food supply ran low. Yes, fishing helped. Discussing what led to his journey, Rand said one thing was the joy/challenge of hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2012. You go through so much suffering and pain to get to a certain point, and when you reach it theres a euphoria you cant find anywhere else, he said. It was only magnified by this bigger trip. ... The longer you are out at sea, the better you feel when you get back ... so maybe it was to find the pinnacle of what that might be. Rand was the watersports director at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands prior to setting sail from Massachusetts on Oct. 3, 2017. He returned on June 30, 2018, and is writing a book about it, while also working on his boat. Today Im trying to get the wind generator to work, he said. When Im off the grid, my power supply has to come from solar and wind. We asked if his water pump was fixed yet. No, he said. I kind of like the challenge of collecting rainwater. There is something fulfilling about watching a jug fill up from a squall that comes in. I really enjoy that. When it rains its a whole different perspective. More Information Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 N. Water St. Thursday, Jan. 24. 7 p.m. in Newman's Own Hall. $15. Doors open 6 p.m. 203-852-0700, www.maritimeaquarium.org See More Collapse Some have asked Rand if hes crazy. His answer: I wouldnt say crazy, Id say unique. Ive always taken a different approach to life. Youve got to do what feels good. ... lkoonz@newstimes.com; Twitter: @LindaTKoonz The owner of USA Today, the Journal News and Lohud received an unsolicited buyout offer for nearly $1.4 billion from a holding company with some 200 publications nationally. Denver-based MNG Enterprises offered Gannett investors $12 for their shares, stating the goal of growing its newspaper business over time. Gannett is based in McLean, Va. and publishes the Journal News and its companion Lohud.com website from offices in White Plains, N.Y. just over the Greenwich line, having bought predecessor newspapers more than a half-century ago. Other Gannett publications in the region include the Record in Bergen, N.J., the Poughkeepsie Journal and the Burlington Free Press in Vermont; with prominent national newspapers including the Detroit Free Press and the Arizona Republic. Gannetts board issued a statement Monday morning indicating it will weigh the offer, with the board chaired by John Jeffry Louis III. At last report, a quintet of funds controlled Gannett, led by Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Doing business as Digital First Media and backed by Alden Global Capital, MNGs publications include the Boston Herald, the San Jose Mercury News, the Orange County Register and the Denver Post, with the company having cut newspaper staffing significantly to bring expenses in line with revenue. The team leading Gannett has not demonstrated that its capable of effectively running this enterprise as a public company, MNG stated in a letter announcing its intentions. The Orange County Register and The Boston Herald ... were left for dead and put into bankruptcy by their former owners, which could have caused a liquidation and a loss of all the jobs. MNG stepped up and invested in them when others wouldnt, saving many of those jobs and providing for new jobs. Gannett went public two years ago, with its shares down more than 40 percent on the eve of the MNG offer and the company having yet to announce a replacement for its CEO Bob Dickey who is stepping down in May. In November, Dickey indicated Gannett 2018 results were impacted by a reorganization of its local sales operations, with the company predicting $2.9 billion in revenue in 2018, which would be off from $3.1 billion one year earlier. Gannett has also been walling off more of its websites to require online subscriptions, resulting in lower page views in the transition period. We closed side-door (access) via social and search; lowered meters across our small- and mid-sized markets; and tested premium content around high school sports across one-third of our market, Dickey said in an early November conference call. While these changes resulted in the loss of programmatic digital display advertising, we saw greater than expected local pay digital subscriber growth, which will more than offset the advertising shortfalls over time. Due to a reporting error, an initial version posted online misspelled the name of Bob Dickey. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman Air Serbia has said it is in discussions with Etihad Airways over its fleet development after its part-owner cancelled an order for ten Airbus A320neo aircraft, which were destined for the Serbian carrier. In a statement, Air Serbia said, "Discussions on the long-term development of our fleet continue to be a part of strategic talks with our partner. The airline industry is experiencing significant competition, which is becoming stronger. With changes in demand and aggressive competition, as well as fluctuating fuel prices as the biggest fixed cost for any airline, all carriers are carefully examining the long-term development of their fleets. This is the primary reason Etihad decided to cancel the order for the ten aforementioned aircraft". Etihad A330 (A6-EYO) at Belgrade Airport Following costly experiences with Alitalia and Air Berlin, Etihad will be reluctant to put in any more money into other airlines, although it is expected to transfer surplus aircraft to its equity partners if they need new equipment. Last Saturday, an Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 aircraft, registered A6-EYQ, entered into service on behalf of Air Serbia. The aircraft will be used on flights between Belgrade and New York on a temporary basis until February 14, while Air Serbia's own jet of the same type undergoes scheduled maintenance checks at Etihad Airways Engineering in Abu Dhabi ahead of a busy summer season. In its flight permit application with the US Department of Transportation in 2016, Air Serbia foresaw and applied for the use of Etihad equipment on its US-bound flights. Air Serbia will soon require replacements for some members of its fleet. The airline has said it plans to phase out its remaining three Boeing 737-300 classic jets, used by its dedicated charter brand Aviolet, by 2020. All of them are owned by the airline and were delivered new to its predecessor over thirty years ago. The jets are also used as a replacement on mainline operations in case of technical issues or delays with other aircraft. The carrier has also previously said it plans to replace its ageing ATR72 turboprop fleet "over the coming years". "Our strategy is to start flying double daily to a number of cities and to get new regional planes. We will see whether they will be turboprops or jet-engine aircraft. With these, we can cover points in the region", the company previously said. It also noted that such a decision would depend on a range of factors such as pricing and other terms and conditions. However, it said that leasing equipment, rather than ordering them from the manufacturer, could be a simpler solution due to the longer time required to deliver newly ordered aircraft. Russian plane manufacturer Sukhoi and the Japanese Mitsubishi have in the past both approached Air Serbia in regards to its future regional fleet operations. Previously, a delegation from the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft company, which manufactures the SSJ100 commercial jet, visited Serbia where they held talks with representatives from the country's aviation sector including Air Serbia, aircraft maintenance company Jat Tehnika and the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate. Vladimir Lavrov, the Chief Designer at the Sukhoi Company, said at the time, "It is safe to say that talks with our Serbian colleagues were very successful. We found a few ideas that we will develop jointly and received a number of interesting proposals from our Serbian counterparts". The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), which will be able to seat between seventy and ninety passengers, will begin deliveries in mid-2020 following a number of production delays. Last year, the company said it hoped to secure Air Serbia as its customer. "The last thing we need to achieve for the time being is to get an order from a European nation. Air Serbia is a core target for us. It has strong backing from Etihad and is looking to expand its network", the manufacturer's President for Europe said. AUSTIN Roughly 3.5 million low-income Texans will receive February food assistance early due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Federal officials advised Texas and other states they can keep issuing food benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program until funding runs out, according to Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Its not clear, however, when that would happen. Texas administers over $410 million in SNAP benefits each month, mostly to low-income children and families. The program, formerly known as food stamps, is funded entirely by federal dollars. HHSC said the early February benefits will give recipients more time to manage their resources given the ongoing federal government shutdown and uncertainty about future federal program funding. Instead of being staggered throughout the first few weeks of February, benefits for that month will be issued by Jan. 20. The average payment in the month of December was $266, according to state data. amorris@express-news.net So many remarkable moments stood out Saturday as Julian Castro made his case for becoming the next president of the United States. Pride, even more than the days picture-perfect weather, drew more than 1,000 people to Plaza Guadalupe to witness that history. A mother of three Pre-K 4 SA students testified to the tremendous impact that Castro initiative made on her children, and a first-generation college graduate, a daughter of an immigrant, spoke emotionally about how Cafe College, another Castro initiative, served as her greatest stepping stone. James Talarico of Round Rock, the youngest current state lawmaker in the Texas Legislature, said that as a teacher at Rhodes Middle School, he hung a picture of Castro alongside other inspirational Latinos leaders, so his students could see them each day. OnExpressNews.com: San Antonio's Julian Castro announces his candidacy for president There was Ashwani Jain, who worked in the Obama administration, who revved up the crowd with a series of lines that began with Julian believes and ticked off a list. He believes in a free press, funding public schools, LGBTQ rights, universal gun background checks and climate change; and he believes survivors of sexual assault, and that families shouldnt be separated at the border. There was State Rep. Diego Bernal, who warned all those who might doubt a Castro presidency is possible, that If you dont respect us, you must expect us. But for me, there were other moments and people, less noticeable perhaps, that summoned the lifetimes of political work that went into Castros announcement, events at play long before he and his twin brother U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro were born. There was Irma Mireles, the Castro campaign volunteer dutifully issuing press credentials. In the 1970s, she was a member of the Raza Unida Party that pressed for political self-determination for Mexican-Americans. Its members organized to put up candidates in towns where Latino majorities then held few elected offices. Mireles filed for office, spent about $100 on cards that said she was running for the San Antonio River Authority, and got elected. Mario Compean, who also was in the crowd on Saturday, ran for governor in the last breaths of the Raza Unida Party. They sowed seeds few believed would ever grow. We can only imagine their emotions of taking in the days events, how they must be feeling about what was once seemingly impossible, or about those among them who didnt live to see this moment in American history. OnExpressNews.com: Julian Castro makes first move from the West Side to the West Wing Daniel Meza was there, as was Mireles husband Miguel Berry. Rosie Castro noticed others from that storied past: Linda Valdez Cantu, Anna Riojas, Sylvia Gonzalez and Benny Solis. Mireles spotted Rogelio Smiley Riojas and Eduardo Garza, too. In introducing his mother, Joaquin Castro said he often jokes that of all the people in our family, the one best qualified to serve in public office, doesnt. When she strolled confidentially to the podium to introduce her son as a candidate for president, she was interrupted by a voice that pierced the public-address systems power. We love you, Rosie, it said. The glorious day that took a half-century was her moment, too, and she came to it with grace and generosity. This community has raised up Julian and Joaquin, she said, and we really thank you for that then described him as a son of San Antonio, of Texas, of the West Side and of this country. Im not a mother, but I can only imagine how a heart could actually burst with pride. And it was another woman, Maria Antonietta Berriozabal, the first Mexican-American woman to serve on City Council and who came so close to winning a mayoral bid, found other words to describe the feelings wafting over Plaza Guadalupe. Look what an immigrant brought to this country, she said, tears welling in her eyes. No one else who has ever run for president has ever evoked a refugee from the Mexican Revolution in announcing his presidency, she said. Those words are worth remembering. When my grandmother got here almost 100 years ago, the candidate said, I'm sure she never could have imagined that just two generations later, one of her grandsons would be serving as a member of the United States Congress and the other would be standing with you here today to say these words: I am a candidate for president of the United States of America. The 37-year-old woman found dead inside a luxury home in a gated community in Boerne on Thursday died by suicide, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. But the finding, issued by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, does not signal the end of the investigation into the death of the woman, Nichol Olsen, or the two young girls also found shot to death inside the home, 16-year-old Alexa Montez and a 10-year-old who has yet to be identified. "One of the greatest fears is that law enforcement is not going to cover all bases, because, well, it's been ruled a suicide and we're going to move onto the next case. And that is not what's occurring here," Salazar said. "I can assure the public that this case remains very much an open investigation." The three victims were discovered fatally shot at about 9 a.m. in their home in the 11300 block of Anaqua Springs in Northwest Bexar County. The homeowner, who was dating Olsen at the time, had been staying at a different location the night of the killings and found the bodies when he returned that morning, according to investigators. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox The manner of death for Montez and the 10-year-old girl was believed to be homicide early on in the investigation, but Olsen's manner of death was not immediately clear. Salazar announced the finding of suicide on Monday in a press conference seemingly designed to assuage public fears that the ruling would halt further investigation into the killings. Far from it, he said. He said the medical examiner's office "confine their findings to the body in front of them and whatever evidence is present on that body at that time." The sheriff's office, on the other hand, "can't be completely swayed" by said findings and must continue investigating. "We look at the totality of the circumstances, not simply whats on that body at the time of death," he said. Salazar added, "If it does concur with the medical examiner's ruling ultimately, or if it differs to some extent, or if its different altogether, that remains to be seen." Evidence investigators will examine includes GPS data, cell phone tower data, social media posts, security camera footage and gunshot residue evidence. "My investigators are being completely thorough, up to and including, not ruling out the fact that there may be somebody who wasn't on our radar before, but something that we find may lead us to them," he said. FROM OUR SUBSCRIBER SITE: Three shot dead in luxury home near Boerne The owner of the home where the bodies were found has been cooperating with investigators from the onset of the investigation, Salazar said. He has not been charged with any crimes and not publicly named as a person of interest. Deputies have an explanation as to why he was absent from the home the night of the killings, but Salazar declined provide more details on what that is, instead saying investigators will work to verify his story through GPS and cell phone tower records. "Understandably, he's upset," the sheriff said. "Somebody that he was intimately involved with in a relationship, and two children that, by all accounts, he cared for, have all passed in a very violent fashion." One of those children, the 10-year-old girl, remains unidentified because authorities don't have fingerprint records for her. Her next of kin has identified her, but Salazar said deputies have to verify her identity through dental records. During the press conference on Monday, Salazar noted that both himself and investigators have received "huge amounts" of information through social media due to the widespread interest in the killings. He encouraged anyone who knew the victims to continue reaching out to share any information they may have. Tipsters can call the Bexar County Sheriff's Office Homicide hotline at 210-335-6070 or email their tips at bcsotips@bexar.org. "We're going to continue to dig into this investigation until we know as many answers as we possibly can," he said. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Caleb Downs covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | cdowns@mysa.com | @calebjdowns And the story of Private Joseph Daley, a member of an old St. Marys family and a printers apprentice who signed up in the Army during the war. At first, he was assigned to a guard unit, but when Robert E. Lee moved in to Maryland all troops were rushed to the front. He was killed in action amid the horror of the Bloody Lane at Antietam. His body was never found. As poet Naomi Shihab Nye sees it, being among the artists and writers invited by the arts collective House of Trees to collaborate on a series of banners in response to the 2016 election was a great gift. Jennifer Khoshbin, who is part of House of Trees with her siblings Amy and Noah, asked Nye for single lines of text for the banners. The collaboration is one of several between female artists and writers that make up Word on the Street, an exhibit of protest banners that premiered last year in New York and can now be seen at Artpace. To me, as a poet, this is like my best dream in the whole world to have single lines put on a banner, Nye said during a media preview of the show. I honestly feel that thinking about lines such as these that are on banners, or lines that belong to all of us in society, have really been my personal steadying force. So we always talk about how art saves us, but I have had a very, very particular experience with this project. I feel as if it has saved my spirit. Nye also collaborated with House of Trees for I Pledge, an exhibit of banner flags in conjunction with Word on the Street that hangs in Artpaces Main Space, the gallery facing Main Avenue in which the work is visible from the sidewalk. Nyes words are displayed on open palms an extension of a piece in Word on the Street reading Open palms hold more and include I pledge allegiance to respect every one of you, Silence waits for the truth to break it and Wont give up our hopes for anything. Shes excited by the fact that anybody walking or driving past Artpace will be able to see the banners and might read something that buoys them. As Jenny Browne, a local poet, has said, its like it becomes so contagious, thinking in this way of tiny little lines - four words, Nye said in an interview during the preview. What are four words that would help me get through? What are six words that somebody could encounter on a sidewalk that might make them feel better? So that has been so positive. Because thats like renegotiating your own anguish or pain, On ExpressNews.com: Transgender opera As One to make SA debut Upstairs in the Hudson Showroom, Nyes collaboration with House of Trees is represented by the Open palms hold more banner, and another in which the word Noise seems to vibrate in red letters with the phrase Quiet lives inside stitched in white in the center of the o. Also hanging in that space are works by internationally known visual artists such as Jenny Holzer, whose pieces included a deep red banner with Pants on fire in the center; Wangechi Mutu, who was an Artpace resident 14 years ago, whose piece reads, If youre not creating then youre simply consuming/Create with courage; Carrie Mae Weems, who created one reading Change requires 2020 vision; and a few by Laurie Anderson and A.M. Homes reading Embrace the absurd and Dont be afraid of anyone. All of the pieces were stitched by seamstresses with San Antonios Center for Refugee Services. Anderson also contributed a sound piece to the show. It was thrilling to work with all these women, said Jennifer Khoshbin. Some of them Ive been following, especially Laurie Anderson, my whole adult life. So it was just a thrill to be in proximity to these women and to be in contact with them. She also was delighted to work with Nye, which whom shes collaborated on other projects, and with her siblings. Were a tight group, so in some ways, it just makes us closer, she said. On ExpressNews.com: Michael Nye explores blindness in Witte show The exhibit is rooted in Amy Khoshbins participation in the Womens March in 2017. Even before (the march was announced), she said, I had reached out to the writer Anne Carson, who is a dear friend and poet and just a genius, basically, with language and in general, and I was like, in a society, with (Donald) Trump being elected, where language has been so devalued but also so potent, in this moment where hes tweeting out and using 140 characters to make these statements that are so jarring and overwhelming, how can we respond with poetic language that has a lot of potency and power? They made a couple of felt banners expressing their point of view and ended up carrying them in the march. Replicas of the pieces are in Word on the Street. One reads Action comes from the backbone not the wishbone. The other references Antigone, the Greek tragedy that Carson had recently translated: I was born for love, not hatred. Both were created out of felt in black, white and red, which was a reference to the Russian Constructivism (movement) and the history of political dissent in art-making practice, Amy Khoshbin said. We took them out into the street and we marched with them. It was incredible, the response. It was this incredible moment of solidarity and hope for change. The pieces led to a commission by Times Square Arts in New York for House of Trees to create a series of banners that were hung on poles and also displayed on trash receptacles and other objects closer to the ground for about six months. And that led to the Word on the Street exhibition, which has been shown in spaces across New York, including the Watermill Center, where Noah Khoshbin is curator, and the Guggenheim Museum. Artpace is the first place outside of New York to exhibit them. In Times Square and other places the banners have been shown, House of Trees has held banner-making workshops that included DJs. The sessions have been a big hit, said Noah Khoshbin, and plans are being made for similar events at Artpace. Thats an important element, because the exhibit is not intended to be static, Jennifer Khoshbin said. Its also important because it creates a space where more people can express themselves. That human interaction is such an important component, said Amy Khoshbin. House of Trees also has continued adding to its collection of banners, brining in more artists and writers to work on the project, Noah Khoshbin said. And Amy Khoshbin has been further empowered. She plans to run for city council in Brooklyn in 2021, a decision that grew out of Word on the Street. Shes hoping that others are similarly inspired to get involved in their communities. This is coming from a purely authentic place, she said, really teasing out how we can create change in this world, and encouraging others artists or non-artists just to recognize the power we have to change our lives, change our surroundings, change our world. Word on the Street can be seen through April 19 at Artpace, 445 N. Main Avenue. Information, artpace.org; 210-212-4900. 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 Sunday, January 13, 2019 Having enjoyed a stroll under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, I was taken aback by scenes of the police there firing tear gas and water cannon toward yellow vest protestors people who are showing in very public ways their unhappiness with an overbearing government. While the French resistance is widely broadcast, there is another resistance underway. It is in California and is one that receives scant media coverage. In short, businesses are refusing to accept any more bullying by California state government, which is reflected in the fact that at least 13,000 companies have departed for business-friendly locations in other states over the last nine years. Well, finally, some attention is being paid to this topic. I know that Im running the risk of sounding too self-congratulatory; nonetheless Ill claim a bit of credit for spreading the word about Californias business environment with my new report about the companies and industries that have headed for greener pastures. I couldnt bring more attention to the issue without journalists who have a nose for news regarding the business world. In that vein, Im grateful to Larry Marino of KRLA Radio News in Los Angeles for his focus on my new report that encourages and provides justification for companies to relocate their facilities out of business-hostile California. I suspect that local business leaders were paying attention to the broadcast because in addition to difficulties with the state the City of Los Angeles is known for rude and costly treatment of home-town businesses. What is the opposite of this revealing KRLA News coverage? Well, consider that the number one county to lose companies to other states was Los Angeles, with Orange County placing second, yet the Los Angeles Times ignored most of those important events. In the interview with yours truly, Mr. Marino, the host of KRLAs Sunday Morning Newsmakers,." asked about taxes, the regulatory environment, business-hostile laws and quality of life comparisons. I outlined how California politicians demonstrate contempt toward businesses. One reason for their arrogance is because few of them have ever run a business. I added: The state of California makes simple mistakes a crime. The politicians are smart enough to know the damage they are doing to businesses, but they dont care . . . . The majority of them have never run a business. They dont know what its like to meet a payroll, they dont know what its like to meet requirements in a book of employee rules that is two inches thick. They have no clue as to how to run a business.." I pointed out that enterprises exiting the state include many types of manufacturing and software companies, and believe it or not even green." companies find it easier to build their solar panels and windmills in states other than California. I said I didnt think things would improve because the increasing number of business-clueless people on the left elect more business-clueless people to public office. I dont think there would be one iota of improvement to the business climate even if we were somehow magically able to repeat that broadcast dozens of times over the last few years to a captive listening audience consisting of Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Garcetti. We can expect companies departing California to continue to do so discreetly (except for publicly traded companies that are required to disclose material events). Why? Well, companies that leave quietly, which Thomas Brothers Maps did when they vamoosed from Irvine several years ago, minimize grandstanding by politicians whose outrage." receives plenty of news coverage. Unlike their French brethren, California police wont aim tear gas and water cannon toward a manager closing a factory. But state inspectors will swoop in from Sacramento surprise! to nab the last penny possible through fees and fines for even small violations found in a facility before it closes its doors. For a summary of the comprehensive report about companies leaving California a distillation of the who, what, when, where and why over a nine-year period see https://spectrumlocationsolutions.com/california/ You can listen to the KRLA interview here https://omny.fm/shows/sunday-morning-newsmakers/sunday-morning-newsmakers-01-06-19-seg-3-joe-vrani Note: Anyone purchasing this new study is entitled to a one-hour no-cost, no-obligation phone session with Joe Vranich. The offer applies regardless of whether you are with a Corporation, Small Business or Economic Development Agency. Joseph Vranich provides location advisory services whose motto is Helping Businesses Grow in Great Locations! His company is Spectrum Location Solutions LLC, but he also has been known as the Business Relocation Coach. If you found this posting useful, please forward it to a friend and subscribe to Joes blog here. Related GBP/AUD Surges on Further Signs of Chinese Slowdown The Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate is up by nearly 0.5% today and is currently trading in the region of AUD$1.7838. The release of todays Chinese data stats has hit the Australian Dollar (AUD) with Chinas exports and imports figures for December taking a worse-than-expected downturn, as exports hit a two-year low. With the Australian Dollar closely tied to the fortunes of the Chinese economy, any signs of stress in the latter has a marked effect on the currency. Among the poor data, however, it was revealed that Chinas trade surplus with US had reached its highest since 2006, despite US President Donald Trump raising tariffs on imports. GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Rises as May Says Staying in EU More Likely than No-Deal The Pound (GBP) is up as UK Prime Minister Theresa May is due to deliver a speech in an effort to gain MPs support for her Brexit deal, in which she will ask members to back her. Pound investors have been buoyed by Mays comment that the UK is more likely to stay in the EU than face a no-deal scenario, giving the Pound support against the Australian Dollar (AUD). Last week saw the release of the UK GDP figure for November which showed a better-than-expected increase of 0.2% which benefited the Pound. Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) Exchange Rate Up as Pound Traders Await Tomorrows Vote Many Pound (GBP) traders remain cautious ahead of tomorrows Brexit vote in the House of Commons, with fears of a no-deal Brexit likely preventing Sterling from making any further significant gains. However, Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, told BBC Radio 4: [T]he best way forward is to support the Governments agreement because it delivers the referendum result and does so in a way that minimises the risks to our economy. Today will also see May outline some of the assurances she has received from the European Union over the past few days, potentially buoying the Pound if this increases the likelihood of Parliament voting for her Brexit deal on Tuesday. GBP/AUD Forecast: Brexit No-Deal Could See GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Plummet GBP investors will awaiting the Brexit vote tomorrow, with any signs of Mays deal being voted down potentially sending the Pound plummeting against the Aussie. AUD investors, however, will be paying attention to tomorrows release of Chinas year-on-year FDI foreign direct investment with any signs of an increase potentially buoying sentiment in the Aussie on signs of an improving Chinese economy. GBP investors, meanwhile, will be looking ahead to Wednesdays slew of UK data stats which will see the publication of the Consumer Price Index for December, which is expected to decrease, potentially weakening the GBP/AUD exchange rate. Back pain is among the most frequently reported health problems in the world. New research published in Arthritis Care & Research, an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, examines patterns in back pain over time and identifies the patient characteristics and the extent of healthcare and medication use (including opioids) associated with different patterns. The study included a representative sample of the Canadian population that was followed from 1994 to 2011. A total of 12,782 participants were interviewed every two years and provided data on factors including comorbidities, pain, disability, opioid and other medication use, and healthcare visits. During the 16 years of follow-up, almost half (45.6 percent) of participants reported back pain at least once. There were four trajectories of pain among these participants: persistent (18 percent), developing (28.1 percent), recovery (20.5 percent), and occasional (33.4 percent). The persistent and developing groups tended to have more pain and disability, as well as more healthcare visits and medication use than those in the recovery and occasional trajectory groups. The recovery trajectory group increased the use of opioids and antidepressants over time. "The good news is that one in five people with back pain recovered; however, they continued to use opioids and antidepressants, suggesting that people recovering from back pain need ongoing monitoring," said lead author Mayilee Canizares, PhD, of the University Health Network's Krembil Research Institute in Toronto, Canada. "The bad news was that one in five experienced persistent back pain, with an additional group--almost one in three--who developed back pain over time. These two groups were associated with greater pain limiting activity, disability, and depression, as well as increased healthcare and medication use." Dr. Canizares noted that the findings suggest that people with back pain are a heterogeneous group that may benefit from different approaches to management rather than a traditional one size fits all approach. "The distinct groups identified in the study may represent opportunities for more individualized treatment and preventative strategies," she said. ### Additional information The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Members of the media may sign up for embargoed news or to request a copy of any study please contact: Penny Smith +44 (0) 1243 770448 (UK) Josh Glickman +1 201-748-6572 (US) newsroom@wiley.com Follow us on Twitter @WileyNews Full Citation: "The course of back pain in the Canadian population: trajectories, predictors, and outcomes." Mayilee Canizares, Y. Raja Rampersaud, and Elizabeth M. Badley. Arthritis Care & Research; Published Online: January 14, 2019 (DOI: 10.1002/acr.23811). URL Upon Publication: http://doi. wiley. com/ 10. 1002/ acr. 23811 Disclosures: YRR reports personal consulting fees from Medtronic, which have no impact on the findings of this study. MC and EMB have no financial disclosures. Author Contact: Krembil Research Institute Communication Team: Heather Sherman Phone: 416-603-5294 Email: heather.sherman@uhn.ca or Travis Boyco Phone: 437-217-6123 Email: travis.boyco@uhnresearch.ca About the Journal Arthritis Care & Research is an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), a division of the College. Arthritis Care & Research is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes both original research and review articles that promote excellence in the clinical practice of rheumatology. Relevant to the care of individuals with arthritis and related disorders, major topics are evidence-based practice studies, clinical problems, practice guidelines, health care economics, health care policy, educational, social, and public health issues, and future trends in rheumatology practice. The journal is published by Wiley on behalf of the ACR. For more information, please visit the journal home page at http://wileyonlinelibrary. com/ journal/ acr . About Wiley S-PPV polymers are suitable for use in a wide range of applications, from solar cells through to medicine but, until recently, they were almost impossible to produce. Now, a new synthetic method has been patented. Organic polymers can nowadays be found in solar cells, sensors, LEDs and in many other technical applications. One specific type of polymers - known as S-PPVs - were previously regarded as promising in theory but were almost impossible to produce from a technical perspective. After many years of work, a team from TU Wien has now managed to identify a new chemical synthesis process for the production of S-PPVs. This production process has now been patented. Sulphur instead of oxygen "PPVs are polymers that have superb technological properties", says Florian Glocklhofer from the Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry at TU Wien. "They conduct electrical current and interact with light in such a way that they are of great interest for use in solar cells or LEDs". They have a long, solid hydrocarbon structure to which certain side groups are attached. By choosing different side groups, it is possible to set the electronic properties of the material. Until now, O-PPVs have been used for this; these are PPVs whose side groups are linked to the rest of the polymer via an oxygen atom. "If it is possible to replace oxygen side groups with sulphur side groups, this creates a new polymer, an S-PPV, which has significantly improved properties", says Florian Glocklhofer. "We knew that this could lead to improvements in the transport of electrical current and that this would significantly improve overall stability of the polymer." Experienced colleagues sought to dissuade Glocklhofer from attempting to produce these S-PPVs. "It was believed to be too difficult", explains Glocklhofer. Nevertheless, he decided to push ahead with the project and it soon became apparent that this would be indeed a complicated challenge. "It was important for us to develop a synthesising method that was both simple and low-cost, with as few synthesis steps as possible, and without the need for expensive special catalysts", stresses Florian Glocklhofer. "Ultimately, we want to produce materials that can be used in industrial applications. And S-PPV can only be commercially successful if the production costs do not exceed a certain level." After four years of hard work, and numerous bitter setbacks, the team finally succeeded in discovering a reliable, straightforward method for producing S-PPVs. Suitable monomers are manufactured with the help of microwave radiation. These are polymerised and the side groups can then be further modified. "It works amazingly well", says Glocklhofer. "The reaction takes place within seconds. The colour changes during the process, so you can see it as it happens." Patented technology The new synthesis method has now been patented with the help of TU Wien's Research and Transfer Support. Florian Glocklhofer is extremely confident about the commercial success of the discovery: "It is a simple synthetic method for a new, highly promising group of polymers. The synthesis uses inexpensive base materials and does not require any palladium catalysts or similar expensive interim steps. The method can be scaled up for industrial quantities, is easily reproducible and delivers a product that not only boasts improved electronic properties, but also improved stability", says Glocklhofer. Additionally, S-PPVs are also relatively non-toxic and biocompatible, making them excellent candidates for use in medical applications. ### The team from TU Wien worked on the project together with a research group from Imperial College London, where Glocklhofer recently took up a Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Fellowship funded by the European Commission. Contact: Florian Glocklhofer TU Wien / Imperial College London T: +44 20 7594 1389 florian.gloecklhofer@tuwien.ac.at Catalysts are materials widely used in industry to speed reactions for making gasoline, pharmaceutical drugs, and for cleaning up car exhaust. They typically contain expensive precious metals, which can make manufacturing and processing costs economically unattractive. One class of catalysts, the single-atom catalysts, makes efficient use of the expensive metal by supporting it as isolated atoms on another cheap material. Until now, the structure of those isolated atoms during the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide was not known. Ayman M. Karim, associate professor of chemical engineering and Hongliang Xin, assistant professor of chemical engineering, both in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, have identified the structure of iridium single-atom catalysts for carbon monoxide oxidation. The identification of the structure and reaction mechanism will help in the design of better and more cost-efficient catalysts. In the journal article "Identification of the Active Complex for CO Oxidation over Single- Atom Ir-on-MgAl2O4 Catalysts," published in Nature Catalysis, the discovery shows an efficiency rate that is up to 25 times higher than traditional catalysts made from larger iridium structures or nanoparticles. "Seeing a single atom catalyst at work shows how a chemical reaction can be simple from afar, yet still complex to understand as we dive into the atomic level details," said Karim of the research that was funded by the Army Research Office. "However, uncovering those details paves the way for designing more efficient catalysts." Yubing Lu and Jiamin Wang, both doctoral students in the department of chemical engineering at Virginia Tech, contributed to this study. Lu led the experiments while Wang was responsible for the computational work. "This study provides very detailed atomic level information on the structure and activity of supported noble metal single atoms," Lu explained. "We applied different characterization tools and quantum chemical calculations to show how a single atom catalyst works." ### Research collaborators include Simon R. Bare, distinguished staff scientist at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, and scientists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. MADISON, Wis. -- Scientists have long speculated that our planet's climate system is intimately linked to the Earth's celestial motions. The pacing of the most recent ice ages, for example, is attributable to changes in the shape of our planet's orbit around the sun as well as to cyclic changes in the tilt of the Earth on its axis and its "top-like" wobble on that axis, all of which combine to influence the distribution and intensity of solar radiation. Now, it turns out that variations in the axial tilt -- what scientists call "obliquity" -- of the planet have significant implications for the rise and fall of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, the miles-deep blanket of ice that locks up huge volumes of water that, if melted, would dramatically elevate sea level and alter the world's coastlines. Writing this week (Jan. 14, 2019) in the journal Nature Geoscience, a team led by Richard Levy of New Zealand's GNS Science and Victoria University of Wellington, and Stephen Meyers of the University of Wisconsin-Madison describes research that matches the geologic record of Antarctica's ice with the periodic astronomical motions of the Earth. Comparing the two records, the New Zealand and Wisconsin researchers recapitulate the history of the Antarctic Ice Sheet throughout most of the past 34 million years, starting when the ice sheet first formed. Underpinning the new perspective of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a refined assessment of the sensitivity of the Earth's climate system to changes in obliquity, a powerful tool for probing the icy history of Antarctica. The research is important because it teases out the pattern of growth and decay of the ice sheet over geologic time, including the presence of sea ice, a thin and fragile layer of frozen ocean surrounding Antarctica. A critical finding suggests that in a world warmed by a growing amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a loss of sea ice would likely amplify the cyclic effects of the Earth's obliquity on the ice sheet as ocean waters warm. A loss of sea ice due to warming climate could trigger instability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet with dire implications for global sea levels. "What this study does is characterize the growth and decay of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and sheds light on what is forcing it to change," explains Meyers, a UW-Madison professor of geoscience and an expert on how climate responds to changes in solar radiation from Earth's astronomical motions. "What has become apparent through this work and other studies is that the Antarctic Ice Sheet isn't just sitting there. It is vulnerable to decay." First measured in the late 1950s by UW-Madison glaciologist Charles Bentley, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet alone contains enough ice to raise sea level by roughly 5 meters. The continental ice sheet is, by far, the largest single mass of ice on Earth. Miles deep in places and containing more than 26 million cubic kilometers of ice. The ice sheet is so heavy, Bentley and his colleagues discovered, that much of the West Antarctic ice sheet sits on land thousands of meters below sea level, making it a marine ice sheet in places. Marine ice sheets, note Levy and Meyers, are especially sensitive to heat delivered by ocean currents. Fast flowing inland ice streams of the West Antarctic are buttressed by floating ice shelves, which -- if diminished or lost -- raise the possibility of a runaway flow of West Antarctica's marine ice. The new research suggests that a reduction in sea ice due to climate change would erode the barrier keeping the ice sheet -- including the parts of it below sea level -- in place. "Sea ice creates a barrier between the ocean and the ice. If we fail to achieve carbon dioxide emissions targets and Earth's average temperature warms more than 2 degrees Celsius, sea ice will diminish and we jump into a world that is more similar to that last experienced during the early to mid-Miocene," says Levy, referencing a geological epoch that ended about 14 million years ago when the Earth and its polar regions were much more temperate, with an atmosphere supercharged with carbon dioxide and global temperatures, on average, warmer by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius (7 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit). To recreate the history of the ice sheet, Meyers and Levy turned to the geologic records surrounding Antarctica and linked them to more distant deep-sea marine sediment cores containing the fossil shells of ocean dwelling microscopic organisms known as foraminifera, or forams. The chemistry of foram shells, oxygen isotopes in particular, contains a signature that documents the ebb and flow of Antarctic ice, Meyers explains. Forams living in the deep ocean accumulate isotopes in their shells, and different isotopes of oxygen can yield a detailed chemical record of the changing volumes of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. These geological records, say Levy and Meyers, suggest significant variability in the size of the Antarctic Ice Sheet driven by the predictable changes in Earth's astronomical parameters and threshold changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Prior to this new research, why the ice sheet responded differently to the same astronomical cycles at different times was a puzzle. Linking those cycles to a detailed chemical record suggests that elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the resulting loss of sea ice around the Antarctic played a big role in amplifying the effects of changes in the Earth's astronomical motions on the durability and stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. "All of these data suggest we need to get cracking and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," says Levy, noting that 2017 and 2018 saw reduced Antarctic sea ice after several decades of growth. "We don't want to lose that sea ice." ### --Terry Devitt (608) 262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu This study was supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment contract C05X1001 (R.H.L., T.R.N., N.R.G. and R.M.M.) and by National Science Foundation grant EAR-1151438 (S.R.M.). In the aftermath of the Fort McMurray wildfire, chemical engineering professor Arthur Chan and his team reveal results from dust collected in more than 60 homes University of Toronto Engineering researchers have examined dust from homes in Fort McMurray, Alta., for evidence of harmful toxic substances left in the aftermath of the devastating 2016 wildfire. Their study reveals normal levels of contaminants that are comparable to homes across Canada, and so far, no evidence of long-term health risks from fire-ash exposure in residents' homes. In May 2016, a large wildfire in the area forced a mandatory evacuation of more than 80,000 residents in the city and surrounding region, making it the largest recorded wildfire evacuation in Canadian history. As people slowly gained re-entry to their homes a month later, concerns were raised about residual fire ash or toxic substances in homes that could pose health risks. Smoke and ash can contain a large number of potentially harmful carcinogens, including arsenic, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In the summer of 2017, chemical engineering professor Arthur Chan and his research team visited Fort McMurray to find out if there was indeed cause for concern. "Many people were saying, 'I'm not sure if it's safe for my children to come back and live here after this big fire,'" says Chan. Postdoctoral fellow Lukas Kohl, graduate student Meng Meng and undergraduate Cynthia Jing vacuumed up dust from more than 60 homes in Fort McMurray, looking for evidence of residual fire ash. To ensure representative coverage, the team chose neighbourhoods that suffered significant damage -- where re-entry was delayed -- as well as neighbourhoods less affected by the wildfire. After analyzing dust collected in the living room and bedroom (the largest and most frequented areas in a home) for toxic substances such as PAHs, arsenic and heavy metals, the team reported that the levels, while detectable, were not any higher than in Canadian homes that had not been affected by the fire. Their findings were recently published in Geophysical Research Letters. "That was the surprise -- that even after this fire, we actually didn't see higher levels of contaminants," says Chan. "The levels we saw were not terribly high. If we compare them to health guidelines -- what is considered to be a health risk for soils -- the results from samples we collected in the homes were generally lower." For some chemicals, such as lead, levels were actually higher in Toronto homes than those in Fort McMurray. "Since Fort McMurray is a newer city, a lot of the infrastructure like pipes and paint don't contain lead," says Chan. Although the results surprised Chan's team, he suspects the reason that levels were normal has to do with residents' cleaning habits. "We think people are cleaning quite a bit after the fire," he says. "A lot of the houses have gotten insurance companies to cover the cost of a cleaning crew. And even for houses that don't have insurance clean-up, the residents have cleaned quite thoroughly, due to concerns about residuals from the fire." His lab will continue to study samples collected from other areas of the home. They've also partnered with a pulmonary specialist at Toronto General Hospital, who is currently assessing the lung health of those who participated in his lab's study. Chan stresses that there are other types of health concerns that can result from the fire, ranging from mental health of victims to the occupational health of firefighters who battled the blaze. But for this study in particular, he hopes these findings give the Fort McMurray community some peace of mind. "I think they should take this as good news. So far, we don't have any evidence to say that there are any immediate health risks in their homes due to the fire." ### TORONTO, ON (Canada) - An international group of scientists has identified 124 genetic variants associated with a person's willingness to take risks, as reported in a study published today in Nature Genetics. The scientists highlight that no variant on its own meaningfully affects a particular person's risk tolerance or penchant for making risky decisions, and non-genetic factors matter more for risk tolerance than genetic factors. Yet, taken together, the genetic variants identified in the study shed light on some of the biological mechanisms that influence a person's willingness to take risks. The study shows evidence of shared genetic influences across both an overall measure of risk tolerance and many specific risky behaviors. It is one of the largest genetics studies to date, and is based on the genetic information from over one million individuals with European ancestries -- much larger than any previous study on the genetics of risk tolerance. "Genetic variants that are associated with overall risk tolerance -- a measure based on self-reports about individuals' tendencies to take risks in general -- tend to also be associated with more speeding, drinking, tobacco and cannabis consumption, and with riskier investments and sexual behavior," said Jonathan Beauchamp, corresponding author and assistant professor of economics at the University of Toronto. "We also found shared genetic influences on overall risk tolerance and several personality traits and neuropsychiatric traits -- including ADHD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia." The effects of each of the 124 genetic variants on an individual basis are all very small, but their combined impact can be significant. "The most important variant explains only 0.02 percent of the variation in overall risk tolerance across individuals," said Beauchamp. "However, the variants' effects can be combined to account for greater variation in risk tolerance." The authors created a 'polygenic score' that captures the combined effects of 1 million genetic variants and statistically accounts for approximately 1.6% of the variation in general risk tolerance across individuals. "I expect it to be useful in social science studies," said Beauchamp. "For instance, the score can be used to study how genetic factors interact with environmental variables to affect risk tolerance and risky behaviors." The authors add, however, that the score cannot meaningfully predict a particular person's risk tolerance or risk taking behavior. The 124 genetic variants are located in 99 separate regions of the genome. The study found no evidence to support previously reported associations between risk tolerance and certain genes (such as genes related to the neurochemicals dopamine or serotonin -- which are involved in the processing of rewards and mood regulation). Instead, the authors' results suggest that the neurochemicals glutamate and GABA contribute to variation in risk tolerance across individuals. Both are important regulators of brain activity in humans and animals: glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the body and boosts communication between neurons, whereas GABA inhibits it. "Our results point to the role of specific brain regions--notably the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and midbrain--that have previously been identified in neuroscientific studies on decision-making," Beauchamp said. "They conform with the expectation that variation in risk tolerance is influenced by thousands, if not millions, of genetic variants." The data for this study were from the UK Biobank, the personal genomics company 23andMe, and 10 other, smaller genetic datasets. ### The authors have developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions at https:/ / www. thessgac. org/ faqs about this study to help explain its implications. Note to editors: 1) The findings are described in the study "GWAS of risk tolerance and risky behaviors in over one million individuals identify hundreds of loci and reveal shared genetic influences", published in Nature Genetics. 2) The study was led by the Social Science Genetic Association Consortium. The Consortium investigates the influence of genetics on human behavior, well-being and social science-related outcomes through large-scale studies of human genomes. Ninety-six researchers helped conduct this study. 3) Support for the study was provided by the Ragnar Soderberg Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, the Jan Wallander and Tom Hedelius Foundation, an ERC Consolidator Grant to Philipp Koellinger, the Pershing Square Fund of the Foundations of Human Behavior, the Open Philanthropy Project, the National Institute on Aging (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. 4) To request an embargoed copy of the study, contact Sean Bettam at the University of Toronto, at +1 416 946-7950 or s.bettam@utoronto.ca, or Ian Randall at Springer Nature, at +44 (0)20 7843 4919 or ian.randall@nature.com. MEDIA CONTACTS: Jonathan Beauchamp Department of Economics University of Toronto jonathan.beauchamp@utoronto.ca Sean Bettam Communications, Faculty of Arts & Science University of Toronto, Canada +1 416 946 7950 s.bettam@utoronto.ca Ian Randall Press Officer Springer Nature +44 (0)20 7843 4919 ian.randall@nature.com Scientists have created a tool which can more accurately identify ancient Eurasian populations The tool allows people to discover how similar they are to the Roman Britons, Vikings or ancient Israelites Scientists at the University of Sheffield studying ancient DNA have created a tool allowing them to more accurately identify ancient Eurasian populations, which can be used to test an individual's similarity to ancient people who once roamed the earth. Currently the study of ancient DNA requires a lot of information to classify a skeleton to a population or find its biogeographical origins. Now scientists have defined a new concept called Ancient Ancestry Informative Markers (aAIMs) - a group of mutations that are sufficiently informative to identify and classify ancient populations. The research, led by Dr Eran Elhaik, from the University of Sheffield's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, saw the identification of a small group of aAIMs that can be used to classify skeletons to ancient populations. Dr Elhaik said: "We developed a new method that finds aAIMs efficiently and have proved that it is accurate." AIMs (Ancestry Informative Markers) have a long history in science and have been employed for the past decade by health and forensic experts. But Dr Elhaik said that when his team applied traditional AIMs-finding tools to ancient DNA data, they were disappointed with their low accuracy. "Ancient populations are much more diverse than modern ones," he said. "Their diversity was reduced over the years following events such as the Neolithic revolution and the Black Death. "Although we have many more people today they are all far more similar to each other than ancient people. In addition, the ancient data themselves are problematic due to the large amount of degraded DNA." To overcome these challenges, Dr Elhaik developed a specialised tool that identifies aAIMs by combining traditional methodology with a novel one that takes into account a mixture. "Ancient genomes typically consist of hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of markers. We demonstrated that only 13,000 markers are needed to make accurate population classifications for ancient genomes and while the field of ancient forensics does not exist yet, these aAIMs can help us get much closer to ancient people." He added: "Until now you couldn't test people for ancient DNA ancestry because commercial microarrays, such as the ones used for genetic genealogy, don't have a lot of markers relevant for paleogenomics - people could not study their primeval origins. "This finding of aAIMs is like finding the fingerprints of ancient people. It allows testing of a small number of markers - that can be found in a commonly available array - and you can ask what part of your genome is from Roman Britons or Viking, or Chumash Indians, or ancient Israelites, etc. "We can ask any question we want about these ancient people as long as someone sequenced these ancient markers. So this paper brings the field of paleogenomics to the public." Researchers said to make the study's findings more accurate for identifying and classifying ancient people throughout the world, the framework and methods of the study should be applied again when more comprehensive ancient DNA databases are available. ### The full study Ancient Ancestry Informative Markers for Identifying Fine-Scale Ancient Population Structure in Eurasians is published in the journal Genes. Media contact: Clare Parkin, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 222 1047 or email clare.parkin@sheffield.ac.uk/mediateam@sheffield.ac.uk Notes to editors: The University of Sheffield With almost 29,000 of the brightest students from over 140 countries, learning alongside over 1,200 of the best academics from across the globe, the University of Sheffield is one of the world's leading universities. A member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group of leading research-led institutions, Sheffield offers world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines. Unified by the power of discovery and understanding, staff and students at the university are committed to finding new ways to transform the world we live in. Sheffield is the only university to feature in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2018 and for the last eight years has been ranked in the top five UK universities for Student Satisfaction by Times Higher Education. Sheffield has six Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and its alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields. Global research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, Siemens and Airbus, as well as many UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations. Irvine, Calif. - Antarctica experienced a sixfold increase in yearly ice mass loss between 1979 and 2017, according to a study published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Glaciologists from the University of California, Irvine, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Netherlands' Utrecht University additionally found that the accelerated melting caused global sea levels to rise more than half an inch during that time. "That's just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak," said lead author Eric Rignot, Donald Bren Professor and chair of Earth system science at UCI. "As the Antarctic ice sheet continues to melt away, we expect multi-meter sea level rise from Antarctica in the coming centuries." For this study, Rignot and his collaborators conducted what he called the longest-ever assessment of remaining Antarctic ice mass. Spanning four decades, the project was also geographically comprehensive; the research team examined 18 regions encompassing 176 basins, as well as surrounding islands. Techniques used to estimate ice sheet balance included a comparison of snowfall accumulation in interior basins with ice discharge by glaciers at their grounding lines, where ice begins to float in the ocean and detach from the bed. Data was derived from fairly high-resolution aerial photographs taken from a distance of about 350 meters via NASA's Operation IceBridge; satellite radar interferometry from multiple space agencies; and the ongoing Landsat satellite imagery series, begun in the early 1970s. The team was able to discern that between 1979 and 1990, Antarctica shed an average of 40 gigatons of ice mass annually. (A gigaton is 1 billion tons.) From 2009 to 2017, about 252 gigatons per year were lost. The pace of melting rose dramatically over the four-decade period. From 1979 to 2001, it was an average of 48 gigatons annually per decade. The rate jumped 280 percent to 134 gigatons for 2001 to 2017. Rignot said that one of the key findings of the project is the contribution East Antarctica has made to the total ice mass loss picture in recent decades. "The Wilkes Land sector of East Antarctica has, overall, always been an important participant in the mass loss, even as far back as the 1980s, as our research has shown," he said. "This region is probably more sensitive to climate [change] than has traditionally been assumed, and that's important to know, because it holds even more ice than West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula together." He added that the sectors losing the most ice mass are adjacent to warm ocean water. "As climate warming and ozone depletion send more ocean heat toward those sectors, they will continue to contribute to sea level rise from Antarctica in decades to come," said Rignot, who's also a senior project scientist at JPL. ### Co-authors of this study are Jeremie Mouginot, UCI associate researcher in Earth system science; Bernd Scheuchl, UCI associate project scientist in Earth system science; Mathieu Morlighem, UCI associate professor of Earth system science; and Michiel van den Broeke and Jan M. "Melchior" van Wessem of the Netherlands' Utrecht University. Funding and support were provided by NASA's cryospheric sciences and Measures programs, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research's polar program and the Netherlands Earth System Science Centre. About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit http://www. uci. edu . Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists. During the formation of a black hole a bright burst of very energetic light in the form of gamma-rays is produced, these events are called gamma-ray bursts. The physics behind this phenomenon includes many of the least understood fields within physics today: general gravity, extreme temperatures and acceleration of particles far beyond the energy of the most powerful particle accelerators on Earth. In order to analyse these gamma-ray bursts, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) of Villigen, Switzerland, the Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing and the National Center for Nuclear Research of Swierk in Poland, have built the POLAR instrument, sent in 2016 to the Chinese Tiangong-2 space laboratory, to analyze gamma-ray bursts. Contrary to the theories developed, the first results of POLAR reveal that the high energy photons coming from gamma-ray bursts are neither completely chaotic, nor completely organized, but a mixture of the two: within short time slices, the photons are found to oscillate in the same direction, but the oscillation direction changes with time. These unexpected results are reported in a recent issue of the journal Nature Astronomy. When two neutron stars collide or a super massive star collapses into itself, a black hole is created. This birth is accompanied by a bright burst of gamma-rays - very energetic light such as that emitted by radioactive sources - called a gamma-ray burst (GRB). Is black hole birth environment organized or chaotic? How and where the gamma-rays are produced is still a mystery, two different schools of thought on their origin exist. The first predicts that photons from GRBs are polarized, meaning the majority of them oscillate in the same direction. If this were the case, the source of the photons would likely be a strong and well organized magnetic field formed during the violent aftermath of the black hole production. A second theory suggests that the photons are not polarized, implying a more chaotic emission environment. But how to check this? "Our international teams have built together the first powerful and dedicated detector, called POLAR, capable of measuring the polarization of gamma-rays from GRBs. This instrument allows us to learn more about their source," said Xin Wu, professor in the Department of Nuclear and Particle Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of UNIGE. Its operating system is rather simple. It is a square of 50x50 cm2 consisting of 1600 scintillator bars in which the gamma-rays collide with the atoms that make up these bars. When a photon collides in a bar we can measure it, afterwards it can produce a second photon which can cause a second visible collision. "If the photons are polarized, we observe a directional dependency between the impact positions of the photons, continues Nicolas Produit, researcher at the Department of Astronomy of the Faculty of Sciences of UNIGE. On the contrary, if there is no polarization, the second photon resulting from the first collision will leave in a fully random direction." Order within chaos In six months, POLAR has detected 55 gamma-ray bursts and scientist analyzed the polarization of gamma-rays from the 5 brightest ones. The results are surprising to say the least. "When we analyse the polarization of a gamma-ray burst as a whole, we see at most a very weak polarization, which seems to clearly favour several theories," says Merlin Kole, a researcher at the Department of Nuclear and Particle Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of UNIGE and one of the main authors of the paper. Faced with this first result, the scientists looked in more detail at a very powerful 9 second long gamma-ray burst and cut it into time slices, each of 2 seconds long. "There, we discovered with surprise that, on the contrary, the photons are polarized in each slice, but the oscillation direction is different in each slice!," Xin Wu enthuses. It is this changing direction which makes the full GRB appear as very chaotic and unpolarized. "The results show that as the explosion takes place, something happens which causes the photons to be emitted with a different polarization direction, what this could be we really don't know," continues Merlin Kole. These first results confront the theorists with new elements and requires them to produce more detailed predictions. "We now want to build POLAR-2, which is bigger and more precise. With that we can dig deeper into these chaotic processes, to finally discover the source of the gamma-rays and unravel the mysteries of these highly energetic physical processes," explains Nicolas Produit. ### (Philadelphia, PA) - Cells communicate through complex mechanisms that typically involve receptors and ligands that bind to them. Endogenous ligands, produced by the body, have been identified for the vast majority of cellular receptors, helping explain receptor existence and function. But in the case of sigma-1 receptors, which interact with a diverse array of psychoactive drugs, an endogenous ligand has remained elusive. Now, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM), in collaboration with scientists at the University of Cambridge, show that choline, an essential nutrient that functions in metabolism, is an endogenous activator of sigma-1 receptors, marking an important advance in cell biology. "Sigma-1 receptors are targets of psychoactive drugs that are commonly abused," explained Eugen Brailoiu, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR) at LKSOM, and lead author on the new report. "Now we show that choline not only is the physiological activator of these receptors but also functions as a second messenger, relaying intracellular signals from sigma-1 receptors to their targets." The findings were published online in the journal Cell Reports. According to Mary E. Abood, PhD, CSAR Professor and co-author on the new study, scientists have been searching for an endogenous ligand for sigma-1 receptors for decades. "Sigma-1 originally was suggested to be an opioid receptor, since opioid drugs bind to sigma-1, but the identity of an endogenous activator has been controversial." Dr. Brailoiu and colleagues at Temple and Thomas Jefferson University, along with collaborator and senior investigator Dr. Colin W. Taylor, professor in the Department of Pharmacology at University of Cambridge, narrowed their search for an endogenous ligand to choline based on characteristics it shared with known pharmacological sigma-1 ligands, particularly its amine structure and acyl chain. Their prediction was proven correct when choline was tested in neuronal cells, where it functioned precisely as expected for an endogenous ligand: it completely displaced pentazocine, a ligand with high affinity and selectivity for sigma-1, and then produced an intracellular action and rapidly dissociated from the receptor. The intracellular actions of choline mimicked those of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), which stimulate the release of calcium from intracellular reservoirs. IP3Rs are regulated by sigma-1 receptors. Choline activation of sigma-1 potentiated the calcium-releasing actions of IP3R. The researchers further showed that choline activates sigma-1 receptors following its uptake by transporters at synapses, the communication junctions between neurons. "Our work shows that receptors that stimulate IP3 formation also stimulate breakdown of another lipid, phosphatidylcholine," explained Dr. Taylor. "The choline produced by this reaction has hitherto been thought to be a by-product, but the new results show that choline works alongside IP3 to promote calcium release." The researchers plan next to test other drugs and molecules that bind to sigma-1 receptors in order to better understand the physiological and potential psychological effects of sigma-1 activation. ### Other researchers contributing to the study include Pingwei Zhao, Jeffrey L. Barr, and Ellen M. Unterwald, Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University; Marc A. Ilies, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy; G. Cristina Brailoiu, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jefferson College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University; and Sumita Chakraborty, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge. This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01 DA035926, P30 DA 013429, and R03 NS099957 and by funding from the Wellcome Trust. About Temple Health Temple University Health System (TUHS) is a $2.1 billion academic health system dedicated to providing access to quality patient care and supporting excellence in medical education and research. The Health System consists of Temple University Hospital (TUH), ranked among the "Best Hospitals" in the region by U.S. News & World Report; TUH-Episcopal Campus; TUH-Northeastern Campus; Fox Chase Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center; Jeanes Hospital, a community-based hospital offering medical, surgical and emergency services; Temple Transport Team, a ground and air-ambulance company; and Temple Physicians, Inc., a network of community-based specialty and primary-care physician practices. TUHS is affiliated with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, and Temple University Physicians, which is Temple Health's physician practice plan comprised of more than 500 full-time and part-time academic physicians in 20 clinical departments. The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), established in 1901, is one of the nation's leading medical schools. Each year, the School of Medicine educates more than 800 medical students and approximately 240 graduate students. Based on its level of funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Katz School of Medicine is the second-highest ranked medical school in Philadelphia and the third-highest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to U.S. News & World Report, LKSOM is among the top 10 most applied-to medical schools in the nation. Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System (TUHS) and by the Katz School of Medicine. TUHS neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents. (New York, NY - January 14, 2019) -- Herpes viral infections use the ancient genetic material found in the human genome to proliferate, mimicking the same process tumors have been found to manipulate, Mount Sinai researchers have shown for the first time. These observations provide further insight about how herpes viruses can manipulate the immune system in ways that may drive neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, according to the study, published in Nature Communications in January. The researchers found that herpes viruses appear to manipulate an ancient RNA species that originated several million years ago, called human satellite II RNA (HSATII RNA). HSATII RNA is normally inactive, but both herpes viruses and cancer cells have essentially learned to activate it, using this RNA to manipulate their environment to help them invade the body and grow. The researchers believe that both viruses and cancer cells figured out how to use this RNA because they both rapidly evolve to test out different strategies to multiply and spread within the body over time. Researchers have yet to understand whether herpes and cancer came upon this strategy coincidentally or whether they work hand in hand in some cases. Several researchers involved in this work pioneered the study of how a different type of RNA affects tumor evolution. "The evolution of tumors can teach us about viruses and vice versa, and understanding one system may help us treat the other," said one of the study's senior authors, Benjamin Greenbaum, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncological Sciences, Pathology, and Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "The HSATII RNA induction seen in herpes infections and cancer cells suggests possible convergence upon common mechanisms in these seemingly disparate diseases." The study potentially gives further insight into how herpes viruses might play a role in developing colitis and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. It is the first step toward potentially developing diagnostic tools that look for these types of RNAs in cancer and herpes patients and using the ancient RNAs as targets for drugs in the future, said Dr. Greenbaum. The lead author of the study was Maciej Nogalski, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the laboratory of co-senior author Thomas Shenk, PhD, James A. Elkins Professor of Life Sciences in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. "Herpes viruses have been extensively studied for many years, but once again by investigating host-virus interactions at the cellular level we were privileged to get insights into novel regulatory mechanisms of human cells. Our virus-centered studies not only uncovered interesting aspects of viral infection, but also provided an inducible system that could accelerate investigations about possible roles HSATII RNA plays in other diseases," Dr. Nogalski says. ### Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Simons Center for Systems Biology at the Institute for Advanced Study also contributed to this work. This research received funding from the National Institutes of Health (AI112951), the American Cancer Society(PF-14-116-01 MPC), the V Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, the National Science Foundation, and the Lustgarten Foundation, the Pershing Square Sohn Research Alliance, the Mark Foundation, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and Affymetrix, Inc. 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. The big day has come: You are taking your road test to get your driver's license. As you start your mom's car with a stern-faced evaluator in the passenger seat, you know you'll need to be alert but not so excited that you make mistakes. Even if you are simultaneously sleep-deprived and full of nervous energy, you need your brain to moderate your level of arousal so that you do your best. A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory might help to explain how the brain strikes that balance. "Human beings perform optimally at an intermediate level of alertness and arousal where they are attending to appropriate stimuli rather than being either anxious or somnolent," said Mriganka Sur, Paul and Lilah E. Newton Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. "But how does this come about?" Postdoc Vincent Breton-Provencher brought this question to the lab and led the study published Jan. 14 in Nature Neuroscience. In a series of experiments in mice, he shows how connections from around the mammalian brain stimulate two key cell types in a region called the locus coeruleus (LC) to moderate arousal in two different ways. A region particularly involved in exerting one means of this calming influence, the prefrontal cortex, is a center of executive function, which suggests there may indeed be a circuit for the brain to attempt conscious control of arousal. "We know, and a mouse knows, too, that to counter anxiety or excessive arousal one needs a higher level cognitive input," said Sur, the study's senior author. By explaining more about how the brain keeps arousal in check, Sur said, the study therefore might also provide insight into the neural mechanisms contributing to anxiety or chronic stress, in which arousal appears insufficiently controlled. It might also provide greater mechanistic understanding of why cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients manage anxiety, Sur added. GABA vs. noradrenaline Crucial character in the story are neurons that release the neurotransmitter GABA, which has an inhibitory effect on the activity of receiving neurons. Before this study, Breton-Provencher and Sur said, no one had ever studied the location and function of these neurons in the LC, which neurons connect to them, and how they might inhibit arousal. But because Breton-Provencher came to the Sur lab curious about how arousal is managed, he was destined to learn much about LC-GABA neurons. One of the first things he observed was that LC-GABA neurons were located within the LC in close proximity to neurons that release noradrenaline (NA), which stimulates arousal. He was also able to show that the LC-GABA neurons connect to the LC-NA neurons. This suggested that GABA may inhibit NA release. Breton-Provencher tested this directly by making a series of measurements in mice. Watching the LC work under a two-photon microscope, he observed, as expected, that LC-NA neuron activity precedes arousal, which was indicated by the pupil size of the mice (the more excited the mouse, the wider the pupil). He was even able to take direct control of this by engineering LC-NA cells to be controlled with pulses of light - a technique called optogenetics. He also took over LC-GABA neurons this way and observed that if he cranked those up, then he could suppress arousal (and therefore pupil size). The next question was which cells in which regions of the brain provide input to these LC cells. Using neural circuit tracing techniques, Breton-Provencher saw that cells in nearly 50 regions connected into the LC cells, and most of them connected to both the LC-NA and the LC-GABA neurons. But there were variations in the extent of overlap that turned out to be crucial. Two kinds of control Breton-Provencher continued his work by exposing mice to arousal-inducing beeps of sound, while he watched activity among the cells in the LC. Making detailed measurements of the correlation between neural activity and arousal, he was able to see that the LC is actually home to two different kinds of inhibitory control. One type came about from those inputs - for instance from sensory processing circuits - that simultaneously connected into LC-GABA and LC-NA neurons. In that case, optogenetically inducing LC-GABA activity would moderate the mouse's pupil dilation response to the loudness of the stimulating beep. The other type came about from inputs -notably including from the prefrontal cortex - that only connected into LC-GABA, but not LC-NA neurons. In that case, LC-GABA activity correlated with an overall reduced amount of arousal, independent of how startling the individual beeps were. In other words, input into both LC-NA and LC-GABA neurons by simultaneous connections kept arousal in check during a specific stimulus, while input just to LC-GABA neurons maintained a more general level of calm. In new research, Sur and Breton-Provencher said they are interested in examining the activity of LC-NA cells in other behavioral situations. They are also curious to learn whether early life stress in mouse models affects the development of the LC's arousal control circuitry such that individuals could become at greater risk for chronic stress in adulthood. ### The National Institutes of Health, and postdoctoral fellowship funding from the Fonds de recherche du Quebec, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the JPB Foundation funded the study. COLUMBUS, Ohio - African-American women at high risk of breast cancer are less likely than white women to pursue potentially life-saving preventive care, and racial disparities in health care and elsewhere are to blame, new research suggests. "African-American women faced additional burdens at every step along the risk-management journey," researchers from The Ohio State University wrote in a newly published study in the journal Ethnicity & Health. The study included in-depth interviews with 50 women - 30 white, 20 black - deemed at high risk of breast cancer based on family history and other factors. They found that high-risk black women were less likely than white women to have genetic testing, take medications to protect them against cancer and to have or consider having their breasts or ovaries removed as a preventive measure, disparities that have been seen in previous studies. For example, 67 percent of white study participants said they or a relevant family member had undergone genetic testing, while just 20 percent of black women reported a history of genetic testing. This study broke new ground as the first to help explain the reasons behind the racial differences. It showed that black women were less aware of their options and at a disadvantage when it came to getting access to information about prevention. Only three of the black women in the study, or 15 percent, had seen a specialist for their breast health. Meanwhile, 70 percent of the white women had consulted with a provider with special training. Lead author Tasleem Padamsee said she expected differences by race. After all, health disparities between blacks and whites are common in various cancers and in other diseases. But this was the first study to look at differences in proactive prevention decision-making, and to drill down beyond those differences in an effort to explain why high-risk black women might make different choices than white women with the same risk. After analyzing the feedback they received from study interviews and comparing it with preventive actions taken (or not taken) by those women, the researchers found that African-American women on the whole experienced differences in three separate "layers of information" that contribute to their decisions about managing cancer risk. Those layers include receiving specific information about preventive care options, including genetic testing and prophylactic treatment; general information about managing breast cancer risk; and basic perceptions of breast cancer risk and prevention. "We wanted to understand what women's experiences are like, how they make choices, and what influences those choices," said Padamsee, an assistant professor of health services management and policy and a member of Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center. Interviews were wide-ranging and revealed trends, such as a higher likelihood that African-American participants were burdened with other health care concerns, both their own and their family members', Padamsee said. These trends could help inform care provided to women in the future, prompting providers to acknowledge and look for ways to clear obstacles to lowering breast-cancer risk for patients. That might mean helping a woman with care for an elderly family member or for her children, assisting with transportation or working to find a way to get her in to see a specialist, she said. "These groups of women are not just making different choices. They're having different experiences," she said. "Preventing cancer and lowering risk of death from cancer requires that all high-risk women receive the information they need." The results of the study reveal the nuances of racial inequalities in health - the ways that structural, social and interpersonal inequalities combine to influence patients' choices. Disparities are deeply rooted in social factors including poverty, education and racism that contribute to health outcomes, Padamsee said, adding that those obstacles aren't insurmountable, but solutions are complex and slow-moving. A more immediate response to these inequities could be a focus on educating health care providers about the importance of providing risk-management information to all patients and referring high-risk women for genetic testing and specialist care. "All health care providers could be educated about the relevance of risk information and risk-management options for African-American women, and the current disparities in provision of this information across race," wrote Padamsee and her co-authors. The disparities seen in this study might be even more profound in the general population, Padamsee said, noting that the women who were part of her research were actively engaged in health care and willing and able to participate in research. ### Ohio State graduate students Rachel Meadows and Megan Hils, who is now with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also worked on the study. CONTACT: Tasleem Padamsee, 614-688-0986; Padamsee.1@osu.edu Written by Misti Crane, 614-292-5220; Crane.11@osu.edu Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Germany's Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI) have launched a joint lab to conduct research in artificial senses and develop innovative robotics and healthcare solutions. These include skin-like wearable devices that not only monitor health and environmental conditions through smart sensors, but also enhance prosthetic devices with 'artificial sensing' capabilities. This would allow prosthetic devices to restore rudimentary sensory functions for patients who have lost certain senses such as after accidents. Leveraging on advanced materials, 'skin' electronics, biomedical engineering, and artificial intelligence (AI), the new Max Planck-NTU Joint Laboratory for Artificial Senses will also look into developing robotic technologies with sensory capabilities. For example, robots equipped with sensing feedback can provide customised care by adjusting their interaction and engagement to suit the patient. The partnership will also conduct research to extend human senses beyond their natural capabilities. This includes developing new sensory technologies that will allow users to see or hear radar frequencies or microwaves, smell infections or genetic patterns, or even sense earthquakes. Such capabilities can help, for example, safety officers detect chemical leaks in a factory, or meteorologists identify subtle tectonic movements, enabling earlier earthquake warnings. NTU President Professor Subra Suresh, said, "NTU's collaboration with the Max Planck Society aims to take robotics and medical technologies to the next level by combining human senses, AI and machine learning. This will be beneficial for various industries, especially for healthcare as cutting-edge medical devices could reduce misdiagnosis, and allow for customised precision medicine to deliver faster, better care to patients. "This partnership is also a reflection of NTU's continuous drive towards research excellence where we work closely with leading international partners to develop innovative solutions that will benefit humanity." Located at NTU, the joint lab is also MPICI's first venture in Southeast Asia. MPICI is part of the prestigious Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Sciences. Established in 1911, the Society is one of the world's leading research organisations. Professor Peter Fratzl, Head of the Section of Natural Sciences at the Max Planck Society, said, "Multisensing with cheap and robust sensors followed by decentral neuronal data densification will allow devices which act as "intelligent" species, turning big data into clear metainformation, such as warning signals or "senses/sensations". The possibilities for engineering, environmental technologies, or medical treatment are breath-taking." Making sense of healthcare and robotics The joint lab will house 30 NTU and MPICI researchers and staff who will also explore mechanical sensing such as pressure and strain, and chemical sensing like smell and taste, and even physiological sensing that usually involves electrocardiograms (ECG). Research findings will be used in the development of 'exteroceptors' - sensors that pick up external stimuli such as touch, sound, pressure, light, and temperature. For example, a health monitoring device enhanced with sensory functions and AI can alert medical professionals and family members if patients are suffering from hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Professor Louis Phee, Dean of NTU's College of Engineering, said, "Using technologies like artificial intelligence systems that could see, hear, smell, feel and taste beyond our biological spectrum can be built. By integrating these systems into our daily lives, we could enhance and sharpen our own human senses and increase our perception of the surroundings." The joint lab will be equipped with advanced materials processing instruments, high-end signals analysers, and human-machine interface and machine learning algorithm-based setups. It will also serve as a platform and launch pad for scientists, engineers and students to take their ideas from the lab, to working prototypes that can be commercialised. ### Media contact: Nur Amin Shah Manager, Media Relations Corporate Communications Office Nanyang Technological University Email: aminshah@ntu.edu.sg Katja Schulze Press and Public Relations Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Potsdam Science Park Am Muhlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam Email: katja.schulze(a.t.)mpikg.mpg.de About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, set up jointly with Imperial College London. NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes - the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering - and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N). Ranked 12th in the world, NTU has been placed the world's top young university for the past five years. The University's main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and it has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) building projects comprising more than 230 buildings, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Singapore's healthcare district. For more information, visit http://www. ntu. edu. sg . About Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI) The Institute was founded in 1992 as one of the first Max Planck Institutes in East Germany and has turned in only 25 years into one of the leading research institutions in the field of nanomaterials and soft matter, worldwide. The Institute has 4 departments with around 40 faculty staff. The mission is: Bridging the gap between molecules or hybrid materials and bio-systems through excellence in science, interdisciplinarity, and via the support of young scientists. In fact, more than 150 former associates have taken up leading professorships at universities in Germany and abroad. According to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation the MPICI is in the top addresses for foreign scientists and Humboldt Awardees in Germany. (Ranked No.2 among all non-university research institutions in all fields). A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) reports in the American Journal of Managed Care that virtual video visits, one form of telehealth visit used at the hospital, can successfully replace office visits for many patients without compromising the quality of care and communication. Virtual video visits are personal video chat communications between a health professional and patient using a computer or tablet via a secure application. Karen Donelan, ScD, a senior scientist at the MGH-based Mongan Institute Health Policy Center and lead author of the paper, which has been published online, says, "Some of the participants in our study were parents of children who needed multiple frequent visits or older patients for whom travel was difficult to arrange. It did not surprise us that they found virtual visits more convenient, but we were impressed that nearly all perceived the quality of care or communication to be the same or better than at the traditional and familiar office visits." The MGH TeleHealth Program was launched in 2012 after 10 years of successful experience developing TeleNeurology. Virtual video visits were offered beginning in 2013, and the program has continued to grow since then. At the time this study was conducted, established patients in several departments or divisions - including psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, primary care, and oncology - were eligible for virtual video visits for follow-up care. The current study reports on survey responses from 254 patients after their first visit and from 61 clinicians who participated in the first full year of the program. Among the key findings of the study: 79 percent of responding patients who participated in the program felt that finding a convenient time for a follow-up virtual video visit was easier than for a traditional office visit. 62 percent of responding patients reported the quality of virtual video visits was no different from that of office visits, and 21 percent thought virtual visits' overall quality was better. 59 percent of health professionals providing virtual video visits agreed that, for the patients selected for these visits, virtual visit quality was similar to that of office visits; one third thought office visit quality was better. Patients and health professionals differed on their perceptions of the "personal connection" they felt in these visits: 46 percent of clinicians said they thought office visits were better, compared to 33 percent of patients. 68 percent of patients rated virtual video visits at 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale, and patients who rated the visits lower were generally concerned about technical issues they experienced during their first use of the system. Those issues were usually resolved at the time of the visits with technical assistance Clinicians reported that virtual video visits are superior to office visits for timely scheduling of patient appointments (70.5 percent) and for visit efficiency (52.5 percent). They did caution that these visits are not appropriate for all patients in all situations. The authors note that their study may have important lessons for a future in which several different modes - such as text, video, online, home and office visits - are available for patient-clinician communication. While 89 percent of patients with virtual video visits said their clinical issues could have been addressed in traditional office visits, 60 percent indicated that telephone calls, 31 percent indicated secure email and 20 percent responded that text messaging might also have been options. As these other modes of care are explored and studied, researchers will be assessing how best to tailor these visits to the needs of patients. Lee Schwamm, MD, director of the MGH Center for TeleHealth and of the MGH Comprehensive StrokeCenter and executive vice chairman of the Department of Neurology, has used virtual video visits extensively in his own practice and is senior author of the American Journal of Managed Care report. "Our findings confirm what I felt in my gut, which is that what patients' value most is uninterrupted time with their doctor, and they put up with all the other challenges required to come see us," he says. "Telehealth gives them more of what they want most and gets rid of the stuff they don't want. With a telehealth visit, 95 percent of the time spent by the patient is face-to-face with the doctor, compared to less than 20 percent of a traditional visit, in which most time is spent traveling and waiting. Seen through that lens, our results are not surprising." ### Schwamm is a professor of Neurology, and Donelan is an associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The co-authors of the American Journal of Managed Care paper are Esteban A. Barreto, MA, and Carie Michael, SM, Mongan Institute; Juan Estrada, MSc, MBA, MGH Neurology; Janet Wozniak, MD, MGH Psychiatry; Adam Cohen MD, Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital; and Sarah Sossong, MPH, Flare Capital Partners. Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $900 million and major research centers in HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, genomic medicine, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, reproductive biology, systems biology, photomedicine and transplantation biology. The MGH topped the 2015 Nature Index list of health care organizations publishing in leading scientific journals and earned the prestigious 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. In August 2018 the MGH was once again named to the Honor Roll in the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Hospitals." The leading theory about how the universe began is the Big Bang, which says that 14 billion years ago the universe existed as a singularity, a one-dimensional point, with a vast array of fundamental particles contained within it. Extremely high heat and energy caused it to inflate and then expand into the cosmos as we know it?and, the expansion continues to this day. The initial result of the Big Bang was an intensely hot and energetic liquid that existed for mere microseconds that was around 10 billion degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 billion Celsius). This liquid contained nothing less than the building blocks of all matter. As the universe cooled, the particles decayed or combined giving rise to...well, everything. Quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is the name for this mysterious substance so called because it was made up of quarks?the fundamental particles?and gluons, which physicist Rosi J. Reed describes as "what quarks use to talk to each other." Scientists like Reed, an assistant professor in Lehigh University's Department of Physics whose research includes experimental high-energy physics, cannot go back in time to study how the Universe began. So they re-create the circumstances, by colliding heavy ions, such as Gold, at nearly the speed of light, generating an environment that is 100,000 times hotter than the interior of the sun. The collision mimics how quark-gluon plasma became matter after the Big Bang, but in reverse: the heat melts the ions' protons and neutrons, releasing the quarks and gluons hidden inside them. There are currently only two operational accelerators in the world capable of colliding heavy ions?and only one in the U.S.: Brookhaven National Lab's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). It is about a three-hour drive from Lehigh, in Long Island, New York. Reed is part of the STAR Collaboration , an international group of scientists and engineers running experiments on the Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC (STAR). The STAR detector is massive and is actually made up of many detectors. It is as large as a house and weighs 1,200 tons. STAR's specialty is tracking the thousands of particles produced by each ion collision at RHIC in search of the signatures of quark-gluon plasma. "When running experiments there are two 'knobs' we can change: the species?such as gold on gold or proton on proton?and the collision energy," says Reed. "We can accelerate the ions differently to achieve different energy-to-mass ratio." Using the various STAR detectors, the team collides ions at different collision energies. The goal is to map quark-gluon plasma's phase diagram, or the different points of transition as the material changes under varying pressure and temperature conditions. Mapping quark-gluon plasma's phase diagram is also mapping the nuclear strong force, otherwise known as Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), which is the force that holds positively charged protons together. "There are a bunch of protons and neutrons in the center of an ion," explains Reed. "These are positively charged and should repel, but there's a 'strong force' that keeps them together? strong enough to overcome their tendency to come apart." Understanding quark-gluon plasma's phase diagram, and the location and existence of the phase transition between the plasma and normal matter is of fundamental importance, says Reed. "It's a unique opportunity to learn how one of the four fundamental forces of nature operates at temperature and energy densities similar to those that existed only microseconds after the Big Bang," says Reed. Upgrading the RHIC detectors to better map the "strong force" The STAR team uses a Beam Energy Scan (BES) to do the phase transition mapping. During the first part of the project, known as BES-I, the team collected observable evidence with "intriguing results." Reed presented these results at the 5th Joint Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics and the Physical Society of Japan in Hawaii in October 2018 in a talk titled: "Testing the quark-gluon plasma limits with energy and species scans at RHIC." However, limited statistics, acceptance, and poor event plane resolution did not allow firm conclusions for a discovery. The second phase of the project, known as BES-II, is going forward and includes an improvement that Reed is working on with STAR team members: an upgrade of the Event Plan Detector. Collaborators include scientists at Brookhaven as well as at Ohio State University. The STAR team plans to continue to run experiments and collect data in 2019 and 2020, using the new Event Plan Detector. According to Reed, the new detector is designed to precisely locate where the collision happens and will help characterize the collision, specifically how "head on" it is. "It will also help improve the measurement capabilities of all the other detectors," says Reed. The STAR collaboration expects to run their next experiments at RHIC in March 2019. ### In addition to her involvement in STAR, Reed is also part of the sPHENIX Collaboration which will build a new detector at Brookhaven, which is anticipated to begin running in 2023. The material Reed presented at the conference is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1614474. New paper in Frontiers in Neural Circuits proposes a new way to understand how the neocortex works. Numenta's "Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence" offers significant implications for the fields of neuroscience and artificial intelligence REDWOOD CITY, CA -January 14, 2019 - Scientists at Numenta propose a major new theory about how the human brain works. While neuroscientists have amassed an enormous amount of detailed factual knowledge about the brain, there remains no unifying theory as to what intelligence is and how the brain produces it. In their paper, "A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex," Numenta researchers describe a broad framework for understanding what the neocortex does and how it works. The paper appears in the journal Frontiers in Neural Circuits. In preprint, the paper ranked as one of the most downloaded on BioRxiv in 2018. The key insight described in the paper relates to a type of neuron called grid cells. Grid cells exist in an older part of the brain that learns maps of environments. As you move, grid cells keep track of the location of your body relative to these maps. Numenta researchers deduced that grid cells also must exist throughout the neocortex. These "cortical grid cells" track the locations of your sensors as they move relative to the objects in the world. The authors propose that cortical grid cells allow the neocortex to learn models of objects similar to how the older part of the brain learns maps of environments. The paper proposes how we learn the structure and behavior of objects based on locations and location spaces defined by cortical grid cells. Numenta co-founder and lead author of the paper Jeff Hawkins commented, "The neocortex is composed of a repeating circuit that creates our perceptions, language, and high-level thoughts. We have identified a key piece of this circuit that had been missed, which led to a cascade of discoveries including a new interpretation of how the neocortex works and a new framework for all forms of intelligent thought." Among discoveries highlighted, the paper also predicts the presence of a new type of neuron called "displacement cells," which partner with cortical grid cells to represent the positions of objects relative to each other. Displacement cells allow the neocortex to learn new objects as compositions of previously learned objects, an important form of generalization. Co-author Subutai Ahmad elaborated, "Our new theory suggests the brain works differently than commonly believed. Instead of learning one big model of the world, the neocortex learns thousands of models that operate in parallel. We call this the 'Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence'." Scientists Comment on the New Paper "Hawkins consistently concentrates on the big picture: the theoretical frameworks that might explain how the whole system functions. His secret power is to understand the data on the ground while adopting a 30,000 foot view -- and this is what allows the possibility of surmounting incrementalism to make real advances in neuroscience," said David Eagleman, Neuroscientist, adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, and Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Neosensory, Inc. "Numenta's previous research on learning temporal sequences provided new insights into the role of dendrites, neurons and prediction. Their latest paper offers a novel unifying framework for understanding how the entire brain works," said Weinan Sun, a neuroscientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus. "It will impact the field of neuroscience as well as artificial intelligence." Resources Jeff Hawkins presented the new theory in a keynote address at the Human Brain Project Summit on October 15, 2018, in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Numenta also has written a companion piece designed to explain the framework in plain language, making it accessible to non-neuroscientists. Links to these and other resources can be found on Numenta's website https:/ / numenta. com . Implications for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Numenta's new framework for how the brain creates intelligence could offer a roadmap for the future of AI. Many leading AI researchers have concluded that deep learning networks have severe limitations and that new approaches will be needed. Numenta's brain theory differs sharply from today's AI techniques. Numenta's belief is that the Thousand Brains Theory, which incorporates the ability to represent compositional structure, learn through movement, and integrate knowledge across sensory modalities, will prove to be the ultimate framework for artificial general intelligence and robotics. ### About Numenta Numenta scientists and engineers are working on one of humanity's grand challenges: understanding how the brain works. The company has a dual mission: to reverse-engineer the neocortex and to enable machine intelligence technology based on cortical theory. Co-founded in 2005 by technologist and scientist Jeff Hawkins, Numenta is developing a framework for how the neocortex works. The team tests their theories via simulation, mathematical analysis, and experimental partnerships. Numenta publishes its progress in open access scientific journals, makes all of its code public in an open source project, and licenses its intellectual property and technology for commercial purposes. In the light of the most recent discussions relating to social and employment market reform in Germany, economist Professor Klaus Walde is proposing that the introduction of new control instruments should be considered. "People in the lower income bracket need a higher net income," said Walde, Professor of Economics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), setting out specific ways of achieving this objective. He also warns against adopting purely short-term measures and insists that a medium-term approach is essential if poverty is to be tackled successfully. One option would be to make it compulsory for children to attend kindergarten from the age of 3 years at the latest. "Early child education should not only be reserved to children from the middle and upper classes but must also be available to those children who would benefit most from it." The recommendations are related to the "Ways out of poverty in Germany" research project, which is being assessed by Walde's doctoral student Steffi Hahn. More than ten years after the introduction of the Hartz concepts relating to the labor market in Germany, discussions on how and whether to reform these measures are now taking place across the political spectrum. Whether the views are from those who advocate or oppose reforming the concepts, the debate is mainly centered around the use of traditional social market and labor market policies: Should the benefits introduced with Hartz IV be increased or kept at the same level? Should the minimum wage be increased or reduced? Should there be a guaranteed basic income but also a requirement to prove the need for financial support? "The considerations revolve around instruments that could potentially reduce one problem but are also associated with other problems," Walde pointed out. For example, the concept of a minimum wage aims to reduce poverty but also involves the risk of creating unemployment. "If we want to reduce unemployment without creating poverty or reduce poverty without generating unemployment, we must think about using other instruments," emphasized Walde and Hahn in a position paper. Net income in the lower income brackets must be increased, for example by means of employing a negative income tax concept for those on lower wages, by providing assistance for the payment of social security contributions, or by introducing an unconditional basic income guarantee. This would increase the incentives for people to find paid work. Tackling poverty in the medium term as a key challenge However, such an approach would only be beneficial in the short term. "Redistribution of wealth is certainly a good idea," said Walde. "But future generations must also be made capable of escaping from poverty by themselves." Poverty is a vicious circle and should therefore not be treated as an individual problem but rather as a factor that needs to be dealt with across generations and longer periods. Recent studies undertaken in the USA have confirmed that this can be achieved through early childhood education. Taking the concept of reform of the welfare state to its logical conclusion and with a view to the need to combat poverty over the medium term, both authors believe that making kindergarten attendance compulsory from the age of 3 years at the latest should be an essential requirement. "The introduction of compulsory kindergarten attendance may seem at first glance to be something that you would expect from the nanny state at its worst and a measure that would extensively impact on families and social structures. However, our society must make good education accessible to all social classes and, in principle, compulsory kindergarten attendance would be no different to the existing compulsory school attendance. It would just be imposing the same requirements at an earlier age," explained Walde, addressing the pros and cons of the proposals. Two aspects need to be considered with regard to Germany's endeavors to modernize its welfare system. "On the one hand, we need new instruments that can help to reduce poverty immediately and directly without generating unemployment. On the other hand, we also need instruments that are able to deal with poverty over the medium term," concluded Walde and Hahn. Children and adolescents must receive a better education to be able to find their own route out of poverty, and the introduction of compulsory kindergarten attendance from the age of 2 or 3 years would seem to be the logical consequence. Weighing up economic arguments and the ethical and legal aspects Apart from purely economic considerations, the authors also acknowledge the moral and legal challenges associated with the proposal. In principle, compulsory kindergarten attendance is no different from compulsory school attendance. Yet even if we accept that the latter is legitimate, this does not mean this justifies making attendance at kindergarten compulsory. Under constitutional law, there is a fundamental conflict between the concept of equality, which is in favor of the notion of compulsory kindergarten attendance, and the concept of freedom, which is in favor of parental autonomy. The state is responsible for children's welfare but must also guarantee civil liberties. Hence, when more than the purely economic factors supporting the notion of equality and education are taken into consideration, the proposal of making kindergarten attendance compulsory becomes a very complex issue. ### Brazilian researchers are the first to demonstrate the action of PRIMA-1 against amyloid aggregates of mutant p53 protein, structure found in more than half of malignant tumors Cancer is a multidisciplinary disease, with different mutations leading to different prognoses and treatment necessities. Among the most important mutation targets in cancers, affecting more than 50% of all cancer cases, is TP53. This gene gives rise to a protein that is a key regulator in the cell, called p53. When mutated, this protein forms amyloid structures that accumulate in the cell, causing cancers that tend to have a worse prognosis. A group of Brazilian researchers has shown that a synthetic compound, PRIMA-1, reverses mutant p53 aggregate accumulation. The novel study is the first to demonstrate the action of PRIMA-1 on the inhibition of aggregates of the mutant p53 protein. The results are published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Mutations in the TP53 gene will kill hundreds of million people alive today if new therapies are not developed. Mutant p53 not only undergoes misfolding but also aggregation, similar to that observed with amyloids, playing a crucial role in the development of cancer through loss of function, negative dominance and gain of function. In earlier studies, researchers led by Jerson Silva at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) have pointed out that mutant p53 aggregation is an excellent target for development of therapeutic drugs against cancer. Now, the same group shows that PRIMA-1 (p53 reactivation with induction of massive apoptosis-1) and its primary active metabolite, 2-methylene-3-quinuclidinone (MQ), can restore aggregated mutant p53 to a native form. PRIMA-1 and MQ had been previously shown to convert unfolded p53 mutants to a native conformation that induces apoptosis and activates several p53 target genes. This study provides the first demonstration that PRIMA-1 can rescue amyloid-state p53 mutants, a strategy that could be further explored as a cancer treatment. Its derivative PRIMA-1MET is now in Phase II clinical trials and the Brazilian results may contribute to the development of a new anticancer drug. The research was conducted in vitro and in tumor cell lines of breast cancer and ovarian carcinoma. "The findings are crucial in establishing the mutant p53 aggregation as a highly promising target for cancer therapy and we are working hard on this subject", states Luciana P. Rangel, first author of the study, from the Faculty of Pharmacy of UFRJ and a member of the National Institute of Science and Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (INBEB). ### A new long-acting contraceptive designed to be self-administered by women may provide a new family planning option, particularly in developing nations where access to healthcare can be limited, a recent study suggests. The contraceptive would be delivered using microneedle skin patch technology originally developed for the painless administration of vaccines. Long-acting contraceptives now available provide the highest level of effectiveness, but usually require a healthcare professional to inject a drug or implant a device. Short-acting techniques, on the other hand, require frequent compliance by users and therefore are often not as effective. In animal testing, an experimental microneedle contraceptive patch provided a therapeutic level of contraceptive hormone for more than a month with a single application to the skin. When the patch is applied for several seconds, the microscopic needles break off and remain under the surface of the skin, where biodegradable polymers slowly release the contraceptive drug levonorgestrel over time. Originally designed for use in areas of the world with limited access to health care, the microneedle contraceptive could potentially provide a new family planning alternative to a broader population. The research was reported January 14 in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering and was supported by Family Health International (FHI 360), funded under a contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "There is a lot of interest in providing more options for long-acting contraceptives," said Mark Prausnitz, a Regents' Professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the paper's corresponding author. "Our goal is for women to be able to self-administer long-acting contraceptives with the microneedle patch that would be applied to the skin for five seconds just once a month." Long-acting contraceptives are now available in formats such as patches that must be worn continuously, intrauterine devices (IUDs) that must be placed by trained healthcare professionals, and drugs injected with hypodermic needles. If the microneedle contraceptive patch is ultimately approved for use, it could become the first self-administered, long-acting contraceptive that does not involve a conventional needle injection. Like other long-acting contraceptive techniques, the microneedle contraceptive patch would disrupt the menstrual cycles of women using it. Because the tiny needles must remain in the skin for the time-release of the hormone, researchers led by Georgia Tech postdoctoral research scholar Wei Li developed a mechanical technique that would allow the drug-containing microneedles to break free from the patch's backing material. To accomplish that, the researchers molded tiny air bubbles into the top of the microneedles, creating a structural weakness. The resulting microneedles are strong enough to be pressed into the skin, but when the patch is then shifted to one side, the shear force breaks off the tiny structures in the skin. The patch backing can then be discarded. Experimental patches designed to deliver a sufficient amount of the hormone for humans have been developed, but not yet tested, noted Prausnitz, who holds the J. Erskine Love, Jr. Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech. Researchers are also studying whether a single patch could carry enough hormone to provide contraception for as long as six months. "The microneedle patch delivery platform being developed by Dr. Prausnitz and his colleagues for contraception is an exciting advancement in women's health," said Gregory S. Kopf, director of R&D Contraceptive Technology Innovation at FHI 360. "This self-administered long-acting contraceptive will afford women discreet and convenient control over their fertility, leading to a positive impact on public health by reducing both unwanted and unintended pregnancies." The microneedles are molded from a blend of a biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(lactic acid), commonly used in resorbable sutures, said Steven Schwendeman, the Ara Paul Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan and a collaborator on this project. Lactic and glycolic acids are present naturally in the body, contributing to the biocompatibility of the polymer material, he said. "We select polymer materials to meet specific design objectives such as microneedle strength, biocompatibility, biodegradation and drug release time, and formulation stability," Schwendeman explained. "Our team then processes the polymer into microneedles by dissolving the polymer and drug in an organic solvent, molding the shape, and then drying off the solvent to create the microneedles. The polymer matrix when formed in this way can slowly and safely release contraceptive hormone for weeks or months when placed in the body." Testing with rats evaluated only the blood levels of the hormone and did not attempt to determine whether it could prevent pregnancy. "The goal was to show that we could enable the concentration of the levonorgestrel to stay above levels that are known to cause contraception in humans," Prausnitz explained. In developing the experimental contraceptive microneedle patch, the researchers leveraged earlier work on dissolving microneedle patches designed to carry vaccines into the body. A Phase I clinical trial of influenza vaccination using rapidly dissolving microneedles has been conducted in collaboration with Emory University. That study suggested that the microneedle patches could be safely used to administer the vaccine. Because the microneedles are so small, they enter only the upper layers of the skin and were not perceived as painful by study participants. "We do not yet know how the contraceptive microneedle patches would work in humans," Prausnitz said. "Because we are using a well-established contraceptive hormone, we are optimistic that the patch will be an effective contraceptive. We also expect that possible skin irritation at the site of patch application will be minimal, but these expectations need to be verified in clinical trials." The contraceptive patches tested on the animals contained 100 microneedles. To deliver an adequate dose of levonorgestrel to a human will require a larger patch, which has been fabricated, but not yet tested. The researchers would like to develop a patch that could be applied once every six months. "There is a lot of interest in minimizing the number of healthcare interventions that are needed," Prausnitz said. "Therefore, a contraceptive patch lasting more than one month is desirable, particularly in countries where women have limited access to healthcare. But because microneedles are, by definition small, there are limits to how much drug can be incorporated into a microneedle patch." Though the mass-production costs have not been determined, Prausnitz expects the contraceptive patches will be inexpensive enough for use in developing countries. ### In addition to those already mentioned, the research team included Richard N. Terry from Georgia Tech, and Jie Tang and Meihua R. Feng from the University of Michigan. This publication was prepared under a subcontract funded by Family Health International (FHI 360) under Cooperative Agreement No. AID-OAA-15-00045 funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views, analysis or policies of FHI 360 or USAID, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by FHI 360 or USAID. Mark Prausnitz is an inventor of patents licensed to companies developing microneedle-based products, is a paid advisor to companies developing microneedle-based products, and is a founder/shareholder of companies developing microneedle-based products (Micron Biomedical). This potential conflict of interest has been disclosed and is managed by Georgia Tech and Emory University. CITATION: Wei Li, et al., "Rapidly separable microneedle patch for the sustained release of a contraceptive," Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2019). Tumors usually grow exclusively in the organism where their cell of origin derives from. The same applies for human cancers: apart from some rare cases, like the accidental transmission by a cut during surgery, there are no reports of contagious cancer cells. A multitude of molecular safety measures of the immune system are? responsible for rejecting and destroying any foreign tissue. An exception to this nearly universal rule exists among Tasmanian devils, the world's largest living carnivorous marsupial. For two decades, a deadly facial tumor has been spreading at a rapid pace among the animals and has killed, according to current estimates around 90 percent of the wild population. Peculiarly, the cancer cells are transmitted from one Tasmanian devil to the other by bites. All collected tumor samples are genetically nearly identical and derive presumably from a single cell of origin. How this cancer became transmissible and by what means it escapes the immune system of its otherwise healthy hosts puzzled scientists since the discovery of the mysterious disease. Researchers from CeMM and the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine now solved an important part of this puzzle. In their latest study published in Cancer Cell (DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.11.018.), the research groups of Andreas Bergthaler, Principal Investigator at CeMM, and Richard Moriggl, Head of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research and Professor for Functional Cancer Genomics at the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine and the Medical University of Vienna, revealed molecular mechanisms that are crucial for the transmissibility of the tumor. The scientists found that receptor molecules on the surface of the cancer cells, so-called ERBB receptors, show massively increased activity. Those receptors trigger a biochemical chain reaction within the cells that eventually activates STAT3 proteins, transcription factors that alter the cell's genetic program. The result is an extensive rebuild of the cell: The number of molecules serving as identification for the immune system are reduced, while at the same time proliferation is accelerated and factors for metastasis of the tumor cells are produced. "Our experiments show for the first time that the excessive activation of ERBB receptors and STAT3 proteins play a key role in the transmissibility of the Tasmanian devils facial tumor", Lindsay Kosack, team member of Bergthaler's group at CeMM and co-first author, explains. "Above that, we showed in further experiments that the inhibition of ERBB receptors with a drug can selectively kill the cancer cells. This could play an important role for the treatment of the disease, before the Tasmanian devil becomes extinct". The study, conducted in collaboration with the Universities of Cambridge, Southampton, Toronto and Tasmania, is not only a contribution to preserve this marsupial species. "99.1 percent of the Tasmanian devil's STAT3 are identical to the human protein. And many of the genes that are activated by STAT3 in the animals are also active in human cancers", Andreas Bergthaler says. "The biological principles of invasion of new tissues are also crucial for non-transmissible tumors, especially cancer metastases. Scientific aspects of cancer, contagious diseases and inflammatory processes can be studied with this rare phenomenon". However, it is unlikely - although not impossible - that a human cancer becomes transmissible, Bergthaler emphasizes. "Apart from the molecular mechanisms that would need to evolve are humans genetically much more diverse and resistant than the isolated population of the Tasmanian devils. The aggressive biting behavior of the animals also seems to play an important role in tumor transmission. Nevertheless a better molecular understanding of this rare disease can provide valuable insights on fundamental biological mechanisms of cancer development". ### Videos: https:/ / vimeo. com/ 307294048 Keyword: devil https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1016/ j. ccell. 2018. 11. 018#mmc8 (Video abstract at the Cancer Cell website will be made publicly available once the embargo lifts) The study The ERBB-STAT3 Axis Drives Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease" was published in Cancer Cell, on 14 January 2019, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.11.018. Authors: Lindsay Kosack*, Bettina Wingelhofer*, Alexandra Popa*, Anna Orlova*, Benedikt Agerer, Bojan Vilagos, Peter Majek, Katja Parapatics, Alexander Lercher, Anna Ringler, Johanna Klughammer, Mark Smyth, Kseniya Khamina, Hatoon Baazim, Elvin D. de Araujo, David A. Rosa, Jisung Park, Gary Tin, Siawash Ahmar, Patrick T. Gunning, Christoph Bock, Hannah V. Siddle, Gregory M. Woods, Stefan Kubicek, Elisabeth P. Murchison, Keiryn L. Bennett, Richard Moriggl*, and Andreas Bergthaler* *These authors contributed equally. The study was funded by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the European Research Council (ERC) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Andreas Bergthaler studied Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. He undertook graduate and postgraduate research with Hans Hengartner and Nobel Laureate Rolf Zinkernagel at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich followed by postdoctoral positions with Daniel Pinschewer at the University of Geneva and with Alan Aderem at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. He joined CeMM in 2011 and holds an ERC Starting Grant. The mission of CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences is to achieve maximum scientific innovation in molecular medicine to improve healthcare. At CeMM, an international and creative team of scientists and medical doctors pursues free-minded basic life science research in a large and vibrant hospital environment of outstanding medical tradition and practice. CeMM's research is based on post-genomic technologies and focuses on societally important diseases, such as immune disorders and infections, cancer and metabolic disorders. CeMM operates in a unique mode of super-cooperation, connecting biology with medicine, experiments with computation, discovery with translation, and science with society and the arts. The goal of CeMM is to pioneer the science that nurtures the precise, personalized, predictive and preventive medicine of the future. CeMM trains a modern blend of biomedical scientists and is located at the campus of the General Hospital and the Medical University of Vienna. Canada should invest in a single national electronic health record for primary care to improve the health of Canadians, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). "Although switching will be painful, one primary care electronic health record will make apparently insolvable problems solvable," writes Dr. Nav Persaud, a scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. "Sharing records among primary care sites would become easier and the creation of similar data sets for research purposes would be an added benefit." The current patchwork system of electronic health records used in individual clinics, hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies means that, while electronic, most records cannot connect and share information with one another. As well, fax machines are still used for communication between health care providers. A single primary care electronic health record will improve primary care and patient care in hospitals and specialty clinics by allowing them to connect with, and update, patient records for timely information exchange. Canada Health Infoway, the organization responsible for promoting digital health solutions, should be mandated to select and adapt, with the help of physicians and patients, the single electronic health record for primary care in Canada. Other health systems that have successfully done this, such as the US Department of Veteran Affairs and SingHealth in Singapore, can serve as models. "If we are truly committed to improving the health of Canadians, a bold move such as this is needed," writes Dr. Persaud. ### George is a zebrafish. Along with Tom and 98 other mates, George swims freely in a laboratory tank at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU), in Lisbon, Portugal. A camera records from above a video of all the animals' comings and goings. Question: is it possible to identify, from the video images, which fish is which at every moment? Yes, says Gonzalo de Polavieja, principal investigator of the Collective Behavior Lab, who with his team has built a software, called idtracker.ai (where "ai" stands for artificial intelligence, or AI) that can do the job quickly and with extreme accuracy. Their results were published in the journal Nature Methods. "The ultimate goal of our team is understanding group behavior", points out de Polavieja, whose preferred names for the fish, when he explains his work, are George and Tom. We want to understand how animals in a group decide together and learn together". And for that, it is mandatory to extract very high quality data from the videos (such as position and shape of each of the animals, as well as their individual paths) without mistakes. Recognizing each individual among dozens of very similar ones would be impossible to accomplish for a human brain - or for that matter, a conventional computer program. "We would just go crazy trying", says de Polavieja. For large crowds, without artificial intelligence in the mix, even a powerful computer might have to run the program for years to get results. And these would probably not be very accurate. That's where idtracker.ai comes in. The new software, adds de Polavieja, supplies the quality data that is absolutely needed to be able, in a second phase, to understand the rules that drive the animals' collective behavior. Working in Spain four years ago, before joining the CCU, de Polavieja published, also in Nature Methods, a first version of the software, which did not resort to artificial intelligence. The results were much more modest. "We could track ten animals back then", he says. De Polavieja and his co-authors, Francisco Romero-Ferrero, Mattia Bergomi, Robert Hinz and Francisco Heras have now tested the new AI version with groups of 30, then 50, then up to 100 zebrafish. "We didn't test more than 100 because our tank is not big enough for that". Nonetheless, using another approach to record the images, they showed that the software can identify up to 150 individual fish with very little loss of accuracy. "I didn't believe we could reach those numbers; it was a surprise", notes de Polavieja. "I thought there wouldn't be enough information in the images." Deep learning Idtracker.ai is composed of two so-called deep-learning neural networks and a few more conventional algorithms. A deep-learning neural network is a computer simulation of real networks of neurons in the brain that are capable of learning from experience. Using the video images of the zebrafish in the tank, the first network in the chain is trained to tell whether every little blob visible in the images corresponds to just one animal or to several. With this output, the second neural network is then trained to assign a name (or number) to each blob that contains just one fish - in other words, to effectively identify each individual fish. The recognition is based on the unique features of each zebrafish. "People think zebrafish are all alike, but this proves they are in fact all different from each other", notes de Polavieja. Lastly, two conventional algorithms are used. "One is to gain some certainty about the [few individuals whose] identities are still somewhat uncertain", says de Polavieja "and the other to know which animal is which when their paths cross" - that is, when their trajectories appear superimposed on the video. The results speak for themselves: it takes about an hour for idtracker.ai to identify each and every one of the 100 zebrafish in the video at all times with almost 100% accuracy! "If you show the network a random part of the video it has never seen before and ask it: 'who is this?', the network will correctly assign the right name - or number - to that fish 99.997% of the time", says de Polavieja. And if you ask it where George, or Tom, or any other zebrafish is at a given moment, it will find it in the crowd almost beyond the shadow of a doubt. The team also tested the software with fruit flies, medaka fish (Japanese rice fish), ants and mice. It also works, though with smaller numbers of individuals. "Zebrafish are the best" for these studies, says de Polavieja. On the other hand, "mice are more difficult because they tend to cluster and deform". "This is the first time such high quality data has been obtained for 100 fish", concludes de Polavieja. The team has now used the data supplied by idtracker.ai - which is freely available to everyone from http://www. idtracker. ai - to extract a set of rules that explain, in a large measure, zebrafish behavior in groups. They describe their results in another paper, which they have posted on bioarxiv.org and have submitted for publication in a scientific journal. As for possible applications, this software and others like it allow (or will allow) for tracking persons, or to identify a given person in a crowd based on information about his or her physical appearance. "There is now a whole industry for this type of software", says de Polavieja. "People are applying these [AI] techniques to develop other similar tracking tools. But before we proved we could do it in animals, it was hard to believe it was even remotely possible." ### Inflammation in the body occurs due to the cellular response of the immune system to damaged or injured tissues. The major symptoms of inflammation include increased blood flow, cellular influx, edema, elevated cellular metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) nitric oxide (NO) and vasodilation. Dysregulation of this normally protective mechanism can cause serious illnesses including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sepsis, and chronic pulmonary inflammation. Researchers at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, in collaboration with PCSIR Laboratories Complex performed synthetic transformations on diclofenac in search of better non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), non-acidic, antiinflammatory agents. For this purpose, diclofenac derivatives (2-20) were synthesized from diclofenac (1). All derivatives (2-20) and parent diclofenac (1) were evaluated for their antiinflammatory effect using different parameters including suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), produced by whole blood phagocytes, produced by neutrophils, and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production from J774.2 macrophages. The most active compound also evaluated for cytotoxicity activity on NIH-3T3 cells. Compounds 1-4 in the study have been documented in previous studies while the subsequent compounds represent new derivatives. The researchers found five bioactive derivatives. Compound 5 (2-(5-(2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)benzyl)-2-thioxo-1,3,4-oxadiazol-3(2H)-yl)-1-phenylethanone) was found to be the most potent inhibitor of ROS and NO compared to parent diclofenac 1 and standard drugs ibuprofen and L-NMMA, respectively. The most active compounds 1, 4, 5, 11 and 20 were found to be non-toxic on NIH-3T3 cells. Compound 4, 5, and 20 also showed good antiinflammatory potential, compound 11 and 16 showed moderate and low level of inhibition, respectively. Therefore, there is some potential to improve existing anti-inflammatory medications through synthesizing and testing new derivatives. ### Supermassive black holes weigh millions to billions times more than our sun and lie at the center of most galaxies. A supermassive black hole several million times the mass of the sun is situated in the heart of our very own Milky Way. Despite how commonplace supermassive black holes are, it remains unclear how they grow to such enormous proportions. Some black holes constantly swallow gas in their surroundings, some suddenly swallow whole stars. But neither theory independently explains how supermassive black holes can "switch on" so unexpectedly and keep growing so fast for a long period. A new Tel Aviv University-led study published today in Nature Astronomy finds that some supermassive black holes are triggered to grow, suddenly devouring a large amount of gas in their surroundings. In February 2017, the All Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae discovered an event known as AT 2017bgt. This event was initially believed to be a "star swallowing" event, or a "tidal disruption" event, because the radiation emitted around the black hole grew more than 50 times brighter than what had been observed in 2004. However, after extensive observations using a multitude of telescopes, a team of researchers led by Dr. Benny Trakhtenbrot and Dr. Iair Arcavi, both of TAU's Raymond & Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, concluded that AT 2017bgt represented a new way of "feeding" black holes. "The sudden brightening of AT 2017bgt was reminiscent of a tidal disruption event," says Dr. Trakhtenbrot. "But we quickly realized that this time there was something unusual. The first clue was an additional component of light, which had never been seen in tidal disruption events." Dr. Arcavi, who led the data collection, adds, "We followed this event for more than a year with telescopes on Earth and in space, and what we saw did not match anything we had seen before." The observations matched the theoretical predictions of another member of the research team, Prof. Hagai Netzer, also of Tel Aviv University. "We had predicted back in the 1980s that a black hole swallowing gas from its surroundings could produce the elements of light seen here," says Prof. Netzer. "This new result is the first time the process was seen in practice." Astronomers from the U.S., Chile, Poland and the U.K. took part in the observations and analysis effort, which used three different space telescopes, including the new NICER telescope installed on board the International Space Station. One of the ultraviolet images obtained during the data acquisition frenzy turned out to be the millionth image taken by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory -- an event celebrated by NASA, which operates this space mission. The research team identified two additional recently reported events of black holes "switched on," which share the same emission properties as AT 2017bgt. These three events form a new and tantalizing class of black hole re-activation. "We are not yet sure about the cause of this dramatic and sudden enhancement in the black holes' feeding rate," concludes Dr. Trakhtenbrot. "There are many known ways to speed up the growth of giant black holes, but they typically happen during much longer timescales." "We hope to detect many more such events, and to follow them with several telescopes working in tandem," says Dr. Arcavi. "This is the only way to complete our picture of black hole growth, to understand what speeds it up, and perhaps finally solve the mystery of how these giant monsters form." ### 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. 1. Young-onset diabetes linked to higher risk of hospitalization for mental illness before age 40 Abstract: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ M18-1900 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Young-onset diabetes, which is defined as onset before age 40, is associated with a higher risk of being hospitalized for mental illness compared with those who develop diabetes later in life. Those with young-onset diabetes also faced increased hospitalizations for any reason across their lifetime. Findings from a population-based cohort study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Young-onset diabetes is a heterogeneous and aggressive phenotype associated with increased risk for death and complications compared with usual-onset diabetes. Its prevalence is increasing rapidly worldwide, especially in Asian populations, where 1 in 5 adults with type 2 diabetes has young-onset disease. Young-onset diabetes is associated with poorly-controlled risk factors, yet its effect on hospitalization rates is not known. Researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong examined two large cohorts of Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes to determine the effects of age at onset and modifiable risk factors on hospitalization during the working lifespan, or ages 20 to 75. Using the Hong Kong Diabetes Registry, the researchers computed hospitalization rates for both cohorts. They found that adults with young-onset diabetes, had excess hospitalizations across their lifespan compared with persons with usual-onset diabetes, but also found a previously unknown link between young-onset diabetes and hospitalization for mental illness. According to the researchers, these findings suggest that efforts to prevent diabetes early in life are crucial. In addition, there is an urgent need to find ways to control cardiometabolic risk factors while focusing on mental health. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To interview the lead author, Juliana C.N. Chan, MD, please contact Jackie Chan at jackiechan@cuhk.edu.hk. 2. ACP issues ethical guidance on genetic testing, telemedicine, end-of-life care, human subjects research, and more in its latest Ethics Manual Abstract: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ M18-2160 Editorial: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ M18-3120 URLs go live when the embargo lifts The American College of Physicians (ACP) issues ethical guidance on genetic testing, telemedicine, and end-of-life care, human subjects research, and more in its latest Ethics Manual. Published as a supplement in Annals of Internal Medicine, the 7th edition of ACP's Ethics Manual reaffirms ethical tenets of medicine and reexamines their application in changing circumstances. The Ethics Manual is intended to facilitate the process of making ethical decisions in clinical practice, teaching, and medical research, and to describe and explain underlying principles of ethics, as well as the physician's role in society and with colleagues. New or significantly expanded sections include precision medicine and genetic testing, research and protection of human subjects, telemedicine, electronic communications, social media and online professionalism, electronic health records, and physician volunteerism. The manual also revisits issues that are still very pertinent and in which ACP has maintained long-standing positions, such as on end-of-life care and physician-assisted suicide, physician-industry relations, and complementary and integrative care. A continuing medical education (CME) quiz and a maintenance of certification (MOC) module are available at http://www. annals. org for ACP members and subscribers to Annals of Internal Medicine. ACP also offers ethics case studies for CME credit and MOC points. The ACP Ethics Manual is developed primarily for doctors but has been widely used by educators, policymakers, and patients, and is often cited in medical and ethical literature. The first ACP Ethics Manual was published in 1984. This seventh edition is an update of the 2012 sixth edition and was developed by ACP's Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee. ACP's Board of Regents reviewed and approved the manual. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF or to interview someone from ACP, please contact Steve Majewski at smajewski@acponline.org or 215-351-2514. 3. Man's monthly sweating episodes caused by undiagnosed seizures Abstract: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ L18-0425 URLs go live when the embargo lifts A man's monthly episodes of excessive sweating were found to be triggered by temporal lobe seizures that were previously undiagnosed. The brief case report is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Excessive sweating is common and frequent causes include obesity, anxiety, or hyperthyroidism, among many other common conditions. Cyclic sweating is different because it occurs in cycles that are regularly repeated. Clinicians from Advocate Aurora Health Care and Ascension Wisconsin saw a 60-year-old man complaining of spontaneous episodes of sweating that had started 3 years earlier. A series of tests ruled out common causes. During an office visit, the patient had an episode of severe sweating observed directly by the clinicians. Altered responsiveness during the sweating event suggested a seizure, so the clinicians scheduled a 7-day ambulatory EEG to begin a few days before his next expected cluster of sweating episodes. The EEG showed left temporal lobe activity suggesting a seizure. After treatment with anti-seizure medications, the patient has only had one episode of sweating in the last year and a half. According to the authors, these findings suggest that seizures should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cyclic conditions with autonomic symptoms, such as sweating or nausea and vomiting. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To interview the lead author, Mark K. Chelmowski, MD, please contact him directly at mchelm81@gmail.com. Also New in this issue: Inpatient Notes: Caregiver Engagement in Hospital Medicine--The Next Frontier Molly J. Horstman. MD, and Eduardo Salas, PhD Annals for Hospitalists Abstract: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ M18-3614 Annals Consult Guys - Low Risk for Postoperative Myocardial Infarction: What Do We Really Know? Geno J. Merli, MD; Howard H. Weitz, MD Annals Consult Guys Abstract: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ W18-0028 Annals On Call: Understanding Gout Pathophysiology Robert Centor, MD Annals On Call Podcast Abstract: http://annals. org/ aim/ article/ doi/ 10. 7326/ A18-0012 ### Genetic testing, telemedicine, end-of-life care, and human subjects research are among issues examined in new edition of ACP Ethics Manual Philadelphia, January 15, 2019 -- The American College of Physicians (ACP) today released the seventh edition of its Ethics Manual, published as a supplement to the current issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP's flagship journal, and available online at http://www. annals. org . New or significantly expanded sections of the ACP Ethics Manual include precision medicine and genetic testing, research and protection of human subjects, telemedicine, electronic communications, social media and online professionalism, electronic health records, and physician volunteerism. The manual also revisits issues that are still very pertinent and in which ACP has maintained long-standing positions, such as on end-of-life care and physician-assisted suicide, physician-industry relations, and complementary and integrative care. "The intersection of medicine, the law, and social values can pose challenging ethical dilemmas for patients and their physicians," said ACP President Dr. Ana Maria Lopez, who is also the former chair of ACP's Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee. "We believe that the ACP Ethics Manual can help clinicians, educators, researchers, and policymakers to consider and resolve ethical issues, thereby also enhancing trust in the medical profession among patients and the public." The manual is intended to facilitate the process of making ethical decisions in clinical practice, teaching, and medical research and to describe and explain underlying principles of ethics, as well as the physician's role in society and with colleagues. "The focus of the manual continues to be patient-centered and based in the critical importance of fostering strong patient-physician relationships," said Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD, director of ACP's Center for Ethics and Professionalism. For example, in the guidance for telemedicine, the ACP Ethics Manual states: .... The benefits of increased access to care through telemedicine must be balanced with risks from the loss of the in-person encounter, e.g., misdiagnosis potential; over-prescribing; absent in-person interactions including the therapeutic value of touch, body language; and continuity of care.... In an accompanying editorial, J.S. Blumenthal-Barby, PhD, MA, and Bernard Lo, MD, write: "The American College of Physicians and the authors of the Ethics Manual have provided helpful, specific guidance on many difficult ethical issues that internists face in everyday practice as well as providing an explanation of the ethical principles and professional obligations that justify these recommendations." The ACP Ethics Manual is developed primarily for doctors but has been widely used by educators, policymakers, and patients, and is often cited in medical and ethical literature. The first ACP Ethics Manual was published in 1984. This seventh edition is an update of the 2012 sixth edition and was developed by ACP's Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee. ACP's Board of Regents reviewed and approved the manual. ### A continuing medical education (CME) quiz and a maintenance of certification (MOC) module are available at http://www. annals. org for ACP members and subscribers to Annals of Internal Medicine. ACP also offers ethics case studies for CME credit and MOC points. About the American College of Physicians The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 154,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. 2019-01-13 Maeci In a telephone call last night, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, thanked the Foreign Minister of Bolivia, Diego Pary, for the effective and diligent collaboration assured by the Bolivian Authorities by arresting and promptly expelling to Italy Cesare Battisti, a terrorist convicted on several charges of murder. He added: Bolivias efforts commendably interacted with the equally essential efforts by the Brazilian Authorities, whom we thank heartfeltly. Theirs was a tangible action at the service of justice; a concerted and joint action carried out with determination and reserve, in a close cooperative effort based on mutual trust and collaboration with all the competent Italian Authorities, including our Embassies in Brasilia and La Paz. 2019-01-13 Maeci Referring to the arrest of Cesare Battisti, a terrorist convicted on several charges of murder, in Bolivia last night (CET time), the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, thanked all those who helped to achieve this result. It is an act of justice for the heinous crime of terrorism owed to those killed or injured and their families. The result is the outcome of a concerted and resolute action by Bolivian and Brazilian Authorities which cooperated with all the competent Italian Authorities, including our diplomatic missions in their Countries. The Minister confirmed that efforts persist to accelerate his extradition to Italy as much as possible and added that right now, our heartfelt thoughts go to all the victims of terrorism, including those of todays international terrorism, which continues to hit so many innocent people today. The services celebrating and honoring the life of Jerry Richter, 93, of Enid, are pending under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Condolences and special memories may be shared with 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 Mrs. Lura Lee Swanner Andrews, 92, of Athens, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 14, 2021. Mrs. Andrews was born September 9, 1928, in Limestone County to Eugene Lee Swanner and Hattie Lee Edwards Swanner. She was born and raised in the Elkmont area and was the only gradu Rio de Janeiro, Jan 14 (efe-epa).- A Brazilian police officer died and three others were injured when their helicopter plunged into the waters of Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay on Monday, police said. The accident occurred on Monday morning when the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on the water as it was flying over the area, police said in a statement. First responders rescued the helicopter's four crew members, of whom some had to be resuscitated, TV Globo reported. The four officers were transferred to the Militarized Police's Central Hospital, but one of them, 37-year-old Sgt. Felipe Marques de Queiroz, died soon after arrival, police said, adding that the other three officers were "out of danger." The helicopter was cleared to fly and maintenance had been carried out in compliance with regulations, police said. Editors Note: Staff Writer Corey Mitchell covers English-learners and civil rights in education. This analysis is part of a special report exploring pressing trends in education. Read the full report: 10 Big Ideas in Education. Schools in the United States are embracing bilingualism like never before. Shifting demographics and political dynamics have transformed views on multilingual education in many parts of the country, paving the way for a focused examination of educating the nations 5 million K-12 English-language learners and the importance of foreign-language instruction. The spread of the seal of biliteracy"a seal affixed to the diplomas or transcripts as official proof that students can speak, read, and write in more than one languageraises a question: Bilingualism for whom? When the seal of biliteracy launched in California nearly a decade ago, its advocates envisioned an honor that would recognize multilingual English-language learners and native English speakers alike. Bilingual education has an equity problem, says researcher Nelson Flores. Scroll down for his explanation on how to upend elite bilingualism. Now, with more than 30 states offering the seal, some students are being shut out of the process: English-learners and students from low-income families may be on the wrong side of an opportunity gap, with their chances to demonstrate their bilingualism restricted by their circumstances. Recent research out of Georgetown University suggests that whiter, wealthier schools with fewer English-learners were more likely to offer the seal of biliteracy. The study highlights a host of disparities in how schools and governments determine when bilingualism is a benefit and when its a burden. The researchers also determined that, in most states offering the seal, English-learners must climb a higher bar to earn the honor: The criteria for earning the seal holds English-learners to a higher standard in their second language (English) than native English speakers are held in theirs. The standards are so uneven that Nicholas Subtirelu, an assistant professor at Georgetown, and his colleagues argue that, in most cases, native English-speaking students studying a world language in high school could not pass a proficiency test in their second language to qualify for the seal, which is exactly what ELLs must do in order to be reclassified as English proficient. Even when given the opportunity to demonstrate fluency in their native languages, some non-native English speaking students hit another roadblock. Formal exams are often limited to languages studied in U.S. high school world-language classes: AP and the College Board offer tests in fewer than 10 languages. The American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages has exams in a dozen languages. So, students fluent in languages such as Haitian Creole and Vietnamese, both among the top five home languages for the nations K-12 English-learners, dont always have a clear path to show what they know. Amy Heineke, an associate professor at Loyola University Chicago, is among a small, yet growing number of researchers concerned that states are prioritizing elite bilingualism, the language learning of middle- and upper-middle class students, as an achievement while the potential bilingualism of Latinx and other students is more of an afterthought. In her view, the seal of biliteracy has the power to support bilingualism for English-learners and English-fluent students who speak another language at home, but only if states want that outcome. Right now, the argument can be made that many dont. In their review of biliteracy seal legislation or policies in 30 states, Heineke and co-author Kristin Davin found that two-thirds explicitly avoided mentioning English-learners when framing its purpose. Among those states is Florida, which is promoting bilingualism by offering the seal of biliteracy. And yet, the states education department has refused to give English-learner students exams in language arts, math, or science in the students native languages, because English is the official state language. English-learner advocates argue that the approach is shameful and creates a double-standardallowing for foreign-language assessment to prove biliteracy, but not allowing English-learners to show what they know in their native languages. In nearly every state that offers the seal, no one is tracking who earns themso theres no way to know how many English-learners are reaping potential benefits, such as earning college credits or a boost in the job market. The state of Washington is an exceptionand its approach may offer a path forward for states looking to push for equity. The states education department has launched a campaign, and a $250,000 funding request, to cover language-proficiency testing fees for low-income studentsopening an avenue for all students to demonstrate their fluency in their home languages. The state legislature could take up the issue early in 2019. Washington already offers competency tests in languages such as Vietnamese, Somali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Romanian, and Amharic. The availability of those tests is already paying off. Washington is also one of the few states that tracks the demographics of students who earn the seal of biliteracy. To date, roughly 20 percent of the 7,000 students whove earned the state seal of biliteracy there were current or former English-learners, said Angela Davila, the states world languages program supervisor. Davila said Washington state has a goal for recognizing multilingual students: Propping open the door open to accept all comers. If states are serious about providing equal opportunities for all bilingual students, perhaps they should do the same. PERSPECTIVE How to Dismantle Elite Bilingualism By Nelson Flores Recent years have witnessed the expansion of dual-language programs, alongside increasing support for the Seal of Biliteracy. These developments bring increased attention to the challenge of ensuring that racialized bilingualism (when students of color speak a non-dominant language at home and learn English at school) is placed on an equal playing field as elite bilingualism (when white students speak English at home and learn a second language in school). One way of addressing this challenge is by ensuring that students in all ZIP codes have the opportunity to formally study languages other than English through the more-equitable distribution of dual-language programs. The disproportionate concentration of dual-language programs in affluent or gentrifying neighborhoods denies dual-language education to many racialized bilinguals, as well as other students of color who often attend schools in segregated, low-income communities. Efforts to integrate elite and racialized bilingualism in dual-language programs also pose challenges to schools. These programs often include families from vastly different racial and socioeconomic statuses who have different norms of interaction with schools. Schools can confront this challenge by partnering with local organizations with strong connections to the communities being served by these programs. These organizations can support schools in identifying existing community resources and help bring them into the classroom. They can also support schools in ensuring equitable participation of all parents in school decisions. The challenge of equitable participation also trickles down to the classroom, where elite bilingual students often dominate interactions both because of the dominance of English and because they are more comfortable advocating for themselves. Teachers can resist this tendency by becoming more aware of who they call on in class, incorporating culturally relevant materials that build on the experiences of racialized bilinguals, and structuring group work to ensure both elite and racialized bilinguals have the opportunity to be positioned as experts. State, district, and school leaders can further ensure that the expertise of racialized bilinguals is recognized by reconsidering the overreliance on standardized assessments in determining language proficiency. These assessments emphasize language practices that are disconnected from the lived experiences of racialized bilinguals. They therefore often indicate that these students are not fully proficient in any language. The result can be classrooms where elite bilinguals are framed as gifted and racialized bilinguals are framed as in need of remediation. A more holistic understanding of the linguistic knowledge of racialized bilinguals can facilitate treating their bilingualism as a resource for learning rather than a deficit in need of remediation. In my research, I have mapped the complex language practices of young racialized bilinguals on to state standards, illustrating the ways that their lived experiences already provide an important foundation for meeting the standards. Schools cannot solely dismantle hierarchies between elite and racialized bilinguals. Yet, by ensuring the equitable distribution of bilingual education, promoting community participation, and developing mechanisms for valuing the home language and literacy practices of all bilingual students, they can work to develop the foundation for broader efforts to promote racial equity. Nelson Flores is an associate professor of educational linguistics in the graduate school of education at the University of Pennsylvania. The March 11, 2013, cover of TIME magazine He was once a national and global hero winning a gold Paralympic medal and competing also in the Olympics. These days Oscar Pistorius is serving a life sentence in South African for murdering his girlfriend. But he become a spiritual leader and is preaching the Bible to hardcore criminal inmates at his prison near the capital Pretoria, his father has told the UK newspaper, The Times. The former athlete is serving a life sentence for the 2013 murder of his model girlfriend Reva Steenkamp, aged 29, is now the leader of a bible group at the Atteridgeville correctional center in Pretoria. Throughout the world he was known as the Blade Runner due to his hi-tech carbon prostheses, He has found new purpose since being jailed for life for the murder of his girlfriend, Henke Pistorius said. He told The Times that his son had "always been a child of God" and was "making a difference to others" within the prison walls. "I have no doubt that Oscar has changed the environment in the prison for the better, he is helping to mediate between people and is having a positive influence," Pistorius said. "He can feel he is making a difference to others who really needed a difference to be made to give their lives meaning, purpose and some hope. As a result, things have also improved for him. It's a wonderful story. "They are hardcore chaps, the problem people in the prison, but now they are all meeting to follow the Bible once or twice a week." December marked the second Christmas that Pistorius has spent behind bars. He still must serve another five years before he is eligible for parole in 2023. Oscar Pistorius is a double amputee and he fired his 9 millmeter pistol through a locked lavatory door at his home in 2013, killing Reeva Steenkamp, a law graduate and model. Britain's Daily Mail cited South Africa's Weekend Argus newspaper quoting a source in South Africa's Department of Correctional Services who claimed Pistorius was a model prisoner who was "humble and caring." The source said: "The Oscar I've come to know in jail is kind-hearted and cares for his fellow inmates. He buys food for those who can't afford it or those who are far away from their relatives. And he does this without asking for anything in return. "Oscar also doesn't deny what he did and shows remorse every day without faking it or to manipulate people's opinions. This is the side he shows in jail and people should stop judging him." The source said that Pistorius keeps a low profile behind bars and did not enjoy any preferential treatment adding: "He likes his privacy and spends a lot of his time reading and visiting the prison library. He's a real bookworm." The Blade Runner was the first double amputee to race in the Olympics competing in the 2012 London Games and became a worldwide role model. But the following year Pistorius plummeted from grace after being arrested for the brutal murder of Reeva shooting her four times including a fatal wound to the head. Reeva's parents British-born June and her South African-born retired horse trainer husband Barry, 75, were always convinced she was murdered. The couple told a TV channel that they believe Reeva had packed her bags and told Pistorius she was leaving him on the evening of her death and that he killed her. Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Join our readers in selecting the "Best of Windham." Make your picks! 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 Cancer is a crushing and life-altering experience that led one mother, after being unable to speak, to leave her job in sales to create a 6-figure online business. This is no small feat for a two person team, consisting of Zeynep Prens and her brother, Yusuf, who handcraft their whole leather product line. Working under the brand, Galen Leather, from their humble workshop in Istanbul, the duo make leather notebook covers, pen cases, MacBook cases, iPad sleeves and travel accessories. They ship to thousands of their loyal customers all over the world. Following the devastating diagnosis of a rare type of head and neck cancer (Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma) back in 2012, Zeynep was forced to consider alternatives to her successful career in sales. Doctors warned the cancer treatment may leave her incapable of speech. Following a painful four months of treatment, their prognosis became reality. It completely turned her familys life upside down. Zeynep says, Without the ability to speak, I was no longer able to speak with customers and make sales. My career was over. This forced me to look for a new job model that would allow me to work without speech. Motivated to provide a brighter future for her son, Zeynep came up with the idea of selling locally produced leather goods and vintage kilims online. This business model enabled her to communicate to customers solely via email. She was able to make a name for herself, turning an obstacle into an opportunity. Fortunately after a year, Zeyneps speech returned but by this point, she was steadfast on her new entrepreneurial path and knew the business needed something more to succeed. She brought her brother Yusuf onboard who had recently graduated and disinterested in pursing a traditional 9-5 job. It wasnt long until a new obstacle spurred them to consider another interesting business opportunity. Zeynep explains, One day my husband asked for a leather journal for his Moleskine notebook and iPad. When I requested this from our vendor, he was not interested in helping and I knew we had to make some changes. Yusuf and I decided to start producing our own leather goods. We started taking classes to learn leather crafting, learning from some of the best leather crafters in the area, as well as YouTube videos. It took several tries to create exactly what my husband had been looking for but we finally managed it, much to his satisfaction. From here, the duo started designing their own line of products and rebranded to Galen Leather. The challenges, however, didnt stop there. In 2016, PayPal stopped their services in Turkey. This forced them to look for alternative sales channels to Etsy and Ebay that didnt rely on this one payment gateway. They decided to simply create their own online store through the Shopify platform. Business really took off during the 2017 Christmas season when they designed a wooden writing box which sold over 1000 pieces. As they continued to tweak and refine their e-commerce strategies, their online store experienced a 55% increase in conversions and a 138% increase in revenue over the following year. Since launching on Shopify, theyve created over $1million worth of product from their very own hands. They attribute their success primarily to one word focus. They learned from other successful e-commerce stores to narrow their audience down to 2-3 focused communities, like stationary lovers, pen collectors and travellers. By understanding their specific audience better, theyve been able to better service them. Zeynep comments, A lot of people ask us about why we dont have distributors, wholesalers or physical stores. I explain how we prefer to reach our customers directly who love to know they are buying from us firsthand. This enables us to offer affordable prices, more options and customisations. In return, we receive quick feedback about product improvements and have more control over our brand to maintain integrity within the community. Its a formula thats worked well for us. Operating in the competitive online retail environment is challenging enough, even for the big players. Galen Leather, however, have showcased their own competitive advantages as a small enterprise. This includes their ability to rapidly adapt to external forces in the marketplace and leverage them to their benefit and niche down to a focused audience. With thanks to platforms like Shopify, its clear theres still room for small, family-run businesses like Galen Leather to thrive. Louth County Council has revealed that they will appeal the decision that Bridge Street would not avail of funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. At the Dundalk, Municipal District Monthly meeting councillors heard that two million euro has been allocated for the fund which falls under the Government's Project Ireland 2040. Frank Pentony, Director of Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Development Frank Pentony that an appeal has been lodged in relation to funding for the upgrade of Bridge Street and the Port Access Route in Drogheda. Meanwhile, work has started on to upgrade Clanbrassil Street, a project which is set to be completed by the end of 2019. READ: Trees cut down on Clanbrassil Street in Dundalk today Home Four wheelers Volkswagen Emission Scandal VW Might Recall More Cars Soon oi-Rahul Nagaraj Volkswagen might soon have to recall more cars, as part of an investigation by Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). According to Reuters, the German 'Bild am Sonntag' newspaper reported that KBA had opened up an investigation to check whether a software update on their 1.2-litre engine cars, enabled them to cheat the emission tests. The 1.2-litre engine is used on many of Volkswagen offerings, including the popular Polo hatchback. The Bild am Sonntag newspaper also reported that prosecutors were preparing charges against Volkswagen managers for suspected fraud. The Volkswagen managers, who were unnamed by the newspaper, noted that the company had assured that no illegal emission cheat devices were used in the 1.2-litre engine offerings. The German car brand first admitted to using cheat devices on their cars in September 2015. Volkswagen admitted to using an illegal device to cheat in the emission tests conducted on their diesel engines by the US anti-pollution tests. This later resulted in the recall of thousands of cars in the USA, along with thousands more worldwide. Currently, there are 370,000 cars under investigation in Europe alone. KBA is considering forcing 30,000 affected cars in Germany off the road. However, the newspaper stated that KBA might just order further remedial work instead. Also, a Volkswagen spokesperson has stated that internal quality control for cars with the 1.2-litre diesel engines has revealed certain irregularities. The 1.2-litre diesel engine (model EA189) is currently being analysed. The spokesperson also added that the concerned authorities have been informed and VW was in continuous dialogue with them. Germany's Transport Authority who overlooks the KBA stated that they are aware of the allegations. However, they are waiting for KBA, who are yet to conclude their investigation. Thoughts On The Volkswagen Emission Scandal Recall Volkswagen first admitted to cheating in the emission tests in 2015. The German carmaker admitted to using an illegal cheat device, which helped them pass the emission tests. Since then, Volkswagen has had to shell out millions of Euros and recall thousands of cars worldwide to pay for their damages. Most Viewed Videos As I did more research, I became excited not only for those principals and those who will be teaching, but for the students and for my own children. This is what great teaching looks like, Burns added. The themes are part of a comprehensive restructuring of the city school system approved by the Dothan City Board of Education in November. Advocates of the change, which includes a consolidation of the citys two high schools, believe the restructuring will lead to improved performance throughout the entire system. Those opposed to the change argued the removal of the citys magnet school system squelched the most successful aspect of the Dothan school system. Burns said the signatures could be introduced to the public in a similar fashion, although definitive plans have not been made. Saturdays symposium was designed to give teachers a first glance at what the signatures emphasized, and to allow teachers to interact with principals. Teachers for each school could be designated by next month. Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards said earlier that while all elementary schools -- with the exception of the magnet school -- will be neighborhood schools, a small portion of enrollment will be reserved for students who wish to attend a specific themed school outside of their assigned zone. Transportation will not be provided for students who plan to attend from out a schools zone. A woman accused of leaving her dead infant in the freezer of a Dothan motel room waived her arraignment hearing and enters pleaded not guilty to related charges. Amanda Gail Oakes, 36, is charged with manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, and felony chemical endangerment of a child. Due to infants death, the chemical endangerment charge is a Class A felony carrying a penalty of no less than 10 years and up to 99 years in prison. Carlton James Mathis, 28, of Gainesville, Georgia, was also charged in connection with the childs death after being shot in a standoff with Florida police June 4. According to Dothan Police reports, investigators were told by Oakes that the infants body was placed inside the freezer when the smell of decomposition became unbearable. Oakes also confirmed that she and Mathis were under the influence of illegal drugs. This is not about me, this is about everyone in this room and everyone that lives in this judicial circuit of Coffee and Pike counties, Head said. This is your courthouse, this is your courtroom, and this is your judicial system. I am blessed and fortunate to be the next person to assume these duties and to do the best job that I can, and let me suggest what you should expect from your most recent circuit judge. You should expect if not demand that your next circuit judge follow the law, be fair to everyone that walks through the door regardless of which side of the courtroom theyre on; you should expect that your next judge should be open-minded, unbiased, that your next judge has the capacity for compassion and the ability to be firm when the situation requires him to be firm. You should expect for your next judge to be hard-working and you should demand that your next judge should have the judicial temperament that is consistent with the person thats assuming this position of tremendous responsibility and, quite frankly, authority. Life changing decisions happen in this courtroom every day and they happen from this bench. I hope and strive every day to try to live up to those expectations for all of you, because this is your seat, and Im very glad that were having this open public ceremony with the orderly transfer of authority from Judge Head to myself. You just saw me put my hand on the Bible and the two most important people in my life, my children, were holding that Bible. I made an oath to God to do just that -- I made God a party to this agreement. So I pledge to you to do the absolute best job that I can for the citizens of the 12th Judicial Circuit. Four men with addresses in south Dublin have appeared at court in Donegal charged with having items that could be used in connection with theft or burglary. Sergeant Oliver Devaney told Donegal Town District Court the four were detained by gardai after they were detected driving and allegedly acting suspiciously at Tullyearl Roundabout Donegal Town on January 6. The four defendants were brought before Carrick-On-Shannon District Court on January where they were remanded in custody. Marian Bucur (29) with an address at 60 Auburn Drive, Castleknock, Dublin is charged with having a sledgehammer, one nail bar, three pairs of gloves, three beanie hats, two walkie-talkies, two pencil torches, one piece of rope, a roll of refuse bags, three large screwdrivers, and a socket set with the intention that it be used in the curse of or in connection with the theft/burglary/an offence under Section 6 of Seven of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 at Donegal Town Garda Station on January 6. George Panait (27), Stefan Serbu (45) and 24-year-old Lulan Vlad, of the same address, are facing an identical charge. George Panait is facing an additional charge of driving with no insurance at Tullyearl, Donegal Town on January 6. They made no reply to the charges the court heard. The first defendant Marian Bucur said he was denying the charge. At that point Judge Kevin Kilrane asked for more information about the allegations. After hearing details he said he was not accepting jurisdiction. All four were remanded in custody to appear at Harristown District Court on January 25 to await DPP directions. Sometimes youre after a full-bodied red to accompany a thick, juicy steak. Other times you might be after a refreshing white, to go with fish and carefully cooked vegetables. Of course: you should stock your cellar accordingly. However, if youre after a safe bet for all occasions, look no further than a quality Pinot Noir. Although it has a reputation for being delicate, Pinot Noir is no less complex than any other varietal of red wine. Its fragility however, has led to some popular misconceptions such as: You can have good Pinot Noir wine or cheap Pinot Noir; but you cant have both. Were pleased to say that this is no longer the case: with its increasing popularity, Australias Pinot Noir makers are planting more, and have access to better technology and skills than ever before, thus lowering the financial barrier to entry to this notoriously hard to grow wine. In other words: you no longer have to sell a kidney to get your hands on one of the sultriest, silkiest wines around. So what makes Pinot Noir so special? Why does it have (relative to say, Shiraz) a small, cult like following, while being undervalued by the rest of us? Why is it so romanticised? One reason is that Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grapes in the world, belonging to a family that has been around since Roman times. As such, it is related to Muscat Blanc (a rare white grape with only 50 acres around Piedmont Italy) and the nearly extinct Gouais Blanc (allegedly the grape of middle age Europe). Also: its a little more subtle, lending itself to people who appreciate (or who like to pretend they can appreciate) the delicate, micro-aspects of a vintage. Instead of jumping out at you, Pinots cool-climate acidity, low tannins and a tasteful spattering of red berries, dance together on your palate to create a gentle wow factor rather than an overpowering bang. Bearing that in mind, dont buy Pinot Noir expecting the full-on flavour of a big red; with this varietal, you should be searching for delicacy, length, harmony and finesse. To that end, we asked some of Australias leading sommeliers for their picks for (and thoughts on) Australias top seven Pinot Noir vintages (and makers). From guaranteed crowd-pleasers to hidden gems, allow this list to guide your tastebuds (and reputation as a dinner party host) in the right direction. Under $20 Take It To The Grave Pinot Noir Vintage: 2018 Dan Murphys two cents: Take It To The Grave Pinot Noir is blood red in colour with a lifted and varietal nose of wild strawberries, ripe plums and cherries. The palate is rich and expressive with supple cherry and red berried fruit, a beautifully lush mouth-feel matched by fine tannins and soft acidity that provide structure and length. Simultaneously sweet and savoury with red/black cherry, anise and boysenberry providing plenty of juicy flavour. Thats the thing: it serves fruit sweetness but then tempers it beautifully. Spice notes add to the show. Fantastic value in a pinot noir context. (Expert reviewer, Wine Front). Shop Now $15.99 Ninth Island Pinot Noir Vintage: 2018 Dan Murphys two cents: Ninth Island Pinot Noir is a sensational cool-climate Pinot Noir from the makers of Pipers Brook. Tasmania is now recognised as a world class Pinot region and with wines of this quality one can see why! Ninth Island does fragrantly pretty pinot noir better than most. Perfumed, filled with cherries, plush redcurrants and plums. A lick of strawberries with a hint of smoky oak and fine acidity. Delicious. (Dan Murphys wine panel, expert reviewer). Shop Now $18.10 Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir Vintage: 2017 Dan Murphys two cents: True to the [Pinot Noir] variety this one is fresh and fruit-driven, dripping with cherries, plums and strawberries. Drink with duck cassoulet with sweet spice! This is a lovely drink, with some sous-bois complexity, sappy tannins and bright red fruit. (Expert reviewer, Max Allen). Under $30 Silent Way Pinot Noir Vintage: 2017 Picked by: Mark Willoughby, head honcho at Esoterica Wine & Food. Marks two cents: Macedon Pinot doesnt come for this pricegood pinot noir doesnt get sold for this priceand yet. Made by the great Matt Harrop of Shadowfax and now Curly Flat fame, a super keen price for a wine that shows all the tricksCherry and cranberry meet spice, clove and vanilla. Sure its not great Burgundy, but it doesnt need to be for the money. Shop Now $24 Payten & Jones VV Pinot Noir Vintage: 2018 Vino Mofos two cents: This Payten & Jones Pinot Noir from Melbournes Yarra Valley is like one of those light-and-bright, innocently fruited pinots usually found in this price bracket has come of age in grand style. Its not too heavy, nor too dark, but theres a depth of flavour enough to lose yourself in for hours. The fun label belies the complexity within, and theres serious cellar potential here, without doubt. Raspberries, cherries and exotic spices, dusted with very fine white pepper and a back palate hint of vanilla yoghurt. Simply divine! Shop Now $26.50 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir Vintage: 2018 Dan Murphys two cents: With its fruit sourced from cool climate Tasmanian vineyards, this wine is bright cherry red with the nose showing vibrant primary fruits of sour cherry and pomegranate that meld with subtle spicy char aromas of French Oak. The palate shows lively primary red fruits, supported with a hint of stalk influence giving a linear structure that is long and defined. Shop Now $22.99 Under $50 Bay Of Fires Vintage: 2016 Picked by: Dan Murphys wine panel. Dan Murphys two cents: It isnt hard to see why Tasmania is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Australias greatest cool-climate Pinot regions with wines like this. However: Bay of Fires Pinot Noir is always produced is such limited quantities, you need to get in quick to secure some. Cherry, Turkish delight, spice, meaty whole bunch funk, pepper. Medium bodied, spicy, meaty, plenty of ripe jubey fruit, silky feel yet firm through the mouth, pulling almost stalky and strict on the finish, (expert reviewer, Gary Walsh). Shop Now $39 Penfolds Maxs Pinot Noir Vintage: 2018 Dan Murphys two cents: Enticing aromatics, with exotic fruits of the forest leaping from the glass. Raspberry, black cherry, olive tapenade and oolong tea are framed by a subtle char-toast character. Hints of sea spray and a distinct Campari note linger. Shop Now $32.99 Saint Clair Block 14 Doctors Creek Pinot Noir Vintage: 2016 Booze Buds two cents: Full-bodied with Morello cherry flavours and a fine silky structure showing fresh vanilla pod, blackberry and blueberry with spice on the finish. Aromatic floral notes combined with red berry notes and a slight earthy richness. Shop Now $40 Under $100 Paringa Estate Vintage: 2015 Picked by: Dan Murphys wine panel. The wine panels two cents: This wine shows superb varietal aromas of cherry, plum and spice, and the palate is long, textured and complex. With the ability to be cellared for the medium to long term, Lindsay McCalls Estate Pinot is a certainty to be included in any cellar of a great Pinot Noir lover. One of the richest, plushest and most enjoyable Pinots in the land; Paringa still makes one of the best in the business. Buy @ Dan Murphys $64 Sinapius The Enclave Pinot Noir Vintage 2016 Picked by: Sean McManus, Sommelier at French restaurant Hubert in Sydneys CBD, and Italian restaurant Alberto, Surrey Hills. Seans two cents: 2016 saw temperatures well above average, and larger quantities of clean excellent fruit grown. That being said Tasmania generally works off very low yielding fruit on regular vintages. Which means this 100% dry grown (no irrigation) vintage, on 10 million year old soils, is a cracker. This enclave Pinot noir is hand picked and wild fermented for nearly 24 days resulting in sweet red fruits with seductive whispers of smoke and game. A palette that is long and layered almost ethereal with fruit spices and melting tannin that is built for ageing whilst showcasing its balance and purity; it screams red burgundy. Buy @ Sinapius $80 Farr Farrside Pinot Noir Vintage: 2016 Picked by: Chris Sheehy, Champagne Ambassador at Pernod Ricard. Chris two cents: fruit forward and rich with lovely balance; a real crowd pleaser. Campbell Mattinson, from Wine Front adds: Its cut with acid, plump with fruit, spicy, svelte and silken. Its simultaneously tangy, plush and long. Some wines get a lot of mileage out of an inherent tension, and this is one such wine. Shop Now $80 Bindi Original Vineyard Pinot Noir Vintage: 2017 Picked by Nick Stamford. Nicks two cents: From a beautiful site in Macedon, planted in 1988. The 30 year old vines are now producing a silky textured pinot of great length and intensity but in a beautifully elegant frame. This pinot is one of Australias somewhat hidden gems. Unlike many Australian pinots, it has an ability to age effortlessly for 10-20 years and remain delicious and intriguing throughout the journey. Buy @ MW Wines $89 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir Vintage: 2017 Picked by: Chiara Danieli, head sommelier at Matteo Downtown. Chiaras two cents: Intensely aromatic, balanced with savoury spice notes from whole bunch fermentation, along with purity of varietal expression, fresh acidity and firm tannins. The 2017 vintage is very perfumed, medium bodied and approachable. Buy @ Tolpuddle $90 Pinot Noir FAQ Is Pinot Noir sweet? No. Dry wines like Pinot Noir tend to be less sweet since they have no leftover sugar after fermentation. Pinot Noir is light and fruity, but not sweet. How is Pinot Noir best served? It is best served slightly chilled. You can cool your bottle of Pinot Noir for two hours in the refrigerator or around 15 minutes in the freezer. If in ice and water, it should take about five minutes. What food pairs well with Pinot Noir? Pinot Noir pairs well with different kinds of food. You can pair it with fish or chicken, pasta dishes and beef stews. For cheeses, it matches nicely with nutty ones like a Gruyere or delicate washed rind cheeses like a Taleggio. Read Next Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Ballard Court building, at 2056 N.W. Market St., has sold for a little over $5 million, according to King County records. The sellers were two family-related LLCs that had owned the property for decades. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Cali Apartments, at 6040 California Ave. S.W., sold for just under $10.7 million, according to King County records. The seller was CRE 6040 Partners LLC, which acquired the property in 2016 for almost $7.5 million. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE An industrial property at 65 S. Horton St. has sold for over $4.8 million, according to King County records. The buyer was Ryan at 65 Horton St., which is associated with the Ryan Cos. of Minneapolis. . . . Subscriber content preview MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Google is looking into building a $600 million data center in central Minnesota that would be powered by two wind farms. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy disclosed the data center project Thursday in a regulatory filing. The Google facility proposed in Becker would mark one of the largest private construction projects in recent state history. . . . Key Highlights: Samsung will launch the Galaxy M series phones first in India on January 28. The M-series will be sold exclusively via Amazon India and Samsung's e-commerce portal. The Galaxy M10, M20 and M30 will be priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. In the worlds second largest smartphone market, Samsung used to have the final say. However, over the past few years, as multiple reports have revealed, Chinese manufacturers have taken over with Xiaomi claiming the top spot followed by the likes of Honor, Realme, Oppo, Vivo and more. Now, in a bid to compete more against the Chinese OEMs, Samsung will launching a new lineup of smartphones Galaxy M. The lineup will be positioned as budget smartphones and will arrive first in India on January 28. The Galaxy M series will be sold exclusively via Amazon India and Samsungs own e-commerce portal. The company claims the phones will deliver power-packed performance without revealing what the specs will be like for the phones. The phones will reportedly be named Galaxy M10, M20 and M30 as revealed by leaks before. The phones will also roll out to other global markets soon after the launch in India. While the flagship Samsung Galaxy S10 series is due to launch on February 20, the M series will be the first Samsung phone to launch this year. In an interview to Reuters, Samsung India Senior Vice President told Reuters that the phones will feature large batteries with fast charging. It confirms an earlier report that claimed the Galaxy M20 will feature a massive 5,000mAh battery The highest capacity ever seen on a Samsung phone. The phone has been developed and made in India and will be priced around Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 according to the Reuters report. Previous leaks have revealed the entry-level Galaxy M10 will sport a 5.6-inch LCD display and come powered by the Exynos 7870 SoC along with 3GB of RAM and 32GB internal memory with a 3000mAh battery powering it all. A 13MP camera is reported to be present on the back while up front, there will be a 5MP shooter. The Galaxy M20 will reportedly sport a 6.1-inch LCD panel with the Exynos 7885 SoC under the hood. The phone will similarly have 3GB RAM but with 64GB storage and a large 5,000mAh battery. A dual camera unit (12+5MP) will be present on the back and an 8MP camera on the front for selfies. The Galaxy M30 is the most interesting out of the lot, however. Earlier leaks have revealed the M30 will sport an Infinity U display (with a waterdrop notch) along with a 5,000mAh battery. The phone will also adopt a triple-camera setup on the back, much like the Galaxy A7 with 13MP+5MP+5MP sensors. On the front, it is expected to come with a 16MP sensor for selfies. Geekbench listing has revealed the phone will be powered by the Exynos 7885 octa-core SoC. The Galaxy M series phones are likely to replace the present Galaxy J-series lineup and Samsung is expected to turn the heat on Xiaomi even as the company had shipments lesser than Xiaomi in two out of three quarters in 2018, according to Counterpoint Research. Reuters reported Samsung plans to double its online sales with the Galaxy M-series smartphones. Related Links: Samsung Galaxy S10 to launch on February 20 ahead of MWC 2019, foldable phone could come in tow CES 2019: Samsung shows off Digital Cockpit with Harman Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy Fold battery capacities leaked Honor has developed a knack for introducing new designs that ultimately becomes the status quo, especially in the Indian smartphone market. The company was noted to launch a bevy of dual-camera phones in 2017, becoming one of the first brands to offer the feature which is now a standard in phones across all price ranges. Gradient colour finish, another hot feature in smartphones these days, can also arguably be said to have been popularised by the brand. Now, the upcoming Honor View 20 is set to repeat the feat again with a handful of new technologies and features. The Honor View 20 was announced in China in December while the global debut is set to happen at an event in Paris on January 22. In India, the company plans to introduce the high-end flagship on January 29. The phone can already be pre-ordered on Amazon India. 91.8% screen-to-body ratio is nice to look at. As such, the View 20 is Honors first smartphone with a punch-hole display. The new design is an alternative to the hideous notch that became the norm in smartphones in 2018. The new design circumvents the wide cut-out in the middle of the display with a hole in the top left corner housing the front camera. There are many other such firsts in the Honor View 20 that the company hopes will set the phone apart from the rest in the high-end segment, competing head on with the OnePlus 6T. Having used the smartphone for a few days, heres what we think about it. Look ma! No notch The Honor View 20 is an indication that the notch is on its way out. The controversial design choice made popular by the iPhone X in 2017 quickly became the standard in smartphones across all price ranges. While OEMs would have you believe the notch allowed for a bigger display, the experience itself wasnt all that good. Thankfully, I can be at peace with the new punch-hole design. It takes up a relatively small amount of space in the top left corner and as such, doesnt really intrude into the content on the screen. When placed side by side against a smartphone like the Vivo NEX dual display which has a completely edge-to-edge panel on the front, the difference is hardly noticeable. The NEX dual display uses a second display on the back to get around putting a notch on the front while the previous NEX sported a mechanical pop-up camera, considered yet another way to remove the notch. Neither of them are cheap to make, and Honors punch-hole solution seems the most cost-effective. Having a dark wallpaper hides the fact that there is a hole in the top corner while during gaming, the display itself adapted to the new design without any impediment. The punch-hole camera is nice because it stays out of the way most of the times This isnt the only smartphone with a new front camera design, however. Samsung also released the Galaxy A8s with an Infinity-O display, a similar design while Nokia is also said to be working on something similar. After OEMs quickly shifted to a waterdrop style notch, the punch-hole now seems like an inevitable evolution. To determine whether its gimmicky or actually useful is something that needs further investigation and analysis. Thanks to the new design, the Honor View 20 has an almost edge-to-edge panel which looks quite immersive. It does have a slightly larger chin as compared to the forehead and the sides, but thats where the sensors are housed. Laser etched gradient finish My personal favourite variant The punch-hole display is not the only change in design that the Honor View 20 brings forth. The View 20 is also quite exquisitely crafted. It retains the glossy exterior that phones like the Honor 10 popularised but this time around, Honor implemented a laser-etched V-pattern on the back that reflects when held against light. The V-shape is an obvious choice as this establishes the branding for the companys View series. The high-end phone will be offered in three variants Blue, Red and Black. While the Sapphire Blue is what we received for review, our eyes are on the red variant which looks particularly attractive. The phone also found enough space to retain the 3.5mm headphone jack and tops it off with an IR-blaster to allow users to control their appliances using the phone. It skips on the in-display fingerprint sensor though, and opts for a rear-mounted physical sensor. The camera module is also quite interesting. The primary sensor is housed in a separate module while the second ToF sensor is paired with the LED flash in another module. The Honor branding too has been updated with the companys new logo. Next-generation dual cameras The Honor View20 rocks a 48MP sensor Honors designs have always been enthralling, but its the cameras that the company likes to market the most. And theres quite a lot to talk about the Honor View 20s camera setup. On the back is a 1/2-inch 48MP sensor. Honor is using Sonys IMX 586 sensor that has 0.8 microns sub-pixels which combine to form large 1.6um superpixels for low-light photos. While its too early to say whether the camera brings any significant improvement, but the initial few samples we took looks promising. The phone can take images in the native 48MP format, but the details likely wont be quite like the high-res DSLRs since the sub-pixels and the sensor size itself is much smaller. So I cant really get my hopes up all that much. The bigger sensor also allows for 960fps slo-mo recording. (8000x6000 pixels) 1/100 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200 100 percent cropped Shot on Honor View 20 (6000x8000 pixels 1/485s, f/1.8, ISO50) 100% cropped Shot on OnePlus 6 (3456x4608 pixels, 1/470s, f/1.7,ISO100) 100% cropped (8000x6000 pixels 1/880sec, f/1.8, ISO50) Shot with AI Mode on (8000x6000 pixels, 1/1139 sec, f/1.8, ISO50) However, the ToF 3D camera is something Im more interested in. The technology has been baking in the oven for quite some time and one of the makers of the tech, Sony has built up hype claiming the technology will revolutionise cameras in 2019. As for the Honor View 20, it uses the stereo camera to generate portrait effects thats good for meme-making at best. Theres a feature to change the shape of the person youre photographing which uses the second sensor, and to me, that sounds like millennial apocalypse. Nevertheless, the 3D camera also finds application in motion-gaming which we are yet to test. There are a handful of supported games and the phone needs to be tethered to a display. The applications in the Honor View 20 are ambitious but seems to be at an early stage. The camera is also set to feature in the next iPhones, as revealed by renders leaked by OnLeaks, and the Honor View 20 can serve as a window to what Apple plans to do come September. The View 20s 25MP selfie camera has the usual bells and whistles of AI portrait mode with various filters and effects. Flagship specs and a new UI The 7nm Kirin 980 powers the Honor View 20 The new 3D applications certainly require a lot of processing power, and the View 20 relies on the new 7nm Kirin 980 SoC with a triple-cluster arrangement to handle the load. There are two high-performance cores at 2.6GHz along with two mid-performance cores 1.92GHz and four efficiency cores. In a briefing with Huaweis semiconductor division had revealed the Kirin 980s high-performance chips kicks in rarely, only when required, that too in short bursts. Most high-capacity operations are performed in the mid-cores. And the View 20 seems to handle everything just fine. Through the weekend I used the phone, it felt fast and smooth with little jitters or lag. We are currently putting the phone through our intensive performance tests to see how it fares. 6GB RAM might not deem enough for heavy multi-tasking though, especially if youre using the camera a lot. Keeping the lights on is a big 4,000mAh battery that also supports SuperCharge. Further, to keep things cool, the View 20 has a heat-pipe inside that collects heat from the major hotspots like the CPU, ISP and the charging IC. To that extent, I didnt feel the phone getting too warm while playing PubG Mobile on it. The Honor View 20 could be heating much less, or its really cold outside. The Honor View 20 unit we received has 128GB of storage which is plenty to store images (which also get backed up on Google Photos for free), music and more. The phone relies on a refreshed UI based on Android 9.0 Pie called MagicUI. Its essentially a rebranded EMUI that retains the block-like icons. The app drawer is still missing by default but you turn it on in the Settings. It also brings forth a new Digital Balance mode that monitors your usage, and can restrict usage after a stipulated period of time if its turned on. I have been using the feature on the Huawei Mate 20 for a while, and it has been a constant reminder of my smartphone addiction. Other than that, the phone is very much like high-end Huawei and Honor phones with a similar experience. First Impressions For a phone thats coming out in the beginning of a new year, the Honor View 20 certainly seems exciting. Its packed with too many new features to count, and could end up as a precursor to the things to come. However, it remains to be seen how much of the new tech can actually prove useful. We are certainly going to have fun reviewing the phone. The Honor Play 8A is now officially been revealed in China last week. The phone comes with a water-drop notch on top of it and is powered by a MediaTek chipset, which is different from what we have seen in its successor the Honor 7A, that is backed by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor. On the other hand, we have the RealMe U1 that has a 25MP Al powered selfie camera and a tear-drop notch on top of the display. Lets do a quick specifications comparison to know which phone is better when it comes to hardware? Lets begin with comparing the display of these two smartphones in detail. Both the smartphones have a 6.3-inch display that has a water-drop notch on top of it. However, the RealMe U1 offers a better resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels in compare to the Honor Play 8A that comes with a resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels. When it comes to the performance, the Honor Play 8A is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 processor, which is clocked at 2.3GHz. The RealMe U1 is backed by the MediaTek Helio P70 processor, which is clocked at 2.1GHz. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Honor Play 8A has a 13MP unit on the back along with an 8MP sensor on the front, while the RealMe U1 has a 25MP AI-powered selfie camera that comes with features like portrait lighting, Bokeh effect and more. On the back, it has a dual 13MP + 2MP rear camera. The Honor Play 8A has officially been launched in China as its India release is not yet confirmed by the company. On the other hand, the RealMe U1 is available for Rs 11,999 on Amazon. A Huawei employee arrested by Polish security services - together with a Polish security official - over allegations of spying has been fired by the Chinese vendor. Wang Weijing, who has worked for Huaweis Polish unit since 2011, has been detained, but not charged. Prior to working at Huawei, Wang was an attache to the Chinese General Consul in Gdansk. Polish Internal Security Agency (ISA) spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn stated: This matter has to do with [Wang's] actions, it doesnt have anything to do with the company he works for. Zaryn confirmed that the ISA apprehended the two men on 8th January and stated that both had heard the charges against them and would be held for three months. Huawei stated that Wang's actions "have no relation to the company" and confirmed that it has taken the decision to fire him as "the incident has brought Huawei into disrepute." A statement issued by the vendor said: Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where it operates, and we require every employee to abide by the laws and regulations in the countries where they are based. The Chinese foreign ministry said it was greatly concerned by the allegations of espionage and called for the case to be dealt with justly. The identity of the Polish man has not been confirmed, according to Polish public TV channel TVP, although he reportedly is a former ISA officer currently employed by telecoms company Orange Polska. His offices have been searched by Polish security services, along with the Polish offices of Huawei. Orange Polska stated that it was unaware if the investigation related to the employees professional capacity, and that it would continue to cooperate with authorities. The arrests come at a time when security fears over Huawei in the West are heightened. The US has long barred the use of Huawei products, claiming that the Chinese vendor has close ties to the countrys government and inferring that its telecoms equipment could offer Beijing a back door for espionage purposes. No evidence supporting these claims has been made public. Although Huawei has repeatedly insisted that these concerns are baseless, several Western countries have followed the USAs lead and placed restrictions on Huawei products. With Australia, New Zealand and Japan all moving to block the use of Huaweis equipment, security concerns over the vendor are reaching a fever pitch. International fears were sparked by the Chinese National Intelligence Law enshrined in 2017, which stipulates that Chinese organisations and citizens shall, in accordance with the law, support, cooperate with, and collaborate in national intelligence work. Theoretically, this could mean that Huawei would be obliged to honour requests by the Chinese government to install backdoors into their technology that could provide Beijing with insight for the purposes of espionage or sabotage. Additionally, government access to Huaweis technology could enable Chinese intelligence to develop its own backdoors. The arrests are the latest issue facing Huawei following the December arrest of its CFO. Meng Wangzhou was detained by Canadian authorities on the behest of US authorities investigation allegations of trade sanction violations. SALT LAKE CITY As the government shutdown stretches on and negotiations between President Donald Trump and House Democrats remain at a standstill, attention has shifted to two new developments related to the Russia investigation: Trumps unwillingness to disclose notes taken at private meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and new insights about the ongoing FBI investigation into Trumps relationship with Russia. Whats going on?: On Friday, The New York Times reported that days after Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey in May 2017, the intelligence agency opened an investigation into Trump deeper than previously revealed with the intention of uncovering whether the president was working directly for the Kremlin. The investigation was two-pronged, with counterintelligence and criminal dimensions. The criminal aspect, which sought to answer if Trumps firing of Comey was an obstruction of justice into another ongoing FBI investigation into whether Russia had meddled with the 2016 presidential election, was already public knowledge. The counterintelligence aspect was first reported Friday by the Times. It aimed to discover whether Trumps actions posed a potential threat to national security. On Sunday, The Washington Post reported that Trump has refused to share notes from a series of private meetings held with Putin and instructed translators and interpreters not to reveal details from the meetings. As a result, the Post reported, U.S. officials said there is no detailed record, even in classified files, of Trumps face-to-face interactions with the Russian leader at five locations over the past two years. Trump's response: Trump took to Twitter to respond to both articles. On Saturday, he fired back at the Times: Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin James Comey, a total sleaze! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2019 On Sunday, he took the Post and its owner Jeff Bezos, who is the CEO of Amazon, to task: So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post. Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019 In addition, Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, I never worked for Russia. Here's a look at what we know about both the FBI investigation and the transparency of Trump's meetings with Putin. We'll put each event into context and clarify what information we know and what we don't. 1. The FBI investigation: Context After Comey was fired, special counsel Robert Mueller took over the investigation into Trumps dealings with Russia. Comey had begun the first part of the investigation, regarding potential collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign, in March 2017. The second investigation, into Trump's potential obstruction of the first investigation and whether Trump was working for Russia, had been opened just days before Mueller took over, according to the Times. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is overseeing the investigation. The FBI had already been concerned that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in order to win the 2016 election. A series of events sparked this concern, including a comment Trump made at July 2016 event when he asked Russia to hack the emails of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, according to the Times. Russian efforts to hack into Clintons email database began that same night, according to an indictment of 12 Russians based on Muellers investigation findings, the Times reported. However, there is no proof that Russias decision to hack Clintons emails was based on Trumps comment. In addition, Trump sparked more concern among FBI officials when, on two occasions, he linked his decision to fire Comey to the ongoing Russia investigation, according to the Times and CNN. The first occasion was Trump's memo to Comey informing him of his dismissal. Although Rosenstein recommended that Trump fire Comey based on his inept handling of the investigation into Clintons emails, according to an official memo obtained by the Times, Trump added a sentence about the Russia investigation in the memo, writing: While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau. The second occasion was in an NBC News interview two days after Comey left the FBI. Trump told host Lester Holt, When I decided to just do it (fire Comey), I said to myself, you know, this Russia thing, with Trump and Russia, is a made-up story, its an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election they shouldve won. If, following the logic of the memo and NBC interview, Trump had fired Comey in order to complicate or halt the Russia investigation, that could pose a threat to national security, FBI officials felt. Not only would it be an issue of obstructing an investigation, but the obstruction itself would hurt our ability to figure out what the Russians had done, and that is what would be the threat to national security, James Baker, who was the FBIs general counsel until late 2017, told Congress in a transcript reported by the Times and confirmed by CNN. Conclusions: Although there is proof that people close to Trump, including members of his campaign, have ties to Russia, there is, as of May 2017, no hard evidence that Trump and Russia colluded on the 2016 campaign, as recently reported by The Hill and Fox News. As reported by the Times, it is unclear if the counterintelligence portion of Mueller's investigation is still ongoing. It is also unclear what information he has uncovered for that particular investigation, if any. The Times also pointed out, No evidence has emerged publicly that Mr. Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian government officials in regard to his decision to fire Comey. 2. Private meetings between Trump and Putin: Context The Washington Post reported Sunday that Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to keep details of his meetings with Putin private. This has resulted in a spate of highly concerned officials who feel they lack reliable information about the U.S.-Russia relationship. Trump has met with Putin in person at five locations in the last two years, according to the Post. Some of the most controversial encounters were in Hamburg, Germany, and Helsinki, Finland. Trump talked twice with Putin at the 2017 G-20 conference in Hamburg, once in a meeting attended by then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and then privately at a banquet with only Putins interpreter in attendance. After the meeting where Tillerson was present, Trump kept his interpreters notes for himself and requested the interpreter to not disclose meeting details. He also held a two-hour private meeting with Putin in Helsinki in summer 2018, allowing no one but interpreters to be present. Tillerson declined to share details with officials of the Hamburg meeting beyond a brief readout. Trump wants to keep meeting transcripts private because of negative press that has followed prior leaks, the Post and Fox News reported. Former Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, who attended a series of meetings between Bill Clinton and former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, told the Post that such a level of secrecy is not only unusual by historical standards, it is outrageous. ... It handicaps the U.S. government the experts and advisers and Cabinet officers who are there to serve (the president) and it certainly gives Putin much more scope to manipulate Trump. In a Saturday conversation with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, Trump said he did not hide information about his conversations with Putin and was just following protocol. Conclusions: It is unclear whether Trump has withheld notes or transcripts from his meetings with Putin on more than one occasion. SALT LAKE CITY Weather permitting, Utahns will be treated to a total eclipse of the moon on Sunday night. Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth and moon form a straight line and the moon hides in Earth's shadow. According to Patrick Wiggins, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory solar system ambassador to Utah, the moon will start to move into the Earths shadow about 8:34 p.m., when its about a third of the way up the eastern sky. Totality begins a little over an hour later, at 9:41. The moon will then start to emerge from the shadow at 10:43 and be clear of the darkest part of the shadow by 11:50 p.m. While many have taken to calling this a blood red moon eclipse, Wiggins notes there's really no way to say beforehand what color the moon will be during totality. The possibilities include grey, orange, copper and red. But it's also possible it will be so dark that it's invisible to the naked eye. Wiggins suggests that those wanting to see whatever color the moon turns should try to get far away from urban light pollution. For those in the Salt Lake Valley wanting to stay closer to home, the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and the University of Utah will be hosting eclipse watches that are free and open to the public. The society will have telescopes available in the parking lot of the Harmons grocery store, 5454 S. Redwood Road, in Taylorsville. The U.'s event will be held at the South Physics Observatory, which is located on the roof of the South Physics Building, 125 S. 1400 East. The last lunar eclipse visible in Utah happened last January but was clouded out for most Utahns. SALT LAKE CITY Salt Lake police continued Monday to look for additional suspects believed to be involved in a weekend killing. Mason Hunt, 26, of Salt Lake City, was shot and killed after confronting a group that had broken into a house to steal drugs, according to police. Colton James Beed, 20, of West Valley City, was arrested for investigation of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary and obstructing justice. On Monday, Salt Lake police announced the arrest of Chase Anthony Chavira, 20, and a 16-year-old boy for investigation of murder and two counts of aggravated burglary. The juvenile, whose name was not released, was booked into juvenile detention. Just after 8 p.m. Saturday, police say Beed and others planned to commit a home invasion robbery at 359 N. Star Crest Drive (1840 West). Beed entered the house wearing a ski mask and latex gloves "while others were placed in charge of carrying firearms and utilized as lookouts," a police report states. "Chase admitted that if he observed law enforcement or other citizens that he would make a call to the individuals inside the residence committing the burglary and warn them to get out," another police report states.A resident inside the house hid in the bathroom and "attempted to call 911 for help but could not get through," according to the report. Salt Lake Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer said Monday that investigators had not verified that the person actually tried to call 911, or if there was a problem that prevented the call from getting through. The person inside the home then called Hunt, who also lived in the residence. Schearer said several people rent rooms in the house. Hunt's room was not the one targeted by intruders, he said. Beed and his group initially drove away from the house, but then decided to return and steal more items, according to the report. Hunt arrived while the suspects were still there and confronted them outside the house. Hunt was hit "over the head" with a rifle and then shot, according to police. Investigators have not said whether he was shot with the same weapon he was hit with or if there were multiple weapons involved. Police later arrested Beed. In 2017, Beed pleaded guilty to assault. It was dismissed a year later as part of a plea deal after he successfully completed the terms of his probation. He received psychiatric treatment at that time, according to court records. Schearer said Monday that detectives were still looking for "multiple" people but couldn't say exactly how many. Correction: An earlier version misspelled Salt Lake Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer's name as Schearer. VERNAL Vernal police say an 18-year-old man stabbed his father multiple times on Saturday. Tristan Olsen was arrested for investigation of attempted murder. His father, Jeffrey Olsen, was stable at a Salt Lake City hospital, according to Vernal police. On Saturday, Tristan Olsen got into an argument with his father while at a relative's residence, according to a statement from police. The argument escalated into a fight, during which Olsen stabbed his father six times in the arm and stomach, police stated. The father was initially taken to a Vernal hospital before being flown by medical helicopter to Salt Lake City. Tristan Olsen claimed that as they were fighting, "his dad was trying to grab a knife. Tristan grabbed the knife instead and stabbed his dad," according to a Uintah County Jail booking report. When police asked Olsen about a blood trail on the porch and driveway, "Tristan stated that after the stabbing they both went outside to the car to have a beer and a cigarette, though Tristan denied having any beer. At some point Tristan called his mother and told her about the fight and told her that he stabbed his dad. Tristan then handed the phone to his dad who talked to his wife and reported he was bleeding and to call 911," the report states. Olsen's mother told police her son had been struggling with mental health issues recently "and has refused to go to the doctor to see what is wrong," the report states. SALT LAKE CITY A Cache County man faces criminal charges after police say he faked being involved in an auto-pedestrian crash at an intersection he had previously voiced concerns about. Jeremy John Sharp, 33, of Hyrum, was charged Monday in 1st District Court with making a false emergency report involving injury or death, a third-degree felony, interfering with an arrest, a class B misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct after being told to stop, a class C misdemeanor. On Saturday, an auto-pedestrian accident was reported near 500 West and 400 North in Hyrum, according to a Cache County Jail report. Seven sheriff's deputies, two Utah Highway Patrol troopers and an ambulance responded to the scene. "I arrived at the incident location where Jeremy was laying on his back," the deputy wrote in the report. "This is an intersection where Jeremy has previously reported concerns about semi-trucks cutting the corner across the parking lot there. Jeremy had no apparent injuries, there were no tracks or other indications that an accident involving a vehicle had occurred." Sharp claimed he had been hit "by a tanker truck hauling milk," and that the night before "he had been hit by a tanker truck hauling gasoline," the report states. While EMTs were on scene, police say Sharp continued to text 911 emergency dispatchers "asking for assistance." "We attempted to assist Jeremy to the ambulance to be further evaluated. He refused to walk. EMTs brought a gurney to Jeremy and loaded him onto the gurney and wheeled him to the ambulance. After being cleared medically we had Jeremy get out of the ambulance. He acted as if he was going to stand then went limp and began to collapse to the ground," the report states. After getting out of the ambulance, deputies informed Sharp he was under arrest for making a false report. "Jeremy immediately began pulling away," the deputy wrote. "Two troopers assisted us in getting Jeremys hand behind his back and cuffed while he continued to pull away despite being ordered to stop resisting." Sharp refused to walk and had to be carried by deputies into the jail. According to court records, Sharp has a history of disorderly conduct arrests. WASHINGTON The Transportation Security Administration said Sunday that an armed passenger boarded an international Delta flight traveling from Atlanta to Tokyo, according to multiple reports. The agency said the government shutdown had nothing to do with the error, according to The Washington Post. TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening TSA checkpoint with a firearm, the agency told The Washington Post. TSA has held those responsible appropriately accountable. Delta said the passenger boarded the flight back on Jan. 2. He reported the firearm to officials and cooperated with authorities, The Washington Post reports. He met with authorities in Japan after the plane landed. Bigger picture: The story comes as airports face a number of TSA agents calling out sick because of the government shutdown, according to CNN. But TSA strongly denied any connection, saying the percentage of callouts on Wednesday, Jan. 2 was 5 percent, the same percentage who called out a year prior on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, The Washington Post reports. By the numbers: More than 51,000 TSA members have been working without pay since the government shutdown began, Bloomberg reports. PROVO Police arrested a Salt Lake man who they say was transporting drugs with a street value of more than three-quarters of a million dollars. Jose Olegario Lopez, 44, of Salt Lake City, was arrested Saturday for investigation of drug distribution, possession of drug paraphernalia, failing to stop for law enforcement and child endangerment. Lopez was already the subject of an investigation by the Utah County Special Enforcement Team and Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, according to a Utah County Jail booking report. "During the investigation it was found that Jose sells extremely large quantities of illicit controlled narcotics," the report states. "Also during the investigation, it was found Jose was leaving the state for an unknown reason. Jose was followed, he made an overnight trip to California." Officers attempted to pull Lopez over near Benjamin in Utah County but he kept driving, the report states. "Jose was eventually boxed in by other detectives in unmarked vehicles and forced to come to a stop. The actions of Jose put countless innocent civilians lives in danger," according to the report. A K-9 from the Spanish Fork Police Department was brought to the scene and indicated something was in the trunk, according to a statement from the Utah County Attorney's Office. In the trunk, officers found a sealed box that contained vacuum-sealed bags of drugs. Investigators seized more than 16 pounds of meth and 2 pounds of cocaine that, in total, had an estimated street value of $850,000, the sheriff's office stated. Lopez's 16-year-old son was also in the car. He was released to his mother, who was not believed to be involved in the trafficking, according to police. "ICE agents confirmed that (Lopez) has a record of eight aggravated re-entry violations," police stated. A judge ordered that he be held without bail pending his court proceedings. MURRAY Sunday's shooting outside Fashion Place mall involved two groups of rival gang members, Murray police confirmed Monday. Investigators working through the night arrested two people believed to have been involved in the shooting, which prompted the evacuation of the mall. Jorge Luis Crecencio-Gonzalez, 19, of Park City, and Jesus Joshua "Psycho" Payan-Mendoza, also 19, of Heber City, were each arrested for investigation of two counts of attempted aggravated murder and two counts of discharge of a firearm. Both are members of the Florencia 13 gang, according to a police report. About a dozen people were involved in the confrontation five in one group that included the two victims, and between five and seven in the other, said Murray police officer Kenny Bass. "Everybody involved in the shooting was a member of one or the other gang. There were no bystanders that were struck, he said. Investigators believe rival gang members ran into each other inside the mall, which turned into a verbal confrontation. "Its difficult to say whether it was chance or not. It appears from the initial information that it was, Bass said. The argument continued as the groups exited the mall. That's when one person "turned and fired" at the other group, he said. The shots were fired just before 1:30 p.m. Bass said at least one person from each group exchanged gunshots. At least one car in the mall parking lot was also hit. One group then sped away in a vehicle driven by Crecencio-Gonzalez, the report states. A man and a woman, both in their 20s, were injured. The woman was treated at Intermountain Medical Center and was later released. The man remained at the hospital Monday in critical condition. Cellphone video recorded by bystanders on Sunday shows both victims appear to have suffered gunshot wounds to their legs. Detectives continued to look for additional suspects Monday. Bass also noted that the fire alarm that went off inside the mall about the same time was accidental. The alarm had been malfunctioning for several days and actually went off prior to the shooting, he said. Police say they have not seen any recent increase in gang activity in Murray and that the confrontation Sunday just happened to occur in a very public place. Bass praised law enforcement for the response on Sunday when officers initially believed there was an active shooter situation inside the mall. Officers from every agency in the Salt Lake Valley responded, he said, as well as federal agents. "I think they handled it extremely well. It was extremely fast how quick they jumped in and tried to assist in the investigation," he said. TORONTO A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death in a sudden retrial of a drug smuggling case and Beijing said that it has denied a Canadian diplomatic immunity, ratcheting up tensions since Canada's arrest of a top Chinese technology executive last month. A Chinese court in northeastern Liaoning province announced Monday that it had sentenced Robert Lloyd Schellenberg to death, reversing an earlier 2016 ruling that sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly condemned Monday's proceeding, suggesting that China was using its judicial system to pressure Canada over the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. In his strongest comments yet, Trudeau said "all countries around the world" should be concerned that Beijing is acting arbitrarily with its justice system. "It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply a death penalty," Trudeau said. Canada later updated its travel advisory for China urging Canadians to "exercise a high degree of caution due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws." Further escalating the diplomatic rift between the two countries, a Chinese spokeswoman said earlier Monday that Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat taken into custody in apparent retaliation for Meng's arrest, was not eligible for diplomatic immunity as Trudeau has maintained. A senior Canadian government official said Chinese officials have been questioning Kovrig about his diplomatic work in China, which is a major reason why Trudeau is asserting diplomatic immunity. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the case, spoke on condition of anonymity. Kovrig, a Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank, was on a leave of absence from the Canadian government at the time of his arrest last month. Schellenberg was detained more than four years ago and initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2016. But within weeks of Meng's Dec. 1 arrest, an appeals court suddenly reversed that decision, saying the sentence was too lenient, and scheduled Monday's retrial with just four days' notice. The court gave no indication that the death penalty could be commuted, but observers said Schellenberg's fate is likely to be drawn into diplomatic negotiations over China's demand for the release of Meng. "Playing hostage politics, China rushes the retrial of a Canadian suspect and sentences him to death in a fairly transparent attempt to pressure Canada to free the Huawei CFO," Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth said in a tweet. The Chinese media began publicizing Schellenberg's case after Canada's detention of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder, at the request of the United States, which wants her extradited to face charges that she committed fraud by misleading banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. Days after Meng's arrest, Kovrig and Canadian businessman Michael Spavor were detained on vague national security allegations. Meng is out on bail in Canada awaiting extradition proceedings that begin next month. Schellenberg's lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said prosecutors had not introduced new evidence to justify a heavier sentence during the one-day trial, during which Schellenberg again maintained his innocence. He said his client now has 10 days to appeal. "This is a very unique case," Zhang told The Associated Press. He said the swiftness of the proceedings was unusual but declined to comment on whether it was related to Meng's arrest. The court said it found that Schellenberg was involved in an international drug-smuggling operation and was recruited to help smuggle more than 220 kilograms (485 pounds) of methamphetamine from a warehouse in the Chinese city of Dalian to Australia. A Chinese man convicted of involvement in the same operation was earlier given a suspended death sentence. Fifty people, including Canadian diplomats and foreign and domestic media, attended Monday's trial, the court said in an online statement. Earlier Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said authorities had determined Kovrig was not entitled to diplomatic immunity, rejecting a complaint from Trudeau that China was not respecting longstanding practices regarding immunity. Hua told reporters that Kovrig is no longer a diplomat and entered China on an ordinary passport and business visa. "According to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations and international law, he is not entitled to diplomatic immunity," Hua said at a daily briefing. "I suggest that the relevant Canadian person carefully study the Vienna Convention ... before commenting on the cases, or they would only expose themselves to ridicule with such specious remarks." A former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, said interrogating Kovrig about his time as a diplomat in China would violate Vienna Convention protections of residual diplomatic immunity that mean a country is not allowed to question someone on the work they did when they were a diplomat. "It's difficult not to see a link" between the case and Canada's arrest of Meng, Saint-Jacques said. Hua said the allegation that China arbitrarily detained Canadian citizens is "totally groundless." Canada has embarked on a campaign with allies to win the release of Kovrig and Spavor. The United States, Britain, European Union and Australia have issued statements in support. Trudeau called U.S. President Donald Trump about their case last week and the White House called the arrests "unlawful." Last week, Poland arrested a Huawei director and one of its own former cybersecurity experts and charged them with spying for China. The move came amid a U.S. campaign to exert pressure on its allies not to use Huawei, the world's biggest maker of telecommunications network equipment, over data security concerns. The arrests raised concerns over the safety of Poland's nationals in China, although Hua brushed off such worries, emphasizing China's desire for the "sound and steady" development of relations with Poland. "As long as the foreign citizens in China abide by Chinese laws and regulations, they are welcomed and their safety and freedom are guaranteed," Hua said. ___ Bodeen reported from Beijing. Associated Press writer Yanan Wang in Beijing contributed to this report. SALT LAKE CITY Even though they've had more than 230 years to figure out what it means to "establish" religion, legal scholars, judges and religious freedom advocates still don't agree. The Constitution's establishment clause a religious protection in the First Amendment that prohibits the "establishment of religion" by the government is aimed at reducing church-state entanglement, but over time, it's created confusion and controversy, too. "This whole area of law is really a mess," said Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and chief counsel for First Liberty Institute, a firm involved in a major establishment clause case about to come before the Supreme Court. The case centers on a cross-shaped World War I memorial in Maryland that is maintained with state funds. Shackelford and other conservative legal scholars say the establishment clause is about coercion, or forced religious activity. It prevents laws mandating regular church attendance or financial contributions to a faith group, but it allows passive celebrations of religious practice, like a nativity scene on government property. "The founders never intended for the establishment clause to be used to attack religion or create a society where religious images aren't allowed in public," Shackelford said. Liberal activists and judges, on the other hand, interpret the establishment clause more broadly, claiming the government shouldn't endorse or promote religious messages, even passively. They focus on the experiences of religious minorities, arguing that, when the government appears to privilege a particular faith group, it degrades community life. "It generates political division along religious lines and can result in the persecution of religious groups," said Monica Miller, senior counsel with the American Humanist Association, the organization squaring off against First Liberty Institute in The American Legion, et al. v. American Humanist Association, which the Supreme Court will hear on Feb. 27. The case is an opportunity for justices to alter the course of establishment clause litigation by adopting a more conservative interpretation. In so doing, they would also drastically change the government's relationship to religion, said Robert Tuttle, professor of law and religion at George Washington University. "If the standard of coercion were adopted by the court, that would make a huge difference in our lives and in the understanding of what the country means," he said. "It would open up a lot more space for religious messages in public institutions." Establishment or endorsement The establishment clause is a unique part of the Constitution, according to Tuttle. Instead of guaranteeing a right to something like free speech or a fair and speedy trial, it prevents the "establishment of religion." "It's the one provision of the Bill of Rights that isn't truly an individual right. It's a limitation on the state," he said. America's founders wanted to avoid church-state entanglement, which most other countries embraced at the time. They envisioned a country free of an "official connection between political and religious authorities," said Richard Garnett, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, in an email. Because of the establishment clause, the government can't pick an official state religion or require donations to faith groups, he noted. Officials also can't demand to help choose religious leaders or force people to celebrate religious holidays. Basically every legal expert, conservative or liberal, would agree with this summary. Disagreements stem from rulings and policies that go beyond these bright line rules. Today's battles over the establishment clause originated in the mid-20th century, Tuttle said. The United States was becoming more religiously diverse, and some legal scholars and activists began pushing for broader interpretation of "establishment." "Around the end of the second world war, folks started to become more self-conscious about the extent to which Catholics and Jews were excluded," he said. They wanted to ensure that the government avoided even appearing to favor Protestant Christianity over other faith groups. As the nature of establishment clause challenges changed, the Supreme Court began relying on the "Lemon test," named after a case on state funding for religious schools, in its rulings. The test seeks to ensure that policies or displays aren't religiously motivated and that they have a secular purpose, Miller said. It prevents excessive entanglement between the government and religion. In the 1980s, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor added an "endorsement test," further broadening the definition of establishment. In a concurring opinion in a case involving holiday displays on government property, she asserted that the government should avoid making people feel like outsiders by endorsing religious symbols or messages that aren't shared by all citizens. But what would it mean if towns were able to erect crosses that effectively say 'This is a Christian community?' Robert Tuttle, professor of law and religion at George Washington University Under this interpretation of the establishment clause, a Christian nativity scene can only be on government property if it's paired with representations of other faiths. Religious leaders can offer prayers before government meetings, but the opportunity has to be open to people from all faith groups. The Lemon and endorsement tests have made life more complicated for judges assigned to establishment clause cases, Shackelford noted. "Judges have to figure out how far Rudolph is from a menorah to decide if something is constitutional," he said. Religion in public life Shackelford and other conservative legal scholars hope the Supreme Court will replace the Lemon and endorsement tests this term when they rule on The American Legion, et al. v. American Humanist Association. The case centers on a large, cross-shaped WWI memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland, which, although originally erected by the American Legion, is now maintained with state funds. The American Humanist Association argues the cross violates the establishment clause since it requires non-Christian taxpayers to pay for the upkeep of a Christian symbol. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the American Legion, which is represented by First Liberty Institute, say it fulfills a secular purpose: honoring WWI soldiers. "There's a lot of hope in this case," Shackelford said. "It's a good time to clean (establishment clause litigation) up" and embrace a more conservative interpretation of this First Amendment right, he said. Miller disagrees with this framing, noting that justices are more likely to make a decision that affects only this one memorial or one element of the Lemon test. "I don't believe the court will overhaul its (establishment clause) jurisprudence," she said. Regardless of the scope of the eventual ruling, it's clear that arguments in the case will be about more than a single cross in Maryland, Tuttle said. The justices will be asked, yet again, to define the proper relationship between the government and religion. "People who are advancing arguments in favor of the cross think it's perfectly fine for the government to speak with a religious voice," he said. "But what would it mean if towns were able to erect crosses that effectively say 'This is a Christian community?'" To Shackelford, it would represent an affirmation of America's religious heritage at a time when secularism is on the rise. The establishment clause was never meant to keep religious expression from the public square, he said. "The government is not supposed to be anti-religious," he said. However, to Miller, narrowing the scope of the establishment clause would be an affront to non-Christians. America's founders knew a country functions best when religious and political interests are kept separate, she said. "When the government can place its imprimatur on a Christian symbol, it sends a message that the government is going to be less favorable to you" if you don't agree, she said. SALT LAKE CITY Backers of the voter-approved Better Boundaries ballot initiative are already steeling themselves for a challenge that could be years away to their efforts to establish an independent redistricting commission. "We're going to be vigilant. We're going to be present. And we're prepared through either a campaign or legal means to defend that," said Jeff Wright, the Republican co-chairman of the group behind Proposition 4. Since the Nov. 8 election, the fundraising arm for the ballot initiative to combat gerrymandering, the Utahns for Responsive Government political issues committee, has continued to collect contributions and spend money on consultants. The price tag for the campaign through last year was $2 million, money largely raised from out-of-state organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Action Now Initiative started by a Texas-based billionaire couple. No bills have been filed for the 2019 Legislature dealing with redistricting, the once-a-decade process of redrawing congressional, legislative and state school boundaries to reflect population shifts identified in the national census. And the Better Boundaries ballot initiative wasn't even discussed during the GOP supermajority's House and Senate closed caucus meetings Tuesday, according to legislative leaders. But Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, said he'll be pushing lawmakers to challenge the constitutionality of Proposition 4 in court, although they may not be ready to take a look at the initiative during the 45-day session that starts Jan. 28. "It's hard to say. Some probably want changes. Others don't. Some want to wait a year or two. Others probably don't care," Weiler said. "I'd like to see the courts rule on the constitutionality." Asked if a lawsuit was in the works, he answered, "Not yet. If I get my way though ." Weiler said he wasn't sure how long the state could wait to mount a legal battle. Sen. Ralph Okerlund, R-Monroe, who served as Senate majority leader, said lawmakers are still talking about a lawsuit. "There are a number of options that we will be looking at," he said. And he said there could still be Better Boundaries-related legislation run this session. "I haven't seen anything yet, but that doesn't mean something isn't out there," said Okerlund, who wrote the argument against Proposition 4 in the official state voter guide that called it "a cleverly disguised power grab" by Democrats. Wright said the bipartisan Better Boundaries group has always anticipated a postelection fight, even if it doesn't come until the redistricting process starts up again after the 2020 census. "Everybody who signed up for this knew this was a 2021 campaign. It just didn't end in November. We knew it was going to be this legislative session, next legislative session, potentially a third legislative session," he said, or even a special session. Last year, after voters approved Proposition 2 legalizing medical marijuana, lawmakers replaced it in a special session called by Gov. Gary Herbert with compromise legislation. Wright said he and the group's Democratic co-chairman, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, are "prepared to be around a long time to make sure we see this through." Proposition 4 was narrowly approved by Utah voters, 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent. It creates an independent commission charged with making redistricting recommendations to the Legislature, which continues to have the final say. Utah has been held up as one of the nation's worst examples of gerrymandering by the Wall Street Journal for the boundaries drawn in 2001 for the 2nd Congressional District seat held then by Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson. When Utah added a fourth seat in Congress after the 2010 census, the division of Salt Lake County into three districts also raised concerns about diluting the state's center of Democratic influence. The new, seven-member appointed redistricting commission would be able to exert political pressure on the process to avoid gerrymandering, the manipulation of political boundaries to favor one candidate or party over another. In addition to the commission, the initiative also imposes new requirements on the Legislature's own redistricting plan, including that the division of counties, cities and towns be minimized. It will be "a difficult proposition" for lawmakers to take on the new law, Wright said. "If they proceed with trying to change the law, they're fighting for gerrymandering," he said. "To say, 'We like gerrymandering, we're going to change the will of the people,' that's very unpopular." SALT LAKE CITY Would you commit to working in Utah after graduation if you could earn a high-demand tech degree for half-price or less? Well, that's exactly what a brand new $2.5 million program, created in the 2018 legislative session, is aiming to find out. As the number of unfilled tech jobs continues to climb in Utah causing consternation for both industry watchers and local business leaders the Talent Development Incentive Loan Program is about to launch at state community and four-year colleges. The program will for those who stay in the state after graduation and work in one of a select group of tech positions forgive college debt, including tuition, books and fees on a 1-to-1 basis for every year of employment. Back in February, when state lawmakers were considering the plan, as proposed in SB104, Abby Osborne, vice president for government relations for the Salt Lake Chamber, told a legislative committee that the state was losing the battle of keeping homegrown talent at home after graduation. "We export way more jobs than we import," Osborne said. "Were using our taxpayer dollars to educate them and then we are exporting them. Lets incentivize them to stay there. What they are going to return to the economy far exceeds what this is going to cost us." While the program requires undergraduate applicants to have successfully completed one full year on an approved academic track, a student pursuing a bachelor's degree could potentially have their final three years of studies completely paid for if they work in the tech industry in Utah for three years following graduation. And for a student at the University of Utah, that could mean around $30,000 in debt relief. For those seeking an associate degree, the program only requires completion of one full-time semester for eligibility. The five "qualifying jobs" as determined by the Governor's Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Utah Division of Workforce Services include software developers, applications; management analysts; computer systems analysts; computer and information system managers; and network and computer systems administrators. According to data from the Division of Workforce Services, as of Friday there were 1,457 unfilled positions for software application developers and over 750 unfilled jobs for network and computer systems administrators. Total unfilled tech jobs, statewide, on Friday numbered 5,775 up from 4,839 at this time a year ago. Spencer Jenkins, the Utah System of Higher Education's associate commissioner for public affairs, said the $2.5 million is distributed to Utah post-secondary schools based on a formula that assesses the three-year average of graduates in the degree programs that match up with the designated qualifying jobs. Jenkins also explained that each school will be assuming administration duties for the distributed funds, but the parameters for the program will be essentially identical and include the requirement for students to sign a promissory note that puts them on the hook for loan repayment in the event they fail to finish their degree or don't fulfill their in-state work obligations, post-graduation. Based on the distribution math, the University of Utah will be seeing an apportionment of just over $770,000 for the upcoming year from the program. Brenda Burke, the executive director for the U.'s Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid, said her school is within weeks of making the program available to U. students and believes the opportunity will go over well. "This is an incentive program that is really intriguing," Burke said. "I think the funding option will be of great interest to our qualifying students." Burke said her office has conducted an in-house assessment and identified some 1,100 U. students who would qualify for the reimbursement program and believes the funds are sufficient to aid around 90 students this year. From the perspective of industry watchers and those running tech businesses in Utah, more qualified candidates for empty tech jobs can't come soon enough. Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance CEO Derek Miller told the Deseret News recently that his organization sees addressing tech workforce issues as one of the most critical challenges for the state to address in order to maintain the vitality of the burgeoning sector. "Our tech industry is growing faster than any other state in the nation," Miller said. "Thats the good news. But if we want to continue to have a sustainable knowledge-based, innovation economy were going to need to continue to focus on workforce development. Ben Hart, deputy director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, said the Talent Development program is set to create tiers of economic benefits for the state that begins with students, but extend far beyond. "This program is all about helping our economy grow and helping our students get into high-growth, high-wage occupations," Hart said. "And, it's helping address a key component needed for continued growth, which is the tech workforce. The sector is critical and tied into many other areas. "As the tech industry continues to thrive our challenge is to make sure there are people to take these jobs." Senate Assistant Majority Whip Ann Millner, who sponsored SB104, said the program will create a direct pipeline to help address unmet need in the tech employment arena, and will also slow the trend of Utah tech graduates looking elsewhere for jobs. "Workforce is really the key issue in Utah in these targeted tech areas," Millner said. "It's really important for us to find ways to keep our grads in the state as they begin their careers. "A lot of people don't realize that, right now, we have a net out-migration of baccalaureate tech degree earners." Students interested in learning more about the Talent Development Incentive Loan Program should contact the financial aid office of the school of their choice. The Antiquities Act of 1906 is an anomaly in a nation where major decisions are to be tempered by the filter of representation and compromise. It gives the president total authority to create national monuments. One persons total authority seldom serves the public as well as a democratic process, which is why the Constitution established three separate branches of government, each acting as a check on the others power. Now, 113 years later, the time has come to reinstate democracy and representative government in the creation of monuments, which often affect the fortunes of residents who live nearby. A bill reintroduced by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, this time co-sponsored by Utahs junior senator, Mitt Romney, would exempt Utah from the act, requiring not only an act of Congress, but one of the state legislature, as well, before new monuments could be created in the Beehive State. The bill isnt perfect. It would prohibit a president from creating or expanding a monument in Utah. Why not also prohibit him from reducing the size of a monument? Shouldnt local leaders have a say in any federal action that affects land within the states boundaries? The only difference between President Donald Trumps decree reducing the sizes of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears monuments and the decrees of earlier presidents creating them is that they enraged and delighted different groups. All were decrees, and a decree is not a process. The senators are hoping to give Utah the same sort of protection already extended to Alaska and Wyoming. In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a monument at Jackson Hole that raised suspicions he was trying to expand Grand Teton National Park, which Congress had refused to do. Much later, President Jimmy Carter created 56 million acres of national monuments in Alaska. Both instances eventually led to exemptions from the Antiquities Act for each state. A better solution would be to simply amend the act to require Congress to create all future monuments, in any state, through legislation. The Antiquities Act became law in an era when Americans felt the need to preserve antiquities from so-called pot hunters. Rare artifacts were quickly disappearing from ancient ruins often stolen for profit. The New York Times back then said tons of relics from Utah cliff dwellings had ended up at the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893 and later were put up for auction. Congress joined many outraged Americans in wanting a solution that would allow the government to be nimble enough to quickly preserve those artifacts. Today it is unclear that the law has worked. Large monuments are difficult to police. Artifacts still disappear. Vandals cause damage. The act, meanwhile, has in some cases become a political tool and a seemingly endless source of division and acrimony. The Protect Utahs Rural Economy Act is similar to one Lee introduced last summer. Congress showed no interest in considering it then. Its chances may be slimmer today, with Democrats controlling the House. That might change if it included a specific prohibition against shrinking, as well as expanding or creating, new monuments. Either way, it ought to be clear to all Americans that no single person should have the authority to re-designate large swaths of land without the public, and its representatives, having some voice. Editor's note: "Integrity & Trust: Lessons From Watergate and Today" is a Deseret News event featuring legendary journalist Bob Woodward and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. SALT LAKE CITY During the 2016 presidential campaign, a reporter for the BBC interviewed a teenager in Macedonia whose job was to invent stories to share on Facebook. "The Americans loved our stories, and we make money from them. Who cares if they are true or false?" the teen said. Now, two years into the Trump presidency, the question can be asked of the country at large: Who cares if anything is true or false? Prosecutors looking into the 2016 campaign do. At least four associates of President Donald Trump have been charged with making false statements to investigators, and some of them will go to jail for lying. And the president is constantly challenged by media and the opposing party on the veracity of his statements. An indifference to truth floats atop a culture swimming in lies from many sources, from Democrats as well as Republicans that parry half-truths and no-truths as political weapons, from Facebook feeds that go hidden or remain difficult to check, to deceptive advertising meant to manipulate and partisan media meant to convince. It raises troubling questions. Among them: Will honesty and integrity be on trial in 2019, or are we already ensconced in a post-truth society? If the latter is true, what is changing and can we escape? "Lies have consequences. Multiple lies have multiple consequences, including a breakdown in social cohesion and the basic trust upon which a society functions," Kim B. Serota, a researcher in Scottsdale, Arizona, who studies deception, has written. As 2019 unfolds, it will become more clear whether honesty, once a bedrock of virtue, is eroding in American culture, and with it, other standards of ethical behavior. The topic will be central to a conversation on integrity and trust featuring journalist Bob Woodward, sponsored by the Deseret News at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. EST Jan. 14. The event will also feature Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Michael Dimock, president of Pew Research Center. What's at stake The current administration is not the first to "not show tremendous fealty to the facts," in the phrasing of The Associated Press. Recall Richard Nixon saying, Im not a crook and Bill Clintons parsing of the word is while denying a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Ronald Reagan was accused of "serial blurring of lines between fiction and reality." And the president's critics are not immune from spreading untruths. The Washington Post and CNN recently took rising Democrat star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to task, challenging her very slippery slope on facts. Defending herself on CNN, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat who represents New York's 14th Congressional District, separated fidelity to truth from moral behavior. "I think that there's a lot of people more concerned about being precisely, factually and semantically correct than about being morally right," Ocasio-Cortez said. The idea that strict adherence to truth is a component of morality, however, is a time-honored concept, long debated by philosophers and theologians. The moral prohibition against lying has deep historical roots. Dante reserved the deepest two levels of hell for liars and deceivers. Its deeply ingrained in us as a people, said Serota, a communications professor at Oakland University in Michigan who researches deception. But human beings and even animals tend to practice deceit if it serves the evolutionary goals of being effective and efficient, Serota said, noting that some species of birds will hide food from members of their flock for their own use. For humans, "Lying, from a communications standpoint, is what we do when were not being effective or efficient in the things we want to achieve," he said. If a person's goal is a good relationship with a friend, for example, truth might be sacrificed for a compliment. Or, the truth of a sniffle might morph into the lie of the flu if a person wants to take a "sick" day for mental health. These types of lies are increasingly justified by Americans, according to a poll on honesty conducted last year by the Deseret News. Americans and especially Republicans are also more tolerant of leaders who lie, the same poll revealed. Fifty-five percent of Republicans said they would vote for a presidential candidate in 2020 who they believe "would lie to cover up the truth." Three years earlier, just 12 percent of Republicans said that in a Fox News poll that posed the same question. The increase in the number of people who are willing to tolerate lying is evidence of polarization and tribalism, which, according to a report by the Rand Corporation, is one of the drivers of societal "truth decay." When truth competes, it sometimes takes a backseat to other aspects of morality, said Hector Macdonald, the British author of "Truth, How the Many Sides to Every Story Shape Our Reality." "We still value truth, but increasingly we seem to value other virtues more and may sacrifice truth for their sake," Macdonald said in an email. "So, for example, American voters increasingly seem to prioritize loyalty to their tribe (Republican or Democrat) over the accuracy of facts presented by their leaders. Similarly, families may sacrifice truth to preserve family unity." Or, as Monika McDermott, a professor of political science at Fordham University, told The Deseret News last year, "It's not just about whether a politician is lying or not. It's whether he's lying on my behalf." Truth decay and consequences In their 2018 book "Truth Decay," Jennifer Kavanagh and Michael D. Rich contend that inherent cognitive biases, increasing polarization and changes in how information is conveyed are among factors that have led to the erosion of truth as a value. Kavanagh and Rich cite four consequences of the trend: declining civil discourse, political paralysis, alienation and disengagement, and societal uncertainty, specifically uncertainty in public policy, both on the national and international level. When there is a lack of agreed-upon facts or analytical interpretations of data to drive policy decisions, policy decisions in areas as varied as health, finance, and foreign relations may be subject to reversals every time there is a change in administration or congressional leadership," Kavanagh and Rich wrote. In an interview, Kavanagh said Americans increasingly distrust institutions, a trend that worsens as people trade healthy questioning for cynicism. Its important that we challenge and question the institutions that govern us. Thats part of living in a democracy. But thats different from being cynical and thinking there is nothing to trust. Finding that balance between cynicism and trust is difficult, and weve seen a shift toward the cynical end of the spectrum, Kavanagh said. When people dont trust other people, businesses and institutions to tell the truth, they become alienated and disengaged, less likely to engage in civic activities and even to vote. Democracy depends upon people being politically engaged, having a healthy civic discourse about policy options, Kavanagh said. Moreover, the research of Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology at behavioral economics at Duke University, has shown that the act of lying causes neurological changes, making it easier for people to tell lies in the future. The dangerous thing about lying is people dont understand how the act changes us," Ariely has said. As to whether American society is becoming fundamentally more dishonest, Tim Levine, distinguished professor and chair of communication studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a longtime researcher on deception, said its hard to know, since there has been no substantive tracking of ordinary Americans over time. Research by Levine and others, however, has shown that, on average, Americans lie once or twice a day, but most people lie less than that. Most people are pretty honest, but then there are a few people who lie a whole lot," Levine said. He agreed, however, that Americans seem to be becoming more tolerant of lying when its done by people they perceive to be on their team. Im not willing to say that Americans care less about the truth these days, although there does seem to be a tolerance that would be hard to imagine pre-Trump. What are the solutions? In his book "Respecting Truth, Willful Ignorance in the Internet Age," Lee McIntyre, a research fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University, argues that truth matters, as do the standards for discerning truth, such as the willingness to consider new information or data that is different from what we already believe. "One of the best ways we can respect truth is to be hard on our beliefs," McIntyre said, adding that its important that people purposefully seek out the perspectives of people who think differently than they do. Its easy to live in the blue bubble and to not ever encounter anyone who disagrees with you, and thats as dangerous to liberals as it is to conservatives, said McIntyre, who believes that children should be taught critical-thinking skills as early as first grade. Susan Haack, a professor of both law and philosophy at the University of Miami School of Law, said her students gaps in vocabulary are indicative that critical thinking has waned. For example, students frequently tell her that they dont know the meaning of tendentious, credulous and pious, words commonly used a few decades ago. What (not knowing) tendentious and credulous tell you is theyre not being taught how to make distinctions between better and worse evidence, Haack said. Another potential solution to a society awash in untruths is the frequent reminder and reinforcement of moral codes that champion honesty. In his 2012 book "The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty," Ariely argued that cheating and dishonesty can be contagious, but that "awareness of moral codes (such as the Ten Commandments)" can have an effect on behavior. In one study Ariely conducted, college students were asked to either cite the Commandments or 10 books they had read in high school, then given an assignment in which they were tempted to cheat. The group that recalled books showed typical patterns of cheating; the group that recalled the Ten Commandments (even some of them), did not cheat at all. "It seemed that merely trying to recall moral standards was enough to improve moral behavior," Ariely wrote. The speed with which disinformation can be spread via the internet also challenges individuals who respect truth to slow down in their actions and words, said Abdu Murray, the North American director of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and the author of "Saving Truth." "We dilute our message with the billions of words we spout off; if we say a few words, carefully, our message has more impact," Murray said. "I also think that what is important is that we learn to see the value in another human being. ... Not all ideas are equal, but every person who has them is. So while I can challenge an idea, I dare not disrespect a person. If we have that as our main goal, we'll find ourselves being more careful about our research, look up stuff before we spread it (on the internet) and try to be more charitable in our communication." Kavanagh, the political scientist at the Rand Corporation, agrees Americans need to take a deep breath and slow down. Something that everyone can do is take a little bit more time when forming beliefs and opinions, she said. You can go with the flow when it comes to consuming news. You have to be proactive be critically questioning about the information you see. Levine, the deception researcher in Alabama, notes that Americans' right to free speech, "almost guarantees the right to be deceptive" if no one is harmed. But, he says, the sky isn't falling, at least not in our interaction with our families and friends. I have no way of knowing what proportion of stuff that comes past my Facebook is true or not, but I would think that most people, when theyre entering their birthday, are really entering their birthday. And when they post a picture of going out to eat, that they really were at that restaurant," he said. I encourage people to keep a little lying diary for a week or two. What most people find is that they dont lie very much, and they really dont have a reason to." DENVER Denver and sixteen Colorado local governments filed suit against manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court on Friday, alleges that the jurisdictions continue to suffer the consequences of the companies aggressive marketing and excessive distribution of prescription opioids, while deliberately downplaying the significant risks of addiction and overdose. These companies knew better, and they still allowed the devastation to occur in our communities, and communities across the United States, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. This crisis could have and should have been avoided. So, were using every legal tool available to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors liable for the social and economic devastation their actions have caused in our cities, our counties and to our people. The City and County of Denver itself has had devastating impacts because of this epidemic. According to the Office of the Medical Examiner, between 2008 and 2017, 870 residents of Denver lost their lives to opioid-related overdoses. The opioid crisis caused by Defendants has affected nearly every public entity in Denver. See attached lawsuit filing, litigation summery and background on the opioid crisis, and effects of the opioid crisis on Denver public entities The over-prescription and (mis)use of opioids is taking a toll on the country, resulting in death, visits to the emergency room, hospital stays, and unmeasurable pain felt by those who have become addicted to these drugs as well as their families and communities. The opioid epidemic is one of the largest public health issues we face, said Bob McDonald, Public Health Administrator for Denver and Executive Director of Public Health & Environment. Led by the City and County of Denver, the Colorado municipal coalition of Plaintiffs also includes: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Fremont, Larimer and Teller counties; the City and County of Broomfield; the municipalities of Aurora, Black Hawk, Commerce City, Hudson, Northglenn and Westminster; and the Tri-County Health Department. Jefferson County and the City of Thornton have also filed similar, but separate complaints. The lawsuit will join over 1,500 cases filed on behalf of counties and cities nationwide. The Plaintiffs seek to hold the defendants accountable for the far-ranging effects of the opioid epidemic on their residents and budgets. Defendants Misconduct The complaint contains the following causes of action against all Defendants: Public Nuisance Violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, C.R.S. 6-1, et seq. Negligence Gross Negligence Unjust Enrichment Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. 1961, et seq. Fraud and Deceit Civil Conspiracy This crisis did not happen by accident. It was created by deliberate and systematic practices of pharmaceutical companies that, over approximately the last 20 years, provided false and misleading information to doctors and patients about the safety and effectiveness of prescription opioids. Drug manufacturers told doctors that when opioids were prescribed to treat pain, the risk of addiction was very low, and that any physical dependence would be easy to overcome. They also touted prescription opioids as a safe and effective way to treat long-term and chronic pain, even though no data existed to demonstrate the safety of these highly addictive drugs over the long term. The lack of evidence for the defendants statements about opioid use for chronic pain was confirmed by, among other things, the 2016 Guideline published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After conducting a systematic review of all available evidence, the CDC concluded there was no evidence that opioids were effective at addressing long-term or chronic pain, and that the data demonstrate a significant risk of harm that increases with dose. In addition, all entities that were part of the sale and distribution of opioids including the three primary wholesale distributors of prescription opioids, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson flooded the country with pills, ignored red flags indicating that opioids were being diverted for illicit uses, and proactively sought to increase the volume of opioids they shipped to communities across the United States. The complaint alleges claims against the following defendants: A Texan was caught supporting ISIS in Syria. He should be put on trial in America local government Upper Chich holds the line on taxes; trash fee goes up The walking bridge to the pump station at Springton Reservoir dam in Upper Providence. The dam is expected to undergo a major renovation. BJP president Amit Shah's claim that the party is ready to come to power in West Bengal has generated confusion in the state leadership. Party sources told DH that the president's claim has put state leaders on the spot as the BJP does not have a proper organisational presence in about 30,000 polling booths. Shah made the comment at the BJP national executive council meeting in Delhi. "Out of the 77,000 polling booths in Bengal, we have not even been able to set up booth committees in 30,000 booths. If the situation is such, then how will we come to power in Bengal in the near future," a senior state BJP leader said. He also said that the main reason for being unable to set up booth committees in about 30,000 booths is that they are mostly located in minority dominated areas. The BJP leader admitted that there is still a "negative perception" among some communities about the BJP, which is hindering the setting up of booth committees in areas where they live. Even as state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu claimed that the task of setting up booth committees in all polling booths will be completed quickly, a section of state BJP leaders are skeptical about it. "When will the process of setting up booth committees be complete? This has been going on for nearly three years. Our president gave an instruction to set up booth committees in all the polling booths after the Assembly elections in 2016," said a state BJP leader. However, Basu said the BJP has made "significant progress" in this regard. "About two years ago, we had booth committees in only about 20% of the booths but now we have committees in more than 80% of the booths. From a weak fourth, we have quickly come up as a strong second in Bengal. This is reason behind our president's comment," said Basu. After catastrophic wildfires in southern California late last year, the Israeli startup Watergen sent in its devices which pull clean water out of the atmosphere for firefighters and relief workers. The machines, which have been deployed in other global disaster areas, were among the technologies on display at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show to highlight innovations which can be used in various kinds of relief efforts. "We clean the air because it's much easier to clean air than it is to clean water," said Yehuda Kaploun, president of Watergen USA, who was demonstrating the device at the annual Las Vegas extravaganza which ends Friday after showcasing futuristic innovations. The WaterGen GEN-350 medium-scale atmospheric water generator is displayed at CES 2019 on January 9, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. AFP Watergen claims its technology -- offered in a commercial-size Gen-350 and a consumer version known as Genny -- has many applications for emergency response and helping the many millions who lack potable water. The exhibits showcased a broad array of "tech for good" services which use robotics, drones, artificial intelligence and the like. The show's "Resilience Marketplace" included technology assisting with emergency preparedness and response, and panel discussions at the event also addressed these issues. CES this year also included a conference panel on how technology can help "create more resilient communities" by tackling problems including poverty, health, education, and sustainability. "Disaster recovery and public safety is an area in the drone industry experiencing exponential growth with a multitude of real-world applications," said Ben Marcus, chairman or AirMap, which allows operators to manage drones for emergency response. "When used for public safety, drones are cheaper, faster, and more effective in keeping people out of harm's way." Taiwan-based startup Uupsafety won a CES award for its technology which monitors firefighters with smart wearables that connect to command centers. Japanese automaker Honda showed its prototype autonomous work vehicle which could be used in a variety of situations including search and rescue, firefighting and snow removal. "We've been testing (the vehicle) in real-world scenarios to demonstrate the value and capabilities of this unique machine," said Honda executive Pete Wendt. Honda said it has tested the vehicle in Colorado wildfires, relieving the physical strain of firefighters carrying supplies and water, and using a mode that allowed it to autonomously follow the crews. South Korea's Hyundai went a step further, unveiling a vehicle with robotic legs to let it walk or crawl over treacherous terrain. Hyundai billed its Elevate as an unprecedented "Ultimate Mobility Vehicle" that combines technology from electric cars with robotics. "What if a car designed with robotics could save lives in disasters?" said Hyundai executive John Suh, who heads the company's Cradle arm devoted to innovation. The concept vehicle can drive at highway speeds with the legs retracted but if needed can climb over a 1.5-meter (five-foot) wall, in what the automaker called "a new paradigm of mobility." Warsaw: A knife-wielding assailant on Sunday stabbed the mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk in front of hundreds of people at a charity event, police and media said. Paramedics resuscitated Pawel Adamowicz, 53, at the scene before taking him to hospital. A doctor working for the regional authorities, Jerzy Karpinski, described the mayor's condition as "very serious". A video recording of the attack posted on YouTube showed the attacker bursting onto the podium. After knifing the mayor, he seized the microphone and claimed to have been wrongly jailed by the previous centrist government of the Civic Platform (PO) and tortured. "That's why Adamowicz dies," the attacker said. The Civic Platform had supported Adamowicz's re-election in 2018 municipal elections. Adamowicz later underwent surgery, deputy mayor Piotry Grzelak, was quoted as saying by the PAP news agency. The attack took place on the podium at a fundraiser for the purchase of medical equipment. The attacker was quickly apprehended by security guards and arrested by police. A Gdansk police spokesman said the detained man was a 27-year-old who lived in the city. EU President Donald Tusk, Poland's President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki immediately expressed their concern and support for Adamowicz. "The attack on the life and health of the mayor of Gdansk must be firmly condemned," Morawiecki said on Twitter. "Despite differences in political opinion, I am unconditionally with him and his relatives.... I pray for his health and recovery," Duda added on Twitter. Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski condemned the attack as "an incomprehensible act of barbarism". Rana, 58, a resident of Chicago, was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Washington: There is a strong possibility of Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Ranas extradition to India before the completion of his 14-year jail term in the US in 2021 for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, an informed source here has said. Rana, 58, a resident of Chicago, was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, was convicted by a federal jury of participating in a conspiracy involving a terrorism plot against a Danish newspaper and providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan. A total of 166 people, including 6 US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based LeT terrorists in Mumbai. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. The Indian government, with full co-operation from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition before his jail term ends in 2021. The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said the watchdog will present the US company with its ruling on what action it needs to take in the next few weeks. Germanys antitrust watchdog plans to order Facebook to stop gathering some user data, a newspaper reported on Sunday. The Federal Cartel Office, which has been investigating Facebook since 2015, has already found that the social media giant abused its market dominance to gather data on people without their knowledge or consent. The Bild am Sonntag newspaper said the watchdog will present the US company with its ruling on what action it needs to take in the next few weeks. A Facebook spokeswoman said the company disputes the watchdogs findings and will continue to defend this position. The investigation is being closely watched amid mounting concerns over leaks of data on tens of millions of Facebook users, as well as the use of social media by foreign powers seeking to influence elections in the United States. The German watchdog objects in particular to how Facebook acquires data on people from third-party apps - including its own WhatsApp and Instagram services as well as games and websites - and its tracking of people who are not members. The paper said it is still not clear how strictly Facebook will have to comply with the German order, noting that the watchdog looks likely to set a deadline for compliance rather than insisting on immediate action. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Hyderabad: YSRC Chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys sister Y.S. Sharmila has approached the Hyderabad Police Commissioner complaining that some social media activists were spreading rumours assassinating her character. Sharmila along with her husband Anil Kumar, YSRC MP Y.V. Subba Reddy and others met police commissioner Anjani Kumar on Monday. It is said that some social media groups have reportedly spread rumours saying that Sharmila and Bahubali-fame Prabhas were in a relationship. I have never met Mr Prabhas. The same campaign was carried out before the 2014 elections and now it has been started again, ahead of the elections. I had complained to the police then and have done it now. The Telugu Desam is behind the character assassination, said Ms Sharmila. She added, I have demanded action on the people spreading the rumours about me and the people behind them. I have approached the police because people may think that those rumours are facts. But, my family is suffering a lot because of these issues. Why is Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu not responding on these rumours? We know that they are behind it. The Telugu Desam is playing cheap politics. There are women in Chandrababu Naidus family too, but we have never commented on them, as we have ethics. People of this kind shouldnt be in politics. We have demanded serious action against the accused, she added. Ms Sharmila also expressed the same opinion about Andhra Pradesh Police as her brother Y S Yagan Mohan Reddy. She said, I dont have confidence in AP police, so I have reported here in Hyderabad. Earlier, in the Rooster Knife case after his attack in Vizag airport, Mr YS Jagan Mohan Reddy rejected the inquiry of AP police saying that he did not trust them. Later the party leaders also said that the police were in the hands of Mr Chandrababu Naidu and he would influence the inquiry. However, the Hyderabad police immediately respo-nded on Sharmilas complaint and the case was handed over to Cyber Crime and the case was registered by the CCS. A special Cyber Crime team led by Additional DCP Raghuveer has been formed to investigate into the accusations. Bengaluru: A day after Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar set political circles abuzz with his statement that three Congress MLAs were in Mumbai (hinting that they were involved in a toppling game), the Congress strongman, who is leaving for Aurangabad on Tuesday to attend a two-day international conference on micro-irrigation, has been dispatched to save the day. Sources close to him spilled the beans to the media saying that Mr Shivakumar is going to Mumbai a day in advance, that too by catching an early morning flight, mainly to bring the three disgruntled MLAs back to the party fold. Mr Shivakumar is known in party circles to carry out such tasks with elan. They cited numerous instances when the Congress strongman had handled crises of severe proportions with ease. Mr Shivakumar in his statement on Sunday had obliquely referred to the efforts being made by CM H.D. Kumaraswamy, Congress Legislature Party leader, Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao to resolve the current crisis. He had added that he would like to get involved in this and would like to do his bit to save the coalition government and the party. HDK clears political secys appointment Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy who had resisted the Congress party's efforts, finally appears to have succumbed to pressure on Monday and appointed senior Congress leader, V. Muniyappa as his political secretary. The meeting was attended by DGP M. Mahender Reddy and a few other police officials and government officials. Hyderabad: With the first Assembly session of Telangana state after the new government was sworn in, beginning on January 17, the security arrangements were reviewed in a meeting held by Legislative Council chairman Swamy Goud and Telangana Assembly secretary Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu on Monday. The meeting was attended by DGP M. Mahender Reddy and a few other police officials and government officials. The Assembly session will be held for four days starting from January 17. MIM MLA Mumtaz Ahmed Khan will be sworn in as the pro-tem speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly on January 16 at around 5 pm. The governor will administer the oath to him. On January 17, the Assembly meeting will be held at around 11.30 am when the newly elected MLAs will be sworn in. The swearing in of all MLAs will take around two hours. On the same day, there will be the schedule for speaker elections, followed by the nominations of the speaker candidates. The speakers election and the announcement will be done on January 18 followed by a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee. The governor of Telangana state will address the legislators in the joint session of the Assembly and Legislative Council on January 19. There will be a resolution thanking the governor on January 20, the last day of the session. Speaking to media persons, Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar said, We had a meeting with all the departments regarding the assembly session. All the points in the assembly have been inspected and instructions given. We have taken all precautionary measures for the smooth conduct of the assembly session. The meeting has already been organised with the fire and traffic departments and special police and directions given. Hyderabad: The Telangana state government has cancelled additional security to all former ministers in the state. Out of the 17 ministers in the previous Cabinet, four were defeated in the recent Assembly elections. However, even after the results, additional security continued for the former ministers. But three days ago, the state government decided to withdraw additional security to all former ministers. So, the former MLAs will now have security on par with other MLAs. But the former ministers continue to live in government quarters even a month after Assembly poll results were announced. Some of them are staying on in the hope that they may get a ministry during Cabinet expansion. They plan to vacate the government quarters only if they dont get any berth in the cabinet expansion. So far, no TRS MLA or senior leader has any clue as to who all will make it to the Cabinet. Till Sunday, the buzz was that the Cabinet expansion would take place on January 18. But it is now being speculated, in TRS circles, that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao may not expand the Cabinet till after completion of a proposed Yagam (ritual worship) at his farmhouse from January 21 to January 25. But some TRS MLAs remain hopeful that the expansion will take place soon as the Assembly sessions is to start from January 17 for four days. This short session will see oath-taking by newly elected MLAs, election of Assembly speaker and an address by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to the joint session of the Ass-embly and the Legislative Council. The Assemblys budget session, where the government will present a vote on account budget, is likely to start in the first week of February. TRS MLAs feel that since a finance minister is needed for presentation of budget, the Chief Minister might expand the cabinet by month-end if not by January 18. But a senior TRS leader said there was no need for a finance minister in the cabinet, as the Chief Minister himself could present the budget in the Assembly. CHENNAI: Taking strong exception to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami being evasive on the charges levelled against him by Tehelkas ex-editor Samuel Mathew, DMK president M. K. Stalin on Sunday demanded that the Centre constitute a special commission of enquiry under the direct supervision of Madras High Court, to probe the murders and dacoity at Kodanad estate. He also sought the resignation of the Chief Minister. Seeking to know why the CM maintained silence on several issues including the five deaths at the estate and also whether the CCTVs are functioning are not, Mr. Stalin asked, Without replying to anything he says its a political conspiracy. Is he prepared to step down if the charges against him are proved? Will he order a judicial probe? A series of murders and theft took place in Kodanad estate in the tourist haven of Nilgiris in the State in 2017. Suitcases containing documents of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaas property worth crores of rupees were allegedly stolen. The security guard of the Kodanad estate was found dead. It was later known that Jayalalithaas former driver C. Kanagaraj and K. V. Sayan had allegedly planned the crime. A total of 10 people have been arrested in the case. Kanagaraj and Sayans wife and daughter were killed in separate road accidents during the probe. Another employee of the property was found dead in a case of suspected suicide. Jayalalithaa passed away in 2016. Immediately after allegations on his involvement surfaced, Mr. Palaniswamy rubbished the allegations and warned of action against those conspiring to besmirch his image. There are some allegations that have been made against me in a documentary made by former Tehelka editor on the Kodanad death and dacoity. There are no facts in it and it is politically motivated and serious action will be taken against the media organisation and those behind this fake news, the CM told reporters on Saturday. Speaking to reporters at Anna Arivalayam - DMK headquarters here Mr. Stalin demanded the resignation of Mr. Palaniswami and protection to the journalist who made the documents public on Friday. The DMK, he said, has sought an appointment with Governor Banwarilal Purohit and with President Ram Nath Kovind to apprise them of the issue. The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly threatened to take the issue to the courts if a proper team was not constituted to investigate the allegations. The Modi government has launched the world's largest universal health care scheme Ayushmaan Bharat which has benefited 7.5 lakh people so far, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said. (Photo: File) Lakhimpur: Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lakhimpur on Monday. He was talking to media-persons after inaugurating the administrative building, residential block and officers' mess at the SSB sector headquarters in Lakhimpur. "Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by neighbouring Pakistan. However, the Army, the CRPF, the J&K police and intelligence bureau men are acting in better coordination," he said. Speaking about Naxal incidents, the home minister said they had dropped by 50 per cent during the last four years. Extremist violence in north-eastern areas saw a decline of 80 per cent, Singh said. Lauding improvements made on the internal security front, he said, "No major terrorist incident had taken place in India during the last four-and-a-half years (of the Narendra Modi government)." Singh said the country's economy today was counted as the world's fastest growing. "By 2030, the Indian economy would rank among top three economies of the world," he said. "The Modi government has launched the world's largest universal health care scheme Ayushmaan Bharat which has benefited 7.5 lakh people so far," Singh said. Hassan: Almost a year after All-India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi made a scathing attack on Janata Dal Secular (JD-S), accusing it of acting like the B team of BJP, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda on Sunday defended Mr Gandhi saying the Congress president did not make the statement on his own, but read from a chit given to him by some state Congress leaders. JD(S) sources said that Mr Gandhis B team remark cost the JD(S) a major chunk of minority votes and the party ended up with only 38 seats in the Assembly. The community felt that the JD(S) had joined hands with the BJP and voted against the party to keep communal forces out of power, they said. With the Lok Sabha polls round the corner, Mr Gowda wants to take the B team dent off the partys image and is organising a massive convention of minorities at the Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on January 17. Over one lakh people are expected to take part. The convention will be a stage for the party to list the contributions made by JD(S) for the welfare of minorities. After the convention, the party will organise a meet for women, Mr Gowda said. After the seat sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls is over, the coalition partners Congress and JD(S) will embark on a joint tour of the state to campaign for party candidates, he said. On fielding his grandson Prajwal from the Hassan parliamentary seat, Mr Gowda said that he wishes to field Prajwal, but the announcement will be made after holding talks with party leaders and MLAs. On Prime Minister Narendra Modis reference to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamys alleged statement that he was a mere clerk in the coalition government, Mr Gowda said that in a coalition setup, some charges do come but it was not right on the part of Mr Modi to give a different spin to Mr Kumaraswamys statement. Bengaluru: Even as Janata Dal (Secular) is planning to field Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy 's son and actor Nikhil Kumaraswamy as party candidate for the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, the Kannada film industry has resolved to field Ms Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of former minister late M.H. Ambareesh, from the seat. This was decided at a closed-door meeting of the film fraternity after a function held in Mandya to pay tributes to Ambareesh on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Mr Rockline Venkatesh, Mr Doddanna and others who favoured fielding any member from Ambareeshs family Ms Sumalatha or her son and upcoming artist Abhishek Gowda. They also held a separate meeting with Ms Sumalatha and Mr Abhishek Gowda, who wanted his mother to contest to fulfil the dreams of Mr Ambareesh. Sources told Deccan Chronicle that she initially refused to enter politics, but later agreed after the film fraternity promised to work hard for her victory. They said that she will contest as an independent if Congress and JD(S) fail to make her the candidate. They said there has been a great sympathy for Mr Ambareesh in the district, if the turnout for Saturdays function is any indication. Cong happy Mandya District Congress president Ashok Kumar too urged party leaders to field either Ms Sumalatha or Mr Abhishek. Terming Mr Nikhil Kumaraswamy an outsider, Mr Kumar said that since Mr Ambareesh was popular in the district, someone from his family should be given ticket by Congress or JD(S). Cash relief Ms Sumalatha Ambareesh and Mr Abhishek Gowda met families of two people who committed suicide after hearing the demise of Mr Ambareesh in November last year. They were given Rs 30,000 each by Ms Sumalatha. Local leaders were present in the occasion. Kalaburagi: The saffron party, which has been striving hard to find a strong candidate to take on senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in the Kalaburagi Lok Sabha reserved constituency, has zeroed in on one. Second-term Congress legislator from Chincholi Dr Umesh Jadhav will in all probability take on Mr Kharge, who is contesting for his third term after having won the seat in 2009 and 2014. In both elections, Mr Kharge won against BJP candidate and former minister Revu Naik Belamagi, who is now with the JD(S). The plan to bring Dr Jadhav is said to have been finalised by state party president B.S. Yeddyurappa with the BJP top brass. Since Mr Kharge's elevation as Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha in 2014, the Kalaburagi seat has become prestigious, attracting the attention of the saffron party top brass, which is keen on wresting it from the Congress, along with Amethi and Rae Barelli seats held by the Gandhis. For Mr Kharge, who is aiming for his record 12th consecutive victory (he has won Assembly elections for a record nine times and the parliamentary elections twice), this election will be crucial and a prestige issue. The BJP, which was looking for a strong candidate to take on this political giant, was debilitated by lack of one in the district. Once it even toyed with the idea of fielding former Chief Secretary Ratnaprabha against Mr Kharge. But it did not materialise. As Mr Kharge belongs to the Left category among Dalits, the BJP was keen on fielding a candidate belonging to the Lambani community which has substantial number of voters in Chittapur, Sedam, Kalaburagi Rural and Gurumitkal Assembly segments. Dr Jadhav fitted the bill. It was late chief minister Dharam Singh who was Dr Jadhavs real mentor. He was responsible in getting Dr Jadhav the Assembly ticket in 2008, when he decided to resign from his Central government job to take a political plunge. When Mr Siddaramaiah appointed Dr Jadhv as his political secretary in 2015 and Mr Singh passed away in December 2017, Dr Jadhav moved to Mr Siddaramaiahs camp. After his victory in 2014, Dr Jadhav was expecting to be elevated as a minister. But the denial of berth disappointed him. Sources close to Dr Jadhav said that if Mr Kharge had desired, he would have got Dr Jadhav a berth, but scuttled his chances. Also, Mr Siddaramaiah did not show much interest, which reportedly prompted Dr Jadhav to opt for BJP. Observers said that BJP will benefit in two ways if Dr Jadhav joins. One, the BJP would get a strong candidate in him and second, the Congress could lose an Assembly seat once he resigns. Dr Jadhav would be part of the Operation Kamala that is being planned now and once the by-elections are held simultaneously with the coming Lok Sabha elections, anything can happen, they said. Mysuru: No matter how many deadlines BJP leaders fix, with the blessings of Goddess Chamundeswari, the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state will be strong, firm and stable for the next five years. Party workers need not be anxious, said Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy here on Sunday before the party workers' meeting ahead of Lok Sabha elections. By February 25, dates for LS polls might be announced. Our party workers have aspired for Mysuru-Kodagu or Chamarajanagar constituency. It will be decided during a meeting of leaders of both parties," he said. On PM Modis reference to his alleged clerk statement, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has developed a fear about us because we are giving good administration and our programmes are reaching the people. Mr Modi is facing the Rafale scam, while Mr H.D. Deve Gowda, during his short tenure as Prime Minister, had given good administration. KOLLAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the long-awaited Kollam bypass at a function to be held at the Ashramam ground here by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will also address the public and PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran will welcome the gathering. The prime minister will later kick off the NDAs Parliament election campaign in Kerala at a public meeting to be held at Cantonment ground. The BJP claims that over a lakh workers from Kollam, Mavelikkara and Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituencies will attend it. Mr. Modi will land at Air Force technical area in Thiruvananthapuram by 4 p.m. and reach Kollam in helicopter by 4.50 p.m. After returning to Thiruvananthapuram by 7 p.m., he will inaugurate the Swadesh Darshan programme at Padmanabha Swami temple and fly back to Delhi by 8 p.m. BYPASS: The 13.14-km road connecting Kava-nadu and Mevaram bypassing Kollam city will ease the the traffic snarls in the city. The state government spent Rs 139 crore of the total estimated cost of Rs 278 crore and the centre met the balance. The road has been constructed using modern macadam technique. It has a total of 190 piles and 46 piers with new bridges at Neeravil, Kallum-thazhom, Mevarom, Kavanad and Kadavoor. Bengaluru: One of the most prominent figures in natural farming, L. Narayana Reddy, passed away due to age-related complications at Marenahalli in Doddaballapura taluk on Monday. He was 83. A committed champion of non-chemical farming, he had held classes for students even on Saturday and Sunday. Inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka's One Straw Revolution, which was presented to him by a California-based tourist, he took to natural farming and there was no looking back for him. One Straw Revolution describes organic farming techniques. Initially, he started off as a farmer using chemical pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides at his farm, and increasing his yields manifold. He even got a national award for his efforts, but he soon realised that he was deep in debts having spent money on expensive chemical compositions. He completely stopped using chemicals, including pesticides, and decided to practice only organic and natural farming, a transition that was completed in 1979. During one of his interactions, Mr Reddy recalled that it was the happiest moment of his life when Mr Fukuoka visited his farm at Varthur in 1988. The Japanese natural farming pioneer was brought by a local NGO to meet Mr Reddy. I didn't know he was coming. My most valued teacher is Fukuoka. I got the gift of meeting him personally. You are lucky you have his book. Distribute it among your friends. His message is for entire humanity," he told students at Azim Premji University in Bengaluru in 2017. He would grow several crops together in a sustainable manner. In 1992, representatives of the European Commission (EC) visited the farm and invited him to an agriculture seminar in Brussels, Belgium. He was also honoured by Hampi Kannada University with the prestigious Nadoja award for his contribution to agriculture. He is survived by his wife, three sons and eight grandchildren. The last rites will be held in Sorahunse village near Varthur in Bengaluru on Monday afternoon. The Kodungallur police found the bags on Sunday and grew suspicious only after media reports on the recovery in Ernakulam. Following that, they brought those to the station and items similar to other bags such as dry food, soft drinks and dresses in them. Kochi: Compounding the mystery surrounding the suspected case of human trafficking, 54 more bags were found abandoned near Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple after the recovery of 13 from Munambam and six from Cherai on Saturday. Authorities, considering its gravity, formed a 14-member special investigation team headed by additional SP M.J. Sojan including officers from Vadakkekara, Munambam and Aluva police stations. The Kodungallur police found the bags on Sunday and grew suspicious only after media reports on the recovery in Ernakulam. Following that, they brought those to the station and items similar to other bags such as dry food, soft drinks and dresses in them. Police said the group suspected of ferrying to a foreign coast comprised 43 people, mostly looked like Tamil people. T.V. Shibu, station house officer, Munambam, said that they could not confirm their whereabouts or destination. We have sought the help of Coast Guard for a thorough search in the sea immediately. The CG is currently doing it, he said. Meanwhile, police sources said that a fishing vessel named Daya Matha II was sold to two individuals from Colachel and Thiruvananthapuram a few days ago. Further investigation revealed that there was a purchase of diesel worth `10 lakh from a petrol pump at Munambam on January 7 and 11. Around 10,000 litres of diesel were purchased. The reason behind the suspicion was that the fishing boats usually purchase up to 5000 litres at the maximum, a source said. The investigation after the recovery of air tickets from one of the bags found abandoned at Maliankara revealed that a few people from the group had flown down from Delhi to Kochi on January 8. Others had travelled by train from Delhi to Chennai and then to Kochi on December 12. According to police, the group had stayed in five different lodges and homestays near Cherai before gathering in front of one of them and left by two unknown vehicles on Saturday around 5.30 a.m. "Although the current investigation indicates this as a case of human trafficking, it cannot be officially confirmed until we get any solid proof," an official source said. A night view of the Metro construction which is fast progressing at Kadavanthra junction in Kochi. The well-lit GCDA station can be seen in the background. (ARUN CHANDRABOSE) Kochi: Land acquisition for the construction of the 1.2 km metro in the Pettah-SN Junction stretch will begin in February, government officials said here on Monday. The hearing for rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package was completed and the report is submitted to the commissionarate in Thiruvananthapuram for approval, said a top official with the revenue department. Once we get the approval, an announcement for kick-starting the LA process will be published in the gazette. We've already completed the survey." The official said the process is expected to begin next month. A total of 1.12 hectare is required to be acquired from 160 individuals and shop-owners. Though the initial target was January, the process took a little more time due to unseen challenges like the August flood and the frequent hartals, the official said. This even as residents of the temple town threatened to launch an agitation over "delay" in metro construction activities. "The metro service till SN Junction was initially promised to be completed as part of the first phase," said V.C. Jayendran, convener, Trippunithura Raja-nagari Union of Residents' Associations. Then they promised to complete the land acquisition process and start construction works by January 1. This, too, was not done. Ali Motahari calls for a referendum on the hijab. In the event of a referendum he hopes that the country chooses to maintain the norm. However, the protest of women online and on the streets does not stop. Female activists: "Our rights cannot be decided" by men or by a vote. Tehran (AsiaNews) -A prominent Iranian political leader has opened to the possibility for a referendum on the obligatory veil, a controversial topic that has unleashed protests in the past few months, quashed with arrests by Tehran. However, activists and demonstrators who have promised new street demonstrations to demand that the law be canceled without the need for a popular vote. In recent days, Ali Motahari, vice-president of Parliament, has called for a national referendum to be held on hijab; he then added that, in his opinion, he hopes "citizens vote to keep the law in force. The veil became mandatory in Iran following the rise to power of the ayatollahs Islamic Revolution of 1979. At the moment it is not known whether a referendum will become an official proposal and, in this case, when it will be possible hold the vote. The fight against the veil is not a recent phenomenon, but since the beginning of last year the movement has grown and has gained ever greater vigor and visibility. With online videos and appeals, activists encourage women to remove the hijab and post the protest gesture on social networks. Yet women have expressed their indignation at Motaharis proposal, because the vote would entrust - in fact men a decision on how women should dress. One video shows two women on a motorcycle, without the veil under their helmet. Others chanted slogans and songs including "No to the hijab, I am the leader, you are the leader. We cry out our freedom ". "Our rights - they add - cannot be decided by others through a referendum". Following the example of the demonstrators in January 2018, which caused dozens of arrests and the condemnation of 32-year-old Nargess Husseini for "removing the headgear in the streets of Tehran", a group of women took off their veils during a walk in a park of the capital. The video, relaunched by the activists of My Stealthy Freedom, shows the group waving the hijab in the air. Masih Alinejad, founder of the movement, stresses that the representatives of womens movements in Iran "become more and more courageous" and "civil disobedience grows day by day [...] among religious leaders (conservatives) panic is spreading". Violating the mandatory headscarf rule can result in a fine of 500,000 rials (about $ 12) and up to two years in prison. In the past, the moderate president Hassan Rouhani, who came to power in 2013, has repeatedly stated that it is not up to police duty to ensure the application of religious norms, including the obligation of the veil. A directive that is not respected and there are tens of thousands of cases of fines or arrests imposed by law enforcement agencies. The Osmania General Hospital superintendent received a complaint against some MBBS graduates who were absent from internship and yet received postings. Hyderabad: Many MBBS students in the state, in both government and private colleges, are allegedly bypassing internship, which is compulsory for a year. Sources said almost 50 per cent of government medical college students are not doing their internship in one or other department after being able to get their internship certificate forged. Recently, the Osmania General Hospital superintendent received a complaint against some MBBS graduates who were absent from internship and yet received postings. One is able to register with the Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) only after successful completion of a years internship. But many interns are not underdoing the compulsory internship. Some of the reasons for this is to prepare for a post-graduation seat through NEET or to practice medicine in the United States. As there are fewer number of post-graduation seats, there is intense competition among graduates to clear NEET, said a professor on the condition of anonymity. As a result, many of them use the time meant for internship to prepare for competitive examinations. Many of them also prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Telangana Junior Doctors JAC chairman P.S. Vijayender Goud said interns who are doing internship are also affected. For example, if 20 members are posted in a department, and only 8 to 9 members report for internship, then the workload on them increases. After all, those 8 to 9 interns will be doing the work of 20 members. Recently, the superintendent of Osmania General Hospital received a complaint against interns pursuing unfair means of getting internship certificate without actually doing it. According to the complaint, interns who had to report at the orthopaedics and other departments have not reported for the month of December. Allegedly, some of them have even got their attendance signatures without actually completing internship. We have got the complaint. Reportedly, some students were absent. We have appointed three professors to investigate the issue, Osmania General Hospital superintendent Nagendra said. In Osmania General Hospital, students undergo only five months internship. After getting signature from concerned professor only the process of getting internship certificate will be initiated. We are investigating the case. Details of women officers (excluding Medical, Dental and Nursing) in different Arms and Service of Indian Army like Engineers, intelligence , Army aviation , EME as on 1st January, 2018 are as under: 1561. Hyderabad: As the country celebrates Army Day on January 15, it may be pertinent to reflect on the suicide rate in the three Indian Armed Forces. The most number of suicides have been reported in the Army, followed by the Air Force and then the Navy. In 2016-17 alone, 100 officers of Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) rank killed themselves. In 2018, the Army lost 67 senior rank officers to suicide. Each of the three forces saw a different tendency in the suicides. Between 2014 and 2017, 326 senior rank army officers 16 sailors and 67 flying officers killed themselves. Investigation into these suicides revealed reasons such as family issues /domestic problems, marital discord, perceived grievances and personal issues. In answer to a question on the high suicide rate in the army, Chief of the Army staff General Bipin Rawat, who was visiting Hyderabad in December 2018, had replied that one should look at it as the suicide in humanity and not army specific. Dr Subhash Bhamra, Minister of state, Minis-try of Defence said that various steps have been taken by the Armed For-ces to create a healthy /appropriate environment for their officers and other ranks. Some of these steps are provision of better quality of facilities such as clothing, food, married accommodation, travel facilities, schooling, recreation etc. He said welfare meetings are held periodically in Army camps and yoga and meditation are used for stress management. During every trai-ning session a psychological counsellor is deployed. Projects like MILAP and SAHYOG have been implemented by the Northern & Eastern Command to red-uce stress among troops. A 'Mansik Sahayata Helpl-ine' has been established by the Army and Air Force to provide professional counselling. Mental health awareness is provided during pre-induction training." The Army has established a Military Psychiatry Treatment Centre at INHS Asvini and Mental Health Centres in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Port Blair, Goa and Karwar to counsel its men. In 2018 a large number of senior rank officials opted for premature retirement. In the Army, 3844 JCOs applied for early retirement while 136 airmen and 144 IAF officers applied for the same. Terrorists struck Indian Army camps 9 times in last 4 years Terrorists struck Indian Army camps nine times in the last four years (Source: ministry of defense). A majority of the attacks were reported in Jammu & Kashmir, including the September 2016 Uri attack. The country lost 35 soldiers and two civilians died in crossfire in the nine attacks. The maximum loss was reported in the Uri attack. In five incidents of terrorist attack, the Army lost 26 soldiers with 25 injured. Army shot 10 terrorists in the same period of time. Dr Subhash Bhamre, minister of state in the ministry of Defence (while addressing a question) said, The Defence Services have taken a number of actions, including risk categorisation of military bases, appraisal and up-gradation of intelligence gathering capabilities, strengthening and streamlining of the response mechanism, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), periodic security audit of all military installations and more. The Army also carries out in-depth analysis of the terrorist incidents and security breaches that are identified with various incidents. Perimeter security projects of all the three Armed Forces have been sanctioned by the Government." He further added, All terrorist attacks on Army camps are investigated in detail, and prima facie it was found that these attacks were carried out by terrorist outfits. Government had issued broad guidelines for Security of Defence Installations and in compliance to the said guidelines. A technical team, on suspicion, verified their activities and found that the two had allegedly not only floated an IT company, but were also stealing data and diverting funds illegally. (Representational Image) Bengaluru: Mahadevapura police have arrested two senior executives of an IT company for allegedly stealing data from the firm and diverting crores of rupees for the company that they had set up. The accused, Prathap, 32, and Karthik, 35, worked as senior manager and operations manager respectively, in a software development firm located at the Export Promotion Industrial Park Zone. The firm has branches in different countries, the police said. Abdul Ahad, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield, said the two were arrested after the company noticed their unauthorised absence and had not returned the company laptops. A technical team, on suspicion, verified their activities and found that the two had allegedly not only floated an IT company, but were also stealing data and diverting funds illegally. They had also accessed the company's client list to approach them for business. According to the police, Prathap and Karthik joined the company in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and were eventually promoted. Making use of their positions, the duo accessed a few crucial operations. In 2017, they set up an IT firm and allegedly started stealing confidential data, technology, and client database for their company, Captive Med Solutions, while they continued to work in the same place. They were sent to the U.S. by the company on business trips. During their overseas stays, they allegedly cut business deals for their own company and also diverted funds for it. From November, 2018 onwards they stopped reporting for work, but they neither submitted their resignation nor returned the company laptops. Police said when the company checked with its operations team, it found that its intellectual property had been stolen and money diverted. Through its network administrator, the company was able to track Karthik's office laptop and found all the details in it. CHENNAI: When the 25th Shradaanjalai of the late Seer of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi was observed on January 8, one was instantly transported to a counterfactual possibility in the backdrop of the raging controversy over the Supreme Court ruling allowing women of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa shrine in Kerala. What if the late Kanchi Paramacharya, as he was fondly known to thousands of his devotees, and Mahatma Gandhi met again, as they did in a cowshed at Nallicherry on the outskirts of Palakkad on October 15, 1927, when another controversy over allowing the Dalits or Scheduled Castes into any temple was causing heartburns in a far more orthodox, rigid, hierarchical social milieu then. That was a historic, very unique tete-e-tete between two great souls and public figures in their own right amid the National freedom movement. Removal of untouchability and discrimination against Dalits was high on the political agenda of Mahatma Gandhi, who with Periyar and other leaders had already won for the lowly Ezhavas and Pulayas to have access to few public roads to a Lord Shiva temple near Kottayam through the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924-25) in Kerala. As has been well documented, the Sanatanists (traditionalists) within the Hindu-fold, vehemently opposed entry of Dalits into temples, fearing defilement of the Shastraic-Agamic ritualistic worship process that is believed to preserve the sanctity and power of the deities concerned. But for Mahatma Gandhi, everyone as the Children of God ought to have access to temples for worship and nobodys entry could be forbidden, more so on basis of any caste. The late scholar S. Sambamurthi Sastrigal has in his biography of the Kanchi Paramacharya in Tamil, titled, Sri Jagathguru Divya Sarithram meticulously recorded, what transpired at that historic meeting between the two great souls. Sastrigal writes that the Kanchi Seer was very appreciative of Mahatma Gandhis Satyagraha as a non-violent technique in politics that gives primacy to mans soul-force and his general spiritual outlook to life. In the same breath, on the issue of Harijana Aalaya Pravesam (allowing Dalits into Temples for worship), the Acharya told Mahatma Gandhi that there were a very large number of people in the country who were rooted in the Shastras and old traditions; doing anything that could hurt their sentiments would be akin to Himsa. This word is generally translated as violence, but in this context as one sees while reading Sastrigals account, it more refers to causing mental stress and agony in people. That was the Kanchi Paramacharyas considered view on the Harijans Temple entry issue. Gandhi then took the Acharyas blessings and before taking leave told him that to the extent that was possible for him (Gandhiji), he would bear in mind what the Paramacharya felt (about this issue). At one stage, as it was getting late, when Rajaji, waiting outside, went in to remind Gandhi about his dinner, Gandhi replied he had such a spiritually satisfying meeting with the Acharya, which itself is my dinner today. Later that evening, Sambamurthi Sastrigal writes, that Gandhiji addressed a public meeting in Coimbatore and when some people there sought to know what transpired in his meeting with the Kanchi Seer, Mahatma Gandhi replied that he did not wish to disclose his discussions with the Paramacharya, as what they had conversed was personal and confidential. Sastrigal adds that he was able to chronicle what little was known about that meeting based on an authentic account of perhaps the only other person present at the Nallicherry meeting. Sastrigal further writes that the issue of allowing Dalits to have free access to temples again figured in the run-up to Mahatma Gandhis Epic Fast in September 1932, when the latter issued a statement from the Yerwada prison in Pune to the effect that if there was no agreement between the Caste Hindus and Harijans, he will fast unto death. Mahatma Gandhis protest was actually against the larger issue of the then British government conferring separate electorate to the Depressed Classes or SCs as they are now known. The Agreement - the Poona Pact- that year signed by then leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha and Dalit leaders who included Dr B.R. Ambedkar, M C Raja and Rettaimalai Srinivasan-, ensured there will be no separate electorate for the scheduled castes. Another fallout of the pact, though technically not part of it, was that Dalits should be allowed free access to all temples, which the Sanatanists again stoutly opposed saying it was not part of Poona Pact. When the first real test of applying this principle arose at the famous Sri Krishna temple in Guruvayur, again in Kerala, Sastrigal writes that the Kanchi Seer continued to maintain his earlier stand on the temple entry issue. On Gandhijis suggestion, a Congress team including Dr Rajendra Prasad, Rajaji, K Bashyam Iyengar and Varadachari, met the Kanchi Paramacharya at Mylapore in old Madras and discussed the issue with him for two hours. But no amicable settlement on the issue could be reached, writes Sambamurthi Sastrigal. Groups of Sanatanists even organised meetings at places like Palakkad and Guruvayur against the proposed temple entry for all Dalits. Eventually, it was a legislation enacted by the erstwhile Madras Presidency which facilitated temple entry for the Dalits. Thus on this issue, there were unresolved differences between these two great souls- the Kanchi Seer and Mahatma Gandhi. And much like what the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala is doing now to facilitate the entry of women into the Sabarimala shrine, then too people close-to-the-powers-that-be had helped Dalits to enter various temples. However, it was Rajaji who shortly later, put the whole issue in perspective. Rajaji said that the Kanchi Seer was such a peerless spiritual leader who always had the welfare of the Harijans in mind and to judge someone like him (the Paramacharya) just on the basis of one issue (temple entry) would not lead to any benefit. That was Rajajis political wisdom and sagacity. In later conversations, Mahatma Gandhi himself said only a change of heart can bring about real changes in society. Given this huge historical backdrop, in a counterfactual situation what if the Kanchi Seer and Mahatma Gandhi had again met somewhere in the clouds over the latest Sabarimala row? In all probability the Paramacharya would have voted for age-old Sanatanic traditions of a particular temple even if it was originally a tribals shrine of Ayyanar before being Sanskritized as Lord Ayyappa, and Mahatma Gandhi glad to see women of all ages allowed for worship at the Sannidhanam. Yet, the issue is not a simple one of faith versus gender equality.As Karen Armstrong, in her brilliant work, A History of God- she was a nun in a Roman Catholic order and walked out of it- points out, the notion of God for the early Messiahs, the God of the Theologians, for the priestly class, God for the Mystics and God for the Reformers were not identical.Stating that human beings would always want to create new realms of meaning, Karen concludes her work saying: The idols of fundamentalism are not good substitutes for God; if we are to create a vibrant new faith for the 21st century, we should, perhaps, ponder the history of God for some lessons and warnings. The deceased has been identified as Savita, a resident of R.T. Nagar and hailing from Sollapura in Chitradurga district. She was working as a receptionist at a hotel. (Representational Image) Bengaluru: In a freak accident, a 35-year-old woman died on the spot while three other occupants of the car were injured when the driver mistakenly put reverse gear of an automatic SUV while on high speed. The deceased has been identified as Savita, a resident of R.T. Nagar and hailing from Sollapura in Chitradurga district. She was working as a receptionist at a hotel. According to jurisdictional Nelamangala traffic police, the incident took place at around 2 am on Sunday near Hosanojagal Gate in Nelamangala taluk. The police said there were four occupants in the Hyundai Creta SUV when the incident happened. The car was heading towards Tumkuru and when it reached near Hosanojagal Gate, the driver of the car mistakenly put reverse gear while on high speed. As a result, the SUV toppled, rolled thrice and hit a tree to stop. Savitha was sitting on the back seat died on the spot. The Nelamangala traffic police reached the spot and rushed the injured to a nearby hospital and shifted the body to a hospital for post-mortem. The police said that all the occupants were friends and were on outing. Nelamangala traffic police have registered a case. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief has been away from active politics since December 2017, when he was convicted in the Deoghar treasury case, which was followed by convictions in two more fodder scam cases. (Photo: File) Patna: RJD national president Lalu Yadav launched a veiled attack on the BJP on Sunday by issuing a "humble appeal" to the people of the country to be on guard against hate politics, rumour mongering and false propaganda to divide the youth ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The ailing former Bihar chief minister, who is serving sentences in fodder scam cases and is currently lodged in a Ranchi hospital, shared his views on the political situation prevailing in the country on his official Twitter handle. "It is a humble appeal to the people of the country that elections are round the corner and those practising hate politics will provoke the youth and your children to sacrifice their lives by raising false alarms, giving rise to misconceptions and spreading rumours," Lalu Yadav wrote on the microblogging website. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief has been away from active politics since December 2017, when he was convicted in the Deoghar treasury case, which was followed by convictions in two more fodder scam cases. He has, however, been sharing his views on his Twitter handle. "While your children would be slaying each other and wasting their lives in the name of cow and cow dung, the kids of the hypocritical jumlebaaz would be busy studying in esteemed schools and colleges and securing their own futures," Lalu Yadav said. "Therefore, all parents and guardians are requested to be on guard themselves, besides guarding their children against rumour mongering sanghs (organisations) and their false propaganda. A beginning has been made by them in UP and Bihar," the RJD chief added. Lalu Yadav's remarks came in the backdrop of mob violence and cow vigilantism reported in many parts of the Hindi heartland, often spurred by fake social media messages circulated by people with alleged links to Sangh Parivar outfits. A staunch opponent of the ruling BJP and the Sangh Parivar, Lalu Yadav had endeared himself to the minorities when as the chief minister of Bihar, he had ordered the arrest of BJP veteran LK Advani during his "rath yatra" in 1990. He had also succeeded in weaning away minorities from the Congress during the 15 years when the state was ruled by him and subsequently by his wife Rabri Devi, a period which saw virtually no major communal incidents, despite an overall soaring crime graph. Now an ally of the Congress, the RJD is upset at the quota for the economically backward sections brought by the Narendra Modi government at the centre. The party has said that it is a step in the direction of diluting affirmative action for the socially and educationally backward segments of the society. Kumaraswamy's statement came after Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader G Parameshwara held an urgent meeting with party leaders over reports that the MLAs were allegedly taken by the leaders to Mumbai. (Photo: ANI) Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday denied reports of three Congress MLAs visited Mumbai along with BJP leaders and said that they had informed him about the visit and were in touch with him during the visit. "All three Congress MLAs are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My government isn't under any threat. I know who all BJP is trying to contact and what they're offering. I can handle it, why should media be concerned?" emphasised Kumaraswamy while addressing media over MLA horsetrading reports in the state. Kumaraswamy's statement came after Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader G Parameshwara held an urgent meeting with party leaders over reports that the MLAs were allegedly taken by the leaders to Mumbai. However, Parameshwara said that the meeting was on the upcoming budget session and to take stock of the implementation of last year's budget provisions. Some of the dignitaries presented in the meeting were state working president of Janata Dal (Secular) Eshwar Khandre, Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar, Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao. Speaking to media after the meeting, Shivakumar acknowledged that three MLAs were in Mumbai but refused to divulge further details. Read: '3 Congress MLAs in Mumbai hotel with BJP leaders': DK Shivakumar "Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha election, all the parties are doing their agenda and Congress president Rahul Gandhi has clearly spoken about it. Everything will be fine and there is nothing to worry about. I am not talking about whether BJP MLAs are in Congress or Congress MLAs in BJP. I didn't say they are Congress MLAs, but it's sure that three MLAs are there (in Mumbai). I know their transportation records and flight details," he added. However, Parameshwara asserted that party MLAs are intact, adding that the three MLAs may have gone to Mumbai for personal reasons. "BJP leaders are saying this government will fall. But it won't happen. Some of our MLAs have gone, they can go for temples, holiday, family outings, we don't know. Nobody said that they're going to join BJP and destabilise the government. All our MLAs are intact," he told reporters here. Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda, too, alleged that the BJP was making efforts to destabilise the Karnataka government. "The fact is BJP is indulging in poaching undemocratically. BJP is behind efforts to de-stabilise this government. It is not specific to today," he claimed. Responding to the meeting organised by Parameshwara, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda told ANI that the Congress should keep its house in order. He alleged that the Congress is failing to keep its flock in Karnataka together and instead, blaming the BJP. Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said on Sunday after meeting BSP supremo Mayawati at her residence in Lucknow. The meeting came a day after Mayawati announced an alliance with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Welcoming the grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Tejashwi expressed confidence that the SP-BSP combination will win all seats in the state. "There is atmosphere today where they want to scrap Baba Saheb's constitution and implement 'Nagpur laws'. People welcome the step taken by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. BJP will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They will not win even one seat in UP. The SP-BSP alliance will win all seats," the RJD leader told the media. Tejashwi also said that his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, wanted a SP-BSP alliance. Laluji wanted grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh and Mayawatiji and Akhilesh Yadav to contest election together, he told reporters. In a joint press conference on Saturday, Mayawati and Akhilesh announced that their parties have agreed to form an alliance in which the two parties will contest in 38 seats each in Uttar Pradesh. However, the two leaders left the Congress out of their alliance, leaving only Amethi and Raebareli seats for the Rahul Gandhi party. They have also kept two seats for the smaller parties. Reacting on the decision, senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh Sunday said that exclusion of Congress from the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh was wrong and not a good sign for future alliances at national level. Singh, RJD's national vice president "This (SP-BSP alliance excluding Congress) is not good. They have stitched an alliance leaving Congress out of it. The grand alliance should be formed with Congress," Singh was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (S), another constituent of the grand alliance in Bihar, has also expressed reservation over Congress' exclusion in the alliance announced by UP's satraps Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. HAM(S) chief and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi had said "if they (SP-BSP) neglect Congress in UP, then they may have to face loss as BJP may be able to gain from it" Following the grand snub, the Congress on Sunday announced that it will contest on all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on its own in the Lok Sabha polls. Some 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Let terrorists. (Photo: File) Washington/New Delhi: There is a "strong possibility" of Tahawwur Hussain Rana - currently serving a 14-year jail term in the US for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack - being extradited to India, an informed source said. The Indian government, with "full cooperation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition of the Pakistani-Canadian national before his current jail term ends in December 2021. Rana was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Some 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. "There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. India's Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice and the US' State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. And they are unwilling to cutdown or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition, it added. Following a recent visit to the US by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. From now on, the NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities. In case, the US government in co-operation with the Indian government is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials in Washington said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. As per the existing US law, Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release. However, people familiar with the matter told PTI, that there is a "desire" so there is an assurance from the highest level in the Trump administration that all necessary steps would be taken in a timely fashion to ensure extradition of Rana before his release. According to the US officials, the extradition of Rana would help in cementing the relationship between the two countries, boost up the counter-terrorism cooperation and enhance America's image among Indians. On the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, in November 2018, the Trump administration had reiterated its resolve to bring to justice those involved in it. Vice President Mike Pence had raised this issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. During their recent visit, the NIA team also received guidance from their US counterparts on the paperwork which India needs to complete to meet the requirements of the American judiciary system and their standards. India would not seek extradition of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the "double jeopardy" clause in the US justice system prohibits to punish a person twice for the same crime. India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based National Defense College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also forgery case registered against him in India. Citing the partial government shutdown, the State Department and the Department of Justice expressed their inability to respond to the questions related to the extradition of Rana. The Indian Embassy in Washington and the attorney of Rana did not respond to a question on this issue. They immediately filed a complaint with the Bagalagunte police, who traced Krupa Ram and arrested him. Bengaluru: The Bagalagunte police arrested a pervert who had flashed at a woman for ignoring him. The accused had been harassing the married woman for the past two months by making obscene gestures. The accused, Krupa Ram, 32, who hails from Rajasthan and stays at Bagalagunte, worked at a granite shop. According to the police, the woman filed a complaint stating that the accused, who worked near her house, was harassing her and often blocked her way and tried to talk to her. He later started making obscene gestures when she started ignoring him. On January 4, while she was sweeping in front of her house, he stood in front of her and tried to talk to her. When she tried to avoid him, he opened his pants and flashed at her making obscene gestures. She immediately raised an alarm and by the time her husband rushed outside, he fled. They immediately filed a complaint with the Bagalagunte police, who traced Krupa Ram and arrested him. by Sumon Corraya The women belong to the Secular Institute Believers in Christ Community. The archdiocese of the capital has provided them with a home to live together. The lay sisters are active in teaching children and providing spiritual care to the sick. Dhaka (AsiaNews) The lay nuns of the Secular Institute Believers in Christ Community have dedicated their lives to bearing witness to the Gospel in slums and among Muslims. They teach catechism to Christian students and pray for the healing of the sick. "Even the [consecrated] sisters appreciate our work, said one nun, because we tirelessly preach Christian values. Every day we renew our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience." Fr. Frank J Quinlivan, Holy Cross missionary, established the institute of Catholic lay women who chose the Ordo virginum, i.e. the special form of consecration that allows women to continue their regular life without the obligation to wear the veil or live in a community. Recently the archdiocese of Dhaka gave them a house that can house five people. Before that, they stayed in a rented flat. Sobita Gomes, 76, is the group coordinator and runs a school for slum children in Dhakas Tejgaon district. As a child I wanted to sacrifice my life for Christ, she said. I wanted to be a nun, but I couldnt make it. In the end I entered this community." For her, Our way of life allows us to reach many more people and win their hearts. We can go where we want, we do not have a 'dress code', we can earn money from our profession. But like consecrated sisters, we work for Christ and are ready to sacrifice our lives for him." Like Sobita, Asha Rozario, 70, loves this life. This way I work for Christ directly. In addition to my main profession, I teach catechism to Catholic children in the church of Tejgaon and prepare them for the sacraments of the Eucharist and confirmation." In addition to teaching, the sisters are active in spiritual outreach for the sick. They lead the Rosary recitation in different Catholic areas of the capital and are part of the Liturgy Commission of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. The group has very specific plans for the future. "We would like to extend the teaching of the Christian religion to Catholic students in Muslim schools, said Sobita, because they do not receive adequate religious education there. The parents asked us." Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 22 last year. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday allowed alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, to make phone calls to his family members and lawyers abroad. Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted 15 minutes a week to Michel to make international calls. The accused had moved the court claiming that the jail authorities had rejected his plea seeking the permission. Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 22 last year. The court had earlier imposed restrictions on Michel meeting his lawyers while he was in the ED's custody, after the agency had said he was misusing the legal access by passing chits to his lawyers, asking them how to tackle questions on "Mrs Gandhi." The ED's counsels, D P Singh and N K Matta, had also claimed that during questioning, Michel had spoken about the "son of an Italian lady" and how he was going to become the next prime minister of the country. "We also need to decipher who the 'big man' referred to as 'R' is in the communications between Michel and other people," the ED had told the court. On January 5, Michel was sent to judicial custody in the ED case. He is also lodged in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The ED, in its chargesheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland. The CBI, in its chargesheet, has alleged an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer due to the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros. A day after the Directorate of Film Festivals denied filmmakers the eligibility to apply for the National awards, the Jury re-considered, thanks to K.T. Rama Rao's intervention. After the National Awards Jury said that the makers of the Telugu film C/O Kancharapalem, were ineligible to apply for the National Awards, (because it was produced by Praveena Paruchuri, a US citizen), films buffs expressed outrage on social media. However, the issue has been resolved now. K.T. Rama Rao, Working President of TRS, via Twitter, appealed to Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of Information & Broadcasting (Independent charge) to look into the issue. While specifying the criteria for eligibility for National Awards, Rathore replied that the concerned officer has guided the films co-producer Praveena Paruchuri, and that she can also apply for the International Competition section of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2019. The films director Venkatesh Maha, says, We are very happy that the Jury has cleared us to apply. Since the criteria is that one of the producers should be from India, and Rana Daggubati, is also a co-producer (his production house has the films negative and distribution rights), we are resubmitting the application with Rana as co-producer. He adds, Chaitanya Prasad, Director General, Directorate of Film Festivals, called me and I explained about how the film was made and released. Venkatesh also thanks minister K.T. Rama Rao for his timely intervention. Since January 15 is the deadline, we tried to reach out to the concerned people, but we couldnt. But KTR sir, immediately responded and tweeted, and tagged the concerned officials, and as a result, we were able to apply. We also want to thank Rajyavardhan sir and Chaitanya Prasad for their valuable support. So our efforts to get recognition were fruitful and cinema has finally won. As the years roll by, the traditions of the harvest festival of Pongal are given the go-by in the cities. The festival marking the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai, however, holds a great relevance. The day of the festival means different things to different people, but none would forget the sweet taste of the sweet pongal made to celebrate the blessings of Nature in a bounteous harvest. A number of film stars tell us what Pongal means to them even as they wish Deccan Chronicle readers a very Happy Pongal. NIKKI GALRANI - Debut Delight Pongal is very close to my heart as this is the date I debuted in Tamil and thanks to the people of Tamil Nadu who welcomed me with open arms. This is my 5th Pongal really special as we moved down to Chennai and became Chennai Ponnu. Let the festival bring more happiness and more prosperity to all. SAI DHANSHIKA A village Pongal This Pongal is going to be very special one to me. I am visiting Mankaranoor village in Tirupathur town in Vellore district to celebrate Pongal along with the people of the area. It will be a community pongal where many families including that of farmers will be at a ceremonial worship. I along with other ladies will cook the sweet dish made with rice, lentils, jaggery, ghee in an open area in an earthenware pot to which a turmeric and ginger plants are tied and offer it to Sun God. There will also be sugarcane sticks, bananas and coconuts offered. PARVATHI NAIR Making Pongal The year begins with Pongal festival, which always gives me happiness and positivity. I am fond of the sweet pongal dish and even if I am shooting, I see that I get time to reach out to friends to have the sweet pongal and karumbu. In fact, I can myself make pongal. Also, the festival is associated with film releases and I do go watch movies in theatres. ADITI MENON - Watching movies This year Pongal is very special to me as my family relocated to Chennai this year and we are celebrating the harvest festival in the city. Though, we celebrate Onam mainly, after coming to film industry, I have lot of friends who celebrate Pongal. There are a lot of good projects lined up this year. This Pongal, I watched Petta and Viswasam and both Thala and Thalaivar have rocked and I loved it. NAKKUL - Pets Pongal Pongal is always special to us. Last year I celebrated with family in Pollachi along the local people there. We stayed at a friend's place. We were singing and dancing and it was great merrymaking. We even fed cows in what was a very memorable village Pongal. This year, we are joining my cousins. Since, my dad passed away last January immediately after Pongal, we are not celebrating the festival. In memory of my father, we are adopting three cats Coco, Lilly and Luna as papa loved cats. So, its going to be a Pets Pongal. We will cook special items for them as well. This year, I am listening to a few awesome scripts. Soon, I would announce the films. Mumbai: The recently released trailer of Sonchiriya has been generating immense buzz for the raw and rustic looks set in the rooted villages of central India. In order to perfect the dialect, the cast left no stones unturned to ace the accent and mannerisms of the post-independence period in central India. Since the story is set in the Chambal district the characters have Bundelkhand dialect and to prep and get the fluency the cast was insisted to converse in that language on set, even during the breaks. The story of Sonchiriya is set in the 1970s showcasing a small town ruled and dominated by dacoits. Multiple gangs fight over the struggle to attain power. The cast dons fierce avatars in sync with the theme of the film. Starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranvir Shorey, and Ashutosh Rana in lead roles, Sonchiriya presents tale set in the era of dacoits. Sonchiriya promises to be a power packed action film giving a glimpse of the glorious years of dacoits in central India. Shot in the valleys of Madhya Pradesh, Sonchiriya presents an ensemble cast with an intriguing storyline. Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, who has earlier helmed 'Udta Punjab' and 'Ishiqiya', presents a rooted tale set in Chambal with 'Sonchiriya'. Producer Ronnie Screwvala who has not only presented blockbusters but also award-winning films is all set to present 'Sonchiriya'. The movie is slated to release on 8th February 2019. Arun Jaitley may double the income tax exemption threshold for the salaried from the present Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led NDA governments election doles may continue well into this years interim budget. Plans are being lined up in the North Block to lure the salaried and pensioners with additional tax sops. Unlike in the past, where a vote-on-account or approval for essential government spending for a limited period was taken in an election year, the government is set to present an Interim Budget on February 1, the sixth and last budget presentation of it before the general elections. Sources said that finance minister Arun Jaitley may double the income tax exemption threshold for the salaried from the present Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh while also reinstating tax-free status for medical expenses and transport allowance. Currently, income up to Rs 2.5 lakh is exempt from the personal income tax. Income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh attracts 5 per cent tax, while that between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh is levied with a 20 per cent tax. Income above Rs 10 lakh is taxed at 30 per cent. The exemption limit of Rs 5 lakh is applicable only to individuals over 80 years of age. Also, tax-free medical expenses up to Rs 15,000 and transport allowance up to Rs 19,200 per annum has been replaced in the last budget with a Rs 40,000 standard deduction for those earning above Rs 5 lakh last year. Almost all the previous budgets of this government have provided some relief to the salaried class who are among the most honest tax payers of the country. We will try to do something for this group even this year within the limitations of the interim budget, said a source privy to the development. While the idea for additional sops is to maintain continuity in policies followed by this government, the proposal for fresh income tax dole is largely seen as an election lollipop to lure the middle-class, which seems to be distancing itself from the ruling party over initiatives like demonetisation. In his bid for re-election, the Modi government is using various strategies to attract the voters, like the recently announced 10 per cent reservation for the upper class who earn less than Rs 8 lakh a year. The expected increase in IT exemption threshold will also help the government arrest opposition to this reservation, as it will take out a large portion of those earning up to Rs 8 lakh per annum from the higher 20 per cent tax slab. Apart from exemption threshold, the interim budget is also widely expected to restore the tax-free status of medical expenses and transport allowance (subject to a ceiling) while withdrawing the standard deduction. Pensioners could also be given additional tax sops. The middle-class may also cheer some of the other proposals of the interim budget such as customs duty reduction on a host of consumer goods. Already, the GST Council has rejigged duty and brought several items on lower rates. Industry bodies such as Assocham, CII and Ficci have been very vocal on the need for more changes in the tax structure even in the interim budget. In its pre-budget recommendations, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to double the income tax exemption threshold to Rs 5 lakh and increase the deduction limit under Section 80C to Rs 2.50 lakh to incentivise savings. The chamber has also suggested lowering the highest personal income tax slab to 25 per cent from 30 per cent and cut in corporate tax rate to 25 per cent, irrespective of turnover, to be eventually brought down to 18 per cent in phases. The budget session will be held from January 31 to February 13 and Jaitley will present the Interim Budget on February 1. In line with the above schedule, the Economic Survey, which is typically tabled a day or two ahead of the Budget announcement, is expected to be presented on January 31. The first national workshop on the policy was recently held in the national capital. New Delhi: The commerce ministry is planning a series of workshops in states including Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to implement its export policy for agricultural goods with a view to boost overall shipments, an official said. The ministry has suggested states to set up a nodal agency dedicated for the implementation of the agriculture export policy. Workshops would help identify bottlenecks, get feedback and suggestions to improve and overcome difficulties in the implementation of the policy. "There is a plan to organise workshops in all the states for this policy with a view to boost exports of agricultural goods. States have been asked to prepare their separate agri-export policy also," the official added. The ministry has asked Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to formulate a template for states, based on which states would prepare their policy. Last month, the government approved an agriculture export policy with an aim to double farm shipments to USD 60 billion by 2022, diversify export basket, and boost shipments of value added commodities. Implementation of the elements of the policy would have some financial implications, some of which will be met from within the framework of existing schemes of various ministries. The first national workshop on the policy was recently held in the national capital. The approved policy also focuses on areas including research and development, cluster development, improvement in logistics and transportation. Agri-products currently constitute over 10 per cent of the country's total shipments. During April-November this fiscal, exports rose 11.58 per cent to USD 217.52 billion. Since 2011-12, the country's exports have been hovering at around USD 300 billion. During 2017-18, the shipments grew by about 10 per cent to USD 303 billion. Promoting exports helps a country create jobs, boost manufacturing and earn more foreign exchange. New Delhi: Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal has pumped in about Rs 150 crore in ride-hailing platform Ola, according to documents filed with the Corporate Affairs Ministry. "... 70,588 fully and compulsorily convertible, cumulative 'Series J' Preference Shares' having face value of Rs 10 having the rights, privileges and preferences... is hereby allotted at a subscription price of Rs 21,250," the documents showed. This translates into an investment of about Rs 150 crore by Bansal, who left Flipkart after the US retail giant Walmart picked up 77 per cent stake in the e-commerce company for USD 16 billion. The resolution was passed at a board meeting of ANI Technologies, the entity that runs Ola, on January 12, according to the documents. E-mails sent to Ola and Bansal did not elicit any response. According to sources, Bansal is pumping in Rs 650 crore in total and the Rs 150 crore funding is part of the total investment. The allotment of these shares to Bansal is part of Ola's plans to raise about USD 1 billion in funding, they added. In October last year, the Bengaluru-based company had announced raising USD 1.1 billion funding from China's Tencent Holdings and SoftBank Group. It had also stated that it was in "advanced talks" to close an additional USD 1 billion funding to take total mop-up to more than USD 2 billion. Ola is locked in a battle for market leadership with US-based rival Uber in India and other markets like Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The Indian company has been aggressively ramping up its rides business as well as hailing platform and food delivery operations (through Foodpanda). Some of the public sector banks have governments holding beyond 75 per cent. New Delhi: In a bid to align with the best corporate practices, the finance ministry has asked the public sector banks to gradually bring down the governments equity to 52 per cent, a top official said. The government is essentially a major shareholder. So, this need to be aligned to the best corporate practices. The shareholding needs to come down to at least 52 per cent in the first phase. As and when market condition allows, banks will take step in that direction. They have all the permission in hand, financial services secretary Rajiv Kumar said. Dilution of government stake will help banks to meet 25 per cent public float norms of Sebi. Some of the public sector banks have governments holding beyond 75 per cent. Besides, it will encourage the banks to follow the prudential lending norms. The countrys largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has already initiated step for `20,000 crore share sale through qualified institutional placement (QIP). Post QIP, the government stake will be diluted from the existing 58.53 per cent. Last month, shareholders of the bank approved sale of shares to fund the business growth. Many other banks are planning to raise capital through some means or other, depending on the market condition. Some of the lenders like Syndicate Bank, Union Bank of India, PNB, and Oriental Bank of Commerce among others have already issued or in process of issuing Employee Share Purchase Scheme (ESPS). He further said the government has also initiated the process for consolidation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to better serve the needs of the rural India. Recently, the Centre has amalgamated three RRBs Punjab Gramin Bank, Malwa Gramin Bank and Sutlej Gramin Bank into a single RRB with effect from January 1. The central government, after consulting the sponsor banks of the three RRBs, felt that in the interest of the banks and the areas served by them, they should be amalgamated into a single RRB. 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. by Melani Manel Perera Festivities begin tonight with vespers. An interfaith prayer and Mass will be held tomorrow. Seniors, youth and children participated in the flag-raising ceremony. The saint strengthens our faith in Christ". Maha-Galgamuwa (Asia News) Everything is ready for the great celebration, starting with vespers, to honour Saint Joseph Vaz, the Indian priest considered the Apostle of Sri Lanka and the countrys first saint, canonised by Pope Francis during his pastoral visit it 2015. Like every year, the ceremony is held in Maha-Galgamuwa, the village in central-western Sri Lanka that houses a church dedicated to the saint and where the first national shrine in his honour is under construction. A liturgical commemoration will take place tomorrow in the village, preceded by an inter-faith prayer of an hour and a half. Speaking to AsiaNews, the parish priest, Fr Alex Janaka, said the Mass "will be concelebrated by Mgr Justin Gnanapragasam, bishop of Jaffna, and Mgr Harold Anthony, bishop of Kurunegala. We expect a large crowd, like past years. People are very devoted to Saint Joseph." Born in 1651 into a Portuguese family in India, he landed on the island of Ceylon in 1687 to support local Catholics during the persecution by Dutch Calvinists. Pope John Paul II described him as the greatest missionary Asia has ever had. First, he understood the urgent need to rebuild the local Christian community and gave impetus to priestly training and lay outreach. To this end, he set up the Congregation of the Oratory in Goa to train missionaries to be sent to Sri Lanka. He studied the islands two main languages, Sinhala and Tamil, in order to establish friendly relations with Buddhist monks. The ceremony included a flag-raising ceremony. On Friday, residents in the Tamil village, from children to senior citizens, hoisted the flag at the main staff and hung flags around the church. The recitation of the Rosary and a Mass followed later in Tamil ad Sinhalese. School principal L. Gratian said that children are very devoted to the saint. "Now that we have a saint, we know that we can ask him anything. Saint Joseph Vaz looks after us," the children said. For Joseph Selestian, the 64-year-old sacristan, residents are very fortunate to have been born in the holy village where the saint lived for years. Our beloved Saint Joseph Vaz strengthens our faith in Christ." Five Connecticut nursing homes have been fined by the state Department of Public Health following lapses in care, including one incident after which a resident died. Jewish Senior Services of Bridgeport was fined $3,060 after a resident with multiple sclerosis died after falling from a bed onto the floor. On June 12, 2018, a registered nurse was applying protective dressings to the residents coccyx, turned away to dispose of the dressing wrappers and, when she turned back toward the resident, saw the resident was starting to fall, according to the citation. The RN tried to stop the fall but couldnt. The RN had moved the patient without help, even though the residents care plan called for two-staff assistance with mobility, according to the citation. The RN told investigators she typically repositioned the resident without having a second staff member assist. The resident was diagnosed at an emergency department with a high spinal cord trauma, intracranial hemorrhage and two femur fractures, and subsequently died. According to DPH, documentation failed to show that a neurological assessment was done at the time of the fall and failed to note a change in condition when the resident complained of pain and impaired vision after initially denying any discomfort. A clinical nursing director said staff were unable to determine what caused the resident to fall, according to the citation. Since the incident, residents who cant maintain a safe lying position are given bolsters and assisted by two staff members for repositioning. We at Jewish Senior Services were saddened by the accidental death of a beloved resident last June, said Senior Vice President Lawrence Condon. We have cooperated with the states investigation into this isolated incident, and while we viewed this as an accident and contested their findings, we have provided additional training and education to staff members who work with residents in the hope of preventing such accidents from occurring in the future. There is no greater priority at Jewish Senior Services than the safety and well-being of the residents in our care, and we take very seriously the trust that residents and their loved ones place in us. Meriden Center was fined $3,270 after a resident suffered a leg laceration while being transferred by a nurse aide. The aide was moving the resident from a wheelchair to a bed on Dec. 23, 2017, when the residents left leg became caught under the bed. According to the citation, the resident suffered a 16-centimeter laceration and was taken to an acute-care facility, where sutures were applied. Meriden Center is committed to providing high-quality care to our patients and residents, said spokeswoman Carol Albright Rohrbaugh. Since that time [of the citation] we provided additional staff education and training, and submitted a plan of correction to the state. Cassena Care at Stamford was fined $3,060 after a resident acquired a severe pressure ulcer and several skin tears at the facility. On Aug. 20, 2018, the resident had a Stage 3 pressure ulcer on the lower back, a skin tear on the left groin, and two skin tears on a left above-the-knee amputation stump, according to DPH. The pressure ulcer had been diagnosed a week prior and recommendations were made, including limiting the residents sitting to 60 minutes. But on Aug. 20, staff went in and out of the residents room during a nearly four-hour period but the resident stayed in the same position in bed, the citation said. When eventually repositioned, the resident complained of pain in the left elbow, which had become red. Officials at the facility didnt return a call seeking comment. The Villa at Stamford was fined $3,060 after a resident was hit in the face by a Hoyer lift crossbar. Two nurse aides who were transferring the resident into a chair on April 16, 2018, said the lift tilted and struck the resident in the face. According to the citation, the resident suffered a laceration above the left eye that needed sutures at a local emergency room. The nurse aides were in-serviced on proper transfer technique and padding was added to the lift crossbar, according to DPH. After the incident, the director of nursing services said the lift likely hadnt tilted but the resident may have leaned into the lift, and that the cause of the injury was unclear. Staff were retrained and educated following the event, and the organization continues its mission to provide high-quality care to all residents, said administrator Peter Showstead. Golden Hill Rehab in Milford was fined $1,080 after a resident with dementia left the facility. After last being seen at 3:30 p.m. on July 2, 2018, the resident left and later returned to the facility at 5:45 p.m., according to the citation. A staff member saw the resident walking about a mile away and returned the resident to the facility. The resident was a known elopement risk who had talked about or attempted leaving on June 10, 11, 13, 18 and 29. During the June 13 incident, the resident wasnt wearing a WanderGuard sensor, a new one was applied, and the resident was later seen again not wearing one. After that, according to DPH, a physicians order discontinued the WanderGuard and directed staff to check on the resident every 15 minutes. An investigation found checks on July 2 were not completed between 3:15 and 5:45 p.m. Officials at the facility didnt return a call seeking comment. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting. (c-hit.org) At Toronto Airport Rahaf appeared tired but smiling. Ottawa Foreign Minister calls her "courageous" new Canadian citizen. The story is likely to open a new confrontation on rights with Riyadh. Toronto (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Saudi 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun arrived in Canada this weekend, after days stuck in Thailand waiting for a visa for Australia after the United Nations granted her refugee status. Through the social media the young woman resisted attempts of repatriation of the Thai authorities, at the request of Riyadh for several. According to the girl, if she returned to her country of origin her family members would have killed her. The Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland welcomed her to Toronto Pearson International Airport, and hugged a smiling Rahaf who had just disembarked from the plane. To testify her gratitude, the 18-year-old Saudi (pictured) wore a sweatshirt from the host nation and a hat from the UN High Commission for Refugees. The young woman arrived in Toronto after having stopped in Seoul. "Canada - said the head of Ottawa diplomacy - is happy to have managed to move quickly and to have offered hospitality to a refugee, at the request of UNHCR". "And to offer shelter - added Freeland - a courageous" new Canadian citizen "whose life" is in clear danger". In Saudi Arabia, women are repressed for their activism and the so-called "reforms" of the hereditary prince Mohammad bin Salman (Mbs), including the end of the ban on driving, have barely taken place. Male protection is considered as a form of gender apartheid, which binds the woman to her "guardian" man, be it father, husband or a male relative. In the hours that preceded her arrival at Toronto International Airport, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau also spoke of the case saying that the government has accepted the request of the UN High Commission for Refugees. "Canada - he added - does not admit uncertainties about the fact that it will always be on the side of human rights and women's rights". Already in the recent past Riyadh and Ottawa clashed on the subject of personal rights and liberties. On her arrival, the young woman appeared smiling but tired from the long journey and the stressful days spent at the Bangkok airport. From here, perhaps, the decision not to make statements upon arrival. Shortly before take-off from Seoul she had launched a last message via twitter saying: "I did it!". The family and the Saudi authorities did not want to make official statements about the affair. A person close to the relatives of the young woman reports that the parents do not want to talk and that they would be interested only in the well-being of the girl. In recent days Rahaf had reported psychological and physical violence on the part of the family, which locked her up and kept her prisoner for six months in her room for cutting her hair. by Jesus Maria Silveyra The author started writing as a child whilst in "search of God". In 2007 a friend invited him to visit a house of the Missionaries of Charity in Buenos Aires. He later left for India on the trail of the saint of Kolkata. Mumbai (AsiaNews) "The Spirit of Mother Teresa helped me through my pain, writes Jesus Maria Silveyra, an Argentine Catholic writer, who lost his 37-year-old daughter last year to cancer. He told AsiaNews how he discovered the life and works of the saint of Kolkata, about whom he also wrote a book, Tengo Sed. Tras los pasos de Teresa de Calcuta (I am thirsty. In the footsteps of Teresa of Kolkata). I began to write books in 1991. Most of them religious books. The reason was that since I was a boy I wanted to write and I want to write religious books because I was a looking for God. I was trying to find God. And still I am still looking for God. Before I wrote about Mother Teresa, I wrote many other books. For the first book about St. Peter, I went to Israel, to Rome. I like to investigate abroad what happened. So, I wrote a book about St. Peter. Then I wrote a book about the 12 apostles. I wrote about Mother Teresa because one day before Christmas, maybe in 2007, someone told me, "do you want to come before Christmas to a house of the Sisters of Charity in Buenos Aires with your six children to see what they are doing?" So, I went there to a place called Zarate. It is seventy km from Buenos Aires and they are working with poor people who are mentally challenged. (People with special needs). I entered that house and the Chapel I saw the cross and this I Thirst. I read the Bible each day with my wife but I never paid much attention to this sentence I Thirst and this generated within me a great desire: what is Jesus trying to say to me? Then I began to read about Mother Teresa who also began to attract me because she was a very small woman. How could such a small woman move so many things in the world? I started to watch videos on Youtube and internet. I remember when she received the Nobel prize and when she spoke at the American Congress against Abortion. How can such a small woman do this? How can she have such a strong personality? I continued reading her biography and her story ... born in Albania ... So, I decided to travel to India, retrace the same journey, reconstruct the key moments and write a book. I decided to visit four places because they were very special in the life of Mother Teresa. Kolkata (Calcutta), Darjeeling, Patna and Benaras. In Benaras she wrote a letter to the Sisters of Charity. The letter is about I Thirst. In Darjeeling Mother was in the Novitiate. In Patna she started to know how to care for people in the hospital. That is the reason I selected these four places. I also decided to travel and make the same trip that Mother Teresa made to Darjeeling. So, I went there on 10th of September. I arrived before the anniversary of her death and then I made the trip on 10th of September. As a writer, sometimes you imagine that you can touch or take the same steps that the Saint did. But that is impossible. So, in this book I tell the story about my trip to Kolkata, to Darjeeling, to Patna, to Benaras. And my interview with Mother Prema. I wrote a letter to the Mother Prema, saying that I am an Argentine writer and I want to write about Mother Teresa and she replied to come, that there is a small Hotel near the house and that you could participate everyday in the Mass and in the prayers and you could go to the Shanti Bhavan house near the Kali Temple. But when I took the train to Darjeeling, during which journey Mother had a mystical experience", I Thirst. From that trip she began to receive locutions from Jesus (she called this phenomenon: "the Voice"). It is very strange because the Sisters of Charity are a congregation with an objective to reach the Thirst of Jesus Christ. It is not the physical thirst but the thirst of souls. It is very strange for the common people to understand. Thirst of Souls. So, I took the train. It was the monsoon season. The train stopped in a place called New Jalpaiguri. After you have to take a small train, a toy train. But when I arrived at New Jalpaiguri in the monsoon and got off the train, I waited until 7 oclock in the morning at the house station and at 7 someone told me that the toy train was not working. Oh! So, couldnt I finish my trip like Mother Teresa to Darjeeling by train? Something happened to me and I discovered that it is impossible to touch the same steps of the Saint. You could try to follow the life of the Saint but you cannot do the same. So, I took a Jeep with five Chinese and I went to Darjeeling by Jeep on a fantastic mountain. It is very green where they grow tea and it is incredible, in the middle of the clouds. I went to the place of the old congregation of Mother Teresa in Darjeeling. Personally, on my own, I climbed the green tea-covered mountains towards Darjeeling, travelling along that winding road. I had no doubt that it was on this journey that Mother Teresa had to receive her "second call". What was also special for me was to work as a volunteer in Nirmal Hriday in Kolkata. I worked 10 days as a volunteer. I asked the sisters what I had to do and they said follow the other volunteers. There are three important things. 1. I Thirst 2. You could never do the same as a Saint. You could follow her. 3. Mother Teresa took from the Bible, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. I and a Spanish volunteer were to take people from the street and take people to the bathroom to clean them. I did not want to clean anybody. I never did this in my life. Why should I clean a dirty man? And the Spanish guy went out and left me alone with the destitute man. He was dying and so dirty and my reaction was to reject him. But I read on top of the wall something of Mother Teresa, saying: Think that he is Jesus Christ. For that reason, I washed him. The other moment was in Benaras. I sat on the same chair where Mother Teresa wrote the letter I Thirst to the community. It was a fantastic moment, besides the Ganga river on the Shivala Ghat, and the sunshine and I was reading the letter of Mother Teresa and I felt that Mother was with me there. I think that she is one of the greatest saints of the Church because she suffered a lot. On the Night of the Soul when she decided to move to make the new congregation, she was very happy and thinking that all may be easy and then it was very hard for her. She went to work with the untouchables. It doesnt matter if what I do is a small drop of water in the Ocean. Last year I lost Cole Silveyra - my daughter, aged 37 years, to cancer. Cole was just 25 years old, when she was diagnosed with cancer and during the 11 years of her battle with Cancer, who supported me during this time? I had lost my mother, my older and younger brothers, to that illness. The Spirit of Mother Teresa helped me through my pain; God, Jesus, Mother Mary were my strength. Mother was an instrument of God. I saw the same Cross I Thirst. In a way, we are witnesses to pain. When I think about it a little more, I think that everyone in the world, some way, is reached by pain and its mystery, although some recognize it more than others. The Supreme Court had earlier sought complete details of properties of Prime Minister Khans sister Aleema Khan. Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Sunday said Prime Minister Imran Khan was bound to provide details of his sister Aleema Khans property. PPP leader Khurshid Shah said that the current government led of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had broken records of taking loans from other states and International Monetary Funding (IMF). Speaking to reporters in Sukkur, he said that PM Khan and his sisters were also accountable and PM had to provide details of the Aleema Khans property. He criticised the performance of PTI government saying that they had introduced bad traditions in politics. He added it is not politics to abuse other but to work for the poor nation. The Supreme Court had earlier sought complete details of properties of Prime Minister Khans sister Aleema Khan. The top court took notice of Aleema Khans abroad property. The newspaper quotes unnamed current and former government officials as sources for the story. Washington: President Donald Trump has rejected a Washington Post report that he has refused to share details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin with top US government officials. Mr Trump, in a telephone interview late Saturday with Fox News, dismissed as ridiculous the Post story that alleged he went to great lengths to hide the content of his talks with Mr Putin, even confiscating the notes of his interpreter and ordering that person to not discuss what was said. Mr Trump said he had a great conversation with Mr Putin in Helsinki in July 2018. When asked why not release details of the nearly two-hour conversation, Mr Trump said: I would, I dont with care. I mean, I had a conversation like every President does. You sit with the President of various countries... We were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things ... Im not keeping anything under wraps, I couldnt care less. I mean, its so ridiculous. He added: Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs. According to the Post there is no detailed record of Mr Trumps personal talks with Mr Putin at five locations over the past two years. The newspaper quotes unnamed current and former government officials as sources for the story. Galaxy Unpacked 2019 is scheduled for next month, just before the MWC 2019 hits the road. Samsung has established a rich legacy of smartphone innovation that has helped make peoples lives smarter and easier. Over the past 10 years, Samsung has established a rich legacy of smartphone innovation that has helped make peoples lives smarter and easier. Now, Samsung is celebrating a decade of game-changing innovations with a set of captivating billboards that pay homage to the companys Korean originality, and tease an exciting future for the Galaxy lineup. In other words, a bold new vision for the Galaxy brand that will drive smartphone innovation for the next 10 years and beyond. The billboards which have been installed in Pariss famous Place de la Concorde pair beautiful imagery with text written in Hangeul, the Korean letters. When translated, the intriguing messages revealed to say, The future unfolds and February twentieth. What exactly does the future hold for the Galaxy brand? Youll have to wait until Galaxy Unpacked 2019 next month to find out. Till then, stay tuned for more updates from leaks and tips that will soon take centre stage. The Road Commission for Oakland County would need an additional $2 billion to bring all county road surfaces up to good condition. As of 2018, 63 percent of all county roadways under commission jurisdiction were in poor condition. On June 26, Oakland County Medical Main Street is hosting Cyber Security Hacks in Health Care: Protecting Your Health Data, a cyberattack education event open to everyone involved in the health care and life sciences industries from executives to suppliers to employees. The Dec. 26 editorial that appeared in The Daily Progress regarding the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station was full of half-truths; the excerpted version, at least, ignored important issues. For brevity's sake, here are just a few examples: Union Hill residents object to a pipeline that could explode and kill everyone within a nearly half-mile radius. Residents also fear that an associated compressor station would be built by bulldozing the graves of enslaved ancestors. The compressor station would spew high concentrations of carcinogens and toxins, according to a reputable environmental group. It looks as if the planned Dec. 9, 2018, vote on the compressor station by the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board was postponed because Union Hill was clearly going to win, so supporters of Dominion Energy and its pipeline consortium panicked. The editorial strains credulity by trying to explain away the removal of two board members who had expressed concerns about the compressor station. I was really surprised, and surprised in the same way that it turns out all of my neighbors were when I began to ask them if they knew anything about this, because literally nobody knew anything about this new Comprehensive Plan and the new Future Land Use Map. Have you ever eaten at a restaurant and wondered how safe the kitchen is? Did the person cooking your food use good hand-washing techniques? The Food and Drug Administration estimates that more than 3,200 people die each year in the United States from preventable food-borne illnesses. The good news is that your local health department is dedicated to preventing food-borne illness and wants to help local food-service operations to run safe and successful businesses. The Thomas Jefferson Health District has a team of environmental health specialists (also known as food inspectors) who go through extensive training to accurately identify food safety risk factors when conducting any food facility inspection throughout the district, which includes the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties. Most health department inspectors have four-year science degrees and are proficient in microbiology, food science, epidemiology principles and environmental health law. Inspectors assess food service operations based on the standards set forth in the Virginia Food Regulations. The Virginia Festival of the Book will mark its silver anniversary with a busy schedule of readings, panel discussions and programs for all ages. On Monday, the festival unveiled its full schedule, which includes more than 100 free events. Events will dive into a wide range of book genres and industry disciplines, offering everything from poetry to publishing, race to religion and current events to climate change. The annual festival, a program of Virginia Humanities, generally draws more than 20,000 audience members from more than 40 states and has an estimated economic impact in the area of about $4 million. Among the events announced Monday are the following: American Addictions: Our Opioids Crisis, at 2 p.m. March 20, features Beth Macy, author of Dopesick, and Chris McGreal, author of American Overdose. Ruth King: Mindful of Race, at 6 p.m. March 20, is a discussion with internationally renowned meditation teacher Ruth King on racism, white supremacy and identity. "This is a time when we need art, and it can do many things. We really want people to have some sense of joy and affirmation in the midst of all this hardship." The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center has featured the survivors images in a special theatre. The recollections of the Dallas resident who as a Jew in Poland survived the Warsaw Ghetto and Nazi concentration camps are now being preserved in a way that will allow generations to come to ask his image questions. Max Glauben was 17 and had already lost his mother, father and brother at the hands of the Nazis when US troops rescued him while he was on a death march from one German concentration camp to another. The recollections of the Dallas resident who as a Jew in Poland survived the Warsaw Ghetto and Nazi concentration camps are now being preserved in a way that will allow generations to come to ask his image questions. Glauben, who turns 91 on Monday, is the latest Holocaust survivor recorded in such a way by the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation. The Los Angeles-based foundation has recorded 18 interactive testimonies with Holocaust survivors over the last several years, and executive director Stephen Smith says theyre in a race against time as they work to add more, seeking both diversity in experiences and testimonies in a variety of languages. I thought that my knowledge could cure the hatred and the bigotry and the killings in this world if somebody can listen to my story, my testimony, and be educated even after Im gone, Glauben said. Smith says that while the foundation founded in 1994 by film director Steven Spielberg has about 55,000 audiovisual testimonies about genocides in dozens of languages the majority from the Holocaust the interactive technology stands out for allowing museumgoers to have a dialogue with survivors. Its your questions that are being answered, Smith said, adding that the replies, especially on weighty issues like forgiveness can be especially poignant. He says, You actually see sometimes them struggling to know what to answer. So far, the foundation has Holocaust survivors speaking in English, Hebrew and Spanish, and the group hopes to get people speaking in even more languages. Its so powerful when its in your mother tongue and youre looking the person in the eye and you are hearing nuanced language coming back thats your own language, Smith said. For more than a year now, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center has featured the survivors images in a special theatre. Museum CEO Susan Abrams says that when visitors interact with the images , the impact is often obvious: People get teary; people laugh. Our audience comes to feel that they know these survivors somewhat intimately because theyre having small group conversation, and in that moment, pretty much everything else fades away, Abrams said. The Illinois museum is one of four currently featuring the images. Other museums are in Houston , Indiana and New York . The Holocaust museum in Dallas will start showing them starting in September, after it opens in a new location and with a new name the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. The Dallas museum currently brings in survivors to talk to students and has found thats often the most meaningful part of their visit, according to President and CEO Mary Pat Higgins. This technology ensures that can continue, she said. Our survivors are aging, and so in 20 years we wont have any survivors who are still able to do that themselves, she said. Smith said the images can appear on a flat screen or be projected in a way that appears to be three-dimensional. Like Illinois, Dallas is building a special theater so the image will appear three-dimensional on a stage. Smith said the technology involved is simpler than many people think. Its actually video that responds to human voice commands, he said. And all thats happening is rather than you watching a linear testimony, all the bits of the testimony are broken up, and then when you ask it a question it finds that piece of video and plays it for you. JT Buzanga, assistant curator at the Holocaust Museum Houston, said the uniqueness of the interactive testimonies gives visitors a reason to return. Its something that makes the connection that people want to remember and want to come back, Buzanga said. Glauben, who has made it his mission to tell people about the Holocaust, helped found the Dallas museum. He says that after he lost his family, he told himself he would do anything possible to educate the people and let them know what kind of tragedy this was. (Source) WestRock Company manufactures and sells paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Corrugated Packaging and Consumer Packaging segments. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards for sale to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. It also provides structural and graphic design, engineering services and custom, and automated packaging machines; offers a machinery solution that creates pouches to replace single-use plastics, including bubble mailers; distributes corrugated packaging materials and other specialty packaging products, including stretch films, void fills, carton sealing tapes, and other specialty tapes; operates recycling facilities that collect, sort, grade, and bale recovered paper; and provides lithographic laminated packaging products, as well as contract packing services. The Consumer Packaging segment manufactures and sells folding cartons that are used to package food, paper, beverages, dairy products, tobacco, confectionery, health and beauty, other household consumer, and commercial and industrial products; and express mail packages for the overnight courier industry. It also offers inserts and labels, as well as rigid packaging and other printed packaging products, such as transaction cards, brochures, product literature, marketing materials, and grower tags and plant stakes for the horticultural market; and secondary packages and paperboard packaging for over-the-counter and prescription drugs. In addition, this segment manufactures and sells solid fiber and corrugated partitions, and die-cut paperboard components principally to glass container manufacturers, producers of beer, food, wine, spirits, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and the automotive industry. WestRock Company is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More The regulation of such activities with safety measures in place might prove the ultimate challenge. A great human tragedy has been playing out for a month and a day, but we have been unable to do anything about it. Meghalaya's mine cave-in, in which hope for survival of the 15 trapped in a rathole of an illegal coal mine has all but faded, is challenging our emergency services and our technology. Scientists cannot fathom the reason why the ill-fated 370-foot-deep mine is filling up with water despite tonnes of water being pumped out. Multiple agencies, some using submersible robotic vessels, have been on the rescue mission in the hope of getting the slenderest breakthrough to find any signs of life. That interim compensation cheques have been paid already reflects the scale of the disaster. At the technical level, the rescue efforts, supervised by the Supreme Court, have gone on against the odds. At another level, the very existence of such mines, possibly owned by politicians in proxy names, shows how few avenues exist for people of the region and neighbouring Assam areas to earn a living. It won't take superhuman efforts to shut such mines if there is political will. But in an area featuring illegal timber trading off Bhutan hills and illegal coal mining, shutting of means of livelihood, even if they are of questionable legality, might represent a huge conundrum. This is representative of the state of the economy not being in a position to support the population with jobs and avenues for self-employment. As long as such a state persists, illegal mafias will cynically exploit people to make profits. The regulation of such activities with safety measures in place might prove the ultimate challenge. Ad Wall Street Rebel New this week - 155 interested Investors Search for the Next Big Medical Cannabis Winner - This Is It Medical cannabis stocks have rewarded investors with astonishing profits over the last three years and investors are now looking for the next big winner in a market thats expected to quintuple by 2026. Redwood Trust, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Residential Lending, Business Purpose Lending, and Third-Party Investments. The Residential Lending segment operates a mortgage loan conduit that acquires residential loans from third-party originators for subsequent sale, securitization, or transfer to its investment portfolio. This segment also offers derivative financial instruments to manage risks associated with residential loans. The Business Purpose Lending segment operates a platform that originates and acquires business purpose loans, such as single-family rental and bridge loans for subsequent securitization or transfer into its investment portfolio. The Third-Party Investments segment invests in residential mortgage-backed securities issued by third parties, as well as in K-Series multifamily loan securitizations and SLST reperforming loan securitizations. This segment also offers servicer advance, and other residential and multifamily credit investments. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it intends to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income as dividends to shareholders. Redwood Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Mill Valley, California. 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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. 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If the BJP wishes to criminalise anti-national slogans, it needs to create a specific law for this purpose. I have long suspected that we, as a people, are prone to hyperbole and overreaction. Rarely, if ever, do we strike the right balance, hit the proper note or come up with the mot juste. When discretion and judgment are required, we have a knack of ending up in extreme positions. To put it bluntly, we often get difficult calls wrong. The decision to press sedition charges against Kanhaiya Kumar and other students of Jawaharlal Nehru University has convinced me that Im correct. The situation called for deft handling. We responded with a blunderbuss. In the process, the government and the police have embarrassed themselves. First, however, let me make a little qualification. India is not Europe or America and slogans proclaiming Bharat ki Barbadi tak Kashmir ki Azadi tak jung karenge jung karenge or Bharat tere tukade honge InsaAllah InsaAllah cross a desi redline and are considered wrong. The key question is what should you do about them? I would say that three factors need to be borne in mind when you consider your response. First, students tend to be anti-establishment and defiant of authority. Revolt and reaction is part of the process of growing up. Weve all gone through it. More importantly, the challenge this poses often forces a valuable rethink. If nothing else, its how any society evolves. This is one reason for tolerating what you might consider the unspeakable. Second, university campuses are places where debate and dissent is to be encouraged, not quashed. And encouragement means permitting, at times even encouraging, the unlikeable and, possibly, also the offensive. Otherwise you could undermine the raison detre of a university. Third, how much criticism that a government or state can tolerate is an indication of their self-confidence and maturity. Cracking down on dissidence suggests weakness, even if for some people it seems like a tough response. Here appearances actually deceive. The astute move would have been to ignore the slogans after forcefully criticising them. When American university students rose in protest against the Vietnam war, including rallies in support of Ho Chi Minh and the burning of the Stars and Stripes, (then US President) Lyndon Johnson didnt charge them with sedition or arrest them. Instead, he let them spend their passion, knowing it would eventually diminish. Similarly, in 1968, when Tariq Ali, then a Pakistani citizen, claimed that he was leading a revolution while living in the UK, the British didnt slap sedition charges or even deport him. They simply advised him against travelling to France, where the authorities might not have been so tolerant! A few years later, they made him a British citizen. Unfortunately, disregarding the above, the Delhi police has responded with charges of sedition. Thats like swinging a battleaxe to crack a nut. Not only is that defiance of Supreme Court judgments which say sedition can only apply when there is a clear and immediate incitement to violence which definitely was not the case its also a section of our penal code which wise leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru hoped would be scrapped or, at least, never enforced. The Supreme Court first made its position clear in 1962 in the Kedar Nath Singh judgment, when it read down Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which is the sedition clause. In 1995, in the Balwant Singh case, when it ruled that Khalistan Zindabad is not seditious, it upheld the 1962 ruling. More recently, in September 2016, the Supreme Court explicitly reaffirmed this position. It pronounced: We are of the considered opinion that the authorities, while dealing with offences under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, shall be guided by the principles laid down by the Constitution Bench in Kedar Nath Singh versus State of Bihar. So why do our police forces continue to misuse the sedition law? More critically, why do our elected governments permit and condone it? Sadly, there are even occasions when some of our most learned and sophisticated politicians get it wrong. In a 2017 speech in London, Arun Jaitley had said: Free speech does not permit you to assault the sovereignty of the country. Hes wrong. As long as that assault is verbal and not physical and, therefore, violent it is fully covered by Article 19(1). Furthermore, what most politicians forget is that while Article 19(2) permits restrictions on freedom of speech on the grounds of sovereignty its an enabling provision and not the law itself. After the law of sedition was read down, such a law no longer exists. If the BJP wishes to criminalise anti-national slogans, it needs to create a specific law for this purpose. I have two reasons for hoping that it wont. Perhaps in the immediate years after Independence India was fragile and such slogans could genuinely threaten. Thats not the case any longer. Today were resilient enough to withstand provocative rhetoric or dissident behaviour. Indeed, the liberty to act or speak in defiance of public opinion should be proud proof of our strength. Second, as far back as 1962, in his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha, DMK founder C.N. Annadurai had said: Dravidians demand the right of self-determination ... we want a separate country for southern India. If his speech was tolerated 57 years ago, surely the chanting of offensive slogans should be treated similarly today? Lets not in the name of nationalism commit the blunder of restricting free speech. We know that those who chant anti-national slogans are horribly wrong, but they have a right to be. Avoid Investing In These Cannabis Companies (Ad) The second "Cannabis Boom" is right around the corner. And this top analyst wants to help you to pick the right investments. (And avoid a costly mistake) Click Here To Save Your Investments One pot stock could skyrocket with looming interstate sales (Ad) A new bill in Congress would decriminalize marijuana nationally by removing cannabis from the federal governments list of controlled substances. The law would also allow one established Seattle cannabis company to market across state lines for the first time potentially setting off a bidding war that could blast this stock into the stratosphere! Find Out Why This Could Be the #1 Pot Stock China is under stiff criticism for its alleged persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, especially Uighur Muslims. In an interview with a Turkish television channel, Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan completely sidestepped a question about the condition of Uighur Muslims in Chinas western Xinjiang province. He admitted he knew little about the issue, and, instead, preferred to focus on Chinese financial assistance and investment in Pakistan. China is under stiff criticism for its alleged persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, especially Uighur Muslims. Freedom Houses 2018 country report on China classified it as religiously-not-free on its freedom index. China is seriously concerned about this growing perception that hurts its efforts to promote a soft image of China for a successful execution of its Belt and Road Initiative and other global commercial and strategic projects. Last week, China said it welcomed UN officials to visit Xinjiang provided that they stay out of its internal affairs. Pakistan usually avoids commenting on Chinas internal affairs. But many Pakistani men, married to Chinese Uighur women, claim their spouses are being held in so-called re-education camps and are demanding their release. The issue has put Pakistan in a difficult position, mainly due to Chinas huge investment in the country, as well as the extreme sensitivity of Chinese authorities to discussions on the subject. Mystery continues to shroud Chinas re-education camps, with the authorities least interested in opening them up to independent review. However, Chinese scholars claim they are a part of the countrys countering violent extremism strategy, which was not built in isolation from rest of the world. They assert that China has designed its re-education strategy after carefully examining CVE approaches in practice in the West and the Muslim world, which also employ similar community engagement programmes. Though they tend to justify their muscular approach by quoting examples from the Gulf, and South and Southeast Asian Muslim nations, the Chinese CVE strategy still appears highly politicised and opaque to Western practitioners and policymakers. Much of the information about Chinas re-education centres comes from the West. Though the criticism has forced Chinese authorities to release some information, it is insufficient to make a proper assessment. Last year, a state-run news agency published an interview of Shohrat Zakir, the Xinjiang governor, describing the camps as professional vocational training institutions for people influenced by terrorism and extremism who have not committed an offence warranting criminal punishment. Similarly, in a seminar in China last November, local scholars explained Chinas CVE approaches. Alluding to diverse and disparate CVE practices in different countries, they tended to conclude that no uniform or global CVE programme exists. One Chinese scholar presented a four-layered model based on the four principles of breaking, establishing, preventing and developing. Breaking referred to isolating individuals from an extremist environment; establishing meant introducing them to the true spiritual values of religion; preventing was seen as educating; and developing was interpreted as a skill development programme. However, one of the best works available on the subject of Chinas CVE strategy is by Zunyou Zhou, a Germany-based Chinese scholar. In a paper published in the Journal of Terrorism and Political Violence in 2017, he noted that the Chinese CVE strategy is based on multiple approaches and, interestingly, that they consulted Western CVE and deradicalisation approaches extensively and then built their own, more muscular model. The approaches include five keys, four prongs, three contingents, two hands and one rule. Viewed together, these approaches point to legal, religious, cultural, ideological, and scientific aspects of the deradicalisation effort, implemented by governmental agencies, public institutions and non-governmental organisations in the region. The Xinjiang government has developed several programmes to target different groups of people, including those who are radicalised as well as those who are not but considered vulnerable to recruitment. The five keys ideological, cultural, customary, religious and legal give a long-sustaining solution to terrorism. The four prongs refer to a combination of four methods: squeezing by correct faith; counteracting by culture; controlling by law; and popularising science. Squeezing by correct faith refers to clarifying peoples understanding of Islam while counteracting by culture means seeking effective and practical solutions to thwart extremism and guiding people towards secularisation and modernisation. By arrangement with Dawn 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 Equifax Inc. provides information solutions and human resources business process outsourcing services for businesses, governments, and consumers. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), Workforce Solutions, International, and Global Consumer Solutions. The USIS segment offers consumer and commercial information services, such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling and portfolio analytics, locate, fraud detection and prevention, identity verification, and other consulting; mortgage services; financial marketing; and identity management services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides employment, income, and social security number verification services, as well as payroll-based transaction and employment tax management services. The International segment provides information service products, which include consumer and commercial services, such as credit and financial information, and credit scoring and modeling; and credit and other marketing products and services, as well as offers information, technology, and other services to support debt collections and recovery management. The Global Consumer Solutions segment offers credit information, credit monitoring, and identity theft protection products directly to consumers through internet. The company serves customers in financial service, mortgage, employers, consumer, commercial, telecommunication, retail, automotive, utility, brokerage, healthcare, and insurance industries, as well as state, federal, and local governments. It operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Russia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Equifax Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial products and services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking products and services, such as current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services for ultra high net worth individuals; and wealth management services, including insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions. The Commercial Banking segment provides credit and lending, treasury management, payment, cash management, commercial insurance, and investment services, as well as commercial cards, and international trade and receivables finance services; and foreign exchange products, and capital raising and advisory services to small and medium sized enterprises, mid-market enterprises, and corporates. The Global Banking and Markets segment is involved in the provision of financing, advisory, and transaction services, including credit, rates, foreign exchange, equities, money markets, and securities services, as well as principal investment activities to government, corporate and institutional clients, and private investors. The Global Private Banking segment provides a range of services to high net worth individuals and families with complex and international needs. HSBC Holdings plc was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More CoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Read More 'Laluji wanted grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh and Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav to contest election together,' Tejashwi said. Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party does not stand a chance to come back into power and will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said on Sunday after meeting BSP supremo Mayawati at her residence in Lucknow. The meeting came a day after Mayawati announced an alliance with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Welcoming the grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Tejashwi expressed confidence that the SP-BSP combination will win all seats in the state. "There is atmosphere today where they want to scrap Baba Saheb's constitution and implement 'Nagpur laws'. People welcome the step taken by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. BJP will be whitewashed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They will not win even one seat in UP. The SP-BSP alliance will win all seats," the RJD leader told the media. Tejashwi also said that his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, wanted a SP-BSP alliance. Laluji wanted grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh and Mayawatiji and Akhilesh Yadav to contest election together, he told reporters. In a joint press conference on Saturday, Mayawati and Akhilesh announced that their parties have agreed to form an alliance in which the two parties will contest in 38 seats each in Uttar Pradesh. However, the two leaders left the Congress out of their alliance, leaving only Amethi and Raebareli seats for the Rahul Gandhi party. They have also kept two seats for the smaller parties. Reacting on the decision, senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh Sunday said that exclusion of Congress from the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh was wrong and not a good sign for future alliances at national level. Singh, RJD's national vice president "This (SP-BSP alliance excluding Congress) is not good. They have stitched an alliance leaving Congress out of it. The grand alliance should be formed with Congress," Singh was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (S), another constituent of the grand alliance in Bihar, has also expressed reservation over Congress' exclusion in the alliance announced by UP's satraps Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. HAM(S) chief and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi had said "if they (SP-BSP) neglect Congress in UP, then they may have to face loss as BJP may be able to gain from it" Following the grand snub, the Congress on Sunday announced that it will contest on all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on its own in the Lok Sabha polls. The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited. Veritiv Corporation operates as a business-to-business provider of value-added packaging products and services, as well as facility solutions, print, and publishing products and services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. The Packaging segment provides custom and standard packaging solutions. The Facility Solutions segment sources and sells cleaning, break-room, and other supplies, such as towels, tissues, commercial cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment and safety supplies, wipers, can liners, soaps and sanitizers, dispensers, sanitary maintenance supplies and equipment, hazard supplies, and shampoos and amenities. The Print segment sells and distributes commercial printing, writing, copying, digital, and specialty products; and graphics consumables and equipment. It also provides customized paper conversion services of commercial printing paper for distribution to document centers and form printers. The Publishing segment sells and distributes coated and uncoated commercial printing papers to publishers, retailers, converters, printers, and specialty businesses for use in magazines, catalogs, books, directories, gaming, couponing, retail inserts, and direct mail. This segment also provides print management, procurement, and supply chain management solutions. The company also offers logistics solutions. Veritiv Corporation offers its products under the Endurance, nordic+, Comet, Starbrite Opaque Select, TUFflex, Reliable, and Spring Grove brands, as well as other brands to customers in manufacturing, food processing and service, fulfillment and internet retail, property management, higher education, healthcare, entertainment and hospitality, commercial printing and publishing sectors. As of December 31, 2020 the Company operated approximately 125 distribution centers. Veritiv Corporation was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More Facebook Billionaire Investing in a Shocking New Industry (Ad) Peter Thiel, the billionaire investor behind Facebook, PayPal, and eBay, has a new darling industry in his sights. And he's betting a massive $210 million on its success. That's not pocket change. And today, you could get in on the ground floor The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: @Credentials Inc., ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bahamas) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Global Benefits (UK) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits Limited (DIFC UAE), Aetna Global Holdings Limited, Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limite, Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Inc., Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Korea Ltd., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Multi-Strategy 1099 Fund LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Continental Insurance Company, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., American Health Holding Inc., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L. (R.C.S. Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. Ameriprise Financial, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services to individual and institutional clients in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Advice & Wealth Management, Asset Management, Retirement & Protection Solutions, and Corporate & Other. The Advice & Wealth Management segment provides financial planning and advice; brokerage products and services for retail and institutional clients; discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory accounts; mutual funds; insurance and annuities products; cash management and banking products; and face-amount certificates. The Asset Management segment offers investment management and advice, and investment products to retail, high net worth, and institutional clients through unaffiliated third-party financial institutions and institutional sales force. This segment products also include U.S. mutual funds and their non-U.S. equivalents, exchange-traded funds, variable product funds underlying insurance, and annuity separate accounts; and institutional asset management products, such as traditional asset classes, separately managed accounts, individually managed accounts, collateralized loan obligations, hedge funds, collective funds, and property and infrastructure funds. The Retirement & Protection Solutions segment provides variable annuity products to individual clients, as well as life and DI insurance products to retail clients. The company was formerly known as American Express Financial Corporation and changed its name to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. in September 2005. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read More The man said his hand merely brushed past the woman due to the heavy crowd in the market, police said. A senior police official said the matter was sorted out after the man apologised to the woman. (Photo: Facebook | Pakistan High Commission New Delhi) New Delhi: A staffer of the Pakistan High Commission was taken to a city police station for reportedly touching a woman inappropriately, the police said on Monday. The woman and the staffer were brought to Sarojini Nagar police station on Sunday, they said. According to the woman, the man touched her inappropriately in the market, a claim rejected by the staffer. The man said his hand merely brushed past the woman due to the heavy crowd in the market, police said. A senior police official said the matter was sorted out after the man apologised to the woman. The police also denied media reports that the staffer was detained. PROS Holdings, Inc. provides solutions that optimize the processes of selling and shopping in the digital economy worldwide. The company offers PROS Smart CPQ, a tool for sales teams and partners to respond to customer quotes; and PROS Opportunity Detection that increases sales effectiveness and productivity by uncovering sales opportunities in existing accounts for sales teams. It also provides PROS Control, a platform for price management, coordination, and strategy; and PROS Guidance, which leverages AI-powered algorithms to provide market-relevant price guidance across sales channels. In addition, the company offers PROS Airline Revenue Management solution that delivers algorithmic forecasting and network optimization for the travel industry; PROS Airline Real-Time Dynamic Pricing, a solution that offers accurate booking class availability and seat prices; and PROS Airline Group Sales Optimizer, a group revenue optimization solution, which enables airlines and their travel agent partners to create and manage group bookings, contracts, and policies. Further, it provides PROS Airline Shopping for airlines' shopping, pricing, and repricing solutions; PROS Airline Merchandising, which sells ancillary services, including extra baggage, legroom, and other services; and PROS Airline Retail for airlines to optimize the user experience throughout the traveler journey. Additionally, the company offers software-related services, such as implementation, configuration, consulting, training, and maintenance and support services. It sells its software solutions to customers in various industries, including automotive and industrial manufacturing, transportation and logistics, chemicals and energy, food and beverage, healthcare, high tech, and travel. The company markets and sells its software solutions through its sales force, as well as through partners, resellers, and systems integrators. PROS Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More Investors Search for the Next Big Medical Cannabis Winner - This Is It (Ad) Medical cannabis stocks have rewarded investors with astonishing profits over the last three years and investors are now looking for the next big winner in a market thats expected to quintuple by 2026. One investment expert claims hes already found it 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. Imperial Oil Limited explores for, produces, and sells crude oil and natural gas in Canada. It operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen. As of December 31, 2020, this segment had 138 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, as well as blending, distribution, and marketing of refined products. It also transports crude oil to refineries by contracted pipelines, common carrier pipelines, and rail; maintains a distribution system to move petroleum products to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and owns and operates fuel terminals, natural gas liquids, and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In addition, this segment markets and supplies petroleum products to motoring public through approximately 2,400 Esso and Mobil-branded sites. Further, it sells petroleum products, including fuel, asphalt, and lubricants for industrial and transportation customers, independent marketers, and resellers, as well as other refiners serving the agriculture, residential heating, and commercial markets through branded fuel and lubricant resellers. The Chemical segment manufactures and markets various petrochemicals and polyethylene, such as benzene, aromatic, and aliphatic solvents; plasticizer intermediates; and polyethylene resins. The company was incorporation in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Read More Modi said be it Guru Nanak or Guru Gobind Singh, they had taught us to be on the side of justice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh release a `350 commemorative coin to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Having sounded the poll bugle for the coming Lok Sabha polls by putting before the people a choice of whether they want a mazboot or a majboor sarkar (hinting at a mahagathbandhan of the Opposition parties), Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the erstwhile Congress government on Sunday for its failure to bring Kartarpur Sahib under Indias jurisdiction during 1947s Partition. Releasing a commemorative coin as part of the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, Mr Modi also targeted the Congress over the 1984 riots that followed the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi. Referring to the Kartapur Sahib corridor, he said now devotees do not have to look at the shrine in Pakistan using binoculars, and they could visit the place without visas by using the corridor. A mistake took place in August 1947. It (the corridor) is an atonement of the mistake. An important place of our guru was only a few kilometers away. But it could not be made part (of India during Partition) ... The corridor is an effort to reduce the damage, he said in a veiled attack on then Congress government. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, had passed away at Kartarpur on September 22, 1539. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and many Sikh leaders were present at the PMs residence to participate in the event. Mr Modi said be it Guru Nanak or Guru Gobind Singh, they had taught us to be on the side of justice. Following the path shown by them, the Centre, he said, was trying to get justice for those who had suffered during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Central government is making efforts to get justice for the period of injustice which started in 1984. For decades, mothers, sisters, daughters and sons have shed tears, now the law will deliver justice, wipe (their) tears, the PM said, referring to the riots that took place after the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi. The Prime Minister released a `350 commemorative silver coin to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. He described the founder of the Khalsa sect as a warrior and poet who had immense knowledge of religious scriptures. Mr Modi said the government now plans to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak across India. The PM said while the event will be held in various states and Union territories, Indian embassies overseas will also organise programmes as part of the celebrations. Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469, in Nankana Sahib, which is now in Pakistan. The following companies are subsidiares of Hyatt Hotels: CHANCELLOR STREET CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC., GLENDALE HOTEL PROPERTIES L.L.C., HT-SEATTLE HOLDINGS LLC, 1379919 ALBERTA INC., 319168 ONTARIO LIMITED, 3385434 CANADA INC., ADMINISTRACION DE PERSONAL ANDARES S. DE R.L. DE C.V., AIC HOLDING CO., AIRPORT PLAZA ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AIRPORT PLAZA HOTEL LLC, AIRPORT PLAZA OFFICE BUILDING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AMERISUITES FRANCHISING L.L.C., ARANCIA LIMITED, ARUBA BEACHFRONT RESORTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, ARUBA BEACHFRONT RESORTS N.V., ASIA HOSPITALITY INC., ASIA HOSPITALITY INVESTORS B.V., ASIAN HOTEL N.V., ATRIUM HOTEL L.L.C., AUSTIN RESORT BEVERAGE LLC, AmeriSuites Hotel, BAKU HOTEL COMPANY - AZERI, BAKU HOTEL COMPANY - CAYMAN, BASTROP MARKETING L.L.C., BAY II INVESTOR INC., BELLEVUE ASSOCIATES, BH PLAZA LLC, BRE/AMERISUITES PROPERTIES L.L.C., BRE/AMERISUITES TXNC GP L.L.C., BRE/AMERISUITES TXNC PROPERTIES L.P., BURVAN HOTEL ASSOCIATES, CAL-HARBOR SO. PIER URBAN RENEWAL ASSOCIATES L.P., CELAYA RESORTS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITIES LLC, CHESAPEAKE RESORT LLC, CIUDAD DEL CARMEN DIAMANTE RESORT S. DE R.L. DE C.V, COAST BEACH L.L.C., COMPAGNIE HOTELIERE DE LAGON BLEU, CPM SEATTLE HOTELS L.L.C., CRW INVESTMENT LLC, CTR INTEREST HOLDCO INC., DALLAS REGENCY LLC, DENVER DOWNTOWN HOTEL PARTNERS LLC, DESARROLLADORA HOTELERA ACUEDUCTO S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DH BEVERAGE LLC, DIAMANTE RESORT LA PAZ S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DISTRICT HOTEL PARTNERS LLC, EXHALE ENTERPRISES GIFT SERVICES COMPANY, EXHALE ENTERPRISES II L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES III INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES IV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES V L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES VIII INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES X INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XIV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XIX L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XV TCI LTD., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVIII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XX L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXI INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXIV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVIII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXIII INC., FAN PIER L.L.C., FAR EAST HOTELS INC., G.E.H. PROPERTIES LIMITED, GAINEY DRIVE ASSOCIATES, GALAXY AEROSPACE COMPANY LLC, GHE HOLDINGS LIMITED, GRAND HYATT BERLIN GMBH, GRAND HYATT DFW BEVERAGE LLC, GRAND HYATT SAN ANTONIO L.L.C., GRAND HYATT SF L.L.C., GRAND RIVERWALK BEVERAGE LLC, GRAND TORONTO CORP., GRAND TORONTO VENTURE L.P., GREENWICH HOTEL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, H.E. ATLANTA CENTENNIAL PARK HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. AUSTIN L.L.C., H.E. BERMUDA L.L.C., H.E. CAP CANA L.L.C., H.E. DRISKILL LLC, H.E. GRAND CYPRESS L.L.C., H.E. IRVINE L.L.C., H.E. KANSAS CITY L.L.C., H.E. LENOX L.L.C., H.E. NASHVILLE L.L.C., H.E. NEWPORT L.L.C., H.E. ORLANDO L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC HOTEL L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC PARKING L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC RETAIL L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA SANSOM L.L.C., H.E. PORTLAND HC L.L.C., H.E. PORTLAND L.L.C., H.E. PROPERTIES HOLDING L.L.C., H.E. PROPERTIES L.L.C., H.E. SAN ANTONIO I L.L.C., H.E. SAN ANTONIO L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON JV L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON OWNER L.L.C., HAPP INVESTOR LTD., HARBORSIDE HOTEL LLC, HARBORSIDE LAND LLC, HC PORTLAND JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HC ROYAL PALMS L.L.C., HCV CINCINNATI HOTEL L.L.C., HE ORLANDO HOTEL LLC, HGP (TRAVEL) LIMITED, HH NASHVILLE HOLDINGS L.L.C., HH NASHVILLE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HH PORTLAND L.L.C., HHMA BURLINGTON BEVERAGE L.L.C., HI HOLDINGS (SWITZERLAND) GMBH, HI HOLDINGS BAJA B.V., HI HOLDINGS BRAZIL S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS CELAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS CIUDAD DEL CARMEN B.V., HI HOLDINGS CYPRUS LIMITED, HI HOLDINGS CYPRUS-INDIA LIMITED, HI HOLDINGS GUADALAJARA B.V., HI HOLDINGS HP CABO B.V., HI HOLDINGS HP TIJUANA HOTEL B.V., HI HOLDINGS KYOTO CO., HI HOLDINGS LA PAZ B.V., HI HOLDINGS LATIN AMERICA B.V., HI HOLDINGS NETHERLANDS B.V., HI HOLDINGS PLAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS RIO S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS RIVIERA MAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS VIENNA S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS ZURICH S.A.R.L., HI HOTEL ADVISORY SERVICES GMBH, HI HOTEL INVESTORS CYPRUS LIMITED, HIHCL AMSTERDAM B.V., HIHCL HP AMSTERDAM AIRPORT B.V., HIHCL HR AMSTERDAM B.V., HILP HOTEL SERVICE PROVIDER LLC, HOTEL AM BELVEDERE HOLDING GMBH, HOTEL AM BELVEDERE HOLDING GMBH & CO KG, HOTEL INVESTMENTS HOLDING CO LLC, HOTEL INVESTMENTS L.L.C., HOTEL INVESTORS I INC., HOTEL INVESTORS II INC., HOTEL PROJECT SYSTEMS PTE LTD, HOTEL SERVICES CIUDAD DEL CARMEN S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HOTELS CS CELAYA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HP ATLANTA CENTENNIAL PARK JV LLC, HP AUSTIN L.L.C., HP BEVERAGE DALLAS DFW AIRPORT LLC, HP BEVERAGE SUGAR LAND LLC, HP BOSTON HOLDINGS L.L.C., HP GLENDALE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HP GLENDALE L.L.C., HP INDIA HOLDINGS LIMITED, HP LAS VEGAS BEVERAGE L.L.C., HP M STREET L.L.C., HP ROUTE 46 TEXAS LLC, HP SAN FRANCISCO L.L.C., HP SAN JUAN L.L.C., HP TEN TEXAS LLC, HPHH ATLANTA L.L.C., HPHH DENVER L.L.C., HPHH SAN JOSE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HPHH SAN JOSE L.L.C., HQ CHESAPEAKE LLC, HR LOST PINES RESORT LLC, HR MC HOTEL COMPANY S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HR MC SERVICES II S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HR MC SERVICES S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HRHC LLC, HT- WAILEA LLC, HT-AVENDRA GROUP HOLDINGS L.L.C., HT-AVENDRA L.L.C., HT-CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITIES INC., HT-CHESAPEAKE RESORT INC., HT-HOTEL EQUITIES INC., HT-HUNTINGTON BEACH INC., HT-JERSEY PIER INC., HT-JERSEY PIER L.P., HT-JERSEY PIER LLC, HT-LONG BEACH L.L.C., HT-MIAMI BEACH L.L.C., HT-PARK 57 INC., HT-SEATTLE LLC, HT-SIERRA L.L.C., HT-VANCOUVER INC., HTLB L.L.C., HTS - NS L.L.C., HTS - NY L.L.C., HTS-ASPEN L.L.C., HTS-BC INC., HTS-INVESTMENT L L.C., HTSF L.L.C., HTW BEVERAGE LLC, HY LONG BEACH HOTEL LLC, HYATT (BARBADOS) CORPORATION, HYATT (JAPAN) CO. LTD., HYATT (THAILAND) LIMITED, HYATT ARUBA N.V., HYATT ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS LIMITED, HYATT AUSTRALIA HOTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED, HYATT AUSTRIA GMBH, HYATT BEACH FRONT N.V., HYATT BORNEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, HYATT BRITANNIA CORPORATION LTD., HYATT CC OFFICE CORP., HYATT CHAIN SERVICES LIMITED, HYATT CRYSTAL CITY LLC., HYATT CURACAO N.V., HYATT DISASTER RELIEF FUND, HYATT DO BRASIL PARTICIPACOES LTDA, HYATT EQUITIES L.L.C., HYATT FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC., HYATT FRANCHISING CANADA CORP., HYATT FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT FRANCHISING LATIN AMERICA L.L.C., HYATT FULFILLMENT OF MARYLAND INC., HYATT GLOBAL SERVICES INC., HYATT GTLD L.L.C., HYATT HOC INC., HYATT HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED, HYATT HOSPITALITY SERVICES L.L.C., HYATT HOTEL MANAGEMENT LIMITED, HYATT HOTELS CONSULTANCY SERVICES ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION OF KANSAS, HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION OF MARYLAND, HYATT HOTELS FOUNDATION, HYATT HOTELS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, HYATT HOTELS OF CANADA INC., HYATT HOTELS OF FLORIDA INC., HYATT HOTELS OF PUERTO RICO INC., HYATT HOUSE CANADA INC., HYATT HOUSE FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT HOUSE HOTEL HOLDING COMPANY L.L.C., HYATT INDIA CONSULTANCY PRIVATE LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE AFRICA MIDDLE EAST) LLC, HYATT INTERNATIONAL - JAPAN LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL - SOUTHWEST ASIA LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL -ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL -SEA (PTE) LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, HYATT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., HYATT INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT (BEIJING) CO. LTD., HYATT INTERNATIONAL MILAN L.L.C., HYATT INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (BEIJING) CO. LTD., HYATT INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL SERVICES INC., HYATT JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HYATT LACSA SERVICES INC., HYATT LOUISIANA L.L.C., HYATT MAINZ GMBH, HYATT MARKETING SERVICES INC., HYATT MARKETING SERVICES NIGERIA COMPANY LIMITED, HYATT MINNEAPOLIS LLC, HYATT MINORITY INVESTMENTS INC., HYATT MSS L.L.C., HYATT NORTH AMERICA MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC., HYATT OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, HYATT OF BAJA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HYATT OF CHINA LIMITED, HYATT OF FRANCE S.A.R.L., HYATT OF GUAM LIMITED, HYATT OF ITALY S.R.L., HYATT OF LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN L.L.C., HYATT OF LATIN AMERICA S.A. DE C.V., HYATT OF MACAU LIMITED, HYATT OF MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., HYATT OF PHILIPPINES LIMITED, HYATT PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS L.L.C., HYATT PLACE ANNE ARUNDEL BEVERAGE INC., HYATT PLACE CANADA CORPORATION, HYATT PLACE FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT PLACE OF MARYLAND INC., HYATT REGENCY COLOGNE GMBH, HYATT REGENCY CORPORATION PTY. LIMITED, HYATT SERVICES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED, HYATT SERVICES CANADA INC., HYATT SERVICES CARIBBEAN L.L.C., HYATT SERVICES GMBH, HYATT SERVICES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, HYATT SHARED SERVICE CENTER L.L.C., HYATT TRINIDAD LIMITED, HYCANADA INC., HYCARD INC., HYSTAR L.L.C., Hyatt Corporation, INFORMATION SERVICES LIMITED, INTERNATIONAL RESERVATIONS LIMITED, JOINT VENTURE ITALKYR CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY, JUNIPER HOTELS PRIVATE LIMITED, KSA MANAGEMENT INC., KYOTO HOLDING CO., LHR-PARTNERS LTD., LORING PARK ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, LOST PINES BEVERAGE LLC, MACAE PARTNERS S.A.R.L., MAHIMA HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED, MARION RESERVATION CENTER L.L.C., MEXICO CITY HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V., MILAN HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V., MIRAVAL ARIZONA GUARANTOR LLC, MIRAVAL GROUP LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA HOLDINGS LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA OPERATING CO. INC., MIRAVAL RESORT TUCSON LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS I LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS II LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS III LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS TRUST, MRG ATX BEVERAGE HOLDINGS LLC, MRG ATX HOLDINGS II LLC, MRG ATX HOLDINGS LLC, MRG ATX INVESTMENT LLC, MRG ATX MANAGEMENT I LLC, MRG ATX MANAGEMENT II LLC, MRG ATX OPERATIONS LLC, MRG CRW HOLDINGS LLC, MRG CRW MANAGEMENT I LLC, MRG CRW MANAGEMENT II LLC, MRG CRW OPERATIONS LLC, MUNICH OPCO GMBH, Miraval Resort, OASIS LUXURY RENTALS INCORPORATED, PARIS HOTEL COMPANY B.V., PARK HYATT HAMBURG GMBH, PARK HYATT HOTEL GMBH, PARK HYATT WATER TOWER ASSOCIATES L.L.C., PH NEW YORK L.L.C., PHMC RESIDENCIAS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., POLK SMITH REGENCY LLC, PT HYATT INDONESIA, PVD INVESTMENT COMPANY S.A.R.L., Peabody Hotels & Resort, RCG PROPERTIES LLC, REGENCY BEVERAGE COMPANY LLC, REGENCY RIVERWALK BEVERAGE LLC, RESERVATIONS CENTER L.L.C., RIO JV PARTNERS PARTICIPACOES LTDA., RIO PRETO PARTNERS HOTEIS LTDA., RIO PRETO PARTNERS S.A.R.L., ROSEMONT PROJECT MANAGEMENT L.L.C., ROUTE 46 MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES CORP., RUNWAY HOLDING L.L.C., RUNWAY L.L.C., SAO PAULO INVESTMENT COMPANY INC., SAO PAULO INVESTORS LIMITED, SASIH, SDI EQUITIES INVESTOR L.L.C., SDI INC., SDI SECURITIES 11 LLC, SDI SECURITIES 6 LLC, SELECT HOTELS GROUP L.L.C., SELECT JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., SEOUL MIRAMAR CORPORATION, SERVICIOS DE HOTELERIA SAN JOSE S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SERVICIOS HOTELEROS LA PAZ S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SETTLEMENT INVESTORS INC., SHG PUERTO RICO INC., SIERRA HEALTHSTYLES LLC, SJC DESARROLLOS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SKS CORP. N.V., SMC HOTELS B.V., SOROCABA PARTNERS HOTEIS LTDA, SOROCABA PARTNERS S.A.R.L., STANHOPE L.L.C., STARHILL LORING PARK L.L.C., SUGAR LAND/HP LLC, THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, TIJUANA PARTNERS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., TR MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT LLC, TUCSON VILLAS HOLDINGS LLC, TUCSON VILLAS LLC, TWO SEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED, Two Roads Hospitality, WAILEA HOTEL & BEACH RESORT L.L.C., WAILEA HOTEL HOLDINGS L.L.C., WAILEA MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION L.L.C., WAILEA RESORT VILLAS HOLDINGS L.L.C., WAILEA RESORT VILLAS L.L.C., WEST END RESIDENCES L.L.C., XENIA ASSURANCE COMPANY INC., XENIA ASSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, ZURICH ESCHERWIESE HOTEL GMBH, and ZURICH HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V.. Ad Wall Street Rebel New this week - 159 interested Investors Search for the Next Big Medical Cannabis Winner - This Is It Medical cannabis stocks have rewarded investors with astonishing profits over the last three years and investors are now looking for the next big winner in a market thats expected to quintuple by 2026. Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. The company's Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment management, brokerage, banking, and trust and retirement products and services; and wealth management solutions, as well as customized solutions, including specialty asset management services. Its Global Banking segment provides lending products and services, including commercial loans, leases, commitment facilities, trade finance, and commercial real estate and asset-based lending; treasury solutions, such as treasury management, foreign exchange, and short-term investing options and merchant services; working capital management solutions; and debt and equity underwriting and distribution, and merger-related and other advisory services. The company's Global Markets segment offers market-making, financing, securities clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as risk management products using interest rate, equity, credit, currency and commodity derivatives, foreign exchange, fixed-income, and mortgage-related products. As of April 15, 2021, it served approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,300 retail financial centers; approximately 17,000 ATMs; and digital banking platforms with approximately 40 million active users. The company was founded in 1784 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read More This stock could soar as cannabis beverage sales hit $2.5 billion (Ad) A popular Seattle cannabis manufacturer is now partnering with other companies to produce a new line of cannabis-infused beverages. Its perfect timing. A new report reveals cannabis beverage sales will reach $2.8 billion by 2025, expanding at an annual compounded rate of 17.8%. A huge opportunity! Find out why this could be the #1 penny stock The following companies are subsidiares of The AES: 25 Ashdown Road Solar LLC, AES (India) Private Limited, AES (NI) Limited, AES Abigail S.a.r.l., AES Accabonac Solar LLC, AES Africa Power Company B.V., AES AgriVerde Holdings B.V., AES AgriVerde Services (Ukraine) Limited Liability Company, AES Alamitos Development Inc., AES Alamitos Energy LLC, AES Alamitos L.L.C., AES Alicura Holdings S.C.A., AES Americas International Holdings Limited, AES Andres (BVI) Ltd., AES Andres BV, AES Andres DR S.A., AES Andres Holdings I Ltd, AES Aramtermelo Holdings B.V., AES Argentina Generation S.A. (1), AES Argentina Holdings S.C.A., AES Argentina Investments Ltd., AES Argentina Operations Ltd., AES Arlington Services LLC, AES Armenia Mountain Holdings LLC, AES Armenia Mountain Wind 2 LLC, AES Aurora Holdings Inc., AES Aurora Inc., AES BES Jordan B.V., AES Bainbridge Holdings LLC, AES Bainbridge LLC, AES Ballylumford Holdings Limited, AES Baltic Holdings BV, AES Barka Services Inc., AES Barry Limited, AES Barry Operations Ltd., AES Beaver Valley L.L.C., AES Belfast West Power Limited, AES Belleville Solar LLC, AES Big Sky L.L.C., AES Botswana Holdings B.V., AES Brasil Ltda, AES Brazil Inc., AES Brazil International Holdings Limited, AES Broadalbin Solar LLC, AES Bulgaria B.V., AES Bulgaria Energy Solutions EOOD, AES Bulgaria Holdings BV, AES Bussum Holdings BV, AES CC&T International Ltd., AES CLESA Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita de Capital Variable, AES Calaca Pte. Ltd., AES Calgary Inc., AES California Management Co. Inc., AES Caracoles SRL, AES Carbon Exchange Ltd., AES Carbon Holdings LLC, AES Caribbean Finance Holdings Inc., AES Caribbean Investment Holdings Ltd., AES Cartegena Holdings BV, AES Cayman Guaiba Ltd., AES Cayman Pampas Ltd., AES Central America Electric Light LLC, AES Central American Holdings Inc., AES Central American Investment Holdings Ltd., AES Central Asia Holdings BV, AES Ceprano Energia SRL, AES Changuinola S.R.L., AES Chhattisgarh Energy Private Limited, AES Chigen Holdings Ltd., AES China Generating Co. Ltd., AES Chivor & Cia S.C.A. 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Orange RD Solar LLC, West Brookfield Boston Post Road Solar LLC, West Street Solar 1 LLC, Western Solar Parent LLC, Wilbur Woods Solar LLC, Wildwood Trust, Williamsburg East Street Solar LLC, Winchendon Ash Street Solar 1 LLC, Winchendon Lincoln Avenue Solar 1 LLC, Winchendon Lincoln Avenue Solar 2 LLC, Your Energy Holdings Limited, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-001 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-003 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-006 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-007 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-008 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-011 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-014 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-017 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-023 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-024 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-038 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-044 LLC, sPower, and sPower OpCo A Blocker LLC. A staffer of the Pakistan High Commission was taken to a police station here for reportedly touching a woman inappropriately, police said Monday. The woman and the staffer were brought to Sarojini Nagar police station on Sunday, they said. According to the woman, the man touched her inappropriately in the market, a claim rejected by the staffer. The man said his hand merely brushed past the woman due to heavy crowd in the market, police said. A senior police official said the matter was sorted out after the man apologised to the woman. The police also denied media reports that the staffer was detained. A fire broke out in the Kumbh premises here on Monday, destroying a large part of the tented area, officials said. But no loss of life was reported. The fire erupted in Sector 13 of the sprawling Kumbh complex due to an explosion in a cooking gas cylinder at the 'Digambar Akhada' camp, a state government spokesman told IANS. Several fire tenders have been were rushed to the spot to ensure that the fire did not spread. Police personnel and soldiers have been deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Strong winds created trouble in controlling the fire, the official said. The Kumbh 2019 starts on Tuesday. The mega religious, spiritual and cultural congregation attracts millions to the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mystical Saraswati. The city of lakes is flourishing with different attractive melas and fairs. From the last few months Bhopalites are enjoying the summer melas in the city. This time the city is embedded with Regional Saras Mela at Bhopal Haat. This annual mela is organised by State Panchayat and Rural Development Department. There is an exquisite collection of dress materials, jewellery, leather, food items, terracotta and much more. The self-employed artisans have participated in the mela. It is to be noted that Saras Mela is organised each year, to promote the self- employed artisans living under poverty line. With the help of such oppurtunities offered by government they get a chance to display their products. Various Self Help Groups (SHGs) from across the country have participated in the regional saras mela. SHGs artisans from different parts of the country have arrived in the mela to display and sale their products. It is noteworthy that these artisans earn the profit of sale directly from the customers. There is also a high range of cotton bed-sheets, dress materials and pickle from Andhra Pradesh, Terracotta from Haryana, Kosa Silk from Chhattisgarh, traditional jewellery, mojris and jutis from Rajasthan, handicraft products of bamboo tree and roasted wheat from Maharashtra, Kashmiri dress materials from Jammu and Kashmir, imitation jewellery and toys from Manipur, leather shoes from Punjab. The mela shares a major collection from Madhya Pradesh. A variety of Chanderi dress material, sarees, bed-sheets, terracotta, bagh print, jute and leather materials like purses and hand bags. The Regional Saras Mela is capturing the attention of the local people as well as the tourists visiting Bhopal. There was no immediate reaction from the Central Vigilance Commission or the government about this. New Delhi: Accusing the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) of having acted like a puppet in the hands of the government in the matter of the removal of CBI director Alok Verma, the Congress on Sunday demanded his immediate removal. The CVC should be sacked or tender his resignation, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the media. The CVC must go. He alleged that CVC K.V. Chowdhary was being made to act like a puppet to avoid any probe into the Rafale case. The CVC has been acting like an ambassador, a messenger of the government, and lobbying for Asthana (CBI special director Rakesh Asthana). The CVC has forgotten that he is supposed to do vigilance for the public good, and not be a vigilant puppet into the hands of political masters, he added. There was no immediate reaction from the Central Vigilance Commission or the government about this. Mr Singhvi said he was putting across the views of his party, based on objectives facts that has emerged in the press in connection with the CBI controversy. The data and facts demand immediate action, and that action must start with the removal and sacking of the CVC, he said, adding that the sequence of events indicates the CVC acted like a hatchet man of the government. The senior lawyer had on Saturday alleged the government stood exposed after Justice A.K. Patnaik (Retd) claimed he had not seen the commissions recommendations against Mr Verma and had not given his assent. He said the selection committee had removed Mr Verma based on the charges by Mr Asthana, whose plea to quash the FIR against him had been dismissed by the Delhi high court. Haryana has bagged four awards for its good performance under the National Programme Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP). The state would be awarded in a function to be organised by the Central Government on the occasion of National Girl Child Day (NGCD) at New Delhi on January 24, said an official spokesman. He said that the state has bagged one state level and three district level awards under this prestigious programme. Giving details, the spokesman said that Haryana has been selected in the state level category over all support, guidance, monitoring and achieving the targets of BBBP. He said that three districts of Haryana including Jhajjar, Kurukshetra and Karnal have also been selected in different categories. District Jhajjar has been selected in the category Enabling Girl Child Education and district Kurukshetra in category Enforcement of Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. Similarly, district Karnal has been selected in the category Effective Community Engagement, the spokesman said. He further said that BBBP is completing four years of its implementation. In order to mark the fourth anniversary of BBBP, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has decided to recognize and felicitate five states/UTs and 25 districts for their exemplary performance under BBBP. The theme of the National Girl Child Day is Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow. The day is being celebrated with an objective to generate awareness on the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and create a positive environment around valuing the girl child, he added. SAD patriarch and Punjabs former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday lambasted the Congress party for stooping too low to seize control of the SGPC and other Sikh institutions as it was trying to create division among the Sikhs by colluding with anti-Sikh forces to achieve the heinous goal. Badal, addressing a gathering on the eve of Maghi Mela, said that during 80 years of his long political stint, he learnt that Congress party was the biggest of enemy of Punjab as well as Sikhs. You can see the difference by comparing it with the Modi government. On one hand, the Congress party is trying to grab control of our gurdhams by instigating the Sikhs against each other, and on the other hand, the Modi Government is fulfilling a long pending desire of every Sikh to have hassle free access to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, he said. Appreciating the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking two historical and unprecedented steps for the Sikhs, Badal said that Khalsa panth would forever be indebted to Modi sahib who took decision to made the Kartarpur corridor a reality and delivered justice to victims of 1984 Sikh genocide by setting up SIT to reopen the cases of Sikh massacre closed by the successive Congress governments. We never forget the people who had ever sympathized with our community by their noble acts. Modi ji has won our hearts with his noble gestures and we want to see him as PM for the second term, he said. Stating that the Congress exploited religious sentiments, Badal said that it was involved in shielding riots perpetrators and is now rewarding those people with the post of Chief Minister who were involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide. Making an attempt to reach out to the farmers, Badal attacked the Congress Government saying that it has betrayed the states farming community, while listing out the achievements of SAD-BJP combine government in their 10-year tenure. SAD-BJP worked for the people of Punjab, but all the development works started during our tenure has been stopped. All the welfare schemes, like Atta Dal scheme, old-age pension, and Shagun started by SAD, have come to a grinding halt. Presently, the Congress Government is an anti-people government, he said. SAD president Sukhbir Badal maintained that some anti-Sikh forces were trying hard to defame Akali Dal and its senior leadership in their desperate attempt to gain control over the Sikh institutions including the SGPC. They are misleading the Sikhs by making baseless and false claims about the functioning of the SGPC. The SGPC affairs are run by representatives of the Sikh community not by the Badal family as they put it to misguide the Sikhs, he said. Dubbing the so-called panthic forces as Congress B-team, Sukhbir said that they held dharna and lifted it, blocked cavalcades of SAD leaders, issued false statements against the Badal family as they were directed to do by the Congress party. Total five persons, including a BJP leader and his three sons, were arrested for allegedly killing a 22-year-old woman two years ago. According to the police, the accused persons had planned and executed the murder taking inspiration from the 2015 Bollywood film Drishyam. The BJP leader, identified as Jagdeesh Karotiya and his sons were arrested here on Saturday. The deceased Twinkle Dagre, a woman Congress worker, had gone missing two years back and was later found dead. The woman belonged to Banganga area in Mumbai. While talking to media persons, Indore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harinarayanchari Mishra, said that for the first time, Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature test was used for interrogation in a criminal incident in Indore. Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature Profiling is a technique by which a suspect's participation in crime is detected by eliciting electrophysiological impulses. Police further revealed that Karotia had relations with the victim. "His name was tattooed on victim's arm. This led to a dispute at the accused BJP leaders home and so he planned her murder." "Accused mentioned that they had watched Hindi movie 'Drishyam' and used it in the crime. We used Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature test for interrogation. Police had received information that they had buried something near crime spot. This information was leaked on purpose. Police found remains of a dog after digging the spot," Mishra said. "The accused called Municipal Corporation to dig a pit on a plot of land they owned, claiming they need to bury a dog. They burnt victim's body there and threw remains in nearby sewage. Two-three days after the crime, they tried to generate the location of the victim's phone to create confusion," he noted. Amid raging protests in Assam and other parts of North East over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the Centre has decided to hold wide-ranging consultation to defuse the situation. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will soon call a meeting of the North-East Chief Ministers to discuss safeguards required to protect the regions cultural and linguistic identity. Large-scale protests have been witnessed in Assam and some other parts of the North East seeking withdrawal of the controversial Bill, which seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution from three neighbouring countries and entered India before December 31, 2014. With the Lok Sabha election round the corner, the BJP is under tremendous pressure to douse the flames of protest in North East, which elects 25 MPs. The Bill has created massive anti-BJP sentiments in several pockets across the North East. More than half members of the Committee appointed by the Centre to suggest ways to accommodate key provision of Assam Accord in view of the implication of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, have resigned from the panel. The Bill which was passed by Lok Sabha last week is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha in the Budget Session. Several protesting leaders, including those from Assams regional parties, have said the States indigenous people will lose their linguistic and cultural identity if the Citizenship Bill is passed. Protesters have also said the proposed legislation goes against the 1985 Assam Accord, which says anyone having entered the State after a cut-off date of March 24, 1971 should be treated as an illegal migrant and should be deported. Singhs proposed meeting with the Chief Ministers assumes significance as there have been concerns expressed by various stakeholders over non-functioning of a Centre-nominated committee to assess the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and other matters related to the North Eastern States. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord states constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. The Union Home Minister will soon be calling a meeting of Chief Ministers of the concerned States. They will further discuss about the safeguards that need to be provided for protecting the interests of these States and protecting their cultural and linguistic identity, the Home Ministry said in its statement. It said a delegation from Assam led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met Rajnath in New Delhi this weekend. The delegation included Himanta Biswa Sarma, senior Minister in the Assam Government, and some other BJP leaders of the State. They discussed issues related to safeguards for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity and heritage of Assam and implementation of Clause-6 of the Assam Accord and issues related to grant of tribal status to six communities, the Home Ministry said. Several representatives of the Bodo groups, including the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Muhilary, Chandan Brahma, Minister from BPF in the State Government and Biswajit Daimary, MP also met the Union Home Minister over the weekend and discussed various outstanding demands of Bodo community. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also called on Singh along with Manipur BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP, K Bhabananda Singh on Saturday.They discussed issues related to protection of the rights and interests of the indigenous people of Manipur. Rajnath assured them that the interests of all north eastern states including Manipur and their culture and heritage will be fully protected, the Home Ministry said. Meanwhile, highly placed officials said the Government is assessing the situation arising our of the non-working of the Committee on Assam Accord, as more than half of its members have declined to be part of it. The Home Ministry had on January 6 notified a nine-member high level committee under the chairmanship of former tourism secretary M P Bezbaruah. Four members of the panel -- eminent litterateurs Nagen Saikia and Rong Bong Terang along with educationist Mukunda Rajbongshi and the nominee of the influential All Assam Students Union -- have already decided not to be a part of the committee. Bezbaruah too recently declined to be part of the Committee, formed to assess the quantum of seats to be reserved in the Assam Assembly and in the local bodies of the State for Assamese, besides providing other safeguards. Regional parties have become experts in sensing the political climate by switching sides at the slightest possibility of a better electoral outing and negotiating a relevance for themselves The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) may be the latest ally to desert the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, introduced in the last session of the Lok Sabha recently, but by no stretch of the imagination can the party be termed as a political weather scientist. Similarly, the tag should also not be passed on to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which parted ways with the NDA last year. Compulsions of state politics and scouting for better opportunities at the national level forced these two regional parties to break away from the NDA rather than their potential to gauge trade winds. In that sense, the bellwether status should go to Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. For long, he has been described as the mausam vagyanik, who can assess which way the political wind is blowing or which party would reap the electoral harvest and form the next Government. Many have even appreciated his ability of being accurate and correct with his political moves over a period spanning three decades. Both his admirers and critics believe that he has got so much of expertise in reading peoples mood and pulse that he always supports the winning cause the coalition which rules the country. Paswan has been a part of all national coalitions. He was first elected as an MLA in Bihar way back in 1969, though he has always preferred to be in Central politics after the Emergency when he first won the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat by a record margin in 1977. Be it the Right (NDA led by the BJP) or the one in which the Left had a major role (Third Front led by VP Singh) or the Centrist party (Congress-led United Progressive Alliance), one factor which has always been common is the 75-year-old Paswan. No ideology is anathema to him as long as it takes him to the treasury benches. He was first inducted in Union Cabinet by VP Singh in 1989 and since then the Dalit leader has never looked back. Of course, he lost one election in 2009 to an old rival in Bihar Ram Sundar Das from his stronghold of Hajipur and had to remain out of power for five years. His followers, however, term that period as an accident and an aberration. When he decided to stick to the NDA in Bihar for the 2019 polls, successfully bargaining a healthy six seats for his Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and one Rajya Sabha seat for himself, many in his home state wondered if he had lost his ability to predict the political climate with the same perfection and astuteness. Many in Paswans home state say that Upendra Kushwaha, the former junior HRD minister in Narendra Modis Government and the first one to jump ship in Bihar from NDA to UPA, has now developed the knack which Paswan possessed at one point of time. Kushwaha, as president of the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and a Koeri himself, joined the grand alliance (mahagatbandhan) of the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the Hindi heartland, hoping to have a role in the next Union Government. Kushwaha knows for sure that his utility in NDA ended the moment Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal United (JDU) joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to retain power in the State and oust the RJD with which JDU had fought the Assembly elections in the first place. Kushwaha and Kumar share a similar caste support base and he realised he would be more useful to the mahagathbandhan in Bihar than the NDA. So Kushwahas ouster was a foregone conclusion. In fact, it helped Paswan get a better deal with the NDA in seat-sharing as whatever incremental votes his party gets in Bihar helps the latters cause in its bid to do well in the State. Bihar will be an important battlefield in the 2019 general election with 40 seats, a State where both the UPA and NDA are firmly entrenched. Hence, this is one State where the battle is largely between the two and not the constituent parties as such. Besides RJD, the Congress and now the RLSP, the grand alliance in Bihar also has former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhis party, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) founded by Sharad Yadav, who broke away from the JDU. Then there is Mukesh Sahni, who had floated his political outfit Vikasshil Insaan Party (VIP) and joined the grand alliance, aiming to get votes from his Nishad community spread across the State. In addition, there is a possibility of even the Left parties becoming a part of the grand alliance, which could leave a couple of seats for them to show it is an umbrella alliance of all castes, groups and ideology. On paper, the alliance looks really grand given the various caste combinations it carries with it, but on ground it is difficult to visualise how competing castes, parties and groups would jell, and whether one community would be able to transfer its vote to the other. Also, the sharing of seats is still a mystery and several conflicts, claims and counterclaims could emerge. Ironically, it is in Bihar where the BJP had to concede to its allies in a big way, which many see as the end of the road for its expansion in the State. It won 22 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, and along with its allies LJP (6) and RLSP (3), the NDA won 32 seats even though the combined Opposition then on paper was quite strong RJD and JDU. The BJP would be contesting only 17 seats, forcing it to part ways with five seats which it won last time, clearly a set-back for the party cadres who were hoping for expansion and some day form the State Government on the partys own strength like it did in Maharashtra, breaking from the Shiv Sena and contesting Assembly polls alone. As of now, Bihar is the only State where the battle lines have been drawn and demarcated firmly with alliances in place. Many see this as a microcosm of India emergence of a two-alliance formation where the BJP would head one polarity and the Congress the other with regional parties siding with one or the other depending on their state politics, perceptions at a given point of time and crass opportunism, of course. It is now gradually becoming clear that it will be the regional parties which would become the new weather scientist of the Indian politics switching sides at the slightest possibility of better electoral outing and reviewing their decision every now and then according to their convenience and smell of opportunity. Bihar is a perfect example where you do not find any permanent political friend or enemy. Every single regional party of the State has a history of deserting either the NDA or the UPA in the past several years ever since the days of Mandal and Mandir politics which peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Both Paswan and Nitish Kumar are sailing in the same boat changing sides seamlessly, that too repeatedly, without the baggage of ideology or any other factor. Paswan may be the expert on this but others are quickly playing catch-up. Kumar has almost caught up with Paswan, changing from one extreme to the other first NDA to UPA and then back to NDA without batting an eyelid. (The writer is Senior Editor, The Pioneer, Chandigarh) Finally, India has a Government at the helm which cares for Hindu refugees. By passing the Citizenship Amendment Act in the Lok Sabha, the Modi regime has tried to correct a past folly Ever since the Narendra Modi Government moved the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Winter Session of Parliament to provide critical support to the adherents of Indic religions, who face virtual extermination in neighbouring Islamic nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the usual pseudo-secular suspects have crawled out of the woodwork and once again raised the hackneyed argument about how Secular India can make special provision for the persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains in Indias neighbourhood. The Bill, which has been passed by the Lok Sabha, seeks to provide critical humanitarian support by way of citizenship to persecuted religious minorities in Indias neighbourhood belonging to Indic religions, the Parsis and the Christians. This ought to have been done soon after the creation of Islamic Pakistan in August, 1947, because the new nation was inaugurated with bloody assaults on religious minorities. The Bill, which seeks to correct the Indian states seven-decade-long criminal neglect of its primary responsibility towards the oppressed minorities of Indic origin, speeds up the process of grant of Indian citizenship to those who are forced to seek refuge in India. It also seeks to release them from some of the rigours of the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. The Bill seeks to address a congenital malady that the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ignored. While India declared itself a secular state which guaranteed equal rights to all citizens when it became independent, Pakistan became an Islamic state and offered no such guarantees to its religious minorities. Apart from the bloody riots at the time of Partition, a systematic pogrom began in Pakistan against the Hindus and other Indic communities. This campaign largely promoted by the Pakistan state reached such proportions that the Prime Ministers of the two countries met for several days in New Delhi in April, 1950, and eventually signed what is known as the Nehru-Liaqat pact which solemnly assured that the two Governments would ensure complete equality of citizenship, full sense of security, personal honour, freedom of culture and worship to all religious minorities. The pact also guaranteed equal rights for minorities to hold political office and said both nations would take steps to enforce them effectively. However, while India incorporated all these guarantees for minorities in its Constitution, Pakistan did not do so. It just made a mention of it in the objectives resolution adopted by its Constituent Assembly. Even as the Pakistan Prime Minister returned to his country, the pact proved to be a sham. This is a 70-year-old tragic tale that is still being played out but at least now there is a Government in Delhi which has the gumption to stand up for the persecuted minorities of Pakistan. Those opposing this humanitarian legislation are claiming that specific relief to adherents of Indic religions threatens Indias secular fabric. This is in line with the moth-eaten anti-Hindu policies devised by Jawaharlal Nehru and carried on by the Congress and its Marxist fellow-travellers all these years. Here are some reasons why this pseudo-secular policy framework, which is basically anti-Hindu and meant to deny Hindus their natural right to live in or return to Bharat, which has been their homeland for millennia, must be thrown out lock, stock and barrel: Ever since the creation of the Islamic state of Pakistan in 1947, hostility towards the religious minorities has been rampant in that country. How ruthless the Muslims of Pakistan have been towards these minorities is evident from the following statistics. In 1941, adherents of Indic religions constituted 19.69 per cent of the population of Pakistan. The Islamic state came into being on August 14, 1947, and within four years, the population of Hindus, among others, had crashed to 1.59 per cent. Four decades later, it hovered around the same figure and stood at 1.64 per cent and has been thereabouts ever since. So, what happened to the Hindus of Pakistan, who constituted one-fifth of the population of that nation when it was born? They were either slaughtered or converted, while some sections of them, who could no longer bear the persecution, crossed over to India. However, despite their pathetic plight, the Congress, completely under the grip of Jawaharlal Nehrus pseudo-secular policies, refused to speak up for them and raise its voice against this appalling tragedy, because the Congress brand of secularism prohibited it from speaking up for Hindus et al even if they were being systematically exterminated. Also, Nehruvian secularism forbade the party and the Union Government from offering succour to the Hindus who came in as refugees. This grossly inhuman approach to the plight of the Hindus in Pakistan continued during the Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi regimes as well. To begin with, Pakistan comprised west and east Pakistan but the eastern wing broke away, leading to the creation of the Bangladesh, which has Islam as its state religion, in 1971. However, the vivisection of Pakistan did not provide much relief to the persons belonging to Indic religions, as can be seen in the figures given below: In 1941, the adherents of Indic religions constituted 29.61 per cent of the population of what is now Bangladesh. This declined to 22.79 per cent in 1951 and had dropped precipitously to 11.10 per cent in 1991. Recent estimates put the percentage of these religious minorities in Bangladesh to below eight per cent. During these six decades since 1941, the percentage of Muslims in Bangladesh has risen from 70.26 per cent to over 90 per cent. (Those who wish to learn more about the tragic plight of religious minorities in the Islamic states bordering India must read Religious Demography in India, a comprehensive work that will shake the people out of their pseudo-secular slumber, authored by AP Joshi, MD Srinivas and JK Bajaj of the Centre for Policy Studies, Chennai. The figures cited here are from this work). Meanwhile, as the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains vanished from the demographic charts of Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Muslims thrived in democratic India. They were around 35 million at the time of independence and constituted 10.43 per cent of Indias population in 1951. In 2011, the Muslim population in India had crossed 14.20 per cent and in real terms stood at 172 million. Yet, India should not offer shelter to the Hindus who are fleeing the Islamic states! There are a dozen more reasons why the arguments of the Nehruvian and Marxist schools must be treated with the contempt they deserve. The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, introduced by the Modi Government is, therefore, a crucial piece of legislation to correct a historic wrong perpetuated by Nehru and his followers over the last 70 years. (The writer is Chairman, Prasar Bharati) Three things have happened in quick succession. On January 12, Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun, the 18-year-old who made headlines worldwide last week for her dramatic escape from Saudi Arabia, was granted asylum in Canada. On January 13, the court hearing of Israa Al-Ghomgham, the first Saudi woman facing the death penalty for taking part in non-violent protests, was cancelled and a new date not given. On January 14, Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, visited Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Pompeo discussed finding a political peace in Yemen and Syria, countering threats from Iran and holding the killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to account. WHRD Israa Al-Ghomgham's trial in #SaudiArabia was postponed for the fourth time today to an indefinite date. GCHR calls for her to be freed immediately. Peaceful protest is not a crime #FreeSaudiWHRDs https://t.co/RJ30FO6zEc GC4HR (@GulfCentre4HR) January 13, 2019 What he did not discuss was the fate of Al-Ghomgham and the many other Saudi women suffering in the countrys jails arrested on vague charges, slapped with arbitrary cases, tortured. So much to discuss! US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met King Salman on January 14. The arrested activists issue did not come up. (Photo: Reuters) The events paint a picture of whats going on in the shadowy kingdom of Saudi Arabia the liberal image of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (or MBS, as he is known) is being built over the broken, disrupted bones and lives of activists his administration is cracking down on. And the major powers of the world are happy to look away. MBS is young. For motives purely economic, he wants his country to be palatable to the West. For that, attention to womens rights is an easy prop. His rise to prominence in the Western media was accompanied by reports of him relaxing laws that required women to have male consent for availing many government services. The most visible aspect of his liberalisation was the lifting of the driving ban on Saudi women. But the credit had to go to the prince alone. Activists who, for years, worked and campaigned for women and civilian rights at great personal risk could not be allowed to share the glory. And so, MBS had them thrown into jail. Those who were not imprisoned were contacted by the authorities and warned against talking about the issue on social media or with journalists. Saudi Arabia was never exactly an open society. But the swiftness and brutality of MBSs crackdown was new. According to Amnesty International: The activists were repeatedly tortured by electrocution and flogging, leaving some unable to walk or stand properly. 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. Loujain al-Hathloul is among the many women activists jailed and tortured. (Photo: AP/file) The sister of Loujain al-Hathloul, among the more prominent activists to be jailed, writes: I wondered how people could think a woman could be tortured in Saudi Arabia. I believed that social codes of the Saudi society would not allow it but she [her sister] said she had been held in solitary confinement, beaten, waterboarded, given electric shocks, sexually harassed and threatened with rape and murder. Clearly, what MBS is offering women is not empowerment. It is the opposite. Had women activists been allowed to share in the moment of supposed liberation when the driving ban an infantalising, dehumanising practice was lifted, it would have been a great victory, hard-fought and finally won. This way, its a patronising dole, a granting of a royal favour, indulgently bestowed only on those who will stay in line while they drive. Literally But the truth is also that MBSs actions clearly show how much despotic regimes fear brave women. The spiel that women are weak and need a guardian is disproved by the regimes own actions the activists have been slapped with a great deal of intimidating, amorphous charges, including being a threat to national security. The West is cool with most things MBS represents; only the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi caused a minor PR blip. (Photo: Reuters/file) So, a woman speaking up for her rights is a threat to MBSs Saudi Arabia. Tellingly enough, in the case of Rahaf Al-Qunun, who mobilised worldwide support for herself in a few hours through Twitter, a Saudi official reportedly said: Instead of her passport, her smartphone should have been taken away. In the midst of all this, the western world (with the notable exception of Canada), was till recently happily serenading MBS. In March last year, London rolled out the red carpet for him. He is most chummy with Jared Kushner, Americas First Son-In-Law. France's hip young President Emmanuel Macron was seen murmuring sweet nothings into MBS' ear at the recent G-20 meet. Also, Saudi Arabia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council. In fact, the only blip in MBSs popularity seems to be the brutal hacking of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in which his administration seems directly implicated. The noises of reform in Saudi Arabia are a sham, but the international community is amplifying these noises. Meanwhile, the countrys women continue their lonely and dangerous drive for a voice. Also read: Rahaf declared refugee by UN: Her story highlights how women are not treated as human beings in Saudi The UK Government must give details on how Scotlands forestry and fishing sectors will be funded post-Brexit, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said. Ahead of a meeting between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the devolved administrations, Mr Ewing said that decisions on funding must be made to provide greater clarity. Under current arrangements, both sectors receive investment from EU funding schemes such as the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), and Pillar 2 Rural Development funds for forestry. Mr Ewing said: The potential negative impact of Brexit on Scotlands rural economy is becoming clearer all the time. Thats in stark contrast to the lack of clarity being provided by the UK Government in response to my requests for guarantees that a fair level of funding to our fishermen and foresters will be provided by the Treasury, post-Brexit, to replace current funding from the European Union. Although I welcome the UK Governments recent commitment to long-term marine funding from 2021 comparable to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), it is vital that this support fairly reflects the size and requirements of Scotlands very significant marine sector. Mr Ewing has called for clarity on funding for the fishing and forestries sectors (David Cheskin/PA) More funding must be provided, which could deliver much-needed investment in a range of areas, including maritime infrastructure at ports and harbours across the country. Mr Ewing also stated that funding commitments should be given to the forestry industry imminently, and stated that they must be long-term. Thats absolutely essential for a sector where projects run for years and decades rather than days and weeks, he said. The Confederation of Forest Industries (CONFOR) recently wrote to the Environment Secretary to express their alarm that no guarantees have been provided for Pillar 2 funding, which is vital to that sector, to remain post-Brexit. Unless resolved immediately, we could see progress on initiatives like woodland creation schemes grinding to a halt, or being unwound impacting on jobs, the wider rural economy, and climate change mitigation targets. With only a few months to go, its completely unacceptable that Scotland is still being kept in the dark. Peoples livelihoods are at stake, and I intend to get answers soon. Social media giant Facebook has backed the Governments new online safety lessons to help school pupils recognise online dangers. The tech firm has endorsed the proposed online lesson curriculum ahead of a meeting with ministers and anti-bullying campaigners on Monday. The lessons form part of Government plans to make relationships, sex and health education classes compulsory at all schools from September 2020. The new curriculum has been designed to teach every pupil about how to recognise dangers online, including what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like, the Department for Education (DfE) said. School standards minister Nick Gibb will meet Facebook alongside online safety charities the Diana Award and Childnet to discuss internet safety. The DfE said the meeting supported the Governments mission to work with tech companies to get them to consider their collective responsibility regarding children and young peoples welfare online. The new curriculum has been designed to teach every pupil about how to recognise dangers online (Peter Byrne/PA) Mr Gibb said he was pleased Facebook had recognised the importance of these new lessons, which will be delivered through compulsory relationships, sex and health education classes. He added: No child should face the fear of bullying. The internet, whilst usually a force for good, brings with it new dangers thats why our new online safety lessons will teach pupils about how to use the internet respectfully and sensibly. We all have a collective responsibility to protect children from this kind of harm, whether as parents, ministers, business leaders or school teachers, and can all play a role in shaping the kind of society we want for our future generations, preparing them for life in modern Britain. Under the plans, all pupils will be taught relationships education in primary school and relationships and sex education in secondary school, while all pupils will be taught health education in state-funded schools. Rebecca Stimson, Facebooks head of UK policy, welcomed the addition of online safety lessons to the school curriculum. She said: The safety of young people online is our absolute priority and, like the Department for Education, we are committed to giving schools the right support so young people have safe and positive experiences online. Well be working with our safety partners including the Diana Award and Childnet and the Government to make progress in this area. The Diana Award is trying to encourage 9,000 schools to appoint an ambassador as part of DfE-funded projects to work with schools to do more to stamp out prejudice and discrimination. More than 1 million is being shared among three anti-bullying charities the Diana Award, Anne Frank Trust and the Anti-Bullying Alliance to reach more than 260,000 pupils with projects designed to prevent bullying in the classroom and online. Representatives from the Diana Award and Childnet will join the meeting to set out their partnership with Facebook to encourage schools to appoint pupil ambassadors to help tackle bullying and promote safe and responsible use of technology. Alex Holmes, deputy chief executive of the Diana Award, said: Thanks to the support from the Department for Education and Facebook, we are able to offer schools our flagship anti-bullying and online safety programme free of charge and we are proud to support this Governments approach to bullying prevention and internet safety. Will Gardner, chief executive of Childnet, said: It is vital that we are working with children and young people, and empowering them to be part of the solution in the fast-moving environment of the online world. Students should apply for university after they get their A-level results, in a major shake-up proposed by university and college staff. The University and College Union (UCU) says the move will eliminate unconditional offers and the chaotic clearing process. A report, Post-qualification Application: A Student-centred Model For Higher Education Admissions In England, Northern Ireland And Wales, published on Monday, suggests how the admissions system could be overhauled. Under the proposal, students would apply to university only after finding out their exam results and start the first year of their higher education course in November. According to the UCU, the reforms would make the system fairer, and bring the UK into line with the rest of the world. (PA Graphics) It says no other countries use predicted grades to award university places, and seven in 10 staff involved in university admissions back the move to post-qualification application. Ucas figures show that in 2018 more than a third of 18-year-olds applying to university in 2018 received a form of unconditional offer before completing their school qualifications. The report also looks at how to improve advice for students when it comes to deciding what to study, and calls on the Government to commission an independent review of university admissions. UCU head of policy, Matt Waddup, said: There is growing support for a shift to a system where students apply to university after they have received their results. This report sets out how that could work in practice. Such a move would not only be fairer for students, it would bring the UK into line with the rest of the world and eliminate the use of controversial unconditional offers and the chaotic clearing process. The current admissions process based on predicted grades is failing students and needs an urgent overhaul. The time has come for the Government to grasp the nettle on this issue and commission an independent review of higher education admissions to take forward the agenda. Vehicular traffic between Daringbadi and Berhampur and other parts of the district was adversely affected due to the road blockade agitation. Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high in Daringbadi area in Odishas Kandhamal district on Sunday after reports that a Class 8 girl delivered a baby at a residential school. Irate locals staged a demonstration and blocked National Highway 59 demanding probe and immediate arrest of the accused involved in the incident. Vehicular traffic between Daringbadi and Berhampur and other parts of the district was adversely affected due to the road blockade agitation. Later, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe (SC and ST) development minister Ramesh Majhi ordered Kandhamal collector to conduct a probe under what circumstances the incident occurred and submit a report at the earliest. Preliminary probe reveals that the headmistress Radharani Dalai during interrogation admitted that a Class VIII girl student has delivered a baby girl. Probe reveals that the girl was raped by one Shraban Kumar Pradhan eight months ago when she had gone home. We have detained the the accused and further probe is on, said Kandhamal superintendent of police Prateek Singh. We demand immediate arrest of the headmistress of the residential school. The school will be locked until action is taken against the persons concerned. We will not withdraw our strike until the collector and SP visit the spot, said an agitator. Odisha Mahila Congress leader Sumitra Jena condemned the incident of schoolgirl delivering baby in Kandhamal and threatened stir if the matter was not investigated properly. A team of Congress women wing will visit the school to study the negligence of the authorities to detect the case, Ms Jena said. State BJP women wing president Prabhati Parida, while condemning the school authorities for their failure to detect the pregnancy of the minor girl, demanded strictest actions against the district education officials for not monitoring girls hostels of residential schools in tribal dominated areas. A mother has died and her baby is fighting for his life after they were hit by a car. The 23-year-old woman was pushing her eight-month-old son in his pram when they were struck by the vehicle in Penge, south-east London. The Metropolitan Police said they were called to the scene in Croydon Road at 8.08pm on Sunday evening. A car was found to have been involved in a collision with a mother and a baby in a pram, the force said. Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics, the mother, believed to be in her 20s, was declared dead at the scene. The baby, believed to be eight months old, has been taken to hospital. His injuries have been assessed as life-threatening. Met Police were called to the scene (Sean Dempsey/PA) One witness of the aftermath of the incident described the scene in a video on Facebook. Boy what a sad start for 2019. (I was) just passing, going about my business and I came across such a horrific accident. A car hit a babymother while she was trying to cross the road. The fire brigade is here, the ambulance are here, the police are here. The 51-year-old driver of the car stopped at the scene and was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. He has not been arrested and was said to be helping police with their inquiries. Detectives have appealed for witnesses or anyone who has video footage of the collision to come forward. Those with information can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8285 1574 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Pep Guardiola claims Ruben Neves is out of Manchester Citys price range. City have been linked regularly with the Portuguese midfielder, who has been one of the stars of Wolves impressive first season back in the Premier League. But while City boss Guardiola would like to strengthen his central midfield options, he says the figures being mentioned in relation to 21-year-old Neves are beyond the champions. Guardiola might rate Ruben Neves but says City would not pay 100million (Martin Rickett/PA) Guardiola said: A month ago I started reading Ruben Neves, 100million. That is not going to happen. We are not going to pay 100million for a holding midfielder. We have a limit and cannot spend more so thats why we need to be careful with the players and try next season to see what we can do to improve. In any case, Guardiola has intimated he is not sure if Neves, who City will face when Wolves visit the Etihad Stadium on Monday, would fit into his preferred system. He said: Hes an excellent player. It involves playing with two holding midfielders not just one but hes an excellent player. Ajaxs Frenkie de Jong has also been linked with City (Nick Potts/PA) Another player frequently linked with City is Ajaxs Frenkie De Jong, but Guardiola has refused to add credence to the speculation. He said: Im not talking about the case of the Ajax player because he is an Ajax player. I dont talk about players not here, never did and never will. A holding midfielder would be a priority for Guardiola because City currently have no natural replacement for Fernandinho. The 33-year-old Brazilian was badly missed as City suffered costly back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester over Christmas. Fernandinho, left, has been crucial to Manchester City (Nick Potts/PA) Guardiola said: Its not easy to find the specific quality of the players. There are players who can play in that role but, specifically Fernandinhos role, its so difficult to find. He knows the Premier League and, after three years together here, he knows everything and thats so important. But, of course, for the next season its an important target to find. Hell be 34 and he cannot play every few days. In the meantime, Guardiola will hope Ilkay Gundogan can fill in if needed. The German at least looked comfortable in the position as Fernandinho was rested for the cup thrashings of Rotherham and Burton over the past week, which City won by a combined scoreline of 16-0. Ilkay Gundogan is another valuable asset for City (Martin Rickett/PA) Guardiola said: Gundogan played the last two games like a holding midfielder. He had more space than usual but he was so clever. He made an incredible assist and a lot of passes before the finish. His quality is incredible. He can play that holding midfield role. He has the quality and the vision to pass. When hes close to the box he arrives in the right tempo and the right moment to score a goal. Hes a fantastic player. Gundogans contract expires at the end of next season and City are keen to tie the 28-year-old to a new deal. Guardiola said: He knows what we want, yes, but its in our hands. The new head of Venezuelas congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police. The confusing incident is bound to ramp up tensions between the opposition and government following President Nicolas Maduros swearing in for a controversial second term this month. It came a day after the US-backed Juan Guaido assuming the presidency as a way out of the countrys deepening crisis. A video circulating on social media purports to show the moment in which Mr Guaido is intercepted on his way to an anti-government Citizens Meeting in the port city of La Guaira. Juan Guaido has said the people of Venezuela need to take to the streets (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) In the video shot on a mobile phone by a motorist stuck in traffic, several men in ski masks and carrying assault weapons are seen struggling to shut the door on someone being pushed into a vehicle before racing down a road. While it was not possible to identify Mr Guaido in the 33-second video, his wife said on Twitter that he had been detained by a commando unit of the feared SEBIN intelligence police. As news of his detention spread, he was then released. I thank everyone for the quick response in the face of abuse against my husband by the dictatorship, Fabiana Rosales said in a message posted on Twitter. The dictatorship will not be able to bend his fighting spirit. Adding to the confusion, the government tried to shift the blame to Mr Guaidos allies, with communications minister Jorge Rodriguez saying that the media show had perhaps been orchestrated to provoke an international uproar. But he acknowledged that police officers had taken part in the arrest and said they would be disciplined. We want to inform the people of Venezuela that the officials who took that upon themselves are being dismissed, Mr Rodriguez said on state TV. Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro came out onto the streets as he was sworn-in for a second term in Caracas last week (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) At the rally after the incident, Mr Guaido told The Associated Press that the SEBIN agents informed him they were carrying out orders from above when they arrested him. We are survivors, he told the crowd of a few hundred waving Venezuelan flags. Mr Guaido has been leading an increasingly tense stand-off with Mr Maduro seeking to oust him from power, winning the support of some powerful international allies like US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who spoke to him by phone shortly after the 35-year-old assumed the presidency of the opposition-controlled National Assembly. At a rally on Friday he said he was prepared to take over as Venezuelas interim president and call for new elections, a move the US and regional governments support. But for such a strategy to succeed, he said Venezuelans must take to the streets to express their discontent with Mr Maduros wrecking of what was once Latin Americas wealthiest nation. To that end, he called for nationwide demonstrations on January 23 to coincide with the anniversary of the 1958 ousting of military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. Four Brexiteer backbenchers have announced they will back the Prime Ministers Withdrawal Agreement despite speculation they could vote against it. In a possible sign that the tide is beginning to turn in favour of Theresa Mays controversial exit plan, Tory MPs including Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and Sir Edward Leigh said they would support the Government in the meaningful vote on Tuesday. Former Public Accounts Committee chairman Sir Edward, who was appointed to the Privy Council last month, said it was inconceivable that Parliament and the Speaker John Bercow would allow the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal. He said: I will support the Government on Tuesday in the meaningful vote. I think it is now inconceivable that this Parliament, and this Speaker, will allow the UK to leave on WTO terms on March 29. Therefore my message to my fellow Brexit-supporting MPs is you are playing with fire if you vote down this deal in the hope of something better, and the only way to deliver Brexit is to vote for the deal this week. He was initially an outspoken critic of Mrs Mays deal. Four Brexiteers have pledged to vote for Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement (Jonathan Brady/PA) And senior backbencher Sir Geoffrey said that while he had deep misgivings about many aspects of the deal, it would, he believed, provide a framework to ensure the UK leaves on March 29. He said: While I retain deep misgivings about many aspects of the deal, in particular the open-ended nature of the backstop, the events of last week have clearly demonstrated that the Speaker and MPs who wish to remain in the EU will stop at nothing to prevent that happening. Whilst the deal is far from ideal it will create a smooth transition for business and jobs. Above all it will provide a framework to ensure that we actually leave on the 29th of March this year. Tory former minister Andrew Murrison said he also had reservations, but had decided to back the deal. After last weeks operation by the Speaker and hard-over Remainers to reverse Brexit and the prospect of more tricks to come, Ive decided I have to back the Withdrawal Agreement so that we deliver on the referendum as promised. Im still concerned about the EUs unnecessary, politically inspired, Northern Ireland backstop. It must be ditched or time-limited if Brussels and Dublin are sincere about their future relationship with the UK. And Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Caroline Johnson, said: As a Brexiteer I am unhappy with some aspects of the deal and had intended to vote against it. However I have come to realise that the Prime Minister is trying to deliver Brexit via a remain Parliament some of whom seem ready to go to any length to frustrate the referendum result and stop Brexit. We need to get this part of the process over the line so that we are out of the EU and Parliament can then refocus its efforts on the negotiations for our future relationship to ensure we seize the full benefits of Brexit. A loyalist activist who claims police unlawfully seized his journalistic material linked to the Kingsmill massacre has now received a request for the files from the coroner investigating the killings. The Coroners Service has written to Jamie Bryson days before he is due in Belfast High Court for a case challenging whether officers who were investigating an alleged door staff licensing breach had the right to take unrelated documents he contends are covered by journalistic privilege. Mr Bryson, a blogger and commentator who edits a website called Unionist Voice, is a temporary freelance member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). He has used the website to publish articles about the Kingsmill murders. The coroners request for sight of Mr Brysons source material documents he says were taken by police comes amid an ongoing inquest into the notorious sectarian outrage that saw 10 Protestant workmen lined up and shot dead by republican paramilitaries in January 1976. In the judicial review hearing on Wednesday, Mr Bryson will seek to challenge the legality of the warrant used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to seize the material. The PSNI was executing the warrant on behalf of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) the statutory organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. Ten men were killed by republicans at Kingsmill in 1976 (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Bryson was arrested during Augusts raid and later released without charge. The investigation into an alleged offence of unlawfully supplying door staff continues. He denies any wrongdoing. With controversy around the 29-year-olds membership of the NUJ the local branch in Belfast opposed the unions decision to admit him the High Court case is also likely to focus on what defines a journalist and whether he is entitled to invoke journalistic privilege in the eyes of the law. It is somewhat of a major development that the Coroners Court has now entered into the issue to request copies of the journalistic material regarding Kingsmill that I say was unlawfully seized by the PSNI, said Mr Bryson. It adds an extra layer of pressure to the PSNI in relation to justifying this seizure. Mr Bryson said he would always do anything possible to assist the Kingsmill families, but he expressed concern at the request for his papers. If I were to provide this documentation to the coroner then it would no longer be material held for the purposes of journalism and PSNI could then retain material which they should never have in the first place as I would have waived journalistic privilege by providing material held in confidence to a third party, he said. Mr Brysons lawyers will argue that the warrant to seize material should have been granted by a county court judge, rather than a lay magistrate as they will claim police should have known journalistic material would have been on site. The loyalist campaigner says material taken by police also includes papers on the sale by Ireland National Assets Management Agency (Nama) of its Northern Ireland portfolio; the 1989 IRA murders of senior RUC officers Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan; the On the Runs controversy; and allegations around the exploitation of the Roma community in south Belfast. They have gone in through the back door essentially to seize a wide range of journalistic material which they didnt have the power to seize in relation to this investigation and is far beyond the scope of the warrant and is essentially irrelevant to what they claim to be investigating, he said. I cant for the life of me understand what files from 1976 or files relating to Nama or the Kingsmill massacre or the murder of RUC officers has got to do with investigating door supervisors it is quite simply beyond me. It was a fishing expedition. Mr Bryson insists he is entitled to the same protections as any journalist working for the mainstream media. I didnt define what is a journalist, I didnt write the law, I didnt write the NUJs definition, he said. But in relation to those definitions I am held in equivalence in terms of journalistic material with professional journalists who work for mainstream outlets, thats not my fault. He said his case could have ramifications for the wider journalistic profession. If the PSNI get a judgment in their favour whereby they can contrive some type of investigation to get through the door, but while they are still there they can scoop up a whole load of journalistic material, if there is contentious issues with journalists they can simply come in under the auspices of something else and take all their computers and all their notes without the judicial oversight of having to go to a county court judge, he said. Filmmakers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney have also criticised police seizures of `unrelated journalistic material (Liam McBurney/PA) The case is the second before the Northern Ireland courts challenging the right of police to seize journalistic material that is unconnected to the investigation they are conducting. Police who raided the offices of two Belfast filmmakers last year with a warrant to remove material related to their documentary on a loyalist massacre also took away a tranche of papers linked to a journalistic probe into an alleged paedophile priest. The search came as producers Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey were arrested over the alleged theft of a police watchdog document that appeared in their film No Stone Unturned on the murders of six men in Loughinisland, Co Down, in 1994. The men have accused police of massively overstepping the terms of their warrant and seizing years of work they maintain should be protected by journalistic privilege. A judicial review taken by Fine Point Films is due to be heard later this year. In relation to Mr Brysons claims, the PSNI said it would not comment on named individuals. The SIA has been contacted for comment. The US secretary of state will ask Saudi Arabias crown prince to ensure that the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held accountable. Mike Pompeo will meet Mohammed bin Salman when he travels to Saudi Arabia as part of his Middle East tour. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following the October assassination of Washington Post columnist Mr Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Jamal Khashoggi was killed in Saudi Arabias Turkey consulate (Johnny Green/PA) Members of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans entourage have been implicated in the killing and US members of Congress have demanded America pull back its support of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Mr Pompeo said: We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring that the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Well continue to talk about that and make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable certainly by the Saudis, but by the United States as well, where appropriate. Mr Pompeo has also said that an ongoing boycott of Qatar by four of Americas allies in the Middle East has dragged on too long though he gave no sign of any coming breakthrough in the dispute. Stopping off in the small, energy-rich nation on the tour, he made a repeated point to say that great things were happening between Qatar and the United States. Were all more powerful when were working together, Mr Pompeo said. Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful. Mr Pompeo said he signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar regarding the expansion and renovation of al-Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the US militarys Central Command and some 10,000 American troops. However, comments by Mr Pompeo and Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani gave no sense of any movement in the ongoing diplomatic crisis with Doha. Mike Pompeo at a joint press conference with Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP) Later, speaking to a US embassy staff member in Qatar who said her job was moving to the UAE due to the boycotts effects, Mr Pompeo was even more frank. Its on everyones mind and not at all clear that the rift is any closer to being resolved today than it was yesterday and I regret that, he said. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates began a boycott of Qatar in June 2017, alleging Qatar funds extremist groups and has too-cosy ties to Iran. Qatar has long denied funding extremists, but Doha shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran that gives its citizens the highest per-capita income in the world. It restored diplomatic relations with Iran after the crisis erupted, marking a setback for Saudi Arabia, which views the Shiite power Iran as its main regional rival. Teachers have described physical and verbal assaults, overwhelming workloads and a lack of staff in schools in letters sent to the Scottish Government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in October asked teachers in Scotland to write to her to tell her about their experiences of working in the profession. A freedom of information request by the Scottish Conservatives has released 60 out of 120 letters which were sent during that time. Amongst the letters, concerns over assaults, as well as difficulty in managing the level of work required, were raised. In one letter, a teacher writes: The class teacher was hit, I was kicked and punched. My amazing support staff were subject to repeated kicks to the stomach and were bitten. Another teacher wrote: The best teacher I have ever seen left last year due to paperwork and sheer unmanageable workload something must be done before there are no teachers left. Teachers raised a number of concerns in letters sent to the Scottish Government (PA) The lack of teaching staff was also cited as a significant issue. One letter stated: We share a headteacher but she is available less and less to manage our school as the workload at our cluster school is ever increasing due to cuts in support staff, social services, primary mental health services, speech and language the list goes on. The Scottish Conservatives have said that the letters highlight the pressure teachers are under in schools, including increased levels of violence in the classroom. Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary, said: These letters speak for themselves. As well as all the other pressures currently being cited by teachers, the growing level of violence in our classrooms is a major worry. It is a completely unacceptable state of affairs that many teachers are forced to operate in this kind of environment. It is also interesting to note from the letters that teachers believe some of the problem is created by the well-intentioned, but nonetheless increasingly problematic policy which encourages local authorities to mainstream all pupils wherever possible. In far too many cases, pupils with particular support needs are in classes which cannot possibly provide them with the support they need. Likewise, there are growing worries that the education of other pupils in these classes is being affected and putting unfair, additional pressures on teachers. John Swinney has acknowledged in Parliament that the mainstreaming policy should be reviewed. He has to do so urgently for exactly the reasons spelt out in these letters. Education Secretary John Swinney said that the Scottish Government is working towards improving conditions for teachers. No teacher should have to suffer abuse in the workplace, and we want all pupils to behave in a respectful manner towards their peers and staff, said Mr Swinney. Our refreshed guidance on preventing and managing schools exclusions, published in June 2017, includes guidance on managing challenging behaviour. The number of teachers is the highest since 2010 and we have committed to creating new opportunities for teachers to develop their careers. We have also undertaken a range of actions to reduce teacher workload, acting to clarify and simplify the curriculum framework and to remove unnecessary bureaucracy. The families of a doctor who went missing a decade ago have questioned a gardai decision to undertake a major dig for her remains. Former GP and mother of three Deirdre Donnelly OFlaherty has not been seen since January 11 2009, when her car was found at Kinnego beach, Co Donegal. In a shock development, gardai last week commenced an excavation on land in Milford, Co Donegal 50 miles from the place of her disappearance. The 46-year-old Strabane-based doctor had been staying with her family at a holiday home when she went missing. The dig concluded on Friday, with gardai announcing that nothing linked to the investigation had been found. The excavation had been ordered after gardai apparently received information claiming to identify the whereabouts of the Co Tyrone doctors remains in an anonymous note handed in to a Garda station in Co Monaghan. (PA) In 2012, a judge in Belfast formally declared that Mrs Donnelly OFlaherty, who suffered from depression, had drowned after entering the sea. The Donnelly and OFlaherty families have now issued a joint statement expressing concerns about the Garda operation. They described the last week as an ordeal, and have asked to meet the officers involved in the operation in a bid for answers. The close and extended families of Dr Deirdre Donnelly OFlaherty wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for the many kind and thoughtful messages of support which they have received over the course of what has been a tumultuous and distressing week leading up to the 10th anniversary of Deirdres disappearance on the 11th of January 2009, they stated. The families are relieved only because this ordeal is over although in our view, the outcome was not in doubt. Notification that Gardai were going to carry out a land search for Deirdre was entirely unexpected, not least given that the finding by Order of Judge Deeney at Belfast High Court on the 12th of January 2012 that Deirdre had gone into the water and drowned was supported by the oral evidence of the investigating Garda Sergeant. As far as the families are aware there has not in fact been any ongoing search for Deirdre since at least that time. The families had only three days advance notice of the Gardai excavations near Milford, County Donegal and therefore had little time to prepare for the consequences of the very public, national exposure of this story during the week. Gardai confirmed to the families at that time that the decision to conduct the excavation in a remote area over fifty miles from her last known whereabouts flowed from an anonymous note handed in to a Garda station in County Monaghan in August 2017. This note apparently provided precise map co-ordinates for the location of Deirdres remains. The families have not seen this note and this information was not made public due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. In their Press Release yesterday Gardai stated that they had found nothing to further the search. Accordingly, the families have requested a meeting with the Gardai investigation team to discuss a number of questions relating to the conduct, conclusions and consequences of this investigation. Around 45,000 properties in Northern Ireland are at risk of flooding as the country braces for stormier and more extreme weather, a report said. The danger over coming years will be caused by heavy rainfall, rivers bursting their banks and coastal high waters. The potential property damage bill in one year if all areas at risk flooded is 56 million, the review published by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said, although that does not mean that situation will arise every year. A total of 45 areas are under threat but the largest cost is associated with the densely-populated greater Belfast area. Climate change is expected to push the number of properties at risk up by 39% by the 2080s. The review added: In Northern Ireland, it is expected that the amounts and intensities of rainfall will increase. There will be a trend towards stormier, more extreme weather conditions and coastal areas will be affected by rising sea levels. These changing conditions will increase the risk of flooding. Communities already at risk could see an increase in the severity or frequency of flooding and other communities not currently at risk may become affected. Climate change is expected to push the number of properties at risk up by 39% by the 2080s (John Giles/PA). In the past, climate change concerns have been expressed about the future of coastal tourist attractions like the World Heritage Giants Causeway site and the protected sand dunes at Murlough Bay in Co Down. Analysis was published recently by the DfI, the Northern Ireland Flood Risk Assessment 2018, and produced by a group of consulting engineers. It was produced to ensure that flood risk continues to be assessed and managed effectively, taking account of new and updated information and changes in risk. It said approximately 45,000 or 5% of the properties in Northern Ireland are located within a river or coastal floodplain or are located in areas at risk of flooding from heavy rainfall. The assessment revealed an increase of more than 8,500 residential and 2,200 non-residential properties at risk from combined sources of flooding due to climate change. Belfast has suffered a number of significant floods (Paul Faith/PA) Historically, Belfast has been subject to a number of significant flood events. In January 2014, the highest tidal surge was recorded in Belfast Harbour. In June 2012, heavy rain affected over 1,500 homes and businesses. The most recent significant flood occurrence in the Londonderry area was in August 2017 due to intense heavy rainfall. Greeces conservative defence minister, who leads the junior partner in the countrys coalition government, has resigned over the Macedonia name deal, which he opposes. Panos Kammenos announced his resignation after meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday morning. He said his party is quitting the government. People in Macedonia attend a protest against the change of the countrys name (Boris Grdanoski/AP) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said, in response, that he will ask for a vote of confidence in Parliament in the coming week. He added he had a frank discussion with Mr Kammenos, whom he thanked for his government partnership. Mr Tsipras also announced that Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will replace Mr Kammenos as defence minister. Greece and Macedonia agreed last June to a deal that would change the name of Greeces northern neighbour to North Macedonia. In exchange, Greece would lift its objections to the country joining Nato. Macedonias parliament ratified the deal on Friday and the Greek parliament now needs a majority for its ratification. Mr Tsipras left-wing Syriza party has 145 deputies in the 300-member Greek Parliament, while Mr Kammenos right-populist Independent Greeks party has seven. With the departure of his coalition partner, Mr Tsipras would need opposition help to pass the Macedonia name deal. Mumbai's civic transport, comprising a workforce of 32,000 people, has been demanding the merger of BEST budget with 'A' budget of BMC. BEST employees are also seeking resolution of the issue of employee service residences and recruitment. (Photo: File | PTI) Mumbai: There seems to be no end to woes of lakhs of people residing in Mumbai, as an indefinite strike called by employees of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) entered its seventh day on Monday. Mumbai's civic transport, comprising a workforce of 32,000 people, has been demanding the merger of BEST budget with 'A' budget of BMC. They are also seeking resolution of the issue of employee service residences and recruitment. When the talks with the authorities failed, the employees resorted to the strike. Narrating his ordeal, Pramod Arjun Yadav, a conductor in BEST said, "This strike is posing a lot of problems for us to run a household. The state government must intervene and find out a solution on the same. We are getting less salary than the average." "The administration is not paying our salaries on time. It is because of corruption. Some of us have not even received the refunds for our bills. We will keep sitting on strike until our demands are met," claimed another employee. In the wake of the ongoing strike, locals in Mumbai are forced to bear the brunt of higher fares as they now have to opt for a private taxi or an autorickshaw to commute. Moreover, rides to busy areas such as Churchgate, Lower Parel, BKC, Andheri, and Goregaon are costing more than the rest of the places. BEST, the lifeline of Mumbai has a fleet size of as many as 3,200 buses. It the second largest transport system in the metropolis after local trains which ferry more than 70 lakh commuters on a daily basis. Israeli troops have discovered the sixth and final tunnel dug by Hezbollah militants for cross-border attacks, officials said. The final tunnel was the largest one discovered so far, running hundreds of metres from under a Lebanese home and deep into Israeli territory, military spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said. Israel launched Operation Northern Shield early last month to detect and destroy what it called a vast network of Hezbollah tunnels aimed at helping militants sneak across the border to carry out attacks. 180ft deep underground 2,624ft dug under #Lebanon Dozens of yards dug into Israel This #Hezbollah attack tunnel was dug from the Lebanese village of Ramyeh into Israel & will be neutralized soon. We have now exposed all attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israel. pic.twitter.com/AU0zNbmCCM Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 13, 2019 Lt Gen Conricus said the latest tunnel originated from the Lebanese border town of Ramyeh. It was 55 metres deep and ran 800 metres inside Lebanese territory and also dozens of metres into Israel, he said. It included stairs, a rail system and a wide a passageway that allowed for the movement of equipment and a large number of forces. Israeli soldiers stand around the opening of a hole that leads to a tunnel (Sebastian Scheiner/AP) The tunnel would be destroyed in the coming days, Lt Gen Conricus said, adding that while more tunnels still existed on the Lebanese side of the border, this effectively marked the end of the ambitious military operation. We have achieved the goal that we set out to achieve a month and a half ago, he said. According to our intelligence, there are no longer any cross-border attack tunnels into Israel. Israel and the United Nations say the tunnels violate a ceasefire resolution that ended a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Lt Gen Conricus says the UN peacekeeping mission, known as Unifil, had been updated on the latest development. The powerful Shiite militant Hezbollah, which acts independently in Lebanon, has yet to comment on the Israeli discoveries. Israel has long called for a crackdown on the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a heavily armed mini-army that is believed to possess an arsenal of some 150,000 rockets that can reach nearly all of Israel. In recent years, Hezbollah has been bogged down in fighting in Syria on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assads government. But with that civil war winding down, Israeli security officials fear Hezbollah is refocusing its attention on Israel. In the wake of its discoveries, Israel has asked the international community to impose tough sanctions on Hezbollah and begin to act against its state-within-a-state operation in Lebanon. The military said its forces would stay deployed along the border area to monitor for any other possible underground activity, and said it holds the Lebanese government responsible for everything happening in its territory. Theresa Mays Brexit plans are due to be put to the Commons next week following a five-day debate in Westminster. The vote had been scheduled to take place in December but was called off at the 11th hour with Government victory looking unlikely. MPs continue to be divided on the plans, with a number of pro-Remainers calling for Mrs Mays deal to be voted down, and some ardent Leavers pushing for the same result to ensure a no-deal Brexit. Britain has been negotiating with the EU since the triggering of Article 50 (Etienne Ansotte/EU) Heres a look at what could happen following Tuesdays vote: The simplest outcome to plot comes if Government wins the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement. In this instance, the UK would leave the European Union on March 29. EU Withdrawal Agreement: what could happen (PA Graphics) But should Mrs Mays deal be voted down, then a whole host of scenarios could play out. An amendment passed by Parliament means that the Government must come back with their Plan B three days following the vote. The prospect of Labour putting forward a vote of no confidence in Mrs May has been mooted and a general election could take place should the Government lose. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn could call for a vote of no confidence (Danny Lawson/PA) The Government could also ask for an extension to Article 50 which would have to be agreed by the remaining 27 members of the bloc either from the current Government or in the instance that a new Prime Minister was appointed either following a vote of no confidence or should Mrs May resign. Should the EU not agree to a postponing of Brexit then the UK would leave the EU without a deal on March 29. Any incoming Prime Minister could also agree that the UK would be best served by trading on World Trade Organisation terms. The big unknown is if the EU agrees to an extension of Article 50 and there is the potential for negotiations to be reopened. This plan B could include discussion about a free trade agreement, customs union, membership of the single market and even a second referendum on the deal. President Donald Trump has said he has no idea whether he can get a deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for his border wall as the partial US government shutdown slipped into the record books. The president did not tip his hand on Saturday on whether he will move ahead with an emergency declaration that could break the impasse, free up money for his wall without congressional approval and kick off legal challenges and a political storm over the use of that extraordinary step. A day earlier, he said he was not ready to do it right now. Politicians are due back in Washington from their states and congressional districts in the new week. Mr Trump fired off a series of tweets pushing back against the notion that he does not have a strategy to end what became the longest government shutdown in US history when it entered its 22nd day on Saturday. Elections have consequences! he declared, meaning the 2016 election in which I promised safety and security and, as part of that, a border wall. ....I do have a plan on the Shutdown. But to understand that plan you would have to understand the fact that I won the election, and I promised safety and security for the American people. Part of that promise was a Wall at the Southern Border. Elections have consequences! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2019 Mr Trump threatened anew that the shutdown could continue indefinitely as the Democrats, who now control the House, refuse to give him money for the wall. Later on Saturday, he telephoned Fox News Channels Justice with Judge Jeanine Pirro from the White House. Ms Pirro pressed Mr Trump on why he had yet to declare a national emergency. He said he was giving Congress a chance to act responsibly. The president is expected in the new week to sign legislation passed by Congress to provide back pay for some 800,000 federal workers who are not being paid during the shutdown. Friday was payday for many but not for the nearly million federal workers because of the #TrumpShutdown. All they want is to get back to work earning an honest living to provide for their families. #EndTheShutdown Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) January 12, 2019 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, travelling in Abu Dhabi, claimed that morale is good among US diplomats even as many work without pay. Were doing our best to make sure it doesnt impact our diplomacy, he said. Almost half of the State Department employees in the US and about one-quarter abroad have been granted a leave of absence during the shutdown. With the exception of certain local employees overseas, the rest are working without pay, such as those tasked with supporting Mr Pompeos trip, which has thus far taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Bahrain. Snow falls on the White House as a winter storm arrives in the region during the longest government shutdown in US history (Alex Brandon/AP) An emergency declaration by Mr Trump could break the stalemate by letting him use existing, unspent money to build the US-Mexico border wall, without needing congressional approval. Democrats oppose that step but may be unable to stop it and many Republicans are wary too. Nevertheless the administration has accelerated planning for it. Officials explored diverting money from a range of accounts, including 13.9 billion dollars given to the Army Corps of Engineers after last years deadly hurricanes and floods, but that option appeared to lose steam following an outcry. Other possibilities included tapping asset forfeiture funds, such as money seized from drug kingpins, according to a congressional Republican. The White House also was eyeing military construction money, another politically difficult choice because it would take away from a backlog of hundreds of projects. Former prime minister Sir John Major has said revoking Article 50 is the only sensible course but accepted this would be politically uncomfortable. Sir John, who led the country between 1990 and 1997, wrote in the Sunday Times of his support for a second ballot of Britains membership of the European Union, adding the Government allowing a no-deal Brexit would be morally reprehensible. Theresa May is preparing to put her Brexit blueprint to a vote in the House of Commons next week with former Brexit minister Dominic Raab saying Britain should be prepared to leave with no arrangement in place. Writing that the divisions between people on both sides of the referendum debate have become bitter and entrenched, Sir John added: The cost of a no-deal Brexit to our national wellbeing would be heavy and long-lasting. The benefits are close to zero. Every single household rich or poor would be worse off for many years to come. Jumping off a cliff has never had a happy ending. He added that a new process of national consultation was needed, adding: No true democracy should deny a considered choice to its people. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has reiterated the case for a Peoples Vote (Yui Mok/PA) Meanwhile, London mayor Sadiq Khan has written in the Observer suggesting that Mrs May should step down and call a general election if she loses next weeks vote. He wrote: Its clear that if our government and parliament are incapable of finding a way out of this mess, it should be taken out of the hands of the politicians and returned to the British people to take back control. Dominic Raab believes Britain should be prepared to leave with no deal (Andrew Matthews/PA) On the other side of the divide on Britains departure from the European Union, Mr Raab has said Mrs Mays deal suffocates the opportunities Brexit offers. He wrote: If MPs vote the deal down, we should continue to press our EU partners for a deal that respects the referendum. If EU intransigence persists, we must be willing to leave the EU at the end of March on World Trade Organisation terms. Wed be in a stronger position, then, to continue the negotiations as an independent third country. Sinn Feins refusal to take their seats in Westminster and voice their concerns over Brexit is a tragedy, a former Irish prime minister has said. John Bruton said the voice of Irish nationalism was missing in the debate over the UKs withdrawal from the EU, as he criticised the left-wing republican partys extremely bad record for not sitting in the Commons. Sinn Fein refuses to take its seats out of opposition to Westminsters jurisdiction in Northern Ireland and the oath all MPs must make to the Queen. Mr Bruton, a former Fine Gael politician who served as taoiseach from 1994 to 1997, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think the record of Sinn Fein MPs not taking their seats in Parliament has been extremely bad. Ireland was partitioned in 1920 when Sinn Fein refused to take their seats after the 1918 election. Sinn Fein have refused to take their seats on this occasion and the most serious threats to the position of Northern nationalists are now about to be realised with no Sinn Fein, no Northern nationalist voice to argue a different case. Former taoiseach John Bruton (Brian Lawless/PA) I think its a great shame, its a tragedy. He also said there would be a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland if there is no agreement between the UK and the EU. HE said: There will be a hard border if there is no agreement thats clear under EU law if you look at the paper that was produced last month by the European Commission its quite clear that there will have to be control on the EUs borders and one of those EU borders in the event that Britain leaves the EU will be in Ireland. And he suggested those opposed to the controversial backstop proposals to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland do not believe there would ever be an acceptable agreement. He told the programme: One suspects that those who object to the backstop are people who dont really expect there ever will be an acceptable agreement that would avoid a hard border in Ireland or between Ireland and Britain. The Kremlin has warned that it reserves the right to adequate retaliatory actions if it deems post-Brexit British Army bases mooted by the Defence Secretary pose a threat to Russia or its allies. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said suggestions that the UK might build new military facilities around the world were destabilising and provocative. Gavin Williamson caused a stir in December when he suggested Britain could establish new military bases in the Caribbean and Far East as part of a bid to become a true global player after the UK leaves the EU. The Defence Secretary said that the 1960s policy of withdrawal from regions east of Suez had been ripped up as the UK takes the opportunity to recast its role on the global stage. Russia vows adequate response to any threat from UKs new military baseshttps://t.co/mp2aOhOwwO AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda pic.twitter.com/b3NuWc3ZJ7 TASS (@tassagency_en) January 11, 2019 In comments reported by the Kremlin-backed Tass news agency, Ms Zakharova said Mr Williamsons suggestion was bewildering. Amid the mounting military and political tension in the world in general and the efforts being taken by the responsible members of the international community for peacefully resolving crisis situations, the statements on the intention to build up military presence in third countries are of counter-productive, destabilising and frequently provocative nature, she said. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (Peter Byrne/PA) Naturally, if any measures that create a threat to the security of Russia and its allies are implemented, our country reserves the right to adequate retaliatory actions. The Kremlins warning comes after relations between the UK and Russia sank to among their lowest levels since the Cold War following the Salisbury nerve agent attack. In November, Nato members carried out a huge military exercise in Norway to simulate an attack on an ally. However, concerns have been raised over what effect Brexit may have in terms of the UKs future security relationship with its European neighbours and Britains standing on the world stage. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph in late December, Mr Williamson said Britons should be much more optimistic about our future as we exit the European Union. 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. For so long literally for decades so much of our national view point has actually been coloured by a discussion about the European Union. This is our moment to be that true global player once more and I think the armed forces play a really important role as part of that. Jail sentences of six months or less for most crimes could be scrapped to alleviate pressure on the system, the prisons minister has suggested. Some 30,000 criminals per year in England and Wales, including burglars and most shoplifters, could be spared jail under the proposals, the Daily Telegraph reported. Exceptions would be made for violent or sex offenders, Rory Stewart told the paper. Mr Stewart said the move would ease pressure on prisons and that very short jail terms were long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you. He told the Daily Telegraph Magazine: You bring somebody in for three or four weeks, they lose their house, their job, their family, their reputation. They come (into prison), they meet a lot of interesting characters (to put it politely) and then you whap them on to the streets again. Some 30,000 criminals per year in England and Wales, including burglars and most shoplifters, could be spared jail under the proposals (Andrew Milligan/PA) The public are safer if we have a good community sentence and it will relieve a lot of pressure on prisons. Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, told the paper ministers should be congratulated for having the political courage to start the debate. Since the early 1990s, the prison population has doubled, rising from around 40,000 to more than 80,000 in 2018, official figures show. More than half of the 86,275 offenders sentenced to immediate custody in England and Wales in 2017 were handed sentences of six months or less, according to a Parliamentary response from Mr Stewart to shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon last month. The Telegraph said Mr Stewart cited research indicating that criminals given short jail terms were more likely to re-offend than those given community sentences. In Scotland, where judges are guided by a legal presumption against sentences of less than six months, re-offending rates are said to have fallen to their lowest levels for nearly two decades. According to the SNPs Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf, a shift to greater use of community sentences has contributed to a 19-year low in the re-conviction rate north of the border. The Scottish Government is due to extend the presumption against short prison sentences to 12 months in a drive to further reduce re-offending and keep crime down. In relation to England and Wales, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: As we have said previously, short sentences are too often ineffective, provide little opportunity to rehabilitate offenders and lead to unacceptably high rates of re-offending. Thats why we are exploring potential alternatives but this work is ongoing and we have reached no conclusions at this time. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's warning that if Turkey attacks U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, the United States will "devastate Turkey economically" has drawn a sharp response from Ankara and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman. Trump's decision to pull American troops out of Syria has left the United States' Kurdish allies in the war against the Islamic State group vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin responded to Trump on Twitter by saying: "Terrorists can't be your partners & allies." He also insisted that Turkey "fights against terrorists, not Kurds" as a people. In Sunday's tweet, Trump also warned the Kurdish forces not to "provoke Turkey." The U.S. withdrawal has begun with shipments of military equipment, U.S. defense officials said. But in coming weeks, the contingent of about 2,000 troops is expected to depart even as the White House says it will keep pressure on the IS network. Once the troops are gone, the U.S. will have ended three years of organizing, arming, advising and providing air cover for Syrian, Kurdish and Arab fighters in an open-ended campaign devised by the Obama administration to deal the militants, also known as ISIS, a lasting defeat. FILE - In this March 28, 2018, file photo, Syrians ride on a motorcycle as they pass a checkpoint of the Kurdish internal security forces in Manbij, northern Syria. President Donald Trump warned Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, that if Turkey attacks U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, the United States will "devastate Turkey economically." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File) "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions," Trump tweeted. "Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds." Trump's decision to leave Syria, which he initially said would be rapid but later slowed down, shocked U.S. allies and angered the Kurds in Syria. It also prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and drew criticism in Congress. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, called the decision a "betrayal of our Kurdish partners." ___ Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Latest on the weekend winter storm affecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic (all times local): 5:30 p.m. Parts of central Illinois have registered record snowfalls after a winter storm struck and then lingered for much of the weekend. Springfield's State Journal-Register reports that the state capital broke a 55-year record for daily snowfall on Saturday. It cites the National Weather Service as saying the 8.4 inches (21.3 centimeters) of snow that fell on the capital, Springfield, broke a previous record for a Jan. 12 in 1964 of 6.6 inches (16.7 centimeters). The storm lashed the region starting Friday and lasting into Sunday. The weather service says 11.5 inches (29 centimeters) of snow fell on Springfield over the three days. Jacksonville, some 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Springfield, got even more at nearly 16 inches (40 centimeters). Becket Dyer, from Campbell, Calif., uses a blow up unicorn as a sled on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ___ 4:45 p.m. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency that he says will help utility crews restore electricity more quickly to the state's western Piedmont, foothills and mountains after a winter storm. Cooper issued the statewide declaration Sunday. It waives certain truck restrictions on roads so that vehicles can gain easier access to areas where power lines fell due to freezing rain, ice and fallen trees. About 90,000 Duke Energy and electric cooperative customers in North Carolina were still without power late Sunday afternoon. The most outages still remaining are in Forsyth and Rockingham counties in the Triad and in Henderson County in the central mountains. Cooper's office says nearly 1,000 state Department of Transportation workers also are working to clear snow and ice. __ 12 p.m. Virginia State Police say a fatal crash on Interstate 81 occurred when a military surplus vehicle's driver lost control due to slick road conditions as a winter storm went through the region. The accident happened Saturday night in a southbound lane of I-81 in Pulaski County. The vehicle was struck by two tractor-trailers. One tractor-trailer and the surplus truck stopped in the median, while the other tractor-trailer crossed northbound lanes and struck a fence. State police said the surplus vehicle's driver died at the scene. He was identified as 73-year-old Ronald W. Harris of Gainesville, Georgia. The tractor-trailer drivers were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. A police spokeswoman said a Virginia medical examiner would determine if Harris' death was storm-related. At least five other people have been were killed in crashes on slick roadways in Kansas and Missouri since Friday due to storm conditions. ___ 11:45 a.m. A winter storm that contributed to at least five deaths in the Midwest is pummeling the mid-Atlantic region for a second day, bringing snow, freezing rain and power outages. Nearly 200,000 people were without electricity in Virginia and North Carolina on Sunday morning. The wintry mix was also causing problems at airports in the region, including more than 250 flight cancellations Sunday at the three main airports serving the nation's capital. In Baltimore, a man was fatally shot as he shoveled snow early Sunday morning. Police said a 43-year-old man was outside shoveling at 4:40 a.m. when an unidentified suspect shot him in the shoulder and head. He died at a local hospital. The storm was expected to continue into Sunday evening. People sled on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Morgan Miller carries her one-year-old daughter Mia Jennings in one arm as she shovels the stairs to her Springfield home with the other Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Miller said she's learned how to do a lot of things while holding a baby in the last year. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP) Snow covers the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. A winter storm brought snow to the Mid-Atlantic region, where forecasters upped their predicted weekend accumulations and transportation and emergency officials urged residents to stay off the roads. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Isabella Orsini jumps into her sled as she plays in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A massive winter snowstorm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous. (Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald via AP) Sam Person clears snow in Papillion, Neb., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A massive winter snowstorm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous. (Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald via AP) Traffic moves along Pacific Street near its intersection with 189th Street as snow falls in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A massive winter snowstorm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous. (Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald via AP) A snow family is seen on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Two children go over a ramp as they sled on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Jeremy Binstock gives his niece Olivia Binstock, 4, a sled ride as he hangs onto his dog Bagel, on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The BJP has 62 seats in the 126-member Assembly, while coalition partner Bodo Peoples Front has 12. Guwahati: Amid the ongoing political rambling over the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the regional Asom Gana Parishad withdrawing support from the BJP-led government, the Opposition Congress has appealed to Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to quit the saffron party with the MLAs loyal to him. Veteran Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said: Mr Sonowal himself and many BJP MLAs have said in the past that they will never support any cause which is detrimental to Assam or the Assamese people. Since a large section in Assam is opposed to the Citizenship Bill, Mr Sonowal (and) his supporters should quit the BJP. Mr Saikia, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, said: We are willing to support a Sonowal-led government, from within or outside, if the chief minister takes up our offer. The Congress move came soon after an embarrassing development for the ruling BJP, in which Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami said: The decision to pass the Citizenship (Amen-dment) Bill 2016 in the Lok Sabha was an act in haste, which was done without taking the indigenous people of Assam into confidence. A former AGP leader, who joined the BJP just before the 2016 Assembly polls, he went on saying: The waves of incidents centred around the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 here in (the) past few days have touched me personally. While holding a constitutional post, along with my personal hopes, it is my duty to show respect to my countrys democratic system. Mr Goswami, who was also considered the think tank of regional narratives, added: I think the Central and state governments would give respect to views and opinions expressed by the people of Assam and adopt immediate and appropriate measures to resolve the present unrest in the state, which was created after Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill without taking the people of Assam into confidence. There have been speculation that a large number of BJP legislators who migrated to the party just before 2016 polls are also under pressure from their earlier ancestral organisations like students bodies and regional forces to quit the BJP and mount pressure on the government to withdraw the Citizenship Bill, which is awaiting the Rajya Sabhas approval. The BJP has 62 seats in the 126-member Assembly, while coalition partner Bodo Peoples Front has 12. The AGP has 14 MLAs, the Congress 24 and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has 13 members. MURRAY, Utah (AP) - The Latest on a shooting at a Utah mall (all times local): 3:50 p.m. Utah police say two people are in the hospital after a shooting Sunday outside a popular mall in a Salt Lake City suburb. Murray Police officer Kenny Bass (bas) says the incident is possibly gang related and they are searching for three suspects. Bass says the two people were shot at about 1:30 p.m. just outside the southeast entrance to the Fashion Place mall in Murray, which is about 6.6 miles south of the capital. He says the victims were a man and woman in their early 20s. The man is in critical condition and the woman in serious condition. The shooting triggered the evacuation and closure of the mall home to stores such as Crate and Barrel, Macy's and Nordstrom. Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Bass says no other victims or suspects were found inside the mall. ___ 3:30 p.m. A mall in a suburb of Salt Lake City is closed after a gunman opened fire and wounded two people. The Fashion Place mall says in a tweet that Sunday's shooting happened outside the shopping center in Murray. The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper reports officers are searching for the gunman. The Deseret News newspaper quoted Murray Fire Department officials as saying two people were injured but no additional details were immediately available. Murray is 6.6 miles (11 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City. ___ 3:10 p.m. Authorities say a gunman has opened fire at a mall in a suburb of Salt Lake City and that two people were wounded. The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper reported that officers are searching for the gunman. The shooting happened Sunday afternoon at the Fashion Place mall in the suburb of Murray. The Deseret News newspaper quoted Murray Fire Department officials as saying two people were injured but no additional details were immediately available. Murray is south of Salt Lake City. Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Law enforcement officers are on alert at Winchester Street and 700 E. following a shooting at Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Steve Griffin/The Deseret News via AP) People evacuate after a reported shooting at Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Spenser Heaps/The Deseret News via AP) Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Police respond to Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Police patrol the parking lot at Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting at Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Police clear everyone out of the Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting at Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) BARRON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on a Wisconsin teenager found alive three months after she disappeared following her parents' deaths (all times local): 4 p.m. Churchgoers in a small northwestern Wisconsin town say their prayers were answered by the safe return of a 13-year-old girl nearly three months after authorities say she was abducted during a home invasion that left her parents dead. At St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Barron, Mary Haas says the reappearance of Jayme Closs is "a miracle and it's wonderful." The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports parishioners on Sunday dedicated prayers to Jayme, friends, family and everyone who searched for her. Jayme on Thursday asked a stranger for help after fleeing the woodland cabin near the small town of Gordon where she said she had been imprisoned. FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2018, file photo, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald speaks during a news conference about 13-year-old Jayme Closs who has been missing since her parents were found dead in their home in Barron, Wis. The northwest Wisconsin girl who went missing in October after her parents were killed has been found alive, authorities said Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP, File) Police officers arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson minutes later based on Jayme's description of his vehicle. Authorities are holding Patterson on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide. ___ 12:10 p.m. The grandfather of a 13-year-old northwestern Wisconsin girl says she's in "exceptionally good spirits" after being found nearly three months after authorities say she was kidnapped during a home invasion that left her parents dead. Jayme Closs had been missing for nearly three months when she approached a stranger Thursday near the small town of Gordon. Officers arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson minutes later based on Jayme's description of his vehicle. Robert Naiberg told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Sunday that he's spoken with his granddaughter the last two nights. He's says she's "doing exceptionally well for what she went through." Authorities are holding Patterson on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide. Charges are expected Monday. ___ For more stories on Jayme's abduction and her parents' deaths: https://apnews.com/JaymeCloss Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald speaks during a news conference, Friday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Barron, Wis., regarding the arrest of Jake Thomas Patterson, who allegedly kidnapped Jayme Closs, Closs, a 13-year-old northwestern Wisconsin girl who went missing in October after her parents were killed, was found alive in the rural town of Gordon, Wis., about about 60 miles north of her home in Barron. Investigators believe Patterson, who was taken into custody shortly after Closs was found, killed her parents because he wanted to abduct her. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP) This aerial photo shows the cabin where 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held by Jake Thomas Patterson, is surrounded by law enforcement vehicles, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 in the town Gordon, Wis. Jayme had been missing for nearly three months Thursday, Jan. 10, when she approached a stranger near the small, isolated north woods town of Gordon and pleaded for help . Officers arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson minutes later based on Jayme's description of his vehicle. He was jailed on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)/Star Tribune via AP) Kristin Kasinskas, left, husband, Peter, and Jeanne Nutter and her dog Henry head back to their homes after speaking with the media Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, in Gordon, Wis. Kristin Kasinskas called 911 on Thursday, to report that Jayme Closs, 13, had been found after Nutter, who was out walking her dog, encountered her and brought her to Kasinskas' house. Closs went missing in October after her parents were killed. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP) The sign outside Barron, Wis., City Hall, Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, welcomes Jayme Closs, a 13-year-old northwestern Wisconsin girl who went missing in October after her parents were killed. Closs was found alive in the rural town of Gordon, Wis., about about 60 miles north of her home in Barron, authorities said Thursday, Jan. 10. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP) FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2018, file photo, a Barron County, Wis., sheriff's vehicle is parked outside the home where James Closs and Denise Closs were found fatally shot on Oct. 15. The Barron County Sheriff's Department said on its Facebook page that the missing teenager Jayme Closs has been found alive Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, and that a suspect was taken into custody. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File) WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A convicted criminal with a knife rushed on to the stage during the finale of a charity event Sunday night and stabbed a Polish mayor in the heart and abdomen before shouting that he did it for political revenge, in an attack that left doctors fighting to save the politician's life. Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz grabbed his belly and collapsed in front of the audience at the "Lights to Heaven" fundraiser organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the country's most important charity. Doctors reanimated Adamowicz on the spot and then transported him to Medical University of Gdansk, where he underwent five hours of surgery, said Dr. Tomasz Stefaniak, one of the doctors treating Adamowicz. Almost seven hours after the assault, Stefaniak told reporters early Monday that "the patient is alive," triggering applause, but added that the mayor remained "in a very serious condition." "The next hours will decide everything," Stefaniak said, appealing for thoughts and prayers for the popular mayor. Polish media reported that a number of political officials and Gdansk Archbishop Slawoj Leszek Glod went to the hospital during the operation. Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz,right, far right, speaks to an audience shortly before he was stabbed in Gdansk, Poland, on Sunday Jan. 13, 2019. Adamowicz was taken to a hospital in very serious condition after the attack and underwent surgery. (AP Photo/Anna Rezulak/KFP) POLAND AUT After the knife attack, the assailant shouted from the stage that he had been wrongly imprisoned under a previous national government led by Civic Platform, a party to which the mayor formerly belonged. He said his name was Stefan and that "I was jailed but innocent. ... Civic Platform tortured me. That's why Adamowicz just died." Police said the suspect was a 27-year-old with a criminal record and had carried out bank robberies. A police spokesman, Mariusz Ciarka, said the attacker appeared to have mental problems and gained access to the area with a media badge. He was arrested and is under investigation. TVN footage showed Adamowicz on stage with a sparkler in hand telling the audience that it had been a "wonderful day" and then the attacker came toward him. The mayor had been on the streets of his Baltic port city earlier in the day collecting money for the charity, along with volunteers around the country. European Council President Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister who co-founded Civil Platform and is from Gdansk, wrote on Twitter: "Let's all pray for Mayor Adamowicz. Pawel, we are with you." The head of the charity, Jerzy Owsiak, is a liberal critic of Poland's current right-wing government. He blamed what he described as an atmosphere of hate under the ruling Law and Justice party for the attack on the mayor. Adamowicz, 53, has been mayor of Gdansk since 1998. He was part of the democratic opposition born in that city under the leadership of Lech Walesa during the 1980s. After leaving Civic Platform, he was re-elected to a sixth term as an independent candidate in the fall. As mayor, he has been a progressive voice, supporting LGBT rights and tolerance for minorities. He marched in last year's gay pride parade, a rare action for a mayor in Poland. He also showed solidarity with the Jewish community when the city's synagogue had its windows broken last year, strongly denouncing the vandalism. "Horrified by the brutal attack on Gdansk mayor Pawel Adamowicz," said Frans Timmermans, a Dutch politician and leading European Union official. "Hope and pray he will recover. A great leader of his city and a true humanitarian." The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity raises money to buy state-of-the-art medical equipment for Poland's cash-strapped state hospitals, mostly for children. The last attack on a politician in Poland was in 2010 in Lodz. A man shouting that he wanted to kill Law and Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski fatally shot an aide to one of the party's lawmakers to the European Parliament. A second man was stabbed and injured. At the time Law and Justice was in the opposition and Kaczynski blamed the attack at an "atmosphere of hate" under the rival party, Civic Platform. A man holds a sharp object just after stabbing Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz, on Sunday Jan. 13, 2019. Adamowicz was taken to a hospital in very serious condition after the attack and underwent an operation.(AP Photo/Anna Rezulak) FILE - In this Saturday, April 21, 2018 file photo, the mayor of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz addresses a rally organized in protest against a recent gathering by far-right groups in this Baltic coast city, in Gdansk, Poland. A private broadcaster in Poland is reporting that a man attacked 53-year-old Mayor Pawel Adamowicz while he was on stage on Sunday Jan. 13, 2019, for the finale of the charity event in the Baltic city. (AP Photo/Wojciech Strozyk, File) Jerzy Owsiak, founder of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation, speaks for TV during the 27th Grand Final of the annual charity drive in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) MILAN (AP) - Nowhere is the transition in the fashion world more evident than during the menswear preview shows in Milan taking place on the second of three days Sunday. Only in Milan does three days make for a Fashion Week; the Paris menswear calendar claims a full six days. Designers cite a breakdown of fashion world rules. A strict four-week-a-year cycle once guided fashion capitals, covering menswear and womenswear and the spring/summer fall/winter calendars. Now, designers are deciding to invest elsewhere to grab consumer attention. Gucci and Giorgio Armani are both skipping the menswear cycle for next winter in Milan and offering co-ed shows in February, while maintaining a presence this month with other events. Armani opened an exhibit at his Silos museum of portraits by French photographer Charles Freger. Gucci is hosting a performance on the closing day at its Gucci Hub. Highlights from Sunday's shows: ____ A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) MILITANT PRADA Miuccia Prada observes a world becoming more "difficult, dangerous, boiling" and interpreting it through fashion. Her latest collection had a strong military silhouette, but offset with whimsical details. 'It came out naturally," Prada said. "I didn't know that I wanted to do it, but the only thing I had in mind was military." Prada's looks mostly were done in black and navy, starting with elegant men's suits first shown with the jacket casually opened, worn shirtless and having slightly cropped trousers that revealed bare ankles. But the collection had more than one mood, alternating between the disciplined feel of double-breasted jackets fastened closed with a triple belt and the rock-and-roll of bare chests adorned with chunky male necklaces under open jackets. Ever playful, Prada softened the military looks with fuzzy, colorful patches on the shoulders, like epaulets, and tufts of colored fur accents peeking out of caps. Prints on shirts included lightning bolts and beating hearts placed with anatomical correctness, Prada's nod to cheesy horror movies. The soundtrack included harder-rock versions of music from the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "The Addams Family." Prada said she wasn't necessarily a fan, but was fascinated that the writer who created Frankenstein's monster, Mary Shelley, initially had to publish under her husband's name. The designer punctuated the show with looks for women, including tailored suits with external bustiers, cocktail dresses with elegant necklines and romantic full skirts with crystal accents. A cargo dress in fitted black was paired with a furry, red safari hat. ____ RICHMOND RETURNS British designer John Richmond marked his return to the Milan fashion calendar with a co-ed collection featuring dark military looks for men and elegant 1940's starlet-inspired dresses for women. "It is almost two collections. I am not trying to do one thing that works for men and for women," Richmond said. Richmond embroidered Japanese tableaus on recycled military garments and bags for men and decorated recycled Levi's with sequined wings across the hips for women. "We don't have to make more jeans. There are already so many jeans in stock," he said. Women's dresses were extremely elegant, with pointy shoulders, deep V-necks and asymmetrical mini-hemlines. Richmond designed wedge boots with fringe detailing for women. For men, he stuck to the tried-and-true Doc Martens footwear. The designer said his exhortation to reuse, recycle and reduce is not a one-off for this season. "This is a theme forever," he said. ___ NEW RULES IN THE FASHION WORLD Richmond said the rule book in the fashion world has been thrown out. "Instagram primarily has changed the landscape," he said. "We can't turn back the tide. We have to accept it and enjoy it and make it work." The designer showed menswear and womenswear collections that he already started selling at the beginning of the year, grabbing buyers' attention early. Consumers want the runway garments they see on Instagram immediately. By the time womenswear shows come around next month "it's too late. Some buyers aren't coming back anymore," said Richmond, who splits his time between Naples and London. "Maybe in the future we will have shows that are more in season," he speculated. Some brands already are experimenting with the fashion calendar by offering see-now, buy-now capsule collections. ___ SUNNEI GROW UP Sunnei, the 4-year-old brand founded by Italian Simone Rizzo with French designer Loris Messina, is growing up. The brand's first fully co-ed collection featured an oversized wintery silhouette, with enveloping knitwear, sophisticated layering and entwining scarves, clashing at times with body-hugging dresses. "Above all, we stopped being too nice," Rizzo said backstage. "There was always this vein of sarcasm. We said enough." For women, a pretty sky-blue shirt cinched at the waist and featuring a sheepskin turtle neck was worn over a gray Bermuda-length skort. With cold weather in mind, the pair layered pants under skirts. One silver sequin skirt was worn over lightweight wide-legged trousers, with a lemon yellow Henley top. Menswear included a dramatic, oversized white cable-knit tunic with leather sleeves and detailing, worn with trousers cinched at the ankle. "There aren't even slogans or mottos (on the garments) anymore. In fact, there is a beautiful plain white shirt that symbolizes the idea we have now, " Rizzo said. The collection also featured tailored outerwear for both genders. Looks were finished with double beanies with ear covers, leather and PVS bags and proprietary sunglasses. ____ MSGM SPEEDS UP Massimo Giorgetti dedicated his menswear collection to race car drivers, showing vivid prints of flames, driving gloves and jumpsuits. Quoting former race car driver Mario Andretti, Giorgetti's invitation advised: "If you have everything under control, you are not going fast enough." Flames licked at the ankles of jeans worn with a turbo-emblazoned white T-shirt, then exploded on to a shirt-cut jacket and trousers. A Fair Isle knit blurred from orderly zig-zags and diamond-shapes into speedy waves, tucked into red leather pants with black stripes. Giorgetti's double-breasted overcoats weren't so stuffy they couldn't be worn with a hoody and layered with a furry parka. Bombers and overcoats featured manga cartoon prints. Washed-out denim jackets came lined with lambskin and paired with matching jeans. Giorgetti, who often takes inspiration from his native Italy, also celebrated Europe with the words Eur-Hope quilted into leather jackets or emblazoned on knitwear. A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Model Winnie Harlow wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the John Richmond men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Guests arrive prior to the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Prada men's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan.13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) World War II veteran and Purple Heart medal recipient Duane Sherman, 96, received more than 50,000 cards, letters and gifts for his birthday, after a simple Facebook post by his daughter. Sue Morse, 65, said she wanted her dad to feel special, so she requested over social media that friends send well-wishes for his December 30 birthday, expecting to get something like 160 responses. But as of January 9, Sherman, who has outlived most of his friends and who his daughter said only receives bills in the mail, had gotten tens of thousands of letters from all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. One brightly colored envelope in particular was decorated with a message on the outside that read, 'Please handle gently, going to an American hero.' 'I was amazed, shocked and appreciative,' Sherman told the Orange County Register. 'All the good comments people made, it just brightened my day.' World War II veteran and Purple Heart medal recipient Duane Sherman, 96, received more than 50,000 cards, letters and gifts to his Fullerton, California for his birthday, after a simple Facebook post by his daughter Notes poured in from people from all walks of life, including elementary school students, prison inmates, the secretary of the Navy, the State of Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs, and even the Pittsburgh Steelers. Postal bins packed with envelopes of every color are stacked high on two sofas and the floor of Sherman's home - and that's only a few thousand of them. Thousands more are stored at a friend's house and there are bins still to be picked up at the post office, Morse said. Since her father is legally blind, Morse has been reading the cards and letters out loud to her dad, whose wife of 57 years, Lois, passed away in 2011. Sue Morse, 65, said she wanted her dad to feel special, so she requested over social media that friends send well-wishes for his December 30 birthday, expecting to get something like 160 responses from the post. Morse and Sherman pose for a photo at their home in Fullerton, California on January 8 One brightly colored envelope in particular was decorated with a message on the outside that read, 'Please handle gently, going to an American hero' Notes poured in from people from all walks of life, including elementary school students, prison inmates, the secretary of the Navy, the State of Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs (pictured), and even the Pittsburgh Steelers The commander of the USS Cowpens, a guided missile cruiser stationed in San Diego, sent a letter and then visited with several officers to take Sherman to lunch. A group of officers from the US Navy Sonar School in San Diego also paid a visit - listening intently as Sherman told stories about his WW II experience. The mail also brought gifts of mementos, like an American flag that flew over Pearl Harbor, a scale model of a battleship and a plaque carved out of wood from the USS. Constitution. 'It was very gratifying,' Sherman said. 'It was hard to believe.' As of January 9, Sherman, who has outlived most of his friends and who his daughter said only receives bills in the mail, had gotten tens of thousands of letters from all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. A postal worker is pictured with racks of letters and packages for Sherman Sherman received a gift carved from a piece of wood from the USS Constitution Morse shared a photo of this card sent to Sherman, which reads 'Live well, laugh hard, love big' Sherman enlisted in the Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. He was stationed aboard the USS Lamson, a destroyer that saw several battles in the Pacific. Sherman is pictured at his home in California on January 8 Sherman enlisted in the Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. He was stationed aboard the USS Lamson, a destroyer that saw several battles in the Pacific. So far, Morse has read about 1,700 letters. She will enlist the help of several friends to make sure her father hears the messages in the rest of his cards and notes. Morse hopes to respond to most of the letters. BERLIN (AP) - A German labor union has expanded a planned strike by security staff at Frankfurt Airport on Tuesday to include several other airports, including Hamburg. News agency dpa reported that the ver.di union on Sunday announced the one-day walkout at Hamburg, two days after calling the strike at Frankfurt, Germany's busiest hub. Walkouts are also expected Tuesday at the smaller Hannover, Bremen, Leipzig-Halle, Dresden and Erfurt airports. The union wants hourly pay for all workers conducting security checks to rise to 20 euros ($23.10). Employers association BDLS says the amount could amount to a 30-percent increase in some cases. Ver.di says it's waiting for employers to make a negotiable offer for around 23,000 security staff. Earlier strikes resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations at the airports in Duesseldorf, Cologne-Bonn, Stuttgart and Berlin. ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) - Vermont's Catholic Bishop is holding town hall meetings at churches throughout the state this month in an effort to increase transparency amid mounting pressure on the church to respond to sexual abuse claims around the country. Bishop Christopher Coyne says the goal is to listen to people and to discuss how to regain trust among parishioners when attendance is declining. "As many people that are leaving, it is going to take even longer to get them back," Coyne said at the first meeting at St. Mary's Church in St. Albans on Thursday. The other meetings are planned on Jan. 22 at Holy Family Church in Essex Junction; Jan 23 at St. Theresa's Church in Orleans; Jan. 28 at Sacred Heart Church in Bennington; Jan 29 at Christ the King Church in Rutland; and Jan. 31 at St. John Vianney Church in South Burlington. The Catholic Diocese of Burlington announced in October that it would create a committee to look into allegations of abuse of minors involved with the church and release a list of priests accused of sexually abusing children. The announcement came as authorities were investigating resurfaced allegations of physical, mental and sexual abuse at the now-shuttered St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington more than 40 years ago. Some 52 priests were accused of sexually assaulting minors in Vermont, WCAX-TV reported. There has not been an accusation of sexual abuse by a priest in Vermont in 16 years, Coyne said. "I think that by having a conversation with people and someone says, 'I'm concerned that my grandchildren aren't safe in the church,' I can say to them, look, the church right now is probably one of the safest organizations for families and children in the United States," he said. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Latest on the weekend winter storm affecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic (all times local): 4:45 p.m. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency that he says will help utility crews restore electricity more quickly to the state's western Piedmont, foothills and mountains after a winter storm. Cooper issued the statewide declaration Sunday. It waives certain truck restrictions on roads so that vehicles can gain easier access to areas where power lines fell due to freezing rain, ice and fallen trees. About 90,000 Duke Energy and electric cooperative customers in North Carolina were still without power late Sunday afternoon. The most outages still remaining are in Forsyth and Rockingham counties in the Triad and in Henderson County in the central mountains. Cooper's office says nearly 1,000 state Department of Transportation workers also are working to clear snow and ice. Becket Dyer, from Campbell, Calif., uses a blow up unicorn as a sled on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) __ 12 p.m. Virginia State Police say a fatal crash on Interstate 81 occurred when a military surplus vehicle's driver lost control due to slick road conditions as a winter storm went through the region. The accident happened Saturday night in a southbound lane of I-81 in Pulaski County. The vehicle was struck by two tractor-trailers. One tractor-trailer and the surplus truck stopped in the median, while the other tractor-trailer crossed northbound lanes and struck a fence. State police said the surplus vehicle's driver died at the scene. He was identified as 73-year-old Ronald W. Harris of Gainesville, Georgia. The tractor-trailer drivers were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. A police spokeswoman said a Virginia medical examiner would determine if Harris' death was storm-related. At least five other people have been were killed in crashes on slick roadways in Kansas and Missouri since Friday due to storm conditions. ___ 11:45 a.m. A winter storm that contributed to at least five deaths in the Midwest is pummeling the mid-Atlantic region for a second day, bringing snow, freezing rain and power outages. Nearly 200,000 people were without electricity in Virginia and North Carolina on Sunday morning. The wintry mix was also causing problems at airports in the region, including more than 250 flight cancellations Sunday at the three main airports serving the nation's capital. In Baltimore, a man was fatally shot as he shoveled snow early Sunday morning. Police said a 43-year-old man was outside shoveling at 4:40 a.m. when an unidentified suspect shot him in the shoulder and head. He died at a local hospital. The storm was expected to continue into Sunday evening. People sled on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Morgan Miller carries her one-year-old daughter Mia Jennings in one arm as she shovels the stairs to her Springfield home with the other Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Miller said she's learned how to do a lot of things while holding a baby in the last year. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP) Snow covers the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. A winter storm brought snow to the Mid-Atlantic region, where forecasters upped their predicted weekend accumulations and transportation and emergency officials urged residents to stay off the roads. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Isabella Orsini jumps into her sled as she plays in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A massive winter snowstorm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous. (Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald via AP) Sam Person clears snow in Papillion, Neb., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A massive winter snowstorm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous. (Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald via AP) Traffic moves along Pacific Street near its intersection with 189th Street as snow falls in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A massive winter snowstorm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous. (Ryan Soderlin/Omaha World-Herald via AP) A snow family is seen on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Two children go over a ramp as they sled on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Jeremy Binstock gives his niece Olivia Binstock, 4, a sled ride as he hangs onto his dog Bagel, on Capitol Hill as a winter storm arrives in the region, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) 7 were arrested in cow slaughter case out of which three of themAzhar Khan, Nadeem Khan, Mehboob Aliwere charged under NSA. The violence which occurred after right-wing activists protested against alleged cow slaughter in the area claimed the lives of a police officer and a civilian. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The Bulandshahr district administration on Monday invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against three people arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughtering incident in Siyana tehsil last month, officials said. The violence which occurred after right-wing activists protested against alleged cow slaughter in the area claimed the lives of a police officer and a civilian. Two separate FIRs were registeredone for the violence in which nearly 80 people including 27 named and the other for cow slaughterat the Siyana police station. District Magistrate Anuj Jha confirmed that the stringent law -- which provides the authorities with powers to detain anybody acting in "any manner prejudicial to national security" -- was invoked against the accused. Seven people were arrested in the cow slaughter case, officials said, adding that three of themAzhar Khan, Nadeem Khan, Mehboob Aliwere charged under the NSA. "The three accused had applied for bail and there was a chance of them getting the bail. Keeping that in mind, the National Security Act has been invoked against them," District Magistrate Anuj Jha said. "To maintain public order and amity, the three have been charged under the section 3 sub-section 3 of the NSA. The action has been taken based on a police report which stated that the trio indulged in cow slaughtering for earning money illegally," Jha added. Yogesh Raj, a district leader of right-wing group Bajrang Dal, was arrested last week for allegedly fomenting violence at Mahaw village in Siyana on December 3. However, the Bajrang Dal maintains that Raj is innocent and will be cleared of all allegations soon. (With PTI inputs) DAVIS, Calif. (AP) - The man who shot and killed a rookie California police officer left a letter on the bed in the home where he lived claiming police bombarded him with ultrasonic waves, officials said. Police in the college town of Davis near Sacramento on Saturday made public the one-paragraph letter they said was written by Kevin Douglas Limbaugh, 48. He killed himself Thursday after fatally shooting Officer Natalie Corona. Police spokesman Lt. Paul Doroshov said the paper was found face up on the gunman's bed. "The Davis Police department has been hitting me with ultra sonic (sic) waves meant to keep dogs from barking," the letter said. "I notified the press, internal affairs, and even the FBI about it. I am highly sensitive to its affect (sic) on my inner ear. I did my best to appease them, but they have continued for years and I can't live this way anymore." The handwritten note was signed "Citizen Kevin Limbaugh." Also recovered as evidence from the man's home were two unregistered guns. Davis police did not immediately respond Sunday to a telephone message seeking comment on whether Limbaugh had reported his claims to officials. This 2018 booking photo released by the Yolo County Sheriff's Office shows Kevin Douglas Limbaugh. Authorities identified the 48-year-old Limbaugh as the man who shot and killed Davis, Calif., rookie police officer Natalie Corona, 22, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, and later took his own life during a standoff with police. The Sacramento Bee reports that court documents show Limbaugh was convicted in a battery case and agreed in November to surrender a semiautomatic rifle. (Yolo County Sheriff's Office via AP) Investigators have not identified a motive for the ambush shooting of the 22-year-old officer as she investigated a car accident. The Sacramento Bee reported that court documents show Limbaugh was charged and convicted in a battery case last fall, and he agreed in November to surrender the weapon. The case stemmed from Limbaugh getting arrested in September for assaulting someone at Cache Creek Casino, Yolo County Sheriff's Sgt. Matthew Davis said. Authorities have not determined where Limbaugh obtained the two semi-automatic handguns he was believed to have used in the Thursday night attack that killed Corona. Police said a gunman on a bicycle ambushed the officer, shooting her from the shadows as she investigated a car accident, then reloaded and narrowly avoided wounding others before walking home. At his house a few blocks away, he casually chatted with his roommate as if nothing happened and even went outside to watch as police from around the region began rushing to the shooting scene, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said Friday. The gunman left behind a backpack that helped police track him to the house. The chief said as police began to surround it, he stepped outside wearing a bulletproof vest. "He shouted some stuff, went back in and came back out with a firearm, then went back inside, pushed a couch in front of the door and officers heard a gunshot," Pytel said. Police eventually sent a robotic camera in and found the gunman had shot himself in the head. Police found the handguns in the home. The shooting devastated the Davis Police Department, which has about 60 sworn officers and about 30 other employees. Corona was the first officer in the department to die in the line of duty since 1959. She had only been patrolling solo for about two weeks, the chief said. A candlelight vigil for the slain officer was held Saturday night. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. The confusing incident, which drew swift international condemnation, is bound to ramp up tensions between the opposition and government following President Nicolas Maduro's swearing in for a controversial second term this month. A video circulating on social media purports to show the moment in which Juan Guaido is intercepted on his way to an anti-government town hall meeting in the port city of La Guaira. In the video shot on a cellphone by a motorist stuck in traffic, several men in ski masks and carrying assault weapons are seen struggling to shut the door on someone being pushed into an SUV before racing down a highway. While it was not possible to identify Guaido in the 33-second video, his wife, Fabiana Rosales, said on Twitter that he had been detained by a commando unit of the feared SEBIN intelligence police. As news of his detention spread, he was then released. "We are going to fulfill our constitutional duties," Guaido said a group of cheering supporters at the rally. "We are survivors - not victims, and we are going to move this country forward." Juan Guaido, president of National Assembly, shows marks on his wrists, which he says are from handcuffs, to supporters at a rally in Caraballeda, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. Guaido's wife Fabiana Rosales stands next to him, right. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Adding to the confusion, the government tried to shift the blame to Guaido's allies, with Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez saying that the "media show" had perhaps been orchestrated to provoke an international uproar. Still, he acknowledged that police officers had partook in the arrest and said they would be disciplined. "We want to inform the people of Venezuela that the officials who took that upon themselves are being dismissed," Rodriguez said on state TV. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Venezuela's security forces to uphold its citizens' constitutional rights, singling out Intelligence Chief Manuel Cristopher Figuera. "The U.S. and the world are watching," Pompeo tweeted. A coalition of 13 Latin American countries and Canada condemned Guaido's "arbitrary" detention targeting the head of the National Assembly. In a statement, the Lima Group rejected any "pressure or coercion that prevents the full and normal exercise of their powers as an organ constitutionally and legitimately elected in Venezuela." At the rally Sunday after the incident, Guaido told The Associated Press that the SEBIN agents informed him they were carrying out orders from above when they arrested him. "They tried to put me in handcuffs," he told the crowd of a few hundred waving Venezuelan flags. "But I didn't let them because I'm president of the National Assembly." Guaido has been leading an increasingly tense standoff with Maduro seeking to oust the socialist from power, winning the support of some powerful international allies like U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who spoke to him by phone shortly after the 35-year-old assumed the presidency of the opposition-controlled National Assembly. At a rally Friday he said he was prepared to take over as Venezuela's interim president and call for new elections, a move the U.S. and regional governments support. But for such a strategy to succeed, he said Venezuelans must take to the streets to express their discontent with Maduro's handling of what was once Latin America's wealthiest nation. To that end, he called for nationwide demonstrations Jan. 23 to coincide with the anniversary of the 1958 ousting of military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. Guaido said that comments by Rodriquez, the government's spokesman, reveal a broken chain of command between Maduro and Venezuela's armed services. "If they recognize that they no longer control the state's security agencies, then they have a very serious problem," Guaido said. "Maduro no longer controls the armed forces." ___ Goodman reported from Bogota, Colombia. National Assembly President Juan Guaido, top left, is surrounded by bodyguards as he leaves an opposition rally where he spoke in Caraballeda, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. Guaido's wife Fabiana Rosales stands next to him, right. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Juan Guaido, president of National Assembly, shows marks on his wrists which he says are from handcuffs, to supporters at a rally in Caraballeda, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, as his wife Fabiana Rosales stands next to him. The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Juan Guaido, president of National Assembly, shows marks on his wrists, which he says are from handcuffs, to supporters at a rally in Caraballeda, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. Guaido's wife Fabiana Rosales stands next to him, right. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) National Assembly President Juan Guaido, top left, is surrounded by body guards as he leaves a rally where he spoke in Caraballeda, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. Guaido's wife Fabiana Rosales stands next to him, right. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) ATHENS, Greece (AP) - The Latest on the deal between Greece and Macedonia to end a long dispute over the Macedonia name (all times local): 5:00 p.m. The United States has expressed support for Macedonia joining NATO and the European Union once a deal renaming the country North Macedonia goes into effect. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised lawmakers in Macedonia for approving the constitutional amendments needed for the name change and other terms of the country's agreement with Greece to end a long-running dispute. He says the agreement is "a historic opportunity to advance stability, security, and prosperity throughout the region." Pompeo said in a statement on Saturday: "Macedonia's leaders demonstrated vision, courage, and persistence in their pursuit of a solution to the name dispute, which will allow Macedonia to take its rightful place in NATO and the EU as the Republic of North Macedonia." Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, center, makes a statement to the media following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greece's parliament is supposed to ratify the deal next. However, opposition to it roiled the coalition government in Athens on Sunday. The Greek defense minister resigned over the agreement and prime minister says he will seek a confidence vote. ___ 12:30 p.m. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says he will ask for a confidence vote on his government in the coming week following the defense minister's resignation over a deal to end a long dispute over neighboring Macedonia's name. Tsipras said he had a "frank discussion" with the departing minister, Panos Kammenos, leader of the junior partner in Greece's coalition government. He thanked Kammenos for his government partnership. Tsipras also announced that Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would replace Kammenos as defense minister. Greece and Macedonia agreed last June to a deal that would change the name of Greece's northern neighbor to North Macedonia. In exchange, Greece would lift its objections to the country joining NATO. The deal ended a dispute that had been going on since the early 1990s but it is opposed by conservatives like Kammenos, who feel that Tsipras gave away too many concessions. Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, leaves Maximos mansion following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos leaves Maximos mansion following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, left, leaves Maximos mansion following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, second left, arrives for a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A federal appeals court has refused to re-impose restrictions on Republican National Committee voter activities set in motion decades ago by a New Jersey gubernatorial race. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision by U.S. District Judge John Vazquez ending a court-ordered agreement, called a consent decree, to prevent the Republican National Committee from targeting minority voters. The agreement was to expire in 2017, but the judge allowed the Democratic National Committee more time to try and show violations had occurred, which included allowing lawyers to question former Republican National Committee official Sean Spicer about his activities at Trump Tower on the night of the 2016 election. Vazquez said the Democratic National Committee hadn't proven a violation of the consent decree, which RNC lawyers contend the organization has complied with for years. The Democratic National Committee appealed, saying that the judge didn't allow its lawyers to interview additional witnesses. But the three-judge appeals court panel unanimously ruled last week that Vazquez "reasonably limited the scope" of the Democratic requests. "While it is possible that another court would have allowed further discovery or managed the case differently, we review only for abuse of discretion," the appeals court said. "The District Court did not abuse its discretion, and we will not upset its thoughtful adjudication of the matter." The consent decree followed the 1981 New Jersey gubernatorial election, during which the Democratic National Committee alleged the Republican National Committee helped intimidate black voters by stationing off-duty law enforcement officers, some with guns visible, at polling places in urban areas. Without admitting wrongdoing, the RNC agreed the following year to enter into a consent decree that restricted its ability to engage in ballot security activities. Voting rights advocates argue that the consent decree is still needed to prevent intimidation at the polls, pointing to President Donald Trump's unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2016 election. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational use in New York are gaining steam, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo predicts a bill will pass this year. But don't expect to see pot shops opening up from Brooklyn to Buffalo anytime soon. While there's broad agreement on the idea of legalization, there's no consensus on a long list of details that must be figured out first. Taxes and regulations must be approved. Rules for licensing retailers must be written. A new government entity may have to be created. Local governments will have to be brought in. Even after a bill passes, it could take a year or more for any pot shops to open, based on what's happened in other states and New York's own experience with medical marijuana. While reaching a compromise will prove difficult, lawmakers in New York say they have the advantages of seeing what's worked and what hasn't in other states that have eliminated the ban. That growing list includes Washington, Colorado, California and now neighboring Massachusetts. "There does seem to be this air of inevitability," said Sen. James Skoufis, a Democrat from the Hudson Valley's Orange County. "But we need to make sure we do it right." LEGALIZE WHAT, EXACTLY? In this April 27, 2015 photo, New York State Assembly member Crystal Peoples-Stokes, stands behind Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, during a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Peoples-Stokes and Heastie argue that thousands of black and Latino New Yorkers were unfairly targeted by police and prosecutors during decades of the war on drugs. According to Heastie, any marijuana legalization must be accompanied by the expungement of past criminal convictions for marijuana possession. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File) First off, lawmakers will have to set the broad parameters of the law. All legalization proposals so far would eliminate legal penalties for the adult use of marijuana in a private home. Almost all would permit retail shops where people could buy the product. But what about Amsterdam-style pot cafes, where users could partake on site, while perhaps enjoying food, a cup of coffee or even an alcoholic beverage? Would people be allowed to consume marijuana outside? In their cars? At hotels? While children are present? Should local governments be able to prohibit pot shops in a certain town or county? States have taken their own approach to each question. California allows pot cafes, while other states do not. Washington, the first state to legalize marijuana, requires users to smoke in their own homes or, if they rent, with their landlord's permission. Vermont's law legalizes possession and use of marijuana but makes no provisions for retail sales. So far, the 10 states that have legalized weed have all put in place a minimum age of 21, mirroring the rules for alcohol. Some supporters, including the New York Public Interest Research Group, say the age should be set at 18 in New York, arguing that picking 21 would only push younger users to the black market. The growing list of states is one reason why lawmakers say they want to legalize marijuana in New York this year. Officials in New Jersey and Connecticut are also weighing legalization, and Massachusetts and Vermont have already done it. Officials say they don't want to be left behind and see New Yorkers travel to other states to spend their money. "I think we're going to pass it," Cuomo said this past week when asked about the prospects for passage this year. HOW FAST AND HOW MANY? Will the state create a new agency to oversee marijuana, put it under the control of an existing office, such as the Department of Health, which oversees medical marijuana, or leave much of the decision to local governments? The answer could determine how many retail shops are ultimately allowed, and when they might open. New York has a history of taking a slow, cautious approach when it comes to pot. Lawmakers approved medical marijuana in 2014, but in a limited fashion. Only a handful of dispensaries were authorized, and only non-smokable forms of cannabis were allowed. Even then, the first dispensaries didn't open for nearly 18 months. In California, many of the decisions about licensing and approving local pot retailers are given to local authorities, with the thinking that they know what works best for their community, residents and businesses. But opponents say it can lead to a confusing mishmash of rules and a lack of oversight. Massachusetts took a far different approach, giving a state task force control over approving retail shops. That's led to a slower, more conservative roll out. Voters approved legal pot in the Bay State in 2016, but the first retail shops didn't open until late last year. Six are now open, compared to hundreds in California. "New York has the benefit of not being the first to do this," said Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat. "There's a lot to learn from the rest of the country." THE OPPOSITION Democrats now control New York's Assembly, Senate and the governor's office, giving marijuana supporters a clear path to legal marijuana this year. But opponents remain, and they'll do what they can to fight or limit legalization. "Legalizing recreational marijuana could likely adversely impact the health of a great many New Yorkers," Sarah Ravenhall, the director of the state Association of County Health Officials, wrote in an op-ed published Thursday. The group questions how the state will discourage pregnant or nursing women from consuming pot, and whether enough will be done to keep the drug out of the hands of minors. Local prosecutors have pointed out that law enforcement will have to consider the best ways of testing marijuana impairment in drivers, a difficult goal since the active ingredients in marijuana can stay in the bloodstream for weeks - long after the effects have worn off. That's a challenge supporters acknowledge as well. Police and prosecutors around the country are struggling with the same issue. Field sobriety tests have long been used to catch drunken or drugged drivers, and many departments are stepping up their training now that they expect to encounter more drivers who have consumed marijuana. Washington state has established a legal limit for THC in a drivers' system, similar to the well-known 0.08 blood alcohol level used to catch drunken drivers. Other states are considering following suit. "To us, the hardest thing to figure out is what do you do about driving under the influence," said Blair Horner, director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. Sen. Fred Akshar, a Republican from Broome County and a former undersheriff, said he and many of his colleagues remain concerned about the harmful effects of legalization. "It's going to have a profound effect on public safety," Akshar said. TAXES Among the toughest questions will be how much to charge in taxes and what to do with the revenue. And there's no shortage of ideas. Some have suggested revenue could support repairs to New York City's aging subway system. Others want it spent on efforts to fight addiction and mental health. Many say it should just go into the state's general fund, like revenue from other taxes and fees. Then there's the question of the appropriate tax rate, which creates a problem Goldilocks would understand: set the rate too high and consumers might buy from the black market or drive to nearby states where pot is cheaper. Set it too low and the program won't raise the money officials say the state needs. "If you charge too much, you will drive the business back to the illegal sales because it is just less expensive," Cuomo told reporters Thursday. REVISITING THE WAR ON DRUGS? Marijuana legalization must be accompanied by the expungement of past criminal convictions for marijuana possession, according to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat whose powerful position gives him significant influence over the debate. Heastie and fellow pot supporter, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a Buffalo Democrat, argue that thousands of black and Latino New Yorkers were unfairly targeted by police and prosecutors during decades of the war on drugs. Proposals aimed at setting things right include giving minorities or residents of neighborhoods hard hit by the war on drugs precedence when it comes to licenses to grow or sell marijuana. Another would funnel some of the pot revenue toward efforts to help low-income neighborhoods. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigation (all times local): 8:10 p.m. Officials are expressing regret that President Donald Trump didn't more clearly and forcefully deny working on behalf of Russia when asked during a Fox News interview. That's according to aides and Republicans close to the White House who spoke to The Associated Press. The New York Times reported that law enforcement officials began investigating, in 2017, whether Trump had been working on behalf of Russia against U.S. interests. When asked about the Times report, Trump called it "insulting." In the same interview, Trump also objected to a report in The Washington Post that said he went to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin even from high-ranking officials in his own administration. FILE - In this April 11, 2018, file photo, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former attorney, walks along a sidewalk in New York. Cohen will testify publicly before Congress in February 2019. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) ___ 2:10 p.m. Three Democrats who head influential House committees are warning President Donald Trump not to obstruct their efforts to question his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Their statement follows Trump's comments in a Fox News Channel interview in which he alleges potential legal problems involving a Cohen relative and takes digs at Cohen's honesty and own legal woes. In their message to Trump, the chairmen of the Intelligence, Judiciary and Oversight committees say: "Our nation's laws prohibit efforts to discourage, intimidate, or otherwise pressure a witness not to provide testimony to Congress." Cohen's testimony on Feb. 7 could serve as the opening salvo of a promised Democratic effort to scrutinize Trump, his conflicts of interest and his ties to Russia. Cohen has gone from being a trusted legal adviser to the president to a public antagonist who has cooperated extensively with prosecutors. That's led Trump to have called Cohen a "rat." ___ 12 p.m. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says he'll force a vote in the coming days on the Treasury Department's decision to ease sanctions on three companies connected to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has defended the decision, saying the companies are undergoing a major restructuring to "sever Deripaska's control and significantly diminish his ownership." He says Deripaska himself and any companies he controls remain under sanctions. Schumer, however, contends the Russian oligarch maintains significant influence on these companies, including the aluminum manufacturing giant Rusal. Schumer says it's important the sanctions remain in place while the special counsel's Russia investigation proceeds. Deripaska has figured into the investigation due to his ties to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. ___ 10:25 a.m. The top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee has disputed President Donald Trump's claim that he's been tougher on Russia than any recent president. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia says almost all of the sanctions on Russia arose in Congress because of huge concerns by both parties about Russia's actions. Speaking Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Warner accused the Trump White House of being slow to implement the sanctions. Trump most recently made the claim following a published report that his behavior in the early months of his presidency gave federal law enforcement officials reason to begin investigating whether he had worked for Russia against American interests. In Saturday's interview, Trump avoided giving a direct answer when asked if he currently is or has ever worked for Russia. ___ 9 a.m. President Donald Trump has avoided giving a direct answer when asked if he currently is or has ever worked for Russia after a published report said his behavior gave federal law enforcement officials reason to begin investigating whether he had worked for the U.S. adversary. The New York Times reported that Trump's behavior in the days around his firing of James Comey as FBI director helped trigger the counterintelligence part of the investigation. The report Friday cited unnamed former law enforcement officials and others familiar with the investigation. Trump responded to the report Saturday during a telephone interview broadcast on Fox News Channel after host Jeanine Pirro asked whether he is currently or has ever worked for Russia. He said: "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." Trump never answered Pirro's question directly. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - The head of Iran's nuclear program said Sunday that the Islamic Republic has begun "preliminary activities for designing" a modern process for 20-percent uranium enrichment for its 50-year-old research reactor in Tehran, signaling new danger for the nuclear deal. Restarting enrichment at that level would mean Iran had withdrawn the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers, an accord that President Donald Trump already pulled America out of in May. However, Ali Akbar Salehi's comments to state television appeared aimed at telling the world Iran would slowly restart its program. If it chooses, it could resume mass enrichment at its main facility in the central Iranian town of Natanz. "Preliminary activities for designing modern 20 percent (enriched uranium) fuel have begun," state TV quoted Salehi as saying. Salehi said adding the "modern fuel" will increase efficiency in Tehran research reactor that consumes 20-percent enriched fuel. "We are at the verge" of being ready, he said, without elaborating. FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2018 file photo, Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi speaks in an interview with The Associated Press at the headquarters of Iran's atomic energy agency, in Tehran, Iran. Salehi told Iranian state television on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019 that the Islamic Republic has begun "preliminary activities for designing" a modern process for 20-percent uranium enrichment for its 50-year-old research reactor in Tehran, signaling new danger for the nuclear deal. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) In June, Iran informed the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog that it will increase its nuclear enrichment capacity within the limits set by the 2015 agreement with world powers. Iran continues to comply with the terms of the deal, according to the U.N., despite the American pullout. Salehi heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, whose Tehran campus holds the nuclear research reactor given to the country by the U.S. in 1967 under the rule of the shah. But in the time since that American "Atoms for Peace" donation, Iran was convulsed by its 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent takeover and hostage crisis at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. For decades since, Western nations have been concerned about Iran's nuclear program, accusing Tehran of seeking atomic weapons. Iran long has said its program is for peaceful purposes, but it faced years of crippling sanctions. The 2015 nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers, including the U.S. under President Barack Obama, was aimed at relieving those fears. Under it, Iran agreed to store its excess centrifuges at its underground Natanz enrichment facility under constant surveillance by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran can use 5,060 older-model IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz, but only to enrich uranium up to 3.67 percent. That low-level enrichment means the uranium can be used to fuel a civilian reactor but is far below the 90 percent needed to produce a weapon. Iran also can possess no more than 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of that uranium. That's compared to the 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds) of higher-enriched uranium it once had. Trump, who campaigned on a promise to tear up the nuclear deal, said he ultimately pulled America out of the accord over Iran's ballistic missile program and its malign influence on the wider Mideast. In an interview in September with The Associated Press, Salehi warned that Iran could begin mass production of more advanced centrifuges if the deal collapses. "If we have to go back and withdraw from the nuclear deal, we certainly do not go back to where we were before," Salehi said at the time. "We will be standing on a much, much higher position." ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the partial government shutdown (all times local): 10:15 a.m. A Donald Trump ally says the president isn't giving in on his demands for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border - the issue that's led to a partial government shutdown now in its 23rd day. Sen. Lindsey Graham says he encouraged Trump during a telephone conversation Sunday to reopen government for a short period to try to negotiate a deal with Democrats to end the impasse. But the South Carolina Republican tells "Fox News Sunday" that Trump wants a deal first. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, wants Trump to end the shutdown first. Snow falls on the White House as a winter storm arrives in the region, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Graham says he thinks Trump is willing to accept the level of wall funding he is seeking, along with some immigration measures Democrats might accept, such as helping immigrants who were illegally brought to the U.S. as minors. Trump has said that while he wants a broader immigration deal, he first wants to hear what the Supreme Court has to say about the group known as "Dreamers." ___ 12:20 a.m. President Donald Trump is pushing back against the idea that he doesn't have a strategy to end the partial government shutdown, now into its fourth week. At the same time he's not saying what his strategy is. Trump says in a Fox News Channel interview that he has "no idea" whether he can get a deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The California Democrat opposes spending money on what she calls an "ineffective, wasteful wall" along the U.S. southern border. Funding for the border wall remains the sticking point in passing budgets to reopen the government. Trump continues to hold out the possibility that he'll declare a national emergency to build the wall without congressional approval. WASHINGTON (AP) - In Rochester, New York, a maker of furnaces for semiconductor and solar companies is moving its research and development to China to dodge President Donald Trump's import taxes - a move that threatens a handful of its 26 U.S. jobs. In California's San Joaquin Valley, the CEO of a company that makes precision parts for the biomedical and chip making fields jokes bitterly that he's running "a nonprofit" and might have to cut jobs. And west of Detroit, a metal stamping company that supplies the auto industry is losing business to foreign rivals because Trump's steel tariffs have raised metals prices in the United States. Trump frequently boasts that the taxes he's imposed on imports - steel and aluminum and nearly half of all goods from China - have showered the U.S. Treasury with newfound revenue. "We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs," he tweeted last month. "MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN." Yet tariffs like Trump's account for barely 1 percent of federal revenue. It's actually companies like Linton Crystal Technologies in Rochester, Accu-Swiss Inc. in Oakdale, California, and Clips & Clamps Industries in Plymouth, Michigan, that are paying the price for his trade wars. Tariffs tend to swell the cost of these companies' materials and leave them at a competitive disadvantage to foreign rivals unburdened by import taxes. And their exports can be taxed when other countries retaliate with their own tariffs. FILE- This June, 28, 2018, photo shows rolls of finished steel at a facility in Granite City, Ill. The president frequently boasts that the taxes he's imposed on imports, steel and aluminum and nearly half of all goods from China, have showered the U.S. Treasury with newfound revenue. "We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs,'' President Donald Trump tweeted last month. "MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN.'' Yet the fact is that tariffs like Trump's account for barely 1 percent of federal revenue. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) "Wars are messy," said Todd Barnum, chief operating officer at Linton Crystal Technologies. "All the troops get hurt." Back in December 2017, Trump gave those companies and others a gift when he signed a measure that slashed the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The next month, though, he started slapping tariffs on imports - beginning with solar panels and dishwashers, before moving on to steel and aluminum and then hitting $250 billion in Chinese goods. "Thank you for the tax cut," said Jeff Aznavorian, president of Clips & Clamps. "However, I'm not going to be benefiting because I'm not going to have any profits to pay tax on." For his company, "tariffs have completely undermined everything good that those tax cuts brought." The higher costs resulting from Trump's tariffs have yet to inflict much overall damage to a still-robust American economy, which is less reliant on international trade than most other countries are. Fueled by lower taxes, the economy grew at an impressive 3.4 percent annual rate from July through September after having surged 4.2 percent in the previous quarter. And employers added 2.6 million jobs last year, the most since 2015. And while numerous companies are hurting from the president's confrontational trade stance, some are benefiting from it. An aluminum smelter in Missouri reopened under new ownership this year, for instance, and credited the aluminum tariffs for reducing foreign competition and bringing 450 jobs to New Madrid County. But for many businesses, the tariffs are escalating costs, creating hardships and magnifying uncertainty. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index plunged last month to its lowest point in more than two years partly because of the tariffs. And the Federal Reserve appears increasingly worried that damage from the trade war will undercut the economy. The potential costs of Trump's tariff campaign become clear early this month when Apple warned that trade hostilities with Beijing were hurting its business in China - a key reason why its first-quarter revenue would fall below expectations. "It's not going to be just Apple," Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White Council of Economic Advisers, acknowledged to CNN. Companies with significant sales in China will "be watching their earnings downgraded next year until we get a deal with China." Trump's tariffs are, in theory, supposed to help U.S. producers by raising the prices of goods their foreign competitors ship from abroad. But tariffs, a tax paid by importers, can backfire. They tend to hurt American companies that buy foreign goods for resale or for use as components in U.S.-made products. Many U.S. importers face a wrenching choice: They can pass their higher costs on to their customers and risk losing business. Or they can absorb the extra costs themselves and sacrifice profits. And tariffs, of course, invite retaliation. The European Union, Canada, Mexico and others have retaliated against U.S. products as payback for Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs. China has imposed tariffs on $110 billion in American goods. Among the products on Beijing's hit list are American soybeans, an important export among Trump supporters in the U.S. heartland. To ease the pain, the administration last year handed farmers relief worth $11 billion - money that reduces the trade war's contribution to the Treasury. Peter Meyer, head of grain and oilseed analytics at S&P Global Platts, said the payments allowed soybean farmers to recoup their losses from the trade war. But the damage could prove longer-lasting. Before the trade hostilities erupted, China bought 60 percent of U.S. soybean exports. Now, it's turning to Brazil and other countries for soybeans. "It takes you months to years to cultivate a client and only weeks to piss them off," Meyer said. "The concern now is that we've pissed of the Chinese and they're going to go away." Linton Crystal Technologies is being walloped by tariffs both coming and going. The components it sends to an assembly plant in Dalian, China, are subject to import taxes when they arrive in China. And the assembled furnaces it ships back to Rochester for sale are hit with Trump's tariffs at the U.S. border. The U.S. import tax on a $2 million furnace amounts to $500,000. So, in desperation, the company has decided to move operations to China to avoid the tariffs. And it plans to lay off four or five American workers. "It just doesn't make any sense for me to ship it back here so I can be penalized half a million dollars," Barnum said. In the meantime, the higher costs are hurting Linton's business. It expects revenue to drop 25 percent in 2019. Accu-Swiss, which buys imported stainless steel on the tariff list, is negotiating with customers to split the higher costs. It's also trying to make its operations leaner. It has, for example, reengineered its California factory so production can continue at night when the lights are off and employees are gone. Still, it, too, expects a 25 percent drop in revenue this year. "I'm just hoping against hope that this thing will go away," said CEO Sohel Sareshwala. "I'm just sustaining myself, almost becoming a nonprofit organization." Clips & Clamps, the Michigan auto supplier, buys steel from U.S. producers that don't have to pay the tariffs. But domestic steel suppliers have been able to sharply raise their prices because Trump's tariffs have priced out foreign competition. "I am losing business to competitors outside the United States," Aznavorian said, "and I am losing it due to raw materials pricing." Initially, Sareshwala and Aznavorian say, they assumed that Trump's metals tariffs were just a negotiating tactic, intended in part to pressure Canada and Mexico to embrace a new North American trade pact. But the tariffs remained intact even after Trump signed a revamped regional agreement in November. "My jaw dropped," Aznavorian said. "I thought, 'You've got to be kidding me.' " Now, he can't tell whether the tariff squeeze is ever going to end. "The uncertainty is horrible," he said. ___ Follow Paul Wiseman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PaulWisemanAP ___ This story has been corrected to show that Plymouth, Michigan, is west of Detroit, not east. FILE- In this July 26, 2018, file photo President Donald Trump speaks at the United States Steel Granite City Works plant in Granite City, Ill. The president frequently boasts that the taxes he's imposed on imports, steel and aluminum and nearly half of all goods from China, have showered the U.S. Treasury with newfound revenue. "We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs,'' Trump tweeted last month. "MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN.'' Yet the fact is that tariffs like Trump's account for barely 1 percent of federal revenue. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) MOSCOW (AP) - A court in Moscow has rejected a slander lawsuit the head of Russia's National Guard brought against an opposition leader who had alleged wide-scale corruption in the guard. Gen. Viktor Zolotov, a longtime bodyguard for Russian President Vladimir Putin, had sought a retraction and 1 million rubles (about $15,000) from opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Zolotov also challenged Navalny to a duel on YouTube in September. Navalny responded by reiterating his claims and inviting Zolotov to a televised debate. The general didn't reply to the offer. The Lyublinsky district court said on its website the lawsuit had been returned to Zolotov. It did not explain the move, but Russian news agencies said on Sunday that Zolotov had not responded to procedural problems in the court filing. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. According to US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. Some 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Let terrorists. (Photo: File) Washington/New Delhi: There is a "strong possibility" of Tahawwur Hussain Rana - currently serving a 14-year jail term in the US for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack - being extradited to India, an informed source said. The Indian government, with "full cooperation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition of the Pakistani-Canadian national before his current jail term ends in December 2021. Rana was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Some 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. "There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. India's Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice and the US' State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. And they are unwilling to cutdown or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition, it added. Following a recent visit to the US by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. From now on, the NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities. In case, the US government in co-operation with the Indian government is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials in Washington said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. As per the existing US law, Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release. However, people familiar with the matter told PTI, that there is a "desire" so there is an assurance from the highest level in the Trump administration that all necessary steps would be taken in a timely fashion to ensure extradition of Rana before his release. According to the US officials, the extradition of Rana would help in cementing the relationship between the two countries, boost up the counter-terrorism cooperation and enhance America's image among Indians. On the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, in November 2018, the Trump administration had reiterated its resolve to bring to justice those involved in it. Vice President Mike Pence had raised this issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. During their recent visit, the NIA team also received guidance from their US counterparts on the paperwork which India needs to complete to meet the requirements of the American judiciary system and their standards. India would not seek extradition of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the "double jeopardy" clause in the US justice system prohibits to punish a person twice for the same crime. India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based National Defense College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also forgery case registered against him in India. Citing the partial government shutdown, the State Department and the Department of Justice expressed their inability to respond to the questions related to the extradition of Rana. The Indian Embassy in Washington and the attorney of Rana did not respond to a question on this issue. KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - Congo's presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu, who is challenging his election loss in court, says the government deployed armed soldiers around his headquarters because of the ruling party's "desperation." Fayulu is legally challenging his defeat, saying that he won 61 percent of the vote, citing figures compiled by the Catholic Church's 40,000 election observers across the vast Central African country. Those figures say that election winner Felix Tshieskedi only received 18 percent of the vote. As Fayulu was preparing to file his legal challenge at the constitutional court Saturday, the Republican Guard surrounded his offices, dispersed supporters from the premises and briefly entered the property, according to witnesses. Fayulu spoke to the press Sunday after attending mass at the Philadelphie missionary center in Kinshasa and was asked about the incident with the Republican Guard. "I'm attributing this to desperation. But we have faith," said Fayulu. "Our faith is intact, unshakeable, because the people have decided, and the wishes of the people will come true." Tshisekedi was expected to attend a service in the same church later Sunday but he cancelled for "security reasons," according to a church press officer. Several journalists were waiting for him as Tshisekedi has made no public appearances since the announcements by Fayulu and the Catholic Church that the figures giving him victory are not accurate. Congo opposition candidate Martin Fayulu, center, leaves the Philadelphie Missionary Center after attending Sunday Mass in Kinshasa, Congo, Sunday Jan. 13, 2019. President elect Felix Tshisekedi was also scheduled to attend the service, but cancelled. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) "Felix Tsishekedi spoke the day the results were announced. At this stage he has nothing to add," said press officer Lydie Omenga on Sunday. "He has already started work and now waits for the results to be confirmed. We are serene and we let the process follow its course. He will speak at his inauguration." SANAA, Yemen (AP) - Yemen's government has announced that the chief of its military intelligence has died of wounds sustained during last week's drone attack on an army parade. It said President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, head of Yemen's internationally recognized government, sent a cable of condolences to the family of Maj. Gen. Mohammad Saleh Tamah, who died Sunday in a hospital in the southern port city of Aden. Thursday's attack by a bomb-laden drone targeted a military parade at the Al-Anad Air Base near Aden, killing at least six people. The attack was claimed by the anti-government Shiite rebels known as Houthis. The use of a new drone variant raised more questions about Iran's alleged role in arming the rebels with drone and ballistic missile technology, a claim long denied by Tehran. PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Kosovo's prime minister met Sunday with two fellow former fighters in a bloody war for independence from Serbia two decades ago who are preparing to be questioned by prosecutors for a special war crimes court. Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's Facebook page showed photos from the meetings at the homes of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) members Sami Lushtaku and Rrustem Mustafa. He said the 1998-1999 war was "clean and sacred." Mustafa is set to be interviewed on Monday and Lushtaku on Wednesday by the Specialist Prosecutor's Office, their lawyer, Arianit Koci, said. The office is part of a court established in 2015 to investigate atrocity allegations against some KLA fighters from during and after the war for independence. The court is governed by Kosovo laws but is run by international judges and prosecutors and funded by the European Union. It is based in the Netherlands to prevent witness intimidation. Haradinaj, a former Kosovo Liberation Army leader, was twice acquitted of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a United Nations court. "Together we shall come out spotless from this challenge," he wrote on Facebook. President Hashim Thaci, who also fought with KLA, expressed support for the pair as well. "You are the war national heroes and you always will remain as such for the Kosovo institutions and the people," Thaci wrote on his Facebook page, which included a photo of the president with Lushtaku and Mustafa. While preparing for a flight to The Hague, Lushtaku facetiously told journalists at the airport he would "feel bad" if he hadn't been summoned by the court. Mustafa said before leaving for the Netherlands they consider themselves innocent. The court was set up following U.S. and EU pressure four years after a 2011 report by the Council of Europe, the continent's top human rights body, catalogued allegations of widespread crimes committed by Kosovo independence fighters. ___ Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini BERLIN (AP) - Left-wing German politicians and supporters have gathered at a Berlin cemetery to honor two communist leaders who were killed 100 years ago in the turbulent aftermath of World War I. Leaders of the opposition Left Party laid wreaths honoring Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht at the capital's Friedrichsfelde cemetery on Sunday. The party derives in part from East Germany's ruling communists. Many others laid red carnations at the site in the annual commemoration. Those present included East Germany's last hardline leader, Egon Krenz, under whom the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and his successor Hans Modrow, the now-defunct state's last communist leader. Liebknecht and Luxemburg were killed on Jan. 15, 1919, by soldiers who arrested them shortly after a failed uprising. Carnations lay on the grave of former German socialists' leader Rosa Luxemburg at a cemetery Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Prominent figures from the country's left have paid tribute to the founders of the German Communist Party and other socialistic heroes. With the event they are marking the 100th anniversary of the deaths of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, who were killed Jan. 15, 1919, by right-wing militiamen during a failed uprising. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Carnations are placed in front of a memorial stone with names of socialists at a cemetery Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Prominent figures from the country's left have paid tribute to the founders of the German Communist Party and other socialistic heroes. With the event they are marking the 100th anniversary of the deaths of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, who were killed Jan. 15, 1919, by right-wing militiamen during a failed uprising. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Carnations are placed in front of a memorial stone with names of socialists at a cemetery Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Prominent figures from the country's left have paid tribute to the founders of the German Communist Party and other socialistic heroes. With the event they are marking the 100th anniversary of the deaths of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, who were killed Jan. 15, 1919, by right-wing militiamen during a failed uprising. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) People line up to commemorate former German socialists' leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht on their graves at a cemetery Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Prominent figures from the country's left have paid tribute to the founders of the German Communist Party and other socialistic heroes. They are marking the 100th anniversary of the deaths of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, who were killed Jan. 15, 1919, by right-wing militiamen during a failed uprising. Words on stone read: 'The dead remind us'. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) A man with a yellow west and a poster reading 'The fight is far from its end' and showing portraits of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht attends a demonstration of communist and socialist parties and groups in Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The demonstration marks the 100th anniversary of the killing of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht on Jan. 15, 1919 by right-wing militiamen during a failed uprising. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Protestors attend a demonstration of communist and socialist parties and groups in Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The demonstration marks the 100th anniversary of the killing of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht on Jan. 15, 1919 by right-wing militiamen during a failed uprising. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) BERLIN (AP) - One of Germany's most prominent politicians is defending his decision to leave Twitter, which was questioned by some political rivals. Opposition Green party co-leader Robert Habeck quit Twitter and Facebook last week. He cited a much-mocked faux pas in a video posted on Twitter and a recent hack of German politicians' data, in which Habeck was one of the worst-affected figures. Habeck said in an interview with Sunday's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper that Twitter "is a medium one can use or not." He added "there is a democratic majority in Germany that views Twitter skeptically." Habeck's move has been greeted with some skepticism. Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats said that "you have to show the flag where people argue and you have to fight for positions." JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The photograph of a South African classroom appeared to show black and white children separated by race, stirring allegations of racism against a school that says it has moved a long way toward integration since white minority rule. The uproar over the alleged segregation of 5-year-old children follows periodic disputes about race in a country that took big strides toward reconciliation when the bitter era of apartheid ended in 1994 but still struggles with the legacy of its past. It was amplified as the photograph circulated on social media, prompting protesters, investigators and concerned parents to converge on the school in Schweizer-Reneke, a rural town. Provincial authorities are investigating and South Africa's human rights commission intends to visit the Laerskool Schweizer-Reneke for a second time on Monday after protests disrupted plans to go there earlier. A teacher was suspended pending an inquiry into the photo, which shows four black children sitting in a corner and a larger group of white children sitting in the middle of the room. "As a general rule, such separation would on the face of it amount to, among others, unfair discrimination as all learners in a similar situation need to be treated the same," Andre Gaum, head of the human rights commission, said in an interview with Jacaranda FM, a South African radio station. Some commentators say the investigation should run its course, noting some photos that emerged later show the same white and black children sitting together and interacting. Jozeph du Plessis, chairman of the school's governing body, has said he was initially angered when he saw the photograph showing the white and black children in different groups. He has speculated that the children were separated in that way because the black students did not speak Afrikaans as well as the white children. Afrikaans derives from mainly Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century. "The governing body does not condone any distinction based on race. Learners from different backgrounds, including race, religion and language, are not merely accommodated but are fully integrated in all aspects of the school environment," the school's governors said in a statement, according to South African media. For many South Africans, the image evoked memories of apartheid, when segregated schools were a key tool of a white minority seeking to maintain its supremacy over a black majority whose education was of a far lower quality. The 1976 uprising by black students that started in Soweto, and was crushed in a deadly crackdown by security forces, was a reaction to the mandated use of Afrikaans as a language of instruction in black schools. "Schweizer-Reneke school takes us back to the Stone Age," read the headline of an editorial in the Sunday Times, a South African newspaper. ___ Follow Christopher Torchia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/torchiachris SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. The clashes erupted after government forces in the southern Shopian area tried to stop mourners from attending the funeral of one of India's most wanted rebels in the Himalayan region, police said. Rebel commander Zeenatul Islam was killed along with his associate late Saturday in a gunbattle with Indian troops. Government forces fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas to stop the mourners, leading to street clashes as groups of youths pelted stones at the troops, police and residents said. Later, authorities withdrew security deployments amid massive anti-India protests and clashes at several places in the area. At least 16 people were injured in the clashes. India and Pakistan each claim the divided territory of Kashmir in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989. Kashmiri villagers assemble near the body of rebel commander Zeenatul Islam during his funeral procession in Sugan village 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) Most Kashmiris support the rebel cause that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian crackdown. Kashmiri villagers attend the funeral of rebel commander Zeenatul Islam during his funeral procession in Sugan village 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) Kashmiri villagers attend the funeral of rebel commander Zeenatul Islam in Sugan village 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) Kashmiri villagers attend the funeral of rebel commander Zeenatul Islam in Sugan village 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) Kashmiri villagers watch from a tree the funeral of rebel commander Zeenatul Islam in Sugan village 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) Kashmiri villagers attend the funeral of rebel commander Zeenatul Islam in Sugan village 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Massive anti-India protests and clashes erupted in disputed Kashmir on Sunday, leading to injuries to at least 16 people after a gunbattle between militants and government forces overnight killed two rebels, police and residents said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) CAIRO (AP) - Hundreds of protesters marched in and around Sudan's capital Khartoum on Sunday, the fourth week of unrest that began over skyrocketing prices and a failing economy but which now calls for the ouster of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir. Images circulated by activists online showed marches taking place in Khartoum and its northern twin cities of Omdurman and Bahary, despite security forces firing tear gas at the crowds. One group, hundreds strong, appeared to have reached Bahary's main train station. Security forces encircled the area and fired in the air to disperse crowds around the station, the main rally point for a gathering called by protest groups, professional associations and political opposition. Shops in the area have been almost entirely shuttered, eyewitnesses said, and crowds continued to gather. Protesters burnt tires to obscure the view of policemen chasing them down, in a cat-and-mouse game that lasted until after dark. Witnesses said security forces were breaking into local homes and businesses in pursuit of demonstrators taking refuge there. "The people want the fall of the regime," chanted a crowd in the area, as seen in one video, echoing a popular slogan of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that briefly defied despotism in the region, but never made it to Sudan. Demonstrations also took place in other cities across the country, particularly in Gadarif, Faw and Amri, as well in the western region of Darfur, activists said, with eyewitnesses adding that police had broken up a 1,000-person strong demonstration in the northern Darfur town of el-Fasher. Anti-government protesters rally in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Hundreds of protesters are marching again in and around Sudan's capitol Khartoum, the fourth week of unrest that began over the rising price of bread and a failing economy but which now calls for the ouster of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir. (AP Photo) The eyewitnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. They said that security forces had surrounded the Haj al-Safi hospital in Khartoum, while a doctors' union warned them against attacking or firing tear gas near or inside hospitals as had been reported last week by Amnesty International. Sudan's economy has stagnated for most of al-Bashir's rule, but its recent lows have been dramatic, prompting the protests. 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. Bashir is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Darfur. An Islamist who has been in power since he led a military coup in 1989, he has said those seeking to oust him can only do so through elections, and he is running for another term in office next year. He has insisted that the protests are part of a foreign plot to undermine Sudan's "Islamic experiment" and blamed the country's worsening economic crisis on international sanctions. Already among the longest serving leaders in the region, al-Bashir hopes to win another term in office. In a bid to placate popular anger over his economic policies, he has promised higher wages, continuing state subsidies on basic goods and more benefits for pensioners. His promises have been dismissed by critics as untenable. Also Sunday, the government raised its official death toll from the weeks of protest by five to 24, still undercutting numbers released by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, who say at least 40 have been killed. Sudan's General Prosecutor said nine of those killed were in Gadaref, a province southeast of Khartoum close to the Ethiopian and Eritrean borders. The rest were killed in Omdurman and regions north and northeast of the capital. Anti-government protesters rally in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Hundreds of protesters are marching again in and around Sudan's capitol Khartoum, the fourth week of unrest that began over the rising price of bread and a failing economy but which now calls for the ouster of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir. (AP Photo) FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2011 file photo, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir attends the funeral of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In Jan. 2019, with violent anti-government protests into their fourth week, Sudan appears headed toward political paralysis, with drawn out unrest across much of the country and a fractured opposition without a clear idea of what to do if their wish to see the country's leader of 29 years go comes true. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Sunday he will ask for a vote of confidence in Parliament this week after the country's defense minister, who leads the coalition government's junior party, resigned over the Macedonia name deal. Panos Kammenos announced his resignation and said his right-wing Independent Greeks party is quitting the government after meeting with Tsipras on Sunday morning. Tsipras appeared confident when speaking to the press Sunday that he would be able to find the needed 151 votes and survive both the confidence vote and the Macedonia name change vote, since the group led by Kammenos had only seven seats. Tsipras said he had a "frank discussion" with Kammenos, whom he thanked for his government partnership, and announced that Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will become the country's new defense minister. Greece and Macedonia agreed last June to a deal that would change the name of Greece's northern neighbor to North Macedonia. In exchange, Greece would lift its objections to the country joining NATO. The deal ended a dispute that had been going on since the early 1990s but it is opposed by conservatives like Kammenos, who feel that Tsipras gave away too many concessions. Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, leaves Maximos mansion following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Macedonia's parliament ratified the deal on Friday. Now Tsipras needs only a majority in the 300-seat Greek parliament to ratify the accord. Tsipras already has the backing of his 145-strong Syriza parliamentary group. The prime minister also seems assured of the support of two, and possibly three, Independent Greeks, an independent conservative, at least two and up to four lawmakers from centrist party To Potami, an independent socialist and possibly one lawmaker from the small Centrist Union. That makes a minimum of 151 and potentially 155 votes in favor of the deal. In a press conference that followed his resignation, Kammenos made it clear that he and his party will vote against the government confidence motion, as well as the Macedonia name deal, when it comes up for ratification. He admitted, however that he is only assured of three votes, his own and two other lawmakers, one of whom, Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha, the deputy defense minister, will resign along with him. Two other lawmakers, one an ally who is not a party member, have long declared they will vote for the Macedonia name deal. Kammenos harshly criticized the remaining two allied lawmakers, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and Deputy Agriculture Minister Vassilis Kokkalis, who are both on trips abroad. Neither one has stated their position on the confidence motion but Kokkalis has said he will vote against the Macedonian name change. In the Macedonian capital of Skopje, Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov told a press conference Sunday that he has been "assured" by a Greek government official that Athens remains "strongly committed" to completing its part of the name change deal. ___ Konstantin Testorides contributed from Skopje. Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos leaves Maximos mansion following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, left, leaves Maximos mansion following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, second left, arrives for a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, center, makes a statement to the media following a meeting with Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in Athens, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Greek defense Minister Kammenos, leader of the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party, is vehemently opposed to a deal with neighboring Macedonia over its state name. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) BEIRUT (AP) - He has survived eight years of war and billions of dollars in money and weapons aimed at toppling him. Now Syrian President Bashar Assad is poised to be readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he forcefully crushed the uprising against his family's rule. Gulf Arab nations, once the main backers of rebels trying to oust Assad, are lining up to reopen their embassies in Syria, worried about leaving the country at the heart of the Arab world to regional rivals Iran and Turkey and missing out on lucrative post-war reconstructive projects. Key border crossings with neighbors, shuttered for years by the war, have reopened, and Arab commercial airlines are reportedly considering resuming flights to Damascus. And as President Donald Trump plans to pull out America's 2,000 soldiers from northeastern Syria, government troops are primed to retake the area they abandoned in 2012 at the height of the war. This would be a significant step toward restoring Assad's control over all of Syria, leaving only the northwest in the hands of rebels, most of them jihadis. It can seem like a mind-boggling reversal for a leader whose military once seemed dangerously close to collapse. But Russia's military intervention, which began in 2015, steadily reversed Assad's losses, allowing his troops, aided by Iranian-backed fighters, to recapture cities like Homs and Aleppo, key to his rule. Assad rules over a country in ruins, with close to half a million people killed and half the population displaced. Major fighting may still lie ahead. But many see the war nearing its end, and the 53-year-old leader is sitting more comfortably than he has in the past eight years. "Rehabilitation by Arab states is inevitable," said Faysal Itani, a resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. FILE - In this file photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA Dec. 16, 2018, Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meets with Sudan's President Omar Bashir in Damascus, Syria. Assad has survived years of war and millions of dollars in money and weapons aimed at toppling him. Now after nearly eight years of conflict, he is poised to be readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he brutally crushed a years-long uprising against his family's rule. (SANA via AP, File) A key motive for Sunni Muslim Gulf countries is to blunt the involvement of their Shiite-led foe, Iran, which saw its influence expand rapidly in the chaos of Syria's war. "Saudi Arabia tried briefly to help overthrow him when he seemed most vulnerable using proxy militants," Itani said. "With his regime likely to survive, however, Saudi Arabia would prefer to try and exercise influence over Assad to balance against Iran while avoiding escalation with Iran itself." After Assad led a crackdown on protesters in 2011, Syria was cast out as a pariah by much of the Arab and Western world. It lost its seat at the Arab League and was hit by crippling sanctions by the international community, as the U.S. and European diplomats closed their diplomatic missions. But Syria's isolation was never complete. China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa maintained diplomatic ties. In the Arab world, Lebanon, Iraq and Algeria never broke ranks with Syria. Propped up by Russia, China and Iran, Assad never really felt the pinch politically. A Saudi attempt to patch up relations with Assad would be a public acknowledgement of the kingdom's failure to oust him. At the same time, the involvement of Gulf Arab governments and private companies is crucial for any serious reconstruction effort in Syria. Reconstruction costs are estimated between $200 and $350 billion. Last month, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, himself an international outcast, flew to Damascus on a Russian jet, becoming the first Arab leader to visit Syria since 2011. The visit was largely seen as a precursor for similar steps by other Arab leaders. On Dec. 27, the United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus with a public ceremony, in the most significant Arab overture yet toward the Assad government, almost certainly coordinated with Saudi Arabia. The Bahrain Embassy followed the next day. The debate now appears to be about when, not whether, to re-admit Syria to the Arab League. At a meeting in Cairo on Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said Syria's return to the League is connected to developments on the political track to end the crisis. Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Alhakim, speaking in Baghdad at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, said Sunday that his country supports efforts to restore Syria's membership in the Arab League. In Lebanon, some officials insist Syria should be invited to an Arab economic summit the country is hosting next week, although final decision rests with the League. "It could happen slower or faster, but if Assad is going to stay where he is, then obviously countries in the region are going to try to make the best of that situation," said Aron Lund, a fellow with The Century Foundation. "American politicians can sit in splendid isolation on the other side of an ocean and pretend Syria isn't what it is," he said. "But King Abdullah of Jordan can't." The Arab overtures come amid a shifting landscape in the Western world. The planned U.S. pullout from Syria is part of Trump's "America First" policy. He has repeatedly said he was not interested in removing Assad from power or keeping American troops involved in "endless wars" in the region, most recently describing Syria as "sand and death." Right-wing parties and populist movements on the rise in Europe are also on friendly terms with Assad, seeing him as a secular bulwark against Islamic extremists. Even Turkey, whose president in 2012 famously vowed to pray at Omayyad Mosque in Damascus after Assad's ouster, has signaled it would consider working with Assad again if he wins in free and fair elections. For Syrians who rose up against Assad's rule, it can seem like the country is right back where it started eight years ago, only with half a million dead and cities in ruins. Analysts believe Syria under Assad will likely continue to face conflicts and sputter on in limbo for years to come, with only a partial recovery. But he will likely cling to power and do business with anyone who will do business with him. "I don't imagine Assad's Syria becoming a fine upstanding member of the international community, but nor do I think it will languish in isolation," Itani said. FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 file photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, officials and journalists gather outside the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, in Damascus, Syria. Syria said the. Syrian President Bashar Assad has moved closer to being readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he brutally crushed a years-long uprising against him. (SANA via AP, File) FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 file photo, Jordanian cars prepare to cross into Syria, at the Jordanian-Syrian border Jaber crossing point, in Mafraq, Jordan. Syrian President Bashar Assad has moved closer to being readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he brutally crushed a years-long uprising against him. (AP Photo/Omar Akour, File) FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 11, 2017 file frame grab made available by Russian Presidential TV Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, greets Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria. Assad has survived years of war and millions of dollars in money and weapons aimed at toppling him. Now after nearly eight years of conflict, he is poised to be readmitted to the fold of Arab nations, a feat once deemed unthinkable as he brutally crushed a years-long uprising against his family's rule. (Presidential TV photo via AP, File) Bansal is pumping in Rs 650 crore in total and the Rs 150 crore funding is part of the total investment. New Delhi: Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal has pumped in about Rs 150 crore in ride-hailing platform Ola, according to documents filed with the Corporate Affairs Ministry. "... 70,588 fully and compulsorily convertible, cumulative 'Series J' Preference Shares' having face value of Rs 10 having the rights, privileges and preferences... is hereby allotted at a subscription price of Rs 21,250," the documents showed. This translates into an investment of about Rs 150 crore by Bansal, who left Flipkart after the US retail giant Walmart picked up 77 per cent stake in the e-commerce company for USD 16 billion. The resolution was passed at a board meeting of ANI Technologies, the entity that runs Ola, on January 12, according to the documents. E-mails sent to Ola and Bansal did not elicit any response. According to sources, Bansal is pumping in Rs 650 crore in total and the Rs 150 crore funding is part of the total investment. The allotment of these shares to Bansal is part of Ola's plans to raise about USD 1 billion in funding, they added. In October last year, the Bengaluru-based company had announced raising USD 1.1 billion funding from China's Tencent Holdings and SoftBank Group. It had also stated that it was in "advanced talks" to close an additional USD 1 billion funding to take total mop-up to more than USD 2 billion. Ola is locked in a battle for market leadership with US-based rival Uber in India and other markets like Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The Indian company has been aggressively ramping up its rides business as well as hailing platform and food delivery operations (through Foodpanda). JERUSALEM (AP) - The Latest on Israel's operation along its border with Lebanon (all times local): 11:50 a.m. Israel's prime minister says the country struck an Iranian weapons storage facility over the weekend at the Damascus International Airport. Benjamin Netanyahu's comments on Sunday at his weekly Cabinet meeting mark a rare public acknowledgement of Israeli activity in Syria. Israel is believed to have carried out hundreds of airstrikes against Iranian and Hezbollah targets throughout the Syrian civil war but has generally refrained from commenting about them for fear of being drawn into the fighting. Only recently has it begun to speak publicly about thwarting the weapons smuggling from Iran through Styria into Lebanon. Israel's outgoing military chief, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, did so over the weekend in various interviews. File - In this Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018 file photo, Israeli soldiers stand around the opening of a hole that leads to a tunnel that the army says crosses from Lebanon to Israel, near Metula. The Israel military says it has concluded "Operation Northern Shield" by uncovering the sixth and final Hezbollah attack tunnel from Lebanon. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File) Netanyahu says Israel says the recent strikes prove "we are committed more than ever to act against Iran in Syria." ___ 09:10 a.m. Israel's military says its troops have found the sixth and the last tunnel dug by Hezbollah militants for cross-border attacks and that its operation at the Lebanese border is now over. Military spokesman Jonathan Conricus says the final tunnel is the largest one discovered so far, running hundreds of meters (yards) from under a Lebanese home and deep into Israeli territory. Israel launched the "Operation Northern Shield" last month to detect and destroy what it called a vast network of Hezbollah tunnels aimed for militants to sneak across the border and carry out attacks. Israel and the United Nations say the tunnels violate a cease-fire resolution that ended a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Conricus says the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, has been updated. VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis offered new parents a bit of advice Sunday, telling them it's perfectly normal to fight, but just not in front of the children. Francis warned of the "anguish" of children who see their parents fight during a ceremony to baptize 27 newborns, an annual tradition that fills the frescoed Sistine Chapel with babies, their parents and godparents. Amid coos and wails, Francis told parents that they had taken on an important new job of transmitting the faith to their children - a job he said begins at home, in the family. Francis then offered some off-the-cuff advice to help them do just that. "It's normal for spouses to fight," he said. "It'd be strange if they didn't. Do it, but don't let the children hear it or see it. You have no idea of children's anguish when they see their parents fight." Francis frequently offers such real-world advice to couples, stemming from his years ministering to ordinary families when he was a priest, bishop and cardinal in Buenos Aires. Framed by a Christmas tree, Pope Francis blesses the crowd as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) One of his favorite axioms is that couples should make a habit of saying "Please, thank you and sorry," and should never go to bed mad. Framed by a Christmas tree, Pope Francis blesses the crowd as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Pope Francis salutes the crowd as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) ROME (AP) - The latest on Italian fugitive militant Cesare Battisti, who has been detained in Bolivia (all times local): 11:20p.m. A police colonel in Bolivia says a left-wing Italian militant who was convicted of murder in his home country nearly three decades ago has been handed over to Italian officials and will be flown back to Italy. Police Col. Paul Saavedra says Cesare Battisti is in the custody of Intepol officials on a plane that was sent by Italy after the fugitive was captured in Bolivia. He says Battisti was handed over to Italian custody at Viru Viru airport in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz at 5 p.m. Saavedra says that "the Italian citizen entered Bolivia illegally." Earlier Sunday, Italian and Bolivian officials announced that the 64-year-old Battisti had been arrested in Bolivia. Italian police and RAI state television said he was caught in Santa Cruz, where he was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices. In this frame grab taken by a video released by the Italian Police, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, Italian fugitive communist militant Cesare Battisti walks in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Italy sent an aircraft to Bolivia on Sunday to pick up Battisti after he was captured there nearly three decades after he was convicted of murder, setting the stage for a climax to one of Italy's longest-running sagas.(Italian Police Via AP) Battisti had been living openly in Brazil for years and enjoyed the protection of left-wing governments on both sides of the Atlantic. But Brazil's outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently sparking Battisti's latest effort to flee. ___ 5:50 p.m. Italy's premier says fugitive militant Cesare Battisti will return to Italy "in the coming hours" on a direct flight from Bolivia to serve his sentence for four murders. A Facebook post from Premier Giuseppe Conte clarified Battisti's itinerary on Sunday. He was captured in Bolivia, but it hadn't been clear if he would be extradited straight to Italy since he had been living in Brazil. Battisti, who has been on the run since 1981, was arrested overnight in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de La Sierra by Bolivian police with Italian agents on the ground. Italy sent a plane to Bolivia on Sunday to pick him up. Conte wrote: "Cesare Battisti will return to Italy in the coming hours, with a flight from Santa Cruz direct to Rome." Conte said he had called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to thank him for Brazil's cooperation. ___ 1:30 p.m. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is hailing the capture in Bolivia of Italian militant fugitive Cesare Battisti and is vowing he will face justice, in a sign that Battisti's extradition to Italy is increasingly imminent. The far-right Bolsonaro used a tweet Sunday to denounce the policies of former leftist Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who granted Battisti political asylum in Brazil in 2010. Battisti had been living in Brazil after fleeing Italy in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder. He apparently recently slipped into Bolivia, where he was captured overnight. He denies killing anyone but was convicted in 1990 of four murders. Bolsonaro tweeted: "Finally, there will be justice for the Italian assassin and partner of ideas of one of the most corrupt governments to ever exist" - a reference to da Silva's Workers' Party. ___ 11:10 a.m. Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says a government aircraft is heading to Bolivia and will bring captured fugitive militant Cesare Battisti back home. In a statement Sunday, Conte praised Bolivian and Brazilian authorities for the overnight capture of the fugitive after Battisti has been on the run for nearly four decades. He said Battisti will begin serving his life prison sentences as soon as he returns to Italian soil. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990. He denies ever killing anyone. ___ 10:40 a.m. Italy is vowing to have fugitive militant Cesare Battisti extradited to Italy "as soon as possible" following his capture in Bolivia. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that Battisti's arrest overnight was the result of a "determined effort by Bolivian and Brazilian authorities," together with Italy's diplomatic missions. Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi "confirmed that the effort will continue so that his extradition to Italy can take place as soon as possible." Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990. He has acknowledged membership in the group but has denied killing anyone. ___ 10 a.m. Italy is praising the capture in Bolivia of fugitive Italian communist militant Cesare Battisti and is vowing that he will "finish his days in prison" to serve murder convictions dating from 1990. Bolivian police seized Battisti overnight. The Italian ambassador to Brazil, Antonio Bernardini, tweeted: "Battisti has been captured. Democracy is stronger than terrorism." Interior Minister Matteo Salvini praised Bolivian police and Brazil's government. He called Battisti a "delinquent who doesn't deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison." Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990. He has acknowledged membership in the group but has denied killing anyone. ROME (AP) - A left-wing Italian militant who was convicted of murder in his home country nearly three decades ago was arrested in Bolivia, authorities said Sunday, setting the stage for a climactic end to one of Italy's longest-running efforts to bring a fugitive to justice. Hours later, Cesare Battisti was handed over to Italian custody, officials said, and he left on a plane carrying him back to Italy to serve a life sentence. He was captured by Bolivian and Italian officers in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, where he was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices, Italian police and RAI state television said. The 64-year-old had lived openly in Brazil for years and enjoyed the protection of left-wing governments on both sides of the Atlantic. But Brazil's outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently sparking Battisti's latest effort to flee. Italian police released a video of Battisti that they said was taken hours before his capture, showing him seemingly oblivious to surveillance cameras tracking him as he walked casually down the street in jeans, a blue T-shirt and sunglasses. A subsequent image showed Battisti's mug shot under the seal of the Bolivian police. "Cesare Battisti's long flight is over," Justice Minister Alfonso Buonafede declared, adding that he would be taken to Rome's Rebibbia prison as soon as he landed in Italy. FILE - In this April 12, 2012 file photo, Italian Cesare Battisti attends the presentation of his book about his experience in prison in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Italy sent an aircraft to Bolivia on Sunday Jan. 13, 2019, to pick up fugitive communist militant Cesare Battisti after he was captured there nearly three decades after he was convicted of murder, setting the stage for a climax to one of Italy's longest-running sagas. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo, File) Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces a life term for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweler and a butcher. He acknowledged membership in the group but denied killing anyone and has painted himself as a political refugee. After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then went to France, where he joined dozens of left-wing Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled Italy during that nation's "years of lead," a bloody and turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants on the left and right carried out bombings, assassinations and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But then Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him asylum in 2010. Battisti was eventually released from jail but was arrested again in 2017 after he was caught trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border carrying the equivalent of about $7,500 in undeclared cash. He was released after a few days. As a result of that incident, Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Justice Luiz Fux said in December that Interpol had issued a request for Battisti's arrest on tax evasion and money laundering charges, leading him to issue a Brazilian warrant. Based on that, outgoing Brazilian President Michel Temer signed the decree ordering the fugitive's extradition. Brazil's new right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, hailed Battisti's arrest and denounced da Silva's government for having granted the Italian asylum. "Finally, there will be justice for the Italian assassin and partner of ideas of one of the most corrupt governments to ever exist," Bolsonaro tweeted in a reference to da Silva's Workers' Party. Bolivia's public defender, David Tezanos, said Battisti formally requested asylum in Bolivia on Dec. 21, but he had not received a response from the leftist government of President Evo Morales. Tezanos said Battisti's rights were being violated with his hasty expulsion. Brazil's foreign and justice ministries said in a joint statement that Battisti "will leave Bolivia direct to Italy to serve his life sentence." The statement was significant since under Brazilian law people extradited to serve life sentences must have their sentences capped at 30 years - a concession rejected by Italian officials on Sunday in insisting that Battisti serve his full term. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini praised Bolivian police and Brazil's new government for following through on the fugitive's case. He called Battisti a "delinquent who doesn't deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison." Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Battisti should be returned to Italy to "serve his sentence for the grave crimes that stained Italy and let the same be said for all fugitives abroad." ___ This story has been corrected to show that Battisti first fled to Mexico, then France. ___ Associated Press writers Stan Lehman in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Paola Flores in La Paz, Bolivia, contributed to this report. In this frame grab taken by a video released by the Italian Police, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, Italian fugitive communist militant Cesare Battisti walks in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Italy sent an aircraft to Bolivia on Sunday to pick up Battisti after he was captured there nearly three decades after he was convicted of murder, setting the stage for a climax to one of Italy's longest-running sagas.(Italian Police Via AP) A man who appears to be Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti enters the cabin door of a plane before it takes off for Italy, where he will serve a life sentence, at the airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. (AP Photo) A man who appears to be Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti enters the cabin door of a plane before it takes off for Italy, where he will serve a life sentence, at the airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. (AP Photo) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Angered by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that Poland will host an international conference on Iran in mid-February, Iranian authorities on Sunday summoned Warsaw's top diplomat in the country and called off a Polish film festival. The moves followed a tweet by Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who denounced the upcoming summit as America's anti-Iran "circus." Pompeo is currently on a Mideast tour, bringing the Trump administration's anti-Iran message to the region. Speaking Sunday on a visit to Qatar as part of the tour, said he hoped the meeting in Poland will allow the world to see "the enormous coalition that is prepared to assist in creating stability and peace here in the Middle East." "We'll work on many issues including how it is we can get the Islamic Republic of Iran to behave more like a normal nation," Pompeo said. On Friday, he told Fox News before departing from Cairo that an international conference on Iran and the Middle East will take place in Poland on Feb. 13-14. Among the Mideast leaders invited was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose attendance might complicate participation by some Arab countries. A senior Israeli official could not comment on whether Netanyahu would attend. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center walks with Vice Adm. James Malloy, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, after a tour of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command center in Manama, Bahrain, Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP) The official IRNA news agency said Iran conveyed its protest over Warsaw hosting the conference to Poland's Charge d'Affaires Wojciech Unolt, demanding that Poland not side with this "hostile move" by the United States against Tehran. The statement quoted an unnamed Iranian official as saying that if the summit goes ahead, Iran will resort to unspecified "counter-action" toward Poland, without elaborating. Separately, Iran's culture ministry in a statement said it was suspending "Poland's Film Week," supposed to be held in Tehran in late January, until Warsaw reconsiders its position and starts demonstrating "appropriate behavior" toward Tehran. Poland's Foreign Ministry in Warsaw could not immediately be reached for comment on Sunday morning. However, Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said Saturday he hoped the conference will provide a new platform for international dialogue and allow the U.S. and European Union to find a closer position on Iran. Czaputowicz said Poland supported the EU's efforts to preserve its nuclear agreement with Iran, but warned the deal alone would not keep Iran from "destabilizing" the region. After Pompeo's announcement, Zarif said Friday on Twitter that the conference would bring shame on the Polish government and invoked how during World War II Iran saved Polish lives. Iran hosted tens of thousands of Polish war refugees who were brought to the country after surviving work camps in the Soviet Union and before they migrated to then-emerging Israel, New Zealand and some African countries. Scores stayed on after the war, choosing to reside in Iran. "(The) Polish Govt can't wash the shame: while Iran saved Poles in WWII, it now hosts desperate anti-Iran circus," Zarif tweeted. Tehran and Warsaw have had good relations. The balance of trade between the two nations was $230 million in 2017, up from 80 million in 2015 when Iran and world powers agreed to a landmark nuclear deal that curbed Tehran's nuclear program in return for lifting harsh economic sanctions. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. pulled out of that accord in May 2018 and imposed new and tougher sanctions on Iran last fall. On Sunday, Pompeo was in Saudi Arabia, Iran's regional archrival, where he is expected to call for increasing pressure on Tehran and promote a U.S.-backed initiative to form what some have termed an "Arab NATO" that would bring the region together in a military alliance to counter threats from Iran. ___ Associated Press writer Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, and Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem contributed to this report. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - An Afghan official says at least nine people were killed when a gas cylinder exploded in Kabul. Wahidullah Mayar, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, says several people were also injured in the late Saturday explosion inside a residential house in the Afghan capital. Such incidents are common in Afghanistan, especially during the bitterly cold winters. Last week, a fire that began at a gas station in Kabul, spread overnight to a nearby apartment complex, killing three people and causing much damage. Authorities said 42 suffered burns and other injuries. A gas-filled tanker parked at the station caught fire, causing the blaze to spread quickly. A police investigation is still under way into that incident. JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday confirmed that Israel has struck hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria, including a weapons facility in a weekend airstrike, as the military announced the discovery of a sixth and final tunnel dug by the Lebanese militant group for cross-border attacks. The statements marked a rare, public acknowledgement of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah and its patron Iran in neighboring Syria, where Israel is long believed to have targeted Iranian weapons shipments to the Lebanese Shiite group. However, Israel has until now generally refrained from commenting about the strikes for fear of triggering a reaction and being drawn into the deadly fighting in neighboring Syria's civil war. At his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu publicly confirmed the strike as he thanked outgoing military chief Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot for long years of service and particularly his marshalling of Israel's shadowy campaign against Iran in recent years. "We have operated with impressive success in thwarting Iran from establishing a military foothold in Syria, in the framework of which the military has struck hundreds of times against Iranian and Hezbollah targets," Netanyahu said. "In the last 36 hours alone, the air force struck storage facilities with Iranian weapons at the Damascus International Airport. The bulk of recent attacks show how we are more committed than ever to act against Iran in Syria, as we promised." Coupled with the announcement that after Sunday's discovery, Israel was wrapping up its operation to destroy Hezbollah's tunnel network into Israel, the weekend strike in Syria is widely seen as Eisenkot's "parting shot" as his four-year tenure as military chief ends. He will be replaced on Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi. Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, center, arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, Pool) After keeping a low-profile throughout most of his term, Eisenkot gave a series on interviews over the weekend focusing on his shifting the military's attention toward Iran directly, instead of just engaging its lesser proxies, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza. In a New York Times interview published Friday, Eisenkot said that Israel "has struck thousands of targets without claiming responsibility or asking for credit" as part of his showdown with Qassim Suleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force. Eisenkot also revealed the government approved his shift in strategy in January 2017, stepping up airstrikes in Syria. In 2018 alone, he said Israel's air force dropped 2,000 bombs in Syria. A far more visible part of his legacy has been the recent Lebanese border operation, which the military said thwarted Hezbollah's prime strategic investment for its next potential war. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Sunday the final tunnel was the largest discovered so far, running hundreds of meters (yards) from under a Lebanese home and deep into Israeli territory. Israel launched "Operation Northern Shield" early last month to detect and destroy what it called a vast network of Hezbollah tunnels aimed for militants to sneak across the border, capture territory and stage devastating attacks. Conricus said the latest tunnel originated from the Lebanese border town of Ramyeh, was 55 meters deep and ran 800 meters inside Lebanese territory and also "dozens" of meters into Israel. It included stairs, a rail system and a wide a passageway that allowed for the movement of equipment and a large number of forces. The tunnel would be destroyed in the coming days, Conricus said, adding that while more tunnels still existed on the Lebanese side of the border, this effectively marked the end of the ambitious military operation. "We have achieved the goal that we set out to achieve," he said. "According to our intelligence, there are no longer any cross-border attack tunnels into Israel." Israel and the United Nations say the tunnels violate a cease-fire resolution that ended a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Conricus said the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, was updated on the latest development. In the wake of the tunnel discoveries, Israel has asked the international community to impose tough sanctions on Hezbollah and launch action against its state-within-a-state operation in Lebanon. The military said its forces would stay deployed along the border to monitor for any other possible underground activity, and said it holds the Lebanese government responsible for everything happening within its territory. The powerful Shiite Hezbollah group, which acts independently in Lebanon, has yet to comment on the tunnels. Israel has long called for a crackdown on the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a heavily armed mini-army that is believed to possess an arsenal of some 150,000 rockets that can reach nearly all of Israel. In recent years, Hezbollah has been bogged down in fighting in Syria on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. But with that war winding down, Israeli security officials fear Hezbollah is refocusing its attention on Israel. ___ Follow Heller at www.twitter.com/aronhellerap File - In this Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018 file photo, Israeli soldiers stand around the opening of a hole that leads to a tunnel that the army says crosses from Lebanon to Israel, near Metula. The Israel military says it has concluded "Operation Northern Shield" by uncovering the sixth and final Hezbollah attack tunnel from Lebanon. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sits between Minister of Transport Israel Katz, left, and Government Secretary Tzahi Braverman during his weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, Pool) ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's Supreme Court has suspended the execution of a mentally ill former policeman sentenced to death in 2003 for killing a fellow officer. According to a statement, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar in the city of Lahore also ordered a new hearing in the case of Khizar Hayat, whose execution had been scheduled for Jan. 15. Hayat was first diagnosed with schizophrenia by prison authorities and a court-assigned medical board back in 2008 and in 2015. The chief justice said on Saturday that Hayat's case was an issue of human rights and needed to be heard urgently. A two-judge panel will hear Hayat's mother's petition for his life on Monday. Justice Project Pakistan, which campaigns against the death sentence, welcomed the top court's decision. Polish national Jakub Fabian Skrzypski is accused of having links to Papuan separatists and faces up to life in prison if convicted The trial of a Polish man accused of having links to Papuan separatists started Monday in the restive Indonesian province, with the 39-year-old facing up to life in prison if convicted. Jakub Fabian Skrzypski was charged in August after meeting rebels in Papua, according to prosecutors, who said he made contact with them to spread information about their decades-long fight for independence. Skrzypski faces a range of charges, including a plot to overthrow the Indonesian government and joining an outlawed rebel group, according to the indictment read to the court in the remote town of Wamena. The hearing lasted about half a day with the defense expected to formally respond to the charges next week. Prosecutors said the Pole had met with leaders of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) and was found with documents and video detailing the Papuan struggle for independence. Jakarta is deeply sensitive about Papua, where a low-level insurgency against the central government has simmered for years, and routinely blames separatists for violence in the region. Skrzypski and an Indonesian co-defendant were also accused of discussing sourcing arms from Poland. Police previously said they had confiscated more than 130 rounds of ammunition from Skrzypski and three Indonesians, but that was not mentioned in the indictment. - 'Propaganda trial' - The trial had previously been postponed twice as officials searched for a translator to assist the defendant, who had also refused to attend court. But prosecutor Ricarda Arsenius said Skrzypski agreed to attend "after we talked with him and were able to convince him." Through his lawyer, Skrzypski issued a two-page handwritten statement Monday that blasted his prosecution, calling it a "propoganda trial" and lacking "any hard evidence". A conviction on some or all of the charges could mean a life sentence, according to his legal team. Papua shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea (PNG), just north of Australia. The former Dutch colony declared itself independent in 1961. Neighbouring Indonesia took control of the region two years later, but agreed to allow a referendum on independence. About 1,000 handpicked Papuans then unanimously chose to be part of Indonesia in the UN-backed vote, which is widely considered a sham. One of Indonesia's poorest regions, Papua has seen several spasms of violence over the past year, including in December when at least 16 employees of a state-owned company -- who were building bridges in a major infrastructure push for the impoverished region -- were killed by separatist rebels. Indonesian security forces have long been accused of rights abuses against Papua's ethnic Melanesian population including extrajudicial killings of activists and peaceful protestors. Experts say some fishermen from the North are travelling far out to sea in order to satisfy government mandates for bigger catches Two men claiming to be from North Korea were found aboard a wooden fishing boat drifting off northern Japan and have been detained, an official said on Monday. The wooden vessel was spotted some 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) off Aomori prefecture in the Sea of Japan on Sunday, according to the Japanese coastguard official. "The two men said they were from North Korea and their vessel was drifting due to engine trouble," the official said, adding the men had no identity documents and were being questioned on board their patrol boat. Five people were originally on the boat, which departed North Korea in mid-December, and three were missing after falling into the sea in bad weather, local media reported. Dozens of North Korean fishing vessels wash up on Japan's coast every year. Experts say some fishermen from the North are travelling far out to sea in order to satisfy government mandates for bigger catches. But their old and poorly equipped vessels are prone to mechanical and other problems, including running out of fuel, and there are few ways for them to call for rescue. Boats have also washed up on Japanese shores with the crew on board dead -- referred to as "ghost ships" by local media. Last year 10 North Koreans rescued from a tiny wooden boat drifting off northern Japan were deported back to their country, including the captain, who has been in custody on theft charges. US President Donald Trump, right, is warning his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of economic devastation should Ankara hit Kurdish forces after the American troop pullout from Syria President Donald Trump warned Turkey on Sunday of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. Trump took to Twitter to reveal some of his latest thoughts in the slow drip-drip of information being released by his administration after his shocking December announcement of the troop withdrawal. His top diplomat Mike Pompeo is on a whirlwind regional tour aimed at reassuring allies amid rising tensions between the US and Turkey over the fate of Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies in the fight against the Islamic State group. Pompeo also sought to reassure Washington's Kurdish allies in the fight against IS, who fear the departure of American troops would allow Turkey to attack them. Turkey had reacted angrily to suggestions that Trump's plan to withdraw troops was conditional on the safety of the US-backed Kurdish fighters, seen by the Turkish government as terrorists. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," Trump tweeted, while pushing for the creation of a 20-mile (30-kilometer) "safe zone." "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." Trump did not detail who would create, enforce or pay for the safe zone, or where it would be located. US-led operations against IS in Syria have been spearheaded on the ground by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara sees the backbone of that alliance, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as a terrorist group linked to the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) which has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. On Saturday, more than 600 people were evacuated from the remaining IS holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as US-backed fighters prepare for a final assault on the area. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," Trump said. "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman said that several dozen jihadist fighters were among those evacuated to areas held by the Kurdish-Arab alliance. Abdel Rahman said some 16,000 people, including 760 IS fighters, have fled the area since the start of December, though this marked the first time the SDF and the coalition provided buses, suggesting a deal struck between the warring sides. - Civilians still trapped - The United Nations said Friday that overall some 25,000 people have fled the violence over the last six months as the die-hard jihadists have battled to defend their dwindling bastions. An estimated 2,000 civilians remain trapped in the area around the town of Hajin, the United Nations said. The US-led coalition on Saturday fired over 20 missiles against jihadist positions, the Observatory said. The monitor said some 300 SDF combatants had deployed near the village of Sousa in preparations for a final assault. The shah's departure from Iran paved the way for the triumphant return of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from exile in France For months before the last shah fled Iran ending 2,500 years of royal rule, shopkeeper Ahmad Sheikh-Mehdi witnessed the fervour sweeping his country, heralding the arrival of the Islamic revolution. Forty years ago, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had dubbed himself the "King of Kings", flew out of Iran on January 16, 1979 after mass uprisings across the country. His departure paved the way for the triumphant return on February 1, 1979 of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from exile in France, and was ultimately to usher in the Islamic Republic. "Everyone was transformed by the revolution. We felt hopeful," said Sheikh-Mehdi, who at the time was a shopkeeper's assistant in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. The bazaar was one of the hotbeds of support for the revolutionaries, a bastion of tradition closely allied to the clerics who opposed what they saw as the shah's Westernising and secularising project. Sheikh-Mehdi remembers that time vividly, but what sticks most in his mind is the dervish -- an Islamic mystic -- who strode the bazaar's long corridors in the months before the shah fled, repeatedly chanting what amounted to a prophecy. "Nothing will be good until we are good. Before long, the tables will turn on this age," Sheikh-Mehdi, now 76, recited. "And the tables did turn," he added. - 'People had passion' - The shah and his wife flew to Egypt, beginning 18 months of wanderings which led them as far as the United States and Mexico before Pahlavi wound up back in Cairo where he died from cancer on July 27, 1980 at the age of 60. The shah's power had begun to crumble before he left the country, when in January 1978 Etelat daily newspaper was ordered to publish an article seen as insulting to Khomeini. Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and his wife Farah Diba fled Iran on January 16, 1979 Demonstrations by theology students were violently crushed and the funerals of the victims sparked a cycle of fresh protests and repression. Unrest mounted through 1978 and the bazaar frequently shut down in support of the protesters. "A young man would run into the bazaar, let out a sharp whistle and shout 'They're here!', and we'd all close shop and go join the protests," remembered 77-year old Ebrahim Almasi, who still runs a suit stall. He misses that burning revolutionary spirit, inspired by Khomeini's charisma. "People had passion back then. Blood was flowing," he said. Sheikh-Mehdi recalled how he would buy eggs for striking workers, part of the widespread solidarity felt at the time. "People would come and ask if we were short and give us money... We helped people as much as we could," he said. - 'Life is short' - Educated in Switzerland, Pahlavi ascended the throne on September 16, 1941 at the tender age of 21. The insecure young king did not gain real authority until 1953 when a CIA-backed coup removed his highly popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who was trying to nationalise the country's oil. Iran's last shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (R) and his wife Farah Diba are welcomed by French prime minister Jacques Chirac (L) at Matignon Hotel in Paris on June 25, 1974 Flush with the country's petro-dollars, the shah became one of the best customers of the US defence industry and a bulwark against Soviet influence. But his Western-inspired reforms triggered tumultuous social change that angered the clergy, while his consolidation of power and brutal secret police earned him a reputation as a tyrant. Opposition to the shah and the aura of corruption around the Tehrani elite brought together an unlikely but powerful coalition of radical Islamists, who opposed the quietism of the traditional clergy, and left-wing students motivated by anti-colonial movements around the world. The 40th anniversary of the shah's departure comes at a difficult time for Iran and Tehran's iconic bazaar as renewed US sanctions and poor management have plunged the country's economy into recession. Sheikh-Mehdi said this was precisely the time to return to the religious roots of the revolution. He still draws inspiration from Imam Ali, a son-in-law to Prophet Mohammad and a symbol of justice for Shiite Muslims. "We all need to remember life is short, and we will be judged," he said. There have been sporadic outbreaks of post-election violence in DR Congo since the disputed presidential vote An African regional bloc on Sunday called for a unity government in Democratic Republic of Congo following disputed presidential elections, while also urging a recount of the ballots. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) said political leaders should agree to a negotiated settlement after opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was declared winner of the December 30 poll, to widespread surprise. Another opposition candidate and former oil executive, Martin Fayulu, had been seen as the clear frontrunner and has appealed to the Constitutional Court to annul the result and have a recount. It had been hoped that the vote to replace long-time President Joseph Kabila would see the first peaceful transition of power in DRC since independence from Belgium in 1960. But sporadic outbreaks of post-election violence in the vast country -- roughly the same size as Western Europe -- has left observers concerned the unrest could escalate into a wider conflict. The electoral commission CENI last Wednesday announced that Tshisekedi had won with 38.57 percent of the vote, while Fayulu came second with 34.8 percent. Former interior minister Emmanuel Shadary -- Kabila's chosen successor -- came third. The election, originally due in late 2016, finally went ahead after numerous delays despite organisational concerns, controversy over voting machines, insecurity and an Ebola outbreak. - 'Build bridges' - On Sunday, the SADC urged "all political leaders to consider a negotiated political settlement for an all-inclusive government" in the sprawling central African country. Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the 16-member SADC, said such a move would "enhance public confidence, build bridges and reinforce democratic institutions of government and the electoral process for a better Congo". Lungu has spoken to Tshisekedi and "other stakeholders within and outside of the DRC", the SADC said in a statement. Noting "strong doubts" over the results voiced by DRC's powerful Roman Catholic Church -- which had deployed more than 40,000 poll monitors -- as well as Fayulu's camp and other observers, SADC said it "feels a recount would provide the necessary reassurance to both winners and losers". SADC includes South Africa and Angola, which have economic interests in DRC. - 'Kabila's stooge' - Several Western governments have expressed concern about the results, with the United States calling for "clarification". The European Union on Thursday said it was waiting for "the reactions of different observation missions that have observed the elections." On Sunday, Fayulu attended a Protestant church and told his supporters that "the people have decided and the will of the people will be realised". Parishioners greeted his words with an amen. He has said that if Tshisekedi becomes president "he will be Mr. Kabila's stooge who will continue to pull the strings". Analysts have said it was likely Kabila struck a deal with Tshisekedi to be declared the election winner. Kabila has been in office for 18 years, taking over the presidency from his father after he was assassinated. A long-running political crisis erupted two years ago when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office, sparking massive protests which were brutally repressed. Supporters of Felix Tshisekedi, who was named provisional winner of Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election, celebrate outside the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) headquarters in Kinshasa on January 10, 2019 A regional bloc on Sunday called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to form a unity government in the wake of disputed elections while also urging a recount of the ballots. The electoral commission CENI late last Wednesday announced to widespread surprise that opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi had out-balloted Martin Fayulu, who had been seen as the clear frontrunner in the vote. Tshisekedi was declared the victor with 38.57 percent, while Fayulu came second with 34.8 percent. Many observers had feared that the chosen successor of outgoing President Joseph Kabila, Emmanuel Shadary, might win thanks to vote-rigging. Fayulu immediately cried foul and appealed the result to the Constitutional Court, which has a week to rule on the demand. On Sunday, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) urged "all political leaders to consider a negotiated political settlement for an all-inclusive government" in the sprawling central African country. Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the 16-member SADC, said such a move would "enhance public confidence, build bridges and reinforce democratic institutions of government and electoral process for a better Congo". Lungu has spoken to Tshisekedi and "other stakeholders within and outside of the DRC", the SADC said in a statement. Noting "strong doubts" over the results voiced by the DRC's powerful Roman Catholic Church -- which had deployed more than 40,000 poll monitors -- as well as Fayulu's camp and other observers, SADC said it "feels a recount would provide the necessary reassurance to both winners and losers". A long-running political crisis erupted two years ago when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office, sparking massive protests which were brutally repressed. The notoriously unstable country has not seen a peaceful transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, seen in December 2017, was invited to visit by the Egyptian government, the Israel energy ministry said Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz arrived in Cairo on Sunday to attend a natural gas conference in a rare visit to Egypt by an Israeli official, airport sources said. Jordan and Egypt are the only two Arab states to have full diplomatic ties with Israel, but the relations remain limited and taboo among the general populations. Egyptians, like most Arabs, are largely opposed to the normalisation of ties with Israel in the absence of any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Steinitz's visit came at the invitation of the Egyptian government, Israel's energy ministry said. The Israeli minister was set to attend a regional forum on natural gas, which has become a major economic and strategic issue in the eastern Mediterranean. The "development of gas fields has geopolitical and geostrategic value," Steinitz told Israeli army radio ahead of the trip. "Here you have for the first time real economic cooperation between the axis-of-peace states Israel, Egypt and Jordan, along with European countries." Egypt has increased its meetings and agreements on natural gas with neighbouring countries as of late. In February 2018, Cairo reached a deal with Israel for the transfer of natural gas from Israel's Tamar and Leviathan reservoirs to Egypt. "Steinitz's invitation to the conference in Egypt is the positive outcome of the gas agreement," a source close to energy minister told AFP. The last time an Israeli minister visited Egypt was in November 2017 when Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel took part in a conference on the promotion of gender equality in Mediterranean states. Relations between Israel and some Arab countries have warmed in recent months, with Israeli ministers last year visiting the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Unprecedented violence has marred the past year in Cameroon's two mainly anglophone provinces in the northwest The Cameroon army "neutralised" seven attackers during a "reconnaissance operation offensive" near Bamenda, the capital of the troubled anglophone Northwest Region, sources close to the defence force said on Sunday. The operation at Alabukam also resulted in the destruction of a camp of secessionist fighters and the recovery of small arms ammunition, military uniforms and motorcycles, the sources told AFP. Unprecedented violence has marred the past year in Cameroon's two mainly anglophone provinces, the Northwest and Southwest regions, spilling over into French-speaking regions as English speakers rail against perceived marginalisation. In October 2017, radical anglophone leaders declared a "Republic of Ambazonia" in the two regions that were incorporated into predominantly French-speaking Cameroon in 1961. The central government in Yaounde launched a crackdown, deploying thousands of troops against armed militants. More than 200 members of the security forces and at least 500 civilians have been killed since, according to the International Crisis Group thinktank, while the UN estimates that more than 437,000 people have fled their homes. The two English-speaking regions were previously ruled by Britain as the Southern Cameroons. Over the years, anglophones have chafed at perceived discrimination at the hands of the francophone majority, especially in law, education and economic opportunities. Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim (R) receives his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Baghdad on January 13, 2019 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on Sunday for wide-ranging talks, including on US sanctions against Tehran. The visit came just days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise stop on his regional tour to urge Iraq to stop relying on Iran for gas and electricity imports. Washington has granted Baghdad a waiver until late March to keep buying Iranian gas and power, despite reimposing tough sanctions on Tehran in November. After a two-hour meeting on Sunday, Iraq's top diplomat Mohammed Ali al-Hakim said he had talked through the restrictions with his counterpart. "We discussed the unilateral economic measures taken by the US and are working with our neighbour (Iran) on them," Hakim said. Zarif slammed Washington's role in the region. "These failures have continued for the past 40 years and my proposal to countries (in the region) is to not bet on a losing horse," he told reporters. Iran's foreign minister went on to meet Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi, who released a statement affirming: "Iraq's policy is built on seeking the best ties with all of its neighbours." Zarif is expected to attend several economic forums in various Iraqi cities, including Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdish north. While in Baghdad, he discussed numerous political and economic issues with his Iraqi counterpart including Syria and Yemen. Hakim said Iraq was in favour of the Arab League reinstating Syria's membership, eight years after suspending it as the conflict there unfolded. Following Zarif's visit, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is also expected to travel to Iraq in the near future. Iran is the second-largest source of imported goods in Iraq. Besides canned food and cars, Baghdad also buys 1,300 megawatts of electricity and 28 million cubic metres of natural gas daily from Iran to feed power plants. That dependence is uncomfortable for Washington, which sees Tehran as its top regional foe and expects Iraq to wean itself off Iranian energy resources. But energy ties between Baghdad and Tehran appear to have remained close, with Iran's oil minister visiting Baghdad last week to denounce US sanctions as "totally illegal". The top US diplomat embarked on his second politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia since journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder inside its Istanbul consulate sparked an international outcry US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday arrived in Riyadh, where he is set to press Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi accountable. The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, embarked on his second politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia since Khashoggi's murder inside its Istanbul consulate sparked an international outcry. "We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo told reporters in Qatar, before flying to the Saudi capital. "We'll... make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable, certainly by the Saudis but by the United States as well." After landing in Riyadh, Pompeo pushed for Saudi Arabia to continue its investigation into the murder, in talks with Adel al-Jubeir, minister of state for foreign affairs, and the Saudi Ambassador to Washington, Prince Khalid bin Salman. Pompeo is set to press Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold the killers of Khashoggi accountable Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was murdered on October 2 in what Saudi Arabia called a "rogue" operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises and subsequently straining ties between Riyadh and Washington. Pompeo's visit to Saudi Arabia, where he will be hosted by Prince Mohammed, is part of an extensive eight-day trip to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and finally Kuwait City. - Smiles with MBS - US President Donald Trump has brushed aside international outrage to stand by Prince Mohammed over the murder of Khashoggi, whose corpse was dismembered at the consulate. His support has come despite the US Central Intelligence Agency's reported conclusion that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered the murder. A bipartisan resolution approved by the US Senate last month also held the crown prince responsible for the killing. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on an extensive Middle East tour Riyadh prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people and are seeking the death penalty against five of them. But Prince Mohammed, whose right-hand aides were allegedly involved in the murder, was exonerated by prosecutors. On a previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, Pompeo's broad smiles with the crown prince outraged some Americans. However, Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the oil-rich kingdom, which he sees as a bulwark against common foe Iran and a lucrative buyer of US arms. Rights groups have called on Pompeo to also press Prince Mohammed over the jailing of women activists in the kingdom, amid claims that some of them faced sexual harassment and torture during interrogation. "I am struck by what is not included in Pompeo's itinerary: the brave women activists of Saudi Arabia, who are being held in the kingdom's prisons for seeking rights and dignity," Alia al-Hathloul wrote in The New York Times Sunday. Hathloul's sister, Loujain, is among more than a dozen activists arrested last May -- just before the historic lifting of Saudi Arabia's decades-long ban on women drivers. - Gulf crisis - Pompeo met the Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during his visit to Doha, where he refused to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran. He also called on Qatar and other Gulf countries to end the worst political rift in the region for years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt -- all US allies -- cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Sea Palace in Doha on January 13, 2019, during his extensive Middle East tour. Qatar -- also a US ally -- denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. "As for the GCC... we are all more powerful when we're working together when we have common challenges in the region and around the world," Pompeo said, referring to the six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. "Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful." He added that "President Trump and I both believe the ongoing dispute in the region has gone on too long". However, Pompeo later admitted in a Q&A session with US embassy staff in Doha that no progress was made on resolving the issue. Mediation efforts by the United States, which at first appeared to back the boycott of Qatar, have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan. The US and Qatar held the second "strategic dialogue" between the two countries on Sunday and signed agreements on defence, education and culture. Sudanese protest in the streets of the capital Khartoum on January 13, 2019 Sudanese police fired tear gas Sunday at crowds of anti-government protesters in several cities including Khartoum, as organisers pushed for more nationwide rallies against President Omar al-Bashir this week. Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19 after a government decision to triple the price of bread. The protests have since swiftly escalated into nationwide rallies widely seen as the biggest threat to Bashir's rule in his three decades in power. Authorities say the protests have left 24 people dead so far, while Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 40, including children and medical staff. On Sunday, protesters took to the streets in the capital's Bahari district chanting "peace, peace" and "revolution is the people's choice," but they were quickly confronted by riot police, witnesses told AFP. Witnesses said police pursued protesters down Bahari's streets and alleys as they chanted "peace, justice, freedom", which has become a key slogan in the rallies. Women protesters, many wearing masks to protect themselves from tear gas, whistled and clapped as they marched in the streets of Bahari, the hub of Sunday's demonstration. Some residents in Bahari took protesters inside their homes and offered them juice as tear gas canisters struck the facades of their buildings, a witness said. Later on Sunday, the Sudanese Professionals' Association that is spearheading the rallies said "live ammunition" had been used during the demonstration in Bahari. It did not say who fired the gunshots. -- 'Stench of tear gas' -- "Inspite of the violence of security forces, the clouds of tear gas and thunder of live ammunition, our people courageously took to the street," said the association, comprising of unions of doctors, teachers and engineers. A panel of doctors within the association said in a separate statement that eight people had been wounded in Khartoum rally including "two from live ammunition". It also did not specify who had fired the gunshots. Khartoum police could not be reached for comment. Sudanese officials including Bashir have blamed the violence during demonstrations on "thugs" and "conspirators". Protest organisers have called for near daily demonstrations across the country against Bashir this week, calling it a "Week of Uprising". Hours after police dispersed the rally in Bahari on Sunday, the smell of tear gas lingered across the neighbourhood, witnesses said. Several streets remained blocked with burnt tyres and rocks thrown by protesters, a witness said, adding that riot police, some in vehicles loaded with machineguns, remained deployed in the area. On Sunday, protests also broke out in the western war-torn region of Darfur. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who took to the streets of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state and in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, witnesses said. A demonstrator wearing a shirt that in Arabic reads "I am a peaceful protester" takes part in an anti-government rally in the capital Khartoum on January 13, 2019 Darfur, a region the size of France, has been torn by violence since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. Bashir, who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, has been charged by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) with genocide and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur. - Economic crisis - Protests were also reported in the central town of Madani and in some villages of the eastern impoverished, agricultural province of Gadaref. Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists as well as demonstrators. The crackdown has drawn international criticism, with countries like Britain, Norway, Canada and the United States warning Khartoum that its actions could "have an impact" on its relations with their governments. Although the unrest was triggered by the rise in the price of bread, Sudan has faced a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency. Repeated shortages of food and fuel have been reported across cities, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled. Bashir and other officials have blamed Washington for Sudan's economic woes. The US imposed a trade embargo on Khartoum in 1997 that was lifted only in October 2017. It restricted Sudan from conducting international business and financial transactions. But critics of Bashir say his government's mismanagement of key sectors and its huge spending on fighting ethnic minority rebellions in Darfur and areas near the South Sudan border have been stoking economic trouble for years. Sudanese protesters chant slogans during an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum on January 6, 2019 Sudanese police fired tear gas Sunday at crowds of anti-government protesters in Khartoum after organisers called for nationwide rallies against President Omar al-Bashir. Protesters chanting "peace, peace" and "revolution is the people's choice" took to the streets in the capital's district of Bahari, but were quickly confronted by riot police, witnesses told AFP. Protests that first erupted in the provinces on December 19 over a government decision to triple the price of bread have swiftly escalated into nationwide rallies widely seen as the biggest threat to Bashir's three-decade rule. Authorities say the protests have left 24 people dead, while Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 40, including children and medical staff. On Sunday, protesters in Khartoum were seen carrying the Sudanese flag as others held banners bearing the words "peace, justice, freedom", which has become a key slogan in the rallies. Protest organisers have called for near daily demonstrations across the country against Bashir this week, calling it a "Week of Uprising". Protests also broke out Sunday in the western war-torn region of Darfur, after calls for rallies there by the Sudanese Professionals' Association, which has spearheaded the demonstrations. Protesters there took to the streets of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. The demonstration was the first of its kind in Darfur since the unrest began. An expected 12 million people will descend on Allahabad to bathe in holy rivers for the centuries-old festival Hindu devotees began gathering Sunday in northern India for the world's largest religious festival, with millions of pilgrims travelling to bathe in holy rivers for the spectacular Kumbh Mela. State authorities in Uttar Pradesh are expecting 12 million visitors to descend on Allahabad for the centuries-old festival, which officially begins Tuesday and continues until early March. An Indian sadhu (Hindu holy man) smokes as he sits inside his tent at the Kumbh Mela The ancient city rises alongside the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, and the meeting point of the three is considered highly sacred in Hinduism. Hindus believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and frees the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hindus believe bathing at the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and frees the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth Two days before the gigantic bathing ritual begins, naked holy men wandered the banks smeared in ash, offering blessings for devotees. "We help devotees get rid of their pains and troubles through our blessings, sacred ash, yoga, knowledge and wisdom," said Prahlad Puri, a holy man with his long knotted hair tied in a bun. "We distribute food, we serve the poor." A devotee prays after taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam banks, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a war over a sacred pitcher, or kumbh, containing the nectar of immortality. During the tussle, a few drops fell to earth at four different locations -- one being Allahabad. The historic city was recently renamed Prayagraj by the state's conservative Hindu government but is still widely known by Allahabad, the name it was given by Muslim rulers hundreds of years ago. The Mela, which runs until March 4, was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2017. US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands on July 16, 2018 ahead of a meeting in Helsinki President Donald Trump has rejected a Washington Post report that he has refused to share details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin with top US government officials. Trump, in a telephone interview late Saturday with Fox News, dismissed as "ridiculous" the Post story that alleged he went to great lengths to hide the content of his talks with Putin, even confiscating the notes of his interpreter and ordering that person to not discuss what was said. Trump said he had "a great conversation" with Putin in Helsinki in July 2018. When asked why not release details of the nearly two-hour conversation, Trump said: "I would, I don't with care. "I mean, I had a conversation like every president does. You sit with the president of various countries... We were talking about Israel and securing Israel and lots of other things ... I'm not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous." He added: "Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs." According to the Post there is no detailed record of Trump's personal talks with Putin at five locations over the past two years. The newspaper quotes unnamed current and former government officials as sources for the story. Trump also told Fox when asked about Putin that "no collusion" has been found between his 2016 campaign and Russia, that he was a better candidate than Democrat Hillary Clinton, that the US economy "is the strongest in the world," and that The Washington Post is "basically the lobbyist for Amazon," as both are owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos. - A national security threat? - Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a former FBI chief, heads the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Moscow Trump also took aim at an earlier story in The New York Times stating that the FBI launched a previously undisclosed counterintelligence investigation to determine whether he posed a national security threat, at the same time that it opened a criminal probe into possible obstruction of justice. The FBI investigation was later folded into the broader probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and possible collaboration by the Trump campaign. Fox asked if he had ever worked for Russia. "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked," he said, without directly answering the question. He slammed the Times story as "the most insulting article I've ever had written and if you read the article, you'd see that they found absolutely nothing." No evidence has publicly emerged that Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian officials, the Times said. The FBI had been suspicious of Trump's ties to Russia during the 2016 campaign, but it held off on opening a probe until the president sacked Comey, who refused to roll back the Russia investigation, the Times said. Mueller has indicted 33 people in the probe and convicted some of the president's close associates. Trump's ex-national security advisor, Michael Flynn, has pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his Moscow ties. Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has been sentenced to three years in prison for multiple crimes, including felony violations of campaign finance laws that prosecutors allege were carried out under Trump's direction. And Trump's former presidential campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, has been convicted in one case brought by Mueller and pleaded guilty in another, over financial crimes related to his work in Ukraine before the 2016 campaign, and for witness tampering. Garment workers in Bangladesh have been demanding a wage rise, closing factories and taking to the streets in huge marches Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers churning out clothes for top global brands walked off the job Sunday and clashed with police as protests over low wages entered a second week. Police said water cannons and tear gas were fired to disperse huge crowds of striking factory workers in Savar, a garment hub just outside the capital Dhaka. "The workers barricaded the highway, we had to drive them away to ease traffic conditions," industrial police director Sana Shaminur Rahman told AFP about Sunday's strike action. "So far 52 factories, including some big ones, have shut down operations due to the protests." One worker was killed on Tuesday after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at some 5,000 protesting workers. Bangladesh is dependent on garments stitched by millions of low-paid tailors on factory floors across the emerging South Asia economy of 165 million people. Roughly 80 percent of its export earnings come from clothing sales abroad, with global retailers H&M, Primark, Walmart, Tesco and Aldi among the main buyers. Union leader Aminul Islam blamed factory owners for resorting to violence to control striking workers. "But they are more united than ever," he told AFP. "It doesn't seem like they will leave the streets, until their demands are met." The protests are the first major test for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since winning a fourth term in December 30 elections marred by violence, thousands of arrests and allegations of vote rigging and intimidation. Late Sunday, the government announced a pay hike for mid-level factory workers after meeting with manufacturers and unions. Not all unions have signalled they will uphold the agreement. Babul Akhter, a union leader present at the meeting, told AFP the deal should appease striking workers. "They should not reject it, and peacefully return to work," he told AFP. Minimum wages for the lowest-paid garment workers rose by a little over 50 percent this month to 8,000 taka ($95) per month. But mid-tier tailors say their rise was paltry and fails to reflect the rising costs of living, especially in housing. - 'No work, no pay' - Bangladesh's 4,500 textile and clothing factories shipped more than $30 billion worth of apparel last year. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association, which wields huge political influence, warned all factories might be shut if tailors do not return to work immediately. "We may follow the 'no work, no pay' theory, according to the labour law," association president Siddikur Rahman told reporters. Last year Bangladesh was the second-largest global apparel exporter after China. It has ambitious plans to expand the sector into a $50 billion a year industry by 2023. But despite their role in transforming the impoverished nation into a major manufacturing hub, garment workers remain some of the lowest paid in the world. The industry also has a poor workplace safety record. The Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in 2013 killed more than 1,130 people in one of the world's worst industrial accidents. Following the disaster, major retailers formed two groups to introduce factory reforms. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association says its members have since invested $1 billion in safety upgrades. An image released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on May 10, 2018 purportedly shows what the official news agency said was air defence systems intercepting Israeli missiles over Syrian airspace, without specifying the location Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel had at the weekend carried out an air strike on Iranian weapons in Syria, a rare public confirmation of such attacks. "Just in the last 36 hours the air force attacked Iranian warehouses containing Iranian weapons in the Damascus international airport," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting, according to his office. "The accumulation of recent attacks shows that we're more determined than ever to act against Iran in Syria, just as we promised." Netanyahu added that Israel had attacked Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria hundreds of times. Israel has pledged to prevent its main enemy Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where it is backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime alongside Russia and Hezbollah. It rarely publicly confirms such strikes, though outgoing military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot has spoken of them in interviews in recent days. Eisenkot told the New York Times that "we struck thousands of targets without claiming responsibility or asking for credit". Netanyahu is also facing April 9 elections in Israel and has been seeking to burnish his security credentials. The strike Netanyahu was referring to occurred on Friday night. Syrian state news agency SANA cited a military source saying on Friday night that Syrian air defences had shot down Israeli missiles, but a warehouse had been hit. Most of the missiles fired by "Israeli military planes" were intercepted at around 11:00 pm (2100 GMT), the source said. "Only a ministry of transport warehouse at Damascus international airport was hit," SANA cited the military source as saying. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said "two areas hosting military positions of Iranian forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement have been targeted". They were near the airport and around the Kisweh area south of Damascus, said the Britain-based Observatory. Sudanese protesters chant slogans during an anti-government demonstration in Khartoum on January 6, 2019 A group organising anti-government protests across Sudan vowed to stage new demonstrations on Sunday, including for the first time in the war-torn region of Darfur. Protests that erupted in the provinces on December 19 after the government tripled the price of bread have escalated into nationwide anti-government rallies, with demonstrators calling for President Omar al-Bashir to resign. Authorities say at least 24 people have died in the protests, while rights group Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 40, including children and medical staff. On Sunday, protest organisers called for demonstrations in the capital Khartoum and other towns including Madani, Kosti and Dongola as part of what they have called a "Week of Uprising". They also urged protests in Niyala and El-Fasher in Darfur, the first such rallies to be called in the region. "The people of Niyala and El-Fasher, we call on you to gather in downtown like other towns and villages who are calling on President Bashir to step down," the Sudanese Professionals' Association said in a joint statement with an alliance of opposition groups. Darfur, a region the size of France, has been torn by violence since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. Darfur has remained largely calm since last year, with no anti-government demonstration held so far even as protesters staged hundreds of rallies in other cities that have been swiftly broken up by riot police. Anti-government demonstrations first erupted in towns and villages before spreading to Khartoum last month. Although the trigger was the rise in the price of bread, Sudan has faced a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency. Repeated shortages of food and fuel have been reported in several cities, including Khartoum, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled. A picture taken on December 19, 2018 during a guided tour by Israel's army shows a soldier operating a pulley near a hole dug by the army to intercept a suspected Hezbollah cross-border tunnel between Lebanon and Israel Israel has uncovered all cross-border attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon and now plans to bring its operation to find and destroy them to an end, a military spokesman said Sunday. "We have found yet another Hezbollah cross-border attack tunnel from Lebanon to Israel," Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus told reporters of the operation that began on December 4. "According to our intelligence and our assessment of the situation there are no longer any cross-border attack tunnels from Lebanon into Israel." The latest tunnel, found on Saturday, began in the Lebanese village of Ramyeh, some 800 metres (yards) away from Israel, the army said. It reached a few dozen metres into Israel, and at 55 metres under the ground was the deepest as well as "the longest and most detailed" of all the tunnels the army exposed, Conricus said. The latest tunnel was the sixth revealed to the public and the army said its discovery marked the end of the operation dubbed by the army "Northern Shield". The last tunnel will be destroyed in the coming days. "We have achieved the goal (to expose and destroy the tunnels from Lebanon) which we set out to achieve at the beginning," Conricus said. Conricus said there were no more tunnels reaching Israel from Lebanon but the army was still monitoring "facilities" being dug by Hezbollah within Lebanese territory. He also reiterated that Israel holds the Lebanese government accountable "for any act of violence or violation of 1701," the UN resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, was informed of the latest tunnel, Conricus said. Israel alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels to kidnap or kill its civilians or soldiers, and to seize a slice of Israeli territory in the event of any hostilities. It has said, however, that they were not yet operational. A month-long war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers. The highly publicised Israeli operation to expose and destroy the tunnels has gone ahead without drawing a military response from Hezbollah. Israel says all operations have taken place within its territory. Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir defiantly brandishes his trademark cane as he addresses a loyalist rally in the capital Khartoum on January 9, 2019 As angry protests pile pressure on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to step down, key powers are standing by his regime to ensure stability in a strife-torn region, analysts say. Demonstrations that erupted in the provinces last month after the government tripled the price of bread have escalated into nationwide protests that analysts say pose the biggest challenge to Bashir since he took power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989. But despite bloodshed that Sudanese authorities say has claimed 22 lives, outside players ranging from Gulf rivals Qatar and Saudi Arabia to major powers China, Russia and the United States all see an interest in the 75-year-old staying at the helm. "All camps in the region are at each other's throat, but somehow they agree on Bashir," said Abdelwahab al-Affendi, author and an academic at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. "They seem to favour continuity. They believe that any other alternative might not be favourable to them and to the region." Egypt, which has deep historical ties with Sudan, has called repeatedly for stability in its southern neighbour, with its commanding position on the Nile on whose waters they both depend. "Egypt fully supports the security and stability of Sudan, which is integral to Egypts national security," President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told a top Bashir aide who visited Cairo last week. Days earlier, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed confidence that Sudan would "overcome the present situation". Relations between Cairo and Khartoum had deteriorated sharply in 2017 over territorial disputes, but in recent months the two governments have ironed out their differences, with Sudan even lifting a 17-month ban on Egyptian agricultural produce. - Memories of Arab Spring - Arab governments have scrambled to provide support, anxious to avoid any repetition of the upheavals that rocked the region in 2011. "There has been evidence of tangible support to Bashir... be it from Egypt, Saudi or Qatar," said Affendi. "These allies are against any kind of successful uprising. They feel that if it happens, then they will be next," he said, adding that the Arab Spring has not been forgotten. Qatar's ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, called Bashir just days after the protests erupted to offer his support. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir speaks during a meeting with police officials in the capital Khartoum on December 30, 2018 During his long years in power, Bashir has built up relations with all of the region's bickering diplomatic players, through a string of sometimes spectacular foreign policy twists. Just days before the protests erupted, he travelled to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the first visit to Damascus by any Arab leader since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011. "His foreign policy is in all directions driven by economic pressures," said a European diplomat on condition of anonymity. The regime hosted Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, and then developed ties with Shiite Iran before severing them in 2016. In October 2017, increased cooperation with Washington helped Khartoum get a decades-old US trade embargo lifted. Washington has still kept Sudan on its blacklist of "state sponsors of terrorism" along with Iran, North Korea and Syria. And although the US and the European Union do not openly back Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges including genocide in Darfur, they work with Khartoum to ensure that "Sudan remains stable", the diplomat said. Any kind of instability in Sudan could trigger a new wave of Sudanese migrants headed towards Europe, he added. - Gateway to Africa - Sudan's strategic location in the Horn of Africa is a blessing for Bashir, said Amal el-Taweel of the Cairo-based Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. "I think the international and regional powers will not allow Sudan to fall," she told AFP. "But a lot depends on how the balance of power shifts on the streets," she added. "The world also doesn't want to see another new bastion of hardliners that might be created if something like this happens." Sudanese protesters join an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum on January 6, 2019 Bashir surprised the West when he dumped Tehran for Riyadh in 2016. The shift was not just diplomatic. The Sudanese leader also sent hundreds of troops to join the Saudi-led coalition battling Iran-linked Shiite rebels in Yemen, in what he called an "ideological" decision. By doing so, Bashir signalled to Gulf Arab monarchies that he was an asset in their struggle against Shiite Iran. "In return Saudi and the United Arab Emirates have given Bashir just about enough to stay afloat, although no announcements have been made," said Affendi, referring to financial aid to Khartoum. For international powers like China, which has reportedly invested billions of dollars in Sudan, the country offers a gateway to the rest of the continent. "For countries like China and Russia, Sudan is an entry gate to Africa," the foreign diplomat said. "Be it them or the West, nobody wants Sudan to crumble." A loyalist fighter stands at the eastern gateway to the Red Sea port city of Hodeida on December 29, 2018 Clashes erupted between Huthi rebels and government forces in Yemen's flashpoint port city of Hodeida on Saturday, dealing a new blow to a fragile truce, an AFP correspondent reported. Artillery and machine-gun exchanges rocked the southern part of Hodeida in early morning before tapering off later in day, the correspondent said. The rebel-held port city, which is a lifeline for the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid, was for months the main front line in the Yemeni conflict after government forces supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies launched an offensive to capture it in June. But last month the warring parties agreed a ceasefire for Hodeida during UN-sponsored talks in Sweden. The United Nations has said the truce has largely held since it came into force on December 18 but there have been delays in the agreed pullback of rebel and government forces. The Huthis control most of Hodeida while government forces are deployed on its southern and eastern outskirts. Since the Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the government in March 2015, the conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people and unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations. UN aid officials say 80 percent of the population -- 24 million people -- are in need of aid and nearly 10 million are just one step away from famine. UN aid coordinator Lise Grande visited Hodeida on Friday and met local officials, the head of Yemen's National Authority for the Administration and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Jaber al-Razahi, said. "The reason for the visit of UN humanitarian coordinator Lisa Grande to Hodeida is to see the humanitarian situation... and ensure the arrival of aid through the port," Eazahi said. Cambodia's multi-billion dollar garment and footwear sector is the country's largest formal employer Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen blasted the European Union on Saturday for holding the country "hostage" with threats to axe trade preferences after it held elections with no credible opposition. The EU threatened in October to withdrawal the duty-free Everything But Arms scheme (EBA), which benefits exports from Cambodia's garment and footwear sector, the largest formal employer. The multi-billion dollar sector employs hundreds of thousands of labourers and is seen as one of the 66-year-old's few vulnerable positions in a country he has run for nearly 34 years by building up vast patronage networks. In recent months he has requested pardons for activists and eased up on the crippled opposition, which was banned in a Supreme Court ruling ahead of the July vote swept by Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party. The moves were seen as concessions to avoid any loss of the trade preferences but Hun Sen has baulked at the idea of his hand being forced, and said so in his most direct comments on the issue yet in a meeting with former Irish prime minister Enda Kenny in Phnom Penh. After bringing up several historical grievances with the bloc he said it was making another mistake by "using EBA as a threat to sanction Cambodia ... and take about 16 million Cambodians as hostage of the so-called EBA." Hun Sen's spokesman conveyed the remarks to reporters. They were also posted on the leader's official Facebook page and quickly picked up by state-friendly media. He asked Kenny to pass along his message to the EU. Hun Sen is known for fiery speeches that toss aside diplomatic niceties, but he usually avoids calling out the trade scheme by name. Last month he rapped Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on the country in comments believed to be tied to the EU threat. Removing the preferences is a long, drawn out process that would take several months. The ruling party swept all seats in the July vote turning Cambodia into a one-party state. The Southeast Asian country enjoys the economic support of China, which in turn relies on its smaller ally to support it in regional disputes over control of the potentially resource-rich South China Sea. Two men have been arrested and jailed in Gabon for gunning down another man and slicing off his tongue, fingers and toes in a gruesome occult sacrifice A court in Gabon has jailed two men accused of sacrificing a man and cutting out his organs for black magic rituals, press reports and campaigners said Friday. Henry Bengone B'Evouna received a life sentence for gunning down Achille Obiang Ndong, while his accomplice, Gerard Mba Eyime, was jailed for 12 years for slicing off the victim's tongue, fingers and toes, l'Union newspaper said. The sentences were passed on Tuesday by an appeals court in Oyem in the north of the west African country. Bengone B'Evouna had struck a deal "with a former local dignitary to provide human organs in exchange for the sum of 800,000 CFA francs," about $1,400 or 1,200 euros, l'Union reported. Both men admitted guilt for the crime committed in 2012, it said. An advocacy group, the Association for Fighting Ritualistic Crimes (ALCR), which said it was providing support for the victim's family, said "the people who sponsored" the murder "have still not been arrested." In Gabon and other parts of West Africa, organs are used as fetishes in magic rituals, "and often are taken from people while they are still alive," said the organisation's president, Jean-Elvis Ebang Ondo. "Often, there is no prosecution for crimes of ritual killings," he said. "Behind them, there's a whole network of sponsors -- politicians and powerful businessmen, marabouts [witch doctors], people called 'nganga' who act as spotters and often are schoolchildren or close relatives, and those who carry out the killing." Dread of kidnapping for organ removal is common. Ebang Ondo said his organisation estimated that at least 50 ritualistic crimes, in a population of less than two million, occurred each year. President Trump told a White House meeting with state and local officials he was not about to declare a national emergency to fund his controversial border wall President Donald Trump said he was holding off on declaring a state of emergency to end the partial US government shutdown that dragged into a 23rd day Sunday, as he insisted on $5.7 billion to build a Mexico border wall that congressional Democrats oppose. Asked by Fox News why he didn't immediately declare a national emergency to secure the funds without congressional approval, Trump said he wanted to give opposition Democratic lawmakers more time to strike a deal. "I want to give them the chance to see if they can act responsibly," he told Fox in an interview late Saturday. The US government shutdown became the longest on record at midnight Friday, when it overtook a 21-day stretch in 1995-1996 under president Bill Clinton. Trump fired off a series of tweets Saturday in an effort to defend his stance and goad Democrats to return to Washington and end what he called "the massive humanitarian crisis at our Southern Border." US government shutdowns since 1990 "Democrats could solve the Shutdown in 15 minutes!" he said in one tweet, adding in another, "We will be out for a long time unless the Democrats come back from their 'vacations' and get back to work. I am in the White House ready to sign!" But most lawmakers left town on Friday and will not return before Monday, leaving little chance for any solution to the stalemate before then. The impasse has paralyzed Washington -- its impact felt increasingly around the country -- with the president refusing to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments unrelated to the dispute. As a result, 800,000 federal employees -- including FBI agents, air traffic controllers and museum staff -- received no paychecks on Friday. - Retreat from 'emergency' - Donald Trump met with border patrol agents and police as he visited McAllen, Texas on January 10 to push his plan for a wall on the US-Mexico border At a White House meeting Friday Trump described an emergency declaration as the "easy way out," and said Congress had to step up to the responsibility of approving funding for the wall. "If they can't do it... I will declare a national emergency. I have the absolute right," he said. Trump however acknowledged that such a move would likely trigger a legal battle ending in the Supreme Court. Opponents say such a unilateral presidential move would be constitutional overreach and set a dangerous precedent in similar controversies. - 'Under siege' - Trump pushed back Saturday on a media report that his White House was "chaotic" with no plan or strategy to end the shutdown. To understand the plan "you would have to understand the fact that I won the election, and I promised... a Wall at the Southern Border. Elections have consequences!" he tweeted. Trump has made building a wall -- like these prototypes seen from Tijuana on January 7, 2019 -- the central theme of his nationalist domestic policies Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the US-Mexican border presents challenges, but Trump has turned his single-minded push for more walls into a crusade that opponents say is a stunt to stoke xenophobia in his right-wing voter base. For the president, who visited the Texas border with Mexico on Thursday, the border situation amounts to an invasion by criminals. Only in recent days has he begun describing the problem as "humanitarian." Some studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States. And most narcotics are smuggled through heavily guarded checkpoints in vehicles, the government's Drug Enforcement Administration said in a 2017 report. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun has deactivated her Twitter account, which had helped her to highlight her plight and avoid deportation from Thailand The young Saudi woman who fled her family seeking asylum abroad is scheduled to land in Canada on Saturday after successfully harnessing the power of Twitter to stave off deportation from Thailand. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, was already en route to Toronto late Friday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would take her in. Trudeau's surprise announcement came after officials had heavily hinted that she was bound for Australia. "Canada has been unequivocal that we'll stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world," Trudeau said. "When the United Nations made a request of us that we grant al-Qunun's asylum, we accepted." The move is sure to further strain Canada's relations with the kingdom that went sideways last August over Ottawa's rights criticism of Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel the Canadian ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest. Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the "immediate release" of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, whose family lives in Quebec. Qunun's attempt to flee the ultra-conservative kingdom was embraced by rights groups as a beacon of defiance against repression. Thai authorities initially threatened to deport her after she arrived in Bangkok from Kuwait last weekend. But armed with a smartphone and hastily opened Twitter account, she forced a U-turn from Thai immigration police who handed her into the care of the UN's refugee agency as the #SaveRahaf hashtag bounced across the world. - 'Precarious situation' - Qunun left from the same airport where her quest for asylum began less than a week ago "Ms. al-Qunun's plight has captured the world's attention over the past few days, providing a glimpse into the precarious situation of millions of refugees worldwide," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said. "Refugee protection today is often under threat and cannot always be assured, but in this instance international refugee law and overriding values of humanity have prevailed." Raif Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar also praised Canada, calling Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Twitter "the real hero" behind efforts to prevent Qunun's repatriation to Saudi Arabia. Qunun alleged that she was abused by her family -- who deny the allegations -- and rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in Saudi Arabia. Qunun first said she was aiming for Australia where officials had suggested they would give serious consideration to her claim for asylum, which was endorsed as legitimate by the UNHCR on Wednesday. But late Friday Thailand's immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn said a smiling and cheerful Rahaf was bound for Toronto and had left on a flight after 11pm (1600 GMT). "She chose Canada... Canada said it will accept her," Surachate told reporters at Bangkok's main airport. "She is safe now and has good physical and mental health. She is happy." Qunun left from the same airport where her quest for asylum began less than a week ago in a swift-moving process that defied most norms. - Death threats - On Friday afternoon Qunun posted a cryptic tweet on her profile saying "I have some good news and some bad news" -- shortly afterward, her account was deactivated in response to death threats she had faced, her friends said. But she was back online later in the day, tweeting: "I would like to thank you people for supporting me and saving my life. Truly I have never dreamed of this love and support." Qunun's swift use of Twitter saw her amass more than tens of thousands of followers within a week, highlighting her plight at a time when Saudi Arabia's human rights record is under heavy scrutiny following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Her deployment of social media allowed her to avoid the fate of countless other refugees who are quietly sent back home or languish in Bangkok detention centers. She refused to see her father, who traveled to Thailand and expressed opposition to her resettlement. Surachate said her father and brother were due to return home on a flight in the early hours of Saturday. Although her asylum case moved fast the final maneuvers that led to her flight to Canada remain largely a mystery. Australia had dropped strong hints it would accept her after the UN urged the country to do so and it remains unclear why the resettlement location changed. On Thursday its foreign minister said Canberra was still assessing the request. Thailand's immigration chief Surachate had earlier told reporters Friday that "two or three" countries were ready to offer her asylum. The Southeast Asian country is not a signatory to a convention on refugees and asylum seekers must be referred to a third country. burs-ch/wdb MATCHES TO WATCH ON DAY TWO OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN: * Destanee Aiava (AUS) v 17-Madison Keys (USA), Rod Laver Arena - Day Tuesday's visit to Rod Laver Arena won't be 18-year-old wildcard Destanee Aiava's first match on the Australian Open centre court; last year she drew top seed Simona Halep and even broke the world No.1 to lead the first set before the Romanian's class prevailed. That experience should hold the wildcard entrant in good stead to battle fellow power-hitter Keys, the 2017 US Open runner-up. * Tatjana Maria (GER) v 16-Serena Williams (USA), Rod Laver Arena - Day Williams returns to the grand slam stage four months after her explosive US Open final loss to Naomi Osaka as she shoots to equal Margaret Court and tally her 24th grand slam. The 37-year-old superstar should have no trouble against fellow veteran Maria of Germany, with most interest going to the reaction Williams will receive from the Melbourne Park crowd. * Johanna Konta (GBR) v Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS), Court 3 - Day Could this be the tournament that Tomljanovic announces herself to an Australian audience? After two WTA finals in 2018, hopes are high that the world No.47 can push on this year into seeding contention. In former semi-finalist and world No.38 Johanna Konta, the 25-year-old has landed a tough draw. Sydney-born Konta has won all three of their past meetings, their battle expected to be a high-quality affair. * Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v 6-Mlios Raonic (CAN), Melbourne Arena - Night Two of the biggest servers on tour face off on Kyrgios' favourite court, the newly rebadged Melbourne Arena, in an early-tournament blockbuster. The pair shared 1501 aces in 2018 and no one has a better record at winning first-serve points than the towering Canadian. The pair have met six times with three wins each, with Kyrgios' temperament set to play a key role in whether he can mount another Melbourne Park run. * 1-Simona Halep (ROM) v Kaia Kanepi (EST), Margaret Court Arena - Night Halep could have forgiven herself an eye roll at learning her draw; a rematch with the Estonian who bundled her out of last year's US Open in the first round. That's one of five first-up losses the world No.1 has taken leading into the Australian Open while retaining the top seed. Kanepi, 33, reached the third round at Melbourne Park last year and will be a tough assignment for the Romanian. * Benoit Paire (FRA) v 7-Dominic Thiem (AUT), Margaret Court Arena - Night For star power, Novak Djokovic's battle with American qualifier Mitchell Krueger or US Open champion Naomi Osaka's clash with Magda Linette might be more keenly anticipated. But late on Margaret Court Arena, one of the sport's most combustible players against a next-gen shotmaker promises to be compulsive viewing. Paire's spats are as keenly watched on tour as Thiem's backhand. A man has been charged over a fracas on the Gold Coast which landed a police officer in hospital and injured several motorists. The 44-year-old man will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday charged with dangerous operation or a motor vehicle and serious assault over the incident on the Pacific Motorway at Robina on January 11. He is accused of driving a ute at high speeds and colliding with other vehicles, and then assaulting a 47-year-old female senior constable when she tried to arrest him. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will attempt to soothe a diplomatic spat over the Neil Prakash citizenship saga during a visit to Fiji. Fijian officials are furious with the federal government for stripping Prakash of his Australian citizenship and trying to palm the terrorist off onto their Pacific nation. Mr Morrison is making an official visit to Fiji this week, where the matter will likely be discussed. "We've been dealing with that issue between the governments over the last few weeks, including directly from leader to leader," he told ABC News Breakfast on Monday. Prakash, who is in jail Turkey awaiting trial on terror charges, was born in Melbourne to a Fijian father and Cambodian mother. Last month, the federal government revoked his rights as an Australian citizen because of his affiliation with the Islamic State terrorist group. However, Fijian officials have rejected claims the Australian-born terrorist is a citizen of their country and accused Canberra of failing to consult them properly. Mr Morrison is also expected to discuss Australian funding for a major regional military base while he is in Fiji. The coalition government has contributed a significant figure to transform the Black Rock Camp in Nadi into a regional training hub for South Pacific militaries. Mr Morrison will also travel to Vanuatu, in the first trip to the country by an Australian prime minister outside the Pacific Islands Forum. "This is part of our Pacific step-up. It's part of our refocusing of our international efforts on our own region, in our own backyard, and making sure we can make the biggest possible difference," Mr Morrison said. "That's about stepping up our security partnerships, stepping up our economic and cultural partnerships." Dozens of residents had to be evacuated from a western Sydney unit block in the early hours after a fire broke out in one dwelling and spread to others. Firefighters were called to Washington Avenue, Riverwood, about 12.50am on Monday after a blaze began in a unit on the seventh floor. Police say up to 40 residents were evacuated from the 56-unit block, with the fire spreading to two other apartments before it was contained. The unit where the fire broke out was destroyed and a woman was taken to Bankstown Hospital after being treated for smoke inhalation and burns to her feet. Pressure is mounting on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to reconsider her position on pill testing after a fifth person died of a suspected overdose after taking drugs at a NSW music festival. Central Coast teenager Alex Ross-King died after she was rushed from the FOMO festival at Parramatta Park to Westmead Hospital on Saturday night. Hers was the fifth such death in NSW since mid-September. "Premier please can we have this pill testing done," her grandmother, Denise Doig, told Network Ten on Sunday. "It's such a small thing to do. It's not hard (and) if it saves one life - one life is a life." Alex's uncle, Phil Clark, implored of Ms Berejiklian: "Strong leadership isn't always about sticking to an ideological decision or a position." But the Liberal leader is defiantly telling teens to simply say "No" to drugs. "We need to keep setting out the strongest message that taking these illicit drugs kills ... we ask young people not to do it," the premier said on Sunday. Ms Berejklian argues there's no evidence that pill testing works but that's not what the experts say. Doctors groups and medical academics are increasingly demanding trials in Australia while pointing to harm reduction in countries where testing is available such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain and France. Noffs Foundation chief executive Matt Noffs says the premier must listen. "'Just say No' is a miserable failure - it simply doesn't work," he said in a statement. "I understand the premier is in a tough position but I need her to listen to me right now. We are the experts. We know the evidence. The evidence is clear - this will save lives." Pill testing allows people to anonymously submit samples for on-the-spot analysis to determine their composition. A trial at a major Australian music festival in 2016 found two in three people wouldn't consume a pill if a test showed it contained methamphetamine. For the second day in a row Kakadu National Park will be visited by a political leader promising more than $200 million for the World Heritage-listed site. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on Monday will pledge $220 million for Kakadu if Labor wins government this year. Mr Shorten's visit to the town of Jabiru follows Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement in the town on Sunday of the coalition's $216 million package to improve roads and tourist facilities. The prime minister's trip was organised after his office learned of Labor's plans. Labor's funding includes $100 million to upgrade four key access roads, allowing for year-round access to key tourist destinations closed during the wet season, shutting out tourists. A $25 million new visitor centre is planned for Jabiru, which is struggling as the nearby uranium mine winds down. Both parties' packages aim to arrest a decline in tourist numbers, which have fallen from 300,000 a year in the late 1980s when Crocodile Dundee was filmed there to around 185,000 currently. Tourism accounts for about 10 per cent of gross regional product in the NT. Mr Shorten said tourism and the environment of Kakadu had been neglected for too long. "I genuinely don't mind if the prime minister wants to take some of our ideas and announce them," he told reporters on Sunday. "I don't care about the politics. I care about the issues." Kakadu is about one-third the size of Tasmania, boasting ancient rock art and rich flora and fauna. However the infrastructure is tired and there is criticism of the standard of how the park is joint-managed by the Mirarr Aboriginal traditional owners and Parks Australia federal agency. Visitors complain about difficulty accessing much of Kakadu, including the regular closure of roads after they spent thousands of dollars to get there. Unlike Uluru, there are no direct commercial jet flights to the park. "This is an incredibly sacred peace of ground in Australia, Kakadu is an icon in so many senses," Mr Morrison told reporters. "It is a living ground of 60,000 years of the world's oldest living civilisation, when visitors come here from all around the world I think that just blows them away." A $446 million master plan for Jabiru was released last year by the NT government, who was seeking federal help. A driver spotted something fishy when a boat dropped anchor in the middle of a busy road in Adelaide's north. The motorist tipped off police that a boat had slipped its moorings and landed at the intersection of Junction Road and South Road at Wingfield on Sunday afternoon. The owner of the small boat did not realise it had fallen off the trailer but police were able to contact the man. He was able to set sail with his vessel after he was fined for an unsecured load. Up to a million rotting fish need to be "urgently" removed from NSW's Darling River as the carcasses could trigger another wave of deaths. The dead fish need to be collected "within a matter of days", before they sink to the bottom of the river and become almost impossible to retrieve, according to environmental scientist Stuart Khan. If they remain in the water, bacteria that feast on the carcasses will proliferate and rob the water of oxygen, the environmental and civil engineering professor told AAP. Meanwhile, the decaying fish will release chemicals that could trigger an algal bloom, which sparked this mass death event earlier in the week. "Dead fish are great fertilisers, they release nitrogen and phosphorus and that's what causes algal growth," said the University of New South Wales professor. "Therefore the whole cycle goes through again, that's why there's some urgency to remove the fish." Local Kate McBride said the town of Menindee "stinks" and she was concerned over further deaths. "More oxygen will be taken out of the water and the remaining fish, which are pretty much only carp, are going to continue to die - further fish kills will be seen undoubtedly," she told AAP. Residents are pointing the finger at state and federal governments for draining too much water from the Menindee Lakes and over-allocating the precious resource to irrigators. But the peak body for irrigators - the National Irrigators' Council - has hit back, insisting farmers at the north of the river have received no water allocations in the past 12 months. Scientists argue mismanagement of the river system is to blame although the NSW government insists the ongoing drought is a key factor. Australian National University honorary professor John Williams says the current Murray-Darling Basin Plan has "failed" and needs to be overhauled. He is in the middle of a busy award season. But Bradley Cooper found some time to spend with his love Irina Shayk on Monday as the couple strolled through New York City. The 44-year-old actor-director kept his sartorial choices casual, opting to bundle up for the below freezing temperatures. Busy season: Bradley Cooper found some time to spend with his love Irina Shayk on Monday as the couple strolled through New York City Bradley buttoned a puffy navy coat around his torso and dug his hands into his pockets. The four-time Academy Award nominee sported comfortable-looking blue jeans, and remained ready for inclement weather by donning Red Wings navy boots. He pulled a black trucker hat low over his forehead and had a brush of stubble about his face. Out for a stroll: The 44-year-old actor-director kept his sartorial choices casual, opting to bundle up for the below freezing temperatures Irina, meanwhile, cut a chic figure as she walked alongside the father of her child. The 33-year-old Russian beauty wore all black with a furry coat on top and stylish baggy pants below that were cropped several inches above the ankle. Black military-style boots added an extra edge to the dark ensemble and she shaded her eyes with dark sunglasses. Pulling a black beanie over her head helped keep her ears cozy and her brunette tresses tumble out from underneath in loose waves. Buttoned up: Bradley buttoned a puffy navy coat around his torso and dug his hands into his pockets As an actor in and director of A Star is Born, Bradley has found himself at the center of attention during this year's movie award season. The film has been nominated at every major award show so far this year, including Sunday night's Critics' Choice Awards. A Star Is Born received nine nominations from the Critics, and ended up grabbing two awards: Best Song for Shallow and Best Actress - Lady Gaga, who tied with Glenn Close for the award. Bradley and Irina began dating in April 2015 and they moved into her West Village home that November. In March 2017, she gave birth to their daughter Lea. Stay warm: The four-time Academy Award nominee sported comfortable-looking blue jeans, and remained ready for inclement weather by donning navy Red Wings boots Arm in arm: Irina, meanwhile, cut a chic figure as she walked alongside the father of her child Lady gaga adoringly praised Bradley as she picked up her award for Best Actress at the Critics' Choice Awards. During her acceptance speech, the 32-year-old singer branded her co-star and the film's director the 'love of my life.' Afer hearing her name called, the Bad Romance kissed her fiance, Christian Carino, and then turned and embraced the American Sniper star. Gaga went on to call Bradley a 'magical filmmaker,' lauding him for his directorial debut, and added, 'You are just as magical of a human being. I have never had an experience with a director or an actor like I had with you.' Admiration: Lady gaga adoringly praised Bradley as she picked up her award for Best Actress at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday night These are jittery times for the BBC. TV audiences are falling like a stone, especially among the young, and Netflix is battering iPlayer. Radio 1 long ago stopped being number one, and only Radio 2 has sailed on serenely, as Britain's biggest radio station with 15million listeners weekly. Then late last year, its stellar talent Chris Evans announced he was quitting the Breakfast Show. So it's no wonder his successor, Zoe Ball, claimed to be suffering anxiety dreams ahead of her debut yesterday the first woman to take the prestigious slot. Zoe Ball, who was presented with a cake decorated with a full English breakfast made from icing, on her first morning hosting the BBC 2 Breakfast Show She opened with Aretha Franklin's Respect. A few minutes in and she read out a listener's comment that she was sounding 'comfortable and relaxed'. 'If only you knew...' she replied with feeling. After all, she has Evans breathing down her neck. His new breakfast show begins on Virgin Radio next week, and some of his 9million Radio 2 listeners will no doubt move with him. Evans has already roped in his family to help promote his new programme. The 52-year-old, his wife Natasha Shishmanian and their two eldest sons Noah, nine and Eli, six, fronted a series of short videos for the channel. Radio presenter Zoe Ball (C) and her Breakfast Show team members Richie Anderson (R) and Mike Williams (L) pose outside the BBC Wogan House in London Wearing pyjamas and t-shirts with Virgin branding emblazoned across the front, they held signs in a Love Actually style clip to tell viewers how to listen to Evans' new show on Monday. The BBC's response to Evans' departure has been to chuck everything at the new show. Ball herself is one of the Corporation's most reliable stars, from her children's TV and Radio 1 days through to being a likeable host of the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off, It Takes Two. And now she's confirmed that she is to radio what a duck is to water but few bosses can today take the risk of putting their faith in a single host with a bunch of records. Instead, they create what's called a 'zoo format' with a range of sidekicks stirred into the mix. They dutifully signalled their presence by whooping to Ball's cue, and sharing stories of first-morning nerves. British Radio presenter Zoe Ball leaves the BBC Wogan House in London British comedian John Cleese arrives as guest at the BBC Wogan House in London The newsreader, Tina Daheley, is a rising star in her own right, presenting the BBC TV news bulletins and editions of Panorama. I've known the travel reporter Richie Anderson since he was a student looking for advice about joining the BBC, and he too has a bright future. Ball described herself as being like 'a proud mum' when he read out a list of road closures. There are two big risks with this kind of format. The first is that the chemistry might not work. When I was Controller of 5 Live we piloted a new breakfast team of formidable broadcasters who nevertheless sounded like strangers in a room. Video released showing Chris Evans roping in his family to help make his new Virgin Radio Breakfast Show a success Zoe Ball with guests Nadiya Hussain and John Cleese, on her first morning hosting the BBC 2 Breakfast Show Zoe Ball outside Wogan House in London after her first morning hosting the BBC 2 Breakfast Show At the last minute, we brought in a young woman from local radio called Victoria Derbyshire and the show was transformed. The other risk is that it all sounds like a party full of people you'd rather avoid. Not so the Ball show: it's a party to which you're welcomed by a team who are making 'puppy dog eyes' at you via the mic. They want to be loved! None of the team was guilty of rabbiting on for no purpose, however. They dropped in and out of the programme, proving that Ball can easily carry a show alone when she has to. Yesterday's star guests John Cleese and Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain were distinctly underwhelming. Cleese plugged a forthcoming comedy programme and rambled away with the occasional unreliable anecdote. She opened with Aretha Franklin's Respect. A few minutes in and she read out a listener's comment that she was sounding 'comfortable and relaxed' Zoe Ball claimed to be suffering anxiety dreams ahead of her debut yesterday the first woman to take the prestigious slot Ball is one of the Corporation's most reliable stars, from her children's TV and Radio 1 days through to being a likeable host of the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It was a morning when, understandably, Ball wasn't taking risks but I'd like to hear her develop sharper questions and more sense of mischief. Other spots came and went without leaving any impression. The 'seven-second shout out' a chance to say hello to family and friends manages to patronise one listener and offer no value to the rest. 'Show and Tell' has the potential to curl toes as allegedly talented youngsters demonstrate their abilities via dodgy mobile phone lines. Yesterday, it was someone singing Oom Pah Pah from 'Oliver!', but Ball said in future it could be a youngster doing something like, well, counting in a foreign language..... Chris Evans who has said he will try to involve his family - including his children - as much as he can in his new breakfast radio show for Virgin Zoe Ball wasn't the only 'new girl' on Radio 2 yesterday, as Sara Cox (Drivetime) and Jo Whiley launched their own shows. It is quite a transformation in what used to an entirely male peak time line up, but in 2019 it fits comfortably with the wider media world. Will it work? This is an amiable programme with decent music, and Ball is warm and lively as a breakfast companion. I predict most of the audience will stay with Radio 2, and she'll beat Evans' digital-only offering by many multiples. Whether it will be as compelling a listen as Evans at his best, I doubt, but the reduction in egotism is refreshing. I think the BBC can be optimistic that Radio 2 will at least stay afloat in these choppy waters. Roger Mosey is Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge. The much-anticipated Sopranos prequel movie added two more cast members. Jon Bernthal and Vera Farmiga signed on to star in the upcoming film dubbed, The Many Saints of Newark, according to Variety. So far there's no word on what roles the duo will play. They join Alessandro Nivola, who is set to play Dickie Moltisanti, father of TV series character Christopher Multisanti. Onboard: Jon Bernthal and Vera Farmiga were added to the cast of The Sopranos prequel film More players from the Sopranos lore are expected to be joining the cast. Known for explosive performances, Bernthal, 42, came to prominence in Hollywood in the AMC series The Walking Dead and currently stars in the Netflix web series The Punisher, which is set to air its second season in January. The 45-year old Farmiga had her breakthrough role in 2004, playing a mother with a secret drug habit in the drama Down To The Bone. Her lengthy movie resume also includes The Departed (2006), Nothing But The Truth (2008), Up In The Air (2009), and The Conjuring (2013). Tough guy: Bernthal currently star in the Netflix series The Punisher Vet: Farmiga has a lengthy film resume that includes Up In The Air alongside George Clooney The movie version was co-written by series creator David Chase, along with Lawrence Konner, and will be directed by Alan Taylor, who worked behind the camera on the television show for nine episodes. The Many Saints Of Newark, which will be released in theaters, not on HBO, will be set in the 1960s and focus on the Newark Riots of 1967, all while examining the young Tony Soprano's rise to power. The clashes were sparked after an incident of police brutality in which two police officers arrested and then beat an African American taxi driver. He's back! Series creator David Chase co-wrote The Many Saints of Newark The resulting riots inspired by the beating resulted in 26 deaths, hundreds of injuries and massive property damage. 'I was against [the movie] for a long time and I'm still very worried about it, but I became interested in Newark, where my parents came from, and where the riots took place,' Chase explained as reported by Deadline. 'The movie will deal with the tensions between the blacks and whites at the time, and Tony Soprano will be part of this, but as a kid,' he added. The storyline: The prequel will be set in the 1960s and focus on the Newark Riots of 1967, all while examining the young Tony Soprano's rise to power; Chase is pictured on the set with James Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprnao in the HBO series from 1999-2007 Chase considered making a follow-up film to the hugely popular series for years following its startling cut-to-black 2007 finale, but James Gandolfini's death in 2013 ended that possibility. As a result, the idea for the prequel began taking shape. At this point there is still no firm release date for The Many Saints Of Newark. She's known to be candid and unapologetically honest in interviews and across her social media platforms. And Chrissy Teigen attempted to jump into a role as bartender at the Critics' Choice Awards despite nursing quite the hangover on Sunday following husband John Legend's birthday bash the night before. The 33-year-old stunner tried to pour a few drinks before she was scolded by a staff member pleading for her to leave the bar area and return to her seat for the show at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Jack of all trades: Chrissy Teigen attempted to jump into a role as bartender at the Critics' Choice Awards despite nursing quite the hangover on Sunday following husband John Legend's birthday bash the night before The Lip Sync Battle host appeared ready to make a few drinks for her friends before being quickly ushered away from the area. Chrissy bowed her head as an employee asked her to leave, with John Legend waiting on the other side of the bar for his wife. She had struggled earlier in the day to pull herself out of bed after celebrating John's 40th star-studded birthday blowout the night before. Whoops! The 33-year-old stunner tried to pour a few drinks before she was scolded by a staff member pleading for her to leave the bar area and return to her seat for the show at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California New role: The Lip Sync Battle host appeared ready to make a few drinks for her friends before being quickly ushered away from the area While en route to the ceremony, she joked on Instagram: 'This was a huge mistake!' She added on Twitter: 'why oh why god did I agree to the people or critics choice whatever it is the night after Johns party this was a big mistake huge yes this is a fancy problem [sic]'. John, who donned an Ermenegildo Zegna XXX suit for the occasion, and his production of Jesus Christ Superstar ended up taking home the trophy for Best Movie Made For TV. Sorry: Chrissy bowed her head as an employee asked her to leave, with John Legend waiting on the other side of the bar for his wife Dapper duo: She had struggled earlier in the day to pull herself out of bed after celebrating John's 40th star-studded birthday blowout the night before; seen on Sunday Posting to her Instagram account in the morning, she told followers: 'Oh my god. I have to get ready for Critics' Choice,' while she showed her bed littered with junk food. Later she joked: 'Wait... Is it Peoples' Choice? I seriously don't know, but it's something.' Chrissy showed off her killer curves in a gold sequin dress for her husband's party, with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in attendance at the James Bond-themed celebration. So happy together: Chrissy and John celebrated five years of wedded bliss in September; seen on Sunday Tired: Posting to her Instagram account in the morning, she told followers: 'Oh my god. I have to get ready for Critics' Choice,' while she showed her bed littered with junk food She has followed in her parents' footsteps in becoming a rising star of the French cinema. And Lily-Rose Depp put her best fashion foot forward as she attended the Cesar Revelations bash at Le Petit Palais in Paris on Monday night. The daughter of Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and French songbird Vanessa Paradis, 18, showcased her model figure in a cream minidress with an ice blue lace trim. Chic: Lily-Rose Depp put her best fashion foot forward in a blue lace and tweed minidress as she attended the Cesar Revelations bash at Le Petit Palais in Paris on Monday night Lily turned heads as she strutted into the venue in her glamorous dress, opting to go braless underneath her blue lace bustier. The actress showcased her tremendous pins and slender waist in the thigh-skimming tweed number, tying the look together with silver court shoes. Styling her brunette locks in soft sleek curls, the French-American beauty complemented her stylish Chanel dress with glittery brown eyeshadow, blush-swept cheeks and a dark pink lip. Stunning: The daughter of Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and French songbird Vanessa Paradis, 18, showcased her model figure in the cream mini with an ice blue lace trim Sizzling display: Lily turned heads as she strutted into the venue in her glamorous dress, opting to go braless underneath her blue lace bustier She's a natural! Lily oozed confidence as she put on a giggly display while posing for photos Glam: Styling her brunette locks in soft sleek curls, the French-American beauty complemented her stylish Chanel dress with glittery brown eye-shadow and a dark pink lip The Franco-American model and actress, who is pals with Karl Lagerfeld, is rumored to be dating Oscar-nominated actor Timothee Chalamet, who went to the same Manhattan performing arts high school as Ansel Elgort. Timothee was asked about the rumored romance at Sunday's Golden Globes, which he attended on the arm of his mother Nicole Flender. 'I'm here with Mom,' the Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird said sheepishly to Access Hollywood when they brought up the subject. He and Lily-Rose have more than their acting careers in common - each of them has one parent who was born in the United States and one from France. Rising star: Lily-Rose had a new film release called L'homme fidele. Directed by Louis Garrel and stars him in a love triangle with his real-life wife Laetitia Casta and Lily-Rose Pals: Lily-Rose showcased her tremendous pins and slender waist in the thigh-skimming tweed number, tying the look together with silver court shoes (pictured with Rebecca Zlotowski) Lily-Rose had a new film release in France last month. L'homme fidele, which means A Faithful Man, is directed by Louis Garrel and stars him in a love triangle with his real-life wife Laetitia Casta and Lily-Rose. While plugging the film to France 24 last week, Lily-Rose dished about her dual citizenship, saying: 'Home is in France and in the States.' Lily-Rose, who was born in Paris and lives both there and in Los Angeles, said: 'I find myself feeling very at home in both places, because obviously I have roots in both places and family in both places. I think home is where your family is, ultimately.' Friends: Lily-Rose was all smiles as she posed with French actress Marion Cotillard Stylish: Marion commanded attention in a stunning black and gold ensemble He has been criticized before for his use of private jets despite his interest in environmental causes. But it seems like Leonardo DiCaprio has turned over a new leaf. The 44-year-old actor was spotted heading to a commercial flight out of JFK Airport in New York on Sunday alongside 21-year-old girlfriend Camila Morrone. As the actor has been criticized over his carbon footprint despite being an advocate for environmental issues, he made a much more conscious decision in taking a regular flight out. Just us: Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted heading to a commercial flight out of JFK Airport in New York on Sunday alongside 21-year-old girlfriend Camila Morrone Leo attempted to keep it low-key as he sported a black hoodie and matching puffer jacket, TUMI pack and Dodgers cap. Camila looked fashionable in a bright red puffer jacket as she followed her Oscar-winning boyfriend. The model and the Hollywood icon were first linked in December 2017 when DiCaprio was pictured leaving her Los Angeles home. Chill: The 44-year-old actor attempted to keep it low-key as he sported a black hoodie and matching puffer jacket of a Dodgers cap The actor is a staunch supporter of environmental issues and used his acceptance speech at the 2016 Academy Awards to urge lawmakers to 'stop procrastinating' about the issues surrounding climate change. The Revenant star has set up the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which is 'dedicated to the long-term health and well-being of the Earths inhabitants' and has been largely praised for his conservation work. He has been criticized in the past for his use of private jets as in 2014, emails hacked from film studio Sony revealed he took six private flights in just six weeks which cost $177,550. This travel included two round trips from Los Angeles to New York, and one from LA to Las Vegas. Outspoken: The actor - pictured 2018 in Las Vegas - is a staunch supporter of environmental issues and used his acceptance speech at the 2016 Academy Awards to urge lawmakers to 'stop procrastinating' about the issues surrounding climate change The actor is no stranger to dating models, with his previous conquests including the likes of Nina Agdal, Kelly Rohrbach, Toni Garrn, Gisele Bundchen, and Bar Refaeli. His longest term relationship was with Brazilian supermodel Gisele, 37 - now married to New England Patriots star Tom Brady, 40 - from 1999 to 2005. DiCaprio also dated Israeli catwalk queen, Bar Refaeli, 32, for six years from 2005 to 2011. The actor's most recent serious relationship was with Danish beauty Nina Agdal, 25, for a year. DiCaprio has cast his previous type aside for brief romances with pop princess Rihanna, 29, and Gossip Girl star Blake Lively, 30. She portrays the charismatic Mary Stuart in Mary Queen Of Scots, which documents the fierce rivalry between the monarch and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. And Saoirse Ronan looked every inch the leading lady for the film's Scottish premiere held at Edinburgh Castle on Monday night. Joined by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, the actress, 24, oozed sophistication in a strapless blush pink gown as she attended the First Ministers reception in the Great Hall ahead of the screening. Regal: Saoirse Ronan looked every inch the leading lady as she attended the film's Scottish premiere held at Edinburgh Castle on Monday night Saoirse showcased her slender frame in the sleeveless floor-length dress and teased a glimpse of her cleavage due to its sweetheart neckline. The dress clung to her tiny waist before elegantly flowing out into soft pleats. The Ladybird star complemented her glamorous ensemble with satin pumps and Anabela Chan pink sapphire stud earrings. Styling her blonde bob in a sleek poker straight side-parting, Saoirse finished off her premiere look with a bold red lip, blush-swept cheeks and glittery pink eyeshadow. Strike a pose! Joined by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, the actress, 24, oozed sophistication as she posed for the cameras in a strapless blush pink gown Gorgeous: The dress clung to her tiny waist before elegantly flowing out into soft pleats Stunning: Saoirse showcased her slender frame in the sleeveless floor-length dress and teased a glimpse of cleavage due to its sweetheart neckline Nicola, 48, also looked stylish in a pillar box red pencil dress with a keyhole design at the bust and matching kitten heels. The pair beamed as they posed for photographs ahead of the film airing on the big screen. Scottish actors Jack Lowden and James McArdle and comedienne Karen Dunbar, who appear in the film were also in attendance. Director Josie Rourke and producer Tim Bevan also attended the first Scottish screening of the historical drama, which tells the story of two rival queens. Irish actress Ronan, who rose to fame at the age of 13 in Atonement, appears as the titular queen. Chic: Nicola also looked stylish in a pillar box red pencil dress with a keyhole design at the bust and matching kitten heels Let's party! Nicola and Saoirse joined drum and pipes band Clanadonia who performed at the glitzy premiere Getting into the spirit: While Saoirse concentrated on getting the beat with her shakes, Nicola looked delighted to be performing Shake it: The new pals were invited to perform with the acclaimed Scottish band They've got rhythm: The ladies swayed to the beat as guests snapped photos on their phones Royal performance: Saoirse really got the musical bug as she raised her arms in the air Talented: The actress seemed in awe of the First Minister's drum skills Meanwhile, Margot Robbie has been shortlisted for a Best Supporting Actress Bafta for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I, the cousin of Mary Queen of Scots. The film shows Mary Stuart return from France to reclaim the Scottish throne, under the rule of English Queen Elizabeth I, and assert her claim to the English throne. The Irish actress previously recalled the moment that she saw Australian co-star, Margot , 28, in character on set for the first time. Great turn-out: Director Josie Rourke (L) also attended the first Scottish screening of the historical drama, which tells the story of two rival queens Having fun: Saoirse larked around as she posed with James McArdle (L) and Jack Lowden (R) Handsome: Jack and James cut dapper figures in suits and black polo necks Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Saoirse said the pair were 'shaking' and 'in tears' when they filmed a scene, after agreeing to not see each other in costume until their characters meet in a rural farm house in the film. 'It was uncontrollable the reaction we had to each other,' Saoirse said. 'I'm not sure if they were able to use the first take because we were in tears.' She added: 'It was as much about me and Margot finally getting to see each other as Mary and Elizabeth being in the same room.' Excited: The pair beamed as they posed for photographs alongside James McArdle (L) and Jack Lowden (R) Group snap: The cast and Nicola posed for photos ahead of the screening (L-R) Eileen O'Higgins, Izuka Hoyle, Josie Rourke, James McArdle, Nicola Sturgeon, Saoirse , Jack Lowden, Fiona Hyslop, Tim Bevan and Karen Dunbar The screening in Scotland's capital takes place just over a month after the movie had its European premiere in London. Parts were shot in Scotland, with Blackness Castle in West Lothian doubling as Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of the Scottish queen. Mary's return to Scotland was filmed at Seacliff in East Lothian while other scenes were shot in Glencoe and the Cairngorms. Rivalry of the monarchs: Irish actress Ronan, who rose to fame at the age of 13 in Atonement, appears as the titular queen Sofia Vergara likes to look good when she goes out on a date night with her husband Joe Manganiello. And on Sunday the 46-year-old Modern Family star went for a youthful look as she slipped into a knotted white top and a pair of low-waisted jeans. The siren from Cololmbia captioned the selfie, 'Date night' and added two hearts. That va-voom look: Sofia Vergara likes to look good when she goes out on a date night with her husband Joe Manganiello. And on Sunday the 46-year-old Modern Family star went for a youthful look as she slipped into a knotted white top and a pair of low-waisted jeans Glam slam: Her highlighted hair was parted in the middle and worn down while she added a generous amount of pretty makeup and a short necklace The beauty added a puffy beige jacket and Perspex heels with a fun Gucci purse in beige. The TV diva was standing in her dining room with a large table and oversized chairs as well as purple and white orchid plants in the background. Her highlighted hair was parted in the middle and worn down while she added a generous amount of pretty makeup and a short necklace. This post comes after she enjoyed a romantic trip to the tropics with Joe. Side by side: This post comes after she enjoyed a romantic trip to the tropics with Joe Happy Birthday!: Vergara shared this hunky image too; they were celebrating his 42nd birthday Sofia wished Joe a happy 42nd birthday. The beauty gushed about her hunky husband on Instagram, sharing a shirtless photo of the actor along with the caption: 'You r amazing!, Your passion for life and for everything u do is inspiring!! To many more with u!! Happy bday!!!' During their trip Sofia had on a Camilla suit featured a combination of fruits, veggies and flowers upon it. Beach beauty: Vergara looked stunning while wearing a fruity Camilla swimsuit By the sea: 'Sirenitas', Spanish for 'mermaids', she captioned the snapshots As she knelt on a beach chair, Sofia showcased her tan, toned legs. In the background you could see one of the actress' dearest friends, who looked lovely in her own strapless number. 'Sirenitas', Spanish for 'mermaids', she captioned the snapshots. Later on the mother-of-one shared a stylish shot of the duo looking ready for a night on the town. Sofia wowed in a fringy gold skirt and flounced green top while her pal looked great in a coral halter dress. Vergara and pooch: Vergara and Manganiello have spent the last week at a private island getaway location she only refers to as 'Casa Chipi Chipi' Vergara and Manganiello were at a private island getaway location she only refers to as 'Casa Chipi Chipi.' She shared a photo on Instagram on December 17 stating she was 'finally back' at Casa Chipi Chipi, and she's been there ever since. Before her husband's birthday and the Christmas holiday, Vergara also celebrated her mother's birthday on December 21. Vergara also shared some snaps of her son Manolo's dog Baguette Gonzalez, wearing doggy dress that matches the actress' top. Sofia and Rafi: She also posted another shot with the actress wearing a flowing black top and black and white pants while posing with her nephew Rafi She also posted another shot with the actress wearing a flowing black top and black and white pants while posing with her nephew Rafi. The Modern Family star also posted a solo shot at the secret location, along with a full family shot. Vergara also shared two new snaps from her husband's nighttime celebration, one with a cake featuring his streetwear brand Death Saves logo, and her son Manolo. The second shot featured Joe, wearing a unique black shirt with numerous tigers and black shorts, and Sofia wearing a blue skirt and a white billowing top. Vergara is on a holiday hiatus from her hit ABC sitcom Modern Family, with its current 10th season originally thought to be its last, but that may not be the case. The Hollywood Reporter revealed a few weeks ago that the six adult leads of Modern Family, Vergara, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, are in talks for an 11th season. The younger stars, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Rico Rodriguez and Nolan Gould, will reportedly have their contracts negotiated when the main stars' deals are closed. Manganiello starred in Drunk Parents earlier this year, along with Rampage with Dwayne Johnson. He will next portray Sonny Stano in the biopic Stano, which his wife Vergara will also star in. He is also slated to reprise his role as Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke, in The Batman and a Deathstroke spin-off movie. Katie Price is reportedly preparing to fight with her ex husband Kieran Hayler over their two children, insiders say. It comes following the Christmas Eve stand-off between the pair, which saw the 40-year-old refuse to let her former flame take Bunny, four, and Jett, five, home for the big day. Katie and Kieran have been co-parenting well, but there was an incident over Christmas that made him really angry, a source told The Sun. Bitter battle: Katie Price is reportedly preparing to fight with her ex husband Kieran Hayler over their two children, insiders say He doesnt want to fight with Katie, but she can be very stubborn and tends to do whatever she wants, and without a formal agreement in place over the kids, its hard for Kieran to put his foot down. The insider added that it will be especially bad now as Katie has been banned from driving - meaning Kieran, 31, will have to travel to the former glamour model and could be turned away at any time. Yet a source for the mother-of-five reportedly warned the publication that Katie isnt going to be pushed around, and is preparing for a row with her ex. Drama: It comes following the Christmas Eve stand-off between the pair, which saw the 40-year-old refuse to let her former flame take Bunny, four, and Jett, five, home for the big day They added: For a while they were getting along, and they try not to fight in front of Bunny and Jett, but shes not going to back down to any of Kierans demands or let him tell her what to do. Viewers of Katies show, My Crazy Life, have had front-row seats to the pairs tense stand-offs in recent months. One captured Katie making a harsh comment after Kieran dropped his kids off with their mother. You still look fat by the way. You are, she told him. Kieran had just confessed to the camera that he felt in better shape since the couples split. Ready to row: A source for the mother-of-five reportedly warned that Katie isnt going to be pushed around, and is preparing for a row with her ex Katie came under fire recently after she took to Instagram on Saturday with a snap of a 70k Mercedes-Benz S Class as she thanked a personal chauffeur company for taking her to her court appearance earlier this week. After facing charges of driving without insurance and driving while disqualified, the post left a bad taste in the mouths of her followers, as they blasted her for not taking the offence seriously. 'Verified Best chauffeur company in London thank you very much for always looking after me Team HR I have lots of work for you now @hr_carriages_mayfair,' Katie gleefully captioned the snap. However, Katie's followers weren't too pleased as they blasted her in the comments section: 'Dont think you should glorify your driving ban had you have had an accident would be a different thing. And drink driving, shame on you.' Criticised: Katie came under fire recently after she took to Instagram on Saturday with a snap of a 70k Mercedes-Benz S Class 'Best company!' The model thanked the personal chauffeur company for taking her to her court appearance earlier this week Chris Evans has teased his upcoming Virgin Radio breakfast show - and recruited his family to do so. In a new trailer for the show - which he left BBC Radio 2 for last year - the TFI: Friday presenter, 52, is seen alongside wife Natasha Shishmanian and their sons Noah, nine, and Eli, six. Chris is seen with the trio brandishing Love Actually-style boards, which explain how to access the Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, set to air on DAB Digital Radio and Sky from January 21. A family affair: Chris Evans has teased his upcoming Virgin Radio breakfast show - and recruited his family to do so In another video, son Eli is seen looking baffled as he watches his father chatting away next to a radio, but can only hear static. After pressing a button on his radio, Chris' voice can then be heard, and Eli explains what you need to do if you want to listen to Dad on the radio. Older brother Eli then features in another clip, seen firing questions at his dad in a nod to the famous scene from Uncle Buck when Macaulay Culkin interrogates John Candy. Chris has made no secret of the fact that his family will be a part of his new show. In another video: Son Eli is seen looking baffled as he watches his father chatting away next to a radio, but can only hear static New venture: After pressing a button on his radio, Chris' voice can then be heard Tuning in: Eli explains what you need to do if you want to listen to Dad on the radio 'To what extent will I involve my family in order to make the new show a hit? The answer is infinite. Im sorry, thats just the way it is,' he said previously. 'Its all hands on deck here, including the little ones.' 'The little ones' he speaks of are twins Walt and Boo, whom he and Natasha welcomed in September. Chris has a fifth child, his eldest, Jade - who is 33 and from his relationship with Alison Ward. While Chris never wed Alison, he has in fact been married twice before Natasha, whom he wed in 2007. Chris was married to actress Billie Piper from 20012007, and presenter Carol McGiffin from 19911998. Working from home: 'To what extent will I involve my family in order to make the new show a hit? The answer is infinite. Im sorry, thats just the way it is,' he said previously. 'Its all hands on deck here, including the little ones,' he said Chris will take to the airwaves from 06.30AM 10.00AM on weekdays, and the first week of the show will be a week of Fridays with guests and a live music performance every day. There will be no ad breaks during the broadcast, allowing listeners to have the same uninterrupted audio experience theyve come to expect from Chris Evanss award-winning BBC Radio 2 show. On the same day he teased his new venture, Zoe Ball took the reins of his Radio 2 slot, revealing that Chris had left her a 'lovely' note telling her to 'breathe' as she took over the slot. The DJ, 48, is the first female host of the flagship programme in its 51-year history and she started her first show with Aretha Franklin's anthem Respect and the introduction: 'It had to be a dame'. Maiden voyage: Zoe Ball pictured during her new debut show today as she took over from Chris Evans on the Radio 2 breakfast show First up: Zoe's first guests were John Cleese and star baker Nadiya Hussain, who brought in a magnificent cake to mark the occasion She has become the BBC's highest paid woman after being handed a 1.2million a year salary and arrived at Wogan House in London clutching a bag emblazoned with the words 'hold it together' ahead of the maiden broadcast. Taking to the air she admitted to some nerves and declared: 'Welcome to the first ever Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, I've been so excited about saying that!' Her guests were comedian John Cleese and Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain. Speaking afterwards she revealed: 'I did get a note from Chris, which was really lovely. Chris was saying remember to breathe, remember to time check. That really meant a lot actually.' On going head-to-head with him on his Virgin Radio rival show, she said: 'It will be like history repeating itself! Yeah, bring it on!' Making a statement: Zoe arrived clutching a bag emblazoned with the words 'hold it together' as she took over from Chris Blanca Blanco was making the rounds in Hollywood this weekend. The 37-year-old beauty - who has appeared in dozens of films like Mission: Possible - stopped by a massive bash in the hills on Saturday. The event was a special screening of If Beale Street Could Talk. And the leggy wonder took a moment to pose with Brad Pitt, who is in the process of divorcing Angelina Jolie. Pitt's Plan B production company made the film. Good to know: Blanca Blanco was making the rounds in Hollywood this weekend. The 37-year-old beauty - who has appeared in dozens of films like Mission: Possible - stopped by a massive bash in the hills on Saturday. And the leggy wonder took a moment to pose with Brad Pitt Another Oscar winner: At a bash for the film Roma, the dark-haired looker was seen next to Charlize Theron who also had on black Also there were Timothee Chalamet, writer/director Barry Jenkins and Stephan James. At another party, this one for the film Rome, the dark-haired looker was seen next to Charlize Theron who also had on black. Blanco also posed alone as she stood in front of an incredible view in Bel Air. The actress kept things 'casual' by her standards, donning a leather dress in photos she shared to her Instagram. More big names: Pitt with Timothee Chalamet, writer/director Barry Jenkins and Stephan James 'Tonight's casual look dress,' he captioned an image on social media. The Eva Varro frock fell to the middle of Blanca's thighs, highlighting her long, slender stems. A corset was tied around her waist, highlighting her slender figure, and her brunette tresses tumbled across her shoulders in loose waves. Everyone wanted a photo with Pitt: Here the Ocean's 11 actor put his arm around Maria Conchita Alonso So many fans: Brad with Joi McMillon, Kenneth Walker, Nicholas Britell, Jenkins, James Laxton Caroline Eselin, Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner The 5ft 9in star added a couple inches with sparkling pointy black heels as the lights of the city danced behind her. The Bermuda Tentacles star painted her lips a glistening pink and added just a touch of blush to her towering cheekbones. Top of LA: The star was on the top of Los Angeles on Saturday night as she stood in front of an incredible view in Bel Air Leather weather: The 37-year-old actress kept things 'casual' by her standards, donning a leather dress in photos she shared to her Instagram The beauty had spent her holidays in Malibu. where she and longtime love John Savage lost their home in the Woolsey Fire in November. 'I have been heart broken about losing my home but I am recovering and what gave me comfort is knowing that what happened was beyond my control,' she told DailyMail.com. Blanco said that she was 'still at a hotel and will be moving to [a] permanent home soon' as she remained patient in the process. Broken heart: The beauty had spent her holidays in Malibu. where she and longtime love John Savage lost their home in the Woolsey Fire in November She said she felt 'felt trapped and claustrophobic when [she] was trying to escape' the home, and that she and her spouse are 'considering living in Beverly Hills or Brentwood' moving forward. 'For me, I have been having a hard time sleeping and having nightmares,' she added. It's been a busy year in front of the camera for Blanca, who's appeared in films such as Woman on the Edge, Mission Possible, Daddy Don't Marry Again and The Fabulous Christmas Holidays. And it was just announced that Blanca signed with Swedish fashion brand Chiquelle for a new fashion campaign. Charles Lawson, 59, has issued a public apology to his daughter Laura, 31, as he's admitted he used to put 'drink, drugs and partying' before her. The Coronation Street star confessed he was 'pretty hopeless' as a father while his only child was at boarding school in an interview with Eamonn Mallie's Face to Face, set to air on UTV on Tuesday. Actor Charles, who plays Jim McDonald in the ITV soap, also reflected on his relationship with current partner Debbie Stanley as he insisted she's changed his 'life for the better.' Heartfelt: Charles Lawson, 59, has issued a public apology to his daughter Laura, 31, as he's admitted he used to put 'drink, drugs and partying' before her In the upcoming episode, the Northern Irish actor candidly touched on his life as a father to former police officer Laura. 'I was pretty hopeless as a dad. [Boarding school] made me useless with kids. I wasn't interested at all. 'My grandchildren adore me and for some reason I am good with them. But for my own daughter I can offer nothing but sincerest heartfelt apologies about the way I behaved because I was so selfish.' Regret: The Corrie star confessed he was 'pretty hopeless' as a father while his only child (pictured) was at boarding school in an interview with Eamonn Mallie's Face to Face, set to air on UTV on Tuesday Candid: 'I was pretty hopeless as a dad. [Boarding school] made me useless with kids. I wasn't interested at all', the Northern Irish star shared Charles, who has been with partner Debbie for over 10 years, previously revealed he left his family as he was 'unhappy' in his first marriage, with Laura being only seven at the time of her parents' split. The My Mother and Other Strangers star added: 'I left home because I was having a good time. 'I cared more about drink and drugs and having fun than I did with my family which is a disgusting thing to have to admit but unfortunately that is the truth. I am trying to make amends for it now.' Happier: Charles reflected on his relationship with current partner Debbie Stanley as he insisted she's changed his 'life for the better' Long stint: This year marks the screen star's 30th anniversary as Jim McDonald in ITV soap Coronation Street (pictured alongside Beverley Callard) Meanwhile, Charles recently broke down in tears as he recalled the devastating moment he suffered a mini stroke on the opening night of Rebus: Long Shadows in early October. The actor, who returned to the stage the following week, admitted he had to 'reassess' his life following the play. Recalling his transient ischaemic attack, he confessed on Good Morning Britain: 'I was in the middle of the second half and I just collapsed. I went deaf, then I went blue and saw bright lights. 'I get emotional talking about it [holds back tears]. The psychiatrist says I have to talk about it. I honestly didnt know where I was. 'The neck scan was fine, MRI scan showed I had a TIA. So when I finish the play I have to reassess my life.' WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS OF A MINI STROKE? A transient ischemic attack (or, TIA) involves a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain, which causes momentary dizziness, confusion, tingling, and numbness in the arms. You should call 911 if you suspect you are suffering a TIA. Symptoms include: vision changes dysphasia (trouble speaking) confusion balance issues tingling an altered level of consciousness dizziness passing out an abnormal sense of taste an abnormal sense of smell weakness or numbness on just one side of the body or face, determined by the location of the blood clot in the brain Advertisement A TIA, also known as a mini-stroke, occurs when blood flow to the brain is momentarily disrupted, causing numbness in the face, arms and legs which usually resolves within a few minutes. They are usually considered a short-term issue and are often dismissed as exhaustion, a migraine or a funny turn, however research previously conducted by the University of Birmingham suggested that mini-strokes can be problematic in themselves, causing lasting cognitive impairment, depression and fatigue. Surprised by his emotional reaction, Charlie said: 'I spoke to this doctor and said, "Why am I upset about this?" He said, "If you break your leg, you break your leg. If something goes wrong with the computer [points to his head], it can disturb you".' He added: 'Im going to have to take some time just to reassess my life, which is a shock Piers [Morgan], because you know, I like life.' The actor also teased the possibility of Jim McDonald's return to the cobbles, admitting bosses have left the door open for him. He revealed: 'Jim is a bit of a legend. His storyline was like Marmite. Some people thought it was amazing and others thought it was rubbish. 'I could be back doing Corrie for a couple more months. They asked me about how I feel about the future and what I want to do with the character, so I had a lot more control.' She's an advocate for women embracing their bodies and being confident in your own skin. And Ashley James was practicing what she preaches during her recent holiday to Zanibar, Tanzania, taking to her Instagram account to post a number of filter-free holiday snaps. The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, was posing at the water's edge in a ruffled blue bikini, gazing out across the picturesque beach. No retouching: Ashley James was practicing what she preaches during her recent holiday to Zanibar, Tanzania, taking to her Instagram account to post a number of filter-free holiday snaps Revealing the picture hadn't been retouched, the blonde beauty looked happy and relaxed in the stunning snap. She wrote: 'Somewhere beyond the sea ... Remember when people used to stand awkwardly infront of places for their holiday snaps, go get them printed and then put them in albums and show people like: "this is us in front of the Eiffel tower". 'Do you reckon our kids will find it hilarious that we did all these extra AF poses and put them on the gram? 'Anyway, I'm never going to get bored of the colour of this sea. I am slightly bored of the thousands of different strap and wetsuit marks all over my body #zanzibar #noretouching'. 'Coming out of his shell!': Ashley made the most of every last moment from her sun-soaked getaway, visiting the historic Prison Island on her last day to meet the giant tortoises Living it up: Ashley has been travelling with her best friend and flatmate Charlotte De Carle after booking a last minute trip over the festive period Ashley ensured she made the most of every last moment from her sun-soaked getaway, visiting the historic Prison Island on her last day. Posing alongside a giant tortoise, she wrote: 'We took a boat trip to visit the giant tortoises on Prison Island. This guy is 107 years old! 'He was quite shy at first, but after a neck massage he really came out of his shell. #imsofunny #ashleythecomedian #prisonisland #zanzibarg'. Ashley has been travelling with her best friend and flatmate Charlotte De Carle after booking a last minute trip over the festive period. Poking fun of herself: The posh beauty mocked her own travelling attire as she packed up, ready to go to the airport Flight home: Ashley and Charlotte were treated to a VIP experience on their fight home The pair were treated to first class travelling experience after securing an upgrade on the way back to London. The girls shared snaps of themselves sipping on champagne and enjoying VIP treatment before heading home - where Ashley revealed her delight at being reunited with her beloved kittens. Ashley has been delighting her Instagram followers with her beach pictures for the last few weeks. In a recent snap, Ashley was flaunting her amazing figure in the black and white striped bikini with pink floral detailing, while her blonde bobbed tresses were styled into effortless beach waves. Warm welcome home: Ashley revealed her delight at being reunited with her beloved kittens as she walked through the door, and was overjoyed the fluffy felines had 'remembered' her Jaw-dropping: Ashley has been delighting her Instagram followers with her beach pictures for the last few weeks In the caption: Ashley wrote: 'I'm going to miss Paje and the way all the kite-surfers make the beautiful beaches so colourful. 'I met a lot of fun people, partied on the beach, went skinny-dipping in the sea, and ate delicious food. 'Could've stayed in New Teddy's Place for the rest of the trip, but, we've got to go explore the rest of Zanzibar. 'Next stop: Stone Town. Would love any recommendations.' Confident: This came just days after Ashley took to social media to rubbish conventional notions of what it means to be 'beach body ready' This came just days after Ashley took to social media to rubbish conventional notions of what it means to be 'beach body ready' in her latest candid post, shared on Saturday. While many believe the term implies having to work hard to obtain a toned figure when they don their swimsuit, Ashley shared her thoughts on the term with an Instagram post in a bikini while on vacation in Tanzania. She wrote: 'How to be beach body ready: have a body, put on a bikini, go to the beach.' The Made In Chelsea star sported an orange bikini in the snap and showed off the sun-kissed glow she has developed while on holiday. Sitting comfortable, Ashley seemed determined to show her natural side rather than the pinched and preened looks often displayed on social media. Holiday: The star jetted out of London on New Year's Day, having DJ'd at a New Year's Eve party the night before, heading straight to the airport for her flight She beamed at the camera while shedding her heavy make-up in favour of a minimal look which helped highlight her natural beauty to perfection. With her blonde tresses tickling her shoulders in flirty curls, she was also showing off her envy-inducing views with the idyllic blue hues in the back perfecting the snap. Ashley jetted out of London on New Year's Day, having DJ'd at a New Year's Eve party the night before, heading straight to the airport for her flight. Reflecting on the new year, she said in another post: 'We go off to unwind and recharge in Tanzania to prepare for a massive 2019. Lord knows I need this break! Relax: Reflecting on the new year, she said in another post: 'We go off to unwind and recharge in Tanzania to prepare for a massive 2019. Lord knows I need this break' 'This year has been a year of self-discovery and I've recognised a lot of negative patterns and relationships in my life. I'll talk about it all soon.' 'Thank you for all the travel suggestions. Sri Lanka, Cape Town and the Philippines are all still on the bucket list, but for now, Zanzibar recommendations please. This time last year, Ashley was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother. She recently reminisced on her time in television's most famous bungalow, describing it as a 'life experience'. She wrote on Twitter: 'This time last year I had just handed over my phone and laptop ready for 48 hours in hiding ahead of the launch of #CBB Year of the Woman. What a life experience.' Her modelling skills are so admired that she even managed to bag herself a gig during Men's Fashion Week. And fresh from bringing some girl power to the Prada runway, Gigi Hadid was seen out in Milan on Monday as she enjoyed some downtime. The 23-year-old model kept things casual on the outing, seeming to be in her own little world as she listened to music on her stroll. Taking some time: Fresh from bringing some girl power to the Prada runway, Gigi Hadid was seen out in Milan on Monday as she enjoyed some downtime Sheathing her lithe figure, the blonde bombshell donned a grey T-shirt with 'life machine' emblazoned on the front. She teamed the garment with cropped jeans, white socks and chunky trainers, whilst she toted a small black handbag. Gigi finished off the look by flinging a grey scarf around her neck and donning micro shades, whilst her glossy locks were swept back into a loose ponytail. Low-key look: The 23-year-old model kept things casual on the outing, seeming to be in her own little world as she listened to music on her stroll The day before, the Vogue covergirl rocked the Prada runway as she walked alongside a host of male models for Milan Fashion Week Men's. Gigi rocked a cornflower blue dress, was layered with a kooky black corset and belted around the middle, clinching in her slim waistline. The star paired her dress with a pair of chunky lace up shoes, which were also adorned with gem-encrusted decoration as she strutted down the catwalk. Gigi's trip to Milan comes after Us Weekly reported that she split for the second time with boyfriend Zayn Malik. The magazine's insider said that the lovebirds are 'done;' The source said that 'they could get back together' but 'it's over for now.' The magazine claimed that Gigi 'tried hard to make' their relationship work but Zayn, 25, has 'a lot of his own issues that she couldn't help him get through.' The model and the former One Direction member first began dating in November 2015; split in March 2018 and reconciled two months later. She's been enjoying a sun-soaked break in Thailand, after her run as Roxie Hart in West End musical Chicago came to an end. And Caroline Fleck, 39, showed that she's settling into her idyllic surroundings with ease on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a shot of herself posing topless in a swimming pool during a late-night dip. In the shot, the Love Island host is seen leaning forward at the edge of the pool as she looks away from the camera and flashes a broad grin. Skinny dipping: Caroline Flack shared a shot of herself posing topless in a swimming pool as she enjoyed a late-night dip during her idyllic getaway to Thailand on Monday She simply captioned the image, which was taken on the island of Ko Samui and garnered almost 25,000 likes in less than an hour: 'Night swimming.' Caroline looked stunning in the snap, wearing her golden locks up in a sleek style, while a light dusting of makeup highlighted her natural beauty. Days earlier, she shared a shot of herself sporting a stars-and-stripes bikini, which gave a peek of her stomach and her mystery hip tattoo which she hinted at regretting as she penned: 'Bedroom of dreams ... tattoo of regret'. Hot stuff: The Love Island host as been sharing a stream of shots of herself basking in the sunshine since embarking on her luxury winter break While her body was certainly drawing focus, Caroline gave a glimpse of her sexy bikini line tattoo while hinting it was a unicorn. Caroline also has a tattoo showing former fiance Andrew Brady's initials which she had inked last year in the midst of their tumultuous relationship. Andrew and Caroline broke off their engagement back in July and have been on and off again for some time. But it appears as though, they might now be off for good as the pair work on their lives as singletons going forward. The latest sexy post from Caroline comes after she revealed she is taking a brief career break after a busy couple of years. Sizzling: The 39-year-old TV personality recently sported a sexy stars-and-stripes bikini, which gave a peek of her stomach and her mystery hip tattoo Uh oh: Caroline also has a tattoo showing former fiance Andrew Brady's initials which she had inked last year in the midst of their tumultuous relationship Marking the end of last year, Caroline wrote on social media that she would be taking some time out following her stint in Chicago. She wrote: 'Its been a crazy old year.... Ive had some of the best moments of my life in 2018 ... and I wont forget it in a heartbeat... 'But as we get nearer to the new year its a time for reflection and change..... so gonna take me some time off after Chicago ... Have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year ... and remember to Choose Love.' Her ex Andrew, 28, jetted off to Australia on a one-way ticket to get a fresh start in the New Year, after they finally called an end to their romance. Sizzling: Caroline and her ex Andrew broke off their engagement back in July and had been on and off again for some time. At the end of the year, Caroline confirmed that she was single Advertisement Cracked mirrors, a towel chucked over a door, and a perilously-balanced TV were some of the features of Emily Atack's flat, as highlighted by Keith Lemon's visit on Saturday's Through The Keyhole. And fans of the show were left surprised at the size, location and less-than-glam realness of the property, which is situated in North London. Having looked through each room, Keith's celeb panel [Sally Phillips, Chris Kamara and Danny Dyer] guessed the home belonged to the I'm A Celeb runner-up, after which she joined them in the studio. Keeping it real: Through The Keyhole fans were left surprised at the size, location and less-than-glam realness of Emily Atack's flat, which is situated in North London But viewers at home were left a little surprised - potentially expecting something more 'showbiz' from a star of the small screen. 'Emily Atack's flat on #throughthekeyhole looks like some student dig!' one person posted on Twitter during the episode. 'No offence Emily Atack. Your flat is smaller than my bedroom,' another person commented. A third, worried about her wayward TV lead, typed: 'Sort your tele cable out luv!' Shabby chic: Cracked mirrors, a towel chucked over a door, and a perilously-balanced TV were some of the features of Emily's flat Visitor: Keith Lemon visited the property on Saturday's Through The Keyhole Pals: Emily seemed nonplussed, however, taking to Twitter herself after the show, tagging Keith and posting 'Thanks for looking up my keyhole'. He replied 'I loved looking up it' Glam? Viewers at home were left a little surprised - potentially expecting something more 'showbiz' from a star of the small screen Another simply wrote: 'Mirror cracked!' While another typed: 'You really live above a newsagent!' Others found the property - which, indeed, featured modest fixtures and fittings and minimal decor - endearing. One posted: 'Loved the scissors still under microwave. Towel over kitchen door. Proper gaff. Thats the Scouse heritage. Bet Mickey Owen was well jealous with his poxy mansion.' Harsh: 'Emily Atack's flat on #throughthekeyhole looks like some student dig!' one person posted on Twitter during the episode Under Atack: 'No offence Emily Atack. Your flat is smaller than my bedroom,' another person commented Poking about: Keith rummaged through Emily's things inside her North London flat Another, replying on a remark about the size, penned: 'Normal for London!' Someone else attempted to defend the actress, seemingly with insider knowledge: 'Can nobody tell that Emily Atack is renovating her flat!' Emily seemed nonplussed, however, taking to Twitter herself after the show, tagging Keith and posting: 'Thanks for looking up my keyhole'. He replied: 'I loved looking up it!' The property features a main living space, with throw-covered sofas and a statement white coffee table. The grand tour: Keith - who is known to be close pals with the actress - was seen traipsing around the flat, sprawling himself out on the sofas and spilling cereal in the cramped kitchen Skit: TV and radio star Pat Sharp joined him - and was 'killed' by Emily's perilously-positioned television, which she keeps on top of a wardrobe opposite her bed Show us around: He sat himself at the breakfast bar and mocked the fact that it overlooks a plain wall, later gifting the former Inbetweeners star a poster of an open window, with him standing on the other side of it, his head superimposed onto a hunky shirtless body Snapped: Emily has showcased the flat on her social media platforms The room is light with white walls and wooden flooring, a grey shag pile rug and feature lamps and candles. On the wall is contemporary artwork (including a copy of Banksy's Policeman Kissing) and blue orchids, cacti and house plants bring some colour and character into Emily's home. During Saturday's new episode of Through The Keyhole, Keith - who is known to be close pals with the actress - was seen traipsing around the flat, sprawling himself out on the sofas and spilling cereal in the cramped kitchen. He sat himself at the breakfast bar and mocked the fact that it overlooks a plain wall, later gifting the former Inbetweeners star a poster of an open window, with him standing on the other side of it, his head superimposed onto a hunky shirtless body. Basic: Some took to Twitter to defend the 'real' flat, noting that it's 'typical for London' TV and radio star Pat Sharp joined him - and was 'killed' by Emily's perilously-positioned television, which she keeps on top of a wardrobe opposite her bed. 'It's perfect there!' she reasoned when she joined Keith in the studio later on. Another gag gift included an umpire chair, intended for her to sit on to watch TV at the same height as the closet top. Through The Keyhole airs on Saturday night on ITV at 9:30PM. Live television certainly doesn't come without potential blunders. And Good Morning Britain's Andi Peters found himself in a rather awkward situation on Monday when a competition winner named Darren failed to answer his front door because he was getting changed. The 48-year-old presenter was filmed pounded on the man's front door, before shouting through the letterbox - but to no avail. Oops: Good Morning Britain's Andi Peters found himself in a rather awkward situation on Monday when a competition winner named Darren failed to answer his front door because he was getting changed Andi resorted to phoning up the lucky winner, who was due to receive a 5,000 cheque after entering a prize draw via the ITV breakfast show. 'Hello, is that Darren? Are you at home this morning?', Andi asked, only to be told by Darren that he was 'putting his clothes on'. The TV star joked: 'Put your clothes on as fast as possible as it's Andi Peters off the telly, and I've got something for you! So get down here. Here he is! 'Hello, is that Darren? Are you at home this morning?', Andi asked, only to be told by Darren that he was 'putting his clothes on' Andi joked: 'Come on Darren, you're keeping Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid waiting!', as the main presenters (joined by Charlotte Hawkins, left), waited patiently in the TV studios 'Come on Darren, you're keeping Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid waiting!' Poor Darren was then filmed opening the door, looking a little dazed as he accepted the cheque from an enthusiastic Andi. Everything was explained when the sleep-deprived man revealed he had been 'on a night shift'. Amused: It wasn't long before viewers took to social media to joke about the incident 'Oops, awkward!', Andi chuckled in response - as viewers took to social media to joke about the incident. One posted: '@andipeters knocking the door like a bailiff. No wonder he wasnt answering the door. Lol.' Another joked: 'Darren's not letting them in, quite right too #GMB'. She's played everything from April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a demonic cheerleader in Jennifer's Body. But things are getting gritty for Megan Fox's latest role as she prepares to portray war correspondent Marguerite Higgins for gritty Korean War movie The Battle Of Jangsari. The actress, 32, is known for her sleek, dark tresses and sultry performances; yet she takes on a whole new look for her latest flick, which is currently shooting in South Korea. Who's that girl? Megan Fox's latest role sees her portray war correspondent Marguerite Higgins for gritty Korean War movie The Battle Of Jangsari Spotted on set, Megan sported a blonde, bobbed wig, and a face of very pale make-up - a vast change to her natural raven locks and her typically bronzed complexion. She wore a khaki shirt and carried a leather satchel over her body for her portrayal as the New York Herald Tribune journalist. The star wore a blue bomber jacket over her shoulders and warmed her hands on the chilly shoot, which is taking place in the city of Chuncheon. Marguerite Higgins reported during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and in the process advanced the cause of equal access for female war correspondents.. Raven beauty: The actress, 32, is known for her sleek, dark tresses and sultry performances Change of pace: Megan takes on a whole new look for her latest flick, which is currently shooting in South Korea Feeling the chill: The star wore a blue bomber jacket over her shoulders and warmed her hands on the chilly shoot, which is taking place in the city of Chuncheon After her success at the New York Herald Tribune until 1963 she went on to pen a syndicated column for Newsday. She was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for Foreign Correspondence awarded in 1951 for her coverage of the Korean War - which is what Megan portrays in her movie. This is Megan's third upcoming project for 2019. On top of The Battle Of Jangsari, Megan will also star in Naya: Legend Of The Golden Dolphin as Princess Leilani and Shadow Girl, playing Juliana. There's just a few days until he brings all 24 personas to the big screen once again in Glass. But the only person James McAvoy had with him on Sunday night was girlfriend Lisa Liberati as they touched down in JFK. The couple arrived back in New York after he attended the European premiere of his M Night Shymalan thriller sequel in Paris. Stateside: James McAvoy and girlfriend Lisa Liberati touched down in JFKon Sunday night The 39-year-old actor looked sharp in a black fitted puffer jacket, scarf, dark jeans and boots. His squeeze looked equally toasty in a similar ensemble, adding a black beanie. In the film, the Scot plays the mentally unstable Kevin Wendell Crumb AKA The Horde, a former zoo-keeper with 24 different personalities, including the superhuman Beast. It brings together his character from 2016's Split, as well as Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson's from 2000's Unbreakable, to complete the Eastrail 177 Trilogy. Handsome: The 39-year-old actor looked sharp in a black fitted puffer jacket, scarf, dark jeans Snap: His squeeze looked equally toasty in a similar ensemble, adding a black beanie Horde: In the film, the Scot plays the mentally unstable Kevin Wendell Crumb AKA The Horde, a former zoo-keeper with 24 different personalities, including the superhuman Beast Sarah Paulson plays Dr Ellie Staple, a psychiatrist specializing in delusions of grandeur who treats patients convinced they are superhuman beings. McAvoy met Liberati two years ago through the films' director, who had employed her as an assistant. Months earlier, he had split from wife of ten years Anne-Marie Duff. The former couple, who share eight-year-old son Brendan, had met when they co-stared in the British comedy-drama Shameless, on which the US show of the same name is based. Glass is the first of James' to be released this year; Marvel's Dark Phoenix and horror film It: Chapter Two are set to follow. They tied the knot during an intimate ceremony at their home on December 23. And smitten newlywed Miley Cyrus paid a heart-warming tribute to her beau Liam Hemsworth on his 29th birthday on Monday. The songstress, 26, shared a lengthy letter to her husband on Instagram, writing: 'L, HBD [Happy Birthday] to my #1'. 'Thank you for giving me the happiest days of my life': Miley Cyrus (left) shared a heart-warming 29th birthday tribute to her husband Liam Hemsworth (right) 'When we met you were 19, today you are 29... I thought I could share some of my favourite things about my favourite dude in honor of this very special day,' she wrote. Miley detailed some of Liam's great qualities, including his contagious positive nature. 'The look on your face when you receive good news and how you look AT the bad news. I love how you always try things your way, but are never to proud to ask for help. (Yes, I've noticed and taken note, I'm a work in progress),' she penned. His best qualities: Miley penned a sweet and lengthy letter about Liam, which she shared to Instagram on Monday Miley continued: 'I love your dirty socks on the floor cause that means YOU'RE HOME. I love when you introduce me to a new band, so when you're away I can listen, and it feels like you're here. 'I love laying in bed late at night looking for new recipes, only going to sleep so we can wake up and make breakfast together while having a hot cup of coffee (almost as hot as you are).' Miley gushed over the activities the lovebirds share, including eating Chinese food after a night of drinking, attending parties and brushing their teeth together in the morning. Loved up! Miley gushed over the activities the lovebirds share, including eating Chinese food after a night of drinking, attending parties and brushing their teeth together in the morning. Liam and Miley pictured in 2012 'I love going to a random party and remembering basically everyone is fake AF out here and how lucky I am to share a life with someone so REAL. I love how you let ME be ME. Put simply... I love YOU. Unconditionally,' she fondly expressed. 'In our time together you have displayed what it really means to love through all circumstances. I respect you and you respect me. 'You and me baby... let's take this dark place head on and shine through with the light of L.O.V.E. Thank you for giving me the happiest days of my life.' Smitten newlyweds: The tribute comes after pair tied the knot during an intimate ceremony at their home on December 23 And Miley wasn't the only one who honoured Liam's birthday, as his younger brother Chris also took to the social media platform to pay a tribute. Sharing a picture of the two siblings, the 35-year-old hunk penned: 'Happy birthday @liamhemsworth you little legend.' 'Some would say you're occasionally absent minded and prone to distraction but clearly this picture tells another tale. Love ya mate,' the actor added. Siblings: Miley wasn't the only one who honoured Liam's birthday, as his younger brother Chris also took to the social media platform to pay a tribute. Pictured: Liam (left) and Chris (right) And in December, the couple exchanged nuptials in their home in Franklin, Tennessee according to RadarOnline. Miley and Liam have been in an on-again-off-again relationship for years, and first got engaged back in June 2012. Miley and Liam first met on the set of the movie The Last Song in 2009, in which they played a couple, foretelling their real-life future. He was axed from the Today show in December in a staffing 'bloodbath' after working at Nine for 15 years. And it seems Peter Stefanovic, 37, is ready to find a new job judging by the advertisement he posted for work on the online media newsletter, Social Diary. The former Weekend Today presenter's management shared his profile, which stated that he is 'now available for any upcoming relevant opportunities'. Moving on? it seems Peter Stefanovic, 37, is ready to find a new job judging by the advertisement he posted for work on the online media newsletter, Social Diary The message, which was accompanied by a smiling photo of Peter, began: 'Peter Stefanovic has been on the ground for many of the world's most recent historic events.' It went on: 'Peter is now available for any upcoming relevant opportunities including ambassador roles and MC/Hosting opportunities', 'Peter has covered everything from the Iraq war, Presidential elections, Golden Globes and many more over the course of 14+ years.' Advert: The former Weekend Today presenter's management shared his profile, which stated that he is 'now available for any upcoming relevant opportunities' It's over: The advertisement comes after it was announced on December 18 that Peter would not be returning to Channel Nine in 2019 after 15 years with the company The advertisement comes after it was announced on December 18 that Peter would not be returning to Channel Nine in 2019. At the network, he was the host of Weekend Today as well as reporting for shows such as 60 Minutes. A Channel Nine statement at the time read: 'Peter has decided to explore new opportunities and is looking forward to spending weekends with his wife.' No more: Peter's Today presenter wife, Sylvia Jeffreys (pictured), also lost her role on the show amid the massive shake-up, but remains contracted to Nine 'He has been a respected member of the Nine News team and Weekend Today, and we wish him all the best for the future.' Just one day later, Peter's brother Karl, 44, who hosted the weekday edition Today show, was axed while on his honeymoon with new wife Jasmine Yarbrough, 34. Peter's Today presenter wife, Sylvia Jeffreys, also lost her role on the show amid the massive shake-up, but remains contracted to Nine. Ashley Martson, star of the TLC reality show 90 Day Fiance, was rushed to a hospital Sunday after collapsing at her home. Turns out the 32-year old suffered acute kidney failure due to complications of Lupus. She has since posted a photo of herself on Instagram that shows her passed out in a hospital bed with IVs running through her arms. 'I'm sorry if this photo offends anyone but I will not hide that Im sick,' an obviously emotional Martson captioned the snap. 'If I can help one person with lupus then posting this is worth it.' Health crisis: Ashley Martson was rushed to a hospital on Sunday after collapsing at her home with kidney failure due to complications of Lupus She then went on to explain the seriousness of her health crisis. 'I was found unresponsive this morning at my home. The Ambulance took me to the hospital where it was found that I am in acute kidney failure due to lupus. I will begin dialysis shortly.' Despite her obvious anguish, she reached deep inside and found her strong, confident voice. 'I will not let this beat me. I know I'm strong enough to battle through this, not just for myself but for my kids.' Emotional admission: The TV personality shared a lengthy note to her fans and followers Long battle: The 32-year was also hospitalized in December due to her Lupus The television personality added: 'I will be transferred to another hospital this evening that is better equipped. Please pray for myself and my family as I know its going to be a very tough road ahead for all of us. Thank you for your continuous support and prayers.' She ended her message by asking fans and her 160,000 followers not to write any negative comments on her post because 'Im already scared and I dont need to be kicked while Im already down.' The Pennsylvania native was also hospitalized with complications from her Lupus this past December, according to Us Weekly. At the time, she shared a picture of her in the hospital with the hashtag: #lupussucks.' Strong voice: 'I will not let this beat me. I know I'm strong enough to battle through this, not just for myself but for my kid,' Martson said in her message Lupus is an autoimmune disease that when it becomes hyperactive it attacks tissues that includes kidneys, heart, skin, joints, blood cells and lungs. This is the same disease that has afflicted Selena Gomez. The young star eventually needed a kidney transplant in 2017, but she has looked remarkably healthy since the operation. Martson joined the cast of 90 Day Fiance with new husband Jay Smith in season six last year. They've already come under scrutiny since debuting as Australian breakfast television's first all-female hosting duo on Monday. And Georgie Gardner has admitted she's well aware of the busy year ahead, revealing that she and Today show co-host Deborah Knight, 46, will struggle to switch off from the pressures of work. 'I think our biggest challenge will be finding time to catch up for a glass of wine when we're not on air, or ensconced with kids duties and trying to sleep,' the 48-year-old told 9Honey. Big year: Georgie Gardner has admitted she and Today show co-host Deborah Knight, 46, will struggle to switch off from the strain of work The pair have established a close friendship and have been working side by side since Deborah joined Nine seven years ago. Georgie explained that they bonded due to the similarities in their personal lives, as they juggled motherhood with work. '[We were] probably sleep-deprived with babies; we're sort of in sync with our personal lives as well,' Gardner recalled. She added that they have a 'great respect' for each other and joked that they haven't been around each other long enough to start noticing any 'bad habits'. Pressure: 'I think our biggest challenge will be finding time to catch up for a glass of wine when we're not on air, or ensconced with kids duties and trying to sleep,' the 48-year-old told 9Honey 'The fine details in terms of finding our groove and idiosyncrasies and bad habits, that's still to come,' she quipped. The duo make up Channel Nine's new-look Today show, which debuted on Monday and was slammed by viewers as being 'boring, awkward and humourless'. Georgie and Deborah have welcomed Tom Steinfort, 35, Brooke Boney, 31, and Tony Jones, 57, to the panel - but not everybody is impressed. Fans flocked to the Today show's official Facebook page to criticise everything from their lack of chemistry to the on-screen presentation. They go way back: The pair have established a close friendship and have been working side by side since Deborah started at Nine seven years ago 'What a bunch of fakes! Georgie go home, bring back Karl! Switching channels, goodbye boring Today show!!' one fan wrote. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a Channel Nine spokesperson said there has been 'a positive response overall'. Deborah Knight, who was named Karl Stefanovic's replacement earlier this month, likened the new panel's debut to her 'first day of school'. 'Thankfully I am not the only one on the desk who feels like the first day of school,' she said. Todd Lasance is engaged to his longtime girlfriend Jordan Wilcox. The former Home and Away star, 33, confirmed the happy news via Instagram on Monday, sharing several photos of the romantic proposal. Paying tribute to Jordan, with whom he shares two-year-old daughter Charlie Rose, he wrote: 'I am officially the luckiest man on this planet!' 'I am officially the luckiest man on this planet!' Former Home and Away star Todd Lasance (right) has proposed to his longtime girlfriend Jordan Wilcox (left) He continued: 'Yesterday I asked the woman of my dreams to be my wife. 'I still don't know how I was lucky enough to find someone so loving, selfless, gentle, compassionate, inspiring, funny, and the most incredible mother to our little girl I could ever have dreamed of. 'It was perfect. She is perfect. I can't wait to call her Mrs Lasance'. 'So in love I can't stop': Jordan shared a glimpse of the engagement ring on her Instagram How romantic! Paying tribute to Jordan, with whom he shares two-year-old daughter Charlie Rose, Todd wrote: 'I am officially the luckiest man on this planet!' Over on her own Instagram page, Jordan also expressed her joy at the news. 'Yesterday, my best friend, the love of my life, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife,' she wrote. 'Words cannot express how perfect this moment and moments to come were. I couldnt have dreamed up a better proposal. 'It was such a surprise that I thought it was for someone else... I can't believe I get to call this amazing, thoughtful, hard working, supportive and loving man my fiance! I cant wait for the rest of our lives as a family, Todd James.' 'Yesterday, my best friend, the love of my life, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife,' Jordan couldn't stop raving about her new husband-to-be Just two months before popping the question, Todd praised Jordan during an interview with Daily Mail Australia. 'She's such an unbelievable mum. I'm so damn lucky,' he said. At the time, Todd also admitted he and Jordan weren't ruling out the possibility of having more children one day. 'It's not out of the question, put it that way!' Todd said. 'She's such an unbelievable mum. I'm so damn lucky': Just two months before popping the question, Todd praised Jordan during an interview with Daily Mail Australia The Vampire Diaries star added that fatherhood had changed him for the better. 'The capacity for love and what love means is unbelievable. You think you know what love is and then you have a child and then you're like "Oh my God, this is it",' he said. 'The depth of emotion I start to feel as well is incredible. Especially for your work as well - as an actor it's just like the golden ticket because you feel everything so much more intensely. It's been beautiful on all fronts.' Todd, who is now based in America, first met Jordan in 2015. 'We met in Atlanta. She's from Georgia,' he said. 'We were over there and literally by chance their group of friends were out and my group of friends were out and it just blossomed from there.' Brianna Randall entertained suitors while her family was away on Sunday's episode of Outlander. Bree, played by Sophie Skelton, stayed behind at River Run as her mother Claire [Caitriona Balfe] and Jamie Fraser [Sam Heughan] looked for her love Roger Wakefield [Richard Rankin] who had been traded to American Indians. Aunt Jocasta [Maria Doyle Kennedy] organized a dinner party for pregnant Bree that played out like an 18th-century version of The Bachelorette with some clearly not there for the right reasons. Dramatic entrance: Brianna Randall descended down a staircase to meet suitors on Sunday's episode of Outlander on Starz Bree descended a staircase in a gorgeous gown and caught the eye of Lord Forbes [Billy Boyd], Lieutenant Wolff and Judge Alderdyce. Lord John Grey [David Berry] also showed up at the dinner after Jamie asked him to check-in on Bree. Bree later that night stumbled on Lord John and Judge Alderdyce having sex and used the information to get out of a proposal from Lord Forbes. She confronted Lord John the next morning with a blackmail scheme in which she threatened to out him as gay unless he agreed to marry her. Lord John then subtly revealed that he was in love with Jamie and Bree candidly told him about her rape and pregnancy. Bachelorette style: The daughter of Claire Fraser stayed behind at River Run as her mother and Jamie looked for her love Roger who was traded to the Mohawk in a case of mistaken rapist identity He then stepped up and told Aunt Jocasta they just got engaged after it looked like Bree was going to have to accept Forbes' proposal. Claire and Jamie set out for Shadow Lake after Ian [John Bell] learned the Mohawk likely would have taken Roger there. She reassurred Jamie that she wasn't angry with him, while also stressing that Brianna came first now. Jamie feared that Bree would hold it against him after he spoke crudely about her rape and pregnancy to her. 'She doesna need me. I never thought I'd be jealous of a dead man.... Frank never would've said those things to her.... Bree thinks he's a better man,' Jamie told Claire. Claire during a tent visit reassured him that Frank wasn't the better man. They both apologized to each other and wiped away tears before having sex in the tent. Fergus meanwhile was being hard on himself after not being able to find work in Wilmington with his missing hand. Marsali [Lauren Lyle] asked Murtagh [Duncan Lacroix] to recruit Fergus to fight with the Regulators to boost his confidence. Fergus turned the offer down as he realized it would mean abandoning Marsali and their child. He did, however, agree to help Murtagh find Bree's rapist Stephen Bonnet so that Jamie could kill him. Fergus and Murtagh found Bonnet and were hauling his unconscious body away when British soldiers stopped them. Murtagh took the fall and was taken into custody along with Bonnet. Roger also was shown at the end of the episode back with the Mohawk after reaching out for time-traveling stones at the end of last week's episode. He was tied up and forced to participate in a violent gauntlet that left him beaten and bloody. Outlander will return next week on Starz. Ariana Grande raised eyebrows with her comments about Pete Davidson's manhood - unashamedly telling followers he was '10 inches' long. But as the Saturday Night Live star, 25, performed a stand-up show at the Tarrytown Music Hall in New York on Saturday night, he said that at just 5ft tall, 'everything is huge to her.' Davidson joked that his ex-fiance's boast about his genitals set him up for unreasonable expectations from his future lovers. 'Why would she tell everyone that I have a huge penis? So that every girl who sees my d*** for the rest of my life is disappointed?' said Davidson, according to People, in the wake of their October split. Scroll below for video The latest: Pete Davidson, 25, talked about the aftermath of his relationship with Ariana Grande, 25, as well as his run-in with Kate Beckinsale, during a wild show in New York Saturday At the show, according to US, Davidson revealed what he did in the wake of the split, which put an end to the couple's engagement. 'I did what all douchebags do after a breakup: Went to Soho House,' he said of the celebrity haunt. 'That's what all douchebags do.' He said that he had a tryst with a friend he described as 'a fast, loose woman' and asked her if Grande was accurate in her previous statements about how well-endowed he is. 'She said, 'Well, it's nice, but it's like an average black man's, so it's nice, but like the size of an average black d***.' So I thought, 'OK, that is white privilege,'' he said. Way back when: Pete and Ariana embraced at the MTV VMA Awards in August Davidson also responded to an audience member's jibe about his cozy chat with British actress Kate Beckinsale, 45, earlier this month at Netflix's Golden Globes bash in Los Angeles. After the concertgoer yelled Beckinsale's name, Davidson 'smiled sheepishly and said simply 'Yes,''. A source previously told the publication that it 'definitely seemed like Kate was interested in' Davidson at the Hollywood party. She officially married Justin Bieber last September, but is still planning the wedding. And Hailey Baldwin looked every inch the happy newlywed still as she was spotted grabbing a coffee with a friend in Los Angeles on Sunday. The outing comes after the 22-year-old announced the return of her hit show Drop The Mic via her Twitter account on Friday. Pretty in pink: Hailey Baldwin, 22, looked every inch the happy newlywed still as she was spotted grabbing a coffee with a friend in Los Angeles on Sunday Daring to impress, the supermodel looked sophisticated chic in an oversized white coat and a pair of white high tops. Meanwhile, she shared with her fans: 'Super excited to announce that @dropthemictnt is returning January 23 on TNT! See you all then!' The top rated program showcases celebrities going head to head in a comic battle rap competition. This season will feature Jason Biggs, Jussie Smollett, Danielle Brooks, Taran Killam, Kermit and Miss Piggy. Impressive: Daring to impress, the supermodel looked sophisticated chic in an oversized white coat and a pair of white high tops Though Justin and Hailey are legally wed, they're said to be slowing down their plans for their official religious celebration of the union. The pair were wed in a secret civil ceremony in New York in September 2018. Though both are devout Christians, sources told People they're still 'figuring out the perfect time' to tie the knot. Big news: The outing comes after Hailey announced the return of her hit show Drop The Mic via her Twitter account on Friday Natural beauty: The model looked effortlessly radiant as she strolled along with her drinks Outing: The star looked suitably stylish for the outing The insider continued, telling the magazine that while 'they both feel like the sooner, the better,' there are still details to be worked out. 'Theyre working with the schedules of all their friends and family to make sure they can be surrounded by the people they love.' 'Theres no real rush. Theyre already legally married, but theyre very excited about throwing a celebration with their loved ones. As a relationship expert on Australia's Married At First Sight, Dr. Trisha Stratford has a shockingly low success rate when it comes to playing cupid. But despite failing to find love for countless reality TV hopefuls, Trisha has managed to find happiness in her own personal life. Opening up to Woman's Day this week, the neuropsychotherapist gushed about her romance with a Kiwi-based father-of-three named Roger, who flew to Sydney especially for their blind date. At least she's found love! Married at First Sight expert Trisha Stratford has gushed over new romance with Kiwi beau who 'flew to Sydney' for blind date Introduced through mutual connections, Trisha revealed: 'He picked up the phone and invited me out for coffee. He jumped on the plane to Sydney, we had the coffee and the rest, as they say, is history.' Inseparable since February 2018, the brunette recently revealed plans to move back to New Zealand to be with her flame. 'I was always planning to come back, but he's sped up my time frame,' she told Woman's Day NZ in October. Struggle: As a relationship 'expert' on Married At First Sight, Trisha has a shockingly low success rate when it comes to matching couples. She's pictured with fellow romance and Melanie Schilling and John Aitken The love guru also admitted it's been a 'surreal experience navigating her new relationship' while guiding a new selection of couples in the upcoming new series of MAFS. And despite her expert credentials, Trisha has previously warned that the TV relationships may not work out. 'They may not necessarily find the love of their life, but I see it as being broader than that,' she explained to Stuff in September 'They may not necessarily find the love of their life!' Despite her expert credentials, Trisha has previously warned that the TV relationships may not work out. Pictured former MAFS 'couple' Dean Wells and Tracey Jewel 'I see it as people learning about who they are in relationships, what they do that doesn't serve them, what they do that does serve them, and what kind of [partner] they want.' Her admission comes after Channel Nine officially unveiled its season 6 cast on Monday. When the show premieres later this month, viewers will be introduced to a socially awkward awkward virgin, a bride who dates married men and a groom who only wants a bride who looks like supermodel, Jennifer Hawkins. Kelly Brook has revealed she was body-shamed by her teachers when she was just 11 years old. The glamour model, 39, recalled an incident during her school days when she was called into the Head of Year's office and accused of wearing revealing clothing. The TV star remembered the school had a fire alarm and Kelly was called out in front of her class for talking in the line and then sent to the teacher's office. Shocking: Kelly Brook, 39, recalled an incident during her school days when she was called into the Head of Year's office and accused of wearing revealing clothing (pictured December 2018) She told the Mirror's Notebook magazine: 'The Head Of Year sent me to her office and said: "You can't come to school looking the way you do, flirting with every boy that comes past.' I was 11. 'I didn't know what the word 'flirt' even meant. I dressed the same as everyone else, but my curves made me different. 'After that realisation I felt very uncomfortable with my looks.' Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous magazine, Kelly previously recalled when her boyfriend Jeremy Parisi, 32, called her a 'balloon' in reference to her weight gain. However, the model insisted she found the term 'cute'. Trouble: The TV star remembered the school had a fire alarm and Kelly was called out in front of her class for talking in the line and then sent to the teacher's office She said: 'My boyfriend said I looked like a little balloon, it wasnt just trolls it was him as well.' During a recent interview with Femail, Kelly revealed that her weight started creeping on after she returned to the UK from a stint in LA two years ago. And resorting to using editing tools to change the way she looked in her Instagram photos helped her realise she wasn't happy. She said: 'The Head Of Year sent me to her office and said: "You can't come to school looking the way you do, flirting with every boy that comes past,' Kelly recalls (pictured with her boyfriend Jeremy Parisi) Opening up about her past weight loss struggles Kelly, who has always been renowned for her curves, explained: 'I'm a curvy girl and I like my natural shape. It's who I am after all. 'But I'm aware that over the last few years, I've been gradually gaining weight. It didn't really start to bother me until I couldn't get into my skinny jeans anymore.' She added: 'Suddenly I realised at aged 39, I was beyond my healthy BMI. My wardrobe had became very limited and I wasn't feeling at my best anymore.' Since starting her weight loss journey back in October, she has lost 15lbs and 4 inches from her hips. During the 2000s, Ajay Rochester rose to fame as host of The Biggest Loser. And now she's back in the spotlight as a contestant on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, the 49-year-old has a surprising weight-loss confession of her own. In an interview with Woman's Day on Monday, Ajay revealed the stomach-turning technique she once tried in a bid to shed the kilos. REVEALED: The stomach-churning method I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star Ajay Rochester (pictured) once used in a desperate bid to lose weight Ajay admitted she once tried to purposely get sick with a tapeworm so that she could 'benefit' from one of its symptoms: weight loss. 'I've never publicly admitted this to anyone, but when I walked the Great Wall of China with Olivia Newton-John in 2008, I drank the water in the hope of getting a tapeworm,' she said. 'I actually brought home a bottle of tap water, so I could keep losing weight. It didn't work. All I wanted was a tapeworm. Ripped off.' Shocking confession: Ajay admitted she once tried to purposely get sick with a tapeworm so that she could 'benefit' from one of its symptoms: weight loss It's not the only eyebrow-raising confession Ajay has made this week. In the premiere episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, she told her campmate Justin Lacko that she is in the middle of a lengthy sexual drought. After Love Island star Justin joked that the group was 'like a swingers club', she replied: 'That would mean actually having sex and I haven't had sex in nine years!' Dry spell: It's not the only eyebrow-raising confession Ajay (left) has made this week. In the premiere episode of I'm A Celebrity, she told her campmate Justin Lacko (right) she 'hadn't had sex in nine years' Ajay also rustled feathers this week by taking aim at Gogglebox star Yvie Jones, who is also slumming it in the South African jungle. She took umbrage with the fact that Yvie is exempt from some of the food restrictions on medical grounds. 'I'm going to throw some shade at the Gogglebox girl,' she told 10 Daily. 'If she really has got a medical note so she can have snacks in the tent during the day then she needs to f**king take half a cup of cement and harden the f**k up.' A photo of a dressed-down Karl Stefanovic gambling in the pokies room of a Sydney pub resurfaced on Monday. The former Today host, 44, was pictured in the VIP lounge of The Buena in Mosman, according to New Idea, and the image is believed to have been taken last year. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Karl Stefanovic's representatives for comment. Fancy a flutter? A photo has resurfaced of former Today host Karl Stefanovic 'gambling alone in the pokies room'... as it's claimed Channel Nine 'wants him gone by Easter' Meanwhile, New Idea also claimed that Karl was recently called in for a meeting at Channel Nine's Willoughby headquarters. He was apparently holidaying in Queensland with his wife Jasmine Yarbrough's family when he received a call to return to Sydney. It's possible the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Karl's recent social media activity. Favourite haunt? The former Today host, 44, was pictured in the VIP lounge of The Buena pub in Mosman, Sydney. Pictured: The Buena Resurfaced picture: The father-of-three was pictured using a pokie machine on the cover of this week's New Idea magazine Earlier this month, he was caught 'liking' several Instagram comments critical of Nine and the Today show's new lineup. He later claimed his account was 'hacked' while he was on a fishing trip - however Channel Nine executives are reportedly 'not buying' the excuse. An industry 'insider' told New Idea: 'As soon as Karl got the call, he knew he was probably going to be in trouble and he was concerned bosses would use this opportunity to get rid of him once and for all.' Urgent meeting? Meanwhile, New Idea also claimed Karl was recently called in for a meeting at Channel Nine's Willoughby headquarters. He was apparently holidaying in Queensland with his wife Jasmine Yarbrough's family when he received the call to return to Sydney It comes after The Sunday Telegraph reported that the network 'wants Karl gone by Easter', despite him being under contract until the end of 2020. An industry source said: 'Karl has to film the final segments for his show This Time Next Year at the end of February and that goes into most of March and after that they want him gone.' Such a move could lead to Karl losing his $6million salary, which is due to be paid over his remaining two years at Nine. Whoops! It's possible the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Karl's recent Instagram activity. Earlier this month, he was caught 'liking' several comments critical of Channel Nine and the Today show's new lineup Hmm! Karl later claimed his account was 'hacked' while he was on a fishing trip - however Channel Nine executives are reportedly 'not buying' the excuse The alleged reason behind Nine's 'push' to end Karl's contract is his media deal with Who magazine, which published exclusive photos from his Mexican wedding. According to News Corp, Karl's contract apparently prohibits 'external deals' with rival media organisations. The so-called Instagram 'hacking' scandal also rankled Nine executives, who 'didn't buy [his excuse] for a second'. A network representative denied The Sunday Telegraph's report, however, saying 'it's just not true'. They tied the knot in a surprise New Year's Eve ceremony held in Manchester. And during their lavish reception Tina O'Brien's new husband Adam Crofts shared the sweet story of how they met, thanks to the Coronation Street star's daughter Scarlett, who was two-years-old at the time. The 33-year-old businessman referenced the touching anecdote during his wedding speech, where he thanked the little girl, who is now 10, before telling their guests how she brought the happy couple together, reports OK! Magazine. Newlyweds: During their lavish wedding reception Tina O'Brien's new husband Adam Crofts shared the sweet story of how they met Adam said: We should all say a big thank you to Scarlett because she is pretty much the reason were all here today. Scarlett is the first one who approached me in Starbucks when she was about two and a half years old, ice cream all down her face and said: Hello, man, and Tina soon came scuttling after her! Adam: To the Crofts! Were married! We did it! I just want to say how much I love you and how incredibly lucky I feel to be your husband. Scarlett, who Tina shares with actor Ryan Thomas, played a big part of their day, as well as her and Adam's son beau, four. Sweet: The 33-year-old businessman referenced the touching anecdote during his wedding speech, where he thanked the little girl, who is now 10, before telling their guests how she brought the happy couple together. Mama's here: Beginning 2019 as a newlywed, Tina was joined by a whole host of her co-stars from the ITV soap, including her onscreen mother Helen Worth (pictured) Adam: The fact that he [Beau] was there today by my side was a dream come true. Beginning 2019 as a newlywed, Tina was joined by a whole host of her co-stars from the ITV soap, including her onscreen mother Helen Worth (Gail Platt) and soap brother Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt). Read the full interview in this week's copy of Ok! Magazine According to The Mirror, the romantic nuptials took place at the King Street Tavern Hotel in Manchester, that boasts an infinity pool and rooftop bar. Tina and Adam reportedly hired out the 40-bedroom hotel for their big day, which saw 80 guests, including family, friends and soap stars, turn out for the special occasion. It's believed the actress had wanted to keep her wedding under wraps and is still yet to confirm her newlywed status - choosing to shun social media in the lead up to the ceremony. While Ryan - who recently confirmed his relationship with girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh is back on track - was reportedly invited to Tina's wedding, it seems he chose not to attend. Instead, he revealed on social media that he jetted overseas, touching down on New Year's Eve. Those in attendance, however, included many of Tina's Coronation Street co-stars, including her soap family The Platts who she has starred alongside for more than 15 years - though she did take a break from the soap between 2007 and 2015. Sweet: The couple were also joined by their four-year-old son Beau and Tina's daughter Scarlett, 10 Helen nd her husband of five years Trevor Dawson, Jack and his girlfriend Hanni Treweek and Lucy Fallon - who plays Tina's onscreen daughter Bethany Platt - and her boyfriend Tom Leech were all seen arriving at the wedding venue ahead of the ceremony. Julia Goulding - who plays David Platt's girlfriend on Coronation Street - was also in attendance along with Tina's on-screen fiance Mikey North (Gary Windass) and his wife Rachael Isherwood. I'm A Celebrity star Sair Khan arrived later for the wedding reception with boyfriend and Our Girl actor Simon Lennon. Absent: While it's claimed Ryan had been invited to the wedding, it seems he chose not to attend and instead revealed her had jetted overseas on NYE Tina's wedding to husband Adam comes two and a half years after the couple confirmed their engagement. Adam had proposed to the mother-of-two in May 2016 in a Manchester bar, after five years of dating. He met Tina seven years ago when her daughter, then two, approached the rugby player in a branch of Starbucks in Manchester and introduced herself. Guestlist: Helen Worth - who plays Tina's onscreen mother Gail Platt - and her husband of five years Trevor Dawson were seen arriving ahead of the wedding on Monday Big day: Jack P. Shepherd and his girlfriend Hanni Treweek were dressed to impress for the special occasion They debuted their romance earlier this month. But it seems Luke Burgess and his English girlfriend Lindsey Johnston will have to settle for a long-distance relationship for now. On Sunday, Lindsey shared a video to Instagram of the rugby league star driving her to the airport before a flight back to the UK. 'Saying goodbye to this one': Footy star Luke Burgess and his new girlfriend Lindsey Johnston flirted up a storm on Sunday as she prepared to fly back to England 'Oh hey hot stuff!' Lindsey said in the video, which showed Luke in the driver's seat. Lindsey, who hails from Manchester, revealed she was saying 'goodbye' to Luke - which suggests she was flying out of Sydney. 'Saying goodbye to this one,' she captioned the video alongside three broken-heart emojis. Flying back to Britain? Lindsey, who hails from Manchester, revealed she was saying 'goodbye' to Luke - which suggests she was flying out of Sydney Just a day after confirming his relationship with Lindsey, photos emerged of Luke at the beach with his new girlfriend earlier this month. The 31-year-old sportsman was seen relaxing alongside the bikini-clad blonde at Sydney's Little Bay Beach on Friday January 7. Joining Luke and Lindsay was his five-year-old daughter, Grace Luna, who he shares with his ex-partner Yolanda Hodgson. It's official! Just a day after confirming his relationship with Lindsey, photos emerged of Luke at the beach with his new girlfriend earlier this month Luke and Yolanda were in an on-off relationship for seven years before eventually parting ways for good sometime in 2018. Meanwhile, it has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for the Burgess brothers. On January 3, it was revealed that Luke's brother Sam, 30, had split from his wife Phoebe Burgess (nee Hooke) just weeks after the birth of their son, Billy. Long-distance romance: Lindsey hails from Manchester, in the north of England, and it appears she met Luke while he was playing for the British rugby league club Salford Red Devils Only days after his younger sibling walked out on his marriage, Luke debuted his new romance with Lindsey. Lindsey hails from Manchester, in the north of England, and it appears she met Luke while he was playing for the British rugby league club Salford Red Devils. It is unclear when exactly Luke ended his relationship with Yolanda and began dating his new girlfriend. Ajay Rochester has only just began filming I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in the South African jungle. And the 49-year-old is already making enemies, if the comments she made before the show began are anything to go by. Upon learning that her camp-mate, Gogglebox star Yvie Jones, is exempt from I'm A Celebrity food rules, the former Biggest Loser host was less than amused. 'Take half a cup of cement and harden up': Ajay Rochester slams camp-mate Yvie Jones after learning that the Gogglebox star is exempt from I'm A Celebrity food rules. Pictured: Yvie Jones (right) and Angie Kent (left) on I'm A Celebrity 'I'm going to throw some shade at the Gogglebox girl,' she told Ten Daily, referring to Yvie. Ajay added: 'If she really has got a medical note so she can have snacks in the tent during the day then she needs to f***ing take half a cup of cement and harden the f*** up.' Yvie previously revealed she underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2017, and as a result, her doctor has made her 'exempt' from some of the food in the jungle, on medical grounds. Not happy! Upon learning that her camp-mate, Yvie is exempt from I'm A Celebrity food rules, Ajay Rochester (pictured) was less than amused Ajay said: 'If she really has got a medical note so she can have snacks in the tent during the day then she needs to f***ing take half a cup of cement and harden the f*** up' The 46-year-old had the surgical weight-loss procedure, where the stomach is reduced to a percentage of its original size, after struggling to lose weight. The TV critic then joked she is hoping for a 'Big Mac in the medical tent' while filming in the South African jungle. Yvie is appearing on the show alongside her Gogglebox sidekick, Angie Kent, and the pair will join their camp-mates as 'intruders' on Monday night's episode. Some exemptions: Yvie Jones has revealed she underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2017, and as a result, her doctor has made her 'exempt' from some of the food in the jungle, on medical grounds. Pictured: Yvie Jones (right) and Gogglebox co-star Angie Kent (left) Meanwhile, Ajay made a shocking admission about her personal life while appearing on the show on Sunday night, revealing she has not had sex in almost a decade. While chatting to her camp-mate, model Justin Lacko, the former Biggest Loser host blurted some rather private information. Former Love Island star Justin joked that the group was, like 'a swingers club'. Ajay drolly replied: 'That would mean actually having sex and I haven't had sex in nine years'. It was reported on Sunday that Dr Chris Brown may be single after 'splitting' from rumoured girlfriend Liv Phyland. But 28-year-old Liv didn't look like she had a care in the world when headed out for a relaxing skating session in Bondi on Sunday. The TV presenter enjoyed the summer weather as she rode along the beach-side promenade on a skateboard. She was a a skater girl! Liv Phyland (pictured), 28, donned denim shorts and a skimpy singlet as she went skateboarding at Bondi Beach amid rumours she has 'split' with Dr Chris Brown She donned a dark blue singlet featuring a striped pattern with crochet edging and twisted rope details, which were tied in bows at the shoulders. The Loop presenter wore a matching dark blue hat in a velvet fabric, her blonde hair peering from underneath and floating down around her shoulders. She added a pair of high-waist denim shorts featuring several silver buttons, and completed the outfit with a pair of white sneakers. Free and happy: The 28-year-old didn't look like she had a care in the world when headed out for a relaxing skating session in Bondi on Sunday Chill: Liv donned a dark blue singlet featuring a striped pattern with crochet edging and twisted rope details, which were tied in bows at the shoulders Liv appeared to be wearing minimal makeup, and wore some delicate accessories into a shell bracelet and a blue pendant necklace. At one stage, she took a phone call, her blue eyes glistening as she spoke to whoever was on the other end. The appearance comes after the Sydney Morning Herald reported that his 'relationship with Liv may already be over'. Hello there! At one stage, The Loop presenter took a phone call, her blue eyes glistening as she spoke to whoever was on the other end It is then claimed that the blonde was looking 'smitten' with another man last week, while Chris, 40, was in South Africa for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The publication hinted that Liv was flirting with several men on Sydney's Tamarama beach following a surf session. Chris arrived in South Africa on January 06, and will be there until mid-February while presenting I'm A Celebrity Australia alongside Julia Morris. Fit! The bubbly blonde enjoyed the summer weather as she rode along on a skateboard It was first reported that Chris was dating Liv in November - after splitting from long-term girlfriend TV producer Kendall Bora in September. Despite being photographed on romantic dates together, neither Chris or Liv have ever publicly confirmed their romance. Livs relationship with actor Nick Slater ended earlier this year. They have been enjoying a whirlwind American getaway after announcing their engagement last month. And Home And Away star James Stewart, 43, and fiancee Sarah Roberts looked completely smitten as they posed for more loved-up holiday snaps in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday. Taking to Instagram, Home And Away hunk James shared two candid photos of himself and Sarah enjoying a view of the famous Brooklyn Bridge, while simply captioning the post: 'Brooklyn. Dumbo. Loved it.' The holiday never ends! Home And Away star James Stewart, 43, and fiancee Sarah Roberts looked completely smitten as they posed for more loved-up holiday snaps in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday In one photo, James was seen posing by himself with the monument in the background, while in another photo the duo are seen cuddling up from the winter chill. In an interview with TV Week last month the pair spoke about fulfilling their big dream to travel to The Big Apple. 'I'd like to go away somewhere,' Sarah said, with James adding: 'I want to go to New York - I've never seen snow!' Winter wonderland! In one photo, James was seen posing by himself with the monument in the background Celebration: The pair spent Christmas together in Australia before jetting off to New York The couple's engagement news was revealed in a December issue of New Idea. James explained that he popped the question on November 30, surprising Sarah with a ring at the restaurant where they had their first date. 'My whole face was paralysed and I was so overwhelmed. There were tears and I haven't stopped smiling,' Sarah said of the proposal. Prized bling: In an Instagram photo - simply captioned, 'She said yes' - Sarah rests her left hand against her cheek, showing off her sparkling ring After the news was made public, James revealed a glimpse of the engagement ring on Instagram. In the photo - simply captioned: 'She said yes' - Sarah rested her left hand against her cheek, showing off her giant sparkler. The ring appears to feature a thin gold band and a flower-shaped diamond. Wonderful news! The couple's engagement was revealed in a December issue of New Idea James was previously engaged to his Packed to the Rafters co-star Jessica Marais and the former couple share custody of a six-year-old daughter, Scout. The actor told New Idea that his daughter was keen for him to propose to Sarah. 'Scout is watching movies with princesses marrying princes so it was a gag for a long time where she'd say, "When are you going to do that? You better do it quick, dad! You're going to lose her!"' he said. Candice Alley ended her five year marriage with ex-husband, Grant Hackett after he infamously thrashed their family home on Derby Day 2012 in an alcohol-fueled rage. Now it seems the swimming champion, 38, has moved on with glamorous Melbourne-based dessert chef Sharlene Fletcher. The three-time Olympic gold medalist raised eyebrows on Sunday when he took to Instagram with a picture of himself and the pretty brunette cuddling up together. Scroll down for video New couple alert? Swimming legend Grant Hackett (left) cuddles up to glamorous dessert chef Sharlene Fletcher (right) in following divorce from ex-wife Candice Alley 'What a great way to start 2019 with @liveloveeatraw (Shar) Feeling very blessed!' 'Thank you to @mr_gtravels and the Gaia Retreat & Spa for our amazing stay,' Grant wrote in the caption. He also tagged one of the resort's co-founders, Gregg Cave, who established the retreat with Australian singing superstar, Olivia Newton-John among others. 'He's determined to prove he's a stable and loving father': After spending time in a US rehabilitation clinic, Grant has reportedly turned his life around thanks to his renewed relationship with his twins Jagger and Charlize Fans immediately flooded the post with well-wishes, with one enthusing: 'She's a beauty! Happy for you.' 'You guys look so happy!!' another added. Daily Mail Australia has contacted both Grant Hackett and Sharlene Fletcher for comment. Family man: The publication reported that the swimming star's road to recovery has has a lot to do with his newfound relationship with his twins. Pictured: Grant snapped alongside his twins Jagger and Charlize In July last year, The Sunday Telegraph reported Grant turned his life around thanks to his family after he spent time in a U.S rehab clinic in 2017 while battling with a drug addiction. The publication claimed (at the time) that the crucial factor in his recovery has been reconnecting with his twins, Jagger and Charlize. The publication reported the swimming star is 'determined to prove he's a stable and loving father'. The star made headlines in February of 2017 when he engaged in a public fist fight with his brother Craig. Grant later revealed the fight came during an attempt by Craig to intervene in his drug reliance. In 2017, Grant told KIIS FM radio stars, Kyle and Jackie 'O' about his battle with anxiety and depression and how it led him to using alcohol and Stilnox to get to sleep, but rejected claims he is an addict. Split: Candice Alley (left) ended her five year marriage with ex-husband, Grant Hackett (right) after he infamously thrashed their family home on Derby Day 2012 in an alcohol-fueled rage He revealed he first started drinking and using sleeping pills in 'bits and pieces' while going through his 2013 divorce with Candice Ally, the mother of his two children. 'By no means would I do something every day,' Grant said. 'Everyone says you are an addict or you are this or you're that or the other I wasn't doing something every day. 'I wasn't waking up and going 'aw I need to drink some alcohol, aw I need to take this.' 'I would get to those periods after many weeks or many months of not doing anything and I would use something to numb that state (of anxiety).' In February 2014, Grant was spotted wandering around Melbourne's Crown casino half-naked after taking Stilnox. Sam Burgess is in the midst of personal turmoil following his recent split with wife Phoebe Burgess. And while Sam keeps a low-profile due to his marriage woes, his brother Tom Burgess was spotted taking a stroll in Sydney's Bondi. The NRL star sported a somewhat concerned expression as he pounded the pavement on Saturday. Scroll down for video Something on your mind? Tom Burgess cuts a serious figure in Bondi... in the wake of his brother Sam's split from wife Phoebe During the solo outing, Tom, who is dating model Tahlia Giumelli, wore a sleeveless dark grey shirt designed by The People Vs. Accessorising the look with sunglasses, Tom appeared to furrow his brow as he walked, seemingly distracted by the contents of his phone. Tom matched the ensemble with dark grey shorts, a wrist watch and blue footwear appropriate for the hot, beach weather. Beach threads: During the solo outing, Tom, who is dating model Tahlia Giumelli, wore a sleeveless dark grey shirt designed by The People Vs Soaking up the sun: Tom matched the ensemble with dark grey shorts, a wrist watch, blue footwear and sunglasses Lucky in love: While his brother Sam is facing relationship woes, Tom is happily dating model Tahlia Giumelli (right) The Burgess family has been at the centre of a media firestorm after Sam and Phoebe called it quits shortly before Christmas. Sam and Phoebe's split was just three weeks after the blonde journalist gave birth to the couple's second child, Billy. The fallout has continued since the split was revealed in the first week of January, with Phoebe unfollowing multiple members of the Burgess clan including Sam's brother George and his wife Joanna. Family feud? The fall out has continued since news of the split broke in early January, with rumours there is a rift between Phoebe and some members of the Burgess family (pictured) Fans have speculated there is a feud between Joanna and Phoebe, with some suggesting Joanna's hashtag 'best one yet' on a photo of the Burgess family Christmas - which didn't include Phoebe - was a sly dig a the newly single star. However, Joanna later took to her Instagram Story to fiercely deny the hashtag was in reference to her former sister-in-law, claiming Phoebe never attended Burgess Christmas events. Sam and Phoebe first met at an Avicii concert in Sydney in January 2014 before tying the knot in December 2015. The pair share two children: daughter Poppy, who is almost two, and newborn son Billy. She's the Logie-award winning actress who never puts a foot wrong on the red carpet. And on Saturday, Asher Keddie stood out from the fashion pack in a checked grey suit at Portsea Polo in Melbourne. The 44-year-old actress teamed her chic ensemble with a pair of nude heels and a sunglasses in her hand. Suits you! Actress Asher Keddie (pictured) stood out from the fashion pack in a checked grey ensemble at the Portsea Polo on Saturday Her blonde shoulder length locks contrasted well with her uniform ensemble. Asher opted for minimal makeup, with just a hint of a pink blush on her cheeks and a light tint on her lips. Her artist husband Vincent Fantauzzo, 40, also attended event in a relaxed ensemble. So chic: Her blonde shoulder length locks contrasted well with her uniform ensemble. Asher opted for minimal makeup, with just a hint of a pink blush on her cheeks and a light tint on her lips Fashionable duo: Her artist husband Vincent Fantauzzo (left) also attended event, donning a chambray blazer, palm printed button-down shirt, navy shorts and white sneakers The Archibald Packing Room Prize winner donned in a chambray blazer, palm printed button-down shirt, navy shorts and white sneakers. The couple's appearance together comes after Matt Moran, 49, revealed he introduced Asher to Vincent by warning her away from him. In December last year, the renowned Australian chef explained to Good Weekend that Vincent was looking for a human subject to paint and it was the culinary master who suggested actress Asher, back in 2012. Matchmaker! The couple's appearance at the polo event comes after Matt Moran (pictured) revealed he introduced Asher to Vincent by warning her away from him, back in 2012. 'She was going through a divorce, Vinnie [Vincent] was too,' said Matt 'She was going through a divorce, Vinnie [Vincent] was too. I said, "Asher, promise me one thing. Don't fall in love with him,''' said Matt. Asher scoffed at the suggestion - only to start dating Vincent on the day he painted her portrait. The couple tied the knot in 2014 and they welcomed their first child together, a son named Valentino, in 2015. Advertisement Colombo in Sri Lanka has been named the 'must-photograph' travel destination of 2019 in a new study. Research of more than 1.3 million social media posts found the Asian city is the location travellers most want to take a picture of, followed by Yokohama in Japan and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The Isle of Harris in Scotland also makes the list - it comes tenth - along with Baden-Baden in Germany's Black Forest (fourth). The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, pictured, has been named as the top 'must-photograph destination in 2019' in a new study The second 'must-photograph' destination is the city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo. It was one of the first Japanese ports opened to foreign trade Two gorillas embrace in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park, in Uganda, is the third 'must-photograph' place on the list Commissioned by Huawei to celebrate the launch of its new P Smart 2019 device, the research showed that the rest of the top ten ranking is made up of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico (fifth), Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (sixth), Kartarpur in Pakistan (seventh), Wadi Rum in Jordan (eighth) and Icy Strait Point in Alaska (ninth). Meanwhile, the study also uncovered a new-found appetite among young Brits for lesser-known destinations. Just under half of 18 to 25-year-olds now look for places their friends haven't been, with more than a third saying they want to be the first to find new travel hotspots, take the photo and stick it online. The mantra of 'if it's not on social it didn't happen' is very much alive, with 16 per cent of youngsters deciding on locations that are the most 'Instagrammable' when planning their travels. In fourth place is the German spa town of Baden Baden, pictured in the Black Forest, which is close to the border with France Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, pictured, is the oldest settlement on the list. It came fifth on the 'must photograph' list The mighty Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe close to the border with Zambia. It claims sixth place on the list In seventh place on the 'must photograph' list is Kartarpur in Pakistan, where the first Sikh commune was established Mobile phones also make for perfect travel companions, with two thirds (66 per cent) claiming them to be the ultimate travel essential. Justin Costello, Huawei director of marketing, UK and Ireland, said: 'It's interesting to see that Gen Z are keen to get out and explore the world by treading their own path enabling them to share with friends their experiences in these new "must shoot" destinations on social media. 'Being able to stay connected no matter where you are in the world, and being able capture to scale, colours and beauty of these amazing locations so you can share your major life experiences through the power of photography will always be important to those who have firmly caught the "explorer" bug.' Long battery life and a good camera are key features 18 to 25-year-olds demand from their mobile phone when travelling. Wadi Rum, a protected swathe of desert wilderness in southern Jordan is number eight on the list of 'must photograph' places In ninth place is Icy Strait Point, a scenic stop off for scenic cruises in Alaska. It is a privately owned tourist destination just outside the small village of Hoonah Rounding off the top ten list is the Isle of Harris in Scotland, pictured. It is known for its sandy beaches such as Luskentyre beach, pictured But Brits aren't all desperate to get away. Despite more than half having the travel bug, 40 per cent claim to be proud of their local area with over one third stating they'd recommend their local areas as a good location to visit. Social media is just as important at home with one in 10 claiming to know the most 'Instagrammable' spots, and 38 per cent of Brits stating there are hidden local gems in their area. In celebration of the launch of the new P Smart 2019, Huawei is giving one lucky social media user the chance to win a round-the-world trip, visiting each of the top ten 'must photograph' destinations for 2019. To enter, upload a picture of a local hidden gem to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HuaweiOnTour. Pressure is growing on Ryanair to refund passengers hit by a name-change penalty glitch - with a renowned consumer champion complaining directly to the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority. Around 160 furious Ryanair passengers travelling with partners or friends have been slapped with 115 fees after their companions surnames were automatically changed to incorrect versions - even though the correct details were entered at the time of booking. So far, the no-frills airline has refused to refund the passengers affected by the glitch, and now money expert Martin Lewis has appealed directly to Ryanair to be a 'nicer airline' and ensure those affected are 'not left out of pocket'. Pressure is growing on Ryanair to refund passengers hit by a name-change penalty glitch - with renowned consumer champion Martin Lewis complaining directly to the airline The glitch appeared to occur when passengers were booking flights for a second person (or more) with different surnames, for example their partner, or for a group of friends. These customers consistently claim Ryanair's booking system automatically changed their companions' surnames to be the same as the lead passenger's or account holder's surname. Those who didn't spot the error within Ryanair's 24-hour grace period for free name changes have been left facing a 115 charge to change it to the correct name. Money saving expert Martin Lewis, pictured, who has appealed directly to Ryanair to be a 'nicer airline' In a letter to Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com wrote: 'I know you have over the last few years stated you want to make Ryanair "a nicer airline". I hope you are able to deliver on that promise in this case. 'Sadly my personal letter to you is our last resort. We have been raising this issue with your press team since December. Yet the engagement and response we've had has been flaccid. 'There is a seemingly blase attitude to customers who feel hard done by. Therefore we have also today submitted a dossier of compelling evidence of over 160 complaints to the Civil Aviation Authority. 'These customers tell us they have been penalised for incorrect surnames on their bookings, despite them having correctly entered these details at the time of booking. 'This error repeatedly seems to not be the fault of the customer, yet Ryanair has been charging those affected 115 to rectify what seems to be its own mistake. 'The behaviour of your firm, in refusing to refund customers who have been affected or saying they can't travel, does not seem to be the behaviour of a "nice airline". 'I am sure you will be shocked to hear this has happened and will want to rectify it rather than waiting for regulatory engagement.' So far, the no-frills airline has refused to refund passengers affected by the name-change glitch Mr Lewis also claimed in the letter that some customers who were facing the fee due to the technical glitch actually rebooked their flights as it was cheaper than paying the charge. He added: 'We hope you will find out what led to the problem, prevent it reoccurring, and ensure those impacted are not left out of pocket. 'If you feel our evidence is wrong, and there is no technical problem, then we would welcome a detailed explanation of why this has happened on such a huge scale.' Meanwhile in a separate letter to the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Lewis said he believed it was time for 'regulatory intervention to protect customers'. He wrote: 'We have had more than 160 Ryanair customers to date saying they have encountered the problem, who are willing to be included in a dossier, which is enclosed for your attention. 'Given the repeated and widespread nature of these errors, and Ryanairs clear unwillingness to engage with the issue, we believe it is time for regulatory intervention to protect customers. 'Ryanair must be compelled to find out what the problem is, prevent it from reoccurring and ensure those impacted are not left out of pocket.' Last week, Ryanair quietly raised its fees for priority boarding and luggage. Pictured is a table on the Ryanair website, which shows the new fees The letters come just days after the Dublin-based airline quietly raised its fees for priority boarding and luggage just months after introducing a brand new baggage policy. Rules brought in on November 1 stipulated that passengers could no longer put small suitcases in the hold for free and would have to pay for any bag that doesnt fit under the seat in front. Passengers could pay between 6 and 8 for priority boarding, which meant they could take a second bigger bag into the cabin, or pay between 8 and 10 to check-in a bag up to 10kg, or 25 for a bag bigger than that. However, it has now emerged that if passengers want to check in a bag up to 10kg, prices have gone up to between 10 and 12. Similarly the top end price for priority boarding has increased from 8 to 10. MailOnline Travel has contacted Ryanair for comment. For a lucky few it's the gift that keeps on giving - an online glitch by Cathay Pacific offering premium tickets at a fraction of their value. Now for the second time in less than two weeks. And the airline will once again honour the bargain fares. On its website on Sunday morning, the Hong Kong-based carrier was offering first-class flights from Lisbon to Hong Kong - via a connecting flight through London with a partner airline - for just $1,512 (1,175), which is a 90 per cent discount. An error on Cathay Pacific's website resulted in premium tickets being offered at a fraction of their value, for the second time in less than two weeks A similar journey in first-class via Frankfurt would set travellers back an eye-watering $16,000 (12,436), the South China Morning Post reported. An airline spokesperson attributed the error to an 'input issue' and added: 'We are looking into the root cause of this incident both internally and externally with our vendors.' The airline will honour the cheap fares for the 'very small number' of savvy and fortunate travellers, the spokesperson added, as it did last time. 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 Lisbon to Hong Kong via London. 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 It comes after airline and travel blogs went into overdrive on New Year's Eve after eagle-eyed travellers noticed the carrier was offering first and business class tickets on its website from Vietnam to the United States and Canada for as little as $670 (520). That represented a staggering 95 per cent discount from the usual $16,000 round trip flight on first class, and $4-6,000 (3-4,660) on business class. It took two days for Cathay to publicly acknowledge the error, with a spokesperson declining to say how many tickets were sold at the discounted price. Cathay had a tough year in 2018. It continued to struggle with the rise of cheaper mainland Chinese rivals, losing $33 million in the first six months of the year. Some of the food on offer in Cathay Pacific's first class cabin, which is carefully selected by chefs Then in October it sparked outrage among customers and politicians in Hong Kong when it admitted to a massive data breach occurring five months previously. Hackers made off with the data of 9.4 million customers, including some passport numbers and credit card details. Cathay did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Astronomers have revealed how their new radio telescope detected millisecond-long pulses of radio waves originating from outside our galaxy (pictured, ET) Can radio signals sent by super-advanced alien civilisations zillions of miles away in space be heard on Earth? That's the tantalising possibility raised by a series of mysterious, ultra-short repeating radio energy bursts from deep space that were reported last week. In the respected journal Nature, astronomers revealed how their super-powerful new radio telescope detected 13 fast radio bursts (FRBs) millisecond-long pulses of radio waves originating from outside our galaxy. These might easily be dismissed as the products of random blasts of energy from far-off astronomical phenomena, such as black holes or stars colliding. But one factor suggests otherwise. The signal was repeating itself so it doesn't appear to have been created at random. So, could it instead, the Canadian astronomers wondered, be the work of an alien civilisation producing super-powerful radio signals? The first radio burst heard by Man was in 2007. Since then, at least 60 others have been detected. But only one, before this new one last summer, had been heard repeating, which was in 2017. Excitingly for those looking for evidence of life elsewhere in the galaxy, the radio-telescope scientists at the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (Chime), in British Columbia, report that the signal they heard bore striking similarities to that first repeating one in 2017. Is, therefore, someone out there trying to tell us something? The majority of respected scientists dismiss the possibility. But a brave few, such as professor Avi Loeb, from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, are prepared to face mockery by suggesting that these really may be transmissions from a far-off civilisation. They are in good company. For Stephen Hawking set up a project for astronomers hunting for signs of intelligent alien life in the universe and they recorded 15 radio signals coming from a dwarf galaxy three billion light years away. Loeb and his Harvard colleague, the astrophysicist Manasvi Lingam, have written a scientific paper proposing that FRBs could be coming from alien transmitters. Loeb argues that the repeating signals are likely to be alien technology, because natural ones would mostly produce only a single burst. He says that the signals could be the echoing residue of powerful and targeted energy beams, used by aliens to propel spacecraft from their home planet. Such spaceships would be powered by giant 'space sails' that bounce radio-beam energy off a huge reflective sheet to provide thrust, he says in his scientific paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. To do this, these aliens would have to be massively advanced in terms of engineering capability. His calculations show that only a generator the size of a planet would be able to produce sufficient energy to power the repeating beam, and propel a spacecraft at astonishing speeds. These radio waves might easily be dismissed as the products of random blasts of energy from far-off astronomical phenomena, such as black holes or stars colliding (file photo) Other scientists have been enthused by such claims. Experts at the Nasa-linked SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute, hope that among these radio bursts are messages from alien civilisations. Possibly one was a mysterious radio transmission detected in 1977, coming from the direction of the Sagittarius constellation. It was picked up by Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope. The transmission lasted 72 seconds. It was both loud and tightly focused the hallmarks of an artificially produced radio signal. Its energy level was 30 times more powerful than anything scientists were expecting to emanate from space. In fact, so remarkable that Jerry Ehman, the astronomer monitoring the telescope's findings, wrote 'Wow!' next to the data on a computer print-out. Forty years on, the 'Wow! Signal' remains an enigma. Scientists have never detected a repeat transmission from the same spot in the sky. Nor have they been able to explain it away. But if aliens really are transmitting communications towards us, why do we receive only these teasing short signals? Are possible other life forms just taunting us? The Canadian scientists have a more rational answer. They believe that humans are able to pick up only a tiny fraction of these mystery transmissions. Indeed, many more radio bursts are sent, but they travel past our planet and are at such low frequencies that they escape our notice. With future technological advances, though, we might be able to hear more of them. Indeed, the newest repeater radio burst was recorded at an unusually low radio frequency. To try to make more sense of all this, the SETI Institute is using mega artificial-intelligence systems employing new algorithms (computerised systems of calculation) to scan signals for any fragments of intelligent communication that we may have missed. The system is in its infancy, but SETI's Bill Diamond says: 'Our results hint there could be vast numbers of additional signals that our algorithms are missing.' While many of us might dismiss all this as hokum, and wonder if it isn't a little eccentric to sit at a radio telescope expecting to hear an alien tweet, scientists are in search for signs of intelligent life. Their efforts date back decades. The Drake Equation posited by American astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 is a formula for estimating the number of extra-terrestrial civilisations that could exist within our galaxy. It shows that, even by the most conservative estimates, our galaxy is likely to host at least a few advanced intelligent races at any given time. This means that some form of alien life is probably out there, pinging us tell-tale signals. A decade after the Drake Equation, Nasa officially launched its SETI programme. It is still searching. Its team has dedicated $10 million to refining the search more intelligently. The latest search buzzword is 'technosignatures' giveaway signs of technologically advanced alien activity. And radio signals are the best-known example. But radio signals aside, are we missing other inter-galactic signs, such as ultra-powerful laser emissions possibly being beamed by aliens for optical communications or as a means of spaceship propulsion? Alternatively, might we be better off searching for evidence of pollution and climate change, such as an atmosphere somewhere else in the galaxy that's full of carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, and other known pollutants? But Canadian astronomers have wondered whether the radio waves could be the work of an alien civilisation producing super-powerful radio signals (file photo) Who knows, the aliens might be messing up their own planet in a similar manner to us. Nasa-backed scientists also urge that we search the cosmos for evidence of 'mega-structures' giant alien constructions in space that might betray their existence by dimming the light coming from distant stars. However, Professor Loeb and his team, who spotted last summer's radio bursts, believes that the most obvious sign of alien handiwork passed right under our cosmic noses but we failed to make sense of it. It was a bizarre, asteroid-like object that passed through our solar system last October, and which was named Oumuamua. It moved so fast that it must have originated from some place beyond our solar system, making it the first known visitor from outer space. Artists' impressions depict it as a sausage-shaped, irregular rock. But Loeb says the evidence indicates that it was some kind of alien space sail. 'The more we found out about this object, the weirder it got,' he says. Oumuamua didn't move or have a tail like a comet. The astonishing speed at which it travelled suggested some kind of propulsion. Indeed, it accelerated as it travelled through our solar system. What's more, the way it reflected light indicated that it was neither spherical nor cylindrical, but some strangely manufactured shape. Loeb calculates that it sped away from our solar system by harnessing the Sun's energy. He says: 'As there is no natural explanation for Oumuamua, we are left with the possibility that it is an artificial product a light sail made by intelligent beings.' Of course, all this may seem outlandish. But Loeb maintains that it's a scientist's duty to think outlandish thoughts. 'Science isn't a matter of belief it's a matter of evidence. It's worth putting ideas out there and letting the data be the judge.' Who knows, out in space there might be a highly frustrated race of aliens. Perhaps they keep sending us all these messages. So why on Earth don't we take ET's example and call them back? A special issue of Nature has published a series of studies looking at how monitoring Antarctica from space is providing crucial insights into its response to a warming climate. Here are their key findings: Three trillion tonnes of ice has been lost from Antarctica since 1992 The Antarctic Ice Sheet lost around three trillion tonnes of ice between 1992 and 2017, according to research led by Leeds University. This figure corresponds to a mean sea-level rise of about eight millimetres (1/3 inch), with two-fifths of this rise coming in the last five years alone. The finds mean people in coastal communities are at greater risk of losing their homes and becoming so-called climate refugees than previously feared. In one of the most complete pictures of Antarctic ice sheet change to date, an international team of 84 experts combined 24 satellite surveys to yield the results. It found that until 2012 Antarctica lost ice at a steady rate of 76 billion tonnes per year - a 0.2mm (0.008 inches) per year contribution to sea level rise. However, since then there has been a sharp, threefold increase. At some point since the last Ice Age, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was smaller than it is today Researchers previously believed that since the last ice age, around 15,000 years ago, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) was getting smaller However, new research published by Northern Illinois University shows that between roughly 14,500 and 9,000 years ago, the ice sheet below sea level was even smaller than today. Over the following millennia, the loss of the massive amount of ice that was previously weighing down the seabed spurred an uplift in the sea floor. Then the ice sheet began to regrow toward today's configuration. 'The WAIS today is again retreating, but there was a time since the last Ice Age when the ice sheet was even smaller than it is now, yet it didn't collapse,' said Northern Illinois University geology professor Reed Scherer, a lead author on the study. 'That's important information to have as we try to figure out how the ice sheet will behave in the future', he said. The East Antarctic Ice Sheet was stable throughout the last warm period The stability of the largest ice sheet on Earth is an indication to scientists that it could hold up as temperatures continue to rise. If all the East Antarctic Ice Sheet melted, the sea level would rise by 175 feet (53 metres). However, unlike the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets it seems it would be resistant to melting as conditions warm, according to research from Purdue University and Boston College. Their research showed that land-based sectors of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet were mostly stable throughout the Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago). This is when carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were close to what they are today - around 400 parts per million. 'Based on this evidence from the Pliocene, today's current carbon dioxide levels are not enough to destabilise the land-based ice on the Antarctic continent,' said Jeremy Shakun, lead author of the paper and assistant professor of earth and environmental science at Boston College. 'This does not mean that at current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, Antarctica won't contribute to sea level rise. 'Marine-based ice very well could and in fact is already starting to contribute, and that alone holds an estimated 20 meters of sea level rise,' he said. Decisions in the next decade will determine whether Antarctica contributes to a metre of sea level rise One of the largest uncertainties in future sea-level rise predictions is how the Antarctic ice sheet reacts to human-induced global warming. Scientists say that time is running out to save this unique ecosystem and if the right decisions are not made in the next ten years there will be no turning back. Researchers from Imperial College London assessed the state of Antarctica in 2070 under two scenarios which represent the opposite extremes of action and inaction on greenhouse gas emissions. Under the high emissions and low regulations narrative, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean undergo widespread and rapid change, with global consequences. By 2070, warming of the ocean and atmosphere has caused dramatic loss of major ice shelves, leading to increased loss of grounded ice from the Antarctic Ice Sheet and an acceleration in global sea level rise. Under the low emissions and tight regulations narrative, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and implementation of effective policy helps to minimise change in Antarctica, which in 2070 looks much like it did in the early decades of the century. This results in Antarctica's ice shelves remaining intact, slowing loss of ice from the ice sheet and reducing the threat of sea level rise. What saved the West Antarctic Ice Sheet 10,000 years ago will not save it today The retreat of the West Antarctic ice masses after the last Ice Age was reversed surprisingly about 10,000 years ago, scientists found. In fact it was the shrinking itself that stopped the shrinking: relieved from the weight of the ice, the Earth crust lifted and triggered the re-advance of the ice sheet. According to research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) this mechanism is much too slow to prevent dangerous sea-level rise caused by West Antarctica's ice-loss in the present and near future. Only rapid greenhouse-gas emission reductions can, researchers found. 'The warming after the last Ice Age made the ice masses of West Antarctica dwindle,' said Torsten Albrecht from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. 'Given the speed of current climate-change from burning fossil fuels, the mechanism we detected unfortunately does not work fast enough to save today's ice sheets from melting and causing seas to rise.' The world's ice shelves may be being destabilised by forces from above and below Researchers found that warm ocean water flowing in channels beneath Antarctic ice shelves is thinning the ice from below so much that the ice in the channels is cracking. Surface meltwater can then flow into these fractures, further destabilising the ice shelf and increasing the chances that substantial pieces will break away. The researchers, led by the University of Texas at Austin, documented this mechanism in a major ice break up, or calving, event in 2016 at Antarctica's Nansen Ice Shelf. The findings are concerning because ice shelves, which are floating extensions of continental glaciers, slow down the flow of ice into the ocean and help control the rate of sea level rise, according to the study. 'We are learning that ice shelves are more vulnerable to rising ocean and air temperatures than we thought,' said Professor Christine Dow, lead author of the study. 'There are dual processes going on here. One that is destabilising 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', he said. Bacteria found in China's severe smog are multiplying causing the layer of pollution to thicken and may even pose a threat to human health, scientists have warned. Big cities - particularly in the developing world - like Beijing are shrouded in a heavy, toxic smog from coal burning and vehicle exhaust. Smog season begins around November in the country, when homes and power utilities burn more coal for power and heating, which gets trapped over the city. Experts say that airborne bacteria may cause disease and affect allergies by releasing volatile organic chemicals as waste. Scroll down for video Bacteria found in China's severe smog could be multiplying and even pose a threat to themselves, scientists have warned. Big cities like Beijing are shrouded in a heavy, toxic smog which comes from pollution as a result of coal burning and vehicle exhausts (stock image of Shanghai) Professor Maosheng Yao from Peking University in Beijing wanted to understand how the bacteria within smog interact with each other. It follows a 2016 study that found clumps of bacteria were common during severe hazes in the skies above Beijing. His team collected samples from the air during four different types of smog episodes ranging from low to high in 2017 and 2018 and examined the bacteria present. Not only did they find that there were a far larger amount of bacteria when the haze was worse but that up to 70 per cent of the microorganisms could survive and multiply in the lab. They also found that the microorganisms changed as the smog got worse, with some species becoming less common while others became more plentiful. 'This is the first time that Ive actually seen information like this,' Frank Kelly, a Professor of Environmental Health at Kings College London who was not involved in the study, told NewScientist. 'Were introducing these various bacteria into the environment, maybe for the first time, without fully understanding the implications.' Smog season begins around November in the country, when homes and power utilities burn more coal for power and heating, which gets trapped over the city. Pictured here, two women wear protective masks in Shanghai (stock image) Scientists found a larger amount of bacteria when the haze was worse and that up to 70 per cent of the microorganisms could survive and multiply in the lab. Pictured here, people ride bikes or walk on the iconic ancient wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanx (stock image) Professor Yao suggests that the reason for this is that the bacteria are feeding on pollutant chemicals like sulphates and nitrates. Although it sounds like the bacteria feeding on the chemicals is a good thing, Professor Yao says it just replaces one pollutant with another. The bacteria may also form more particulate matter, which is one of the most dangerous forms of pollution, by clumping together. Professor Yao found that the microbes release volatile organic chemicals as waste. WHAT ARE VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND WHAT ARE THEIR EFFECTS ON HEALTH? Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors, up to ten times higher, than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Health effects may include include: Eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination and nausea; damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system. Some organics can also cause cancer in animals and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Advertisement He also suggested that the airborne smog bacteria may cause disease and affect people's allergies. The researchers traced many of the species back to a pharmaceutical plant that uses engineered bacteria to make drugs and a local wastewater treatment plant, which uses bacteria to process waste. He warned that we need to control the industrial use of bacteria to help limit air pollution. Researchers found that the microorganisms changed as the smog got worse, with some species becoming less common as others became more common. Here, traffic and pollution on motorway near the financial district of Xian (stock image) Scientists have launched an online portal to keep track of the reams of data created by the ongoing search for alien life on distant planets. TechnoSearch is a website and online portal to help researchers access data from SETI - the project operated by NASA with the goal of finding aliens. Jill Tarter, a co-founder of the institute, spearheaded the project which has collated data from as far back as 1960 and continues to add the latest findings. The tool also allows users to submit their own searches and keep the database up to edge. Scroll down for video Dr Jill Tarter, former SETI director, said she started keeping this search archive when she was a graduate student Dr Jill Tarter, former SETI director, said: 'I started keeping this search archive when I was a graduate student. 'Some of the original papers were presented at conferences, or appear in obscure journals that are difficult for newcomers to the SETI field to access. 'I'm delighted that we now have a tool that can be used by the entire community and a methodology for keeping it current.' Dr tarter retired from hunting aliens full-time some years ago but her influence at SETI remains large. She inspired the character of Ellie Arroway, the fictional character in Carl Sagan's 1985 science-fiction novel 'Contact' which was made into a film in 1997. The lead role was played by Jodie Foster. TechnoSearch is designed to be a centrepiece for the vast amounts of searches and data collected by SETI. Andrew Garcia a SETI student who worked with Dr Tarter on the project, said: 'I started helping Dr. Tarter with this project as a research opportunity during the summer. 'I've become convinced that TechnoSearch will become an important instrument for astronomers and amateurs interested in exploring the cosmos for indications of other technological civilisations. TechnoSearch is designed to be a centrepiece for the vast amounts of searches and data collected by SETI 'We can't know where to look for evidence tomorrow if we don't know where we have already looked. 'TechnoSearch will help us chronicle where and how we've looked at the sky.' TechnoSearch tracks information including: Title of the search paper, name(s) of observers, search date, objects observed and which facility carried out the research. China wants to be the first country to establish a base on the moon and says it will build it using 3D printing technology. Officials from the Chinese space agency also said the country will return to the moon by the end of the year with the Chang'e-5 mission. Three successive missions will further explore the barren surface and the viability of building houses there. China National Space Administration (CNSA) said they also have plans to go to Mars in 2020, a timeline that would likely make them the first to do so, beating out the US, Russia and the plethora of private firms looking to colonise space. China successfully achieved a global first with its trip to the far side of the moon when it landed in the Von Karman crater on January 4. Speaking at a conference earlier today, the high-ranking CNSA staff claimed the ground-breaking mission only cost the same as building one kilometer of underground railway. The lander and its corresponding rover - Yutu-2 - sent back images of the equipment and the moonscape last week after the rover, called Jade Rabbit 2 in English, woke from an enforced 'nap'. China's lunar probe has sent the first panoramic image (left half, pictured) of its landing site since its historic arrival on the far side of the moon, showing the cratered landscape it is exploring. A camera deployed on Chang'e-4 took a photo that was released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) The panoramic image (right half, pictured) also reveals the Yutu-2 rover and its tracks. The tracks will never be removed from the lunar surface as there is no wind or atmosphere to blow or erode them away Dr Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the National Space Administration and deputy commander of lunar exploration projects, said in a press conference: 'Chang'e-5 will return mission sampling from the surface of the moon around the end of this year. He added: 'Our country's first Mars exploration mission will take place before and after 2020.' China is swiftly establishing a reputation as one of the forerunners in the renaissance of the space race with its continued investment in both Martian and lunar missions. After Chang'e-5 returns lunar rocks from the surface the next mission, Chang'e-6 will be the first mission to explore the south pole of the moon. Chang'e-7 will study the land surface, composition, space environment in a comprehensive mission, it was claimed, while Chang'e-8 will focus on technical surface analysis. China, America, Russian and Europe are reportedly discussing whether to build a base station on the moon using 3D printing for example to build houses and other infrastructure. Mission number eight will likely lay the groundwork for this as it strives to verify the technology earmarked for the project and if it is viable as a scientific base. Chang'e-4's 360 lens captured the Yutu-2 - or Jade Rabbit 2 - rover in front of the grey moonscape last week. It revealed the potholed surface and barren expanse of land inside the mysterious Von Karman crater near the lunar south pole. The picture shows the grey moonscape, the lander and the rover with the track marks it left behind. The image is a circular, 360-degree shot (pictured), which scientists used to create another wide panoramic picture CHINA STEPS UP PLANS TO BECOME SPACE SUPERPOWER WITH MARS AND MOON MISSIONS Officials from the Chinese space agency are working to become a space superpower alongside the US and Russia. They have already sent the first lander to explore the far side of the Moon - sharing photos from the part of our nearest neighbour we rarely see as part of the Chang'e-4 mission. In November 2020 they sent the Chang'e-5 space probe to the Moon to collect and return the first samples of lunar soil in 45 years. This was done in collaboration with the European Space Agency who provided tracking information for the Chinese spaceship. Chang'e-6 will be the first mission to explore the south pole of the Moon and is expected to launch in 2023 or 2024. Chang'e-7 will study the land surface, composition, space environment in an overall mission, according to the Chinese space authority, while Chang'e-8 will focus on technical surface analysis. China is also reportedly working on building a lunar base using 3D printing technology and sending a future crewed mission to the surface. Mission number eight will likely lay the groundwork for this as it strives to verify the technology earmarked for the project. The CNSA is also building an Earth-orbiting space station where Chinese astronauts will conduct scientific experiments, similar to the crew of the ISS. The agency also launched a mission to Mars in summer 2020 and landed a rover on the red planet in May 2021. China is also said to be working on a project to build a solar power generator in space, that would beam energy back to Earth and becoming the largest man made object in orbit. They also have a number of ambitious space science projects including satellites to hunt for signs of gravitational waves and Earth observation spacecrafts to monitor climate change. Advertisement Pictures posted on Chinese social media also showed that Chang'e-4 and Yutu-2, took images of each other. This celestial photoshoot gives an astonishing look at the tandem of cutting-edge machinery that China is currently using to explore the previously unknown region. Eternally immortalised tracks left from Yutu-2's maiden voyage away from Chang'e-4 on January 4 can also be seen snaking over the untouched surface. Jade Rabbit 2 entered 'nap' mode after the initial landing in order to survive the blistering 200C (390F) lunar daytime which lasts for 14 Earth days. It was stirred from its forced slumber as the brutal temperatures subside ahead of the transition to a 300-hour-long lunar night. Footage also emerged towards the end of the week of a first-person look at the final approach of Chang'e-4 as it completed its pioneering landing on the tempestuous terrain of the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, the largest and deepest impact crater in the solar system. Pictures posted on social media have also revealed that both the lander, Chang'e-4, and the rover, Yutu-2, have taken images of the other. This celestial photoshoot gives an astonishing look at the machinery China is currently operating on the far side of the moon. Pictured, Chang'e-4 Jade-Rabbit 2 (pictured) was snapped by the much larger Chang'e-4 lander. Solar panels and a small Chinese flag can be seen on the machinery as well as its tracks which reveal it was spun around by its six independently-operated wheels just for the picture A statement from the Chinese space agency, CNSA, said: 'Researchers have completed the preliminary analysis of the lunar surface topography around the landing site based on the image taken by the landing camera.' Chang'e-4, the Yutu-2 and the Queqiao relay satellite that beams data back to Earth are all 'in a stable condition, and all work was carried out as planned,' the statement concluded. A post from the Yutu-2 rover's social media account on Chinese microblogging website Weibo on January 11 at 11:22 Beijing time read: 'Would you like to take a 360-degree moon walk? Here is a high-resolution panoramic photo of the moon taken by my fourth sister. 'Just now, my fourth sister looked around and captured the environment around us with a ring-shaped topographic camera, which included me, can you see?' China's communist party has since issued a statement praising the endeavour which marks the first time the secretive government has formally recognised the mission's success. It was reported by China Central Television Station and read: 'The central committee of the Community Party of China, State Council and Central Military Commission send messages of congratulation to the successful completion of the Chang'e 4 moon-probing project.' A post from the Yutu-2 rover's social media account on Chinese microblogging website Weibo on January 11 at 11:22 Beijing time read: 'Would you like to take a 360-degree moon walk? Here is a high-resolution panoramic photo of the moon taken by my fourth sister' (pictured) Footage has also emerged of a first-person look at the final approach of Chang'e-4 as it completed its pioneering landing on the tempestuous terrain in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, the largest and deepest impact crater in the solar system The newly released footage shows the final approach covering the final five miles (8km) of the mission before it touched down (pictured). The stunning video has been released following formal recognition of the Chang'e-4 mission's success form the communist political party earlier today The mission took a brief hiatus after landing to allow the machinery on Yutu-2 to shutdown and withstand the brutal lunar day. Moon's lunar day lasts for the equivalent of 14 Earth days and the lack of an atmosphere means the heat is relentless and unabated, unlike on Earth. Yutu-2 updated its Weibo account, and the post read: 'Noon nap is over. [It's time to] get up and stretch my legs.' The rover then resumed activities, which included taking a picture of the front side of the lander and exploration missions. China's lunar rover got back to work on the far side of the moon after waking from a five-day hibernation, its official social media page announced yesterday Yutu-2, or Jade Rabbit 2, has its own social media account and posted on January 10: 'Noon nap is over. [It's time to] get up and stretch my legs' (pictured) Yutu-2 has a host of instruments and will be powered by solar panels. Unlike the similar probe on-board the Chang'e-3 mission this rover has no robotic arm. It announced afterwards it will be taking a 'nap' to protect against the sun's immense heat on the moon Another Weibo user, a Twitter-like microblogging site used in China, said: 'Your nap is so long.' Another added: 'If you don't get up now, your turnip will be snatched by the aliens.' Twitter is blocked by the Chinese government but microblogging site Weibo is popular in the country and the posts from Yutu-2 have been made there. The social media account followed up the announcement with a flippant tweet yesterday explaining why the stars were not visible in the images of Yutu-2 from Chang'e-4. It read: 'Good evening. These few days I have seen so many stars. 'The moon is a place suitable for star-watching. No matter it's day or night, the sky is always pitch black. Without the interruption of an atmosphere, the stars are light spots that don't twinkle. 'A day on the moon is more than 600 hours (about 27 earth days). It takes a star half a day to travel from one side of the horizon to the other. 'So I can look at one star continuously for more than 300 hours. 'The picture taken by my fourth sister (Chang'e 4), because the light ratio is too high, some details have gone missing. You cannot see the starry sky that I have seen. I'll draw it for you.' The social media account follower up the announcement with a flippant tweet explaining why the stars were not visible in the images of Yutu-2 from Chang'e-4.It read: 'The picture taken by my fourth sister (Chang'e-4), because the light ratio is too high, some details have gone missing. You cannot see the starry sky that I have seen. I'll draw it for you' (pictured) China's space agency has said the mission 'lifted the mysterious veil' from the far side of the moon, which is never seen from Earth, and 'opened a new chapter in human lunar exploration'. Experts say that the craft will not be able to function indefinitely and may only be able to operate for as little as one day. 'Of course, it's never going to leave the Moon, so the question is really how long it can remain operational,' said Professor Ian Crawford from the department of Earth and planetary sciences at Birkbeck College London 'I suspect they will hope for at least one lunar day - 14 Earth days - after which, if it is still working, it will have to hibernate during the 14-day lunar night because it is solar powered, and hopefully wake up again afterwards. 'That is a tall order because the lunar night is so cold - about -180C (-292F).' A post from January 5 at 9:42pm GMT on the official account of the Yutu Lunar Rover explained why the rover went into 'nap' mode for the first time on January 5. It said: 'Ya, it's getting hot here. 'Right now, the back of the moon has entered the day time, there is no atmosphere to block the heat and the temperature will reach 200C. 'In order to protect important parts and avoid extreme condition, I have to take a siesta for a while.' Yutu-2 rover explained how it would survive the harsh conditions on the barren surface of the moon after announcing the need for its rest. Twitter is blocked by the Chinese government but microblogging site Weibo is popular in the country and the posts from Yutu-2 have been made there (pictured). A post from January 5 at 9:42pm GMT on the official account of the Yutu Lunar Rover read: 'Ya, it's getting hot here' 'My masters have given me thick insulating components. My golden jacket could reflect strong light,' it continued. 'There are variable heat conduction pipes, controllable two-phase electric fluidic circuits, etc. and they can control my temperature to under 55C. '(I must feel proud that even the small Chinese flag on my chest can withstand high temperatures! There are no pictures, only an impression drawing. Here it is.) The post also provided some insight about the Chang'e-4 lander which brought the rover to the surface by referring to the much larger lander as its 'fourth sister'. It continued: '[Its] heat control abilities are stronger than mine. She will still carry out a series of surveying works during my siesta. You've been working hard.' Yutu-2's Weibo post explained that during the machine did not actually turn off during the mid-day snooze. It simply entered a standby mode. In this form it was charged up via solar panels, added to its 'diary', sent monitoring footage and provided readers with stories about the moon. The post finished: 'I didn't expect to take a break after working only for one day, but it's an important mission to protect oneself. 'Master, remember to wake me up early when the work starts again.' Zhang Yuhua, deputy chief commander of the mission, told Chinese state media: 'After that, the rover will go to its planned area and start a series of scientific exploration projects in the Von Karman crater as planned by scientists.' Jade Rabbit 2 weighs 308lbs (139kg) and has six individually powered wheels so it can continue to operate even if one wheel fails. It rolled on to the lunar surface from the lander via two ramps and will explore the Von Karman crater in the southern region of the far side of the moon It is expected that after a few days activity the lander will once again engage 'nap mode' to prepare for the lunar night. This period of time lasts for 14 days and can see temperatures plummet to a frigid -180C (-292F). The Yutu-2 - or Jade Rabbit 2 - rover drove off its lander's ramp and onto the exterior of the moon's far side at 10:22pm Beijing time (2:22 pm GMT) on January 3, about 12 hours after the Chinese spacecraft carrying it came to rest. China's space agency later posted a photos online, revealing the lunar rover several yards away from the spacecraft. The tracks it makes on the surface of the moon will be forever immortalised and will never be lost as there is no wind on the moon due to its lack of an atmosphere. By 5pm Beijing time (9am GMT) the three 15-foot long antennaes on Chang'e-4 had also been fully unfurled to enable the low-frequency radio spectrometre to begin work. Jade Rabbit 2 has six individually powered wheels so it can continue to operate even if one wheel fails. It can climb a 20-degree hill or an obstacle up to eight inches (20cm) tall and its maximum speed is said to be 220 yards (200 metres) per hour. The pioneering rover is five feet (1.5 metres) long and about 3 feet (one metre) wide and tall, with two foldable solar panels and six wheels. Yutu-2 and its accompanying lander will carry out mineral, biological and radiation tests ahead of a future base that China hopes to build on the moon. There have been numerous landings on the moon as a result of the 20th century space race between the US and the USSR - including the famed Apollo 11 mission which saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans on the moon. After Luna 24 landed on August 18 the next lunar landing was the Chinese mission Chang'e-3 on December 14, 2013. Chang'e-4 is the first spacecraft to land on the far side of the moon The mission is formed of three basic parts - the rover, the lander and the relay satellite. They will work in unison to study, analyse and send information back to the scientists on Earth Results of these experiments could lead to new understandings of the challenges faced by settlers who may one day colonise our natural satellite. 'It's a small step for the rover, but one giant leap for the Chinese nation,' Wu Weiren, the chief designer of the Lunar Exploration Project, told state broadcaster CCTV. 'This giant leap is a decisive move for our exploration of space and the conquering of the universe.' The rover is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments to help it analyse the surface of the moon, including a panoramic and infrared camera, ground-penetrating radar and a low-frequency radio spectrometer. Professor Crawford added: 'While operational, it will rove around studying the composition of rocks, and the sub-surface using its ground-penetrating radar. 'It will just be left on the Moon once it ceases to function, unless one day it is collected and brought back to a museum.' The rover will use its panoramic camera to identify interesting locations and its Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS) will help analyse minerals in the crater. This includes what scientists call 'ejecta' - rocks that have churned up from deep to the surface from impacts meteors. Its Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) instrument will take a look down into the depths of the moon with a maximum vertical distance of approximately 300 feet (100 metres). The rover is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments to help it analyse the surface of the moon, including a panoramic and infrared camera, ground-penetrating radar and a low-frequency radio spectrometer A never-before-seen 'close range' image taken by the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e-4 of the surface of the far side of the moon. It appears to take on a reddish hue in some of the images released by China, an effect of the lights used by the probe WHY DID CHINA CHOOSE TO LAND IN THE VON KARMAN CRATER? Chang'e-4 landed in the Von Karman crater in the South Pole-Aitken basin. This is an enormous crater which resides at the very most southern tip of the moon. China opted to study the far side of the moon and has in the process beat all other nations to the landmark moment. The basin is so far the largest known impact basin in the solar system. China's space agency hopes that by exploring the huge divot on the surface of the moon they may be able to shed some light on its history and geology by collecting rocks that have never been seen before. Researchers hope the huge depth of the crater will allow them to study the moon's mantle, the layer underneath the surface, of the moon. The crater is believed to be composed of various chemical compounds, including thorium, iron oxide, and titanium dioxide. It is also hoped that by judging this 8-mile deep scar on the surface of the moon the scientists could find clues to piece together the origin of the lunar mantle. There is also another logistical reason for the choice of landing site, the crater is mostly flat in the south of the basin. This increased the likelihood of a successful landing. Advertisement The Yutu-2 - or Jade Rabbit 2 - rover drove off its lander's ramp and onto the exterior of the moon's far side at 10:22pm Beijing time (2:22 pm GMT) on Thursday, about 12 hours after the Chinese spacecraft carrying it came to rest. China's space agency later posted a photos online, revealing the lunar rover several yards away from the spacecraft Experiments of seeds and plants that were taken to the moon from Earth on-board the Chang'e-4 probe will be done inside the lunar lander itself. Unlike its predecessor, the Chang'e-3 mission, the latest addition to the moon's surface does not have a robotic arm. The lander also has a low-frequency radio spectrometer (LFS) which will be part of a scientific experiment to study space without the constant radio interference from Earth. Being on the far side of the moon shields the equipment from the noise and will allow Chang'e-4 to produce a low-radio wave emission map of the sky. Dr Matthew Bothwell, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge, told MailOnline that this could be a crucial step in the future of space exploration and compared its importance to that of the first telescope. 'The far side of the moon is the only place in the reachable universe that we are able to do this kind of research. WHAT DO THE NAMES OF CHINA'S MOON MISSION MEAN? Chang'e-4 Chang'e is the moon goddess and wife of god Houyi in Ancient Chinese mythology. Houyi is one of the most powerful mythological figures in China. It is said that he shot down nine Suns to make Earth a liveable habitat for human beings. The number four in the name is a more modern-day nod to the space programme. This spacecraft is the fourth of the Chang'e missions. Yutu-2 Yutu (jade rabbit) is the companion of Chang'e in the mythological stories. This is fittingly also the name of the rover on-board Chang'e-4. Yutu-2 is so labelled because it is the successor to Yutu-1 which was deployed from the Chang'e-3 mission earlier this decade. Queqiao Queqiao is the relay satellite and translates to Magpie Bridge. This name also stems from Ancient Chinese mythology. Queqiao, or the Magpie Bridge, is a legendary bridge which appears once a year to connect Niu Lang and Zhi Nv. Niu Lang is a cattle herder on Earth while Zhi Nv, or the Weaving Maid, is a goddess in heaven. The couple met and fell in love when Zhi Nv snuck to the 'human world' in secret to play. Their union enraged the chief goddess, Queen Mother of the West. The couple got banished to live at different sides of the Milky Way. Every year on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Lunar Calendar, thousands of magpies that are moved by the couples' love story will form the Magpie Bridge, or Queqiao, so that Niu Lang and Zhi Nv can meet each other. This relay satellite will allow communication between the moon probe and Earth. Advertisement 'Putting an object as large as the moon between the Earth's constant beaming of radio waves and the antennaes is a fantastic way of filtering out noise from Earth. 'Very long wavelength radiowaves are impossible to study due to their universal beaming of radio waves 24/7 and the emissions from the universe is really faint in comparison.' Dr Bothwell added that there is no way of knowing what this could reveal and the opportunities for discovery are enormous. 'It will provide a new window to look at the universe and we will likely find unexpected things,' he added. Dr Bothwell also said that depending on the success of the data gathered by Chang'e-4, it could lead to a ground-based telescope being installed on the far side of the moon. The far side can't be seen from Earth and is popularly called the 'dark side' because it is relatively unknown, not because it lacks sunlight. As the landing is happening on the dark side of the moon it required its own satellite to be able to send information back. To facilitate communication between controllers on Earth and the Chang'e-4 mission, China launched a relay satellite named Queqiao on 20 May and is now stationed in operational orbit about 40,000 miles beyond the moon. This will be the primary form of communication between Earth and the spacecraft. The probe and explorer will use Queqiao to get their findings back to China. Its descent was also aided by the relay satellite, the Queqiao, or Magpie Bridge. This is positioned at a place in space called L2, a Langraine point. A Lagrange point is a spot in space where the combined gravitational forces of two large bodies are equivalent to the centrifugal force of another body. L2 is a million miles beyond Earth in the opposite direction to the sun and for an object to remain stationary there it depends on a fragile equilibrium between the gravitational pull of the moon, Earth and the Sun. The far side of the moon - colloquially known as the dark side - actually gets as much light as the near side but always faces away from Earth. This is because the moon is tidally locked to Earth, rotating at the same rate that it orbits our planet, so the far side - or the 'dark side' - is never visible from our planet. This relatively unexplored region is mountainous and rugged, making a successful landing much harder to achieve. Beijing is pouring billions into the military-run programme, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022, and of eventually sending humans to the moon. The Chang'e-4 lunar probe mission - named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology - launched in December 2018 from the southwestern Xichang launch centre. It is the second Chinese probe to land on the moon, following the Yutu rover mission in 2013. China announced that in honour of this success the rover on-board Chang'e-4 has been named Yutu 2. Previous spacecraft have seen the far side of the moon, but none has landed on it. A TIMELINE OF HOW CHINA REACHED THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON Chang'e-4 launched from the Xichang satellite launch centre in Sichuan, south-west China at 6:30 GMT on December 7 October 24 2007 - China launches Chang'e-1, an unmanned satellite, into space where it remains operational for more than a year. October 1 2010 - China launches Chang'e-2. This was part of the first phase of the Chinese moon programme. It was in a 100-km-high lunar orbit to gather data for the upcoming Chang'e-3 mission. September 29, 2011 - China launched Tiangong 1. September 15 2013 - A second space lab, Tiangong 2, is launched. December 1 2013 - Chang'e-3 launched. December 14 2013 - Chang'e-3, a 2,600 lb (1,200 kg) lunar probe landed on the near side of the moon successfully. It became the first object to soft-land on the Moon since Luna 24 in 1976. April 1 2018 - Tiangong-1 crashed into Earth at 17,000 mph and lands in the ocean off the coast if Tahiti. May 20 2018 - China launched a relay satellite named Queqiao which is stationed in operational orbit about 40,000 miles beyond the moon. This is designed to enable Chang'e-4 to communicate wit engineers back on Earth. The Chang'e-4 lunar rover is lifted into space from the Xichang launch centre in Xichang in China's southwestern Sichuan province on December 7 December 7 2018 - Chinese space agency announces it has launched the Chang'e-4 probe into space. December 12 2018 - Retrorockets on the probe fired to stabilise the spacecraft and slow it down. December 31 2018 - The probe prepared for the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon. Estimated for 2020 - Tiangong 3,a follow-up mission to the Tiangong-2 Before 2033 - China plans for its first uncrewed Mars exploration program. 2040 - 2060 - The Asian superpower is planning a crewed mission to Mars. Advertisement The probe entered lunar orbit 'to prepare for the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon', the China National Space Administration said at the time. The tasks of the Chang'e-4 include astronomical observation, surveying the moon's terrain, landform and mineral composition, and measuring the neutron radiation and neutral atoms to study the environment on the far side of the moon. Researchers hope the seeds will grow to blossom on the Moon, with the process captured on camera and transmitted to Earth. China aims to catch up with Russia and the United States to become a major space power by 2030. It is planning to launch construction of its own manned space station next year and have its own lunar base by 2036. Dr Bothwell said: 'The success of the landing and of this mission puts china in a very strong position among other nations. 'The co-operation between the space agencies is great for science and is a case of humanity working together to understand more about the mysteries and issues of the universe. 'Possibly the best thing that could happen is another space race similar to the competition between the US and Russia in the 60s and 70s. 'With ESA, Roscosmos and NASA all taking significant steps and the private space race between SpaceX and other firms hotting up, it could bring about a renaissance in space exploration.' Recollections from survivors of the Holocaust are now being preserved so that people from future generations can interact with them. Survival stories from victims of the Nazi regime, which killed around six million Jews during WWII, are being transferred into holograms. The University of Southern California Shoah Foundation was founded in 1994 by film director Steven Spielberg and has around 55,000 audiovisual testimonies. Interactive technology allows museum visitors to have a dialogue with survivors even after they're gone to 'learn from the world's mistakes'. Scroll down for video Recollections from survivors of the Holocaust are now being preserved so that people from future generations can interact with them. Survival stories from victims of the Nazi regime, are being transferred into holograms. Here, Max Glauben records his testimony The experience combines high-definition holographic interview recordings and voice recognition technology to enable Holocaust Survivors to tell their deeply moving personal stories and respond to questions from the audience. Max Glauben is the latest Holocaust survivor recorded in such a way by the University. Mr Glauben, now 91, was seventeen when he lost both his parents and brother at the hands of the Nazi regime but was rescued by US troops in 1945. 'I thought that my knowledge could cure the hatred and the bigotry and the killings in this world if somebody can listen to my story, my testimony, and be educated even after I'm gone,' Mr Glauben said. The Los Angeles-based foundation has recorded 18 interactive testimonies with Holocaust survivors over the last several years. The University of Southern California Shoah Foundation was founded in 1994 by film director Steven Spielberg and has around 55,000 audiovisual testimonies. Holocaust survivor Fritzie Fritzshall stands in front of a hologram of herself Interactive technology allows museum visitors to have a dialogue with survivors even after they're gone to 'learn from the world's mistakes'. The experience combines high-definition holographic interview recordings and voice recognition technology. Here, a student asks a question to Holocaust survivor William Morgan Executive director Stephen Smith says they're in a 'race against time' as they work to add more, seeking both a diversity in experiences and testimonies in a variety of languages. So far, the foundation has Holocaust survivors speaking in English, Hebrew and Spanish, and the group hopes to get people speaking in even more languages. 'It's so powerful when it's in your mother tongue and you're looking the person in the eye and you are hearing nuanced language coming back that's your own language,' Mr Smith said. For more than a year now, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center has featured the survivors' images in a special theatre. So far, the foundation has Holocaust survivors speaking in English, Hebrew and Spanish, and the group hopes to get people speaking in even more languages. Here, Max Glauben sitting in the interactive green screen room while filming his piece Museum CEO Susan Abrams says that when visitors interact with the images , the impact is often obvious: 'People get teary; people laugh.' 'Our audience comes to feel that they know these survivors somewhat intimately because they're having small group conversation,' Ms Abrams said. The Illinois museum is one of four currently featuring the images. Other museums are in Houston, Indiana and New York. The Holocaust museum in Dallas will start showing the testimonies in September, after it opens in a new location and with a new name - the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. The Dallas museum currently brings in survivors to talk to students and has found that's often the most meaningful part of their visit. The foundation say that this new technology will ensure that continues to happen. Pictured here, William Morgan's hologram The images can appear on a flat screen or be projected in a way that appears to be three-dimensional. Pictured here, visitors watch the hologram of Holocaust survivor Fritzie Fritzshall at the Illinois Holocaust Museum The Dallas museum currently brings in survivors to talk to students and has found that's often the most meaningful part of their visit, according to President and CEO Mary Pat Higgins. This technology ensures that can continue, she said. 'Our survivors are aging, and so in 20 years we won't have any survivors who are still able to do that themselves,' she said. Mr Smith said the images can appear on a flat screen or be projected in a way that appears to be three-dimensional. Like Illinois, Dallas is building a special theatre so the image will appear three-dimensional on a stage. The testimony is broken up, so when you ask it a question it finds that piece of video and plays it for you. Here, Amy Frake explains to students how to ask a question to the 3D image of the survivor Smith said the technology involved is simpler than many people think. 'And all that's happening is rather than you watching a linear testimony, all the bits of the testimony are broken up, and then when you ask it a question it finds that piece of video and plays it for you.' Mr Glauben, who has made it his mission to tell people about the Holocaust, helped found the Dallas museum. He says that after he lost his family, he told himself he would 'do anything possible to educate the people and let them know what kind of tragedy this was.' Cabinet ministers are to demand a 'Plan B' for Brexit if Theresa May's deal is heavily defeated tonight. Senior Tory sources warned that the Prime Minister could not expect indefinite support for her plan if the Government is routed in tonight's vote. They said ministers will demand that she finally takes sides in the Cabinet battle over whether to pursue a softer Brexit or try to manage the worst effects of a 'no-deal' exit from the EU. Allies of Mrs May last night indicated she would tell MPs tonight that she will continue to pursue her deal even if it is heavily defeated. Amber Rudd (right) is among the ministers urging Mrs May to pursue a softer Brexit if she loses the vote while others including Andrea Leadsom (left) would prefer a 'managed no deal' 'What alternative is there?' said one ally. 'The EU has been very clear that this is the deal that is on the table.' Mrs May said: 'Nobody has yet come up with an alternative Brexit deal that is negotiable and that delivers on the result of the referendum.' Last month's failed attempt by Brexiteers to oust Mrs May means she cannot face another challenge from Tory backbenchers until the end of the year. However, senior Tories warned that she still has to retain the confidence of the Cabinet if she is to remain in post. One Cabinet source said: 'She is going to have to show more of her hand than she has until now. If we lose by 100 or 200, she cannot just carry on as if nothing has happened. It's the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.' Mrs May is being pulled in different directions by rival factions in the Cabinet, with some wanting a 'soft' Brexit alternative and others wanting a 'managed no deal'. One grouping, which includes the Prime Minister's deputy David Lidington, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, Justice Secretary David Gauke and Business Secretary Greg Clark, is urging her to pursue a softer Brexit if her deal is defeated tonight. They are motivated by concern about the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on the economy and jobs. The group, which is also expected to receive the backing of Chancellor Philip Hammond, believes a cross-party consensus in Parliament might back a plan involving permanent membership of the customs union. Theresa May (pictured in the Commons today) has made last-ditch efforts to persuade Conservative rebels to back her but MPs are expected to vote her deal down That idea was specifically ruled out yesterday by Mrs May, who said an 'independent trade policy' which would be impossible in a customs union was one of the key opportunities of Brexit. But one senior figure in the Cabinet's soft Brexit grouping said they believed Mrs May would eventually side with them to avoid no deal. Mrs May is being pulled in the opposite direction by a rival group whose members include former remainers such as Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, as well as Brexiteers such as International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Commons leader Andrea Leadsom. This group believes a softer Brexit would not honour the result of the 2016 referendum. Supporters acknowledge that a no-deal Brexit would be 'disruptive', but think the worst effects could be contained. Asked whether he agreed with the assessment that a no-deal Brexit would be 'disastrous', Mr Williamson said: 'Not at all, Britain has always been a nation that will always achieve and will always deliver.' At least one Cabinet backer of the idea has even suggested that Mrs May should call an election for early April to ensure that MPs are unable to block the UK's exit at the end of March. Jake Patterson's father wept openly, as the charges against his son were read out in court today and bail set at $5 million. Patterson was not present but appeared via videolink. He sat impassive, dressed in orange prison jumpsuit as the charges were read. His father's shoulders rocked with tears at the sight of him. Asked if he had been appraised of the charges Patterson answered a strong, 'Yes sir.' As the first charge was read - that of intentional homicide - Patterson's father, Patrick, let out an anguished wail. In contrast his youngest son sat impervious. He looked down, following the wording of the complaint as the judge read aloud. Jake Patterson appeared in court via videolink on Monday, marking his first appearance since being arrested for abducting Jayme Closs and killing her parents Patterson's older brother, Erik, and father Patrick (pictured together) were the only family present for him in court. They refused to answer questions following the hearing and Patrick shook his head when asked if he knew what had happened at the cabin Patterson told cops he decided Jayme was 'the girl he was going to take' after seeing her get on a school bus when it stopped in front of him as he drove to work one day Honorable James Babler ordered the collection of a DNA sample if one had not already been provided and set the date for Patterson's next appearance as 11am February 6. Speaking for the State, Brian Wright asked for bail to be set at $5 million. He told the court, 'Mr Patterson has no ties to Barron County, he worked at Saputo Cheese Factory for two days the only reason other than that to be in Barron County was to kidnap J.' He asked the judge to consider the crimes and the efforts he made to conceal himself including stealing license plates and putting them on the vehicle. Wright pointed to the fact that he disengaged his dome light, purchased a mask, wiped down the shotgun that was located at his house and the shells that were used to kill James and Denise by his own words, so that no DNA or fingerprints would be found. Patterson shaved his face, all of his head hair and showered before going to the Closs home. The 21-year-old turned his engine and headlights off and confessed to law enforcement that he had made a decision he was going to kill everyone in that home including children because he could not leave witnesses. If stopped by police he said he would have shot them too. Patterson's brother, Erik, and father, Patrick, were the only family present for him in court. They refused to answer questions following the hearing. Mr Patterson shook his head when asked if he knew what had happened at the cabin or witnessed anything strange. Patterson turned to his right during the brief proceedings - to the bench across the aisle that housed Jayme, Denise and James's family members. As the first charge was read - that of intentional homicide - Patterson's father, Patrick, let out an anguished wail. In contrast his youngest son sat impervious. He looked down, following the wording of the complaint as the judge read aloud Patterson's brother Erik wore a blue and black hooded jacket and sat hunched forward. His father, seated next to him, was dressed in a grey pin stripe suit. He took his glasses from his nose as he sat down and held them in his hands. He fretted with them briefly Jake Patterson's attorney Charles Glynn answering questions outside of the Barron County Justice Center today in Barron,Wisconsin Sue Allard, Jayme Closs' aunt, enters the courtroom with family members where Jake Patterson 21, was formally charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed burglary Erik wore a blue and black hooded jacket and sat hunched forward. His father, seated next to him, was dressed in a grey pin stripe suit. He took his glasses from his nose as he sat down and held them in his hands. He fretted with them briefly. 'You don't have anyone else coming on your side do you?' Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald asked as he tried to accommodate media, public and court officers in the rapidly filling benches. Only the bench reserved for Patterson's family remained relatively vacant. 'No we don't sir,' Patterson Sr responded. As the court waited and 3.30pm approached Patterson's father put a protective hand on his son Erik's knee. He gave it a squeeze and his hand remained there a while. Honorable James C Babler took his chair promptly but after a few tense minutes wait he was forced to ask Sheriff Fitzgerald, 'Can you have the jail try calling? My system's not popping up.' Speaking to the court he added, 'I can attest it was working at one o'clock when we did four appearances,' the judge told the court as the dial tone rang out without answer or image. As technical difficulties postponed the hearing for which Jayme's family and law enforcement have waited so very long the judge appeared to decide that if a job was worth doing it was worth doing himself. 'I'm going to have to go under the bench here,' he said before being informed that the system had to reboot. Jake Patterson (above with his mother Deborah and sister Katie in 2015) appears to have led an unremarkable existence and has been described by former classmates as a quiet student who lacked social skills Ultimately it took barely ten minutes for the judge to agree with the State and set a bail of $5 million. Patterson will not be allowed firearms, contact with Jayme or the neighbors and dog walker who alerted authorities to her escape. Asked if he understood that Patterson answered confidently,'Yes sir.' With that the court was adjourned. Hours before his first court appearance, the horrifying details of the Closs murders and Jayme's abduction emerged in the criminal complaint that was filed on Monday. It told of how Jayme cowered in the bathroom with her mother as Patterson shot her father in the head and then watched in horror as he did the same to her mother minutes after kicking in the flimsy door. Dressed in black from head to toe including a face mask, hat and gloves, Patterson grabbed the terrified teenager, taped her hands and ankles together, covered her mouth with tape and dragged her out of her home to his waiting car. According to Jayme, her abductor then bundled into the trunk and drove her approximately two hours to the cabin where he would hold her for the next three months. Patterson took her into the cabin, removed the tape from her mouth, hands and ankles and told her to go into the bathroom and remove all her clothes, the complaint states. It was there they found the bodies of Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56, and realized their 13-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found Pictured is the front door of the Closs home. It appears to be covered with plywood and a blanket, and sources say it was kicked in during the home invasion He made her put the clothes in which she had been abducted into a bag, making some comment about 'not having evidence.' Patterson stole his father's 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun (file photo)- chosen because it was so common and would be hard to trace When friends of relatives visited Patterson, he 'made it clear that nobody was to know she was there or bad things would happen to her.' He made her hide under his bed in one corner of his bedroom and stacked totes and laundry bins around the bed with weights stacked against them so she could not move them. On one occasion, according to the documents seen by DailyMail.com, Jayme stated that Patterson got mad and 'hit her really hard on the back with the handle of something he used to clean blinds.' She could not remember what had angered him. Her escape came when he left the cabin and she managed to push the weights away and flee. Patterson has confessed has been charged with two counts of first degree homicide, kidnapping and armed burglary. Patterson told cops he decided that Jayme was 'the girl he was going to take' after a chance sighting of her getting on the school bus when it stopped in front of him as he drove to work. According to Patterson he 'had no idea who Jayme was' when he decided to take her and set about plotting his crime. He bought a black balaclava mask from Walmart and drove to the Closs home twice with the intent to kidnap her but was deterred by cars in the driveway and lights in the house. On the night of October 15, he finally followed through and stole his father's 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun - chosen because it was so common and would be hard to trace. He took six 12 gauge shells because 'he felt the 12 gauge would inflict the most damage on someone and would most likely be the best choice of shell and weapon to kill someone.' As well as the balaclava, he wore two pairs of gloves. He shut off his headlights and coasted to the end of the driveway. As he approached under cover of darkness Patterson saw Jayme's father, James, standing in the large window. Jayme told detectives that she had been woken by her dog Molly barking and noticed somebody coming up the driveway when she went to investigate. She woke her parents and her father 'went to the door to see what was going on.' Patterson claimed that he yelled at Closs to get on the ground but that he 'kept shining a flashlight and looking outside.' The gunman then approached the front steps, opened the glass storm door and began pounding on the wooden door. As James Closs peered through the decorative glass window, he asked to see Patterson's badge - assuming that he was law enforcement. In that moment, Patterson said, he raised his shotgun, pointed it at James Closs' head and pulled the trigger. James is described in the complaint as having 'significant trauma to his face and head.' Chillingly after he had dragged the shocked teen to his car, bundled her into his car and made his getaway, Patterson recounted 'he yielded to three passing squad cars that were travelling west towards the house with their red and blue emergency lights and sirens on' Jayme was found at the Eau Claire Acres estate near the town of Gordon, which is about 70 miles away from her home in Barron where she was abducted He tried to shoulder open the door behind which James Closs had collapsed but when he couldn't he lowered his shotgun and blasted the doorknob. Once in, he stepped over James Closs' lifeless body and headed to the closed door directly in front of him. He quickly scanned other rooms checking for anybody else. When he found nobody else inside the house, he returned to the closed door where Denise and Jayme were hiding, kicking and shoving the door 10 to 15 times before it burst open. In a terrifying scene he tore the shower curtain down, taking the rod with it and found Denise 'with her arms wrapped around Jayme in a bear hug.' Patterson told Denise to place black duct tape over her daughter's mouth but when she 'struggled to do that' he put down his shotgun, took back the tape and wrapped it around Jayme's mouth and head. He made the teen stand up while he 'took and placed [tape] around her wrists, with her palms together to restrain her hands and arms.' Patterson then taped her ankles, removed her from the tub and, as she stood beside him, he took aim at her mother's head and pulled the trigger. As he dragged Jayme away he told officers he nearly slipped on the blood that had pooled on the floor. The gruesome scene is laid bare as deputies attending the scene told of 'blood and brain splattering on the wall directly behind the wooden entrance door.' Denise had also been shot in the head, 'with the rear backside of her head and skull plate completely removed and lying next to her body in the bathtub.' The image above shows the cabin in rural Wisconsin where Jake Patterson allegedly held 13-year-old Jayme Closs prisoner for nearly three months As Jayme's family prepares to face down Patterson in court, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the squalid basement 'cell' in Patterson's home The image above shows the filthy basement den where authorities believe 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held prisoner by her alleged abductor, Jake Thomas Patterson, 21 Inside the main living room is a half-finished game of Monopoly and a book entitled 'U.S. Armed Forces Survival Guide' This aerial photo shows the cabin where 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held by Jake Thomas Patterson, surrounded by law enforcement vehicles Chillingly after he had dragged Jayme to his car, he bundled her into his car's trunk and made his getaway. Patterson recounted 'he yielded to three passing squad cars that were travelling west towards the house with their red and blue emergency lights and sirens on.' Asked what he would have done if he he been stopped by police as he made his escape, Patterson said 'he still had the loaded shotgun in the front seat of the car [and] would most likely have shot at the police.' Patterson said 'knew he was going to kill anyone in the house [that night] because..he could not leave any eyewitnesses behind.' He described Jayme as 'scared and crying' when he finally let her out of the trunk. She had urinated herself and so he told her to change into a pair of his sister's pajamas. He then kept her in a space under his bed which is twin-sized and sits approximately 2 1/2 feet off the ground. He said that Jayme had tried to escape his makeshift lair at least twice and when she had done so, he 'struck a wall and screamed a lot to the point where he knew she was scared and she better never try that again.' He believed her to be 'fearful enough not to leave the bedroom without him.' Family members of Jayme Closs' (pictured with her aunt Sue Naiberg Allard) told DailyMail.com they will be in court later today to 'look Jake Patterson in the eye,' as he makes his first appearance in Barron County Circuit Court According to Patterso, Jayme did not leave because he had scared her enough with his outburst to the point where she complied to his wishes The details of Jayme Closs' abduction have emerged in the criminal complaint filed today ahead of Jake Patterson's (pictured) first court appearance in Barron, Wisconsin According to Patterson she did not leave because he had scared her enough with his outburst to the point where she complied. Patterson said he left her alone for 12 hours at Christmas while he visited his grandparents in Superior and when his father visited, he simply turned up the radio to mask any sound she might make. On the day of her escape and his arrest Patterson had told Jayme he was leaving for a few hours. When he got home he discovered she was not under the bed and began a frantic search for her. After a few minutes he returned to his house and when he saw police 'he knew he was caught.' In a bizarrely nonchalant admission Patterson told cops he 'assumed he had gotten away with killing James and Denise and kidnapping Jayme since he hadn't been caught in the first two weeks.' He denied having ever met Jayme either in real life or online and that he only learned her name after the abduction. He claimed he learned her parents names when he saw the reports of their killings. Patterson told a detective 'he never would have been caught if he would have planned everything correctly.' Jeremy Corbyn is set to table a no-confidence vote in the Government as early as tomorrow if Theresa May's Brexit deal is defeated. Asked by his MPs when he would bring the challenge which could lead to a general election Labour's leader said it was 'coming soon'. A party source added last night: 'You will not have to wait a long time.' Mr Corbyn has accused the Prime Minister of trying to 'blackmail' Labour MPs into supporting her Brexit deal. The Labour leader said his party would 'not be held to ransom' and would vote against the deal despite Theresa May's warnings of no-deal chaos. Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in the Commons today) is hoping to seize on the chaos if the PM's deal is voted down to table a no confidence motion and try to topple Mrs May Downing Street is braced for a vote to be held tomorrow in which MPs will be asked if they no longer have confidence in the Government. If the motion passes and a new government with the support of a majority of MPs cannot be formed within a fortnight Parliament will be dissolved and an early election called. However, Mr Corbyn is unlikely to succeed as the Democratic Unionist Party and hardline Tory Eurosceptics have pledged they would not side with Labour. It came as a poll showed Labour falling six points behind the Conservatives despite the Brexit chaos engulfing Mrs May's party. In the YouGov poll for the Times Mr Corbyn's party plunged to 35 per cent, its lowest rating since mid December, while the Tories score 41 per cent. Mr Corbyn is believed to have held off on challenging the Government amid fears that failure to trigger a general election could lead to a second referendum. Under Labour's Brexit plans, decided at its conference in September, the party's policy is to seek a general election first. If the party cannot secure one, Labour has promised to look at all options including another referendum. Polling suggests that a large majority of Labour members want Mr Corbyn to actively back a so-called People's Vote but this would prompt a backlash from his pro-Brexit voters in the party's Northern heartlands. He said Mrs May had failed to persuade his MPs, declaring: 'The Labour Party will not be held to ransom.' Later, addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party on the eve of today's crucial vote, Mr Corbyn predicted that Mrs May's deal would be defeated and said the country should have a general election. 'The Tory Party's botched deal will be rejected by Parliament,' he said. 'We will then need an election to have the chance to vote for a government that can bring our people together and address the deep-seated issues facing our country.' Aides said Labour expected a no-confidence motion to be treated as a top priority for debating time in the Commons. They said the timing was a matter for Mr Corbyn. Theresa May (pictured in the Commons today) has made last-ditch efforts to persuade Conservative rebels to back her but MPs are expected to vote her deal down A source stressed that a second referendum is only one of a number of options on the table for Labour, alongside seeking a different Brexit deal in line with the party's own priorities. Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell yesterday backed a plot by Tory Remainers to seize control of the Brexit process from ministers if Mrs May's deal is voted down. The plan would see power handed to the cross-party liaison committee, which is dominated by pro-Remain MPs. They would be given three weeks to produce an alternative plan to be put to Parliament for approval. Mr McDonnell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Far from Parliament being at its worst as some people have accused it, I actually think this is Parliament at its best. 'It's forcing the Government to actually not take Parliament for granted any more. 'It's redressing some of the imbalance between the executive and Parliament that has built up over decades.' Former Tory ministers at the heart of the coup pressed ahead with their plan last night, despite warnings it would damage democracy. But Nick Boles, Nicky Morgan and Sir Oliver Letwin suffered a major setback when their plan was rejected by the liaison committee's leader. Sarah Wollaston, the group's Tory chairman, said the plot was 'news to me' and suggested she would rather see a second referendum than broker another Brexit deal herself. Ivanka Trump won't be running the World Bank but she will lead the charge on who that person will be, the White House revealed on Monday. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and acting Chief of Staff Mulvaney asked Trump, who serves as an adviser in the White House, to lead the internal search for the job. 'Secretary Mnuchin and Chief of Staff Mulvaney have asked Ivanka Trump to help manage the U.S. nomination process as shes worked closely with the World Banks leadership for the past two years - however, reports that she is under consideration are false,' said White House Deputy Director of Communications Jessica Ditto in a statement. Ivanka Trump won't be running the World Bank but she will lead the charge on who that person will be Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (left) and acting Chief of Staff Mulvaney (right) asked Ivanka to lead the job search World Bank President Jim Yong Kim announced last week he would step down in February. There were reports the first daughter was under consideration for the job. Other possible candidates mentioned are David Malpass, a Treasury Department official; former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley; and Mark Green, head of the US Agency for International Development, the Financial Times reported. It's not the first time Ivanka Trump has been considered for a promotion in her father's administration. She was reportedly under consideration to replace Nikki Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. And she sat in for President Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Hamburg in July 2017, which lead to widespread condemnation. Nomination to the World Bank job would also have likely caused an uproar. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim announced he will step down in February Ivanka was also considered as a replacement to Nikki Haley (above), the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations The World Bank offers loans all over the world for capitol projects and works to eliminate poverty The U.S. president does not have final say on who acts as head of the mega lender, which provides cash all over the world for capitol projects and works to eliminate poverty. The bank's board of governors must confirm a new president but the American pick usually gets the nod. Kim was nominated by President Obama. Ivanka Trump has worked with bank officials as part of her efforts to empower women globally. Discount department store Kmart has vowed to slash prices on a range of items after weak sales and a dip in demand for women's clothing caused a share price plunge. Kmart's parent company Wesfarmers revealed same-store sales in the second half of 2018 had fallen by 0.6 per cent. It blamed weaker clothing sales, particularly for womenswear, for the drop in transactions. Discount department store Kmart (Perth outlet pictured) has vowed to slash prices on a range of items after weak sales and dip in demand for women's clothing caused a share price plunge The trading update was released early on Monday morning, causing Wesfarmers' share price to plunge by 1.5 per cent as trading on the Australian Securities Exchange opened shortly afterwards. Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has hinted its subsidiary Kmart would slash prices for customers in future to combat weaker demand. 'We lowered prices but we didn't lower prices as much as we did in the prior year and we didn't achieve the growth we were hoping to achieve in the womenswear category, which is an important area,' Mr Scott told The Australian Financial Review. 'Customer numbers were quite strong and we continued to lower our average sell price, we just didn't generate the same sales volumes as previously.' Kmart's parent company Wesfarmers revealed same-store sales in the second half of 2018 had fallen by 0.6 per cent, with weaker womenswear sales blamed In their trading update for the first-half of the 2018-19 financial year, covering the second half of last year, Wesfarmers revealed Kmart's sales growth was hampered by its weaker apparel sales, particularly in womenswear and its planned exit from the low-margin DVD category. The news caused Wesfarmers' share price to drop from $31.37 to $30.90 before recovering during the day. Wesfarmers is releasing its full half-year results on February 21. The deputy chief of staff for former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed collapsed and writhed on the ground while being sentenced to nearly two years in prison for a corruption charge. In August 2018, Katrina Taylor-Parks pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept bribes while she was Reed's deputy chief of staff. Federal prosecutors said Parks accepted $4,000 from a city vendor in exchange for city work. When a federal judge sentenced her to 20 months in prison and said she must pay $15,000 in restitution, Taylor-Parks collapsed to the floor. Katrina Taylor-Parks fell to the floor after a judge sentenced her to serve 20 months in prison and pay $15,000 in restitution on Monday, after having pleaded guilty to corruption in 2018 She convulsed on the floor and said she couldn't breathe. The judge then apparently cleared the courtroom, asking if Taylor-Parks required medical attention, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Taylor-Parks was the deputy chief of staff to former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed (pictured) When one of her attorneys responded that she did, medical personnel was sent in to treat her. The judge was not able to finish advising Taylor-Parks of her rights. Her lawyers and the government said the sentence wasn't finalized and will be completed later. On her way into the courthouse for sentencing on Monday, Taylor-Parks told reporters that she was praying for 'a positive outcome.' She is the fifth person who has pleaded guilty during a long-running corruption probe of Atlanta's City Hall. In exchange for the $4,000 bribe, Taylor-Parks said that she helped to arrange meetings between the vendor and high-ranking city officials, as well as introduced the vendor to a member of City Council that has not yet been named. A 40-year-old father who asked a 14-year-old girl to 'get your t** out' in a string of sickening text messages has narrowly avoided jail. The Western Australian man was on a camping trip with friends in September 2017, when he contacted the girl on Facebook messenger. He was drinking and smoking drugs on the evening he initiated the 20-minute barrage of texts. In the string of messages sent within a 20 minute period, the man asked the girl: 'What's going on, little mischief?' (mock image) 'What's going on, little mischief?' the man wrote in his first message. 'I better be good cos your mum and dad will kill me,' he continued before asking for nude images. 'Get your t** out. You can show me and I won't say a thing.' The man deleted the series of messages from his phone immediately after, except for the victim's last text which read: 'Stop texting me'. He pleaded guilty to using electronic communication with intent to expose a child under 16 years old to indecent matter and appeared before Perth District Court on January 10, WA Today reported. Defence lawyer Justin Geoghegan told the court the father had consumed alcohol and cannabis before retiring to a caravan to send the illicit messages in the evening. A man, 40, has been spared from jail after sending a sickening string of messages to a girl, 14, demanding she send him nude photos (stock) The judge recognised the offence was a one-off occurrence and there had been no attempted grooming by the man prior to the messages. In a letter to the court, the 14-year-old victim said she felt anxiety, panic and anger after the incident. The man was sentenced to nine months prison, suspended for 12 months. He pleaded guilty to using electronic communication with intent to expose a child under 16 years old to indecent matter and appeared before Perth District Court (pictured) on January 10 Authorities identified the suspect as 24-year-old Tomas Wiggins Martinez A shooting in a small Texas town has left at least two people injured as authorities hunt for the gunman who is still at large. Police responded to reports of gunfire at a home in Tyler, south-east of Dallas, at about 2pm on Monday. Authorities identified the suspect as 24-year-old Tomas Wiggins Martinez, KLTV reports. Both a man and woman were injured in the shooting, which police believe was a domestic incident. Martinez is the father of the woman's child. Both a man and woman were injured in the shooting, which police believe was a domestic incident. Tomas Wiggins Martinez is pictured in a social media photo The man ran to a nearby restaurant after being shot, while police found the woman inside the home after following a blood trail. The shooting happened at a home on East Erwin and George Avenue. The victims are both in hospital but the woman is in a critical condition. Multiple officers were scouring the scene on Monday afternoon in search of the suspect. Police responded to reports of gunfire at a home in Tyler, south-east of Dallas, at about 2pm on Monday Multiple officers were scouring the scene on Monday afternoon in search of the suspect who was identified as 24-year-old Tomas Wiggins Martinez 'Puppet master': Kiara Serci (pictured) is accused of organising a meth ring A pregnant stripper broke down in tears in court yesterday when accused of being the 'puppet master' of a drugs ring. Kiara Serci, 25, allegedly paid for fellow stripper Holly Attard to smuggle major quantities of meth across the country. The pair, who both worked at Darwin strip club Sinsations, had an ongoing arrangement that Attard would be Serci's mule in return for free drugs, a court heard. In October, Attard was caught with 325 grams of meth when she landed in Darwin from Adelaide. She claims she was just a courier - but Serci denies involvement and claims Attard is blaming her after she got 'caught red-handed'. Serci's lawyer, Matt Hubber, said she denies the charge of supplying a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, reported NT News. But he added: 'She does admit she fell into drug use she was using methamphetamine up until about five weeks ago, until she found out she was pregnant'. He said the case against Serci was 'weak' and the only evidence against her was Attard's statement. Prosecutor James O'Brien alleged Attard is 'very much a courier' and Serci was 'the puppet master'. 'Mule': Last October, Holly Attard (left and right) was caught with 325 grams of meth when she landed in Darwin from Adelaide 'Serci would shout all of her drugs and in return she would be expected to be able to carry out all of these acts,' he said, adding that Serci paid for Attard's flight with her credit card. Chief Judge Dr John Lowndes said the case against Serci 'was not a weak one' even though Serci and Attard appear to be 'blaming each other'. The matter will return to court later. Michigan first-term Rep. Rashida Tlaib has been pictured with a Palestinian activist who has praised Hezbollah and called Jews 'Zionist terrorists.' Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American congresswoman, drew headlines the day she was sworn in after she was videotaped an evening event saying it was time to 'impeach the motherf*****,' in a crude comment referencing President Trump. The line was called out by Republican and Democratic leaders, but Tlaib didn't apologize. On Saturday, a supporter tweeted out an image of himself with Rep. Tlaib at another swearing-in ceremony that took place in her home state. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has been pictured with a Palestinian activist who praised Hezbollah online 'I was honored to be at Congresswoman @RashidaTlaib swearing in ceremony in #Detroit and private dinner afterward with the entire family, friends and activists across the country,' wrote Abbas Hamideh. He said he attended a private dinner with Tlaib's family. He then tagged '#Palestine, #TweetYourThobe, and #RashidaTlaib.' Twitter users soon began digging up his past tweets and comments about terror-backing group Hezbollah, the Washington Examiner reported. Hamideh embraced the publicity and again went after people he called 'criminal Zionists' Israelis. 'Always loved this heroic resistance leader! Long live Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah!' he wrote in another tweet. The State Department for years has determined that Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization. Abbas Hamideh published a photo of himself and Rep. Rashida Tlaib. He says he was invited to a private dinner after the event US Representative-elect Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) reacts to a good number during an office lottery for new members of Congress on Capitol Hill November 30, 2018. She is the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress Hamideh called the Hezbollah leader Nisrallah a 'heroic resistance leader' He spoke out against efforts to 'demonize' Nasrallah Hamideh referred to Israelis as 'criminal zionists' and accused them of overreacting after the picture was widely forwarded 'The Congresswoman has consistently pointed out the need for peace and justice in the region and rejects any notion that calls for otherwise,' said Tlaib spokesman Denzel McCampbell in a statement Tuesday. 'Both the ceremonial swearing-in and dinner were open to anyone who would like to come, he continued. 'It is important to note; Congresswoman Tlaib has taken thousands of photos over the course of her campaign and now during her tenure. That does not mean that she agrees with anything someone says,' he added. According to his Twitter bio, Hamideh is a 'Palestinian Right of Return Activist. I don't compromise on one inch of Palestinian land!' He wrote on Jan. 13, the day after he published the photograph: 'I'm willing to go back to my country #Palestine if the Zionist terrorists go back to Poland. Deal? Let's get that ball rolling ASAP. Get off Twitter and let's make that happen.' A mother-of-four who swindled taxpayers out of $40,000 by falsely claiming she was unemployed has been jailed. The dole cheat admitted to Perth Magistrate's Court on Monday she repeatedly claimed unemployment benefits while earning an income. She received 55 full welfare payments she wasn't entitled to - as well as 19 others she was only partially entitled to, Perth Now reported. The woman told Centrelink she was unemployed, despite working at a children's hospital and later at a catering company. Scroll down for video A Centrelink scammer who swindled taxpayers out of $40,000 by falsely claiming she was unemployed has been jailed (stock image) She fraudulently claimed $39,730 in benefits, the court heard on Monday. She immediately admitted to making false claims during an interview with Centrelink when the agency discovered the over-payments in 2014. Chief Magistrate Steven Heath told the woman welfare scammers 'deplete the pool' of taxpayer money for people who genuinely need help. The woman's lawyer told the court she knew what she was doing was wrong but was under severe stress because of an abusive relationship. Mr Heath said a prison sentence was appropriate and jailed her for 10 months, with a non parole period of five months. She is paying back the debt at $90 a fortnight. (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, JANUARY 14 - Tunisia is celebrating a national day for the eighth anniversary of the revolution that on January 14 led to the ouster of then-president Ben Ali. Official ceremonies have been scheduled to commemorate the popular uprising that started the so-called Arab spring. The center of the capital will set the stage for various demonstrations, including the most important by the Ugtt (General union of Tunisian workers) trade union, a few days ahead of a general strike in the public sector scheduled on January 17 and by Islamic party Ennhadha, which urged members to march on Avenue Bourguiba. Eight years after those tumultuous days, Tunisia remains the only country among those affected by protests to obtain more freedom and dignity to have gone through a democratic transition, although it has the same problems to solve. The first is youth unemployment and the lack of development in marginalized areas, weak economic growth, corruption, the fall of purchasing power due to the progressive weakening of the national currency. In addition, a political stalemate is caused by constant infighting and tension between representatives of the main political parties who seem more keen on garnering support ahead of legislative and presidential elections scheduled at the end of the year than in dealing with the real problems confronting the population. Aware of the lack of attention towards the problems faced by youths, Premier Youssef Chahed has announced on Monday a working meeting with the secretary of State for youth policies, Abdelkoddous Saadaoui, and a group of some 30 representatives of youth associations to talk about a national strategy in their favor which has been discussed for several months by the government. (ANSAmed). Several people familiar with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's plans say the New York Democrat is expected to take steps toward launching a presidential campaign in the coming days by forming an exploratory committee. One person says Gillibrand will likely announce her intentions ahead of a trip to Iowa this weekend. She will be a guest Tuesday night on CBS' 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak on Gillibrand's timing. Gillibrand's representatives didn't comment Monday on her plans. Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate in 2009 to succeed Hillary Clinton, who became secretary of state. She easily won re-election in November and has $10.6 million in her campaign fund, which can be used to jump-start a presidential bid. Her move comes as, after months of speculation and secrecy, the 2020 presidential primary season is about to explode. With several Democrats already in the race, a half dozen more are locking down final travel, staffing and strategy to launch White House bids in the coming weeks. Looks like a runner: Kirsten Gillibrand, the junior senator from New York, could announce as early as this week that she is mounting a White House run Joining up: Cory Booker, the junior New Jersey senator, and Kamala Harris, the junior California senator, are both expected to announce White House runs soon While plans may change, the announcements are expected to come in waves, the first featuring a group of ambitious Senate Democrats including Gillibrand, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who face pressure to join the race after Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's entrance two weeks ago. The second wave will likely feature political heavyweights like former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg and former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, whose advisers believe they have sufficient financial backing and name recognition to join the crowded field on their terms later in the first quarter should they decide to run. 'It is really starting to heat up,' said Deidre DeJear, who lost her bid for Iowa secretary of state last fall, but remains an influential figure in the state's first-in-the-nation Democratic caucuses. She was among a group of Iowa Democratic women who sat down with Warren last week in suburban Des Moines. 'I feel like Warren put people in a place as if to say 'come on, step up,'' DeJear said in a subsequent interview. 'If you're in it, you're in it. No reason to wait now.' Interviews with senior aides for several top Democratic prospects, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning, indicate the waiting game is almost over. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who left office last week, added foreign policy adviser Jeremy Rosner, finance director Dan Sorenson and a senior communications adviser Marie Logsden to his political action committee in recent days, according to an aide. Hickenlooper is traveling to Los Angeles this week to meet with donors and has scheduled visits to early voting states later in the month. The 66-year-old term-limited governor and former businessman, who remains largely unknown to many primary voters, does not plan to launch his campaign before March. Sanders, the lone 2020 prospect who ran in 2016, has interviewed close to 20 people to fill senior positions such as campaign manager and directors of policy, communications and his field program. A senior aide said the hiring process has been particularly focused on adding diversity - in both gender and race - that didn't exist in his last presidential campaign. The aide said allegations of sexual harassment between Sanders' former campaign staff had no impact on the timeline of an announcement, which is not expected before the end of the month. Despite his challenges, Sanders is sitting on a war chest of roughly $15 million and an active nationwide network. In a show of early force, liberal activists hosted hundreds of house parties across the nation on Saturday to cheer on a second Sanders run. Meanwhile, O'Rourke, 46, is taking steps toward a run, but an aide said he's not expected to announce until next month at the earliest. However, he's traveling outside Texas to introduce himself to voters in the coming weeks. Oprah is scheduled to interview him in New York City next month. The first states on the primary calendar are not on O'Rourke's immediate itinerary, but that's not stopping supporters in Iowa and South Carolina from launching draft efforts. A leader of South Carolina's 'Draft Beto' movement, former Democratic National Committee member Boyd Brown, said he's having conversations with Democratic donors, local officials and potential staffers, to help stave off commitments to other candidates as the field starts to take shape. Is he in? Beto O'Rourke, who ran Ted Cruz into the margin of error in Texas but was still defeated, is at the center of widespread speculation What about Bernie: The socialist who took on Hillary Clinton has been hit by revelations of sexual harassment claims inside his 2016 campaign but could still run 'We might be taking a shot in the dark, but we're building an apparatus that we can hand off to an actual campaign should he run,' Brown said in an interview. 'We're treating this like a presidential campaign until told otherwise.' A more seasoned political star, Biden remains silent about his plans. The 76-year-old Democrat has done little to build teams on the ground in key states, instead sticking to the schedule of huddling with aides while he moves closer to a decision. While it may seem early, the sheer size of the likely field makes it difficult for some candidates to wait much longer. Upward of two dozen high-profile Democrats could run for a chance to deny President Donald Trump a second term. The first Democratic primary debate will take place in June, while the first primary contest is likely a year away. With a field this big, there's only so many donors and top staffers to go around. 'At this point the cycle, it's a race for money and talent, and unless your name is Joe Biden or Beto O'Rourke, you've gotta get in soon if you want attract either one of those things,' said former Obama strategist Stephanie Cutter, who has been offering advice to some contenders. Gillibrand, 52, joins some of her Senate colleagues on a more aggressive timeline. She's already identified a likely location for a campaign headquarters, added staff and planned trips to key states. The Democratic senator is eying a headquarters in Troy, New York, a small upstate city on the Hudson River. Gillibrand, who has made headlines with her work against sexual violence - and occasional profanity in public speeches - is scheduled to make her Iowa debut this weekend. Booker is expected to run his campaign from Newark, where he lives and served as mayor. The 49-year-old Democrat has identified a likely campaign manager, Addisu Demissee. The Democratic operative previously managed Booker's special election campaign in 2013 and subsequently worked for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and most recently led California Gov. Gavin Newsome's successful gubernatorial bid. Like Gillibrand and Booker, Harris is expected to join the race in the coming weeks. The first-term senator and former California attorney general has broadened her national profile in recent days by launching a tour to promote her book, 'The Truths We Hold.' Like her would-be competitors, the 54-year-old Democrat has not publicly committed to running, but she has said repeatedly that the country needs a leader who 'provides a vision of the future of the country in which everyone can see themselves.' A handful of lesser-known candidates have already entered the race. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, 37, announced her intention to run in a CNN interview that aired on Saturday. That same day, former Obama housing chief Julian Castro formally kicked off his campaign Saturday in his San Antonio hometown. Not to be forgotten, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are openly considering joining the 2020 contest, although neither is as far along in preparations as their potential rivals. Meanwhile, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to make his first New Hampshire appearance next week. He talked up his liberal record and willingness to take on Trump during a weekend appearance in Nevada. 'He cannot stop us,' Inslee said of the president. 'He has not stopped me, either.' President Donald Trump said Monday that the immigration overhaul he envisions will make it 'easier' for illegal immigrants working on farms to stay in the United States. Trump has primarily spoken about making entry into the U.S. merit-based but claimed in a speech to the agriculture industry today that he would take care of their workers, too. 'When we have proper security, people aren't going to come, except for the people we want to come, because we want to take people in to help our farmers. We're gonna make that actually easier for them to help the farmers, because you need these people,' he said. Repeating himself Trump pledged: 'I'm gonna make that easier for them to come in and work the farms.' The president said the intent of his border wall is to keep out criminal immigrants and suspected terrorists. 'We're keeping the wrong ones out. We don't want the wrong ones coming into our country. And for that, it's going to be almost impossible to get in,' he stated. President Donald Trump said Monday that the immigration overhaul he envisions will make it 'easier' for illegal immigrants working on farms to stay in the United States. 'But the people that work the farms, that have been here, that have gone through this very short but good process that they're gonna help our country, it's gonna be easier for them to get in than what they have to go through now so just remember that.' Surveys have shown that roughly half of farm workers are illegal immigrants. In the West, the number is even higher. Some farmers are bringing in seasonal guest workers on H-2A visas, 74,859 annually as of 2013 estimate provided by the Economic Policy Institute, but would prefer not to because of the associated costs for lodging, transportation, meals and other requirements. Trump appeared to be promoting reforms to that specific visa category. USDA announced last May in a joint statement with Labor, State and Homeland Security that the agencies were 'working in coordination to propose streamlining, simplifying and improving the H-2A temporary agriculture visa program - reducing cumbersome bureaucracy and ensuring adequate protections for U.S. workers.' They proposed a rule change that they hope to put in place in time for the 2020 growing season. Another presidential election that could elevate Democrats and push Trump out of the White House is also on the horizon in 2020. The president claimed Monday at an agricultural conference in Louisiana that the opposing party is opposing his proposed immigration measures, because they want to have the high ground. 'They think it's a good thing for 2020, cause they're not gonna win,' he said. 'They think if they can stop me from building the wall this is the reason why they don't want the wall built. Because they all know it works.' Trump again declared in his speech that a physical barrier is more effective than drones or sensors on their owns to achieving that goal. 'There is no substitute for a wall or physical barrier. There is no substitute,' he said. Alluding to the partial government shutdown, the president said he would 'never back down' from his pursuit of safety for the American people. He's demanding billions for a border wall and refusing to reopen the government until he gets it. Trump on Monday slapped down a proposal from Sen. Lindsey Graham, a key Republican confidant, to reopen the federal government for three weeks while he negotiates with congressional Democrats over funding for his long-promised border wall. 'That was a suggestion that Lindsey made, but I did reject it,' Trump told reporters as he left the snow-swept White House for his speech to farmers in New Orleans. About one-quarter of the federal budget has been on pause since December 21 in the longest-ever shutdown as the White House tangles with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over how to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. 'I'm not interested,' Trump said of a temporary pause. 'I want to get it solved. I don't want to just delay it. I want to get it solved.' President Donald Trump has rejected the idea of reopening the government for three weeks while negotiations continue over funding for his border wall Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a key Trump confidant, proposed the idea over the weekend as a good-faith gesture to bring Democrats back to the table The president hasn't taken his foot off the gas pedal, bashing Democrats for leaving Washington while government employees wait to find out when their paychecks will return. 'Ive been here all weekend,' he groused. 'A lot of Democrats are in Puerto Rico, celebrating something, I dont know. Maybe theyre celebrating the shutdown.' And he didn't express any confidence that the shutdown's days are numbered, although he described Republicans as 'rock solid' and claimed of Democrats that 'many of them are calling and many of them are breaking. 'I don't know if we're close on a deal,' Trump said. 'This should be the easiest deal that I've ever seen. We're talking about border security. Who could be against it?' 'We're talking about drugs pouring in, human traffickers tying up women, putting tape on their mouths, and pouring into our country. We can't have that. We can't have that. We have drugs, we have criminals, we have gangs. And the Democrats don't want to do anything about it.' Trump has said he won't sign a budget that would reopen the government unless it includes $5.7 billion in new spending to complete portions of his border barrier. With Pelosi and Schumer standing in his way, a remaining option is for the president to declare a national emergency and use existing Defense Department funds, tasking the Army Corps of Engineers to serve as his border wall's general contractor. Trump has resisted the temptation, and appeared no closer on Monday to taking that tempting off-ramp from the crisis. 'I'm not looking to call a national emergency. This is so simple, you shouldn't have to,' he said. 'Now, I have the absolute legal right to call it, but I'm not looking to do that. Trump claimed that Democrats 'are stopping us, and they're stopping a lot of great people from getting paid.' 'All they have to do is say, "We want border security." That automatically means a wall or a barrier.' A mother is being tortured by a rare brain condition that has left her hearing so sensitive she can hear her own heartbeat and the sound of her eyeballs moving. The rare ailment causes a hole between her brain and her inner ear, meaning she is forced to listen to the sounds 24 hours a day. Pam Roberts, 49, from Maidstone, Kent, said: 'The most difficult thing for me is hearing my voice all the time like a broken kazoo I can't ever escape it. Pam suffers from Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD), which means she is constantly haunted by the sound of her own body. Pictured in hospital after treatment 'There are really bad days where I don't answer the phone because I cannot bear to talk and have to listen to it.' The mother of two suffers from Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) an opening in the bone that covers part of the inner ear affecting hearing and balance. 'I have to have background noise on all the time to distract me from the sounds,' she said. 'It affects you mentally and makes you so depressed I am a shell of my former self.' Pam underwent surgery (left and right) which failed to correct her Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence A scan of Pam's left inner ear canal showing the Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Although the cause is unknown, the condition can be present from birth; the average age for diagnosis is 45. It affects only 1 per cent of the population and Miss Roberts has spoken with just ten people who have the syndrome, via online forums. She was diagnosed in 2015 and her partner Martyn Smith said the family have since been 'torn apart by her condition'. The 41-year-old X-ray engineer said: 'Pam has become a recluse seeking refuge in the house very different from the old Pam. 'All day she hears the insides of her body her eyeballs moving, her footsteps, her own voice too loud inside her head and her breathing.' She was diagnosed in 2015 and her partner Martyn Smith said the family have since been 'torn apart by her condition' The 'fun-loving' mum has become a shell of her former self because she is tortured by the sound of her eyeballs moving The couple have two children Bethany, six and Bobbie, two and Miss Roberts was battling her condition during her second pregnancy. She said: 'The children just want to play and they scream when they are naturally excited, as children do, but it's so painful for me.' She had surgery in Britain last year when she was told by doctors they would resolve the problem but it only made her symptoms worse. Mr Smith has launched a fundraising page to raise 5,500 to fly her to the US for tests and surgery. He said: 'There is no real knowledge of this condition in the UK. Pam's only option to get her life back is brain surgery craniotomy with an SSCD expert in the US.' For 200 years, the Conservatives have been the most successful party in British politics. Indeed, they have not just been the biggest political success story in Britain. They've been the most successful political party in the world. Through most of that time, I profoundly believe, the Tories have been a force for good. They have been the party of pragmatism, decency, moderation and common sense. At times of national crisis such as the Second World War they have made a habit of rising to the occasion. That said, this morning the Tory Party faces one of the greatest crises in its history. It's split as never before ahead of the vote on Theresa May's deal this evening. There are three factions: the Remainers who want Britain to stay part of the European Union; the No-Dealers (or so called Hard Brexiteers) who can't wait for Britain to sever our ties with the EU, even if it means leaving without a deal; and the backers of the compromise deal Mrs May thrashed out with the EU late last year. Theresa May (pictured delivering a speech in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday) faces defeat in the House of Commons on Tuesday as MPs vote on her Brexit withdrawal agreement The bad blood in the febrile House of Commons is intense. But as someone with close friends in all three camps, I hope I am in a position to step back and examine the bigger picture in terms of what this week's events could mean for the future of the party. For me, passionate Brexiteers such as John Redwood and Jacob Rees-Mogg are decent and honorable men. They are utterly committed to a vision of a sovereign Britain which they have fought all their life to achieve. I cannot condemn them for fighting for their cause, all the more so. Likewise, I refuse to condemn the Remainers. Dominic Grieve is a politician of high principle who is utterly committed to the cause of parliamentary sovereignty. Ken Clarke, meanwhile, is one of the great principled parliamentarians of his own or any other generation. Caught between these opposite factions is Theresa May, whose courage and stoicism remain admirable in her battle to take Britain through Brexit. But the fact is that the Prime Minister, and the party she leads, are both on the edge of an abyss. If, as seems likely, her Withdrawal Agreement is rejected tonight, and perhaps defeated again at the second time of asking in the near future, there will be havoc. As Brexiteers sought to take Britain out of the European Union without a deal, Remainer Tories would ally with Labour MPs to stop that happening. It seems increasingly possible that opponents of Brexit may get their way and prevent us leaving the EU all together. If that is allowed to happen, millions of Tory supporters who voted Brexit will feel such a profound sense of betrayal that they may simple not vote Conservative again. The party will become unelectable. Such would be the lingering schisms that the Tories could end up virtually extinct as a political force. However, whichever way Parliament votes, don't think for a single second the deep Conservative divisions will go away. Remember that tonight's vote is simply on the terms of our withdrawal from the European Union. Huge rows in the future await over the exact nature of our future trading relations with Europe. Crucially, the majority of Tory members in the country are bitterly opposed to Mrs May's deal. And it is they who decide the next Tory leader. Even if a badly damaged Mrs May wins through tonight, they may not forgive her for long. They will want someone they see as a genuine Brexiteer to take Britain forward into the next stage of negotiations. And remember, too, that many former Ukippers have joined the Tories with the intention of turning the Conservatives into the anti-Europe party. Only twice in its history has the Conservative Party faced divisions as profound as today's. Both times it was over trade and tariffs the same issues which lie at the heart of the European Union question. Conservative MPs John Redwood (left) and Jacob Rees-Mogg (right) are both expected to vote against Theresa May's Brexit deal in the Commons division on Tuesday The first was the Corn Laws crisis of the 1840s, when a young Benjamin Disraeli led opposition on behalf of farmers against Prime Minister Robert Peel's plan to end protectionism. The result was a decade of Tory opposition. The second came before the First World War when the party split wide open over proposals for tariffs on trade from outside the British empire. The party was out of power for two decades that time. Now, there is a real danger that could happen all over again. In my judgment, the crisis over our departure from the European Union is even worse that the Corn Laws crisis, or the tariff controversy at the start of the 20th century. The Conservative Party is in deep, deep trouble whichever way MPs vote. The Tories own Brexit. The party had been fighting a European civil war for three decades before David Cameron called his EU referendum. Then Mrs May became Prime Minister promising to deliver Brexit. She made mistakes, and she's broken promises she assured MPs at a meeting of the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers as recently as December 12 that she would deliver legally binding changes to the Northern Irish backstop. That hasn't happened and this failure to deliver is the reason she's in bad trouble tonight. The Tories promised to deliver Brexit. If they turn their back on Mrs May's deal tonight, many voters will never forgive them. TV reporter Meaghan Mackey was physically attacked while she was delivering a Facebook Live broadcast while reporting from the scene of a mass overdose in Chico, California. Mackey, a KRCR-TV reporter, was in the area of Chico where she was updating viewers on the mass overdose inside of a home on Saturday night, when a female approached her off camera during the live broadcast. The unidentified female told Mackey, 'This is disrespectful, do you understand that? Do you understand that?' The woman then begins screaming at her 'Its disrepectful b**** get the f*** out of here!,' then screeching voices are heard as the woman allegedly attacks Mackey. KRCR-TV reporter Meaghan Mackey was live-streaming a report on Facebook Live while on the scene of a mass overdose inside a home in Chico, California As she was delivering her report, a woman confronts her off camera telling her she is being 'disrespectful' The camera starts shaking as Mackey was allegedly attacked by the unidentified woman Mackey tweeted Sunday, saying she is shaken, and thanked everyone for their support Mackey said despite the incident, she still plans on continuing to work and report on tragedies in her community Mackey's camera drops to the ground and the two women can be heard screaming as they struggle. A male's voice in the background is then heard saying 'Hey! Stop that!' Police say people in the home suffered from a 'mass overdose' of the synthetic opioid fentanyl which left one man dead and 14 more hospitalized. Of those, two were discharged and seven were in good condition by Monday. In a series of tweets after the attack, Mackey said she was a little shaken up but vowed to continue covering her community. 'As many of you know, I was attacked and assaulted at the scene of a mass overdose in Chico, California last night. I was doing my job, reporting the facts on a major incident during a Facebook live for my news station,' she shared. 'I am thankful for the quick response from law enforcement,' she added. Mackey concluded saying she will press on with her journalism: 'I will not live in fear of doing my job. I value the freedom of the press & will continue to report on the truth and inform the public, even during times of tragedy.' During a press conference earlier in the day Chico Police Chief Michael O'Brien said 'Upon arrival, Chico police officers found multiple individuals in what appeared to be life-threatening overdose conditions. ''Every indication - talking to medical staff, talking to doctors - everything is consistent with a fentanyl or fentanyl similar-type overdose.' O'Brien said police performed CPR and administered six doses of naloxone, which is used to treat and reverse the effects of narcotic overdoses. A 'mass overdose' of the synthetic opioid fentanyl at a house in Chico, California, has left one man dead and 12 more hospitalized The first two responding officers were taken to the hospital after the began feeling ill; they were treated and released later that day An adult male was pronounced dead at the scene while 14 others - between ages 19 and 30 - were transported to Enloe Medical Center. Officers obtained a search warrant of the house, which is currently being treated as a 'hazmat site'. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine. According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, 68 percent of fentanyl and precursors used to make the drug originate in China These factory-produced drugs are cheap and easy to make, are sold either directly to the US or via trafficking networks set up in Mexico. O'Brien says Chico officers began carrying naloxone in 2018 but, until recently, it has been used to reverse heroin overdoses. He says he is concerned that fentanyl may become a problem in Chico. 'We were waiting, and have been waiting unfortunately, for this to happen in the sense that we knew fentanyl had been moving west,' O'Brien said. 'That is changing unfortunately, and now we've had this mass casualty incident... likely to have been cause by fentanyl. Few of you will have been to a bullfight, I suspect. You haven't missed much. My late uncle, who lived in Spain, took me to a corrida a few times and for all the stuff about Iberian culture, I used to find the shows predictable. The bull was always going to lose. It would arrive in the ring snorting, kicking its heels. We'd be invited by the brass band to admire the magnificence of the beast. Yet for me the closing moments of each bout were when the beast displayed even greater nobility, for that was when it had been much speared, blood streaming down its flanks, mucus spilling from its nose. All was lost, and its bovine brain must have registered that, but the bull would go on throwing its head, still charging, still doing its thing. It knew it was doomed but it refused to stop fighting. In the Commons yesterday the Prime Minister (pictured) hailed 'assurances' from Brussels saying they showed the UK would not be trapped in the Irish border backstop Jeremy Corbyn (pictured leaving home on Monday) has ordered his side to vote against the del and said his party would not be 'held to ransom' by warnings of no-deal chaos Theresa May had something of that yesterday. Some 27 hours before the vote on her EU Withdrawal deal, she came to the House to make a Statement about letters she had received from Brussels offering alleged assurances. Everyone was sure her deal was a goner. Yet still she threw herself into the task. Still she tried. When she entered the Chamber at 4.13pm, the Tory benches were only half full. Cabinet ministers dribbled in to sit on the front bench but they did so without much indignation on her behalf. What gutless weaklings. The odd thing is that Boris Johnson and David Davis and other Brexiteers used to be far more of a support to her than these sponge-palmed dullards. Brokenshire, Bradley, Hinds, Mundell you wouldn't want them in the House 3rd XV scrum. It is Mrs May's fault, alas. She chose the wetlings. Standing at the despatch box for how many more times? she summoned her energies one more time to trudge, politely, through the spiel: A future trading deal could be agreed swiftly, the EU liked the backstop no better than we did, this was 'the best deal' available, etc. To stop Brexit, as Labour and Tory Remainers wish to do, would be, she said, 'a subversion of our democracy'. That won her the biggest hear-hears of the day. Most of the cheers came from the proper Tories (ie, those who sit beyond the gangway) but a few came from the Labour side. Jeremy Corbyn left little impact. 'The Government is in disarray,' he yelled. 'So are you,' shouted Simon Hoare, a Tory heckler. Mr Hoare's repartee is pretty juvenile but he and Corbyn deserved one another yesterday. Kenneth Clarke (Con, Rushcliffe) said the PM was caught between 'hardline Brexiteers' and 'hardline Remainers'. A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson (pictured giving an interview in London on Monday) have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal Few have been such zealots for a cause as Mr Clarke has been in his career for the undemocratic Europe. Sir Vince Cable, Lib Dem leader, tried to create political room by claiming that Mrs May and Mr Corbyn were 'essentially two peas in a pod' (ie, they both wanted us to leave the EU). 'Definitely not!' said Mrs May, with a ghost of a smile. Ed Miliband, talking of ghosts, claimed that the Government was 'a servant of this House'. Mrs May replied that 'the Government is a servant of the people'. This is an increasingly vital distinction. Today's parliamentary class regards voters with contempt. A large belt of the population wants us to leave the EU with no deal, yet hardly anyone in this Commons, save for a few Tory Brexiteers, reflects that view. Nigel Dodds of the DUP said the letters from Brussels had 'changed nothing'. Various Remainers wanted Mrs May to delay Brexit. Windy Labour Europhile Barry Sheerman: 'Why should we rush it?' Rush it? By March 29 it will have been almost three years since the people spoke. Yet still our elite has its fingers in its ears. Sir David Natzler, the Commons Clerk who was treated so contemptuously last week by the odious Bercow, was not in his place. Don't blame him. A teenager attacked by a shark while swimming in waist deep water at a popular beach has revealed how she raced to the shore with flesh peeling off her foot before collapsing while desperately looking for help. Isabella Brett-Jensen was at Perth's North Cottesloe beach on Monday morning when trouble struck just seconds after entering the water. The 15-year-old said she felt something latch on to her but managed to shake it off and race from the water. She then noticed a trail of blood and flesh falling from her foot when she realised something sinister was responsible. Scroll down for video Isabella Brett-Jensen (pictured) was bitten by a shark while swimming at Perth's North Cottesloe beach on Monday morning The 15-year-old suffered deep cuts to her left foot and and ankle and required several stitches (pictured) 'I was trying to wriggle it out and then I realised there was something actually suckling on my foot,' she told Nine News. 'Bits of my foot or like flesh actually fell off as I was walking up. There was blood everywhere.' Isabella initially thought a sharp rock had been dumped on to her foot, but quickly realised she had been attacked. 'It wasn't until I got up on to the sand that I saw it was a bite mark with a round sphere bite,' she told Seven News. Isabella collapsed on the sand as blood gushed from her deep wounds. As she was at an unpatrolled beach, a frantic call was made to relatives, who rushed her to Claremont Medical Centre for treatment. Isabella, who was taken to the Claremont Medical Centre for treatment, said 'I'm still a bit shook from it, it's been a bit of a tiring day' She suffered deep cuts to her left foot and ankle and required seven stitches. Doctors who treated her wound believe Isabella was attacked by a wobbegong shark. Isabella said she was left shaken by the incident but will be back in the water soon. An 18-year-old college student from California has died after attending a UC Irvine fraternity party over the weekend, leading to the frat's interim suspension. The parents of Noah Caleb Domingo, 18, of La Crescenta, California, said that they were notified of their son's death via a phone call on Saturday morning, according to KTLA. Noah's father, Dale Domingo, said that he didn't know how Noah a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at UC Irvine had died, but believed his son had attended a 'big brother/little brother' rush week party at SAE on Friday night. Noah Caleb Domingo, 18, was found dead in an off-campus housing the morning after he attended a Sigma Alpha Epsilon rush week party, his father said Last week was SAE's winter rush week, which culminated with an invite-only event on Friday night. Noah apparently indicated that he was interested in the event, according to reports. Police said that they received a call that Noah was 'unresponsive' at an off-campus home and was found dead at about 9.40am on Saturday. It's believed that he died about six hours beforehand, according to the Sacramento Bee. Police said that there will be an autopsy, according to the Los Angeles Times. Police area also said to be waiting for his toxicology reports. University officials declined to release details of what happened to Noah due to the active police investigation into his death. Noah (pictured with dad Dale Domingo) was a member of the fraternity. Authorities said that they will be conducting an autopsy and are awaiting toxicology results UC Irvine (pictured) officials said that SAE has been suspended and that it must cease all activities while the police investigation is ongoing However, the university did say that SAE had been put on an interim suspension and, consequently, must stop all activities while the investigation is ongoing. A UC Irvine official said that the school intends to 'examine the larger context' surrounding Noah's death and will be working with campus fraternities and sororities 'to help ensure they are engaging in behaviors and practices that are in alignment with university policies and their own values.' SAE's chief executive officer, Mike Sophir, said in a statement obtained by the LA Times, that the fraternity is 'heartbroken by the death of our UCI brother, Noah Domingo. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and we appreciate the support the university and its staff have provided to students in this difficult time.' Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who announced she is exploring a bid for president, worked for her father's anti-gay organization in the early 2000s - a group that likened same-sex marriage to incest, pedophilia, and bestiality. Mike Gabbard, a prominent anti-gay activist in Hawaii who now serves in the state Senate, established The Alliance for Traditional Marriage, which supported gay conversion therapy and referred to homosexuality as 'unhealthy, abnormal behavior that should not be promoted or accepted in society.' The revelations, which prompted an apology from her over the weekend, could be problematic to her presidential ambitions given the heavy support for LBGT rights in the Democratic Party. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard worked for her father's anti-gay organization in early 2000s A young Tulsi Gabbard appeared in an ad for the group in the late 1990s that opposed gay marriage An ad from the group resurfaced over the weekend, featuring the Gabbard family - including a teenage Tulsi - opposing gay marriage in the late 1990s. 'Each of us has the right to marry but we don't have the absolute right to marry anyone we want. For example, I'm not allowed to marry my daughter or my son,' Mike Gabbard says in the video. 'I can't marry my sister or my brother,' a young Tulsi Gabbard notes. 'And I can't marry my dog,' chimed in another person featured in the ad. The group spent more than $100,000 in 1998 to pass an amendment that gave the Hawaii state legislature power to 'reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.' The amendment to the state's constitution passed, CNN reported. Gabbard's record on the issue also came in the spotlight with the ad's revelation. In 2004, when she was in the Hawaii state house, she testified in opposition to a civil unions bill. 'To try to act as if there is a difference between 'civil unions' and same-sex marriage is dishonest, cowardly and extremely disrespectful to the people of Hawaii,' she said at the time. 'As Democrats we should be representing the views of the people, not a small number of homosexual extremists.' Her father Mike Gabbard established The Alliance for Traditional Marriage, which supported gay conversion therapy As reports of her anti-LGBTQ positions surfaced over the weekend, Gabbard offered an apology to CNN: 'Let me say I regret the positions I took in the past, and the things I said. I'm grateful for those in the LGBTQ+ community who have shared their aloha with me throughout my personal journey.' Her position has shifted over time. In 2013, she signed an amicus brief supporting Edith Windsor's challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act. In 2012, when running for her first term in Congress, Gabbard also apologized for her past opposition to gay rights: 'I want to apologize for statements that I have made in the past that have been very divisive and even disrespectful to those within the LGBT community. 'I know that those comments have been hurtful and I sincerely offer my apology to you and hope that you will accept it.' Gabbard was seen as a rising star when she first came to Congress in 2013. She had been the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii state house when she won there at the age of 21 and served in the Hawaii National Guard. But she butted heads with party leadership in the 2016 campaign, when she criticized the Democratic National Committee for its decision to only hold six primary debates. She resigned as vice chair of the DNC so she could endorse Bernie Sanders. A New York nanny who tried to kill her employer's infant son by shoving a baby wipe down his throat has sobbed in court and professed her innocence before being sentenced to 15 years in prison. Marianne Benjamin-Williams, 47, was sentenced on Monday for the attempted murder and strangulation of two-month-old Maxwell Bluetreich in May 2017. Benjamin-Williams, who was found guilty by a jury last month, shoved the baby wipe down the boy's throat and left him gasping for air while she was caring for him in his family's Manhattan apartment. Doctors were able to save Maxwell and removed a 'balled-up baby wipe' from his throat after first responders found him bleeding from the mouth and struggling for air. Marianne Benjamin-Williams, 47, sobbed in a New York court on Monday as she was sentenced for the attempted murder and strangulation of two-month-old Maxwell Bluetreich in May 2017 Officials said the wipe was stuck so far down the boy's throat it wasn't visible at first. The nanny's lawyers suggested that the wipe may have been inhaled by the baby, or inserted into his mouth by his 14-month-old sister. Prosecutors claimed that Benjamin-Williams tried to choke the baby because she was frustrated with his fussiness and was unhappy with what the child's parents, Dr Salomon Blutreich and Meredith Sondler-Bazar, were paying her. 'Marianne Benjamin-Williams sealed her own fate when she attempted to murder the two-month-old child left in her care in such a violent, gruesome manner,' Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. said following her sentencing. 'But this defendant's penchant for lying first, to the family as she tried to gain employment and, then, on the witness stand as she blamed the victim's infant sister only made matters worse, exacerbating the details of this horrific case. Benjamin-Williams shoved the baby wipe down Maxwell's throat and left him gasping for air while she was caring for him and his 14-month-old sister in his family's Manhattan apartment Doctors said the wipe was stuck so far down the boy's throat it wasn't visible at first. They managed to retrieve the bloodied and balled-up baby wipe (pictured above) from his throat Doctors were able to save Maxwell and removed a 'balled-up baby wipe' (pictured) from his throat after first responders found him bleeding from the mouth and struggling for air 'Her crime continues to haunt the family and has left an indelible mark on their now-two-year-old son's life. I would like to thank my office's prosecutors for securing a significant jail sentence in this case and for ensuring that no other family suffers at the hands of this defendant.' Benjamin-Williams had previously insisted that she did all she could to save the boy after he threw up during a feed and began making wheezing noises. 'I said, 'Maxy, stay with me!' she said she told the baby. The nanny told the court during her trial that she called Maxwell's mother and asked her to call 911 so that she could focus her attention on the baby because she feared he was near death. She said she poured water on the baby's face and slapped him in an attempt to revive him. She was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder, assault, strangulation, criminal possession of a forged instrument and endangering the welfare of a child Benjamin-Williams claimed she performed the Heimlich maneuver for babies by slapping the two-month-old on his back and then put her finger in his month to check for any foreign objects obstructing his airway. She claimed that the deep scratches later discovered by doctors in the child's mouth, which caused heavy bleeding and required stitches, were from her fingernails. The prosecution argued that the injuries to Maxwell's tongue were inflicted by a hard object the nanny allegedly wielded to shove the wet wipe down the baby's throat. I never tried to kill Maxy. I never harmed Maxy, she said during her testimony. 'I used to look forward to going to work.' She was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder, assault, strangulation, criminal possession of a forged instrument and endangering the welfare of a child. Lebanon: tension with Libya over Arab Forum Beirut Tripoli's delegation not invited at the meeting (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 14 - Diplomatic tension is high between Lebanon and Libya after Lebanese authorities rejected the presence of the Libyan delegation at the next Economic Arab Forum scheduled in Beirut on January 19-20. The disappearance in Libya in 1978 of Lebanese Shiite imam Musa Sadr is an unresolved issue. The late ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has repeatedly been accused of being behind his death. Libyan authorities said yesterday they would not be sending a delegation to Beirut to prevent Libyan representatives from being ''offended'' and so as not to endanger their security. The president of Lebanon's Parliament, Nabih Berri, protested against Libya's invite at the forum. Berri is also the leader of Shiite movement Amal, founded by Musa Sadr. As Sadr's political heir, Berri has for years forcefully opposed the normalization of diplomatic relations between Beirut and Tripoli. Amal's followers yesterday removed the Libyan flag from the headquarters of the Arab Forum in downtown Beirut and threatened to block the road connecting the capital to the international airport where the Arab delegations invited to attend the inter-Arab forum will land. (ANSAmed). Porn star Stormy Daniels sued several Columbus police officers Monday for $2 million over her arrest at a strip club last summer, an incident that sparked criticism of the law used to arrest her and led to other lawsuits against the city. Daniels' federal defamation lawsuit alleges that officers conspired to retaliate against the actress because of her claims she had sex with Donald Trump before he became president. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was arrested in July on suspicion of inappropriately touching a female undercover officer. Two other club employees also were arrested. Stormy Daniels has sued the Columbus police department for $2 million over her arrest at a strip club last summer. The federal defamation lawsuit alleges officers conspired to retaliate against Daniels for her affair allegations concerning Donald Trump Prosecutors dropped charges against Daniels hours later, saying the law cited in her arrest applied only to those who regularly performed at the club. The four officers named in the lawsuit were Trump supporters who saw an opportunity to defame Daniels after they learned she planned to perform at Sirens men's club, according to the lawsuit, filed by Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, a frequent Trump critic who at one time considered running for president. The officers 'believed that Ms. Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding President Trump,' according to the lawsuit. Officers also believed arresting Daniels would damage her credibility in any future remarks she made about the president, the lawsuit said. Daniels claims in her suit that officers believed arresting her would damage her credibility in any future remarks she made about the president. Charges were dropped hours after her arrest, and this mugshot The police department declined comment while an internal investigation of the city vice squad continues. The 10-year-old law used to arrest Daniels states that dancers at 'sexually oriented' businesses are prohibited from touching customers and vice versa. Last year, City Attorney Zach Klein called the law 'glaringly inequitable' because its applicability depends on how regularly the employee performs and should not be enforced. He also said employees who touch police are not in violation because on-duty public officials are not legally considered patrons. 'We're aware of the lawsuit and are working to determine the best course of action for the city,' Meredith Tucker, a Klein spokeswoman, said Monday. The two dancers arrested with Daniels that night have filed a similar lawsuit. Those arrests and a fatal shooting have led to internal and federal investigations of the city's vice squad. In August, a member of the squad shot and killed a woman in his unmarked car; her family members said she was working as a prostitute in the area. The following month, Police Chief Kim Jacobs suspended the vice squad's street-level duties, and the FBI took over an investigation of the unit at her request. The squad resumed some investigative work late last year. Two detectives involved in the Daniels' arrest and the officer accused of shooting the woman have been relieved of duty. A senior Trump administration official urged the president Monday in an anonymous op-ed to leave shuttered government agencies closed forever. The person said that non-essential agencies that are closed, and their personnel, that are not being paid through the partial federal shutdown should be cut loose. Pushing a philosophical position on big government that is shared by most conservatives in Trump's political party, the unknown author said: 'The lapse in appropriations is more than a battle over a wall. It is an opportunity to strip wasteful government agencies for good.' A senior Trump administration official urged the president Monday in an anonymous op-ed to leave shuttered government agencies closed forever The op-ed writer known only to the outlet that published the piece, The Daily Caller, was said to be a high-ranking official in the Republican president's government working without a paycheck. It was reminiscent of the op-ed in the New York Times last year penned by a senior official who claimed to be working for Trump to keep him from executing policies that would be harmful to the nation. This op-ed was written by someone within the administration who vocally supports the president's agenda and wants him to go further with budget cuts and immigration measures. The author hinted at being a political appointee while chiding career civil servants that the federal government has a hard time firing, even when they break the rules. In the essay, the official estimated that just 15 percent other government employees are 'are exceptional patriots serving their country' who deserve competitive salaries. 'But 80 percent feel no pressure to produce results. If they dont feel like doing what they are told, they dont,' the person wrote. 'Why would they? We cant fire them. They avoid attention, plan their weekend, schedule vacation, their second job, their next position, some do this in the same position for more than a decade.' The Trump administration official claimed that most government workers in question 'do nothing that warrants punishment and nothing of external value' and are weighed down by layers of unnecessary bureaucracy. 'That is their workday: errands for the sake of errands; administering, refining, following and collaborating on process. Process is your friend is what delusional civil servants tell themselves,' the person wrote. For government employees seeking to implement the president's policy priorities, the person claimed their time is often wasted preventing so-called deep state actors from derailing the administration's political agenda. 'Saboteurs peddling opinion as research, tasking their staff on pet projects or pitching wasteful grants to their friends. Most of my career colleagues actively work against the presidents agenda,' the person claimed. 'This means I typically spend about 15 percent of my time on the presidents agenda and 85 percent of my time trying to stop sabotage, and we have no power to get rid of them.' The shutdown relieved the official of those lazy colleagues the person said are working against the president or abusing the system. Because they're deemed non-essential, they have been furloughed until further notice. 'We do not want most employees to return, because we are working better without them,' the person wrote. Noting that the plan to close those agencies forevermore is decried by some, who say that it's 'morally wrong' to strip workers' of guaranteed paychecks, the op-ed writer compared their plight to that of a troubled pet owner mulling end of life care. 'It is tough to put them down and let go, and many resist,' the person wrote. Roughly one-quarter of the federal workforce have had their pay withheld since December 21 in the longest-ever government shutdown as the White House tangles with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over how to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The president hasn't taken his foot off the gas pedal, bashing Democrats for leaving Washington while government employees wait to find out when their paychecks will return. 'Ive been here all weekend,' he groused on Monday. 'A lot of Democrats are in Puerto Rico, celebrating something, I dont know. Maybe theyre celebrating the shutdown.' He didn't express any confidence that the shutdown's days are numbered, although he described Republicans as 'rock solid' and claimed of Democrats that 'many of them are calling and many of them are breaking. 'I don't know if we're close on a deal,' Trump said. 'This should be the easiest deal that I've ever seen. We're talking about border security. Who could be against it?' The senior official writing in The DC urged him to stay the course and advised him to ask more of lawmakers than he had been. 'The president should add to his demands, including a vote on all of his political nominees in the Senate. Send the career appointees back. Many are in the 5 percent of saboteurs and resistance leaders,' the person contended. President Donald Trump has rejected the idea of reopening the government for three weeks while negotiations continue over funding for his border wall on Monday morning The official said the shutdown must reap big benefits for Trump or it will not be considered a victory for him or the Republican Party. 'A word of caution: To be a victory, this shutdown must be different than those of the past and should achieve lasting disruption with two major changes, or it will hurt the president,' the person advised. Only the essential federal workers who are not receiving paychecks should get their money until then, the anonymous official argued. 'Ideally continue a resolution to pay the essential employees only, if they are truly working on national security,' the person said. 'Furloughed employees should find other work, never return and not be paid.' With Pelosi and Schumer standing in his way, a remaining option is for the president to declare a national emergency and use existing Defense Department funds to build his border wall. But Trump has resisted the temptation, and appeared no closer on Monday to taking that tempting off-ramp from the crisis. 'I'm not looking to call a national emergency. This is so simple, you shouldn't have to,' he said. 'Now, I have the absolute legal right to call it, but I'm not looking to do that. Trump claimed that Democrats 'are stopping us, and they're stopping a lot of great people from getting paid,' many of whom he's claimed are members of their political party. The anonymous official said that the crisis on the border is a federal emergency and Trump should follow-through on a related threat to strip nations of foreign aid that are providing the greatest number of illegal immigrants. Even more, he should permanently close United States' government agencies, too, that do not directly protect America's national security, the person said. 'The presidents instincts are right, Most Americans will not miss non-essential government functions. A referendum to end government plunder must happen,' the official wrote. 'Wasteful government agencies are fighting for relevance but they will lose. Now is the time to deliver historic change by cutting them down forever.' Jayme Closs cowered in the bathroom with her mother as Jake Patterson shot her father in the head and then watched in horror as he did the same to her mother minutes after kicking in the flimsy door. Dressed in black from head to toe including a face mask, hat and gloves, Patterson grabbed the terrified teenager, taped her hands and ankles together, covered her mouth with tape and dragged her out of her home to his waiting car. According to Jayme, her abductor then bundled her into the trunk and drove her approximately two hours to the cabin where he would hold her for the next three months. The horrifying details of the Closs murders and Jayme's abduction have emerged for the first time in the criminal complaint filed today ahead of Patterson's first court appearance in Barron County Circuit Court. According to Jayme's account, Patterson took her into the cabin, removed the tape from her mouth, hands and ankles and told her to go into the bathroom and remove all her clothes. He made her put the clothes in which she had been abducted into a bag, making some comment about 'not having evidence.' The details of Jayme Closs' abduction have emerged in the criminal complaint filed today ahead of Jake Patterson's (pictured) first court appearance in Barron, Wisconsin Patterson told cops he decided Jayme was 'the girl he was going to take' after seeing her get on a school bus when it stopped in front of him as he drove to work one day When friends or relatives visited Patterson, he 'made it clear that nobody was to know she was there or bad things would happen to her.' He made her hide under his bed in one corner of his bedroom and stacked totes and laundry bins around the bed with weights stacked against them so she could not move them. On one occasion, according to the documents seen by DailyMail.com, Jayme stated that Patterson got mad and 'hit her really hard on the back with the handle of something he used to clean blinds.' She could not remember what had angered him. Her escape came when he left the cabin and she managed to push the weights away and flee. Patterson has been charged with two counts of first degree homicide, kidnapping and armed burglary. Patterson confessed to cops that he decided that Jayme was 'the girl he was going to take' after a chance sighting of her getting on the school bus when it stopped in front of him as he drove to work. According to Patterson he 'had no idea who Jayme was' when he decided to take her and set about plotting his crime. He bought a black balaclava mask from Walmart and drove to the Closs home twice with the intent to kidnap her but was deterred by cars in the driveway and lights in the house. It was there they found the bodies of Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56, and realized their 13-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found Pictured is the front door of the Closs home. It appears to be covered with plywood and a blanket, and sources say it was kicked in during the home invasion Patterson stole his father's 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun (file photo)- chosen because it was so common and would be hard to trace On the night of October 15, he finally followed through and stole his father's 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun - chosen because it was so common and would be hard to trace. He took six 12-gauge shells because 'he felt the 12 gauge would inflict the most damage on someone and would most likely be the best choice of shell and weapon to kill someone.' As well as the balaclava, he wore two pairs of gloves. He shut off his headlights and coasted to the end of the driveway. As he approached under cover of darkness Patterson saw Jayme's father, James, standing in the large window. Jayme told detectives that she had been woken by her dog Molly barking and noticed somebody coming up the driveway when she went to investigate. She woke her parents and her father 'went to the door to see what was going on.' Patterson claimed that he yelled at James Closs to get on the ground but that he 'kept shining a flashlight and looking outside.' The gunman then approached the front steps, opened the glass storm door and began pounding on the wooden door. As James Closs peered through the decorative glass window, he asked to see Patterson's badge - assuming that he was law enforcement. In that moment, Patterson said, he raised his shotgun, pointed it at James Closs' head and pulled the trigger. James is described in the complaint as having 'significant trauma to his face and head.' Chillingly after he had dragged the shocked teen to his car, bundled her into his car and made his getaway, Patterson recounted 'he yielded to three passing squad cars that were travelling west towards the house with their red and blue emergency lights and sirens on' Jayme was found at the Eau Claire Acres estate near the town of Gordon, which is about 70 miles away from her home in Barron where she was abducted He tried to shoulder open the door behind which James Closs had collapsed but when he couldn't he lowered his shotgun and blasted the doorknob. Once in, he stepped over James Closs' lifeless body and headed to the closed door directly in front of him. He quickly scanned other rooms checking for anybody else. When he found nobody else inside the house, he returned to the closed door where Denise and Jayme were hiding, kicking and shoving the door 10 to 15 times before it burst open. In a terrifying scene he tore the shower curtain down, taking the rod with it and found Denise 'with her arms wrapped around Jayme in a bear hug.' Patterson told Denise to place black duct tape over her daughter's mouth but when she 'struggled to do that' he put down his shotgun, took back the tape and wrapped it around Jayme's mouth and head. He made the teen stand up while he 'took and placed [tape] around her wrists, with her palms together to restrain her hands and arms.' Patterson then taped her ankles, removed her from the tub and, as she stood beside him, he took aim at her mother's head and pulled the trigger. As he dragged Jayme away he told officers he nearly slipped on the blood that had pooled on the floor. The gruesome scene is laid bare as deputies attending the scene told of 'blood and brain splattering on the wall directly behind the wooden entrance door.' Denise had also been shot in the head, 'with the rear backside of her head and skull plate completely removed and lying next to her body in the bathtub.' The image above shows the cabin in rural Wisconsin where Jake Patterson allegedly held 13-year-old Jayme Closs prisoner for nearly three months As Jayme's family prepares to face down Patterson in court, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the squalid basement 'cell' in Patterson's home The image above shows the filthy basement den where authorities believe 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held prisoner by her alleged abductor, Jake Thomas Patterson, 21 Inside the main living room is a half-finished game of Monopoly and a book entitled 'U.S. Armed Forces Survival Guide' This aerial photo shows the cabin where 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held by Jake Thomas Patterson, surrounded by law enforcement vehicles Chillingly, after he had dragged Jayme to his car, he bundled her into his car's trunk and made his getaway. Patterson recounted 'he yielded to three passing squad cars that were travelling west towards the house with their red and blue emergency lights and sirens on.' Asked what he would have done if he he been stopped by police as he made his escape, Patterson said 'he still had the loaded shotgun in the front seat of the car [and] would most likely have shot at the police.' Patterson said 'knew he was going to kill anyone in the house [that night] because..he could not leave any eyewitnesses behind.' He described Jayme as 'scared and crying' when he finally let her out of the trunk. She had urinated herself and so he told her to change into a pair of his sister's pajamas. He then kept her in a space under his bed which is twin-sized and sits approximately 2 1/2 feet off the ground. He said that Jayme had tried to escape his makeshift lair at least twice and when she had done so, he 'struck a wall and screamed a lot to the point where he knew she was scared and she better never try that again.' He believed her to be 'fearful enough not to leave the bedroom without him.' Family members of Jayme Closs' (pictured with her aunt Sue Naiberg Allard) told DailyMail.com they will be in court later today to 'look Jake Patterson in the eye,' as he makes his first appearance in Barron County Circuit Court According to Patterson she did not leave because he had scared her enough with his outburst to the point where she complied. Patterson said he left her alone for 12 hours at Christmas while he visited his grandparents in Superior and when his father visited, he simply turned up the radio to mask any sound she might make. On the day of her escape and his arrest Patterson had told Jayme he was leaving for a few hours. When he got home he discovered she was not under the bed and began a frantic search for her. After a few minutes he returned to his house and when he saw police 'he knew he was caught.' In a bizarrely nonchalant admission Patterson told cops he 'assumed he had gotten away with killing James and Denise and kidnapping Jayme since he hadn't been caught in the first two weeks.' He denied having ever met Jayme either in real life or online and that he only learned her name after the abduction. He claimed he learned her parents' names when he saw the reports of their killings. Patterson told a detective 'he never would have been caught if he would have planned everything correctly.' According to Patterso, Jayme did not leave because he had scared her enough with his outburst to the point where she complied to his wishes Patterson's father wept openly, as the charges against his son were read out in court today and bail set at $5 million. Patterson was not present but appeared via videolink. He sat impassive, dressed in orange prison jumpsuit as the charges were read. His father's shoulders rocked with tears at the sight of him. Asked if he had been appraised of the charges Patterson answered a strong, 'Yes sir.' As the first charge was read - that of intentional homicide - Patterson's father, Patrick, let out an anguished wail. In contrast, his youngest son sat impervious. He looked down, following the wording of the complaint as the judge read aloud. Honorable James Babler ordered the collection of a DNA sample if one had not already been provided and set the date for Patterson's next appearance as 11am February 6. Speaking for the State, Brian Wright asked for bail to be set at $5 million. He told the court, 'Mr Patterson has no ties to Barron County, he worked at Saputo Cheese Factory for two days the only reason other than that to be in Barron County was to kidnap J.' Patterson's older brother, Erik, and father Patrick (pictured together) were the only family present for him in court. They refused to answer questions following the hearing and Patrick shook his head when asked if he knew what had happened at the cabin Patterson's brother Erik wore a blue and black hooded jacket. His father was dressed in a grey pin stripe suit Patterson's brother, Erik, and father, Patrick, were the only family present for him in court. They refused to answer questions following the hearing. Patrick shook his head when asked if he knew what had happened at the cabin or witnessed anything strange. Patterson turned to his right during the brief proceedings - to the bench across the aisle that housed Jayme, Denise and James's family members. Erik wore a blue and black hooded jacket and sat hunched forward. His father, seated next to him, was dressed in a grey pin stripe suit. He took his glasses from his nose as he sat down and held them in his hands. He fretted with them briefly. The couple that exposed Patrick Frazee's alleged plot to murder Kelsey Berreth and how he enlisted his mistress Krystal Lee to help are sharing new details about the pair's relationship. 'She had known him since she was 18 years old, right out of high school. I think he had some type of hold on her,' said Patty Rockstahl in an interview with KMVT on Sunday. Rockstahl, who employs one of Lee's best friends, also said that the pair owned horses together, and described Frazee as Lee's 'first love.' 'She was in love with him from a very young age,' claimed Patty, who has never met Lee but employed her best friend Michelle. 'She was very vulnerable and I think she cared for him, and he took advantage of that He was her first love, I understand, and he had a hold on her.' Scroll down for video Duo: Patrick Frazee (left with Kelsey Berreth and their daughter Kaylee) and Krystal Lee (right) met when they were both 18, and Frazee was Lee's first love according to Patty Rockstahl, who is close to Lee's best friend Revealing: 'She was very vulnerable and I think she cared for him, and he took advantage of that He was her first love, I understand, and he had a hold on her,' said Patty (above with her husband Joe) It was also the Rockstahls who informed authorities that Frazee had asked Lee to 'kill the mother of his child' on at least three occasions dating back to October. In the end, the Rockstahls believe that Lee disposed of Berreth's phone and carried out Frazee's orders because she was afraid of the man, who allegedly went so far as to threaten her children. 'Patrick told Krystal that little girls go missing off the playground all the time,' said Patty. 'Krystal was so scared, he was so angry that he said things that made Krystal think he had killed before. So of course, shes going to be terrified,' added her husband Joe. Patty also said that she did not believe that Lee was a killer or capable of murder. 'I think she maybe got in over her head, maybe used some bad judgment,' said Patty. 'If I were afraid for myself or for my children, I dont know what I would do.' The Rocktstahls also believed that this fear is why Lee disposed of Berreth's phone after sending texts to Frazee and the missing mom's employer meant to appear to be from Berreth. 'She had the phone,' said Patty. 'She was probably instructed to send those texts by Patrick but thats theres nobody else that couldve sent those texts to my knowledge.' It is unclear if Frazee was still with Berreth at the time of the murder. A friend of Frazee whose granddaughter was a frequent playmate of the accused killer's daughter Kaylee told CNN that Frazee and Berreth had split back on New Year's Day in 2018, just three months after the couple welcomed daughter Kaylee. That contradicts comments made by Berreth's aunt suggesting that her niece had broken up with Frazee on November 22, the day she was last seen in public. Authorities have since charged Frazee with first-degree murder despite the fact that Berreth's body and remains have yet to be found. Two individuals who worked with Lee - who is being investigated for disposing of Kelsey Berreth's cell phone- said that she and Frazee had been in a romantic relationship for months. DailyMail.com spoke with two people who know the nurse professionally, and they both said that they had been told that Frazee was having an affair with Lee. Lee divorced her husband a few years back and has two children. On trial: The two shared a love of rodeo and owned horses together, but Lee got married and had two children at the same time Frazee was first meeting Kelsey Berreth (Frazee leaving court last month) Neither of those individuals knew exactly when the relationship started, but they believed it could have been as early as 2016 - prior to the birth of Frazee's daughter with Berreth. That would have been the second time the pair dated after an earlier romance as teens. One of the the people DailyMail.com spoke with also said that Lee was in Colorado around Thanksgiving. That would explain how Frazee was able to get the cell phone to Idaho while never leaving the state. It was reported last month that police in Idaho had discovered ifnormation pertaining to the missing mom's cell phone. The Twin Falls Police Department revealed that officers from the force played a role in the investigation by obtaining search warrants and examining evidence in the case. Berreth's cell phone pinged off a tower in Gooding, Idaho, on November 25, three days after she went missing and around the same time her employer received a text stating that she would not be in for work that week. The location it pinged is about 800 miles from where Berreth was last seen. The complaint that was filed in the case states that Frazee plotted the murder of Berreth with at least one other individual in the three months before she went missing. And while authorities have yet to discover a body or any of Berreth's remains at this time, rosecutors said last month that there investigation has yielded enough evidence to suggest the two ways in which the 29-year-old mother was killed by her fiance. William Jacoby, 65, is alleged to have sexually harassed students at both MSU and the University of Michigan, according to investigators A former political science professor at Michigan State University has been accused of offering graduate students academic guidance in exchange for sexual favors, a report has found. William Jacoby, 65, is alleged to have sexually harassed students at both MSU and the University of Michigan, according to two internal investigations at both institutions. Jacoby - who was the editor of the American Journal of Political Science until last year - denies both allegations. 'I vehemently disagree with the MSU OIE's findings,' remarked Jacoby. 'Currently, I am considering my appeal options.' Following the allegations, the professor retired from MSU on January 1 after more than a decade of working there. An allegation from one graduate MSU (shown) student arose last year, where she claims Jacoby insisted any academic advice had to be given on a 'quid pro quo' basis - in what she thought was allusion to oral sex The student behind last-year's allegation told investigators the 65-year-old briefly scanned her academic paper before aggressively asking 'What are you going to give me?' Confused by the question, the student told her professor he would have a graduating student and job satisfaction. But his alleged response showed he had something else in mind. 'You can't expect me to do something for nothing - quid pro quo,' he reportedly retorted. Jacoby denies ever using the phrase 'quid pro quo' and says he meant he was asking what 'intellectual pay-off' he'd receive from helping The woman told investigators it sounded like a 'sexual ask', believing an allusion to 'oral sex or something'. Jacoby insisted he meant an intellectual pay-off, and denies using the phrase 'quid pro quo'. In the same report, a similar incident is alleged to have occurred at the University of Michigan, shortly before Jacoby made the switch to MSU. Inspired by the #MeToo movement, political science graduate Rebecca Gill came forward to tell investigators how on the final night of a summer research program in 2002, a conversation with Jacoby took an inappropriate turn. Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Jacoby's former student Rebecca Gill came forward with historic accusations of sexual misconduct dating back to 2002 The professor allegedly asked Gill how 'mysterious' she was, before asking if she wanted to have an affair with him. 'I was stunned,' said Gill in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. 'I just kind of came to sense and said something like "You can't expect me to answer that."' Gills claim was corroborated with another witness who overheard the exchange and shepherded her away. In April 2018, Jacoby pulled a letter of address on the American Journal of Political Science website. 'It is apparently widely known that allegations related to sexual harassment have been made against me,' he wrote. 'The allegations are untrue.' The letter was met with fierce criticism from readers and fellow political scientists, prompting Jacoby to later delete the post. '[I was] merely trying to explain the course of action I plan to follow,' he said. He resigned as editor the same month. Two sets of claims were investigated in relation to Jacoby. The second occurred at the University of Michigan campus, back in the summer of 2002 In October, The University of Michigan released a statement confirming that Jacoby had breached its sexual harassment policy. Jacoby replied in an email, saying: 'With respect to the UM report, I reject its conclusion and continue to deny the accusation.' He added the investigation was biased and failed to consider all evidence presented. He retired from the school on New Year's Day. Jacoby vehemently denied the allegations, but stepped down as both the editor of the American Journal of Political Science, and as a professor at MSU in the space of three months A third former student of the University of South Carolina - where Jacoby worked in the early 1990's - came forward with accusations of inappropriate behavior. Valerie Sulfaro says a married Jacoby came into her office one day, saying she'd shown signs of interest in him and asked if she wanted to engage in an affair. Feeling pressured to oblige in fear of impacting her future career, Sulfaro says she reluctantly agreed, engaging in a two year affair before Jacoby's wife found out. Hearing Gill's story, Sulfaro contacted MSU and asked them to open an investigation. 'This additional evidence shows a distinct pattern of behavior by [Jacoby],' said investigators. 'This evidence supports that he sexually propositions female graduate students in the Political Science field, particularly students who express interest in benefiting from his influence, guidance, and support within their education and career.' Stephen Jones, the chief executive of UK Finance, said jobs would be lost and people would be unable to pay their mortgages if Britain 'crashes out' of the EU without an agreement. He is seen today on Channel 4 News A no-deal Brexit would be an economic and social 'catastrophe' as bad as the Great Depression of the 1930s, the head of the trade body for the banking industry has warned. Stephen Jones, the chief executive of UK Finance, said jobs would be lost and people would be unable to pay their mortgages if Britain 'crashes out' of the EU without an agreement. 'A no-deal Brexit on 29 March, where we crash out of the European Union, is a catastrophe,' he told Channel 4 News. 'It's a social catastrophe, it's an economic catastrophe. And by implication it is a catastrophe for the industry I represent, the banking industry. 'This is about jobs, this is about people not being able to pay their mortgages, not being able to pay back their loans, and that's really bad news and it's an outcome we can avoid. 'I don't wish to be labelled a doom monger - and our industry's job is to cope with whatever circumstances are thrown at us, as best we can - but if our economy contracts by 10% that's 1930s-style contraction. 'That is a massive increase in credit card losses, mortgage losses, vehicle loan losses.' On the eve of the crucial Commons vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Jones said he did not believe it was a 'great deal' but said he was concerned about the consequences if it was rejected. 'I think there is a real risk of no-deal happening by accident. If the Prime Minister's deal is voted down, we are in totally uncharted territory,' he said. 'It's not a great deal, there's an awful lot of money being paid for a political declaration, which quite frankly is not worth the paper it is written on.' Mr Jones said the position of the City of London had already been diminished by the referendum vote to leave the EU. 'London as the European financial centre appears to most of us to be - frankly, quietly - over,' he said. 'We'll do our best to retain what we can, within the context of what's negotiated, no-deal or a deal, but Frankfurt and Paris will become much more important financial centres in a European context.' He made the claim even though London employs more senior bankers than the rest of the Europe combined. Child safety advocate Elizabeth Smart has spoken out about Wisconsin 13-year-old Jayme Closs, saying her horrific kidnapping ordeal doesn't have to define the rest of her life. Smart was 14 when she was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah back in 2002 and help captive for nine months. Speaking from her own experience as a child kidnapping victim, Smart offered advice to Jayme on Monday - just days after the teen was found safe near Gordon, Wisconsin. She said during an appearance on Good Morning America that Jayme should take her time to try and build a 'new normal' with her relatives. Child safety advocate Elizabeth Smart spoke out on Monday about Wisconsin 13-year-old Jayme Closs, saying her horrific kidnapping ordeal doesn't have to define the rest of her life 'Right now at this point in time, I feel that it's very, very vital for her to build those relationships with her family because, unfortunately, her family was brutally torn apart,' Smart said. 'So this is a very important time to try to rebuild, to come together again and to start afresh, to try to create a new normal because, unfortunately, there is no going back to the old normal. There's only a new normal. 'Everyone should be giving her as much time and space as she needs because she's just been through the most traumatic experience anyone in their life could experience. 'It's gonna take time... and if she doesn't want to talk then I think that's her complete prerogative.' Speaking on CBS This Morning, Smart recalled some advice her own mother gave her when she was reunited with her family after nine months. The image above shows the cabin in rural Wisconsin where Jake Patterson allegedly held 13-year-old Jayme Closs prisoner for nearly three months This aerial photo shows the cabin where 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held by Jake Thomas Patterson, surrounded by law enforcement vehicles 'My mother told me after I returned that what these people had done was terrible, and there weren't words strong enough to describe how wicked and evil they are. They had stolen nine months of my life that I would never get back. But the best punishment I could give them was to be happy, was to move forward. Jake Thomas Patterson was arrested last Thursday soon after 13-year-old Jayme managed to escape the remote woodland cabin in Gordon in rural Wisconsin where she had been held captive for 88 days 'I think in Jayme's case, the same is true. She will not be able to go back to who she was before she was kidnapped. She will never be able to just return to life before. But that doesn't mean that what has happened needs to destroy her future or needs to define her future.' Jayme was found on Thursday after she managed to escape a man who authorities say killed her parents and then held her captive for three months. The teen had fled the cabin in a rural, heavily wooded area near the small town of Gordon - 70 miles from her home - where she had been imprisoned and asked a woman who was walking her dog for help. Police officers arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson minutes later based on Jayme's description of his vehicle. Authorities are holding Patterson on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide ahead of his first court appearance on Monday. Little has been revealed about Jayme's ordeal since her abduction in mid-October, although more details could come Monday when Patterson is expected to be charged. A 17-year-old Chicago boy accused of shooting dead a transgender woman he had a sexual relationship with has been charged with first-degree murder. Tremon Hill, a student-athlete at Phillips High School and father-of-one, was ordered to be held without bail Sunday for the August shooting of 24-year-old transgender escort Dejanay Stanton. Text messages between Hill and Stanton revealed their sexual relationship began in July, until Hill expressed that he no longer wanted to have sex with Stanton because she was transgender and their relationship had caused him to become suicidal. The messages show that Hill allegedly lured Stanton to where she was found shot in the head and left on the ground to die outside her car. Tremon Hill, 17, is charged with first-degree murder in the August shooting death of 24-year-old transgender escort Dejanay Stanton (pictured) Prosecutors say text messages between the two revealed they had a sexual relationship that began in July The text messages show Stanton and Hill met online in July when he told her he was 18 and wanted to have sex with her, Assistant States Attorney Britt Steinberg told the court. Police say between July 22 and her August 30 murder, the pair had exchanged 400 messages. After Hill expressed that he no longer wanted to have sex with a transgender person, he urged Stanton to delete photos of him from her phone. On August 12, Hill told Stanton that he was having suicidal thoughts since they had last met. They then arranged their August 30 meeting. On the morning of her killing, Stanton received a text from Hill asking her to meet him in a parking lot. According to Steinberg, Hill shot Stanton in the head just after 11am and left her lying on the ground next to her car. Hill expressed in the texts that he did not want to have sex with a transgender woman anymore and asked Stanton to meet, prosecutors say Surveillance footage placed Stanton in the area of the shooting, however his public defender said that there is no video of the murder. Officers searched Hill's home and found pants with 'small red stains', which are being tested. The clothes found at the home also match the clothes Hill was wearing in the security video. Steinberg noted that the pair stopped texting around the time of her murder. Judge Mary C Marubio denied Hill bail after taking the electronic evidence into account. Hill is being charged as an adult and if convicted faces a life sentence. A train staff member jumped onto the tracks to save a toddler that had fallen into the gap between the platform and a train. The video, filmed in Nanchang City in eastern Jiangsu Province on January 11, shows train staff crawling underneath a train to try to approach the three-year-old boy falling onto the track. Meanwhile another man on the platform then takes the boy and pulls him up to safety. A man gleefully grabs the child after he is handed up on to the platform by guard, Li Fusheng According to reports, the boy saw his mother through the train window from the platform and ran to her, accidentally dropping in between the platform and the train. Fortunately, the boy was not injured seriously. Reports suggest he was travelling from Beijing to the coastal city of Xiamen. The crying boy was found by Li Fusheng underneath the train. He acted quickly to save him The accident took place in Nanchang when his father got off the train for fresh air after travelling for 20 hours. Duty train guard Li Fusheng saw the accident and was able to save the boy, with dramatic footage showing the scramble. He scuttled underneath the train towards the cries of the boy, handing him to his father on the platform. The train was the K571, it is unclear how long it was delayed for. An Oklahoma defense attorney has been arrested for allegedly asking a convicted murderer to kill another murderer while they were behind bars. Attorney Winston Connor II, 54, was arrested Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina, after stepping off an airplane from a Caribbean vacation with his wife. Connor was said to have been secretly indicted by a grand jury in November, which charged him with solicitation for first-degree murder, racketeering, witness tampering, assault, unlawful communication with an inmate and drug and prostitution offenses, News OK reported. The charges appear to stem from investigations that began in 2016, when authorities heard Connor on the phone with convicted murderer Slint Tate, 36, who was in prison serving a life sentence for fatally shooting a sheriff's deputy when he was 16. Just last Wednesday, Connor took to Facebook to share photos of himself on a Turks and Caicos getaway with his wife and friends. The defense attorney was seen drinking and smiling for photos on the sun-soaked island of Little Water Cay, three days before he was taken into custody after stepping off a plane. Defense attorney Winston Connor II, 54, was arrested on Saturday on charges including solicitation for first-degree murder, racketeering and prostitution offenses Conner is seen vacationing in Turks and Caicos Island with his wife, days before his arrest Connor was arrested shortly after arriving home from a Caribbean vacation. He is accused of soliciting a murderer to kill another convicted killer in prison Connor captioned in the above photo from vacation: 'Happy 29th Birthday for the 21st time sweetheart' According to court records obtained by the newspaper, the Oklahoma state narcotics bureau suspected that Tate was running a drug ring out of prison and had been listening in on Tate's cell phone calls. In May 2016, authorities heard Connor and Tate discussing a reduction in his prison sentence and also Connor's efforts at getting his secretary's car returned. Before wrapping up the call, Connor was said to have mentioned Sterling B. Williams, a man who had been on death row for 15 years before his conviction was tossed out in 2013. Williams was sentenced to life in prison in May 2016 for fatally stabbing a 22-year-old woman in her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1997. At the sentencing, the judge ruled that Williams be credited for time served towards a 99-year sentence he'd been given for assaulting the woman's roommate, according to Tulsa World. Authorities said Connor asked convicted murder Slint Tate, 36 (left), to kill former death row inmate Sterling B. Williams (right) because he supposedly attacked a woman Connor knew Connor was also said to have asked Tate for help in recovering Connor's secretary's stolen car The roommate had managed to fight off Williams' efforts to choke her and gone for help for the woman who died. During the overheard phone conversation, Connor is said to have told Tate about how Williams attempted to strangle a woman 'I was seeing' in Tulsa and then fatally stabbed her roommate. 'My friend...broke free and got away and ran,' Connor said, according to authorities, adding 'Just an FYI, brother.' Tate then supposedly replied, 'I got you, brother.' Authorities learned of Connor's alleged requests while listening in to Tate's prison phone calls while investigating him for running a million-dollar drug ring out of prison Authorities then said that Tate began making arrangement for having Connor's secretary's car thief beaten and Williams killed. Tate was sentenced to an additional 20 years on his life-without-parole sentence in September 2018 for running a million-dollar drug ring via smuggled cell phones while in Oklahoma State Penitentiary. In addition to allegedly putting out a hit on Williams, Connor was investigated following raid on two illicit massage parlors in Tulsa. In 2017, Connor came under further investigation after a raid on two illicit Tulsa massage parlors which authorities said sexual services and involved at least one juvenile, according to Tulsa World. As part of their investigation into Connor, authorities searched his law office in Jay, Oklahoma, and home in Grove, Oklahoma. In September 2017, Connor told The Oklahoman that he did not seek to have anybody beaten or killed and was not charged at the time. Connor's grand jury indictment is expected to be unsealed on Monday. Common line on migrants or EU will collapse - Conte Premier told Avramopoulos Italian stance is getting results (ANSAmed) - Rome, January 14 - Premier Giuseppe Conte said Monday that the European Union risks collapsing unless if finds a common position on migrants. "If we continue to stall without a shared path, we risk bringing down the European building," Conte told a news conference when speaking about a meeting in Rome with European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. Avramopoulos also had talks with Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who has spearheaded the government's tough stance of refusing to allow NGO-run migrant rescue ships access to Italian ports. "We presented what Italy has done up to now to Avramopoulos," Conte said. "We are brining in a change of direction that is bearing fruit. "Italy had been left alone and now are are coping alone. "We didn't talk about a naval blockade with Avramopoulos but we discussed instruments to defend the borders, which is a very important issue for managing (migrant) flows. Otherwise you encourage the pull factor". MPs will today vote on Theresa May's Brexit plan in what is set to be the most important decision taken by Parliament since the Second World War. The PM is expected to suffer a catastrophic defeat in the crunch vote, while MPs are seizing on her weakness to push their own plans for Britain's future with the EU. Politicians are deeply divided over whether Brexit should be soft or hard, and if the UK should go for a Norway-style deal or a Canada plus plan. But the terms and arguments deployed by MPs are often steeped in jargon and bamboozling to the ordinary Brit. Here are some of the things that will help you to finally understand the Brexit debate rocking Britain and its Parliament. Theresa May (pictured in the Commons today) has struck a deal with the EU - but MPs are expected to vote it down by a massive majority today 1. Plan B what is it and why do we need one? Theresa May has struck a deal with the EU - but MPs are expected to vote it down by a massive majority today, meaning she will have to come up with a Plan B. And last week week MPs passed an amendment put forward by Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve which gives the PM just three working days to come up with her new plan. It means she will be hauled back to the Commons on Monday to spell out what she will do next. The PM has so far refused to say what her Plan B will be, but she will be under huge pressure to rule out a no deal Brexit and say what direction she plans to take the talks in next. Remainers will want her to go for a Norway-style deal, which will keep the UK in the single market and therefore free movement, or a second referendum. While Brexiteers will push for the PM to go for a Canada-style free deal which will take Britain fully out of the EU's customs union and single market. It is believed that Tory former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve (pictured) are also involved in the plot have launched a plot to try to take over Brexit talks if the PM's deal is voted down today and she cannot come up with a plan in three days 2. The Remainer plot - who is behind it and how would it work? A group of Tory Remainers have launched a plot to try to take over Brexit talks if the PM's deal is voted down today and she cannot come up with a plan in three days. Tory MP Nick Boles said that if this happens the Liaison Committee - a committee of 32 senior MPs which is dominated by Remainers - should take over the talks. It is believed that Tory former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve are also involved in the plot. This plan to sideline the Government would flout the rules of Parliament, but Commons Speaker John Bercow - who would have the final say on if this is possible or not - has made it clear he is happy to re-write the rules when it comes to Brexit. No10 believe that if the plan succeeds then the MPs on the committee will push for a softer Brexit, for example to get a Norway-style deal which would keep the UK in the single market and therefore keeping free movement of people. 3. No deal - what would it mean for Britain and who opposes it? Britain has been locked in talks with the EU to thrash out a Brexit deal, but if MPs vote it down today and a new plan cannot be quickly agreed then the UK will crash out with no deal. But many MPs have warned they will do whatever it takes to block a no deal - fearing this will send the UK's economy into meltdown. And a string of Cabinet ministers, including Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke are expected to quit the Cabinet in fury if the PM then backs a no deal Brexit. Economic experts have issued dire warnings about the fall-out of a no deal with the CBI saying it could slash 8 per cent off the size of the UK's economy and plunging the country into a massive recession. But there is a group of die-hard Brexiteers in the Tory Party, including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the European Research Group, who say there is nothing to fear about a no deal Brexit. This group sees going for a no deal Brexit as a step towards their goal of achieving a Canada plus style trade deal with the EU. Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in the Commons today) is hoping to seize on the chaos if the PM's deal is voted down today to table a no cinfidence motion and try to topple Mrs May from No10 4. No Confidence Vote - what is it and who would back it? If the PM's deal is voted down today then Jeremy Corbyn is expected to seize on the disarray to table a motion of no confidence in the government. If the PM lost the vote, then another MP has 14 working days to hold and win a vote of confidence of MPs - if they manage this then they become PM. If no party leader can do this within the two weeks then another general election is called. But it is unlikely that the Labour leader will be able to win the backing of a single MP from the ranks of the Tories or the DUP - meaning his bid to topple Mrs May is likely to fail. 5. General Election - how could one be called and who wants it? Labour have been demanding an election, while many commentators believe that the Tories may end up having to call another election to break the political deadlock in Parliament. Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, Mrs May would need the Commons to agree to hold another election - and many MPs will be dead-set against the plan which they fear would cost them their seats and could hand Mr Corbyn the keys to No10. But if the PM's deal is voted down and MPs cannot agree an alternative before the UK leaves on March 29 then an election may end up being called to bring in new MPs who may be able back a deal. Many MPs are pushing for a second referendum to be held, less than three years after voters backed Brexit (file pic of voting booth) 6. Second referendum why might we need one and what would the question be? Many MPs are pushing for a second referendum to be held, less than three years after voters backed Brexit. Remainers argue that with MPs unable to agree a deal among themselves then the only way forward is to send the question back to the public. Many Labour MPs, the Lib Dems and a powerful group of Tory MPs all back a second referendum. But Mrs May has repeatedly ruled out holding one while she is PM, and even backers of the plan are at loggerheads over what should be on the ballot paper. Some Remainers believe voters should be offered a choice between the PM's plan and remaining in the EU on current terms, but some others believe a no deal Brexit on world trade organisation terms should be offered. 7. Who is Gareth Johnson, the latest Tory to quit the government? Tory MP Gareth Johnson today quit as a whip whose job it is to comnvince his fellow Conservative MPs to back the PM's plan - so he vcan opose the deal. He is the latest in a long line of Tory MPs who have resigned as aides and ministers to voice their objections to her blueprint. The MP for Dartford has a strongly Leave-supporting seat, and he was appointed an assistant whip, one of the most junior ranks, in November last year. Sources said he had been 'desperate' to get into government, but pointed out that his voters were overwhelmingly Brexit-backing. Resigning today, he said he was putting his 'loyalty to the country above loyalty to the government'. From deal-killing amendments courtesy of the arch-Remainers to Corbyn's Customs Union gambit: How Tuesday's drama will unfold By Jack Doyle for the Daily Mail 12.30pm: Assuming there are no delays, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC will stand up to open the final day of debate on Theresa Mays Brexit deal. Beforehand Speaker John Bercow will select the amendments to the motion proposed by different groups of MPs. There are likely to be at least half a dozen. During the day MPs who have not spoken during the previous days of debate will stand to make their speeches. 6.45pm: Mrs May will sum up the debate and make a final appeal to MPs to back the deal. 7pm: Voting begins. First, MPs will vote on the amendments to the deal. If any pass, the final vote is on the deal with those amendments attached. If enough Remainer Tory MPs back the Hilary Benn amendment (see below), the deal has in effect been voted down in advance. 9pm: Vote expected on the deal. After the vote Mrs May will make a statement setting out her response and the next steps the Government will take. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow (pictured) will select the amendments to the motion proposed by different groups of MPs. There are likely to be at least half a dozen ... and those other crucial votes Hilary's deal-killer The most significant amendment by far, proposed by Labours arch-Remainer Hilary Benn, chairman of the Brexit select committee. It rejects Mrs Mays deal and no deal, and urges the Government to bring forward a motion on next steps without delay. It is backed by Tory supporters of a second referendum, including Dr Sarah Wollaston and Dominic Grieve, and is all but guaranteed to be called by the Speaker. If passed it would kill off Mrs Mays deal but the Labour frontbench could refuse to support it. Time limit for the backstop Tabled by a loyal Tory backbencher, Northern Ireland select committee chairman Andrew Murrison, this would impose a sunset clause requiring the Northern Ireland backstop to expire on December 31, 2021. The EU has rejected such a time limit but both Tory arch-Brexiteers and the Northern Irish DUP demand one as a condition of support for the deal. Last night there were rumours ministers were quietly urging MPs to support it. Any explicit endorsement by Mrs May would enrage Brussels but, if passed, it would likely save the PM from a painful defeat. An amendment proposed by Labour's Hilary Benn (pictured) rejects Mrs May's deal and 'no deal', and urges the Government to bring forward a motion on next steps 'without delay' Parliamentary veto on the backstop Proposed by Sir Hugo Swire, this would give Parliament an effective veto at the end of the 20-month transition period over whether to enter the Northern Ireland backstop, or extend the transition. Government insiders say the veto would not be binding but it could force the two sides to come to an alternative arrangement. Ministers have said they accept the spirit of the amendment. If selected by the Speaker, it could help build support among Tory MPs but is unlikely to be a game-changer. Corbyn's customs union gambit The Labour amendment, put forward by Jeremy Corbyn, says the deal should be rejected because it fails to provide for a permanent customs union and a strong single market deal. It also rejects leaving with no deal.Likely to be selected but unlikely to get enough cross-party support to pass. Standing up for the workers From John Mann one of few Labour MPs set to vote for the deal this amendment provides assurances on workers rights, environmental standards and health and safety. Ministers have said they are sympathetic towards its aims, but it is unlikely to be called by the Speaker. Senator Rand Paul's attorneys say in a court filing that he plans to undergo hernia surgery in Canada because of injuries he suffered when a neighbor attacked Paul while he was doing yard work at his Kentucky home. The filing in Paul's lawsuit against Rene Boucher says the senator will travel to Ontario, Canada, for outpatient surgery scheduled later this month. The document says the surgery is related to the 2017 attack. Boucher pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress and was sentenced to 30 days in prison after the attack. Federal prosecutors are appealing the sentence. He will be treated at the private Shouldice Hernia Hospital in Thornhill, a suburb of Toronto, the Louisville Courier Journal reported. It is one of Canada's few private hospitals; most of the country's medical facilities are part of its single-payer socialized health system. Lawsuit: Court papers filed by Rand Paul reveal that he is traveling to Canada for private hernia surgery, saying the injuries are after he was attacked by neighbor Rene Boucher The Republican senator filed a lawsuit in June last year seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from neighbor Rene Boucher for the November 3, 2017, assault. In the lawsuit, the Kentucky politician said he suffered 'physical pain and mental suffering' when Boucher tackled him to the ground while he was out mowing his lawn, causing him to fracture multiple ribs. In the aftermath, Sen. Paul also dealt with recurrent pneumonia because of the broken ribs. Boucher has said previously that his actions were brought on by Sen. Paul repeatedly stacking yard debris near their shared property line in Bowling Green - making it hard for him to sell his home. The lawsuit calls Boucher's actions 'unnecessarily cruel, malicious, willful, wanton' with total disregard for Sen. Paul's 'rights, life and liberties.' The lawsuit charges that Sen. Paul 'has been deprived of his enjoyment of life' and left with an increased likelihood of injury and disease. Boucher said he attacked the Congressman because of an ongoing dispute about Paul piling yard debris on a shared property line Paul was out mowing his lawn (home pictured above) on November 3 when Boucher tackled him to the ground, breaking multiple ribs Boucher said that the accumulating yard debris made it hard for him to sell his house (above) It also asks the judge to prevent Boucher contacting the Paul family because he 'will continue... the pattern of stalking and harassment.' Boucher's attorney, Matt Baker, released a statement after Sen. Paul filed his lawsuit last year claiming that the senator had suffered no medical expenses. 'To the best of my knowledge, Sen. Paul has not suffered any loss of any income and doesn't appear that he will in the future,' the statement said. 'It was established at the sentencing hearing that he does not have any out-of-pocket medical expenses in this case, and at some point after the incident he told Fox News in an on-camera interview that he has not taken any prescription pain medication, and so all that is to say we're going to defend this civil suit just like we would any other and see if we can get it resolved as efficiently as possible.' Boucher was arrested right after the assault and charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. That charge was later upgraded to a felony - assaulting a member of Congress. The Democrat doctor pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $10,000 fine earlier this month. Leading animal welfare organisations say no more than four pets should be taken out at once as councils continue to roll out 100 fines for dog walkers. Dogs Trust, Pet Industry Federation, the RSPCA and Tailster worked together to produce a new set of guidelines to ensure high welfare standards in the unregulated profession of dog walking. The Professional Dog Walkers' Guidelines came as demand for the profession grows, with 13 per cent of dog owners admitting they rely on others to exercise their pets. The document is divided into three sections: dog welfare and behaviour, impact on the environment and others and professional conduct. Dogs Trust, Pet Industry Federation, the RSPCA and Tailster worked together to produce a new set of guidelines to ensure high welfare standards in the unregulated profession of dog walking Professional dog walkers are then given a series of pointers on how to best look after pets in their care when travelling in a car, exercising them, and walking with multiple dogs. The guidelines state: 'The maximum number of dogs that can be walked at any one time should not exceed the number stated in the walker's insurance policy and comply with local authority requirements regarding the number of dogs. 'It is recommended that no more than four dogs are walked at any one time. 'All dogs under a dog walker's care should be reliably under control at all times and transported in accordance with the guidance in this document.' It is also recommended dog walkers have a lead for each animal and check each pet is fully vaccinated, wormed, and treated for fleas before embarking on a group walk. The new guidelines also give a suggested level of training for potential dog walkers. According to the document, those in the profession should be 'adequately trained to ensure the dog's welfare' and should not be under the age of 16. It is also recommended that training courses and dog walking certificates are undertaken. The guidelines say no more than four dogs should be walked at the same time in the UK RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Sam Gaines said: 'Dog walkers are currently unregulated and unlicensed meaning there are no checks on who these people are and how they ensure the needs of the dogs in their care are being met. 'We felt it was extremely important - not only for the welfare of dogs but also for dog walkers themselves - to produce a set of guidelines to ensure that dogs are always being well looked after and to guarantee that dog walkers know what is expected of them. 'We hope these new guidelines will also help dog owners make informed decisions when choosing the right dog walker for them and their pet.' To date only a small number of local authorities have introduced any form of regulation for dog walkers and, as such, it can be a postcode lottery in the quality of service provided. Dogs Trust Veterinary Director Paula Boyden says: 'The unregulated dog walking industry is a minefield for owners and we want to make it safer for all involved. Worryingly, almost 60 per cent of owners have no contract or legal agreement in place with their dog walker to protect them and their dog. 'We have worked with the RSPCA and PIF to create a workable set of guidelines that can provide information for local authorities and provide a framework for dog walkers, as well as helping pet owners understand what they should expect from a suitable dog walker.' The guidelines come as councils continue to roll out on-the-spot fines for those caught walking more than four dogs or travelling without poo-bags in the UK The document is also designed to help dog walkers in England and Wales meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. This law, from 2006, states a dog walker is responsible for the animal while he or she is in charge of it. They do, therefore, have legal responsibilities and can be held criminally liable under the Act. The guidelines come as councils continue to roll out on-the-spot fines for those caught walking more than four dogs or being without poo-bags in the UK. The canine crackdown in Devon recently made it an offence for dog owners not to pick up faeces straight away and to let dogs run into a banned area, the Express reported. Anyone who breaches the conditions of this public spaces protection order could be liable for a 100 fine from April 1, 2019. Similar fines were put in place by Manchester City Council in September 2017. Council or police officers would ask people directly if they had a bag or a scoop on them to clear dog faeces up and, if not, they would be slapped with an on-the-spot 100 penalty. Failure to pay that could land them in court and facing a 1,000 fine. Boston Borough Council, Daventry District Council and Fife Council have also put these tougher rules in place over the past few years. The U.S. government has an 'abundance of data to work with' if it chooses to pursue a case against Wikileaks Founder, Julian Assange, including internal Wikileaks data. The data, covering the majority of the organization's period of operations, from 2009 through 2017 has been seized by the federal government through search warrants, subpoenas, equipment seizures, and cooperating witnesses, as reported by Design, technology and science website, Gizmodo. It includes over a dozen WikiLeaks' computers and hard drives. Aata covering the majority of Wikileaks' period of operations, from 2009 through 2017, founded by Julian Assange (pictured above) has been seized by the federal government E-mail accounts, including those of the organization's current and former editors-in-chief, along with messages exchanged with alleged Russian hackers about Democratic National Committee emails have also been collected. The existence of an apparent criminal case against Assange emerged in November last year. A court filing, submitted apparently in error by U.S. prosecutors in an unrelated case, mentioned criminal charges against someone named 'Assange.' Direct messages between WikiLeaks and 'Guccifer 2.0,' a persona the U.S. government believes was used by Russian operatives were recovered If Assange's charges are related to Russian hacking and the Democratic National Committee email leak then messages between WikiLeaks and 'Guccifer 2.0' could be used as evidence It led to a federal court hearing being held in Virginia in November after free-press advocates called for a judge to unseal the apparent criminal charge against Assange. However, no decision was made by a federal judge whether to unseal the apparent charge during the brief hearing in Alexandria. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema appeared to uphold the governments position that no charging information should be released short of an arrest. After the hearing Gordon Kromberg, an assistant U.S. attorney, wouldn't confirm that Assange had been charged or was even under investigation. The existence of an apparent criminal case against Assange emerged in November last year thought to be centered on Democratic National Committee emails and Russian hacking It's been widely reported that the possible charges against Assange are related to Democratic National Committee emails and Russian hacking. If the charges against Assange are related to Russian hacking and the Democratic National Committee email leak then direct messages between WikiLeaks and 'Guccifer 2.0,' a persona the U.S. government believes was used by Russian operatives, could be one of the most likely pieces of evidence to be directly relevant to the initial charges against Assange, according to Gizmodo. In late October 2017 a government request was issued requesting Twitter provide copies of all direct messages that were over 180 days old to and from accounts belonging to WikiLeaks, the WikiLeaks Task Force, 'Guccifer 2.0,' Assange, and Margaret Ratner Kunstler, a civil rights attorney. Over a dozen WikiLeaks' computers and hard drives have also been seized. The government hasn't confirmed or denied Assange is facing criminal charges On June 22, 2016, WikiLeaks sent Guccifer 2.0 a message instructing Guccifer 2.0, to send new material to them so it would 'have a much higher impact.' In July, the organization sent another message encouraging Guccifer 2.0 to send 'anything [H]illary related' in time for the Democratic National Convention, which WikiLeaks thought Clinton would use to solidify support. A portion of the message shows WikiLeaks saying they thought 'conflict between Sen. Bernie Sanders and Clinton would be 'interesting.'' Any case could also focus in part on material seized from alleged Vault 7 leaker Joshua Schulte and the alleged recordings of him transferring additional files to WikiLeaks. Vault 7 refers to a series of documents that detail activities and capabilities of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. 47-year-old Assange has been holed up under asylum inside the embassy since 2012 when he was accused of sexual assault by two women in Sweden. A 14-year-old boy was found with five gruesome-looking hunting knives as the spate of stabbings rocking Britain continues to spiral. Police in the north of the capital uncovered the deadly arsenal during a stop and search of the schoolboy yesterday afternoon. The seizure came as a schoolboy in Lewisham, two boys in Thames Ditton and a woman in her 50s in Sutton emerged as the latest victims of the knife epidemic. Police in the north of the capital uncovered the deadly arsenal during a stop and search of the schoolboy yesterday afternoon The 14-year-old boy, who is from Haringey, will appear in court later this month charged with five counts of possession of an offensive weapon. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'This follows a stop and search by officers at around 14:00hrs in Highbury Quadrant, N5 on Sunday, 13 January.' The knives seized in north London were among a horrific collection of blades seized by officers around the country as fears grown over the use of weapons, especially by teenage gangs. In the West Midlands, police uncovered a machete, nunchucks and a flick knife on a man stopped in Shirley yesterday evening. And in Cambridge, officers found a two-foot sword and a hunting knife on two people suspected of train fare-dodging. A savage looking kitchen knife was seized after police chased down a man in Molesey, Surrey, today and a flick-knife was found in a drugs search in Hendon, north London. In the West Midlands, police uncovered a machete, nunchucks and a flick knife on a man stopped in Shirley yesterday evening In Cambridge today, officers found a two-foot sword and a hunting knife on two people suspected of train fare-dodging A savage looking kitchen knife was seized today after police chased down a man in Molesey, Surrey Meanwhile, officers in Leytonstone, East London, arrested a man who was in possession of a large knife and what appeared to be marijuana. The seizures came as London saw a series of stabbings over the weekend and this morning. At 8.30am today, a teenager was rushed to hospital after being stabbed on Lewisham High Street. Witnesses said the boy was wearing his school uniform when he was chased off a bus and attacked with metal poles and a knife. Yesterday, two teenagers, 14 and 15, were arrested in Thames Ditton on suspicion of attempted murder after two boys were assaulted on a bridge over train tracks. One of the victims remains in a serious but stable condition. This flick-knife was found today by Metropolitan Police officers in a drugs search in Hendon, north London Officers in Leytonstone, East London, arrested a man today who was in possession of a large knife and what appeared to be marijuana On Friday, a woman in her 50s was stabbed in Sutton outside a supermarket. She was taken to hospital then discharged. And this evening, a man carrying a 'massive machete' was Tasered by police after terrified commuters saw him running around a busy south London railway station at rush hour while 'ranting'. Stunned onlookers said that the machete-wielding man was subdued by officers using an electronic stun gun on a platform at Tulse Hill station at around 6.25pm. Police have urged anyone with information about the incidents to contact 101. Andrew Meads outside Westminster Magistrates' Court A Ministry of Justice adviser punched a paramedic who tried to help him when he fell over in the street after an exclusive private members' Christmas party. Senior economic guru Andrew Meads was seen staggering around Kensington, on 17 December after drinks at the Oxford and Cambridge Club Annual. The 52-year-old was then found by paramedic Craig Cassidy, slumped on the curb with a gash above his eye and a blood-stained shirt. But as he tried to treat him, Meads attacked Mr Cassidy in an alcohol-fuelled rage. He told Mr Cassidy: 'F*** off, I want to go home. If you do not leave me alone I will f***** punch you.' Police handcuffed Meads and helped to bundle him into the back of an ambulance. But as Mr Cassidy freed Meads' hands in order to treat him, Meads leant forward and punched the paramedic to the right temple. As PC Nikhil Patel restrained him again Meads screamed: 'Take these f****** handcuffs off or I will f****** kill you.' Married Meads, who lives in an 800,000 home in Surrey, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, being drunk and disorderly in a public place and using insulting words to cause alarm. He represented himself at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Senior economic guru Andrew Meads was seen staggering around Kensington, on 17 December after drinks at the Oxford and Cambridge Club Annual The York and Bath University graduate formally worked at the treasury but has been employed by the Ministry of Justice since 2014. Meads told the court he 'used to go out four or five times a week but has reduced this to only a few nights year.' On the night he attacked the paramedic he told the court he had met a friend he 'had not spoken to for 30 years and became so engrossed in a long conversation he lost track of what he was drinking.' Before he left the club, he 'felt the room getting hot' and then said he could not remember anything until the police interview. He said: 'I have a stressful job it has been stressful now for two years. It was the end of a very stressful day. 'I came in that day as part of me job to do some work - some legislation. I had a huge amount of stuff dumped on me. My day particularly in the afternoon became extremely stressful.' Meads said he has no idea why he reacted in the way he did. He added: 'I was horrified with myself. It was like somebody else being described. I had no idea why I was doing it.' Meads admitted assaulting an emergency worker, being drunk and disorderly in a public place and using insulting words to cause alarm Meads has one previous conviction from 2003 for driving while over the limit for which he received a disqualification and a community order. Mr Cassidy said: 'I feel upset, whilst I was trying to help because he was clearly in need. It will make me wary of helping others.' PC Patel added: 'In so far as the offence is concerned, I am angry that Mr Meads has threatened to kill me - I come out to work to help people.' Meads, from Reigate, will return to the court on January 17 for sentence. President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general William Barr will get to keep his 2018 law firm bonus if confirmed and will get 2,000 shares of stock from Dominion Energy, according to an ethics document. Barr also but must resign from multiple boards of directors and sell millions worth of stock, ethics officials told him following a 'thorough review' of his finances. Barr, the former attorney general under George H.W. who worked at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, will 'receive a bonus for work her performed in calendar year 2018' when President Donald Trump nominated him to succeed Jeff Sessions and assume oversight of the Russia probe. It must be paid before he takes over as AG, and he won't get any other bonus or severance, according to a letter from the Office Government Ethics provided to DailyMail.com. Attorney General nominee William Barr arrives at the office Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for a meeting January 10, 2019 on Capitol Hill. Barr left the board of Time Warner. He'll get a bonus from his law firm and bank more than $100,000 from Dominion Energy before he starts his job if confirmed The letter also outlines boards of directors Barr must step down from if confirmed by the Senate as the nation's top law enforcement officer. He resigned his board member position at Time Warner in June, when AT&T completed its acquisition, in a move that drew in the Trump Justice Department. Barr, who owns up to $37 million in stock, 'will divest his vested stock options and stock in AT&T Inc.' Those stocks have been valued at more than $1 million. For a year after his board resignation, Barr 'will not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter involving specific parties in which he knows AT&T Inc. or Time Warner Inc. is a party or represents a party, unless he is first authorized to participate,' according to the letter. 'Upon resignation, pursuant to company policy for departing directors who served as committee chairs, Mr. Barr will receive 2,000 shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. common stock,' according to the letter Barr has already relinquished his board membership with Time Warner Inc., but must recuse from work involving the media giant for a year after his departure Barr owns more than $1 million in AT&T stock, but will divest He also has holdings in Icahn Enterprises. Here Carl Icahn and Donald Trump attend Starlight Foundation Gala on March 13, 1990 at the New York Hilton Hotel in New York City BONUS! Barr 'will receive a bonus' from Kirkland & Ellis, but must take it before he becomes the nation's attorney general Barr won't participate 'personally' in any matter where he knows Time Warner or AT&T are involved The Trump administration tried through administrative action to block the deal. Trump himself has regularly inveighed against CNN, whose parent company is Time Warner. Federal ethics officials negotiate such agreements with nominees to help them avoid potential conflicts of interest while serving in government. The letter states that he will he resigned from his position with Och-Ziff Capital Management in January 2018 and gave up his position with the U.S. Piping Foundation in December 2018. His $37 million in financial holdings contain stocks, bonds, and other holdings, NBC reported. Barr also served on the board of Dominion Energy, and amassed $2.8 million worth of stock. He must resign from that board as well but not without a golden parachute. 'Upon resignation, pursuant to company policy for departing directors who served as committee chairs, Mr. Barr will receive 2,000 shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. common stock,' according to the letter. Based on a stock price of $68 per share, that would amount to a $136,000 payout. But Barr 'will not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter that to his knowledge has a direct and predictable effect on the financial interests of Dominion Energy, Inc., until he has divested' his stocks and gotten a waiver. His investments, provided as an attachment, reveal an eclectic mix that includes oil drilling and other holdings. Among them are holdings in Diamond Offshore Drilling, Alcoa, Smithfield foods, and Icahn Enterprises the holding company run by Trump longtime associate Carl Icahn. Junaid Mehmood confessed to police once in custody on January 3 A father accused of murdering three children, including his own baby daughter, stabbed them with a screwdriver and left blood spattered all over their apartment, according to new court documents. Junaid Hashim Mehmood, 27, stabbed his six-week-old daughter Ashanti and her half-siblings, two-year-old Prince Larry Brown and five-year-old Angela Pilot at their home in Texas City on January 3. Mehmood then attacked the children's mother, 24-year-old Kimaria Nelson, by shooting her in the head with a pellet gun. She is still in the hospital clinging to life. Police arrested Mehmood after being called to the apartment by his brother who had stopped by to check on him after he wrote a cryptic Facebook status within minutes of carrying out the killings in which he apologized to his family. The 27-year-old was furious about having been fired from his job at a Good Will Store when he committed the attack. He confessed to police once in custody and is now being held in county jail on three capital murder charges. He first attacked Angela, he said, by beating her on the head with a hammer before stabbing her with the screwdriver. Mehmood, 27, stabbed his six-week-old daughter Ashanti (left) and her half-siblings, two-year-old Prince Larry Brown (center) and five-year-old Angela Pilot (right) at their home in Texas City on January 3 Mehmood also shot the children's mother, his girlfriend Kimaria Nelson, in the face with a pellet gun. She was found hiding in the bathroom after leaving a trail of blood through the apartment. She has now been released from the hospital According to an arrest affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com, the five-year-old's skull had been fractured multiple times and her elbow was also broken. Prince, two, had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest. His heart and lungs were punctured and he also had cuts on his head. No information is given about Ashanti's injuries or where she was found in the apartment. Mehmood told police he could not remember how he killed her. When police arrived, they followed the trail of blood to the bathroom. The door was locked but once they forced their way in, they found the children's mother lying on the floor, 'covered in blood'. She was 'grunting and moaning' and had several small pellets embedded in her face. After he committed the murders, Mehmood wrote this chilling Facebook post. It is what is believed to have alerted his brother who went to the apartment and found the three dead children inside. He worked at a Good Will store Mehmood fled the building after the attack and called police from a different location saying he knew they were looking for him. When they found him, they arrested him on an outstanding charge. Once in custody, he described how he killed the children. Before he was arrested, he wrote on Facebook: 'Im sorry.. I was a great man to everyone.. I do apologize ohh and thanks for firing me. 'Sorry to my family and my girlfriend family and most of all sorry to queen Kimaria Nelson,' he posted. Mehmood is yet to make his first court appearance or enter a plea. Court documents reveal that a mental health assessment has been ordered for him. Residents of the Pointe Ann Apartments in Texas City gathered outside of the complex on Sunday and held a candlelight vigil for the victims. Many brought balloons and wore t-shirts showing the images of the three young children who were killed. The complex is where the murders of the three young children and the shooting of their mother took place on Thursday Nelson was rushed to University of Texas Medical Branch, a Galveston hospital, and underwent surgery after she was found. Mehmood has a criminal background dating back to 2010 and in 2014 he was jailed for hitting his girlfriend. He has also been charged with robbery, theft, evading arrest and assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to records. The terms of his sentence made it illegal for him to possess a firearm. On Thursday, Texas City police Lt. Kenneth Brown told the Houston Chronicle that the wounded woman is unable to speak to investigators. He described her injuries as severe. 'It's a very intense scene over there,' he told the newspaper. 'Everybody involved is either deceased or injured.' Mehmood appears to have three other children. It's not clear when he started dating Nelson however Mehmood's Facebook posts from at least the past year hinted at his disrespectful attitude towards women. Another post features a series of private text messages with a woman who he asks to come over for sex. A quantity surveyor has been named as the second man to die at London's Canary Wharf in the space of 24 hours. Richard Charles Gent, 52, fell from the top floor of a shopping centre at the east London landmark last Tuesday morning, an inquest heard. The manager of Itsu restaurant in Cabot Place mall told MailOnline that the man appeared to send a text message on his phone before falling to his death. It was just a two-minute walk away from Canary Wharf station where mental health patient Osazuwa Otote fell to his death less than 24 hours earlier. Father-of-two Mr Gent, from Colchester, Essex, was employed as a commercial executive at Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd, according to his LinkedIn account, and worked on projects worth up to 100 million. He leaves a wife and daughters. Richard Charles Gent, 52, (pictured) fell from the top floor of a shopping centre at the east London landmark last Tuesday morning, an inquest heard Police pictured at the scene on Tuesday January 8 where Mr Gent died after falling from height at Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, an inquest was told He was seen exiting the Jubilee line underground shortly after 9am on Tuesday January 8th before making his way to the shopping area of Canada Square, called Cabot Place, an inquest opening at Poplar Coroner's Court was told. Mr Gent went up the escalator and was seen jumping over a guard rail, Coroner's Officer Sarah Morgan told the brief hearing. He was declared dead at the scene and identified by police using his driving licence, the inquest heard. Edwin Buckett, Assistant Coroner for Inner East London, said Mr Gent died of multiple injuries caused by a 'blunt force trauma'. Mr Gent was seen exiting the Jubilee line underground shortly after 9am on Tuesday January 8th before making his way to the shopping area of Canada Square, called Cabot Place (pictured: police at the incident at the entrance of Cabot Place East), an inquest opening at Poplar Coroner's Court was told Mr Gent went up the escalator at the shopping centre and was seen jumping over a guard rail, Coroner's Officer Sarah Morgan told the brief hearing Mr Gent was the second person to fall to his death in Canary Wharf within 24 hours. On the afternoon of Monday January 7th, Osazuwa Otote, originally from Benin, west Africa, died on the Jubilee Line Underground platform after clambering up a glass balustrade. The 32-year-old mental health patient had broken free from his carer, Poplar Coroner's Court heard last Friday. Paramedics tried to revive Mr Otote, who was known as Phillip, but he was declared dead at the scene from head and throat injuries. A full inquest into Mr Gent's death is expected to take place in May. A spokesman for the Canary Wharf Group paid tribute to Mr Gent today and said he will be 'sadly missed.' They said: 'It is with the greatest sadness that we confirm that Richard Gent tragically died at Canary Wharf last week. 'Richard worked with Canary Wharf Contractors for 21 years; he was a highly valued colleague and an integral part of our success. Richard will be sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues at Canary Wharf. 'Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time and we will be doing everything we can to support them.' For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. Sajid Idris (pictured) today admitted four counts of distributing terrorist publications intending to encourage acts of terrorism A notorious extremist and friend of the killer of Lee Rigby has been spared jail because of a delay in charging him. Sajid Idris, 36, a Royal Mail postal worker from Cardiff, used YouTube to promote the radical preacher Omar Bakri Muhammad, who was banned from Britain after leaving in the wake of the 7/7 bombings. During searches of his home, police found receipts for special delivery items sent to Michael Adebolajo, the killer or Fusilier Lee Rigby, and MohiburRahman, later jailed for plotting a machete and pipe bomb attack. One video was called 'Rules related to smiling' and featured an acid house-style smiley face, but actually told viewers not to smile at non-Muslims and told them martyrs died with smiles on their faces. Another expressed his support forAbu Bakr al-Bagdahdi, the leader of ISIS, and said Bagdahdi would not be able to change the thoughts and ideas of people by intellectual debate but could 'take authority by force'and then enforce a way of life on people. In another video called 'The Frontier of Islam', Bakri said: 'Whoever dies without having been a part of jihad and, or dawah, even if they had the intention to do so, will die the death of a hypocrite.' Mark Weekes, prosecuting, said: 'The intended effect of talks such as this is to inculcate into those who are devout Muslims a sense that using violence is not only permitted, it is justified and may even be expected.' Idris, from Grangetown, Cardiff, pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to four counts of distributing a terrorist publication. Charges against his wife, Sadia Malik, a primary school, special needs co-ordinator, accused of distributing links to a YouTube channel, were dropped, after Idris entered his plea. The judge, Paul Dodgson, said the videos were a 'direct call to arms using religion as a basis to argue that there is an obligation to join the fight in Syria.' 'There is no doubt when one looks at the contents that you and those like you were at that time inciting others within our country to perform acts of violence for terrorist purposes,' he added. Idris promoted Salafi Islamist militant Omar Bakri Mohammad (pictured), who was banned from Britain after the 7/7 attacks 'You lived in our society and yet it was a society which you were encouraging others to fight and obliterate.' But he sentenced Idris to 21 months in jail and suspended the term for two years, saying there had been a delay in prosecuting him and there was a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation.' The judge said the videos had 'no accompanying graphic images' and the 'exhortations to violence' were made 'in the context of the publication of the religious beliefs.' The two-and-a-half year delay between Idris's initial arrest and bringing charges was 'far beyond that to be expected in this sort of case,' the judge added, and provided 'substantial mitigation.' 'The authorities at that time clearly considered you to be at no great risk to the public,' the judge said. 'I cannot be satisfied that you pose a present danger to the public and indeed the matters referred to tend to show that you are not a danger.' The judge said Idris's family circumstances in recent years had been 'of a tragic nature' and added: 'There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and immediate custody would have a significant harmful effect upon your daughter who has already been through considerable distress.' His trial was delayed several times because his wife gave birth to a baby boy who died, despite months of treatment at Cardiff University Hospital. Idris, who had been silently praying during the proceedings, blew his cheeks out in relief in the dock and then hugged bearded supporters outside court who had stayed out of the public gallery. Afterwards, Det Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East, which ran the investigation, said: 'Terrorism takes many forms, and whilst Idris's offences were not themselves acts of violence towards others, he actively sought to share his beliefs, and provoke others who may then act on these extreme ideologies in the UK or abroad. 'Idris's dissemination of these videos shows not only his own deeply radicalised mind set, but also that he was encouraging support for violent extremism.' The former postal worker is said to have inspired a generation of people to go and join ISIS (pictured, some of the group's fighters) with his online activity He said organisations like al-Muhajiroun (ALM), which was founded by Bakri, 'rely heavily on their propaganda being shared online where it is used to radicalise others and extend the reach of their extreme and dangerous views and actions. 'Tackling extremist material is an essential part of protecting the public and preventing offences that may incite or encourage acts of terrorism.' Idris has been accused of being the leader of the radical group al-Muhajiroun (ALM) in Cardiff which influenced a number of young men from the city who joined ISIS. He posted a video on YouTube in March 2012, called 'Support the Muslims of Syria,' which said: 'Our money is with you and, if need be and if we are able to, our Muslims will come and respond to your call physically as well.' In March 2013, the Home Office put Cardiff, which has a Muslim population of around 30,000, on a 'high priority' list for combating extremism activity. Two of the group appeared in an ISIS recruitment video in June 2014 in which they proclaimed their desire to die as martyrs. Nasser Muthana and Reyaad Khan, both 20, appeared in a video called 'There is no Life without Jihad', along with a third man, Abdul Raqib Amin, from Aberdeen. In the propaganda video, Khan told his audience: 'Know that if it's your family, your wife, these people who you claim to love, if you really love them, martyrdom is what you do for them.' Khan was killed in a controversial RAF drone strike a little over a year later, in September 2015. Idris was sentenced to 21 months in jail - suspended for two years - after the judge said there had been a delay in prosecuting him and there was a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation' Before they left the city, Muthana and Khan were regularly seen handing out leaflets alongside other members of Idris's group, then called 'Supporters of Tawheed.' That was the second time members of the group had come to national attention. In December 2010, Gurukanth Desai, 30, and his brother Abdul Miah, 25, from Ninian Park in Cardiff were accused of planning to blow up the London Stock Exchange. They were under surveillance as they met with the other members of the group from London and Stoke in Roath Park, Cardiff and Cwmcarn Country Park near Newport. Idris was first arrested, in December 2014, alongside a number of others, for membership of a proscribed organisation, after ALM was re-named al-Ghurabaa, but no charges were brought. The Crown Prosecution Service suggested there could be a prospect of charges for other offences but it was not until July 2017 that Idris was re-arrested for the YouTube posts. Idris who worked at the Penarth Road sorting office in Cardiff, was suspended on full pay by the Royal Mail. Anjem Choudary, the national leader of al-Muhajiroun, was jailed in September 2016, and released on licence last year, after posting videos on YouTube encouraging support for ISIS. A left-wing journalist has been attacked by far-right activists in Berlin, her employer has said. The reporter, who works for Taz Daily, was grabbed while confronting protesters from the Identitarian Movement outside the paper's Berlin office on Monday. It comes after Frank Magnitz, leader of the AfD in Bremen, was savagely beaten in what police believe was a 'politically motivated attack'. A female reporter for a left-wing newspaper in Germany was attacked by far-right protesters outside the paper's Berlin office (pictured) Soviel zur "gefahrlichen Korperverletzung" u. "Hausfriedensbruch" 1. Die TAZ Mitarbeiterin tritt klar als Aggressorin auf, indem sie eine Aktivistin attackiert und Material versucht zu enteignen. 2. Aktivisten befanden sich VOR dem Gebaude.@rbb24 @WELTnews @tazgezwitscher pic.twitter.com/NAZpg02O2s Identitare Bewegung (@IBDeutschland) January 14, 2019 Video of the incident, posted online by the Identitarian Movement, shows the woman walking into the Taz building as activists put up posters outside. Among the images on the posters is a picture of Magnitz lying in hospital with a nasty head wound, along with slogans denouncing 'far-left violence'. The woman can be seen ripping down several of the posters and trying to dismantle a display that the activists are building on the pavement when one man puts his arm across her and tries to push her away. The pair then get into a tussle, in which the woman grabs his scarf, before they separate and she goes inside the building. The Identitarian Movement has links to the AfD and has vowed to confront what it calls 'left-wing extremism' in the wake of the attack on Magnitz. Police have not said which organisation they believe to be responsible. The protesters were demostrating against what they called 'far-left violence' after AfD chairman Frank Magnitz was savagely beaten in Bremen Magnitz was hit from behind by a hooded man as he walked through an alley, and while police say it was politically motivated, they have not said which group is responsible Members of the Movement also carried out protests outside several other left-wing outlets and parties in Berlin and Hamburg. The party accused those they targeted of 'trivializing, ignoring and even advocating for violence'. CCTV released by police investigating the Magnitz attack show the 66-year-old walking down an alleyway in Bremen while being followed by three hooded men. One man appears to sucker-punch Magnitz from behind before he falls to the floor and hits his head, before the attacker and his accomplices run away. The video appears to contradict early claims publicised by the AfD that Magnitz was hit with a piece of wood or kicked on the floor. He spent several days in hospital following the beating, during which he refused blame 'liberals' or the left for the assault. Politicians from across the political spectrum had condemned the attack and urged police to bring those responsible to justice. President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee William Barr is prepared to tell Congress he will protect Robert Mueller's Russia probe saying the special counsel must be allowed 'to complete his investigation.' His statement, contained in prepared testimony, comes as President Donald Trump continues to rail against the Russia 'witch hunt,' and spent part of Monday and the weekend calling former FBI Director James Comey a 'dirty cop.' Barr's testimony is being closely watched because he would assume oversight of the Mueller probe at a critical time and because of his unsolicited memo that went after the probe and questioned its foray into potential obstruction of justice. 'I believe it is vitally important that the Special Counsel be allowed to complete his investigation,' Barr said in prepared remarks released Monday. 'I believe it is vitally important that the Special Counsel be allowed to complete his investigation,' Barr said in prepared remarks released Monday 'I believe it is in the best interest of everyone - the President, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people - that this matter be resolved by allowing the Special Counsel to complete his work,' he said. Barr, a former attorney general under President George H.W. Bush, also provided some subtle reassurance in the tenor of his remarks, referring to Mueller as 'Bob' and conveying their professional relationship. Trump has spent months attacking Mueller as 'highly conflicted' and unable to carry out the probe. Barr as a private citizen penned a June memo that went after the Mueller probe. 'As I understand it, his theory is premised on a novel and legally insupportable reading of the law, Barr wrote, the Wall Street Journal reported. Moreover, in my view, if credited by the Justice Department, it would have grave consequences far beyond the immediate confines of this case and would do lasting damage to the Presidency and to the administration of law within the Executive branch. He called Mueller's posture 'grossly irresponsible and said it had potentially disastrous implications.' He has come under criticism from Democrats for the memo, which he sent Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. He also called the probe into whether Trump obstructed justice 'fatally misconceived.' Rosenstein said it didn't have an impact on him. Barr is providing assurances that special counsel Robert Mueller will be allowed to complete his work President Donald Trump lashed out at FBI officials who were part of the Mueller probe on Monday The testimony comes days after the New York Times reported FBI agents opened a counterintelligence investigation into Trump after he fired Comey. Barr's nomination has broad support by most Senate Republicans. However, he is expected to receive tough questions during two days of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee that start on Tuesday morning, including questions about why he wrote the memo and whether he will agree to make Mueller's findings public once the probe concludes. Mueller is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, possible collusion between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign and potential obstruction of justice. Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies' findings that it meddled in the 2016 campaign, while Trump has denied any collusion with Moscow and called Mueller's probe a 'witch hunt.' In his testimony, Barr said he has known Mueller professionally for 30 years and has confidence in his abilities. 'If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation,' Barr said in his written remarks. 'I will follow the Special Counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work.' President Donald Trump said Monday that he's not paying any attention to the pot-shots fired by liberal wunderkind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Asked at the White House to respond to her claim that he's a 'racist,' Trump shook his head, waved dismissively and grimaced: 'Who cares?' A White House pool reporter put Trump on the spot about one of his most closely watched antagonists. 'Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has called you a racist,' the journalist yelled over the hum of Marine One on the South Lawn. 'Who did?' Trump asked? Donald Trump dismissed the youngest member of Congress with a wave of his hand Monday, responding to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's branding him a racist with his own jab: 'Who cares?' Ocasio-Cortez (left), a socialist New York Democrat who is 29 years old, has branded Trump a 'racist' at least twice this month, including once on '60 Minutes'; she's pictured Monday with fellow freshman Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico Ocasio-Cortez is convinced she's getting under Trump's skin, comparing the President of the United States to the drunken pub crawlers she once served as a bartender in New York City 'Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez,' came the answer. 'Who cares?' the president huffed in the verbal equivalent of an eye-roll, moving on to take questions about China trade negotiations and the 24-day-old partial government shutdown. Ocasio-Cortez fired back on Twitter, telling her 2.4 million followers: 'I bartended for *years* in New York City. I understand guys like this like the back of my hand. We got under his skin.' The message ended with an emoji depicting tears of laughter. The a 29-year-old freshman Demorcatic lawmaker from New York self-identifies as an economic socialist. She started the fight with Trump in a '60 Minutes' interview that aired January 6. Prompted with a question from Anderson Cooper about whether she believes Trump is a racist, she didn't skip a beat: 'Yeah. Yeah. No question.' Trump took questions before crossing the South Lawn of the White House on Monday and boarding Marine One; he headed to New Orleans for a speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation Ocasio-Cortez has pulled no punches with her claims that Trump is a racist The White House fired back with a statement that the president has 'repeatedly condemned racism and bigotry in all forms.' By January 8, Ocasio-Cortez was laying out her case on Twitter. 'The President defended Neo-Nazis who murdered a woman in Charlottesville. The Dept of Justice sued him for not renting to Black tenants. He launched his campaign by calling Mexicans rapists. He banned Muslims,' she wrote. 'The President is racist. And that should make you uncomfortable.' On Sunday, in the midst of a separate Twitter explosion about Iowa Republicanb Rep. Steve King, Ocasio-Cortez claimed that 'I never called anyone racist, just inadequate.' An Afghan man has been arrested for stabbing a pregnant woman and killing her unborn baby in a hospital in Germany. The 25-year-old man was visiting the woman, a 25-year-old Polish national, in a hospital in Bad Kreuznach, a town in the south-western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The mother-to-be and the man, who is in the process of applying for asylum in Germany, got into a 'violent argument', during which he pulled out a knife and began stabbing her several times. Attack: The Afghan man, 25, was visiting the pregnant Polish woman, also 25, at a hospital in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, when the pair got into a 'violent argument' saw him stab her The woman suffered severe injuries and required emergency surgery, but is currently in a stable condition. Her unborn child, however, did not survive the violent attack. A short while after the stabbing, the Afghan suspect reported himself to the police at the local train station. He has been locked up in investigative custody on suspicion of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. Tragedy: The woman underwent emergency surgery and is now in a stable condition, however, her unborn baby did not survive the violent attack It is not yet clear what the exact relationship is between the Polish victim and the Afghan suspect. A police spokesperson said: 'As already reported, a physical altercation between a patient and a visitor came on 11th January 2019 around 6pm, in a hospital in Bad Kreuznach. 'During the visit, the 25-year-old Afghan asylum seeker stabbed the pregnant woman several times.' The Bad Kreuznach public prosecutor's office is currently investigating the stabbing in cooperation with the criminal investigation department of the police in Mainz, the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. According to the police, nothing is yet known about a possible motive for the crime. Senate Republicans are warning their Democratic counterparts not to pull a Brett Kavanaugh during confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee and engage in what they call a 'character assassination.' Confirmation hearings for William Barr begin Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally who led a passioned defense of Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing, is the new chairman of the committee. Republican Senators are warning their GOP colleagues not to treat attorney general nominee William Barr (above) as they did Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing Sen. Lindsey Graham (right) is the new chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which begins Barr's (left) confirmation hearing on Tuesday Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court became contentious after he was accused of sexual assault, which he denied 'I'm going to let it be up to [Democrats]. You pick these fights at your own peril. [Barr will] be challenged for sure. Hopefully respectfully,' Graham told Politico. Another senator warned Democrats not to hold a 'Kavanaugh 2.0' hearing. 'I guess the question we all have is, 'Is this going to be Kavanaugh 2.0?' Where it's really not about the search for the truth, it's more about character assassination,' said Republican Sen. John Cornyn. 'So I can hope for the best, but we'll have to wait and see.' The Kavanaugh hearing became must-see TV after Christine Blasey Ford charged him with sexually assaulting her in high school. Kavanaugh denied the allegations. The hearing became contentious as Kavanaugh fought back against the allegations, including getting into snapping matches with Democratic senators. Some Republicans, like Graham, nearly shouted their defense of the nominee. And protestors filled the room and the outside area, several of whom confronted senators with their own stories of sexual assault. There have been no such allegations against Barr. However, the dynamics of the committee will be influenced by the new chair and by the fact there are three Democrats on it considering 2020 presidential bids: Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker. 'I hope that Lindsey Graham can be the Lindsey Graham that I worked on immigration reform with. And not the Lindsey Graham who yelled during the Kavanaugh hearing,' Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono told the news website. Barr can be confirmed without Democratic votes given the Republican majority in the Senate. A simple majority can confirm a member of the Cabinet. Additionally, the GOP has a two-seat majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee and Jeff Flake, a swing vote who got the Kavanaugh vote delayed a week by asking for an additional investigation, has retired. But Democrats' can make their presence felt in the questioning. 'Hopefully he won't go after the senators in any manner,' said Klobuchar of Barr. She was asked by Kavanaugh if she had a drinking problem during her questioning of him. And Booker testified against Jeff Sessions' nomination to be attorney general. The New Jersey senator got national attention - and some mockery from the GOP - with his 'I am Spartacus' moment in the Kavanaugh hearings, when he vowed to risk expulsion from the Senate in order to release documents about Kavanaugh's time in the White House under President George W. Bush. Turns out those documents were already public. Three Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are considering 2020 presidential bids: (from left to right) Sens. Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Amy Klobuchar Democrats plan to ask Barr about his criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller's (above) Russia investigation Expect Democrats to ask Barr about his criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, which he would supervise if confirmed. Barr will say in his opening remarks that Mueller should be allowed to continue his work. 'I believe it is in the best interest of everyone - the president, Congress, and most importantly, the American people - that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work,' according to his released remarks. 'I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation,' Barr will say. 'I will follow the Special Counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work.' In June 2018, Barr wrote a 20-page memo to Justice Department leaders criticizing aspects of Mueller's inquiry, particularly Mueller's theory of potential obstruction of justice by the president. A toddler found dead early Monday outside her New Hampshire home in bitterly cold weather apparently left her house just before dawn but couldn't get back inside. Newport Police said the death of the 2 -year-old, whom the family only identified as Sofia Van Schoick, is not suspicious and 'appears to be a bad accident'. The girl's grandfather, Lindsay Van Schoick, said through text message that a neighbor had found the girl. He said the family is still trying to understand what happened. 'It's rough,' he said. 'It was a terrible accident, a terrible accident. She (his daughter) is doing horrible. She is doing terrible. She just lost one of her children.' Two-year-old, Sophia Van Schoick (pictured), was found dead early Monday morning outside her New Hampshire home in -0.4 degrees Fahrenheit after leaving her house just before dawn The girl's grandfather, Lindsay Van Schoick, said through text message that a neighbor had found Sophia (pictured). He said the family is still trying to understand what happened Van Schoick, who was at the Newport home but wouldn't answer the door, said the family had just moved into the apartment and his granddaughter may not have known her way around. He also said the front door leading outside was easy to open and the family had not had time to put bolt locks on the entrance. 'I don't think she made it up the stairs. They found her at the bottom of the stairs,' he said. 'There are things we will never know. We'll never know what happened.' Their neighbor, Shane Rowe and his girlfriend heard cries around 4am Monday but didn't see anything. They went back to bed and later found the girl at the bottom of the stairs leading to the child's apartment. The two-story, multifamily home sits up the hill from a busy section near a gas station, insurance office and pharmacy. Temperatures were -0.4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 Celsius) overnight. The toddler's grandfather said the loss of a girl he described as 'very intelligent, precocious, very stubborn and adamant' has hit the family hard Their neighbor, Shane Rowe and his girlfriend heard cries around 4am Monday but didn't see anything. Pictured is the child's home They went back to bed and later found the girl at the bottom of the stairs (pictured) leading to the child's apartment. 'I saw a little girl next to the bottom of the stairway, and I said to myself, "I hope that's a doll,"' Rowe said 'I saw a little girl next to the bottom of the stairway, and I said to myself, "I hope that's a doll,"' Rowe told WMUR-TV. 'And my girlfriend came out, and she ran out, and she went over and saw that it was actually a child.' Rowe said his girlfriend knocked on the parents' door around 7am. Then, the mother scooped the child up, wrapped her in a blanket, and called 911. Temperatures were below zero degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 Celsius) overnight. The toddler's grandfather, who lost a son five years ago, said the loss of a girl he described as 'very intelligent, precocious, very stubborn and adamant' has hit the family hard. Alan Ayotte, a neighbor of the family, said he had met them briefly and they 'seemed to be fine, decent people'. Ayotte said he never heard anything overnight and only learned of the accident when emergency officials arrived early Monday. 'It's just unbelievable that something happened like that,' he said. 'It's too bad that someone couldn't have prevented it.' The Saudi government is accused of helping five students studying in Oregon flee the U.S. after they were charged or convicted of serious crimes including manslaughter, rape and possession of child porn. The latest student, Abdulrahman Semeer Noorah, 23, is believed to have fled on a private jet with the help of his country's consulate in June last year just weeks before he was due to stand trial for killing a 15-year-old girl. Noorah's case made international headlines last month following uproar over the killing of U.S.-based Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered inside the country's consulate in Istanbul in October. An investigation by The Oregonian has since revealed that four other Saudi students, who were studying in Oregon and facing similar circumstances to Noorah, have also fled the U.S. in recent years. All were young men studying at one of Oregon's public colleges or universities with assistance from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Officials revealed in December that they were working to get Noorah extradited back to the U.S. after he removed his court-ordered ankle monitor and supposedly used an illegal passport to flee the country. Noorah vanished just two weeks before he was due to stand trial on manslaughter charges for killing 15-year-old Fallon Smart with his car when she was crossing a road in Portland in August 2016. Abdulrahman Semeer Noorah is believed to have fled on a jet with the help of the Saudi consulate in June just weeks before his manslaughter trial was starting over the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old Fallon Smart in Portland in 2016 Courtesy of KOIN The Saudi government only recently informed U.S. authorities that Noorah, who was a Portland Community College student, had returned to Saudi Arabia seven days after he went missing. Noorah had been released from jail at the time on a $100,000 bond that the Saudi consulate paid. He vanished after being picked up from his college campus in a black SUV. Now it has emerged that his was not an isolated case, with four other men also fleeing either before or after their cases went to court. Suliman Ali Algwaiz Portland State University student Suliman Ali Algwaiz was arrested in August 2016 after he drunkenly struck a homeless man with his car. He fled the scene but was later sentenced to 90 days in jail. Algwaiz was serving his sentence at weekends, but vanished before completing the 90 days and a warrant for his arrest is still outstanding. Waleed Ali Alharthi Waleed Ali Alharthi, who was an Oregon State University student, was found in possession of child porn in April 2015. Police found pornographic videos on his laptop involving children. He was arrested and booked on 10 counts of encouraging child sex abuse. The consulate also put up the security deposit for his $500,000 bail. Alharthi attended multiple court hearings related to his case but failed to attend a status check in April 2015. His lawyer told the court that she feared he was dead but authorities learned he had flown from Mexico City to Paris the week before. Portland State University student Suliman Ali Algwaiz (left) was arrested in August 2016 after he drunkenly struck a homeless man with his car. Waleed Ali Alharthi (right), who was an Oregon State University student, was found in possession of child porn in April 2015 Abdulaziz Al Duways In a similar case a few years prior, Abdulaziz Al Duways was arrested in December 2014 over the rape of a female classmate at Western Oregon University. Arrest affidavits related to his case show that the alleged victim accused Al Duways of giving her marijuana and whiskey shots prior to the attack. She called 911 during the alleged attack and when police arrived they found her crying in his bed. Al Duways had allegedly told her: 'Tell them I'm your girlfriend' and 'I'll give you anything. I'll do anything if you don't tell them'. He was charged with rape and held on a $500,000 bond. Days later, a Saudi consulate official paid his bond and Al Duways vanished before he faced court. Ali Hussain Alhamoud In 2012, Oregon State University student Ali Hussain Alhamoud was charged with raping a young woman. He was released on bail, which the Saudi government posted, and he flew back to Saudi Arabia that same day. Abdulaziz Al Duways (left) was arrested in December 2014 over the rape of a female classmate at Western Oregon University. In 2012, Oregon State University student Ali Hussain Alhamoud (right) was charged with raping a young woman The first four cases were all represented by the same attorney, Ginger Mooney. She has represented at least nine Saudi students since 2014. Mooney declined to comment in relation to the Oregonian investigation but her attorney said any suggestion of unethical or improper conduct by her client was 'completely unfounded'. When the case involving Noorah came to light last year, Oregon senator Ron Wyden urged the U.S. government to investigate and to take action. 'These are shocking claims in any event, but with the barbaric murder of US resident Jamal Khashoggi, they suggest a brazen pattern of disregard for the law and abuse of diplomatic privileges,' Wyden wrote. 'If they are accurate, they would require significant restrictions on Saudi Arabias diplomatic privileges and call into question the future of Americas bilateral relationship with the Saudis.' 'Since the U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Saudi Arabia, what steps is the Trump administration taking to ensure Mr. Noorah is accountable for the death of Ms Smart?' He wanted a response from the State and Justice Departments by the end of January. The New England Patriots asked fans for a moment of silence before their playoff game for the deceased newborn of Los Angeles Chargers defensive linesman Brandon Mebane. Just as the Patriots were about to take on the Chargers in Massachusetts on Sunday, they asked fans to stand to observe the moment of silence for Mebane's baby girl, Makenna, who died on January 3 at just seven-weeks-old. Mebane had missed five of the last seven games so far, including last week's wildcard, to be with his family as his daughter battled a rare genetic condition known as Trisomy 13 that causes delays in development and affects several organs. During the moment of silence, Mebane looked up and blew a kiss skyward, and his wife, Amena Mebane, posted a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter on Instagram on Sunday as well. 'I would whisper to her every morning ''every day with you is a blessing sweet Makenna.'' Tragically, Amena reflects back on her pregnancy and how she delivered little Makenna as a preemie. During Sunday night's playoff game, the Patriots had fans stand for a moment of silence for Brandon Mebane's newborn daughter, Makenna, who passed away January 3 at seven-months-old after suffering a rare genetic condition As the emotional father, who is a team captain defensive lineman, was honored- he blew a kiss skyward The stadium observed a moment of silence before Sunday night's playoff game which the Patriots ultimately won As Brandon Mebane's wife Amena (pictured) explained on Instagram, where she posted pictures of Makenna after she passed away, the cause of death was 'a severe intestine infection called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).' The infant endured several surgeries during her brief life Baby Makenna's loving mother, Amena Mebane, posted an emotional tribute to Instagram on Sunday- the same day the Patriots honored the family with a moment of silence The little infant died at seven-weeks-old after undergoing several operations in her short life 'If you had told me I would only get to hold her for seven weeks, I would still have chosen to carry her to term, to move across the country for care, to move my family across the country, to enroll my kids in a new school, to be admitted to the hospital for weeks, to have a c-section, to pump every three hours even when she couldn't eat, to sleep in a chair in the NICU night after night. I would have still chosen to fight for her, because she was worth it.' The mother of two added on the passing of what was her third child writing, 'Her life mattered and despite her genetic difference, she was worth fighting for. And although her time here was short, her impact on us was immeasurable. Her impact on us will last a lifetime.' Mebane was active during Sunday's divisional playoff round game at New England. Makenna, passed away at a children's hospital in Omaha, Nebraska after being born prematurely and with a heart defect on November 12. Last week, Mebane's wife Amena explained on Instagram that the cause of death was 'a severe intestine infection called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).' 'I'm still thankful, and I thank God every day,' Mebane said last week after his daughter's passing. 'I still pray. We're taking it one day at a time.' Makenna was born without a heart valve - a problem that required surgery. 'She just kept having bleeding from her stomach, and then they tried to feed her, it wasn't good for her liver,' Mebane continued, reportedly holding back tears. He was away from his team for most of December in order to be with Amena and their two older children. Mebane's wife shared pictures of Makenna on Instagram, explaining that the infant had to undergo abdominal surgery to address her NEC. 'She came out of surgery with her fist balled and raised in the air,' Amena wrote on Instagram. 'She was such a little fighter. But, after awhile the complications from the infection took a toll on her body and her organs. Mebane's wife Amena shared pictures of Makenna on Instagram, explaining that the infant had to undergo abdominal surgery to address her Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Brandon Mebane (left) and his wife Amena were already parents to two older children Mebane (pictured with wife Amena) is one of the defensive captains for the Chargers. The 33-year old is in his third year with the team and 12th in the NFL. He had 40 tackles (three for loss), one forced fumble, one sack and three QB hits in 12 games this season 'I told my little warrior girl that she didn't have to fight anymore,' Amena continued. 'We decided to remove all her ivs, love on her all day and then remove her ventilator. She passed peacefully in mommy and daddy's arms yesterday at 10:30pm.' Mebane, 33, is one of the defensive captains for the Chargers. He is in his third year with the team and 12th in the NFL. He had 40 tackles (three for loss), one forced fumble, one sack and three QB hits in 12 games this season. 'Words are hard to come by with the passing of Brandon Mebane's infant daughter, Makenna,' read a statement on the team's Twitter account. 'We are heartbroken. Please join us in keeping Brandon, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers.' The Charges lost to the Patriots during Sunday night's playoff game. This is the moment a stowaway starling made a surprise appearance in business class during a long-haul flight to London. The incident took place about 12 hours into the Singapore Airlines flight to London Heathrow and was filmed by an unnamed passenger. The myna, a bird of the starling family which is common to southern Asia, is believed to have entered the plane in Singapore. Hitching a ride: The myna, which is a type of starling, suddenly appeared in the cabin about 12 hours into the Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to London Heathrow The bird is then thought to have remained in a dark place until the high altitudes and lower cabin pressure prompted it to make an appearance. The incident was filmed by an eyewitness on Singapore Airlines flight SQ322 to Heathrow and uploaded to Facebook where it has been seen over 30,000 times. In the footage, the myna is seen perched on one of the business class seats looking around as no one pays it any mind. After a while, a cabin crew member tries to grab the bird and it flies off as he gives chase. Almost gotcha! Video footage shows crew members trying to catch the bird on the plane Safe flight! The myna was successfully captured in London after the plane had landed and handed over to airport authorities Birds on a plane: The myna is a type of starling common in southern Asia According to Singapore Airlines, the stowaway starling appeared when the plane was about two hours from landing at Heathrow, and is believed to have been hiding in an overhead bin or somewhere else dark and quiet. Cabin crew startled the myna during the flight, but it was successfully captured in London after the plane had landed. According to local media, the bird was handed over to the airport authorities to be put in quarantine. Natalie Portman, 37, has said she's lucky to have been at Harvard before social media Natalie Portman has said she's 'really lucky' to have been at University before social media hit. The actress, 37, was a student at Harvard University from 1999 to 2003, at the same time as another famous alumni, Mark Zuckerberg, invented Facebook. Reflecting on her time there the Black Swan Oscar Winner revealed she's grateful for having been able to 'go about her business without it being documented,' reports People. She said missing Facebook was: 'Really lucky cause, guess what? Its good to make mistakes and do stupid things when youre a teenager and young adult and not have it haunt you forever.' Portman laughed throughout her interview and smiled as she said she got 'just under the wire' with missing the site. She said: 'Thank you Mark Zuckerberg for being very young.' Portman was a senior at the prestigious university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when Zuckerberg invented the social networking site. Facebook was launched in February 2004, and Portman graduated from the college in 2003 with a degree in psychology. The actress, who is married to French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, won her first Golden Globe for Closer a year after graduating from college. Mark Zuckerberg, pictured, invented Facebook at Harvard Univeristy while Portman was a senior and he was a freshman However her first nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture came in 1999 for Anywhere But Here. In 2010 she won Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for Black Swan, and picked up another nomination in 2016 for Jackie. She has two movies in the can for release next year - the sci-fi drama Lucy In The Sky in which she stars with Jon Hamm and Zazie Beetz and the drama The Death and Life of John F. Donovan with Kit Harington. In June last year Portman blasted another Harvard graduate, Jared Kusher, for 'becoming a super-villain' as she spoke with Stephen Colbert on Thursday night. Both Portman and Kusher graduated in 2003 and she was on the guestlist when he married Ivanka Trump back in 2009. Natalie Portman savaged old friend Jared Kushner as she spoke with Stephen Colbert on Thursday night, saying he is 'turning into a super-villain' Portman attended Kushner's wedding to Ivanka back in 2009 and he returned the favor when she married Benjamin Millepied in 2012 (pictured, Portman and Kushner speaking at the same anti-poverty event in New York in 2010) But while Portman was forthcoming about her past with the President's son-in-law, she struggled to find something to say about him in the present. Pushed by Colbert for an anecdote, she replied: 'There's not a lot funny to say about someone you were friends with becoming a super-villain.' Expanding on the split, Portman added: 'He said in some interview that all of the friends he's lost through politics is like exfoliating. I was like, OK...' 'So you're a dead skin cell?' Colbert retorted, to which Portman answered: 'Proudly.' It is not known exactly when Portman and Kushner stopped speaking, but she was a vocal campaigner for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. Energy: ENI signs exploration, production accord with Oman Accord on Block 47 (ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 14 - Italian energy giant ENI and the state-run Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP) on Monday signed with the government of the Sultanate of Oman an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) regarding Block 47, according to a statement released by Eni. Block 47 is located ''onshore in the Omani A'Dakhiliyah Governorate and covers an approximate area of 8,524'' square kilometers, according to the statement. The block was awarded to ENI and OOCEP ''following their joint bid as part of the 2017 Oman Licensing Round. Pursuant the EPSA, Eni is the operator of the block with a 90% participating interest and OOCEP holds the remaining 10% participating interest''. Exploration operations are expected to start in 2019, the company said. In addition, ENI has signed with the Ministry of Oil and Gas and with BP a Head of Agreement (HoA) that sets up the principles for the acquisition of the exploration and production rights of Block 77 onshore, with an acreage of 3.100 square kilometers, 30 km east of the BP-operated Khazzan Field, the company said in the statement. ''Under the Agreement, Eni and BP hold 50% each with Eni acting as operator during the exploration phase''. After the signature of the HoA, the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) will follow shortly, ENI said. Today's agreements mark further progress in boosting ENI's presence in Oman, as well as consolidating the cooperation with OOCEP, which is already a partner of the company in Block 52. (ANSAmed) Two women have been rescued after a gunman took them hostage at a New Jersey UPS facility. The man reportedly entered the UPS Mail Innovations warehouse around 8.30am Monday and fired shots into the ceiling before taking his ex-girlfriend and another woman hostage, law enforcement sources tell NBC New York. The suspect was shot and taken into custody after he barricaded himself in a room with the two woman and negotiated with hostage communicators on the phone. Both women, who are UPS employees were not seriously injured during the shooting and standoff, Charles Fiore, Gloucester County prosecutor, said in a news conference. An active crime scene was underway at a UPS facility in Logan Township, New Jersey Monday morning A gunman took his ex-girlfriend and another woman hostage inside the building The two women were rescued and the gunman was arrested Gloucester County officials say 32 employees were inside the facility on Birchcreek Road at the time of the shooting. Police evacuated the building and surrounded the loading dock area of the large UPS supply chain warehouse in Logan Township, about 20 miles south of Philadelphia Armed officers were seen from aerial images crouching behind vehicles, while other officers swarmed an office door. Armored trucks, bomb squad and ambulances were also on the scene. In a statement, UPS said it was working with law enforcement on an active shooter situation at its supply chain processing facility in Logan Township, but did not provide details or identify if any employees were involved. 'UPS is working with law enforcement as they respond to an active shooter situation at one of the company's supply chain processing facilities in Logan Township, New Jersey. We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time,' UPS said in a statement. Police surrounded the loading dock and were seen crouching behind vehicles and armed There were 32 employees inside at the time of the shooting and police were evacuated from the building A police roadblock was set up as officials responded to reports of an active shooter UPS employee Donnelle Harden told abc6 he was doing his work when he saw his coworkers running toward the exit and heard two gunshots. Another employee Ashlee Erickson posted video to Facebook from outside the facility and told 6abc that she was inside when the building was evacuated. 'There was a massive police presence as soon as we were walking out of the building, there were a good 10 cop cars, they all had their guns drawn out heading toward the main entrance of the building,' Erickson said. 'From what I understand it was someone who did not work there that was having a confrontation with their significant other,' she added. Schools in the area were put on a modified lockdown, and no one could enter or leave the schools in the township due to 'policy activity in a nearby industrial park,' Superintendent Patricia Haney said. 'All other businesses and areas within the community are secure,' Gloucester County spokeswoman Debra Sellitto said in a statement. Surveillance footage captured the shocking moment a thief trying to rob a Mexican restaurant is beaten up by employees and customers. In the recently released video, the knife-wielding man is seen walking into the Mi Nidito restaurant wearing a dark hoodie. As he walks around to the encounter with the weapon hidden, a woman is seen retreating away from him. The man appears to exchange words with one of the restaurant's managers before walking into the 'employees only' area of the venue. Surveillance footage captured the shocking moment a thief trying to rob Mexican restaurant, Mi Nidito, was beaten up by employees and customers just before police arrived to the scene The thief smashes the cash register onto the ground and tries to pick up the money as a customer comes up behind him and hits him in the head with a chair (pictured) Moments later one employee is seen evacuating customers as the thief runs out and smashes the cash register on the floor. He then tries to pick up the money as a customer comes up behind him and hits him in the head with a chair. Three employees are then seen trying to subdue the man who continuously throws punches. A customer is seen punching the man in the head as the employees try to hold him down. Police arrived a short time later and arrested the man. Three employees are then seen trying to subdue the man who continuously throws punches A customer is seen punching the man in the head as the employees try to hold him down. Police arrived a short time later and arrested the man According to officers from the South Tucson Department of Public Safety, two of the employees were stabbed by the man. Neither of the injuries were life-threatening. One victim was treated at the scene and the other was taken to a local hospital. The incident occurred in July 2018. At the time, the manager of the restaurant thanked his employees and the customers for their bravery. 'To the three customers who helped subdue the suspect, we also would like to thank them for their help,' general manager, Jimmy Lopez, wrote on Facebook. 'In the 66 years that we have been in business something like this has never happened. Hopefully, this will not keep the general public from coming to Mi Nidito. 'We will keep striving to serve good food, friendly service, and to provide a safe environment,' he added. The incident occurred in July 2018. At the time, the manager of the restaurant (pictured) thanked his employees and the customers for their bravery The 18-year-old Saudi girl who fled her family fearing they would kill her after she rejected Islam has begun adapting to life in her new home country of Canada. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, arrived in Toronto on Saturday after Canada granted her asylum on the advice of the United Nations' refugee agency. A selfie taken by Ms al-Qunun on Sunday shows her wrapped up warm in a black winter jacket and woolly hat to protect herself against the chilly 16F (-9C) weather. The below freezing temperatures are clearly a far cry from what she is used to, and she captioned the image with three sad face emojis. New style: Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, has begun adapting to life in Canada after being granted asylum, with a photo showing her all bundled up in a winter jacket and woolly hat Safe arrival: The teenager arrived in Canada this weekend, after fleeing her home country earlier this month - allegedly to escape her abusive family Ms al-Qunun, accompanied by Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, right, and Saba Abbas, general counsellor of COSTI refugee service agency, left, arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario Ms al-Qunun garnered support around the world after barricading herself in a Bangkok airport hotel room earlier this month to resist being sent home to her family whom she claims had threatened her life and to force her to marry against her will. However, despite global praise for her bravery and for Canada's decision to grant her asylum, one Saudi organisation backed by the Riyadh government has issued thinly veiled critique on the matter. Without naming Ms al-Qunun, The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) accused several foreign countries of inciting young women to reject their families. NSHR head Mufleh al-Qahtani accused unspecified countries and international organisations of pursuing political agendas and 'pushing (women) ultimately to be lost and maybe to fall into the arms of brokers and human traffickers'. NSHR 'was surprised by some countries' incitement of some Saudi female delinquents to rebel against the values of their families and push them out of the country and seek to receive them under the pretext of granting them asylum,' Qahtani said. He did not name Canada or Australia, which also considered offering Qunun asylum, or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which granted her refugee status. Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, arrives at Pearson International airport in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland (right) greeted Ms al-Qunun, after she landed in Toronto on Saturday morning From her personal Twitter account, al-Qunun thanked everyone for their support, saying she had never 'dreamed of this love' Al-Qunun shared photos to Twitter from her flight to Toronto, showing her relaxing in first class with wine and her legs up Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland greeted al-Qunun when she arrived in Toronto on Saturday, wearing a blue ball cap and a gray hoodie emblazoned in red with the word 'CANADA.' Ms al-Qunun shared a snap on social media of her in first class enjoying a glass of wine as she jetted off to Canada as a refugee Ms Freeland told reporters with her arm around the teen: 'This is Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun a very brave new Canadian.' Speaking about the teenager last week, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: 'Canada has been unequivocal that we'll stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world. 'When the United Nations made a request of us that we grant Ms al-Qunun's asylum, we accepted.' Ms al-Qunun is the daughter of a Saudi governor and has nine siblings. She used a loophole in the state's tough laws to travel to Kuwait unaccompanied. From there, she purchased a ticket to Bangkok and was hoping to seek asylum in Canada, the United States, Australia, the UK or 'any nation would protect her from being harmed or killed by her family'. Ms al-Qunun walks through sliding doors as she beams alongside officials at Toronto Pearson Canada is now the new home for Saudi refugee Ms al-Qunun (pictured) after Canada answered a request by the UNHCR Ms al-Qunun (pictured) previously reacted to news Australia was considering granting her asylum, saying, 'Is it true??? Australia wants me to go there??? I'm so happy' The 18-year-old (pictured with her 12-year-old sister Joud) said she had 'escaped Kuwait' and that her life would be in danger if she were forced to return to Saudi Arabia The 18-year-old was detained in Thailand following her arrival in the country. She is pictured having barricaded herself in an airport hotel room in a bid to avoid deportation Instead, her passport was seized by a Saudi diplomat and she was forced to lock herself in an apartment room. She says she spent months planning her escape before implementing her dangerous plan on January 5. She barricaded herself in an airport hotel room where her social media campaign got enough public and diplomatic support that Thai officials admitted her temporarily under the protection of U.N. officials, who granted her refugee status Wednesday. UNHCR spokeswoman Lauren La Rose said the fact she was processed so quickly is a credit to those that made it happen. 'This is someone who was clearly in harm's way, who clearly felt her life with her threatened, and my colleagues in concert with governments in Thailand and Canada recognized that need,' she said A grandfather who was crushed by a bin lorry after falling asleep in a high street bin died after refusing to have his leg amputated, his former partner has said. Russel Lane, 47, was seriously injured after sleeping in the waste container in Rochester High Street in Kent last January. He died six weeks later from a heart attack. It is understood binmen had checked whether the bin was empty but failed to see Mr Lane asleep in the container until it was too late. He suffered crushing injuries to his legs and was rushed to the nearby Medway Maritime Hospital, where doctors wanted to amputate one of his legs. This was the scene last year when grandfather Russel Lane was crushed in a bin lorry in Kent He asked for a second opinion from a doctor at a hospital closer to his home in Southampton, but went into cardiac arrest before he could be seen. Mr Lane is understood to have been previously addicted to strong medication, but was rebuilding his life after completing a college course in health and social care. Ahead of an inquest, his former partner Nicola Gerrard has told of the many questions his friends and family have over the events leading up to his death. She said: 'The details are still unknown. Everything is shrouded in mystery. He had plenty of money in his bank. 'He didn't drink, there would be no reason for him to have to resort to sleeping in this bin, as was implied. 'We are hoping for answers at his inquest, and hopefully attain some degree of closure. 'In order to grieve naturally, we need answers, none of which have been forthcoming. All we have is the horrific minimal details.' His relatives say too little information has been released about the events before his death Mr Lane was born in London and moved to Hampshire with his family as a child. His funeral took place in the New Forest in June. Miss Gerrard, who is mother to Mr Lane's daughter Kellyanne, 26, described him as an 'amazing, sweet and intelligent man'. She added: 'He was turning his life around, starting afresh and just wanted to help others. 'He was so loved by everyone. His tutors, who became his friends, were at the funeral and were devastated.' A pair of randy golden retrievers have ruined their family's group portrait after Nemo decided to get amorous with his brother Finn just as the photo was taken. When Liam Bornovski flew back to visit family in Koror, Palau, last month he was excited to pose for a photograph with his loved ones to 'remember the good times'. The 23-year-old, who lives in New York City, U.S., said it was only right that beloved five-year-old dogs Finn and Nemo be included as they are a special part of the family. But Liam, who works in the music industry, said he never imagined the dogs - who are actually brothers - would 'get it on' just as the photograph was being taken. Liam Bornovski, back row right, posed for the family portrait while at home in Koror, Palau, last month. He couldn't believe it when Nemo 'got it on' with Finn as the picture was taken Liam shared the hilarious snap online and it has gone viral - racking up more than 15,000 likes and shares on Facebook in a matter of days. Liam said: 'I'd gone back home to visit my family and we had arranged to take a group portrait. 'The dogs are a very important part of the family so of course they would have to be included. 'The photographer went to take the picture and Nemo just starting humping his brother. I couldn't believe it. 'I know it's kind of weird that a male dog would do this to his brother, but I think it is kind of a dominance thing. 'Nemo always seems to hump his brother. He is tiny, he was the runt of the litter so I think he does it so he can feel dominant. Liam, who lives in New York City, said the dogs are a very important part of the family. Pictured left to right are Gayle, Liam, Yarden, Chad, Tova and Navot with dogs Finn and Nemo 'Everyone cracked up laughing, it was hilarious. You can see our reaction in the photo which is just priceless.' Liam said he loves the photograph so much that he plans on framing it to hang on the wall - adding it is the best portrait that his family have taken. He said: 'It's so nice to have captured such a funny moment. 'I'm definitely going to frame it and hang it up on the wall. It's the best family portrait we've ever taken. 'They're both really sweet dogs and we love them so much. It was just something funny that happened, we'll never forget it. 'Now we will have this hilarious photo to remember the moment forever. It's perfect.' A Massachusetts high school is under fire after students were sent home with a homework assignment asking them to 'check out' claims President Trump is a 'fascist.' The politically charged title of the assignment, 'Some People Claim that Donald Trump is a Fascist: Time to Check it Out!' was set by history teacher Shaun Ashworth at Haverhill High School. Parents expressed missed emotions to Boston news station WBZ. The assignment, 'Some People Claim that Donald Trump is a Fascist: Time to Check it Out!' was set by history teacher Shaun Ashworth Parents expressed mixed emotions about the assignment set by Ashworth (pictured on the right with his partner left) with some saying it was inappropriate 'I support the President,' said parent Dave Prescott. 'I support a lot of the things he does. And for them to talk about fascism, in regards to the president, I just think this isn't what I'm sending my kids to school for.' 'If you want to bring up an issue, don't bring politics into it,' Prescott added. 'I have an older child that had the same teacher a couple of years ago. He did not receive the assignment: Why or Why not is Barack Obama a fascist?' one parent posted on Facebook. Other parents defended the assignment that asked students to 'check out' 'claims' about President Trump (pictured above) and said it encouraged students 'to think deeply' While other parents defended the title of the assignment and Ashworth. 'As a student, I can affirm that Mr. Ashworth teaches each and every one of his students to think for themselves and to think deeply,' Angelina Parolisi said at a school committee meeting on Thursday, as reported by WFXT. 'I see an assignment that asks tough questions and encourages children to think for themselves,' parent Helen Zbitnoff added at the meeting. Parent Bill Galvin thought the assignment provided his child with critical thinking skills. 'Absolutely not. But in the same token, having opinions is part of America,' Galvin said. The principal of Haverhill High School (pictured above), Glenn Burns, sent out a letter to parents apologizing, saying, 'we missed the mark.' However, Haverhill High School Principal, Glenn Burns, sent out a letter to parents apologizing for the topic, saying, 'we missed the mark.' 'We will continue to provide our scholars opportunities to debate and engage in controversial topics because this is at the heart of how positive change and innovation happens. We will take better notice of the development and delivery of lessons to make sure that the outcomes of the assignment are not skewed by the prompts of the lesson,' said a statement from Burns. An interpreting firm has been stripped of its police contract after 'unqualified' translators led one case to collapse when an employee told a teenage suspect 'not to say too much'. Interpreting firm ITL, based in Gateshead, received 1.1 million from three police forces in the North East despite hiring 'appallingly inadequate' translators, a BBC investigation has revealed. One interpreter, Czech national Jan Kartak, was not able to explain a police caution in full to a juvenile suspect in a case where a woman had been allegedly drugged and raped. Scroll down for video Czech national Jan Kartak was not able to explain a police caution to a juvenile suspect when he was working as a police interpreter for ITL His co-accused were Jioi Istok, 37, and Michal Cina, 30 who were on trial for blackmail. But the case collapsed in August 2016 due to inconsistencies found in the transcription when it was reviewed by a highly-qualified translator. In a reconstruction of an interview broadcast by the BBC, a police officer asked the suspect: 'In relation to the offences you've been arrested for, are you responsible for them?' The company, run by Grace Tia Bon Bon, would often recruit foreign students at job fairs Kartak translated this as 'The things they told you, have you got anything to do with them, no? 'He said, don't tell me them much, just tell me what I ask you'. A new jury was sworn in and Istok and Cina were later jailed for a total of seven years. The juvenile suspect was then acquitted. The interpreter who reviewed Kartak's translation said she was 'absolutely horrified' by the quality of his 'appallingly inadequate' English. She said: 'He wasn't asking what the police officer was asking, he was advising the suspect.' Despite this incident, Kartak was then used again in a modern slavery case in Newcastle in 2018. The trial had to be delayed by three weeks at significant cost to the taxpayer and the work was re-done by another translator. Simon Walker, from the Criminal Law Solicitors' Association, said: 'I don't think it can be overstated how significant a problem this is. 'Obviously the knock-on effect is expense, inconvenience, stress to all court users and most important of all I would argue access to justice and potential for miscarriages of justice'. The company, run by Grace Tia Bon Bon, would often recruit foreign students at job fairs. Eugenija Steponkute, from Lithuania, had only been in the country for three months when she secured a job with the firm. She had no previous qualifications or training when she began working for ITL. Eugenija Steponkute, from Lithuania, had only been in the country for three months when she secured a job with the firm Ms Steponkute said: 'It had only been two or three months since I'd been in England in total so when I came there I didn't get everything the policeman was saying, I tried my best.' Northumbria Police, which leads on interpreting services for the Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland forces, said the contract was given to ITL North East Ltd following a tendering process in line with national guidelines. The force has instructed a new supplier following the latest tendering process, the BBC reported. A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: 'Action was immediately taken as soon as concerns were raised about the accuracy of translations supplied by interpreters from ITL North East Ltd in relation to the modern day slavery case. 'This included interviews being independently re-examined. 'As a result of the concerns raised in the case, Northumbria Police requested a full audit of the qualifications held by all interpreters registered with ITL North East Ltd.' In a statement ITL said: 'All interpreters supplied by ITL meet the qualifications required and are suitably registered.' Two French police officers have appeared in court on charges of gang-raping a Canadian tourist at Paris police headquarters five years ago. The policemen, both members of the specialist anti-gang Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), are accused of raping the woman after luring her to take a night-time tour of their offices. The victim says she met a group of officers in an Irish pub located across the street, near the river Seine, in April 2014. The officers, both members of the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), are accused of raping the woman at the Paris police's famous headquarters (pictured) in April 2014 After several drinks, they invited her for a private tour of 36 Quai des Orfevres, a famous address depicted in many crime movies and novels. The woman would later describe how she had not wanted to pass up the opportunity to visit the legendary location and was given a tour by the officers. She claims they tried to force her to drink large amounts of whiskey before smashing her head against a desk, raping her several times. After the alleged sexual assault, the Canadian woman claims she was thrown out onto the street. The victim says she met a group of officers in an Irish pub located across the street from the 36 Quai des Orfevres police headquarters in Paris, France A female police officer spotted her outside the headquarters and took her to a nearby hospital where doctors detected signs she may have been sexually assaulted. Judges initially threw out the case but the Paris prosecutor and the woman won their appeal to have it brought to a trial, which starts today. The officers face up to 20 years in prison. A penitentiary's surveillance system shows the shocking moment a pickup truck barrels through its front entrance allowing prisoners to flee. The white truck carrying three suspects appears on a quiet street in the southeastern state of Rio Grande do Sul and suddenly makes a sharp left and plows through the entrance gate. Video of Saturday's incident, which took place at 4.12am local time, shows the moment the first of the 17 escapees come running out the Passo Fundo Regional Jail before a speeding car nearly runs him over. Authorities report that 19 inmates escaped a prison in the Brazilian southeastern state of Rio Grande do Sul after a pickup truck drove through the jail's entrance gate At least four of the 17 prisoners who fled had previously attempted escaping from the jail The Passo Fundo Regional Prison has an official capacity of 300 prisoners but currently houses 750 The white pickup truck was abandoned inside the penitentiary after Saturday morning's attack A couple of seconds pass by before the rest of the inmates come charging out of the jail. Some of the criminals stumbled on the ground before they managed to cross into the nearby field. The Ford truck was abandoned. According to the Superintendency of Penitentiary Services, the prisoners got in vehicles that had been stationed near the jail awaiting their escape. Officials at the jail in the town of Passo Fundo said all of the men, who were serving sentences for bank robbery, car theft and other crimes, were considered 'dangerous'. A police spokesperson says Vilmar Jorge da Silveira is one of the two masterminds behind the jail escape. He was initially apprehended early Thursday morning after taking in hostages during an assault and firing at Military Brigade officers According to Brazilian news outlet G1, the inmates got access to the prison yard after creating a hole inside one of the cells. They went undetected and found refuge in the wall's underlining before the pickup came crashing through. The prison entrance gate was left dangling and stuck to the truck's flatbed Prisoners were able to create a hole inside one of the cells at Passo Fundo Regional Jail Radio Uirapuru reported that at least four of the detainees, including Leandro Dutra, had previously tried escaping the prison, which has an official capacity of 300 inmates but recently registered 750 prisoners at the site. A spokesman for the Civil Police accused Dutra and Vilmar Jorge da Silveira, 46, of being the masterminds behind the escape. Da Silveira was initially apprehended early Thursday morning after taking in hostages during an assault and firing at Military Brigade officers. No arrests have been announced. A judge has imposed an 84-year prison sentence on a Chicago man who fatally shot a 15-year-old honor student a week after she performed at President Barack Obama's 2013 inauguration festivities. Cook County Judge Nicholas Ford handed down the sentence to 24-year-old Micheail Ward on Monday, five months after Ward was convicted of murder and aggravated battery in the killing of Hadiya Pendleton. Ward protested his innocence in what the Chicago Tribune characterized as rambling remarks. Pendleton became a symbol of Chicago's gang violence when she was caught in the crossfire of a gang feud she had nothing to do with. Micheail Ward appears at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago in August 2018 just before closing arguments in his case during the trial for the fatal shooting of Hadiya Pendleton. He was sentenced to 84 years in prison Monday Micheail Ward's mother, April Ward, listens as his grandfather, Cleophus Cavin, speaks to reporters after Ward was sentenced to 84 years in prison Cowley-Pendleton was flanked during the press conference by Hadiya's younger brother, Nathaniel Pendleton Jr., left, and father, Nathaniel Pendleton, right Obama spoke of her death during his 2013 State of the Union address, and then-first lady Michelle Obama attended her funeral. Getaway driver Kenneth Williams also was convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Pendleton was killed just over a week after she returned from Washington, where she had performed as a majorette with her high school band at President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities. She was murdered in a park on the South Side of Chicago not far from the Obama's Chicago home. Pendleton (pictured) was killed just over a week after she returned from Washington, where she had performed as a majorette with her high school band at President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities The victim was murdered in a park on the South Side of Chicago not far from the Obama's Chicago home Ward, 18 at the time, was found guilty in August of firing the fatal shot that struck Pendleton. A separate jury had found Williams, the man accused of driving the getaway call, guilty that month of first degree murder. Ward testified that he was ordered to fire on a group of young people, including Pendleton, whom he believed were members of a rival gang. Pendleton's death came to symbolize gun violence in Chicago because of the girl's own history and her connection to the president of the United States and the first lady. Greece: Teachers' demonstration clashes with police 2nd time in a week, protesting hiring reform (ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 14 - For the second time in a week, Greek police have used tear gas to put down a protest by teachers trying to break through a police cordon near the parliament in Athens. The teachers - who are on strike - are against a draft law on public sector hiring, which in their opinion is unacceptable after years of cuts. It would also, they say, penalize colleagues who have been teaching the longest. One woman was injured in the clashes, Greek media report. About 3,000 people took part, raising placards calling for permanent contracts. The teachers are demanding that more staff be hired after years of no new jobs due to the serious economic crisis the country has been suffering from. They say that the reform under discussion in the parliament would negatively affect the education system even more in Greece. (ANSAmed). A copy of a controversial erotic novel first banned more than 200 years ago is going under the hammer after being found at an auction house. Fanny Hill, the tale of a young girl's sexual exploits written in the 18th century, was infamous for its racy content and its censorship was only lifted as recently as 1970. The book by John Cleland was published in London in 1748 but was denounced by the Bishop of London as the 'lewdest thing I ever saw' and banned a year later. Jim Spencer, a books expert at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, holds a copy from 1880 of 'Memoirs of the Life of Miss Fanny Hill, The Career of A Woman of Pleasure, London' An illustration inside the Victorian copy of Fanny Hill which was unearthed by an auction house But since censorship was lifted it has been routinely taught on university literature courses, and in 2007 was adapted for a popular BBC series starring Rebecca Night. Now, a copy of the 'Memoirs of the Life of Miss Fanny Hill, The Career of A Woman of Pleasure, London' from 1880 has been unearthed and will go up for auction. The copy will be sold on Tuesday next week at the auction house of the BBC's Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson - Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire. The book, which is seen as the Fifty Shades Of Grey of its day, was so controversial that police raided a firm which had just published thousands of copies in the 1960s. Fanny Hill is the tale of a young girl's sexual exploits in the 18th century, by John Cleland The book by John Cleland was published in London in 1748 but was denounced and banned The story is about a country girl from a village near Liverpool who goes to London and becomes a prostitute. Jim Spencer, books expert at Hansons, said it was an amazing find, adding: 'I came across it while I was cataloguing a box of cigarette cards. 'It was one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history, the first English pornographic prose. 'It even contains a 1960s newspaper article about police raids at a firm which had just published thousands of new copies of the book. The story is about a girl from near Liverpool who goes to London and becomes a prostitute Fanny Hill,. dating back to 1749, was one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history The story about a prostitute called Fanny Hill is one of the most controversial books of all time 'So, clearly, it was still banned in the UK in the 1960s. It was originally written around 270 years ago while the author was in a debtors' prison.' A newspaper cutting unearthed with the book describes how 20,000 copies were seized by police - sparking a warning from Scotland Yard that booksellers risked prosecution under the 1959 Obscene Publications Act if they sold it. The book was reprinted in the 1960s. It was due to hit the shelves after being published by Mayflower Books, but on the order of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Scotland Yard successfully applied to Bow Street Court to seize it. Plain clothes officers confiscated all copies - around 20,000 - which filled three police vans. A newspaper cutting unearthed with the book tells how 20,000 copies were seized by police In 2007, Fanny Hill was adapted for a successful BBC series starring Rebecca Night Gareth Powell, who was then the joint managing director of Mayflower Books, told reporters that the book was 'the most famous banned book in the country'. An except from Fanny Hill by John Cleland Her paramour sat down by her: he seemed to be a man of very few words, and a great stomach; for proceeding instantly to essentials, he gave her some hearty smacks, and thrusting his hands into her breasts, disengag'd them from her stays, in scorn of whose confinement they broke loose, and swagged down, navel-low at least. A more enormous pair did my eyes never behold, nor of a worse colour, flagging-soft, and most lovingly contiguous: yet such as they were, this neck-beef eater seem'd to paw them with a most uninvitable gust, seeking in vain to confine or cover one of them with a hand scarce less than a shoulder of mutton. After toying with them thus some time, as if they had been worth it, he laid her down pretty briskly, and canting up her petticoats, made barely a mask of them to her broad red face, that blush'd with nothing but brandy. Advertisement But he felt the climate had changed enough and the 'public are ready for it'. John Cleland, who sold the story for 21 in 1748, was summoned before the Privy Council for licentiousness when it was published in 1749. However, he escaped punishment by pleading poverty. Seven years later, a bookseller was put in a pillory for publishing it and, also in the 1960s, a judge banned the book in New York. However, the New York Supreme Court later ruled it was not obscene. Mr Spencer added: 'They called it the Swinging 60s but clearly erotic literature like this was viewed as too obscene to be seen by the masses half a century ago. 'These days, after the likes of Fifty Shades of Grey, it's probably viewed as rather tame. It demonstrates just how much times have changed.' The book has an estimate of 40 to 60 because of its poor condition, but that is not expected to deter keen collectors. He said: 'I have put a modest estimate on this book but the novelty factor could make it highly sought after. Last year, a Georgian sex manual from 1720 sold for 3,100 from an estimate of 80 to 120.' Click here to read a feature article about Fanny Hill written by Tony Rennell in the Daily Mail, when the BBC Four series of the same name was released in 2007. Three police have been injured after stone-throwing Christian protesters tried to force their way into a museum in Israel and tear down an 'offensive' artwork. The clashes happened outside the Haifa Museum of Art last week in protest at the 'McJesus' sculpture, which shows Ronald McDonald bring crucified. Arab Christian groups say the work was disrespectful and accused Israeli authorities of being slow to respond to their complaints, which began in August when McJesus first went on show. Arab Christian protesters clashed with police on Friday as they tried to force their way into the Haifa Museum of Art and tear down this work Three officers suffered head injuries and had to be taken to hospital after stone-throwing demonstrators stormed the museum The first sign of trouble came on Thursday, shortly after Culture Minister Miri Regev sent a letter to the museum director asking for the sculpture to be taken down. Later the same day a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the building, prompting officials to station police outside. Then, on Friday, a crowd of hundreds gathered outside before trying to force their way through the doors. Police used tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse the mob, who pelted them with stones in return. Three officers were left with head injuries and had to be taken to hospital for treatment, according to Israel's Channel 10. Police used tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse hundreds of activists The Christians accuse authorities of ignoring their demands because they are a minority group, and say an artwork that offended Judaism would have been removed long ago The activists say the sculpture, called McJesus, is disrespectful to their religion Four men were detained for questioning while a fifth, a 32-year-old, was arrested on suspicion of attacking police. In response, the museum said it would put up a screen around the work to shield it from public view, alongside a sign warning the work could be considered offensive. But museum officials refused to remove it entirely, saying it is an important way of triggering important discussions. McJesus was created by Finnish artist and political activist Jani Leinonen, himself a Christian, and is supposed to satirise how society has come to worship consumerism and capitalist thinking. Leinonen's work often attacks fast food companies, including in 2011 when he stole a Ronald McDonald statue and threatened to behead it if the company did not meet his demands by answering questions on its ethics. In 2015 he created a walk-in art installation modelled on Burger King which he entitled Hunger King, and was designed to critique Hungary's policy of banning homeless people from sleeping in public areas. A Good Samaritan who heroically rescued a Texas police officer from a fiery car wreck has died just three weeks later in the exact same spot. Juan Carlos Salgado, 41, was killed when he was struck by two cars in succession while crossing a dimly lit road in Houston on Thursday night. Salgado, who worked as a landscaper, was on his way to get dinner when he was struck outside of the crosswalk. Juan Carlos Salgado, 41, was killed when he was struck by two cars in succession while crossing a dimly lit road in Houston, Texas on Thursday night A shrine has now been set up for the landscaper just feet away from where he single-handedly rescued the police officer from on Christmas Eve. 'He lost his life in the same place where he saved other lives,' his uncle told KPRC2. Just three weeks earlier, Salgado was walking home when he heard the crash involving a police cruiser and a drunken driver. Witnesses said they saw Salgado running towards the fiery crash and pulling Houston police Officer Alonzo Reid from the wreck. Reid and Salgado were then able to rescue officer John Daily from the driver's seat. A shrine has now been set up for the landscaper just feet away from where he single-handedly rescued the police officer from on Christmas Eve Just three weeks earlier, Salgado was walking home when he heard the crash involving a police cruiser and a drunken driver. Witnesses said they saw Salgado running towards the fiery crash and pulling the officers to safety Daily was seriously injured in the crash and suffered burns to more than 50 percent of his body. "How am I going to leave a person in need? We're all people," Salgado said in an interview about his heroic efforts. The crash occurred when a car driven by Cesar Collazo swerved in front of the police cruiser and crashed into them head-on. Collazo fled the scene but was later arrested by police and charged with drunk driving. Salgado's relatives say he will be buried in Mexico where his mother still lives. The drivers who struck Salgado last week were questioned and later released by police. Salgado running towards the fiery crash and pulling Houston police Officer Alonzo Reid (left) from the wreck. Reid and Salgado were then able to rescue officer John Daily (right) from the driver's seat The couple who allegedly broke open the Kelsey Berreth murder investigation and may have helped to put Patrick Frazee behind bars are under fire for not speaking out sooner. Joe and Patty Rockstahl told KMVT that one of their employees came to them in October and said her best friend Krystal Lee had been contacted by a man who wanted her 'to kill the mother of his child.' The couple, who own a law firm in Idaho, did not share this information with officials at the time, and waited to call the FBI until December 17 - almost a month after Berreth, 29, was last seen alive. That was also one day after officials announced they were offering up a $25,000 reward for anyone with information about the missing mom. Many are now lashing out at the Rockstahls and even calling for Joe, an attorney, to be investigated by the Idaho State Bar. 'Wow! Owners of a law firm and they didnt do a DAMN thing. Heroes?!?! Are you fn kidding me?!?! Theyre monsters!' wrote the victim's brother Clint Berreth on Facebook. He later responded to a comment calling the pair cowards by stating: 'Those are my exact thoughts too. Hopefully theyre business folds following this.' Scroll down for video Backlash: Joe and Patty Rockstahl sat down for a series of interviews with KMVT in which they revealed that they informed the FBI about Patrick Frazee's murder plot (Rockstahls above). They are now under fire for not sharing the information with authorities sooner Anger: 'Wow! Owners of a law firm and they didnt do a DAMN thing. Heroes?!?! Are you fn kidding me?!?! Theyre monsters!' wrote the victim's brother Clint Berreth (Facebook post above) Victim: The couple claim that their employee Michelle told them in October that her best friend Krystal Lee was asked by a man to 'kill the mother of his child' (Berreth with his mother Cheryl and daughter Kaylee in early 2018) The Rockstahls tried to mitigate the backlash to their interview by claiming they did not accept the reward being offered for information in the case. DailyMail.com reached out to confirm that claim and see if the Rockstahls were offered that money, but officials have not yet responded. It is also unclear whether the Rockstahls were compensated in any way for their exclusive interviews, which ran on CBS affiliates around the country over the course of three nights. Berreth's brother meanwhile is also questioning the validity of the couple's story, writing: 'Im beginning to wonder if these people are full of s*** and just feeding a story for a reward.' The Rockstahls claim they have never met Lee, the 32-year-old nurse who had been having an affair with Frazee. They also said that after their employee Michelle first told them about Lee's situation they asked to speak with the divorced mother-of-two. Lee never got in touch with the Rockstahls, but the two said that Michelle had begged her not to go to Colorado to see Frazee at some point in November. Soon after, Michelle then came to them again on November 26 and said 'that person, she's missing, she's also a pilot.' Patty said that she immediately knew that Michelle was speaking about Berreth because of a post she had seen on Facebook. It is unclear where this post generated from however, with Berreth not reported missing by her mother until a week after that date. 'I said, "Would you please text your friend Krystal and ask her if this is that woman?,"' claimed Patty. She said that Michelle spoke with Lee and confirmed it was the woman in question, at which point Patty claims to have told her employee, 'your friend has 24 hours to go to the police, or Im calling them.' Patty said that she was told the next day that Lee had spoken to authorities. Siblings: The two did not contact authorities then or on November 26 when Michelle confirmed that Berreth was the woman in question (Berreth and her brother Clint) Calling into question: The Rockstahls called the FBI one day after a $25,000 reward was first offered in the case, and almost a month after Berreth was last seen on November 22 (Berreth's brother comment on facebook) Investigate: These actions were deemed 'preposterous' in a letter that has been submitted to the Idaho State Bar by a friend of the Berreth family (Frazee above outside court on Dec. 31) The Rockstahls claim that it took them two weeks to realize Lee had not gone to police. And a week after that they called the FBI, one day after the announcement that a $25,000 reward was being offered in the case. At that point it had been almost two months since they first heard about Lee being solicited to commit murder. The couple also claimed that Lee had been in possession of Berreth's phone - which had pinged off a cell tower in a nearby town just a few days after she went missing - and that she had sent texts to Berreth's family and employer in the days after the woman disappeared. These actions were deemed 'preposterous' in a letter that has been submitted to the Idaho State Bar by a friend of the Berreth family. The letter goes on to ask that the organization look into 'the timing of when the information was received, the delay in providing it to authorities, and the reward, if any, collected for having 'connected the dots' once a reward was made available. The couple meanwhile urged others who might have information to come forward during their interview, saying: 'Be honest, tell somebody, speak up.' Legal troubles: A section of the letter calling for the Idaho State Bar to investigate the Rockstahls Frazee is behind bars now awaiting trial, and last week he was served notice that a complaint had been filed by Cheryl and Darrell Berreth claiming he 'enacted physical, mental, and emotional acts of violence upon their daughter prior to her death' in a lawsuit. The complaint goes on to state that 'when Frazee acted as either the perpetrator or accessory to the murder of Kelsey Berreth, Frazee breached the duty of care with which a reasonable person should conduct himself toward another human being.' The Berreths, who currently have temporary custody of their daughter's 15-month-old child with Frazee, are demanding a jury trial to determine and 'compensatory and general damages, interest from the date of Kelsey Berreths death as provide.', as provided by law.' And they have retained Perry Sanders to represent them in the case, the same man who represented Katherine Jackson after the death of her son Michael. The body of their daughter Kelsey has not yet been found, and it is still unclear how she may have been killed. Jeff Bezos will make his first public appearance at a star studded awards event Friday since news broke of his affair with TV host Lauren Sanchez. And the billionaire Amazon boss could bring Sanchez along for what would be their first outing now that his divorce has been made public. Bezos will be honored with a 'Freedom's Wings Award' at the 16th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills. Hollywood superstars John Travolta, Harrison Ford and Kurt Russell will all attend the lavish event at the Beverly Hilton on Friday. Jeff Bezos will be honored with a Freedom's Wings Award at the 16th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills on Friday Bezos (right) is seen with Sanchez and her husband Patrick Whitesell at a party for the Amazon release Manchester by the Sea in December 2016. The couple were said to be friends with Bezos and his wife before Bezos began seeing her on the side Grease and Saturday Night Fever star Travolta will host the bash, which will have Bezos on a front table at the famous ballroom - the stage for the Golden Globes. Organizers handed Bezos a table with nine guest places to invite whomever he desires. Last night the press contact for the event Patty Kovacevich confirmed that Bezos 'is absolutely definitely attending.' She said: 'All inductees are handed tickets for their tables to be joined by guests of their own personal preferences. 'The event honors those who have made significant contributions to aviation. 'Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos will be among the many accomplished and renowned individuals to receive awards this year. 'Living Legend of Aviation Dr Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, will present Bezos with the Jeff Bezos Freedom's Wings Award.' The event will also include a 'Fireside Chat with Jeff Bezos'. 'It honors Mr Bezos's advancing the principles of freedom in business and his personal endeavors. Mr Bezos will be inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation,' said Kovacevich. One LA event photographer, who has worked at Living Legends in the past, revealed that Bezos will bring friends. Frequent flier: TV host Sanchez launched her own aviation company Black Ops Aviation in 2016 Bezos and Sanchez's affair was revealed last week, shortly after Bezos announced his split from wife MacKenzie. Sanchez herself is still married to husband Patrick Whitesell, but the two have been separated 'As part of the night, all the big winners are given a table to celebrate their night and award with friends. It has been a Hollywood event which has enjoyed a low key status in the past, but this will change now. 'If Bezos wants to make a statement to publicly say that he is with Lauren then this could be the place to do it.' The snapper, who asked to remain anonymous, added: 'We expect media representatives from every major outlet to be there, lined up out of the door given what has happened. At this stage he is still confirmed, but whether he will walk the red carpet or not is the big question. 'The fact he is doing an interview on stage in the midst of this is certainly going to raise some eyebrows.' Bezos's life was turned upside down this week when he confirmed he was divorcing his wife Mackenzie - hours before photos of him with Sanchez emerged. Since then sexually themed texts allegedly sent by the Amazon chief to the married TV host and helicopter pilot told of his lust for her. The world's richest man reportedly told Sanchez last May: 'I want to smell you, I want to breathe you in. 'I want to hold you tight. . . . I want to kiss your lips I love you.' The previous month he is said to have texted: 'I love you, alive girl. I will show you with my body, and my lips and my eyes, very soon.' Sanchez (far left) was spotted alongside Bezos at Amazon's Golden Globes party on Sunday (above). They have been having an relationship for months and had exchanged text messages as far back as last April where he told her he wanted to 'breathe her in' Bezos, who is worth $140billion, released a statement last week announcing he had amicably split from MacKenzie, 48 - his wife of 25 years The messages are at the heart of claims that married Bezos, 55 - who is getting divorced - had a secret eight month affair with Sanchez, 49. Bezos, who is worth $140billion, released a statement on Wednesday saying he had amicably split from MacKenzie, 48 - his wife of 25 years. But hours later his alleged affair with Sanchez was revealed. Explicit texts were reportedly obtained by The National Enquirer. It has claimed Bezos whisked Sanchez to five-star hotels and exotic locations in his 50million private jet. In June 2017 Bezos took his wife MacKenzie to the event as his guest to collect the aerospace communitys most prestigious award, the Robert J. Collier Trophy, for developing a reusable spaceship that could start taking on passengers as early as next year. The married couple showed no signs of strain as they posed at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, in Virginia to pick up the trophy at the annual award dinner. Last March the couple attended the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in Los Angeles. The "Living Legends of Aviation Awards" are produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization. Kiddie Hawk's mission is to educate children and spark their interest in aviation/aerospace. During the three hour ceremony Travolta will honor Qantas with the 'Safest, Longest Continuous Operating Airline Award.' Details of the event are on LivingLegendsOfAviation.org. A knife-wielding ex-criminal who stabbed the mayor of Gdansk to death at a charity-raising event on Sunday, had been living the highlife before being jailed for four armed robberies. Stefan Wilmont, 27, was arrested after running onto stage in front of thousands of people and plunging a knife into mayor Pawel Adamowicz's heart and abdomen. He then grabbed a microphone and told the horrified audience he had been wrongly imprisoned, before security guards pinned him to the ground. The 53-year-old mayor had been waving sparklers during the closing of the children's fundraising event near the Polish seaside when he was attacked. Former prisoner Stefan Wilmont, 27, is believed to have been the knifeman who ran onto a stage and stabbed Gdansk mayor Pawel Adamowicz in the heart and abdomen According to police, his attacker, who had been wearing a press pass to get close to mayor, had been released from prison last year after serving five-and-a-half years for four counts of armed robbery. Unemployed Wilmont, who is from Gdansk, had been living off an inheritance and loans from friends and family. After running out of money he turned to armed robbery, living the highlife with fancy restaurants, foreign travel and gambling. Prison officials say the man had shown signs of mental instability during his time behind bars. Prison officials say that Wilmont had shown signs of mental instability during his time behind bar Wilmont had been released from prison last year after serving five-and-a-half years for four counts of armed robbery A spokesperson said a review of all documentation they held about Wilmont would now take place. Poland's Prosecutor General Zbigniew Ziobro said on Monday that Wilmont had applied for early release from prison three times, but had been refused. Local police spokeswoman Joanna Kowalik-Kosinska said: 'We know that he used an identifier with the inscription 'Press'. 'Now we have to establish how it was obtained, was the accreditation in his name and was he really entitled to be there at that time?' Prosecutors said the man has now been charged with attempted murder and would undergo a psychological assessment to test his sanity. Polish Justice Minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, said prosecutors are looking closely at the attacker's trial five years ago and whether he was handed a long enough sentence for a string of bank robberies. The ex-convict shouted that the attack was revenge against Civic Platform, which mayor Pawel Adamowicz had belonged to for many years. But Mr Ziobro, who is also the country's chief prosecutor, said today the term was not very high given the crime, and noted the man was refused parole three times. The liberal mayor was attacked while attending the annual Great Orchestra of Christmas charity, a fundraiser where volunteers collect money for medical equipment in hospitals. The mayor was seen grabbing his belly and collapsing in front of the audience after he was attacked with the five-inch knife. Pawel Adamowicz (pictured at Sunday night's event), mayor of the port city of Gdansk, was attacked with a sharp tool during a fundraising event in the city tonight Photos showed the ex-con being led away after a hearing this morning at the District Prosecutor's Office Mr Adamowicz lies on the floor as medics come to his aid during the charity event in Gdansk A man holds a sharp object just after stabbing Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz on stage in front of shocked onlookers 'I was jailed but innocent, Civic Platform tortured me. That's why Adamowicz just died', the attacker allegedly said as he brandished a five-and-a-half inch knife (14.5cm) knife. Television footage showed a man screaming 'Adamowicz is dead!' as he rushed the stage and stabbed the mayor. Speaking on the stage before he was arrested, the man accused the mayor's former party of putting him in prison and said he was tortured. 'We couldn't win,' Poland's health minister Lukasz Szumowski told reporters via private broadcaster TVN. A man is held on the ground by security personnel after he attacked the mayor of Gdansk Liberal: Mr Adamowicz speaking at a rally during an election campaign meeting in Gdansk on October last year A female medic attends to the mayor of Gdansk after he was stabbed and critically wounded Doctors operated on Adamowicz for five hours after the incident, Poland's state news agency PAP said. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Krzysztof Sierak said today five prosecutors have so far questioned 20 witnesses and are preparing to question the 27-year-old suspect who lived in the city. Sierak said there are 'doubts' as to the mental state of the attacker, who will undergo a psychiatric examination from two psychiatrists. Prosecutors are also looking into the level of security at Sunday's public event which was the 27th annual festive collection for the popular charity. Mr Ziobro, a prominent figure in the right-wing government, said he found no words to describe the 'evil' of this 'terrible event.' He said the thoughts and prayers of everyone were with Mr Adamowicz's family, and expressed hope that his life will be saved, but said everything is in the hands of 'providence.' Poland's president said he had initially been told 'there is hope' for the mayor's survival after doctors reanimated his heart, but said his condition was 'very difficult'. An ambulance thought to be carrying mayor Pawel Adamowicz on its way to hospital last night Mr Adamowicz delivers a speech standing with a banner reading 'No to nationalism and fascism in Gdansk' in front of people taking part in an antifascist demonstration in the city in April last year But a doctor earlier today said he lost a lot of blood and suffered oxygen deprivation in a knife attack. 'Despite all our efforts, we failed to save him,' Doctor Tomasz Stefaniak, director of Gdansk's University hospital said, quoted by the Polish PAP news agency. The mayor underwent five hours of surgery after suffering wounds to his heart and internal organs after the attack by an ex-convict who said it was political revenge on a party Adamowicz formerly belonged to. The killing of Mr Adamowicz, a six-term mayor who often mingled freely with citizens of his city, sent Poland into shock. Politicians across the political spectrum in Poland condemned the stabbing, including members of the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS), such as Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski. Adamowicz was known as an opponent of PiS. People waiting to donate blood today for Gdansk's mayor at blood donation station in the city The mayor's spokeswoman, Magdalena Skorupka-Kaczmarek, addresses the media at a news conference with deputy mayors Piotr Kowalczuk and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the country's ruling party leader was quoted as saying in a tweet from the party spokeswoman, said: 'I'm expressing great pain for the tragic death due to the criminal attack on mayor Pawel Adamowicz. We express solidarity with his family.' Polish President Andrzej Duda will meet with political party leaders today to organise a march against violence and hatred in the wake of the attack. Mr Adamowicz stood out for his initiatives to encourage migrants to seek refuge in the northern Polish city, and for his support of a protest campaign defending the rule of law in Poland against PiS efforts to increase its control over the judiciary and other bodies. Mr Adamowicz was one of Poland's longest-serving mayors, holding his position in Gdansk since 1998. In the 2018 regional election, he won 65 per cent of votes. Anti-violence rallies are being planned nationwide after Sunday's shock attack on Mayor Pawel Adamowicz. Lukasz Szumowski told local press, according to private broadcaster TVN: 'We couldn't win.' The attack triggered an outpouring of solidarity, with many people donating blood in Gdansk today, with Mr Adamowicz receiving 15 litres (32 pints) of blood and required more of the rare O Rh- type. The University Clinical Center, in which the wounded Mayor of Gdansk is being treated A blood donor who identified himself only as Zygmunt, said: 'There is an atmosphere of aggression in Poland.' Law and Justice party spokeswoman Beata Mazurek said the attack should be 'absolutely condemned by all, regardless of what side of the political spectrum they are on'. She insisted politicians in Poland need 'greater responsibility for words, for deeds' because 'there is no shortage of madmen on both sides' of the political scale. Ruling authorities also sent a government plane to transport the mayor's wife, who had been travelling, from London back to Gdansk. But the government's critics said they believed that animosity voiced against Mr Adamowicz by ruling party officials, sometimes carried on state television, as well as by extremists, played a role. Interior minister Joachim Brudzinski last night called the stabbing, 'an act of inexplicable barbarity'. Mr Adamowicz has been mayor of Gdansk, a port city on the Baltic coast, since 1998. He was part of the democratic opposition born in the city under the leadership of Lech Walesa during the 1980s which helped to bring down the Communist regime. As mayor, he is seen as a progressive voice and has supported LGBT rights and tolerance for minorities. He showed solidarity with the Jewish community when the city's synagogue had its windows broken last year, strongly denouncing the vandalism. He showed solidarity with the Jewish community when Gdansk synagogue had its windows broken last year, strongly denouncing the vandalism. Mr Adamowicz also advocated bringing wounded Syrian children to Gdansk for medical treatment, a plan blocked by the Law and Justice government. After he took that stand, a far-right group, the All-Polish Youth, issued what they called a 'political death notice' for Mr Adamowicz. The last politically motivated attack in Poland was in 2010 in Lodz when a man shouting that he wanted to kill Law and Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski fatally shot an aide to one of the party's European Parliament politicians. An aide says that top European Union official Donald Tusk is travelling to his Polish birthplace of Gdansk after his friend, the city's mayor, was stabbed to death last night. Engineers have flagged doubts about the quality of the structural support beams in a cracked residential building. Sydney's 38-storey Opal Tower was previously evacuated twice because of cracks found in concrete panels on the building's outer walls. Four separate investigations are underway to determine the cause of the building's defects with an interim report having missed the expected release date of last Friday. Scroll down for video Engineers have flagged doubts and disagreed over the quality of the structural support beams in cracked residential building Opal Tower (pictured) Sydney's 38-floor Opal Tower was previously evacuated twice because of the cracks found in the concrete panels (pictured) One theory suggests that there was too much pressure on the concrete panels because of the questionable quality of the support beams, according to The Australian. Another theory argues that the grouting - a dense fluid of water, cement and sand mixtures used to fill gaps - of both the panels and support beams led to the cracks. Reports were handed to Planning Minister Anthony Roberts on the specifications that Icon Co, the Opal Towers' builder, followed. An interim report was expected to come out last Friday following the two evacuations of the building. The investigation team includes Rincovitch Partners, WSP, a third party hired by Icon and engineering firm Cardno. The New South Wales government also appointed University of New South Wales Dean of Engineering Mark Hoffman and University of Newcastle's School of Engineering John Carter for the investigation. Around 300 people were forced out of Opal Tower on Christmas Eve after a loud sound was heard and a large crack appeared in a panel on the tenth floor A remediation and reoccupation plan for the building has been agreed upon by all parties involved in the investigation. Some residents have returned to Opal Towers despite being advised to keep clear until the cause of the defect has been determined. About 300 people were forced out of the brand-new high-rise building in Olympic Park on Christmas Eve after a loud sound was heard and a large crack appeared in a panel on the tenth floor. A pregnant Labour MP is delaying the birth of her child so she can take part in today's crunch Brexit vote. Tulip Siddiq - a leading Remainer - has postponed the date of her caesarean section by two days so she can vote against the deal. Rather than being in a labour ward in hospital in north London, she plans to be pushed through the division lobbies in a wheelchair by her husband Chris. Revealing the drastic decision, she said: 'If my son enters the world even one day later than the doctors advised, but it's a world with a better chance of a strong relationship between Britain and Europe, then that's worth fighting for.' Tulip Siddiq (pictured with her daughter Azalea) is delaying the birth of her child so she can take part in today's crunch Brexit vote She added: 'I am thinking about my child's future when I made this decision - his future in the world. 'If it comes to an absolute emergency, I will of course prioritise the baby's health. 'I'm choosing in a sense between career and my family life and I feel it's totally unfair and if we want more women in politics and we want people to come from different backgrounds, we need change and to introduce proxy voting.' Ms Siddiq, 36, Labour MP for Hampstead & Kilburn, had a difficult pregnancy with her first child Azalea, who is now two-years-old. What is the pairing system and why have MPs lost faith in it? Parliament has operated a pairing system for many years which allow those who are ill, pregnant, or cannot vote for another good reason. These MPs are 'paired' with a politician from the opposing side, so that neither of them take part in the vote - therefore cancelling each other out. But faith in the system was dealt a major blow last summer when the Tories broke it. Lib Dem Jo Swinson had been paired with Tory chairman Brandon Lewis so she did not have to leave her newborn baby at home to take part in the vote. But Mr Lewis took part in the knife-edge vote on the customs union last night. Number Ten insisted it had been a genuine mistake and that Theresa May apologised for it. But it sparked a major row and renewed calls for proxy voting to be introduced which would allow MPs to elect another person to vote on their behalf. Advertisement She had originally planned to have a caesarean section on February 4, but doctors advised she gives birth either yesterday or today after she developed gestational diabetes. But Ms Siddiq asked if she could delay the operation until Thursday and they have agreed. She told the Evening Standard: 'The Royal Free has been very clear on their legal and health duties. 'This is a high risk pregnancy and I am doing this against doctor's advice.' Ms Siddiq spent the weekend in hospital under observation after having steroid injections to help accelerate development of the baby's lungs. Doctors had wanted these injections to be taken 48-hours before the caesarean, but that would still have meant she would have been in hospital at the time of the vote. Under usual circumstances, heavily pregnant MPs can be 'paired' with an MP from the opposing side, so that neither of them take part in the vote - therefore cancelling each other out. But Ms Siddiq said she could not trust the Tories to stick to the system after they broke a pairing deal in a crunch Brexit Commons vote last summer. Lib Dem Jo Swinson had been paired with Tory chairman Brandon Lewis so she did not have to leave her newborn baby at home to take part in the vote. But Mr Lewis took part in the knife-edge vote on the customs union last night. Number Ten insisted it had been a genuine mistake and that Theresa May apologised for it. Ms Siddiq said the experience had sapped her trust in the pairing system. She said: 'If the pairing system is not honoured, there's nothing I can do, and it's going to be a very close vote. I've had no pressure at all from the whips to come and vote but this is the biggest vote of my lifetime. 'I've sat down with my husband Chris and he said to me this is my choice but that he would support me.' Ms Siddiq is a leading Remainer and lost her seat in Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench after voting against the introduction of Article 50 which set the two-year clock ticking on Brexit talks. Today, other female MPs who have had children called fr proxy voting rights. Tulip Siddiq (pictured in the Commons last month) - a leading Remainer - has postponed the date of her caesarean section by two days so she can vote against the deal. In a speech in Stoke on Trent just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Theresa May (pictured in Stoke on Trent today) pleaded with MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy Labour MP Cat Smith MP, who returned to Westminster last week after the birth of her child, told MailOnline: 'This is yet another staggering example of why we need to have a system of proxy voting for MPs who are heavily pregnant or have recently become parents. 'Both the Chair and the Chief Whip of the Conservative party should be ashamed that their actions last summer have forced a heavily pregnant MP to vote because she is unable to trust that the pairing system will be honoured. 'A failure to drag Parliament into the 21st century by introducing proper parental leave will mean many women continue to feel like politics isn't for them. None of us would tolerate this kind of situation in any other workplace. 'Parliamentary procedures must be updated to keep pace with a House of Commons that now has more women MPs than ever before.' Labour MP Harriet Harman - known as the mother of the House because she is the longest serving female MPs raised the issue in the Commons today and demanded proxy voting. She said: 'She [Ms Siddiq] should not have to choose between going through the division lobbies in a wheelchair nine months pregnant having postponed her caesarean or losing her right to vote.' Commons Speaker John Bercow said it is 'extremely regrettable' that proxy voting has not been introduced - and said many will find it 'uncivilized'. He said that if party chiefs can agree on allowing proxy voting to happen within the next 24 hours he will let Ms Siddiq a proxy vote have one. He added: 'I hope we can get progressive change and what better opportunity to do so than before our historic vote tomorrow.' Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Donald Trump, says the president shielded a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017, because his administration was 'suffering from a great number' of leaks at that time. Conway told reporters at the White House on Monday that the White House that she had not talked with the president directly about the incidents detailed in a Sunday article in The Washington Post. However, she noted that the White House is always concerned about the leaking of national security information. 'His calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia had leaked, he had an Oval Office meeting in May of 2017, contents of that leaked. And so there was great concern at the time,' she said. Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Donald Trump, says the president shielded a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017, because his administration was 'suffering from a great number' of leaks at that time Conway had just appeared on 'Fox & Friends,' where she responded to that charge and a revelation in the New York Times that the FBI launched a counterintelligence probe into the president after he fired the bureau's director and met with the Russians the next day. They suspected Trump of acting as a Russian agent, whether he meant to or not. He said Monday morning that he 'never' worked for Russia as he talked to reporters before a Marine One departure. He had side-stepped the question in a Fox interview over the weekend, saying that he was 'insulted' by it without answering directly. He mocked the report in a Monday morning tweet, as well. Conway wrote off the probe as one that was conducted 'rogue actors' who were fired from their positions because they had a vendetta against Trump. 'The President said this weekend that its the most insulting thing hes ever been asked, thats ever been said about him, which is saying a great deal, given everything thats been said and done about him,' she said. 'It sort of confirms what the president has said all along about some of the rogue actors at the very tippy top of the FBI, who are no longer there because they were fired and worse.' She invoked ex-agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who were said to be having an affair at the start of the special counsel probe. 'Some of them were deemed to be leaking and lying, sexting each other obviously with their tremendous biases against this president,' she contended. 'So I think it confirms what he has said all along about some of those rogue actors not the 35,000 or so rank-and-file men and women in the FBI who go to work and do a fabulous job every day.' President Trump pointed to low gas prices and mocked the idea that he could have 'worked for the Kremlin' President Trump made light of the reports that the FBI opened a counterintelligence probe of his activities following his firing of James Comey, needling critics who 'thought he worked for the Kremlin' in a Monday morning tweet. He noted the drop in gas prices, which is harmful to oil-exporting Russia although market-driven global oil prices are thought to be far beyond control of any single official including the president. 'Gas prices drop across the United States because President Trump has deregulated Energy and we are now producing a great deal more oil than ever before,' Trump wrote on Twitter Monday morning. He asked, 'But this is bad news for Russia, why would President Trump do such a thing? Thought he worked for Kremlin?' Trump's tweet followed yet another revelation about Russia, after CNN reported on transcripts of congressional testimony of top FBI officials. Former FBI general counsel James Baker spoke about the debate as officials contemplated opening an investigation of Trump with possibilities including his innocence as well as him being directed by Moscow. Baker said that officials wanted to know if Trump was 'acting at the behest of and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will.' Trump continued responding to a bombshell story in The New York Times on Friday stating that the FBI began a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump (seen left with Russian President Vladimir Putin) was acting as a Kremlin agent President Trump made light of the reports that the FBI opened a counterintelligence probe of his activities following his firing of James Comey, needling critics who 'thought he worked for the Kremlin' in a Monday morning tweet Trump called in to Justice with Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night to deny that he is a secret agent of Russia, following a New York Times report that the FBI had investigated the possibility 'That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too,' Baker told the House Intelligence Committee. 'There's a range of things this could possibly be. We need to investigate, because we don't know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the President is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with and so he can move forward with his agenda,' he added. Trump blasted the FBI and Comey this weekend after the New York Times reported the FBI opened a counterintelligence in the days after the Comey firing. 'Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin' James Comey, a total sleaze!' Trump tweeted. Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page also testified about the FBI's conduct following the Comey firing Senior FBI officials wanted to know if Moscow was somehow behind Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, after Trump brought up the topic during an Oval Office meeting with Russians The transcripts also include former FBI lawyer Page commenting on the days after the Comey firing, including a text from fellow FBI official Strzok that said: 'We need to open the case we've been waiting on now while Andy is acting.' It was a reference to then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who was also fired after Trump took office. 'It's not that it could not have been done,' Page testified. 'This case had been a topic of discussion for some time. The 'waiting on' was an indecision and a cautiousness on the part of the bureau with respect to what to do and whether there was sufficient predication to open,' she said. Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN on Sunday that whether Trump was a witting or unwitting agent of Russia is the defining question of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. At the time that he was fired, Comey was leading an investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Times reported the counterintelligence probe was sparked in part by growing alarm about Trump's behavior, including comments he made suggesting he fired Comey over the Russia investigation, which is now being led by Mueller. Warner on Sunday cited a report alleging that Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, shared internal polling data with a Russian businessman believed to be connected to Russian intelligence. Why would you turn over that information? And whats curious is it would be that kind of information that would inform the Russians later in the campaign when they launched their social media efforts where they created these fake identities, Warner said. The Democratic senator said it was clear-cut proof that Russian efforts were aimed at dissuading African-Americans from voting. Trump in a friendly television interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday bristled when asked if he had ever worked for Russia but never flat-out denied it. Pirro asked: 'Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia, Mr. President?' 'I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked,' Trump replied. 'I think it's the most insulting article I've ever had written.' He added: 'It was a great insult, and the New York Times is a disaster as a paper.' Asked Monday to categorically deny the charge, Trump accused Comey of lying and called his associates 'scoundrels' during a media avail on the White House lawn. 'I never worked for Russia, and you know that answer better than anybody,' he told a reporter. 'Not only did never work for Russia, I think it's a disgrace that you even asked that question, because it's a whole big fat hoax.' A man has been sentenced to 11 months in jail after he was found guilty of tormenting and killing a kangaroo, in an incident thats been dubbed as sadistic. Dylan Leslie Griffin appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court, in Joondalup, 26km north of Perth's central business district, and pleaded guilty to attacking the animal with knuckle dusters before shooting it in the eye, in a brutal beating that took place last year. The 22-year-old was sentenced to 11 months behind bars, meaning he could be eligible for parole in just six months. Dylan Leslie Griffin (pictured) has been found guilty of tormenting and killing a kangaroo He is the third man to be charged over the violent bashing of the innocent animal, with Magistrate Gregory Benn describing Griffins involvement as whole-hearted, gleeful and sadistic. A fourth member of the mob allegedly involved in the kangaroos murder is set to appear in court in July. Its believed the incident is part of some sort of group initiation, with all the men having some kind of involvement in Outlaws Motorcycle Club, according to ABC News. Handing down the sentence, Magistrate Benn noted that an instant jail sentence was necessary and would act as a deterrent for Griffin and other wannabe gang members. Many of Griffins supporters had attended the court proceedings in order to hear the outcome of his hearing. But clearly riled by the magistrates decision to imprison Griffin, the group of hooligans erupted into an aggressive outburst. After his sentencing, Griffin's supporters erupted into a violent outburst and attacked members of the media As the violence descended, members of the media were heckled, with one man attempting to punch a television camera. According to reports the man can be heard shouting: F*** you, you smiling prick at the worker, as he tries to bash the camera. The man was stopped from doing any further damage by other group members, and was later escorted away by court security officers. Another man brazenly stormed out of the courtroom and walked straight up to a random member of the media and punched him in the face. Local cops are currently looking into the incident outside the courtroom. ROME - Alexis Tsipras' government in Greece is shaking. Panos Kammenos - leader of right-wing nationalist party, Anel, and minority partner - has stepped down as defense minister after Macedonia definitively approved a constitutional reform to change its name into 'Republic of North Macedonia', based on an agreement signed in June by the Greek premier and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev. The agreement needs to be ratified by the Greek parliament to become officially effective. But Kammenos and his party have always stated their opposition. The nationalist leader has confirmed ''irreconcilable differences'' with the premier, who accepted his resignation, naming admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, the head of the armed forces, as his replacement. And he asked for a confidence vote in Parliament. The motion is likely to be discussed Tuesday and voted on Wednesday. The government coalition has 153 seats out of Parliament's 300: 145 belong to Syriza, Tsipras' left-wing party, another seven to Anel and one to an independent MP. If the government fails to win a confidence vote, Greece risks early elections. With the resignation of the defense minister, Tsipras now needs the support of the opposition in order to obtain the ratification of the agreement on Macedonia's name and conclude the process. In a press conference, Kammenos stressed that he and his party will vote against the government in the confidence vote and will reject the agreement on the name. ''The Macedonian issue does not allow me anymore not to sacrify my post'', stated Kammenos, announcing the ''withdrawal from the government'' of his party's members right after the meeting with the premier. Kammenos said he is certain about the support of two additional lawmakers, including deputy defense minister, Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha, who also announced her resignation. Another two MPs for Anel have always stated that they will vote in favor of the agreement on Macedonia's name while the remaining two, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and Agriculture Deputy Minister Vassilis Kokkalis, both on a mission abroad, have not expressed their position yet. On Friday, the Parliament in Skopje voted 'yes' to the constitutional amendments provided by the agreement signed with Greece last June: from now on Macedonia will be called 'North Macedonia', a condition set by Athens to lift a blockade that, during a 27-year-long bilateral dispute, prevented the former Yugoslavian country's integration process within the EU and Nato. Now, in order to become official, the agreement on the name needs to be ratified by the Greek Parliament - but with Kammenos' resignation everything has become more difficult. Tens of thousands of Los Angeles teachers will head to the picket lines on Monday morning in the first major teacher strike of the new year. Officials from the Los Angeles Unified school district and the United Teachers Los Angeles had a last-ditch round of negotiations on Friday, but failed to come to an agreement. The teachers union declined to negotiate further over the weekend. We are more convinced than ever that the district wont move [in its offer] without a strike, said UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl in a news conference on Sunday. Let us be clear, teachers do not want to strike. Teachers strike when they have no other options. See also: All Eyes Are on Los Angeles as 30,000 Teachers Prepare to Strike The last time there was a teachers strike in Los Angeles was 1989. Heres what you should know about this large-scale protest: 1. Teacher pay is not the forefront issue in the strike. The district and the union are not that far apart on pay raisesthe district has proposed a 6 percent raise, while the union is holding out for 6.5 percent. But most of the issues still causing contention are related to student learning conditions, like smaller class sizes and more school nurses, counselors, and librarians. Were tired with having to do more with less, said Joseph Zeccola, a high school English teacher and a UTLA chapter chair. It shouldnt be an unsustainable hardship to be a good teacher. Los Angeles Unifieds latest offer would add nearly 1,200 teachers, nurses, counselors, and librarians to the more than 900 schools in the district. The district has said it cant afford the unions demands. However, the union has dismissed the offer as inadequate, and argued that many of the new positions would be funded for just one year. 2. This will be a huge strike. Los Angeles Unified is the second-largest school district in the nation, so this strike will affect a lot of people. There are more than 600,000 students and about 30,000 teachers in the district. To put that in context, there are just 250,000 students and 20,000 teachers in all of West Virginia, where there was a statewide teachers strike last year. 3. Schools will be open during the strike. The district is planning to keep schools open during the strike, and have student learning continue as much as possible. Administrators and substitute teachers will provide instruction, and students will continue to receive school meals. Many principals are planning to gather students in large spaces in their schools, such as gyms and auditoriums. For example, one elementary principal told Education Week that he plans to divide students into three groups based on grade level, and rotate them during the day. The principal will oversee instruction in English/language arts, and district staffers will handle the other subjects, helped by teaching assistants and aides. The district has plans to bring in 400 substitutes, but the Los Angeles Times reports that contracts were signed to bring in more than 4,400 substitutes from outside agencies. The substitutes from the agencies would make more than regular district substitutes. (The union has pledged to fight the district on the outside hiring, saying that it would consider legal action.) Parents are also expected to help out in schools during the strike, especially now that the school board has relaxed restrictions on volunteering . Meanwhile, education workerslike teachers assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus driverswill be at work for the most part. But their union announced that workers at 10 of the districts schools will stage a sympathy strike"meaning they will not perform the work of teachers and will refuse assignments that are unlawful or unsafe. Some of these sympathy strikes will last one day, with others lasting until an agreement between UTLA and the district is reached. 4. The district may try again to bring special education teachers back to the classroom. Last week, a federal judge blocked the school district from trying to prevent special education teachers from going on strike. The district had argued that those employees were essential to the districts legally required responsibility to adequately educate students with disabilities. The judge said the attempt was premature, but that the district could file a claim against the union once the strike started. The district said in a statement that it will take all steps necessary to protect the health, safety, and educational rights of students with disabilities, as well as of all students, including the filing of legal actions. 5. This is the first major blue-state teacher action. Aside from the protests in Colorado, all of the statewide teacher labor actions last year happened in red states: West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arizona, and North Carolina. The Los Angeles strike is different from those statewide actionsits against the superintendent and school board, rather than the state legislature and governor, and its union-led, rather than grassroots-driven . Still, the fact that teachers are walking out in the liberal city of Los Angeles signals a shift in the #RedForED movement. And it could inspire teachers in other California citiesOakland teachers are weighing a strike, and over a dozen local union chapters in the state staged walk ins last week in support of their peers. Image: Manuela Panjoj, a mother of five children, holds a sign during a news conference outside the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters Jan. 9. Jae C. Hong/AP President Donald Trump now knows what it means to miss New Orleans in a tweet: he mistakenly wrote that he was going to convene with farmers in Nashville on a day he was headed to the Big Easy. The president didn't just fall victim to a typo on Monday morning following a snow storm in Washington at the start of Day 24 of a government shutdown. He wrote an entire message about Tennessee farmers that he sent out to his 57 million followers. 'Getting ready to address the Farm Convention today in Nashville, Tennessee,' Trump wrote. 'Love our farmers, love Tennessee - a great combination! See you in a little while.' 'Getting ready to address the Farm Convention today in Nashville, Tennessee,' President Trump wrote his 57 million followers shortly before he was to head off to New Orleans, Louisiana But as Twitter users observed, he was thinking of the wrong music capital when he published it, in the midst of a tweet storm where he went after Democrats for the government shutdown and mocked new revelations in the Russia probe by writing: 'Thought he worked for the Kremlin?' In fact Trump was slated to leave the White House at 9 am. According to his schedule he is to arrive at the New Orleans International Airport before 11 am, then deliver remarks at the American Farm Bureau Federations 100th Annual Convention. WHERE IS THE LOVE? In the wrong city, as President Trump expressed his affection for farmers in Nashville rather than in New Orleans, where he is speaking The White House didn't provide an explanation for how Trump committed the error on Twitter WRONG SKYLINE: Trump tweeted about Nashville when he is actually going to New Orleans The White House did not provide an on-record response to how the president confused the two cities in his tweet. The tweet followed a weekend where Trump stayed in the White House amid a snow storm and battled his rivals using Twitter, lashing out at Democrats and former FBI officials after revelations the bureau opened a counter-intelligence probe of him following his firing of FBI Director James Comey. His frustration was evident in another Monday tweet. 'The Fake News gets crazier and more dishonest every single day. Amazing to watch as certain people covering me, and the tremendous success of this administration, have truly gone MAD! Their Fake reporting creates anger and disunity. Take two weeks off and come back rested. Chill!' Trump wrote. He also went after Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, calling him 'Jeff Bozo,' and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, calling her 'Pocahontas' and mocking her by saying if she had done her latest campaign video 'from Bighorn or Wounded Knee instead of her kitchen, with her husband dressed in full Indian garb, it would have been a smash!' Critics who want operas sung in their original language are perpetuating 'cultural elitism' by hoping to 'keep the riff-raff away' it has been claimed. Mark Wigglesworth, the former music director at the English National Opera said purists wanting to see performances such as La Boheme in Italian take a 'certain pleasure' in making them inaccessible to a wider audience. Mr Wigglesworth, who quit the ENO in 2016 amid budget cuts and changes to the company, was responding to a debate over its English only policy. Writing for Bachtrack, a classical music website, he said: 'The rumours whispering through the cracks of the London Coliseum are alarming for those who believe English National Opera has a vital role to play in making opera accessible to all. Mark Wigglesworth, the former music director at the English National Opera said purists wanting to see performances such as La Boheme (pictured) in Italian take a 'certain pleasure' in making them inaccessible to a wider audience 'If the language policy that forms such a pillar of its identity is abandoned, it would be a betrayal of the company's most valuable mission to perform opera in a way that can be understood by the largest number of people.' He added: 'A more unspoken view is one that thinks singing in a foreign language 'keeps the riff-raff away.' 'An accusation of vanity is unfair to the majority of original language devotees but I do believe a certain pleasure in cultural elitism exists, even if only by a few.' He claimed Verdi and Wagner were 'energetically supportive of translations', adding that it would have been 'inconceivable' to them that the 'words wouldn't have been understood' the Daily Telegraph reports. Mr Wigglesworth, who quit the ENO in 2016 amid budget cuts and changes to the company, was responding to a debate over its English only policy Mr wigglesworth claimed Verdi and Wagner were 'energetically supportive of translations', adding that it would have been 'inconceivable' to them that the 'words wouldn't have been understood' Pictured: A performance of La Boheme English National Opera says that its English language only policy will remain, and it wants to make opera accessible to all. The opinion piece followed an interview by the same publication with Barrie Kosky, an Australian theatre and opera director. He said he had advised Daniel Kramer, ENO's artistic director, to 'bite the bullet and get rid of the all-singing-in-English thing'. Martyn Brabbins, the ENO music director who took over from Wigglesworth, last year told the Daily Telegraph 'We sing in English and it has ever been thus: it's our policy and I have to be happy with it. 'On a case-by-case basis, there could be room for change and there may be a review in the future.' A spokesman for English National Opera said: 'ENO is not considering changing our English language-only policy. 'ENO is about opera for everyone - we believe that singing in our own language connects the performers and the audience to the drama onstage, and enhances the experience for all.' A 19-year-old who died of a suspected drug overdose at a Sydney music festival never took drugs and 'just wanted to try it', according to her friends. Alex Ross-King was rushed to Westmead Hospital from FOMO Music Festival in Parramatta on Saturday at about 6pm, but died later that evening with her family by her side. It is believed Ms Ross-King died after taking MDMA pills, and that she had earlier bought drugs in Terrigal close to her home in Lisarow on the New South Wales Central Coast. Scroll down for video 19-year-old Alex Ross-King (pictured) who died of a suspected drug overdose at a Sydney music festival never took drugs and 'just wanted to try it', according to her friends An unidentified friend told The Daily Telegraph Ms Ross-King was an 'alcohol girl' who 'normally had it all under control and was just happy to drink'. 'She never took drugs. She's gone and done something so small and it has taken her life,' the friend told the publication. Another friend said while Ms Ross-King did not engage in drug use that much, but she liked partying. An unidentified friend said Ms Ross-King (pictured) was an 'alcohol girl' who 'normally had it all under control and was just happy to drink' Others who were close to the recent Narara Valley High graduate have taken to social media to pay tribute to her life. 'She was truly a remarkable human being, who had a positive impact on every single persons life that she walked into,' one friend said. 'God broke our hearts to prove to us - he only takes the best,' another wrote on Facebook. The young woman worked in her family's butcher shop and was planning to travel the world when she had saved up enough money. The tributes came after friends said they could tell 'something had gone wrong' in the last moments of Ms Ross-King's life. She went to the festival's medical tent feeling unwell, only moments before she collapsed, Nine News reported. Others who were close to the recent Narara Valley High graduate (pictured) have taken to social media to pay tribute to her life Her friends believe it was a mixture of drugs and extreme heat that killed her. She had been dancing in the blistering 35C sun with a crowd of more than 11,000 other people. More than a third of the 146 people searched by police for drugs were found with illicit substances in their possession. The FOMO festival, (pictured) which plays electronic hip-hop music, was home to an increased police presence, following four other deaths in NSW at similar events in just the last four months 'Everywhere I looked people were on drugs and drinking a lot of alcohol so its scary that it could be one of my friends next,' one festival-goer said. Ms Ross-King is the fifth person to die from suspected drug overdose at New South Wales music festivals in the past four months. The tragic death has led to renewed calls for pill testing to be introduced, spearheaded by Ms Ross-King's family. Grandmother Denise Doig says she's fearful her beloved granddaughter's death will just 'pass by', and wants pill testing to be introduced as her final 'legacy'. It is believed Ms Ross-King (pictured) died after taking MDMA pills, and had earlier bought drugs in Terrigal close to her home in Lisarow on the New South Wales Central Coast 'Premier, please: can we have this pill testing done. It's such a small thing to do, it's not hard. Let's try and get it out there,' Ms Doig told Network Ten on Sunday. 'If it saves one life; one life is a life. And these are children.' New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has remained unmoved in her stance against pill testing. 'I want to make sure we reduce deaths and my worry is pill testing could actually have the opposite effect,' she said in Sydney on Sunday. Ms Ross-King's uncle Phil Clark also spoke, saying the entire family of the teenager were 'grieving heavily'. Her family have spearheaded calls for pill testing to be introduced as a show of her 'legacy' 'Strong leadership isn't always about sticking to an ideological decision or a position when there's possibly mountain [of] evidence or advice that maybe something else should be tried,' he said. 'Strong leadership is trying something different.' Family meanwhile shared their grief and broken hearts on social media. 'My heart is broken and [I'm] lost for words,' her cousin Rhys Ross-Clark wrote. 'This world is cruel and unfair. Love you my beautiful cousin.' Ms Ross-King had attended the festival with friends, one of whom shared her shock over the tragic turn of events in an emotional Facebook post. 'You were always full of life and a genuine person with such a big heart and quite easily one of the funniest people I've ever met, you were the life of the party always,' Tayla Brookhouse wrote. The FOMO festival, which plays electronic hip-hop music, was home to an increased police presence, following four other deaths in NSW at similar events in just the last four months. Pictured; Alex Ross-King, 19, died after a suspected drug overdose at the FOMO music festival on Saturday Event organisers appeared just as concerned as police about the alarming spike in deaths, advising of the safety hotline and first aid facilities in the lead-up to the event. 'We're here to help, please party safe,' the organisers said over the event's Facebook page. Nearly 30 would-be revellers were refused entry to the party, while 24 others were kicked out for fighting or being too intoxicated. Police searched a total of 146 people, 54 of whom were found in possession of drugs. Two were charged with possession. Organisers of the festival, which was headlined by Nikki Minaj, said in a statement the event was anti-drug. 'Our anti-drug messaging began weeks ahead of the event and continued at the event itself - a message we're proud to deliver and will continue to do so with unwavering commitment in order to keep our beloved patrons safe.' Ms Ross King's sudden death brings the number of fatal overdoses to six - five in NSW and one in Victoria - in the last four months. A couple have been jailed for eight years for inflicting 28 bone fractures on a four-month-old baby. Adam Jendrzeczak, 32, and his partner Aleksandra Kopinska, 22 broke the knees, ankles, ribs, and arm of the baby boy at a flat in Brighton. The pair compounded the abuse by attempting to hide the child's injuries from doctors for weeks, leaving him in 'immense' pain. And they lied to doctors at the Royal Sussex County Hospital about the baby boy's suffering and the causes of his horrific injuries. At Hove Crown Court today Judge Christine Henson jailed the pair, castigating them for having shown 'wicked cruelty towards a tiny baby', The Argus reported. Adam Jendrzeczak, 32, and his partner Aleksandra Kopinska, 22 broke the knees, ankles, ribs, and arm of the baby boy at a flat in Brighton The severity of the injuries to the baby boy were shown in x-rays presented to the court Doctors found 20 fractures to the baby's ribs, including these itemised on a court x-ray Bone fractures were also found on the four-month-old child's knees Jendrzeczak has a previous conviction in 2011 for domestic violence, believed to be against his own mother. And his relationship with Kopinska was described as 'controlling' and having 'high levels of anger'. The abuse came to light in February 2017 when the boy was taken to hospital with a broken arm. Police arrested the pair, who claimed the child had tripped on a raised corner of carpet. Ryan Richter, prosecuting, explained: 'It was then revealed he had further and extensive injuries, including 20 fractures to his ribs, fractures to both of his knees and both of his ankles. 'Expert evidence showed the injuries were caused by significant force.' Experts in paediatric medicine provided evidence of how the injuries could have been caused, describing a twisting motion and a crushing force. They identified the fractures as being caused between four and six weeks before the child was presented to the hospital. Police later revealed that the child isn't expected to suffer long-term physical issues: 'This case will resonate with everyone who hears of it and I am happy to report that the child is developing well, and is not restricted by the injuries he sustained at such a young age.' Initially Jendrzeczak dismissed his barrister, insisting sentencing should await the arrival of his lawyer from Poland. But when the judge refused, the thug pleaded to be represented by court-appointed Brian Shaw - only for Mr Shaw to explain Jendrzeczak had refused to talk to him before the hearing, so he could not act on his behalf. The convicted abuser then argued he would be being 'discriminated against' for not having his own lawyer. Judge Henson told him that he saw himself 'as a victim', adding that he had 'complete disregard' for the child and his injuries. The judge added: 'You have shown absolutely no remorse. Doctors found bone fractures on the ribs all around the little boy's ribcage. Today his abusers each received an eight-year sentence A body map shown to the court itemised the horrifying number of injuries to the tiny child At Hove Crown Court today, Judge Henson told the evil pair: 'The injuries you caused were truly appalling and showed wicked cruelty towards a tiny baby, almost beyond belief' 'Those who had to deal with you, both neighbours and health professionals, found your demeanour to be aggressive and hostile.' Kopinska, 22, from Hove, was described as 'passive and subdued', and did not engage with professionals when they asked if she had been the victim of domestic violence. Mark Kessler, defending, said experts found that she looked 'caring' to health professionals but said she presented as 'cowardly'. The judge told her she had 'continued to be unwilling to acknowledge the damage caused' to the baby as a result of her behaviour. Judge Henson concluded: 'This was a gross abuse of trust. The baby had no abnormality or diseases which could have led to these injuries. 'They were non-accidental, they were deliberately caused and required significant force to inflict. They would have caused immense pain.' He went on: 'That pain would have been obvious to both of you. 'The injuries you caused were truly appalling and showed wicked cruelty towards a tiny baby, almost beyond belief.' The pair were both jailed for eight years for assaulting or neglecting a child and causing unnecessary suffering, and for causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm. Jendrzeczak was given an extended sentence, and must serve two thirds of his prison spell before he can be considered for parole. Members of Jayme Closs' family have told DailyMail.com they will be in court later today to 'look Jake Patterson in the eye,' as he makes his first appearance in Barron County Circuit Court. Speaking on the eve of Patterson's arraignment Jayme's aunt Jennifer Smith, 48, revealed they had made the difficult decision to face down the man accused of kidnapping the 13-year-old and gunning down her parents - whom he saw as a 'barrier' to her, his target - on the advice of law enforcement. She said: 'I won't be there but my brother and sister will be there to look him in the eye.' Jennifer described the court appearance as, 'the next step towards healing,' in this long and difficult process. She added: 'We were advised by agents that this would be a good thing, so yes some of the family will be there.' Family members of Jayme Closs' (pictured with her aunt Sue Naiberg Allard) told DailyMail.com they will be in court later today to 'look Jake Patterson in the eye,' as he makes his first appearance in Barron County Circuit Court It has been barely four days since Jayme fled the remote cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin where 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson is accused of having held her hostage for 87 days Jayme's aunt Jennifer Smith, 48, (left with Jayme's aunt Sue Allard) revealed they had made the difficult decision to face down the man accused of kidnapping the 13-year-old and gunning down her parents - whom he saw as a 'barrier' to Jayme It has been barely four days since Jayme fled the remote cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin where 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson is accused of having held her hostage for 87 days in a crime that propelled the small Wisconsin town of Barron, with a population of just over 3,000, unwilling into the spotlight. Barron County Sheriff, Chris Fitzgerald has always maintained that his mission was to 'bring Jayme home.' But faced with the violence of the apparently targeted attack and abduction in the early hours of October 15 he was forced to admit that his assertion was based on nothing more concrete than hope. Ultimately, he has said, the 13-year-old herself broke the case after she escaped and 'turned up like a ghost,' 70 miles from her home in rural Wisconsin. Yet despite her ordeal her grandfather, Robert Naiberg, said she is doing 'exceptionally well,' and in 'exceptionally high spirits, good spirits for what she went through.' As Jayme's family prepares to face down Patterson in court, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the squalid basement 'cell' where cops believe she could have been kept prisoner for 88 days. The secret den complete with a scruffy mattress and cuddly stuffed pig is beneath Pattersons tumbledown forest cabin in rural Gordon, Wisconsin. Patterson, 21, is believed to have lived at the isolated woodland home until his arrest on charges of kidnapping and intentional homicide As Jayme's family prepares to face down Patterson in court, DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the squalid basement 'cell' where cops believe she could have been kept prisoner The den was filled with soft toys, a dirty mattress, women's clothing, and women's makeup The image above shows the filthy basement den where authorities believe 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held prisoner by her alleged abductor, Jake Thomas Patterson, 21 A stash of kids backpacks, including one with panda ears, can be seen piled up in one corner of the 8ft by 8ft room. Police sources say investigators are zeroing in on the creepy lair as they try to establish the exact spot where 13-year-old Jayme was imprisoned after Patterson allegedly slaughtered her parents and snatched her. They are also understood to have examined an adjacent basement compartment, a former wine cellar, which was the only room in the house which had its curtains drawn when officers arrived Thursday to search the ramshackle property following Jaymes remarkable escape. Patterson, 21, is believed to have lived at the isolated woodland home until his arrest on charges of kidnapping and intentional homicide. The surrounding 2.5 acre lot is littered with old cars, rusty bikes and an assortment of junk, while a sign saying 'Patterson's Retreat' greets visitors as they approach the two-story, $110,000 dwelling. Twinkling Christmas decorations are still strung across the yard and many of the lights are still on inside the wooden house - suggesting the occupant left in a hurry and didn't have a chance to return. The image above shows the cabin in rural Wisconsin where Jake Patterson allegedly held 13-year-old Jayme Closs prisoner for nearly three months The window with the blue tape leads inside to the basement 'cell' where authorities fear Jayme was held prisoner This part of the home appeared to be well-equipped. It has a furnace, a television, a couch, and lights A number of coats are seen hanging from hangers on the wall on the left. The room on the right appears to have a washing machine Chillingly, a mound of trash strewn beside a garage includes an empty box of 80 adult Member's Mark diapers. Lying nearby in the snow are empty bottles of sugary alcoholic drinks such as cranberry and lime Smirnoff Ice, Henry's Hard Soda and black cherry White Claw, as well as discarded bags of chips. What looks like a recently baked and eaten tray of pasta was dumped outside. The cabin itself is filled with an assortment of tatty old furniture, from rocking chairs to fans and years-old televisions and stereos. Dirty plates are piled up in a dated kitchen. Inside the main living room is a half-finished game of Monopoly and a book entitled 'U.S. Armed Forces Survival Guide'. A hammer, a flashlight, a scouring pad, scissors and a spray bottle of cleaning fluid are piled on a table. Investigators think it's possible that Jayme could have spent time in different areas of the house before being bundled into the basement whenever Patterson thought someone was visiting. A Canadian convicted of drug trafficking in China has been sentenced to death, according to a Chinese court, amid tensions over Canada's arrest of a Chinese technology executive late last year. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, was detained in 2014 on suspicion of smuggling crystal meth from China to Australia, according to the Dalian Intermediate People's Court. He was said to be caught while trying to flee from China to Thailand. He was initially sentenced 15 years in prison by the intermediate court in November, but a high court last month deemed the decision 'too lenient' and Schellenberg was given the death penalty in an open hearing today. 'I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist,' Schellenberg, said in his final statement before the sentence was announced. He was brought to the hearing in handcuffs. Schellenberg's lawyer Zhang Dongshuo told Reuters he was likely to appeal the sentence. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's concerned China has chosen to 'arbitrarily' apply death penalty to a Canadian. In this image taken from a video footage run by China's CCTV, Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg attends his retrial at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in Dalian today Robert Lloyd Schellenberg (centre), 36, was sentenced to death on Monday by the Dalian Intermediate People's Court. He was arrested in 2014 on suspicion of smuggling crystal meth Schellenberg's case has been publicised by the Chinese press lately following the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of tech giant Huawei on December 1 on U.S. charges related to trading with Iran. Since then, China has arrested two Canadian citizens on charges of endangering national security in apparent retaliation. A Canadian teacher was detained but released. Earlier this month, Canada said that 13 of its citizens had been detained in China since Meng Wanzhou was arrested. Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure in the case. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pictured addressing the media in Ottawa today. He said he was concerned that China had chosen to 'arbitrarily' apply death penalty to a Canadian Left, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg is shown in a handout released by National Post; right, the Canadian is tried in an intermediate court today. His case has been publicised by Chinese press lately following the arrest of chief financial officer of Huawei on December 1 in Canada Schellenberg's death sentence was announced during a first public trial by the Dalian Intermediate People's Court today, according to an online court statement. All personal assets belonging to Schellenberg will be confiscated by the court. 'The court completely rejects the accused person's explanation and defence because it is completely at odds with the facts,' the chief judge said in a courtroom packed with observers - among them Canadian embassy officials and three foreign reporters. The Dalian court said Schellenberg, who was detained in December 2014, played a 'key part' in an international drug trafficking syndicate that planned to ship some 222 kilogrammes (490 pounds) of methamphetamine to Australia, hidden in plastic pellets which were concealed in rubber tyres. 'Not just content with spreading drugs in one country, the syndicate has spread across borders ... it is a harm to human health and also to the stability of countries,' the court said. 'It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply (the) death penalty ... as in this case,' Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa after hearing about the decision. 'I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist,' Schellenberg, said in his final statement before the sentence was announced. He was brought to the hearing in handcuffs The public trial was held today in the Dalian Intermediate People's Court (pictured) in Liaoning Schellenberg was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison during a trial in November 20. The court also ruled to confiscate 150,000 yuan (17,250, $22,170) from Schellenberg and to deport him. He appealed against the decision. The Liaoning High People's Court on December 29 ruled that the original sentencing was too lenient and ordered the Dalian Intermediate People's Court to re-try the case. Ottawa has said it was following the case 'very closely' and has provided Schellenberg with consular assistance. 'Global Affairs Canada has been following of this case for several years and has been providing consular assistance to the Canadian citizen since they were first detained in Liaoning, China,' spokesman Richard Walker said. China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past, including a Japanese national in 2014 and a Filipina in 2013. In 2009, a Briton, Akmal Shaikh, was executed in China on charges of smuggling heroin despite his supporters' protest that he was mentally ill. Experts said retrials are rare in China, especially ones calling for a harsher sentence. Tensions have escalated between China and Canada since Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of tech giant Huawei, was arrested in Vancouver on December 1. Ms Meng, pictured arriving at a parole office in Vancouver on December 12, is fighting extradition to the U.S. Michael Kovrig (left), an adviser with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based non-governmental organisation and Michael Spavor (centre), who is frequently consulted on matters linked to North Korea, and Sarah McIver (right), a teacher, are among the 13 Canadian citizens detained in China since Huawei exec Meng Wanzhou's arrest on Dec 1 in Vancouver Schellenberg's case is likely again to test relations between Beijing and Ottawa, which have been tense since Meng Wanzhou's arrest. Meng was detained in Vancouver on December 1 at the request of the U.S., which accuses Huawei of using a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Meng is the vice chairman of Huawei, the second-largest smartphone creator in the world. After three days of hearings, she was released on bail of C$10million (US$7.4million) on December 11 - on the condition she surrender her two passports and agree to wear an ankle bracelet. She has been staying in Vancouver and confining herself to one of her two Vancouver homes from 11pm to 6am as she awaits possible extradition to the U.S. After the news of Meng's release broke, a White House official told Reuters President Donald Trump did not know about a U.S. request for her extradition from Canada. Meanwhile Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said officers who arrested her as she was changing planes in Vancouver had acted on their own. President Trump sits across from Chinese President Xi Jinping during a working dinner after the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 1. Last week, Chinese and US officials wrapped up three days of trade talks in Beijing aimed at resolving the tariff fight A cargo ship at a port in Qingdao in east China's Shandong province. China's trade growth slowed in 2018 as a tariff battle with Washington heated up 'I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary,' Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. 'And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference'. The news related to Huawei and Meng Wanzhou took place amid the negotiation of a trade war truce between China and the United States. Last week, Chinese and U.S. officials wrapped up three days of trade talks in Beijing aimed at resolving a tariff fight that threatens to chill global growth. The two sides will 'maintain close contact,' China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday, adding that the talks 'enhanced mutual understanding and laid the foundation for addressing each other's concerns.' Officials from both countries discussed 'ways to achieve fairness, reciprocity and balance in trade relations,' the U.S. Trade Representative's office said in a statement. 'The talks also focused on China's pledge to purchase a substantial amount of agricultural, energy, manufactured, and other products and services from the United States,' the USTR said. The meetings in China were the first face-to-face negotiations since Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires in December and agreed a 90-day truce in a trade war that has disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods. Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, pictured, is set to appear in court today suspected of kidnapping teenager Jayme Closs, 13, and killing her parents in Wisconsin A man suspected of kidnapping Wisconsin teenager Jayme Closs and killing her parents is expected to appear in court this afternoon - but his attorneys have refused to comment on his condition. Prosecutors are set to formally charge Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, with two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping before the court begins. The charging documents could shed light on what investigators believe the young man knew about his victims, his motives and tactics. Investigators believe Patterson broke into James and Denise Closs' home near Barron on October 15, blowing the front door open with a shotgun blast. They say he then gunned the couple down and made off with their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme. Jayme was missing for nearly three months and police collected more than 3,500 tips but no hard leads emerged. Then, on Thursday, a woman walking her dog in the town of Gordon, about an hour north of Barron, spotted Jayme on the street. Jayme Closs, 13, right in an undated photo, was missing for 88 days before she escaped a nearby cabin on Thursday. Pictured left is Jayme with her aunt after they were reunited Her parents, James Closs, 56, and Denise Closs, 46, were found shot dead inside their family home in October The teenager begged the woman for help, saying Patterson had been hiding her in a nearby cabin and that she had escaped when he left her alone. Neighbors called 911 and officers arrested Patterson within minutes. He has no criminal history in Wisconsin. It is not yet clear how Patterson became aware of Jayme, especially since he lived an hour away. Investigators say there's no evidence of any online interactions between him and Jayme. Her family insists they don't know the man. Her grandfather, Robert Naiberg, told The Associated Press that Jayme told FBI agents she doesn't know Patterson at all. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said the suspect went to great lengths to alter his physical appearance and hide evidence of the alleged murder, including shaving his head. The image above shows the filthy den where authorities believe Jayme was held prisoner Stuffed toys and other items on a mattress were found inside the den in Gordon, Wisconsin Pictured is the cabin in rural Wisconsin where Jayme was kept prisoner for nearly three months Police said he was unemployed at the time of his arrest and the family did not know him. Yesterday Patterson's defense attorneys, Charlie Glynn and Richard Jones, refused to go into detail about his condition only saying 'his feelings are consistent with what you would believe for someone who was involved with these allegations.' Mr Jones added: 'There's been a lot of emotion. But we have a job to do in protecting our client,' reports Fox 9. Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com from inside the basement where cops believe Jayme could have been kept prisoner for 88 days reveal the squalid conditions. Photos show the space beneath alleged abductor Patterson's tumbledown forest cabin in rural Gordon, Wisconsin, strewn with soft toys, filthy bedding and women's clothes. Investigators are also understood to have examined an adjacent basement compartment, a former wine cellar, which was the only room to have its curtains drawn when officers arrived to search the property on Thursday. Baron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald holds up a photo of the suspect, Jake Thomas Patterson, as he announces that Jayme Closs was found alive, during a news conference on Friday This aerial photo shows the cabin, where 13-year-old Jayme is thought to have been held by Patterson, surrounded by law enforcement vehicles, on Saturday Jayme was found at Eau Claire Acres, a development located about 70 miles away from her home in Barron Charging documents in Wisconsin typically contain at least a partial narrative of what happened at a crime scene, as prosecutors try to prove there's probable cause to support the allegations. Details of Jayme's three-month captivity have not been released, and Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald has not said whether Jayme was sexually assaulted. But Patterson's attorneys, public defenders Charles Glynn and Richard Jones, have been lauded for taking high-profile cases with a special emphasis on sexually violent people, according to a state public defender office news release from February 2018. Glynn and Jones issued a statement Saturday saying they are relying on the court system to treat Patterson fairly. The attorneys said they believe Patterson can get a fair trial, but aren't sure where. They say it has been an emotional time for the community of Barron, and that they understand the pain the case has generated. Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday to 10 months imprisonment for causing death by careless driving An uninsured driver who hit and killed a doctor on a zebra crossing has been jailed for 10 months. Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, was driving his fathers Ford Fiesta when he hit Dr Jasjot Singhota, 30, in Tulse Hill, south London. It is possible his view was obscured by frost he had not cleared from his windscreen, when he collided with the talented medic as she walked to work at 7:15am on 25 January 2017. The anaesthetist was rushed by ambulance to Kings College Hospital where surgeons battled to save her life for eight hours before she was pronounced dead. Kingston Crown Court heard Fitzgerald was uninsured at the time and has a previous conviction for speeding. Fitzgerald had got behind the wheel just seconds before he approached the zebra crossing at 28mph on Thurlow Park. Dr Singhota had just left home and was making her way to work at St Thomas Hospital. Fitzgerald later told police he had wiped the windows clean and was only driving at 17mph. Judge Peter Lodder, QC, told Fitzgerald: It was dark but the area around that crossing was well lit. As she was perfectly properly crossing that road she was struck by the car you were driving and sustained such serious injuries that she was taken to hospital were her severe head injury was attempted to be operated on but sadly it was not saveable. You said you had cleared the frost from your window screens and you suggested it was clear and you suggested she ran out in front of you. David Emanuel, defending, explained his client wished to become a chartered surveyor and was studying at university. He said Fitzgerald was progressing well and had job offers all of which are in jeopardy now he has been jailed. Dr Jasjot Singhota, who was based at St Thomas Hospital, was killed walking to walk She was due to graduate from the royal college of anesthetists and planned to work for warzone charity Medecins Sans Frontiers A hospital colleague called her a 'dedicated, committed and well respected member of staff, as well as an excellent doctor with a bright and promising future Dr Singhota, who grew up with two sisters in Bedford, was based at St Thomas Hospital and was due to graduate from the Royal College of Anaesthetists in March. While learning about medicine she had spent time developing conservation projects in Madagascar and childrens hospitals in New Zealand. The anaesthetist was rushed by ambulance to Kings College Hospital where surgeons battled to save her life for eight hours before she was pronounced dead. Her ambition was to work for Medecins Sans Frontieres, an organisation which seeks to provide treatment to those suffering in war-zones regardless religious or political beliefs. A spokesman from Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust said after her death: We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of our colleague Dr Jasjot Singhota, and our thoughts are with her family and colleagues at this difficult time. Dr Singhota was a dedicated, committed and well respected member of staff, as well as an excellent doctor with a bright and promising future. Fitzgerald, from Brentwood in Essex, was jailed for 10 months after admitting causing death by careless driving and causing death while uninsured. He was disqualified from driving for 23 months. A man extradited from Western Australia over the alleged sexual assault of young family members in rural NSW has been granted bail to stay at a Sydney hostel. The 49-year-old, given the pseudonym Roderick Colt, was one of eight relatives arrested by police in 2018. He is charged with four counts of sexual intercourse with a person under the age of ten and one of sexual intercourse without consent involving an 18-year-old woman. A man extradited from Western Australia over the alleged sexual assault of young family members in rural NSW has been granted bail to stay at a Sydney hostel NSW Supreme Court Justice Stephen Campbell on Monday granted him bail to live in temporary hostel accommodation in Sydney. '(He) basically has nothing other than the clothes he was arrested in so he has to start somewhere,' Colt's lawyer, Robert Bucksath, told the judge. The bail conditions stipulate that Colt must report twice daily to police, not contact crown witnesses or his co-accused and not leave the state. He'll forfeit a $10,000 surety if he fails to appear in court. The 49-year-old, given the pseudonym Roderick Colt, was one of eight relatives arrested by police in 2018 (pictured rural farm in NSW where alleged abuses took place) The Crown opposed his release, with prosecutor Mardi Cartwright saying he'd breached bail in other states and belonged to a family 'known to travel long distances to see each other' (pictured shed in NSW where several members of the 'Colt' family were found) Colt's lawyer previously told the court his client 'is in a situation where he is basically consumed by the terrible taboo of intergenerational incest'. Mr Bucksath told last year's bail hearing Colt had 'broken away from what's been termed the 'nomadic' or 'living off-the-grid lifestyle' attributed to him' and hadn't contacted certain family members for a number of years. But the Crown opposed his release, with prosecutor Mardi Cartwright saying he'd breached bail in other states and belonged to a family 'known to travel long distances to see each other'. Monday's decision came after the Colt family's 51-year-old matriarch - who's been given the pseudonym Betty Colt - was refused bail in Central Local Court last week by magistrate Margaret Quinn (pictured being led out of court in 2014) Monday's decision came after the Colt family's 51-year-old matriarch - who's been given the pseudonym Betty Colt - was refused bail in Central Local Court last week by magistrate Margaret Quinn. The mother of 12 is charged with perverting the course of justice and five counts of making a false statement on oath amounting to perjury. The magistrate found there was an unacceptable risk she would interfere with witnesses and commit a serious offence, noting the matriarch 'aggressively' kept in contact with her children in the past against court orders. All eight family members are next scheduled to have their case mentioned in Central Local Court in March. (ANSA) - Milan, January 14 - Standard and Poor's Chief EMEA Economist Sylvain Broyer said Monday that the rating agency expects Italy's GDP to rise by 0.7% this year, adding that Italian government forecasts of higher growth rates "are optimistic". "We see slower growth of 0.7% for Italy in 2019, with consumer spending stable but lower prospects, above all with regards to other European countries, as regards investments," Broyer. He added that the forecasts for 2020 was a GDP rise of 0.9%. President Donald Trump denied Monday that he was ever a foreign agent of Russia as he turned his fire on the FBI after its bosses were revealed to have ordered a probe of whether he was working for Putin after he fired James Comey. Trump has been asked the question during a phone interview on Fox News on Saturday night and did not deny the claim directly. But Monday, as a backlash mounted, he denied the charge that the New York Times says sparked an FBI counterintelligence investigation in a lengthy discussion on the White House lawn as he waited to board Marine One to fly to New Orleans to address a farming group. 'I never worked for Russia, and you know that answer better than anybody,' he told a reporter as he left a snowy White House for Louisiana. 'Not only did never work for Russia, I think it's a disgrace that you even asked that question, because it's a whole big fat hoax.' Instead, he unleashed on the FBI. Trump called FBI bosses, including ex-acting director Andrew McCabe and former FBI lovers and agents Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, 'known scoundrels' and said that was why they launched a probe into his relationship with Russia after 'Crooked Hillary' failed her bid for the presidency. He claimed in a new attack on Comey that he, too, was a 'bad cop' and a 'dirty cop' and he did the country a favor when he fired him. 'What happened with the FBI, I have done a great service for the country when I fired James Comey. He was a bad cop and he was a dirty cop and he lied, he really lied,' he said. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO President Donald Trump denied Monday that he was ever a foreign agent of Russia Fury: Trump voiced rage at the FBI calling its leadership after he fired James Comey 'dirty cops' and 'bad cops' as well as calling Comey a 'dirty cop' Attack: Trump vented about the FBI as he left the White House to fly to New Orleans to address the Farm Bureau conference Chilly mood: Trump set off on Marine One from a frozen White House lawn after Washington D.C. was blanketed in snow Trump claimed in a new charge against James Comey that he too was a 'bad cop' and a 'dirty cop' and he did the country a favor when he fired him WATERGATE'S BERNSTEIN: MUELLER WILL SAY TRUMP HELPED PUTIN DESTABILIZE U.S. Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein has claimed Robert Mueller's report will say Donald Trump 'helped destabilize the United States'. Bernstein told CNN on Sunday that Trump's actions had led White House insiders to believe he has become a 'half-witting pawn' working on behalf of Vladimir Putin. It comes as the Washington Post reported on Saturday that Trump had taken extraordinary measures to conceal the contents of his meetings with Putin. 'This is about the most serious counterintelligence people we have in the U.S. government saying, 'Oh, my God, the president's words and actions lead us to conclude that somehow he has become a witting, unwitting, or half-witting pawn, certainly in some regards, to Vladimir Putin,'' Bernstein said. Carl Bernstein (pictured), famous for his reporting on the Watergate scandal, made the claims in an interview with CNN Sunday Bernstein said he had found out from government sources what Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election will say 'From a point of view of strength rather, he has done what appears to be Putin's goals. 'He has helped Putin destabilize the United States and interfere in the election, no matter whether it was purposeful or not,' the journalist added. Bernstein also explained that he knew from his own high-level sources that Mueller's report would discuss this assessment. Advertisement The president said of Comey's recent testimony to Congress about the Hillary Clinton email investigation, 'Either he's a bad liar or he's grossly incompetent.' Trump accused all those involved in ordering the inquiry into whether he was a Putin agent after he fired Comey of being corrupt. 'The people doing that investigation were people that have been caught that are known scoundrels there,' he said. Among them he named the FBI lovers Strzok and Page. 'I guess you could say they're dirty cops,' he claimed as he lit into favorite targets. He called McCabe, who was fired before his retirement kicked in, a 'proven liar'. The president said the former agents' conduct was 'so unfair' to the bureau's rank and file. And he suggested that more FBI heads could roll after McCabe, Strzok and Page quit or were fired by new FBI director Christopher Wray. Trump repeatedly dodged demands that he respond to a second report on his relationship with Russia in the Washington Post, proclaiming that he had nothing to hide even as he refused to release the transcripts of his conversations with Vladimir Putin. Trump claimed on Fox on Saturday that 'anybody could have listened' to his infamous closed-door conversation with Putin over the summer in Helskini and the 'meeting is up for grabs' but said Monday that he didn't think it would be appropriate to provide a more fulsome report. 'I just don't know anything about it. I read it this morning. It's a lot of fake news. That was a very good meeting,' he said. 'It was actually a very successful meeting and I have those meetings with everything. I just know nothing about it.' The president recalled, 'It was a very, very successful meeting. We talked about Israel, we talked about the pipeline that Germany is paying Russia a lot of money I don't think it's appropriate.' The Washington Post claimed in a Sunday article that Trump took his interpreter's notes after a 2017 conversation with Putin in Hamburg and has kept his senior staff from seeing transcripts or highlights of that and other conversations with the Russian leader. A senior official told the Post that no record exists of any of Trump's five face-to-face conversations with Putin since he took office. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee threatened Sunday to subpoena the interpreter's notes from the president's June summit with Putin in Finland. 'Last year, we sought to obtain the interpreters notes or testimony, from the private meeting between Trump and Putin. The Republicans on our committee voted us down. Will they join us now? Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting America first? asked Democrat Adam Schiff. Kellyanne Conway, counselor to Trump, invoked Schiff on Monday morning as she responded to the report. She noted that he could wield his subpoena power, now that Democrats are in power, to get and release the notes himself. Conway said that Trump shielded his conversation with Putin in 2017, because his administration was 'suffering from a great number' of leaks at that time. 'His calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia had leaked, he had an Oval Office meeting in May of 2017, contents of that leaked. And so there was great concern at the time,' she said. Conway had just appeared on 'Fox & Friends,' where she responded to the charge and a revelation in the New York Times that the FBI launched a counterintelligence probe into the president after he fired the bureau's director and met with the Russians the next day. They suspected Trump of acting as a Russian agent, whether he meant to or not. Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Donald Trump, says the president shielded a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017, because his administration was 'suffering from a great number' of leaks at that time Conway wrote off the probe as one that was conducted 'rogue actors' who were fired from their positions because they had a vendetta against Trump. 'The President said this weekend that its the most insulting thing hes ever been asked, thats ever been said about him, which is saying a great deal, given everything thats been said and done about him,' she said. 'It sort of confirms what the president has said all along about some of the rogue actors at the very tippy top of the FBI, who are no longer there because they were fired and worse.' She invoked Strzok and Page, who were said to be having an affair at the start of the special counsel probe, and suggested they sent sexually explicit texts to one another. 'Some of them were deemed to be leaking and lying, sexting each other obviously with their tremendous biases against this president,' she contended. 'So I think it confirms what he has said all along about some of those rogue actors not the 35,000 or so rank-and-file men and women in the FBI who go to work and do a fabulous job every day.' Trump on Monday morning had mocked reports that the FBI opened a counterintelligence probe of his activities following his firing of Comey, needling critics who 'thought he worked for the Kremlin' in a tweet that made light of the allegations against him. The president noted a drop in gas prices, which is harmful to oil-exporting Russia although market-driven global oil prices are thought to be far beyond control of any single official including the president. 'Gas prices drop across the United States because President Trump has deregulated Energy and we are now producing a great deal more oil than ever before,' Trump wrote on Twitter Monday morning. 'But this is bad news for Russia, why would President Trump do such a thing? Thought he worked for Kremlin?' Trump asked. Trump's tweet followed yet another revelation about Russia, after CNN reported on transcripts of congressional testimony of top FBI officials. Former FBI general counsel James Baker spoke about the debate as officials contemplated opening an investigation of Trump with possibilities including his innocence as well as him being directed by Moscow. Baker said that officials wanted to know if Trump was 'acting at the behest of and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will.' 'That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too,' Baker told the House Intelligence Committee. 'There's a range of things this could possibly be. We need to investigate, because we don't know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the President is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with and so he can move forward with his agenda,' he added. Trump continued responding to a bombshell story in The New York Times tating that the FBI began a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump (seen left with Russian President Vladimir Putin) was acting as a Kremlin agent Targeted: Lisa Page, the FBI attorney, and Peter Strozk, the FBI agent whose affair included exchanging anti-Trump texts, were targeted by Trump again Monday Trump blasted the FBI and Comey this weekend after the New York Times reported the FBI opened a counterintelligence in the days after the Comey firing. 'Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin' James Comey, a total sleaze!' Trump tweeted. The transcripts also include former FBI lawyer Page commenting on the days after the Comey firing, including a text from fellow FBI official Strzok that said: 'We need to open the case we've been waiting on now while Andy is acting.' It was a reference to then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who was also fired after Trump took office. 'It's not that it could not have been done,' Page testified. 'This case had been a topic of discussion for some time. The 'waiting on' was an indecision and a cautiousness on the part of the bureau with respect to what to do and whether there was sufficient predication to open,' she said. Trump called in to Justice with Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night to deny that he is a secret agent of Russia, following a New York Times report that the FBI had investigated the possibility Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN on Sunday that whether Trump was a witting or unwitting agent of Russia is the defining question of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. At the time that he was fired, Comey was leading an investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Times reported the counterintelligence probe was sparked in part by growing alarm about Trump's behavior, including comments he made suggesting he fired Comey over the Russia investigation, which is now being led by Mueller. Warner on Sunday cited a report alleging that Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, shared internal polling data with a Russian businessman believed to be connected to Russian intelligence. Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page also testified about the FBI's conduct following the Comey firing Why would you turn over that information? And whats curious is it would be that kind of information that would inform the Russians later in the campaign when they launched their social media efforts where they created these fake identities, Warner said. The Democratic senator said it was clear-cut proof that Russian efforts were aimed at dissuading African-Americans from voting. Trump spoke just ahead of his attorney general nominee, William Barr, telling members of Congress that he will protect Robert Mueller's Russia probe saying the special counsel must be allowed 'to complete his investigation.' Barr's testimony is being closely watched because he would assume oversight of the Mueller probe at a critical time and because of his unsolicited memo that went after the probe and questioned its foray into potential obstruction of justice. 'I believe it is vitally important that the Special Counsel be allowed to complete his investigation,' Barr said in prepared remarks released Monday. 'I believe it is vitally important that the Special Counsel be allowed to complete his investigation,' Barr said in prepared remarks released Monday 'I believe it is in the best interest of everyone - the President, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people - that this matter be resolved by allowing the Special Counsel to complete his work,' he said. Barr, a former attorney general under President George H.W. Bush, also provided some subtle reassurance in the tenor of his remarks, referring to Mueller as 'Bob' and conveying their professional relationship. Trump has spent months attacking Mueller as 'highly conflicted' and unable to carry out the probe. Barr as a private citizen penned a June memo that went after the Mueller probe. 'As I understand it, his theory is premised on a novel and legally insupportable reading of the law, Barr wrote, the Wall Street Journal reported. Moreover, in my view, if credited by the Justice Department, it would have grave consequences far beyond the immediate confines of this case and would do lasting damage to the Presidency and to the administration of law within the Executive branch. He called Mueller's posture 'grossly irresponsible and said it had potentially disastrous implications.' He has come under criticism from Democrats for the memo, which he sent Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. He also called the probe into whether Trump obstructed justice 'fatally misconceived.' Rosenstein said it didn't have an impact on him. The testimony comes days after the New York Times reported FBI agents opened a counterintelligence investigation into Trump after he fired Comey. Barr's nomination has broad support by most Senate Republicans. However, he is expected to receive tough questions during two days of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee that start on Tuesday morning, including questions about why he wrote the memo and whether he will agree to make Mueller's findings public once the probe concludes. Mueller is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, possible collusion between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign and potential obstruction of justice. Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies' findings that it meddled in the 2016 campaign, while Trump has denied any collusion with Moscow and called Mueller's probe a 'witch hunt.' In his testimony, Barr said he has known Mueller professionally for 30 years and has confidence in his abilities. 'If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation,' Barr said in his written remarks. 'I will follow the Special Counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work.' The President of Finland has expressed his 'shock and disgust' after police identified more suspects in connection with a foreign grooming gang targeting children in a town in the north of the country. Police suspect 16 foreign-born men of rape or other sexual abuses of girls aged between ten and 15 in Oulu, northern Finland, adding another four men to the investigation today. In addition, police in the capital Helsinki said on Sunday they had arrested three foreign-born men on similar charges. Finland's President Sauli Niinisto, pictured inspecting an honor guard during his state visit to China today, expressed his 'shock and disgust' after police identified more suspects in connection with a foreign grooming gang who have targeted underaged girls in Oulu In a statement released on Monday, President Sauli Niinisto said the crimes in Oulu 'shocked us with their inhumanity'. He added: 'The right to integrity is one of the values on which our society is based, and one which must be respected by everyone here. 'It is unacceptable that some asylum seekers, and even those who have been granted asylum, have brought evil here and created insecurity.' Antti Kaikkonen, parliamentary head of the coalition-leading Centre Party, called for a meeting of all the parliamentary party heads, tweeting: 'Everyone who comes to Finland has to follow the local laws.' Antti Lindtman, parliamentary head of the main opposition party, the Social Democrats, said: 'The question is, are there measures we could take now - even during this term - to prevent cowardly crimes like these? Yes, there are.' Never forget: Candles burn outside a shopping centre, in memory of sex crimes committed against minors, in Oulu, Finland, today A citizens petition to withdraw asylum from people convicted of sex crimes received 62,000 signatures over the weekend, breaking the 50,000 barrier needed to force parliament to consider the issue. 'I created the initiative because of the hate speech... I thought someone has to do something,' Saila Al-Jewari, who launched it in December after the first abuse cases in Oulu made headlines, told Reuters. 'I am not racist, I am married to an Iraqi man. However, at the moment this media-fed hate incitement has led to even me, a native Finn, becoming a target of racist shouting and insulting.' Al-Jewari acknowledged her proposal could well be stopped by human rights issues but said it was worth trying if even one new sex crime could be prevented. Allegations: Police suspect 16 foreign-born men of rape or other sexual abuses of adolescent girls aged between ten and 15 in Oulu, northern Finland 'It really angers me that the politicians are riding this topic ahead of the elections. Does anyone of them think of victims? No. They only think of themselves. Why didn't they do something about the topic years ago?,' Al-Jewari said. Statistics Finland says around 1,200 cases of sexual abuse of minors are reported to the police each year, and that foreigners were involved in 18 percent of the cases that came to trial last year. Of Finland's population of just over 5.5million, some 321,500 people are born in a foreign country, nearly six per cent. Compared to neighbouring Sweden, Finland had a low intake of migrants and refugees during the recent European migrant crisis. Last year, 31,797 persons moved to Finland, down from 34,905 in 2016 and 28 746 in 2015. A bungling thief has been caught on camera stealing eight mobile phones from a shop in east China without realising they were demo phones. The suspect even risked seriously injuring himself by running through the store's glass doors after failing to break the lock in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. Police are now investigating the incident which happened at around 1am on Friday, according to Chinese media. A bungling thief has been caught on camera stealing eight mobile phones from a shop in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu provlince on Friday without realising they were demo phones The suspect even risked seriously injuring himself by running through the store's glass doors Surveillance footage of the incident shows the hapless thief, wearing a down jacket and a hat with a cartoon print, repeatedly kicking the store's lock in an attempt to break it. After failing to open the doors, the man decided to smash through the glass instead. Once inside the shop, the man is seen frantically snatching the smartphones from the display unit before fleeing the scene. Surveillance footage of the incident shows the hapless thief, wearing a down jacket and a hat with a cartoon print, repeatedly kicking the store's lock in an attempt to break it After failing to open the doors, the man decided to smash through the glass instead Once inside the shop, the man is seen frantically snatching the smartphones from the display unit before fleeing the scene. However, the handsets on the counters are all demo phones However, according to an employee, the stolen handsets turned out to be demo phones, which makes them worthless. The real smartphones were locked away in a safe in the store, according to Shandong Broadcasting Corporation. According to the staff member, installing the glass door cost more than purchasing the demo phones. Footage of the unfortunate incident has been widely circulated on social media, where net users mocked the dim-witted thief by comparing the incident with the plot of 'A Cool Fish', a popular 2018 film. Footage of the burglary has been circulated on social media, where net users mocked the thief by comparing the incident with the plot of 'A Cool Fish', a 2018 film. The two characters (pictured) robbed a cell phone store - only to end up with a bag of worthless demo phones The film, directed by Rao Xiaozhi, tells the struggles and misery of several nobodies living in a small Chinese city. One of them was a village gangster who arrived at the city to rob a cell phone store - only to end up with a bag of worthless demo phones. 'I don't know what is real life and what is fiction anymore thanks to people like him,' one user said on Weibo. 'Was the thief trying to copy the movie after watching it?' another said. 'Didn't he see the ending? The characters were arrested by police!' The dog walker who rescued Jayme Closs after finding her wandering the woods in Wisocnsin has described the moment she happened upon the kidnapped teen. Jeanne Nutter said at first she didn't recognize Jayme, who had been missing for 88 days at that point, but immediately knew the girl was in trouble. 'It was 19 or 20F outside and she only had a sweatshirt on and maybe some black leggings,' Nutter said in an interview with CBS. 'I though she was in her slippers so I figured she left wherever she was in a hurry or someone drove here and dropped her off.' Jeanne Nutter has described the moment she discovered Jayme Closs wandering in the woods in Wisconsin last week, 88 days after she went missing Nutter said at first she didn't recognize Jayme, but knew the girl was in trouble because she was only wearing a sweater and leggings despite it being 20F outside As Nutter quickened her pace to catch up with Jayme she recognized the teen, who fell into her arms saying: 'I'm Jayme' Nutter said she that as she approached the girl, she heard her saying: 'I'm lost, I don't know where I am, I need help.' It was only after Nutter quickened her pace to catch up with the mystery figure that she realized who she was. 'I got to her and she just sort of fell into me and said, "I'm Jayme", and I said, "I know,"' Nutter revealed. Jayme was first reported missing on October 15 last year after police were called to her family home and found her parents James, 56, and Denise, 46, shot dead. Officers quickly ruled Jayme out as a suspect and instead concluded that she had been kidnapped, before launching a manhunt. Despite reviewing almost 2,000 tips, investigators had found no concrete evidence of Jayme's whereabouts until she appeared last week. Jayme was found 'skinny and dirty but outwardly OK' after escaping her captor and happening upon Nutter. The Kaiskais family, who lived next door to Nutter, have described how the dog-walker brought Jayme to their home after finding her. Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, has been arrested and accused of murdering Jayme's parents in a highly orchestrated plot before keeping her captive Police are examining various locations at Patterson's woodland home where they believe Jayme was kept, including this basement The image above shows stuffed toys and other accessories on the mattress inside the den. The home is located in rural Gordon, Wisconsin The den was filled with soft toys, a dirty mattress, women's clothing, and women's makeup Kristin Kasiskas told Fox: 'When our neighbor Jeanne came in with Jayme, she said: "Get a gun. We don't know if he's after us." 'So we were armed and ready in case this person showed up.' The couple quickly called 911 and Jayme gave a description of the car that kidnapper Jake Patterson, 21, was driving. Police say that he was driving round hunting for Jayme after he noticed her missing. The Kasinskas said that three officers arrived at their home, took Closs to safety and told Kristin and their kids to get away from the windows in case the kidnapper tried to enter. Kristin's husband was asked to stand guard outside the door on the upper floor. The suspect was arrested a short time later, near their home. Police have since named him as 21-year-old Jake Patterson and accused him of kidnapping Jayme as part of a meticulously planned operation. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said Jayme was 'targeted' for the kidnapping, and that Patterson had worked at a turkey processing plant where Jayme's parents James and Denise also worked. However, the turkey plant owner said Patterson was hired one day and quit the next, explaining that he was moving away from the area. Jayme was found at the Eau Claire Acres estate near the town of Gordon, which is about 70 miles away from her home in Barron where she was abducted Patterson was arrested close to the home in his car while apparently out searching for Jayme after she managed to escape Jayme went missing from the home she shared with parents James, 56, and Denise, 46, after they were shot dead with a shotgun in October last year TIMELINE OF JAYME CLOSS' DISAPPEARANCE Jayme Closs was missing for three months Oct. 15, 2018 - Jayme's parents, James and Denise Closs, found dead at their home in Barron and the teen is reported missing Oct. 16, 2018 - Investigators say they don't consider Jayme a suspect in her parents' deaths Oct. 17, 2018 - Authorities announce that investigators believe Jayme was in her family's home when he parents were fatally shot Oct. 18, 2018 - About 100 people join a ground search for Jayme after Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald requests the help of volunteers Oct. 23, 2018 - About 2,000 volunteers from as far as Minneapolis help with another ground search . Several items are found and taken for assessment Oct. 24, 2018 - The FBI offers a $25,000 reward for information leading to Jayme's location. The amount is later doubled to $50,000 by the Jennie-O Turkey Store, where James and Denise Closs worked Oct. 27, 2018 - Funeral held for James and Denise Closs Oct. 29, 2018 - Prosecutors announce they have charged a man with burglarizing the Closs home but say he's not a suspect in the case. Dec. 12, 2018 - Tree of Hope lit as community prays for her safe return Jan. 10, 2019 - After three months Jayme is found alive in Gordon, Wisconsin. A suspect is taken into custody. Jan. 11, 2019 - Police named the man accused of kidnapping her as Jake Thomas Patterson, 21 Advertisement Fitzgerald said there was no evidence that Patterson knew any of the Closs family personally before the attack. Fitzgerald also revealed the tactics Patterson employed to avoid being caught. He said Patterson shaved his head before the night of the murders, both to change his appearance and avoid leaving trace evidence. However, officers are confident they have got their man after raiding his home and finding the shotgun which they say was used to blast into the Closs family home and slaughter James and Denise. Authorities are now searching through Patterson's phones, computers and his car. Officers say Jayme was held in various parts of Patterson's home in Gordon, Wisconsin - around 70 miles from where he parents lived - before her escape. Images taken by Dailymail.com reveal a basement where it is believed the teen lived during some of her captivity, filled with a scruffy mattress and cuddly stuffed pig. Officers are also understood to have examined an adjacent basement compartment, a former wine cellar, where she could also have been kept. Patterson is in custody charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. He is due to make his initial court appearance January 14. Paedophile Vanessa George could be freed in May after a parole hearing date was fixed Britain's worst woman paedophile Vanessa George could be freed in May after a date was set for her parole hearing. The child abuser, from Plymouth, Devon, was jailed for a minimum of seven years in 2009 after taking 64 pictures of herself harming babies and toddlers at the Little Teds nursery. She is currently housed at HMP Send near Guildford, Surrey, where she will make a bid for release in the spring. George will have an oral hearing before a parole panel, before they determine whether she can be released. However, her ex-husband Andrew has told friends he fears that his former wife will 'manipulate' the panel which decides her fate. Her two daughters have publicly disowned her. A spokesman for the Parole Board insisted that the panel would consider a range of evidence before making its decision. The spokesman insisted the process would be done 'with great care and with public safety the number one priority'. Angela Allen who was sent the images, was jailed for at least five years. Colin Blanchard, who forwarded the pictures to Allen after George sent them to him, was given a minimum term of nine years in 2011 It emerged last year that George has changed her name in prison, reverting to her maiden name of Vanessa Sylvia Marks, it was revealed today. The mother of two described herself to her internet lover Colin Blanchard as a 'paedo whore mum'. She worked at Little Teds nursery in Efford, Plymouth, until her arrest on June 9, 2009 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a number of pre-school children in her care. In all she admitted to a total of seven sexual assaults of young children and six counts of distributing and making indecent pictures of children. She is thought to have sent pictures to her internet lover. During her sentencing Judge Mr Justice Royce said the case had caused 'widespread revulsion and incredulity' and had 'rocked the city of Plymouth'. The death of a Texas mother found dead last week has been ruled a suicide but authorities will not reveal if they believe that she killed her two daughters who were found murdered next to her in the $1million mansion where they lived with the mother's boyfriend. Nichol Olsen, 37, was found dead on Thursday along with her daughters London Bribiescas, 10, and Alexa Montez, 16. They were found by Nichol's 31-year-old boyfriend, Charles Wheeler, who told police he had returned home at 9am after spending the night elsewhere and found all three of them shot to death. He lived with them in a $1million home he bought last year in a gated community in San Antonio, Texas. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said at the time that the girls were undoubtedly victims of foul play but he could not confirm whether Nichol,a hairdresser, had also been murdered or if she had taken her own life. On Monday, he revealed that the medical examiner had determined that Nichol killed herself but said his office is still investigating what happened. It coincides with disbelief from Nichol's many friends and relatives who have spoken out to say she would 'never' have harmed herself let alone the two girls. The medical examiner has ruled mother Nichol Olsen's death a suicide despite friends, family and even the police casting doubt on the idea that she would take her own life. Her daughters London and Alexa, right, were murdered but police do not know who killed them and are hunting suspects. All three were found together in their home on Thursday morning Nichol's boyfriend Charles Wheeler, left, told police he returned to the $1million home where they lived at 9am and found the bodies. He has not been arrested and is being 'extremely cooperative' 'The medical examiner's findings are independent to what we may find... 'We owe it to the public, to continue this investigation and so we can't just say well this is what the medical examiner says case closed. There are way too many unanswered questions... we have to go out and find out who killed these two young ladies 'The fact that Nichol Olsen's death has been ruled a suicide, we can't just say "well she must be the one who did this to these little girls." 'We have to go out and find out who it was that killed these two young ladies. 'The evidence my leads us back to somebody in the house but it may not,' Sheriff Salazar said. Later, he said there were 'way too many unanswered questions' and that the department 'absolutely' had people they considered persons of interest - but he would not say who those people are. 'This case is far from over,' he said. Police recovered a weapon from the house but they will not say who it belonged to. As part of their probe, police are looking into cell phone usage and the towers they pinged from. No one has been arrested for the killings and Bexar County Sheriff's Office did not answer DailyMail.com's multiple questions about the case on Monday morning. The bodies were found inside the $1million mansion Wheeler bought last year and where they all live. He told police he returned home, found the bodies and called 911 An internal view of the home which is in a gated community in the affluent San Antonio neighborhood Nichol (pictured with her 22-year-old son Skylar who was not involved in the killings) has been described as a 'fiercely protective' mother and loving friend. It remains unclear what led up to her death or what made the medical examiner believe that she killed herself Police will not say where Wheeler spent the night before he found the bodies. Shortly after the bodies were found, authorities from the Bexar County Sheriff's Homicide Division spoke with him but he has not been arrested nor has any evidence emerged to suggest he is responsible. Police say Charles Wheeler has been cooperative since the beginning of the investigation His Ford 2013 pick-up truck was seen being removed from the street but there have not been any other developments. He did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Monday morning but police say he has been cooperative throughout the investigation. '[He] has been very cooperative from the onset. Understandably, he's upset. 'He has someone he was in an intimate relationship with and two children that by all accounts he cared for [who] have all passed in a very violent fashion. 'I can tell you with regard to the information that we have that he was at another location, we're still investigating that,' Sheriff Salazar said. Now, friends of the mother-of-three tell DailyMail.com that she too must have been killed and her grieving relatives are begging for answers. 'Nichol was a loving mother who cared deeply for her children. 'They were her entire world, and there was nothing she was more proud of than her kids. London (shown left on New Year's Eve) and Alexa have different fathers. Alexa's father said her death had destroyed his life. London's father is yet to comment 'Everyone close to Nichol knows that she put her children above all, loved them with all her heart, and there's no possible way Nichol would ever hurt her children,' the friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said. They added that she was preparing to enter London, who was in the fifth grade, in America's Got Talent when they were both killed. 'Nichol was a very caring woman, had so much love in her heart, and too much to live for to ever hurt anyone including herself. 'We pray that whoever did this will be brought to justice soon,' they said. Others, including Alexa's grieving father, have told how she was a loving mother who would never have brought harm to her children. One friend said: 'She was an amazing mother who guarded her children like a hawk. The couple, shown above during a recent trip to San Diego, appeared happy on social media. Wheeler owns an oil rigging and maintenance business 'There was nothing she wouldnt of done for her children...I hope we get justice very soon for this horrible crime & they catch this monster who took life from you and your beautiful girls.' Another wrote on Facebook: 'She was so beautiful. She would never hurt herself or her girls. Domestic violence is real.' Carlos Montez, Nichol's estranged husband, said they had a good relationship for the sake of their daughter. 'I remember the day I met Nichol Olsen. We were both so young that we rushed into marriage thinking we had it all figured out. '...We tried as best we could to keep things together but life gets messy every now and then. 'Through our differences and divorce we both agreed on what was best for our daughter. Nothing ever changed from then on. 'My mother and sister loved Nichol and she never kept Alexa from us and vice versa. 'We always did what was best for our baby,' he said. Before their marriage, she was briefly married to James William Nobles. The pair have 22-year-old son together. She did not marry London's father, Hector Bribiescas. He has not commented publicly since his daughter's death. Vegans have targeted a self-proclaimed 'ethical' grocery store, calling its claim to sell 'happy meat' false advertising. Activists belonging to Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) stormed HISBE sustainable food shop in Brighton, East Sussex, warning shoppers not to be 'gullible'. The store says it works with farms where animals are treated with care and respect, only selling locally sourced and free range produce. Its name stands for 'How It Should Be'. But protesters stormed the shop with megaphones to brand the business 'unethical', which owner Ruth Anslow said was 'completely false'. The activists stood in the aisles of a sustainable food store in Brighton, calling its claim to use 'happy' animal products 'false advertising' The demonstration also lined the street outside HISBE, which stands for How It Should Be She says that she even allowed the demonstration to take part in the store, only for protesters to plaster anti-meat messages on her counters. 'On one hand you have HISBE Food - a social enterprise committed to enabling mainstream supermarket shoppers to buy good quality, real food, locally sourced and seasonal,' she said. After being allowed in the store, the group placed anti-meat messages above its counters The protesters stood in the supermarket with posters demanding an end to the meat industry, which they branded murderous 'We passionately oppose factory farming and encourage people to consume less, better quality meat. We are committed to ethics-led sourcing and, to us, this means we sell local and high-welfare meat, eggs and dairy products. 'On the other hand you have these vegan activists, who think that it is morally wrong for HISBE to sell animal products, full stop. Who were the activists who stormed HISBE? How animal rights protest group with branches across UK was founded in San Francisco Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) is an animal rights protest group that was originally set up in San Francisco in 2013. Its mission is to achieve 'total animal liberation' and the creation of a law requiring 'species equality'. Associated groups then spread throughout the US, protesting against conditions at farms used by Whole Foods and organising sit-ins at Chipotle restaurants against animal violence. By December 2014 the organisation had spread across the globe, with groups established in 90 cities in 20 countries, and in the present day it has organised protests in 217 cities in 43 countries. In the UK it has branches in Liverpool, Brighton, Bristol, Coventry, London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Cambridge, north east England, Belfast and Scotland. DxE pledge to take non-violent direct action but its disruptive demonstrations have been branded bullying. Members in the US have previously been charged with burglary and theft after raiding farms and stealing livestock. Advertisement 'To the vegan activists, slaughtering an animal for food is the same as murdering a person - it's irrelevant to them how the animal lived its life if that life is ended prematurely. 'We thoroughly disagree with this because of the vast difference between the living conditions on factory farms vs small high-welfare farms like ours.' About 30 protesters lined the isles and stood outside holding signs with messages such as 'local doesn't mean ethical.' A DxE activist at the demonstration said: 'Don't be gullible - there's no such thing as 'happy' meat, milk or eggs. 'These farms aren't ethical, they are places were animals are bred to be profited from and murdered. 'Free range and local are labels that make people feel more comfortable about animal exploitation and murder but there is nothing ethical about farming and killing animals. 'This whole "happy" exploitation movement is not baby steps, they are big steps in a seriously backward direction.' 'We have the responsibility to be conscious consumers and hold our businesses accountable. 'Regardless of how you do it using animals in order to profit from their bodies is wrong - their lives are their own.' The owner says her business also supports high animal, natural farming, reduced waste and plastic and paying their suppliers fairly -according to one of its owners. 'We allowed them into the store as they assured us the demo would be short and peaceful - we won't be doing that again because they were shouting through megaphones and some of our staff and customers felt intimidated,' she said. 'We believe everyone has the right to demonstrate although we do get frustrated that the vegan activists misrepresent HISBE. 'Despite repeated clarification from us, they continue to make statements about us, our business, our sourcing and how we describe our animal products - that are completely false. 'HISBE serves people of every different food persuasion and we believe in everyone's right to choose. 'We invite everyone to consider different ideologies, talk about the food issues that matter to you and make conscious choices about what you eat.' Last month 18 DxE activists targeted the seaside town's Waitrose, holding plates covered in blood and held placards saying: 'Humane murder is a lie' in the supermarket's Brighton store where they told shoppers: 'You can't shop in peace when you're buying death'. 18 vegan activists formed a human guard in the meat aisle of a Waitrose store in Brighton in protest at killing turkeys at Christmas The group held placards saying: 'Humane murder is a lie' and 'It's not food it's violence', while one protester had a neck scarf made to look like it was covered in blood They stood in an impenetrable line trying to prevent shoppers from reaching packs of steak, mince, chicken, turkey and other meats One protester with a loud speaker appealed to shoppers, shouting: 'Animals are not things. Lives are not commodities. It's time to end these cruel and bloody traditions. Take the death off your plate this Christmas.' DxE is an international movement with several UK subgroups. They say their actions are done to 'denormalise activities that involve animal exploitation through non violent disruption.' Former member Morgan Kayleigh Giampaolo is the daughter of American businessman David Giampaolo, who runs Pi Capital and is Chairman of Gousto, where customers can buy steak, sausage and lamb. Former member Morgan Kayleigh Giampaolo raided the Touro steak house in Brighton to play animal slaughter noises to diners last week, but is the daughter of a wealthy meat seller After the group started shouting an anti-meat chant, a stag party stood up and sang back 'Stand up if you love meat' as members danced around, pictured left and right A month ago the group were also out in force at a Tesco in Sussex where they occupied the meat aisle, this time a silent demo Morgan was among those who stormed the Touro steakhouse, playing the sounds of animals being slaughtered to shocked diners in early December. She has now cut ties with the group. David Elvin was inside the restaurant handcuffed to the dwarf dressed as an Oompa Loompa and led retaliation chants after jumping on a table. He and his hired dwarf encouraged his fellow revellers and other diners to chant 'stand up if you love meat' and 'you're not singing any more'. Iranian interrogators tried to pressure jailed mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to spy on Britain in exchange for freedom as she started her hunger strike today. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi began the protest today in Evin prison after authorities failed to convince them they would get specialist care. At a press conference today, her husband Richard Ratcliffe, also said the initial three day strike was motivated by Iranian Revolutionary Guard interrogators trying to pressure her into becoming a spy for Iran in late December. Richard Ratcliffe (left) has said his wife's (far right, pictured with daughter Gabriella) has started her hunger strike in Evin prison, Iran Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe spent her 40th birthday behind bars in Tehran's Evin Prison last month He confirmed Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, started the strike on Monday morning after speaking with her on the phone. Mr Ratcliffe said: 'What really pushed her over the edge was they tried to make her become a spy for Iran against the UK.' Specifically, he said, they wanted her to spy on the Department for International Development and 'she was told it would be safer for her and safer for her family afterwards if she agreed to do this'. He added: 'She was told to think about it and that they would return. She had been terrified ever since.' He also said that he will be meeting with Jeremy Hunt later this afternoon to discuss the situation. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has started an initial three day hunger strike. Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe (pictured) has been diligently campaigning for her release and will meet Jeremy Hunt later today The 40-year-old, from Hampstead, north-west London, has been detained for more than 1,000 days in Iran, having been accused of spying, a charge she vehemently denies. On Sunday, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and fellow prisoner Narges Mohammedi met with Abbas Khani, the head of the clinic at Evin Prison, located in the outskirts of the country's capital, but failed to get written assurances regarding treatment. The first wave of the strike was to last three days, but she will consider extending it if her demands to see a doctor are not met. Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, who has long campaigned for her release, said she been refused medical attention for lumps in her breasts, neurological care for pains in her limbs and access to an external psychiatrist. Human rights charity Redress renewed calls for the Government to end her 'appalling' treatment by taking 'immediate steps to secure her release', including by granting her diplomatic protection. Director at the charity Rupert Skilbeck said: 'We are gravely concerned about the mental and physical impact that Nazanin's prolonged and unjustified imprisonment is having on her. 'Any new denials of her right to medical care further worsen the ongoing serious violations of her human rights. 'The UK Government should assert Nazanin's rights under international law to obtain reparation on her behalf - including her release.' Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation charity, was arrested at Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport on April 3 2016 and was sentenced to five years in jail. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: 'The Foreign Secretary has discussed this issue with Richard Ratcliffe, and is keen to take a decision as soon as possible. 'We continue to take action on all our consular cases in Iran in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases.' Thomson Reuters Foundation chief executive Monique Villa has said it is 'extremely shocking' to see a 'totally innocent' employee begin such a drastic protest. Paul Chigbu leaving Hendon Magistrates' Court today A convicted sex attacker with a foot fetish who grabbed an off duty police officer's boot on a train has been found guilty of breaching a sexual offences order. Paul Chigbu approached the officer on the Epsom Downs train in West Croydon station and grabbed her knee-high black leather boot, Hendon Magistrates' Court heard. He was under an order banning him from touching any part of a woman or their clothing in public following a series of sex offences when he attacked the officer on November 4 last year. The 51-year-old has been sentenced a total of 49 times for 79 offences, eight of which were of a sexual nature. Chigbu bent down and grabbed the officer's foot before she told him 'in no uncertain terms to stop and to get off,' the court heard. The officer told the court she first became aware of Chigbu when he smiled at her as she got on the Epsom Down train before he 'moved closer then lunged towards her.' The officer, who was on her way to work, reported the incident and Chigbu was identified via the CCTV footage. She told the court: 'He bent down and locked his hand in a grasping kind of fashion to my right boot. 'He was looking up at me and smiling. He held on for a few seconds. It was making me feel very comfortable. I said "what the f*** do you think you are doing, get off."' Chigbu, whose sex offending dates to 1984, was the subject of an order prohibiting him from touching any part of a female person in public or any item of their clothing, without consent. Chigbu, from Bermondsey, was convicted of breaching a sexual offences order Jonathan Bryan, prosecuting, said: 'The complainant was taking a train from West Croydon station when she became aware of Mr Chigbu. 'He said something to him which she couldn't hear, she was wearing earphones. When she looked up he moved closer. 'He bent down in front of her and touched the boot she was wearing. He was smiling at her. She told him, in no uncertain terms to stop and to get off, which he did. 'He was unlucky because his target was an off duty police officer. I imagine a lot of women would have just been disturbed and chosen to do nothing.' Chigbu repeatedly claimed that he was just trying to pick up a travel card holder that he had dropped. Asked if he deliberately targeted the victim he said: 'Why would I target someone I don't know?' In December 2003 Chigbu walked up and hit a woman on the bottom while visiting a relative in hospital. In June 2007 he jumped on the back of a female dancer performing at a festival in Camberwell Green. In January 2009, he tried to fondle a woman's shoe at a bus stop and in October 2009 while on a train, he rubbed a fashion student's knee, lower leg, and her knee-high boots. He was jailed for eight months in 2011 after he grabbed a teenager as she chatted on her mobile phone and told her: 'I like your legs.' He was jailed for two years for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2016. Chigbu, from Bermondsey, was convicted of breaching a sexual offences order. District Judge Alexander Jacobs told him: 'I do not accept for one moment that was an accident. You are not seen looking for it on the footage before you leave the train. 'Your account lacks credibility and therefore there is no doubt in my mind that contact occurred, for whatever reason.' The judge also said that he found the victim's testimony credible and perfectly supported by the CCTV footage played in court. '[The victim] does not know you, your background or the terms of your order. 'It is remarkable that she would come up with something like you touching her boot without knowing the terms of your order. Chigbu was bailed to be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court on February 8. A man accused of choking and raping a seven-year-old child will now face a further 87 charges for another alleged incident. Anthony Peter Sampieri, allegedly held a young girl captive in a toilet cubical of a Kogarah dance studio, in the suburb of southern Sydney, before he sexually assaulted her in November, last year. Sampieri allegedly stabbed a man who attempted to rescue the girl, before a second man subdued him while police were called. Anthony Sampieri (centre) will face charges for 87 counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend In additional to the original allegations, the 55-year-old has now been charged with 87 counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. The fresh allegations came to light after investigators interviewed other potential victims, who claimed they had received offensive and obscene phone calls from Sampieri. The charges will be added to the initial allegations of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years old, wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated kidnapping and attempting, or assaulting with intent, to have sexual intercourse with a child under 10. He's also charged with choking a person with an intent to commit an indictable offence, using a child under 14 to make child abuse material, aggravated act of indecency being filmed, aggravated indecent assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Sampieri remains in custody and will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday. The 54-year-old physically and sexually assaulted the girl in the bathroom of a Kogarah dance studio, police alledge (pictured is the studio's bathroom) Sampieri (left), who had been under police guard in hospital, was transferred to Maroubra Police Station just before 4pm after doctors determined he was fit to be released Sickening details of Sampieri's alleged sex attack on a seven-year-old girl emerged in his first court appearance in November. He appeared before Waverley Local Court last year where his barrister Ken Buckman did not apply for release. Police alleged Sampieri forced the girl to perform sex acts on him and filmed her doing so. Court documents reveal that he is accused of choking the girl to 'render (her) incapable of resistance, done so with intent of enabling himself to commit another indictable offence, to wit, sexual assault'. Sampieri spoke twice while fronting court, and consented to a police application for a forensic procedure. At 7.55pm on November 15, two men confronted and attempted to detain Sampieri at the dance studio in Kogarah after concerns were raised for the girl's welfare. The men allegedly found Sampieri naked with the girl in the toilet before a struggle ensued, resulting in one of the men being left with several stab wounds. Sampieri was taken to hospital, where he remained under police guard and in the custody of Corrective Services NSW during treatment. It is understood Sampieri has Hepatitis C and liver damage. After being deemed fit by doctors, Sampieri was transported to Maroubra Police Station where he was arrested by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad. An investigation led by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Berliet resulted in a string of charges. A mother accused of pouring bleach down her disabled baby's feeding tube has been remanded to a psychiatric hospital. Brooke Evelyn Lucas, 26, was charged on Friday with intending to kill or endanger her son William after she allegedly tried to poison him days after celebrating his discharge from Perth Children's Hospital on Christmas Eve. The 13-month-old baby, who has a congenital condition called Pierre Robin sequence and requires 24-hour care, needs a tube to breathe and eat. Brooke Evelyn Lucas, 26, was accused of pouring bleach down her disabled baby William's (pictured) feeding tube has been remanded to a psychiatric hospital Brooke Evelyn Lucas, 26, (right) was charged on Friday with intending to kill or endanger her son William (left) after she allegedly tried to poison him Lucas called it a "Christmas miracle" when William was discharged from PCH following a bout of what his mother said was bronchitis. "William has been discharged from PCH and will be spending his first Christmas at home," she posted on Facebook on December 24. But William was back in hospital on December 29 after police allege Lucas poisoned him by putting bleach into his feeding tube. The boy's family said on Sunday he is recovering and is expected to be released into their care. The 13-month-old baby, who has a congenital condition called Pierre Robin sequence and requires 24-hour care, needs a tube to breathe and eat Mrs Lucas (pictured) has been remanded to the Frankland Centre, a high-security inpatient unit at Graylands Hospital, on a seven-day order following a mental health assessment Appearing in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday, Lucas was visibly distressed and did not speak. She has been remanded to the Frankland Centre, a high-security inpatient unit at Graylands Hospital, on a seven-day order following a mental health assessment. She is due back in court on January 30. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Two drill gangsters who shot and stabbed to death a student in an unprovoked attack outside Greggs and then glorified his murder in rap lyrics have been jailed for a total of 58 years. Russell Jones, 23, was standing with friends outside a parade of shops in Enfield, north London, when he was shot with a 12-bore shotgun in the street and stabbed repeatedly. Mr Jones, who was in the last year of his business degree at the University of Hertfordshire, was stabbed in the face and neck and also suffered 11 more knife wounds to his chest and back. Bilkan Bilkaner and Duke Quainoo, both 20, formed half of the gang of four who carried out the hit - but the other two killers remain at large, the Old Bailey heard. After the murder Quainoo wrote the rap lyrics: I bored up a p***y and bored up his friend. And one of them ni**as turned ghost' in reference to the murder. Their victim died at the scene while one of his friends, 23-year-old Karun Singh, was also knifed during the sudden, violent and bloody gang attack outside a branch of Greggs. They are believed to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time when a fight broke out between rival groups in Enfield and Edmonton. Bilkan Bilkaner and Duke Quainoo, both 20, have been jailed for 58 years for the gun and knife attack on an innocent group of friends Murder victim Russell Jones, 23, pictured with his girlfriend Tara Ward shortly before his death Bus driver Kallum Martin, 25, who ferried the murderers to the scene in his Mercedes A Class, was cleared of murder and manslaughter after insisting he had no idea what the other two had planned. He was left cowering in the dock moments after the verdicts were returned when Bilkaner and Quainoo leapt on him and rained down a barrage of punches. When police examined Quainoos phone following his arrest they found a series of rap lyrics about gang violence, including a number which boasted about the murder. One rap bragged: Twin barrel come long and heavy had to chop that down now the weight feels nice. Another after the killing, dated April 4, said: I bored up a p***y and bored up his friend. And one of them ni**as turned ghost. The following day he noted: 4 man step victory Buss that corner see bare man running I was ducking down man. Step opp block on violence. Go ask the enfield ones what we do. Bilkaner and Quainoo were jailed for life and each ordered to serve at least 29 years behind bars. This was a shocking and brutal attack without a known motive beyond a desire to cause death or serious injury to others, said Judge Mark Dennis QC. It was a premeditated attack carried out mercilessly - murder in its starkest form. The judge told the men they had been seduced by an urban culture which embraces violence and criminality. The precise reason for targeting the deceased, Russell Jones, and his friends remains unknown, he added. However, it would appear from the evidence at trial that the victims were picked on at random for no better reason than the fact they were standing together in the street late at night in an area considered to be rival territory. B ilkaner and Quainoo formed half of the gang of four who carried out the hit - but two accomplices remain at large In a moving victim impact statement, Russells mother Stephanie Saunders described her son as my strength, my protector and the only man who would always love me unconditionally. She said the events of 17 March changed my life forever in the most horrific way imaginable. All I wanted to do was to take him home and make him better - that is what a mum is supposed to be able to do, Ms Saunders wrote. How do you arrange your childs funeral? There is nothing more unbelievably difficult or comparable. Mr Jones, who was in the last year of his business degree at the University of Hertfordshire, was stabbed in the face and neck and suffering 11 more knife wounds to his chest and back The grieving mother went on to set out the torture of being left wondering how aware her son was of what was happening to him when he was attacked. Russell was just weeks away from completing his degree in international business studies, which Hertfordshire University posthumously awarded him following the murder. I should have seen my son graduate, said Ms Saunders. Russell should have seen his graduation and I should have pictures of him in his graduation outfit holding his degree he worked so hard for. Describing the cold-blooded killing Mr Heywood told jurors at the trial: The attack was vicious in its ferocity. It took place just after 12.30am on March 17 this year. Russell Jones was stabbed a dozen times in all. He was at the very same moments shot in the abdomen with a 12-bore shotgun. An indication of the intention and purpose of his attackers is given by the fact that of those dozen or so wounds, nearly all of them - perhaps as many as 10 - were to his back. The prosecutor said the extreme violence meted out also showed that the attackers were determined to kill Mr Jones rather than just to maim him and keep him alive. All four of the men comprising the killing team were directly involved, Mr Heywood said, each delivering one or more wounds to Mr Jones. In addition, somebody there used the gun and shot Russell Jones, he added. There was no apparent immediate provocation for the attack. Nothing occurred in the minute or two beforehand gave rise to that level of ferocity, which took the form of an ambush and was also cleverly planned. Bilkaner, of Enfield, north London, and Quainoo, of Enfield, north London, were each jailed for life and handed minimum terms of 29 years. Jeremy Corbyn has accused the Prime Minister of trying to 'blackmail' Labour MPs into supporting her Brexit deal. The Labour leader said his party would 'not be held to ransom' and would vote against the deal despite Theresa May's warnings of no-deal chaos. Mr Corbyn called for a general election if Mrs May's deal is voted down, saying a no confidence motion would come 'soon'. It came as a poll showed Labour falling six points behind the Conservatives despite the Brexit chaos engulfing Mrs May's party. Pressed on when he will table the no-confidence motion which he hopes will trigger an election, Mr Corbyn told his MPs: 'Don't be concerned, it's coming soon.' Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on the eve of the crucial vote, Mr Corbyn said: 'Theresa May's deal is a bad deal for our country. 'Theresa May has attempted to blackmail Labour MPs to vote for her botched deal by threatening the country with the chaos of no-deal. 'I know from conversations with colleagues that this has failed. 'The Labour Party will not be held to ransom. When the Prime Minister's deal is defeated, she will only have herself to blame. 'The Tory Party's botched deal will be rejected by Parliament. 'We will then need an election to have the chance to vote for a government that can bring our people together and address the deep-seated issues facing our country.' A senior Labour source hinted a no-confidence vote would come soon, saying: 'That's something that I don't think - if the Government is defeated tomorrow - that you are going to have to wait a long time for.' However in a poll published today Mr Corbyn's party plunged to 35 per cent, its lowest rating since mid December, while the Tories score 41 per cent. The figures from YouGov for The Times suggest Mr Corbyn has completely failed to capitalise on the deep trouble facing the Government. The Labour leader's woes deepened today as another MP, Sir Kevin Barron, announced he would defy orders to vote for the Brexit deal tomorrow night. The Rother Valley MP represents one of the strongest Leave-supporting parts of the country and he is among a number of Labour MPs causing a deep split in the party. Labour's policy is to push for a general election if the Prime Minister loses the meaningful vote on Tuesday and Mr Corbyn has ordered his side to vote No. Jeremy Corbyn (pictured leaving home on Monday) has ordered his side to vote against the deal and said his party would not be 'held to ransom' by warnings of no-deal chaos Jeremy Corbyn's party has plunged to 35 per cent, its lowest rating since mid December, while the Tories score 41 per cent Other Labour MPs - including John Mann and ex minister Jim Fitzpatrick - have also declared they will vote for the deal. There will not be enough Labour votes to save Mrs May in the Commons tomorrow night. In other developments today, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said there should just be a simple vote on the deal tomorrow night, with amendments voted on later to avoid muddying the result. Sir Kevin Barron (file image) said the deal was the only way to deliver on the referendum and avoid a no deal Brexit on March 27 Ahead of the vote, Sir Kevin said it 'saddens me' so many MPs appeared determined to cancel Brexit. Writing in The Times, Sir Kevin said he promised he would not 'disrespect my constituents by needlessly trying to block Brexit' in the 2017 general election. 'Those were also the words of the Labour Party manifesto that all Labour MPs stood on, which clearly stated that we respected the referendum decision and we would support the process of leaving the EU,' he said. 'Once a parliament has handed over the choice in the form of a referendum we must respect the decision that is made. It truly saddens me that so many in the Commons are trying to overturn the decision. 'We cannot allow this and I believe it would have dire political consequences for the Labour Party if it were to happen. A second referendum would be a betrayal of many of our voters and I am almost certain we would never agree what the question should be anyway.' In other developments today, shadow chancellor John McDonnell (pictured in London on Saturday) said there should just be a simple vote on the deal tomorrow night, with amendments voted on later to avoid muddying the result Sir Kevin said that while Mrs May's deal is 'clearly not a perfect one' his reservations are 'far outweighed by the huge risk of a no-deal Brexit'. He wrote: 'I know it will disappoint many within my party but I will be voting in support of the prime minister's deal on Tuesday as that is the only option on the table that truly enacts the promises that I made to my constituents and avoids the horror of a no-deal Brexit.' May backs Labour plan to protect worker rights and the environment after Brexit The Government has confirmed it will back moves by Labour MPs to safeguard workers' rights after Brexit in an attempt to win support for the deal. The backbench amendment would require Britain to at least match EU rules on pay and conditions, health and safety issues, plus environmental standards. The Government would be obliged to 'consider' any new laws on these standards passed by the EU after Brexit. John Mann, one of the Labour MPs behind the amendment, said Government backing for the proposal could make the Prime Minister's plan 'more attractive'. 'If we have a guarantee that works on workers' rights and conditions, that's significant,' he told the Daily Mirror. Advertisement Sir Kevin has been MP for Rother Valley since 1983 and served as chairman of the MPs standards watchdog for eight years. His public show of support for the PM's deal comes after Remain-supporting Labour former minister Jim Fitzpatrick said he is close to supporting the withdrawal agreement. The Poplar and Limehouse MP said he was talking himself into supporting the agreement 'against no deal and against further delay'. 'I'm not quite there yet but I'm not far away,' he said. Elsewhere today, Mr McDonnell said that a no confidence motion against Theresa May was 'not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.' He told Today that 'the call' would be made after the meaningful vote and followed by an announcement by Jeremy Corbyn. Mr McDonnell said: 'Let's listen to the debate, let's watch the balance of forces within Parliament itself. 'Those are the sort of judgments we will have to make. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. 'It's just a matter of timing so watch this space over the next 24 hours.' Mr McDonnell also distanced himself from a motion laid by Hilary Benn to avoid a no-deal Brexit, saying it was 'perfectly sound' but that he preferred a 'straight vote' on Mrs May's Brexit deal. EU leaders today promised the Irish backstop plan will be temporary as they unveiled their last-ditch plan to help get Theresa May's Brexit deal over the line today. But Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker refused to change the text of the Brexit deal. They also offered to extend Article 50 to delay Brexit in order to give both sides more time to negotiate. In advice published today Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said the EU pledge has some legal force and he thinks it is unlikely the backstop will come into force. But it was immediately panned by Brexiteers and the DUP who said it is not legally binding, while Remainers dismissed it as a 'fig leaf'. The letter, penned by the Presidents of the EU Council and Commission, was part of a last-ditch scramble to try to peel off Tory rebels ahead of today's crunch vote. Number Ten fear the PM could suffer the biggest Commons defeat ever when her Brexit plan is voted on by MPs this evening. As part of an orchestrated bid to drum up desperately-needed support, No10 published the letter to reassure rebels the hated backstop will not be permanent. Donald Tusk (pictured left) and Jean-Claude Juncker(pictured right) have published a formal letter designed to give last-ditch assurances which they hope will persuade Tory rebels to back the PM's Brexit deal In a speech in Stoke on Trent just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Theresa May (pictured in Stoke on Trent today) pleaded with MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy The letter states: 'As you know, we are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement, but against this background, and in order to facilitate the next steps of the process, we are happy to confirm, on behalf of the two EU Institutions we represent, our understanding of the following points within our respective fields of responsibility.' They add: 'The European Council also said that, if the backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would only apply temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement that ensures that a hard border is avoided.' They also promised to start negotiating a trade deal immediately as they again promised 'the backstop would only be in place for as long as strictly necessary'. May warns MPs voting her Brexit deal down would be the height of recklessness Theresa May launched a desperate last-ditch bid save her Brexit deal today - warning that voting it down would be the 'height of recklessness' and might mean staying in the EU. The Prime Minister pleaded with Tory Eurosceptics to look at the mounting revolt by Remainers, and realise that Parliament is ready to block the country from crashing out. In a speech just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Mrs May said it was clear some politicians would use 'every device' to stop Brexit happening. Underlining the dangers of the crisis wracking Westminster, she urged MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy. Mrs May also pointed to a letter from EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and council president Donald Tusk published today, which insists the Irish border backstop - the most controversial part of the Brexit deal - will only be 'temporary'. 'We have secured valuable new clarifications and assurances,' Mrs May said, while admitting that the commitment 'did not go as far' as some MPs wanted. The desperate entreaty came as tensions escalate in Westminster ahead of the vote on the Brexit package she has thrashed out with Brussels. Mrs May rejected the idea that alternatives to her Withdrawal Agreement were available. 'Nobody has yet come up with an alternative Brexit deal that is negotiable and that delivers on the result of the referendum,' she said. 'The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night. Advertisement And they pledged to look at using the latest technology to try to keep the Irish border soft in a boost for those who have been calling for a 'Max-fac' solution to the border. Mr Cox said he agreed with the EU letter when it said that the commitment from Brussels that the backstop is an insurance policy which should be temporary holds legal force. He states that it is his opinion that 'the balance of risks favours the conclusion that it is unlikely that the EU will wish to rely on the implementation of the backstop provisions.' He added: 'It is therefore my judgement that the current draft Withdrawal Agreement now represents the only politically practicable and available means of securing our exit from the European Union.' But the letter sparked scorn from Tory Brexiteers, the DUP and Remainers campaigning for another referendum. Nigel Dodds, DUP deputy leader, told the BBC: 'The letter isn't legally binding. The Prime Minister will struggle to justify what the delay was about.' Tory MP Steve Baker, shop steward of the Tory Brexiteers, said: 'These new letters do not change the legally binding surrender that is the Withdrawal Agreement. 'A letter or codicil from the EU Commission and Council cannot replace the commitment in international law that the draft Withdrawal Agreement represents. 'Without changes to the text of the draft agreement, the United Kingdom can still be trapped in the backstop for decades without any means of escape. 'The letter cannot change the status of the draft Withdrawal Agreement from that of a legally binding international treaty obligation. 'Without changing the text of the draft agreement, passing the Withdrawal Agreement would still leave the UK trapped under the EU's thumb in the backstop indefinitely with no way to leave.' He said there are also major concerns including the 39billion divorce bill. Tory MP and leading Remainer said he does not think the letters change anything, and that he still thinks 'this is a third rate future for our country if we leave on these terms'. Ian Murray, Labour MP and a campaigner with the anti-Brexit group Best for Britain, said: 'This letter is nothing but a fig leaf that fails to cover up the massive shortcomings in the Prime Minister's deal. 'As the EU makes absolutely clear, nothing can be offered which changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement. 'Nothing has changed. That confirms this deal is the worst of all worlds, transforming the UK into a long-term rule taker.' Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker issued the letter (pictured) which they hope will peel off Tory Brexit rebels, but they refused to change the text of the Brexit deal - meaning their promise does not have legal force The letter comes as the PM launched a final bid to win round MPs to her Brexit deal today - warning that voting it down will probably mean staying in the EU. The Prime Minister is urging Tory Eurosceptics to look at the mounting revolt by Remainers, and realise that Parliament is ready to block the country from crashing out. In a speech in Stoke on Trent just 36 hours before the titanic Commons showdown, Mrs May pleaded with MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy. What is the Irish border backstop and why do Tory MPs hate it? The so-called Irish border backstop is one of the most controversial parts of the PM's Brexit deal. This is what it means: What is the backstop? The backstop was invented to meet promises to keep open the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland even if there is no comprehensive UK-EU trade deal. The divorce deal says it will kick in automatically at the end of the Brexit transition if that deal is not in place. If effectively keeps the UK in a customs union with the EU and Northern Ireland in both the customs union and single market. This means many EU laws will keep being imposed on the UK and there can be no new trade deals. It also means regulatory checks on some goods crossing the Irish Sea. Why have Ireland and the EU demanded it? Because Britain demanded to leave the EU customs union and single market, the EU said it needed guarantees people and goods circulating inside met EU rules. This is covered by the Brexit transition, which effectively maintains current rules, and can in theory be done in the comprehensive EU-UK trade deal. But the EU said there had to be a backstop to cover what happens in any gap between transition and final deal. Why do critics hate it? Because Britain cannot decide when to leave the backstop. Getting out - even if there is a trade deal - can only happen if both sides agree people and goods can freely cross the border. Brexiteers fear the EU will unreasonably demand the backstop continues so EU law continues to apply in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland MPs also hate the regulatory border in the Irish Sea, insisting it unreasonably carves up the United Kingdom. What concessions did Britain get in negotiating it? During the negotiations, Britain persuaded Brussels the backstop should apply to the whole UK and not just Northern Ireland. Importantly, this prevents a customs border down the Irish Sea - even if some goods still need to be checked. The Government said this means Britain gets many of the benefits of EU membership after transition without all of the commitments - meaning Brussels will be eager to end the backstop. It also got promises the EU will act in 'good faith' during the future trade talks and use its 'best endeavours' to finalise a deal - promises it says can be enforced in court. What did the legal advice say about it? Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said even with the EU promises, if a trade deal cannot be reached the backstop could last forever. This would leave Britain stuck in a Brexit limbo, living under EU rules it had no say in writing and no way to unilaterally end it. Advertisement She said the assurances published by the EU today will provide her backbenchers with the 'further clarifications and further assurances' they need to back her deal. The PM's desperate scramble comes as tensions escalate in Westminster ahead of the vote on the Brexit package she has thrashed out with Brussels. Mrs May looks to be on track for a catastrophic defeat - with frantic maneuvering under way over what happens next. A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal, saying leaving on World Trade Organisation terms would not be a disaster. But Remainers from across parties are plotting an extraordinary bid to seize control from the government if it tries to push ahead with a no-deal Brexit. Conservative MP Nick Boles today confirmed plans to tear up Commons rules so MPs could propose legislation - something the government currently has power over. Ministers fear Speaker John Bercow would help the rebellion. Last week he flouted procedural convention to select an amendment from Tory former minister Dominic Grieve which attempts to speed up the process for the Government to reveal what it will do next if the PM's Brexit deal is rejected. Speaking in Stoke-on-Trent, Mrs May warned MPs would be behaving recklessly if they did not back her Withdrawal Deal. She said: 'The only ways to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are to abandon Brexit, betraying the vote of the British people, or to leave with a deal. 'The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night. 'You can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal. 'If no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else.' But as she pleaded for unity, Tory rebels leaders were urging their fellow Conservatives to vote the deal down. Asked during an LBC radio interview yesterday what would happen today, Boris Johnson said: 'I think the deal goes down. 'I think, possibly, some colleagues are being scared by this idea that there might be no Brexit as a result of voting it down. 'I think that's nonsense. 'Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and that's the bottom line.' A dozen leading Brexiteers including eight former members of the PM's Cabinet have written to all Conservative MPs urging them to vote against her deal. Former ministers including Mr Johnson, David Davis and Dominic Raab call upon Mrs May to stage one final attempt to persuade the EU to drop the Irish backstop which threatens to halt Britain's exit from the custom union indefinitely. But if the EU fails to comply on agreeing such a deal, the Britain must 'have the confidence' to leave on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms on March 29. The letter is also signed by other former Cabinet members including Iain Duncan Smith, Esther McVey and Priti Patel. They write: 'It is right to vote down this bad deal and that in doing so we will unlock a better future for our party, our country and its people.' They add: 'A managed WTO Brexit may give rise to some short-term inconvenience and disruption, but the much greater risks arise from being locked into a very bad deal.' A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson (pictured in London today) have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal No10 believes Sir Oliver Letwin (pictured left) and Dominic Grieve are the main figures behind the plot to overhaul Commons rules Boris Johnson repeats the message in his column in the Daily Telegraph today, where he writes: 'This deal is still the worst of both worlds, by which we somehow leave the EU but end up being run by the EU. It is still a complete stinker.' Warning his fellow MPs about trying to force a second referendum, he adds: 'If they now engage in ludicrous parliamentary jiggery pokery, endlessly tabling amendments designed to frustrate Brexit, they will risk a very serious backlash indeed. 'The answer is not to leave it to Parliament; the answer is for the executive to do its job, as some of us have been advising for months: to accept that the deal is dead, and to move on.' Here is the from Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker to Theresa May in full Thank you for your letter of 14 January 2019. As you are well aware, we regret but respect the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. We also consider that Brexit is a source of uncertainty and disruption. In these challenging times, we therefore share with you the determination to create as much certainty and clarity as possible for citizens and companies in a situation where a Member State leaves the European Union after more than four decades of closest economic and political integration. That is why the Withdrawal Agreement that you and the Leaders of the 27 EU Member States agreed after long negotiations is so important. It represents a fair compromise and aims to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, thereby limiting the negative consequences of Brexit. That is also why we wish to establish as close as possible a relationship with the United Kingdom in the future, building on the Political Declaration, which the Leaders of the 27 EU Member States agreed with you. It is also why we want negotiations to this effect to start as soon as possible after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. As you know, we are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement, but against this background, and in order to facilitate the next steps of the process, we are happy to confirm, on behalf of the two EU Institutions we represent, our understanding of the following points within our respective fields of responsibility. A. As regards the President of the European Council: On the 13 December, the European Council (Article 50) decided on a number of additional assurances, in particular as regards its firm commitment to work speedily on a subsequent agreement that establishes by 31 December 2020 alternative arrangements, so that the backstop will not need to be triggered. The European Council also said that, if the backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would only apply temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement that ensures that a hard border is avoided, and that the European Union, in such a case, would use its best endeavours to negotiate and conclude expeditiously a subsequent agreement that would replace the backstop, and would expect the same of the United Kingdom, so that the backstop would only be in place for as long as strictly necessary. In this context, it can be stated that European Council conclusions have a legal value in the Union commensurate to the authority of the European Council under the Treaties to define directions and priorities for the European Union at the highest level and, in the specific context of withdrawal, to establish, in the form of guidelines, its framework. They may commit the European Union in the most solemn manner. European Council conclusions therefore constitute part of the context in which an international agreement, such as the Withdrawal Agreement, will be interpreted. As for the link between the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration, to which you make reference in your letter, it can be made clear that these two documents, while being of a different nature, are part of the same negotiated package. In order to underline the close relationship between the two texts, they can be published side by side in the Official Journal in a manner reflecting the link between the two as provided for in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). B. As regards the President of the European Commission: The Political Declaration agreed at the November Special European Council (Article 50) describes a future relationship of unprecedented depth and breadth, reflecting the continuing strength of our shared values and interests. The Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration represent a fair balance of European Union and United Kingdom interests. They will ensure a smooth withdrawal and a strong future relationship in the interests of all our citizens. As the European Council has already stated, it will embark on preparations for a future partnership with the United Kingdom immediately after signature of the Withdrawal Agreement. As regards the European Commission, we will set up the negotiating structure for these negotiations directly after signature to ensure that formal negotiations can start as soon as possible after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, having in mind the shared ambition of the European Union and the United Kingdom to have the future relationship in place by the end of the transition. Should national ratifications be pending at that moment, the Commission is ready to propose provisional application of relevant parts of the future relationship, in line with the legal frameworks that apply and existing practice. The Commission is also ready to engage with you on a work programme as soon as the United Kingdom Parliament has signalled its agreement in principle to the Withdrawal Agreement and the European Parliament has approved it. There is an important link between the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration, reflecting Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. As stated in Article 184 of the Withdrawal Agreement and reflected also in Paragraph 138 of the Political Declaration, the European Union and the United Kingdom have committed to use best endeavours, in good faith and in full respect of their respective legal orders, to take necessary steps to negotiate expeditiously the agreements governing their future relationship referred to in the Political Declaration. In light of your letter, the European Commission would like to make the following clarifications with regard to the backstop: The Withdrawal Agreement including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland embodies the shared commitment by the European Union and the United Kingdom to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland as part of ensuring the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The Commission can confirm that, just like the United Kingdom, the European Union does not wish to see the backstop enter into force. Were it to do so, it would represent a suboptimal trading arrangement for both sides. The Commission can also confirm the European Union's determination to replace the backstop solution on Northern Ireland by a subsequent agreement that would ensure the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland on a permanent footing. The European Commission can also confirm our shared understanding that the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Do not affect or supersede the provisions of the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement of 10 April 1998 in any way whatsoever; they do not alter in any way the arrangements under Strand II of the 1998 Agreement in particular, whereby areas of North-South cooperation in areas within their respective competences are matters for the Northern Ireland Executive and Government of Ireland to determine; Do not extend regulatory alignment with European Union law in Northern Ireland beyond what is strictly necessary to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and protect the 1998 Agreement; the Withdrawal Agreement is also clear that any new act that the European Union proposes should be added to the Protocol will require the agreement of the United Kingdom in the Joint Committee; Do not prevent the United Kingdom from facilitating, as part of its delegation, the participation of Northern Ireland Executive representatives in the Joint Committee, the Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, or the joint consultative working group, in matters pertaining directly to Northern Ireland. The European Commission also shares your intentions for the future relationship to be in place as quickly as possible. Given our joint commitment to using best endeavours to conclude before the end of 2020 a subsequent agreement, which supersedes the Protocol in whole or in part, the Commission is determined to give priority in our work programme to the discussion of proposals that might replace the backstop with alternative arrangements. In this context, facilitative arrangements and technologies will be considered. Any arrangements which supersede the Protocol are not required to replicate its provisions in any respect, provided that the underlying objectives continue to be met. Should the parties need more time to negotiate the subsequent agreement, they could decide to extend the transition period, as foreseen in the Withdrawal Agreement. In that case, the Commission is committed to redouble its efforts and expects the same redoubled efforts from your negotiators, with the aim of concluding a subsequent agreement very rapidly. Were the backstop to enter into force in whole or in part, it is intended to apply only temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement. The Commission is committed to providing the necessary political impetus and resources to help achieving the objective of making this period as short as possible. To this end, following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, and until a subsequent agreement is concluded, the Commission will support making best use of the high level conference foreseen in the Political Declaration to meet at least every six months to take stock of progress and agree the appropriate actions to move forward. Finally, in response to your concern about the timetable, we would like to make it clear that both of us will be prepared to sign the Withdrawal Agreement as soon as the meaningful vote has passed in the United Kingdom Parliament. This will allow preparations for the future partnership with the United Kingdom immediately thereafter to ensure that negotiations can start as soon as possible after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Advertisement Parents who fear panic-buying in the event of a Brexit that does not include a trade deal with the EU are hoarding non-perishables. Mumsnet users have shared so-called hamster lists detailing the food they are stocking up on. Even people who do not fear that a 'no-deal' exit from the bloc are filling their cupboards in case those who are scared empty their local supermarket shelves. It comes after after a former adviser to environment secretary Michael Gove warned some food imports, including seasonal fruits, could be affected. Mumsnet users say they are stocking up on tinned food as they fear panic buying might set in if there's a no-deal Brexit (file photo) Though he reassured the public that they would not go without the food they need, mothers are stocking up on pasta, baked beans and tinned fruit. One user wrote on the parenting site: 'I have bought extra pasta, jars, baked beans, long-life milk, noodles, tinned fruit and veg, flour and stuff to bake bread, and the kids favourite cereals so that we can ride the first few weeks without having to do a shop. I personally don't think that the shortage will be hugely significant or long term, but there will be last minute panic and I don't want to be part of it.' Another said she was 'stocking up' on tune, tomatoes and bread mix as another said she was loading up on 'nappies, Calpol, formula, toiletries, paracetamol etc'. Some users believe that it is prudent to fill up on goods despite a former adviser to Michael Gove saying that weekly food needs will not be affected (file photo) One person worried that a no-deal Brexit would mean no soft fruit in winter, while another suggested swapping avocado for pumpkin and butternut squash as they stay fresh for a year if the skin is not damaged. But one was more worried about wine, writing that she was 'ensuring plentiful supplies of wine and am keeping my Christmas gin for emergencies'. Mumsnet users have been posting to tell each other about the food and other items they are currently stocking up on Mr Gove's former adviser, James Starkie, said that although nobody would go without the food they need day to day, seasonal foods could be affected. He resigned in protest over Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed deal with the bloc, saying it was 'not without challenges'. Pictured: Disruption at Dover in 2016. A former adviser to Michael Gove says that seasonal fruit availability could be affected if traffic stacks up like this after a no-deal Brexit However he branded rumours that the UK could run out of clean water as 'project fear', referencing a term used to discredit some warnings issued by those who campaigned to remain in the EU. Appearing on BBC Radio 4 show The Week in Westminster, he said of May's deal: 'It's not without challenges and I think it's right that the government, particularly through the technical notices last summer, lets businesses and the public know that these are some of the things that we will have to deal with in a no-deal scenario.' He was asked whether there could be shortages of food if there are delays at Dover. Mr Starkie replied: 'I think that it's possible that certain types of food that are seasonable and come directly from the Continent could be impacted to a limited degree. 'What I don't think is going to happen is that in any way people are not going to be able to get the food they need on a weekly basis and that there will be a shortage of food in that way.' Advertisement A beautiful 14-acre private island estate has gone on the market for just under $4million and comes complete with its own swimming pool and dock. Incredible images show the lush greenery of North Topsail Beach Island in North Carolina, U.S., which is about 20 minutes north of the thriving, historic coastal city of Wilmington. The spacious seven-bedroom residence, which is on sale for $390,000,000, comes with cosy bedrooms, a large modern kitchen and a well-sized deck to enjoy good weather on. The 14-acre private estate, which comes with a spacious home, pictured centre with two long walkways attached to it, sits on the 26-mile long North Topsail Beach Island in North Carolina A swimming pool looks over the water and has a sitting area perfect for relaxing in the good weather and taking in the views A private wooden walkway leads up to the seven-bedroom home which is surrounded by luscious greenery and sand Currently listed online at Vladi Private Islands the home costs close to $4million and sits behind a secure gate and private bridge. The listing states: 'Captivating views of coastal marshes and sound abound from every room in this exquisite estate. 'The grand entry leads to an elegant living area with refined decor. Seven bedrooms include a sophisticated master suite that is a sanctuary in itself. 'The upstairs the den features a full wet bar, fireplace and opens onto a large screened porch overlooking the pool and marshes. Your own private dock with multiple boat houses and a screened room over the water.' Inside the simply decorated bedrooms are cosy yet spacious and have stunning views over the water, beach and greenery The den on the first floor has its own wet bar in the centre, a fire place and seating area to relax in after a day at the beach Marble countertops and tiled floors in the large bathroom keep to the modern style of the North Carolina residence 'This tranquil island paradise is tucked between Topsail Island and the Intracoastal Waterway with convenient access to historic Wilmington and its regional airport.' Topsail Island is a 26 mile long barrier island located off the southern coast of North Carolina north of Wilmington and south of the famed Outer Banks. 'Beautiful beaches, maritime forests, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and deepwater sound properties are waiting for you here at Topsail,' concludes the listing. According to legend, pirates used to hide in the sound area between Topsail Island and the mainland. When a ship approached, the pirates would attack the ship and take its rich cargo. Eventually, the pirates' secret got out and ships approaching the island would look for the "top sails" of the otherwise secluded pirate ships, reports Treasure Realty. For more information about the seven-bed estate visit this website. The private dock includes multiple boat houses, one pictured, more seating areas and a screened room over the water A grand entrance complete with long windows keep the space flooded with light and leads to an elegant living area January 15th marks the 10-year anniversary of the miracle flight landing on the Hudson River piloted by Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger. Sullenberger and co-captain Jeff Skiles saved all 155 passengers and crew members when they successfully landed American Airlines Flight 1549 in the freezing cold river after the plane struck a flock of Canadian geese, causing both engines to fail just minutes after takeoff. The hero captain and passengers are now recalling the life-changing day they cheated death 10 years later. 'I think about not only what we did but what everybody else did,' Sullenberger, 67, told ABC's Good Morning America. 'All the pieces had to come together. This group of strangers had to rise to the occasion and make sure that they saved every life.' Tuesday, January 15 marks 10 years since US Airways flight 1549 landed on the Hudson River after colliding with a flock of geese just after takeoff Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger and co-captain Jeff Skiles saved all 155 people on board Flight 1549 when both engines blew out after striking Canadian geese Sullenberger recalled what was going through his mind in the seconds he had to decide where to land the plane. 'I never had any extraneous thoughts in those few seconds that we had,' he said. 'I didn't allow myself to and I didn't have any inclination to. Sullenberger says 'all the pieces had to come together' to pull off the heroic landing and rescue 'I never thought about my family. I never thought about anything other than controlling the flight path and solving each problem in turn until, finally, we had solved them all.' Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia a decade ago Tuesday, with Sullenberger's co-pilot Skiles at the controls, three flight attendants and 150 passengers aboard. It was cold, only about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but the skies were clear. 'What a view of the Hudson today,' Sullenberger remarked to Skiles, according to National Transportation Safety Board's report on the crash. Less than a minute later, birds collided with the plane at 3,000 feet and both engines stopped. Sullenberger took the controls and told air traffic controllers he couldn't make it back to LaGuardia. His choices were a small airport for private aircraft in New Jersey - possibly too far - or the river. At 3.31pm, the plane splashed down, somehow stayed in one piece, and began floating fast toward the harbor. Passengers got out on the wings and inflatable rafts as commuter ferries raced to the rescue. One flight attendant and four passengers were hurt, but everyone else was mostly fine. For the passengers on board, they heard Sullenberger come over the intercom once during the ordeal. 'Brace for impact,' he said, and seconds later the plane was in the water. In a new interview with ABC News Sullenberger said: 'I never thought about my family. I never thought about anything other than controlling the flight path and solving each problem in turn until, finally, we had solved them all' Passengers from the flight have shared how cheating death has impacted their lives 10 years later Emergency personnel search for passengers after a U.S. Airways plane landed in the Hudson River in New York 10 years ago Tuesday Passenger Tripp Harris, 47, says his life has been colored ever since the event. 'Everything that I could think about was the things I was going to miss,' Harris said of what was going through his mind on the flight. 'That fundamentally shifted my priorities.' That day 'made me a better father, a better husband,' Harris said. It's a common refrain among survivors, of how that day led to big life changes and small everyday choices, and to feeling joy more readily. But some also speak of the anxiety that can still rise every time they're on a flight. 'I have a lot more gratitude about my life,' said Sheila Dail, 67, one of the flight attendants. After taking the better part of a year off, she returned to working in the skies and helped to create a peer support group for air stewards at her airline. It's clear Sullenberger's main priority was the safety of the passengers. During the rescue, he checked the cabin twice to make sure it was cleared. 'I was deathly afraid after the landing was accomplished and we'd pulled that off that someone might slip into the water unnoticed and drown, or succumb to hypothermia,' Sullenberger told ABC News. . 'I was on pins and needles for four terrorizing hours until finally that evening - still in the hospital being evaluated --I got the word it was official, everyone was safe,' he added. 'Only then could I feel the weight of the universe being lifted off my heart. Tripp Harris, who was a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549, says the event made him a better father Passenger Steve O'Brien poses for a photo at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, with an editorial cartoon framed with his boarding pass from US Airways Flight 1549 The submerged and damaged plane was recovered and is now held at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, where survivors are planning to gather Monday to mark the 10-year anniversary, including a toast at the exact time of the crash. 'While I don't know that I would do it again, it certainly gave me some clarity around my life priorities and the importance of my family,' said Pam Seagle, 52, of Wilmington, North Carolina, who was on the flight. That January day a decade ago 'kind of put me on this path to where I am now, and where I'm very happy and content,' she said. Getting over the trauma of the experience took some time for passenger Steve O'Brien, 54, of Charlotte. 'That first year was tough. You're scattered. You can't focus. You're impatient,' he said. 'There's this thin place between life and death ... and we were at a really thin place and then you get yanked back.' When he flies now, he looks for the emergency exits and can't sleep as easily in his seat anymore. Hundreds of opposing protesters took to the streets of a North Carolina town on Sunday to protest for and against the removal of a Confederate statue. Nearly 150 people campaigning against a statue honoring Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War arranged the march in the city center of Winston-Salem on Sunday morning. But their demonstrations took an ugly turn when around 50 counter-protesters gathered nearby in the square where the controversial statue stands. A supporter of the Confederate statue in Winston-Salem, N.C. taunts anti-statue protestors on Sunday Protesters gathered to sing Dixie at the foot of the statue in a show of support for the century-old monument The Confederate statue was erected over 100 years ago in 1905 to celebrate the war dead in the Civil War Anti-statue protesters chanted 'No hate, no KKK, no fascist USA,' 'Your Southern soldiers were enemy combatants, and 'In the name of Happy Hill, don't ignore the people's will.' They also held signs saying 'Down with White Supremacy,' 'Get Hate out of Winston-Salem,' and 'Always Antifascist.' Despite being separated by only 25 feet, the protests did not descend into violence, however. Only police officers, journalists and photographers separated the baying crowds - with cops only needing to telling the two groups to move back once. Statue supporters mostly did not respond to the chants coming from across the street, although there were catcalls screamed across the open square long into the afternoon. Terrance Hawkins, with Drum Majors Alliance, a demonstrator in favor of moving a Confederate statue to Salem Cemetery, speaks during Sunday's rally Anti-statue protesters waved 'Black Lives Matter' banners and 'Hate Outta Winston' signs during their march Several speakers who want the statue to be moved told the crowd that the statue stood for the Confederacy that oppressed slaves and for Southerners who oppressed freed black people afterward. Some called for the statue to be destroyed. The Rev. Paul Robeson Ford, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church on Highland Avenue, said that Confederate soldiers fought for the wrong cause. 'The Civil War was fought because of slavery,' Ford said. 'Bury every monument at least 6 feet into the ground. Racism is evil. Kill it. It starts with that statue.' But Richard Webster of Tobaccoville said he wanted to do his part to encourage preservation of part of local history. 'It is part of our history and heritage,' Webster said. 'It is like a tombstone. It honors our ancestors.' The Rev. Paul Robeson Ford of First Baptist Church (left) and Lance Spivey, chairman of Heirs to the Confederacy (right) both turned out to voice their support for the opposing campaigns Lawyers from two house committees will meet today to discuss subpoenaing the interpreter who sat in on Trump's closed-door talks with Vladimir Putin in 2017. Attorneys from the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Committee decided on the move after reports emerged that Trump had seized the interpreter's notes following talks with the Russian President at the G20 summit in Hamburg. A senior Democratic aide on the Foreign Affairs Committee said that news had 'changed the calculus' and 'raised a whole host of questions'. Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin for private talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg in 2017 (file image) The aide told ABC News: 'We're looking into the legal implications of that, and we'll discuss our options. 'Our lawyers are sitting down with intel committee lawyers to hash it out.' Committee lawyers are not yet drafting a subpoena, but are discussing how they would go about issuing one, if representatives decide to go ahead with the move. A committee vote on the issue is due in a few weeks, the source added. The legal maneuvering comes after the Washington Post reported that Trump had gone to 'extraordinary lengths' to keep records of his talks with Putin private. Officials told the paper that Trump had taken the interpreter's notes of his conversation with Putin at the G20, and instructed him not to talk to any other members of his administration about what was said. Trump is accused of ordering his interpreter to hand over notes about the meeting to keep them from the record, causing two House committees to mull subpoenaing him The meeting was one of two that Trump had with Putin at the summit, the second of which was attended only by Putin's interpreter. As a result of Trump's tampering with official records, there is no account - even in classified files - about what transpired between him and Putin on five separate occasions, according to the Post. A White House spokesman denied that Trump was trying to conceal details of the meeting and noted that then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had been present. Tillerson 'gave a fulsome readout of the meeting immediately afterward to other U.S. officials in a private setting, as well as a readout to the press', the spokesman said. House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff gave his support for the idea of subpoenaing the interpreter on Sunday, tweeting: 'Last year, we sought to obtain the interpreters notes or testimony, from the private meeting between Trump and Putin. 'The Republicans on our committee voted us down. Will they join us now? Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting America first?' Police search and rescue teams are in a desperate race against time to try to locate a two-year-old boy who has fallen down a 350ft deep well on Spain's Costa del Sol. The toddler, named only as Yulen, plunged down the 15-inch wide hole, located on the property of some family friends, on Sunday afternoon as his parents prepared lunch nearby. One relative has told police they heard the boy crying seconds after he vanished, but there have not been any signs of life from the child since. The heartbreaking story has become all the more tragic today, as it has been revealed that Yulen's parents Vicky and Jose lost another child two years ago. Race against time: This photo posted by local firefighters show the small 15in-wife hole the young boy fell down yesterday afternoon Three-year-old Oliver, Yulen's older brother, died of a heart attack in May 2017, when the missing boy was just a few months old. Emergency services have been working throughout the night at the country property near the Costa del Sol capital of Malaga to try to reach the boy. A camera lowered into the well has failed to capture any sound or images indicating if the boy is dead or alive, although a blockage which is thought to be a small landslide has been spotted 250ft down. A bag of sweets Yulen was carrying - which caught on the inside of the well wall when he fell - has also been discovered The shaft, which is too narrow for an adult to enter, had been bored a month earlier during water prospection works and had not been covered or protected, local media are reporting. Gamez says that rescuers are trying to avoid blocking the small diameter of the well, which may have water at the bottom, with falling soil as they search for the boy. Yulen's parents, a couple in their twenties who live in the Malaga neighbourhood of El Palo, were enjoying a day in the countryside with friends who own a country property near the spot where the boy was last seen. Tragedy: The two-year-old boy, named only as Yulen, fell down the deep well on a countryside property in Malaga, Spain's Costa del Sol while his parents were having lunch nearby Mission: More than 100 firefighters and emergency workers in southern Spain are searching for the two-year-old They were preparing Sunday lunch in an area near a pre-historic burial ground known as Cerro de la Corona, a 20-minute drive from their home, when their son vanished at around 2pm yesterday. A spokesman for the Civil Guard, who said the information about the circumstances of the youngster's disappearance had come from the family, told local press: 'The operation is going to continue as long as is necessary. 'The boy's father and a local emergency services coordination centre called police around the same time at 2pm to alert us to what had happened.' Outgoing Andalucia president Susana Diaz tweeted: 'Following with concern what's happened in Totalan, Malaga. 'All my thoughts and support for the parents, family and friends, as well as the rescue teams that are working in the area.' Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez added: 'I share the anguish of the family of the two-year-old who has fallen down a well in Totalan, Malaga. 'All my support for the parents and the emergency teams who are participating in the rescue. 'We continue to hope for the best outcome.' Emergency services fear the youngster is beneath a bank of wet sand discovered 250ft down the well which is believed to be the result of a mini-landslide. Around 100 people, including police, firefighters, Civil Protection workers and experts from the private sector, are taking part in the operation. The well is not wide enough for an adult to squeeze into, and rescuers are set to make three attempts - expected to take place simultaneously - to reach Yulen. One will involve an accelerated bid to remove earth believed to have been caused by a mini landslide inside the well which is blocking the bottom of the shaft where emergency services fear the two-year-old may be. Experts have only removed part of the blockage - around 250ft down the 350ft hole - and more specialist equipment has been called in. Search: It is not clear if there is water at the bottom of the hole, which was reportedly created last December by prospectors A Civil Guard spokesman said plans were also being drafted to make a second hole next to the one Yulen is thought to be in. Simultaneously rescuers are planning to tunnel into the side of the mountain by the well. Maria Gamez, a central government representative for the Malaga airport, said late this morning: 'At dawn a decision was taken to remove the earth that was blocking the bottom of the well. 'Around 30 centimetres was removed before emergency teams reached a hard area. Now other options have to be explored.' Bernardo Molto, for the Guardia Civil, said: 'The first option involves the removal of earth with a lorry which will come to take it away. 'The second is to dig a hole running parallel to the existing one with the additional problem that the hole is not cased and it has to be cased first to avoid it collapsing. 'The third alternative that's going to be approved is an excavation from the side of the mountain.' Police, firefighters, Civil Protection workers and private sector experts involved in the operation, which got underway 24 hours ago, have not yet seen any sign of the youngster. They say they have not given up hope he is still alive because there may be water at the bottom of the well, but admit privately hopes are 'slim.' A robot with a rotating camera and LED lights belonging to a private firm that is normally employed to inspect sewage and drainage pipes, is being used in the search for the missing youngster. Elias Bendodo, President of the Provincial Council of Malaga, said search and rescue teams 'would not stop until they found him. He added: 'We all hope they can find him alive.' A man in east China is facing jail for marrying three women in three years. The 36-year-old man, surnamed Zhang, had a child with each of his 'wives' between 2015 and 2017 and arranged for the families to live within a one-kilometre radius in Jiangsu province for convenience, Chinese media revealed. Zhang told reporters he didn't realise it was illegal to marry more than one woman. The 36-year-old man, surnamed Zhang, had a child with each of his 'wives' between 2015 and 2017 and arranged for the families to live within a one-kilometre radius in Jiangsu province Zhang, who is from central Henan province, worked as a property agent in Kunshan, eastern China's Jiangsu province. He was reported to the authorities by his wives after they discovered each other. The man has been charged with bigamy and taken to court, according to Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation. If convicted, he could face up to two years in jail. 'I'll be with whoever forgives me when I get out of jail,' he said. Zhang married his first wife, surnamed Ren, in Kunshan - where he worked - in 2015 and the second wife, surnamed Chen, in his hometown in Henan province in 2016. He then married the third woman, surnamed Wang, in her hometown in Anhui province in 2017. The second and third woman met Zhang when they were looking for property and Zhang was their agent. Zhang's marriage certificates with his three 'wives' obtained from three provinces. The crime went undetected as the civil affairs authorities of these provinces did not share a database Zhang met his second wife, surnamed Chen (pictured), when she was looking for property The crime went undetected as the civil affairs authorities of these provinces did not share a database, according to the report. Zhang said he was able to earn tens of thousands of yuan a month thanks to the booming property market and did not have a problem providing for all three families, the report said. He arranged for them to live within a one kilometre radius and spent time with each family while lying about travelling for work. However, he told reporters that juggling the families left him 'tired' as he travelled between the three residential areas more than 10 times every week. In March 2017, his second wife, Chen, became suspicious after discovering text messages between Zhang and another woman. She followed him on one of his 'business trips' and found the first wife after he arrived at a nearby residential area. Zhang told reporters he didn't realise it was illegal to marry more than one woman. 'I'll be with whoever forgives me when I get out of jail,' he said Chen also discovered Zhang's third wife - who was pregnant with his child - after texting an unknown number that was constantly calling him. The shocking discovery led Zhang's first wife to divorce him last year. The other two women filed a police report in March. Zhang was charged with bigamy in November. The case, reported by the television channel on Saturday, sparked outrage on social media as net users slammed the government oversight. 'How was he able to obtain three marriage certificates in the first place? What were the civil affairs authorities doing? one comment read on Weibo. 'If he was really unaware that multiple marriages broke the law, then why did he applied for marriage certificates in three different provinces?' one user said. 'He still expects the women to forgive him after all this, what is he thinking?' another user said. A man in eastern China had a long rod stuck in his bowels on New Year's Day after inserting it into his backside to 'seek excitement', according to Chinese media. The object, reported to be a 'glass rod', initially became stuck in the man's rectum and it gradually moved up into his large intestine, said doctors from a hospital in Hangzhou. The stick was said to be around 25 centimetres (9.8 inches) long with a diameter of around five centimetres (two inches). A man had a long glass rod stuck in his large intestine after putting it into his rear, reported China's Hangzhou Comprehensive Channel. Above is a CT scan picture of the patient 'When he first arrived at the hospital, he was in a hurry and looked agonised,' Bao Xiangdong, a colorectal surgeon from Zhejiang Tongde Hospital, told Hangzhou Comprehensive Channel. Surgeon Bao said the patient was shy and refused to go into details of his condition, but he begged Bao 'save me, save me'. A CT scan showed that the rod had become stuck in the patient's sigmoid colon, the part of one's large intestine closest to the rectum. The rod became stuck in the man's rectum before moving into his large intestine, said doctors Surgeon Bao Xiangdong called the man lucky because the rod had not torn his rectum An emergency operation was arranged and the object was removed from the man after 30 minutes. Surgeon Bao called the patient lucky because the rod had not caused any tears or bleeding in his rectum. The patient has been discharged from the hospital, according to the report. Asked by LBC what would happen tomorrow, Boris Johnson (pictured today on the show) said: 'I think the deal goes down' Boris Johnson today warned that MPs will 'reap the whirlwind' if they try to overturn the Brexit referendum result. The former foreign secretary said Remainer politicians were 'playing with fire' as he urged Tory Eurosceptics to hold firm against Theresa May's Brexit deal. Mr Johnson also revealed that he regrets pulling out of the Conservative leadership contest in 2016, when he was dramatically betrayed by fellow Leave campaigner Michael Gove. The comments, in a phone-in on LBC radio, came as tensions build ahead of the crucial Commons showdown on Mrs May's plan tomorrow. The PM is still on track for an humiliating defeat, despite making a desperate last-ditch plea for MPs to back her in a speech this morning. It emerged over the weekend that Remainers from across parties are plotting an extraordinary bid to seize control from the government if Mrs May tries to to push ahead with a no-deal Brexit. Conservative MP Nick Boles today confirmed plans to tear up Commons rules so MPs could propose legislation - something the government currently has power over. But Mr Johnson said: 'If we think that by coming up with all sorts of complicated amendments and you know delaying tactics, we're gonna fool the British public, we're going to manage to frustrate Brexit, I think we will reap the whirlwind,' he said. 'People will feel betrayed and I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by you know the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the country, to overturn the vote of the people.' Mr Johnson was also asked if he now regretted pulling out of the leadership battle in the summer of 2016. He had been the favourite to succeed David Cameron in the wake of the referendum - but withdrew at the last moment when Mr Gove abandoned him and launched his own campaign, which quickly collapsed. Many Westminster observers were bewildered at Mr Johnson's decision, as he still appeared to have enough support to win. Mr Johnson said: 'In retrospect if I had my time again I might have done things differently.' A dozen leading Brexiteers including eight former members of Mrs May's Cabinet have written to all Conservative MPs urging them to vote against the Prime Minister's deal. In a joint letter sent to every Tory MP, former ministers including Boris Johnson, David Davis and Dominic Raab call upon Mrs May to stage one final attempt to persuade the EU to drop the Irish backstop which threatens to halt Britain's exit from the custom union indefinitely. But if the EU fails to comply on agreeing such a deal, the Britain must 'have the confidence' to leave on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms on March 29. The letter is also signed by other former Cabinet members including Iain Duncan Smith, Esther McVey and Priti Patel. They write: 'It is right to vote down this bad deal and that in doing so we will unlock a better future for our party, our country and its people.' They add: 'A managed WTO Brexit may give rise to some short-term inconvenience and disruption, but the much greater risks arise from being locked into a very bad deal.' During his LBC appearance, Mr Johnson suggested he knows more about making cars than the boss of Jaguar Land Rover today as he insisted the motor industry would survive Brexit. The former foreign secretary said JLR had admitted its current problems were fuelled by a collapse in sales of diesel cars and China. The firm - Britain's biggest carmaker - announced last week it was cutting 5,000 jobs. Boris Johnson suggested he knows more about making cars than the boss of Jaguar Land Rover today as he insisted the motor industry would survive Brexit The former foreign secretary said JLR boss Ralf Speth (file) had admitted its current problems were fuelled by a collapse in sales of diesel cars and China Mr Johnson dismissed claims Brexit would damage the economy and said that 'employment was prophesied to increase by half a million as a result of the temerity of the British people to leave'. He said: 'If you look at the reasons for the redundancies at JLR, as the management themselves pointed out, it's overwhelmingly to do with the diesel crisis and the climb in markets in China.' In response, host Nick Ferrari quoted JLR CEO Ralf Speth saying it would be very critical if we see a hard Brexit or no deal. 'Companies will disappear, plants will close, there's no way to survive hard Brexit for many industries.' I would suggest he knows more about car manufacturers than you do,' Mr Ferrari said. 'Actually that's an interesting point, I'm not certain he does by the way,' Mr Johnson responded. Mr Johnson said that while he was London Mayor he urged Mr Speth to switch focus to electric cars - only to be told JLR would 'stick with diesel'. Mr Johnson said: 'I think events have vindicated me on that point rather than him.' A teenager has been rushed to hospital after he was stabbed on a busy shopping street shortly after 8.30am. Police were called to Lewisham High Street, south-east London this morning after the youngster was attacked. Witnesses said the boy was wearing his school uniform when he was chased off a bus and attacked with metal poles and a knife. A teenage boy was stabbed near this Three store in Lewisham, south London, this morning A local greengrocer told The Evening Standard: 'They pulled a knife out and chased him to the front of the shopping centre and stabbed him. He was lucky to survive and looked so young.' Officers have contacted his family but said his condition has been assessed as 'not life-threatening or life-changing'. No arrests have been made and detectives are appealing for information, with the location of the attack suggesting there will be many witnesses. Scotland Yard tweeted: 'We are at the scene of a stabbing in Lewisham High St at 8.38am today. 'The victim, a boy in his mid-teens, has been taken to hospital. Next of kin informed. We await details of his condition. Witnesses pls call 101 ref 1431/jan14.' Salih Khater is accused of driving his car into cyclists and police outside Parliament. He denied attempted murder today A man accused of driving his car into cyclists and police outside Parliament today denied 'terrorism related' attempted murder. Salih Khater, a Sudanese 29 year old, allegedly drove his Ford Fiesta at members of the public before swerving towards police officers guarding the Palace of Westminster last August. Khater was arrested by armed officers after a car crashed into the barriers outside Parliament shortly after 7.30am on 14 August last year. Three people were treated for non-life threatening injuries after the crash. Duncan Atkinson, QC, prosecuting, told the Old Bailey today: 'Although this is not a charge under the Terrorism Act it is terrorism related.' Khater, who was born in Sudan but is a British citizen, denied two counts of attempted murder - one relating to civilians in Parliament Square, and the other to police officers in nearby Abingdon Road. A Ford Fiesta crashed into barriers outside Parliament in August last year Cyclists on their way to work were left injured after being knocked down by the car Khater also denies two alternate counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to the same incidents. He appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh and spoke only to plead not guilty. Khater, of Birmingham, was remanded in custody ahead of a two week trial on 24 June. Security measures have been tightened around Parliament since the 2017 Westminster terror attack. A map of the scene shows where the car crashed shortly after 7.30am on 14 August last year A holidaymaker spoke of his shock after paying 5 for an in-flight sandwich only to be handed a single limp lettuce leaf between two slices of 'soggy' bread. Nick Mosley was left disgusted by the under-filled lunchtime snack served up on a Jetstar Airways flight from Bali, Indonesia, to Perth, Australia. Mr Mosley, who lives in Brighton but travels the world through his work as a food writer, had bought a 'deli sandwich trio' at a cost of nine Australian dollars. He had been travelling in Asia for several weeks, sampling the local delicacies, before boarding his plane to Oz. A holidaymaker spoke of their shock after they paid 5 for a in-flight sandwich only to be handed a single limp lettuce leaf between two slices of 'soggy' bread An advert described the three sandwiches as 'egg with mayo and lettuce on white bread', 'cream cheese with roasted red pepper on wholemeal bread' and 'tuna mayo with onion relish on white bread' He said: 'I had a bit of a craving for a sandwich. Having eaten many sandwiches in my life, it wouldn't have cross my mind to peel back the bread to check the filling. 'However, after the first mouthful of somewhat soggy bread and margarine, peel back I did. 'I paid for it so there is really is no excuse for serving inadequate products. It was a shocker - it made a petrol station sandwich look like a gastronomic feast.' An advert described the three sandwiches as 'egg with mayo and lettuce on white bread', 'cream cheese with roasted red pepper on wholemeal bread' and 'tuna mayo with onion relish on white bread'. Mr Mosley said that while he does not expect airline food to be the best in the world, it should meet a certain standard. 'I think airline food, whether it's included in the ticket price or available to buy on the plane, has to be decent and a fair reflection of the price. Mr Mosley, who lives in Brighton but travels the world through his work as a food writer, had bought a 'deli sandwich trio' (pictured) at a cost of nine Australian dollars 'There are always going to be people on flights who are on longer journeys with connecting flights, so poor food has a direct impact on well-being as well as the wallet.' He did not complain at first, as he claims staff were busy, but shared his anger on Twitter. He posted a photo of his 'utterly unappetising sandwich' and Jetstar has now responded and offered Nick a full refund for the snack. A spokesperson for Jetstar Airways said: 'We apologise for the unusual lack of filling in Mr Mosley's sandwich, and appreciate it did not meet expectations. 'It is unusual. We've passed the feedback onto our caterer.' A British Cambridge University graduate has been found dead at his home on the island of St Lucia in what police suspect to be murder. Robert Hathaway was reportedly discovered covered in blood by his neighbour yesterday afternoon. Police in St Lucia launched a murder investigation after the discovery of the businessman's body in the north of the island. The engineering graduate, who has been a longtime resident of the Caribbean island, was reportedly found by a neighbour at midday on Sunday, at his home in Piat, Grande Riviere, Gros Islet. British businessman Robert Hathaway was reportedly discovered covered in blood at his home in St Lucia yesterday afternoon Mr Hathaway (pictured with a woman believed to be his wife) was a longtime resident of St Lucia island According to his Facebook profile, the victim was originally from Codford Saint Peter, Wiltshire The 68-year-old's death has been recorded as the island's first homicide for the year, police confirmed today. Police said at the early stage in the investigation officers suspect Mr Hathaway may have been murdered. According to his Facebook profile, Mr Hathaway was originally from Codford Saint Peter in Wiltshire. A senior law enforcement officer said Mr Hathaway's body was found covered in blood at his home. An officer who spoke from Gros Islet said: 'We can confirm that the body of a British National has been found where he lived in Grand Riviere, Gros Islet. We suspect his death to be a homicide. 'His body is presently at the local Hospital and we are waiting for the forensic report to establish his cause of death. A homicide investigation was launched after Mr Hathaway's body was discovered at his home Mr Hathaway ran a marine engineering consultancy firm on the island of St Lucia in the Grande Riviere, Gros Islet He posted a photograph of himself with a woman, believed to be his wife, to social media on January 1 'We hope to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. We will be getting in touch with his family in the UK.' A Foreign Office spokesman told the MailOnline: 'Our staff are supporting the family of a British man following his death in St Lucia, and are in contact with the St Lucian police.' Mr Hathaway studied engineering at the Cambridge University and was the managing director of Marigot Sunshine Ltd. Police said at the early stage in the investigation officers suspect Mr Hathaway may have been murdered The 68-year-old's death has been recorded as the island's first homicide for the year, police confirmed today Mr Hathaway studied engineering at the Cambridge University and was the managing director of Marigot Sunshine Ltd The company was originally set up for the construction of a solar powered ferry for nearby Marigot Bay and Mr Hathaway, who was known as Bob, carried out research and consultations on marine engineering. Mr Hathaway has previously worked for Haringey Council a social worker in the 1970s, an industrial relations adviser and a technical director at yacht company in Hampshire during the 1990s. The company website says he took a sabbatical at the age of 37 to go on a cruise, before moving to St Lucia in 2001 to retire, before setting up his new solar powered catamaran firm - the first on the island. Mr Hathaway previously worked for Haringey Council as a social worker in the 1970s A festival reveller has been given a year-long driving ban after getting caught with MDMA in her system two days after she consumed the drug at a music festival. Courtney Crimston, 19, was found guilty of drug driving after her car was stopped less than three kilometres from her home in October last year. The 19-year-old tested positive in an oral fluid test, where forensic analysis confirmed that she had ecstasy in her blood, according to the Daily Telegraph. Scroll down for video Festival-goer Courtney Crimston, 19, (pictured) has been given a year-long driving ban after getting caught with MDMA in her system two days after the music event The 19-year-old tested positive in an oral fluid test, where forensic analysis confirmed that she had 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or ecstasy in her blood It was found that the MDMA was still in Ms Crimston's system two days after she consumed it when she attended the Listen Out music festival in Sydney's Centennial Park last September. 'Police asked if she had taken any drugs, to which she said I had two MDMA (tablets) at the Listen Out festival on the weekend,"' the agreed police facts read. The 19-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order without condition by the Sutherland Local Court. Ms Crimston attended the Traffic Offenders Rehabilitation Program and said she now realises her offence was a 'serious matter' and that she will learn from this mistake. Last year, police charged 159 people with drug-related offences at the Listen Out music festival. Last year, police charged 159 people with drug-related offences at the Listen Out music festival (pictured) in Sydney's Centennial Park It was found that the MDMA was still in Ms Crimston's system two days after she consumed it when she attended the Listen Out music festival (stock image) 154 people were charged with drug possession and five were charged with drug supply offences. 'Generally, festival goers were well behaved and enjoyed the event, however there appears to be a small section of the community that continues to possess and deal in illegal substances, despite our warnings,' Superintendent Karen McCarthy said at the time. This comes after two drug-related deaths at the Defqon.1 music festival in Penrith last year. Jeremy Paxman said the mob who roam around Westminster heckling politicians were behind some 'nasty and profoundly stupid' comments, but MPs must be prepared for abuse (file pic) Jeremy Paxman has accused MPs who complain about abuse hurled at them the outside Parliament of being 'snowflakes'. The veteran reporter said the mob who roam around Westminster heckling politicians were behind some 'nasty and profoundly stupid' comments. But he said that MPs have always had to put up with a dose of abuse and must be prepared for it. It comes after Tory MP Anna Soubry lashed the police for not arresting far-right protesters who branded her a Nazi as she was interviewed outside Parliament last week. The gang, who wear yellow jackets like protesters in France and are led by James Goddard, 29, surrounded the Tory Remainer and followed her back to Parliament. Mr Paxman, who fronted the BBC's Newnight programme for years, said the comments were 'nasty and profoundly stupid - but I am sure things just as bad have always happened at hustings'. He added: 'Have we really got such a bunch of snowflakes in parliament that they can't face hearing from the people who pay their wages?' The abuse hurled at Ms Soubry and other MPs and journalists by the protesters outside Parliament has sparked a huge backlash against the police. More than 150 MPs from across the political divide wrote to the met police to complain and demand better protection in the wake of the incident. The security scare has also led the parliamentary authorities to consider lifting a ban on reporters being able to broadcast inside Parliament. The authorities are now considering letting journalists report and interview people from spots inside the Palace of Westminster - including on the roof. The abuse on College Green has become so bad that some MPs are now refusing to run the gauntlet of protesters and be interviewed out there. Tory MP Anna Soubry lashed the police for not arresting far-right protesters who branded her a Nazi as she was interviewed outside Parliament last week (pictured, protesters mobbing Ms Soubry last week) Goddard was pictured this evening downing a pint at the Queens Head pub in Holborn after being released on bail. He had earlier been arrested on suspicion of public order offences Tory MP and Brexiteer David Davies has started wearing a body camera to film the protesters so he can document the abuse and is directed from false accusations hurled at him. Violence erupted again on Saturday when the right-wing yellow vests clashed again with left-wing protesters at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square. Goddard was reportedly arrested on suspicion of a public order offence at St James' station on Saturday. He was released on bail later that evening - and gleefully toasted his release with a pint at a pub in Holborn. He tweeted: 'Ive been released on bail, with the most draconian, unlawful conditions! 'The Establishment think theyre going to silence me, Im telling you now it wont happen! Its not about me, its about the yellowvestsUK! 'When one falls, a thousand more Step Forward.' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has hit out at Democrats for 'partying on the beach' instead of working to resolve the government shutdown. Sanders joined a host of other leading Republicans in condemning the behavior of 30 Democratic members of Congress who reportedly traveled to Puerto Rico for a party with lobbyists over the weekend. 'Democrats in Congress are so alarmed about federal workers not getting paid they're partying on the beach instead of negotiating a compromise to reopen the government and secure the border,' Sanders tweeted Sunday morning. Around 30 Democratic members of Congress traveled to Puerto Rico this weekend for a retreat, and a performance of the hit Broadway show 'Hamilton'. Sarah Huckabee Sanders slammed Democrats after the revelation several of them had travelled to Puerto Rico for a conference The White House press secretary tweeted on Sunday saying they had been 'partying on the beach' Reports suggested that those attending the Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC gathering in San Juan had been there to discuss relief efforts after Hurricane Maria. But pictures shared widely on social media showed a number of Democrat congressmen and women relaxing on the beach in the sunshine. GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also lambasted the Democrats in Puerto Rico for 'hitting the beach and partying with lobbyists' in a tweet on Sunday. 'While [President Trump] is in DC working to resolve the government shutdown and secure our border, Democrats are hitting the beach and partying with lobbyists,' McDaniel tweeted. Donald Trump Jr. also tweeted: 'I'm not even in government and I'd get killed in the press if I was on vacation right now. Trump, pictured touring the US-Mexico border last week, has imposed a partial shutdown until the issue of his border wall is resolved Donald Trump Jr also got in on the act over the weekend, saying he would 'get killed' if he took a similar trip 'Why won't they cover their democrat buddies lobbyist sponsored vacation in the islands???' President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Democrats of 'having fun' while he is in the White House waiting to make a deal to end the government shutdown. 'I'm in the White House, waiting. The Democrats are everywhere but Washington as people await their pay. They are having fun and not even talking!,' he tweeted on a snowy Sunday morning in Washington D.C. Congress left the city on Friday with some lawmakers going back to their home states for the weekend and others - including new Speaker Nancy Pelosi - traveling to Puerto Rico for a conference and to see Lin-Manuel Miranda in 'Hamilton.' Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Monday although it's unclear if that will be affected by the weather. None of the votes scheduled in the House or Senate for Monday evening deal with reopening the government. Trump himself tweeted on Sunday to say he was 'waiting' inside the White House as the Democrats are 'having fun' Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Monday although it's unclear if that will be affected by the weather Former Tory minister Nick Boles set out a plan giving the Government three more weeks to come up with an alternative Brexit if Theresa May's deal is defeated A 'coup' by Remainers to seize control of Brexit from the government ran into a roadblock today after senior MPs cast doubt on whether it would work. Former Tory minister Nick Boles set out a plan giving the Government three more weeks to come up with an alternative Brexit if Theresa May's deal is defeated. If they fail he called for Commons rules to be rewritten so a high-level committee could take over the process - leaving Mrs May and the Government on the sidelines. But the fledgling revolt was at risk of collapsing after it was dismissed by pro-EU MPs. Senior Tory Sarah Wollaston, previously one of the most outspoken anti-Brexit rebels, said it would fly in the face of the constitution. She pointed out that the Liaison Committee - on which she serves had no role in drafting legislation. 'Under our constitution, Parliament can either change the governments mind or change the government,' she said. 'It can propose legislation for government to take forward & it can amend or block it but back bench MPs cannot take over conducting a complex international negotiation.' Boris Johnson, the leader of Eurosceptics and the Vote Leave champion, dismissed the plotters today and warned voters would feel 'betrayed'. Completing the plan would require a wholesale re-write of Commons rules, something which would normally be impossible for backbench MPs to do. But Speaker John Bercow's willingness to bend Commons rules last week has raised the stakes that unprecedented changes to parliamentary procedure could happen. Mr Boles' plan, drawn up with other former ministers Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan, had not been shared with other MPs before this morning. What is Nick Boles proposing? What do the plotters want to do? According to the plan, if Theresa May cannot offer a successful Brexit within three weeks of defeat tomorrow, senior MPs should take over. Boles says this would be the Liaison Committee - 32 MPs who chair all other committees. How could they do it? The plan will only work if Remain MPs can re-write the rules of how the Commons works. Normally only Government can bring forward new laws - the plotters want to change this. Normally this is impossible - but John Bercow's willingness to bend the rules last week has given them hope. What would it mean? Hard to say - but Downing Street has warned it is likely to mean a softer Brexit. This is likely to mean a Norway-style deal, staying in the EU single market - meaning free movement. Will it happen? Nobody knows. May's deal is very likely to be defeated tomorrow night and there will be a raft of new ideas and plans that might get traction, of which this is just one. Advertisement Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Liaison Committee Mr Boles wants to put in charge, said she had not been consulted. Security Minister Ben Wallace accused Mr Boles of trying to 'usurp' the Government while a former No 10 aide said it was 'hugely unthinkable'. Mr Boles insisted he and the other plotters would vote for Mrs May's deal tomorrow night - but said it would be heavily defeated anyway. Unveiling his plans today, he told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'This bill would do the following: it would give the Government three more weeks to get a compromise deal, a plan B, through Parliament so that we are leaving the EU on time on March 29 with a deal. 'If that failed, it would then ask the Liaison Committee, which is the committee of all the chairs of select committees and other parliamentary committees, it would give the Liaison Committee the responsibility to try and come up with its own compromise deal, which would have to go back to the House for a vote. 'If the House passed that compromise deal, then the Government would be legally required to implement whatever it was that they had.' Asked if the plan represented a 'coup' by MPs, Mr Boles told Today: 'It's a funny kind of coup which requires a majority vote of democratically-elected MPs before the task start rolling. 'So, no, it isn't a coup, it's an expression of parliamentary will.' If the deal fails a committee of senior MPs would take over the process, the plotter say - leaving Mrs May (pictured at church in Maidenhead yesterday) and the Government on the sidelines Boris Johnson (pictured at LBC in London today), the leader of Eurosceptics and the Vote Leave champion, dismissed the plotters today and warned voters would feel 'betrayed' He said that the first step would be laying an amendment that, if passed, would allocate a day 'quite soon' in Parliament in which 'the business of the Government would be put to one side and Parliament would be presented with a very short bill'. Dr Wollaston, the chairwoman of the Liaison Committee, later tweeted: 'The Boles plan appears to have been developed with just 2 other MPs and not discussed in advance with the Committee they propose to implement it. 'So hardly a 'coup'. Would also point out that Liaison Ctee doesn't draft legislation or conduct pre legislative scrutiny.' Security Minister Mr Wallace said: 'None of us voted for Committee chairs to be the Excutive. 'As you know their posts are Party allocated and they elected to scrutinise policy not to usurp the democratically elected Government.' Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Liaison Committee Mr Boles wants to put in charge, said she had not been consulted (pictured) Security Minister Ben Wallace accused Mr Boles of trying to 'usurp' the Government (pictured) while a former No 10 aide said it was 'hugely unthinkable' Vote Leave champion Boris Johnson dismissed the plot. He told LBC: 'I notice all this stuff about complicated jiggery-pokery for Parliament to frustrate the deal. 'I don't think that really can be done. I think that we are really playing with fire.' Mr Johnson added: 'I think that people will feel betrayed. 'And I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the country.' The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Clearly any attempt to prevent the government from meeting all of the legal conditions for an orderly exit at this moment of historic significance are extremely concerning.' He added: 'The British public voted to leave the European Union and it is important that elected politicians deliver upon that verdict.' Amir Tofangsazan, 32, pictured outside Lewes Crown Court, on Friday January 11. Tofangsazan was jailed for seven years and nine months in 2015 after being convicted of 15 counts of fraud An online dating fraudster jailed for conning women out of thousands of pounds used a contraband smartphone to snare three more victims from his prison cell. Amir Tofangsazan, 32, was jailed for seven years and nine months in 2015 after being convicted of 15 counts of fraud. But he got hold of a phone while on day release from HMP Ford, in West Sussex, and used dating apps to con three more 'vulnerable and lonely' victims into handing him money. One victim lost up to 4,000 after he contacted her on Tinder claiming to be a respected international trauma surgeon. He told her he had worked in hospitals across the world and had a portfolio of properties and a fleet of expensive cars. But Tofangsazan told her he was having cash flow problems and needed money to renew his medical registration. The victim agreed to hand over money and then made repeated payments to him which he then gambled away on an online betting account. Tofangsazan was lambasted by a judge who branded him a 'committed fraudster' preying on women looking for romance. Sentencing him to three years in prison Judge Christine Laing QC said: 'It is clear you are a committed fraudster preying on lonely, vulnerable women seeking a romantic partner. 'You gained their trust with utterly false tales of being a doctor, of being a trauma doctor in high demand because of your skills. 'You are nothing but a fraudster. Your only real skill lies in telling lies and creating false stories and tales to bolster those lies.' She said that although he was a 'serving prisoner' at the time he was still able to commit the offences while incarcerated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Mobile phones have no place in our prisons and, as in this case, those found to have used them can expect to spend additional time behind bars.' Earlier Edward Hand, prosecuting, said using an alias of Dr Jason Fleming, Tofangsazan contacted one woman through the dating app, Tinder. Amir Tofangsazan (pictured) got hold of a phone while on day release at HMP Ford, in West Sussex, and used dating apps to con three more 'vulnerable and lonely' victims into handing him money Mr Hand said: 'He said he was a surgeon working in London. He made boasts about his properties abroad and vehicles he owned. But he complained he was having problems with his bank accessing wages and accounts and it was causing him problems with his medical employers and registration.' He said the victim transferred money to him using an online account and the relationship developed further and became physical and sexual when he was released on licence. Eventually the woman became suspicious and when police, alerted by a former victim, contacted her she released she had been duped. The court heard Tofangsazan had a history of 'romance frauds' and had committed more than 40 offences. He pleaded guilty to the three most recent offences when he appeared at crown court last November. The fraudster had been previously jailed after he created several profiles claiming to be a doctor or a barrister to con women out of thousands of pounds. One victim was so convinced that their relationship was genuine and long-term she handed over almost 15,000 to Tofangsazan. DC Chris Church from the Met's Organised Crime Command, said: 'Tofangsazan has a history of this type of offending, and he committed these most recent frauds whilst on day release from prison. 'He has again shown his arrogance, callousness, and his propensity to deceive and exploit women for financial gain. 'These frauds have had an emotional and financial impact on the victims, and I hope today's result allows them to put their ordeal behind them.' A video of a Secret Service agent arriving at a woman's door hours after she made a fiery comment about Donald Trump on Facebook has emerged. The clip, filmed in San Antonio, Texas, US, shows an agent and a police officer standing on a woman's doorstep as they try to question her on January 10. Throughout the video, the shocked woman argues about her right to freedom of speech and repeatedly asks if she has committed a crime. She asks them: 'You're with the secret service you said?' The clip, filmed in San Antonio, Texas, US, shows a Secret Service agent (right) and a police officer (left) standing on a woman's doorstep as they try to question her on January 10 The two men, who are plain-clothed, appear to hesitate before nodding in response. During the conversation, the woman's nephew who is filming behind her, asks what is going on. She replies: 'I made comments online so the secret service came to my door with a SAPD that works with them'. Rifling through paper on his clip board, the Secret Service agent tries to ask for her personal details. He says: 'I'm just going to ask you some questions what's your date of birth?' The woman tells the agent that it is 'none of his concern' and goes on to ask if she is being arrested. She says: 'Is this mandatory? Do I need to speak to you? Am I under arrest and I being charged with anything?' The agent and police officer appear to hesitate again before saying no. The agent says: 'I'm here to ask about the statements you made online'. Rifling through paper on his clip board, the Secret Service agent tries to ask for her personal details The woman asks: 'What statement?' Opening the his files, the secret agent begins reading the comment she posted on her Facebook account. He says: 'Can someone shoot the fool between the eyes...' Suddenly angered, the woman interrupts him and says: 'So what you're saying is that I don't have freedom of speech? I can't say what I want to? Is that the concern? 'Did I commit a crime by expressing what I said?' The two men, who both appear to be hesitant to talk throughout the exchange, say that she has not committed a crime and that she can refuse to be interviewed. The two men, who both appear to be hesitant to talk throughout the exchange, say that she has not committed a crime and that she can refuse to be interviewed The woman then says that she refuses to be asked any more questions until she has hired an attorney to be with her. And after she takes down the agents phone number, the furious woman slams the door shut and the clip ends. The video was filmed by the woman's nephew. He said: 'My aunt posted a comment about Donald Trump and a few hours later the secret service came to our home with a local police officer. 'Before I began recording the agent was trying to intimidate and get in our home without a warrant. After an exchange of words they left.' Two police officers knocked at a new father's door to ask whether he had been feeding his five-day-old baby hot sauce - then admitted they had not even read the lighthearted Facebook post which sparked their 'investigation'. Paul Dawson was was left tearful by the visit from Cleveland Police, who apologised and left quickly after having their misunderstanding pointed out. The bizarre incident stemmed from a Facebook status Mr Dawson posted on Sunday after eating at a branch of TGI Fridays in Stockton-on-Tees, with his partner Laurencia and their baby, who was born on New Year's Day. Paul Dawson, 39, from Stockton, made a jokey post online then the police arrived at his door Since the incident the barber has doubled-down online, with photoshopped images of little Ben - which his friends have been enjoying One of his friends even sent him a bib for the newborn to keep the running joke going Mr Dawson, 39, said: 'Laurencia was breast-feeding Ben and I was eating hot wings. She was wanting to eat her food so asked if I could hold him while she ate. 'I'd wiped my hands on a napkin, as you do, and was holding him. 'He wasn't too happy at not feeding anymore so I put my knuckle in his mouth to try and pacify him - completely forgetting about what I'd eaten. 'Ben made a funny face and that was that.' The new father, from Stockton, then wrote on Facebook: 'Apparently five-day-old babies don't like it when their dads put their fingers in their mouths after eating hot wings. Unintentionally by the way. Lol.' But just two days after the post he received a knock on the door from the police. The besotted new father and his partner had a baby on January 1, and went to dinner a week later. In this post, liked more than 200 times by his friends, Mr Dawson wrote: 'Happy New Year and Happy New Son. Me and Laurencia couldn't be more pleased with him. Perfect!' Mr Dawson, who owns a barber shop in nearby Fairfield, said: 'I opened the door and asked what was up. 'They replied "You don't know then?" and I said I didn't have a clue. 'That's when they told me that I had apparently been feeding my son hot sauce. 'I just said "are you taking the p*** , mate?'' ' Annoyed and upset that someone had reported him, the barber left it to his partner to explain the situation to the officers. He added: 'I was actually quite tearful that someone had called the police. 'My girlfriend then asked the officers if they'd even read the Facebook post. 'They hadn't, so they were shown it and they just looked embarrassed. 'They apologised and admitted that they shouldn't have been called and then left. 'I can't believe, with our stretched police force, they were sent out without looking into it properly. 'It was absolutely disgusting, it just tarnished the whole Christmas season.' Paul Dawson, pictured today, was looking after five-day-old Ben for a moment as his partner ate her dinner The doting new dad wiped his fingers on a napkin because taking his son, but had been eating hot wings Little Ben made a face after being offered Paul's knuckle to chew on as a pacifier - leading Paul to make the humorous facebook post The couple went to dinner at TGI Friday's in Stockton-on-Tees. When his partner wanted to eat, Paul wiped his hands on a napkin top hold the baby, and when the youngster started crying he put his knuckle in his mouth to try to soothe him - forgetting he'd been eating hot wings A Cleveland Police spokesman said: 'Police received a call from a member of the public regarding concern for the welfare of a baby on Tuesday 8 January. 'As a result, two officers were deployed to an address in Stockton to speak with the parents of the baby to understand the circumstances of the report. 'Officers were satisfied that the baby was safe and well and there were no further enquiries carried out.' Thomas Markle Jr, 52, pictured in 2017 mugshot, was pulled over in Oregon and arrested early on Friday morning Meghan Markle's half-brother has said that his recent arrest came after a fight with his fiancee when she refused to stop playing a slot machine and go home. Thomas Markle Jr, 52, was pulled over by Oregon State Police at 1.33am on Friday and a police log said he was 'visibly intoxicated.' He was taken to a detox center where he was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.11 per cent and he was arrested for being under the influence. Now Mr Markle has claimed that after a 'furious' row in the car driving home with fiancee Darlene Blount, 38, he left their house and was then pulled over. He told the Mirror: 'We were in a bar and Darlene refused to stop playing the slots. I wanted to go home as it was late but she didn't. 'When we got home all hell broke loose. I didn't want things to escalate so I packed up my things, put them in my truck and left.' He's said that his arrest was sparked by a row with his fiancee Darlene Blount, 38, pictured together, over wanting to leave a bar while she was still playing the slot machine Mr Markle Jr explained how when he was stopped he was asked to walk in a straight line by the officer, but because of 'agonising pain' in his leg this was impossible. He said: 'I told them there was no way I could. He then arrested me.' He also claimed to be on over-the-counter painkillers and flu remedies because he cannot afford to pay for health insurance. Megan's half-brother said he couldn't walk a straight line when asked due to pain in his leg In an interview with DailyMail.com earlier this month, the window-fitter revealed he and fiancee Darlene will tie the knot in March. The pair have been together for more than two years but have endured multiple alcohol-related incidents that have seen both arrested. Ms Blount, 38, was arrested in late July at the couple's Grants Pass home after she allegedly blacked Mr Markle Jr's eye. The two quickly reconciled and Mr Markle Jr would later state the incident was an 'accident' and begged a judge to lift Ms Blount's no-contact order. Mr Markle Jr told District Attorney Michelle Enfield in November that the couple want to be together and have quit drinking, as well as undergoing therapy. In January 2017, Mr Markle Jr was arrested at his Oregon home after pulling a gun on his now-fiancee during a drunken altercation. Ms Blount told cops she had been in fear for her life and he spent two nights in jail as a result, although the case was dropped the following month. Advertisement Donald Trump Jr was spotted arriving home in New York on Sunday night with girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle after spending the weekend away with his children. Don Jr and Guilfoyle were flanked by secret service agents as they stepped out of black SUV outside her New York apartment. The President's eldest son then turned back to blow a kiss to his children before they were driven away to mother Vanessa's house. Donald Trump Jr and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle arrived back in New York on Sunday night after spending a weekend away with his children Don Jr blew a kiss into the SUV where the children were sitting before they were driven to mother Vanessa's house Guilfoyle, who has been publicly dating Trump Jr since April last year, wrapped up warm in a woolen hat and fur-lined coat Vanessa filed to divorce Trump Jr in March last year after 13 years of marriage. The pair have five children and are still finalizing their settlement. Guilfoyle, who was working at Fox News when she began dating Trump but quit to join him on the campaign trail, was pictured wrapped up warm against the cold. She was partially hidden underneath a large woolen bobble hat, paired with a coat which had a large fur hood. After saying goodbye to the children, the pair strolled inside her apartment. It is not known exactly where the couple spent their weekend, but Don Jr dedicated at least some of his time to hitting out at his father's critics on Twitter. Among the targets were the Washington Post and CNN - two of the President's favorite punching bags - along with Senator Dianne Feinstein. Trump Jr was all smiles as he waved goodbye to his children on Sunday after spending the weekend with them Trump Jr was then see following Guilfoyle into her New York apartment where the couple have been staying Don Jr has five children with wife Vanessa (right) who filed for divorce from him in March last year. The couple are still finalizing their settlement Feinstein had tweeted about half of America's undocumented migrants enter the country legally by plane but overstay their visas, arguing that a wall won't work. That led Don Jr to argue that half come over the border, and accused Feinstein of proving his point for him. One subject Donald Jr did not discuss online at the weekend was Russia, amid reports that he could soon by subpoenaed by Muller's investigation. Pressure mounted last week as Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, who met with Donald Jr in Trump Tower in 2016 to discuss acquiring dirt on Hillary Clinton, was indicted by Mueller's team. On Tuesday it was also revealed former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is accused of slipping Trump campaign secrets to a 'Kremlin spy'. It is not clear where Don Jr spent the weekend, but he dedicated at least some of his time to lashing out at his father's critics and advocating for the wall Manafort's lawyers accidentally revealed that in a court filing Tuesday, that Mueller's team alleged that 'Manafort lied about sharing polling data with [Konstantin Kilimnik] related to the 2016 presidential campaign.' Ex-spy Victor Boyarkin also said he 'pressured Manafort to pay back $19million in debt he owed to an Russian oligarch while he was in charge of Trump's campaign'. The Trump family, however, spent the week lobbying for the president's border wall, and blaming democrats for not giving him the $5.6billion he is asking for to fund it. The shutdown is currently the longest in America political history, having entered its third week with no end in sight. Hundreds of thousands of American workers have either been furloughed or are working without pay, as Trump refuses to back down on his campaign pledge. Shocking footage has emerged from inside Australia's notorious Don Dale youth detention centre, revealing heavily armed police aiming guns at surrendering detainees and apprehending unarmed children. November's riot saw several youths attack a justice worker with a metal table leg, stealing his keys to let other inmates out of cells and setting a school alight. The leaked footage, obtained by the ABC, shows the moment that sparked the riot on November 6, resulting in $750,000 worth of damage. Scroll down for video Shocking footage has emerged from inside Australia's notorious Don Dale youth detention centre, revealing heavily armed police aiming guns at surrendering detainees (pictured) Inmates and prison staff can be seen grouping near a doorway, when a detainee quickly leans in to snatch keys from a guard's pocket. A scuffle then breaks out and the guards retreat indoors where detainees begin to unlock cells and arm themselves with star pickets and broken table legs. Detainees using angle grinders to breach the exterior perimeter fence line in a bid to escape are tear-gassed by police and forced to retreat. The NT Police's Tactical Response Group (TRG) also rescues guards and escorts them to safety. Eight children were charged following the riot which saw the centre's school burned down. The November 6-7 riot of 2018, which caused $750,000 worth of damage, saw buildings set ablaze at Don Dale juvenile detention centre (above) Detainees using angle grinders to breach the exterior perimeter fence line in a bid to escape are tear-gassed by police and forced to retreat. Don Dale Youth Detention centre (pictured) Police said their negotiations resulted in 13 detainees surrendering while no more than a dozen others were gradually apprehended in the early hours of November 7. Police declined to say what weapons they had used to regain control of the centre but the CCTV footage shows they used laser scope assault weapons, and their BearCat armoured vehicle. Additionally, the footage appears to show many private security guards on the scene, as opposed to youth justice officers. The Government previously refused to release the CCTV from the riot via Freedom of Information applications. Bangkok's air has become a 'serious threat' to health as the levels of pollution caused by a smog cloud over the city soared and was in some parts eight times higher than safe level. Shocking footage shows a thick blanket of killer smog engulfing the Thai capital this morning, turning the sky a gloomy grey and dramatically reducing visibility to just 1km. Officials have warned that the pollution cloud - a deadly mix of fine dust particles and other air pollutants - has become a serious threat to health. A layer of thick grey smog blankets the Thai capital of Bangkok on January 14, 2019 Sunrise is seen during a poor air quality day over Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, where pollution levels remain 'unhealthy', having been reported as 'hazardous' in some parts this weekend It has been carpeting the city of eight million people for three days, sending the PM2.5 air-quality index (AQI) in parts of Bangkok rocketing. Air Quality monitoring websites aqicn.org and airvisual.com both pegged the capital's pollution at 'unhealthy' levels on Sunday and Monday. But the Straits Times reported that some districts such as Bang Khen were at 'hazardous' levels yesterday morning with a shocking 394 microgrammes per cubic metre - far past the acceptable limit of 50. The environment group Greenpeace said Bangkok was currently the 10th most polluted in the world, rivalling some cities in China. Officials have warned that the pollution cloud - a deadly mix of fine dust particles and other air pollutants - has become a serious threat to health Women protective mask at the bus stop in heavy air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, January 14, 2019. Unusually high levels of smog worsened by weather patterns are raising alarm across Asia Reasons for the persistent smog include combustion exhaust from Bangkok's increasingly traffic-strewn roads, the burning of fields from farmers outside the city, and pollutants from factories after an explosion in construction projects funded by China. Stagnant weather conditions mean it is unlikely to clear quickly own its own. But the government is set to deploy rainmaking planes to seed clouds by dispersing chemicals into the air to aid condensation. The weather modification technique should in theory result in rain, which would help to clear the skies. 'The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation... expects the rainmaking to be done tomorrow but it depends on wind and humidity levels,' Pralong Dumrongthai, director-general of Thailand's Pollution Control Department, told reporters. Fine particle matter in the air has been at hazardous levels in Thailand's capital, and in some areas has reached a PM2.5 air quality level of 394, a level which can cause serious health issues, according to media reports Health experts say the pollution is a 'silent killer', which at current levels is extremely harmful to anyone stepping outside. They said the cost of treating people could run into 'millions of dollars'. Witsanu Attavanich, associate professor of economics at Bangkok's Kasetsart University, said: 'Air pollution is really a silent killer and many Thais underestimate the danger to their health, so not many people protect themselves by wearing a facemask or installing air purifiers at home.' Mr Attavanich said the country would face billions of baht in additional health costs unless the severe air pollution was tackled. Public discontent has surfaced on Thai social media and television, with pollution-related hashtags trending and TV hosts advising viewers on the types of face masks they should wear. Smog lingers over the city sky line in Bangkok, Thailand after three days of particularly poor weather, 14 January 2019 Thai authorities are set to deploy rain-making planes to combat the pall of pollution that has shrouding the capital in recent weeks But the Pollution Department played down the dangers of the persistent haze, saying although the city's figure is high, 'it is not a crisis yet'. But Greenpeace's Thailand director Tara Buakamsri said immediate action should be taken by the authorities, such as reducing the number of cars and closing schools in high-risk areas. 'The pollution issues are more and more frequent in Bangkok. We need smarter air quality management.' In recent weeks, municipal workers have sprayed water along the roads and into the air in Bangkok to help clear the smog, while authorities have urged people to stay indoors. The father of a British former public schoolboy sentenced to 24 strokes of the cane and jailed for 20 years for drugs offences in Singapore has revealed his guilt over his son's upbringing. London-born Ye Ming Yuen, 29, will be stripped naked and strapped to a large wooden trestle after being convicted of seven drug charges, including trafficking. As a youngster he boarded at the 37,000-a-year Westminster School, where he was made to feel 'inferior' by the amount of 'talented people', said his father Alex, 70. The businessman, who lives in the UK, said his son had been unfairly sentenced by the courts as mitigating circumstances, including that he assisted officers in catching other criminals, was not heard in court. Ye Ming Yuen (pictured left and as a schoolboy, right) has been ordered to serve 20 years in jail after being convicted of seven drug charges, including trafficking He revealed he himself caned his son, who had been working as a DJ in Singapore, as a child and expressed regret for his 'very strict' upbringing. Mr Yuen told the Times: 'My father caned me, so when he was young I caned him. Then he went to boarding school, so I hardly saw him except at weekends. 'Therefore I think he had a void in him he didn't get recognition at home. For a sensitive person, this may be damaging. 'Going to Westminster did not help. There were a lot of talented people there... I think the pressure made him feel inferior.' The case has sparked a rift between Singapore and the UK, which traditionally have close ties. It has also prompted the intervention of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his officials, who made clear they 'strongly oppose the use of corporal punishment'. Yuen (pictured), first arrested over drugs offences in August 2016, is being held at Changi prison in Singapore As part of his sentence, he will be stripped naked and strapped to a large wooden trestle. Then his buttocks will be flogged 24 times with a 4ft-long rattan cane. His 'judicial corporal punishment' which will be inflicted by a 'trained caner' taught how to cause the most pain possible is the maximum caning sentence that can be handed out in Singapore and could leave him scarred for life. He was originally facing the death penalty but the capital charge was dropped because the net weight of drugs involved was below 500g. His family quickly branded the caning sentence as 'barbaric' and 'a form of torture', and begged authorities in the former Crown colony renowned for its no-nonsense approach to law enforcement to grant him clemency. Mr Hunt raised Yuen's case with Singapore's minister for foreign affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, while visiting the country, and since then Foreign Office officials have made representations on Yuen's behalf. Pictured is a Changi prison officer using a dummy to demonstrate how inmates are caned Human rights groups have condemned Singapore's use of the cane, saying it breaches the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Yuen first arrested over drugs offences in August 2016 is being held at Changi prison. Human rights groups say caning in Singapore constitutes torture Human rights groups say caning in Singapore is a violation of international law and breaches the United Nations Convention Against Torture. They insist that although Singapore has not ratified the convention, the prohibition on torture and cruel inhuman treatment is universal, called a 'jus cogens' norm, which means no domestic law can contradict it. In 2015, the International Commission of Jurists, a human rights group, condemned the Singapore Court of Appeal for declining to say caning was unlawful. The court also said caning did not 'breach the high threshold of severity and brutality that is required for it to be regarded as torture'. Caning in Singapore is mandatory in dozens of offences including attempted murder and rape. Only medically fit men aged 16 to 50 are caned. Offenders sentenced to death are not caned. Advertisement According to his family, the only furniture he has in his cell, where he spends 22 hours a day, is a bamboo mat. He is allowed only two visits from family per month. Details of Yuen's plight are outlined in his handwritten appeal submission, in which he asked for a reduced sentence of eight and a half years and 15 strokes of the cane. A former top club DJ in Singapore, his offences include two counts of 'repeat drug trafficking' one of 69g and one of 60g of cannabis. Another offence included drug trafficking of 15g of crystal meth. In his failed appeal bid, he said: 'Should a shorter sentence be imposed, it would allow me to remain useful in society. 'I was misled in my youth, in an environment surrounded by drugs, to fall into the dark lure of addiction, oblivious to the hold it had on me.' Before moving to Singapore in 2007, Yuen the son of a marketing consultant from China and a Singapore-born marketing executive was a pupil at Dulwich Prep School in South London and then Westminster School, whose alumni include Nick Clegg, Peter Ustinov and John Gielgud. At Westminster School he gained 11 GCSEs four A*s, six As, and one B. But while at the top public school he 'got in with the wrong crowd' and ended up in trouble with the Metropolitan Police. In 2007, it emerged that Yuen was wanted by Scotland Yard over an alleged forged driving licences scam. A newspaper tracked him down to Singapore, where he reportedly admitted that he manufactured fake documents and sold them to pupils. Two spoiled cats are living in their own $1,500-a-month studio apartment in San Francisco's Silicon Valley. Troy Good, 43, rented the place for his daughter Victoria Amith's beloved cats Tina and Louise after she went to college and couldn't take the pets with her. After he also moved house and his partner's dog didn't get along with them, getting the felines their own space seemed like a sensible idea, reports the Mercury News. Landlord David Callisch, who works in marketing and checks in on the cats daily to feed them, said his unusual renters are well behaved but do 'stink the place up.' Troy Good, 43, rented the $1,500-a-month apartment in San Jose for his daughter Victoria Amith's beloved cats Tina and Louise (pictured) after she started at Azusa Pacific University Maine Coon and Bombay mix cats Tina (left) and Louise (right) have free range of their studio apartment but get daily visits from landlord David Callisch In the San Jose area of California rent prices for a similar place are on average around $1,951 meaning Mr Good's monthly bill for keeping the cats is quite a steal. The average price for a one-bedroom flat is $2,364 and an apartment with two bedrooms costs around $2,877, according to RentCafe. However the studio apartment Mr Good rents doesn't have a kitchen, so it would probably be rented for less than the usual asking price for a similar space anyway. Victoria, 18, started at Azusa Pacific University, outside Los Angeles, last fall and visits her cats' pad whenever she comes back home. The cats, which the family have had since they were tiny kittens, are named after characters in the sitcom Bob's Burgers. Her father said he'd happily pay more to keep the beloved Maine Coon and Bombay mix cats that weigh about 20 pounds each, in good health and in a nice home. Victoria, 18, pictured, moved away for college last fall and visits her adorable cats' apartment whenever she comes back home Although costing him $1,500-a-month Mr Good said he'd pay more to keep his daughter's beloved cats happy and safe The apartment has lots of levels for the cats to climb and sit on. Pictured is Louise in the space Jennifer Loving, CEO of Destination Home, an organization trying to help end homelessness, told the Mercury News that the situation was 'peak Silicon Valley.' She said: 'We have thousands of people on our streets, and we're paying to make sure that our cats have a place to live.' More than 4,000 people are homeless in San Jose and some people are having to pay more than $800-a-month to live in tiny homes which resemble sheds, reports SFgate. San Francisco also has a growing number of 'super commuters' with more than 100,000 Bay Area residents spending at least 90 minutes getting to work each day. Theresa May has warned Tory rebels they risk a Jeremy Corbyn government and the break-up of the UK if they reject her Brexit deal in tonight's crunch vote. Allies of the Prime Minister acknowledged her plans could be rejected by a majority approaching 200 votes eclipsing record government defeats of modern times. They believe Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will then try to exploit Tory divisions by forcing a formal vote of no confidence in the Government tonight, which could usher in a general election. Allies of Mrs May last night indicated she would tell MPs that she will continue to pursue her deal even if it is heavily defeated. She acknowledged that the plan was not perfect, but added: 'When the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask: Did we deliver on the country's vote to leave the European Union?' On the eve of the vote: One of the Tory whips, Gareth Johnson, resigned saying he could not support the deal; EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk sent letters assuring the government that the Irish border backstop is only intended to be temporary - but insisted that the Withdrawal Agreement will not be reopened; Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said Mrs May's deal was 'the only politically practicable and available means' of leaving the EU; Former Tory ministers Nick Boles, Nicky Morgan and Sir Oliver Letwin vowed to press ahead with plans to allow Parliament to seize control of Brexit; Boris Johnson warned that politicians will 'reap the whirlwind' if they try to defy the result of the referendum with procedural 'jiggery-pokery'. One Cabinet source told MailOnline the crunch vote would be the political equivalent of the FA Cup Final, adding: 'But there is going to be a replay.' The PM made her stark warnings in a last-ditch bid to drum up some desperately needed support from her backbenchers in the last 24 hours before the historic vote. She said the thorny issue of Brexit has divided the Tories for the many years she has been in politics - hinting that her deal could finally put the issue to rest. And she warned the SNP will seize on any Brexit disarray to demand another referendum on Scottish independence. Mrs May told MPs: 'We have to deliver Brexit it is the instruction the British people gave us.' The deal suffered its first official parliamentary defeat last night in the Lords, as peers registered their symbolic opposition to it by 321 votes to 152. Mrs May's eleventh-hour plea came shortly after Treasury minister Mel Stride was pictured leaving Downing Street clutching a sheet of paper bearing the words 'No food. No Channel tunnel'. ERG chairman Jacob Rees-Mogg said he expected 'a cascade' of MPs voting against the deal. The North Somerset Conservative said: 'I think there will be a cascade of people going into the lobbies against this bad deal because it denies us the opportunities that will make Brexit a success. 'Instead we're tied into a protectionist racket that keeps prices high and makes our economy less efficient, that means the rest of the world is overtaking us and the whole of Europe because it becomes less competitive as it seeks an outmoded, anti-competitive system thinking it can simply protect itself. 'We risk denying ourselves these extraordinary opportunities and in doing so taking ourselves away from the electorate who we promised to deliver on Brexit for.' How the Commons will vote: Theresa May's deal is expected to lose heavily on Tuesday night, which could lead to a no-confidence motion and potentially a general election Mr Corbyn is set to table a no-confidence vote in the Government as early as tonight if the deal is defeated. Asked by his MPs when he would bring the challenge which could lead to a general election Labour's leader said it was 'coming soon'. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell reiterated his party's desire for a general election but added MPs may want a 'public vote' on a new deal backed by Parliament if this does not take place. He said: 'Tomorrow this deal will go down, so it's time now to put the mistakes of the past two years behind us, clear away the debris of this deal and the debris of this Government's failed negotiations. 'It's clear to me, to break the deadlock and deliver a clear mandate for that new approach, I believe we need a general election. It's a time to let the people have their say.' Speaking after Mrs May met with Tory MPs, Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi said Mrs May also warned of the economic dangers of a no deal Brexit. He said: 'She wanted to focus minds that we must deliver Brexit and to keep Jeremy Corbyn as far away from Number 10 as possible, and to do that we have to hang together. 'And she pointed out that no deal would be a threat to the union with the SNP pushing for a second referendum.' Mr Zahawi said the PM was 'relaxed' as she addressed her backbenchers in Portcullis House last night. He said: 'She was very relaxed and cracked a few jokes. It was one of her best performances. 'The room was focused and listening and absorbing and very reflective about what the realpolitik was.' The Prime Minister hailed the 'assurances' from Brussels saying they showed the UK would not be trapped in the Irish border backstop The PM also warned Tory MPs that business is desperate for them to get a Brexit deal and have warned of the risk to jobs and investment if they crash out of the EU. And in a rare move, Mrs May spoke personally about how the bitter EU debate has divided the Conservative Party for many years. Mr Zahawi said: 'She talked about her career in Parliament and how divisive the European issue has been for the country and of course the Conservative Party.' But Brexiteers who were in the meeting were less than impressed and many left early. EU leaders issue letter saying the Irish backstop will only be temporary but refuse to change the Brexit deal EU leaders today promised the Irish backstop plan will be temporary as they unveiled their last-ditch plan to help get Theresa May's Brexit deal over the line tomorrow. But Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker refused to change the text of the Brexit deal. They also offered to extend Article 50 to delay Brexit in order to give both sides more time to negotiate. In advice published today Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said the EU pledge has some legal force and he thinks it is unlikely the backstop will come into force. But it was immediately panned by Brexiteers and the DUP who said it is not legally binding, while Remainers dismissed it as a 'fig leaf'. The letter, penned by the Presidents of the EU Council and Commission, was part of a last-ditch scramble to try to peel off Tory rebels ahead of tonight's crunch vote. Number Ten fear the PM could suffer the biggest Commons defeat ever when her Brexit plan is voted on by MPs tonight. As part of an orchestrated bid to drum up desperately-needed support, No10 published the letter to reassure rebels the hated backstop will not be permanent. Advertisement Tory MP and Brexiteer Mark Francois left early and said he thinks her deal will still be rejected by Tory MPs in the crunch vote in 24 hours time. A Tory minister was earlier accused of stunting up a picture showing his notes apparently predicting the dire consequences of a no-deal Brexit. Treasury minister Mel Stride was pictured leaving Downing Street clutching a sheet of paper bearing the words 'No food. No Channel tunnel'. It led critics to claim Mr Stride had deliberately exposed his notes as part of a scare campaign to get MPs to vote for Theresa May's Brexit deal, while his allies insisted they were points of discussion - not warnings in themselves. Earlier Mrs May warned MPs that 'history' will judge them if they kill off her Brexit deal - as she insisted she has won new concessions from the EU. In a desperate last-ditch plea in the Commons, the Prime Minister said in future people would look back and ask whether politicians had 'delivered' on the verdict of the referendum. Mrs May hailed the latest 'assurances' from Brussels, saying they showed the UK would not be trapped in the Irish border backstop - although she also conceded she had not secured everything she hoped for. The impassioned appeal came after a frantically grueling day in which Mrs May gave a Brexit speech in Stoke-on-Trent, before returning to London to face MPs for hours in the Commons. Later she is due to address Tory backbenchers and peers in what promises to be another pressure-cooked session. But as tensions reached boiling point with just 24 hours to go before a vote that could define the country's future, Mrs May suffer another resignation from her government - as a whip quit to oppose her deal. Gareth Johnson said he was putting his 'loyalty to the country above loyalty to the government'. There are fears that the resignation could open the floodgates - with several other ministers and whips thought to be on the brink. Addressing MPs last night, Mrs May again urged them to recognise that a no-deal Brexit represented the 'real threat' to the unity of the UK, as it would fuel calls for Scottish independence. And she cautioned Eurosceptics that killing off her package and trying to force through departure without any agreement could mean the country never leaves the bloc. 'When the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask, did we deliver on the country's vote to leave the European Union? 'Did we safeguard our economy, our security and our Union? Or did we let the British people down? 'I say we should deliver for the British people and get on with building a brighter future for our country by backing this deal tomorrow.' Mrs May left Downing Street to head to Parliament earlier tonight knowing she is just over 24 hours from learning the fate of her Brexit deal After taking the short drive to Parliament with her Chief of Staff Gavin Barwell (left) Mrs May faced almost two hours of hostile questions about her deal Gareth Johnson (left) announced his resignation, saying in a letter to the PM (right) that he could not 'in good conscience' stay in government Sources close to Mr Stride said the note was simply a list of topics which had come up in the national conversation which he wanted to raise at a meeting, rather than any kind of prediction In his letter to Mrs May this afternoon, Mr Johnson said he believed the package thrashed out with Brussels would be 'detrimental to the national interest' and set Northern Ireland 'apart from the rest of the UK'. 'I have therefore decided the time has come to place my loyalty to my country above my loyalty to the government,' he wrote. Government sources tried to play down the resignation - the 13th for Mrs May over Brexit - pointing out that Mr Johnson represents the heavily Leave-supporting Dartford constituency. Earlier, Mrs May had appealed for Tory Eurosceptics to look at the mounting revolt by Remainers, and realise that Parliament is ready to block the country from crashing out. In a speech in Leave-voting Stoke-on-Trent this morning, Mrs May said it was clear some politicians would use 'every device' to stop Brexit happening. Underlining the dangers of the crisis wracking Westminster, she urged MPs to consider the 'consequences' of their actions for people's faith in democracy. Mrs May also pointed to the letter from the EU chiefs, which insists the Irish border backstop - the most controversial part of the Brexit deal - will only be 'temporary'. 'We have secured valuable new clarifications and assurances,' Mrs May said, while admitting that the commitment 'did not go as far' as some MPs wanted. Despite her scramble, Mrs May looks to be on track for a catastrophic defeat - with frantic manoeuvring under way over what happens next. A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal, saying leaving on World Trade Organisation terms would not be a disaster. In her speech, Mrs May said she now believes if her deal is defeated, MPs blocking Brexit is more likely than leaving without a deal. She said failure to pass her package could mean crashing out - but there was a 'bigger risk' of not leaving the EU at all. Mrs May rejected the idea that alternatives to her Withdrawal Agreement were available. 'Nobody has yet come up with an alternative Brexit deal that is negotiable and that delivers on the result of the referendum,' she said. 'The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night. How would the Remainer 'coup' on Brexit work? What do the plotters want to do? Tory MP Nick Boles has been championing the latest effort to block a no-deal Brexit. No10 believed that former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve are also deeply involved. According to the plan, if Theresa May cannot offer a successful Brexit within three weeks of defeat, senior MPs should take over. Mr Boles says this would be the Liaison Committee - 32 MPs who chair all other committees. How could they do it? The plan will only work if Remain MPs can re-write the rules of how the Commons works. Normally only Government can bring forward new laws - the plotters want to change this. Normally this is impossible - but John Bercow's willingness to bend the rules last week has given them hope. What would it mean? Hard to say - but Downing Street has warned it is likely to mean a softer Brexit. This is likely to mean a Norway-style deal, staying in the EU single market - meaning free movement. Will it happen? Nobody knows. May's deal is very likely to be defeated tonight and there will be a raft of new ideas and plans that might get traction, of which this is just one. Advertisement In a message to Remainer rebels, she said: 'You can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal. 'If no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else.' Mrs May brushed aside suggestions that the EU might extend the two-year withdrawal process under Article 50 to the summer to allow more time for the UK to settle its position. 'We are leaving on March 29,' she said. 'I have been clear I don't believe we should be extending Article 50 and I don't believe we should be having a second referendum.' Mrs May said the letters from the EU carried 'legal force' and 'make absolutely clear that the backstop is not a threat or a trap'. She added: 'I fully understand that the new legal and political assurances which are contained in the letters from Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker do not go as far as some MPs would like. 'But I'm convinced that MPs now have the clearest assurances that this is the best deal possible and is worthy of their support.' The PM again ruled out a permanent customs union with the EU - floated by some MPs as a potential compromise that could command a Parliamentary majority. 'I have always been clear that we will not be in the customs union, because being in the customs union has with it other aspects which are not what people voted for,' she said. Mrs May also offered an olive branch to Labour MPs who might consider backing her deal with an appeal over workers' rights and environmental standards. She said: 'I could not have been clearer that far from wanting to see a reduction in our standards in these areas, the UK will instead continue to be a world leader. 'We have committed to addressing these concerns and will work with MPs from across the house on how best to implement them, looking at legislation where necessary to deliver the best possible results for workers across the UK.' Mrs May added that while no-deal remained a serious risk, 'having observed events at Westminster over the last seven days it is now my judgment that the likely outcome is a paralysis in Parliament that risks there being no Brexit'. Theresa May (pictured on delivering her speech in Stoke-on-Trent today) urged Tory Eurosceptics to look at the mounting revolt by Remainers, and realise that Parliament is ready to block the country from crashing out A dozen Tory former ministers including Boris Johnson (pictured giving an interview in London today) have urged wavering colleagues to stand firm against the deal The letter from EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and council president Donald Tusk insists the Irish border backstop will only be 'temporary' It emerged over the weekend that Remainers from across parties are plotting an extraordinary bid to seize control from the government if it tries to push ahead with a no-deal Brexit. Conservative MP Nick Boles today confirmed plans to tear up Commons rules so MPs could propose legislation - something the government currently has power over. Ministers fear Speaker John Bercow would help the rebellion. Last week he flouted procedural convention to select an amendment from Tory former minister Dominic Grieve which attempts to speed up the process for the Government to reveal what it will do next if the PM's Brexit deal is rejected. Labour splits deepen as MPs say they will back May's deal Another Labour MP declared he would vote for Theresa May's Brexit deal today in defiance of orders from Jeremy Corbyn. Sir Kevin Barron said the deal was the only way to deliver on the referendum and avoid a no deal Brexit on March 27. The Rother Valley MP represents one of the strongest Leave-supporting parts of the country and he is among a number of Labour MPs causing a deep split in the party. Labour's policy is to push for a general election if the Prime Minister loses the meaningful vote on Tuesday and Mr Corbyn has ordered his side to vote No. There will not be enough Labour votes to save Mrs May in the Commons tonight. Meanwhile, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said there should just be a simple vote on the deal, with amendments voted on later to avoid muddying the result. Advertisement But the fledgling revolt was at risk of collapsing after it was dismissed by pro-EU MPs. Senior Tory Sarah Wollaston, previously one of the most outspoken anti-Brexit rebels, said it would fly in the face of the constitution. She pointed out that the Liaison Committee - on which she serves had no role in drafting legislation. 'Under our constitution, Parliament can either change the government's mind or change the government,' she said. 'It can propose legislation for government to take forward & it can amend or block it but back bench MPs cannot take over conducting a complex international negotiation.' Asked during an LBC radio interview today what would happen, Mr Johnson said: 'I think the deal goes down. 'I think, possibly, some colleagues are being scared by this idea that there might be no Brexit as a result of voting it down. 'I think that's nonsense. Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and that's the bottom line.' Mr Johnson said that defying the result of the referendum would be 'playing with fire'. 'If we think that by coming up with all sorts of complicated amendments and you know delaying tactics, we're gonna fool the British public, we're going to manage to frustrate Brexit, I think we will reap the whirlwind,' he said. 'People will feel betrayed and I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by you know the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the country, to overturn the vote of the people.' A dozen leading Brexiteers including eight former members of Mrs May's Cabinet have written to all Conservative MPs urging them to vote against the Prime Minister's deal. Who is Gareth Johnson, the latest Tory to quit the government Gareth Johnson was elected to the Commons as MP for Dartford in 2010. His majority in the strongly Leave-supporting seat was 13,000 last year. That was up from 10,000 when he first won the constituency. Since entering Parliament he has kept a fairly low profile, having served on the Science, Justice and Human Rights committees. He was appointed an assistant whip, one of the most junior ranks, in November last year. Sources said he had been 'desperate' to get into government, but pointed out that his voters were overwhelmingly Brexit-backing. He served just two months before resigning. Advertisement In a joint letter sent to every Tory MP, former ministers including Boris Johnson, David Davis and Dominic Raab call upon Mrs May to stage one final attempt to persuade the EU to drop the Irish backstop which threatens to halt Britain's exit from the custom union indefinitely. But if the EU fails to comply on agreeing such a deal, the Britain must 'have the confidence' to leave on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms on March 29. The letter is also signed by other former Cabinet members including Iain Duncan Smith, Esther McVey and Priti Patel. They write: 'It is right to vote down this bad deal and that in doing so we will unlock a better future for our party, our country and its people.' They add: 'A managed WTO Brexit may give rise to some short-term inconvenience and disruption, but the much greater risks arise from being locked into a very bad deal.' Mr Johnson repeated the message in his column in the Daily Telegraph today, where he writes: 'This deal is still the worst of both worlds, by which we somehow leave the EU but end up being run by the EU. It is still a complete stinker.' Warning his fellow MPs about trying to force a second referendum, he adds: 'If they now engage in ludicrous parliamentary jiggery pokery, endlessly tabling amendments designed to frustrate Brexit, they will risk a very serious backlash indeed. 'The answer is not to leave it to Parliament; the answer is for the executive to do its job, as some of us have been advising for months: to accept that the deal is dead, and to move on.' How will MPs make their decision on May's Brexit deal and what will they vote on? MPs will finally give their verdict on the Brexit deal tomorrow night - but how do they vote and what will they vote on? What will MPs vote on? MPs will be asked to approve or reject Theresa May's Brexit deal. The deal is contained in two documents, the Withdrawal Agreement, which is a treaty, and the Future Framework, which is a political statement agreed between the UK and EU. But before the main vote, MPs will be asked to say yes or no to a raft of amendments. These are re-writes of the main Brexit deal motion that have been tabled by backbench MPs and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. How many amendments will be voted on? Commons Speaker John Bercow has selected four amendments from more than a dozen on the order paper. What do the main amendments say? Amendment A: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's amendment rejects the deal and says no deal is also unacceptable. It says the deal should include a permanent UK-EU customs union, alongside protections for workers' rights and the environment. Amendment K: SNP leader Ian Blackford's amendment rejects the deal and calls for Article 50 to be extended to avoid a no deal Brexit and notes that the UK could choose to cancel Brexit altogether. Amendment B: Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh's amendment would approve the deal but warn the EU making the backstop permanent would breach the Vienna Convention and obliges the UK to scrap the divorce treaty in 2022 if the backstop is still in force. Amendment F: Tory MP John Baron's amendment approves the deal but only subject to the EU agreeing to give the UK a unilateral way of ending the Irish border backstop. When will the vote happen? Votes will begin at 7pm tonight, after the Prime Minister makes the final speech of the five day debate. Each 'division' of the Commons takes around 15 minutes as MPs have to physically walk through the aye and no lobbies to cast their vote. This means the main vote will happen at around 8pm and the final score will be known around 8.15pm. Which order will the votes happen? The first vote will be on Mr Corbyn's amendment, followed by Mr Blackford, Sir Edward's and then Mr Baron's. The final vote will be on the main motion - with whatever amendments have been agreed attached to it. Can voting end early? If any of the amendments are accepted, those following it automatically fail. There will be then be a final vote on the motion as amended - but this could be nodded through by MPs. Advertisement Two men have died and more than 40 have been arrested after authorities in Chechnya launched a fresh crackdown on gay people, activists say. Police began rounding up homosexuals in December and have been sending them to a 'concentration camp' where they have been tortured, LGBT organisations allege. Two men have died as a result of torture at a camp inside a former military facility in the town of Argun, the Russian LGBT Network said. Two people have been tortured to death and another 40 sent to a concentration camp for gay people amid a crackdown in Chechnya (stock image) The camp being used in the newest crackdown is believed to be the same one used in 2017, when three people were allegedly killed (pictured, the suspected camp in the city of Argun) It is the same camp where more than 100 people said they were detained in another apparent crackdown on the homosexual community in 2017. Igor Kochetkov, programme director at the Russian LGBT Network, said the new wave of persecution started at the end of the year when Chechen authorities detained the administrator of a social media group popular with LGBT people. Mass detentions began after authorities got hold of the contacts on his phone. Kochetkov said: 'Widespread detentions, torture and killings of gay people have resumed in Chechnya. 'Persecution of men and women suspected of being gay never stopped. It's only that its scale has been changing.' Despite several victims coming forward to speak about their time in detention, Chechen authorities have always denied the accusations. Federal authorities conducted a probe into the earlier reports but said they found nothing to support the charges. Chechen authorities, led by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, have always denied persecuting gay people and called the latest claims 'complete lies' Alvi Karimov, a spokesman for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, said the latest reports are 'complete lies and don't have an ounce of truth in them.' Karimov insisted that no one has been detained in Chechnya for being gay. The Russian LGBT Network has been monitoring the situation in Chechnya and helping victims of detention and torture. LGBT activists in 2017 helped to evacuate around 150 gay men from Chechnya to help them restart their lives elsewhere in Russia. Many of them have sought asylum and resettled abroad. Russian authorities have strenuously denied that killings and torture took place in the predominantly Muslim region where homosexuality is taboo, even after one man came forward to talk about the time he spent in detention in Chechnya. Maxim Lapunov said he was detained by unidentified people on a street in the Chechen capital, Grozny, in 2017 and kept in custody for two weeks. While there, he was repeatedly beaten. He was let go after he signed a statement acknowledging that he was gay and was told he would be killed if he talked about his time in detention. Lapunov, who is not an ethnic Chechen and is from Siberia, was the first to file a complaint with Russian authorities over the wave of arrests of gay people. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe last month called on Russia to investigate the reports and cited Lapunov's case specifically. Kadyrov and his government in Chechnya have been accused of widespread human rights abuses against many dissidents, not just gay men. The fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man at Church of Scientology headquarters in Sydney has been blamed by the organisation on an American TV network that allegedly 'stirred up hate for the church'. The Taiwanese man died after being stabbed in the neck on January 3 at the church's Chatswood complex. Police later arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy with murder, common assault (DV), common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. Scroll down for video The fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man at Church of Scientology headquarters in Sydney has been blamed by the organisation on an American TV network that allegedly 'stirred up hate for the church' (pictured right and left blamed co-hosts Leah Remini and Mike Rinder) A strongly-worded letter (pictured first page) has now been sent from Church of Scientology International to A&E Networks Group pinning blame on the company's show 'Scientology: The Aftermath' for the young man's death The church in the letter (pictured) claims the alleged attacker in north Sydney was 'inspired by an anti-Scientology website that featured your people and included a link to Remini's show' A strongly-worded letter has now been sent from Church of Scientology International to A&E Networks Group pinning blame on the company's show 'Scientology: The Aftermath' for the young man's death. The church also attached blame to the shows co-hosts - Australian Mike Rinder and Hollywood actress Leah Remini. The church in the letter claims the alleged attacker in north Sydney was 'inspired by an anti-Scientology website that featured your people and included a link to Remini's show'. The letter dated January 11 comes after it was reported by The Daily Telegraph the boy wanted to save his Scientologist mother from a purification process that purported to cleanse the body of toxins. The program would have also meant the boy's mother would have distanced herself from her family, according to Channel 7. Written by Karin Pouw, an American official for the church, the letter obtained by Channel 7 accused the show's co-hosts of creating hatred against the religion. 'Week after week, month after month, and now year after year this series has poisoned the airwaves in an avowed effort to create hatred against the Scientology religion,' it reads. The letter dated January 11 comes after it was reported the boy wanted to save his Scientologist mother from a purification process that purported to cleanse the body of toxins (pictured police at scene of stabbing in Chatswood on January 3) 'Hatred and propaganda always find their mark, and now it has born strange and bitter fruit.' Speaking to Channel 7 in order to respond to the church's allegations, Mr Rinder said the letter was a blame-shifting tactic from the religion. He said: 'They basically seek to shift the blame to our show for their abuses. The statement that this is all caused by A&E and our show because someone apparently looked at a website that mentioned our show - that's absurd.' 'Hatred and propaganda always find their mark, and now it has born strange and bitter fruit,' the letter reads (pictured Church of Scientology headquarters in Chatswood) In season 3 of the show, Ms Remini and Mr Rinder have highlighted alleged abuses in the church. But the letter signed off by Ms Pouw accused the program of inciting 'six hundred threats of violence, caused by your programming, (that meant nothing to you'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted A&E Networks, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder and the Church of Scientology for comment. Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein has claimed Robert Mueller's report will say Donald Trump 'helped destabilize the United States'. Bernstein told CNN on Sunday that Trump's actions had led White House insiders to believe he has become a 'half-witting pawn' working on behalf of Vladimir Putin. It comes as the Washington Post reported on Saturday that Trump had taken extraordinary measures to conceal the contents of his meetings with Putin. 'This is about the most serious counterintelligence people we have in the U.S. government saying, 'Oh, my God, the president's words and actions lead us to conclude that somehow he has become a witting, unwitting, or half-witting pawn, certainly in some regards, to Vladimir Putin,'' Bernstein said. Carl Bernstein (pictured), famous for his reporting on the Watergate scandal, made the claims in an interview with CNN Sunday Bernstein said he had found out from government sources what Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election will say 'From a point of view of strength rather, he has done what appears to be Putin's goals. 'He has helped Putin destabilize the United States and interfere in the election, no matter whether it was purposeful or not,' the journalist added. Bernstein also explained that he knew from his own high-level sources that Mueller's report would discuss this assessment. Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, also told CNN on Sunday that whether Trump was a witting or unwitting agent of is the defining question of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. You had Trump say only nice things about Putin. He never spoke ill about Russia, Warner told CNN. Republican campaign doctrines softened on Russia and decreased their willingness to defend Ukraine. Mueller's bombshell report will reportedly say that Trump 'helped destabilize the United States' Trump hit back at claims he has worked as a Russian agent over the weekend by saying it was the 'most insulting thing he has ever been asked' U.S. intelligence agencies have said Moscow tried to tip the election to Trump. Russia has denied interfering, and Trump has said repeatedly there was no collusion between his campaign and Moscow. But another bombshell story in the Washington Post last weekend reported that Trump confiscated his translator's notes about at least one of his meetings with Putin, and ordered the linguist not to discuss the conversations with other top U.S. officials. 'I'm not keeping anything under wraps - I couldn't care less, it's so ridiculous,' Trump fired back in a phone interview with Fox New's Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night. 'Anybody could have listened to that meeting, it is open for grabs. The whole Russia thing it's a hoax, it's a total hoax, everybody knows it.' Trump has met Putin in person five times since assuming office, and the Post claims that there is no detailed record of those meetings, even in classified files. Separate reports in the Washington Post this weekend claimed Trump concealed details of meetings with Putin at the Helsinki summit (pictured) Meanwhile, the New York Times claimed over the weekend that the FBI began a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was acting as a Russian agent after the President fired FBI Director James Comey. Comey at the time was leading an investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. During an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday, Trump blasted the notion that he worked as a secret agent for Russia. One day after the New York Times made the claim, Pirro posed the question to Trump in an interview on Saturday night, asking: 'Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia, Mr. President?' 'I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked,' Trump replied. 'I think it's the most insulting article I've ever had written.' 'It was a great insult, and the New York Times is a disaster as a paper,' Trump said. An Indonesian scientist is believed to have been eaten alive by a crocodile, after it attacked her while she was feeding it at the lab where she worked. Deasy Tuwo, 44, is thought to have been dragged into the enclosure by the 17ft-long crocodile when she was throwing meat into the pool during feeding time on Friday morning. The crocodile, called Merry, was found with Ms Tuwo's remains still in its jaws at the research facility in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Tragedy: Deasy Tuwo, 44, is believed to have been throwing meat into the enclosure at the research facility in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, when the crocodile attacked The crocodile, called Merry (pictured), was found with Ms Tuwo's remains still in its jaws at the research facility in North Sulawesi, Indonesia Officials believe Merry the crocodile stood on its hind legs and jumped up the 8ft wall to drag her into the pool. Horrified staff at the facility, named CV Yosiki Laboratory, made the grim discovery later that morning, when they noticed a 'strange shape' in the water. They then saw the crocodile laying on the ground with Ms Tuwo's savaged body in its jaws. The reptile, who is fed fresh chicken, tuna and meat every day, has been known to attack other crocodiles in the past, but no fears had been raised it may attack humans. Rescue workers battled to retrieve Ms Tuwo's body from the crocodile, which thrashed violently every time they tried to fish the corpse from the water. Predator: Merry, a 17ft long crocodile is thought to have stood on its hind legs and jumped up and grabbed her Feeding time: Ms Tuwo would have been standing on the other side of this 8ft wall to feed the crocodile fresh meat Merry the crocodile was found with Ms Tuwo's remains still in its jaws on Friday morning Merry was captured today in the city of Tomohon and was pictured strapped to a flat-bed truck to be taken for medical tests to confirm that he had eaten the body parts. Friends describe Ms Tuwo, the lead scientist at the laboratory, as a 'quiet person' who loved animals. Ms Tuwo's colleague Erling Rumengan described the horrific moment they discovered her body. He said: 'We were curious when we looked at the crocodile pool, there was a floating object, it was Deasy's body. 'We were afraid to touch it and we immediately report the incident at the Tombariri police station. 'It's possible the crocodile jumped from the side. Maybe it's because the crocodile was still full, it didn't finish eating her body.' Caught: Rescue workers are pictured on Monday, having captured Merry the crocodile to send him off to have his stomach inspected Investigation: Officials inspect the scene where the tragic incident occurred last week Merry the crocodile will be evacuated to a wildlife rescue center in Bitung district where tests will be carried out on its stomach. Police said they were trying to trace the owner of the crocodile after the incident. He is believed to be a Japanese businessman who opened the research facility. They said he was not at the centre at the time of the incident. Raswin Sirait, Tomohon Police Chief, said: 'We are still looking for the owner of the crocodile, besides that we have coordinated with the authorities in the area. 'I believe the owner must acknowledge this horrible incident. But we have neither seen him nor know where he is. 'We also need to know if he is legally permitted to own crocodiles and other expensive aquatics in his company. If there is no permit, he will be detained.' This is the reckless moment a Vlogger films himself setting his car on fire on a beach in Ireland. Footage, which was posted earlier today, shows the Irish-based Romanian named Strugurel Lingurar ignite a yellow rope attached to his car before stepping back and filming the entire event. As the fire quickly spreads along the rope, which has been doused in flammable liquid, the 29-year-old daredevil watches on as large clouds of black smoke begin to emerge from his 2007 Mercedes. Vlogger Strugurel Lingurar, 29, sets fire to his 2007 Mercedes on a beach in Ireland and live streams the entire event to his followers on Facebook During the shocking clip he douses a yellow rope attached to his car in flammable liquid During the reckless stunt he lights the rope and watches the fire quickly spread to his Mercedes During the 33 minute clip, the social media star, who often posts live videos Facebook, uses a lighter to set fire to his vehicle. He then begins talking to the viewers as his Mercedes goes up in flames behind him on the windy beach. Lingurar had told his Facebook viewers that he would complete the reckless stunt if he was able to get 40,000 shares on Facebook, Dublin Live reported. He has since deleted the video from his social media pages. He talks to his viewers as the car goes up in flames behind him and large clouds of black smoke begin to emerge After live streaming the entire event, the social media 'star' deleted the video from his social media pages This is not the first time Lingurar has carried out reckless live streams for his followers. In previous videos posted online to his 60,000 followers, the 29-year-old can be seen driving through Dublin and with bottles of gin and then proceeding to vomit on himself. In another live stream he shows himself pushing his accelerator to over 200km while driving down the M1. China's first 'cyber-dissident', whose website reported on sensitive topics including human rights, is expected to go on trial today amid fears he is in bad health. Huang Qi, 55, was arrested in 2016 for 'leaking state secrets' and has since been held at the Mianyang Detention Centre in south-western Sichuan province - his home region - without a trial date. Huang ran a website called '64 Tianwang' - named after the bloody June 4, 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters. The site, which has reported on local corruption, human rights violations, and other topics rarely seen in ordinary Chinese media, is blocked on the mainland. Huang Qi, pictured here in 2015, spent years in jail for running one of China's few websites dedicated to reporting human rights abuses. He is expected to go on trial on Monday Calls to the Mianyang Mianyang Intermediate People's Court, which is handling the case, went unanswered. 'American diplomats attempted to attend Huang Qi's trial but were denied access to the courtroom,' a U.S. embassy spokesperson told AFP. Several activists who said they were travelling to Mianyang to attend the trial sent photos and videos to AFP showing police stopping them en route Monday morning. A volunteer at '64 Tianwang' told AFP that he was taken away 'on holiday' Saturday by Sichuan police, who cited the cyber-dissident's trial that was due to start this week. 'I am worried (for his safety),' the volunteer said on condition of anonymity. 'But Huangqi is very proud, he won't surrender.' The volunteer was told he would be released once the trial was over. Pu Wenqing has tried unsuccessfully to obtain medical bail for her son Huang Qi, who suffers from a range of ailments including high blood pressure and late-state kidney disease Mianyang police did not answer AFP's calls for a comment. Chinese police in recent years have muzzled dissent by whisking away activists and holding them in a hotel room during sensitive events, giving rise to the term 'being travelled'. Fourteen non-profit organisations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House, released a statement last November saying Huang was in danger of dying in police custody if he does not receive medical treatment for a host of severe health conditions. Huang suffers from high blood pressure and late-stage kidney disease, but his mother Pu Wenqing's attempts to get medical bail were denied in the past. Huang's work has repeatedly drawn the ire of Chinese authorities. In 2009, he was sentenced to three years in prison after campaigning for parents of children killed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which left nearly 87,000 people dead or missing and authorities facing huge public anger over shoddy building construction. Five years later Huang and at least three citizen journalists who contribute to 64 Tianwang were detained by police after the site reported on a woman who set herself on fire in Tiananmen Square. The website was awarded a Reporters Without Borders prize in early November of 2016. A few weeks later, Huang was detained in his hometown of Chengdu, according to Amnesty International. Saudi Arabia has committed to make the killers of Jamal Khashoggi's face justice - despite already clearing the Crown Prince that many blame for his murder. Officials for the Arab Kingdom gave assurances to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that an investigation into the journalist's murder was ongoing as he visited Riyadh on Monday. Pompeo said that while talking to Bin Salman and his father, King Salman, he made it clear that the US expects 'every single person' responsible to face justice. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he expects 'every person' involved in Khashoggi's death to face justice America's top diplomat also raised the issue with King Salman (right), who is technically Saudi Arabia's ruler though bin Salman holds the reins of power 'Our expectations have been clear from early on: every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to be held accountable,' he said. He added that the Saudis understood and had reiterated pledges to pursue the case wherever it leads. However, Pompeo would not comment on U.S. intelligence suggesting the Crown Prince may have ordered the killing. Saudi currently has 11 men on trial for killing Khashoggi - who was strangled then dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul - including five of whom are facing the death penalty. But the kingdom has refused to name the accused amid reports that they include close aides of Bin Salman. Saudi has also refused to implicate Bin Salman in the killing, instead blaming it on 'rogue elements' of the state. But the US senate, which has been given access to evidence collected by FBI director Gina Haspell in Istanbul shortly after the killing, has passed a bipartisan resolution directly blaming Bin Salman for the murder. They have called on Riyadh to 'ensure accountability' for the prince, and for America to stop giving aid to the Saudi-led war in Yemen. By contrast, President Trump has made it clear that he is not willing to sacrifice America's trading relationship with Saudi over the death of Khashoggi, who was living and working in the US when he was killed. Pompeo's visit to Saudi Arabia is part of an extensive eight-day trip to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and finally Kuwait City. Pompeo (pictured with Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, center) said he also raised the plight of jailed women's rights activists Pompeo visited Saudi as part of an extensive tour of the Middle East which will also take him to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and Kuwait City Riyadh prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people and are seeking the death penalty against five of them. But they have exonerated Prince Mohammed, whose right-hand aides were allegedly involved in the murder. Pompeo also confirmed that he raised the plight of jailed women's rights activists with the Saudis, though it is not clear Rights groups have called on Pompeo to also press Prince Mohammed over the jailing of women activists in the kingdom, amid claims that some of them faced sexual harassment and torture during interrogation. 'I am struck by what is not included in Pompeo's itinerary: the brave women activists of Saudi Arabia, who are being held in the kingdom's prisons for seeking rights and dignity,' Alia al-Hathloul wrote in The New York Times Sunday. Hathloul's sister, Loujain, is among more than a dozen activists arrested last May - just before the historic lifting of Saudi Arabia's decades-long ban on women drivers. Pompeo met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Sunday during his visit to Doha, where he refused to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran. He also called on Qatar and other Gulf Arab countries to end their worst political rift for years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months. Jamal Khashoggi was living and working as a journalist in America when he was tortured and killed while visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt - all US allies - cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar - also a US ally - denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. 'As for the GCC... we are all more powerful when we're working together when we have common challenges in the region and around the world,' Pompeo said, referring to the six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. 'Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful.' He added that 'President Trump and I both believe the ongoing dispute in the region has gone on too long'. Mediation efforts by the United States, which at first appeared to back the boycott of Qatar, have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan. The steamy text messages between El Chapo's lawyer and the 'Vegan Bernie Madoff' could spell far more trouble than just an angry wife. Jeffrey Lichtman may not be able to visit his own client in jail after he discussed El Chapo in texts to former restaurateur Sarma Melngailis. 'Is it bad that I'm hiring a belly dancer to be Chapo's daily visitor,' read one text that Lichtman sent to Melngailis on March 16, 2017. In another text Lichtman said he knew a belly dancer would be 'kinda sleazy' but that he felt bad for the drug kingpin because he 'has no pretty women visiting him'. Now a former federal prosecutor believes the Brooklyn US Attorney's Office could launch an investigation into Lichtman's texts. Defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman's may not be able to visit El Chapo in jail after he discussed El Chapo in texts to former restaurateur Sarma Melngailis Sarma Melngailis allegedly had a 15-month affair with Lichtman while he was her attorney 'Given the situation...it's something I'm sure they will look into and investigate as fully as they can,' the former prosecutor told the New York Post. A veteran federal defense lawyer said it is likely the Federal Bureau of Prisons could get involved as well. 'If he's having someone go in on attorney visits, masquerading as a paralegal or a lawyer to flirt with a client, the [Bureau of Prisons] should look into this, without question,' they added. 'If he's talking about Chapo in text messages with that woman, who knows what he's saying to other people?' Both the defense lawyer and former prosecutor believe the judge could call Lichtman in for private questioning under oath before the trial resumes on Monday. It wouldn't be the first time El Chapo's team has gotten in trouble with Judge Brian Cogan. Last month Cogan forbade two members of the defense team from bringing cellphones into court for an entire year after prosecutors claimed they were using the phones to help El Chapo secretly text his wife Emma Coronel Aispuro. Melngailis, pictured in a Brooklyn court alongside Lichtman in June 2017, rose to popularity when her two Manhattan vegan eateries - Lucky Duck restaurant and Pure Food & Wine - became foodie sensations in the city The 46-year-old did just over three months behind bars in a sweetheart plea deal Lichtman's potential legal troubles come just a day after his texts to Melngailis were leaked online. In explosive messages, the New York Post revealed the alleged sordid affair between the disgraced chef and her drug lord attorney occurred between February 2017 to May 2018. Melngailis, 46, rose to popularity when her two Manhattan vegan eateries - Lucky Duck restaurant and Pure Food & Wine - became foodie sensations in the city. She was jailed for more than three months in 2017 after she confessed to stealing more than $1million from her former workers and investors. Lichtman, 53, who is married with children, got her the sweetheart deal while he was handling El Chapo's case. Just two days after she pleaded guilty to charges of grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, and a scheme to defraud, Lichtman sent his client a sex-fueled text. 'Do you want to belong to me? Will it be ok if some days I just use your body so that I can [orgasm]?' he wrote. In one text Lichtman told Melngailis that he knew a belly dancer would be 'kinda sleazy' but that he felt bad for the drug kingpin because he 'has no pretty women visiting him'. Pictured is El Chapo's wife Emma Cornoel Aispuro Now a former federal prosecutor believes the Brooklyn US Attorney's Office could launch an investigation into Lichtman's texts. He is pictured here outside Brooklyn Federal Court in 2017 On March 18, 2017, Lichtman texted Melngailis: 'You do look so pretty in that pic I would like to foul you. Is it bad that I'm thinking some disgusting thoughts about you?' 'Is it bad that Im glad youre thinking them?' Melngailis replied. Less than 10 days later, Lichtman told his client, 'We need to do this soon,' asking, 'Would you still be able to stand me as your lawyer if I foul you?' 'I think so,' Melngailis responded. 'Let's wait until after then,' Lichtman wrote. 'I'm not opposed to before,' she shot back. On May 2, just days before Melngailis' plea deal, Lichtman sent her a text alluding to a previous dalliance. 'I loved being in you,' he wrote. Melngailis replied: 'And see how you lucked out: I didn't go all praying mantis and kill and eat you after. For that would have only been self-defeating.' 'You felt perfect. Like it fit perfectly. Do you want that again,' he wrote days later. 'Yes I do,' Melngailis answered. A veteran federal defense lawyer said it is likely the Federal Bureau of Prisons could get involved as well because of Lichtman's texts Just the day before her plea deal, the texts continued as Lichtman told his client that he would want to have sex with her while she was on her nightly Ambien. 'I would be in favor of that,' Melngailis said. 'They make me kind of rag dollish.' 'Perfect,' he replied. Lichtman later told Melngailis that he was 'swooning' for her while they were in court together. 'Just wanted to touch you a little even,' he added. 'I love when you say stuff like that. As it's often hard to tell behind your surly facade. That's romantic,' she wrote back. 'I wanted you to feel my shoulder rubbing up against yoursI need to eat you,' Lichtman continued. In one May exchange, Melngailis reassured Lichtman that she hadn't told anyone about their affair. 'I expected you to keep this between us,' he responded. 'Look. You know how important you are to me.' According to the Post, Melngailis did not ask Litchman if he was married until after they had sex. 'Separated since December,' he told her in a May 19, 2017, text. The leak also revealed messages between Melngailis and disgraced comedian Louis CK following a sexual encounter in 2012. The pair exchanged testy emails about how she believed he may have given her a STD Lichtman's wife later revealed they had never separated and she had no knowledge of the affair. Lichtman has since said in a statement that his affair with Melngailis is a 'deeply personal matter' that he is 'going to try to deal with privately'. 'My life and behavior have not always been perfect - as I think we can all say - but I'm proud of my legal work in this case and on behalf of all the clients I've represented for the past 28 years,' he added. 'My personal feelings have never impacted my professional work or the results that I have achieved.' Meanwhile, Melngailis claimed that someone 'criminally accessed' her devices and 'took copies of existing and deleted materials'. 'I immediately filed a police report and sought protections, which were violated,' she added. 'I'm personally mortified that this person who very much wants to hurt me has successfully done so and worse in the form of this collateral damage to Jeffrey.' In addition to messages about their affair, Lichtman also texted Melngailis about her former defense lawyer Sheila Tendy. He claimed that Tendy was 'obsessed with sexual abuse', telling Melngailis: 'That's why I wasn't looking at her when sitting next to her on the bench. I didn't want to be accused of rape'. The leak also revealed messages between Melngailis and disgraced comedian Louis CK following a sexual encounter in 2012. The pair exchanged testy emails about how she believed he may have given her a STD. Advertisement A cargo plane 'landed at the wrong airport' amid severe weather in Iran and crashed into a residential building before exploding killing 13 people on board. The Boeing 707, which was carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan, skidded off a runway after an emergency landing in the town of Safadasht, near the Iranian capital of Tehran. The plane crashed at Fath Airport when it was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 25 miles west of Tehran, the Iranian capital. Authorities did not immediately offer a reason for the mistake, though they said the Iranian crew had declared an emergency prior to landing. The army said 13 of the plane's personnel were killed. Reports suggest the residential block the plane crashed into was empty at the time. A cargo plane 'landed at the wrong airport' amid severe weather in Iran and crashed into a residential building before exploding killing 13 people on board The Boeing 707, which was carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan, skidded off a runway after an emergency landing at Fath airport in the town of Safadasht, near the Iranian capital of Tehran Fire immediately engulfed the aircraft after it skidded off a runway and crashed into a wall separating the Fath Airport from a residential neighborhood The plane crashed at Fath Airport, which belongs to Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, when it was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 25 miles west of Tehran, the Iranian capital This was the scene as rescuers battled to put out flames that engulfed the aircraft when it crash landed in Iran on Monday The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, earlier said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived Fath Airport belongs to Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. It wasn't immediately clear who owns the plane. Fire immediately engulfed the aircraft after it skidded off a runway and crashed into a wall separating the air field from a residential neighborhood. Images showed the burned-out tail of the plane sticking out, surrounding by charred homes. The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, earlier said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived. Investigators found the plane's black box, which will provide more details about the crash, deputy Alborz governor Azizollah Shahbazi told Tasnim news agency. Pictures published by local media showed the charred carcasses of the animals on board, still smouldering inside one of the buildings the plane smashed into. 'It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway,' the army statement said. State broadcaster IRIB showed footage of burning wreckage, while several agencies showed teams of rescue workers around the charred fusilage. The plane was making a landing approach heading for the wrong airport and trying to land at a non-commercial runway near a residential area instead of a cargo terminal some 2.5 miles away, a report by Iranian state TV claimed Dramatic pictures show how the plane slammed into a building after overshooting the runway. Rescuers say the bodies of seven people have been recovered with searches continuing Iran's air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible 'martyrdom,' is under investigation Emergency crews gather near the debris of a Boeing 707 cargo plane that crashed into a residential complex near the Iranian capital Tehran Iran's air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible 'martyrdom,' is under investigation. It wasn't immediately clear who owns the plane General Shahin Taghikhani, an army spokesman, told state TV that the plane and its crew were Iranian nationals Iranian officials say the crew on the stricken flight had declared an emergency prior to landing at the wrong airport Iranian state television showed pictures of a plume of smoke rising from the crash site (shown). Some reports in Iranian media had earlier said up to 16 were on board and that all but one were killed 'Details of the accident and martrydom or injury of the flight team is still being investigated,' the army said. Iranians often use the word 'martyrdom' for those who die in war or national service, suggesting the aircraft may have belong to the air force. The air force does operate Boeing 707s. The Iranian air force does operate Boeing 707s and it also has a civilian airline, SAHA. Iran's ageing air fleet has had a string of crashes in recent years. Iran's Aseman Airlines was ordered to ground its fleet of ATR planes in February last year after one of them crashed in the Zagros mountains, killing all 66 people onboard. Iran has been subject to tough US sanctions for years, hindering the purchase of new aeroplanes and critical spare parts for the US-made planes in its air force, civilian flag carrier Iran Air and domestic airlines. Hopes of a change in the situation were dashed last May when Washington pulled out of a landmark 2015 deal over Iran's nuclear programme, reimposing sanctions that had been lifted as part of the multilateral accord. A man whose dismembered body was inside a home for up to six days has been remembered as a 'great bloke' and a 'beautiful soul'. Father-of-two Goran Stevanovic, 40, was found dead inside a Sadleir unit in Sydney's south-west on Saturday afternoon after he was reported missing last week. Khanh Xuan Pham, 38, and his partner Kate Annie Lloyd, 39, were later charged and refused bail when they appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Monday. Zoran Jovanovic took to social media on Monday to share the sad news about his long-time mate Goran to their former St Johns Park High School classmates. The badly composed body of Goran Stevanovic (pictured) was found by police on Saturday 'With great sadness, we have lost Goran Stevanovic due to unforeseeable circumstances. He will be sadly missed, as a person who was a true mate and was good to others, but not himself. RIP my brother,' Mr Jovanovic posted on Facebook. Former classmates were shocked to read the tragic news. 'Too young to be saying goodbye. Strength and love to those he left behind,' one posted. Another added: 'I'm at a loss for words. Terrible news. Love to his family.' Mr Stevanovic's Facebook page portrays him a dedicated family man who loved his children and parents. Mr Jovanovic described his late mate as a 'great bloke' and a 'beautiful soul'. Khanh Xuan Pham and his partner Kate Annie Lloyd (pictured) were arrested at Lloyd's home in Warwick Farm in Sydney's south-west on Sunday morning and were later charged He admitted his late friend struggled with addiction and was 'good to others, but not himself'. He added that Mr Stevanovic lived in Minto with his parents, who are struggling to come to terms with their son's death. 'I'm concerned for the family, I don't know how they're going to handle it,' Mr Jovanovic told The Daily Telegraph. 'Why would someone do such a horrific crime? you wouldn't wish this upon your worst enemy.' An autopsy will be carried out later this week to formally identify the body. Police allege Khan and Lloyd were known to Mr Stevanovic. Khan (pictured) was charged with murder while his partner was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. They were refused bail to reappear in court in March The couple were arrested at Lloyd's Warwick Farm unit early Sunday morning, 10 hours after Mr Stevanovic's body was allegedly found at Pham's unit in nearby Sadleir. Khan was charged with murder while Lloyd was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Chief Superintendent Adam Whyte described the alleged murder as 'brutal' at a police press cnference on Monday. Friends paid tribute to Goran Stevanovic (pictured) on Monday. 'He will be sadly missed, as a person who was a true mate and was good to others, but not himself,' one posted Police were called to a home in Sadleir, in Sydney's south-west on Saturday afternoon, where they allegedly found the dismembered body of a man inside 'This was a very difficult crime scene for the police who attended and the investigators, and it's one where we have had to utilise our welfare services', he told reporters. 'The matter was very cold in relation to the manner in which this has been perpetrated. ' Police believe Stevanovic left his home on January 8 and was reported missing two days later. The building where the man's body was found is allegedly a hub of activity and often frequented by police, according to locals 'It looks at this stage the victim may well have attended the premises and they may well have had a loose relationship,' Supt Whyte said. 'It's probably a bit too early to go into the details of how all this has happened.' The building where the man's body was found is allegedly a hub of illegal activity and often frequented by police, according to locals. Police have seized a number of items from the scene to be forensically examined. Pham and Lloyd will remain behind bars until their next court appearance on March 11. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A 10-year-old boy is among four people arrested for allegedly stealing a car and driving recklessly in the streets. The group allegedly stole a Honda CRV at around 7.30 am on Saturday in Townsville, Queensland. The group also allegedly stole fuel from several service stations in nearby suburbs such as Rosslea and Condon. The boy's accomplices include a 12-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman. A 10-year-old boy was among four people arrested for allegedly stealing a Honda CRV and driving recklessly in the streets (pictured) Queensland Police received multiple calls from the public when the Honda was seen driving erratically in the streets on Saturday, according to Townsville Bulletin. Dashcam footage also showed that the car was being driven recklessly across the city. Police will allege the 15-year-old boy was driving the car. 'My information is that other members of the public in motor vehicles had to take evasive action to avoid collision,' Inspector Sean Dugger said. 'Motor vehicles are potentially deadly weapons, not only for the drivers, [but for] their passengers, members of the public, pedestrians and again were thankful that no one was seriously injured in this matter'. The car was found in Weir State School in Kirwan and the four individuals were arrested. The group allegedly stole a Honda CRV and stole fuel from several service stations (stock image) The 10-year-old and the 12-year-old will be charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The 15-year-old boy was charged with burglary, receiving tainted property, unlicensed driving and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The 21-year-old woman was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing. She is set to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday. Donald Trump sparked outrage on Sunday night by invoking racially charged imagery against Native Americans to troll Senator Elizabeth Warren. The president went after Warren on Twitter for her livestreamed Instagram segment on New Years Eve in which she is seen drinking a beer in her kitchen and professing her love for her husband. Trump tweeted on Sunday: If Elizabeth Warren, often referred to by me as Pocahontas, did this commercial from Bighorn or Wounded Knee instead of her kitchen, with her husband dressed in full Indian garb, it would have been a smash! 'Bighorn' is presumably Little Big Horn, a river in Montana which was the site of Custer's Last Stand during the Great Sioux War of 1876. President Donald Trump sparked outrage on Sunday night by invoking racially charged imagery against Native Americans to troll Senator Elizabeth Warren The President went after Warren on Twitter for her livestreamed Instagram segment on New Years Eve in which she is seen drinking a beer in her kitchen and professing her love for her husband In another tweet, Trump added: Best line in the Elizabeth Warren beer catastrophe is, to her husband, Thank you for being here. Im glad youre here. Its their house, hes supposed to be there! While Native American tribes won that particular battle, the war resulted in the United States taking ownership of Indian land. Wounded Knee is a reference to a massacre of up to 300 Native American men, women, and children by the U.S. at an Indian reservation in South Dakota in 1890. Trump has frequently referred to the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts as Pocahontas, a term meant to denigrate her claim of having partial Native American ancestry. In another tweet, Trump added: Best line in the Elizabeth Warren beer catastrophe is, to her husband, Thank you for being here. Im glad youre here. Its their house, hes supposed to be there! Strangely enough, Trump deleted the initial tweet about the Indian garb, only to repost it moments later with a comma added. Twitter users reacted angrily to Trumps use of Native American stereotypes. Trump has frequently referred to the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts as Pocahontas, a term meant to denigrate her claim of having partial Native American ancestry. Warren is seen far left with her husband, Bruce Mann (center), and Vice President Mike Pence last week Trump needled Warren last week for claiming she is of Native American heritage Amy Siskind tweeted: Gee, who would have known we were in Day 23 of the longest government shutdown caused by YOU and hurting millions of Americans! And yet, you find time to act like a middle school student online. Walter Shaub, the former ethics official who quit the Trump administration in protest, tweeted: Your racist tweet is a disgrace, and it dishonors the high office you hold. Mike Rundle tweeted: This is racist and gross. Another Twitter user tweeted: It is exhausting and unbelievable that it is happening before our very eyes. Another Twitter user wrote: Wounded Knee was a massacre, including of women and children. It is an open wound to the Sioux. Using it as an attempt at humor in a political attack is an offense to history, let alone decency. Trump has repeatedly needled Warren, who is said to be leaning toward a run for President, over her claim that she is part-Native American. Last week on his Twitter account, he shared a parody 'Warren 2020' sign that said 'Warren 1/2020th' on his Twitter account. Walter Shaub, the former ethics official who quit the Trump administration in protest, tweeted: Your racist tweet is a disgrace, and it dishonors the high office you hold Mike Rundle tweeted: This is racist and gross. Another Twitter user wrote: Wounded Knee was a massacre, including of women and children. It is an open wound to the Sioux. Using it as an attempt at humor in a political attack is an offense to history, let alone decency Amy Siskind tweeted: Gee, who would have known we were in Day 23 of the longest government shutdown caused by YOU and hurting millions of Americans! And yet, you find time to act like a middle school student online Another Twitter user tweeted: It is exhausting and unbelievable that it is happening before our very eyes A DNA test the Democratic senator released in October found that she's between 1/64 and 1/1024 American Indian. Warren giddily released the results but conceded last month that she is 'not a person of color' in a tacit acknowledgement that prior claims about her alleged Native American heritage were overblown. She is working hard to overcome the misstep before other possible challengers make up their minds about entering the 2020 race. Already, she has competition from ex-San Antonio mayor Julian Castro and Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who have both declared their intention to run for the Democratic nomination. Warren took her first public step toward challenging Trump two weeks ago, when she launched a presidential exploratory committee after conspicuously changing her Twitter handle from one that plugs her Massachusetts roots to a user name that's more generic. She dodged questions from reporters about Trump and her DNA test as she gave her first news conference. 'I'm in this fight because I understand what's happening to working families,' she said outside her home near Boston, standing alongside her husband, Bruce Mann. Trump often refers to his the potential rival as 'Pocahontas' and mocked the progressive senator's announcement that she's exploring a run with biting remarks about her heritage and her mental health. 'She did very badly in proving that she was of Indian heritage. That didn't work out too well. I think you have more than she does, and maybe I do too and I have nothing,' the president told two Fox News hosts in an interview on Monday. But he also said in the interview that aired as part of Fox's New Year's Eve special that he hopes she runs for higher office. 'We'll see how she does,' he said. 'I wish her well. I hope she does well. I'd love to run against her.' He suggested that she's a weak candidate, however, as he said of her ability to win: 'Well, I dont know, youd have to ask her psychiatrist.' 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 Warren has had a rough start to her presidential bid all around. Her attempt to show that she is social media savvy on New Year's Eve has been mercilessly made fun of. She cracked a cold one during an Instagram live video and took a swig out of it as she spoke to fans from her kitchen alongside her husband. 'I'm here in my kitchen, uh, and um, I thought maybe we'd just take some questions and I'd see what I can do,' Warren said in the video. 'Hold on a second I'm gonna get me a beer,' she said, stepping out of frame. In Boston on Wednesday she revealed that she drinks Michelob Ultra, calling it the 'club soda of beers' as she spoke to reporters. Warren's mantra has been that she wants to make changes to the federal government that currently 'works great for the wealthy and the well-connected' but leaves millions of other Americans out in the cold. '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 in remarks at the Massachusetts statehouse. One of South Korea's largest animal rights groups has been accused of secretly exterminating hundreds of rescued dogs - despite a declared no-kill policy - to ensure a continued stream of donations. More than 230 canines rescued from South Korean dogmeat farms by Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) were ordered by the down by the head of the charity due to a shortage of space at a shelter, staff claim. CARE famously spearheads campaigns to end the practice of eating dogmeat in South Korea, cashing in some two billion won (1.4million) in donations every year to save dogs from meatfarms across the country. Put down: More than 230 dogs rescued by Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) in South Korea were destroyed due to a shortage of space at a shelter, but were then listed as 'adopted' afterwards, staff claim. Pictured are some of the dogs rescued by CARE South Korean President Moon Jae-in is one of the charity's supporters, and adopted a small black and white dog from CARE when he came to office in 2017. However, CARE staff members have accused the organisation's head, Park So-yeon, of putting down dogs despite this going against charity policy. The 230 dogs destroyed was equivalent to around a quarter of the animals the group rescued in the period, according to the Hankyoreh newspaper. Only ten per cent of the dogs were suffering from incurable illnesses and most were killed because of their large size, a CARE employee was quoted as saying. The animals were then listed as having been adopted. CARE has often appealed for donations to carry out more rescues, and needs to continue operations to justify the funding requests. CARE staff members have accused the organisation's head, Park So-yeon, of putting down dogs despite the charity having a policy not to kill rescued animals The organisation has long asserted in those appeals that it does not kill dogs even if they are not adopted. But Park said in statement that a 'small number' of exterminations had been 'inevitable' since 2015 due to a 'surge in requests for rescue missions'. She added that only severely aggressive dogs or those with incurable illnesses were destroyed, and only after extensive efforts to treat them first. CARE staff members mounted a protest in the organisation's offices at the weekend to demand Park's resignation. South Korean attitudes on canines are divided - about one million dogs are eaten every year in the country, often as a summertime delicacy. But the tradition is declining as the nation increasingly embraces the idea of dogs as pets, with eating them now something of a taboo among young South Koreans. According to a 2017 survey, 70 per cent of South Koreans do not eat dogs, but far fewer - about 40 per cent - believe the practice should be banned. It also found 65 per cent support raising and slaughtering dogs in more humane conditions. A Florida sheriff's K9 is back on the job after he suffered a bad reaction to drugs he sniffed on a passenger leaving on a cruise ship last week. On Friday, Port Canaveral in Cocoa Beach, Florida, posted a video of Jake the three-year-old golden retriever's return to work along with his handler, Deputy Scott Stewart. 'K9 Deputy Jake is back on duty at Port Canaveral, playing with his handler, Deputy Scott Stewart, and showing no ill effects from a severe reaction that the three-year-old golden retriever suffered from finding drugs on a passenger,' the seaport's Twitter account posted. In the video Deputy Stewart lets Jake out of the police vehicle and at one point shows a shaved patch on the dog's left foreleg. Jake's forelimb is shown where it was shaved to introduce an IV to keep his fluids up while he recovered from his drug injury The video of Jake's return to work shows the golden retriever and his handler, Deputy Scott Stewart, getting a bit of exercise on a grassy field 'You can see right here where they had the IV hooked into his leg to keep fluids on him,' Deputy Stewart explains. 'They had to shave his hair right there.' 'He's doing really good,' he says before the scene cuts to them playing on a grassy field. Jake began exhibiting seizure-like symptoms and lost motor control after detecting drugs on a man who was preparing to board the Holy Ship! music festival cruise in Port Canaveral on Wednesday, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. There have been dozens of drug arrests in the past two years when the electronic dance music festival cruise has left Port Canaveral, according to ClickOrlando, but the sheriff's office says this is the first time a K9 had been hurt. Leslie Bennett, 33, of Missoula, Montana, was charged with drug possession after Jake, the police dog, became ill from sniffing the ecstasy he had hidden in his boxers Leslie Bennett he will not be charged in Jake's injuries, according to authorities, because he not have any intent to hurt the police dog. Deputies found even more drugs in Leslie Bennett's luggage after a search There have been dozens of drug arrests during the boarding of the Holy Ship! cruise at Port Canaveral, but the music festival website does state a zero tolerance policy for contraband Police spokesman Tod Goodyear said Jake was given Narcan as a precaution because deputies were unsure of what was causing the reaction. A veterinarian determined that the dog had likely been exposed to ecstasy powder on Leslie Bennett, a 33-year-old from Missoula, Montana. Deputies found a bag in Bennett's boxers containing the notorious party drug, possibly crushed up, and his luggage yielded amphetamine, sildenafil citrate and lorazepam in a container for Dramamine, the seasickness medicine. He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, but ClickOrlando reports he will not be charged in Jake's injuries as he had no intention of hurting the police dog. Jake, a Brevard County Sheriff's Office K9, sniffs a cruise passenger's luggage Narcan is an injection often given to humans after an opioid overdose to help reverse the effects, but federal agents at Port Canaveral are not issued the lifesaving medicine Robert J MacLean, with the US Marshals Office, said a crew member on board the ship supplied deputies with Narcan, an injection often given to humans after an opioid overdose. MacLean said that federal agents at Port Canaveral don't carry Narcan, which has been a problem because they can also be exposed to unknown substances or drugs. For its part, Holy Ship! website does expressly warn its party-goers about what to expect in terms of security checks. 'Holy Ship! has a strict zero tolerance policy,' the port information page says. 'Every person and each piece of luggage will be inspected by dogs trained to detect explosives and contraband.' A small change can help someone save an extra $32,000 by the time they retire. QSuper, the superannuation fund for Queensland public servants, has urged its customers to considering cutting back on a daily dose of caffeine. 'When it comes to growing a bigger super balance, sometimes it is the small wins that can make the biggest difference,' it said. 'For example, simply sacrificing a cup of coffee purchased every day could give you $32,250 in retirement.' QSuper, the superannuation fund for Queensland public servants, has urged its customers to considering cutting back on a daily dose of caffeine (stock image) QSuper pointed state public servants to the Super Guru website, which calculated a 46-year-old worker would have an extra $32,250 by retirement if they sacrificed a $3.80 takeaway cappuccino each day. It calculated someone doing this would save $116 a month. An 18-year-old worker beginning their career now would save a whopping $91,500 if they skipped that coffee in a paper cup from the cafe. Even for older Australians, all is not lost with a 60-year-old worker set to save $9,820 for their twilight years if they brought in instant coffee from home. QSuper pointed to the Super Guru website, which calculated a 46-year-old worker would have an extra $32,250 by retirement if they sacrificed a $3.80 takeaway cappuccino each day Last week, the Productivity Commission calculated someone entering the job market today would have an extra $533,000 available in retirement if bad default products were scrapped. While industry superannuation funds offer the strongest returns, default industry funds nominated by industrial agreements often deliver poor returns, particularly for young and casual workers. The Opposition is lukewarm about the Productivity Commission report, with the Labor Party and union industry funds having close ties since the Keating government introduced compulsory superannuation in 1992. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has promised a response to the review into super funds, after retired High Court justice Kenneth Hayne in February delivered his findings into the banking royal commission. A passenger carrying a firearm boarded a flight from Atlanta to Japan after 'standard procedures' were not followed at the TSA checkpoint as the shutdown crisis forces agents to work for weeks without pay. The traveler departed from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International, the busiest airport in the world, and flew to Narita International Airport in Chiba on January 3. 'TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening TSA checkpoint with a firearm at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,' a TSA spokesman said in a statement. The passenger flew on a Delta Airlines flight and 'upon the customer's disclosure, the airline reported the incident to the TSA'. The oversight occured amid reports of TSA workers calling in sick due to the fact they are not being paid during the ongoing government shutdown. A passenger carrying a firearm boarded a flight from Atlanta to Japan after 'standard procedures' were not followed at the TSA checkpoint, it has been revealed. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is pictured here in a file photo The traveler departed from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International, the busiest airport in the world, and flew to Narita International Airport (pictured in file photo) in Chiba on January 3 On Sunday it was revealed that 7.7 percent of TSA employees called in sick, more than double compared to the same date last year. But the TSA claims the government shutdown - the longest in US history - had nothing to do with the security breach. 'The perception that this might have occurred as a result of the partial government shutdown would be false,' a spokesman told CNN. 'The national unscheduled absence rate of TSA staff on Thursday, January 3, 2019, was 4.8% compared to 6.3% last year, Thursday, January 4, 2018. So in fact, the national call out rate was higher a year ago than this year on that date.' The Terminal G passenger area of the Miami International Airport on January 12 is pictured after it was forced to shut down due to a shortage of security agents The TSA said that it will 'hold those responsible appropriately accountable' but did not disclose further details. News of last week's incident comes on the same day it was revealed that TSA would offer some payment for workers amid the shutdown. TSA Administrator David Pekoske revealed agents who were working on December 22, the last day of the pay period, would receive that payment along with a $500 bonus for working during the holidays. Workers had not gotten paid for that day originally because the shutdown had already begun. 'While I realize this is not what you are owed for your hard work during pay period 26 and what you deserve, I hope these actions alleviate some of the financial hardship many of you are facing,' Pekoske tweeted. Pekoske had tweeted early on Friday that the TSA was looking at multiple ways to get some compensation to their unpaid employees. According to the administrator, the funding was possible 'because of unique authorities provided TSA in law.' Federal workers during this shutdown missed their first paychecks on Friday, heightening concerns about mounting financial pressures on employees. TSA agents are among the 420,000 federal workers considered essential employees required to work without their paychecks. The TSA said its rate of unscheduled absences rose to 5.6 percent on Saturday from 3.3 percent a year ago but that security standards have not been compromised Meanwhile, Miami International Airport said it will close one of its terminals early over the next several days due to a possible shortage of security screeners, who have been calling in sick at twice the normal rate. The TSA administrator explained on Friday what the compensation for workers would look like as they roll it out over the weekend The shutdown had begun before the start of the December 22 work day, so the compensation is completing that pay period for those that worked that day The paid day and bonus comes at a time TSA employees have started calling in sick, a process that is beginning to strain airport traffic and security Pekoske did not explain as to what the 'unique authorities' were that found cash to distribute to the employees Roughly 800,000 federal workers did not receive paychecks that would have gone out on Friday. Some have resorted to selling their possessions or posting appeals on online fundraising sites to help pay their bills. Trump is considering a possible national emergency declaration that would end the shutdown and allow him to obtain his wall funding by circumventing Congress. But on Saturday, he told Fox News' Jeanine Pirro that he would rather Democrats take action, adding that he was waiting at the White House ready to cut a deal. 'I want to give them a chance to see if they can act responsibly,' Trump said, calling the situation at the nation's southern border a 'humanitarian crisis.' President Trump continues to push for a border wall as part of a budget deal with Democrats who have tried to pass legislation without funding to no avail 'They think it's politics. I think it's bad politics. This country wants to have protection at the border,' Trump said. Democrats say Trump shut the government in a 'temper tantrum' by refusing to sign bipartisan funding legislation last year that did not include money for his wall. The closure, which began on December 22, broke a decades-old record by a 1995-1996 shutdown under former President Clinton that lasted 21 days. Democrats, who call a wall an ineffective, outdated answer to a complex problem, have passed several bills in the House of Representatives to reopen the government without the $5.7billion funding for Trump's barrier, but the legislation has been ignored by the Republican-controlled Senate. Trump originally promised Mexico would pay for the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs. But Mexico has refused. The hunt is on for a hero truckie who saved a woman's life by swerving in front of her on a busy freeway as she slumped over her steering wheel. A truck driver was driving down the Calder Freeway in Victoria when he spotted a woman unconscious at the wheel of her car at around 8.40 this morning. In a quick-thinking move, the truckie crossed the line of the two-lane freeway in front of the woman in a desperate bid to bring her car to a halt. A truck driver was driving down the Calder Freeway (pictured) in Victoria when he spotted a woman unconscious at the wheel of her car at around 8.40 this morning Speaking to 3AW, a member of the public said his friend had seen the whole thing. 'I was just talking to my mate and he said look I've gotta get off the phone there's something happened,' the man said. 'And then he rung me up later and he's telling me about this hero truckie he's seen a lady slumped over the steering wheel while she was still driving up the road so he's gone around her and then pulled up and stopped her from going any further or having a head on or a bad accident.' Victoria Police confirmed the incident to Daily Mail Australia which they said took place near the Melton Highway turnoff. In a quick-thinking move, the truckie crossed the line of the two-lane freeway in front of the woman in a desperate bid to bring her car to a halt (stock image) The woman is understood to have suffered a medical incident and was rushed to Sunshine Hospital, Victoria (pictured) where she remains in a stable condition 'A truck driver saw a female driver in the lane next to him slumped over behind the wheel and crossed the lane in front of her car to help her stop,' they said. Police said the woman, who is believed to have suffered a medical incident while driving, was unconscious when the truck driver came to her aid and ambulance was called. Reports claim the woman was taken to Sunshine Hospital and is understood to be a in a stable condition. The truckie is yet to be identified but the 3AW caller hopes he can be tracked down and congratulated. 'Truckies get a bad rap every now and then but he's done a fantastic job,' the listener said. 'He's a hero. No doubt. I hope somebody does know him and somebody sees him and we can get in contact with him.' A young man facing charges relating to drug dealing at the Defqon 1 music festival where two revellers died has joked about taking drugs in multiple social media posts. Justin Neal, 24, is alleged to have supplied MDA and acid at the popular Penrith festival in September last year. Two people died of a suspected overdoes, while about a dozen more were hospitalised after the 'hardstyles' event. Justin Neal (pictured), 24, is alleged to have supplied MDA and acid at the popular Penrith festival in September last year Six people have died from suspected overdoses at music festivals across Australia in the past four months, sparking debate over pill testing Neal briefly appeared in the Penrith Local Court on Friday where the case was adjourned until February, The Daily Telegraph reported. His lawyer told the court police were waiting on statements from two festival security guards. Earlier in the week, Neal shared on Facebook that 'if my kid is still jobless at 13 I'm teaching the c*** how to push caps'. The heavily tattooed man is an avid social media user. After his arrest last year, he shared a posted on social media that read: 'heaven's just one big bender with your homies and you never get scat'. A 21-year-old Victorian woman and a 23-year-old Sydney man died from drug overdoses after attending Defcon.1 in Penrith, Western Sydney, last year Six people have died from suspected overdoses at music festivals across Australia in the past four months, sparking debate over pill testing. Neal signed an online petition calling for pill testing at festivals last month. The petition was launched by the mother of Daniel Biccianti, who died at a music festival in Victoria in 2012. 'Still very unsure why the government is all for funding safe places for people to shoot up, but won't go ahead with pill testing cause apparently it spreads a bad message that they are giving the green light for doing drugs at festivals,' Neal posted. Irish tourists who trashed a beach and threatened locals in New Zealand also allegedly caused havoc on their flight into the country. Among the carnage were reportedly demands for large seats, continuous requests for alcohol and a dirty nappy left in an overhead bin. One passenger on the Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Auckland on Friday told the New Zealand Herald the family made the journey the 'worst flight' of his life. Before the flight departed, both children gallivanted around the plane's aisles and a daughter allegedly yelled at her mother who demanded food from staff, the passenger claimed. Scroll down for video The Irish tourists who trashed and threatened locals on a New Zealand beach also allegedly caused havoc on their flight into the country When others realised the family-of-six had apparently left a soiled piece of clothing in their hand luggage, the fellow passenger reached the end of his tether. 'The parents also asked for different seats because they are overweight and didn't have enough space, even insisting the attendant ask another couple with the only free seat on the plane to switch with them,' he said. 'They would lean against us often with an armpit on my head or an entire arm blocking the movie I attempted to watch. I was already boiling at this point, so asked the attendants if we could move. 'After leaving the plane they even left one of her [their baby's] suits in the overhead that we think had actual poop left in it, because it smelt like death.' As the plane descended the passenger said the young girl ignored the seatbelt sign and attempted to stand. Days later the supposed same group were filmed leaving beer bottles and rubbish on a busy beach, before a child threatened to 'knock the brains out' of locals who confronted them in now-viral footage. Witness Krista Curnow said the group of about 12 tourists, who spoke with an Irish accent, turned violent when she asked them to clean their mess as they left the beach The incident, which unfolded at Auckland's Takapuna Beach on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, was captured on camera by Krista Curnow. She said the group of about 12 tourists, who spoke with an Irish accent, turned violent when she asked them to clean their mess as they left the beach. 'Their response was basically if we have a problem then we can pick it up and that that's what the council is for,' Ms Curnow said. 'I approached the family to ask again if they could not disrespect our country while visiting and pick up their rubbish. 'Their response was basically if we have a problem then we can pick it up and that that's what the council is for,' Ms Curnow said Footage showed a young boy, wearing a wide-brimmed Bunnings Warehouse hat, approach Ms Curnow, telling her: 'I'll knock your brains out' 'They turned violent and even grandma and the child got involved saying they wanted to punch my head in.' Footage showed a young boy, wearing a wide-brimmed Bunnings Warehouse hat, approach Ms Curnow, telling her: 'I'll knock your brains out'. 'The mouth on that young boy - absolutely disgusting! What kind of role models are the parents allowing this sort of behaviour,' Ms Curnow said. 'We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, how dare people come to NZ and disrespect our country, this is our home.' The Irish family later ordered food at a nearby Nandos store, before demanding a refund, The New Zealand Herald reported. Another local claimed they confronted the family at a Bunnings Warehouse after seeing the video online. 'We just came across him in Bunnings Hillsborough... he was wearing the same clothes,' the woman wrote on Facebook. The Irish family reportedly later ordered food at a nearby Nandos store, before demanding a refund Pictured: Rubbish left behind by a group of tourists at a popular beach in Auckland 'He's absolutely sh***ing himself after getting a bit of a talking to from my partner about respecting our country.' Footage of the incident has since gone viral and has garnered thousands of comments. 'My big fat gypsy holiday! Imagine having to sit next to them on a 12-hour flight. Horrendous! Glad you said something,' one wrote. 'What did I just watch? That little boy thought he was so tough,' another noted. One of the members of the group was seen ushering the child away as he threatened Ms Curnow The incident unfolded at Auckland's Takapuna Beach on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday A third said: 'Being Irish, this embarrasses me so much. It's people like this that made me leave Ireland. Absolute disgrace.' Ms Curnow said she and her friends cleaned up the tourists' mess, with the help of other beachgoers. 'I loved how everyone else on the beach came to support and we all picked up the rubbish together! Love NZ,' she said. Inspector Kevin McNaughton, Acting Area Commander of Waitemata East Police, told Daily Mail Australia the incident was being investigated. Ms Curnow said she and her friends cleaned up the tourists' mess with the help of other beachgoers 'Police will be speaking with those involved and will be referring them to Auckland Council with regard to their behaviour around the littering of rubbish,' he said. 'Police would like to remind the public that offenders caught illegally dumping rubbish may be issued with a fine of up to $400. 'Serious offenders may also be prosecuted under the Litter Act 1979 with a maximum penalty of $30,000. 'We pride ourselves in our clean, green image as a country and thank the members of the public who reported this behaviour on this occasion.' Megyn Kellys exit from NBC News was finalized last week after months of painstaking negotiations over what she can say about her now-former bosses and colleagues. As per the terms of her $30million severance agreement with the Peacock Network, Kelly will not be permitted to dish dirt about what took place behind the scenes at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. NBC management insisted in talks with Kelly that she sign the non-disparagement clause in exchange for her receiving the full sum of the original $69million contract she signed with the network in the summer of 2017, according to Page Six. An NBC source told Page Six that Kelly has lots to tell about her former co-workers, who reportedly held a grudge against the onetime Fox News host for the gargantuan salary she was pulling down. Megyn Kellys exit from NBC News was finalized last week after months of painstaking negotiations over what she can say about her now-former bosses and colleagues. Kelly is seen in April 2018 in New York City Once Megyns salary was made public, the knives were out, the source said. Other network talent went in demanding a raise equivalent to Megyn, and were not happy to be told no. The resentment toward Kelly from her colleagues was evident by the fact that she was never invited to serve as a substitute host for one of the TODAY show stars during the main 7am to 9am broadcast, according to Page Six. Kelly was also left out of some of the networks biggest events, including the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Andy Lack, the head of NBC News, 'set up Kelly to fail', according to a network insider She also wasnt asked to sub for Lester Holt on the NBC Nightly News or appear on the broadcast showing the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. The source also said that Kelly never had a chance since she was hired by NBC News chief Andy Lack to do a job for which was ill-suited. In many ways, Megyn was set up by Andy Lack to fail, the source said. A warm and fuzzy show was never right for her. Kellys relationship with the network continued to go downhill after she made on-air comments critical of her bosses. Last September, she called for an outside law firm to investigate the network over Ronan Farrows reporting of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault allegations. Farrow has long claimed that NBC blocked him from airing his reporting, which he eventually took to the New Yorker magazine. Farrow won the Pulitzer Prize for his work on Weinstein. In October, Kelly upset NBC brass when she said she doubted Matt Lauer, the former TODAY host, could make a comeback because I know too much [about Lauer] that others dont know. These comments apparently motivated NBC executives to do what they could to persuade Kelly to keep quiet. Look at what she was able to say when she was in the building, imagine what she might want to say when let loose, an NBC insider told Page Six. Kelly was reportedly the subject of jealousy within the network because of her salary. The animus toward her was such that she was never invited to substitute for one of the TODAY hosts. From left: Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Kelly, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer last January While Kelly walked away with $69million, NBC is apparently a happier place now that shes gone. A network insider told Page Six: Seems like post-breakup euphoria at 30 Rock. Theres a great team in place, ratings jumped double digits and the audience is responding enthusiastically. Everyone is happy to have turned a page in the new year. When Kelly first arrived at the network in the summer of 2017, she hosted a one-hour newsmagazine called Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. But poor ratings and public backlash to a controversial interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones doomed the show. Kelly then tried her hand at an Oprah-style talk show with a studio audience. This show would be the third hour of the TODAY show. But that experiment also failed due to low viewership. Kelly reportedly irked her bosses in September when she called for an independent law firm to investigate the network for its handling of Ronan Farrow's (left) reporting on the Harvey Weinstein (right) allegations Kelly was finally yanked off the air after her remarks condoning the use of blackface by Caucasians on Halloween. Kelly made a tearful apology to viewers following her blackface comments, but it proved to be her last appearance on NBC News. NBC says she'll be replaced in the third hour of TODAY by anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer and Sheinelle Jones. Kelly has indicated that she plans to return to television in time for the 2020 election. Kelly was all smiles Thursday night while out for dinner with her husband, Doug Brunt, in New York City. When asked by photographers whether she would make a comeback on TV this year, she replied: 'You'll definitely see me back on there.' NBC would not comment Friday on whether the separation agreement allows her to write about her experiences at the network. There's no non-compete clause, meaning Kelly is free to seek other television work if she wants to. Imports of American goods in China rose just 0.7 percent over 2017, reflecting Beijing's retaliatory tariffs Imports of American goods in China rose just 0.7 percent over 2017, reflecting Beijing's retaliatory tariffs China's 2018 trade surplus with the United States surged to a record $323.3 billion, but exports contracted in December as the delayed impact of President Trump's tariff hikes started to hurt demand. Exports to the US in 2018 rose 11.3 percent to $478.4 billion despite Trump's punitive duties in a fight over Chinese technology ambitions, customs data showed Monday. Imports of American goods rose just 0.7 percent over 2017, reflecting Beijing's retaliatory tariffs and encouragement to importers to buy more from non-US suppliers. In December, Chinese exports to the United States that had held up through much of the year fell 3.5 percent from a year earlier to $40.3 billion. While President Trump's tariff hikes have started to hurt demand for Chinese products, the trade surplus last year continued to widen in China's favor Xi Jinping, shown, had agreed on December 1 with Trum to postpone more tariff hikes by 90 days while they negotiated, but penalties of billions of dollars were already in place Sales to the US market had kept growing by double digits in previous months as Chinese exporters rushed to fill orders, but forecasters said American orders would slump once the full impact of Trump's penalties hit. The slowdown adds to pressure on Beijing to resolve the battle with Trump at a time when the ruling Communist Party also is trying to reverse an economic slowdown. 'The external environment is still complicated and severe,' a customs agency spokesman, Li Kuiwen, said at a news conference. Li cited dangers including 'protectionism and unilateralism' - a reference to Trump's import controls - a possible slowdown in global economic growth and a decline in cross-border investment. US and Chinese officials ended a three-day negotiating session last week with no sign of agreements or word on what their next step would be. 'The record US trade deficit with China will sit uncomfortably with the Trump administration,' Nick Marro of the Economist Intelligence Unit said in a report. 'That may cast a shadow over the next round of trade talks.' A cargo ship at a port in Qingdao in east China's Shandong province. China's trade growth slowed in 2018 as a tariff battle with Washington heated up Workers moor a container ship at a port in Qingdao in east China's Shandong province Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed on December 1 to postpone additional tariff hikes by 90 days while they negotiated. But penalties of up to 25 percent already imposed on billions of dollars of each other's goods remain in place, raising the cost for American and Chinese buyers of soybeans, medical equipment and other goods. Trump is pressing Beijing to roll back plans for state-led creation of Chinese champions in robotics and other tech fields. Washington, Europe and other trading partners complain such policies violate its market-opening obligations. Chinese officials have suggested initiatives such as 'Made in China 2025' might be opened to foreign companies, but they refuse to abandon strategies they see as a path to prosperity and more global influence. President Trump sits across from Chinese President Xi Jinping during a working dinner after the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 1 Chinese leaders are trying to reduce reliance on trade and nurture self-sustaining economic growth based on domestic consumer spending. But their plans call for keeping exports stable to avoid politically dangerous job losses. Some companies have shifted production of goods bound for the United States out of China to avoid Trump's tariffs. Others are lining up non-Chinese suppliers of industrial components. December's trade contraction is 'like to continue into 2019 due to falling foreign demand, including demand for Chinese-made electronic products,' Iris Pang of ING said in a report. Pang noted Chinese imports of more advanced technology for use in manufacturing smartphones and other higher-technology products declined 14.9 percent in December, nearly double the size of the contraction in overall trade. That likely is due in part to 'foreign companies avoiding using China-made electronic components,' said Pang in a report. A worker checks on a soybean food at a processing factory in Xiaotun Township of Dafang County in Bijie, southwest China's Guizhou Province A worker pulls a roll of fabric at a dyeing factory in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province In December, China's global exports shrank 4.5 percent to $221.2 billion while imports declined 7.2 percent to $164.2 billion. For the full year, global exports rose 7.1 percent to $2.5 trillion, down from the 7.9 percent rate for 2017. Imports rose 12.9 percent to $2.1 trillion, down from the previous year's 15.9 percent. The country's global trade surplus was $352 billion, a marked drop from 2017's $509.7 billion. That reflects relatively stronger Chinese economic growth and consumer demand compared with its trading partners. Given Trump's frustration with China's huge trade gap with the United States, the latest data might fuel demands by hardliners in Washington to punish Beijing. Still, Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics says he expects Washington to extend its 90-day deadline following the 'positive vibes' of last week's talks. 'We do not see the US fully removing the specter of tariff hikes any time soon,' he said in a report. But a deal for 'a more lasting suspension of new tariffs' looks more likely. President Donald Trump is said to have undermined acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney during a meeting on January 4 with congressional leadership, saying, 'You just f**ked it all up, Mick!' Mulvaney is pictured attending a meeting of Trump's Cabinet at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 2 President Donald Trump humiliated his new White House Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, in front of Congressional leaders during talks to end the government shutdown, it was reported on Sunday. The incident took place toward the end of a meeting inside the White House Situation Room on January 4, between Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Axios reported. Trump was quoted as saying, 'You just f***ed it all up, Mick,' after the Chief of Staff interjected during negotiations with the lawmakers over the president's demand for $5.7 billion to build a border wall. A White House official did not deny the vulgar quote, but said, 'This is an exaggerated account of the exchange that doesn't reflect the good relationship Mulvaney has built over the last two years with the president.' The official added, 'The president and Mulvaney joked about it afterwards.' Trump has yet to reach an agreement with congressional leaders over funding his border wall, fueling a partial government shutdown that will enter its 24th day on Monday and saw many federal workers missing paychecks on Friday. The longest previous shutdown lasted for 21 days under President Bill Clinton at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996. The outburst is said to have occurred during a meeting between President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the White Houst Situation Room, after Trump got irritated with Mulvaney's negotiating style. Mulvaney is pictured (left) attending a meeting of Trump's Cabinet at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 3. Trump is pictured (right) hosting a 'roundtable discussion on border security and safe communities' in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on January 11 During the January 4 meeting, Trump is said to have reiterated his demand for funding, even after Vice President Mike Pence asked Democrats for less than half of that amount - proposing $2.5 billion be earmarked for a border wall. Sources told Axios that Mulvaney then interjected, proposing a compromise sum somewhere between what Trump wanted and what Democrats were offering, which was $1.3 billion. Paraphrasing comments made by Mulvaney, the source said, 'If Dems werent OK with $5.7 [billion] and the President wasnt OK with $1.3 [billion]... [Mulvaney] was trying to say we should find a middle ground.' At that point, the President abruptly cut off his aide, saying, You just f***ed it all up, Mick, according to a source. It was kind of weird, the source said of the comment. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (left), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (right), joined by furloughed federal workers, are pictured on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Wednesday, January 9 Axios reported that it confirmed the Presidents comments from another source who was in the room, who said Trump seemed to be annoyed at Mulvaney's style of negotiating. 'As a negotiator, Trump was resetting,' that source said. 'Mick was not reading the room or the president.' Another source noted to Axios that Mulvaney initially asked for $1.6 billion in a 2019 budget proposal that Trump signed off on, though the president was said to have privately questioned, 'Who asked for $1.6 billion?' After John Kelly resigned from the position, Mulvaney was named the acting Chief of Staff at the end of 2018. Mulvaney still holds the title of director of the Office of Management and Budget. While he remains acting Chief of Staff, OMB Deputy Director Russ Vought will carry out the day-to-day tasks of that office, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in December. Pupils would not apply for university until after they received their A-level results in a major shake-up proposed by academic leaders today. The move would eliminate unconditional offers and end the 'chaos' of the current clearing process, according to the University and College Union. Under its proposals, teenagers would apply to university after finding out their exam results and would not start the first year of their higher education course until November. The union argues that the reforms would make the system fairer and bring Britain into line with the rest of the world. The move would eliminate unconditional offers and end the 'chaos' of the current clearing process, according to the University and College Union. File image used It says no other countries use predicted grades to award university places, and seven in ten staff involved in university admissions support the move to post-qualification application. Ucas figures show that last year more than a third of British 18-year-olds applying to university received a form of unconditional offer before completing their school qualifications. The report also looks at how to improve advice for pupils when it comes to deciding what to study, and calls on the Government to commission an independent review of university admissions. Matt Waddup, the UCU's head of policy, said: 'There is growing support for a shift to a system where pupils apply to university after they have received their results. This report sets out how that could work in practice. 'Such a move would not only be fairer for pupils, it would bring the UK into line with the rest of the world and eliminate the use of controversial unconditional offers and the chaotic clearing process. 'The current admissions process based on predicted grades is failing pupils and needs an urgent overhaul. 'The time has come for the Government to grasp the nettle on this issue and commission an independent review of higher education admissions to take forward the agenda.' Trump took to Twitter to take a swipe at billionaire nemesis Jeff Bezos after the National Enquirer, run by one-time Trump ally, David Pecker published its bombshell report of Bezos' split with his wife. 'So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post,' the president sarcastically tweeted purposefully misspelling Bezos' name. 'Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands!' he insincerely added about the outlet owned by Bezos. The president took time out of his rants about Turkey, Elizabeth Warren and border security to mock the Amazon founder and CEO about the divorce and journalism. Trump has been particularly critical of The Washington Post in its coverage of his administration, and Jeff Bezos has often been the target on Twitter about what he considers to be unfair coverage. He also appears to be praising the publication, not by name, that implicated him in election law violations paying off women who claimrf to have had affairs with him. President Trump tweeted 'so sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo' on Sunday regarding the National Enquirer story that may have prompted Jeff Bezos' divorce Trump tweeted his sardonic condolences to the Amazon billionaire regarding his divorce likely sparked by the National Enquirer run by a man who allegedly helped him once hide an affair Patrick Whitesell, his wife Lauren Sanchez and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos attend Jeff Bezos and Matt Damon's 'Manchester By The Sea' Holiday Party on December 3, 2016 The National Enquirer claims it expended a great deal of effort to track Bezos meeting with Lauren Sanchez, 49, the former anchor of Fox 11's Good Day LA, for illicit trysts, catching them on vacation in his $65 million private jet and discovering selfies he sent to her 'too explicit to print'. Enquirer boss David Pecker, shown, was part of a plan with Trump and his lawyer Michael Cohen to 'bury' negative stories about Trump, The Enquirer says its photographer caught the lovebirds 'doing the dirty on their spouses together no fewer than six times in 14 days' in an investigation it calls the 'largest investigation' in the magazine's history. Enquirer boss Pecker was part of a plan with Trump and his lawyer Michael Cohen to 'bury' negative stories about Trump, and Pecker ended up cooperating with investigators. Cohen and Pecker have each admitted to the scheme to have American Media, Inc. pay $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal who was shopping a story about an affair with Trump before the 2016 election. While Trump explicitly called out his former lawyer Cohen as a 'rat,' he' has largely been quiet about Pecker until praising his publication without naming his old collaborator. Trump was identified as having been present when a plan was developed that led to Cohen pleading guilty to a felony and getting three years in jail. It also led to Pecker's cooperation agreement by AMI with prosecutors not to be prosecuted 'for any crimes' related to campaign finance law resulting from the meeting. Trump is the only person who was at the meeting who claims the hush money was not used in a way to impact the 2016 election. One of the bylines on the Bezos story is Dylan Howard, the editor prosecutors say was involved in the effort to silence women who claimed having affairs with Trump. He too was granted witness immunity in exchange for testifying in the case. Trump has also faced allegations from porn star Stormy Daniels claiming she had an affair with him in 2006 and was paid $130,000 as part of a nondisclosure agreement days before the election as well. The National Enquirer has photos of Bezos and Sanchez in this edition. Bezos announced his divorce in anticipation of the photos' release Trump with Karen McDougal (left) and Trump with Stormy Daniels (right). Both women have been part of alleged schemes to pay them hush money to stay silent about their trysts Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos did not have a prenuptial agreement and she will therefore be entitled to half of his fortune making her the richest woman in the world Last month when it was clear that Pecker had made some kind of deal with prosecutors along with Michael Cohen, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders claimed when asked by reporters if President Trump was worried about Pecker flipping: 'Not at all.' This is also the first time Trump directly addressed his rival's divorce scandal since a brief response to reporters three days ago after the upcoming story came to light. 'Well, I wish him luck. I wish him luck,' Trump said about the divorce. 'It's going to be a beauty.' Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie did not have a prenuptial agreement in place which will leave her with half of the $140 billion fortune knocking Bezos down to fifth richest person in the world. Trump would understand something of what Bezos is going through, of course. His marriages with Ivana Trump and Marla Maples famously both fell apart. Hecheating on Ivana with Marla before his first divorce. Gable Tostee has questioned whether a woman would have faced the same charges as him if their male Tinder date had drunkenly fallen from a high-rise balcony. New Zealander Warriena Wright, 26, plunged to her death from Tostee's 14th storey Surfer's Paradise apartment on August 8, 2014. He was later committed to stand trial, during which a court heard he forced Ms Wright out on to the balcony and locked the door before she fell to her death. Tostee was acquitted of Ms Wright's murder, manslaughter and any wrongdoing after harrowing three-hour audio footage was heard in court in 2016. Gable Tostee (pictured with Warriena Wright) has questioned whether a woman would have faced the same charges as him if their male Tinder date had drunkenly fallen from a high-rise balcony After being acquitted of all charges, Tostee, who now goes by Eric Thomas has asked followers whether 'double standards' would have been applied Now, he has questioned whether a woman would have had been forced to face the similar charges had the gender roles been reversed. 'If a man went to a woman's apartment, got himself blind drunk, became aggressive without any provocation and started violently attacking her, verbally abusing her, throwing her things at her, refused to leave and then attacked her with a piece of metal and then climbed off her 14th floor balcony after she managed to lock him outside in desperation, would she be charged with murder?' he wrote on Facebook on Monday. 'Would she be dragged through trial, vilified, shamed and defamed even if fully acquitted? I don't think so. 'If it's not ok (sic) to do it to a woman, it's not ok (sic) to do it to anyone.' He then hashtagged the phrases 'double standards', 'hypocrisy', 'inequality' and 'misandry' in an apparent bid to get supporters on side. Gable Tostee, also known as Eric Thomas, has lashed out at 'alpha fembots' who he claims are fixated on 'victim blaming' after labeling him a misogynist Despite being acquitted of manslaughter, earlier this week it was revealed that Tostee could still face an inquest over the death Mr Tostee may still be investigated in relation to the death of Warriena Wright Coroner James McDougall told the Courier Mail he was still investigating the circumstances surrounding Ms Wright's death. Coroner McDougall has refused to rule out the possibility of a coronial inquest into Ms Wright's death. He told the Courier Mail he would need to provide fresh and compelling evidence to authorise the inquest, which could technically bring forward fresh charges for Mr Tostee. The Justice Department has confirmed the investigations are ongoing. Warriena Wright (pictured), 26, plunged to her death from Mr Tostee's 14th storey apartment on August 8, 2014 after meeting up with the self-confessed playboy through Tinder Mr Tostee, 31, was acquitted of the murder and manslaughter in 2016 but public interest in the case remains high, sparking a true crime podcast by 60minutes His Facebook tirade is far from the first time Tostee has lashed out, recently targeting 'screeching fembots' who he claims are obsessed with 'victim-blaming'. The comments came after 60 Minutes released a trailer for a true crime podcast they've created following Mr Tostee's case. '60 Minutes Australia, how much more do you want to milk this?' he commented on the post. 'Are you that devoid of genuine news that you feel the need to repost this 4+ year old story for the second time in a month.' When a woman accused him of being misogynistic, he let loose, saying 'victim blaming' was 'hardcoded into the fembot brain'. 'They shout it out voluntarily whenever they detect the slightest suggestion that a female might be responsible for her own actions,' his response said. 'This signals a challenge to all the other fembots, who then start shouting it louder and louder themselves. Whoever screeches the words loudest becomes the alpha fembot. 'Then, they go back to reading their true crime paperbacks and crying themselves to sleep.' 60minutes reportedly paid Mr Tostee up to six-figures for the exclusive tell-all interview, but he has now hit back at the organisation for 'milking' the story Britain's top female police chiefs have been accused of leaving women 'unprotected' after calling for officers to get back to basics like burglary and not pursue misogyny as a crime. Sara Thornton, the chair of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) first sparked a row last November when she said forces lacked the manpower to pursue every issue raised by campaigners and instead of chasing reports of wolf whistling, officers should 'refocus on core policing'. Miss Thornton, the former chief constable of Thames Valley, questioned the decision of the Home Office to investigate whether misogyny should be made a hate crime saying: 'I want us to solve more burglaries and bear down on violence before we make more records of incidents that are not crimes.' Miss Thornton, the former chief constable of Thames Valley, questioned the decision of the Home Office to investigate whether misogyny should be made a hate crime Her comments won the wide support of colleagues including Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick who said 'traditional values' of policing were more important and she was concerned 'the mission was getting wider'. But now the two most senior policewomen in the country have been urged to re-consider as new research shows that there were 67,000 incidents of hate crime based on gender last year, 57,000 of which were targeted at women, which is more than almost any other category of hate crime. A breakdown of the Crime Survey of England and Wales figures shows there were more hate crimes against women than the 41,000 incidents recorded as motivated by age and 16,000 race hate crimes. The Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality, has penned a letter to the senior officers urging them to support making misogyny a separate hate crime saying 'women are left unprotected'. Commissioner Cressida Dick who said 'traditional values' of policing were more important and she was concerned 'the mission was getting wider' The letter, also backed by MPs, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Nottinghamshire crime tsar Paddy Tipping, says: 'At present, if someone is abused because they are disabled, from an ethnic minority group, because they are LGBT or because of their faith, that is recognised as a hate crime. 'As a result, the police record it as a hate incident and the courts can recognise the wider harm it causes. 'However because misogyny- acts targeted at women, because they are women- is not included within the law, women are left unprotected.' The letter goes on to say the 57,000 hate crimes in which women were targeted is just the 'tip of the iceberg': 'Women are targeted with harassment on the street and online, on an everyday basis. Police Commissioner Cressida Dick inspects police cadets at the Metropolitan Police Service Passing Out Parade at Hendon, in London 'Accepting this as a normal creates an environment in which one in five women have experienced sexual assault and each week two women are murdered by a partner or ex-partner.' In response, Miss Thornton said yesterday: 'The core policing that the public tell us they care about most is seriously stretched. We do not have the resources to do everything that is desirable and deserving. 'There are well reasoned arguments for recording misogyny as a hate incident, even when no crime has been committed, but it cannot be prioritised when policing is so stretched. 'Protecting women and girls from violence, harassment and sexual or domestic abuse continue to be priorities for the police.' Nottinghamshire was the first force to start recording wolf whistles and sexist comments as misogynistic incidents. Miss Thornton said yesterday: 'The core policing that the public tell us they care about most is seriously stretched. We do not have the resources to do everything that is desirable and deserving' But after a two-year pilot scheme derided by its own officers as a 'ticky box' exercise, the exercise led to just one conviction. The Government's review of hate crime is being carried out by the Law Commission. In November Miss Thornton told a conference: 'I'm not saying misogyny is not an issue. What I'm saying is, is recording it as a crime necessarily the best way to reduce that? What I'm questioning is whether making it into a criminal offence and thinking of it solely in terms of a criminal justice solution is that the best way to deal with what is essentially an issue about the way we all behave and treat each other?' She added: 'We are asked to provide more and more bespoke services that are all desirable - but the simple fact is there are too many desirable and deserving issues. For example, treating misogyny as a hate crime is a concern for some well-organised campaigning organisations.' She spoke out days after a damning Commons home affairs committee report warned that 'policing is at risk of becoming irrelevant to most people' because stretched forces can no longer investigate many crimes. In the three years to March 2018, crime reported to the police soared 32 per cent to 5.5million incidents In the three years to March 2018, crime reported to the police soared 32 per cent to 5.5million incidents. But the number of charges or summons plunged 26 per cent - meaning 153,000 fewer suspects were taken to court. Violent crime has almost doubled from 778,000 offences to 1.4million since 2015 - the highest figure since records began in April 2002. Police chiefs point to a 19 per cent real-terms decrease in funding and a fall of more than 20,000 in officer numbers since 2010. But Sam Smethers, who leads the Fawcett Society, said: 'We recognise the pressure the police are under and will support their efforts to secure more resources. But at a time of rising hatred in our society, much of it targeted at women, we have to take this seriously and act.' A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'We are not currently considering extending our definition of hate crime to capture forms of prejudice and hostility that are not already included within existing hate crime legislation. 'We are confident that our Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and practice adequately address these issues.' Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson suggested in a meeting with top brass, that UK forces should pelt Spanish war ships with paintballs in a bid to humiliate them. He made the suggestion off the back of a huge upsurge in Spanish vessels entering British waters off the Rock. The illegal incursions by Spanish vessels stands at two a day now, from 541 in 2017, it shot up to a total of 816 in 2018. A source told The Sun that the 42-year-old's suggestion left Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter 'rolling his eyes' in front of Williamson. A source said that the 42-year-old's suggestion left Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter 'rolling his eyes' The senior military source told The Sun: 'Gavin Williamson comes up with some pretty off the wall things, but firing paintballs at the Spanish Navy beats the lot of them. 'It was an excruciating moment when everyone in the room realised he was deadly serious. Private Pike strikes again.' Williamson has been dubbed Private Pike after the ditsy character from Dad's Army, frequently referred to by Captain Mainwaring as 'stupid boy'. The illegal incursions by Spanish vessels stands at two a day now, from 541 in 2017, it shot up to a total of 816 in 2018 The Ministry of Defence insisted Mr Williamson was joking when he suggested the paintballing tactic. An MoD spokesman told The Sun: 'While the Defence Secretary was speaking in jest about paintballing Spanish ships, he is in favour of the Royal Navy taking a strong stand against Spanish incursions into sovereign British waters'. He has raised eyebrows before with his 'strong stance'. The senior military source told The Sun: 'Gavin Williamson comes up with some pretty off the wall things, but firing paintballs at the Spanish Navy beats the lot of them' He wanted to send a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer to the Spanish territory of Ceuta on the Moroccan coast to deal with the growing Spanish threat. The news comes as Williamson recently warned enemies not to mess with Britain. The stark warning came as he unveiled the countrys new fighter jet fleet. Speaking at RAF Marham in Norfolk, home to the RAFs Tornado and F-35 jets, he said: 'Britains cutting edge air power makes the nations commitment to a role on the world stage clear to both our allies and our enemies.' A man has died and a woman is fighting for her life following a domestic stabbing in a Sydney home this morning. Two thirteen-year-old girls were at home at the time of the incident, but a police report said they were unharmed. Emergency services were called to a home in North Richmond at about 10.45 am after reports of a stabbing. A man has died and a woman is fighting for her life following a domestic stabbing in a Sydney home this morning. Two thirteen-year-old girls were at home at the time of the incident, but a police report said they were unharmed A man in his 40s died at the scene and a woman, believed to be in her 60s, was treated by paramedics from NSW Ambulance at the Enfield Avenue property. She was later taken to Westmead hospital where she remains in a critical condition. A second woman, said to be in her 40s, also sustained minor injuries but was not taken to hospital. A man in his 40s died at the scene and a woman, believed to be in her 60s, was treated by paramedics from NSW Ambulance at the Enfield Avenue property. She was later taken to Westmead hospital (pictured) where she remains in a critical condition Officers from Hawkesbury Police Area Command attended the incident and a crime scene has been established. A report is being prepared for the Coroner and investigations are continuing. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A wife who took her husband to a Swiss Dignitas clinic to end his life early has said she believes he would still be alive today if UK law was different on assisted dying. Sara Fenton, 56, took her husband Keith to die in a 'peaceful and dignified' way after being diagnosed with Huntington's disease, reports the Mirror. Mr Fenton died in 2017 - but he only went as early as he did because his illness is neurodegenerative and he needed to have the mental capacity to say he wanted to end his life. Now she's campaigning to get UK law changed so other families don't have to make the traumatic and secretive journey to Switzerland themselves. Mrs Fenton, who lives in Hungerford, Berkshire, told the Mirror: 'He was so worried; what if he woke up tomorrow and didn't have the mental capacity? Sara Fenton, 56, took her husband Keith to die in a 'peaceful and dignified' way after being diagnosed with Huntington's disease, but he only went as early as he did because his illness is neurodegenerative and he needed to have the mental capacity to say he wanted to end his life 'Keith would have lived quite happily for another few years just knowing he'd got the option in this country. That's the saddest part. 'We probably would have had last Christmas together and probably this Christmas as well. It's just sad that people can't have that chance in this day and age.' The military veteran had watched his father, sister, and a brother become trapped in their failing bodies from Huntington's and was determined to not suffer the same end. He was diagnosed aged 50, and began talking about going to Dignitas in January 2017 as the disease took hold, causing him to fall over and choke on his food. Mrs Fenton initially dismissed the idea - until the desperate military veteran tried to overdose. Now she's campaigning to get UK law changed so other families don't have to make the traumatic and secretive journey to Switzerland themselves. Pictured: a Dignitas clinic Then the family set about organising his trip to Zurich in total secret to ensure the trip would not be blocked, and they would not be prosecuted. Mr and Mrs Fenton, along with their children Charlotte, 23, and Edward, 26, told doctors they were going on a two-week trip. Costing a total of 13,000, the secrecy of the trip meant he could not tell friends or say goodbye - and even struggled to tell his brother, a police officer, as assisting someone in this way can land you a 14-year prison sentence. Since his death, Mrs Fenton has become an area co-ordinator for Dignity in Dying's West Berkshire group and is trying to promote law change. She added: 'As soon as the law changes, I will raise a glass to Keith and say, "You did it".' In 2017, 47 Brits travelled to Dignitas - but the high costs of getting to Zurich as well as paying for treatment at the clinic itself prevents many from going. Mrs Fenton hopes Britain will join Switzerland, Canada and some US states in making assisted dying legal - despite Parliament voting against it in 2015. An Italian left-wing guerrilla murderer who spent four decades on the run has landed in Rome today after being expelled from Bolivia, authorities said. Cesare Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. Battisti, now 64, was arrested on Saturday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia's largest city, where he was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices. He recently fled from his home in Brazil, where he had been living since 2004, after authorities signed his extradition order. The Italian government said today they have 'expressed gratitude' to Brazil's recently inaugurated far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who had promised during his election campaign to 'immediately' return Battisti to Rome. Return of a killer: Cesare Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of a left-wing guerrilla Battisti, now 64, was arrested Saturday in Bolivia, and landed in Rome on Monday morning having been extradited yesterday An Italian military aircraft carrying Battisti landed at Rome's Ciampino airport shortly after 11.30am local time, as snipers kept watch. Italy's Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede were on hand to turn him over to prison authorities. 'We've got him. And now he'll have to rot in jail. He's a communist terrorist. A killer. A coward,' Salvini said. Battisti, who was not wearing handcuffs, smiled grimly as he was escorted off the plane by a dozen policemen. He was expected to be taken to Rome's Rebibbia jail, where according to media reports he will begin life behind bars with six months solitary confinement. Battisti is set to serve a life sentence for four murders committed in Italy's 'years of lead' of political violence in the 1970s and 1980s, media reported Italy's Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede address the media after Battisti's arrival The bus carrying former Italian communist militant Cesare Battisti is seen before he boards an aircraft, after being arrested, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Italy had repeatedly sought the extradition of the militant, who lived in Brazil for years under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, himself now in prison for corruption. Battisti, 64, was seized late on Saturday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in an operation carried out by a joint team of Italian and Bolivian officers, Italian state police said. The fugitive could be seen walking casually about Santa Cruz in sunglasses and a blue T-shirt, in surveillance footage taken hours before his capture. He gave up without a struggle, according to Italian government sources. Battisti was sentenced to life imprisonment for having killed two Italian policemen, taking part in the murder of a butcher and helping plan the slaying of a jeweller who died in a shootout that left his teenage son in a wheelchair. 'It's over, now the victims can rest in peace,' said Alberto Torregiani, the son of the slain jeweller. 'It should have happened years ago.' Battisti is pictured on plnae chartered by Italian government shortly before he took off from Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia In video footage released by the Italian Police, Battisti walks in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia This photo released by police showing 20 different Cesare Battisti photo-snaps Battisti has admitted to being part of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a radical group which staged a string of robberies and attacks, but has always denied responsibility for any deaths, painting himself as a political refugee. However Rome is determined to punish one of the last figures from Italy's so-called Years of Lead, a decade of violent turmoil which began in the late 1960s and saw dozens of deadly attacks by hardline leftwing and rightwing groups. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a Facebook post that he had expressed gratitude to Brazil's recently inaugurated President Jair Bolsonaro in a telephone call. During his presidential campaign the far-right Bolsonaro - who took office on January 1 - vowed that if elected he would 'immediately' send Battisti back to Italy. Battisti had filed for asylum without receiving any response from authorities, Bolivia's ombudsman said in an article published in the local El Deber de Santa Cruz newspaper. During his presidential campaign the far-right Bolsonaro - who took office on January 1 - vowed that if elected he would 'immediately' send Battisti back to Italy Italian police released an image showing Battisti's mug shot under the seal of the Bolivian police He had been hoping to find favour with Bolivia's left-wing President Evo Morales after saying in his asylum request he had been forced to quit Brazil due to 'the ominous coincidence' that Italy and Brazil were both now run by 'far-right' governments. Salvini thanked the Italian and foreign police who captured 'a delinquent who did not deserve the comfortable life on the beach, and who should spend the rest of his days in prison'. Bolsonaro's son, Brazilian lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, tweeted in Italian with a picture of Battisti: 'Brazil is no longer the land of bandits. Matteo Salvini, the 'little gift' is on its way.' Since his jailbreak Battisti had reinvented himself as an author, writing a string of noir novels. In 2004, he skipped bail in France, where he had taken refuge. He then went to live clandestinely in Brazil until he was arrested in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro. After years in custody, then-president Lula issued a decree - later upheld by Brazil's Supreme Court - in 2010 refusing Battisti's extradition to Italy, and he was freed, angering Rome. Battisti, who has a five-year-old Brazilian son, last year told AFP he faced 'torture' and death if he were ever to be sent back to Italy. A woman has been caught with bottles of Southern Comfort whiskey and Absolut vodka down her pants. Telisha Jordan Kerr from Bundaberg in Queensland appeared in court on Friday facing two stealing charges. The court heard that the 24-year-old woman entered the Supercheap Auto in the area and stole a brake pad valued at $55.50 on November 15, News Mail reported. Telisha Jordan Kerr from Bundaberg in Queensland appeared in court on Friday facing two stealing charges The court heard that the 24-year-old woman entered the Supercheap Auto in the area and stole a brake pad valued at $55.50 on November 15 CCTV footage showed Kerr was with a friend who had passed her a bag in which the brake was placed in. Kerr's bag was checked and CCTV footage helped police identify her. On November 18, Kerr was once again in the process of stealing alcohol from First Choice Liquor. Accompanied by a friend, the pair were seen idling in the isle checking out the bottles. A few moments later Kerr placed a Southern Comfort whisky bottle and a Absolut Vodka bottle down her pants. CCTV footage showed Kerr was with a friend who had passed her a bag in which the brake was placed in Magistrate Neil Lavaring asked Kerr to explain her actions in which she responded that she wanted a 'fresh start'. Kerr also informed the court that she had been on disability support pension for two years and hadn't worked for three years, the publication reported. She was fined $200 and $55.50 restitution for the theft at Supercheap Auto, and fined $300 and $52 restitution for the alcohol. No conviction was recorded for Kerr. The total value of the UK's housing stock reached a record 7.29 trillion in 2018, analysis has found. Despite a slowdown in the housing market amid Brexit concerns, the total value of UK housing stock increased by 190.3 billion, real estate adviser Savills found. The gains came from outside London, as the total value of its residential housing stock recorded a 26.2 billion fall - the first decrease since 2009. London's housing stock is still worth 1.77 trillion - more than four times the combined value of homes in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, Liverpool, and Sheffield. And the capital accounts for almost a quarter of UK housing value, compared with a fifth a decade ago. Some 137.7 billion of the increase in the value of housing stock last year was due to house prices going up - equating to a 4,800 price increase per home. The total value of the UK's housing stock reached a record 7.29 trillion in 2018, analysis has found (file photo) While 72 per cent of the increase in the value of housing stock last year came from house price increases, the remaining 28 per cent - or 52.6 billion was due to new homes being built. Savills said this is the the highest proportion contributed by new housing development since 2011 and reflects the Government focus on building more new homes. Within the 7.29 trillion total, the collective value of the private rented sector topped 1.5 trillion for the first time. Across the UK, in percentage terms, Wales was the region showing the biggest gains in the value of housing stock in 2018, with a 6.3 per cent increase adding 13.4 billion. The gains came from outside London, as the total value of its residential housing stock recorded a 26.2 billion fall - the first decrease since 2009 (file photo) The East Midlands (6.2 per cent) and West Midlands (6.1 per cent) followed closely behind. In cash terms, the value of stock in the South East saw the biggest increase across the UK last year, with 29.9 billion added on the back of growth of 2.2 per cent 'Our analysis demonstrates the scale of the housing market and underlines the importance of housing to the economies of London and the UK as a whole, both as an asset class and store of private wealth,' said Lawrence Bowles, residential research analyst at Savills. He continued: 'As affordability becomes more stretched, younger households are having to put off buying their first home until later in life.' A former international student who renounced Islam has revealed she receives death threats for leaving the religion and says hundreds of other women are living in fear. Zara Kay, who moved to Melbourne in 2012 to continue studying information technology and engineering, renounced her Muslim faith after realising the religion she was raised with was, in her opinion, anti-women and anti-gay. The 26-year-old Tanzanian-raised founder of the Faithless Hijabi support group said there were hundreds of ex-Muslims in Australia, who live in fear of being ostacised, abused or even killed. Scroll down for video An ex-Muslim woman living in Australia has described the hijab as a symbol of oppression and slammed political correctness for stifling discussion about Islam 'Apostasy is punishable by death in 13 countries. It's either Islam or death,' she told her Instagram followers on Sunday. Ms Kay, who now lives in Sydney, has stepped up her campaign to support people like herself, after Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun was granted asylum in Canada, after fleeing to Thailand fearing her family would murder her for leaving Islam. Ms Kay began wearing the hijab when she was an eight-year-old girl growing up in Tanzania, in east Africa, as a Shia Muslim. She removed the religious garment as an 18-year-old student at Monash University Malaysia, near Kuala Lumpur, after realising it was no longer a representation of who she was. 'The first time I took off my headscarf and posted a photo, I was abused,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Monday. She has posted messages about being an ex-Muslim after Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun (pictured) was granted asylum in Canada after renouncing Islam 'I was told I was a sl**. I was called names for just not wearing the headscarf. 'It was just my hair and I was told that if I get raped, it's my fault because I don't wear a headscarf.' Her journey towards renouncing Islam continued in Melbourne, where she continued studying at Monash University. The former international student, who last year became an Australian citizen, is now an outspoken critic of Islam and Sharia law, as described in the Quran. 'To me, hijab is a form of patriarchy and oppression. And that doesn't mean that every woman I see with a hijab is oppressed, it just means the covering itself is a symbol of oppression,' she said. Zara Kay (pictured), who moved to Melbourne in 2012 to continue studying IT, renounced her Muslim faith after realising the religion she was raised with was anti-women and anti-gay 'It's clearly mentioned about wife beating in the book. It is a sin for a wife to say no to a husband when asked to have sex unless she's got her period. 'Sharia law talks about how women need to be covered and there are some many laws, they don't fit in this day and age.' Last year, in western Sydney, Sunni fundamentalist preacher Nassim Abdi, from the Saudi-funded Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Association said it was a sin for women to refuse to have sex with their husband. Ms Kay left Islam after non-Muslims pointed out the religion was incompatible with her modern values. The former international student, who last year became an Australian citizen, is now an outspoken critic of Islam and Sharia law, as described in the Quran 'I rejected a lot of Islamic values such as the punishment of gay people, inequality between genders and forced hijab,' she said. Fundamentalist Muslims also regard apostasy, or leaving Islam, as a sin deserving of death. Daily Mail Australia in 2017 filmed Uthman Badar, the Australian spokesman for Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, declaring ex-Muslims deserved to be killed. Some Islamic countries, like Pakistan, also have the death penalty for criticising Islam. As an ex-Muslim living in Sydney, Ms Kay gets death threats from Muslims on social media who regard apostasy, or renouncing Islam, as a sin worthy of death. As an ex-Muslim living in Sydney, Ms Kay gets death threats from Muslims on social media who regard apostasy, or renouncing Islam, as a sin worthy of death 'Ex-Muslims are scared to talk about it,' she said. 'A lot of the politicians haven't even addressed our rights. 'They're scared of offending religious feelings.' Ms Kay slammed the term Islamophobia, arguing it was used to silence people like her who had renounced Islam. 'It put us in a position where we're unable to share our experiences,' she said. 'Free speech should never be suppressed, especially with minorities because it enables people to attack those minorities. 'Ex-Muslims should continue to speak out and normalise conversations about their experiences and their thoughts about Islam. 'We're letting Islam have too much control over what we can and can't say.' She argued political correctness had overshadowed discussion about ex-Muslims receiving death threats. 'There are things people can deal with in a mature way, having conversations and if that results in somebody's feelings being hurt well guess what? I get death threats,' she said. Ms Kay slammed the term Islamophobia, arguing it was used to silence people like her who had renounced Islam 'My life is at risk. I get cyber bullied and you're talking about religious feelings.' When she first renounced Islam, her school friends blocked her on social media and declared she deserved to be killed. 'I had my childhood friends who said that I should be killed for having views that didn't align with Islam,' she said. 'It was definitely a shock. It took a mental strain.' Unlike most ex-Muslims she has encountered, Ms Kay remains in contact with her family, and has support from a minority of Muslim friends who accept she is now an atheist. 'I work with a lot of ex-Muslim women, upon leaving Islam or even whilst still being Muslim, are subjected to emotional, physical and mental abuse by their families for rejecting any Islamic values,' she said. 'Their lives are panned out for them. You're either a Muslim or dead according to Sharia law. 'A lot of this is prevalent in the Middle East or other theocratic countries but it's not unheard of in the West with Muslim societies.' President Trump warned Turkey on Sunday of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to 'provoke' Ankara. Trump took to Twitter to reveal some of his latest thoughts in the slow drip of information being released by his administration after his shocking December announcement to withdraw troops. His top diplomat Mike Pompeo is on a whirlwind regional tour aimed at reassuring allies amid rising tensions between the US and Turkey over the fate of Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies in the fight against the Islamic State group. Pompeo also sought to reassure Washington's Kurdish allies in the fight against IS, who fear the departure of American troops would allow Turkey to attack them. President Trump, right, is warning his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of economic devastation should Ankara hit Kurdish forces after the American troop pullout from Syria Trump tweeted out his warning that he 'will devastate Turkey economically' if it attacks US-backed Kurdish fighters in the ongoing efforts against ISIS In the followup tweet, Trump maintains that US policy against ISIS has been a gain for Russia, Iran and Syria, and reiterates his call to withdraw troops from the conflict Turkey had reacted angrily to suggestions that Trump's plan to withdraw troops was conditional on the safety of the US-backed Kurdish fighters, seen by the Turkish government as terrorists. 'Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds,' Trump tweeted, while pushing for the creation of a 20-mile 'safe zone.' 'Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey.' Trump did not detail who would create, enforce or pay for the safe zone, or where it would be located. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seen here in Qatar on Sunday, seeks to reassure Kurdish allies who fear the departure of American troops would allow Turkey to attack them US-led operations against IS in Syria have been spearheaded on the ground by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara sees the backbone of that alliance, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as a terrorist group linked to the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) which has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. On Saturday, more than 600 people were evacuated from the remaining IS holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as US-backed fighters prepare for a final assault on the area. 'Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms,' Trump said. 'Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!' Syrian soldiers, seen here, have been deployed in Manbij since late last month as the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have been withdrawing from the area Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman said that several dozen jihadist fighters were among those evacuated to areas held by the Kurdish-Arab alliance. Abdel Rahman said some 16,000 people, including 760 IS fighters, have fled the area since the start of December, though this marked the first time the SDF and the coalition provided buses, suggesting a deal struck between the warring sides. The United Nations said Friday that overall some 25,000 people have fled the violence over the last six months as the die-hard jihadists have battled to defend their dwindling bastions. An estimated 2,000 civilians remain trapped in the area around the town of Hajin, the UN said. The US-led coalition on Saturday fired over 20 missiles against jihadist positions, according to the Observatory. The monitor said some 300 SDF combatants had deployed near the village of Sousa in preparations for a final assault. HS2 may have to run slower and less frequent trains to slash costs, its chief executive has admitted. The state-backed firm overseeing the high-speed line is mulling over plans to limit the speed of trains by 30mph. It is also considering reducing the number of services per hour by a fifth, from 18 to 14 each way, which would cut the capacity of the line by the equivalent of around 8,800 passengers per hour during peak times. Last night one campaigner warned that it is quite conceivable that some journeys to Birmingham on the high-speed line may be slower than at the moment. HS2 may have to run slower and less frequent trains to slash costs, its chief executive has admitted. The graphic pictured details how much the new HS2 line is costing The plans were revealed by HS2 Ltds chief executive, Mark Thurston, at a meeting with MPs towards the end of last year. Trains were due to hit a maximum speed of 225mph, but he warned that they may have to be slowed down, at times, by around 30mph in order to have any chance of sticking to its 56billion budget. This would have to be done, in particular, when going through some tunnels because otherwise extra, and more expensive, engineering work would be needed on the tunnels to cope with the high speed. Tunnels for high-speed trains usually have to be wider than those for slower trains and extra measures have to be taken to deal with the greater air pressure and extra noise. Phase One of the rail link, between London and Birmingham, is scheduled to open in December 2026 before it is extended to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds. High-speed trains were planned to reduce the journey time from London to Birmingham from one hour, 21 minutes to 49 minutes, and to cut the journey time from London to Manchester by an hour, from two hours, eight minutes to one hour, eight minutes. Details of the meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group in November were revealed in a letter from Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom to Mr Thurston, reported in The Sunday Telegraph. Mrs Leadsom, the MP for South Northamptonshire, through which the HS2 route would run, wrote: Given the business case for HS2 was first predicated upon speed, then on capacity, then finally on improving connectivity with the North, can I ask how these changes would impact on the viability of the project? My constituents are concerned that changes to the project could undermine the business case and reduce the value for taxpayers money. HS2 trains from London Euston will not travel to Birmingham New Street Station, in the heart of the city, or to Birmingham International, near the airport. Instead, they will travel to the newly built HS2 Curzon Street station, about 15 minutes walk from New Street. This means that when combining the slower speed and the extra transfer time from Curzon Street station it may actually take the same time as it does at present to get from London to the heart of Birmingham. Trains were due to hit a maximum speed of 225mph, but Mark Thurston (pictured) warned that they may have to be slowed down, at times, by around 30mph in order to have any chance of sticking to its 56billion budget HS2 has said that by the time it is completed, passengers will be able to take a new tram to connect to New Street and Birmingham International. But Joe Rukin, campaign manager of Stop HS2, said: It is quite conceivable that if HS2 trains are slowed down some passengers could face longer journeys on HS2 than they do today. HS2s business case has been based on superfast trains and 18 services an hour. If this does not happen, its entire business case is being destroyed. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has emphasised that HS2 is as much about easing congestion on overcrowded trains as it is about speed. But the Governments claim that HS2 would provide up to 59,400 seats from London to Birmingham during the three-hour afternoon peak was based on the assumption that the service could operate up to 18 trains an hour in each direction between London and Birmingham. A string of reports have warned that Britains biggest ever infrastructure project will blow its 56billion budget, with experts estimating it could cost as much as 104billion. In September, the National Audit Office revealed that the estimated cost of buying land on the HS2 route between London and Birmingham alone has tripled in six years to 3billion. Responding to Mrs Leadsom, Mr Thurston said it is HS2s intention... to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget. He said he had been responding to questions about what could be done to change scope in an effort to reduce cost. The White House asked for military strike options against Iran last year in a request that startled the Pentagon and the State Department. President Trump's National Security Council asked for the plans following a September mortar attack against the US Embassy in Baghdad, according to The Wall Street Journal. The militant assault on the diplomatic quarter by a Shiite group aligned with Iran landed in an empty lot with no casualties reported. The event led National Security Advisor John Bolton to hold meetings about a retaliatory response that included options for a military strike against Iran itself. National Security Advisor John Bolton (left) has been a big supporter of President Trump's aggressive policy stances against Iran The Pentagon received the National Security Council's request and complied with providing military plans, but it is unclear if the options made their way to President Trump 'It definitely rattled people,' a former senior US administration official told the Journal. 'People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran.' Officials said the Pentagon did develop options for striking at Iran, but it was not clear if the White House, or President Trump himself, received or knew about the request, or if a serious strategy was being considered. Garrett Marquis, speaking for the National Security Council responded to the report by stating it 'coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats.' 'We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra Consulate,' Marquis continued, 'and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests.' Pro-government demonstrators at the Massoumeh shrine in Iran's holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. The White House reportedly looked into military strikes agains John Bolton has reflected the Trump Administration's more aggressive stance against Iran since he became National Security Advisor. Prior to his appointment, he has often urged for military action against the nation, and has since worked to pull the US out of the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran with the support of President Trump. The National Security Council asking for military strike options against the Middle Eastern nation in response to relatively minor incidents has caused some former US officials to express alarm. Meghan Markle has hired the top designer of the Soho House clubs to decorate Frogmore Cottage, it has emerged. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly wants the home on the Windsor estate to look like the chain of private members' clubs. She and Prince Harry are due to move into the Grade II-listed home later this year once the 3million renovation is complete. Meghan has hired designer Vicky Charles to work on the renovation, according to The Sun. Designer Vicky Charles, pictured, who has worked on the Soho House chain of private members' clubs, has reportedly been hired for the renovation of Frogmore Cottage A friend told the newspaper: 'Meghan loves Soho House. Her best friend helped introduce her to Harry and organised their early dates at its London-based venues and Soho Farmhouse.' Ms Charles has overseen the design of Soho House branches in Malibu, Chicago and Barcelona. According to the firm's website they opened their first House in London in 1995 and now have 23 around the world. They include London venues in Shoreditch, White City and Soho itself as well as a 100-acre farmhouse in Oxfordshire. Other Soho House venues around the world include New York, Mumbai, Amsterdam and Istanbul. Ms Charles has worked with friends of Harry and Meghan including the Beckhams and George and Amal Clooney. Ms Charles has worked on the Soho House clubs including this one in Dean Street in central London, and has clients including the Beckhams and the Clooneys Protective covering is placed over Frogmore (pictured above) as renovation work gets under way on Harry and Meghan's new home Harry and Meghan, pictured at Sandringham on Christmas Day, will move into Frogmore Cottage in the spring as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world The cottage where Harry and Meghan will move later this year looks out onto the stunning grounds of Frogmore House, pictured The designer has been described as 'ridiculously in demand' and attracted a series of high-profile clients. The renovation of Frogmore Cottage has got underway as the royal couple prepare to move their residence away from Kensington Palace. It looks out onto the stunning grounds of Frogmore House, which Harry and Meghan chose as the location for their formal engagement photoshoot. Meghan is expecting the couple's first child, due in the spring. The couple's builders plan to add fireplaces, staircases, and a floating floor, but will keep the original floorboards and shutters. As well new additions, the royal couple are also set to go green and install a 50,000 energy unit that will provide heat, hot water and electricity. The cottage is just 200 yards from the publicly accessible Long Walk, meaning it will require upgrades to ensure the couple's privacy and security. The building work will be covered by the Sovereign Grant - funded by the taxpayer - while the couple will pay for the furnishings. A US judge in California on Sunday blocked President Donald Trump's administration rules which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control by claim it violates their 'moral convictions' from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, DC. Judge Haywood Gilliam, a United States District Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of California, granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, DC. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward. 'The law couldn't be more clear - employers have no business interfering in women's healthcare decisions,' California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement on Sunday. Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, however, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide. The ruling affects California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. A US judge in California on Sunday blocked President Donald Trump's administration rules which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control by claim it violates their 'moral convictions' from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, DC. Trump is pictured in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 11 in Washington, DC The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds. California and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies. 'Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump administration to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care, Becerra said. 'It's 2019, yet the Trump Administration is still trying to roll back women's rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the reproductive healthcare they are guaranteed under the law.' 'The law couldn't be more clear - employers have no business interfering in women's healthcare decisions,' California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement on Sunday. Becerra is pictured in Sacramento, California on October 10 At a hearing on Friday, Judge Haywood Gilliam said the changes would result in a 'substantial number' of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a 'massive policy shift.' A file photo from August 26, 2916 shows a one-month dosage of hormonal birth control pills being displayed in Sacramento, California The US Department of Justice said in court documents the rules 'protect a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs.' At issue is a requirement under President Barack Obama's health care law that birth control services be covered at no additional cost. Obama officials included exemptions for religious organizations. The Trump administration expanded those exemptions and added 'moral convictions' as a basis to opt out of providing birth control services. At a hearing on Friday, Gilliam said the changes would result in a 'substantial number' of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a 'massive policy shift.' The judge previously blocked an interim version of the rules - a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court. Woodburning stoves, bonfires and household cleaning products are being targeted in a major crackdown on pollution. The Clean Air Strategy, which will be launched today, aims to reduce the estimated 36,000 annual deaths blamed on breathing toxic air. The Government said it would become the first major economy to adopt tough World Health Organisation standards. Proposals include a ban on the most polluting fuels such as domestic coal and ensuring only the cleanest stoves are sold. The Clean Air Strategy, which will be launched today, aims to reduce the estimated 36,000 annual deaths blamed on breathing toxic air Woodburning stoves and open fires are now the biggest source of outdoor particulate emissions 38 per cent, compared with 16 per cent from industrial processes, and 12 per cent from road transport. Much of the strategy will involve advice to families such as to haver fewer bonfires and buy in bulk to reduce the number of deliveries by van. Manufacturers will be told to reduce emissions from scented candles, carpets, laminate flooring and glues. These add to particulate pollution and can break down to create toxic gases. Local councils will be given more powers in high pollution areas while ports will have to reduce pollution from shipping. Laws preventing cars from idling may be tightened. Woodburning stoves and open fires are now the biggest source of outdoor particulate emissions Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the Government wanted to reduce particulate emissions by 30 per cent by 2020, and by 46 per cent by 2030. He said tackling air pollution would save 5.3billion a year from 2030. 'The evidence is clear,' he added. 'While air quality has improved significantly in recent years, air pollution continues to shorten lives, harm our children and reduce quality of life. 'While air pollution may conjure images of traffic jams and exhaust fumes, transport is only one part of the story and the new strategy sets out the important role all of us across all sectors of work and society can play in reducing emissions and cleaning up our air to protect our health.' Manufacturers will be told to reduce emissions from scented candles, carpets, laminate flooring and glues Health Secretary Matt Hancock said air pollution was the single greatest environmental threat to human health. He added: 'Breathing dirty air is associated with a host of health problems, from asthma to cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, and all too often it is the most vulnerable children, older people and those from poorer backgrounds who are hit hardest. In short: clean air helps you live longer.' The strategy calls for a voluntary labelling scheme to warn consumers against the most polluting products. It says all diesel trains will be banned by 2040 and the sale of diesel and petrol vehicles will be phased out by the same point. But green groups warned last night that too little was being done to tackle pollution from road transport. Jenny Bates of Friends of the Earth said: 'If the Government is serious about protecting our health, and the health of the planet, it must scrap new road building plans which would add to the problem, and phase out petrol and diesel vehicles faster.' Morten Thaysen of Greenpeace UK said: 'The Government is saying all the right things about the huge cost in human lives, and money, which our appalling air quality imposes, and gives an important signal about tighter long-term targets. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said air pollution was the single greatest environmental threat to human health (file photo) 'But there seems to be a bit of a disconnect between this recognition of the urgency of the problem and the extremely relaxed approach to solving it. 'Even after recognising the seriousness of the air pollution crisis the Government is proposing nothing new to tackle pollution from road transport.' Professor Alastair Lewis of the University of York said: 'The wide range of simultaneous actions being proposed, and sectors and pollutants being targeted, is a reflection that further improving air quality in the UK is getting harder and harder, now the big industrial and combustion sources are under control.' A senior United States Senator would not rule out the possibility that President Donald Trump acted as a Russian agent during the 2016 campaign. Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN on Sunday that whether Trump was a witting or unwitting agent of Russia is the defining question of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. Warner was asked about the bombshell story in The New York Times on Friday stating that the FBI began a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was acting as a Russian agent after the President fired FBI Director James Comey. Comey at the time was leading an investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. CNNs Jake Tapper: Do you think the President of the United States ever worked on behalf of the Russians?" Democratic Sen. Mark Warner: "Thats the defining question of our investigation and the Mueller investigation: Was there collusion? #CNNSOTU https://t.co/mLIdINIJ2O pic.twitter.com/OD1JL2lEDB CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 13, 2019 Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN on Sunday that whether Trump was a witting or unwitting agent of Russia is the defining question of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation U.S. intelligence agencies have said Moscow tried to tip the election to Trump. Russia has denied interfering, and Trump has said repeatedly there was no collusion between his campaign and Moscow. The Times reported the counterintelligence probe was sparked in part by growing alarm about Trump's behavior, including comments he made suggesting he fired Comey over the Russia investigation, which is now being led by Mueller. When Warner was asked whether he thinks Trump acted wittingly or unwittingly as a Russian agent, he cited a report alleging that Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, shared internal polling data with a Russian businessman believed to be connected to Russian intelligence. Why would you turn over that information? And whats curious is it would be that kind of information that would inform the Russians later in the campaign when they launched their social media efforts where they created these fake identities, Warner said. Warner said there was clear-cut proof that Russian efforts were aimed at dissuading African-Americans from voting. Warner was asked about the bombshell story in The New York Times on Friday stating that the FBI began a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump (seen left with Russian President Vladimir Putin) was acting as a Kremlin agent Did they use that polling data to guide the Russian social media efforts to suppress African-American vote? We dont know the answer to that yet, Warner said. I would hope Mueller has got more indication, but that is a very real question. Warner is a member of the Gang of Eight, a bipartisan group of senior lawmakers from the House and Senate who receive classified intelligence briefings from the White House. When asked by CNN about classified information that the Gang of Eight received about Russia and the Mueller investigation, Warner refused to specify. Im not going to talk about what we may have been briefed in the Gang of Eight when these investigations opened, but I do think its curious that throughout that whole summer when these investigations started, you had Vladimir Putin policies almost being parroted by Donald Trump, Warner said. In addition to the Mueller probe, the Senate Intelligence Committee has been conducting a parallel investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Last summer, the committee released preliminary findings of its investigation, including the allegation that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an extensive and sophisticated public relations campaign to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton while sowing discord on social media. You had Trump say only nice things about Putin. He never spoke ill about Russia, Warner told CNN. Trump called in to Justice with Jeanine Pirro on Saturday night to deny that he is a secret agent of Russia, following a New York Times report that the FBI had investigated the possibility Republican campaign doctrines softened on Russia and decreased their willingness to defend Ukraine. During a friendly television interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday, Trump blasted the notion that he is - or ever was - a secret agent for Russia. One day after the New York Times made the claim, Pirro posed the question to Trump in an interview on Saturday night, asking: 'Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia, Mr. President?' 'I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked,' Trump replied. 'I think it's the most insulting article I've ever had written.' 'It was a great insult, and the New York Times is a disaster as a paper,' Trump said. Trump dismissed the notion in Saturday's interview, but without ever directly denying that he was working as a secret agent for Russia. Trump said he fired Comey because 'he was a terrible liar, and he did a terrible job as the FBI director.' 'And, obviously, nothing was found,' Trump said of the alleged investigation. Sunrise host David Koch has unleashed on NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian over her refusal to introduce pill testing. TV veteran Koch grilled Ms Berejiklian in a tense interview on Monday morning following the death of teenager Alex Ross-King at Saturday's FOMO Music Festival in Parramatta from a suspected drug overdose. 'Why are you being so dogmatic on this?' a fired up Koch asked the NSW Premier. 'Didnt you try drugs when you were younger? Marijuana?' Sunrise host David Koch (pictured) didn't hold back in a TV chat with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian over her refusal to introduce pill testing Ms Berejiklian remained composed, stating 'hand on heart, Im probably one of the few that havent tried anything' before adding 'if pill testing was going to prevent festival deaths, of course wed bring it in'. Ms Ross-King, 19, was rushed to Westmead Hospital on Saturday at about 6pm, but later died that evening with her family by her side. Friends of the teenage reveller have revealed that in her last seconds of life, she could tell 'something had gone wrong'. Her family have spearheaded calls for pill testing to be introduced as a show of her 'legacy' The young woman went to the festival's medical tent feeling unwell only moments before she collapsed, Nine News reported. Her friends believe it was a mixture of drugs and extreme heat that killed her. She had been dancing in the blistering 35C sun with a crowd of more than 11,000 other people. More than a third of the 146 people searched by police for drugs were found with illicit substances in their possession. 'Everywhere I looked people were on drugs and drinking a lot of alcohol so its scary that it could be one of my friends next,' one festival-goer said. Ms Ross-King's is the fifth person to die from suspected drug overdose at New South Wales music festivals in the past four months. The teen's friends believe a combination of drugs, suspected to be MDMA, and heat killed her The tragic death has led to renewed calls for pill testing to be introduced, spearheaded by Ms Ross-King's family. Grandmother Denise Doig says she's fearful her beloved granddaughter's death will just 'pass by', and wants pill testing to be introduced as her final 'legacy'. 'Premier, please: can we have this pill testing done. It's such a small thing to do, it's not hard. Let's try and get it out there,' Ms Doig told Network Ten on Sunday. 'If it saves one life; one life is a life. And these are children.' New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has remained unmoved in her stance against pill testing. 'I want to make sure we reduce deaths and my worry is pill testing could actually have the opposite effect,' she said in Sydney on Sunday. In Alex Ross-King's (pictured) final moments, she and her friends visited a medical tent, knowing something was awry Ms Ross-King's uncle Phil Clark also spoke, saying the entire family of the teenager were 'grieving heavily'. 'Strong leadership isn't always about sticking to an ideological decision or a position when there's possibly mountain [of] evidence or advice that maybe something else should be tried,' he said. 'Strong leadership is trying something different.' Friends remembered her as a 'remarkable human being, who had a positive impact on every single persons life that she walked into', while family shared their grief and broken hearts on social media. 'My heart is broken and [I'm] lost for words,' her cousin Rhys Ross-Clark wrote. 'This world is cruel and unfair. Love you my beautiful cousin.' Pictured; Alex Ross-King, 19, died after a suspected drug overdose at the FOMO music festival on Saturday Ms Ross-King had attended the festival with friends, one who shared her shock over the tragic turn of events in an emotional Facebook post. 'You were always full of life and a genuine person with such a big heart and quite easily one of the funniest people I've ever met, you were the life of the party always,' Tayla Brookhouse wrote. 'You'll be very missed by way too many people. Heaven's gained another angel, rest easy and don't stop partying.' Friend Brooke Farr said Alex was 'such a lively, happy girl', who had a big impact on her childhood. 'She taught me how to have confidence and helped me through some tough times,' she said. 'I'm forever grateful because it all helped me be a better version of who I am. 'She truly was beautiful, inside and out. 'I will always continue to ask myself why this life takes the best people so early.' The young woman was remembered as a 'remarkable person' who impacted the lives of everyone she knew Kiarra Harrison said the young woman was a kind of soulmate, and said there were 'no words' to describe her sorrow. 'You understood me completely, no matter the situation no matter what I did you were always there to pick me up or tell me to stop being an idiot,' she said. 'Your kind heart will never be forgotten by anyone that it touched. 'I am so broken and confused, this world is such an unfair place. 'I love you with my whole soul Al, forever. Shine bright up there. The FOMO festival, which plays electronic hip-hop music, was home to an increased police presence, following five other deaths at similar events in just the last four months. Event organisers appeared just as concerned as police about the alarming spike in deaths, advising of the safety hotline and first aid facilities in the lead-up to the event. Alex (left) died in Westmead Hospital after being taken there from the music festival, making her the fifth person to die in four months at a music festival in Australia 'We're here to help, please party safe,' the organisers said over the event's Facebook page. Nearly 30 would-be revellers were refused entry to the party, while 24 others were kicked out for fighting or being too intoxicated. Police searched a total of 146 people, 54 of whom were found in possession of drugs. Two were charged with possession. Organisers of the festival, which was headlined by Nikki Minaj, said in a statement the event was anti-drug. 'Our most heartfelt and sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends,' a spokeswoman said on Sunday. 'The safety and wellbeing of our patrons is at the forefront of every planning decision. 'Our anti-drug messaging began weeks ahead of the event and continued at the event itself - a message we're proud to deliver and will continue to do so with unwavering commitment in order to keep our beloved patrons safe.' The vast majority of Britons want to end the scandal of legal aid being granted to on-the-run convicts such as speedboat killer Jack Shepherd. Some 72 per cent of people would change the law to stop fugitives being eligible for the public money, a poll shows. Only 16 per cent thought they should get legal aid. Among Conservative voters, the feeling was even stronger, with 85 per cent saying legal aid should be barred from those on the run. The survey, commissioned by the Daily Mail, reveals significant backing for ministers who have pledged to review the rules. Jack Shepherd, left, was found guilty of manslaughter after Charlotte Brown, right, died on his speedboat in the Thames. He was granted legal aid to stage an appeal despite having absconded from justice Shepherd sparked a public outcry by claiming and getting legal aid to stage an appeal, despite having absconded from justice. Shepherd fled before his Old Bailey trial and is now on the run from a six-year prison sentence for manslaughter yet has been granted the right to appeal. The poll by Survation found that 69 per cent of people believe the courts were wrong to allow him to have an appeal while he is on the run. Only 14 per cent thought it was the right decision. Most people (61 per cent) said on-the-run convicts should be entitled to legal aid designed to ensure everyone has access to a lawyer only if they turn themselves in. The Prime Minister has called it a 'shocking case' and said Justice Secretary David Gauke had asked his officials to examine the legal aid rules. Shepherd has been awarded almost 100,000 in legal aid to pay his solicitor and the barrister who represented him at the trial. The boat, pictured capsized near Wandsworth Bridge in central London, throwing both Shepherd and Ms Brown into the cold water His law firm, Tuckers Solicitors, which has so far been paid about 30,000 from the legal aid fund, has refused to help the police find their fugitive client, citing the principle of client confidentiality. Senior partner Richard Egan said: 'He is entitled to contact his lawyer. I have a duty to act in his best interests. I'm not part of the police, it's not my duty to dob him in or say what I know about him. Interactions with Mr Shepherd are privileged.' The Mail's opinion poll found that two-thirds of people believed Shepherd's lawyers should be compelled to help find him. And almost half the people surveyed (47 per cent) don't believe the police are doing enough to find the web designer, who absconded in March last year. Survation interviewed 1,013 adults online on Thursday and Friday. Now police admit: We don't know if speedboat fugitive has even left the UK By Neil Sears for the Daily Mail Police admitted yesterday they 'have no idea' if fugitive speedboat killer Jack Shepherd is in the country or not partly because not enough officers are looking for him. Scotland Yard said there was no straightforward way of finding out whether an individual had left Britain without a date to narrow the search. Even with a date, anyone using a fake or stolen passport could still be untraceable. Shepherd, 31, was convicted of manslaughter after drunkenly showing off to his date Charlotte Brown, 24, as they sped along the Thames in his ageing and defective speedboat, which flipped over. He called for rescuers to 'help me', not 'help us', and Miss Brown was pulled unconscious from the cold waters and pronounced dead. Shepherd fled before his Old Bailey trial and is on the run from a six-year prison sentence yet has been granted leave to appeal against his conviction, and legal aid that has already approached 100,000. Critics point out he has not served a single day in prison, and did not turn up in court over separate allegations he glassed a barman in the face. The Daily Mail is offering a 25,000 reward for his capture, with the support of police and Miss Brown's grieving family. But a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, who are under fire for failing to bring Shepherd to justice, said details of people's coming and goings from the United Kingdom were not stored on a single searchable database available to police hunting fugitives. How to claim The Daily Mail's 25,000 reward The Daily Mail is offering a 25,000 reward to help bring fugitive killer Jack Shepherd to justice. If you have information on his whereabouts, act immediately. If you see Shepherd, do not approach him yourself, but call one of the numbers below or email the Mail. The reward can be claimed by anyone whose information directly leads to the arrest of Jack Shepherd. The Editor's decision is final. For full terms and conditions, see www.dailymail.co.uk Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Call Scotland Yard on 0208 721 4005 Call the Mail newsdesk on 0203 615 1154 Or email us at reward@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement The spokesman said: 'We have no idea if he is in the country or not... we cannot be certain. If there were more officers on the case, we might be able to do something. If this was a counter-terrorism operation, we might be able to do something. 'Normally it is relatively easy because we have a fairly good case of knowing when a person left and where from. But in this case, the time frame is a wide one of many months and that is harder.' The Mail understands that the Home Office relies on airlines and other firms providing information to Border Force regarding passengers entering and leaving the UK. This information is then shared with police and other law enforcement agencies. Scotland Yard has said the Mail's campaign to find Shepherd had generated new leads, but the recent activity by officers appears to be in response to media pressure. Shepherd is believed to have fled last March, with his passport, shortly after the grievous bodily harm with intent incident in a pub in Moretonhampstead, Devon, where he grew up. There has been speculation friends could be shielding him in Britain or, more likely, that he has fled overseas. He took out loans totalling at least 50,000 and has failed to pay back a penny. Officers originally told Miss Brown's father, civil servant Graham Brown, from Sidcup, south London, of claims that Shepherd had flown to the former Soviet republic of Georgia although that could have been a red herring circulated by his friends. Mr Brown said: 'The police have assured me they are doing all they can. But I am worried the system simply isn't in place to look for fugitives once they are abroad, we do not have expert teams dedicated to finding them. 'And Jack Shepherd needs to be brought to justice.' A controversial Confederate memorial has been removed from inside the Texas State Capitol after a historic vote. The Children of the Confederacy Creed plaque hung on the wall for 60 years and is the first Confederate memorial in a Capitol building to be removed since the deadly 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, which spurred the removal of a number of monuments nationwide. State Representative Eric Johnson, who reprized the debate in the rally's wake over the plaque's misleading declarations of rejecting slavery as an underlying cause of the Civil War, tweeted a photo on Sunday of the blank wall where it once hung. Despite Johnson's near two year battle to see the slate removed from Texas Capitol, he insisted members of state government shouldn't be celebrating, as he believes it's something that should've been confronted years ago. The Children of the Confederacy Creed plaque at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, that rejects slavery as an underlying cause of the Civil War was removed on Sunday, three days after a long-awaited vote Eric Johnson (left) who reprized the debate surround the plaque in 2017 took to Twitter to announce it had officially been removed on Sunday. A second picture (right) showed the blank space where the creed once hung In a letter to the board in 2017, Johnson said 'historically inaccurate' artifacts shouldn't be displayed on the Capitol's walls 'While I'm glad the State Preservation Board voted to remove the 'Children of the Confederacy Creed' plaque from the Texas Capitol, none of us in state government should be high-fiving each other or patting ourselves on the back today,' the Democrat said. 'The plaque should never have been put up by the Legislature in the first place, and it certainly shouldnt have taken 60 years to remove it. 'And thats on Republicans and Democrats alike, to be perfectly honest.' Johnson's celebrations came with a caveat. He insisted high-fives between government officials shouldn't be exchanged, for the plaque shouldn't have been put up in the first place - or have taken so long to come down The Children of the Confederacy plaque has long been a point of contention among Democrats and Republicans in the Capitol. Hung in 1959, just as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum across the US, the creeds honors the 'heroic deeds of those who enlisted in the Confederate Army'. It also goes on to say that children of the Confederacy will study and teach the 'truths' of history, 'one of the most important of which is that the way between the states was not a rebellion nor was its underlying cause slavery'. In the Texas' 1861 declaration of secession, the state confirms its intentions for separating from the Federal Union in the interests of 'holding, maintaining and protecting' the enslavement of African-Americans In a 2017 letter to the State Preservation Board, Eric Johnson wrote: 'It's important that the historical information displayed on the Capitol grounds is accurate and appropriate. 'Texans are not well-served by incorrect information about our history.' Texas' declaration of secession passed in 1861 proves Johnson's claims. The document, which divorced the state from the Federal Union, says Texas did so in the interests of 'holding, maintaining and protecting the institution known as negro slavery'. Members of the State Preservation Board, led by Gov. Greg Abbott (middle), voted to remove the Children of the Confederacy Creed during a meeting on Friday January 11, 2019 Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other state leaders unanimously agreed to remove the plaque on Friday, after years of resistance from senior Republicans. In October, Abbot said the Capitol shouldn't have 'substantially inaccurate historical statements' on permanent display. A spokesperson for the board said plans for where the plaque will go next are still being worked out. A startling revelation of the McDonald's fries box has stunned thousands of people online. An image posted to Twitter shows the fries box folded and you can place the tomato sauce on the ledge. 'Did yall know the flap on your fries box actually has a purpose?' the tweet read. Scroll down for video An image posted to Twitter shows the fries box folded and you can place the tomato sauce on the ledge The tweet has been retweeted 229 times and liked 609 times, with fans commenting on the cool hack or questioning whether the user just bent the box themselves. 'You can bend anything and it will turn into a plate dude...' one commented. 'Except when it snaps back and splashes ketchup on you,' one unimpressed person wrote. 'Awesome. Im gonna try it. Thanks,' one user wrote. 'Lies,' another commented as they shared an image of a large fries box without the option to fold it and create a ledge. 'I think the high end of the box is meant to for the workers to be able to grab the top without burning your fingers w freshly hot fries out from the deep fryer (scolding hot oil). But this can of course double as a dip corner. Just my thought!' another suggested. 'What if I get small fries? Where does the ketchup go then?' one user asked. Daily Mail Australia has contacted McDonald's for comment. Doctors will be asked if they support giving lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients. The Royal College of Physicians is to poll them next month on whether the law on assisted dying should change. It means the respected institution may drop its opposition to assisted dying, which it has held for five years. Unless two-thirds of its 35,000 hospital doctors and consultants oppose it, the college will move to a 'neutral' stance which critics say could shift public opinion towards euthanasia Unless two-thirds of its 35,000 hospital doctors and consultants oppose it, the college will move to a 'neutral' stance which critics say could shift public opinion towards euthanasia. If two-thirds say the college should support assisted dying, the organisation could ultimately lobby the Government for a change in the law. The poll follows growing support from the medical profession on helping terminally ill people to die. The Queen's former doctor, Sir Richard Thompson, said two years ago that doctors have a 'duty' to help people die comfortably. Assisted dying is legal in Canada, the Netherlands and some states in the US including Oregon and Washington. Assisted dying is legal in Canada, the Netherlands and some states in the US including Oregon and Washington Doctors prescribe a powerful painkiller and patients inject it themselves. But Professor Patrick Pullicino, of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust, who helped expose hospital deaths under the discredited Liverpool Care Pathway, said: 'Assisted dying has been tried in several countries and it is the thin end of the wedge. It starts off with people consenting and being carefully screened, then the door opens. 'In Oregon, in particular, most of those who seek assisted dying are elderly people who don't want to be a burden to their families.' When the RCP asked members in 2014 whether they would personally 'participate actively' in assisted dying were it legalised, 58 per cent said no. In the UK, under prosecution guidelines brought in nine years ago, doctors are not allowed to help anyone kill themselves. They face a jail term of up to 14 years under the Suicide Act 1961. Advertisement New York subway riders got to see a lot more of their fellow passengers on Sunday. The bare-faced cheeks were all part of the annual No Pants Subway Ride, where straphangers travel in just their undergarments from the waist down. The tradition was started 18 years ago by an improv group in New York City and has spread to public transit lines from San Francisco to Jerusalem. Organizers call it 'an international celebration of silliness.' A participant in the 18th Annual 'No Pants Subway Ride' laughs with a police officers in New York The 'No Pants Subway Ride' is an annual event started in 2002 by Improv Everywhere in New York The goal of the stunt is for subway riders to dress in normal winter clothes without pants while keeping a straight face Subway riders across the five boroughs took part in the 18th annual 'No Pants Subway Ride' at 3pm Participants rode the subways dressed in normal winter clothes, but without pants and while trying to keep a straight face about the awkward trip The event, organized by the Improv Everywhere comedy collective, started back in 2002 The temperature hovered around the freezing mark Sunday, but that didn't stop New Yorkers from dropping their pants for the annual No Pants Subway Ride Fellow subway riders got quite a show when the pranksters hopped on the subway Many of the participants were wearing only shoes, underwear and coat to keep them sheltered from the cold weather It's the 18th annual No Pants Subway Ride. There were around 2,000 participants in New York according to the organizers Participants are supposed to act like they don't know each other and pretend like they are going about their day as normal. All wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves - 'the only unusual thing is their lack of pants'. Despite the frigid temperatures, riders in Chicago, London and Paris, shed layers to join in. Participants are told to get on trains and act as they normally would and are given an assigned point to take off their pants. They're asked to keep a straight face and respond matter-of-factly to anyone who asks them if they're cold. The event takes place in cities around the world, noting this event is a celebration of silliness Temperatures reached about 32 degrees on Sunday afternoon for the annual No Pants Subway Ride Nearly 900 people said they would participate in the ride, which started at 3pm and was organized by Improv Everywhere A man participating in the annual 'No Pants Subway Ride' stands next to a law enforcement officer at Union Square in NYC The pantsless prank has now spread to cities worldwide, from Calgary to Prague According to the New York City-based comedy group Improv Everywhere, the first No Pants Subway Ride occurred in 2002 in New York City, with only a seven men participating People participate in the annual 'No Pants Subway Ride' in the Manhattan borough of New York City The No Pants Subway Ride fills New York's transit system with barely-clad travelers Most people get on the subway with pants before disrobing and baring their legs for all to see much to the amusement Participants ride the F subway line during the 18th annual No Pants Subway Ride The rules of the event are fairly straightforward: Underpants must be worn and, although flashy designs are allowed, organizers prefer those involved to look - at least from the waist-up - as though they are going about their daily lives. This is to increase the impact the participants have on the unaware bystanders. In the inaugural event only seven people took part, but now thousands in major capital cities around the globe participate in what organizers call a 'celebration of silliness'. Uniforms and business suits are encouraged to amplify the lower-half effect as are props - bicycles, prams, shopping bags or a briefcase. A man rides the F subway line during the 18th annual No Pants subway ride in the annual event arranged by Improv Everywhere a New York city based comedy collective Participants stand on the platform of the West 4th, F subway line during the No Pants Subway Ride Passengers are told to act as though they are simply travelling as they would on any other work day The cold weather in New York City didn't stop thousands of people from stripping down and riding the subway Along with their tighty whiteys or boxers, riders also have to try to keep a straight face Part of the attraction of the event is that the participants are supposed to appear as though what they are doing is normal A man reads the book while taking part in the annual No Pants Subway ride in New York Passengers here were likely wishing the doors would close for fear of catching a chill during the stunt Participants are also forbidden from speaking to one another and are instructed to bring 'any activity you might normally perform on the train: newspaper, book, sewing kit.' Regular Sunday passengers were left bewildered as men and women sat in their brightly-coloured underwear talking, reading and taking pictures of each other. Commuters in London, Berlin and Prague were all pictured taking off their trousers in the annual event which has steadily grown each year with more and more people choosing to take part. A commuter walks past a fellow passenger who is taking part in the No Pants Subway ride A woman waits for a train while participating in the annual 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Manhattan Now in dozens of cities, New York is the original home of the event which aims to raise a smile People's underwear is clearly visible as they stand at the station during the No Pants Subway ride In London, the event is known as the No Trousers On The Tube ride. Crowds met outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square before heading underground where they boarded trains on different Tube lines across the capital. More than 100 people piled on to the Piccadilly Line, where they struggled to remove their trousers due to the large crowds. Hundreds of London Underground commuters took part in the 10th annual No Trousers On The Tube ride this afternoon Regular Sunday passengers were left bewildered as men and women sat in their brightly-coloured underwear talking, reading and taking pictures of each other Brave passengers ride a Jubilee Line train as they take part in the event on Sunday afternoon Another group posed at Canada Wharf as they took part in the No Trousers On The Tube event After changing to the Jubilee Line at Green Park, the group got off at Canary Wharf to do some aerobics on the platform before jumping on another train. Other groups set off for London landmarks, including one which headed to Parliament. Sisters Tessa and Matilda Deterding said they had come for the first time because they liked the idea behind it. Some brave revellers even stopped to pose half-naked as they travelled around the city Crowds piled onto various Tube lines across the capital in brightly-coloured underwear The event is part of the worldwide No Pants Subway Ride, which began in New York in 2002 and has since spread to over 60 cities around the globe Young people wearing no trousers participate in the 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Prague, Czech Republic on Sunday Tessa, 24, from London, said: 'We read about it and thought it sounded hilarious. I wasn't nervous about it. 'I quite like the sentiment behind it, instead of a stiff upper lip it's having a bit of a laugh.' Matilda, 22, said: 'I did especially pick out my pants, you have got to pick out a nice opaque one. Four young people wait to board a train wearing brightly-coloured underwear, trainers, and coats in Prague Some even opted to brave the challenge shoeless as they made their way through a subway station One man in Berlin, Germany opted for bright pink underwear covered in cartoon images of broccoli 'You don't want to give too much of a spectacle.' Trouserless revellers then headed to The Chandos pub in Trafalger Square for an after party. The London event was organised by the Stiff Upper Lip Society, which asked participants to 'avoid thongs/budgie-smugglers/anything see-through as we aim to amuse, not offend, fellow Underground users'. The London event was organised by the Stiff Upper Lip Society, which asked participants to 'avoid thongs/budgie-smugglers/anything see-through' A group of three women (left) sit on a circle line train in their underwear as a young mother (right) waits on a platform with her son in London One of the organisers, Farhan Rasheed, said there was not really an aim to the event, it was just a bit of fun Some participants in Germany dressed even more elaborately in bright orange Lycra shirts with their hair sprayed pink One of the organisers, Farhan Rasheed, said there was not really an aim to the event, it was just a bit of fun. He added: 'There is no point to it, we are not campaigning or raising awareness of anything. 'People just have fun doing it, it's a bit of a nonsense day out. People walk to a Jubilee Line train as they take part in the annual No Trousers On The Tube Day Revellers show off brightly-coloured and patterned underwear as they brave the tube on a cold winter's day The No Pants Subway Ride also took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on Sunday Travelers gather at Vijzelgracht metro station for a subway ride in their underwear in Amsterdam Young people wearing no pants participate in the 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Prague, Czech Republic 'You very rarely get people who are offended. It's London and London is used to this stuff, they take it in their stride and get back to their book.' The event also took place in Berlin and Prague on Sunday as dozens of passengers hopped on the Metro and U-Bahn half dressed. Some participants in Germany dressed even more elaborately in bright orange Lycra shirts with their hair sprayed pink. The No Pants Subway Ride also took place in Chicago, Amsterdam and San Francisco this weekend. A man is pictured in Prague, Czech Republic. The project is only intended to surprise and cheer up fellow passengers epa07280549 Young people wearing no pants participate in the 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Prague, Czech Republic Czech citizens take part in the event which is now a truly global phenomenon A large group of enthusiastic Londoners and participants from other parts of the UK take part in the 2019 No Trousers on the Tube Day, wearing just their underpants for fun, riding the London Underground and walking around London landmarks Half-naked travellers almost filled an entire train carriage after gathering at Vijzelgracht metro station in their underwear Others in Amsterdam posted for photographs as they surprised fellow passengers in their underwear A group of fearless friends laughed together as they exited a tube station during the event A Jubilee line carriage filled with trouserless passengers reading and taking photographs Travelers gather at Vijzelgracht metro station for a subway ride in their underwea The project is only intended to surprise and cheer up fellow passengers rather than cause offense Passengers wear no trousers during the No Pants Subway Ride in Amsterdam, The Netherlands The 'flash mob' occurs in cities around the globe, including New York, Boston, London, Berlin and Amsterdam, pictured A woman rides the subway wearing just a jumper as part of the No Pants Subway ride which took place in Holland A man reads a book while riding the subway in Amsterdam while another pant-less man stands close by Texas police responded to an unusual drinking and driving call, after Walmart staff reported a woman drinking wine out of a Pringles can while riding an electric shopping cart. Workers at a Walmart Supercenter in Wichita Falls, Texas, asked cops to ban the woman for reportedly drinking wine out of the cardboard packaging since 6.30am on Friday morning, and roaming about the parking lot for hours, according to the Times Record News. The police arrived at the 2700 Central E Fwy location just after after 9am to check on the suspicious person call. They were told to look for a woman in a blue jacket and black pants, according to Officer Jeff Hughes, a spokesperson for the Wichita Falls Police Department. The Walmart Supercenter in Wichita Falls, Texas, where a woman was allegedly drinking wine out of a Pringles can early Friday morning while driving an electric cart The woman apparently had been driving an electric cart most often used by people with mobility issues, but had left the area by the time authorities arrived. Police found her at a nearby restaurant and informed her that she had been banned from the Walmart store. A standard Pringles potato crisps cylinder is roughly 10 inches tall and three inches wide making for a large container for an alcoholic beverage. There was no indication by police that the woman, whose name was not released by authorities, was put under arrest or charged. With the partial federal government shutdown officially now the longest in history in its 23rd day, the people of our nation's capital are blowing off steam with snowball fights, and even the police are getting in on it. A winter storm blanketed Washington, DC, with fresh powder on Saturday, creating the opportunity for bar goers and police to playfully get out their aggression, late at night. And on Sunday, the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association improvised to hold a battle on the west side of the Washington Monument, since its usual locations have been closed by the National Park Service amid the federal freeze. The last-minute event took place between 1pm and 3pm and was announced over Facebook, which read: 'All furloughed, excepted, and other residents and visitors to DC are welcome to join!' The previous longest-running government shutdown on record lasted for 21 days in late 1995 and early 1996, under President Bill Clinton. Credit: Cassidy Stoughton/Facebook From a snow-covered patio outside of a bar in DC, video captured patrons scooping snow off of tables and lobbing snowballs at officers in uniform on the street. The officers took turns making their own balls of ice and tossing them about, as well, collecting their ammunition from the tops of snow-covered cars parked in the road. Smiles were on everyone's faces as they temporarily forgot the troubles of the work week. With the partial federal government shutdown officially now the longest in history in its 23rd day, the people of the nation's capital, including police, blew off steam with snowball fights. Officers are shown playing in the snow with bar-goers on Saturday From a snow-covered patio outside of a bar in DC, video captured patrons scooping snow off of tables and lobbing snowballs at officers in uniform on the street The officers took turns making their own balls of ice and tossing them about, as well, collecting their ammunition from the tops of snow-covered cars parked in the road And on Sunday, other law enforcement officials took part as the DC Snowball Fight Association officially kicked off its season. 'Team #DCSFA is excited to kick off our season with a Washington Snowdown Fight at 1pm on the Western grounds of the Washington Monument!' the announcement read. According to the event page, the Washington Monument was fenced off, but the grassy grounds on its western side were wide open. And on Sunday, other law enforcement officials took part as the DC Snowball Fight Association officially kicked off its season, on the Western grounds of the Washington Monument 'Team #DCSFA is excited to kick off our season with a Washington Snowdown Fight at 1pm on the Western grounds of the Washington Monument!' a Facebook event page read According to the event page, the Washington Monument was fenced off, but the grassy grounds on its western side were wide open for the crowd that showed up for fun The invitation beckoned: 'Let's meet there at 1pm to enjoy the winter wonderland!' The invitation beckoned: 'Let's meet there at 1pm to enjoy the winter wonderland!' The event had a great turnout, with participants showing up in brightly-colored jackets, fun hats and outfitted with patriotic accessories. One man came to play with a Captain America shield and a scarf printed with stars and stripes, just like the American flag. The event had a great turnout, with participants showing up in brightly-colored jackets, fun hats and outfitted with patriotic accessories One man came to play with a Captain America shield and a scarf printed with stars and stripes, just like the American flag Young and old, alike, got in on the phone while some went without pay thanks to the stalemate between President Donald Trump and Congress The group explained why the event would not be held at either the Malcolm X Park/Meridian Hill, Dupont Circle, or other parts of the National Mall 'Our favorite locations are either fenced off by the NPS or won't have enough snow,' the event page read. A man in a bright blue jacket and a hat reading 'Navy' is shown Young and old, alike, got in on the phone while some went without pay thanks to the stalemate between President Donald Trump and Congress. Anticipating questions from those planning to partake, the group explained why the event would not be held at either the Malcolm X Park/Meridian Hill, Dupont Circle, or other parts of the National Mall. 'Our favorite locations are either fenced off by the NPS or won't have enough snow,' the event page read. In addition to throwing snowballs, the organizers also threw shade at residents of and visitors to The Golden State, which has had to close parks due to damage during the government shutdown. Snowball fighters are shown, preparing to launch balls of snow at opponents 'Unlike people in California who chop down Joshua Trees, we love our city and want to keep it clean while the NPS is furloughed,' the event page read. Revelers are shown cheering as they throw snowballs The group has encouraged off-shoot events for those who can't make it to official gatherings, as well, while offering advice 'Just don't go to fenced off areas and keep it kid-friendly,' the page read. 'Also, let us know and we'll promote your location!' In addition to throwing snowballs, the organizers also threw shade at residents of and visitors to The Golden State, which has had to close parks due to damage during the government shutdown. 'Unlike people in California who chop down Joshua Trees, we love our city and want to keep it clean while the NPS is furloughed,' the event page read. The group has encouraged off-shoot events for those who can't make it to official gatherings, as well, while offering advice. Between four and six inches of snow had fallen on Washington, DC by 10.15am on Sunday The Washington Posts Capital Weather Gang reported that 7.1 inches of snow had accumulated at Dulles International Airport, just west of the city, in Virginia 'Just don't go to fenced off areas and keep it kid-friendly,' the page read. 'Also, let us know and we'll promote your location!' Between four and six inches had fallen on Washington, DC, by 10.15am on Sunday, according to The National Weather Service. The Washington Posts Capital Weather Gang reported that 7.1 inches of snow had accumulated at Dulles International Airport, just west of the city, in Virginia. Sunday was expected to bring up to 12 inches of snow the the area. A man winds up and prepares to launch a snowball in a snowball fight near the Washington Monument in Washington, DC on Sunday Sunday was expected to bring up to 12 inches of snow the the area. People are shown partaking in a snowball fight, just west of the Washington Monument on Sunday Two people were wounded in a shooting just outside of a popular Utah mall on Sunday where hundreds of scared shoppers hunkered down until police arrived to evacuate the building. A man and a woman, both in their early 20s, were shot at around 1.30pm near the southeast entrance to the Fashion Place mall in Murray, a suburb south of Salt Lake City, Murray Police Officer Kenny Bass said. The man was in critical condition while the woman was in serious condition. Both were treated at a hospital. Police were looking for three people suspected in the shooting, Bass said, adding that the shooting may be gang related. Al Collins was shopping in Dillard's with his girlfriend when the fire alarm started blaring and someone on a loudspeaker said to evacuate. He started filming with his phone and posted the clip to a YouTube account called 'Why Not Motors.' 'I filmed the shooting by Dillards and the Food court, someone pulled the fire alarm and no one was reacting and all the sudden gun shots,' he wrote in the caption with the video. 'I told the cops where the shooter was. I was only filming because no one was doing anything when the fire alarm was going off.' Video captures gunshots ringing out when two people were wounded in a shooting just outside a popular Salt Lake City, Utah mall on Sunday, in what police say may have been a gang related incident. AI Collins is pictured (left) holding his girlfriend's hand as they ran out, and the totally calm scene just moments before the shots were fired at Fashion Place mall in Murray, a suburb south of Salt Lake City, is shown at right Collins said: 'Right after I started filming, gunshots were right around the corner from me.' He kept recording until his girlfriend and him were out in the parking lot, capturing her sobs in the video. 'I didn't even really know what was going on. I was pretty sure it was gunshots,' he said. 'I felt like we couldn't run fast enough to get out of there.' A man and a woman, both in their early 20s, were shot at around 1.30pm near the southeast entrance to the Fashion Place mall in Murray, a suburb south of Salt Lake City, Murray Police Officer Kenny Bass said. Evelyn Salazar Atwood wipes tears from her eyes after reuniting with her son, Chris Salazar, who works at Fashion Place Mall, after the shooting on Sunday The Fashion Place mall said in a tweet it was 'very saddened by the incident' and grateful for the actions of security and Murray police. Chris Salazar, who works at Fashion Place Mall, hugs his mother, Evelyn Salazar Atwood, who rushed to the scene after a shooting at the mall in Murray on Sunday Hundreds of shoppers were escorted by police out of the mall holding their hands in the air Hundreds of shoppers were escorted by police out of the mall holding their hands in the air. The mall is a highly visited shopping center in the heart of the Salt Lake City metro area with stores such as Crate and Barrel, Macy's and Nordstrom. Bass said no other victims or suspects were found inside the mall. Crate and Barrel employee Danielle Calacino said that she saw people running out of the mall after the alarm blared. The mall is a highly visited shopping center in the heart of the Salt Lake City metro area with stores such as Crate and Barrel, Macy's and Nordstrom. Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday 'I filmed the shooting by Dillards and the Food court, someone pulled the fire alarm and no one was reacting and all the sudden gun shots,' AI Collins said. SWAT is seen gathering after an active shooter has injured at least two in Murray, Utah 'I told the cops where the shooter was. I was only filming because no one was doing anything when the fire alarm was going off,' Collins said. Police said three suspects remain at large Collins said: 'Right after I started filming, gunshots were right around the corner from me.' SWAT is seen gathering after an active shooter has injured at least two in Murray, Utah She said 10 to 12 employees and around 20 customers hid in the store's upstairs stockroom. She said police escorted them out after about 40 minutes. 'We were mostly all quiet and in shock,' Calacino, a 21-year-old student at the University of Utah, said. She said she learned there was a shooting from a message on the intercom. Everyone immediately got on their phones, she said, to learn what was happening, as her friends were texting to ask if she was OK and some people were crying. Stella Fonseca, an assistant manager at Claire's, told The Salt Lake Tribune that she helped barricade a back room with filing cabinets and lockers to hide herself, other employees and four customers. Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday Rebecca Madsen, who was working at a chocolate kiosk in the mall, told the Deseret News that she was also in the back of Claire's. Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday 'It's fight or flight,' Madsen said, wiping away tears. 'I just prayed to God and asked for help and protection.' Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday Shoppers are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday The Fashion Place mall said in a tweet it was 'very saddened by the incident' and grateful for the actions of security and Murray police. Stella Fonseca, an assistant manager at Claire's, told The Salt Lake Tribune that she helped barricade a back room with filing cabinets and lockers to hide herself, other employees and four customers. 'There was a sense of panic,' she said. Rebecca Madsen, who was working at a chocolate kiosk in the mall, told the Deseret News that she was also in the back of Claire's. 'It's fight or flight,' Madsen said, wiping away tears. 'I just prayed to God and asked for help and protection.' Crate and Barrel employee Danielle Calacino said that she saw people running out of the mall after the alarm blared. Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday Calacino said 10 to 12 employees and around 20 customers hid in the store's upstairs stockroom. Shoppers with their hands raised are evacuated from Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah, after a shooting on Sunday Calacino said police escorted them out after about 40 minutes. Law enforcement officers are on alert at Winchester Street and 700 E. following a shooting at Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah on Sunday UPDATED More than three weeks into whats now the longest federal government shutdown in history, school district officials are making plans to cope with the impacts on students, families, and their own operations should it drag on. The current closure is different from earlier shutdowns because the agencies from which school districts receive critical federal dollarschiefly the department of educationare funded during the partial shutdown. But there is still a lot at stake for school districts if the shutdown persists for monthsas President Trump had threatened during a meeting with Democratic congressional leaders earlier this month. The biggest concern right now is the National School Lunch Program, which is administered through the Department of Agriculture and served more than 30 million children in 2016. The USDA said that it has enough money for reimbursements for the program, which provides free-and-reduced-price lunches to low-income children, through March. What does this mean for school districts? It doesnt necessarily mean that children who rely on the food program will go hungry, said Noelle Ellerson Ng, the associate executive director for policy and advocacy at the AASA, the School Superintendents Association. No superintendent is going to deny a child lunch, Ellerson Ng said. What it means is that the superintendent is going to find money elsewhere, which means something else gets cut: Maybe money for an afterschool program, maybe money for a summer program. Districts may also have to dip into rainy day or emergency funds to come up with the money if the shutdown goes beyond March, said Jeff Simering, the director of legislative services at the Council of the Great City Schools, the Washington-based organization that represents 74 of the nations largest school districts. Seventy percent of the 7.3 million students enrolled in the districts that are part of the council are eligible for the federal free-and-reduced-price lunch program. Still, Simering said, I dont think they are thinking, at least at this point, they are going to be put into that situation. Even with the uncertainty on the horizon, state and district officials were taking steps in recent days to ensure that parents affected by the shutdown know that they can apply for the federal free-and-reduced-lunch program if they have fallen on hard times. The Alexandria City school district in Virginia, which is just outside of Washington, sent notices to parents to encourage them to sign up for the program if they were impacted by the shutdown, including if they had been previously denied such benefits. Across Maine, school districts are doing the same. Its a whole new ground, which we dont want to be on, said Walter Beesley, the child nutrition director at the Maine Education Department, which circulated an application for impacted parents last week. The state advisory was sent out after several calls from districts asking for guidance on how to assist parents impacted by the shutdown. This is the best thing to do for the kids, Beesley said. We have to put the kids first. While Maine does not have as large a federal workforce as Washington or other areas of the country with military installations and bases, it has hundreds of federal employees who work for the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, the United States Coast Guard, in the national parks, and as border patrol agents, Beesley said. The department produced the guidance with not just federal employees in mind, he said. When federal workers dont have money to spend locally that affects local businesses, including other parents who may work in restaurants or in service-oriented jobs, Beesley said. Its a ripple effect, so the kids are being affected all the way through, Beesley. Helping Students and Families Cope With Financial and Emotional Stress As nearly 800,000 federal workers missed a paycheck last week, the worry in some districts is less about the federal grants that may be at stake and more about helping students whose parents finances have taken or will take a hit. Our biggest concern is the financial and emotional impact to kids and families, said Brian Woods, the superintendent of Northside Independent School District, the largest district in the San Antonio area. Thats where we are better able to assist. The city is home to several military installations, including Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, and Lackland Air Force Base, and about 7,000 military-connected students are enrolled in Northside ISD. While the district has information on students whose parents are in the military, its harder to ascertain how many students have parents and guardians who work as government contractors and are also not getting paid during the shutdown, Woods said. Woods said principals, social workers, and teachers will be actively involved in trying to find those students and families who need both financial and emotional assistance. The district will shift some of its resourcessuch as clothing closetsto schools where large numbers of affected students are enrolled, he said. That takes folks paying attention to kids needs and changes in the family dynamic and reaching out and saying to the parents How can we can help? And these are the things we can offer to assist, Woods said. It is going to take a collective effort to look for where the need really is. Woods thinks the district is in a position to weather some cuts in federal funding this school year should that come to pass. Even if we had a loss of funding in some areas, we would be able to shift local dollars to support itat least in the short term, he said. Of course, he said, his answer could change if the stalemate continues for three or four months. In Bibb County, Ga., Superintendent Curtis Jones has a similar worry about how the shutdowns impact will filter down to children. He is worried that students may pick up on their parents anxieties and then take those stresses to school. Warner Robins Air Force Base is about 20 miles from Macon, where the districts headquarters are located. About 15 percent of the districts students families work in the agriculture sector, including in dairy production and cattle farming. Those families livelihoods have already been impacted. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that farmers were not receiving federal payments meant to blunt the effects of tariffs the administration placed on China, and some farmers may have been unable to apply for loans because local farm service centers, which also function as lenders of last resort and help farmers apply for federal aid, were closed . Children pick up on such uncertainty, especially when routines change, Jones said. It just spreads through the family, and students recognize it and are able to feel whats happening, he added. They know things arent normal. We have counselors, we have behavior specialists, he said, and we will make those available not only to the students, but we will also start looking at the impact on the families. The district will also work to ensure that families know how to access resources from local foodbanks and other social service organizations, he said. Jones said the district may even have to think about how it applies its discipline policy if its determined that student behavior can be traced back to whats happening at home as a result of the shutdown. Districts Keep Close Watch on Shutdown Despite the uncertainties, the superintendents and district officials interviewed by Education Week late last week described their level of concern about the shutdowns direct hit to their operations as low to moderate. Thats not surprising given that the large federal grants districts rely onsuch as Title 1, which goes to schools serving large numbers of students in poverty, IDEA for special education, and Head Startare housed in federal agencies that are currently funded. Folks in the past didnt know when they would be able to get their most sizeable grants and that was a concern, especially if they were going to have to front the money if the shutdown lasted a sizeable period of time, said Simering. I think it just hasnt reached a critical level for any of the programs that they are operating at this point, Simering said. In Onslow County, N.C., which sustained an estimated $125 million in damages from Hurricane Florence, officials are cautiously watching to see how this will play out. Nearly 35 percent of the districts enrollment is connected to the military, and about 49 percent of students are eligible for free-and-reduce meals, though the district has been offering free breakfast to all students since last years hurricane. The district also received about $14.2 million in federal grants last school year. And its unclear whether a protracted shutdown will affect its applications for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, for storm damages. So far, no scheduled meetings had been cancelled or postponed, a district spokesman said. While we have not had any immediate impact, if the shutdown were to persist, we certainly could be impacted said Brent Anderson, the spokesman. District staff are closely following the situation, keeping a close eye on how things are progressing and any looking for any potential impacts for the district. In Great Falls, Mt., Superintendent Tammy Lacey is worried about how a prolonged shutdown could affect future funds the district generally receives for its Indian Education Program and through Impact Aid, which provides funds to districts to compensate for the loss of property taxes because of federal activities like military bases. (The district received $310,000 for the Indian Education Program and $841,000 in Impact Aid funds last year. Both programs are funded through the department of education, which is not affected by the current shutdown.) The district will be able to move money around in its budget to get through this school year if any federal funds are in jeopardy, she said. But it will make it more difficult for the district to close its financial books at the end of the year and apply for future grants, she said. The uncertainty is causing us to wonder what those year-end processes are going to look like, she said, what the application processes are going to look like for next year, and if there would be the potential for us to discontinue or suspend some of the programs that we utilized federal funding for. In Maryland, a Break for Furloughed Parents Bob Sickels, who owns Kids After Hours, a before- and after-school program in 26 locations in Montgomery County, Md., is doing his part to help parents who are not receiving a paycheck during the shutdown. Federal employees will be able to keep their children enrolled in the program and pay the tuition once they start receiving a salary. It was a wonderfully caring and humane thing to do, said Stacy Rabkin, who works at the Environmental Protection Agency and whose 6-year-old daughter is enrolled in Kids After Hours. Rabkin, a single mom, is not receiving a paycheck, but her bills are still coming in: mortgage, homeowners association dues, and electricity. Kids After Hours, which costs about $500 a month on average for parents who use it five days a week, is Rabkins single largest monthly expense after her mortgage. Shes been cutting expenses wherever she can and volunteering at her daughters school. Sickels offer relieves some of the anxiety she was feeling about dipping into her savings, and it will allow her to put that $500 towards other expenses. None of us federal employees wants to be used as a pawn, and none of us wants to have financial challenges, she said. It was a truly kind thing to do. It shows that he cares for the kids and the parents, which is very nice. Sickels took the stepsomething he had done during a previous shutdownafter hearing from some parents that they may have a difficult time making the tuition payments. We see our kids every day for six years, from the time they are in kindergarten through 5th grade, Sickels said. We are a huge part of their lives, and they are a huge part of our lives for six straight years while their kids are in elementary school. So, you cant not help. You just have to. The programs expense can be prohibitive for families where both parents work for the federal government and may have more than one child in the program. We are able to make that offer, Sickels said. Their mortgage company, their cell phone company, the electric company is not going to do that for them. But we can at least try and make life a little easier. About 3,500 children use the program2,000 of whom use it every dayand as of Thursday about 130 parents had indicated that they intended to take advantage of Sickels offer, he said. The temporary tuition waiver could cost Sickels about $100,000 a month, he said, but he thinks the company can absorb the cost of the waiver for about two to three months. After that, hes not sure. Ive got to be honest, I think more with my heart than with my head; so, I didnt actually sit there and do the math to say we can do this for three months or four months or six months, Sickels said. I thought that at some point in time, someone is going to have to grow a brain in the government and solve this problem... I guess I am holding my breath just like everybody else. Photo caption: Federal government employees and supporters rallied with Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in Boston on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, to urge President Donald Trump to end the shutdown. -- AP Photo/Michael Dwyer Related stories South Africa: Deputy President Mabuza pushes for peace in South Sudan Deputy President David Mabuza is on a working visit to Ethiopia to meet some of the role players who are working towards achieving lasting peace, stability and development in the Republic of South Sudan. In his capacity as the Special Envoy to South Sudan, Deputy President Mabuza is scheduled to meet with Ethiopias Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, to push for the full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on South Sudan. Abiy is also the chairperson of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The working visit to Ethiopia by Deputy President Mabuza takes place in the context of strengthening the ongoing political efforts geared towards finding lasting peace and development for the people of South Sudan, the Presidency said on Monday. In December, Deputy President Mabuza held various bilateral political consultations with heads of state and government within the member states of IGAD on the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on South Sudan. These bilateral consultations saw Deputy President Mabuza visiting the republics of Uganda, Kenya, Sudan where all leaders and other relevant stakeholders have expressed the urgent need for the full implementation of the Peace Agreement. Last September, South Sudanese parties and key stakeholders signed the Revitalised Peace Agreement on South Sudan that chart a roadmap towards the cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian assistance, building democracy as well as lasting peace and stability in South Sudan. The country, which gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, has for several years been trapped in an unending civil war that has seen thousands killed and maimed, with millions more fleeing and displaced. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Animal advocates are calling for all farmers to be required to provide livestock with shade in the summer. Concerns were raised about farm animals suffering from heat stress this month after photos emerged of cattle crowding under small patches of shade on properties. The issue led a group of Queenslanders to create the campaign 'Animals Need Shade', however, not everyone is convinced by the images. Concerns were raised about farm animals suffering from heat stress this month after photos emerged of cattle crowding under small patches of shade on properties (pictured) Animal advocates are calling for all farmers to be required to provide livestock with shade in summer (pictured) Poll Should farmers be forced to provide shade for livestock? Yes No Should farmers be forced to provide shade for livestock? Yes 274 votes No 57 votes Now share your opinion A petition has been lodged with the Queensland government to make changes to the 'Animal Care and Protection Act 2001' over what is considered 'adequate shelter' for livestock kept outdoors. The petition is demanding shelter be made mandatory for all farm animals. Founder of the campaign, Morika Elek, is from the Scenic Rim in South East Queensland and was motivated to take action after seeing farmed animals standing in the blazing summer heat without shade. 'I remember how hot it was last summer in Canungra, Beaudesert and Boonah and how I couldn't stand in the sun for more than five minutes without feeling the brunt of this shocking heat,' Ms Elek said. 'The sight of farmed animals including horses standing exposed and suffering in open paddocks from the extreme heat of the sun without shade or shelter is unfortunately common throughout Queensland.' According to Dairy NZ, Fresian cows begin to experience the effects of heat stress when their body temperature reaches 68 (21) at 75 per cent relative humidity. The average annual temperature in many parts of Queensland is 29C. Dairy NZ says cows can experience headaches and lethargy when they are suffering from heat stroke. Their food intake and milk production can also decrease. Reactions on social media were mixed, with some people praising the initiative. One person tweeted: 'Saw a great petition for making shade mandatory in Australia. Living out in the country I often see animals out in the hot sun with no shade provided. Others were less convinced, with one person pointing out that 'not all' farmers leave their livestock without shade 'Mind blowing that farmers need to be told to provide shade. Some do, but a lot dont. Needs to be mandatory.' Others were less convinced, with one person pointing out that 'not all' farmers leave their livestock without shade. Another argued the photo of sheep crowding in one area was taken 'out of context'. 'One photo out of context sheep will go to the closest shade not to most practical shade they aren't the brightest of animals,' they wrote on Facebook. Outback businesses are claiming Google Maps is ruining tourism by giving potential visitors incorrect travel times. They claim the travel times given by Google Maps are not correct and could be off by more than four hours, deterring tourists from making the journey. Robyn McKenzie, general manager of the Eromanga Natural History Museum, said she is developing a world class tourist attraction in the small Queensland town. Outback businesses are claiming Google Maps is ruining tourism by giving potential visitors incorrect travel times Robyn McKenzie (pictured), general manager of the Eromanga Natural History Museum, said she is developing a world class tourist attraction, but is concerned about Google Maps and their estimated travel times The museum is the only place in the world where visitors can view bones from some of Australia's native dinosaurs in their natural habitat. Despite the attraction, she said she is worried visitors may not attend. 'We're developing a major tourist attraction in outback Australia. It's in a remote part of Australia, so mapping, and accurate mapping, is key,' Ms McKenzie told the ABC. 'What we're finding is people aren't coming to these parts of Australia because Google Maps isn't updating its mapping. People just simply don't come to these areas because the travel times are incorrect,' she said. Ian Simpson, who runs the Windorah Western Star Hotel, also claimed Google Maps has not updated travel times. He said the road from Birdsville to Windorah was estimated at 11 hours last week, but it would not take anywhere near that amount of time to travel. Some businesses have claimed that the Google Maps travel times could be out by over four hours 'We've seen the Google cars come through here a couple of times but haven't had anyone to talk to us, so I don't know how they work that figure out.' The estimated time has since been updated to about 7 hours and 45 minutes after the ABC contact Google, however, Mr Simpson said the drive would take just four hours with no stops. In a statement, Google said they strive to reflect accurate travel times and are investigating the reported incorrect estimates. 'We apologise if any businesses or communities have been affected negatively due to errors on the map,' the statement from Google said. In a statement, Google said they strive to reflect accurate travel times and are investigating the reported incorrect estimates Irish tourists have been filmed leaving beer bottles and piles of rubbish on a busy beach, before a child threatened to 'knock the brains out' of locals who confronted them. The incident, which unfolded at Auckland's Takapuna Beach on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, was captured on camera by Krista Curnow. She said the group of about 12 tourists, who spoke with an Irish accent, turned violent when she asked them to clean their mess as they left the beach. 'Their response was basically if we have a problem then we can pick it up and that that's what the council is for,' Ms Curnow said. A group of Irish tourists have been filmed leaving beer bottles and piles of rubbish on a busy beach Witness Krista Curnow said the group of about 12 tourists, who spoke with an Irish accent, turned violent when she asked them to clean their mess as they left the beach 'I approached the family to ask again if they could not disrespect our country while visiting and pick up their rubbish. 'They turned violent and even grandma and the child got involved saying they wanted to punch my head in.' Footage showed a young boy, wearing a wide-brimmed Bunnings Warehouse hat, approach Ms Curnow, telling her: 'I'll knock your brains out'. 'The mouth on that young boy - absolutely disgusting! What kind of role models are the parents allowing this sort of behaviour,' Ms Curnow said. 'Their response was basically if we have a problem then we can pick it up and that that's what the council is for,' Ms Curnow said Footage showed a young boy, wearing a wide-brimmed Bunnings Warehouse hat, approach Ms Curnow, telling her: 'I'll knock your brains out' 'We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, how dare people come to NZ and disrespect our country, this is our home.' The Irish family later ordered food at a nearby Nandos store, before demanding a refund, The New Zealand Herald reported. Another local claimed they confronted the family at a Bunnings Warehouse after seeing the video online. 'We just came across him in Bunnings Hillsborough... he was wearing the same clothes,' the woman wrote on Facebook. The Irish family reportedly later ordered food at a nearby Nandos store, before demanding a refund Pictured: Rubbish left behind by a group of tourists at a popular beach in Auckland 'He's absolutely sh***ing himself after getting a bit of a talking to from my partner about respecting our country.' Footage of the incident has since gone viral and has garnered thousands of comments. 'My big fat gypsy holiday! Imagine having to sit next to them on a 12-hour flight. Horrendous! Glad you said something,' one wrote. 'What did I just watch? That little boy thought he was so tough,' another noted. One of the members of the group was seen ushering the child away as he threatened Ms Curnow The incident unfolded at Auckland's Takapuna Beach on New Zealand's North Island on Sunday A third said: 'Being Irish, this embarrasses me so much. It's people like this that made me leave Ireland. Absolute disgrace.' Ms Curnow said she and her friends cleaned up the tourists' mess, with the help of other beachgoers. 'I loved how everyone else on the beach came to support and we all picked up the rubbish together! Love NZ,' she said. Inspector Kevin McNaughton, Acting Area Commander of Waitemata East Police, told Daily Mail Australia the incident was being investigated. Ms Curnow said she and her friends cleaned up the tourists' mess with the help of other beachgoers 'Police will be speaking with those involved and will be referring them to Auckland Council with regard to their behaviour around the littering of rubbish,' he said. 'Police would like to remind the public that offenders caught illegally dumping rubbish may be issued with a fine of up to $400. 'Serious offenders may also be prosecuted under the Litter Act 1979 with a maximum penalty of $30,000. 'We pride ourselves in our clean, green image as a country and thank the members of the public who reported this behaviour on this occasion.' Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve has teamed up with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable to publish draft legislation for a second Brexit referendum. They have joined a cross-party group in publishing a proposal for laws to bring about a so-called peoples vote. The idea is also supported by Lord Lisvane, a former clerk of the House of Commons. Under the plans, a referendum would be held to ask voters whether they want to remain in the European Union or leave under the Prime Ministers deal. Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve (left) has teamed up with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable (right) to publish draft legislation for a second Brexit referendum. Article 50 the official mechanism for achieving Brexit would have to be extended in order for another poll to take place, meaning the UK would remain a member of the EU beyond March 29. The legislation for a second referendum could be introduced through the House of Lords under plans being considered by the group. It recommends that the ballot paper should have the question: Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union on the negotiated terms? Mr Grieve, a former attorney general, said: This Bill provides a legally credible way forward, and a politically credible way forward. Labour backbencher Chuka Umunna said: This legislation provides a good starting point for Parliament to give the people the final say on whether to go ahead with Brexit, given it looks nothing like what was originally promised Sir Vince, pictured below, said the draft legislation demonstrated how quickly a second referendum could be delivered, and put flesh on the bones of our campaign for a final say. He added: The Government should accept this as the starting point for legislation to break the current deadlock, enabling the people the final say and the option to remain in the EU. Labour backbencher Chuka Umunna said: This legislation provides a good starting point for Parliament to give the people the final say on whether to go ahead with Brexit, given it looks nothing like what was originally promised. A cat-burglar has revealed he stole more than $140,000 cash in sophisticated late-night raids to help pay off a debt to his dying father. Simon Paul Giacomel, 42, was jailed for six-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to 41 offences in a Western Australia District Court last week. The Perth father and businessman targeted 15 different small business across Western Australia, including service stations, fast food restaurants and TABs, on the hunt for cash in 2017. Simon Paul Giacomel (pictured), 42, was jailed for six-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to 41 offences in a Western Australia District Court last week The 'professional' burglar targeted 15 different small business across Western Australia, including service stations, fastfood restaurants and TABs, on the hunt for cash in 2017 His dying father had lent him $400,000 to start a coffee roasting business and he was trying to source funds to pay him back, The West Australian reported. Giacomel, dressed in all black and donning a balaclava, spent 18 months stealthily scaling buildings, cutting a hole in each roof and carefully lowering himself down with a tool bag. Using an angle-grinder, he broke into safes and stuffed cash - up to $19,000 in some cases - into his bag, before fleeing back through the hole. He made off with more than $140,000 and caused $100,000 in damages before he was caught in August 2017. Giacomel, who has worked as a pilot technician and a cable repairer on ships, was discovered by police hiding on the roof of a building. He was accompanied by an accomplice, as well as a walkie-talkie and a tool kit. His dying father had lent him $400,000 to start a coffee roasting business and he was trying to source funds to pay him back (CCTV footage) Giacomel, a father and businessman, spent 18 months stealthily scaling buildings, cutting a hole in each roof and carefully lowering himself down with a bag filled with tools (CCTV footage) When police searched his home they found balaclavas, and a pair of shoes that matched an impression found at a number of the crime scenes. Prosecutor Elizabeth Swann disputed the claim Giacomel's crimes were well intentioned, as his criminal record showed a number of burglary charges dating back to the late 1990s. 'He's got a particularly sophisticated and planned way of doing things and, it must be said, he's quite successful at it,' Ms Swann said. Judge Bruce Goetze said the crimes were aggravated due to the extent of planning that was involved. 'Businesses ought to be able to be operated ... have their property, their cash, their product that they sell ... protected without worrying about someone breaking in, forcing open safes and stealing things.' The 42-year-old's father died in 2018. If you've ever looked too long at a bright light or clear blue sky, you'll probably have experienced an 'eye floater'. Eye floaters are the little black smudges or wiggly lines that appear in your vision and seem to slide only just out of view, and while they're extremely common, they're worth keeping an eye on. Dr Daniel Polya from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, said floaters are caused when vitreous fibres which make up 80 per cent of the eye clog together. If you've ever looked too long at a bright light or clear blue sky, you'll probably have experienced an 'eye floater' 'It's the condensation of the collagen fibres,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Large molecules of collagen clog together and cast shadows on your retina which you perceive as eye floaters.' These can take the shape of dark blobs or wiggly lines depending on the way the fibres congregate and are often seen when looking at a white wall or bright light. Eye floaters are common and will happen to most people during their lifetime, but Dr Polya said it's important to visit your optician if new floaters appear. They can take the shape of dark blobs or wiggly lines depending on the way the fibres congregate and are often seen when looking at a white wall or bright light Eye floaters are common and will happen to most people during their lifetime, but Dr Polya said it's important to visit your optician if new floaters appear 'What's really disappointing is when someone will come in with retinal detachment from a posterior vitreous detachment that hasnt been examined earlier,' he said. Posterior vitreous detachment is when the vitreous separates from the retina and causes a large ring-shaped floater in the eye. 'For those that get PVD, there's a 5 per cent chance it's developing a tear in the retina, and if a tear does occur, there's a 50 per cent chance of retinal detachment,' Dr Polya said. A retinal tear is treatable by laser surgery, but Dr Polya stressed the importance of catching it early to avoid further damage. 'PVD is common and not that disappointing to see, whereas retinal detachment is disappointing to see in a patient who could have had an earlier exam when they first got floaters,' he said. PVD is more common in those who are short-sighted, but Dr Polya said it will likely happen to 50 per cent of people by the age of 50, and 80 per cent by the age of 80. Posterior vitreous detachment is when the vitreous separates from the retina and causes a large ring-shaped floater in the eye For most people, floaters are just a part of everyday life and the brain learns to ignore them PVD is the most common cause of abnormal floaters, but there are other, more sinister, problems they could be signposting. The first is bleeding in the vitreous cavity at the back of the eye which could indicate problems with blood vessels, and the second is the onset of an inflammatory disease such as Uveitis. 'This is why it's so important to see an optician when a floater first appears,' Dr Polya stressed. For most people, floaters are just a part of everyday life and the brain learns to ignore them. 'Very rarely patients are persistently bothered by floaters,' Dr Polya said. 'Laser surgery can also be performed to break up big, problematic floaters, but it has risks associated.' The parents of Madeleine McCann have welcomed 'such great news' that a teenage girl has been found alive nearly three months after her alleged kidnap - refuelling hope that one day they will be reunited with their missing daughter. American school girl Jayme Closs, 13 - who is two years younger than Maddie would now be - had an miracle escape from a man accused of abducting her after her mum and dad were murdered. As the freed youngster was pictured smiling beside her relieved aunt on Friday the official Find Maddie Campaign posted online: 'Such great news,' adding: 'Jayme is an example of why we never lose hope and never stop searching.' American school girl Jayme Closs, 13 - who is two years younger than Maddie would now be - had an miracle escape from a man accused of abducting her after her mum and dad were murdered The Facebook page, endorsed by Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry, also highlighted a message from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - a non-profit organisation funded by the US state which has given help and encouragement over the years to them. The NCMEC, based in Washington, posted: 'Feeling thankful. We are overjoyed by the news that 13-year-old Jayme Closs from Barron, Wisconsin, has been located alive after nearly three months. 'We applaud the Barron County Sheriff's Department and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department and all of the investigating agencies for their exhaustive efforts to bring her home. Kate and Gerry McCann, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal ten years ago, during an interview with the BBC's Fiona Bruce last year 'Thank you to everybody who shared this child's poster.' Maddie's parents live in hope, saying: 'May 2019 be a peaceful and positive one for us all.' In a Christmas message heart doctor Gerry and ex-GP Kate, both 50, of Rothley, Leics, wrote: 'The investigation is ongoing and our hope remains.' Jayme's story has boosted them and given fresh hope. Three-year-old Maddie vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, nearly 12 years ago in May 2007, while her parents were dining in a nearby tapas restaurant with pals. She had been left sleeping alone with her younger twin siblings while her parents and their friends made regular checks on all the children. Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs, 13, is pictured with her aunt Sue Naiberg Allard on January 12, 2019, following her rescue from kidnapper Jake Patterson News of Jayme being found across the Atlantic has given encouragement to Kate and Gerry's many supporters. Donna Truax posted on the Find Maddie website, which is run by a trusted friend of the couple: 'I'm glad she is safe.' Cindie Murphy wrote: 'Never give up hope, never give up searching, miracles do sometimes happen.' Jean Donnelly added: 'Absolutely brilliant, thank God, great news, hope she is alright.' A 21-year-old suspect Jake Patterson has been arrested on suspicion of abducting Jayme and killing her dad James and mum Denise. He was caught shortly after the teenager fled a cabin on Thursday in Gordon 70 miles from where her parents were gunned down and flagged down a dog-walker for help. It is not yet known of the victim, who is being treated in hospital, has been abused. 21-year-old suspect Jake Patterson has been arrested on suspicion of abducting Jayme and killing her dad James and mum Denise Maddie's parents have been told by Scotland Yard that two vital lines of inquiry are still being pursued and cops are 'hopeful of getting a result.' The couple remain 'greatly encouraged' that police could finally be closing in on their daughter's kidnapper. Kate, who is a high profile ambassador for British charity Missing People, and Gerry, have in the past met and been given hope by the NCMEC. Lawyer Ernie Allen, 73, a co founder and former president who stepped down in 2104 after helping to find 160,000 missing children, told Maddie's assured Maddie's parents: 'Miracles do happen. It doesn't matter how long a child has been missing. Until Madeleine is found, or we know for certain what has happened to her, we will not give up. Three-year-old Maddie vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, nearly 12 years ago in May 2007 He previously said: 'She was very young when she was taken and children are easily manipulated. She may have been told all manner of lies, for example that her parents are dead. Children are taught to obey and believe adults. 'People assume children are always abducted by paedophiles but they can also be taken by someone who just wants a child to bring up as their own.' Last week it was revealed that Maddie's parents had been storing 100,000 in a special account to help them fight a long and bitter legal battle against former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral. They received a 'very welcoming' cash boost to fund a set up to help find their daughter which they are 'keeping for a rainy day.' It comes as the Met Police were last autumn handed their latest 150,000 from the public purse to continue the Maddie investigation until the end of March. The couple have been rewarded with assets to the Maddie Fund of 822 382, according to latest accounts filed this week to Companies House. Last week it was revealed that Maddie's parents had been storing 100,000 in a special account to help them fight a long and bitter legal battle against former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral This has soared from 727,508 in the last financial year to the end of March 2018 by 94,874 The main increase was from Kate's best seller 2011 book 'Madeleine', which was re-sold in 2017 for the 10th anniversary of the youngster's abduction. Royalties of 84,096 came from the book sale with a total of 85,899 being transferred to a restricted fund. A source close to heart doctor Gerry and ex-GP Kate, both 50, of Rothley, Leics, said: 'That money goes into a special account for a rainy day. 'It can be used at a later date in the search for Madeleine or to help her parents fight their on going legal battle against Mr Amaral. The balance has increased, largely as a result of further royalties from Kate's book, all of which she has given to the Fund and they say is very welcoming.' Regulators wanted to remove developmentally disabled patients from a Phoenix long-term care facility years before a woman in a vegetative state gave birth, Arizona's largest newspaper reported Sunday. The Arizona Republic reported Hacienda HealthCare faced a 2016 criminal investigation for allegedly billing the state more than $4 million for bogus 2014 charges for wages, transportation, housekeeping, maintenance and supplies. The criminal case was dropped in 2017 and no charges were filed, the Republic said, but a court battle is continuing in an effort to force Hacienda to turn over financial records. State regulators reportedly wanted to remove developmentally disabled patients from Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix, a long-term care facility years before a woman in a vegetative state gave birth Despite a criminal investigation into practices at the home, Phoenix police officers are pictured here visiting residents of the home around the time of the holidays in 2014 Members of the Phoenix police department would regularly visit the home during the holidays Phoenix police have said the 29-year-old woman incapacitated since age 3 was sexually assaulted and gave birth last month. Investigators are collecting DNA from Hacienda's male employees and others who may have had contact with the woman in an effort to identify a suspect. The woman's family has said in a statement through their attorney that they will care for the infant boy and have asked for privacy. The revelation that a woman in a vegetative state was raped inside a care facility has horrified advocates for people with disabilities and the community at large. Hacienda HealthCare's CEO William Timmons resigned on Dec. 31 as the provider announced new safety measures, including more than one staff member being present during patient interactions and more scrutiny of visitors. The woman was an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache tribe, whose reservation is in southeastern Arizona about 134 miles east of Phoenix. Members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe are seen in a 2014 Facebook photo Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, said his office is considering bringing in a third party to assume responsibility for the ongoing management of Hacienda. The nonprofit facility gets more than $20 million annually in taxpayer funds for taking care of extremely ill people, many of whom are incapacitated and on ventilators, the Republic reported. Hacienda's annual average cost of care was $386,000 per client in 2012 compared with $134,000 per client in similar U.S. facilities, Arizona Department of Economic Security auditors said. The Republic said former economic security director Timothy Jeffries and the agency's chief law enforcement officer, Charles Loftus have both filed lawsuits against the state, claiming they were forced out of their jobs over their probe of Hacienda. Hacienda CEO Bill Timmons stepped down last week in light of the news San Carlos Apache Tribal Chairman Terry Rambler Jeffries was forced to resign in 2016 after a series of controversies, including a finding by the Arizona Department of Public Safety that the department kept shoddy record-keeping, had insecure storage of guns and ammunition and that it had violated state procurement policies in buying some 60,000 rounds of ammunition. Jeffries filed suit against the state in 2017 over what he claims is libel in a police report that detailed a stash of weapons and ammunition kept in the agency offices. He claims statements in the DPS audit were false and that there were malicious motives involved in the report. The Republic quoted Jeffries as saying Timmons was obstinate during the investigation of Hacienda and bragged of tight ties to Ducey. Ducey spokeswoman Elizabeth Berry said the governor was horrified by accounts of the rape and denied that the state failed to act on concerns raised by the economic security department. She also said Hacienda played no part in the forced resignations of Jeffries and Loftus after their two-year tenure. Miami International Airport officials will reopen a terminal Monday that was closed part of the weekend amid a staff shortage caused by the partial government shutdown. Airport spokesman Greg Chin told news outlets on Sunday that Concourse G will resume operations Monday after having been closed for parts of Saturday and Sunday. The decision to temporarily shutter Concourse G last weekend was due to the airport's concern that it didn't have enough Transportation Security Administration agents to staff the security checkpoint, as TSA agents being forced to work without receiving paychecks were calling in sick at about twice the normal rate. Miami International Airport officials announced that they would be reopening Concourse G on Monday, after having closed it down for most of Saturday and Sunday due to TSA agent shortages. The concourse's security checkpoint is seen closed here on Saturday Some passengers were diverted from Concourse G to F, where long lines were seen Sunday The airport was said to have been short about 40 TSA agents. Concourse G's checkpoint will be fully staffed on Monday, however, Chin said. The concourse which serves United Airlines along with smaller carriers Aruba Airlines, Bahamasair, Frontier Airlines and Sun Country operated as normal until it was closed at 1pm Saturday, then reopened for flights Sunday morning, before closing again later in the day at 1pm. Only about 12 planes a day about three per cent of the roughly 450 flights per day typically fly out of the concourse after 1pm, according to the Miami Herald. TSA workers who would normally have staffed the concourse were sent to busier checkpoints. Passengers departing Miami International Airport on Sunday were said to have endured unusually long waits at security checkpoints at the airport's other five open terminals. The airport temporarily shuttered Concourse G's operations after about 40 TSA agents called out - about twice the normal rate at the airport. It's seen here empty on Saturday On Saturday (shown) and Sunday, the concourse was closed from 1pm until the next morning. During normal operation, Concourse G usually sees about 12 flights depart after 1pm Concourse G shown operating as normal on Friday, the day before Concourse G was temporarily shuttered A New Jersey air traffic controller shared his electronic pay stub on Friday, reflecting a zero dollar net pay amount for his work during the first pay period of the year. TSA agents are also among the essential government employees impacted by the partial government shutdown 'We almost missed our flight. I wanted to eat a sandwich and now I can't. We're furious, this makes no sense,' Italian Rocco Vincenzo, who was heading to the Cayman Islands before returning to his country, told AFP Sunday. Vincenzo stood in a line of cranky travelers waiting to get through security to catch their flights that stretched the length of two city blocks. 'You want to travel? I'm going to stay in Italy and he (Trump) can stay in America,' joked the 52-year-old laborer. 'Traveling in general is difficult, it's not pleasant, and this adds to the frustration,' said Paul Reynolds, a 52-year-old Jamaican traveling to Kingston also waiting in line. Despite the apparent long line of travelers, the Miami airport spokesperson said that wait times remained normal. TSA chief David Pekoske wrote on Friday that he had approved a $500 bonus for officers at checkpoints who have worked without pay in what is now the longest government shutdown in US history. 'While I realize this is not what you are owed for your hard work,' Pekoske tweeted, 'I hope these actions alleviate some of the financial hardship many of you are facing.' Miami International wasn't the only airport that faced TSA worker shortfalls. A TSA security checkpoint was closed Sunday afternoon in Terminal B at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport and stayed that way the rest of the day. Houston airport officials ascribed the closure to staffing issues associated with the partial shutdown. It's thought that the TSA workers who are calling out sick are doing so because they are looking for other ways to get paid to make ends meet during the shutdown. Since December 22, some 800,000 US federal employees have been on mandatory leave or working without pay because President Donald Trump and Congress have been at an impasse over $5.7billion the president wants to build a wall on Mexico border. A supermarket shopper says she was brought to the brink of vomiting when she found a dead mouse hidden in her freshly bought packaged salad. Perth mother-of-two Sukhdeep Sandhu took to social media to put her local supermarket Spudshed on notice after making the grim discovery Sunday morning. The West Australian family-owned business that makes the salad issued an apology, saying it was a 'one in a million'. A mother was brought to the brink of vomiting when she found a dead mouse in her salad Ms Sandhu noticed a pink tail poking out from behind spinach leaves when she was doing her weekend shopping for fruit and vegetables. Discovering the mouse, she says she immediately brought the find to the attention of staff, who were 'really shocked and surprised'. 'I went to Spudshed Jandakot this morning around 11am and bought packed spinach,' she shared in an emoji-laden social media post. 'To my surprise when I picked up the bag I saw a dead mouse in the sealed packet. 'I talked to the store manager and got the whole lot removed from there. But I am still thinking that where is the quality check??? 'They are selling dead mice hidden in sealed packets.' Taking to social media to put her local supermarket on blast, she asked why it wasn't checked Speaking to WAToday, Ms Sandhu says employees at the store were very apologetic and offered her a ten per cent discount on her shopping. But she says she refused, saying it was 'not about the money'. 'It's a health issue,' she said. She says her nine-year-old daughter watched on as a manager pulled the salad from the shelves at her request. The family-owned business that sourced the packaged produce, Supafresh Salads, apologised profusely and immediately to Ms Sandhu online. The mother made the grim discovery at her local Spudshed supermarket, who she says removed the salad from shelves at her request 'My name is Troy Cukrov. We are a family business that have been growing and processing salads in WA for nearly 20 years,' the post read. 'We grow and process over 40 tonnes of baby spinach leaf every week. We have every possible inspection and prevention within our process. Our crops are grown in open fields. We have rodent traps throughout our farms. We have insect agitators on our harvesters. We have rodent traps throughout our factory.' Mr Cukrov went on to detail the washing and inspection process his family business goes through to deliver products to the shelves. 'I have failed in this case and for that we are truly and humbly sorry. I apologise unreservedly. I hope that you all understand the challenges that we face in farming in nature and I plead with you to support us and understand.' Ms Sandhu said she appreciated the apology but hoped for more thorough quality checks in the future. Spudshed has declined to comment any further on the matter. Islamic terrorists, including Hamza Abbas (pictured) who plotted to blow up Melbourne landmarks on Christmas Day were sent a text from Muslim leaders in the lead up to their arrest Islamic terrorists who plotted to blow up Melbourne landmarks on Christmas Day were sent a text from Muslim leaders in the lead up to their arrest, telling them to take their 'politics and personal opinions outside'. Three of the four men who conspired to 'wage violent jihad' by detonating a bomb in Federation Square on December 25, 2016, attended the Hume Islamic Youth Centre (HIYC) in Coolaroo in the city's north. Ibrahim Abbas, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiring to prepare an attack, revealing his goal was to 'cause as much chaos, destruction, fear, bloodshed' as possible in the heart of Melbourne. His brother, Hamza, 23, cousin Abdullah Chaarani, 27, and friend Ahmed Mohamed, 25, were found guilty in November over the plot, which included plans to detonate suicide vests outside Flinders St station and St Paul's Cathedral. A text message sent by leaders of the HIYC days before police made the arrests said they had received complaints about overheard conversations by the group. Three of the four men accused of conspiring to blow up a bomb in Melbourne's Federation Square on Christmas Day, 2016, attended Coolaroo's Hume Islamic Youth Centre (pictured) Hamza Abbas (right), Abdullah Chaarani, 27, and Ahmed Mohamed (left) were found guilty in November over the plot In the message, the leaders said they would not stand for Islam 'being poisoned' or their leadership being 'disrespected under our very own roof', the Herald Sun reported. 'Speak what politics or personal opinions outside the centre, but do not bring this speech and falsehood into the centre,' the message read. The text, which said the men should 'fear Allah', continued: 'If there is anything you are not sure about in the deen [religion], come and ask... Come and ask, as Allah says to ask people of knowledge when you don't know'. The message was found by counter-terrorism police on one of the men's phones and was read to the jury in the trial of Hamza Abbas and two others, the paper reported. 'Speak what politics or personal opinions outside the centre, but do not bring this speech and falsehood into the centre,' the message read Supreme Court judge Andrew Tinney said the terror plot was discussed at HIYC (pictured) The centre was led by Sheik Mohammed Omran, the highest ranked cleric in Australia for the Salafi movement, a conservative strand of Sunni Islam As he sentenced Ibrahim Abbas to 20 years behind bars, Supreme Court judge Andrew Tinney said the terror plot was discussed at HIYC. The trio were not the only jihadists to have attended the centre. Among the centre's other previous attendees was Hassan Khalif Shire Ali - who was shot dead by police after killing a restaurant owner and injuring two others in Bourke Street in November. Another was Jake Bilardi, who blew himself up in a 2015 suicide bomb attack in Iraq that killed no one but himself. Fellow teenage suicide bomber Adam Dahman, 18, who killed five people in Iraq in 2014, was also believed to have passed through the doors of the HIYC. Somali-born terrorist who stabbed three men in last year's Bourke Street attack, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali (pictured) attended prayer sessions at the youth centre Dahman, from the inner Melbourne suburb of Northcote, also 'liked' one of Hume's top sheiks on Facebook before he detonated a suicide bomb in Baghdad. Yet another Hume regular was Melbourne-born Dawod Elmir, who abandoned his nursing degree in 2014 to fight in Syria. He was believed to have been killed on the battlefield in 2016. Other Hume attendees were accused of being part of a terrorism network run by Abdul Nacer Benbrika (aka Abu Bakr), who was jailed for 15 years in 2009 for planning attacks including one on the MCG during the 2005 AFL Grand Final. Another was Jake Bilardi, who blew himself up in a 2015 suicide bomb attack in Iraq that killed no one but himself The youth centre has hosted more controversial figures, including firebrand preachers Musa Cerantonio and Junaid Thorne (pictured) The youth centre has hosted more controversial figures, including firebrand preachers Musa Cerantonio and Junaid Thorne. The centre was led by Sheik Mohammed Omran, the highest ranked cleric in Australia for the Salafi movement, a conservative strand of Sunni Islam. Speaking to The Australian late last year, Sheik Omran blamed the 'bloody Prime Minister' and police for not stopping Shire Ali's Bourke Street attack. 'This person was on the watch list. So what did they do? Nothing,' Sheik Omran said on Tuesday. 'This bloody Prime Minister, instead of turning the heat on somebody else, he should answer us about what he did. 'He has spent billions of dollars - billions - on security service. And what is the end result? We have crazy people in the street.' Suicide bomber Adam Dahman, 18, who killed five people in Iraq in 2014, is also believed to have passed through the doors of the HIYC Michigan police have arrested two suspects in the New Year's Eve slaying of a soldier who was shot while on leave. Army Sgt Tyrone Hassel III, 23, was visiting his family for the holidays when he was shot and killed. The St Joseph Township Police Department said Saturday that the suspects were arrested after authorities received a tip. Police have not released any information regarding the suspects, but one of the suspects is believed to be Sgt Hassel's 22-year-old wife, Spc Kemia Nekenah Hassel, who also serves in the Army. Army Sgt Tyrone Hassel III, 23, was visiting his family for the holidays when he was shot and killed. Sgt Hassel, who was an active duty military member, was shot multiple times around 11.10pm on New Year's Eve near 2086 Colfax Avenue in St Joseph Township Sgt Hassel, who was an active duty military member, was shot multiple times around 11.10pm on New Year's Eve outside 2086 Colfax Avenue in St Joseph Township. His father, Tyrone Hassel Jr, said his son was leaving a family party and on his way to take his wife a plate of food when he was gunned down. 'He came back out the house and somebody shot him,' Hassel Jr told WWMT. 'I don't know if somebody followed him.' Upon arrival, officers found Sgt Hassel 'gravely injured' with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the police department. He was treated at the scene and rushed to Spectrum Lakeland Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Berrien County Prosecutor Mike Sepic will issue a press release on Monday with further details. Police have not released any information regarding the suspects, but one of the suspects is believed to be Sgt Hassel's 22-year-old wife, Spc Kemia Nekenah Hassel (left with Sgt Hassel and right) Upon arrival, officers found Sgt Hassel 'gravely injured' in a driveway (area pictured) with multiple gunshot wounds. He was treated at the scene and rushed to Spectrum Lakeland Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video ABC57 Privacy Policy Hassel's obituary says he enlisted in the Army in 2015, and has since received multiple honors. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, The German Army Proficiency Badge and completed a nine-month rotation in South Korea. His most recent accomplishment was on October 31, 2017, when he was promoted to sergeant. He and his wife have one son, Tyrone Hassel IV. According to his obituary, Sgt Hassel met his wife, Spc Kemia Hassel, who also serves in the Army. The two were married in May 2017. The soldier's funeral service was held Saturday at New Bethel Baptist Church in Benton Harbor. Sgt Hassel leaves behind numerous family members who will forever cherish his memory, including seven brothers and two sisters. His father, Tyrone Hassel Jr (pictured), said his son was leaving a family party and on his way to take his wife a plate of food when he was gunned down. 'He came back out the house and somebody shot him,' Hassel Jr said Andrew Binsiar has been forced to crowdfund a project that will give his community clean drinking water after the government turned their backs An Indigenous community has been forced to crowdfund for clean drinking water after the government decided it was too expensive to fix the problem. Andrew Binsiar, from Buttah Windee, claims his remote community in Western Australia has levels of uranium nearly three times that of the Australian standard - a level the government admits is 'unacceptably high'. He made the discovery nearly 10 years ago, when a friend gifted him a fish, which died in the water. 'I thought "there must be something wrong with the water", so I tested it and that's how I found out,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'As soon as I found it in the water, the whole community went to the hospital to have our kidneys checked - thankfully nobody was ill.' Mr Binsiar said he quickly took the issue to the WA Department of Communities, which is responsible for the upkeep of Indigenous Communities, but they declined to help. After looking into the cost of fixing the issue, which they estimated to be about $500,000, the government decided to end their partnership with the community rather than solve it. The father-of-five (pictured with his family) lives in Buttah Windee, which is nearly 800km inland from Perth. The indigenous community was found to have uranium levels in their water about three times the national average When contacted, the government had signs put up stating: 'this water is unsafe to drink'. They have not offered to fix the water supply The Buttah Windee Community (pictured) is nearly 900km inland from Perth, and three km from Meekatharra 'The region [of Buttah Windee] has extensive uranium deposits and minerals leach naturally from the surrounding rocks and soil into ground water,' a spokesman for the WA Department of Communities told Daily Mail Australia. 'The cost of a suitable water treatment plant was investigated and found to be excessive given the small size of the community.' Instead of providing clean drinking water to residents, the Department of Communities installed signs around town which read: 'Don't drink or use the water for cooking, and provided bottled water to use instead. In 2013, representatives from the Department of Communities and FaHCSIA visited the community and offered to provide new alternative housing in Meekatharra, about three kilometres away, which would be managed under public housing agreements. When residents rejected the offer, they were told the government would not continue to service the land they were living on, and that they were now responsible for housing and associated services. 'The Department ceased providing management services in 2013 and has had no formal relationship with the community since then,' the spokesman said. Mr Binsiar says the government offered residents of the community (pictured) public housing three kilometres away in Meekatharra, instead of paying to fix the water. The WA Department of Communities said they estimated the repair cost to be $500,000 Mr Binsiar has found a way to fix the issue for less than $30,000, and has turned to GoFundMe for help He says the community, which has been fragmented over the water issue, is looking for a hand up, not a hand out, and is looking to become fully self sustainable Mr Binsiar said he has continued fighting to get the help he believes he is entitled to, and has only turned to crowdfunding as a final resort. With government support no longer available for those living on the land, Mr Binsiar turned to the public to help him restore his community - which has dwindled from about 50 to just 13. He has launched a GoFundMe page and is also selling his art to help raise money for the new water system. 'Everyone deserves clean water,' he said. 'Buttah Windee isn't reliant on the government at all - we look after what we've got. 'Ive been arguing with [the government] for the last nine years. But you get nowhere jumping up and down and pointing the finger. 'I'm absolutely shocked at how generous the Australian public has been.' Mr Binsiar says he is shocked by the generosity of Australians so far, and is hoping to raise the last few thousand dollars that would allow people to live safely on the land without relying on bottled water Initially, Mr Binsiar was intending to use a freshly-dug well to hydrate his community, but when he tested that water, it came back positive for arsenic. Now, he will invest in a reverse osmosis plant, which will remove the uranium from the community's original water source. In a Facebook post, he said the government had 'walked away' from his community, but those remaining were determined to help fix their own issues. 'I have done everything to try and prove that our community is worthy of help, only to be trodden on,' he said. WHAT DOES URANIUM DO TO THE HUMAN BODY? Extremely high exposure to uranium has been shown to be lethal to humans and animals. Oral exposure can cause kidney failure, as can inhaled exposure, which can also cause lung failure. Overexposure can cause kidney problems, fibrosis and emphysema. Source: CDC Advertisement 'I go out of my way to help the youth of our town with the issues that face them, we are enlisting members of our youth group into the army reserves, we keep them away from drugs and alcohol by providing support, help with machinery tickets and licenses, I donate my own vehicle and money to feed them. 'We have started a fish farm to create employment for kids that society deems unemployable. I give our youth a dream, they have to work for like every other hard working Australian. 'All the while Aboriginal agencies that are funded to help us ignore our struggle. Still I can't get clean water for my own children. 'We all know it's a basic human right to have fresh clean drinking water.' Mr Binsiar has started up a barramundi farm, using water donated by nearby Meekatharra, and is helping young people from the town and the community earn TAFE qualifications. He wants to see people return to the land, and help turn the community into a self-sustaining area, where there are employment opportunities and tourists come to visit. We've got a mother and her son coming back at the end of January, and a nan who looks after four kids coming back as well,' the father-of-five said. The community leader is hoping to create employment opportunities on the land, and has begun to set up a barramundi farm, where young people are trained in agriculture Mr Binsiar, also an artist, has also been selling his work off, with profits going towards a new water system 'It's a goal of mine to get people back and be a community again. At the moment it's just me and my crew.' On the community's GoFundMe page, which has raised all but $8,000 of its goal, Mr Binsiar says residents are looking for 'a hand up not a hand out'. 'I haven't got a lot to say about the government, they've proven what they are - false hope,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The Australian public has been absolutely amazing for giving us a chance to have this clean water so we can get on with our lives, for helping to save a little community everyone forgot about. 'Australia is truly a lucky country - you have to put the hard work in to get what you want in life.' To donate to the Buttah Windee GoFundMe account, click here. Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin believed he could rule Melbourne's underworld. At his peak, the hot-headed boy from Sunshine, in the city's west, was willing to walk into police headquarters and start shooting up the place. His dream ended with two bullets in the neck and one in the head. Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin was a feared Melbourne hitman believed responsible for multiple murders Damian Walshe-Howling played Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin in the popular Underbelly series Last month, the Herald Sun reported Veniamin had been visited by the notorious Informer 3838, whose involvement as a lawyer snitch has sparked a royal commission in Victoria. Veniamin reportedly turned up at the barrister's home unannounced at the height of Melbourne's gangland war and warned her about her allegiances. One theory was Italian organised crime figures suspicious of her activities sent the feared hitman to visit her. It is one of dozens of incidents likely to be covered by the royal commission into the female lawyer who turned on her clients. Veniamin was just 28 in March 2004 when he was shot dead. He was the chief suspect in five gangland murders and was Carl Williams' trusted bodyguard. Williams, who was bludgeoned to death in jail by a cell mate six years later, was never much good at picking mates. Veniamin had blown away two of his best friends before 'mate' Domenic 'Mick' Gatto ended his life in the back of a pizza shop. At the time, Gatto was the head of the notorious Carlton Crew, who ruled Melbourne's seedy underworld. Gatto's good mate Graham 'The Munster' Kinniburgh had been killed just months earlier. Mick Gatto leaves the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2005 after being cleared of Veniamin's murder Gatto's mate 'The Munster' Graham Kinniburgh was gunned down outside his Kew home. His killer was sentenced to life in jail last year. The mail was in that Veniamin had pulled the trigger. It was bad mail. A man, who cannot be named, was last year jailed for life over the murder. He had shot dead Kinniburgh in an ambush outside his Kew home. It had been on the orders of Williams who wanted Kinniburgh dead due to his association with the Moran family. But on March 23, Gatto was well within his rights to be suspicious. It was well known in criminal circles that Veniamin had put bullets in his school chums and drug dealing associates Dino Dibra in 2000 and Paul Kallipolitis in 2002. He had admitted it himself, Gatto would later say. Police also believed he shot dead fruiterer Frank Benvenuto in his car in May 2000. Gatto, who continues to work in industrial mediation, had taken Benji under his wing. During his murder trial, the former boxer said he had saved Veniamin's skin more than once. 'I was always sort of getting involved sort of patching things up,' he said. He went on to say Benji had told him at a party that he had indeed killed his mates. 'I motioned him over and he come over to the bar and I said words to the effect, ''I've got to be careful of you,'' or something like that. He said, ''You're a mate of mine. What are you talking about?'' 'I said, ''Well, you know, PK and Dino they were your mates too. You grew up with them.'' He said, ''Mick, they were dogs I'm dirty I never put another clip into them''.' When he asked Veniamin about the death of the Munster, Benji swore black and blue he hadn't pulled the trigger. By this time, Gatto was a marked man by Williams, with word he had placed a contract on his head. Veniamin was the 25th victim of the bloody gangland war, which was to become the subject of the popular Underbelly television series. The man who really pulled the trigger on 'The Munster' is taken to jail after being found guilty of his murder in the Supreme Court of Victoria last year Mick Gatto (above) refuses to publicly speak about the man he was accused of shooting dead Gatto met Williams and Veniamin at Crown Casino on December 22, 2003, in a bid to bring peace to the streets. At the pre-Christmas meeting, he told Williams this was not his war, but the crazed killer would not stop until all his perceived rivals were dead. Police warned Gatto to watch his back, and he took that advice very seriously. On Monday, March 23 2004 - three months from the casino meeting - the day Veniamin would die, Gatto rang him and asked him to visit the La Porcella restaurant. The restaurant on Rathdowne Street, Carlton doubled as a make-shift office for Gatto. Gatto was enjoying a coffee with mate Steve Kaya when Veniamin walked in wearing a pair of thongs. After about 20 minutes, it was clear Veniamin had something on his mind and asked to speak with Gatto in private. Alone, in a confined pantry, Veniamin went off about the rumours he'd killed 'The Munster'. 'I'm sick of hearing this s***,' he said. Gatto told him that was the word on the street. 'I wouldn't interfere with you because you're a mate,' Veniamin barked. Gatto reminded him about Dino and 'PK'. 'You f**king killed them,' Gatto said. 'Well they deserved it. They were dogs,' Benji replied. Gatto told Veniamin he felt it was a good time to bust up their friendship as he no longer trusted him. He would tell the Supreme Court jury Veniamin did not take it well. 'I was looking at him in the eyes and his face went all funny and he sort of stepped back and he said, ''We had to kill f**king Graham F**k him and f**k you'',' Gatto said. Gatto, who was packing a gun himself, never saw where Benji's gun came from, but he only had a second to react. 'I just lunged at him and I grabbed his arm and the gun went off past my head,' he told the jury. The long snub Smith and Wesson .38 hand gun used in the shooting of Andrew Veniamin. What followed next was a desperate struggle for survival. 'He had his hands on the trigger and I just forced his hands squeezed his hands to force him to pull the trigger,' Gatto said. 'When I pushed the gun towards him and I was squeezing his hand he sort of pulled me off balance and I nearly fell over on top of him and the gun was going off. 'It was just bang, bang. I've got to be honest, I thought I was a dead duck. I thought I was gone,' Gatto said. When it was done, Veniamin lay on his back coughing and spluttering blood. 'He died because he just pulled a gun at me,' Gatto told the jury. 'He went ballistic. He tried to kill me and I stopped him from doing that and he got shot rather than me. Thank God he did. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BACK OF LA PORCHELLA? Benji Veniamin asks to speak in private to Mick Gatto about 'rumours' he'd killed gangland identity Graham 'The Munster' Kinniburgh outside his Kew home. The pair's conversation, in a pantry at the rear of La Porchella restaurant in Carlton, quickly became heated, with Gatto telling him they could no longer be mates. Gatto told the Victorian Supreme Court that Veniamin 'didn't take that well' and he pulled a gun on him. What followed next was a desperate struggle for survival. 'He had his hands on the trigger and I just forced his hands squeezed his hands to force him to pull the trigger,' Gatto said. 'When I pushed the gun towards him and I was squeezing his hand he sort of pulled me off balance and I nearly fell over on top of him and the gun was going off. 'It was just bang, bang. I've got to be honest, I thought I was a dead duck. I thought I was gone,' Gatto said. When it was done, Veniamin lay on his back coughing and spluttering blood. 'He died because he just pulled a gun at me,' Gatto told the jury. 'He went ballistic. He tried to kill me and I stopped him from doing that and he got shot rather than me. Thank God he did. Advertisement 'I still believe if it was anyone else in my position they'd get a key to the city.' Gatto spent more than a year on remand waiting to go to trial. He was acquitted of murder after a jury found he had acted in self-defence. Today, Gatto refuses to reflect publicly on his relationship with Veniamin, declining to comment to Daily Mail Australia when contacted. In 2009, he broke his silence after the popularity of the Underbelly television series. In his book I, Mick Gatto, he said his life changed forever the day he shot dead Australia's 'busiest hitman'. 'My most vivid memory of that day is the look on his face. His eyes started spinning in his head and his whole expression changed. He went from Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde,' he wrote. 'I couldn't believe it. I thought he was about to throw a punch. But he produced a gun. I don't know where it came from - the back of his pants, I think.' Gatto said the death had haunted him. 'In the months that followed, as I lay awake in my prison cell at night, that vision of him lying gurgling on the ground played over and over in my mind,' he wrote. When he invited Veniamin to meet him, he wanted to know what he was up to. 'He was closely involved with Carl Williams, and I suspected both of being involved in Graham's murder,' he wrote. 'As they say, you keep your friends close and your enemies closer. 'Instead, I was charged with murder and spent the next fourteen months in custody, unable to protect my family and friends as the killings went on.' Today Benji is buried in one of the most extravagant graves at Keilor Cemetery. Carl Williams (at front on left) carries the coffin of Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin from St. Andrews Greeks Orthodox Church in Sunshine on March 30, 2004 Carl Williams (at front on left) at funeral of Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin, who was Williams' trusted bodyguard Carl Williams' ex-wife Roberta Williams during the 2005 trial of Mick Gatto over the murder of Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin Roberta Williams, the ex-wife of Carl, placed a single white rose on his grave after he was buried just a short distance away. Speaking in Channel 7 docu-drama series Beyond The Darklands in 2009, Roberta said she held vigil over Veniamin's body after he was gunned down. Along with his immediate family, Williams said she spent 'as much time as we could' with the assassin's corpse. 'We were really close and I loved him to death. The day Andrew died was my birthday. It was a really bad day, a birthday I will never celebrate again,' she said at the time. She has always denied speculation she had an affair with Veniamin, saying they were 'soulmates'. Even in death, Benji has found no peace. In 2010 his tombstone was blasted at near point blank range with a shotgun. Advertisement The American stepdaughter of 'Michael Boghdadi Asaad', one of the world's most notorious conmen, has vowed to confront him in Sydney A relentless life of crime has finally caught up with one of the world's most notorious conmen who hoodwinked Australia for more than three decades after he fled the US and left his family to 'starve to death'. The serial swindler racked up a lengthy criminal rap sheet across Australia, including a conviction of heroin supply and multiple counts of fraud - in one case ripping off Centrelink, the national welfare agency, to the tune of $90,000. The now 80-year-old arrived in the country in the late 1980s on a Canadian passport in the name of Rick Michaels - effectively making his 18-year crime spree in the US disappear. He later conned authorities into giving him an Australian passport under the name of Michael Boghdadi Asaad, claiming he was born in Tasmania and that fire destroyed his original document. In 2017, authorities finally figured out who he was - Egyptian-born lifetime crook Farouk Asaad - after he tried to claim an aged pension in a final attempt to scam Australia's taxpayers. But the renowned fraudster continued to fly under the radar of immigration officials - until now. Daily Mail Australia understands Asaad is being held at Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney and is finally set to be deported after a multi-national criminal career spanning nearly 50 years. His stepdaughter Heidi Kiernan, formally Heidi Asaad, told Daily Mail Australia from her home in Florida she will travel to Sydney to come face-to-face with the man who abandoned her and watch him get booted from the country. 'I have never gotten over the hell he put me through, the hell he left me with, the broken promises and shattered heart. These wounds run deep... I have my passport ready,' Ms Kiernan said. The conman's long list of criminal convictions include heroin supply and multiple counts of fraud. He is pictured with his Australian wife, Antoinette Asaad's stepdaughter Heidi Kiernan (pictured), formally Heidi Asaad, told Daily Mail Australia from her home in Florida she plans to travel to Australia to come face-to-face with the man who deserted her and watch him be booted from the country Ms Kiernan and her private investigator Bill Hagler suspected Asaad had used an alias to regain entry to the US after he didn't show up to a Sydney court in late 2017 over a hit-and-run driving offence. But it is understood the elderly conman has been held at Villawood since May last year, when he tried to re-enter Australia on another fake passport. I have never gotten over the hell he put me through... the broken promises and shattered heart. These wounds run deep. 'I fell to my knees crying happy tears when I heard [Asaad had been detained],' Ms Kiernan said. 'Not only did he abandon and hurt my mother, he did me as well. I will never forgive. I am hoping to confront him in Villawood myself.' Mr Hagler, a former bounty hunter who has captured some of America's most wanted fugitives, describes Asaad as the 'conman of the Western world' and the 'best of the best' when it comes to fraud criminals. 'He's very, very smart and so slick. He can make every deal in the book,' Mr Hagler told Daily Mail Australia. 'He likes Australia because the laws are not as strict on white collar crimes as they are in the United States. He left [the US] when they started out handing out life sentences for the types of crimes he committed.' Asaad married Ms Kiernan's mother, Annette (pictured together), in 1971 - enabling the Egyptian national to stay in the US Ms Kiernan (pictured as a child) said Asaad was her 'daddy' from the age of two until she was 17, when he abandoned her Asaad was reportedly in and out of US prisons between 1971 and 1987 on charges ranging from bank fraud to embezzlement and passing fake cheques. He married Ms Kiernan's mother, Annette, in 1971, enabling the Egyptian national to remain in the US. He is very, very smart and so slick - he can make every deal in the book. Ms Kiernan claims Asaad added bigamy to his long list of crimes when in 1986, he wed then 21-year-old Antoinette Lahood at a Las Vegas chapel while still married to her mother. Asaad met Antoinette's father, Australian drug lord Harry Lahood, while behind bars at Washington State Prison the previous year, Ms Kiernan said. When he was released from jail, Asaad left Ms Kiernan's mother and moved Antoinette into their family home in Florida, secretly marrying her soon after. Ms Kiernan is seen with her friend and private investigator Bill Hagler. They had suspected Asaad used an alias to regain entry to the US after he didn't show up to a Sydney court in late 2017 over a hit-and-run driving offence Asaad left Ms Kiernan's mother (pictured together) and moved Antoinette into their family home in Florida, secretly marrying her soon after 'I saw Antoinette in 1987 and I cried to her that [Asaad] was a married man, that I was his daughter and to have a heart. She didn't tell me a word about them being married,' Ms Kiernan said. 'I was still receiving letters from [Asaad] in 1987... He'd sign the letters, "Love Daddy''.' When a court awarded the Florida home to Ms Kiernan's mother, Asaad fled the state - and with federal authorities hot on his heels over a range of fraud-related matters - soon boarded a plane to Australia. He left the mother and daughter in Florida 'to starve to death', Mr Hagler said. Asaad married Ms Kiernan's mother, Annette, in 1971 (marriage certificate left) before wedding Antoinette Lahood in 1986 'He's very, very smart and so slick. He can make every deal in the book - he's got nine lives,' Mr Hagler said of Asaad (pictured) Asaad's Las Vegas wedding with Antoinette was a sham - a marriage he used to move to Australia where he would continue a life of crime, according to Ms Kiernan. 'He likes Australia because the laws are not as strict on white collar crimes as they are in the United States. 'He illegally married Antoinette while still married to my mother, to be able to stay in Australia to begin his dirty deeds in your country,' she said. Antoinette and Asaad now have seven children together in Australia. One, Michael Asaad Jr, made his own claim to notoriety in 2009 when he was filmed punching a reporter in the face as they were compiling a story on his family outside their home on the Gold Coast. Ms Kiernan and Mr Hagler suspected Asaad returned the US after he didn't show up to a Sydney court over a hit-and-run driving offence, which was captured on CCTV (pictured) Asaad's Las Vegas wedding with Antoinette was a sham - a marriage he used to move to Australia where he would continue a life of crime, according to Ms Kiernan (pictured with husband, Todd) Meanwhile, in 1987, nearly two years after Asaad abandoned her, Ms Kiernan confronted him at a South Florida jail and asked if he 'cared that she was broke and going hungry'. During a heated discussion, Asaad vowed to 'always be a part of her life'. It was a promise that was spectacularly broken. The last time Ms Kiernan saw Asaad - who she had called 'daddy' from the age of two until she was 17 - was 28 years ago, when he travelled back to the US, likely on Rick Michaels' passport. 'I was still receiving letters from [Asaad] in 1987, the year I graduated high school. He'd sign the letters, "Love Daddy'',' Ms Kiernan said The last time Ms Kiernan (pictured in a recent photo) saw Asaad was 28 years ago, when he travelled back to the US, likely on Rick Michaels' passport 'In 1991, I saw him on the street. He was walking, holding hands with [Antoinette], who was pregnant - again. I ran to him, calling ''daddy!'' He told me to go away. Very hurtful,' Ms Kiernan said. '[Antoinette] has always known of my mother and me, but went through the fake marriage and had seven children - that your country paid for. 'I still see him as daddy. His family... still consider me family. But, at the same time, daddy makes me feel like a scared little girl.' HEIDI ASAAD CONFRONTS HER STEPFATHER IN JAIL Heidi Kiernan (pictured as a child), formally Heidi Asaad, confronted her stepfather in jail in 1987, about two years after he abandoned her family Heidi Kiernan: In 1987, I heard he was in jail in West Palm Beach. I was 18 and about to graduate high school. I was able to get through with my ID. He didn't know I was coming. To my surprise, he wasn't waiting for me. Antoinette was sitting on the only little round stool, speaking to [Asaad], through a phone, as there was a glass between them. She was pregnant. As soon as [Asaad] saw me behind her, he turned white. I bent over, yelled in her ear to get up. She replied, he owes me money. I told her to take a number b***h and pushed her to the floor, where she stayed. Crying. I was screaming through the glass, that his wife and daughter need him. I asked if he even cared that I was broke and going hungry. I cried 'daddy' over and over. I made such a ruckus, inmates came to his window and guards came to me. [Asaad] asked that I go home and come back when I calm down. I then received a three-page letter from him. Which I still have. Later, that same year, he came to my boyfriend's house, where I had moved to. [He is] now my husband, Todd. He took us to lunch and promised me the world, a new car and money to help me get on my feet. He also promised to always be a part of my life. Advertisement Ms Kiernan said Asaad (pictured left and right with her mother, Annette) 'promised to always be a part of her life'. It was a promise never kept In 1992, years after arriving in Australia, Asaad used a fake baptism form to obtain a birth certificate. A court later found that a fire he claimed destroyed his original certificate never happened. He used the birth certificate to obtain a passport and, although he was convicted of a string of crimes, slipped under the radar of immigration authorities for decades to come. In 1993, he was convicted of heroin dealing and served 11 months behind bars, according to Queensland Supreme Court documents. Mr Hagler claimed it was Asaad's connection to Harry Lahood that led him to the drug trade. 'He agreed to become a mule in the drug business. Never before has this conman been involved in drugs. Normally a conman doesn't get involved in drugs. He cons people - he cons banks,' Mr Hagler said. 'A new daddy appeared in 1971,' Ms Kiernan captioned this photo of her stepfather, Michael Boghdadi Asaad, aka Farouk Asaad Ms Kiernan (pictured as a young woman) said: 'I still see him as daddy. His family... still consider me family. But, at the same time, daddy makes me feel like a scared little girl' Asaad was convicted of a string of fraud-related offences stretching from 1994 to 2009, as well as several bail breaches, court documents state. In 2002 at the age of 72, Asaad declared bankruptcy owing nearly $400,000, shortly before he set up a pizza restaurant on the Gold Coast. In 2005 he was convicted of preparing to leave Australia as an undischarged bankrupt - as well as conducting business while bankrupt - and sentenced to three months jail. He was later convicted of failing to declare bankruptcy to an exclusive Perth school which one of his sons attended in 2004, racking up a debt of $16,000. He served six months of a 12-month sentence. In 2010, Asaad was jailed for nine months after failing to declare to businesses he was bankrupt, leaving them thousands of dollars out of pocket. The Brisbane District Court heard at the time he lied to creditors about graduating from Harvard with an MBA, as well as working in executive positions with several US banks. Daily Mail Australia understands Asaad is now being held at Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney and will finally be deported after an international criminal career spanning nearly 50 years Ms Kiernan is pictured on her wedding day in 1989 with her lifetime friend and private investigator, Bill Hagler Under his false identity, Asaad scammed $89,161 out of Centrelink between 2002 and 2009 in what prosecutors described as a 'calculated, sophisticated and determined fraud'. He was sentenced to 13 months jail in 2016. In 2017, when his application for an aged pension was rejected, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled Asaad wasn't born in Australia, as he had claimed. He told the tribunal his parents moved overseas when he was three years old and he had been looked after by a Lebanese family in the New South Wales town of Moree. 'He was asked by the tribunal why he had such a strong accent, given that he was born in Australia,' tribunal member Ron McCallum wrote in his decision at the time. 'Mr Asaad said that his accent was because he lived on a farm at Moree with Arabic speaking people. Mr Asaad said that he did not go to school, and that he only learned to read and write when he was an adult.' Ms Kiernan (pictured as a young woman) said: '[Antoinette] has always known of my mother and me, but went through the fake marriage and had seven children - that your country paid for' Ms Kiernan said Asaad was the 'only father she had' from the age of two until she was 17. Pictured: She marries her partner Todd in 1989 Mr McCallum found Asaad did not meet the residency requirements for the aged pension. The decision finally put him in the sights of the Department of Home Affairs, with Peter Dutton in late 2017 ordering a full report into the conman's activities. The department recently told Daily Mail Australia it 'was aware' of Asaad, but said it couldn't comment on individuals. 'Foreign nationals who do not hold a valid visa will be liable for detention and removal from Australia,' a spokesman for the department said. A $1million FBI bounty on Asaad, announced in 1990, is understood to stand to this day. Mr Hagler, who has been chasing Asaad for nearly four decades, said he and Ms Kiernan would be 'right there' in Australia when he is deported. 'We've got our passports ready to go... I've been a huge thorn in his side for many years - and I'm very proud of it,' he said. The Department of Home Affairs didn't respond to Daily Mail Australia's questions regarding Asaad's detention and impending deportation. Ms Kiernan married her teenage sweetheart Todd in 1989. They share two children and live together in Florida. DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS TIGHT-LIPPED ON ASAAD The Department of Home Affairs (minister Peter Dutton pictured) said it was aware of Asaad's case 'The Department is aware of this case, however cannot comment on individuals,' a Home Affairs spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 'There are strong provisions under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 that allow the Minister or a delegate to refuse or cancel a visa if the person is considered to not be of good character. 'A person can fail the character test for a number of reasons, including but not limited to where a non-citizen has a substantial criminal record. Such consideration takes into account the circumstances of a case in full, including any countervailing factors that may exist. 'It is open to a foreign national whose visa has been cancelled or refused to seek judicial review of the decision. 'Foreign nationals who do not hold a valid visa will be liable for detention and removal from Australia, pending resolution of any ongoing matters.' Advertisement Ms Kiernan is now married to her teenage sweetheart Todd Kiernan. They share two children together. The family is seen in a recent photo Pictured: Bill Hagler, a former bounty hunter who has captured some of America's most wanted fugitives. He has been chasing Asaad for decades Just one or two joints is enough to change the structure of a teenager's brain, scientists have warned. And the drug could cause changes affecting how likely they are to suffer from anxiety or panic, according to a study. Researchers found 14-year-old girls and boys exposed to THC the psychoactive chemical in cannabis had a greater volume of grey matter in their brains. This means the tissue in certain areas is thicker, and it was found to be in the same areas as the receptors which marijuana affects. Experts said thickening of brain tissue is the opposite of what usually happens during puberty, when teenagers' brain matter gets thinner and more refined. Researchers did scans of teenagers' brains and discovered those who had been exposed to small amounts of marijuana (top row) had thicker regions of the brain (indicated by more orange and yellow tissue) than those who had never smoked cannabis (bottom row) Researchers from the University of Vermont scanned the brains of teenagers from England, Ireland, France and Germany to study marijuana's effects. They found differences in the volume of grey matter in the amygdala and the hippocampus. These sections are involved with emotions, fear, memory development and spatial skills changes to them suggests smoking cannabis could affect these faculties. Scientists said theirs is the first evidence to suggest structural brain changes and cognitive effects of just one or two uses of cannabis in young teenagers. And it suggests as teenagers brains are still developing, they may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of THC. THC, full name tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical in marijuana which makes people high and is what makes it illegal in the UK. 'Consuming just one or two joints seems to change grey matter volumes in young adolescents,' said study author Professor Dr Hugh Garavan. 'The implication is that this is potentially a consequence of cannabis use. You're changing your brain with just one or two joints. 'Most people would likely assume that one or two joints would have no impact on the brain.' What changes the increased brain volume directly causes is unclear, but the researchers said it is important to understand cannabis's effects in detail. This is especially so in the US, where more states are legalising the drug and a view of it being harmless is spreading, they said. Professor Garavan said cannabis use appears to produce the opposite effect on brain matter of what usually happens during puberty. IS ALCOHOL OR CANNABIS WORSE FOR THE BRAIN? Alcohol damages the brain more than cannabis, research suggested in February 2017. Unlike booze, marijuana does not affect the size or integrity of white or grey matter in the brain, even after years of exposure, a study found. Grey matter enables the brain to function, while white controls communication between nerve clusters. Study author Professor Kent Hutchison, from the University of Colorado Boulder, said: 'While marijuana may also have some negative consequences, it definitely is nowhere near the negative consequences of alcohol.' The scientists add, however, research into cannabis' mental effects are still very limited. Lead author Rachel Thayer said: 'Particularly with marijuana use, there is still so much that we don't know about how it impacts the brain.' In the US, 44 percent of those aged 12 or over have used cannabis at some point in their lives. Although their findings appear positive, the researchers also add there is a long way to go before cannabis will likely be broadly legalised. Many are still concerned as to how the class-C drug affects people of different ages, manages pain and causes addiction. Advertisement He said a typical adolescent brain undergoes a 'pruning' process in which it gets thinner, rather than thicker, as it refines its connections. 'One possibility is they've actually disrupted that pruning process,' he said. Previous studies have focused on heavy marijuana users later in life and compared them against non-users. Few have looked at the effects of the first few uses of a drug. Another of the study's authors, Catherine Orr, now a lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia said: 'Rates of cannabis use among adolescents are high and are increasingly concurrent with changes in the legal status of marijuana and societal attitudes regarding its use. 'Recreational cannabis use is understudied, especially in the adolescent period when neural maturation may make users particularly vulnerable to the effects of THC on brain structure.' The study, part of a long-term European project known as IMAGEN, involved 46 teenagers who used recreational marijuana once or twice by the age of 14. They reported how many joints they had smoked and had brain scans. It also involved 69 teenagers who used the drug at least 10 times between the ages of 14 and 16, and 69 who had not touched the drug by age 16. Scientists also assessed them for signs of various mental disorders including ADHD, anxiety, depression and panic disorder. Dr Orr said: 'Of the behavioural variables tested, only sensation seeking and agoraphobia differed between the cannabis users and controls. And these factors were not related to greater grey matter differences.' The researchers said the area of the brain which cannabis interacts with is particularly important for brain development in adolescence, suggesting teenagers could be particularly affected by THC. Dr Orr concluded: 'Almost 35 per cent of American 10th graders have reported using cannabis and existing research suggests that initiation of cannabis use in adolescence is associated with long-term neurocognitive effects. 'We understand very little about the earliest effects of cannabis use, however, as most research is conducted in adults with a heavy pattern of lifetime use. 'This study presents evidence suggesting structural brain and cognitive effects of just one or two instances of cannabis use in adolescence.' The study was published in The Journal of Neuroscience. The daily contraceptive pill could be replaced by a patch used just once a month. The small round sticker, the size of a quarter, is lined with biodegradable microneedles containing the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel. After five seconds on a user's arm, the needles break away and remain under the surface of the skin to slowly release the drug then dissolve. Early stage trials in mice, described in a new study published today, showed the needles dissolved safely, and the device successfully boosted levels of hormones needed to prevent pregnancy. The researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology say the method could be a game changer for women in developing countries where it is harder to get hold of long-acting contraception because access to doctors is limited and inconsistent. The needles could be pushed through the top layer of the skin, but one gentle shift of the patch and they will break free Many people don't take the contraceptive pill at the right time every day, which greatly diminishes its effectiveness. As such, long-acting contraceptives like the implant, the shot, and the IUD (a metal T-bar that sits in the uterus) more often get a nod of approval from gynecologists. There's a smaller margin for error. However, in developing countries where population growth is soaring far beyond families' means, that's a problem. Healthcare access is limited, so it is unrealistic to see implanted contraceptives as a universal option. Dissolvable microneedles have proven effective and safe in previous studies. In 2017, Emory University scientists showed the patch could rapidly deliver the flu shot into the body. It could be sent in the mail and could be self-administered - getting past the obstacle of people having to make time to go to a pharmacy. Now, a team of biomolecular engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a way to use the same method to slowly release a drug (i.e. the contraceptive drug) so that its effects last an entire month. 'In order to get into the body, unless you swallow a pill and have absorption of the GI tract which is fast-release, usually you use a needle or a minor surgical procedure,' Mark Prausnitz, corresponding author of the study, told DailyMail.com. 'But many people don't take [the pill] at the right time every day, and in developing countries healthcare professionals are not always accessible. 'The idea is to scale down the needle, recognizing that the skin's surface is thinner than the width of a hair.' They just had to make sure that the needles were strong enough to cross that barrier, but could instantly be snapped off so that they stayed under the skin to diffuse the drug into the skin. Mark Prausnitz, corresponding author of the study, holds one of the patches used in the study The biodegradable polymers used to make the microneedles are made from the same materials as dissolvable sutures - biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(lactic acid). It was a postdoctoral researcher on Dr Prausnitz's team - Wei Li - who cracked the technique. Li molded tiny air bubbles into the top of the microneedles, which meant that there was a structural weakness. It means the needles could be pushed through the top layer of the skin, but one gentle shift of the patch and they will break free. The patch can then be disposed of, and the needles will stay to do their work. It was a postdoctoral researcher on Dr Prausnitz's team - Wei Li - who cracked the technique of developing needles that were strong enough to enter the skin but weak enough to break off Thus far, the team has not proven that this method can prevent pregnancy. Their first step, described in a paper published by Nature Biomedical Engineering, was to show that one patch could sustain levels of levonorgestrel in mice for an entire month. Within the next two years they hope to conduct clinical trials in humans. First, they're mining feedback from healthcare professionals and women in nations that will likely receive these patches to find out how the product should look. There's plenty of excitement in the field of people working on women's health in developing nations. 'The microneedle patch delivery platform being developed by Dr. Prausnitz and his colleagues for contraception is an exciting advancement in women's health,' said Gregory S. Kopf, director of R&D Contraceptive Technology Innovation at FHI 360. 'This self-administered long-acting contraceptive will afford women discreet and convenient control over their fertility, leading to a positive impact on public health by reducing both unwanted and unintended pregnancies.' The NHS has had to pay 250,000 in fines for making junior doctors work overtime, an investigation has revealed. Junior doctors have worked beyond their contracted terms and conditions more than 63,000 times, an average of 2.1 times per doctor, since 2015. The figures come from the first analysis since the introduction of a controversial contract in 2016, which led to the first strike action by junior doctors in 40 years. The true figure is likely to be higher, as some junior doctors revealed they were discouraged from reporting by senior staff over fears they would look inefficient. Health officials have said they aren't worried about the high number of reports because it suggests 'a culture of wanting to make things better'. Junior doctors have worked beyond their contracts more than 63,000, an average of 2.1 times per doctor, since 2015, an investigation by the Health Service Journal showed The data was obtained by the Health Service Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request from more than 200 NHS trusts. Exception reporting, which is still relatively new, is part of the junior doctors' contract. It allows a trainee to file a report when they work overtime, without breaks or when another part of their contract is breached. Doctors who work overtime should be given time in lieu, more pay or have their hours reviewed. A guardian of safe working can also levy fines against a trust, with the money to be spent on doctors' educational needs. The findings are the first to highlight in numbers how much pressure junior doctors are under while being expected to work above and beyond. WHAT TRUSTS WERE THE MOST REPORTED? The following trusts were found to have the most exception reports: London North West Healthcare Trust: 2,569 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust: 1,935 Croydon Health Services Trust: 1,748 Lewisham and Greenwich Trust: 1,639 Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust: 1,495 Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust: 1,397 Advertisement WHAT TRUSTS RECEIVED THE MOST REPORTS PER DOC? Croydon Health Services Trust: 8.5 Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Foundation Trust: 7.1 Warrington And Halton Hospitals Foundation Trust: 7.0 Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust: 6.8 Northern Lincolnshire And Goole Hospitals Foundation Trust: 6.6 Royal Surrey County Hospital Foundation Trust: 6.4 Advertisement The highest number of exception reports was 2,569 at London North West Healthcare Trust, which employs 440 junior doctors. The second highest was 1,935 from over 590 junior doctors working at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, the figures show. However, the data did not consistently show a correlation between trusts employing a high number of junior doctors and the number of exception reports. Croydon Health Services Trust reported 1,748 exception reports from 205 doctors, meaning there were 8.5 reports per doctor, accumulating the highest number of fines levied against a trust at over 25,000. Whereas Barts Health Trust had less than one report per doctor, with 526 reports among 1,000 junior doctors employed. A spokesperson at Croydon Health Services Trust said it had worked to create an environment that encourages exception reporting. In other hospitals, this is far from the case - doctors are worried they will appear to be inefficient, or doctors were told to log overtime as bank shifts. Therefore a lower number is not suggestive of better working conditions, the investigator believe. One trainee at Queen's Hospital in Romford said: 'I have experienced a culture where exception reporting is strongly discouraged. 'When one of the registrars found out I had exception reported he said it was entirely the result of poor time management.' It is possible that technical barriers and human error have prevented reports going through, as well senior staff stuck to old monitoring systems. The most common reason to report an exception report was for overtime, which happened 31,000 times between August 2016 and July 2018. Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals Foundation Trust spent 514 on lunches described as 'forum of trainee safe working meetings', at the request of doctors. Four trusts reported zero exception reports - Sussex Community Foundation Trust, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust and The Walton Centre Foundation Trust. On the back of the findings, Jeeves Wijesuriya, chair of the British Medical Association's junior doctors committee, said he was not worried about trusts with high numbers of reports, because it suggested 'a culture of wanting to make things better'. He said: 'The places I worry about are where there are no exception reports. That's a real red flag.' Simon Fleming, orthopaedic registrar and past president of the British Orthopaedic Trainees Association, said there was a 'significant amount of Stockholm syndrome' among trainees. 'We have learnt to love this unhealthy culture we work in. A lot of junior doctors don't appreciate how powerful exception reporting is,' he said. Figures released by the BMA last May found stressed junior doctors are cutting their careers short more than ever. Most junior doctors don't carry on with training after their two-year foundation programme. In 2017, only 43 per cent stayed with the NHS. This is the lowest proportion in the health services history and down from 71.3 per cent in 2011. Calls to PHP, which supports stressed and depressed doctors, have doubled in recent times, with young medics making up most of the cases, Dr Clare Gerada, former chair of the Royal College of GPs revealed in October. Doctors often hide conditions such as depression and alcoholism because they are concerned it may affect their careers, Dr Gerada claimed. Denise Di Battista, a painter, said she has become 'almost blind' in one eye because of a calcium build-up in her cataract lens Dozens of people could sue a lens manufacturer after routine cataract operations made their eyesight worse. As many as 800 patients are thought to have been affected by a problem with Oculentis lenses, which have become cloudy years after being implanted. The company has already recalled the lenses which caused the issue. They are believed to have been on the market at least five years ago. One woman involved in an upcoming lawsuit, Denise Di Battista, 68, said she was 'very, very shocked' to find out she would need another cataract operation to fix the issue. There are believed to be hundreds of people suffering from opacification of their lenses meaning patches of the eye's lens become hard to see through. The problem is affecting some of those whose natural lenses were replaced in cataract surgery, and has taken years to surface. Cloudiness in the new lenses is caused by calcium deposits which build up over years until they become so large they obstruct people's vision. Ms Di Battista, a painter from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said she now has blind patches in one of her eyes, and struggles to see colours. Problems began following an operation to replace both her natural lenses in 2010. She said: 'If I was looking through my right eye, at times, I would think I was almost blind. It affects my painting and that depresses me terribly. 'I was very short-sighted and found it difficult to paint when taking my glasses on and off. I thought that if I had surgery it would correct the problem. 'Immediately after the surgery it was excellent, but after a while I started getting some mistiness in my right eye.' Hundreds of people are believed to be suffering from vision problems because they had cataract operations in which they were given lenses which later produced calcium build-up A lawyer taking action against Oculentis on Ms Di Battista's behalf said dozens more people are seeking similar compensation because of the problematic batch. The company has already paid for surgeons to replace the lenses in patients who have been affected by the issue, which is the only way to repair the damage. Lawyer Peter Todd, of the firm Hodge Jones & Allen said: 'Mrs Di Battista has been left devastated by the deterioration in her sight since she had the Oculentis lens implanted. 'She is one of dozens of people who we are representing in upcoming legal action. WHAT ARE CATARACTS? Cataracts occur when the lens - a small transparent disc inside the eye that helps to focus light - becomes cloudy. The patches gradually become bigger over time, according to the NHS, and can lead to blurry vision and, in some cases, blindness. Cataracts affect around half of over-65 in the UK. Some 24 million adults aged over 40 in the US suffer, according to figures. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists last year warned that due to a rapidly ageing population, the number of required cataract operations is expected to jump by 50 per cent over the next 20 years. Yet in his new book 'The Complete Patient's Guide to Cataract Surgery', leading eye surgeon David Allamby claimed there simply will not be enough specialists to cope with the soaring demand. He said around 1,300 NHS surgeons perform 389,000 operations a year. However, by 2035 more than 2,000 medics will be needed to do around 583,500 procedures annually. People are more at risk if they have: diabetes, suffered an eye injury, take certain medications or have other eye conditions. Symptoms normally develop very slowly and include being more sensitive to light and thinking everything looks washed out. Cataracts can be removed by surgery and replaced with an artificial lens. No other treatment is available. The Mail has long campaigned against the current unfair system for surgery in the UK, which were a postcode lottery until the health watchdog issued guidelines last August to tackle problem, which had led to many sufferers being denied the straightforward 30-minute operations. Advertisement 'All claim to have suffered similar experiences after having the lens implanted. We will be launching legal proceedings shortly.' Cataract operations are the most common surgery done in the UK, with around 400,000 of them performed in the UK each year. But having the lenses replaced for a second time carries a higher risk of complications, making surgeons and patients more reluctant to repeat the op. Solicitor Karen Cathcart from the firm Devonshires, which had 30 cases on its books involving the lenses and was investigating a further 60, explained: 'The cases are all quite similar in that the lenses were implanted some years ago and the clients have recently begun to notice a deterioration in their vision. 'Some of our clients have now had the lenses (one or both) removed and others are very scared to have the surgery carried out as it carries a greater risk than the original surgery. 'One client in particular has had one lens removed and is now left with worse vision in the eye than before they had the lens inserted. 'They have not yet had the other lens removed and they are quite reluctant at this stage to have it removed due to the significant risk.' The rate of people having problems with the lenses is 'extremely low', Oculentis said, and around half of people affected have already had successful replacement surgery. It said the lenses in question are the Lentis Hydrosmart foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) with model numbers starting with L, LU or LS They have an expiry date between January 2017 and May 2020, and currently produced lenses or ones with later expiry dates are not affected. A spokesperson for the Germany and Netherlands-based firm said: 'Whilst there is no inherent defect in our Lentis lenses, post-market surveillance suggested a slightly increased rate of post-operative opacification some years after implantation in certain models and manufacturing years. 'As a consequence, in 2014 and 2017 we issued Field Safety Notices (FSNs) on a voluntary basis, as a precautionary measure in relation to these lenses. 'The incidence rate of opacification is extremely low. 'In the rare event that it occurs and vision is disturbed, it can be effectively remedied through lens exchange surgery which is a safe and well-established procedure.' A mother-of-three had to be taken to a psychiatric hospital when a tumour on her ovary triggered a brain condition which made her hallucinate and turn violent. Lorina Gutierrez, 39, suffered from fits, her heart stopped and she lost the ability to walk, talk and eat by herself because of the rare illness. Her doctors thought she was having a nervous breakdown and her husband, Stephen, 42, even splashed her with water because he thought she was possessed. But the real culprit was a rare swelling of the brain called autoimmune encephalitis, triggered by a huge growth on one of her her ovaries. Lorina Gutierrez, 39, suffered from hallucinations, seizures and violent behaviour as a result of her own immune system attacking her brain, a condition triggered by an ovary tumour Mrs Gutierrez's husband, Stephen, 42, said his wife acted like she was possessed by an evil spirit, becoming paranoid there were cameras in the couple's home and even trying to punch Mr Gutierrez during her psychiatric assessment Mr Gutierrez, a truck driver, said: 'I was so scared, it was like she was possessed. The night after she came home from the ER we were up the whole night. 'She couldn't sleep and she was just talking gibberish. She kept saying "We need to get out of here, we need to leave." 'She kept getting up and trying to leave the house. 'The next morning I brought her to her doctor, who asked me had she been drinking or using drugs.' The couple, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, are parents to Jonathan, 25, Matthew, 19 and Alyssa, 16, and are now determined to raise awareness about the condition. Autoimmune encephalitis is a serious illness in which the body's immune system overreacts in this case to Mrs Gutierrez's tumour and attacks someone's brain. It can cause seizures, difficulty moving or communicating, psychosis, aggression and panic attacks. According to the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society, the condition affects around 90,000 people worldwide each year. Mr and Mrs Gutierrez, and their doctors, were baffled by her sudden change in character, which made her paranoid there were cameras in her home. She said: 'They believed I was having a nervous breakdown even though I didn't have a history of mental health issues. 'Over the course of a few days, my husband said my attitude completely changed. 'I can't remember this but he said I was getting scared and I was worried there were cameras in the house. 'I told him we had to unplug them. I kept trying to escape and get out of the house.' Mrs Gutierrez's condition was triggered by a huge six-by-six inch (15cm) tumour which had grown on one of her ovaries. After the tumour was removed doctors flushed the damaging immune cells out of her body using blood filtering and steroids Mrs Gutierrez (pictured before her ordeal) said she doesn't remember a lot of her treatment but is now making it her mission to raise awareness of autoimmune encephalitis WHAT IS AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALITIS? Autoimmune encephalitis is a serious medical condition in which the immune system attacks the brain, impairing function. It caused by a problem with the immune system (the body's natural defence against infection). The immune system mistakes healthy tissue in the brain as a threat and attacks it, causing the brain to become inflamed and swell. The body produces antibodies which attack the NMDA receptors in the brain, which are proteins that cause electrical impulses. Their functioning is necessary for judgement, perception of reality, human interaction, memory, and the control of unconscious activities such as breathing and swallowing. It's not always clear why the immune system malfunctions in this way. Some cases of autoimmune encephalitis are caused by the immune system reacting to the presence of a tumour (an abnormal growth) inside the body. The main symptoms are flu like, but people also develop memory loss, difficulty sleeping, and may become unable to communicate or speak coherently. They might become confused, have hallucinations or exhibit strange behaviour. Other symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness and movement disorders. Source: The Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Foundation Advertisement The situation reached crisis point when she tried to punch her husband during a medical assessment, and medics decided to send her to a psychiatric unit. 'The doctors thought it might be depression or a nervous breakdown and I trusted that,' Mr Gutierrez said. 'During her psychiatric consultation she took a swing at me and we had to hold her down, it was so out of character. 'It was then she was admitted to the psychiatric hospital. At one point I threw a little bit of holy water on her.' Comparing his wife's terrifying behaviour to 1973 horror film, The Exorcist, he joked: 'Afterwards, my family told me they wouldn't have been surprised if her head started spinning after I did that.' While in the psychiatric hospital doctors realised Mrs Gutierrez's symptoms were being caused by her immune system attacking her brain. And it was then they found a six-by-six inch (15cm) tumour on one of her ovaries. Autoimmune encephalitis can occur as a result of growths because the body produces antibodies to tackle the tumour but they overreact and affect the brain. By this point Mrs Gutierrez was experiencing six seizures a day as doctors removed the tumour and tried to clear her body of the dangerous antibodies using a process called plasmapheresis filtering of the blood and heavy steroids. Mrs Gutierrez said: 'During my time in hospital I coded blue and they had to resuscitate me. 'I lost all function, the ability to walk, talk, eat or even go to the restroom by myself. I was a 39-year-old woman wearing adult diapers. 'Over the course of three months I underwent speech, physical, and occupational therapy but I don't remember much of it. It's a blur. 'Right now I'm in remission but I could relapse at any time. It's not curable, it's only treatable. It has impacted my whole life. It's been a hugely traumatic experience.' Mrs Gutierrez, who needed speech, physical, and occupational therapy, said she cannot be cured of the condition, which causes brain swelling, and fears it could return at any time Despite the trauma of her illness, Mrs Gutierrez believes her faith has helped her stay positive. And she and her husband are now dedicated to raising awareness about autoimmune encephalitis. Despite the trauma of her illness, Lorina believes her faith has helped her stay positive. She said: 'I'm a survivor and I really feel like I can help others with experience and information. I know now that that is my purpose.' Dr. Joy Wolfe has always enjoyed family practice, but has decided to take a position as a staff physician at the Student Health Services center on Arizona State Universitys main campus. A cheap blood test can accurately predict an adult's risk of suffering a heart attack a decade in advance. Doctors in A&E units across the UK already use troponin tests to examine if a patient has experienced a heart attack. But a troponin test that predicts the risk of a heart attack in patients 'months to years in advance' has been given a CE mark. Doctors in A&E units across the UK already use troponin tests to examine if a patient has experienced a heart attack Abbott said its High Sensitive Troponin-I blood test was the first of its kind when it was given such approval by regulators in September. The test has been included in Nice's accelerated access programme. Scientific studies have shown similar tests are 100 per cent accurate. This fast-tracks the tests, meaning they could be rolled out across even more NHS A&E departments in the next few years and eventually offered in the midlife MOTs. Current 10-year heart attack predictions are based on a tool called QRISK, which jots up several risk factors, including lifestyle, age and weight. But the newly approved test measures for proteins in the blood called troponins, released by damaged heart cells. Professor Nick Mills, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, who has led trials of the tests, praised its effectiveness in an interview with The Times. He said: 'The technology to measure troponin in the bloodstream has got so good that it is no longer just useful for measuring in people with large amounts of injury to the heart. 'It can still do that, and very well, but now it can measure troponin in everybody it is telling us about more than whether you have had a heart attack or not. 'It is telling us about your heart health more generally.' Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, praised the move by Nice. He said the charity hoped doctors would 'be able to use this simple test earlier on to identify people at higher risk of suffering from a heart attack'. Experts hope the test could offer thousands of middle-aged adults a wake-up call if it is eventually added to the free NHS midlife MOT. The 'midlife MOT', which was launched back in 2009, has faced criticism for failing to show it improves health or saves substantial numbers of lives. But if the new troponin-based tests are added, it could improve the accuracy of the tests, offered once every five years to adults between 40 and 74 in England. Professor Mills told The Times: 'Even if this isnt yet part of everyones health check, it perhaps will be in the future.' It comes after a University of Texas study in August found the simple blood test was safe and effective. Cardiologists behind the trial revealed they did not miss any heart attacks using the test in the study of more than 500 people. British IVF clinics are helping women aged up to 55 to have babies because there is no legal age limit. One private doctor in the UK said he would even consider helping 60-year-olds give birth. For years many medical experts have refused IVF for women over 50 using donated eggs from a younger woman to become pregnant. But there is no cut-off in law, and no guidance from the fertility regulator, leaving clinics free to push the limits. Critics now say they must face stricter rules. For years many medical experts have refused IVF for women over 50 using donated eggs from a younger woman to become pregnant London Women's Clinic is willing to treat women if they give birth by their 55th birthday, while the Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine allows its patients to have a baby at 55. Dr Marco Gaudoin, GCRM's medical director, said he would consider helping a 60-year-old have a child, adding it was 'sexist' to suggest older women cannot have children when older men can. British women go through the menopause at an average age of 51 and are at greater risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and having a premature baby if they give birth after this. Critics point out that children born to a mother in her 50s may have to watch her become ill and die when they themselves are still young. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists encourages women to have children between the age of 20 and 35. It's how you feel inside, says UK's oldest mother, 66 Elizabeth Adeney became Britain's oldest mother in 2009 after giving birth to her son aged 66 Elizabeth Adeney became Britain's oldest mother in 2009 after giving birth to her son aged 66. The divorcee had fertility treatment in Ukraine, using donor egg and sperm. She said at the time: 'It's not physical age that is important, it's how I feel inside. Some days I feel 39. Others, I feel 56.' Mrs Adeney, managing director of a plastics company, first had fertility treatment two decades previously during her short-lived marriage to Robert Adeney. A source close to Mr Adeney said the marriage foundered because of her all-consuming desire to have a child. Mrs Adeney had her son Joylon, meaning 'young at heart', by caesarean operation before returning to work four weeks later. She left her baby in care of a nanny at her 600,000 house in Suffolk. She said what she had done was 'between me, my baby and no one else' and dismissed the fact she had no partner or siblings to help her, saying: 'I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself. I've done it for years.' The divorcee (pictured) had fertility treatment in Ukraine, using donor egg and sperm Advertisement In 2016, the last year for which figures are available, 20 women in England and Wales gave birth aged 55 and over. Since 2000, more than 150 have had a child. Most over-55s use donated eggs from a younger woman because they have none of their own, having gone past the menopause, or have few good-quality eggs. Susan Bewley, emeritus professor of obstetrics and women's health at King's College London, said: 'Even those who are physically fit or using eggs from a younger woman are still at much greater risk of hospitalisation, stillbirth, having premature babies and pre-eclampsia. 'My concern is the known high maternal death rate and the number of 'near-misses'. 'The IVF industry does not want to put itself out of business. It has always pushed at the limits. This is why it would be sensible for the medical profession to set standards for clinics.' Dr Nick Macklon, medical director of the London Women's Clinic which treats women with donated eggs up to the age of 54, said: 'Women have been expected to cram all their life tasks into 15 years between the age of 25 and 40, including having a career, finding a man and having children. Hundreds of thousands demand the PM puts an end to the 'postcode lottery' of NHS IVF treatment, as only 13% of clinics in England offer the standard three attempts More than 100,000 people have backed a petition calling for an end to the 'postcode lottery' of NHS fertility treatment. Guidelines recommend that women under 40 should be offered three cycles of IVF, and some aged 40 to 42 should get one cycle. But the Fertility Network campaign group said this is not mandatory and only about 13 per cent of England's 195 clinical commissioning groups offered the three NHS-funded cycles. It is urging the Government to create a fairer system so couples across the country get equal access to IVF on the Health Service. It will present its 102,000-strong petition to Theresa May at Downing Street this afternoon. Advertisement 'The technology we have opens that up so that they have longer. We believe an age limit for them to deliver at 54 is reasonable.' The private clinic has accepted 26 women aged 51 to 54 for egg donation treatment in the three years its policy has been in place. Dr Macklon said: 'Women over 50 are asked to confirm with an obstetrician that they are fit and healthy for pregnancy, while their medical and social circumstances are assessed from a child welfare point of view.' Dr Gaudoin said: 'There is a sexist element in saying women cannot have children in their 50s, when men can do so in their 70s and 80s. There is a 'yuck factor' and these prejudices should be challenged.' His clinic's age of 55 for women using donor eggs was set by its ethics committee. But it is not a 'blanket limit' and Dr Gaudoin said he would consider treating a woman aged 60 if she were mentally and physically well, before asking the committee to consider the request as well. Dr Gaudoin said: 'We take a thorough medical and family history of these women and also ask their GP how they feel they and their partners will cope.' For there to be an age limit for IVF using donated eggs, the law would have to change. The Department of Health could do this, if there was enough pressure and evidence of bad practice. Regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has the power to set guidance telling clinics not to exceed a certain age, but has not done so. The HFEA and the Department of Health stressed that clinics are obliged to consider both the patient's circumstances and the best interests of any resulting child before proceeding. A US medic who was quarantined amid fears he caught Ebola while treating patients in Africa has been released from hospital. The unnamed physician, 39, did not display any symptoms during his three-week stay in medical isolation at a hospital in Nebraska. He had been in quarantine since December 29, after returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where an Ebola outbreak is ongoing. The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha has treated Ebola patients in the past and maintains a dedicated biocontainment unit Reports state he treated a patient who tested positive for the killer virus while working at a missionary hospital in the African nation. Medics at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha revealed the man did not show any symptoms of Ebola during his entire stay. The facility announced late last month that it was housing the person in a secure area not accessible to other patients or the public. Symptoms of the virus one of the most lethal known to science, including fever and abdominal pain, can take three weeks to appear. Officials said the man, who was not named for privacy reasons, left the city. It is unknown where in the US he lives. If symptoms of Ebola had developed, the medic would have been moved to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. Latest figures from the DRC reveal 385 people have died since the current outbreak began ripping through the country last August (pictured: a health worker sprays disinfectant on his colleague at a treatment centre in Beni, DRC) The centre is one of only a few in the US for treating highly infectious and dangerous diseases. It treated three Ebola patients in 2014. Reports suggest the medic was given an experimental Ebola vaccine as a post-exposure preventive precaution. The virus can be transmitted between humans through blood, secretions and other bodily fluids of people - and surfaces - that have been infected. A patient in Sweden was also feared to have been struck down with Ebola earlier this month, after he returned from Africa. However, health officials later admitted it was a false alarm, with tests carried out on the unidentified patient showing no signs of the deadly virus. The patient came home from a trip to Burundi, in central Africa. The only cases of Ebola reported in Africa this year have been in the DRC. Ebola - a haemorrhagic fever - killed 11,000 people and ravaged West Africa during an epidemic between 2014-15. Latest figures from the DRC reveal 385 people have died since the current outbreak began ripping through the country last August. The DRC outbreak, known to be the second most deadly outbreak in history, is expected to rage on into the middle of this year. The outbreak in the African nation has been difficult to control because of armed violence and community protests. No cure currently exists for the pathogen, however, scientists are currently trialling a variety of experimental vaccines. The director of Mary Queen Of Scots said she hopes to her decision to include a shot of menstrual blood in the film will help to normalise such images in Hollywood. Josie Rourke, 42, left her post as the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse and has made the leap to the big screen with the period drama, which explores the rivalry between Mary and Elizabeth I, played by Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, respectively. The film features a rare depiction of menstruation in a Hollywood film, in a scene showing Mary's blood as she is washing, shortly after her marriage to Henry Darnley. Director of Mary Queen Of Scots Josie Rourke, pictured at a London screening of the film on Sunday night, said she hopes to her decision to include a shot of menstrual blood in the film will help to normalise such images in Hollywood The period drama explores the rivalry between Mary and Elizabeth I, played by Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, respectively. Pictured, Saoirse in her role as Mary Queen of Scots Speaking to the Press Association, Rourke said: 'In America I was asked "how difficult was it to shoot that menstrual blood scene?" 'But it was probably the most straightforward scene that we shot because there were six women there and we all know what happens and we all know what to do. 'I think that it's probably one of the few contexts in which I can say normalisation is a good thing, we just need to see that, because it happens to pretty much half of us at some point in our lives and that we've not shown it before is probably just a bit disappointing more than anything else. 'I would say about that scene that that's also about the intense focus of any renaissance court on what is going to happen with Mary's body, whether or not she's going to procreate, whether she's going to have an heir, that is what Elizabeth is thinking about so it filters into the story, but let's just show this stuff so we can start to not be shamed.' Rourke added the film shows that little has changed with regards to how women in power are treated, adding: 'I think a lot of that, and this is a big part of the film, is to do with how much women's bodies, even when they are crowned heads of Europe or perhaps especially, dominate the conversation.' Saoirse Ronan, left at the Scottish premiere in Edinburgh on Monday, and Margot Robbie, right at the European premiere in London last Thursday, star in the period drama Margot Robbie (left) takes the role of Elizabeth I, cousin and rival of Mary Queen of Scots, played by Saoirse Ronan, right. The film includes a depiction of menstrual blood on screen Rourke also said that her storytelling has been particularly informed by the fact she is still greatly outnumbered by her male counterparts. She said: 'I'm almost trying to tell stories that reflect both my experience and my observation of what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated setting or an unusual setting, what that feels like. 'And it's just not in a "strong women are great" way, this movie is about telling the whole range what that thing is, how difficult, how embarrassing, how hard, how confusing, how vulnerable that can make you, as well as the strength that is shown. 'A lot of people have said this feels like a very Me Too movie, now we made it largely before that sprung up through the US and I think actually what is happening is that we are just starting to look at stuff that has already existed, we are giving that bit more exposure, we have moved the camera and gone "Shall we look over here?" 'It's not a sudden outbreak of sexual misconduct, is it? It's been happening for a while, it's just we've chosen to look at it.' Mary Queen Of Scots is released in UK cinemas on January 18. A 'fuming' woman has hit out at PrettyLittleThing after a dress she ordered looked nothing like it did online. British nursery worker Rhea King Taylor, 18, bought the black satin dress from the online retailer in her normal size 8 - but was shocked with how it looked when she tried it on at home. A picture advertising the 11 dress online shows a model draped in the plunging dress - her chest and hip almost entirely exposed. Rhea, from London, found the frock actually pulled across her waist and cut straight across her top. An image of the fashion mishap was shared on Twitter by Rhea's sister, Ruby Wheeler, who captioned the image: 'What even is this?' A 'fuming' woman has hit out at PrettyLittleThing after a dress she ordered looked nothing like it did online. Pictured, customer Rhea King Taylor, 18, in the party frock A picture advertising the 11 dress online shows a model draped in the plunging dress - her chest and hip almost entirely exposed - but it looked decidedly different on Rhea An image of the fashion mishap was shared on Twitter by Rhea's sister, Ruby Wheeler, pictured, who captioned the image: 'What even is this?' Nursery worker Rhea told Femail she didn't buy the job for any particular occasion, but she liked it and it was on sale. After making sure the dress was on correctly, she was shocked at how different it looked to online. 'It was my normal size, just like everything else I had ordered from PrettyLittleThing and I was just disappointed when it came and was nothing like the picture online. I definitely wanted to wear it soon.' The dress, which is listed as 'popular' online, was originally priced at 28 but now is now in the sale. Its description reads: 'Think fierce for the weekend's events with this insane bodycon dress. Rhea, who works is a nursery, was left 'fuming' and 'disappointed' when the dress arrived Showing she was wearing the dress the right way, Ruby shared more pictures of her sister in the outfit 'Featuring a black satin fabric with a cowl neck design, long sleeves and a flattering open back, team with statement earrings and high heels for the ultimate BNO [big night out] vibe. The online retail site initially contacted Rhea after believing they had incorrectly sent out the wrong item. They have since offered further assistance. Femail has contacted PrettyLittleThing for further comment. Nursery worker Rhea, pictured, told Femail she didn't buy the job for any particular occasion, but she liked it and it was on sale Rhea shared her sister's tweet online, describing the dress as 'tragic' and saying the dress was more like a 'PrettyLittleBin' And it's not the first time the website has come under fire for it's dresses looking different to how they're advertised. Last week, an irritated make-up artist has hit out at the fashion giant after a unitard she ordered looked nothing it did online. Laica Fehr, 21, from Sydney ordered a black ribbed plunge sleeveless unitard for AUS$38 (21), as well as a pair of jeans from the online fashion giant in size 12. She wanted some new clothes to feel confident after giving birth and even ordered the jeans in two sizes larger than usual to accommodate her new curves. But when the clothes arrived she was shocked to find that the unitard she ordered barely covered her breasts, and the ripped jeans wouldn't fasten. It is not the first time the website has come under fire for it's dresses looking different to how they're advertised. Laica Fehr, 21, from Sydney, Australia, was left similarly disappointed with how her unitard, left, and jeans, right, looked on her compared to the model The brand have often been criticised for poorly-sized clothing, with one woman from Florida describing a dress she bought as the 'worst purchase I've ever made'. Ashley Teran, 23, bought a black mini dress with a thigh split from the online retailer for $35 (20). But when it arrived, the skimpy dress showed far more than she bargained for, with the thigh split exposing her underwear. In December, Lucy Anderson-Roberts was left red-faced after an item she bought left her nipples exposed. The 27-year-old was horrified when a 5 top she bought, also from PrettyLittleThing, featured rips positioned over her breasts rather than her stomach as per the model image. An innovative mother has shared her unconventional trick for easing her baby's chest congestion. The mom, who hasn't been identified, said that when her little one is sick, she rests her vibrator on his back to make her feel better. She shared her secret with the Facebook group Melons and Cuties, where it's leaving thousands of people in stitches. So smart! An unidentified mother shared her trick with a parenting Facebook group, showing how she held her coughing baby in a steamy bathroom and held her vibrator on her back Melons and Cuties offers birth, breastfeeding, and wellness education but its latest tip is certainly a unique one. In a post shared on January 8, which has been shared thousands of times, they explain that one user sent them a picture to illustrate her remedy for chest congestion. When her baby is experiencing the symptom, she sits with her in a steamy bathroom and places her vibrator on his back. While using a sex toy to make a baby feel better is a bit eyebrow-raising, the technique actually makes sense. According to the Facebook post, 'many hospitals and respiratory therapists use these in the treatment of respiratory issues on the back in hospital settings.' Steam and applying vibrations to the chest area can both help loosen mucus, which can help a baby (or grown adult) breathe easier. Catching on: It was posted by Melons and Cuties and received thousands of comments It works! Vibrations can help loose mucus in the chest when a child is congested The University of Michigan recommends a similar technique to help a child with cystic fibrosis, though they suggest vibrating the child manually. Still, the vibrator trick in particular had come Facebook commenters quite amused. 'I just bought three! Dont let the fact that I dont have any kids make this weird,' wrote one woman. 'And here I am using Sudafed when I could be getting toe-curling congestion relief. Obviously not living my best life, yall,' joked another. 'Funny, it usually takes my breath when I use it,' quipped a third. And a fourth: 'And here the whole time I've been using my vibrator on my vagina, today is the first day of my new life.' The Duke of Sussex revealed he meditates 'every day' as he chatted to a Buddhist monk today. Harry, 34, was visiting Number 7, a cafe and supermarket which offers discounted foods to help those on lower incomes, during a visit to Birkenhead with Meghan on Monday. The couple had joined customers at tables to learn more about their experiences, asking questions about their backgrounds. One, a 69-year-old Buddhist monk named Kelsang Sonam, gave Harry a copy of a book entitled '8 Steps to Happiness' after the prince told him he meditates every day. It is likely that Harry adopted a love of meditation from his wife, an avid yoga fan who has previously confessed to practising meditation up to 'twice a day'. Scroll down for video Harry made the revelation during a visit to Merseyside with Meghan on Monday (the couple are pictured greeting crowds outside the town hall in Birkenhead this morning) Meghan masters a tricky yoga pose in her now defunct Instagram page. The avid yoga fan has previously confessed to practising meditation up to 'twice a day' In March 2018, LA-based instructor Light Watkins claimed he had spent four days giving her one-to-one guidance - and still emails the duchess a 'daily dose of inspiration'. He told The Mirror: 'I met Meghan through a mutual friend and she was really intrigued by the fact I was a meditation teacher. 'She came by my home studio and we did four sessions over four days, so you become self-sufficient in it. 'I took her through it and she had wonderful experiences. She really appreciated the training and getting structure.' Harry has also previously admitted to seeking professional counselling to help him deal with the trauma of losing his mother at such a young age. Watkins also claimed that Meghan had later got back in touch to tell him: 'I'm meditating every day, twice a day it's wonderful. Once in the morning for 20 minutes, once in the afternoon.' Harry was speaking to a 69-year-old Buddhist monk named Kelsang Sonam (left), who gave him a copy of a book entitled '8 Steps to Happiness' in Birkenhead, Merseyside today The couple spent almost an hour chatting to fans this morning. Meghan, 37, revealed that she is six months pregnant with her first child expected in April as she chatted to well-wishers in the northwest town of Birkenhead during her visit today Baby on board! Meghan, 37, revealed that she is six months pregnant with her first child expected in April as she chatted to well-wishers in the northwest town of Birkenhead during her and Prince Harry's first joint engagement of the year During her visit to Number 7 today, Meghan was asked to present a bevy Moses basket full of gifts for a new baby to Angel Midgley, 27, who is 23 weeks pregnant with her second child, a baby girl. 'I would say that I would lift it for you but neither of those us should be lifting right now,' she joked, embracing her and turning the gift basket for an official photograph. 'When are you due?' she asked Angel. 'So soon! Doesn't it fly by?' Told the baby already has an older brother, six-year-old Isaac, Meghan replied: 'You'll have a little helper!' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive arm in arm to view a statue if poet Wilfred Owen. It comes as the couple continue to make renovations on their new home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, ahead of the birth of their first child Of the sex of the Sussex baby, she added: 'We don't know. We're keeping it a surprise - whichever way we'll be thrilled with the outcome.' 'She congratulated me on the baby and asked if I knew what I was having,' Miss Midgley said afterwards. 'She said they didn't know [the sex] and they were leaving it as a surprise. 'She said how lovely the Moses basket was as well. 'I think it'll take a lot of the pressure off , especially for first time mums, if they are struggling because you have to buy everything.' Before departing, the Duke and Duchess were asked to to jointly unveil a plaque officially declaring Number 7 open, as local MP Frank Field said his short speech had been inspired by Meghan's own words to him. Father-to-be the Duke of Sussex is already demonstrating the behaviour typical of an 'alpha papa', a body language expert has revealed. Prince Harry, 34, displayed physical signals that he was feeling concerned and protective over his pregnant wife Meghan, 37, and their unborn child as they carried out engagements in Merseyside on Monday. Body language expert and author Judi James noted how Harry adopted a 'bodyguard stance' and 'towed' Meghan, who is thought to be due in April, from one appearance to the other as he took up the role of 'leader and protector'. He also showed his empathetic nature by pre-empting any discomfort Meghan might be experiencing, placing a hand on her lower back - where pregnant women can commonly experience pain - and pulling out a chair so she could take a seat. Here, Judi analyses five key moments that serve to show just how seriously Harry is taking his role as father-to-be... The 'tow along' hand hold Leader and protector: Harry used a 'tow-along' hand hold as he led pregnant Meghan, 37, between engagements in Merseyside. The father-to-be also offers a steely gaze and a low wave of recognition, reinforcing how seriously he is taking his role in public Judy says: 'This 'tow-along' ritual places Harry in the role of leader and protector, with his hand placed emphatically on top in the encompassing hand clasp. 'His raised head and steely gaze plus the way he offers the crowds a rather business like, low wave of recognition seem to signal he's taking his new role of father-to-be very seriously rather than joking around as he used to do. 'Meghan's bump-cradling makes a happy and proud feature of her pregnancy but she seems to face-check her husband and smile as though slightly amused by his "alpha papa" stance.' The 'tow along' is a technique Harry has used on a number of previous outings, including on the royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji last year. A hand to ease her pain Empathetic husband: Harry placed a hand on the small of Meghan's back, potentially demonstrating an awareness of the discomfort his pregnant wife might be experiencing At one point while speaking to well-wishers, Harry placed a hand on the small of Meghan's back, potentially demonstrating an awareness of the discomfort his pregnant wife might be experiencing. 'Harry gently but telling places his hand flat on the small of Meghan's back here, suggesting he's learnt the right spots where the back aches can start,' Judi notes. 'This suggestion of father-to-be empathy and even sympathy receives a reciprocal gesture from Meghan here, who leans her torso in slightly towards his as they chat to their hosts.' Leading in bodyguard mode Steering the way: While Meghan is proudly cradling her pump and sharing her excitement, Harry remains focused on his wife's well-being, stretching out an arm as if he is her bodyguard The prince is eager to ensure his wife is looked after, even as they move between engagements. This sits in contrast to Meghan's focus, which is celebrating her blooming baby bump. Judi says: 'For Meghan it is all about displaying her baby bump and sharing her joy and excitement with the crowds but Harry appears to be more in bodyguard mode here, walking ahead and stretching his left arm back and out to usher and steer his wife along.' Comforting with a reciprocal hug Mutual support: As he chats to the crowds, Harry placed an encircling arm around Meghan's upper shoulders in a gesture of wrapping up and protecting Judi says: 'This pose suggests Harry's desire to protect and show concern versus Meghan's desire to do the same. 'As he chats to the crowds, Harry placed an encircling arm around Meghan's upper shoulders in a gesture of wrapping up and protecting. 'Meghan has always tended to be the one to use signals of confidence and reassurance in the relationship though and so she reciprocates, not with a needy or vulnerable hug that might compliment his gesture, but with a hand on his shoulders that is quasi-maternal and reassuring in its own right. 'This mix of messages could suggest Harry's keen to be protective but that Meghan's keen to show she's fine and still there to support him.' A slight hint of anxiety On guard: Meghan stops to speak to well-wishers but Harry signals a hint of anxiety by sucking his lips Judi notes: 'Meghan happily stops to take a rose from the small girl here but Harry watches closely from a distance, with his lips sucked in to suggest concern or some suppressed anxiety.' Great British Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo spent three days caring for a goat before being faced with the decision over whether to send it to slaughter. Sophie, 34, who won the baking contest in 2017, was set the task as part of a new reality series which challenges high-profile foodies to spend time with animals that are killed for meat. The former British Army officer travelled across Kenya with a goat on its way to the slaughterhouse, accompanied by Spanish social media influencer Abraham Bandera Baez, more commonly known as Senor Cheeto. The pair lived and slept with the goat as they made the journey from the village of Ilparakou to the town of Ngong, all the while debating the decision whether or not they should give it up to the butcher. Great British Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo spent three days travelling with a goat across Kenya before being faced with the decision over whether to send it to slaughter. Pictured, Sophie during filming for the new reality show, Travel With A Goat, which aired tonight The former British Army officer travelled across Kenya with a goat on its way to the slaughterhouse, accompanied by Spanish social media influencer Abraham Bandera Baez, more commonly known as Senor Cheeto, pictured together at the start of the programme Sophie, 34, won the baking contest in 2017, and now works as a pastry chef and is understood to be training as a stuntwoman. Pictured, Sophie in the Great British Bake Off tent Ultimately Sophie and Abraham both decided they were uncomfortable with leaving the goat at the slaughterhouse and decided to return it to the Masai tribe where it had come from in the hope it would receive a more dignified death. The experience was filmed for Travel With A Goat, a new documentary series which premiered tonight on Sky's Insight TV channel. At the start of the programme, Sophie and Abraham, who are both carnivores, had conflicted feelings over whether they wanted to send the goat to slaughter. 'It's quite a burden to have that responsibility,' Sophie said. 'We'll see how we feel in three days.' The first test came when the pair had to lead the goat away from its herd and the Masai shepherd who had cared for it. The first test came when the pair had to lead the goat away from its herd and the Masai shepherd who had cared for it, pictured, and the animal started to bleat in distress Continuing the journey by motorbike - with Abraham cradling the goat in his arms - the pair arrived at the village and checked into a small motel with the animal 'There was quite a lot of panic,' Sophie said of the separation. 'He was bleating a lot. It was clear he was in distress. I'm not a very emotional person but that choked me up a little bit. It was hard.' On the way to their first stop, the village of Oltepesi, Sophie reflected on the difference between how the goat had been raised and how she perceived animals in Britain are treated. 'I almost feel better about taking him to slaughter because I know he's had a good life and he's been treated well,' she said. Sophie and Abraham grew fond of the goat, petting and stroking the animal as they travelled between stops in the back of a pick-up truck, pictured On one of the stops the pair witnessed the slaughtering of another goat, in the hope of better understanding the fate awaiting their own animal, pictured far right The scenes left both Sophie and Abraham distressed, with Abraham describing the slaughter as 'shocking'. They ultimately decided not to lead their goat to a similar fate 'Whereas you look at how they're taken to slaughter in the UK and that's more upsetting and potentially worse. I thought I would feel bad about him potentially dying but obviously I feel not so bad.' On their journey they encountered a Masai shepherd, who explained a prayer was said for any animal was killed as a mark of respect. This impressed both Abraham and Sophie. Continuing the journey by motorbike - with Abraham cradling the goat in his arms - the pair arrived at the village and checked into a small motel with the animal. The following day they arrived in another village, where they witnessed a local butcher slaughtering a goat. For their final night with the goat, Sophie and Abraham stayed in the town of Kiserian, pictured. They dined on a local delicacy made from goat meat The goat stayed on the balcony of Abraham's room - and made itself comfortable in the morning, pictured Abraham was left shocked by the experience. 'The slaughter was a very tense and shocking experience,' he said. 'It's not an easy thing to watch.' That night in the town of Kiserian, after dining on a local goat delicacy, the pair were no clearer as to how they felt. On arriving at the slaughterhouse, Sophie and Abraham quizzed the butcher on how the goat would be killed. While they agreed it was 'inevitable' that the animal would be killed for meat, they decided to return the goat to the Masai tribe where it had been raised in the hope of giving it a few more days to live - and a more respectful death. Abraham carried the goat in his arms as they travelled from Kiserian to Ngong, where the slaughterhouse was located After visiting the slaughterhouse Sophie and Abraham weighed up their options, pictured, and ultimately decided not to send the goat to slaughter. Instead they returned it to the Masai tribe Sophie said: 'I think it just cemented what we already suspected about the stark contrast between what the Masai feel about respecting the animals and all about the spirit. 'And the city life where they are very matter of fact and they are just bred for meat.' She later added: 'We've got too attached to him now. We saw the slaughter that wasn't very humane, it was quite slow... Probably one day it will happen, but not today.' Reflecting on the experience she said: 'I wanted to come on this journey as a meat eater. As I meat eater I should be prepared to kill what I eat. 'But I think as Europeans it is in our culture to form a connection to animals and I think this is one of those occasions where those lines were very much blurred. 'Myself and Abraham feel a lot more comfortable knowing that he'll be with a Masai tribe who will treat him with dignity.' Prince Harry delighted a four-year-old girl when he gave her a hug during a walkabout in Birkenhead on Monday. The Duke of Sussex, 34, embraced Eliza Morris, from Birkenhead, after seeing her sign 'Gingers Unite - I love you Harry' among the crowds this morning. The prince approached the youngster, who also has red hair, and said 'I love this! Do you love your hair, the sign is amazing!' Prince Harry delighted four-year-old fan Eliza Morris when he approached her during a walkabout in Birkenhead on Monday Harry told her: 'I love the colour of your hair' to which she replied 'I love you Prince Harry' which earned her a hug, according to the Liverpool Echo. The Prince stopped as he and his pregnant wife, Meghan, spent more than 45 minutes chatting to the crowds in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. Among them was Vanina Coutinho, originally from Brazil, who has travelled across the UK to see members of the Royal Family. She squealed with excitement as she got to complement Meghan on her 1,085 red Sentaler coat. The couple began their visit at Hamilton Square to view a new sculpture erected in November to mark the 100th anniversary of Wilfred Owen's death. The statue, which is named after one of the Birkenhead war poet's poems, 'Futility', is cast in bronze and represents an exhausted World War One solider. They will unveil a plaque to mark the visit, before meeting local veterans and members of the Birkenhead Institute Old Boys, of which poet Wilfred Owen belonged to, and which played a part in the creation of the tribute. The royal spotted Eliza's 'Gingers Unite' sign during the walkabout and told the youngster that he 'loved it' Eliza, who also has red hair, was delighted when she was given a hug by the prince This afternoon they are set to visit Tomorrow's Women Wirral, an organisation that supports women in vulnerable circumstances. Initially established in 2011 to support women upon their release from prison, Tomorrow's Women Wirral has since expanded and now offers an extensive range of training courses and workshops for more than 6,000 local women. These include support groups around mental health issues, domestic abuse, and addiction. Harry and Meghan (pictured together today) are in Merseyside for a busy day of engagements The couple began their visit at Hamilton Square where hundreds of local well-wishers had gathered to greet the royals Harry and Meghan will hear directly from the women about their experiences, before visiting the onsite charity shop, cafe, and Inspiration Hall. They will wrap up their Merseyside tour with a visit to the Hive Wirral Youth Zone. Created by the charity OnSide Youth Zones, which is developing 21st century youth facilities across the UK, the Hive provides a safe environment where young people can come and enjoy themselves, building key skills and raising their aspirations and confidence. The royal couple will meet young members as they take part in a number of activities and workshops throughout the centre, before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit. Pregnant Meghan, who is expecting her first child with Harry this spring, is continuing to keep a busy schedule packed with royal engagements. The mother-to-be has already stepped out once in London last week and the couple will also make an appearance on Wednesday to watch Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM at the Royal Albert Hall, as part of a fundraising campaign for Harry's charity Sentebale. Bookmakers have been forced to suspend the market on the gender of Meghan and Harry's baby after an overwhelming number of bets were placed on the royal couple welcoming a girl. The pregnant duchess, 37, is due to give birth to her first child with Prince Harry in April, but the gender of the baby is not yet known. However over the weekend Betfair received a flurry of activity betting on a baby girl, and were forced to stop taking bets on the sex of the baby. Additionally they saw the odds of the couple naming their child after Harry's late mother Diana, who tragically passed away in 1997 aged just 36, rocket to an 8/1 favourite. Bookmakers have been forced to suspend the market on the gender of Meghan, seen last week during an engagement in London, and Harry's baby after an overwhelming number of bets were placed on the royal couple welcoming a girl Betfair Spokesperson Katie Baylis said: 'We haven't seen too much betting on this market for a while, but tonight all of a sudden we have seen a flurry of betting activity on the baby to a girl. 'So much so that we've had to suspend the market and stop taking bets on the sex of the baby. If the punters are anything to go by, then we could have a new Princess in a couple of months' time.' Speaking about the favourite names, she added: 'Diana is the 8/1 favourite, with Alice at 13/1 and Grace at 14/1 for the name of child.' The pregnant duchess, 37, is due to give birth to her first child with Prince Harry, both seen at Sandringham on Christmas Day, in the spring, but the gender is not known by the couple Bookmakers saw the odds of the couple naming their child after Harry's late mother Diana, seen in Italy in the eighties before her tragic passing in 1997, rocket to an 8/1 favourite In October Harry revealed his hopes to have a baby girl with his wife The Duchess of Sussex, during their tour of Australia. Harry was heard making the frank confession after a spectator congratulated him on the pregnancy at an Invictus Games event in Sydney. In a candid moment captured on camera, a bystander was heard shouting: 'Congratulations, I hope it's a girl', to which Harry responded: 'So do I!' The couple could be permitted to choose a more unique name for their baby, as second-in-line to the throne Prince William and his wife Kate have already given their three children traditional names. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are parents to Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and Prince Louis, who was born in April. Carolyn Harris, author of Raising Royalty: 1,000 Years of Royal Parenting, previously told Vogue Australia: 'The further down the line of succession, the more likely you are to have a more unique or untraditional name. Prince Harry was heard admitting that he is hoping to have a baby girl when wife Meghan Markle gives birth in the spring of 2019, during a conversation with a well-wisher at the Invictus Games in Sydney in October as he helped a wheelchair user up a ramp The latest reports follow rumours that Meghan could give birth sooner than initially thought. However during an outing to Birkenhead on Monday, Meghan told a bystander that she is due in April. The duchess revealed that she is six months pregnant with her first child expected in April as she chatted to well-wishers in the northwest town of Birkenhead during her and Prince Harry's first joint engagement of the year. She also revealed the couple don't know whether they're having a boy or a girl, as they want it to be a 'surprise'. Following the birth of their firstborn child, Meghan and Harry will move to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor Castle which is currently being refurbished. Additionally, recent reports claim Meghan and Harry are rumoured to be taking their baby on an official tour of the US and Canada in the Autumn. According to Vanity Fair the former Suits star is set to return to both her former homes for a tour that will take place after the duchess has taken a short maternity leave from royal duties of six months, in late 2019. The duchess revealed that she is six months pregnant with her first child expected in April as she chatted to well-wishers in the northwest town of Birkenhead during her and Prince Harry's first joint engagement of the year on Monday Following the birth of their firstborn child, Meghan and Harry will move to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor Castle which is currently being refurbished, seen Meghan made a departure from her usual monochrome colour palette today stepping out in a red and purple ensemble. However, the Duchess of Sussex relied on an old favourite when it came to the designer, opting for a red version of the Sentaler coat she had worn to her first Sandringham Christmas back in 2017. Pregnant Meghan, 37, wore a bright red take on the baby alpaca coat during her visit to Merseyside with Prince Harry on Monday. She also owns a camel version of the 1,085 coat from the Canadian brand which she was able to tie at the waist during her first royal Christmas. Meghan relied on an old favourite when it came to her ensemble today, wearing a red version of the Sentaler coat she was spotted in during her first Christmas at Sandringham The Duchess of Sussex wore the camel version of the baby alpaca coat when she joined Prince Harry for the royal celebrations in 2017 (pictured) However, with her baby bump now bigger than ever the former actress wore the scarlet version open allowing her purple Babaton by Aritizia dress to peak through. The Canadian designer appears to be a firm favourite among the royals with the Duchess of Cambridge previously spotted in a Sentaler jacket. Kate was seen wearing a 774 grey jacket during a visit to Yukon, Canada in 2016. Meghan completed her ensemble today with a pair of rouge stiletto court shoes and could be seen carrying a tan leather bag costing 1,695 by Gabriela Hearst. The Uruguay based designer describes herself as creating 'honest luxury' taking ethics 'and key values' into consideration while designer her bags. With her baby bump now bigger than ever the former actress wore the scarlet version open allowing her purple Babaton by Aritizia dress to peak through Sentaler has proven to be a popular brand among the royals with Kate having previously worn a 774 jacket from the Canadian designer during a visit to Yukon in 2016 (pictured) When it came to her hair the mother-to-be relied on her signature low bun for a busy day of engagements in the town of Birkenhead. They began their visit at Hamilton Square to view a new sculpture erected in November to mark the 100th anniversary of Wilfred Owens death. The statue, which is named after one of the Birkenhead war poets poems, Futility, is cast in bronze and represents an exhausted World War One solider. They will unveil a plaque to mark the visit, before meeting local veterans and members of the Birkenhead Institute Old Boys, of which poet Wilfred Owen belonged to, and which played a part in the creation of the tribute. Harry and Meghan will then have the opportunity to meet members of the public gathered in Hamilton Square. This afternoon they are set to visit Tomorrows Women Wirral, an organisation that supports women in vulnerable circumstances. When it came to her hair the mother-to-be relied on her signature low bun for a busy day of engagements in the down of Birkenhead The Duke and Duchess of Sussex put on a tactile display as they visited Hamilton Square today Meghan completed her ensemble today with a pair of rouge stiletto court shoes and could be seen carrying a tan leather bag costing 1,695 by Gabriela Hearst Initially established in 2011 to support women upon their release from prison, Tomorrows Women Wirral has since expanded and now offers an extensive range of training courses and workshops for more than 6,000 local women. These include support groups around mental health issues, domestic abuse, and addiction. Harry and Meghan will hear directly from the women about their experiences, before visiting the onsite charity shop, cafe, and Inspiration Hall. They will wrap up their Merseyside tour with a visit to the Hive Wirral Youth Zone. Created by the charity OnSide Youth Zones, which is developing 21st century youth facilities across the UK, the Hive provides a safe environment where young people can come and enjoy themselves, building key skills and raising their aspirations and confidence. The royal couple will meet young members as they take part in a number of activities and workshops throughout the centre, before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit. Pregnant Meghan, who is expecting her first child with Harry this spring, is continuing to keep a busy schedule packed with royal engagements. The mother-to-be has already stepped out once in London last week and the couple will also make an appearance on Wednesday to watch Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM at the Royal Albert Hall, as part of a fundraising campaign for Harry's charity Sentebale. It comes after a Vanity Fair report suggested Meghan has asked aides to 'fill her diary right up to her due date' and plans to carry out several more engagements over the next few months. The baby's due date has not been confirmed. The Duchess of Cambridge, 37, went on maternity leave on 22 March last year, a month before the birth of Prince Louis on 23 April. Each year, thousands of parents spend hours brainstorming the perfect name for their newborn babies. And while many are perfectly acceptable, others - like Nutella, Robocop and Anal - have been banned by the government after being deemed inappropriate. So, to help parents with their naming this year, New Zealand recently released its list of baby names that were rejected in 2018. Pick another! New Zealand has released it's list of baby names that were rejected in 2018 (stock image) Names such as Anal, Rogue and Baron have been vetoed by New Zealand's Internal Affairs in the past, with Rogue being rejected again in 2018. Pictured: X-Men's Rogue played by Anna Paquin These names include II, Majestee-Honours, Heaven-Princezz-Star, Jusdyce and Zdiam-Bishop. Of the 60,000 babies born in the country every year, less than one percent have their name personally considered by the registrar-general. Around 66 babies had their name rejected by the Department of Internal Affairs in 2018, with the most popular being King, Royale and Prince, according to the New Zealand Herald. According to the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages there are three main reasons why baby names are rejected. The department revealed in 2018 that the banned names are either misleading, obscene or offensive, or impractical (for example they are too long or contain numbers or symbols). 'Before making a decision, BDM will take into account a number of relevant factors including cultural and family relevance and how the name would be perceived in the community,' they added. Why are certain names banned from being registered? The name is obscene or offensive Names that are swear words, descriptions of lewd or sexual acts are banned, along with names that are racial, ethnic or cultural slurs or that imply racial, ethnic or cultural slurs. Names that might be considered reasonably likely to insult, humiliate, offend or intimidate a person or group on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, religion, ability or other distinguishing characteristic are also banned. The name cannot be established by repute or usage Names that are too long or contain symbols without phonetic significance are banned. They are also banned if they are statements or phrases, including words that represent salutations, reference public institutions or display in the form of initials or acronyms. The name is contrary to the public interest There are a number of ways a name can be contrary to the public interest, such as: - For example, the name might contain an official title, position or rank recognised in the community that might mislead others as to whether the person holds that title or rank officially. - For example, the name is chosen to participate in a commercial marketing promotion. - For example, the name expresses a meaning or has significance that would cause social disharmony Advertisement A royal objection! New Zealand says that you can't use a title such as Queen or Prince as a name. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II (left) and Prince Philip (right) According to Jeff Montgomery, Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, New Zealand follows a similar line of thinking. In New Zealand, as of 2017, 494 names had been rejected under similar circumstances since 1995. Names such as Anal, Rogue and Baron have been vetoed by New Zealand's Internal Affairs in the past, with Rogue being rejected again in 2018. More than 15 people tried to name their child using the punctuation symbol '/' before it was vetoed, according to the New Zealand Herald. Advertisement With award season well and truly underway, Hollywood's hottest stylists are no doubt being run into the ground trying to keep up with the demand for elegant red carpet ensembles - and it seems that the pressure is proving a bit too much to handle for some. At least if the looks on the Critics' Choice Awards red carpet are anything to go by; the A-list event, which honors the best and brightest in film and television, saw a slew of stars missing the fashion mark, with dozens of guests making awful fashion faux pas, from an accidental flash of shapewear to over-the-top patterns and prints that were almost painful to look at. Taking place just one week after the Golden Globes, the Critics' Choice Awards leaves little time for real rest and relaxation - however it does leave at least a few days for some style reflection, an opportunity that it appears some did not take. Birthday girl: Nina Dobrev can perhaps be forgiven for picking such lacklustre lace frock - which looked like an old costume from her hit show The Vampire Diaries - given that she was busy celebrating her 30th at a festival-themed party hours earlier Cha cha... cha? Olivia Munn appeared to be heading out for a salsa lesson after hitting the red carpet in what looked to be a flamenco-inspired gown that just didn't translate to the red carpet Glitter bomb: Actress and nominee Dina Shihabi's sparkling gown was incredibly over-the-top, and didn't need nearly so much layering or shimmer in order to stand out from the crowd Frock horror: Without the pink curtain-style tassels, Carrie Keagan's dress would have been elegant and glamorous Keeping warm? Janet Mock appeared to be wrapped up in tinfoil as she made her arrival on the red carpet Birthday girl Nina Dobrev can perhaps be forgiven for her less than stellar red carpet style, given that she had been busy celebrating her 30th at a festival-themed 'Ninachella' party just hours before the awards kicked off. Sadly, she looked anything but the belle of the ball as she arrived on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards, wearing a rather drab red lace dress that looked not unlike the period costumes she wore on hit CW show The Vampire Diaries. Her hair also looked a bit lackluster, having been coiffed into a rather messy updo that would have been more appropriate for her Coachella-inspired birthday event than a red carpet appearance. Actress Olivia Munn, 38, was another unusual feature on the worst dressed list at this year's award ceremony, wearing what looked like a flamenco-themed beach gown that looked most out of place at a glittering celebrity event. 29-year-old nominee Dina Shihabi went way too far with her gown, which featured so many layers of shimmery material that it looked not unlike a mermaid or Rainbow Fish costume that had been picked up at a party store en route to the awards show. All wrong in white: Both Allison Janney (left) and Indya Moore (right) were dwarfed by the immense swathes of white fabric that made up their ensembles, leaving them both looking as though they were wearing hacked-up bed sheets Too far with the frills: Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy Boynton looked like the was wearing a dress made from her grandmother's tea cozy thanks to the excessive use of frills - and clashing girlish bow Lady in red: Annie Potts, a nominee for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, wore a vibrant crimson dress that unfortunately looked several sizes too big for her More is less! Kirby Howell-Baptiste was swamped by the excess of pale blue fabric that made up her gown Green means... no: Our Lady J's garish jumpsuit looked as though it might have been better suited to an afternoon at the beach rather than a glamorous red carpet, while Judith Light's polka-dot number looked a bit like a clown costume Carrie Keagan, 38, only narrowly missed the mark with her look - which was beautiful and elegant to a point. That point being the bizarre pink tassels that hung from her sleeves and dangled well below her hands, and looked like they could well have been yanked straight from some curtains at a nearby hotel. Allison Janney, 59, and Indya Moore, 24, coordinated their fashion faux pas, with both women opting to wear enormous white ensembles that totally swamped their frames, and looked rather like they were wearing intricately-wrapped bed sheets on the red carpet. British Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy Boynton, 24, must have gone bit Radio ga ga Radio goo goo when she was picking out her ensemble, which appeared to have been modeled on a retro tea cozy. The grim gray frills aged her unnecessarily, and were made that much worse by the clashing pink bow that was tied around in her waist - perhaps in an attempt to add a feminine touch to the otherwise drab gown. Unfortunately, the dress needed more than a simple bow to rescue it from the depths of the worst dressed list. Too far: The print on Judy Greer's dress looked more suited to a decorative wall hanging than a red carpet gown Oh dear: Not only was Terri Seymour's dress a rather unflattering shape, it also revealed what appeared to be her shapewear thanks to the incredibly high slit in the fabric Are you under there? Sandra Oh's dress and general beauty look was stunning, however her bangs appeared to be a bit too long for her to really see properly A rare fashion fail: The normally-stylish Timothee Chalamet is another star who fell prey to an unappealing print, which was made all the more awkward thanks to the addition of metallic-trimmed sneakers Careful! Billy Porter was in danger of tripping up over the ridiculously large orange sash that completed his very shiny suit Actress Annie Potts' gown could well have been brilliant, were it not for the fact that the 66-year-old star appears to have chosen a design several size too large for her. The dress appeared to be too long, and it sagged sadly around her mid section which did little to create a form-flattering silhouette. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Kirby Howell-Baptiste drowned her frame in a high-necked pale blue gown, that looked like several layers of material had been wrapped around her body, before she was sent down the carpet. While the color of the dress suited her to no end, the shape was, sadly, less than dazzling. There were plenty of stars who also chose to make a move away from the traditional gown at the Critics' Choice Awards, with winning pant-focused looks seen on the likes of Julia Roberts and Claire Foy. Judith Light, 69, and Our Lady J, 33, however, didn't manage to pull of the style with as much aplomb - quite the opposite in fact. While musician Our Lady J arrived in a rather garish green jumpsuit that would have been better suited to the beach than a red carpet, Judith appeared as though she had borrowed some fabric from a clown costume in order to fashion her polka-dot number. Pajama party? Rapper Boots Riley (right) and his guest looked as though they had just climbed out of bed before the event Too bright? It's unclear whether Darren Criss was feeling sensitive to the light, or whether he wore yellow glasses in order to make a bold style statement, but couple with the rather crumpled suit, they didn't make for the best red carpet look Whoops: Patricia Arquette's dress flattered her figure to no end, but the material looked as though the dye had run in the wash, while the diamante embellished clutch looked more tacky than elegant Q: I have brown age spots, but lightening creams just make the skin surrounding them whiter, without affecting the spots. What should I do? A: Pigmentation is such a difficult one. Dr Amy Hermon Taylor of London's Medicetics Clinic urges you to let a doctor assess whether you're dealing with sun damage-induced 'age' spots or the pigmentation disorder melasma, or indeed something more serious, as treatment obviously differs. For simple age spots, if you're Caucasian, the likely best course of treatment is laser (150 for spot treatment, 450 for full face) or Intense Pulsed Light (240 for 15 minutes), both of which can break up the pigment patches painlessly in 1-2 sessions. An anonymous reader asked beauty expert Inge van Lotringen how to treat age spots For dark Asian or African skin tones, specialist peels and creams are required but for those to really work, you need prescription products. The two best, she says, are Obagi Nuderm (she prescribes a course of 3-6 months' worth of lotions, from 525) and Cosmelan, which consists of skincare, an in-clinic peel, and follow-up appointments over three months (900). Go to a clinic or dermatologist that offers a variety of laser and light devices and skincare brands so your treatment will be tailored precisely to you. Oh and if you don't use a broad-spectrum SPF50 every day, you're washing your treatment money down the drain. Inge van Lotringen (pictured) recommended seeing a doctor to assess whether you're dealing with sun damage-induced 'age' spots or the pigmentation disorder melasma Ingeborg van Lotringen is beauty director at Cosmopolitan. Email questions to inge@dailymail.co.uk. When I meet Natasha Boroda, 30, in a studio in Kiev, Ukraine, Im struck by how well she looks. Beautiful hair, beautiful skin, red dress. Her eyes gleam with excitement, especially when talking about the future. Shes pregnant, of course. To discover I was pregnant was the happiest moment, she says. Shed wanted more children, but wasnt sure how it was going to happen she separated from her sons father three years ago, before Artur was born, and hasnt had a serious relationship since. But then this pregnancy is far from usual. Last summer, Natasha took a bus from her home town of Pryluky in northern Ukraine and travelled two and a half hours to a clinic in Kiev. There she was told to lie on a hospital bed where a catheter was threaded up into her uterus so an embryo could be delivered into position. The embryo had been created in a petri dish a few days earlier, with the sperm of a man and the egg of woman Natasha didnt know, in the hope it would grow into a child whom Natasha would give birth to, but probably never see. The babies of surrogate mothers are whisked away as soon as theyre born, to lessen the risk of attachment. Sally Williams spoke to women in Ukraine like mother-of-one Natasha Boroda, 30, (pictured) who are surrogate mothers for interfile couples The big surprise is how easy it was. I thought it would be painful, but when it was over, I said to the doctor, Is that it!? She later signed a contract with the surrogacy agency and was told the nationality of the prospective parents: British. Ukraine, Georgia and the United States are just about the only countries in the world in which commercial surrogacy is legal. In the UK, surrogates can be paid reasonable expenses to cover such costs as travel, loss of earnings and extra food. France, Germany, Italy and Spain prohibit all forms of surrogacy, as do Japan and Pakistan. For many years, South-East Asia was a popular surrogacy destination. But Thailand barred foreigners from paying for surrogacy in 2015. Nepal banned it, even when unpaid, later that year. And India banned foreign clients a few months later. For many British couples, Ukraine is now the place where their prayers may be answered. Especially older mothers. In the UK, government guidelines recommend doctors do not offer IVF to women over 40 on the NHS. In Ukraine there is no age limit, says Anastasia Aleksandrova, who runs the department which looks after English-speaking clients at BioTexCom, the agency facilitating Natashas surrogacy. We have a lot of women over 50. With the help of donor eggs, they become mothers and the women are happy, because they have been struggling for 15 years and nothing worked. Natasha seems to embody all the paradoxes of the ideal surrogate. She is compassionate towards the infertile strangers and cares for the baby as her own. But is keeping her love in check. I thought for some time about if I would be able to have a baby and then give that baby to strangers, she says of this, her first experience of being a surrogate. But then I got used to the idea. The baby is not mine. I am just a carrier. Natasha became a surrogate mother because she thinks its a worthy thing to do, and because she is paid a sum that seems huge in a country where the average monthly salary is 110 euros (98). Natasha trained as a law and history teacher. But teachers salaries are so low 200 euros (181) a month she earns more working in her local delicatessen. Over the course of her pregnancy, from implantation to birth, she will be paid up to 14,000 euros (12,488) not including expenses around 2,000 euros (1,784) for food and maternity clothes as well as compensation any childcare costs. Stacy Owen, 42, (pictured with surrogate twins Aleah and Eli) from Sutton went to Ukraine for surrogacy after ten miscarriages The British couple will pay the surrogacy agency approximately 39,000 euros (35,417). Natasha admits she is motivated by money its my son and his future that pushed me to do this but she isnt mercenary. This isnt a service or a job, I see this as help. But still she plans to keep the pregnancy secret. Im going to quit my job at the end of this year, so there is no need to tell colleagues. And I dont have too many friends at home. She goes on, I dont want to be misunderstood. There are people who think only mothers should carry a baby. Surrogacy and egg- and sperm-donation were sanctioned in Ukraine in 2002. Surrogate mothers have no parental rights over the child they carry. And, because Ukraine is still recovering from near economic collapse following political unrest, the cost is competitive. A surrogate baby costs more than $100,000 (78,548) in the U.S.; around 40,000 euros (35,682) in Ukraine. The Ministry of Healthcare in Ukraine doesnt keep official records of surrogacy. There are no available statistics. But Sergii Antonov, a lawyer who specialises in medical and reproductive law in Ukraine and the Czech Republic, estimates that more than 2,000 surrogate babies were born in Ukraine last year, an increase of more than 300 per cent over the past five years. What options are available to prospective parents? The VIP package includes a cook and housekeeper and parents can also choose the sex of their child Advertisement He says there are now over 40 reproductive clinics in the Ukraine; 20 of which offer surrogacy programmes, with foreigners accounting for 94 per cent of all clients in 2016-2017, according to the charity Families Through Surrogacy. Current UK law states that the surrogate and her husband have legal rights over the child, even if the child is not biologically theirs. A parental order is required in order for the child to be handed over. And although paying for a baby is not allowed, lump-sum expenses are often dressed up as expenses, says retired judge Sir James Munby, formerly the President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales. Costs can amount to as much as 15,000. He argues UK surrogacy is already a thoroughly commercial activity, and its probably better to . . . move to a proper system of regulation rather than prohibition. But until the law is clarified, more and more British couples are using foreign surrogates. BioTexCom Center for Human Reproduction is situated behind security gates in Kiev. It offers surrogacy, egg donation and IVF to couples from around the world. Mother-of-three Kateryna Hobzhyla, 34, (pictured) has decided to keep her surrogacy pregnancy a secret and pass it off as weight gain With its series of large terracotta buildings, ornate stairwells, shiny floors, coffee machines and potted plants, the feel is part hospital; part well-oiled machine. There are gynaecologists, embryologists, fertility specialists, uniformed medical staff, as well as a social media team for the promotion of packages and discount deals. The core of the business egg extraction, fertilisation, embryo transfers takes place in the main clinic. Surrogates deliver the actual babies in surrogacy-friendly maternity hospitals in Kiev. Young women, some surrogate mothers, some egg donors, queue for check-ups and ultrasound scans, each holding folders of medical notes. The clients, meanwhile, couples whove been through years of infertilitys hopes and misses, wait in an adjacent building in a room with leather sofas and pastries. Sixty-three couples were seen this afternoon, here after exhausting all other options. I was picked up from the airport with a British and a French couple; each with a long tale of grief about how they got here. Surrogacy was our last hope, says Stacy Owen, 42, who works in educational governance and lives with her husband in Sutton, Surrey. They had twins with a Ukraine surrogate last year. They had tried very hard to get pregnant. The good news: Stacy conceived. The bad news: she miscarried. Again and again. Surrogacy was our last hope. We paid 27,000 for an all inclusive guaranteed package and came home with beautiful twins - Stacy Owen After ten miscarriages over 12 years, and thousands of pounds on expensive drugs, Stacy and her husband settled on surrogacy. They went to the Ukraine because its cheap, the law is tight and its a three-hour flight from the UK. The couple paid 30,000 euros (24,244) for an all inclusive guaranteed package plus an extra 3,000 euros (2,724) as they had twins. (BioTexCom has withdrawn the Economy package, and now offers Standard, 39,000 euros (35,417) and VIP, 49,000 euros (43,710)). The surrogate mother was 20 and had a two-year-old son. We flew out at 37 weeks because twins are often born early, but they didnt arrive until 39 weeks and 5 days. It was a natural birth. Everyone was like, Are they ever coming? She goes on, By the time the surrogate got home, shed been away from her son for nearly three months. Quite a sacrifice. Mother-of-one Elena Oucharenko, 37, (pictured) had twins for an Italian couple last year and is now in the early pregnancy stages of having a child for a British couple Stacy is still in contact with the surrogate. She did something wonderful for us and Id like the children to know who she is. Nothing should be hidden about that. It was such a unique, unconventional and joyous experience. BioTexComs Anastasia, a pragmatic 36-year-old with hoop earrings and dark nail polish, explains how it works. Like all Ukraines agencies, BioTexCom practises host, not traditional surrogacy (where the surrogates egg is used with the mans sperm). In other words, the clinics deal with surrogates hiring out their womb. Surrogate mothers are normally no younger than 20; no older than 38. And before theyre allowed to become surrogates have to undergo background checks and medical testing. This includes an internal examination to ensure her uterus is in good shape and shes free of STDs. Once accepted, they are not allowed to have sex until after the 12th week of pregnancy so as not to endanger the pregnancy, says Anastasia. She needs to have had at least one baby of her own. Pregnancy is unpredictable, Anastasia explains. I know of a case where there were complications after birth and the surrogate mother lost her uterus. To lose your ability to have your own family is not a good thing. Surrogates carrying babies for UK couples also have to be single. The legal process is simpler for the parents, says Anastasia. If the surrogate is single, the child has a good claim to British nationality. I dont want to be misunderstood. There are people who think only mothers should carry a baby - Natasha Boroda As for prospective parents, the company does not accept unmarried or same sex couples. Couples need to have proven infertility. For example, at least four failed IVF cycles. And the baby needs to be genetically related to at least one of the parents. The surrogacy package includes transport and hotel accommodation, as the process of getting passports and confirming nationality for the baby can take up to four months for the UK. Surrogates and prospective parents are matched by doctors. They go on such things as blood group compatibility, says Anastasia. Contact between both parties is down to individuals. Anastasia says there is often suspicion on both sides. Surrogates are afraid the couple will change their mind and not take the baby. Couples are afraid the surrogate will not give the baby to them. Couples want to know if the surrogate is healthy, lives in a safe area, has a good support system, what her children will think when she returns empty-handed from the hospital. Some couples say, We dont want the surrogate to eat meat at all, we want her to be vegan and hike two hours a day. Stacy (pictured with her husband and their twins) revealed that she's still in contact with her children's surrogate mother and wants them to know who she is And I explain: A surrogate mother has her own life: she is helping you, she is not serving you and you should respect her lifestyle, says Anastasia. Some things must be agreed on: for example, how many embryos will be transferred (triplets are not permitted); if a Downs pregnancy will be terminated. Those who buy the VIP package, which includes a housekeeper and cook for their stay in the Ukraine. can also choose the sex of their child. Kateryna Hobzhyla, 34, is pregnant with her fourth child. I love children, she says. The manager of a supermarket in Uzyn, a small town in northern Ukraine, she talks of her son, Constantine, 18; and of her two daughters, Anna, 12 and Polina, six. She shows me photographs of a birthday cake she baked for Polina, an elaborate confection of icing and sweets. She is an affectionate mother, close to her children, which is why she cant easily express her feelings about the baby she is carrying her first experience of being a surrogate. Its going to be difficult, she says, of not seeing the baby after labour. Even though the baby is not genetically my baby I am carrying it in my heart. Kateryna studied cookery at college before getting married to a businessman at 17. She divorced her husband four years ago because he had become abusive and violent. She subsequently lost her family home, which was owned by her mother-in-law and now rents a small apartment. I treated the pregnancy the same as with my son - Elena Oucharenko Her plan with the surrogacy money is to buy a flat, a home for my two girls. Not that it was an easy decision. I had to be ready mentally, she explains. In the end the person who reassured her was her son, Constantine. He said, I am your son. The baby inside you is not your child. The clinic arranged a Skype call with the couple shes having the baby for. I could see it was difficult for the intended mother because she wont carry her own child. She was silent. Only the father talked to me. He quizzed Kateryna on her health and how she feels and asked if they could buy Christmas presents for her children. When I saw them I realised Im doing something great. They made me feel like an angel. Nevertheless Kateryna is keeping the pregnancy secret. She says shell pass the pregnancy off as weight gain, explaining that when the bump is really big shell be in Kiev, where all surrogates are moved in preparation for delivery. When she returns home with a flat tummy, shell say: Ive got fit. But she has told her older daughter. I explained Im a kind of incubator. I said, If we take an egg from a chicken and put it in an incubator and keep it warm, a chick will hatch. Anna accepted this and asked when theyd have their own house. She said, Mummy is doing a good thing. Elena Oucharenko, 37, an artist who runs creative workshops for children, lives in Borzna, northern Ukraine, with her son, Misha, 13. She is in the early stages of pregnancy with a baby shes carrying for a British couple. Stacy (pictured) and her husband spent 30,000 euros (24,244) for an all inclusive guaranteed package plus an extra 3,000 euros (2,724) as they had twins Last year she had twins for an Italian couple. I treated the pregnancy the same as with my son, she says. I stroked my belly and spoke to the babies. I said, Mum and Dad are waiting for you. They love you very much. She gave them names from Ukranian fairy tales. One was very active, and I called her bunny; and the other was quieter and I called her a name which means something very sweet and nice. The girls were born in May 2017. Elena didnt see them or even hear them cry. It was a Caesarean and I was sedated. I woke up without a belly, without the babies. She was given pills to suppress her milk supply. I knew I wouldnt see them, but yes, I had a few days when I was up and down and ready to burst into tears at any moment. She hadnt had any contact with the couple. She only knew they were Italian. Then, about three days after giving birth, she met them. They were visiting the babies in the hospital and the father fell on his knees and was crying. I saw something I had never seen before: pure happiness. She continues: They asked if I wanted to see the babies. I said yes. She smiles, My baby girls are beautiful. She is still in touch with the couple, who live in Turin. I have pictures, starting from when they were one month old, she says. They feel like family. I see it as mutual help: I am helping the couple; the couple are helping me - Elena Elena is saving the money for her sons education. He is good at languages and she wants him to study at a university aboard, most likely Italy. The most important thing is my baby my son and the couple Im going to help. However there is profound anxiety in Ukraine surrounding the ethics of women selling their wombs in a global marketplace. With advances in science, technology and the ease of air travel, cross-border surrogacy is very difficult to regulate and police, says Sam Everingham, global director of Families Through Surrogacy. Iryna Sysoyenko, a Ukrainian deputy (MP), has co-authored a Bill to ban foreigners from using surrogates, or at the very least to stop couples from countries where the practice is illegal, as in Spain. We dont want to be seen as a country where you can fly in, choose a woman and have a baby, she has said. Anastasia sees it differently. Our women become surrogates because they want to take control of their lives. When I am accused of exploiting women, I say: Well, yes, of course, it would be much better if she left her family and went abroad to earn little money and get exploited there. There are women who are desperate and do it for the money, admits Elena, her hand on her growing belly. But not all. She views it differently. I see it as mutual help: I am helping the couple; the couple are helping me. A distraught bride is calling for help after her wedding photographer was mugged causing her to lose all of the professional photos from her big day. Jade Metherell, 30, married her fiance Eddie Simpson, 36, in a rustic ceremony in North Yorkshire which saw the couple's families flying in from the Far East and Canada to see the loved up pair tie the knot. Hugh Lloyd, a family friend of the Simpsons and a professional photographer took the pictures on the day. However, following the ceremony Hugh flew to Rome and while at the airport was mugged - with thieves stealing his cameras and memory cards, which still contained the wedding snaps. The couple are now putting together a collection of photos that were taken by friends and families on the day - but are holding onto hope they might get the majority of their photos back. Jade Metherell, 30, married her fiance Eddie Simpson, 36, in an idyllic rustic ceremony in North Yorkshire but disaster hit when all their professional photos were lost (pictured in a photo taken by a friend) In an emotional plea on Facebook Hugh asked friends and family if they could help Jade, who works in the nuclear industry, told Femail: 'I know in this day and age we can take photos whenever we want, but it's these photos that we rely on to frame in our home and show to family and friends. In the hope that the thieves operating in Rome might return the photos, Jade and Hugh have put a plea out on social media, hoping the message which reach Italy. Jade added: 'Hugh took photos throughout the ceremony, drinks reception, outside photos, speeches, wedding breakfast and first dance. 'It was a solid 15 hours before he eventually put the camera down and finally got a drink! 'He has known Eddie for over 10 years and he has captured a lot of our moments together as a couple. So we were very much looking forward to Hughs photos of our day. 'He put a lot of time and effort for our special day and it was a pleasure to say that our photographer is also a great friend of ours.' The photos were particularly special to the couple, who live in Lytham St Anne's, Lancashire, as Eddie's mother couldn't attend the big day, and both the bride and groom had family travelling in from abroad. The couple's ceremony was less than a year after Eddie proposed - so his sick father was able to attend the nuptials. Jade added to Femail: 'Truth said, with my organising skills and forward planning we had actually booked the wedding the month before any proposal - it was my way in for a wedding! Jade and Eddie modelled their cake after their beloved Volkswagen Campervan, which they often take up to North Yorkshire to explore the countryside 'Eddie had always joked that he would propose on the actual wedding day! Fortunately he proposed a month later. She added: 'However our main purpose for holding the wedding so soon after the proposal was so that Eddie's father could attend. 'He's now 82 and already suffered six strokes. Unfortunately his mother couldn't attend at all as she is suffering from dementia and needs 24 hour care. 'She is 78 and currently resides in a care home down in Suffolk. So this was our time to hold a celebration with as many loved ones around. 'Having the wedding in North Yorkshire was also special to Eddie as that is where he grew up holidaying with his parents and his mother was very fond of the place. Jade and Eddie are desperate to locate their wedding photos, although they admit it's a 'long shot' Eddie, who now works in the renewable energy industry, met Jade at work more than seven years ago. The North Yorkshire destination was important for the outdoorsy couple, who often go camping there and modelled their wedding cake after their beloved Volkswagen Camper Van. Jade said: 'We always do the coastal walk from Robin Hood's Bay to Ravenscar and it is here where we go married at Raven Hall Country Hotel. 'Over the years when we spoke about getting married we always thought of this particular area and with the hotel being right on the coast over looking the sea, it was a perfect spot for us. It is also here where Eddie proposed. 'So the wedding itself was a big event as we had actually spent a full week up there. 'My mother is from the Philippines so I had quite a few members of my family flying over from the Far East for this special day. Some were their first time here in England. 'Also, Eddie's brother now lives in Canada with his Canadian wife and two children so we also had family members flying from the west! 'In total we had 86 guests attending from UK, Philippines, Canada and California. Hugh also said he was distraught after he lost the photos. Jade said: 'When Hugh had rang to say his camera had been stolen along with our photographs of the wedding, we were devastated that someone could be so heartless to steal a camera. 'He got tricked by a passerby asking for directions and then another person came by and took the camera bag while he was distracted. 'Hugh has quite a dry sense of humour so when he did ring to say what had happened I wasn't sure whether he was joking around. I didn't think something like this would happen to any bride post wedding so it was very much of a shock.' The couple met seven years ago when they were both working in the energy industry Jade added: 'As it was such a lovely week in Yorkshire with the family and then the wedding, we are trying to stay positive and ensure that this incident does not cloud our wonderful memories of the big day. 'I had decided to post our story on social media so that if this ever gets across to Italy then maybe somewhere, someone can kindly give us back the memory cards. 'It could be a long shot and most likely deleted. But also a message to any future brides and grooms and photographers. 'To ensure that the photos are downloaded straight away and the memory cards kept separated from the camera during transportation.' Jade said she didn't want the 'wonderful' memories of her big day to be 'ruined' but hopes someone in Italy might be able to find the cards In an emotional plea on Facebook, Hugh wrote: 'Today [January 9] the worst thing ever to happen to a photographer happened to me. At Rome Ciampino airport I had all my cameras and lenses stolen. 'In my camera bag we're all the memory cards for the cameras and on two of them where all the pictures from a friends wedding I shot last week. 'If anyone at Eddie and Jade's wedding can contact me to give me pictures so I can put together an album for them, I would very much appreciate it.' He added: 'A statement was made but it sounded like the Italian officials appeared to not show much interest. Jade also said she was hoping the message might reach Italy. 'Cameras can be replaced but photographs especially on your special day is priceless and all our memories captured are now lost. 'If this story reaches Italy, maybe the "thieves" could at least drop the memory cards and USB sticks somewhere? It's a long shot but maybe worth a try.' A transgender Malaysian millionaire has hit back at religious leaders after feeling pressure to 'change back'. Cosmetics mogul Safiey Ilias last week turned down an invitation to have tea with Federal Territories mufti Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad. Ilias said that previous meetings with other religious figures had been laced with pressure to return to being physically male admitting she also felt pressure from the public reports Malay Mail. Posting on Instagram last week she wrote: 'It's not that I don't want to meet the mufti, but the society likes to expect too much. Cosmetics mogul Safiey Ilias turned down an invitation to have tea with Federal Territories mufti Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad '[It is as if] after meeting the mufti, I ought to change to become a man. Or others will say, it is a marketing for a new song, a new product. Or even, riding on religion.' The Malay Mail revealed that the mufti had also used the male pronoun 'saudara' in Malay language to describe the transgender woman. Ilias, who boasts almost a million followers on Instagram, has made her fortune in the cosmetics industry often sharing posts of her products have improved customers skin. The transgender business woman says that she felt an increasing pressure to 'change back' to being male In 2016, she made the decision to continue her life as a woman after previously attempting to live as a man. Pictured: Ilias in 2017 She also regularly shares snaps of her own lavish lifestyle, posing in bikinis during luxury holidays and on board luxury yachts. Ilias has also shared snaps of her transition, becoming increasingly glamorous over the years. In 2016, she made the decision to continue her life as a woman after previously attempting to live as a man. Ilias admitted that she had not only been the victim of cruel trolling while living as a male but she had also longed to live as the woman she truly is. Ilias boasts almost a million followers on Instagram where she shares snaps of her glamorous lifestyle Ilias has also shared snaps of her transition, becoming increasingly glamorous over the years When first transitioning she had used the name 'Sofea' before switching to her name given to her at birth - 'Safiey'. In Malaysia it is illegal to have gay sex and the country has become increasingly intolerant of transgender people. The past year has seen attacks on trans people increase at an alarming rate with a transgender woman found murdered in Klang on New Year's Day. The Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed, has also previously described LGBTQ+ as a Western concept. Not only incandescent over his anti-Brexit shenanigans, many MPs are also furious with Speaker John Bercow for curtailing a parliamentary debate on bullying. Was it, they wonder, because he finds the subject rather awkward having himself been subject to allegations that he bullied some members of his staff? Two days before being accused of ripping up the Parliamentary rule book to curry favour with Remainer MPs last week, he presided over a series of ministerial statements and invited 157 MPs almost a quarter of the Commons to speak. The statements ranged from the NHS, to migrants crossing the Channel and the plight of British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who is in prison in Tehran. Not only incandescent over his anti-Brexit shenanigans, many MPs are also furious with Speaker John Bercow for curtailing a parliamentary debate on bullying, writes ANDREW PIERCE As a result, there were only 35 minutes left to debate a report that found widespread bullying and harassment in Parliament and which called for a change in leadership of the Commons. Only four backbench MPs were able to speak and then just briefly. Dame Eleanor Laing, the Deputy Speaker, was clearly irritated, saying: 'It is a great pity that we had urgent questions lasting for two hours and eight minutes that were somewhat repetitive, and that we then had statements lasting for three hours and two minutes that were also repetitive.' For his part, Bercow has faced allegations which he denies that he bullied two former officials, plus a claim that he called Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom a 'stupid woman'. In the report on bullying following her inquiry, Dame Laura Cox, a former High Court judge, had said: 'I find it difficult to envisage how the necessary changes can be successfully delivered and the confidence of the staff restored under the current senior House administration.' This was interpreted as a subtle way of saying 'Bercow should stand down'. Tom Watson's day in the posh seats Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson has submitted for inclusion in the Register of Members' Financial Interests five tickets to watch Arsenal play Huddersfield in the Premier league last month. Their value was 1,750. For that kind of money, he must have been in a Royal Box-style seat scoffing caviar and champagne pre-match! Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson has submitted for inclusion in the Register of Members' Financial Interests five tickets to watch Arsenal play Huddersfield in the Premier league last month Cheerleader Chuka's rumbled Is there no end to the hypocrisy of Labour anti- Brexiteers and their attempts to re-write history? I ask because Chuka Umunna MP, a cheerleader for a second referendum, has been exposed for political opportunism by blogger Guido Fawkes. He has unearthed a video of the Streatham MP saying: 'I'm sorry, I'm not one of those people who thinks we should be calling for a second referendum. 'I think that would just look like the referendum was fought under rules we agreed to, a result was delivered, and because we don't like it we now want to replay it again which will simply entrench a view that we're some elite, who don't want to pay any attention to the people.' Is there no end to the hypocrisy of Labour anti- Brexiteers and their attempts to re-write history? I ask because Chuka Umunna MP, a cheerleader for a second referendum, has been exposed for political opportunism by blogger Guido Fawkes, writes ANDREW PIERCE Rachel Riley, famed for her maths-whizz brain and short skirts on Channel 4's Countdown, is under attack for condemning, in a podcast she made for the broadcaster, Labour's anti-Semitism. Karl Hansen, a Labour shadow minister's aide, railed: 'Rachel is a celebrity with 604k [Twitter] followers who smears her political opponents as anti-Semites and boosts troll accounts that are notorious for targeted campaigns of harassment. She isn't standing up to bullying, she is a bully.' Doughty Rachel, 33, who is Jewish, is not the kind of woman to be put off by such an ill-informed bruiser, who, incidentally, last year described Israel as an apartheid state. Rachel Riley, famed for her maths-whizz brain and short skirts on Channel 4's Countdown, is under attack for condemning, in a podcast she made for the broadcaster, Labour's anti-Semitism Ann Widdecombe is touring the country with her one-woman show. Among many bizarre questions she's been asked by audiences was whether she could understand why anyone might want to have an extra-marital affair with John Prescott. This left her almost speechless. 'What are you supposed to say to that?' Quote of the week: Ex-Labour MP Austin Mitchell said: 'Angela Merkel agreed with David Cameron that Jean-Claude Juncker was a drunken, tax-fiddling, useless bum but felt that was exactly why he was so well qualified to be President of the EU.' Rory Stewart has proposed that jail sentences of less than six months should be scrapped and replaced with 'community sentences' There are few more impressive members of the Government than Roderick James Nugent Rory Stewart OBE, FRSL, FRSGS. As the initials after his name suggest, he has in his 46 years racked up notable achievements outside politics in the fields of diplomacy, charity and literature. So it is as one of his admirers that I urge Stewart to think more deeply before embarking on his proposal that jail sentences of less than six months should be scrapped, and replaced with so-called community sentences. The Prisons Minister has argued that custodial sentences of less than six months are long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you. It is clear from this that he regards prison not primarily as a punishment, but as a form of therapy. That is all very well, but it fails to address the concerns of the public, who do, actually, wish to see persistent criminals made to pay for the ruination and trauma they bring to the lives of their fellow citizens. Inadequate If it were the case that community sentencing is effective in reducing crime (or, indeed, that the offenders are being properly monitored), it would add force to Stewarts proposal. But as I know and The Times legal editor noted last week: Judges have lost all faith in community sentences. It is because judges are increasingly aware of how inadequate is the supervision overseen by the Community Rehabilitation Companies that they might be more inclined to set a custodial sentence. This is a lesson which governments seem never to learn. An earlier administration advanced an alternative to custody for persistent young offenders, known as the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme. But in 2009 a report declared the programme was failing either to protect the public or rehabilitate the youngsters . . . more than 90 per cent committed further crimes after their period of supervision had ended. That is far higher than the rate of reoffending by those who have served short prison sentences. Stewart is right that the shorter the sentence, the higher the recidivism: there is a reoffending rate of 60 per cent among those who serve custodial sentences of less than a year, compared with 39 per cent for those sentenced to between one and two years. But given that the latter group would certainly be the more persistent criminals, surely this is evidence of the deterrent effect of incarceration. It suggests that the proper course of action would be to replace six-month sentences with ones of at least a year, rather than to release convicted criminals immediately into the community. There is an obvious reason why Stewart is not proposing such a policy (aside from any visceral dislike he may have of the idea of prison in general): it would at least in the short term require the building of more prison cells. And this the Treasury will not provide for. The Chancellor will be a keen supporter of Stewarts proposal and thus shift the cost of dealing with crime more onto insurance companies and their policy-holders as burglaries increase (although those less well-off people who are the most common victims of burglaries will often have no home or contents insurance, and there is, in any case, no way of replacing precious items of deep personal value). It is not as if we are currently banging up everyone who has proved themselves a risk to their community. Not much more than a third of those convicted of crimes involving knives are given custodial sentences. This, too, is regarded as good news by the Treasury as revealed by the Mail a few years ago. A leaked letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, protesting at the then Justice Secretarys proposal to amend a Bill in order to bring in tougher sentences for knife possession, stated: I have serious concerns about this amendment. It would impose a substantial new pressure on the prison population. Extraordinarily, having been convicted of manslaughter in his absence, Jack Shepherd a fugitive from justice has still been receiving legal aid for his appeal That was unforgiveably dismissive of the threat to the public from increasing knife crime: which is why the Violence and Vulnerability Unit of the Home Office complained to MPs last week, regular offenders are not being given custodial sentences, a practice exacerbated by a lack of consistency in knife crime sentencing. Villains This newspaper has more recently exposed a remarkable indulgence at the heart of the criminal justice system, with our revelations about the case of Jack Shepherd, who went on the run while on bail (after causing the death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown after he drunkenly flipped his speedboat on the Thames). Extraordinarily, having been convicted of manslaughter in his absence, Shepherd a fugitive from justice has still been receiving legal aid for his appeal. It seems the police were not especially interested in recapturing Shepherd. When a friend of the fugitive phoned Scotland Yards hotline four months ago offering a specific address where Shepherd could be found, he received no call back. But I have some sympathy with the police, at least on this general point. If the Government increasingly finds ways to ensure that persistent criminals are, when dealt with by the courts, immediately let back into the community, it hardly helps to motivate those whose job it is to nab the villains. Nor does it make sense to tie the hands of judges. Please, Rory Stewart, let them do their job properly. Major's ploy is desperate and contemptible After John Major led the Conservative Party to its most crushing election defeat in living memory, he declared: Its time to get off the stage. Thats what I propose to do. Unfortunately, he has not felt able to carry out that promise. Yesterday, he made the latest of a series of interventions in the Brexit debate, with a piece in the Sunday Times calling on the Government to revoke Article 50. The former PM went on to argue there should then be a period of national consultation followed by a further referendum which would be binding on whether we decided to leave the EU. Major dismisses the objection that this would betray the 17.4 million people who voted Leave in 2016 by asserting that 63 per cent of those eligible to vote either voted to stay or did not vote at all. How desperate of Major to count in aid of his call for a second referendum those who chose not to take part in the first one as if they were all would-be Remain voters. How desperate of John Major to count in aid of his call for a second referendum those who chose not to take part in the first one as if they were all would-be Remain voters How stupid he must think we are if we have forgotten that, in 2016, he declared if the result were for Leave, it would not be politically possible to say weve reconsidered, lets have another referendum. If we vote to go out, then were out and we have to get on with it. And how disingenuous he is to argue that revoking Article 50 would be a way of continuing the debate over the UKs future relationship with the EU. When the European Court of Justice (ECJ) last month ruled that the UK could unilaterally revoke its Article 50 notice to leave the EU, its judges insisted that revocation of the notification to withdraw must be unequivocal and unconditional. Or as the British QC who brought this case to the ECJ himself noted yesterday: The revocation of your Article 50 notice must be an expression of your concluded decision to remain in the EU. That is what Major is trying to achieve. So it is contemptible of him to have begun his article with an attack on those in the Tory party whom he describes as would-be assassins of Theresa May. His own intervention is another knife in Mrs Mays back. Chester County Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh (center) joins Marjorie V. Gonzalez (left) and Deborah A. Holmes at the pairs graduation from the Delaware County Community College Police Academy. From left to right, Gail Sammons and Glorious Hensley standin front of the mural of Thomas R. Brown High School. This was the first mural painted, and the one showing the most wear. Photo by Charles Romans. Another view Ending shutdown up to Senate GOP E.J. DIONNE: After Trump's dud, it's up to the Senate GOP The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Michael is the Daily Emerald's Editor-in-Chief. He started at the Emerald as a reporter in 2017 and has held the roles of senior news reporter and associate news editor. He has bylines in The Wall Street Journal, The Portland Tribune and Eugene Weekly. Follow Michael Tobin Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Daily American No Dont blame the public for the mess created by the politicians. In the most recent federal example of grandstanding, Republicans and Democrats are butting heads and refusing to compromise. Central to the debate, apparently, is the Mexican border wall President Donald Trump promised on the campaign trail. According to the Associated Press, Trump wants $5.7 billion for his wall. Thats not a lot of money when you consider that the annual American military budget alone is more than $500 billion. So whats the shutdown really about? The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is posturing. Trump views wall construction as a tangible victory he can tout to voters in two years. Democrats, perhaps wisely to their partys future, are digging in to deny this. Which brings us back to the original premise: Do not blame this on voters. While its true that were the ones who send these folks to Washington, D.C., we have little control of them once they arrive. Its up to them to behave like adults and hash out enough of a compromise that both sides feel like they can walk away with symbolic victories. Until congressional leaders are the first ones to have their pay frozen during these shutdowns, theres no hope of these situations not arising again and again in the future, regardless of who sleeps in the White House. (Bruce Siwy is a reporter for the Daily American and editor of the Our Town weekly newspaper. He can be reached at bruces@ourtownjohnstown.com or on Twitter at @BruceJSiwy.) STORY LINK Pound New Zealand Dollar (GBP/NZD) Exchange Rate Rises as Chinese Exports Hit Two-Year Low GBP/NZD Exchange Rate Up as Chinese Imports Fall below Expectation Pound New Zealand Dollar (GBP/NZD) Exchange Rate Rises Despite Fears of Paralysis in Parliament GBP/NZD Forecast: Brexit No-Deal Could See Pound Fall Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound New Zealand Dollar (GBP/NZD) exchange rate is up today by 0.4% and is currently trading at $1.8858.Todays release of Chinas latest trade ecostats has hit the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) after Chinese imports and exports figures for December showed a worse-than-expected decrease, hitting a two-year low.With the New Zealand Dollar sensitive to any signs of a slowing Chinese economy, traders fled to safe-haven currencies.These losses, however, were buffered somewhat by Chinas trade surplus with the US having reached its highest since 2006 in spite of last years rise of US tariffs on imports.Raymond Yeung, a Chief Economist at ANZ, warned that a fall in exports could further lead to a real risk to Chinas external outlook.New Zealand Dollar investors, meanwhile, will be looking ahead to todays publication of the Q4 NZIER business confidence figures, with any signs of an increase potentially providing a leg-up for the Kiwi.These will also be followed by New Zealands Food Price Index figures for December, which can sometimes have a small effect on NZD exchange rates.The Pound, meanwhile, has gained on the New Zealand Dollar despite apprehension over tomorrows parliamentary vote on UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal, following her warning today that if her deal is rejected there will be a paralysis in Parliament.Gareth Johnson, a Conservative MP for Dartford, resigned today in opposition Mays Brexit deal, commenting: I have decided the time has come to place my loyalty to my country above my loyalty to the government.Sterling investors remain generally skittish, with expectations that the Brexit deal will be rejected tomorrow increasing, preventing the Pound making any further gains today.GBP investors will be paying close attention to tomorrows Commons vote on Brexit, with any signs of Theresa Mays deal being rejected likely to see Sterling plummet against the Kiwi.NZD traders, meanwhile, will be looking ahead to tomorrows release of New Zealands GDT price index figures, with any signs of an increase potentially benefiting the New Zealand Dollar.Following on from these will see the publication of New Zealands electronic card retail sales for November, with any signs of bullishness restoring positive sentiment in the Kiwi.Sterling investors, however, will be looking ahead to Wednesday which will see a range of UK events, with the most notable being a speech by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, with any dovish comments potentially weakening the GBP/NZD exchange rate. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound New Zealand Dollar Forecasts Virginia "Sue" Robinson of Cullman Alabama passed away June 10, 2021 at the age of 82. She was born January 14, 1939 in Cullman to E.R. and Gracie Nix Neal. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elwin Ray Robinson, daughter Sharron Fuller, sisters Evelyn Hardin and Norma Bradford Credit unions have a lot of things to communicate; to members, prospects, employees, the board and the community. It can be easy to get caught up in WHAT you are trying to say and forget about the HOW. As it turns out, how we say things is even more important to what we are actually saying. In behavioral economics, we call this concept framing. HOW DOES FRAMING WORK? If you were in a grocery store shopping for ground beef, which would you prefer to buy? Here are the label options: Contains 20% FAT 80% fat free Turns out, most people prefer the one listed 80% fat free to something labeled as containing 20% fat. Even though they are saying exactly the same thing! And this happens in more than just grocery stores. Doctors who are presented with new procedures are more likely to adopt (and recommend to patients) when they are told there is an 85% success rate versus a 15% mortality/failure rate. Similarly, patients select which procedures to move forward with in the same way. Think about it, if your doctor came to you and said, I do this procedure all the time Ive done 150 in the past month. It is important you know, there is a 2% chance you will not make it through. Are you a little freaked out? Do you feel better when being told, I do this procedure all the time Ive done 150 in the past month with a 98% success rate. Same outcome, but the frame makes all the difference. CREDIT UNION EXAMPLE So, how can you use this in your credit union, to help your members find and select products and services that will benefit them? The most common recommendation I make to clients is to consider what is easiest for the brain to process quickly. The subconscious brain makes 99% of decisions, and it does these in very rapid succession. If you arent easyyoure tabled (often for a later that never comes). Stop Leading With Rates Credit unions love to talk about rate and use this as a point of differentiation among competitors. I am here to tell you that in most cases, this is not the correct strategy. I know its hard to change. I know you look around and see others doing this so it is hard to do something else (that is our herding brain showing). But please trust me when I tell you now that rate does not compute easily into a value statement for most people. When it comes to auto loans, payment often matters more than rate, term, or anything else. Think about what the member is actually seeing and dealing with on a day to day basis: is it rate? No. Many members will probably forget what their exact rate is, so competing on this point makes them think, HmmmI remember I got a good rate, but I cant remember if it was more or less than that. Ill need to look into that soon. And as quickly as the thought cameit is gone. Instead, leading with payment is something they likely remember. Consider someone looking to pay down debt they are probably very aware of all their payments and trying to find ways to pinch, scrimp, and save where they can. You could reframe the message to say something like: Want an extra $100 in your pocket each month? What would you do with an extra $100? Want to save 20% on your car payment each month? Of course, consider due diligence, compliance, and the specific circumstances when choosing an approach. And, the best thing, is to test a few options! See how the reframes change the actions to determine what works best for your membership. REAL LIFE, CHECKING EXAMPLE Last year, I worked with a credit union to reframe their messaging when they were launching a new checking account. Instead of using the all-too-common Earn 1.26% APY on balances up to $25,000 (Which means nothing to a quickly processing subconscious brain other than whoathats a calculation I dont want to do in my head.) I recommended they reframe and say, Did your checking account pay you $315 last year? This is a very easy question to answer quickly. And for most people, it is likely No. Which causes curiosity and gets the subconscious to flag the conscious (more logical) brain to learn more. Their result? A 60% increase in month over month checking account openings. Sound like something you would like to see at your credit union? Then its time to reframe. To learn more about FRAMING and get your free worksheet to help you implement the strategies at your credit union, listen to episode 16 of The Brainy Business podcast. And, consider attending this free webinar from Ser Tech where I will be going into detail on this and other behavioral economics concepts and how to implement them at your credit union. The partial government shutdown has now become the longest funding gap in U.S. history. The House and Senate this week will continue work to try to come to an agreement to fund roughly a quarter of the government; the two chambers remain at odds over funding for President Donald Trumps requested wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition, a winter storm in the Washington area has closed other parts of the federal government and federal agencies. NAFCUs offices are also closed today, but staff remain available (find contacts here). Credit union efforts to support members that have been furloughed or affected by the shutdown have gained national attention and drawn recognition from members of Congress. Some of the services include one-time loans to those whose pay will be disrupted, line-of-credit limit increases, deferred payments on existing loans, and short-term, reduced rate loans to help meet expenses during the shutdown, to name a few. NAFCU remains active on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers to ensure credit union priorities such as full funding for the NCUAs Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF), Treasurys Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Small Business Administrations (SBA) 7(a) and 504 loan programs are included in any solution. Locked behind their green classroom door, MaKenzie Woody and 25 other first-graders huddled in the darkness. She sat on the vinyl tile floor against a far wall, beneath a taped-up list of phrases the kids were encouraged to say to each other: "I like you," "You're a rainbow," "Are you OK?" In that moment, though, the 6-year-old didn't say anything at all, because she believed that a man with a gun was stalking the hallways of her school in the nation's capital, and MaKenzie feared what he might do to her. Three times between September and November, bursts of gunfire near MaKenzie's public charter elementary school led DC Prep to seal off its Washington campus and sequester its students. During the last one, on Nov. 16, a silver sedan parked just around the corner at 10:42 a.m., then the men inside stepped out and fired more than 40 rounds. As MaKenzie's class hid upstairs, teachers frantically rushed three dozen preschoolers off the playground and back into the building. "The lockdowns," as MaKenzie calls them, have changed her, because the little girl with long braids and chocolate-brown eyes remembers what it was like before them, when she always felt safe at her school, and she knows what it's been like afterward, when that feeling disappeared. School shootings remain rare, even after 2018, a year of historic carnage on K-12 campuses. What's not rare are lockdowns, which have become a hallmark of American education and a byproduct of this country's inability to curb its gun violence epidemic. Lockdowns save lives during real attacks, but even when there is no gunman stalking the hallways, the procedures can inflict immense psychological damage on children convinced that they're in danger. And the number of kids who have experienced these ordeals is extraordinary. More than 4.1 million students endured at least one lockdown in the 2017-2018 school year alone, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by The Washington Post that included a review of 20,000 news stories and data from school districts in 31 of the country's largest cities. The number of students affected eclipsed the populations of Maine, Rhode Island, Delaware and Vermont combined. But the total figure is likely much higher because many school districts - including in Detroit and Chicago - do not track them and hundreds never make the news, particularly when they happen at urban schools attended primarily by children of color. Still, on a typical day last school year, at least 16 campuses locked down, with nine related to gun violence or the threat of it. The Post's final tally of lockdowns exceeded 6,200. The sudden order to hunker down can overwhelm students, who have wept and soiled themselves, written farewell messages to family members and wills explaining what should be done with their bicycles and PlayStations. The terror can feel especially acute right after school shootings like the one in Parkland, Florida, when kids are inundated with details from massacres that have taken the lives of students just like them. In New York City earlier this year, rumors of a firearm on campus sparked panic at a Staten Island high school, where teens desperately texted and called their parents, begging for help, telling them, "I love you." In Fremont, Nebraska, students sobbed as they hid for nearly two hours in a girls' locker room with the lights turned off after a teenager was spotted with a gun. When armed officers barged in, they ordered the kids to put their hands up. In Pensacola, Florida, a sixth-grader messaged his grandmother, certain a shooter was in the building after social media threats triggered a lockdown. "Please check me out before I doe," he wrote her, then corrected his misspelling: "die." And then there are the kids like MaKenzie, who have never heard of Parkland or Sandy Hook or Columbine but have heard the sound of gunshots on the streets where they live and play and learn. She cherishes few things more than school. All of MaKenzie's classes are her favorite, except for language arts, her "favorite favorite." The girl can read well beyond her grade level and has nearly memorized the story "Monsters Don't Scuba Dive," said her mother, Gabrielle Woody, who works in an aftercare program at DC Prep. The network of charter schools, which attract long waiting lists each year, have intentionally planted campuses in communities struggling with poverty and, like MaKenzie's, violence. She's excelled, though, earning a spot on the "Principal's Cabinet," which means her behavior, attendance and grades rank among the best in her age group. In the photo marking that honor, later stapled to a bulletin board outside her classroom, she looks elated: pink socks pulled up to her shins, left hand on a hip, right hand flashing the deuces sign, bright beads in her hair, and a grin revealing the baby teeth she'd begun to lose. MaKenzie didn't stop loving school because of the lockdowns, but she did think about them often. About how upsetting it was that they had interrupted her time to learn new words and different ways to add up numbers. About how scared she'd felt when some of the kids wouldn't stop making noise and how her teacher had offered them Smarties if they could just stay quiet for a little longer. She'd also become wary of recess on the playground, where games of tag and climbs across the monkey bars had once been among the highlights of her days. "Until the lockdowns happened," MaKenzie said. "I don't want to be outside because what if someone was shooting and we had to leave and we were too late and everybody got hurt?" --- No district is exempt from the fallout of lockdowns, regardless of demographics or affluence, location or security. School systems in every state and the District of Columbia had several last school year, The Post's analysis found, and they happened in buildings with as few as four students and as many as 5,000. While various threats, sometimes referencing bombs, accounted for 15 percent of lockdowns, and police manhunts near campuses made up a similar share, at least 61 percent of lockdowns were related to firearms. In fact, on every schoolday between Labor Day in September 2017 and Memorial Day in May 2018, a campus in this country went into lockdown because of a shooting or the perceived danger of one. Typically, those stemmed from gunfire around campuses or ominous warnings - often anonymous and seldom legitimate - that someone intended to carry out an attack. Students of all ages were affected, including America's youngest and most vulnerable. Last school year, more than 1 million elementary-age children experienced a lockdown, and among that group, at least 220,000 were in kindergarten or prekindergarten, the Post analysis revealed. While most kids won't suffer long-term consequences, experts who specialize in childhood trauma suspect that a meaningful percentage will. "This is a clear and pressing public health issue," said Steven Schlozman, a child psychiatrist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, after learning of The Post's findings, which he called "staggering." "We have very good data that children in proximity to frightening circumstances, such as those that trigger school lockdowns, are at risk for lasting symptoms. These include everything from worsening academic and social progression to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, post-traumatic symptomatology and substance abuse," he continued. "Given the potential scope of the problem, we are in dire need of more information. How do we protect children from these issues?" The possibility of imminent danger, however small, poses a complex challenge for school administrators, who must sometimes make critical decisions within seconds. "We have to take every threat seriously" is a common refrain among educators, and they're right, because the cost of ignoring one can be - and has been - dead children. John Czajkowski, a former teacher and naval officer who heads security for a 40,000-student district near San Diego, uses an analogy to help people understand the purpose, and impact, of a lockdown. "It's like an air bag," he said, because they save drivers' lives in car crashes, but the devices might also break noses and crack teeth. His point: Full-scale lockdowns should be employed only when absolutely necessary. Last school year, the system Czajkowski oversees, Sweetwater Union High School District, dealt with 71 student threats, he said, but only seven times did schools lock down, and five of those were prompted by off-campus danger, such as a burglary or gunfire. In 11 instances, schools went into what they refer to as "secure campus" mode, in which classroom and exterior doors are locked and no one enters or leaves the buildings but teachers can continue with instruction. Some school districts still categorize that or similar measures as lockdowns, while others call them "lockouts," "building mode" or "sheltering in place." Though those scenarios can also unnerve children, the experiences are usually less jarring than turning the lights off and hiding in the corner. Still, because there are no universally accepted best practices, schools take dramatically different - and sometimes haphazard - approaches to preparing students for potential danger. Earlier this month, at Lake Brantley High in Florida, an unannounced active-shooter drill induced pandemonium across the 2,700-student campus, leaving mothers and fathers furious and their kids contending with nightmares. "People were crying and texting their parents goodbye and having asthma attacks," said Cathy Kennedy-Paine, head of the National Association of School Psychologists' crisis response team. "To do that to children, I think that's unconscionable." She and other experts agreed that drilling is essential, both to protect students from physical injury and to ease the stress of going through a real-life emergency, but the drills must be done with care. To illustrate the harm that a lockdown can do, Franci Crepeau-Hobson, a psychologist, pointed to a pair of schools she worked with in recent years. In December 2013, a teenager killed a fellow senior at Colorado's Arapahoe High before taking his own life. As Crepeau-Hobson and her colleagues on the state's crisis response team treated students and staff in the aftermath, they found a school well prepared to care for teens struggling with grief and fear. Not long after, Crepeau-Hobson was asked to help students from another high school outside Denver. In that case, an off-campus robbery and carjacking left two people shot, but no violence ever reached school grounds. "They were on lockdown for hours and hours," without any information to alleviate their dread, Crepeau-Hobson recalled. Afterward, she said, the school did little to ensure that its students felt OK, though many didn't. Teens suffered from stomach pain and headaches. Some struggled to focus in class. Others couldn't sleep. "It was like, wow, this was what we see after a school shooting," she said. "They looked very much like kids we've seen from other major crises." Compounding the problem for educators, according to The Post's analysis: A leading cause of lockdowns - threats - and a common effect - anxiety - are contagious, and they're each exacerbated by actual gun violence. Nationally, the seven days with the highest number of incidents leading to school lockdowns occurred in the two weeks after the bloodshed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Broward County, Florida, on Feb. 14. The same phenomenon, The Post found, can happen at the local level. In the month after dozens of people were slaughtered at a Las Vegas country music festival on Oct. 1, 2017, the number of lockdowns in Nevada's Clark County School District spiked 42 percent to a total of 37, the highest count during the entire school year. It's not just mass killings, though, that leave children believing they might get shot in their classrooms. As Ajani Dartiguenave rode to school in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his mom one morning in October, he heard on the radio that a student at Butler High, about 20 miles away, had been gunned down in a hallway. Ajani, 12, didn't say anything about it at the time, recalled his mother, Claudia Charles, and she didn't discuss it with him. They live in an upscale neighborhood where crime is rare. He had never seen a gun in person or heard shots from his bedroom, and Charles, a nurse, wouldn't even let him play with water pistols. Not once did she imagine that the violence they'd heard about on the radio would make him feel unsafe. Eleven days later, Ajani was studying English literature at Governors' Village STEM Academy when someone on the intercom announced that the campus was being locked down. The seventh-grader didn't know that an anonymous threat - never in danger of being carried out - had elicited the response. He knew only that a boy in the community had been shot to death inside another school a week before, and that made Ajani think he would get shot, too. So, as he and his friends sat on the floor, Ajani reached into his bookbag, adorned with a smiling cartoon Anime character. Without making a sound, he pulled out a pencil, writing first on an index card and then a sheet of notebook paper. At the top, he scribbled his home address and his mom's name. "I am sorry for anything I have done," he wrote. "I am scared to death." "I will miss you." "I hope that you are going to be ok with me gone." --- The threat arrived before dawn, and as he read the words, Matt Henry could feel his stomach tighten. It had been nine days since 17 people were killed at Stoneman Douglas, and now Henry, the superintendent of a rural district south of Portland, Oregon, had just heard from police about an anonymous Facebook post vowing violence against his students in Gervais. "All the school shootings," it read, "I'm coming for you woodburn and gervas Friday February 23 10 am." In the hours that followed, a tide of chaos and angst would sweep through schools across the country, and by the time night fell in America, 33 separate incidents would lead to lockdowns, the most The Post identified during any single day last school year. Henry read the warning just after 5 a.m. on the West Coast, and already, campuses 3,000 miles east were stationing police officers outside shuttered doors. The Concord School in Vermont had locked down first thing that morning after spotting another Facebook post, originally taken from Snapchat, that included a picture of the Parkland gunman and a promise to "do better than him on Friday at concord High School." The threat, investigators discovered, had nothing to do with the Vermont school, and had instead been directed to one with a similar name in New Hampshire. Around the same time, campuses went into lockdown in North Carolina (a Facebook post promising to "shoot up" a school), Ohio (an armed suspect at large near a middle and high school), Michigan (an online threat made by one teen toward another) and Florida (a 14-year-old showing two students what looked like a pair of guns during a FaceTime call, before saying he was going to attack their high school) - all before 10 a.m. on the East Coast. In DeKalb County, Illinois, an entire district - 11 schools - locked down after administrators learned of a Snapchat warning that stated "at 2pm no one is safe here." The note appeared on an image that looked as though it had been written on a bathroom stall, said Superintendent Jamie Craven. His staff quickly confirmed it didn't match any of their bathrooms, and police concluded that a 13-year-old had seen the message online and simply reposted it. Neither revelation, however, quelled the worry that had already spread from cellphone to cellphone, student to student, many of whom went home early. "Kids are very aware," Craven said, "of the things that have gone on around the country." On that Friday in late February, the fear was so intense in some communities that their schools didn't even open. In Ohio, all five in one district remained closed after a potential threat surfaced overnight. In Arizona, seven schools on Navajo land did the same thing because comments about a potential shooting were made on social media. In California, a prestigious prep school canceled for the day when administrators learned that a former student had mentioned "revenge," along with the school's name, in an Instagram photo of a shotgun. Meanwhile, as classes began in some places and neared their end in others, lockdowns continued to pop up nationwide: Gallup High in New Mexico at 8 a.m. local time, Adelante High in California at 9:20 a.m., South Gibson County High in Tennessee at 10:30 a.m., Lillie B. Williamson High in Alabama at noon, Laguna-Acoma High in New Mexico at 12:30 p.m., Winona Middle in Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. In Gervais, a 1,000-student district in western Oregon, all three area schools had begun the day in a reduced lockdown, allowing teachers to run their classes but prohibiting anyone from going in or out of the buildings, said Henry, the superintendent. Still, nothing felt normal as officers stood guard outside and staff had to escort younger kids to and from bathrooms, heightening their worry that danger loomed. Only about half of the middle and high school students showed up that day. By midmorning, Henry said, police were certain that the threat had originated out of state and wasn't credible, so staff and students tried to transition back into their usual routines. Then, shortly after 2 that afternoon, just as the elementary school had begun dismissal, word came of another online threat. This one, Henry recalled, shook him, because the message implied that a gunman was in their town and on his way. The superintendent grabbed his coat and a radio and headed out the door, jogging to the front of his nearby elementary school. Through the swirl of buses and arriving parents, he scanned the street, searching for an unfamiliar face. Henry had dealt with frightening situations before, once catching a student on another campus with a .25-caliber handgun. Yet that moment outside the elementary school felt unique. Henry was unarmed, but after a career in education spanning 30 years, he had talked through these scenarios many times with his wife, who worked in another school district. If a shooter appeared, he would do whatever he could to draw fire away from the school. As time passed and, at last, police determined that the second message had also been a hoax, Henry felt relief, but also fury that his kids, or any kids, had to endure such turmoil in the places they should feel the most secure. That afternoon, he recorded a final robo-call, giving an update on all that had happened. "This has been a very trying day," Henry said, and at the end of the message, he asked parents to hug their children when they got home. --- As the Nov. 16 lockdown at the DC Prep elementary school ended, Principal Neema Desai watched a trio of her preschoolers emerge from a conference room where they'd hunkered for 20 minutes. The kids, who had been on the playground when the shooting started, were still wearing their jackets because the staff had rushed them back in so quickly. The looks on their faces so unsettled her that she struggled to describe them later. "Detached" was the word Desai eventually settled on, imagining what the children were thinking as they shuffled by: "I'm 3, and I'm trying to process what just happened in the school, in the place where my parents trust my teachers, where I'm supposed to be safe." In the hours that followed, students began to unravel. Among the things they said: "Who's going to shoot me?" "I want to shoot people." "I want to shoot myself." Meanwhile, police officers arrived at the crime scene around the corner and began to take note of where the 40-plus bullet casings had scattered. What did not arrive was the caravan of TV trucks and reporters that so often descend on schools when such scenes play out in whiter, wealthier neighborhoods. In its review of 20,000 news stories related to school lockdowns, The Post discovered a disproportionate amount of coverage focused on districts outside large cities. Yet experts say children who live in high-crime urban neighborhoods may be more susceptible to stress during or after lockdowns. That's because so many of them have been exposed to gunfire in their communities, and the threat of violence at school can trigger traumatic memories. Cheryl Ward, who oversees Columbus City Schools' counselors and social workers in Ohio, describes it this way: If a child who adores his grandmother's sweet potato pie smells a different one, he may think of his grandmother. If a child who has seen a shooting goes into lockdown because of a different one, he may think of the one he witnessed. Last school year, there were 136 lockdowns of varying degrees across the 110 schools in the Columbus district, one of the highest ratios among large-city systems that The Post reviewed. Ward's staff is trained to identify vulnerable children before lockdowns so they know who might need extra attention afterward because, for many kids who go through them, their fear of gun violence doesn't come from faraway mass killings or anonymous dispatches on Facebook. In Baltimore, where some neighborhoods have long been ravaged by gunfire, school officials say they have worked to find a balance between keeping their kids safe and not disrupting their classes, which means avoiding all-out lockdowns (lights off, kids quiet) unless they have no other choice. "The anxiety caused by full lockdowns along with the lost learning time take their own toll on our students' well-being," district spokeswoman Anne Fullerton said. "Whenever possible, we want our students to have a regular school day and to experience their schools as safe havens." For parents at DC Prep, the barrage of shootings and subsequent lockdowns were so disconcerting that some have considered pulling their kids out. Monique Moore, who works as the school's operations manager, has been thrilled with her 3-year-old's progress at DC Prep, where he's learned 24 letters and memorized every number up to 10. But he was also on the playground that day in November, and since then, she hasn't stopped imagining what might have happened had the three men in the car turned the corner before they pulled their triggers. "What's more important, his safety or his academics?" asked Moore, who might move him to a DC Prep school in another neighborhood. "I have to make a decision sooner or later." Shanta Suggs has grappled with the same conflict. Her son, Zayden Saxton, who's 7, shines at DC Prep, but she sensed his fear and frustration after the lockdowns. When she talked to him about going to a different school, he sounded disappointed. "What about my other friends? They're still going to be there," Zayden said, concerned that the kids in his second-grade class might get hurt after he left. "I didn't have an answer for that," Suggs said. After the last lockdown, Desai and other administrators decided to change their security protocols, announcing at a meeting with teachers in early December the school would initiate full-scale lockdowns only if danger reached campus. Short of that, it would go into "building mode," a far less disruptive response. The next day, on a bright, sunny morning in Washington, D.C., someone around the corner fired a dozen shots. Desai and her staff hurried to lock the doors to the school, but in a classroom on the second floor, MaKenzie and the other first-graders didn't stop learning new words or ways to add up numbers. --- In April, the country will mark the 20th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High, and that day will arrive in the aftermath of the worst year of school shootings in modern American history. This spring, The Post launched a database that tracked incidents of gun violence on campuses dating back to 1999, and the carnage in 2018 shattered every meaningful record. Most shootings at schools: 25. Most people shot: 94. Most people killed: 33. Most students exposed to gunfire on their campuses: 25,332. "There was once a time where we could say schools are the safest place for a child to be, and they would agree," said Steven Berkowitz, a psychiatrist who has worked with kids for 25 years. "They wouldn't now, even though it's still true. The perception of safety is no longer there." It is against that backdrop that millions of children will continue to hide in the corners of their classrooms, blinds drawn and doors bolted shut. That's where Alana Weber was one afternoon early last month after the announcement of a lockdown had come over the intercom at Niskayuna High, just northwest of Albany, New York. Alana, 15, texted her mom, desperate to know what was going on. The girl believed a shooter had reached the hallways, sure that the sound of slamming doors was actually gunshots. Struggling to stay calm, she asked her mother to send pictures of Milo, their miniature poodle. Word soon spread that a threat, written on a note found in Niskayuna, had provoked the lockdown, but that offered only temporary relief. Police didn't know if the warning was legitimate, so they brought in dogs to search every backpack and locker, student and staff member. For nearly six hours, Alana and her classmates remained hidden in silence, without food or water or access to bathrooms. Instead, they had to use trash cans. When at last the teens were allowed to come out, police patted them down. No weapon was ever found. Alana came home thankful to be safe but deeply shaken. Often shy, she logged into Facebook and decided to share her feelings. The teen detailed all that they had been through that afternoon, not as a plea for attention, but instead as one for help. The lockdown had happened on Nov. 5, the day before the midterm elections. Alana knew she couldn't vote for candidates who support gun control or do much of anything else to change the fact that kids like her all over the country continue to fear that they might get shot in their schools. So she begged the adults to do something about it. "You have the power to make it so we don't have to worry about these things," she wrote on the eve of Election Day, "so we don't have to hide in corners afraid to make a sound." The next day, as millions of Americans went to the polls, more than 10,000 children in at least 17 schools endured another lockdown. --- The Washington Post's Julie Tate and Amelie de Vogue contributed to this report. Ben Barnes begins a new job this month overseeing the finances for 17 state colleges and universities, an enormous system in transition due to shrinking enrollment and lean state budget support. Still, Barnes welcomes a job with a narrower focus, relatively speaking, from his last one. The new chief financial officer for the Board of Regents for Higher Education spent the past eight years grappling with finances for all of state government. His office implemented two mammoth-sized labor concessions deals and took the first steps toward stabilizing a state pension crisis of historic proportions. Though the OPM chief commonly is referred to as state budget director, managing finances is just one part of the job description. The office also is the chief policy development and planning agency for the Executive Branch and handles the bulk of labor relations for state government. My role is going to be smaller in ways that I actually kind of welcome, trying to make this system work better, Barnes, 50, told the CT Mirror during a late December interview as he wrapped up his duties as secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Actually its kind of refreshing to me. Its a little wearing, the responsibility to have that big picture view all of the time. It was Connecticuts poorly funded retirement benefit programs that came crashing down on the state finances and on Barnes like a lead balloon. Pension contributions that totaled $1.1 billion per year, or 6 percent of the General Fund, before Malloy took office, swelled to $2.5 billion, or 13 percent, before he left. Barnes ranks paying the full bill as one of the administrations proudest accomplishments. Before us, I think nobody really understood what was going on here, he said. Things were getting worse without anybody seeing it coming, or anybody understanding that we should be making moves to deal with this. Labor concessions deals in 2011 and 2017 would reduce long-term obligations to the state employees pension by billions of dollars. The administration also worked with unions to restructure payments, shifting some of the pension debt it inherited until after 2032. Connecticut still faces some hefty payments in this area for decades to come, but the problem is more manageable and predictable. Barnes also spent considerable time researching options to stabilize the equally-cash-starved teachers pension. Contributions owed to this fund are set to spike between now and the early 2030s. And while legal restrictions dont allow Connecticut to restructure and smooth out payments into this fund until the mid-2020s, Barnes said the Malloy administration covered its share of the bill. I think we laid the groundwork for change, he said. Candid budget talk Barnes and Malloy would struggle often with budget deficits as Connecticuts economy recovered slowly from the recession of 2008-2010. That often meant reducing other agencies requests for dollars. Now the roles are reversed and, as CFO for the regents system, it will be Barnes turn to plead for funding. Still, Barnes is widely respected throughout the Capitol for the expertise he brought to the job, even when he had to deliver unwelcome news. There wasnt a question that he couldnt answer, said Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, co-chair of the tax-writing Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. When we negotiated the budget he always had the details of any policy at his fingertips. Rojas also said he appreciated Barnes candor, sometimes a rare commodity at the Capitol. People appreciate it when you are honest with them, he said. They are tired of the BS. During the early years of the Malloy administration, Barnes repeatedly engaged in politically-sensitive, high-profile fights over proposed cuts to state watchdog agencies that represented the tiniest of fractions of the overall state budget. For example, a proposal that the watchdog agencies share attorneys during a time of budget deficits did not go over well. That was not the easiest period, and I thought an all-hands-on-deck approach might be a good thing, but no, Barnes said. I probably should have realized this was an area where the cost savings arent worth it. Shame on me for not seeing that coming. Barnes made headlines in November 2014, when he told Capitol reporters. We have entered into a period of permanent fiscal crisis in state and local government, it seems. The statement was a face full of cold water to an electorate who, a few days earlier, had re-elected Malloy amidst assurances that state finances would be deficit-free. In Barnes defense, many news media left out the second half of his statement: But that said, I think that weve made a lot of progress in trying to find ways to make our government more sustainable. That wouldnt be the only time he made Malloy roll his eyes with his outspokenness, nor the last time he would make a tense relationship even more tense. When asked by legislators during a February 2015 hearing why the administration was recommending higher taxes for hospitals, Barnes replied: Why do you rob banks? Its where the money is. The Malloy administration sparred frequently with the hospitals, arguing the industry was unfairly claiming poverty as a way of justifying criticism for dramatically hiking taxes on hospitals. He has one hell of a sense of humor, understated and dry a little bit like mine, Malloy said. Maybe thats one of the reasons we got along so well. Always Malloys first choice Some were surprised in December 2010 when Malloy went outside of Capitol political circles to tap Barnes the chief operating officer for the Bridgeport public schools to serve as his budget director. Barnes wasnt a stranger to Malloy. Raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., Barnes had spent most of the previous two decades connected to municipal government, first as a policy expert for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and also holding three posts under Malloy when he was mayor of Stamford. The governor was inheriting a budget deficit of historic portions, an empty budget reserve, $1 billion in operating debt, and a sluggish economy. Despite the stakes, Malloy said the choice for OPM secretary was never in doubt. I knew before I had won the election who I would fill the position with, the former governor said. Barnes and Malloy also faced a new political dynamic, a legislature that shifted responsibility for selecting budget cuts involving hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the Executive Branch. Shifting responsibility for budget cuts Rather than reduce specific programs, legislators increasingly directed Barnes office to achieve nebulously-defined savings targets. This would require the administration to withhold funding from agencies, freeze hiring and reduce programs, after which lawmakers would issue a bipartisan barrage of public condemnations. Wed try to cut $1 billion the old-fashioned way, but then wed get beaten up, Barnes said, referring to program reductions recommended each February in the governors annual budget proposal. And though lawmakers would neither approve the governors cuts nor recommend their own, Malloy was committed to shrinking government. Barnes did offer a word of caution, saying it wouldnt be wise to stick with this approach because Connecticut would continue to face hard fiscal choices over the next decade and, sooner or later, legislators need to get better at making them. The recent, increased reliance on these savings-targets rather than specific cuts is not a great way to govern, and theres no question there is a political sort of pattern thats developed, Barnes said. But there are still some folks who understand. Sometimes you have to say this is what we can afford and this is what weve got to do. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT Expectant mothers and their support persons can learn all about the labor and delivery process, during the Preparation for Childbirth / Infant First Aid and CPR at St. Vincents Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. The cost is $100 per couple. Relaxation and breathing tips will be reviewed along with many other labor management options. An overview of the early postpartum experience will also be provided. A tour of the Family Birthing Center is included. GROTON Gov. Ned Lamont got an early start Monday on his first full week in office, attending a 7:30 a.m. briefing by Electric Boat, the submarine manufacturer that is poised to double its waterfront workforce and approach Cold War employment levels in the next decade. Electric Boat announced it will add 900 jobs this year in Connecticut, boosting a home-state workforce that now totals 12,500. That includes including 6,000 engineers and designers and 3,000 men and women building and overhauling submarines at its shipyard on the Thames River. Lamont joined U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., and state legislators from across eastern Connecticut in a hotel ballroom for a bullish update by EBs president of the past five years, Jeffrey S. Geiger. EB has $15 billion in government contracts, and its overall workforce including operations at Quonset Point, R.I. recently topped 17,000 for the first time since 1992, Geiger said. The increase last year was more than 1,000 in Connecticut alone, as EB and the Newport News shipyard in Virginia build two Viginia-class attack subs per year. Electric Boat is also designing the next-generation Columbia class of ballistic submarines to replace the aging Ohio class fleet. Geiger is optimistic that new overhaul work is coming that will save the company from a dip in its shipyard employment before construction on the Columbia class, which could double employment by 2029 and keep it in growth mode for decades beyond that. I think I know what we need to do here. I know that this is a part of the state where we have the wind at our back, Lamont said in an interview after the briefing. You heard those numbers. They are extraordinary numbers. Lamont, who mingled with lawmakers before sitting down for a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, said Connecticut will be a partner in that growth, primarily by ensuring the company has access to a qualified workforce. He called Electric Boat an engine of growth. There is a role that the states going to play to facilitate that a limited role. Thats all I can do is a limited role, but thats why Im here, and why I keep coming back, Lamont said. Lamont campaigned at EB and visited the company once since winning election in November. Right now, we dont have the infrastructure to support the growth that Jeffrey is talking about. Shame on us, Lamont said. Im talking about workforce. Im talking about development. Im talking about housing. Im talking about education. Im talking a little bit about transportation. Shame on us if we lose that opportunity. Lamont is trying to find a messaging sweet spot in his first days. He is trying to convince a state with a shaky view of its own finances and future that economic growth is at hand, while not overpromising with unrealistic expectations. The state has had successive quarters of economic growth and has recovered all the private-sector jobs lost in the Great Recession, but Lamont still faces a projected deficit of about $1.7 billion less than half of what confronted Gov. Dannel P. Malloy eight years ago, but a deep hole, nonetheless. You can see me struggle with that every day, Lamont said. First, we have to go over this chasm. I try. Everywhere I go, I say this budget is going to be really hard, and Im going to be asking a lot of all of you. And that includes the business community and the labor community and taxpayers. Ive got to solve this thing. Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, whose district includes New London, said Lamonts initial approach to the legislature is welcome. Hes opening up the tent and trying to get as many people as possible in, Formica said. The fact is he wants everybody involved, at least at this point So, were happy to give give him the benefit of the doubt and try to work with him. Hes a personable guy, and hes got a good business background. Lamont, who hopes to spend every other weekend at his home in Greenwich, spent his first weekend as governor in Hartford. His wife, Annie, and three children explored the area. They made stops at the New Britain Museum of American Art and the Wadsworth Atheneum. One of the benefactors of the Wadsworth was J.P. Morgan, who had successive generations of Lamont ancestors as his partners. As the new year pushes forward, some local residents could still use a helping hand to make it through the winter. For the 10th consecutive year, the Connecticut Post partnered with United Way, a nonprofit organization focused on charitable fundraising and support, to provide stories of people in the community who need financial help to help them get through the holidays and the winter months. Donations are made to The Giving Fund, a philanthropic partnership between United Way, LifeBridge of Bridgeport and the Connecticut Post. Coupons to mail-in donations were provided in print weekly. Online donations can be made at https://bit.ly/2UWVaFx. As of 1 p.m. Jan. 9, 127 Connecticut Post readers donated $23,799 to the cases shared from Thanksgiving 2018 through Jan. 3. The needs were fully met for the following cases: 001, 010, 017, 019, 021, 024, 027, 030, 034, 037, 043, 045, 051, 055 and 060. All cases for this season can be found at www.ctpost.com/ givingfund. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those asking for help. Over seven weeks, a total of $29,220 was asked for in the Connecticut Post cases. The following cases are from week three and were initially published in the paper on Dec. 6, 2018. WEEK THREE Taylor Case 022 Taylors medical bills are piling up. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and costs of medication, deductibles, transportation and care for her child are piling up quickly. A gift of $500 would help her financial burden become a little lighter. Bonnie Case 023 Bonnies struggling to get through the winter. The single mother with four children is the head of the household with no extra help. She works full-time and is trying to keep up on her bills. A gift of $500 would help Bonnie cover some of her bills this winter. Janel Case 025 Janels home needs some repairs. She has been caring for her aging mother. The two of them need some new clothes and their home could use some repairs. A gift of $400 would help cover some of those costs. Grant Case 026 Grants winter bills are expensive. Him and his wife has one young child, but have both been out of work because of health problems. Their bills have exceeded $1,000 already this winter. A gift of $500 would help them make a significant payment to keep their heat and utilities on. LouAnn Case 028 LouAnns trying to provide for her kids. The single mother has three teenaged daughters. The family is living in a one-bedroom apartment after relocating to Bridgeport from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She became sick while still in Puerto Rico and has only been able to get treatment since coming to Bridgeport. A gift of $500 would help LouAnn cover some bills and provide for her children. Mia Case 029 Mias working hard to cover her familys expenses. The single mother of three children recently had her hours cut by her employer. A gift of $300 would help Mia cover some of her familys living expenses. Earlier this week, I had a chance to speak with trust and estates attorney Laura Beck, newly appointed chair of the Private Clients Group of Cummings & Lockwood LLC. C&L has offices in Connecticut and Florida. We discussed whether tax law changes that came into effect in the new year called for clients to review their estate planning. Let me share some of our dialogue. If federal and state exemptions exceed a clients net worth, is there any urgency to review estate planning documents, particularly since fewer estates will be subject to those taxes? The answer is yes estate planning is a lot more than tax planning. Even young single people with few if any assets need to address incapacity planning and make sure what they have which may not be significant financially but matters to them is properly planned for. For those with assets, the need to review a plan is even more important in light of the changing tax environment. The current 2019 federal exemption amount is $11.4 million per person, up from $11.18 in 2018 and $5.49 million in 2017. That means 2019 decedents with assets below $11.4 million will not be subject to federal estate taxes. What about state estate or inheritance taxes? In Connecticut, for example, the 2019 exemption amount is $3.6 million, up from $2.6 million in 2018 and $2 million in 2017. That means 2019 decedents with estates less than $3.6 million will not be subject to Connecticut estate taxes. Some states, such as Florida, have no estate or inheritance taxes, thereby exempting 100 percent of a decedents assets. You would think that these new exemption amounts that kicked in for 2019 are beneficial to all, so why would anyone need to do a review now? The biggest issue is people who had an estate plan that had the exemption going to someone other than their intended main beneficiary, explained Beck. For example, a husbands 2015 will provides that the Connecticut exemption amount, which was then $2 million, goes to the children, with the balance to the wife. Assume the husband owns $10 million in his own name. If he died in 2018, when the Connecticut exemption was $2.6 million, his wife would have received $7.4 million. If he dies this year, his wife would receive $6.4 million, and the kids $3.6 million. Was that the husbands intention? The takeaway here is not to be complacent. How your estate planning documents are drafted, especially if you have formula clauses that are tied to taxable and nontaxable amounts, can have a much different effect than you anticipated when you last reviewed your estate plan. The worst case, as Beck pointed out, is unintended consequences, such as leaving out a spouse altogether. The solution is to have the formula clause include a cap; for example, leave all amounts free of federal and state taxes to the children up to a specific dollar amount or percentage of the estate, with the remainder going to the spouse. That way, estate taxes can be minimized, and the testators intentions implemented. This discussion may leave you with this question: Should I call my estate planning attorney to review my estate plan? In my decadeslong experience as a personal money manager to high-net-worth families, I believe in being current on estate planning documents, powers of attorney, trusts, living wills and health care proxies. I also believe in knowing where assets would go in the event of death. (Check juliejason.com/blog for details on how to do this.) Beck says she always start conversations with Tell me what you want. Her job is to make sure your wishes are implemented in a tax-efficient fashion. On another note, if you love your 401(k) at work, be sure to apply for the 2019 401(k) Champion Award. For details, go to my juliejason.com/award. Julie Jason, JD, LLM, a personal money manager (Jackson, Grant of Stamford) and author, welcomes your questions/comments (readers@juliejason.com). Her awards include the 2018 Clarion Award, symbolizing excellence in clear, concise communications. Her latest book, a curated collection of Julies columns, is Retire Securely: Insights on Money Management From an Award-Winning Financial Columnist. To hear Julie speak, visit juliejason.com/events. Dark web definition The dark web is a part of the internet that isn't indexed by search engines. You've no doubt heard talk of the dark web as a hotbed of criminal activity and it is. Researchers Daniel Moore and Thomas Rid of King's College in London classified the contents of 2,723 live dark web sites over a five-week period in 2015 and found that 57% host illicit material. A 2019 study, Into the Web of Profit, conducted by Dr. Michael McGuires at the University of Surrey, shows that things have become worse. The number of dark web listings that could harm an enterprise has risen by 20% since 2016. Of all listings (excluding those selling drugs), 60% could potentially harm enterprises. You can buy credit card numbers, all manner of drugs, guns, counterfeit money, stolen subscription credentials, hacked Netflix accounts and software that helps you break into other peoples computers. Buy login credentials to a $50,000 Bank of America account for $500. Get $3,000 in counterfeit $20 bills for $600. Buy seven prepaid debit cards, each with a $2,500 balance, for $500 (express shipping included). A lifetime Netflix premium account goes for $6. You can hire hackers to attack computers for you. You can buy usernames and passwords. But not everything is illegal, the dark web also has a legitimate side. For example, you can join a chess club or BlackBook, a social network described as the the Facebook of Tor. Note: This post contains links to dark web sites that can only be accessed with the Tor browser, which can be downloaded for free at https://www.torproject.org. Deep web vs. dark web: Whats the difference? The terms deep web and dark web are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Deep web refers to anything on the internet that is not indexed by and, therefore, accessible via a search engine like Google. Deep web content includes anything behind a paywall or requires sign-in credentials. It also includes any content that its owners have blocked web crawlers from indexing. Medical records, fee-based content, membership websites, and confidential corporate web pages are just a few examples of what makes up the deep web. Estimates place the size of the deep web at between 96% and 99% of the internet. Only a tiny portion of the internet is accessible through a standard web browsergenerally known as the clear web. The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browserTorto access, as explained below. No one really knows the size of the dark web, but most estimates put it at around 5% of the total internet. Again, not all the dark web is used for illicit purposes despite its ominous-sounding name. Dark web tools and services that present enterprise risk The Into the Web of Profit report identified 12 categories of tools or services that could present a risk in the form of a network breach or data compromise: Infection or attacks, including malware, distributed denial of service (DDoS) and botnets Access, including remote access Trojans (RATs), keyloggers and exploits Espionage, including services, customization and targeting Support services such as tutorials Credentials Phishing Refunds Customer data Operational data Financial data Intellectual property/trade secrets Other emerging threats The report also outlined three risk variables for each category: Devaluing the enterprise, which could include undermining brand trust, reputational damage or losing ground to a competitor Disrupting the enterprise, which could include DDoS attacks or other malware that affects business operations Defrauding the enterprise, which could include IP theft or espionage that impairs a company's ability to compete or causes a direct financial loss Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) kits have been available on the dark web for several years, but those offerings have become far more dangerous with the rise of specialized criminal groups like REvil or GandCrab. These groups develop their own sophisticated malware, sometimes combined with pre-existing tools, and distribute them through "affiliates". The affiliates distribute the ransomware packages through the dark web. These attacks often include stealing victims' data and threatening to release it on the dark web if the ransom isn't paid. This business model is successful and lucrative. IBM Security X-Force, for example, reported that 29% of its ransomware engagements in 2020 involved REvil. The criminal groups that developed the malware gets a cut of the affiliates' earnings, typically between 20% and 30%. IBM estimates that REvil's profits in the past year were $81 million. Dark web browser All this activity, this vision of a bustling marketplace, might make you think that navigating the dark web is easy. It isnt. The place is as messy and chaotic as you would expect when everyone is anonymous, and a substantial minority are out to scam others. Accessing the dark web requires the use of an anonymizing browser called Tor. The Tor browser routes your web page requests through a series of proxy servers operated by thousands of volunteers around the globe, rendering your IP address unidentifiable and untraceable. Tor works like magic, but the result is an experience thats like the dark web itself: unpredictable, unreliable and maddeningly slow. Still, for those willing to put up with the inconvenience, the dark web provides a memorable glimpse at the seamy underbelly of the human experience without the risk of skulking around in a dark alley. Dark web search engine Dark web search engines exist, but even the best are challenged to keep up with the constantly shifting landscape. The experience is reminiscent of searching the web in the late 1990s. Even one of the best search engines, called Grams, returns results that are repetitive and often irrelevant to the query. Link lists like The Hidden Wiki are another option, but even indices also return a frustrating number of timed-out connections and 404 errors. Dark web sites Dark web sites look pretty much like any other site, but there are important differences. One is the naming structure. Instead of ending in .com or .co, dark web sites end in .onion. Thats a special-use top level domain suffix designating an anonymous hidden service reachable via the Tor network, according to Wikipedia. Browsers with the appropriate proxy can reach these sites, but others cant. Dark web sites also use a scrambled naming structure that creates URLs that are often impossible to remember. For example, a popular commerce site called Dream Market goes by the unintelligible address of eajwlvm3z2lcca76.onion. Many dark websites are set up by scammers, who constantly move around to avoid the wrath of their victims. Even commerce sites that may have existed for a year or more can suddenly disappear if the owners decide to cash in and flee with the escrow money theyre holding on behalf of customers. Law enforcement officials are getting better at finding and prosecuting owners of sites that sell illicit goods and services. In the summer of 2017, a team of cyber cops from three countries successfully shut down AlphaBay, the dark webs largest source of contraband, sending shudders throughout the network. But many merchants simply migrated elsewhere. The anonymous nature of the Tor network also makes it especially vulnerable to DDoS, said Patrick Tiquet, Director of Security & Architecture at Keeper Security, and the companys resident expert on the topic. Sites are constantly changing addresses to avoid DDoS, which makes for a very dynamic environment, he said. As a result, The quality of search varies widely, and a lot of material is outdated. Commerce on the dark web The dark web has flourished thanks to bitcoin, the crypto-currency that enables two parties to conduct a trusted transaction without knowing each others identity. Bitcoin has been a major factor in the growth of the dark web, and the dark web has been a big factor in the growth of bitcoin, says Tiquet. Nearly all dark web commerce sites conduct transactions in bitcoin or some variant, but that doesnt mean its safe to do business there. The inherent anonymity of the place attracts scammers and thieves, but what do you expect when buying guns or drugs is your objective? Dark web commerce sites have the same features as any e-retail operation, including ratings/reviews, shopping carts and forums, but there are important differences. One is quality control. When both buyers and sellers are anonymous, the credibility of any ratings system is dubious. Ratings are easily manipulated, and even sellers with long track records have been known to suddenly disappear with their customers crypto-coins, only to set up shop later under a different alias. Most e-commerce providers offer some kind of escrow service that keeps customer funds on hold until the product has been delivered. However, in the event of a dispute dont expect service with a smile. Its pretty much up to the buyer and the seller to duke it out. Every communication is encrypted, so even the simplest transaction requires a PGP key. Even completing a transaction is no guarantee that the goods will arrive. Many need to cross international borders, and customs officials are cracking down on suspicious packages. The dark web news site Deep.Dot.Web teems with stories of buyers who have been arrested or jailed for attempted purchases. Is the dark web illegal? We dont want to leave you with the impression that everything on the dark web is nefarious or illegal. The Tor network began as an anonymous communications channel, and it still serves a valuable purpose in helping people communicate in environments that are hostile to free speech. A lot of people use it in countries where theres eavesdropping or where internet access is criminalized, Tiquet said. If you want to learn all about privacy protection or cryptocurrency, the dark web has plenty to offer. There are a variety of private and encrypted email services, instructions for installing an anonymous operating system and advanced tips for the privacy-conscious. Theres also material that you wouldnt be surprised to find on the public web, such as links to full-text editions of hard-to-find books, collections of political news from mainstream websites and a guide to the steam tunnels under the Virginia Tech campus. You can conduct discussions about current events anonymously on Intel Exchange. There are several whistleblower sites, including a dark web version of Wikileaks. Pirate Bay, a BitTorrent site that law enforcement officials have repeatedly shut down, is alive and well there. Even Facebook has a dark web presence. More and more legitimate web companies are starting to have presences there, Tiquet said. It shows that theyre aware, theyre cutting edge and in the know. Theres also plenty of practical value for some organizations. Law enforcement agencies keep an ear to the ground on the dark web looking for stolen data from recent security breaches that might lead to a trail to the perpetrators. Many mainstream media organizations monitor whistleblower sites looking for news. Staying on top of the hacker underground Keepers Patrick Tiquet checks in regularly because its important for him to be on top of whats happening in the hacker underground. I use the dark web for situational awareness, threat analysis and keeping an eye on whats going on, he said will. I want to know what information is available and have an external lens into the digital assets that are being monetized this gives us insight on what hackers are targeting. If you find your own information on the dark web, theres precious little you can do about it, but at least youll know youve been compromised. Bottom line: If you can tolerate the lousy performance, unpredictable availability, and occasional shock factor of the dark web, its worth a visit. Just dont buy anything there. Editor's note: This article, originally published in January 2018, was updated on November 17, 2020, to add information on ransomware as a service. Vidanta Cruises and the Vidanta Elegant appear closer to an official startup as the vessel has left an extended refurbishment period in Naples and today called in Gibraltar. A spokesperson for Grupo Vidanta told Cruise Industry News that the company did not have any updates to share. The ship is said to be heading across the Atlantic and then through the Panama Canal on her way to the Mexican Riviera, where the company has port calls booked up and down the coast for the winter 2019-2020 cruise season. In October of 2018, Daniel Chavez Moran, Grupo Vidantas founder, told Forbes Mexico that the comprehensive project would produce a like-new ship on the 1990-built hull. Following an extensive refurbishment, the ship now features a new aft structure and all new interior spaces. Grupo Vidanta, a Mexico-based hotel operator with luxury properties, acquired the 1990-built ship in 2017 following the demise of All Leisure Group, where the vessel sailed as the Voyager. The ship was first worked on in Spain, before moving to Naples. In mid 2018, Grupo Vidanta started hiring more crew in anticipation of its cruise startup. Grupo Vidanta is also said to have further ambitions to acquire ships, and has made a number of cruise line hires. The 1990-built ship had capacity for 540 passengers and was originally built at Union Naval de Levante in Valencia, Spain as the Crown Monarch. Following its refurbishment, it is expected to carry around 300 guests. A formal announcement is expected shortly. Photos: Tony Davis Holland America Line and Americas Test Kitchen are adding five new shows starting in January 2019. The new 45-minute presentations, covering everything from tacos and takeout to dinner for two, join the 14 current shows and feature a mix of video, instruction and live recipe demonstrations, according to a statement. All Holland America Line ships (except Maasdam) feature Americas Test Kitchen venues that replicate the set where the Americas Test Kitchen television shows are recorded for broadcast on public television stations nationwide. Holland America Line guests are knowledge seekers, foodies and learners, and our Americas Test Kitchen shows really resonate with them which is why theyre wildly popular and draw standing-room-only crowds, said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Lines president. Were excited to expand on the already exceptional menu of shows offered by Americas Test Kitchen to include some fun topics that easily transition to the home kitchen. New Shows: Sweet and Fruity Desserts: The naturally sweet, tart flavors of apples and raspberries take center stage in two knockout desserts: apple crisp and cheese blintzes with raspberry sauce. Dinner Classics for Two: Learn our secrets for perfect chicken marsala, rice pilaf and warm chocolate fudge cakes to make an elegant meal for two. Mediterranean Medley: This easy weeknight meal is an assortment of dishes from countries along the Mediterranean, including restaurant-style hummus and tender lamb meatballs with couscous and yogurt sauce. Serious Tacos: Elevate your tacos with two new recipes: shredded chicken tacos braised in a deeply flavored sauce of chilies, tomatoes and spices; and easy (and crispy) shrimp tacos. Make Your Own Takeout: Forget about ordering takeout favorites like pad thai and scallion pancakes. Learn how to make your own authentic versions at home with test kitchen tips. The five new cooking shows join a collection of 14 demonstrations, including Meatless Monday Meals, Everything Salmon, Flavors of the Mediterranean, New Italian Favorites, We Love Chocolate, Getting to Know Chiles, Salad for Dinner, Asian Dumplings, Tapas Party, Steakhouse Dinner, Blue Ribbon Breakfasts, Beyond Pasta, Lunch for a Rainy Day and Southern Snacking. In addition to the shows, Holland America Line guests have 24-hour access to episodes of Americas Test Kitchen and Cooks Country television programs in their staterooms. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today announced the re-opening of the Morne Prosper Pre and Primary Schools in Morne Prosper Village, Dominica, the second school to benefit from the companys Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign, according to a press release. Together with All Hands and Hearts, the company raised over $2.5 million dollars to deliver early relief response and rebuild safe, resilient schools in the Caribbean communities impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. A portion of the proceeds was used to rebuild the pre and primary schools in Morne Prosper Village, which suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria. For the primary school, two classrooms that were completely destroyed were rebuilt while new, much-needed kitchen and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities were also constructed for the school. The entire pre-school was also rebuilt with the addition of a new playground. On January 10, officials from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and All Hands and Hearts along with local representatives from Dominica attended the grand opening celebration of the pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade school, which will open its doors to teachers and students today. We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the second school in the Caribbean that has benefited from our Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign in partnership with All Hands and Hearts, said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. We are incredibly thankful for all those who have brought lasting hope to children, families and the Dominica community by contributing to the re-opening of the Morne Prosper Pre and Primary Schools. Were grateful for partners like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings who support our response and recovery efforts, said David Campbell, Co-Founder and Chairman of All Hands and Hearts. At the center of our work are Build Back Better techniques to make schools, like Morne Prosper, resistant against future natural disasters. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, other NGOs, the schools and local communities, this essential work will create much safer, resilient learning environments, and also serve as evacuation shelters for surrounding communities. American Queen Steamboat Company recently closed on the purchase of the Victory I and sister ship Victory II from Sunstone Ships, in addition to the Victory brand, according to a press release. A sales price was not disclosed. American Queen Steamboat Company celebrated a record year in 2018, and the recent addition of the Victory I and Victory II to our fleet is a wonderful way to start 2019, said American Queen Steamboat Company Chairman and CEO John Waggoner. Our repeat guests have long shared their desire to sail the Great Lakes and these vessels, currently undergoing a shipyard refresh alongside the under construction American Countess, will deliver unforgettable travel memories in a new and growing region. Starting May through October 2019, Victory Cruise Lines will offer 10-day, all-inclusive sailings on the Great Lakes. Victory I will sail between Montreal and Detroit visiting Quebec City, Kingston, Toronto/Welland Canal, Port Colborne/Niagara Falls and Cleveland. Victory II will sail between Toronto and Chicago calling on Port Colborne/Niagara Falls/Welland Canal, Cleveland, Detroit, in addition to sailing scenic Lake Huron, Little Current and visiting Soo Locks/Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and ending on Lake Michigan. The Victory I and Victory II join the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet under the Victory Cruise Lines name, alongside the flagship American Queen, the American Duchess, a 166-guest paddlewheeler sailing the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest. The new American Countess, currently under construction in Louisiana, will debut in 2020. Nicko Cruises will operate the new 200-guest World Voyager for the 2020 cruise season, as the German brand announced deployment today for the Mystic Cruises vessel which is under construction at West Sea in Portugal. The concept for our sea voyages is simply explained: Small ships - great experiences," said Guido Laukamp, managing director. "By this we mean cruises far away from mass tourism, along the most beautiful routes in the world, with a maximum of 200 guests. In times of megaships and overtourism, we rely on the counter trend, which is getting stronger and stronger: individual cruising experiences on manageable ships with a personal touch. Deployment includes the Mediterranean, Western Europe and Northern Europe. Twenty-four different routes are on offer. Seven cruises homeport in either Kiel or Hamburg for easy access to the German market, the company said. Among other highlights on the small ship is a Corinth Canal transit on an 11-day cruise from Athens with highlight calls to Mykonos and Santorini. The Mario Ferreira-owned Nicko Cruises will launch its ocean brand with the 200-guest World Explorer this year. Mystic Cruises, which is also owned by Ferreira, is building a series of three 200-guest vessels. The World Explorer will operate for both Nicko Cruises and Quark Expeditions. The Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine Winter 2018-2019 issue focuses on North American cruise brands and ports, as well as ship operations and drydockings, in addition to food and beverage, water and other timely topics. The North America section covers leading cruise ports in the United States, Canada and Mexico in addition to exclusive brand updates on Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity, MSC, Royal Caribbean International and Windstar, covering different segments of the industry. China is also covered in an exclusive report from the 13th China Cruise Shipping and Cruise International Expo in Shenzhen, including commentary from Carnival, CSSC, Costa, Dream Cruises, MSC and Royal Caribbean executives. Ship operations means that Cruise Industry News has gone behind the scenes aboard the Symphony of the Seas for hotel, guest services and marine energy efficiencies with one-on-one interviews. Other articles cover upgrading of energy and automation systems, an app for evaluating crew, advanced bridge technology and more. For drydockings, there are exclusive interviews with Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Maritime, Genting, MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line about projects, procedures and strategies, as well as with subcontractors and shipyards. Original and extensive food and beverage coverage looks at Holland America Lines goal for excellence, Windstars menu philosophies, food offerings aboard the Seven Seas Navigator, how 24 galleys aboard the Symphony of the Seas function, Princess new wine lists, new ways to serve veal, and passengers thirst for bottled water. A dedicated water section starts with a sit-down interview with Henrik Badin of Scanship, before providing an overview of the different providers of wastewater treatment plants and their technologies, and the potable water systems available. From cover to cover, the 136-page Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine Winter 2018-2019 issue is packed with exclusive, relevant and timely industry coverage you will not find anywhere else. For example, the proposal prohibits the processing and storage of data using terminal equipment (such as those used to gather data for motor insurance telematics products) in many cases and does not contain a clear exemption allowing insurers to process data in this way in order to offer a telematics insurance policy. Without such an exemption, insurers would face legal uncertainty and may have to withdraw such products, which can enable drivers to access more tailored insurance coverage. Insurance Europe is therefore calling for the proposal to be properly scrutinised to ensure that unintended consequences are avoided, and that the framework is robust, fit for purpose and achieves it aims, which insurers support. Moreover, the ePrivacy proposal should be aligned with existing rules, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, and must serve a specific, legitimate purpose and bring added value to consumers. More details are available in this position paper James "PA" Smith, 85, was born on Oct. 4, 1935, to Otis T. and Dora Mae Tudor Smith in Fentress County, and passed away on June 12, 2021. He was a farmer by trade and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild. He was a m To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. Key Operating Metrics - November 2018 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- November 2018 Change on PCP ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Managed Loan Settlements (during November) $48m +63% Aggregation Loan Settlements (during November) $1.07b (3)% Total Loan Writers (at end of month) 1,553 +20% ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Perth, Jan 14, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Goldfields Money Limited ( ASX:GMY ) ("Goldfields Money" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following trading update and key operating metrics for the month ended 30 November 2018.Trading Update November 2018The month of November 2018 reported a strong performance for both Goldfields Money and Finsure, with increases across managed loan settlements as well as in the recruitment of loan writers.Aggregation loan settlements for the month performed well, given the tightening of credit conditions we have seen from major lenders, but were marginally lower on a PCP basis. Despite the slight contraction it compares to a reduction in industry settlements of (11.5)%(see Note below) nationally, and positions the Group well to capture further market share through sustained growth in the overall number of loan writers.The Company continues to report further pleasing performance in the higher-margin Managed Loan Settlements division.Importantly, managed loan settlements, aggregation settlements and the recruitment of loan writers are key operating metrics that drive both transactional and recurring revenue streams. Recurring revenues consist of interest, trailing commissions, management fees, transactional fees on trailing commissions, platform fees, compliance fees and software as a service (SaaS) subscription fees.Managing Director, Simon Lyons, commented: "The group continues its strong performance in November with a managed loan book reported at $2.5 billion and aggregation book of $34.4 billion. Goldfields Money's banking business also wrote $5 million in settled loans onto its balance sheet, over the month, contributing to a healthy YoY balance growth of 11%.""Since the completion of the merger on 17 September 2018, the pipeline of applications continues to be healthy and the post-merger integration is going to plan. We expect to derive more revenue growth opportunities in the second half of the financial year as we increasingly leverage our broker channel".Due to the aggregation of data the timing of each monthly report will be approximately five weeks from month end i.e. December 2018 metrics will be released around the end of the first week of February 2019. The Company intends to provide this information on a monthly basis for the first half of FY19, and on a quarterly basis thereafter.Note: Source: CoreLogic - Monthly Property Market and Economic Update | November 2018.About Goldfields Money Ltd Goldfields Money (ASX:GMY) is Australia's new revolutionary digital bank, distributing first class products through a largely branchless distribution network. A bank without the bank. This digital banking platform is built on the recently implemented mobile first, world class core banking system provided by Temenos and our proprietary mortgage distribution software "Loankit". Goldfields is ASX listed (ASX:GMY) with two key divisions: Banking (operates under "Goldfields Money" and "Better Choice" brands) - an APRA regulated bank that offers deposit and loan products that are funded either on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet through a range of third party lenders. Our deposits are all guaranteed by the Australian Government Deposit Guarantee for up to $250,000 per customer. We are the new approach to banking in Australia, we're honest, with transparent bank practices and a straightforward approach to you and your money. It's all yours, honestly. Mortgage Aggregation (operates under "Finsure" and "Loankit" brands) - an ASIC regulated mortgage aggregation and software technology platform with over 1,475 loan writers as of 31 August 2018. Finsure puts brokers first and is a leader in the market in offering a diverse lending panel, flexible commission models, training, lead generation, proprietary SaaS and mortgage broker support services. Finsure was also recently named Aggregator of the Year for 2017 at the Australian Mortgage Awards. You can read more about us at www.goldfieldsmoney.com.au and www.finsure.com.au. More than a year after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico , public schools on the island still need much more than a coat of paint. Thats according to Julia Keleher, the U.S territorys education secretary. To be precise, she put the total cost of repairing the islands 856 public schools, and bringing them up to school building standards which until recently didnt exist, at $11 billion. For perspective, thats more than one-seventh of the U.S. Department of Educations total operating budget for this fiscal year. The secretary has categorized the work into different buckets. Initially, Keleher said she has to try to get roughly $100 million in unspent Federal Emergency Management Agency Category B funds (think immediate health and safety work) released, in order to do things like mold remediation in schools. But that work will have to wait until the summer because, as she put it, I cant remediate mold, paint, and repair roofs while kids are in building. I dont have any place to put them. Then, Keleher said she will use $1 billion in FEMA Category E money (think structural, longer-term work) to do construction work at 64 schools. Generally speaking, these schools are intended to be a representative sample of older and new buildings in a variety of environments, in order to give the islands Department of Education an idea of how much it will cost to fix different types of schools. Throughout this process, she said officials will also need answers to questions about the extent to which communities want to be involved, and where students are sent while their regular school buildings are getting repaired. Keleher estimated that at minimum, the $11 billion worth of work on schools will take three years, but said a better estimate is probably about seven years. The rebuild is a very lengthy process, she said. See Our In-Depth Coverage: Putting Puerto Ricos Schools Back on Track The issue of funding for Puerto Ricos ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Maria and Irma suddenly found its way back into the headlines a few days ago. Thats when news outlets reported that President Donald Trump could decide to use U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding intended for (among other things) projects to aid storm recovery in Puerto Rico to build hundreds of miles of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border instead. If he takes the money away I wont be able to fix my schools,' Keleher said. I dont have other money to do it. Aida Diaz, the president of Puerto Ricos teachers union, issued a statement Friday through the American Federation of Teachers opposing this idea, saying that educators deserve better after cleaning their classrooms up from Hurricanes Maria and Irma and teaching without electricity and air conditioning. (Diazs union is an affiliate of the AFT.) The federal government was never doing enough, but now its threatening to take what little has already been allocated to help, Diaz said. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello also criticized the idea on Friday: No justification should be considered to reclassify the money that US citizens will use to rebuild their communities. If anything, the conversation should be how we get more resources to rebuild those impacted areas faster. Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) January 11, 2019 Other Puerto Rico work: Keleher said shes also focused on securing employment for students after they graduate, a commitment she made after attending several meetings with high school students to discuss their needs. She recalled meeting one student who said he had managed to avoid drug dealing in his neighborhood, but was feeling the pressure to start dealing on the corner; Keleher recalled that the student told her, All this is in your hands. I want to make sure that the kids that graduate have options, and they can go get employment, Keleher said. Keleher also said shes interested in exploring options so that students in high school can get jobs, receive professional development on the job, and get credit that helps them graduate from high school. In addition, she wants to create a 150-hour certification program this spring to connect students with thousands of jobs with contractors, so that they have construction jobs waiting for them after they graduate. People say, Ah, you cant do that. Why cant we? Keleher said. Keleher and Rossello made waves last spring for supporting a new law that now allows charter schools and vouchers on the island for the first time. The first charter school in Puerto Rico opened last August, but the voucher program wont start until next year. And it remains to be seen not just how many students participatetheres a cap and other requirements for children who enter the voucher programbut also how many private schools accept those students. Not everyone is willing to paticipate. Theyve already said that, the secretary said. Some schools dont think its going to be a good option for them. And how long is Keleher planning to stick around? She said she plans to remain Puerto Ricos education secretary for another six years, in order to make sure that the changes she wants to see are durable and that people who follow her are prepared to take over the revamped system. (Keleher was appointed by Rossello in early 2017, and the governor is up for re-election in about two years.) I want to see it through, she said. Photo: Teacher Edgar Esquilin stands in his classroom, closed due to water damage, in Loiza, Puerto Rico, in January 2018. (Andrew Ujifusa/Education Week) Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Andrew Ujifusa half of Politics K-12 @AndrewUjifusa . Parilee King, 93 of Corsicana passed away Monday morning, June 14, 2021 at Legacy West. She was born November 11, 1927. Visitation will be Friday, June 18th from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with funeral service following at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemet We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. Nicky Morgan is Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, a former Education Secretary, and MP for Loughborough. Politics is the art of the possible is an important statement of realpolitik, and we shall see if enough MPs believe in it on Tuesday. For on that day, the Commons will conduct its most important vote for decades and easily the most important that those of sitting on the green benches at this moment in history have ever experienced. After a blissful fortnight almost free of EU-related news, there was a hard return to Planet Brexit last week in Westminster and beyond. Government defeats, Parliamentary precedent being overturned, ugly protests outside Parliament and the resumption of the debate on the Withdrawal Agreement all meant that Brexit was back in our social media feeds, front pages and inboxes with vengeance. However much we want to talk about something else (and the public certainly want us to talk about almost anything else), it is dominant and overpowering. Brexit matters. How it turns out will shape the UKs place in the world, our relationship with our closest neighbours and the development of our economy, politics and the unity of our country for decades to come. Many MPs have very strong views on it and on the type of Brexit that they will accept. But those views have changed over the course of the last 30 months. And changing your mind is not something to be criticised when the subject matter is so important. As set out in my last Conservative Home column, I firmly believe that it is for MPs to decide the outcome of Brexit and that a second referendum would be a very bad idea. But it follows that MPs have to make a majority decision. I also believe that a No Deal outcome to Brexit would be an equally bad idea. And I voted to signal so by supporting an amendment tabled by Yvette Cooper last week. But to avoid a No Deal outcome I accept that a deal has to be put in place. That is why Ive been clear that I will support the Prime Ministers draft Withdrawal Agreement and, if that doesnt succeed, then a Common Market 2.0 (also known as Norway Plus) route. Supporting the Withdrawal Agreement would also prevent several other things such as an immediate vote of confidence tabled by Jeremy Corbyn and the fear of a truly socialist government taking over. Over the weekend, there was some breathless speculation about radical changes to established Commons procedures to block or delay Brexit. These reports might be misleading or wrong. But a sure way of avoiding either is to pass the Prime Ministers deal on Tuesday. There is no doubt that the draft Withdrawal Agreement is not perfect. But leading Cabinet Brexiteers such as Penny Mordaunt and Andrea Leadsom accept it. And as Michael Gove put it in the Commons last week: All of us might have a perfect version of Brexita change here, an alteration therebut we all have to accept our responsibility next Tuesday to decide whether we are going to honour that verdict. Are we going to make the perfect the enemy of the good? That is why, after long reflection, I have decided that we must back this agreement. Can MPs opposed to it not agree to do do the same? If their colleagues, such as George Freeman, Trudy Harrison and Jim Fitzpatrick can admit that they are changing their minds, then why wont others follow suit? I hope, in the short time left before the vote, that other MPs will think very long and hard about what a defeat for the Prime Ministers draft deal will mean. Pledging to vote a particular way to an outside campaign group does not bind an MP. Changing our minds can be a good thing and it is what debate in the Commons and conversations with our constituents should bring about. Doing the right thing in the wider national interest is what we should all be about. Peter Bone is a member of the Select Committee on Exiting the European Union, and is MP for Wellingborough. All my political life, I have been campaigning to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union superstate. Quite simply, I believe that the United Kingdom should be a sovereign nation making its own decisions. In 2011, I was behind the motion that we should have a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union. This was opposed by David Camerons government and, winding up that debate, I suggested that MPs should put the country first and their Party second. The vote resulted in 81 Conservative MPs defying a strict three-line whip to support a referendum. In 2015, with my colleagues and Parliamentary neighbours Philip Hollobone and Tom Pursglove, I held a ballot in North Northamptonshire to find out whether local people wanted to leave the EU. This was the biggest vote on the European issue since 1975, with 100,000 ballot papers distributed across Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby and East Northamptonshire. The result was that 81.1 per cent voted to leave. In December of that year, along with Tom, I co-founded a non-party political Leave campaign Grassroots Out. I travelled to every corner of the United Kingdom, speaking to people from all areas, ages and backgrounds. I held grassroots events in village halls and at street stalls. I addressed major rallies of thousands of people at venues in every part of our United Kingdom. I knocked on thousands of doors talking to people who were energised by this great democratic event. On the 23rd of June 2016, the people of the United Kingdom voted by a substantial majority to leave the European Union. Unfortunately, more than two years on from that great debate, the Prime Ministers proposal does not deliver the Brexit that 17.4 million people voted for. Let us look at what people told me mattered to them. First, they wanted an end to the free movement of people from the European Union. They thought it unfair that people from the EU could come to this country and enjoy the benefits of our public services when they had no connection with the United Kingdom, yet at the same time skilled workers, such as doctors, from outside the EU, couldnt get in. They wanted to see a fair immigration policy based on merit not where you come from. Theresa May claims that her deal ends free movement, but this is palpable nonsense. The Commons was promised an Immigration Bill more than a year ago. However, it was only last month that we got a White Paper on what might be in the Bill. If the government was planning to end free movement when we left the EU, we would have had such a Bill by now. The non-binding political declaration, which is just a wish-list, talks about ending free movement, but of course we have no detail of our future trading relationship, and it is highly likely that the Government will trade off ending free movement for a trade deal. The one thing that is certain is the Prime Ministers plan does not guarantee the ending of free movement. Second, they wanted an end to billions and billions of pounds paid each and every year to the European Union by UK taxpayers. Last year, we gave the European Union a net 9 billion contribution. Since we have been a part of the European project we have given a net subscription fee of over 210 billion. If that money had stayed in this country, we could have improved our public services, cut taxes and lowered national debt. This cost might not have been so bad if we had had a trading surplus with the European Union, but of course this is not the case: they sell 100 billion of goods more to us then we do them each year. Under Mays plan we would pay a minimum amount of 39 billion to the EU for the transition. That equates to 60 million for each constituency in the country, just think what a difference that could make! However, the 39 billion is only the start. Her plans allow for a further extension of two years for the transition period which would cost a further 20 billion. In addition, we dont know how much we have to contribute each year in any future trading relationship. So, it is reasonable to expect that the Prime Ministers plan will cost in excess of 60 billion. That is hardly stopping paying billions and billions of pounds each and every year to the European Union. Third, they wanted us to make our own laws in our own country. Clearly, our citizens want to return control to Parliament. They want to elect their politicians to make laws which are in the interest of the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. They also want the power to be able to throw out those politicians through the ballot box. Simply, they want sovereignty returned to our country. They are fed up with laws and regulations made by European bureaucrats who are not subject to scrutiny or to election by the people. Mays plan would sign up to accepting laws made by the EU, with no say in making them. The worst part of this being that we have no unilateral right to end this arrangement, and we could become a permanent rule-taker, not rule-maker. Fourth, they wanted us to be judged by our own judges, not by a foreign court, as our judicial system is the envy of the world. Our judges are of the highest integrity and calibre, and they make their decisions based on the law of the land and never for political reasons. Yet at the moment our Supreme Court is subservient to the European Court of Justice whose judges are appointed for political reasons. They have a long record of producing dubious decisions which seem to be based more on politics than the law. What the British people want is a set of properly qualified judges, solely interpreting the law of our land and making their decisions purely based on the evidence they have put before them. That is what we have with our judicial system and that is not what we have with the ECJ. Unfortunately, the Prime Ministers plans would have us in a transition period for up to four years, during that period we will be subject to the rulings of the European Court of Justice. What is worse, is that we will not have any say in how the laws are drawn up, and we will have no presence in the ECJ. Even after the implementation period, if the Northern Ireland backstop kicks in, we will still be subject to European rulings on vast swathes of the law and regulation that affect us. So clearly the Mays proposals do not allow for our own judges to judge our own laws. The Prime Ministers proposal might be the worst deal ever for this country. It is certainly not the Brexit that people voted for. As Bill Clinton might have said about Brexit: Its the Sovereignty, Stupid! Guto Bebb is MP for Aberconwy, and a former defence minister. Two months have now passed since the Prime Minister published the Governments Brexit deal. In that time, Ive spoken to colleagues and constituents; to friends and family; and reached an unavoidable conclusion: this deal is not in our national interest. Conservatives from John Redwood to John Major agree that this is a bad deal. Whilst much of this unhappiness has centred on the vexed question of the Irish border and the backstop, colleague after colleague has made it clear that this is a bad deal for Britain for reasons that go way beyond the backstop. Never mind the backstop, most of us think its a bad deal full stop. I anticipate that the comments within the letter sent by the President of the European Council and European Commission, released this morning, will change little. Steve Baker, deputy chair of the ERG, wrote last year about his opposition to the deal, In the end, its not really about the backstop. This is, by far, the majority position. In the Peoples Vote campaigns analysis of the public statements made by the 100-odd of us Conservative MPs who are against the deal, just 13 of the colleagues who made negative comments about the deal wrote that their opposition was predicated solely on the nature of the backstop. The rest listed several reasons why the deal is unacceptable. Seventy-two colleagues cited that the deal does not meet the promises made in the 2016 referendum nor come close to doing so. The British people were told that Brexit would allow them to take back control, yet this deal, as my colleague Sam Gyimah made clear, involves the UK surrendering our voice, our veto and our vote likely for a period of time far longer than any backstop or transition period. Forty-one colleagues wrote about the uncertainty that this deal entails. It settles nothing. It merely ties up the terms of our departure, leaving the UK to pay a 50 billion divorce bill while postponing the difficult decisions until after we are out and have given away our money. Our future relationship with the EU is sketched out in a vague Political Declaration, a short document which guarantees nothing and will result in many more years of arguments and disagreements with the EU and throughout this country. Successive governments will travel back and forth to Brussels struggling to make sense of a deal that makes no sense for Britain. It is a deal that heralds a new era of Brexternity. It is also no surprise that our analysis found that many members of our party, the Conservative and Unionist Party, cannot vote for this deal that threatens the integrity of the United Kingdom. Again, it is not just the backstop that puts strain on the Union, it is the large swathes of the deal. The consequences of the agreement reached on fisheries, and the safeguards for Northern Irish economy but lacking elsewhere, will turbocharge calls for Scottish independence. Whilst at the moment there are majorities against Irish unification and Scottish independence, a poll by Deltapoll earlier this year found that there is a majority for Scottish independence and Irish unification if Brexit goes ahead. The numbers of colleagues implacably opposed to the Prime Ministers deal, and the sheer variety of reasons why, make it impossible to see how it can ever be passed. The country needs another route forward. Our options are limited and not pretty. We could leave with no deal, which many colleagues, myself included, consider a form of national suicide and simply will not let happen. A Norway+ relationship in reality amounts to EU membership minus any control or influence something nobody wants nor voted for. Then theres an unappealing, messy, Frankenstein customs union relationship suggested by the Labour Party. Or, as I think is likely, if Parliament cannot find a majority for any of these options, and is unable to make a decision, we could agree to let the people decide. Given how far the reality of the Brexit options are from what people were promised in 2016, this would not be a democratic scandal as some suggest. Given gridlock in Parliament, it is a pragmatic solution to a constitutional, national crisis. It might be politically uncomfortable to tell the people that we politicians have failed, but the public are not stupid, they have seen forging a successful Brexit is far harder than anyone could have anticipated. They have seen the limits of what type of exit deal can actually be negotiated. They have seen that Parliament and politicians simply cannot agree a way forward, and know that we cannot just crash out. Many colleagues, backbenchers, ministers, and Cabinet ministers, are sympathetic to the idea of returning to the people. But there is a risk we end up in a second rate end state if they do not make themselves heard. We have an impasse in Parliament, and will soon have a full blown national crisis, if members of Parliament, particularly on the Conservative side, do not provide the pragmatic, democratic solution of another referendum. The Government: May tries to win over Leavers with last-ditch warning that No Brexit is more likely than No Deal In the speech to be given to factory workers in Stoke-on-Trent today, she says she believes that it is more likely that MPs will block Brexit than allow Britain to leave without an agreement. She adds: I ask MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy. What if we found ourselves in a situation where parliament tried to take the UK out of the EU in opposition to a Remain vote? Peoples faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. Cabinet ministers lined up to warn Brexiteers that they risked no Brexit after reports of Remainers plots. Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, who made the comments about the country facing a rise in extremism, said that it would be a huge mistake for MPs to attempt to take control of the Brexit process. The Times >Today: Nicky Morgans column: Imperfect, certainly. But Mays plan avoids the twin perils of No Deal and No Brexit. The Commons should back it. >Yesterday: WATCH: Marr asks if Barclay misled the nation over the Withdrawal Agreement vote The Leavers: These new threats are no more convincing than the old ones, writes Johnson This deal is still the worst of both worlds, by which we somehow leave the EU but end up being run by the EU. It is still a complete stinker, and so no I cant tell exactly what will happen on Tuesday. But I cannot believe that it has much of a chance of getting past the House of Commons. As this reality has dawned on the supporters of the PMs deal, they have started to change tack. They have come up with a last desperate scare story, designed to chivvy MPs through the lobbies. After spending much of the last few weeks warning of the perils of no deal, they have been dismayed to note that, if anything, their warnings have fortified the public and MPs in their determination not to be frightenedIt is in the face of this outbreak of common sense that the scaremongers have changed their story. Throughout the past 48 hours, they have been ringing MPs and warning that unless they vote for the PMs deal, the risk is not a nodeal Brexit the risk is that there will be no Brexit at all! Boris Johnson, Daily Telegraph >Today: The Remainers: Alleged plan for Wollastons committee to take charge if Mays deal is rejected The plan to seize control of Brexit is based on a draft Bill, which the Mail understands has been drawn up by former ministers Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan and is to be published today. All three backed Remain, but are expected to vote for Mrs Mays plan tomorrow. A source close to the move said the changes to the standing orders of the House of Commons would be temporary and would be reversed after Brexit. The source said: We all want Brexit to happen on March 29, that is our first preference Under the plan, the Prime Minister would have 21 days to come up with an alternative Brexit deal. If none is found, responsibility for developing one would pass to the liaison committee which is made up of the chairmen of the 36 Commons select committees. It is chaired by Dr Sarah Wollaston, who is a leading campaigner for a second referendum. The committees proposal would have to be approved by MPs with ministers then ordered to reopen talks with Brussels. If time is short, Article 50 could be extended, meaning the UK would stay in the EU. If Brussels refused this, Article 50 would be revoked, in effect cancelling Brexit. Daily Mail >Yesterday: WATCH: Grayling repeats his warning about the threat of extremism if Brexit is halted Gove to clamp down on open fires, woodburning stoves and scented candles The Clean Air Strategy, which will be launched today, aims to reduce the estimated 36,000 annual deaths blamed on breathing toxic air. The Government said it would become the first major economy to adopt tough World Health Organisation standards. Proposals include a ban on the most polluting fuels such as domestic coal and ensuring only the cleanest stoves are sold. Woodburning stoves and open fires are now the biggest source of outdoor particulate emissions 38 per cent, compared with 16 per cent from industrial processes, and 12 per cent from road transport. Much of the strategy will involve advice to families such as to haver fewer bonfires and buy in bulk to reduce the number of deliveries by van. Manufacturers will be told to reduce emissions from scented candles, carpets, laminate flooring and glues. These add to particulate pollution and can break down to create toxic gases. Daily Mail He reportedly wants a ban on all but the cleanest stoves by 2022 The Sun Toxic air kills lets work together to reduce the risk Michael Gove and Matthew Hancock, Daily Telegraph Estimated cost of air pollution is revised upwards The Times Strict limits on pollutants make good sense The Times Leader But campaigners are disappointed the plan includes no legally binding target FT Perry dismisses request to free up shale gas industry FT The Chancellor and Home Secretary team up against financial crime Williamson proposed paintballing Spanish ships to deter Gibraltar incursions The home secretary and chancellor are to launch a joint assault on fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering. Sajid Javid and Philip Hammond will chair a new taskforce that will work with senior figures in the financial sector to tackle economic crime. This is a broad category covering a range of illegal activity, with the Home Office estimating its scale to be at least 14.4bn a year. Javid said: We need to take action on all fronts to target the corrupt fraudsters who are lining their pockets with dirty money and living luxury lifestyles at the expense of law-abiding citizens. The government is already investing millions in the fight against economic crime, but it is crucial we work closely with our financial sector partners to win this battle. These criminals threaten the UKs reputation as a world-leading place to do business and we have a joint responsibility to stop them. The chancellor said the UK is leading the world in the fight against illicit finance. The Guardian The Cabinet minister made the extraordinary suggestion during a recent MoD meeting with top brass. It came after Mr Williamson had initially proposed an even more incendiary idea, to send a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer to the Spanish territory of Ceuta on the Moroccan coast. The Defence Secretary nicknamed Private Pike after the dithering Dads Army character then proposed arming locals on the Rock with paintball guns to splat Spanish Navy and police vessels whenever they illegally entered British waters in a bid to humiliate them. The order came during 42 year-old Mr Williamsons regular Monday afternoon meeting with Britains military chiefs just before ChristmasNick Carter just rolled his eyes and said, Well come up with some options minister, but everybody knew he wouldnt. Its properly potty. Mr Williamsons aides last night confirmed he had made both proposals. But they insisted the paintball suggestion was just meant as a joke and he had no serious intention that they actually carry it out. An MoD spokesman said: While the Defence Secretary was speaking in jest about paintballing Spanish ships, he is in favour of the Royal Navy taking a strong stand against Spanish incursions into sovereign British waters. The Sun Paxman says MPs who object to being shouted at are snowflakes Daily Telegraph To try to stick to its budget, HS2 considersslower trains And fewer trains The Times Why does the Transport Secretary still have no answer on the drones problem? The Sun Says Royal College to poll doctors on assisted dying HS2 may have to run slower and less frequent trains to slash costs, its chief executive has admitted. The state-backed firm overseeing the high-speed line is mulling over plans to limit the speed of trains by 30mph. It is also considering reducing the number of services per hour by a fifth, from 18 to 14 each way, which would cut the capacity of the line by the equivalent of around 8,800 passengers per hour during peak times. Last night one campaigner warned that it is quite conceivable that some journeys to Birmingham on the high-speed line may be slower than at the moment. The plans were revealed by HS2 Ltds chief executive, Mark Thurston, at a meeting with MPs towards the end of last year. Trains were due to hit a maximum speed of 225mph, but he warned that they may have to be slowed down, at times, by around 30mph in order to have any chance of sticking to its 56billion budget. This would have to be done, in particular, when going through some tunnels because otherwise extra, and more expensive, engineering work would be needed on the tunnels to cope with the high speed. Daily Mail Doctors are to be asked if they think the law against helping terminally ill patients to die should be changed. The Royal College of Physicians will poll its 35,000 medics next month and also ask if they would actively participate in assisted dying if it became legal. RCP president Prof Andrew Goddard said the organisation needed an up-to-date understanding of medical opinion. He added the RCP is frequently asked for its stance on this high profile issue. But he said it would stay neutral until a two-thirds majority voted in favour of a change. Doctors now face up to 14 years jail if they help a patient to die. A similar survey five years ago found the majority did not want to change the law. The Sun The NHS urgently needs a digital service Juliet Bauer, The Times Patients need the long term plan now The Guardian Prominent voices on the British left participate in Kremlin disinformation films Europe must decide between Russian money or protecting its security Edward Lucas, The Times Trump on defensive over new Putin claims FT Give Zaghari-Ratcliffe diplomatic immunity Daily Telegraph Leader Employment tribunal rules academic has no right to be anti-PC The Times DNA discoverer Watson stripped of honours over his views on intelligence and race The Guardian News in Brief Why former prisoners make the best lawyers The Spectator Europes forgotten wildlife The New Statesman The lost Carillion apprentices Huffington Post Exeter vice chancellor will earn over 800,000 The Tab Neoliberalism can cure productivity problem 1828 Viewed hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube, the slick films, fronted by British presenters, appear to be the work of grassroots campaigners seeking to raise awareness of social ills. They feature interviews with trade union leaders, Labour politicians and prominent left-wing activists. What viewers may not realise is that the documentaries are the work of an enigmatic new media organisation funded by the Russian state. The organisation, Redfish, is based in Berlin and specialises in creating youth-friendly films highlighting political and social instability in western European democraciesThe goal is to strengthen Moscows power by spreading discontent in Britain and portraying the West as a basket case, experts in disinformation say. A nationalistic rage has swept over Britain and Islamophobia is rampant, is the introduction to one video. In another the presenter says: We are living in an increasingly divided and unequal society. Despite the revelation of Redfishs ties to the Russian state the company has not struggled to attract contributors from the left of British politics. The Times Thompson Brothers Lithium Project Update Melbourne, Jan 14, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The directors of Nova Minerals Limited (Nova or Company) ( ASX:NVA ) ( FRA:QM3 ) on behalf of Snow Lake Resources Ltd are pleased to announce an update on Snow Lake Resources Ltd. See Snow Lake Resources release below.Thompson Bros. Lithium ProjectNova Minerals Limited own the rights to earn up to 80% ownership interest of the Thompson Bros. Lithium Project from Ashburton Ventures Inc. by financing their commitments relating to their Option Agreement with Strider Resources Ltd.The project is well advanced and with a maiden Inferred Resource of 6.3 Mt @ 1.38% containing 86,940 tonnes of Li2O with an additional exploration target of 3 to 7Mt @ between 1.3 and 1.5% Li2O in the immediate area of the resource. Initial metallurgical test work demonstrates the project can produce a concentrate material of 6.37% Li2O using standard metallurgical laboratory test techniques.To view the release, please visit:About Nova Minerals Ltd Nova Minerals Limited (ASX:NVA) (FRA:QM3) (OTCMKTS:NVAAF) is a dynamic explorer and developer of its flagship Estelle Gold district in the Tintina gold belt. Nova's strategy is to substantially increase the current 4.7Moz resource on the Korbel prospect. Subsequently to continue to lock in value through moving Korbel towards production whilst increasing the resource base across the pipeline of targets within the Estelle gold district. Nova Minerals also holds strategic investments in Snow Lake Resources Ltd (Thompson Brothers Lithium Project), Torian Resources Ltd (ASX:TNR) and RotorX Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Mynah bird flies from Singapore to London on SIA flight Passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight last Monday was entertained by a local bird a Javan Mynah who got stuck on the plane for the 14-hour journey from Singapore to London. A video posted online showed the bird, a starling native to Asia and commonly seen in Singapore, resting casually on a passenger's headrest. When an air steward tried to capture it, the fast-reacting biped managed to dart off in time. According to a Straits Times report, the incident was confirmed by a SIA spokesman. The bird was handed over to animal quarantine authorities as soon as the aircraft touched down in London. The spokesperson did not clarify how the bird managed to enter the plane. While incidents of birds hitching a ride on planes are rare, they are not unheard of. In 2017, an Atlanta-bound Delta Airlines flight had to turn around back to Detroit after a sparrow flew into the planes cockpit and went nuts. Last year, passengers onboard a Bangkok-Doha flight was entertained by a trapped bird that flew around the cabin attempting to escape. CapitaLand acquires Ascendas-Singbridge from Temasek in SGD11 billion deal CapitaLand Limited announced today, January 14, that it will be acquiring from Temasek's subsidiary Ascendas-Singbridge (ASB) all the shares in the two wholly owned intermediary subsidiaries of ASB. The deal will "create the largest diversified real estate group in Asia", CapitaLand said in a press statement. The proposed transaction is valued at SGD11 billion and is subject to approval by CapitaLand Group's independent shareholders at a meeting expected to be held in the first half of 2019. International Tech Park Pune, India, is a development by CapitaLand. Photo courtesy: CapitaLand Post transaction, the combined total assets under management (AUM) of the Group will exceed SGD116 billion, with its geographical presence spanning more than 180 cities across 32 countries. Under the terms of the agreement, Temasek will effectively receive SGD6 billion, which will be satisfied 50 percemt in cash and 50 percent in new CapitaLand shares. Temaseks ownership of CapitaLand will increase from approximately 40.8 percent to about 51 percent upon the close of the transaction. ASB is a provider of business space solutions headquartered in Singapore. The company has interests in, and also manages three listed trusts, namely Ascendas Reit, Singapores first industrial and business space trust; Ascendas India Trust, the first Indian property trust in Asia; and Ascendas Hospitality Trust, which comprises a portfolio of 14 hotels in Australia, Korea, Japan and Singapore. 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 During the question segment of the eighth-annual Miss Africa PSU pageant, Dalia Batuuka or Miss Uganda was asked how she strives to bring awareness to the Pan-African movement. "I see it my duty to be a symbol of [Pan-African] unity, especially at Penn State," Batuuka said in response. "We should remind our brothers and sisters who share our melanin that there is love and a shared friendship in black people." This unity, perhaps, was exhibited just moments later, when Batuuka was crowned the next Miss Africa PSU. Her five fellow contestants gathered around Batuuka with cheers and hugs as the crowd in Heritage Hall gave a standing ovation. The pageant, which was held on Jan. 13 in the HUB-Robeson Center, showcased six African women from Penn State. The women represented their home countries through six portions of the pageant including traditional, platform, swimsuit, talent, awareness and question portions. The African Students Association hosted the event. The eighth coronation of the pageant centered on the theme, "Fortitude of Resources." Throughout the show, each contestant discussed the importance of a resource from their country. Batuuka (senior-African studies and political science) discussed the importance of coffee a Ugandan export that benefits both agricultural and commercial sectors in the country. "Like coffee, I exude the qualities of strength and energy," Batuuka said. As the pageant's winner, Batuuka was awarded a $500 scholarship. In addition, as Miss Africa PSU, Batuuka will undergo a service project she detailed during the platform portion of the pageant. Her project will center on the academic and professional advancement of people in Uganda. Batuuka aims to found "Look Smart, Be Smart" an organization that will collect and donate professional clothing for Ugandans. She will also raise money for the Working Women Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to help girls and women attend school. During the talent portion of the show, Batuuka showcased African storytelling. During this portion, she wore a traditional wrap from East Africa with the words "God's love is eternal" inscribed on it. Through both verbal and physical storytelling, Batuuka told the story of Njabala the lazy girl, a cautionary tale told in Uganda advising children to avoid laziness. Batuuka said the story inspires her to work hard and avoid procrastination. This hard work, in part, is illustrated by Batuuka's campus involvement. She is an active member of the National Council of Negro Women, Black Caucus, Pi Sigma Alpha, Model African Union and the African Students Association. During the awareness portion of the pageant, the contestants had to speak about a woman who inspires them. Batuuka chose to speak about her grandmother, who died in 2017. "She never let her circumstances deter her from what she wanted to get out of life," Batuuka said. "Through my grandmother, I see myself." In addition to winning the pageant, Batuuka won the 'Miss Congeniality' award for encouraging and supporting her fellow contestants during the six month preparation process prior to the pageant. Gabrielle Peters, or Miss Liberia, was awarded first runner-up. Peters' performance in the talent portion centered on empowerment and audience engagement. Peters (senior-biobehavioral health) began her performance with a monologue, during which she walked into the audience and thanked her mother. Peters and her mother then danced together. After, Peters began to dance throughout the audience as people handed out Liberian flags to audience members. "Be strong like gold, so the fortitude of your mind can be mentally whole," Peters said during her monologue. Peters was also awarded "Miss Consistency" for attending the most pageant-related events during the six months prior to the pageant. Second runner-up was awarded to Miss Ivory Coast, or Zoleglein Yakpasuo. During the question portion of the pageant, Yakpasuo (freshman-chemical engineering) was asked if the United States media accurately represents the Ivory Coast. In response, Yakpasuo said her country is misrepresented as poor and underdeveloped by the media. In reality, Yakpasuo said the Ivory Coast is "rich in resources and culture." The three other contestants included Mariana Manuela Mbemba, or Miss Angola; Hind Abuzaid (junior-nutrition and science), or Miss Sudan; and Aisa Sam, or Miss Nigeria. Sam (senior-chemical engineering) was awarded "Miss Popularity" for receiving the most likes on a pageant-related Instagram post. Throughout the night, the audience demonstrated its diversity and richness of culture. However, despite the audience's many backgrounds, beliefs and identities, African descent united them. Unity was a theme during Mbemba's talent performance. At the end of her performance, Mbemba (senior-biochemistry and molecular biology) yelled, "Power to the people," and encouraged the audience to yell back, "Viva Africa." "Power to the people," she called out. "Viva Africa," the audience powerfully yelled back. Penn State students looking to take their education abroad are encouraged to participate in events during the Study Abroad Week from Jan. 14 to Jan.18. These university-wide events are coordinated by Global Programs and several other partners from around campus to help students learn about study abroad options. Study Abroad Week features sessions on financial aid, short-term programs and internship opportunities. Brian Brubaker, the director of Education Abroad, said he wants students of all majors to choose a study abroad experience that aligns with their career goals. Our goal is to make sure that students have all of the information they need to make their decision and to feel supported throughout the process, Brubaker said. We want to break down the barriers that prevent students from going abroad on these programs; whether they be finances, academic planning or anything else that might deter students. Students planning to study abroad in a summer 2019 program have until Feb. 1 to apply. The deadline to apply for a program during the 2019-2020 academic year is March 1. Select programs offer off-cycle deadlines which can be discussed at Study Abroad Week events. Penn State first instituted study abroad events in 2015. After taking a two-year break, Global Programs reinstated the events in 2018 due to increased interest among students. Study Abroad Week has most definitely grown in size and impact, and it would not be possible without the support of the colleges and offices around campus, Brubaker said. Students of all majors are encouraged to attend the events. Specific programs and colleges offer specialized workshops and sessions. Students not at the University Park campus are able to access several of the sessions online via Zooma video conferencing website. Study Abroad Week kicks off Jan. 14 in the HUB-Robeson Center in front of the monumental staircase with the informational session Advising on the Fly. Students are welcome to stop by for trivia and prizes, while discussing information with education abroad staff members. For a detailed list of Study Abroad Week events, visit global.psu.edu/studyabroadweek. Study Abroad Weeks schedule of events: Monday, Jan. 14 Education Abroad Advising on the Fly 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., HUB Monumental Staircase School for Field Studies Information Session 2 to 4 p.m., 122 Agricultural Administration Building Study Abroad and Your #CareerGoals 4 to 5 p.m., Foster Auditorium in Paterno Library Smeal Summer Study Abroad Information Session 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., 124 Business Building Tuesday, Jan. 15 Internships Abroad Information Session and Internship Program Fair Information Session: 4 to 5 p.m., Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library Internship Program Fair: 5 to 6 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, Paterno Library Wednesday, Jan. 16 STEM Students Abroad: Mapping your Academic Experience 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., HUB Noontime Lounge (Next to Heritage Hall) Study Abroad 101 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., 410 Boucke Smeal Abroad Expo 3 to 6 p.m., Business Building Atrium Summer Study Abroad: New Zealand and Australia Information Session 5 to 6 p.m., 210 Patterson Building Pforzheim University Summer Program Information Session 6 to 7 p.m., 102 Business Building Colombia Summer Program Information Session 8 p.m., C-9 Atherton Hall Thursday, Jan.17 Summer Study Abroad General Information Session Noon to 1 p.m., 410 Boucke Paying the Way Workshop 4 to 5 p.m., 410 Boucke Summer Study Abroad: New Zealand and Australia Information Session 5 to 6 p.m., 210 Patterson Building Colombia Summer Program Information Session 5 p.m., C-9 Atherton Hall Monday, Jan. 14 will mark the beginning of the first annual Student Poverty Awareness Week, an event-packed week hosted by the University Park Undergraduate Association. Each day of SPAW will highlight a different theme. Monday, Jan. 14 will focus on financial well-being. Tuesday, Jan. 15 will be centered around the lack of basic necessities such as food or toiletries. The day will also highlight UPUAs Cub Pantry, a smaller version of the Lions Pantry. These pantries can be found at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center and the LGBTQ Resource Center. UPUA will also host Fight Poverty Night at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 in 131 HUB-Robeson Center. At the event, participants will be able to tie blankets and make toiletry bags for Out of the Cold, an organization in Centre County that provides homeless individuals with a warm place to sleep. A pasta dinner station will also be included. Events continue on Wednesday, Jan. 16 with a focus on the lack of clothing and shelter. To conclude the week's events, SPAW will teach students the most efficient ways to aid those in need on Jan. 17. RELATED Jan 14, 2019 | By Cameron The Honda Monkey is a commuter motorcycle thats a reimagining of the minibike Z series that was popular in the 70s; it earned the Monkey nickname because thats what you look like when riding one. Honda went with a retro styling to harken back the fun of the good ol days. But French design house VIBA felt that the new version, specifically designed to tug on the nostalgia heartstrings, could use a more modern look. VIBA produces limited-run (23 numbered units) customized versions of select motorcycles chosen by designer Yann Bakonyi. His previous works include Qora (Triumph Bobber) and Lara (MV Agusta), and now hes introducing Jane, a Monkey with the worlds first 3D printed aluminum fuel tank. Bakonyi describes the motorcycle on his website: Jane is playful, could not take herself too seriously, as John Lennon or the Jackson Five, driving feverishly like the iconic version from the 70s. But melancholy isnt VIBAs business, and because it seems ridiculous to associate mobility and austerity, VIBA Jane is transcending several concepts to unite them: elegance, innovation, design and accuracy, which are essentials to any objects of style. VIBA is highlighting the craftsmanship from the 21st century, through the smart use of 3D printing, to find a clean design and simple values, aiming simple mobility, with style and a smile. Bakonyi went to SLM Solutions and Rolf Lenk for their expertise in 3D printing metals, and they 3D printed the fuel tank and the front rack respectively. The front rack can hold a shopping bag, and represents the spirit of Jane: convenient, stylish, technical and playful, states Bakonyi. Just dont mistake the front rack for a child seat (which it kind of looks like). The fuel tank weighs less than the stock tank while providing more rigidity, and it has an internal honeycomb pattern to keep fuel from sloshing around and affecting acceleration. SLM (selective laser melting) 800, 500, and 280 machines were used to 3D the various components; they use lasers to sinter layered cross-sections of a model onto a bed of metal powder. Bakonyi is simply keeping with the times, as several motorcycles have now been 3D printed, and its likely that eventually theyll all be printed. But his styling is the most fun and inviting; choosing a small, 125cc bike was strategic as its the perfect mix of practical commuter and child-like vroom vroom. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: 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 Sharks on ABC's "Shark Tank" can have a sharp bite when a lucrative business deal is on the line. Such was the case on Sunday night's episode, when guest judge Bethenny Frankel proved she has what it takes to swim with the Sharks, standing up to Robert Herjavec. The clash occurred during Jared and Sean Bingham's pitch for their company Adventure Hunt, which conducts adventurous treasure hunts for teams. The founders entered the tank with impressive sales ($769,000 in 18 months), asking for $150,000 for a 10 percent stake in the business. The cool concept captured the attention of both Herjavec and Frankel. The founders explain they are looking for marketing expertise, and Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, immediately jumps in. "I know what you're missing," Frankel says. "You need to have this be a travel experience. You need to make everything more thematic and not just geared to gear-head, adventure guys. You need wild, girls' night out type of things." She gives them an offer of $150,000 for a 25 percent stake. Frankel says she can see this working for businesses and companies as a team-building activity, but also adds, "you have to have a dating aspect. You have to partner with a [Match.com] or someone." Herjavec then jumps in with his vision. U.S. government debt yields inched higher Tuesday after United Kingdom lawmakers renounced Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan and rejected the deal crafted between the U.K. leader and the European Union. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to price, was just higher at 2.711 percent, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was higher at 3.072 percent. May lost by 230 votes after members of the U.K.'s House of Commons voted 432 to 202 to reject the deal. The Withdrawal Agreement faced criticism across the political spectrum. The rejected agreement was the only deal brokered with the EU on how Britain should exit the bloc in March of this year. The TSA said unscheduled absences of its passenger screeners reached 7.6 percent Monday, more than twice the rate from a year ago. TSA's 51,000 officers are among the 420,000 federal employees deemed essential who are ordered to work despite not receiving a regular paycheck during the shutdown. The officers missed their first scheduled check Friday. The agency said it was handing out $500 bonuses to officers. The Transportation Security Administration's standard wait time is a half-hour or less. The Atlanta airport is encouraging travelers to arrive at the airport three hours before domestic flights. Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, faced hour-long lines to get through security Monday after the airport shut security lanes "due to the shutdown," spokeswoman Elise Durham said. Shortages of federal airport security workers in the partial U.S. government shutdown prompted several large U.S. airports to close security lanes Monday, as the impasse over funding for a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico rippled throughout the aviation industry. The aviation industry has been among the most vocal of the shutdown. The union representing air traffic controllers sued the Trump administration last week over frozen pay during the shutdown, and several industry groups demonstrated in Washington last week. Washington Dulles International Airport also consolidated security checkpoints after the region was hit by a snowstorm over the weekend. TSA spokesman Michael Bilello said more officers called out than usually do during a snowstorm. At Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Terminal B security checkpoint which was closed on Sunday will remain closed until at least late afternoon on Monday because of staffing issues, spokesman Patrick Trahan said. The TSA's Bilello said that terminal's checkpoint will be closed until Wednesday. The airport is a hub of United Airlines, and the carrier recommended travelers get to the airport early to go through other terminals' checkpoints. Gates and lounges in Terminal B were open, a United spokeswoman said. Miami International Airport closed one of its terminals early over the weekend to deal with the shortfall, a spokesman said. The shutdown has raised questions about air carriers' ability to follow through with scheduled events. Delta Air Lines scheduled a launch Jan. 31 of its brand-new Airbus A220s, a plane it's using to court business travelers with bigger seats and windows. Also, Southwest Airlines needs federal approval to begin service to Hawaii, and the shutdown is delaying that plan. Airlines need Federal Aviation Administration inspectors' approval to debut new aircraft. The FAA called about 500 furloughed safety inspectors back to work. FAA safety inspectors oversee and approve new aircraft, airplane maintenance and personnel such as pilots and mechanics, among other areas. Those inspectors are working without pay and more are likely to be called in this week, spokesman Gregory Martin said. WATCH: TSA on hiring spree last summer President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 4, 2019 following a meeting with Congressional leaders on the government shutdown. President Donald Trump threatened Turkey with devastating sanctions if America's NATO ally attacked Kurds following a U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions," Trump said on Twitter late Sunday. "Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone...." "...Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," the president added in another tweet. Tweet1 The White House, State Department and Pentagon did not respond to CNBC requests for comment or elaboration. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu responded, saying that nothing could be achieved with economic threats and that partner nations shouldn't communicate over social media, Reuters reported Monday. The minister added that Trump's Syria tweets stemmed from domestic politics. American support for Kurdish militias in Syria has been a major thorn in relations between Washington and Ankara, as the latter views the Kurds as terrorists and a threat to their security. The militias, known as the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), are the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), an offshoot of the designated terrorist group called the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has carried out a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. They are also America's primary partners on the ground in Syria: The Pentagon has been supplying the YPG with weaponry, air support and training to battle IS since 2015, and the militias have suffered thousands of casualties fighting for the U.S.-led coalition. Over 30,000 teachers went on strike in Los Angeles County today. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) serves 640,000 students and is the second biggest school district in the country. The last time Los Angeles teachers went on strike was 1989. The protest follows a string of successful teacher strikes across the country. Teachers in states like West Virginia and Oklahoma who are among the lowest paid educators in the country have organized and participated in strikes in order to advocate for higher wages and improved conditions for students. Prior to negotiations, the average annual mean wage for a teacher was $45,240 in West Virginia and $42,460 in Oklahoma. After going on strike, teachers in both of these states received pay increases. "What you're seeing with unions is real enthusiasm and a belief that you can actually be successful," Robert Bruno, professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois tells the Associated Press. "The educational sector is rife with deep grievance and frustration, but there's now a sense that you can actually win." The annual mean wage for teachers in California is $74,940 and $75,000 in the LAUSD, and while teacher pay is a significant issue for protesting educators, the current teachers strike in Los Angeles is also about class size. U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Janhvi Bhojwani | CNBC This will be a double-secret discussion. The justices of the Supreme Court on Friday will discuss whether to allow a mysterious foreign-owned company to file without the public seeing it to ask that the high court hear its challenge of a subpoena that is suspected to have been issued at the request of special counsel Robert Mueller. If the justices approve that bid, it then could possibly set the stage for a rare, if not unprecedented scenario: the Supreme Court being asked to hear oral arguments in a case without the public being able to witness them. But if the Supreme Court rejects the company's request at the justices' conference on Friday, the unidentified company could still ask the high court to hear its appeal, albeit with a filing of documents that would be open to the public. However, even if the company chooses that route, the Supreme Court is not obligated to grant the request to the case, which is known as a petition for a writ of certiorari. By the time that the justices meet on Friday, the company will have racked up more than $500,000 in fines for not complying with the subpoena. Walter Dellinger III, an appellate lawyer who as acting solicitor general argued at the Supreme Court for the government of the United States from 1996 to 1997, told CNBC, "I know of none," when asked whether he had heard of any prior case in which the high court considered a request to be heard on appeal in sealed documents. Dellinger also said he was unaware of the Supreme Court hearing a case in a session closed to the public. A case shrouded in secrecy U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speaks during a meeting on trade held by U.S. President Donald Trump with governors and members of Congress at the White House on April 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Monday that it ran out of funding and would function with about 30 percent of its staff even as it spearheads high-stakes trade talks with China ahead of an early March deadline. The USTR said it would continue with trade negotiations, despite the extreme reduction in head count as a result of the partial government shutdown. The agency, which conducts trade negotiations and recommends trade policy to the president, posted a short press release announcing its operating status Monday. The full statement follows: USTR has implemented its lapse in appropriations contingency plan. Excepted personnel will ensure USTR continues to conduct operations, including trade negotiations and enforcement. The agency will operate with 79 staff members during the shutdown, according to the contingency plan for the Executive Office of the President. The USTR has 265 full-time employees. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a temporary cease-fire in December, putting the bilateral trade war on hold. U.S. officials have 90 days until March 1 to negotiate an agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has supported previous tariffs on Chinese imports and is considered a China hard-liner. On Jan. 9, the U.S. trade delegation wrapped three days of trade talks in Beijing. In a press release from that day, the agency said its delegation would "now report back to receive guidance on the next steps." The idea for Pristine blossomed when Oley, a mother of three, found that one of her children was irritated with every brand of wipe. Another of her kids, she explains, was flushing non-flushable wipes, leading to an exploded toilet and flooded yard. Meanwhile, Karam, who has always been a wet wipe user, eventually developed a skin allergy. "Sharks, we envision a world where Pristine is to the butt as shampoo is to hair," Karam says during the pitch. "Where the butt is given the same respect as the rest of the human body." The founders claim that dry toilet paper and wet wipes don't always get the job done. Pristine Sprays which are sprayed directly onto toilet paper for adults provide a more thorough cleaning, they say. The eco-friendly, non-irritating sprays, according to the co-founders, can also be used during diaper changes (sprayed either onto a cloth or wipe or directly on a baby's butt). Cousins Jessica Karam Oley and Brandon Karam from Dallas, Texas walked into the tank, seeking a $50,000 investment for a 20 percent stake in their business, Pristine Cleansing Sprays , which produces a spray aiming to revolutionize the way people wipe. There have been a plethora of oddball products that have scored deals on ABC's "Shark Tank," and on Sunday's episode, "butt spray" caught the Sharks' attention. "That came up at the dinner? The Thanksgiving dinner?" Bethenny Frankel, a guest judge on the show, asks. Actually, yes, Karam explains, and the idea for Pristine was born. Oley explains they would use the $50,000 to buy an automatic, no-touch sprayer for diaper changes and sell it under their Pristine brand. Though the Sharks are amused by the story, Pristine's sales weren't impressive: they'd only done $11,000 in sales from Amazon. There are also around 10 other adult toilet paper sprays sold on Amazon, they admit. Robert Herjavec is out, citing too many marketing challenges. Mark Cuban is invested in a company called Dude Wipes, so he declares that he's out due to overlap. Frankel is also out, as is Daymond John. But Lori Greiner is interested. "Everybody laughed when I invested in Squatty Potty," Greiner says of the toilet stool that positions you to squat when go, which got its big break on "Shark Tank" in 2014. "And look what happened; we literally surpassed $100 million in retail sales. So, I'm sitting here trying to think to myself, would you fit within their arena?" (By the end of 2017, Squatty Potty reached nearly $33 million in sales, its creator, Judy Edwards told CNBC Make It in 2018. "We're going to probably hit $100 million within the next few years.") But Greiner doesn't know whether Squatty Potty is already working on a product similar to Pristine Sprays. (Sprays that deal with odor are the only ones currently available on its website.) Still, she wants to give the cousins a deal, but with a contingency: She offers them $50,000 at 25 percent, contingent on a partnership with Squatty Potty. The founders accept Greiner's deal. Though as of Monday a deal has not been finalized, Karam tells CNBC Make It, since the episode aired, the interest in Pristine Sprays has been "overwhelming," he says. And website sales increased by over 5,600 percent and Amazon sold out of Pristine before midnight on Sunday, according to Karam. "Our experience on 'Shark Tank' was surreal," Karam tells CNBC Make It. "We had no idea how the Sharks would respond to our new butt-wiping innovation. Fortunately, we had a humorous and exciting time in the Tank, full of poop puns, and we are thankful that the Sharks seemed receptive to the idea. We couldn't be more grateful for the experience, and we hope that the viewers enjoyed it. Pristine is a funny product, and it is incredibly helpful for the environment too!" Don't miss: This invention keeps bottled beer cold, did $1M in sales in 10 days and scored a million-dollar deal on 'Shark Tank' Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank." The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska recently announced that it is starting a new interactive program labeled the Aircraft Adventure Series which will take place on a Saturday every few weeks this year. The Aircraft Adventure Series will focus on aircraft or individual artifacts in the museums collection not usually on open display. Each event will begin with a curator-led presentation relating the history of the subject artifact while also placing it in context with a Nebraskan whose military service had a strong association with the item. After the lecture, visitors will have the opportunity to get up close and personal to these historical items, or actually board the aircraft involved. Reservations are not required, and the events are included with the price of general admission (free for museum members). The Saturday Aircraft Adventure Series is Currently Scheduled to Include the following: February 9 The C-54 Skymaster, focusing on Nebraskan Captain Norm Stevens and his experiences during WWII and the Berlin Airlift. March 16 Aircraft Ditching and Survival focusing on Nebraskan Captain Lee Seemann and the B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. June 8 The Normandy Invasion of WWII D-Day from the perspective of paratrooper Ed Mauser and the C-47 Skytrain. July 13 The Avro Vulcan and the Falkland Islands War. August 10 Tour the museums archives with a presentation topic focused on Nebraska in the Cold War and how that shaped civil defense today. September 14 Early aerial refueling and the role of Lincoln, Nebraska featuring the KC-97 Stratofreighter. December 14 Supersonic nuclear bomber the technology and innovation of the FB-111 Aardvark. The recent press release from the SAC & Aerospace Museum details the first of these upcoming events as follows February 9, 2019 at 10 AM Learn about the C-54 Skymasters role in World War II and later the Berlin Airlift. The presentation is focused on Captain Norm Stevens and his experiences with the C-54 Skymaster aircraft during World War II and the Berlin Airlift. Captain Stevens (5/23/1923 6/7/2016) was a Nebraska resident with a 10-year United States Air Force career. He flew the C-54 military transport around the world. He evacuated prisoner-of-war nurses from the Philippines in the latter days of World War II, hauled food and fuel into besieged Berlin during the airlift of 1948-49 and ferried wounded troops from Korea to Japan during the Korean War. Matthew Whitaker, acting U.S. attorney general, speaks during the Rural and Tribal Elder Justice Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will not take up a 2nd Amendment case that could have made guns more widely available to felons. The case was also significant for a legal question it has raised that is entirely unrelated to the underlying gun rights issue: whether acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker was constitutionally appointed. The high court has largely avoided taking on high-profile legal disputes since the contentious confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in October. The justices took no action on Monday in a slew of cases that touch on divisive cultural issues such as President Donald Trump's attempts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program as well as his ban on transgender troops serving openly in the military. The court is unlikely to take on many new cases after this week. The gun case involved Barry Michaels, a Nevada Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate seat last year. Michaels, who describes his past as "checkered," pleaded guilty to several nonviolent federal crimes including mail fraud and securities fraud. Michaels decided to get his act together during a stay in federal prison. Once released, he managed a variety of businesses, including a pizza parlor, and several unsuccessful bids for Congress. Because of his rising star on the political scene, Michaels has said, he sought a gun for self-defense. But federal law prohibits the possession of firearms by felons. And in 2008, the Supreme Court held that "longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons" are presumptively lawful. Michaels argued that the 2008 decision also left open the possibility that felons are entitled to purchase weapons by cementing "the right of law-abiding, responsible citizens to use arms in defense of hearth and home." Michaels has argued that he is both a felon and a law-abiding citizen. Therefore, he said, he is entitled to a gun. A federal judge in Nevada dismissed Michaels' complaint. In October 2017, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision. Michaels disputed those holdings and took his appeal to the justices. "Several of the Circuit Courts and their inferior courts have reached the conclusion that felons as a class, can never be law-abiding and responsible," his attorney, Tom Goldstein, wrote in a brief asking the court to take up the case. "It is the humble beginnings of the creation of 'second-class' citizenship in this country," he argued. Gun rights activists and conservative legal scholars frequently argue that regulations on firearms seek to interpret the 2nd Amendment as a "second-class" right. A worker walks past a billboard displaying CapitaLand signage outside the company's Bedok Residences mixed development project construction site in Singapore on Feb. 18, 2013. Major Asian real estate developer CapitaLand said on Monday it has entered into an agreement to buy two wholly owned units from Ascendas-Singbridge, a subsidiary of Singapore state investment firm Temasek, in a cash and stock deal. If the deal is approved, the new entity would become Asia's largest diversified real estate group, according to CapitaLand. Its combined assets under management would exceed 116 billion Singapore dollars ($85.79 billion), which would put the firm among the top 10 real estate investment managers globally, CapitaLand said. For its part, Temasek will receive about 3 billion Singapore dollars ($2.2 billion) in cash and another S$3 billion in new CapitaLand shares. The move would give CapitaLand a "chance to be able to gain access to interesting asset classes in the new economy sectors that are driven by technology and e-commerce," Lee Chee Koon, president and group CEO, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" Monday morning. "Assets like industrial, logistics/business parks these will add a new excitement to the asset classes that CapitaLand is traditionally strong at, which are shopping malls, offices, residential and service apartments," he added. Lee added that the deal would increase CapitaLand's options in places such as the United States, Europe and India, allowing the company to scale up and diversify its investments globally. The acquisition is projected to expand the company's presence to more than 180 cities across 32 countries. The targets of the deal Ascendas and Singbridge are the holding companies for Ascendas-Singbridge Group's business, which includes managing Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust, Ascendas India Trust and Ascendas Hospitality Trust. Once the deal closes, Temasek's ownership of CapitaLand is set to increase from 40.8 percent to about 51 percent. Pompeo will return home after meetings in Oman instead of travelling on to Kuwait, deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said. U.S. officials said the death was in the family of his wife, who accompanied him on the trip and will return with him. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince in Riyadh on Monday, but will cut short the rest of his Middle East trip to attend a family funeral, a State Department spokesman said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gives a press conference at the US Department of State in Washington, DC on October 23, 2018. The top U.S. diplomat met separately with King Salman for 35 minutes and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for another 45 minutes, according to reporters travelling with him. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh tweeted that Pompeo and the crown prince had agreed on the need for a continued de-escalation in Yemen and adherence to agreements made last month at talks in Sweden to end a nearly four-year civil war between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and the Iranian-aligned Houthis. Pompeo has said he would also discuss the investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October, but no details of that discussion were immediately available. A CIA assessment has blamed Prince Mohammed for ordering the killing of Khashoggi, a longtime royal insider who had become a critic of the crown prince, though Saudi officials deny the prince ordered the murder. The killing has sparked the kingdom's worst political crisis in a generation, strained ties with Western allies including the United States, and focused attention on Prince Mohammed's domestic crackdown on dissent and the war in Yemen. There won't be an economic recession in the next five years despite growing fears among economists about a slowdown, OppenheimerFunds Chief Investment Officer Krishna Memani said on Monday. Concerns about a global economic slowdown will put pressure on politicians and world leaders to reach deals, including on the U.S.-China trade war, said Memani, whose firm has $213 billion assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2018. "[But] there's no recession imminent. I think five more years is what we're talking about," he added in an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box." Economists see on average a 25 percent chance of a recession within the next 12 months, according to a Wall Street Journal survey, the highest level since October 2011 and up from just 13 percent last year. The heightened probability came amid worries about the U.S.-China trade war, which has seen each side imposing tariffs on each other's products. Surely to stoke anger at the White House, China on Monday announced that its 2018 trade surplus with the United States was its largest in more than a decade. Beijing and Washington are trying to resolve their trade disputes under a tariff ceasefire that ends in March. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month agreed to halt any new levies to give diplomacy a chance. However, Memani said that growing positive sentiment between the U.S. and China recently bodes well for stocks, adding that it's time for investors to buy. "If the federal government opens up again, we'll be home free," he added. Jill Carey Hall, senior U.S. equity strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, told CNBC she doesn't expect a recession this year either. But she's slightly more cautious than Memani. She expects a "bumpy ride" for stocks in 2019. Hall recommends large-cap stocks over small-cap stocks. Natural gas prices spiked on Monday as the market gained confidence that the severe cold gripping the United States will persist longer than previously thought, driving up heating demand and taxing gas stockpiles. Front-month Henry Hub natural gas futures for February rose more than 13 percent on Monday. The contract hit a session peak at $3.539 per million British thermal units, its highest level since Dec. 27. The contract was last up 12.7 percent at $3.493 per mmBtu. Updated forecasts show below-average temperatures persisting over the next two weeks, with the cold snap drifting eastward from the Midwest toward the East Coast. Traders were anticipating the cold would linger, but weather models available last week didn't give them the confidence to take long positions in natural gas futures heading into the weekend, according to Jacob Meisel, chief weather analyst at Bespoke Weather Services. "The forecast has turned significantly colder," he said. "It's really the magnitude of the cold and the confidence in severity longer term that's changed over the weekend." "There is surprisingly strong agreement even late in the week two forecast." 6-10 day forecast, source: National Weather Service 8-14 day forecast, source: National Weather Service Natural gas prices have been falling since the middle of December, following a spike above $4 per mmBtu in the fall. Hotter-than-usual late summer temperatures and a surprisingly cold fall increased demand for cooling and heating last year, causing natural gas stockpiles to fall to their lowest level in over a decade. Stockpile levels have improved after a warm second half of December, but a prolonged cold period will put renewed pressure on inventories and bid up gas prices, says Meisel. It's currently unlikely the cold will last long enough or be strong enough to push inventories toward record lows, but another move above $4 per mmBtu remains a risk. "You would need to really sustain this cold through at least a third or half of February in order to get $4, even though we've made great progress in the five-year storage deficit over the last month," said Meisel. "I still wouldn't rule out $4 if the cold lasts long enough." With natural gas inventories still 15 percent below the five-year average, investment bank Barclays sees room for higher prices even if weather normalizes during the rest of winter. Barclays is currently forecasting Henry Hub prices to average $3.51 per mmBtu in the first quarter and $2.92 per mmBtu for the full year. "The market had seemingly written off a return to cold weather during the downturn of the last six weeks or so, and today's price action is a good reminder that there's still a lot of winter left," said Sam Phillips, vice president for global gas and energy at Barclays. WATCH: Here's what drives the price of oil Newspaper chain MNG Enterprises said on Monday it had offered to buy USA Today publisher Gannett for $12 per share in cash, or $1.36 billion. The price represents a 23 percent premium to Gannett's $9.75 close on Friday. In a letter sent to Gannett's board, MNG said it had approached the company's board and management on multiple occasions about a potential combination, but Gannett had not "meaningfully engaged." Gannett, whose shares rose more than 19 percent to $11.60 in trading before the bell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the buyout offer. MNG, which has a 7.5 percent stake in Gannett, said it plans to hire an investment bank to conduct a review of options, including a potential sale of Gannett. Better known as Digital First Media, MNG Enterprises is backed by hedge fund Alden Global Capital and is the publisher of the Denver Post and San Jose Mercury News. Gannett, which owns newspapers and websites across the United States, has been doing its best to transition away from legacy newsprint to digital subscriptions. A spokesman for Kasich, one of the most vocal Republican critics of President Donald Trump, did not deny he's signing with either CNN or MSNBC. The spokesman also noted that any decision he makes about going on cable will have no impact on whether he runs for president. These people added that Kasich could announce his plans as early as Tuesday, a person close to Kasich said. These people would not say the role Kasich will play at a network, only to say that he's ruled out joining Fox News Channel. Kasich hosted his own show on Fox News for several years in the 2000s. Kasich has signaled to close advisors and some donors that he is looking to sign with either CNN or MSNBC as he finishes his two-term tenure as Ohio's governor, according to three people with knowledge of the conversations, including two who have been close to the governor since his 2016 presidential run. Republican John Kasich, who is thinking about running for president in 2020, is likely to announce as soon as this week that he will join a major cable news network, CNBC has learned. "Any announcement about a TV contract would have no bearing on his 2020 intentions," chief political spokesman Chris Schrimpf told CNBC in an email. "All options are still on the table." Kasich has often appeared on CNN and MSNBC, where he has criticized the president for the implementation of tariffs and his border wall proposal, among other issues. MSNBC declined to comment, and a CNN representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One of the people who spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity has been a top donor for Kasich since his last run for president. This person insisted that he has still not ruled out running for the White House in 2020, even as he prepares to get involved with cable news. "Of course it doesn't mean that he's not running. All options remain on the table," this person said. Charlie Black, a former advisor to Kasich's 2016 presidential campaign, told CNBC in an email that he believes Kasich could still run for president, but he'd have to distance himself from a career in television if he jumped into the race. "In the past, people who run give up their network gig. It has to to do with Federal Communications Commission fairness rules. Look at Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich cases," Black said. Kasich hinted in a recent interview with BuzzFeed that he hasn't finalized any plans and that an announcement could come on Monday. "It's got to wait till Monday," he said when asked about his plans. "Nothing yet I really have finalized. There's a few things that are firm. But it's very complicated what you can do while you're in [office]. There will be a flurry of activity next week. Bread's in the oven." The Daily Beast reported in October that Kasich has met with CNN President Jeff Zucker and MSNBC President Phil Griffin. During the meeting with Zucker, he was reportedly accompanied by Jay Sures, the president of top talent management firm, United Talent Agency. UTA announced Monday that it had signed Kasich as a client. "I'm excited to work with UTA to keep my voice active across the world and share my experiences and observations to help improve the lives of others," Kasich said in a UTA press release. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) awarded Italy's ENI and Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) two offshore exploration blocks, covering a combined area of more than 8,000 square kilometers. The blocks, called Offshore 1 and Offshore 2 in the emirate's northwest, are the first to be awarded among the areas ADNOC offered for commercial bidding as part of Abu Dhabi's first-ever competitive open block licensing round that began in April 2018. Under the agreement, Eni will operate the areas and PTTEP and Eni will invest at least $230 million for oil and gas exploration. The two companies will both hold a 100 percent stake in the exploration phase. ADNOC has the option to hold a 60 percent stake in the production phase, following any commercial discovery. The concession agreements were signed by ADNOC CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi and PTTEP President and CEO Phongsthorn Thavisin over the weekend during the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi. "With this agreement we are all excited because it's the first ever time we've come into the UAE (United Arab Emirates)," Thavisin told CNBC after the signing. He described his company as primarily focused on Southeast Asia but with key interests in the Middle east, particularly Oman and the UAE. And he expressed his optimism on working with Eni, which he called a "world class" company and global leader in exploration. "To gain the confidence and trust from ADNOC, the combination between an IOC (international oil company) like Eni and NOC (national oil company) like ADNOC would really lift us a bit also." AbbVie and Sanofi received information requests regarding three of their drugs, the panel said. Amgen, Pfizer and Novo Nordisk received requests about two drugs. AstraZeneca, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Mallinckrodt and Teva were each asked about one drug. The House Oversight Committee is investigating the actions of a dozen pharmaceutical companies in raising prescription drug prices in the U.S., the panel announced Monday. "For years, drug companies have been aggressively increasing prices on existing drugs and setting higher launch prices for new drugs while recording windfall profits," Cummings said in a statement. "The goals of this investigation are to determine why drug companies are increasing prices so dramatically, how drug companies are using the proceeds, and what steps can be taken to reduce prescription drug prices." CNBC has reached out to the 12 companies for comment. CNBC has also reached out to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, the industry's main trade group. Amgen CEO Robert Bradway received a congressional letter from Cummings, a spokesperson for the company said, and is "reviewing the information requests contained in the letter and will respond accordingly." AstraZeneca, Novartis and Novo Nordisk also confirmed they received a letter and are reviewing the information. Celgene says it is aware of the inquiry and will cooperate with the committee, adding in part, "we believe no patient should be denied access to the treatments they need just because they can't afford them." A spokesperson for Eli Lilly said the company "is committed to ensuring everyone living with diabetes has reasonable access to insulin, and we appreciate Congressional interest in this topic." The company looks forward to "answering questions from the Committee," they added. Democrats, who regained control of the House this month, listed lowering prescription drug costs as one of their top priorities. Cummings, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Ca., introduced three bills last week aimed at lowering drug costs. Spending on prescription drugs in the U.S. increased 0.4 percent in 2017 to $333.4 billion, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Lawmakers have largely been focusing on the pharmaceutical industry, which sells drugs at higher prices in the U.S. than abroad. Pharmaceutical companies have argued price hikes have been modest, and have cited concern's with the nation's rebate system. Those are the discounts drugmakers give to middlemen such as pharmacy benefit managers, often in exchange for more favorable insurance coverage for their drugs. President Donald Trump's administration has also vowed to lower drug costs. The administration has several proposals that would offer lower out-of-pocket costs for American consumers, which include changes to Medicare Part D, the federal program for prescription drug benefits, and Part B. Medicare is the government insurer for the elderly and disabled. Companies spend millions of dollars on ads at the Super Bowl, in the hope that the event's vast audience will buy their new products and services. But the U.S. government shutdown may have an impact on product launches, because part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website is offline and companies therefore can't currently get new services approved and ready to advertise during the big game on February 3. The FCC regulates the TV and telecommunications industries and on January 3 posted on its website: "Due to the partial government shutdown, the FCC suspended most operations at midday Thursday 3 Jan, 2019." This means that new smartphone, tablets and other devices such as Wi-Fi routers aren't getting sign-off, according to a report on legal news website Law360. Marc S. Martin, a partner at Perkins Coie LLP, told Law360: "Because the FCC isn't around to do that last step, the issuance of new equipment will be delayed." Therefore, those products won't be able to be advertised. "Let's say you have a first-quarter launch plan and you wanted to advertise. You wouldn't be able to run an ad during the Super Bowl," he said. Super Bowl advertisers spent upwards of $5 million for a 30-second advertising slot in 2018, according to Kantar Media North America CEO Manish Bhatia. Last year's advertisers included Verizon, T-Mobile, Netflix and Sprint. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel expressed frustration about the shutdown on Twitter on January 8: "Go ahead, take a look at the back of the nearest electronic device. You'll see an @fcc number. The agency certifies every innovative mobile phone, television, and computer that emits radio frequency before they can head to market. Guess what is not happening during the shutdown?" TWEET Monday marks day 24 in the partial federal shutdown, which became the longest closure in U.S. history on Saturday. Around 800,000 federal workers did not receive pay on Friday, although the House and Senate voted to give workers back pay when the government reopens. The partial shutdown started on December 22 with the U.S. government unable to decide on spending plans. President Donald Trump wants $5 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and on December 11 said he would be "proud" to shut down parts of government if it results in the border wall. Other electronic systems that have been suspended include the FCC's consumer complaints center and its cellphone interference reporting system, according to an online statement dated January 2. Workers stand outside the Google offices after walking out as part of a global protest over workplace issues, in London, Britain, November 1, 2018. Google employees, who walked out of offices around the world in November in protest of sexual harassment policies, are extending their critiques to the rest of the industry. The organizers are launching a social media campaign Tuesday to educate the public and protest the issue of forced arbitration by tech companies. The November protest was prompted by an Oct. 25 New York Times report that said Android creator Andy Rubin had allegedly been given a $90 million exit package in 2014 after credible sexual assault allegations had been brought against him. In response to protesters' demands, Google told employees that arbitration in cases of sexual harassment and assault claims will be made optional. But Google's response didn't go far enough, organizers wrote in a Medium post on Monday announcing the social media campaign. "The change yielded a win in the headlines, but provided no meaningful gains for worker equity nor any actual change in employee contracts or future offer letters," they wrote, adding that as of the post's publication, "Google is still sending out offer letters with the old arbitration policy." Google did not immediately return a request for comment. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the organizers will share facts about forced arbitration on Twitter every hour on the hour, and interviews with sexual assault survivors and experts on Instagram every hour on the half hour, according to the Medium post. Organizers researched contracts of about 30 major tech companies and 10 contract employee suppliers leading up to the campaign, Recode reported. But none of the companies reviewed met their expectations for protecting the rights of employees to bring workplace issues to the courts, according to Recode. According to a study reviewing the outcomes of arbitration cases between 2003 and 2007, the number of cases won by employees tended to be lower in arbitration than in the courts, and the amount employees were awarded when they did win was lower on average in arbitration cases than in the courts. The Google organizers said their fight against forced arbitration is an important step in advancing workplace equity overall. "Ending forced arbitration is the gateway change needed to transparently address inequity in the workplace," the organizers wrote. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Watch: Google employees walk out to protest the handling of sexual harassment allegations French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during a traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Elysee palace in Paris, on January 11, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron launched a three-month nationwide debate on Monday, after tens of thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police across the country for the ninth consecutive weekend. The initiative is intended to address a long list of grievances among the so-called "yellow vests" a grassroots uprising named after the high-visibility jackets protesters wear. The anti-government rallies were initially born out of anger over a fuel tax hike but have since morphed into a broader movement of growing discontent against the French president. In an open letter published by French media outlets on Monday, Macron sought to recognize protesters' demands for change to some of his flagship policies, but appeared to stop short on rolling back his pro-business reforms. "For me, there is no banned issue. We won't agree on everything, which is normal in a democracy. But at least we'll show we're a people which is not afraid of talking, exchanging, debating," Macron said in a 2,330-word open letter. Macron did not say whether he would be prepared to scrap his administration's contentious wealth tax policy, which has led to some of his critics describing him as "president of the rich." The U.K.'s former Prime Minister Gordon Brown told CNBC that he doesn't expect a closely-watched Brexit vote on Tuesday to go in the government's favor. "I don't think she's going to win it," Brown told CNBC on Monday, a day before British lawmakers were due to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to leave the European Union. May's "Withdrawal Agreement" faces deep opposition within the parliament and if her blueprint gets shot down, the consequences could be dire. Several potential scenarios could unfold: May's government could collapse; the U.K. could face a disorderly exit; a second referendum could happen; or the entire Brexit process may get scrapped altogether. According to Brown, May could even try for another vote in the near future. I have not seen Britain more fractured than it is now. Gordon Brown Former Prime Minister of the U.K. "If she loses the vote, then undoubtedly the opposition party will put down a vote of no-confidence in the government," the British politician told CNBC's Martin Soong at the UBS Wealth Insights conference in Singapore. But a no-confidence vote doesn't necessarily mean a general election, so May "is likely to come back and try to put her proposal, perhaps in an amended form, a few days later," he predicted. That could potentially lead to "a whole series of indicative votes" on different options for the country's future, he said. "There is a long way to go and sadly, this is a prolonged period of uncertainty both for investors and the economy but also for the political system." Failure to back Tuesday's deal "would be a catastrophic and unforgivable breach of trust in our democracy," May wrote in a Sunday Express editorial over the weekend. The vote was originally meant to take place in December but it was delayed on concerns of insufficient approval from the U.K. Parliament and May's Conservative Party, with disapproval from both Brexiteers and Remainers. Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Why a second Brexit vote is needed Brown who was prime minister of the U.K. from 2007 to 2010, and served as chancellor under Tony Blair's government believes a second referendum should happen. The country needed a period of nation-wide consultation after the first Brexit vote in 2016, not just a narrow parliamentary debate, he argued. "We've got to stand back, look at what's not been achievable under the parliamentary process we've got, and think again about how we can actually resolve this issue in the future." "I have not seen Britain more fractured than it is now," continued Brown, who is an advisor to Pimco, one of the world's largest money managers. He was recently hired by Swiss private equity firm Partners Group as an advisor. Political risk a major fear Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a campaign rally on October 28, 2016 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As potential Democratic presidential candidates scramble to scoop up experienced staffers in Iowa ahead of the 2020 race, one election veteran who has worked on the Iowa campaigns for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has taken himself out of consideration. "I can tell you unequivocally that I am not talking to Senator Warren's team or any other current or potential Presidential Candidate about joining their campaign, and have no interest in doing so," Troy Price said in an email Monday, when CNBC asked whether he would potentially join an as-yet-to-be-announced campaign or the Warren team. The Massachusetts senator has opened an exploratory committee. Price was unanimously re-elected to a second term as the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party last month. The state party came under scrutiny during the 2016 caucuses after supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., alleged pro-Clinton prejudice. The Des Moines Register called the first-in-the-nation caucus a "a debacle, period" and criticized the state's then-Democratic Party chairwoman, Andy McGuire, for lacking transparency. McGuire said at the time that the results were final, and noted that the raw vote data that some were asking for had never been released before. Price has pledged a fair process and ruled out joining any campaign even after the Iowa Democratic caucus concludes, except in his role as the chair of the Iowa Democrats supporting the eventual nominee. "I was recently re-elected unanimously by our state Central Committee and vowed at that time to lead an open, transparent, accessible, and fair caucus-to-convention process," Price said. "That remains my focus today and for every day until the process is concluded next year." While it is still very early in the process, so far Clinton and Obama staffers, as expected, have been in demand. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., named three former Obama or Clinton staffers to her Iowa team earlier this month. In addition to those three, it appears Warren has on her team Clinton's top two political staffers who worked on the former secretary of State's New Hampshire team, Liz Wester and Kate Moore. Both of those staffers have previously worked for Warren. The Boston Globe reported on Wester's hiring on Saturday. Moore has held a variety of roles with Warren since 2012, according to her LinkedIn page. For her own expected campaign, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand reportedly tapped Emily Bengtson, a former deputy social media director on the Clinton campaign, as well as Alexandria Phillips, a former Clinton aide. The race to hire experienced staffers is expected to get more intense. One Democratic staffer in Iowa told CNBC on the condition of anonymity that he was in communication with at least five presidential hopefuls about a position on their campaigns. "It's definitely a staffer's market right now," he said. "A lot of the time, especially in the 2016 caucus here, people who were field directors in 2014 went down a peg. That's not happening. People are moving laterally or above." European banks are lagging behind the U.S. when it comes to embracing technology, according the CEO of leading fintech (financial technology) firm Finastra. The firm works with 45 of the world's top 50 banks and has revenues in excess of $2 billion. Chief Executive Simon Paris told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Monday that U.S. banks had embraced fintech more rapidly than their European counterparts, and were already seeing the benefits of their earlier investments. "You see a big difference between the U.S. banks and the European banks, and I think that's part of the reason why U.S. banks are at twice the level of return on equity over the Europeans," he said. "What the Americans are doing is investing very heavily in productivity and in the actual service itself, (and enabling) the customer journey. You really see that they're getting improvements from those technology investments they made a few years ago." Paris also explained that certain areas of technology had been more widely adopted in the banking sector than expected. While technologies that improved productivity such as automation have been implemented on a wide scale, technology designed for the retail banking space has been slower to take off than expected, he said. British Prime Minister Theresa May departs after speaking at a press conference after attending a special session of the European Council over Brexit on November 25, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images An exchange of letters between the U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May and Europe's top two lawmakers looks to have done little to improve the chances of her Brexit deal being passed in the U.K. Parliament. May has placed a motion before lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, asking them to rubber stamp her withdrawal and future relationship agreement with the European Union. The vote is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at some point between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. London time. The government is forecast to lose the vote, with the main sticking point for some being the Northern Irish "backstop" which has been written into the withdrawal agreement. This acts as a safety net to prevent any hard border with the Republic of Ireland, which is remaining as an EU member country. But many of May's critics see this provision as a way in which Britain could possibly be tied to the European Union indefinitely. WATCH: Brexit explained: The UK's big gamble A letter from the EU to May on Monday has been published in a bid to reassure U.K. lawmakers who dislike May's deal. The letter reiterated that the backstop would likely not be used and if so, would only be temporary. The letter, co-signed by European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, however noted there can be no change to the draft withdrawal agreement or future political arrangement that have been provisionally agreed. That lack of firm legal assurance is unlikely to convince Brexiteer opponents to vote for May's deal. This despite a passage in the text that said a commitment to a trade deal made by EU leaders, that would end any need for a backstop, held "legal value." A letter sent from May to the European Union, reinforcing areas of agreement, was published at around the same time. The Northern Irish party that currently supports Theresa May's party in government has already disparaged the exchange of letters. A statement from the Democratic Unionist Party's Deputy Leader, Nigel Dodds, was reported by Reuters as saying the EU text did not go far enough. A majority, or 56 percent, of voters surveyed by Quinnipiac University consider Trump responsible, while 36 percent say Democrats are to blame. Fifty-five percent of respondents to a CNN poll released Sunday said Trump is more responsible for the closure, while 32 percent blamed Democrats in Congress and 9 percent put the responsibility on both. In a separate Washington Post/ABC News survey , 53 percent answered that Trump is mainly responsible for the shutdown, 29 percent said Democrats were to blame and 13 percent responded that both shared responsibility. For now, Democrats appear content to try to force Trump to end the shutdown as the public puts the onus on the president to do so. Talks to reach a border security deal crumbled last week, as Trump walked out of a meeting with congressional leaders when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi flatly said she would not approve money for the wall. Either Democrats or Trump and congressional Republicans may feel compelled to make a deal if the shutdown's damage widens. About 800,000 U.S. employees started missing paychecks Friday , as airport security lines clog and economic growth takes a hit , among other effects from a quarter of the government closing. A majority of Americans say the president bears more blame for the shutdown than congressional Democrats, according to three polls released Monday and Sunday. The sentiment reduces the political incentive for the party to agree to Trump's demand for more than $5 billion to fund the barrier. The partial U.S. government shutdown has dragged on longer than any previous U.S. funding lapse, and government workers have started to miss paychecks. The surveys show only tepid support for building the wall, an oft-repeated Trump campaign promise that he sees as an essential part of his appeal. Forty-three percent of voters want to construct the barrier, while 55 percent do not, according to the Quinnipiac survey. Only 39 percent of Americans favor building a wall along the entire U.S. border with Mexico, while 56 percent oppose the project, according to the CNN poll. Meanwhile, the Post/ABC survey found 42 percent back building the barrier, while 54 percent oppose the plan. As the shutdown drags on, Trump has tried to shift the blame to Democrats, who control the House and can block funding legislation in the GOP-held Senate. In a tweet Monday morning, he argued Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer "can end the shutdown in 15 minutes," contending the closure "has become their, and the Democrats, fault!" Pelosi responded by saying "it's time for you to stop standing in the way of re-opening the government." She again called on the president to urge the Senate to approve House-passed bills to end the shutdown, which Trump has threatened to veto. Pelosi included a video from a December meeting in which the president told Schumer he would be "proud to shut down the government for border security" and "take the mantle" if funding lapsed. Pelosi tweet It is unclear if an extended shutdown that causes more damage to government workers and services will change political strategy. Those who oppose the wall are torn about whether Democrats should compromise to reopen the government, according to the Post/ABC poll. Forty-eight percent of respondents who do not want a border wall say Democrats should refuse to fund the barrier even if the closure continues, while 45 percent think the party should make a deal. A spokesman for Pelosi did not immediately respond to a request to comment on what it would take for Democrats to give ground and make a deal. In a speech on the Senate floor on Monday, Schumer said that giving in to Trump's demand for the wall would encourage the president to use similar tactics in the future. THORP TWEET A larger proportion of wall supporters, meanwhile, believe Trump should not give ground. Fifty-two percent of those who back the project think the president should demand money even if the shutdown drags on, while 41 percent believe he should compromise. Trump has shown no willingness to give up his demand. Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn Monday, he said he rejected a suggestion from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to reopen the government while border security talks continue. Democratic leaders have urged him to take that path. "I want to get it solved, I don't want to just delay it," he said. He also claimed Democrats in Congress are "stopping a lot of great people from getting paid." Sixty-three percent of voters including 39 percent of Republicans support the House Democratic plan to fund most of the government through September and the Department of Homeland Security into February while wall negotiations continue. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly mulled declaring a national emergency to build the wall without congressional approval. While some Republicans have urged him to take the action, other GOP lawmakers have said the move would set a damaging precedent and face immediate legal challenges from Democrats. On Monday, the president claimed he has "the absolute legal right" to declare an emergency but said he is "not looking to do that" because it is "too simple." About two-thirds, or 65 percent, of voters oppose the president using emergency powers to fund the wall. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. CVS Health will spend $100 million over the next five years to support community health programs following its roughly $70 billion acquisition of health insurer Aetna. The initiative, dubbed "Building Healthier Communities," seeks to improve access to affordable health care, manage health challenges like chronic conditions and opioids and partner with communities. The bulk of the funding will come from the CVS Health Foundation and Aetna Foundation, with the rest coming from the company, a CVS spokesman told CNBC. As part of its commitment, CVS plans to expand its Project Health program that offers free health and wellness screenings and will use these visits to identify social determinants of health, non-medical aspects of patients' lives such as their housing or education that can affect their health. The company will also invest in ways to manage chronic disease, including diabetes and heart disease, and organizations focused on addiction treatment and the opioid crisis. The funds will also help support communities that address social determinants of health in a continuation of the Aetna Foundation's Healthiest Communities, which together with U.S. News & World Report ranked nearly 3,000 communities nationwide. CVS has positioned its acquisition of Aetna around its commitment to finding ways to lower health-care costs, which have ballooned to 18 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. The combined company aims to use CVS' walk-in clinics to steer people away from unnecessary and expensive doctor's visits and into CVS' MinuteClinics to help manage chronic conditions or avoid hospital readmission. "I believe we are experiencing this kind of inflection point with health care facing an opportunity to fundamentally transform the way the system works, making it better for consumers and building much healthier communities," CVS CEO Larry Merlo said Monday at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., according to a transcript of prepared remarks. Below is the transcript of a CNBC Exclusive interview with Gordon Brown, Former Prime Minister of the U.K. The interview was first broadcast on CNBC's Street Signs Asia on 14 January 2019. All references must be sourced to a "CNBC Interview'. Interviewed by CNBC's Martin Soong Martin Soong (Soong): We have to talk about Brexit and this upcoming vote less than 24 hours away on Theresa May's Brexit plan. If you take a look at punters, pollsters, even the markets, they are betting this vote is not going to go down well. Are you with the consensus? Gordon Brown (Brown): I think that's probably right. I don't think she's going to win it. Then you've got a sequence of events that follows from that. If she loses the vote then undoubtedly the opposition party will put down a vote of no confidence in the government. There'll be a vote on that. Under the new constitutional arrangements that were introduced after 2010 in Britain, a vote of no confidence does not necessarily mean you have a general election and therefore she is likely to come back and try to put her proposal perhaps in an amended form a few days later and then it's possible that you'll have a whole series of indicative votes about whether you like the Norway option, the Canada option, all these different options. So there is a long way to go. And sadly this is a prolonged period of uncertainty both for investors and for the economy but also for the political system. And we're now seeing, I think around the world, we're now seeing the full impact of populism, of protectionism, of the rise of nationalism and whether it's the American shutdown, whether it's a trade war between America and China, whether it's the Italy issues or the yellow vests in France or Brexit in Britain. I think we're seeing around the world something that we've talked about really in theory for a while that we've got the rise of populism, we've got the rise of nationalism, we've got a more protectionist policies we're now seeing the effects of that in the geopolitics of the world and in the greater instability that now exists, which makes political risk one of the major fears people have about the economy in 2019. Soong: Indeed, and we have to get to this as well. A second referendum another one another vote on this whole issue of Brexit. You are among the majority of living past British prime ministers who think that this should happen. Explain why. Brown: I think you've got to think about what is the process, by which you reunite Britain and by which you solve what seems to be a problem where parliament is deadlocked and is unable to solve the problem it has itself created. And you've got to then ask what would it take to find a solution to this over a period of time. And my feeling is that what was missing after the referendum result was a period of nationwide consultation. So there were issues raised by the referendum. Immigration, issues of sovereignty, issues about the state of manufacturing but a wider consultation than simply a narrow parliamentary debate would have given us a sense of what could be done to solve these problems. And perhaps the options that are being discussed at the moment are too constitutional or too technical and don't actually get to the heart of the problems that people are addressing. So, I think at some stage as I've said before, there will be another referendum. I cannot say when it will be. And I would not like to predict it would be in the next few weeks. But I think at some stage you will have to resolve this issue and finally come to a conclusion about the details and not just the principle of Britain's relationship with Europe. Soong: So at the second and another referendum if it were to come to pass - three years on - would the outcome likely be different? Britain's three years on, more aware? More informed? Would they make a different decision? Brown: But what I would say to you is the situation has changed. What's happening in Europe is quite different from where we were in 2016. Every European country, France, Belgium, Germany, they're all having to look at new ways of dealing with this issue of freedom of movement. They all have different ways that they are doing this within freedom of movement. Equally on sovereignty, you go to German courts and the Spanish courts and the Italian and the French courts, they're interpreting the role of the European court of justice quite differently from what was really happening in 2016. So, the situation has actually changed in Europe and that means that I think people would want to look again at some of these issues and what you could do to resolve them in the future. Now, this is also an issue about the unity of our country and I have not seen Britain more fractured than it is now. We lived through the three day week in the 70's. We lived through a very poisonous set of events with the poll tax and in the 1990's we had the Iraq war which was very contentious. But I have not seen Britain more divided and so it will need more than a one off initiative or a quick fix to solve this issue of unity and the integrity of the United Kingdom. And so, I think we've got to stand back look at what's not been achievable under the parliamentary process we've got. And think again about how we can actually resolve this issue in the future. Soong: And what about the U.K. economy? How fragile or not is it right now? You're of course former Chancellor of the Exchequer as well. Brown: Well the British economy is not growing as fast as people would have wanted it to do but so too is the European economy in some difficulty. Look, we had two years ago, convergence with synchronized growth in every continent of the world. Last year America took a different path and had a high speed of growth partly because of the fiscal stimulus, which of course is temporary. This year we're seeing a synchronized slowing in almost every continent. And I think everybody suffers from the fallout from that. So, China suffers, America suffers, Europe suffers and Britain of course is still part of the European economy. And I think we have got to look at what would actually happen if there was a bigger downturn. Do we have the weapons available to us that we had in 2008 and 2009? Soong: Do we? Brown: Well I chaired the G20 in 2009 and we were able to mount a level of intergovernmental cooperation that we had not previously seen. We had central bank cooperation. We had moves against protectionism because we all agreed that that would be damaging to the recovery. We had a huge fiscal stimulus about 2 trillion partly as a result of China. Now ask yourself. Is the scope for monetary flexibility, room for manoeuvre there? No. Is there scope for fiscal activism? Not in the same way as in 2008 and 2009 because debt is high in Europe. Deficits are high in the state. Is there likely to be central bank cooperation in the way that we have in the past? Again, unlikely because of the American position on these things. And then is our country's more likely to blame each other for what's gone wrong, which has been the tenor of the debate in the last year. Then get down round the table to cooperate in the G20 or in any of the international organizations and so you've got to think that we have got to guard against this that if we have a downturn, it may be shallower but it may last longer because we don't have the weapons, the armory at our disposal now in the same way we have in the past. And that must make people think. This is a practical consequence of protectionism and this is the danger we have when people see trade as a zero-sum game and see that someone has got to lose if someone else is going to have to win. And I would want to emphasize that the scope for cooperation is greater than ever before. But the will for it is less than before (Soong: the political will, yes). And we have got to look at how our international institutions are capable of responding to the downturn where the domestic solutions in the monetary easing and in fiscal flexibility are not going to be there in exactly the same way as we had in 2009. And this is a problem I think the world community and IMF and the G20 and the different organisations like the global financial stability board have got to really look at it very seriously. It may be a less serious downturn because we may not have all the financial fallouts that we had in 2008/2009 but it may endure longer because we have not got the will to take the action to deal with it quickly as we did in 2009. Soong: So let's hope you're right, that it is a shallow slowdown. Certainly I mean for trade, liberalisation wouldn't hurt. Do you believe the U.K. should be part of what is now known as CPTPP? Brown: Well this is a very interesting point that the TPP has now extended with now Latin America and Asia. Will America come back to join is the question. Will China want to join because originally TPP was to keep China out and America in and now America's out, will China now come in? How does that affect the regional comprehensive economic partnership in Asia for trade? That's a very interesting question, and yes, if Canada joins, then other countries have got to consider from the northern hemisphere feeling that they could be part of this trade arrangement as well, but there is no substitute for the recovery of the World Trade Organisation. It's remarkable that 60 years we had world trade deals and for the last 10 years it has been impossible to sign a world trade deal. Now that is something we got to look at very seriously. Why it is in a world that is more interdependent, more interconnected, more integrated, that it's impossible to get a world trade deal? Now that is something that policymakers should be looking at very carefully at the moment. Soong: Indeed worrying. Very quickly, just seconds away, odds of a hard Brexit, nil? Brown: I don't think you could predict at the moment what is even going to happen next week with huge certainty so I think you've got to leave open a few options. And one of them is maybe we do not leave on March 29th. END Media Contact: Clarence Chen Communications Manager APAC, CNBC International D: +65 6326 1123 M: +65 9852 8630 clarence.chen@cnbc.com About CNBC CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets around the globe with regional headquarters Singapore, London and New York. The TV channel is available in more than 410 million homes worldwide. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools. CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal. For more information, visit www.cnbc.com A guard tries to block photos being taken as he and a policeman patrol outside the Canadian embassy in Beijing on January 14, 2019. A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges on January 14, 2018 after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient, a ruling likely to deepen a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Beijing. A Canadian man sentenced to 15 years for drug smuggling in China has been quickly retried and given a death sentence in a move that may be a response to the legal tensions between China and Canada following the Dec. 1 arrest of the chief financial officer of tech company Huawei. Canadian Robert Schellenberg was arrested in 2014 and convicted and sentenced to 15 years two months ago for conspiring to smuggle 489 pounds of amphetamine out of China. He denied the allegations and appealed the sentence. Then in December, he was given only four days notice that he would be retried. The High Court of Liaoning Province, saying his initial sentence was not tough enough, then held another, much faster retrial and sentenced him to death. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman has said the court was within the bounds of local law in quickly retrying the case. Legal experts told The Wall Street Journal that the retrial was likely linked to tensions following Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest in Vancouver on Dec. 1. The U.S. government had sought to detain Meng on fraud charges related to deals made by the company with Iran, a sanctioned country. It's unclear, however, if Canada will extradite Meng to the U.S. to face these charges, as the Ottawa courts grapple with escalating diplomatic situation surrounding the arrest. As many as 13 Canadians have been arrested in China since Meng's arrest. One of the most-touted areas of the so-called opening up of China's economy remains a challenging market for some foreign giants. With a flurry of announcements in 2018, Beijing loosened its control on the finance industry in what some called an "unprecedented" way. The moves came as complaints about unequal access for foreign players in the country escalated trade tensions between the U.S. and China. But amid ongoing negotiations, not many foreign companies have gotten full access to the massive Asian market yet. On Monday, the Financial Times reported, citing two sources, that the People's Bank of China has not yet formally acknowledged applications from Visa and Mastercard to process yuan payments. The two companies filed the applications more than a year ago, and regulation says once the central bank acknowledges receipt, it must make a decision within 90 days, the FT report said. "Mastercard's participation in China will benefit the country, its consumers and its digital payments development," the company said in a statement to CNBC. "We are engaging proactively and working closely with the PBOC to advance our application, and we remain committed to working with the Chinese government and businesses on growing the overall payments ecosystem over the long-term." Visa did not respond to a CNBC request for comment. The People's Bank of China referred CNBC to a statement shared with privately-run Chinese financial media site Wall Street CN. The comments from the central bank's head of payments said that Mastercard withdrew its application in June 2018 and that Visa's application from April 2018 still lacked some supplemental materials. "Throughout the entire process, the People's Bank of China never raised the issue or requirement of a joint venture to operate in China," the central bank representative said, according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese-language report. Approval would let the two U.S.-based companies compete in the local market with China's Unionpay. The company, which the FT report says counts the central bank as its largest shareholder, dominates the local market and has expanded overseas, giving it 36 percent of global market share in bank card payments, according to RBR research cited in the FT report. The article noted Visa and Mastercard have 32 percent and 20 percent of the global market, respectively. China announced Monday that its 2018 trade surplus with the United States was its largest in more than a decade, despite the tariff war initiated by President Donald Trump against Beijing. China's surplus with the U.S. grew 17 percent from a year ago to hit $323.32 billion in 2018, according to government data. It was the highest on record dating to 2006, according to Reuters. The deficit that the U.S. has with China is likely even bigger than these figures indicate since China calculates the numbers using different methods, sometimes excluding goods that end up in the U.S. via other countries. Exports to the United States rose 11.3 percent year on year in 2018, while imports from the U.S. to China rose a meager 0.7 percent during that period. China said its overall trade surplus for 2018 was $351.76 billion. Exports rose 9.9 percent from 2017 while imports grew 15.8 percent over the period, official dollar-denominated data showed. While the surplus with the U.S. may have risen, last year's overall Chinese trade surplus was the lowest since 2013, even though export growth was the highest since 2011, according to Reuters' records. China's General Administration of Customs said Monday that the biggest worry in trade this year is external uncertainty and protectionism, forecasting the country's trade growth may slow in 2019. Asia's largest economy is still growing steadily in 2019, but it faces external headwinds, customs spokesman Li Kuiwen said at a briefing, Reuters reported. Economic data from China are being closely watched for signs of damage inflicted by the trade war between Washington and Beijing. While official data indicated China's economy held up for much of last year, it now appears to be slowing. Production metrics and export orders are falling as the country's trade dispute with the U.S., its largest trading partner, drags on. WATCH: Trump will win the trade war with China, says Gary Shilling Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) speaks during a press conference to discuss legislation for a 15 dollar minimum wage, on Capitol Hill, May 25, 2017 in Washington, DC. 31 Democrats have pledged to support the legislation so far. Bernie Sanders plans to reintroduce legislation this week to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, the liberal Vermont senator announced on Monday. "The federal minimum wage of $7.25 is a starvation wage," Sanders tweeted. "If you work 40 hours a week, you should not live in poverty." tweet The bill will likely die in Congress even as it gives Sanders a key issue to push on the campaign trail if he runs for president in the 2020 race, as he is widely expected to. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats in the Senate, introduced similar legislation in 2015 and 2017, but both bills were stalled in Congress. With Democrats now controlling the House, the odds of a similar measure passing that chamber are higher. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expressed her support of a $15 minimum wage in the past. Yet, Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, which effectively dooms the bill's chances. A representative for Sanders did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for additional comment. The legislation being reintroduced by Sanders, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, previously counted several Democrats as co-sponsors, including potential 2020 presidential contenders Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kamala Harris of California, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, even as 29 states and Washington, D.C., have adopted a higher rate, according to data from the Economic Policy Institute. Sanders, who challenged Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary race, has historically supported the "Fight for $15" movement, which was first initiated by fast-food workers in 2012 and has since come into the mainstream. Three states and even more cities, including New York, have committed to increasing their minimum wage to $15 an hour. Opponents of a wage hike say a $15 minimum wage would pressure businesses to raise prices or cut staff to offset new costs. Sanders' bill would gradually raise the minimum wage to mitigate any shocks to the economy, reaching $15 an hour in 2024, according to a statement. In October, Amazon boosted its minimum wage to $15 an hour after a pressure campaign from Sanders, benefiting more than 250,000 employees. Sanders and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos exchanged pleasant messages on Twitter after the company announced the increase. BEZOS TWEET Sanders has also called on Walmart and McDonald's to raise their wages. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration deserves "no more than a C plus" for how it has addressed conflict in the Middle East, according to a former U.S. national security advisor. James Jones who served as NSA under former President Barack Obama and as supreme allied commander of NATO forces in Europe during George W. Bush's presidency said Monday that it isn't clear exactly what the White House wants to do in the Middle East because of apparently "disparate" messages it has sent. However, Jones ultimately expressed optimism that the United States will stay committed to the region. "I think generally with regard to the main threats: with regard to Iran, with regard to ISIS, with regard to Russia I would say, at this point, because there's some confusion, I would say, no more than a C plus," Jones told CNBC's "Capital Connection" when asked what grade he would give to the administration's handling of the various issues in the Middle East. On one such issue the planned U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria Jones said the tensions that have arisen between Washington and Ankara should not be litigated in public, but rather by careful discussion between the two governments. "You really have to have serious meetings at both capitals with the intent of fixing what right now is somewhat fractured," he said. It's been a confusing couple of weeks for U.S. allies in the Middle East. White House officials have been making the rounds in the region, reiterating the U.S. administration's signature fierce rhetoric against Iranian geopolitical ambitions. But the pledges of continued U.S. support directly contradict what's been described as President Donald Trump's isolationist drive, which in its latest manifestation saw the announcement via tweet to withdraw all American troops from Syria the very theater that officials had previously spotlighted as key to pushing back on Iran. "You have a tweet from the president about withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria after months of working together with our allies in the Arab world, with the interagency and State Department, Pentagon," Fred Kempe, president of the Atlantic Council, told CNBC's Hadley Gamble in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. "And suddenly everything's changed with a single tweet." Trump's December decision drew a barrage of criticism from lawmakers and security experts alike, who warned that the so-called Islamic State was not completely defeated in the war-torn country and that an abrupt departure would be abandoning U.S. local partners on the ground. So Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security advisor John Bolton, among others, have been sent to reassure allies of U.S. commitment in the region but it may be too late to quell their fears. Pompeo laid out his framing of America's vision for the Middle East during his speech in Cairo on Thursday. "When America retreats, chaos often follows. When we neglect our friends, resentment builds. And when we partner with enemies, they advance," he said. But the message's divergence from Trump's own policy decision was not lost on observers and allies. "There's a nervousness one wants to believe that message," Kempe said. "But I'm hearing from officials in the Middle East more concern about American predictability over time. They want to believe there's this permanent shift on behalf of allies to stand up to Iran, there are a lot of signs that's really there, but they're made nervous by the Syria shift." Michael Evans, co-president of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., gestures as he speaks at a news conference during the company's annual November 11 Singles' Day online shopping event in Shenzhen, China, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. Shares of Alibaba dipped just before market close Monday following a Wall Street Journal report citing President Michael Evans' concerns about an economic slowdown in China. The stock closed 1.35 percent down after trading up for most of the day. "China has slowed down," Evans said during a presentation at the National Retail Federation's annual conference, according to the Journal. "As a $13 trillion economy, it would be quite unusual if it could continue to grow at 7 percent or 8 percent." Evans attributed the pull back in the Chinese economy to "natural causes" as well as ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., the newspaper reported. Evans' warning comes less than two weeks after Apple CEO Tim Cook cited headwinds in China as the main cause of a rare revenue shortfall for Apple. The country has emerged as something of a pain point for some of the world's largest companies. Alibaba in particular, with its global e-commerce business rooted firmly in both China and the U.S., stands to suffer from continuing trade challenges. WATCH: China slowdown weighs on stocks Getty Images As the longest ever federal government shutdown grinds on and chatter about a potential recession grows louder, retail and restaurant CEOs and investors are gathering in Orlando, for the ICR conference. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shake Shack, Domino's and Darden are town to dish about their digital strategies and convince shareholders that they have a plan for dealing with ever-changing consumer habits. More than 160 private and public companies are set to make presentations over the three-day conference at the Grande Lakes Hotel. The conference is a "good gauge of how things are going to shake out" in 2019, said Peter Saleh, analyst at BTIG. In the past, companies have announced new executive hiring, menu items, and in some cases, entirely new approaches to age-old problems like labor retention and rising minimum wages. No doubt, investors will be listening carefully to what these companies are saying about the strength of the consumer and where spending could be heading. Eating out at restaurants is one area where consumers will cut back if they grow worried about the economy. Restaurants in Washington, D.C., have already felt the pinch as federal workers go without paychecks. Those economic questions come as the restaurant industry is facing a number of other challenges including a rising rate of online orders and higher labor costs. Here are three things that analysts are paying attention to in the restaurant industry this year: Digital & delivery From coffee shops to burger joints, more restaurants are rolling out apps and online ordering systems to allow guests to order and purchase food for pick-up or delivery. It's become a much bigger piece of the restaurant industry over the last few years. Around 11 percent of Chipotle's sales are from online orders. At Starbucks, it's 12 percent. The good news is digital orders tend to bring in more money because diners who use apps and online ordering have more time to peruse the menu. Restaurants also have a better opportunity to up-sell them with items like chips, drinks and desserts. Not to mention, these customers tend to be more loyal to brands. Saleh said diners who use digital devices to order are at least three times more likely to use this method going forward. But this shift is not without a cost, and restaurants are having to adapt. Some have opted to boost their own delivery staff, while others are partnering with third-party services like Door Dash and Uber Eats. Saleh expects companies to continue this trend and take on more delivery partners in the next year. Third-party services, whether they incorporate delivery or not, charge restaurants a commission for their services and often reap the benefit of having full access to consumer data. Saleh said companies will likely begin to shift that cost of delivery to the customer. So, delivery costs may be slightly higher in 2019 and beyond. Labor It's no secret that the restaurant industry has one of the worst employee retention rates. A whopping 72.5 percent of people left their food service or hospitality gigs in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Partially it's just the nature of the industry, with so many of the positions filled by teens and college students just getting into the labor force. These employees are often part-time or seasonal hires, and only intend on staying with the company for a brief time before moving on to another career. And since restaurants are always hiring, jumping from one company to another for better pay or benefits isn't uncommon. The trouble is each time an employee leaves a restaurant, the company has to hire and train someone new, costing time and money. Restaurants like Starbucks, Chipotle, Taco Bell and McDonald's have rolled out retention programs aimed at getting staff to stick around. Programs have included college tuition assistance, better parental leave benefits and sick days for part-time employees. However, a flighty labor force isn't the only worry for restaurants. In 2019, 20 states will raise their minimum wages, putting pressure on companies' bottom lines. In some cases, convincing diners to order online or via an app can help offset this increase in employee wages. For the majority of restaurant chains, around 25 percent of in-store labor is dedicated to taking orders at the counter, Saleh said. Offering other ways for customers to order, including a kiosk at the restaurant, can cut back on the staff needed to man the cash register. That labor can then be transitioned to the kitchen or eliminated. Value Submit a letter to the editor The CJN provides an open forum for reader feedback and comments. Letters to the editor can be submitted via the form linked below, e-mailed to editorial@cjn.org or mailed to Letters, CJN, 23880 Commerce Park, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 (please type and double space, or write legibly). All submissions must include your full name, town of residency and daytime phone number (phone number will not be printed). Submit a letter The past year forced many people to face situations never experienced before. Because of COVID-19 lockdowns that swept the country for months, many people stayed with the person that lived in their house with them, whether it was roommates, parents or spouses. Because spouses were together n One of the first things I did after making aliyah more than 18 years ago was attend ulpan, Hebrew language classes, in the nearby city of Kfar Saba. There I was, an American olah (immigrant) mother of (then) three in her mid-30s in class with two dozen young 20-something olim from the Ukraine. Within the first week, I learned two things: they really knew how to learn a foreign language fast, and not one of them planned to stay in Israel. Israel had been their ticket out of Ukraine. What they really wanted was a Green Card to the United States. And if that proved to be elusive, Canada would do. Every one of them could not for the life of them imagine why I would leave the United States and move to Israel. And they told me that frequently. Everywhere I went where it was clear from my practically non-existent Hebrew language skills that I had just gotten off the plane on a one-way ticket secular Israeli store owners asked, why? Then, there were those Israelis who praised me for my guts and strength. Those were the encouraging words I hung on to at the beginning, when it was really, really hard. Which is why I was really, really offended earlier this month by Ranaan Shaked, a columnist for the Hebrew Israeli daily newspaper Yediot Acharonot, who said in a tweet that American Jews move to Israel because they were unable to get decent jobs in the U.S. The tweet was a criticism of the New Right party led by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked (no relation) for the decision to add right-wing columnist Caroline Glick to the partys list of candidates for national elections in April. Glick made aliyah from Chicago in 1991 after graduating from Columbia University. She returned to the United States, where she earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government in 2000. You really think that there is some electoral force to the always-amusing sub-stream of scattered Isramericans that came here from their homeland where there is a doubt if they would have gotten a job that doesnt include the question Do you want fries with that? in order to be Daniella Weiss with an accent? Nu, good luck to you, Ranaan Shaked tweeted. Daniella Weiss is a prominent settlement movement activist who served as the mayor of Kedumim. I find the term Isramericans so incredibly insulting and the insinuation that we immigrants bring nothing to the table here in Israel even more insulting. Many of us gave up a lot to come here and we are very productive members of Israeli society, and still you get comments from the likes of Shaked. In fact, according to statistics provided by Nefesh BNefesh, an organization that assists people making aliyah, some 74 percent of mature olim come with at least a bachelors degree 26 percent have a masters degree and 6 percent have a doctorate. Most of them, I am reasonably certain, would not be flipping burgers back in the United States. Shaked managed to get a rise out of Dov Lipman, an immigrant from the United States who actually gave up his American citizenship in order to serve in the Knesset between 2012 and 2015, from where he very wonderfully represented American olim by promoting our interests and assisting individuals from any political persuasion whenever possible. Lipmans post on Facebook shows a 5-second clip of him behind the counter of a Burgers Bar fast food restaurant waving a hamburger bun and asking, Do you want fries with that? The post reads in part in Hebrew and English: A big thank you to Raanan Shaked for teaching me how to ask Do you want fries with that? In Hebrew. Shaked a day later walked back his original post but still managed to be insulting. And nothing can make me forget the first post the unguarded post in which he spilled exactly what he was thinking. American and Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel are mostly excellent people, Zionists, and make a significant and necessary contribution to the state. A small minority of them are messianic, right-wing extremists, he wrote in his follow-up. Shaked spent three years living in the United States while working on a masters degree and wrote a weekly column for the Hebrew language daily Maariv about the American experience for an Israeli. Which is part of why I dont understand how he could possibly view American immigrants to Israel as anything but wonderful and sincere. We are still willing to come here despite fellow countrymen like him. One new American oleh or olah is worth 100 Raanan Shakeds. 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. CLEVELAND, Ohio Now-former Gov. John Kasich may not have a television deal just yet, but he does have an agent. Kasich, the two-term Republican who left office Monday, announced he had signed with United Talent Agency based in Los Angeles. The move seems to confirm as Kasich has alluded to for weeks that he will make the jump to some kind of job in the media in the near future. Im excited to work with UTA to keep my voice active across the world and share my experiences and observations to help improve the lives of others, Kasich said. Kasich is no stranger to appearing on cable news. He hosted Heartland with John Kasich on Fox News from 2001 to 2007 and frequently filled in as a guest host of The OReilly Factor before returning to Ohio politics to run for governor in 2010. Since his failed 2016 presidential bid, Kasichs national media appearances on the widely viewed Sunday political talk shows have spiked. However, where exactly Kasich might end up isnt totally clear. A spokesman for Kasich did not respond to questions about where Kasich might land, and UTA declined to comment on Kasichs next steps. But Kasichs past actions as well as his signing at UTA do offer some significant clues. A return to Fox News seems unlikely given the networks direction as pro-Republican Party and President Donald Trump. Kasich has been an outspoken critic of the president and the direction of the Republican Party for the past two years. CNN and MSNBC have seemed the most plausible destinations for a while, but his signing with UTA seems to point to CNN. Kasichs increased profile on the Sunday show circuit since the election was largely driven by CNNs State of the Union. Hes appeared on the show 12 times since the 2016 election, compared with 17 times on the other four shows Fox News Sunday, This Week with George Stephanopoulous on ABC, Meet the Press on NBC and Face The Nation on CBS. Kasich also frequently appears on CNNs regular slate of programs during the week. His new agency, UTA, represents a slew of high-profile CNN personalities, including Anderson Cooper, Jim Acosta, Dana Bash, Jake Tapper and Don Lemon. But perhaps most telling is a report from The Daily Beast in October that both CNN and MSNBC had met with Kasich. Per the report, Jay Sures, co-president of United Talent Agency, showed up during Kasichs meeting with CNN. Sures told The Daily Beast at the time that he merely ran into Kasich, but would not answer questions at the time about whether he represented the governor. In Mondays release announcing that Kasich had signed with the agency, Sures said he looked forward to bringing Kasichs unique experience, wisdom and perspective to an even wider array of audiences. Kasichs signing doesnt completely negate the possibility that he would mount a challenge to Trump in 2020, either in the primary or as an independent candidate. Kasich has said that he is seriously considering challenging Trump, but he has sounded more resigned in recent weeks. In December, Kasich said he did not think he could beat Trump in a primary. COLUMBUS, OhioIn his inaugural address Monday, newly sworn-in Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine struck a message of hope and vowed that his administration will plant the seeds of long-term work that will have profound results for future generations of Ohioans. For much of what we do, we will not see the results in the life of this administration, nor in some peoples cases, in our lifetimes, said the 72-year-old Greene County Republican before an overflow crowd in the Ohio Statehouse rotunda. Yet we do these things nonetheless, grounded in the faith and grounded in hope that we can change the future. DeWine didnt get too specific in his inaugural address about what those things will be, though he vowed his plans include helping Ohios children and giving them better education opportunities. Education is the key to equality and the key to opportunity, the governor said. Everyone -- everyone -- deserves a chance to succeed, to get a good-paying job, to raise a family comfortably. DeWine said that he and his administration will be fierce and passionate advocates and defenders of the defenseless. Paraphrasing the late Democratic U.S. senator and Vice President Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, DeWine said governments function is to help those in the dawn of life, those in the twilight of life, and those in the shadows of life. (The latter term is similar to the people in the shadows frequently mentioned by DeWines Republican predecessor, John Kasich). DeWine said that he and his administration will work hand-in-hand with local governments and with community leaders and always listen to others, though he cautioned not to mistake that willingness to listen with a lack of vision, resolve or focus. Prior to his speech, DeWine publicly took the oath of office from his son, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine. The swearing-in was a ceremonial action, as Justice DeWine already officially administered the oath to his father shortly after midnight Monday during a private ceremony at DeWines home. DeWines lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, also publicly took the oath of office from Justice Judith French. Besides Pat DeWine, dozens of others from the governors famously large family turned out for the ceremony. Many state lawmakers were on hand as well, as were former governors Kasich, Ted Strickland, Bob Taft and Dick Celeste. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman also attended. Dignitaries from outside Ohio were in the audience as well, including Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin. We have a little bridge we need to build! DeWine jovially told Bevin in his speech, referring to a years-long delay in addressing the problem of Cincinnatis rickety Brent Spence bridge. New Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, a Perry County Republican, said after DeWines speech that he thought the governor was dead on" with his topics. I thought they were wonderful, bringing it back to family and the need to take care of the young people in this state and to promote good paying jobs, Householder said, according to a pool report. OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- A week after Chad Gluss shocked the community with his decision to step down as fire chief with the intention of continuing on as a firefighter, more details have emerged behind the 17-year veteran's decision. Tension between Gluss and the administration had been building ever since Mayor James Graven took office in early 2018. "I'm just here to serve this community," said Gluss, who has called Olmsted Falls home for a quarter of a century. "The mayor and I just had a difference of opinion regarding how things should be done. "I thought to myself, the Olmsted Falls Fire Department is the most important thing. I have 10 years until I can retire and there's no reason for me to show up to work on a daily basis and have to battle like that. So, if it'll make things easier, make things better, I'll step down." The notion of stepping down to become a regular firefighter came out of a Jan. 4 meeting Gluss scheduled with Graven to discuss what he felt amounted to micromanaging of his department, which was creating tension among firefighters. "Basically, there was dissension from within the department about was who was running the department, me or the mayor," Gluss said. "I posed that question to him and he threw back at me, 'I'm the safety director.' I said, 'OK, if you want to run the Fire Department, here you go.'" The next morning, Gluss emailed Graven his resignation with the idea of returning to firefighter status. Last week, Olmsted Falls firefighter Bob Arida -- the most senior member of the Fire Department -- was named interim fire chief. A full-time replacement will be named after a future civil service test. Graven said he believes Gluss' decision is tied to economics, with the fire chief's current salary at $79,040 annually, compared to the two most senior Olmsted Falls firefighters last year who, with overtime, earned more than $93,000 each. "There is a money issue, but that is not the main reason why I stepped down," said Gluss, who stressed that had there not been tension with Graven's leadership, he would have remained fire chief, with the hope that eventually the department head position's compensation would have increased. Gluss, who noted that he picked up a part-time job to supplement his income, said he has no intention to become a fire chief in any other community. Another point of contention between Gluss and Graven was related to September's large Chandlers Lane condo fire. Gluss said the fact that he didn't wear firefighter turnout gear at the scene was a source of tension. "The whole turnout gear thing is ridiculous," Gluss said. "Some chiefs wear turnout gear, some don't. Some run incident command from inside of their car, some run incident command standing outside. "The issue was, I was on my way back from picking my car up and my turnout gear was at the fire station. So, I went straight to the fire. I didn't have my gear with me." The mayor said his issue goes beyond Gluss not having his turnout gear with him while on duty. "We argued about how serious this is," Graven said. "He did not appreciate how dangerous (it was). He jeopardized his own safety, his firefighters' safety and the citizens' safety. I want to keep my people safe. "Chad and some of the firefighters may think I'm a micromanager, but I'm not. I'm just a well-qualified safety director. I'm aware that chiefs have been killed standing outside directing fire operations." On a larger level, the Gluss resignation and last year's dismissal of Police Chief William Traine, who currently has a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against the city, paints a less than smooth first year in office for Graven, following Mayor Ann Donegan's tumultuous administration. When asked if the events bring negative attention to Olmsted Falls, Graven said: "I don't think it's bad optics. I can ensure you this won't be a repeat of the Donegan-Traine fiasco." Olmsted Falls Law Director Andy Bemer added: "We're still going through growing pains. When that happens, you take two steps forward and a step backwards. We're attempting to change the culture here of not being litigious or combative." CLEVELAND, Ohio A Washington-based lawyer who is a former trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday after he admitted to sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy three times. Justin Torres, 43, of Alexandria, Virginia, could be released after serving just six months behind bars after he pleaded guilty to three counts of gross sexual imposition, each a third-degree felony. County Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel Gaul said at the hearing that imposing a lengthy sentence on Torres, who faced up to nine years in prison, would not be appropriate. But the judge also said he couldnt allow a sex-offender off without prison time, and pegged the appropriate prison stint at six months. I think what serves the community is for this event in your life to end, and for a new journey to begin today, Gaul said. Gaul said that Torres, a victim of child sexual abuse himself who sobbed through a nearly 20-minute statement in which he apologized to the boy and to his family and begged Gaul not to send him to prison, was the most remorseful person he had ever seen in his 28 years on the bench. Abuse, abandonment and neglect led us here, Gaul said. Torres will be eligible to apply for early release after six months, and Gaul signaled that he planned to grant that request, place Torres on five years of probation supervision and put in place therapy that Gaul said would restore Torres back to the community. As part of the sentence, Torres must register as a sex offender every six months for the next 25 years. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley said in a statement to cleveland.com that nobody is above the law. Torres resigned his position as counsel at Schaerr Jaffe on Friday citing personal reasons, a spokeswoman for the law firm said in a statement sent to cleveland.com Saturday. The spokeswoman said the firm did not know about the troubling personal allegations against Torres until Saturday. Neither the proceeding nor the surrounding events were disclosed during or after the hiring process, and the firm had no reason to suspect any problems," Sarah Norton said. The firm wishes the victim, as well as Mr. Torres and his family, the strength to move forward and heal from these unfortunate events. Torres grew up in a childhood that was fraught with abuse and neglect, he and his lawyer, Stephen Bradley, told Gaul. Torress own father was sentenced to prison in 2013 for raping a relative of Torres when both Torres and his fathers victims were children. Torres worked as a political appointee in the Bush Administration, serving as an aide to the director of the agency that runs the AmeriCorps program, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2005. Torres, then 30 with three children, told the newspaper that he and his wife were about to sell their condo and use the money to pay for Torres to go to law school at the University of Virginia-Charlottesville, a move they hoped would lead to a decent career. Torres became the editor of the schools law and policy review. He landed a job at the D.C. office of a global law firm where he specialized in environmental and appellate law until 2015, when he joined the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division. Less than a year later, Torres left government and was named senior associate at the burgeoning King & Spalding, another international law firm that, according to a November 2018 article in The American Lawyer saw its revenue surpass $1 billion. Torres was part of the legal team that represented oil giant ConocoPhillips in a highly publicized lawsuit filed by San Francisco and Oakland accusing the company, along with Chevron, Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell, of knowing the environmental dangers of fossil fuels but continuing to promote them as environmentally safe, the Associated Press reported. The judge overseeing the case dismissed the lawsuit in June. Last year, Torres, the oldest of eight children who grew up in a household of abuse, earned more than $350,000 a year, a pre-sentence investigation found. Torres said he channeled the anger from his childhood into his academics and his career. But his fathers 2013 conviction was a trigger for him, he said, and his life slowly came crashing down. He said he had never told anyone about the abuse he suffered as a child until 2011, when he told his wife, just before his father was prosecuted. He said his wife suggested that he seek help, but he refused. I was a coward, he said. The irony is, the people in this courtroom would have been the first people to help me. Torres turned to abuse in late 2016, while his family was visiting his wifes family in Fairview Park for the holidays. The boy, who was 10 years old the time, later told police that Torres abused him on two separate occasions, once around Thanksgiving and once around Christmas that year, Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Steven Szelegiewicz said. Torres abused the boy a third time when he and his family returned to Fairview Park for Thanksgiving in 2017. The boy eventually told a family member about the abuse, and prosecutors charged him by information in September. He pleaded guilty on Nov. 29. His actions cant be excused by his past, Szelegiewicz said in court Thursday. He inflicted the same pain that he says he went through on another child. Torres began working at Schaerr Jaffe on Nov. 1, and worked there until his Friday resignation. He is also a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative and libertarian organization that ascribes to an originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. After he pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse charges has made several appearances on conservative media outlets in December, including the Lars Larson Show, to discuss the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 U.S. Census. One of those appearances was on theDove TV, a media company which its website says exists to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ though all media platforms. Members of the boys family sat in the back of the courtroom Thursday behind Szelegiewicz and Fairview Park Police Detective Mark Miller. Torress wife sat in the first row behind him. Torress 16-minute speech to the court began with a series of apologizes, starting with the boy. Torres said that, since he has gotten treatment after his arrest, he looked back on the moments that he abused him and the fear and confusion the boy must have felt and could not believe that I was the author of that kind of cruelty. This was not your fault," he said. "This was entirely my fault. I am to blame, and I am so sorry. The boys mother, reading from a letter, said she hoped seeing Torres facing consequences in court for his abuse make her son know what happened to him was wrong that he is worthy of protection, and affirm his bravery in coming forward, she said. Tragic origins or not, since it led to behavior of this gravity, I believe he has shown with his actions that he is a risk to children, the mother said. She then asked to read words directly to Torres. Both she and Torres burst into tears as she read as she told Torres that he violated the trust of her, her husband and her children. All of our lives have been hurt by this and all of us will have to pick up the pieces from this and do our best to begin again, she said. The boys family members, including his mother, walked over to Torress wife and embraced her after Torres was led out of the courtroom. To comment on this story, please visit Fridays crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cuyahoga County jury wasted no time determining Thomia (Mia) Hunters future on a cold Friday afternoon in January 2005. With less than two hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Hunter, 26, of murder and felonious assault in the stabbing death of Andrew Harris, her on-again, off-again boyfriend. She was given a life sentence. Melanie GiaMaria remembers the day judgment was rendered. As Hunters social worker and a freshly minted lawyer, GiaMaria had followed every moment of the trial. The verdict was mind-blowing. I couldnt believe what I had just witnessed. The medical examiner had concluded that Mia was credible. It was an affirmative defense. It was clear that she was fighting for her life when she stabbed her abuser. She chose to live. I went to the lobby of the Justice Center and waited by the elevator. I knew where the jurors would come down. It wasnt my proudest moment, but I yelled at them. I let them know that they had made an awful mistake. They had just ruined someones life. They were sending a woman to prison for defending herself. I wish I could confront those jurors again today and tell the same thing, said GiaMaria in a phone conversation Friday. Ohio Governor John Kasich just sent a message of his own to the criminal justice system that tried and convicted Hunter: Abused lives matter. Last week, Kasich commuted Hunters life sentence to time served. The Ohio Parole Board, which advises governors on commutation decisions, was particularly disturbed by the reality that a battered womens syndrome defense (a form of post-traumatic stress disorder) was not mounted to explain Hunters reaction that fateful night. Hunter stabbed Harris in the leg and severed his femoral artery as the man choked, beat, and attacked her with a knife in her apartment. Hunter, who had no prior criminal record is now set to be released on July 15 after completing a reentry program run by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Call it a small step forward. But, in Ohio, how far have we actually evolved in our understanding of the horrors and prevalence of domestic violence? Are we really getting better at not looking the other way or simply ignoring it? I believe we are getting better at identifying how a history of abuse affects the life or death decisions that people in crisis make, said Alexandria Ruden, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Our social understanding of domestic violence is starting to catch up with the law. Efforts like the Times Up and Me Too Movements help. But, we still have a long way to go, she added. In 1990, Ohio became one of the last states in the Union to pass a law allowing expert testimony of battered woman syndrome as evidence in a claim of self-defense. At the time the new law was created, it was derided by some Ohio prosecutors, police, and media outlets as a license to kill. Then Governor Richard Celeste jumped into the middle of the domestic violence debate on his way out of office in December 1991. At the urging of his wife Dagmar Celeste, and others, he granted clemency to 25 woman who were serving time for murder or felonious assault. These were all women who were convicted before a defense was permitted to introduce expert testimony of battered womans syndrome in court. The Plain Dealer published an editorial shortly after the mass clemency, calling Celestes decision either an act of generosity or gross misjudgment. I remember the commentary well, as I was a member of the editorial board at the time. Thankfully, weve all evolved, including Celeste, 81, living somewhere in Colorado. Even after using his power of clemency to free inmates serving time for violence -- a courageous and proper act justice -- Celeste sent the women home with this extraordinary warning: This is not a license to kill someone who comes home and takes a swat at you from time to time, said Celeste. A swat or two is often how the nightmare begins. Yes, we all continue to evolve. CLEVELAND, Ohio A 25-year-old woman was arrested late Sunday on suspicion of fatally stabbing a man in the neck, Cleveland police said. The woman has not been formally charged with a crime and the 33-year-old mans identity has not yet been released. The stabbing happened about 10:30 p.m. Sunday at a home on West 89th Street, just south of Madison Avenue in the citys Cudell neighborhood, according to police. Police said the stabbing happened during a domestic violence incident and that the woman suffered some slight redness to the neck area as a result. Officers found the man in bleeding in an upstairs hallway. He was taken to MetroHealth, where he died. There have been four homicides in the city so far in 2019. Police and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner are investigating a possible fifth death after 46-year-old John Nevilles body was found in an alley on Lesbeth Court in the citys Glenville neighborhood. A cause of death in that case has not yet been determined. To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments page. COLUMBUS, Ohio A handgun was taken from a 6-year-old kindergarten student as he tried to enter his school and police are now trying to figure out how he obtained the weapon. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the boy will not be charged because of his age. The boy will face discipline from the school, 10tv.com reports. A parent called Africentric Early College K-12 when they noticed the boy appeared to be carrying a heavy object in his pants, WCMH Channel 4 reports. The student was stopped at the door of the school and the weapon was taken by a staff member and given to the school resource officer. Police did not say if the handgun was loaded. No one was injured during Fridays incident but police are continuing to investigate. If youd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. It is mind-boggling to me that Democrats are not shouting from the rooftops, Trump decreed from the start Mexico was paying for this wall, so why now is he forcing our federal workers to shoulder the weight of his inability to make good on that promise? Why is the media reluctant to hold his feet to the fire on this? Additionally, in an article in The Washington Post titled U.S. military budget inches closer to $1 trillion mark, as concerns over federal deficit grow," writer Jeff Stein remarks that the Senate approved one of the biggest defense budgets in modern American history, a staggering $716 billion in 2019. Perhaps its the pragmatist in me but when you say border wall, I instantly think this is a segment of national security, i.e. Defense. That said, $5 billion out of a massive $716 billion dollar military budget is a pittance. Im sure the military could find a way to scrape by on $711 billion this year so that federal workers could return to their jobs, get the medicines they need, and not lose their homes. David Patterson, Cleveland CLEVELAND, Ohio Federal workers in the Cleveland area who are furloughed due to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history can get a free meal on Wednesday, courtesy of Stouffers. Stouffers, which was founded in Cleveland in the early 1920s, will hand out free meals Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to workers who show up to the companys Solon campus with a valid federal government ID, the company wrote in a post on its Facebook page. Stouffers Solon headquarters is located at 30003 Bainbridge Road. The free meals will be available as long as supplies last, the companys Facebook post says. More than 800,000 federal workers across the U.S. are either out of work on furlough, or they are working without pay because their jobs are deemed essential, during the shutdown. The government shutdown became the longest in U.S. history on Saturday. It has now stretched 23 days. LORAIN, Ohio A Lorain city council member was arrested early Monday on suspicion of domestic violence, according to jail records. Council member Angel Arroyo, 36, is being held at the Lorain County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence and resisting arrest, records show. Arroyo was booked into the jail shortly after 5 a.m., records show. The Lorain Police Department, which is listed in jail records as the arresting agency, did not immediately provide any information about Arroyos arrest. Arroyo is scheduled to appear Monday afternoon in Lorain Municipal Court. Arroyo was previously arrested during a Dec. 2, 2017 run-in with police officers at his birthday party. He appeared to be intoxicated when he claimed someone ran over his leg at Diso's Bistro on Oberlin Avenue, according to a police report. Officers noted his injury was not consistent with someone driving a car over his leg, and learned Arroyo hurt his knee when he jumped onto the hood of a car, the police report says. Officers wrote in the police report that they arrested Arroyo because he didn't cooperate. While in handcuffs Arroyo pulled away in an "act of resistance," the police report says. He later pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace and obstructing official business. He was sentenced to six months on probation and ordered to pay $850 in fines and restitution. Arroyo is serving his second term representing the 6th Ward, located on Lorains southeast side, according to the citys website. He serves on the Parks and Recreation and Building and Lands committees. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comments page. COLUMBUS, Ohio Adult film star Stormy Daniels filed suit against Columbus vice officers who arrested her at a strip club at the capital city in July, claiming the officers violated her constitutional rights when bringing trumped-up charges that were later dropped. Daniels whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, said in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Columbus Monday that her arrest was politically motivated. She has gained notoriety after speaking publicly about an affair she said she carried out with President Donald Trump, and a payment she said she received to keep quiet about the affair in the months leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Defendant Officers believed that Ms. Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding President Trump, the lawsuit says, adding that the arrest was meant to damage her credibility. (You can read the lawsuit here or at the bottom of this story.) The porn stars arrest during her appearance at the strip club Sirens, carried out by undercover detectives, quickly became national news. Columbus police initially said her arrest was part of an investigation into human trafficking and prostitution, though Daniels lawsuit says that was false and was instead a way to cover the true motivation. The lawsuit names detectives Shana Keckley, Mary Praither and Steven Rosser and Lt. Whitney Lancaster as defendants, as well as unnamed police department employees. Daniels claims her free-speech rights were violated and that she was maliciously prosecuted. She is seeking more than $2 million in damages. Michael Avanatti, a Los Angeles attorney who has arguably gained as much notoriety as Daniels in the past year, is representing the porn star in the suit, as are Columbus attorneys Chase Mallory and Daniel Sabol. Avanatti said in a statement posted on his Twitter account that here in America, unlike in Russia, we dont arrest citizens for political purposes in an effort to silence them. A statement relating to the civil rights lawsuit we filed moments ago on behalf of @stormydaniels, together with a link to the Complaint, is below. #Bastahttps://t.co/qjXmToSQBO pic.twitter.com/q55foyv6ET Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) January 14, 2019 Columbus police spokeswoman Denise Alex-Bouzounis said Monday that the department has been made aware of the lawsuit. She said an internal affairs investigation is ongoing and that "it would be inappropriate for us to comment on this matter at this time. She said Keckley and Praither remain on duty, while Rosser and Lancaster are on desk duty as a result of the incident. Police later said Daniels put her hands on an officers buttocks and putting her breasts in an officers face, which formed the basis for her arrest. Officers also arrested two others on similar allegations on charges of violating Ohios no touching law. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein dropped the misdemeanor charges against Daniels shortly after the arrest. Under the 2007 Community Defense Act, its illegal for a stripper to touch a customer while performing -- except for members of the strippers immediate family. However, Klein noted when he dropped the charges that Ohio's law only applies to strippers who "regularly" appear on stage in state. The charges against the two others arrested along with Daniels were also dropped, according to the suit. The lawsuit says the three detectives named in the suit are either registered as Republicans or are supporters of Trump. Keckley sent an email to a lieutenant following Daniels arrest that contained three criminal complaints that said LT Youre Welcome!!!!!, along with a request to not post her name on Facebook. She also emailed her husband and other co-workers to tell him about the arrest. Co-worker Jason Arnold replied, Great job!!!!Let me know how that goes for ya..., according to the lawsuit. Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said in a statement released after Daniels charges were dropped that officers believed they had probable cause and were well within their area of responsibility" when they arrested Daniels. Nevertheless, a mistake was made, and I accept full responsibility, Jacobs' statement said. CLEVELAND, Ohio Four years after federal authorities in Cleveland seized millions of dollars, cars, jewelry and property as part of a drug investigation that includes allegations of money laundering and illegally billing people on their phone bills, prosecutors have not filed any charges. Meanwhile, the government continues to hang on to most of the money and property as the targets of the investigation, including some from Lake County, fight to get it back. The allegations center on people who operated or were tied to phone directory companies Discount Directory Inc. and Enhanced Telecommunication Services, and whether drug money was laundered through the companies. The case is laid out in court filings, and AT&T Services has agreed to pay $7.75 million as part of a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission to refund customers who were scammed by the two companies. Court records show the investigation stretches back until at least 2014. It was not immediately clear if and when prosecutors would file charges or who could face them. However, court filings from September show a criminal investigation remains active. An attorney for two people in the case said the governments decision to hold on to the seized money for so long has caused strain on his clients. We are grateful that the US Attorneys office has been reviewing this matter without a rush to judgment and that we will eventually have Judge Boyko resolve these important issues, Craig Weintraub, an attorney for Dominic Schender and Roberta Eldridge, two people who filed claims for seized money and property, said in an email. By the same token it is inconceivable that in the United States money and property can be taken and held without a hearing and without regard to the huge impact the seizure has on a family. U.S. Attorneys Office spokesman Mike Tobin declined comment. Years-long investigation The investigation spans the administrations of four different U.S. attorneys in Cleveland. Agents seized more than $2.8 million in cash and in various bank accounts, as well as cars, property and jewelry, on three separate occasions in 2014 and 2015. Now-retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Tripi wrote in a 2015 complaint for forfeiture that Kirtland resident Brandon Selvaggio conspired with Schender, who lived in Pueblo, Colorado, and others to commit wire fraud. The complaint said Selvaggio formed companies that were supposed to provide directory assistance services to phone customers. The companies then contracted with telecommunication companies, including AT&T. But Selvaggios companies never actually provided the services, even though customers were billed for them, an illegal practice known as cramming, the filing stated. The DEA discovered the illegal billing while investigating Schender, Selvaggio and others for drug crimes and money laundering, according to an FCC news release. The forfeiture complaint said Schender appeared to be growing marijuana on his property in Colorado and using Selvaggios phone directory companies, among others, to launder money. In addition to Schender and Selvaggio, prosecutors name Lake County residents Iris Baker, Gabriel Saluan, Gregory Harris, John McCoy and Chelsea Baker as part of the conspiracy and said the case also deals with marijuana distribution in Lake County. The government also has seized property from Eldridge, Schenders ex-girlfriend, court records show. Civil forfeiture case also drags on U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko, who presides over the civil forfeiture case, repeatedly put the case on hold between its filing in 2015 and August 2018. By that point, federal prosecutors said they would allow for some discovery to go on while the criminal investigation continues, Tripi wrote in a court filing in August. The judge and the people seeking the return of their money agreed and the litigation began. Some progress was made, too, as the government agreed to return more than $67,000, records show. However, the majority of the criminal and civil actions are unresolved. To complicate things, the case is now on pause, along with all other civil cases involving the U.S. government in northern Ohio, as a result of a partial government shutdown. Civil attorneys in the U.S. Attorneys Office are furloughed until President Donald Trump and Congress resolve their impasse over the presidents desire to receive $5.7 billion for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Weintraub lamented the recent stay and said he and his clients are at the mercy of the President and legislators to resolve the issue that caused the shutdown. Once the shutdown is over, he hopes he can resolve the case. "Until then, my client continues to wait for his day in court, Weintraub said. Attorney Ian Friedman, who represents Iris Baker, declined comment, as did Saluns attorney George Argie. A lawyer for Selvaggio, who has filed claims for the seized property, did not return a phone call and an email. Reasons for delay It is not uncommon for criminal investigations, especially white collar cases overseen by federal prosecutors, to stretch on. Local high-profile cases such as investigations into corruption in Cuyahoga County lasted for years, with some defendants not facing charges for three years or more after the inquiry began. The wrinkle involving seized property provides a twist, though, as the targets of the investigation have said the seizures, have squeezed the people whose money was taken. Edward LaRue, an attorney for Selvaggio, told cleveland.com in 2016 that his client was financially hamstrung as a result of the seizures. Dan Alban, an attorney with the libertarian-leaning legal firm Institute for Justice, said he was not familiar with the case in Ohio but noted that prosecutors sometimes use civil forfeiture cases to starve investigation targets of the financial ability to hire good attorneys and properly defend themselves. Alban, whose organization generally opposes civil forfeiture without charges being filed and, also noted, however, that cases can sometimes drag on and be put on hold because targets dont want to be put into a position to say anything that could incriminate them. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Mondays crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio Its National Dress Up Your Pet Day and we had so much fun seeing dozens of Northeast Ohio pets dressed to the nines in holiday finery recently, we thought we would share them with you today. cleveland.com went in search of the areas Cutest Holiday Pet Photo in December and we received over 100 adorable photos of pets donning everything from scarves to full elf costumes. It turns out Americans spend more than $61 million on their pets each year, according to US News and World Report. One of the shocking highlights from the survey is millennials expect to spend more money on their dogs over the course of the pets lifetime than they do on their own lifetime health care costs, reports 24/7 WallSt. Much of millennial consumers hefty pet budget is spent on non-essential pet items, such as clothing, toys, and designer beds. So kick back, enjoy these cuties celebrating the holidays and then head over to your favorite website and pick up a new outfit for Fido or Fluffy! 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 Sick or injured Missouri residents who need air ambulance services face thousands of dollars in bills and sometimes aggressive collection efforts if they cannot pay, according to a state report. The average bill after insurance for people who needed air ambulances in 2017 was $20,000, the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration said in a report issued Tuesday. The report found one patient who was billed $25,000 after getting kicked by a horse and another billed $100,000 after being transferred out of state for treatment of encephalitis, KCUR reported . Air ambulance companies billed Missouri residents nearly $26 million for services in 2017, leaving patients responsible for $12.4 million after coinsurance, copays and deductibles. That is about $20,000 per individual, said Angela Nelson, director of market regulation at the insurance department and leader of the team that produced the report. Thats kind of a jaw dropper to us in terms of how much were talking about, Nelson said. The report found that insurance companies cant negotiate prices with many air ambulance services because they are not in-network providers. It also found many air ambulance companies use collection practices such as placing liens on homes or garnishing wages if patients are unable to pay the bills. Nelsons team found 184 Missouri court records since 2012 involving lawsuits by air ambulance companies, with most collection actions. Medicare reimbursement rates for air ambulance services range between $3,368 and $6,404 and Medicaid reimbursements average $2,253. In contrast, private health insurers were billed an average of $41,321, of which they paid an average amount of $23,087, according to the report. A statement from the Association of Critical Air Transport, comprised of air and ground ambulance providers, said the group was concerned about the exorbitant bills. The group supports federal legislation to improve consumer protections for air ambulance patients and to amend the Airline Deregulation Act so states are allowed to regulate air ambulance prices. Air ambulance companies say their prices are dictated by high fixed costs and the need to offset low reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report in 2017 found one company said operating a single air ambulance helicopter requires a staff of 13 four pilots, four nurses, four paramedics and a mechanic in order to maintain the ability to deploy at any time. The report also noted that air ambulance providers are not subject to the price competition because patients have no say in how and by whom theyre transported and cant avoid out-of-network providers. Nelson said her agency cant do much to lower prices other than respond to consumer complaints. Since 2013, it has received 128 complaints or questions about air ambulance services, she said, and in 23 cases the department helped recover a total of $560,000. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A statue of a Confederate soldier at the door of a newspaper would immediately call into question the papers ability to serve its entire community. Yet for more than a century, student journalists at the University of North Carolina have learned their craft a short distance from a Confederate monument known as Silent Sam. Faculty in UNCs School of Media and Journalism have not yet joined our colleagues in law, education, history, and other departments on campus in making institutional statements calling for the permanent removal of the statue, which was pulled down by protestors in August and whose fate now sits with the statewide board that governs North Carolinas public universities. Several of my colleagues in the school have signed campus-wide petitions opposing the statue, one class produced a documentary on it, and the dean has organized discussions about it. But I have until now stayed out of the public debate. In my reporting classes, I teach my students what I was taughtthat good journalists learn how to set themselves aside and take a posture of professional detachment. I tell them we must shine light on even the facts that make us uncomfortable and angry, just the way physicians must treat patients who abuse their own bodies. I still believe all those things. But Ive let my pursuit of impartiality shackle a voice that journalism needs right nowone that says our field isnt so callous that it cant defend basic human freedoms. ICYMI: Charlottesville one year later All evidence indicates that Silent Sam was intended to be a monument to white supremacy. At its 1913 dedication, UNC benefactor Julian Carr heralded the statues symbolic connection to what he called the purest strain of the Anglo Saxon race, and bragged about beating a black woman. Fundraising efforts for the statue were spearheaded by the United Daughters of the Confederacya group closely aligned with white supremacist notionsas part of a massive effort to construct Confederate memorials across the state during the Jim Crow era. The journalism of the day didnt record Carrs racist words, nor did it note the UDCs support for the Ku Klux Klan. And it certainly did not give voice to the story of the woman Carr bragged of beating. The statue has since become a vessel for other damaging myths: in 1992, the Carolina Alumni Review wrote that Silent Sam would only fire his rifle when a maiden Carolina coed walks by, and repeated a oft-told story that the soldier carried no cartridge box to demonstrate his reluctance to fight any more. (The same article quotes a member of the Black Student Movement, who says the statue offends me every time I see it.) For a world-class journalism education at UNC to have coexisted alongside Silent Sam for so long, weand I count myself squarely at the center of that collective pronounhave been willing to devise, accept, and promote alternative narratives about the statue. In 1953, two small North Carolina newspapers won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage that resulted in the conviction of over one hundred Klansmen and an end to terrorism in their communities. Today, that gold medal and its story of journalistic courage greets visitors to the UNC School of Media and Journalism as a symbol of the highest ideals to which we ask our students to aspire. Sign up for CJR 's daily email UNC is not the only journalism school to reckon this year with racism on its doorstep. Last fall, faculty at the University of Mississippis School of Journalism and New Media took quick action to distance their institution from Ed Meek, then the schools namesake, after Meek published a racially insensitive Facebook post. Leaders at the Ole Miss journalism school called Meeks post embarrassing and highly offensive. A petition calling for the removal of Meeks name from the school attracted more than 2,500 signatures. The New York Times and HuffPost published op-eds in which two writers argued that the school be named for Ida B. Wells, the investigative journalist who was born into slavery and who reported extensively on lynchings in America. One, written by Wellss great-granddaughter Michelle Duster, emphasized journalisms ongoing diversity problems and their historic parallels. We are living in a time now where the hostility toward the media is starting to be reminiscent of the environment that my great-grandmother lived through in the late 19th and early 20th century, Duster wrote. Many of my colleagues in journalism argue that objective reporters cant afford to take a stand on issues like this. But in an era of historic hostility toward journalists, we must make it very clear that we stand for democratic norms such as racial equality. Journalists must and do stand up for laws that make it easier for us to do our work, and against laws that make it harder. I oppose the North Carolina law that discourages the removal of Confederate monuments for the same reasons I oppose the 2017 state law that made it harder for the public to obtain data from North Carolina government agencies, and the 2015 state supreme court ruling that required the state to charge for live access to public data about court cases. Each of these laws imperil journalists abilities, limiting our access to the raw material of reporting. Barriers between reporters and public records or diverse voices make it harder for us to give a full and fair account of our times. Journalism is often called the first rough draft of history, but that status carries with it an awesome responsibility to revise and elaborate, to provide better context and a more comprehensive historical record. Thats especially true in an era when powerful people whose names are on journalism schools can post directly to Facebook, and when a member of the UNC board that oversees state universities has his own YouTube channel. Journalism evolvesand, hopefully, stories improve. The local newspapers coverage of Silent Sams 1913 dedication makes no mention of Carrs racist words, and it certainly didnt spend any ink pondering reactions to them. Forty years later, two small North Carolina newspapers won the Pulitzer Prize for their successful campaign against the Ku Klux Klan, waged on their own doorstep at the risk of economic loss and personal danger, culminating in the conviction of over one hundred Klansmen and an end to terrorism in their communities. Today, that gold medal and its story of journalistic courage greets visitors to the School of Media and Journalism as a symbol of the highest ideals to which we ask our students to aspire. American journalism is not a monolithic institution, but over the last century it has slowly become better at holding powerful people accountable and shining a light across the full spectrum of society. Still, we have a long way to go, and a monument to white supremacy wont help us reach our destination. ICYMI: White-supremacy threat deserves its own beat reporters Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Ryan Thornburg is an associate professor and director of the Reese News Lab at the School of Media and Journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He formerly worked for The Washington Post, Congressional Quarterly, and US News & World Report. He is a 1997 graduate of the journalism program at UNC. In Liars Poker, his 1989 seminal account of trading, Michael Lewis has a chapter called From Geek to Man. Heres what he says about geeks: A geek is a circus performer who bites the heads off live chickens and snakes. Or so says the red American Heritage Dictionary. When Lewis arrived at Salomon Brothers in London, a trader told me that a geek was both (a) any person who sucks farts from swans and (b) a person immediately out of the training program and in a disgusting larval state between trainee and man. I, he said, was a geek. The circus performer definition was, indeed, the only one in American Heritage for some time. But now, that definition is No. 2 in the geek entry, meaning less common, and these are No. 1: A person regarded as foolish, inept, or clumsy; A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept. ICYMI: The words that defined 2018 Thats still negative. So then why does Best Buy proudly advertise its Geek Squad service, sending those people to your home to fix your electronics? One way to blunt the hurt of an insult is for the target to co-opt it, embrace it, neutralize it, use it in a positive or self-identifying way. We saw that happen with Obamacare, which began as a pejorative way to refer to the Affordable Care Act, but has become increasingly neutral, as supporters and news reports have adopted it. (The Associated Press, which has advised putting Obamacare in quotations because of its slang nature and negative beginnings, says it is reconsidering its policy.) Sign up for CJR 's daily email But back to geeks. The Oxford English Dictionary calls its history chiefly US, with this first citation from an 1876 glossary: Gawk, Geek, Gowk or Gowky, a fool; a person uncultivated; a dupe. In 1957, the OED says, Jack Kerouac introduced the deprecative concept of a geek as An overly diligent, unsociable student; any unsociable person obsessively devoted to a particular pursuit. And the association with computers and other electronics emerged around 1983, in an early Usenet newsgroup. About that circus performer explanation that Michael Lewis cited: that, too, is chiefly American, the OED says, tracing it to 1919. Dictionaries generally believe it to be an alteration of the word geck, or fool, from Middle or Low German. The Salomon Brothers traders seem to have come up with those other descriptions on their own, though they fit into geeks negative origins. Between 1980 and 1990, according to Nexis, nearly all the 700 or so citations for geek were negative, describing undesirable people or traits. Some explain what the term geek meant, indicating it was still relatively new. Between 1990 and 2000, the use of geek exploded along with the personal computer market. (Bill Gates was often called the ultimate geek, meant as a compliment.) This Google Ngram traces the explosion simultaneously in books, though theres no context for how geek was used: Keep in mind that geek can still be an insult, depending on the target and context. Using it to refer to oneself or to someone you know embraces the label is always the safest way to avoid unintended pain. The transformation of geek from an insult to a neutral or proud self-label, albeit still considered slang, can be traced more through its use as a verb than as a noun. To geek or geek out traces to the US in 1935, the OED says, to mean To give up, to back down; to lose ones nerve. To geek in a circus, or particularly to bite the head off an animal (were looking at you, Ozzy Osbourne) showed up around 1946, long after the noun form. Things sped up with the arrival of computers: To geek up in 1984 meant To excite or stimulate (a person); to make (a person) nervous or jittery; to geek out showed up in 1992 to mean To behave like a geek; esp. (in Computing) to engage (esp. temporarily and inappropriately) in technical discussions, perform a technically complicated task, etc. (All from the OED.) And now, to bring it full circle, the American Heritage Dictionary defines the verb geek as To excite emotionally: Im geeked about that new video game. You can also see the mainstreaming of geek in Websters New World College Dictionary, the one the AP and many news organizations follow. It lists definitions in historical order: The first one for geeks is the carnival performer; then comes any person considered to be different from others in a negative or bizarre way, and finally, a person regarded as being especially enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and skillful, esp. in technical matters. Not even a hint of a pocket-protector in that last one. ICYMI: AP announces new policy over the term collision Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl. 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. I had the true pleasure of meeting Ryan Neal, the Director of Targeted Training at LaunchCode, a different kind of training company that helps people enhance their lives by teaching them programming skills and then assisting them find employment through paid apprenticeships, direct job placement, company-sponsored training programs and other related activities. They began in St. Louis, MO, but now operate in various cities that have a combination of underemployed, an abundance of low wage workers, high unemployment and a shortage of technology job applicants. The applicants they select for their foundational programming classes in Java, Python, C Sharp and other leading technologies is based on the applicants true desire to improve themselves and an aptitude for logical and algorithmic thought. While transferable skills are a plus, they are not required. Matching students with learning opportunitiesand careers I was asked to teach my five-day Soft Skills for Agile Product Owners class for LaunchCode through the training company LearnQuest, who Ive teamed up with on various training deals over the years. LearnQuest is an impressive company with global reach, providing technical training to our countrys technology industry icons, like IBM and Apple. They told me this client, however, was different and very special. Through LearnQuest, I was given this opportunity as part of a larger Agile program, taught at LaunchCodes St. Louis location. Because this program was request of a specific company, all the students had jobs waiting for them when the program ended. The people in my class were of various backgrounds, education levels, ages, ethnicities and work experience. They all, however, had a strong desire to learn, were extraordinary individuals and were a pleasure to instruct. While at LaunchCodes training facility, I also had the opportunity to observe one of their public programming classes and the graduation ceremony of one of their cohorts. Wow, all I can say is wow, it was inspiring to watch. Upon completion of the class I was teaching, I asked them what I could do to further their cause of providing technology training as way to help people enhance their lives, increase local economic development, and assist companies in finding the local talent they need to grow their local presents and corporate profitability. It was this conversation that led me to write this post on their behalf. During a phone discussion with Ryan, I asked him for a couple of examples of people who graduated from their programs. I was interested in knowing their stories. Ryan told me about Mike, Jose, Yuan and Ben. Mike, Jose, Yuan and Ben Mike was working in a technology retail store as a part-time salesperson. He applied and was accepted into LaunchCodes public training program where he learned Java, Python and web development. After completing LaunchCodes foundational programming course, Mike was hired by a government agency, then attended a 13-week program at LaunchCode on Geospatial DevOps where he learned AWS, PostGIS, Elasticsearch, Docker, and core concepts such as test-driven development and continuous integration and deployment. He told Ryan that when we arrived, he was able to Hit the ground running. Jose had no previous technology experience. He, he was a dance instructor and restaurant worker in his late 20s. His first child was due and was ready for a career change into a higher paying profession, so he could provide a better future. From the first day of class, Jose shined. He was consistently ahead and taught other students in his free-time. Before the class was even over, Jose was hired full-time as a consultant for a major company. Yuan was one of the students in my class. In China, she started a company that introduced foreign English teachers to China. When she came to the United States five years ago, her mother took over her company and still runs it today. Once in the United States, Yuan came to LaunchCode because she was struggling to make the correct career choice, she was very worried about making the wrong decision. Her husband said she will never know what the correct career choice is, she should just make an educated guess and give something a try. She decided to try technology, and LaunchCode provided her the perfect opportunity. She found it very hard at first and wasnt sure if it was the right career choice, but as her technical knowledge and skills increased, she really began to like it. She then heard about the Agile Product Owner class from her LaunchCode mentor. This opportunity allowed her to combine her new-found programming skills with our love of working with people and is now working as an Agile Product Owner at the company that originally sponsored the program. Ben had a background in music and theater. He was a self-taught programmer with no formal programming credentials. Coincidently, a company in one of the cities were LaunchCode had a presence, asked them if they could run a class in mainframe technologies because they were in dire need of z/OS mainframe programmers. Ben was accepted to this company-sponsored curriculum, was hired by the company upon completion, and is now gainfully employed with a very bright future as an IT professional. If I hadnt personally spent a week teaching at LaunchCode and listening to stories just like this, I would have thought that these accounts were just hype or exceptions to the rule. Every student I was instructing had a similar story. In fact, I was talking to one of the students in my class during lunch who first went through their public training program, began working a programmer and was later accepted into the Scrum Master training class to further his career. He told me that he truly believed he was unemployable before beginning his LaunchCode journey. He had graduated college with a general business degree right in the middle of the recession and couldnt find a job. Four years later when the economy improved, he found himself competing with new college graduates with more updated skills. As a 26-year-old intelligent motivated young man, he had felt that professional success was slowly passing him by. Upon the completion of the LaunchCode program, he would be beginning a job as a fully trained Agile Product Owner. Each of my students had their own story, equally as transforming. The numbers speak for themselves I then asked Ryan if he kept any general statistics about their student population and he told me the following: LaunchCode has been responsible for more than 1,400 individuals landing a new career in technology 40% of these individuals identified themselves as people of color 51% of these individuals were unemployed prior to taking LaunchCode training The average graduate more than doubled their previous salary in their new role Ive been writing for CIO.com just over a year. Prior to that, I wrote the Your IT Career column for ITworld for about four years. In all the time I have been writing in this area, Ive never written a column singing the praises of a single organization. In this case, however, I thought it was appropriate to do so. As IT leaders, in the top roles of our profession, we should support these types of organizations. They are good for our nation because they increase the skill set of our country. They are good for our communities, because they add to the economic base of our neighborhoods. They are life events for those who attend this type of life-changing training. Lastly, they are good for us, as CIOs, because they expand the talent pool needed to sustain our ever-growing technical talent requirements. LaunchCode can be reached at info@LaunchCode.org. A. There needs to be a traffic light there instead. B. A roundabout will work just fine in that location. C. Roundabouts are confusing and terrible. It shouldn't happen. D. That intersection is not a priority for change, so just leave it the way it is. Vote View Results U.S. Presidents national security adviser John Bolton asked the Pentagon to provide the White House with military options to strike Iran in September 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported citing current and former U.S. officials. The request, which hasnt been previously reported, came after militants fired three mortars into Baghdads sprawling diplomatic quarter, home to the U.S. Embassy. The shells - launched by a group aligned with Iran - landed in an open lot and harmed no one. "It definitely rattled people. People were shocked. It was mind-boggling how cavalier they were about hitting Iran," a former senior U.S. administration official said of the request. The Pentagon complied with the NSCs request to develop options for striking Iran, the officials said. But it isnt clear if the proposals were provided to the White House, whether President Donald Trump knew of the request or whether serious plans for a U.S. strike against Iran took shape at that time, the newspaper writes. Former U.S. officials said it was unnerving that the NSC asked for far-reaching military options to strike Iran in response to attacks that caused little damage and no injuries, the WSJ reported. Garrett Marquis, an NSC spokesman, said the body "coordinates policy and provides the president with options to anticipate and respond to a variety of threats." "We continue to review the status of our personnel following attempted attacks on our embassy in Baghdad and our Basra consulate, and we will consider a full range of options to preserve their safety and our interests," he added. In talks with other administration officials, Bolton has made it clear he personally supports regime change in Iran, a position he championed before joining Trumps administration, people familiar with the discussions said. Julian Castro, who helped broaden access to pre-kindergarten as mayor of San Antonio, announced last week that hes seeking the Democratic nomination for president. Castro also served as secretary of housing and urban development during the Obama administration. In that role, he teamed up with Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. and Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx to write a Dear Colleague letter encouraging leaders in education, housing and transportation to take action to promote socioeconomic and racial diversity . In San Antonio, Castro paid for his pre-kindergarten program in part through an increase in the citys sales tax, which voters approved in 2012. The initiative included professional development for pre-kindergarten teachers, who got the chance to work with a master teacher, as well as monthly workshops for informal caregivers, including grandparents. In a speech announcing his candidacy, Castro touted that program, and said as president, he would again champion expanding access to early-childhood education. As mayor I challenged voters to raise the sales tax to expand high quality full day pre-k for thousands of San Antonio four-year-olds, Castro said. We called our initiative Pre-K for SA. Today we live in a world in which brain power is the new currency of success. Everybody counts in this country. Here in San Antonio, I made pre-k for S.A.happen. As president, Ill make pre-K for the U.S.A. happen! Castro has sought to frame his support for expanding early-childhood education and college access in economic terms. You cant be pro-business unless youre pro-education, he said in giving the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, his biggest national platform to date . Also joining whats shaping up to be a crowded Democratic field: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii. Shes sponsored legislation to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiian kids and has co-sponsored bills aimed at beefing up school safety and college access. Castro and Gabbard join a crowded field that includes Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Get a breakdown of the education records of likely candidates here . Former San Antonio Mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, front left, waves as he arrives with his family to an event where he announced his decision to seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination on Jan. 12, 2019, in San Antonio. --Eric Gay/AP House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., administers the House oath of office to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, during a ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 3, 2019, during the opening session of the 116th Congress. --Jose Luis Magana/AP Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . U.S. President Donald Trump warned Turkey of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the U.S. troop pullout from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," the U.S. leader tweeted, while pushing for the creation of a 30-kilometer "safe zone." "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone," Trump wrote on his Twitter. Trump did not detail who would create, enforce or pay for the safe zone, or where it would be located, the Telegraph reported. Evan Vucci, STF / Associated Press In just two years, President Donald Trump has now visited Texas nearly twice as much as President Barack Obama did in his entire first term in office. Trumps visit to McAllen last week marked the 7th time the president has come to Texas since he took office. In his first term, Obama visited Texas four times. Obama ended up in Texas a total of 11 times over the eight years of his presidency. The president of Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center and two other top executives are leaving the hospital after federal regulators began investigating a serious mistake that led to a patient death, the latest in a series of care lapses in recent years. Doug Lawson will replace Gay Nord as president, the hospital said in a news release Monday morning. Lawson will continue in his role as CEO of Catholic Health Initiatives Texas Division, which oversees Baylor St. Luke's and 15 other hospitals across the state. Jennifer Nitschmann, the hospital's chief nursing officer, and David Berger, the hospital's senior vice president of operations, also "have left their roles," the hospital announced. The announcement comes after a yearlong investigation by the Houston Chronicle and ProPublica that uncovered serious problems that led to a high rate of patient deaths following heart transplants at St. Luke's. In August, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services terminated federal funding for heart transplants at St. Luke's, citing the hospital's failure to make changes needed to improve outcomes. EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION: HoustonChronicle.com uncovers serious problems at St. Luke's The leadership shakeup follows a new CMS investigation. According to the hospital's announcement, regulators initiated the review following an emergency room death caused by a serious error. The patient died after a blood transfusion, having received the wrong type, the hospital said. Marc Shapiro, chairman the St. Luke's board of directors, said in a statement that the hospital "has faced significant challenges over the last year," and that the board determined "aggressive action" was needed to turn things around. "CMS's review raises concerns that are simply unacceptable to the Board or the hospital's owners, CHI and the Baylor College of Medicine," Shapiro said. Nord became Baylor St. Luke's president in Oct 2016. She succeeded Wayne Keathley, who was named to the role when Baylor and CHI announced their expanded partnership in January 2014. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. A Navasota ISD teacher is accused of having an improper relationship with a student, officials said. Jennifer Drushel worked at Navasota High School and is on administrative leave, according to the school district. Drushel became the target of Navasota ISD and Navasota Police Department investigators after allegations surfaced that she was providing alcohol to minors, according to the district. It is unclear if those minors were students. During that investigation, detectives discovered inappropriate messages between Drushel and a student at Navasota High School, officials said. She's accused of having an improper relationship with that student during at least one off-campus encounter, according to the district. Drushel turned herself into authorities after being charged. "Navasota ISD believes that the safety, care, and well-being of all of our students is our utmost priority and concern," the district said in a statement. "No matter the age of the student, a teacher or staff member, as an adult, is held to a higher standard of accountability by both the law and the Educator Code of Ethics." The results of an internal investigation will be delivered to the Texas Education Agency and State Board for Educator Certification. 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 Police arrested a man who was driving a stolen vehicle during a chase in the Kingwood area early Monday. The man took off around 3 a.m. after he refused to pull over for a traffic stop, said Sgt. Alisa Smith of the Houston Police Department. He was in a newly stolen vehicle. He eventually crashed into a tree on the Interstate 69 feeder road and Kingwood Drive, Smith said. The man bailed on foot, and Humble police found him near the freeway, according to Metro Video. He was arrested and turned over to Houston police. 'Hero of Harvey' Jeff Lindner is in the running to be named outstanding weatherperson of 2018 by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH). The nonprofit is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and man-made disasters. Via a Facebook poll, five finalists were selected out of a field of 70 for their leadership during the 2018 weather and disaster season as well as for their year-round contributions to disaster safety, according to a press release on Friday. Lindner, a meteorologist who has worked at the Harris County Flood Control District since 2003, provided nonstop updates during Hurricane Harvey, garnering widespread media attention. His "steady, straight advice to citizens as the flood waters rose," gave Houston-area residents the knowledge they needed to know whether or not to evacuate. Lindner's reports gave guidance on how to survive what has been described as "biblical flooding," the release says. RELATED: GoFundMe to send Houston meteorologist Jeff Lindner on vacation smashes goal What's more, Lindner was so instrumental in assisting citizens throughout Hurricane Harvey that Mayor Sylvester Turner declared May 2 as "Jeff Lindner Day" in Houston and the public set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to send him on vacation. Lindner, a native Houstonian who graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology, promptly donated the funds to help flood victims. RELATED: Good guy and meteorologist Jeff Lindner makes good on post-Harvey donation promises The four other worthy nominees include executive weather producer at The Weather Channel, Matthew Sitkowski, and chief meteorologist at WGN-TV Chicago, Tom Skilling. Chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 and host of WeatherBrains, a weekly 90-minute netcast that's all about weather, James Spann, and Weatherboy, the cumulative effort of a team of people from Miami to Hawaii who are passionate about connecting people with the world of weather, round out the list. The 2019 winner of FLASH's outstanding weatherperson of the year will be announced on February 1, ahead of National Weatherperson's Day. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Two people are recovering from severe injuries after an "unprovoked" and "hate-filled" attack on a Metro Rail platform, police say. The man and woman were waiting for Metro's red line train at Main Street and Preston Street around 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve, according to court documents. Torrence Donell Brown, 35, who had walked onto the platform before the two, walked up to the man without provocation and started beating him over the head with his fists, court documents allege. The man immediately fell to the ground, where Brown allegedly continued to beat him. JAZMINE BARNES: Lawyers question police tactics in child's shooting case Brown eventually stopped the attack and began to walk away, Metro police said in court documents. That's when the woman rushed to help the ailing man and started yelling at Brown. He allegedly turned around and rushed the woman, pulling out a small silver hammer from his pocket and hitting her over the head twice, police said. Her arms stiffened, and she fell to the ground unconscious, police said. Brown was not on scene when police arrived. It is unclear why Brown allegedly attacked the two. In court documents, Metro Police Department detectives called the attack "hate-filled and unprovoked," because of how violent and apparently random it was. Brown is also accused of attacking another man Jan. 10 on Metro property. He was finally arrested Sunday and charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault for the Dec. 31 and Jan. 10 attacks. He is being held on $200,000 bail amount for each charge, jail records show. 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 Police conducted unlawful jailhouse questioning of one of two men charged in a drive-by shooting that took the life of Jazmine Barnes last month, his defense attorney told the judge presiding over the high-profile homicide. "That is a clear, clear violation of his substantive and due process rights," said defense attorney Alvin Nunnery after the court hearing. "We need to know how involved it is to see if it has tainted anything they have already done or anything they might do going forward." Nunnery represents 20-year-old Eric Black Jr. who is charged along with Larry Woodruffe, 24, with capital murder in the Dec. 30 killing of Barnes. The second-grader was with her mother and sisters on a shopping trip when eight shots were fired into their car, fatally wounding her and injuring her mother. WHAT NEXT? What will happen with the money raised as an award in the Jazmine Barnes case on HoustonChronicle.com The young girl's death garnered nationwide attention not only because of her age, but due to initial concerns that the apparently random shooting may have been racially motivated. Barnes siblings told police they recalled seeing a slender white man in red pickup truck, and a police artist's rendering of the suspect was distributed as sheriff's investigators worked to identify a suspect. Civil rights activists helped raise a $100,000 reward, while Houston Texan's wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins pledged his NFL playoff check to the family to help with expenses. Professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal and a Houston police officer agreed to pay for her funeral. After being forwarded a tip, an investigative team assembled by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez was able to link the two local men to the fatal shooting. In court, Nunnery said three police officers, members of Houston's Gang Violence Task Force, questioned his client on January 10, three days after Black appeared in court and Nunnery was granted a motion to keep law enforcement from talking to his client. State District Judge Nikita Harmon admonished prosecutors to provide Nunnery with the identities of the three officers so the defense attorney can subpoena them for a hearing this week to determine why they allegedly violated the court's order. Once Nunnery has the names and can issue subpoenas, the judge said, she would hold the hearing, which could happen as early as Tuesday. MORNING REPORT: Sign up to get the day's top stories delivered to your email Nunnery also told the judge he does not believe the sheriff's office makes members of law enforcement sign in before interviewing suspects, which would mean there is no record of police talking to suspects in jail without their attorneys. Jason Spencer, a spokesman for the sheriff's office disputed Nunnery's assertion that standard operating procedure allows police to interview suspects without any record. "Our standard protocol is to record the identity of every inmate visitor, including members of law enforcement," he said by email. Whether standard procedure was followed and exactly why the officers were at the jail will likely be addressed in the upcoming hearing. After filing his motions Monday, Nunnery said that under the legal doctrine of "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree" any information gathered in that interview could not be used against Black. He also said it could mean Black's earlier interviews with police could be suppressed at trial. Prosecutors did not answer questions after the hearing. Black and Woodruffe were arrested after a tipster told police they committed the shooting, but that it was a case of "mistaken identity." The men thought they were confronting people whom they had fought with hours earlier, prosecutors have said. Both were arrested and Black allegedly gave an interview with police admitting his part and implicating Woodruffe. Lisa Andrews, the attorney who is defending Woodruffe, called any effort to talk to either man without their attorneys "underhanded." "It's just continuing the theme of whether or not these two can get a fair trial in Harris County," she said. "The more tragic the crime, the more important it is to ensure that people's rights are respected and the law is followed so that they do get a fair trial." If convicted of capital murder, both men could face life in prison without parole. They could also face execution if the Harris County District Attorney's Office seeks the death penalty, a decision typically made months after an investigation is complete. Brian Rogers covers Houston crime and courts. You can email him at brian.rogers@chron.com and follow him on Twitter at @brianjrogers. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev have handed down instructions to provide full assistance to those affected by a household gas explosion in the city of Shakhty, Rostov region, the Kremlin press service said. "The head of state has received a telephone report from Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev about the current situation and the measures being taken at the site," the statement reads. "Putin instructed the regional governor to provide full assistance to those affected," the Kremlin press service said. "The president also instructed Russian Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin to thoroughly investigate the causes of the explosion," the press service added. Medvedev, in turn, held a phone conversation with Russia's Emergency minister Yevgeny Zinichev and the Rosov governor. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urged Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to stand against Iran, the U.S. Department of State said, reporting on their meeting in Doha "The Secretary and the Amir discussed progress on several regional issues, including combatting terror, achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and Syria, and on the Middle East Strategic Alliance. The Secretary emphasized the importance of a united Gulf Cooperation Council in standing against the Iranian regimes destabilizing activity and ensuring the success of the alliance in advancing prosperity, security, and stability in the region," the statement of the Department of State's Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino reads. A Boeing-707 has crashed on the outskirts of Tehran today, the flight engineer who was on board was the only person who survived the crash. The plane was en route from Bishkek to Payam Airport in the town of Karaj, Fars news agency reported. However, the pilots mistakenly started the landing at another airport in Karaj and did not manage to land the aircraft within the runway. The Boeing 707 crashed into a wall at the airport and entered a residential area near the airport. There were a total of 16 people on board the aircraft, according to reports. Russias sovereignty over the Kuril Islands is non-negotiable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following the first round of talks with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono. "We pointed out to our Japanese friends that the sovereignty over the islands was non-negotiable," he said. "This is Russias territory," the top Russian diplomat stressed. Lavrov said that major differences still remained between Moscow and Tokyo as far as the peace treaty issue went. "I will be frank, we do have serious discrepancies. Initially, our positions were poles apart, and we have said it more than once. But the political will of our leaders to normalize relations between Russia and Japan is a stimulus to invigorate this dialogue," TASS cited Lavrov as saying. He stressed that Japan did not make any objections to Russias statement that the results of World War II are not subject to review. "I clarified Russias position on the results of World War II in detail. I pointed out that apart from the Treaty of San Francisco, some other documents and the [Soviet-Japanese] Declaration of 1956, which draws a final line under World War II and should be read in conjunction with the Treaty of San Francisco, there is also an important document such as the United Nations Charter. Its Article 107 recognizes the results of World War II as they were outlined by the allies. We reiterated it to our Japanese colleagues and heard no objections," the Russian Foreign Minister added. The minister noted that following the talks, Russia and Japan have agreed to look at new projects of joint economic activities on the Kuril Islands. "We have agreed that our corresponding ministries will work out more daring projects to see visible results of our joint economic activities," Lavrov added. Italy's Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi described the EU anti-Russian sanctions as transitional measure, which shouldn't become a permanent punitive instrument. "Our Constitution imposes an obligation to act in accordance with international law," he recalled in an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper. Therefore, "the sanctions adopted by the EU and NATO, some of which we keep in force," were supported, the Italian Foreign Minister noted. "But we emphasize the need to maintain a constructive dialogue (with Russia)," TASS cited him as saying. We believe that the sanctions "cannot become a permanent punitive instrument," the minister said. The senior research fellow at the European Research Centre of the International Relations Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Olenchenko, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that despite constant statements against anti-Russian sanctions, Italy does not intend to do anything to lift them. "I think this statement should be regarded as another confirmation of Romes position: we do not agree with the sanctions, but we will not violate the bloc discipline," he said. Vladimir Olenchenko stressed that in order to move from words to action, Europe needs political will. "The EU decision-making mechanism is built on consensus, and it would be enough for one country to raise a hand or show somehow that it does not agree, and the decision will not be made. As a rule, when the sanctions are renewed, we hear a lot that they should be abolished, but no country votes against the extension of sanctions in the end. This indicates a lack of political will and a lack of political independence," the senior research fellow at the European Research Centre of the International Relations Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences drew attention. Director of the Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, Professor Alexander Gusev, agreed that, despite all the statements of European countries, they still remain under the strong influence of the United States' political will. "Europe, unfortunately, is not an independent player. European leaders are largely affiliated with the United States, primarily with American business. Therefore, the Italian Foreign Minister's statements should be viewed as a kind of PR of the Italian government, which, alas, means absolutely nothing," he said. "We constantly hear Angela Merkel saying that Russia is a strategic partner of Germany, that they are building Nord Stream 2 and that they need to look towards Russia - but in a day she takes the opposite decision. Sanctions will not be lifted soon, not even in 5-10 years, they have already become the norm in relation to our country. The whole situation around Crimea, the Donbass and Ukraine is perceived from a completely different angle in Europe and the U.S., which is why many Europeans believe that Russia is an aggressor country planning to attack the Baltic countries, which means that it is necessary to strengthen NATO's positions in Europe. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about any positive development so far," Alexander Gusev concluded. Three employees of the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem were injured yesterday, after they opening a tear gas grenade, thinking it was a dummy, Jerusalem police reported. Following this event, the Foreign Ministry personnel were asked to close the air vents to prevent further spreading of the gas, The Jerusalem Post reported. The police are working at the scene to investigate the causes of the incident. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Iraqi counterpart Mohammad Ali al-Hakim discussed the restoration of Syria's suspended membership of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL). "We discussed solutions to eliminate terrorism in Syria and support the Syrian government, its territorial integrity and sovereignty. We also discussed supporting Iraq's efforts to restore Syria's (membership) to the AL," al-Hakim said at a joint press conference with Zarif, who is on an official visit to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders to discuss means to enhance bilateral cooperation. Al-Hakim also expressed Iraq's determination to upgrade "these relations and strengthen ties between the two countries on all levels to serve the two neighboring peoples," SANA reported. Zarif affirmed that Iran stands by Iraq in its war against terrorism and pledged to provide support to the reconstruction of the country. Syria's membership of the AL was suspended in 2011. This month isnt just the start of a new year, its also a significant time for groups that fight human trafficking: January is national slavery and human trafficking prevention month. Redeemed Ministries is a Spring-based nonprofit that cares for sex trafficking survivors. In addition to awareness and advocacy work, the group operates an eight-bed house in the Houston area that is dedicated to the long-term recovery of human trafficking victims. While the group is a faith-based organization, the women who enroll in the program do not need to conform to any core beliefs to participate in the residency program. Dennis Mark, the organizations executive director, said that although their program is available to trafficking victims across the country, it doesnt mean human trafficking isnt an issue in this area. Its surprising to people to know how prevalent it is, Mark said. For example, a sting operation in The Woodlands-area last October that was conducted by Montgomery County law enforcement groups, as well as state and federal agencies, resulted 75 human trafficking and prostitution arrests. As previously reported, the arrests were comprised of johns, or individuals soliciting prostitution; pimps, or individuals marketing prostitution and prostitutes themselves. In addition to those arrests, the operation allowed law enforcement to rescue five trafficked individuals. Human trafficking is not a new issue, either: Mark said the first victim he helped rescue years ago was domestically enslaved in The Woodlands Alden Bridge neighborhood. She was 26 and had been a labor slave for 14 years there. She was a domestic nanny and housekeeper, but they had basically made her into a slave, Mark said of the first woman they worked with. While it may have been a grim situation at first, Mark said the woman is a success story now she has since become a U.S. citizen and graduated from nursing school. Want to learn more? Check out the Redeemed Ministries Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RedeemedMinistries05/. What is human trafficking? U.S. law defines it as the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor or services against his or her will. However, inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered human trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud or coercion. Trafficking can be either sex trafficking, such as escort services, outdoor solicitation or illicit massage businesses, or it can be labor trafficking, such as forced domestic or agriculture work. Source: Polaris Project See More Collapse For the 13 years, Mark has been involved in this work, and he said the organization has learned how trauma affects a persons brain, and theyve used that knowledge to work with women who have been trafficked. The brain is physically broken, and that plays into the healing process. That makes it difficult for a woman to leave this environment, Mark said. Thats why, Mark said, it has been tough to keep women from going back to the trafficking situation they were trapped in. Since Redeemed opened their survivor care house in 2010, Mark said theyve worked with 60 women in the residential program, however only 14 of them have graduated from the minimum one-year program. That doesnt sound so good, but neurologically speaking, thats what we expect. Some women, depending on their level of trauma, are not ready (to leave a trafficking situation)because they cant reasonably make decisions, Mark said. Theyre responding by impulse. The importance of partnerships Outside of their programs, Redeemed also works with law enforcement agencies and officials in both Harris and Montgomery counties to target the problem. Tyler Dunman, the special crimes bureau chief at the Montgomery County District Attorneys office, said prosecuting human trafficking violations requires partnerships like those fostered by Redeemed and other organizations. Because of the trauma inflicted on the victims is so severe, they couldnt make it through the process without the counseling that ministries like Redeemed provide, Dunman said. Dunman said that in this area, law enforcement officials see both the domestic and international side of human trafficking. Domestically, individuals are often being trafficked by people they know or who theyve built a relationship with. There are also women who are not U.S. citizens being brought to the country and forced to engage in sex acts for money in illicit massage parlors and other locations, he added. Another partnership, formed in 2015, is the Montgomery County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which is composed of law enforcement entities, nonprofit organizations, churches and a social service agencies. The coalition meets several times a year for presentations and round tables. Along with Redeemed, the Junior League of The Woodlands New Beginnings committee, which was created in 2012 to fight human trafficking in the area, is part of the coalition. Tiffany Wrkich, the Junior League of The Woodlands New Beginnings committee chair, said the women who volunteer felt a passion to address the issue because it is unfathomable that it happens in the community. The committee is partnering with Redeemed to begin working with the adult population of trafficking victims. Last Saturday, Wrkich and the women met with Mark for a training day. Were excited to be able to serve in Montgomery County, and were excited that (Mark and Redeemed Ministries) is serving the population in The Woodlands, Wrkich said. Wrkich said they plan to start supper clubs with the recovering women to meet with them, get to know them and understand what they need. Healthy relationships bring success. We can offer networking and mentorship opportunities by sending small groups of members to visit with the women of Redeemed, to understand their challenges and how we can help, Wrkich said. Mark said that engagements like this show that there are solutions to this issue. Everyone has a role they can play, he said. jane.stueckemann@chron.com Courtesy photo The Fort Bend Junior Service League is currently accepting applications from charitable organizations interested in benefiting from an FBJSL event to be held in the 2019-20 League year. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must have 501(c)(3) status, serve the Fort Bend community, and fit within the Leagues mission, goals, and one or more position statements. FBJSL considers the specific needs of each qualified applicant and selects beneficiaries that it believes will thrive due to FBJSL support. A Pasadena City Council incumbent has announced that he will seek re-election as candidate filing is set to begin for the citys May election in which all eight council positions will on the ballot. Thomas Schoenbein of District H has confirmed he will seek a second two-year term, during which he said he would work to create a true communications system between the administration and City Council. Schoenbein said that his actions during his term have included opposing a property tax increase after Hurricane Harvey and supporting projects for roads and a new fire station and municipal court building. He also supported the citys lawsuit seeking demolition of the Pasadena State Bank Building, which municipal officials say has a code violations spanning more than a decade. Candidate filing begins Jan. 16 and ends Feb. 16. All seats are for districts, the result of a federal judges ruling two years ago that the city of Pasadena had to abandon an election system that features a mix of at-large and single-member district positions. In her January 2017 ruling, Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal ordered the city to revert to a 2013 election map using eight single-member districts, saying that the city had intentionally violated the rights of Hispanic voters through the system featuring both at large and district positions. Mayor Jeff Wagner, elected in 2017 after Johnny Isbell reached term limits in that post, has two years left in a four-year term. Soem of the other council seats up for election include: District A, held by Felipe Villareal, who is in his first term; District B, held by Bruce Leamon in his third term on council; and District C, held by Don Harrison, who has served multiple terms over the years. Other districts are District D, held by Sammy Casados, who is in his second term on the council; District E, held by Cody Ray Wheeler, now in his third term; District F, held by Phil Cayten, who has served multiple terms on the council, and District G, held by Cary Bass, who is in his third term. Candidates filing for city council should be a resident and eligible voter in Texas and Pasadena and must live in the district in which they are seeking election for at least 12 months before the election. An application to file as a candidate is available at https://bit.ly/2RuRJYs. Foreign policy spokesman for Angela Merkels conservatives in German Parliament, Juergen Hardt, said U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell's warning is a direct threat and an unacceptable one-sided tightening of the tone in the transatlantic relationship. Earlier, Grenell issued a warning to German companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, telling them they could face sanctions if they take part in the project. "That the U.S. ambassador is now turning to German companies with direct threats is a new and unacceptable one-sided tightening of the tone in the transatlantic relationship," he said. "If the U.S. president thinks he has to publicly show he is getting tough on Russia in view of the many question marks regarding his relationship with Moscow, he should not thereby impair the relationship with his most important ally," Reuters cited Hardt as saying. The pistol-toting driver of a 1971 Lincoln Continental who allegedly chased after and fired at a car full of teens during their New Years Day egging spree has been charged in connection with the fatal wreck that followed the prank-gone-wrong. A grand jury gathered Monday morning to indict Christopher Lopez, 48, on felony charges of manslaughter, failure to stop and render aid and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, officials said. Lopez, who runs a business for promoting customized cars known in Houston as slabs, was given the opportunity to testify but he declined, said Sean Teare, head of the Vehicular Crimes Division of the Harris County District Attorneys Office. Lopez, who does not have a criminal record in Texas, surrendered to police at the Harris County Jail around 9 p.m., according to news reports. He faces 20 years of prison time if convicted on any of the charges. Deadly joyride The Jan. 1 joyride turned deadly as the 14-year-old driver and his egg-throwing pals took aim at Lopezs vintage ride which was equipped with four metal rims from their GMC Acadia near the intersection of Russ Road and Aldine Mail Route Road. Lopez is accused of returning fire with a semi-automatic weapon, Teare said. The teens and their vehicle were not struck by the gunfire. MORNING REPORT: Get the top news headlines of the day emailed directly to you Investigators were unable to determine if one of the eggs struck Lopez's vehicle. "We don't know what set him off to this point," Teare said. Regardless, Lopez chased after the teens and followed them to Aldine Westfield Road. The young motorist ran a red flight in an apparent attempt to escape Lopez's alleged rampage and rammed a Ford F-150 whose driver, 45-year-old Silvia Zavala, was caught in their path. Zavala's truck vanished in a cloud of debris at impact, according to surveillance footage from a nearby business. A four-second clip of the crash shows a vehicle Teare identified as Lopez's Lincoln Continental swerving around the wreckage and speeding off. He then "took some evasive maneuvers to run a red light," Teare said. The Harris County Sheriff's Office shared a description of the vehicle after the crash, which garnered national attention, and said deputies wanted to talk to the driver. As a consequence, several witnesses came forward to say they saw Lopez leave the crash site, the prosecutor said. Zavala died at the scene. The collision drew throngs of people to the intersection with some onlookers climbing onto the beds of pickup trucks to see her body among the mangled wreckage. Indicted driver is slab promoter The Lincoln Continental involved in the deadly crash is the same one used by Lopez to promote his business, which was identified in county records as Lonestar Slab. A slab is a custom car unique to Houston where owners outfit tires with cone-shaped metal rims that protrude from the brightly-colored vehicles. OUT OF CONTROL: 640 people die every year on Houston's roads. The HoustonChronicle.com investigates why. The yellow Lincoln with a black top has the same license plate as the vehicle driven by Lopez during the crash, Teare said. The polished car was pictured on an Instagram and Facebook page associated with Lopez's business, which is often used to share photos of the tricked-out rides from car shows and block parties. The Instagram page was set to private soon after the indictment. A neighbor said she has seen the vehicle at Lopez's Mount Houston home. Lopez could not be reached at his home. A woman who answered a phone number associated with him on Jan. 7 said "we have a lawyer" and hung up. Lopez's attorney, David Cunningham, could not be reached for comment. 'Everybody else played a role' The teenager driving the GMC Acadia was charged with murder after suffering a broken ankle during the crash. He has since been booked into the county's juvenile detention. Details of his criminal proceedings were not made public because he is a minor. Teare acknowledged that the revelation that road rage may have set into motion the chase and the crash that killed Zavala could have the potential to change how the young driver's actions are interpreted. But ultimately, both drivers had an alleged role in the fatal crash. "At the end of day, the only person with no culpabilities, who was doing everything right, is the dead woman," Teare said. "Everybody else played a role in either starting this or escalating it to the point that we now have a tragic loss of life." Zavala was visiting her family in Houston from McAllen in the Rio Grande Valley for the New Year holiday. Her eldest child, Luis Gaspar, expressed caution about who is to blame even as the indictment surfaced with the allegation that Lopez whipped out the handgun while chasing the teens. "Nobody should be chasing people on the road because it's very dangerous and people can get hurt," Gaspar said. "To me, what matters is that justice is made for my mother's death, either with both or one of them, but I feel that the one with the most direct responsibility for killing my mother is the teen who hit my mother's car." nicole.hensley@chron.com olivia.tallet@chron.com samantha.ketterer@chron.com Early voting begins Monday in the special election for Texas 145th House District and will continue through Jan. 25 at five Harris County polling sites, leading up to Election Day on Jan. 29. Eight candidates are running for the seat, and they have had little time to campaign: Early voting comes roughly three weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott scheduled the election, the same day the seats previous occupant, state Sen. Carol Alvarado, was sworn into the upper chamber. Alvarado, D-Houston, won a special election in December to represent Texas 6th Senate District. The election for Alvarados former seat marks the first administered by Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman, a Democrat who defeated incumbent Republican Stan Stanart in November. Voters may already notice a change from Stanarts tenure: Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. each day through Saturday, far longer hours than Stanart typically would set. On Sunday, polls will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Trautmans office will not operate polling sites on Jan. 21, the holiday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Polls are scheduled to reopen Jan. 22 through Jan. 25, also from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The five early voting locations, all in Houston, are: The conference center of the Harris County Law Library, 1019 Congress Ave. Moody Park Community Center, 3725 Fulton St. Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 4410 Navigation Blvd. Houston Community Colleges Southeast College parking garage, 6960 Rustic St. Harris County Scarsdale annex, 10851 Scarsdale Blvd. The field consists of Republican Martha Fierro, the third-place finisher in last months race for the overlapping Senate District 6, along with six Democrats: Elias De La Garza, Oscar Del Toro, Ruben Gonsalez, Christina Morales, Alfred Moreno and Melissa Noriega. Libertarian Clayton Hunt is also running. Only residents of House District 145 may cast ballots in the special election. The district covers part of the Heights and downtown, running southeast through South Houston to Beltway 8. As voters head to the polls, Texas lawmakers are in Austin for the Legislatures 86th regular session, which convened Tuesday. Alvarados former seat could remain vacant well into February if nobody receives more than 50 percent of the vote, in which case Abbott would schedule a runoff between the two candidates who receive the most votes. Meanwhile, two other seats previously held by Democratic lawmakers remain open in the lower chamber. Early voting also begins Monday in the election for the 79th House District in El Paso, left open when former state Rep. Joe Pickett resigned to deal with health problems. Monday is the filing deadline for the special election in San Antonios House District 125, previously held by San Antonio Democrat Justin Rodriguez. He resigned after he was appointed as a Bexar County commissioner. Either dozens of Texans watched too many sci-fi movies last year, or they legitimately spotted multiple unidentified flying objects across Texas skies in 2018. More than 70 UFOs were reported to the National UFO Reporting Center in Texas last year, even as UFO sightings have been declining worldwide since 2014. The Guardian reported in September that overall interest in UFOs seems to be declining with the number of sightings. Experts say that technology and more government disclosure has contributed to the decrease. RELATED: UFO sighting in Texas? Keller resident records 'cigar-shaped' object in the sky In Texas, the 77 UFO sightings in 2018 was a steep drop from the 120 reported to the UFO reporting center the previous year. Among the 77 in 2018, seven were reported in Houston. Despite the drop-off, the witness accounts suggest many Texans still want to believe alien lifeforms visit the planet. "I was standing outside with my sister-in-law walking my dog when I noticed the strangest star in the sky," one witness said in an October 2018 report out of Beaumont. "It seemed to slightly morph shapes and it was slowly dimming or moving away from earth." The National UFO Reporting Center stands with the Mutual UFO Network as the largest online site for reporting identified flying objects, the Guardian reported. Both sites documented declines in worldwide sightings in 2018. In Texas, some witness accounts are more dubious than others, such as "UFOs that mimic planes," as one Houston resident reported in August. However, a handful of UFO reports in the Lone Star State deserve a closer look. Those reports include a "black isosceles triangle with six large, faded lights around the inside of its outline" in Houston in September. The previous month, a Spring resident spotted a "cigar-shaped" object in the sky, matching a similar report made in Keller in 2018. Click through the slideshow above to see faint images of what witnesses believed to be aliens in Texas last year. You can view all the sightings made to the UFO reporting center on its website. 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 NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. The East Texas man convicted of killing a 13-month-old in a brutally botched exorcism was granted a last-minute stay Monday over concerns about the bite mark evidence used to convict him and the possibility that he might be too intellectually disabled to execute. Blaine Milam, who was scheduled to die Tuesday, would have been the Lone Star State's first execution of 2019. "We are grateful that the Court of Criminal Appeals stayed Mr. Milam's execution today so he may prove that his conviction is invalid," said defense attorney Jennae Swiergula, adding that the conviction rested on "junk science." The 29-year-old was sent to death row for the slaying of Amora Bain Carson, whose body was found in Milam's Rusk County trailer, covered in bites and bruises. The little girl's death sparked so much publicity that the trial was moved more than two hours away, after intense media coverage of the sordid allegations including everything from drugs to demonic possession. Initially, Milam told investigators he had no idea what had happened, and that he and his girlfriend had just returned home to find the child dead, according to court records. But in the end, he was sentenced to death and the child's mother - Jessica Carson - was given a life without parole sentence. LISTEN: The first night in prison is not how you imagine It all started in late 2008, when the couple started taking interest in a Ouija board. The young mother, who records show may have been suffering from postpartum psychosis, thought Milam was possessed by the devil. Then, the couple decided that baby Amora was possessed instead. In the early hours of Dec. 2, according to court records, they beat the child with a hammer, bit her and sexually assaulted her in an attempt to cast out the demon. But that didn't seem to work, so the pair went to a pawn shop in the hope of raising funds to hire a priest. While they were gone, the girl died - so just before 11 a.m., Milam called 911. "My daughter, I just found her dead," he said at the time. But Carson later admitted to the Texas Rangers that her daughter had died during the ill-fated exorcism. And, while he was in jail, Milam called for a sergeant so he could confess as well. "I did it," he told a jail nurse, according to court records. "But Ms. Shirley, the Blaine you know did not do this." During his trial, Milam's defense lawyers argued that it was not Milam but Carson who, in the throes of major delusions, slaughtered her child. Milam was found guilty under the law of parties even though, according to Swiergula, prosecutors had "no meaningful evidence" about who actually caused the girl's death. BREAKING NEWS: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text In earlier appeals, the East Texas man focused his efforts on claims of bad lawyering. In the filings entered earlier this month in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Milam alleged that the state withheld exculpatory evidence at trial, that he was denied the right to present a defense, that he was intellectually disabled under the current definition and that the bite mark evidence underlying his conviction isn't reliable science. It was those last two concerns that won him the stay in a three-page opinion. In both instances, the court noted, the law has evolved since Milam's trial. Two years ago, the Supreme Court ordered Texas to retool how it determines intellectual disability, saying the non-scientific method of evaluating intelligence that the state was then using was so out-dated that Texas would run the risk of executing an intellectually disabled person - something the high court has long held is unconstitutional. Then, last month, the Court of Criminal Appeals declared wrongfully convicted Steven Chaney actually innocent of the Dallas County double murder that he kept him behind bars for more than three decades. In that case, the court found that the conviction had relied heavily on testimony regarding bite mark science no longer considered reliable. The stay doesn't mean Milam will necessarily come off death row or be released from prison - just that his case will be sent back to a lower court for further examination. "Upon further review, Applicant may ultimately lose his battle to avoid the death penalty given to him," Judge Bert Richardson wrote in a concurring opinion. "But, based upon two claims he has raised in his subsequent writ application, he is at least entitled to a stay." Three members of the court - Judges Kevin Yeary, Sharon Keller and the newly elected Michelle Slaughter - dissented. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Investigators found the Boeing 707 military cargo plane's black box, which will provide more details about the crash in Iran, deputy Alborz governor Azizollah Shahbazi said. Earlier it was reported that a military cargo plane overshot a runway, crashed and caught fire during a botched landing near the Iranian capital Tehran, killing 13 people. The Fars news agency earlier said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived. Categories Categories Select Category #abarare ABA Events ABA News Action Adventure Alaska AOU Apps Art Asides Attu BEX Big Year Bird Feeding Bird ID Bird of the Year Birders Guide Birdsong Blog Bites Blog Review BookReviews Building Birding Skills Commentary Conservation eBird Equipment Review Featured Gallery Festivals Field Identification Fun Gardening Gear Happening NOW HowToKnowTheBirds Human Dimensions of Birding Humor Listing Members Only Content North American Birds Obscure Hotspots Open Mic Outdoor Tips Photography podcast Point/Counterpoint Presidents Corner Publications RBA Science Science Art Social Media Sponsored Technology Top 10 Travel Young Birders Archives Archives Select Month January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 Blog Birding #393 A year and half later, Puerto Rico is still dealing with the after-effects of 2017s Hurricane Maria. At 10,000 Birds, Jason Crotty explains what the last two years of CBCs say about how the birds are recovering. Immediately after hurricanes, surviving birds appear to wander in an effort to find any remaining food supplies and habitat. Birds that rely on a closed canopy, mature trees, or nectar, fruits, or seeds may be particularly out of luck. For example, hummingbirds must find patches where there are still flowers. Species with small ranges (e.g., single island endemics) or tiny populations (e.g., endangered species) are especially vulnerable. At Feathered Photography, Ron Dudley has an opportunity to look at the bizarre feet of Ruffed Grouse. Notice all the narrow pectinations (meaning comb-like) growing laterally from the scales on the toes. Those pectinations are actually extensions of foot scales so theyre not feathers. Ruffed Grouse are non-migratory and typically prefer higher-elevation forests in the lower 48 states (or boreal forests further north) so they spend a lot of time in deep snow. The pectinations act to significantly increase the surface area of the feet so they function like showshoes. Interestingly, the pectinations of Ruffed Grouse in northern areas where theres typically more snow are twice as long as those in more southerly regions. At Birdwatching Daily, Steve Hampton tells the story of his journey to ABA 700. But 700 is the standard lifetime goal. When I was a kid, very few had achieved it. Now, thanks to the widespread popularity of birding, cheap air travel, and Internet rare-bird alerts, the ABA reports 410 people in the 700 club, and there may be thousands more. Amazingly, 56 people are over 800, and three have seen more than 900. In first place is Macklin Smith, an English professor at the University of Michigan, with 928. If youre thinking that he must be one frenetic individual, I can assure you he is one of the nicest people Ive ever met. Josh Vandermuelen of Ontario Birds and Herps sings the praises of winter birding in southern Ontario. At that time the landfill was letting birders in to look at the gulls, so we signed in at the scale house and proceeded to find the massive gull flock near the active dumping location. We ran into Nathan Miller and enjoyed scoping out the gulls with him. In short order, we had studied a variety of species: Herring, Ring-billed, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed (at least 2), and multiple Glaucous Gulls and Iceland Gulls, including a Thayers Gull. One of the two Slaty-backed Gulls was present and easy to pick out, partly due to its super broad white tertial crescent (the white feathers between the dark grey mantle, and the black and white wingtips when at rest). A number of lawsuits moving their way through courts in the western US look to challenge the arrangement between NWRs and the farmers and ranchers who use them. More from Karina Brown at Courtroom News Services. Much of what was once a vast swath of natural wetlands in the 200,000 acres that make up the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex was drained and diverted for agricultural use in the early 1900s. In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt designated five wildlife refuges in the basin, to preserve bird populations decimated by suddenly shrinking habitat, hunting and the countrys enormous appetite for feathers to decorate hats. A routine monthly meeting for the Conroe Independent School district board of trustees may put several new developments in motion for the district. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Conroe ISD Administration Building in Conroe. Perhaps the most notable agenda item is the boards consideration of ordering a potential $827.5 million bond referendum election for May 4. In association with that item, the board may approve an election services agreement and a joint election agreement with Montgomery County. The districts tax rate is currently $1.28 per $100 valuation. According to information from a board workshop last week, if the bond election is called and passed, it could result in an overall tax increase of 3 cents to reach a tax rate of $1.31 per $100 valuation. This would look like an additional penny per $100 of value per year over three years. Accounting for a $25,000 homestead exemption on the average $300,000 home in district, the full 3 cent increase would result in an added $82.50 to the household tax bill. That would put the tax requirement for the average district home at $3,602.50. In terms of administration, trustees are expected consider approval of the 2019-20 school calendar as well as attendance zone recommendations regarding the opening of Suchma Elementary School. On the consent agenda, trustees are to consider approval of the human resources report, acceptance of the Network Operation Center construction project and adoption of an agreement for child nutrition products and services with New Caney Independent School District. Theyll also consider approval of the districts 2017-18 comprehensive annual financial report in addition to receiving a capital improvements update. jane.stueckemann@chron.com The Conroe City Council approved a $185,000 contract with Martinez Architects last week for the design of the citys new fleet facility on Ed Holcomb Boulevard. Martinez Architects was one of eight firms that responded to the citys request for qualifications for the project. According to Fleet Manager Erik Metzger, the Fleet Facility Committee selected Martinez Architects based on references and the firms recent work on other similar facilities. The $2.9 million fleet services facility is a Fiscal Year 2018-19 Capital Improvement Project for the city. The new facility, according to information from the city, will span about 26,000 square feet and will help improve efficiency by providing the space needed for day to day operations. The facility will also accommodate the growth of the department. The project is expected to be complete by September. In other business, the council approved a $304,134 contract with Houston-based Texas Wall and Landscape for turf management for various city owned locations. According to Parks and Recreation Director Mike Riggens, city staff decided not to continue with the citys current vendor due to several performance issues and decided to put the services out to bid. Riggens said the city received bids from 10 companies, including the current contractor with was the low bid. However, city policy allows the staff to consider the best value bid and selected Texas wall and Landscape. Several council members inquired about using a Montgomery County-based company. Councilman Jody Czajkoski asked if the staff to negotiate with the local firms. However, Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Steve Williams said negotiation of cost is prohibited in a competitive sealed process. The contract will begin Feb. 1 for a year with the option for three one year renewals. cdominguez@hcnonline.com The grand-opening ceremony of Fort Bend County Libraries Mission Bend Branch Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Road, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9, beginning at 10 a.m. The grand opening will be officiated by Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage, who will be joined by other county and local officials. All area residents are invited to come out and participate. The library is located in Precinct 2 near the intersection of Wildwood Lake Road in Southwest Houston. The new library, designed by AUTOARCH Architects LLC of Houston, is a one-story rectangular structure of 23,779 square feet, making it the fifth largest library in the system, which now includes 11 libraries and management of the Law Library. The building is designed to blend the best of traditional library services with a range of electronic resources. The library is equipped with the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, including WiFi, 3D printing, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) capabilities. The library will also have self-check machines so that library patrons can check out their own materials, facilitating quick and efficient library service. The library includes community meeting rooms, study rooms, a puppet theater, and a computer lab for technology classes and general public use. Additional computers will be available for public use outside of the computer lab. The library will offer introductory computer classes for adults. Patrons may learn computer basics such as how to use a computer, how to search the Internet, how to use Microsoft Office programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and how to find or create designs for the 3D printer. A special feature in the lobby of the library will be unveiled on opening day. More Information Children's Programs Fort Bend County Libraries' new Mission Bend Branch Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Road in Southwest Houston, will present a variety of free children's programs - Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, and Story Time -- every month. These programs are free and open to the public. The activities will begin the week of Feb. 11. Mother Goose Time: Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. - provides caregiver/infant multisensory circle-time activities -- including simple sign language, folksongs and lullabies, and finger plays -- that are especially designed to stimulate babies' social, emotional, and physical development through rhythm and music. Mother Goose Time is intended for infants from age 1 month to 12 months. Mother Goose Time will take place onFeb. 14, 21, and 28. Toddler Time: Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. - offers caregiver/child activities, stories and songs for older babies, from 1 to 3 years of age. Toddler Time will take place on Feb. 13, 20 and 27. Story Time: Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. - provides stories, movies, and age-appropriate craft activities for pre-school children, from 3 to 6 years of age. Story Time will take place on Feb. 12, 19 and 26. Call 281-633-4734 for information. See More Collapse Beginning the week of Feb. 11, the Youth Services department will have a variety of weekly childrens programs, including Mother Goose Time for infants, Toddler Time for babies from 12 to 36 months of age, and Story Time for 3 to 6-year-old children. A variety of books for children and adults are available for recreational reading and research. Magazines, newspapers and audiovisual materials are also available. The library offers ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music that can be downloaded from home, as well as an assortment of databases that patrons may access in the library or from home. Part of our library mission is to provide an environment of lifelong learning and enrichment for the entire, diverse community, and the new Mission Bend Branch Library reinforces our commitment to providing a continuum of service for people of all ages, said Library Director Clara Russell. We hope the residents in the area will find the new library a pleasant and enjoyable place where they can study, improve their job skills, or just relax with a good book. The hours of operation for the new Mission Bend Branch Library will be: Mondays, noon - 9 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Fridays, noon - 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The library will be closed on Sundays. For more information, call the library systems Communications Office at 281-633-4734. A police officer, a local radio personality and a roofing company recently played roles in helping an elderly Deer Park widow who had been cheated out of thousands of dollars through a repair scam. After Janet Sprague, 83, called Deer Park Police detective Mason Moore in October to report that she had been among the victims of convicted fraudster Aaron Oaks and had lost more than $4,000 on a roofing job that never happened, Moore felt compelled to see what he could do. I felt bad for her, said Moore, who had investigated Oaks scams. She was very nice and felt like she didnt have any other recourse; so I started calling around to see if anyone knew of a reputable roofer. Sprague, who had been beset by family challenges including a daughter whose home had flooded, recalled that she had been relying on prayer since losing the money in early 2017. There wasnt really anything else I could do; so I just prayed, Sprague said. I thought, Well, (Oaks) just took advantage of this old lady. I knew I would just have to save and hope my roof stayed together until I was able to get the money together to repair it. Moore said he contacted the Harris County district attorneys office, which didnt want to accept additional charges against Oaks, who had been sentenced to five years in prison after scamming Houston-area residents out of more than $30,000 following Hurricane Harvey. In his quest to help Sprague, Moore was eventually referred to Bryan Meyer, majority owner of Strata Roofing and Construction LLC, who had done work for radio talk show host Michael Berry. I guess through (Moores) requests, Michael got involved, said Meyer. So, he got in contact with me, told me a little bit about the story and then connected me to detective Moore. I talked it over with the people that I worked with and it was a unanimous decision. Meyer met with Sprague about the needed repairs. She just wanted a price she wasnt asking for anything for free, Meyer said. I mean to have something so terrible done to her and then to react with the grace she was reacting with, shes an incredible lady. Meyer pitched an idea to her. I said, Ill tell you what. Well consider the payment (lost in the scam) as a payment made to us, and we can take whatever is left from the insurance to get the roof on for you, Meyer said. I dont want it to come across at all as though we arent going to receive payment (from the insurance company) on this. Well take a loss, but the insurance did pay out a little more. We just didnt want (Sprague) to have to come out of her own pocket on something that wasnt her fault. She was in a tough spot. Moore said that Strata was able to replace Spragues entire roof, including the decking, with a warranty. Meyer credited Moore for being the catalyst for getting help for Sprague. Detective Moore coordinated this, he said. He really went above and beyond and so did the people that I work with. We all just knew we needed to help her as much as we could, Meyer said. Said Moore, This is what were supposed to do as police officers. Help the community. Help our residents and serve them the best as we can. I couldnt help her any other way; so this is the option I had. Im just glad it worked out. Sprague said the 2017 scam occurred after she contacted Oaks through a phone number on a roof-repair flyer left on her door. Initially he seemed fine, she said. Aaron notified me that he would like to do the work, but he needed some upfront money. So, I got in contact with my insurance company and gave him the money with the funds provided, which was (more than) $4,000. Thats the last I ever saw of him, she said. He never finished anything. He never answered his phone nothing. He was just gone. At the same time, a slew of personal difficulties and situations arose for Sprague. Those, along with financial restrictions, kept the octogenarian from pursuing action against Oaks. I had a granddaughter who just had a baby, and they were with me, she said. Then my other daughter flooded in August and she moved in with me. Plus I didnt have the money to go after him it was impossible at the time. I couldnt even think about it with all of the other things I had going on. Then Sprague saw a Houston Chronicle story in October about Oaks sentence. He pleaded guilty to aggravated theft, had to pay back a third of the stolen money and is required to pay restitution back to three families one in Brazoria County, one in Harris County and one in Galveston County before he can be paroled. News of that sentence led Sprague to contact Moore. Sprague says she is appreciative of those who have helped her. Theyll never realize probably what a godsend they were to me, she said. I think what these fine young fellas did for this old lady is something everyone should know about. This is over and beyond what anyone was required to do, and I am very thankful for them. As the date approaches for candidates to begin filing for the city of Dickinsons May election, an incumbent has announced that hell vie for another term with the aim of continuing his focus on needs related to streets and drainage. Weve been working on both streets and drainage, not only in the time Ive been in office, but before that as well, and those are both issues that are vital to the city of Dickinson and must be pursued, said at-large Position 2 incumbent Bruce Henderson, who will seek a third term. He is highlighting a city de-snagging project just underway on Dickinson Bayou to reduce potential for flooding. Other council positions open for election are Position 4 held by two-term incumbent Wally Deats and Position 6 held by four-term incumbent William King. Council positions are are unpaid and for three-year terms. Candidate filing for one of the three at-large positions open for election may pick up information packets and file between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15. They have to be a qualified voter, a resident of the city, they have to be at least 21 years old and they have to have been a resident here for at least six months, City Secretary Alun Thomas said. Thomas also said that potential candidates cant be in debt to the city unless there is current litigation pending. For example, they cant owe us back taxes and be ignoring our requests, he said. If theyre fighting us in court and the issue is being addressed, its OK. Henderson, 48, said that while he has been in office, especially following Hurricane Harvey, the city has taken a long look at correcting drainage issues, including how to improve the public works department. Our public works program was undersized, underutilized and underfunded, he said. So, we have made dramatic changes to public works within the past year that will hopefully have long-reaching positive effects for the future of Dickinson. Henderson said he supported the councils decision to boost the budget, amount of equipment and personnel in public works, in addition to hiring an engineer to lead the department. Public works was also separated into two divisions streets and drainage. The separation, he said, allows for better communication within the department, better accountability and more accurate reporting for projects. Henderson said the council approved a de-snagging program for Dickinson Bayou that started Jan. 14 to increase flow and help eliminate some of the risk for flooding posed by debris. Starting from Cemetery Road and going all the way to (Texas 3), crews will travel down the bayou and basically be clearing out some of the debris, he said. This isnt a dredging program no soil will be removed from the bayou but large debris will be taken out to improve the flow. A sonar scan of that stretch of bayou was done about a month ago to prepare crews for removal efforts, Henderson said. They found at least one car, three or four boats, probably 20 or 30 barrels, a ton of logs and underwater bulkheads and a bunch of trees and logs that need to be removed because they are reducing the speed of the flow, Henderson said. Regarding streets, Henderson said that during his time on council, he and other members steered policy away from a well-meaning strategy to redo every street in concrete to address issues such as potholes. We did the math, and at the rate we would be able to feasibly replace the streets, it would have taken 60 years to get it accomplished, Henderson said. The council instead came up with a plan for asphalt overlay of streets. This, said Henderson, might not be the concrete streets people expected, but its a strong Band-Aid. This is what we can do most affordably which will positively affect the largest number of citizens, he said. Asphalt overlay wont last forever, but depending on the amount of use the street in question gets, it can hold for quite a long time, Henderson said. For some streets, the fix wont necessarily last so long, but there are some streets that are 200 yards long with six people living on them and that overlay will last for years and years, he said. This was the best, most cost-efficient way to positively affect residents. The cost per linear foot is incredibly low, and were able to get repairs done quickly; so people wont have to be as concerned about potholes and things like that in their roadways. Henderson said he was proud of the progress the council has made since he has been a council member. As a council, we are very close, regardless of whether or not we agree with one another politically all the time, he said. I might not always agree with their decisions, but I can appreciate the love, effort and work every council member has put in over the past year and a half. People might not realize it, but six of our council members flooded. Wed be up here for meetings in muddy shoes and shorts because we didnt have time to change after mucking out our houses. There isnt a single person on council I believe who is trying to gain anything other than doing their best. With a new director and a new offering of innovative programming in the works, the future is bright for the Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School, the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Centers West Houston facility. Rene Kariel, formerly corporate sponsorship foundation and community relations director at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, came on as director in August. Since then, enrollment has climbed. Kariel is looking forward to continued growth and strengthened partnerships with nearby congregations, including Congregation Or Ami, Temple Sinai and Chabad West Houston. Were looking to create a hub of Jewish life in the West Houston area, said Kariel, who previously served as director of the Jerome Robinson family Young Adults Division at the Jewish Federation. In December, the school hosted a Community Chanukah celebration in partnership with the synagogues that featured singing, origami dreidel making and make-your-own edible menorah. In November, it held a fall festival that drew nearly 200 community members. Future programming will include a community-wide second night Seder and a Purim event. These are the kinds of events that were planning to add more of, Kariel said. Established just more than 30 years ago, the Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School is located at 1120 Dairy Ashford, and offers infant and child care for children ages six weeks to PreK. The school is the only Jewish preschool in West Houston. Programming is influenced by Jewish heritage, and the schools 19-member staff teach a curriculum rich in Hebrew, Judaic music, Jewish values and Jewish cultural opportunities. While the school is based on Jewish principles, everyone, regardless of race or religion, is welcome. The school is also one of few options in the area for infant care. It offers flexible programs, including half and full days and has space available for new students. Its location in the fast-growing energy corridor and close to area synagogues has set a solid foundation for its future, long-term growth. We have some of the best teachers, and were getting calls daily for childcare, said Kariel, who is excited to welcome new families to join its current 44 students from 39 families. The school prides itself on its close-knit, supportive community with active parent volunteers. Parents work the school book fair, bring bagels for staff breakfasts and serve snacks at the annual Thanksgiving program. The Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School is truly a gem, said Melissa Wolfson, a parent at the school and chair of its Early Childhood Development Committee (ECDC), a unique, parent-led committee that serves as a partnership between parents and the school. Wolfson is also the West Houston representative to the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Board of Trustees. Wolfson grew up in Meyerland and enjoyed spending time at the main campus of the J. When she moved to Katy three years ago, she knew she wanted to give her children a Jewish education. Her daughter Brooke, now 7, started at the school when she was 18 months old and continued through preschool. Her son, Logan, 2, is in the toddlers program. The school serves as an entrance to Jewish education for children whose families live or work in this part of town, Wolfson said. Once Brooke started, nothing made me prouder than to see her say the Shabbat blessings or celebrate the Jewish holidays. But, what I also found was that the values being instilled in her were the most important, values that are universal. Caroline Rosen Funk, parent to current students Valentina, 4, and Isabella, whos two-and-a-half, attended the Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School herself as a child. Rosen Funk is also Chair of the schools Marketing Committee. The West Houston JCC has truly been a home away from home for our family, she said. We drop off our children knowing they are in a warm and nurturing environment. Our time at the West Houston JCC has translated into a fantastic experience where we have made lifelong friendships. For the 2019-2020 school year, registration for families currently enrolled at the Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School runs from January 21-25. Registration for new families runs from February 4-8. On January 24 at 7 p.m., the school will also host a J Camps information session. The West Houston facility runs a bus each summer that takes campers from the Dairy Ashford location to the main JCC campus in Meyerland. Camp registration opens February 10. The momentum is building, Kariel said. Parents and staff are really excited about where were going. Our program has a bright future ahead. Sarah Fishers larger-than-life painting That was Harvey. This is Houston was recently on display at Memorial Middle School. The Spring Branch ISD school hosted the giant oil on canvas, which stretches 120 by 192 inches. It is painted on eight panels. Harris County Constable Precinct 5 The Harris County Precinct 5 Constables Office ended a potentially deadly situation before it could play out by stopping a high-speed driver on Sunday. According to the Constables Office, deputies arrested Arend Cardona on Sunday, Jan. 13, after he was clocked driving his Subaru at 120 miles per hour about 1:15 p.m. on Highway 290. Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan will take part in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) on January 14, the presidential press service reported. Sarkisyan will deliver a speech during one of the forum's sessions. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is the largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East, held annually each January. The event is dedicated to furthering our understanding of the major social, economic and environmental trends shaping the worlds sustainable development, and to empowering the global community to realise viable and effective strategies to mitigate climate change and address the energy and sustainability challenges of the future, News.am reported. More than 4,000 participants from around the world, including heads of states and governments, diplomats, political and public figures, and major entrepreneurs will attend the forum, News.am reported. The week will promote eight key pillars that explore how industries are responding to the digital transformation underway in the global economy, which in turn is giving rise to new opportunities to address global sustainability challenges. Houston firefighters snuffed out a blaze at an empty apartment building in Kingwood Sunday night, according to Metro Video. The fire was raging around 9:45 p.m. at Marina and Forest Cove. The blaze also spread to a sewage system, Metro Video reported. Many Kingwood residents are raising concerns about the development of a high-end marina on a flood-prone plot of land. Some in Kingwood say The Herons Kingwood Marina, a project that includes mixed-use high-rises, docks and a road expansion, will increase flooding potential and damage the communitys liveable forest identity. The development is planned around the Barrington community just south of the intersection of Kingwood and Woodland Hills drives. People will have a chance to comment on the marina during a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Kingwood Community Center held by residents to discuss the pros and cons of the project. Romerica Group, a Houston-based urban development firm, is developing the project; Italian company Torrisi & Procopio Architetti is behind the design. Bill Fowler, vice-chair of the Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative, said in an email that The Herons Kingwood Marina is in the wetlands adjacent to the West Fork San Jacinto River, an area that experienced major flooding during Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, much of this area has had significant flooding events post-Harvey during minimal rainfall events, he said. Fowler noted that comments from the public can be sent to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before Jan. 29. Identity crisis Retired businessman Bob Rehak urged the community to do the same in an article dated Dec. 29, 2018 on his website Reduce Flooding.com. He also raised 10 questions about the project, including how the development will work around deed restrictions that prevent structures more than three-stories high. When I built my commercial property, that was the limit. It was also a major point of contention during the construction of the new Emergency Hospital at (Hwy.) 59, north of Kingwood Drive, he said. All these high-rise buildings in the middle of a residential area will significantly change the character of the community. Most residents bought into Kingwood because of those deed restrictions. In a Facebook post last Wednesday that has been shared 89 times, Josiah Carroll evoked Kingwoods motto The Livable Forest and highlighted why the area should continue to reflect it. Although he said the project will attract new and higher-paid jobs The Herons Kingwood Marina will host businesses, such as a hotel and cinema alongside condominiums the cons outweigh the pros, he said. Though the architect should be applauded for his creative eye and great work it looks cool and nice, and part of the adventurer in me would like to see this built rationality has to take center stage, he said. District E Council Member Dave Martin was not available for comment by press time as he is traveling abroad, per an email from Deputy Chief of Staff Katherine Cunningham. Its my promise Travis Curl, a Kingwood resident of 35 years, interacted with Giuseppe Torrisi, one of the designers, on YouTube in the comments section of the projects presentation video on Saturday. The exchange was initially tense, but ultimately both parties gained a better understanding of each others perspective. People's concerns after Harvey are understandable, but I hope we will soon have the opportunity to officially present the whole project to the community so that we can explain all the innovative measures that will make this part of Kingwood a safe place, Torrisi said. A post on Torrisi & Procopios Facebook dated July 13 said a meeting with engineers in Houston about how to flood-proof the project was productive and that development will proceed. Torrisi also sent Curl a presentation of the project that elaborated what these flood-proof measures are most of the facilities are floating structures or will be built on stilts that lift a building above the ground, streets will be raised and an advanced drainage system will be in place. Curl remained hesitant in the project, however, as these measures will still leave surrounding dwellings vulnerable, he said. It just strikes me that this development is as nonsensical as building a fireworks factory in Paradise, California, Curl said, referencing the town devastated by wildfire in November 2018. They may not be fully aware of the magnitude of what happened here. Im not sure they know how bad it was here. Similar to Caroll, Curl said that the losses the project will bring dwarfs the gains. He also mentioned that people chose Kingwood, and subsequently defined it, because they could distance themselves from the bustle and enjoy more greenery. Torrisi wrote an email Monday morning that, although he couldnt comment about the project at the developers request, he hopes that all parties involved in The Herons Kingwood Marina will be able to hold an official presentation as soon as possible. Its my promise, he said. Glenn Lerich pursues his passion every time the Super Bowl comes around. The missions and evangelism pastor at the The Fellowship is organizing the ninth annual Souper Bowl of Caring to benefit Katy Christian Ministries. This years goal is to collect more than 7,000 food items. The program started before Lerich came on board but hes kept it going. One of our churchs mission values is caring for the under-resourced, explained Lerich. The Fellowship embraces Katy Christian Ministries every year around the Super Bowl, said Deysi Crespo, KCM executive director. We love having their promotion. They know after the holidays, our pantry shelves go empty. The need is as much or greater than ever, said Lerich. Part of that he attributes to Hurricane Harvey. There were people on the cusp of making it on their own and Harvey put them over the edge, he said. Its more situational. Its never-ending. The Bible says there will always be people in need, he continued. It may be in different countries. There will always be people who come up short. The church is there to fill the gap. I believe thats one of our callings. Capitalizing on the national Souper Bowl of Caring campaign, The Fellowship aims to help fill the shelves again, said Lerich. Last year, it collected more than 6,000 food items. Visit https://souperbowl.org and www.thefellowship.org/resources/events/souper-bowl-of-caring for details. More Information Katy Christian Ministries Food Pantry Needs List Primary needs Canned mixed vegetables, canned beans, canned fruit, canned tuna, canned diced tomatoes, canned green vegetables, 1-pound bags of dried beans, 16-ounce jars of peanut butter, 1-pound or less of coffee. Secondary needs 32 ounces or less of cooking oil; condiments: ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressing; pasta sauce; 4 pounds or less of sugar; 5 pounds or less of flour; macaroni and cheese; jelly; 1-pound bags of white rice; cereal; oatmeal; canned meat: Spam, Vienna sausages, chicken, turkey, etc.; Spaghetti's Os and ravioli; chili; pancake mix and syrup. See More Collapse The Fellowship will distribute blue shopping bags from KCM that come with an attached list of primary pantry needs and secondary needs on Jan. 27 at both its Cinco Ranch and Katy Main Street campuses. Church members are asked to return the filled bags to church on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3. Primary needs are canned mixed vegetables, canned beans, canned fruit, canned tuna, canned diced tomatoes, 1 pound bags of dried beans, 16-ounce jars of peanut butter, 1-pound or less of ground coffee and canned green vegetables. Blue KCM bags are available on an ongoing basis at The Fellowships Kosmos Coffee Shop. Lerich also sends an email to leaders of other churches telling them about The Fellowships Souper Bowl of Caring campaign to encourage a broader community participation. Various Boy Scout troops participate in Scouting for Food which is a partnership with the Souper Bowl of Caring, said Lerich and they provide donations to the church campaign. Thats not the only food collection in which Lerich is involved. The Fellowship will again be working with Feed the Hunger, a faith-based nonprofit, in a Katy Packathon Feb.28-March 2 at the Katy Independent School District pavilion, 6301 S. Stadium Lane. The goal is to pack 1 million meals. Visit www.feedthehunger.org/katy for information. A recent addition to the local effort is the naming of Regina Alexander as a packathon coordinator for the Katy/Houston area, said Lerich. Sometime in the next five years, well have more than one of these in a year, he added. Its not a new effort in the Katy area. In November 2016, The Fellowship was one of three churches that worked through Compassion Katy in the Katy Million Meal Pack-a-Thon. Volunteers packed 625,000 meals that were distributed to Katy Christian Ministries, Kentucky and Haiti. Lerich said most of the meals are designated for international distribution. Last May, The Fellowship hosted a pack-a-thon. In the aftermath of Harvey and all the related chaos, Lerich said the effort didnt involve other churches but he wanted to keep the program in front of people. About 250,000 meals were packed. Lerich said, Feed the Hunger works closely with local partnerships that theyve vetted so the food doesnt end up in the black market. Partners can include schools and orphanages. He credits his participation to a former running partner and The Fellowship member, Jerry Weant. Every time they ran, Weant would bring up the Feed the Hunger program until Lerich went to a community hosting a pack-a-thon to see the program firsthand. His friend now lives in Round Rock, where he working to get a pack-a-thon event held now, too, said Lerich. karen.zurawski@chron.com Students applying or reapplying for federal aid can take a sigh of relief knowing there are accessible resources for them to properly file their FAFSA forms. Humble ISD provides resources for seniors who are graduating this year and worried about how to apply for FAFSA or scholarships. For example, Humble ISD offers financial aid and scholarship planning sessions at their high school campuses to help students and their families complete the FAFSA application in small groups or a one-on-one setting. Travita Godfrey, Humble ISDs secondary counseling & behavioral services counselor said some common mistakes shes seen is students not applying for a pin number prior to completing their FAFSA forms. Godfrey said a pin number is required for students as a way to electronically sign their applications. HURRY UP: Time is running out to apply for financial aid for college This mistake delays the processing of the application significantly; not completing the form in its entirety; inputting incorrect information for parents and lastly, not using the correct website can actually cost money, Godfrey said. San Jacinto Colleges Dean of Financial Aid Services Robert Merino said during the 2017-18 school year out of the 41,000 students enrolled in their campuses only 11,671 students were on federal aid. When filing their FAFSA forms Merino advises students to be aware of how they enter their information. One of the common mistakes we see is using their parents data on the student section or vice versa, Merino said. Another one is they take the information from their tax returns and dont enter it into the right fields. Typically, theyll put their taxes paid under their gross income or vice versa. We tell students to not type their information on the tax return, we tell them to utilize the data retrieval tool thats embedded in FAFSA because that tool will link the tax information directly from the IRS and if the student doesnt change the information. Theyll have a less of a chance being selected for the verification process which will require additional documentation from the student before they receive any funds. TOP SCHOOLS: The best private K-12 schools in the Houston area for 2019 One thing students should really pay attention to is typing in the FAFSA website on the search bar. Godfrey advises students and parents that the correct web address is www.fafsa.gov. Other websites that are scams or charge a fee to complete the FAFSA form, which is free to submit, advertise on Google and often come up in searches for FAFSA, he said. Many families do not use fafsa.gov but rather a fafsa.com website that charges money to submit the FAFSA, Godfrey said. Many first time families do not realize that this is a free service and they do not need any third party to submit it for them. The Department of Education recently announced the launch of their new app called myStudentAid! for students to prepare and file their FAFSA forms on their mobile device. According to a tweet from the Officer of Federal Student Aid, the Department of Education is not affected by the recent government shut down and forms are still being processed as usual. I know it was just recently announced as far as the government shut down because the IRS was not able to produce tax transcripts, the Department of Education announced we can utilize the tax return, that should help students speed up the process because they should have a copy of their tax return at home. If not their tax preparers can produce one. RANKING: University of Houston ranked No. 2 among the nation's top underrated colleges FAFSA applications have been open since Oct. 1 for students to file. Universities and community colleges encourage students to apply as soon as possible to receive the maximum amount of aid. Merino said students can qualify for institutional grants just for completing their FAFSA forms. In order to get an EFC (expected family contribution) of zero the family income has been changed from $25,000 to $26,000. If a students family income is $26,000 or less there will be an expected family contribution of zero dollars, which means they will be eligible for all aid applicable to low income families, Godfrey said. Merino said San Jacs priority deadline for students to file their FAFSA forms is June 30. The only thing we tell students is after that date we cannot guarantee their financial aid will be ready for payment, but they can still receive it during the semester, Merino said. Visit your university or community college website to see when is their priority deadline to submit federal aid applications for the 2019-20 school year or contact their financial aid office. kaila.contreras@chron.com A nonprofit created in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is now turning its mission toward a man-made disaster: the federal government shutdown. An estimated 30,000 Houston-area employees are affected by the government shutdown amid President Donald Trump's demands for $5 billion to build a wall along the country's southern border. The standoff in Washington has halted funding for nonessential government employees and programs, which struck a chord with Chef's Table Charities Founder Mary Bass. LEAVE EARLY: TSA closes Bush Airport security checkpoint amid shutdown Bass, an aspiring chef in Galveston County, created Chef's Table Charities to try and help displaced Dickinson ISD teachers after Harvey's deluge in southeast Texas. She also did work to help families after the Santa Fe High School shooting, and has most recently started accepting donations for those affected by the shutdown. She noted that Galveston County has many residents who work for the Coast Guard all of whom have been working without pay. Tuesday will be the first payday they will go without a paycheck, according to the Washington Post. "The thought of going without a paycheck just baffles me," Bass said. "Not every family has planned for this or has savings accounts." Over the last week, people have donated nearly $4,000 in cash, gift cards or via PayPal, Bass said. The charity has also received close to $6,000 worth of supplies, which Bass and company will help divvy out to families in need. At HoustonChronicle.com: Federal employees in Houston squeezed as payday comes without paycheck "It has been remarkable watching people show up and drop off (supplies) on our porch," Bass said. "I come home every single night, and there is a mound of stuff just sitting on my front porch." The nonprofit is also teaming up with TJ Reed's Better Burgers and Shakes for a fundraiser, which will run 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday at 614 FM 517 in Dickinson. Dozens of families have already reached out for assistance from Chef's Table Charities, Bass said, most of which are Coast Guard families. "Since we're a small nonprofit, you can actually see the person your money helps," Bass said. "You're not just giving to one of the larger nonprofits, and you just don't know if (your money) is going toward an executive's vacation or overhead. We don't have any of those expenses, so everything's that given to us turns arounds straight back into our community." Anyone wishing to help Chef's Table Charities can visit their website at www.chefstablecharities.org. 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 While legislators figure out a way to reopen the government and settle their dispute on building the border wall, the closure has affected offices in the area, most notably the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge. The closure has forced Refuge officials to cancel their 25th anniversary celebration of the Refuge founding until further notice, according to Refuge Manager Stuart Marcus. The private affair for Refuge volunteers, donors, and special guests was scheduled for Saturday night and without an end in sight and no employees to help, Marcus felt it expedient to cancel the event. The silver anniversary of the Refuge was a few days ago. The Refuge was established on Jan. 4, 1994 and opened with 4,400 acres. The spacious land and water gem now boast more than 30,000 acres. We have a lot more going on now than when we first opened, Marcus said. POST SHUTDOWN: NASA employee starts GoFundMe for hurting federal workers Miles of trails have been established for birdwatchers, hunting, fishing, kayaking and multiple other events throughout the year highlight the programs offered by the Refuge. In addition to the programs, the Refuge team moved out of their downtown Liberty office into a state-of-the-art building on 601 FM 1011 Rd. The shutdown procedures affected two area federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture on the bypass in Liberty and the Department of Interior which includes the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Parks Service. The Refuge falls under the jurisdiction of the USFWS. Marcus noted that the Big Thicket National Park nearby is also closed. Were not funded but some of us are still required to come in to work, Marcus said. Law enforcement and managers for most of the parks are required to report as part of the shutdown procedure, including Marcus and his law enforcement officers, while the other employees have been furloughed. None of them are being paid but they will receive compensation retroactive to the beginning of the shutdown. LATEST: TSA closes Bush Airport security checkpoint due to government shutdown-linked 'staffing issues' We hope this ends sooner rather than later, he said. Marcus said his staff was stressed but dealing with it as best as they could. In addition to the government shutdown, the federal road portion of CR 417 that leads into the Champion Lake Public Use Area remains closed. The road has been closed since June 12, 2018 and is located approximately 10 miles south of Dayton. A 40-foot concrete culvert located at the junction of where the County Road and Federal Road meet was severely damaged due to flooding during Hurricane Harvey. The damage has gotten progressively worse since September 2017 becoming a safety concern for the general public to drive over and led to the closure. Marcus said that both the emergency funding and new culvert design has been approved and on Monday he would be calling to get a start date on the repairs. Until all repairs were completed, access to the Champion Lake Public Use Area will be closed to all entry (no fishing, boating, walking, or biking). AT HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Federal employees in Houston squeezed as payday comes without paycheck Ironically, work on those repairs could begin soon. That money does not come from the same shutdown funding but instead from hurricane funding, he said. We havent started work yet but Im calling again today to see if something can get started, he said. While the offices are closed for the Refuge, parts of the park remain openif you could get to them. All of our trails are open if you wanted to walk on them, but because were at recording flooding at 29 feet, every one of our trails are many feet underwater, he said. The refuge manager estimated they have been closed 90 percent of the time in the last 100 days because of the flooding along the river. Weve had water back behind our office for so long now we watch the birds and wildlife. We even had an alligator during warmer weather out there, he said. Theyre high and dry in the front, but the dropoff in the back is flooded. Even if the water was gone today, the trails would still not be useable for days because they would be so muddy and require time to dry out. Marcus they would hope that everything would return to normal soon and the silver anniversary will be planned at a later date. dtaylor@hcnonline.com A proxy adviser has recommended that Luby's shareholders elect two of the four candidates backed by an activist investor to the board of the struggling Houston restaurant chain. Institutional Shareholder Services, a Maryland-based firm that advises shareholders on how to vote in proxy fights, recommended votes for activist investor Jeff Gramm and his father, former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas. "The incumbent board has overseen alarming underperformance over the past decade and deteriorating financials over the past five years," ISS' report said. RELATED: Luby's, activist investor spar over cafeteria chain's future Jeff Gramm, founder of New York Hedge Fund Bandera Partners and a longtime Luby's shareholder, launched a proxy fight in December to remove the Pappas brothers from Luby's board and elect four new candidates to the nine-member board at its annual shareholder meeting on Jan. 25. Luby's, led by Chris Pappas and his brother Harris Pappas since 2001, said it fears if Bandera wins minority control that the hedge fund would push for liquidating the restaurant chain to sell off its real estate assets, which is worth more than the restaurant's operations. RELATED: Luby's faces proxy fight with activist investor ISS criticized Luby's current board of directors as out of touch with the concerns of shareholders and called Jeff Gramm a "logical addition" to the board. However, the advisory firm did not recommend Bandera's two other board candidates, Stacy Hock, chairwoman of Texans for Education Opportunity, and Savneet Singh, managing partner of New York-based Tera Holdings. RELATED: Activist investor calls for 'fresh faces' to turn around Luby's Luby's board chairman Gasper Mir III said the board was pleased that ISS did not recommend Singh and Hock to its board. However, he pushed back on ISS' recommendation to elect the Gramms to Luby's board. "We strongly disagree with their recommendations to vote for Sen. Philip Gramm and his son Jeff Gramm -- a familial combination that ISS itself described as 'suboptimal,' " Mir said in a statement. Check back later for more on this developing story. Oil extended its retreat as disappointing economic data from China helped reignite concerns over economic growth. Futures lost 2.1 percent in New York on Monday, after falling Friday for the first time since late December. The decline mirrored a slide in equities across the globe as China posted its worst import and export figures since 2016 and the U.S. government shutdown dragged on. "Oil is watching the other markets and following," said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at Price Futures Group Inc. in Chicago. "We got this weak Chinese data and everything changed." Crude entered bull-market territory last week after swooning at the end of 2018 over fears of a worldwide supply glut. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih on Sunday said the OPEC+ coalition of major oil exporters is on track to shrink supplies and will do more if needed. Yet prices are still down more than 30 percent from a four-year high in October even after the recent rally. While the boss of Italian producer Eni SpA and Oman's oil minister see the latest rebound holding, doubts persist over demand. "Several hurdles are casting a shadow on whether the current bout of price strength can be sustained," said Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates Ltd. in London. "The demand side of the oil coin also gives reason to doubt the staying power of the current rally." PREVIOUSLY: Oil winning streak Is longest since 2010 as outlook brightens West Texas Intermediate for February delivery sank $1.08 to settle at $50.51 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent for March settlement fell $1.49 to $58.99 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, after gaining 6 percent last week. The global benchmark traded at a premium of $8.19 a barrel to WTI for the same month. Stock markets dropped around the globe on Monday. Utilities, healthcare and technology stocks led the S&P 500 Index lower. Citigroup Inc. gave investors the first look at how Wall Street banks fared during the violent market swings at the end of 2018, reporting a 21 percent plunge in revenue from fixed-income trading in the fourth quarter. HoustonChronicle.com: Energy sector heads into kind of purgatory Topping the list of investor concerns is the trade friction between the world's top two economies, which threatens to crimp global growth. China is seeking to resolve its spat with the U.S. this year, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said in an interview after three days of talks last week. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is set to visit Washington for further trade discussions later this month. --With assistance from James Thornhill and Sharon Cho. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Houston oil services giant Halliburton has promoted company executive Mark Richard to serve as Western Hemisphere president. Currently serving as senior vice president of the northern region, Richard will succeed the current Western Hemisphere president Jim Brown on Feb. 1. Richard began his career with Halliburton in 1984 in the Gulf of Mexico. Since then, he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility at the company that included serving as vice president of the Gulf of Mexico region, senior vice president of the Asia-Pacific region and senior vice president of the Europe/Sub-Saharan Africa and Eurasia regions, and senior vice president of global business development and marketing. "Mark's success in managing multiple regions around the world, his substantial industry knowledge and established customer relationships well position him to guide the strategic direction and operations of our Western Hemisphere business," Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller said in a statement. "Over the course of his more than 30-year career at Halliburton, Mark has proven himself to be an exceptional leader and valued member of our executive management team." Richard holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University and is a member of the LSU Engineering Advisory Board. "I am grateful to Jim for his more than 20 years of outstanding service to Halliburton," Miller said in a statement. "His leadership was instrumental in helping Halliburton execute and deliver industry-leading returns in North America and throughout the Western Hemisphere." Halliburton is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding in February. The Houston oil field services company has more than 60,000 employees in more than 80 nations. The company is expected to release its end-of-year financial results on Jan. 22. Halliburton reported making a $435 million profit on nearly $6.2 billion in revenue during the third quarter of 2018. Jan. 4 An officer was dispatched to a residence in the 2800 block of University in reference to a burglary of a habitation that had already occurred. An officer was dispatched to the 4200 block of Judson in regard to a criminal mischief that had occurred. Jan. 5 At 9:01 a.m., an officer was dispatched to West U PD Lobby in regards to a theft that already occurred. An officer was dispatched to the West U PD jail to book and process a prisoner (Darren Lattimore) with one West University Place warrant and four active warrants from the Houston Police Department. The Houston Police Department was contacted and they placed a hold on the subject. The prisoner was booked without incident. Jan. 6 An officer observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the 6700 block of Buffalo Speedway with expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver (Rashad White) was arrested for Driving While License Invalid. Officers were dispatched to the 3800 block of Ruskin in regard to a disturbance in progress. The suspect then agreed to be taken to the Ben Taub Neuro Psychiatric Center for observation and treatment. An officer observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the 5400 block of Buffalo Speedway with expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver (Donnie Thomas) was arrested for Driving While License Invalid. Jan. 7 An officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the 6500 block of Buffalo Speedway with expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. Jan. 10 Officers were dispatched to the 2500 block Southwest Freeway in regards to a pick-up of West University Place warrants. Upon arrival the officers made contact with the detainee and confirmed the warrants. The officers then brought the detainee to the West University Place jail for booking and processing. An officer vehicle bearing an unreadable partial TX Temp Tag traveling west bound in the 2600 block of Robinhood. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and later arrested the operator for warrants with the city of West University Place, a prescription bottle was located in the vehicle containing medication prescribed to someone else. The operator (Stephanie Thanars) was subsequently charged with possession of a dangerous drug. An officer was dispatched to the 4100 block of Byron in regards to found property. An officer was dispatched to the Houston Police Department SE Jail to pick up a prisoner in custody with outstanding West University Place warrants. The prisoner was transferred to the West University Jail Facility and booked without incident. An officer was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department to pick up an individual with outstanding warrants out of the City of West University Municipal Court. The individual was taken into custody and transported without incident. Jan. 11 An officer observed a vehicle traveling above the posted speed limit northbound in the 5500 block of Buffalo Speedway. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the passenger was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia as well as a possible narcotic. The individual was cited for the drug paraphernalia and the unknown substance was seized for further testing. An officer was dispatched to West U PD Lobby to see a complainant who wanted to speak to an officer in regard to a video footage. At 6:55 a.m., a police officer was dispatched to the 4700 block of Westheimer Road, to meet with a Memorial Villages police officer, who had two individuals in custody, who each had West University Place warrants. The two individuals (Jessica Galleno and Moises Padilla) were placed in custody and transported to the West University Place Police Department for processing. Turkey will support Turkish exporters with TL 3.1 billion ($570 million) in 2019, the nation's trade minister announced on Friday. "We designed all of our export support to develop fields which contribute to Turkey's export potential," Ruhsar Pekcan said in a press release, Daily Sabah reports. She stressed the support would accelerate the country's exports by encouraging value-added exports. In 2018, despite global trade wars, an economic slowdown and increased geopolitical risks, Turkey hit $168.1 billion in exports, a historic high, she said. Exports were up 7.1 percent year-on-year in 2018, supporting the decrease in the foreign trade deficit by 28.4 percent to $55 billion. Imports also decreased by 4.6 percent to $223.1 billion. Both export and import figures were also lower than the $170 billion export and $236 billion import goals set in the government's New Economic Program (NEP), announced in late September by Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak. Recent foreign trade deficit figures mark a significant improvement compared to the figures for 2017: $76.8 billion. The year-end foreign trade deficit expectation put forward in the NEP was $66 billion. The export-import coverage ratio increased by 8.2 percentage points compared to 2017 and rose to 75.3 percent. The overall foreign trade volume slightly rose by 0.1 percent to $391.2 billion. According to NEP, Turkey eyes to hit $182 billion by the end of 2019. Speaking on how the ministry supported 12,555 firms in 2018, Pekcan said: "Technology, branding and design, which were our priorities, took the biggest share of our budget with TL 861 million [$159 million] in 2018." Some 600 firms' technology, branding and design activities were supported in 2018, and in the new era more firms will be supported, Pekcan underlined. Some 8,700 firms were supported with TL 520 million ($96 million) for international fairs in 2018, while TL 120 million ($22 million) in support was used for exporting firms' ads, branding, office, shop and warehouse expenses, she added. In 2018, the ministry also spent TL 80 million ($14.8 million) on market research, e-commerce website memberships, procurement committees, and acquisition financing. In addition, she stated that last year firms' mandatory documents and competition projects were also supported with TL 80 million ($14.8 million). Dec. 31 At 12:25 a.m., Corporal D. Clawson was flagged down by a complainant in the Bellaire PD temporary lobby regarding a case in the 4300 block of Compton Circle. The complainant was deceived by the defendant into transferring money through Western Union to the defendant in another state. At 9:06 p.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to the 4300 block of Wendell Street in reference to harassment. The victim stated her ex-husbands fiance has been sending emails over the course of two months that are harassing in nature. After a request by officers, the suspect continued harassing communication towards the victim. Officer Liccketto contacted the Harris County District Attorneys Office and agreed to accept the charge of harassment. Jan. 1 At 10:35 a.m., Officer Carson was dispatched to the 4300 block of Lafayette Street in regards to a vehicle that had been stolen. The victims vehicle was stolen in the early morning hours on December 30th, 2018. At 10:07 a.m., Officer Trujillo was dispatched to 7500 Avenue Blvd. in reference to a found property call. Upon arrival he spoke to the complainant who stated while walking his dog he found a cellular telephone. Jan. 2 At 12:04 p.m., Animal Control Officer Perez received a call in reference to a postal carrier being bit by two dogs in the 4600 block of Braeburn Street. At 12:46 p.m., Corporal D. Clawson observed the defendant operating her vehicle in the area of 6700 IH 610 West Service Road with expired vehicle registration and no front license plate. During the traffic investigation the defendant was found to be in possession of THC infused candy, have a marijuana pipe, and an outstanding Bellaire PD warrant. The defendant was arrested for the Bellaire warrant and the charge of possession of a controlled substance will be filed upon receiving the testing results. Officer Lopez and Officer Carranza assisted in this case. At 7:19 p.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to H.E.B. at 5106 Bissonnet St. in reference to a criminal mischief. The owner of the vehicle left his vehicle in the parking lot of H.E.B. unattended. While parked, an unknown suspect hit the victims vehicle by unknown means leaving a dent and scratches along the driver side bumper. Jan. 3 At 12:13 p.m., Officer D. Rocha initiated a traffic stop in the 4900 block of Bellaire Boulevard on a 2001 black Nissan four door vehicle for unconfirmed insurance. The driver was identified by his passport identification. Driver was found to be driving while his license is currently suspended. Driver was arrested for driving while license suspended / enhanced with no valid insurance. Officer H. Lopez assisted on the scene. At 11:20 a.m., Officer M. Santillanes was dispatched to the 1200 block of Mulberry Lane in reference to an alarm call. Officer M. Andrade arrived on the scene as backup. Officer Santillanes discovered forced entry to the back door of the residence. After further investigation it was found an unknown suspect broke the glass of the backdoor to the home and gained entrance into the residence. Officer Santillanes completed a burglary of habitation report. At 11:46 p.m., Corporal OSullivan contacted a subject at in the 5201 Bellaire Blvd in reference to a traffic stop where the subject failed to maintain a single lane of travel. The subject/driver was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. Jan. 4 At 2:10 a.m., Officer Bellard and Officer Salinas observed a vehicle driving recklessly and speeding in the 2600 block of West Loop South. Officer Bellard also observed the vehicle fail to signal two lane changes as it swerved around a car. Officer Bellard initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and after further investigation the driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Officer Salinas assisted in this case. At 8:33 a.m., Officer D. Rocha initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Honda four-door vehicle for expired motor vehicle registration and unconfirmed insurance in the 5200 block of Bellaire Boulevard. The driver identified by his Texas identification card was subsequently found to be driving while his Texas drivers license suspended. Driver was also found to have two outstanding warrants out of Harris County Constables Precinct 5. Driver was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while license suspended/enhanced with no insurance, and confirmed Harris County Constable warrants. Ofc H. Lopez assisted on this scene. At 2:28 p.m., Officer M. Santillanes was dispatched to Randalls at 5130 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to an in progress shoplifting. Officer Santillanes was advised the suspect had fled to the Metro Transit Center located at 5100 Bellaire. Officer Santillanes arrived at the transit center and located the suspect. After futher investigation it was determined the suspect had stolen two 24 packs of beer from the store. The suspect was arrested and Officer Santillanes completed a theft report. At 7:16 p.m., Officer Younger initiated a traffic stop in the 5000 block of Bellaire Boulevard on a vehicle for displaying a fictitious license plate. During Officer Youngers traffic stop investigation the suspect was found to be giving false identifying information while having an active warrant for his arrest. A firearm was located during the inventory of the suspects vehicle. The driver was charged with fail to identify fugitive from justice and unlawful carry of a firearm. At 8:43 p.m., Corporal OSullivan contacted a subject at in the 4700 Bissonnet Street in reference to a single vehicle traffic accident. The subject/driver was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. At 11:47 a.m., Officer C. Barber was dispatched to the Bellaire City Hall to meet with the victim regarding identity theft in the 100 Marrakech Court. The victim states he was reviewing his credit report online and discovered an account he did not open. Jan. 5 At 3:28 p.m., Officer Schwausch was dispatched to 5020 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a subject causing a disturbance and refusing to leave the location. Officer Schwausch arrived on scene and located the suspect. The suspect was subsequently charged and arrested for criminal trespass. At 6:25 p.m., Officer Schwausch was patrolling the 6000 block of IH610 SB when he observed a white Impala bearing a TX temporary tag that belonged to a 2016 Toyota. Officer Schwausch initiated a traffic stop on the Impala in the 4600 block of Spruce Street and made contact with the three occupants of the Impala. Further investigation found the Impala was stolen from Dallas, Texas. The driver was arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle and fail to id / fugitive, the front passenger was arrested for fail to ID/fugitive, and the rear passenger was arrested for a class C violation. Both passengers of the vehicle ended up with I.C.E. detainers. At 8:04 a.m., Officer M. Santillanes, was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department lobby for an identity theft call in the 1100 block of Colonial. Officer Santillanes met with the victim who stated on Jan. 2, between 6 and 11 a.m. an unknown person used the victims social security number and drivers license number to cash two unauthorized checks from the victims checking account. Officer Santillanes completed an identity theft report. Jan. 6 At 1:47 a.m., Officer D. Norman was dispatched to the 6700 block of Ferris in reference to a burglary alarm at Define Body and Mind. Upon arrival, Officer Norman observed forced entry into the business through a side glass door. Once the business was cleared, Officer Norman walked around the back of the building and observed forced entry through a back glass door which leads into the Nekter Juice Bar at approximately 0210 hours. Officer Norman made contact with the owner who advised sometime between 6:19 p.m. Jan. 5 and 1:37 a.m. Jan. 6 an unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the business. At 12:33 p.m., Officer Andrade was dispatched to 4900 Willow St. in reference to an indecent exposure. Upon arrival, Officer Andrade met with the victim who stated she was jogging west bound in the 4900 block of Willow Street when a white Honda sedan drove near her and parked. The driver inside of the vehicle exposed himself and began masturbating to the victim. The victim ran away and contacted the Bellaire Police Department. The suspect was later arrested by the Bellaire Police Department Special Response Team. Houston Chamber Choir has been selected to participate in the prestigious World Symposium on Choral Music 2020 (WSCM2020), to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from July 11 to 18, 2020, where 24 of the best choral ensembles in the world will perform. The festival, held every three years in different locations across the globe, received a record 179 entries this year. This is the first such invitation for the Houston Chamber Choir, which was notified of the honor right before Christmas. The opportunity to represent our City, our State and our Nation at this gathering of the worlds top choirs has long been a dream of mine, says Robert Simpson, founder and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Choir. Now that we have achieved this lofty goal, I am overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude to the musicians, staff and board whose dedication and talents have propelled us to this level. This is truly a Team Win. The World Symposium on Choral Music is the peak global event of the International Federation for Choral Music - its own Olympics and world congress rolled into one. Drawing together the leading choirs, conductors, composers and administrators from all over the planet for a superlative experience of concerts, seminars and workshops, the Symposium has also come to be a public showcase for the best the choral world has to offer. The theme for WSCM2020 is People of the Land, or tangata whenua, the name the indigenous Maori use of themselves and a concept that sits at the heart of New Zealand culture. The tangata whenua are guardians of the countrys natural resources, environment and sustainability - values and priorities shared by all New Zealanders, regardless of race. People and the Land will be explored through choral music as the relationship humans have with the land that supports them: the sense of identity they derive from it and the tensions that arise out of it. The festival organizers hope this will be interpreted freely and with flair by participating choirs, encouraging them to draw from a broad range of repertoire and styles in their programming. Houston Chamber Choir will perform two major pieces at the Symposium, one that is 45 minutes in length and the other about 25 minutes. Simpson says the music selections are still to be determined, but they will reflect the People of the Land theme. Additionally, the Choir will extend its stay and perform concerts outside of Auckland, to gain even greater exposure abroad. They will work with a concert promoter from Australia on venue selection. I was absolutely thrilled to hear Houston Chamber Choir was selected to perform at the World Symposium on Choral Music 2020! says soprano Kelli Lawless of the Houston Chamber Choir. I can't wait to represent Houston on the world stage in Auckland, New Zealand. I'm so proud to be a member of this organization that just keeps raising its standard of excellence year after year. Being invited to the World Symposium on Choral Music in 2020 is such an honor, says Houston Chamber Choir member, soprano Kammi Estelle, who is the twin sister of Lawless. Representing the Houston arts community, as well as the United States, will be an experience that the artists in the Houston Chamber Choir will never forget. More Information About Houston Chamber Choir Houston Chamber Choir has established itself as one of the premier professional choirs in the United States, serving Houston through concerts and educational initiatives that enlighten, entertain, and educate people of all ages. Winner of Chorus America's 2018 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, it has been described by The Tallis Scholars founder Peter Phillips as "one of this country's leading ensembles." The Choir also received The American Prize for best choral performance in the country and its Artistic Director Robert Simpson received the award in the conducting category in 2015. The Chamber Choir recently finished recording their fifth CD, The Complete Choral Works of Maurice Durufle, with organist Ken Cowan in April 2018. See More Collapse Houston Chamber Choir continues to be recognized for its outstanding work. In 2018, the organization received the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America, the advocacy, research and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. In 2015, the Choir received The American Prize for best choral performance in the country, and Simpson took home the award in the conducting category. For more information about Houston Chamber Choir or to purchase tickets for concerts, visit us at houstonchamberchoir.org. The next concert is Hear the Future - 20th Anniversary on Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. at South Main Baptist Church. Verdict, which director Aprille Meek calls an Agatha Christie murder-mystery like no other, will be performed through Jan. 27 at Clear Creek Community Theatre. Its not your typical whodunnit, but more a whos-going-to-pay-for-it, whos-going-to-get-caught, the Clear Lake resident says. The audience sees the murder take place at the end of Act One; so theres no doubt who the murderer is, said Meek. You still have suspense, but it is a different kind of puzzling. Meek, who previously helmed 11 Christie plays, including last years Black Coffee at CCCT, enjoyed researching the origins of Verdict. Agatha Christie wrote it as a play; there was no novel first, she said. It was originally entitled Fields of Amaranthe, which refers to a mythical flower that lasts forever and underlines themes of love and mortality that arent often expressed romantically in Christies writings. The play was retitled Verdict to capitalize on the popularity of the authors previous stage hit, Witness for the Prosecution, but the name-change only added to fans confusion, suggesting that the play would be another courtroom drama, which it isnt. Verdict is set in the home of a professor, Karl Hendryk (Brian Treybig of Kemah), and his invalid wife, Anya, who hates how the couple was forced by a totalitarian regime to leave their life in central Europe and move to England. This is a dull, gray country, insists Anya, who is played by Angela Reader of League City. Says Reader of her part: I get pushed around in a wheelchair and I get to die onstage, a first for me. More Information What: Agatha Christie's "Verdict" When: through Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays Where: Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay. Cost: $15 for adults, $13 students and seniors, with group rates available. Details: https://bit.ly/2AK2NGE See More Collapse C. Alane Johnson of Friendswood portrays the sultry Lisa Koltesky, who lives with them and tries to suppress her tender feelings for the professor. The cast is extremely strong, said Meek, noting that Steven Sarp of Clear Lake and Mark Stanley of Houston, who portrayed sleuths in Black Coffee, returned to play inspectors, in different capacities, in Verdict. The show introduces CCCT audiences to newcomers Bobby Hewitt of Galveston and Carina Kay Ellerbe of Clear Lake, who portray college students whose arrival at the Hendryk home are integral to the plot. Rounding out the cast are Bob Townsend as a doctor; Sean SeFlora, an English teacher at Hitchcock High School, as Sir William Rollander; and Katie Reed, a retired English teacher at Clear Lake High, as the shows comic relief, Mrs. Roper, a busybody housekeeper. The lighting design is by the directors husband, John Meek, who puts to good use the theaters recent acquisition of advanced lighting equipment, said his wife. Agatha Christie fans will enjoy the show, as will people who dont like Agatha Christie and think she was too formulaic, said Aprille Meek. They will like how there are so many more layers to this script and how the character development makes them seem so real. You can really get involved in what happens to these people. Performances of Verdict continue through Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Call 281-335-5228 for reservations or visit https://bit.ly/2AK2NGE. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 students and seniors, with group rates available. Clear Creek Community Theatre is at 18091 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay. The body of a kayaker who went missing near San Luis Pass was found on Friday, two days after a funeral service was held for him in Cypress. The Galveston Island Beach Patrol confirmed Monday that it had recovered the body of Charles Ferguson, 49, on the north side of the San Luis Pass Bridge at the western end of Galveston Island, about 100 yards from shore. Ferguson, 49, was fishing near the pass on Jan. 1 and was reported missing two days later. The Houston-Galveston Coast Guard sector received a call from Ferguson's wife, Jodi, on Jan. 2 after he failed to contact her. The Coast Guard conducted a 41-hour search covering an area of 2,638 square miles. The search involved a helicopter and additional air support from the Coast Guard, as well as assistance from the Galveston Police Department and Beach Patrol. Authorities later discovered that Ferguson's waterproof bag, washed up on Follett's Beach on Galveston Island, had been found by another fisherman later on the day Ferguson went missing. Another person found Ferguson's kayak in that general area around the same time, but was unaware of the missing kayaker until hearing news reports on Jan. 2. The search for Ferguson's body was called off on Jan. 4, and memorial services were held Jan. 9 at Cypress Bible Church. Ferguson was the co-founder of Camp Blessing, a Christian summer camp for children and young adults with special needs. A Facebook post from Camp Blessing described Ferguson as a "a loving husband and father, selfless servant of his patients, a proud A&M graduate, an avid fisherman and a dedicated visionary." Ferguson is survived by his wife and three children. Nick Powell covers Galveston County for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and send him tips at nick.powell@chron.com Most consumers believe that real estate agents are working on their behalf, but that's not always the case, according to a new report from the Consumer Federation of America. "Today, many homebuyers and sellers do not know whether their agent is representing their interests, those of the other party or those of neither," the report's author, CFA senior fellow Stephen Brobeck, said in a statement. "Given the huge expenditure of a home purchase and the conflict of financial interests between seller and buyer, it is important that consumers know who their real estate agent is actually representing." During a Monday conference call to discuss the report's findings, Brobeck cited a scenario where a home shopper calls a listing agent to inquire about a house. During that discussion, the agent may be tempted to obtain information from the would-be buyer, such as how much money they have to spend on a house. That could lead to the seller paying more than he or she might otherwise. "Most real estate agents, in my experience, try to do the right thing and work ethically, but not everybody does," Brobeck said during the call. LISTEN: An eye on real estate iBuyers Other findings: Most consumers don't understand the different roles of real estate professionals, including agent, subagent, transactional agent and designated agent. Cfa Report by on Scribd Depending on the state, some legal disclosures may be only required orally and may not be required at an early stage in the home purchase. State officials have made little effort to enforce the disclosure laws. The report urges the following reforms: That there be clear written and verbal communication early in the process between the agent and consumer on the agent's role and fiduciary responsibility. That so-called dual agency be prohibited across all states. Dual agency is when an agent represents both the buyer and seller. That state real estate commissions work with consumer and industry representatives to develop and enforce an effective disclosure document. "More informed homebuyers and sellers will make better decisions," Brobeck said. "They will have a higher regard for, and complain less about, real estate agents." RELATED: Government shutdown threatens certain home loans The Houston Association of Realtors said the reforms recommended by the CFA have been the law in Texas for years, and that the state did away with dual agency a long time ago. The state also requires an agent to disclose his or her role and fiduciary responsibility as soon as he or she has made substantial contact with a customer. Brobeck noted that Texas is one of few states where the state's real estate commission provides information for consumers on its website. The report, which includes advice to homebuyers and sellers about dealing with agents, incorporates real estate agency research, a national consumer survey by ORC International and a mystery shopper survey of agents. The Washington-based CFA aims to advance consumer interest through research, advocacy and education. It is made up of 250 nonprofits. This article was first published on NerdWallet.com. This year marks a decade since the global financial crisis. Although the biggest financial institutions still dominate the landscape, banking has undergone some changes. The proliferation of smartphones means mobile banking now plays a significant role in how we manage our money. A 2016 Fed survey found that over half of smartphone users with bank accounts used their devices to access their money. What hasnt changed since 2008? Con artists. 10 years after the Great Recession: Tips and advice to prepare for bad times and to prosper any time Ten years ago, identity theft was the No. 1 complaint logged by the Federal Trade Commission. Today, the number of complaints is 20% higher than in 2008. The research-based advisory firm Javelin Strategy & Research identified a record high of nearly 17 million victims of identity fraud last year. And many of todays fraud and identity theft breaches involve mobile devices. The rise of mobile banking in the past decade means its easier and more convenient to keep up with your bank accounts, but it could also make it easier to be scammed. Financial institutions invest in technology and cybersecurity expertise to fight back, but your bank or credit union needs your help. Here are ways hackers try to access your bank information and how you can avoid swiping your money into a criminals trap. How hackers work Phishing. This happens when hackers use websites, emails or other means of contact to trick customers into submitting personal information. The practice isnt new, but it has gotten more sophisticated. Ten years ago, phishing was rudimentary. Fake sites were not authentic looking. There were a lot of typos, says Adam Levin, founder of Cyberscout, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based cybersecurity company. Now, the criminals have gotten much more sophisticated and the sites look real. According to the not-for-profit Anti-Phishing Working Group, phishing attacks increased by a whopping 5,700% over the 12 years ended in 2016, and the latest data suggest attacks continue to increase. Keylogger software. These programs may install on phones via apps that arent secure, such as one thats not from your devices approved app store. The software records keystrokes, such as when you enter a bank username or password on a website, then sends a record of what was typed to the hacker. How to protect your accounts Ask your bank or credit union about security. The safest banks for consumers use the latest cybersecurity protocols to protect your accounts from breaches and large-scale identity theft. Youll want to make sure your bank is up to par, Levin says. If not, it may be time to switch to another institution. Make sure your bank provides the following and use these services: Two-factor authentication. When you attempt to log on to your banks secure online webpage, the bank or credit union will contact you through some other means by sending a text, for example to ask you to confirm the login request. Not every bank has two-factor authentication. But if you choose one that does, your accounts have an extra layer of protection, says Neal Stern, CPA and member of the American Institute of CPAs National Financial Literacy Commission. When you attempt to log on to your banks secure online webpage, the bank or credit union will contact you through some other means by sending a text, for example to ask you to confirm the login request. Not every bank has two-factor authentication. But if you choose one that does, your accounts have an extra layer of protection, says Neal Stern, CPA and member of the American Institute of CPAs National Financial Literacy Commission. Transaction alerts. Sign up for these alerts, which are generally text or email messages your bank sends to your mobile device when large purchases are made on your account or if your balance drops below a certain amount. (For a deeper look at transaction alerts, here are five mobile banking alerts that help fight fraud.) Sign up for these alerts, which are generally text or email messages your bank sends to your mobile device when large purchases are made on your account or if your balance drops below a certain amount. (For a deeper look at transaction alerts, here are five mobile banking alerts that help fight fraud.) Fraud monitoring. Many banks monitor transactions to detect unusual spending patterns. The bank might send you a confirmation text if it detects an odd purchase attempt, such as an online purchase worth thousands of dollars from a vendor youve never used before. You would have to reply before approval of the transaction. Keep mobile device software up to date. Your device provider likely sends periodic updates. Some of them may help stop the latest hacker attempts, so its important to install updates. Have a rock solid sign-on. When it comes to logging on to your banks website, use long and strong passwords that are hard to guess, Levin says. That way, even if you lose your phone, the next person who picks it up wont be able to figure out how to log in to your bank accounts. In addition, lock your mobile device screen and use a different password to unlock it. (Read more about how to create passwords that are hard on others but easy on you.) Be careful with other contacts. Fraudsters may try to trick a customer by calling and saying an account has been compromised, then asking for sensitive information, such as a password or Social Security number, to confirm their identity. Why would you need to authenticate yourself to someone who contacts you? Levin says. If youre unsure about whether a call is legit, hang up and try to reach the bank or credit union at a number youre familiar with. Today, customers can deposit checks, transfer money between accounts and pay bills from the convenience of their smartphones. But with convenience comes risk. Take steps to eliminate the risk of identity theft by partnering with your financial institution to protect your hard-earned money. Margarette Burnette is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: mburnette@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @Margarette. The article Banking Has Changed, but Criminals Havent Heres How to Protect Your Money originally appeared on NerdWallet. Saudi Arabias energy minister has no quarrels with U.S. shale and even sees output cuts by OPEC and its allies as directly aiding American drillers. The action we have taken, quickly in December and that were seeing implemented as we speak, is a lifeline to U.S. shale producers, Khalid Al-Falih said at a conference in Abu Dhabi. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed to cut oil output this year to support prices. The group and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, said they would start to trim 1.2 million barrels of daily production this month to stabilize the market. They already reduced output by 600,000 barrels a day in December, Al-Falih said last week. From HoustonChronicle.com: Energy sector heads into kind of purgatory Saudi Arabias challenge goes beyond balancing supply and demand. The kingdom must also contend with U.S. President Donald Trumps insistence that OPEC keep oil flowing and prices low. Al-Falihs messages have oscillated between assuring investors that the cuts are serious and taking credit for the higher prices that boost U.S. oil production. Crude producers in the U.S. are pumping a record 11.7 million barrels a day, according to the Energy Information Administration. Shale explorers need almost $54 a barrel for their oil to eke out a profit because of rising costs for equipment, crews and raw materials needed to extract crude, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. With oil prices rising, thanks in part to the Saudi-led cuts, that break-even level is in sight. Oil fell on Monday as uncertainty persisted over how much OPEC output will need to be cut to counter rising U.S. shale supplies. West Texas Intermediate declined as much as 89 cents to $50.70 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent for March settlement fell 72 cents to $59.76 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange at 8:40 a.m. local time. RELATED: Oil retreats with equities as rally to bull market seen overdone Thats Life Many operators in the U.S. shale patch call me when they see the price band drop down and they see investors starting to turn away, and they say its time to do something, Al-Falih said. They want us to do all of the work and they want to take the benefit, but thats, you know, thats life. Prices are up more than 20 percent since hitting an almost two-year low in December. Although higher oil is a boon to U.S. shale producers, Al-Falih said he isnt convinced that the frackers will sustainably suppress the market. Output in the U.S. helps tame prices and reduce volatility, which is one of the ultimate aims of the OPEC+ initiative, he said. U.A.E. Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei sees a risk that shale drillers may overproduce again, and any excess supply from shale deposits could take a long time to clear, he said at the conference. OPEC+ cuts of 1.2 million barrels a day are enough, Mazrouei said. Even as it pumps less oil, Saudi Arabia is still investing to maintain capacity. The kingdom last week raised its estimate for crude reserves after its first independent audit in nearly four decades. The reserves assessment will be part of Saudi Arabian Oil Co.s approach to international investors as the worlds biggest crude-exporting company prepares to sell a bond this year and offer its shares to the public in 2021. RIGS: Gas drilling up, oil down - rig count stays flat Sluggish Russia Al-Falih and his fellow ministers have repeatedly affirmed the cohesiveness of OPEC+. He said on Sunday that current oil-output curbs are sufficient to remove a glut and that the coalition will stick together if further adjustments are needed. Weve done enough and been decisive in our action, not only the kingdom but other countries, he said. Russia has started slower than I like, but they have already started, and I am sure -- as they did in 2017 -- will ultimately catch up and be a positive contributor to balancing the market. OPECs Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said Russia typically needs time to ramp up or reduce production because of its challenging geography and the large number of private companies operating its fields. We are confident that with a high level of conformity from all members, we will be able to balance the market for the year, Barkindo said in Abu Dhabi. If more needs to be done for oil, we will do it, Al-Falih said. If we look beyond the noise of weekly data and vibration in the market, I remain convinced we are on the right track. --With assistance from Mohammed Aly Sergie, Manus Cranny, Hussein Slim and Giovanni Prati. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. - Dave Lesar, fresh from retiring as executive chairman of Halliburton Co. at the end of 2018, is working on a new venture in the oil patch with funding from private equity firm CSL Capital Management. Lesar, 65, plans to start an oilfield services company, said Charles Leykum, the founder of Houston-based CSL. A representative for Lesar said he wasnt immediately able to comment. The move would see Lesar following in the footsteps of Andrew Gould, who also struck out on his own after stepping down as chairman of rival services giant Schlumberger Ltd. in 2012. RELATED: Miller takes over as Halliburton chairman with Lesar retirement When Halliburton announced in May 2017 that Lesar would step down as chief executive officer and become chairman, it also disclosed that his employment agreement contained a four-year non-compete clause. Leykum, commenting Monday in an interview, declined to give specifics on Lesars new venture but said it wont compete with Halliburton. Groomed by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney as his successor as CEO of Halliburton, Lesar steered the company through myriad challenges including asbestos claims, a failed takeover of rival Baker Hughes and the start of the worst crude crash in a generation. LATEST BUSINESS HEADLINES: Get your Houston business updates delivered to you Lesar said last month in an interview with the Houston Business Journal that while he wasnt totally settled on what hed do next, he thought it would be something related to oilfield services. "I will not compete with Halliburton, but it is a big space out there," he said. "I got really good advice from one of our board members: listen to everything, say no to everything, but write it down. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. At a time when a political battle over building a border wall has partially shutdown the federal government, a bipartisan group of congressmen from Texas have filed a bill that would strengthen U.S. energy sector ties to Mexico. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, has filed House Resolution 132, which seeks to boost U.S. funding for the North American Development Bank and give the binational financial institution authority to fund cross-border natural gas pipelines and natural gas-fired power plants as well as projects that boost cross-border energy distribution and energy security between the United States and Mexico. Cuellar has found bipartisan support among three border congressmen who signed on to the bill as co-sponsors Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes; Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville; and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Edinburg. South of the Border: U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico hit new record Hurd,whose vast district stretches from San Antonio to the suburbs of El Paso and includes hundreds of miles alonf the U.S. border with Mexico, explained his support. "NADBank has helped fund many infrastructure projects that are critical to the public health and safety of South and West Texas communities, particularly for those in rural areas," Hurd said in a statement. "I am proud to introduce this bill with my friend Rep. Cuellar to ensure NADBank can continue to provide for folks I represent and will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver real results back home." Funded by both the U.S. and Mexican governments, the development bank was created shortly after the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. Headquartered in San Antonio, the bank has provided $2.42 billion in loans & grants over the last 24 years for 167 projects ranging from water and sewage to public transportation, wind energy and solar power. MEXICO MONEY: AMLOs money guy sends a message to anxious Wall Street crowd "The North American Development Bank has been a cost-effective investment for American taxpayers and provides essential services on our southern border," Cuellar said in a statement. "Clean drinking water, sewage and waste treatment are the kinds of basic projects we can't afford to under-fund. They don't just keep our communities clean they keep us healthy and safe from disease." The bank does not have authority to fund natural gas-related projects, but Cuellar's bill would change that. The bill is being introduced when rhetoric between President Donald Trump and Democratic members of Congress have politicized the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump recently visited the Rio Grande Valley border town of McAllen to draw support for the wall, which most border lawmakers oppose. Cuellar's bill also comes at a time when U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico have reached record highs due to a massive build out of cross-border pipelines and increasing demand south of the border. Bipartisan support: Cornyn, Turner become unlikely allies in support of LNG project With falling domestic production and increased demand from new power plants and factories, Mexico is importing more than 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from the United States, a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration states. Although most of the cross-border natural gas pipelines were built based on contracts issued by Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission, or CFE, to feed new power plants, there have been some also been some purely private sector initiatives. San Antonio pipeline company Howard Energy Partners partnered with Grupo CLISA of Monterrey to build the Nueva Era Pipeline, which moves natural gas from the border city of Laredo to government-owned power plants and private customers in wealthy and industrial city of Monterrey. The head of Irans nuclear programme said on Sunday that the country has begun "preliminary activities" to design a modern process for 20 per cent uranium enrichment for its 50-year-old research reactor in Tehran, The National reports. Restarting enrichment at that level would mean Iran had withdrawn the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers, an accord that US President Donald Trump already pulled America out of in May. However, Ali Akbar Salehis comments appeared to be aimed at telling the world Iran would slowly restart its programme. If it chooses, it could resume mass enrichment at its main facility in the central town of Natanz. Speaking on state television, Mr Salehi said adding the modern fuel would increase efficiency at the Tehran research reactor that consumes 20-per cent enriched fuel. We are on the verge of being ready, he said. In June, Iran informed the UNs nuclear watchdog that it will increase its nuclear enrichment capacity within the limits set by the 2015 agreement. Iran continues to comply with the terms of the deal, according to the UN, despite the American pullout. Mr Salehi heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, whose Tehran campus holds the nuclear research reactor given to the country by the US in 1967 under the rule of the shah. Following this American Atoms for Peace donation, Iran was convulsed by its 1979 revolution and the subsequent takeover and hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. For decades, Western nations have been concerned about Irans nuclear programme, accusing Tehran of wanting atomic weapons. Iran has said its programme is for peaceful purposes, but it faced years of economic sanctions. The 2015 nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers, including the US under former president Barack Obama, was aimed at relieving those fears. Iran agreed to store its excess centrifuges at its underground Natanz enrichment facility under constant surveillance by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran can use 5,060 older-model IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz, but only to enrich uranium up to 3.67 per cent. That low-level enrichment means the uranium can be used to fuel a civilian reactor but is far below the 90 per cent needed to produce a weapon. Iran also can possess no more than 300 kilograms of that uranium. Thats compared to the 10,000kg of higher-enriched uranium it once had. Mr Trump, who campaigned on a promise to tear up the nuclear deal, said he ultimately pulled America out of the accord over Irans ballistic missile programme and its malign influence on the wider Middle East. In an interview in September with the Associated Press, Mr Salehi gave a warning that Iran could begin mass production of more advanced centrifuges if the deal collapses. If we have to go back and withdraw from the nuclear deal, we certainly do not go back to where we were before, Mr Salehi said at the time. We will be standing on a much, much higher position. The tastemakers: Salvesen Graham Nicole Salvesen of interior design firm Salvesen Graham discusses the companys philosophy and the spaces they created using pieces from our Interiors sale on 29 January Salvesen Graham is a leading interior design and decoration practice specialising in classic interiors with a modern twist. Established in London by founders Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen, the company works for both private residential and commercial clients in the UK and abroad to create beautiful interiors that sit comfortably within their environment. Our Interiors sale on 29 January in London has been curated by Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, who have created some signature design schemes using pieces from the auction. Visitors to King Street for Januarys Christie's Lates event on 14 January will be able to enjoy the fruits of their craft, and to hear the design duo talking about their work. We spoke to Nicole to discover more about their choices, their philosophy and more. How do you approach your design projects? Nicole Salvesen: Each project is different it always starts with the personality of the client and the architecture of the building. Only then will we think about what we might want to add. We work very closely with our clients to achieve interiors that look as though they have evolved over time, never appearing overly designed. There is no house style as such. Mary and I both believe in curating a combination of the old with the new, and we enjoy mixing antiques with contemporary design to create interiors underpinned by our use of colour, texture and pattern. Where, what or who inspires you? NS: We are hugely inspired by the designers of the past such as John Fowler, whose influence can still very much be seen throughout the current interior trends. We also love the confidence and colour of American designers such as Michael S. Smith, Kate Ridder, Miles Redd and Steven Gambrel. Antiques always feature strongly in every project we do, and are often are the grounding element to a scheme. READ MORE: Christies interviews leading interior designer Michael S. Smith What can you tell us about your vision for this room design for Christie's? NS: We wanted to show that antiques can be used in fun and interesting ways that are inherently very liveable. The antiques were the inspiration behind the wallpaper, which is a fresh take on a classic flame stitch fabric that can often be seen on antique pieces. Not only can old and new pieces of furniture be combined in an interior scheme, but also antiques from a variety of periods can work really well together. What are your favourite pieces from our Interiors sale? NS: We love a bar cart and they always feature somewhere in our clients homes, so it was great to discover the collection of cocktail shakers and bar accessories that feature in the sale. The Arts and Crafts brass and copper wall lights were a real favourite, as they were such a pretty colour. Sometimes pieces from this period can be very distinctive and hard to use as part of an eclectic scheme, but these lights would look good anywhere. More is more! We always encourage our clients to be as confident as possible. If you love something, go with it The gilt japanned bow-fronted chests had a great scale and were in a beautiful blue, helping to add colour to a scheme, while the Pietrina Checcacci Brazilian gilt/bronze and glass coffee table was an unexpected and unusual piece that really caught our eye. What is your design philosophy, broadly speaking? NS: More is more! We always encourage our clients to be as confident as possible. If you love something, go with it. As long as there is something in a room with multiple colours in it, such as a piece of art or a cushion fabric, then this can help tie a scheme together and make it feel thought-through. Adding an antique to a scheme makes the room feel complete and curated over time, rather then pulled together afresh. What is the biggest challenge in creating a relaxing living space? NS: Knowing when to stop so that other elements in the room dont get lost. We often talk about visual balance when we talk about creating a scheme. If you have one showstopper piece in a room it can often make other things feel less considered so you have to have other strong elements to balance a fabulous pattern or colour, for example. This will make the room feel relaxing since nothing will jar. We are huge advocates of colour, pattern and maximalism, so the more wonderful objects the better! This is important both in strong and more muted schemes, both of which we enjoy creating. Sign up today The Online Magazine delivers the best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe Pastor steps down over 'Bruce Jenner is still a man' church sign The pastor of a church in northern California has resigned after posting a controversial sign saying that transgender reality star Caitlyn Jenner was still a man. The controversial sign was placed outside Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church in Weed, Siskiyou County, by its pastor Justin Hoke. It read: 'Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still sin. The culture may change but the Bible does not.' Bruce Jenner, a one-time Olympian and former star of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, has gone by the name of Caitlyn Jenner since coming out as transgender in 2015. Hoke, married father-of-three posted a picture of the sign to his Facebook page on New Year's Eve, sparking backlash from members of the LGBT community. Protesters held a 'Love Rally' outside the church before its weekly services and the church sign was also vandalised. After making international headlines, Pastor Hoke announced over the weekend that he was leaving the church. In a statement posted to Facebook, the pastor said he did not want to quit but had made the decision to resign after being informed that members of the church would leave so long as he stayed. 'As of today, I am no longer the pastor of Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church,' he said. After apparently being told that 'those who left would likely return if I would leave', he said 'it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the local body for us (TBPC and the Hoke family) to part ways'. 'I would like to add this, I did not want to leave, I did not quit, and I was willing to stay,' he added. He later updated his page to turn down offers of financial support, saying he didn't want to 'use this 5 minutes of fame as a chance to capitalize on the sympathy and good will of others'. 'The Lord has taken care of my needs,' he said. 'Please pray that God would open more doors for me to preach the gospel, that is all I want or need.' New Bishop of Truro calls for denominations to work together The new Bishop of Truro has called for all denominations to work together in an attempt to tackle the challenges facing Cornwall. Preaching at his service of welcome, Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen suggested that helping to raise people's aspirations was one of the most important ways in which Christians could serve God in the county today. He said: 'I have a specific role and calling as bishop to shape the Diocese of Truro to that end: that Jesus Christ should be seen and known in and through his church, that through us something of his Kingdom might come. But this is the common task of all who call themselves Christians. It is certainly not for Anglicans alone. 'And if we are to show forth as a church something of the wonderful reality of who Jesus Christ is, that will only happen as we work together across every denominational boundary which could so easily divide us which again is why it has been so important to have those from other churches involved in this service. It is only together that we can give ourselves with any hope of effectiveness to the task of bringing in God's Kingdom. 'For God, all things are possible: for each and all of us personally; for our communities; for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and our two parishes in Devon; for this country; for this continent and indeed for the whole wide world.' The service was held at Truro Cathedral on Saturday and officiated over by the Dean of Truro, the Very Rev Roger Bush. He presented the new bishop with the pastoral staff, or crosier, that had originally belonged to the very first Bishop of Truro, Edward White Benson, who later went on to become Archbishop of Canterbury. Mounstephen told the assembled congregation of more than 1,000 people, from all walks of life in Cornwall: 'I find it hard to put into words just how I feel standing here today before you. Delighted: certainly; honoured: undoubtedly; humbled, indeed.' But he said he had also been surprised by his appointment, despite the fact that an old friend from Cornwall had been telling him for many years that he would one day hold the office. 'I never believed her. Which is why, perhaps, I am more surprised today than she is. But that sense of surprise does drive me back to the words of Jesus which we heard in our gospel reading and which I want us to focus on today: while things may be impossible for ordinary human beings, "For God," Jesus says, "all things are possible."' Most millennials support restrictions on abortion as NY Governor Cuomo pushes for greater liberalisation New research into the views of millennials on abortion has found that most oppose the termination of pregnancies without any legal restrictions. While over half of the millennials polled by the Institute for Pro-Life Advancement (51 per cent) supported abortion, only 7 per cent agreed that 'abortion should be allowed without exception and funded by tax dollars'. Of the 51 per cent who support abortion, over half (28 per cent) said there should be limits, such as parental notification, banning late-term abortions, and no government funding. Only 17 per cent said taxpayer dollars should be used to fund abortion provider Planned Parenthood. The findings were released one week after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his push to codify Rode vs Wade into state law. Cuomo is refusing to sign the state budget until the Reproductive Health Act - which allows abortion up to birth for any reason - is approved by the state legislature. The act states that 'every individual who becomes pregnant has the fundamental right to choose to carry the pregnancy to term, to give birth to a child or have an abortion'. It also pledges to remove abortion from the state penal code. Cuomo said on Twitter: 'It is critical that we codify Roe v. Wade into state law, and to take it a step further, we will fight to pass a constitutional amendment protecting a woman's right to control her own reproductive health.' His campaign has the backing of Hillary Clinton, who said on Twitter: 'I'll be joining @NYGovCuomo as he lays out his plan to codify Roe v. Wade and pass the Reproductive Health Act. There's no time to wait.' Kathleen Gallagher, an official in the New York State Catholic Conference, told Crux she fears for the rights of pro-lifers if the bill is passed. 'It foresees a time in New York where it's a crime to be pro-life,' she said. The New York State Right to Life Committee said the bill 'would not only lead to an increase in the number of abortions, but expose New York mothers to increased dangers by removing protections currently in New York statute'. It added that the legislation would prevent prosecution of illegal abortions and restrict pro-life efforts. 'The few protections in New York law should not be repealed. Abortion is not health care,' it said. How can an Anglican priest deny the physical resurrection of Christ? This article has been updated. The Archbishop of Canterbury's temporary representative to the Vatican the previous one resigned after an accusation of sexual misconduct turns out to be someone whose belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus is in question. Australian cleric Dr John Shepherd, who was Dean of Perth from 1990-2014, said in an Easter sermon in 2008: 'It's important for Christians to be set free from the idea that the resurrection was an extraordinary physical event, which restored to life Jesus' original earthly body. The resurrection of Jesus ought not to be seen in physical terms, but as a new spiritual reality.' He subsequently issued a clarifying statement, saying: 'It is my faith that Jesus rose from the dead, and I have never denied the reality of the empty tomb. The risen Christ was not a ghost he ate and could be touched but at the same time he appeared in a locked room (John 20.26), and vanished from sight (Luke 24.31), and he was often not immediately recognised.' Conservatives are not entirely convinced, however, though the Anglican Archbishop of Perth, Kay Goldsworthy, has said she was surprised people had been making 'statements of concern' about a sermon from 11 years ago: 'If that happened to every preacher in the Church we would all be in trouble, frankly.' We aren't all senior clergy, though? Certainly all preachers have said things they later regret, but yes, he is particularly exposed. It's a bit baffling does he really not believe in the resurrection? He says he does. The jury is out, a bit. As Ian Paul says in his Psephizo blog, 'I don't really know how to read that, since his earlier statement does appear to "deny the reality of the empty tomb", and he does not renounce his earlier statement.' Um... but none of us believe in reanimated corpses, though, do we? It's more like, as though well, I'm not entirely sure, to be perfectly frank. Quite; whatever the post-resurrection body of Jesus was like, it was clearly different from the pre-resurrection version, as Dr Shepherd says. However, traditional Christian teaching has been very clear that something happened in the tomb and that when the disciples went there it was empty. So do some priests not believe in the bodily resurrection at all? There is a liberal wing that sees the resurrection stories and other miracle stories as not to be taken literally. They are theological rather than historical representations of reality. 'Jesus' early followers felt his presence after his death as strongly as if it were a physical presence and incorporated this sense of a resurrection experience into their gospel accounts. But they're not historical records as we understand them,' Dr Shepherd said originally. Fake news, in other words? That's not entirely fair. These thinkers tend to have a view of God and his interactions with the world that makes them lukewarm or sceptical about miracles in general. So healing miracle stories would be read for their theological value, for instance, and what they tell us about God's care for the weak and vulnerable. But they didn't actually happen? No, or if they did there was usually a psychological component. You can't have a psychological resurrection, though, surely? You're alive or you're dead. Indeed, and for these theologians Jesus' body was still dead. But the power of his message meant that he was raised to continue his work in the continuing ministry of his disciples. Haven't I heard this before somewhere? If you're of a certain age, yes; David Jenkins, a former Bishop of Durham, got into hot water in 1984 when he said the resurrection was 'not just a conjuring trick with bones' (or something like it). But it's a thing: the current Archbishop of Wales said something similar not long ago. And in 2003 a poll found that a third of CofE clergy doubted the resurrection and half doubted the Virgin Birth. But look, what about all the evidence Who Moved the Stone and all that? It's only evidence if you accept that the Gospel writers were trying to write history and that they got the history right. Liberal thinkers would say they were sort of riffing on OT scripture, with a view to expressing something of the remarkable nature of what God had done through Jesus, and that theological reflection spilled over into writing what they thought ought to have happened. It was more a literary device than what we'd regard as historical writing. What about conservative thinkers? To borrow from Douglas Adams: 'Most leading theologians claim that this argument isn't worth a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys.' For instance, while there was certainly a theological purpose in what they wrote, the Gospel writers also include odd random details that imply an element of eye-witness like the bandage in Luke 24:12. Weird that these are clergy who don't believe Jesus is alive, though. Ah, but they do, or at least a good number of them do it's just that they have detached that belief from the bodily resurrection. So he's alive in the sense that anyone who has died is still 'living'. Can you do that? Discuss. But the vast majority of Christians would say you can't; that there is something deeply significant about God raising Jesus to life again in a real rather than a symbolic or literary sense, and that he really and truly overcame death when he did that. Is it too soon to wish everyone a Happy Easter? It's never too soon. Christ is risen. Alleluia. Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods Bishop refusing to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies says he will appeal disciplinary action The head of the US Episcopal Church has taken disciplinary action against the Bishop of Albany for opposing same-sex marriage ceremonies. Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev Michael Curry, moved to restrict part of Bishop William Love's ministry after he introduced a policy in the diocese last year preventing churches from performing gay weddings. Bishop Love introduced the policy in December after the Episcopal Church's General Convention passed resolution B012 earlier last year allowing congregations to hold ceremonies for gay marriages even in dioceses where the leadership objected. This resolution overturned a previous resolution passed by the General Convention in 2015 that had allowed bishops who disagreed with same-sex marriage to ban such ceremonies within their diocese. In a pastoral letter to his diocese in November, Bishop Love said that the gay marriage rites approved by the General Convention 'shall not be used anywhere in the Diocese of Albany by diocesan clergy (canonically resident or licensed)'. In response to Bishop Love's actions, Bishop Curry last week sent a written notice stating that he was 'forbidden from participating in any manner in the Church's disciplinary process in the Diocese of Albany in any matter regarding any member of the clergy that involves the issue of same-sex marriage'. 'Nor shall he participate in any other matter that has or may have the effect of penalizing in any way any member of the clergy or laity or worshipping congregation of his diocese for their participation in the arrangements for or participation in a same-sex marriage in his diocese or elsewhere,' the notice continued. Bishop Curry, who last year wed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, said that although he was 'persuaded of the sincerity and good will of Bishop Love in these difficult circumstances', he was 'convinced' that resolution B012 was intended by the General Convention 'to be mandatory and binding upon all our dioceses'. He added that as Presiding Bishop, he was 'called upon to take steps to ensure that same-sex marriage in the Episcopal Church is available to all persons to the same extent and under the same conditions in all dioceses of the church where same-sex marriage is civilly legal'. Responding to the measures, Bishop Love argued that his policy reflected the official teaching of the Church that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that no resolutions from the General Convention had overridden this. He said he planned to appeal the disciplinary action taken against him. 'While I obviously would rather not have had disciplinary actions taken against me, and hope to see it overturned in the near future, I will abide by the restrictions placed on me by the Presiding Bishop during the appeal process,' he said. 'With that said, as your bishop, it is important that you understand I have not changed my understanding or teaching regarding the sacrament of holy matrimony.' Arab Christians furious at 'McJesus' artwork depicting crucified Ronald McDonald The "McJesus" sculpture by Finnish artist Jani Leinonen on display at the Haifa Museum of Art. (Haifa Museum of Art) Hundreds of Arab Christians have clashed with police in the Israeli town of Haifa over a 'blasphemous' piece in the town's Museum of Art. The artwork depicts a crucified Ronald McDonald. According to police, protesters tried to force their way into the museum and some officers were injured when rocks were thrown. A Molotov cocktail was thrown on Thursday. One protester told the Walla news site that the government was discriminating against them because they were Christians. If they put up [a sculpture of] Hitler with a Torah scroll they would immediately respond.' The piece, 'McJesus' by Finnish artist Jani Leinonen, was part of the museum's Sacred Goods exhibit. Other pieces included one showing Jesus as a Ken doll. 'We denounce the exhibition and the injury to the holiest symbol of Christianity by an institution that is supposed to serve citizens of all religions,' Archimandrite Agapious Abu Sa'ada of the Greek Melkite Catholic Archeparchy of Acre told Haartez. According to the Times of Israel, Israel's culture minister Miri Regev sent museum director Nissim Tal a letter calling for the sculpture's removal on Thursday, saying: 'Disrespect of religious symbols sacred to many worshipers in the world as an act of artistic protest is illegitimate and cannot serve as art at a cultural institution supported by state funds.' However, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel protested her statement the following day, saying: 'The minister's threat to withdraw government support for the museum is baseless. The Budget Foundation Law does not include even the vaguest clause about prohibiting offensive content due to religious reasons.' The museum said it would put up a notice saying the contents of the exhibition were potentially offensive. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment This is not a slam on Jeff Bezos, either explicitly or implicitly. This is not an attack on the rich. Or on liberals. Or on any other group of people. All kinds of people have marital problems. Evangelical Christians commit adultery. Conservatives divorce and remarry. Poor people experience broken homes. All this is self-evident and needs no documentation. The sobering lesson is that, as the Beatles sang, money cant buy us love. Or peace. Or contentment. Or a stable marriage. Or a sense of purpose. Or morality. Or freedom from inner demons. In fact, its often true that the more we have, the less content we are. To be clear, poverty is not the key to happiness. Or peace. Or contentment. Or marital stability. Far from it. Poverty is draining and demeaning. Poverty is burdensome. Poverty, in and of itself, is anything but a blessing. On the flip side, I dont know anyone who thinks, If only I were poor! Then Id be happy and content. Hardly. But I know many who think, If only I had more money! If only I were rich! Then Id be happy and content. Not so. As Jesus warned, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). He also gave a warning to those who [store] up things for themselves but [are] not rich toward God (Luke 12:21). The real question, then, is, are we rich toward God? Are we rich on the inside? Thats the key to contentment, joy, purpose and a healthy marriage. Some of the most content children I have ever met were kids aged 3-15 who lived in a childrens home in India. Some were orphans. Others came from families experiencing great hardship who were unable to care for their children. These kids had a school uniform to wear and one additional set of clothing. They had no cell phones. No TVs. No computers. They slept on the floor (more recently, they sleep on mattresses, several kids to each mattress), and they ate three simple meals a day. But they were taught to love God. They were taught to pray and read the Bible. They were taught to love the poor and needy. To be compassionate. To respect their elders. To be wholesome. They were not under pressure to dress a certain way or wear their hair a certain way or model themselves after the latest pop star. Yet their smiles could light up the room, and along with getting the very best education offered in their entire community, they have gone on to productive careers, from pastors to medical doctors and from professors to homemakers. The Book of Proverbs reminds us of what really matters with pithy sayings like this: Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred (Prov 15:16-17). And this: Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice (Prov 16:8). Who would argue with this? Theres something else that the Bezos divorce brings to mind (and, to repeat, this is not an attack on the man; I pray for Gods best for his life). Beauty doesnt bring happiness. Having a trophy wife or a stud husband doesnt bring marital bliss. In fact, often, its the rich and famous who struggle the most with self-image (just talk to a famous model about the internal battles many of them face). And often, its those who have access to anything, who have the most gorgeous men and women at their beck and call, who have the least long-term contentment. Heres some more wisdom from Proverbs. Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife (Prov 17:1). Who could argue with this? Or this: Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse (Prov 19:1). What price can you put on integrity? Or morality? And who could argue with this? Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife [or, husband] (Prov 21:9). The point of all this is simple. Lets focus on our inner person more than on outward appearance. Lets give more attention to the quality of our relationships than to the quantity of our possessions. Lets put our emphasis on getting our spiritual houses in order before we pursue our earthly dreams. Then, whether were rich or poor. Whether were famous or unknown. Whether were beautiful or homely. We can be blessed and content. Our marriages can be strong. Our families can be whole. And we can go to sleep at night with peace and wake up in the morning with purpose. Is there anything more important than that? Jayme Closs: Two churches that prayed for 88 days celebrate return of kidnapped teen Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Two churches that prayed for 88 days for the safe return of 13-year-old Jayme Closs who was kidnapped from her Barron, Wisconsin, home where her parents were murdered, celebrated the power of prayer and faith on Sunday after the teen was reunited with her family. "I tingle because I have been praying for her since it happened, I don't know the family personally but it's just wonderful, said Larry Leff, a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Cameron where Jaymes religious education classes and her parents funeral were held. Parishioners at St. Joseph Church in Barron, along with others at St. Peter Catholic Church, reportedly prayed unceasingly for Closs' return home after she went missing on Oct. 15 and her parents were found shot dead in the family home, NBC News reported. As these churches prayed and authorities searched for the teenager, she suddenly appeared from the woods near Gordon, Wisconsin, and asked a woman walking her dog for help. The teenager said she had been held captive in a nearby cabin but finally escaped. Jake T. Patterson, 21, the man accused of holding Closs against her will, was expected to be charged with kidnapping and two counts of first-degree intentional homicide on Monday. "I think all of our prayers is what brought her home, St. Peter member Geri Schoenecker told NBC 15. It was a full house at St. Peter Catholic Church in Cameron as members were celebrating Jaymes safe return. Our prayers have been answered and God is good, said church member JoAnn Trowbridge. "Thank you is all I can say because I think God got sick of us nagging Him so He answered our prayers. Closs was released from a Duluth hospital and returned to the home of her aunt, Jennifer Smith, who has shared photos of the teenager on a Facebook page called Healing for Jayme Closs. Smith reportedly attends St. Joseph Church but she and her family were not present on Sunday. Many parishioners at both churches readily pointed out how they saw the hand of God in Closs' return. I think the thing thats outstanding to me is the lady that she went to was a child protection worker, Margaret Sailor, a St. Peters member since 1974, told the Star Tribune. I just think that the Holy Spirit was instrumental to guiding these people to be there at the right time. Juan Valadez, who worked with Closs' father, James Closs, at Jennie-O Turkey Store for at least a decade, told the Tribune that the attack on the Closs family had been devastating for those who knew them and expressed that it was a great feeling to have the teen back. Ive asked people, Do you believe in miracles? They say yes, and I say, Well, we just had one today, said Valadez, who sat at the back of St. Joseph with his wife and daughter on Sunday. Closs' cousin, Lindsey Smith, whose mother is currently caring for her, as well as two of her aunts, Sue Allard and Lynn Closs, told CBS This Morning that even though they never gave up hope that she would be found, they are still in shock like much of the country. "I still feel a little in shock. I just want to go over there, every day to my mom's house and see Jayme. It's amazing to see her home," Smith said. Smith explained that the attack on Closs' parents as well as her kidnapping had broken her mothers heart. Now that the girl has been found, however, it has been a source of hope for her mother. My mom, her heart has been just broken since Jayme was gone," Smith said. "And now I told her, I said, 'I get my mom back. You are happy again. You are. It's just the best thing I've ever seen.'" The family is now surrounding the teenager with as much love as they can to ensure she is safe. They recorded her parents funeral for her and she still hasnt grieved their deaths yet. "Making sure she's safe. She feels safe. She's doing pretty well. I spent the afternoon there yesterday. We had her smiling, laughing, going through things in her room," Allard told CBS. The family told NBC that they have not yet talked about the time she was missing but will do so whenever she is ready. When she's ready to talk she will. But we haven't asked her anything yet, Allard said. For the last two nights, they said, Closs has slept in bed with her aunt, Jennifer, her dog and Jennifers dog, Allard said. My sister meant the world to me and I wasn't giving up. We were going to find her daughter because her daughter meant the world to her mom and dad, Allard added. Federal judge blocks Trump's religious exemption to birth control mandate Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Trump administration's expansion of the religious exemption in Obama-era birth control mandate in health insurance plans will not be implemented Monday in 13 states and the District of Columbia as was planned, a federal judge ruled Sunday. In his decision, Judge Haywood Gilliam of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, blocked via an injunction the implementation of the new Trump rules on contraception coverage, which allowed employers to opt out of providing birth control as part of their health insurance plans if doing so violated their religious or moral convictions, according to the Washington Examiner. The injunction against the new rules came about as a result of a lawsuit from 13 Democrat attorneys general and only extends to the states that filed the suit, although the plaintiffs did ask that it apply nationwide. The Trump administration criticized the ruling. No American should be forced to violate his or her own conscience in order to abide by the laws and regulations governing our health care system, Caitlin Oakley, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement Sunday. The final rules affirm the Trump Administrations commitment to upholding the freedoms afforded all Americans under our Constitution. Opponents of the Trump rules celebrated the ruling, calling it a victory for women's rights. The law couldnt be more clear employers have no business interfering in womens healthcare decisions, said Xavier Becerra, attorney general of California, in a statement Sunday evening. Todays court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on womens access to basic reproductive care. Except for the religious exemptions, under the Affordable Care Act employers must offer health insurance plans with several birth control options, including abortifacient varieties, at no further cost to patients. Previously, under the Obama rules, only houses of worship were exempt from having to provide contraceptives, but not businesses or nonprofit organizations, even religious nonprofits. Those who refused to comply faced fines. Yet the Trump administration wrote its own rules that expanded the religious exemptions in Oct., 2017. The contentious issue has been highlighted in recent years as a result of the Obama administration's actions against the Catholic group the Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious order that cares for the impoverished elderly, and craft retail giant Hobby Lobby's victory at the Supreme Court in 2014. Both groups, one a nonprofit organization and the other a business, argued that the government was forcing them to violate their conscience and religious freedom as guaranteed by the First Amendment. In Hobby Lobby's case, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the high court ultimately ruled in a 5-4 decision that the government could not force a private company to violate their conscience and that the protections of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) extend to closely held for-profit corporations, exempting them from the contraceptive mandate in the ACA. The case of the Little Sisters of the Poor was consolidated along with six other related cases under Zubik v. Burwell. In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Court of Appeals ruling and returned those cases back to their respective courts of appeals for reconsideration. India is providing $3 billion in assistance to Afghanistan and expanding its presence in Central Asia. This is the result of the first meeting between the foreign ministers of the 'India - Central Asia' Dialogue, which was held in Samarkand on January 13 with the participation of Afghanistan. India's plans were supported by the United States. New Delhi has emerged as an alternative to China in the Central Asian direction, but at the same time it is strengthening its position in the dialogue with Pakistan. A meeting of the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries, India and Afghanistan was held in Samarkand on Sunday. Its goal was to present the Central Asian direction of foreign policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian Peoples Party). New Delhi is eyeing new promising markets for its products. Central Asia is perfectly suited for this purpose. But as director of the Tashkent Center for Research Initiatives "Ma'no" Bakhtiyor Ergashev, told Vestnik Kavkaza earlier, a road connecting the countries is needed. Therefore, India is developing its transport corridors, in particular North-South, which will open a competitive and fast route from Eurasia to India and unite the Indian port of Mumbai with Iranian seaports in the Persian Gulf. Uzbekistan also plans to get access to Iran's Chabahar Port. Earlier, India promised to invest $3 billion in Uzbekistan. At a conference in Samarkand, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj promised to invest another $3 billion to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. It is possible that these plans were coordinated with the U.S. special peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad. According to the Indian media reports, he visited New Delhi the day before, where he discussed the Afghan peace process with the Indian authorities and supported Indias intention to support Kabul. However, India has been pursuing a rather active economic policy in Afghanistan for several years. In particular, New Delhi pledged to participate in the reconstruction of transport infrastructure and water supply, construction of housing and medical facilities - a total of 116 projects in 31 provinces of Afghanistan. India also plans to build several new hydropower plants and solar power plants in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan, having recently become involved in the process of the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan, has already managed to make significant progress in this direction with the novelty of its approach. The Indian side, in cooperation with Tashkent, is also seeking to improve its status as a co-sponsor of this process. Especially since the TAPI project, the implementation of which without the active participation of the Uzbek side is rather difficult, is of fundamental importance for New Delhi. Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, speaking at a conference in Samarkand, said that Afghanistan would receive some $1 billion annually in transit fees from TAPI. Another important component of the project is its social component - the gas pipeline will create 12,000 jobs in Afghanistan. "For New Delhi, Afghanistan is not just a transit territory for some economic routes. Among other things, the partnership with Kabul is the strategic depth, the conquest of which would allow India to seriously strengthen its positions in any scenario of dialogue with Pakistan," Deputy Director General of the Center for Strategic Estimations and Forecasts Igor Pankratenko told Vestnik Kavkaza. On the other hand, according to an orientalist, while expanding its presence in Central Asia, India creates another competitive to Beijing direction. "But its extremely difficult for New Delhi to compete with the positions already staked by China, the Indians were really late here - but they say its better late than never. It's better now, when the Central Asian Belt and Road Initiative's nodal points have not yet closed in a continuous line. Because the only thing New Delhi is left to do then is to wave colored dupattas as high-speed express trains pass by them, wonder at the pipelines going beyond the horizon and humming some optimistic tunes, encouraging each other, for example Mukesh Mera Joota Hai Japani by Raj Kapoor. And before they are late - the Indians are actively trying to throw the bridge into Central Asia, across which "elephants will go northward" after some time, that is, along the South-North international transport corridor to Europe. Scornfully ignoring the routes of the Chinese Belt and Road," Pankratenko said. According to him, Central Asia represents new markets for Indian goods and a source of resources, Afghanistan represents the road to these markets and access to these resources. For New Delhi, things are quite good with Kabul. "But they need peace. And it can only be provided by partnership with Tashkent, which is reanimating the "peace settlement in Afghanistan" project, speaking simultaneously as an intermediary in negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban ( banned in Russia), and the initiator of reconciliation strategies, and a party which is trying to work out a common ground to suit all external players tied to Afghanistan, from Tehran to Washington, from New Delhi to Beijing. Now it is absolutely necessary for India to become active the participant of this party, having agreed with Uzbekistan," the orientalist noted. And Tashkent has no problem with New Delhi investing in a process, which is not just military-political, but also financial and economic. The benefit of this partnership to both parties are clear. Including those related to the development of bilateral Uzbek-Indian trade and economic relations. Since the next item on the Indian foreign policy agenda after the Afghan settlement is Central Asia, it was quite logical to arrange some inspection of the top Indian diplomat in Samarkand. In turn, there was a convenient situation for Sushma Swaraj to present Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Central Asian foreign policy direction to the participants and explain the benefit coming from the Indian project for each regional country. Without requiring a quick response - one should not hurry in a foreign-policy intrigue of such a level, no matter how hard the external circumstances, mainly Chinese-made, are. A joint statement was adopted following the first meeting between the foreign ministers of the 'India - Central Asia' Dialogue with the participation of Afghanistan, according to the website of the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The parties referred to civilizational, cultural, trade and humanitarian ties between India and Central Asia, expressed their commitment to developing dynamic and fruitful friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries at bilateral and multilateral formats," the document reads. The ministers emphasized the importance of developing and implementing projects, which provide a concerted solution to the problems and issues of economic growth of Central Asian countries based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for their interests. The parties expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation in order to create real opportunities for expanding economic cooperation, ensuring favorable conditions for mutual free trade. The heads of foreign ministries welcomed "the participation of Afghanistan as an important link in the regional cooperation, transit of goods and energy resources, as well as expressed support for Central Asian countries and India's commitment for peace, security and stability in Afghanistan, assistance in establishing an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, assistance in economic reconstruction of Afghanistan through the implementation of joint infrastructure, transit and transport, energy projects including regional cooperation and investment projects. The next meeting of foreign ministers will be held in New Delhi in 2020. Episcopal bishop disciplined for opposing gay marriage says he plans to appeal Church-enforced punishment Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An Episcopal Church bishop who was punished for refusing to allow gay marriages in his diocese has stated that he plans to appeal the punishment. Bishop William Love of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany had his ministry officially restricted by the national church over his refusal to enforce a recently enacted resolution allowing congregations in his regional body to bless same-sex marriages. During the period of this restriction, Bishop Love, acting individually, or as Bishop Diocesan, or in any other capacity, is forbidden from participating in any manner in the Churchs disciplinary process in the Diocese of Albany in any matter regarding any member of the clergy that involves the issue of same-sex marriage, stated Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, head of The Episcopal Church. Nor shall he participate in any other matter that has or may have the effect of penalizing in any way any member of the clergy or laity or worshiping congregation of his diocese for their participation in the arrangements for or participation in a same-sex marriage in his diocese or elsewhere. In response to Presiding Bishop Currys decision, Bishop Love said in an official letter released last Friday that he was planning to challenge the disciplinary action. Love also noted that his appeal served the additional purpose of attempting to overturn the resolution passed last year that compelled his and other dioceses to allow gay weddings. I have already verbally informed the Presiding Bishops Office of my plans. This will soon be followed by an official written appeal as required by the Canons, wrote Love. Love also explained that during the appeal process he will respect the decision that partially restricts his ministry, but added that he has not changed my understanding or teaching regarding the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Last July, the Episcopal Churchs General Convention approved Resolution B012, which expanded the right for same-sex couples to marry in all dioceses, even ones where local bishops theologically object. While the new resolution still gave clergy the right to refuse to officiate same-sex weddings, bishops opposed to same-sex marriage rites must call on another bishop to provide pastoral support for the couple and a clergy member to perform the ceremony. Last November, Bishop Love released a pastoral letter explaining that same-sex wedding ceremonies will not take place in his diocese, despite Resolution B012. "Jesus is calling the Church to follow His example. He is calling the Church to have the courage to speak His Truth in love about homosexual behavior even though it isn't politically correct," wrote Love. "Sexual relations between two men or two women was never part of God's plan and is a distortion of His design in creation and as such is to be avoided. To engage in sexual intimacy outside of marriage between a man and women, is against God's will and therefore sinful and needs to be repented of, NOT encouraged or told it is OK." Love also said he believes both his denomination and overall Western society "have been hijacked by the 'gay rights agenda,'" and that pro-LGBT Episcopalians have been "received into believing a lie that has been planted in the Church by the 'great deceiver' Satan." In addition to the Diocese of Albany, the other impacted dioceses include Dallas; North Dakota; Springfield, Illinois; Tennessee; the U.S. Virgin Islands; and two of the denomination's Florida-based dioceses, the Diocese of Florida and the Diocese of Central Florida. The Rt. Rev. Daniel H. Martins, bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that he considered Resolution B012 a lesser evil. It is preferable to General Convention simply making no provision at all for dioceses that retain the traditional Christian teaching on marriage, said Martins. But it deeply undermines the relationship between a bishop and the parishes of that bishop's diocese. It hampers the bishop's ability to be the chief teacher and chief liturgical officer in a diocese. The Rt. Rev. George Sumner, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, told CP in an earlier interview that while he believed Resolution B012 was flawed, he also considered it a good-faith effort to maintain unity amid strong theological difference. We are doing our best to implement it as we are required to do, and three of our rectors have requested to receive alternative episcopal oversight, said Sumner. While we do not agree with the Presiding Bishop [Michael Curry] on the marriage issue, he has been a friend to traditional Episcopalians. Meanwhile, the Book of Common Prayer, our standard of doctrine, remains unchanged. Chris Pratt engaged; actor vows to 'live boldly in faith' with Katherine Schwarzenegger Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Actor Chris Pratt has announced his engagement to Katherine Schwarzenegger and said hes excited to live boldly in the faith with his future wife. On Monday, Pratt, 39, revealed on Instagram that Schwarzenegger, the 29-year-old daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist Maria Shriver, accepted his proposal. Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! Im thrilled to be marrying you. Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go! he captioned with a diamond ring emoji. Pratt also posted about the engagement on Twitter, suggesting they were sharing the news early. Ideally we'd have kept this secret for as long as, he tweeted to his 6.6 million followers along with a link to his announcement on Instagram. The "Jurassic World" world star and Schwarzenegger began dating earlier last year, and in December, Pratt said he was thrilled God put her in his life. For Schwarzeneggers birthday, Pratt gifted the lifestyle blogger a wooden frame of Jesus with 1 Timothy 1:14 on the inscription: Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus, the frame read. The pair, who met through Schwarzeneggers mother, are both professing Christians. Although raised Catholic, Schwarzenegger has regularly attended Hillsong Church with Pratt over the last few months. She often shares inspiring quotes on Twitter and recently retweeted Pastor Chad Veach: 1 Corinthians 13: "Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about ones achievements nor inflate its own importance." Meanwhile, the actor, who is currently embarking on a 21-day combination of fasting and prayer inspired by the Bible, regularly uses his platform to share his faith. When accepting the Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, he shared nine points of advice, including Christian guidance. "God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do," he said. Pratt told the AP that he feels compelled to share his faith so publicly because of the current state of the world, as well as "what I'm feeling called to do right now." "That kind of a message, it might not be for everybody. But there is a group of people for whom that message is designed," he said. "And nothing fills my soul more than to think that maybe some kid watching that would say, 'Hey, I've been thinking about that. I've been thinking about praying. Let me try that out.'" Pratt finalized his divorce from ex-wife actress Anna Faris in October 2018. They were married for nine years and share together their 6-year-old son, Jack. California pastor ousted after homosexuality is sin' church sign stirs protests Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A northern California pastor has begrudgingly stepped down as members threatened to leave after he posted a church sign that called transgender celebrity Caitlyn Bruce Jenner a man and stated that homosexuality is still a sin. Justin Hoke, who formerly served as pastor at Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church in the town of Weed in Siskiyou County, took to Facebook to announce that he is leaving the church. His departure comes following protest and vandalism in response to his church sign. On New Years Eve, Hoke used his personal Facebook page to post a picture of the sign outside of the church that read: Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still sin. The culture may change but the Bible does not. The sign incited a pro-LGBT Love Rally demonstration Sunday morning before Hokes weekly service on Jan. 6. Additionally, the church sign and the message was vandalized last week. The organizers of the rally say they dont know of anyone involved in the vandalism and condemned the act. As of today, I am no longer the pastor of Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church, Hoke wrote in a Saturday Facebook post. In the post, Hoke felt the need to communicate what has taken place. He stated that he was informed by an elder that the elder could no longer follow his lead as pastor of the church. Hoke added that he was also told by essentially all but one couple in membership that they would leave the church if Hoke did not step down. Our other elder and the couple felt that those who left would likely return if I would leave, Hoke wrote. Our other elder was agreeable to stay and assume the pastoral responsibilities. Therefore it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the local body for [TBPC and the Hoke family] to part ways. On Monday, Hoke updated the Facebook post to explain that he did not want to leave the church. I did not quit, and I was willing to stay, Hoke asserted. The Christian Post reached out to TBPC (also known as Lake Shastina Community Bible Church) for comment on Hokes departure. A response is pending. In an interview with The Siskiyou Daily News, Hoke said his intention with the sign was to express his thought that the Bible doesnt change even though the culture may. If you see a burning building, there are only two reasons not to warn those inside: if you think the danger isnt too great, or if you dont love those inside, Hoke stated. He told the Daily Wire that he was inspired to create the sign after reading about a customer at a store who "threw a fit because a clerk had accidentally referred to him with the masculine gender [pronoun]." Another Love Rally demonstration was held during Sundays service with yet another planned for next Sunday. Organizers of the protest told NBC 5 that their goal was not to get Hoke fired. I dont want to be responsible for someone losing their job. The point in this protest is to show love for the LGBTQ community and other members of the community as well, organizer Charolette Kalayjian said. Hoke told the television news outlet that the protests were not the reason for his departure. There was a fear we would lose what little congregation that we had if I remained, Hoke explained. Battling anxiety and busyness? Best-selling author shares tips for finding true happiness Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Best-selling author Alli Worthington encourages Christian women to combat today's culture of busyness, stress and fear by inviting in God's best, most peaceful life, in her new book, The Year of Living Happy. Worthington, author of Breaking Busy and Fierce Faith, told The Christian Post that while "dark seasons" in life are inevitable, they can quickly wreak havoc on both our personal and spiritual lives. But God has a greater vision for His children: As Christians, we should be the "happiest people out there," she said. "Throughout Scripture, God continually tells us to be happy," she said. "We see commands such as 'rejoice,' 'do not be afraid,' 'be of good cheer,' 'give thanks.' The only reason happiness we'll ever have is living a life seeking God. When we follow His commands, we find the true recipe for happiness." In The Year of Living Happy, Worthington offers practical steps women can take to cultivate true happiness a word she defined as a "feeling of connection and contentment" in their lives. "For every person, two things lead to a happy life: Contentment and connections," she explained. "Contentment means choosing to be grateful for the blessings God has given you and mindful of the beauty around you. Connections means maintaining a relationship with God and investing in those around you." Every woman, she said, has an "inner critic" who continually tells them they aren't enough; that things aren't going to turn out well, and that they don't deserve happiness. "The best thing we can do for our happiness is take those thoughts captive, renew our minds and ask God what He wants to think," she said. "The loudest voice we hear is our thoughts, and when we change those from unhelpful to healthy, we're going to see our happiness grow on a daily basis." She speaks from personal experience: Despite being a successful business owner, wife and mother of five boys, Worthington revealed she has battled feelings of inadequacy, fear and anxiety. Happiness, she said, sometimes "feels like a hard-won battle." In modern Christian culture, the idea of being "happy" isn't necessarily popular, the author admitted. But after spending a year studying the idea of happiness, she discovered that science "consistently backed what Scripture said." "We often hear, 'happiness is a fleeting feeling, but joy is what we should have as Christians; if you're a Christian, you shouldn't strive for happiness,'" she said. "But there is nothing biblical about that statement. Happiness and holiness go hand-in-hand, and I think denying that hurts our witness." The misconception that joy and happiness are on opposite sides of the spectrum was invented just a little over a hundred years ago, the author said. She argued that many of the words our modern English Bibles use like 'joy,' 'gladness,' and 'delight' are synonyms for the original Hebrew and Greek words that mean happiness. The difference, she said, lies in the world's idea of happiness versus Scripture's definition. While the world defines happiness as success, money and power, Scripture tells us that true happiness is achieved only through a relationship with Christ. "Without Christ, there is no true, lasting happiness there are only moments of fleeting happiness," she reiterated, adding: "When we leave the concept of happiness to the world, look what happens. People reach their goals and find the same emptiness inside." Worthington encourages readers to ask themselves: What does happiness mean to me? "When we define our happiness by our own standards and fall in line with God's will for our lives, we give ourselves a break and we realize things don't have to be perfect to be happy," she explained. "For me, happiness means knowing I'm doing my best and following God and serving others. It means being able to put my head on the pillow at night and having that feeling of deep contentment, knowing things aren't perfect and bad things happen, but through Christ, my future is secure. I want to be that girl standing on the mountaintop saying, 'It's OK to be happy.'" To learn more about The Year of Living Happy, click here. College Campus Ministries leader offers 6 necessary changes 'for reaching the next generation' 14 January, 2019 by Michael Gryboski , | A director for a California-based ministry that seeks to evangelize college students offered six important adjustments he believes American churches should undertake when reaching young people. G'Joe Joseph of Campus Outreach San Diego out of Redeemer Church in Encinitas, wrote a column published by The Gospel Coalition titled "6 Needed Shifts for Reaching the Next Generation." "By no means are we proposing that we shift away from clear biblical teaching on important truths such as our legal guilt before God," clarified Joseph. "We are merely saying that shifting intuitions may require new starting places in evangelistic conversations and discipleship relationships." The first shift Joseph advised was to move away from the assumption that a preacher's audience is going to be knowledgeable about the Bible. "At least on the West Coast, the days have long past when one could start talking about Jesus and assume people knew his identity and claims," wrote Joseph. To justify this point, Joseph pointed to Acts 17, where the Apostle Paul used different methods when communicating the Gospel to non-Jewish audiences. "The apostle Paul, who was quick to jump into the message of Jesus with Jewish audiences, shifted his approach when speaking to the unprepared Athenians," Joseph explained. "Unlike his typical messages laden with Old Testament references and Jewish assumptions, he was patient, contemplative, and slow with unprepared audiences." Read more from "College Campus Ministries leader offers 6 necessary changes 'for reaching the next generation'" on The Christian Post. From Princess Dianas death to Sarah Fergusons scandals, weve been keeping up with details regarding the royal family for years. And, of course, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are currently top of mind. While Meghan has made history as an American woman marrying into the royals (and we all cant wait for her and Harrys baby to arrive, either), shes certainly brought plenty of drama along with her. Her previous life as a movie star and family members who wont stop vying for the spotlight seem to dominate her life as royalty. Along with family drama, it appears Meghan has a new issue on her hands and thats that her bodyguard has just called it quits. Heres the speculation why. Meghan Markle allegedly wanted a female bodyguard Though being followed around with a bodyguard may be new to Meghan, the royals have also ensured they take serious security measures. And Meghan seemingly wanted a female bodyguard after Prince Harrys head of security, Sergeant Bill Renshaw, retired after 30 years of service, Daily Mail reports. While the publication wouldnt give up the name of the female officer protecting Meghan when she started the job merely six months ago, they did say she came from a police background and achieved the rank of inspector. The bodyguard seemed to perform her duties quite well, too. We remember Meghans scare in Fiji, where the crowds were huge and difficult to control. She swiftly moved Meghan through the crowds and unfortunately cut the visit short. Were not sure exactly what went down at the event, but it seemed like it may have created serious stress for Meghan and her guard. There are conflicting reasons as to why she may have left Bodyguards are used to protecting high-profile celebrities so why would Meghans leave? It seems there are conflicting stories in regards to the reason for her early departure. In some instances, it seems Meghans attitude and ill-adjustment to royal life may be the cause. As one insider told The Sunday Times, Meghan would rather act like one of the people than royalty and this has made protecting her particularly difficult, Daily Mail reports. Unlike someone who has grown up in the royal family and has been used to having close protection from an early age, it can be quite constraining. But in her current role she cant go anywhere without her protection team and thats a massive constraining force on an individual like her, they said. This conflicts with what another source from Scotland Yard had to say, however. Daily Mail reports this source claimed the bodyguards leaving has little to do with Meghan and instead is for personal reasons. She has made a decision to leave the Met Police. Its a real shame as she was a great addition to the team and hugely liked. The source went on with, It came as quite a shock. Everyone was very sad at the news. As was she. It was clear it was a decision she hadnt taken lightly. Other workers have also left Harry and Meghan Whatever the reason behind Meghans bodyguard leaving the royal family behind, she follows in the footsteps of many others. Meghans personal assistant, Melissa Touabti, left the job just six months in and shortly after the royal wedding, Daily Mail reports. Sources were allegedly shocked by her departure, but it seems like the drama of Meghans father before the Duchess big day may have been part of the reason as to why she chose to leave. Meghan and Harrys private secretary, Samantha Cohen, also quit shortly after being hired but Cosmopolitan reminds us this isnt as dramatic as many believe. Her job was always temporary, as she was just hired in the interim and actually stepped in to help Meghan longer than was originally intended. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Creative Discovery Museums spring traveling exhibit, Native Voices, New England Tribal Families, opens to the public on Saturday through May 12. By visiting five different communities from northern to southern New England, museum visitors explore Native American traditions and how modern families balance contemporary life with preservation of important cultural identities. In conjunction with the Native Voices exhibit, the Museum will present Living Traditions: Southeastern Native American Art featuring the work of Southeastern Native American artists. The Museum will also offer extensive educational programs, events and artists in residences with Native American artists. Created by Boston Childrens Museum and sponsored nationally by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Ocean Spray, Native Voices features hands-on activities, immersive environments and Native American artifacts, both old and new. "The exhibit provides a great way to learn about how all cultures preserve important values and hand them down from one generation to the next," officials said. "Native Voices takes us through four New England seasons and shares stories, songs and cultural materials that illustrate strong and enduring connections between tribes and their traditional homelands." Visitors will meet members of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot of Maine, the Narragansett of Rhode Island and the Aquinnah Wampanoag and Mashpee Wampanoag of Massachusetts through a series of environments and activities. Visitors can toboggan down a hill in Maine with young members of the Penobscot tribe, practice beading in an artist's studio on Cape Cod, meet students in a classroom at the Nuweetooun Tribal School in Rhode Island, explore a cranberry bog and the Aquinnah Tribal Museum on Martha's Vineyard and journey to Pow Wows across the United States and Canada. "Taking us far beyond the usual tales of the 'people who met the Pilgrims,' this hands-on exploration introduces five thriving New England communities as they work to balance cultural traditions with life in a modern world," officials said. "Part of BCMs stunning collection of cultural materials from New England tribes is highlighted in the exhibition. The dynamic contrast between old and new traditional beading on deer skin compared with an elaborately beaded pair of Keds sneakers is part of the charm of this exhibition." At Creative Discovery Museum, we provide experiences that expand a childs world, said Henry Schulson, executive director. Native Voices will contribute to our goal of fostering cultural awareness and represents the first time that we have ever devoted an entire exhibit to Native American peoples. "Living Traditions, developed by Creative Discovery Museum, complements the Native Voices exhibit and shows the diversity, commonalities and differences of traditional crafts of five Southeastern tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole. Visitors will view a wide variety of basketry, beadwork, ceramics and textile work and learn about the importance of the living arts traditions from contemporary Native American artists whose craft has been taught to them by mentors and/or family members," officials said. To celebrate the exhibit opening, the Museum will host a Native Voices Event Day Saturday, Jan. 19 from noon-4 p.m. In addition to exploring the new exhibit, guests will have the opportunity to interact with and learn more about traditional art forms of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Mary Thompson will give a pottery demonstration and Alva Crowe will do a flute performance and blow gun demonstration. The Museum is also hosting artists-in-residences and other performances throughout the exhibits stay in Chattanooga. Native Voices: New England Tribal Families was created by Boston Childrens Museum in collaboration with a distinguished Native American advisory board of tribal members, historians and academics. Native Voices is sponsored locally by The Lyndhurst Foundation and Novatech. Week of January 14 E.L. Ross Elementary and Yates Primary host the Creative Discovery Museum STEAM Night on Tuesday, 6:00-7:30 pm at Yates Primary.Families will explore nine stations themed around science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills. A free museum membership will be given away too.For more information contact Mike Collier, 423-479-1723, mcollier@clevelandschools.org Stuart Elementary hosts Recipe for Reading Family Night on Tuesday, 6:00-7:30 pm. Students and their families are invited to make and take winter snacks and slime as they read stories together. For more information contact Brandi Beard, bbeard@clevelandschools.org. Cleveland High School hosts a FAFSA Assistance Session on Wednesday, 10:00 am - 12 noon in the CHS Conference Room 504. Cleveland State Community College representatives will assist seniors and family members complete the FAFSA before the February 1st deadline to remain TN Promise eligible. For more information contact the CHS Counseling Office, 423-476-1832. Cleveland City Schools Board of Educationwill hold a special called on Thursday, 1:00 pm at the Administrative Office Building. Click here to view the agenda. For more information contact Andrea Byerly, 423-472-9571, abyerly@clevelandschools.org. Cleveland High School Dance Team sponsors a Disney Dance Clinicfor K-8th graders on Saturday, 9:30-1:00 pm in the CHS Volleyball gym. Cost is $25. Click here for more information. Cleveland High School Theater hosts the 5th Annual PerformanceShowcase on Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Inside theshowcase, CHS will present the State One-Act, Monologues, Broadway Songs, Short Scenes, and Voices. Voices Plays are student written and directed.Both shows held at Cleveland High School's Betsy Vines Memorial Theater. Admission to the show is $5.00. For more information contact Don Markham, dmarkham@clevelandschools.org. PTO Meetings: Cleveland Middle School - Tuesday, 1:00 pm George R. Stuart - Tuesday, 5:30 pm Cleveland City Schools will observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. All schools and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019. Nickels for Nepal announces the sale of donated artwork to benefit the children in remote village schools in Nepal. Mr. Larry Bullington, local artist and owner of The Masters Studio will be on site to demonstrate his approach to a form of art called Take a Line for a Walk. Mr. Bullington will be discussing his approach to artwork at Braxton Mill Artisans, 8717 Hixson Pike, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn directly from Mr. Bullington and will have access to materials to enable them to create a unique piece of artwork. Mr. Bullingtons donated artwork will be available for sale at this time. "His variety of mixed media, oils, pastels, acrylics, and abstract artwork that is available demonstrates his experience and expertise," organizers said. Two original one-of-a-kind pieces valued at over $2,500 each will be auctioned during a silent auction between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The winning bids will be announced at 3 p.m. and the bidders must be present to take home these pieces of artwork. Chris Hockert, board chair of Nickels for Nepal, states, "The importance of this sale is to raise funds to support school children in the remote villages in Nepal. These school children would not have any uniforms to attend school and remain in school. They would not have any school supplies or an opportunity for educational scholarships. Braxton Mill Artisans (423-305-2570) sale hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Donated artwork to Nickels for Nepal is available during these hours. Funds raised support underprivileged school children in remote villages of Nepal. Cleveland City Schools is presenting two draft proposals for revising the elementary school zones. Parents and community members can enter an address on this link and view the interactive map that shows the proposed zones for that address. Officials said, "Please join us for a Community Meeting on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Middle School, 3635 Georgetown Road. District leaders and school board members will present the draft proposals, then allow participants to provide feedback and ask questions during small group sessions. 24 at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Middle School, 3635 Georgetown Road. District leaders and school board members will present the draft proposals, then allow participants to provide feedback and ask questions during small group sessions. "If you are unable to attend, CHSLive will broadcast the meeting on their Facebook page, and it will be archived for future viewing as well. You can submit comments and questions online any time using this link "As our community and the school system grow, we want all students and schools to have equitable resources and the space to accommodate all the programs offered at each school. Tajikistan exports US$65.4m of cement in 2018 ICR Newsroom By 14 January 2019 Tajikistan exported 1.14Mt of cement in 2018, representing a value of US$65.4m. In 2017 exports stood at 970,100t and had a value of US$49.5m.The country exports cement to Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, preliminary work began on the construction of a cement plant in Kubodiyon district, Khatlon set to become the largest in the country, according to Azer News. Published under LafargeHolcim wins Dutch Afsluitdijk contract ICR Newsroom By 14 January 2019 LafargeHolcim has been awarded with a key contract in the US$550m renovation of the Afsluitdijk, the Dutch iconic sea defense structure. The company will supply the project with Holcim Basalton Quattroblock to cover around 700,000m2 of the 32km-long dam. Marcel Cobuz, Region Head Europe: As part of our Strategy 2022 Building for Growth we have committed to growing the new Solutions & Products segment further. We are very proud to be a partner in this landmark project that underlines our world-class capabilities in supporting challenging infrastructure projects. With sea levels expected to rise further we are offering solutions that contribute to protecting particularly vulnerable landscapes such as The Netherlands. Published under Indian cement industry commits to a low-carbon future ICR Research By Published 14 January 2019 A summit for the Indian cement industry, Concreatech 2018 Sustain to Gain, was held at the ITC Maurya, New Delhi, on 29 November 2018. Organised by the Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA), industry leaders and over 400 delegates met to discuss the cement sectors role in national development and commitment to low-carbon industrial development. The Indian cement sector is committed to growth that is sustainable and underpinned by ambitious carbon reduction targets as it plans to meet the huge additional cement demand that is expected over the coming decades. This was the key message from industry leaders at the recently-concluded Concreatech 2018 meeting in New Delhi. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login Finding a different kind of gold Published 14 January 2019 While coal had been the mainstay of PPCs energy sources for decades, the companys current energy policy has called for a steady replacement of the black gold with more sustainable energy sources. This provided the South African cement producer with the drive to introduce alternative fuels at its De Hoek plant in Western Cape. By PPC, South Africa. Sustainability needs innovative thinking and determination, PPC can attest. Producing cement requires large amounts of energy and for decades the main source of that energy has been coal. However, the companys energy policy calls for a steady replacement of coal with alternative fuels (AFs) and has led the company to implement the necessary changes to its De Hoek plant. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. WHEC fired Jeremy Kappell after he used a racial slur on air. Kappell claims to have misspoke. Photo: RCMP UPDATE: 3:50 p.m. The body of a 24-year-old missing snowmobiler near Mount Brewer has been located and his body recovered, RCMP report. UPDATE: 10 a.m. The search continues for a missing snowmobiler caught in an avalanche near Invermere. Columbia Valley RCMP say two men from a group of nine snowmobilers were swept away by the avalanche on Saturday. One man was killed, and the other is presumed deceased. The avalanche was reportedly triggered after one of the snowmobilers from Calgary was high marking, RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in a press release. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue recovered the 51-year-old victim, who was confirmed deceased after being airlifted to hospital in Invermere. The missing sledder, a 24-year-old male from Calgary and the son of the first victim, is believed to have been swept into a lake. The RCMPs Underwater Recovery Team was called in Sunday and will continue searching today. No injuries were reported to the other seven snowmobilers. UPDATE: 8:50 a.m. One snowmobiler is dead and another may have been swept into a nearby lake after a group of three sledders triggered an avalanche in southeastern B.C. A release posted by Avalanche Canada says the three were sledding Saturday on Mount Brewer in the Purcell Mountains, just west of Invermere, when two of the riders were swept away by what is described as a very large snow slide. The release says the 200- to 400-metre wide avalanche tore away the snowpack from the surface to the ground layer and continued for more than a kilometre down the mountainside before running onto a small lake. Avalanche Canada says at least one of the unnamed victims was wearing an airbag and managed to activate it, but that person was buried under more than two metres of snow and could not be revived. Recovery efforts for the second person are continuing as rescuers say a transceiver signal has been located on the lake where debris is floating on the water. A forecast from Avalanche Canada describes the snowpack over much of the Purcell region as weak and touchy due to two grainy layers, one right at the base and the other about 80 to 120 centimetres below the surface. "Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow," says the report. It estimates the likelihood of triggering a slide in the area where the fatal avalanche occurred could increase due to a warming trend expected to last until Tuesday. "Numerous very large avalanches have been reported daily," the report warns, adding "this is the type of weak snowpack that could stick around for the remainder of the winter season." The Canadian Press ORIGINAL: 6:20 a.m. One person is dead and another is missing after an avalanche near Invermere. The avalanche struck on Mount Brewer, in B.C.'s East Kootenays. The victim was recovered from two metres of snow after a pair of snowmobilers was caught in the slide while out with a group of sledders, CTV News tweeted overnight. On Sunday, Avalanche Canada had warned that warm weather is expected to peak today, which could affect backcountry snowpacks, especially in the Purcells and South Rockies. 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 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- By the end of January 13, 2019, Haval, the mainstay SUV brand for Great Wall Motor, saw its cumulative sales reached up to 5 million units worldwide. On the same day, the automaker released the Haval 5-2-1 Strategy, aiming to develop Haval into the worlds No.1 professional SUV brand with annual sales up to 2 million units globally over the next five years, according to Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Motor. Under the 5-2-1 Strategy, Haval plans to roll out a total of 20 new models featuring cutting-edge technologies of electrification, intelligentization, connectivity and sharing by 2023, among which over 60% of models will be NEVs. In August last year, the Haval F7, the brands first strategic model targeting global market, made its debut in both Moscow and Chengdu and then will be manufactured in Tula, Russia, which is essentially born in China, while serving the whole world. From 2019, the outset of Haval's going global strategy, Haval will strive to have the deliveries agreed outside China account for over 20% of its total sales. Over the past few years, the SUV maker has established favorable presences in Russia and Eastern Europe, which have cumulated abundant experience in exploiting global market and running overseas operation teams for itself. In addition, Havals vehicle plant located in Tula, Russia has already been put into operation. Haval revealed that it plans to invest an additional RMB 30 billion in global R&D over the next five years. From the time being, the automaker has set up a total of 8 R&D centers and technology incubators for autonomous driving, intelligent connectivity, new energy and design around the world. * Username This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! * Email Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else. * Password Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. Become A Subscriber A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content. (Bloomberg) Viacom Inc. is in talks to sell a majority stake in some of its China operations, according to a person familiar with the matter. The New York-based company has had talks about a sale with at least one Chinese entity, the person said. The discussions involved the potential sale of a majority share in Viacoms channel brands, such as MTV and Nickelodeon, in China. The move, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes as the media conglomerate runs into trouble trying to scale its operations in the country after more than two decades of business there. The arrangement would be similar to the companys joint venture with Indias Reliance Industries Ltd., the person said. Viacom sold Reliance the majority stake in their venture last year. Luckin Coffee Reportedly Seeks IPO in Hong Kong Isabelle Li / Jan 14, 2019 01:08 PM / Business & Tech Chinese startup Luckin Coffee is reportedly seeking to list on the Hong Kong stock exchange, according to research firm EqualOcean. Investment banks have begun to prepare listing materials for the IPO, EqualOcean said. Luckin was founded only 13 months ago, and quickly emerged as a fierce challenger to Starbucks in China. Luckins estimated valuation is now $2.2 billion, after B-round funding of $200 million in December. It has opened 2,073 stores in China, aiming to launch another 2,500 in 2019. The company refused to comment on the IPO plan. Citing leaked financial information, local media reported that the coffee chain lost more than 857 million yuan ($127 million) in 2018, as Luckin has expanding rapidly. Related: Coffee Upstart Luckin Plans to Overtake Starbucks in China This Year Airports across Saudi Arabia together recorded a 7.4 per cent increase in passenger traffic in 2018 compared to the previous year, with the total number reaching over 98 million. According to figures released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca), the kingdom's airports also saw the number of flights increase in 2018 to 773,000 - up 3.4 per cent compared to the previous year. The growth in numbers is an indication of the authority's efforts to develop the air transport industry in accordance with the latest international standards, strengthen the position of the kingdom as a globally influential player in civil aviation, achieve financial growth and sustainability, and enforce the relevant rules, regulations and procedures to ensure air transport safety and security. The year 2018 proved to be a milestone for Gaca as it achieved unprecedented achievements, the most notable of which was the soft opening of the new King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Featuring advanced technology as well as a Hajj terminal designed especially for pilgrims, the new airport is expected to be fully operational by March 2019 with 46 terminals and the capacity to handle 80 million passengers a year. Gaca also completed the development of Tabuk airport; a bus stop area, a parking lot area, a sewage treatment plant, inspection rooms for people with special needs and six administrative offices and the separation between domestic and international terminals. This was in addition to the foundation stone laying ceremonies of the new Jazan Airport, Al-Jouf, Al-Qurayyat and Qunfudah airports through the Unified Airports Model Project theme. Other achievements over the year include increased rate of Saudisation; educating travellers of their rights under the "Your Rights are Protected initiative; offering best services for the pilgrims through the Mecca Road initiative; creating a more 'people with disabilities' friendly service at the airports; and many more. - TradeArabia News Service Congress will simplify GST if voted back to power, says Rahul Gandhi Loading the player... Digital platform helps Maharashtra save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver: CM Fadnavis Maharashtra has managed to save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver alone by adopting a digital platform that helped eliminate bogus claimants, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said . "From sowing to harvesting, everything will be managed through a digital platform and that will give advantage to farmers to make this sector more sustainable, predictable," he said, adding it will be launched today. Congress will simplify GST and take "rational economic decisions" if voted back to power, says Rahul Gandhi India's main opposition Congress party will simplify the goods and services tax (GST) and take "rational economic decisions" to attract foreign investment if voted back to power in a general election due by May, its leader Rahul Gandhi said. Gandhi said that foreign investment was at a multi-year low in India due to the "ill-advised and badly thought out economic moves" such as the currency ban and a "poorly designed GST". India's largest startup ecosystem inaugurated in Kerala; to provide 2.5 IT jobs India got its largest startup ecosystem Sunday when Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated here a 1.8-lakh-square-feet facility housing incubation set-ups across a string of segments in modern technology. The Integrated Startup Complex under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) includes the ultra-modern facilities of Maker Village that promote hardware startups, the BioNest that promotes medical technologies etc. Samsung to launch three phones designed around Indian millennials Samsung plans to launch a budget smartphone series in India ahead of a global release, aiming to regain ground ceded to Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi in the world's second-biggest mobile phone market. The three new M-series phones, which Samsung plans to sell only through its website and Amazon.com's Indian operation, will help the company double online sales, the head of Samsung's Indian mobile business told Reuters. India invites China's participation in plans to expand EV market at home India plans to achieve electric mobility by 2030 and welcomes Chinese industries participation and investment in the expansion of Indian Electric Vehicles (EV) market, NITI Aayog Principal Advisor Anil Srivatsava has said. He has invited China's participation in India's ambitious plans to go for full electric mobility. Air India's passenger revenue grows by 20 pc in Q3 of 2018-19 While Air India's passenger count rose by only 4 per cent in the December 2018 quarter, its revenue from passengers increased by 20 per cent on the back of better aircraft utilisation, said a senior official. The number of passengers has increased to 55.27 lakh during the quarter from 53.28 lakh in the year-ago period, showing an increase of 4%. Bangladesh garment workers clash with police as strikes roll on Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers churning out clothes for top global brands walked off the job Sunday and clashed with police as protests over low wages entered a second week. Bangladesh is dependant on garments stitched by millions of low-paid tailors on factory floors across the emerging South Asia economy of 165 million people. Roughly 80 per cent of its export earnings come from clothing sales abroad. Budget 2019: Cut corporate tax rate to spur economic growth, says FICCI Industry chamber FICCI on Sunday recommended the government to cut corporate tax rate across the board to 25 per cent irrespective of turnover in the forthcoming Budget to spur economic growth and increase overall tax collections. The chamber has also suggested revision in the tax slabs for the individual taxpayers with the top 30 per cent rate to be applied beyond Rs 20 lakh annual income. The YES Bank stock rose in trade today after the private lender appointed Brahm Dutt as non-executive part-time chairman to its board. The large cap stock rose up to 7.64% to 198 level on the BSE. The stock is the top Sensex and Nifty gainer today. On Nifty, the stock rose to 198 level intra day compared to the previous close of 184.25. The stock has lost 42.37% during the last one year. 28 of 47 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or 'outperform', 13 "hold", four underperform and two "sell", according to analysts' recommendations tracked by Reuters. The stock is trading above its 50-day moving average of 179.52 but below its 200-day moving average of 267.76, respectively. Country's fourth largest private sector bank, in a statement said , "Vide its letter dated January 11, 2019, the Reserve Bank of India, pursuant to the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949...has approved his (Dutt's) appointment as part-time chairman of Yes Bank's board up till July 4, 2020 as Mr Dutt attains the age of 70 years." Dutt has been on the board of the bank since July 2013 as an independent director, and has contributed to almost all the sub-committees of the board over the past 5.5 years, Yes Bank said. He is currently also the Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. During his career in the IAS for 37 years, he held several posts in Karnataka government as well as in the Central Government. Before retirement from the service, he worked as Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat and in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for over three and half years. YES Bank's board also includes Mukesh Sabharwal, Subhash Kalia, Ajai Kumar, Pratima Sheorey, Uttam Prakash Agarwal, TS Vijayan, and Rana Kapoor (Managing Director and CEO). Meanwhile, senior group president at financial markets Rajat Monga and a CEO of a foreign bank have been shortlisted to succeed long-serving Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Rana Kapoor at the bank, sources had said. Last week, the bank informed stock exchanges that it has shortlisted the names of potential candidates to succeed Kapoor, who is to demit office by month-end. Edited by Aseem Thapliyal Samsung plans to launch a budget smartphone series in India ahead of a global release, aiming to regain ground ceded to Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi in the world's second-biggest mobile phone market. The South Korean company's Indian market share by shipments has lagged Xiaomi's in two of the three 2018 quarters for which data is available, according to technology researcher Counterpoint. The three new M-series phones, which Samsung plans to sell only through its website and Amazon.com's Indian operation, will help the company to double online sales, the head of ... By Tracy Rucinski and Allison Lampert(Reuters) - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of aircraft such as Boeing's MAX and new routes like Southwest Airline Co's Hawaii launch are on hold due to the U.S. government shutdown, delaying commercial operations.A partial U.S. government shutdown over President Donald Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border entered its 24th day on Monday.The FAA said it is constrained by law about what it can do during a shutdown and was allocating resources based on risk assessment to meet all safety-critical ... President Donald Trump on Monday predicted the United States would reach a deal with China to end a tit-for-tat trade war, saying Beijing wants to negotiate and that talks are going well. "We're doing very well with China," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China." "China wants to negotiate," he said. Trump has vowed to increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports on March 2 if China fails to address intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and other ... By Agnieszka Flak MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia has called a shareholder meeting for March 29 to vote on top investor Vivendi's request to replace five board members, setting the stage for a new showdown between the French media giant and U.S. activist fund Elliott. In December Vivendi, which owns 24 percent of Telecom Italia (TIM), called for the replacement of five of the board members put forward by Elliott, citing a "substantial lack of independence".Vivendi's request was the latest twist in a months-long battle between Vivendi and Elliott over how to revive Italy's biggest phone ... (Reuters) - Indian shares settled lower on Monday mirroring losses across the globe after an unexpected contraction in Chinese exports raised fears of a sharper global slowdown, but the blow was cushioned by gains in Infosys Ltd.Financials drove losses on the index, with the NSE index closing lower for the third straight session.The benchmark BSE Sensex closed the session 0.43 percent lower at 35,853.56, while the broader Nifty ended 0.53 percent down at 10,737.60.Infosys, however, helped trim losses on the broader index, with shares finishing the day 2.6 percent higher after the IT major ... British Petroleum (BP) and Italy's Eni have signed a heads of agreement (HoA) with Oman's Ministry of Oil and Gas to work jointly towards a significant new exploration opportunity in the sultanate. Under the HoA, the two companies will work with the government towards the award of a new exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) for Block 77 in central Oman, an Oman News Agency report said. BP and Eni now will enter discussions with the Ministry of Oil and Gas to finalise details of the EPSA, said the report. Bernard Looney, BP chief executive upstream, said: This would represent a further deepening of BPs important position in the sultanate, building on our successful delivery of the major Khazzan project in 2017 and its second phase of development that is currently under construction. We look forward to continuing to explore and efficiently develop the countrys resources, working in close partnership with Eni and the Sultanate to underpin our commitment to delivering long-term gas production for the Sultanate". Block 77, with a total area of almost 3.1 sq km, is located 30 km east of the BP operated Block 61 which contains the already-producing Khazzan gas project, as well as the Ghazeer project, currently under development, the ONA report said. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Magenta Venture Partners, a partnership between Japan's Mitsui & Co and two Israeli venture capitalists, said on Monday it has launched a new fund targeting $100 million to invest in early-stage Israeli tech startups.The final closing of the Israel-based fund is planned for 2019. It will invest in sectors like mobility, artificial intelligence, financial technology and automotives.Investors in the fund include Mitsui and Koito Manufacturing. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Tova Cohen)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is ... DETROIT (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler (FCA) is reviewing its investment plan for Italy after the country approved taxes on the purchase of larger petrol and diesel cars, CEO Mike Manley said on Monday. The carmaker said in late November that it would spend more than 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) on new models and engines in Italy over the next three years to try to make better use of factories and boost jobs and margins.In December, however, Italy approved measures to offer subsidies of up to 6,000 euros to buyers of new low-emission vehicles while introducing taxes on the larger petrol and ... NEW YORK (Reuters) - FedEx Corp will pay $35.3 million to settle lawsuits in which New York state and New York City accused the company of shipping millions of untaxed cigarettes to residents over a decade.The settlement announced on Monday resolves claims that FedEx knowingly violated a federal anti-cigarette trafficking statute, and a 2006 agreement with the state not to do business with sellers that ship cigarettes to people's homes.New York officials said FedEx's conduct undercut their efforts to curb smoking, and cheated the state and city out of tax revenue from cigarette sales."Not ... (Reuters) - China's Huawei Technologies, the leading global supplier of telecoms network equipment, faces questions over its access to European markets after the arrest of a sales executive in Poland on suspicion of spying.The detention of Wang Weijing, along with that of a Polish former security official, could lead Warsaw to ban the use of Huawei products by public bodies on national security grounds, a senior official said on Sunday.Huawei is already barred from bidding for government contracts in the United States, while Australia and New Zealand have taken steps to ring-fence planned ... By Virginia FurnessLONDON (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields slid on Monday after weak Chinese data and the threat of a new election in Greece increased risk aversion, while investors awaited further clarity from Tuesday's Brexit vote in Britain's parliament. Asian and European shares dropped on Monday after China's exports unexpectedly fell the most in two years in December, but despite a marked cooling in one of the world's largest economies, the bid for safe haven euro zone bonds was muted.Germany's 10-year government bond yield, the benchmark for the region was quoted at around 0.23 ... MONTREAL (Reuters) - Europe's Airbus said on Monday its Canadian-developed A220 jet had won approval to fly up to three hours away from the nearest airport in the event of a shutdown of one of its two engines, a safety standard which underpins its use on longer-range routes.The green light has been given by Canada, while approvals in the United States and Europe are still pending, Airbus officials said at a briefing. The extended operations or ETOPS approval affects the number of routes the plane can fly over water or remote areas. Airbus took control of the loss-making aircraft programme ... BEIJING (Reuters) - China's 2018 iron ore imports fell by 1 percent from the previous year, the first annual decline since 2010, according to data from the General Administration of Customs on Monday. Full-year iron ore imports fell to 1.064 billion tonnes in 2018 from an annual record of 1.075 billion tonnes in 2017, the data showed. The ore imports, though, still exceeded 1 billion tonnes for a third year running. Arrivals for iron ore shipments in December rose to 86.65 million tonnes, up from 86.25 million tonnes in November, official customs data showed, a slightly different monthly ... The Calcutta High Court Monday directed the termination of 25-week-old pregnancy of a woman, who petitioned it for aborting the foetus owing to its development. Considering the report of a medical board which was in favour of termination of pregnancy of the woman, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty directed that the woman would be admitted at the state-run Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (SSKM Hospital) Tuesday morning for the procedure. The court had Friday directed the woman to appear before the medical board Saturday for examination. Considering the urgency as the woman is 25 weeks pregnant, Justice Chakraborty had directed the West Bengal Additional Advocate General to submit the report of the board Monday. The board, comprising heads of different departments at the premier government hospital here, gave its report in favour of termination of her pregnancy. Petitioning the high court, the woman sought permission to terminate her pregnancy since tests of the foetus showed that its brain was underdeveloped. The court had Friday noted that test reports showed that the brain condition of the foetus was such that there was every possibility of the child being abnormal on birth. It also noted that the report said the continuance of pregnancy may be fatal to the petitioner. Additional Advocate General Abhratosh Majumdar had told the court that on a request from the central government to constitute permanent medical boards for such purpose in all the states, the West Bengal government has formed such a board at the premier referral hospital IPGMER. The board consists of doctors from the departments of gynaecology, pediatrics, neurology, pathology, radiology, pulmonology and genetics, Majumdar submitted. The 32-year-old woman approached the high court Thursday seeking permission to terminate her pregnancy owing to an anomaly in the formation of the foetus. The petitioner claimed before the court of Justice Chakraborty that the tests done during various stages of her pregnancy showed that the brain of the foetus is underdeveloped. The reports also showed that the condition of the foetus was deteriorating, her lawyer Amitabha Ghosh submitted before the court. According to the Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971, permission of the high court is required for undergoing abortion if the foetus is more than 20 weeks old, Ghosh said. According to the act, a medical board is required to be formed to examine the case and give its opinion to the court on whether to allow the termination of pregnancy or not. Ghosh submitted that a gynaecologist had on December 26 prescribed immediate abortion in view of the condition of the foetus. On January 7, the woman was examined by another specialist doctor who told her that a permission of the court be sought for abortion, he said. The woman is a resident of south Kolkata, West Bengal. Her husband works in a private company, Ghosh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A staffer of the Pakistan High Commission was taken to a police station here after a woman alleged that he touched her inappropriately in a market, police said Monday. The woman and the staffer were brought to Sarojini Nagar police station on Sunday, they said. According to the woman, the man touched her inappropriately in the Sarojini Nagar market, a claim rejected by the High Commission staffer. He said his hand merely brushed past the woman due to the heavy crowd in the market, police said. A senior police official said the matter was sorted out after the staffer apologised to the woman. The police also denied media reports that he was detained. Meanwhile in Islamabad, Pakistani media quoting an unnamed Foreign Office official claimed that the staffer was arrested by the Indian authorities and was released after the matter was raised by Pakistan. The reports alleged that the official was forced to sign a note before being released when the matter was taken up with the Indian side. Pakistan strongly protested this violation of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations and reserves the right to respond, the official was quoted as saying by the Dawn. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Monday allowed alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the VVIP chopper case, to make phone calls to his family members and lawyers abroad. Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted 15 minutes a week to Michel to make international calls. The accused had moved the court claiming that the jail authorities had rejected his plea seeking the permission. Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 22 last year. The court had earlier imposed restrictions on Michel meeting his lawyers while he was in the ED's custody, after the agency had said he was misusing the legal access by passing chits to his lawyers, asking them how to tackle questions on "Mrs Gandhi". The ED's counsels, D P Singh and N K Matta, had also claimed that during questioning, Michel had spoken about the "son of an Italian lady" and how he was going to become the next prime minister of the country. "We also need to decipher who is the 'big man' referred to as 'R' in the communications between Michel and other people," the ED had told the court. On January 5, Michel was sent to judicial custody in the ED case. He is also lodged in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The ED, in its chargesheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from The CBI, in its chargesheet, has alleged an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer due to the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros. Bahrain's National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) and Italy's Eni have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on pursuing petroleum exploration of Block 1 in the northern territorial water of Bahrain with a depth ranging from 10 m up to 70 m. Block 1 is an offshore area of over 2,800 sq km, said a Bahrain News Agency report. Eni is an Italian energy company primarily operating in petroleum, natural gas, and petrochemicals. The memo was concluded by Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa AlKhalifa, Minister of Oil, and Enis chief executive Claudio Descalzi, in the presence of a number of officials from Noga, the oil and gas holding company (noga holding), Tatweer Petroleum Bahrain Field Development Company and a number of executives from the oil and gas industry. The oil minister told the press, on the sidelines of the MoU signing ceremony, that Eni will initiate drilling for the first oil exploratory well in Block No. 1 during the current year, after getting the approval of the Higher Committee for Natural Resources, Cabinet, Shura and Representatives councils. Shaikh Mohammed said the strategic partnership with Eni is a major positive step towards utilising the kingdoms offshore natural resources and that with this signing, the aim is to hold various discussions to review all relevant aspects of the technical and commercial terms of the potential exploration and development within a reduced timeframe. Descalzi hailed the MoU and the opportunity to explore the potential of Block 1 which will allow Eni to start cooperating and investing in a country that was one of the first in the Gulf to produce oil and which now aims at unveiling its offshore potential. Entering in Bahrain will enable Eni to expand its presence in a key region of the Middle East, in line with Enis strategy aimed at diversifying its exploration portfolio across basins with liquid hydrocarbon potential. Shaikh Mohammed said Noga would finalise the terms of the concession contract to be signed with Eni in a few weeks. The minister expressed optimism about exploring more oil and gas resources in the northern maritime bloc, hoping the Italian company would accomplish more successes in the northern maritime bloc as it has closely working with Bahrain during the past few years on studying the same bloc. He said the National Oil and Gas Authority, in cooperation with Petroleum Development Company (Tatweer), would conduct studies on more oil and energy discoveries in the next few years. Leftist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday branded far-right Brazil counterpart Jair Bolsonaro a "modern day Hitler" supported by evangelical Christians. Maduro was delivering his annual address to the Constituent Assembly, four days after he was sworn in for a highly-controversial second term. He and Bolsonaro have been exchanging barbs since the Brazilian won elections at the end of last year. "Bolsonaro is a modern day Hitler. He is. What he doesn't have is courage and his own decisions because he's the puppet of a sect," said Maduro, referring to Bolsonaro's conservative evangelical Christian support base. Bolsonaro has accused Maduro of being a "dictator" and described him as illegitimate when the Venezuelan leader was sworn in on Thursday. Maduro won an election in May that was boycotted by the opposition and dismissed as a fraud by the United States, European Union and many Latin American countries. He was sworn in by the Supreme Court, made up of regime loyalists, rather than the opposition controlled National Assembly, as Venezuela's constitution demands. Parliament has been sidelined since the Supreme Court stripped it of its powers in 2017, shortly after the opposition gained a majority in late 2016. Maduro then created the Constituent Assembly to replace the National Assembly. Brazil's foreign ministry said it recognized the original legislature as Venezuela's "democratically elected" body with "executive authority." Its president, Juan Guaido, has said Venezuela's constitution allows him to assume power and set up a "transitional government" ahead of new elections, but Maduro retains the support of the military high command. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun questioning Manoj Arora, a close aide of Robert Vadra, in connection with a money laundering probe against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law. Officials said Arora was questioned by the investigating officer of the case on Monday and twice last week during which his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Arora is an employee of Vadra's firm Skylight Hospitality LLP and he is being probed on allegations of money laundering in purchase of London-based property 12, Bryanston Square, worth 1.9 million pounds, which was allegedly owned by Vadra. Arora had earlier told the court that he is being embroiled in the case due to "political vendetta" of the government. Officials said he may be questioned a few more times. The ED had told the court that it has lodged a money laundering case against Arora after his role came up in another case being probed the Income Tax Department under the newly-enacted Black Money Act and domestic tax law against absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. It said the London-based property was bought by Bhandari for GBP 1.9 million and sold in 2010 for the same amount despite incurring additional expenses of approximately GBP 65,900 on its renovation. The central probe agency has said Arora was a "key person" in the case and he was aware of the undeclared overseas assets of Vadra and instrumental in arranging funds. Arora, fearing arrest by the ED, had approached a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail after which the court had directed him to join investigation as it also granted interim protection to him from arrest by the agency. The ED had submitted that Arora has been absconding since the search of his premises by the agency sometime back and hence it had then sought a non-bailable warrant against him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hitting out at Tejashwi Yadav, UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey said Monday that the statements made by the RJD leader him against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party were a result of his "mental bankruptcy" (maansik diwaaliyaapan). "A person, who has been unable to save his base and goodwill in his state, is speaking big in Uttar Pradesh. The statements made by Tejashwi Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP (during his Lucknow visit) are a result of his mental bankruptcy," Pandey said in a statement. "On one hand his father is in jail on charges of corruption, on the other hand he is tensed over his brother. Hence, he is unable to understand the reality of not only UP and Bihar, but the entire country. RJD has been uprooted in Bihar, hence in order to create some attraction among his supporters, he is making nonsensical remarks in UP." Earlier Monday, Yadav had targeted Modi at his press conference in Lucknow after meeting SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. The BJP leader said after the general election everybody will come to know who is dishonest. "How the 'chowkidar' has tricked the people of the country and only indulged in 'jumlebaazi'." Pandey said, "Both these 'yuvraaj' had inherited power. The people of both the states know that both of these political families were responsible for backwardness of UP and Bihar."The UP BJP chief said, "These people (pointing to SP and RJD) have forgotten that this is 2019, and not 1993. People have risen above casteist politics. BJP workers have reached virtually every household, and are working to integrate people from different sections of the society for nation building. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stressing the message of BSP-SP alliance has gone down well throughout the country, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Monday said Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will decide who will be in power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. "It is not just UP but the entire country where the message of alliance has gone...(now) the people of UP and Bihar will decide as to who will come to power at the Centre," Tejashwi told newspersons here after meeting SP president Akhilesh Yadav. The RJD leader had met BSP supremo Mayawati here last night. "In UP there are 80 seats while Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats...along with Jharkhand which has 14 seats a major chunk of 134 seats are in these states...The BJP has around 115 seats of these...with alliance in these states, the BJP will lose 100 seats," Tejashwi claimed. Asserting that people are not happy with the saffron party, he said they had also come to "cheat" Bihar, with the prime minister promising special package. He also referred to "CM chacha" (Nitesh Kumar) going with the BJP after breaking the alliance with RJD. "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," he said, adding that it will prevent the country from going into the "clutches" of the RSS. Tejashwi said his visit to congratulate the BSP and the SP was in fact realisation of the dream visualised by RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav. Claiming there is undeclared Emergency in the country, he said all constitutional institutions are being damaged to serve personal interests and there is also an effort to replace the Constitution by MS Golwalkar's (RSS leader) "Bunch of Thoughts" and the "Nagpuri law". Tejashwi also referred to the CBI and the ED saying that his family and he himself, even when he was 13 years old, has been facing cases but stressed there was no need to compromise and instead fight against them. "There is a move to tarnish and sully the image by giving negative publicity...after elections all will come to know who is dishonest and how the 'chowkidar' has tricked the people of the country and only indulged in jumlebaazi, he said. "Our organisation in Uttar Pradesh will lend support to the alliance," he said. Speaking on the occasion, Akhilesh said Tejashwi's move will further cement the alliance. The people of the country are today unhappy with the BJP and want to remove it, he said, adding alliance in UP alliance has been received well. "...from Delhi to Kolkata, people are against the BJP as all have been deceived by them," he said. "I can assure the BJP that we samajwadis will not change our language even if they try," Akhilesh added. The RJD leader, who arrived in the state capital last night, hoped that the alliance formed in Uttar Pradesh will be extended to Bihar and that all parties will work together to defeat the BJP. Sources said that despite the alliance being announced in Uttar Pradesh, parties like the RJD could be accommodated on isolated seats on the lines of Kairana, where Tabassum Hasan won on RLD ticket in a Lok Sabha by-election though she had close links with the Samajwadi Party. In return, the RJD, which already has its alliance with the Congress in Bihar, could accommodate some candidates of the BSP and the Samajwadi Party, sources said. Speaking to newspersons, Tejashwi had said, "I am the youngest. I have come to wish her (Mayawati) on her birthday in advance and take blessings...she is a matured leader and we should keep getting her guidance in future." Later, Tejashwi shared his pictures with Mayawati on social media, in which he is seen touching the feet of the BSP supremo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Latvian police on Monday seized more than two tonnes of Ecuadoran cocaine in the central town of Koknese, a record haul for the Baltic state. "This coke shipment was most certainly destined for some other country, presumably to drug dealers in Scandinavia," Latvian criminal police chief Andrejs Grisins told reporters. "We confiscated 2,195 bricks of 80 percent pure cocaine that were packed into 42 banana boxes." He added that the confiscated drugs had a potential street value of up to a billion euros. Five Latvians were arrested and face up to 15 years in prison as part of the operation, which is the largest drug bust in Latvian history. The operation was a joint effort between Latvian and Ecuadoran police, as well as the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, Latvian police chief Ints Kuzis said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has threatened to "devastate" Turkey economically if the NATO-allied nation attacks US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria following a pullout of American troops from the war-torn country, in a stern warning rejected by Ankara saying it will continue to fight the "terrorists". Last month, President Trump surprised the world by announcing that he is withdrawing 2000 American troops from Syria. The pullout began last week. The US troop withdrawal has left America's Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," the president said in a tweet on Sunday. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20-mile safe zone.... Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," Trump said in a hard-hitting tweet on Sunday. Trump's tweet is a stark threat toward an ally in the region that has partnered with the US in the fight against ISIS. In a sharp response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that there was "no difference" between the Islamic State extremist group and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia. "Mr Donald Trump, Terrorists can't be your partners & allies. Turkey expects the US to honour our strategic partnership and doesn't want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda. There is no difference between DAESH, PKK, PYD and YPG. We will continue to fight against them all," Kalin said in a tweet. "Mr Donald Trump It is a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK, which is on the US terrorists list, and its Syria branch PYD/YPG. Turkey fights against terrorists, not Kurds. We will protect Kurds and other Syrians against all terrorist threats," he said. Trump also warned ISIS that America would hit them hard from nearby military bases if it regains momentum. Last week, Turkish President Erdogan hit out at US National Security Adviser John Bolton for saying the US withdrawal was contingent upon Turkey's pledge not to attack US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria once troops leave. "Bolton made a serious mistake. If he thinks that way, he is in a big mistake. We will not compromise," Erdogan said. The Pentagon has said that there is no timeline for US troop withdrawal and it would be based on ground realties. "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long-term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Trump said. His announcement has come following a visit to the region by Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "The roughly 2,000 uniformed soldiers that are in Syria today are going to be withdrawn. That activity is underway. We're going to do so in an orderly, deliberate way, a way that protects America's national security, a way that allows us to continue the important mission that they were on," Pompeo told CBS in an interview on Sunday. "The counterterrorism mission, the effort to make sure that the destruction of ISIS is not only complete but that their resurgence is not possible, our efforts to counter the threat from terrorism stemming from the Islamic Republic of Iran those are all real missions. The tactical change we've made in the withdrawal of those 2,000 troops is just that, a tactical change," he said. Noting that the mission remains the same, Pompeo said Turkish leadership has made it clear that it understands there are people down in Syria that have their rights. "We also want to make sure that those in Syria aren't attacking, terrorists aren't attacking Turkey from Syria. We're fully engaged," he said, responding to a question if Turkey has promised the US not to attack the Kurdish allies. Pompeo argued that there was no danger to American interest even after its withdrawal from Syria. "The United States of America can project military power from lots of places in the world. The absence of a couple thousand soldiers on the ground in Syria in no way materially diminishes the capacity of the United States of America and our amazing Armed Forces to deliver American power to accomplish our objectives anywhere in the world," he said. "That certainly includes in Syria. It certainly includes into Iran, if need be. We still have those tools. American diplomats still have that leverage and that power standing behind them. I am very confident in our military capabilities here in the Middle East," Pompeo said. Ground troops first arrived in Syria in autumn 2015 when then-President Barack Obama sent in a small number of special forces to train and advise YPG fighters. A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria President Bashar al-Assad seven years ago turned into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has left more than 350,000 people dead, devastated cities and drawn in other countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has threatened to "devastate" Turkey economically if the NATO-allied nation attacks US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria following a pullout of American troops from the war-torn country, and also urged the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. Last month, President Trump surprised the world by announcing that he is withdrawing 2000 American troops from Syria. The pullout began last week. The US troop withdrawal has left America's Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack from Turkey. Ankara views the Kurdish forces as terrorists aligned with insurgents inside Turkey. Trump also warned ISIS that America would hit them hard from nearby military bases if it regains momentum. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," the president said in a tweet. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20-mile safe zone.... Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey," Trump said in a hard-hitting tweet on Sunday. Trump's tweet is a stark threat toward an ally in the region that has partnered with the US in the fight against ISIS. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out at US National Security Adviser John Bolton for saying the US withdrawal was contingent upon Turkey's pledge not to attack US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria once troops leave. "Bolton made a serious mistake. If he thinks that way, he is in a big mistake. We will not compromise," Erdogan said. The Pentagon has said that there is no timeline for US troop withdrawal and it would be based on ground realties. "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long-term US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Trump said. His announcement has come following a visit to the region by Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "The roughly 2,000 uniformed soldiers that are in Syria today are going to be withdrawn. That activity is underway. We're going to do so in an orderly, deliberate way, a way that protects America's national security, a way that allows us to continue the important mission that they were on," Pompeo told CBS in an interview on Sunday. "The counterterrorism mission, the effort to make sure that the destruction of ISIS is not only complete but that their resurgence is not possible, our efforts to counter the threat from terrorism stemming from the Islamic Republic of Iran those are all real missions. The tactical change we've made in the withdrawal of those 2,000 troops is just that, a tactical change," he said. Noting that the mission remains the same, Pompeo said Turkish leadership has made it clear that it understands there are people down in Syria that have their rights. "We also want to make sure that those in Syria aren't attacking, terrorists aren't attacking Turkey from Syria. We're fully engaged," he said, responding to a question if Turkey has promised the US not to attack the Kurdish allies. Pompeo argued that there was no danger to American interest even after its withdrawal from Syria. "The United States of America can project military power from lots of places in the world. The absence of a couple thousand soldiers on the ground in Syria in no way materially diminishes the capacity of the United States of America and our amazing Armed Forces to deliver American power to accomplish our objectives anywhere in the world," he said. "That certainly includes in Syria. It certainly includes into Iran, if need be. We still have those tools. American diplomats still have that leverage and that power standing behind them. I am very confident in our military capabilities here in the Middle East," Pompeo said. Ground troops first arrived in Syria in autumn 2015 when then-President Barack Obama sent in a small number of special forces to train and advise YPG fighters. A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria President Bashar al-Assad seven years ago turned into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has left more than 350,000 people dead, devastated cities and drawn in other countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to be able to reach a trade deal with China, which is feeling the impact of US tariffs. "We are doing very well with China. They're having a hard with their economy because of the tariffs," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China." US officials were in Beijing last week for talks aimed at ending the bruising trade confrontation that has subjected more than USD 350 billion in two-way trade to steep tariffs. Chinese officials said the next round of negotiations would be held in Washington between January 30 and 31. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed on December 1 to a three-month truce in the escalating spat. "I can tell you we are getting things that before I became president you would have had no chance at getting," Trump said. "They would have laughed in your president's face." As Trump has pressed Beijing to increase imports of US goods, China's trade surplus with the United States hit a record last year of USD 323.3 billion, an 11 per cent increase over 2017, according to Chinese customs data released Monday. However, in a sign that the White House's punitive measures are having an impact, China's exports to the US sank last month. And China's total exports fell 4.4 per cent in December from a year earlier, while imports dropped 7.6 per cent, reflecting sluggish demand at home and abroad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Bill Barr said Monday he supports letting Russia collusion investigator Robert Mueller finish his probe and his final report being made public. With Trump himself thought to be a possible target of Special Counsel Mueller, Barr sought to allay concerns that as head of the Department of Justice he might stifle the investigation to protect the president. "I believe it is vitally important that the special counsel be allowed to complete his investigation," Barr said in prepared testimony for his confirmation hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee beginning Tuesday. "I also believe it is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the special counsel's work. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law." Barr, who was attorney general under president George H W Bush from 1991 to 1993 and then a corporate lawyer for 25 years, has been critical of the Mueller probe, suggesting it may be too expansive and staffed by Democratic sympathizers. He also said in a memo addressed to the Justice Department last year -- also reportedly sent to the White House -- that Mueller has no grounds for investigating Trump for obstruction of justice after Trump fired FBI director James Comey in May 2017 in anger over the Russia probe. On Friday the New York Times reported that, immediately after Comey's firing, the FBI opened a counterintelligence probe into whether Trump was working on behalf of Russia. Barr said in his prepared remarks that the memo was just the unsolicited view of a former attorney general "who has often weighed in on legal issues of public importance." "The memo did not address -- or in any way question -- the special counsel's core investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election," he added. "Nor did it address other potential obstruction-of-justice theories or argue, as some have erroneously suggested, that a president can never obstruct justice." Trump chose Barr to replace Jeff Sessions, who was dismissed in November after a testy relationship in which the president repeatedly criticized his decision to recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation. Barr said he has known Mueller professionally and personally for 30 years, and they worked together when Barr was attorney general in the early 1990s. "When he was named special counsel, I said that his selection was 'good news' and that, knowing him, I had confidence he would handle the matter properly. I still have that confidence today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau notched himself a political win ahead of Canadian legislative elections by granting asylum to the teenage Saudi girl fleeing her parents, experts here say. Trudeau sent Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland to greet 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun as the young woman landed in Toronto on Saturday. As Freeland clutched Qunun's arm in the presence of reporters from across the globe she reminded everyone that human rights were Canada's priorities under Trudeau - especially the rights of women in countries like Saudi Arabia. By granting Qunun asylum, Canada was "standing up for human rights around the world, and we believe very strongly that women's rights are human rights," Freeland said. Accepting the Saudi teen was "very good on a humanitarian level," said Ferry de Kerckhove, a Canadian former diplomat and current professor at the University of Ottawa, "but it's also a very good move for the prime minister and for Canada." "You had to see Ms. Freeland's beaming smile when she greeted the young woman," he told AFP. "We felt they had scored one more point" against those "awful Saudis" who murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, he said. Qunun's attempt to flee Saudi Arabia was embraced by rights groups as a beacon of defiance against repression. The Saudi teen captured the world's attention with a trail of Twitter posts that ignited a #SaveRahaf movement as she fled what she said was physical and psychological abuse from her family in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia. Rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in her homeland. Qunun's family has denied the abuse allegations. The publicity thwarted an attempt to deport the teen to Saudi Arabia after she arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Kuwait. Thai authorities instead turning her over to the UN's refugee agency. On Friday Trudeau made the surprise announcement that Canada would grant her asylum. "At a time when Saudi Arabia's global image is tarnished by assassination of critics, I cannot imagine that there was not mirth in the Canadian government shared by the well-meant genuine sense of wanting to protect a refugee," said University of Ottawa law professor Amir Attaran. But the move is certain to further strain Canada's relations with the kingdom. Ties soured in August 2018 over Ottawa's criticism of human rights in Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel Canada's ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest. Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the "immediate release" of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, whose family lives in Quebec. Canada is "on the right side of history" by granting Qunun asylum, said University of Waterloo political scientist Bessma Momani. "We are demonstrating our moral leadership on the issue of gender equality," she wrote in a Globe and Mail newspaper opinion piece. The diplomatic risks, she says, are minimal. "Our bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia is already at an all-time low, so there may be no lower place to go," she said. By harnessing the power of social media to garner global attention, Qunun "has opened a Pandora's box that only Saudi Arabia can close," Momani wrote. As of early Monday Saudi authorities had no official reaction on the affair. De Kerckhove predicted that the Saudis will stay "rather quiet." "My only concern," he said, "is that the Saudis will take revenge" on jailed blogger Badawi. However he hoped that the global outcry following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi case "will prevent them" from such action. Attaran told AFP that the Saudis "are learning the stupidity of their incendiary foreign policy." When in mid-2018 "they burned their political, educational and financial linkages with Canada, they left no leverage over which to rebuke Canada meaningfully." Canada holds legislative elections in October in which Trudeau will seek a second term in office. Even though he leads in the polls, Trudeau faces an emboldened opposition and pushback on issues such as immigration, a carbon tax and environmental protection. Also unresolved: the Canadian dollar 15 billion sales contract with Saudi Arabia for light-armored vehicles, signed by the previous Conservative administration of Stephen Harper. Political opponents and human rights activists have slammed Trudeau for failing to end the contract. A cancellation however would come at a steep price: at least Canadian dollar 1 billion in penalties, and a loss of jobs in Ontario province where the vehicles are built. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyundai Motor Group has revealed a new innovative technology that assists hearing-impaired drivers by replacing sounds with visual or touch-based cues, and using advanced sensor and artificial intelligence technology to help them hear the traffic around them. The technology employs two separate driving assist systems that work together simultaneously the Audio-Visual Conversion (AVC) and Audio-Tactile Conversion (ATC). They use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse sound patterns outside the car, and then use vibrations of the steering wheel and pictograms displayed via the head-up display (HUD) to alert the driver and explain what the system can hear. The steering wheel is also equipped with multi-coloured LEDs which indicate navigational information while driving. For example, the technology could alert the driver of emergency vehicles by recognising the sound of a siren, vibrating the wheel as an alert and displaying the appropriate pictogram on the HUD. It also translates data from vehicle sensors such as when reversing so the driver knows how far the car is from obstacles without relying on the warning chime. Hyundai demonstrates the technology in a campaign video called Quiet Taxi. The video, along with the technology itself, emphasises the value of freedom of mobility, demonstrating Hyundais efforts to enable the hearing-impaired to drive freely and safely using state-of-the-art innovative developments. As part of its goal, Hyundai also developed an application that enables communication between passengers and drivers who are hearing-impaired. TradeArabia News Service West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh Monday asked his party cadres for not to cooperate with the police as a tit-for-tat strategy against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as the ruling party too has been following the same path against central agencies. The TMC leadership had accused BJP of using the CBI, the ED and other central agencies to corner opposition parties. "What the Trinamool Congress and its leaders have been saying against the CBI and the ED is unconstitutional. Every time a leader of their party gets summoned, they say they won't go. This is completely unconstitutional. Is this how you want to protect the federal structure?" Ghosh questioned. "We have been facing atrocities committed by the TMC. But we have never said that we will not cooperate with the police," he said. But if this is the attitude of the TMC, henceforth the BJP too will ask party cadres not to cooperate with the police, he said. "The police can arrest us, but we will not cooperate with them as they are cadres of the TMC," he said. Reacting to Ghosh's statement, senior TMC leader Jyotipriyo Mullick said the BJP is trying to disturb peace and stability in the state. "These provocative statements are actually efforts to create lawlessness in the state. But we will never allow them to do that," Mullick said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has met BSP supremo Mayawati here after the announcement of a pre-poll alliance between her party and the SP in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls this year. The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader arrived in the state capital Sunday night and met the Bahujan Samaj Party chief, during which the two leaders exchanged greetings, RJD sources said Monday. The Leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly hoped that the alliance formed for Uttar Pradesh will be extended to his state and all parties will work together to defeat the BJP, sources said. They said despite the alliance being announced in Uttar Pradesh, parties like the RJD could be accommodated on isolated seats on the lines of Kairana, where Tabassum Hasan won on RLD ticket in a Lok Sabha bye-election though she had close links with the Samajwadi Party. In return, the RJD, which is an ally of the Congress in Bihar, could accommodate some candidates of the BSP and the Samajwadi Party in the state, sources said. Tejashwi Yadav told reporters, "I am the youngest. I have come to wish her (Mayawati) on her birthday in advance and take blessings... she is a mature leader and we should keep getting her guidance in future." Later, he shared his pictures with Mayawati on social media, in which he is seen touching the feet of the BSP supremo. The alliance in Uttar Pradesh is realisation of the dream of Lalu Prasad for defeating communal forces, Tejashwi Yadav said, adding that the alliance will help whitewash the saffron party from both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Once arch-rivals, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP announced Saturday their tie-up in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, sharing 38 seats each and keeping the Congress out of the alliance. The parties, however, said they would not field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. They also left two seats out of the 80 in the state for smaller allies, without naming them. But there have been talks with Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the mahagathbandhan. The NDA's reaction came after Tejashwi Yadav greeted Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for forging an alliance and dumping the Congress out of it. "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," Tejashwi Yadav said in Lucknow Monday. A mortified Congress evaded a direct reply when it was asked about Yadav's Lucknow visit, where he touched Mayawati's feet and declared the RJD's full support to the alliance at a press conference he jointly addressed with Akhilesh Yadav. BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand asserted it is actually a "posturing, a strong arm tactics by the RJD" which, he added, has an inflated sense of its importance and treats its alliance partners with contempt. "Tejashwi Yadav is indirectly trying to show his party's alliance in Bihar that the RJD will dictate the terms in the alliance here," Anand said. "Whatever Tejashwi Yadav's Lucknow tour may mean for UP politics, in Bihar it is clearly indicative of the clash of egos that the Grand Alliance is witnessing. The clash of egos has come in the way of finalising a seat-sharing arrangement among its too many constituents. We are looking at a situation where they would not be able to reach any understanding till the date of voting and end up fighting each other," he claimed. Media reports suggest that the Congress is demanding a large number of seats out of the total 40 in Bihar to be a part of the mahagathbandhan. It has cited its recent victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to assert its claim, but the RJD, the main force behind the anti-NDA coalition, is unwilling to accept the demand. Reacting to the developments, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said, "We wonder what type of Grand Alliance the opposition in Bihar had been talking about. In UP, the Congress, which was supposed to lead the so-called mahagathbandhan, has been left out". "Tejashwi Yadav and his party are in dire straits so, may be, he is on an expedition to make as many political friends as possible... The SP-BSP alliance may be a strong one, but there is nothing grand about it," Paswan, son of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan and chairman of the party's parliamentary board, said. Similar views were expressed by JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar who questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav had no concern for the "insult" meted out to the Congress by the formation of SP-BSP alliance. Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra tried to side-step a question on the alliance, saying Tejashwi Yadav has family relations with Akhilesh Yadav. "May be he has gone there in a personal capacity, to celebrate Makar Sankranti." However, when the queries persisted, he said until and unless the RJD comes out with a statement explaining why it is lending support to a formation which has not taken the Congress on board, "we would not like to say anything on the matter". At his Lucknow press conference, Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the de facto leader of his party in the absence of his father and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, claimed even Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that it does not matter who is in an alliance as long as it serves the purpose of defeating the BJP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Monday promised full support to the BSP-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, asserting that the move by the two regional parties to come together to fight the BJP has gone down well throughout the country. Stating that the alliance will be hailed in the future, Tejashwi also said Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will decide who will come to power at the Centre after the general elections. "Our organisation in Uttar Pradesh will lend support to the alliance," he told newspersons in Lucknow after meeting Samajwadi Party(SP) president Akhilesh Yadav. The RJD leader had met Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) supremo Mayawati in Lucknow Sunday night. "It is not just UP but the entire country where the message of alliance has gone...(now) the people of UP and Bihar will decide as to who will come to power at the Centre." Akhilesh responded saying Tejashwi's offer of support will further cement the alliance. Both Tejashwi and Akhilesh also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) claiming that people will oust the party from power. "The people of the country are today unhappy with the BJP and want to remove it," Akhilesh said, adding the alliance in UP has been received well. "...from Delhi to Kolkata, people are against the BJP as all have been deceived by them," he said. "I can assure the BJP that we samajwadis will not change our language even if they try," Akhilesh added. To a question on the Congress being left out of the alliance in UP, Tejashwi, whose party is in alliance with the Rahul Gandhi-led party in Bihar, said, "The aim is same, to defeat the BJP... all saw how the SP and BSP gave a stern reply to the BJP in the recent bypolls (in UP). The result is before everyone." Claiming that people are not happy with the BJP, Tejashwi said they had also come to "cheat" Bihar, with the prime minister promising special package. He also referred to "CM chacha" (Nitesh Kumar) going with the BJP after breaking the alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD). "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," he said, adding it will prevent the country from falling into the "clutches" of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS). Tejashwi said his visit to congratulate the BSP and the SP was in fact realisation of the dream visualised by his father and RJD president Lalu Prasad. Claiming there is undeclared Emergency in the country, he said all constitutional institutions are being damaged to serve personal interests and there is also an effort to replace the Constitution by MS Golwalkar's (RSS leader) "Bunch of Thoughts" and the "Nagpuri law". Tejashwi also referred to the CBI and the ED saying his family and he himself, even when he was 13 years old, has been facing cases but stressed there was no need to compromise and instead fight against them. "There is a move to tarnish and sully the image by giving negative publicity...after elections all will come to know who is dishonest and how the 'chowkidar' has tricked the people of the country and only indulged in jumlebaazi," Tejashwi said targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tejaswhi hoped that the alliance formed in Uttar Pradesh will be extended to Bihar and that all parties will work together to defeat the BJP. "In UP there are 80 seats while Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats...along with Jharkhand which has 14 seats a major chunk of 134 seats are in these states...The BJP has around 115 seats of these...with alliance in these states," he said, predicting that the BJP will lose 100 seats. Tejashwi's support for the BSP-SP alliance drew snide remarks from the ruling NDA in Bihar with BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand wondering whether it was part of "strong arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the mahagathbandhan. Sources said that despite the alliance being announced in Uttar Pradesh, parties like the RJD could be accommodated on isolated seats on the lines of Kairana, where Tabassum Hasan won on RLD ticket in a Lok Sabha by-election though she had close links with the Samajwadi Party. In return, the RJD, which already has its alliance with the Congress in Bihar, could accommodate some candidates of the BSP and the Samajwadi Party, sources said. "I am the youngest. I have come to wish her (Mayawati) on her birthday in advance and take blessings...she is a mature leader and we should keep getting her guidance in future," Tejashwi said after meeting Mayawati. Later, Tejashwi shared his pictures with Mayawati on social media, in which he is seen touching the feet of the BSP supremo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali Monday ordered a thorough inquiry into the alleged gangrape of a 16-year-old girl here. The minister spoke to Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar over phone and enquired about the details of the incident, according to an official release issued here. Three people were arrested in Kamatipura area for allegedly raping the class 12 student on multiple occasions over the last four years, police said Sunday. A demonstration was held here Sunday after the girl alleged that apart from the three arrested men, she was sexually exploited by eight others, including a witness. Police had arrested three people, including a relative of the girl, on December 31 after she filed a complaint against them. In her complaint, the girl alleged that the relative who was living on the first floor of her house gave her a soft drink spiked with sedatives one day in 2015 and raped her. Later, he and two of his friends raped her on multiple occasions and also blackmailed her after recording the act, the girl alleged. The minister has ordered a thorough and quick probe into the incident, and instructed the police commissioner to take action against the culprits at the earliest. Ali further directed the police commissioner to ensure that necessary medical treatment is provided to the girl, the release said. In view of the fresh allegations and to ensure better probe, a woman police officer of the ACP rank was appointed as the investigation officer and took over the case on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali Monday ordered a thorough inquiry into the alleged gangrape of a 16-year-old girl here in which three people, including her relative, have already been arrested. During the course of investigation, police Monday detained a person, who was named as a 'witness' in the case and he was being questioned, a police official said. The minister spoke to Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar over phone and enquired about the details of the incident, according to an official release here. Three people were arrested in Kamatipura area for allegedly raping the class 12 student on multiple occasions over the last four years, police said Sunday. A demonstration was held here Sunday after the girl alleged that apart from the three arrested men, she was sexually exploited by eight others, including a witness. Police had arrested three people, including a relative of the girl, on December 31 after she filed a complaint against them. In her complaint, the girl alleged that the relative who was living on the first floor of her house gave her a soft drink spiked with sedatives one day in 2015 and raped her. Later, he and two of his friends raped her on multiple occasions and also blackmailed her after recording the act, the girl alleged. The minister has ordered a thorough and quick probe into the incident, and instructed the police commissioner to take action against the culprits at the earliest. Ali further directed the police commissioner to ensure that necessary medical treatment is provided to the girl, the release said. In view of the fresh allegations and to ensure better probe, a woman police officer of the ACP rank was appointed as the investigation officer and took over the case on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Youth Congress Monday approached the state human rights commission seeking suspension of policemen who had allegedly thrashed party men protesting during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Solapur last week. A delegation of the Congress's youth wing met Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) chairman M A Sayeed and requested him to instruct authorities to register a case against the policemen concerned. The delegation also said the incident was a "murder" of democracy and a violation of human rights of protesters, who were raising issues like farm distress. The prime ministerwas in Solapurdistrict on January 9 to launch various development projects. During this day-long visit, Modi had dedicated four- laning of the Solapur-Osmanabad section of NH-211 and also laid the foundation stone of 30,000 houses to be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. "ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) officials and other policemen had brutally beaten up Solapur Youth Congress president Ambadas Karangule and his supporters during the prime minister's visit when they were protesting in a democratic manner. "The workers were kicked and punched, leading to bleeding from their noses and mouths," said Maharashtra Youth Congress president Satyajeet Tambe in the representation submitted to the rights panel. Tambe said video footage of the entire incident was available. "Hence, requesting you to instruct registration of a case against ATS officials and other policemen concerned and suspend them," Tambe added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defiant Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Monday that ongoing protests will not lead to a change in government, as crowds of supporters cheered him at a rally in war-torn Darfur. Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19 when angry demonstrators took to the streets in towns and villages against a government decision to raise the price of bread. At least 24 people have died in the protests, which swiftly turned into nationwide anti-government rallies, with protesters calling on Bashir to step down. "Demonstrations will not change the government," Bashir told crowds of supporters gathered in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, where a day earlier police broke up an anti-government demonstration, state television reported. "There's only one road to power and that is through the ballot box. The Sudanese people will decide in 2020 who will govern them," said Bashir, who is planning to run for the presidency for the third time in elections to be held next year. In the initial days of protests, several buildings and offices of Bashir's ruling National Congress Party were set on fire in towns and villages before the demonstrations spread to the capital Khartoum. "Sudan has many enemies and those enemies have few people among us who don't want stability and security," said Bashir, with state television broadcasting footage showing him waving his trademark cane as supporters chanted "stay, stay". "We will not allow anyone to destroy our homeland by looting and burning our properties," said Bashir as some supporters attended the rally on camels, while many heard him from tree tops. On Sunday, the first anti-government demonstrations were held by groups of protesters in Niyala and El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Darfur, a region the size of France, has been torn by violence since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. About 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict and another 2.5 million displaced, according to the United Nations. Most of those displaced still live in sprawling camps. Darfur has been largely calm over the past few months but tensions remain high in the region. Bashir, who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, has been charged by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) with genocide and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur. On Monday, he reiterated that Sudan faced "economic problems," but said they could not be solved by looting and burning of properties. Meanwhile in Khartoum, Sudanese security agents raided on Monday the offices of the Society of Sudanese Surgeons and confiscated its letterheads and stamps, the group said in a statement. The general secretary of the society was also detained, it said. Some unions of doctors are part of an umbrella group called the Sudanese Professionals' Association that has spearheaded the anti-government demonstrations. On Monday, security agents also stopped a group of journalists in Khartoum from holding a sit in to protest the banning of Al-Jadida newspaper from publishing for several days, witnesses said. Sudan is currently ranked 174th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, with security agents regularly confiscating entire print runs of newspapers without giving reasons. Organisers of protests have so far staged hundreds of rallies across the country, including in Khartoum. They have urged protesters to continue with their demonstrations this week, calling it as the "Week of Uprising". On Sunday, protesters had rallied in the capital's Bahari district chanting "peace, peace" and "revolution is the people's choice," but they were quickly confronted by riot police with tear gas. Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists as well as demonstrators. Although the unrest was triggered by the rise in the price of bread, Sudan has faced a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency. Repeated shortages of food and fuel have been reported across cities, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stormy Daniels is suing the police department in Ohio's capital for USD 2 million over her arrest at a strip club last summer. The federal defamation lawsuit filed Monday alleges that Columbus officers conspired to retaliate against the porn actress over her sex allegations concerning Donald Trump before he became president. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was arrested in July on suspicion of inappropriately touching a female undercover officer. Two other club employees also were arrested. Prosecutors dropped charges against Daniels hours later, saying the law cited in her arrest applied only to those who regularly performed at the club. The city prosecutor later said the law was "glaringly inequitable" and should no longer be enforced. Messages were left for the police department and for the city prosecutor Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh without the Congress was exactly what the BJP wanted initially and the two regional parties have fallen into the ruling party's design, the Congress said Monday. Its spokesperson R P N Singh said the BJP wanted the secular parties to remain divided in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh before the 2019 Lok Sabha election and contest independently so that their votes could be split. Its attempts have proved successful, he added. On Sunday, the Congress said it would contest on all 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in the general election, expected in April-May. That the party was left out of the SP-BSP alliance would not affect its prospects and the Congress would contest with "full force", it had said. On Monday, Singh tried to raise doubts over the longevity of the alliance, wondering whether it would last till the UP Assembly election. He also asked whether now BSP chief Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav would attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on "corruption" in the Rafale jet deal. "The SP-BSP coming together leaving the Congress outside is what the BJP wanted from the very beginning, that the opposition parties contest independently. It seems they have fallen into the pattern that BJP wanted," he told PTI. He said attempts are being made in all states to unite secular forces and avoid division of anti-BJP votes. "They (SP and BSP) did not express their desire to even talk to us," he alleged. The SP-BSP alliance was formalised on Saturday at a joint presser by Mayawati and Yadav. They announced their parties would contest 38 seats each and would leave two seats for smaller allies. They also said they would not field candidates from Amethi and Rae Bareli, the traditional seats of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi respectively. Accusing the leadership of the SP and the BSP of not attacking Prime Minister Modi on corruption, Singh said, "We don't see the leaders of these parties attacking the prime minister on corruption in the Rafale scam, the way Rahul Gandhi has attacked him." "We expect the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party to take this up as vehemently in the elections as Gandhi has taken it up," he said. The former Union minister who hails from Padrauna in Uttar Pradesh and won the Kushinagar Lok Sabha seat in 2009, said the Congress is talking to other smaller parties in Uttar Pradesh for possible alliances for the general election. He said whenever other political parties have undermined the Congress, the people of Uttar Pradesh have shown them what the Grand Old Party is. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ipsos, a global player in the research industry, has appointed Yasser Omar, as country manager of its offices in Egypt, where it has been operating since 2006. Based out of the Ipsos new offices in Cairo, Omar will be leading the business throughout the country and playing a key role in driving the company's growth goals. Omar brings with him over 30 years of global research experience and international exposure in areas of FMCG, customer insights, business strategy, brand building & innovation, P&L and sales & marketing. He started his career in 1986 with Nielsen followed by Unilever, but it was in 1994, when Omar made his significant career move by joining PepsiCo International, where he stayed for almost 18 years. He started in Dubai where he was appointed as research director for the Mena region and Pakistan. In 2004, he relocated to US as strategy & insights director - beverages - international markets for PepsiCo and in 2008 he was promoted to managing director for Pepsi-Lipton Partnership in AMEA being based in the UAE. In 2012, he joined Exeed Vivartia Investments - Hayatna in Dubai as the regional strategy & marketing director. In 2014, he relocated to Cairo where he joined YouGov as Egypt managing director and Mena qualitative head. Omar holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree (Architecture) from King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. - TradeArabia News Service Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday watched a joint amphibious exercise off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern-most island of the nation, which saw participation of the three armed forces. Andaman and Nicobar is an Integrated Services Command. "Smt @nsitharaman inspects Joint Amphibious Exercise by Integrated Service Command, ANC off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern most island of the nation," the defence minister's official twitter handle tweeted. Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is straddled strategically near the mouth of the Malacca Straits. The Malacca Straits is also an important sea lane of communication and is used by navies of several countries, including China which has been stepping up its military infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region. Sitharaman also reviewed the presentation made by senior officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida lashed out at the BJP Monday and accused it of "exploiting" traders through the goods and services tax (GST). Sisodia's reaction came in response to a tweet by Delhi BJP where it posted a video of Assam's minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing the AAP and the Congress of opposing a proposal to keep traders with turnover less than Rs 75 lakh, out of the ambit of the GST. The video of Sarma's address at the recently-concluded national convention of the BJP showed him charging in a meeting of GST Council that there was a proposal to keep traders with turnover less than 75 lakh out of the goods and services tax ambit, but the finance ministers of the Congress, AAP and the CPM government in Kerala opposed it, insisting the limit should be Rs 20 lakh. "In this struggle between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, we could manage the relief only to the traders having turnover less than Rs 40 lakh," he said. Sisodia retaliated to the charge accusing the BJP of "exploiting" the traders. "Who can be the biggest enemy of traders in the country! BJP wanted to bring traders with a turnover of Rs 5 lakh under the GST but it was fixed at Rs 20 lakh after the opposition of AAP," Sisodia tweeted. Despite the "repressive policies" of the BJP, the Delhi government has ensured that traders in Delhi have least losses, and it will continue to do so, he asserted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court Monday ordered that three accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case be shifted from a Bengaluru jail to Mumbai's Arthur Road prison to enable them to file affidavits and defend a petition by the Maharashtra ATS seeking their custody in an arms haul case. Justice Mridula Bhatkar gave the direction when hearing an application filed by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad seeking custody of the three accused Amol Kale, Amit Baddi and Ganesh Miskin. The three are currently lodged at the central prison in Bengaluru after they were chargesheeted for their alleged role in the killing of writer-journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017. In October 2018, the ATS took custody of the three for their alleged involvement in a case pertaining to recovery of arms at Nalasopara on outskirts of Mumbai. They were then produced before a Mumbai sessions court, which remanded them in ATS custody for six days. The sessions court later refused to extend their police remand and sent them to judicial custody following which they were shifted to Bengaluru. Special public prosecutor Raja Thakare Monday told the high court that the previous six-day police remand was not sufficient for the ATS in its investigation in the arms haul case and further custody of the trio was required. Justice Bhatkar, after hearing brief arguments, issued notices to the three accused through the superintendent of the central prison in Bengaluru. "It is directed that these respondents/accused are to be transferred from the central prison in Bangalore to Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to enable them to reply and defend this case," the court said in its order. The judge directed the state government and additional director general of ATS to make necessary security arrangements for transferring the accused from Bengaluru to Mumbai. The HC posted the petition for further hearing on January 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Mahindra to endorse Shell automotive lubricants under 'Maximile' brand Shell Lubricants, the global market leader in lubricants for 12 consecutive years, has announced a new strategic partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, a part of the USD 20.7 billion Mahindra Group. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/807757/Shell_Mahindra_Partnership.jpg ) Under this agreement, Mahindra and Shell will work together to offer market-leading, high-performance lubricant products, such as engine oils, transmission and axle oils, including those under the 'Maximile' brand. These lubricants will be distributed through the Mahindra dealership network and bazar networks through the Mahindra spares business unit. The Shell-Mahindra partnership rides on the theme of 'Together Towards Tomorrow', where both organizations are committed to developing innovative, unique and differentiated technologies and products. The agreement is a major step in this direction and was signed in Mumbai by Ms. Mansi Tripathy, Country Head, Shell Lubricants, India and Mr. Hemant Sikka, President & Chief Purchase Officer, Powerol & Spares Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited. Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Mansi Tripathy, Country Head, Shell Lubricants, India, said, "At Shell, we have long standing relationships with our OEM partners and work very closely with them to benefit customers across sectors and help them achieve their ambitions through co-engineering and other partnership activities. We are delighted to partner with Mahindra and look forward to bring next-generation mobility solutions and new technologies to the Indian market. At Shell our emphasis has always been to provide customer delight, fill unmet needs, bring innovative technologies for a better future and mutually grow business. The partnership with Mahindra is a major step in our effort towards this journey." Commenting on the partnership at the signing event, Hemant Sikka President & Chief Purchase Officer, Powerol & Spares Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, said, "We are pleased to join hands with Shell. Both companies have core strength areas in their respective fields. Shell innovates to meet global energy demand and has unique technology offerings such as GTL (gas to liquid) which can be harnessed to meet BS-VI norms. We are extending this partnership in other sectors of Mahindra as well. In addition, Shell and Mahindra have joined forces to unleash the power of two major brands in order to accelerate the future of transport in India and beyond." Notes to Editors About Mahindra The Mahindra Group is a USD 20.7 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world's largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, aerospace, commercial vehicles, components, defense, logistics, real estate, renewable energy, speedboats and steel, amongst other businesses. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,40,000 people across 100 countries. Learn more about Mahindra on http://www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise About Shell Lubricants The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to Shell Group companies engaged in the lubricants business. Shell sells a wide variety of lubricants to meet customer needs across a range of applications. These include consumer motoring, heavy-duty transport, mining, power generation and general engineering. Shell's portfolio of lubricant brands includes Shell Advance, Shell Helix, and Shell Rimula among many others. We are active across the full lubricant supply chain. We manufacture base oils in eight plants, we blend base oils with additives to make finished lubricants in almost 70 plants, and we distribute, market and sell lubricants in over 100 countries. We have also been recognized as the global market leader for 12 consecutive years, by Kline. We have more experts talking to more customers than any other lubricants supplier. We have over 350 technical support specialists and 1,000 sales professionals working with customers every day. We offer a wide range of services in addition to our products, including Shell LubeChat, an easy to use, AI-enabled chatbot that can deliver information on real-time basis, Shell LubeMatch, a market leading online tool that matches lubricants to vehicles and equipment, and Shell LubeAnalyst, an early warning system that enables our business customers to monitor the condition of their equipment and lubricant, helping to save money on maintenance. Shell's world-class technology is applied in our products and technological collaborations. We have four leading lubricants research centres in Germany, the USA, and Japan (in a joint venture with Showa Shell) with more than 200 scientists and engineers dedicated to lubricants research and development. We have 150 + patent series for lubricants, base oils and greases. One of the ways we push the boundaries of lubricant technology is by working closely with top motor racing teams such as Scuderia Ferrari and Penske Racing. These technical partnerships enable us to expand our knowledge of lubrication science and transfer cutting-edge technology from the racetrack to our commercial products. About Shell Lubricants India Shell is one of the most diversified international oil company in India's energy sector. It is a major private sector supplier of crude products and chemicals to India. With over 7000 staff in the country, Shell has a significant technology centre, a financial business services centre and operates a joint venture LNG receiving and re-gasification terminal. Earlier this year, it signed MOUs for a floating LNG terminal in the country. Shell also has a downstream business marketing fuels, lubricants and specialty products. It recently announced creation of an in-house global IT centre in Bengaluru. Shell Lubricants' India operation is part of Shell's long-term commitment to India and its support for the country's increasing energy needs. After the US and China, India is the third-largest market for Lubricants where Shell has a close to 5 per cent share. Shell Lubricants' customers in India include John Deere, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Komatsu and Thermax. With a network of over 170 distributors and a lubricant oil blending plant at Taloja, Shell Lubricants India sells a wide variety of lubricants to meet customer needs across a range of applications such as consumer motoring, heavy-duty transport, mining, power generation, general engineering, etc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Y S Sharmila, sister of YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Monday filed a police complaint over certain online and social media posts linking her with a popular Tollywood actor, even as she accused the TDP of being behind spreading such rumours. Condemning Sharmila's allegations, Andhra Pradesh Women Development Minister Paritala Sunitha said the TDP has nothing to do with the social media posts. The TDP will condemn such derogatory posts not only against Sharmila but any woman, Sunitha said in a statement. In the complaint lodged with Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar, Sharmila sought action against those responsible for posting objectionable material against her in social media and for spreading rumours. The YSR congress leader alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was behind spreading such rumours. A case under the IT Act and IPC section 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) has been registered against unknown persons, police said. "We have registered an FIR and taken up investigation," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crimes) KCS Raghu Vir told PTI. Speaking to reporters, Sharmila rubbished the "false propaganda" unleashed by vested interests by linking her name to that of an actor. The conspiracy was hatched to defame her ahead of the general elections to get political mileage, she alleged. "I swear on my children, I never met him (actor) nor spoken to him...there is not an iota of truth," she said. "If I do not react, my silence may lead to some unpleasant conclusions which is the reason why I lodged the complaint seeking action against those who are responsible for such libellous comments using the social media as tool," she said in the complaint. The motive behind the rumours are meant for her character assassination, she said, adding that it was an insult to all women. "TDP is known for spreading rumours and this is no different," she said. "Earlier, TDP spread rumours that my father (then Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy) was a factionist and they also spread rumours against my brother (Jagan) that he is arrogant. They tried to defame my father and brother but they were proved wrong. And now these rumours against me also by TDP just before the 2019 elections," she said. Asked why she preferred to lodge a complaint with Hyderabad Police and notAndhra Pradesh police and whether she did not trust the AP police, Sharmila said "I don't have belief." Refuting the allegations, the minister alleged that the social media wing working under Jagan Mohan Reddy posted "objectionable" content on TDP women MLAs. "You may have forgotten this. But, people haven't forgotten such posts," Sunitha said, adding the TDP never indulges in mudslinging at women. Earlier also in June 2014, Sharmila had lodged a police complaint in Hyderabad seeking action against certain websites for allegedly spreading stories linking her with a popular film actor, following which police had then arrested some people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Monday celebrated the festival of Makar Sankranti, known as Uttarayan in the state, by flying kites with their supporters and party members here. Shah flew kite on the terrace of a house in Vadaj area, while Rupani did the same from the rooftop of the house of former BJP MLA Bhushan Bhatt in Khadia locality. Shah was accompanied by Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani, state youth wing president Rutvij Patel and dozens of party workers. This was the third year after becoming Chief Minister that Rupani flew kite in Khadia, the area visited by then CM Narendra Modi to fly kite on the occasion of Uttarayan. Talking to reporters, Rupani said the wind was blowing "in favour of BJP" for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Using kite analogy, he said the thread of 11 crore BJP workers will propel the BJP to another victory in Lok Sabha elections. "The wind is in favour of BJP, thread (that holds the kite) gets strength from workers as we have world's biggest organisation with 11 crore party members. "The kite flying at the highest point is that of BJP and the party under Modi's leadership will realise the slogan of 'Abki Baar Phir Se Modi Sarkar' (once again Modi government) by winning the Lok Sabha polls," Rupani said. The Gujarat CM later went to his hometown Rajkot to celebrate the festival with his family members. Leaders from different political parties, MLAs and MPs also celebrated the popular festival by flying kites with their family members. Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Hardik Patel flew kite with MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani in Ahmedabad. People assembled in large numbers on the rooftops to fly kites and celebrate the festival with their family members. Makar Sankranti marks the end of the winter solstice month and beginning of longer days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Emergency services at the Safdarjung hospital remained affected on Monday as resident doctors stayed away from work for the second consecutive day demanding security be increased on the medical institution's premises after one of their colleagues was allegedly manhandled. The strike was called after a Delhi Police head constable's son, who had come for treatment at the Centre-run hospital on Sunday, allegedly punched a doctor. Patients alleged that they were facing a harrowing time due to the paucity of doctors even as senior faculty members and para-medical staff tried to keep services running at the emergency department. On Monday, an 18-year-year accident victim, who was admitted to the hospital's emergency section on Saturday, succumbed to injuries with his family alleging that he had not received proper treatment because of the strike. He was referred to Safdarjung from a hospital in Gurgaon. "My brother was referred to this hospital on Saturday and on Sunday the resident doctor went on strike after which patients were not being attended to properly. "We also requested that our brother be referred to another hospital but nothing was done and he died today morning," the elder brother of the deceased said. In another instance, a family alleged that a 20-year-old woman died after not getting treatment on time. However, a member of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) refrained from commenting whether their was any connection between the deaths and the strike. "The deaths are unfortunate. Senior doctors are attending the patients at the emergency ward. The incidents of doctors being assaulted at work have become quite frequent and there is a need to beef up security and also deploy marshals at the hospital premises for their safety," the association's Safdarjung hospital president Dr Prakash Thakur said. On Sunday, around 1,600 doctors went on strike over the alleged manhandling of their colleague. Police had said Head Constable Virender's son Akshay Kumar (24) went to the Safdarjung hospital with his friend Rajesh on Sunday morning. Akshay had complained of abdominal pain, they said. Virendra is posted as a head constable at the Safdarjung Enclave police station, police said According to a senior police officer, an argument broke out between Akshay and the doctor on-duty after the head constable's son alleged that he was not being given priority and there was subsequent delay in treatment Enraged, Akshay punched the doctor, who suffered injuries to his nose. The accused fled from the hospital after the incident, he said. Apparently, Akshay's father had also called up the duty constable at the hospital, Vinod, informing him that his son would be coming there for treatment. A member of RDA had claimed that the doctor on emergency duty had tried to relieve the patient of his pain, but the pain did not subside. "While the resident doctor on duty was filling up a form so that the patient could undergo an ultrasound, the latter started hurling abuses," a senior doctor said. The doctor on duty fell unconscious after he was attacked and suffered a broken nose, he said. An FIR was lodged in the matter and the role of duty constable Vinod in instigating the Akshay) is also being probed. The head constable and constable on duty were sent to District Lines on Sunday by the police department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader C P Joshi is set to be the speaker of the 15th Rajasthan Assembly, party sources said Monday. The election of the new speaker will be held on January 16 and Governor Kalyan Singh will administer the oath of office on the same day, they said. Joshi, 68, has been elected from the Nathdwara assembly constituency. He was the Member of Parliament from Bhilwara in the 15th Lok Sabha and had served as the union minister for road transport and highways, and panchayati raj from 2009 to 2013. Senior BJP MLA Gulab Chand Kataria took oath as the pro tem speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly on Monday. The pro tem speaker will conduct the first meeting of the 15th Legislative Assembly beginning Tuesday. Once a new speaker is elected, Kataria, who was the home minister in the previous government, will be the leader of opposition, while Rajendra Rathore will be his deputy (leader of opposition) in the assembly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Attacking the Shiv Sena, the LJP Monday said it was raising the Ram temple issue to "divert" people's attention from the government's development agenda and that the "so called Hindu party" otherwise insults north Indians arriving in Mumbai from the Lord Ram's region. The salvo from Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan came a day after Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said how can the BJP build Ram temple in Ayodhya when its allies like the LJP and JD(U) are opposing it. The Sena is also a BJP ally but has long been taking swipes at it over a host of issues. The LJP and the Bihar chief minister-led JD(U) have opposed demands of Hindutva organisations, including Sena, that the Narendra Modi government bring a law to construct the temple in Ayodhya. Though the BJP has asserted that it wants the temple be built at the earliest, but has indicated that it would wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the matter. "The Shiv Sena, which practices the so called Hindutva in the NDA, and always targets north Indians is busy diverting the country's attention from development works. It is remembers Ayodhya after the passage of four years and nine months (of government) and raising fingers at the LJP and JD(U)," Paswan tweeted. This so called Hindu party insults north Indians arriving in Mumbai from the region of Lord Ram and is then more concerned about Marathi vote bank than Lord Ram, he alleged. In the kingdom of Lord Ram there was no regionalism and caste differences, Paswan said, adding the Shiv Sena should take inspiration from these ideals. In a dig at the BJP, Thackeray had said his party is raising the Ram temple issue before the polls to "expose" those who used the issue as a poll plank. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday ordered tagging of a PIL challenging the validity of Article 370 of the Constitution, which grants a special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state, with another pending plea on the issue. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul said the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay would be listed for hearing, along with the other plea, on April 2. The plea says the special provision was "temporary" in nature at the time of framing of the Constitution and Article 370(3) had lapsed with the dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly on January 26, 1957. A similar plea, challenging Article 370 of the Constitution, has been filed by one Kumari Vijayalakshmi Jha. In his plea, Upadhyay has also sought a declaration from the apex court that the separate Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir is "arbitrary" and "unconstitutional" on various grounds, including that it is against the "supremacy of the Constitution of India and contrary to the dictum of 'One Nation, One Constitution, One National Anthem and One National Flag'". The petition claims that the life span of Article 370 was only till the existence of the Constituent Assembly -- January 26, 1950 -- when the national document was adopted. Article 370 is a "temporary provision" with respect to Jammu and Kashmir and it restricts the applicability of various provisions of the Constitution to the state by "curtailing" the power of Parliament to make laws on subjects which fall under the Union and Concurrent lists, the plea says. Consequently, it allows the state to accord special rights and privileges to its natives, it goes on to add. The plea claims that Article 370 empowers the state legislature to frame any law, without attracting a challenge on the ground of violation of the right to equality of people from other states or any other right under the Constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has launched a National Plan for the Promotion of Space Investment aiming to increase domestic and foreign investment in the UAE space sector. The initiative promises to transform the nation into a regional hub for commercial space activities and advanced research and development. It also aims to encourage local investment vehicles to consider funding opportunities in the space sector, both domestically and globally. The announcement of the plan follows the decision of the UAESAs board of directors to adopt its articles in tandem, and in support of the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071 which aim to establish the UAE as one of the worlds best nations across various economic, social, and environmental fields. The strategy also contributes to the UAEs Science, Technology & Innovation Policy, as well as the UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It envisions a competitive national economy based on knowledge, innovation, and future technological applications that integrate the latest physical and digital technologies, while also encouraging small and medium enterprises. The investment plan is based on the National Space Policy issued in 2016, which called for a comprehensive approach to attracting and promoting investment in the space industry, encouraging and facilitating commercial space activity, and establishing the UAE as a major regional and global hub for space activities and advanced research and development. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAESA, said: "The agency's adoption of the National Plan for the Promotion of Space Investment comes within the framework of its strategy and the objectives of the sector in general. These objectives seek to contribute towards diversifying the national economy and developing advanced science, technology, and applications in the UAE, along with supporting scientific research, building Emirati capabilities and instilling a culture of innovation, especially among the younger generations. Space offers active and creative applications and solutions for growing vital local, regional, and global needs and challenges. These solutions include - but are not limited to - navigation tools, management of transport and shipping, management of natural resources, sustainability, monitoring of pollution and climate change, surveillance, crisis management and many more, said Al Falasi. The plan contributes to transforming the UAE economy into one based on knowledge, advanced skills, and innovation. It also encourages cooperation and partnerships with relevant parties in the government, private, research, and academic sectors, as well as further serves to encourage local and foreign investment in the space industry and attract leading space firms to establish regional and global headquarters in the UAE, added Al Falasi. Private investments in space grew by 30.5% in 2017, as compared to 2016, and over the past 10 years the average yearly growth of private industry revenue grew at an average rate of 9.6%. According to CNBC, wealth management experts from Bank of America Merrill Lynch are expecting the Space Economy to be worth $2.7 trillion in 30 years, while Morgan Stanley forecasts that the commercial space industry will triple in size by 2040. In 2017, the total global space economy value amounted to USD 348 billion, 79% of which were commercial revenues while 21% were for government budgets and manned spaceflight. Private investments in space grew by 30.5% in 2017, as compared to 2016, and over the past 10 years the average yearly growth of private industry revenue grew at an average rate of 9.6%, said Al Falasi. Through this plan, we seek to bolster our leading position in the space sector and with the vision and support of our wise leadership make the UAE one of the leading countries in the field of space science, concluded Al Falasi. Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, said: "The UAE's space economy witnessed remarkable diversification and growth throughout the previous period. The overall investment in the UAE's space projects exceeded Dh22 billion with more than 10% growth rate on projects expenditure during the past two years. The number of space-related establishments in the UAE reached 57, which provided over 1,500 job opportunities, said Al Ahbabi. There are several notable examples of significant undertakings in the local industry. These include, the Hope Probe Emirates Mars Mission, launching next year, the ambitious Mars 2117 long-term plan to build a self-sustaining colony on Mars in 100 years, an astronaut programme, as well as the successes of satellite telecom operators Yahsat and Thuraya. The Mohamed Bin Rashed Space Center in Dubai has also recently launched the first locally designed and built UAE earth observation satellite, Khalifa Sat. With several of the largest and most globally active investment vehicles in the world, in recent years the UAE has diversified its global investment strategy beyond the traditional asset classes and begun strategically investing in venture capital, including founder-led start-ups in Series A or later-stage deals. Mubadala Investment Company, which also owns a significant stake in Virgin Galactic, has recently opened offices in Silicon Valley and London where they operate their venture capital-led initiatives through both their investment in the $100B Softbank Vision Fund, as well as plan direct investments it intends to make. Al Ahbabi went on to say: "The UAESA recently signed a cooperation and collaboration and funding agreement with Krypto Labs as an incubator and accelerator for local entrepreneurs to develop and deliver innovative and commercially feasible geospatial, Earth observation and remote sensing applications, with special focus on solutions used in city planning, land management, and coastal security, as well as solutions used in disaster management operations." TradeArabia News Service The Supreme Court on Monday allowed an NGO to make the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) a party in a plea seeking direction to messaging application WhatsApp for complying with data localisation norms with regard to its payment services. The plea filed by NGO Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) said Whatsapp has not fully complied with the circular of the RBI which prescribed data localisation norms. The NGO has also sought direction to restrain the messaging platform from proceeding with its payment service unless it fully complied with the provisions of the RBI. A bench of Justices R F Nariman and Vineet Saran asked advocate Virag Gupta, appearing for the NGO, to file an application seeking to make RBI as a party to the plea in a week's time. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre said that RBI needs to be made as party in the petition as the issue pertains to data localisation. The bench also allowed the NGO to file an rejoinder affidavit within two weeks. In their counter-affidavits filed by WhatsApp and the Central government, they have stated a grievance officer for India has been appointed by the instant messaging service company. The NGO has referred IT (Intermediary) Rules of 2011 and IT (reasonable security practices and procedures and sensitive personal data or information) Rules 2011 wherein provision is made for appointment of grievance officer. The NGO further said in its affidavit that it will be a paradox if data localisation norms are prescribed in India but companies are allowed to keep data officers in USA. On August 27 last year, the apex court had agreed to examine a plea alleging that WhatsApp does not comply with the Indian laws including the provision for appointing a grievance officer. WhatsApp reportedly has over 200 million users in India and almost one million people are "testing" its payments service. India is one of the largest bases for the Facebook-owned company that has over 1.5 billion users globally. In its plea, the CASC said that to open a bank account, a customer needs to comply with KYC norms laid down by the RBI and various other formalities. "WhatsApp is a foreign company with no office or servers in India. To run Payments Service in India, WhatsApp is obligated to have its office and payments in India. "Moreover, it is also required to have a Grievance Officer for users in India. Yet, it is being allowed to continue with its payments and other services, without any check," the plea claimed. The petition also alleged that the social media giant does not comply with tax and other laws of India, but its reach was such that it is used by everyone, be it a commoner or even the judges of the apex court. The plea, filed through advocate Virag Gupta, said that every user has a number on WhatsApp but the messaging platform has no number through which its user can contact it for any grievance redressal. Pointing to alleged cases of internet-based crimes, it claimed that the growth of such incidents was directly proportional to the growth of the user base of messaging services like WhatsApp. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hotel management firm Sarovar Hotels and Resorts Monday said it is expanding its footprint in Jammu and Kashmir with signing of an agreement with a new hotel, Viraj Sarovar Portico, in Jammu. The 45-room hotel will become operational in mid-2019 and will be Sarovar's second hotel in the state after RK Sarovar Portico in Srinagar, the company said in a statement. Sarovar Hotels currently manages 80 operational hotels at 50 destinations in India and overseas under Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico and Hometel brands. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal has pumped in about Rs 150 crore in ride-hailing platform Ola, according to documents filed with the Corporate Affairs Ministry. "... 70,588 fully and compulsorily convertible, cumulative 'Series J' Preference Shares' having face value of Rs 10 having the rights, privileges and preferences... is hereby allotted at a subscription price of Rs 21,250," the documents showed. This translates into an investment of about Rs 150 crore by Bansal, who left Flipkart after the US retail giant Walmart picked up 77 per cent stake in the e-commerce company for USD 16 billion. The resolution was passed at a board meeting of ANI Technologies, the entity that runs Ola, on January 12, according to the documents. E-mails sent to Ola and Bansal did not elicit any response. According to sources, Bansal is pumping in Rs 650 crore in total and the Rs 150 crore funding is part of the total investment. The allotment of these shares to Bansal is part of Ola's plans to raise about USD 1 billion in funding, they added. In October last year, the Bengaluru-based company had announced raising USD 1.1 billion funding from China's Tencent Holdings and SoftBank Group. It had also stated that it was in "advanced talks" to close an additional USD 1 billion funding to take total mop-up to more than USD 2 billion. Ola is locked in a battle for market leadership with US-based rival Uber in India and other markets like Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The Indian company has been aggressively ramping up its rides business as well as hailing platform and food delivery operations (through Foodpanda). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The foreign ministers of Russia and Japan met in Moscow on Monday pushing ahead with efforts to strike a peace deal and end a decades-old dispute over four strategic islands. Meeting his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the resources for cooperation were "truly inexhaustible" and should be used to work towards a peace agreement. Japan and Russia have never signed a treaty ending World War II. The USSR invaded the far-eastern Kuril chain in the final days of the war and Japan refuses to give up its claim to them although the United Nations formally recognises them as Russian territory. "It's a difficult issue, we have to deal with the legacy of World War II, whose outcomes have been codified in the UN charter and Allied documents," Lavrov said. In November, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to accelerate talks on a peace agreement which would build on a 1956 Japan-USSR declaration which restored diplomatic ties. The joint declaration said that the USSR agreed to hand over two of the islands - Habomai and Shikotan - to Japan following a peace deal. Japan however demanded sovereignty over all the disputed islands, which include Iturup and Kunashir and peace talks stalled. In remarks before the Monday meeting, Japan's Kono said the two countries must use the great potential for cooperation. He said, in remarks translated into Russian, that they should "speed up (peace) negotiations, going beyond the boundaries of previous positions," without elaborating. The Kuril islands had been neglected by Moscow for decades, however in recent years it increased its military presence there, to a furious reaction from Japan. Ceding any islands to Japan is unlikely to go down well in Russia, where a wave of patriotic sentiment has been whipped up by the Kremlin since 2014, when Moscow annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine. The governor of the Russian island of Sakhalin, who also administers the Kurils, last week said locals oppose territorial changes. Hundreds protested recently against any handover. "The Kuril islands are Russian soil, that is clear. The issue of handing over the Kuril islands is not on the agenda," governor Valery Limarenko told Gazeta.Ru website. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The strike called by the resident doctors at the Safdarjung Hospital was called off on Monday evening after the administration agreed to their demand of increased security on the medical institution's premises. Emergency services at the hospital this morning were affected as the doctors stayed away from work for he second day after a Delhi Police head constable's son, who had come for treatment at the Centre-run hospital on Sunday, allegedly punched a doctor. With patients facing a tough time, Additional Secretary Sanjeeva Kumar at the Health Ministry Monday held a meeting with officials from the hospital administration and a delegation of resident doctors. In the meeting, it was decided that 18 marshals will be deployed as an interim arrangement. In addition, the proposal for 30 extra marshals will be submitted by the hospital for approval to the Health Ministry, the minutes of the meeting said. While selecting these marshals, a representative from the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) will also be associated. Additional 100 security guards from the SSB will be deployed immediately and a committee will also be formed which will submit its report within two weeks after assessing the requirement of a number of security guards and marshals at the hospital premises, the Health Ministry officials said. They said they will also look into the demands for hostel rooms made by the RDA. Patients this morning alleged that they were facing a harrowing time due to the paucity of doctors even as senior faculty members and para-medical staff tried to keep services running at the emergency department. On Monday, an 18-year-year accident victim, who was admitted to the hospital's emergency section on Saturday, succumbed to injuries with his family alleging that he had not received proper treatment because of the strike. He was referred to Safdarjung from a hospital in Gurgaon. "My brother was referred to this hospital on Saturday and on Sunday the resident doctor went on strike after which patients were not being attended to properly. "We also requested that our brother is referred to another hospital but nothing was done and he died today morning," the elder brother of the deceased said. In another incident, a family alleged that a 20-year-old woman died after not getting treatment on time. However, a member of the RDA refrained from commenting on whether there was any connection between the deaths and the strike. "The deaths are unfortunate. Senior doctors are attending the patients at the emergency ward. "The incidents of doctors being assaulted at work have become quite frequent and there is a need to beef up security and also deploy marshals at the hospital premises for their safety," the association's Safdarjung hospital president Dr Prakash Thakur said. On Sunday, around 1,600 doctors went on strike over the alleged manhandling of their colleague. Police had said Head Constable Virender's son Akshay Kumar (24) went to the Safdarjung hospital with his friend Rajesh on Sunday morning. Akshay had complained of abdominal pain, they said. Virendra is posted as a head constable at the Safdarjung Enclave police station, police said According to a senior police officer, an argument broke out between Akshay and the doctor on-duty after the head constable's son alleged that he was not being given priority and there was a subsequent delay in treatment Enraged, Akshay punched the doctor, who suffered injuries to his nose. The accused fled from the hospital after the incident, he said. Apparently, Akshay's father had also called up the duty constable at the hospital, Vinod, informing him that his son would be coming there for treatment. A member of the RDA had claimed that the doctor on emergency duty had tried to relieve the patient of his pain, but the pain did not subside. "While the resident doctor on duty was filling up a form so that the patient could undergo an ultrasound, the latter started hurling abuses," a senior doctor said. The doctor on duty fell unconscious after he was attacked and suffered a broken nose, he said. An FIR was lodged in the matter and the role of duty constable Vinod in instigating the Akshay) is also being probed. The head constable and the constable on duty were sent to District Lines on Sunday by the police department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Navy spent the whole of Monday to retrieve their unmanned vehicle which had got stuck during underwater searches for the 15 miners who have been trapped in an illegal mine here for over a month. The Navy's efforts bore fruits and before calling an end to the operation Monday, they managed to reclaim the unmanned vehicle from inside the 370 foot-deep coal mine in Meghalayas East Jaintia Hills district, officials said. During the day, a team from a Chennai-based company that specialises in submersible robotic inspections launched their underwater search operations in the nearby abandoned mines using their smaller robotic vehicles, Operations Spokesperson R Susngi told PTI. They have been tasked with preparing map of these rat-hole mines and see if there was any traces of the trapped diggers, the spokesperson said. He said senior scientist from Hyderabad-based CSIR-NGRI Dewashish Kumar has also begun electric topography survey in the area to identify the rock strata besides other important information. The efforts to de-water the main shaft, where the miners are trapped, were affected on Monday due to the Navy's efforts to retrieve their unmanned vehicle which got stuck on Sunday night. Susngi said due to this operation the team from Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (KBL) could not operate their high-powered pumps and the de-watering process was affected. The KBL team uses two high-powered pumps to de-water the main shaft while Coal India Ltd (CIL) has brought eight of their submersible pumps to the site, according to Susngi. However, only two of the CIL pumps are being put to use to de-water the nearby abandoned mines downstream, close to the main shaft, he said. Six pumps from Odisha Fire Service (OFS) are being used as relays to take the water pumped out by CIL further downstream, he added. Even as the multi-agency operations stepped up their efforts, the water level at the ill-fated mine has remained constant, Susngi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monday said it has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Bajaj Finance Ltd, a non-banking financial company (NBFC), for violating "fair practices code". This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the NBFC with its customers, the RBI added. Bajaj Finance is into businesses such as consumer finance, SME finance and commercial lending. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In fresh alliance trouble for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Om Prakash Rajbhar's SBSP on Monday threatened to break its alliance with the saffron party and join the opposition coalition if its demand of sub-quota in the existing OBC reservation was not met. Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) general secretary Arvind Rajbhar, son of the party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, said the coming together of arch-rivals Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh had posed a "big challenge" for the BJP. "I think the alliance is a big challenge for the BJP. If it doesn't agree to the demand of sub-categorisation of OBC quota put forward by Om Prakash Rajbhar, this alliance will remain a big challenge for the BJP," he told PTI. Om Prakash Rajbhar, a minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the state, has been vocal about implementing an expert group recommendation on sub-categorisation of the 27 per cent OBC quota into three categories to benefit the most backward castes. Asked if his party could join the opposition alliance in case the SBSP's demands were not met, Arvind Rajbhar said: "We haven't had any talks with the opposition. If the BJP doesn't agree to our demand (sub-categorisation), in that scenario, we can go into the grand alliance, all options are open. "The Congress also wants that we should align with them and the 'Mahagathbandhan' (SP-BSP) also wants that we join them," he said. Arvind Rajbhar's remarks come about a week after another NDA (National Democratic Alliance) constituent Apna Dal (Sonelal) warned the BJP of going to "any extent" if it does not change its attitude to smaller parties in the ruling coalition. SBSP has four MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, while Apna Dal (S) has nine. The BJP has a huge majority with more than 300 MLAs in the state's 404-member legislative assembly. Apna Dal (S) president Ashish Patel had told party members in Lucknow that the party can take "any decision" but did not elaborate. "Our party (Apna Dal-S) has been in alliance with the BJP since 2014 and is discharging the alliance dharma with full honesty. But in Uttar Pradesh it is not at all getting the respect, which it deserves," Patel had said. "You (BJP) should change your behaviour, otherwise our leader (Union minister Anupriya Patel) can take any decision or go to any extent. Whatever decision our leader takes, the entire party will support it," he had asserted. SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Saturday had also said the newly-formed SP-BSP alliance will put up a strong fight in this year's Lok Sabha elections. "The country is witnessing an era of coalition, and no party has the courage to go to the polls alone. The SP-BSP alliance is a strong alliance, and it will put up a strong contest in the elections, " the UP Cabinet minister had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A rampaging Rajasthan will keep in mind the unpredictability factor that has defined Karnataka's season so far in the Ranji Trophy, when they meet in their quarterfinal starting here Tuesday. Rajasthan have been on a roll in the group stage, winning seven games, including three with bonus points, and finishing at the top of the table with 51 points from nine outings. The hosts, who were placed third with 27 points, won three games and lost two, besides three drawn games. They beat Maharashtra, Railways and Chhattisgarh, but lost to Saurashtra and Baroda, making them one of the most unpredictable teams this season. Krishnamurthy Siddharth and Dega Nischal, who have scored 651 and 613 runs, have been the only consistent batsmen for the home team in the group stage. Nischal and Siddharath have scored three and two centuries. Siddharth and Nishcal would hope to continue in the same vein. Captain Manish Pandey and B R Sharath, who have scored a century each, would also be keen to get big scores. Scoring against a formidable bowling attack led by Aniket Choudhary and Tanvir-ul-Haq, would not be easy for Karnataka batsmen. Aniket and Tanvir bagged 47 wickets each in the absence of Pankaj Singh and Khaleel Ahmad, who is with the India team in Australia. Rahul Chahar and Nathu Singh also have been outstanding, claiming 36 and 22 wickets, respectively. In contrast, Karnataka's bowling hasn't been that impressive with the think-tank making far too many changes. Ronit More, Shreyas Gopal and Jagadeesha Suchith have been their most successful wicket-takers. More has scalped 29 wickets from six matches and Gopal 26 in eight outings, while Suchith bagged 24 in five games. Abhimanyu Mithun (17), Krishnappa Gowtham (13) and Prasidh Krishna (12) also have been among wickets. Despite having a good number of wickets against their names, Karnataka bowlers may find it difficult to get Rajasthan batsmen out twice. Robin Bist and Captain Mahipal Lomror, have scored 684 and 616 runs, respectively in league stages, with both smashing two centuries each. Opener Amit Gautam also has scored 583 runs with a century, besides Chetan Bist and Ashok Maneria, also getting one each under their belt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress-led government has decided to honour those who adopt stray cows on and The Directorate of Gopalan has issued a letter to all district collectors, asking them to motivate donors, NGOs, social workers and cow lovers to adopt stray cows, and felicitate such people on August 15 and January 26. "The idea behind the step is to conserve cows with cooperation from people. Those who adopt stray cows and undertake welfare activities will be felicitated by district collectors on the occasion of and Republic Day," Vishram Meena, director- Gopalan, said. "The directorate issued a letter to all district collectors on December 28 with details of the campaign for the conservation of stray cows. There are people who adopt stray animals in cow shelter homes. They celebrate their birthdays, wedding anniversaries and such occasions by spending time with their adopted cows. We have asked the collectors to push such initiatives," he said. Meena said the interested parties can give their proposal to the respective district collectors. After verification of the claims, the collectors will felicitate such people with a certificate at the district level, he said. The order also mentions that whoever wants to adopt cows can deposit the amount decided by the local cow shelter and can visit the cows anytime. Those who want to keep the stray cows at their houses can also do so, it added. Investcorp, a leading global provider and manager of alternative investment products headquartered in Bahrain, said it has signed a secondary transaction agreement with UK-based Coller Capital in relation to a number of assets from its European private equity portfolio under a new fund arrangement, subject to receipt of relevant regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Coller Capital, founded in 1990, is one of the world's leading investors in private equity's secondary market widely acknowledged as an innovator and a stand-out player at the complex end of secondaries. The fund will be capitalised with approximately $1 billion of aggregate commitments, said a statement from Investcorp. The British groups current fund, Coller International Partners VII, will underwrite the new fund, with Investcorp retaining a continued interest in the portfolio through a meaningful GP commitment to the fund, it stated. The transaction also includes fresh capital for any follow-on investments, future investments and co-investments, it added. Investcorp said its European Private Equity team would manage both the assets acquired through the secondary transaction and the funds new capital, as it continues to invest in mid-market buyout transactions across Europe. This transaction, when closed, will provide relevant existing investors with immediate liquidity for some of their exposures as well as an opportunity for Investcorp to seek to further create value through active management and additional capital that is being made available under the transaction. According to Investcorp, this transaction is a further key milestone in its ambitious growth strategy to reach $50 billion of AUM (assets under management) over the medium term. The deal follows Investcorps acquisition in 2017 of a $11 billion AUM credit management business, Investcorp Credit Management, and last year, a strategic minority investment in Banque Paris Bertrand, an independent Swiss-regulated private bank based in Geneva. Mohammed Alardhi, the executive chairman of Investcorp, said: "The signing of this landmark transaction in the secondary private equity market is the latest step in our global growth strategy. It demonstrates the continued desire by institutional investors to back Investcorps investment platform." "We look forward, at closing, to welcoming Coller Capital to the distinguished list of global institutions who partner with us and to working with them in the coming years to maximise the value of the portfolio," he added. Jeremy Coller, the chief information officer of Coller Capital, said: "This transaction springs from a relationship of many years standing. It is a complex investment, of strategic importance to Investcorp, and were delighted to be their chosen partner." With headquarters in London, and offices in New York and Hong Kong, Collers multinational investment team has a truly global reach. In December 2015, the firm closed Coller International Partners VII, with capital commitments of $7.15 billion and backing from approximately 170 of the worlds leading institutional investors, it added.-TradeArabia News Service A Maharashtra court has executed a decree (order) granted by a US court for dissolving the marriage of an elderly couple, and permitted the husband to transfer a jointly owned flat in Pune in his name. The 81-year-old man and his 64-year-old wife, both NRIs, had approached the Superior Court of California in 2015 seeking for their marriage to be dissolved. In July 2015, the US-based court dissolved the marriage and allowed their properties to be divided as per their settlement agreement. One of the couple's jointly owned property was in Pune. As per the settlement agreement, the wife relinquished her rights to the flat. The man last year approached a civil court in Pune, seeking execution of the decree passed by the US court. "We had sought the Pune court to declare the decree passed by the California court as its own so that orders pertaining to the property in Pune could be executed and enforced," the man's lawyers, Advait Sethna and Ruju Thakker, said. In support of the application, the husband submitted to the court a letter issued by the Magarpatta Township Development and Construction Company Limited giving its clearance for transferring the flat in the man's name. Civil judge V P Phadnis on January 11 passed an order holding that the judgement passed by the court in California was executable in India, and permitted the man to take steps in accordance with law to transfer the flat in his name. "In view of the judgement (of the US-based court) and the letter, it becomes clear that the husband is entitled to the ownership rights over the said flat, in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations followed in India," the court said in its order. "It is clear that the said judgement/decree is executable in India," the judge said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill were held in parts of Manipur by Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) and six students' organisations on Monday. The protestors, who took out processions and staged sit-ins in various districts, demanded to know the stand of the BJP-led state government on the contentious bill. MPP president O Jugindro said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, if passed in the Rajya Sabha, would reduce the population of indigenous people of the northeastern states, including Manipur, to "microscopic minority". The party would oppose the bill tooth and nail, he said. Jugindro said the MPP had organised a procession against the bill from the party's office to the Raj Bhavan but the demonstrators were stopped by police at the nearby Kangla Gate. Sit-ins were held by the students' bodies at Moirang Lamkhai in Manipur's Bishnupur district, Wangoi in Imphal West district, Nongmeibung Bazaar and Kongba Bazaar in Imphal East district, president of All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) Manjit Sarangthem said. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament, leading to raging protests in the northeastern states. On Saturday, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi and raised issues related to the protection and rights of the indigenous people of the state. The chief minister had earlier said the bill will have no effect on the state. Recently, the state assembly passed a resolution stating that the Manipur People's Protection Bill should be given assent and the state should be exempted from the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Agencies here are probing the suspected trafficking of 40 non-Keralites in a fishing vessel to Australia from Ernakulam district, official sources said Monday. The trafficked people, including women and newborns, had left their resorts and home stays in Cherai and Munambam coastal areas of the district on January 12, they said. The agencies, including Kerala Police and Intelligence Bureau, are probing whether the people who took rooms in the resorts and home stays on January 5, providing Delhi addresses, had left the coast in the boat that day or not, sources said. If they had done so, it would be a clear case of human trafficking to Australia because similar attempts were made a couple of years back from Munambam but in vain, they added. Police said the assistance of the Coast Guard had been sought to trace the vessel, 'Dayamatha', purchased recently by two persons-- one from Tamil Nadu and another a Keralite. Initial investigation found that one of the addresses given by the boat owners was fake, they said. Police said the addresses and proof of identity recovered from the resorts and home stays revealed that the 40 people were of Tamil origin. The probe began after locals informed the police about some abandoned bags that they had found in Cherai and Munambam areas. Police said they were also investigating another incident of abandoned bags found Monday in Kodungallur in Thrissur district. Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, a top official told PTI. In 2015, Australia had made it clear that people who attempt to travel illegally to the country by sea would not be allowed to settle there. The country's Consul-General to south India had further stressed that anyone who survived the journey would be intercepted and transferred to Regional Processing Centres in Nauru or Manus Island (in Papua New Guinea). The statement came after the Kerala Police busted a racket of Sri Lankan refugees being trafficked from Tamil Nadu to Australia in 2015. Nine refugees and four local agents were arrested that year at Munambam from where they were to be trafficked to the Australian coast by a fishing vessel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Odisha and Kerala Tuesday to launch a series of projets, including a railway line and a highway bypass. In Odisha, he will dedicate to the nation a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jharsuguda and other developmental projects, and inaugurate a new railway line between Balangir and Bichupali. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone for a permanent building at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sonepur, a statement from his office said. The MMLP has been constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore and will facilitate export-import and domestic cargo including, private freight traffic. It is located adjacent to the Howrah-Mumbai line which is 5 km from Jharsuguda railway station. Many important industries including steel, cement, paper are located around the facility and will benefit from it. The 15 km Balangir-Bichupali new railway line would connect coastal Odisha with the western parts of the state synchronising development across the state, the statement said. It will reduce travel time from Bhubaneswar and Puri to major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. The line would also benefit many small, medium and cottage industries in Odisha and open up opportunities for the mining sector in the state. The prime minister is also likely to dedicate to the nation electrification of 813 km of Jharsuguda-Vizinagaram and Sambalpur-Angul lines done at a cost of Rs 1,085 crore. It will ensure seamless rail connectivity on the line. He is likely to dedicate doubling of 13.5 km Barpali-Dungaripali and Balangir-Deogaon road line. The doubling of the line will boost industrial capacity in Odisha. Modi will also inaugurate the renovation and restoration works at Nilamadhav and Siddheshwar temple in Gandhaharadi (Boudh).These are some of the earliest instances of Odishan temple architecture celebrating western Odisha's 'Hara-Hari cultural fabric. In Kerala, the prime minister will inaugurate the Kollam bypass on National Highway 66. It is a 13 km-long two-lane bypass, and includes three major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake. The project will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, and will also decongest traffic in Kollam town. In Thiruvananthapuram, Modi will visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple and is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of visitor facilities there. This will be the third official visit of the prime minister to Kollam. His first visit to the city was in December 2015, when he unveiled the statue of R Sankar. The prime minister also visited Kollam in April 2016, hours after a fire tragedy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu Monday launched the second phase of the district development plan (DDP) for Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The first phase of the plan involved identifying growth areas and mapping and determining the baseline for each of the earmarked districts, and aimed to increase GDP growth by 2-3 per cent annually, thereby helping boost national GDP. Through a pilot project of the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), six districts Varanasi (UP), Muzaffarpur(Bihar) Visakhpatnam (AP) and Solan (HP), Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra have been identified for the district development plan. IIM Lucknow and NCAER have been selected to implement the exercise. "The first phase has been completed and the next phase is taking forward the plan from the baseline," Prabhu said at the launch. The target is to devise and implement customised growth strategies for districts, focusing on their specific strengths in niche areas such as services, geographical indications (GI) and skills. If districts are the starting point for growth, the need for trickle-down effect and inclusive growth strategy are both eliminated, since growth is planned and implemented from the bottom up, he said. If all the districts in the country grow by 3-4 per cent more by their normal growth rate, then India will grow by 3-4 per cent more, the minister said adding this is the basic idea behind the district development plan. An accelerated development plan has been prepared for both districts. The Marine Product Export Development Agency and Agriculture Price Export Development Agency have started taking steps to boost exports, he said. Besides, a Rs 550 crore plan is under consideration, which after approval, will give a big boost to tourism in the Konkan region, said the minister. Prabhu also said that the Sindhudurg city airport will be inaugurated soon and both districts will soon be included under the government's regional connectivity scheme UDAN, giving a boost to air connectivity. Various steps have already been taken for development of air, road, rail and port infrastructure. The commerce minister noted that the World Bank maps of ease of doing business only for nations, not for districts, and have been asking the government about district-level mapping. The minister indicated that the government will now map the ease of doing business for districts as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fresh political war erupted in Karnataka Monday as the ruling Congress-JDS coalition and BJP accused each other of making a renewed bid to poach MLAs, with chief minister H D Kumaraswamy saying he has "sufficient numbers" to run a stable government. Amid speculation that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side and some lawmakers of the ruling coalition have gone incommunicado, Kumaraswamy said there was no question of "instability" in his government. As the Congress-JDS combine accused the BJP of luring away its MLAs offering bribes and other allurements, BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa rubbished reports that his party was attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the government. He said there was no truth in the charge and alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to woo his party MLAs. Media reports about Congress MLAs willing to cross over to the BJP and some remaining incommunicado fuelled speculation about a possible threat to the government. Adding to the speculation was BJP holding up all its 104 MLAs, who had gone to the national capital for the party national council meeting, in Delhi itself and having meetings. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in 2008. "I have sufficient numbers for giving a stable government here, it is not necessary for Congress or JD(S) to poach the MLAs from BJP, we have sufficient numbers," Kumaraswamy said. Kumaraswamy said he enjoyed the support of 120 MLAs and Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government. "In which BJP MLAs name rooms were reserved in which resort, how many rooms were reserved.How many Congress-JD(S) they were making attempts to lure and take them away..don't I have the information," he said. "The coalition government enjoys support of 120 MLAs," he said. He also said, "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media.. I was surprised to see the report." Asked about Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said, they were in constant touch with him. Not revealing their names, he said "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government." "(The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me," the chief minister said. "I spoke to them at 7:30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add to it," Kumaraswamy said. "If my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" he asked. Shivakumar had on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel. He had said the chief minister was being "lenient" towards the BJP, by not exposing it. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister asked. Kumaraswamy said he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. Deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also said the government was stable. Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be..why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." Accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, Parameshwara said it would not be successful. Hitting back, Yeddyurappa told reporters in New Delhi, "despite having majority, Congress-JD(S) combine is trying to lure our MLAs and indulging in horse-trading, BJP is not doing it. We with 104 MLAs are ready to work as opposition peacefully." Accusing the Congress-JD(S) coalition of trying to createconfusion, he asked it to focus on developmental works and said BJP was ready to function as a "sincere" opposition. "They are trying to lure our people with money and Minister's position. We have not done this to any Congress-JD(S) MLAs. Kumaraswamy is doing it," he added. Yeddyurappa said the BJP legislators would be in New Delhi for "one or two days" and would later go to their constituencies and begin preparations for the Lok Sabha polls in all the 28 constituencies. Reports suggest that BJP legislators in Delhi were likely to be shifted to Gurgaon, to keep its numbers in tact, with Congress and JD(S) allegedly planning to poach BJP MLAs as a retaliatory measure to Operation lotus. However Yeddyurappa clarified "There is no need for us to do any "resort politics", we are not doing also", he said, adding that "a few of them will be in Delhi, a few are going to Gurgaon, they will go and come back. "There is not even an iota of truth in BJP taking some ruling coalition MLAs to Mumbai...only Congress-JD(S) know (why their MLAs are stationedin Mumbai), we don't know about it," he added In the 224-member Assembly, BJP has 104 members, Congress-79, JDS 37, BSP, KPJP and Independent one each, besides Speaker. BSP, KPJP and an Independent are supporting the coalition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A knife-wielding assailant on Sunday stabbed the mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk in front of hundreds of people at a charity event, police and media said. Paramedics resuscitated Pawel Adamowicz, 53, at the scene before taking him to hospital. A doctor working for the regional authorities, Jerzy Karpinski, described the mayor's condition as "very serious". A video recording of the attack posted on YouTube showed the attacker bursting onto the podium. After knifing the mayor, he seized the microphone and claimed to have been wrongly jailed by the previous centrist government of the Civic Platform (PO) and tortured. "That's why Adamowicz dies," the attacker said. The Civic Platform had supported Adamowicz's re-election in 2018 municipal elections. Adamowicz later underwent surgery, deputy mayor Piotry Grzelak, was quoted as saying by the PAP agency. The attack took place on the podium at a fundraiser for the purchase of medical equipment. The attacker was quickly apprehended by security guards and arrested by police. A Gdansk police spokesman said the detained man was a 27-year-old who lived in the city EU President Donald Tusk, Poland's President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki immediately expressed their concern and support for Adamowicz. "The attack on the life and health of the mayor of Gdansk must be firmly condemned," Morawiecki said on Twitter. "Despite differences in political opinion, I am unconditionally with him and his relatives.... I pray for his health and recovery," Duda added on Twitter. Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski condemned the attack as "an incomprehensible act of barbarism". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk died on Monday, a day after a knife-wielding assailant stabbed him in the heart in front of hundreds of people at a charity event, local media reported. "Despite all our efforts, we failed to save him," Doctor Tomasz Stefaniak, director of Gdansk's University hospital said, quoted by the Polish PAP agency. Anti-violence rallies are being planned nationwide after Sunday's shock attack on Mayor Pawel Adamowicz. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police nabbed five people fleeing away in a car after looting a petrol pump and seized a pistol with live cartridges and cash worth Rs 2.10 lakhs in Rajasthan's Sirohi district, police said Monday. All the five accused are suspected to be associated with Jitendra Gogi, a Delhi-based gangster. Sirohi Superintendent of Police (SP) Jai Yadav said police received information on Sunday that five people have robbed a petrol pump in Bhimana area and fled in a car with Delhi's registration number. "With this information, police traced the car and started chasing it. Seeing the police following them, the car-borne men started firing at the police team and the police then responded with counter firing," Yadav said. Police succeeded in intercepting the car and arrested all the five men. Three of the accused identified as Ravindra Rajput, Vikas Jat alias Vicky and Jatin Jat alias Indrajeet are from Delhi and and the other two Amit Jat alias Meeta and Jaideep Jat alias Mogli belong to Haryana. Among the arrested, Vikas has five cases registered against him in Delhi, including those of murder, loot and dacoity. Yadav said "Vikas had come in contact with gangster Gogi during his judicial custody in Tihar Jail, in a case related to murder, and all these accused belong to areas near Gogi's village." Police have started investigating the matter to ascertain their link with the gangster, the gang's network in and around Delhi, and their link with various past incidents of loot, dacoity, murder and firing on police in the states of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police Monday rescued 16 cattle from being smuggled and arrested an alleged smuggler in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, officials said. Acting on a tip-off, four vehicles were intercepted on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Chenani area, they said. On seeing the police team, drivers of all the four vehicles sped up, broke the police barriers and tried to flee, police said. Police chased the vehicles and nabbed one of the drivers, Talib Hussain, while the other three accused fled leaving their vehicles behind, they said. Police found 16 cattle loaded in the vehicles, officials said, adding all the animals were rescued and the vehicles were seized. Four separate cases have been registered against the drivers of the vehicles in Chenani police station and further investigation is underway, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DMCC, the worlds flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority, and master developer of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), has announced that it has awarded a contract to Belgian builder Besix for the construction of the first super tall tower at its Uptown Dubai district. Named Uptown Tower, the 78-storey building provides breath-taking views of Dubais waterfront and iconic skyline. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Uptown Tower replicates the brilliance of diamonds through its faceted glass facade that illuminates the interior spaces with natural light while filtering out harsh glare. The interiors of the luxury hotel, unique F&B (food and beverages) outlets, and serene health spa designed by Rockwell Group, depict the districts distinct and bold personality. The project is being implemented through the Belgian infrastructure giant's Dubai-based entity Belhasa Six Construct. "Awarding Six Construct the contract to construct Uptown Tower is an important step in bringing the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai district to life. The quality on show from the bids received was incredibly high," said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the executive chairman, DMCC. "This reflects the level of interest from the global marketplace to partner with DMCC, and be a part of an ambitious project that will add a new landmark to Dubais iconic skyline," he stated. In April 2018, DMCC partnered with Accor Hotels to bring their luxury lifestyle hotel and resorts brand, SO/, to the Middle East for the first time. In last August, it had announced that the construction of the district was proceeding at full pace with the completion of piling and raft works for the Uptown Tower. On the contract win, Olivier Crasson, the general manager, Besix Contracting Middle East, said it was a significant moment for Six Construct given that DMCCs Uptown Dubai district is one of the most exciting projects in the region. "We look forward to working alongside DMCC to deliver to the emirate of Dubai a truly unique and inspiring new destination," stated Crasson.-TradeArabia News Service Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has suggested Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to consult the Orissa high court chief justice in regard to the proposed establishment of permanent benches of the high court in western and southern parts of the state. Once the state government along with the high court communicate their clear views, the union government will take necessary action in this matter, the union law and justice minister said in a letter to Patnaik. I once again request you to have the necessary consultation with the Hob'ble Chief Justice of the Orissa high Court and work out the details of the proposed Bench(es)," Ravi Shankar wrote. It is imperative that the chief justice is consulted and recommendations of the Orissa High Court is obtained before setting up any bench(es) of the high court in the state, he said adding the same process is followed in the case of all other high courts. Prasad said, "It goes without saying that once the recommendations of the High Court are obtained, the state government has to provide the requisite infrastructure immediately". Patnaik had in a letter to Prasad on January 11 urged the Centre to take early decision regarding establishment of permanent benches of Orissa high court in the western and southern parts of the state to fulfil the aspirations of the people. The letter was sent in view of the overwhelming public demand for establishment of permanent benches of the high court in western and southern Odisha as people are persistently agitating for the same. The agitations have affected the functioning of courts and other government offices in these regions, Patnaik had said in the letter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a relief to jailed former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the anti-graft body's appeal against the suspension of his jail sentence and that of his family in one of three corruption cases faced by the embattled leader. In July 2018, an accountability court here handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar upheld the Islamabad High Court's verdict that ordered suspension of prison sentences awarded to Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The apex court, in its ruling, said that the NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case. The 69-year-old three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Sharif is currently in jail after an anti-corruption court sentenced him on December 24 to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case while acquitting him in the Flagship Investments corruption case in the Panama Papers scandal. The Supreme Court's decision brings a rare relief for the Sharif family, both of whose leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif are currently incarcerated, Dawn newspaper commented. The NAB, Pakistan's anti-corruption body, approached the apex court after the Islamabad High Court, on September 19, suspended prison sentences of the Sharifs awarded by an accountability court. The accountability court convicted Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced them to eight years and one year, respectively, in prison. Upholding the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court bench threw out the NAB's request to revoke the Sharifs' bails, observing that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the "grounds for cancellation of bail". The IHC did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case, Geo TV quoted the bench as observing. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country's next chief justice later this month, stated that the IHC decision was temporary and the apex court would not interfere with the decision. "The person [Nawaz Sharif] is in prison and there is no allegation about the misuse of bail. We have a Constitution to follow and we will make sure justice prevails. There will be a fair trial in every case," Justice Khosa remarked. Responding to the apex court verdict, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Sharif, said she was thankful to Allah Almighty. She, however, said that true relief and happiness would be when her father came back home from jail. The former premier has been a serving seven-year imprisonment at Kot Lakhpat prison after being declared guilty of corruption in Al-Azizia case. Sharif has already filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court against the sentence. "I am thankful to Allah Almighty for today's decision. The fact is that not for a moment was I concerned about myself. Insha'Allah true relief & happiness would be when my father comes back home. I have faith in Allah and His infinite Mercy. Thank you all for your prayers & support," Maryam tweeted. Reacting to the top court's decision, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and hailed the decision saying Sharif is still is in prison and hence the decision will not have any effect on the present state of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader. Three cases of corruption the Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the NAB on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif. The apex court initially set six month deadline to conclude the cases but it was subsequently increase around eight times on the request of the accountability court. Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB), which manages the shrines of Hindus and Sikhs, has stopped the district administration of Peshawar from taking control of temples in Panj Tirath, a Hindu religious site which has been declared as the national heritage. The EPTB said that no one can take control of the temples in Panj Tirath unless two cases pending in the Peshawar High Court are decided. EPTB Deputy Director Peshawar in an official communique to the Deputy Commissioner said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeological Department has declared temples in Panj Tirath as the national heritage, but the EPTB has not been informed in writing till date about it. Temples are property of the EPTB and declaring the temples as the national heritage without taking the EPTB into confidence is beyond any logic, it said. "The EPTB is a federal department which has its own rules and regulations and no provincial government can prove that its law has an edge over the federal government laws. Therefore, the Peshawar District Administration should avoid taking control of the temples in Panj Tirath or its handing over to the archaeological department," it said. In a related development, the Hindu Rajput Society Peshawar in a letter addressed to the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Chairman National Assembly Committee on Minorities has sought control of the Panj Tirath, stating that Rajputs have no temple for worship while other Hindus have their shrines in Peshawar. The temples in Panj Tirath should be allocated to the Rajput Hindus so that they could worship there instead of worshipping in homes, the Hindu Rajput Society said in the letter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hospitality firm OYO Hotels and Rooms on Monday said it is planning a centre of excellence for training and capacity building in the city. The company has also made an offer to the West Bengal government to maintain a realtime data repository for 'Digital Arrival and Departure Register'. "We are looking to set up an OYO Centre of Excellence (OYO Skill Institute) towards the end of the year, as we continue to scale our business further in the state. The government has extended support with space," CEO, India and South Asia, Aditya Ghosh said here on the sidelines of CII Bengal Tourism Global Meet 2019. The space for the training institute is likely to be in New Town area. At present, OYO trains about 3,500 people per month from 26 institutes globally, company officials said. It estimates a capacity of around 7,500 rooms in West Bengal. OYO manages a total of 4.5 lakh rooms across the world, including 1.64 lakh rooms in India, they said. About the digital data repository, Ghosh said it aims to provide realtime updates to state governments on arrivals and departures, making this a "more efficient and transparent" process as compared to the manual version. "At this point, we have seen acceptance from the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Telangana of our proposed digitisation of guess entry and departure records," an OYO official said. West Bengal Tourism Minister Gautam Deb said the state was developing tourist areas and circuits, and is seeking private investments. The state was also planning to come up with an app for tourists to give their feedback, besides other digital support. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hospitality firm OYO Hotels and Rooms on Monday said it is working on a roadmap for 1-million room inventory from the existing count of 4.6 lakh. "We will have one million rooms inventory into our fold in the near distant future. I think, it should happen in a year and a half," OYO CEO, India and South Asia, Aditya Ghosh told PTI. This will help OYO to become the "world's top player from number three now", he claimed. The company has set a target of 2.5 million rooms by 2023, its promoter Ritesh Agarwal said. At present, OYO has over 13,000 franchised and leased hotels, and over 450,000 rooms, adding over 64,000 rooms every month, globally. "In India, we have over 8,700 leased and franchised hotels, and more than 164,000 rooms," a company official said. The firm has changed from the aggregator model to own inventories through the franchisee or lease operation model. In China, a traditionally strong market for corporates, OYO's revenue is lower despite having a higher inventory of about 1.8 lakh rooms in that country, the official said. OYO has active presence in seven countries, and is planning to expand to at least 15 countries with focus on Asian nations. Over the next few weeks, it is expected to announce a fresh corporate growth plan focused on Asia and Japan, where it aims to become the largest player by the 2020 Summer Olympics, company officials said. The hospitality firm is also aggressively putting in place a digital record system to facilitate direct data sharing of customers' arrivals and departures with various state governments. The state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Telangana have so far shown interest in this digital record system, Ghosh said. OYO on Monday extended an offer to the West Bengal government, too, to maintain a realtime data repository for 'Digital Arrival and Departure Register'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what could be a major loss for the Congress in Odisha, the party's working president Naba Kishore Das has indicated that he may join the ruling BJD on January 24, a day before AICC president Rahul Gandhi's visit to the state. "My supporters have urged me to fight the 2019 elections on a BJD ticket and I will do what my people want," the Jharsuguda MLA told reporters on the sidelines of a public meeting at Samasingha on Sunday. "My supporters and electorates want me to fight the next elections on the BJD's poll symbol, the conch," Das added. He said the BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to visit Jharsuguda to inaugurate a cancer hospital on January 24. "I will welcome the chief minister and may accept the wish of the people of my constituency there," Das said. He said he respected Gandhi and Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik and there was no specific reason for his decision to quit the Congress. Patnaik said Das quitting the Congress will not affect the party's prospects. "It is sad to learn that somebody is quitting our party. It will not affect the poll prospects of the Congress," he said. "Das has not spoken to me in this regard. I learnt about it from the media," he added. Chairman of OPCC disciplinary committee and former chief minister Hemananda Biswal said though Das had only indicated that he may join the BJD, he should think it through. "It is his decision. No one can stop him. He should think whether he should quit the party at this juncture when the Congress is being accepted by the people in many states," Biswal said. Das is a popular leader in Jharsuguda district. He has defeated BJD candidates twice -- in 2009 and 2014 assembly elections. He is also credited with ensuring Congress victory during 2017 zila parishad elections. In March last year, Das praised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a function in his constituency. He had said that Jharsuguda had witnessed considerable development due to the chief minister's untiring efforts. BJD general secretary Kishore Mohnaty, who was defeated by Das twice, said Das cannot be trusted since he keeps changing his opinion every hour. "I do not know whether he is joining our party. But, we, as disciplined soldiers of the party, will abide by what our party supremo decides," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rubbishing reports about the BJPattempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the coalition government in Karnataka, state party chief B S Yeddyurappa Monday said there was no truth in it and alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to lure opposition MLAs. He also clarified that BJP MLAs were camping in New Delhi to discuss the strategy for Lok Sabha polls and the party was not indulging in any "resort " "Despite having majority, the Congress-JD(S) combine istrying to lure our MLAs and indulging in horse-trading, BJP is not doing it. We with 104 MLAs are ready to work as opposition peacefully," Yeddyurappa told reporters in New Delhi. Accusing the Congress-JD(S) coalition of trying to createconfusion, he asked the ruling alliance to focus on developmental works and said the BJP was ready to function as a "sincere" opposition. "They are trying to lure our people with money and minister's position. We have not done this to any Congress-JD(S) MLAs. Kumaraswamy is doing it," he said. Speculation is rife that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side. There are also reports that a few of them have gone incommunicado. Adding to the speculation was BJP holding up all its 104 MLAs, who had gone to the national capital for the party national council meeting, in Delhi itself and having meetings. Yeddyurappa said during the last two days discussions havetaken place in Delhi with MLAs on preparation for Lok Sabha polls. "We have taken suggestions from the legislators about who should be candidates. One or two days (we will be here). After that, we will go to our constituencies and begin our work in all the 28Lok Sabha constituencies, on how to start preparing. We havediscussed the directions given by the party leadership, both Prime Minister and party president," he said. Reports suggest that BJP legislators in Delhi were likely to be shifted to Gurgaon, to keep its numbers in tact, with the Congress and JD(S) allegedly planning to poach BJP MLAsas a retaliatory measure to Operation lotus. However, Yeddyurappa clarified, "There is no need forus to do any "resort politics", we are not doing also", he said, adding that a few of them would be in Delhi. "A few are going to Gurgaon, they will go and come back...there is not even an iota of truth in BJP taking some ruling coalition MLAs to Mumbai.. only Congress-JD(S) know (why their MLAs are stationedin Mumbai), we don't know about it." Adding to BJP's worry on its MLAs being poached is Co-Operation Minister Bandeppa Kashyampur's statement in Vijayapura that BJP MLAs would approach the combine. "You wait and watch.. as theyknow this government is stable and will continue first class, they will start coming to this side," he said, asserting that no Congress-JD(S) MLAs would go to the BJP. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in 2008. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A baby delivered by a 14-year-old girl at a tribal residential school's hostel in Odisha's Khandamal district died at a hospital where she was admitted along with her mother, officials said Monday. The girl, a Class 8 student of the Sevashram High School in Daringibadi in the district, delivered the baby on Saturday night. On Monday, the Odisha government suspended the school's headmistress Radharani Dalei and three assistant superintendents of the institution in connection with the incident.Police are also questioning six employees of the school. The minor girl and the newborn had earlier been admitted to the Baliguda sub-divisional hospital in Kandhamal after being rescued, Kandhamal District Welfare Officer Charulata Mallick said. Later on Sunday night, they were shifted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur where the newborn died, hospital authorities said. The girl is undergoing treatment at the gynaecology ward and her condition is normal, MKCG Hospital Superintendent Charana Panda said. Kandhamal District Collector Brundha D said headmistress Dalei has been placed under suspension. She was suspended by the state government on the recommendation of the district collector, who, on Sunday, disengaged two matrons, two cook-cum-attendants, a lady supervisor and an auxiliary nurse-midwife of the institute from service for dereliction of duty. The three assistant superintendents were also suspended by the collector, Mallick said. Baliguda sub-collector is conducting an inquiry into the incident and he is to submit a report in 10 days. On Sunday, police had said a third-year college student -- a resident of Takalmaha village -- was arrested in connection with the incident. Superintendent of Police, Khandamal, Pratik Singh had said Shraban Pradhan was arrested for allegedly raping the minor girl when she had gone to her village under Daringbadi police limits during vacation a few months back. "As per the direction of the government we have taken stringent steps against the errant (employees). If necessary further action will be taken," Collector Brundha D said. Opposition Congress and BJP have mounted a scathing attack on the state government over the incident. State SC and ST Development Minister Ramesh Majhi said the district collector had been asked to submit a detailed report on the circumstances under which the girl got pregnant and delivered the baby. The government has taken stern action against errant employees of the high school run by ST and SC development department by dismissing and suspending several of them, he said. Majhi said it has been decided to install CCTV cameras in school hostels in the state as a measure to enhance safety and security of students, particularly girls. On Monday, a delegation of the state women Congress wing met the minor girl at the Behrampur hospital. While demanding resignation of the ST and SC development minister, state Congress women wing president Sumitra Jena said the tribal girl is in a state of trauma and unable to speak coherently. Terming the incident as shameful, she said "it proved that the BJD government had failed miserably to provide security to girls and women, mainly tribals." Slamming the state government over the episode, BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said atrocities and sexual exploitation of women and minor girls are rising in Odisha due to lack of political will and inaction on the part of the police. Soon after about the incident spread Sunday, a large number of locals had staged a demonstration and put up a blockade on the National Highway 59 demanding immediate arrest of the culprit and stern action against school officials. The road blockade was lifted after senior officials assured the locals of action. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) D Daniel Jeyaraj was consecrated as the 13th bishop of Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church in a ceremony held at Tarangambadi in Nagapattinam district Monday. The consecration was held at the 300-year-old New Jerusalem Church in the presence of retired High Court judge Justice K Venkatraman, who is the administrator of Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church. Earlier, a procession was taken out from the Ziegenbalg memorial, in which students, pastors, heads of various churches across the country and abroad participated. After the consecration ceremony, a felicitation meeting was held. Thousands of religious heads and delegates from Sweden, Denmark, Germany and other countries participated on the occasion. The Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church is a popular Christian denomination in India and was established in 1919. It is headquartered at Tiruchirappalli and theBishopsof the Lutheran Church hold the title 'Bishopof Tranquebar'. Until 1956, the church had foreigners as the bishops. R B Manickam became the first Indian bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1956. The Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church consists of about 120 pastorates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Vladimir Rozanskij The divisions between Orthodox Churches are deepening in fear of losing faithful. Georgian metropolitan Nikolaj says it is important to read the Tomos of autocephaly in the original language. Savva, metropolitan of Warsaw refers to Epifanyj as "a simple layman" of a schismatic Church. In Ukraine, dozens of Orthodox parishes pass to the patriarchate of Kiev. Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Georgian Orthodox Church, one of the 15 autocephalous churches of Byzantine tradition, for now awaits the reactions of other "sister Churches" to the Patriarchate of Constantinoples authorization of a "new Church" in Ukraine. In any case, according to the Metropolitan of Akhalkalaki Nikolaj (Pachuashvili), the Georgians cannot recognize the Ukrainian "self-proclaimed bishops who are condemned by Moscow, let alone celebrate with them. Nikolaj (photo 2) is the administrator of the Georgian parishes in North America, and gave an interview on January 10 to the Georgian agency Interpressnews. In his opinion, "it is fundamental to understand who is placed at the head of this new Church, and verify its canonicity; some characters had been hit by anathema, and their condemnation had been recognized by all the Churches, including that of Constantinople ". He added that so far the Georgian Synod has not yet thoroughly analyzed the Ukrainian Tomos presented by Constantinople, which should be "read in the original, not in the translated versions released by the press". Metropolitan Nikolaj also expressed concern that other churches could seek autonomy like the Ukrainians, such as the one present on the territory of Abkhazia, which already manages itself independently of the patriarchate of Tbilisi even though it is not recognized by anyone. The Georgian Church has always remained faithful to the Byzantine tradition of Constantinople, unlike the "Gregorian" Armenian neighbors, who chose the monophysite heresy at the Council of Chalcedon of 451. Although it is a Church of very ancient traditions, developed in an independent and original way compared to the Greeks, the Georgians have maintained unity with the other Orthodox also because of the historical Russian occupation of the Caucasus. Another high-ranking Orthodox prelate, the metropolitan of Warsaw and all of Poland Savva (Hrycuniak, photo 1), has in turn issued an interview with the Polish magazine Polityka explaining that he does not recognize the new Ukrainian primate Epifanyj (Dumenko). He claimed to consider the latter "a simple layman: he was not ordained in a canonical Church". The situation could change only if "the schismatics returned to the bosom of the Orthodox Church, from which they separated". According to Savva, the consequences of the "schism" will also be felt in Poland, "where more than one million Ukrainians live, and Filaret with Epifanyj could try to open their own parishes ... I have already heard of a visit to Poland" . In his opinion, the Ukrainian government should first be concerned with ending the war in their own country. Meanwhile, a week after the proclamation of the autochthonous Tomos, in Ukraine already about fifty parishes obedient to Moscow have chosen to move to the new autocephalous Church, including some of the most important, such as the Cathedral of Peter and Paul in Zolkiew, in the Lvov region, the cathedral of the Transfiguration of Vinnitsa, where the same metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) took part in the "Unification Council" of the new Church, and Savior Cathedral in Kiev. In 2002 there were 2781 Orthodox parishes in Ukraine linked to the Moscow jurisdiction, a new balance will have to be drawn at the end of 2019. The different proportions with which these churches are distributed throughout the territory; in the western region of Lvov, of about 60 churches over half have already passed to Epifanyj. The new metropolitan of Kiev has declared "to believe in the gathering of all the Orthodox churches of the country" under his jurisdiction. Nepal SBI Bank, a subsidiary of State Bank of India, has posted a net profit of Rs 202.35 crore in 2017-18 and mobilised total deposit of Rs 8,422.73 crore, the bank announced at its Annual General Meeting concluded here on Monday. During the 25th Annual General Meeting, the bank announced 10.79 per cent cash dividends and 5 per cent bonus shares to its shareholders out of the profit earned last year. "The bank has attained the present position in banking gradually but steadily in the past 25 years," said a statement issued by the bank on the occasion. The bank, said, it will leverage its position to expand the customer base by exploring new market segments and expanding delivery channels for its products while at the same time, providing customer service of high standard by enabling its employees. "The bank's large network of branches and ATMs will help serve people residing in all areas of Nepal. This wide range of presence helps the bank build up larger customer base with low cost deposit," it said. The bank posted net profit of Rs 202.35 crore, registering a growth of 29.32 per cent in the year 2017-18. The bank's operating profit increased to Rs 276.17 crore. The bank has succeeded in opening 123,584 net new saving accounts during the year, according to the statement. The total number of deposit account has reached 8.32 lakh. E-banking users has reached 66 thousand, registering the growth of 16.63 per cent. The bank mobilised total deposit of Rs 8,422.73 crore and extended loans and advance of Rs 7,523 crore as at the close of the year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has asked SP Growth Partners (SPGP), an investor in the bankrupt premium apparel brand Reid & Taylor (RTIL), to inform the bench how much it can deposit as the earnest money deposit (EMD) before filing the resolution plan. The Mumbai NCLT bench headed by Bhaskara Pantula Mohan and V Nallasenapathy had earlier told the Hong Kong-based SPGP to deposit Rs 50 crore as EMD, but consequently reviewed it. SPGP is also a co-applicant with the RTIL Employees Welfare Association to take over the company, whose creditors had voted for liquidation, as none of the eight parties who presented their expressions of interest presented a resolution plan. At the previous hearing, the NCLT had directed the Employees Welfare Association of Reid & Taylor to produce the certified financial accounts of SPGP for 2017-18. The documents submitted by SPGP showed the company's networth as Rs 7 crore against its claim of around Rs 70 crore in an affidavit filed earlier. This prompted the bench to ask them for an EMD of Rs 50 crore to prove it can submit a resolution plan. Reid & Taylor India, owned by the Kasliwal family-run S Kumar Group owes over Rs 4,100 crore to lenders. The committee of creditors, who include Finquest Financial Solution, which is the largest with close to Rs 800 crore of claims, Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, IL&FS Financial Services, IDBI Bank and L&T Finance etc, had on December 14, 2018 voted for liquidation. Edelweiss ARC had taken the company to NCLT in March 2018. Besides, Arcil and JM Financial ARC also have exposure to RTIL. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has decided to add 200 rain gauges in Mumbai and install 100 new automated stations in Kerala, Union Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan said Monday. Kerala had witnessed unprecedented rains last year resulting in large-scale flooding and loss of lives and property. On a specific request from the Kerala government, the India Meteorological Department will install new automated stations, including rain gauges, to monitor activities in the state, the minister said. Vardhan said the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the IMD are developing prediction tools for thunderstorm lightning. The IITM has also developed a mobile App called 'Damini' to give alerts on impending lightning activity over the area. He said the IITM has already installed 48 lightning sensors around the country which can locate the thunderstorm activities on real-time. Last year, over 200 people had died across the north Indian plains due to thunderstorm. He said work to further develop the application is in progress and the advanced version will be unveiled when "our new government takes charge", Vardhan said. The minister said, "The IITM, with the help of the India Meteorology Department (IMD) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is installing a new dense rain gauge network over Mumbai city with 200 rain gauges. "In addition 3 X-band and one S-Band radar will be also installed so that a merged rainfall data set at 2 km resolution will be prepared and made available to public on real-time. This facility will help the city administration and general public to know the prevailing rainfall situation in the city on real-time basis. For this purpose, already a mobile App has been developed," Vardhan added. The financial capital of the country is known for flooding due to heavy rains. The city currently has 25 rain gauges and only one S-Band radar. The IMD is strengthening the observational network and by the end of this year, 10 new X-band weather radars will be installed over northwest Himalayan states, namely Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He said 11 more C-band radars will be installed by the IMD by 2020 over the plains of India, including one over Andaman Nicobar Islands and one over Lakshadweep Islands. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A car bomb exploded near a foreign compound in the east of Kabul on Monday, wounding more than 40 people, officials said, in the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the blast had targeted Green Village, where some foreign workers are based. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar said on Twitter that "more than 40 people are wounded". Until recently some UN staff lived and worked at the compound, but Danish said the area was now largely empty and "only a number of guards" were left. "Residential houses nearby have sustained heavy damages," Danish said. "Special police forces' units have been deployed to the site to check if there are more attackers." The latest attack comes as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad visits the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the war in Afghanistan, which by some estimates was the world's deadliest conflict zone in 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 70-year-old missing builder from Pune was Monday found murdered, with his hands and legs tied, in remote area in Bhor tehsil of the district, police said. The deceased has been identified as Rikabchand Oswal, a resident Salisbury Park, a rural police officer said. "On Monday morning, the body of an unidentified man with bruises and his hands and legs tied, was found near Shilimb village in Bhor tehsil," the Bhor police station officer said. The deceased was later identified as Oswal who was missing since January 10. The officer said Oswal had a head injury which was prima facie caused by a blunt object. A case of murder has been registered and further probe is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai Monday said people would "react" during the Lok Sabha polls if the ruling BJP failed to solve the mining crisis in the coastal state. The mining sector in the state came to a standstill in March last year after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases and banned extraction of iron ore. The GFP is an ally in the Mahohar Parrikar government in Goa and Sardesai is state Town and Country Planning minister. Equating the mining issue with regional aspirations, Sardesai said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat. His statement has regional aspirations in mind. If any party is not able to meet regional aspirations, then they will not be able to get support of the people." "Even the PM says so (about regional aspirations). So what is regional aspirations? Mining is the backbone of the (Goa) economy. It should start," he added. "If the mining crisis is not solved before Lok Sabha polls, then people will react towards BJP candidates. How will you get votes if you don't solve the issues of the people?" he claimed. He was speaking to reporters in Margao Monday, a couple of days ahead of the Opinion Poll Day anniversary. On January 16, 1967, an opinion poll was held to get the people's view on Goa being a separate entity or a part of Maharashtra. People had voted against the merger of the former Portuguese colony with Maharashtra. Sardesai said heroes of the Opinion Poll should be recognised, adding that his party always spoke about identity "Goa retained its Goemkarponn (Goanness) due to the Opinion Poll. If we hadn't won it, we would have been a taluka of Maharashtra," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two drug peddlers were arrested and mephedrone worth Rs 40 lakh was seized from them in suburban Andheri, a police official said Monday. Acting on a tip-off, the Amboli police laid a trap on Sunday and nabbed the duo when they arrived on Veera Desai road on a motorcycle, he said. During their search, the police recovered from them 1 kg of mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant which is also known as 'meow-meow' and 'MD', police inspector Daya Nayak said. The value of the prohibited drug was estimated to be around Rs 40 lakh, he said. The two men, identified as Imran Abdul Khalid Ansari (32) andAfzal Hussain Mumtazali Ansari (38), were questioned and subsequently arrested, he said. Nayak said that Imran Ansari's arrest was significant as he was believed to be among the biggest drug dealers in the western suburbs. The police also seized some cash, a few plastic bags, an electronic weighing scale and mobile phones from the accused, the official said. The two were booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles walked off the job on Monday to press their demands for better pay, smaller class sizes and more educators. The strike -- the first in 30 years -- is affecting some 500,000 students in the nation's second largest school district, with intense negotiations in past weeks failing to lead to a breakthrough. The action is being watched closely by teaching unions across the country that are engaged in labour negotiations and also considering strikes. "Here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state that's blue (Democrat) as it can be -- and in a city rife with millionaires -- where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students," Alex Caputo-Pearl, the head of the United Teachers Los Angeles union, told a conference. "Here we are in a fight for the soul of public education," Caputo-Pearl added. "The question is: do we starve our public neighbourhood schools so that they (become) privatised, or do we re-invest in our public neighbourhood schools for our students and for a thriving city?" Although the teachers' union and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) agree that class sizes -- some at more than 40 -- must shrink, teacher salaries must improve and more support staff are needed, they differ on funding. School district officials insist they have taken great pains to avert a strike and negotiate with the union and say the district simply doesn't have enough money to meet all of the demands. A revised offer submitted on Friday and calling for roughly USD 24 million more in funding and 1,200 more teachers for the upcoming school year was rejected. LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner on Monday said his office had reached out to the governor's office and the mayor's office to see if they could help broker a deal. He said the teachers' demands would cost about USD 3 billion and push district into insolvency. "We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible," Beutner told reporters. "We urge (the union) to resume bargaining with us anytime, anywhere, 24-7. We'd like to resolve this." Despite the walkout, the 1,240 schools in the sprawling district remain open, he said, with classes taught by administrators and substitute teachers. Last spring, a strike by teachers in the state of West Virginia over low wages and rising health care costs set off a wave of similar action in several other states and garnered strong public support. The walkout in Los Angeles could have a similar effect. In Denver, Colorado, for example, the teachers union has threatened a strike unless an agreement can be reached by the end of this week on salary conditions. Teachers' unions across the country offered support for those striking in Los Angeles, with many educators and parents wearing red T-shirts in solidarity. Red became the signature colour of striking teachers last year after an early demonstration called on them to wear "Red4Ed." Monday's strike action also drew support from Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren. "I support @UTLAnow & LAUSD teachers who are for fighting for better pay, smaller classes, & better resourced schools for our kids," she tweeted. "When we fail our public school teachers, we fail their students - and we fail our future. I'm with our teachers all the way. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Manik Sarkar on Monday demanded a judicial probe into last week's Citizenship bill protests at Madhabbari, which led to the injury of at least seven persons, including a Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel. Police resorted to lathicharge, burst tear gas shells and opened fire in the air on January 8 to disperse agitators, who blocked highways seeking revocation of Citizenship Bill. Six Twipra Student Federation (TSF) were among those who sustained injuries in the incident. Criticizing the police action, Sarkar, who took a tour of Madhabbari in West Tripura district, said "firing on the protesters was not necessary". "Many shops and houses were burnt and damaged in Madhabbari and its adjacent areas in Jirania sub-division during the agitation. The protesters received bullet injuries on their back, which indicates that they were running away. "A judicial probe should be carried out into the incident by a sitting High Court judge," Sarkar told reporters. The former CM, however, declined to comment on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which is pending Rajya Sabha approval. The legislation seeks to grant nationality to non- Muslims who fled religious persecution in three neighbouring countries and entered India before December 31, 2014. It was passed by the Lok Sabha last week. Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb ordered a magisterial inquiry into Madhabbari clashes. However, regional parties in the state, including Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) - alliance of BJP -led government - and Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT), Tipraland State Party (TSP), have demanded a judicial probe into the incident. Five tribal parties on Saturday observed a dawn-to- dusk bandh in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas, constituting two-thirds of the the state's territory, demanding resignation of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb over the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court Monday sent Muhammad Naeem, arrested for allegedly providing weapons to members of a suspected ISIS-inspired terrorist group, to judicial custody on Monday. Special Judge Rakesh Syal sent the accused to custody till February 6 after Naeem was produced on the expiry of his NIA custody and the probe agency did not seek his further custodial interrogation, his advocate Muhammad Noorullah said. The 21-year-old was arrested from Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh on January 3 and produced before the court the next day, who sent the accused to 10 days of NIA custody. Naeem, the probe agency said, supplied weapons to the members of a suspected Islamic State-inspired terror group which was busted on December 26, wherein the NIA had arrested 10 men, including a 'mufti' from Amroha in western Uttar Pradesh. The agency said the terrorist group were planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. The 10 accused are currently in judicial custody. Those arrested are: Mufti Mohammed Suhail alias Hazrath (29), Anas Yunus (24), Rashid Zafar Raq alias Zafar (23), Saeed alias Sayeed (28), Saeed's brother Raees Ahmad, Zubair Malik (20), Zubair's brother Zaid (22), Saqib Iftekar (26), Mohammed Irshad (in late 20s) and Mohammed Azam (35). The accused were arrested after raids in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh at six places in Amroha, two in Lucknow, two in Hapur and two in Meerut. The NIA had seized a locally-made rocket launcher, material for suicide vests and 112 alarm clocks to be used as timers during its searches. The NIA had recently arrested another accused, 24-year-old Muhammed Absar, in the case who was sent to six days of the agency's custody by a Delhi court on Saturday. The agency said it had recovered 25 kg of explosive materials potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and sulphur after the raids. The ISIS-inspired group -- 'Harkat ul Harb e Islam' which loosely translates into war for the cause of Islam -- allegedly had purchased remote control cars and wireless doorbells to use their circuits in assembling remote-controlled improvised explosive devices. The NIA had also seized steel containers, electric wires, 91 mobile phones, 134 SIM cards, three laptop computers, a knife, a sword and ISIS-related literature. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her government was mulling over a two-pronged strategy to meet the problem of dearth of teachers in state run schools. While class 5 would be brought to primary level, graduates would be recruited as interns in primary and secondary schools, she said. Bringing class 5 in primary level "could in a way meet the dearth of teachers at class five and restore a proper balance between teachers and students at that elementary level before students enter secondary schools," Banerjee said. The government is also formulating a proposal to recruit graduates as interns for two years in institutes facing dearth of teachers at both primary and secondary levels, she told a press conference in presence of Minister Partha Chatterjee. There is more than adequate teachers in some areas, while there is an acute dearth of teachers in many interior pockets of Sunderbans, Jhargram and Dooars, she said. "Graduates, fresh from colleges, can be recruited as interns in the primary and secondary schools in those pockets," the chief minister said. The interns at the primary level could get Rs 2,000 every month and those at secondary level Rs 2,500, she said adding that this proposal was forwarded to senior government officials for exploring the implementability. The performance of the interns could be monitored regularly and if found satisfactory, he or she would be considered for regular recruitment, Banerjee said. Steps are also being taken for more recruitment of para teachers, she said while briefing reporters after a meeting with vice-chancellors of universities and colleges, and chiefs of state boards. Complimenting private universities like St Xavier's for working towards providing better educational facilities in rural areas, Banerjee said a committee has been formed which will ensure that premier city universities help higher educational institutions in districts for improving their academic standard and infrastructure. "We have formed an umbrella committee having the minister, higher education secretary, VCs of Jadavpur and Calcutta University as members. The committee will submit a report soon," she said. She said 28 universities have been set up in past seven and half years in the state while 10 more will come up soon. "We have completed building toilet for girls in 95 per cent educational institutions, while the number of girl students have spurted from 5.62 lakh in the past to 9.74 lakh at present. The total number of students has risen from 13 lakh to 20 lakh," she said. She said while three new Hindi colleges had been set up in seven years, two more Hindi colleges and two Urdu colleges will also be established. As part of promoting languages like Alchiki, the education department was framing curriculum of class 12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An SUV of Madhya Pradesh police Monday met with an accident in Maharashtra's Buldhana district in which four civilians were killed and three others, including two police personnel, were injured, an official said. The mishap occurred in the early hours at Kate Phata near Malkapur town on the national highway no. 6, over 500 kms from here, when the SUV collided with a container truck, got toppled, and hit a car tailing it. The police team was returning to Madhya Pradesh after nabbing one Rohidas Raibole, an accused in a kidnapping case from Akola district in east Maharashtra, said Malkapur police station inspector Bhushan Gawande. He said the deceased included three relatives of the complainant and a relative of the accused who were also travelling in the police vehicle. The occupants of another car escaped unhurt. The injured persons, including two policemen, were admitted to a state-run hospital in Buldhana, around 70 km from Malkapur, before being shifted to a private facility. The truck driver was arrested under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by Malkapur police, Gawande said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Monday intervened in the bus strike in and spoke to chief to find a solution. Over 32,000 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) are on strike since Tuesday last week and 3200-odd buses in its fleet are off the roads. The telephonic conservation between Fadnavis and Thackeray took place after a meeting Monday in Mantralaya between striking union functionaries and state chief secretary D K Jain failed to break the deadlock. The details of the telephonic conservations between Fadnavis and Thackeray were not immediately known. The has been unable to end the strike despite its affiliated union, the Kamgar Sena, announcing a pullout a day into the strike. The Sena is also the ruling party in the and its corporator is the BEST chairman. Striking workers have been demanding the merger of the BMC and BEST budgets as well as higher salaries among other issues. Late Sunday evening, Thackeray had said that his party was in favour of merging the BMC and BEST budgets. "The financial condition of the BEST has deteriorated. I had given the promise of merger of the budgets and that will be fulfilled. A solution can be found only through the talks. Even though the BEST strike issue is in the court, I am ready to be part of the discussion if necessary," Thackeray had said. Unidentified assailants shot dead mafia don Rammurthi alias Ramua inside his home on Monday at Khardah police station area of North 24 Parganas district, police said. The incident took place during early hours on Monday when a group of gunmen with their faces covered forcefully entered the second floor flat of the victim at Sodepur Amarabati and fired at him in front of his family members, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ananda Roy of the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate. Ramua too had a firearm but it was snatched away by the assailants, fired at him and fled from the spot. Ramua, who was of South Indian origin, had unleashed a reign of terror at Shibpur area in Howrah district in late 1990s. He was also accused of playing with the head of a person after beheading him on August 15, 1996. He was accused of cases of drug trafficking and murders, and he had spent most of the time in jail during the past 20 years, sources said. Ramua was staying at his present address from December with his wife, college going son and seven-year-old daughter. On hearing the sound of calling bell after midnight on Sunday, his son opened the door. As soon as he came out, two assailants surrounded him with revolver at head. Meanwhile, others in the gang went up at second floor and killed Ramua in front of his wife and daughter, Roy said quoting the statements of family members. The police was suspecting gang rivalry as the main reason behind this murder. No arrest has been made as yet, Roy said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Chalo Kumbh Chale' is the slogan and also the mantra for peace maybe for thousands of visitors who arrived here Monday for the Kumbh mela, the largest congregation in the world, and walked for miles as they made their way to the Sangam for a ritual dip in the waters. The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati has called out to the religious for centuries, and it was so on Monday as well. While Tuesday is when the fair officially begins on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, one of the sacred bathing days of the 50-day Kumbh, pilgrims made a beeline for the holy waters on Monday as well. Due to the huge number of people expected to take part in the mela, the administration has restricted the entry of all types of vehicles -- other than those required for essential services -- in the vicinity of Kumbh Nagari, the sprawling 32,000 hectare township that has come up on the banks of the river. "Anand aa raha hai (I am feeling real contentment)," said 55-year-old Pramod Prakash from Kannauj as he made his way inside the Kumbh Nagari after walking from Allahabad Railway station with three heavy bags on his head. "Don't think of comfort, devote yourself to Ganga 'maiyan' completely and you'll feel light yourself," he said, pointing to many in the crowd doing the same as him. Posters with the slogan 'Chalo Kumbh Chale' were up in all public areas of the state and the city and many thousands walked their way through the Nagari to the river. But no one was complaining. For most, it was a walk to remember. On the way, as loudspeakers blared devotional songs, sadhus broke into dance and Naga babas with ash smeared on their naked bodies puffed on chillums of hash. Foreigners could be seen asking for a picture at the sight of the exotic India coming to life before their eyes. About 12 crore people are expected to visit Kumbh between now and March, when the festival will come to a close, for a holy dip at the Sangam. It was traditionally called 'Ardh Kumbh' as it takes place twice in 12 years, but the present state government recently renamed it 'Kumbh'. The place, according to an Italian couple, is a perfect case study for "solid devotion" and "impeccable administration" for people worldwide. "We are out of words. One has to see it to believe it. The place is mammoth, and with so many people, it looks like chaos too, but then everything works so smoothly here. About devotion, of course, the energy of this place is something else," said Alacio Companaro who has come from Italy with his wife. "I just can't wait to see how the place will look like tomorrow when the sacred bath is supposed to take place," Companaro added. Fifteen state government departments implemented 261 projects while 28 government departments and six Central government ministries are behind managing the mela for the Kumbh this year. "It is amazing that this most of this place was under water during the monsoon season. It is only when the water receded that the construction could take place. And again, it will be dismantled when the mela is over," Companaro said, as his wife quietly read a Lonely Planet guide to know more about the mela and the venue. The pop-up mega city, which is divided into 20 sectors, is an engineer marvel built on a river-bed. Touted to be the world's biggest temporary city, it has 250 km of roads and 22 pontoon bridges. It is equipped with hospitals, police stations, banks and everything that is there in a functional metropolis. "In 2013, the Kumbh Nagari was the largest city in the world in terms of population density, but the only catch was that the city does not really exist in a permanent sense," quoted a recent book "Kumbha: The Traditionally Modern Mela". The budget for organising the Ardha Kumbh is Rs 4,200 crore, more than thrice the budget of the Purna Kumbha in 2013, which occurs every 12 years "The facilities this time are certainly better than last time. But it is not as if everything is great. There are shortcomings. Yesterday, I had to give a bribe of Rs 200 to a person to install some lights in my tent," said a sadhu from Juna Akhara who didn't want to be identified. The 13 organisations of sadhus that have traditionally participated in the Kumbha Mela are called 'akharas'. For a long time, 13 akharas -- seven Shaiva, three Vaishnava, two Udasina, an one Sikh -- have participated in the mela. Juna is believed to be the oldest of akharas. Beside, religion is political too in this part of the world. With elections coming up, the Ram temple issue was sought to be highlighted in many hoardings. "Agar ab bhi Ram mandir na ban paoge aane wali pedi ko kya muh dikhaoge (What face will you show to the next generation, if even now you are not able to built Ram Temple)", said one. But for many people like Prakash, the Kumbh was still about finding their core of spirituality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday said there was no question of "instability" in the Congress-JD(S) dispensation as he sought to downplay reports about the BJP allegedly attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple his government. He, however, reiterated his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine even as he expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides. "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media...I was surprised to see the report," Kumaraswamy said. "I don't know who will benefit from such reports, but in my opinion it will cause loss to the people of the state," he told reporters in Mysuru. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in 2008. Speculations are rife that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side. There are also reports that a few of them have gone incommunicado. Asked about Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said, they were in constant touch with him. Not revealing their names, he said "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government." "(The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me," the chief minister said. "I spoke to them at 7:30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add to it," Kumaraswamy said. "...if my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" he asked. Shivakumar had on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state's coalition government was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel. He said the chief minister was being "lenient" towards the BJP, by not exposing it. The BJP holding up all its 104 MLAs, who had gone to Delhi for the party's national council meeting, in the national capital and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara calling a breakfast meeting of Congress ministers here, along with KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and CLP leader Siddaramaiah added fuel to the speculations. Asked about meetings by the Congress and the BJP, Kumaraswamy said the leaders were holding meetings for matters related to their respective parties. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister asked. Kumaraswamy said he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. "When media friends report that 12 (MLAs) are going, 14 and 18 are going, without the BJP luring them will you get the information? But none of our Congress and JD(S) MLAs will go, falling prey to their allurements. There is no such situation," he said. Parameshwara also said the government was stable. "There is no chance (of the government becoming unstable)," he said. Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be...why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." Accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, Parameshwara said the opposition party would not be successful. "We have faith in our MLAs, so we need not worry," he said, adding that the party was watching the developments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two accused in the Kodanad estate break-in case, who had reportedly linked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami to the incident, were brought here Monday by the city police, a day after they were picked up in Delhi. Palaniswami has already rejected the allegations made against him by those accused, made in a video released by Delhi-based journalist and former Tehelha managing editor Samuel Mathew last week. The police have filed a case, even as the chief minister assured of "strong action" in this matter. On Monday, two of the accused persons, V K Sayan, and Valayar Manoj, were brought from Delhi by police in a private flight and whisked away for further interrogation. They were reportedly seen making purported remarks linking the chief minister to the April 2017 break-in in the video. On Saturday, referring to Mathew releasing a video in Delhi on January 11, Palaniswami had denied his involvement. The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) co-coordinator had said a police case had been filed in the matter and that "strong action" would be taken against those who released the video. He had suspected a "political" motive behind the matter, even as the opposition DMK has demanded that he step down to facilitate a "fair" probe. DMK President MK Stalin had said on Sunday that he plans to meet state Governor Banwarilal Purohit over the issue on Monday. In April 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate, the late Jayalalithaa's retreat home in the hilly district of the Nilgiris, was found dead. It emerged during the probe that Jayalalithaa's former driver C Kanagaraj and Sayan had allegedly plotted the crime. A total of 10 people had been arrested in the case, with a charge sheet also being filed later. However, Kanagaraj and Sayan's wife and daughter were killed in separate road accidents during the probe, even as another employee of the property was found dead, in a case of suspected suicide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu duo T Dharshini and S Rudra Mayan turned in dazzling performances to snap up gold medals on day six of the weightlifting competition of the Khelo India Youth Games here on Monday. With only a day to go, Maharashtra sit atop the table with a total of 13 medals, stamping their authority seven times with gold along with three silver and as many bronze, a media release said. Punjab with four gold are second, while Tamil Nadu joined the bandwagon along with Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram with three gold each. In the women's 81 kg U-17 category, Maharashtra girl Vaishnavi Pawar grabbed gold with a total of 114 kg (snatch 54 kg, clean and jerk 60kg). A determined Dharshini ensured that an U-17 bronze would be compensated with gold in the 81 kg U-21 category. She had a total of 192 kg (snatch 85, clean and jerk 107kg). S Rudra Mayan from Tamil Nadu displayed excellent technique in the men's +102 kg U-17 category clinching the gold and breaking records in snatch, clean and jerk and total weight. He had a total of 269 kg (snatch 118 kg, clean and jerk 151 kg). Rudra Mayan eclipsed the earlier records by 3 kg in snatch, by 8 kg in clean and jerk and and by 11 kg in total weight. In the men's 102kg U-17s, UP took both gold and silver. Muskan Singh of Haryana won gold in the women's +81 kg U-17 category with a total weight of 135 kg (snatch 60 kg, clean and jerk 75 kg). RESULTS: U-17 Youth Womens 81kg: 1. Vaishnavi Pawar (Mah) 114 kg, 2. Reddi Gayathri (AP) 109 kg, 3. M Deeba (Tnd) 102 kg. U-17 Youth Women's +81kg: 1. Muskan Singh (Hrn) 135 kg, 2. Maibam Martina Devi (Mnp) 130 kg, 3. A Mohana Priya (Tnd) 123 kg. U-21 Junior Women's 81kg: 1. T Dharshini (Tnd) 192 kg, 2. Christina Tayeng (Arn) 154 kg, 3. Shweta Pundir (UP) 154 kg. U-17 Youth Men's 102 kg: 1. Pushpendra Singh Chaudhar (UP) 254 kg, 2. Avinash Yadav (UP) 234 kg. U-17 Youth Mens +102 kg: 1. S Rudra Mayan (Tnd) 269 kg, 2. Ashwani Tejya (UP) 250 kg, 3. Gagandeep Gill (Pun) 216 kg. U-21 Junior Men's 102 kg: 1. BSD Vishnu Vardhan (AP) 279 kg, 2. Pradeep Kumar Yadav (UP) 277 kg, 3. Dilpreet Singh (Pun) 245 kg. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Monday. He was talking to mediapersons after inaugurating the administrative building, residential block and officers' mess at the SSB sector headquarters in Lakhimpur. "Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by neighbouring Pakistan. However, the Army, the CRPF, the J&K police and intelligence bureau men are acting in better coordination," he said. Speaking about Naxal incidents, the home minister said they had dropped by 50 per cent during the last four years. Extremist violence in northeastern areas saw a decline of 80 per cent, Singh said. Lauding improvements made on the internal security front, he said, "No major terrorist incident had taken place in India during the last four-and-a-half years (of the Narendra Modi government)." Singh said the country's economy today was counted as the world's fastest growing. "By 2030, the Indian economy would rank among top three economies of the world," he said. "The Modi government has launched the world's largest universal health care scheme Ayushmaan Bharat which has benefitted 7.5 lakh people so far," Singh said. The Union minister also visited Bahraich, where he laid the foundation stone of the state's first Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Indo-Nepal border in Rupaideha area. The ICP was constructed at a cost of Rs 200 crore. Singh said the security forces were tackling well the terrorists pushed into India by Pakistan. "Pakistan sends terrorist to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India, but the security forces are dealing well with the anti-national elements and terrorists," he said. Responding to a question about the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said the BJP would win not less than 72 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka's ruling Congress-JDS coalition and opposition Monday traded allegations of making a renewed bid to poach MLAs in a fresh political war just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Amid media reports that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to cross over to the and some lawmakers of the ruling coalition having gone incommunicado, Chief minister H D said he has "sufficient numbers" to run a stable government. He asserted there was no question of "instability" in his government. Adding to the speculation was holding all its 104 MLAs together in Delhi itself and conducting meetings for them. The BJP legislators had gone to the capital for the party council meeting which ended on Saturday. As the Congress-JDS combine accused the BJP of luring away its MLAs offering bribes and other allurements, BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa rubbished reports his party was attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state government. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to BJP's alleged bid to lure several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then government headed by Yeddyurappa in 2008. He said there was no truth in the charge and instead alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to woo his party MLAs. "It is not us, but they (JDS-Congress) have started horse trading. We will stay in Delhi one or two days because is trying his level best to contact our MLAs and horse trading has started," Yeddyurappa told reporters after meeting state BJP MLAs and MPs in Delhi. The BJP is "alert and careful" as the chief minister is trying to lure our MLAs using "power and money", he said. " is trying to contact BJP MLAs and has offered a ministerial post to a Kalburgi MLA," Yeddyurappa alleged and said the ruling combine is luring BJP state legislators despite having majority numbers. Congress also said that Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government. In the 224-member Assembly, BJP has 104 members, Congress-79, JDS 37, BSP, KPJP and Independent one each, besides Speaker. BSP, KPJP and an Independent are supporting the coalition. Kumaraswamy said he enjoyed the support of 120 MLAs and alleged that Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government. "I have sufficient numbers for giving a stable government here, it is not necessary for Congress or JD(S) to poach the MLAs from BJP, we have sufficient numbers," he said in Bengaluru. "In which BJP MLAs name rooms were reserved in which resort, how many rooms were reserved.How many Congress-JD(S) they were making attempts to lure and take them away..don't I have the information," he said. "The coalition government enjoys support of 120 MLAs," he said. He also said, "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. "I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media.. I was surprised to see the report." Asked about Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said they were in constant touch with him. Not revealing their names, he said "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government." "(The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me," the chief minister said. "I spoke to them at 7:30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add to it," he added. "If my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" he asked. Shivakumar on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel. He had said the chief minister was being "lenient" towards the BJP, by not exposing it. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister asked. Kumaraswamy said he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. Deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also said the government was stable. Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be..why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." Accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, Parameshwara said it would not be successful. Yeddyurappa said the BJP legislators would be in New Delhi for "one or two days" and would later go to their constituencies and begin preparations for the Lok Sabha polls in all the 28 constituencies. Reports suggest that BJP legislators in Delhi were likely to be shifted to Gurgaon, to keep its numbers in tact, with Congress and JD(S) allegedly planning to poach BJP MLAs as a retaliatory measure to Operation Lotus. However Yeddyurappa clarified "There is no need for us to do any "resort politics", we are not doing also", he said, adding "a few of them will be in Delhi, a few are going to Gurgaon, they will go and come back. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. The Supreme Court Monday extended till July 31 the deadline for house owners, whose buildings were ordered to be demolished due to illegal constructions in the forest area of Aravalli hills, to vacate their premises subject to furnishing of undertaking in this regard. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta said the house owners, who were earlier directed by the apex court to vacate their premises by March 31, would get time till July 31 if they file undertaking that they would vacate the properties by then. The bench said this after the counsel appearing for some of the house owners urged that the time should be extended as the owners were senior citizens and they needed some more time to look for another accommodation. "We extend the time till July 31, 2019 to vacate the premises subject to furnishing of an undertaking within four weeks from today," the bench said. The court made it clear that if the undertaking would not be filed, the already fixed time till March 31 would remain in force. There are 33 house owners in Faridabad's Kant Enclave and they were earlier asked by the court to vacate their premises by March 31 this year. On September 11 last year, the apex court had termed "frightening" the illegal construction in the forest area of Aravalli hills and directed the Haryana government to demolish the unauthorised structures built there after August 18, 1992. During the hearing on Monday, senior lawyer Ranjit Kumar, assisting the court as an amicus curiae in the matter, told the bench that a committee set up by the court earlier has filed a report with regard to the valuation of properties at Kant Enclave. He said the court had formed a committee, comprising the chief secretary and principal secretary of Town and Country Planning Department of Haryana, to look into the documents regarding ownership and valuation of the properties. The counsel representing Haryana said they have deposited Rs 16.5 crore in the apex court registry in pursuance to the earlier order. The bench said the money deposited in the registry be distributed among the house owners as per the valuation report of the committee. It made it clear that in case any house owner is aggrieved by the valuation report, he or she has the remedy to approach the competent civil court. The Haryana government had earlier informed the court that there were 19 plots having two-storeyed building there while houses having ground and first floor were made in eight plots. He said in several other plots, only boundary walls with perhaps one or two rooms were made there. In its September 11 last year order, the apex court had lashed out at Haryana government and said the construction activity carried out by R Kant and Company, a private realtor who was a party to the case, was clearly in violation of the August 18, 1992 notification and also in blatant defiance of the court's orders. The 1992 notification issued under the provisions of the Punjab Land Preservation (PLP) Act had prohibited clearing or breaking up of land not ordinarily under cultivation. Permission to break the land for cultivation could be permitted by the Divisional Forest Officer of Faridabad Forest Division, the notification had said, adding that in any event construction activity could not be permitted even by the Divisional Forest Officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he fears a "massive problem" after Harry Kane limped off the Wembley pitch with an apparent ankle problem following his side's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. Kane was hurt after clashing with United defender Phil Jones in the closing seconds of the match as the visitors dug deep to protect their 1-0 lead at Wembley on Sunday. Pochettino said he would fret over Kane's fitness, with the 25-year-old set to undergo tests in the next few days while he is set to lose Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup. "Of course if Harry Kane suffers an injury it would be a massive problem for us. That is my worry, that is our worry," Pochettino told Sky "It was a bad tackle in the last moment from a Manchester United player. It wasn't an intention, but it was a bad tackle. "There's swelling now, we need to assess in the next few days. I hope it's not a big issue but he was limping off the pitch." Pochettino hailed Tottenham's second-half performance as among the best in his tenure at the north London club, despite Marcus Rashford's first-half winner leaving them nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool. "In four-and-a-half years, that's the best performance I saw Tottenham play," Pochettino told reporters. "The second half is one of the best performances I've seen from my team. I thought it was amazing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police Monday filed a chargesheet at a city court against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and others, saying he was leading a procession and supported seditious slogans raised on the varsity campus in February 2016. Police also charged former JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university's campus on February 9, 2016, to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. In its chargesheet, police claimed that it has video clips to prove the offence which has been corroborated by the statements of the witnesses. The other accused chargesheeted in the case are Kashmiri students Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat, some of them were then studying in JNU, Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-JNUSU president), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri, all former students of JNU, have been named in column 12 of the charge sheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. Police has alleged that Kumar had incited the mob to shout anti-India slogans. Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand put up the charge sheet for consideration before a competent court on Tuesday. The accused have been charged with offences under sections 124A (sedition), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (punishment for forgery), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly), 149 (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In the charge sheet running into around 1,200 pages, police claimed that all the footage were genuine and the presence of students belonging to Kashmir was also establish through mobile clips and videos. It claimed that the Kashmiri students, had masks on during the procession, but did not cover their faces while returning. This showed their involvement, police said. The 10 accused persons have been chargesheeted on the basis of electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile footage, and documentary evidence, which include statements of students and security guards. The final report claims that no permission was granted to organise the event and every member was a part of an unlawful assembly. When informed about the lack of permission to hold the even, the accused persons started arguing and fighting, it said. A case was registered on February 11, 2016 under sections 124A and 120B of the IPC against unidentified persons at the Vasant Kunj (North) police station, following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The event in 2016 had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the ABVP, which had termed it as "anti-national". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Monday dubbed the charges against former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others in the JNU sedition case as "absurd" while his party said it hoped that the legal process will be carried out rightfully. Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police filed its charge sheet against Kumar and nine others in the case before Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand. It charged Kumar, former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya and seven others for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university campus on February 9, 2016 to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. Chidambaram said if it took three years for the government to make out the charge of sedition, it "exposes the motive of the government". He also demanded a debate on whether a provision like Section 124A (sedition) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) has a place in the laws of a democratic republic. "The charge of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar and others is absurd. If it takes three years and 1,200 pages to make out a charge of sedition (based on a public speech), that alone exposes the motive of the government," the former home minister said in a series of tweets. "How many in the investigating team have read and understood section 124A of the IPC and the case law on the Section. There must be a serious debate if a provision like section 124A has a place in the laws of a democratic republic," Chidambaram said. The said event had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which had termed it as "anti-national". A case was registered on February 11, 2016 following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the ABVP. "We are confident that no tinkering will be allowed to be done with the evidence, as there is about the video being doctored. We hope that the legal process will carry on rightfully and there will be no tinkering," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said. "The people have lost faith in this government and the processes adopted by it," he added. The accused have been charged with offences under various sections of the IPC, including 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), besides 124A. The charge sheet also contains CCTV footage, mobile footage and documentary evidence. Judge Anand put it up for consideration before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleging that the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition was trying to lure its MLAs in Karnataka, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa Monday said its 104 legislators are "united" and will camp in the national capital. Yeddyurappa assertion comes hours after Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy stuck to his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine and expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides. "It is not us, but they (JDS-Congress) have started horse trading. We will stay in Delhi one or two days because Kumaraswamy is trying his level best to contact our MLAs and horse trading has started," Yeddyurappa told reporters after meeting state BJP MLAs and MPs here. The BJP is "alert and careful" as the chief minister is trying to lure our MLAs using "power and money", he said. "Kumaraswamy is trying to contact BJP MLAs and has offered a ministerial post to a Kalburgi MLA," he alleged and said the ruling combine is luring BJP state legislators despite having majority numbers. The Karnataka MLAs had come to attend the two-day BJP national convention that concluded Saturday. They stayed back to discuss separately the state developments, including the alleged horse trading by the ruling combine. Asserting that the BJP's house was in order, Yeddyurappa said, "Our MLAs are united and intact. We do not have any problem at all. Our MLAs are saying let us stay here for 2-3 days and then go to our constituencies." There will not be any "resort politics" and all the Bharatiya Janata Party state legislators will stay together at the Karnataka Bhavan and some may visit Gurgoan and come back, he added. Stating that the ruling coalition government lacks unity, Yeddyurappa said, "They (JDS-Congress) are worried themselves. Three days back, the chief minister had said he does not have any power and cannot transfer a single official." The present government is not functioning at all in the state, which is facing drought in 160 tehsils and there are reports of farmers' suicides, he alleged. "There is no development in the state. They have wasted time in the last nine months. None of the departments are functioning properly. There is no unity among them," he said. Asked if he was desperate to become a chief minister, the state BJP chief said that the question does not arise as the party is more focused about the general elections and is in the process of finalising candidates at the earliest for 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. "Now, we are worried about Parliament elections. We must win at least 20 seats...We have started our campaign. We are going to finalise the candidates as early as possible," he added. The state BJP chief said that the issues related to the Lok Sabha elections were discussed in detail since yesterday. "We have received several suggestions. In a day or two, we will go to the state and begin the work in constituencies. We have got a direction from the BJP national president and we will implement it at the ground level," Yeddyurappa added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bureaucrat Jaideep Govind Monday joined the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)as it's 15th secretary-general, officials said. A 1984-batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, Govind, before joining the NHRC, was posted as the special secretary and the financial adviser in the ministries of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Department of Land Resources, the NHRC said in a statement. He succeeds Ambuj Sharma as the next secretary-general of the rights panel that has completed 25 years of its existence. Govind has held various important posts in the Union government, such as the additional secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and looked after critical areas of left-wing extremism, police modernisation and procurement for the Central Armed Police Forces. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking to clarify his Patna-more- murder-prone-than-J&K remarks, Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday said his statement was projected "wrongly" as Bihar has zero tolerance to crime. Terming Bihar as repository of skill and agriculture under Nitish Kumar, Malik said the chief ministers of other states should follow the development model enacted by their Bihar counterpart. "Nitish Kumar (Bihar CM) has zero tolerance to crime. Top criminals and Mafiosi have been eliminated by his government. Nitish does not tolerate even a leader involved in any crime. His track record speaks for itself," Malik said at Raj Bhawan here. Governor was replying to a query about his reported remarks that J&K is like any other state and Patna records more murders a day than J&K does. "My comment was projected in wrong sense. It was wrong. My point was that most of the big cities in eastern India have crime rates due to personal rivalries. It is not so in Kashmir," he said. Malik said no chief minister or any government functionary can be held responsible for crimes committed out of rivalries "Bihar has the honour to have such a CM from whom the rest of chief ministers should take lessons. He has zero tolerance to crime," he added. Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah had also taken a dig Tuesday at Governor Malik over his reported remarks that J&K is like any other state and Patna records more murders in a day than J&K does. To say Jammu and Kashmir is like any other state is wrong. If this governor, who has been Bihar's governor earlier, says it, Nitish Kumar has to clarify, Omar had said. Governor Malik said Nitish Kumar has is an honest and upright leader in his personal life, and even if there have been some crimes in Patna, the investigation, disposal and prosecution rates under Nitish Kumar government have been quick and exemplary. "Nitish Kumar is committed to delivery of justice. He is always proactive to punish the guilty," Malik said. J&K governor said Bihar's crime graph before the Nitish rule was worst. But, he stamped out crime and heralded better law and order situation in Bihar, Malik added. Lauding Bihar CM's steps in education, skill development and agriculture sectors, Malik said most of the 100 colleges of (political) leaders were centralised by him and Nitish Kumar fully supported him for it. "Nitish was out to bring a change in the education sector in Bihar which has emerged as an example in skill management. We want to replicate this model of skill management and education in Jammu and Kashmir to generate jobs and skilled manpower," Malik said. Malik said Nitish Kumar has launched a new agricultural development road map in Bihar. "Once it is fully implemented, it will usher an era of third agriculture revolution, which will start from Bihar," the governor added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former communist militant Cesare Battisti, wanted in Italy for four murders in the 1970s, arrived in Rome on Monday after an international police squad tracked him down and arrested him in Bolivia. Jailed in 1979 for belonging to an armed revolutionary group outlawed in Italy, Battisti escaped from prison two years later, and has spent nearly four decades on the run. An Italian-flagged Falcon 900 plane carrying Battisti landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Monday morning. Battisti, who was not wearing handcuffs, smiled grimly as he was escorted off the plane by a dozen policemen. "I know that I'm going to prison," an apparently resigned Battisti said, according to police. He mostly slept during the flight, as well as speaking about his life and escape from Brazil to Bolivia. Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede said that for security reasons Battisti would be taken to Oristano prison on the island of Sardinia instead of Rome's Rebibbia jail. He will begin his life sentence with six months in solitary confinement. "This is not the finish line but the starting point," Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told journalists at Ciampino, citing the presence of "dozens" of other former militants still on the run in countries from Latin America to France. Italy had repeatedly sought the extradition of the militant, who lived in Brazil for years under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, himself now in prison for corruption. Battisti, 64, was seized late Saturday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in an operation carried out by a joint team of Italian and Bolivian officers. The fugitive could be seen walking casually about Santa Cruz in sunglasses and a blue T-shirt, in surveillance footage taken hours before his capture. He gave up without a struggle, according to Italian government sources. Battisti was sentenced to life imprisonment for having killed two Italian policemen, taking part in the murder of a butcher and helping plan the slaying of a jeweller who died in a shootout that left his teenage son in a wheelchair. "It's over, now the victims can rest in peace," said Alberto Torregiani, the son of the slain jeweller. "It should have happened years ago." Battisti has admitted to being part of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a radical group that staged a string of robberies and attacks, but has always denied responsibility for any deaths, painting himself as a political refugee. However Rome is determined to punish one of the key figures from Italy's so-called Years of Lead, a decade of violent turmoil which began in the late 1960s and saw dozens of deadly attacks by hardline leftwing and rightwing groups. During his election campaign, Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro -- who took office on January 1 -- vowed that if elected he would "immediately" send Battisti back to Italy. Battisti had filed for asylum without receiving any response from authorities, Bolivia's ombudsman said in an article published in the local El Deber de Santa Cruz newspaper. He had been hoping to find favour with Bolivia's left-wing President Evo Morales after saying in his asylum request he had been forced to quit Brazil due to "the ominous coincidence" that Italy and Brazil were both now run by "far-right" governments. Bolsonaro's son, Brazilian lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, tweeted in Italian with a picture of Battisti: "Brazil is no longer the land of bandits. Matteo Salvini, the 'little gift' is on its way." Since his jailbreak Battisti had reinvented himself as an author, writing a string of noir novels. In 2004, he skipped bail in France, where he had taken refuge. He then went to live clandestinely in Brazil until he was arrested in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro. After years in custody, then-president Lula issued a decree -- later upheld by Brazil's Supreme Court -- in 2010 refusing Battisti's extradition to Italy, and he was freed, angering Rome. Battisti, who has a five-year-old Brazilian son, last year told AFP he faced "torture" and death if he were ever to be sent back to Italy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It is the Congress which can challenge and defeat BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Rajasthan's deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said on Monday while exuding confidence that the UPA, led by his party, will form the next government at the Centre. He said national and regional parties need to work together to fight powers "destroying" democratic institutions of the country. "The NDA has weakened as its key constituents have left, whereas the parties in the UPA have expressed their faith in the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi," Pilot told reporters here. "UPA will form the government in 2019 in Congress leadership," he said. Responding to a question on the Congress being left out of the SP-BSP pre-poll tie-up in Uttar Pradesh, Pilot said his party should not be considered weak. "It is the Congress which can challenge and defeat the BJP. The party has won three states which gave new energy to our workers. We will now form the government at the Centre," the Rajasthan deputy chief minister said. Left out of the SP-BSP pre-poll tie-up in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Sunday announced it would go it alone on all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the upcoming general election. Congress general secretary in-charge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad, however, has said his party would accommodate any secular force capable of taking on the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha election. About preparations for the Lok sabha elections, Pilot said the Congress will hold week-long meetings with the representatives of each Lok Sabha seat for finalising the candidates. He said that the party will give ticket to winnable candidates and youths would be on focus. When asked about Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav, who is in the race for getting ticket for the Lok sabha polls, he said that preliminary talks have been held and the party will give ticket to winnable candidates. "Vaibhav Gehlot has been active in the party for a long time. He might not have got the opportunity due to some reasons in the past but it will be our endeavour that candidates like him get a chance to come forward. Party focus is on youths and there will be an effort to give a chance to them," Pilot said. Pilot, who has completed five years as the president of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, said the journey was challenging but the party won all elections in the state, be it panchayat, assembly and Lok Sabha bypolls and the recently held Assembly elections. "We worked together and won elections with the support and strength of our lakhs of workers in the state," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Move designed to address key bottleneck to card acceptance by smaller retailers Innoviti Payment Solutions Ltd. announced the market launch of 'Innoviti-POS' - targeted at enabling rapid scale-up of digital payment acceptance through POS amongst smaller retailers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns across India. Typically, small town retailers who are new to digital payments see little or no benefit in going digital for their payment acceptance. They perceive an unwanted increase in their cost of business as digital payments are charged. processing costs unlike cash. Further, accepting cash in hand helps them to easily make payments to their own suppliers coming for daily collections; a flexibility they fear will be lost since digital payment settlements are typically not credited the very same day. Innoviti-POS has a unique feature that transfers funds for settlement of digital transactions to the merchant's account, on the very same day that those transactions are made. Moreover, this same day transfer is guaranteed every single day, i.e. all 365 days of the year irrespective of any weekend, public or Bank holidays. Since cash collecting merchants cannot deposit their daily cash proceeds into banks on bank holidays, they are not able to use it to reduce the interest against overdrafts they may have taken. By enabling 365-day same day fund transfer, Innoviti-POS allows them to save considerably on their business overdraft interest cost. For a merchant with an overdraft of Rs. 100,000, the merchant can save up to Rs. 10,000 per year through Innoviti-POS. Innoviti-POS has already been piloted across 7 small towns with population between 5 to 15 lakhs and relatively lower digital penetration. About 700 merchants have currently been piloted with more than 15% of their business going digital. Bangalore-based leading payments company, Innoviti Payment Solutions announced the market launch of its innovative Innoviti-POS card payment acceptance solution targeted at accelerating the adoption of POS-based digital payment acceptance amongst small town retailers. A multi-pronged distribution strategy has been piloted in 7 Tier -2/3 cities including Jaipur, Jammu, Ambala, Dehradun, Surat, Nagpur and Indore. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/715351/Innoviti_Logo.jpg ) Less than 10% of India's retail payments are currently digital, despite the short-term boost in POS installations post the currency demonetization exercise in November 2016. On the one hand the merchants don't see any clear benefits and feel their cost of doing business goes up by 1-2% (due to applicable Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) processing fees). On other hand, they perceive an unwanted loss of flexibility in not being able to immediately use their daily sales proceeds from transactions on a given day, as typically settlement of digital transactions happens on the next bank working day, which can be even 2-3 days later in case of intervening holidays. Designed specifically to ease the transition from cash-to-cards for such first-time card accepting merchants, the Innoviti-POS solution hits these problems at their core. Firstly, the product transfers funds for all transactions done on a day till 6 p.m. on the same day at 8 p.m. The retailer can therefore withdraw his day's sales proceeds as cash from an ATM or use it to issue cheques on the very same day. Moreover, Innoviti-POS assures this same day settlement on all 365-days of the years irrespective of bank holidays. This settlement on bank holidays helps them save valuable interest on any bank overdrafts taken by the retailer for managing the working capital for their business. Retailers reduce overdraft interest by depositing their daily excess earnings everyday into their bank current account. If their earning is in cash, they cannot deposit the same on bank holidays. However, if the earning is through Innoviti-POS, that is directly deposited into their current account, thereby reducing the outstanding overdraft and therefore interest outgo. There are ~120 bank holidays in a year, corresponding to weekends, festivals and other public holidays. Interestingly these are the very days that the retailer does maximum business too. This nearly 1/3rd of the whole year correspond to almost 50% of the retailer's business. Since they cannot deposit cash on these days, the interest outgo from these days for a Rs. 1,00,000 overdraft can amount to almost Rs. 10,000 in a year. This constitutes a substantial potential business cost saving for the retailer by using Innoviti-POS. To deliver this paradigm shift for Indian retail market, the Innoviti-POS package also relieves the merchant of the need to open new current accounts to receive card settlements, as he can simply route them to any of his existing bank accounts. These unique benefits, which they cannot get from cash or any other POS system, has attracted over 700 merchants in the pilot to adopt Innoviti-POS and start migrating their business from cash to card. Innoviti will now be commercially launching this product across the country. Quotes: "Small town merchants till now have only seen the cost side of accepting digital payments and increased hassles. With Innoviti-POS, they are being exposed to the real power of digital technology, where their hard-earned money can earn more money for them. We strongly believe our same day, every day fund transfer technology will help new merchants enter card acceptance with an experience that is as good, if not better than cash. This has the potential to be the key to plugging the currently yawning supply-demand gap in terms of POS infrastructure in India retail," said Mr. Rajeev Agrawal, CEO, Innoviti. About Innoviti Payment Solutions Innoviti Payment Solutions runs a payment platform that has a unique ability to add intelligence to traditional payment channels, enhancing their value. Merchants, brands and financial service providers use these intelligent payment channels to reduce cost and drive sales of their products. Innoviti processes over Rs. 26,000 Cr. of payment transactions, about 5% of all offline merchant payment transactions in India. This also includes Rs. 1,500 Cr. of transactions involving distribution of loans to consumers and small businesses. The company has raised a total of US$ 23 million of funding till date from marquee investors such as Catamaran Ventures, SBI-FMO fund and Bessemer Venture Partners. For more information, please visit - http://www.innoviti.com Source: Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A car bomb exploded near a foreign compound in the east of Kabul on Monday, officials said, in the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the blast had targeted Green Village, where some foreign workers are based. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hoardings featuring Bajrang Dal's Yogesh Raj, the main accused in the Bulandshahr violence, have been put up across the district, extending greetings on 'Makar Sankranti' and Republic Day. Raj, a leader of the Hindutva outfit, was arrested on January 3 for his alleged role in the mob violence that killed a police officer and a local. The hoardings also have photos of Satish Lodhi, Ashish Chauhan, Satendra Rajput and Vishal Tyagi, all accused in the case, along with a bigger picture of Raj, extending wishes on behalf of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal. The Bajrang Dal said the hoardings were put up by local leaders "on their own". The outfit's western UP region co-convenor Praveen Bhati, whose photo also appears in the hoardings, said the hoardings carry pictures of local functionaries of the group and since Raj is the Bulandshahr unit convenor hence his picture is also there. "Also, they all are accused in the case, not guilty. It is for the court to decide. Putting pictures of organisation's office bearers on hoardings is not a crime," Bhati told PTI. He also re-iterated that the Bajrang Dal stands in support of its office-bearers accused in the case and is providing them with all legal aid. On December 3, inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was killed in a mob violence that broke out in Siyana area after cattle carcasses were found strewn outside a village. A local, Sumit Kumar of Chingrawathi village, was also killed in the violence. Two cases were lodged at the Siyana police station, one for violence, in which the police had turned complainant, and the other for alleged cow slaughter, on a complaint by Raj. Twenty seven people, including Raj, were named in the FIR, while 50 to 60 unidentified people were booked under charges of murder, attempt to murder and sedition, among others. Raj was arrested on January 3 and was produced in a local court which had remanded him in 14-day custody. He would be again produced in the court later this week. So far 36 people have been arrested in connection with the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has identified sites for the construction of a cremation ground for the Hindu and Sikh community and a graveyard for Christians. Nearly 1.25 acre of land has been identified in Samarbagh near Northern bypass Peshawar of which 0.5 acre will be allocated for the construction of the cremation ground and 0.75 acre for the graveyard, sources in the Department of Auqaf & Religious Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said. The provincial government has enforced Section-IV for the procurement of land at the sites identified for the cremation ground and the graveyard in Peshawar, Nowshera and Kohat districts of the province. Efforts are on to release the funds for the construction of the cremation ground and the graveyard. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a plea alleging that there were not sufficient taxi and auto rickshaw stands in the city and those available were "illegally grabbed" by certain groups. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao rejected the petition after the Delhi government's counsel said the secretary of NGO Nyayabhoomi has a personal interest. "You are a beneficiary. At your instance in the PIL (Public Interest Litigation), we will not interfere. Dismissed," the bench said. The NGO's secretary, Rakesh Agarwal, has said in the PIL that he has no personal interest. This is not true, the Delhi government's standing counsel Ramesh Singh said. "He cannot say there is no personal interest. He is the director and CEO at Magic Sewa Pvt Ltd which was engaged in providing taxi and auto services through mobile app and call centre. The petition should not be entertained," he said. However, Agarwal said the firm was shut down last year before filing of this petition and he was running the NGO since 2002. The NGO, in its plea, had sought directions to the government to put in place adequate number of auto rickshaw and taxi stands, technically known as cab-ranks, claiming that the number of such stands was much below the actual need. It had contended that the few number of cab ranks was forcing drivers to create unauthorised stands which pose a risk to public safety and also lead to traffic congestion. The petition had also alleged that the Delhi government and the Traffic Police were "misinterpreting the inadequate provisions of law in constructing cab-ranks and were failing to implement their own policies". It had claimed that notified general taxi stands had been illegally grabbed by certain cartels and groups of drivers who do not let other taxi drivers use them. The plea had alleged that cab-ranks for autos and taxis at the airport, railway stations and bus stations "had been cartelised by black and yellow taxis and auto rickshaws with the active help from the Delhi Traffic Police". This had deprived other drivers of their livelihood and the passengers their right to choice of travel mode, it had claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri Monday launched the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC) among stakeholders, a move aimed at introducing best technologies that seek to construct houses in a shorter period of time with lower cost. Under the initiative launched by the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), the government will hold 'grand expo-cum-conference' in March where stakeholders will showcase their best technologies to build houses. Builders can opt for identified technologies for timely delivery of their projects. The PMAY-U, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015, aims to construct more than one crore houses and ensure "Housing for All by 2022" by providing financial assistance to the beneficiaries. The ministry has so far sanctioned around 68.5 lakh for construction under the PMAY (U). Around 1.5 million houses have been handed over to beneficiaries. Speaking at an event which also saw launch of GHTC websites and mobile app, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs minister emphasised that there is a need to look for new emerging, disaster-resilient, environment friendly, cost-effective and speedy construction technologies. He called for a paradigm shift in technology transition using large-scale construction under the PMAY-U as an opportunity to get the best available construction technologies across the globe. The technologies identified at the March conference will be implemented on a pilot basis to see the results. Puri envisioned to source technologies from all over the world and identify those that would be suitable for adoption in India. At the event, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that the time frame for construction of houses in the country must be reduced to four to five months. Ministry Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra and other senior officers were present at the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) International participants from Germany, Italy, China, Japan, UK and the USA are likely to participate in the 67th Indian Foundry Congress from January 18 to 20, which will also include speakers from Larsen & Tourbo and Indian Railways. Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu is scheduled to inaugurate the three-day foundry industry event, Indian Foundry Congress (IFC) said. "The 67th Indian Foundry Congress (IFC) and International Foundry Exhibition IFEX 2019, is being organised on the theme 'Mission World Market' from January 18 to 20, 2019 at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida," IFC organising committee chairman Vikas Garg said. IFC said the event will be attended by about 1,200 delegates and 300 exhibition companies from 15 countries and is likely to draw 2,000 trade visitors. In addition to technical presentations by Indian and international authors, the IFC will feature an energy and environment forum, student forum, cast source buyer-seller meet, B-to-B meet and CEO's meet, it said. The IFEX 2019, will showcase modern foundry technology, equipment, supplies and services. The event envisages to provide a platform for Indian and overseas Companies to interact and benefit, while being introduced to newer avenues with local fervour and global stature, it added. Headquartered in Kolkata, with four regional offices in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai and 27 chapters across India, IFC is a member of the World Foundry Organization (WFO), UK and of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have repurposed the gene-editing tool CRISPR to study which genes are targeted by particular antibiotics, providing clues on how to improve the existing drugs or develop new ones. Resistance to current antibiotics by disease-causing pathogens is a growing problem, one estimated to endanger millions of lives and cost over USD two billion each year in the US, according to the study published in the journal Nature Microbiology. "What we need to do is to figure out new weaknesses in these bacteria," said Jason Peters, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US. The technique, known as Mobile-CRISPRi, allows scientists to screen for antibiotic function in a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. Using a form of bacterial sex, the researchers transferred Mobile-CRISPRi from common laboratory strains into diverse bacteria, even including a little-studied microbe making its home on cheese rinds. This ease of transfer makes the technique a boon for scientists studying any number of bacteria that cause disease or promote health. Peters worked with colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in the US and other institutions to design and test Mobile-CRISPRi. The system reduces the production of protein from targeted genes, allowing researchers to identify how antibiotics inhibit the growth of pathogens. That knowledge can help direct research to overcome resistance to existing drugs, researchers said. They took advantage of the increasingly popular molecular tool CRISPR, but in a unique way. Normally, the CRISPR system gets targeted to a gene where it cuts the DNA in two. The gene can be edited while the cell repairs the damage. However, the researchers worked with a defanged form of CRISPR known as CRISPRi which has been engineered to be unable to cut DNA. Instead, it just sits on the DNA, blocking other proteins from gaining access to and turning on a particular gene. The result is lower expression of the gene and a reduced amount of the protein it codes for. The researchers showed that if they decreased the amount of protein targeted by an antibiotic, bacteria became much more sensitive to lower levels of the drug -- evidence of an association between gene and drug. Thousands of genes at a time can be screened as potential antibiotic targets this way, helping scientists learn how antibiotics work and how to improve them. To make CRISPRi mobile, the researchers developed methods to transfer the system from common lab models like E coli to disease-causing species, which are often harder to study. The team turned to one of the natural ways bacteria link up and exchange DNA, a kind of bacterial sex called conjugation. "You basically mix the bacteria together and it happens," Peters said of conjugation. Using conjugation, the team transferred Mobile-CRISPRi to the pathogens Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Listeria, among others. "What that means is that you can now do studies on how antibiotics work directly in these pathogens. That could give us a better clue about how these drugs work in the different organisms and potentially what we can do to make them better," said Peters. The real test of Mobile-CRISPRi's mobility came from cheese. As cheese ages, it curates its own landscape of microbes. Scientists are just starting to investigate the immense diversity of bacteria and fungi on cheeses, which contribute to their complex flavours. Manipulating genes is simple in established laboratory bacteria such as E coli, but there is often no way to study genes in bacteria recently isolated from the environment, such as V casei. However, Mobile-CRISPRi was easily transferred into the strain, opening up new avenues for understanding how the bacteria colonises and helps age cheese. As a proof-of-concept, V casei suggests that Mobile-CRISPRi should be useful for any number of previously understudied bacteria, both those that harm us and those we rely on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two women hovercraft pilots are part of security cover that the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has extended over the Gangasagar Mela site, where lakhs of devotees take a holy dip during Makar Sankranti, its DIG I J Singh said Monday. Deputy commandants Sneha Kathayat and Shruti Mohan Jainpur, posted at Haldia port station, are from the first and second batches of women combat officers in the Coast Guard, Singh told newspersons here. They are from an elite group of seven women hovercraft pilots who are working shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts in the ICG, the DIG, chief staff officer (operations) of Coast Guard of North East region, said here. Talking about her experience at the Coast Guard, Jainpur, whose father is a retired scientist of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, said, "It is amazing, it is something that brings the best out of you." She also explained that she will be looking after ICG security operations for the first time. "The experience is special as it will be my first opportunity to work for security, search and rescue operations of Coast Guard at the Gangasagar Mela, one of the largest annual religious congregations in the country," Jainpur, who has been commanding hovercraft since June 2018, said. Deputy Commandant Sneha Kathayat, the other woman pilot, joined the force in 2011 and has been serving on the seas since 2015. Kathayat, from the path-breaking first batch of ICG's women pilots, said the mela provides an excellent occasion to prove a person's worth and capabilities. "I am the first from my family to have joined the forces and enjoying every bit of the experience," the deputy commandant, daughter of school teachers at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, said. Devotees from across the country visit Sagar Island to take a dip at the confluence of Hooghly river and the Bay of Bengal during the annual Gangasagar Mela on Makar Sankranti. The Coast Guard has placed a sizeable number of its assets at Gangasagar to ensure foolproof security at the religious fest, Singh said. "We have stationed an offshore patrol vessel, two fast patrol vessels, three hovercrafts and two helicopters for security, search and rescue operations," he said. Two Dornier aircrafts are also making regular sorties of the mela site, Singh said. "The force is maintaining electronic surveillance at the mela site. We have a radar station in Haldia which monitors the entire coast of Haldia and Sagar Island," Singh said. He clarified that movements at the mela premises were being monitored live 24 hours a day through a surveillance system, which is also a part of the coastal security network. "While the 107-metre long offshore patrol vessel ICG Sujoy, with a helicopter on board, is keeping a watch on the deep seas for any threat, the fast patrol vessels and hovercrafts are keeping a closer watch at the bathing site to ensure that no untoward incident happens," he said. The Coast Guard has also deployed a life-saving rapid action team, comprising divers with rubber gemini boats at the mela site, to thwart any threat emanating from the sea or to save people from drowning in case of any exigency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) France will start culling thousands of wild boar near the Belgian border to prevent the African swine fever virus from spreading, the agriculture ministry said Monday. It said the operation would be held in the coming weeks and involve large number of hunters and forest officials. The virus was first reported in Belgium on September 13 near the borders with Luxembourg and France. "The spread of the illness into France would be a catastrophe for pig farmers and hunters," Thierry Coste, who works for the national hunting federation (FNC), told AFP. The virus was first spotted in Poland in 2014 when infected wild boar entered from neighbouring Belarus. Last week, Polish authorities denied any plans to wipe out nearly all wild boar as petitions against a mass cull drew hundreds of thousands of signatures. "No order was given to eliminate wild boar," Minister Henryk Kowalczyk told the commercial broadcaster TVN, adding that hunting quotas for boar were set as has been done every year. African swine fever is not harmful to humans but causes haemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boar that almost always ends in death within days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A married couple, both former JNU scholars now doing research work in Nagpur, Monday alleged policemen broke into their rented flat in their absence and stole documents and valuables worth Rs 76 lakh. The alleged incident took place last year after which an FIR was filed and a probe ordered and its report is awaited, said a police officer. Addressing a press meet, the couple, Dr Shivshankar Das and his wife Dr Shipra Ukre, alleged three personnel from the Bajajnagar police station entered their flat in Laxminagar in connivance with their landlord when they were out. The policemen stole documents and valuables, including passports, academic certificates, degrees, marksheets, foreign currency, laptop, cash, jewellery and research data, the couple alleged. Das and Ukre had completed PhD from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and were doing research work in Nagpur from the last four years. The duo alleged the incident took place on September 9, 2018 when the policemen entered their flat while acting on a false complaint filed against them by their landlord Tushar Lamge. The cops cut and broke the lock of the rented flat without their knowledge or any inquiry, said Das and Ukre, who obtained the names of the accused policemen through RTI query. The couple alleged that after breaking the lock, they stole research data, manuscripts and valuables collectively worth Rs 76 lakh from the flat. The rest of the household items were thrown all over the apartment, stairs and terrace, Das said. "The police did not do any panchnama (a record of witness testimony). When we came back home from Delhi and noticed the devastation, we called the police on 100 and later approached Bajajnagar police station to register an offence. "The senior police inspector there said it was a Sunday and the staff was not available to prepare an FIR," he claimed. "We approached Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Kadam and after his intervention our complaint was registered under IPC sections 448, 341 and 34 (related to house-trespass, wrongful restraint and a criminal act is done by several persons)," Das said. When contacted, DCP (Zone-1) Vivek Masal told PTI that landlord Lamge and the couple were locked in a dispute. Lamge wanted the couple to vacate the flat and had given an application to the police in this regard, he said. After the incident, an FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the tenants, Masal said. The ACP Crime Branch had conducted an inquiry into the complaint, he said. The inquiry has been completed and its report is awaited after which action will be taken against the policemen if they are found guilty, Masal said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former senior police official and a noted artist joined National Conference here in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. "Ex- deputy inspector general of police Mushtaq Sadiq and noted artist and cultural activist Waheed Jeelani today joined the NC and were welcomed into the party fold by NC president Farooq Abdullah. The new entrants vowed to make party stronger at grassroots," an NC spokesman said. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah said there is no higher calling than serving people and that the party with active participation of people would ensure speedy development of the state. He said without peace, all other dreams vanish and are reduced to ashes. "Our prime motto is to embalm the bruised people of ours. The road ahead of us is not trouble-free, however with sincerity of heart and commitment towards people, we can make a difference," he said. The NC president said there is no substitute to democracy and that in a democracy each life matters. "People are yearning for development and peace. I am sure that with (NC vice-president and former chief minister) Omar Abdullah in vanguard of the government, the state will be bequeathed with much needed peace and stability, he said. To protect and safe guard the interests of the state and its people forms the core of our party organization, Abdullah added. He said the need of the hour is to have a government that responds to the necessities of people and give stimulus to every vital sector of state. "A strong mandated government led by Omar will work towards providing safe spaces to youth to pursue their career besides ushering the state with inclusive development," he said. The NC president also met scores of delegations from Bijbehara, Gandarbal, Bandipura, Pulwama, Tangmarg, Chanpura, Sonwar at party headquarters Nawa- e-Subha and impressed on them to strengthen the efforts of Omar Abdullah and extricate the state from communalist forces, human rights violations and development deficit. The visiting delegations apprised the party president about the development deficit and paucity of basic amenities in their areas, the spokesman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh police are probing the Balaghat accident involving the escort vehicle of Deputy Speaker Hina Kawre from various angles, after the Congress leader claimed that she had received letters threatening to kill her if she fails to pay Rs 20 lakh. Kawre, who escaped unhurt in the accident, however, dubbed it as a "mishap" even as she acknowledged the threat to her life. Three policemen and another person were killed when a truck hit their vehicle while they were escorting Kawre. A constable in the escort vehicle received serious injuries in the mishap. "I am not taking the letters sent to me lightly given that ultras had killed my father in 1999," the deputy speaker told PTI over phone. Her father Likhiram Kawre, a minister in the then Congress government, was beheaded allegedly by ultras in the naxal-hit Balaghat district. A senior police officer said the letters being mentioned by Kawre were written in the name of one Pahad Singh, and are dated December 31 and January 10. Balaghat superintendent of police A Jaydevan also said it appears that the letters were not penned by naxals, but by an "anti-social element", and were posted from the district. The letters threatened to "blow up" Kawre if she fails to pay the money, he said. Balaghat, the home district of Kawre, borders naxal-hit districts of Rajnandgaon and Gondia in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, respectively. "Subsequently, Kawre had lodged a complaint with the police on January 3 and January 12," Jaydevan said. Balaghat Inspector General of Police (IGP) KP Venkateshwar Rao said the police are probing the accident from all angles. The escort vehicle had met with the accident near Saleteka village at 12.30 am when Kawre was returning from her constituency Lanjhi in Balgahat in a car while the security personnel were in another four-wheeler behind her vehicle. She escaped unhurt as her driver turned the car towards a field when he saw the trawler-truck speeding straight towards their vehicle from the opposite direction, the SP said. However, the truck hit the police escort vehicle which was tailing the deputy speaker's car and then overturned, he said. The deceased were identified as sub-inspector Harshwardhan Solanki (30), head constable Hamid Sheikh (50), constable Rahul Kolare (26) and driver Sachin (22), he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US counterpart Donald Trump mooted Monday the creation of a "security zone" in north Syria as tensions rose over the fate of Kurdish fighters in that country. In a telephone conversation, the leaders "discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. This came after Turkey vowed it "will not be intimidated" by Trump's threats of economic devastation if Ankara attacked Kurdish forces as US troops withdraw from Syria. Trump on Sunday warned the US would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds". Ankara has repeatedly threatened to carry out a cross-border operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been working closely with the United States in the war on Islamic State (IS) jihadists. US support for the YPG has been a major source of friction between the NATO allies. The While House said in a statement that Trump had warned Erdogan against harming Kurdish military units. "The President expressed the desire to work together to address Turkey's security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. The strained relationship between Ankara and Washington initially seemed to improve after Trump announced last month that 2,000 US troops would withdraw from Syria. Ankara welcomed the decision and Erdogan told Trump that Turkey could finish off the last remnants of IS. Trump has been pushing for the creation of a 30-kilometre "safe zone" in Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday talks were under way on Washington's proposal to establish the zone in flashpoint border areas of northeast Syria. "We want to make sure that the folks who fought with us to down the (Islamic State group) have security... and also that terrorists acting out of Syria aren't able to attack Turkey," Pompeo said on a visit to Riyadh. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier that Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria. And in their conversation Monday,Erdogan assured Trump that Turkey was ready to provide "any kind of support" to the United States in its withdrawal from Syria. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States, and the European Union. Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Ankara would "continue to fight against them all", referring to IS and the YPG. There has been growing tension between Turkey and the US over the fate of the YPG, especially after Pompeo this month said Washington would ensure Turkey does not "slaughter" Kurds. And before a visit to Ankara last week, White House National Security adviser John Bolton said the US retreat was conditional on the safety of Kurdish fighters, provoking angry retorts from Turkish officials. Turkey previously launched military offensives in northern Syria in 2016 and 2018 respectively against IS and the YPG. In early 2018, Syrian rebels backed by Turkish military forces captured the YPG's northwestern enclave of Afrin. Ankara, which supports Syrian opposition fighters, is also involved in the last rebel bastion of Idlib, where Turkey has agreed a buffer zone deal with Damascus ally Russia. But the deal has not stopped an assault by jihadists in Syria. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance led by jihadists from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, last week extended its administrative control over the whole of the Idlib region. Syria's National Coalition, the leading opposition body, on Sunday called for a "radical solution" to put "an end to its (HTS) presence" in Idlib. Cavusoglu however said the Idlib deal was being "successfully applied" and that statements that HTS took 50 percent of Idlib are "not true". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Police Monday cracked the case relating to the murder of his mother-in-law and his mother in 2015 and 2017 for gain here with the arrest of a 60-year-old man, hailing from Chennai, for allegedly attacking and robbing a doctor of her jewels in her clinic near here. On Sunday, Arumugham entered the Siddha practitioner Tamilselvi's clinic near here and sought treatment for his ailment, senior superintendent of police Apoorva Gupta told newsmen here. During diagnosis, Arumugham allegedly attacked the doctor suddenly and also strangled her neck using a wire, the police official said. The doctor fainted and the accused allegedly decamped with seven sovereigns of jewels she was wearing, the official said. When she regained consciousness she found the jewels missing and the shutters of the clinic down, he said. Arumugham was said to be a regular visitor to the clinic, he said. When Tamilselvi cried for help, people in the neighbourhood rushed to the rescue and shifted her to JIPMER hospital, he said. Based on her description of the accused, a trap was laid and Arumugham was arrested near here, the police official said. During interrogation, the accused confessed to have murdered the two women; and his associate Sathish (34) who helped him in dispensing with the stolen jewels was subsequently held near here, he said. Arumugham and Sathish were produced before a local court and remanded to 15 days judicial custody. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eastern Mediterranean countries including Egypt and Israel agreed on Monday to boost energy ties through the creation of a body to strengthen the gas market. The decision came during a meeting bringing together seven energy ministers including those from Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Italy and the Palestinian territories. The "East Mediterranean Gas Forum" is to be based in Cairo, Egypt's energy ministry said, as it seeks to become a regional energy hub. The forum will help in "the creation of a regional gas market that benefits the members through security of supply and demand," said a post-meeting statement from the ministry. It also aims to "ensure competitive pricing, and promote improved commercial relationships". A further meeting in April is due to determine the body's structure, with plans in the pipeline for other countries or international organisations to join as "observers". On Sunday, Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz arrived in Cairo to attend the meeting in a rare visit to Egypt by an Israeli official. Encouraged by the discovery of massive natural gas fields in the Mediterranean, Cairo has recently signed gas deals with neighbouring Israel as well as Cyprus and Greece. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director of Emraan Hashmi's debut production "Why Cheat India", Soumik Sen was accused of sexual misconduct by several women, but the actor says due process must be followed to investigate the validity of the allegations before taking any step. Among many people from the fraternity in the wake of India's #MeToo storm, Sen was named by three women of sexually inappropriate behaviour. When filmmakers Sajid Khan and Vikas Bahl were outed in the aftermath, they were asked to step down from the films they were associated with. But Emraan says he cannot take a "high-handed" approach to oust someone from a film without being assured of the credibility of the accusations. "There should be a due process. I can't have this high-handed authority on a set and say 'You're out of my film and three women have accused you of this'. I don't know the validity of the accusations. "I've not spoken to the women personally. They have not gone to the judicial system and had the due process. The producers spoke to him (Sen) and he excused himself from the promotions," Emraan told PTI in an interview. Regarding claims against Sen, the actor said when the broke, the film's team investigated the matter to check if any inappropriate behaviour took place on the sets but nothing of the kind was reported. "The next question to be asked was the authenticity of the allegations. When you have names thrown on social media, it could be malicious. Not that I am defending Soumik, but there's no due process here, no proof. "Sometimes there could be malicious intent. We kept it to the point that he has excused himself from the film promotions. It's a step where we probably have done our bit," he added. The actor believes the question is what happens after someone takes a name on social media with regards to sexual misconduct. "What do we do? Just chuck the person out of a company or have an investigation, a due process in this? Unfortunately, the women didn't go to the judicial system or the police." When pointed out that it could be because the legal process is both, exhausting and intimidating, Emraan agreed, adding "Sometimes women don't have proof but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. The entire thing is so grey, what are the steps to be taken?" "We have not denied those allegations... If Soumik has done something, he should be taken to task. I can't play judge and decide on a verdict. The courts have to draw out a process, which has not been done so far. Twitter cannot be a courtroom," he said. Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani was named in the #MeToo by an anonymous woman, who worked as "an assistant" on "Sanju". The complainant accused the director of sexually abusing on more than one account between March and September 2018. When asked if someone as powerful as Hirani is being named in the #MeToo, will it change industry dynamics, the actor said he cannot "speak about this case". Emraan, however, adds that the #MeToo movement has his full support. "It's great that women are coming out and putting their stories forward but we have to have some process in place. Now that the allegations are out and men are forewarned that 'don't do this', we need to, like how I did with my company, set the laws the government has placed about sexual harassment. "It's not a gender thing. It's a power thing. A woman in a position of power can harass a male colleague. The power dynamics are very lopsided and can swing both ways," he said. "Why Cheat India" is scheduled to release this Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prince Harry's wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex told well-wishers on Monday she was six months pregnant and was expecting her baby at the end of April or beginning of May. Clutching her growing baby bump on a visit in northwestern England, the glamorous former US television actress also said she does not know if she is expecting a boy or a girl. "She said she is six months pregnant and due at the end of April, beginning of May," Kim Thompson, who was among the people the royal couple met with, told British media. Harry and Meghan also spoke to a group of children from St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Birkenhead and were asked about the sex of their unborn child. Kitty Dudley, 9, said: "I asked her if she was having a girl or a boy and she said she didn't know". Harry and Meghan married in a fairytale wedding that broke with royal traditions at Windsor Castle in May last year and announced in October that they were expecting a baby. Kensington Palace, their official residence in London, said at the time that the duchess was due in spring 2019. Royal officials never reveal the precise due date. Meghan last week was seen as becoming a fully-fledged member of the royal family by taking up her first patronages. The charities she will lend her name to are involved in education, theatre, women's empowerment and animal welfare. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-power committee of the Delhi University met Monday to discuss issues related to contractual and ad-hoc teachers. According to an official present at the meeting, the academic council is likely to meet on January 16. The committee recommended that maternity leave should be extended to ad-hoc teachers and past services as ad-hoc should be considered for promotion of teachers. The deans of various departments were called as special invitees to the meeting and it was promised that the academic council meeting will be held this week. The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has called for a flash protest on January 16, the day of the council's meeting, to protest against the administration's move to being in an additional clause on contractual appointments which does not exist, they said. The DUTA will also hold a strike on January 17 and 18 which will begin with a march from Ramlila Maidan to Parliament Street on January 17 to demand the absorption of ad-hoc teachers. The Delhi University's academic council meeting was adjourned on January 2 after its members entered the well of the house over the report of the UGC regulations 2018 not being included in the agenda. The high-power committee was constituted to review the UGC regulations 2018 regarding service condition of teachers but the committee report was not placed in the agenda of the meeting which had led to the agitation by the members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Upping the ante on the 2017 Kodanad estate heist video clip, DMK Monday urged Governor Banwarilal Purohit to direct Chief Minister K Palaniswami to resign from his post to ensure a free and fair probe into the matter. The main opposition party demanded probe by a Special Investigation Team, comprising officers of the rank of Inspector General of Police and further investigation into the "mysterious death" of alleged key conspirator Kanagaraj. The related case is before the District and Sessions Judge, Nilgiris. The DMK urged Purohit to "immediately, direct Chief Minister K Palaniswami, to demit the office to pave the way for a fair and impartial investigation into the matter." On January 11, a former magazine editor Samuel Mathew had released a 16-minute video clip in Delhi, alleging that Palaniswami had links to a break-in at Kodanad estate in 2017. Palaniswami, refuting the allegations, had said on Saturday that those who were unable to take on AIADMK politically were resorting to such cheap acts and asserted that a probe would expose their identity. In a memorandum to Purohit, party chief M K Stalin urged him to place the facts related to the Kodanad matter before President Ram Nath Kovind for necessary Constitutional measures. "The Governor listened with rapt attention, went through our memorandum in detail and assured us that he would do whatever action was possible from his end," Stalin told reporters after calling on Purohit at the Raj Bhavan here. In case the Governor does not act on the memorandum, the DMK would approach the President and was ready to pursue legal measures, Stalin said. The Kodanad estate in the hilly Nilgiris District was used by the late J Jayalalithaa for both official and residential purposes during her tenure as Chief Minister. On Palaniswami's remark that the episode was a politically motivated attempt by "somebody" who was acting from behind the scenes and that their identity would be exposed after the police probe, Stalin said "there is no need for anyone to act from behind." The DMK chief said he was openly talking about the issue and also does not feel that somebody was pulling the strings from behind. "The nation knows well that Kodanad bungalow had functioned as the camp office of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa where even government related files had been there," he said. On April 23, 2017 late night, a group of men, including prime accused Kanagaraj -who later died in a road mishap- barged into the Kodanad Estate after assaulting two guards. One of them, identified as Om Bahadur, died. They had smashed the bungalow's window panes and searched three rooms and finding no expensive articles and money, decamped with ornamental things and watches. Two suspects in the case, K V Sayan and Valayar Manoj had levelled the charge (which was dismissed as false and defamatory by the AIADMK as well), linking Palaniswami to the break in the clip that was released in Delhi. Kanakaraj, days after the break in had died in a road mishap on April 28, 2017 and Chief Minister Palaniswami had told the Assembly in 2017 July that there was no suspicion about that accident based on the police "probe done so far." There was no doubt as well in regard to another road accident at Kerala the next day (April 29, 2017) involving another suspect Sayan, he had said. In that mishap, while Sayan survived, his wife and child died. According to the DMK petition and Samuel, a man who had worked at the estate had allegedly committed suicide in July, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, known for his judicial activism, said on Monday that the judiciary did not interfere with the functioning of any institutions in the country and delivered within its remits. The 64-year-old top judge, who will retire on January 17, was addressing a ceremony here, where he said that during his tenure he gave directions within the legal framework. "There is a lot to be done for the justice system... Public don't want corruption and bribery culture, they want supremacy of the law," he was quoted as saying by Geo Last week, the top judge said he laid foundation of judicial activism for the betterment of humanity in Pakistan. Nisar said people were not being served the justice, which they used to be served previously. "Since the time I started holding open courts, I saw many oppressed individuals. These individuals included the ones who did not even have money to purchase medicines," he said. "I laid the foundation of judicial activism with sincerity," Nisar, who headed the apex court bench which ruled on many landmark cases including one which disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2017 in a corruption case. Sharif had attacked the judiciary, especially the apex court chief justice, saying, "What is happening in the country is not less than a 'judicial martial law'." The chief justice said, "I committed several mistakes, intentionally or unintentionally. But there was no malafide intention in them." He said he had been striving for the rule of law. Justice Nisar said he had 56-year-long affiliation with the Lahore High Court. "My father practiced law here and I would keep on playing in these corridors," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Rajkumar Hirani was accused of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him on his 2018 film "Sanju", his frequent collaborators Dia Mirza and Sharman Joshi Monday described was one of the most decent persons to work with in the Hindi film industry. In an article on HuffPost India, the woman, who calls herself "an assistant", alleged that Hirani sexually abused her more than once between March and September 2018. She detailed her allegations in an email dated November 3, 2018, to Hirani's frequent collaborator and "Sanju" co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Dia, who has worked with Hirani on films "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" and "Sanju", said she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations as the director was someone she respects a lot. The actor said she hopes a due official enquiry is conducted in the matter. "I am deeply distressed by this As someone who has known and respects Raju Sir for 15 years I can only hope that a due official enquiry is conducted. He is one of the most decent human beings I have ever worked with and I think it would be grossly unjust on my part to speak on this as I do not know the details. "As for the #MeToo movement it rightfully encourages women to speak up and seek due process," Dia told PTI. Sharman, whose portrayal of Raju Rastogi in Hirani's blockbuster "3 idiots" became immensely popular, hoped the phase the director is going through currently will pass. "Raju Sir, is a man of immense integrity, character, honour, compassion and truthfulness, all the virtues one would imagine are non existent in people today, someone I am absolutely inspired by and have learnt from and because of whom I believe I have gone onto being a better person. "All I want to say is that this too shall pass and I can imagine how demeaning it might be to even stand up for yourself in a situation such as this," the actor told PTI. After the HuffPost India article went viral on the Internet, the filmmaker released a statement in which he said he was "shocked" when the claims were brought to his notice two months ago. He said he suggested the case be referred to a "committee or a legal body" but the complainant chose to go the media instead. "I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. "The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation," Hirani said in a statement. The development comes close on the heels of Hirani's name been dropped from the new poster and trailer of "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga", directed by Shelly Chopra. A still from the film's teaser, which released on 27 June, 2018, carried Hirani's name as co-producer. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has not yet commented. Hirani's is the latest name to be called out in India's #MeToo storm, which has engulfed many a stalwart such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan and former Union minister M J Akbar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet on Monday against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and others in a sedition case lodged in 2016. The police also charged former JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university campus on February 9, 2016 to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. The others chargesheeted in the case are Kashmiri students Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-president of the JNUSU), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri have been named in column 12 of the chargesheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand put up the chargesheet for consideration before a competent court on Tuesday. The accused have been charged with offences under sections 124A (sedition), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (punishment for forgery), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly), 149 (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The chargesheet also contains CCTV footage, mobile footage and documentary evidence. The police has alleged that Kumar had incited the mob to shout anti-India slogans. A case was registered on February 11, 2016 under sections 124A and 120B of the IPC against unidentified persons at the Vasant Kunj (North) police station, following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The said event had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the ABVP, which had termed it as "anti-national". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly three years after former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and 9 others were accused of raising anti-India slogans, the Delhi police Monday charged them with sedition. Kumar described the charge sheet as "politically motivated" and questioned its timing, just months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The 1,200-page charge sheet in which former Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were also arrayed as accused was filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand who put it up for consideration before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate(CMM) on Tuesday. Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya were arrested and later got bail. It will be left to the CMM whether or not to take cognisance of the charge sheet in what is known as the JNU sedition case. The maximum punishment for sedition is life term. The police claimed it has video clips to prove the offence which has been corroborated by the statements of the witnesses and that Kumar was leading a procession and allegedly supported seditious slogans raised on the JNU campus in February 2016. Kumar, who faced allegations that he had incited the mob to shout anti-India slogans, said the charge sheet was a "diversionary ploy by the Modi government to hide its all-round failures". "The charge sheet is politically motivated. However, we want the charges to be framed and a speedy trial in the case so that the truth comes out. We also want to see the videos that have been placed on record as evidence by the police," he told PTI. The accused were named in the charge sheet for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university's campus on February 9, 2016, to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. The other seven accused chargesheeted in the case are Kashmiri students Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat, some of them were then studying in JNU, Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-JNUSU president), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri, all former students of JNU, have been named in column 12 of the charge sheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. The accused have been charged with offences under sections 124A (sedition), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly), 149 (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The 10 accused have been charge sheeted on the basis of electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile footage, and documentary evidence, which include statements of students and security guards. In the charge sheet, police claimed that all the footage were genuine and the presence of students belonging to Kashmir was also established through mobile clips and videos. It claimed that the Kashmiri students had masks on during the procession, but did not cover their faces while returning. This showed their involvement, police said. The final report by the police claimed that no permission was granted to organise the event and every member was a part of an unlawful assembly. When informed about the lack of permission to hold the event, the accused persons started arguing and fighting, it said. A case was registered on February 11, 2016 under sections 124A and 120B of the IPC against unidentified persons at the Vasant Kunj (North) police station, following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS. The event in 2016 had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the ABVP, which had termed it as "anti-national". "I have not received any summons or information from the court. But if it is true, then we are thankful to the police and Modi that finally after 3 years, when it is time is for him and his government to go, the charge sheet has been filed. But what is pertinent is the timing of the charge-sheet--just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "It is evident that there is a political motive behind this. The motive is that the Modi government has been a failure in all aspects, it has not been able to fulfil even a single promise, so it is playing all its cards to divert the attention," Kumar later told reporters. Pointing out that the charge sheet has been filed after 3 years of the incident, he said the Modi government, just as all its other promises, was "not serious" and using the issue now as a political tool. Khalid, who addressed a student gathering at St. Joseph's College in Bangalore on the "role of youth in safeguarding the Constitution", said, "We reject the allegations. The move to file the charge sheet three years after the alleged incident is an attempt to divert the attention (of the people) right before (parliamentary) elections. We will fight it out in court." "We congratulate the Delhi Police, the Home Ministry and the government for waking up from their deep slumber 3 years after 9 Feb 2016, and barely 3 months before the general elections 2019 and filing a charge sheet against us," Khalid and Bhattacharya said in a joint statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Monday directed the traffic police to inform it about the steps it proposes to take to remove pressure horns and modified silencers, which make thumping and backfiring sounds, from two wheelers, especially motorcycles. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao also asked the Delhi Traffic Police to intimate it whether these pressure horns and modified silencers were permitted in two wheelers. "Delhi Traffic Police is directed to intimate the court whether these pressure horns and modified silencers are permitted in two wheelers, especially in motorcycles. It should also inform what steps it proposes to take to remove these pressure horns and modified silencers," the bench said. It said if the details are not furnished before the next date of hearing, the court will pass appropriate directions. The court listed the matter for January 24. It was also informed that the traffic police is likely to file a status report on the petition, in pursuance to its last order, during the day. The court was hearing a petition by an NGO, Justice for Rights Foundation, and a law student Prateek Sharma seeking a ban on manufacture, sale and use of various kinds of pressure horns, speakers and modified silencers, including those in Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles, in the national capital. The thumping and backfiring sounds from Royal Enfield Bullet's modified silencers and loud music from vehicular speakers pose a health risk to the people, especially minors, senior citizens and those with medical conditions, apart from contributing to noise pollution, it said. It claimed that loud sound producing equipments also cause health problems including stress, headache, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, blood pressure variations, cardiac disease and digestive disorders. The plea, filed through advocate Harpreet Singh Hora, has contended that the vehicular noise pollution menace was rampant in areas like the North Campus here, specifically Malka Ganj, Hudson Lane, Vijay Nagar, Gupta Colony, Chhatra Marg and other areas in and around the Delhi University (DU). It sought urgent orders from the court to direct removal of such loud sound producing equipments from vehicles plying in these areas, as during the DU students' union elections, there is widespread use of cars and bikes fitted with such devices. The petitioners have alleged that intervention of the courts was necessary "due to the apathy and inaction of the authorities" who are not making efforts to remove such hazardous sound producing equipment from vehicles. "The said equipment are manufactured, sold and purchased unregulated and unchecked in the market and serve no purpose but to create nuisance and annoyance," the plea stated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi government has directed all schools in the national capital to maintain a minimum of 220 working days in an academic year for upper primary classes. The directions were issued to heads of all state-run and private schools here by the government. "All the head of schools are directed to adhere to the provision laid down in the Right to Act (RTE) in respect of mandatory 220 working days in an academic year for upper primary classes," the Directorate of said in a communication to school principals. "It is the responsibility of the respective school managements to ensure that the schools under their control must observe the minimum working days and holidays in the academic calendar are approved beforehand," it added. The school heads have also been asked to furnish an undertaking to the department that the directive will be complied with. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alfonso Cuaron's semi-biographical drama "Roma" emerged the biggest winner at the Critics Choice Awards 2019, with four trophies including the top honour for best picture. The result tally of the CCA, which is the second ceremony of the award season, is almost a mirror image of last week's 76th Golden Globes. The Mexican filmmaker, who is a frontrunner in the Oscars race, also won in the Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Foreign Language Film categories for the black-and-white film. "Roma" had scored two Globes for best picture and best director. Political satire "Vice" and Marvel masterpiece "Black Panther" came close with three victories each. Christian Bale registered twin wins in best actor and best actor in a comedy segments. The Adam McKay-directed film also took home the award for best hair and makeup. "Black Panther" bagged awards in the Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design categories. It was a tie between Hollywood veteran Glenn Close for "The Wife" and feature film debutante Lady Gaga for "A Star Is Born" for the coveted best actress crown. British royal period drama "The Favourite" won Olivia Colman the trophy for best actress in a comedy. The film, also starring Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, won the Best Acting Ensemble award. By winning in the Best Supporting categories, Mahershala Ali ("Green Book") and Regina King ("If Beale Street Could Talk") again seem to have cemented their places in the run-up to the Academy Awards. Space drama by Damien Chazelle, "First Man" won best editing and best score. "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born" again emerged chartbuster as best song. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" was adjudged best animated feature. In best original screenplay category, Paul Schrader won the critics over with "First Reformed", whereas Barry Jenkins took home the best adapted screenplay for "If Beale Street Could Talk". Critically-acclaimed "A Quiet Place" won best sci-fi horror movie; Tom Cruise's sixth "Mission: Impossible" film - "Fallout" was named best action feature and "Crazy Rich Asians", moneyspinner with an all-Asian cast, was named best comedy. The surprise big winner at the Globes, "Bohemian Rhapsody" -- headlined by an immersive performance by Rami Malek as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury -- was snubbed. The film had received mixed reviews from the critics despite becoming the highest grossing musical biopic of all time. "BlacKkKlansman", "Mary Poppins Returns" and "Avengers: Infinity War" were also overlooked. The graph in the television categories was similar, barring few instances. "The Americans" got a parting gift as it scored three wins, including best drama series. Matthew Rhys and Noah Emmerich won best actor in a drama series and best supporting actor in a drama series, respectively. "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel" dominated the comedy segment as it won three big honours for its star Rachel Brosnahan (best actress in a comedy series), including best comedy series. Alex Borstein won best supporting actress in a comedy series for "Mrs Maisel". Bill Hader won best actor in a comedy series for "Barry" and his co-star Henry Winkler bagged best supporting actor in a comedy series. While Sandra Oh continued her winning streak as she earned best actress in a drama series for "Killing Eve", best supporting actress in a drama series went to Thandie Newton ("Westworld"). With two wins each, "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" and "Sharp Objects" came in second on TV. It was adjudged best limited series and Darren Criss scored his best actor in a limited series or movie made for television trophy. The best actress in a limited series or movie made for television was again a tie with Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette getting recognised for their performances in "Sharp Objects" and "Escape at Dannemora", respectively. Ben Whishaw ("A Very English Scandal") and Patricia Clarkson ("Sharp Objects") won in the supporting categories for performance in a limited series or movie made for television. "BoJack Horseman" was named best animated series. In TV, "The Bodyguard" and "The Kominsky Method" were snubbed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Maharashtra has decided to propose names of three poll ticket aspirants each from four of the six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai to the central leadership, while it has finalised the candidate for one seat, sources said on Monday. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of state party leaders here. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan was among the leaders who attended the meeting. According to the sources, former Union Minister Milind Deora would be the party candidate from the Mumbai South constituency for the upcoming elections. Deora has represented the constituency in the past. The Mumbai North-East seat is likely to go to the NCP as part of a seat-sharing arrangement between the two alliance partners. Mumbai North, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai North-West and Mumbai South-Central are the remaining four parliamentary seats in the metropolis. "It has been decided that names of three ticket aspirants from each of these four seats would be sent to the central leadership to take the final call," the sources said. The sources said the Congress and the NCP may take another week to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement between them. The two parties had drawn a blank in Mumbai in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP and the Shiv Sena had won three Lok Sabha seats each then. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress and the BSP are yet to confirm their participation in the mega opposition rally proposed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) here on January 19 ahead of the general elections. Leaders of various other opposition parties have already confirmed their participation, TMC sources said. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had earlier in the day said that she had a telephonic conversation with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and that he had assured his presence at the rally. "Such a major meeting of opposition parties has not happened in recent times," she told reporters at the state secretariat. A vociferous critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she has been touring the country for the last one year, attempting to build a strong opposition front to challenge the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls. On Saturday, Banerjee had welcomed the SP-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the Parliamentary polls. The TMC has invited several opposition parties including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (Secular), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) among others for the mega rally to be convened by Banerjee at the Brigade Parade grounds here. According to Congress sources, the party has not yet decided whether it wants to be part of the rally and if its top leaders-- chief Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi-- would be present on the occasion. The West Bengal Congress, however, wants Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to stay away from the rally and instead send a party leader, as Banerjee, who was invited to the swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh last month, had skipped the event and sent party MP Dinesh Trivedi instead. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Monday alleged a "scam" by the Modi government in the allocation of microwave spectrum in 2015 and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter. The party also alleged that it had caused losses of crores to the exchequer. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera cited a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that said the government allotted the spectrum in 2015 on "first-cum-first-service" basis in contradiction of rules. This caused losses to the state treasury, he claimed. On Thursday, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said every spectrum was allocated through auction during his tenure as telecom minister and will look into the anomalies pointed out by the CAG in spectrum allocation of 2015. The CAG report, tabled in Parliament on January 8, said a set of Microwave access (MWA) spectrum was allocated to a telecom operator in 2015 on the first-cum-first-service (FCFS) basis in contravention to the recommendations of a committee, while 101 applications for microwave (MW) spectrum were pending with the government. The national auditor neither mentioned the name of the company to which the microwave spectrum was allocated and nor the loss estimates. Khera, alleging it to be a "big scam", claimed that the decision taken by the government was also in violation of the Supreme Court judgment that spectrum would be made available only through a market driven process. He claimed that the total loss caused by the government to the state exchequer was "Rs 69,381 crore, including non-recovery of charges of Rs 45,000 crore from private telecom companies for spectrum used for defence". "Recently, PM (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) Modi shouted from rooftops that there is not a single allegation of corruption against his government," Khera said. This is a "ludicrous and laughable" claim by Prime Minister Modi, "he is once again today exposed by a CAG report on telecom spectrum scam", the Congress leader said. The report "reveals how the Modi government allotted precious microwave spectrum to its private businesses on first come, first serve basis', rather than an auction,thereby flagrantly violating the 2012 Supreme Court judgment in the 2G case", he told reporters. "We demand a free and fair time-bound inquiry into these charges. We feel that there should be a Supreme Court-monitored probe for the truth to come out as the government does not have confidence in on our national institutions," the spokesperson said. Khera alleged that "Modi-nomics had become the synonym of crony-nomics' where the interests of Suit-Boot' is writ large. The Modi government has indulged in 3 major spectrum scams in the last 4.8 years." He said the 125-page CAG report, "conclusively proves" that the Modi dispensation allotted a set of spectrum in 2015 on the first-cum-first-service basis, in contradiction to the recommendations of a 2012 committee even as 101 applications for microwave spectrum were pending with the government. This caused a massive loss of Rs 560 crore to the public exchequer, he alleged. Khera also accused the government of "brazenly violating" and claimed the 2012 Supreme Court judgement stated that "while transferring or alienating the natural resources, the state is duty-bound to adopt the method of auction by giving wide publicity so that all eligible persons can participate in the process" "The Modi government acted as a willful collaborator with its select cronies and artfully violated this judgment. The BJP, which had supported the cancellation of spectrum allotment and had staunchly batted for an allocation', has now shown its true colours. "Today, the BJP government stands guilty of violating the same principle and causing huge losses to people," he said. The Congress leader also alleged that the CAG's observations on huge revenue loss due to the government's "flawed spectrum management are a testimony to their crony policies". "For the last five years they squandered the nation's wealth to favour a select few. Though the people of India have already made up their mind to show the exit door to the Modi government, an independent investigation into the findings of the latest CAG report is the need of the hour," he said. Citing some of the observations of the CAG report, he said, "Further by allowing initial incumbent telecom spectrum providers (TSPs) to hold administratively allotted excess MWA carriers and allotment of MWA to one applicant in December 2015, the principle of providing level playing field to all TSPs was not being followed." "Considering above facts and DoT's (Department of Telecommunications) committee recommendations, the allotment of MWA spectrum should have been made only through auctions, Khera said. He alleged that the CAG had also found that the telecom department had used an old method to collect some of the spectrum charges instead of the new method, which is based on revenue-sharing. Besides, the Congress leader alleged that no waiver of spectrum charges was given to defence forces by the government. The CAG, he said, found that 'Notification of Defence Band and Defence Interest Zone' was approved by the Cabinet on January 21, 2015, and a separate proposal for waiver of spectrum charges payable by the defence department was to be submitted for approval of the Cabinet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Monday assured the policemen of the state that their long-standing demand for one month's additional salary in a year would be looked into soon. The Jharkhand Police Association have been demanding for last several years one month's additional remuneration against duty performed on holidays including gazette ones. "We will look into the demand of 13 months salary of the policemen soon," Das said while inaugurating a police central canteen at the Police Control Room premises in Sakchi. The Jamshedpur Police Association welcomed the announcement but said such assurances had been given earlier also. Association General Secretary Akshay Ram said they would be happy if the government passes the matter in its next cabinet meeting. The chief minister has been making such verbal announcement for past several months but nothing concrete was done as yet, he said adding that Bihar government had already implemented it in 2015. "In fact, we held a meeting on Sunday in Ranchi on this issue and decided to launch an agitation to mount pressure on the government as resentment has been prevailing among the policemen against the government's failure to keep its commitment," Ram said. Ram said around 63,000 policemen from constable to Inspector rank officials would be benefited if our demand of 13-month salary was met. Jamshedpur Police Association president and secretary Budhram Oraon and Santosh Kumar Mahato respectively welcomed the chief ministers announcement over their long-standing demand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Black flags were waved at Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Majuli on Monday as protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill continued unabated in the state. The CM arrived at the river island by a helicopter in the morning to participate in an official function. As soon as he landed, the agitators shouted slogans against him and the Union government, demanding the withdrawal of the controversial bill, which seeks to grant nationality to non-muslims who fled religious persecution from three neighbouring countries and entered India before December 31, 2014. The legislation which was passed by Lok Sabha last week is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha in the budget session. Several protesters were taken into custody, while others were dispersed by the police. On Sunday too, Sonowal was shown black flags by protesters of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) outside Kaziranga University, where he had gone to attend the convocation ceremony. The AJYCP members also tonsured their heads at Jamugurihat in Sonitpur district to register their protest. Meanwhile, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which pulled out of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state, announced that it will launch a fresh agitation against the bill by taking out a protest rally on January 18 and observing a sit-in with 14 MLAs on January 24. In Sibsagar district, journalists held a dharna against the bill at Nazira town which was joined by leader of the opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia and several other prominent members of the society. Students also organized a separate rally against the legislation in Sibsagar. In Baksa district's Barama town, non-Bodo organisations blocked National Highway 31, seeking immediate revocation of the bill and 'Scheduled Tribe' status. Meanwhile, the Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha, the largest Vaishnava organisation of the state, are divided over the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its annual session in Morigaon from February 6 to 9. The chairman of the organisation has opined that the PM should not be invited under such circumstances, while its general secretary sought otherwise. Modi, who attended the Sangha's session at Dergaon last year, has been invited this year too, but the Prime Minister's Office is yet to confirm his participation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following is the chronology of events of the sedition case in which the Delhi police Monday filed a charge sheet against former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others: -Feb 9, 2016: Protest march held in JNU campus to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. -Feb 10: JNU administration orders a "disciplinary" inquiry into the event. -Feb 11: Delhi Police registers case against unknown persons following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and RSS's student front ABVP. -Feb 12: Kanhaiya Kumar arrested, sparking massive outrage among students. -Feb 12: Kanhaiya remanded in three days police custody by Delhi court in sedition case. -Feb 15 : Violence in Patiala House courts with lawyers attacking journalists, JNU students and teachers dubbing them anti-nationals ahead of hearing in Kanhaiya's sedition case. -Feb 15: Two FIRs registered in connection with Patiala court attack. -Feb 17: Another scuffle in Patiala House Court as men dressed in lawyers' robes allegedly beat up scribes and students ahead of hearing in Kanhaiya's case. -Feb 18: Kanhaiya files bail application in Supreme Court. -Feb 19: SC transfers bail plea to Delhi HC, asks police to ensure proper security. -Feb 19: Kanhaiya moves HC for bail. -Feb 23: Police opposes bail plea of Kanhaiya in HC. -Feb 23: JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya move HC seeking police protection prior to surrender. -Feb 24: Umar and Anirban arrested. -Feb 25: Delhi court sends jailed Kanhaiya to one day police custody. -Feb 26: Court sends Kanhaiya to Tihar Jail. -Mar 2: HC grants six months interim bail to Kanhaiya. -Mar 3: Delhi court orders Kanhaiya's release from Tihar Jail. -Aug 26: Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban granted regular bail by Delhi court. -Jan 14, 2019: Police files chargesheet against Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban and others under offences of sedition, rioting, criminal conspiracy. --Delhi court will consider chargesheet on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a Canadian national Robert Lloyd Schellenberg to death for his alleged involvement in smuggling drugs amid increasing tensions between Canada and China over the recent arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Schellenberg, a Canadian drug smuggler, was sentenced to death at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in northeast China's Liaoning Province, state-run Xinhua agency reported on Monday night. All his personal assets will also be confiscated, according to the court. Earlier in the day Schellenberg told the court that he had been framed when prosecutors pushed for a harsher sentence in a case which could further exacerbate tensions between the US, Canada and China. In his defence at his retrial, Schellenberg, a 36-year-old former oil industry employee, said he was a tourist framed by criminals, rejecting allegations he had smuggled more than 200 kgs of methamphetamine in China, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. But prosecutors said they had evidence that "highly suggests Schellenberg was involved in organised international drug crime," it reported quoting Chinese state-run broadcaster CGTN. While Schellenberg was initially detained in Liaoning province in 2015, his case assumed significance in the backdrop of increased tensions between Canada and China over Huawei CFO Meng's arrest. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, is currently on bail in Canada after her arrest over alleged violation of US sanctions on Iran. If found guilty she could be jailed for up to 30 years. Following her arrest, China also detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig. Schellenberg was first tried for drug smuggling in the Dalian court in March 2016 but it was not until more than two years later that the court handed down a verdict, convicting and jailing him for 15 years in November 2018, the Post report said. He was also fined 150,000 yuan. He appealed against the sentence to the Liaoning High People's Court, where prosecutors argued the sentence was too lenient. The court heard the appeal on December 29 and ordered a retrial in the lower court. Schellenberg told the court on Monday that he came to China after travelling through Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He said a friend recommended a man named Xu Qing as a translator. "This is a case about Xu Qing. He is an international drug smuggler and a liar," The Post quoted Schellenberg telling the court. But Xu was presented as a witness by prosecutors. Two Chinese men were also involved in the case one was sentenced to life in jail, while the other was given a suspended death sentence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Those who wish to buy fireworks in China's capital Beijing during the upcoming Spring Festival will have to present their identity document so that they can be punished in case of any accident, according to a media report. Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival is an annual event held in China and in Chinese communities around the world. This massive event takes place on different dates each year, but it typically begins during the beginning of February and continues until the middle of the same month. Tang Mingming, an official from the Beijing Emergency Management Bureau, said that the city will cut the retail outlets of fireworks from around 80 to 30 and sales will only take place from January 30 to February 9. Each outlet will be equipped with special devices to identify buyers with their ID cards, and if safety problems occur, the buyers will be punished, Tang said, China Daily reported. Beijing has already banned fireworks within the fifth Ring Road in recent years, and some districts also banned fireworks in certain regions. Tang said that the Tongzhou district, Beijing's sub-center, will completely ban fireworks this year, the report said. Many Chinese cities have banned fireworks during Spring Festival, considering the potential for air pollution and injuries. Beijing's neighbouring city Tianjin has banned fireworks across the whole city during the upcoming Spring Festival. Last week, Xiongan New Area's Rongcheng county in North China's Hebei province also issued an entire ban on fireworks during the upcoming Spring Festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Monday ridiculed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim that a former Canadian embassy official detained in Beijing still held diplomatic immunity. Chinese authorities arrested former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor last month, accusing them both of endangering national security. The move was widely seen as retaliation for Canada's arrest of a top Chinese executive from telecom giant Huawei. Trudeau on Friday accused China of "arbitrarily and unfairly" detaining the two men and of ignoring Kovrig's "diplomatic immunity" -- earning a scornful rebuke from Beijing. "The accusations that the Chinese side arbitrarily detains Canadian citizens are unfounded," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing. "The relevant people on the Canadian side should seriously learn and study the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations... Don't make specious statements that make a fool of oneself," Hua added. Persons carrying a diplomatic passport are protected by limited immunity when they are abroad under the terms of the Vienna Convention. Kovrig was arrested on December 10, after taking leave from his diplomatic posting to work for the International Crisis Group think tank. Trudeau's statement suggested Kovrig carried a diplomatic passport while on his sabbatical - which is possible if authorised by Canada's foreign ministry - but Hua said he was in China on an ordinary travel document with a business visa. "No matter which angle you look at it from, Michael Kovrig does not have diplomatic immunity," she said. "Kovrig is not currently a diplomat." Ottawa has called for the Canadians' immediate release, with the backing of the US, EU and several western nations. Trudeau has also called for China to respect the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Canada should "first take real action to prove that its own judicial system is independent," Hua said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has built an "Underground Steel Great Wall" below the mountains to hide its nuclear weapons from the potential attacks, said a top Chinese defence scientist who recently received the country's highest defence award from President Xi Jinping. Qian Qihu, 82, said China's "underground steel Great Wall" could "guarantee the security of the country's strategic arsenal" against potential attacks, including those from future hypersonic weapons, state-run Global Times reported on Sunday. Qian, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told the daily that the "Underground Steel Great Wall" is a series of defence facilities located deep under mountains. While the mountain rock is thick enough to resist enemy attacks, entrances and exits of these facilities are often vulnerable and Qian's work was to provide extra protection for these parts, the daily said. China's nuclear strategy follows the principle of "no first use" and requires the country to have the capability of withstanding a nuclear attack before it responds with its strategic weapons, the daily said. Qian, who received the 2018 State Preeminent Science and Technology Award during a conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, said the "Underground Steel Great Wall," is the "country's last national defence line." If other lines of defence including the strategic missile interception system, anti-missile system and air defence system fail to function against hypersonic missiles and recently developed bunker-busters, his work can still thwart such attacks, he said. "The development of the shield must closely follow the development of spears. Our defence engineering has evolved in a timely manner as attack weapons pose new challenges," Qian said. He said the hypersonic weapons that move 10 times as fast as the speed of sound are capable of changing trajectory mid-flight and penetrate any anti-missile installations. "National defence challenges do not only emerge from the development of advanced attack weapons but are also a result of an unpredictable international environment," Qian said. He cited the recent US stance whereby the Donald Trump administration is mulling lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons deployment. Asked how he would spend the eight-million-yuan cash award, Qian said that part would go to research on national defence, and the rest used for social welfare projects such as fighting poverty and supporting poor students. "I have never had a thought of earning any prize money for my research, nor would I think it came too late. I am only grateful that national recognition offers a great opportunity to raise the public's national defence awareness, " he said. Qian's work guaranteed the safety of the country's strategic weapons, launch and storage facilities as well as commanders' safety during extreme times, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator told the daily. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The world's chemical weapons agency on Monday agreed to add Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, used in last year's Salisbury attack against a former Russian agent, to its list of banned substances, diplomats said Monday. A joint proposal by Canada, the Netherlands and the United States was adopted by the 41-member executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, they said. London blamed Moscow for the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the city of Salisbury, and said Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, was used. The OPCW executive council agreed to add two families of highly toxic chemicals, including the agent used in Salisbury, to the Chemical Weapons Convention, tweeted Sabine Nolke, Canada's envoy to the OPCW. "Russia dissociated itself from consensus but did not break. Thanks to all states who supported!" she said. Member states now have 90 days to object before Novichok is formally added to the list, she said. The Dutch foreign ministry also confirmed the decision. British ambassador Peter Wilson said it was a "good start to the OPCW year." Russia has strongly denied any involvement in the Salisbury attack and insists it has destroyed all of its chemical weapons. The OPCW has confirmed that Novichok was used in the April attack and that it also poisoned a British couple exposed several months later to a perfume bottle in which the substance was allegedly stored. British prosecutors have announced charges against two Russian officers of the GRU military intelligence service over the Salisbury attack. The Netherlands in April last year expelled four alleged GRU agents suspected of trying to hack into the OPCW, using electronic equipment hidden in the boot of a vehicle parked outside a nearby hotel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A military cargo plane crashed near the Iranian capital Tehran with at least 10 people onboard, local media reported on Monday. The Fars agency, considered close to the military, said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived. "The plane was a cargo Boeing 707 that overshot the runway during its landing," Iran's aviation organisation spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh told state broadcaster IRIB. IRIB initially said there were 10 people onboard. Conservative agency Tasnim said it was a military cargo plane carrying meat from the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek. IRIB said the plane hit a building after the pilot chose the wrong runway while trying to land at Fath airport in Alborz province, just east of Tehran. It showed footage of burning wreckage in a wooded area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Canadian man accused of drug smuggling in China faced a new trial Monday after an upper court called for a harsher sentence in a case that could further strain ties between Beijing and Ottawa. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 150,000 yuan (USD22,000) forfeiture, could now potentially face the death penalty under China's zero-tolerance drug laws. His retrial in the northeast city of Dalian comes against the backdrop of the Chinese government's anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive of telecom giant Huawei last month. Chinese authorities have since detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security. Schellenberg, who was reportedly detained in northeast Liaoning province in 2014, is accused of playing an important role in drug smuggling and of potentially being involved in international organised drug trafficking activities. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November. His appeal backfired as a high court in Liaoning ruled in December that the sentence was too lenient given the severity of his crimes. There has been little public information from the courts about Schellenberg's case, rights groups say, making it difficult to keep track of it. "It's clear that Chinese courts are not independent, and by systematic design, courts can be influenced by Communist Party officials," William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International, told AFP. Court retrials are rare, said Donald Clarke, a professor at George Washington University specialising in Chinese law, and even rarer are retrials calling for a harsher sentence. "It is obvious... that Schellenberg's fate will have little to do with his actual guilt or innocence," Clarke added. "If the Chinese government has an innocent explanation for all the unusual features of this case, I hope it will provide it," he added, "otherwise, I don't know how to understand this case other than as a simple threat." The Canadian foreign ministry has said it is following the case "very closely" and has provided Schellenberg consular assistance since his arrest. Beijing has taken the unusual step of inviting selected foreign media to observe the retrial. Beijing and Ottawa have been locked in a diplomatic tussle since the December 1 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the request of the United States, where she is accused of fraud related to Iranian sanctions violations. In what is believed to be a retaliation to Meng's arrest, Chinese authorities detained former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who currently works for a foreign think tank, and businessman Michael Spavor days later. Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure behind Schellenberg's case. "You can ask these (critics) which laws the relevant Chinese judicial organs and departments have violated by (ordering a retrial)," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing on Friday. "If no laws have been broken, I hope that these people can stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so." China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes. In 2014, a Japanese national sentenced in Dalian was put to death for drug offences, according to Tokyo diplomats and media reports. A Filipina drug trafficker was executed in 2013, according to the Philippine foreign department, ignoring Manila's request to spare her life. "Amnesty International is very concerned that Robert Schellenberg may be sentenced to death, particularly as drug-related offences do not meet the threshold of the 'most serious crimes', to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law," Nee said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day before their relief assistance from the central government was supposed to be stopped, the umbrella organisation of the 32,000 odd Bru refugees living in Tripura urged the Centre on Monday to continue with it. The Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard. Inmates of the six relief camps at Kanchanpur sub-division in North Tripura district are scared and they sought to continuation of relief assistance in the forms of free ration and cash dole, the letter signed by MBDPF president A Sawibunga, vice-president R Laldawngliana and general secretary Bruno Msha said. Panic gripped the refugees after Abhedananda Baidya, sub-divisional magistrate of Kanchanpur, declared last week that they will be deprived of ration supplies and cash from January 15, if the Union government does not extend its deadline for doling out benefits to them. "The state has been providing cash and food to the relief camps as per instructions of the MHA, which had last year halted supplies for a brief period after failing to repatriate the Brus," Baidya had said. The Centre had stopped relief to the Brus from October one last year after they refused to return to Mizoram during the repatriation process commencing from August 25 to September 25. The supply was, however, resumed from October 22 with the condition that it would continue only till January 15. Only 150 refugees of 42 families returned Mizoram during the exercise. In the letter, the MBDPF leaders said the repatriation process could not take off as many heads of the families could not obtain necessary documents like Aadhaar and ration cards and yet to open bank accounts to fulfill the provisions of the agreement signed on the issue. The MBDPF signed an agreement with the Centre and Mizoram and Tripura governments on July 3 to accept a repatriation package. The MBDPF also expressed the desire that the newly-elected Mizo National Front (MNF) government in Mizoram should initiate talks on the repatriation issue. The MBDPF appealed to the centre to ensure that polling booths be set up inside the relief camps during the coming Lok Sabha polls. Thousands of Bru refugees from Mizoram fled to Tripura during an ethnic violence in 1997. The clashes broke out after a forest official was killed by Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) militants. The Centre, in association with the governments of Mizoram and Tripura, was repatriating the displaced Brus in phases. Though several Bru families have returned to Mizoram over the years, many refused to leave Tripura citing security reasons and inadequate package. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A British lawmaker has postponed giving birth in order to vote on Britain's divorce deal with the EU on Tuesday. Tulip Siddiq, 36, was due to have a Caesarian section on Tuesday but medics have agreed to delay the operation until Thursday so that she can vote on the withdrawal agreement struck between London and Brussels. She plans to be pushed through the division lobby in parliament in a wheelchair. Colleagues in the main opposition Labour Party asked John Bercow, the speaker of the lower House of Commons, if Siddiq could have a proxy vote. Bercow said he would like the procedure known as "nodding through" -- where an MP who is on the parliamentary estate but physically unable to cast their ballot has their vote counted -- extended to Siddiq's hospital bed. But he said while he was happy for her to be nodded through, it was not in his gift to extend a proxy vote. Siddiq said she asked medics at the Royal Free Hospital in her north London constituency if she could change the procedure date to Thursday, which they agreed to. "If my son enters the world even one day later than the doctors advised, but it's a world with a better chance of a strong relationship between Britain and Europe, then that's worth fighting for," she told the London Evening Standard newspaper. The boy will be a great-grandson of the founding father of Bangladesh. Siddiq is the grand-daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. Her aunt is Sheikh Hasina, who was sworn in as Bangladesh's prime minister for a record fourth term last week after a crushing election victory marred by deadly violence and claims of widespread rigging. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Breaking yet another 'gender' barrier, a woman Monday started scaling Agasthyarkoodam -- the second highest peak of Kerala-- where the fair sex had been barred owing to an age-old tribal custom. K Dhanya Sanal, armed with a recent high court order which lifted the 'unofficial' ban on entry of women to the peak, began the arduous journey along with male trekkers through the traditional forest path from Bonacaud, located about 50 kms from here. A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry here said Dhanya was the only woman in the first batch of 100 trekkers who set out to scale the 1,868-metre lofty peak, known for its panoramic beauty and unique biodiversity. Clad in jeans and shirt and carrying a travel bag, Dhanya seemed content and confident as she manoeuvred her way through the 22 km-long forest path. "The journey is to understand the forest more and share the unique experience with others," she said before starting the journey. Agastyarkoodam, located in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, opened for the annual trekking for the first time after the Kerala High Court ruled last November that no gender-based restrictions would be imposed on trekkers. The local Kani tribes living on the foothills have opposed the scaling of the lofty peak by women. They had staged protests against permitting women to the peak, but did not attempt to stop the trekkers, including Dhanya, in view of the court order. Over 100 indigenous people, including women, gathered at Bonacaud, the pick-up station, and sang folk songs as a mark of protest. "We staged the protest to express our pain and anguish at breaking the customs of the Agastya hills. We never attempted to check the trekkers...because we respect the court order," Mohanan Triveni, state president, Adivasi Mahasabha told PTI. According to Kanis, the mountain range is the holy abode of their deity 'Agastya Muni', the mythical Hindu sage who is believed to be the guardian of the inhabitants. Women are traditionally not permitted to climb the peak, where his idol is located. The Kerala Forest Department, which organises the trekking programme, said a total of 4,700 people had registered this year, of them 100 were women. More women are expected to trek the peak in the coming days. A total of 100 trekkers assembled at the Bonacaud estate from where they were divided into five groups of 20 members each Monday morning, officials said. The department also arranged for canteen facilities at the base stations of Bonacaud and Athiramala and the service of women guard, they said. Though guidelines of the forest department specifically permit physically fit women above the age of 14 years to participate in the annual trek, there was opposition from some quarters to women's entry. In 2015, a women's group noticed that forest officials had promulgated a notification excluding women and children below the age of 14 from participating in the trek that include an overnight stay in a base camp at Athirumala. Pennoruma, an organisation headed by M Sulfath, and Anweshi led by former Naxalite leader K Ajitha joined another organisation, Women Integration and Growth Through Sports. They moved court to fight against the gender bias. The Kerala High Court on November 30 last year observed, "In case, permission is being granted for trekking in the year 2019, it is made clear that restrictions shall not be imposed only on the ground of the gender of the trekker". The trekking by women in the men-only Agasthyarkoodam has garnered media attention as the development comes days after three women of menstruating age trekked Sabarimala and offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple, defying the traditional restrictions imposed on them. Agasthyarkoodam is a reserve forest and a UNESCO heritage site. The 47-day trekking programme to the peak will continue till March 1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of a 40-year-old man from Bihar was found lying in an open area in Bindapur area of Dwarka district on Monday, police said. Prima facie it appears to be a case of accident, they said. The deceased has been identified as Lal Babu, a native of Balwah village in Begusarai district of Bihar, a police official said. Officials of Bindapur police station were informed at 9 am regarding the death of a person after coming under a truck. On reaching the spot, police found body lying in the open area. On enquiry, the caller informed police that he found the body lying on the open land and through a passerby he got to know that the victim met with an accident after allegedly being hit by a truck. There is frequent movement of trucks carrying construction material in the area, the police officer said. Post mortem has been conducted at DDU Hospital and the report is awaited. Action will be taken on the basis of the autopsy report, he said. Lal Babu used to work as casual labour at a poultry farm located near the spot of incident and was presently a vagabond. He is survived by his wife and four children, including two daughters, who are residing in his native village, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gensol Mobility Monday said it has launched India's first electric vehicle (EV) taxi fleet, BLU-SMART, in Delhi-NCR with about 70 cars that will be ramped up to 400 vehicles by the end of March 2019. The company, which is in talks with various car companies such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Nissan for procuring EVs, has also invested over Rs 50 crore to set up charging infrastructure in various parts of the city. "We at BLU-SMART believe that the next revolution is in the EV space... We are not a competition to current app-based cabs services (like Ola and Uber), but a mere greener alternative to them," Gensol Mobility promoter Anmol Singh Jaggi said in a statement. He added that the promoters have pumped in USD 10 million (Rs 70.92 crore) investment to fund BLU-SMART's expansion plans. BLU-SMART currently has 70 Mahindra Verito EVs on its platform with plans to scale up the number to 400 vehicles by March. "We are negotiating with Tata Motors (for Tigor EV) and in the process of getting more orders from Mahindra. We are also exploring with Nissan on the possibility of bringing the Nissan Leaf onto our platform," he said. Talking about the service, Jaggi said customers would not have to pay surge pricing during peak hours. "The pricing will be competitive with other players that charge about Rs 14-16 per km for compact sedans. We are starting with web booking and in another seven days, our app would be in place," he said. The company has invested over Rs 50 crore as capital expenditure and is setting up 65 stations, with each having up to 20 charging points across the NCR. BLU-SMART has already set up 18 such charging stations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP will win both the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls scheduled this year due to its "structure and organisational strength", the party's state chief and Jalna MP Raosaheb Danve said Monday. Danve, who was in Kolhapur after completing a tour of 36 parliamentary seats in the state, also downplayed the continual verbal duels between his party and ally Shiv Sena. Brushing aside the impact of alliances being formed against the BJP, Danve said, "BJP will succeed in upcoming state and Parliament elections because of its structure and organisational strength." On the routine war of words between the Sena and BJP leadership in the state, he said his party still wanted like-minded groups to come together for the forthcoming polls. "The BJP wants like-minded parties to come together. But if that does not happen, then we will fight in all the seats in Maharashtra and win," he claimed. The latest war of words between the bickering saffron allies occurred after BJP chief Amit Shah recently said if an alliance happened, the BJP will ensure victory for its allies, but if it did not, the party will thrash its former allies in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Without naming anyone, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, at a public meet on Sunday in Mumbai, said, "I have heard words like 'patak denge' from someone. One who will trounce the Shiv Sena is yet to be born." On another query about Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena MLA from Jalna, Arjun Khotkar, being a likely candidate against him, Danve said he would be fighting Lok Sabha and not Assembly polls. He, however, added, "If Khotkar tries to oppose me (in LS polls), then I will defeat him." He refused to speculate on the BJP's LS candidates from Kolhapur, Hatkanangale, Satara and Sangli seats and asked media to wait till March when he claimed the LS poll notification is expected to be issued. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists of the MNS Monday disrupted ongoing works for the Coastal Road and Metro 3 projects here to express solidarity with striking workers of BEST, the civic transport undertaking that operates one of the country's largest fleet of buses in Mumbai. Over 32,000 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) are on strike since Tuesday last week for various demands including pay revision, as a result of which 3200-odd buses in its fleet are off the roads in the megapolis. A group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers briefly stopped the Coastal Road project work in Worli this morning, while a similar a protest stalled the Metro-III work in the Aarey Colony near suburban Goregaon for the entire day. Metro 3, also referred to as the ColabaBandra-SEEPZ line, is a part of the metro system that will connect Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai to SEEPZ in the north-central Mumbai. The Coastal Road is an under-construction 29.2-km long freeway that would run along Mumbai's western coastline connecting Marine Lines in the south to Kandivli in the north. Meanwhile, the Raj Thackeray-led party was left red-faced when some of its workers halted the buses run by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) near suburban Chembur in east Mumbai, and forced passengers to get down. Navi Mumbai is the satellite township of Mumbai. NMMT buses connect Mumbai suburbs with neighbouring Navi Mumbai. Expressing regret over the incident, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande attributed the incident to "over-enthusiasm" of some workers, and said the party is against causing any inconvenience to the common man. Meanwhile, the ongoing impasse between BEST unions and authorities continued on the seventh day of the strike, as the talks held between union leader Shashank Rao and authorities of the state government and BEST remained inconclusive. Striking workers have been demanding the merger of the budgets of the BEST and its parent body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as well as higher salaries among other issues. Lakhs of commuters who travel by BEST buses everyday are facing hardships due to the strike. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A battling Andy Murray bowed out of the Australian Open at the first hurdle Monday, but it was business as usual for ruthless Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who joined Caroline Wozniacki in round two. The Scottish five-time Melbourne Park finalist gave it everything he had and showed glimpses of the form that won him three Grand Slams, but his ailing body let him down during a gutsy 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7) defeat to 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut. Murray tearfully revealed before the tournament that he was in constant agony from a hip injury and planned to retire this year. The 31-year-old hopes to end his career at Wimbledon, but has admitted the Australian Open could be his last event, unless he has a late change of heart. "Amazing. That was incredible, thank you so, so much to everyone that came out tonight," he said after being given a rapturous send-off. While his tournament ended in despair, Swiss master Federer, six years older than Murray, continued his march towards a record seventh Australian Open title. He swept past Uzbek Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 said he was in "disbelief" that he was the double defending champion at his age and vowed to give his all to make it three in a row. "I'm going to try everything possible (to win again) and leave it all on the court," said the world number three. His long-time rival Nadal, who cut short his 2018 season to have surgery on a foot injury, showed no mercy to Australian wildcard James Duckworth in his opening round clash. The 17-time Grand Slam winner cruised through 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 and said it was an important victory. "Not easy to come back after a lot of months, especially against a player playing super aggressive on every point," said the 2009 Australian champion, who showed no sign of any injury worries. "The energy I feel in this place is fantastic." The second seed is bidding to become the first man in the Open era, and only the third in history along with Roy Emerson and Rod Laver, to win each Grand Slam on two or more occasions. Fifth seed Kevin Anderson progressed, as did NextGen Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas. But ninth seed John Isner became the first top seed to crash out. World number three Wozniacki, who made her Grand Slam breakthrough in Melbourne last year, opened her defence with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgium's Alison van Uytvanck. It was an emotional win for the Dane who is struggling with rheumatoid arthritis and she was in tears afterwards. "Last year I had some special memories and just to be able to be back out here on Rod Laver Arena is something extremely special and emotional," she said. - Good test - =============Second seed and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber was also impressive, breezing past Slovenia's Polona Hercog 6-2, 6-2. Maria Sharapova, a winner at Melbourne in 2008, signalled her intent with a rare 6-0, 6-0 double bagel demolition of Britain's Harriet Dart. Playing in her 15th Australian Open, the three-time finalist said she was pleased to go through so easily as she battles back from injuries. "I'm still working through some painful days. But, you know, I felt like I did all the right things today in order to get through that match," said the Russian. Fifth seeded Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion who struggled in her warm-up tournaments in Brisbane and Sydney, got back to business with an easy two-set win against fellow American Taylor Townsend. Eleventh seed Aryna Sabalenka, widely tipped as a potential future champion, also safely negotiated round one on a hot day. But Germany's 14th seed Julia Goerges was knocked out, as was former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. Britain's Katie Boulter, meanwhile, created a slice of history by becoming the first woman to win in a third set tiebreak -- a new rule introduced to the Open this year, beating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (10/6). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh's new foreign minister A K Abdul Momen on Monday said he would visit India on his maiden overseas trip after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government won power for the third consecutive term after the December 30 election. "My first visit will be to New Delhi," he said in a media interaction as he assumed office. Momen, however, said no date was fixed for his planned India visit but said he preferred to go there first since "India is our neighbour. We have warm relations. They invited me". Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first leader to congratulate Hasina after her Awami League swept the polls while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also sent a congratulatory message to her new counterpart. Momen said he was yet to decide his priorities but referred to the Rohingya crisis as a "major issue" of concern. Talking to PTI soon after his induction in the Cabinet last week Momen said Dhaka would cultivate more effective ties with India and China and pursue vigorous economic diplomacy. He said the premier directed him to intensify cooperation with neighbours on the basis of "solid partnership" while the foreign office would act as a partner of other concerned ministries to draw more foreign investments in Bangladesh as well. "My main focus (however) will be to pursue vigorous economic diplomacy with all major countries and particularly the neighbours, said Momen, an economist by background. He said his office would effectively do its part to elevate the country's status as a higher middle income nation by 2021 as envisaged by the premier and attract required foreign assistance in implementing the government's ambitious development plans. Momen said his office would try to engage expatriate Bangladeshis in the foreign affairs as part of the "economic diplomacy" since "many of them are in good positions abroad". Momen preferred to call the Rohingya crisis until now an economic issue" but feared it could affect regional stability unless addressed through concerted efforts by all including nations in the neighbourhood. "The issue needs to be solved as soon as possible, otherwise it would affect stability of the entire region," he said. Momen is a new face in the ruling Awami League but he previously served as Bangladesh's permanent envoy at the UN with and envoy to Chile and Peru. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar government on Monday banned sale, transportation and storage of fish for 15 days in Patna Municipal corporation area, after reports confirmed presence of toxic chemical formalin in samples. The decision was taken following the report of Kolkata's Central Food Laboratory, which confirmed the use of formalin and other heavy minerals like lead, cadmium and mercury beyond the permissible limit in all 10 samples of fish collected from Patna, officials said. "Keeping public safety and health in mind, the department has decided to ban sale, transportation, storage of all types of fish for 15 days in Patna Municipal corporation area. "All the 10 samples were found unsafe for human consumption under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006," Bihar Health Department's Principal Secretary-cum-Food Safety Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told reporters here. Food Safety Officials had collected 10 samples from Patna Municipal Corpration area on October 10, 2018 and sent them to the Central Food Laboratory, Kumar said, adding, the specimen included local fish and those imported from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Formalin was found in excess of permissible limit in seven samples, while the heavy metals were detected in all 10 samples, he said. Food Safety Officers have been directed to collect fresh samples from different cities, including Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Gaya and Patna, Kumar said and added that necessary action would be taken based on the reports of CFL, Kolkata. Kumar said that it may take six-eight weeks to receive the reports of the new samples. The health department would also ask Animal Husbandry Department officials to send an expert team to West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. "Our officials (the expert team) will apprise of the CFL report to their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal and would request them to get the matter probed," he said. Kumar said those found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 may attract either imprisonment of up to seven years or fine of up to Rs 10 lakh or both. The use of formalin and other heavy metals beyond the normal limit may cause various ailments in humans like pneumonia, bronchitis, Hepatitis and cancer, the officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For three decades and more, Ayodhya has been at the heart of Indian politics but can a 3,300-year-old town be defined only by the Ram temple dispute and seen through just one uni-religious prism? No, says journalist and author Valay Singh emphatically, stressing that looking at the holy town only through the developments that led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 would be a "great disservice" to its "multi-layered and multi-religious" history. Singh, whose book "Ayodhya - City of Faith, City of Discord" was launched recently, said the temple dispute has overshadowed the many layers to the city. "Ayodhya has an extensive history, linking this city also to Buddhism, Islam and Jainism. Its Buddhist history has been documented by Chinese travellers. It is a major Jain pilgrim spot. Amir Khusrau came to Ayodhya and wrote about it. To ignore its rich history and folklore is a great disservice to the city," Singh told PTI. "To look at Ayodhya only through the history of the disputed site would be doing injustice to the town's fascinating and often silent journey through ages. The dispute has overshadowed the many layers to it. It is artificial and manufactured history," he said. The book is not just about the dispute over building the Ram temple at the exact spot where Lord Ram is believed to have been born and where the mosque stood until its demolition on December 6, 1992, but a comprehensive account of Ayodhya's history. The Delhi-based journalist goes back nearly 3,300 years in time when Ayodhya first finds mention. He traces the history of the city, showing its transformation in the last 1,200 years from being an insignificant outpost to a place sought by kings, fakirs, renouncers and reformers. Drawing on archives, current scholarship and numerous interviews with key figures from various castes, communities and religions, Singh offers an exhaustive account of Ayodhya's evolution over the last three millennia, and how it has become a key battleground in the fight between secularism and religious fundamentalism in today's India. "In one sense, the history of Ayodhya is a microcosm of the history of the north Indian heartland. In another sense, it is a history of the evolution of Vaishnavism in the Hindu consciousness. In a third sense, it stands for the formation and propagation of an aggressive Hindu cultural and religious consciousness that can be traced all the way to the advent of the East India Company as a military power in north India in the eighteenth century," he writes. In the second part of the book, Singh provides deep insight into the violent years leading up to the demolition of the mosque and its aftermath through which the right wing gained ground in electoral politics. "Over the last two decades or so, a singular fixation on corruption and mis-governance has cloaked the rise of communalism and majoritarianism. In India today, secularism and socialism have become contemptible ideas that many liberals have stopped defending. "In this sense, Ayodhya has come to stand for ground zero in the battle between secularism and religious fundamentalism in India," he notes. The book, published by the Aleph Boook Company, comes amidst heightened demands by Hindutva organisations, including the RSS, for an ordinance on early construction of the Ram temple. Last week, the Supreme Court deferred to January 29 the hearing of the politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya after Justice U U Lalit, who was part of the five-judge Constitution Bench, recused himself. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that any decision on an ordinance on Ram temple in Ayodhya could be taken only after completion of the judicial process. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Automobile industry body SIAM Monday said vehicle manufacturers are staring at production stoppage if there is no resolution of the issues over restrictions imposed on domestic manufacturers using imported steel. Last month, the government had extended the deadline for automobile makers to use Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified locally produced high grade steel till February. The automobile manufacturers had sought a year's time, expressing their inability to source high grade steel locally soon citing inconsistent quality. "Yes, our production will get hampered if it is not resolved. We are making representation to the government regarding the matter," Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Rajan Wadhera told reporters here. He further said nearly 90 per cent of the steel used in automobile production is manufactured in India and only around 10 per cent of high grade steel, which is used for meeting safety standards among others, is not manufactured here. "These are imported from abroad as there is no economy of scale to manufacture these in India. We are talking to the government to resolve the issue," Wadhera added. Moreover, he said there were issues with the quality and consistency of locally produced such high grade steel. Auto industry sources said there was no incentives for the foreign steel makers to get BIS certification as volumes are low in India. In June last year with an aim to promote locally manufacturing, the steel ministry had mandated BIS certification for the commodity to be sold in India. This included both for domestically produced and imported steel. For the auto industry, December 17, 2018 was set as the deadline to meet the norm but has been extended till February 17 after automakers raised their concerns over the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prajnesh Gunneswaran's maiden Grand Slam appearance ended in disappointment after American Frances Tiafoe defeated the Indian in straight sets in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday. Tiafoe defeated Gunneswaran 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-3 to set up a second round clash with big South African Kevin Anderson. World No.39 American beat the Indian qualifier in a match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes. Guuneswaran fought hard in the first set which went into the tie-breaker after both players held their serve till the 12th game. In the tie-breaker, Tiafoe got a mini-break and then closed the set at 9-7 in the tie-breaker. Once he won the first set, the American completely dominated the 106th ranked Indian in the second and third sets respectively. Prajnesh's first serve let him down in the second set and his success rate was 43 percent compared to 72 per cent of the American. Tiafoe converted two break points in the third and sixth game of the second set to take it 6-3. In the final set, Tiafoe got an important break of serve against the left-handed Gunneswaran in the eighth game and then closed the match in the ninth game to end India's lone challenge in the singles event. In the women's event, Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi failed to cross the early hurdle losing in the second and first round respectively in the qualifiers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Black flags were waved at Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his constituency Majuli on Monday and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi went on a 24-hour hunger strike on the first day of Assamese Magh or Bhogali Bihu festivities as agitation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill continued. Sonowal was shown black flags for the second consecutive day by members of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and several other local organisations in Majuli, when he arrived there by helicopter to participate in an official function. The protestors shouted slogans against the chief minister, the centre and state governments and demanded withdrawal of the controversial Bill. Police took several protestors into custody and dispersed the others. On Sunday too, Sonowal was shown black flags by the AJYCP and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) protestors outside the Kaziranga University where he had gone to participate in its convocation. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha last week, provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document. Meanwhile, KMSS founder Akhil Gogoi, along with leaders of the 70 organisations protesting the Bill, began a hunger strike from 2 pm Monday at Chachal area here. They were joined by AGP leader Keshav Mahanta, who and recently resigned as minister, and former BJP spokesperson Mehdi Alam Bora, who quit the party in protest against the Bill. Gogoi along with Assamese litterateur Hiren Gohain and senior journalist Manjit Mahanta were earlier slapped with sedition charge for remarks against the Bill. The three later got bail from the Guwahati High Court. Gogoi said he is on a hunger strike to make people aware of the "unconstitutional" Bill so that the culture and identity of the Assamese were protected. He thanked the AGP for pulling out of the state government and urged all political parties and different organisations to step up the campaign against the proposed legislation and create a situation where the BJP and the RSS cannot table the Bill in the Rajya Sabha between January 31 and February 11. ''The Congress has a very important and positive role to play in this regard and they must go all out to get the Bill scrapped or else history will not forgive the party,'' Gogoi said. All political parties of the state should reach out to the opposition parties across the country and unite them against the Bill to save the secular principles of the constitution and to save Assam and the northeast from foreigners, he said. He also urged all people to burn the copies of the Bill in the 'Meji" (the hay structure which is set ablaze on the second day of Bihu) and hang the 'Gamosa' symbolising the Assamese identity. The AGP leader said all Assamese, irrespective of which organisation they belong to, must stay united and prove that ''we are Assamese first and if we all stay united, the Bill cannot be passed (in the Rajya Sabha)''. Earlier in the day, the AGP announced to launch an agitation against the Bill by taking out a protest rally on January 18 and all its 14 MLAs will sit on dharna on January 24. Meanwhile, students of Guwahati University and Handique College here have banned entry of all BJP leaders in their campuses. In Sibsagar district, journalists held a dharna against the Bill on Monday at Nazira where Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia and several other prominent citizens also joined the protest. Students also came out to protest against the proposed legislation in Sibsagar town. In Baksa district's Barama town, non-Bodo organisations blocked National Highway 31 demanding immediate withdrawal of the Bill and granting Scheduled Tribe status to the non-Bodos. Following the passage of the Bill in Loka Sabha last week, members of the Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha, the largest Vaishnav organisation of the state, are divided over the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Sangha's annual session in Morigaon from February 6 to 9. Its chairman has publicly said that Modi should not be invited while its general secretary maintained an opposite view. Modi had attended the Sangha's session at Dergaon last year and has been invited this year too, but the Prime Minister's Office is yet to confirm his participation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking a direction to quash the January 10 order of the government appointing IPS officer M Nageswara Rao as an interim director of the CBI. CBI's Additional Director Rao was given the charge of CBI interim chief on January till the appointment of a new director after a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Alok Kumar Verma as the chief of the probe agency on charges of corruption and dereliction of duty. The petition, filed by NGO Common Cause and RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, has sought laying down of specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointment of CBI director. It alleged that Rao's appointment was not made on the basis of recommendations of the high-powered selection committee, comprising the prime minister, the leader of the single largest opposition party and the chief justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him. "In fact, it appears that the committee was completely bypassed and had no role in the appointment of Nageswara Rao, thereby rendering the appointment illegal as it is in violation of the procedure for appointment of Director, CBI laid down in the DSPE (Delhi Special Police Establishment) Act," the plea, filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan, said. It stated that the order of October 23 last year appointing Rao as the interim CBI director was quashed by the top court on January 8 but the government has "acted in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner" to appoint him again in "complete contravention" of the DSPE Act. The plea also sought a direction to the Centre to appoint a regular CBI director forthwith by following the procedure laid down in accordance with the provision of DSPE Act, as amended by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Besides this, the petition has sought a direction to the government to ensure that "all records of deliberations and rational criteria related to short-listing and selection of the director, CBI, be properly recorded and made available to citizens in consonance with the provisions of the RTI Act". It said the government should ensure transparency in short-listing, election and appointment process of CBI director by publicly disclosing, including through the website, the procedure and rational criteria for short-listing candidates, if any short-listing is done. The plea sought a direction to the Centre that the process of selecting CBI director, including composition, mandate and minutes of the meetings of the search committee, should be disclosed publicly along with names of short-listed candidates so that people can inform the panel of any significant adverse information they may have about any such candidate. It said that the minutes of the meetings of the selection committee should be publicly disclosed and recording of facts to indicate how the selected candidates are best suited for the post, disclosure of this information according to the provisions of the RTI Act after the appointment has been made should be there. "In so far as the appointment of the Director, CBI is concerned, the Government of India has failed to adopt proper procedures to ensure transparency in the short-listing, selection and appointment," the plea said. It claimed that lack of transparency in appointment of CBI director prevents any public scrutiny of the process and allows the "government to exercise undue influence" in the appointment process especially at the stage of short-listing of candidates. Detailing the sequence of events relating to the appointment of Rao as the interim CBI director, the plea alleged that the entire process was "mala fide" as the government wanted to "appoint its own choice as CBI Director in the interim". It said that independence and insulation of the CBI from government influence was key to ensuring its proper functioning. "The Government of India has attempted to stifle the independence of the institution of the CBI by appointing the Director of the CBI in an arbitrary and illegal manner," the plea claimed. The apex court had on January 8 allowed Alok Kumar Verma to return as the CBI director, albeit with his wings clipped, by setting aside the Centre and the CVC's orders divesting him of his powers and sending him on leave. However, the top court had said it was "still open" for the high-powered committee, which selects the CBI chief, to consider the matter within a week since the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is probing the charges of corruption against Verma. It had set aside the October 23, 2018, orders of the CVC and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) divesting Verma of his powers and asking Rao to look after the duties and functions of the agency's Director. On January 10, the high-powered committee removed Verma as the CBI Director. The same day, an order was issued by the government giving Rao the charge of interim CBI director. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Any talks of a CPI(M)- adjustment for the parliamentary election have to be "initiated at the state level" as the political situation is different in various states, CPI(M) general secretary has said, virtually ruling out a nationwide tie-up between the two parties. Yechury's remarks came at a time a section of the state CPI(M) leadership was keen on an electoral understanding with the to defeat the and the BJP in "We had said the political situation is different in various states. So any sort of talks with the Congress have to be initiated at the state level," he told reporters on the sidelines of a condolence meeting for former industry minister and politburo member here on Sunday night. He was replying to question on why the CPI(M) was not initiating talks with the Congress at the national level to put up an anti-BJP front. Yechury said the alliance between the and the in was a "positive" development and that a "lot more is yet to happen". The CPI(M) leader said he is looking forward to an anti-BJP secular and democratic front at the Centre in 2019 in a "post-poll scenario". Majority of the state Congress leaders are in favour of an informal seat-sharing arrangements with the CPI(M) in for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, senior state Congress leaders said. Some of the top state Congress leaders have already begun "informal talks" with some CPI(M) leaders over the issue of seat adjustment. However, the state Congress unit maintained that the final call on the decision of state-specific adjustments with the CPI(M) will be taken by party president Amid raging protests in Assam and some other north-eastern states over the Citizenship Bill, the Centre said on Monday Home Minister Rajnath Singh will soon call a meeting of the North-East chief ministers to discuss safeguards required to protect the region's cultural and linguistic identity. Large-scale protests have been witnessed in Assam and some other parts of the North East seeking withdrawal of the controversial bill, which seeks to grant nationality to non-muslims who fled religious persecution from three neighbouring countries and entered India before December 31, 2014. The bill which was passed by Lok Sabha last week is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha in the budget session. Several protesting leaders, including those from Assam's regional parties, have said the state's indigenous people will lose their linguistic and cultural identity if the Citizenship Bill is passed. Protestors have also said that the proposed legislation goes against the 1985 Assam Accord, which says that anyone having entered the state after a cut-off date of March 24, 1971 should be treated as an illegal migrant and should be deported. Singh's proposed meeting with the chief ministers assumes significance as there have been concerns expressed by various stakeholders over non-functioning of a Centre-nominated committee to assess the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and other matters related to the north eastern states. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord states "constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people". "Union Home Minister will soon be calling a meeting of chief ministers of the concerned states. They will further discuss about the safeguards that need to be provided for protecting the interests of these states and protecting their cultural and linguistic identity," the Home Ministry said in its statement. It said a delegation from Assam led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this weekend. The delegation included Himanta Biswa Sarma, senior minister in Assam government, and some other BJP leaders of the state. "They discussed issues related to safeguards for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity and heritage of Assam and implementation of Clause-6 of the Assam Accord and issues related to grant of tribal status to six communities," the Home Ministry said. Several representatives of the Bodo groups including the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Muhilary, Chandan Brahma, Minister from BPF in the state government and Biswajit Daimary, MP also met the Union Home Minister over the weekend and discussed various outstanding demands of Bodo community. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also called on Singh along with Manipur BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP, K Bhabananda Singh on Saturday. "They discussed issues related to protection of the rights and interests of the indigenous people of Manipur. Rajnath Singh assured them that the interests of all north eastern states including Manipur and their culture and heritage will be fully protected," the Home Ministry said. Meanwhile, highly placed officials said the government is assessing the situation arising our of the non-working of the Committee on Assam Accord, as more than half of its members have declined to be part of it. The Home Ministry had on January 6 notified a nine-member high level committee under the chairmanship of former tourism secretary M P Bezbaruah. Four members of the panel -- eminent litterateurs Nagen Saikia and Rong Bong Terang along with educationist Mukunda Rajbongshi and the nominee of the influential All Assam Students Union -- have already decided not to be a part of the committee. Bezbaruah too recently declined to be part of the Committee, formed to assess the quantum of seats to be reserved in the Assam Assembly and in the local bodies of the state for Assamese, besides providing other safeguards. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharti Airtel plans to deploy pre-5G network technology for its customers at the world's largest congregation Kumbh Mela - to be held between January 15 and March 4 in Allahabad. "Airtel is also boosting its mobile network at the venue to serve the connectivity needs of millions of visitors at the Kumbh Mela. It will be deploying state-of-the-art Massive MIMO technology at the venue to massively enhance its network capacity," Airtel said in statement on Monday. Massive MIMO is a pre-5G technology that expands network capacity by five to seven times over the same spectrum and helps a large number of concurrent users to enjoy a seamless high speed data experience, the statement said. A company official said that deployment of the new mobile sites will start this week. Airtel had also deployed this technology at all major IPL venues last year. "In addition, temporary sites and small cell sites will also be deployed at the venue," the statement said. The telecom firm also announced initiatives to offer a digital Kumbh Mela 2019 experience to its customers. Besides new mobile site, Airtel smartphone customers will be able to stream the Kumbh proceedings including important Snans (religious bath) and Aartis on the Airtel TV app. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The ruling AIADMK Monday indicated that it was not averse to forging an electoral alliance with the BJP for the coming Lok Sabha polls, saying that "anything can happen." Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who holds the top party post of 'coordinator' in the AIADMK, told reporters "at the time of election, anything can happen." His response, seen as a clear indication that AIADMK was not averse to striking an electoral deal with the saffron party, came when he was asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remark that BJP cherished its old allies and was open for alliances. Panneerselvam, recalling that political alignments had witnessed sharp turns in the past, said that the BJP had aligned with AIADMK first and later switched to the DMK camp. Again the saffron party had struck a deal with the AIADMK years ago, he said. The AIADMK top leader's remark comes days after his party stoutly opposed key legislations piloted by the BJP led Centre in the Parliament like the triple talaq and 10 per cent reservation for economically backward upper castes. The AIADMK will form an "appropriate alliance, mega alliance and one that is liked by the people will be announced," he told reporters later at Madurai. "Whenever election is announced, be it Parliamentary or local body polls, the AIADMK is fully geared up to fight and win," he said. BJP State unit chief Tamilisai Soundarajan meanwhile told reporters in Chennai that her party is open to strike an alliance with any party, except those in the DMK-Congress combine. She said the BJP would have a tie up with parties that "repose faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and subscribe to development agenda and good governance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The skies in Agra depicted hues of polluted Yamuna as hundreds of activists flew kites inked with the message of "Save Yamuna", a day before Makar Sankranti. The activists of the Taj city reminded the Union and the state governments of the "pathetic condition" of the river. The kite fliers gathered on the river bed opposite the Etmaddaula Tomb to send their message to the government. River activist Anand Rai said, "The Yamuna river was not just the lifeline of the city but also a heritage entity along whose banks were sited architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort." Environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya said the successive governments have failed to save the river. "Till date nothing concrete had been done to save the river," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court said Monday it would examine whether the Delhi High Court was competent to grant bail to a person, against whom the Serious Fraud Investigation Office has initiated prosecution for allegedly siphoning off over Rs 200 crore. The top court asked the managing director of Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society, Rahul Modi, who was arrested by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and granted bail by the high court in the case, to reply as how a habeas corpus (unlawful detention or imprisonment) petition could be filed when he was on remand by an judicial order. The SFIO, which comes under the Corporate Affairs Ministry, mainly probes white collar crimes. A bench of justices A M Sapre and U U Lalit asked Modi to satisfy it whether the Delhi High Court was correct in granting him bail even when a bail application was not filed. "You will also have to satisfy us whether the Delhi High Court was a competent court to entertain the petition filed by the accused in the case, when the prosecution was launched in Gurugram in Haryana," the bench said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the SFIO, said it was a serious financial fraud case and the high court had set aside the order of a Gurugram special court.The order was not under challenge and the high court does not have the territorial jurisdiction to do so, he claimed. He said the observation made by the Delhi High Court while granting the accused interim bail was against several judgments passed by the apex court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Modi, said that arrest was made in Delhi and the SFIO's headquarter is in the national capital. Therefore, the Delhi High Court has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the petition, he claimed. He said there were several judgments of the apex court which say that habeas corpus petitions can be filed even if a person is under remand by an judicial order. The bench asked then does it mean that if the arrest is made by the SFIO anywhere in the country, then the Delhi High Court has a territorial jurisdiction to entertain a petition. Sibal said during the remand period he was kept in Delhi and after bail, Modi has been cooperating in the investigation. Mehta countered the Sibal's arguments, saying the remand order was passed by a special magistrate court in Gurugram and the companies had a registered headquarter in Gurugram.Therefore, the competent court was the Punjab and Haryana High Court, he said. He alleged that the accused was influencing witnesses and the high court order needs to be stayed till the disposal of the plea. The hearing remained inconclusive and would continue on January 23. The SFIO has challenged the December 21, last year order of Delhi High Court by which it had granted interim bail to founder and managing director of Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society, Mukesh Modi and Rahul Modi, who were arrested by the agency. It had observed that the arrest of the duo on December 10 last year was "absolutely illegal and patently suffers from vice of lack of legal sanction and jurisdiction". Mukesh Modi and his family members were allegedly running Ponzi schemes, duping over 20 lakh depositors. The Ahmedabad-based Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society had started its operations in 1999. The deposits collected from members of the Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society were used for the benefit of a few family members belonging to the Mukesh Modi family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven men have been arrested for allegedly robbing a person of Rs 60 lakh at gun point in northeast Delhi's Welcome area, police said Monday. The accused were identified as Deepak Chauhan (36), Sonu Verma (41), Jitender (25), Pradeep Kumar (26), an employee of the victims, Kishor Viswakarma (43), Ashok (45) and Nitu (35), they said. On December 26 one Amit filed a complaint at Welcome police station that in the evening, he and his colleague Pankaj Tyagi were returning to his office at Babarpur by car after collecting payment from Seelampur, police said. Near his office, two persons broke the glass of his car's window and robbed the bag containing money at gun point and fled on a motorcycle with their third accomplice, a senior police officer said. Police collected CCTV footage from Seelampur, Maujpur and Chhajjupur. Acting on a tip-off, a trap was laid on Signature Bridge Road and four accused were apprehended, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) A K Thakur said, adding the other three were arrested later. During interrogation, it was revealed that Pradeep, who used to work at complainant's office, told his accomplices that Amit was carrying money. After robbing Amit, they distributed the money among themselves at Jitender's house in Ghaziabad, Thakur said. A total of Rs 11.20 lakh, three country-made pistols, 10 cartridges and one motorcycle were seized from the accused, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three policemen and another person were killed when a truck hit their vehicle while they were escorting Madhya Pradesh Assembly's Deputy Speaker in Balaghat district in the wee hours of Monday, police said. A constable in the escort vehicle received serious injuries in the mishap, Balaghat's Superintendent of Police A Jaydevan said. The accident took place near Saleteka village at 12.30 am when Deputy Speaker Hina Kanwre was returning from her constituency Lanjhi in Balgahat in a car while the security men were in another four-wheeler behind her vehicle, he said. The Congress MLA escaped unhurt as her driver turned the car towards a field when he saw the trawler-truck speeding straight towards their vehicle from the opposite direction, he said. However, the truck hit the police escort vehicle which was moving behind the car and then overturned, he said. Three policemen and the escort vehicle's driver died on the spot. The seriously injured constable was referred to a hospital in Nagpur district of Maharashtra for treatment, the SP said. The deceased were identified as sub-inspector Harshwardhan Solanki (30), head constable Hamid Sheikh (50), constable Rahul Kolare (26) and driver Sachin (22), he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 90 lawmakers, several prominent civil society members, activists and leaders of farmers' movements have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising concerns over fund crunch in rural employment scheme MGNREGA. The letter, which has 250 signatories, urged the prime minister to work for strengthening of the scheme on a priority basis and "formally include it as part of the set of measures being considered to deal with the current rural and agrarian crisis". On January 1, over 99 per cent fund of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or MGNREGA scheme was reportedly exhausted, three months before the end of the financial year. "Despite repeated public statements by your government promising employment and job creation that will boost the country's growth, we are alarmed to note that the country's only employment guarantee is being systematically undermined," the letter read. "Illegal restrictions on its budget allocation, severe payment delays and low wages are crippling the program and depriving people in distress of one of their most important legally supported structures," it added. A statement issued Monday by the lawmakers and the activists said the fund crunch came amid a situation of distress across rural India with "massive unemployment, declining farm incomes and rising inequality". A functional right to an employment guarantee at such a time would be a critical means of support for protecting lives and livelihoods of the rural population, it added. Instead, the implementation of MGNREGA has been subject to persistent attacks by vested interests and power elites at all levels, it said. The letter was written after a meeting between the lawmakers, activists and civil society members was held to discuss the potential and challenges of MGNREGA in response to rural distress. Among the signatories of the letter were agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan, artist Mallika Sarabhai, Mary E. John of Centre for Women's Development Studies, Avik Saha of Jai Kisan Andolan, Nikhil Dey of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, CPM's Sitaram Yechury, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Congress' Deepender Singh Hooda and Digvijay Singh, Jignesh Mevani, Yogendra Yadav, JNU professor Jayati Ghosh and activist Aruna Roy. The letter reflected a strong consensus across party lines to ensure MGNREGA is protected and strengthened as a political commitment to improve the lives of millions of rural workers across the country, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men were arrested from Lajpat Nagar area for allegedly robbing a 28-year-old food-delivery man, police said Monday. The accused were identified as Yash Kumar (19), a resident of Ashram and Deepak (23), a resident of Lajpat Nagar, they said. The food-delivery man filed a complaint on Friday that at around 10 pm he was robbed of his motor cycle, mobile phone and wallet by two men near Jal Vihar Road, Lajpat Nagar, when he was out delivering food from Jangpura to Vinobha Puri, a senior police officer said. Police patrolling staff arrested both the accused at around 6 am from Rampul Chowk, Lajpat Nagar, police said. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they planned to rob people on isolated roads during the night. They were waiting for a target near Jal Vihar when the victim was seen riding a motorcycle. One of the accused came in front of the bike and forced him to stop, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said. Thereafter, both the accused overpowered the victim and robbed his bike and articles, the DCP said, adding a motorcycle, a mobile phone and the complainant's wallet were seized from them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the CBI on former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's appeal against his conviction in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul also issued notice on Kumar's bail plea. Kumar, 73, surrendered before a trial court here on December 31, 2018 to serve his sentence in accordance with the Delhi High Court's December 17 judgement, which convicted and sent him to prison for the "remainder of his natural life". The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced relates to the killing of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar Part-I area of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and the burning down of a gurudwara. The riots broke out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards. Kumar resigned from the Congress after his conviction in the case. The high court found Kumar guilty of criminal conspiracy and abetment in commission of crimes of murder, promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of communal harmony and defiling and destruction of a gurudwara. It also upheld the conviction and varying sentences awarded by a trial court to five others -- former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and former MLAs Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar. In its judgment, the high court noted that over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in the national capital during the 1984 riots, which it described as a "carnage of unbelievable proportions". It said the riots were a "crime against humanity" perpetrated by those who enjoyed "political patronage" and aided by an "indifferent" law enforcement agency. The high court set aside the trial court's 2010 verdict, which had acquitted Kumar in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Carcasses of 16 puppies were found in plastic bags in front of a hostel for nurses and nursing students at the state-run Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital in the city, leading to protests by animal lovers and locals. According to officials, the carcasses were sighted on Sunday and were sent for post mortem at the district veterinary hospital at Barasat in North 24-Parganas district, with the preliminary report stating that the puppies were beaten to death. An adult dog, which was found in a critical condition nearby was taken away for treatment by an animal lover. Inmates of the hostel saw the plastic bags containing the dead puppies on Sunday and drew the attention of the hospital authorities, who in turn informed the police. The hospital authorities also ordered an internal inquiry on Monday, sources said. An FIR was lodged with the Entally police station in connection with the incident but there has been no arrest as yet, the police said. Animal lovers from different NGOs held a demonstration on Monday against the incident, raising questions of cruelty to animals and demanded punishment of the culprits. They demanded that all CCTV footage in the hospital premises be scanned and the culprits identified. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) authorities described the death of 16 puppies at the same time "most unnatural". KMC Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh said that the civic body would also conduct an inquiry into the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 113 criminals wanted in serious cases including murder, loot and rape, were arrested in 48 hours in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district, the police said on Monday. A special drive 'Operation Vajr' was launched in the district on January 12 and 13 during which the arrests were made, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna said. "Five murder accused, 14 loot accused, 13 booked under the Gangsters Act, two rape accused, eight wanted for attempted murder and 24 sentenced for more than seven years in prison were arrested under the operation," he told reporters. "Another 46 wanted people against whom courts had issued a non-bailable warrant were arrested during the 48-hour period," Krishna said. Those arrested include people who have committed crimes outside Uttar Pradesh as well, the SSP said, adding that similar action would be launched from time to time to curb crime. Gautam Buddh Nagar is divided into 22 police station areas besides one dedicated women police station. Eight police stations fall in Noida city, while the rest in Greater Noida and rural areas. According to the police data, at 17, the maximum arrests were made under Sector 20 police station, followed by Sector 24 (8), Sector 58 and Dankaur (7 each), and Sector 49, Dadri and Jewar (6 each). Five wanted people were arrested by Bisrakh, Rabupura, Surajpur, Phase 2 and Phase 3 police stations, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Last time I had written about a DWEM, short for Dead White European Male. This time I am going to talk about a DWAM, a Dead White American Male, namely, J D Salinger. The guy wrote one major book and 33 short stories of indifferent quality with strange titles -- in his life. That one novel, The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951. After that Salinger went into hiding for the rest of his life. And he became an American icon. For the first 10 years after the publication of Catcher, however, the American literary establishment was highly critical of him for breaking a variety of ... At least two large and significant carriers were either destroyed or at the doorstep of ruin during the reign of UPA I and II: Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) and Air India. In both the cases, the authorities, ministers and government officials are directly responsible for either creating the problems or abetting them. In the case of the national carrier, we can only blame poor management and decision-making, involving none other than the bureaucracy and ministers. In the case of KFA, there was no reason for the airline to continue flying even as long as it did since it was bleeding cash. It was ... The governments proposal to cap the number of landing slots an airline can hold in congested airports principally, Delhi and Mumbai is a good example of applying the wrong solution to a valid problem. The plan is to set an upper limit in percentage terms for landing slots for an individual airline per airport, and, once it reaches the threshold, it will be last in queue for new slots and eligible only if other carriers reject those slots. The plan has been floated at the instance of incumbents and new entrants. These airlines claim that the current allocation policy is ... Its old news that large segments of society have become deeply unhappy with what they see as the establishment, especially the political class. The Yellow Vest protests in France, triggered by President Emmanuel Macrons move to hike fuel taxes in the name of combating climate change, are but the latest example of the scale of this alienation. There are good reasons for todays disgruntlement: Four decades of promises by political leaders of both the center left and center right, espousing the neoliberal faith that globalisation, financialisation, deregulation, privatisation, and a host of related reforms would bring unprecedented prosperity, have gone unfulfilled. While a tiny elite seems to have done very well, large swaths of the population have fallen out of the middle class and plunged into a new world of vulnerability and insecurity. Even leaders in countries with low but increasing inequality have felt their publics wrath. By the numbers, France looks better than most, but it is perceptions, not numbers, that matter; even in France, which avoided some of the extremism of the Reagan-Thatcher era, things are not going well for many. When taxes on the very wealthy are lowered, but raised for ordinary citizens to meet budgetary demands (whether from far-off Brussels or from well-off financiers), it should come as no surprise that some are angry. The Yellow Vests refrain speaks to their concerns: The government talks about the end of the world. We are worried about the end of the month. There is, in short, a gross mistrust in governments and politicians, which means that asking for sacrifices today in exchange for the promise of a better life tomorrow wont pass muster. And this is especially true of trickle down policies: Tax cuts for the rich that eventually are supposed to benefit everyone else. When I was at the World Bank, the first lesson in policy reform was that sequencing and pacing matter. The promise of the Green New Deal that is now being championed by progressives in the United States gets both of these elements right. The Green New Deal is premised on three observations: First, there are unutilised and underutilized resources especially human talent that can be used effectively. Second, if there were more demand for those with low and medium skills, their wages and standards of living would rise. Third, a good environment is an essential part of human wellbeing, today and in the future. If the challenges of climate change are not met today, huge burdens will be imposed on the next generation. It is just wrong for this generation to pass these costs on to the next. It is better to pass on financial debts, which we can somehow manage, than to confront our children with a possibly unmanageable environmental disaster. Almost 90 years ago, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded to the Great Depression with his New Deal, a bold package of reforms that touched almost every aspect of the American economy. But it is more than the symbolism of the New Deal that is being invoked now. It is its animating purpose: putting people back to work, in the way that FDR did for the US, with its crushing unemployment of the time. Back then, that meant investments in rural electrification, roads, and dams. Economists have debated how effective the New Deal was its spending was probably too low and not sustained enough to generate the kind of recovery the economy needed. Nonetheless, it left a sustained legacy by transforming the country at a crucial time. So, too, for a Green New Deal: It can provide public transportation, linking people with jobs, and retrofit the economy to meet the challenge of climate change. At the same time, these investments themselves will create jobs. It has long been recognised that decarbonisation, if done correctly, would be a great job creator, as the economy prepares itself for a world with renewable energy. Of course, some jobs for example, those of the 53,000 coal miners in the US will be lost, and programs are needed to retrain such workers for other jobs. Be to return to the refrain: sequencing and pacing matter. It would have made more sense to begin with creating new jobs before the old jobs were destroyed, to ensure that the profits of the oil and coal companies were taxed, and the hidden subsidies they receive eliminated, before asking drivers who are barely getting by to pony up more. The Green New Deal sends a positive message of what government can do, for this generation of citizens and the next. It can deliver today what those who are suffering today need most good jobs. And it can deliver the protections from climate change that are needed for the future. The Green New Deal will have to be broadened, and this is especially true in those countries like the US, where many ordinary citizens lack access to good education, adequate health care, or decent housing. The grassroots movement behind the Green New Deal offers a ray of hope to the badly battered establishment: They should embrace it, flesh it out, and make it part of the progressive agenda. We need something positive to save us from the ugly wave of populism, nativism, and proto-fascism that is sweeping the world. The writer is the winner of the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. His most recent book is Globalization and its Discontents Revisited: Anti-Globalization in the Era of Trump Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2019; www.project-syndicate.org Facing a cash crunch brought on by the partial US government shutdown, US-based Tethers Unlimited Inc. has laid off nearly 20 per cent of its workforce, the media reported. The space venture had a lineup of contracts from NASA and the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for work on innovative spacecraft thruster systems and space-based fabrication systems. But Tethers Unlimited has not been paid for the work done over the past three months, CEO Rob Hoyt was quoted as saying to GeekWire in an email on Sunday. "Because the government employees who are responsible for approving and processing our invoices to NASA and DARPA have been furloughed, we have not been reimbursed for work we performed on multiple contracts in the September-December of 2018," Hoyt said. "This has had a severe impact on our cash flow, forcing us to lay off 12 good engineers, about 20 per cent of our workforce," he added. The partial shutdown, which started on December 22, has become the longest on record, overtaking the previous record of the 21-day impasse in 1995-96 under then President Bill Clinton. President Donald Trump and the Congress have been at loggerheads over his demand to include in the budget $5.7 billion funding for building a wall along the Mexico border. Democratic leaders have rejected his call. Hoyt expects commercial contracts to keep the company afloat during the shutdown, but the decision to cut back on staff was "really painful and disheartening". "Fortunately our commercial customers are still paying us for the SmallSat products we have been delivering, such as our SWIFT software-defined radios, so we expect to be able to maintain our current staff through this situation." Hoyt hoped that "the President and Congress will stop playing Russian roulette with the American economy". Meanwhile at NASA, the partial shutdown has put on hold various research projects, including the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble suffered a mechanical problem that only furloughed NASA employees can repair, Space.com reported. The Telescope facilities that have so far remained open during the shutdown will soon run out of money and cease operations. This includes the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), a federally funded organization that operates the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), the Green Bank Telescope and the Very Large Array (VLA). NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), also called the "flying telescope," has also ceased operations since the shutdown. The telescope, which is mounted to the fuselage of a Boeing 747 aircraft, has not flown since the shutdown began, the report noted. --IANS rt/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump said that America would "devastate Turkey economically" if the NATO-allied country attacks Kurds in the region. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining IS (Islamic State) territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," the President tweeted on Sunday. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," but followed up in a second tweet, "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." Turkey views some Kurdish groups in the region as terrorist organisations and Kurds make up the majority of US-allied fighters operating in Syria in the civil war against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, CNN reported. It's a stark threat toward an ally in the region that has partnered with the US in the fight against the IS. CNN reported on Thursday that the first US military ground equipment has been withdrawn from Syria, according to an administration official with direct knowledge of the operation. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly lashed out at US National Security Adviser John Bolton for saying the US withdrawal was contingent upon Ankara's pledge not to attack US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria once troops leave. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in Goa have prosecuted around 7.74 lakh traffic violators in 2018, which amounts to more than half of the state's population of 1.5 million, according to statistics released by Director General of Police Muktesh Chander. Addressing a press conference on Monday in Panaji, the senior officer also said that it was "absurd" to attribute a drop in tourism footfalls to Goa due to harassment of tourists by traffic police personnel. "There has been a significant increase of 48 per cent in prosecution of traffic offenders as compared to the corresponding year. Notably, the Goa Police prosecuted 7,74,578 traffic violators and collected fines amounting to Rs 9.19 crore (in 2018)," a statement released by the DGP said. The state's population according to the 2011 official census is 14.59 lakh. Calling accusations from the travel and tourism industry stakeholders that tourism footfalls in Goa have dropped because of harassment of tourists by traffic police as "absurd", Chander said the Motor Vehicles Act makes no distinction between tourists and local residents. "There is nothing which says that foreigners are exempted from the Motor Vehicles Act in India. Is there a law by the Tourism Department anywhere that (says) they are exempted? So there is nothing like that. Everybody has to follow traffic laws," he told the media. "And if a traffic officer is prosecuting a traffic offender, it does not matter whether he is a foreigner or whether he is a tourist or whether he is a local Goan. So there is no question of harassment. "People should obey traffic rules. That is all. Nobody will harass them," Chander said, adding that if there were specific complaints of harassment, then the police would be willing to look into them. The opposition in the past has also accused traffic policemen of harassing tourists, especially those driving self-driven vehicles hired in Goa or travelling in vehicles with outstation number plates. Goa is one of the top beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country and last year attracted more than seven million tourists, out of which half a million were foreigners. --IANS maya/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Thai military junta on Monday signalled that the long postponed general elections will be delayed yet again, the fifth delay in less than five years. The development comes after hundreds of people took to the streets on Sunday, in one of the biggest pro-democracy protests in Thailand in over four years, to criticise the military government for appearing to renege on assurances the election would finally happen on February 24, reports the Guardian. It is the fifth time that the military junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which took over in a bloodless coup in 2014, has delayed elections and prevented the country's return to democracy. The NCPO has repeatedly declared that the country was "not ready" for elections but the most recent delay has been attributed to concerns that it would interfere with the upcoming coronation of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, which will be held on May 4-6. The army's commander in chief, General Apirat Kongsompong, publicly condemned the protesters, saying they were "bent on causing trouble". "They are being told to think this way, ordered to behave this way, thinking in one single mode without taking into consideration other factors which are reasonable and without looking at the constitution," Aparit, who is also secretary general of the NCPO, told a media conference on Monday. The election commission has not yet formally announced the postponement. Thailand's last official election was in 2011 and occurred following months of pro-democracy protests by activists known as the "red shirts", and saw the election of Yingluck Shinawatra, the country's first female Prime Minister, the Guardian reported. Another poll was held again in 2014, but it was later invalidated by the constitutional court, and the military took power in a coup shortly after. According to Thailand's new constitution, an election must take place by May 9. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence manufacturing will get a shot in the arm with a series of projects set to be announced for the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor, the second such hub in the country, on January 20. The projects may include aerospace, hand-held weapons, parts of missiles and manufacture of composites. Kumar said on Monday that the corridor will be developed on the existing defence ecosystem in the state and create synergy with its manufacturing base in terms of automobiles and components, information technology, textiles besides a large pool of engineering talent. He said the Tamil Nadu Defence corridor is expected to attract more initial investment than Rs 3,700 crore announced when the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor was unveiled last year. "Tamil Nadu will be very good for aero components," he said, adding it has a proximity with Bengaluru with a reliable aero-industry base. The function to be held at Tiruchirappalli will be attended by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and will have Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli as major nodes. Two defence corridors were announced in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh in the Union Budget last year. The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor at Aligarh last year saw announcement of investment of over Rs 3,700 crore. The defence innovation hub will be based at Coimbatore, which has a large number of micro, medium and small enterprises. Kumar said efforts are being made to attract these units to the defence sector and boost indigenisation. The innovation hub will have a common facility centre to be created through a special purpose vehicle. The government has already approved Defence Innovation Fund (DIF) to foster innovation and technology development in defence sector by engaging research institutions, academia, industry including MSMEs, start-ups and also individual innovators. An expert familiar with the project said that more than a dozen projects are expected to be announced for the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor along with investment both by the private industry and public sector undertakings. --IANS ps/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a two-day visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands to review the operational preparedness of the outlying units stationed at the Union Territory's capital Port Blair, and inaugurate the second phase of Married Accommodation Project (MAP). Besides, on her second visit to the country's only tri-Services operational command formation Andaman Nicobar Command (ANC) on Sunday evening, the Defence Minister will also be reviewing the Command's infrastructural developments, a Defence Ministry statement said on Monday. "During her visit, the Defence Minister will witness an operational exercise involving all the forces of the ANC, off Campbell Bay in the Great Nicobar Island on Monday," the statement said. Sitharaman will be interacting with troops and also inaugurating the second phase of MAP consisting of 868 dwelling units for troops of ANC at Brichgunj military station. --IANS rak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Richwood, TX (77531) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 73F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre seeking its response on multiple petitions challenging the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order authorising security and intelligence agencies to snoop on all computers. Hearing the petitions filed by advocate M.L. Sharma among others, a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices Ashok Bhushan and Sanjay Kishan Kaul directed issuing notices to the parties including the Modi government and posted the matter for after six weeks. The MHA's December 20 order authorised 10 Central agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as well as the Delhi Police to "intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer". The order also binds subscribers or service providers or any person in charge of the computer resource to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies, a failure to do so is penalised with seven-year imprisonment and fine. Among the grounds of the challenge is the apprehension that "citizens may be penalized for expressing views opposing those of the government's". With opposition parties accusing the Modi government of "snooping" and turning India into a "surveillance state", the MHA subsequently clarified that the new order "does not confer any new powers" to any security or law enforcement agency and was merely repetition of rules framed during the UPA regime in 2009. Besides the MHA order, Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which empowers the Centre to order snooping on computers, has also been challenged. Filed by digital advocacy organisation Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), the petition seeks declaring the provisions of the IT Act unconstitutional and in violation of fundamental rights. --IANS and/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unlike most Chinese smartphone manufacturers who are "one portfolio" players, South Korean giant Samsung does not see India with one lens and one portfolio and believes in serving all consumers across price points, stresses Asim Warsi, Global Vice President, Samsung India. Gearing up to launch two smartphones -- M10 for around Rs 9,500 and M20 for nearly Rs 15,000 -- with industry-first features this month, Warsi said the company is deeply committed to the whole smartphone ecosystem and not just one price segment. "We are here to serve all consumers -- from flagship premium and luxury to mid-range, affordable and popular smartphone segments. Being a full-range player, we have a full deployment and infrastructure in place in the country," Warsi told IANS in an interview. "We have been developing products for India via our robust R&D and product design teams based here. We have made deep investments into the country. We do not see India from one lens or one portfolio, unlike others." The first-ever 'M' series smartphones with features like Infinity V display and massive battery power are being manufactured for the millennials at Samsung's facility in Noida -- the world's largest mobile phone factory. "India is the first market for the global launch of 'M' series. It will go to other markets later. The 'M' portfolio which will be made available through online channel is singlemindedly designed and intended for millennials," informed Warsi. Industry experts believe that Samsung, which is still the most vertical integrated player in the Indian market, has set its eyes firmly on dethroning Xiaomi's highly successful 'Redmi' series in the affordable and mid-price range segment. "Samsung has access to latest display, camera, memory and connectivity technologies from hardware perspective. Further, it can enjoy global scale for the same 'M' models more than Xiaomi," Neil Shah, Partner and Research Director at Counterpoint Research told IANS. According to Warsi, collective knowledge, understanding on tech and R&D and consumer behaviour -- the company has put all these together in conceiving the 'M' series. "Nearly third of India's population are millennials. Studies show that more than half the shoppers online are millennials. The 'M' series through the online channel is designed for them." The young consumers are on top of the chain when it comes to using the hardware and software and over-the-top (OTT) applications on their devices. "They are very evolved, intelligent consumers and research drives them to best value devices and the 'M' series is just that -- in terms of battery, speed, display and visual richness. We have changed the bar with 'M' series in the popular price segments in the country," noted Warsi. Galaxy M20 will house a massive 5,000mAh battery -- the first-ever on any Samsung smartphone -- a big plus for phone users in the country who treat battery life as one of their key requirements. The M10 will house a 3,500mAh battery. "You will see evocative display, massive battery with power management solutions, memory management solutions, fast charging technology -- all in 'M' devices. "In one word, these are powerful devices, made for India keeping the local requirements in mind," Warsi added. According to him, the Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 price segment is very large and high-growing segment. "In fact, all price segments are growing but most important is what millennials are buying into. The 'M' series is going to give them what they are currently doing with their devices, including shopping. "Our pursuit of the consumer is clear: wherever is the demand, we will be there," said Warsi. (Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in) --IANS na/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even by the standards of the malignancies that surround US President Donald Trump personally, the one reported by The New York Times on January 11 was stunning in its implication. The Times reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had opened a counterintelligence investigation to ascertain if the President was a Russian agent in the aftermath of him firing the agency's director, James Comey, on May 9, 2017. Given the frenzy of daily newsbreaks about this president, anyone of which would have long unseated any other incumbent, damning news stories just slide by. However, this particular one has been so extraordinary that it may yet foreshadow what a likely report by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is examining the very aspects of Trump and/or his campaign's alleged dalliances with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, could eventually reveal. Think of it as India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opening an investigation into whether the country's Prime Minister is working on behalf of Pakistan. A lot of people may not even be able to process the devastating import of a US President suspected of being a Russian agent but that is precisely what the FBI wanted to find out. Counterintelligence officials within the FBI are particularly serious-minded and they embark on any investigation with great deliberation. To think that they would be so alarmed as to suspect no less a person than the incumbent US President is unprecedented. Within the investigation was the apprehension that Trump is a possible threat to national security. Trump himself has described the Times report as the "most insulting" thing anyone has said about him but has not explicitly denied it. Any denial, of course, would be superfluous in the sense that even if he were "wittingly, unwittingly or half-wittingly", as the famous journalist Carl Bernstein described it, acting as Russia's "pawn" he was unlikely to admit to it. The point here though is much larger. The very initiation of such an investigation underscores the depths to which America's national concerns have fallen since the emergence of Trump on the political stage. It is conceivable that some of Trump supporters may cite the investigation as the ultimate proof of a "deep state" striking back and trying to upend the popular electoral will in electing Trump. However, the FBI's counterintelligence is not known to embark on any action lightly at all and without very serious intimations of a national security threat. As the Times story pointed out: "No evidence has emerged publicly that Mr. Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian government officials." However, "emerged publicly" is the operative part of that sentence. It could well turn out that the FBI overreached in its concern about the President but that is still not conclusive since Mueller is yet to issue a report of his findings. Counterintelligence investigations are by their very nature often open-ended and not conclusive in the traditional sense of criminal investigations. They can begin and end equally quietly without the public finding out the specifics. It is that aspect of such an investigation that opens the FBI to Trump's oft-repeated charge of a "deep state" working against him. Of course, it is a politically expedient refrain that Trump knows helps him with his political base that has so far bought everything he has sold them. It is hard to say what, if anything, the investigation found that might indict or exonerate the President. It may never be found in explicit terms or, for that matter, any terms. It may or may not buttress the Mueller inquiry. It is that uncertainty that makes it vulnerable to Trump's political grandstanding as he prepares for the 2020 presidential election. By his voluble standards, the President has so far been quiet on social media about the Times report. However, it is unlikely that privately his team of lawyers has not been startled by it. Trump phoned in to Fox News where the host Jeanine Pirro, known to be unabashedly pro-President, asked him directly, albeit in a decidedly mocking tone, "Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia?" "It's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked," Trump said but did not categorically deny it. It almost seemed staged that Pirro would ask and he would respond the way he did. It is a measure of how benumbed the national mood has become because of the relentless parade of seriously upending news stories since he became President that even a question like that is unlikely to do any real political damage to him right now. It is only when Mueller issues his report and its entire content is made public will America and the world know whether the stories are malignant or benign. (Mayank Chhaya is a Chicago-based senior journalist of Indian origin. He can be contacted at mcsix@outlook.com) --IANS mayank/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With northeastern states facing massive protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has decided to meet the chief ministers of these states "very soon" to discuss protection of rights and people's interests. The Minister gave the assurance in separate meetings with different delegations headed by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal last week. "Rajnath Singh assured the delegations that the interests of all northeastern states, including Manipur and Assam, and their culture and heritage will be fully protected. He will call a meeting of all the Chief Ministers," a Home Ministry statement said. People from Manipur, Meghalaya and Assam took to streets after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament in the winter session aimed to remove hurdles for eligible migrants of six minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan from getting Indian citizenship. Biren Singh met Rajnath Singh on Saturday along with Manipur BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Ksh. Bhabananda Singh and submitted a memorandum to him for giving Presidential assent to Manipur People's (Protection) Bill, 2018, passed by the Manipur Assembly on July 23, 2018. Rajnath Singh told him that the ministry will examine the Bill which seeks to protect the interest of indigenous population of the state. The proposed Citizenship Bill has triggered apprehension in the region that it will not be in the interest of the indigenous people of North-East. Various North-East parties have let it be known that once the Bill is implemented, the northeastern states could be flooded with a large number of illegal immigrants and foreigners from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar and so on, as international borders are porous. A delegation from Assam led by the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also met Rajnath Singh this weekend over the issue. Several representatives of the Bodo groups including the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Muhilary also met the Home Minister over the weekend and discussed the various outstanding demands of the Bodo community. Rajnath Singh said while introducing the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on January 8, he had made it clear that the Bill is not meant for the individuals belonging to six minorities who have come from one particular country. "It is also not meant for individuals who are living in one particular state." The Home Minister said it is a fact that Assam has borne the disproportionate burden of migration, but the state should not bear this burden alone. "It is the responsibility of the entire country and the burden should also be shared by the entire country," he added. The Home Minister said the decision to grant tribal status to six communities -- Tai Ahom, Tea, Koch Raj Bongshi, Chutia, Moran and Matak tribes -- should also be seen in the same spirit. He assured the Bodo leaders that this decision will be implemented only after ensuring that the political and employment related privileges and rights of the existing tribes in Assam are fully protected. "Necessary modalities for this will be worked out by state governments in consultation with all stakeholders." --IANS rak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Police on Monday said they were looking into the case of the mysterious killing of a 16-year-old girl in Gaya from all possible angles and hoped the case would be solved soon. The girl, a weaver's daughter, went missing on December 28, and nine days later, her severed head was found far away. The weaver community in Bihar's Gaya town has been demanding a CBI probe into the case. A team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on Monday began collecting evidence to assist a special investigation team probing the case, police said. A day after Assistant Director General of Police (ADG) Alok Raj formed two special teams of FSL and CID to assist the SIT in the murder case of the minor girl at Patwa Toli in Gaya, the FSL team has collected evidence from several places. "We have collected evidence from likely suspected places including house of the victim," a Gaya district police official said. Alok Raj said the police are committed to investigating the case with an open mind. Last week, the SIT was constituted by Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra following protests by the weaver community along with local residents after the police arrested victim's father and his friend last Thursday, for "allegedly killing her over an affair outside the community". The weaver community, however, alleged police framed victim's father without any solid evidence, and also tortured him to confess the crime. Pramila Patwa, a leader of the weaver community, said they want a CBI probe. "We are not ready to believe the police that the girl's family killed her and that it was an honour killing. We insist on a CBI probe." Patwa said the girl's family should be provided a compensation. Gaya Weavers' Association President Gopal Patwa said: "We have requested President to Prime Minister for a CBI probe." --IANS ik/pgh/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has advised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to consult the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court for setting up permanent benches in western and southern parts of the state. "It is imperative that the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted and recommendations of the Orissa High Court obtained before setting up any Bench(es) of the High Court in the state," said Prasad in a letter to the Chief Minister released to the media on Monday. "It goes without saying that once the recommendations of the High Court are obtained, the state government has to provide the requisite infrastructure immediately," Prasad added. He further said the Union Government would take further necessary action in this matter once the state government along with the High Court communicate their views. He said setting up a High Court bench is to be considered in the light of recommendations made by the Jaswant Singh Commission and judicial pronouncement of the Supreme Court. The reply of the Union Law Minister came in response to a letter of Patnaik, who had requested the Centre to take an early decision over the establishment of permanent benches of the High Court in western and southern Odisha. The Chief Minister had said that the people in these areas were demanding permanent benches of the Orissa High Court. --IANS cd/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday cut short his Middle East tour over a family funeral, the media reported. Pompeo arrived in the Saudi capital on Sunday as part of his regional tour that has already covered Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The US State Department announced that Pompeo would return to the country after his visit to Oman, adding that he will visit Kuwait in the near future. Kuwait was the last stop of Pompeo's tour where he was scheduled to attend the US-Kuwaiti Strategic Dialogue. Pompeo's tour was aimed at discussing issues of common interest with Middle Eastern leaders, especially regional stability and fighting terrorism. The top US official met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Monday and reviewed aspects of the strategic partnership between the two countries, the latest regional and international developments and the joint efforts being exerted towards them, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted that both sides agreed on the need for a redoubled effort for peace in Yemen. "On Yemen, (Pompeo and the Crown Prince) agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially ceasefire and redeployment in Hudaydah. A comprehensive political solution is only way to the end the conflict," the Embassy said. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Monday that politicians have political compulsions to speak against security operations against militants. Replying a question on the sidelines of an event here, on some politicians demanding a probe into the killings of militants, Malik said: "When a militant opens fire or hurls an explosive, we will not give him flowers and bouquets. "From our side, we do not have any 'Operation All Out'. Militants should leave this path as they will achieve nothing. There is nothing like 'Operation All Out'". Replying to another question about National Conference President Farooq Abdullah's statement that if voted to power the NC would stop 'Operation All Out' against militants, the Governor said: "He is a senior politician, so commenting on him is not good. Mainstream politicians have political compulsions and in our country one can go to any extent for a vote. "They are all political people and have political compulsions. For a vote, the people go too far in this country. I understand the compulsions of everybody and honour them." On holding Assembly elections, the Governor said his administration was ready for the democratic exercise. "We are ready for elections. When the Election Commission decides, we will hold the elections," --IANS sq/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 15 people were killed in a Boeing 707 plane crash near the Iranian city of Karaj on Monday, the media reported. The cargo plane with 16 on board crashed in a residential area, 45 km west of Tehran, the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) quoted Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Emergency Centre of Iran, as saying. It was supposed to land in Karaj's Payam Airport but the pilot mistakenly took the plane to the Fath airport, which was not suited for large cargo aircraft. After landing at the wrong airport, the plane went out of control and overshot the runway, hitting an empty residential building and catching fire, ISNA reported. A woman was among the dead. Ten bodies were identified while five others needed genetic examinations, said Hamid Davood Abadi, head of the Forensic Medicine Centre of Alborz province. The Iranian Army said only one person -- a flight engineer -- of the 16 people had been found alive and taken to hospital for treatment. The plane was flying from Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek and was carrying a cargo of meat to Iran, the Army said. It was not clear who owned the plane. A spokesman for Iran's civil aviation department said the plane belonged to Kyrgyzstan, while Kyrgyzstan's Manas International Airport said it was operated by Iran's Payam Air. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday rejected the appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the suspension of prison sentences handed to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case. In July 2018, an accountability court had sentenced Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Safdar to 10 years, seven years and one year in prison, respectively in the reference pertaining to the Sharifs' purchase of four upmarket flats in Avenfield House, London. They later bailed out on appeal when the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended their sentence in September, saying that the country's anti-corruption watchdog NAB was unable to prove a financial link between the Sharifs and the apartments in question. The IHC ruling was subsequently challenged by the anti-corruption watchdog in the apex court. A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, on Monday upheld the verdict of the IHC and threw out NAB's request to revoke the Sharifs' bail, observing that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the "grounds for cancellation of bail". It also said that the IHC did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield reference. "Nawaz Sharif is already behind the bars. He did not misuse the bail and regularly appeared in the trial court (for hearings... We have a Constitution to follow and we will make sure justice prevails," said Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country's next Chief Justice later this month. He added that the bench was not interfering in the High Court's order and that the relief was of temporary nature. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Think, that your ancestors were Roman Britons, Vikings or ancient Israelites? A new DNA tool can help you trace your similarity to these ancient people who once roamed the earth, say researchers. Currently the study of ancient DNA requires a lot of information to classify a skeleton to a population or find its biogeographical origins. But, scientists from the UK's University of Sheffield, defined a new concept called Ancient Ancestry Informative Markers (aAIMs) -- a group of mutations that are sufficiently informative to identify and classify ancient populations. They found that the identification of a small group of aAIMs that can be used to classify skeletons to ancient populations. "We developed a new method that finds aAIMs efficiently and have proved that it is accurate," said lead author Eran Elhaik, from Sheffield's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences. The new tool identifies aAIMs by combining traditional methodology with a novel one that takes into account a mixture. People are currently unable to trace their primeval origins because commercial microarrays, such as the ones used for genetic genealogy, do not have relevant markers. But aAIMs is like finding the fingerprints of ancient people, Elhaik noted. "It allows testing of a small number of markers - that can be found in a commonly available array - and you can ask what part of your genome is from Roman Britons or Viking, or Chumash Indians, or ancient Israelites, etc," he explained. "We can ask any question we want about these ancient people as long as someone sequenced these ancient markers." The researchers found that ancient genomes typically consist of hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of markers. "We demonstrated that only 13,000 markers are needed to make accurate population classifications for ancient genomes and while the field of ancient forensics does not exist yet, these aAIMs can help us get much closer to ancient people," Elhaik said. --IANS rt/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Kerala on Tuesday to inaugurate a road project in Kollam, and later to pay a visit to the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, according to a statement. In Kollam, Modi will inaugurate 13-km Kollam bypass on the National Highway 66, which will reduce travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, decongesting traffic in Kollam town. The cost of the two-lane road project, which includes 3 major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake, having a total length of 1,540 metres, is Rs 352 crore. It will be the third official visit of the Prime Minister to Kollam. His first visit to the city was in December 2015, when he unveiled the statue of former Chief Minister of Kerala R. Sankar, and later he paid a visit in April 2016 after a fire tragedy. During his visit to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Modi is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of some visitor facilities. --IANS spk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister K.J. Alphons on Monday expressed unhappiness over his home state Kerala's low ranking in the tourism sector. Speaking to the media here, Alphons, who is the Minister for Tourism, said that Kerala ranked eighth in the country in attracting foreign tourists and 16th in domestic travellers. "Kerala is a beautiful state and I am certainly not happy with the rankings. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has secured the top position," Alphons said, noting that the unprecedented floods in August took a heavy toll on the state's tourism sector. He said Kerala's performance comes at a time when the World Travel Tourism Council, in its latest figures, revealed that India ranked third after China and the US in the tourism industry with the country's revenues from tourism touching $234 billion in the previous calendar year. "Eighty seven per cent of this revenue is generated from domestic travellers, while $24 billion is generated from foreign tourists. Likewise 84 million jobs are there in the tourism industry of which 13.92 million jobs were created in the past four years," said Alphons. Reeling out the figures, the Minister said the tourism sector accounted for 5.7 per cent of the GDP and has 12.36 per cent of all jobs in the country. "For every rupee that's spent in the industry, it creates an overall impact of Rs 3.50." He added that spiritual tourism takes up 60 per cent of all tourism activities in the country and hence it has launched a Rs 85.20 crore package to develop basic infrastructure in 133 religious institutions in Kerala, comprising churches, temples and mosques. --IANS sg/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday made a last-ditch attempt urging MPs to support her Brexit plan ahead of Tuesday's crucial vote on her beleaguered withdrawal deal with the European Union. In a speech to workers at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent, a part of the UK that voted heavily in favour of leaving the EU, May said that Parliament was more likely to prevent Brexit than allowing it to leave without a deal. Lawmakers in the House of Commons will give their verdict on May's Brexit proposal -- the result of two years of negotiations between London and Brussels -- over a month after the initial vote was postponed by the PM when it became clear she lacked sufficient backing. She warned if lawmakers voted down her deal, the likely outcome would be a "paralysis in the Parliament that risks there being no Brexit" and said that trust in would suffer "catastrophic harm" if the UK did not leave the EU, the BBC reported. "The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night... You can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal. If no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else," she said. May had been seeking legally enforceable guarantees surrounding the Irish backstop -- aimed at preventing the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland (a UK territory) and the Republic of Ireland (an EU member state). It has emerged as the crucial sticking point for many in her Conservative Party. Critics say the backstop would keep the UK tied to EU rules indefinitely and curb its ability to strike trade deals. Conservative MPs have demanded changes to the backstop to make it clear that it could not last forever and Britain could terminate the arrangement on its own. So, May had been seeking legal assurances that the backstop, if used, would be temporary. European Council President Donald Tusk and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker published a letter to May on Monday reiterating assurances that the backstop would only be temporary and that it "does not wish to see the backstop enter into force". During her speech, May welcomed what she called "valuable new clarifications and assurances", saying "they make absolutely clear that the backstop is not a threat nor a trap". The opposition Labour Party of Jeremy Corbyn said it would vote against the deal and would start moves to trigger a general election if it was voted down. May's Conservative Party wields a minority in the House and that the like-minded regional Northern Irish party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is also likely to vote against the deal. The DUP, which represents unionists in Northern Ireland, has voiced concerns that the Irish backstop could leave it in regulatory alignment with Dublin rather than with London. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Youth Congress on Monday called on the state Human Rights Commission chief demanding stringent action against police personnel who allegedly assaulted its workers during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Solapur on January 9, an official said. A deleagation led by MPYC President Satyajeet Tambe met SHRC Chairman M.A. Syed and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate suspension of the police personnel concerned and tracing out the main conspirators. He pointed out that the Constitution has given the freedom of expression to everybody, yet the police assaulted the MPYC workers and filed false cases against them for protesting against Modi's visit. "Freedom is the soul of democracy and a healthy opposition should be respected. Protests, agitations or protests are the basic rights of human beings which were sought to be violated in the Solapur incident," Tambe said. He said the opposition is perturbed by the harsh police action in Solapur and that exemplary action must be initiated against the concerned policemen to ensure human rights are not violated in future. During Modi's trip to inaugurate several mega-projects and lay the foundation stone for others, a group of MPYC and National Students Union of India activists had protested with black flags, released black balloons and raised slogans as the PM's motorcade zoomed past. Security personnel in plain clothes pounced on the activists, pushed and dragged them, kicked and punched them brutally before rounding them off. Local Congress legislator Praniti Shinde described the situation in Solapur as akin to Emergency, with even peaceful protests being prevented by the police. --IANS qn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday told the Saudi King and Crown Prince that the murderers of Jamal Khashoggi must "be held accountable", more than three months after the journalist was killed at the kingdom's consulate in Turkey. Pompeo's statement came during his trip to the Middle East which has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The tour was aimed at reassuring allies of Washington's commitment to the region, CNN reported. "Every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to be held accountable," Pompeo told reporters after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his father King Salman in Riyadh. "I think the (Donald) Trump administration has made it clear that our expectation in all those involved in the murder of Khashoggi will be held accountable, so we spent time talking about human rights issues," he added. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of the Saudi Crown Prince, was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 after he went there to get documents for his marriage. After providing conflicting accounts of Khashoggi's fate, the kingdom admitted he was killed "accidentally" in a fist fight at the consulate by "rogue" agents. However, it denied the ruling royal family's involvement in the killing. The killing sparked global outrage. The CIA concluded that the Crown Prince ordered Khashoggi's murder but US President Donald Trump cast doubt on his own intelligence community's assessment. Pompeo, who arrived in the kingdom's capital on Sunday, also stressed the importance of continuing the investigation into the murder of Khashoggi. This month, a Saudi court started the trial of 11 defendants in connection to Khashoggi's death. Saudi prosecutors said they were seeking the death penalty for five of them for their direct role in Khashoggi's killing. Pompeo's visit came after Trump announced last month the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, a move that led to the resignation of his Defence Secretary James Mattis. He also discussed Yemen with the Saudi leadership. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted that both sides agreed on the need for a redoubled effort for peace in Yemen. "On Yemen, (Pompeo and the Crown Prince) agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially ceasefire and redeployment in Hudaydah. A comprehensive political solution is only way to the end the conflict," the Embassy said. The top US official was also scheduled to visit Kuwait but he had to cut short his tour over a family funeral. The State Department announced that he would return to the US after his visit to Oman, adding that he will visit Kuwait in the near future. Kuwait was the last stop of Pompeo's tour where he was scheduled to attend the US-Kuwaiti Strategic Dialogue. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police on Monday arrested a juvenile for stabbing his father to death over a financial issue. The police said the incident occurred on Sunday around 11.15 p.m in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar when the wife of the deceased, identified as Hazari Mukhiya,42, informed the local police about the altercation and stabbing. "During investigation, it was found that Mukhiya had an argument with his wife over a financial issue. When he abused her, the accused juvenile took a knife from kitchen and stabbed Mukhiya. He was taken to LBS Hospital where he was declared brought dead," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Kumar Singh. "Mukhiya worked as a labourer in a Noida factory. The accused was later arrested from his hideout in New Ashok Nagar," Singh added. --IANS sp/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Jadavpur University professor here is drawing flak for a series of Facebook posts where he compared a virgin girl to a sealed "bottle of cold drink or a packet of biscuits" and commented that to men "virgin wife is like angel". Kanak Sarkar, a professor of International Relations, also stressed on celibacy and virginity as part of ethics and morality. His social media posts drew howls of protests from netizens and the academic community, while the university promised to take action. "I was not there. I have returned last night. We will take all steps as per law," Jadavpur University vice chancellor Suranjan Das told IANS on Monday. Sarkar in his controversial posts wondered whether somebody would be "willing to buy a broken seal while purchasing a bottle of cold drink or a packet of biscuits?" "A girl is born sealed from birth until it is opened... A virgin girl means many things accompanied with values, culture, and sexual hygiene," he said in his post," adding "to most boys, a virgin wife is like an angel." The posts became viral, with scores of social media users trolling him, while women's rights activists expressed their indignation. Under pressure, Sarkar deleted some of the posts, but came up with an explanation on Facebook arguing it was his personal post and citing freedom of expression. "Supreme Court has repealed section 66 A of IT Act and given freedom of expression in Social Media. When Taslima Nasrin wrote against a particular religion we supported her Freedom of Expression... I have not written anything against any person, individual or anybody without any evidence or proof or any reference," he said. --IANS ssp/vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indonesian search teams on Monday found the second black box of the Lion Air aircraft which had crashed into the Java Sea in October 2018, killing all 189 people on-board. Director of Data and Information of the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC), Anggo Anurogo, told Efe news that they were preparing a report on the discovery that could clarify the details of the last minutes of the flight. The Boeing 737 Max 8 Lion Air plane had crashed on October 28 into the Java sea at a great speed, minutes after taking off from the Jakarta airport. Search teams had recovered one of the black boxes, which record flight data, three days after the tragedy, which allowed authorities to release a preliminary report on the causes of the fatal crash, including erroneous data from the sensors of the aircraft. Lion Air had hired a private company to resume the search for the CVR over a 10-day period between end December and early January but it failed to yield any result. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The second India-Myanmar bilateral Army exercise 'IMBEX 2018-19' commenced at Chandimandir military station near here on Monday, a Defence Ministry spokesman said here. "The aim of this joint training event is to train the Myanmar delegation for participation in UN peacekeeping operations. The exercise includes participation of 15 officers from Myanmar Army and 15 officers from Indian Army who shall jointly train for over a period of six days," the spokesman said. "The Indian Army has a rich experience of serving in UN peacekeeping operations, being the foremost troop contributing country in the UN. "During the exercise, focus will be on training the Myanmar Army on tactics, procedures, expertise and methodology required by the contingent of the member nations for serving in UN peacekeeping operations. "The Myanmar delegation will form the core group of trainers who will further impart training to Myanmar Army personnel who are likely to serve in UN peacekeeping operations," he added. This is the second military training exercise on UN peacekeeping between the two countries being conducted on Indian soil. --IANS js/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan government has decided to award those who would adopt stray cows in the state, on Independence Day and Republic Day. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Monday said: "Our government is trying to connect with people on issues about which the previous (BJP) government tried to divide the society." The state Directorate of Gopalan on December 28 issued an order to all district collectors, saying: "Those charitable and sensitive citizens adopting stray cows will be felicitated at the state level by the district collector on Independence/Republic Day." The district collectors have been asked to motivate public, charitable people, officials and social workers to adopt stray cows. "Anyone interested to adopt cows can deposit a certain amount as fixed by 'gaushalas'. Also, they can visit the cow shelters any time to see the animals. Further, if someone wants to keep a stray cow at his home, he can adopt it," it says. Under the previous BJP government, Rajasthan became the first state in the country to have a 'Cow Minister' -- Otaram Dewasi. In the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government, Pramod Bhaya is the new Cow Minister. --IANS arc/pgh/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Co-founder of leading e-tailer Flipkart, Sachin Bansal, invested Rs 150-crore ($21 million) in ride-sharing major Ola, business signals platform paper.vc said on Monday. Bansal, who co-founded Flipkart along with Binny Bansal in 2007, bought a total of 70,588 preference shares of city-based cab hailing platform, according to Ola's filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) accessed by IANS from the Chennai-based business intelligence firm. The shares of Rs 10 face value were allotted to Bansal at a premium of Rs 21,240 per share, the filing noted. Last week, Ola had also raised Rs 520-crore ($74 million) from its existing investor Steadview Capital. Though Bansal co-founded Flipkart, he left the company in May last year when American retail giant Walmart bought a 77 per cent equity stake in the e-tailer for $16 billion (Rs 1,16,256 crore). Bansal has made over 10 investments in tech start-ups over the past few years in his individual capacity, including electric bike start-up Ather Energy and news aggregator Inshorts among others. Founded in 2011 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola currently operates in 125 cities in countries including India, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The company has been aggressively expanding its services internationally since last year, as it competes against American ride-hailing firm Uber. --IANS bha/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 15th Finance Commission on Monday said its members and senior officials led by Chairman N.K. Singh will visit Tripura this week as part of its dialogue with different states. "This will be the 17th state the Commission will be visiting," it said in a statement. During the visit from Wednesday to Friday, the Commission will meet Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb along with cabinet Ministers and government officials. It will hold talks with representatives of the Panchayti Raj Institutions and the Urban Local Bodies. "Meetings are also scheduled with the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, the representatives of the trade, commerce and industry bodies of the state and with representatives of various political parties," the Commission said. --IANS mgu/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon file a money laundering case against officials and politicians in Uttar Pradesh, based on a CBI case in connection with its ongoing probe into illegal sand mining, informed sources said. They said the agency will soon file a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against some bureaucrats and politicians mentioned in the CBI FIR. The development comes days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case on January 2 against 11 people including a few known and some unknown public servants and and others under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency has named IAS officer B. Chandrakala, a former Hamirpur District Magistrate, miner Adil Khan, geologist/mining officer Moinuddin, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ramesh Kumar Mishra, his brother Dinesh Kumar Mishra, Ram Ashray Prajapati, a former clerk in the Mining Department in Hamirpur, Sanajy Dikshit, who contested the 2017 Assembly polls on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, his father Satyadeo Dikshit, and Ram Avtar Singh, a former clerk in the Mining Department. According to the CBI officials, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh granted lease of mines to 14 people in 2013 in Hamirpur district against the Allahabad High Court orders which had ratified the e-tender policy. On January 7, the CBI released a list of 22 leases cleared by Akhilesh Yadav, who was also the Mining Minister during the period, and Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, who succeeded Yadav as the Mining Minister. --IANS aks/vsc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DMK President M.K. Stalin on Monday urged Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit to take action against Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations made in a video released by journalist Samuel Mathews. The DMK also urged Purohit to ask Palaniswami to step down so that an independent and honest probe could be held. Stalin and senior DMK leaders met Purohit at Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to this effect. On January 11, Mathews, a former Tehelka journalist, released a video featuring two of the accused -- Sayan and Manoj -- in the Kodanad Tea Estate robbery case linking Palaniswami to the crime that happened in 2017. The Kodanad Estate belongs to late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. On January 12, Palaniswami said the allegations made against him in the video were totally false and he suspected they were politically motivated. The Tamil Nadu Police on January 13 arrested Sayan and Manoj in Delhi and brought them back here. "In normal circumstances, the Investigating Officer would have filed a petition under Section 173 (8) Cr.P.C. Since the statement implicates the Chief Minister, the police department is pursuing investigation against persons who released the video," Stalin said. "These people were arrested to suppress the evidence," he added. The DMK leader urged Purohit to place all the facts relating to the case before President Ram Nath Kovind to take necessary constitutional measures. Stalin said Palaniswami should be directed to demit office to pave the way for a fair and impartial investigation and an SIT comprising of officers at the rank of Inspector General of Police to conduct the probe. --IANS vj/pgh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Monday warned the US, India and other countries against transferring technology to Taiwan for producing submarines and said such a move could hurt their bilateral ties with Beijing. An Indian firm is reportedly among the six companies from the US, Japan and the European Union which have submitted designed proposals to Taiwan for building submarines. "China is firmly opposed to any country selling arms to Taiwan and having any form of military links with Taiwan. This position is consistent and clear cut," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said here. "We urge the US and other countries to fully recognise the sensitivity of this issue and earnestly abide by the one-China principle and do not allow enterprises to participate in the submarine programme of Taiwan and stop any form of military link with Taiwan. "We urge them to handle the issue prudently and properly to avoid harming bilateral ties (with China)," Hua added. China deems self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that it has vowed to reunite with the mainland even if it has to resort to force. It resents and chides any country for any having any sort of contact with the island across the Taiwan Strait. Even if Washington does not officially recognise Taiwan as a country, it keeps testing Beijing by signing arms deals with Taipei. India also has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan but the island maintains a Taipei Economic Cultural Centre in New Delhi as its de facto Embassy. --IANS gsh/soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three years after former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested for alleged sedition, the Delhi Police on Monday filed a charge-sheet naming them and seven Kashmiri students as accused in the case saying anti-national slogans were raised at the event. The charge-sheet was filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand, who posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday. Both Kumar and Khalid have questioned the filing of the charge-sheet ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and said the police action was "politically motivated" and a "diversionary ploy" by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. The police have slapped charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with sedition, voluntarily causing hurt, forgery, using as genuine a forged document, punishment for unlawful assembly, unlawful assembly with common object, rioting and criminal conspiracy. Citing video footage captured during the event, police have alleged in the charge-sheet that anti-national slogans were raised by the accused, who were part of the event held in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in February 2016, The charge-sheet mentions various slogans including, 'hum kya chahhte Azadi' (we want freedom) and 'bharat tere tukde honge inshaallah' (India will break into pieces), police sources said. The police said that Umar Khalid-led Democratic Students' Union (DSU), now disbanded, had organised the event. The University withdrew the permission when it came to know that event was organised to commemorate Afzal Guru, who was hanged for his role in the Parliament attack. However, the DSU continued with the event, which was attended by Kanhaiya Kumar and other student leaders, police said. Kashmiri students from other various universities were also present in the event and had raised various anti-national slogans. Police have invoked electronic evidence and statements of various students, staff and security guard to press its charges. The case involves an event organised on the JNU campus in February 2016 against the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru during which "anti-national slogans" were raised. Besides Kumar, the then Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president, former students union vice president Shehla Rashid and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aparajita have also been named in the chargesheet, but not as accused. While 36 others, including Rashid and Aparajita, have also been named for being present at the controversial event, the police have not "found any sufficient and incriminting evidence" against them. Along with Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya, seven students from Jammu and Kashmir -- Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat-- have been slapped with various offences, including sedition, unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy. The police claim to have sufficient evidence to proceed against them. The police have listed around 90 people, which include JNU staff and security personnel, as witnesses in the case. CCTV and mobile footage are also a part of chargesheet. Reacting to the filing of the chargesheet, Kanhaiya Kumar said it was a diversionary ploy by the Modi government to hide its all-round failures. "I have not received any summons or information from the court. But if it is true, then we are thankful to the police and Modi that finally after 3 years, when it is time is for him and his government to go, the chargesheet has been filed. But what is pertinent is the timing of the charge-sheet -- just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "It is evident that there is a political motive behind this. The motive is that the Modi government has been a failure in all aspects, it has not been able to fulfil even a single promise, so it is playing all its cards to divert the attention," he told the media. Pointing to the chargesheet being filed after 3 years of the incident, he said the Modi government, just as all its other promises, was "not serious" and was using the issue now as a political tool. Shehla Rashid too accused the Modi government of using the issue to derive political mileage. "Modi government has used this manufactured controversy in instalments. The next instalment would be on the nomination day for 2019 elections," tweeted Rashid with hashtag "JitteryModi" . Denying the charges, Khalid said the Modi government was trying to change the narrative in an election year to hide its failure. --IANS akk-and/prs/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jawaharlal Nehru University students' Union (JNUSU) on Monday termed filing of chargesheet against 10 JNU students for rioting and sedition a "clear case of vendetta" by the ruling party and an attempt by it to "whip up a frenzy" ahead of the general election. The union said the chargesheet was filed to stifle the "critical voices" against the BJP government at the Centre, which, it said, turned out to be an "utter failure" in running the country. "We are 100 per cent sure that such trumped-up charges would be quashed by courts and our fellow students will be cleared of all charges. "The JNUSU extends its solidarity in fighting these trumped-up charges and offer all legal support to expose the lies of the government. We have maintained that this matter has been a pet-project of the RSS-BJP to malign the university and distract the people from the failures of this government," the union said in a statement. Three years after former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested for alleged sedition, the Delhi police on Monday filed a chargesheet naming them and seven Kashmiri students as accused in the case. All 10 have been accused of raising "anti-India" slogans during a gathering at the university campus in February 2016, which was organised in protest against the hanging of 2001 Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. "The country is witnessing brazen display of power, with raids being conducted on prominent leaders of the Opposition. We believe this only reflects the sheer desperation of the Modi government, whose time is coming to an end," the union added. On the other hand, the RSS-affiliated student group Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) welcomed the police action and called it its own personal "victory". "This is a victory for ABVP and a rap for those from Congress and other parties who have been supporting these people (accused)," said ABVP member Saurabh Sharma, who was the joint secretary of the students union when the incident took place. -- IANS vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chief Executive of Flipkart Group's e-tail portals Myntra and Jabong, Ananth Narayanan, has stepped down from the post, the companies said on Monday. "Ananth has decided to step down as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Myntra and Jabong to pursue external opportunities," city-based Myntra and Jabong said in a statement here. Ananth, 42, who has been with the company for the past three years, has played a key role in making Myntra and Jabong a formidable player in the fashion e-commerce market, the statement added. The portals have named Amar Nagaram as the head of Myntra and Jabong, reporting to Flipkart Group's Chief Executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy. "Amar, who recently moved to Myntra from Flipkart, has been with the Group for about seven years and has played a pivotal role in making shopping accessible and affordable on every connected device," the statement said. As the country's largest e-commerce player, the 11-year-old Flipkart Group, which is owned by American retail giant Walmart, includes e-tail sites Flipkart, Myntra, Jabong and digital payment platform PhonePe. In May last year, Walmart bought a 77 per cent equity stake in the company for a whopping $16 billion (Rs 1,16,256 crore). The fashion e-tail sites Myntra and Jabong remain an important part of the Flipkart Group, the companies said. "The new leadership at Myntra and Jabong will allow the business to continue on a strong and sustainable growth trajectory," the statement added. --IANS bha/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan discussed cinema and content with his "Brahmastra" director Ayan Mukerji and actor Ranbir Kapoor. He says the young talents have "special gifts and thoughts". "And later time spent with Ayan and Ranbir upstairs to talk 'Brahmastra' from the morrow together .. and to discuss film and content and cinema. The young have some very special gifts and thoughts," Amitabh wrote on his blog. The 76-year-old finds it a "delight" to be in Ayan and Ranbir's company. "To listen to drift in their modern outlooks and to be able to put across the point of 50 years in the Industry, its time changes and its development into the most powerful tools of influence." The "Piku" star added that there is so much to "learn, accomplish, observe and self educate. The paucity of that ever timeless time machine." Brahmastra is a fantasy adventure and will release in December 2019. It also stars Alia Bhatt, Akkineni Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy. This will be the first time Amitabh will be sharing screen space with Ranbir and Alia together. A part of the film has been shot in Tel Aviv, Israel. --IANS dc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Poets, elocutionists and theatre personalities on Monday held a protest meeting to strongly condemn the vandalism at poet Srijato's programme venue at Assam's Silchar and said it is time for the intellectual community to be united and stand against the rising fascism in the country. Bandyopadhyay was held hostage for more than three hours in Assam's Silchar after several people from alleged right-wing organisations protested against his participation in an event on Saturday night. Terming the attack in Bandhopadhyay's programme as an act of intolerance spread by the "fascist Hindutva forces" in India, eminent Bengali poet Subodh Sarkar said the people who resorted to vandalism have the same mindset of those who have conducted "systematic attacks" on intellectuals and free thinkers in the country in the last four-and-a-half years. "We have nothing against the people of Assam and Silchar. I have performed there many times. People there are extremely open-minded. Srijato was not attacked by them. The attack was conducted by Hindutva hardliners, who are supported by the ruling regime at the Centre," said Sarkar. "These organisations are trying to run a 'Hindutva project' in the country. They murdered Gauri Lankesh, attacked Tamil author Perumal Murugan and asked actor Naseeruddin Shah to go and live in Pakistan a few days back," he said, adding that as a protest, he would read out Bandyopadhyay's poems in the Assam Sahitya Sabha's annual programme, to be held next month. Poet Joy Goswami, who could not be present at the meeting due to other engagements, sent a letter of condemnation, where he urged the intellectual community in Bengal to stand united against fundamentalism. Terming Srijato as a powerful poet who brings forth the dark sides of our society in his writings, Goswami said it is shameful that poets have to be rescued by policemen in a democracy. Renowned playwright and director Chandan Sen said it is time for the poets and theatre artists to voice their protest against the "increasing pro-Hindutva onslaught" through their art. "We are living in an increasingly dangerous time. It is not the time for poets and dramatists to write only about nature or everyday life. They must repeatedly highlight such dark sides and crisis situations in today's society," he noted. Elocutionist Sovan Sundar Basu, musical artist Pranati Thakur, poet Angshuman Kar was also present at the protest meeting among others. Bandyopadhyay's presence at a literary event entitled 'Esho Boli (let's speak up) in Silchar drew strong protests from a group of local people over one of his controversial poems, the Assam Police said. He was safely escorted later. --IANS mgr/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday the nation has a "great concern" about the US plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. American media in December reported that US President Donald Trump was preparing to pull up to half of the 14,000 troops serving in Afghanistan out of the country. In the strongest comments from an Australian official since the announcement, Payne said that Australia was concerned about the plan, Xinhua news agency reported. "Although there is more to do, I think it would be of great concern to Australia if key partners were to change directions at this point of time," she said. Peter Leahy, who served as Chief of the Australian Army between 2002 and 2008, said that the uncertainty over the future of the US commitment to the Middle East should lead to Australia re-thinking the alliance. "It makes it considerably more difficult in that going with the Trump gut reaction is no way to build and sustain a strategy," he told News Corp Australia. "If we find ourselves in a situation where we make a commitment and the US change their strategy almost at Mr. Trump's will, what are we to do? "The other issue is that Australia needs to think about the long-term viability of the US as an ally." Leahy, who is now the director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra, said that the US abandoning Afghanistan "could" put Australians in danger. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of faithful descended on this historic city, renamed by the BJP government from Allahabad, for the first 'Shahi Snan (royal bath) on Tuesday to mark the start of Kumbh Mela, where the devout from within and abroad will mingle over the course of the next 45 days for the mega religious, spiritual and cultural congregation that is expected to attract more than 15 crore people. The first 'Shahi Snan', which, according to legends, opens the doors to heaven, will begin on Tuesday at about 5.30 a.m. and will go on till about 4.30 in the evening, officials said. A mini city of 3,200 acres has been set up along the bank of the river Ganga to accommodate the pilgrims. A slew of temporary tent accommodations, at rates ranging from Rs 2,100/night to Rs 20,000/night have cropped along the banks of the Hindu holy river. Additionally, dormitories and tent stalls have been created for the various akharas and saints arriving here in large numbers. Security has been beefed up and the Kumbh administration is prepared for the expected crowd, officials said. "For the first time, three women units have been deployed at the Kumbh Mela site to specially cater to our women pilgrims. A Foreign Help Desk has also been running 24/7 because there is a greater interest among foreigners. We are expecting a unit from MEA to arrive tomorrow to address queries foreign visitors may have," K.P. Singh, DIG Kumbh Mela, told reporters here. He said the paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed in all sectors of the Mela, along with 3,000 traffic personnel to monitor and control the traffic leading up to the Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mystical Saraswati, which is where the devotees are headed to take the holy dip. The Kumbh administration has built four pontoon bridges that lead the visitors to the five-kilometre bathing ghat at Sangam. Personnel have been deployed at all entry and exit points of these bridges to maintain order. Visible in the by-lanes of the city are thousands of devotees -- all headed in one direction, like a swarm of bees -- while religious chantings resonate in the air. Along with those on pilgrimage are hundreds of craftsmen, artisans and local vendors who dot the roads on both sides. All roads of the city lead to only one destination -- Sangam. Vehicles have been prevented from running on these roads. Schools and colleges have been shut down to avoid inconveniences, and the entire city has been lit up in a hue of multiple colours. Arrangements for changing rooms and toilets have been made at the bathing ghats too, officials said. "There is a special emphasis on cleanliness this time at the Kumbh Mela. People were compelled to defecate in the open due to absence of toilets in the previous years but this time 120,000 toilets have been built and double the number of sweepers will maintain cleanliness. The last Kumbh mela had only seen 34,000 toilets," the Kumbh administration said in a press communique. However, hundreds of toilets have turned non-functional due to shortage of water, or being filthy, uncleaned as they are, even before the fair has officially begun. The plastering in several toilets has also eroded, making them completely non-functional. The administration, comprising ADG N. Sawant, Commissioner Prayagraj Ashish Kumar Goyal, DIG Kumbh Mela K.P. Singh and Prayagraj District Magistrate Suhas L.Y were shown pictures of hundreds of toilets that have been rendered unusable by media correspondents ahead of a heated press conference here, in which reporters were handed over the press release citing the number of toilets built for the fair this year. "There are some problems because within a period of one month all preparations were made. Such things happen due to scarcity of time but we are dedicated to serving the visitors," said K.P. Singh. Earlier on Monday, a fire broke out in Sector 13 of the sprawling Kumbh complex due to an explosion in a cooking gas cylinder at the 'Digambar Akhada' camp, destroying a large part of the tented area but no loss of life was reported. In the press conference held after the fire was contained, the officials said that they learned about the fire "from the media" and were able to contain it without any casualty in "the shortest possible time." They said a sufficient number of fire tenders, along with units from NDRF, were on ground to tackle any untoward incident. Over 500 cultural programmes will take place as a part of the Kumbh Mela, along with a laser show and display of India's cultural and mythological heritage in forms of paintings, statues, and exhibits. The Kumbh Mela 2019 is being held from January 15 to March 4, with six important bathing dates. Makar Sankranti, which falls on Tuesday, is the first of these dates for bathing, and officials expect over a crore devotees to take the holy dip on the first day of the fair. (Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in) --IANS ss/vsc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least four people were killed early on Monday when a speeding truck hit the convoy of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Deputy Speaker in Balaghat district, police said. The accident took place just after midnight when Deputy Speaker Hina Kawre was returning to Lanji from the district headquarters. The victims included a police Sub-Inspector, a Head Constable, a Constable and the vehicle's driver. Another police official was injured and was in critical condition, the police added. Kawre told the media on Monday morning that her vehicle had a narrow escape from being hit by the truck coming from the opposite direction. --IANS hindi-ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The new law providing 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker general category people in education and government jobs was "unwanted" and it could achieve "close to nothing" former Chief Economic Adviser to the Union finance ministry, Kaushik Basu, said here on Monday. "It was an unwanted legislation and it is a disappointing move. It will achieve close to nothing and will create a cumbersome procedure. The way the law is brought in is that 10 per cent of jobs is reserved virtually for everyone (every household)," he said at the launch of his book 'The Republic of Beliefs', here at a programme organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce. President Ram Nath Kovind has approved a constitutional amendment that provides 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker general category people in education and government jobs. The Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 was passed by Parliament on the last day of the winter session last week with daylong discussions and voting in both Houses. The 10 per cent quota is in addition to the 22.5 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and 27 per cent reservation for castes identified as the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The fresh provision does not tinker with the existing 49.5 per cent of this quota. Basu, former World Bank Chief Economist, explained that the way the legislation came into force was that the 10 per cent jobs are being reserved for households with less than Rs 8 lakh income per annum. "By most calculations, somewhere between 96-99 per cent of Indian households fall into that category," he said. However, Basu said introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was a good move. "IBC is a very good news and a much-needed law," he said. Citing his experience in World Bank, he said in terms of ease of doing business, one indicator on which India did not do well was related to "closing of business". One tends to hesitate to start business if one thinks that exit from it could be difficult if anything goes wrong, he explained. Basu said Goods and Services Tax (GST) was badly needed and as an idea, it was "important" but "poorly implemented". Small businesses were badly hit by GST, he said. -- IANS bdc/ssp/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tejas Networks announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Kerala as its first telecom knowledge partner and is establishing a Center of Excellence (CoE) for next-generation telecom technologies in the state. Tejas CoE will focus on training, skills development and mentoring of college students, young entrepreneurs and high-potential electronics startups in the state. Senior technologists from Tejas will work closely with the faculty of leading engineering institutions in the state to develop a futuristic, industry-oriented telecommunication training and certification program. As part of the partnership, Tejas Networks also proposes to set up an advanced networking testbed for cutting-edge technologies such as terabit-scale optical communications, gigabit-scale broadband access, 5G and software-defined networking. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Power announced that the shareholding of Resurgent Power Ventures, Singapore has undergone a change with Power Platform (a wholly owned subsidiary of State General Reserve Fund, Oman) and Kuwait Investment Authority together buying out the shares of CDP Groupe Infrastructures Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caisse de d et placement du Quec). Resurgent Power is a joint venture based out of Singapore and is held 26% by Tata Power through its wholly-owned Singapore based subsidiary. The balance 74% of Resurgent Power is held by ICICI Bank, Power Platform and Kuwait Investment Authority. Resurgent Power has recently signed a Share Purchase Agreement for acquiring 75.01% shares in Prayagraj Power Generation Corporation (PPGCL), a 3X660 MW coal-based power project in Uttar Pradesh. The transaction has received approval from the Competition Commission of India and the transaction closure is currently in progress. Speaking on this development, MPraveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, said, Resurgent Power has undergone an internal restructuring. The shareholding of Tata Power's wholly owned subsidiary in Resurgent Power however remains the same despite this internal restructuring. Resurgent Power will complete the Prayagraj acquisition and continue to evaluate other assets for acquisition as per the investment thesis of Resurgent Power." 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 12 January 2019 The Board of Darshan Orna at its meeting held on 12 January 2019 has approved the following - To add new dealers/distributors and C&F agent in states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Kolkata, etc to grow sales of the company. 2. To achieve desire growth in sales, the company proposed to open new branches and also welcome new franchisee unit with high profile location across India. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Headline indices of the Australian financial market reversed early gains to finish edged down on Monday, 14 January 2019, as investors continued opting to lock in profits in line with broader Asian peers, amid concerns over an ongoing U. S. government shutdown and worries about an economic slowdown in China after lower-than-expected export and import data for December 2018 stifled last week's optimism ensuing from Beijing and Washington progressing on trade talks. ASX sectors were mixed, with shares of energy, materials, and consumer discretionary sectors being notable losers, while consumer staples, communication services, and financial issues were notable gainers. At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 1.21 points, or 0.02%, to 5,773.37 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index dropped 1.61 points, or 0.03%, to 5,833.23 points. China's exports to the world fell 4.4% in December from a year earlier, the biggest monthly drop in two years, pointing to further weakening in the world's second-largest economy. Imports also unexpectedly contracted, falling 7.6%, the biggest decline since July 2016. China's global trade volume rose last year but its surplus with the world fell 16.2% to $351.76 billion in 2018, as imports rose 15.8% while exports gained 9.9%. The customs data showed that its exports to the U. S. contracted in December 2018 although its overall trade surplus with the U. S. hit a record $323 billion in 2018. Exports to the U. S. rose 11.3% to $478.4 billion for the year despite punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in a fight over Chinese technology ambitions. The customs data showed imports of American goods rose just 0.7% in 2018 over 2017, reflecting the impact of Beijing's retaliatory tariffs and encouragement to importers to buy more from non-U. S. suppliers. shares of energy companies were also lower on profit taking after crude oil prices fell 2% in offshore trade on Friday, ending a nine-day rally. Shares in Santos fell 0.2%, Woodside Petroleum dropped 0.5%, and Oil Search shed 0.8%. Origin Energy was down 1.1% and Soul Pattinson dropped 0.4%. Caltex shares were 0.4% lower, with coal miners Yancoal and Whitehaven dropping 5.4% and 3.6% respectively. Materials were the main drag on the market after disappointing Chinese trade data, with BHP dropping 0.24% and Rio Tinto down 0.3%. South32 was flat at A$3.40, while Bluescope Steel plunged 5.2% and Fortescue Metals dipped 1.3%. Gold miners Newcrest retreated 0.2%, while Northern Star and Evolution eked out rises of 0.43 and 0.53% respectively. CURRENCY: Australian Dollar was tad lower against greenback and against a basket of other peers on Monday. The Australian dollar was quoted at 71.85 US cents, after topping out at a three-week peak of 72.35 US cents on Friday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a person who does not utter any good words for the people, but only spews venom, said senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Monday. "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a person who does not utter any good words for the people but only spews venom," said the Congress leader while addressing a meeting of his party workers here. "Even a wild animal which is full of poison from head to tail gets scared after coming in front of UP Chief Minister Yogi while thinking how a man can be more poisonous than me. You are fighting with a poisonous person like Yogi," he told the gathering. Alvi alleged that at least 13 criminal cases are lodged against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, including an attempt to murder and inciting communal riots. Later speaking to ANI, Alvi while commenting on BSP and SP alliance for the coming Lok Sabha elections in the state, said: "We wanted an alliance to be formed among us. Now we will fight on all 80 LS seats with full confidence. I am sure that we will emerge victorious in the poll. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday said that she was looking forward to quick results over Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) while opposing a second referendum over the issue. Al Jazeera quoted the British Prime Minister, who was addressing a gathering at a factory in the northern city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, as saying: "What is important is that we deliver on the result of the referendum." The Prime Minister also added that if the Parliamentarians tried to reject her deal of exiting the EU, then they would have to either leave without making a deal or not leave EU at all. The British parliamentarians are set to vote on the government's deal on Tuesday (January 15). In 2016, over 50 per cent of the UK electorate voted to leave the EU, following which the British government had triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning the country's process of exiting the European bloc. According to the withdrawal agreement, the UK is scheduled to leave the bloc on March 29, 2019, after which it will move into a 21-month long transitional period with the EU. May, who dismissed the prospects of a second Brexit referendum, had halted the parliamentary vote on the deal on December 10 last year to put forth concerns voiced by British MPs with her European counterparts. She made a whirlwind trip to the EU, visiting Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium to meet with European leaders for the same. However, the European Commission (EUCO) reiterated that the deal will not be renegotiated. The British Prime Minister also survived a no-confidence motion initiated by her disgruntled lawmakers of the Conservative Party over her handling of the Brexit negotiations. At present, the Prime Minister is facing a crunch in the Parliamentary votes on her government's deal to leave the EU, as some of the members of the British Parliament are in favour of a complete break with the EU, while the others are demanding either a second referendum or a light break with the EU, maintaining key economic and policy structures, Al Jazeera reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejaswi Yadav on Monday said that Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance is strong enough to wipe out BJP from Uttar Pradesh in the forthcoming general elections. "SP-BSP alliance is enough to give a tough fight to BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the forthcoming general elections. Not only in Uttar Pradesh, but the BJP would also be wiped out from Bihar. BJP and its allies will not win a single seat in these two states because the SP-BSP alliance will show the right direction to the country." Further targeting both BJP and RSS, the RJD leader said they were attempting to implement "Nagpuriya law in the country by removing the Constitution of BR Ambedkar." The announcement of the SP-BSP alliance has fulfilled the dream of his father, Lalu Yadav, said Tejaswi adding that his father had several times pitched for such a tie-up in 2017 Assembly election. Continuing with his tirade against BJP, Tejaswi asserted: "A state of undeclared emergency has been prevailing in the country. The Centre is busy in tampering with the Constitution, attempting to end reservation and using and ruining institutions like CBI." "CBI and ED are no longer agencies, they have now become alliance partners of the BJP. Lalu ji is in jail only because Modi ji saw him as a threat. Not only this, even journalists have lost their jobs because they wrote against the Centre. They have sent actors back to Pakistan," the RJD leader pointed out. On the case filed against Akhilesh for allegedly approving 14 mining leases in Hamirpur, Tejaswi said: "Modi ji is trying to build a negative perception of the leaders in the opposition parties across the country to win the upcoming general elections. However, the Lok Sabha election results will bring the reality before the people to know how BJP has fooled the nation." Tejaswi congratulated BSP supremo Mayawati and Akhilesh for the alliance in the interest and underlined that "it was a necessary step in light of the situation prevailing in the country right now. Those who were slaves of the British are in power right now". Highlighting that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has also shown support to the SP-BSP alliance, Tejaswi said: "Our only aim is to defeat BJP. Rahul has said that whether we are in the alliance or not, BJP should not win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections." Meanwhile, Akhilesh said that with Tejaswi's support to the SP-BSP alliance, people's trust in them will be strengthened. He criticised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the kind of language used by him. In a tongue in cheek manner, Akhilesh said: "Our Chief Minister is really good, he gives out the message of 'Thok Do', he says if you've got guts then show us. He even asked us to plead before his government... . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security forces on Monday apprehended a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist from Ajas area of Bandipora in north Kashmir. The suspected terrorist is identified as Sarfaraz Ahmed Sheer, a resident of Koil Muqam area of Bandipora district in Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces recovered one pistol, satellite phone and other incriminating materials from his possession. Based on a tip-off, a joint team of Indian Army's 13 Rashtriya Rifles, 162 Territorial Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested Sheer from the Champazpura area near Ajas. The police said that the accused was associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group and was a category 'A' terrorist. "Arms and ammunition were recovered from a terrorist named Sarfaraz Ahmed Sheer of Hizbul Mujahideen this morning. He was active for the last five years in the Kupwara, Sopore and Bandipora belt," said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bandipore, Sheikh Zulfikar Ahmed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A scuffle broke out on Monday between police officials and lawyers in the city of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. The scuffle broke out at the city's Indraganj Chowk, where the lawyers were demonstrating against a police official. According to lawyer Abhilash Dangi, Morar police station's Traffic Inspector was reluctant in taking action on the complaints lodged by his fellow lawyers, thus leading to demonstration. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's sit-in strike outside the Lieutenant Governor's office cum residence in the capital in June last year. While dismissing the PIL filed by advocate Harinath Ram, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, "Chief Minister of Delhi goes on hunger strike and you want us to pass order? Dismissed". The petition sought the direction of the apex court to declare the sit-in of Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues outside the Lieutenant Governor's office as 'unconstitutional'. The plea further said that a constitutional crisis was created due to "the unconstitutional and illegal" protest by the Chief Minister. In June last year, Kejriwal, along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain sat on strike inside Raj Nivas for nine days. Kejriwal and his ministers protested to press for their demands, including a direction to IAS officers to end their strike and action against those who have struck work. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) R Madhavan is all set to play the role of scientist S Nambi Narayanan in his upcoming film. On Monday, the actor gave an insight into all the hard work that went into building the character. The film, titled 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', focuses on the life and achievements of scientist S Nambi Narayanan, who was falsely accused of being a spy and arrested in 1994. Though free, he is still fighting against those police officials, who allegedly falsely implicated him and are still free. Giving his followers a sneak peek into his character, R Madhavan shared a video where he can be seen prepping up for the role. "When getting in the character take 2 years and getting the look in place take 14 hrs on the chair," he captioned the post. The 'Three Idiots' actor was last seen in 'Saala Khadoos' (2016) and 'Zero' (2018). Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, the film will release in English, Hindi and Tamil. It is scheduled to hit theatres in summer 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday said that the removal of Alok Verma as CBI Director by the Selection Committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "incorrect" and a complete "injustice" to Verma. Swamy said: "The Selection Committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a wrong decision. It was a complete injustice to Alok Verma." "For now, I believe the Prime Minister and the Selection Committee members should look into the matter again," he added. Alok Verma was removed as the CBI Director on January 8. Stressing that there was no evidence of corruption against Verma, Swamy said: "I agree with retired Supreme Court judge Justice AK Patnaik, who had monitored the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) inquiry against Verma that there was "no evidence of corruption" against Verma, and whatever the CVC says cannot be the final word." Swamy further said: "There has been a mistake in the CVC's report as Prime Minister Modi cannot keep his eyes on each and everything. Justice Patnaik was appointed by the Supreme Court to look into the matter. It was the job of the CVC to give him the report first but the CVC submitted the report to the Prime Minister without even consulting Justice Patnaik. This shows that there was a mistake and the CVC should be removed." "CVC is a bogus institution since P Chidambaram's days and now Arun Jaitley has forcefully formed it. PM Modi isn't responsible for all this mess as no Prime Minister can micro-manage a government. He needs people who tell the truth," he said, adding that Verma should have been invited to respond to the CVC probe against him. The Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Supreme Court judge AK Sikri and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had transferred Verma from the post of CBI Director on January 8. Kharge had given his dissent to the Selection Commission's decision. Talking about the membership of London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT) to Justice Sikri and political allegations against him for allegedly conniving with the Centre in removing Verma, Swamy said: "I am shocked to hear allegations about Justice Sikri." "Justice Sikri is a very positive and honest man and so far he has been truly committed to his responsibilities. CSAT post offered to him wasn't something very great. What would he do in London.a country which is turning into Londonistan," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistani Journalists and artistes are demanding that Imran Khan government lift the ban on Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer 'Manto'. On Monday, people in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Multan stepped out on streets to voice their disapproval on the movie ban. Awami Workers Party spokesperson Farooq Tariq too was present at the protests and took to social media in support of the removal of the ban and posted, "Protest against Ban on film Manto in Lahore, prominent amongst are Veteran Journalist Hasain Husain Naqi and Farooq Tariq of AWP, Salima Hashmi, Hussain Majroh Comrade Tanveer Khan, Nusrat, Farideh, Yasmeen, Maryam, Sehyr Naseema, Haider Javed Syed, Irshad Ameen and many other friends took part." Nandita Das, on her part, took to Twitter in a series of posts, thanking the people of Lahore for standing up for her film. Das wrote, "Thanks to everyone who has taken to the streets to protest against the ban on MANTO in Pakistan. I am there with you in spirit, and so is the entire MANTO team!" In a separate tweet, she added, "Amazing to see people out on the streets to protest. Salima Hashmi, artist and daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and others! Respect and gratitude. #FreeManto #FreeSpeech." Notably, Saeed Ahmed, a Pakistani playwright in December, had initiated an online petition through an open letter to Imran Khan in which he requested the government to lift the ban on screening of the film. "Manto, a critically acclaimed film, directed by Nandita Das, celebrates the life of the Urdu writer who chose Pakistan as his home during the Partition but is collectively owned and revered by the people of the sub-continent. The audiences and critics worldwide have appreciated the film. However, it is a matter of huge concern that Pakistan has recently decided to ban the film. The disappointing decision to ban the film has created a hue and cry among writers, poets and intellectuals in the literary circles of Pakistan," Dawn quoted the petition as reading. Nandita Das' film is based on the life of legendary Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, who chose shift to Pakistan post-partition in 1948 after inhabiting in Bombay since 1936. Famous for his controversial writings, Manto faced many trials in the country. The movie celebrates Manto's controversial yet exalted legacy that is today respected by people of the subcontinent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas on Sunday accused the ruling (BJD) government of Odisha for its lackadaisical attitude in developing the state. Addressing the 'Jana Paramarsh Padyatra' here, Pradhan said that in the last 19 years, more people in the state in the state migrated to other places in search of jobs and alleged that corruption increased in the state. "In 19 years of this (BJD) government, people have only migrated in search of jobs leaving behind their families. There is a rise in unemployment and corruption in the state," he said. Slamming Odisha Chief Minister for failing to improve the agriculture and health sectors in the state, Pradhan asserted, "There is distress sale of paddy and farmers are forced to sell their produce at less than the MSP of Rs 1750 per quintal. 'Mandis' (wholesale markets) are yet to be opened for paddy procurement in Balasore district. Farmers are seeking answers from the Government over the distress sale of paddy and poor irrigation facility." "Of the 285 sanctioned doctors, 143 posts are vacant in Balasore district. People of Jaleswar seek answers from Naveen Babu's government for its failure in providing health care facility and basic facilities like round the clock electricity," he added. The Union Minister remarked that Jaleswar was once the centre of economic development in northern Odisha, and despite having rich resources, the region lagged behind in the development process. Pradhan accused the Patnaik government of failing to take steps to manage the rainwater flowing in Subarnarekha river despite the recurrence of flood-related calamities in Balasore district. Continuing his tirade against the for not providing piped water supply to the people in Jaleswar, Pradhan said, "Odisha government has put up large hoardings of providing piped drinking water to households, but in reality, people in Jaleswar don't get piped water supply. The government after 19 years has failed to provide clean drinking water." He further said that the government should give an answer to the people of Odisha on the shortage of teachers in schools, doctors, poor health infrastructure and the status of electrification in the state. Looking for in-depth reporting on labor issues? You're in the right place. Subscribe to The Chief and get stories that cover every side of civil service in New York City and beyond. You can sign up in minutes for immediate access. A Polish mayor is battling for his life after being stabbed with a knife at a charity event here on Sunday. Gdansk mayor Pawel Adamowicz was stabbed near his heart and was rushed to a hospital in a serious condition. Currently, he is undergoing surgery, Sputnik reported. The police has apprehended the attacker who is in custody, although the motive behind the attack is unclear. Confirming the incident and noting that the mayor's condition was still critical, Polish President Andrzej Duda later took to his Twitter handle saying that he "received information that the doctors managed to restore the heartbeat of President Pawel Adamowicz. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's largest marketplace for financial products Paisabazaar.com announced today that it has become the country's first independent digital platform to reach an annualized loan disbursal rate of USD 1 billion. Since its inception in February 2014, Paisabazaar.com has witnessed 150X growth and is the clear marketplace leader for lending products, according to industry estimates. Unsecured loans, which include personal loans and loans, form the majority share of the disbursals taking place through the Paisabazaar platform. Currently, Paisabazaar.com disburses ~Rs. 480 crore of unsecured loans every month, with a dominant share of these loans going to salaried prime customers, who have an in-hand monthly income of over Rs. 25,000 and credit score more than 750. "The milestone of reaching USD 1 billion run-rate is significant because it shows the size of the Indian lending market. If one looks at unsecured loans alone, even at such high volumes that Paisabazaar is doing, we are only 2% of the unsecured lending market. Over the next 3-4 years, our aim is to reach 10% of this market," said Naveen Kukreja, CEO & Co-founder, Paisabazaar.com. In terms of age distribution, 66% borrowers on the Paisabazaar platform were 35 or below years of age, signifying a young customer base which is choosing digital to get access to credit. Paisabazaar.com partners with more than 90 banks and financial institutions, which include India's biggest public and private banks, NBFCs, digital lenders and mutual fund companies, to offer more than 300 products that cater to all personal finance needs of its consumers. "We congratulate Paisabazaar.com on achieving this milestone in such a short time. This collaboration has allowed YES BANK to provide better services to the customers and ensured faster and simpler lending opportunities via data-driven digital solutions. The Bank looks forward to many such achievements through this partnership," said Rajan Pental, Senior Group President and Group Head, Branch and Retail Banking, YES BANK. Growth fueled by Mobile & consumer demand from Tier II and III cities Currently, Paisabazaar.com receives more than 2 million product enquiries every month from over 1100 cities and towns across India. According to Paisabazaar.com, one of the biggest reasons behind its growth is its success in establishing itself as a consumer brand, across India, which can be attributed to its continuous efforts in spreading awareness around financial products, through TV and digital over the last 4 years. The popularity of the smartphones has also been a game-changer for digital platforms, with more and more incremental traffic coming from smaller cities and towns through mobile. Paisabazaar.com today gets ~86% of its 23 million+ monthly traffic through mobile, as compared to 59% in April, 2017. Paisabazaar.com has also witnessed a big surge in demand for credit products from Tier II and III cities, signifying the increase in popularity of the digital channels in accessing credit in the smaller cities. Loans from outside the Top 10* cities today contribute ~41% of the total disbursals through Paisabazaar.com. Two years ago, only 18% of the loans were disbursed to locations outside the Top 10 cities. Focus areas in 2019 1. Lending to the MSME sector: One of its key focus segments in 2019 for Paisabazaar.com will also be the self-employed, that has steadily shifted to digital channels for its credit needs due to the ease in processes. It currently works with over 25 banks and financial institutions to facilitate easy access to credit to the MSME sector through digital innovations. "Paisabazaar.com, has been a great enabler in providing easy lending solutions to the massive self-employed segment in India. We congratulate Paisabazaar.com on this big milestone and look forward to working with them more closely this year to further ease the access to credit for the MSME sector. We hope, together, we will continue to empower the MSME community of our country and make financial services available to them at their fingertips," said Harshvardhan Lunia, CEO & Co-founder,Lendingkart Technologies. 2. Customized lending solutions: Paisabazaar.com has been focusing on bringing in industry first innovations, through data and technology, to simplify lending for partners and customers on its platform. Last year, it launched India's first 'Chance of Approval' feature, where each customer, applying for a loan or a credit card on the platform, is shown his chances of approval against each available product. Paisabazaar.com has used 4 years of data to create this advanced predictive algorithm. It has already led to an increase of 21% in the approval rates for lending products on the Paisabazaar platform in 5 months. Paisabazaar.com is also working with multiple lending partners to simplify the lending process, making it more digital, seamless and faster for the consumer. This year the focus will be on building tailor-made lending solutions to each borrower visiting its platform. "Our partnership with Paisabazaar.com has enabled us to provide quick, easy and seamless access to loans to varied customer segments on the Paisabazaar platform, through industry-first innovations, backed by deep analytics and cutting edge technology integration. One of them is our pre-approved personal loan offer to customers on the Paisabazaar platform, with no income documents required, which provides almost instant access to credit with minimum effort," said Bhavesh Gupta, CEO, CLIX Capital. 3. Innovating on Free Credit Score: Paisabazaar.com runs India's biggest credit awareness initiative by offering customers their free credit report with monthly updates for life from multiple credit bureaus, like CIBIL and Experian. Last year, Paisabazaar.com made the free credit report product available on multiple new platforms through multiple partnerships and integrations. Today, a customer can find out his credit score in less than 2 minutes from Paisabazaar through his mobile, an AI-enabled chatbot, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. He can then track his score seamlessly, as he is provided his monthly credit report on WhatsApp. "We are trying to create an entire ecosystem around our credit score product, using AI and other technologies, to help customers get access to the best and most-suited financial products," said Naveen Kukreja. 4. Affordable housing: Paisabazaar has also been an enabler in providing the most suited home loan deals to customers from varied income segments. Along with sourcing the some of the biggest online home loan deals for HNIs, including a Rs. 6.12 crore loan in May last year, it has also facilitated housing loans to customers from lower income groups through exclusive affordable housing loan partnerships with IIFL, YES Bank, Cholamandalam Finance etc. Paisabazaar.com says, this year, it will have special focus on technology and data, along with strengthening its partnerships across the financial ecosystem to make personal finance decisions more convenient for customers. It is already working with Microsoft on several industry-first innovations. "As a market leader, we want to provide our consumers an international experience on Paisabazaar.com. We are benchmarking against the highest global standards to deliver a consumer experience, that's so far unprecedented in India," said Naveen Kukreja. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former cabinet minister and Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Gopal Bhargava on Monday lambasted the state Congress government and said that this government is not going to last for more than few months. Addressing a gathering, he said: "This government is going to run only for 3-4 months. It is hard to know as to who is the chief minister. Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Digvijaya Singh are all chief ministers and 10-12 other people also claim to be shadow chief minister. Such government won't last long. By the time the Bungalow's of these ministers are painted, they will be out from it." He also compared the state government with a child born with diseases and said, "The election results on December 11 gave birth to a diseased child. It has heart of BSP, Kidney of SP and other organs from independent candidates. I can't comment as to how long this child will live." Intensifying his attack on the state government, he further added, "Initially they said that Jyotiraditya Scindia will be the Chief Ministers. It is like seeing a young boy and getting married to an old person. This is the situation of this disabled government. They showed face of somebody else and someone else was given the post." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) elected former cabinet minister Gopal Bhargava as the Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Jan 7. The decision came after the meeting of BJP MLAs in the state in the presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh as observer. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was also present at the meeting. "BJP MLA and former State Minister Gopal Bhargava has been elected as the leader of opposition in Madhya Pradesh assembly. All MLA agreed on his name," said Singh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Core Group meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, is likely to discuss among other things Mission 2019 Lok Sabha poll and the situation arising out of the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh where 80 seats are at stake. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the official residence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, sources said on Monday. Congress Core Group consists of party president Rahul Gandhi, former Defence Minister AK Antony, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, General Secretary KC Venugopal, General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, and others. Sources said that issues related to a possible alliance, poll strategy, and organisational structure will come up for discussion during the meeting. "The discussion will also take place on how to strengthen the party at the booth level, galvanising the party cadres for the Lok Sabha polls, strategy for retaining the edge in the states where the party won recently held Assembly polls," he said. Sources said the main focus of the meeting would be Uttar Pradesh, where the SP-BSP has ditched the Congress instead of forging a grand alliance. The two regional parties, which announced the alliance on Saturday, have left two seats for the Congress-Amethi and Rae Bareli. "For the last four days, senior party leaders have been working out the plan for UP battle," added sources. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has already said that his party would fight with "full force" in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP and its ally-Apna Dal, which had won 73 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The party's UP affairs in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad has also spoken about an extensive campaign plan for the state and over a dozen rallies are expected to be addressed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi in February. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Iran-bound Kyrgyz cargo plane crashed in the west of Tehran on Monday, killing seven out of the 16 people on board. An official from Iran's Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on the condition of anonymity that the Boeing-707 was mistakenly landed at Fath Airport in Karaj. The pilot lost control of the aircraft following which it caught fire and subsequently hit the walls of Payam International Airport near a residential area, the official further divulged. Spokesman for Iran Emergency Organization Mojtaba Khaledi said the house which was hit by the plane was empty. "No information has yet been received on death of people in residential areas adjacent to the airport," he added. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scores of devotees from across the country took a holy dip at Sangam Ghat on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Kumbh Mela here on Monday. Makara Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, in reference to deity Surya. The day marks the first day of sun's transit into the Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. According to local authorities, approximately 1 lakh 17 thousand people offered prayers to Akshay Vat, a sacred fig tree mentioned in the Hindu mythology in Prayagraj. In the wake of Kumbh Mela, the local police is keeping a strong vigil and monitoring the regions adjoining the banks of river Ganga and its tributaries. They have also restricted vehicular movement in Prayagraj roads due to a large footfall of tourists. Moreover, the administration has taken the help of Non-Government Organisations (NGO's) and citizens in maintaining law and order. "As per the order by the Director General of Police (DGP) to all the senior police officials in all the districts, it has been instructed to ensure that any sort of illegal industrial activity or waste should not be discharged into the Ganges and its tributaries including the Yamuna," Praveen Kumar, Inspector General (Law & Order), Uttar-Pradesh Police had stated on January 10. Kumbh is the largest human congregation in the world, with lakhs of pilgrims participating in the festival with the belief that taking a dip in the holy water of Ganges River will pave the way for their salvation and would rid them of their sins. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MLAs from Karnataka who have camped themselves here on Monday evening said that they had assembled to make strategies for the coming Lok Sabha polls and had not run away fearing poaching by the ruling Congress-JDS alliance. Speaking to ANI, Shashikala Jolle, an MLA from Nippani constituency, said: "There are 104 BJP MLAs and we are together. We have been called here to strategise for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. There are no talks of forming the government. If there is anything, our leaders will tell you." Another BJP lawmaker Poornima Srinivas said that the BJP does not need to disrupt the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance government, claiming there are internal rifts among their ranks and they will fall out soon. "JD(S) and Congress both lacked the number to form the government. So they formed an alliance. Now, there are fights between them. There is no need for us to ensure a premature end for their reign," the MLA from Hiriyur constituency said. The charges of horse-trading were triggered after three Karnataka Congress MLAs visited Mumbai earlier on Monday, reportedly along with some BJP MLAs. This was followed by the Congress alleging that the BJP was trying to poach the ruling party's MLAs to destabilise the JDS-Congress alliance government in Karnataka. However, Karnataka BJP unit chief BS Yeddyurappa refuted those charges, saying that his party had nothing to do with the three Congress lawmakers' Mumbai visit, and accused the Congress-JDS alliance of poaching bid. Later in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused Yeddyurappa of fabricating stories, adding that there is no need for the Congress-JDS alliance to poach on any party's lawmakers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP has camped all 104 party MLAs in Gurugram in Haryana along with its state unit chief BS Yeddyurappa, fearing poaching by the Congress and the JD-Secular The charges of horse-trading were triggered after three Karnataka Congress MLAs visited Mumbai earlier on Monday, reportedly along with some BJP MLAs. This was followed by the Congress alleging that the BJP was trying to poach the ruling party's MLAs to destabilise the JDS-Congress alliance government in Karnataka. Refuting the charges, BJP's Yeddyurappa told media persons here: "There is no truth in all these rumours. Kumaraswamy is himself trying his level best to contact our MLAs, by offering ministership and money. That is why we are together here (in the NCR). We are not in touch with any of their MLAs. We are only focused on keeping our MLAs energised. We will stay here for one or two days." BJP leader further said: "It is the responsibility of the Congress-JDS to keep their MLAs together and "our party has nothing to do with three Congress MLAs going to Mumbai." "We are not interested in forming the government at all. They have an absolute majority. If they lose the majority, we will try our best to form the government," Yeddyurappa said. Speaking to media persons earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused Yeddyurappa of fabricating stories, adding that there is no need for the Congress-JDS alliance to poach on any party's lawmakers. "Yeddyurappa is manufacturing stories. It is not necessary for me to poach the MLAs of BJP. I have sufficient numbers of MLA to run the government," Chief Minister Kumaraswamy said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 38-year-old K Dhanya Sanal, a spokesperson for the Union Ministry of Defence here, has become the first woman, who is trekking to Agasthyarkoodam peak, after the Kerala High Court lifted the ban on women's trekking on December 9 last year. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Sanal, while trekking to the Agasthyarkoodam, said that she would follow the instructions given by the state's Forest Department and would avoid going into the prohibited areas where the tribal people are residing. "I will take the pathway and will not go into the prohibited areas and hurt the sentiments of the locals," she told ANI. According to media reports, this peak was banned for the women trekkers as for the Kani tribal people the hilltop is the final resting place of the sage Agasthya, who holds similar importance as Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala temple. Kani tribal people contend that if the women trekkers are allowed to climb the hill top, it will violate their religious beliefs and customs. Unhappy with the HC order, the Kani tribe, which lives in the foothills of Agasthyarkoodam, is also holding protests at the base camp in Bonacaud. The "unofficial ban" was lifted by the Kerala High Court on December 9 last year after hearing a petition jointly filed by three NGOs, namely, Pennoruma, Kannur; Women Integration and Growth Through Sports, Malappuram; and Anweshi Women's Counselling Centre, Kozhikode), seeking the lifting of ban on women's trekking to the hilltop. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Justice AK Sikri's refusal to the Centre's offer for a part-time assignment in London should not turn into a controversy, senior advocate Kamini Jaiswal said on Monday. "Justice Sikri has denied the government's offer on the spirit of 'Justice should not only be done but also seen to be done'. This should not be turned into a controversy," she told ANI. Jaiswal also stated that there is a need to bring amendments in the Constitution pertaining to judges opting for post-retirement jobs. Another senior advocate KTS Tulsi also opined that refusing the post was the "only way" Justice Sikri could "safeguard honour and truth". "Justice Sikri has taken this decision because he was hurt, the reports shocked him. The truth of the matter can never be explained to each and every person. Refusing the post was the only option for him to safeguard his honour and truth. He has set an example for the country and will always be remembered for his act of sacrifice," he said. However, former Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh was of the view that Justice Sikri shouldn't have resigned because of media reports. "I think it is unfair to link the two - London assignment and CBI panel decision. He (Justice Sikri) was offered the post in December when the decision of CBI was pending before the court. He should not have resigned on the basis of media reports. Controversies like these will pose problems for judges to take up anything which they feel is correct," Singh added. On Sunday, Justice Sikri withdrew consent to be appointed as the member of London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), which was offered by the central government last month, reportedly after some media reports linked the offer to his decision of ousting Alok Verma as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The news reports allegedly mentioned that the offer from the government was a "reward" to Justice Sikri, who was part of the three-member panel that removed Verma as the CBI chief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About me I'm Avi Green From Jerusalem, Israel I was born in Pennsylvania in 1974, and moved to Israel in 1983. I also enjoyed reading a lot of comics when I was young, the first being Fantastic Four. I maintain a strong belief in the public's right to knowledge and accuracy in facts. I like to think of myself as a conservative-style version of Clark Kent. I don't expect to be perfect at the job, but I do my best. My profile Archives - Archives - July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December 2010 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011 September 2011 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 January 2012 February 2012 March 2012 April 2012 May 2012 June 2012 July 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 November 2012 December 2012 January 2013 February 2013 March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 November 2015 December 2015 January 2016 February 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 September 2016 October 2016 November 2016 December 2016 January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 October 2019 November 2019 December 2019 January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (local time) boldly admitted that the country's air force carried out an airstrike at the Damascus International Airport in war-ravaged Syria. He said that Israel attacked Iranian warehouses containing weapons at the airport in the Syrian capital. "In the last 36 hours, the air force has attacked Iranian warehouses with Iranian weapons in the Damascus International Airport. The total sum of the last attacks proves that we are more determined than ever to act against Iran in Syria exactly as we promised," Netanyahu was quoted by CNN as saying while making the comments at a Cabinet meeting. On Friday, SANA, Syria's state-run news agency reported that Israeli warplanes fired several missiles at the airport, most of which were intercepted by Syrian air defences. The ensuing airstrike had damaged a warehouse but did not hamper flight operations. The Israeli government, for the most part, has chosen not to admit its cross-border operations, despite being well-known that its air force regularly conducts airstrikes in the war-torn country. The conflict in Syria is ongoing since 2011 and Israel's stance over the same has remained neutral. However, it has pledged to prevent Iran from establishing itself militarily in Syria, where it is backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After two day of intensive search operation, the Indian Coast Guard on Monday afternoon recovered the body of a crew member of dredger Volvox Asia, 3 miles off the Pong Reef. According to the information, on the morning of January 12, the Indian Coast Guard received a distress message from dredger Volvox Asia that one of its crew members Raj Kumar Mylapilli, who was trainee Deck Officer has fallen overboard while dredging near Prongs Reef in Mumbai Harbour. "Indian Coast Guard diverted a Fast Patrol Vessel and an Interceptor Boat operating off Mumbai for search of missing crew," said the PRO Indian Coast Guards. "Air surveillance was also undertaken by Indian Coast Guard helicopter from Shikra on 12 and 13 January. The search operations continued for two days and dead body of the crew located by Indian Coast Guard Ship Agrim, 03 miles off Prong Reef at about 1:15 PM on14 January," informed Coast Guard. The body has been handed over to Mumbai Police for further formalities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump on Monday took a jibe at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports that the former was secretly working for Russia. The statement by the US president came following reports by the New York Times on Friday that the FBI launched a probe whether Trump was working for Russia against American interests, following the dismissal of then FBI director James Comey in May 2017. Comey was leading an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump wrote that the falling gas prices in his country was a bad news for Russia, but also questioned that why would he do such a thing if he worked for Russia. The US President took to Twitter saying, "Gas prices drop across the United States because President Trump has deregulated Energy and we are now producing a great deal more oil than ever before. @foxandfriends But this is bad news for Russia, why would President Trump do such a thing? Thought he worked for Kremlin?" On Thursday (January 13), the US President during a telephonic interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, rebuffed media reports on his meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and an investigation by the FBI into his behaviour after he fired the agency's Director James Comey, dubbing them as "all nonsense". Earlier on Saturday, The Washington Post reported that the US President had gone to "extraordinary lengths" to conceal the specifics of his conversations with Putin in Helsinki in July last year. As per the report, Trump had impounded the notes on one occasion from the interpreter present at the meetings between the two presidents and directed them to not divulge the details of the talks with other administration officials. There was "no detailed record, even in classified files" of Trump's one-on-one meetings with the Russian President, according to The Washington Post. Trump said that he had a "great conversation" with Putin, while White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, dismissed the report as "inaccurate". In response, Trump on Saturday blasted the NYT report, calling it "a total sleaze". "Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin' James Comey, a total sleaze!" he wrote on the micro-blogging site. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Emraan Hashmi, who has always kept his fans updated about his son's battle with cancer, revealed that Ayaan has been declared cancer free on Monday. In a heartfelt post, the actor further thanked everyone for their "prayers and wishes" and also motivated "all the cancer fighters out there." Along with some adorable pictures with his son, Emraan wrote on social media, "Today, 5 years after his diagnosis Ayaan has been declared cancer free. It has been quite a journey. Thank you for all your prayers and wishes. Love and prayers for all the cancer fighters out there, hope and belief goes a long way. You can WIN this battle !!! #thekissoflife" Ayaan was diagnosed with first stage cancer at the age of four in 2014. In 2016, the 39-year-old released a book titled 'The Kiss of Life: How A Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer' which dwells on the physical pain of the then six-year-old Ayaan and the emotional trauma of his parents. On the work front, Emraan is gearing up for the release of 'Why Cheat India'. Based on the Indian education system, the Soumik Sen-directorial will hit the big screens on January 18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American actor Dwayne Johnson accused a British tabloid publication for presenting fake interview, stating that the interview never happened. 'The Rock' star took to his Twitter handle to reveal the truth of publication which quoted the star as, "smacking down snowflakes," Variety reported. Johnson shared a video on Instagram stating, "I can't believe I have to do this again and set the record straight on something again, Earlier today online an interview dropped with me - apparently it was with me - where I was insulting and criticizing millennials," He further added, "The interview never took place," he stated. "Never happened, never said any of those words. Completely untrue. 100% fabricated, I was quite baffled when I woke up this morning." In the article, he was written in the way that he was pictured as skeptical of "PC softies" and it was also stated that he "spoke out after a flood of snowflake stories hit the headlines," "So many good people fought for freedom and equality - but this generation looking for a reason to be offended," the paper attributed to the 'Rampage' star. Moreover, defending himself the 46-year-old star further said, "I've gained such a great trust and equity with all you guys all around the world over the years and you know it's not a real DJ interview if I'm ever insulting a group, a generation, or anyone because that's not me. That is not who I am and it's not what we do. So to the millennials, the interview never happened." The interview was published on Friday by Daily Star and billed as exclusive on its front page. Later the story was removed from their online website by the publication. Currently, the 'Baywatch' star is promoting his upcoming movie, action-flick Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistan High Commission officer was called by the Delhi police for obtaining clarification on an altercation he had with an Indian woman at Sarojini Nagar market on Saturday. As per sources from the Ministry of External Affairs, the officer wrote an apology letter to the police after which the matter was resolved on the same day itself. "The Indian lady complained against him (Pakistan High Commission official) at a police station and took him there after the altercation. He apologised to the lady and was let off. There was no arrest," the source added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police on Monday rescued a 3-year-old girl from the clutches of kidnappers in a span of 48 hours and arrested the two accused women. The two accused women are identified as 20-year-old Rani and Sahili of the same age. Both the accused are the residents of Usman Pur area of the capital. The complainant alleged that the he along with his wife, younger brother and two daughters had come to Jama Masjid on January 11. His daughters were playing near Vajukhana. After some time, he found that his younger daughter aged 3 years was missing. He looked out for her everywhere but she could not be traced. Following which a complaint was registered at the Jama Masjid Police Station Based on a tip-off received on January 13, the police apprehended the two accused and rescued the kidnapped minor from their possession. During the interrogation the accused women disclosed that they were in dire need of money, the police said. Accused Rani came in contact with one Komal for seeking a job. Komal told her that she needed a child for which she was ready to pay Rs. 50,000. Rani shared this offer with her accomplice Sahili and both of them agreed for the task. Komal further gave them an idea to kidnap the child from Jama Masjid. Following this, on January 11, when both of them were hunting for a target at Jama Masjid, they noticed that two girl children were playing there and as they found an opportunity, they kidnapped the younger girl and escaped from there. They met Komal who was waiting outside and gave them Rs. 5,000 as advance and asked them to keep the child with them for one or two days and when the matter will be settled, she will take the child and pay the remaining money. Two days later, both of them had come in the area of Jama Masjid to handover the child to Komal but they were apprehended by the police team. Further investigation of the case is underway and efforts are being made to arrest Komal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today reviewed the operational readiness of the Andaman and Nicobar Command in an exercise involving 10 warships, six aircraft and 700 troops including Navy and Army commandos. "The Defence Minister witnessed all four components working jointly in unison during an amphibious demonstration. The exercise, conducted near Campbell Bay included 10 ships, 6 aircraft and 700 troops of the Command," a defence release said. The Marine Commando (MARCO) unit of Indian Navy and specialist platoon (GHATAK) of Indian Army displayed their operational capabilities by carrying out helocasting, and beach assault at the Campbell Bay Island. "While returning from Campbell Bay, the minister visited the southernmost part of India, Indira Point. After arriving at Port Blair, the Defence Minister was given a demonstration on jungle survival skills at Military Station, Birchgunj," the release said. Later, she inaugurated the phase 2 of Married Accommodation Project (MAP) that includes 868 dwelling units for the troops of Andaman Nicobar Command. The Minister also interacted with the families of the personnel deployed in the island territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday denied reports of three Congress MLAs visited Mumbai along with BJP leaders and said that they had informed him about the visit and were in touch with him during the visit. "All three Congress MLAs are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My government isn't under any threat. I know who all BJP is trying to contact and what they're offering. I can handle it, why should media be concerned?" emphasised Kumaraswamy while addressing media over MLA horsetrading reports in the state. Kumaraswamy's statement came after Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader G. Parameshwara held an urgent meeting with party leaders over reports that the MLAs were allegedly taken by the leaders to Mumbai. However, Parameshwara said that the meeting was on the upcoming budget session and to take stock of the implementation of last year's budget provisions. Some of the dignitaries presented in the meeting were state working president of Janata Dal (Secular) Eshwar Khandre, Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar, Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao. Speaking to media after the meeting, Shivakumar acknowledged that three MLAs were in Mumbai but refused to divulge further details. "Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha election, all the parties are doing their agenda and Congress president Rahul Gandhi has clearly spoken about it. Everything will be fine and there is nothing to worry about. I am not talking about whether BJP MLAs are in Congress or Congress MLAs in BJP. I didn't say they are Congress MLAs, but it's sure that three MLAs are there (in Mumbai). I know their transportation records and flight details," he added. However, Parameshwara asserted that party MLAs are intact, adding that the three MLAs may have gone to Mumbai for personal reasons. "BJP leaders are saying this government will fall. But it won't happen. Some of our MLAs have gone, they can go for temples, holiday, family outings, we don't know. Nobody said that they're going to join BJP and destabilise the government. All our MLAs are intact," he told reporters here. Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda, too, alleged that the BJP was making efforts to destabilise the Karnataka government. "The fact is BJP is indulging in poaching undemocratically. BJP is behind efforts to de-stabilise this government. It is not specific to today," he claimed. Responding to the meeting organised by Parameshwara, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda told ANI that the Congress should keep its house in order. He alleged that the Congress is failing to keep its flock in Karnataka together and instead, blaming the BJP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst the Citizenship Amendment Bill controversy, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of protection of rights and interests of the people of Manipur. N. Biren Singh called on Rajnath Singh along with Manipur BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Ksh. Bhabananda Singh on Saturday. They discussed issues related to the protection of the rights and interests of the indigenous people of Manipur. Rajnath Singh assured that interests of all North Eastern states, including Manipur, and their culture and heritage will be fully protected. He promised to call for a meeting of all concerned state chief ministers to discuss requisite safeguards in this regard. The Manipur chief minister also submitted a memorandum urging for Presidential assent to Manipur People's Protection Bill 2018. The Home Minister assured that the ministry will examine the Bill. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A SLOOP carrying 53 illegal migrants from Haiti was intercepted in TCI waters on Sunday evening (January 6) in a joint agency operation. According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the illegal vessel was detected by the Coastal Radar System. It was successfully intercepted on Sunday at about 8.30pm by the Marine Branch Unit. The units motor vessel Sea Pursuit towed in the 34 foot wooden boat which had 46 men, six women and one child onboard. The detainees were taken to South Dock Port and handed over to Task Force members who escorted them to the Detention Centre for processing and repatriation. Reports of an undetected sloop landing in Blue Hills over the weekend are being investigated, police have confirmed. A Chinese court here on Monday announced death sentence for a Canadian man who was earlier convicted under charges of drug trafficking and had already served 15 years of imprisonment. The accused, named Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, was facing a retrial in the drug trafficking case, as the Dalian Intermediate People's Court, after taking side with the prosecutors who provided new evidence in the case, claimed that the 15 years of prison sentence was too light for the accused, Washington Post reported. The Canadian drug trafficker was reportedly arrested in 2014 in China and was announced 15 years of prison sentence in 2016. The case, however, received public attention when the Chinese government, this year, invited the 70 observers including a small group of foreign journalists to attend his hearing in the appeals court. The sentence comes amid the escalation of China's diplomatic row with the United States and Canada after Huawei's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sabrina Meng Wanzhou was arrested last month in Vancouver at the request of the United States. A press statement released by the Canadian government on January 3 said that Beijing has detained 13 Canadians in total, since Wang's arrest on December 1. However, due to the escalation of a diplomatic spat between China and Canada, the detention of three Canadians was officially revealed. However, Thursday's statement revealed that out of total 13 detainees, eight have been released. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to "intercede" in the case related to the Canadian drug trafficker, South China Morning Post reported. After showing "extreme concern" over the issue, the Canadian Prime Minister accused China of "arbitrarily" applying the death sentence against Schellenberg and asked "all countries around the world" to be aware of China's manner of conduct. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday reiterated its stand on authorisation given to 10 agencies for monitoring computers and said that there is nothing new in the notification issued on December 20. The explanation comes after the Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre and asked it to file a reply in six weeks time. The apex court issued the notice on petitions against allowing 10 agencies to monitor any "information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer". According to sources, there has been not an iota of change and the same agencies were authorised and given power under the IT Act in 2009. However, this time only agencies have been notified, the source added. There were several service providers and agencies who could seek data in an unauthorised manner, said an official of the ministry. This notification had made it clear that only the 10 agencies authorised by the government have the right to seek details under the SOP (standard operating procedure) framed in 2011. Notably, the government on December 20 had notified that 10 central agencies -- Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, CBI, Investigation Agency, Cabinet Secretariat (Research and Analysis Wing), Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Assam only) and the Delhi Police Commissioner - could intercept, monitor, and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer. After facing flak from various sectors, the government immediately issued a clarification on the notification. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bolivian government on Sunday extradited Cesare Battisti, the former Italian left-wing militant, who is wanted by Italy for four murders in the European country in the 1970s. Confirming the development, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said that Battisti was handed over to Italian authorities and a chartered plane had departed from Bolivia for Rome. "The plane carrying Cesare Battisti took off now, heading for Italy. I am proud and moved," he tweeted in Italian. Battisti was arrested in Bolivia on Saturday after an international police squad tracked him to the South American country, following his extradition to Brazil and Italy. Battisti, a former member of Armed Proletarians for Communism, an outlawed Italian far-left terrorist group, escaped from prison in Italy in 1981. Thereupon, he was convicted in absentia for four counts of murder. However, he had denied the charges levelled against him, despite acknowledging his membership with the Italian terrorist organisation. On December 15 last year, Brazil's outgoing president Michel Temer had passed orders for Battisti's extradition after the Supreme Federal Tribunal of Brazil ordered his arrest. Fearing extradition charges, Battisti had initially escaped to France and then Mexico before fleeing to Brazil. His arrest in Rio de Janeiro in 2007 further instigated the Italian government to request Brazil for sending him back to his homeland. In 2010, the Italian fugitive was granted asylum under the rule of then Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Battisti was detained in 2017 while trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border carrying a huge amount of undeclared cash, amounting to approximately USD 7,500. He was, however, released within the next two days. During his campaign for the Brazilian presidential elections last year, incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro promised to extradite Battisti "immediately" to Italy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed activist and professor Anand Teltumbde's plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Pune Police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence. However, the judicature granted him protection from arrest for four weeks, during which he can seek bail from a trial court. "Investigation is getting bigger and bigger. At this stage quashing of the proceedings is uncalled for," said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The apex court also refused to interfere with the ongoing probe in the case. This is the second time that Teltumbde's plea has been dismissed in this regard. On December 21, the Bombay High Court had turned down his petition and granted interim protection from arrest for three weeks. On January 1 last year, violence had erupted during the 200th anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court on Monday said the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) union is not negotiating properly with concerned authorities, thereby violating the court's orders. During a hearing, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) lawyer informed the court that demands raised by the BEST workers, who are currently on strike, will lead to an additional annual financial burden of Rs 550 crore on the municipal body. "The demands by the workers union are of an additional burden of around Rs 550 crore per year and the current losses of the BMC are at over Rs 1,000 crore. Also, the BEST undertaking has to purchase new buses to keep itself functional. So the demands by workers union can't be fulfilled," the BMC lawyer told the court. "We have created a platform where the state government and BMC are ready to talk with the BEST union but they are not ready to initiate talks with us. They don't have respect for the committees formed by us," the BMC lawyer added. The BEST union told the court that they are compelled to be on strike as the BEST is not ready to accept their demands even when the BMC has more than Rs 50,000 crore deposits in the bank. "BMC is not even concerned about the grievances of their 50 per cent staff who work in the BEST itself," the union said. The BMC lawyer requested the court to intervene in the matter and ask the BEST employees to join their duties immediately. The court has asked the Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to remain present at 3 pm to present the state government's stand on the strike. Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) protested at the site of Mumbai Coastal Road Project under the leadership of General secretary Sandip Deshpande, demanding that the BMC should first resolve the issues with BEST on priority and then carry on with other work. Following this, the police detained some MNS workers. Around 32,000 employees of Mumbai's civic transport have called for an indefinite strike, demanding for merging of BEST budget with 'A' budget of BMC. They are also seeking resolution of the issue of employee service residences and recruitment. BEST, the lifeline of Mumbai has a fleet size of as many as 3,200 buses. It is the second largest transport system in the metropolis after local trains which ferry more than 70 lakh commuters on daily basis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Akshay Kumar on Monday, extended wishes on Makar Sankranti by sharing a video of him flying kite with daughter Nitara. The Bollywood actor went all traditional to celebrate the festival. He took to his Instagram page to share a picture in which Akshay can be seen flying kite, which is considered to be an inseparable part of the festival, with his daughter. Akshay's "happy helper" can be seen standing behind the actor, holding the spool, while the dots the sky. "Meet daddy's little helper. Continuing our yearly father-daughter ritual of flying kites soaring high in the sky! Happy Makar Sankranti everyone," read the caption. On the work front, the Bollywood star will be next seen in a period war drama film titled 'Kesari', alongside Parineeti Chopra. Directed by Anurag Singh, The film is based on the battle that took place in 1897 between British Indian Army and Afghan Orakzai tribesmen in North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). It is a story about an army of 21 Sikhs which fought against 10,000 Afghans in the war. The movie is all set to hit the theatres on 21st March 2019, giving fans a perfect Holi gift. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special CBI court on Monday gave permission to alleged AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel for speaking to his family and lawyers. The court has granted Michel with 15-minute time in a week to speak to his family and lawyers. Based on his application, he has been granted permission to make international calls. On January 10, Michel had moved an application before a special CBI court, seeking permission to make calls to family, friends and his lawyers. In his application, Michel said that he wants to contact his family and friends as well as his lawyers over the telephone. On January 11, the British High Commission in India got consular access to Michel. "Our staffs are supporting a British man who is detained in India, and have visited him to check his welfare," British High Commission in India confirmed to ANI. The British High Commission had sought consular access to Michel in December last year. Sources in agencies also confirmed that a team of the British High Commission in India had met Michel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 40 people have been injured in a powerful truck bomb explosion that rocked the Green Village compound here on Monday, a place mostly habited by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreigners. Tolo News quoted the Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) as confirming that at least 40 people were wounded in the blast and have been shifted to hospitals for medical treatment. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish further added that the explosion which took place in Kabul's Police Division 9, damaged many houses near that area. However, the local police did not report any deaths so far. Investigations are still underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four people reportedly lost their lives, while 90 were injured, including 23 children in a truck bomb explosion in Kabul on Monday evening, Interior Ministry's deputy spokesman Nusrat Rahimi said. Spokesperson at the Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Wahidullah Mayar took to Twitter saying, "Around 90 people, mostly civilians, were injured (including 23 children and 12 women), and 4 people were killed (martyred) in today's explosion in district 9th of Kabul. city. #Kabul #Afghanistan." The explosion took place in the Green Village compound, a place mostly habited by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreigners. Tolo News quoted the Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) as confirming that the people who were wounded in the blast have been shifted to hospitals for medical treatment. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish further added that the explosion which took place in Kabul's Police Division 9, damaged many houses near that area. Investigations into the matter are still underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered by unknown miscreants in Patwatoli locality in Gaya district of Bihar. The incident took place on January 12. The minor's mutilated body was found just a few metres away from her residence here. Magadh Range Deputy Inspector General Vinay Kumar said, "A detailed investigation will be done based on all inputs. Everything is being verified. We will uncover the truth soon." More details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PEOPLE must think carefully before sharing personal details online as scams involving spoofed email addresses are on the rise, police warned on Wednesday (January 9). In a news release, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) revealed that over the past four years there has been a major increase in internet fraud incidents. The force said there have been two ways identified in which the fraudsters are able to carry out their schemes. In many of the cases, the scammers are believed to have hacked into either the email accounts of the victims or their suppliers to monitor their email correspondence. The police said: "The fraudsters would send phishing emails to persons purporting to be from local banks here on the island, asking them to update their online banking information. "They would ask that the customer provide the current user ID and password along with their new ID and password. Unsuspecting customers often respond to the fraudulent emails believing they are on the banks website thereby compromising their account information, the statement said. Now having access to the customer account, the fraudster would then send similar phishing emails to other customers of the same bank, either using email or Facebook, offering employment to evaluate the effectiveness of money transmitters operating in the TCI. However, in order to do so, the second customer would need to provide their bank account details to the prospective employer. "Now armed with the online details of the first customer, the fraudsters would transfer funds from the first to the second account to have the funds wired by the second customer to various countries around the world, police said. The RTCIPF has cautioned the public to be wary about receiving such employment offers as they will only enable criminals to commit crimes. "Persons should never respond to emails purporting to be from your bank asking to update your online banking information, the release stated. "Banks would never ask you to update your online information as this is solely your discretion. If uncertain please contact your local bank. Equally as troubling, local police have also noticed that fraudsters are intercepting email communications of people in the TCI who are wiring funds to businesses or individuals. "Having done so they would create an email address identical to one the individual in the TCI has been communicating with in an effort to control all future communications. "The fraudsters would then direct the individuals in the TCI to wire the funds to a different location than that which was first agreed. "This can and has resulted in substantial loss to customers in the TCI. Police are urging the public and businesses to pay particular attention to the email address that is directing them under these circumstances and not to wire funds unless the intended recipient of the funds is contacted by phone and details are confirmed. "Carefully examine the email address that is instructing you to wire the funds - the slightest of change from the original email is a red flag. "Residents are also reminded to be very careful when making purchases online especially when the person or business advertising the item/s for sale is asking for the funds to be sent to a different location from which the item/s are located or would be shipped. Telephone conversations and other verification process are crucial in order to prevent loss, police reminded. The Financial Crimes Unit has in the past investigated instances of people being subject to crime on the internet. Many of the scams on the rise in the TCI and the Caribbean at large involve investments in cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, where the company involved offers good returns for minimal investment. (By Olivia Rose) warned on Sunday of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to "provoke" Ankara. "Will devastate economically if they hit Kurds," Trump tweeted, while pushing for the creation of a 30-kilometre safe zone. Starting the long overdue pullout from while hitting the little remaining territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 .... Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, and have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U. S. policy of destroying in - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term US policy of destroying in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. US President Donald faced uncomfortable new questions Sunday about his relationship with Vladimir despite his angry dismissal of a report that he has kept top aides in the dark about his private conversations with the Russian leader. Republican lawmakers generally defended the president, saying he had been tougher on Russia than his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, but some had questions. "I want to find out a little bit more about what happened there," said Senator Ted Cruz, on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I want to learn more than just the allegations in the press." The Post reported that has gone to unusual lengths to keep his private talks with secret, withholding details from senior officials and at one point even taking away his own interpreter's notes. That account followed another in The New York Times that the FBI became so alarmed after fired director James Comey in May 2017 that it opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether he was acting on Russia's behalf. Asked in an interview with Fox News late Saturday "are you now or have you ever worked for Russia," Trump responded: "I think that's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." "I'm not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous," he told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, without directly denying the Post story. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement calling the Post story "so outrageously inaccurate it doesn't even warrant a response." Democrats weren't convinced, however. "You know, there's so many questions raised," said Senator Dick Durbin, a top Democrat, on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Why is he so chummy with Vladimir Putin, this man who is a former KGB agent, never been a friend to the United States, invaded our allies, threatens us around the world, and tries his damndest to undermine our elections, why is this President Trump's best buddy? I don't get it." Adam Schiff, the head of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted that Democrats on the committee had sought last year to obtain interpreters' notes or testimony about Trump's private meeting with in Helsinki, but Republicans voted them down. "Will they join us now? Shouldn't we find out whether our president is really putting 'America first?'" he asked. In the Fox News interview, Trump said he did not care if details of the July 2018 meeting were made public, calling it "a great conversation." "Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs." The reports come as Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation looms large in the background, punctuated by guilty pleas, convictions and indictments of former Trump associates. These include his former national security advisor Michael Flynn; former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort; and Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his Moscow ties. Manafort was convicted of financial crimes related to political work he did in Ukraine before the 2016 election as well as witness tampering. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for multiple crimes, including lying to Congress. Cohen, who has agreed to testify before Congress on February 7, has disclosed that he negotiated to build a Trump hotel in Moscow up until his boss's nomination as the Republican presidential candidate in 2016. Manafort, meanwhile, has admitted to sharing polling data with a Russian during the 2016 presidential race, according to a court filing inadvertently made public by his lawyers. CNN reported that the intended recipients were two pro-Russia Ukrainian oligarchs. Manafort has denied lying to investigators about his dealings with the Russian, Konstantin Kilimnik, a political consultant with alleged intelligence ties, claiming he merely forgot details during the hectic campaign. Trump has repeatedly denounced the Mueller investigation as a "witch hunt," denying any collusion with Russia's attempt to sway the 2016 election. Mueller has been expected to wrap up a report on his findings soon, but the grand jury impaneled to hear evidence has been extended beyond its original 18-month mandate, suggesting investigators have more work to do. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday he will ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the killers of journalist are held accountable for their crime. The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, spoke ahead of a politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia, which has faced intense scrutiny over Khashoggi's murder inside its Istanbul consulate. "We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo told a news conference in Qatar. "So, we'll continue to talk about that and make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable, certainly by the Saudis but by the United States as well." Pompeo is due to travel to later on Sunday as part of an eight-day trip to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and finally Kuwait City. He was speaking in Doha after meeting his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. He will meet the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, before heading to Khashoggi was killed on October 2 in a case which stunned the world and threatened a serious rift between Riyadh and Washington. The journalist was murdered and his corpse dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate. Evidence subsequently emerged that the killing was done by a team of Saudis sent from Riyadh and closely linked to the crown prince. Washington subsequently demanded a transparent investigation. Riyadh prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people, and are seeking the death penalty against five of them. But Prince Mohammed, whose right-hand aides were allegedly involved in the murder, was exonerated by prosecutors despite US intelligence reportedly having evidence he was behind it. On a previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, Pompeo's broad smiles with the crown prince outraged some Americans. However, US President Donald President Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder. Washington is eager for regional unity to gain widespread support its fight against Iran. Pompeo refused on Sunday to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran. He also called on Qatar and other Gulf countries to end the worst political rift in the region for years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt -- all US allies -- cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar -- also a US ally -- denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. "As for the GCC... we are all more powerful when we're working together when we have common challenges in the region and around the world," Pompeo said, referring to the six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. "Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful." He added that "President Trump and I both believe the ongoing dispute in the region has gone on too long". However, Pompeo later admitted in a Q&A session with US embassy staff in Doha that no progress was made on resolving the issue. "(It's) not at all clear that the rift is any closer to being resolved today than it was yesterday," he said. "And I regret that." He said he raised the standoff at length with his counterparts in Qatar, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain. The United States, which at first appeared to back the boycott of Qatar, has so far been unsuccessful in trying to end the dispute. Attempts at mediation have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni. "It was time for change and he made his decision to move on but America's commitment remains unchanged," said Pompeo of Zinni. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan. The US and Qatar held the second "strategic dialogue" between the two countries on Sunday, and signed agreements on defence, education and culture. "This reflects the good and historical relationship between the two countries," said the Qatari foreign minister. Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the country's anti-graft body's appeal against the suspension of the jail sentences of ousted prime minister and his family in the Avenfield corruption case. In July 2018, an accountability court handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar upheld the Islamabad High Court's verdict that ordered suspension of prison sentences awarded to Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The apex court, in its ruling, said that the NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case. The 69-year-old three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Sharif is currently in jail after an anti-corruption court sentenced him on December 24 to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case while acquitting him in the Flagship Investments corruption case in the high-profile Panama Papers scandal. The NAB approached the apex court after the Islamabad High Court, on September 19, suspended prison sentences of the Sharifs awarded by an accountability court. The accountability court convicted Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced them to eight years and one year, respectively, in prison. Upholding the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court bench threw out the NAB's request to revoke the Sharifs' bails, observing that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the "grounds for cancellation of bail". The IHC did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case, Geo TV quoted the bench as observing. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country's next chief justice later this month, stated that the IHC decision was temporary and the apex court would not interfere with the decision. " is already behind the bars. He did not misuse the bail, and regularly appeared in the trial court [for hearings]," Justice Khosa remarked. Three cases of corruption the Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the NAB on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif. The apex court initially set six month deadline to conclude the cases but it was subsequently increase around eight times on the request of the accountability court. Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July, 2017. Newmont Mining Corp said on Monday that it would buy smaller rival Goldcorp Inc in a deal valued at $10 billion, creating the world's biggest gold producer by output. The deal is the second high-profile merger in the mining industry since Barrick Gold Corp agreed to buy Randgold Resources Ltd in September last year to cut costs. The gold mining industry has come under fire from investors in recent months for poor management of capital. This combined with falling gold reserves and higher extraction costs have prompted miners to look for cost efficiencies. "The ... China will reduce restrictions on foreign investment and address difficulties facing foreign companies investing in the country, the commerce minister said, according to a transcript of an interview he gave to state media. Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said China would allow full foreign ownership of companies in more areas of the economy and would reduce the number of industries in which foreign investment was restricted or barred, according to the transcript posted on the Ministry of Commerce's website on Sunday. The comments appeared to be largely reiterations of past ... By Delana Isles THE CARTWRIGHT Robinson administration marked its midterm in office this week, but while the ruling party espoused its position and performance thus far as strong, the Opposition has taken a rather dim view to that claim. On the heels of Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinsons address to the territory on Monday (January 7) members of the Opposition PNP party held their own press conference the following day to review the pronouncements made by the premier and engage the media. One of the issues raised by the Weekly News at the PNP event, was the accomplishments of the Ewing administration against the Cartwright Robinson Government to date. Both Governments followed immediately after the reinstatement of the Turks and Caicos Islands suspended constitution and during a time when the territory was still trying to regain economic stability. Leader of the Opposition Hon. Washington Misick said that in spite coming into office at a time of chaos - an economy in free fall and the world now fighting its way out of a financial crash - during its tenure, the Ewing Government clawed the territory out of its dismal state. It massively reduced its debt, and left the coffers healthy when they handed over the reins to the PDM on losing the December 2016 elections. "Public servants had to give up 10 percent of their pay, we had huge public debt and we stepped up to the plate, made tough decisions. Leadership is about making tough decisions. It is not easy, he said. "But every decision that is made ought to augur towards the good of all. "Enter the PDM Government - you have debt paid, a treasury full of money, a huge public sector investment programme in terms of road construction, CCTV, all of those were programmes and projects that were approved, all they had to be was executed. "Two years later, some of them are just now being executed and some of the projects had not been executed because the premier did not like who had the contract. "Some of those contracts have fallen backwards and one of those is the parliament that we cant go to, the party leader stated. Questioned about whether the Government has over the past two years been listening to needs and calls of the people, PNP Chairman Hon. Royal Robinson said that while it might have been, the PDM Government is ill-equipped to address those needs. "It is one thing to listen, but you cant respond to the needs if you dont have the skillset to do it. It is very, very, very important. "You just cant come to the table with promises, you have to come with some skills, some ability and some empathy for the people of the country, Robinson insisted. Hon. Akierra Missick, elected member for Leeward and Long Bay, agreed with Robinson on the issue of lack of skills, stating: "I think it is a lack of skill-set in their ministerial Cabinet. "Weve worked as a Government with the same senior civil servants throughout the various ministries and when you compare the achievements that the Rufus Ewing administration had in each individual ministry with the same team, same guidelines, same directors, same legislations, and yet 24 months after theyve come in where there is more money in the bank than this country has ever seen at one time, they are dragging their feet to accomplish goals. "Why are they interfering so much in basic decisions that are made at the civil service level? "Let the people do their jobs. PDM Performance to date - learning curve and incompetence? On the issue of whether they consider the current Government to be still learning from the missteps of the past two years, or whether incompetence can be blamed for the reported failures to deliver on promises, Misick, Robinson and Stubbs-Smith had much to say. Misick said: "A learning curve would indicate that you are learning. Organisations that do well are organisations that learn and grow. "I have heard nothing from what the premier said yesterday (Monday) to give me the impression that shes learnt anything. "They havent changed their attitude, they havent changed their aptitude, so as far as Im concerned, the Government has stumbled into 2019 and will stumble through 2020 and hopefully people will take a critical view of who presents themselves both in terms of the political parties and the individuals. "But I dont think they will ever get over the learning curve because they have to have the disposition to want to learn and acknowledge that there are some things you dont know. "Weve got very competent public servants, particularly in the Ministry of Finance but you have to let people be and do their jobs and thats part of the problem. Hon. Robinson added: "If you dont have the tools and the building blocks to work with you cant achieve anything. "The front bench of this current PDM Government is the weakest and laziest front bench I have ever seen since 1976 when ministerial government came to Turks and Caicos Islands. "This is taking into account those persons who had limited education attainment and ability during that time. That is a real indictment on this current PDM Government. Hon. Stubbs-Smith said: "Were still waiting after two years for the learning curve, if there was some growth and some learning occurring by now it should be at the midpoint and were still waiting for the music to play. A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression. A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a Canadian national to death for his involvement in smuggling drugs amid increasing tensions between Canada and China over the recent arrest of executive Meng Wanzhou. Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was sentenced to death at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in northeast China's Liaoning Province, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday night. All his personal assets will also be confiscated, according to the court. Earlier in the day Schellenberg told the court that he had been framed when prosecutors pushed for a harsher sentence in a case which could further exacerbate tensions between the US, Canada and China. In his defence at his retrial, Schellenberg, a 36-year-old former oil industry employee, said he was a tourist framed by criminals, rejecting allegations he had smuggled more than 200 kgs of methamphetamine in China, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. But prosecutors said they had evidence that "highly suggests Schellenberg was involved in organised drug crime," it reported quoting Chinese state-run broadcaster CGTN. While Schellenberg was initially detained in Liaoning province in 2015, his case assumed significance in the backdrop of increased tensions between Canada and China over CFO Meng's arrest. Meng, the daughter of founder Ren Zhengfei, is currently on bail in Canada after her arrest over alleged violation of US sanctions on Iran. If found guilty she could be jailed for up to 30 years. Following her arrest, China also detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig. Schellenberg was first tried for drug smuggling in the Dalian court in March 2016 but it was not until more than two years later that the court handed down a verdict, convicting and jailing him for 15 years in November 2018, the Post report said. He was also fined 150,000 yuan. He appealed against the sentence to the Liaoning High People's Court, where prosecutors argued the sentence was too lenient. The court heard the appeal on December 29 and ordered a retrial in the lower court. Schellenberg told the court on Monday that he came to China after travelling through Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He said a friend recommended a man named Xu Qing as a translator. "This is a case about Xu Qing. He is an drug smuggler and a liar," The Post quoted Schellenberg telling the court. But Xu was presented as a witness by prosecutors. Two Chinese men were also involved in the case - one was sentenced to life in jail, while the other was given a suspended death sentence. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday voiced "extreme concern" over the Chinese court "arbitrarily" sentencing Schellenberg to death. "It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our friends and allies, that China has chosen to arbitrarily apply death penalties in cases, as in this case facing a Canadian," Trudeau said at a press conference. So it has come to this: The president of the United States was asked over the weekend whether he is a Russian agent. And he refused to directly answer. The question, which came from a friendly interviewer, not one of the fake media journalists he disparages, was the most insulting thing Ive ever been asked, he declared. But it is a question that has hung over his presidency now for two years. If the now 23-day government shutdown standoff between Mr. Trump and Congress has seemed ugly, it may eventually seem tame by comparison with what is to ... Prime Minister Theresa May must win a vote in parliament to get her Brexit deal approved, or risk seeing Britain's exit from the European Union descend into chaos. May postponed a parliamentary vote on her deal last month, admitting she was set to lose it, and pledging to seek assurances from the EU to help win over lawmakers. The vote is now due to take place on January 15 To win, May and her ministers have to overcome opposition from across the political spectrum. Here's how the voting will work: WHO? The debate takes place in the lower ... has rebuffed media reports on his meeting with his Russian counterpart and an investigation by the FBI into his behaviour after he fired the agency's Director James Comey, dubbing them as "all nonsense". He made the comments during a telephonic interview with host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday evening (local time), reported. On Saturday, The Washington Post reported that the had gone to "extraordinary lengths" to conceal the specifics of his conversations with Putin in in July last year. According to the report, Trump had impounded the notes on one occasion from the interpreter present at the meetings between the two presidents and directed them to not divulge the details of the talks with other administration officials. There was "no detailed record, even in classified files" of Trump's one-on-one meetings with the Russian President, according to The Washington Post. Trump said that he had a "great conversation" with Putin, while Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, dismissed the report as "inaccurate". ALSO READ: Trump blasts FBI probe into whether he was secretly working for Russia The New York Times (NYT) on Friday reported that an FBI probe was launched whether Trump was working for Russia on behalf of Russia against American interests, following Comey's dismissal in May 2017. The then FBI director was leading an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 In response, Trump on Saturday blasted the NYT report, calling it "a total sleaze". "Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin' James Comey, a total sleaze!" he wrote on the micro-blogging site. BSP supremo is expected to spell out her party's views on the political situation and the tie-up with on her 63rd birthday on Tuesday, which the party workers look to make a grand event. Massive preparations are underway to celebrate the occasion in the state capital, with big hoardings and blue (party colour) banners being erected near the streets and around the party headquarters and her house here. Party sources said the will hold a press conference and release the 14th volume of her book 'A Travelogue of My Struggle Ridden Life and BSP movement" on that day. The BSP president is scheduled to leave for Delhi in the latter half of the day to spend time with her family, they said. During the presser, she is expected to respond to queries on the political scenario in the country and the alliance with the for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Ever since her visit to Lucknow last week, the BSP chief has been busy holding meetings with party workers and leaders to take stock of ground realities and the party's preparation for the coming elections. "Behenji (as is called) has directed party workers to strengthen their presence across all booths and ensure that people from all castes and social strata are connected with the party. She also took feedback on the work done in her absence," a party leader said. She has asked the party cadres to be wary of the designs of the ruling BJP to harm the interests of the SP-BSP alliance, the leader said. Though no formal invitation to other party leaders has been extended, party sources said BSP's coalition partners from other states may arrive in the national capital to wish Mayawati. The visit by leader to the state capital to meet the BSP supremo on Sunday can be viewed in this light, the party leader said. "Behenji usually spends her birthday with party workers and supporters who celebrate the day as 'jan kalyankari diwas' by extending a hand of support to the needy and downtrodden," he added. Lately, buyers have started pressuring us to reimburse the incentive amount received from the Indian government, ie, reimbursement of the amount received as duty drawback and reimbursement of duty credits received under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS). Is there any provision in Indian law, which restricts us from passing on these incentives? I dont think you can do much about past exports because any refund of export proceeds or remittance on account of claims ... 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 By Delana Isles THE CELEBRATION of the new law year saw the Chief Justice acknowledging those from the Turks and Caicos Islands legal community who left during the past year and those who were welcomed into the judicial fold as the year came to a close. The annual celebration was hosted in Providenciales on Wednesday (January 9), with a church service at St Monicas Anglican Church, followed by the inspection of the guard and speeches at the Supreme Court annex. Among the attendees were Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale, Justice Shiraz Aziz, Commissioner of Police James Smith, other RTCIPF senior ranks, magistrates, legal luminaries and other members of the local bar. Presenting her annual report of the TCI judiciary, Ramsay-Hale first acknowledged a recent tragedy that struck the family of the Chief Magistrate, Tanya Lobban-Jackson. "In 2018, our family lost a member in the person of Andrew Jackson, the late husband of our Chief Magistrate, Her Honour Mrs Tanya Lobban- Jackson. "His passing in December, on the eve of the Christmas season, while he was travelling to join her and their boys in Jamaica to celebrate Christmas with family was unexpected and, in the circumstances, tragic. "Andrew was a wonderful friend, son, father and husband. He was a frequent sight at the courthouse, often bringing lunch for his wife so she could continue working without distraction. "I take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the passing of a truly wonderful human being and to convey the judicial administrations sincere condolences to the chief magistrate on her indescribable loss. Another loss, this time in the form of retirement, was that of Justice Joan Joyner who retired from the Supreme Court Bench after some seven years in December 2018. Justice Joyner was appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2011, as a puisne judge, capping a long career on the TCI Bench where she also served as both magistrate and as chief magistrate. "Her acquaintance with the Islands began, however, much earlier than that as some of you might remember, as the learned judge was also a senior crown counsel when responsibility for criminal prosecutions still fell to the attorney general, Ramsay-Hale said. "At a private ceremony in her courtroom to mark her retirement, Mrs Justice Joyner was lauded by staff who had worked with her in the Magistrates Court and in the Supreme Court for the training and guidance she gave them for which they expressed deep appreciation. "Instances of the goodly judges no-nonsense approach to the business of judging and the management of her court were shared to the delight of all present and quite a few tears were shed. "On behalf of all members of the judicial administration, I join the attorney general and the other speakers this morning in thanking her for her service to these Islands and wishing her well in retirement. The Chief Justice also acknowledged the newest addition to the local bench, that of Justice Shiraz Aziz, who joined the TCI judiciary in April 2018 after serving as presiding criminal judge in the Grenada High Court. "He brings with him a wealth of experience as a leading junior at the English Bar, with experience of practice in the West Indies. "He attended Hugh Wooding Law School in the country of his birth and completed the course for admission to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar. "He has wide experience in training judges and has led training workshops throughout the Caribbean and beyond, she added. Future plans Speaking to the future plans of the TCI court, Ramsay-Hale observed that while her chambers are no longer within the umbrella of the now renamed Law Courts, there is hope that in the new financial year all the courts will take up temporary residence in one premises. "That is now our most urgent goal. We are presently bursting at the seams and we look forward to a day in the not too distant future when we will be housed in a purpose built judicial complex. She expressed thanks to the premier for her recently announced commitment to the development of a purpose-built court complex. "I note too her stated commitment to the construction of a remand centre on Provo. This is a priority for the more efficient trial of persons who are on remand as such trials are currently subject to delay for the reason that flights are delayed or that the prison has no tickets. She said this would also relieve the burden on the prison of housing remand prisoners and will shorten trial times. "I would say a word of thanks to the director of the prison and the commissioner of police who have strived to make arrangements to house and secure prisoners on remand in Provo for their trials, as we are well aware of their constraints in terms of manpower and the physical infrastructure to house prisoners. Commenting on the premiers statements about the need for initiatives for the rehabilitation of offenders, the chief justice urged the Government to also implement initiatives to stop people going into the prison in the first place. "Not enough attention is being paid to children who are at risk and/or in conflict with the law. "The default position remains to exclude them from school but I ask, to what end? These children end up with no education, prepared only for a life of crime. She stated that a notable feature of children who are in conflict with the law is the feeling that they dont belong. "Excluding them from school and from the company of their peers only enforces that feeling of not belonging to the community, a feeling that the community is hostile to them and this reinforces their delinquent behaviours. "I am weary of those who blame the parents for a childs delinquency as the casting of blame is not helpful as it doesnt resolve the problem. She said this attitude ignores the fact that a child or young person may have a mental illness or present some other challenge which is beyond their parents capacity to cope. "We cant legislate who shall be parents and who not, but we can legislate for the care and protection of children who are at risk and provide places of safety and education and learning where they can be nurtured or at the very least, protected from their own worst impulses. Pointing to the recent imprisonment of a 13-year-old boy, Ramsay-Hale called it unfortunate and something that should never happen. "Despite ongoing concerns, last weekend a child of 13 was taken into custody at the prison as there was no-one to take up his bail. This should never happen. "If a child does not have a parent or a fit and proper person into whose care he can be remanded by a court, then Social Services must be equipped to place that child in accommodation which is fit for purpose, she stated. government has imposed a ban on the sale and use of plastic products in the Union Territory from March 1. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy made the announcement on Sunday. " government will impose a ban on plastic usage from March 1, 2019," Narayanasamy told media here. The decision has been taken to keep the environment clean, he added. ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu starts the new year with positive response to plastic ban On March 23 last year, the government had issued a notification, imposing a ban on the manufacture, use, sale and distribution of all plastic materials like plastic bags, spoons, plates, bottles and thermocol items. On April 13, the had called the ban 'reasonable'. It is a "sin" to seek votes in the name of cows, Chief Minister said on Sunday even as he accused the BJP-led government of not allocating sufficient funds for cattle fodder. The (AAP) chief visited a cow shelter in Sonipat's village Saidpur. "It is wrong to seek votes and play politics in the name of cows which is currently happening in the country," Kejriwal said, addressing a gathering in the village. "I feel, may be I am wrong, that it is a sin to seek votes in the name of cows," he said. He claimed the government was running the "country's best" cow shelter in Bawana. "Nobody knows that the country's best cow shelter is being run by the government," he said. He accused the BJP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of not releasing funds for cow fodder. "In Delhi, the MCD is supposed to contribute Rs 20 and the is supposed to contribute Rs 5 for cow (fodder) per day. But raised it to Rs 20 from Rs 5 so that Rs 40 could be contributed per cow per day," Kejriwal said. "Now, the is giving Rs 20 per cow per day but the BJP-led MCD has not released funds for the last three years," he claimed. Kejriwal also accused Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar-led government of not paying enough for cow fodder. "I have come to know that the government releases Rs 140 per cow per year. It works out to be around 40 paise for a cow per day," he said. "I want to say that if you seek votes in the name of cows, then you should also pay enough for their fodder," he said. There is a "strong possibility" of Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana's to India before the completion of his 14-year jail term in the US in 2021 for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, an informed source here has said. Rana, 58, a resident of Chicago, was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, was convicted by a federal jury of participating in a conspiracy involving a plot against a Danish newspaper and providing material support to (LeT), a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan. A total of 166 people, including 6 US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based LeT terrorists in Mumbai. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release by US District Judge Harry Leinenweber. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. The Indian government, with "full co-operation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the before his current jail term ends in December 2021. India would not seek of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the "double jeopardy" clause in the US justice system prohibits to punish a person twice for the same crime. India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based Defence College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also forgery case registered against him in India. "There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. India's Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice and the US' State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. They are unwilling to cutdown or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition, the source added. Following a recent visit to the US by India's Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. During the visit, the NIA team also received guidance from their US counterparts on the paperwork which India needs to complete to meet the requirements of the American judiciary system and their standards. The NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities, sources said. In case, the US government in co-operation with the Indian government is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials here said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. As per the existing US law, Rana, a Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release. However, people familiar with the matter told PTI that there is a "desire" so there is an assurance from the highest level in the Trump administration that all necessary steps would be taken in timely manner to ensure extradition of Rana before his release. According to the US officials, the extradition of Rana would help in cementing the relationship between the two countries, boost up the counter- co-operation and enhance America's image among Indians. On the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack on November 26, 2018, the Trump administration had reiterated its resolve to bring to justice those involved in it. Vice President Mike Pence had raised this issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. Citing the partial government shutdown, the State Department and the Department of Justice expressed their inability to respond to the questions related to the extradition of Rana. The Indian Embassy here and the attorney of Rana did not respond to a question on his extradition. Justice A K Sikri of the Supreme Court wants the controversy, over his proposed post-retirement assignment and nomination on the PM-led panel which removed as CBI chief, to "die" even as some senior advocates Monday termed the incident mischievous and aimed at targeting him. "See I don't want the controversy to be dragged. I want it to die," told PTI on the sidelines of a private function relating to the release of a book on the life of former Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal. He refrained from making any further comments on the episode. A controversy broke out on Sunday over getting a government offer last year for a post-retirement assignment at the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), three days after his vote, as a representative of CJI Ranjan Gogoi on the panel, helped decide the removal of Verma as CBI director. Apparently stung by the controversy, withdrew his consent to the government offer. On Monday, Justice Sikri, the senior-most judge after Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, maintained a safe distance from scribes but former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said he has been "unfairly targeted" by some political leaders and activist-lawyers. "There is no connection between the two issues and people who don't know the facts and circumstances under which the two things happened giving consent for assignment at London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal and his nomination by the CJI in the Prime Minister-led panel on the former CBI chief issue are instrumental in making allegations which are utterly false and malicious," Rohatgi said. Criticising some activist-lawyers who had used social media to allegedly "malign" the judge, Rohatgi said "such people only want publicity without knowing the facts about the person whom they are speaking." "The issue was raised completely with mischievous intent to malign the judge. It is scandalous," he said. His view was shared by former high court judge Ajit Kumar Sinha and senior advocate Vikas Singh, who said it was "unfortunate" that some persons and activist-lawyers "mischievously" linked the two incidents. They said Justice Sikri had given oral consent in December 2018 to the government offer to nominate him for president/member of the CSAT and the CJI nominated him in the PM-led panel after judgment in the Verma case in January 2019. Singh said the lawyers have to make comments sensibly but these activist-lawyers are "loose canon" and "I think it was mischievous on part of the activist-lawyers to create an unnecessary controversy". Sinha said creating controversy like this only denigrate an institution from where both the bar and the bench derive privilege. He also said people who have created the controversy have been earlier praising the CJI but now criticising him for nominating Justice Sikri on the high-level panel. A senior advocate, who recently resigned as Additional Solicitor General, and knows Justice Sikri for three decades, said "some people are only trying to malign the judge". He said it has become a routine for some activist-lawyers to target judges who take decision contrary to their wishes. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier argued that all women should be allowed to enter the Sabarimala temple, on Saturday said he cannot take an "open-and-shut position on the issue as there is validity in the arguments of both the sides. Speaking at a press conference in Dubai on Saturday, Gandhi said the issue is "much more complicated" and he would leave it to the people of Kerala to decide on the matter. He admitted that his initial position on the Sabarimala issue was different than what it is today. "I have heard both the arguments, my initial position was different than what my position is today. After I heard the arguments of people of Kerala, I can see validity in both the arguments that traditions need to be protected. I can see validity in the argument that women should have equal rights. So I would not be able to give you an open-and-shut position on this," Gandhi said. "After I spoke to the people in Kerala and the Pradesh Congress Committee team in the state and they explained the details, I realised that the issue is much more complicated and both sides have a valid position. I would leave it to the people to decide on this," he said. After the Supreme Court verdict, Gandhi had said that all women should be allowed to enter the Sabarimala temple, noting that his view on the issue was different from that of his party's Kerala unit. The Congress in the capital had welcomed the Supreme Court verdict, while the party MPs from Kerala opposed it. The shrine was out of bounds for girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age. The Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowed women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The southern state witnessed massive protests from the right-wing organisations after the Left-led state government decided to implement the Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the CBI on former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's appeal against his conviction in 1984 case. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul also issued notice on Kumar's bail plea. Kumar, 73, surrendered before a trial court here on December 31, 2018 to serve his sentence in accordance with the high court's December 17 judgement, which sent him to prison for the "remainder of his natural life". The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced relates to the killing of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar Part-I area of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and the burning down of a gurudwara. The riots broke out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards. There is a "strong possibility" of Tahawwur Hussain Rana - currently serving a 14-year jail term in the US for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack - being extradited to India, an informed source said. The Indian government, with "full co-operation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition of the Pakistani-Canadian before his current jail term ends in December 2021. Rana was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Some 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. "There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. India's Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice and the US' State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. And they are unwilling to cutdown or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition, it added. Following a recent visit to the US by India's Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. From now on, the NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities. In case, the US government in co-operation with the Indian government is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials here said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. As per the existing US law, Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release. However, people familiar with the matter told PTI, that there is a "desire" so there is assurance from the highest level in the Trump administration that all necessary steps would be taken in timely fashion to ensure extradition of Rana before his release. According to the US officials, the extradition of Rana would help in cementing the relationship between the two countries, boost up the counter-terrorism co-operation and enhance America's image among Indians. On the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, in November 2018, the Trump administration had reiterated its resolve to bring to justice those involved in it. Vice President had raised this issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. During their recent visit, the NIA team also received guidance from their US counterparts on the paperwork which India needs to complete to meet the requirements of the American judiciary system and their standards. India would not seek extradition of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the "double jeopardy" clause in the US justice system prohibits to punish a person twice for the same crime. India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based Defense College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also forgery case registered against him in India. Citing the partial government shutdown, the State Department and the Department of Justice expressed their inability to respond to the questions related to the extradition of Rana. The Indian Embassy here and the attorney of Rana did not respond to a question on this issue. 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. 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Digital Editor By Delana Isles OVER the past year there were 63 criminal cases filed in the local courts, the same as the previous year, but there has been a sharp decline seen in civil suits. This was revealed by Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale during her overview of the criminal and civil courts for the past year. In addition to the 63 filed cases, 22 additional ones were added to the courts roster for trial in 2018. Those additional cases were brought forward from the year before and some were sent back to the Supreme Court for retrial. Fifty of the 85 cases listed were disposed of in the following ways: 18 guilty pleas, 12 found guilty, 10 acquitted, 11 withdrawn or discontinued, one trial was stayed. The number of cases withdrawn or discontinued remains a concern for the courts, as it suggests that in a significant number of cases 20 percent of matters which were committed for trial - the witnesses for the Crown did not come up to proof or were unavailable, the chief justice stated. She added: "I have an ongoing concern about the number of cases which were tried. There were two judges sitting in the criminal division of the court with each having the capacity of trying at least 40 cases over the period of 12 months and yet, between them, only 22 matters were brought on for trial. She said that an analysis of the case files showed that in the majority of cases, trials did not proceed as scheduled as the Crown was not ready and the reason for this lack of readiness was for the most part because they did not have their witnesses. "The judiciary has taken the precaution of listing an additional matter in every week so that if one trial breaks down for any reason - witnesses sick or absent, a late guilty plea - the courts can still be engaged in work, but too often neither matter is trial ready, despite assurances by counsel at the pre-trial review stage that they are ready to proceed. Ramsay-Hale stated that this is unsatisfactory and that the judiciary is hopeful that in 2019, counsel both for the Crown and for the defence - as they too are often responsible for delays - will be ready to proceed on the date fixed by the court for the trial of their matters. Civil and Commercial Court Noting that the downward trend in civil proceedings has continued over the past year, the chief justice observed that fewer proceedings begin when the economy is strong or recovering. "In the Civil and Commercial Division of the court in which I preside, an account cannot be given in terms of how many matters went to trial and were disposed of as in the criminal courts, as the parties control the proceedings and may settle or abandon matters without reference to the court. However, apart from the decrease in numbers noted by the registrar between 2018 and 2017, in 2016 a total of 186 cases were filed, down from 241 in 2015, 280 in 2014. "As I observed on an earlier occasion, there is a correlation between a strong economy and the number of civil suits. The court sat in 343 hearings in 2018 and delivered 28 written decisions, 10 of which were decisions reserved from 2017. Of the decisions reserved in 2018, only two remain outstanding. "This court has set a benchmark of three months for the delivery of judgments in decisions which are reserved. "Of the 14 decisions which were reserved in 2018, only 10 were delivered within the three months target. We intend to improve on that in 2019, she noted. Divorce petitions filed There were 55 divorce petitions filed in 2018, 42 of which were in person applications. This figure is an uptick from 2017, when 43 divorce petitions were before the court. A total of 54 petitions were listed for hearing in 2018, one was petition was dismissed and 38 were granted. A further 13 decrees nisi were granted in respect of petitions filed in 2017 and two in respect of petitions filed in 2016. A decree nisi is a court order that will come into force at a future date unless a particular condition is met. Unless the condition is met, the ruling becomes a decree absolute, and is binding. Of the 53 decrees absolute granted in 2018, 26 were petitions filed in 2018, 19 were petitions filed in 2017, four were petitions filed in 2016, three were petitions filed in 2015 and one was a petition filed in 2008, which was finally concluded. Magistrates Court Presenting the chief magistrates report on 2018 sittings, the chief justice noted that 2018 was a year of steady progress for the Magistrates Court after making a full recovery from the two hurricanes which occurred four months prior. The court in Providenciales settled into the new location at Leeward Highway and had a full year of court administration with all courts under the same roof. This, she reported, allowed for better workflow and a single location from which to serve the public. "As we moved forward to improve the delivery of services to court users and the public at large, we partnered with the Cayman Islands in relation to staff training as well as streamlining our own systems and adopting best practices. "To this end, the chief magistrate attended the case management conference held in Florida, US and put on by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in September of last year. She added that in terms of output, the Magistrates Court numbers continue to improve. "However, this will not be reflected numerically this year because the statistical method has been adjusted to more accurately reflect the work of the court. "The number of charges brought against an individual in respect of a single incident spawning several charges, for example, wounding, possession of an offensive weapon, assault and disorderly conduct, all arising from a single incident are now counted as one criminal matter for the purposes of record keeping. However, she reported that seven criminal proceedings and nine traffic proceedings were brought forward into 2018 from 2017. In Providenciales, of the 355 criminal cases which were filed, 273 were disposed of, which is a disposal rate of 77 percent. The number of traffic cases filed was 392, and 356 were disposed of, a disposal rate of 91 percent. "With the coming into effect of the offence of driving above the prescribed limit, far more persons were disqualified from driving, as against the previous year, as this is mandatory under the ordinance, Ramsay-Hale noted. The offences of burglary, handling stolen goods and possession of control drugs continue to dominate the criminal list, she added, however, the volume and seriousness of drug cases declined compared to the previous year. The majority of drug cases involved a small amount of cannabis. There was only one case with a large amount of cannabis and this case also resulted in a cash seizure of $6,000. Marine offences, including "poaching as well as illegal entry (sloops), also saw a decrease over the previous year. Five vessels were seized in connection with cases before the court, four were forfeited to the Crown on completion of the case and the last one is pending the outcome of the case. The chief magistrate and her colleagues also participated in the legislative review process and made contributions to the review of a number of bills including the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Amendment) Bill, Child Justice Bill, Status of Children Bill, Juvenile Courts (Amendment) Bill and the Maintenance of Children Bill. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Buyers will need to drop stacks of cash to live above these stacks. The developer erecting the luxury condo building whose bottom floors will include the new Brooklyn Heights Library is now hawking units inside the swanky tower, where one-bedroom residences start at more than $1 million. Builder Hudson Companies on Jan. 8 unveiled a new sales website for its 38-story high-rise dubbed One Clinton, which is rising at the Cadman Plaza West site of the former Heights branch that Brooklyn Public Library sold off back in 2014. Part of the towers bottom three floors will include the newly built library, as well as a new lab run by the Department of Education where local students can perfect their science, technology, engineering, and math skills. But the rest of the building will cater to residents of its 100-plus pads, which start at $1,088,000 for one-bedrooms, $1,985,000 for two-bedrooms, $3,195,000 for three-bedrooms, and $5,258,000 for four-bedrooms, according to reps for the developer, who said prices for the towers five-bedroom units and penthouses will be announced soon. Manhattan-based firm Marvel Architects which also dreamt up the Pierhouse and 1 Hotel in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Saint Anns Warehouse in Dumbo is creating the high-rise itself, with another Manhattan-based company, Studio DB, designing interiors for the condos, which all boast oversized windows, in-unit washers and dryers, white-oak cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances, the reps for Hudson Companies said. The swanky high-rise whose entrance is on Clinton Street and separate from that of the library will also feature a fitness center with a yoga studio, sauna, and hot tub, along with other amenities including a 24-hour attended lobby, childrens center, bicycle storage, bar and outdoor terrace, and outdoor lounge areas with grills and play equipment. It will also house two retailers: an outpost of java joint the Brooklyn Roasting Company and another spot featuring rotating vendors curated by the operators of beloved local food-and-drink fest Smorgasburg. The library system raked in $52 million from the sale of the old branch, which some book-lovers rallied against, despite the local community board, civic group, and Borough President Adams ultimately lending their support to the redevelopment project. The condos and new stacks are slated to open in the summer of 2020, according to reps for the developer, which must also build 114 units of so-called affordable housing as part of the deal. But bigwigs of Hudson Companies in 2015 announced those units will be built in Clinton Hill, sparking criticism from many locals who said that erecting the below-market-units at a site separate from the expensive condos in Brooklyn Heights is segregationist. Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 2604577 or by e-mail at jcuba @schn epsme dia.com . Follow her on Twitter @julcuba. With the tightening of lending criteria plus new rules which came into force on 1 January, 2019 is expected to be the year that finally bursts the plastic bubble. New figures out by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) show the number of new credit card accounts dropped to 15.97 million in November 2018, making it the lowest level of active accounts since March 2015 Total credit limits also fell to $151.94 billion in November, down from $152.09 billion in October, despite it being a month out from the busy Christmas shopping period. Both changes are in line with the new credit card rules which came into play at the start of this year, which make it harder for people to get access to credit. Borrowers will now only be given credit which can be paid off within three years. With tightened lending many people are also deciding whether or not to get rid of their credit card in order to be approved for their mortgage. Sally Tindall, research director at RateCity.com.au, said the figures were a sign Australian credit cards could be on the decline. The governments new regulations will force new credit card applicants to accept a credit limit they can prove can be repaid within three years. It will also see people rethink the merits of having multiple cards, Tindall said. Meanwhile, people applying for home loan in 2019 might choose to cancel their credit card or reduce their limit in order to get their home loan application over the line. The RBA data shows people are also taking their foot off the pedal when it comes to credit card , in particular putting fewer purchases on the cards and paying less interest. Balances accruing interest fell to $31.52 billion in November, which was the lowest level since September 2017 Tindall said, This trend is likely to continue as it gets harder to get approved for a credit card and people grow more fed up with the traditional ways to pay. Australians are looking for alternatives to the humble credit card as buy-now-pay-later options such as Afterpay and Zip Pay grow in popularity. Caracas: The president of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly was briefly arrested on Sunday, two days after declaring that he was prepared to take over temporarily as the country's leader in a renewed push to oust President Nicolas Maduro from power. The opposition leader, Juan Guaido, was captured when a van he was traveling in was stopped on a highway on Sunday morning. Briefly detained: Juan Guaido. Credit:AP A video recorded by a driver on the highway appeared to show masked, heavily armed agents from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service pulling Guaido from his vehicle and pushing him into a white van before driving away. He was released shortly after, according to Edward Rodriguez, head of communications for the National Assembly. Guaido then traveled to the northern city of La Guaira, where he was due to participate in a town hall event with members of the public. The president also hit out at reports that the FBI had opened an investigation into whether he was following directions from Russia, angrily declaring: "I never worked for Russia." Trump's remarks to a gathering of farmers came as a raft of new polls show most Americans oppose a border wall and blame Trump and his Republican colleagues, rather than Democrats, for the government shutdown. US President Donald Trump talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before departing for the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Annual Convention in New Orleans. Credit:AP New York: President Donald Trump is refusing to budge on his demand for a border wall, saying there is "no substitute" for a physical barricade on the Mexican border as the longest federal government shutdown in US history entered its fourth week. Trump's continued insistence on wall funding suggests the government will not re-open any time soon. He has proved reluctant to declare a national emergency that would allow him to build a wall without congressional approval, saying on Monday local time: "I'm not looking to do that." "We can have all the drones in the world flying around, we can have all the sensors in the world but if you don't have a strong steel or concrete barrier there is no way you are going to stop these people from rushing [in]," Trump said in a speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation. A US Border Patrol agent rides a vehicle on the beach in San Diego. Credit:AP "There is no substitute for a wall or physical barrier. There is no substitute." Trump said he agreed with critics that the idea of a border wall was "medieval" but this did not mean it was a bad idea. Wheels were also a medieval invention but are still used today, he said. Istanbul: President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman says Turkey expects the United States to honour their strategic partnership after President Donald Trump warned it would devastate Turkey economically if they attack a Kurdish militia in Syria. Relations between the two NATO allies have been strained over US backing for the Kurdish YPG, which Turkey views as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that is waging a decades-long insurgency on Turkish soil. Donald Trump and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan pictured in Belgium in July 2018. Credit:Tatyana Zenkovich "Mr @realDonaldTrump It is a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK, which is on the US terrorists list, and its Syria branch PYD/YPG," spokesman Ibrahim Kalin wrote on Twitter. "Terrorists can't be your partners & allies. Turkey expects the US to honour our strategic partnership and doesn't want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda," he said. Others predicted a smaller margin of defeat, as May argued on Monday Brexiteers would let the British people down if they risked the countrys economy and security for the sake of a no deal Brexit. On one count, more than 110 MPs from Mays own Conservative Party plan to vote on Tuesday (UK time) against the deal May brokered to govern the UKs withdrawal from the European Union. London: British Prime Minister Theresa May has demanded parliamentarians back her Brexit deal or face the judgment of history, as she counts the hours to what is predicted to be a heavy loss followed by political turmoil. She warned Remainers that if they blocked Brexit it would be a subversion of our democracy. Loading May refused to consider delaying Brexit, which is set to happen on March 29, to sort out the parliamentary stalemate, despite pleas from Labour and Conservative MPs for her to do so. She said when she went knocking on doors people said they just wanted the government to get on with the job. And she refused to concede defeat in advance unlike in December, when the government postponed the vote. Instead, she used a public appearance and a speech to parliament to insist hers was the only responsible and democratic course as the country heads for its March 29 Brexit deadline. No (the withdrawal deal) is not perfect and yes it is a compromise, but when the history books are written people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask, Did we deliver on the countrys vote to leave the European Union or did we let the British people down? May said. Both former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and outgoing Indi independent Cathy McGowan are encouraging Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie to have a crack at the marginal Victorian electorate of Indi, albeit with different motives. Speculation over Senator McKenzie's electoral future has continued throughout summer, with the aspiring Nationals leader being pegged first as a drop-in candidate in Mallee following Andrew Broad's "sugar baby" scandal, and later being suggested as a challenger in Indi, in the event Ms McGowan quit politics. "If Bridget was to stand I think she would be an excellent candidate and quite obviously would be doing a very courageous thing," Mr Joyce said. Outgoing Indi independent Cathy McGowan with independent candidate Helen Haines on Monday. Credit:Mark Jesser The former Nationals leader, who resigned following reports he was expecting a child with former staffer Vikki Campion, followed a comparable career path: from 2005 to 2013 he was a senator, before he took over New England from a retiring independent Tony Windsor at the 2013 election. Imagine this nightmare scenario: youve just received a call from a doctor. Your teenage child is in the emergency department. You and your family rush to her bedside. Your only child dies later that night. Youre in shock. Youre heart is broken - youve lost someone who can never be replaced. Alex Ross-King, the Central Coast teenager who died this weekend. Life couldnt be more cruel - then the next wave approaches. Journalists want to know why your child was experimenting with the drugs which led to the tragedy. You cant think straight. An hour or so ago you were trying to figure out what to cook for dinner. But instead, here you are. What would you say to in that moment? Organizers said they had many requests to bring back the Ironman, as a way for people to feel "normal" again after more than a year of the unsettling pandemic. An online friend of the Perth mum who has been accused of feeding her chronically ill baby son bleach said she believed the woman adored both of her children and needed help. Perth mum Brooke Lucas and her son. Credit:Facebook Brooke Evelyn Lucas was charged with unlawful intent to kill or endanger human life and fronted Perth Magistrates court again on Monday where she was remanded in a psychiatric facility on a seven-day hospital order. Ms Lucas did not make a bail application, but a mental health assessment recommended she'd be denied bail. Ms Lucas stood in the dock, visibly upset, rocking back and forth, buying her face in her hands at times. As millions of Australians return to work refreshed and ready for whatever 2019 throws at them, its worth remembering that for plenty of others the Christmas holidays were a dark and lonely time. I know this because every Christmas theres a big spike in the number of CPSU members calling us in crisis. I spent some of my Christmas dealing with this. The CPSU saw a noticeable increase in the number of women calling for help with family and domestic violence, writes Melissa Payne. Credit:Louise Kennerley This summer theres been a very noticeable increase in the number of women seeking our help with family and domestic violence, either to escape immediate danger or dealing with the aftermath in the months and years afterwards. These are women in desperate need of advice and support, and who feel like theyve got no-one else to turn to. During my 16 years working within the CPSUs Member Service Centre our union has played an ever-increasing role in referring members to services such as 1800RESPECT and Lifeline and ensuring their bosses provide appropriate leave and other support. Were receiving these calls because people now feel its OK to ask for help, which is good, but sadly the main reason people are calling their union is because there arent enough dedicated services available. Fire engulfed a Gold Coast home after a ute crashed into it and burst into flame on Monday morning. Police would not comment on the graffiti "this is for f---ing my wife" believed to be spray painted on the outside of the home. Police are investigating a suspicious fire at an Ashmore home. Credit:Seven News Police say a person got into the Ashmore homeowner's ute and reversed it into the side of the building. The back of the car then burst into flames and quickly spread into the home, causing significant damage. A heatwave gripping Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and NSW will move east and bring near-40-degree temperatures to parts of south-east Queensland by the weekend. The weather bureau expects inland areas of the south-eastern corner to reach maximums in the high 30s later in the week while towns in the southern interior are bracing for tops in the 40s. This weekend looks like a good one to spend at the beach, with the heatwave peak expected on Friday and Saturday. Credit:Harrison Saragossi Meteorologist Michael Knepp said the heatwave was predicted to move into the Tasman Sea by Friday and draw in warmer air. The heatwave was expected to cover large parts of southern Queensland from Wednesday onwards before extending into the south-eastern corner by Friday. A man swam more than a kilometre back to shore in rough seas while his partner clung to an overturned catamaran off Queensland's south-east coast on Sunday. The woman, who could not swim, held on to the stricken vessel in the water off Hervey Bay for at least two hours until a rescue boat arrived after the man raised the alarm upon reaching the mainland. A woman spent at least two hours clinging to her overturned 14-foot catamaran off Hervey Bay on Sunday. Credit:Volunteer Marine Rescue Hervey Bay - Facebook Volunteer Marine Rescue Hervey Bay vice-commodore Jill Barclay said police notified the rescue base about 2pm after the man swam for about 45 minutes back to shore. He used a bystander's mobile phone to call triple zero and was worried because he could no longer see the overturned 14-foot vessel from the shore, which was being blown further out to sea. A man has died after his ute veered off the road, hit a tree and rolled in the South Burnett region. The ute left Mundubbera Durong Road in Proston, 135 kilometres west of Gympie, about 12.30pm on Monday and the driver, a 40-year-old South Toowoomba man, died at the scene. The fatal crash on Mundubbera Durong Road, near Boondooma Dam. Credit:RACQ LifeFlight Rescue - Twitter Two male passengers, aged 26 and 50, were flown to Brisbane hospitals by RACQ rescue helicopters. The Forensic Crash Unit was investigating. A 40-year-old man has died and his 60-year-old mother-in-law is in a critical condition at Westmead Hospital after a "gruesome" stabbing at the man's home north-west of Sydney. Police, NSW Ambulance and the CareFlight helicopter arrived at the house in Enfield Avenue, North Richmond, just before 11am following reports of a disturbance. Adam John Coble was dead when police arrived. There, police found the woman with serious stab wounds to her neck and the man, who lived there with his wife, dead. "[The 60-year-old woman] is presently being operated on at Westmead," Hawksbury Police Area Commander Detective Superintendent Jim Stewart told reporters, referring to the stabbing as domestic violence. It has taken decades of tireless effort by individual activists and groups to shift domestic violence out of the shadows. With victims historically reluctant to report attacks for a range of reasons, including shame, a perception they are the ones at fault and the fear of further reprisal, there is still much to be done in terms of removing any perceived stigma. Loading This is why Justice Minister, Shane Rattenbury's, concern over reports women who have called on ACT Policing for assistance during a domestic violence incident have ended up facing charges themselves need to be taken very seriously. Mr Rattenbury cited two cases where it is understood that after police were called they charged the women who made the complaints with assault. SHANGHAI MIMI Riverside Theatre, January 13 I tend to view circus and fireworks through the same lens: haven't I seen that done before? But China's Quinghai Acrobatic Troupe performed routines that made my eyebrows shoot heavenward and my jaw drop so low the wonder is there was no cascade of saliva. I mean, picture five women, each spinning eight plates on eight sticks, and then performing dances and acrobatics while continuing to keep their spinning plates looking like eight white flowers waving in a gentle breeze. Shanghai Mimi: A worldwide hit in the making. Credit:Prudence Upton The genesis of Shanghai Mimi lay in the discovery of recordings of music from pre-war Shanghai in a unique style called shidaiqu, which blended swing jazz and Chinese folk music. The best of these songs sung by Sophie Koh as the mythical Shanghai Mimi, backed by a quintet under pianist John McAll contained a striking blend of diaphanous Chinese melodic influence with the groove, instrumentation and some harmonic elements of jazz. The show (conceived by Douglas Hunter and directed by Moira Finucane) is brand new, and Koh, although vocally ideal (singing in Mandarin and English), still has to grow into the larger-than-life charismatic presence that Mimi wants to be. Similarly some of the choreography (Cameroonian Simon Abbe and Wu Baoyong) and design elements (Eugyeene Teh) are not yet as sharp as they could be, although Abbe's own dancing and Jenny Hector's lighting are exceptional. Ivanka Trump will help manage the Trump administration's selection of a US candidate for the position of World Bank Group president, a White House official said on Monday. Ivanka Trump with outgoing World Bank president Jim Yong Kim. Credit:AP The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the process is not public, dismissed a report in the Financial Times that floated Ivanka's name as a possible candidate and was repeated by several other media outlets over the weekend. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney "have asked Ivanka Trump to help manage the US nomination process as shes worked closely with the World Banks leadership for the past two years," the official said. "Reports that she is under consideration are false." Residents in parts of Southern California have been ordered to evacuate as the first of a parade of storm systems has started soaking areas scorched by last years Holy Fire. MANDATORY EVACUATIONS in California as powerful storms engulf Holy Fire burnt area. via Twitter Officials in Riverside County issued a MUST GO order effective 7 a.m. local time for neighborhoods in the burn areas of Augusts Holy Fire, stating the risk of debris flows at a moments notice. A mudslide closed a lane on the westbound side of the Pacific Coast Highway west of Malibu. The highway will be closed until the mudslide can be cleared; Caltrans asked all drivers to avoid the area, if possible. Storm in California: Westbound right lane of PCH (SR-1) is CLOSED due to mudslide. via Twitter There is the potential of mudslides and debris flows at recent burn scars, particularly near the Holy Fire burn scar, the National Weather Service wrote in its warning. Debris flows can happen suddenly with little time to act. Heed the advice of local officials. The second, fast-moving storm in the series to hit California is expected to move into the area Tuesday into early Wednesday with a potential for rain and snow in the higher elevations. The third system, expected to be the strongest and wettest of the three, will hit the area Wednesday and Thursday. Debris flows and mudslides are likely in areas where heavy rain hits, considerably burn areas. Get prepared for this triple storm attack! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or become a Patron on Patreon / donate through Paypal. Please and thank you [Flood Watch, Mandatory warning map, weather] Afterpay Touch shares slid 3.6 per cent to $13.05, Wisetech Global fell 0.1 per cent to $19.11 and Xero closed 1.6 per cent lower lower at $42.00. Energy stocks also closed lower as oil prices slid for a second straight session. Woodside Petroleum fell 0.5 per cent to $33.08, Origin Energy declined 1.1 per cent to $6.91, Oil Search closed 0.8 per cent lower at $7.55 and Santos went down 0.2per cent to $5.83. The banks led the market gains on Monday with some modest advances. ANZ rose 0.5 per cent to $25.37, NAB advanced 0.5 per cent to $24.67, Commonwealth Bank climbed 0.4 per cent to $71.92 and Westpac lifted 0.5 per cent to $25.74. Retail Food Group shares rose after The Australian Financial Review reported private equity invest PAG Asia Capital was in talks to purchase Crust Gourmet Pizzas. The company responded to the report, saying it was looking to reduce its debt by various means, including the sale of assets. Retail Food Group's shares closed 15.3 per cent higher at 34. Costa Group continued to rebound from its 38.8 per cent loss last Thursday, closing higher for a second straight session on Tuesday as it climbed 4.5 per cent to $4.85. Stock watch Ansell Macquarie Wealth Management upgraded Ansell from 'neutral' to 'outperform' on Monday. The broker believes a combination of raw materials prices trending lower (natural latex, synthetic latex and butadiene are key for Ansell's latex gloves products), an on-track cost reduction program commenced by management in 2017, and greater balance sheet flexibility after Ansell's divestment of its Sexual Wellness business support their favourable investment view. The broker believes Ansell looks attractive compared to domestic and international peers on a price-to-earnings growth basis. Macquarie reduced its 12-month price target on the glove manufacturer from $27.20 to $26.50, citing minor revenue growth adjustments. What moved the market Iron ore premiums A fall in steel margins has pushed steel mills toward lower grade iron ore, decreasing the premium being paid for higher grade ores. In the second half of last year, higher grade iron ore was trading at almost a 45 per cent premium to mid-grade iron ore but have now slid to be trading at less than a 20 per cent premium. "The fall in high-grade iron ore prices don't mean that China's preferance for high-grade ore is set to diminish structurally, but the economics of higher grade ore over mid- and low-grade ore remains an important considerations," said CBA mining and energy commodities analyst Vivek Dhar in a note on Monday. Aluminium US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will attempt to force a vote to obstruct the Trump administration's decision to relax sanctions on companies associated with Oleg Deripaska after the Russian oligarch stood down from positions within three sanctioned companies. Schumer said in a statement on Sunday the Treasury Department's proposal is flawed and failed to limit Deripaska's influence and control over the companies. Markets have not priced in harsher sanctions against companies such as RUSAL, meaning aluminium prices could spike sharply if Schumer's proposal is successful. At least two people have died and about 40 others were detained in what has been described as a crackdown on gay people in the Russian republic of Chechnya, LGBT activists said. The new allegations come after reports in 2017 of more than 100 gay men being arrested and subjected to torture - with some of them killed - in the predominantly Muslim region. Chechen authorities denied those accusations, and federal authorities conducted a probe that found nothing to support the reports. The Russian LGBT Network, which has been monitoring the situation in Chechnya and helping victims of the anti-gay purge, said that about 40 men and women have been detained on suspicion of being gay since December and that at least two of them have died as a result of torture in detention. The detainees are believed to be kept at the same facility which was named in the 2017 reports. Igor Kochetkov, programme director at the Russian LGBT Network, said: "Widespread detentions, torture and killings of gay people have resumed in Chechnya. "Persecution of men and women suspected of being gay never stopped. It's only that its scale has been changing." Mr Kochetkov said the new wave of persecution started at the end of the year when Chechen authorities detained the administrator of a social media group popular with LGBT people in the North Caucasus. He said the mass detentions began after the authorities got hold of contacts on the man's mobile phone. Colm OGorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland said the news that a crackdown on LGBT people has resumed is "absolutely spine-chilling". Many LGBTI people in Russia are still traumatised by the 2017 purge which saw dozens of gay men in Chechnya abducted and tortured and others killed." He added: We are horrified by reports that at least two people have died from torture-inflicted injuries. With lives in jeopardy, there is an urgent need for an international response to protect gay and lesbian people in Chechnya. Russian authorities have strenuously denied that killings and torture took place in the predominantly Muslim region where homosexuality is taboo, even after one man came forward to talk about the time he spent in detention in Chechnya. Maxim Lapunov said he was detained by unidentified people on a street in the Chechen capital, Grozny, in 2017 and kept in custody for two weeks, where he was repeatedly beaten. He was let go after he signed a statement acknowledging he was gay and was told he would be killed if he talked about his time in detention. Mr Lapunov, who is not an ethnic Chechen and is from Siberia, was the first to file a complaint with Russian authorities over the wave of arrests of gay people. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe last month called on Russia to investigate the reports, and Mr Lapunov's case specifically. Mr O'Gorman added: The fact that there has still not been any justice for the 2017 attacks shows that gay and lesbian people in Chechnya cannot rely on the Russian authorities to protect them. The lack of official investigation has emboldened the Chechen authorities to launch a new wave of persecution, safe in the knowledge that the Russian government will back up their denials and obfuscation. We are calling for the international community to take immediate action to protect gay and lesbian people in Chechnya, and to increase the pressure on the Russian authorities to properly investigate these horrendous crimes. PA & Greg Murphy More than 100 firefighters and emergency workers in southern Spain are searching for a two-year-old boy who fell into a narrow and deep well. Firefighters have found a bag of sweets that the boy was carrying when he went missing on Sunday afternoon, said Maria Gamez, Spain's government representative in Malaga province. Rescuers believe the boy fell into the 100-metre deep waterhole in a mountainous area near the town of Totalan after he walked away from his parents. The shaft, which is too narrow for an adult to enter, had been bored a month earlier during water prospection works and had not been covered or protected, local media reported. Rescuers are trying to avoid blocking the small diameter of the well with falling soil as they search for the boy, Ms Gamez said. Update 12.15pm: Theresa May has issued a last-ditch plea for MPs to back her Brexit deal, after Brussels chiefs issued a letter offering assurances that they do not want the controversial "backstop" to be permanent. Speaking in a factory in Leave-voting Stoke-on-Trent, the British Prime Minister said the letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker made clear that the backstop was "not a threat or a trap". And she also said she was committed to working with MPs from across the House to ensure that workers' rights and environmental standards were protected after Brexit. Mrs May warned that MPs would be behaving with the "height of recklessness" if they rejected her Withdrawal Agreement in Tuesday's historic vote, when no alternative deal was on offer which was negotiable and respected the 2016 referendum result. The Prime Minister said that the presidents' letter provided "valuable new clarifications and assurances" to address the concerns of MPs who fear the backstop, which is designed to prevent a hard border in Ireland, could become a permanent arrangement which the UK could leave only with approval from the EU. She said the letter delivered: - A commitment from the EU to begin work on a new post-Brexit relationship as soon as the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified; - An explicit commitment that the new relationship does not have to "replicate" the backstop arrangement, under which the UK would remain in a customs union with the EU and be required to observe some of its rules; - Agreement on a fast-track process to bring a new free trade agreement into force, even if some of the 27 remaining members delay ratification; - Acceptance that the UK can unilaterally deliver on commitments made to Northern Ireland, including a "Stormont lock" on new EU laws being added to the backstop. "The letters published today have legal force and must be used to interpret the meaning of the Withdrawal Agreement, including in any future arbitration," said the Prime Minister They make absolutely clear the backstop is not a threat or a trap. "I fully understand that the new legal and political assurances which are contained in the letters from Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker do not go as far as some MPs would like. "But I am convinced that MPs now have the clearest assurances that this is the best deal possible and that it is worthy of their support." Theresa May toured the Portmeirion pottery factory in Stoke-on-Trent before her crucial speech (Ben Birchall/PA) In their letter, Mr Tusk and Mr Juncker stressed they were "not in a position" to rewrite or amend the Withdrawal Agreement secured by Mrs May last year. But they assured the PM that the EU "does not wish to see the backstop enter into force", as it would represent a "sub-optimal trading arrangement for both sides". The EU wants to ensure it would "only be in place for as long as strictly necessary". The EU presidents stated: "Were the backstop to enter into force in whole or in part, it is intended to apply only temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement." (PA Graphics) Warning that failure to deliver Brexit would do "catastrophic harm" to trust in the political process, Mrs May said: "There are some in Westminster who would wish to delay or even stop Brexit and who will use every device available to them to do so. "I ask them to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of the British people in our democracy ... People's faith in the democratic process and their politicians would suffer catastrophic harm. We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum. With expectations high at Westminster that the Prime Minister is heading for a crushing defeat in Tuesday's crucial vote, Mrs May issued a plea to MPs concerned about the danger of a no-deal Brexit to back her. "The only ways to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are: to abandon Brexit, betraying the vote of the British people; or to leave with a deal, and the only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night," she said. "You can take no-deal off the table by voting for that deal. And if no-deal is as bad as you believe it is, it would be the height of recklessness to do anything else." PA & Digital Desk Letter from EU offers assurance that Brexit backstop will only be temporary European Union chiefs have sent Theresa May a letter confirming that Brussels does not want the so-called backstop to remain in place permanently following Brexit. But European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker stressed they were not in a position to rewrite or amend the Withdrawal Agreement secured by Mrs May last year. The letter comes ahead of Tuesdays vote on the agreement in the House of Commons as the Prime Minister makes an eleventh-hour bid to secure MPs support for her deal. Many Conservative MPs are threatening to rebel on Tuesday because of their concerns that the UK could be permanently trapped in the backstop arrangements designed to avoid a hard border in Ireland and requiring compliance with some EU rules and be unable to pull out without approval from Brussels. In letter to Mr Tusk and Mr Juncker requesting additional assurances, Mrs May wrote: The clarifications and undertakings proposed in this letter are consistent with the letter and spirit of the deal we have reached, but would be further reassurance that the fears that some hold on both sides are misplaced. In their response, the EU presidents stated that they regard the Withdrawal Agreement as a fair compromise which would limit the negative consequences of Brexit. The European Union does not wish to see the backstop enter into force, as it would represent a sub-optimal trading arrangement for both sides, they said. The EU wants to ensure it would only be in place for as long as strictly necessary. The Withdrawal Agreement makes clear that that backstop comes into effect only if no broader deal on future relations has been reached by the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020 or after a potential extension of up to two years if that is triggered. My reply to @theresa_may, together with @eucopresident, providing clarifications to the #Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. pic.twitter.com/f0PalJkRVu Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) January 14, 2019 The EU presidents stated: Were the backstop to enter into force in whole or in part, it is intended to apply only temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement. At a European Council summit on December 13, leaders of the remaining 27 member states agreed a firm commitment to work speedily to deliver an agreement which meant that the backstop would not be needed, said the letter. They have agreed that, if needed, it should apply only temporarily and the EU would use its best endeavours to negotiate and conclude expeditiously a subsequent agreement that would replace the backstop. The letter said that the commission was committed to providing the necessary political impetus and resources to ensure that a future relationship agreement is drawn up as quickly as possible. The letter confirmed that both Mr Tusk and Mr Juncker were ready to sign the Withdrawal Agreement as soon as the so-called meaningful vote is passed by the UK Parliament, allowing preparations for a future partnership to begin immediately thereafter. - Press Association It has been reported that a man has been arrested after setting 15 Standardbred racehorses loose from their stalls, one of which ended up drowning in a nearby body of water. According to an article by The Plain Dealer, Jonathan Ford, a 28-year-old resident of Mansfield, Ohio, was arrested today (Monday, Jan. 14) and is facing a slew of charges in relation to the situation. It has been alleged that at roughly 6 a.m. Ford released 15 racehorses from their stalls at the Stark County Fairgrounds. Fourteen over the horses were eventually corralled after being loose in adjacent neighbourhoods. One of the horses was not so lucky, though, as it drowned in Meyers Lake after rescue attempts by Canton police and firefighters were unsuccessful. Canton police have stated that additional charges could be possible, but at this point Ford is facing four charges: breaking and entering, inducing panic, disrupting public service and possession of drugs. The names of the horses involved in the situation have not been made public at this point, but Trot Insider will update this story with the information if it is made available. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of the horses involved. (With files from The Plain Dealer) University of Limerick has conferred honorary doctorates on two of Ireland's best-known people. Rock star, humanitarian and activist Bob Geldof and best-selling author Marian Keyes received their doctorates today as part of the first of ULs five Winter Conferring ceremonies. Marian's strong commitment to activism was highlighted, particularly in the realm of gender equality. She donated all of the royalties from her best-selling book Under The Duvet to the Irish Simon Community. Her "strong connections" to UL and its surrounding areas were mentioned at the ceremony. "Marian Keyes was born on St Patricks Road Limerick in 1963 and spent the first year of her life here," said UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald. "Marian was a guest interviewee at the 2018 University of Limerick Frank McCourt Creative Writing Festival. She spoke to our own Professor Joseph OConnor at a sell-out event at UCH last May. "The audience were enraptured by her insights into creative writing, Irish Society and the many problems that life throws at us. Marian generously shared her experiences as a writer with our students and the wider public." Bob Geldof's work as a humanitarian activist was discussed, in particular, his work with Band-Aid and Live Aid. Bob Geldof is robed and ready to be conferred. #ULGraduation pic.twitter.com/UeoinaN2To University Of Limerick (@UL) January 14, 2019 "Bob has lobbied politicians and world leaders of all political hues in his herculean efforts to resolve global inequality and poverty," said Dr Fitzgerald. "In 2017, he handed over the entire archive of the Band-Aid Trust to the National Library of Ireland; this will be a major resource for postgraduate students and academic researchers. "The study of Peace and Development and of Africa specifically, is a major focus here at the University of Limerick, led by the work of scholars such as Professor Tom Lodge." The Winter Conferring ceremonies will see 1,715 UL students graduate. We can't seem to find the page you are looking for. You may have typed the address incorrectly or you may have used an outdated link. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he shares Vicky Phelan's desire to bring some good from her tragic circumstances and promised to do so this year. Responding to sharp criticism from Ms Phelan who accused him of being all talk and no action Mr Varadkar said he respected and admired her for seeking to force change in the cervical check system. He gave a commitment to make the health service open and honest by making it a legal requirement for doctors to disclose test results and mistakes. One of the things I respect and admire most about Vicky Phelan is that she would like something good to come out of the tragedy that has affected her. I share that objective. That means reforming our health service so it becomes more honest and more open and that is what we are going to do, he said. He said the Government is bringing in legislation to make it a legal requirement to engage in open disclosure and secondly by making cervical cancer a very rare disease. And we can do that by bringing in HPV vaccine for boys and improving screening by bringing in the new smear tests. Both of these things are going to happen this year. The Irish public and the women of Ireland have my commitment that will make those things happen working closely obviously with Minister Harris, he said. Asked if the drug Pembro is to be made available to all patients of cervical cancer, Mr Varadkar said it is the intention to make the drug more widely available in lines with clinical guidelines. My understanding is that we are putting in place a medicines management programme which means it will be in place for patients with cervical cancer. But obviously, that will have to be guided by the medical guidelines and not a case of patients deciding individually that they would like to have a particular medicine. It would have to be prescribed by a consultant and adhere to those guidelines, he said. Speaking at the weekend, Ms Phelan praised Minister for Health, Simon Harris, for his efforts to improve screening standards and provide better treatment for cervical cancer patients. At least you know that there is a willingness there, where there isnt in other (government) parts, she added, hinting at her disappointment with others at the cabinet table. I wouldnt have that same confidence in the Taoiseach, put it that way. He doesnt inspire me with confidence, Ms Phelan said. I think he is very much all talk and no action, and I just dont get (the) sense, that he thinks this is as important as what it is really, when you consider half the population in the country are women, and every woman in this country has to have a smear, she added. A mother-of-two has been spared jail but was given a lifetime pet ban after her two dogs were found in emaciated and starving conditions. Kelly Bennett, with an address at Glenshane Grove, Tallaght, Dublin wept in court as she was prosecuted today for neglecting her three-old Jack Russell terrier named Buddy and Jessie a now 12-year-old boxer, who have since been placed in new homes. He banned her from being a pet owner for life and fined her 100, explaining that she should be getting the maximum fine for each charge, however, he had to take her circumstances into consideration. He also said that at any point she could have got help from a welfare agency to look after the dogs. She pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to five charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) chief inspector Liam Kinsella told the court the dogs were emaciated and starved, and he feared they would have died if it had gone on longer. He confirmed to Jim Benson BL, prosecuting, that on February 12, 2018 he received a call from a member of the public who had concerns for the dogs. He went to the house and met the accused who allowed him entry, he said. The Jack Russell terrier was in the back yard and was seriously under-weight, he recalled. The boxer was in a shed, which was not locked, but the DSPCA inspector who has more than 20 years experience said he was shocked at the state it was in. He admitted, I have to say the sight of the boxer, I was not prepared for. I was quite surprised this animal was alive, there was no sign of food or water, he said. He and colleagues immediately brought the dogs to a vet. Both were deemed to be emaciated and blood samples were taken and sent to a laboratory at UCD to ascertain if there was an underlying medical problem. There was no underlying problem, the diagnosis was starvation, the inspector said. The boxer was dehydrated and after she was removed from the house she drank two litres of water without stopping. The environment was unsuitable for them and the accused was not suited to have a pet, the inspector said. A vets report and photos of the two dogs at the time of rescue as well as recent ones were handed in to court for the judge to inspect. Describing the pictures of the dogs, he said they were majestic creatures reduced to having their ribs barely covered, the boxer in particular. He said the dogs were reliant on the accused to feed, water and shelter them but the accused had been cruel and had very little charity in her heart. The distraught defendant was crying during the hearing but Judge Halpin told her tears dont work on me. She replied that she had baby blues and she pleaded she had asked a family member to help with her pets. She claimed she was staying at different addresses and didnt know they were starving. She also said they were not always in that condition. Mr Kinsella agreed with defence counsel Beatrice Vance that her client had co-operated and pleaded guilty at an early stage in the proceedings. Ms Vance asked the court to note the woman suffered from post-partum depression and had looked for help. Her client was embarrassed and very remorseful, counsel said. The judge had the power to disqualify her from being an animal owner and he noted the accused was not objecting to this being done. He banned her from being a pet owner for life and fined her 100, explaining that she should be getting the maximum fine for each charge, however, he had to take her circumstances into consideration. He also said that at any point she could have got help from a welfare agency to look after the dogs. Legal aid was granted to the accused who was in receipt of social welfare. The DSPCA found new owners for Buddy and Jessie who have made full recovery. A man who gave his partner a merciless beating before abducting her infant child has had his prison sentence increased by the Court of Appeal. Patrick Lynch (38), with an address at Lady's Place, Naas, Co Kildare pleaded not guilty to assaulting his partner as well as the abduction of a child at locations in the county on November 7, 2016. He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to two years imprisonment with the final six months suspended by Judge Sean O Donnabhain on April 17, 2018. The Director of Public Prosecutions successfully sought a review of Lynchs sentence on grounds that it was unduly lenient. He was accordingly resentenced today to three years imprisonment with the final nine months suspended. Giving judgment in the three-judge court, President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham said Lynch had spent much of the day drinking outside a dwelling while his partner and her two-year-old son were inside with the hostess. Lynch was neither the father nor a guardian of the child. At some stage, Lynch attacked the injured party with a brush handle and punched her in the face while she was still holding the infant. The injured party retreated to a toilet and Lynch rammed the door with his shoulder. He then assaulted her as she sat on the toilet. The sentencing judge said he gave her a merciless beating. Lynch later drove off with the infant in a car. He subsequently agreed to meet the injured party at or near Naas Courthouse. Gardai observed the handover of the unharmed infant and moved in to arrest Lynch after the handover had occurred. Mr Justice Birmingham said Lynch, a separated father-of-five, had 148 previous convictions including three for obstructing a peace officer and single convictions for violent disorder, burglary and robbery. He had more than 100 road traffic convictions and was disqualified from driving at the time. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Seoirse O Dunlaing BL, submitted that the sentencing judge failed to take sufficient account of the unprovoked nature of the assault, the circumstances involved in the taking of the infant and the return of the infant only after the passage of time. Counsel for Lynch, Willie Hughes BL, acknowledged that the mitigating factors were few and far between but that his client had issues which were recognised by the sentencing judge. Serious and disturbing incident Mr Justice Birmingham said it was a serious and disturbing incident involving an assault with the use of a weapon. The case was contested by a man with a poor record of previous criminality. In the Court of Appeals view, the sentence did not reflect the gravity of the offending conduct and must be regarded as unduly lenient. Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, resentenced Lynch to three years imprisonment with the final nine months suspended. The court noted that there was ongoing contact between Lynch and the injured party. He was required to enter into a good behaviour bond for the suspended period and undertook to be so bound. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has called for a review of the Electoral Act. The body, which protects and promotes human rights and equality, warned that the 1997 Act could be having "a chilling effect" on the funding and activities of civil society organisations. The Commission detailed its concerns in a policy statement sent to Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, Minister of State John Paul Phelan and Oireachtas members. It says a review of the Act is needed to consider how the State ensures that the legal framework allows for "a conducive political and public environment for human rights defenders". This would allow those groups and individuals who are involved in the protection of human rights to carry out their work in a manner which is consistent with international law, the Commission said. It has also called for a clearer link to be established between restrictions placed on "third party" activity or activity for "political purposes" when compared to wider work by civil society which aims to influence policy making and decision making. A third issue which the group seeks a review of is the reforms which are now underway on oversight of electoral processes around the development of a statutory Electoral Commission. IHREC also highlights concerns which were raised in 2003 over the wide scope of the legislation by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), and more recently in 2018 by the EUs Fundamental Rights Agency. Last November, the Council of Europe called on all member states, including Ireland, to strengthen the protection and promotion of civil society space in Europe. Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: "Regulation, accountability and transparency in relation to elections and referendums are crucially important to the integrity of our democracy. "However, the Commission is concerned that the current legislation may serve to undermine the legitimate advocacy work and activity of civil society groups, whose work is also at the heart of our democracy. Repressive measures are increasingly being used in Europe and globally to shrink the space in which human rights organisations can function. Ireland must not, through an unintended consequence of legislative change, give succour to this kind of approach and must instead seek to protect the rights of those who face the greatest barriers to justice. Ireland has a strong international reputation as a champion of civil society, having led two UN Human Rights Council resolutions affirming the critical role of civil society actors globally. Here at home, we must respect those same fundamental freedoms that support the legitimate work of civil society actors," she said. A garda convicted of possessing images and videos of children being subjected to sexual acts will be sentenced next month. Joseph O'Connor (58) of west Dublin had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five counts of possession of child pornography at his home on dates between July 30 and August 2, 2011. In August 2011, gardai investigating an allegation of assault made against O'Connor went to his home. They seized evidence including a laptop. A subsequent analysis of the laptop found videos in the computer's recycle bin depicting boys under the age of ten being subjected to sexual acts. Two videos depicted boys under 17 being subjected to sexual acts with a male adult. There were also multiple copies of 16 different images of children sexually exposed or being subjected to sexual acts with other children. After a trial last November a jury convicted him of four counts. The jury acquitted him of one count which dealt with 56 duplicates of two images found on his laptop. Detective Superintendent Colm O'Malley told the court that O'Connor had been a garda for 25 years before his suspension from duty in 2012. He agreed with Paul Carroll SC, defending, that O'Connor had a good work record and had not re-offended since these offences first came to light. Counsel said that his client denied knowing anything about the material and maintains his innocence. He had told investigators that a man who came to his house for sex, days before his laptop was seized, had corrupted his computer. He denied downloading it and described it as "sick". The court heard there had been delays in bringing the case to a conclusion due, in part, to the involvement of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission in investigating a complaint of assault made by the other man. This man did not co-operate with this investigation and it was dropped. Mr Carroll said his client had an unblemished career and was a dedicated garda who had carried out his duties to the best of his ability. He said he suffered post-traumatic stress after a work incident in 1995 and took around nine months to recover. Counsel handed a testimonial letter, signed by O'Connor's six siblings, into Judge Elma Sheahan. Two sisters and one brother were in court to support O'Connor. Mr Carroll said the images and videos were serious but not at "the most serious" end of the scale of such material. He said there was no evidence of any distribution or circulation. He said the amount of material found was quite small in comparison to the vast amount of adult pornographic material found on O'Connor's devices. He asked the court to consider imposing a non-custodial sentence and he asked Judge Sheehan to postpone imposing a sentence so that psychologist's report could be provided to the court. The maximum sentence for the offences is a fine of 5000 or a prison term of five years. O'Connor has been added to the register of sex offenders. Judge Sheehan said she would adjourn sentencing until 15 February in the interests of fairness, to take account of the delays in bringing the case to court. A man has been jailed for eight months for stealing the wallet of a man as he attended mass at St Augustines Church in Cork city. Trevor ODonoghue, 48, with an address at a flat at 15 Willow Court, Cross Douglas Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft whereby the card was used in two different shops within a short time of being stolen. Just over 100 was spent between the two tap transactions. Judge Olann Kelleher said, This poor man was attending mass and he took the card and used it. The judge imposed an eight-month sentence on ODonoghue for using the card twice. He imposed another eight-month sentence to run concurrently on him for having heroin for his own use. Sergeant John Kelleher said that on March 30 a Polish man was attending evening mass at St Augustines Church on Washington Street, Cork. When he left at about 10pm he realised his wallet was missing. On further investigation, he could see his VISA debit card had been used at Centra on Grand Parade to a total of 67 and a further transaction to a value of 49 at Topaz, Frankfield. CCTV was viewed at these premises and Trevor ODonoghue was clearly identified by gardai. The first transaction was at 8.53pm and the last one at 10.10pm during which period of time the owner of the card did not have it in his possession and did not authorise any of these transactions. He pleaded guilty to two charges of theft arising out of this. He also got an eight-month jail term for having heroin for his own use on January 26, 2018 when searched at the Bridewell garda station in respect of another alleged theft. Sgt Kelleher said the accused had 44 previous theft convictions. Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said the accused was taking every opportunity given to him in prison to address his addiction difficulties. He hopes to come out of prison minus his addiction difficulties, Mr Cuddigan said. A construction firm is facing trial over the death of an employee while working on scaffolding on a site in Dublin. Colin Wendel of Patrician Villas, Dublin, and his firm Colin Wendel Developments Ltd are facing charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act in connection with the workplace fatality on October 24, 2016 at a house at Highfield Road, in Rathgar. Mr Wendel faces charges under the health and safety legislation alleging that he as a director of the firm and as an employer, he failed to ensure workers were not exposed to risks to their safety, health and welfare, specifically in regard to part of the fourth level of scaffolding which was allegedly defective and had an improvised guard rail which was too low, and as a consequence of which Andezej Buraczewski suffered personal injury and died. It was also alleged that it was erected by scaffolding employees who did not possess valid scaffolding registration cards. His firm, based at Old Castle View, Kilgobbin Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18 also faces the same charges. The case had its first listing at Dublin District Court on Monday when Judge Anthony Halpin heard the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed Mr Wendel and his firm are to face trial on indictment. This means their case will go before a judge and jury in the circuit court. Judge Halpin agreed to a request from a State solicitor to adjourn the case for six weeks for the DPP to complete the book of evidence. The case resumes on February 25 next. Bryan ORourke with an address at the scene of the accident, is also being prosecuted on connected charges for failing to use a competent project supervisor for the design process for construction work carried out at his home. The DPP has directed that Mr ORourke should be tried at district court level. Judge Halpin said the issue of ruling on jurisdiction would be considered on the next date. Ireland South MEP Brian Crowley is set to break his silence on his illness which has prevented him from attending parliament even once since his election five years ago. Mr Crowley is due to hold a press conference on Thursday to discuss his recent ill-health and his future plans, a statement to the Irish Examiner has stated. Former INLA man Dessie O'Hare, who was known as "The Border Fox", has pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to assault and false imprisonment in Dublin. O'Hare, 62, of Slate Rock Road, Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh, admitted today to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin on June 9, 2015. He also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date. Sean Guerin SC, defending, told the three-judge court that a trial would not be required and Mr OHare could be arraigned on two of the counts. The barrister said he would ask the court to take two other counts into consideration at the appropriate time Dressed in a shirt and tie, OHare stood up and faced the court. When the registrar read the two counts on the indictment to OHare and asked him how he was pleading, he replied, "Guilty" to both. Shane Costelloe SC, prosecuting, said Mr Guerin had informed him that there were some outstanding matters on his side of the house. Following this, Mr Guerin said his client has had some engagement with "professionals" and the defence wanted to have up-to-date professional assistance for the sentence hearing. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded the defendant on continuing bail with the same terms and conditions until April 3, when he will be sentenced. (WB) The Washington Blade has confirmed a report that indicates several men and women were recently detained in Chechnya because of their sexual orientation. Igor Kochetkov, a prominent Russian LGBTI rights activist, on Friday told the Associated Press the detentions began late last month. Kochetkov did say how many people were detained or whether they have been released. A source in Moscow who asked the Blade to remain anonymous confirmed Kochetkovs account. We can confirm the information of new detentions in Chechnya, said the source in an email. Chechnya is a semi-autonomous Russian republic in the North Caucasus. Novaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, in April 2017 reported Chechen authorities had arrested more than 100 men because of their sexual orientation. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Dec. 20 released a report that documents extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses against LGBTI people in Chechnya. The report notes the international outrage over the crackdown largely stopped a third wave of systematic persecution of LGBTI Chechens, but there are still new cases as recent as September and October 2018. In fact, the persecution has never stopped, but the intensity was different from time to time, said the source in Moscow with whom the Blade spoke. We have information that since the end of December there is an intense period. Activists on Monday are expected to release more information about the arrests. Chechen president sanctioned under U.S. law Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the Russian government have either downplayed reports about the anti-LGBTI crackdown or have simply dismissed them. The U.S. has sanctioned Kadyrov and two Chechen officials under the Magnitsky Act, a 2012 law named after a Russian lawyer who died in a Moscow prison following his investigation of a $230 million tax fraud scheme. Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley and Heather Nauert, who President Trump has tapped to succeed her, have publicly condemned the crackdown. The U.S. and the 15 other OSCE countries last fall invoked its Moscow Mechanism that authorized a fact-finding mission to investigate the anti-LGBTI crackdown and other human rights abuses in Chechnya. Trump, who remains under scrutiny over his involvement in the Russian governments interference in the 2016 presidential election, has not publicly commented on the issue. The Blade has reached out to the Russian government for comment. A High Court challenge has been brought over a decision by an Bord Pleanala concerning a proposed 9m Co Meath-based drug rehabilitation centre. The action arises from a decision by the planning authority last November to deem that the change of use of the permitted nursing home to a residential drug rehabilitation facility was not an exempted development. In 2014 planning permission for a nursing home at the site was granted for the former Old National School in Ballivor, Co Meath, which was not built. The site was acquired by Narconon Trust, which is linked to the Church of Scientology, which supports drug rehabilitation charities as part of its mission. The Trust was founded by Mr Massimo Angius who has been a trustee and director of the Church of Scientology in England for more than 20 years. The Trust plans to open a residential drug rehabilitation facility on the site in the coming months. It bought the site after it secured a declaration from Meath Co Council in 2016 that the proposed change of use from a nursing to a residential drug rehabilitation facility is an exempted development and did not require a fresh planning application to be made. The Trust provides drug prevention, education, and residential rehab programmes at approximately 40 facilities all over the world has already spent 9m on purchasing and constructing the facility. In February 2018 Ballivor Community Group and Trim Municipal District of Meath Co Council sought various declarations from Meath Council asking if the proposed facility is exempted development. The Council referred the matter to An Bord Pleanala, which in November held that the change of use of the permitted nursing home to the residential drug rehabilitation facility is not exempted development. As a result, the Trust has brought proceedings against An Bord Pleanala. Represented in court by Jarath Fitzsimons SC the Trust, which is registered in Sussex in the UK, seeks a High Court order quashing the decision of An Bord Pleanala claiming it erred in law. It also seeks a declaration from the court including that in making the decision An Bord Pleanala took into account irrelevant considerations, overlooked and misunderstood relevant considerations, and acted unreasonably. Counsel said his client was also seeking a stay on the decision of An Bord Pleanala because it feared that enforcement proceedings could be brought against the Trust. Meath Co Council, the Ballivor Community Group, and Trim Municipal District are notice parties to the proceedings. The application came before Mr Justice Seamus Noonan today. The Judge, on an ex parte basis, granted the Trust permission to bring the proceedings. The judge also put a stay on the decision of An Bord Pleanala, pending further order of the court. The matter will come back before the court in March. In a rare show of unanimity, the Irish government, the DUP and Sinn Fein all opposed last weeks Westminster initiative to bridge the chasm in support for the UK prime ministers Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The idea was that Stormont would be given a say in key aspects of the backstop arrangement contained in the, as yet un-agreed agreement. The backstop is the component of the Withdrawal Agreement that comes into force in the event that the future relationship between the EU and the UK is not sufficiently close as to ensure there is no necessity for a hard border to police the movement of goods between both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. The prime ministers proposal last week was a backstop to a backstop. One undertaking promised that should the backstop kick in, the Norths assembly would have to be consulted. This would be a mandatory process but there is little purpose in consulting on something which is already a done deal. The introduction of the backstop itself would be a mandatory process if the circumstances demanded it. Another undertaking was more meaningful. It envisaged that in the event of proposed changes to the operation of the backstop protocols, such changes could only be made by the relevant UK minister with the agreement of the Northern assembly. The taoiseachs objections to these undertakings appear to have been based on a concern that no one community in the North should have a veto over the wishes of another. When functioning, Stormont does not operate along traditional political divides but rather under a consensus mechanism under the dHondt mechanism. Last weeks proposals seemed to ignore dHondt. However, more convincing than the taoiseachs principled objections is the simple fact that the northern assembly has done little to show itself either willing or capable of taking significant decisions in relation to the economy. To echo Finance Minister Paschal Donohoes observation at a business gathering towards the end of last year, there was no government in Stormont to take advantage at a time when the North was the main focus of EU political attention. Even though both the Scottish and the Welsh governments have had a role in EU Brexit discussions, there was no politician from Stormont to see first-hand what could or could not be achieved. There was no-one there to learn first-hand what the EU institutions and other EU members see as being reasonable or unreasonable in the context of the UKs future relationship with the EU. The Stormont assembly is ill-equipped to take decisions regarding any aspect of Brexit. The brighter signal coming out of Westminster from last weeks parliamentary votes is there is a majority of MPs who do not favour Britain exiting the EU without some form of deal. Unfortunately, there must be serious question marks over its capacity to ensure a deal, acceptable not only in London but also in Brussels, is finally struck before March 29. Perhaps the least worst option, though not the easiest option politically, is for the UK to seek an extension to the Article 50 terms which define the time available to cease EU membership. Bizarrely, it is easier for the UK to secure agreement to some form of withdrawal than it is to secure such an extension. Under Article 50, the former only requires majority assent among EU countries but the latter requires unanimity. At this stage, there is little guarantee of either. Businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea are anxious over the outcome of tomorrow nights parliamentary vote. Brexit was supposed to be about taking back control. It is anything but that. Brian Keegan is director of public policy and taxation at Chartered Accountants Ireland A United Nations committee has warned Canada that continued construction of the Site C hydro dam in northeastern British Columbia may violate international agreements. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Site C Dam location is seen along the Peace River in Fort St. John, B.C., on April 18, 2017. A United Nations committee on eliminating discrimination is warning Canada that continued construction of the Site C hydro dam in British Columbia may violate international agreements. In a letter to Canada's UN ambassador to the UN, the body's anti-discrimination committee says continuation of work on the dam goes against the of free and informed consent from local Indigenous people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward A United Nations committee has warned Canada that continued construction of the Site C hydro dam in northeastern British Columbia may violate international agreements. The UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination says Canada may have already violated an agreement it signed 50 years ago. That agreement commits Canada to prevent development on Indigenous land without adequate consultation. Canada has also promised to block destructive development, allow Indigenous people to conduct their own impact studies and stop forcing First Nations to go to court. "The committee is concerned about the alleged lack of measures taken to ensure the right to consultation and free, prior and informed consent with regard to the Site C dam," reads a Dec. 14 letter addressed to Rosemary McCarney, Canada's ambassador to the UN. "(Site C) would infringe Indigenous Peoples rights protected under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination." Critics have long complained the dam will add to the impacts from the larger Bennett Dam on the Peace River watershed. Scientists suspect that dam has played a significant role in the long-term drying out of that watershed. First Nations in Alberta say that has cut off their access to much of their traditional territory and altered wildlife and hunting patterns. Site C is currently subject to two civil lawsuits from First Nations. B.C. Hydro says the dam is crucial to the province's energy future and will have minimal environmental impact. The committee has asked the Canadian government to reply by April 8. A government spokesman was not immediately available for comment. It's the second time the U.S. has warned Canada over environmental issues. A federal report into Wood Buffalo National Park done in response to UNESCO concerns found that almost every aspect of the park on the Alberta-Northwest Territories boundary is deteriorating although some scientists say climate change is more to blame than dams or energy development. Together with Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and First Nations, Ottawa is developing plans to address issues raised in the report. MONTREAL - The impact of Alzheimer's was front and centre at the opening of the trial Monday of a Quebec man charged with killing his wife, who was suffering from the disease. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Michel Cadotte, accused of murder in the 2017 death of his ailing wife in what has been described as a mercy killing, is seen at the courthouse in Montreal on Monday, January 7, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL - The impact of Alzheimer's was front and centre at the opening of the trial Monday of a Quebec man charged with killing his wife, who was suffering from the disease. As jury selection began in the case of Michel Cadotte, many prospective jurors said they could not be impartial given their own experiences caring for loved ones with the neurodegenerative disease. Cadotte, 57, has pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the Feb. 20, 2017 slaying of Jocelyne Lizotte. The 60-year-old woman was found dead at a long-term care facility in Montreal where she was in the later stages of Alzheimer's. The case opened with Quebec Superior Court Justice Helene Di Salvo saying the trial is likely to last between six and seven weeks, concluding in early March. Prospective jurors were asked a series of questions relating to the media coverage of the case and whether they had heard about it. Di Salvo then explained that the case would deal with medical aid in dying, Alzheimer's and so-called compassionate killing. She asked whether they had preconceived notions on the subject and, if so, whether they could set them aside and decide the case based solely on the evidence. Before choosing jurors, the judge heard from those seeking exemptions. Alongside the usual requests for family, work or health reasons, several members of the jury pool said they couldn't serve because of their own experience dealing with someone with Alzheimer's. "My mother suffered from Alzheimer's. It affected her until her death because she didn't have any quality of life," said one woman. "I'm not interested in sentencing someone else." Another woman was granted an exemption for being a single parent but added that her grandmother had suffered from Alzheimer's. She called the charge against Cadotte "outrageous," saying that she might have done the same. Jury selection was completed late Monday, and testimony is expected to begin Tuesday. The prosecution intends to have 18 witnesses appear, including two doctors. Cadotte is represented by lawyers Nicolas Welt and Elfriede-Andree Duclervil while the Crown's case will be presented by Genevieve Langlois and Antonio Parapuf. SYDNEY, N.S. - A 28-year-old Saudi man charged with sexually assaulting a Cape Breton woman has gone missing, with a leading immigration lawyer saying it may be a case of the Middle Eastern kingdom helping a citizen flee while awaiting trial. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. SYDNEY, N.S. - A 28-year-old Saudi man charged with sexually assaulting a Cape Breton woman has gone missing, with a leading immigration lawyer saying it may be a case of the Middle Eastern kingdom helping a citizen flee while awaiting trial. Nova Scotia's prosecution service says Mohammed Zuraibi Alzoabi had $37,500 of his bail posted by the Saudi Arabian embassy last year in relation to the alleged sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement of the woman between Aug. 1, 2015, and March 26, 2017. Alzoabi is also facing separate charges of dangerous driving and assault with a car in a December 2015 incident involving a Cape Breton man. The money the kingdom provided for Alzoabi's bail last year was forfeited when he failed to appear in court last Monday, said prosecutor Shane Russell in an interview from his Sydney, N.S., office. A court document says the sheriff unsuccessfully tried to locate Alzoabi on Dec. 8, and quotes his lawyer at the time, David Iannetti, as saying Alzoabi "fled the country some time ago," even though police had seized his passport. Veteran immigration lawyer Lee Cohen said in an interview that the likeliest way Alzoabi would have left the country without a passport is with embassy-issued travel documents, as airlines face heavy fines if they board passengers without the government-issued permission or a passport. The Saudi Arabian embassy has not responded to emails or telephone calls requesting comment. "In order for this guy to leave Canada without a passport, it had to be facilitated by the Saudi government, or some government, and there's no reason to believe that any other government would put themselves in this position," said Cohen, who has practised immigration law for decades in Nova Scotia. "It's intriguing to me as to why the Saudi government would put up bail and then facilitate his departure from Canada before he had an opportunity to complete the criminal process. This is a foreign government interfering with the criminal process." The incident comes amidst continuing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Canada. A Saudi teen has been granted asylum in Canada after fleeing from her allegedly abusive family. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun said last week the Saudi embassy in Thailand had tried to force her return to the kingdom. In August, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expelled Canada's ambassador and withdrew his own envoy after the Canadian foreign minister called for the release of women's rights activists who had been arrested in the country. The Saudis also sold Canadian investments and recalled their students from universities in Canada. In the United States, there have been reports of Saudi students leaving the country mysteriously as they faced serious criminal charges. The Oregonian newspaper has reported recently on the flight last year of Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah, a Portland, Oregon, community college student who jumped bail in the hit-and-run death of a 15-year-old Portland girl and apparently fled the United States. He was being monitored on a GPS bracelet, but someone cut the bracelet and he left the country two weeks before his trial. The news site reported on Sunday it has found criminal cases involving at least five other Saudis who vanished before they faced trial or completed their jail sentence in the state. They include two accused rapists, a pair of suspected hit-and-run drivers and one man with child porn on his computer. Shawn Overstreet, a deputy district attorney in Oregon's Multnomah County, said in an interview that during his seven years in his position, he hasn't seen other governments provide their citizens with thousands of dollars in surety. In the case of Noorah, Overstreet said he viewed a cheque for US$100,000 bail from the Saudi consulate for the young man's lawyer, which was later used by the lawyer to post bail. "We're hearing this is happening more often than maybe we thought. We want to make sure this isn't something that continues to happen," he said. The Cape Breton Regional Police said in an email Monday that they've issued a warrant for Alzoabi's arrest for failing to appear for his trial. Russell, who is handling the sexual assault prosecution in the Alzoabi case, said he can't release many details about the two sets of charges, as neither case has been before the courts. The woman's identity is protected under a publication ban. However, the prosecutor said the allegations are serious, and he said the potential penalty for sexual assault is up to 14 years of jail. "Having the court procedure hang over her (the alleged victim) caused her stress, and it will cause her ongoing stress the longer it lingers," said the prosecutor. By Michael Tutton in Halifax. Follow (at)mtuttoncporg on Twitter. OTTAWA - A "beautiful soul," a mother with extended family in the Netherlands and a dad beloved for his sense of humour were the people killed in Ottawa's horrific bus crash last week, the city's police revealed Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Transport Canada officials look at the scene where a double-decker city bus struck a transit shelter at the start of the afternoon rush hour on Friday, at Westboro Station in Ottawa, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - A "beautiful soul," a mother with extended family in the Netherlands and a dad beloved for his sense of humour were the people killed in Ottawa's horrific bus crash last week, the city's police revealed Monday. All three were public servants in the federal government. The collision injured nearly two dozen more and its cause is still uncertain. Yet even as the city grieved with the families of those killed and police continued their investigation, the chair of the federal Transportation Safety Board took aim at the federal government for not doing more to increase bus safety. Bruce Thomlinson, 56, Judy Booth, 57, and Anja Van Beek, 65, were fatally hurt when a double-decker bus slammed into a shelter at a station west of downtown Ottawa at the start of the evening rush hour on Friday. It was on an express route from the city core, beginning a long run without a stop on its way to a western suburb. Thomlinson worked for the Canada Border Services Agency and Van Beek worked for the federal Treasury Board. Booth had retired from the National Capital Commission but still worked there part-time on contract. In separate statements, the three families remembered their loved ones. "Bruce was dedicated to his family and will be missed by his wife and his two boys, and extended family and friends," Thomlinson's family wrote, adding that he "gave us great joy in life through his silliness, sense of humour and love of the outdoors." "Judy was a cherished wife to Ches and loving mother to both of her girls, Holly and Karen," Booth's family wrote. "She was an absolute treasure and a beautiful soul that will be profoundly missed by her family and many friends." Van Beek similarly left behind a husband and two daughters as well as family in Ottawa, Toronto and the Netherlands. "As you can understand, her family is grieving and would appreciate if you respected their privacy." While the families of the three grappled with their loss over the weekend, some federal civil servants only learned what had happened to their co-workers upon returning to work on Monday. An email sent to CBSA staff Monday morning said one employee there had been killed and one seriously injured, and two other workers had family members hurt in the crash. One employee told The Canadian Press staff members were in tears after learning Thomlinson had been killed. Writing on Twitter, the Treasury Board said: "We are sad to report that one of our own, Anja Van Beek, lost her life in Friday's tragic accident in Ottawa. We send our most sincere condolences to her family and all who were close to her." Besides Thomlinson, Booth and Van Beek, 23 people were injured badly enough to be taken to hospitals by paramedics after the express bus slammed into the station shelter, the roof slicing into the vehicle's upper deck. Defence officials confirmed that nearly a dozen of those hurt worked at the Department of National Defence, which has set up support services for those affected by the crash as well as their families. Several of the survivors had limbs amputated, said Ottawa police Const. Chuck Benoit. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson acknowledged the horror of the accident and thanked first responders for working in challenging conditions as he signed a book of condolences set up at city hall on Monday. "This is a very difficult time for our city," Watson said. "Our city is grieving." The police probe is now focused on speaking with eyewitnesses, combing through the wreckage of the bus, and retrieving data from its "black box" and cameras. The Ottawa Citizen reported Monday that the driver of the bus, who was arrested and briefly detained by police after Friday's crash before being released without charge, had been on the job for less than a year and involved in two previous collisions. Watson, however, asked people to refrain from jumping to conclusions. "We want to find out how this happened and how to ensure it never happens again, but most importantly I don't think it's helpful at all for people to speculate on the reasons," he said. Yet even as Ottawa police and many residents were searching for answers to Friday's tragedy, the head of the Transportation Safety Board was weighing in on what she saw as the federal government's failure to increase safety standards for buses. Five years ago, another Ottawa double-decker bus broke through a warning gate at a rail crossing and hit a moving Via passenger train, killing six people aboard the bus. The TSB investigated that 2013 crash and recommended tougher "crashworthiness" rules for commercial buses. "Since those recommendations were issued, Transport Canada has undertaken some work," TSB chair Kathy Fox said. "However, significant progress has not yet occurred and the safety deficiencies remain outstanding ... Friday's bus accident in Ottawa, coming on the heels of the 2018 Humboldt bus tragedy and the earlier 2013 Ottawa bus-train accident, not to mention other examples, reinforces the need for Transport Canada to take action." Fox added that the TSB has offered technical experts to help with the investigation into Friday's crash, but Ottawa police remain in charge of the probe because the Transportation Safety Board is not mandated to investigate road accidents. SIMCOE, Ont. - Ontario Provincial Police are urging people to only call 911 during an emergency after someone dialled the line following a disagreement over television. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. SIMCOE, Ont. - Ontario Provincial Police are urging people to only call 911 during an emergency after someone dialled the line following a disagreement over television. Officers say the incident happened on Saturday evening, when a resident of Simcoe, Ont., got into an argument about which channel to watch. They say the person called 911 and said he needed to speak with police. Once officers arrived, they learned that there was no emergency. Police are reminding people not to call 911 if you have a sick raccoon on your property, to order food or to help you decide what TV show to watch. OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's very concerned to see China "acting arbitrarily" by applying the death penalty to a Canadian convicted of drug trafficking. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Flags of Canada and China are placed for the first China-Canada economic and financial strategy dialogue in Beijing, China, Monday, Nov. 12, 2018. A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian man to death in a drug smuggling case.A court in Dalian in northeastern Liaoning province announced Monday evening that it has given Robert Lloyd Schellenberg the death penalty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jason Lee/Pool Photo via AP OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's very concerned to see China "acting arbitrarily" by applying the death penalty to a Canadian convicted of drug trafficking. Canada will do all it can to intervene on Robert Lloyd Schellenberg's behalf and Beijing's actions should be worrisome for "all our international friends and allies," Trudeau said Monday. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg is shown in a family handout photo provided by his aunt Lauri Nelson-Jones. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's very concerned to see China "acting arbitrarily" by applying the death penalty to Schellenberg, a Canadian convicted of drug trafficking. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO The development further strained already tense relations between Canada and China over the treatment of each other's citizens by their respective justice systems. And rights organizations said it raises serious questions about possible political interference in China. A court in Dalian in northeastern Liaoning province announced Monday evening that it had given Schellenberg the death penalty after reconsidering his case. Schellenberg was detained in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2016 on charges of being an accessory to drug smuggling. His new sentence comes after China detained two Canadians on national security grounds in December in apparent retaliation for Canada's arrest of a Chinese technology executive. Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei, on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States, angering Beijing. The Chinese media began publicizing Schellenberg's case after Canada detained Meng, who faces extradition to the U.S. on fraud charges. Fifty people, including Canadian diplomats and foreign and domestic media, attended Monday's trial, the court said in an online statement. Canada's federal government intercedes on behalf of any Canadian facing execution abroad, Trudeau said in Ottawa. "This is very much a concern to see that China is acting arbitrarily and applying the death penalty to a Canadian," he said, adding the government "will continue to talk to our allies and to China about this." Schellenberg's aunt, Lauri Nelson-Jones, said the family is awaiting any news regarding an appeal. "All I can really say at this moment is, it is our worst case fear confirmed. Our thoughts are with Robert at this time," she said in an email to The Canadian Press. "It is rather unimaginable what he must be feeling and thinking. It is a horrific, unfortunate, heartbreaking situation." The family also issued a short statement late Monday that said they are working with their MP, Ed Fast, who they said is "working hard on our behalf to ensure that the Trudeau government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert." "The Schellenberg family requests that all Canadians stand with us and pray for the safe return of our loved one," the statement said. Canada updated its travel advice on Monday for citizens visiting China, the first change since before tensions between the countries increased last month. Global Affairs says on its website that Canadians are still advised to "exercise a high degree of caution" when visiting China which is unchanged but it now explains the warning is "due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws." It also now warns of the death penalty, as well as penalties for drug-related offences. Schellenberg's lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said his client has 10 days to contest the latest sentence. Zhang said he argued in the one-day trial Monday that there was insufficient evidence to prove Schellenberg's involvement in the drug-smuggling operation, nor had prosecutors introduced new evidence to justify a heavier sentence. "This is a very unique case," Zhang told The Associated Press. He added the swiftness of the proceedings with a retrial held so soon after it was ordered was unusual, but he declined to comment on whether it was related to Meng's arrest Schellenberg had been prepared for a more severe punishment so he maintained a calm demeanour in court, Zhang said. The court said it found that Schellenberg was involved in an international drug-smuggling operation and was recruited to help smuggle more than 222 kilograms of methamphetamine from a warehouse in Dalian city to Australia. A Chinese person convicted of involvement in the same operation received a suspended death sentence earlier. A death sentence anywhere in the world is a travesty but it is more so in places like China, where fair-trial rights remain at best elusive, said Sophie Richardson, China director of Human Rights Watch. "Beijing will have to answer to the world why this particular case against a citizen of this particular country had to be retried at this particular moment." China's abrupt retrial of Schellenberg "is suspicious, to say the least," tweeted Roland Paris, a University of Ottawa professor of international affairs and a former adviser to the Trudeau government. John Kamm, head of a U.S.-based organization that promotes clemency for at-risk prisoners in China, said the rapidity of the most recent court process raises questions about political interference. "There are a number of very disturbing aspects to this whole case," said Kamm, executive director of the non-profit Dui Hua Foundation. He said his organization is advising Schellenberg's family to seek an appeal, though the likelihood of winning such a case is slim. "They are in shock and disbelief that this has happened so quickly," Kamm said in an interview from his office in San Francisco. If Schellenberg loses on appeal, the death sentence will be reviewed by the Supreme People's Court, which overturns sentences only about 10 per cent of the time, he said. "I am looking forward to hearing the Canadian government's response," Kamm said. "It must protest in very strong terms and make clear to the Chinese government that there will be consequences for this." The friction between Canada and China has been steadily increasing since Canadian authorities took Meng into custody in Vancouver and Chinese officials subsequently arrested Canadians Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, for allegedly endangering national security. The Opposition Conservatives have been calling on Trudeau to address the controversy by telephoning Chinese President Xi Jinping. Direct engagement by the prime minister with the Chinese leader would highlight the seriousness of the issue, said Conservative MP Michael Cooper, who just wrapped up a visit to China as part of a parliamentary delegation. "It needs to be dealt with by officials in the Canadian government at the highest level, and that is the prime minister." In 2009, China executed a Briton, Akmal Shaikh, on charges of smuggling heroin despite his supporters' protest that he was mentally ill. The episode was terribly damaging to relations between the United Kingdom and China, said Ben Rowswell, a former diplomat and current president of the Canadian International Council, a non-partisan think-tank. He said Canadians are divided as to whether China should be seen primarily as a partner or as a threat. "My concern is that if a Canadian is executed in China, it will tip the balance in favour of the latter, and it will take years and years for the Canada-China relationship to recover." The collective power of like-minded liberal democracies could help Canada assert its position in an increasingly splintered world, Rowswell added. "On that, I think Canada's in relatively good position because we traditionally have been excellent at banding together and creating meaningful alliances and institutions with a large number of very powerful countries." Amnesty International noted in a statement that China executes more people every year than all other countries around the world combined. The organization called on Trudeau to press the Chinese government abandon any plans to carry out Schellenberg's death sentence. With files from Alison Auld, Michael MacDonald and The Associated Press TORONTO - Newmont Mining Corp. has struck a US$10-billion deal to take over Goldcorp Inc. in a move that will see the U.S.-based mining giant grow even larger while Canada's mining industry loses a head office. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - This April 4, 2012, file photo shows the Newmont Gold Quarry pit in Battle Mountain, Nev. Newmont Mining will buy CanadaAos Goldcorp in a deal valued at about $10 billion that would create the worldAos biggest gold miner. (David B. Parker/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP, File) TORONTO - Newmont Mining Corp. has struck a US$10-billion deal to take over Goldcorp Inc. in a move that will see the U.S.-based mining giant grow even larger while Canada's mining industry loses a head office. Colorado-based Newmont will add Vancouver-based Goldcorp's seven mines in North and South America to its global operations of 12 operating mines to create a company expected to rival or top Barrick Gold as the world's largest gold producer. "This is not a deal we have to do, this is a deal that we want to do," Newmont CEO Gary Goldberg told a conference call Monday. The deal follows Barrick Gold's US$6.1-billion all-stock takeover of Randgold Resources Ltd. that closed at the start of the year to create a company with a combined 2018 gold production guidance of between 5.8 million and 6.3 million ounces. Newmont Goldcorp, as the new company will be called, said it will target annual production between six and seven million ounces after selling off more than a billion dollars worth of assets in the next two years. Goldcorp said Monday it produced 2.3 million ounces last year, while Newmont has forecasted between 4.9 million and 5.2 million ounces for 2018. The combined company, to be owned 65 per cent by current Newmont shareholders and 35 per cent by Goldcorp shareholders, will continue to have a significant presence in Vancouver as the designated base of operations for North America. "The formation of Newmont Goldcorp ensures that Canada will continue to be a pillar of an industry-leading gold company," Goldcorp CEO David Garofalo said. He noted the Vancouver office will manage more ounces of gold production and oversee a workforce of more than 10,000, as well as Indigenous community relations and renewed exploration. "Newmont Goldcorp will also provide prospects for new investment in a reinvigorated exploration program in Canada...with the largest pipeline of feasibility and development-stage assets in the Canadian gold business," said Garofalo. The emphasis on a sustained Canadian presence comes after Barrick Gold has been criticized for a hollowing-out of its Canadian footprint following the deal with London-listed Randgold. Barrick shifted its province of registration to British Columbia to take advantage of less stringent requirements for director residency and now has a slimmed-down Canadian presence on both its board and in management. Its head office in Toronto is also losing about 100 staff, which will number about 70 by April as it shifts towards a decentralized management model. The combined Newmont Goldcorp will be led by Goldberg from the Colorado head office, while Newmont's chief operating officer Tom Palmer is expected to take over the role once the merger is completed later this year. Newmont chairwoman Noreen Doyle will head the board of the combined company, while Goldcorp chairman Ian Telfer will be deputy chairman. Newmont said it will apply for a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange once they close the deal, which will see Newmont exchange 0.328 of a share and two cents in cash for each Goldcorp share for a 17 per cent premium. The takeover of Goldcorp comes after its shares recently touched 17-year lows as it grapples with production and other issues. Desjardins analyst Josh Wolfson said the deal looks like an answer to some of Goldcorp's problems. "We see the transaction positively for Goldcorp, resolving short-term Goldcorp guidance risk as well as critical strategic and capital allocation questions," he said in a research note. Wolfson noted that a critical question for Goldcorp shareholders will be on timing, since Goldcorp is on the cusp of delivering material production growth and free cash flow. Dean Braunsteiner, PwC Canada's national mining leader, said a lack of exploration spending in recent years has forced majors like Barrick and Newmont to go hunting for assets through acquisitions. The two deals will likely spur more mergers and acquisitions in the space, he said. "The two mergers were a catalyst and I would expect that to continue into 2019." Both merged companies have talked about selling off non-core assets, which could create opportunities for more mid-tier operators in Canada, said Braunsteiner. "It is a bit unfortunate that we're losing a couple of keystone Canadian mining clients, but with that I'd say there's opportunities for the next one to step up," he said. "Maybe this is the right time for the next Canadian mining company to be established, to be the next Barrick in four to five years." The Newmont Goldcorp deal has the unanimous support of the directors of both companies, but requires approval by shareholders of both companies as well as regulatory approvals in several countries. Newmont said it expects to generate up to US$100 million in annualized "synergies" before tax. Goldcorp's share price closed up 97 cents, or 7.54 per cent, at $13.83 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company's shares traded at over $50 in 2011. Companies in this story: (TSX:G) HALIFAX - More help is on the way for a Halifax-bound container ship that has been burning off Canada's East Coast since Jan. 3. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The container ship Yantian Express is shown in a handout photo from Hapag-Lloyd. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Hapag-Lloyd MANDATORY CREDIT HALIFAX - More help is on the way for a Halifax-bound container ship that has been burning off Canada's East Coast since Jan. 3. A spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard says two more fire-fighting tugs, the Atlantic Enterprise out of New York and the Union Sovereign out of Rotterdam, N.Y., are en route to the Yantian Express. Chief Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Canup says the ship remained about 1,700 kilometres southeast of Halifax early Monday and it's not clear when the new tugs will arrive because of "heavy weather." Two tugs have been on the scene for days, and the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd says the fire involving multiple containers aboard the Yantian Express is "widely contained and under control." The 320-metre ship was travelling to Halifax from Colombo, Sri Lanka, via the Suez Canal when a container caught fire on the forward deck on Jan 3. The ship was evacuated after the fire spread to other containers, but five crew members returned last Wednesday. Canup says the company is making plans for what they will do next. Hapag-Lloyd spokesman Tim Seifert said in an email there was no estimated time of arrival to Halifax, "or any other port," for the Yantian Express. He says it is still not yet possible to estimate the damage to the container ship or its cargo. Canup said Monday the ship is not posing a hazard to other traffic. "It's 930 nautical miles southeast of Halifax rather open water," he said. Toronto police say a 44-year-old man is dead after a two-vehicle crash in the city over the weekend. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Toronto police say a 44-year-old man is dead after a two-vehicle crash in the city over the weekend. Police say the crash took place on Saturday around 10:15 p.m. in the city's east end. They say a Honda Civic, driven by the 44-year-old man, moved from a passing lane into the curb lane and collided with another vehicle. Police say both drivers lost control of their vehicles and the Honda Civic mounted a curb, striking a pole. The driver, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A double-decker city bus that struck a transit shelter at the start of the afternoon rush hour on Friday, remains in place at Westboro Station in Ottawa, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Five stories in the news for Monday, Jan. 14 TRUDEAU CABINET SHUFFLE COMING TODAY Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to shuffle his cabinet today to account for the sudden resignation of Nova Scotia MP Scott Brison from his post as Treasury Board president. The shuffle is expected to be a small one, affecting as few cabinet ministers as possible just months ahead of the fall federal election. Insiders confirm that Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott will take over for Brison, and Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan is also likely to be on the move. INJURED IN OTTAWA BUS CRASH IMPROVING The Ottawa Hospital says those critically injured when a double-decker city bus crashed into a transit shelter on Friday are getting better. The hospital has tweeted that the patients who were listed in critical condition have all been upgraded to serious. Three people were killed and 23 hurt when the bus hit the shelter, taking a chunk out of the vehicle's upper deck. The scene of the crash, the Transitway, reopened Sunday, but officials say the investigation into the cause of the crash is far from over. LEGALIZATION SPARKS BOOM IN POT RESEARCH Marijuana legalization has sparked a boom in pot research and Doctor Mark Ware says it's generating funding, jobs and the need for lab space. Ware is the chief medical officer for one of Canada's largest pot companies, Canopy Growth, which is spending millions on research on the use of marijuana to treat conditions like anxiety, insomnia and pain. He says Canada is also poised to be the research leader in the field after it became the first G7 nation to legalize cannabis last October. WALK OFF THE EARTH FANS TRAVEL FROM AFAR TO HONOUR 'BEARD GUY' Some fans travelled from halfway around the world to Burlington, Ont., Sunday to say farewell to Mike Taylor. The keyboardist of the band Walk Off the Earth, known as "Beard Guy," received a grand sendoff at an outdoor tribute concert where fans celebrated the musician, alongside friends in bands including the Barenaked Ladies, Arkells and Monster Truck. Josh Walker trekked in all the way from the small English town of Hartlepool, saying it was an essential part of the grieving process for Taylor, who died on Dec. 30. TRUDEAU TO APPEAR IN CORNER GAS ANIMATED Justin Trudeau is following in the footsteps of two previous prime ministers by appearing in an episode of "Corner Gas." The show's Facebook page says the prime minister will play himself in an episode of "Corner Gas Animated" when its second season debuts this spring on The Comedy Network. Paul Martin and Stephen Harper also made appearances on the live-action version of "Corner Gas," which ran for six seasons until 2009, and was the No. 1 sitcom in Canada throughout the entire run. ALSO IN THE NEWS: Governor General Julie Payette and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will host a videoconference with Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains is in Windsor, Ont., to make an important announcement for the automotive sector. Shaw Communications reports first-quarter results. Jury trial in Winnipeg for Brian Kyle Thomas charged with second-degree murder in death of bus driver Irvine Fraser. Judge instructs jury in Vancouver trial of Garry Handlen, charged with first-degree murder of Monica Jack in May 1978. BEIJING - A former Canadian diplomat detained in China last month does not enjoy diplomatic immunity, a Chinese spokeswoman said Monday, rejecting a complaint from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the man's rights were being denied. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this file image made from a video taken on March 28, 2018, Michael Kovrig, an adviser with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, speaks during an interview in Hong Kong. China says former Canadian diplomat Kovrig detained in China last month does not enjoy diplomatic immunity, rejecting a complaint from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (AP Photo/File) BEIJING - A former Canadian diplomat detained in China last month does not enjoy diplomatic immunity, a Chinese spokeswoman said Monday, rejecting a complaint from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the man's rights were being denied. Trudeau said last week that Chinese officials were not respecting the diplomatic immunity of Michael Kovrig. He was arrested along with Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor on vague national security allegations after a top Chinese executive with telecommunications network equipment giant Huawei was detained in Canada on Dec. 1 at the request of Washington. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Monday that Kovrig is no longer a diplomat and entered China on an ordinary passport and business visa. "According to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations and international law, he is not entitled to diplomatic immunity," Hua said at a daily briefing. Kovrig, a Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group think-tank , took a leave of absence from the Canadian government. Washington wants Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou the daughter of the company's founder extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. She is out on bail in Canada and awaiting a bail extradition proceeding next month. China's ambassador to Canada accused the country last week of "white supremacy" in calling for the release of the two Canadians, while describing the detentions as an "act of self-defence." However, Hua said the allegation that China arbitrarily detained Canadian citizens is "totally groundless." On Friday, Poland arrested a Huawei director and one of its own former cybersecurity experts and charged them with spying for China. That comes amid a U.S. campaign to exert pressure on its allies not to use Huawei, the world's biggest maker of telecommunications network equipment, over data security concerns. Poland's move has raised concerns over the safety of its nationals in China, although Hua appeared to brush off such worries, emphasizing China's desire for the "sound and steady" development of relations with Poland. "As long as the foreign citizens in China abide by Chinese laws and regulations, they are welcomed and their safety and freedom are guaranteed," Hua said. The Canadian wife of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi said she isn't worried Ottawa's decision to take in teen refugee Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun will hurt her husband's case, despite speculation that the incident could further strain Canada-Saudi relations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Canadian wife of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi said she isn't worried Ottawa's decision to take in teen refugee Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun will hurt her husband's case, despite speculation that the incident could further strain Canada-Saudi relations. Ensaf Haidar said the Canadian government did the right thing in granting refugee status to the 18-year-old woman who drew global attention after fleeing her allegedly abusive family. Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport, on Saturday, January 12, 2019.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young "I'm happy for her," Haidar said in a phone interview. "I'm very proud of Canada, too. That's what a democratic country is." Haidar, who lives in Quebec with her three children, said she didn't believe Canada's acceptance of Alqunun would hurt her husband's chances of release, because the two cases are "very different." Alqunun landed in Toronto on Saturday, after gaining international prominence after she fled her family on a trip to Kuwait and flew to Bangkok, where she barricaded herself in an airport hotel and launched a Twitter campaign outlining allegations of abuse against her relatives. Alqunun said her father physically abused her and tried to force her into an arranged marriage. The young woman landed in Canada on what was a symbolic week for Badawi, who was arrested on June 17, 2012, and was later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for his criticism of Saudi clerics. Sunday was the blogger's 35th birthday, and last week marked three years since he received 50 lashes in January 2015 during a public flogging. He is not believed to have received any more corporal punishment since then. Some have suggested Canada's decision to accept Alqunun could heighten tensions that peaked over the summer when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expelled Canada's ambassador and withdrew his own envoy after Canada's foreign affairs minister used Twitter to call for the release of arrested women's rights activists. But other experts, such as University of Waterloo professor Bessma Momani, have said the relationship with the Saudi government has deteriorated to the point where the decision to accept Alqunun no longer poses much risk. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada would stand up for human rights regardless of diplomatic consequences. Haidar said she hasn't met Alqunun, but she's followed her case on social media and advocated for Canada to accept her. Haidar is also one of three people who started a GoFundMe page to help raise money to help Alqunun begin her new life. Haidar, now a prominent human rights activist, says she's not giving up on her husband's release either. Later this week she is scheduled to meet with Trudeau, where she'll once again press him to grant Badawi Canadian citizenship. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 12/1/2019 (885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Brandon police got more than they bargained for when they stopped a vehicle late Friday night. At 11:30 p.m., a vehicle with an inactive registration was stopped in the 200 block of 27th Street. The male driver was on a recognizance order with a condition to not communicate with a female passenger. He was arrested for that breach and the vehicle was searched. Police discovered a syringe full of methamphetamine in a bag held by the passenger, but learned it belonged to the driver. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded .45 calibre handgun and a small case containing other ammunition. The gun had been stolen from a home in Dauphin in 2016. A 35-year-old man from Hartney was arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. He was to appear in court Saturday morning charged with two counts of breach of recognizance, careless transportation of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, possession of a weapon obtained by crime, and possession of methamphetamine. The Brandon Sun Brandon police got more than they bargained for when they stopped a vehicle late Friday night. At 11:30 p.m., a vehicle with an inactive registration was stopped in the 200 block of 27th Street. The male driver was on a recognizance order with a condition to not communicate with a female passenger. He was arrested for that breach and the vehicle was searched. Police discovered a syringe full of methamphetamine in a bag held by the passenger, but learned it belonged to the driver. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded .45 calibre handgun and a small case containing other ammunition. The gun had been stolen from a home in Dauphin in 2016. A 35-year-old man from Hartney was arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. He was to appear in court Saturday morning charged with two counts of breach of recognizance, careless transportation of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, possession of a weapon obtained by crime, and possession of methamphetamine. The Brandon Sun The Manitoba government has appointed eight new and returning members to the Manitoba Police Commission, including a new member from Virden. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/1/2019 (884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us The Manitoba government has appointed eight new and returning members to the Manitoba Police Commission, including a new member from Virden. R.B. (Rick) Kenderdine has been appointed as a member with a term to expire in December 2021. The owner and operator of Great Western Oil Tools Inc. has served as chair of the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) in Virden and as the southwest Manitoba representative on the COPP provincial board. Kenderdine has also served for more than 15 years with the Virden Youth Justice Committee, including 12 years as chairperson, and previously served as the director and chairperson of the Virden Area Foundation. In addition to Kenderdines appointment, David Asper from Winnipeg has also been selected as the commissions new chairperson, and Jeannette Acheson, Ashling Sweeny and George Wright have also been appointed. Ernie Blais, Desiree Gillespie and Marnadou Ka are members who have been reappointed to the commission. "The Manitoba Police Commission provides well-considered and insightful advice on important matters related to law enforcement and civilian governance of policing on behalf of all Manitobans," Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said in a release. "I am pleased to welcome David Asper as the commissions new chairperson, who will be joined by a strong team of new and returning members with a broad range of expertise and experience." The commission provides civilian input on police services and the conduct of police officers, which can include providing advice to the minister, consulting with the public, providing support to municipal police boards and overseeing the civilian monitor program which observes independent investigations of police officers. In the 2018 throne speech, the Manitoba government committed to conducting a review of The Police Services Act. The Manitoba Police Commissions advice and consultations with stakeholders will inform that review, the minister noted. The Brandon Sun (AP) Idaho said Wednesday it will appeal a recent court ruling ordering the state to provide gender confirmation surgery to a transgender inmate. The Idaho Department of Correction filed a notice advising U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill that the state will appeal his ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The inmate would be the first in Idaho to get the procedure while in state custody and only the second inmate in the nation to receive the surgery. "The hard working taxpayers of Idaho should not be forced to pay for a prisoner's gender reassignment surgery when individual insurance plans won't even cover it," Republican Gov. Brad Little said in a prepared statement. Winmill in December ordered the state to provide Adree Edmo with the gender confirmation surgery within six months. The judge said the state's refusal to provide Edmo the surgery puts her at risk of irreparable harm, and said the surgery was needed to treat Edmo's gender dysphoria. "For more than forty years, the Supreme Court has consistently held that consciously ignoring a prisoner's serious medical needs amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment," Winmill wrote in his ruling. Edmo, who was sentenced in 2012 after being convicted of sexual abuse of a child younger than 16, is scheduled to be released in July 2021. According to her lawsuit, she had previously been denied parole because of disciplinary reports she received after trying to modify her prison-issued undergarments and style her hair so that her appearance matched her feminine identity. She has undergone some treatment including long-term hormone therapy for gender dysphoria, which occurs when the incongruity between a person's assigned gender and their gender identity is so severe that it impairs their ability to function, the lawsuit said. Still, Edmo's gender dysphoria was so severe that twice she tried to castrate herself in prison, using a disposable razor blade. The Idaho Board of Correction Chairman, Dr. David McClusky, said the judge confused its opinion with medical consensus. "If Ms. Edmo had a broken arm, we'd all agree it should be treated," McClusky, a surgeon, said in a statement. "But disagreement among medical professionals in this case does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment." The National Center for Lesbian Rights is representing Edmo in the case. NCLR attorney Amy Whelan said after the December ruling that the gender confirmation surgery is life-saving care and necessary for some transgender inmates, but it is almost universally denied by prisons across the country. The first inmate to receive the surgery was Shiloh Heavenly Quine, who is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in California. Prison officials there agreed in 2015 to pay for the procedure to settle a lawsuit brought by Quine and other transgender inmates. The case also led California to become the first state to set standards that will allow other transgender inmate to apply for the surgery, and prompted a federal magistrate to require California to provide transgender female inmates housed in men's facilities with more female-oriented items like scarves and necklaces. (WB) Newly sworn-in after his victory over Andrew Gillum in the Florida gubernatorial race, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on Wednesday an executive order ensuring non-discrimination in state employment and state contracting but the directive notably excludes LGBT people. The order DeSantis signed, Executive Order No. 19-10, is titled Reaffirming Commitment to Diversity in Government. Although the directive prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, martial status and disability, it says nothing about sexual orientation or gender identity. Joe Saunders, senior political director for Equality Florida, slammed DeSantis in a statement for the exclusion. Equality Florida is deeply disappointed to see that LGBTQ employees and contractors have been left out of the governors executive order, Saunders said. The omission recalls the failure of former Florida Gov. Rick Scott to issue an executive order against anti-LGBT discrimination. After the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead and 53 wounded, Equality Florida issued the call for Scott to take that action. (Scott is now serving as a U.S. senator representing Florida.) DeSantis order stands in contrast to recent actions from other governors. Newly seated Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, both Democrats, signed LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination orders this week as among their first acts in office. At the end of last year before leaving office, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, both Republicans, took similar action against anti-LGBT discrimination in state employment. Criticizing the new Florida governor, Saunders drew on the contrast between DeSantis and other governors and compared the LGBT exclusion to Scotts. Its hard to believe that Gov. DeSantis and his staff are not aware of the LGBTQ communitys call for these protections following the Pulse tragedy and therefore it is hard to interpret this as anything less than a purposeful omission, Saunders said. As governors across the country establish these critical protections for LGBTQ families, this order draws a stark contrast. We look forward to a dialogue with Gov. DeSantis about why LGBTQ employees have been omitted from this critical policy and how he plans to make sure that all Floridians, regardless of who they are or who they love, can be protected from discrimination. DeSantis office didnt respond Wednesday to the Washington Blades request to comment on why LGBT people were excluded from the order. North Miami Councilman, and self-described longest serving LGBT elected official in America, Scott Galvin, shared his recent battle with a deadly heart condition to his constituents in an email blast Thursday. It is only by the grace of God and the incredible work of the surgeons and staff at Aventura Hospital that I'm alive to write you this note, Galvin stated. First elected to the North Miami City Council in May 1999, Galvin has served as the District 1 representative on the council ever since, winning elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011. His current term expires in May 2019, according to the North Miami Florida government website. In mid-December, Galvin was struck by an Aortic Dissection. He shared that the tear in his aorta struck without warning, and is a hereditary condition. Forty percent of those hit by this affliction don't survive upon presentation, according to The US National Library of Health. Galvin spent 12 hours in emergency heart surgery to repair the damage, spending another two weeks recovering in the intensive care unit. A metal plate now holds his sternum together, he shared, and hes expected to make a full recovery. I share this with you because I have always been transparent with you during my term in office. This challenging moment should be no different, Galvin wrote. Even from my hospital room, I continued to keep up with my duties, the councilman went on to state, noting several people received email responses from him after they wrote about the problems they encountered. Galvin has a history of being a strong advocate for LGBT rights. In 2013 he called the Mayor of North Miami, Andre Pierre, a chicken and a coward for not allowing a public discussion on the citys decision to hold a day of prayer event hosted by an anti-gay pastor. Later in 2017, Galvin spearheaded a LGBT sculpture for Miami-Dade county, which he told SFGN is recognizing the contributions of several of Dade's gay pioneers, including Ruth Shack, Victoria Sigler, Kevin Burns, David Richardson, Martin Gill, and others, all of whom attended the event. Antonio George Queen, age 24, of Lusby Daisaun Altay Eric Culpepper, age 25, of Lexington Park Devin Ellis Benoit, age 20, of Piney Point Donte Dwayne Gray, age 28, of Pomfret Eugene Terrell Harris, age 26 of St. Leonard Jahmek Iszaha Wright Anthony, age 21, of Patterson, New Jersey Jalonte Dalquan Ford, 19, of Great Mills Katelynn Marie Tucker, age 20, of Lexington Park Kenneth Jerome Brown, age 26, of Lexington Park Kia Renita Mason, age 52, of Mechanicsville Marcus Darnell Courtney, age 27, of Great Mills Martiez Armeni Briscoe, 22, of Lexington Park Melvin Scott Rawlings, age 32, of Chesapeake Beach Nathaniel William Mason, 3rd, age 36, of Clinton Robert Maurice Scriber, age 45 of Lexington Park Travis O'Neil Johnson, age 33, of Lexington Park William Shawn Carter, age 44, of Leonardtown Previous Next LEONARDTOWN, Md. Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme. (January 14, 2019)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following arrest reports.On January 2, deputies responded to the 21800 block of Ronald Drive in Lexington Par regarding a possible wanted individual. Upon arrival a vehicle was observed occupied by several individuals. As deputies approached the vehicle a strong odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Contact was made with, who was an occupant in the vehicle. A search of Ford and the bag in his possession yielded over 186 grams of suspected marijuana and a loaded handgun, which investigation later determined was stolen.Further search of the vehicle yielded another handgun which was wrapped in a shirt, located under the driver's seat of the vehicle, within reach of the driver and rear passenger., occupied the driver's seat, and a 15-year-old male juvenile was seated in the rear passenger seat behind Briscoe. Briscoe was arrested and charged with Handgun in Vehicle; the minor was arrested and charged as a juvenile with Handgun in Vehicle. Ford was charged with the following crimes: Loaded Handgun on Person; Loaded Handgun in Vehicle; Possession of Firearm/Minor; Possession of Marijuana > 10 Grams; and Theft.DRUG ARREST: On January 1, Cpl. Stone conducted a vehicle stop in the 21800 block of N. Shangri-la Drive in Lexington Park. Cpl. Stone smelled an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle., was identified as the operator of the vehicle. Johnson had outstanding warrants through Calvert County and the Maryland State Police for his arrest for the charges of Assault 2nd Degree and Failure to Appear. At the time of Johnson's arrest, individual strips of suspected Suboxone were located, a plastic baggie containing suspected cocaine, and a baggie of suspected marijuana were found in Johnson's pants and jacket. Johnson was arrested and charged with two counts of CDS Possession-Not Marijuana, and issued a Civil Citation for the Marijuana. Johnson was also served his outstanding warrants. CASE# 027-19.DRUG ARREST: On January 3, Dep. Forbes conducted a vehicle stop in the 21800 block of N. Shangri-la Drive in Lexington Park. A passenger in the vehicle identified as, was found to have an outstanding Parole Retake warrant for his arrest. Located on Scriber was suspected synthetic marijuana. Scriber was arrested and charged with CDS Possession-Not Marijuana and served the Parole warrant. CASE# 613-19.ASSAULT: On January 4, Dep. Shelko responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, for a reported assault. Investigation determined, struck the victim in the face with a closed fist while the parties were in the indoor recreation area. Harris was charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE# 823-19.DRUG ARREST: On January 5,, was stopped for traffic infractions in the 28100 block of Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville. A suspected Xanax pill was located in the vehicle under the driver's seat; Stuart did not have a prescription for the medication. Stuart was arrested and charged with CDS Possession-Not Marijuana by DFC. D. Smith# 297. CASE# 950-19.01/02/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Escape 2nd Degree by Cpl. D. Snyder# 89. CASE# 421-19.01/02/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Stop at Open Scale, and Driver on Duty Schedule 1 Drug by Cpl. Reppel# 141. CASE# 306-19.01/02/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Assault 2nd Degree by Cpl. Hartzell# 97. CASE# 340-19.01/02/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Assault 2nd Degree by DFC. Roszell# 296. CASE# 367-19.01/03/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Assault 2nd Degree, Theft, Rogue and Vagabond, and Violate Protective Order by Cpl. Hartzell# 97. CASE# 485-19.01/03/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Robbery/Deadly Weapon by DFC. Muschette# 303 CASE# 475-19.01/04/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Burglary 2nd Degree, and Theft by Cpl. Beishline# 252. CASE# 745-19.01/04/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding Virginia warrant for Violation of Probation by Cpl. Stone# 183. CASE# 856-19.01/04/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for FTA/Theft by Dep. Shelko# 326. CASE# 820-19.01/04/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation/Rogue and Vagabond by Dep. Shelko# 326. CASE# 841-19.01/04/2019:, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation/Theft by Dep. Shelko# 326. CASE# 843-19.01/04/2019:, and William Leroy Byrd Jr., age 20 of Great Mills, were issued Criminal Citations for Theft by Dep. Shelko, after both parties attempted to conceal items in a cart and exit the Walmart Store located in California. CASE# 822-19. (No Photo of Byrd Available) PR Newswire SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2019 Jointly organised by UBM (Seatrade) and the Singapore Maritime Foundation, Sea Asia 2019 will take place in Singapore from 9 -11 April 2019 at the Marina Bay Sands. SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With the shipping technological landscape changing how some areas of work in the maritime industry are carried out, it is imperative that the existing workforce is future-proofed and upskilled to ensure they can work well in an environment centred around technology. That is the sentiment highlighted in the second Sea Asia industry insights report, 'Technology in Maritime: Dehumanising the Industry or Creating New Job Opportunities?' launched on Jan 10, ahead of the biennial Sea Asia conference and exhibition. According to Mr. Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and Enesel Pte Ltd, and President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), a key challenge facing the maritime industry today is that leaders need to ensure that existing staff are given the necessary training and upskilling needed to use new technologies comfortably in the industry. "It is important that the maritime industry has the right people with the right skills to effectively harness new technologies. Initiatives like the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) are key to making sure that the current workforce has the opportunities to further enhance and improve their skills. Industry leaders need to also work with educational institutions to ensure that our next generation of workforce is equipped with the right skills and knowledge to propel the maritime industry forward in a technological world," said Mr. Poulsson. In assessing the impact of technology on jobs in the maritime industry and whether it is being dehumanised, the report also highlights that despite current jobs being redesigned and requiring new skills from employees, a human workforce is still essential. Kenneth Chia, Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), pointed out that while it seems that technological innovations are making some traditional roles in the industry redundant, this does not mean all workers will be replaced. "It is more evident that technology is altering traditional maritime jobs and changing the types of skills that are needed in the maritime industry, as opposed to it completely removing jobs for the current workforce. "The instinctive knowledge of an experienced industry worker is hard to replace, even with advanced technology. For example, even though we may need a lesser number of crew members working on board a vessel with smart shipping technologies, a larger group of skilled employees is also needed to work onshore so as to remotely manage what is happening out at sea," said Mr. Chia. Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade UBM EMEA, highlighted that with automation and technology is set to play a key role in the maritime industry. As such, the risk of dehumanisation and need for future-proofing will be a topic for discussion at the upcoming Sea Asia 2019 conference which would be held in Singapore. "We need to have a good understanding of the new skills needed in the industry and more importantly, where talent with these skills can be found so that we can be well-placed to attract them to work for our changing industry," said Mr. Hayman. "With that in mind, we are looking forward to a robust discussion during the 'Future of the Maritime Workforce' conference session on the first day of the Sea Asia 2019 conference in April." For more information on technology in maritime and its impact on the workforce, please refer to the report attached. For more information, please contact: Cassie Low Email: [email protected] Mobile: +65-9168-9290 DID: +65-6239-4112 Andy Lim Email: [email protected] Mobile: +65-8533-5234 DID: +65-6239-4109 About UBM Sea Asia is organised by UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. Please visit www.ubm.com/singapore for more information about our presence in Singapore. About Singapore Maritime Foundation Established in 2004, the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) is a private sector-led organisation that seeks to develop and promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC). As the representative voice for the commercial players of the maritime industry, SMF seeks to forge strong partnerships with the public and private sectors of the maritime industry. SMF spearheads initiatives to promote the diverse clusters of the maritime industry in Singapore and at international frontiers, and to attract young talents to join the sector. SMF is directed by its Board of Directors which comprises prominent leaders in the Singapore maritime community. For details, visit www.smf.com.sg. Sea Asia 2019 is held in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week 2019 (SMW). SMW is the leading maritime event in Singapore driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. SMW gathers the international maritime community in Singapore for a week of conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. These events reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a major international maritime centre. About the Singapore Maritime Week 2019 (6 - 12 April 2019) Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) is one of the world's leading maritime shows and is organised annually and driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Every year, SMW gathers the international maritime community for a week of flagship conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. The range of activities and events organised by MPA, industry stakeholders and research and educational institutions, as well as the cosmopolitan profile of participants, reflects the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a global hub port and leading international maritime centre. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/upskill-todays-maritime-workforce-to-prepare-for-a-technological-future-industry-report-300777391.html SOURCE UBM Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION Paris Achen: pachen@portlandtribune.com or 503-506-0067. Achen is a reporter for the Portland Tribune working for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration of EO Media Group, Pamplin Media Group and Salem Reporter. SIGN UP TO GET BLACKLISTED NEWS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Enter your email address: Nigerian authorities should rigorously investigate violence at a political rally in Lagos on January 8, during which at least three journalists were injured by gunfire, and ensure the safety of reporters covering political events, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. A campaign poster for Nigeria's incumbent president and candidate Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, pictured in Lagos, on January 4. Credit: AFP/Pius Utomi Ekpei. Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Emmanuel Oladesu, an editor of The Nation Newspaper, Temitope Ogunbanke, a correspondent with the New Telegraph, and Abiodun Yusuf, a cameraman with Ibile Television, were injured by stray bullets when fighting broke out and shots were fired during a rally held by Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Ogunbanke and Nurudeen Oyewole, a senior reporter at the Daily Trust who was also at the rally, told CPJ. Nigeria is scheduled to hold a national election on February 16."The security of journalists should be a priority for all political figures, especially in the period around February's election," said CPJ Africa program coordinator Angela Quintal. "Without safety guarantees, journalists will be unable to conduct their work without fear and keep the public informed."Oyewole told CPJ that the journalists were injured when a gunfight broke out between rival factions of the National Union of Roads Transport Workers, who are APC members. Oyewole said he saw police arrive and then fire their guns into the air in an effort to intervene. He added that it was unclear whose bullets caused the injuries.Ogunbanke said he was hit in the face and that Oladesu was hit with two bullets. Both journalists were treated in a hospital, according to Ogunbanke and a report by the local press advocacy group, International Press Centre. Ibile Television, the station for which Yusuf works, did not immediately reply to CPJ's email requesting information about the journalist's injuriesChike Oti, spokesperson for Lagos police, told CPJ that the violence was a result of an "intra-union affair" and was not a premeditated attack on journalists. Oti said that 15 people were arrested in connection with the incident and that the investigation was ongoing.CPJ's calls to presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu and information minister Lai Mohammed went unanswered. Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Lagos chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, called on members to shun violence and said those who broke the law would be expelled, according to reports . CPJ's calls to Agbede today went unanswered. With new distribution opportunities, a prominent portfolio of products, and support from industry experts, Burst Biologics is a promising partner for a distributor business US based Burst Biologics enters a new partnership with Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization centered on quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. This relationship will give distributors with Burst Biologics reliable access to a large number of surgical hospitals without the need to contract with each one at a local level. Adventist Health System has a heavy presence in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina. The organization includes a network with an estimated 41 owned hospital affiliates, 5 non-owned affiliates, and 481 owned ambulatory care centers. Burst Biologics plans to utilize the partnership to contract with new distributors throughout the network. "We're looking forward to our partnership with Adventist Health System. This represents a tremendous benefit to our surgical product distributors and surgeons, and at the same time helps more patients gain access to our cutting-edge neurosurgical technologies," said Christopher D. Jones, CEO of Burst Biologics. Burst Biologics is committed to expanding its distribution network and plans to establish additional relationships with group purchasing organizations (GPOs). Burst also supports its distributors with a range of marketing materials and peer-reviewed research studies. With new distribution opportunities, a prominent portfolio of products, and support from industry experts, Burst Biologics is a promising partner for a distributor business. For Immediate Release, January 14, 2019 Contacts: Anne Rolfes, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, (504) 452-4909, anne@labucketbrigade.org Sharon Lavigne, RISE St. James, (225) 206-0900, sharonclavigne@gmail.com Julie Teel Simmonds, Center for Biological Diversity, (619) 990-2999, JteelSimmonds@biologicaldiversity.org Louisiana Residents Seek Records on Their Community Being Turned Over to Polluting Plastics Factories Secretive Land-use Changes Paved Way for Massive Plants in Rural, Residential Areas ST. JAMES PARISH, La. Residents of St. James Parish and environmental groups today sought disclosure of public records on a land-use change that opened their rural community to the construction of massive, polluting petrochemical plastics factories. The 2014 land-use plan designated the parishs 5th district as Residential-Future Industrial and Industrial. That raised discrimination concerns in the predominantly African-American district. Local groups RISE St. James, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Gulf Restoration Network and 350 New Orleans joined the Center for Biological Diversity in asking St. James Parish to provide records and communications related to the troubling land-use change. The groups discovered the change while fighting proposals to build some of the countrys largest plastics factories that will turn fracked natural gas into plastic feedstocks for throwaway plastics. I would like to know how they went about making where I live industrial. Parish officials say that people of the 5th District my district were in favor of the land-use plan, but everybody I talk to who lives here is against more industry coming here, said Sharon Lavigne, president of RISE St. James. Thats why we want these records, to find out what really went on back in 2014. The records request is pertinent to a southern Louisiana methanol project proposed within the re-designated residential district. The district is adjacent to the 2,400-acre agricultural property on the Mississippi River that St. James Parish designated Industrial in 2014 and where Formosa Plastics has proposed the plastics plant it calls the Sunshine Project. St. James Parishs District 5, a longtime residential community that is 87 percent African American, had no formal land-use designation before the St. James Land Use Plan was adopted in 2014. Residents are concerned about the millions of tons of air and water pollutants the plants would emit annually and the process that located them in their community. We are asking for the records because its like the 1930s around here. The parish is running roughshod over the black community and the state is letting it happen, said Anne Rolfes of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. Parish officials and Governor Edwards are facilitating the destruction of an historic Louisiana community just so foreign companies can make plastic that no one needs. Its appalling. Formosa and South Louisiana Methanol are part of the fossil fuel industrys plan to increase plastic production by 40 percent over the next decade, converting natural landscapes for dirty industry, fouling the air and water of local communities, and contributing to plastic pollution now accumulating in our oceans, landscapes and landfills. We want to know more about how these residents were sold out to the fossil fuel industry, said Julie Teel Simmonds, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. This is environmental racism driven by the glut of cheap fracked natural gas in this country. Fossil fuels are destroying our climate, polluting neighborhoods and filling our oceans with plastic. Todays records request comes amidst ongoing concern by parish residents that local processes lack transparency and favor foreign corporations. Parish Director of Operations Blaise Gravois announced at a Parish Council meeting that a meeting to be held with industry on Jan. 16 to discuss an evacuation route is by invitation only. No 5th District residents are invited, though Parish President Timmy Roussel publicly announced the meeting in the local newspaper. Bowling Green State University is expanding students opportunities to enrich their lives and their career possibilities with international internships. The University is adding Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia, as two new sites for BGSU students to engage in internships abroad, starting summer 2019. These locations join BGSUs current global internships in Madrid and Alcala, Spain, London, and Lisbon, Portugal. Working with an established partner in Hong Kong and Melbourne, BGSUs Office of International Programs and Partnerships, in cooperation with the Career Center, will offer internships with companies and nongovernmental organizations across several fields. Students will identify the areas associated with their major that they want to explore and BGSUs local partner will suggest placements that will allow them to practice their skills. Due to visa restrictions, these are not paid internship experiences. Students are not expected to speak a foreign language to apply. While interning in Hong Kong or Melbourne, students will share apartments with other interns from the U.S. and other countries in designated buildings in residential areas with easy commuting access to their internship placements. BGSUs partner provides around-the-clock local support, an orientation to better acquaint interns with their new professional environment, and social events to strengthen the students connection to the local culture. Not only do internships like these help students make professional connections in an international setting, they also enhance their resumes and help them stand out with potential employers, said Dr. Marcia Salazar-Valentine, International Programs and Partnerships executive director. BGSU is always seeking opportunities to enhance students life skills and enable them to thrive in a variety of settings, and Melbourne and Hong Kong will provide rewarding cultural experiences. The new internships are offered for variable credit hours depending on the students needs and are officially listed on their BGSU transcripts. In addition to the credit hour tuition fees, the cost of the internships ranges from $5,000 to $8,500 depending on the length of the program (four to 12 weeks). To make this a seamless registration process for students, all costs are included in their bursar bill. BGSU is also working with partners to expand student internship opportunities in Shanghai, Tokyo and Toronto. To learn more about BGSUs Global Internships, students may contact International Programs and Partnerships Education Abroad division at edabroad@bgsu.edu or 419-372-0479. At first, they were not used to my style of teaching, either. Czech students typically sit quietly and listen for a two-hour class. The fact that I dont do that, but instead engage them in activities and discussion after a very short presentation was novel to them. They tell me how much they enjoy my classes and how they are learning so much because they are not just listening, but doing. However, the active learning model that is so highly valued in the United States has not yet been accepted in the Czech Republic, she has found. Although her students say she is giving them interesting things to think about, they are not sure that, as new teachers, they will be able to use the techniques in their classes. They tell me that parents or their headmasters would probably think children were just playing and not learning if they did the things they are learning about in my classes in their schools. For example, I recently led a class session on incorporating drama in a class to help teach English. One student said, If a parent saw children using puppets to learn English, they would think I was not teaching them anything. I share an office with two other professors, which is great, but my favorite times here in Olomouc are the times before and after classes when I have informal chats with my students. Ive learned so much from them. Theyve suggested and taken me to restaurants, given me tours of their dorms, translated and made phone calls for me, told me how to find English-speaking movies, and met me at the gym to exercise. They are very interested in our American clothing, movies and music. They want to know about the United States. Are there really free refills in America? is a recent question that made me laugh. The students are definitely the most rewarding part of my work here on this Fulbright Teaching Award. Theyve issued invitations to come to their towns and villages around the Czech Republic so that I can meet their families and see where and how they live. Its heartwarming! I always say that travel opens your mind, but more important, your heart. In spite of the warmth she has felt from her students, Falter Thomas said she has been surprised by some of the cultural differences between the U.S. and the Czech Republic. They are not used to sharing their feelings, she said. Its just not in the Czech culture, and while things are changing, the word love just isnt used, for example. (I was actually told by my Czech language teacher at home to remove that word from my vocabulary because that word is rarely used even in marriage or parental relationships.) Recently, I read the book Love You Forever by Robert Munch in one of my classes. A student had tears rolling down her face as I finished the book. It told me she was moved. I then gave her the book to keep. At the next class, she stayed after and gave me a box of Czech chocolates for giving her my book. She explained that when I read the book she realized that her parents probably loved her as much as the mother portrayed in the book, but wondered why dont they just tell her, and that when shes a mother, shes going to tell her children how much she loves them. The Czech experience has also given her a new appreciation for life at BGSU. I will never take BGSUs state-of-the art technology, our ITS staff, or our student workers for granted ever again, she said. Unable to rely on technology like I do at BGSU, Ive needed to be quite creative. And with their university education costing students the equivalent of about $100 per semester for tuition, it is rare for a student to have a job. Therefore, they do not have student workers at the university. At BGSU, I rely on our student workers to help me assemble things for my classes, but Im on my own here and the equipment speed is very slow. Various frustrations and accomplishments have been experienced, and throughout it all, its been very empowering. While Olomouc, two hours east of Prague by train, is a city of 100,000, it has a small, college-town feel to it, Falter Thomas said. I feel like Im living in a city the size of Bowling Green. I dont have a car so I walk or take the tram everywhere I need to go. There are probably 40 restaurants and coffee shops within a 10-minute walk of my apartment, which is located in the historical area and city center of Olomouc. Its a five-minute tram ride for me to get to the university. The town is quaint and beautiful. Olomouc is often described as little Prague and is probably the most amazing city youve never heard of. So far, Ive had an incredible experience. And a rich experience like this goes to the soul. It will stick with me forever! 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. A customs official opens one of dozens of container vans filled with household waste at a port in Tagoloan, the southern Philippines province of Misamis Oriental, Jan. 13, 2019. The Philippines over the weekend shipped back to South Korea tons of garbage stored in 51 container vans, officials said Monday, six months after the trash arrived in the port of Tagoloan, in southern Misamis Oriental province. The Philippines and South Korea are signatories to the Basel Convention, an international treaty to control the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste, as well as prevent the transfer of waste from developed to less-developed countries. Manila invoked the convention in negotiations completed in late December, and the waste was loaded aboard a ship bound for South Korea, Bureau of Customs port collector John Simon said. He said Seoul had agreed to pay the U.S. $47,000 (2.5 million pesos) cost of shipping the container vans to the port of Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The South Korean government had also agreed to shoulder the expense for shipping 5,100 tons of remaining waste in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental. Earlier this month, Korean media reported that the country would cover the cost of returning the waste. This is a great environmental victory for the Filipino people and the Philippine government, Simon told reporters. On Sunday, activists from the environmental group EcoWaste Coalition staged a rally inside the Mindanao Container Terminal. They carried signs that read We are not a garbage can for Korean waste, and Do not transfer Korean waste to the Philippines! Sending the garbage back to its origin is only just, moral and lawful, EcoWaste Coalition national coordinator Aileen Lucero said. In a statement, Angelica Carballo Pago of Greenpeace Southeast Asia said her group hoped the repatriation of the South Korean waste would inspire a similar action to finally address the Canadian waste dumped in the Philippines. About 100 container vans of garbage arrived at the port of Manila from Canada in 2013 and remain there despite appeals to the Canadian government, also a signatory of the Basel Convention. Pago said the repatriation sent a strong signal to developed countries that the Philippines and other less-developed countries were fighting back. Activists with the Ecowaste Coalition, an environmental group, stage a rally in front of container vans loaded with household waste at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriential province, southern Philippines, Jan. 13, 2019. (Froilan Gallardo/BenarNews) Shipments arrived in July, August The household waste stored in Tagaloan town came in two shipments, in July and August 2018, the Philippine government news agency reported in November. The first shipment of 5,100 tons arrived on July 21 and was immediately moved to the 10-acre facility of shipper Verde Soko in Tagoloan. The second shipment of 51 container vans loaded with 1,400 tons of household waste arrived in the second week of August and was delivered to the same facility. The shipment caused an uproar among local government officials after neighbors started complaining of a foul smell from the facility. Verde Soko officials had previously said that the vans contained reusable plastic waste to be recycled. The officials did not comment Monday on the shipment. Juliette Uy, a congresswoman representing the province, said the garbage should be returned to South Korea. All, not just part or some, of the total garbage shipments stored at MICT (Mindanao International Container Terminal) should be returned to South Korea. All of it. There should be no gray areas in this regard, Uy said in a post on her Facebook page. She said the House of Representatives was scheduled to hold a public hearing to determine how the shipment made it passed the MICT in Tagoloan. This port is under the supervision of the Bureau of Customs. How was it able to pass through under their watch? Uy asked. She said the National Bureau of Investigation was asked to conduct an investigation to determine the liability of Verde Soko and possible involvement of customs officials. Soldiers display bombs, guns, ammunition and other belongings recovered during a raid at a militant-run bomb factory in Maguindanao province, southern Philippines, Jan. 12, 2019. Philippine security forces raided a southern bomb factory over the weekend, arresting five suspected Filipino Muslim militants and thwarting a potential wave of bomb attacks, the military said Monday. The raid Saturday on a hideout in Paglat, a town in Maguindanao province, led to the discovery of a factory where the suspects were producing bombs, military commander Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said, adding that an informant had pointed military intelligence to the area. Our informant showed us pictures of terrorist bombers as they detonated a bomb to test its lethality. We had been tracking the suspects since November 2018, Cabunoc said. Those arrested were connected to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a Muslim rebel faction that broke away from the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to continue fighting for independence in the south, according to officials. Cabunoc said two companions of the suspects, Abu Jihad and Ustadz Yasser, both bomb experts, managed to elude arrest hours before troops arrived at the scene. The military official said four anti-personnel mines, other bomb-making components and three handguns were seized from the suspects. The MILF signed a peace deal with Manila four years ago that led to the government signing a law last year granting Muslims in the south expanded regional autonomy. A plebiscite is to take place next week to ratify the law. The Jan. 21 plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law is to take place in the predominantly Muslim provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. It will also include six towns in Lanao del Norte and the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan. Deadly attacks On New Years Eve, two people were killed and a dozen others were wounded when a bomb exploded outside a shopping mall in Cotabato city, where a majority of local officials had publicly campaigned against inclusion in the expanded autonomy. Two suspects including one who voluntarily surrendered to authorities have been charged. In August and September 2017, two explosions hit the town of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat, leaving five dead and more than 50 people wounded. Earlier, at least 11 people were killed and several others wounded when a van carrying explosives exploded in July 2017 near a checkpoint outside Basilan island city of Lamitan. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for that attack, but the military denied its claim. The Serenity Prayer Grace The Lords Prayer Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Anyway Prayer For Soldiers Morning Prayer Prayer is a staple of religious life. It is mentioned in the Bible hundreds of times and appears in every book and chapter in the Scriptures. Praying to God both to ask for help and to praise Him for His good works are central themes in the Bible. Unfortunately, prayer is an afterthought for many Christians and ends up receiving the same treatment as those New Years Resolutions to exercise more or eat healthier. You join a gym and throw yourself into eating clean for a few weeks, but come Valentines Day, you are back to skipping workouts, snacking on Doritos and calling a pair of Poptarts a perfectly healthy breakfast. Spiritual exercise via prayer usually ends up dying the same slow death as physical exercise. Prayer, however, is both too easy and too important to put on the backburner until you feel you have time to do it. You will likely feel like you do not have enough time, but you do not have to dedicate hours every day to prayer for your prayer practice to make a huge difference in your life. Here are seven common prayers that can transform your life if you focus on their words and try to live out their message.God,Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,the courage to change the things I can,and the wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time;enjoying one moment at a time;accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;that I may be reasonably happy in this lifeand supremely happy with Him forever in the next.AmenThe Serenity Prayer is one of the best known prayers today. The first stanza is extremely popular both among Christians and among non-Christians. The second stanza, however, is far less known and appears in far fewer quotes or motivational pictures. Both stanzas, however, are equally valuable. The first stanza is one that you can recite to yourself when you are dealing with frustrations or a sense of helplessness. It can help you keep in perspective whether or not your rage is actually useful. Though people always need to be careful that their anger does not cause them to lash out or become violent in either word or action, the Bible itself shows that there are times that fury is the correct response. Jesus Himself was enraged by the merchants and money sellers in the Temple to the point that He, quite literally, started flipping tables. Anger, however, is only useful if it can lead to change. If you are outraged by human trafficking and that rage pushes you to join an organization dedicated to ending the scourge of modern slavery, your anger is useful. If all you do is make a few social media posts and then forget about the issue, your anger is empty and useless. If you are furious at the tree limb that fell on your car and broke the windshield, you can either use that anger productively by removing similar dead limbs from other trees around your house or you can possess useless anger and stand there swearing at a tree.Frustration has a place in life, and the serenity prayer is important in that it does not simply call on you to change what you can but to focus your efforts where you can actually make a difference. The second stanza gives a more detailed path toward achieving the serenity the prayer asks God to grant. Enjoying the little moments and accepting that life is beautiful despite its imperfections are good ways to work toward serenity in your life.Bless us, O Lord,and these, Thy gifts,which we are about to receive from Thy bountythrough Christ, our Lord.AmenLord,thank You for the food before us,the family and friends beside us and the love between us.AmenThank you, Godfor this food, for rest and home, and all things good;for wind and rain and sun above;but most of all those we love.AmenSaying Grace is a common phrase in Christian households, but there are a stunning number of Christians who actually have no idea how to say grace or exemplify the expression deer in the headlights when asked to pray before a meal. The tradition can seem old fashioned today, but praying before a meal helps you to remember how lucky you are and may remind you of those who are not fortunate enough to have enough to eat. There are endless variations on grace, and many denominations have a version that they favor. You can either stick with a traditional version or create your own. The point is simply to make sure that you give thanks to God for what you have and take a moment to appreciate your blessings. That gratitude can do incredible things in your life.Our Father,Who art in heaven,hallowed be Thy name.Thy kingdom come,Thy will be doneon earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day, our daily breadand forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.(For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yoursnow and forever.)AmenThe Lords Prayer is the best known prayer in all of Christianity. Every Christian has heard it and knows it is based on the prayer that Jesus Himself said to pray. That commonality of the prayer, however, often keeps Christians from recognizing the power of the words in the prayer. When was the last time you really paid attention to what you were saying when you said the Lords Prayer as opposed to simply reciting a rote memorization?The Lords Prayer speaks to God in a familiar way. He is not Creator or Master but Father. The prayer is a Christian reaching out to someone they know loves them and praying that Gods will transform the earth into a world in line with what He meant it to be originally. It asks God to remember both the worldly needs of His faithful, such as bread to eat, as well as their spiritual needs by not testing them with temptation before they are prepared to face it. Any one of those ideas is powerful enough to warrant an entire prayer book, but the Lords Prayer grants each of them only a few short words.If you really want to transform your life, meditate on the words of the Lords Prayer and then do your very best to live them. Grow closer to God. Be grateful that your daily needs are met. Learn to forgive others. Accept that you will face temptation and prepare yourself for when you do. If you can do those four things, your life will be unrecognizable by the time you are done.Now I lay me down to sleep.I pray the Lord my soul to keep.If I should die before I wake,I pray to God my soul to take.If I should live for other days,I pray the Lord to guide my ways.Father, unto thee I pray,Thou hast guarded me all day;safe I am while in Thy sight,safely let me sleep tonight.Bless my friends, the whole world bless;help me to learn helpfulness;keep me every in Thy sight;so to all I say good night.AmenHow often do you leave things unfinished because you are certain that you can get them done tomorrow? How many times have you gone to bed without righting a wrong or apologizing to someone you love because you assume that you can deal with it in the morning? Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a simple, popular prayer that reminds people that no one is guaranteed that they will have another day or even another moment. The prayer serves to both increase your appreciation of the time you are given and encourages you to use it well. Live in a way that is guided by God and practice helpfulness and thankfulness. Doing so will turn your life upside down in the best way. Frankly, simply breaking yourself of the assumption that you are guaranteed another day can cause you to make the most of every moment and put you on the path to living without regrets.People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.Succeed anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.Be honest and sincere anyway.What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.Create anyway.If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.Be happy anyway.The good you do today, will often be forgotten.Do good anyway.Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.Give your best anyway.In the final analysis, it is between you and God.It was never between you and them anyway.St. Teresas famous poem is not a traditional prayer, but it serves as a reminder to live your best life and a plea to God to help you do so. It calls on Christians to live good, happy lives in defiance of all those who would try to drag them down. It also reminds them that the only one whose judgement matters in the end is God, so live according to what He wants, not the fickle demands of other humans. If you can truly turn away from concerning yourself with what others might think or how they might react and focus on living a righteous and generous life, you will find yourself transformed for the better.Dear Lord,This is the prayer I say tonight.It is for my loved one who must fight.This prayer is not for them alone,but for all the military far from home.I ask You to keep them safe and soundon their way to where theyre bound.We love and honor those who are asked to fight,so keep them safe for us tonight.AmenGod,Please bless our soldiers,Protectors of our land,Servants called to battleWhen our country takes a stand.Please give them strength and courageAnd hearts that will forgive,With peace and understandingIn a world free for all to live.Our countrys prayers are with themNo matter where they roam.Please be with them too, O God,and bring them safely home.Amen.Veterans, active military, police and first responders all deserve the thanks and respect of the people they defend. As such, no prayer life would be complete without prayers recognizing and thanking those who willingly risk everything for their country and community. Recognizing that your freedoms and liberties are bought and protected by those who willingly lay down their lives for strangers will help you appreciate them more. It will also help you realize how lucky you are to have those freedoms and, hopefully, spur you to do what you can to help free those who are not so fortunate.The prayers for soldiers can easily be modified to include first responders, police, veterans or anyone else who willingly put themselves in the line of fire to protect people who may never appreciate it or even know about their sacrifices. You can also include military, police and first responder families who spend each day living with the knowledge that their spouse, parent, sibling or child may not come home safely or at all.Dear Lord,So far today, I have lived life as You commanded. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, lied or cursed. I have not been greedy, grumpy, selfish, lazy, lustful or over-indulgent. I have not snapped at my loved ones or told off a neighbor. I have not been envious or let jealousy guide my tongue or my actions.In a few minutes, however, Im going to get out of bed. From then on, Im probably going to need a lot of Your help.AmenGod has a sense of humor, and embracing your own for a little laughter each day can do wonders for your outlook on life. The prayer may seem a hair irreverent, but the Bible itself is filled with double entendres, clever insults, off the wall jokes and even a bit of potty humor. So, there is nothing wrong with starting your day with a laugh of your own. If anything, it might put you in a better mood and let you live a better life by allowing you to be more patient and understanding with those you meet. It also can be a good way to list the things you wish to avoid during the day. If you need help breaking your habit of impulse buying because financial stresses are hurting your marriage, mention that in your prayer in the morning. If you have been short with your children, tell God that you have not lost your patience with them. Then, see how long during the day you can keep the first half of the prayer, the list of what you have not yet done, true. A bit of humor and focus can do a great deal to change your life, and a prayer about both can help you remember you are not alone as you make those changes.Prayer seems to be one of those things that many Christians say they want to do more of but never actually get around to doing. You do not need, however, a thick book of obscure prayers or a devotional to improve your prayer life. Simply taking the time and energy to focus on the prayers you do know can be more than enough to transform your life. As Christ showed with a few fish and some bread, small gifts can do great things when you put them in Gods hands. Atheists tend to see the Old Testament as an easy target when it comes to Biblical skepticism. They expect that the many miraculous events and displays of Gods power will be easy to disprove. To their chagrin, however, archaeology and other scientific disciplines have been uncovering increasing amounts of evidence that support the Jewish and Christian claim that the Old Testament describes not fairy tales but actual historical events. Asteroid Impact at Kofels The Hyksos Semitic Pottery in Egypt Tel Dan Stele The Lion Gate One of the most incredible stories in the Bible is the tale of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The two cities were overwhelmingly sinful and were, according to Genesis, smited by God in a hail of near-literal fire and brimstone. Skeptics liked to characterize the events as fanciful and overwhelmingly unlikely. Then, a clay tablet that had frustrated archaeologists for over a century was finally translated. The tablet contained an eyewitness account of an asteroid strike. Upon further investigation, the asteroid in question was found to have impacted at Kofels in the Austrian Alps. The meteorite fragmented before hitting the mountains and thus did not leave a traditional impact crater. Another one of its unusual features was that the meteor was unusually low-flying. Rather than falling from high in the atmosphere at a steep angle, it hurtled along close to the earths surface. This spelled disaster for anything and everything nearby. The land under its trajectory would have been subjected to temperatures of more than 750 degrees Fahrenheit. It would have ignited everything and everyone in its path. To make matters worse, the explosion that ripped it apart would have thrown debris back over an area of nearly 400,000 square miles. In addition to temperatures so high that pottery at Tall el-Hammam was melted into glass and flaming chunks of asteroid that fell on the cities of ancient Israel, the shockwave from the explosion would have pushed the water of the Dead Sea over its banks and into the nearby communities in a hypersalinated tsunami. The water was then absorbed by the soil meaning that at Sodom and Gomorrah, God literally salted the earth.Skeptics have pointed out before that it is strange that there are no Egyptian records of Joseph, the man who supposedly saved the nation from a catastrophic famine. There are a variety of theories that explain why Joseph would not have been recorded in Egypt, including one that a man named Imhotep with a very similar story was actually the name Egyptians used for Joseph. One popular theory for why the Egyptians did not know of Joseph, however, is that Joseph was not actually advising the Egyptian pharaoh. He was advising the Hyksos pharaoh. The Hyksos were a group of invaders who conquered portions of Egypt and established their own dynasty in Avaris. When the Hyksos were eventually forced out of the Nile delta by the Egyptians, the remaining allies of the Hyksos might well have been enslaved, including the descendants of the man who saved their civilization from famine.Regardless of how the Israelites were enslaved, science supports the fact that there were Semitic peoples enslaved in Egypt. Pottery that matches Israelite styles but not Egyptian has been found in Egypt, and a leather scroll from the time of Ramesses II describes the manner of brickmaking used by slaves. The method sounds almost exactly like that described in the biblical account. The scroll even states that there were taskmasters watching over the slaves who were given a specific quota of bricks to create.Unfortunately, the mud-brick buildings of the Nile delta were known for melting back into the mud and silt of the area, so there are no surviving samples of the bricks created by the slaves. There are, however, a number of scrolls and paintings that show foreign slaves using straw in mudbricks or working under Egyptian overseers, just as described in Exodus.When in doubt, claim that people did not exist, or so some skeptics seem to think. This was the case with David and the entire line of Israelite kings. There were no neon signs advertising their existence, so skeptics felt comfortable claiming that the entire lineage was a folk tale. Then, a broken stele was unearthed at Tel Dan. The stele was written by a king bragging that he had defeated the king of Israel and the king of the House of David. Skeptics have tried to argue that the David described on the inscription is a place, not the famous king of the Bible, but most scholars and archeologists have accepted the inscription as hard proof that David and his dynasty did exist.According to skeptics, the writers of the Old Testament did not just invent a fictional dynasty, they also created a whole race of people for their fictional kings to battle. The joke, however, was on skeptics when the Lion Gate and other Hittite monuments were discovered near the Euphrates River. Atheists had claimed that the Hittites were simply a creation of the Israelites, but excavations uncovered the capital of this ancient empire. Hittite monuments, exquisitely carved gates and artifacts were found as well as thousands of cuneiform tablets that described the culture, history and language of a people who once controlled an empire that stretched from Turkey to Syria.The Old Testament is a popular target for atheists and biblical skeptics simply because it seems too incredible to be true. The idea of fire raining down on a sinful city or an entire people leaving slavery at once is overwhelming. Still, science has increasingly supported the words of the Old Testament. It simply goes to show that when God is involved, even the impossible becomes possible. The late US President Lyndon Johnson once observed that the first rule of politics is that its practitioners need to be able to count; for Theresa May this rule has been hard learnt and she now stands poised to count the cost of her stubbornness. Tomorrow MPs will at last have the opportunity to have their meaningful vote on the PM's proposed Brexit deal (postponed by a month) and, while estimates vary, it seems certain that she will suffer a clear if not resounding defeat. And let us not forget that the opportunity to vote was itself only won through recourse to the courts and support from many of her backbenchers, who allied with MPs on the Opposition benches. Although she has embarked on an eleventh hour - or should that be 'one minute to midnight' - charm offensive to persuade MPs from across the Commons to endorse her deal, the best she can wish for is to try and reduce the scale of opposition to less than three figures. A vain hope, I suspect. Furthermore, in the face of defeat she will have to come to the Commons within three working days (next Monday) to table a motion identifying her next move; in effect, Plan B. With Parliament already deeply divided over the withdrawal agreement, currently there is no majority in the Commons for any of the mooted alternatives, most evidently that of a 'no-deal' Brexit. No doubt she will, in the wake of defeat, trail off to Brussels in Oliver Twist mode seeking to extract a bit more from the EU, primarily a written legal guarantee that the backstop, if triggered, will apply only for a finite period. That, I'm afraid, is as likely as Monty Python's parrot springing back to its perch. What then are her options? In surveying them one has to bear in mind Mrs May's style of premiership. Flexible is not a word that springs to mind when assessing her modus operandi. Her approach to the Brexit negotiations has been to wall-in the process to a small circle of advisers in No 10, themselves constrained by her early statement of red lines: out of the customs union and the single market, ending freedom of movement and reclaiming sovereignty by abandoning the European Court of Justice. In the face of the most momentous decision confronting the nation, she created a straitjacket of Leave-inspired constraints that has limited the scope for inventiveness among UK negotiators. So, let us not waste time on sympathising with the PM's predicament. She is very much the author of her own deserved misfortune. The Brexit process has been hamstrung from the first thanks to Mrs May's obduracy rather than, as her apologists have it, her resilience. Belated efforts to persuade MPs of the sweet reasonableness of her 'deal' does not chime with her preferred style of governing, which has included seeking to keep Parliament at arm's-length throughout. That approach has clearly foundered as MPs bite back, enabled by a Speaker John Bercow, who is intrinsically disposed to facilitate the voices, opinions and, crucially, votes of backbenchers. And, lest we forget, underpinning the Brexiteers' mantra of "taking back control" lay a cornerstone of the UK's constitution: parliamentary sovereignty. Neither the Speaker nor her backbenchers can be faulted for exploiting that indispensable element of our constitutional architecture. So what can she do in the wake of likely defeat? As far as the EU is concerned, negotiations over the withdrawal agreement are over and there will be no substantive change to its terms. At best, if it is feeling charitable (and why would it?), the most she can hope to extract from the EU is some sort of letter of comfort on the backstop, but, crucially, one that has no legal force. That won't wash with a majority of MPs, whether Leavers or Remainers. Throughout, she has insisted that the UK will leave the EU on March 29. However, if confronted with a brick wall in Brussels re the withdrawal agreement she may be forced to seek an extension of Article 50, thereby putting back the date of departure unless and until some sort of consensus can be wrought at Westminster. But, of course, whether the EU would agree to an extension is by no means guaranteed, nor is the prospect of an inter-party consensus on an alternative. Indeed, it is, I think, alien to her political instincts to reach out to her opponents across the Commons (and those sitting behind her) in order to try to forge a consensus on this utterly existential matter; but if she survives tomorrow's likely defeat, she will have to. There are thinkable alternatives to the withdrawal agreement, abbreviated as the Norway+ option or Canada++, but as yet neither is capable of securing a majority in Parliament, while the no-deal exit appeals to just a few dozen, mainly Tory MPs. What is left? In the short-run, a general election or another referendum - each is problematic and riven with uncertainty. Jeremy Corbyn's preference is a general election, the first step towards which is the tabling of a motion of no confidence in the Government following tomorrow's vote, though not necessarily immediately. To succeed he needs the support of two-thirds of MPs: 416 (excluding Sinn Fein's abstentionist MPs plus the Speaker and three Deputy Speakers), which is extremely unlikely given that he would need a sizeable chunk of Conservative MPs to vote with him. Mrs May could, of course, take the matter into her own hands, as she did in April 2017, and call an early election. Nothing is impossible in these extraordinary times but, given the state of the polls, it seems rash if not foolhardy for a minority Government characterised by a divided Cabinet and party to opt for this probably suicidal path. Mr Corbyn's first choice looks doomed, which leaves us with another referendum - and there are arguments in its favour. We now have a much fuller understanding of the benefits and costs of Brexit than we did in June 2016, such that the electorate can make a more reasoned and informed judgment about the UK's future relationship with the EU. But what would be the question or questions on the ballot paper? May's deal versus Remain? Remain versus both May's deal and Leave on World Trade Organisation terms (no-deal)? And what would the franchise be: those aged over 18 or 16 years (as was the case at the Scottish Independence referendum)? If Parliament proves incapable of extricating us from this mess then a referendum, with all its attendant risks and uncertainties, seems unavoidable. Rick Wilford is Professor of Politics at Queen's University Belfast Today we publish the disturbing story of a severely disabled Tyrone teenager who has had her application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rejected In todays newspaper we publish the disturbing story of a severely disabled Tyrone teenager who has had her application for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) rejected. Talitha McClenahan, aged 17, was born with Downs syndrome, and she suffers from cerebral palsy and other debilitating conditions. Her mother Deborah has revealed that the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which, she was told, would be given to Talitha for life, has been stopped, and that her claim for PIP has not been approved. The allowance for her carers in this case her parents has also been stopped, and this is causing distress, and considerable financial challenges, to the family. To add to their predicament, it appears that Talitha and her parents have not been given a full explanation as to why her PIP claim has been refused. It beggars belief that people who are facing such enormous challenges are being treated in this way. Unfortunately this is not the only disturbing case recently. Last September Tom McWilliams spoke of his disgust when his daughter Roisin, who was undergoing treatment for stage four Hodgkins lymphoma, was turned down for PIP payments. Two months later Lynette McHendry, who has terminal cancer, declined to complete a PIP claims form to confirm that she had only a short time to live. At the heart of these stories is the reality of families living in the most challenging of circumstances. These payments are meant to help those in distress, but in some cases the bureaucracy has left people feeling bewildered, powerless and stripped of their dignity. Their cases have made headlines because the people involved feel that they have no other recourse left but to go public, with often the most personal of details. One only has to read about the difficulties facing the McClenahans and other families to realise the distress and challenges they are facing on a daily basis, and in some cases around the clock. These and similar issues concerning PIP have been ongoing for some time, and it is a matter of urgency that the right measures are put in place to ensure that individuals and families are not left to suffer in this way. Meanwhile, the people of influence who could help break this kind of disturbing log-jam are unable to help because the Assembly is still not working. Once again it is clear the politicians party agendas are more important to many of them than the welfare of people in all our communities. Chinese vice president meets Sierra Leone's foreign minister 2019/01/14 Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with Alie Kabba, Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Friday in Beijing. Noting that mutual respect was the premise of the state-to-state ties and the friendship between the two peoples, Wang said that China had always respected other countries' cultures, development paths and systems. Wang said China and Sierra Leone should continue to consolidate traditional friendship, enhance communication and coordination on bilateral and multilateral affairs, and promote the implementation of the eight major initiatives, proposed at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in Sierra Leone "in a faster way and in more projects." Kabba said that Sierra Leone highly valued friendship with China, and thanked the Chinese side for its sincere and selfless help. He said Sierra Leone is ready to learn from China's development experience, and deepen bilateral cooperation and the coordination in multilateral affairs, to enhance the development of bilateral ties. On Friday, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Yang Jiechi met with Kabba. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held talks with Kabba. Last week I watched about an hour of the Belfast City Council webcast, which at various times made me laugh, fume, plunged me into gloom and gave me some hope. Here's some of what came up last Monday under the umbrella of the strategic policy and resources committee. There was the request made in December by Brian John Spencer, an artist I like and admire, to make a drawing of the chamber during the January council meeting. There's is a long-standing tradition of artists painting parliaments in session, so you'd think councillors would feel flattered. But Sinn Fein, in a fury over a brilliant Spencer cartoon about the party's hypocrisy on Kingsmill, had reacted like an old-style Irish bishop (Bishop Brennan from Father Ted anyone?) and at a chaotic meeting had found a way of voting it down. Last Monday, though, this was challenged eloquently from all sides as censorship that breached Mr Spencer's rights to freedom of expression. Realising it was going to lose this time (Donal Lyons of the SDLP described its stance as "absolute farce"), Sinn Fein's Ciaran Beattie said angrily that even if he got permission, Mr Spencer would not be allowed to draw him or his colleagues. The moment I laughed was when Sinn Fein's Arder Carson declared that since it was his democratic right to refuse to be painted, anyone voting for the artist was "censoring me by me having to leave the chamber". To their credit, for Mr Spencer spares no one in his cartoons (you should see the one he did of me), everyone opposed Sinn Fein. This has exposed the party to a great deal of ridicule on social media, but as councillor Jeff Dudgeon pointed out, it's "a fearsome example of what life will be like if they gain strength at May's council elections". There was some bewildering stuff about the Councillors' Code of Conduct, which appears to be out of date and mired in bureaucratic procedures hindering the proper conduct of business and are now leading councillors to leave meetings because of technical conflicts of interest. On Monday this provided the DUP and Sinn Fein with the opportunity to dodge difficult questions about the way in which they dish out to their respective communities financial spoils from the Social Investment Fund and show no sense of responsibility about public accountability. They certainly show no interest in councillor Dudgeon's suggestion that a rather better use of some of the 500,000 being thrown at loyalist and republican community festivals to discourage bonfires would be to allocate 200,000 of it for the creation of seven jobs to remove disfiguring and pointless graffiti from the walls of Belfast. At least on the issue of money being squandered, Alliance and the SDLP don't usually side with Sinn Fein. They have done, though, over many issues, including the scandal of the Blitz Memorial. The facts are simple: four German air raids in 1941, on the night of April 7-8, April 15, the night of May 4-5 and the night of May 5-6, killed 970 mostly poor Catholic and Protestant Belfast people. There is even a Free State dimension, for despite its neutrality Taoiseach Eamon de Valera sent 13 fire engines and 70 men to help with the terrible aftermath. Councillor Dudgeon, who proposed a memorial almost four years ago, strove desperately to avoid it being politically contentious, and a private charity offered 100,00 towards the cost. But Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance have been holding it up, using it as a bargaining chip in getting more nationalist and female images. Declan Boyle, Pat Convery and Kate Mullan - who left the SDLP over freedom-of-conscience issues - were consistently strong in supporting this non-sectarian project, which may go through because Alliance is now abstaining. But as the historian Brian Barton puts it, " the protracted party infighting and disputation that this matter has generated is a grave indictment of its political leadership". Still, with the collapse of the Executive and Sinn Fein's abstention from Westminster, councils are the only place to find political action these days. Voters should be keeping a very keen eye on the webcasts. A left-wing Italian militant convicted of murder three decades ago has arrived in Rome to serve a life sentence after his time as a celebrity fugitive came to an abrupt end with his arrest in Bolivia by Interpol agents. An Italian military aircraft carrying Cesare Battisti landed at Romes Ciampino airport shortly after 11.30am (1030GMT) after an overnight flight from Bolivia. As snipers kept close watch, Battisti emerged and descended from the plane, surrounded by police. Wearing a brown jacket, a look of resignation and no handcuffs, Battisti was escorted to an airport facility to be processed a remarkably quick finale to one of Italys most drawn-out and politicised efforts to bring a fugitive home. Expand Close Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino airport (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino airport (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Battisti was arrested on Saturday in Santa Cruz, Bolivias largest city, where he was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices. Italy sent an aircraft to pick him up and bring him back for the first time since he fled Italy in 1981 as he was awaiting trial. The 64-year-old, who became a successful author during his life on the run, had lived openly in Brazil and France for years and enjoyed the protection of left-wing governments on both sides of the Atlantic, much to the consternation of Italy. But Brazils outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently sparking Battistis latest effort to flee to Bolivia, where he had tried unsuccessfully to obtain political asylum. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces a life term for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweller and a butcher. Expand Close Battisti was finally captured in Bolivia (Italian police/PA) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Battisti was finally captured in Bolivia (Italian police/PA) Battisti acknowledged membership of the group but denied killing anyone and painted himself as a political refugee who would face certain torture or death in Italy. After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then went to France, where he joined dozens of left-wing Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled Italy during that nations years of lead, a bloody and turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants on the left and right carried out bombings, assassinations and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But then-Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him political asylum in 2010. Battisti was eventually released from jail but was arrested again in 2017 after he was caught trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border carrying the equivalent of about 7,500 dollars in undeclared cash. He was released after a few days. As a result of that incident, Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Justice Luiz Fux said in December that Interpol had issued a request for Battistis arrest on tax evasion and money laundering charges, leading him to issue a Brazilian warrant. Expand Close Cesare Battisti was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices (Gregorio Borgia/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cesare Battisti was located by intelligence agents after using one of his mobile devices (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Based on that, outgoing Brazilian president Michel Temer signed the decree ordering the fugitives extradition. Brazils new right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, vowed to follow through with his extradition, hailed Battistis arrest and denounced Mr da Silvas government for having granted the Italian asylum. Finally, there will be justice for the Italian assassin and partner of ideas of one of the most corrupt governments to ever exist, Mr Bolsonaro tweeted in a reference to Mr da Silvas Workers Party. Bolivias public defender David Tezanos said Battisti formally requested asylum in Bolivia on December 21, but he had not received a response from the leftist government of President Evo Morales. Mr Tezanos said Battistis rights were being violated with his hasty expulsion. Brazils foreign and justice ministries said in a joint statement that Battisti will leave Bolivia direct to Italy to serve his life sentence. The statement was significant since under Brazilian law people extradited to serve life sentences must have their sentences capped at 30 years a concession rejected by Italian officials on Sunday in insisting that Battisti serve his full term. By capturing Battisti in Bolivia and avoiding his return to Brazil, Italy was not bound to observe Brazils cap on the sentence. Aereo con #CesareBattisti decollato adesso direzione Italia: sono orgoglioso e commosso! pic.twitter.com/lWWWZkubsl Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 13, 2019 Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini praised Bolivian police and Brazils new government for following through on the fugitives case. He called Battisti a delinquent who doesnt deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison. An Italian militant who was convicted of murder in his home country nearly three decades ago has been arrested in Bolivia. The Italian government sent an aircraft to pick up Cesare Battisti, who was captured by Bolivian police working with Italian agents on the ground in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Italian police said. The 64-year-old had been living in Brazil for years, but Brazils outgoing president signed a decree last month ordering his extradition, apparently leading to Battistis latest effort to elude authorities. Italian police released a video of Battisti they said was taken hours before his capture, showing him seemingly oblivious to surveillance cameras tracking him as he walked casually down the street in jeans, a blue T-shirt and sunglasses. A subsequent image showed Battistis mug shot under the seal of the Bolivian police. Expand Close Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (Italian Police via AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (Italian Police via AP) Cesare Battistis long flight is over, justice minister Alfonso Buonafede declared, adding that he would be taken to Romes Rebibbia prison as soon as he landed in Italy. Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said Italy, and the families of Battistis victims, had waited too long for justice. Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini called Battisti a delinquent who doesnt deserve to live comfortably on the beach but rather to finish his days in prison. Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 while awaiting trial on four counts of murder allegedly committed when he was a member of the Armed Proletarians for Communism. He was convicted in absentia in 1990 and faces a life term for the deaths of two police officers, a jeweller and a butcher. He has acknowledged membership in the group but has denied killing anyone and has painted himself as a political refugee. Expand Close Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti enters a plane before it takes off for Italy (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti enters a plane before it takes off for Italy (AP) After initially fleeing to Mexico, he then went to France, where he joined dozens of Italian militants who enjoyed official protection from the French government. Like Battisti, they fled during Italys years of lead, a bloody and turbulent era during the 1970s and 1980s when militants carried out bombings, assassinations and other violent acts to try to bring down the Italian government. After political winds shifted in France, Battisti fled to Brazil in 2004 to avoid being extradited. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request that he be handed over. But former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted him asylum in 2010. Battisti was eventually released from jail but was arrested again in 2017 after he was caught trying to cross the Brazil-Bolivia border carrying undeclared cash. He was released after a few days. As a result of that incident, Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal Justice Luiz Fux said in December that Interpol had issued a request for Battistis arrest on tax evasion and money laundering charges, leading him to issue a Brazilian warrant. Based on that, outgoing Brazilian President Michel Temer signed the decree ordering the fugitives extradition. The mayor of a Polish city has undergone five hours of surgery after being stabbed on stage during the finale of a charity fundraiser, doctors have said. Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz grabbed his stomach and collapsed in front of the audience at the Lights to Heaven fundraiser organised by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the countrys most important charity. Doctors transported him to Medical University of Gdansk, where he underwent five hours of surgery, Dr Tomasz Stefaniak, one of the doctors treating Mr Adamowicz, said. Almost seven hours after the assault, Dr Stefaniak told reporters early on Monday that the patient is alive, triggering applause, but added that the mayor remained in a very serious condition. The next hours will decide everything, Dr Stefaniak said, appealing for thoughts and prayers for the popular mayor. Expand Close Gdansk mayor Pawel Adamowicz, right, speaks to an audience shortly before he was stabbed (Anna Rezulak/KFP/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gdansk mayor Pawel Adamowicz, right, speaks to an audience shortly before he was stabbed (Anna Rezulak/KFP/AP) Polish media reported that a number of political officials and Gdansk Archbishop Slawoj Leszek Glod went to the hospital during the operation. After the knife attack, the assailant shouted from the stage that he had been wrongly imprisoned under a previous national government led by Civic Platform, a party to which the mayor formerly belonged. He said his name was Stefan and that I was jailed but innocent Civic Platform tortured me. Thats why Adamowicz just died. Police said the suspect was a 27-year-old with a criminal record. A police spokesman, Mariusz Ciarka, said the attacker appeared to have mental health problems and gained access to the area with a media badge. He was arrested and is under investigation. The next hours will decide everythingPawel Adamowicz's doctor TVN footage showed Mr Adamowicz on stage with a sparkler in hand telling the audience that it had been a wonderful day and then the attacker came toward him. The mayor had been on the streets of his Baltic port city earlier in the day collecting money for the charity, along with volunteers around the country. European Council president Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister who co-founded Civil Platform and is from Gdansk, wrote on Twitter: Lets all pray for Mayor Adamowicz. Pawel, we are with you. Mr Adamowicz, 53, has been mayor of Gdansk since 1998. He was part of the democratic opposition born in that city under the leadership of Lech Walesa during the 1980s. After leaving Civic Platform, he was re-elected to a sixth term as an independent candidate in the autumn. Horrified by the brutal attack on Gdansk mayor Pawel Adamowicz, said Frans Timmermans, a Dutch politician and leading European Union official. Hope and pray he will recover. A great leader of his city and a true humanitarian. The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity raises money to buy state-of-the-art medical equipment for Polands cash-strapped state hospitals, mostly for children. A college gymnast has set the internet alight with a stunning floor routine that earned her a perfect 10. Katelyn Ohashi, of the University of California, Los Angeles, pulled out the incredible routine on Saturday at the 2019 Collegiate Challenge. A isn't enough for this floor routine by @katelyn_ohashi. pic.twitter.com/pqUzl7AlUA UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) January 13, 2019 The routine, which took in songs by Earth, Wind And Fire, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, wowed not only the judges but also social media. The video of the routine posted by UCLA Gymnastics had amassed more than 12 million views by Monday morning and 21-year-old Ohashi had made a number of high profile fans, including United States Senator Kamala Harris and Brooklyn Nine Nine star Chelsea Peretti. Note to self: Go to a UCLA gymnastics meet pic.twitter.com/nrwXtjmBVN Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) January 13, 2019 why did i cry https://t.co/W6fHgnJa7g Chelsea Peretti (@chelseaperetti) January 13, 2019 This isnt Ohashis first brush with viral fame. Last year another Michael Jackson-themed routine, which included a moonwalk in the middle, also took the internet by storm. Before that, the young Ohashi was on track to become one of the biggest names in her sport. She was performing at elite level, beating Simone Biles to win the American Cup in 2013, before being hit by injury which affected her ability to compete and in 2015 she made the switch to college gymnastics. You can hear more about her story here. Saoirse Ronan arriving at the Scottish premiere of Mary Queen of Scots at Edinburgh Castle (Jane Barlow/PA) Mary Queen Of Scots star Saoirse Ronan has described the films Scottish premiere at Edinburgh Castle as the most special screening. The 24-year-old spoke of feeling as though the production was being brought home, having already had its international and European premieres. It is a story based on the Scottish monarchs reign and her relationship with Queen Elizabeth I of England. Irish actress Ronan, who rose to fame at the age of 13 in Atonement, appears as the titular queen. Two queens. One destiny. See #MaryQueenofScots now playing in theaters. pic.twitter.com/72guZ8hzEL Mary Queen of Scots (@MaryQueenMovie) December 29, 2018 She said: Its the most special screening weve had so far because it just feels like were bringing it home. All the Scots that are in the film are able to stand next to the film and hopefully be proud of it. Just the fact that we have hopefully been able to honour this woman in some very, very small way and do that here is just amazing. Margot Robbie has been shortlisted for a Best Supporting Actress Bafta for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I, the cousin of Mary Queen of Scots. Expand Close Margot Robbie (left) and Saoirse Ronan at the films European premiere (Isabel Infantes/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Margot Robbie (left) and Saoirse Ronan at the films European premiere (Isabel Infantes/PA) The film shows Mary Stuart return from France to reclaim the Scottish throne, under the rule of English Queen Elizabeth I, and assert her claim to the English throne. Ronan added that she wanted to display all aspects of Marys character, not just her strength. She said: I think its as important to show a woman who is strong and powerful, just as much as it is to show someone who is flawed. Thats what I wanted to do with Mary and I think Margot does it with Elizabeth and Beau (Willimon) did it in the script as well. They were great rulers Elizabeth in particular was a really brilliant ruler but they had their faults and they had their insecurities and they made mistakes. I think thats the most important thing, for young people in particular, to see on screen. The screening in Scotlands capital takes place just over a month after the movie had its European premiere in London. Watch as we go behind the scenes on @MaryQueenMovie with #SaoirseRonan pic.twitter.com/vhEC2GrrX3 Working Title (@Working_Title) January 9, 2019 Parts were shot in Scotland, with Blackness Castle in West Lothian doubling as Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of the Scottish queen. Marys return to Scotland was filmed at Seacliff in East Lothian, while other scenes were shot in Glencoe and the Cairngorms. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined Scottish actors Jack Lowden and James McArdle and comedienne Karen Dunbar, who appear in the film, at the event on Monday. Director Josie Rourke and producer Tim Bevan were also at the first Scottish screening of the historical drama, which tells the story of two rival queens. Ms Sturgeon said she believe Mary Queen of Scots would provide a boost for Scotlands film industry and tourism sector. She added: Films like this project an image of a country that is rich in exciting, compelling history, a country that is known for its beautiful landscapes and really does send a message that the film industry in Scotland is going from strength to strength. Expand Close (left to right) Director Josie Rourke, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and actress Saoirse Ronan (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (left to right) Director Josie Rourke, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and actress Saoirse Ronan (Jane Barlow/PA) McArdle who plays James, Early of Moray spoke of his pride in being part of a Scottish-based film. The 29-year-old from Glasgow said: I think its fantastic for Scotland, I think we should be telling more stories like this. Its a universal story and we have this wealth of talent here which should be on this global scale. I feel weve apologised for our talent a lot, throughout the years, and I think we have a world-class pool of stories to tell and a pool of talent to pool from. Expand Close James McArdle (left), Saoirse Ronan, and Jack Lowden (Jane Barlow/PA PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp James McArdle (left), Saoirse Ronan, and Jack Lowden (Jane Barlow/PA Lowden who plays Henry Darnley said he had fun playing a vain and troublesome Englishman in a Scottish tale. The 28-year-old from the Scottish Borders said: Ive played a few Englishmen now and its always fun to do so. I would have loved to have played a Scot in it, but I mean he was a Scot in a way. Its quite nice to be the get, within. Prime Minister Theresa May has told the DUP the assurances from the EU on the backstop being temporary should it come into force do have "legal force" and said the Irish Government would be forced to implement checks on the border in the event of a no-deal Brexit. DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds dismissed the latest update to the Irish backstop - asking Theresa May to "admit that nothing has fundamentally changed". Read More Mr Dodds said that even her own Attorney General Geoffrey Cox admits the letters "do not alter the fundamental meaning of its provisions". Speaking in the Commons after a statement to MPs from the Prime Minister on the eve of the crucial meaningful vote, the North Belfast MP said: "So five weeks since the Prime Minister pulled the vote saying there needed to be legally binding assurances, will she admit that nothing has fundamentally changed? "That's the reality, let's not kid ourselves about that." Read More But Mrs May denied this was the case, saying the "further assurances" from Brussels and other European leaders "does have legal force in international law" if it came to try and remove the backstop. She said it "effectively" sat alongside the withdrawal agreement and joint political declaration. "It would be part of any consideration to any challenge to the withdrawal agreement," she said. She added: "I recognise what I brought back was not what some members wanted from the European Union, but it is not the case that this has not gone further than when we were initially discussing the debate. "There have been some further assurances from the EU but I accept those are not the same level of assurance that some members of this House wished." Read More The Prime Minister in her statement to parliament also said that a no-deal Brexit would play into the hands of those in Scotland and Ireland who would want to see the break-up of the Union. Expand Expand Previous Next Close DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds responds to the latest Brexit statement. Pic PA wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May in the House of Commons. Pic PA Wire AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds responds to the latest Brexit statement. Pic PA wire Earlier Former Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson said it was "clear" the EU and Irish Government had said there would be no hard border and technological solutions existed asking what had the PM done to explore those options further. Prime Minister Theresa May said that the government was committed to technological solutions but pointed out it was "not the case" the EU has said there would be no hard border but rather the European Commission had "made clear" there would be "no flexibility" on border checks after a no deal Brexit. "So the Irish Government would be expected to apply EU checks in full," she added pointing to the EU's own no-deal contingency planning. Meanwhile, in what has been said could assuage the DUP and Brexiteers in supporting the withdrawal agreement, the chairman of the Commons Northern Ireland Committee, Andrew Murrison, tabled an amendment to the Brexit motion to create a sunset clause preventing the backstop extending beyond the end of 2021. Mr Murrison - usually loyal to the Prime Minister - said suggestions he was tabling the amendment from the backbenches on behalf of the Government were incorrect, telling the Press Association: The amendment I am tabling will address the concerns I have heard expressed by a large number of colleagues across the House about the potential forever nature of the backstop. It will introduce a sunset arrangement by which the backstop will fall away. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 14, 2019 2019/01/14 At the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia will pay an official visit to China from January 20 to 23. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Li Zhanshu and Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC Wang Yang will meet and hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen respectively. Prime Minister Hun Sen will also attend the China-Cambodia economic forum and meet with friendly personage. We hope and believe that through this visit, China and Cambodia will consolidate traditional friendship and further promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two sides. As agreed by China and Germany, the 2nd China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue will be held in Beijing on January 18. Vice Premier Liu He of the State Council and German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz will co-host the Dialogue. Q: Could you give us more information on the 2nd China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue? What is China's expectation for this round of Dialogue? A: China and Germany decided to establish the China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue on March 2014, to strengthen financial communication and coordination, deepen practical cooperation in the relevant field, and sustain the sound development of China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership, through regular high-level bilateral dialogues on major financial issues of strategic, comprehensive and long-term importance. The two sides agreed that during the 2nd China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue, discussions will be held on the macro-economic situation and global economic governance, China-Germany strategic cooperation, and financial cooperation and regulation. This will be the first high-level dialogue in the financial field between the two sides since China and Germany formed new governments. China hopes that through this round of Dialogue, the two sides will further strengthen communication and coordination on major bilateral and international economic and financial issues, enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, and expand consensus on seeking common interests. On the basis of seeking mutual benefit and win-win results, China and Germany will adopt positive measures to promote practical cooperation in the financial field as well as the sound and steady development of China-Germany economic ties to deliver more tangible benefits to the two peoples and business communities. Q: Last week, Poland arrested a Chinese employee of Huawei in Poland for allegedly spying and I noted that the Chinese Embassy in Poland said that it was opposed to deliberate smearing and unwarranted fabrications. I want to ask if that means China views this allegation as false? A: Regarding this case you mentioned, we noted that both the relevant Polish side and Huawei have said in their statements that the case of Wang Weijing is entirely an individual one. The Polish side should arrange for a consular visit by the Chinese side immediately, handle this case in accordance with the law and regulations on the basis of facts, and earnestly safeguard the legitimate and legal interests and humanitarian treatment of the person involved. Q: Did the Chinese Embassy in Poland talk to the Chinese citizen who has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China? If yes, can you provide some details on his situation right now? A: I have no more details to offer at this moment. I believe you might have noted that the Chinese Embassy in Poland has uttered its voice at the earliest time possible. Officials from the Chinese Embassy in Poland have also met with officials from Poland's Foreign Ministry, asking the Polish side to make consular notification on the situation to the Chinese side and arrange for consular visit as soon as possible and fairly and properly handle this case in accordance with the law. Q: It is reported that the US has agreed to allow some military enterprises to export their technology to support Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program. Many US, European, Japanese and Indian companies have expressed their willingness to participate in the program. What is your comment? A: China firmly opposes arms sales to Taiwan by any country and military links in any form between any country and Taiwan. This position is consistent and clear. We urge the US and other relevant countries to keep in mind the sensitivity and graveness of this issue, earnestly abide by the one-China principle, not to permit relevant enterprises from participating in Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program in any form, stop having any military links with Taiwan, and prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues so as to avoid severely undermining their bilateral relations with China and peace and stability across the Straits. Q: Some people have compared the situation with Poland to the one with Canada and suggested that Polish citizens in China might now be at risk of sort of "retaliatory"detention. So I would like to ask you do Polish citizens in China need to worry about China taking any "retaliatory"measures against them since the Chinese citizen was arrested in Poland? A: On China's part, we value our relationship with Poland and believe that maintaining the sound and steady development of China-Poland relations serve the common interests of the two countries. We hope that Poland will move towards the same direction and make joint efforts with China, do more to enhance our mutual trust and cooperation so as to ensure the continuous sound and steady development of China-Poland relations. The relevant Chinese departments handle the individual cases of foreigners in China in accordance with laws and regulations. I don't think it's necessary for certain individuals to issue groundless warnings out of fear. I believe foreign citizens are always welcome in China as long as they abide by Chinese laws and regulations and their safety and freedom are guaranteed. Q: You said just now that the Chinese side asked the Polish side to make consular notification to it as soon as possible. Does that signal that by far China has never got such consular notification? A: Like I said, the Chinese Embassy in Poland has lodged representations with the Polish Foreign Ministry at the earliest time possible, asking them to conduct consular notification as soon as possible and make clarification and explanation on the reason for and situation of the detention of Wang Weijing. Follow-up: Has the Chinese side received any consular notification from the Polish government or not by far? A: I believe you speak Chinese very well and you indeed understand what I said. Q: According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on January 11 that China has arbitrarily and unfairly detained two Canadian citizens, and is not respecting diplomatic immunity in the arrest of former diplomat Michael Kovrig. This is something that they are engaged right now both with Chinese officials and with their partners around the world, and there is a need for all countries to do like Canada and to respect the rule of law and the independence of our judicial processes. What's your comment? A: I have seen relevant reports. The relevant Chinese departments have handled the case in accordance with the law and the accusation of "arbitrarily" detaining Canadian citizens is totally unfounded. As for the issue of immunity, I would suggest relevant person in Canada to read and study the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and international law first before making any comment, instead of making himself a laughingstock with specious statements. Michael Kovrig is not entitled to diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by any measure. He is not currently a diplomat. Michael Kovrig used an ordinary passport and a business visa to come to China, who has been taken compulsory measures by relevant Chinese state security organ on suspicion of involvement in activities endangering China's national security. He doesn't enjoy immunity in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and international law. As to the Canadian side's claim that all countries should respect judicial independence, I believe this is quite right if only the Canadian side itself could first prove its judicial independence with concrete actions. Q: One more question about the situation in Poland. Some officials in the Polish government are now saying that the government is reviewing Huawei's business with the country and that could ban the use of Huawei's products by public entities. Do you have response to that? A: Indeed, some people have been trying to crack down on and restrict the overseas development of China's hi-tech enterprises by making non-existent charges on the grounds of the so-called "security threats that might exist". I believe that everyone can see through their true motive behind this. I also believe that you all agree that security issues need to be backed up by facts and you need solid evidence to determine which actions, who and which companies pose real security threats. Huawei's reputation in security has been enjoying its partner's praise and approval for all these years. We urge the relevant party to stop its rumor-mongering and unreasonable suppressing of Chinese enterprises including Huawei. A fair and sound environment needs to be created for bilateral investment and normal cooperation between the business communities of the two sides. To play up the issue and obstruct or suppress business by abusing the issue of security will only end up hurting its own interests. On January 8, my colleague Lu Kang announced here the first birthday of the official WeChat account of the Spokesperson's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thousands of enthusiastic and warm messages haven been left under the article in celebration of the first anniversary of the account, and we're deeply moved and inspired by all these wishes, encouragements and advice. Here I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of our followers on behalf of the Spokesperson's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs! We have selected 100 followers and will send special gifts to them as soon as possible. Since the namelist is a little bit too long and I'm afraid I can't finish reading it without laughing as Senior Colonel Wu Qian has done, I'm not going to read out the ID of all these followers one by one. Please check out whether you're one of those lucky guys on our official Wechat account where the namelist will be issued today. On the first birthday of the official account, its followers get a unique nickname "Faxiao" , which means the little friends of the Spokesperson's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who have accompanied us to grow up all along. In the future, we are going to celebrate more birthdays and have more activities of interactions together. We hope that all of the "Faxiao" will stay with us all the way with support to each other, and cheer on for China's diplomacy in the new era together. Thank you! Jose Ragoobeer lost his wife Mary and his sons Shane and Sean in the explosion (Leicestershire Police/PA) A man who lost his wife and two sons in a shop explosion that killed five people has described the men who engineered the blast for an insurance payout as inhuman. Jose Ragoobeer was at work when the explosion ripped through the shop beneath his familys flat on Hinckley Road in Leicester in February last year, killing his wife Mary, 46, and his sons Shane, 18, and 17-year-old Sean. Also among the dead was Shanes girlfriend Leah Beth Reek, 18, and shop assistant Viktorija Ijevleva, 22, who was working at the time. The explosion was so powerful that neighbours initially thought a bomb had exploded, but in reality a fire had been started deliberately by owners Aram Kurd, 34, Hawkar Hassan, 33, and 38-year-old Arkan Ali. The three men doused the basement of the building with 60 litres of petrol mixed with barbecue fuel and white spirit, and then ignited it in a bid to net a 300,000 insurance payout. Expand Close The scene of the explosion on Hinckley Road in Leicester (Aaron Chown/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene of the explosion on Hinckley Road in Leicester (Aaron Chown/PA) All three were found guilty of murder and fraud on December 28. Speaking to ITV News Central, Mr Ragoobeer, 59, a care worker, described his heartbreak at watching the men who killed his family over the course of the trial. He said: It was very stressful and heartbreaking when you see these three people sitting in the dock without any emotion. They are not human, they are not human. And they dont value the life of a human being. They took our loved ones and they knew that there were people living upstairs, because at the back of the shop theyd got a camera and anyone inside the shop, they will see people go in and out, so how could they say they didnt know there were people living there? That makes me more angry. Ms Ijevleva Arkan Alis girlfriend had helped obtain the insurance policy, so her boyfriend and his co-conspirators decided she knew too much and let her die in the blast. Mr Ragoobeers youngest son, Scotty, now 16, was also in the flat at the time of the explosion, but miraculously survived after being trapped under rubble. Police and passers-by managed to pull him to safety. Mr Ragoobeer said of his wife: Mary was a lively woman. She always liked to go to parties. She liked having a drink and she laughed a lot but she would always care for the boys. The boys came first for her. He said sometimes family and friends gather around tributes laid to his wife and two sons to remember them. Its very emotional and sometimes on a Saturday night you can see their friends around having a drink and sitting and chatting. You know that your sons and wife have been loved, he said. The three killers are due to be sentenced on January 18. Theresa May has issued a last-ditch appeal to Tory MPs to back her Brexit plan, warning that defeat in Tuesdays crunch vote could hand the keys of No 10 to Jeremy Corbyn. With the Government braced for a crushing defeat, the Prime Minister told a private meeting of Conservatives at Westminster they had a duty to deliver on the EU referendum vote. It followed warnings that pro-Remain MPs are preparing to seize control of the Commons timetable in a bid to thwart Brexit altogether. The deal suffered its first official parliamentary defeat in the House of Lords on Monday night as peers voted by 321 votes to 152 a majority of 169 to reject it. In the Commons, Mrs May warned any move by MPs to prevent the UK leaving the EU would be a subversion of democracy. When the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask: did we deliver on the country's vote to leave the European Union?Theresa May While she acknowledged that the Withdrawal Agreement was not perfect, she urged MPs on all sides to give it a second look. When the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask: did we deliver on the countrys vote to leave the European Union? Did we safeguard our economy, our security and our Union? Or did we let the British people down? she said. Later, addressing a meeting of Conservative MPs, she said they had to keep Jeremy Corbyn as far away from No 10 as possible. Following her presentation, which was greeted with the traditional banging of desks, some MPs said they detected some movement towards her position. But with some observers at Westminster predicting she could lose by more than 200 votes, it appeared unlikely to be enough to affect the final outcome. Expand Close Prime Minister Theresa May during a visit to the Portmeirion factory in Stoke-on-Trent (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May during a visit to the Portmeirion factory in Stoke-on-Trent (Ben Birchall/PA) Earlier, the rebels including MPs from both the pro-Leave and pro-Remain wings of the party were joined by assistant whip Gareth Johnson, who announced he was quitting to vote against the deal. Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn told a meeting of Labour MPs on Monday he was ready to trigger a vote of no confidence in the Government if it was defeated in an attempt to force a general election. Dont be concerned, its coming soon, he said. Earlier, Mrs May welcomed fresh assurances from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker that they did not want the controversial Northern Ireland backstop to be permanent. The Prime Minister said their joint letter made clear the backstop intended to a ensure there is no return of a hard border with the Republic was not a threat or a trap. My reply to @theresa_may, together with @eucopresident, providing clarifications to the #Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. pic.twitter.com/f0PalJkRVu Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) January 14, 2019 Attorney General Geoffrey Cox issued advice that EU assurances on the backstop would have legal force in international law, and said the current deal now represents the only politically practicable and available means of securing our exit from the EU. But Mrs Mays hopes that the letter would win over enough MPs to rescue her Withdrawal Agreement looked set to be dashed, as the Democratic Unionist Party which props up her minority administration dismissed it as meaningless. Rather than reassure us, the Tusk and Juncker letter bolsters our concerns, said DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, who called on the PM to demand changes to the Agreement itself. The Prime Minister said that the presidents letter provided valuable new clarifications and assurances. She said the letter delivered: A commitment from the EU to begin work on a new post-Brexit relationship as soon as the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified An explicit commitment that the new relationship does not have to replicate the backstop arrangement, under which the UK would remain in a customs union with the EU and be required to observe some of its rules Agreement on a fast-track process to bring a new free trade agreement into force, even if some of the 27 remaining members delay ratification Acceptance that the UK can unilaterally deliver on commitments made to Northern Ireland, including a Stormont lock on new EU laws being added to the backstop. Mrs May said: I fully understand that the new legal and political assurances which are contained in the letters from Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker do not go as far as some MPs would like. But I am convinced that MPs now have the clearest assurances that this is the best deal possible and that it is worthy of their support. Speaking in Leave supporting Stoke-on-Trent, the Prime Minister warned MPs would be behaving with the height of recklessness if they now rejected the Withdrawal Agreement. The only ways to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are: to abandon Brexit, betraying the vote of the British people; or to leave with a deal, and the only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night, she said. `You can take no-deal off the table by voting for that deal. And if no-deal is as bad as you believe it is, it would be the height of recklessness to do anything else. But she said that recent events meant a no-deal Brexit was less likely than a paralysis in Parliament that risks there being no Brexit. Warning that failure to deliver Brexit would do catastrophic harm to trust in the political process, Mrs May said: We all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum. She was speaking as Conservative former ministers Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan put forward a plan to give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Mrs May loses Tuesdays vote. Their European Union Withdrawal Number 2 Bill would give the Government three weeks to seek a compromise that can get through the Commons and allow the UK to leave the EU on March 29 as planned. If that failed, the Liaison Committee made up of senior backbenchers who chair Commons committees would be given the job of coming up with its own compromise deal, which the Government would be legally required to implement if approved by MPs. However, Liaison Committee chairman Sarah Wollaston poured cold water on the proposal, saying backbenchers constitutionally cannot take over conducting a complex international negotiation. The work of Operation Dive is said to mark a milestone for the OCP(S) (Andrew Milligan/PA) A man caught trying to buy a gun online from the US has been jailed for five years after being snared in a joint police operation. David Mitchell spent more than 2,000 of cryptocurrency on a Glock 9mm gun with magazine, silencer and 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition. A court heard he was driven by an obsessive preoccupation to explore whether the transaction was possible via the dark web. The 48-year-old, from Damside in Edinburgh, admitted three firearms offences when he appeared at the citys high court last month. He returned to the court on Monday, when he was handed the five-year jail term. Expand Close David Mitchell was jailed for five years (Police Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Mitchell was jailed for five years (Police Scotland/PA) Passing sentence, judge Lord Pentland said: It appears that you formed a plan to obtain these items by carrying out research on the dark web and then proceeding to order them for delivery to this country from the United States. Fortunately, due to cooperation between the police forces of both countries, your plan was thwarted and the items were intercepted. It appears that your decision to acquire the gun and the other items arose from an obsessive preoccupation on your part with exploring whether it was possible to do so by making use of the dark web. You claim that you had no intention of causing harm to anyone but the fact remains that you went to considerable lengths to get hold of a potentially lethal weapon and ammunition. You must have appreciated that this was unlawful. For this conduct you must be punished. The court heard Mitchell has a history of depression and other behavioural difficulties. David Mitchell never offered any information that would have allowed us to better understand what his motivation was to securing a firearmDetective Chief Superintendent Gerry McLean Defence QC John Scott said he had been described as a valued and dependable employee and has no previous convictions. The work of Operation Dive is said to mark a milestone for the Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland), which began just weeks before officers received information on Mitchells activity on September 19. Experts decided the OCP(S), a collaboration between Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency (NCA), would take lead on the case under their remit of tackling serious and organised crime. The gun was seized at the point of exit from the US, where officers informed the NCA and Police Scotland, which led to the OCP(S) involvement. A fake parcel known as a placebo was delivered to his work address at Pitreavie Court in Dunfermline, Fife, instead of an actual firearm, to ensure public safety. Expand Close David Mitchell spent more than 2,000 of cryptocurrency on a Glock 9mm gun with magazine, silencer and 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition (Police Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Mitchell spent more than 2,000 of cryptocurrency on a Glock 9mm gun with magazine, silencer and 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition (Police Scotland/PA) Specialist officers carried out surveillance until the software engineer drove home in his green Skoda with the partially opened package in the boot of the vehicle. When Mitchell arrived there, officers assessed the scene and minutes later they entered with a search warrant to find the package opened in the kitchen, beside some household tools, and the placebo found underneath a couch in his living room. He offered no information on his motivations during questioning and appeared at court in Scotland on September 21 while the incident was reported to US Homeland Security. Mitchell was described by Detective Inspector Tom Gillan of Police Scotland as a meek, well-mannered individual who lived alone with no partner or children. Expand Close David Mitchell spent more than 2,000 of cryptocurrency on a Glock 9mm gun with magazine, silencer and 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition (Police Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Mitchell spent more than 2,000 of cryptocurrency on a Glock 9mm gun with magazine, silencer and 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition (Police Scotland/PA) Detective Chief Superintendent Gerry McLean, who heads Police Scotlands organised crime and counter-terrorism unit, praised the work of the OCP(S) which is based at the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire. He said: David Mitchell never offered any information that would have allowed us to better understand what his motivation was to securing a firearm. Our priorities are public safety and trying to understand what factors are, is it part of a wider network of individuals. Thats something Tom and the team continue to work on. For a number of years now weve been working in that multi-agency environment, weve talked about collaboration and partnerships. But actually where the crime campus and the ethos of the campus have both been demonstrated by Police Scotland is a subtle shift into integration. Having that blend and mix towards what is a shared ambition and aspiration to tackle organised crime, whether it sits here in Scotland or impacts on Scotland, I think is the real benefit that comes from it. Iranian interrogators tried to pressure jailed mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to spy on Britain in exchange for freedom, her husband said as she started a hunger strike. The British-Iranian and another detainee began protesting on Monday morning over a lack of access to proper medical care, Richard Ratcliffe told a press conference in London. He also revealed the 40-year-old charity worker was striking over an attempt by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps interrogators to pressure her to turn informant for Iran in late December. Expand Close Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella (Free Nazanin campaign/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella (Free Nazanin campaign/PA) Mr Ratcliffe said the tactic, deployed at around her 1,000th day in jail, meant they were in a scary place. In a rare move, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt summoned the Iranian ambassador to his department on Monday to discuss the totally unacceptable detention and to demand immediate healthcare access. PRESS RELEASE: Ongoing violations of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffeas rights demand strongest action from the UK government as she beings hunger strike todayhttps://t.co/bZWb4RIA3f REDRESS (@REDRESSTrust) January 14, 2019 Mr Ratcliffe told the conference that his wife was pushed over the edge to start the strike when, on December 29, investigators asked her to spy on Britain. She was told it would be safer for her and safer for her family afterwards if she agreed to do this, he said. She was told to think about it and that they would return. She has been terrified ever since. Specific demands were made to snoop on the Department for International Development and London-based organisation Small Media, he added. Today I summoned the Iranian Ambassador to demand Nazanin has immediate access to the healthcare she requires. Her ongoing detention is TOTALLY unacceptable and her treatment at the hands of Iranian authorities is a fundamental breach of human rights 1/2 Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) January 14, 2019 Mr Ratcliffe said she did not agree to this and investigators were yet to return to question her again. After the conference, he told the Press Association the move was pretty ominous. She was hugely worried as to what was going to happen to her and her family and whether she was going to be taken back to solitary, he added. We are in a scary place. He also said his wife, of Hampstead, north-west London, has been refused a mammogram after a doctor found new lumps in her breasts last month. Expand Close Mr Ratcliffe said his wife had a number of health concerns which had not been addressed (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Ratcliffe said his wife had a number of health concerns which had not been addressed (Victoria Jones/PA) The doctor ordered that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has a family history of breast cancer and had previous lumps ruled as benign, should be examined but this was subsequently denied, Mr Ratcliffe said. Clearly the worry of what those lumps mean has been preying on her mind, he added. Mr Ratcliffe later met with Mr Hunt for some 40 minutes, during which they discussed the prospect of granting her diplomatic protection. Good to meet Nazaninas inspirational husband Richard Ratcliffe earlier. We will not rest until she is home. #FreeNazanin pic.twitter.com/l0dsa2VG4K Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) January 14, 2019 The escalation not yet ruled out by the Foreign Secretary would give the UK greater access to the charity worker. Mr Ratcliffe said the minister vowed to do all we can to return his wife. The pair spoke after Mr Hunt summoned the Iranian ambassador to the UK for a meeting. It is the first time he has made such a move since becoming Foreign Secretary. Mr Hunt tweeted: Her ongoing detention is TOTALLY unacceptable and her treatment at the hands of Iranian authorities is a fundamental breach of human rights. It is a truly terrible indictment of Irans approach that she feels she needs to resort to such an ordeal. Iran must take action now. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested at Tehrans Imam Khomeini airport on April 3 2016 and sentenced to five years in jail. Iran has publicly accused her of spying, which she vehemently denies. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was planning to go on an initial three-day hunger strike alongside fellow Evin prison detainee Narges Mohammedi but may fast for longer if her demands are not met. Expand Close The charity worker was jailed for five years on charges of spying (Handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The charity worker was jailed for five years on charges of spying (Handout/PA) Human rights charity Redress was among those calling for diplomatic protection to be granted. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: The Foreign Secretary discussed this course of action with Richard Ratcliffe today, and will continue to actively consider the question of diplomatic protection alongside all other options in Nazanins case and the cases of other dual nationals detained in Iran. The Foreign Secretary has been clear that innocent people in prison must not be used as diplomatic leverage. Richard Ratcliffe on this ordeal with Iran's authorities: aOne of the most ominous parts was the pressures on Nazaninas family. Thatas one of the reasons we made these things public a to stop them playing with us.a #FreeNazanin Monique Villa (@Monique_Villa) January 14, 2019 Monique Villa, the chief executive of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, told the conference that denying medical access was a kind of very slow torture. She added that her employee has suffered severe depression in custody and reiterated she is not guilty of espionage. Nigel Dodds said Theresa May needed to clarify what she meant (Michael Cooper/PA) The DUP has demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister after she warned that a no-deal Brexit could spark changes to everyday life in Northern Ireland that jeopardised the union. Deputy leader Nigel Dodds said Theresa May needed to clarify what she meant when she spoke to factory workers in Stoke on Monday, to avoid the suggestion that she was engaging in foolish talk. In her speech the Prime Minister sought to show how much better for the UK her Withdrawal Agreement was compared with a no-deal Brexit. Just hours ahead of a meaningful vote on her Withdrawal Agreement, she said: With no deal we would have: no implementation period, no security co-operation, no guarantees for UK citizens overseas, no certainty for businesses and workers here in Stoke and across the UK, and changes to everyday life in Northern Ireland that would put the future of our Union at risk. If this is nothing more than scaremongering, then the Prime Minister should cease from such foolish talkNigel Dodds This provoked uproar from Mr Dodds, whose party has played down the risks from a no-deal Brexit. The DUP believes the Irish border backstop would undermine the constitutional integrity of the UK and bring a united Ireland a step closer by creating barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Both the EU and the British Government have been at pains to say that no hard border would return between Ulster and Ireland, a move which would breach the Good Friday Agreement. Mr Dodds said: The Prime Minister must explain this comment. What exactly would the Government be changing? If this is nothing more than scaremongering, then the Prime Minister should cease from such foolish talk. Indeed, the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said that the Republic of Ireland is not making preparations for a hard border even in the event of no deal being agreed. Stroke survivor Robert Baldock, 53, from East Lothian, who is calling for the NHS in Scotland to reintroduce thrombectomy procedures (Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland/PA) Doctors have urged the Scottish Government to bring back a life-changing procedure for stroke patients that removes blood clots from their brains. Medics say the thrombectomy surgery, which is available on the NHS in England, reduces disability and improves recovery chances. The procedure was withdrawn in Scotland in 2017 but now doctors and campaigners want it to be reintroduced. The Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) charity and 25 medics have signed a letter urging the Scottish Government to fund the surgery and set out a timetable for the procedure to be brought back. CHSS estimates the annual cost of treating the 600 patients who could benefit from the procedure would be between 7.5million and 10 million, but argues there would be savings from the reduced need for complex hospital care. The reality is that right now people with stroke across Scotland are missing out on their best chance of recovery simply because they live north of the borderJane-Claire Judson, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland The charitys chief executive Jane-Claire Judson said: It is vital that a thrombectomy service is up and running in 2019. Too many stroke patients have already been denied this life-changing treatment. They cant wait any longer. There is concern in hospitals up and down the country and this letter shows the strength of feeling amongst clinicians. The reality is that right now people with stroke across Scotland are missing out on their best chance of recovery simply because they live north of the border. That is the worst kind of situation for both doctors and their patients. She added: This is a procedure that changes lives and reduces the need for expensive long-term care. We want to see a clear date by which thrombectomy will be available and a clear commitment that funding will be unlocked for this vital service. This is taking longer than patients would expect and every delay will have real consequences on peoples lives. One of the last Scottish stroke victims to undergo the procedure was Robert Baldock from East Lothian, who was treated in March 2017. Expand Close Stroke survivor Robert Baldock, 53 from East Lothian, who is calling for the NHS in Scotland to reintroduce thrombectomy procedures (Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stroke survivor Robert Baldock, 53 from East Lothian, who is calling for the NHS in Scotland to reintroduce thrombectomy procedures (Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland/PA) The 53-year-old said the surgery has enabled him to live independently and has been campaigning for other Scots to be able to have the operation. I know first-hand the life-changing benefits of this procedure, Mr Baldlock said. My stroke has cost me my voice and I can no longer walk without support, however, Ive survived to live a full and independent life. Without a thrombectomy things would have been so much worse. For me, my only option was a thrombectomy. Looking back I remember the incredible fear I felt whilst waiting to find out if I was going to be able to receive the procedure and the frightening possibility of not surviving without it. I feel like one of the lucky ones. Its time that all patients in Scotland get access to thrombectomy. They shouldnt have to face the fear that I did without even having the hope of thrombectomy. Jeane Freeman, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, said: I want us to be able to offer this service in appropriate sites across Scotland. I asked for the work of the directors of planning looking at that to be brought forward so we have a conclusion from them in January, at which point we will be able to make some decisions about how we are then going to roll that out. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has said that any move by Parliament to try and frustrate Brexit would be seen by voters as a betrayal by the deep state. The arch-Brexiteer said attempts to thwart EU withdrawal on March 29 would amount to playing with fire. Mr Johnson also indicated that he regretted pulling out of the Tory leadership race in the wake of the 2016 EU referendum. The ex-Cabinet minister was scathing about plots by some MPs to try and give Parliament more control over the Brexit agenda. Mr Johnson told LBC: I notice all this stuff about complicated jiggery-pokery for Parliament to frustrate the deal. I dont think that really can be done. I think that we are really playing with fire. And I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the countryBoris Johnson Mr Johnson said that voters would feel betrayed if Parliament tried to thwart EU withdrawal. He said: I think that people will feel betrayed. And I think they will feel that there has been a great conspiracy by the deep state of the UK, the people who really run the country. Asked about what would happen when the Commons votes on Prime Minister Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement on Tuesday, Mr Johnson said: I think the deal goes down. I think, possibly, some colleagues are being scared by this idea that there might be no Brexit as a result of voting it down. I think thats nonsense. Britain will leave in March, absolutely, and thats the bottom line. Asked if he had bottled his chance to be Tory leader and prime minister in 2016, Mr Johnson signalled he had second thoughts on withdrawing from the contest to succeed David Cameron. Mr Johnson said: In retrospect if I had my time again I might have done things differently. Liberal Democrat MP and supporter of the pro-Europe Best for Britain campaign Tom Brake criticised Mr Johnsons deep state comments. He said: It serves nobodys purpose, apart from Boris Johnsons, to pretend the UK is descending into a Homeland-style showdown between a corrupt state and doomsday preppers. The irresponsible ratcheting-up of the rhetoric by politicians who should know better has to stop. To resolve the UKs constitutional and political crisis requires cool not hot -heads. Minister for Health Simon Harris has defended the Taoiseach after it was claimed the Irish leader was all talk regarding the CervicalCheck scandal. The comments were made by campaigner Vicky Phelan in Limerick on Saturday night, who hailed Mr Harris and the work he had undertaken to remedy the situation when it emerged over 221 women had had their smear results kept from them or delayed. I wouldnt have that same confidence in the Taoiseach, put it that way, Ms Phelan said. I think he is very much all talk and no action, and I just dont get (the) sense, that he thinks this is as important as what it is really, when you consider half the population in the country are women, and every woman in this country has to have a smear. On January 12 last year, Ms Phelan was given between six and 12 months to live due to her cervical cancer diagnosis, having previously received a false negative smear test result. The point I was trying to make was that, here we are 10 months on from when I exposed this debacle and we still do not have answers to the following: 1# What is the status of the slides of the @221plus group - why were we singled out? 1/3 https://t.co/mfVMv3phBX Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) January 13, 2019 On Monday morning, Minister Harris, who said he considers Ms Phelan a friend, backed the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. She (Phelan) has been an incredible advocate and has brought about so much positive change already, he said. Vicky is absolutely right to keep the focus on this, and I know Vicky, she is going to and she is right to. I want to say though, while as the line minister who has responsibility for this, I have been directly interacting with patients quite a lot and I have at all times been doing this with full support of the Taoiseach, who has been very helpful and supportive, as the entire cabinet has, as we try to put in place a huge programme of work. The Taoiseach himself responded to the criticism on Monday, saying he too admired Ms Phelan. One of the things I respect and admire most about Vicky Phelan is that she would like something good to come out of the tragedy that has affected her. I share that objective, he said. That means reforming our health service so it becomes more honest and more open and that is what we are going to do. The Irish public and the women of Ireland have my commitment that will make those things happen, working closely obviously with minister Harris. It is thought about 20 women have died from cervical cancer since the shortcomings in the CervicalCheck reporting system were publicised. An independent review in September found the controversy came about as a result of a whole system failure. In a note to Simon Harris at the start of his report, the author, Dr Gabriel Scally, said there were many indications that the system in place was doomed to fail. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says his government is making plans for a No-Deal Brexit (Karen Morgan/PA) Irish Premier Leo Varadkar has said that he still hopeful for a deal on the UKs withdrawal from the EU. Commentators said on Monday that the British Prime Ministers Withdrawal Agreement looked likely to fail in the House of Commons vote on Tuesday, but the Taoiseach refused to comment on what he thought should happen next. I think its important that we allow the British political system the time to make that decision, he said. I hope the vote will be in favour, that the Withdrawal Agreement will be ratified by Westminster and we can get straight into talks on the future relationship. It is a matter for them and out of respect for their democratic institutions we should allow them to have their vote tomorrow and well reassess. I dont think it would be in Irelands interest for me to be interfering in their internal politics. Mr Varadkar added he had no desire to threaten the union. Mr Varadkar added that although he remained optimistic, his government is making preparations for a No-Deal Brexit. Well have further preparations at cabinet tomorrow for no-deal Brexit, I still think a no-deal Brexit is unlikely, but we need to be prepared for it nonetheless, Mr Varadkar said. I shouldnt pretend to anyone that any country can be fully prepared for Brexit, there is no good Brexit and a no-deal Brexit will have a very significant impact on Ireland, Britain and Europe. We will be prepared, but Im not going to say to you that everything is going to be fine, of course there will be interruptions and negative impact but well be as prepared as we possibly can be. A letter containing assurances from the presidents of the European Council and European Commission was published ahead of Theresa Mays statement to the Commons on Monday. Mrs May said the letter contained valuable new clarifications and assurances to put before the House of Commons, including on getting our future relationship in place rapidly so the backstop should never need to be used. She added: We now have a commitment from the EU that work on our new relationship can begin as soon as possible after the signing of the Withdrawal Agreement in advance of March 29, and we have an explicit commitment that this new relationship does not need to replicate the backstop in any respect whatsoever. Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said he hoped the letter from the EU would provide reassurance and clarity to MPs in Parliament as they prepare for Tuesdays Commons vote. People shouldnt feel threatened by it (the backstop), some people have painted the backstop into something that its not, he said. This week is going to be a really significant few days. This is a time where Ireland has to hold its nerve. Were most impacted by Brexit of all the EU states. We need to stay close to the British government and EU partners but shouldnt respond in knee-jerked or any panicked way. Two people have been arrested by police investigating an aggravated burglary in Co Antrim Two people have been arrested by police investigating an aggravated burglary in Co Antrim. A 25-year-old man suffered cuts to his head and a suspected fractured wrist when he was assaulted by two males and a female who forced their way into his flat in Burneys Mews, Newtownabbey, around 7.30pm on Friday. Police said a 21-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were arrested in the Newtownabbey area on Saturday night on suspicion of aggravated burglary. SDLP councillor Noreen McClelland said the burglary was "appalling", adding: "Everyone should have the right to feel safe in their own home. Those who carried out this attack have no place in this society." Detectives appealed for witnesses or those with information on the incident to contact them in Antrim on 101, quoting reference 1114 11/01/19. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. ARLINGTON, Va. The Navy will restart overseas deployments of its littoral combat ships (LCSs) this year after a hiatus of more than a year, the Navys surface warfare boss said. Two LCSs will deploy this year from San Diego, followed by two from the East Coast in fiscal 2020. Its happening, Vice Adm. Richard A. Brown, commander, Naval Surface Forces, and Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, told reporters in a Jan. 11 teleconference, noting that from then on there will always be LCS forward-deployed. Brown said that the Independence-variant LCSs USS Montgomery and USS Gabrielle Giffords will deploy this year. These deployments will mark the second and third for the Independence variant. He declined to narrow down the deployment windows for operations security reasons. Brown said the first LCS deployments from the East Coast, departing from Naval Station Mayport, Florida, would be undertaken by the Freedom-variant LCS USS Detroit in 2020, followed by sister ship USS Little Rock. For all of these deployments, the ships will carry the full Surface Warfare mission package, Brown said. He said the naval component commanders of the regional combatant commands were asking for the LCSs to deploy. The gap in LCS deployments after the deployments of USS Freedom, USS Fort Worth and USS Coronado was the result of the Navy taking time out to revamp its operational and crew concepts for the LCS. In September 2016, the Navy announced several significant changes to the LCS program based on operational experience. The original 3:2:1 crew concept three crews, two ships, one deployed was changed to a Blue/Gold concept similar to that used by the ballistic-missile submarine force, with two crews dedicated to each LCS. The mission package detachments are merging with the LCS crews. The ships are being organized in four-ship divisions specializing in a single warfare specialty, with three deployable ships and the fourth a dedicated training ship that will remain in local waters to train and certify the crews. The first four LCSs will be dedicated to research, development, test and evaluation and, like the training ships, they will be single-crewed, but could be deployed as fleet assets if needed on a limited basis. The Navy also decided to base the LCSs according to class, with the Independence variant based in San Diego and the Freedom variant in Mayport. The decision to base the Freedom variant on the East Coast was a matter of pier support. The Freedom class, due to its size, is a better fit for the port loading requirements of Mayport. The helicopter is transported from Algergrove Flying Station to its new home (Rebecca Black/PA) One of the last Wessex helicopters in Northern Ireland has made its final journey. It is to go on permanent display at the Crumlin Road Gaol visitor attraction in Belfast. The aircraft were once a common sight over the skies of the region during the Troubles as the workhorse of the armed forces transporting troops and VIP visitors. The helicopter had been based at RAF Aldergrove in Co Antrim from 1969 as part of the Support Helicopter Detachment, the Ulster Flight. Expand Close One of the last Wessex helicopters in Northern Ireland was a Gate Guardian at Aldergrove Flying Station since being retired from active service in 2002. (Rebecca Black/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One of the last Wessex helicopters in Northern Ireland was a Gate Guardian at Aldergrove Flying Station since being retired from active service in 2002. (Rebecca Black/PA) There had been 30 Wessex helicopters based in Northern Ireland, which were active until 2002 when they were retired from service. XR 529 Echo was retained as a Gate Guardian for the Station HQ at Aldergrove. On Monday, it made what is expected to be its final journey to Crumlin Road Gaol museum to go on permanent display. Once a common sight in Northern Irelandas skies, now one of the last Wessex helicopters in the region is leaving Aldergrove Flying Station for its new permanent home at Crumlin Road Gaol pic.twitter.com/qI2uXt0fxd Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) January 14, 2019 RAF Northern Ireland community relations officer, Wing Commander Tara Scott, described the Wessex helicopter as a really great workhorse of an aircraft, transporting troops and their kit across the region. She described the helicopters departure from Aldergrove as the end of an era. The Wessex has been associated with RAF Aldergrove, and now Flying Station Aldergrove, since 1962 as part of 72 Squadron, its been here as a Gate Guardian for over 16 years so it has really done a lot of service, she said. We are sad to see it go, but also delighted to see it move to the Crumlin Road Gaol and be part of a new display for them, and be seen by the public, spruced up and returned to its former glory. We are looking forward to seeing it there when it is complete and on display. She added: They were not only a common sight, but also a common noise, it served here for such a long time, I think it will be nice for the public to see it back again and able to learn a little bit more about what it did during the Troubles and its service in Northern Ireland. Crumlin Road Gaol closed as a prison in 1996. It re-opened as a tourist attraction in 2012 and welcomed the Queen as a visitor in 2014. Phelim Devlin, director at Crumlin Road Gaol, described the arrival of the helicopter as an important part in the next phase of development at the jail. We are hoping for the tourism season starting in Easter to add a new range of tours, he said. It is going to focus more on some of the recent Troubles. The Wessex is going to be an important part of that, its going to help tell of the role of the RAF and the British Army during that period. The helicopter will be on display beside the last remaining army sangar on the site. We are absolutely delighted to get it, and very thankful for the RAF for giving it to us. We think it will be a brilliant addition, he added. The helicopter will go on display at Crumlin Road Gaol from Easter following restoration work. Tributes have been paid to two hikers who died in separate falls amid high winds on a Northern Ireland mountain range. Robbie Robinson, from Banbridge, Co Down, and Sean Byrne from Camlough, Co Armagh, were killed within an hour of each other on the Mourne Mountains on Sunday. The first fatal incident happened on a crag on the Wee Binnian hill shortly before 12pm. The second occurred on crags on the Slieve Commedagh mountain just before 1pm. Another man was injured in a third falling incident, in an area known as the Saddle, around 2.30pm. He sustained a broken ankle. Expand Close The view from a PSNI Air Support helicopter above the Mourne Mountains (PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The view from a PSNI Air Support helicopter above the Mourne Mountains (PSNI/PA) Strong wind gusts and wet terrain made for hazardous conditions on the mountains on Sunday. An Irish Coastguard helicopter was unable to assist the operations due to the poor conditions. Mr Robinson was a former chief superintendent in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Retired Stormont Assembly member and former Police Federation chairman Jimmy Spratt tweeted: Shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Robbie Robinson in the Mourne Mountains yesterday. His family are in my thoughts and prayers, as is the family of the other accident. 10 members of the Police Search & Rescue Team responded to the two tragedies in the Mourne Mountains yesterday working with #MMRT, #IrishCoastguard & #PSNIAirSupport in challenging conditions. The mountaineering community is a close knit family and the loss will be felt by many. pic.twitter.com/qVi6uzwu8w Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 14, 2019 Mr Byrne had a life-long passion for Gaelic games and was a trustee and former treasurer of his local hurling club Craobh Rua Camlocha. In a statement, the club said his death had devastated us all. He had a great love for our Club and he showed this over the years by the giving freely of his time and experience to help us develop and become rooted within our community. He possessed great gifts of commitment, integrity, calmness and care. He loved his family, his community, Gaelic sport and culture. No words we can say will lessen the shock and pain of his family as they struggle to come to terms with this news. However we will be there for them just as Sean had been here for us over the past 30 years. We convey our deepest sympathies to the families of both those killed whilst climbing yesterday in the Mourne Mountains. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT), the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Irish Coastguard and other emergency services were involved in the recovery and rescue operations on the mountains lasting nine hours on Sunday. The mountains are classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty and are popular with hill walkers and hikers. The PSNI tweeted on Monday: The mountaineering community is a close knit family and the loss will be felt by many. A total of 21 members of the MMRT were on the mountain during Sundays operations. The team posted on Facebook: To have two fatal incidents in the course of a day is an anomalous situation and our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the deceased. The PSNIs Air Support unit described the recovery and rescue operations as tough and challenging. A tweet said: In strong winds we managed to airlift one male out but sadly the two others had died. Our thoughts are with their loved ones. Ten members of the PSNIs Search and Rescue team were also involved in Sundays emergency response. A farmer who suffered near-fatal injuries after being overcome by slurry gas has revealed how his life has changed since the accident last year. George Haslett (44) collapsed while attempting to rescue lambs from a shed after he mixed hen slurry. His father Ronnie found him lying outside the building with a lamb in his arms. Emergency services, including the air ambulance were scrambled the scene. George and Ronnie, who was also overcome by the fumes as he tried to help his stricken son, were airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital. George was not expected to recover. Ronnie later described his son's survival as "a miracle". Today, six months on, George spends five days a week in hospital, where he is learning to walk again. Speaking to Farming Life, he said that during his treatment he had been shocked to find that the farm insurance policy he had relied on did not cover him for personal injury. "If this accident had happened to someone else (a third party) other than a policy holder or person named, they would be covered," he said. He urged other farmers to check that they were properly insured. "I just want to make other farmers aware of this, so that if the same thing happened to them they would have something in place when a life-changing event happens. "The life that I once had was full and active but there have been many changes to a life trying to manage in a wheelchair. "It could have been death as easy in my case and I have been fortunate in lots of ways. "But for you to think you are insured, then to find you're not covered, is not good news." He added: "My life has changed big time. I spent all my time working and I had very little spare time for things other than the farm and work. "I just want to make sure that no one else goes down the same route." He told the paper he had taken the cheapest quote just in order to have insurance. "My main concern is that people aren't taking care of what they are insuring themselves for," he said. "People think it will never happen to them so they go for the cheaper quote. I don't want another farmer to go through what I am facing. "Life changes with a blink, and there are so many people out there who think it will never happen to them." The family of a Co Tyrone doctor who disappeared on a remote beach in Donegal 10 years ago say that Garda has questions to answer over a new search that has left them "distressed". Deirdre Donnelly O'Flaherty has not been seen since January 2009 when her car was discovered at Kinnego Bay. No trace was ever found of the 46-year-old, who had been staying at a nearby holiday home with her husband Ken and their children Johnny, who was 16 at the time, Thomas, then 15, and Natalie, who was seven. Mrs Donnelly O'Flaherty, who worked as an out-of-hours doctor in Strabane, had a history of depression. In 2012 a judge in Belfast formally declared that she had drowned after entering the sea. Last week, as her family prepared to mark the 10th anniversary of her death, the Garda carried out a search for her body 60 miles away from where her car was left. The land search and excavation, centred on the site of a wind farm close to Rathmullan in Co Donegal, was carried out by members of the Donegal Divisional Search Team and Garda Technical Bureau along with private contractors. On Friday police announced that nothing had been found. In a statement yesterday, the Donnelly and O'Flaherty families said they were "distressed" by the new search, which they said was "entirely unexpected". They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to those who sent messages of support over what for them has been "a tumultuous and distressing week" leading up to the anniversary of Deirdre's disappearance. They said the search was conducted 17 months after an anonymous letter was received by the Garda claiming to know where her remains were buried. "The families are relieved only because this ordeal is over, although in our view the outcome was not in doubt," they said. "Notification that gardai were going to carry out a land search for Deirdre was entirely unexpected, not least given that the finding by order of Judge Deeney at Belfast High Court on January 12, 2012 that Deirdre had 'gone into the water and drowned' was supported by the oral evidence of the investigating Garda Sergeant. "As far as the families are aware there has not in fact been any ongoing search for Deirdre since at least that time. "The families had only three days' advance notice of the gardai excavations near Milford, Co Donegal, and therefore had little time to prepare for the consequences of the very public, national exposure of this story during the week. "Gardai confirmed to the families at that time that the decision to conduct the excavation in a remote area over 50 miles from her last known whereabouts flowed from an anonymous note handed in to a Garda station in Co Monaghan in August 2017. "This note apparently provided precise map coordinates for the location of Deirdre's remains. "The families have not seen this note and this information was not made public due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. "In their Press release on Friday, gardai stated that they had 'found nothing to further the search'. Accordingly, the families have requested a meeting with the gardai investigation team to discuss a number of questions relating to the conduct, conclusions and consequences of this investigation." The Garda said it will not comment on an ongoing investigation. DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said that MPs plotting to obstruct Brexit are "moving into very dangerous territory indeed". Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, Sir Jeffrey commented on reports in the Sunday Times that rebel backbench MPs are seeking to change Commons rules. It would mean backbenchers' motions take precedence over government business - a move that could allow them to suspend Article 50, put Brexit on hold and potentially lead to the referendum result being overturned. He said he "remains hopeful" that an "agreed way forward" can be secured. "If parliamentarians think it's a good idea, and will strengthen our parliamentary democracy by seeking to overturn the will of the people by using some spurious device to change the rules of how Parliament conducts its business, then they are moving into very dangerous territory indeed," he said. "I cannot believe that anyone who believes in democracy and who cherishes our system of parliamentary democracy would want to engage in such an action that would be about subverting the will of the British people. "People are entitled to oppose the government, but what they're not entitled to do is to undermine the democratically expressed rule of the people." Sir Jeffrey dismissed as "premature" suggestions that the Brexit leaving date should be pushed back as there are "still several weeks left until March 29". Addressing reports that some MPs want to make it illegal for the UK to leave the EU without a Brexit deal, he added: "I remain hopeful that an accommodation can be achieved that enables the UK to leave with a deal - that's what we're focused on. "We're not focused on the shenanigans that some parliamentarians who ought to know better are trying to engage in at this stage in order to frustrate Brexit." He said a second Brexit poll would "make a nonsense of the concept of having a referendum" and, if the vote was pro-Remain, "it would be no time until we had a third referendum". And he said he wasn't reassured by reports that the European Commission would shortly publish a letter emphasising the temporary nature of the contentious Irish border backstop. "We know that the backstop is temporary," he said. "The problem is that the backstop is indefinite in its nature and therefore there is a massive contradiction at the heart of the backstop - that what is supposed to be a temporary provision has no end date, and consequently we need changes to be made. "Even if they were to give a letter, it's not legally binding. Whatever assurances are forthcoming from Brussels, they have to have clear, legal force." Sir Jeffrey said his party would support Prime Minister Theresa May should she face a no confidence vote if Tuesday's Brexit vote goes against the government. Commenting on ugly scenes involving protesters challenging some MPs outside the House of Commons, Sir Jeffrey said he had faced harassment "on many occasions" over his Brexit stance. "I've been in situations where you're doing interviews and there's heckling, playing loud music and there are people who crowd round, who push, shove and shout profanities," he stated. "That is now a regular occurrence in the vicinity of Parliament. It's happening on both sides and it should stop. It didn't ever happen before Brexit. "Harassment of any politician is wrong and I would call upon people, whether they support or oppose Brexit, to act within the law and to respect each other." Mr Donaldson said he remains "hopeful that we can get an agreed way forward" over Brexit, adding that his party had made it clear to the Prime Minister "the deal in its current form is unacceptable". An impasse over the Irish language is preventing the restoration of powersharing at Stormont Northern Ireland parties have met to discuss the ongoing political impasse. Last week marked the second anniversary of Sinn Fein pulling down the Stormont institutions. Following the break down of a potential deal - in the February last year - there has been little sign of a re-established Assembly, or even talks aimed its restoration. Alliance leader Naomi Long requested Monday's meetings. She reiterated her call for an independent chair to oversee a new talks process. "Two years of wasted time and opportunities is already more than NI can afford," she said in a tweet on Monday night. Held meetings with all the party leaders today following my request. With both Govts focused on Brexit, we need an independent chair to re-engage parties on restoration of the Assembly. Two years of wasted time and opportunities is already more than NI can afford. Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) January 14, 2019 Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald described the ongoing stasis as a matter of great frustration to us and a "disgrace". That is plainly because others have sought to deny our fundamental rights, basic rights to sections of our society, and thats an intolerable situation, she said. When asked how her partys meeting with the DUP had gone, Ms McDonald said she had had a good conversation with Arlene Foster, but said she did not detect any shift in the partys positions. I am always very conscious of the need for dialogue, but I dont have a sense there has been any move, or shift or reassessment in the DUP positions, she said. I think that is a very great pity, I dont believe that is a sustainable position from their point of view. I had a good conversation with Arlene Foster, we set out our respective positions, and I have set out for her very clearly that the rights of sections of our community cant be denied by the DUP. We have a very determined focus on having genuine, full-blooded power-sharing where respect and parity of esteem is not just political rhetoric but actually is the reality in terms of how we do our work. Legal Home Growing of Marijuana Proposed in Washington State Positive changes are afoot for adults in Washington....finally. Homegrown cannabis is a simple request for adults in Washington. Photo: Salem-News.com (OLYMPIA, Wash.) - Legislation in Washington State has been pre-filed which would legalize home growing of marijuana by adults age 21 and older. The bills, HB 1131 and SB 5155, would legalize small home grows of 6 plants per adult 21+ to a maximum of 15 plants per housing unit as defined in Washington law. Landlords could prohibit home growing by their tenants. Of the 11 states that have reformed their marijuana laws, including Washington DC, Washington State is the only state that does not permit legal unlicensed growing of (non-medical) marijuana by the adult general public. The bills have no requirement for permits or tracking consistent with the other states laws and the Washington state Constitution. Sales of homegrown cannabis would not be allowed and would continue to be a criminal act. Homegrow Washington provided the initial bill language and sought legislative support, including seeking sponsors and co-sponsors. HB 1131 is sponsored by Representative Brian Blake (D), and is co-sponsored by Representatives Drew MacEwen (R), Laurie Dolan (D), Jim Walsh(R), and Shelley Kloba (D). SB 5155 is sponsored by Senator Maureen Walsh (R) and is co-sponsored by Senators Bob Hasegawa (D), Sam Hunt (D), and Rebecca Saldana (D). The bills will be introduced in the legislature on Monday, the first day of session. LINKS: Homegrow Washington anticipates additional co-sponsors from both parties in both houses to sign on by Tuesday afternoons deadline. Homegrow Washington is an affiliation of home grow activists who hold no business interests in the cannabis industry. _________________________________________ Scores of mourners have gathered for the funeral of former Belfast Lord Mayor Ian Adamson. Dr Adamson, who passed away last week aged 74, was buried at Roselawn Cemetery after a funeral service at Conlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. The Irish President Michael D Higgins was among the many dignitaries to attend the service. He comforted Dr Adamson's widow Kerry outside the church. He had been invited to Northern Ireland by Dr Adamson on a number of occasions to speak at historical events. President Higgins described the ex-Lord Mayor as someone who "never ceased to remind us that we are all but migrants in time and his scholarship highlighted our shared history, shared identities, shared vulnerabilities and migratory roots." The former mayor's close friend, musician Van Morrison, sang the unionist intellectual's favourite song - Into The Mystic - in front of a hushed congregation at the church. Read More A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Close friend Wesley Hutchinson said: "He offered an alternative model to the sectarianism and violence that blighted everyday life for so many. He effected a sea change in loyalist opinion in extending their imaginative co-ordinates in time and space." Expand Close Eddie Irvine former formula one racing driver who is originally from Conlig arrives for the funeral of former Mayor of Belfast Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eddie Irvine former formula one racing driver who is originally from Conlig arrives for the funeral of former Mayor of Belfast Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann was also at the service, as was former Formula One racing driver Eddie Irvine, whom Dr Adamson sponsored at the beginning of his career. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Wife Kerry during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson arrives at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Dr Adamson's wife Kerry is comforted after the funeral service by DUP leader Arlene Foster. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson arrives at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Irish President Michael D Higgins arrives for the funeral of former Mayor of Belfast Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Leader of the UUP Robin Swann attends the funeral of former Mayor of Belfast Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Eddie Irvine former formula one racing driver who is originally from Conlig arrives for the funeral of former Mayor of Belfast Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Wife Kerry with Michael D Higgins during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker A photo of Dr Ian Adamson on the order of service for the funeral of former Mayor of Belfast Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison The hearse carrying the coffin of Dr Ian Adamson arrives at Conlig Presbyterian church. Pic by Peter Morrison Jim Wilson and Mairtin O Muilleoir during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Family and Friends during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Jackie McDonald during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Wife Kerry during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Jim Wilson during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Van Morrison during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Michael D Higgins during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Wife Kerry with Alasdair McDonnell during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Family and Friends during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Family and Friends during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Family and Friends including Eddie Irvine during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Wife Kerry during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Wife Kerry during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 14/1/2019 Wife Kerry during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. A politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Known for his passion for culture, he founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Dr Adamson's wife Kerry follows his coffin as it leaves the church after the service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Dr Adamson's coffin leaves the church after the service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Dr Adamson's wife Kerry follows his coffin as it leaves the church after the service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Dr Adamson's wife Kerry is comforted after the funeral service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. SDLP's Alasdair McDonnell pictured outside the church after the service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Belfast musician Van Morrison, who sang during the service, pictured outside the church. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Irish President Michael D Higgins pictured after the funeral service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Dr Ian Adamson coffin leaves the church after the funeral service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. F1 racing star Eddie Irvine(right) helps carry the coffin from the church after the service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. F1 racing star Eddie Irvine(right) helps carry the coffin from the church after the service. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Loyalists Jim Wilson(left) and Jackie McDonald pictured at the funeral in Conlig. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. F1 racing star Eddie Irvine pictured at the funeral in Conlig. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. F1 racing star Eddie Irvine pictured at the funeral in Conlig. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th January 2018 Funeral for former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson at Conlig Presbyterian Church in Co. Down. The 74-year-old who died last week was a Ulster Unionist Party politician, medical doctor and historian, Dr Adamson served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Former unionist politician Bob McCartney pictured at the funeral in Conlig. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Wife Kerry during the Funeral of Dr Ian Adamson at Clonlig Presbyterian Church on Monday. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker "He was a truly remarkable man. He knew so much about so many things and he spread a lot of good. He taught me a lot," said Mr Irvine, who carried Dr Adamson's coffin during the service. Dr Adamson helped establish the Somme Heritage Centre, which commemorates the sacrifices paid in the trenches by so many from the north of Ireland. He gave close family friend Sonia Irvine, Eddie's sister, his university medical books when money was tight. She paid an emotional tribute to him. "Ian will be deeply missed by our family, who flew from different parts of the world to show our love and respect for a truly inspirational man," she said. A former senior policeman was one of two men who lost their lives in separate accidents in the Mourne Mountains yesterday. The deaths took place on Slieve Commedagh and on Wee Binnian around midday, the PSNI said. One of the victims was named last night as former RUC Chief Superintendent Robbie Robinson, who had served as a District Commander in Co Down. The second man who died has been named locally as Sean Byrne, who is believed to be a father from Camlough in south Armagh. Read More A third man was injured in an another incident in the mountains. PSNI Inspector Frances McCullough said: "Police received a request for assistance after a male was reported to have fallen while walking on Wee Binnian shortly before midday and received a further request for assistance after a male was reported to have fallen while walking on Slieve Commedagh shortly before 1pm. "Police and other emergency services responded, but unfortunately both men died at the scene. "A third male was also rescued from the mountains with a suspected broken ankle following a fall close to the Saddle at around 2.30pm." Both men died after falling from crags, according to the Mourne Mountain Rescue team, Rescue helicopter 116 flew from Dublin to help in the emergency operation, but because of the poor weather conditions was unable to assist. Twenty-one Mourne Mountain Rescue Team members were involved in the operation. Mr Robinson, who was in his 60s, lived in Banbridge with his wife and their son. Expand Close Sean Byrne Photopress Belfast / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sean Byrne Ulster Unionist councillor Ian Burns said he will be "sorely missed". "I knew Robbie very well," he said. "He lived in Banbridge with his wife Barbara and his family. "He was an absolute gentleman. He was always so pleasant, always with a smile on his face. "I would have met him every Sunday morning at church and he always had a wave and a smile for you, and many a morning we would have had a laugh together. "Robbie was always very active. "He would have been walking in the mountains quite a bit and would have been a keen cyclist. "He was very fit and very much an outdoor person. He was a big part of our church, Holy Trinity Church, Seapatrick. "He co-ordinated our church fete every year. "Our rector told us all of the news on Sunday night. "Everyone is in deep shock. People haven't had a chance to take it in. "Robbie was an absolute gentleman who was always smiling and had time for everyone. "We have a big church community, and everyone gets on so well with everyone, and Robbie was right at the heart of that. "He will be very badly missed by everyone who knew him. Former South Down SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said she had known Mr Robinson well while he was Down District Commander. "It's dreadful to hear of his death in such tragic circumstances," she said. "He was very well thought of, very jovial. It's very sad." Newry and Armagh Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy told the Armagh website that the news a Camlough man was one of those who had lost their lives in the Mournes had resulted in "utter shock throughout the close-knit community". Conditions on the mountains were described yesterday as "horrendous" by walkers who were on the slopes. Natalie Irwin (41) from Dromore told the Belfast Telegraph she, her daughter and a friend had to turn back from their walk on Slieve Binnian yesterday because of the weather. "We had just gone up for exercise, but the weather closed in on us really quickly," she said. "The wind was so strong it almost blew me off my feet. "We had to hide under rocks from the gusts. We knew we had to turn back. "We weren't as well equipped as we should have been, we just had gym gear on." Natalie was with daughter Holly and friend Andrea. "There were hundreds of people on Slieve Binnian alone, it was very busy," she said. "Some of them even had little children with them, others were running up the track, others running down. Visibility was very poor, and it got dark very suddenly around 1pm. "We had to run back because it was just so dangerous." Christopher Rogan was on the Mournes yesterday morning with friends Andrew McCullough and Keith and Svenja Gadd. He said weather conditions were worsening as the group descended. "We were there at 9am on Sunday morning and the fog was very heavy and rain was light," he said. "But as we reached a summit the conditions started to clear. "So we had lunch at the top of a mountain around 11am. "At that stage we could see clearly around us. "But then we started descending, and at around 12 noon the winds really started picking up. "At one stage the wind was so strong my friend was able to lean into it. "The winds really did pick up at that stage but there was still loads of people and families heading up as we were leaving." Public representatives offered their condolences to the families of the victims. Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said: "The tragic news that two men died today while walking in the Mournes will have shocked the entire local community. "My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of those who tragically died in these incidents in the Mournes today." Ulster Unionist Alan Lewis said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two men who have tragically died following separate incidents on the Mournes. "Traditionally the trails are busy at weekends with walkers and mountain enthusiasts flocking to enjoy the iconic and scenic scenery the Mournes has to offer. "Unfortunately today, what is a routine and enjoyable trip for many ended in absolute horror." Independent unionist councillor Henry Reilly said Newry, Mourne and Down Council should consider placing information signs on the mountains in the wake of the tragedy. "Everyone I have been speaking to this evening really are in shock at this tragic news," he said. "The weather conditions were extraordinarily mild yesterday but there were really strong wind gusts and I think that has what has caught people out on the mountain. "The severity of the winds at times yesterday would have literally blown you off your feet and that was on the lowlands, so up in the highlands you could multiply that several times. "The mountains can be a very, very dangerous place. "Our council has a policy of promoting the Mournes as a tourist venue and a walking destination. "We have people coming from all over Europe and the world to walk in the mountains. "Maybe we have to look at providing more information points and guidance for those walking up in the mountains, reminding people what they should do before they go up into the mountains and of the dangers of walking in the Mournes." The view from a PSNI Air Support helicopter above the Mourne Mountains (PSNI/PA) The families of two men who lost their lives in separate accidents on the Mourne Mountains on Sunday have paid tribute to their loved ones. Former RUC Chief Superintendent Robbie Robinson from Banbridge and Sean Byrne from Camlough in south Armagh died on Slieve Commedagh and on Wee Binnian around midday on Sunday. Read More A third man was injured in an another incident in the mountains. Mr Robinson's son Neil, speaking to Q Radio, said his father died in a "freak accident". "In no way shape or form was it related to the wind," he said. "It was clear there was there was occasionally wee bits of mizzle but the weather was not that bad where we were. "It was just purely a freak accident which unfortunately he paid for with his life." Expand Close The view from a PSNI Air Support helicopter above the Mourne Mountains (PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The view from a PSNI Air Support helicopter above the Mourne Mountains (PSNI/PA) He paid tribute to the emergency services who attempted to rescue both men. "There was two groups that were up in the mountains," he said. "The mountain rescue and there was also the police service mountain rescue that came up, they were up at the end to help bring him down. We cannot stress enough the thanks that the family is giving them. "They are legends every single one of them." Sean Byrne's sister Mairead Robb also spoke to Q Radio on behalf of the family. She said: "To his 93-year-old father and his 87-year-old mother he was the son next door that they could call on at any time day or night. To us his six sisters and his two brothers he was a best friend to every one of us." Retailers have expressed concerns over staff safety after another shop worker was left traumatised following a terrifying robbery in Belfast at the weekend. Retailers have expressed concerns over staff safety after another shop worker was left traumatised following a terrifying robbery in Belfast at the weekend. The latest incident in a spate of attacks on retail staff happened on Saturday, when a masked man entered a Mace store on High Street in the city centre brandishing an eight inch kitchen knife. The perpetrator threatened the employee at knifepoint before fleeing the scene with a sum of cash at around 9.30pm. The victim escaped physical injury, but has been left badly shaken. Police have described the suspect as being 5ft 11ins and of thin build. He was wearing a navy jacket with the hood up and wore a blue and white scarf which was used to cover his face. The assailant is also reported to have spoken with a southern Irish accent. "This was someone who was simply doing their job at their place of work when what must have been a terrifying ordeal occurred," PSNI Detective Sergeant Maguire said. Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts has already been in discussions with union representatives who want to see action taken to curb the violence - including legal changes. "It is alarming to see an increase in the number and in the viciousness of these robberies," he said. "We are in ongoing discussions with the shop workers' union who want to see the government act to ensure that perpetrators are dealt with more severely by the courts." Mr Roberts said the consequences for people caught up in violent incidents can be devastating. "We wouldn't have a retail sector without staff and it is important that they are supported and protected," he added. Last week, a shop worker in north Belfast described how she turned away in terror when a would-be robber threatened to throw acid in her face if she didn't hand over cash. Marshall's shop worker Lucia Felloni (48) threw drink cans at the perpetrator as he fled the Oldpark Road store empty-handed after the owner pushed the panic alarm. The assailant, who was described as being around 5ft 10ins tall, also used a scarf to cover his face and spoke with a Southern accent. Last night a police spokesperson said detectives are not investigating a link between the two incidents at this time. Sir Bob Geldof has slammed the British Government as incapable and inept and said that Brexit will be a disaster. The prominent Remain campaigner also described Brexit as a serious mistake and said he believed Theresa May would lose Tuesdays crucial vote in Westminster. The rocker and long-standing political activist was speaking as he received an honorary doctorate at the University of Limerick on Monday. He told the media that he was passionately against the UK leaving the European Union but added that Europe needed to be overhauled. Bob Geldof is robed and ready to be conferred. #ULGraduation pic.twitter.com/UeoinaN2To University Of Limerick (@UL) January 14, 2019 The humanitarian and activist said: Its a properly serious mistake, though having said that I do completely understand the other side of argument. I just think its not wrong necessarily, its just that the end result of that argument is not the correct way to go. There are other ways, more positive ways. My view is that Europe needs restructuring from top to bottom, that what the Leavers represent is basically what over 50% of the European electorate represent. He also said that the impact on the Irish economy after Brexit will be tough. It (Brexit) is an expression of English nationalism and I cant stand nationalism. In Ireland we know where it leads to. It (Brexit) won't be apocalyptic but it will be a disasterSir Bob Geldof The English could never be English, they could never wave their flag without being called a skinhead or fascist. Thats part of this whole thing. It (Brexit) wont be apocalyptic but it will be a disaster. I think that the Irish Parliament and Government have been handling this eloquently, almost in direct contrast to the chaos and nonsense of what is clearly the worst British Government in my life incapable, inept. Over here you get patience, compromise, reasons, sympathy, and its handled really well. Meanwhile, best-selling Irish author Marian Keyes was also presented with a doctorate alongside Sir Bob at the Limerick university. aHi everyone, the soon to be Dr @MarianKeyes here in UL. Grand day so far.a #ULGraduations pic.twitter.com/hQDrbFR1ST University Of Limerick (@UL) January 14, 2019 Honorary degrees are conferred on people who have shown outstanding achievement in the arts, sciences, business, industry, the professions, sport, social service or public service. The writer, whose father Ted died four weeks ago, described how she has become a socialist activist over the last few years. She said: I was always a feminist and a socialist in my principles but I was afraid to challenge the status quo. The Ireland I was brought up in, women were supposed to keep their mouths shut and be good. I am so thrilled to be brave enough to call out what I see is injustice from time to time. I also had the great privilege to do a talk with the creative writing students and they were so incredibly enthusiastic and engaged and political and it made me very hopeful for the Ireland of the future. University of Limerick president Dr Des Fitzgerald paid tribute to them both: Bob has lobbied politicians and world leaders of all political hues in his herculean efforts to resolve global inequality and poverty. In 2017, he handed over the entire archive of the Band Aid Trust to the National Library of Ireland. This will be a major resource for postgraduate students and academic researchers. Marian has had a strong commitment to activism, particularly in the realm of gender equality. She donated all of the royalties from her best-selling book Under the Duvet to the Irish Simon Community. The mother of a severely disabled Co Tyrone teenager says she is "shocked and disgusted at the lack of compassion" after her daughter's Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim was rejected. Talitha Grace McClenahan (17), who lives with her family outside Fintona, was born with Down's syndrome and the related cardiac condition atrioventricular septal defect. Read More The part-time student at Arvalee School in Omagh also suffers from a range of other serious conditions, and is awaiting major spinal surgery for scoliosis. Her mum Deborah (47) told the Belfast Telegraph that her daughter's Disability Living Allowance (DLA) had been stopped and her PIP claim refused. Deborah, a full-time carer for her daughter, has also lost her Carer's Allowance. She had been told that Talitha Grace would receive DLA for life. Despite the family resubmitting the rejected PIP claim, they were told on Friday that the original ruling stood. "I'm angry at the injustice," said Deborah, who looks after the teenager with her husband Albert (48). "Talitha Grace's needs are very complex. "She needs 24-hour nursing care and supervision, someone with her at all times. "As well as the Down's syndrome and the cardiac condition, she had a traumatic brain injury at three months old, leading to the other conditions. "The atheloid cerebral palsy affects her fine motor skills, balance and co-ordination. "She has extensive brain damage, which means her left side is badly affected, and the right-sided hemiparesis means there is no movement on her right side. "She can raise her left hand up but can't bring it to her mouth, and there's no grip reflex, she can't hold onto a spoon. "She is wheelchair-bound, she can't stand or move her legs, she has problems with her hips. "She has had a growth spurt, one side is growing and one is not growing, so it is in an S-shape due to the scoliosis, which will eventually affect her bowels and lungs. "So not having surgery isn't an option any more. "She had major cardiac surgery in 2001, and she could have the surgery for scoliosis in June or July. My daughter has been likened to a newborn baby, but I think a newborn would have more head control. "She can't walk, wash, feed or dress herself." Deborah said she was visited by a PIP assessor in November 2017. "He didn't ask to see Talitha Grace, who was in the next room, even though I offered," she revealed. "I was quite surprised when, the following summer, I got forms and they needed to know how Talitha Grace's disability affected her daily living. "I was meant to have the forms in at the end of August but I got them in at the start of September, as Talitha Grace took a very bad chest infection and was admitted to hospital, where she had to be put on IV antibiotics. "She also had a pressure sore that was being dressed by nurses every other day for five weeks, then I caught the chest infection." On November 5, 2018, she received a letter from the Department for Communities (DfC) informing her that Talitha Grace's DLA would come to an end on November 13, and that her daughter's PIP claim had been rejected "because you haven't provided the information we asked for". Deborah then phoned the PIP helpline. "The man said that they had received it late, but they had all the information and that they could look at the claim again without the need to submit anything else. He confirmed that he had resubmitted it," the mum-of-seven explained. "The next day I got a letter which also said they could look at the decision again without anything else needing to be submitted. Just to make sure, I responded with a note telling them to go ahead, as well as a note telling them about Talitha's Grace's disabilities." Deborah says she subsequently received a letter claiming that additional information hadn't been received over Talitha Grace's case, despite the fact it was never requested. Then, last Friday, the family received a letter from DfC stating that it was "unable to change the original decision". Deborah said: "When they made the PIP decision they knew she was in nappies. "Every single bit of information they asked for was supplied. "I'm angry at the injustice. I was shocked that someone could have looked at that evidence and ruled against it. "That money made a difference, we used it for sensory equipment, for days out. "I have no idea what they expect her to do now in terms of making money. "I would like to invite them to meet Talitha Grace and to see the struggle she has every day." She said that the family had received an outpouring of support since revealing their case on social media. "It seems that there is a lack of humanity and compassion, not only in Talitha Grace's case," she added. "I have had so many people contact me, including a Belfast-based solicitor, who has offered to take on Talitha Grace's case for free. "Without the support we have received, I would be very despondent. "I was never told why they took this decision over Talitha Grace, and I want definite answers. I intend to send a letter off tomorrow. "Unless they reverse their decision we will appeal. I hope I can make a difference, not just for Talitha, but for others." The Department for Communities said: "While we cannot comment on individual cases, the department and Capita, who deliver the Personal Independence Payment assessment service, will look into the concerns raised and get in touch with the family. "If after review a person continues to disagree with the department's decision not to award PIP, there is then an opportunity to appeal to an independent tribunal. "All PIP assessors in Northern Ireland are health professionals with specialist training in conducting functional assessments. They must go through the formal Department for Communities' approval process to ensure they meet the department's experience, skills and competence requirements." Police claimed the man was attacked after trying to barricade himself into a bedroom A man allegedly beaten with a 'flick stick' when intruders broke into his Co Antrim home has suffered a heart attack, a court heard today. Police claimed he was attacked with the weapon after trying to barricade himself into a bedroom at the flat in Burney's Mews, Newtownabbey. He sustained lacerations to his head and a broken wrist during last Friday night's alleged assault. A detective also revealed that he remains in hospital following a heart attack which medical staff believe was due to the trauma of his injuries. Details emerged as a man and woman appeared in the dock accused of the attack. Matthew Henderson, 33, of Ballyvesey Park, Newtownabbey, and 21-year-old Hannah Lee, from Ellis Street in Carrickfergus, are jointly charged with aggravated burglary inflicting grievous bodily harm while armed with a bat, and possessing cannabis. Henderson faces further counts of burglary and causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the same incident. The court heard the assault was launched after two men and a woman allegedly kicked their way into the victim's flat. He claims that he hid in a bedroom, pushing a set of drawers against the door in a bid to stop anyone from reaching him. But at least one intruder managed to get through the barricade, took a flick stick the victim had produced for self-defence and used it to inflict "quite a beating", according to police. The detective said: "He managed to escape outside where he said the 'bat guy' continued to beat him with the stick, hitting him around the head." Eventually the man got to a neighbour's house, from where he was taken to hospital. Lee, who is not suspected of carrying out the actual physical assault, was granted bail on conditions including a ban on entering the Glengormey area. Opposing her co-accused's release, however, police claimed he was volatile and aggressive in custody. Setting out the perceived background to the attack, the detective said it is being linked to an alleged incident between Lee and the complainant last summer. "She informed Mr Henderson of this on Friday, he immediately decided he was going to go round and speak to the injured party and she came along with him," he told the court. "According to the account of the injured party, he (Henderson) brought with him a bat he described as a rounders bat." Henderson, who blew a kiss to a woman in the public gallery, was refused bail due to the risk of further offences. District Judge Mark Hamill remanded him in custody to appear again by video-link on February 11. A prisoner is unlawfully at large after failing to return to custody after being given compassionate bail. The PSNI appealed to anyone with information as to the whereabouts of 18-year-old Che McAreavy from the Albert Street area of Belfast to call police on 101. He failed to return to Hydebank Young Offenders Centre and Prison on Saturday January 12 following his temporary release. The DUP has rejected the "meaningless assurances" from the EU over the Irish backstop and called on Prime Minister Theresa May to deliver real changes to the Brexit withdrawal agreement. European Union chiefs published a letter on Monday confirming that Brussels does not want the backstop to remain in place permanently after the United Kingdom leaves the EU. Read More However, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said his party was not reassured by the EU clarifications. Despite a letter of supposed reassurance from the European Union, there are 'no legally binding assurances' as the Prime Minister talked about in December," Mr Dodds said. "In fact, there is nothing new. Nothing has changed." The North Belfast MP said the letters bolstered the parties concerns by confirming that everything the Attorney General said in his legal advice regarding the backstop still stands, there has been no change to the withdrawal agreement and that Northern Ireland would be subject to EU laws with no representation in Brussels. Instead of meaningless letters, the Prime Minister should now ask for and deliver changes to the withdrawal agreement. DUP MP Nigel Dodds Regarding the Prime Ministers comment about changes to everyday life in Northern Ireland that would put the future of our Union at risk Mr Dodds said: The Prime Minister must explain this comment. What exactly would the Government be changing? "If this is nothing more than scaremongering, then the Prime Minister should cease from such foolish talk. Indeed, the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said that the Republic of Ireland is not making preparations for a hard border even in the event of no deal being agreed. The current backstop would see Northern Ireland remain in the customs union to prevent a hard border in the island of Ireland. Expand Close Prime Minister Theresa May making a speech during a visit to the Portmeirion pottery factory in Stoke-on-Trent. Ben Birchall/PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May making a speech during a visit to the Portmeirion pottery factory in Stoke-on-Trent. Ben Birchall/PA Wire The Prime Minister warned MPs, who will vote on the withdrawal agreement on Tuesday evening, of the "catastrophic harm" voting down her deal would have on public faith in their elected representatives. Mrs May also said that, if the withdrawal agreement was voted down, MPs risk a no-deal Brexit or Brexit not occurring at all. With no deal we would have: no implementation period, no security co-operation, no guarantees for UK citizens overseas, no certainty for businesses and workers here in Stoke and across the UK, and changes to everyday life in Northern Ireland that would put the future of our Union at risk. Theresa May "The only ways to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are to abandon Brexit, betraying the vote of the British people, or to leave with a deal," she said. "The only deal on the table is the one MPs will vote on tomorrow night. You can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal. "If no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else." The Prime Minister said she had listened to the concerns of MPs, including the DUP, who currently prop up the Conservative government. She said the letter from the EU contained "valuable new clarifications and assurances to put before the House of Commons, including on getting our future relationship in place rapidly so the backstop should never need to be used". She added: "We now have a commitment from the EU that work on our new relationship can begin as soon as possible after the signing of the Withdrawal Agreement in advance of March 29, and we have an explicit commitment that this new relationship does not need to replicate the backstop in any respect whatsoever." Mrs May said the EU had agreed to a "fast track process" to agree a new trade deal with the UK after Brexit, and that this made it more likely the backstop will never have to be used. A restored Stormont would also have a say on any new EU rules that are added to the backstop. Answering questions from journalists, Mrs May said: "You talk about Parliament taking control. What I think is important is that we deliver on the result of the referendum. "What I'm concerned about from what we have seen, as I've said in my speech, over the last few days is the real prospect that we could see a, sort of, stymie in Parliament, or Parliament operating, or people in Parliament trying to operate in a way, that frustrates Brexit. "We have a duty to deliver Brexit and that's what I and the Government want to do, and it is what we are going to do. "I want MPs to recognise that as well." The US House of Representatives dominated by the Democrats, adopted on Thursday, January 3, the new budget of the State Department for the year 2019, which excludes the Sahara from aid funds allocated to Morocco. Historically known for their support of Moroccos position, particularly in the Sahara issue, the Democrats have made a turnaround that would be explained, according to US foreign policy specialists, by pressure from some US law firms. lobbying including that of Caroline Kennedy, president of the eponymous Foundation, graciously paid by the black banks of Algiers. For the moment, Moroccans are waiting for the Senate, which is also due to vote on the bill in the near future, to turn things around and put things in their place, knowing that for the last four decades, Washington has always been in favor of strongly supports Moroccos position on the Sahara issue. Recalling further that in its numerous resolutions on Western Sahara, the Security Council had invited the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees to register the inhabitants of Tindouf. But his demands are systematically rejected by Algeria, which in 2016 had even managed to convince members of the US House of Representatives to dismiss the 2017 budget of the State Department, a provision calling for the census of the camp population of Tindouf. So in the absence of a census of the inhabitants of the Tindouf camps by UN specialized agencies as urged by the Security Council in its resolutions, the United States formally estimated in the same bill, this Saharawi population confined to the Algerian soil, to 100,000 people while Algeria and the Polisario leadership, speak of 160 to 180,000 so-called refugees. As of today, the Algerian regime and the Polisario leaders have placed an absolute mark on any census by the UN of the inhabitants of the Tindouf camps, to maintain at its level, the flow of international aid that benefits them. largely through systematic diversions to the detriment of the inhabitants of the Tindouf camps, the true beneficiaries. Heartfelt tribute: from left, Susan England, Jackie McKeown, Siobhan McArdle, Pamela Johnston, Claire Nicholl and Christine Taylor with the cookbook they created in memory of John Hinds A team of local nurses has paid tribute to late colleague Dr John Hinds by raising thousands to support the air ambulance service he so passionately campaigned for before his tragic death. In a moving series of interviews, the team that worked closely with the doctor reveal just how passionate and dedicated he was to improving trauma services for everyone in Northern Ireland. Dr Hinds (35) was known as one of the flying doctors of motorbike road racing. He tragically died in a motorcycle crash while providing volunteer medical cover at the Skerries 100 race in Dublin in July 2015. Before his death, he had been a vocal advocate for a medical helicopter for Northern Ireland and had lobbied Stormont. The Government finally announced funding for the service which, fittingly, was given the Delta 7 call sign used by Dr Hinds. Details were unveiled on what would have been Dr Hinds' 36th birthday, in March 2016, at his place of work, Craigavon Area Hospital, where he was a consultant anaesthetist and intensive care consultant. Since it took to the skies in July 2017, the air ambulance has attended more than 570 calls, providing vital and life-saving medical aid on the spot, just as John Hinds did for the motorcycle world. Run as a charity, it takes 2m a year to keep the service aloft and, for John's devastated colleagues, supporting it has been the best way they could express their grief and admiration for the colleague whose death stunned them all. Expand Close John Hinds / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Hinds While John quietly went about saving lives, not just in hospital but at motorcycle races across Northern Ireland, his colleagues reveal that at work he was also an innovator, mentoring and tutoring theatre staff to improve standards of care. Now, a year of fundraising by a team of seven of his theatre colleagues has just culminated in the launch of a recipe book, which flew out of local shops where it was on sale over Christmas. The book, called The NHS Heroes Family Favourite Recipes, almost sold out its first print run of 1,500 in a matter of weeks, and the delighted team at Craigavon Area Hospital are now set to print another 1,000 copies to meet demand. Theatre manager at Craigavon Pamela Johnson (52) revealed why she and her team have dedicated the last year to raising what currently stands at around 10,000 in memory of their late colleague. Pamela, who has been nursing for 30 years, has a partner, Kevin Magee (47), a physics teacher, and lives in Dollingstown. Working in theatre and dealing with very challenging and traumatic injuries bonds the entire team. And while she and all of her colleagues are incredibly passionate about their work, Pamela says John stood out for going the extra mile. "John was a fantastic colleague, a great inspiration to us all and we have all felt his loss greatly," Pamela says. "To us he was pivotal in getting the air ambulance service off the ground in Northern Ireland. "He was also a very modest person. He would have done things behind the scenes, pushing forward in a modest way. "He talked about the air ambulance among his colleagues. It was never about himself, but always about the service, other people and his patients, and how we could get a better trauma service in Northern Ireland. "John really has lived on in our hearts. The day he died is one we will never, ever forget. "It is such a shock that he is no longer with us and an awful tragedy for us. "He was one of those inspiring individuals who left a mark on our lives." There is no doubt that the air ambulance is seen as John's legacy, but colleagues revealed how he has also left his mark in the hospital. An innovator, he was passionate about ensuring medical trauma standards were the best they could possibly be. He introduced training for theatre staff, recreating potential real-life trauma scenarios so that medics could practice how best to provide treatment. That work continues to this day. Sister Siobhan McArdle (54), from Banbridge, who has worked at Craigavon hospital for 30 years, explains how John impacted on her work and that of her colleagues. "A lot of our patients have used the air ambulance, and we've had two patients brought in by it since we launched the cookery book at the end of November," she begins. "There is no doubt it is saving lives. John was a quiet gentleman and very unassuming. "He was a great mentor for all of us, as well as for new staff coming in. "He organised a lot of training days and created emergency trauma scenarios to help with staff training. "He held simulation workshops to help staff be better prepared to deal with all situations. He was so passionate about it. "A lot of what John introduced, we have carried on. He left us that legacy. "In work he was a very approachable person - you could have asked him anything." Another colleague who has been helping with the recipe book and fundraising, Christine Taylor (59), who is the goods and services officer at the hospital, also worked with John in the theatre. Christine played a huge part in developing the cookbook by persuading many of the companies who supply the hospital to sponsor a page. The team secured sponsorship for all 118 pages of recipes, which were contributed by staff and which are all tried and tested family favourites. "I have access to companies, so I approached them about sponsorship, and the majority were very keen to get involved in the book. That helped raise funds to cover the costs of printing," Christine says. "Many local businesses throughout the Craigavon and Banbridge area also supported us. Many were happy to take the books to sell in their shops. "We are thrilled that there are only about 60 copies of the book left from the first print run. We can't believe how quickly it sold. "Even though he was unassuming, everyone knew about John, and the support we've had has been amazing. "I was on holiday when news of his death came through. I was just numb. I could not believe what I was hearing. "I think what John did in helping to get an air ambulance for Northern Ireland is absolutely fantastic. "None of us know when we might need it. We are just so happy that people have been so supportive of our fundraising." The recipes include everything from starters to traybakes, main courses and desserts. Pamela says: "We are all very proud of the work that John has done. He was such an inspiration and, even as I talk about him now, I feel that sense of pride. He was a calming presence in the team, and the contribution that he made to our service has made it a much better service for everyone. "We are very privileged and proud to have worked with him and his partner, Dr Janet Acheson." The ladies' fundraising efforts have so far raised more than 10,000. While their efforts were meant to run in 2018 only, the medics will continue to do what they can to support the air ambulance. This doctor and paramedic service, which is based at the former Maze prison, benefits those whose lives are at serious risk following a major injury or trauma, effectively bringing emergency hospital care direct to the casualty. The province-wide service operates seven days a week for 12 hours a day, and the ambulance can anywhere in Northern Ireland in around 25 minutes. Before the start of operations in July 2017, Northern Ireland was the only part of the UK without an emergency helicopter service. The speed of the service is improving outcomes and saving lives, and it is used on average at least once every day. It works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, which provides the medical teams on board the helicopter. One of the very first missions of the service was to provide emergency care for an 11-year-old boy from Co Down. The child was injured in a farm vehicle accident, and after being treated at the site of the incident was flown to Belfast in a fraction of the time it would have taken by road. The recipe book costs 10 and is available from local shops in the Armagh, Craigavon and Banbridge areas, as well as in the Craigavon Area Hospital shop. If you would like to donate, organise an event or could spare some time volunteering, please contact Air Ambulance NI by email at info@airambulanceni.org or phone 028 9262 2677. Recipes from the NHS heroes cookbook Roast carrot, tomato and ginger soup by Joy Miller, retired theatre nurse What you'll need: 1 lb carrots 8oz shallots (or onions), peeled and halved 1 red chilli, seeds removed and cut into 3 pieces 2 cloves of garlic, peeled 2 pints of vegetable stock Ginger, peeled and grated 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp olive oil Black pepper and salt to season to taste Method Preheat oven to 180C-200C. Put peeled and sliced carrots, shallots, garlic and chilli into a cooking tin with olive oil and mix well. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes until nicely caramelised. Transfer to a heavy base saucepan, add stock, ginger, tinned tomatoes and squeeze the puree from the garlic. Bring to the boil, simmer for 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly before blending in the food processor or with a stick blender. Cool completely if you want to freeze the soup. Otherwise, reheat and garnish with toasted almonds and chopped parsley. Serve with buttered wheaten or crusty bread. Another serving option would be a swirl of fresh single cream. Baked wild brown trout with baby boiled potatoes, asparagus tips and lemon mayonnaise by Dr Stephen Mulvany, consultant anaesthetist What you'll need: Whole brown trout, cleaned out, topped and tailed (rainbow trout or salmon from the fish counter serves as a substitute) 1 lemon 1 knob of butter A handful of fennel or crushed fennel seeds (some use dill) 2 cloves of garlic (can use garlic paste) 1 tbsp Hellman's mayonnaise per portion Asparagus tips Baby boiled potatoes (microwavable) Method Place the fish on some lightly buttered foil, adding a few slices of lemon, the herbs, garlic and small knob of butter to inside the cavity of the fish. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Wrap the trout in foil, forming a little parcel. Place in a pre-heated oven for around 25 minutes. Shallow-fry asparagus tips in olive oil with a pinch of salt. Cook the baby boiled potatoes in microwave. Heat serving plates. Add juice of half a lemon to portion of mayonnaise and stir in. Remove fish from oven and open foil. Use a bread knife to peel back skin and carefully remove one side of trout from the backbone. Discard backbone and baked herbs. Remove other side of trout from foil. Serve the flesh of the trout with potatoes, asparagus tips and a dollop of mayonnaise. Waffle berry pudding by Ruth Wright, theatre staff nurse What you'll need: 2 packets 240g waffles 150g white chocolate 300g raspberries 55g caster sugar 1 tbsp plain flour 500ml sour cream 3 eggs tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp icing sugar Method Preheat oven to 200C. Cut waffles into 1-inch squares. Put into a dish and add chopped white chocolate, raspberries over top. Repeat this. Combine caster sugar, flour and sour cream, eggs and vanilla extract and pour over waffles. Cook for 35 minutes. Dust icing sugar over top and serve. Lemon drizzle cake by Leanne Sawey, theatre staff nurse What you'll need: 2 small unwaxed lemons 175g/6oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 200g/7oz self-raising flour tsp baking powder 3 large free-range eggs 275g/10oz granulated sugar Method Preheat oven at 180C/gas 4. Line a 2lb loaf tin with butter and baking paper. Grate lemon zest. Put butter, flour, baking powder, eggs, lemon zest and 6oz of sugar in a food processor and blend until thick and smooth. Spoon batter into tin and level the surface. Bake for 35 minutes, until well risen and pale golden brown. Remove from oven and cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Squeeze 1 lemon and mix 3 tbsp of the juice with the remaining 3 oz sugar. Place cake onto wire rack and turn the right way up. Make 50-60 deep holes in the cake using a skewer. Spoon over half the lemon sugar, allowing it to coat the cake and drizzle down the sides. Let it stand for 5 minutes, then do the same with the remaining lemon sugar. Leave to set for 1 hour or until the icing has crystallised. Eamonn Mallie with Ian Paisley, who was the subject of Genesis to Revelation, an in-depth interview with the politician which also featured his wife Eileen Award-winning journalist Eamonn Mallie (68) starts a new series of his Face to Face interviews on UTV tomorrow night, with his first guest actor Charlie Lawson. He tells Claire McNeilly about the interviewees who have made the best - and worst - impression on him over the years, as well as sharing his thoughts on family, faith and why he's glad he's teetotal. Q. As you look back over an illustrious career, which person left the biggest impression on you? A. I loved Ian Paisley. Forget his politics; I admired him as an individual, as a human being, as a man's man. In the middle of interviews he would take out the Bible and read from it. I wanted to be his biographer, and he asked me if I wanted to get him shot - a man from Crossmaglen doing Paisley's biography. Then one day his daughter Rhonda called to say her father would like me to work with him to do his memoirs. I spent about 30 hours with him over six months. It was an extraordinary experience. Q. You've had a career full of highlights - including that final interview with Ian Paisley and his wife Eileen in 2014 and the one with IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands at the Maze in 1979. Is there one scoop that stands out? A. Probably the 'back channel' one, when I proved that the government was secretly talking to the IRA - and despite the denials I stood firm and challenged the then Secretary of State Sir Patrick Mayhew week after week, eventually forcing him to tender his resignation. Q. You've interviewed a raft of famous figures, such as President Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Nelson Mandela. Do you have a favourite interviewee? A. Belfast poet Michael Longley, such a witty man. Q. And your least favourite? A. Margaret Thatcher and the late Charles Haughey were the two rudest public figures I've ever interviewed. They didn't answer anything, they only said what they wanted to say. They were skilled at it, and yet they were fascinating people. Q. But aren't all politicians adept at that? A. The greatest of all when it came to telling you nothing but making you feel good was (former US envoy) George Mitchell, a master performer. It was very frustrating but I had to admire him. Q. What do you like most about being an inquisitor? A. I love information, I love polemics. I regret I didn't become a barrister. I like the act of performance. I am huge on accountability. Q. A new series of Eamonn Mallie: Face to Face with... starts tomorrow. Who will you be interviewing? A. Charlie Lawson (the first programme), Professor Jim Dornan, Eileen Paisley, Bronagh Waugh, Ian McElhinney and Niamh McGrady. Read More Q. Who's still on your wish list? A. I'd love to interview Pope Francis so that I could challenge him about the appalling state of the Catholic Church. I'd love to know why he's not drumming out all the priests who are violating children. I also want to do an in-depth interview with Arlene Foster. She's lost an entire community. There won't be a government because of her. Q. Is there anyone you haven't clicked with, so much so that you came away thinking you'd got very little from the exchange? A. Seamus Heaney. I really didn't ever understand it. I am an avid reader of his work. I love his capacity to write, I love his faithfulness to the vernacular, I love everything about his expression. But he and I just didn't click. Q. What has been the most rewarding job you've had in four decades as a journalist? AMy favourite story of all time was the birth of sextuplets in the Royal Victoria Hospital. That for me was the most beautiful story: birth, new life and so much life! Q. Do you believe in God? Do you have a strong faith? A. I'm constantly wrestling with this. I'm increasingly aware of my mortality. I'm prayerful but sometimes I struggle whether I'm genuinely prayerful or in love with the language of prayer. I was brought up Catholic. Q. What drives you? A. I love life. I love people. I've always got another idea on the boil - another idea for perhaps a book or a programme. Q. What's the worst thing you've ever been through on a personal level? A. Three men close to me died by suicide aged 64, 34 and 54. There were no signs. When I'm invited to schools to talk to sixth formers I always talk about self-harming to remind children to look out for others. Also the death of my mother at 59. She was the hub; the little lady, five foot nothing, who drove me on. Q. You're teetotal. Any particular reason? A. I'm very obsessive about everything I do. I don't drink (alcohol) but if I were a drinker I think I would swim in red wine. I'm one of those people who always likes to be in control of my emotions. That's the one great gift I brought to my marriage; not drinking. I don't ever go home drunk and my family don't ever have to worry. Q. You're a big fan of social media, aren't you? A. I love Twitter. If I had any influence over a minister it would be to persuade them to provide every senior citizen with an iPad. Think of the reservoir of life experience those people have... Q. You're 68 and married to homemaker Detta, a farmer's daughter from Galway. Tell us about her. A. I've just written a poem about her; it's in my forthcoming collection of poems called On the Tilley Lamp. I read and educated myself under a tilley lamp in south Armagh. We'd no electricity so the lamp wasn't just a source of light... of the tilley lamp I say from where would I have got my light not to talk of my enlightenment? That's the last line in my poem. Q. Where did you meet? A. At a function in Dublin in 1971. We got married on January 3, 1976. I had moved to work with the BBC in autumn of 1975. Two weeks into our living in Stranmillis a bomb went off in a house three or four doors down from us; that's a way my life continued for a quarter of a century. Q. Was it love at first sight? A. She was so Latin-looking. I'd been keeping an eye on her all evening and... so when the first couple of songs had been played she was standing there and I took her home and look at her now 46 years later. Q. You have three children - Ciara (41), Ireland manager for Mintel, Laura-Kate (37), a marketing brand manager, and producer/director Michael (35), who works with you. You also have five grandchildren: Ciara's three - Kate (10), Anna (eight) and Rory (five) - and Laura-Kate's two - Eve (four) and son Rian (12 months), whose name means 'Little King' in Irish. What's it like being the daughter or son of in-your-face journalist Eamonn Mallie? A. When our children were growing up politics simply were not discussed at the dinner table. Admittedly they were quite well shielded and galvanised living in south Belfast. They knew what I was doing but we didn't make it an issue. Q. Your mum was Eileen and your dad Michael. You have three brothers - Michael (70), Anthony (in his 60s) and Peadar (in his 60s) and two sisters - Goretti (66) and Carmel (60). What did your parents do? A. My dad was a farmer, then a labourer in England because there was no work in south Armagh, then he became a bricklayer. My mum reared six children, mostly on her own. Q. Are you and your siblings close? A. All my brothers and sisters are alive and we're very close. We've dinner every single year - some time before Christmas, brothers and sisters, husbands and extended family, around the same table. It's the highlight of my year. Q. You were born in south Armagh. A happy childhood? A. We were born and reared in the Ring of Gullion in a rather isolated area. I came from Legmoylin, Silverbridge. It was idyllic. I lived most of my childhood days on the river bank fishing for trout and catfish. Q. You went to Abbey CBS Grammar School and Trinity College Dublin from which you graduated in 1974 in Gaelic and Spanish. A. I love languages, and I deeply regret the fact that I didn't learn Greek. It closed the door on so many writings and so much education. I'm a consummate European. I was a disciple and pupil of the wonderful erudition of (SDLP founder and politician) John Hume who educated us to think and to understand the whole raison d'etre of the EU, basically to make sure that at no point ever again in the history of Europe would you have countries fighting against each other and that is the fundamental, in my opinion, which was missed out in the whole Brexit debate. Q. You worked as a researcher in Irish Language for RTE. Then you trained as a radio current affairs producer for the BBC in Belfast. You joined Downtown Radio in 1976 as a reporter and became political correspondent in the 80s. You've worked for: RTE, BBC, Downtown Radio, Cool FM, ITN, Channel 4, AFP, Today FM, IRN, NBC, CBC, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Wales, NPR, SKY, GMTV. Then, in 1989, you formed your own company Eamonn Mallie News Services. When did you start thinking about going into journalism? A. Vanity brought me into the media world. We didn't have television when I left home in 1970. We'd no electricity or running water in our house. I used to watch Charles Mitchel reading the news on RTE and I was vain enough to say I could do that. In college I lived with a fellow who was working in RTE as a producer when he graduated and I was vain enough to think that I could be a broadcaster. I got a job as a researcher in the Irish Language for RTE. Then a job came up in Belfast as a trainee producer. Downtown Radio happened in the spring of that year. I got an exclusive interview with Gerry Tuite - an IRA man who was one of the most wanted men in Britain and he escaped from Brixton. It was just unbelievable - he told me every single detail of how he got out. Then the Hunger Strike happened and there was huge international interest in Northern Ireland and I was broadcasting scores of times in a day. I became a freelancer in 1989, formed my own company, and that continued until really eight or nine years ago, then the ceasefires happened and Northern Ireland ceased to be a story Q. What advice would you give to someone starting out in journalism today? A. Start your own podcast, and learn shorthand and typing. I deeply regret that I did not learn shorthand and that I also did not learn to type properly. Q. So what's next? A. There are two things I want to do. I'm trying to write a screenplay informed by a song. And I want to write my memoirs. Q. Tell us something no one knows about you. A. I was the resident disc jockey in a nightclub called The Squirrel's Nest when I was at Trinity. Q. What would you like on your epitaph? A. Ancora Imparo (I'm still learning) and Abba Todah (Thank you God). Eamonn Mallie: Face to Face, UTV, tomorrow, 11pm The local high street bucked UK trends with a 4.1% rise in footfall for December, including a "spectacular" showing in Belfast, a report said today The local high street bucked UK trends with a 4.1% rise in footfall for December, including a "spectacular" showing in Belfast, a report said today. It was the only UK region to report a rise in high street footfall. But the survey by data service Springboard said shopping centre footfall was down 3.7% year on year. December marked the third month of growth in footfall here. Aodhan Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the survey was a "great boost" and meant that footfall had risen for seven of the last 12 months. But he said the retail sector would still benefit from an Executive at Stormont, which could resolve concerns on issues such as business rates and the apprenticeship levy. "We are falling behind the rest of the UK because we have no Assembly or Executive which is making us less competitive now and for future investment. We would be a better place for business in 2019 if we had an Executive to take the bold decisions needed to allow us to sustain and grow." He said last month had started slowly but shoppers had gone on to make the most of pre-Christmas offers, particularly in Belfast where separate figures showed the city enjoyed a 37.8% increase in year-on-year footfall for the week beginning December 24. Mr Connolly said Belfast may have benefited from a campaign calling for support for retailers after the devastating fire at Primark at the end of August. A cordon was put in place as a result of the blaze, and while it has been reduced in size, Mr Connolly said some traders just outside the cordon could still be feeling the pain. "As it's been a few months since the Bank Buildings fire it does not garner as many headlines, but support is needed more than ever for the businesses in the cordon quarter. January to March are traditionally lean months even in good years so this trading period needs to be especially good in 2019," he said. Diane Wehrle, marketing and insights director at Springboard, said the decline in shopping centre footfall was in line with a fall of 3.8% across the UK. She said shopping centres tended to be dominated by big-name retailers, which had introduced pre-Christmas discounting. "If nothing else is learnt from December 2018, it is that discounting is severely eroding the strength of Christmas as a major trading period," she said. Business activity in Northern Ireland accelerated much faster than the UK average during November but there are signs of a slowdown in the economy, according to a report today. The latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) from Ulster Bank revealed signs of a slowdown in the economy, with Brexit uncertainty hitting demand from abroad. Manufacturing remained the standout performer during the month, with production increasing at the sharpest pace since June, representing the 26th consecutive monthly rise in business activity here. The only category to record a decline in activity was the construction sector, which fell for the second month running in November. But Ulster Bank chief economist Richard Ramsey said that when viewed against longer-term averages, the rate of overall expansion has been relatively subdued. And against the backdrop of the ongoing political uncertainty here, business confidence remained relatively muted. Reports published by NI Chamber and Manufacturing NI last week reflected growing concern among local businesses over Brexit. The PMI report, produced for Ulster Bank by IHS Markit, said Brexit uncertainty was mentioned by businesses as a factor restricting demand from abroad. Although new export orders continued to increase, the rate of expansion eased for the sixth successive month. Last week's Manufacturing NI survey revealed that most firms within the industry rank Brexit as their biggest barrier. Some 16% of firms said they had already started to stockpile goods, while another 42% said they plan to do the same. The Ulster Bank PMI reflected a faster rise in activity, but only a modest growth in new orders. Mr Ramsey said the PMI showed that the private sector will have had a better 2018 than previously anticipated, but added: "While continuing growth in the private sector is encouraging, the reality is that the rate of expansion is relatively subdued compared to longer-term averages. "Indeed, the final three months of the year are shaping up to have the weakest rate of growth in nine quarters. "Meanwhile, export orders are set to have their weakest rate of growth in 10 quarters. Indeed, in November the pace of export order growth slowed to its weakest rate since the EU referendum. "This slowdown is clearly having an impact on sentiment for the year ahead. The overall health of the UK economy is the most important driver of activity in the Northern Ireland private sector. "This trend therefore does not bode well for 2019." Please log in or register with belfasttelegraph.co.uk for free access to this article. Register Already have an account? Log in The early morning may no longer be the most common time people experience sudden cardiac arrest, according to a study published in Heart Rhythm. For the study, researchers analyzed data on 1,535 adult patients who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest in the Northwest U.S. between 2002-14. The data came from an ongoing population-based study called "The Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study." Researchers found most patients experienced sudden cardiac arrest in the afternoon (31.6 percent of cases), followed by the morning (27.6 percent), evening (26.9 percent) and early morning (13.9 percent). "The dogma in fact, this is everywhere, in all the textbooks about sudden cardiac arrest [is that] the most common time period for people to have a sudden cardiac arrest is early in the morning," study author Sumeet Chugh, MD, medical director of the Heart Rhythm Center at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told CNN. Previous studies have also shown Mondays are the most common day of the week to experience sudden cardiac arrest. However, the researchers did not find such a peak. Instead, they discovered a slight drop in sudden cardiac arrests on Sundays. State and federal inspectors visited Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., after calls for an investigation into patient safety issues in the hospital's heart surgery unit, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Although the scope of the inspection is not clear, hospital regulators have recently been criticized for their lax response to signs of an increase in mortality at the hospital's heart institute. The hospital stopped all pediatric heart surgeries in October 2018. A Florida Agency for Health Care Administration spokesperson told the Times that the agency had visited the facility. A hospital spokesperson confirmed federal inspectors also visited the facility. "We appreciate the oversight role that our regulators play, and we will, as always, be fully cooperative and collaborative as they conduct any reviews necessary," a statement from the hospital said. A CMS spokesperson declined to comment to the Times beyond saying the matter was "an ongoing review." In November, the Times found the hospital's mortality rate for heart surgery patients tripled from 2015 to 2017 to become the highest rate in Florida. The increase occurred after staff members told hospital leaders about issues with two of its heart surgeons, according to the Times. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine, which owns the hospital, recently hired a former federal prosecutor to investigate issues at the facility and a panel of outside experts to help reopen the heart surgery program. Healthcare improvement company Premier Inc. established a new company aimed at ensuring health systems have continuous and affordable access to medications, particularly those that lack competition or are in shortage. The new company, ProvideGx, will allow Premier to invest in new business models and partnerships to address drug shortages. The company plans to work with generic drug manufacturers, co-fund development of affordable products and secure contracts for active pharmaceutical ingredients to ensure supply demands are met. ProvideGx already has partnered with five generic manufacturers to mitigate shortages and sidestep the price hikes of 60 crucial drugs. The new company will begin marketing more l products in short supply next month, pending FDA approval. Adding to a wave of high-level departures, Sean Bohen, MD, PhD, AstraZeneca's CMO and executive vice president of global medicines development, will leave the company, according to Bloomberg. Five things to know: 1. Dr. Bohen will remain in his position as CMO until the drugmaker names a successor. 2. The company didn't disclose why Dr. Bohen, who has been with the company for less than four years, is leaving. 3. Dr. Bohen's departure comes just a few weeks after Bahija Jallal, AstraZeneca's former head of its Medimmune unit and Mark Mallon, former product and portfolio chief, left the company. 4. The news comes just a few days after AstraZeneca announced plans to restructure. Last week, AstraZeneca said it will reorganize its research and development into two distinct units cardiovascular and respiratory drugs and cancer drugs. 5. Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, former physician-in-chief and CMO at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, was selected to run its newly formed cancer-focused unit. He resigned from Memorial Sloan after reports surfaced that he failed to disclose his drug industry ties in more than 100 research papers. Veteran research head Mene Pangalos was selected to oversee the cardiovascular and respiratory drug unit. Read the full report here. Heather Cox, Chief Digital Health and Analytics Officer of Humana, shares her thoughts on voice recognition and innovation in the healthcare ecosystem. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: Where do you see the biggest need for innovation to improve the healthcare system in the future? Heather Cox: In healthcare today, there are multiple points of opportunity for innovation. If you look at the current startup landscape, you can see the entire value chain across provider, payer and every part of the health ecosystem trying to innovate right now. Clearly, this signals that there are opportunities for advancement in healthcare. Tied to innovation, Humana is focusing its efforts in three areas: the consumer experience and bringing transparency to their processes, the provider experience and making their life simpler, while at the same time making it easier to serve their patients and our members, and in-home care delivery. It is important to note that at Humana, when we talk about innovation in the healthcare system, we mean the entire ecosystem from hospitals and doctors to patients and consumers. We're not limiting the improvements we think we can make. Q: How do you feel about the use of voice recognition technology, such as Amazons Alexa and Google Assistant, in healthcare? Is there a place for its use within the EHR? HC: The future of voice is strong, particularly when we think about in-home care delivery. I also believe voice will play a key role within EHR. Consider this: A doctor and a patient are having a conversation, and through a wearable device that contains Alexa or Google Assistant, the voice print from the conversation is captured directly into the notes. That would be very powerful. Q: What advice would you offer to hospital executives looking to improve physician happiness when it comes to the EHR? HC: Mobile, wearables and voice. And it cannot be template driven. Healthcare is a dynamic process, and if the tools we provide are going to be effective and useful, they must be customized. Q: Which apps and technologies do you find most helpful, and which do you think will be passing fads? HC: Artificial intelligence is absolutely the most important technology to hit this industry. And it will have the most dramatic impact on how we consume and deliver healthcare. Tied to apps, the reality is, I do not have an affinity for any individual app. I say this because individual apps are not as important as the overall concept of what AI can do to improve consumption and delivery of healthcare. Passing fads are interesting to think about. The truth is things in healthcare are in such a learning mode right now that I can't really want to comment on what will pass. All the various technologies, even if they don't last, are teaching us something in the moment. And these learnings will inform the next great iteration. There is value in trying, testing and learning your way into the next great answer. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Jackie Drees at jdrees@beckershealthcare.com. Morocco has complained to the Security Council and the UN Secretary General against the polisario violations and provocations in the Guerguarat buffer zone and in the east of the defense system in the Moroccan Sahara. The complaint was backed up with proofs and photos, showing the polisario armed militias conducting on January 6th and 8th military maneuvers & combat exercises in Mheiriz. They also moved a so-called administrative structure in this same area and deployed two military vehicles in the Guerguarat buffer zone. In two letters addressed to the Security Council and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres by Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN Omar Hilale, the North African Kingdom strongly condemned these destabilizing acts which threaten seriously cease-fire, violate the Security Council and challenge its authority. These provocative acts constitute a flagrant violation of UN resolution 2414 adopted by the Security Council on April 27, 2018, ordering the Polisario to pullout immediately from the Guerguarat buffer zone and not to engage in destabilizing acts of relocation of administrative structures to the east of the defense system in the Moroccan Sahara, said Mr. Hilale. Morocco denounces the duplicity of the polisario which falsely claims a humanitarian crisis in the Tindouf camps, demanding an increase of humanitarian assistance, while it spent millions of dollars on military maneuvers. This should sound the alarm bell for the international community in general and donor countries in particular, added the Moroccan UN ambassador. By resorting to escalation and provocation, and by ignoring its commitments, the polisario seeks to torpedo the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to relaunch the political process after the successful initial Geneva round-table (held 5-6 Dec.2018) and on the eve of the 2nd roundtable planned in the coming weeks , he added. The Moroccan ambassador warned the SG and the Security Council that the Kingdom of Morocco cannot tolerate the recurrence of such provocations that seriously threaten regional peace & security and undermine the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, calling them as well as the MINURSO to condemn these violations, demand the Polisario to stop these actions immediately and respect the resolutions of the Security Council. A Colorado lawmaker wants to make changes that would shed more light into how hospitals are spending state and federal dollars, The Denver Post reported. Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, is sponsoring HB19-1001, which calls for the state's department of healthcare policy and financing, in consultation with the state's healthcare affordability and sustainability enterprise board, to develop and prepare an annual report showing uncompensated hospital costs and the different categories of hospital spending. The bill would require Colorado hospitals to provide the department with hospital cost reports submitted to CMS; annual audited financial statements; the amount of unreimbursed care; and the gross patient service revenue. "If we give regulators the tools to do their jobs, the hope is they can be more effective," Mr. Kennedy told the Post. The bill comes after a Post investigation last year revealed that the average capital and administrative costs of a hospital visit in Colorado increased at nearly double the rate of the national average from 2009 to 2016. The publication also cited a December 2018 report from the Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise, which found that reimbursement from Colorado when compared to the cost per patient has climbed 153 percent since 2009. At the same time, the amount privately insured individuals paid above the cost of their services rose 63 percent. Mr. Kennedy aims to decrease the amount privately insured individuals must pay for hospital services through financial reporting changes. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for Jan. 16. More articles on healthcare finance: For-profit hospital stock report: Week of Jan. 7-11 Senators weigh in on plan to change billing for abortions RCM tip of the day: Don't let low-priority claims linger Healthcare workers at Eutaw, Ala.-based Greene County Health System may see their health benefits terminated, according to local news station WVUA 23. Four things to know: 1. Roughly 50 employees in a union agreement with the health system are slated to lose their health and welfare benefits after GCHS failed to make proper contributions to a health fund, according to the report. Employees were notified of the change through a letter sent by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. 2. GCHS Board Chairman John Zippert confirmed the impending benefit change to WVUA 23. While the payments to the health fund were late, Mr. Zippert told the news station the system is caught up now. 3. The health system is weighing its negotiation options, including a new agreement with the union, moving the employees under the hospital's more expensive insurance policy, or turning affected members toward the ACA marketplace. Still, the hospital said if it doesn't make cuts somewhere, it could be forced to close. "Around 150 people get a paycheck from Greene County Health System," Mr. Zippert told WVUA 23. "We want to keep it open so we can keep paying them. That is part of our goal. It's not our entire goal. Our first goal is to provide quality healthcare, and we know we need satisfied and dedicated employees to do that." 4. The coverage is set to be terminated for the 40 to 50 GCHS employees by Jan. 31 if a resolution is not reached. More articles on healthcare finance: Zuckerberg hospital is out of network with all private insurers, leaving patients with massive bills Pennsylvania hospital misses payroll for 9th time since August California medical group to shut down after Molina cancels contract Four hospital and health system chief information security officers discuss the latest cybersecurity threats and health IT trends. 1. Vikrant Arora, CISO at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, discusses blockchain and quantum computing as well as other IT trends he's interested in learning more about. 2. Chris Joerg, CISO at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, shares advice on cybersecurity incident response plans and what hospitals can do to try to prevent email phishing attempts targeted at employees. 3. Dan Costantino, CISO at Penn Medicine-University of Pennsylvania Health System, explains his thoughts on cloud-based storage systems and the threats and benefits the technology poses to health systems. 4. Sheryl Rose, CISO and senior vice president at Catholic Health Initiatives in Englewood, Colo., discusses how she trains clinicians and front-line staff to avoid cyberattacks. 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. Hackensack, N.J.-based Metropolitan Surgery Center signed a contract with healthcare data analytics company ORHub. What you should know: 1. The agreement expands ORHub's East Coast presence. 2. Designed for administrators, surgeons and nurses, ORHub's Surgical Spotlight platform provides operating room efficiency metrics, materials cost data and labor cost data. 3. Implementing the platform takes less than two weeks and doesn't require EHR integration. Beverly Bryant, MSN-RN, CASC, administrator and director of Yuma (Ariz.) Endoscopy Center, discusses the biggest challenges and opportunities in the center's supply chain management. Question: Where have been the biggest pain points in your center's ASC supply chain management? What specialties are the most difficult? Beverly Bryant: The main issues I see are increased prices or back-ordered items. So, once we have a great price for an item, and we know where to get it consistently, there is always an unexpected back-order with no head's up from the supplier. It makes it difficult to sustain efficiency by only keeping a minimum of necessary products in-house when all of a sudden the item becomes unavailable. I have noticed a trend as well that if an item is back-ordered, it seems to be back-ordered from most suppliers. Those that may have the item in stock also know that it's back-ordered and then they raise the price because it is now a high-ticket item. So, what once cost $1.25 for a bag of saline is now $5 per bag. It's difficult to budget for a 400 percent increase on an item that every patient has to have; literally an increase of thousands of dollars! In regard to specialties most difficult, I would have to say that medication is the biggest pain [point]. There are numerous medications every facility has to keep on-site. The majority of them will expire because they are only emergency medications. Some suppliers also have medications that expire. I've ordered medication because it will expire soon and received the replacement item that will expire in three months. Medications are nonreturnable and so that puts me in a tough spot. There is a mysterious paradigm that occurs with normal saline, propofol, fentanyl and now 1 percent lidocaine. Every couple of years, there seems to be an unexplained shortage. Prices increase and sacrifices have to be made in order to continue doing procedures. Then it seems as soon as you make a seemingly back-door drug deal with a medication representative, the shortage is over. Whether anyone admits it or not, the trend most certainly exists! Our specialty is GI, so there typically is never a back-ordered snare, biopsy forceps or endo clip; these items are completely necessary, and they are also very expensive. Q: How do you handle device representatives in the operating rooms at your center? BB: My physicians are tried and true and have decades of experience. They know what they want, and I explain to all representatives that if you want my doctors to want your product, you will have to appeal to their preference. My physicians feel that certain items are worth the increased cost because it improves ease of their job and in turn maintains patient safety. Device representatives would only be allowed in the OR if there is a new item. For what our facility does endoscopy there is rarely a representative needed in the procedure room. I believe that whatever the representative wants to present should be introduced before there is a patient in the room. I expect them to show the doctor/staff how it works and allow them an opportunity to use it prior to utilizing it in a procedure. Q: What has been the most effective tool you've implemented to make your supply chain more efficient and cost-effective? BB: This is still a challenge, however, I involve my entire staff in this issue. I am very transparent about the fickle availability of supplies and the cost of items. Almost every staff meeting includes me talking about what shortages we have and how we can save on supply costs. It also gets everyone brainstorming more efficient ways to do things. If they see an item is low, it is imperative that they communicate it. We have a dry erase supply board that anyone (even our cleaning crew) can write what supplies are running low or [are] out. This triggers the supply technician to track a previous order or order the item immediately. She also indicates on the board when the item is due to arrive or if it's back-ordered. This helps with catching things in enough time to order them without having to pay for overnight charges. I also am constantly reviewing the supply invoices to monitor price increases. Our main supplier seems to change order numbers for common products often. It will show up on the website as 'unavailable' or 'discontinued.' At first, I spent hours researching other suppliers for an identical item when in fact the item is still available, but the supplier now manufactures their own brand of the identical item. So, I've learned to call the supplier on those items and get verbal clarification on discontinued supplies. Q: What disruptive forces in healthcare do you see making supply chain management easier or harder to manage in the future? BB: Healthcare costs are constantly rising; I guess that happens with everything. However, reimbursements seem to be decreasing year after year, especially for GI. The biggest challenge I see is being able to run an efficient and profitable ASC while the cost to do the procedures increases and reimbursements decrease, all the while maintaining patient safety. This is not something that only our facility or specialty will experience, but all ASCs. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Laura Dyrda at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com. For a deeper dive into ASC operations, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC in Chicago, June 13-5, 2019. Click here to learn more and register. Administrator of Burlington, Vt.-based Green Mountain Surgery Center John Paoni discusses the promising landscape for his ASC, scheduled to open later this year. It will be the first ASC in Vermont, and it has created buzz among local independent physicians. Question: What opportunities do you see for physician recruitment in your market? John Paoni: We are starting to see a trend towards private practice. Physicians are moving away from the hospital-employed model to the private practice model. Private practice groups will be looking to expand by adding providers and will increase their recruitment efforts. Q: How has consolidation in healthcare affected your center? What preparations are you making for the future? JP: In our market, the hospital has purchased other smaller facilities creating a single source for healthcare. Our center, due to open this spring, will offer an alternative to hospital-based procedures at a much more affordable cost to the patient. Q: How do you project short-and long-term growth for your center? What is your strategy? JP: We anticipate a great deal of growth for our facility. We have been contacted by many independent physician groups inquiring about utilizing our surgery center. Our facility will be the first multispecialty ambulatory surgery center in Vermont. Physicians are attracted to our center as we offer flexibility in scheduling cases and lowering procedure costs within our market. We want to offer an alternative for same-day procedures to the residents of the state of Vermont. Q: How do you see consolidation in the broader healthcare arena affecting ASCs? JP: I think that you will see growth and expansion in ASCs. Healthcare costs continue to increase, and the ASC offers those same procedures at a lower cost. ASCs run very efficiently. Waiting all day for a procedure doesn't typically happen in an ASC. Patients move in and out of the surgery center in a very timely manner. Physicians like the ASC setting as they don't have to wait for an operating room to turnover. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Laura Dyrda at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com. For a deeper dive into ASC operations, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC in Chicago, June 13-5, 2019. Click here to learn more and register. Here are 10 articles with expert insights on ASC accreditation standards deficiencies: 1. Top trends in ASC accreditation deficiencies AAAHC experts weigh in The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Institute for Quality Improvement's Naomi Kuznets, PhD, and Belle Lerner discussed results of the AAAHC Quality Roadmap 2018 with Becker's ASC Review. 2. Your ASC was cited for a standards deficiency what next? HFAP expert sheds light During 2017 surveys, ASCs had trouble with the same standards they've struggled with in previous years, according to Donna Tiberi-Blaszczyk, RN, who serves on the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program's standards interpretation staff. 3. How to fix annual biomedical inspections In an ongoing series, Becker's ASC Review spoke with American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities Associate Director of Accreditation Jeanne Henry about the organization's commonly cited deficiency related to annual biomedical inspections. 4. Every OR must be equipped with an AED or standard defibrillator Becker's ASC Review spoke with Jeanne Henry about ensuring that every operating room is equipped with a standard defibrillator or automated external defibrillator. 5. Being prepared for a situation affecting the surgeon or anesthesia provider Becker's ASC Review spoke with Jeanne Henry about having policies to handle a situation in which the surgeon or anesthesia provider becomes incapacitated. 6. How to meet AAAASF's drug administration standard Becker's ASC Review spoke with Jeanne Henry about the organization's commonly cited deficiency related to administration of drugs. 7. How to improve emergency preparedness Becker's ASC Review spoke with Jeanne Henry about AAAASF's CMS Emergency Preparedness standards, which were launched in November 2017. 8. How to improve advance directives compliance Becker's ASC Review spoke with Jeanne Henry about deficiencies related to advance directives. 9. From paper to electronic surgical logs AAAASF recommends best practices Becker's ASC Review spoke with Jeanne Henry about commonly cited deficiencies related to the transition from paper to electronic surgical logs. 10. Common deficiencies AAAASF cites & how to fix them Continuing discussion on keeping up with documentation AAAASF plans to continue emphasizing the importance of keeping up-to-date records of training and certification. Five anesthesiology group acquisitions transpired in recent weeks. The deals to know: Anesthesia Consultants of Savannah (Ga.) joined Norcross, Ga.-based anesthesia services provider Epix Healthcare Associates. CRH Medical Corp. acquired Evansville, Ind.-based Anesthesia Care Associates, a gastroenterology anesthesia practice. Melville, N.Y.-based North American Partners in Anesthesia acquired Bethesda, Md.-based Aisthesis Partners in Anesthesia Care, expanding NAPA's ASC presence in Washington, D.C. and Delaware. Exeter (N.H.) Hospital's 14 physicians and its certified registered nurse anesthetist team joined Melville, N.Y.-based North American Partners in Anesthesia. CRH Medical acquired a gastroenterology anesthesia practice in Tennessee. Imphal, Jan 13 : Security forces had seized narcotics worth Rs 5.78 crore and apprehended a person in Manipur on Sunday. According to the reports, Tengnoupal battalion of 26 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) apprehended one narcotics smuggler carrying 1,44,000 WY tablets and 732 grams brown sugar worth approximately Rs 5.78 crore from Permanent Vehicle Check Post (PVCP), Khudengthabi. Based on specific input received from reliable source of DRI regarding smuggling of contraband items, troops of Kudengthabi Post stopped a silver coloured Maruti Omini Van, bearing registration No MN-04A-8994 (silver colour) travelling from Moreh to Imphal for checking. On carrying out a thorough checking of vehicle, blue coloured packets carrying 1,44,000 tablets and orange colour powder packets suspected to be brown sugar weighing approximately 732 grams, were found hidden inside charcoal bags kept at the rear of the vehicle. Security personnel had apprehended a person identified as Noor Khan hailing from Thoubal district while smuggling the narcotics. A top official of Assam Rifles said that, the WIY tablets were contained in 720 pouches weighing 15kg(including the plastic) and worth Rs 4.32 crore, while the brown sugar was contained in 54 pouches worth approximately Rs 1.46 crore. The total worth of the seizure is approximately Rs 5.78 crore. Recovered items along with the apprehendee are being handed over to Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Imphal. On Sunday, Bishop Curtis Guillory held a re-dedication Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Arthur the final church in the Diocese of Beaumont, which spans 33 cites in Southeast Texas, to re-open after Tropical Storm Harvey. "We had about a foot and a half of water in the sanctuary, four feet in the school, Every building flooded, even the rectory where I live," said Father Kevin Badeaux, pastor at St. Joseph. All traces of damage are erased, with new tile flooring, fresh white paint and golden accents added to familiar fixtures. One recurring comment was the "lightness" and "brightness" of the chapel, which was built in the 1970s and had boasted a much darker color scheme since. A local artist repainted the stations of the cross, and the children's chapel is now home to a vivid portrait of the infant Jesus, as well as an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restroom. "Our old pews were warped, so these are all new solid oak," Badeaux said before Sunday's Mass. The benches in the sanctuary were rearranged slightly to allow for more wheelchair-accessible seating and a space for the choir to the left of the altar. The crucifix was outfitted with a new base a gilded depiction of the empty tomb of Jesus and the adoration chapel was re-finished. A few volunteering parishioners and the Knights of Columbus, who made a significant donation to the church's restoration efforts, walked about the chapel early Sunday morning, preparing for the arrival of the bishop as the band members tuned their instruments and adjusted their music stands. One such parishioner, Nilda Ramirez, took a moment from going over the songs she would sing with the band to discuss what it was like when her house and her spiritual home were both flooded. "It's challenging, not being being in your home and trying to serve your community," Ramirez said. "Challenging, but not impossible." Ramirez, who is now back in her Port Arthur home, lost everything but her house in the flood. "I had to throw everything I owned away. It was heartbreaking," she said. "But some of our church community are still out of their homes now." Ramirez said the shared experience of loss and tragedy brought the community together and fortified her faith in God. Even though they did not have their own place of worship, they were together working to help bring solace and supplies to a community devastated by tragedy. The parish was welcomed by St. James Parish after the storm. Badeaux lived there until the rectory at St. Joseph was repaired. "We hold five services over the weekend two in Spanish and three in English, and they let us use their chapel. They were very kind," Badeaux said. "I like to say we were trying to do three things at once. We were trying to recover ourselves, trying to help the community recover, and then maintaining our regular ministry. It was a lot." Around Easter of 2018 the St. Joseph congregation was able to move back onto their own property, holding Mass in Cody Hall behind the sanctuary. It was not until December of last year that Badeaux was able to once again give a sermon surrounded by the prismatic stained-glass windows that encircle St. Joseph's sanctuary. "It's great to be home," he said, smiling. There have been many changes to the church, including a baptismal well that now looks as if water flows from a gilded seashell into a stone pond. For Alfredo Garcia, one new addition to his church stirs a well of emotion. Standing in the new day chapel that he, his wife and sons built for their parish, Garcia, with his voice catching in his throat, spoke of the tabernacle that will now hold the holy sacraments at the church he and his family attend. "I have this happy feeling here," he said, gesturing to his chest. "In my heart, I cannot explain." The small church's new altar was anointed by Guillory after the Holy Eucharist. Garcia then wiped it down before the cloth was placed on it. Usually reserved for the first Mass in a newly built church, the rite of dedication was altered slightly for the Sunday morning proceedings. The altar in the main chapel of St. Joseph was not damaged, and did not need to be re-anointed, but Bishop Guillory thought it important to re-establish the sanctity of the church after the massive renovations. He blessed and anointed the sanctuary walls and fixtures with holy water, which served both as a sign of repentance and as a reminder of one's baptism. "It's really the essence of a dedication, in that Harvey was so traumatic, and this church is the center of the faith community, and they've come through it, too," Guillory said. "It's a sign of the presence of God in times of tragedy, as well as in times of joy." My observations and sightings in nature. Vidor Police arrested two Louisiana residents after a high-speed chase that crossed three counties. Tiffany Michelle Jeanise, 31 of Vinton, LA, and Robert Dale Hebert, 47 of Lake Arthur, LA were allegedly spotted by a patrol unit driving a 2012 Kia Soul that had been reported stolen out of Calcasieu Parish LA, traveling west bound on the service road of Interstate, according to a press release from Vidor Police. When officers attempted to stop the car near Main Street, it accelerated and entered I-10, continuing westbound at more than 1oo miles per hour, the release said. The Kia is reported to have exited in Beaumont, traveling down Magnolia Street to North Street, then re-entering I-10. Officers continued to pursue the vehicle heading north on U.S. 69 while the car still traveled at more than 100 miles per hour, the release said. The Kia exited the highway in Hardin County and was stopped at the dead end of Hickory Hollow Drive, according to police. The driver reportedly was in possession of meth. Jeanise is currently jailed on $20,000 in bonds for charges of tampering/fabricating and possession, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Hebert is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, possession and tampering/fabricating. His bonds total $35,000. Jose Manuel Tiscareno Hernandez An undocumented immigrant has been arrested in Conroe for alleged aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Jose Manuel Tiscareno Hernandez, 31, who the sheriffs office said has been deported to Mexico on multiple occasions, is currently in the Montgomery County Jail, and an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold had been requested due to the crime as well as his current immigration status. Movie star and Lake Stevens native Chris Pratt announced his engagement to girlfriend Katherine Schwarzenegger on Instagram. The couple, who has been relatively private about the relationship, is believed to have been dating for a few months. It was only last month in a birthday post for Schwarzenegger that Pratt confirmed the relationship publicly. Pratt, who was raised in Lake Stevens, has made a name for himself in Hollywood, helming the "Jurassic Park" franchise, as well as staring in "Guardians of the Galaxy." He was previously married to Anna Faris, whose family is from Edmonds and attended the University of Washington. The couple announced their separation in August 2017 and said in October 2018 that their divorce had been finalized. RELATED: Why Anna Faris and Chris Pratt split? It's complicated Schwarzenegger, as the name might suggest, is the daughter of actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzegegger and broadcast journalist Maria Shriver. She has written several books, including "I Just Graduated ... Now What?" In the announcement on his Instagram, Pratt said he was "thrilled to be marrying" Schwarzegger and "proud to live boldly in faith with" her. Faris commented on the post saying, "I'm so happy for you both! Congratulations!" The elk, released in Logan County in 2016 under former Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, are staying near the area that they were released, according to Captain Terry Ballard, of the Alum Creek DNR Office. Anna Smith writes a weekly column about Bakersfield. She can be reached at anna@sagebakersfield.com The opinions expressed are her own. Start your mornings with anchor Yetta Gibson weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on CBS 5 This Morning. Her passion is telling great stories, getting out and about to meet and talk to people in the community, and making what she calls "that comfortable connection" with her viewers. Copyright 2019 KPHO/KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: One woman is dead and five others were injured during a during at a motel near 25th and Van Buren streets -- and isn't the only shooting that's occurred in that same area. Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley says that his No. 1 priority is to address security at the Hacienda HealthCare facility where a woman in a vegetative state recently gave birth, including cameras, security guards and visitors coming in and out of the building. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. By Abdul Kerimkhanov One of the leading Malaysian fish-breeding companies A Farm Agrotech Sdn Bhd plans to implement a project to create a cluster in the Uzbek Khorezm region, Uzbek media reports. An intensive fish farming cluster will specialize in integrated production. It is planned to create incubation workshops, the production of fish and fry, the release of fish food with high protein content, as well as the processing and storage of fish products. The fish industry plays an important role in the Malaysian national economic development. The share of the agricultural industry in the country's GDP was about 5 percent ($ 23.5 billion) at the end of 2018, in which fish farming reached 12 percent or $ 2.8 billion, produced more than 2 million tons of fish and other seafood. A Farm Agrotech Sdn Bhd has modern energy-efficient technology, providing the production of more than 10 species of fish and fry. The company's weekly fish production is over 10 tons. Products are exported to China and the countries of Southeast Asia. An innovative approach of the company is the introduction of special feeds made from fruits and vegetables with the addition of essential minerals for effective and rapid development and growth of fish. In addition to production, A Farm Agrotech Sdn Bhd also offers training services in the creation of modern fisheries in Uzbekistan that meet international standards. It is planned to hold negotiations with the companies of the fish industry of Uzbekistan to discuss further plans for the implementation of this investment project on January 24. Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Malaysia were established on February 21, 1992. Exports from Uzbekistan to Malaysia increased by 2.7 times in January-September 2018, compared with the same period of the previous year. Currently, 16 enterprises with Malaysian capital are registered in Uzbekistan. A Farm Agrotech is a Malaysia based agriculture and aquaculture consulting company that provides expert opinions, technology transfer, and farm project management services to new and existing agriculture and aquaculture farming projects worldwide. For agriculture, the company has also been researching on the fertigation culture of rockmelon, cucumber and hot chili in the past few years. Specific formulated water soluble fertilizers have been produced to optimize growth and quality. Several technology transfer projects have been completed to fellow farmers about fertigation culture with or without a greenhouse. It covers both highland and lowland crops. A Farm Agrotech undertakes a wide range of projects within the agriculture and aquaculture farming industry for private clients as well as local, national organizations. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Turkey and the US will discuss the terms of delivery of the Patriot surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), Trend reports via Turkish media. In order to discuss the delivery, the US delegation will visit Ankara on Jan. 15, 2018. The US delegation is expected to meet with Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, reports said. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey may buy the Patriot SAMs provided that the US wont insist on the rejection of buying the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. Previousy reports said that the US administration decided to sell Patriot SAMs to Turkey for a total of $3.5 billion. Permission was obtained for the sale of 80 Patriot MIM-104E anti-aircraft guided missiles and 60 PAC-3 missiles, as well as related equipment. Turkey also requested to purchase four AN/MPQ-65 radar and control stations, 10 AMG antennas, 20 M903 launchers and four intercept control stations. At the end of November 2018, Ibrahim Kalin, a representative of the Turkish President, announced that the country is ready to purchase Patriot systems from the US. Kalin said that Turkey "is buying these systems for self-defense and is not going to attack anyone." The US is actively trying not to allow Turkey to purchase the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. The US warned that if Turkey acquires these systems, it may refuse to sell F-35 fifth-generation fighter-bombers to Turkey. First reports on the negotiations of the Russian Federation and Turkey on the supply of S-400 appeared in November 2016. The conclusion of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on Sept. 12, 2017. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the deployment of S-400 will begin in October 2019. The head of Russia's state corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, said in December 2017 that the cost of S-400 will be $2.5 billion for Turkey. Turkey is the first NATO state to receive such an air defense system from Russia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Through the space repeater TurkmenAlem 52.00E, 35 television and radio channels are transmitted to the territory of Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, North Africa and Europe, it is reported by Trend with reference to the information of the newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan". Negotiations are underway to lease a Turkmen communications satellite transponder with Arab and Belarusian broadcasting companies, the information says. At this stage, 10 out of 26 transponders are involved. STN (Slovenia), WNS (United Arab Emirates), CETeL (Germany) use services here. In addition, services via teleport are used by companies operating in the oil and gas sector of the country's economy - RWE Dea AG, CNPC, BKE Shelf, PETRONAS Carigali. TurkmenAlem 52.00E provides stable communication and the Internet to remote villages located in the Karakum desert. We recall that the launch of TurkmenAlem 52 E took place on April 28, 2015 from Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA). The satellite has 38 active communication channels transponders. 26 of these are used by Turkmenistan, the remaining 12 have been transferred to Space Systems International-Monaco S.A.M. TurkmenAlem 52.00E is capable of providing satellite telephony, data transmission and other types of communication between ground stations located at distances of up to 10-15 thousand kilometers from each other. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Iran is ready to export gas to Pakistan, Executive Director of the National Iranian Gas Company Hassan Montazer said. The pipeline has been partially laid and infrastructure has been built, Montazer added, Trend reports referring to ILNA. Pakistani officials should decide whether they will buy gas or not, he said. A gas production plant is being constructed in Irans Assaluyeh city and the plant will be commissioned in the near future with the participation of the president, Montazer added. Iran will become the third country after France and Russia in the gas production, he said. Presently, Iran exports gas to Iraq from two directions, namely, Iraqs Baghdad and Basra cities. Taking into account the need for gas in summer, the volume of export will increase, he said. As for the payments for gas in euros or dinar, he said that so far, Iran has received euros, Montazer added. The opportunities have been created to export Iranian gas to Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. If special attention is paid, gas may be transported at a low cost, he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sat down for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi late on Sunday, Trend reports with the reference to IRNA. During the meeting, the two officials discussed bilateral relations as well as areas of cooperation and regional developments. Iraqi premier hailed cultural and historical commonalities between the two countries and stressed the need for boosting mutual ties. Zarif, for his part, expressed pleasure over his trip to Iraq and appreciated Iraqi governments positive stance vis-a-vis regional developments and Islamic Republic of Iran. Zarif, heading a politico-economic delegation, is currently in Baghdad for talks with the neighboring states officials. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova In the near future, Azerbaijani-made solar panels will be supplied to Germany, Azguntex chief technologist Nizami Asgarov told Trend on January 14. The chief technologist noted that the panels produced in the company are of high quality and have an international TUV certificate. He also noted that negotiations are underway to supply Azguntex products to Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Georgia. Azguntex LLC was built by the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources in Sumgayit and combines two plants: Azguntex plant of sun modules and Azguntex plant of LED lighting. Plant of solar modules inaugurated by President Ilham Aliyev is engaged in production of solar panels from April 24, 2012. Earlier, the company produced panels with a capacity of 250 watts. After modernization, their power will grow to 300-330 watts. New samples will be able to accumulate more solar energy by replacing the old three-tire models of photovoltaic cells with new high-performance five-tire cells. Upon completion of the modernization works, the total annual capacity of the products produced at the plant will increase from 25 to 60-65 megawatts. The company will operate two lines, producing 100,000 panels per year. Advantage of the strength of the solar modules produced by the automated technology is a high efficiency and the latest model is distinguished by the use of technology polycrystal cells. In addition, they are based on the most modern technologies of leading firms of European countries. Modules are guaranteed for 25 years and fitness period to usage is 30-40 years. Presently, solar power plants in Azerbaijan operate in the cities of Gobustan and Samukh, the Baku settlements of Pirallahi and Surakhani. The power plant in Bakus Sahil settlement is fully ready for operation. After the start of its operation, it is also planned to commission a similar solar power plant in Sumgayit city, where the work has almost been completed. Azerbaijan was able to build a strong power system in less than 20 years, conducting reconstruction and renovation of old generating capacities and creating new ones. The energy rich country generates power through hydroelectric, wind and solar power plants, as well as biogas installations. At the moment, the capacity of Azerbaijans electricity system exceeds 12,000 megawatt. The total potential of renewable energy sources exceeds 25,300 megawatt. A major part of the countrys capacity in this area accounts for solar energy, while its potential is estimated at 5,000 megawatts. Some 4,500 megawatts accounts for wind power, 1,500 megawatts -- for biomass, 800 megawatts -- for geothermal energy, and the remaining 350 megawatts -- for the small hydro power plants (HPP). In January 2013, Azerbaijan announced the plan to raise investments in alternative energy by over $7 billion by 2020, and increase total renewable capacity to 2,000 MW or 20 percent of the nations overall power needs. To export surplus electricity, Azerbaijan eyes several major projects, including the Energy Bridge Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey, which will allow Azerbaijan to export to Europe about 700 MW of electricity a year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Being reliable partners Azerbaijan and South Korea are further developing bilateral economic ties with each passing day and both enjoy its positive outcomes. Azerbaijan and South Korea have signed a framework agreement on grant support, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Economy Ministry. The signing took place during the meeting of Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev with Ambassador of South Korea to Azerbaijan Kim Tong-op. The Country Director of the KOICA Azerbaijan Office in Azerbaijan, Park Kumok, also attended the meeting. The document envisages the continuation of joint cooperation on technical assistance and grant support between the two countries. During the meeting, the minister underlined the legal base of cooperation created between Azerbaijan and South Korea, noting that 57 documents have been signed so far and 74 South Korean companies are registered in Azerbaijan that participate as contractors in government projects. Stressing the expansion of trade and economic relations, Mustafayev noted that the trade turnover for the 11 months of 2018 doubled in comparison with the same period of 2017. The South Korean side has invested about $ 180 million in the Azerbaijani economy, and Azerbaijan has invested $ 474 million in South Korea. The minister underlined that according to the World Banks Doing Business 2019 report, Azerbaijan improved its position by rising to 32 notches and ranked 25th among 190 countries, entering the top ten reformer countries. South Korean Ambassador Kim Tong Op said that his country is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan, and the signed document will be significant from this point of view. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and South Korea were established in 1992. The relations became more intensive after the establishment of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Azerbaijan in 2006 and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Korea in 2007. South Korean government declared Azerbaijan as a priority country for economic cooperation for 2011-2013. In 2015, the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was established between Azerbaijan and South Korea. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was founded as a government agency on April 1, 1991, to maximize the effectiveness of South Korea's grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government's grant aid and technical cooperation programs. The assistance of KOICA to Azerbaijan started in 1994, and the KOICA Office in Azerbaijan was established in 2009. Since the beginning of cooperation, 11 Grant Projects were successfully completed with total grant aid worth USD 49.28 mln and currently, 2 projects are being implemented. Starting from 1994 over 700 Azerbaijani officials and government employees participated in the KOICA capacity building training programs aiming at sharing Korea's development experience and technology transfer. The total amount of KOICAs Grant ODA allocated to Azerbaijan up to 2017 is $ 57.32 million. South Korean company KOTRA's office in Baku was opened in 2008. KOTRA is a trade and investment promotion company established to develop mutual cooperation between Korea and its trade partners. Trade turnover between the countries amounted to $85.5 million in 2017, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Azerbaijan and South Korea are actively cooperating in areas such as infrastructure, energy, construction, transport, information technology, environment, alternative energy. The largest South Korean company Samsung is implementing a number of projects in Azerbaijan. Last year, Azerbaijan and South Korea have signed the Agreement on Mutual Assistance and Cooperation in Customs matters. Recently, Azerbaijans State Maritime Administration and Korean Oceans and Fisheries Ministry signed two documents to give impetus to develop the relations between the two countries in maritime transport, trade and cooperation spheres. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Thanks to the steps taken in recent years, Azerbaijan has become the transport and logistics hub of the region, Azerbaijani national secretary at TRACECA, expert in the field of transport and logistics Akif Mustafayev told Trend. Mustafayev noted that during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Jan. 11 dedicated to the results of socioeconomic development of 2018 and objectives for the future, President Ilham Aliyev touched upon the work done in the sphere of transport and logistics in 2018. One of the important tasks in this direction is the implementation of the subsequent stages of construction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, which is currently the most modernized port of the Caspian Sea, the expert said. "For this, the experience of the advanced states is applied and the most modern crane devices and equipment are used," Mustafayev said. "We have 13 ferries, two Ro-Ro vessels and oil tankers moving in the direction of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Other neighboring countries do not have ferries in this number," he said. A free economic zone will be created, which will include the Baku port as well, the expert said adding that work is also being carried out in this direction and a commission has been created in accordance with the relevant presidential decree. Mustafayev further added that the Baku Shipyard operates in Azerbaijan and builds modern vessels not only for Azerbaijan, but also for other countries of the region. He also added that cargo transportation is successfully being done along the "North-South" and "West-East" routes. He said that the Lapis Lazuli corridor has also been added to the routes and thus transportation will be carried out from Afghanistan too. "The first batch of trucks was sent from Afghanistan through the Turkmenbashi port across the Caspian Sea to Baku and then they left Baku for Turkey," Mustafayev said. The expert, addressing the issue of infrastructure development, noted that this year it is planned to complete the construction of highways that were not completed in 2018. "As the head of state noted, work is being continued to expand the road from Ganja to Georgia. It is planned to enlarge the road from two-lane to four-lane," Mustafayev said. The expert added that in order for more cargo to pass through the territory of Azerbaijan, tariffs should be attractive. "It is also necessary to simplify customs procedures and pay attention to digital technologies so that all documentation comes electronically," Mustafayev said. He further noted that the country has gained good ranks and this success must be maintained and further developed. "The transport and logistics sector will develop in the future. Due to the fact that the head of state pays special attention to this sector and in every speech he notes the importance of this sector, so there is no doubt that success will follow in 2019," Mustafayev said. Presently, several routes from the East to Europe pass through the territory of Azerbaijan. Among such projects are the International North-South Transport Corridor, which is designed to transport goods from India and the Persian Gulf countries to Russia, Western Europe, the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. In addition, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway built at the initiative of Azerbaijan, which is part of the East-West Corridor, also allows supplying cargo to Europe. Another example is the Lapis Lazuli route, which runs from Afghanistan to Turkey and further to Europe. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azerbaijan Microfinance Association (AMFA) is negotiating to attract manat funds from foreign investors, AMFA Executive Director Zhalya Hajiyeva said, Trend reports. Hajiyeva said that the main goal is to refinance (microcredit organizations) in local currency, not in foreign. Therefore, it would be advisable if foreign funds were hedged and only after that came to Azerbaijan, noting that negotiations are currently underway in this direction. Hajiyeva also added that investors usually visit Azerbaijan in April and hold meetings with their clients, as well as with potential clients. We believe that some microcredit organizations will be able to sign refinancing contracts with foreign investors, she said. The Executive Director added that AMFA also sent its proposals to the Financial Market Supervisory Authority to revise the legislation on non-bank credit organizations (NBCOs) so that the range of services provided by the NBCO has been revised. According to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, as of December 1, 2018, the loan portfolio of non-bank credit organizations amounted to 392 million manats ($ 230.66 million), which is 6.7 percent less compared to the same period last year, its share in the total loan portfolio of credit organizations is 3.1 percent. At the same time, the peak indicator of the NBCO loan portfolio at the beginning of 2016 was 595.5 million manats ($ 350.40 million). Microfinance organizations have always played a special role in the development of Azerbaijans economy, reducing poverty and supporting entrepreneurship. At present, the loan portfolio of microfinance organizations in Azerbaijan amounts to $273 million. Microfinance has been submitted to Azerbaijan in the mid-1990s as a strategy for repatriation of 1,000,000 IDPs and refugees who have been expelled during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. In 1996, international non-governmental organizations in Azerbaijan launched microfinance activities to increase economic opportunities for local and war-affected people in the country. They began to discuss and exchange experiences on the issues they faced in providing credit services in order to attain sustainable incentives. On December 19, 2001, a number of organizations signed the Memorandum of Understanding, incorporated the Azerbaijan Microfinance Association. AMFA main mission is to strengthen the potential of microfinance organizations in the country and create conditions for joint rational activities within the interests of the microfinance community. AMFA currently includes 35 structures, including commercial banks, NBCOs, credit unions, insurance companies, leasing companies, and others. Micro finance refers to an array of financial services, including loans, savings and insurance, available to poor entrepreneurs and small business owners who have no collateral and wouldn't otherwise qualify for a standard bank loan. The goal of microfinance is to create a highly dynamic and efficient system of lending to small enterprises to further stimulate the production and distribution of goods and services, and to help start-up entrepreneurs in acquiring the experience of making a profit and accumulating capital. This financial service is mostly in demand in the countries with developing economies, because it helps solve many problems of national importance. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova A meeting devoted to granting the right to permanent use of the Green Corridor pass system, suspension, cancellation and restoration of this right was held at the State Customs Committee (SCC) on January 12. Chairman of the State Customs Committee, heads of main departments, representatives of the Center for Communication and Analysis of Economic Reforms, the World Bank and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan attended the meeting. Azerbaijan will apply the green corridor access system for participants in foreign trade operations from February 1, 2019, the first deputy chairman, customs service major-general Ismayil Huseynov said at the meeting. The granting of the right to use the Green Corridor pass system is aimed at creating more favorable conditions for participants of foreign trade operations who comply with the requirements of the law in export-import operations, and also contributes to the acceleration of goods turnover across the customs border, the implementation of more flexible and transparent customs control, the facilitation of international trade, having established relations between officials and businessmen in import-export operations on the basis of modern management principles. The first deputy chairman added that the new system contributes to the formation of the principles of mutual trust between entrepreneurs and customs authorities, which will play an important role in the growth of export potential, foreign trade and economic power of the country. The meeting was organized with the aim to provide information to business entities on the procedure for filling out the application form for obtaining the right to permanent use of this system. On May 21, 2016 the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed order on using the Rules of Green Corridor and other release systems for conveyance of the goods and means of transport across the customs border. According to the amendments to the Customs Code of Azerbaijan, introduced in line with President Ilham Aliyevs decree, dated November 30, 2016, in order to simplify the customs registration of goods and vehicles passing through customs border crossing points, green, blue, yellow and red systems can be used on the basis of a short import declaration. Green corridor constitutes immediate release of goods without examination based on the customs control and the risk assessment conducted in accordance with the short import declaration which is submitted in electronic form in advance. The main goal is to reduce the interaction of citizens with officials. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The year 2018 was quite successful for the Azerbaijani economy, Azerbaijani MP Rufat Guliyev told Trend. He said that last year, Azerbaijan defined the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as one of the priorities. Last year, the category microbusiness was introduced in Azerbaijan, which is an important step, he noted. In the future, certain privileges will be introduced for the development of microbusiness. Reforms arent complete yet, they continue, deepen and expand. He noted that the goal of the reforms is to create a sustainable class of micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. He added that small business is an important part of the economy of all developed countries. For example, the share of products and services manufactured by small and medium-sized businesses reaches 70 percent of GDP in Japan and the US, and 65 percent in Europe, he said. Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, has embarked on the development and expansion of small and medium businesses. In the near future, it will be possible to bring the share of SMEs in Azerbaijans GDP to 50 percent. He added that the opening of 118,000 jobs in Azerbaijan in 2018 is related to the improvement of the business climate, including in the field of SMEs. It is safe to say that the business climate in Azerbaijan will become more favorable every year, the Azerbaijani MP said. In addition, Azerbaijan solved the financial system issues related to foreign exchange earnings and the growth of foreign exchange reserves. It is very gratifying that Azerbaijans foreign exchange reserves reached $45 billion in 2018. He noted that the authoritative global financial institution - the World Bank predicts the growth of Azerbaijans economy in 2019 at 3.6 percent, adding that in 2018 the growth of the countrys economy was 1.4 percent. If they have such a forecast, it means that they favorably assess the capabilities of the Azerbaijani economy, he said. The key to success in 2019 is based on what was created and developed in 2018. The course taken to move away from the oil sector in the direction of development of the non-oil sector is deepening and expanding. This work is already bearing fruit, in particular, in changing the share of the non-oil sector in total exports. He went on to add that cash turnover is decreasing in Azerbaijan, the share of cashless payments is increasing, this contributes to increasing economic transparency and is a positive macroeconomic factor. In conclusion, he noted that agriculture is also developing in Azerbaijan at a fairly good pace, which allows reducing the countrys foreign currency expenditures on imports of products. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 24 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Jan. 14, 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Armenias new parliament elected last month almost unanimously chose a close associate of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian as its speaker at its inaugural session held on Monday. The new speaker, Ararat Mirzoyan, is a 39-year-old former scholar who became the countrys first deputy prime minister following last springs mass protests that brought Pashinian to power. He is a founding senior member of Pashinians Civil Contract party, the dominant force in the My Step alliance that swept to a landslide victory in the December 9 parliamentary elections. Mirzoyan was backed by 131 of the 132 members of the National Election in secret ballot. He was nominated for the top parliamentary post by My Step and endorsed by the two other parties represented in the legislature: Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Bright Armenia. We are electing you as National Assembly speaker but we dont know what kind of a speaker you will be, Bright Armenia leader Edmon Marukian told Mirzoyan before the vote. Marukian expressed hope that he will act like an impartial arbiter in his new capacity. Speaking during a parliament debate on his candidacy, Mirzoyan pledged to strive for a stronger parliamentary oversight of the government and said he will be open to dialogue with the opposition minority. At the same time he urged the BHK and Bright Armenia to work together with the government instead of confronting it on every issue. Later on Monday, the parliament began discussing candidates for the three posts of deputy speaker. Two of them will be held by other senior My Step figures: Lena Nazarian and Alen Simonian. The Armenian constitution reserves the third post of deputy speaker for a representative of the parliamentary opposition. My Step confirmed that its 88 deputies have been instructed to vote for a BHK candidate, Vahe Enfiajian, on Tuesday. Senior representatives of Pashinians bloc argued that the BHK is the second largest parliamentary force controlling 26 seats, compared with 18 seats held by Bright Armenia. Marukian dismissed this explanation, saying that the constitution says nothing about the size of an opposition faction nominating a vice-speaker. He said that unlike Enfiajian, Bright Armenias candidate for the job, Mane Tandilian, would be widely perceived as a real opposition. Tandilian served as minister of labor and social affairs in Pashinians cabinet until this month. Nikol Pashinian was formally reappointed as Armenias prime minister on Monday more than one month after his My Step alliance won snap parliamentary elections resulting from last springs velvet revolution in the country. President Armen Sarkissian signed a relevant decree at a meeting with Pashinian timed to coincide with the inaugural session of the Armenian parliament in which My Step has a two-thirds majority. Congratulations, Mr. Prime Minister, Sarkissian told the 43-year-old former journalist at the meeting held in the presidential palace in Yerevan. Your success is our countrys success, our peoples, everyones, including me, success, he said. I want to emphasize that the main political change anticipated in Armenia has already happened: power has been fully returned to the people and democracy has been established in Armenia, Pashinian said for his part. Under the Armenian constitution, Pashinian has to name members of his cabinet and ask the president to formally appoint them within the next five days. He will then have 20 days to submit the governments five-year policy program to the parliament. The programs approval by the National Assembly will amount to a vote of confidence. It is expected that most of the current cabinet members -- including Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan and Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian -- will retain their posts. Outgoing First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Culture Minister Lilit Makunts have resigned to take up senior positions in the parliament. Pashinian is expected to make major changes in the governments structure. A controversial bill circulated by his office last month calls for reducing the number of ministries from 17 to 12. The post of first deputy prime minister would be abolished altogether. My Step won as much as 70 percent of the vote in the December 9 parliamentary elections which European observers described as democratic. The strong performance reflected Pashinians continuing popularity after the spectacular success of mass anti-government protests launched by him in April. The protests were sparked by former President Serzh Sarkisians attempt to extend his decade-long rule by becoming prime minister following Armenias transition from a presidential to parliamentary system of government. Sarkisian was forced to resign later in April. Two weeks later, the former Armenian parliament dominated by his allies reluctantly appointed Pashinian as prime minister. Armen Sarkissian, who has largely ceremonial powers, called on Pashinians government to carry out many serious reforms in all areas when he addressed the newly elected parliament earlier on Monday. The first phase of the political changes ends with the formation of the new National Assembly and the new government, said the president. A new phase starts: one of realization of hopes and promises and hard, consistent and daily work. You have received ample opportunities to put into practice the ideas of the velvet revolution, to live up to the societys expectations and to build a new Armenia, he told the 132 lawmakers representing My Step and the Prosperous Armenia and Bright Armenia parties. On Thursday, a woman and her children were found dead after being sequestered in a menstruation hut in Nepal. The death came on the heels of a protest on Jan. 1 in India, where thousands of women created a human wall that stretched 385 miles from the north of Kerala state to its capital in support of equal rights and against gender discrimination. The big picture: Notions of ritual purity are at the heart of Hindu practices that ban women from entering kitchens or temples when they are menstruating. Public health professionals and womens rights advocates have campaigned against ostracizing women for a long time, but the events in both Nepal and India have brought the discussion into mainstream media again. Background: The Nepalese government has banned the practice of sequestering menstruating women, but the ban has never been strictly enforced. A similar practice was challenged in the Supreme Court in India last month, leading to a decision that allowed all women to enter Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Whats new: In a recent decision by India's Supreme Court, judges commented on the equal rights of men and women to pray at the temple but also maintained that menstruation did not make a woman impure. The Kerala government allowed two women to enter the temple under police protection, but that decision led to violent protests that forced the state government to enforce a shutdown to prevent further violence. What to watch: The right-leaning Bharatiya Janata Party threw its weight behind the protestors, prompting public intellectuals to argue that the Court was being undermined by political parties and setting a dangerous precedent for democratic governance and the rule of law. Some have also expressed a concern that that the ruling may become a flashpoint for more violence at Sabarimala, especially around the upcoming national elections in spring 2019. Tanvi Nagpal is the director of the International Development Program at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. President Trump praised the National Enquirer without naming it on Sunday night, while calling Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos "Jeff Bozo." "So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post. Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands!" Why it matters: The National Enquirer is the publication that published many of the details on the end of Bezos' marriage. Its parent company admitted making a payment "in concert with" the Trump campaign to buy and suppress a story about Trump's alleged affair with Playboy model Karen McDougal. President Trump threatened to "devastate Turkey economically" if the country attacks Syrian Kurdish forces in a series of Sunday evening tweets, adding that he has also asked the Kurds not to provoke the NATO ally. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone. Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." The details: This comes of the heels of growing diplomatic tensions in the Middle East amid Trump's demand for an immediate and complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. As the Washington Post reports, the president's sudden decision "increased the possibility of a military confrontation between Turkey and Kurdish forces." President Trump is wielding the U.S. oil production boom and low gasoline prices as a shield against criticism over his relationship with Russia as Robert Mueller continues his probe and Democrats ramp up their inquiries. "'Gas prices drop across the United States because President Trump has deregulated Energy and we are now producing a great deal more oil than ever before.' @foxandfriends But this is bad news for Russia, why would President Trump do such a thing? Thought he worked for Kremlin?" My thought bubble: Russia doesn't need high oil prices as much as some other petro-states, notably Saudi Arabia. And Trump's tweet this morning is claiming way too much credit for U.S. crude oil output and gasoline prices, which currently average around $2.25 per gallon. Reality check: U.S. oil production is indeed at record levels of well over 11 million barrels per day. But the increased level is largely thanks to the shale boom that began around a decade ago as producers used advances in fracking and horizontal drilling to unlock new supplies. The oil industry has welcomed Trump's deregulatory efforts, but they're not currently a major driver of total U.S. production. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, largely reflect oil prices set on global markets, though the U.S. output surge is among the factors putting downward pressure on global crude prices and hence on gasoline prices. But, but, but: Trump can, however, claim a measure of credit for pushing the Saudis to boost output last year, which put downward pressure on prices. Go deeper: NYT: FBI probed whether Trump was secretly working for Russia in 2017 President Trump redefined his Syria policy in a volley of tweets Sunday, threatening to "devastate Turkey economically" if it attacks Kurds in Syria. At issue is Ankaras longstanding objection to the U.S. alliance with the Syrian Kurdish forces (YPG), who have proven to be Washington's most reliable and efficient allies in Syrias northeast in the fight against ISIS. Why it matters: Trump's proclamation marks another troubling development in the souring U.S.Turkey relationship, one that may further fuel anti-American sentiments in Turkey. While unexpectedly threatening Turkey with economic retaliation, Trump yielded to Ankaras longstanding request for a safe zone, a 20-mile-wide strip of land that will prevent Syrian Kurdish forces (YPG) from coming into direct contact with Kurdish insurgents in Turkey (PKK), whom Turkey sees as a single, integrated operation straddling the border. Trump further intimated that the U.S. will act to prevent any provocation by Syrian Kurds with Turkey. With respect to the Syrian Kurds, who have been fighting for their survival against ISIS' onslaught and for the recognition of their cultural and political identity by Damascus, Trump's new proclamation means they will be left alone with only a vague promise of U.S. air support from air bases outside Syria. Consequently, Syrian Kurds will get even closer to the Assad regime than they already were, hoping to ensure their own survival by earning Moscows support and to obtain some significant degree of autonomy (which is less probable). Meanwhile, Russia and Iran supposedly U.S. enemies will have an easier job helping Damascus retake control of all borders to the north, probably at Turkeys expense. What to watch: The U.S. will now have a weaker hand in the as-yet-unscheduled negotiations in the UN framework for the future constitutional arrangements in Syria, as the U.S. (and French) withdrawal will leave Russia and Iran as the only foreign powers on Syrian territory. This will in turn reinforce Assads position, while Turkeys anti-Assad stance is neutralized by its political alliance with Moscow and Tehran. Marc Pierini is a former EU ambassador to Turkey and Syria. He is now a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe. The Chinese government has detained more than 1 million Uyghur Muslims in re-education camps. Beijing has put Uyghur children into dozens of orphanages while their parents are incarcerated for their faith and culture. It's one of the world's most shamefully overlooked atrocities, and some members of Congress plan to step up efforts to pressure the administration to hold China accountable. What we're hearing: Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio plan to introduce this week the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, according to sources with direct knowledge. (They introduced a similar version of the bill late in the last Congress but didn't have time to get it onto the Senate floor.) Key elements of the legislation, per a source involved: "Urging high-level U.S. engagement on this issue, including by the president, the application of Global Magnitsky and related sanctions, the full implementation of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, and a review of Commerce Department export controls and end user restrictions. "Calling on the Secretary of State to create a special coordinator for Xinjiang." "Reports regarding the scope and scale of the crackdown; regional security threat posed by the crackdown; the frequency with which Central Asian countries are forcibly returning Turkic Muslim refugees and asylum seekers; a list of Chinese companies involved in the construction and operation of the camps; creation of a database of detained family members of US citizens and residents" and much else. Why it matters: These reports would be important because they could build a case that will meet a legal threshold to impose sanctions against the Communist Party of China. Rubio told Axios: "The United States must hold accountable officials in the Chinese government and Communist Party responsible for gross violations of human rights and possible crimes against humanity, including the internment in political re-education camps of as many as 1 million Uyghurs and Muslim minorities. " "The United States must hold accountable officials in the Chinese government and Communist Party responsible for gross violations of human rights and possible crimes against humanity, including the internment in political re-education camps of as many as 1 million Uyghurs and Muslim minorities. " Menendez told Axios: "The Trump administration needs to finally develop a coherent strategy for China that reflects our nation's values. ... I am proud to lead this important effort so we don't abandon our values and simply turn a blind eye as a million Muslims are unjustly imprisoned and forced into labor camps by an autocratic Chinese regime." Go deeper: Uyghur detentions in China get global attention Sure, we all share this one planet. But the warming Earth is poised to divide not unite us. The big picture: One cornerstone of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement is that nations have a shared responsibility to address global warming. But the reality is that climate change won't affect everyone the same way. The impacts, while immense, arent shared evenly around the world, and the solutions will affect some nations more than others. Driving the news: Two reports out last week show the uneven effects of a warming world and a transition to cleaner energy sources. Certain regions, particularly those with economies based on fossil fuels, are set to lose under the Paris deal while others, particularly China, are poised to gain. The reality of a warmer world and government policies aiming to slow that warming are no longer a matter for the future. Theyre both happening now. And the convergence of those two turning points is exacerbating tensions that have been simmering for years. Two main splits exist: The most well-known division is between developed nations that have emitted the most greenhouse gases in the past and those still developing their economies like China and India, which are increasingly emitting the most today. Those fault lines are well-documented, but others emerged more forcefully at a United Nations climate change conference last month in Poland between nations that produce fossil fuels and those that dont. In an interview at the conference with Carbon Brief, a United Kingdom-based climate news website, a senior climate-change negotiator for the Saudi Arabian government said: As a matter of fact, we are impacted by climate change, perhaps more than anybody else. We are a desert country that heavily relies on this single source of income. We have such a vulnerable economy, fragile economy, and with oil, we eat, we feed, we travel, we educated our people, we have medical care and everything. Saudi climate negotiator Ayman Shasly That may seem like an unconvincing thing to say, given that some low-lying island nations are projected to literally disappear beneath rising sea levels within 80 years thanks to emissions from other nations fossil fuels, including Saudi oil. But actually, Shasly has a point: As a desert nation, Saudi Arabia is set to face the impacts of a warmer world with more intense droughts and heatwaves. But its also set to face the brunt of the economic pain from transitioning away from fossil fuels if the world follows through with the Paris deal ambitions ( a big if You can see their concern is legit, said Adele Morris, an economist who in her role at the Brookings Institution co-wrote one That report found two regions Australia and the nations in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel, including Saudi Arabia would be worse off under the Paris deal in 2030, in part because theyre big fossil-fuel exporters. All other regions, including China and even Russia, would be better off. Even if countries like Australia or the OPEC countries take very modest [climate] targets, theyre still going to experience the spillover from what everyone else does, and theres nothing they can do about it, Morris said. The report considered economic effects and domestic environmental benefits of reducing emissions, but it excludes the costs of a warming planet itself, both in monetary terms and public health and safety. The latest science from the UN and others suggest those costs are likely to be significant in both Australia (i.e., worsening wildfires) and Saudi Arabia (droughts and heatwaves). President Trump, who has vowed to withdraw America from the Paris deal, is providing political openings for nations concerned about a shift away from fossil fuels. At an event the Trump administration hosted at the conference in Poland extolling fossil fuels, an Australian government official was a last-minute addition Also there, the U.S. joined Saudi Arabia and Russia in refusing to recent landmark UN report Whats next: As the world warms more and the renewable-energy transition increases, other divisions could emerge: The government shutdown is delaying an urgent update of the World Magnetic Model, the underlying basis for all modern navigation systems, and those systems are in danger of becoming unacceptably inaccurate. Magnetic North, the wandering point near the North Pole that is the reference for navigation services, is racing away from Canada toward Siberia. Its moving so fast that all navigation data needs a reset. The World Magnetic Model is a joint responsibility of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the British Geological Survey and geophysicists were planning to issue the update Jan. 15, but the U.S. scientists are furloughed. The new model is now tentatively set to be released Jan. 30 but that will depend on whether the shutdown is over by then. The current model was supposed to be good until 2020 but the magnetic pole moved more than 30 miles last year and thats enough to throw the readings on everything from smartphones to ships navigation systems out of whack. The earths magnetic field is created by molten iron in the earths core and it moves around quite a bit. The location of the north magnetic pole appears to be governed by two large-scale patches of magnetic field, one beneath Canada and one beneath Siberia, Phil Livermore of the University of Leeds told a recent American Geophysical Union meeting. The Siberian patch is winning the competition. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Sunshine this morning then becoming mostly cloudy this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 112F. NW winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. RTHK: Divers find cockpit recorder of Lion Air plane Navy divers have located the cockpit voice recorder of a Lion Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea in October, Indonesian officials said on Monday, in a possible boost to the accident investigation. Ridwan Djamaluddin, a deputy maritime minister, told reporters that remains of some of the 189 people who died in the crash were also discovered at the seabed location. "We got confirmation this morning from the National Transportation Safety Committee's chairman," he said. A spokesman for the Indonesian navy's western fleet, Lieutenant Colonel Agung Nugroho, said divers using high-tech equipment found the voice recorder beneath eight metres of seabed mud. The plane crashed in waters 30 metres deep. The two-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet plunged into the Java Sea just minutes after taking off from Jakarta on October 29, killing everyone on board. The cockpit data recorder was recovered within days of the crash and showed that the jet's airspeed indicator had malfunctioned on its last four flights. If the voice recorder is undamaged, it could provide valuable additional information to investigators. (AP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. CRDi On the island, the model will sell in both pure GT configuration and as a diluted variant of it called GT-Line. Both bringing exterior changes compared with the stock Ceed, they also benefit from better power output and a more sporty feel.The GT uses an exclusive 1.6-liter T-GDi engine rated at 201 hp and 265 Nm of torque when working in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission. The model accelerates from naught to sixty in 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 143 mph (230 kph).This car will sell in the UK starting at 25,535 and will be available with unique interior and exterior design cues.As for the GT-Line, the offering here is much more comprehensive, relying on no less than 5 variants that use a combination of three engines, two gasoline and one diesel, based on the stock Ceed.A 1.0 T-GDi good for 118 bhp represents the entry level and will sell for a price that start at 21,535.An engine that is a tad bigger, the a 1.4 T-Gdi, will be offered on three GT-Line variants, including the top of the range version, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. Prices for these cars have been set at 22,335, 23,435 and 27,185.The biggest engine in displacement of them all, the 1.6diesel, comes with 134 bhp, 6-speed manual transmission and a price tag of 23,185.Our first GT models were important for Kia. They laid a blueprint for future performance cars from the brand and proved there was a genuine appetite for faster and more engaging "drivers cars" from Kia, said in a statement Emilio Herrera, Kia Europe COO.The cee'd GT and pro_cee'd GT provided the impetus for cars such as the Stinger and Optima GT and introduced a sporty design appeal that has inspired a range of popular GT-Line models across our product line-up. Vicki Andersons story has managed to touch the heart of businessman Chris Ellis. She works at a local McDonalds and the two met when he first came to the drive-thru to order some food. At first, she thought he was drunk because of the way he talked, so she decided to give him a hard time, the two tell The Wichita Eagle They bonded and became close. He would drive by every morning to pick up food, and she would invariably make him laugh. As Ellis puts it, its difficult to find someone like that before 7 a.m., so he was glad to have met her.Then, in November, Anderson told Ellis that her car had died on her. Repair costs were of $500, more than her 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra was worth. She had no other choice but to hitch rides to work, but she wanted to buy a cheap car as quickly as possible.Fate looked me in the eye when she told me that story, Ellis says. I couldnt stop thinking about it... I said, I have to do something.As it happened, Ellis eldest son was selling his 2009 Pontiac GS, so he went to them with an offer. The son agreed to a discount since the car would go to a good cause. Ellis then gave the car a good wash and an oil change, and had the tires rotated, so that everything was in working order when the car met her new owner.In the video below, Ellis, his son and the McDonalds manager take Anderson out to the parking lot to present her with the deeds and the new car. Onion-cutting ninjas might strike while watching, be warned. (NejroN Photo/Bigstock.com) (NejroN Photo/Bigstock.com) There will be more opportunities for young backpackers looking to spend a working holiday in Australia with changes to visas allowing them to extend their stay for a second or third year if they work in the agricultural sector.Farmers in regional and rural areas around Australia have been struggling to find enough seasonal workers and there have been reports of fruit left rotting in fields and crops going unharvested.Now it has been announced that there will be a number of changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa programme to target genuine workforce shortages in regional Australia without displacing Australian workers.There will be an increase in the number of visa holders and they will be allowed to extend their time in Australia by undertaking agricultural work in new areas across the country.The changes mean that working holiday visa holders (subclass 462) will be able to undertake regional plant and animal cultivation work in additional priority areas to become eligible for a second visa.Extension of the period a working holiday maker (subclass 417 and 462) visas mean that they may work with the same agricultural employer from six to 12 months and a third year option will be available from July 2019 for those who complete six months of regional work in the second year.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said agriculture was a critical industry which underpinned regional economies and empowering a flexible workforce to meet varied labour demands was critical to success.He described the visa changes as a pragmatic solution to address the problem of filling workforce shortages in the Australian farm sector. 'Our considered and measured approach ensures we continue to back farm businesses and communities to continue producing and supplying the world's best food and fibre,' he explained.Immigration Minister David Coleman believes that the changes to the working holidaymaker visa programme would help resolve agricultural labour shortages in regional and rural Australia.'Lifting the annual caps on visas, expanding the number of regional areas where work and holiday makers can work for three months in specified farming work, and allowing 12 months of work with the same agricultural employer will assist farmers this growing season,' he said.'These incentives will encourage more workers to the regions that need them and provide working holiday makers with more flexibility, as well as the opportunity to experience living and working in Australia's rural communities,' he added. Samsung plans to launch a budget smartphone series in India ahead of a global release, aiming to regain ground ceded to Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi in the world's second-biggest mobile phone market. The South Korean company's Indian market share by shipments has lagged Xiaomi's in two of the three 2018 quarters for which data is available, according to technology researcher Counterpoint. Also Read: India's largest startup ecosystem inaugurated in Kerala; to provide 2.5 IT jobs The three new M-series phones, which Samsung plans to sell only through its website and Amazon.com's Indian operation, will help the company to double online sales, the head of Samsung's Indian mobile business told Reuters. "The M series has been built around and incepted around Indian millennial consumers," Asim Warsi said, adding that the phones will be rolled out globally after the Indian launch at the end of January. He declined to give specifics but said that online sales account for a double-digit percentage of the company's overall mobile phone revenue. Samsung's mobile phone sales in India touched 373.5 billion rupees ($5.3 billion) in the 12 months to end-March 2018, according to regulatory filings sourced by paper.vc, a business intelligence platform. The India-made phones, priced from less than 10,000 rupees ($141.80) up to 20,000 rupees, will carry chunkier batteries and features such as quick charging, Warsi said. Samsung has been sharpening its focus on India, home to more than a billion wireless subscribers and where roughly 350 million users still do not use smartphones. Last year it opened what it said was the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of the Indian capital New Delhi as well as its biggest mobile phone store globally in Bengaluru. "A lot of our insights, R&D and developments for consumers in India ... they have great connections with many other consumers in many other parts of the world," Warsi said. Samsung's Indian business sells its phones through 250,000 retail outlets and more than 2,000 exclusive stores, with support offered by 2,000 service centres. Also Read: Digital platform helps Maharashtra save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver: CM Fadnavis Also Read: Congress will simplify GST and take "rational economic decisions" if voted back to power, says Rahul Gandhi Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. 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 Given the scope of the looting, the task ahead remains mountainous. In Berlin, for example, at the Central and Regional Library, almost a third of the 3.5 million books are suspected to have been looted by the Nazis, according to Sebastian Finsterwalder, a provenance researcher there. Most major German libraries have books stolen by the Nazis, he said. The New York Times On January 8, a new unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Communications and Information Systems Battalion, was inaugurated in Vilnius. The new Battalion has been formed on the basis of the Communications and Information Systems Company of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Headquarters Battalion, it will be responsible for the security of internal communication in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The Battalion will be under the command of Major Vaidas Cernikas. On January 8, the Communications and Information Systems Battalion, was inaugurated in Vilnius (Picture source: Lithuanian MoD) Establishment of the Communications and Information Systems Battalion is very timely, the unit will be an important support in the Lithuanian Armed Forces now that threats have acquired new, hidden forms, and units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces depend on different modern technologies and systems more than ever before, Vice Minister of National Defence Edvinas Kerza said at the ceremony. The ceremony held in the compound of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Headquarters Battalion was also attended by Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Zukas, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, commanders and soldiers of military units. The main task of the Communications and Information Systems Battalion is to ensure security of connection among units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces thus enabling the Chief for Defence to execute command and control. The unit is based in Vilnius, in the territory of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Headquarters Battalion. Given the rising challenge to the free trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said Sunday that while the aim is to open up more for free trade and make WTO more efficient, the government is also keen to work on bilateral trade with more nations. "One of the big challenges before the world is protectionism. We as a country are supporting open trade with all the countries...but we also want to develop bilateral trade agreements with many countries. For each of the geographies we are keen to have free trade agreements with the countries in Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia," he said, adding that New Delhi already has trade pacts with ASEAN and some other countries. Also Read: India's largest startup ecosystem inaugurated in Kerala; to provide 2.5 IT jobs Addressing a CII event, he also said there has been an ongoing discussion with Sri Lanka for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). For countries in Africa like Angola, he said such association can be in the form of technical assistance, financial assistance and a trade agreement which will not initially have any ambitious targets but will be a win-win for both the parties. Prabhu, who is also the Civil Aviation Minister, said the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have decided to use India as a base for their food security. "This is happening at an interesting time because we just had made a policy for agriculture exports which has identified food items that can be exported," he said. He informed that this year the country would be producing 290 million tonnes of farm produce as per advance estimates, and 305-310 million tonnes of horticultural items. "In the export policy, we have decided to remove all restrictions on organic products and processed products. Both the UAE and Saudi want to invest in both organic as well as food processing industries. This will be a win-win situation for the UAE, Saudi, and other GCC countries but also for us, particularly for our farmers, who want better prices to their produce," he said. Saudi Arabia has said it can make investment in logistics, food parks and make sector-specific investment in food processing, Prabhu said. The farm export policy will go a long way in reducing wastage, the minister said. On the Udan policy, he said the government will announce its phase III in the next few days, which will also focus on air cargo. On January 15, the government will be announcing the first air cargo policy, Prabhu added. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are keen to invest in all these infrastructure initiatives, he said. Also Read: Digital platform helps Maharashtra save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver: CM Fadnavis Also Read: Congress will simplify GST and take "rational economic decisions" if voted back to power, says Rahul Gandhi Also Read: Samsung to launch three phones designed around Indian millennials Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! Qatar Airways is the Official Airline Partner for the Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019, marking the beginning of a year-long collaboration Developed by Qatar Museums, the Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019 will invite audiences in both Qatar and India to explore their cultural heritage through an exciting array of programmes, including a variety of Qatari-Indian exhibitions, musical performances, fashion, film and artistic events. Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: We are delighted to be the Official Airline Partner of the Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019, taking place in both Qatar and India. As an airline, we believe that culture is a universal connector that brings people together, and this year-long event will enable both societies to share a mutual path of understanding and appreciation of each other. As the Official Airline Partner, Qatar Airways also looks forward to being the bridge between both countries by bringing more travellers from India to Doha, so that they can experience Qatars incredible hospitality and cultural heritage throughout the year. The Year of Culture programme, developed under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, has continued to grow under her leadership each passing year, with the Qatar-Russia Year of Culture 2018 programme being the largest cultural collaboration to date. Qatar Museums acting chief executive officer, Ahmad Al Namla, said: Since its launch with the Qatar-Japan Year of Culture 2012, the Years of Culture programme has been building bridges between Qatar and the world, celebrating both our similarities as well as our differences. After several successful editions, we are pleased to launch Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019. Our two countries have long enjoyed a close partnership, one that extends beyond economic ties. Our aspiration is that the Year of Culture programme will further strengthen our existing ties, encourage new encounters, and spur creativity and curiosity among the new generations of both countries, so that they may feel inspired to achieve great things together. Throughout this year, we are going to see great works of art, international collaboration and beautiful showcases of the vibrant cultural history of our two countries. We are proud to partner with Qatar Airways as the Official Airline Partner for Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019, which is a testament to the close collaboration between our countries institutions. In Qatar, residents and visitors to the country will be able to enjoy the Year of Culture experience at the Doha International Book Fair 2019, where India will be the Guest of Honour. Other highlights include an exhibition by Raqs Media Collective, which makes contemporary art, edits books and curates exhibitions, and a Festival of India event that will feature a range of visual arts and performances such as classical dance and music (both Indian and Western), as well as cinema and theatre. Key events to look forward to in India include The Monsoon Wedding musical, and a contemporary Art Qatar Exhibition a landmark exhibition showcasing Qatars rapid, social and urban transformation through the eyes of talented emerging artists from the country. Emirates has announced adjustments to its operational schedules in 2019 to minimise the impact of the closure of Dubai International Airports Southern Runway in April and May 2019, and to respond to global travel demand trends. The airline also outlined its fleet plans for the year. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: At Emirates, we pride ourselves on being a customer-focused airline with a commercially-driven business model. We invest in a modern and efficient aircraft fleet so we can offer industry-leading comforts to our customers, and we are agile in deploying our aircraft to destinations where it best serves customer demand. The changes we are implementing to our network schedules in 2019 are in line with this approach, taking into consideration global market dynamics and operational limitations including the maintenance work on Dubai Airports Southern Runway. Through the year, we will continue to keep a close watch on global markets and will maintain our flexibility to optimise the usage of our aircraft assets. A significant number of scheduled Emirates flights will be impacted by the closure of Dubai International Airports Southern Runway for maintenance work between 16 April and 30 May 2019. Given the limitations around operating flights using a single runway at its hub, many Emirates flights will be cancelled, re-timed or have the operating aircraft changed in order to reduce impact on customers. This will result in up to 48 Emirates aircraft not being utilised, with a 25% reduction in the overall number of flights operated by the airline during the 45-day period. 2019 network adjustments Emirates will deploy additional flights to several markets in Africa starting in June 2019. The additional services will satisfy the increased demand that the airline has witnessed in these markets, and will offer customers even more seamless connections between these destinations and Emirates global network through Dubai. Cities in Africa that will be served by additional Emirates flights include: Casablanca, Morocco: Emirates will operate a second daily flight starting 01 June 2019 to Casablanca. The service will be operated by Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft which will complement the airlines existing daily Airbus A380 flight. Abuja, Nigeria: Three additional flights will be operated every week on Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Abuja starting 01 June 2019 increasing the frequency to the Nigerian city to a daily service. Accra, Ghana: Emirates will also augment its current flight frequency to the Ghanaian capital with four additional Boeing 777-300ER flights a week bringing Emirates total service to 11 weekly flights to Accra effective 02 June 2019. Conakry, Guinea and Dakar, Senegal: The capitals of Guinea and Senegal will be serviced by one additional linked flight every week starting 01 June 2019 on Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Multiple destinations across Europe will also be served by additional Emirates flights during peak travel season leading up to and lasting through the summer of 2019. These destinations include: Athens, Greece: Emirates will deploy a second daily flight to Athens between 31 March and 26 October 2019. The service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft between 31 March and 15 April 2019 and between 01 October and 26 October 2019. During the busy summer months from 31 May to 31 September, Emirates will deploy its Airbus A380 aircraft to meet additional demand. Emirates will not operate the second daily flight during the period of closure of Dubai Airports Southern Runway (16 April 30 May 2019). Rome, Italy: The Italian capital will be served by three daily Emirates flights between 31 March and 26 October. The third additional flight, operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, will be suspended during the Dubai Airport Southern Runway closure. Stockholm, Sweden: Emirates will provide additional capacity to Sweden during July and August 2019 with a double daily service on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This will allow additional passengers to travel to and from the Swedish capital during the peak summer season. Zagreb, Croatia: As part of the strategic partnership between Emirates and flydubai, Emirates will once again begin operating its Boeing 777-300ER daily to Zagreb from 31 March until 26 October 2019. The daily service will be reduced to four times a week during the Dubai Airport Southern Runway closure. In order to meet increased seasonal passenger demand Emirates will be introducing its Airbus A380 aircraft to destinations including: Boston, USA: Emirates customers travelling to Boston will be able to experience the worlds largest commercial aircraft famed for its Onboard Lounge accessible to First and Business Class passengers as well as the Onboard Shower Spas for First Class customers. Emirates A380 will operate to Boston between 01 June and 30 September 2019 and between 01 December 2019 and 31 January 2020 to accommodate the increased seasonal demand in travel to the US East Coast. Glasgow, UK: Emirates will fly its flagship double-decker aircraft to Scotland for the first time between 16 April and 31 May 2019. The Emirates A380 daily service, with a total capacity of 489 seats, will replace the double daily Boeing 777-300ER service during the Dubai Airport Runway closure. From 1 June 2019 until 30 September 2019, Emirates will resume operating a double-daily service to Glasgow with one daily Boeing 777-300ER and one Airbus A380, offering additional capacity to meet increased travel demand during the summer season Emirates will also adjust its services into South America to optimise fleet utilisation. From 1 June 2019, the airline will deploy its newly refurbished two-class Boeing 777-200LR on its daily service from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro. Offering wider Business Class seats laid out in 2-2-2 format and refreshed seats in Economy Class, this service will continue from Rio de Janeiro to the Argentinian capital city of Buenos Aires four times a week, and on the remaining three days it will operate onwards to Santiago, Chile. With this change, Emirates will suspend its linked flight from Dubai to Santiago via Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo will continue to be served with a daily non-stop Airbus A380 service to and from Dubai. With a view to providing more efficient and direct connection options for customers travelling to and from Australia, Emirates will suspend flights EK 418/419 between Bangkok and Sydney from 01 June 2019. Emirates will continue to serve Sydney with three flights a day non-stop to Dubai, and Emirates customers wishing to travel between Bangkok and Sydney will have flight choices provided by Emirates partner Qantas Effective 31 March 2019, Emirates will suspend EK 424/425 and serve Perth with a once daily Airbus A380 service non-stop from Dubai. Emirates customers travelling from Perth will continue to enjoy rapid two-way connections through Dubai to over 38 destinations in Europe, and a further 16 cities in Europe via Emirates codeshare partner flydubai. Customers will also be able to enjoy a seamless Emirates A380 experience between Perth and close to 20 destinations in Europe. A question asking Sawyer County Record readers how they stay cool when the temps are in the 90s and it's hot outside. You voted: India's main opposition Congress party will simplify the goods and services tax (GST) and take "rational economic decisions" to attract foreign investment if voted back to power in a general election due by May, its leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday. Launched in 2017, the GST was initially hailed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biggest economic reform as it replaced more than a dozen central and state levies and unified Asia's third-largest economy. Also Read: Digital platform helps Maharashtra save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver: CM Fadnavis But its chaotic implementation and complexities -- months after a shock ban by Modi on high-value bank currency aimed at unearthing untaxed wealth -- badly hurt small businesses and led to millions of job losses in the cash-driven economy, presenting the biggest challenge to Modi's re-election chances. Gandhi, the scion of India's Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, said during a visit to Dubai that foreign investment was at a multi-year low in India due to the "ill-advised and badly thought out economic moves" such as the currency ban and a "poorly designed GST". "We will take some rational economic decisions," he told a press conference, which was broadcast live on Twitter. "We will restructure the GST and we will embrace investments from the Middle East and other parts of the world. We are the party of (India's economic) liberalisation, we are the party that gave the fastest economic growth in the first decade of the century, and will do that again." He said his main priority would be to create jobs, simplify the GST, rebuild confidence in institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India - whose governor resigned recently after a fight over autonomy with the government, and the Supreme Court. Four Supreme Court judges held a rare press conference early last year saying that "unless this institution is preserved and it maintains its equanimity, democracy will not survive in this country". Modi told a BJP convention in New Delhi on Saturday that for Congress "every institution was wrong and only they were right". The Congress press conference was organised by the Indian Overseas Congress, which is present in about 35 countries, as Gandhi tries to reach out to rich Indians living abroad for funds and social media support for the party that has dominated the country's politics for decades before being nearly decimated in the last general election in 2014 by Modi. But back home, Gandhi received a jolt when bitter rivals Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) announced an election tie-up without Congress in Uttar Pradesh, which sends the highest number of lawmakers to the lower house of parliament. "The BSP and SP have made a political decision," Gandhi said. "It's on us on how to strengthen the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh and we will fight with our full capacity. Whether we do or their alliance does, the BJP is not winning there." Modi said at the Delhi convention that the opposition was working on a "desperate alliance", while the BJP would give a "strong government". The Hindu nationalist BJP lost power in three key states recently, forcing the government to announce a flurry of measures to woo small businesses and the less well-off since then. Also Read: India's largest startup ecosystem inaugurated in Kerala; to provide 2.5 IT jobs 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* Posted on: January 14, 2019 4:58 PM The Church of Englands Diocese in Europe has appointed former senior BBC journalist Andrew Caspari as its new Chief Operating Officer. Mr Caspari took up his new role in effect the diocesan secretary on 7 January. He joins the diocese after a long career in the BBC which included a time as Duty Editor of Radio Fours Today Programme BBC radios flagship breakfast news programme and as Commission Editor for Radio Four. I am delighted to be joining the Diocese and hope to do all I can to help build the impact of our work at this crucial time for the Church and for the continent of Europe, he said. I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months. He began his time with the BBC as presenter of the breakfast programme on Liverpools BBC Radio Merseyside in the 1980s; before taking on national roles as Duty Editor on Radio 4s Today Programme, the PM Programme and the World at One. As a journalist he covered the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the Gulf Wars. As Commissioning Editor at Radio 4 he was responsible for commissioning all the specialist factual output on the station, including all the Religious programming, both worship and journalism. He also worked for the BBC World Service. In recent years he has been Head of Digital for BBC Radio which includes running websites, podcasting, apps and leading the digital presentation of the BBC Proms. He has also held a number of lay roles in the Church, including serving as Churchwarden at St Martin in the Fields in Londons Trafalgar Square, as the church underwent a 34 million GBP renewal programme. He chairs the audit committee of St James Church in Piccadilly and is a member of the advisory committee of the ecumenical Heart Edge network of churches. His wife Sally also works for the BBC. The couple have two children grown-up children. He will be based at the Diocese in Europes offices in Westminster, London, opposite Church House, the headquarters of the Church of Englands national institutions. Posted on: January 14, 2019 1:01 PM Bishop William Love, the Bishop of Albany in the US-state of New York, has told his diocese that he will appeal against a temporary restriction on his ministry. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry imposed the restriction last week in response to Bishop Loves refusal to accept a General Convention resolution Resolution B012 that required all bishops to permit churches in their diocese to conduct same-sex marriage where it was legal under the relevant civil law. The Presiding Bishops restriction was designed to prevent Bishop William taking disciplinary action against any clergy that carried out same-sex marriages. In a message to his diocese, Bishop William said that in challenging the restriction, he will also be challenging the authority and legality of Resolution B012. He said: While I obviously would rather not have had disciplinary action taken against me, and hope to see it overturned in the near future, I will abide by the restrictions placed on me by the Presiding Bishop during the appeal process. The right of appeal is laid down in the Canons of the US-based Episcopal Church. Samsung recently launched a new website that supplies information about the possible design, features, and launch date of the Samsung Galaxy M20. According to Samsungs new microsite for the device, the company will announce the handset on January 28, and it will likely become available first in India before it reaches the other parts of the world. The website also includes renders of the Galaxy M20, and the images show the waterdrop notch above the handsets display, which also houses the single front-facing camera and the earpiece. Meanwhile, the back panel of the handset contains the oval-shaped fingerprint sensor and the dual rear camera setup. Renders of the device also show that the handset will have a USB Type-C port at the bottom, along with the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and the loudspeaker. The website also provides hints about the features of the Galaxy M20. Among the features stated in the website are the inclusion of large batteries and support for fast charging, which allows the device to top up its power pack three times faster. The website also says that the smartphone will include a camera equipped with an ultra-wide-angle lens, and it also claims that the handset will have powerful processors compared to other products at the same price range. Background: While there are multiple handsets that Samsung will launch as part of the Galaxy M lineup, the presence of the dual rear cameras suggests that the device that the South Korean tech giant will unveil in late January will be the Galaxy M20. Rumors released within the past few months already detailed the design and specifications of the Galaxy M20, and the renders provided by Samsung on its website corroborates with many of the details included with the rumors. While it is not shown in the renders, the smartphone will reportedly feature dual SIM card slots, and the device will be available in two color options, namely blue and dark grey. Moreover, the rear panel of the handset will have a polycarbonate construction. Advertisement Recent rumors further claim that the Galaxy M20 features the Exynos 7904 chipset and 3GB of RAM. There will possibly be two variations of the device, one of which will have 32GB of flash storage while the other features 64GB of internal storage. Furthermore, the device will also sport a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution, while the front-facing camera comes with an 8-megapixel sensor. On the other hand, the rear shooters of the smartphone include one 12-megapixel and one 5-megapixel imaging modules. Earlier reports further reveal that the device will contain a 5,000mAh battery. Aside from the Galaxy M20, Samsung Electronics will also reportedly launch the Galaxy M10, the M30, the M40, and the M50 as part of the Galaxy M lineup. While most of the handsets under the Galaxy M series will launch as entry-level devices, earlier rumors claim that the South Korean tech giant will instead unveil the Galaxy M50 as a mid-range handset. Impact: The details provided by Samsung on its official website corroborates with many of the details shared in earlier leaks. Based on the features of the handset, the Galaxy M20 will likely be one of the devices that Samsung needs to properly compete in the entry-level smartphone market. However, the pricing of the handset will ultimately affect the devices competitiveness, although it is expected that the smartphone will cost around $250 based on several recent reports. Samsung has just suggested that its foldable smartphone may launch at the same time as its Galaxy S10 flagships. The company has installed billboards in Paris famous Place de la Concorde, and those billboards are in Korean, interestingly enough, while Samsung also mentions that everything will be revealed at its Unpacked event. In any case, when translated, the two billboards say The future unfolds and February twentieth. Now, some may shrug this off and say that the company is simply teasing the arrival of its Galaxy S10 flagships, and thats it, but the use of the word unfolds and the fact that these writings are in Korean for some reason, do suggest that were in for more than that, especially the word unfolds. Its not exactly a secret that Samsung is developing a foldable smartphone, a phone that the company already showed off (with a case on it) during its developers conference at the end of last year. The company also showed off that phone to its partners behind closed doors at CES 2019, and the device is expected to arrive soon. That being said, it seems like the company is planning to unveil it sooner than expected, at the same time as the Galaxy S10, at least the companys teasers indicate that will be the case. Why Not Wait & What To Expect Rumors are saying that Huawei is planning to show off its foldable smartphone during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, so Samsung is probably looking to trump its competitor, and get all the spotlight. Just to be clear, Samsungs Unpacked event is scheduled for February 20, right before the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona takes place. It is quite clear that we will see the Galaxy S10 flagships at that event, but the companys foldable handset, possibly called Galaxy Fold, may be featured there as well. Based on what the company showed off thus far, the device will sport a rather large display, which you will be able to fold, after which a secondary display (which is a lot smaller) will activate, and allow you to use the device as a regular smartphone. The phone that the company showed off at its developers conference was obstructed by a case, so we do not know the full story behind its design, but thickness seems to be a rather major issue that keeps on being mentioned by people. It remains to be seen how thin / thick will the phone be once the company finally reveals it, but foldable smartphones are a completely new category of smartphones, and it is possible that the device ends up being thicker than it should, which is something that will need to be corrected in the second-gen model, if at all possible, as theres only so much you can do when folding is required. Thats only a guess, who knows, maybe the device ends up being a lot thinner than were expecting, well just have to wait for Samsung to share all the details, of course, and by the looks of it, that will happen in about a month, on February 20. It seems like Redmi, Xiaomis sub-brand, may actually announce a flagship smartphone in the near future, which is quite surprising. Redmi-branded smartphones were always mid-range handsets, but Xiaomi announced recently that Redmi is becoming a sub-brand of the company, so it has its own freedom, to an extent. The Redmi Note 7 launched before the weekend as the very first smartphone by Redmi, and some users asked the company whether this will be the top-of-the-line phone that the company will offer. Interestingly enough, Xiaomis CEO, Lei Jun, decided to reply (via Weibos comments), saying that it will not, as the company is aiming to release a Snapdragon 855-powered device. This, unsurprisingly, managed to surprise quite a few people, as theyre used to seeing entry-level and mid-range smartphones being released by Redmi, not flagship-grade products, but there you have it. It is still unclear when will this phone arrive, while everything else regarding it is still a mystery, but considering the source of the information, it will probably happen. Xiaomi vs Redmi It is becoming quite clear that Xiaomi plans to compete with itself in the market, pretty much. Many people expected Redmi to release only entry-level and mid-range smartphones, and thus stay out of the way of Xiaomis Mi-branded, high-end devices, but that will not be the case once Redmis Snapdragon 855 smartphone arrives. Xiaomi will pit its Mi and Redmi brands one against the other, which is not exactly a new concept, as other Chinese companies have been doing it as well, but there you have it. Huawei and Honor are actually a great example, as they have been competing in a number of markets for quite some time now. Huawei releases both high-end and mid-ranger smartphones, and even low-end ones, while Honor does the same. Honors devices are usually a bit more affordable than Huaweis, especially flagship ones, which will probably be the case with Redmi as well, as were expecting the companys flagship to be more affordable than Xiaomis flagship offerings. Advertisement Xiaomi & Snapdragon 855 So, by the looks of it, well see at least three Snapdragon 855-powered flagships from the company in 2019, though realistically, there will be more. The Xiaomi Mi 9, Mi MIX 4, and Redmis flagship will be fueled by that processor, but knowing Xiaomi, we are in for a couple of additional Snapdragon 855-powered devices. The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3S is still a possibility, as the company introduced the Mi MIX 2S last year, and judging by the fact that phone shipped with the Snapdragon 845, the Mi MIX 3S could be fueled by the Snapdragon 855. In addition to the regular Mi 9 handset which is expected to arrive as a successor to the Mi 8, Xiaomi could also release a couple of additional variants of the Mi 9 fueled by the Snapdragon 855, as the company did with the Mi 8 in 2018. So, it seems like were in for a rather interesting year when it comes to Xiaomi and its flagship phones, the company has been doing a great job for years now, and has been growing quite a bit, not only did its sales rise in a ton of markets, but the company is also expanding its horizons to new markets. Xiaomi opened up its retail stores in a number of European countries in 2018, and that number will only grow this year. Since the New York Times "broke" the story that Trump's former campaign manager gave polling data to the Russians...or someone...the hysteria about Donald Trump, Russian agent, has reached a fever pitch. I take second place to no one in my disdain for this president. But a Russian agent? Really? Never mind that the N.Y. Times was forced to retract the major accusation against the president that the polling data was given to Russians. Instead, it was discovered that the polling data was given to "pro-Russian" Ukrainians. As we all know, anyone and everyone who is "pro-Russian" works directly for Vladimir Putin. So Trump has to be a Russian agent. Next up, the Times broke the shocking story that the FBI actually opened an investigation into a sitting president to determine if he was in Putin's pocket. Just to be clear, a bunch of FBI officials who had demonstrated the most shocking bias against an individual politician brainstormed the notion that maybe Trump was a Russian agent, and his firing of the incompetent boob FBI director James Comey may have been the result of Trump following orders from the Kremlin. No, really. CNN: They debated a range of possibilities, according to portions of transcripts of two FBI officials' closed-door congressional interviews obtained by CNN. On one end was the idea that Trump fired Comey at the behest of Russia. On the other was the possibility that Trump didn't have an improper relationship with the Kremlin and was acting within the bounds of his executive authority, the transcripts show. James Baker, then-FBI general counsel, said the FBI officials were contemplating with regard to Russia whether Trump was "acting at the behest of and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will." "That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too," Baker told House investigators last year. "There's a range of things this could possibly be. We need to investigate, because we don't know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the President is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with and so he can move forward with his agenda." The Washington Post ginned up the hysteria when it reported the president kept his private notes on a meeting with Vladimir Putin from the rest of his national security team. Trump, whose administration leaks like a sieve, is a Russian agent because he didn't want anyone to see how he sold out America in his meeting with the Russian president. Or maybe he didn't want his private conversations with a foreign leader blasted all over the front pages of American newspapers. Mmmmkay. This has led to some of the most extraordinary speculation in American history by people not generally seen as paranoid goofballs. Except they are. A USA Today headline blares out, "All signs point the same way: Vladimir Putin has compromising information on Donald Trump." Strobe Talbot, an old foreign policy hand from the Clinton days, says in Politico, "It's already collusion": Future historians will have a serious handicap when the archives of this administration's foreign policy are opened years from now since so much of the normal process for conducting American diplomacy has been subverted or eliminated. But we already know that that the Kremlin helped put Trump into the White House and played him for a sucker. Or put it this way: Trump has been colluding with a hostile Russia throughout his presidency. We'll see if it started before that. What has happened to make these seemingly rational, reasonable people lose their minds and become paranoid John Birch leftists? They have simply been caught up in the hysteria, much like right-wing nuts in the past who saw commies under every bed and behind every public figure. That was silly then. And it's silly now to posit the notion that the nation's president is knowingly or even unknowingly acting on behalf of a foreign enemy. Trump's critics are all mind-readers. They are blessed with an insight into the president's thoughts denied to the rest of us. They are also able to peer into Trump's soul to see that he is, indeed, a traitor. I envy them. If I could read minds like that, I'd become a stock-touter and make a gazillion dollars. Instead, I'm stuck with being a poor, starving scribbler who remains absolutely astonished at the turn that the media coverage of the president has taken. Trump, the courts, and national emergency President Trump has hinted at the possibility that he will declare a national emergency and attempt to fund the border wall with money earmarked for defense. According to Fox News, President Trump is considering several sections of the National Emergency Laws, including 10 USC 284 and 10 USC 2808, to fund the wall. If Trump decides to do so, Democrats will likely challenge his decision on legal grounds. However, whether or not a court would even entertain a legal challenge is questionable. Mark Levin recently discussed this point in a CNS News article. Specifically, according to Levin, the National Emergencies Act contains a provision that enables Congress to put a check on a president by way of a joint resolution passed by a majority of Congress. Therefore, the court should have no role in such decisions, which Levin claims are political in nature. A recent article in The Hayride supports Levin's arguments. Generally speaking, federal courts will refuse to hear a case if it presents a political question. [T]he "political question" doctrine [is] a judicial rule limiting the ability of the Courts to decide questions of political policy, would prohibit a Judge from supplanting the judgment of the President with their own political judgment. See Beacon Products Corp. v. Reagan, 633 F.Supp. 1191 (1986) and also, Mobarez v. Kerry, 187 F.Supp.3d 85 (2016). Thus, an activist Federal Judge should not be able to decide whether or not there exist [sic] a valid national emergency, only the President can do so and only Congress can act to restrain the power they have granted to the President. Therefore, if the president's decision to declare a national emergency under the act is deemed a political decision, or one that relates to political policy, the courts may refuse to hear a legal challenge. A review of how this doctrine has been applied can be found here. Some have pointed to the case of Youngstown v Sawyer (decided in 1952) to support the position that the president does not have the power to declare a national emergency and to use military funds to build a wall on the border. However, that case was decided prior to the emergence of the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Also, in Youngstown, the Supreme Court ruled that President Truman lacked the power to act because it was not conferred to him in the Constitution or by Congress. Unlike in the case of Youngstown, the act and other statutory provisions within the act appear to provide such authority. For example, in a recent L.A. Times article, Elizabeth Goitein, a scholar at the Brennan Center at NYU, referred to one of the provisions that the president could rely on. According to Goitein, "the federal law that applies to the Defense Department includes a special provision on "construction authority in the event of a declaration of war or national emergency." It says that in the event of war or the "declaration by the president of a national emergency ... that requires use of the armed forces, the secretary of Defense, without regard to any other provision of law, may undertake military construction projects ... not otherwise authorized by law." Since President Trump views the wall as a necessity to protect against those who are "invading" the country at the border, this provision could provide the necessary authority that was lacking in Youngstown. Time will tell how this plays out. The best-case scenario would include a bipartisan agreement to fully fund Trump's broader border security plan (including the border wall) and to reopen the government. Sadly, this looks unlikely at the moment, given congressional Democrats' continued refusal to provide adequate funding. If this continues, Trump might not have any other option but to declare an emergency in the not too distant future. Mr. Hakim is a writer, commentator, and attorney. His articles have been published in the Washington Examiner, the Daily Caller, The Federalist, The Western Journal, American Thinker, and other online publications. https://thoughtfullyconservative.wordpress.com Twitter: @ThoughtfulGOP After reports from the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that some American forces had already withdrawn from the Rmeilan military airbase in the most eastern sector, a U.S. spokesperson confirmed: "This is the first such pullout of American forces since the U.S. president's announcement" of a troop withdrawal in mid-December. The Trump administration has been preparing for its Syria withdrawal by conducting $22.7 billion in U.S. arms sales with 14 Middle East nations in 2018. Although Politico's Morning Consult poll found that 49 percent of Americans support the withdrawal of troops from Syria versus 33 percent who are opposed, the New York Times reported that its Pentagon and State Department sources claimed that Trump is abandoning Syria's Kurds and "ceding a strategically vital country to Russia and Iran." But a closer analysis of the polling found that 2016 voters for Republican Donald Trump supported the withdrawal by a margin of 76 percent to 14 percent opposed, while voters for Democrat Hillary Clinton opposed to the withdrawal from Syria by a margin of 59 percent to 26 percent that supported it. President Trump, who campaigned on the foolishness of the $5.9 trillion America has spent on Middle East wars since 2001, took to Twitter to blast "The Failing New York Times" for writing an inaccurate story on his Syria intentions. The president took his case for ending the foreign entanglement directly to the American people by posting a video on Twitter: "We have won against ISIS." He added, "Our boys, our young women, our men they're all coming back, and they're coming back now." The first withdrawals of combat soldiers coincided with a keynote speech by secretary of state Mike Pompeo at the American University in Cairo, where Pompeo rebuked the Obama administration's "misguided" and "wishful" democracy-building strategies that stoked Arab Spring revolts against U.S. allies, such as Egypt. Without mentioning names, Pompeo was referring to WikiLeaks reports that Hillary Clinton's State Department funded U.S.-based "civil society" NGOs, such as the National Democratic Institute, as an "instrument of collective empowerment" that used social media tools to stoke widespread unrest in Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, and Bahrain and served as digital accelerants that plunged Syria, Libya, and Yemen into bloody civil wars. Secretary Pompeo stated that although the United States is still committed to the "complete dismantling" of ISIS threats and expelling all Iranian troops from Syria, the Trump administration intends to be a "force for good" by supporting our friends in the Middle East. Key to that support is restructuring America's security assistance programs from "boots on the ground" to increasing arms sales and military training. Total U.S. arms sales to the Middle East that were below $2 billion in 2010 and rose to about $6 billion as Obama was about to leave office in 2016, according to the Congressional Research Service. Reflecting the change in policy, the Trump administration inked $22.7 billion in security assistance sales and training to 15 countries in 2018. The Trump administration's largest Middle East customers for military and commercial defense sales included $4.7 billion with Israel, $4.5 billion with Saudi Arabia, $3.1 million with Turkey, $1.4 billion with Bahrain, $1.3 billion with Egypt, $1.26 billion with Morocco, and $1.03 billion with the United Arab Emirates. Other customers included Qatar, Algeria, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, and Tunisia. The Syrian civil war kicked off by the Arab Spring has generated about 500,000 deaths, 5 million refugees, and 6 million people internally displaced. Prior to the civil war, Syria in 2010 was one of the fastest growing nations in the world, with its GDP jumping by 5.9 percent. After six years of horrific turmoil, GDP has fallen by over 50 percent, and 40 percent of the nation is listed by the U.N. as "food insecure." With the U.S. now the world's largest producer of oil and rapidly expanding its exports, President Trump wants to drastically slash the Defense Department's annual burden of about $81 billion, or about 16-20 percent of budget, to defend global oil supplies. As a businessman, he understands that America is paying the equivalent of about an $11.25-per-barrel premium to defend other nations' need for oil. That's fitting for the times, and it suggests a leader looking for a resolution. President Trump is staying put in snowy Washington while his government shutdown duel with Democrats continues, canceling every fancy trip out (that doesn't include a non-touristy one to the Texas border ), including even a Christmas trip to his home in Florida . But then there are...the Democrats. A whole slew of them packed off to Puerto Rico for a junket, getting hold of those hard-to-get Hamilton tickets (no shutout there); bunking in with 109 K Street lobbyists in $429-a-night hotel rooms; and, sure enough, partying hearty. WashEx's Paul Bedard has the opening story. Some 30 Democratic lawmakers left the government shutdown behind Friday on a chartered flight to Puerto Rico for a winter retreat with 109 lobbyists and corporate executives during which they planned to see the hit Broadway show "Hamilton" and attend three parties including one with the show's cast. Those attending the Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC winter retreat in San Juan planned to meet with key officials to discuss the cleanup after Hurricane Maria at a roundtable Saturday. But the weekend is packed with free time for the members and their families on the trip. Get a load of the bikini shot of Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, spotted by Fox News producer David McAlpine (and Bedard): Spotted: Sen. Bob Menendez on the beach at a resort in Puerto Rico on Day 22 of the partial government shutdown. Reports say dozens of Dems are in PR for the CHC BOLD PAC winter retreat including meetings on Maria cleanup, and a party with PRs Hamilton cast. pic.twitter.com/6FaBYKPo4L David McAlpine (@DavidMcAlpine) January 12, 2019 Dems in Puerto Rico as Shutdown hits day 24. @foxandfriends Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019 And yes, it's being noticed. With President Trump still waiting for them to get done with their resort junket, now it's spin control time. The Hill seems to be the willing agent, re-casting the whole party-hearty affair as actually being about "helping" Puerto Rico, because some (definitely not all) of the participants are Hispanic at the get-more-Hispanics-elected titular event, writing: The 30-plus member delegation is in Puerto Rico for the Bold PAC convention and a summit hosted by the Latino Victory Fund, a progressive organization dedicated to increasing Hispanic political participation. Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), Bold PAC's chairman, told The Hill he chose Puerto Rico for this year's convention to showcase the island's needs as it slowly recovers from 2017's Hurricane Maria. So more than a year has passed since Hurricane Maria hit the island, and these guys are now suddenly interested in "helping"? They couldn't have done that more than a year earlier, when the help was most needed? And the news of corruption and incompetence, of food and water rotting on the docks undelivered, and assorted chiseling from the local officials, which has rolled out since, never happened? Oh, give us a break. Three kinds of narrative spinning here one to claim that Democrats are there to "work"; another to claim they are there to "help"; and a third to bring up the old dead cat that President Trump (and Congress) never "helped" the island, which, by the way, was an economic shambles before the hurricane, owing to Democrat-style spending policies. Every last bit of it is highly questionable. Now the networks are focusing like a laser on the hardships of government workers not being paid during the shutdown, President Trump is back in Washington waiting for these Democrats to finish their party at the Puerto Rican resort in order to return to negotiations, and these guys think they are reclaiming the "narrative"? They really think they can get away with this and win. These guys aren't serious. They just want to party, digging into the fleshpots, trying to blame Trump. Any questions as to why the public doesn't trust Democratic politicians? Image credit: Twitter screen grab from David McAlpine of Fox News's tweet. India got its largest startup ecosystem Sunday when Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated here a 1.8-lakh-square-feet facility housing incubation set-ups across a string of segments in modern technology. The Integrated Startup Complex under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) includes the ultra-modern facilities of Maker Village that promote hardware startups, the BioNest that promotes medical technologies, BRINC which is the country's first international accelerator for hardware startups; BRIC which aids developing solutions for cancer diagnosis and care, and a Centre of Excellence set up by industry majors such as UNITY. Also Read: Digital platform helps Maharashtra save Rs 12,000 crore in farm loan waiver: CM Fadnavis Overall the Kerala Government is working for the state to have a total area of 2.3 crore sq ft of IT space (up from 1.3 crore sq ft last year). The opening of the new complex at the Technology Innovation Zone (TIZ) is a major step towards achieving the objective, Vijayan said in his speech at KINFRA Hi-Tech Park, Kalamassery. "We are also planning to give direct jobs to 2.5 lakh in IT," he said, adding that the government was working to ensure that information technology fosters social development. After the completion of three more projects, Kerala will have startup and incubation space of 5 lakh sq ft, which will be the largest of this type in the world. No less than 30 applications for patent has gone from startups with the 13.5-acre TIZ, the CM noted, lauding it as a sign of the high-quality work in the zone. Simultaneously, Kerala was sensing increasing optimism in boosting software export from the state. M Sivasankar, secretary, IT (Kerala), pointed out that the entire space at the TIZ facility has been sold out. "This has never happened in our country, where it usually takes a couple of years for an incubator to get the whole area occupied," he said. "The first three floors of the new complex have been furnished, while the rest of the floors have already got allotted to various startups." "The campus has another incubator complex coming up and it will be opened early next year," Sivasankar said. Besides the Maker Villager with its 30-odd startups, the facility has nascent firms working in fields such as biotechnology, computer-aided design, augmented/virtual reality and advanced communication. Kalamassery MLA Ebrahim Kunju, in his presidential address, said Kerala has been proving to be a superpower in south India in the field of IT and incubation. "We expect more help from the government in its related endeavours," he added. Ernakulam MP Prof K V Thomas launched BioNest, which is a startup the KSUM has established in association with Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology with financial aid from BIRAC, under the union government's Department of Bio-Tech. It has 20 companies involved in deep research in biotechnology and allied fields. The BRIC, which was inaugurated by Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja, will chiefly work in fighting cancer. The state has 50,000 additions to its cancer patients every year, the minister noted, adding that the BRIC will work in accordance with a Cancer Strategic Action Plan and funds totalling Rs 350 crore. Officials pointed out that TIZ was set to become the country's largest Work-Live-Play space exclusively dedicated to startups. The Maker Village, set up by the IIITM-K in association with KSUM and supported by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, houses 65 startups working in electronics hardware technologies. Also Read: Congress will simplify GST and take "rational economic decisions" if voted back to power, says Rahul Gandhi Also Read: Samsung to launch three phones designed around Indian millennials Ocasio-Cortez, having dispatched a ten-term congressman in a primary election last June , became the youngest female elected to the Congress when she took her seat in the House on January 3. Since exploding into public awareness last summer, she has increased her profile and become the leading voice of the new far left socialist base of the Democratic Party. For some time now, I have been sharing with friends, and the audience of The Hagmann Report (where I do political reporting and analysis for an hour or more every week), this unpleasant observation: it increasingly seems as if 29-year-old democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is quickly becoming the best known House member, Democrat, and politician (with the exception of the POTUS) in the United States. Now, evidence is in that I wasn't too far off the mark in my gut-level estimate of her startling new impact. On January 13, Axios co-founder Mike Allen and his co-author Neil Rothschild dropped an article at their influential swamp publication titled "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has more Twitter power than media, establishment." The article features a graphic that dramatically displays the number of Twitter "interactions" during the past month (Dec. 11-Jan. 11) by politicians and media who use the social media platform. Citing data by Crowdtangle, Axios reported that AOC had 11.8 million interactions (retweets and likes), second only to President Donald Trump's 39.8 million. The POTUS currently has 57.3 million followers to her 2.37 million. Looked at another way, AOC has only 4% as many followers as President Trump, but in the past month, she had more than 30% of his interactions, or 7.5 times as many interactions per follower as the president. As we used to say in the world of rock 'n' roll, she is a hot number with a bullet (figuratively speaking, of course). Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Source: Her official Twitter. Back on December 27, surveying the new political scene arising from the Democrats winning the House in the 2018 Midterm Elections, David Catanese reported in U.S. News about Ocasio-Cortez: Before this 29-year-old Democratic socialist Latina from the Bronx is even sworn in to the House next week, she's become one of the most influential figures in the Democratic Party and the unordained leader of a flock of progressive renegade freshman females hellbent on breaking the norms of the institution and challenging the notion that seniority means supremacy. Many of their electoral victories were had by skipping the established line, so they're wired to approach governing in the same rebellious way. And their sizable followings on social media provide them with an imposing arsenal of support that can be converted into raw political power as fast as one can upload an Instagram. "The freshman class as an aggregate will have more power than the leadership," says Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat about to start his second term. "The balance of power is shifting in the House. Leadership doesn't matter nearly as much. Ordinary members of Congress have a much bigger platform. The size of your Twitter following and the size of your external base makes a huge difference." Since that prescient article was published, Ocasio-Cortez has appeared as the star attraction on CBS News's 60 Minutes, tussled with House Republican leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), "hit back at" her critics after a decade old video of her dancing went viral, and traded insults with 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate former Sen. Joe Lieberman all of these moves further raising her profile. Ocasio-Cortez has also been ratcheting up publicity about the #GreenNewDeal that she and her fellow leftists are promoting, with obeisance to President Franklin Roosevelt's government-centric New Deal of the Depression-era 1930s. On December 14, she tweeted, "We have lift-off," charting the number of tweets of the #GreenNewDeal hashtag going straight up in recent months. The rise appeared to parallel her fellow climate change radicals' ascent to power in the Congress and various state offices around the country and the fawning mainstream media coverage accorded to them. Axios quotes several experts, including Antonio Garcia Martinez of Wired, author of Chaos Monkeys, about Silicon Valley, who calls her "a harbinger of a new American political reality." The Axios chart of recent Twitter impact also notes that AOC is way ahead of President Obama (who had only 4.4 million interactions), while she leaves several veteran politicos and one newbie in the dust: Bernie Sanders, 2.6M (combined Senate and personal account); Nancy Pelosi, 2.6M; Chuck Schumer, 2.4M; Beto O'Rourke 1.8M; and Elizabeth Warren, 1.4M (combined Senate and personal account). Peter Barry Chowka writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. Follow him on Twitter at @pchowka. At the moment I was writing about the mounting pressure on Venezuela's failed socialist regime yesterday , Cuban goons working at Venezuela's SEBIN secret police were at work. The New York Times has a good report. (Just its photo is worth the click): CARACAS, Venezuela The president of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly was briefly arrested on Sunday, two days after declaring that he was prepared to take over temporarily as the country's leader in a renewed push to oust President Nicolas Maduro from power. The opposition leader, Juan Guaido, was captured when a van he was traveling in was stopped on a highway on Sunday morning. A video recorded by a driver on the highway appeared to show masked, heavily armed agents from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service pulling Mr. Guaido from his vehicle and pushing him into a white van before driving away. The message? We can come after you, any time, and take you away. We did it to your political mentor, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. We'll do it to you. You will be kept in a dark cell for years and years without trial, you will get thin from lack of food, your hair will grow long, and maybe we do some torture. You will be in our dungeon, and no one will know if you are dead or alive. All the complaining from the international community to follow won't stop us. It won't even scare us, because we will get away with it. We did with Lopez. We always do. This little thuggery demonstration from our highway goons is just your warning. Your one warning. The New York Times reports that from the bowels of socialist regime, sounding like a cackling coven, the regime says this: Iris Varela, the minister who oversees the prison service, posted a threat to the opposition leader on Twitter: "I have your cell ready, with your uniform. I hope you name your cabinet quickly so we know who is going with you." Can you see how foul this story is getting? Guaido's "crime" was to say he would be willing to lead the country if Maduro is pushed out. The latter ought to be pushed out, because he's in office based on a completely fraudulent election and an illegally executed inauguration in front of his handpicked judges instead of the legally mandated national legislature. The international community, starting with bigfoot Brazil, is recognizing Guaido as president. The U.S. is coming close to saying the same and says it wants a new government. Other countries, such as Paraguay, have cut off diplomatic ties. The Latin multinational bodies are blasting the detested Cuban-run regime. Venezuelan observer Pedro Burelli tweets that they're making mistakes. Burelli notes that it was Cubans who ordered the arrest Cubans run the Venezuelan secret service. Consejero de Seguridad Nacional de @realDonaldTrump el @AmbJohnBolton sabe lo que muchos Venezolanos intuye pero no tienen pruebas. Un grupo chiquito de Of. Generales de la FAN(B*) optaron por ejecutar ordenes de Cuba. Ademas de Christopher: @Ivanr_HD @CeballosIchaso Pillados. https://t.co/Cro224RjC4 Pedro Mario Burelli (@pburelli) January 14, 2019 Google Translate, with tweaks from me: National Security Counselor of @realDonaldTrump @AmbJohnBolton knows what many Venezuelans intuit but have no proof. A small group of Generals of the FAN (B*) opted to execute orders from Cuba. Besides Christopher: @Ivanr_HD @CeballosIchaso plundered. Burelli adds that they are impressive hypocrites in yelling about interference in another country's internal affairs as they hauled off the local Venezuelan politician in their white SUV the foreign goons likely had been claiming that Guaido of all people was an agent of foreign powers. INSOLITO | Cubanos arrestaron al Presidente Encargado de Venezuela y luego hablan de injerencia en los asuntos internos de otro pais. Que bolas tienen Uds. @RaulCastroR y @DiazCanelB. Me huele que estan cagados de la celebracion en el Malecon cuando caigan Nico, Cilia y Cia. https://t.co/XDVWctP0G1 Pedro Mario Burelli (@pburelli) January 14, 2019 Google translation with tweaks from me: Unusual | Cubans arrested the president in charge of Venezuela [Guaido] and then spoke of interference in the internal affairs of another country. What balls you have @RaulCastroR and @DiazCanelB. I can smell the celebration on the [Havana] Malecon when Nico [Maduro], Cilia [Flores] and Cia [some other Chavista ruling thug] fall. The Times reports that the Maduro regime now seems to be running scared. Jorge Rodriguez, the Venezuelan communications minister, called Mr. Guaido's arrest "arbitrary" and said it had not been ordered by the government. "We have learned that there has been an irregular situation where a group of officials, acting unilaterally, initiated an irregular procedure against congressman Juan Guaido," Mr. Rodriguez said, adding that the matter had been "solved." "Those officials who volunteered to install this 'show' are being dismissed and subjected to the most stringent disciplinary procedures," Mr. Rodriguez said. It's all baloney, something to throw off the mounting international pressure. If they aren't in control of things like this, what are they in control of? Who's giving the orders other than the Cubans? What it's starting to look like is the situation in Grenada in 1983, when President Reagan sent in troops to throw out a communist thug regime run by Cubans, which threw out an earlier communist thug regime. Yeah, it took military intervention to get that mess squared away, and the Russians were watching. What a coincidence. The Cubans now running things in Venezuela in apparent defiance of the Chavista communists as they are speaking now...are the same Cubans who created the hideous nightmare in Grenada. This is how they roll. This is how the people who harmed America's diplomats with sonic waves roll in Venezuela. The great Ronald Reagan had a name for them: "a brutal group of leftist thugs." These ruling Cubans not only act as succubi on the host country's resources, but also institute arbitrary arrests, torture, human rights violations of all kinds, as an entity unto themselves, no matter what the local communists say. The heat is on. And the time is approaching for a Reagan-like resolution of this dirty, dangerous game. Image credit from shareable Miami Herald video credited to photojournalist Horacio Siciliano (@HSiciliano). In the span of a few months in 2017, the nation where a popular, flagrantly gay-identified singer once had a hit whose title translated to "Sin doesn't exist below the equator" saw: Revulsion against excesses of public exhibitions of sexuality alone did not cause 55% of Brazil's people to vote for a new direction for their nation, but it was a contributing factor. Brazil's governing left seemed to get exclusive blame for these shows while they were challenged by local religious leaders and authorities, whose efforts were met with limited success. A performance called "La Bete" (whose French translation can mean "the stupid" or "the beast"), whose creator, a then 44-year-old dancer and choreographer named Wagner Schwartz, began by entering, fully nude, onstage at an internationally respected museum along the nation's upper Atlantic coast, accompanied by four fully clothed girls who appeared to be elementary school age. Another performance of the same play where Mr. Schwartz appeared at the Museum of Modern Art in the nation's largest city, Sao Paulo (again, completely naked), supine and motionless as a then 4-year-old girl (whose mother was in attendance) was brought onstage and guided by another woman to gingerly touch the man's extremities. (Source.) Both "La Bete" and "Queermuseu" were financed by the Rouanet Law, which offers tax incentives for companies that donate money to sponsor a variety of cultural events. It also means that the Brazilian taxpayers make a contribution, desired or not. That's why it's so satisfying to read of new Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro's quick efforts to make changes. After just ten days in office, he has eliminated the nation's ministry of culture as a standalone operation, merging it with two other ministries. He is also planning on taking a close look at the Rouanet Law, saying it "wastes resources." His team will face headwinds. The individual who will manage the new combined ministry does not have an arts background, and previously, the ministry had been dissolved yet was quickly reinstated by Mr. Bolsonaro's immediate predecessor. Then there will be also resistance from the nation's arts community, admittedly a talented and often accomplished group. As Smithsonian magazine reports: "It's very sad," Brazilian art dealer Pedro Mendes tells Henri Neuendorf of artnet News. "But he is doing exactly everything he claimed he would." It is not yet clear how federally funded cultural institutions will be affected by the changes to Brazil's culture ministry, but members of the artistic community are worried about the country's new direction. As Mendes, the art dealer, tells artnet, "It's a very dark time in Brazil." One wonders who in Brazil's "art-and-croissants crowd" cared about those whose definition of "dark days" included knowing that scores of pre-teen children were exposed to video of a sexual act limited scant decades ago to the musty confines of "adult movie" theaters, or seeing nursery school-aged girls touching the toes of a naked quadragenarian man. I must add a disclaimer: as a high school senior early this decade, my son tried out for an award from the National Endowment for the Arts in vocal music, and in spite of keen competition, he won an "honorable mention" with a cash prize. The amount wasn't much, but everything that could be applied toward his eventual six-figure-cost undergraduate degree from a respected private university was a blessing. I'm not averse to organizations with government ties providing educational assistance of this sort. Yet when taxpayer funds are involved in so-called "art" that can be a corrupting, innocence-destroying influence on children, I enthusiastically draw a line. More so did many Brazilians, who, in spite of their country's libertine reputation, dearly love their children and do not want their homeland to be a haven of child sexual exploitation, prostitution, and "sex tourism." Mr. Bolsonaro (who as many know already survived an assassination attempt last September) and his colleagues will need our prayers. I don't know how the ending will read for his administration and his nation, but on this front, it is a hopeful new chapter. Kurt Wayne is founder of Pornografia Destroi, online ministries fighting pornography, prostitution, trafficking, sexual abuse, and the hyper-sexualized culture in the nations of Angola, Brazil, and Portugal. What is also apparent is that as a prescription for change, the left still puts faith in the 53-year-old Saul Alinsky-inspired Cloward-Piven strategy. With the sudden rise of democratic socialist politicians like Bill de Blasio, who recently said , "Wealth is in the wrong hands," and hyperactive teen queen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who vows to eradicate poverty by punishing the wealthy, it is increasingly apparent that progressives are committed to "fundamentally transforming the United States of America." In the mid-1960s, the late Richard Cloward and wife, Canadian-born Frances Fox Piven, who, at 87 years old, is still stirring up trouble, were radical, anti-capitalist, democratic socialist professors teaching at Columbia University's School of Social Work. At the time, the couple came up with a tactic to strengthen the Democratic Party by putting the federal government in charge of wealth redistribution. In a 1966 piece in The Nation entitled "The Weight of the Poor: A Strategy to End Poverty" Cloward-Piven stressed that racial and economic disparities were formidable catalysts capable of ushering in radical change. The Cloward-Piven game plan was simple: overburden the welfare system with eligible poor people, precipitating a financial collapse that would necessitate a socialistic fix. In the piece, Cloward-Piven demonized the ruling class by claiming that the federal government uses welfare to undermine and foment rebellion in poor black communities. Sounding like the world's most famous community organizer, Barack Obama, who spent eight years tacitly whipping up domestic terrorists like Occupy Wall Street, Antifa, and Black Lives Matter, Cloward-Piven maintained that the underclass could advance only if "the rest of society is afraid of them." Enter black masks, billy clubs, bricks, and calculated chaos. At the time, Cloward's and Piven's hope was that "cadres of aggressive organizers" involved in "demonstrations to create a climate of militancy" would incite a breaking point that possessed the power to influence the federal government to "level the playing field" via every socialist utopian's desired goal of a "guaranteed annual income." Based on the rhetoric coming out of the mouths of America's current Marxist heroes, 53 years after the Cloward-Piven article ran in The Nation, the left remains committed to the idea of universal basic income as a solution to economic inequity. Cloward and Piven stand behind President Bill Clinton as he signs the 1993 Motor Voter Act, enabling automatic voter registration when getting driver's licenses without a mandatory citizenship check. (C-SPAN screen grab.) Then, in 1971, Saul Alinsky wrote in his primer for community organizers titled Rules for Radicals: When pressed to honor every word of every law and statute, every Judeo-Christian moral tenet, and every implicit promise of the liberal social contract, human agencies inevitably fall short. The system's failure to 'live up' to its rulebook can then be used to discredit it altogether, and to replace the capitalist 'rulebook' with a socialist one. Remember when Alinsky-trained community organizer Barack Obama applied Cloward-Piven/Alinsky concepts to the national economy? During his tenure, the former president even attempted to undermine the Second Amendment by flooding Mexico with illegal firearms. Then, like a street activist daring America to live up to its rulebook, Obama set his sights higher when he laid out a "welcome mat" for illegal aliens by encouraging them to head north. The former president spent years encouraging legally, ideologically, medically, and financially challenged individuals to discount America's immigration law. Barack's efforts successfully stressed the nation in a way that dead Richard Cloward and his still very much alive wife would heartily applaud. With that in mind, perhaps, open border apologists like de Blasio and Ocasio-Cortez should consider coauthoring a 2019 version of Cloward's and Piven's 1966 article and entitle the modern-day version "The Weight of Illegal Immigration: A Socialistic Strategy to Gain Control." In the interim, those committed to a nation without borders can continue to test America's collective conscience by stressing that turning away lawbreakers, intruders, outlaws, and terrorists is "not who we are as a [Judeo-Christian] nation" and that by doing so, we brand ourselves racist xenophobes. Not to mention progressive die-hards influencing Americans who cannot differentiate between legal and illegal immigration by claiming that U.S. "law and statutes" are historically hospitable to any immigrant. For the time being, as unrest percolates over an unwavering presidential demand for Democrats to fund and build a levee to hold back the human tide, radical politicians rebel by flexing states'-rights muscle and by offering sanctuary and free health care to illegals who economically resemble the welfare-eligible masses Cloward and Piven tried to stir into a frenzy in the 1960s. With pressure from caravans of illegals deluging the system, a Cloward-Piven "crisis" is already overburdening America's courts, which means that as the shutdown drags on, the Trump administration may be forced to resolve the issue with a socialist-friendly solution that involves amnesty and borders without walls. Meanwhile, as the onslaught of sickly, criminal, indigent, unruly individuals overrun America, godless leftists continue to mouth "Judeo-Christian moral tenets" and parrot '60s radicals whose goal was to indoctrinate a generation of publicly educated Americans with a sense of entitlement, who then, based on the false belief that getting without giving is a human right, would eventually assist undermining the future by accepting the unacceptable. And so, a half a century after Cloward-Piven proposed their plan and 48 years after Alinsky penned Rules for Radicals, the lyrics to the socialist song may have changed, but the Marxist melody remains the same. Therefore, if projections are accurate, and another northbound caravan is currently assembling in Honduras, and if Trump fails to secure funding for the border wall, the nation will be another step closer to the progressive "fundamental transformation" Obama, de Blasio, Sanders, and Ocasio-Cortez-mentors Cloward, Piven, and Saul Alinsky envisioned for America more than a half-century ago. Jeannie hosts a blog at www.jeannie-ology.com. My husband worked for Trump when he took over the Old Commodore Hotel on 42nd Street and transformed it into the Grand Hyatt. I recently watched that insane viral video of a Millennial snowflake losing his mind when a Trump-supporter walks into a store where he works. He shouts, "F your f president! He's a racist, stupid piece of s!" Always we hear that accusation hurled at Trump by anchors in the mainstream media and congressional Democrats. But has that ever been true? Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York (photo credit: Jhw57). He was then married to Ivana Trump, and for twelve years, my husband watched him completely salvage the dying Midtown area of Manhattan. Not only did he never see a hint of racism in the man, but he was convinced he was completely colorblind. He staffed the hotel with a majority of minority workers in all positions, from executive managers to housekeeping. My husband was raised in the Deep South and knows what a racist looks and acts like, and it ain't our president. In 1998 and 1999, Jesse Jackson was praising Trump for a lifetime of help to the black community. Trump had been involved with Jackson's Rainbow Coalition and was instrumental in opening Wall Street to it. Of course, Jesse Jackson has never been one to adhere to deep convictions. He was against abortion and redefining marriage before succumbing to the Democrat left wing. If, as critics allege, Trump is truly a Nazi, then why has he been heralded as Israel's biggest supporter? Why was he the only president to move our embassy to Jerusalem? Why didn't he object to his daughter's conversion to Judaism? It's so easy to hurl accusations of racism and Nazism because frankly, the brain-dead mobs are interested only in vandalism and mayhem and totally disinterested in truth. They also have no idea what racism and Nazism historically mean. What on Earth did Donald Trump do to deserve these unfair labels? Apparently, he told the truth about what was happening to the country he loves so much. The fact is that Trump has never been against immigrants or immigration just the abuse of our laws. It's amazing how the Dem politicians and media anchors keep a straight face every time they use the phrase "this country was built by immigrants" to condemn President Trump's war against illegals invading our borders. These anti-Trump demagogues absolutely refuse to use the word "illegal" instead use the euphemistic term "undocumented." Sorry, but this great country of ours was built by settlers and (legal) immigrants from all over the world who wanted to become citizens. Those massing at the border today are nothing but invaders seeking to take advantage of whatever benefits they can con out of misguided communities that have forgotten the obligation they have to Americans already here. Unless these journalists live in a bubble, they should have been watching the caravan currently heading toward the U.S. and noticing the flags of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras being waved by these migrants. Certainly, these are not individuals clamoring to become Americans. Rather, they look exactly like an invading army and I thank God we now have a president who knows exactly what they are, unlike his predecessor. President Obama allowed those claiming to be refugees from the Middle East and Central America to enter the United States, bypassing any security measures usually mandated by immigration laws. Janet Napolitano, the former Homeland Security secretary, did absolutely nothing to protect our country from illegals entering the country, unvaccinated, with many having criminal records. The devastation caused by the war in Syria created hordes of refugees fleeing their homeland to escape persecution by rebels and Syrian militants. It didn't take long for diminished diseases like measles, polio, mumps, chicken pox, and others to reappear. Unvaccinated immigrants were settled in our schools without the necessary medical documents, which were always required for entry to all schools. A recent DrudgeReport.com headline read, "Worst measles outbreak in decades sweeps New York as cases surge in Oregon, Washington and abroad." Measles is a very contagious disease and extremely dangerous for the very young, which is why proof of vaccination is required before entering our school systems. Forget that mandate when dealing with the hordes of "undocumented" now residing among us. As opioid deaths reach epidemic levels, why aren't the MSM pointing out that drug cartels have saturated our streets with their products thanks to illegals transporting them? The latest news of the "invasion" is that a new and larger caravan is set to leave for the United States next week, and about the only word to describe this is that it is a horse load of "chutzpah." What colossal nerve the leaders of the previous caravan had, trying to invade the U.S. by demanding $50K for each invader and, after payment, promising to turn back. Can you imagine these parasites doing it to Russia or China? I don't think so. If I were born in a country that everybody wanted to leave, I certainly wouldn't be waving a flag, claiming I was proud of it. Central American countries should be ashamed that their citizens can't wait to leave them. If this administration hasn't already stopped giving aid to these ungrateful, corrupt nations, it should cease doing so ASAP. The average American knows the truth, and it is this: the Democratic Party has no real love for this country or its national security. Democrats champion the cause of illegals for one reason only: voter fraud. If voter ID laws were passed in 50 states ensuring that only eligible citizens could vote, they'd never win a majority. As those Democrat politicians vacation in Puerto Rico on the taxpayer's dime while the government shutdown continues, this truth is undeniable. Now build that wall! Delia, age 13, called Rush Limbaugh's radio show seeking information for a school assignment. She had to debate whether or not it should be easier for immigrants to become U.S. citizens. Delia asked Rush his thoughts on the topic. In order to preserve this country, it ought to be a very specific task for somebody, not a citizen, to become one. If they come here via legal immigration, they do have to take a test. And those who endeavor to become citizens and pass the test, it's one of the most proud days of their lives. If you've ever been to a naturalization ceremony or ever seen one televised, it's one of the proudest days of their lives, to become, quote, unquote, an American. I can personally testify to the truth of this statement in Rush's answer: "it's one of the proudest days of their lives, to become, quote, unquote, an American." For years, I sang my original song, "Celebrate America," at monthly naturalization ceremonies in Maryland. Every ceremony had a thousand people or more applicants, families, and friends. I enjoyed watching the excitement of the audience from my seat with dignitaries on stage behind the podium. Citizenship ceremony in San Antonio, Texas (USAF photo by Diane Moffett). The vibe in the air was always electric. Applicants studied, passed the test, and jumped through all the hoops to become Americans. They were extremely excited. The attitudes of the immigrants I saw at naturalization ceremonies were far superior to those seeking to illegally invade our country. Illegal aliens disrespect our laws and the American people. They have no desire to embrace our culture, salute our flag, or learn English while exploiting our welfare system. Democrats and RINOs gift illegal aliens $135 billion annually in giveaways. The citizenship applicants I saw at naturalization ceremonies were a superior breed, with a desire to become a part of something great, lending their gifts, talents, and skills to contribute to America's greatness. I've shared before about the 90-something-year-old applicant in a wheelchair surrounded by his family at a naturalization ceremony. The elderly applicant wore a suit. His family were also in their Sunday best. Obviously, this was a major family event extremely important that he become an American before he died. When time came for the frail gentleman to say his Oath of Allegiance, family members on both sides lifted him from his wheelchair to his feet. A great grandchild held up the elderly gentleman's right hand as he pledged his oath with the rest of the applicants. Upon the applicants completing their Oath of Allegiance, the hall always exploded into enthusiastic cheers, tears, and applause. At that emotional moment, my accompaniment music would start. I joyfully sang my "Celebrate America," the first song heard by the extremely excited new official U.S. citizens. It was the proudest day of their lives. President Obama did everything in his power to undermine the special-ness of being and becoming an American. Obama undermined our heritage of self-reliance and rugged individualism. He wanted to addict as many Americans as possible to government dependency. This turned my stomach, folks. I wrote another song, "We Are Americans," to remind people who we are, of the dignity and pride of being an American. Obama sent out a clarion call to foreigners to enter America illegally, bypassing legal immigration. Many in our military paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy each day. Yet Obama ended the requirement for citizenship applicants to pledge their Oath of Allegiance. Pledging an oath to defend and protect their new homeland is what sealed the deal in the hearts of the citizenship applicants at naturalization ceremonies. I saw it on their faces as tears rolled down their cheeks. Obama thinks we are rude for believing that America is exceptional. He believes that American exceptionalism is no more exceptional than the exceptionalism of any other country. Upon winning the presidency in 2008, Obama launched his I-apologize-for-who-we-are tour. He apologized to nearly 3 billion people across Europe, the Muslim world, and the Americas. Obama said our country is flawed and asked forgiveness for our sins. For crying out loud, Obama's minions who control public schools banned the song "God Bless the USA/Proud to Be an American," claiming that it could "offend other cultures." Outrageously, U.S. citizen students were sent home from school for wearing garments with a U.S. flag to school on Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo. School administrators concluded that wearing our flag (in our country) on a Mexican holiday is "incendiary" and insensitive to illegal alien students. Courageously, President Trump addressed the nation to say, "Thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country, and thousands more lives will be lost if we do not act right now." Trump called the invasion of our border a "humanitarian crisis." As expected, Democrats and fake news attacked Trump, calling him racist. Thank God Trump remains strong, firm in placing America's best interest first. Our president needs your prayers and support, folks. Here's another fond memory from my days singing at naturalization ceremonies. Every naturalization ceremony began with the singing of our National Anthem. A trio of middle school students were scheduled to sing it. When they peeped through the stage curtain to see an audience of over a thousand people, the students became terrified. Upon being introduced by the emcee, the kids marched to the center stage microphone and began singing. Suddenly, they froze and stopped singing in the middle of the song. I quickly joined the kids at the microphone. I explained to the audience that the kids had never performed for such a large audience. But rather than run away in fear, they gave it a shot. That is how we do things here in America. The audience erupted with applause. They loved the kids. The audience, the kids, and I all sang our National Anthem together. It was awesome. Immigration officials sent me a letter thanking me for turning an embarrassing moment into a moment of inspiration. Performing my song, "Celebrate America," at citizenship naturalization ceremonies further opened my eyes to how blessed I was to be born an American. Democrats have deceived far too many of my fellow blacks into believing the lie that America is a hellhole of racism, where cops shoot blacks on sight and white America burns the midnight oil conceiving ways to keep blacks down. The truth is, America is the greatest land of opportunity on the planet for all who choose to go for it. The new Democrat-controlled House is fighting Trump tooth and nail to continue Obama's policy of bypassing legal immigration. Democrats Pelosi and Schumer are hell-bent on keeping our borders open to illegals, endangering Americans while throwing away the dignity and pride of becoming an American. Becoming an American truly is and should always remain extremely special. Lloyd Marcus, The Unhyphenated American. Help Lloyd spread the Truth http://LloydMarcus.com The biggest reason Democrats won't even partially fund the wall is their absolute certainty that given the money, the president will actually build the thing. The conservative consensus is that Democrats don't want to fund President Trump's wall because they hate him. Well, yes, Democrats do indeed hate President Trump, and yes, it's a deep-seated hatred, a visceral, soul-rotting hatred, but that's not the real reason they won't fund the wall. President Trump's not some out-of-the-loop politician who can be outmaneuvered by a Deep State whose embedded bureaucrats will tell him everything's going swimmingly while they sabotage the project with cost overruns and endless delays. No, the president will know how much it should and will cost, how long it should and will take, and how to overcome government roadblocks. This is his wheelhouse. He's done it his whole adult life. And, since the wall is his signature issue, his personal passion, President Trump's going to be all over the construction. That looming steel show-stopper will be blocking invaders in record time, under budget and ahead of schedule. Knowing that the wall will become a reality if the President gets the cash brings out the cheap-labor-express, wealthy power brokers like the Billionaires for Open Borders: Michael Bloomberg; Rupert Murdoch; other distinguished members of the Forbes 500; and, as Lou Dobbs often reminds us, the "globalists, the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, Koch brothers and Wall Street." But it's not just the Washington insiders who like cheap renewable labor. Retail giants like Target, Walmart, and others reap the benefits of illegal immigration. In fact, most industries get in on the deal. A 2012 study shows a breakdown of unauthorized alien workers: 22% in legal services, advertising, employment services, landscaping and waste management, dry cleaning, nail salons, car washes and religious organizations. 18% in the leisure and hospitality sector, lodging, food services, theme parks, transportation, and other tourism oriented products and services 16% in the construction industry 12% wholesale and retail trade So most of the corporate world has some interest in stopping a border wall. It's a top priority for many. These interests make for a powerful force, and they will not back down. The second reason Democrats will never fund the wall is their voter base not unions or teachers, but illegal aliens, who broke our laws, crashed our border, and now infringe on American's sacred right to elect their government by illegally casting votes. One glaring example was the 2016 presidential election, where Hillary Clinton "garnered more than 800,000 votes from non-citizens." How many of those illegal votes decided congressional or state races? Democrats continue to find creative ways for illegals to vote. There's ballot-harvesting, where a third party collects ballots from voters then drops them off at polling places. Once on the rolls, political campaigns have free license to go find that person, or even if they don't find him, just turn in a ballot in his name. Then there's the Motor-Voter debacle: a million illegal aliens in California have Driver's Licenses. California admitted that over 1,500 people were illegally registered under new automatic voter registration. California's not an anomaly. Twelve states and the District of Columbia have now enacted laws to allow illegal aliens to obtain a driver's license the gold standard for identification. So there's cheap labor and a growing Democrat base, but those issues were there when Democrats voted for previous "barriers," so what's the real problem? The deal-breaker is a missing out clause. As I said, construction is President Trump's wheelhouse, so the wall will go up quickly. No time to pull the legislation back or rewrite it, as they did with President Bush. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 into law after it was passed by huge bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate. The law ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to construct 700 miles of fencing along the southern border and authorized the addition of lights, cameras, and sensors to enhance security. The law explicitly required the wall to be constructed of "at least two layers of reinforced fencing." When Democrats took control of Congress a few months later, an amendment was added to the 2008 spending bill that gutted the law. So Democrats and open-border Republicans were able to avoid a politically unpopular vote against the wall, then quietly gut its construction. President Trump will not allow that recourse. Herein lies the real threat to the open-border gang: that the wall will be built and is a permanent fixture, not a fence drug dealers can build a ramp to roll over and deliver their poisonous drugs. It is not a fence easily scaled or easily dismantled by future Democrat presidents. No, the Trump wall will be steel, will be permanent. If a Democrat is elected POTUS at a future date, he will not be able to simply undo the wall and reopen the border. That's the non-negotiable piece: the fact that a steel wall is irreversible. No escape clause. Is the Trump wall impenetrable? No, even a steel wall can be breached. A Department of Homeland Security test of a steel slat prototype proved that it could be cut through with a saw, a "common tool". DHS Spokeswoman Katie Waldman responded: The steel bollard design is internally reinforced with materials that require time and multiple industrial tools to breach, thereby providing U.S. Border Patrol agents additional response time to affect a successful law enforcement resolution. In the event that one of the steel bollards becomes damaged, it is quick and cost-effective to repair. Rush Limbaugh said the conventional wisdom is that the president will declare a national emergency to build the wall, then reopen the government, making Schumer and Pelosi the winners on the government shutdown, the ones who held the line. I'm all in for the national emergency, but hopefully the President will then resume negotiations. At that point, the wall will no longer be a sticking point, so surely Democrats will fund drones, 750 U.S. Border Patrol agents, 2,000 new officers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more judges and attorneys to reduce the 650,000 immigration case backlog;" and new technology along the southern border". After all, Democrats advocate for many of these solutions instead of a wall, so why wouldn't they eagerly embrace these security measures once the wall's off the table? Or is their position going to be no border security of any kind? The standoff over the wall looks like a lose-lose, a Mexican standoff, but the president can be totally victorious in this battle. In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins. Ulysses S. Grant Stay strong, Mr. President, the American people are with you. Sure, they'll probably be replaced by a new crop of young, left-wing idealists at some point down the road, but like the generation of hippies before them who later ushered in Reagan-era conservatism, the modern SJW may simply wake up one day and realize that there are far scarier things in this world than President Trump. I don't have a crystal ball, but you don't need one to know that, ten or twenty years hence, President Trump will not be remembered as " literally Hitler ." The now-coming-of-age SJWs who quake in fear at night over Trump's rhetoric will get older and will eventually redirect their energies into more productive activities like a career and family. As for those twenty-somethings today who spend their afternoons in safe spaces provided by their college, or attending protests wearing full-body vagina suits, or pointlessly screaming at the sky, I wonder whether they will look back ten years from now and think, "Man, what I did back then was so brave" or will they come to the realization that they took part in what is, and hopefully always will be, America's most ridiculous moment? That's what anti-Trump hysteria is: our most ridiculous moment as a nation. These puppets at the end of the strings just don't know it yet. To pretend all of these theatrics are happening because Donald Trump is actually some right-wing radical should be laughable. Consider the facts. First, there's the border security issue. The hottest-selling snake oil peddled by Democrats is that Trump is a racist for wanting to take measures to strengthen border security and enforce federal laws. But until recently, nearly all Democrats advocated the same thing. Despite his executive orders to undermine federal immigration laws during his presidency, Barack Obama said in 2006 that "we cannot allow people to pour into the U.S. undetected, undocumented, and unchecked. Americans are right to demand better border security." It was reasonable then, as was Nancy Pelosi's and Chuck Schumer's support for a border "fence" in 2006, and no activists felt the urge to scream at the sky over it. But when Trump says the same thing, these SJWs lose their minds. They, you see, know far better than these victim groups they speak for just how dangerous Trump is, and how much minorities really fear this kind of rhetoric. But here are some fun facts when it comes to Trump's campaign and presidency. A greater percentage of the Hispanic, black, and Asian racial demographics voted for Trump than Mitt Romney, meaning that Trump is actually more attractive to minority voters than the more traditional Republicans who'd run before him. And where the data exist, they show that minority support is increasing with his presidency. Trump offered a better economy, fueled by reduced regulation and lower taxes, which would allow more individuals within all communities to thrive. Broadly, he offered a promise that he would seek to cauterize the massive influx of illegal alien trespassers who compete for wages in unskilled labor markets, who, additionally, take advantage of taxpayer-funded education, or social programs like welfare which are designed to uniquely benefit American citizens, not non-citizens. "What do you have to lose?" Trump asked the black community. He then won an 8% share of the black vote in 2016. That's not much, but it's about 33% higher than Mitt Romney enjoyed in 2012. Since, his approval rating among blacks has leapt higher. Perhaps due to a black unemployment rate that is lower than ever since it began being tracked by the Department of Labor in 1972, or due to support from Kanye West and rising conservative stars like Candace Owens, Trump now enjoys, as of two months ago, polling data showing support as high as 40% (Rasmussen). Some claim that that number is high, but does it matter? As Victor Davis Hanson writes in the Washington Post, even "20 percent African-American support for Mr. Trump would all but dismantle Democratic Party hopes for 2020." What about Hispanics? Don't they hate all his talk about enforcing immigration laws and his rhetoric about dangerous aliens who enter our country illegally? Media talking heads tell us so, but the data say otherwise. Twenty-nine percent of Latinos voted for Trump in 2016, two points more than Romney, and they, too, are warming up to President Trump. As of October, he enjoyed approval ratings of up to 41% versus "Barack Obama's 49% approval rating among the same demographic at roughly the same time in his presidency," laments Leon Krauze at Slate. But Muslims hate Trump for his proposed banning of immigration from Muslim countries with ties to terrorism, right? Well, he held this same position in the campaign, and nearly three times as many Muslims voted for Trump than Romney. Not to put too fine a point on this, but it wasn't Trump's being a right-wing radical that won him the election. It was lower-income, moderate Democrats who ultimately secured his presidency in 2016, not the wealthy or the right-wing fringe, as so many leftists believe. Consider this. Romney won 54% of the $100K-plus income demographic in 2012, while getting just 38% of the greater than $50K-earners. Trump, on the other hand, won only 47% of the $100K-plus-earners, but 41% of the greater than $50K-earners (hint: there are a lot more of the latter). Perhaps most importantly, his campaign rhetoric was attractive to Democrat voters in Blue Wall states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan because he campaigned on a desire to protect industry, via tariffs, in these highly unionized states (Trump won 4% more support from union members in 2016 than Romney in 2012 and perhaps even did better than Reagan in courting unions). Entitlement reform, it should be noted, was not on his to-do list. He was adamant that America needs more, not less, spending on infrastructure. These are traditionally Democrat positions, which he employed to win their votes. In other words, Trump was so balanced a candidate that he not only spoke to much of the traditionally Republican base, but caused a political defection from many moderate Democrats. And not only did he win a greater share of votes among the coveted minority demographics whom Democrats had believed to be perennial Democrat voters for decades to come, but his support among those demographics is increasing. With all of that in mind, it's understandable that young, crazily idealistic SJWs are frustrated by the fact that the rest of America doesn't tilt at their windmills. Their response is to childishly scream at the sky and crawl into their safe spaces, emerging occasionally to assert that Trump is a Nazi. When these young people look back at this moment, ten or twenty years from now, will they recognize how ridiculous all of that is? There's evidence that they've already begun to do so. Over the last two years, support for Democrats among Millennials has plunged by nearly ten points. Perhaps an Investor's Business Daily editorial sums up the reason for this best: [A] funny thing happened over the last two years. The millennial generation started growing up. Here's hoping they continue on that path. William Sullivan blogs at Political Palaver and can be followed on Twitter. Global Warming Crop Apocalypse Is Just Media Fear-Mongering Global warming alarmists and their media allies launched a new scare last week, claiming that global warming is causing crop failures and food shortages around the globe. In one of their biggest whoppers ever, the media are claiming that global warming has displaced "millions" of farmers in India and is causing or will soon cause similar devastation to farmers and crops in Bangladesh, Syria, and Honduras. Objective evidence, however, decimates the assertion and shows that crop yields continue to set annual records as growing seasons lengthen, frost events become less frequent, soil moisture improves, and more atmospheric carbon dioxide fertilizes crops and plant life. A January 10 Google News search for "global warming" listed near the top of its search results an article titled "How soon will climate change force you to move?" by an outlet called Fast Company. Among other sensationalist climate claims, the article makes the claims listed above about global warming, crop failures, and resulting forced migration. Fast Company, as it turns out, is trying to pull a fast one on you. It is true that waxing and waning food production has been one of the most powerful components in the rise and fall of civilizations. At Katowice, Poland, during the United Nations COP24 climate meetings in November 2018, Heartland Institute senior fellow Dennis Avery powerfully showed that throughout history, periods of increased crop yields have led to rising civilizations and expanding human populations. Conversely, periods of declining crop yields triggered the fall of civilizations and led to famine, death, and contracting human populations. Importantly, Avery showed that periods of global warmth stimulated the increased crop yields that led to expanding human populations. Periods of global cooling repressed crop yields and led to misery, death, and contracting human populations. The question is, has anything changed such that our modest present warming is causing declining crop production and resulting catastrophes? Let's first examine the claims regarding India. Fast Company claims that "drought in some areas has forced millions of farmers to move." For support, the article cites a Reuters article from July 2018 that interviews a failed farmer from India's Madhya Pradesh state claiming that global warming and poor rainfall caused his failure as a farmer and his relocation to metropolitan New Delhi. Poor rainfall "has caused repeated and widespread crop failures," Reuters claims. In summary, Fast Company cites another news organization's profile of a failed farmer to support its alarmist climate assertions. However, crop data from India eviscerate the claim that global warming, through drought or any other mechanism, is causing rampant crop failure in India. The Indian government reports that Indian farmers produced a record amount of food grains in 2017-2018, topping the previous record that was set in 2016-2017. "The year 2017-18 had, in fact, witnessed record production of all major crops like Rice (112.91 MT), wheat (99.70 MT), coarse cereals (46.99 MT) and pulses (25.23 MT)," the Times of India reported, citing official government data. Notably, favorable climate conditions and most importantly, abundant rainfall spurred the record crop production. "Backed by good monsoon rainfall last year, India had produced record 284.83 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2017-18 crop year," the Times of India observed. The 2017-18 Indian crop year merely continued a longstanding trend of record crop production as our planet modestly warms. The international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports that Indian farmers have successively set new records almost every year this decade. The Fast Company and Reuters articles are not outliers. Global warming activists in the establishment media are always looking to find and interview somebody who blames his own personal shortcomings and misfortune on global warming. But if you are a farmer in India, and you are a failure at your craft, you are the exception rather than the rule. The objective data show, without any room for debate, that crop production continues to improve and set records nearly every year as our modest global warming continues. Perhaps Fast Company's discredited claims about global warming, drought, and crop failures in India are an isolated error, and the article is correct about its claims regarding other countries and regions. Actually, no. According to agricultural economists at the World Bank, as reported by CEIC Data, Bangladesh enjoyed record crop production in 2016, the last year for which data are available. The 2016 record beat out the previous record year, 2014, and was preceded by the third highest production year, 2015. Do you see a pattern here? Crop production in Bangladesh is 33 percent higher than it was merely a decade ago. According to a World Bank report accompanying the 2016 data, "Bangladesh's rural economy, and specifically agriculture, have been powerful drivers of poverty reduction in Bangladesh since 2000." How about Honduras? The International Food Policy Research Institute, citing official government data, documents that in 2016 the most recent year for which there are data Honduras achieved record production for each of its three staple food crops. Honduran farmers produce record amounts of rice, wheat, and maize. The 2016 record beat the previous record, set in 2015. The next most productive crop year was 2014, followed by 2013. Moreover, Coffee Bureau Intelligence reports that coffee-drinkers and coffee farmers also have reason to rejoice as Honduran coffee production is believed to have set new records in 2018. "Since 2014-2015, Honduras coffee production has increased by more than 12% per year," Coffee Bureau Intelligence reports. Syrian crop production also defies alarmist claims. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization data show an approximately 50-percent increase in Syrian crop production since 1995. Moreover, the Arab Spring democracy uprisings in Syria and elsewhere, which climate alarmists blame on global warming, occurred in 2011, a year in which Syria produced its eighth highest crop yields in history. Fast Company cites four specific nations in support of its narrative that global warming is causing rampant crop failures, which in turn is causing mass migration. Objective data show, beyond dispute, that Fast Company's claims are flat-out wrong. But in today's agenda-driven media climate, don't expect Fast Company, other media outlets, or Google News to post any corrections to the false reporting. James Taylor (JTaylor@heartland.org) is senior fellow for environment and climate policy at The Heartland Institute. In the past year, I witnessed two frightening assaults on free speech by a kangaroo "justice" system. This wasn't in some banana republic, North Korea, or China; it was in Canada. These were gut-wrenching experiences for me. If Congress and more states pass anti-discrimination "equality" laws giving special protection to LGBTQ identities, "hate speech" prosecutions and compelled speech will surely follow. There can be no doubt of that, given the LGBT-driven lawsuits we have already seen against florists, bakers, and wedding photographers. The Civil Rights Commission of Colorado has tried to compel speech from Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop. We're seeing numerous battles over bathroom use and forced use of silly pronouns in our media, colleges, and public schools. The EEOC already interprets Title VII (employment) to protect employees from "sexual orientation" discrimination. So, we're already on that totalitarian road; Canada is just farther along. An Enemy of the Canadian State The victim of Canada's repressive "injustice" system is Bill Whatcott, a pro-family born-again Christian activist. He is about to have his life ruined by the courts in Canada (with fines, possible jail time, ruined employment prospects, social ostracism). But he will not bend to tyranny and is standing for free speech. Whatcott's two ongoing cases are discussed below. What terrible "hate crimes" did Whatcott commit? The Orwellian tyrants in Canada deem it criminal to speak the truth about transgender ideology and the health hazards of homosexuality. Furthermore, he speaks from the unwanted Christian viewpoint. Then he adds a dash of humor. And so he has become an Enemy of the State in Canada. Canada at First Prohibited Speech, Now Is Compelling Speech While there's no First Amendment in Canada, there is the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But the charter includes a huge loophole that LGBT proponents are exploiting in their battles against "discrimination." The "guaranteed" freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, press, assembly, and association are "subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." As long as one is not advocating genocide or violence, the defenses spelled out in the law should protect someone like Whatcott who simply has an unpopular view on P.C. subjects. But "reasonable limits" on the enumerated freedoms have been enacted to protect "identifiable groups" including persons described by their "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" from discrimination. This is where "hate" crimes come in. Canada has enforced prohibitions on speech for some time. Since 2003, one dared not speak critically of "sexual orientation." In 2013, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that earlier flyers by Whatcott (warning of homosexual health risks) amounted to prohibited "hate speech" especially his use of the word sodomite. George Orwell had something to say about such prohibited speech: Quite apart from the suppression of definitely heretical words, reduction of vocabulary was regarded as an end in itself, and no word that could be dispensed with was allowed to survive. Newspeak was designed not to extend but to diminish the range of thought, and this purpose was indirectly assisted by cutting the choice of words down to a minimum. 1984, Appendix, "The Principles of Newspeak" Even scarier, in the last two years, Canada has moved beyond prohibitions on speech. Compelled speech has now become law regarding "gender identity or expression," adding "transgender" protections to federal law in 2017 and British Columbia law in 2016. Pronouns and new names chosen by a trans person must be used, or one might face discrimination charges for "misgendering" and "deadnaming." (Professor Jordan Peterson famously warned against this outcome.) In the British Columbia case, Whatcott was instructed by the state to call a man a woman. Since he wouldn't comply, he will be fined or possibly even jailed. He is living out the 1984 thoughtcrime nightmare now: In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. ... Not merely the validity of experience, but the very existence of external reality was tacitly denied by their philosophy. The heresy of heresies was common sense. The sly progression from prohibited speech to compelled speech shows how incremental tyranny works. British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal vs. Whatcott The Canadian federal government leaves it to Provincial Human Rights Commissions to flesh out the new 2017 law protecting groups defined by their "gender identity or expression." Thus, the British Columbia case Oger v. Whatcott will be precedent-setting for the whole country. I attended this hearing in Vancouver from December 11 to 14, 2018. (See my report here.) I was surrounded by transgender activists and their allies, including reps from the B.C. attorney general's office, a radical pro-trans feminist group, and (ominously) the B.C. Federation of Teachers. The three-judge panel included a known leftist radical, a judge formerly on the discredited Hague war crimes tribunal, and an older fellow who had trouble obeying the tribunal's own rules on properly "gendering" the trans plaintiff. The judges clearly had no respect for the defendant or his supporters in the room. It was like a show trial out of Darkness at Noon. The B.C. Human Rights Commission has authority to police publications for discriminatory statements. In 2016, the Province added "gender identity or expression" to the "identifiable groups" protected from discrimination. So the transgender activist running for Parliament was able to go after Whatcott for a flyer he distributed during the 2017 election. The flyer did not advocate violence, nor was it hateful. Whatcott just pointed out that the candidate was a man and not the woman he claimed to be. All Whatcott advocated was, Don't vote for this guy who would continue to push his sexual radical agenda. (And the P.C. enforcers surely did not like the Bible quotes encouraging readers to repent and come to Jesus.) The flyer gave the B.C. attorney general (whose website celebrates the trans activist plaintiff) and the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal their chance to silence Whatcott. The tribunal was clearly in accord with the plaintiff before the hearing started, having instructed all participants to use "she, her, Ms." and his new female first name to address him. Whatcott refused to comply with the speech order and even wore a shirt with a photo of the very male-appearing plaintiff and caption: Mr. Oger [the plaintiff], no matter how you use the state to silence your critics, you are still a guy. On the back of his shirt was a Bible quote: Male and female he created them. Genesis 5:2. One of the judges commanded him he to remove his shirt or see higher fines (indicating that the judges' minds were already made up). The plaintiff's team argued that nothing critical may be said even during an election about a trans person's "identity." The trans candidate lives in a "safe zone" (that doesn't apply to other candidates). His feelings and identity as a woman supersede Whatcott's freedom of speech. The Tribunal could recommend fines of $100K or more against Whatcott as the case moves on to a B.C. court for a final ruling. If he is unable to pay the fine, jail time may be ordered. Ontario's $104-Million Criminal Case vs. Whatcott In June 2018, I traveled to Calgary, where I interviewed Whatcott just hours before he turned himself in on a national criminal warrant. He described the state of "justice" in Canada, the charges pending against him in Toronto, his motivations, and his history of activism. A handful of brave supporters rallied for him in front of the Calgary Police HQ that day. The prisoner was ill treated by Canadian authorities over the next few days. The Ontario case is frightening in its absurdity. Whatcott faces a claim of $104 million for the "hate crime" of passing out a flyer at the 2016 Toronto Pride parade. It included Bible quotes and information on diseases disproportionately seen in homosexual men. The plaintiffs, a homosexual activist and a former Liberal M.P., claim that the flyers promote hatred and were defamatory. They clearly didn't want to face the graphic photos showing the ravages of AIDS. Bear in mind that Whatcott worked for many years as a home-care nurse to many homosexuals who were dying of AIDS in the Toronto "gay" district. He saw the suffering caused by the lies these men were told. ("Just wear a condom, and you'll stay healthy.") His flyers told homosexuals the truth many do not want to hear about their particular health risks. Perhaps Whatcott's creativity also enraged the humorless homosexual activists. While the rest of the parade was made up of endless, boring rainbow colors, gyrating pelvises, and poorly proportioned naked bodies, Whatcott injected some humor. His group registered as the "Gay Zombies Cannabis Consumers' Association" and marched in bright green body suits. Toronto authorities had no problem with the naked marchers surrounding the "gay zombies." (Video here.) There was neither a "breach of the peace" nor "willful promotion of hatred" by Whatcott, as required for a hate crime charge under Canada's Criminal Code. Furthermore, the Code says truth is a defense against a charge of "promotion of hatred." But the pro-homosexual cabal would have none of that. They even enlisted the Ontario attorney general, who had to sign off on the hate crime charge. Whatcott's trial will be held some time in 2019. Pray for him! The Injustice System in Canada Coming to the U.S.? In Whatcott's review of the history of LGBT activism in Canada (see transcript and video), he explains that a major opening for LGBT activists was the subversion of Canada's Human Rights Commissions and Tribunals. At first, these agencies were limited to fair employment and housing cases for racial or religious minorities. Later, they got into the "hate speech" business and are now advocating punitive fines for transgressions against LGBT plaintiffs. The U.S. is sadly following this same route. Even with our First Amendment, we are seeing "human rights" commissions popping up all over, resulting in prosecutions. Locales, colleges, and school boards are enforcing P.C. speech codes. Ominously, the Equality Act which will embed special protections for "sexual orientation, gender identity or expression" in federal law hovers over the nation. It will surely pass the House and possibly the Senate, and Trump may well listen to his daughter and son-in-law and sign it. If our government is allowed to prohibit or compel speech on something as irrational and harmful as transgender ideology, it will condition citizens to accept almost any sort of censorship. You have been warned. Amy Contrada is with MassResistance and the author of Mitt Romney's Deception (2011). She has degrees from Tufts and Brown and a Diploma in violin-making. See AmyContrada.com for some of her writing. Image: Tyler Menezes via Flickr. Hospitality firm OYO Hotels and Rooms on Monday said it is planning a centre of excellence for training and capacity building in the city. The company has also made an offer to the West Bengal government to maintain a realtime data repository for 'Digital Arrival and Departure Register'. "We are looking to set up an OYO Centre of Excellence (OYO Skill Institute) towards the end of the year, as we continue to scale our business further in the state. The government has extended support with space," CEO, India and South Asia, Aditya Ghosh said here on the sidelines of CII Bengal Tourism Global Meet 2019. Also Read: OYO plans to add up to 500 Townhouse hotels across India The space for the training institute is likely to be in New Town area. At present, OYO trains about 3,500 people per month from 26 institutes globally, company officials said. It estimates a capacity of around 7,500 rooms in West Bengal. OYO manages a total of 4.5 lakh rooms across the world, including 1.64 lakh rooms in India, they said. About the digital data repository, Ghosh said it aims to provide realtime updates to state governments on arrivals and departures, making this a "more efficient and transparent" process as compared to the manual version. "At this point, we have seen acceptance from the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Telangana of our proposed digitisation of guess entry and departure records," an OYO official said. West Bengal Tourism Minister Gautam Deb said the state was developing tourist areas and circuits, and is seeking private investments. The state was also planning to come up with an app for tourists to give their feedback, besides other digital support. Read More: OYO appoints Max Healthcare's Rohit Kapoor as CEO of new real estate business Oyo to be the world's largest hotel chain by 2023, says founder Ritesh Agarwal Flip-flops on contentious issues in politics are commonplace -- a central part of the very fabric of our governing reality. Usually theyre done for vote-getting reasons in the heat of a contentious election campaign. But not this time. Nancy Pelosis and Chuck Schumers flip-flop against their previous call for increased border security was made strictly for reasons of political and personal hatred of the oppositions leader. Denying Trump a highly-visible win has certainly been the goal before, but almost never has it been as personal as it is this time. President George H. W. Bush Read my lips -- No new taxes. Spoken by candidate Bush when he received the Republican nomination for President at the national convention in 1988, this has become one of the most famous just kidding political lines from anyone in the last half-century. Although nominee Bush had every intention of adhering to his pledge, the complications of working with a Democratically-controlled Congress coupled with a national budget deficit led to President Bush agreeing to raise several existing taxes (technically not new taxes) as part of the 1990 budget negotiations. Still, the phrase Read my lips has become part of the national popular culture as a prototypical example of something someone will say just prior to doing the exact opposite. John Kerry I actually voted for it before I voted against it. In one of the greatest flip-flops in recent memory, the hapless John Kerry tied himself up in rhetorical knots trying to explain why hed just voted against an appropriations bill to fund the Iraq war in 2003. This was a flip-flop in service to the common desire to have it both ways and not disappoint the audience at hand. In classic Kerryesque fashion, he then further compounded his botched utterance by claiming it was an inarticulate moment late in the evening when I was dead tired. CNN initial report had him on the air making the statement at 1:20 p.m. Early afternoon. President Barack Obama If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. In a 2009 address to the American Medical Association (AMA) intended to convince the medical community that his plan for overhauling the countrys healthcare system -- Obamacare -- would not result in wholesale confusion and upheaval, President Obama sought to reassure skeptics that for people satisfied with their current situation, nothing would change. It was a blatant falsehood of course, one that the minute-detail-obsessed Obama incontrovertibly knew about beforehand but felt no compunction about saying anyway. These fall into the most common category of flip-flops: Things that politicians say at the moment for straightforward reasons of political expediency. They simply say things they know arent true or make a lame excuse to fall into line with the now-preferred position of their constituency or they make promises they know they have no intention of keeping, all just to curry favor with the electorate and win a few extra votes. This happens all the time and it is not surprising or unexpected in the slightest. But Nancy Pelosis and Chuck Schumers current objection to building a wall on the Mexican border falls into a far less often seen category -- taking a position that contradicts a previous publicly-stated position strictly for reasons of unhinged, frantic hatred of the opposition. They hate President Trump so much (and are confident that their hatred accurately reflects virtually 100% of their caucus) that they are willing to contradict a previously-held and very visible, verifiable position -- one that a very significant number of their constituents, in the deepest privacy of their own thoughts, likely agree with -- simply for the gut-level emotional reason of denying President Trump a win. Their hypocrisy is so staggering as to be laughable in its indefensibility. Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Obama, and many other very high-profile Democrats rest quite comfortably in their walled-off residential properties, secure from unauthorized ingress into their personal spaces. Walls certainly work quite well as national security measures on a larger scale as well: Israel uses them to stunningly good effect. In the areas of the U.S. where they been constructed, walls have proven to be extraordinarily efficient and impressive at doing their intended job: Even ultra-liberal NPR had to admit that there was a 90% reduction in San Diego once the wall was constructed. Pelosis and Schumers no wall position contravenes the opinion of security experts as well. Many widely-respected security professionals have opined on the efficacy of physical barriers to prevent unauthorized entry. Mark Morgan -- chief of U.S. Border Patrol during Barack Obamas presidency -- said that walls absolutely work. Arizona Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot said a border wall there combined with an increase in manpower led to a 96 percent increase in apprehensions and a 91 percent reduction in criminal activity. Their views are representative of the security community as a whole. This is not about cost, either. The previous wall-building measure that Pelosi and Schumer agreed to a few years ago was part of a $24 billion border security package. The amount of money the Democrats unfroze for Irans benefit was over five times that. Spending has hardly been an impediment to Democratic Party actions at any time in recent memory. The $5.7 billion that President Trump is asking for here is not the issue. For Democrats, $5.7 billion is a rounding error. This is about political animus, pure and simple. Theirs is not a flip-flop brought about by the desire to glom a few extra votes, as is usually the case. Pelosi and Schumer are securely in office. They arent looking for votes. Theyre looking to embarrass the President and deny him a high-profile win. This flip is strictly about hate. Democratic leadership is making a completely thought-out, quite intentional calculation that the deep-down feeling for the need for effective border security held by most Americans (even if never publicly admitted by Progressives) is subordinate to the gut-level satisfaction waiting to be derived by the hard-core haters from a very visible defeat of one of President Trumps most vociferous campaign pledges. Reform of Louisianas complicated tax code was a major goal of the current fiscal session, but it appears the plan has fallen short of what could have been accomplished. Legislative leaders will disagree with that conclusion, so lets see where we are as the session comes to a close at 6 p.m Meteorologists with the National Weather Service continue to monitor the tropical disturbance developing in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. While the system is still very disorganized, it does have the potential to become a named tropical storm later in this week, meteorologist Donald Jones said. NEW YORK (AP) The Associated Press said Tuesday it will no longer run the names of people charged with minor crimes, out of concern that such stories can have a long, damaging afterlife on the internet that can make it hard for individuals to move on with their lives. About the show A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT Maija Liuhto Maija Liuhto is a Finnish journalist currently based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Her work has appeared in publications such as the Atlantic, Foreign Polic... more y and Al Jazeera English. Scuffles broke out as Israeli policeman attempted to enter Dome of the Rock without taking off his kippah. Al-Aqsas Dome of the Rock Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem has been reopened to Muslim worshippers following an hours-long siege by Israeli police, according to one of the Palestinian guards of the holy compound. Shortly after the mosque was reopened, five Palestinians including three mosque guards were arrested by Israeli police as they left the area, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent based in the area. Earlier on Monday, Israeli police had imposed a siege on the Dome of the Rock, located in the Old Citys Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, sparking tensions between police and Palestinian worshippers. According to Firas al-Dibs, a spokesman for Jerusalems Religious Endowments Authority, the incident began earlier on Monday when Palestinian guards shut the mosque after an Israeli policeman tried to enter the site without permission. The guards asked the policeman to take off his [Jewish Kippah] cap before entering the mosque, but he refused and attempted to force his way into the place, prompting the guards to close it, Dibs said. Dibs said the Israeli police carry out routine security checks every morning. However, since the officer refused to remove his kippah, the guards grew suspicious that he was going to perform Jewish prayer inside the mosque. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site during certain hours but are not allowed to pray at the site. Worshippers then scuffled with police as the Israeli police arrived and waited outside the mosque to arrest the Palestinian guards. Hundreds of Palestinians had converged at the Dome of the Rock for noon prayer, Wafa news agency reported. During the scuffle, Israeli police physically assaulted Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, director of the Al Aqsa Mosque, Dibs said. He has been transferred to a hospital for treatment. Israeli police could not immediately be reached for comment. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is the third holiest site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina while Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount. Palestinians have long feared that Israel plans to take over the site so it can build the Third Temple, allegations denied by the Israeli government, which says it has no plans to change the status quo. Since Temple activists have admitted that praying at the compound is the first step in achieving their goal of building the Third Temple in the Noble Sanctuary, Palestinians remain concerned about Jewish visitors to the compound, many of whom attempt to pray. French presidents letter to the public criticised for ruling out discussion of reforms such as the wealth tax scrap. A day before French President Emmanuel Macron is due to kick off a promised grand national debate, the government and opposition are quarrelling over its content. In a 2,300-word letter addressed to the French public published late on Sunday, Macron wrote that the public consultation will discuss the nations essential questions in order to quell the yellow vest protest movement that has been taking place since mid-December. For me, there are no forbidden questions, Macron wrote, but warned that the government will not go back on the measures taken to lower taxes and encourage investment. Responding to Macrons letter, the leading radical-left candidate for this years European elections has accused Macron of wanting to rule out the questions that are uncomfortable. Macron wanted to take questions such as restoring a wealth tax partly abolished last year off the agenda, Manon Aubry of the La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party told broadcaster BFMTV on Monday. The right-wing and far-right opposition also criticised Macrons debate plans. The centrist, pro-business president was due to officially launch the debate on Tuesday in a meeting with mayors from across the northern Normandy region. The consultation process, to be held from January 15 to March 15, is the latest step in Macrons attempts to placate the yellow vest protesters. It was announced in mid-December along with a package of tax and spending measures aimed mainly at lower-paid workers and pensioners. So far his concessions appear to have had limited impact, with tens of thousands of protesters many wearing the bright yellow safety vests that have become the movements symbol again taking to the streets in Paris and other cities on Saturday. President of the rich The largely leaderless movement, initially launched to oppose planned fuel tax hikes, has broadened its demands to issues to do with the cost of living and more direct forms of democracy since the fuel tax hikes were scrapped by the government. Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure also called on Twitter for a referendum on the reinstatement of the wealth tax, replaced in Macrons first budget by a tax only on real estate wealth. The tax change was a Macron campaign promise aimed at increasing investment by the wealthy but it has made it harder for him to shake off accusations from the left that he is the president of the rich. Al Jazeeras Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said that the protesters feel they dont have enough of a say in the way France is run. They feel that their government is part of this metropolitan elite that is out of touch with their concerns, Butler said. There are many protesters who say this is nothing more than a PR exercise because they say the letter doesnt detail how this information is going to be collated and how it is going to be used. Many people are wondering what the point is, since Macron has made it clear he wont discuss old reforms such as changing the speed limit and scrapping the wealth tax, Butler explained. Those are very controversial and unpopular reforms with many of the yellow vest protesters. For them, they are saying that this debate is already off to a bad start, Butler said. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire defended the governments position on Monday, insisting that France was well behind in innovation and the digital economy, and needed to encourage investment. The governments approach of reducing taxation on capital wealth was not in order to give presents to anyone, but to allow us to relaunch innovation in our country and to succeed in the economic war we are currently facing, Le Maire argued. Le Maire said the key question to be answered in the debate was: What public spending are you prepared to cut down so that we can reduce your taxes? Our taxes are too heavy and too numerous, Le Maire said in a New Years speech to the press. Zimbabwe fuel hike sparks national shutdown The economic situation in Zimbabwe is getting worse, as Trade Unions and protesters call for a three-day strike. Indonesia doubles disaster relief budget, but many say more efforts are needed to tackle challenges posed by disasters. Medan, Indonesia When a fatal tsunami last month battered the coastlines of the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra during a long holiday weekend days before Christmas, many on the shore could do little more than try to flee the surging waves on foot. What struck me was how exposed people were, Rosemarie North, Asia Pacific communications manager at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), told Al Jazeera. They live close to the sea along the coastline, which no doubt had been a beautiful and relaxing place for locals and tourists alike. When the tsunami came, they ran, if they could. North visited Javas Banten province as part of the IFRCs response to the humanitarian crisis caused by metres-high waves smashing into coastal settlements and popular resorts along Indonesias Sunda Strait on the evening of December 22. The tsunami is thought to have been caused by an eruption and subsequent landslide of the nearby volcanic island of Anak Krakatoa. 181228091331076 The wall of water that surged towards the shore killed more than 430 people and displaced some 30,000 others. It was one of the most destructive disasters to hit Indonesia in 2018 but it was hardly the first, or the worst, of its kind. Just last year, 2,564 disasters killed thousands of people and displaced more than 10 million others across the country, a vast archipelago that sits of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides and widespread flooding. In 2010, Indonesia had 84 active fault lines. But in 2017, a team of geologists found 295 active fault lines in the region, Medi Herlianto, director of emergency facilities at Indonesias Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), told Al Jazeera. Government response Responding to one of the deadliest years on record, the Indonesian government announced in early January that it is doubling its disaster relief budget for 2019 to 15 trillion rupiahs ($1.06bn). Nufransa Wira Sakti, a spokesperson for the finance ministry, said that five trillion rupiahs would be used for post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation, with another 10 trillion rupiahs earmarked for pre-disaster response. 181226141337627 The move was welcomed by some as a positive step, but others warned that more is needed to address the root cause of many of the problems faced by the country in dealing with an ongoing spate of natural disasters. We need to mitigate disasters, not just respond to them once they have happened, said Herlianto. For every $1 we invest on disaster mitigation, we need to spend around $40 on response. As such, he said, it would be much cheaper and safer for Indonesia to implement infrastructure such as early warning systems and evacuation plans, rather than just distributing aid once a disaster has devastated a local community. North agreed. The government put an early warning system in place after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, covering tsunami, flood, high tides, typhoon, and other hazards, she said, referring to one of modern historys worst natural disasters that killed more than 220,000 people, the vast majority of whom were in Indonesia. The system still needs significant improvement this has been recently highlighted by the president of Indonesia given the fact that the installed equipment is not proportional to a large number of critical points that need to be monitored in the country. Last week, at the first cabinet meeting for 2019, Indonesian President Joko Widodo addressed concerns about the countrys ability to respond to a crisis. Given our disaster-prone geographic conditions, we must be prepared, responsive, alert and resilient in facing any natural disaster, he said. For Herlianto, a major issue is responsibility for disaster management at a district and city level lies with local authorities and not with the central government. He said that 480 districts and cities around Indonesia have a local disaster management agency, but only 10 of these have a comprehensive disaster management plan in place, adding that BNPB has been providing training nationwide but local disaster management agencies often fail to implement disaster preparedness plans properly. Impact on tourism There are also concerns that if Indonesia cannot demonstrate a comprehensive response to disasters, its vital tourism sector could take a hit. 181225022158260 In recent years, the government has rolled out its 10 New Balis scheme in an attempt to boost tourist numbers by encouraging visitors to venture to other parts of the country other than the popular resort island. Stuart McDonald, cofounder of Travelfish.org, an independent travel guide to Southeast Asia, argued that there is an essential paradox between Indonesias tourism marketing and its disaster response. Indonesia uses its volcano-dotted position on the Ring of Fire heavily in its tourism promotions. But when it comes to doing the hard yards investing in safety to make these activities actually relatively safe, for both domestic and foreign tourists, Indonesia is found badly wanting, he told Al Jazeera. It seems nobody has as much practice at responding to disasters as Indonesia, which makes the sometimes haphazard response all the more frustrating. Often post-disaster changes which could reduce the chance of future issues are not followed through. Indonesia has introduced in recent years the 10 New Balis scheme in a bid to boost tourist numbers [File: Firdia Lisnawati/AP] Financial and emotional toll Against all this, local residents continue to live in fear. We cant think about the future, Andi Karim, a 32-year-old resident of Rajabasa village in Sumatra who saw his house partially destroyed when the tsunami hit, told Al Jazeera. 181229081508335 Weve no money and were traumatised. And were scared to be here on the coast at night. In the dark, we cant see if another wave is coming. He is not alone in feeling this way. During her time in Banten, North visited a local mosque on a hillside in Kampung Sirih which was being used as a shelter for around 300 tsunami-hit women and children, many of whom had experienced natural disasters before. I met a woman whod had to take off about four years ago too, when a twister came through the coast and destroyed her shop. She and her three children are safe again this year, but the experience left her quite nervous, said North. She had a sense another disaster would befall her. 7th Pay Commission : In December, as an early New Year bonanza to government employees, the Modi government had decided to tweak the New Pension Scheme (NPS) - also known as National Pension Scheme - to not only hike up the Centre's contribution to the corpus but also introduce tax exemptions. However, the decision had not been formally announced keeping in mind ongoing state polls at the time. The buzz is that the government could now issue the notification announcing the new features as early as next week. "The government has not changed the name of the pension scheme and has still kept its name as the new pension scheme. However, some improvements have been made in the scheme," Indian Public Service Employees Federation president VP Mishra told Zee Business Online. Also Read: 7th Pay Commission: Why next cabinet meeting matters greatly for central govt employees Some of these changes are in line with the 7th Pay Commissions recommendations. For instance, last month, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the commission had recommended the constitution of a committee of secretaries to examine NPS rules for government employees. The government had subsequently held an inter-ministerial consultation after the panel of secretaries handed in their recommendations. The pay commission had also recommended that withdrawals under the NPS should be tax-exempt to place NPS at par with other pension schemes. Here's a look at the key changes in the offing: The government will increase its contribution to employee pension to 14% of basic salary, from 10% currently. Previously, employees contributed 10% of their basic salary to the NPS, with the central government contributing a matching amount. Although the revamped scheme keeps the employees' contribution intact, the increased government contribution will significantly raise the corpus built by their retirement at 60 years. The individual contributions, which will continue to be capped at 10% of the basic salary, will be exempt from taxable income under Section 80 C of Income Tax Act. Under the 2004 scheme, employees' contribution could not be used for tax exemptions. Another significant change reportedly applies to what employees do with the corpus at the time of retirement. Current rules prevent an employee from withdrawing more than 40% of the accumulated fund. The remaining 60% is converted to annuity, which pays for the employee's monthly pension. But under the revamped scheme, employees will be able to withdraw 60% of the fund accumulated at the time of retirement. According to Mishra, as per the information from the government, employees will get over 50% of the last drawn salary as pension under the new pension scheme after retirement. However, sources previously told PTI that this would happen only if the employee decides not to commute any portion of the accumulated fund in NPS at the time of retirement and transfers 100% to the annuity scheme. According to the Indian Public Service Employees Federation, the government has promised to issue the official notification by next week. If the Centre fails to deliver on this promise by end-January, the body reportedly said that employees will kick-off a pan-India agitation. With PTI inputs Also Read: 7th Pay Commission: Dearness Allowance bonanza for government employees Threat by Trump draws response from Ankara telling Washington not to conflate Syrian Kurds with terrorist groups. US President Donald Trump has threatened to devastate Turkeys economy if it carries out a military offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria, drawing a response from Ankara which warned Washington against shadowing the countrys strategic partnership with terrorist propaganda. Trumps threat on Sunday came amid tensions between the United States and Turkey over the fate of Washingtons Syrian Kurdish allies in the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, ISIS) following his announcement last month that he plans to withdraw US forces from Syria. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions, Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to ISIL. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds, he added, while pushing for the creation of a 30km safe zone. Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Trump did not detail who would create, enforce or pay for the safe zone, or where it would be located. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 .Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 Ankara has long condemned Washington for its military relationship with the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), its main ally in the war against ISIL in Syria for several years. It considers the YPG and its political wing, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), to be terrorist groups with ties to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey. It is a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK, which is on the US terrorists list, and its Syria branch PYD/YPG, Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish presidential spokesperson said on Twitter in response to Trumps threat. Turkey fights against terrorists, not Kurds. We will protect Kurds and other Syrians against all terrorist threats. Meanwhile, Turkeys foreign minister said nothing could be achieved by threatening Ankara economically and strategic partners should not communicate over social media. Speaking in Ankara on Monday, Mevlut Cavusoglu also said that Trumps latest tweets on Syria were related to domestic politics. The US withdrawal has begun with shipments of military equipment, according to US defence officials. But in coming weeks, the contingent of about 2,000 troops is expected to depart even as the White House says it will keep pressure on the ISIL network. Multiple operations including US-backed assaults have removed ISIL fighters from most of the swaths of Syria and Iraq which they captured in 2014. But Trumps announcement in December raised fears of a long-threatened Turkish assault against the Kurdish fighters. Ankara, which views the fighters a danger to its southern border, has reacted angrily to suggestions that Trumps plan to withdraw troops was conditional on the safety of the US-backed Kurdish forces. If the [pullout] is put off with ridiculous excuses like Turks are massacring Kurds, which do not reflect the reality, we will implement this decision, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, adding that the fight against the YPG does not depend on anybodys permission. Economic malaise that sparked the revolution continues on the anniversary of the 2011 Arab Springs beginning. Tunisia is often touted as the Arab Springs only success story and for good reason. Since 2011, the North African country has held free and fair elections on more than one occasion, seen incumbents peacefully step down, and in a first for the region pushed forward legislation to grant women equal inheritance rights. But eight years after street protests forced Tunisias long-time authoritarian ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down, the economic malaise that prompted the popular uprising has anything but subsided, particularly in the historically marginalised southern and central regions. What can be described as a dramatic transformation at the political level has not translated into economic and social gains for the majority, said Larbi Sadiki, a professor of political science at Qatar University. The shift from popular uprising to institutional politics has not been smooth and has benefited the few, various cliques, often at the expense of the immediate interests of citizens throughout Tunisias various regions. 180117123750140 The scale of the regional imbalance in economic resources was evident in Ben Alis final budget prior to his January 2011 overthrow, which allocated a mere 18 percent of state funds to the countrys inner regions. The rest, 82 percent, went to the coastal towns. In fact, such has been the traditional disparity between the industrialised coast and the north, and the rural southern and central areas that its easing was enshrined in Tunisias post-revolution constitution, which envisioned devolving some powers and economic resources to the neglected regions. But the persisting inequality, coupled with rampant unemployment (estimated at more than 15 percent), and anger at the failure of successive governments, has repeatedly led many Tunisians in recent years to take their grievances to the streets. Most recently, the apparent self-immolation of an underemployed photojournalist in the central city of Kasserine brought once again the countrys wide economic imbalance and the authorities response to it into sharp focus. I am going to set myself on fire, 32-year-old Abderrazak Zorgui can be heard saying in a video shared on Facebook prior to his death last month. The government needs to take an interest in whats happening in Kasserine Are we not human in Kasserine? Like Mohamed Bouazizi, the young fruit vendor from the impoverished city of Sidi Bouzid who set himself on fire and triggered what later came to be known as the Jasmine Revolution, Zorgui hailed from a town that seemed to be neglected by the central authorities. And while Zorguis brother has maintained the journalist was only trying to rally support for his cause, and that a gang of youth actually set him on fire against his will, acts of self-immolation have nevertheless witnessed a threefold increase in the period between 2011 and 2016. No easy fixes Sarah Yerkes, a fellow at Carnegies Middle East programme, said the government has sought to implement policies aimed at reversing the imbalance. One of the pillars of the 2014 constitution is the concept of positive discrimination, which prioritises the traditionally disadvantaged regions, Yerkes said. The problem is that the decentralisation process that will actually implement the policy of positive discrimination has been delayed multiple times. Tunisian police officers patrol after clashes in the streets of Kasserine [Mohamed Ben Salah/AP] In May last year, after several postponements caused by a number of logistical and political hurdles, Tunisians finally headed to the polls to vote in the first free municipal elections since Ben Alis January 2011 overthrow. 180416155940797 Yerkes said local officials still lack the funds and adequate human resources to carry out the projects and policies that will help bring the marginalised areas on par with the coast. Many question the feasibility of decentralisation, at least in the current challenging economic context, with international lenders pressuring Prime Minister Youssef Chahed to push ahead with unpopular reforms that include letting go of lossmaking state companies and cutting the public sector wage bill, which accounts for roughly half the national budget. In an effort to boost the comepetitiveness of its exports and in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) authorities have allowed the Tunisian dinar to depreciate. But that policy hasnt been without consequence. As a result, those most vulnerable have been forced to accept exorbitant hikes in the price of basic commodities as the country turns to foreign markets to meet food shortages. Tunisias import bill for the first eight months hit a record $13.9bn a 20 percent increase compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, the powerful UGTT labour union threatened to stage a nationwide strike on Thursday if its demands for higher wages for public sector workers are not met, putting Chahed in a difficult position. The prime ministers problems, however, dont stop there. Rooting out corruption An agricultural engineer by training, Chahed is at the heart of an ongoing dispute between President Beji Caid Essebsis Nidaa Tounes and the Muslim democratic Ennahdha Party. The melee has already led to the end of the two parties partnership, which formed the nucleus of the national unity government. The 43-year-old prime minister drew the ire of Essebsi, 92, after launching a crackdown on corruption that implicated prominent business people and officials from the Ben Ali era, an important component of the nonagenarians support base. The implications of the divorce are not quite clear. Some analysts suggest it will lead to further fragmentation and polarisation of Tunisias political scene. Others, more optimistic about the democratisation process, say the split is long overdue and allows parties to focus less on the politics of consensus and more on coming up with ideas and initiatives of their own. Still, observers say tackling corruption remains a top priority. 181202090020299 On January 4, Transparency International denounced a request by the Tunisian foreign ministry to unfreeze the assets of Mohammed Marouen Mabrouk, a businessman and son-in-law of Ben Ali. Youssef Belgacem, senior project manager at I Watch, Transparency Internationals chapter in Tunisia, said the request was made under instruction from Prime Minister Chahed. With Mr Chahed seeking to launch a new political party one year before the elections in Tunisia, this request to unfreeze Mabrouks assets out of nearly 50 sanctioned individuals strongly suggests some kind of deal has been struck, said Belgacem. The government has already passed legislation aimed at rehabilitating members of the pre-revolution establishment. Chahed is leading a crackdown on corruption with international backing [Hassene Dridi/AP] One of President Essebsis first and few projects in 2015 was an administrative reconciliation law that grants amnesty to former Ben Ali officials. Although watered down from its initial version, the legislation ignited controversy. This law is in essence part of the counter-revolutionary assault that Tunisians, as well as those in several other Arab countries, are struggling against, said Noha Aboueldahab, a visiting fellow at Brookings Doha Center. Sihem Ben Sedrine, the president of the Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD by its French acronym), a body set up in 2014 and charged with investigating crimes committed under president Habib Bourguiba (1957-1987) and Ben Ali (1987-1989) deplored a lack of cooperation on the part of Tunisias new kingmakers. In March, the IVD, whose work includes recommending policies to strengthen state institutions and prevent corruption, saw its request to extend its mandate by another six months rejected by parliament. Ben Sedrine contended that seeking approval from Tunisias popular assembly was not mandatory but merely a ceremonial procedure, prompting a debate over whether the legislature had any authority over the commission. The issue couldve been resolved swiftly with the intervention of the constitutional court, the establishment of which was supposed to take place no later than a year after the October 2014 parliamentary elections. But more than four years since the date of its creation, none of the 12 judges has been appointed. Most were quick to label Tunisias transition as smooth, a beacon of hope, or even a model for others in the region to follow, Aboueldahab said. Such overly optimistic accounts have overlooked the gravity of continued socioeconomic injustice in Tunisia. The British prime minister faces crunch parliamentary vote on her governments deal to leave the EU on Tuesday. British Prime Minister Theresa May has warned MPs if they reject her deal to leave the European Union, they risk either leaving without a deal or not leaving at all. British parliamentarians are set to vote on the governments deal on Tuesday, after an earlier attempt to gain approval in December was postponed because it faced almost certain defeat. The Conservative leader has so far failed to placate opposing factions within the United Kingdom Parliament and her own party. Hardline MPs want a complete break with the EU, or a hard Brexit, while others want either another referendum or a soft break with the EU that maintains key economic and policy structures, such as the common Customs Union and the Single Market. Speaking at a factory in the northern city of Stoke-on-Trent on Monday, May said she was looking to close the debate on Brexit. What is important is that we deliver on the result of the referendum, the prime minister said, arguing any attempt to stay in the bloc would be a betrayal of the British electorate. Struggle for votes May said all other alternatives to her deal were either unworkable or would not deliver on the results of the 2016 referendum. Her minority government has struggled to garner enough votes to pass the deal, with the main source of disagreement within her own party being the fate of Northern Irelands border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state. Mays deal includes a temporary backstop arrangement on the island of Ireland, which allows the free movement of people, goods, and services between the north and south, thereby avoiding the need for a hard border. Unionists in the north worry the deal would leave the area more beholden to EU rules than British, while Conservative MPs say such an arrangement will force the UK to continue abiding by EU rules. Tuesdays vote, which May is likely to lose despite her assurances that she convinced more Conservative MPs of her standpoint, is the culmination of two years of negotiations with the EU and political wrangling within the UK. Mays predecessor, David Cameron, had resigned in the aftermath of the referendum result and subsequent election, which May hoped would ensure a greater mandate to deliver her Brexit deal, saw her lose her parliamentary majority. The British prime minister has since seen regular resignations of Brexiteers and Remainers within her cabinet. Jake Patterson is charged with homicide and the kidnapping of 13-year-old Jayme Closs who was found alive last week. A Wisconsin man admitted that he kidnapped a 13-year-old girl he picked out at random after seeing her board a school bus and held her hostage for three months after killing her parents in their home, prosecutors said in court papers on Monday. Prosecutors described a brutal ordeal in which Jake Patterson, 21, said he shot Jayme Closss father and then killed her mother after ordering her to duct-tape the teens mouth shut. Patterson is expected to appear in the Barron County Circuit Court on Monday to face charges including two counts of intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and armed burglary. The harrowing account came just days after Closs ended her 88-day captivity by escaping the rural home where, according to authorities, Patterson kept her trapped under his bed for as much as 12 hours at a time. 190111153737643 When he made her hide under his bed, he stacked totes and laundry bins around the bed with weights stacked against them so she could not move them without his being able to detect it if she did, the complaint alleges. The criminal complaint states that the suspect made it clear that nobody was to know she was there or bad things would happen to her. Escape Patterson told police he first saw Closs getting on the bus last fall and decided he wanted to take her, prosecutors said. What followed was weeks of planning, in which Patterson stole license plates to replace his own, checked out the Closs home twice, purchased a black ski mask and shaved his head to avoid leaving any hairs at the crime scene, police said. Jayme Closs, 13, was held in captivity for 88 days [File: Handout/Barron County Sheriffs Department/AFP] After killing Closss parents, Patterson taped her ankles, locked her in his boot and drove her to his home, passing squad cars with their sirens on that were responding to the shooting, he told police. 190112061337093 Closs managed to flee when Patterson was not at home and was found by a woman walking her dog on Thursday afternoon. The two then approached a neighbours house to call police. While Closs warmed up inside, the neighbour, Peter Kasinskas, retrieved his gun and stood watch at the door in case her captor was searching for her, according to the Duluth News Tribune. His wife, Kristin Kasinskas, a middle-school teacher, realised she taught Patterson as a student but did not remember him well, the newspaper reported. At least 1,728 Confederate memorials among them 772 monuments remained intact as of June 2018, says SPLC watchdog. A pick-up truck crept past as Jeremy and Tracie Parzen waited for fellow protesters to show up for a rally against a new Confederate monument in Orange, Texas, on November 10. F*** yall, the trucks driver screamed before slamming on the gas pedal and rumbling away. Having been cursed at by motorists in the past, Jeremy and Tracie did not initially pay the incident much mind. But the driver circled the truck back around, parked in a petrol station and approached them, hollering as he neared. Sensing trouble, Tracie pulled out her telephone and started filming. At that point, we both thought he was going to physically attack us, Jeremy told Al Jazeera by telephone. Our adrenaline was pumping pretty hard. In the video, the man screamed, Why dont yall get out of here? What gives yall the right to be f**king protesting America? Tracie remained calm. She responded, This is free speech. We can stand on this corner. Although the incident passed without physical violence, the mans nearly two-minute, profanity-laced tirade came on the heels of a wave of intimidation, harassment and attacks during recent anti-Confederate monument rallies. In recent years, harassment has become commonplace during protests against Confederate monuments, with threats levied and brawls breaking out at rallies in Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, Virginia and elsewhere. A billboard put up by the Repurpose Memorial campaign in Orange, Texas [Courtesy of RepurposeMemorial.com] On August 12, 2017, white nationalists from across the country descended on Charlottesville, Virginia, for Unite the Right, a rally staged to oppose the citys decision to remove a statue of Confederate leader Robert E Lee. As participants attacked counterprotesters and community members throughout the city, James Alex Fields Jr slammed his car into a crowd, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring dozens. 180611161531088 Earlier this year, in August, a Confederate flag-toting man punched a protester in the face in front of the Silent Sam statue at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. On May 7, 2017, white nationalists arrived at the Robert E Lee statue in New Orleans, Louisiana, wearing body armour, masks, and helmets, and carrying sticks, pepper spray, and guns. Brawls erupted and at least three people were arrested, local media reported. Monuments removed, monuments preserved After white nationalist Dylann Roof shot dead nine African American worshippers in a Charleston church in June 2015, photos of the killer posing with a Confederate flag emerged online. Roofs massacre prompted nationwide rallies calling for Confederate symbols to be removed from public spaces. Pro-Confederate have held their own rallies in support of preserving the memorials; they argue that removing monuments and statues erases history. Dylann Roof appears by closed-circuit television at his bond hearing in Charleston [File: Reuters] The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an Alabama-based watchdog, has documented the removal of at least 110 Confederate memorials in 22 states since Roofs deadly rampage. But at least 1,728 Confederate memorials among them 772 monuments remained intact as of June 2018, the SPLC found. 170927150529249 As the monuments grew into flashpoints for violence and protest across the South, research suggested that ones view of Confederate iconography largely depends on race. Based on 1,000 respondents, a recent Winthrop University Southern Focus survey found that 58 percent of African American view Confederate symbols unfavourably, while a majority of white people say they represent Southern pride. Holding the city hostage The first protests kicked off in Orange, Texas in December 2017. Three months after Unite the Right, the first Confederate flags were raised on the unfinished memorial. During the more than subsequent eight rallies held by the Repurpose Memorial group, motorists have occasionally cursed at the protesters, and some have exited their vehicles to argue with demonstrators, including the Parzens. But the November 10 incident in Orange was the first time the Parzens felt physically threatened. Yall are f**king idiots, and you dont deserve to be in this godd*** country, the man screamed. You dont like it, take your a** on. His demeanour growing more aggressive, the man called them stupid sons of b****** and dumb*** Democrats who are destroying Americas heritage. You dont like us? he bellowed. Get the f*** across the border. Funded by the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), the monument remains unfinished. But travellers passing through Orange on the I-10 freeway are greeted by its 13 columns, one for each Confederate state, and 32 flags, one for each Texas-based Civil War unit. Located on Martin Luther King Jr Drive, the monument brews controversy in the 18,500-person community: the local chamber of commerce asked its owners to consider abandoning the project, and the city passed an ordinance limiting the height of flagpoles not owned by the local government. 170619082627175 But the city cannot simply remove the monument it sits on private land and city officials have little recourse to act beyond passing non-binding resolutions. The best way to put it is that theyre (SCV) holding the city hostage, Jeremy Parzen said. Were not the only city in America where something like this is happening, and part of it is about their veiled white supremacy. During its building phase, an SCV spokesman defended the monument, telling the Associated Press, The more education about the South and what they were fighting for, the more compassion people will have for the Confederates and what they did. Despite the harassment, anti-monument protesters in Orange are planning to continue their rallies. Look at your history Some 560km away from Orange, in Denton, Texas, 73-year-old Willie Hudspeth has encountered threats and intimidation time and again while protesting the local Confederate monument. Since 1999, Hudspeth has held protests in front of the monument, a grey stone arch sitting in front of Dentons historic courthouse. Willie Hudspeth has protested against a Confederate monument for nearly 20 years [Patrick Strickland/Al Jazeera] For years, he stood by himself in front of the monument several times a month, holding a placard that read: God said, Love everybody.' Passersby have often shouted at him, sometimes hurled racist slurs at him, and issued vaguely-worded threats. But the threats escalated when Hudspeth, who is also the president of the local NAACP chapter, found himself leading a resurgent protest movement against the monument after the 2015 Charleston church massacre. Five weeks after the bloodshed in Charleston, on July 20, 2015, Hudspeth stood under the shade of the monument. He stared back at a black AR-15, dangling from the shoulder of university student Stephen Slade Passariello. Why is this just now a big deal? Passariello stammered. Why werent you out here months ago? Hudspeth fired back, Ive been out here Look at your history. The incident, recorded by a bystander, prompted outrage on local news outlets and on social media. Facebook users dug up a comment in which Passariello exclaimed his readiness to get the f***ing lynch ropes out. But as Passariello confronted him, Hudspeth remained vigilant. Even as his fellow protesters backed away, he moved closer to his detractor. I knew if Im right here [close] on him, he cant do anything, he told Al Jazeera. And I knew exactly how to take him down: I was going to kick him in the nuts, he added, punting his leg into the air to mimic the motion. A Confederate monument in Denton, Texas, has seen protests and controversy [File: Patrick Strickland/Al Jazeera] The standoff ended without a confrontation, but Hudspeth saw in it cause for celebration. It really helped our cause, he said, pointing to increased support in the wake of the incident. Hudspeth has since kept up his protests, lobbied local officials and continued to call for action on the Confederate monument. 150730072035900 The new county judge, Andy Eads, has promised to continue studying the plumbing beneath the town square in order to decipher whether a pair of fountains on the monument were ever hooked up to running water. Hudspeth says the fountains were whites-only, while supporters of the monument argue that the fountains were never hooked up to the underground water pipes. And in nearby Pilot Point, Hudspeth and other volunteers gather each week to clean up a long-abandoned African American cemetery. Despite the harassment and political hurdles, Hudspeth says momentum is on his side. We are going to keep posting up right outside that monument and keep talking to people about that monument. Sister of jailed Saudi activist pleads for Pompeos help She says her sister has spent months in prison being beaten, waterboarded, given electric shocks and threatened with rape. Top US diplomat is expected to bring up killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the blockade on neighbouring Qatar. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Saudi Arabia on the latest leg of his regional tour, with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the blockade of neighbouring Qatar high on the agenda. Early on Monday, the top US diplomat arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where he will meet King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, after meeting Qatari officials a day earlier in Doha. During that visit, Pompeo called for an end to the 19-month blockade of Qatar by a quartet of Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE. The bloc accuses Qatar of supporting groups it has proscribed as terrorist groups, a charge Doha vehemently denies. We are all more powerful when we are working together and disputes are limited, Pompeo said at a joint news conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Sunday. Attempts at mediation between Qatar and the blockading nations have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni who quit because of an apparent lack of will on behalf of regional leaders for regional reconciliation. Khashoggi murder Also high on the agenda is the murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October last year. The Washington Post columnists slaying by a Saudi hit squad prompted international outrage, especially among US media outlets and politicians. Western intelligence agencies, including the CIA, have strongly hinted that the killing could not have taken place without the authorisation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. US politicians have called for tough action against the prince, but President Donald Trump and Pompeo have so far been reluctant to directly implicate the royal or issue any punitive measures. Instead, Pompeo has called on the Saudis to ensure Khashoggis killers are held accountable, avoiding any suggestion that Prince Mohammed was involved. It is not clear whether Pompeo will meet Prince Mohammed in Riyadh on Monday. Long seen as a royal family insider, Khashoggi found himself on the wrong side of the crown prince for publicly criticising some of his policies. Pompeo is due to visit Oman next but will cut short his tour and miss a scheduled visit in Kuwait due to a death in his family, the US State Department said, adding he would visit the country at an agreeable time. His tour comes amid conflicts raging in Syria and Yemen, while the US is trying to ensure a unified front against Iran, which it accuses of expanding its political and military footprint in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the Gulf state will oppose Syrian membership of the Arab league. Qatars foreign minister has said that he sees no need to reopen an embassy in Damascus nor any encouraging signs for a normalisation of ties with the Syrian government. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also said Qatar still objects to an Arab League membership for Syria. Syrias membership of the Arab League was suspended in 2011 over the governments violent response to protests at the start of what turned out to be an almost eight-year-long war. Since day one, Qatar had reasons for which it supported suspending [Arab League] membership and those reasons are still there, so we do not see any encouraging factor, Al Thani said at a press conference. Some Arab states, including some that once backed rebels against President Bashar al-Assad, are seeking to reconcile with him after decisive gains by his and allied forces in the war. In December, the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in a move that is seen as a diplomatic boost for President Assad from a regional adversary that once backed rebels fighting against his forces. The UAE said the reopening was intended to normalise relations with Syria and curb the risk of regional interference in Arab, Syrian affairs, according to Saudi-owned TV channel Al Arabiya. Both Iran and Turkey, the UAEs biggest regional rivals, have troops in Syria, backing opposing sides of the conflict. Abu Dhabis regional allies are also expected to follow suit, and Egypt, which maintained relations with Damascus throughout the war, is leading calls for Syrias suspension from the Arab League to be lifted. Top US diplomat and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meet in Riyadh for talks on range of issues. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have agreed on the importance of de-escalation in military operations in Yemen amid United Nations peace efforts to end the conflict. On #Yemen, agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially cease-fire and redeployment in #Hudaydah, the US embassy in Riyadh tweeted on Monday after a meeting between Pompeo and Prince Mohammed. The Iranian-allied Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government agreed during peace talks in Sweden in December on a ceasefire in Hodeidah and to withdraw troops from the strategic Red Sea port city. .@SecPompeo met today with Crown Prince #MohammedbinSalman. On #Yemen, agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially cease-fire and redeployment in #Hudaydah. A comprehensive political solution is only way to the end the conflict. pic.twitter.com/zTFAByZqH9 U.S. Mission to KSA (@USAinKSA) January 14, 2019 Pompeo is in Saudi Arabia on the latest leg of his regional tour, with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the blockade of neighbouring Qatar expected to be high on the agenda. The top US diplomat arrived in the Saudi capital early on Monday, and is also set to meet King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. Pompeo met Qatari officials a day earlier in Doha, where he called for an end to the 19-month blockade of the Gulf state by a quartet of Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE. The bloc accuses Qatar of supporting groups it has proscribed as terrorist groups, a charge Doha vehemently denies. We are all more powerful when we are working together and disputes are limited, Pompeo said at a joint news conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Sunday. Attempts at mediation between Qatar and the blockading nations have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni who quit because of an apparent lack of will on behalf of regional leaders for regional reconciliation. Khashoggi murder A pressing issue during talks in Riyadh is the murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October last year. The Washington Post columnists slaying by a Saudi hit squad prompted international outrage, especially among US media outlets and politicians. Western intelligence agencies, including the CIA, have strongly hinted that the killing could not have taken place without the authorisation of Prince Mohammed. US politicians have called for tough action against Prince Mohammed, but President Donald Trump and Pompeo have so far been reluctant to directly implicate the royal or issue any punitive measures. Instead, Pompeo has called on the Saudis to ensure Khashoggis killers are held accountable, avoiding any suggestion that Prince Mohammed was involved. Long seen as a royal family insider, Khashoggi found himself on the wrong side of the crown prince for publicly criticising some of his policies. Pompeo is due to visit Oman next but will cut short his tour and miss a scheduled visit to Kuwait due to a death in his family, the US State Department said, adding he would visit the country at an agreeable time. His tour comes amid conflicts raging in Syria and Yemen, while the US is trying to ensure a unified front against Iran, which it accuses of expanding its political and military footprint in the Middle East. The 14-year-old is the third Palestinian to be killed since Fridays protest along the perimeter fence. A 14-year-old Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces during mass protests along the perimeter fence on Friday has died of his wounds, Gazas health ministry has said. Abdelraouf Salhah was shot in the head during the protest, as was 43-year-old female activist Amal al-Taramsi who died on Friday. Two dozen Palestinians were also wounded, said the ministrys statement. Salhah was the third Palestinian to be pronounced dead since Fridays protest in the besieged territory. An estimated 13,000 Palestinians took part in Fridays demonstrations, an Israeli military spokesman said. 181228140137550 The rioters have burned tyres and hurled blocks, explosive devices and grenades towards (Israeli) troops and at the Gaza Strip security fence, an army spokeswoman said. Another Palestinian, Anwar Quday, 33, died on Saturday of wounds from protests and clashes three weeks ago. The besieged enclaves health ministry said he was shot in the neck. Hamas has been orchestrating weekly mass protests along the perimeter fence since March last year to protest an Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed on Gaza for nearly a decade. The demonstrators are calling for the lifting of the blockade and for the right to return to their ancestral homes in Israel, as stipulated in the United Nations General Assemblys Resolution 194. More than 240 Palestinians have been killed since the protests began and thousands of others have been wounded. An Israeli soldier was also killed. Most of the Palestinians killed during the demonstrations were shot in weekly clashes, but others have been hit by Israeli tank fire or air raids. Israel says its protecting its border from infiltrators who could carry out attacks. The refractory and steel sectors need to work closely with each other to reduce dependence on imports and cut production costs, a top official of the Indian Refractory Makers Association (IRMA) said. If India wants to achieve its ambitious target of 300 million tonne of steel production by 2030, the only way forward is synergy between the two sectors, said Sameer Nagpal, Head, Advocacy of IRMA. Though the Indian refractory industry was minuscule compared to its steel counterpart, it is critical in the production of the metal, he said, adding, the steel sector consumes about 65 to 70 per cent of refractories. "Unless the issues related to the refractory industry are addressed, the government's steel production target might get hampered," Nagpal, who is also the CEO (Refractory Business) of the Dalmia Bharat Group, told PTI on Sunday. At present, the refractory sector is largely dependent on China for raw-material procurement, much like the steel industry that imports around 40 per cent of low-cost finished products from that country. Nagpal, however, said following the implementation of new environmental rules in China, the inflow of raw materials has been disrupted, affecting the refractory companies. Batting for zero per cent duty on raw materials, he said domestic refractory companies are on expansion mode through the inorganic route, and the industry is expected to garner an investment of USD 100-150 million, mainly in the eastern part of the country in the next three to five years. The IRMA functionary said most of the acquisitions are likely to be in Europe, which will also help in latest technology transfers. Nagpal said that India can become a refractory hub if the right steps in favour of the sector are initiated, such as making it a part of the Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), which has already attracted an initial corpus of Rs 200 crore. He also said that a proposal has been mooted to set up a refractory centre of excellence. On Dalmia Bharat Group's expansion plans for the refractory business, Nagpal said it is eyeing overseas acquisitions, too, particularly in Europe and Egypt. "Our negotiations are underway with three companies in Europe and Egypt. At least one of them will be finalised by the next quarter," he said. India's current refractory capacity stands at 1.5 million tonne per annum. Also Read: India is committed to Afghanistan's economic reconstruction: Swaraj Rally marks continued efforts by the Amazigh identity movement to gain the governments recognition. Hundreds of people gathered in Moroccos capital Rabat to mark the start of the Amazigh new year with a sit-in, calling on the state to make the celebration a national holiday. This day is an occasion to highlight our strong attachment to the land and pay tribute to those who defended our freedom, Adil Adasko, an Amazigh community leader, said at the rally on Saturday. The first day of the year in the Amazigh calendar, rooted in seasons and agriculture, marks the anniversary of the ascent of Libyan King Sheshong to the throne of Egypt, according to historians. The new year, also called Yennayer, which began on Sunday, is the year 2969. Last week, 143 of 395 members of Moroccos parliament submitted a motion to Prime Minister Saad Eddine el-Othmani, asking for the Amazigh new year to be recognised as a national day, a step already taken by neighbouring Algeria. Government spokesperson Mustapha el-Khalfi said Othmani was studying the issue. Language, culture marginalised Home to North Africas biggest Amazigh, or Berber, population, Morocco long marginalised its language and culture in favour of Arabic and French, giving rise to an Amazigh identity movement which has steadily gained influence. 180112073125573 Demands of the Amazigh movement featured prominently in 2011 protests, which led to Morocco adopting a constitution and the king to devolve some of his power to an elected government. Morocco recognised Amazigh as an official language only with the new constitution in 2011. Eight years on, parliament has yet to enact the legislation required to establish its use in education and public life. Activists accuse the government of dragging its feet. While forming substantial populations in these countries, the Tamazight languages have only recently started to gain formal recognition. The word Tamazight refers to the spectrum of related dialects spoken by the Berber people. In the early 2000s, the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture was launched in Rabat, and Tamazight lessons were introduced in primary schools. An Amazigh TV channel was also launched in 2006. 171213185709684 The Amazigh movement has also played a role in protests in some of Moroccos marginalised areas, including demonstrations over economic and social grievances in the Rif region in 2016 and in Souss last year. Berbers inhabit an area spanning most of North Africa, with large populations in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and western Egypt. Berber tribes and ethnic groups can also be found as far south as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Berber dialects have national language status in Algeria, Mali and Niger. James Watson won a Nobel for his work on DNA, but held debunked ideas on the relationship between race and genetics. Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson has been stripped of his honours by his former laboratory after doubling down on controversial remarks he made on the relationship between race and genetics in 2007. The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in New York said Watsons most recent comments in a 2018 documentary were completely and utterly incompatible with its mission. Watson has courted controversy among geneticists for his belief that there was a genetic link between race and intelligence. In 2007, he said he was inherently gloomy about Africas prospects because Western policies towards the continent assumed Africans were as intelligent as Europeans. The scientist, who helped identify the double-helix structure of the DNA molecule, stated in the documentary that he still held on to that view. CSHL relieved Watson of his duties after the 2007 episode and stripped him of his honorary titles on Friday, calling his opinions unsubstantiated and reckless. The titles include Chancellor Emeritus, Oliver R Grace Professor Emeritus, and Honorary Trustee. Watson had long been associated with the lab, becoming its director in 1968, its president in 1994 and its chancellor 10 years later. A school at the lab is named after him. Watson won the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine in 1962 along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering in 1953 that DNA was a double helix, shaped like a long, gently twisting ladder. Scientific racism The idea that there was a link between race and intelligence was widespread in the early half of the twentieth century, but after advances in genetics, modern-day scientific consensus rejects any link. Those that continue to float the idea of a connection between race and intelligence are accused by the scientific community of indulging in pseudoscience and scientific racism. 181130014005012 Today, there is a consensus among scientists that race is a purely social construct, with no evidence to suggest distinct genetic differences between individuals from different populations. In a 2009 study, Watsons own genetic data was used to disprove the idea that there was a genetic connection between two people who were white, as compared with a person of East Asian descent. Samples from Watson and scientist Craig Venter were compared with that of Korean scientist, Seong-Jin Kim. Both Watson and Venter were found to have more genetic similarities to Seong than they had with each other. More than 30,000 LA teachers walked off the job after negotiations for improved compensation and work conditions failed. More than 30,000 Los Angeles teachers demanding higher pay walked off the job in the second-largest US school system on Monday, union officials said. About 640,000 students arriving on Monday for classes at some 900 campuses in the Los Angeles County School District were met by teachers carrying picket signs and rallying in the rain. The union wants a 6.5 percent pay rise, more librarians, counsellors and nurses on campuses, smaller class sizes and less testing, as well as a moratorium on new charter schools. Weeks of ultimately failed negotiations led to the decision to the launch the districts first teachers strike in 30 years. Its an existential battle for the future of public education, teacher Mike Finn told Reuters news outside John Marshall High School in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Los Feliz. Thousands of teachers and supporters gathered outside City Hall, carrying umbrellas in the rain and chanting as they prepared to march toward district headquarters. First day of our historic strike! On the line for our students. So much at stake. #UTLAStrong #WeAreLA #Strike4Ed pic.twitter.com/KkQ18zo0Pa United Teachers Los Angeles #Yeson15 (@UTLAnow) January 14, 2019 No formal talks were held over the weekend, dashing hopes of an 11th-hour deal between the teachers union and the school district. Talks broke down on Friday when union bargaining chair Arlene Inouye said she and her fellow negotiators were insulted by the latest contract offer from district officials. 190114154846406 Some teachers in Denver also walked out on Monday amid salary negotiations, according to a video posted on the Denver Classroom Teachers Associations Twitter page. But the strike by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) marks one of the largest and one of the few targeting a Democratic-controlled government. Los Angeles County officials contend the strikers demands are unaffordable and that a walkout hurts only students and parents. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat who has said he is considering a run for his partys nomination in the 2020 presidential race, has largely avoided taking sides in the labor dispute. In a video posted to Twitter on Sunday evening, Garcetti urged the district and union to reach an agreement as soon as possible. In a separate tweet, he said the city was offering free rides to students on transit systems. More than 30,000 Los Angeles teachers hold a rally at the City Hall after going on strike [Mike Blake/Reuters] Set us up for failure Videos posted on Twitter by the UTLA, showed teachers and others marching with picket signs outside of a local public school chanting. You cant put students first if you put teachers last, the UTLA union posted on Twitter late on Sunday. When you cut our schools to the bone, you set us up for failure, UTLA wrote on Twitter on Monday. When you reinvest in our schools, we thrive. The strike has gained nationwide backing, including support from several unions, former teachers and labour rights advocates, the Los Angeles Times reported. Teachers and students protest and picket in the pouring rain [Barbara Davidson/Getty Images/AFP] A handful of celebrities and the Screen Actors GuildAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists have also proclaimed their support for the historic strike. We stand with our sisters and brothers from @UTLAnow as they fight for their students and schools, the Maryland State Education Association wrote on Twitter. Classes for elementary, middle and high schools will continue through the strike, local media reported. Hundreds of substitute teachers have been hired and administrators have been reassigned. Teachers and supporters hold signs in the rain during a rally on Monday, in Los Angeles [Ringo HW Chiu/AP Photo] County officials have said UTLAs demands would bankrupt the district. 180820145529741 Our commitment to our families is to make sure all of the money we have is being spent in schools. We are doing that, Beutner said in a statement on Friday. We hope UTLA leadership will reconsider its demands, which it knows Los Angeles Unified cannot meet. The strike follows a number of similar actions across the country last year in which teachers in West Virginia, Kentucky and Oklahoma, among other states, launched strikes, walkouts and/or sickouts to call for education reform and better pay for teachers. Nearly a year ago, West Virginia teachers picketed for more than a week before lawmakers officials approved a five percent pay raise for all state workers. In April 2018, Oklahoma teachers ended a nearly two-week strike after securing pay raises and increased education spending. In Kentucky and Arizona, teachers won a boost in funding and wages last year after walkouts. For many Kenyans pushing al-Shabab back into Somalia has given way to unforeseen threats closer to home. Nairobi, Kenya High-profile attacks in Kenya by the armed group al-Shabab at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013 and a university in Garissa in 2015 killed more than 200 people. The events changed the way the government deploys ground forces and carries out counterterrorism activities. The Kenyan army took over control of the porous border with Somalia from police. Since then, Kenyan soldiers have spearheaded a large-scale ongoing operation in the Boni National Reserve, pushing al-Shabab fighters back into Somalia, greatly reducing the groups capacity to recruit and operate inside Kenya. For years, the forest in the national park was easy cover for fighters moving between the countries. Analysts say Kenyas success in taking the fight to al-Shabab has made it a blueprint for dealing with violent groups in the region. When you look at the wider international picture, youll find that starting from the 9/11 attacks in the US, Kenya thought they were clear of this international terrorism, until the threat came to Somalia and even closer, into the border, said Ahamed Mohammed, a retired brigadier-general with the Kenyan army. Being one of the major victims we had to join the global war on terror, he said. Technological advances One of the reasons the Kenyan military has been so successful is close cooperation with international allies such as the United States and United Kingdom. Mohammed said advanced surveillance technology has given Kenyan ground forces the ability to monitor the movements and communications of armed groups, even identifying lone-wolf attackers. In the last few years there has been very good cooperation, Mohammed said. International powers bring in the element of technology, which actually even picks out individuals whom youre after our key benefit has been in the area of intelligence and getting first-hand information. Once safe havens for al-Shabab, Kenyan security forces have taken back territory across Garissa and Lamu counties. Were happy people have been able to move back to their normal ways of life going to the market, going to their farms and doing [business], said Joseph Kanyiri, the commissioner of Lamu county. Weve seen an increase in the number of visitors that we receive in Lamu, where we have pristine tourist destinations. We are equally happy that people who had moved from their farms to temporary internally displaced people camps have gone back to their farms and life is back to normal. On Monday, a court ruled three men must stand trial on charges they were involved in a deadly attack on a Nairobi shopping mall in 2013. Prosecutors evidence was accepted by a magistrate linking the three suspects to the days-long siege of Westgate Mall, in which 67 people were killed. A fourth suspect was freed because of a lack of evidence. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the brazen attack. Kenyan leaders have little doubt that security has improved in recent years. But many Kenyans still living in camps near the front line say pushing al-Shabab back into Somalia has given way to unforeseen threats closer to home. Multi-pronged strategy As people fled the conflict zone, armed Kenyan herders took over abandoned farmland to graze their animals and are now threatening anyone who tries to return. While the police and army remain focused on mitigating the external al-Shabab threat, those displaced by fighting are still too afraid to go home. When I went back to my farm and the rest of the people came back we were attacked by the herdsmen, [they] beat us, said John Mtemi Mwendwa, a displaced farmer living in the Katsaka Kairo IDP camp. They beat me till they smashed my finger and I could not function. I reported the matter to the police and they didnt bother at all. I wrote a statement and pursued the case. I eventually gave up. We have not received any help from the government. We are broke If the government should talk to them and agree on something then we will be able to have peace. For civilians living in conflict zones, the price of securing Kenyas borders has been high. Many say they lost loved ones in the fighting. Survivors say they are struggling to make a future. Starting over Katani Nyati is from Maleli village but is still living in an IDP camp. He said people normally save for two years to send their children to school and his plans were derailed by the fighting. 150404063748226 My children have completed primary school and they have excelled. But now they cant go to high school or even start school from here, Nyati said. Its already difficult for me to provide for my family. There is no food [because] it was eaten by the animals. We are now starting life all over again These are the challenges we are facing and we are stressed. In the past, al-Shabab preyed on desperate communities to recruit fighters for their cause. Experts warn government complacency could start the cycle of violence over again. Kenyas current strategy is multi-pronged. Ground forces carry out military operations while local leaders conduct community outreach and engagement programmes to undercut al-Shabab propaganda in their communities. Alongside soldiers, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta even thanked civilians in his new year address to the nation for their role in disrupting armed groups. Our security services have continued working hard and intelligently, Kenyatta said. A big part of their success is coming from citizens stepping up to share information they have, while others take steps to completely delegitimise and de-glorify terrorism among its vulnerable targets for recruitment. As your president, I thank every man and woman who has played a role in our national campaign against violent extremism. Judge partially blocks rules that allow employers to opt out of providing women no-cost birth control from taking effect A US judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, DC. Judge Haywood Gilliam granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, DC. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward. But Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide. The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds. California and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programmes for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies. The law couldnt be more clear employers have no business interfering in womens healthcare decisions, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement Sunday. 180121144023315 The states involved also include Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The US Department of Justice said in court documents the rules protect a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs. At issue is a requirement under President Barack Obamas healthcare law that birth control services be covered at no additional cost. Obama officials included exemptions for religious organisations. The Trump administration expanded those exemptions and added moral convictions as a basis to opt out of providing birth control services. Conservative Christian activists and congressional Republicans praised the move, while reproductive rights advocates and Democrats criticised it. At a hearing on Friday, Gilliam said the changes would result in a substantial number of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a massive policy shift. The judge previously blocked an interim version of the rules a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court. On Monday, another federal judge in Pennsylvania blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new rules allowing employers to obtain exemptions from an Obamacare requirement that they provide health insurance that covers womens birth control. US District Judge Wendy Beetlestone in Philadelphia issued a nationwide injunction preventing the rules from taking effect. Attempts to trample on reproductive rights Reproductive rights groups and their supporters accuse the Trump administration of launching an attack on womens health. 181210183653737 Todays court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on womens access to basic reproductive care, Attorney General Becerra said. Its 2019, yet the Trump Administration is still trying to roll back womens rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the reproductive healthcare they are guaranteed under the law. Since taking office, Trump has reinstated and expanded the Global Gag Rule, which bans international organisations that receive US funding from providing abortion services or offering information about the procedure. Trump has also appointed well-known anti-abortion rights activists to key posts within federal departments dealing with womens health. Leana Wen, the President of Planned Parenthood America, tweeted that Sunday was a good day. Birth control is critical healthcare that helps millions lead the lives they want, she said. We should be finding ways to increase access, not limit it. Plane crashes near Fath airport west of Tehran, with conflicting reports on what country it belonged to. A Boeing 707 military cargo plane crashed in bad weather on Monday west of Tehran, killing 15 out of the 16 people on board, the Iranian army has said. A flight engineer survived and was taken to the hospital, the army said in a statement carried by the semi-official Fars news agency. The plane went down near Fath airport, near Karaj in Irans central province of Alborz. A Boeing cargo 707 plane carrying meat from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan had an emergency landing at Fath airport today the flight engineer has been dispatched to the hospital, the army said. 180218074546342 It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway, the army said. The armys statement came after some confusion over who owned the plane. Earlier on Monday, a spokesman for Irans civil aviation had told state TV that the plane belonged to Kyrgyzstan. However, a spokeswoman for Kyrgyzstans Manas airport said the plane belonged to Irans Payam Air. State TV said rescue teams had been sent to the area, between the airports of Fath and Payam. It showed footage of burning wreckage of the plane and a plume of smoke rising from the crash site. Indonesia: Calls to include disaster education at schools Among 6,000 schools in Jakarta, only 165 have been taught how to respond in case of an emergency. Inconsistent US policies and cacophony in Washington to blame for problems between NATO allies, Erdogan adviser says. The United States has been a highly unreliable partner to Ankara as a result of inconsistencies in Washingtons Syria policy, as well as its approach to Turkey and terrorist groups, a senior Turkish official told Al Jazeera. The problems and misunderstandings between the US and Turkey are results of the confusion and cacophony between the actors at different levels of the US administration and institutions, Yasin Aktay, who advises President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his AK Party, said on Monday in an interview. Turkish and US officials have been trading barbs over Washingtons support for Kurdish fighters in Syria and what will happen to the areas held by them in the north of the country after the planned US troop withdrawal. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 190108094851818 Erdogan said last week the US administration is seriously mistaken in cooperating with Syrian Kurdish fighters, while President Donald Trump threatened on Sunday to economically devastate Turkey if it carries out a military offensive against the militia. We have said repeatedly we are not scared of and will not be intimidated by any threats, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters. Economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere. Trump announced the withdrawal of some 2,000 US troops from Syria last month, shocking many politicians in Washington as well as Western allies and Syrian Kurdish fighters who fought against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) alongside American troops. Washington in confusion According to Aktay, the US administration has been incoherent about the withdrawal process since Trumps announcement as well as in its approach to different terrorist groups. Trump is stuck between US public opinion that widely questions the US presence in Syria and the wider Middle East, and politicians from his party and allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia who are against the withdrawal, he said, adding Trump has shifted positions over the withdrawal various times over the last few weeks. 190114025231596 Trumps decision to withdraw troops was initially expected to be carried out swiftly, but the timetable has become vague and some conditions were set in the weeks following his announcement, including the safety of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an anti-ISIL force led by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Washington fights one terrorist group, Daesh, while backing another one, the YPG. Such inconsistencies in US policies decrease the countrys reputation as a global power, Aktay said, using an alternative name for ISIL. US-backed SDFs assaults were part of multiple operations that have removed ISIL fighters from most parts of Syria and Iraq they had captured in 2014. 190105094328241 Ankara considers the YPG and its political wing, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), to be terrorist groups with ties to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged war in Turkey since the 1980s. Turkey has long condemned Washington for its military relationship with the YPG, and it seeks to take over militia-controlled areas east of the Euphrates River in Syria. Ankara has launched two military operations in northern Syria over the last three years that targeted YPG and ISIL. Warning from allies After Trumps withdrawal announcement, France, Britain and local armed groups warned ISIL had not totally been defeated yet in Syria. The decision also prompted the resignation of US defence chief James Mattis. Subsequently, US officials made clear the withdrawal would not happen quickly and would take place in an orderly manner, as the White House faced a backlash from members of Congress. Aktay said the US ignores the threat the YPG poses to Turkey and keeps making the mistake of identifying the group with Syrian Kurds. The US officials keep talking to PYD and YPG as if these groups represent the Syrian Kurds. This is scandalous. There are other ethnicities in these groups and they are engaged in the terrorist activity regardless of their ethnicities, he told Al Jazeera. As a NATO ally, the US supports and prefers to cooperate with a threat to another NATO ally, emerging as a highly unreliable partner, he added. Follow Umut Uras on Twitter: @Um_Uras The 64-year-old Cesare Battisti, who was on the run for four decades, was sent to a high-security prison in Sardinia. A former leftist guerrilla fighter, facing a life sentence in Italy for murder, has landed in Rome on a special flight from Bolivia, ending almost four decades on the run. News of Cesare Battistis arrest at the weekend in Bolivias largest city, Santa Cruz, was greeted with joy by Italys government, and both the interior and justice ministers were on hand as the unmarked plane carrying the ex-fugitive flew into Ciampino airport on Monday. It is a day we have been waiting for 37 years, said far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, denouncing the 64-year-old Battisti as a killer, a delinquent, a coward, who never asked forgiveness. Battisti was sentenced in absentia to life in prison for his involvement in the murder of four people two policemen, a jeweller and a butcher in the late 1970s as a member of the far-left Armed Proletarians for Communism. He has admitted to being a member of the group but has denied killing anyone. Bearded and wearing a brown jacket, Battisti smiled as police escorted him from the plane and across the tarmac. He was later put on another plane and flown to Sardinia where he will serve his life term in the high-security Oristano prison. Originally, he was assigned to Romes Ribibbia prison, but Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede decided that he be sent to Sardinia. Today was an important moment for all the Italian people, in particular for the families of Battistis victims. A message of justice is launched emphasising that justice does not weaken with time, Bonafede said. Battisti escaped from an Italian jail in 1981 while awaiting trial and fled to neighbouring France where he lived freely thanks to the protection of then-French President, Francois Mitterrand, who was critical of Italys legal system. When subsequent French governments abandoned the so-called Mitterrand Doctrine, Battisti moved to Brazil, where he gained the protection of former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and was granted refugee status in 2009. However, Brazils new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who took office this month, pledged to return Battisti to Italy. In December, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge ordered his arrest, but by then he had vanished again. The former communist fighter was tracked down in neighbouring Bolivia, which he had entered illegally, and arrested on Saturday by an Interpol team. With at least four murders on his conscience, (Battisti) lived very well between Paris and Rio de Janeiro for too many years, thanks also to the complicity of foreign governments, Salvini said in an interview with RAI state TV. But he thanked Bolsonaro for his support, saying Battistis return showed that Italy had regained international prestige. Battisti, who became a successful crime novel writer during his time on the run, said last year that he feared he would be tortured and killed if he were sent back to Italy. Former Nissan chief who saved carmaker from bankruptcy has been denied bail and held in custody since November. The wife of Nissans former Chairman Carlos Ghosn has written a letter to the global advocacy group Human Rights Watch criticising her husbands lengthy detention and Japans criminal justice system as unfair and harsh. My husbands is a case study in the realities of this draconian system, Carole Ghosn wrote in a nine-page letter on Monday to the Tokyo branch of the organisation, according to The Associated Press news agency. Ghosn was arrested on November 19 and has been charged in connection with under-reporting his income, personal investment losses and payments to a Saudi businessman. The car industry heavyweight, who rescued Nissan from near-bankruptcy, asserted his innocence in a Tokyo court last week. It was his first public appearance since his arrest. Carole Ghosns letter describes how prosecutors interrogate prisoners without a lawyer present in an apparent effort to get a confession conditions that are routine for suspects in Japan. Japans system has come under fire from international human rights groups, as her letter notes. Harsh conditions Confined to an unheated cell, her husband has lost almost three kgs in two weeks, eating meals of mainly rice and barley, she wrote. He is denied his medication, given 30 minutes to exercise daily and is allowed to bathe two or three times a week, she said. No human being should be detained under conditions so harsh that their only plausible purpose is to coerce a confession, said the letter, which cited cases in which people were held for months, but later found to be innocent. Tokyo Deputy Chief Prosecutor Shin Kukimoto told reporters last week that prosecutors are confident they have a case. Ghosns lawyers have complained about the prolonged detention but their appeals have been rejected. Prosecutors say Ghosn is a flight risk and he may tamper with evidence. No trial date has been set. Carole Ghosns letter defended her husbands character and his record in the car industry. My husband is well known as a person of unimpeachable honour, honesty and integrity, she said in her letter. Ghosns family has not been able to meet him, and so far only lawyers and embassy officials have been allowed visits. Dutch joint venture On Sunday, French financial daily Les Echos reported on its website that Ghosn was paid 7 million euros ($8m) through a Dutch joint venture between Nissan and Mitsubishi. Les Echos said that Nissan and Mitsubishi in June 2017 set up joint venture Nissan Mitsubishi BV (NMBV) in the Netherlands to pay bonuses to staff and managers of the two carmakers. The JVs top directors were not initially supposed to receive bonuses from the unit but in February 2018 and without the knowledge of other directors Ghosn was hired as an employee by the unit, which made him eligible for payments, the paper reported. A Nissan spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request from comment. Reuters news agency last week reported that one of Ghosns senior executives received an additional six-figure salary via the Dutch joint venture overseeing Renaults alliance with Nissan. There is nothing to suggest that the payments were illegal, but they highlight governance issues and potential conflicts of interest. The OECD Observer online archive takes you on a journey through half a century of public policy and world progress. Since November 1962, the OECDs experts and leading guests offer insights on the questions facing our member countries with concise and authoritative analysis, and provide our audiences with an excellent opportunity to understand policy debates and consider solutions. Each edition of the OECD Observer reports on a core theme of the OECDs on-going work, from economics and society through governance, finance, and the environment, and articles are bolstered by tables and graphs. Record-breaking partial shutdown entered its 24th day on Monday, as Trump was set to address hard-hit farmers. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he rejected a proposal from a Republican ally in the Senate that would have temporarily reopened closed parts of the government to allow resumption of negotiations on a funding standoff. As the shutdown, the longest of its type in US history, entered its 24th day, Trump told reporters he disagreed with Republican Senator Lindsey Grahams proposal to reopen the government for three weeks. If talks failed during that period, Graham said on Sunday, then Trump could go ahead and declare a national emergency to bypass Congress and get money for a wall on the US-Mexico border the issue that triggered the shutdown on December 22. 190107150120233 Amid swelling criticism, Trump has refused to budge on his demand that a spending bill include $5.7bn for a wall on the countrys southern border, a promise on which Trump campaigned for the presidency. Democrats have rejected Trumps demand for funding for the border wall in addition to other border funds but have said they would support $1.3bn to bolster border security in other ways, including beefing up the number of Border Patrol agents and increasing surveillance. Stress mounting on workers The political crisis caused federal workers to miss their first paycheques on Friday, heightening concerns about mounting financial pressures on employees, including air traffic controllers and airport security officials, who continue to work without pay. Roughly 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed or required to work without pay. Some employees have resorted to selling their possessions or posting appeals on online crowdfunding sites to help pay their bills. The shutdown also affected travellers as a jump in unscheduled absences among federal airport security screeners forced partial closures of airports in Houston and Miami. Travellers were unable to enter a closed-down terminal at the Miami International Airport on Saturday, in Miami [Brynn Anderson/AP Photo] National parks also remain closed, food and drug inspections have been curtailed and key economic data is on hold. Federal courts are set to run out of money on Friday. During a rally in Washington, DC on Thursday, federal workers, union leaders and Democrats called on the Trump administration to reopen the government. Lets call this shutdown what it is: Its a lockout, Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, a federation of unions, told the crowd. 181210211443443 Shame on the Senate. Shame on the White House. This lockout has to end, and it has to end now. At least two unions have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over the shutdown. Later on Monday, Trump is scheduled to address a New Orleans gathering of farmers, a key bloc of Trump supporters who have been hit by the shutdown as federal loan and farm aid applications have stalled and key farming and crop data has been delayed. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was set to release its views on the projected size of US soybean stockpiles, among other data, following a record-large domestic harvest and a trade war with China that has slowed US exports. To fill the void on data, traders and farmers are relying on private crop forecasters, satellite imagery firms and brokerages offering analyses on trade and supplies. Some have been scouring Twitter for tidbits on shifting weather patterns and rumours of grain exports, but say it is difficult to replace the USDA. Were just doing the best we can, looking for as much information as is available, said Brian Basting, economist for Illinois-based broker Advance Trading, which provides customers with its own harvest and crop supply estimates. Dan Henebry, an Illinois corn and soy farmer, said the absence of USDA data was making things difficult. You delay all these reports and the market has no idea where to go, other than trade guesses, Henebry said. National emergency 190111204347500 Trump has said he could declare a national emergency if he unable to strike a deal with politicians, although on Monday he told reporters he was not looking to do so. He retweeted criticism of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that urged the top Democratic leaders to negotiate with him. Ive been waiting all weekend. Democrats must get to work now. Border must be secured! Trump wrote in an early morning tweet on Monday. About one-quarter of the US government shut down last month as Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress as well as the White House. In December, Trump said he would take responsibility for the shutdown but has since shifted the blame to the Democrats. A growing proportion of Americans blame Trump for the closures, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found. A protester stands outside of the White House during winter storm Gia as the partial government shutdown becomes the longest in US history in Washington, DC [Carlos Barria/Reuters] The president now must win concessions from the Democrats, who took over the US House of Representatives this month following Novembers midterm elections. He also must win over enough Senate Democrats to secure the 60 votes needed to pass funding legislation in that chamber. Declaring a national emergency over immigration issues is fiercely opposed by Democrats and remains unpopular with some Republicans. It also would likely face an immediate legal challenge. Pelosi called on the Republican-led Senate to vote on several bills passed earlier this month by the House to fund affected departments that do not include money for Trumps wall. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he will not take up any legislation that does not have Trumps support. 190112051750627 Both the Senate and the House were scheduled to reconvene on Monday afternoon, despite a weekend winter storm that shuttered much of the Washington, DC, area; it remained unclear what, if any, steps politicians might take to address the lapsed funding measures for affected agencies. Senator Chris Coons on Monday reiterated fellow Democrats call for Trump to reopen the government while negotiations over the wall and immigration continue. He acknowledged efforts by Graham and other Republicans to forge a temporary solution but said Trump has been unpredictable even among fellow conservatives with ever-shifting positions. Refugees in Lebanon say they have received little help as rains and flooding have submerged their settlements. Bekaa Valley, Lebanon Raeda al-Mohammed has been pushing water out of her familys plywood and tarpaulin hut since 4am. The 21-year-old Syrian refugee spent most of Monday morning working barefoot with a large mop at the entrance of her tent. She had to ask her neighbours for help to lay out the thin, soaking rug she recovered from her home in the sprawling refugee camp in Saadnayel town. The rug, along with some of the familys other belongings: a pair of slippers, kitchen utensils and a plastic straw mat, had been floating in the water left behind after a new storm, dubbed Storm Miriam, lashed the country on Sunday evening. They say rain is a blessing, but we now hate it when it rains, al-Mohammed, a refugee from Syrias western city of Homs, told Al Jazeera. I cant feel my feet any more, she said as the cold water ran over her feet. She, along with her husband and two children, spent a sleepless night trying to salvage what they could from their small shelter which comprises of two rooms separated by a thin board of plywood. We havent had a moment of sleep since last night, she said with her arms crossed, trying to keep herself warm from harsh cold winds. Al-Mohammed and her husband, Ibrahim al-Furaij, fled the Syrian city of Homs in 2015 and moved to Saadnayel, a small town near Zahle in Lebanons northeast. They are among 25,000 Syrian refugees who live across 80 informal settlement structures in Saadnayel. The couple and their children have not been able to use a communal bathroom which they share with a family in a neighbouring tent, as it has been flooded with wastewater. Instead, al-Mohammed says she has to walk her children to an open field across the camp as an alternative. The family says their shelter will take up to two months to completely dry due to the incessant rainfall. We want heat, we simply want to keep our children warm. Nader al-Mustafa, 37-year-old Syrian refugee Raedas shelter was flooded by waters on Sunday after Storm Miriam lashed Lebanon [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera] No one is thinking about us Some 574 settlement structures and more than 22,000 refugees across the country were affected by the time the ruthless storm subsided a few days ago, according to figures from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Lebanon is home to more than one million Syrian refugees, most of whom live in informal settlements made out of tarpaulin tents supported by wooden frames. A major issue faced in the camps during rainfalls is the overflowing septic tanks, which leads to the seeping of sewage water into the camps crammed tents. 190113053554914 Drainage and de-sludging of wastewater are tasks taken on by WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) teams, usually provided by NGOs. But in the case of the camps in Saadnayel, drainage efforts have been halted for over a year, residents say. Al-Furaij says that he would require an excavator if he were to attempt to drain the water out of his familys tent himself. If nobody wants to help us, NGOs should at least provide us with something we can dig a ditch with, he told Al Jazeera. Ive been walking around town all morning looking for one, but to no avail. As part of the UNHCRs emergency response plan, a drainage kit is typically distributed to residents, depending on the need. But number of drainage kits is limited, Hiba Fares, a spokesperson for UNHCR in the Bekaa region, told Al Jazeera. According to her, even the settlements that received these kits during Storm Norma remain damaged to date because of the recurring floods. Since last week, more than 850 Syrian refugees were forced to relocate to other areas, either in nearby camps or with other extended family members, she said. But al-Furaij insisted: Weve been freezing, walking and sitting in cold-ice water all day, but no one is even thinking about us. Ibrahim al-Furaij fled the Syrian city of Homs in 2015 and now lives in an informal settlement near the town of Zahle in Lebanons Bekaa Valley [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera] We only have each other His familys sentiments were shared by others in nearby camps. The water is rising from beneath us and falling over us at the same time, one resident said of the rain and the wastewater that has left mattresses damp. Were sleeping on damp floors, were never fully dry, the 53-year-old said. Without much assistance from NGOs, Subhia el-Eidi said that residents of the camp had to help each other instead. Those with dry rugs and mattresses gave some away to their friends and neighbours, she said. We only have each other. The camps residents resorted to digging trenches themselves to get rid of the flooding last year, but they say the areas landowner recently blocked these ditches making the flooding even worse. From one end of the overcrowded settlement, surrounded by puddles and rubbish flooding from a main street leading into the area has brought muddy water, and from the other side where the ditch is blocked wastewater raises from the septic tanks. Several shelters were damaged by Storm Norma which struck Lebanon on January 6 [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera] We want to keep our children warm Approximately half of the camps 35 tents are still abandoned by their residents, who sought shelter in other areas last week. Those who remained in the camp, labelled 007 by the UN, have little to keep themselves warm. Some residents were walking around on cold, muddy floors wearing only slippers, while others had only thin clothing and had to rely on gas for heat. We want heat, we simply want to keep our children warm, 37-year-old Nader al-Mustafa told Al Jazeera. The father of one, who fled from Aleppo, says his family has not been receiving heating fuel oil another winter staple item which is usually provided by NGOs. Weve had to reuse burned oil over and over to keep the heater working, he said. The UNHCR says part of the agencys emergency response plan is to distribute blankets and mattresses, whereas oil is only provided to refugees based on a certain assessment. Storm Miriam is expected to bring snowfall and continue until January 17, exacerbating already dire conditions across Lebanons Syrian refugee camps. The poorly equipped sites will not be upgraded despite the worsening weather conditions, as the government will not allow the creation of more permanent structures. Two leaders discuss situation in Syria over the phone amid growing tensions over the fate of US-allied Kurdish fighters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, have discussed the situation in northern Syria over the phone amid rising tensions over the fate of Kurdish fighters in the war-torn country. The conversation on Monday came a day after Trump threatened on Twitter that he would devastate Turkeys economy if its forces attacked the US-backed Kurdish fighters, who helped Washington in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. The war of words between the two NATO allies is the latest consequence of Trumps surprising decision last month to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, potentially leaving the Kurdish militia under threat as Ankara weighs a new offensive there. In a statement, the Turkish presidency said Erdogan told Trump he had no problem with Kurds in Syria and that Ankara is only seeking to fight armed groups in the war-ravaged country which threaten its national security. The two leaders also discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country, the statement added. Trump confirmed this in a tweet later, but referred to the proposed area as a safe zone. He did not give any details about the safe zone proposal, but US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington wanted to provide security for those who have fought ISIL and to prevent any attack on Turkey from Syria. Sarah Sanders, White House press secretary, said in a statement: The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkeys security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS. According to the White House, Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford is set to meet his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, on Tuesday for further consultations. 190114090055032 A highly unreliable partner Ankara considers the US-allied Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and its political wing the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) to be terrorist groups with ties to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey. For weeks, it has vowed to carry out military operations against the YPG and has condemned the US for its military relationship with the Kurdish fighters. The Trump administration has defended its relationship with the YPG, and on Sunday the US president vowed to devastate Turkey economically if it targeted them. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 .Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 In response, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said we are not scared of and will not be intimidated by any threats, adding that economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere. Turkey has said the US administration has been incoherent about the withdrawal process since Trumps December 19 announcement that he would pull some 2,000 US troops out of Syria, as well as in its approach to different terrorist groups. Yasin Aktay, an adviser to Erdogan, said the US has been a highly unreliable partner to Ankara. The problems and misunderstandings between the US and Turkey are results of the confusion and cacophony between the actors at different levels of the US administration and institutions, he told Al Jazeera. Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the two leaders also discussed the need to complete a plan regarding Syrias border town of Manbij, so as to avoid giving any opportunity to elements seeking to block the planned withdrawal of US forces. Turkish and US troops began joint patrols in Manbij on November 1 as part of an agreement that focuses on the withdrawal of YPG fighters from the city to stabilise the region. Last month, Trumps withdrawal announcement several politicians in Washington as well as Western and Kurdish allies fighting alongside the US. Trumps decision was initially expected to be carried out swiftly, but the timetable became vague in the weeks following his announcement. France, Britain and local armed groups have also warned that ISIL has not been totally defeated yet. Convicted criminal repeatedly stabbed the mayor of Gdansk who has been a defender of refugees and LGBTQ people. The mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk has died after being stabbed by a knife-wielding attacker in front of hundreds of people at a charity event. Video footage showed the assailant bursting onto the podium and attacked Pawel Adamowicz, who had been waving sparklers on stage along with others at the fundraiser on Sunday evening. After knifing the 53-year-old mayor several times, the man turned to the crowd with his arms raised triumphantly. He was quickly apprehended by security guards and arrested. Paramedics resuscitated Adamowicz at the scene before rushing him to the hospital, where he later died. Initially, doctors had said there was a slim chance Adamowicz would survive. He is in a critical condition we are battling to save him, the director of the hospital in Gdansk where the mayor was taken, Jakub Kraszewski, told reporters just before midnight local time. A Gdansk police spokesperson said the 27-year-old attacker lived in the port city. In a video recording of the attack posted on YouTube, the suspect was seen seizing the microphone and claiming he had been wrongly jailed by the previous centrist government of the Civic Platform and tortured. Adamowicz before being attacked at the charity event [Agencja Gazeta/Bartosz Banka via Reuters] Thats why Adamowicz dies, he said before being knocked down to the ground by security. One witness told broadcaster TVN that the man appeared happy with what he had done. Convicted criminal Adamowicz was mayor of Gdansk, a city with about half a million people, for two decades and the Civic Platform had supported his re-election in 2018 municipal elections. His policies were considered liberal in the relatively conservative country, with Adamowicz regularly defending both the rights of LGBTQ people and refugees. He was also part of Lech Walesas worker uprising against communism in the 1980s, which originated in Gdansk. Sundays Lights to Heaven fundraiser, which was organised by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the countrys most important charity, was part of a national drive to raise funds for the purchase of medical equipment and featured a colourful stage set-up, including lights, smoke and pyrotechnics. According to Polish media, the suspect had been sentenced to more than five years in prison for four armed attacks on banks in Gdansk. His mental state had severely deteriorated during his time in jail, reports said. Police were investigating how the attacker breached security to reach the podium, Gdansk police spokeswoman Joanna Kowalik-Kosinska told reporters. We know that he used an identifier with the inscription Press, she said. Now we have to establish how was it obtained, was the accreditation in his name and was he really entitled to be there at that time. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki condemned the attack on Twitter and Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski called it an incomprehensible act of barbarism. European President Donald Tusk, who belongs to the same political party as Adamowicz, called Adamowicz a friend on Facebook, adding may he rest in peace. Trudeau denounces arbitrary sentence of Robert Schellenberg, who was suddenly retried after receiving 15-year sentence A court in China has sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient, a ruling likely to deepen a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Beijing. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, nodded as the judge in the northeast city of Dalian asked him whether he understood the verdict, following a day-long retrial on Monday in which he declared his innocence. The court completely rejects the accused persons explanation and defence because it is completely at odds with the facts, the chief judge said in a courtroom packed with observers among them Canadian embassy officials, AFP news agency reported. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Ottawa that he is concerned that China chose to arbitrarily apply the death penalty to a Canadian citizen. Schellenberg was detained more than four years ago and initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2016. But suddenly, last month, an appeals court agreed with prosecutors who said the sentence was too lenient and scheduled Mondays retrial with just four days notice. Schellenberg was told in court he has the right to appeal to Liaoning High Court within 10 days of receiving the ruling, the court said in a statement, adding that he was involved in organised international drug crimes. Schellenbergs lawyer Zhang Dongshuo told Reuters news agency that he will likely appeal the sentence. Mondays sentence comes against the backdrop of the Chinese governments anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive from telecom giant Huawei last month, on a US extradition request related to Iran sanctions violations. Chinese authorities have since detained two Canadian nationals a former diplomat and a business consultant on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen as retaliation over the Huawei executives arrest. China denies political link The Dalian court said Schellenberg, who was detained in December 2014, played a key part in an international drug trafficking syndicate. Not just content with spreading drugs in one country, the syndicate has spread across borders it is a harm to human health and also to the stability of countries, the court said. In his final statement before the sentence was announced, Schellenberg said, I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist. Analysts and rights groups said retrials are rare in China, especially ones calling for a harsher sentence. China is going to face lots of questions about why this particular person, of this particular nationality, had to be retried at this particular time, Human Rights Watchs Washington-based China director Sophie Richardson told Reuters. Ottawa has said it was following the case very closely and has provided Schellenberg with consular assistance. Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure in the case. The Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday that critics can stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so. In his defence, Schellenberg said he was a victim of a set-up by an international drug ring. But Chinese prosecutors said he was the principal suspect in a case involving an international syndicate that planned to send some 222kg of methamphetamine to Australia, hidden in plastic pellets which were concealed in rubber tyres. Two Chinese men have also received sentences one to life imprisonment, while another was handed a suspended death sentence. China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past, including a Japanese national in 2014 and a Filipina in 2013. Beijing considers the number of people executed in China each year to be a state secret. International human rights organisations estimate the figure at around 2,000. Despite the lagging exports, China announced it had recorded a trade surplus with the United States of $323bn in 2018. New trade numbers from China show the country is feeling the effects of the US-China trade war that started in April last year. According to Chinas customs administration, exports fell by 4.4 percent in December, while imports were at the lowest since 2016, the agency announced on Monday. A slowdown in global demand and a trade dispute with the United States are being blamed for the current predicament China finds itself in. Concerns for the years ahead were underlined at a news conference in Beijing In 2019, the biggest worry for Chinas trade is due to complex and grim external environment, Li Kuiwen, spokesperson for General Administration of Customs, said during the press conference. Uncertain and unstable factors are still numerous. Protectionism and unilateralism from certain countries are rearing their heads, Kuiwen said without naming the US specifically. 181130130736067 The new numbers come at the midpoint of a 90-day truce in the trade war between the two largest economies in the world. And although the two countries have been discussing their dispute, a solution seems far away. A delegation from Washington was in Beijing last week to continue negotiations but very few details from the meeting have been released, Al Jazeera correspondent Katrina You said from Beijing. With just 40 days left in the truce, there seems to be no solution in sight. Analysts say the trade figures could be used by Washington to pressure China. I think Beijing clearly knows the pressure that they are under to restore confidence domestically in their leadership but also internationally, Associate Professor at Fulbright University Vietnam Christopher Balding said. Washington will also know that China needs a win and they will be using that to put pressure on them, Balding, an expert on Chinese economy, added. Trade surplus with the US But despite the trade war with the US, China announced it had recorded a trade surplus with the US of $323bn in 2018. 181129084943877 Chinas trade surplus with the US grew by 17 percent, the highest rate recorded by Beijing in more than 10 years. Chinas exports to the US grew by 11.3 percent in 2018, year-on-year to $478.4bn, while imports of US goods rose slightly by 0.7 percent compared with 2017. The trade war between the US and China started in April 2018 after US President Donald Trump repeatedly slammed China for allegedly devaluating its currency and imposing unfair taxes on American cars. Trump, who railed against Chinas policies during the 2016 presidential election campaign, imposed tariffs on several Chinese products, leading to Beijing reciprocating, turning the dispute into a trade war that has now lasted for eight months. Opioid overdose has become the fifth most probable reason for preventable death, according to a new report. In the United States, the probability of dying from opioids has for the first time surpassed the likelihood of being killed in a car crash, according to a new report by the National Safety Council. Published on Monday and based on the National Center for Health Statistics 2017 data, the report found that opioids overdose was the fifth most probable cause of preventable death, with a one-in-96 odds. The odds of dying in a vehicular crash were one-in-103. More probable causes than opioids overdoses were heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and suicide. Opioids contributed to the overwhelming majority 69 percent of fatal drug overdoses in 2016, totalling 37,814 deaths, according to the NSC. These opioids include the use of illegal narcotics, such as heroin, and prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. The nations opioid crisis is fueling the Councils grim probabilities, and that crisis is worsening with an influx of illicit fentanyl, the council said in a statement on Monday, referring to a synthetic opioid often used to treat severe pain. Just a day before the report was released, one person died and at least 12 people were hospitalised in northern California in what police described as a mass overdose stemming from fentanyl use. 171029102559319 In 2017, overdose deaths soared, surpassing 70,000, according to the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics. And between 2013 and 2017, fatal drug overdose rates grew in 35 of the 50 US states as well as the District of Columbia. In many of those states, synthetic opioids were behind a growing number of deaths, as per CDC statistics. In December, a separate report concluded that fentanyl had become more common than heroin in drug overdose deaths in the country. Bipartisan legislation, criticism US President Donald Trump signed an opioid law in late October. The bipartisan law expanded medical treatment for opioid users and made it more difficult to mail illicit drugs. Together we are going to end the scourge of drug addiction in America, Trump said during an event at the time. We are going to end it or we are going to at least make an extremely big dent in this terrible, terrible problem. The legislation expands access to substance abuse treatment in Medicaid, the government health insurance programme for the poor and disabled. 171030083501156 It also cracks down on mailed shipments of illicit drugs such as fentanyl, and provides a host of new federal grants to address the crisis. In October 2017, Trump declared opioid addiction a 90-day emergency, a limited declaration that critics said fell short of implementing the measures needed to combat the crisis. Critics also point to Trumps previous attempts to slash hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, which provides treatment to around one-third of people seeking help with substance abuse. In July 2018, Senator Elizabeth Warren, a vocal opponent of Trump, accused the Trump administration of undermining programmes that are pivotal to tackle the opioid crisis. In a nine-page letter to the president, Warren said his administration failed to take the actions needed to meaningfully address this crisis (and has) continued to substitute empty words and broken promises for real action and bold ideas. Hashim won the prize for his coverage of the plight of ethnic Pashtuns and blasphemy issues in his native Pakistan. Al Jazeera correspondent Asad Hashim has been named the winner of the 2018 Agence France-Presse Kate Webb Prize for his coverage of the plight of ethnic Pashtuns and blasphemy issues in his native Pakistan. The award, named after late AFP news agency correspondent Kate Webb, recognises journalism by locally-hired reporters in Asia operating in risky or difficult conditions. Hashim, 33, was honoured for a series of articles for Al Jazeera on ethnic Pashtuns and other minority groups caught in the crossfire of Pakistans fight against the Taliban. These included an investigative report into enforced disappearances allegedly conducted by the countrys powerful military and a reporting mission to the South Waziristan tribal region the birthplace of Pakistan Taliban to look into the civilian toll from landmines. Pakistan has battled homegrown revolt for nearly 15 years, with tens of thousands of people killed, and fighters retain the ability to carry out devastating attacks despite recent improvements in security. 180418080944584 These are challenging times for journalists in Pakistan, and Asad Hashims work stands out for the kind of courageous, independent reporting the Kate Webb Prize was created to recognise, said AFP Asia-Pacific regional director Philippe Massonnet. His deeply-researched articles tackle sensitive subjects with an admirable balance of passion, commitment and journalistic detachment. The award also recognised his work for Al Jazeera on other highly sensitive issues, such as Pakistans blasphemy laws and the countrys judicial system. I am honoured by the jurys decision to select my work this year, Hashim said after learning he was the winner of the 2018 prize. It has become increasingly difficult to report on rights issues, particularly on the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement rights group, due to restrictions imposed by Pakistani authorities in the last year. This award is a recognition of the increasingly restrictive reporting environment all Pakistani journalists are facing. 180205091656542 Id like to thank Al Jazeera for consistently supporting investigative reporting on human rights issues real stories, that affect real people. I would also like to thank Saud Mehsud, a colleague without whose guidance and help on the ground my stories would have been impossible to report. The Kate Webb Prize, with a $3,400 purse, honours journalists working in perilous or difficult conditions in Asia, and is named after a crusading AFP reporter who died in 2007 at the age of 64, after a career covering the worlds trouble spots. The award, which in 2017 went to Myanmar journalist Mratt Kyaw Thu for his brave coverage of the ethnic and religious conflict in his homeland, is administered by AFP and the Webb family. The prize will be formally presented at a ceremony in March. CIRGL, which includes Kenya and Uganda, calls for recount in order to guarantee transparency of poll results. A second African regional body has called for a recount in Democratic Republic of the Congos (DRC) contested presidential election, raising pressure on Kinshasa to fix a dispute that could fan unrest. The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL), a 12-member body including DRC allies Angola and the Republic of the Congo, expressed great concern at the controversy surrounding the poll results. We suggest that the competent structures consider counting the votes in order to guarantee the transparency of the results, it added in a statement. The December 30 vote was supposed to herald Congos first democratic transfer of power in six decades of independence and a new era after President Joseph Kabilas chaotic 18-year rule. But monitoring groups noted widespread irregularities, including faulty voting machines and poorly run polling stations, overshadowing talk of democratic progress in the vast country of 80 million people. Second-place finisher, former Exxon Mobil executive Martin Fayulu, says he in fact won by a landslide with over 60 percent of votes and that the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Kabila to be declared the victor. Tshisekedi and Kabila deny this. International pressure on Kabila has built since the vote, in part because Congos influential Catholic Church said tallies by its 40,000-strong monitoring team show a different winner to that announced by the electoral commission. France, Belgium, the United States and the United Kingdom have all expressed concern about the vote. But perceived criticism from inside Africa could hold greater sway in Congo. The CIRGL statement late on Sunday echoed a statement from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which contains allies of Kinshasa like South Africa and Angola. Approval of the election results from regional partners is critical for the legitimacy of president-elect Tshisekedi. Spokespeople for Kabila and Tshisekedi were not reachable for comment on the statements from African bodies. Fayulu has welcomed calls for a recount. Isolated post-election violence in the country has many fearing a return to the kind of conflict and upheaval that killed millions since the 1990s and destabilised the region. The DRC is the worlds leading miner of cobalt, a mineral used in electric car batteries and mobile phones, and Africas biggest copper producer. It also mines gold and diamonds. Taliban claims responsibility for explosion near compound housing international companies and NGO offices. A powerful explosion has rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least four people and wounding more than 100, the countrys health ministry said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for Mondays blast near the Green Village compound, which houses several international companies and charities, in eastern Kabul. Three military personnel were among the dead, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. He did not specify what nationality they were. One Indian national was also killed, Indias foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The Green Village compound is protected by private security forces, and the road outside has a number of Afghan police and military checkpoints and patrols. Most of the victims were civilians, said Danish. Glass shrapnel Different hospitals in the city treated as many as 113 injured, including 14 women and 24 children, Afghanistans Public Health Ministry Spokesperson Wahidullah Mayar said. Most of them were injured by glass shrapnel injuries, they received required treatment and were discharged, Mayar said. The explosion took place when a bomb-laden car blew up outside the high-security compound. It sits along the main road that connects Kabul to Jalalabad. The normally busy road was closed for hours. The area is home to hundreds of local businesses and residential homes. Local Afghan news website Tolo News posted footage on Twitter that appeared to show ambulances returning from the scene of the explosion. Footage shows ambulances returning from a blast scene in Kabul's PD9 near Green Village compound on Kabul-Jalalabad road. pic.twitter.com/e4KZx3jH3Z TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) January 14, 2019 Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, said the groups fighters were responsible for the attack. He claimed dozens of foreign and Afghan security forces were killed and wounded. Five attackers, including the suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle, were involved in the attack, Mujahid said in a statement. The Taliban often inflates casualty figures in attacks against Afghan government or foreign targets. Mondays attack took place as US Peace Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad tours the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the countrys 17-year-long war. Last week, Taliban leaders called off a fourth round of talks with US officials in Qatar because of disagreements over the agenda of the meeting. The Taliban has rejected numerous requests from regional powers to allow Afghan officials to take part in the peace talks, denouncing the government in Kabul as a puppet administration and instead insisting the US is their main adversary in the war in Afghanistan. A US-led invasion in 2001 toppled the Taliban, Afghanistans largest armed group, from power. The group has escalated its attacks on security forces and government facilities in recent months. The last major attack in the capital took place in late December when 43 people were killed inside a government compound targeted by a suicide bomber and other attackers armed with assault rifles. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Photo: Screenshot via Twitter Picture this: Youre having a good time, chatting with someone. Things are going well, so you decide to shoot your shot and get a little flirty. Sure. But then, against all odds, the other person flirts back! Damn! And then youre all like [map of South America]. Maybe youre not quite following me here. Allow this viral tweet from @is_meguca to explain. me: flirts me: gets flirted with back me: pic.twitter.com/b7SL0gfgo1 Waina (@is_meguca) January 13, 2019 Got it? No? Youre still confused, I see. That is understandable feeling like [map of South America] is not the most relatable feeling in the world although 22,000 Twitter users (and counting) saw fit to retweet this little one-act play. Multiple people, including Intelligencer correspondent Madison Malone Kircher, suggested that this was a reference to Come to Brazil, the popular catchphrase of Brazilian stans on social media. That was a good guess, but then why include the other countries on the map? (No offense to the other countries of South America, youre all fantastic.) Vulture senior editor Jesse David Fox, who writes about comedy, told me, God, Im trying to look at this to be an optical illusion. Not quite. Editor Ben Williams suggested that it was the first Dada meme. Its meaninglessness is a satire of meme culture. I do not know anything about art history or the Dada movement, so lets say, Potentially! Over Twitter DM, Laina Farthing, the woman who crafted this confounding post, gave me the answer. I was just like,,, talking and flirting with someone and I was caught off guard when they did it back, she wrote. I had meant to put an entirely different image, one that actually made sense, but I clicked the wrong one and because I dont proofread my tweets I just posted it as it was. She just posted the wrong image. Occams razor strikes again. Despite the lack of intent, the post has found a wide audience. This is, after all, a new world, in which the current most-liked Instagram post is a stock photo of an egg. Why cant we find emotional resonance in a black-and-white map of South America? Intelligencer editor Ezekiel Kweku explained it thusly: When someone flirts back with them, they dont know how to respond. Its not like we have a singular, all-encompassing term for that intangible feeling. Maybe the confusion of seeing unexpected South American cartography puts one in the same headspace as when your crush flirts back. That kind of very nonsensical humor is exactly my kind of humor, so I was laughing too much to actually delete it, and by the point I was done a bunch of people had already retweeted it, Farthing said. i have a college app due tomorrow that I havent even started and Im like pic.twitter.com/QznOEucTRY rory (@houstonoutIaws) January 14, 2019 Some people enjoyed the nonsense of the post, others tried very hard to decipher it, and a surprising amount thought it was a picture of Africa, she said. Another layer to this mystery is why anyone would have a continental map on their device in the first place. It turns out it was part of a geography game, where I had my mutuals tell me a name of a country, and I would then put that name where I thought the country was, so I had separate pictures of each continent. Mystery solved. Farthing originally intended to attach a picture of Surprised Pikachu, a popular recent reaction image that is exactly what it sounds like. Here is an artists reconstruction of what the preconceived tweet might have looked like: Photo: Brian Feldman Hopefully, that provides you with some closure. Or maybe you still feel something nagging at you. Maybe youre just a bit [map of South America]. Stacker dove into film history to compile data on 50 films set in ancient times, an era which spans from the beginning of human history to the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century. To qualify, the movie had to have at least 1,000 votes on IMDb. Click for more. After a nearly two-year absence from public life, former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is expected to attend his successors inauguration celebration. The disgraced former governor, who resigned in April 2017 as the state Legislature moved forward with an impeachment investigation into claims the governor used state resources to cover up an affair with his senior political adviser, RSVPed to Iveys celebration, which kicks off Monday. Ivey succeeded Bentley as governor and became the first woman elected governor from the Republican Party. All former governors were invited to join Alabamians in celebrating the historical inauguration of the first female Republican governor, a spokeswoman for Iveys inauguration said in an email to AL.com on Sunday. This day is about honoring Gov. Kay Ivey and reaffirming her commitment and vision to keep Alabama growing. The scandal engulfing Bentley led his wife to divorce him. He retreated to private life, opening up a Tuscaloosa dermatology practice. On Monday morning, a parade is scheduled to usher in Iveys term in Montgomery. The invitation-only inaugural gala is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Montgomery Civic Center. A second judge has ruled that the woman who was elected to serve as a Jefferson County criminal judge will not be able to take office, leaving one seat on the countys bench empty. Linda Hall, a Birmingham-based attorney, won the judgeship in the Nov. 6 election for Jefferson County Circuit Court Place 16. In October, before the election, a judge ruled that Hall was ineligible to take the bench because of residency requirements after a Jefferson County voter filed a civil lawsuit. Fayette County Circuit Judge Samuel Junkins October ruling stated Hall was ineligible to run based on residency requirements, after a lawsuit filed in September by a Jefferson County voter said Hall lived in Shelby Countywhich isnt part of the Tenth Judicial Circuit like Jeffersonand not in Jefferson County for the required 12-month period. Ballots had already been printed though, and Hall was still considered to be the Democratic nominee. Hall beat incumbent Judge Teresa Pulliam in the race by over 16,000 votes. Since her defeat, Pulliam has been appointed to fill another criminal court judgeship in the countys circuit court. That appointment is effective Tuesday. While Junkin barred Hall from taking the bench, that case was appealed and later dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be reinstated. Two other Jefferson County voters then filed a similar suit in Jefferson County Probate Court, again asking that Hall be ruled ineligible to take office because of her former residences. Specially appointed Probate Judge Will Motlow ruled on Friday that Hall was ineligible to take the bench because she didnt live in Jefferson County for the required residency period. The judge also issued an injunction preventing Hall from taking the oath of office, pending any successful appeals. Because Pulliams appointment is effective Tuesday, the Place 16 seat will be vacant on Jan. 15. The present situation is entirely of Halls making, Junkin wrote in the civil court ruling. Rather than attempt to address the injunctive remedies available to plaintiff, this court opts to await further briefing and arguments from the parties' counsel before deciding what injunctive relief is appropriate based on Halls clear ineligibility. During the October trial, Hall testified about her living arrangements for the past 18 months and said she would not have ran if she was aware she had lived in Shelby County. She said she is aware of the requirement that a person must live in the county in which theyre campaigning in for at least 12 months prior to the election. Hall said she lived in the Park at Callington apartments until early 2016, when mold infested her unit and she had to move out. From there, Hall moved in February 2017 to apartments on Kenley Waywhich was the address she provided on her declaration of candidacy forms with the Alabama Democratic Party. According to her testimony, Hall provided the zip code 35219, which doesnt match the Kenley Way address, because she didnt know the correct zip code. Hall said the 35219 zip code matched her P.O. box address in Homewood where she received all of her mail. Documents shown in court also show Hall provided the Kenley Way address, along with the incorrect zip code, on forms submitted to the Alabama Ethics Commission. Over the course of 2018, Hall said she has lived in four different apartments because of various issues with mold, foul odors, and smoking neighbors. Hall said the complexes of Kenley Way, Cahaba Grandview, and Inverness Cliffs all advertised they were in the city of Birmingham. Parts of Birmingham overlap into Shelby County, but Hall said she never inquired about the county she was residing in. Her latest apartment, which Hall said she moved into in early October, is in Jefferson County. She also testified that she lived in St. Louis, MO, between August and December 2017. In St. Louis, she lived in several extended stay hotels. A $10,000 reward is now being offered for information in the Christmas Eve robbery of a Brinks armored vehicle in east Birmingham. FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. and Birmingham Police chief Patrick Smith on Monday announced the reward in hopes of getting information that will lead to the arrest and indictment for those responsible. The holdup happened about 8:15 a.m. that Monday when the Brinks armored vehicle security guard was serving an ATM at the BBVA Compass Bank at 201 Gadsden Highway. Authorities said the security guard blocked the entrance and exit of the driveway with the armored vehicle. A short time later, a gold-colored, four-door sedan backed into a parking spot at a nearby fast food restaurant. As the security guard was servicing the ATM, two black males quickly approached. One of the robbers sprayed the driver with a chemical while the second robber held him on the ground. They returned to their vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene in an unknown direction. The robbers were dressed in dark clothing, neon vests and gloves. The vests were similar to traffic control or construction vests. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the FBI at 205-326-6166 or Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777. Lets say you answer the phone and instead of a person on the other end of the line, you hear a recorded message. Youve just gotten a robocall. And, if you live in one Alabama area code, the chances of getting one o f those calls is higher than almost anywhere else in the country. Tracking by YouMail robocall index shows the 205 area code as number 14 on the list of top affected places nationwide when it comes to the spam calls. Based on per capita rates, 205, which includes Birmingham, moves up to 12th on the list. YouMails tracking shows the 205 area code received 40.1 million robocalls in December 2018. The top robocall destination in America was 404, which includes Atlanta. The area reported 87 million robocalls in December. You can see the complete list here. According to the Federal Communications Commission, unwanted phone calls are the most-common complaint the agency receives, with roughly 200,000 reports each year. Heres how the FCC advises people to handle unwanted calls: The Mobile County Commission has voted to approve $4 million in economic development incentives for the new jetliner assembly line Airbus is building in Mobile. The $4 million will be paid out at a rate of up to $400,000 a year over 10 years, to reimburse Airbus "for capital expenses incurred in developing, constructing, and equipping the A220 Project." Airbus currently produces A320-family aircraft at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley; its second Final Assembly Line will produce the newer, smaller A220 family, with the first delivery expected in 2020. The city of Mobile is considering an identical $4 million commitment, with a council vote expected Tuesday. The project agreement also calls for the city and county to grant or support various fee waivers and tax abatements; the projected value of those parts of the economic development package has not yet been announced. Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl said Tuesday that the commission has not yet approved that part of the package, and that he expects to see it come up for a separate vote in the near future. The Alabama Department of Commerce also has been working to finalize an incentive package, whose terms have not yet been revealed. Airbus will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new assembly line on Wednesday. The measure generated some discussion at a preliminary meeting on Thursday, all favorable, and county commissioners approved it without debate on Monday. At the Thursday session, Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson said that this project, added to Airbus's existing facilities in Mobile, made for a true blockbuster development. "That is roughly about an $800 million capital investment in the Brookley Aeroplex and about 1,000 jobs," she said. At the same meeting, Commissioner Jerry Carl said that when the new assembly line is up and running, Mobile's jetliner production will rank it fourth in the world. Hudson repeated that claim after Monday's vote. The new project is estimated as being a $210 million capital investment. The project agreement with the city and county requires Airbus to meet a target of 432 new employees to earn the full $8 million in reimbursements. It has already begun taking applications for the first of those jobs. "Airbus is dedicated to providing new jobs in our community," Commissioner Merceria Ludgood said in a statement released after Monday's vote. "We are proud to support Airbus and also to support its commitment to AIDT and Flight Works Alabama in training our work force." The companys vision and its teamwork with our local leaders has been a great success, Hudson said in the same statement. We welcome their expansion and continued contributions to the county. They were the people who cared about whether the street outside their home was paved, whether their garbage was regularly hauled away, whether their neighborhood was safe. As expected, Sundays public viewing of former Fairfield and Birmingham mayor Larry Langford, who died on January 8, at the age of 72, was certainly attended by luminaries from across the spectrum--including Richard Scrushy, the founder and former CEO of HealthSouth who served time in federal prison for bribing former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. Of Langford, Scrushy said: He was just a dear friend, through good times and bad. But most of the hundreds who streamed through the doors of Bill Harris Arena--part of the Birmingham Crossplex that is just one of the many properties Langford is credited for envisioning--were among the working-class core whose support for him never wavered, particularly so during the eight-and-a-half years he served in federal prison for political corruption. Full coverage of Larry Langford. People like Georgia Gray Hampton. I always felt he had great vision and was just mistreated," she said. "I just felt it was my duty to be here, she said. Like Aguster Maul. He was a good friend. [His death] hurt my heart. He didnt get the credit for all the good he did. Like Hafeeza King, a Birmingham native who drove from Hampton, GA, where she now lives to attend the viewing. I admired him all my life, she said. "I felt the time didnt fit the crime. I loved him." Like Mary Gunnerson, a City of Birmingham employee for 23 years. When he was mayor, he was always good to me, she said. And like Brandan Stuckey, who recalled being at the inauguration celebration when Langford was elected Birminghams 30th mayor in 2007. He loved the party, but he was all about business, Stuckey recalled. "He said, Weve got work to do.' He was my hero--my Batman, Superman and Aquaman combined. By one-oclock in the afternoon, an hour before the viewing was scheduled to begin, dozens were already gathered outside in the chilled afternoon--and their numbers were growing. The doors were opened at 1:20 p.m. because the line had swelled to more than 200. For nearly three hours, people trickled through to see Langfords closed casket, which was both covered and surrounded with a sea of red roses. Langford, perhaps the most flamboyant and polarizing political figure in the citys history, died at Princeton Baptist hospital in Birmingham hospital 10 days after being admitted after a federal judge reduced his sentence and allowed him to be transferred from a federal prison hospital in Lexington, Ky. I thought hed have a little longer, said Pat Lynch, who worked with Langford at Budweiser Birmingham. "I was a sounding board, he added. We had coffee every day for 30 years. Hed tell me some of his ideas, and Id say, That aint gonna work. Hed get mad and go do it. Lynch says spoke with Langford every Saturday during the first 18 months he was in prison (He was always upbeat; he didnt want to show any side but that.), visited him several times i the Birmingham hospital--and was with Langford when he died. He reflected on the years hed spend [in prison] and what he missed, Lynch added. He was happy to be home and looked forward to going home. Anethia Reliford has been a friend of Melva Langford, the former mayors widow, since they worked together in 1967--before Melva met her future husband She thinks they may have met at a cookout at Melvas parents home, where they hosted a party for the Birmingham Corvette Club, oh which Langford was a member, she said. I think when he met her, she said, 'Thats going to be my wife, Reliford said. I was here to honor Larrys legacy, for all he did for [Jefferson County] and Fairfield. And in honor of my friend Melva. Scrushy and Langford had a long-time relationship that included forming a charity, Computer Help for Kids. Scrushy, who flew in from Dallas--where he now lives--to attend the viewing, says he wrote several letters to Langford while the former mayor was imprisoned. I dont know if he got them, he said. "A lot of people act like your friend but dont stick with you through the end. Larry did. The funeral mass will be held at noon on Monday, January 14, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Fairfield, his home church. Arrangements are being handled by the Bushelon Funereal Home. The Langford family arrived around 3:30, after which there was a program that including musical selections by the St. Marys choir and Sharon Collins, a Connecting Links ceremony, and several speakers. Robert Holmes, a friend of Langfords, said said the former mayor "always had a quote, always had a testimony. He was a proud man. Langord planted seeds, said Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales, referring to places such as the Birmingham-Fred L. Shuttlesworth Airport, Railroad Park, the Intermodal Transportation Center. For him to have done in two-and-a-half years what others handt done in decades .... Many of the speakers shared stories that prompted laughter from those who stayed to attend the program. Chef Clayton Sherrod recalled how he once whispered to Langford that Birmingham should have a museum commemorating the citys role in Negro League baseball, then moments later Langford announced at an event: Birmingham need a Negro League museum! Alabama state Senator Linda Coleman-Madison remembered how the St, Marys school baseball team couldnt win a game until Langford recruited other players from Fairfield. They werent catholic, she said. But we never lost another game. State representative and attorney Juandalynn Givan, who worked with the family to help him get released, said she accidentally left her umbrella in Langfords hospital room last week. When I came in, Melva and Larry were hugging and kissing and smooching, she said. "I said, 'Don;t yall make no babies up in here! But to see that love--and it was not pretentious, it was real. To see that love was inspiring. Langford will be interred at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Larry P. Langford Scholarship at UNCF-Birmingham, 601 19th St N. #207, Birmingham, AL 35203 This story will be updated. President Trump. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Having blundered into a government shutdown, President Trump has three plausible options to end it. One, he could simply agree to reopen the government and shift to blaming Congress for failure to build his wall. Second, he could try to cobble together some broader trade, in which Democrats would give him border funds in return for a path to citizenship for Dreamers or some other concessions. Or third, he could declare a state of emergency, reopen the government, and leave it to the courts to stop him from unilaterally building the wall, allowing him to save face. Every one of these methods carries risks. All of them have at least some chance of success (or, at least, of mitigating the damage Trump would otherwise incur). Instead, however, Trump for the time being appears to be rejecting all three options. Instead he is pursuing a fourth strategy: Keep the government closed, refuse efforts to open it, and wait for Democrats to cave in and fund the wall. The broader political calculus controlling this situation is obvious. As a tactic to gain leverage, shutdowns never, ever work. The only theoretical reason to believe a shutdown might work is that a president is held responsible for bad outcomes, and might feel pressured to pay a ransom to end a shutdown on his watch. But since in this case the president is the one demanding the shutdown, this factor is simply another reason why the shutdown is backfiring on Trump. He is both the person demanding concessions to end the shutdown and the person who absorbs public blame for bad conditions in the country. And the shutdown, already the longest in American history, is approaching a duration at which it could seriously detract from economic growth. Whats more, as a general matter, presidential speeches fail to move public opinion toward the president. To the small extent presidential speeches about issues do change anybodys opinions, they tend to bring the publics beliefs about an issue into alignment with its opinions about the president overall. People who already like the president will take his side on the issue in question, and those who oppose him will do the opposite. But since Trump is already highly unpopular, this small effect cant help him much anyway. Most importantly, Democrats have a strong and clear incentive not to give Trump a ransom. If they do hand over unilateral concessions in return for reopening the government, Democrats understand perfectly well that Trump (and other Republicans) will simply continue shutting down the government and demanding more ransom. And since the Democratic base loathes Trump, raising the profile of this issue increases the incentive for Democrats to hold fast. However costly it would have been for Democrats to give Trump concessions three weeks ago, its much costlier now, and the price will continue to rise. So how does Trump escape? Hes rejecting every possible avenue of retreat. Some of his allies have tried to wrap the shutdown in a broader immigration deal, which would allow both sides to spin the trade as a win. But Trump blew up those talks. He could also claim he can use emergency powers to build the wall without Congress, and then reopen the government while it gets tied up in courts. But Trump told reporters this morning he doesnt intend to try this: "I'm not looking to call a national emergency," Trump says as the longest government shutdown in history drags into its 24th day. "This is so simple that you shouldn't have to. Now, I have the absolute legal right to call it but I'm not looking to do that" https://t.co/qluQ1PdBdB pic.twitter.com/HPiEO21CLo ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 14, 2019 Of course, Trump could always change his mind. But the rational time to try the emergency gambit was last week, right after he walked away from the negotiating table with Democrats. Instead, Trump appears to believe that letting the shutdown drag on will somehow force Democrats to surrender. The extent of his delusional, self-destructive behavior is striking even by Trumpian standards. The Washington Post reports that in a recent meeting with congressional Republicans, Trump delivered a rambling, egomaniacal address about how he was winning everywhere, and Republicans would win the shutdown if they hold fast and back his demands. Trumps advisers are scrambling to build an exit ramp while also bracing for the shutdown to last weeks longer, observes the Post. Current and former aides said there is little strategy in the White House; people are frustrated and, in the words of one, freaking out. Other Republicans have tried to explain to Trump that his tactic cannot succeed, but Trump refuses to believe them. Early this month, at a negotiating session in the White House Situation Room, Mr. Trump and his team said Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, at the time on the eve of her election to the top post, would be more willing to give in on the wall once the vote was behind her, reports the New York Times. Trump also predicted that when federal workers missed their first paycheck from the shutdown, Democrats would yield. This also failed to occur. At some point, the economic and political costs of the shutdown will accumulate to such a level that either Trump agrees to end it, or a veto-proof supermajority of his fellow partisans override him. How long that takes is hard to say. It has already gone on far longer than most of us might have guessed. Trump is imprisoned in a mental bunker, believing that his willpower can overcome the objectively deteriorating conditions all around him. When Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and other state constitutional officers are sworn today, they will place a hand on an piece of history that gets its own security escort to the Capitol. Alabama has a State Bible thats been used in every gubernatorial inauguration since being purchased in 1853. Its a priceless artifact in our eyes, said Ryan Blocker, museum collection curator with the Alabama Department of Archives and History located a short walk to the Capitol, where the swearing-in ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. Alabamas State Bible, believed to be the oldest official state Bible in the U.S., was also used by Jefferson Davis as he took his oath of office as president of the Confederate States of America in 1861 while Montgomery was the Confederacys capital. That connection to Davis and the Confederate past has created controversy in the modern era, but Blocker said that theres been no discussion of quietly shelving the Bible for good. Blocker pointed out that State Bible, first used to swear in John Winston as Alabamas 15th governor in December 1853, predates the Confederacy and Alabamas secession from the Union in 1861. Its more of a State Bible (than a) Jefferson Davis Bible, she said. Complete Inauguration Coverage Nonetheless, as a contingency, there is a back-up Bible that has been waiting 100 years to make its inauguration debut. It was purchased in 1919 when some state higher-ups thought that the 1853 Bible heavy and ornate ought to be retired. But the back-up got snubbed during Gov. Thomas Kilbys 1919 inauguration, and has yet to surface in any official capacity. Governors of the modern era have, however, opted to have their personal Bibles placed atop the State Bible during swearing-in ceremonies. Debbee Hancock, a spokeswoman for Kay Iveys inauguration, said the governor plans take this approach, bringing her family Bible to the Capitol steps. Blocker said there is no guarantee the 1853 Bible will be used in perpetuity. In fact, the Bible has been in safe storage for about a year and away from public display. Said Blocker: Any exposure to light, heat and humidity will affect the Bible. Having to have a period of rest for it is a good thing. Blocker will be joined by another museum curator and a member of the State Bureau of Investigations to escort the Bible to the Capitol for the inaugural events. This is Blockers third time to escort the Bible to a swearing-in. The first was Robert Bentleys inauguration in 2015; the second was Iveys elevation to the governors job in April 2017 after Bentley resigned amid scandal. When Kay Ivey was sworn in, of course, people knew it was serious when the State Bible came through, Blocker said. We were holding and walking and you could hear the whispers, There goes the State Bible. You knew it was an event. Blocker said the biggest challenge will be to ensure that everyone at the ceremony family members, pastors and others is mindful of the Bibles weight. Its a typical Bible for its period, Blocker said. Its very heavy. We are taking it over a little early so those who are holding the Bible can feel the weight of it. After a minute or so, its heavier than most people will think and they tend to have to lean back to compensate for the weight of it. The Alabama State Bible, purchased by the state in 1853. (photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery) Michael Altman, a religious studies professor at the University of Alabama, said that the concept of a State Bible has its roots in the Protestant revivalism that dominated the U.S. during the 1800s, especially the South. During this period, the Bible became an important social and political symbol throughout the United States that Protestant Christians used to define America as a Protestant nation, said Altman. The American Bible Society, for instance, was founded in 1816 and became a national publisher before the Civil War, he said. At the time of its purchase by the state, the King James Bible symbolized the power of Protestant Christianity in Alabama society, he said. Alabama remains one of the most religious states in the land, as evidenced by its No. 1 ranking following a 2016 Pew Research Center survey. In that survey, 77 percent of Alabama respondents agreed that religion was important to their lives. And 82 percent said that they believed in God with absolute certainty. Altman said he believes the State Bible should be understood as an artifact from the era in which a notion of a Bible Belt emerged. Its use to swear in Jefferson Davis should remind us that both sides of the Civil War used and quoted the Bible, said Altman. Indeed, Confederate chaplains and preachers used verses from the Bible to defend slavery and the Confederacy. He said, Its an important historical artifact that represents the power of Protestantism has had in shaping Alabama society, both in terms of religious revivalism and slavery apologists. Wayne Flynt, a distinguished historian and professor emeritus at Auburn University, said the 1853 Bible has two meanings, which are aspirational and symbolic. As aspiration, the Bible suggests the benchmarks of a Christian society: personal righteousness and social justice, adherence to the Ten Commandments, humility before God, said Flynt. To remind politicians, and citizens, of these values is a good thing. But as a symbol prominently displayed during the inauguration? Flynt said outsiders may cringe. The prominent display of the Bible in the political context of a state where elected officials are among the most corrupt -- that is, violating the ethical norms by which other states regulate conduct of elected officials, as well as elected officials who actually break Alabamas weak legal restricts -- must appear outside Alabama as pure religious hypocrisy, he said. This is an opinion column. Congratulations Gov. Kay Ivey. You were elected governor, easy as buttermilk pie. Your approval ratings are off the charts. According to national polling you are, on this day of inauguration, the third most popular governor in America. According to Morning Consult 63 percent of Alabamians like the job youre doing. Good gravy, governor, think about that. I dont believe 63 percent of Alabamians approve of cheese grits, or Forrest Gump. Heck, these days Nick Saban may not have a 63 percent approval rating. But you do. You do. So congrats again, Gov. Ivey. This is your day. So enjoy it. And remember Robert Bentley as you smile and nod. Hes more than the reason you were able to take office in the first place. Hes an allegory, a parable and a warning for all governors to heed. He is a very personal reminder to you. Because its not where you stand today that matters. Oh no. Its where you go from here. Call it Bentleys Law. Because Bentley was a popular governor too, once. And I dont mean after the bottom fell out and he proclaimed himself the best governor Alabamas ever had by far. That was just a symptom of his disease. He came to believe the ratings were a permanent stamp of approval. He read the press clippings his handlers put in front of him, and never heard the criticisms that might have done him some good. Bentley should be an object lesson for all governors. So it was kind of him to show up at your swearing in this morning, along with former governors Don Siegelman, Bob Riley and Jim Folsom Jr. And it was kind of you to pay tribute to them, to point to Bentley, who resigned from office after pleading guilty to campaign crimes, and Siegelman, who served years in federal prison on corruption charges, and the others. Alabama is certainly better off because of the years of distinguished service of these leaders, you said. Kind. Too kind. Ridiculously kind. It was kind of absurd, considering how the corruption and embarrassment of past governors left smudges on this state that Clorox and the criminal justice system cant even bleach. You could stand for ethical duty, or you could pay tribute to those who stained us. You chose the latter. Youd do well to remember Bentleys Law. Remember that in 2014 he was re-elected governor with almost 64 percent of the vote. Thats best in modern history, better than your approval rating, Gov. Ivey. By the time he resigned in 2017 he had the worst approval rating with his own party of any governor in America, according to Morning Consult. Remember how he did it, governor. It didnt start with the affair or the divorce or the campaign finance crimes. It started with a tax. It started with listening to special interests instead of the people who elected him. It started with believing a high approval rating translates into impunity. Bentley, just after his second inauguration, flipped on his no-new-taxes pledge and proposed a half-billion dollar tax plan, and Alabama saw right through it. When he then proposed a massive prison-building plan, the people simply did not trust him. Or it. So in your inaugural address you spoke of building new prisons, even though its a hot potato among legislators. In your address you pointed toward increasing the gas tax that funds roads and bridges, even though you, too, have made a no new taxes pledge with Americans for Tax Reform. Beware Bentleys Law, governor. He was right in front of you today, so learn from him. And be yourself. That, after all, is what people like. John Archibald, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is a columnist for Reckon by AL.com. His column appears in The Birmingham News, the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register and AL.com. Write him at jarchibald@al.com. When it comes to the disruption anticipated from the impending Interstate 59/20 downtown shutdown, Birmingham businesses, like travelers, might find themselves looking for a detour - both literally and figuratively. A one-mile stretch of the interstate highway running through the citys Central Business District will be closed for an estimated 14 months, as contractors demolish and replace the interstates aging bridges. ALDOT announced in December that the shutdown was scheduled to begin in mid- to late- January." The exact date the interstate will close has not been announced. Once I-59/20 is closed, contractors will have 14 months to tear down and replace a one-mile stretch of roadway that currently sees an estimated 160,000 vehicles per day, through downtown, between the interchanges with I-65 and with the Red Mountain Expressway. The roadway runs directly past the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Boutwell Auditorium, the Birmingham Museum of Art and other destinations. That kind of disruption is enough to get anyones attention, but the length of the inconvenience, and the scope, seem especially unnerving. ALDOT is urging motorists heading through Birmingham to avoid the downtown area if possible while I-59/20 is shut down and take I-459 around the city. ALDOT has created a webpage for the 59/20 project information and updates, including detour routes, and the ALGOtraffic web site and mobile app should show current road conditions. The effect on traffic is predicted to spread beyond the downtown area to detour routes, impacting traffic - and businesses - on I-459, I-65, U.S. 280, and beyond. Brian Hilson, president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, for example, pointed to the impact just on truck travel. In the short term, theres no question that people who work downtown, live in the area, and visit downtown, as well as those simply traveling through, will be impacted, he said. But we have a very large network of truck transportation that has historically utilized 59/20 in the downtown area. The Birmingham-Atlanta leg happens to be the most heavily traveled commercial truck segment of any in the Interstate highway system in the South. However, Hilson said, theres no alternative. We just have to adjust to it, he said. How road construction affects businesses, large and small, has been the point of some research in recent years. Studies within the last decade by the Minnesota state government and the City of Tuscon, Ariz. found that while the long-term benefits of interstate improvements are easily understood, the interim effects of road construction can sometimes thoroughly disrupt area small business activity. Both of those studies, for example, recommend vigorous communication between business and government to ease the difficulties. The Minnesota study found that two-thirds of businesses surveyed felt road construction negatively impacted them. Long lines of traffic meant loss of access, while detours meant fewer customers. Traditionally brisk sales periods, such as holidays, saw little movement. Poor signage was also a complaint. The businesses that were less likely to feel the impact of construction, according to the study, were those that took preemptive action through advertising, or direct contact with customers. Some sent detour maps on fliers, while others developed their own special signage, expanded hours and increased delivery. The City of Birmingham has already taken some steps and hopes businesses will follow suit. For example, departments are adjusting work schedules, starting today. Business license applicants can go to City Hall between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and building permit applicants can come from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both offices normally open at 8 a.m. Tax & Licensing and Cash Management, as well as the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits' One-Stop Permitting, Condemnation and Engineering field staff are operating from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. All other departments are keeping normal office hours. The idea behind the changes, of course, is to give residents better access to city services during the closure, and to give more opportunities for those needing to pay fees, apply for business licenses or other permits. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said all downtown employers should consider innovative ways to help both employees and customers conduct business during the project. Flexible hours will go a long way in helping our businesses run smoothly as possible during this transition period," he said. Some businesses are taking a wait and see approach. Downtowns largest employer, UAB, for example, hasnt made any policy changes in relation to the shutdown. Jim Bakken, assistant vice president for media relations, said the university has shared the 59/20 informational website internally to keep employees on top of the situation. Regions, which has its offices downtown, also hasnt made any formal changes to associates' schedules or operating hours, Senior Vice President Evelyn Mitchell said. We always encourage associates to work with their individual managers to address their specific situations," Mitchell said. In the area of business recruitment, Hilson said, the BBA is bracing for expected disruption but knows that companies considering Birmingham will consider the long-term implications - new roads and bridges are a sign of progress. Construction work, however long, presumably ends in better and more efficient roadways. In our case, when we are meeting a company at the airport, were bringing them to our offices, were showing sites, were conducting meetings, and we work around construction traffic, he said. They know its there, its obvious were using detours, but they see construction as another sign of a community moving forward. Theyre accustomed to it. Plus, Hilson said, the average commute time now in Birmingham is 24 minutes, which is relatively low for a metro area that doesnt rely heavily on public transportation or ridesharing. Thats easy to say, when one has not been parked on the Interstate for hours, inching along, but the end result isnt just about moving traffic forward, but moving the Birmingham region. The final product will be worth the disruption, he said. Well just have to work through it. Thats not to say it wont cause disruption, but people need to be patient. As Turkey faces obstacles in the Syrian military operation it plans for Manbij and northeast Syria, drama is developing in Idlib province, where 12 Turkish posts overlook what is supposed to be a de-escalation zone. Since the beginning of January, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham a coalition of Islamist factions in northern Syria has routed the opposition groups Turkey had merged under the banner of the National Liberation Front. The clashes erupted Jan. 1 after the National Liberation Front's Nour al-din al-Zenki Movement killed five Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters in Darat Izza, drawing in other National Liberation Front groups such as Ahrar al-Sham, Thuwar al-Sham and Biyareq al-Islam. For the National Liberation Front factions, the outcome was a debacle. In 10 days, they lost nearly 90 localities to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, greatly complicating the September deal Turkey and Russia had reached in Sochi to establish the de-escalation zone around Idlib in areas including parts of western Aleppo, northwestern Hama and northeastern Latakia. Here is a brief overview of how the current situation developed. On Jan. 2, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured Darat Izza and four other towns in western Aleppo and the National Liberation Front's Nour al-din al-Zenki fighters took refuge in Turkey-controlled Afrin, leaving behind dozens of vehicles, including tanks. The National Liberation Front retaliated by taking three localities in southern Idlib from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. On Jan. 3, while clashes continued elsewhere, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seized four localities in Hama province. The following day, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also made advances also in western Aleppo, capturing Sinhar, al-Hutah and the military base in Sheikh Suleiman that had been Nour al-din al-Zenkis main headquarters. On Jan. 6, Thuwar al-Sham and Biyareq al-Islam raised a white flag in Al-Atarib. Some 1,000 fighters from those two factions left the city under a deal. On Jan. 9, Ahrar al-Sham handed over al-Ghab Plain and Shashabo Hill in Hama governorate to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which required Ahrar al-Sham to disband in those two regions. In sum, all factions in southwestern Idlib province surrendered their ground to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, except for Jaysh al-Izza, which didn't take part in the clashes. In southern Idlib alone, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of 33 localities. Another critical development involved the Aleppo-Hama-Homs-Damascus road (M-5) and the Aleppo-Latakia road (M-4). Hayat Tahrir al-Sham increased its control on both routes, bringing to 80% the area controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and like-minded jihadi groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also besieged Ariha and Maarat al-Numan, but, facing protests from the local population, didn't enter the towns immediately. On the 10th day of the clashes, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the National Liberation Front signed a cease-fire deal that requires them to remove road barricades and checkpoints and mutually release captives. The so-called Salvation Government, the civilian arm of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, will take over administration of all areas Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured in those 10 days, along with Ariha and Maarat al-Numan. However, similar agreements signed in the past quickly collapsed. Should this deal collapse as well, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham could advance even farther if Turkey doesn't intervene which it hasn't, so far. Turkey is, however, reinforcing its border, sending commandos and armored vehicles to its Hatay province on the border with Idlib, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency news group reported Jan. 11. The Syrian border abutting Turkey is now completely in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham hands. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has surrounded most of the observation points that the Turkish military set up around Idlib under the Sochi deal. The National Liberation Front has proved a disappointment. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's advances defied expectations that the group would weaken further under the impact of the Sochi deal, on top of its loss of thousands of fighters following the defection of Nour al-din al-Zenki and other groups. The Sochi agreement required Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters to pull out of the buffer zone encircling Idlib. Turkish security sources told the BBC in November that the number of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters in Idlib had fallen to about 12,000 from its peak of more than 17,000. Turkey hoped it could move the Sochi deal forward as a result of proxy operations without involving its own troops, through subtle interventions by its intelligence service and by negotiation. But the buffer zone, which was supposed to be cleared of terrorist groups and heavy weaponry, has fallen largely into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's hands. Another Sochi commitment required the reopening of the M-5 and M-4 roads by the end of 2018. To keep its word, Turkey should now intervene, or acquiesce to the big offensive that Russia and Syria had put off. Ankara watched in silence as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham advanced in recent days, giving rise to certain suspicions. Observers ask why Turkey didn't help the National Liberation Front, a question that brings along a second one: Could it be that Turkey has made some deal with Russia? One potential scenario is that Turkey might have forfeited Idlib in return for Manbij. According to another scenario, Turkey could let Russia go ahead rather than keep its end of the bargain in the Sochi deal and draw the wrath of jihadis upon itself. Although such a deal with Russia can't be ruled out, eschewing intervention is not really out of sync with Turkeys general strategy in Syria in years past. In 2014, Turkey refrained from directly intervening even in the clashes between its ally, the Free Syrian Army, and the Islamic State, which had reached Turkeys borders. Instead, it chose to beef up support for its allies to tip the scales. It stuck to the same tactic later, when the factions of the Army of Conquest began to fight each other after taking hold of Idlib. An important difference today is that Turkey is on the ground with 12 observation posts, which has raised expectations. Still, Turkey never considered confronting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militarily, despite the commitments Ankara made. Rather, it counted on its persuasion and deterrence abilities to fix things on the ground. In return, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham which relies on the Turkish borders for supplies gave the nod to Turkeys observation posts and even escorted Turkish troops on the ground. This, however, doesn't mean Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will acquiesce to Turkey's swaying the battlefield in coordination with Russia or mobilizing rebel groups against the Kurds. A Hayat Tahrir al-Sham sheikh, for instance, has criticized groups willing to join Turkeys planned operation east of the Euphrates against the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), arguing that involvement in a war between a secular army and an atheist party is incompatible with Islam. A spokesman for the National Army, another Turkish-backed rebel force, has accused the jihadis of attempting to distract Turkey-allied forces to keep them from participating in Turkey's plans to attack the YPG and seize Manbij and towns on the eastern bank of the Euphrates. (That operation became complicated, however, when Syria sent military forces to fortify Manbij at the Kurds' request.) It is a fact, however, that the latest jihadi clashes were fanned by attacks by Ahrar al-Sham and Nour al-din al-Zenki on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. As early as Dec. 3, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reported deadly fighting with Ahrar al-Sham after the latter attempted to seize Hayat Tahrir al-Sham territories while the Syrian army fortified positions to the south. Finally, regardless of whether a secret plan is at play in the background, the latest developments have led to a situation in which Turkey can no longer shield the jihadi reserve of Idlib. TUNIS While Tunisia gets ready to welcome the 30th Arab League Summit in March, Tunisian political and partisan circles are calling for the resumption of official relations with the Syrian regime. In 2012, the troika government made up of Ennahda, Ettakatol and the Congress for the Republic and led by former President Moncef Marzouki expelled the Syrian ambassador after accusing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of crimes against his people. In a statement signed by its leader Rachid Ghannouchi Jan. 3, Ennahda, a major partner in the current government coalition, called for comprehensive national reconciliation that would give the Syrian people back their right to their land and to a democratic life, that would end the fighting and the resulting humanitarian tragedies and give Syria back its natural place in international and Arab organizations. Zubeir al-Shuhoudi, another Ennahda leader, told Al-Monitor that Ennahdas changing stance toward the Syrian regime is the result of political considerations and a shift in Syrias balance of power. Shuhoudi said that the partys stance today resonates with that of Tunisian diplomacy and the Tunisian president's coordination with the Arab League member states to allow Syria to rejoin its Arab entourage and ensure its peoples security and stability. He noted that the troikas decision to cut ties with the Syrian regime was determined by the circumstances back then, when the Arab Spring swept first Tunisia and then other Arab countries. When the revolution erupted in Syria, the peoples main demand was for Assad to be ousted for the crimes he committed against Syrian protesters. Shuhoudi underlined that resuming diplomatic relations with the Syrian regime will not erase the fact that Assad is a tyrant, oppressor and killer of his people. On Feb. 4, 2012, Marzouki expelled the Syrian ambassador to Tunisia and withdrew any recognition of the ruling regime in Damascus. Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui told Tunisian Mosaique Radio Dec. 21 that his country looks forward to resending its full diplomatic corps to Syria. He added, The Syrian government has started to recover and to restore its security after eliminating several terrorist groups. When the dust settles, we will make the necessary decisions to restore the deep-seated Syrian-Tunisian ties. He described Marzoukis decision at the time as hasty and inconsiderate of the interests of the Tunisian diaspora present in Syria. The Foreign Ministry had to open a diplomatic office in Syria in 2015 to manage the affairs of the diaspora. Jhinaoui visited Cairo Jan. 4 and delivered a message from President Beji Caid Essebsi to Sisi inviting him to the Arab Summit, according to a Jan. 5 statement from the Tunisian Foreign Ministry. According to the statement, Jhinaoui informed Sisi of the preparations for the Arab Summit. He said they are working on ensuring the success of this event to meet the expectations of the Arab people and countries, especially with the challenges the Arab region is facing. On Dec. 20, spokesperson for Nidaa Tounes Munji Herbawi told the Russian Sputnik Agency, Party leaders welcome Syrias return to its seat in the Arab League and the presence of the [Syrian] president at the Arab League Summit due in Tunis. He added, The party is convinced that Syria was facing a dirty and unjust war and that the Syrian regime was right. Nidaa Tounes parliamentarian Abdul Aziz al-Koti told Al-Monitor that diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Syria will resume soon. Koti met with Assad in March 2017 during an unofficial visit to Syria along with other parliament members. Koti said the visit was intended to pressure Tunisia to restore ties with the Syrian regime. He added, Nidaa Tounes officially welcomes the resumption of Syrian-Tunisian ties, and we call on Beji Caid Essebsi to play his role as the primary person in charge of foreign relations by officially inviting Assad to the summit in March, in coordination with the Arab League. Koti further noted, Severing ties with the Syrian regime was a huge mistake that the troika government committed due to foreign orders, especially from Qatar. It did not think about the interest of the Tunisian state. But it is time to fix this blunder. Another sign of the rapprochement between Syria and Tunisia was Tunisias authorization of the landing of the first Syrian regime aircraft in a direct flight from Damascus to Tunisia after seven years of flight suspension. On Dec. 27, the Syrian Cham Wings Airlines landed in Habib Bourguiba Airport in Monastir in eastern Tunisia, transporting 150 passengers. Social media activists posted on Facebook that the flight crowned the public diplomacy efforts of Syrians and Tunisians to pave the way for the resumption of relations. All eyes are on the outcome of the 30th Arab League Summit in Tunis in March and its stance toward the Syrian regime. Observers believe the restoration of ties and Damascus reopening its embassy in Tunisia are a matter of time, especially after Bahrain and the UAE, which back the Syrian opposition, announced Dec. 27 that they would reopen their embassies in Syria. On Jan. 2, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin had their first phone conversation of 2019. The two leaders discussed Syria in the light of the planned US withdrawal, and the French president emphasized three points. First, he said the fight against the Islamic State must be carried on in order to avoid any resurgence of the terrorist group. Second, he stressed that the Kurds, who have been the spearhead of the battle against the terrorists on the ground in Syria, must be safeguarded, and their rights recognized. Finally, he underlined the necessity to strictly enforce the Istanbul agreement of Oct. 27 to ensure a durable cessation of hostilities in Idlib province. Although the Russian president agreed with the two first points, the third one remains a point of friction between Paris and Moscow, especially since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has now taken over almost all the Idlib region. These outlined priorities reflect a balancing act for France in Syria in the context of the coming American withdrawal. Having lost their US umbrella, the Kurds find themselves exposed to Turkeys wrath. So does France, which is stuck between its military cooperation with the People's Protection Units (YPG) the military wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Syrian Kurdish democratic confederalist political party on the one hand, and the necessity to not provoke Turkey by extensively cooperating with the Kurds. This delicate dichotomy has been one of the characteristics of Frances approach to Syria since the beginning of Paris' discrete military involvement in the Arab republic. Sympathy for the Kurds has led to some stormy episodes between the French and the Turks. In April, after Macron had hosted a delegation of the PYD in Paris, Ankara disclosed French special forces locations in Syria, including the Lafarge cement plant. However, this did not prevent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from inviting Macron, along with Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and Putin, to Istanbul in late October to tackle the issues of Idlib and the fate of the Syrian refugees. Istanbul was the first time France sat at a discussion table about Syria on a parity basis with Russia, and it was made possible by Turkey. In return, Paris supported Turkeys stance on Idlib i.e., no Syrian government military operation and on the question of the refugees. Paris finds itself in a tricky position today, now that the US buffer between the Turks and the Kurds is set to disappear. After President Donald Trump said in December that US troops were to leave Syria very soon, a French military source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that this situation would create a critical problem for Frances special forces in Syria. Its not only about logistics. Should they leave, we will have to figure out what to do in a relatively short lap of time. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on a French TV channel Jan. 10, France will militarily withdraw from Syria once a political agreement is reached. This remark has significance. First, French officials rarely comment on the military presence of France in Syria as there is no legal basis for intervention in the Arab republic. Second, Le Drian, who served as defense minister under President Francois Hollande, commented on military affairs while serving as minister of foreign affairs. All this raises the question of what would happen if a political road map is set in Geneva tomorrow and if, in the meantime, the Islamic State is able to retake control of a sizable chunk of Syrian territory. Would the French troops leave anyway? Trumps decision means the clock is ticking for France, which has to readjust the framework of its military presence in Syria. The equation is tricky for Paris. On the one hand, the Kurds cannot be just ditched; on the other hand, France does not want to make any move that could be subsequently interpreted as a gift to Damascus. A normalization of the relations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is still largely seen today in Paris as undesirable. Although France has abandoned the idea of a preliminary resignation of Assad, it nevertheless seeks the advancement of other important goals with regard to the political settlement of the conflict. In this respect, the departure of Staffan de Mistura from his appointment as UN special envoy for the settlement of the Syrian crisis in December has been discreetly welcomed by those, in Paris, who found the diplomat too complacent with Moscow and the regime. However, some in Paris could be tempted to bet that a likely Turkish military offensive in northern Syria will eventually reshuffle the map and put an end to the Astana format by triggering tensions between Ankara on the one hand and Moscow and Tehran on the other. However, this theory about such a clash has been around since the advent of the Astana process. Should an agreement occur between Damascus and the PYD who have critically reactivated their talks during the past weeks it is expected that France will endorse the Turkish stance on Idlib and on the issue of Syrian refugees while keeping a low profile on Turkish expansionism in Syria. However, in the context where some Gulf Cooperation Countries namely the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain along with Egypt are set to reopen their embassies in Damascus to block Turkish influence, France risks finding itself at odds with its partners in the Gulf when it comes to Syria. Only a limited degree of cooperation remains possible between Russia and France in Syria in the humanitarian realm, as demonstrated by the assistance provided by Paris and Moscow last summer. However, it makes little sense to expect French-Russian cooperation in Syria to gain more traction. The obstacles have more to do with mutual perception: Paris thinks Moscow punches above its weight in Syria while Russia only sees France as valuable second-rank partner in the Syrian context. SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) raised Kurdistan flags over its headquarters in Kirkuk on Jan. 9, sparking tensions between Kurds and other ethnicities in the multiethnic city and between Iraqi Kurdistan and Baghdad as well. Kirkuk, 145 miles north of Baghdad, has a mixed population of Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs along with significant oil reserves. According to article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, the final status of Kirkuk and other areas should be resolved in a referendum to determine whether they will remain part of federal Iraq or the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. Kurdish peshmerga took control of Kirkuk and other disputed areas in 2014, after the Islamic State swept through much of northern and western Iraq. In October 2017, Iraqi forces expelled the Kurdish forces from the city following an independence referendum in the three provinces of Iraqi Kurdistan and in disputed neighboring areas, including Kirkuk. The Baghdad government, and others, including Iran, Turkey and the United States, had opposed conducting the vote. On top of Kirkuks already unstable security situations due to Islamic State attacks, Iraqi Special Forces deployed Jan. 10 in Kirkuk, increasing the chances of an escalation. According to Agence France-Presse, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Unit gave the PUK until noon Jan. 11 to lower the flag. The PUK lowered the banner at some of its offices ahead of the deadline. The Kurdistan flag has been taken down from committee offices, said Fakhraddin Mohammed, media officer for the PUK's main office in Kirkuk. Until the court rules on the issue, the Kurdistan flag will only be raised over the political bureau and the main office, but it will be lowered over PUK committee offices, Mohammed said. Following the PUKs initial hoisting of the flag, Kirkuk's acting governor, Rakan Saed, demanded its removal and called for direct military intervention by the Baghdad government. He warned the PUK that it would be responsible for whatever consequences might fall upon the city. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called the move unconstitutional. He issued a statement asserting, Kirkuk is a disputed city and located outside the borders that the constitution has drawn for the Kurdistan region. The status of the disputed areas will remain as such, and no changes will be made until it is decided on through the constitution. Abdul Mahdi also placed a call to President Barham Salih, a Kurd and former second deputy of the PUK secretary-general, to urge him to request that the party lower the flag, stressing that Salih should fulfill his duties as a protector of the Iraqi constitution. He also called for the federal court system to legally settle the matter if the situation is not otherwise resolved. PUK officials in Kirkuk asserted that hoisting the Kurdish flag does not contravene the Iraqi constitution. Hoisting the Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk is not an unfamiliar issue, Rawand Mullah Mahmud, deputy head of the PUKs organizational center in Kirkuk, told Al-Monitor. It was flown from 2003 until 2017. This is not a negotiable issue. Kirkuk has been within the Kurdistan regions disputed areas. This issue [of flying the flag] has never been a critical one to either the Kurdistan region or Iraq. Mahmud continued, We lowered Kurdistans flag when Jalal Talabani, the late Iraqi president, passed away [in 2017]. Now we are under the pressure of our party's grassroots, demanding us to hoist the Kurdistan flag beside the Iraqi and PUK banners over our headquarters. Thus, we deemed the time appropriate for such a step. Besides, we have been waiting for a long time to raise the Kurdistan flag. In further defending the PUK's action, Mahmud claimed that there are no bad pretexts to raising the flag or any need for tensions in regard to it. He called Saed a chauvinist former Baathist who opposes Kurds and asserted that if raising the flag is illegal and unconstitutional, then the Iraqi judiciary should settle the matter. Mahmud made clear that the PUK made the decision to raise the flag without consultation or coordination with the party's rival in Iraqi Kurdistan, the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Al-Monitor called several high-ranking KDP officials and the official spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Government, but they declined to comment. Control over rights to Kirkuks enormous oil reserves has been a source of significant controversy between the Kurdistan regions ruling parties and Baghdad. According to the US Energy Information Administration, The KRG-controlled areas as of July 2018, held about 3 billion barrels in resources. The KRG estimate of 45 billion barrels is likely higher because they include both unproven reserves and the disputed Kirkuk area fields. In a 2006 report, the Iraq Study Group asserted, Kirkuks mix of Kurdish, Arab, and Turkmen populations could make it a powder keg. A referendum on the future of Kirkuk (as required by the Iraqi Constitution before the end of 2007) would be explosive and should be delayed. Kamal Chomani, a Kurdish non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for the Middle East Policy, told Al-Monitor that the hoisting of the Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk in part stems from attempts to form a new KRG cabinet and the long-running rivalry between the PUK and KDP. He also said flying the flag does not violate the law. Kirkuk is a stronghold of the PUK, and after 16 October 2017, when the Kurdish parties lost the city to Iraqi forces, a Sunni Arab governor was appointed, Chomani remarked. The PUK has failed to reclaim the governorship due to conflict with the KDP, and the KDP wants the PUK weakened in Kirkuk. The Kurdistan region held parliamentary elections on Sept. 30, but the leading parties have not been able to assemble a new government due to disagreements over power sharing. In the process of forming the new KRG cabinet, the PUK wants to reach an agreement with the KDP on posts in Erbil, Kirkuk and Baghdad. The KDP, however, prefers to treat each case separately, Chomani explained. The Kurdish parties share power in the Kurdistan region between themselves, share power in Baghdad with the Arab parties on behalf of Iraqi Kurdistan, and share power in Kirkuk with Arab and Turkmen parties. The KDP wants a comprehensive agreement encompassing all three situations, but the PUK wants separate agreements for each area. The post of Kirkuk governor is one of the main disputes between the KDP and the PUK. All the above-mentioned realities were the main reasons that the PUK hoisted the Kurdish flag, as the PUK fears that the KDP might reach an agreement with the Turkoman and Arab parties to appoint a new [acting] governor, until [provincial] elections, who is not PUK. Chomani said that in short, The PUK wants to show that it is the only defender of Kurdish rights in Kirkuk, and it wants to tell the Iraqi government that the Iraqi government policy of imposing its will is no more acceptable. The PUK wants to reclaim the governorship by any means. All told, the Kurdistan flag has become part of the power struggle in Kirkuk. As of now, the 20th Knesset will not go down as Likud Knesset member Benny Begins greatest hour. At age 76, he will not be looking to serve another term in the next Knesset either. He arrived in the current Knesset on the shoulders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reserved the 11th slot in the party list for him so Begin could avoid the ordeal by fire that is the party primary system. When Netanyahu formed the current government, he appointed Begin as minister without portfolio, a position Begin held for 17 days. Then, suddenly, he was forced to resign so that Gilad Erdan could join the Cabinet. Benny Begin served in the larger-than-life shadow of his father, the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Benny Begin filled various minor ministerial positions and was liked by all, though he did not particularly stick out among his peers. He combined an extremist ideology, which rejected any partition of the land no matter what the cost, with a liberal attitude, which opposed any discrimination against minorities, and which respected human rights. During his political career, Begin sometimes found himself in absurd circumstances. That is what happened in 1999, when he was part of the hard-line National Union list with Minister Rehavam Zeevi, who advocated for the transfer of the Arab population. Begin even ran a failed campaign for prime minister. On the other hand, Begin was admired throughout his long political career for his honesty and integrity. He was never afraid to speak his truth, even if doing so put his political standing at risk. It was because of this that he came to be considered the conscience of the Likud. He opposed the Regularization Law, which allowed the retroactive confiscation of privately held Arab lands to build West Bank settlements (he called it the Robbery Law), and the Nationality Law in its current iteration and proposed his own version of it. While his version was completely unnecessary, it would not have caused as much harm to Israels non-Jewish minorities. Begin was the only voice in the Likud who spoke out against the various populist and criminal tendencies in his party, and he continued to do so even after he was removed from the Knessets Internal Affairs Committee just so that he would not vote against the Likuds positions. With just three months to the election, this should be Begins big moment. Its up to him to make sure that hes heard loud and clear about what is happening in Israel right now. He must speak up against a prime minister, who refuses to resign, even though the police have called for his indictment for three separate cases of bribery, and who is using the official tools at his disposal to try to prevent the inevitable. Netanyahu is a cynical man who bases his decisions on pure pragmatism. Over the years, he has learned caution. He now thinks twice before making decisions. He will no longer be caught making mistakes like the opening of the Western Wall tunnel in September 1996, which immediately led to the deaths of 17 Israelis and about 100 Palestinians. The thing is that when the decisions affect him directly, he often loses all sense of better judgment and discretion. In many cases, he causes himself harm, as he did in 1993, when he shared details about his extramarital affair with the entire Israeli public, while accusing his political rivals in the Likud of plotting to release a videocassette of that affair. That cassette has never been found, nor did the police ever find the people allegedly involved in the whole sordid incident. In 2008, Netanyahu actually called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign when Olmert was under police investigation. But things are very different when Netanyahu himself is the subject of the investigation. He is inclined to take full advantage of the Israeli law code, which allows a prime minister to remain in office until he is convicted in court. He exploits the fact that the Israeli media pays closer attention to the prime ministers every utterance than it does to anyone else in the country and uses that to lash out at the police and the prosecutor's office, accusing them of all sorts of chicanery. This, he hopes, will bolster public support for him and dissuade the attorney general from announcing before the election that Netanyahu has been indicted, subject to a special hearing given to ministers before the final indictment decision. Netanyahu wants any such announcement to be held off until after the election. Until only recently, Netanyahu believed that the response he repeated after every police investigation and every decision about his case There will be nothing, because there is nothing was enough to convince the public that he was facing false accusations and that there would be no indictment. Now, however, it is obvious to everyone that the indictments are right around the corner. Instead of ignoring them and focusing on real issues, Netanyahu has concluded that focusing on the recommendations to indict him would actually play in his favor and win him public support in his struggle against everything the gatekeepers have in store for him. He is following in the footsteps of Shas leader Aryeh Deri, who, in 1999, was found guilty of receiving a bribe. Deri responded by presenting himself as the victim of the system, which he accused of casting aspersions on him through no fault of his own. The creation of the Shaagat Aryeh yeshiva (literally, the Lions Roar yeshiva) right outside the prison where he served his sentence and the widespread use of the slogan Hes innocent! only boosted his partys popularity. It won 17 seats in that years election even though its leader was in prison. But any attempt by the prime minister and leader of the ruling party to imitate Deri is a big problem. It completely ignores the severity of the damage that it would cause to the police, the state prosecutors, the attorney general and the entire judicial branch of government. Netanyahu is acting like an injured animal who will do everything to avoid prison time, even if it means destroying the very foundations of the rule of law. His ministers all justify his behavior and act as if they are reading from a list of talking points put out by his office every day. Or they say nothing at all. Not one of them was critical of the disturbing farce that was Netanyahu's appearance on all TV stations Jan. 7, just to say that his request to confront state witnesses in his case had been turned down. Begin has already proved that he has no qualms about standing up to the Likud consensus or even to Netanyahu himself. Now that he is about to exit the political arena, this could be his big moment. He could call on Netanyahu to announce that he can no longer function in office and demand that he clear the way for someone else from their party to take over. It would be just like late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin did in 1977, after he was suspected of committing a crime (owning a dollar account abroad which does not constitute a crime in Israel any more). Back then, Rabin announced that he could no longer function in office and transferred the reins of power to Shimon Peres. One Muslim woman and several Druze candidates are currently fighting over a spot on the Likud slate reserved for minority groups for the next Knesset. But what are they looking for in a movement that promoted the nationality law, which anchored the Jewish nature of the State of Israel? The female Muslim contender is 25-year-old Dima Tayeh, who was born in the Arab city of Qalansuwa (central Israel) and today lives in Kafr Manda. One might wonder how she can view the Likud as a political home after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus infamous statement during the last elections that Arab voters are coming out in droves to the polls. This kind of rhetoric doesnt seem to bother Tayeh, who told Al-Monitor that Ayman Odeh, chairman of the Joint List, made a similar prediction. But Odehs December 2018 statement was made in a different context: He was actually mocking Netanyahus words. Odeh meant that Arab voters would come out en masse to vote for the Joint List in protest against the nationality law. According to Tayeh, there are numerous Likud voters in Qalansuwa. She says that more than 120 residents of the town registered for the Likud ahead of the Feb. 5 primaries. In the 2015 elections, the Likud received 42 votes in Qalansuwa. In reaction to Tayehs announcement that she was running in the Likud primaries, Tayehs family reportedly issued a sharp rebuke: Due to her statements, we will not make contact with her or give her any assistance until she retracts her words and declares loyalty to her people and her faith. However, Tayeh claims that her family members did not write the letter and that a complaint about the matter has been submitted to the police. Tayeh also says that her husband has been a Likud activist for years and that he gives her a great deal of support. A lot of Arab citizens called me, they told me, We want you in the Parliament, not like the other Arab [Knesset members] who are always meddling only in the Palestinian issue. They dont bring anything to [our] sector. As an Arab woman running for a place on the Likud list, I dont want to see Arab MKs who operate against the sector. They call for the destruction of the State of Israel on what basis do they receive salaries from the parliament? Clearly, messages like these are likely to captivate members of Likuds Central committee, who will vote next month on their list for the next Knesset. But the Likud's Druze are also competing for the same spot. The Likud held its annual event last weekend in Eilat that is traditionally considered the kickoff of the primaries. In a survey conducted amid the participants, Druze Osama Nevoani from the village of Julis defeated the other non-Jewish candidates by a large margin. He celebrated his victory on Facebook and received congratulations from his friends, but he was criticized, too. How can you sit and talk to people who treated us with such contempt and threw us out shamelessly with their racist nationality law? wrote Ahmed Kezel. Talking to Al-Monitor, Nevoani says, People know that the Likud will continue to rule, and if there is to be a correction to the nationality law, it will only come from within. I dont believe that they will harm our community and I dont agree that they will damage the close relations that have been nurtured for more than 70 years. What I do believe is that those who are loyal to the state will receive their rights as equals among equals. According to Nevoani, The nationality law didnt change a thing. We sing [Israels national anthem, we swear allegiance to the army and the Israeli flag appears on every home in our community. We have no problem with Israel defining itself as a Jewish state. There was a public relations failure in explaining the law and left-wingers took advantage of the situation as if the law meant [that non-Jews] would be transferred [deported from Israel], but that is incorrect. He said, There were many difficulties but once a slot opened up for minority groups, and it turned out that [Druze] Communications Minister Ayoub Kara would not be able to compete for it, our hopes for change grew. Salim Brake is a lecturer of political science in Haifa University and in the Open University researching Arab-Israeli politics, mainly among the Druze sector. Talking to Al-Monitor, Brake said that Druze contestants in the Likud do not enter politics to positively influence the circumstances of their own sector and that the Druze support for the Likud is significantly weaker than presented. According to Brake, based on an in-depth study he conducted, in the 2015 elections, voter turnout among the Druze was 57%, in contrast to the overall rate of 72%, and only 8.8% of them (about 2,600 votes) were for the Likud. One-fourth of the Druze votes went to the Zionist Camp and one fifth to Kulanu. In fact, even Yisrael Beitenu received double the Druze votes for the Likud: about 16%. Brake considers the Druze politicians self-serving. My doctorate deals with passive representation, and that is exactly what is happening, he explains. These contestants dont enter politics to change things, but only for their own interests. Representation designed to ensure a career. There are Druze in the Knesset, yet the Druze as a community are not represented. According to Brake, the Druze community does not feel that their legislators advocate for the issues that concerns it the most. The Druze view it as a game of musical chairs, and congratulate those who succeed in securing themselves a nice salary, he says. Brake also explains that there is a second level of politicians that he nicknames ministers advisers. He says, At some point there were eight assistants of ministers in the Druze town of Beit Jann alone. You would think that without those Beit Jann advisers, Israeli government members would wake up in the morning not knowing what to do. Brake says that he does not believe that it is possible to cancel or amend the nationality law. The Druze have no influence and no weight in Israeli politics, he states. On this background, we cannot ignore the fact that members of minority groups like the Druze are very frustrated that no one is actively promoting their issues in the Knesset. Even Labor, for whom most of the Druze voted (according to Brake), lost Arab legislator Zouheir Bahloul, who resigned from the Knesset feeling that his party did not support his campaign against the nationality law. It now seems likely that the party will remain in the opposition. In this state of affairs, perhaps Nevoani has the right idea: Let me make changes from the inside, he repeats. We have no better way. As he cuts his seven-country Middle East tour short today, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo once again finds himself fending off questions about foreign policy directives hatched via presidential tweet. The latest confusion began on Sunday when President Donald Trump called for a "safe zone" to protect US-backed Syrian Kurds fighting near the Turkish border. Why it matters: Trumps tweet, Pompeo told reporters, aimed to make sure that the folks who fought with us to take down the [Islamic State] caliphate have security, and also that terrorists acting out of Syria arent able to attack Turkey. Those are the twin aims. Since the United States and Turkey are still hashing out the details, Pompeo said, the precise methodology on next steps is still in the works. The top US diplomat indicated that the Trump team hasnt decided whether it will be a safe zone or a buffer zone. President Trump called his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan today and called for the United States and Turkey to work together in the northeast, including to make sure the Syrian Kurds are not attacked, according to a readout of the call. Give and take: The emerging safe zone plan could see the Turks gain more control on the border with Syria, potentially allaying Ankara's fears of US military support for the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or YPG. Experts tell Al-Monitor such a zone could keep Turkish forces away from areas liberated from the Islamic State in the Euphrates Valley. "My understanding of US policy is, now, to try and keep the Turks out of the northeast, even if the US pushes for the YPG to accept some Turkish-backed opposition into areas along the border," said Aaron Stein, director of the Middle East Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a Philadelphia-based think tank. Whose zone? Trumps tweet and Pompeos gaggle also didnt make clear who would enforce the new US-backed "safe zone." Soner Cagaptay, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, indicated that Turkey and the YPG would share power in the northeast with Ankara taking the countryside and the Syrian Kurds taking major cities. The AFP wire service reported that Pompeos comments didnt indicate whether the United States or Turkey would be in charge of the safe zones. Whats next: With 2,200 US troops set to withdraw from Syria, experts tell Al-Monitor that the Trump administration may be debating how to bring a residual CIA presence into the fight to monitor the defeat of the Islamic States, keep Iran out of the country and deter Turkey from striking the Kurds. This is the challenge of Turkey, said Nick Heras, a Middle East fellow at the Center for a New American Security. How do you deter a treaty ally other than with the force of persuasion? One alternative, Heras said, would be to use so-called Title 50 authorities for fighting unconventional foreign threats to allow CIA paramilitaries to enter the fight. The Title 50 option, which would see the covert units deploy to Syria directly, is only one potential option. The Trump administration is also considering a Pentagon-backed plan that would allow US commandos to conduct cross-border raids, according to the New York Times. In his remarks in Riyadh, Pompeo specifically indicated Trump had decided to withdraw uniformed personnel from Syria, referring to US troops whose existence is acknowledged by the Pentagon, as opposed to covert units who do not dress in American military uniforms. Using Title 50 forces, however, could raise more legal questions about the US administrations legal authorization for fighting in Syria depending on whom they're fighting. If theyre targeting [the Islamic State], they can still rely on the 2001 congressional authorization to battle terrorism, said Scott Anderson, a fellow at the Brookings Institution. But if they were trying to expand their efforts to Iran and the [Bashar al-Assad] regime, that would raise all sorts of questions about what they could do. Know more: Pompeo told reporters that the United States still seeks a unified Syria and to curb Russian and Iranian influence in the country. Learn more from Pentagon correspondent Jack Detsch about UN-backed efforts supported by the Trump administration to rewrite Syrias constitution and hold new elections, which flailed in December. - Jack Detsch Retiring and defeated lawmakers may have to (shudder) return home. Photo: Getty Images Every two years around this time, a migration takes place in Washington, D.C., as retired and defeated lawmakers make the short trek to K Street and begin a new career in influence peddling. But theres a problem this year with the cushy gigs that typically await former senators and members of Congress there arent enough of them to go around. Out-of-work Republicans in particular are so plentiful, and so many of them are eager to push their way through the revolving door, that not all of them are likely to find work, Politico reports. Former Republican congressmen are a dime a dozen right now, said former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), who left Congress a decade ago and is now a lobbyist for Holland & Knight. I think there are still a lot of people who are scrambling and looking for new jobs, he added. Theres not enough seats for everybody who wants in, one Republican lobbyist said, comparing the process to musical chairs. Tom Reynolds, a former congressman from New York who now works for the lobbying firm Holland & Knight, told Politico that there are more former members looking for gigs lobbying than hes seen two decades. And while most of those ex-lawmakers are Republicans, there are Democrats eager to take a dip in the swamp too. Joe Crowley, the former New York congressman who was defeated in a primary by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is seen as a top potential recruit on K Street, and hes had early discussions with at least two firms about making the move. Not all former lawmakers are having trouble on K Street, though; some have already landed on their feet. Former Arizona senator Jon Kyl was a lobbyist before he entered politics in the late 80s, and returned to the trade once again after leaving the U.S. Senate in 2013. He took a sabbatical from lobbying to replace the late Senator John McCain for a few months at the end of 2018, and just a week after leaving the Senate a second time, he returned to K Street yet again. "Disappointing," "vague" and "unconvincing." Those were some of the words used by Egyptian analysts and activists to describe US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Jan. 10 speech at the American University in Cairo. Promoted earlier as a speech that would "outline America's Middle East policy," Pompeo's address was "void of substance," the analysts concurred, arguing that it left the audience without a clear understanding of the US vision for the troubled region. Among the key messages in Pompeo's address titled "A Force for Good: America's Reinvigorated Role in the Middle East" was that "Iran's expansionist and tyrannical ambitions must be thwarted" and that the United States was "committed to continuing the fight against radical Islam and to dismantling IS [the Islamic State]." "America will not retreat until the terror fight is over," he pledged. But the top US diplomat also lambasted former US President Barack Obama (without mentioning his name), blaming the previous administration for "underestimating the tenacity and viciousness of radical Islam" and for "maintaining silence when the people of Iran rose up against the mullahs in Tehran." Pompeo's rebuke of Obama's Middle East policy was seen as "uncalled for" and "in poor taste" by some of the analysts and diplomats who attended the event. "The former US president's shortcomings are history. We need to look forward rather than dwell on the past," Noha Bakr, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Relations, told Al-Monitor. "I had looked forward to a speech with a holistic approach to the region, one that would tackle the people's concerns and tell us precisely how US foreign policy would address them. Instead, we got a talk that focused on Iran and the drawbacks of Obama's Middle East policy." Her disappointment was shared by other analysts and political activists, albeit for different reasons. Mohamed Aboul El-Ghar, former head of Egypt's Social Democratic Party, was puzzled by Pompeo's call for a Middle East alliance against Iran. "Why would the US secretary of state come to Cairo to call for the formation of an Arab NATO-like alliance or a so-called coalition of Middle Eastern states against the Islamic Republic? Such a call would go down well in Gulf countries where there are longstanding tensions between Islam's two sects, but it was not well-received by Egyptians. The majority of Egyptians save for some Al-Azhar clerics and the country's hard-line Salafists do not see Iran as a major threat. In fact, nothing could be further from their mind than the Shiite-Sunni divide," Aboul El-Ghar told Al-Monitor. Although Egyptian-Iranian relations are not at their best government officials and members of Egypt's security agencies often express concern over Iran's influence and alleged meddling in the region President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has made it clear he is against a military confrontation with the Islamic Republic. "I am always against war," he told Reuters in November 2014, without mentioning which country was involved. Meanwhile, Egypt has strong ties with the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have extended lavish financial support to their North African ally since the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, and which consider Iran as an existential threat. Egypt is also a member of the Arab coalition fighting Iranian-backed Shiite Houthis in Yemen, a war that the European Union and international rights groups have described as "the worst humanitarian crisis in history." Egypt has denied sending ground troops to the war-ravaged country, insisting that its role in the Saudi-led war has been limited to naval and aerial operations against the Houthi rebels. "The US secretary of state neglected the suffering of the Yemeni people in his speech; he made no mention of their plight," Aboul El-Ghar said. He said that he believes Pompeo's Iran-bashing was driven by his support for Israel, which considers Iran its archenemy rather than in defense of US Gulf allies. "What made the speech difficult to swallow was that Israel was mentioned more than a dozen times, while there was no mention at all of the struggle of the Palestinian people and their right to a sovereign state," Aboul El Ghar added. Walid El Sheikh, an independent journalist who is based in Berlin, agreed, describing the speech as an "ode to Israel." He told Al-Monitor, "Almost every word in Pompeo's speech was somehow related to Israel's security. He chose to overlook the repression of the region's dictators because of their close cooperation with Israel, and he praised the rapprochement between the Gulf states and Israel." He noted, "The United States fully supports Israel's right to defend itself against the Iranian regime's aggressive adventurism. We will continue to ensure that Israel has military capacity to do so decisively." In more scathing criticism of the speech, former diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei, who served for a short spell as vice president during Egypt's interim transition that followed the downfall of Morsi, tweeted, "If the US vision for the Middle East as spelled out by the US secretary of state is limited to confronting radical Islam and Iran, ensuring Israel's security and bragging about relocating the US Embassy to Jerusalem, with total disregard for the hopes and aspirations of the people of the region for freedom and dignity, the message is clear: We have to depend on ourselves and only ourselves." And that is precisely what Pompeo urged the Middle Eastern states to do: Shoulder more responsibility, particularly in the fight against terror. "With an administration that is as inconsistent in its policies vis-a-vis the region as the one currently in the Oval Office, that may not be such a bad idea," Aboul El-Ghar said. He added, "The Trump administration's conflicting messages on US troop withdrawal from Syria are confusing to say the least. First, President [Donald] Trump unexpectedly announced last month that the United States would withdraw its troops from Syria, then his national security adviser John Bolton said there would be no withdrawal until IS is defeated. Pompeo too has assured us that the troop withdrawal would be gradual and that 'the United States will not back out until the last Iranian boot has been expelled from Syria.' A day later, the US military announces the start of the withdrawal. What are we to make of this?" Ironically, Pompeo had said in his speech that "If America retreats, chaos follows." Middle Eastern allies are concerned that if US troops leave Syria, there would likely be a power vacuum that could strengthen IS and pave the way for increased Iranian influence in the region. Pompeo's pledge of "a new beginning" and his remark that "America is a force for good in the Middle East" also sparked a barrage of criticism from skeptical analysts who saw the comments as a return to the old policies of the 70s and 80s when the US administration had aligned itself with the dictators in the region, turning a blind eye to the people's concerns and aspirations. Shadi Hamid, senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Policy, a research center within the Brookings Institution, said that Pompeo had made no reference to democracy in what the researcher dubbed "a dictators first" Middle East policy speech. Instead, Pompeo praised Sisi's counterterrorism efforts, efforts that the analysts fear are being used as a pretext to crack down on opposition figures and critics. "Today it felt that the US is bent on empowering tyrants in pursuit of its animosity towards Iran, no matter what the cost. Sadly the cost we pay here is US sanctioned injustice and loss of our freedom," independent journalist Wael Eskandar told CNN's Ben Wedeman. H.A. Hellyer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, also dismissed Pompeo's remarks as unconvincing and unfit for a local audience. "Clearly, when Pompeo insists that 'America is a force for good in the Middle East' or 'America has always been a liberating force, not an occupying power,' he is not thinking about a local audience at all, which generally associates American foreign policy as being responsible for invasion and occupation, for supporting autocracy and occupiers, and being high on great rhetoric about fundamental freedoms and low on calling out abuses," he said in comments to the Atlantic Council. Barbara Ibrahim, director of the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo, meanwhile tweeted, "Dictators in the region will applaud this speech," in reference to the absence of any mention of human rights in the speech. BEIRUT Thirty-two plywood boxes are meticulously positioned on the floor of Beiruts Dar El-Nimer for Arts and Culture, forming a map of Palestine. On top of each box is a detailed carving of the largest 22 cities in the region. Between the wooden carvings of Safed, Galilee and Gaza City are black and white dots, symbolizing the Palestinian villages that were depopulated during the 1948 Nakba, or Catastrophe, which marks the establishment of Israel. Together they form a semi-3D topographical map of 1940s Palestine, radically different from Palestine today, in an effort to contextualize the impact of the Nakba. The 3D map is the center piece of the exhibition A National Monument, which is the last event of a yearlong project by Visualizing Palestine, an organization that creates infographics and artworks on the Israel-Palestine conflict. It is presented in the two-story building in Le Corbusiers domino style that houses Dar El-Nimer, a Beirut-based Palestinian arts and culture nongovernmental organization. The event showcases three exhibits: a collection of 3D wooden topographical maps of 1948 Palestinian cities, an online platform tracking the villages depopulated after the Nakba and scarves with a rectangle pattern that symbolizes the Palestinian villages destroyed or replaced by Jewish towns in 1948. A photo of scarves made by Visualizing Palestine, with a rectangle pattern depicting the villages that were depopulated during the 1948 Nakba, at "A National Monument" exhibition, Dar El-Nimer for Arts and Culture in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 10, 2019 (Sam Brennan/Al-Monitor). Each exhibit aims to present the Nakba to a broad audience by utilizing different mediums to make this often distant event more tangible. Marwan Rechmaoui, the artist who created the 3D models, told Al-Monitor, I was surprised by some of the questions I was asked at the exhibition like, 'What happened in 1948?' We are only a few hours away from the issue. Some people dont know, and it is good to remind them and how we are still feeling the consequences of it today. During the formation of the State of Israel and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, roughly 700,000 Palestinians were either expelled or fled, and over 500 villages were evacuated or demolished by Israeli forces, with many replaced with Jewish towns. Currently over 5 million Palestinian refugees are registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Palestinians commemorate this event on May 15, a day after Israel celebrates Independence Day. The exhibition is an attempt to educate and inform the public on an event that happened over 80 years ago. Those who know about [the Nakba] assume it is a well-known issue, said Rechmaoui. [By contrast] you would be surprised that the Palestine issue is out of the limelight. To introduce this issue to a wide audience through art, Rechmaoui and Ahmad Barclay, a partner of Visualizing Palestine and curator of the exhibit, combed through research material and archived maps of the region dating back to the 1800s. We really used a lot of different sources, Barclay told Al-Monitor, crediting the Palestine Land Society and David Rumsey Map Collection among others for the material. He said, Some [maps] we even got from the Australian National Library. However, Barclay explained that this information was not user-friendly and failed to convey the narrative of what happened in 1948. So, they decided to create a 3D map and bring something into a space that people can experience. To achieve this, the team drew on a map obtained through the National Library of Israel, which showed in great detail the roads and villages of Palestine under the British Mandate in the early 1940s. This was combined with satellite images from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration in order to create a detailed 3D model of Palestine. Rechmaoui then etched this into the plywood blocks. Barclay explained, The aim of Visualizing Palestine is really advocacy, by using visual media and visual storytelling to communicate about Palestine and Palestinians. We felt it was natural to extend that into 3D, to kind of broaden the audience outside of advocacy and activism to a more cultural space. Dar El-Nimer, which offered Visualizing Palestine the space for the exhibit, was established in 2016 by Rami El-Nimer, a general manager at First National Bank of Lebanon. Born in Nablus, Palestine, Nimer had collected over the years a vast amount of art and artifacts from around the region. Omar Thawabeh, the head of communications and content at Dar El-Nimer, told Al-Monitor that the organizations goal is to share this collection with the public [and to create] a Lebanese, Palestinian and Arab platform that showcases art from Palestine and beyond. He said, Our aim is also to show different genres and materials of art, which can be creative, cultural, academic and historical. ["A National Monument"] I think is a combination of the artistic and the historical. The historical value of the event manifests through a project conducted in tandem with the 3D model maps. During the research for the exhibition, Visualizing Palestine also developed an interactive online platform, Palestine Open Maps, which overlays the maps of the region from 1880 until today, with dots indicating the villages that were depopulated. This platform is showcased at the exhibition. Barclay explained that whereas the models were made to create an experience, Palestine Open Maps was made for an analytical purpose, so you can search for places and understand how things have changed over time. The final work shown at the exhibition continues the theme of education around the Nakba, showing a scarf with a rectangle pattern. Joumana al-Jabri, the co-founder of Visualizing Palestine, told Al-Monitor that each of the 530 rectangles symbolizes a village that was depopulated in 1948, targeting an audience that would not usually be exposed to information on this issue. There is a certain community that uses our infographics and there is a certain community that does not. So how can we reach them? Jabri said. A fashion item may give another person the ability to tell the story. It is wearable data representing a story that you can use to start a conversation. After its run at Dar El-Nimer on Jan. 10-26, Visualizing Palestine is planning to take the exhibition to other countries in the region and Europe, to audiences who are even less familiar with the scope of the events of 1948. Both the scarves and the 3D models will be for sale eventually. However, Jabri stressed, We are not promoting consumerism, we are promoting knowledge. North Augusta City Council will be holding a special meeting this evening to consider the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Public Safety Department. During the Jan. 7 meeting, Council unanimously tabled a resolution that would have authorized the purchase of a new pumper from Spartan Fire and Emergency. The resolution states one bid was received for the pumper, and that a discount of $13,292 is offered if the price is paid in full by Jan. 31. With the discount, the price of the pumper would be $494,718. Council member Ken McDowell made a motion to table the resolution on Jan. 7 until further information was achieved. Discussion during the study session revolved around receiving only one bid for the truck, and paying for it up front. Council member Bob Brooks said it was too much of a risk, paying for it up front, during the study session before the meeting. The resolution up for consideration on Monday says "in response to only receiving one bid, staff has investigates historical city purchases and other purchases made by other jurisdictions and believes the bid to be a valid and competitive price." Before the meeting, Council will hold a study session to discuss the purchase of the pumper, as well as the location for the new fire station and Public Safety Headquarters. The city has purchased land on Georgia Avenue to locate the new buildings, but received considerable pushback from North Augusta citizens. The land formerly held the historic Seven Gables and Palmetto Lodge. Aiken County voters approved funds for the headquarters as part of the Capital Projects Sales Tax IV referendum in November. Council will meet at 6 p.m. for the study session and 7 p.m. for the meeting. Each will be held on the third floor of the municipal building at 100 Georgia Ave. Illinois new agriculture director will have his hands full when he takes office. He will also need some long arms. I have a lot of information to get my arms around, John Sullivan said in a telephone interview. Indeed, Sullivan arguably will have more on his plate than any ag director in recent history. Thats because he will likely be dealing with an entirely new industry. A law allowing the production of industrial hemp was passed during the last legislative session. In addition, there is a good chance Illinois will become the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana. I havent spent a great deal of time studying this just yet, said Sullivan, a farmer and former state senator. Theres a multi-step process when you create a new industry like that. He will bring a unique background to the new post, assuming he will be confirmed by the Senate following the swearing- in of the new governor, J.B. Pritzker, on Jan. 14. Democrat Pritzker defeated incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner in the 2018 general election. A Macomb native, Sullivan served in the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2017, and headed up Pritzkers Agriculture Transition Committee following the election. Known for working across the aisle, he was elected in a largely Republican district. For quite a while, I was the only Democrat who had two Republican representatives, he said. And for the majority of the time I was in the Senate, I was the only one who was a farmer. His appointment drew wide praise from Illinois ag groups. EY and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry report Building brand India through film tourism launched recently at the third edition of the Global Film Tourism Conclave shares suggested avenues for collaboration and policy initiatives that the industry can undertake towards making films an effective investment medium to enable destination tourism in India. There is a potential for upto a million film tourists to visit India by 2022 which could result in revenues of upto US$ 3b. Film tourism is a concept conceived from the influential value that a film creates in the viewers minds. Consequently, film tourism creates a desire to visit the said location. The Indian film industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country today and has grown from INR122b in 2016 to INR156b in 2017, representing a growth rate of 28%. It is also one of the largest producers of cinematographic films in the world and the projected size of the industry is estimated to reach INR 204b by 2019. Film tourism offers several direct benefits including revenue and employment generation, technology transfer in production, etc. The induced benefits of tourism include awareness and the creation and shaping of attractions. To transform film location to tourism destinations, the report suggests the following: Simplifying the administrative process State Governments must consider setting up of online portals for single window clearance facility towards all filming permissions. A state level portal providing details such as permits, available production resources, etc. will ease the process of production finalisation for film-makers. Some Indian States namely Goa, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh already have a single window clearance system, others could follow suite. Incentivizing film productions in locations The State Governments could offer different types of incentives to boost the production sector in the form of cash grands, tax credits, tax holiday or breaks, equity investments in film projects, increase in the number of cinema halls, to name a few. Incentive programs provide direct and indirect economic and fiscal benefits that extend beyond production activities that qualify for the credit. These benefits include increased employment opportunities, growth in direct and indirect taxes, increased tourism, development of content production industry infrastructure such as studios and service providers, among others. Promote filming destinations State Governments could undertake soft measures for promoting filming destinations. Some such measures include the setting up of film based theme parks, organizing film festivals periodically, hosting award shows, film seminars and film societies, boosting the safety and security by establishing help lines, and compulsory registration of tourist guides operators, etc. Utkarsh Sanghvi, Partner- Indirect Taxation, EY India, says, Cinema should be a priority sector for policy making as film tourism offers several direct and induced benefits. For simplifying, incentivizing, and promoting film production in India, it would be pertinent to setup film commissions or such similar quasi-governmental, non-profit, public independent bodies both at the central and state levels to serve as the focal point for film producers wanting to shoot in the country and/or state. Inadequate basic infrastructure such as roads, inland water transport, air connectivity, etc. acts as the biggest hindrance to the Indian film tourism industry. There is an urgent need for investment in infrastructure linking roads, railways and airports, to curtail such hindrances and provide basic infrastructure support to film tourism. Over the years, several destinations have gained in terms of tourist influx by being the venue/ location of popular domestic and international cinema. To access the detailed report click here. AdFest has unveiled its first speakers of 2019, featuring provocative creative thinkers from Dentsu Webchutney (Gurgaon), VANDAL (Sydney), The Royals (Sydney), The Brand Agency (Perth), McCann Worldgroup (New York), and Contagious (London). AdFest 2019 is scheduled to be held from from March 20-23 in Pattaya, Thailand and its programme is divided across two streams Craft@ADFEST on March 20-21, and Creative@ADFEST on March 22-23. Craft@ADFEST will dive deep into the latest production, digital, content and technology trends, while Creative@ADFEST is all about creativity the DNA of ADFEST. The programme includes: Ideas. Patterns & A.I. presented by Vishal Sagar, Creative Director and Gurbaksh Singh, Chief Creative Technologist at Dentsu Webchutney, Gurgaon. Craft@ADFEST: Wednesday, March 20, 12.25-13.00. The human brain is pretty good at recognising and rearranging patterns but it is being outperformed by Artificial Intelligence. How far are we from a future where bots take over the role of creatives? Vishal Sagar and Gurbaksh Singhs credentials as AI specialists are unparalleled. At AdFest 2019, they will shed light on the future of ideas, patterns and AI and equip delegates with the insights they need to evolve and up-skill in the new era of AI. Augmented Reality is the Future of Advertising presented by Emile Rademeyer, Digital Strategist and Creative Director at VANDAL, Sydney. Craft@ADFEST: Thursday, March 21, 12.25-13.00. VANDALs Emile Rademeyer will explain why AR is not just the latest fad its the future of advertising. Advertising has traditionally been a one-way communication medium. Not anymore. Advertisings future is to not only sell products or ideas, but to digitally transform entire environments with an augmented, digital overlay, explains Rademeyer, who also oversees curation of the notorious VANDAL Art Gallery in Redfern. His session will demonstrate why Digital Placemaking technology like Augmented Reality is more powerful than many of its digital predecessors. Why the world needs more agencies and how to start one presented by Nick Cummins, Creative Partner, The Royals, Sydney. Creative@ADFEST: Friday, March 22, 10.40-11.15. Nick Cummins has accidentally started two independent advertising agencies and grown them to become multi-award-winning, culture-led businesses. As Creative Partner at The Royals in Sydney, he believes our industry is at a crossroads and needs the passion, clarity, drive and fresh thinking that new ventures create. Hell reveal why he believes it is easier to start an agency from scratch rather than change an old agency. Hell also share tales of selling his first agency to a white-collar criminal who ended up in a Columbian prison charged with fraud. If you run an agency or are thinking of starting your own venture, Cummins session is a must. The New Era of Creative Problem Solving presented by Marcus Tesoriero, Executive Creative Director at The Brand Agency in Perth. Creative@ADFEST: Friday, March 22, 16.15-16.50. The Mad Men days are over. To capture an audience that doesnt stand still, our industry must evolve from ad makers into problem solvers, says The Brand Agencys Marcus Tesoriero, whose career spans DDB, Ogilvy and McCann combined with a mix of more specialised digital shops. By singling out standout examples of brands that are solving problems in new and innovative ways, Tesoriero will explain how the best agencies of today are a bit of everything inventors, scientists, filmmakers, product designers, data geeks and more. Its doom and gloom if youre stuck in the old school of advertising, he admits, but for the problem solvers of tomorrow, its an exciting new world. The Chicken, the Egg, or in todays tech world, does the Omelette come first? presented by Elav Horwitz, VP, Global Innovation Director at McCann Worldgroup, New York. Creative@ADFEST: Friday, March 22, 16.50-17.25. In a world in which tomorrow is already here today, where VR glasses can take you anywhere and robots can generate ideas, how do you even start the creative process in a way that is grounded in real human needs and contact? asks Elav Horwitz, who leads innovation for McCann Worldgroup globally. In a not-to-be-missed session, shell share examples of innovative and creative work, decoding the process behind them. Horwitz leads McCann Worldgroups HumanTech offering and has deep partnerships with a vast network of start-ups, tech companies, industry experts and teen entrepreneurs. She has been awarded at She Runs It, an industry organization dedicated to supporting women leaders in marketing and media, and recently launched the global Women in Tech initiative, which helps to mentor the careers of emerging women leaders in technology within McCann Worldgroup. Fortune Favours the Brave presented by Paul Kemp-Robertson, Co-Founder, Contagious, London. Creative@ADFEST: Saturday, March 23, 14.30-15.05. Scientific studies prove that standout creative ideas kick the living crap out of ordinary ideas. But science also shows that marketers are subconsciously hardwired to avoid taking risks. This explains a universal tension at the heart of the advertising industry: if everyone knows that award-winning work sells, why are so many brands scared to buy it? The answer, as you will discover, is biological, but preventable. Contagious Co-Founder Paul Kemp-Robertson is also the co-author of The Contagious Commandments: Ten Steps to Brand Bravery. At AdFest 2019, he will issue a rallying cry for calculated bravery and showcase creative ideas that have shattered the cognitive immunity of jaded consumers. RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. - Voluntary evacuations in Southern California have been issued for the Holy Fire burn area in Riverside County, with storms predicted for Monday afternoon. Cal Fire is warning community members that now is the safest time to leave due to potential flooding. One homeowner in Lake Elsinore has been preparing his property for the upcoming storm. He says that despite the work, he is thankful he has a home to protect. "As much of a pain that it is, you start thinking of people who lost homes in Malibu and the people up in the Camp Fire in Paradise and then you think that it could be a lot worse," said Marty Silva, a homeowner in the Riverside County area. Closer to home, debris flow is not yet a concern in the Camp Fire burn areas, however, Action News Now will continue to monitor the situation. The Miami International Airport closed a concourse over the weekend in response to the shutdown. Photo: Brynn Anderson/AP/REX/Shutterstock The security lines at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson Airport took more than an hour to get through on Monday morning. Some security checkpoints and ticket counters in Houstons George Bush International Airport were shut down Sunday, and still havent reopened. Similar scenes have taken place in Miami and Washington, D.C. As the partial government shutdown enters its fourth week, the nations airports and the furloughed federal workers who make them run are feeling the effects more than most. And many are responding by not coming to work. According to TSA spokesman Michael Bilello, 7.6 percent of TSA agents were out on Monday on unscheduled absences. Thats more than double the 3.2 percent who missed the same day last year. We dont believe the current situation is sustainable. Were advocating for other solutions to make sure that TSA agents get paid, Christopher Bidwell, of the trade group Airports Council International-North America, told Bloomberg. As essential government employees, TSA agents are required to work during the shutdown, even though they wont be paid until the government reopens. TRAVEL ALERT: Security lines at @ATLairport stretched more than an hour long this morning amid the partial federal shutdown. Wait times could reach as long as an hour and a half. https://t.co/9mV5WYLVYv pic.twitter.com/KRxrLiX8vx AJC (@ajc) January 14, 2019 On Friday, TSA employees missed their first paycheck since the shutdown began and their low pay it ranges from $24,000 to $35,000 a year makes the situation even more precarious, the AP reports: Airline-industry officials worry that they are particularly likely to stop showing up because their relatively low pay means they could quickly struggle to pay bills without money coming in. The dire financial situation for many TSA workers is made clear by some of the supports popping up to keep them afloat. In Seattle, the airport connected struggling agents with credit unions and utilities that shared information about programs for short-term loans and late bill-payment assistance. In Tampa, the airport opened a food pantry for the 600 unpaid workers who continue to show up to work. These are people who really need the assistance. If they dont have a paycheck, it really makes a difference. They may not have anything in savings, airport spokeswoman Emily Nipps told Fox 13. They may be worried about how to put food on the table. The shutdowns damage extends far beyond security lines. The FAAs aviation safety inspectors, who are not deemed essential, havent been working during the shutdown. Last Friday, the FAA moved to recall some of the furloughed workers in an effort to keep up the safety oversight its responsible for. Like TSA agents, air traffic controllers, whose union is suing the federal government, are working without pay. At least a few can rely on their Canadian co-workers for lunch. Huge thank you to our Union brothers and sisters at @CATCA5454 YYZ Tower for sending us pizza last night!! #NATCA #CATCA #unionstrong pic.twitter.com/S6erEK6FpG NATCA EWR (@NATCAEWR) January 13, 2019 But as the shutdown drags on, airport workers are growing more desperate. Some are responding by blasting Ludacris over the PA at 5:45 a.m and one has taken to GoFundMe to raise money for bills. Outsiders, meanwhile, are calling for a strike as the shutdown drags on with no end in sight. BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - The president of the 16 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also called the Mormon Church) visited Chico and Paradise Sunday to see the devastation of the Camp Fire for himself. Russell M. Nelson and his entourage flew into the Chico Airport Sunday morning before meeting with North State officials, legislators and church members at the Mariposa Avenue church. After that, the 94-year-old was taken up to the Ridge to visit the two Mormon churches on Buschmann Rd. and Bille Rd. In the video you can see the church on Buschmann Road, that was completely destroyed. The church on Bille Rd. survived the fire. According to the Deseret News, approximately 1,400 homes belonged to church members on the Ridge. Only six of those homes survived without any damage. The Chico Stake has opened up since the fire to provide food, community meals, and a giving tree for evacuees. According to the Deseret News, the community started referring to the Chico Bishop's Storehouse as "the grocery store without a cash register." The Chico Stake Center on Mariposa Avenue also became the central collection and organization spot for more than 14,000 toys that were donated to the "Chips for Kids" toy drive, which is operated by Blair Parrott, who serves as the community outreach officer with the California Highway Patrol in Chico. Nelson is the 17th president and prophet of the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He became president in January of 2018. He is a former surgeon and medical researcher who was chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Prior to his service as the head of the church, he served as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He has been part of this quorum since 1984. CHICO, Calif. - In response to the mass overdose in Chico, actor Daniel Baldwin is offering his help. Baldwin is a recovered drug addict and works at the Soba Recovery Center, based in Malibu. He and the center's CEO Greg Hannley learned of the overdose incident and stepped forward offering to sponsor those who overdosed Saturday. Action News Now spoke with Baldwin on the phone about why he is willing to help. "We want to help educate what's going on as it branches out from LA, from San Francisco and from Oakland," Baldwin said. "Now it's reached your area where people are probably manufacturing the Fentanyl very close by." Baldwin says he is willing to sponsor anyone who was impacted by Saturday's mass overdose. For more information on the Soba Recovery Center, CLICK HERE. CHICO, Calif. - High school band musicians from all over Northern California performed together on Saturday night as part of a music workshop. Close to 100 high school band students from 14 different high schools from Colusa, Red Bluff and Chico took part in the CMEA Northern Section Select Honor Band. The students were hand-picked by teachers to take part in the Honor Band workshop. The climax of the workshop was a concert presented to parents and the public at Chico State's Harlen Adams Theatre. WENN/Brian To Celebrity Other stars who turn heads with their outfits on the red carpet include Claire Foy, Regina King and Mandy Moore. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - The 2019 Critics' Choice Awards always provides the perfect opportunity for celebrities to show off their best outfits and this year is no exception. While several female attendees decided to go for an angelic look when arriving at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Sunday night, January 13, there were also some who caught attention with their colorful fashion. Charlize Theron and Gemma Chan were among these celebrities. The "Atomic Blonde" actress commanded attention in a glittering silver one-shoulder gown that had a floor-length skirt and allowed her to show off her toned midriff. Charlize's trademark platinum tresses were swept to one side allowing a full view of her youthful look. Meanwhile, "Crazy Rich Asians" star Gemma looked sensational as she stepped out in an incredible eye-catching, strapless gown which was adorned with a purple floral print. The number additionally boasted ruffled detailing around the top before fanning out into an elegant skirt. Letting the dress do the talking, Gemma simply wore a pair of earrings and styled her hair in a low ponytail. Besides Charlize and Gemma, other stars who looked equally stunning on the red carpet included Claire Foy, Regina King and Mandy Moore. "The Crown" actress ditched the usual red carpet gown to opt for a rather casual look that night. She lit up the red carper in a semi-sheer one shoulder shirt with embellishment on it. She paired the glittery top with form-fitting suit trousers which she wore with a slim black belt. Complimenting her look were a large diamond ring and stud earrings. Other other hand, Regina, who was honored with the Best Supporting Actress Award for "If Beale Street Could Talk", was stunning in a purple sequins dress with silver pointy pumps as Mandy rocked a long-sleeve classic white dress with cutouts. See what other stars wore at the annual event below! 1. Phenomenal Look WENN/Brian To Charlize Theron dazzled in a one-shoulder, cutout Givency dress that helped her show off her toned midriffs. 2. Crazy Rich Flowers WENN/Brian To Gemma Chan brought her flower power to the red carpet, catching attention with her voluminous custom floral-print dress. 3. Not Your Usual Red Carpet Gown WENN/Apega Claire Foy accessorized her off-the-shoulder, sparkly top with a black tiny belt and feminine strappy heels. 4. Bold Monochrome Look WENN/Brian To Julia Roberts' outfit that night featured a black, vest top that had a long tail attached. She paired the look with white pants and a pair of black pumps. 5. Stealing Attention With Lip Color WENN/Brian To Emmy Rossum opted for a Ralph Lauren red velvet dress with a plunging neckline. She paired it with a chunky gold choker, a tan clutch and a dark-colored lipstick, the latter of which clearly stole attention. 6. Fancy Problem WENN/Brian To Even though Chrissy Teigen admitted she made a big mistake by going to the event, she still stunned in a white strapless dress featuring a waist embellishment and a thigh-high slit. 7. Another Bold Monochrome Look WENN/Brian To Nicole Kidman turned heads in a strapless black-and-white gown by Armani Prive which featured an unusual lopsided curved silhouette. 8. Keeping Things Simple WENN/Brian To Going for a simple look, Kristen Bell wowed in a floor-length blue gown, adding glamor to her look with drop earrings and a deep blue clutch. 9. Sparkling Purple WENN/Brian To Regina King wore a purple, off-the-shoulder gown when she arrived at the venue, teaming it with a pair of brown heels. 10. Vision in White WENN/Brian To Mandy Moore looked glowing in a gorgeous white dress with cutouts at the waist as she paired with pendant earrings. 11. Masculine Look WENN/Brian To Rachel Brosnahan opted for a masculine look in an asymmetrical white tuxedo from Carolina Herrera and Jimmy Choo shoes. 12. Elegant in Red WENN/Brian To Michelle Yeoh oozed elegance in a red, one-shoulder gown and an emerald ring. WENN/Sheri Determan Celebrity The comedian later takes to Twitter to give further details about the uproar which happens when she's dining at Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Kathy Griffin is not a huge fan of CBS's ex-chairman Les Moonves. The former "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" star reportedly refused to be seated near the former CEO of the network and calling him "a rapist" while dining at Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, California. The rumors first spread on Friday, January 11 when Variety's Ramin Setoodeh tweeted about the incident earlier in the day. He tagged Griffin on his tweet which read, "Wow. I just heard that @kathygriffin was at the Polo Lounge today when she saw that Les Moonves was near her. She loudly asked the waitress to move her, saying: 'I don't want to be seated next to a rapist.' " Wow. I just heard that @kathygriffin was at the Polo Lounge today when she saw that Les Moonves was near her. She loudly asked the waitress to move her, saying: I dont want to be seated next to a rapist. Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) January 10, 2019 Responding to Setoodeh's tweet, Griffin explained what happened in details. "I honestly couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him having the nerve to be sitting in such a high profile Hollywood restaurant," she tweeted. "All I could think of, what if one of his victims innocently walked in , only to have to face this monster? I said 'Leslie?' He said 'hi' U know the rest!" I honestly couldnt believe my eyes when I saw him having the nerve to be sitting in such a high profile Hollywood restaurant. All I could think of, what if one of his victims innocently walked in , only to have to face this monster? I said Leslie? He said hi U know the rest! Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 11, 2019 The tweet quickly became the much-talked-about topic on the micro-blogging site. After Griffin confirmed the rumor and explained what happened, a person asked if Moonves was with someone in the restaurant. Responding to the fan, the 58-year-old stand-up comedian answered, "He was seated alone. I don't know who he was meeting or if he was meeting anyone." He was seated alone. I dont know who he was meeting or if he was meeting anyone. Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 11, 2019 In September 2018, Moonves stepped down from his position as CEO of CBS after he was accused of sexual misconduct. According to a report reviewed by Rachel Adams and Edmund Lee of New York Times, he "engaged in multiple acts of serious nonconsensual sexual misconduct in and outside of the workplace both before and after he came to CBS in 1995." It was reported that the network had denied him at least $120 million severance package because of the allegation. Instagram Celebrity The 'Bride Wars' actress was shooting a new campaign for Fabletics when she stopped to feed the little infant. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Kate Hudson has received praises for sharing a picture of her breasfeeding while at work. Posting a photo of herself nursing baby Rani Rose on her social media account, the "Almost Famous" actress was believed to be supporting other working mothers in normalizing breastfeeding in public. In the comment section of the 39-year-old's post, one follower stated, "Thanks for helping to make breastfeeding in public more 'normal' for and accepted by other." Another applauded her by writing, "Rock on! Love that you're blending work and motherhood." "I'm extremely proud of her showing that she is able to breastfeed and work. Its wonderful," a third chimed in with a heart emoji, "she absolutely did it tastefully." One other follower cheered, "Go mum! Women power, such a great start to a baby's life." Kate garnered positive buzz after she uploaded a photo of her with her infant daughter on Saturday, January 12. Crediting photographer Nino Munoz for the snap, the daughter of Goldie Hawn wrote, "When you're workin but babies gotta eat." Days earlier, the former wife of Chris Robinson opened up to Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb of "Today" about juggling breastfeeding and work. "I'm in the breastfeeding constantly now and I'm trying to figure out how to balance the breastfeeding and the work, which is always a mother's [challenge]," she admitted. The "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" star further pointed out, "Even moms that have multiple kids, and it's just hard with the pumping. I have one friend who is a milk machine. I wish I was a milk machine. I'm not. I need to pump and I need to be on it." Kate gave birth to her first child with boyfriend Danny Fujikawa on October 2. A few days afterward, she made use of her Instagram account to share the happy news and offer a look at her newborn girl. "Our little rosebud," captioned the actress, who shared a son Ryder with ex-husband Chris, and another son Bingham with ex-fiance Matt Bellamy. Instagram Celebrity The 'Avengers: Endgame' actor and the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger are engaged to be married after he proposes to her with a huge diamond ring, which she flaunts on his Instagram picture. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Chris Pratt is taking his relationship with Katherine Schwarzenegger to the next level, less than a year after they were first spotted together. The "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" actor just announced on Instagram that he's engaged to his girlfriend after he proposed to her earlier on Sunday, January 13. The 39-year-old shared the happy news by posting a picture of him and Katherine embracing each other. The 28-year-old author placed her hands around his neck, showing her new engagement ring, which features a huge oval-cut diamond, on her left ring finger. "Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! I'm thrilled to be marrying you," he gushingly wrote in the caption, adding, "Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go!" He has received many congratulatory messages in the comment section. Chris was previously married to Anna Faris from 2009 before their split in August 2017. Their divorce was finalized in October last year. The exes share a 6-year-old son, Jack, and remain friendly while co-parenting their child. Chris and Katherine first sparked dating rumors after they were pictured on a picnic date on last year's Father's Day in Santa Barbara, California. They have been since spotted on many outings together, sometimes with Jack in tow. Back in October, the pair went trick-or-treating with Jack and his ex Anna as well as Anna's boyfriend Michael Barrett. Despite only months of dating, Chris and Katherine showed they're serious with their relationship as they had been seen meeting each other's family. The "Guardians of the Galaxy" hunk joined her family dinner at Maria Shriver's house in August, while Katherine spent time with Chris and his family at the Round Pond Estate winery in Napa, California in early September. Last Friday, Chris was seen helping Katherine move out of her home in Santa Monica. He was more than happy loading her belongings into his new truck. "I love moving!! Picking up heavy things and moving them into the back of a truck was my major in college!" he jokingly wrote in a caption of a video showing his new Chevrolet truck. Netflix/Warner Bros. Pictures/Geoff Robins Movie Alfonso Cuaron's monochromatic drama dominates the winner list with four awards, while GaGa and Close are tied for the Best Actress nod. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - "Roma" ruled the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards. The Spanish language film topped other winners in the movie field with four prizes, bagging the coveted Best Picture award in addition to being named Best Foreign Language Film. Alfonso Cuaron also nabbed two for Best Director and Best Cinematography. Trailing behind "Roma" with three honors each were "Vice (2018)" and "Black Panther", which were both nominated for Best Picture along with the likes of "BlacKkKlansman", "The Favourite", "If Beale Street Could Talk" and "A Star Is Born" among others. "Vice" star Christian Bale was named Best Actor and Best Actor in a Comedy, while the movie's third win was in hair and makeup category. As for "Black Panther", the Marvel superhero movie was honored with Best Production Design for Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart, Best Costume Design for Ruth Carter, as well as Best Visual Effects. There were two Best Actress winners as Glenn Close ("The Wife") and Lady GaGa ("A Star Is Born") were tied for the gong. GaGa, who co-wrote the musical drama's song "Shallow", also received a credit for the movie's Best Song win. Other movie with multiple wins included "If Beale Street Could Talk", "The Favourite" and "First Man", which bagged two each. " If Beale Street Could Talk" helped its star Regina King win Best Supporting Actress, while its script by Barry Jenkins was named Best Adapted Screenplay. "The Favourite" won Best Actress in a Comedy for Olivia Colman and Best Acting Ensemble. "First Man" took home Best Original Screenplay for Paul Schrader and Best Score for Justin Hurwitz. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" was named Best Animated Movie, "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" was the Best Action Movie, "Crazy Rich Asians" was the Best Comedy, while the Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie gong went to "A Quiet Place". The 2019 Critics' Choice Awards also handed out the prizes for winners in TV categories. The event, which was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Sunday night, January 13, was hosted by Taye Diggs. Full Movie Winner List of the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards WENN/Adriana M. Barraza Celebrity The unpredictable weather on the 'Downton Abbey' star and his bride Jessica Blair's nuptials only made the celebration more epic with the impromptu performance by Lea and her 'Glee' co-star Darren Criss. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Allen Leech's nuptials to Jessica Blair Herman would be ruined if not for Lea Michele and Darren Criss. Opening up about his special day, the "Downton Abbey" star spilled that when heavy rain caused the string quartet he booked for the January 5 wedding fail to show up, the former "Glee" stars stepped up to entertain the guests. The 37-year-old actor and his actress wife decided to tie the knot at Alisal Ranch and Resort in California's Santa Ynez Valley to get clear sky and good weather for their big day. However, expectation proved to be different from reality. "When you get married in California, you expect sunshine," he told Hello! Magazine, "but a little bit of Ireland blew over on the day and we had some heavy rain." Though the ceremony was hampered by the unexpected condition, Allen and Jessica weren't left disappointed. "Everyone rallied round, the weather only made the day more epic," he recalled. "Darren and Lea are such great people and great friends, and they said, 'Absolutely no problem' when we told them the situation." The actor playing Paul Prenter in "Bohemian Rhapsody" continued on, "We grabbed a guitar and they ended up singing the music for our ceremony. Everyone said they had never been to a wedding where everyone was singing before the bride had even arrived." For the wedding, Jessica wore a Monique Lhuillier gown pairing it with Yves Saint Laurent heels, while Allen donned a deep navy Armani suit with burgundy bowtie. Remembering the time he caught a glimpse of his bride on the big day, he gushed, "The moment of seeing Jessica, oh my God, it was magical. It will stay with me forever." Allen and Jessica announced their engagement back on Valentine's Day 2018. The two kept their nuptials private by inviting only close family and friends to attend. In addition to Lea and Darren, their wedding had Allen's "Abbey" co-stars Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens as well as his "Rhapsody" co-star Rami Malek as guests. As she and we will very soon discover, Representative Tulsi Gabbard is not going to be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images With the Iowa caucuses just over a year away, the 2020 Democratic presidential contest is about to transition from a silly season of wild conjecture to actual candidates putting together actual campaigns. Yes, it is far too early to make predictions about the likely order of finish in Iowa or anywhere else or even to draw up a list of candidates who will be on anybodys ballots. But pretty soon, anybody on this side of the Oprah Line (across which lie the people so famous they could instantly become viable contenders in the unlikely event that they chose to run for president) will have to take some concrete steps toward running if they intend to do so. As the Associated Press reports, were about to see an avalanche of announcements: After months of speculation and secrecy, the 2020 presidential primary season is about to explode. With several Democrats already in the race, a half dozen more are locking down final travel, staffing and strategy to launch White House bids in the coming weeks. While plans may change, the announcements are expected to come in waves, the first featuring a group of ambitious Senate Democrats including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who face pressure to join the race after Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warrens entrance two weeks ago. The second wave will likely feature political heavyweights like former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg and former Texas Congressman Beto ORourke, whose advisers believe they have sufficient financial backing and name recognition to join the crowded field on their terms later in the first quarter should they decide to run. There are two different implications for the end of the silly season: highly implausible candidacies, whether its the Rock or Howard Schultz or Oprah herself, will begin to fade like the Cheshire cats smile. And some actually declared candidacies will begin to melt away with the heat of even superficial scrutiny. Its already happening with one candidate making plans to announce her bid, U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, as Rolling Stone notes: Though Gabbard has fashioned herself as an anti-Trump progressive, this past weekend was filled with revelations that could set her back in a crowded 2020 race that wont afford candidates much margin for error. The latest came Sunday night when CNN reported that in the early 2000s Gabbard touted working for her fathers anti-gay organization, the Alliance for Traditional Marriage. The group supported legislation against same-sex marriage and promoted conversion therapy. Gabbard worked for the ATM which described homosexuality as unhealthy, abnormal behavior that should not be promoted or accepted in society as she was running for a seat in the Hawaii state legislature. She was 21 at the time. This side of Gabbards brief political past augments the problems she has created for herself by being known as Congresss best buddy to both Bashar al-Assad and virulently anti-Muslim Hindu nationalists, as Mother Jones reports: In 2017, a Washington Post columnist dubbed her Assads mouthpiece in Washington According to the Intercept, Gabbard has embraced American supporters of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and they have embraced her as a pro-Modi force in Congress. Modi, a nationalist politician, has a history of fostering violence against religious minorities. In 2002, an outbreak of violence resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Muslims in the state where he was chief minister. In December 2013, Gabbard opposed a House resolution calling on Modi to protect the rights and freedoms of religions minorities. This is all likely to destroy whatever prospects Gabbard had earned from her connections with the 2016 Bernie Sanders campaign and her unusual status in Congress as an Iraq War veteran and an actual surfer. Who knows what other dark horse Democratic candidates in a potentially vast field will similarly hit the skids and be winnowed the first time they are publicly vetted? Certainly some will founder thanks to fundraising woes or an inability to set up serious operations in the early caucus and primary states. Not to pick on any one obscure candidate from the House, but we should soon know whether theres some hitherto undiscovered constituency for California representative Eric Swalwell in the potluck circuit of Iowa Democratic activists. And before long, the sheer number of highly qualified candidates will make those with slim resumes stand out, and not in a good way. Ive met South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, and found him to be exceptionally impressive; he could be a strongly viable candidate in, say, 2032, when hell still be a quarter-century younger than Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are today. Others on the list of mentioned proto-candidates may not be pushed off the stage entirely, but could be assigned to a lower tier in media accounts, which have a way of influencing donors and other media. That could also matter a great deal if Democrats wind up having to limit primary debate competitions to candidates who meet some kind of viability benchmark (or consign some lower-tier candidates to a kiddie table debate the way Republicans did in 2016). Its tough to climb tiers or even to stick around, unless, say, you are former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and can self-fund your own campaign and are already famous. In the end, the ex-Republican and stop-and-frisk champion may be no more viable in a Democratic presidential contest than Tulsi Gabbard, but he can stick around if he wants. So, at this point, for all but the top-tier candidates, the prime objective is survival, until things like fundraising totals and organizational achievements and then debates and then actual votes begin to winnow the enormous 2020 field. With a few exceptions, its not like anyone will perceive a vacuum if some of these birds dont fly. Columbia Pictures Movie Through a social media post, the Detective Mike Lowrey depicter reveals that he and his co-star are one day away from kicking off the production on 'Bad Boys for Life'. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have taken a trip down memory lane and revisited their original "Bad Boys" movies as they prepare to begin filming the new sequel. The old pals have been trying to turn their dreams of a third instalment of the action comedy into a reality for years, and in early October (2018), studio chiefs at Sony Pictures were said to be close to signing off on the project, 15 years after "Bad Boys 2" hit theatres. In November, Will and Martin officially announced their return as Miami Police Department detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, and as they geared up to kick off production on "Bad Boys for Life", the actors decided to check out their 1995 original and its 2003 sequel. "First Day of Shooting tomorrow!" Will wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of himself and Lawrence posing in front of a big screen bearing an old image of the stars in character from the first "Bad Boys". "We watched @BadBoys 1 & 2 together over the weekend. It's about to be KRAZY (sic)! #badboysforlife". This time around, Will and Martin will be joined by Vanessa Hudgens, "Riverdale" star Charles Melton, and "Vikings" actor Alexander Ludwig, with the trio portraying a highly-specialised police unit that clashes with Will and Martin's detective characters as they tackle a new threat in Miami, Florida. The franchise veterans will also be reunited with original co-star Joe Pantoliano, who was recently confirmed to reprise his longtime role as Captain Conrad Howard. Rising filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will direct the project, which will be co-produced by movie mogul Jerry Bruckheimer, and is set for release in January, 2020. Facebook Movie Explaining why he broke down in tears on stage during the curtain call, the 'Mary Poppins Returns' actor gushes that his father,who was running the production, worked harder than everyone else. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Lin-Manuel Miranda broke down in tears as he returned to the lead role of his musical "Hamilton" on Friday, January 11. The "Mary Poppins Returns" star was overwhelmed as he brought his father on stage for the opening night of the hit show at the Luis A. Ferre Performing Arts Center in Puerto Rico. "No one moved more mountains than him," he told the delighted crowd of his father Luis, who is running the production, during the curtain call. He later told reporters at a press conference backstage following the sold-out performance that "bringing my father out on stage tonight" was the moment he "savoured the most". "No one's worked harder than him," Lin-Manuel said. "I really thought there was moments he was not going to survive. My dad's worked in politics and been the most efficient guy in the room his entire career - the whole thing was a test for this. Him getting applause was the highlight of my night." The opening night was also a star-studded one, with Jimmy Fallon, Shonda Rhimes, and Leslie Odom Jr., who won a Tony Award for his role in the Broadway production of the musical, in the audience. Lin-Manuel reprised his role of Alexander Hamilton for the special production in Puerto Rico for the first time since leaving the original Broadway cast in 2016. He'll continue to play the part for the next 23 performances in an effort to bring awareness to the island, which was destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the aftermath of the devastating storm, which also caused more than $90 billion (70 billion) in damages. All profits from Hamilton's tour in Puerto Rico will go to the Flamboyan Arts Fund, which Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel co-launched. Instagram Celebrity The newlyweds, who are expecting their first child together, exchange vows in front of 100 guests at the beautiful nuptials as 'The Bachelor' host Chris Harrison officiates the ceremony. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Congratulations are in order for Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Burnham! "The Bachelor" couple, who is expecting their first child together, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony that took place in Maui, Hawaii on Saturday, January 12. Us Weekly was first to break the news. The stunning bride turned heads in a Haykey Paige sleeveless gown that featured delicate embellishments around the waist. She wore her hair down in an elegant wavy style while completing her look with a huge bouquet of white blooms. Meanwhile, the groom looked dapper as ever in a black tuxedo suit from Kenneth Cole. The pair, who met while filming season 22 of the ABC dating show back in 2017, exchanged vows in front of 100 guests. Among the guest were the groom's close friends Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici with "The Bachelor" host Chris Harrison officiating the ceremony. The show's producers Elan Gale and Bennett Graebner were also in attendance. Catherine shared a slew of photos from the tropical nuptials, one of which gave a better look at Lauren's beatiful wedding dress. Some of the photos also featured the setting of the lavish beach wedding ceremony. "CHEERS TO LOVE. Congratulations to Lauren and Arie (and Baby Girl Luyendyk) on making it official tonight! So honored to have witnessed it and to have celebrated you (Also, have you seen this stunning of a bride before?!?)," she captioned her post. The couple arrived in Hawaii a few days before the nuptials. They enjoyed laid-back festivities which included a helicopter tour of the islands. They also had a rehearsal dinner on a sunset cruise the night before the wedding. Arie and Lauren tied the knot 10 months after getting engaged in "After the Final Rose" special episode following the controversial "The Bachelor" finale of his season. Arie initially picked Becca Kufrin and proposed to her in the finale, only to call off the engagement a few weeks later because he realized his feelings for Lauren. Just earlier this month, the couple took to Instagram to share the gender of their unborn baby. "IT'S A GIRL!!!" the former race car driver wrote in the caption alongside snaps of him and his now-wife blowing pink petals with pink smoke featured in the background. "I think, to be honest, in the beginning we were both hoping that we were having a girl," Lauren shared to Us Weekly. "We actually did the early gender test online, so we took our test at 10 weeks. We got the results back from that, and it was that we were having a boy." The doctor encouraged her to do an ultrasound at 15 weeks and they then found out that the baby is actually a girl. Rhe whole process was well-documented in a gender reveal special for "The Bachelor". WENN/Ivan Nikolov Celebrity While it is still unclear what caused the passing of Jo Andres at 65, her actor husband has been spotted with the help of others lifting a casket out of his Brooklyn home on January 9. Jan 14, 2019 AceShowbiz - Steve Buscemi's wife of over 30 years, Jo Andres, has died. According to editors at E! News, the filmmaker, choreographer, and artist passed away earlier this week, ends January 13 in New York City. She was 65. A cause of death has not been made public, and a representative for Buscemi has not yet commented on the news. However, photographs obtained by Radar Online show Buscemi, 61, and several others lifting a wicker casket out of the family home in Brooklyn on Wednesday, January 09, with the mourners then heading to a burial service with a police escort. Hollywood actor John Turturro, who featured alongside Buscemi in 1998's "The Big Lebowski", was one of the mourners who visited the "Boardwalk Empire" star's house to pay his respects. Buscemi and Andres were last seen on the red carpet together in July (18) when they stepped out at The Cinema Society screening of Puzzle. A celebrated filmmaker and artist in her own right, Andres rose to fame within the 1980s art world through her expressive performance art films, and made her directorial debut with 1996's "Black Kites". Buscemi previously heaped praise on his wife's work, revealing his favourite piece of art was "probably something by my wife Jo Andres." "She paints, she makes films, she has done performance," he told The Independent in 2009. Buscemi and Andres wed in 1987 and share 29-year-old son Lucian Buscemi. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... RIYADH, Saudi Arabia If Mike Pompeo was surprised, he didnt show it. But the secretary of state had woken up in the capital of Saudi Arabia on Monday to find that President Donald Trump had tweeted a threat to NATO ally Turkey warning of economic harm should the Turks attack U.S.-backed rebel forces in Syria. On the second-to-last stop of a Mideast tour dominated by questions and concerns from Arab leaders about Trumps abrupt order to withdraw American troops from Syria, Pompeo had to refer reporters questions about the tweet to the White House. He said he assumed Trump was referring to the possibility of economic sanctions on Turkey if the Kurds were hit. But he couldnt speak definitively to the matter. We apply sanctions in many places around the world, Pompeo said, attempting to clarify Trumps threat. I assume hes speaking about those kinds of things but you would have to ask him. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The scene at the news conference at the Riyadh airport played out amid what have become frequent unpleasant surprises for Trump administration officials trying to explain the policies of a president who often issues seemingly impulsive tweets and makes off-the-cuff comments that can disrupt the normal course of diplomacy. Pompeo had not yet spoken to Turkish officials about Trumps vow to devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds as he spoke to reporters. I havent had a chance to have any conversations with the Turks as of yet since the presidents tweets went out, but I will Im sure I will talk to them before too long, said Pompeo, who had just come from meetings with Saudi Arabias king and crown prince that focused on the conflicts in Syria and Yemen and the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Just two days earlier, Pompeo had expressed confidence after a lengthy conversation with his Turkish counterpart that the U.S. and the Turks would reach an agreement to protect Americas Kurdish partners in the fight against the Islamic State after U.S. troops leave Syria. Trumps tweet threat appeared to throw such confidence into doubt. The president has repeatedly wreaked havoc with diplomacy, whether from the Syria withdrawal order and subsequent confusion over timing to suggestions that the American military presence in Afghanistan may be significantly reduced. He has also done it with comments throwing into question the U.S. commitment to NATO and about the pace and progress of trade talks with China. The Syria order was too much for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the special envoy for the anti-IS coalition Brett McGurk, both of whom quit as a result. But they left on their own terms. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who was several times blindsided by Trump tweets conflicting with his efforts was fired via social media last year. Others, like Pompeo, have gamely played on, joining Trump in accusing the media of inventing internal policy contradictions in the face of clear discord or at least confusion. Pompeos eight-nation Mideast mission was aimed at reassuring Americas Arab partners that the Syria withdrawal doesnt mean the Trump administration is abandoning the region, giving up the fight against the Islamic State or scaling back its determination to counter threats posed by Iran. The secretary said he managed to allay fears of an American retreat even as the U.S. military begins the Syria withdrawal process. He at once defended the Syria withdrawal while insisting the administration is in it for the long haul in destroying the Islamic State and combatting Irans increasing assertiveness in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. He did so in part, he said on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, by bashing the previous administrations Mideast policies as naive and misguided and extoling the virtues of Trumps vision for the region. It is the case they get it, they understand, Pompeo said of the Arab leaders with whom he spoke. And still, questions remain. On Tuesday in Amman, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held out hope that that U.S.-Jordanian cooperation on Syria would continue but seemed uncertain. Weve always coordinated and we trust that well continue to coordinate, and our security is something that has always been taken into account by our allies in Washington, and we trust that well continue to have this kind of relationship, he said. In Cairo on Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri noted pointedly that the capabilities of ISIS, or Daesh, have been degraded to a very large extent, but the overall network of terrorist organizations goes far beyond that. Shoukris spoke shortly before Pompeo delivered a speech at the American University of Cairo entitled A Force for Good: Americas Reinvigorated Role in the Middle East, in which he accused former President Barack Obama of misguided thinking that diminished the U.S. role in the region while harming its longtime friends and emboldening Iran. The speech was a direct riposte to an address Obama gave in Cairo a decade earlier heralding a new beginning for U.S. relations with the Arab and broader Muslim world. It took the former president to task for failing to realize the threat posed by radical Islam, which in turn led to the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and allowed Iran to run roughshod through the region. Unsurprisingly, Pompeos speech was panned by former Obama administration officials and foreign policy experts who complained it celebrated autocrats and made no mention of human rights abuses that sparked the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that convulsed the Middle East and North Africa. Obviously the Pompeo speech, read alongside Obamas, seems a little nasty and undignified but in diplomacy you get judged by results, not by classiness, said former U.S. diplomat Steven Sestanovich, now a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. And the results test may be the one Pompeo fails: Has he really reduced confusion about where the US is headed? Pompeo in Abu Dhabi defended his speech and denied he had attacked Obama or members of his administration. I wasnt critical of any of those individuals, it was the ideas that underlaid the previous administrations policies, he said. He added that most of his speech was intended to describe how the Trump administration is adjusting policies to fix problems such as the Islamic State. And yet, those adjustments are coming fast and furious with often no or little warning, making the job of communicating them that much more difficult. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Longtime Socorro Consolidated School Board member Pauline Jaramillo was recently elected by her colleagues to be president of the New Mexico School Boards Association for 2019. Jaramillo is serving her third term as a member of the Socorro Consolidated School Board, and last year, she served as president-elect of the association. She previously served as Region IV president. In 2017, Jaramillo was named School Board Member of the Year. Her recent appointment took place in Albuquerque during the annual convention of the New Mexico School Boards Association at the Embassy Suites Hotel. During the convention, school board members from across the state listened to keynote speakers and participated in formative breakout sessions. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ In 2009, Jaramillo was elected to the local board of education in Socorro, determined to support the local school system, its teachers and employees. While some faces have changed, many of the issues have not. Funding, teacher shortages and declining test scores are some of the issues we have been struggling with, she said. We have identified these issues locally and have worked on addressing them at the state level as well. Jaramillo got involved in the New Mexico School Boards Association soon after whe was elected to the school board. I attended the NMSBAs institute in Santa Fe a few days after my election, she said. The association brought in more than 150 newly elected school board members to provide training on roles and responsibilities, brief us on hot legislative topics, and allowed us time to meet with our local legislative leaders at the capital to ask for their support on various education and funding issues. Shortly after that she attended the NMSBA Spring Region IV meeting with board members from 13 central New Mexico school districts that she wanted to become more involved. Her involvement got her elected as a region officer and later a region president, state officer and now president of the organization. Jaramillos priorities as president include making certain NMSBA is a resource for development and support for local school boards. She also intends to advocate for educational issues at the state Legislature and Congress. These concerns include ensuring schools receive enough funding for local decision-making and preventing unfunded mandates. Other priorities include leadership development services and training for local school boards, all while encouraging partnerships with elected officials and other educational organizations to help improve New Mexico schools. One of the tough challenges Jaramillo will face is getting support for sufficient school funding. Many critical programs and services have been reduced or eliminated over the last several years, she said. Plus, there are teacher and principal pay and shortages. The pay for our teachers and principals must be increased. We must recruit more teachers into the teaching profession. The number of children being taught by substitute teachers is unacceptable. School safety also must be a priority, she said. We must continue to make our schools a safe place for children by providing resources for school security officers, school safety systems as well as school counseling and mental health screening, Jaramillo said. And if theres one thing Jaramillo is passionate about its that parents should encourage and support their childrens education. Spend time and read to your child. Be active in your childs school and be a role model for learning. Do all these things to make your child successful, she said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Nearly six months after Albuquerque lost its top internal investigator, the City Council is expected to pick his replacement. The candidates for new inspector general include a onetime Albuquerque Police Department detective, the former inspector general for Los Angeles public schools and a Bronze Star recipient who once served as commander of the Air Force Inspection Agency. The inspector general runs an independent city government office and reports to the Accountability in Government Oversight Committee. The inspector general conducts impartial investigations and aims to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse in city activities and deter criminal activity, according to city ordinance. David T. Harper left the position last summer for a different job in Florida. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The AGO committee interviews applicants and makes three ranked recommendations to City Council, which makes the final selection. The candidates are: Vickie Duran, the audit and compliance director at the Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino. She previously worked for APD from 1985-1999, much of it as a detective, and later as enforcement division director for the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. Richard Alan Coe, a Bronze Star recipient who presently runs his own Corrales-based management consulting firm. Coe was previously inspector general/director at the U.S. Air Forces Air Combat Command and commander of the Air Force Inspection Agency. Kenneth E. Bramlett, who spent the past five years as inspector general at the Los Angeles Unified School District. He was previously the inspector general for the Georgia Department of Public Health. The City Council was scheduled to pick the inspector general last week but voted 5-4 to defer until the next meeting, with several councilors saying they wanted more time to consider the candidates. PAY TO SPRAY: Want to hold your next company picnic at the Manzano Mesa Spray Park? That will cost $100 per hour. The Albuquerque City Council last week approved a new, standardized rental fee structure for city-owned facilities like community and senior centers. Some uses will remain free: Theres no charge for one-time events that are free and open to the public and hosted by government entities, Albuquerque Public Schools and individuals. But even governmental agencies will pay $7.50 per room per hour if their one-time event is private. Recurring events that charge participants will pay $10-$15 per hour to rent space. Large-scale, private, one-time events hosted by individuals or for-profit companies pay $40-$60 per hour, except the Manzano Mesa Spray Park, which has its own price tag of $100 per hour. Jessica Dyer: jdyer@abqjournal.com .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... WHERES THE REST OF THE RIO GRANDE/MONTANO PAVING? Ilse Gay emails, We in the North Valley were all really happy to see Rio Grande Boulevard and Montano repaved at long last, but both streets were only partially paved even though the remain(ing) pavements on both streets badly need repaving. Whats the story on the incomplete paving jobs? Hope you can get an answer! Johnny Chandler, who handles information for the city of Albuquerques Department of Municipal Development, says, More paving is on the way for the areas in question. Currently the schedule for additional work on Rio Grande and Montano is as follows: Rio Grande Central to I-40 summer/fall 2019; ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Rio Grande Candelaria to Griegos summer/fall 2019; and Montano Guadalupe Trail to the Montano Bridge summer/fall 2020. These dates are always subject to change based on the deterioration of other roads, due to weather, for example. AND THE MONTANO SIGNS? Carl Smith came across the Rio on the Montano Bridge recently and noted that the metal placard that was on the west end of the bridge is no longer there. It was the one with the then mayors name and council members names. Like it had been pried off. His email continues: And the nature signs that had been on the three river viewing area have been removed. Vandals or something the city did? For the plaque, smart moneys on the former. Tanya Lenti of the citys Cultural Services Department says, Missing plaques on the Montano bridge came to our attention (in early December). The Cultural Services Departments Public Art Urban Enhancement Division did a site visit and determined a dozen missing plaques were property of Public Art. We cant assume they were stolen, but we did not remove them. As for the viewing areas, stay tuned. Lenti says, The nature signs along the trails are not part of Public Art. Were taking this as an opportunity to remind the community that they can always call 311 when they see something that doesnt seem right. A REMINDER TO CLEAN UP YOUR MESS: Mike emails, Maybe you can put a reminder in one of your upcoming columns about the duty of people involved in accidents, or the towing companies as relevant, to remove accident debris glass, sharp metal, plastic, etc. from the road. Because, Mike says, I grew up in Michigan and the amount of post-accident debris I sometimes see (here) in the median, etc., is often alarming. He shares New Mexico statute 66-7-364 (C), which states: A person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a highway shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from the vehicle. Mike adds, I have seen, particularly in the Rio Rancho/Bernalillo/U.S. 550 area, a lot of sharp plastic/glass debris in the road or in the center median, which can pose a real risk to vehicle tires especially when the median is also a left turn lane, etc. I have communicated these concerns to the Rio Rancho Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriffs Office, and the Bernalillo Police Department, by email. A few of them responded and said they would remind the towing companies. But it may be good to get a general reminder out there, for the general public too, as towing companies or police may not always respond. The law applies to anyone removing their vehicle. In a previous column both the Albuquerque Police Department and the city of Albuquerque put crash cleanup responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the tow companies that respond. But if the vehicle(s) were not towed and the drivers didnt pick up their bumpers or have a broom handy, the city advised motorists to call 311 or the appropriate street maintenance department to take care of it. WHERE DID THOSE COOL LIGHTS ON SAN PEDRO COME FROM? Jake Jones asks in an email, Who funded the unique street lights on San Pedro between Indian School and Lomas? Are there plans to replace more areas with these elegant but highly functional lamps? Chandler says, The unique lights between Indian School and Lomas on San Pedro was part of a project started and funded by City Councilor Diane Gibson. These new decorative light poles were installed over a year ago. Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M., 87103. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Archbishop of Santa Fe John C. Wester agreed to open sealed state court lawsuits in priest child sexual abuse cases and pay therapy bills for survivors during an extraordinary public meeting with several victims whose claims are now intertwined with the archdioceses pending bankruptcy reorganization. It was also revealed during the meeting last week that the Archdiocese of Santa Fe continues to pay thousands of dollars a year to assist two priests who have been credibly accused of molesting children. Most of the questions posed by three members of the creditors committee at the meeting focused on shedding light on what has historically been a dark, secret legal reckoning of the child sexual abuse inflicted for decades by at least 79 current or former Catholic priests in the archdiocese. Wester has said the archdiocese has paid millions of dollars in settlements to victims so far, but cannot sustain the financial impact of continued litigation. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The meeting Thursday in Albuquerque provided an initial forum for the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee, abuse survivors on the creditors committee and a lawyer for the three dozen victims who have pending lawsuits against the diocese to ask about the archdioceses Chapter 11 petition filed Dec. 3. Wester and two other top archdiocesan officials were questioned under oath for about three hours. Does the debtor understand and agree that the production of documents is an essential part of the therapeutic healing process for all the creditors? And perhaps even for all the Catholic communities all over this Archdiocese, asked the chairman of the creditors committee. Will the documents, with victims names redacted, be made public, so that the public can never forget what happened, and use the documents for research and other public purposes, the chairman asked. Wester pledged to do so, saying he believed transparency was very important. But he added that he would have to check whether the archdiocese could accede to the creditors request to release redacted personnel files of all 79 priests identified by the Archdiocese over the past year as having been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. On a separate topic, Tony Salgado, executive director of the archdiocese financial services division, said the archdiocese is providing a total of $40,000 a year to two priests who have been credibly accused of molesting children. He provided the information in response to questions by Los Angeles attorney James Stang, hired to represent the creditors. The names of the two priests werent disclosed. We have an obligation to provide assistance for their care, Salgado said. Wester added that the archdiocese is bound to do so by the Canon Law of the Catholic Church. But Stang, who has represented more than 13 creditors committees involving survivors of sexual abuse around the country, said the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Wilmington, Del., once told him that if he was ordered by the Vatican to make such a payment to an accused priest he would resign. Do you have a comment on that? Stang asked Wester. No, Wester responded. Another member of the creditors committee asked Wester whether the archdiocese would put funds aside to provide therapy for current and future victims. Therapy would really help some of us, the man said. But it takes funds and those funds need to be available immediately. Wester said paying for therapy for victims is something we do automatically no questions asked. He gave the man the name of a contact in the archdiocese and told him to submit his therapy bills. The next major hurdle in the bankruptcy action will be the notification of current and potential claimants and how that will occur. A date by which claims must be submitted to the bankruptcy court is likely to be set between late April and early June of this year, said Ford Elsaesser, an Idaho bankruptcy attorney retained by the archdiocese. After the meeting on Thursday, Wester reiterated his commitment to help victim survivors now and into the future. Theyre obviously hurt, and its a very difficult thing theyve been through, Wester said of the men on the creditors committee, most of whom were middle-aged. Over the years, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe has released few records that might shed light on church leaders decisions allowing clergy child sex abusers to live and work in New Mexico parishes and schools. Lawyers for the archdiocese typically sought confidentiality orders from judges when lawsuits were filed alleging priest abuse and negligence by church officials. Such cases were settled out of court, without public trials, and settlements have been secret. Estimates on the number of cases filed against the archdiocese since the early 1990s have been as high as 300. In 2017, state District Judge Alan Malott agreed to a request by KOB-TV to unseal the files of three priests accused of molesting dozens of children dating back to the 1960s. The archdiocese at the time had objected to the release of nearly 1,000 pages of court records, contending public disclosure would endanger the right to a fair trial and hurt the privacy rights of victims and their families. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thomas Mason is the first to admit the work LANL does will never be popular with a significant portion of the population in New Mexico. Thats one of the reasons he feels community relations is an important part of LANLs agenda under new operator Triad National Security LLC. There are probably some people who are never going to like what we do because they dont like nuclear weapons, which is actually understandable, Mason said in an interview with the Journal. It is kind of a weird thing to be working really hard on something you really hope will never be used. Mason pledges to be as open as possible with the communities with which the labs work. Thats a good start given the nature of the work done by the lab securing our nations nuclear arsenal. Another good step Mason has been taking? Hes been traveling the state meeting with university and college presidents since he took over as director Nov. 1. The intent of those visits is to establish job training programs to help fill positions at the lab everything from radiation techs to physicists, accountants to office managers. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ LANL is to be commended for being committed to training state residents to fill as many positions as possible at the lab. Employing New Mexicans at all levels benefits New Mexico families and goes a long way in improving community relations. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Oslo-on-the-Potomac? Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock At dusk on a brisk Saturday afternoon in Washington, when the government shutdown has muted the Mall and scared away tourists, the capitals recently unwrapped stretch of waterfront is a rare spot of liveliness. A curving pier unfurls, tonguelike, into the middle of the Potomac, its planked surface rising towards the tip and falling away to one side, an invitation to scramble up the slope or lie back against it. Couples, families, and a knot of buddies cluster around a bonfire-like sculpture of steel branches and real flames burning at the end of the jetty. Two kids run off to share one of the oversized wooden swings, arcing against the new waterfront skyline as the sky darkens and the lights come on. None of this existed a couple of years ago, and already it has a patina of urban romance. When a development team slathers $2 billion and sics a dozen architects onto a half-mile of dilapidated shoreline, you might expect the results to be a place, a canned complex of ersatz charm and shrink-wrapped chic. The Wharf in Southwest Washington makes the scare quotes unnecessary. The developers PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette have performed the unlikely trick of conjuring a living neighborhood from scratch. Many instant downtowns yield knockoffs of an imagined past, replete with fake-antique gas lamps, decorative clocks, coordinated awnings, brick pavements, and storefronts. Here, the designers, led by Perkins Eastman, have mined history for approaches rather than symbols. Blocks are short, streets narrow, and styles varied, and the buildings come in an assortment of sizes, from truck-sized pavilion to double-winged hotel. Cars have to bump cautiously over cobblestoned drives, which have no curbs but edge into granite pavers at the sides (easier on the feet). Cross streets slide gently from Maine Avenue down to the waterfront, emulating a hillside Mediterranean village. Buildings sit just back from the water and a few steps above the esplanade, which gives each one its own terrace or front porch. The apparently inconsequential play of plane, slope, riser, and step forms the kind of texture and topography that new developments almost always lack. Every port city in the world has had to reckon with neglected docks and crumbling bulkheads. Decades ago, deindustrialization and the advent of shipping containers created mile upon mile of urban waterfront wasteland that cities have transformed into parks, sculpture park/beaches, esplanades, high-rise perimeters, tech zones, and tourist attractions. And yet all that experience has not made it any easier to get waterfront development right. The Wharf, which is still expanding, has absorbed the latest in place-making wisdom, mixing offices, apartments, restaurants, and hangout spots in a facsimile of the kind of dense downtown that evolves over centuries of constant use. The theory could have yielded another dud; the execution is the work of designers attuned to the demands of pleasure. Light, for instance, comes in an array of forms: flames from a circular stone fire pit that breathes heat and conviviality, ankle-level radiance from beneath dockside benches made of salvaged beams, glowing LED strips embedded in wooden bleachers, soft luminescence of modern lanterns that hang from black steel masts, a whisper of blue trim outlining the Case Bridge. The new neighborhood projects an aura of choreographed prosperity, but it tries hard not to turn into a walled-off enclave for the affluent and white, and it seems to be having some success. Yes, there are precious cocktail menus and penthouses with panoramic views at high-altitude prices, but there are also (sort-of) affordable apartments, fried clams from the venerable fish market, and Shake Shack burgers, plus the free spectacle of water and quay. The goal is, as always, to make money, but the means is planned public pleasantness gemutlichkeit for all. Only semi-accessible by public transit or on foot, the Wharf is a ten to 15 minute walk from three Metro stations (LEnfant Plaza, Smithsonian, and Waterfront). The trip on foot from the Mall leads across a bridge over I-395, through Benjamin Banneker Park, down a handsome new staircase, and across Maine Avenue not a particularly pleasant stroll, but not a killer either. Ferries, shuttles, and water taxis help overcome the physical barriers, but even so, cars regularly fill the garage, which is wisely tucked underground. Despite those obstacles, the Wharf has already begun knitting itself to the rest of the city, partly by dint of music. Rockwell Groups immense hall, the Anthem, anchors what is in effect a new music district that includes two smaller venues and a couple of programmable outdoor spaces. That mixture of culture and design helps connect the waterfront to the neighborhood just upland. When the architect Bing Thom expanded the nearby Arena Stage in 2010, the Washington Posts Philip Kennicott greeted the new design with lavish praise, and predicted that it would have a profound effect on this oft-neglected sliver of the city so brutalized by years of toxic urban renewal. One good building would demand more elevated design in the area than the standard Washington mixed-use, glass-and-faux-stone box. When the Wharfs next phase is completed, it will nuzzle up to the Arena, separated only by Maine Avenue. Thoms theater remains as visually exciting as it was when it opened, a roof like a fluttering kerchief pinned to the earth by tapered wooden beams inside a glass sleeve. Within that enclosure, open staircases, alleys, and plazas wind among the separate theaters, forming a town inside a building. The Wharf honors Thoms design by extending the village feeling out into the city. But the Arena has not (yet) triggered a rush of aspirational architecture of the kind that has choked the High Line. The Wharfs assemblage of office and apartment buildings, plus a couple of hotels, assume an air of studied invisibility, like Secret Service officers at a parade. Washington is full of structures like these, squared off and squat with judicious applications of brick, stone, and black steel to offset great quantities of glass. For the more ambitious future second phase, the developer has rounded up a team of New York-based names: SHoP, ODA, Morris Adjmi, and Rafael Vinoly. But for now, the architecture is happily self-effacing. The effect is almost Nordic. In Oslo, a new neighborhood called Tjuvholmen extends the city out into the fjord. When I visited on a warm day last summer, I found it alive with seminude young Norwegians who had converged from all over the city to strip down and lounge in the fleeting sun. What drew them was not the modest, mid-rise buildings, or even Renzo Pianos showier new Astrup Fearnley Museum, but an intricate network of boardwalks, canals, fountains, and plazas. The Wharf takes up the Scandinavian challenge, incubating a miniature Oslo-on-Potomac with a year-round urban outdoors designed with sensitivity and flair. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... A handful of swing states dominate national attention during presidential campaigns. Why? Because swing states are closely divided politically, so that a shift in a small number of votes for one candidate or another can swing 100 percent of the states electoral votes to a candidate. This means that the concerns of the swing state voters are addressed by presidential candidates to the exclusion of voters in other states. This unfair situation is due to the winner-take-all provision in Electoral College laws of almost every state. The result is that 75 percent of the states are virtually ignored by both parties during a presidential campaign, including New Mexico. It also means that New Mexican votes are not on equal footing with other national votes. The National Popular Vote makes every vote in every state equal, so that presidential candidates will have to campaign in all 50 states, including New Mexico, not just the few swing states. And it means that every vote counts equally, even if coming from a smaller Electoral College vote state such as New Mexico. Working within the U.S. Constitution and the Electoral College, under the National Popular Vote, states simply commit to awarding their Electoral College votes to the winner of the popular vote across all 50 states, thereby guaranteeing that the winner of the popular vote will win the presidency. The National Popular Vote takes effect when enough states joining add up to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to elect a president. Already 11 states and the District of Columbia have passed the National Popular Vote for a total of 172 Electoral College votes. It comes before the New Mexico Legislature in 2019. We can make a difference by adding our five. The National Popular Vote is consistent with the U.S. Constitution, keeps the Electoral College intact and preserves states rights. Its time New Mexico is recognized as an equal voting state. Our legislators need to join the National Popular Vote! Visit nationalpopularvotenm.org. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Suddenly, it was over. The first-degree murder case against the man who killed their son had dragged on for three years. Maria and Jorge Hernandez had made every trip 1 hours from their home in Albuquerque to the courtroom in Socorro for every pretrial hearing, every meeting with the prosecutor, every attempt by the defense to convince a judge that accused killer Elijah Otero was too mentally unstable to stand trial; too mentally unstable to know what he was doing when he appeared to drive his mothers Ford Explorer straight into Alex Hernandez; too mentally unstable to understand that he had admitted not once but twice to Socorro police that he had deliberately, angrily killed Alex. Trial dates were set, then vacated. All the while, the Hernandezes repeatedly insisted that the case should go to trial. There was a video of the killing. There was a confession. There had to be justice. Trial was again scheduled, for Jan. 28 before state District Judge Mercedes Murphy. But last Monday a day after what would have been Alexs 29th birthday, two days before the third anniversary of the day he died the Hernandezes traveled to Socorro for what was scheduled as a pretrial conference and learned that Otero, 25, had accepted a plea agreement. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ There would be no trial. Under the agreement, Otero pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years. Had he been convicted of first-degree murder, he would have had to serve a mandatory 30 years. Sentencing is set for April 15 after a 60-day psychological evaluation is completed. We were stunned, Jorge Hernandez said. We had met with the prosecutor in December and discussed jury instructions. He told us he was preparing for trial. But Deputy District Attorney Ricardo Berry had also shared his concerns about the difficulty of getting a first-degree murder conviction, at least in a jurisdiction such as Socorro, the Hernandezes said. The defense could argue that Otero had diminished capacity, meaning he could not have formed the intent to kill as is required to convict under first-degree murder this, even though the states expert witness was prepared to rebut that defense, they said. The main message we left his office with was that Socorro juries suck, Jorge Hernandez said. That he was considering a plea deal but that he was still working hard preparing for trial. The Hernandezes say they never got another call from Berry about a plea deal. He just didnt want to fight anymore, Marie Hernandez said. It was a cop-out. It was such a cop-out. Berry declined to comment, saying in an email that he did not want to jeopardize the sentencing with any out-of-court response. It was another brutal blow in the horrific experience of losing Alex, a brilliant young man accomplished in chemistry, computers, philosophy, physics, psychology, filmmaking, activism, ethics and the environment, dogs and dubstep and drum circles, the arts, the heart, the world. He was just months away from graduating from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro when he was killed Jan. 9, 2016, by Otero, a former Tech student. For two days, his parents were not told he was dead, because of confusion over who was supposed to notify them. They were then forbidden to view their sons body at the state Office of the Medical Investigator because of a mix-up between him and another motor vehicle fatality whose face the horrified Hernandezes were told was deformed by the crash. Another mix-up came when the Hernandezes were told their son had committed suicide, which he hadnt. Otero, meanwhile, kept changing his story. But three days after the crash, surveillance video from a nearby auto shop prompted yet another version. In the video, Alex is seen emerging from the front passengers side of Oteros SUV parked on U.S. 60s north shoulder. The two appear to exchange words. Otero drives off but makes a U-turn and heads back toward Alex, who walks and then runs to the edge of the highway, where he is struck from behind. When confronted with the video, Otero admitted to police that he meant to hit Alex because he was mad at him for not getting out of the car so he could tend to his roommates dog. Jorge Hernandez said over the holidays he pored over police reports and court documents to prepare a spreadsheet of the case, finding that Otero had lied to authorities 36 times. He had hoped his spreadsheet would be of help to the prosecutor. It was a strong case, we thought, he said. But what has happened with how it was handled is insufficient, its inadequate, its not enough. And now, its all but over. He said he dreams of talking to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham about the discrepancy in penalties between first- and second-degree murder, about how the criminal justice system affords more rights for the defendant than for the victim, how a citizen has little recourse when the prosecution fails, how Alex deserved better. How he deserved to live. 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. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Editors note: This article was corrected to reflect that the judiciary will be pursuing two constitutional amendments and several statutory changes during the upcoming legislative session. Allowing judges to remain in office for at least one full year before they have to participate in the next partisan election, and allowing counties to close probate courts and transfer jurisdiction to a state court, are two constitutional amendments being proposed as part of the judiciarys legislative agenda this year, said state Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The amendments, if approved by the Legislature, would then go to voters to approve or reject during the next general election. A lot of the problems the judiciary has are organizational, Nakamura said in a meeting with Journal editors. If given the authority to move judges around, we could build a better system with fewer bodies and locations. One proposed amendment would allow a county commission the option of transferring jurisdiction of the probate court to a state court upon approval of the Supreme Court. The courts are also seeking changes to state statute, including one change that would give more municipalities the option of transferring jurisdiction over municipal ordinances to magistrate court, pending Supreme Court approval. Currently, some counties have a magistrate court overseen by the state, a municipal court overseen by the city and a probate court overseen by the county. Consolidating the cases into one court where possible would save taxpayers money, Nakamura said. By law, every county must have a probate court, Nakamura said. Also by law if you have more than 1,500 citizens you have to have a municipal court. In many jurisdictions, the courts are underused. For example, she noted, the city of Clayton, which has a population of about 2,980 residents, has district, magistrate, probate and municipal courts. In 2017, the probate court had 13 cases, the municipal court had about 1,200 cases and the magistrate court had 584 cases. Thats less than 2,000 cases total, which is a caseload easily handled by one judge, Nakamura said. But we cant consolidate because of the current law, so these two proposals would allow a county or municipality, at the expiration of a judges term, to ask the state court to handle their probate and municipal cases, most of which would go to the magistrate court. The second Constitutional amendment would deal with judicial elections. Judges now appointed during an election year have to run for election even if that appointment came just months prior to the election. In some cases, an appointee might not even have enough time to get his or her name on the ballot. As a result, few people are willing to apply for judgeships during an election year, Nakamura said. In 2017, there was an average of six applicants for every open judge position. That number dropped to one or two per opening in election year 2018. The proposed amendment would allow a judicial appointee to sit for a full year before having to participate in an election. I believe the real answer is to eliminate politics altogether from these races, and perhaps after someone is appointed they stand for retention; but at a minimum, if we can get this (amendment), it will help us in election years, Nakamura said. Among the proposed statutory changes the court will be pursuing: Seek to allow on-record appeals from proceedings at Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County to bypass state District Court and go directly to the Court of Appeals. Eliminate the mandate that people age 75 and older must prove their age by presenting a notarized affidavit in order to be permanently exempt from jury service. Its unnecessary. We have so many other ways to verify someones age, Nakamura said. Require the Department of Corrections to notify the appropriate district attorney when a sex offender has been released so that a hearing can be set up in district court to review the terms, conditions and duration of the offenders probation. In order to become law, these proposed statutory changes would need to be approved by the House and Senate and signed by the governor. The judiciary also has some funding requests as part of its agenda, Nakamura said. It is asking for one-time funding of $1.8 million to permanently redact and upload a backlog of 80 million pages of documents in court databases, so anyone can search and obtain them without having to physically go to a court building to access them, or without having to make a request under the states Inspection of Public Records Act, or IPRA. There is also a one-time funding request of $450,000 to expand an online dispute resolution pilot program; $650,000 for judicial education through the Judicial Education Center at the University of New Mexicos Institute for Public Law; and $550,000 for expanding the Release on Recognizance Program to all magistrate courts statewide by hiring additional personnel. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... NEW YORK Millions of small-business owners will be in uncharted waters this tax season as they try to determine if they qualify for a deduction that could exempt one-fifth of their income from taxes. Five months after the IRS issued guidelines to help business owners and tax advisers understand how the complex deduction works, accountants and tax attorneys still have questions. Even those who have attended seminars and workshops about the new law have come away scratching their heads, especially about a section that bars service providers like doctors, lawyers and consultants from claiming the deduction. Some of these company owners have businesses that dont easily fit into the IRS guidelines or proposed regulations the agency has also issued. Theres a lot of conflicting advice out there, says Jeffrey Berdahl, a CPA with RLB Certified Public Accountants in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Its going to be like the Wild West. The basics The deduction is aimed at giving tax breaks to sole proprietors, partners and owners of S corporations; these businesses are known as pass-throughs because company income passes through to owners 1040 forms, where it is reported to the IRS. Before the law was enacted, many of these owners couldnt get the more favorable tax treatment enjoyed by traditional corporations, those known as C corporations. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The new law allows many owners to deduct 20 percent of whats called qualified business income. They can get the full deduction as long as their taxable income doesnt exceed $157,500 for an individual and $315,000 for a married couple filing jointly. But taxable income includes owners and spouses earnings from outside the business for example, being employed in a different field or industry and earnings from investments. If taxable income is above the $157,500 or $315,000 threshold, owners may get a partial deduction. There are two critical factors that can limit the size of the break. The first involves the companys W-2 wages, or how much it pays employees, and the value of some of its property; complex calculations go into assessing the impact of wages and property on the deduction. The second factor affects owners who are in whats called a specified service trade or business for example, health providers, attorneys, accountants or consultants. They have no deduction if their taxable income is more than $207,500 for an individual or $415,000 for a married couple. The IRS spells out the conditions for taking the deduction on its website. Visit https://bit.ly/2RbxOtc . Multiple activities Owners whose businesses involve a variety of activities may find that income from some qualify for the deduction while others dont, says Angela Dotson, a CPA with Aprio in Atlanta. An optometrist who treats patients may not be able to claim the deduction for that work. But the same optometrist who also sells eyeglasses and contact lenses may be able to use the deduction for that income. Another example: A graphic designer who consults with clients but also creates websites. Youre consulting, but also selling a product, Berdahl notes. There might be some unpleasant surprises when owners in such situations get to their CPAs offices. The new law requires separate records for the different types of work. They might find their books may not be in good shape for tax reform they may not show the data CPAs will need to know, Dotson says. In that case, either the owner has to go back and change the books, or pay extra to have their tax advisers do the work. Owners who have more than one business with employees may be able to aggregate, or combine the qualified business income of the companies and lower the impact of W-2 wages on the deduction, says Miguel Farra, a CPA and tax attorney with MBAF in Miami. But the businesses must be in a related industry. If you are a real estate developer and somebody that owns real estate as investment property, you probably can aggregate, Farra says. But someone who owns a cleaning service and an auto servicing shop wouldnt be able to aggregate their income. Awaiting answers The guidelines the IRS issued in August arent set in stone although the agency said taxpayers could rely on them in compiling their 2018 returns. The agency has issued proposed regulations, and tax professionals have already asked the IRS to clarify a number of issues, including which service providers can claim the deduction. Many of Ed Reitmeyers clients dont like to get extensions of the filing deadlines for the returns. But the uncertainty about the new law is a good reason to get an extra six months to complete and submit returns, he says. It may be wise to do so with more clarity coming from Congress or Treasury, says Reitmeyer, a CPA with Marcum in Philadelphia. However, he says, With the government shutdown, and the political atmosphere surrounding tax policy, it may take well into the summer to gain any clarity at all. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Rachael Speegle describes her route to cannabis entrepreneur as quite an evolution, one that included dancing professionaly for two renowned companies, doing the physically demanding job of EMT in New York City and working as a nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. Now, the 36-year-old businesswoman is head of Verdes Foundation, which operates dispensaries in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Its been an unlikely progression, she says, because I was actually an opponent at first of cannabis use, period. During her work in the medical profession, she saw people dying of alcohol abuse, dying from addiction disorders. When someone would say that (cannabis) is better than drinking to me, a bullet in the head was in that same category, she said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Speegle changed her mind after the man who would become her husband, Eric Speegle, started Verdes with his father in 2010. Speegle started researching and realized that my role as a nurse is patient autonomy and advocacy, so it doesnt matter whether I agree with what a patient wants to do with their body. It matters that I protect their right to do that. From there, she came to believe that this plant does provide a signifiant medicinal purpose and that we can help our community use it as such and be strategic and not just intoxicate themselves. Speegle this year was among 21 people nationwide named to the Aspen Institutes prestigious Class of Health Innovators Fellows. Those chosen commit to launching a venture that will have a positive and lasting impact on health care, according to the institutes website. A large part of Speegles early life was devoted to dance. Speegle, who grew up in New Jersey and New Mexico, started dancing when she was 3 and talked her parents into sending her to North Carolina School of the Arts when she was a teenager. I could do an arabesque that touched the back of my bun, she said. It was a scholarship-maker. Speegle graduated from high school when she was 16 and got to see her dream come true. She established a career that included time with the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and and the Jose Limon dance company. All that changed, though, when she decided to take a summer wilderness EMT class at Yosemite between tours and performances because I always had a passion for backpacking and hiking. During a required stint at Fresno Medical Center outside Yosemite, Speegle had the experience that upended her life. I watched a woman come into the ER who didnt speak English, Speegle said. And she was about to undergo a bilateral amputation, and nobody brought a translator and nobody explained to her that she was going to leave without her legs. Speegle drew pictures to try to communicate and held the womans hand as she went into the operating room. I had had no interest in medicine before, but by the time I left, I thought, Thats the type of advocacy I want to do. Performing for wealthy people at galas is not what I want to do. And it was really instantly transitional. And that was the end of dance. Whats on your bucket list? I know this sounds really esoteric, but I want to help my community adapt to change faster. I think its what holds up economic development in New Mexico. I think doing things for the sake of tradition is overrated, and I really want to dedicate my life to stepping away from tradition and stepping into change that makes sense for the next generation. Something more materialistic: Id love to be on a sailboat for a few months of my life. I used to be on a sailing team when I lived in New York. What are your favorite places? My favorite places continue to be the mountains, and it continues to be the mountains of Colorado and the mountains of New Mexico. Theres just something really, really special to me thats different than the ocean, different than laying on a beach. It just fills my soul in a different way. How would you spend a perfect day off? I love going up to the crest, taking a quick little hike, then driving to Madrid, sitting at the tavern and feeling like youre far away. Being connected to the artist community and forgetting that theres anything else that matters in the world. Thats a good day. Whats a splurge for you? Ive always had cars that I could afford with the cash in my pocket. The car that I have now (Audi A7) came after the last one broke down and blew up on the side of the road. So my car is my one materialistic thing. I dont know if its fast for the rest of the world, but its way faster than anything Ive had cash in my pocket for. Were you in New York during the Sept. 11 attacks? I was dancing that summer. I was actually supposed to be at the trade towers that morning to pick up a book at Borders bookstore. My mom called and made me late, and I was so mad she calls me one more time before I have to be at rehearsal Anyway, It was a good day to pick up the phone. I went straight to class, (but) I was stuck on the Manhattan Bridge watching the first building. The having not been there was almost twofold. Theres an element of relief and an element of guilt that goes into it all. I didnt work through it at the time. I really compartmentalized and just pitched in. What did you do? I couldnt get home. I lived in Brooklyn, so I went straight to St. Vincent, and I donated blood. And then I stayed at a friends, and over the next couple days, I made food for the Fire Department. I took their clothes and washed them. And Im just starting to realize that I never went back to dance fully after that. I never felt absolutely committed after that. Whats the scariest thing youve ever done? Going to the Aspen Institute for the fellowship was the most frightening thing I can ever remember doing. Visceral response for days. Total impostor syndrome. You mean you felt like you didnt belong? Yeah. The whole time having to overcome my own demons of comparison and coming from such an unconventional education and background to stand next to people who are running Stanford Medical School and who went to Booth (School of Business at the University of Chicago) for their MBA after going to Harvard for their M.D. And looking at them and seeing how it makes such sense that theyre there and not fully understanding why I am. And to still have the courage to get on that plane and walk into that room and to participate really took a lot of self-awareness and courage. How do you feel about it now? Its not scary anymore. Its really been amazing to realize that Im more than just the sum of my degrees and that my value is much deeper than that. And I came back from that a different person. Several years ago, you started a New Mexico chapter of Women Grow, a cannabis industry networking effort for women. What prompted you to do that? When I am in a room of other producers, it is all men. I never understood the feminist movement until I joined this industry, and I have become a feminist in response. Is there a particular incident youre thinking of? Theyre daily of being called a girl, of being referred to by my appearance, of being devalued and undermined. What really worries you? Overpopulation. I have made a conscious choice not to have my own children, and it feels like a sacrifice every day. Because the thing I worry most about in this world is the fact that were so deeply attached to having children that were doing it at the expense of our resources. What gives you hope for the future? That every generation is better than the last. I truly believe that even if I cant relate to them all the time, I know that it has never gone in the opposite direction when I look back historically. THE BASICS: Rachael Wilenta, 36, born in Belleville, N.J.; married to Eric Speegle since 2014; one stepson, Carter, 12 years old; one rescue dog, Finn. (Speegle describes his breed as New Mexico brown dog); associate degree in allied health sciences, Swedish Institute, 2006; bachelors in university studies, University of New Mexico, 2010; nursing degree, 2013. POSITION: Verdes Foundation CEO since November 2018 and COO starting in 2014; Presbyterian Hospital nurse, 2012-2015; Presbyterian EMT, 2010; EMT in New York City, 2002-03; founder of Medically Orphaned Pets, which provides financial support for animals whose owners have died or are too ill to care for them; board member, New Mexico Philharmonic. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SANTA FE, N.M. Bison Star Naturals is one of six enterprises that shared $60,000 of investment in 2018 as part of the Native American Venture Acceleration Fund program administered by the Regional Development Corporation. NA VAF aims to create jobs by boosting revenue and advancing the business goals of Native American-owned Northern New Mexico companies. Jacquelene and Angelo McHorse, owners of Bison Star Naturals, sought the funds to launch a line of liquid jojoba and yucca root soap to augment the bar soaps and lotions the business is known for. We also are expanding our line to include our unscented lotion, Jacquelene said. The funding allows us to release a new product line and expand our current offerings which are great leaps for our small business. The NA VAF was launched in 2011 by the Regional Development Corporation and Los Alamos National Security LLC, the company that managed Los Alamos National Laboratory until November, 2018. At the time of LANLs management transition, more than $390,000 had been invested in the regional economy through the NA VAF. Triad, LANLs new manager, has vowed to retain most of the laboratorys economic development initiatives programs such as the NA VAF although a spokesperson said some programs may look different going forward. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Other 2018 recipients include Jacqueline Gala Jewelry and PM Waterlily of Taos Pueblo, Butterfly Artist Market of Pojoaque Pueblo, Aguilar Consulting of San Ildefonso Pueblo, and the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council based in Ohkay Owingeh. In addition to providing money that recipients will use for software and equipment acquisition, manufacturing, and the establishment of an arts and crafts show, NA VAF benefits include technical assistance from the RDC and its partner organizations. The Bison Star Naturals owners said they plan to pursue the connections and opportunities that accompany the funds. More than money The RDC offers an incredible amount of resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Northern New Mexico, said Angelo. [RDC consultant] Lindsay Taylor has diligently worked to connect us with the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership, accounting services, and connections for potential markets. In addition to manufacturing assistance from New Mexico MEP, the couple sought help with bookkeeping. Accounting presents the greatest challenge as a small business operation especially when you only have a small team of two people, Jacquelene said. Accounting has a steep learning curve that requires a large investment in time, effort and dedication. The couple can focus on growing the business because a CPA now helps manage its finances. And growing is what the business is doing. The couples five-year plan includes selling their products at hotels, resorts, airports and major retailers; expanding the online store; and introducing a full suite of body wash, shampoo and hair conditioner. In five years time we hope to open our own facility that has the capacity to produce all of our products in-house, while also employing local New Mexicans, said Jacquelene. This year we have some big plans: We will release our unscented lotion in January and the liquid soap this spring. Bison Star Naturals can be found at the Gathering of Nations in April, the New Mexico Artisan Market in November and at https://bisonstarnaturals.com/. Learn more about the NA VAF at https://rdcnm.org/navaf/. Finance New Mexico connects individuals and businesses with skills and funding resources for their business or idea. To learn more, go to www.FinanceNewMexico.org. Tom Lawrence Special to the American News Kristi Noem doesnt lack political skill or courage. Shes proven that time and again in the last decade. South Dakotas most successful female politician ever and its not really close was confident from the time she entered her first statewide race in 2010. I met her shortly after she won the Republican congressional primary, defeating better-known candidates such as Chris Nelson, then the secretary of state, now a member of the Public Utilities Commission, and Blake Curd, then a state representative, now a state senator. Noem was in her second term as a state representative from Hamlin County when she jumped into the congressional race. After winning the GOP nomination, she was prepared to take on Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, who at the time was the states leading female politician. In an interview that summer, Noem said she was confident of victory, despite the fact that Herseth Sandlin had won her last two races in landslides, enjoyed edges in name recognition and money and was being hailed as a future senator, governor, maybe even president. Im going to win, Noem said, which became our headline. Indeed she did, defeating Herseth Sandlin in an intense, fascinating match-up. The incumbent Democrat had several edges, including a name that resonated with South Dakotans who had elected her grandfather, grandmother and father to office, but Noem had the biggest advantage she was a Republican. She also proved to be a skilled campaigner. I covered Noem that campaign and again in 2012 and watched how the former South Dakota Snow Queen worked a room, smiling and posing for photos. She chatted easily with people, and not all candidates have that desire or ability. She has more raw talent than any candidate Ive ever seen in South Dakota, supporter Teddy Hustead said when she was a freshman congresswoman. I knew the more people that I can get Kristi Noem in front of the more votes were gonna get. Noem impressed Hustead, the owner of Wall Drug, when she was in the Legislature and he became her finance chair and a key West River supporter. She knows what friends to make. Once elected to Congress, there was no stopping Noem, who easily won three more terms. She had become a force in state politics, despite a thin resume of accomplishments. Name one thing she did in Congress. Go ahead, one. But politics is different that government, and Noem is a masterful politician. Democrat Billie Sutton learned that after polls showed the two neck-and-neck in the governors race last fall. In their first televised debate, Noem was the aggressor from the start, pressing the state senator on his political beliefs and past comments. She won the debate and, in a lot of views, the election, that night. Sure, she had help, as President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence came to South Dakota to raise money and draw attention for her. But credit Noem for the win, and add Sutton to the list of promising candidates who found her a powerful foe. Now, as governor, Noem will have her skills as an administrator tested. She is no longer one of 435 in Congress, free to make speeches, raise money and miss votes, which she did with alarming frequency in her final months as South Dakotas lone member of Congress. She must lead. She has to prove to voters, and to veterans in Pierre, that she has the ability and the vision to lead the state. Noems inaugural State of the State address, which focused on the budget, the meth plague and other major issues, drew praise from both Republicans and Democrats. She may once again show that anyone who underestimates her has made a mistake. So far, Kristi Noem has always been a winner, and odds are, she will have two successful terms as governor. The last governor to lose in a bid for re-election was Frank Farrar in 1970, and Noem will be a formidable candidate again in 2022. A long list of former opponents can attest to that. Staff reports Aberdeen News TODAY Mondays R Murder: Noon, K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library, 215 Fourth Ave. S.E. Alcoholics Anonymous: 1 and 8:30 p.m.; Big Book Meeting at 7 p.m. (closed), Yellow House, 519 S. Arch St. 605-225-1292. Family history research: 1-3 p.m, free instruction on genealogical research. Individual consultation by appointment. Aberdeen Family History Center, 1103 24th Ave. N.E. Call 605-225-0407 or 605-290-7303. Steps 2 Recovery, Al-Anon family group: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1429 N. Dakota St. Use north entrance. Mary, 605-380-4698. Northeast South Dakota Spay and Neuter Coalition: 6 p.m., Brown County Courthouse basement, 25 Market St. 605-228-6563. Alcoholics Anonymous Sixth Sense: Back to Basics: 6 p.m. (closed/nonsmoking), 422 Fifth Ave. S.E. (west door). Rich, 605-380-4784. NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) family support group: 6:30-7:30 p.m., west entrance, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1620 Milwaukee Ave. N.E., Brenda.Glasford@yahoo.com. Narcotics Anonymous: 6:30-8 p.m., St. Marks Episcopal Church, 1410 N. Kline St. Use southeast door, downstairs. 605-262-1159. Gamblers Anonymous: 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1732 S. Main St. Kathy 605-225-8632. H.U.B. City Christian Riders motorcycle association: 7 p.m., Millstone, 2210 Sixth Ave S.E. Minerva Chapter Eastern Star: 7:30 p.m., Masonic Temple, 503 S. Main St. TUESDAY TOPS No. 297: 8 a.m. weigh-in, 9 a.m. meeting, First United Methodist Church, 502 S. Lincoln St., room 201. Alcoholics Anonymous: 1 and 8:30 p.m., Yellow House, 519 S. Arch St. 605-225-1292. Narcotics Anonymous: 6:30 p.m., open, Faith United Methodist Church, 503 S. Jay St. (south door, downstairs). 605-262-1159. Alcoholics Anonymous Sixth Sense: Step meeting: 8 p.m. (closed/nonsmoking), 422 Fifth Ave. S.E. (west door). Rich, 605-380-4784. Email your regular support group or club meetings for the Daily Calendar to americannews@aberdeennews.com. Include town, event, time, place and a number to contact if there are questions. Publication in this calendar is not guaranteed. George F. Will Washington Post Writers Group Armin-Paulus Hampel, a former journalist and commentator who now is a member of the Bundestag, is ebullient, affable, opinionated, voluble and excellent company at lunch. But because his party is Alternative for Germany (AfD), one wonders whether he is representative of it, and whether he is as congenial politically as he is socially. AfD is a Rorschach test for observers of German politics, who see in it either a recrudescence of ominous national tendencies or a healthy response of the political market to unaddressed anxieties. It was founded in 2013, two years before Chancellor Angela Merkel impulsively decided to welcome almost 1 million asylum seekers, most from the Middle East. The nation was abruptly challenged to become a melting pot at a moment when there was increasing interest in recapturing a sense of Germanness. Politics usually is grounded in grievances, and Hampel nurses AfDs originating complaint, which was that Germanys role under the European Unions common currency has been to bail out slothful, spendthrift Greeks and other Southern Europeans. In this, AfD resembles the United States tea party movement, which was a spontaneous combustion in response to TARP (the Troubled Asset Relief Program), the bailout of banks and of people with improvident mortgages. AfD is strongest where resentments are deepest in what was, until 1990, East Germany. There, change has come fast and hard, and incomes are still significantly below those in the rest of Germany, which was spared immersion in socialism. AfD has populisms hostility to the disruptions and homogenization that accompany globalization. Hence, AfD partakes of populisms failure to will the means for the ends it wills: Globalization is not optional for any developed nation, least of all Germany, which on a per capita basis exports roughly four times more than the United States and 10 times more than China. Hampel, who sits on the Bundestags foreign relations committee, is, to say no more, understanding of Russias ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which he says has long been central to Russian identity, has many ethnic Russians and so on. He suggests that Russias behavior in its sphere of influence is none of Germanys business. His views on this call it Germany first can be wrong without being disreputable. However, given what is known about Russian meddling in other nations domestic politics, it would be reassuring to know that AfD receives no Russian subventions. Three years ago, hackers working for Russia penetrated the Bundestags computer network. Edmund Burke, founding father of modern conservatism, said: To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ as it were) of public affections. He meant that national patriotism sprouts from local soil, from the rich loam of civil societys communitarian institutions such as families, churches, labor unions, clubs, service organizations, etc. But as the European Union moves, more implacably than democratically, toward ever-deepening harmonization of national political practices and economic policies, populist movements recoil by embracing Europes nations themselves as the little platoons, the molecular subdivisions that focus affections. The Economist magazine diagnoses many developed nations discontents as an outbreak of nostalgia, an orgy of reminiscence that serves as an anchor in a world being transformed and a source of reassurance and self-esteem. In Germany, however, nostalgia is, for reasons as painful as they are obvious, still problematic, even presumptively disreputable. When an AfD election party concluded with participants singing the national anthem, many scolds considered this transgressive. It is, however, dangerous for a nation to detect danger in expressions of national pride, or in the search for a national identity beyond economic success. Suppress expressions of national pride and you risk reaping a curdled version of pride. A premise of postwar German politics has been that there should be no party to the right of the Christian Democratic Union. There is now, and AfD is the largest opposition party in the Bundestag. Hampel considers AfD the natural successor to the CDU, which has governed Germany for 50 of the past 70 years. His measured judgment is that Germany can have an AfD chancellor in 2023. Then the party will be just 10 years old. However, the United States Republican Party was just 6 years old when it won the presidency. But in 1860, the American nation was coming apart in an irrepressible conflict, while stable, temperate Germany will not be unraveling four years from now. Tanzanias Presidents office last weekend said Indias Bharti Airtel has agreed to give part of its stake in Airtel Tanzania to the government. If confirmed, Tanzania governments holding in the mobile phone operator will rise to 49 percent from 40 percent. According to local media, the announcement followed talks in Dar es Salaam between President John Magufuli and Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal to resolve a dispute over ownership of the Tanzanian mobile operator. Magufuli had said in 2017 that state-run Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd (TTCL) owned the local subsidiary of Bharti Airtel outright but had been cheated out of shares. In 2016, the president ordered telecoms companies to list at least a quarter of their units on Tanzanias stock exchange to increase domestic ownership. Late last year, some of Tanzanias biggest foreign investors say they could scale back their operations or expansion plans because of tougher demands placed on companies. Tanzania is more reliant on foreign direct investment than many other regional countries, given the size of its economy. The country received just over $1.5 billion last year, into an economy valued at under $45 billion, according to figures from the World Bank. As it is, Tanzania currently ranks 132 out of 190 when it comes to ease of doing business. GREAT FALLS- Three candidates are in the running for Great Falls Public School Superintendent. In three days, the Great Falls Board of Trustees will decide who will take over Tammy Lacey's position. Heres why candidates, Jon Konen, Thomas Moore, and Gregory Nyen believe their best fit for this job. Graduation rates, test scores, and working to make this school district it's best, considering it's financial constraints. All issues the Great Falls Board of Trustees is looking for these candidates to solve. Candidate, Gregory Nyen is currently serving as the Superintendent of Schools for the District of Waupaca in Wisconsin, he admits he'll be coming into Great Falls not knowing everything that's been done to cause a shortfall of resources. "I would have to be brought up to speed very quickly and have to do a lot of homework, but once I've understood what has happened in the past, then it really becomes a matter of me talking with my team members, and with community leaders, and putting together a plan to communicate the why of we need more resources," said Nyen. Candidate Thomas Moore already works in the Great Falls Public School System, as Assistant Superintendent grades 7-12. "One of the young ladies with speech and debate participant. She was saying we were interacting this weekend at the state debate here in great falls hosted at CMR, and some of the teams around the state had real flush travel budgets and they were going to other places to compete and visit outside of the state of Montana, said Moore. As for Konen, who currently serves as K-6 Principal at Lincoln Elementary, he wants to address how the district is almost maxed out on levy bounds. "We can't keep going back to our taxpayers asking for more money. We need to figure out how we can get more support from our state, said Konen. This Wednesday, these three men will find out who will be chosen as the new superintendent. Whoever gets this position will start July 1st. During today's meet and greet, residents got a chance to individually ask candidates questions about how they'll fit best in the position. They're looking for a candidate who can improve graduation rates, test scores, and make the school district it's best, considering it's financial constraints. In fact, the board tells KFBB, there were forms people could fill out stating concerns, questions, and opinions about these three men. The board will then see what the common thread is on the feedback they receive, and take it into consideration for choosing the new superintendent. "It's all talked about in the open. We don't go into a closed session and make a decision on who want to hire. So if people want to come to the interview it's on Tuesday that starts at 4:00 p.m., said Jan Cahill, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Great Falls Public Schools. All of this discussion is public except for the candidates personal background information to protect their privacy. Over the next two days, the candidates will also be meeting with various entities in the community like the Great Falls Education Association to see how they mesh with each other. Come Wednesday night, seven board members will vote for the candidate they want. GARDINER - On day 23 of the government shutdown, some hope springs in Yellowstone as the park is beginning to provide some basic services, including manning entrance stations and picking up trash. There's a chorus of "welcome backs" from concession employees and visitors as National Park Service rangers staff Yellowstone's north entrance station in Gardiner for the first time in more than three weeks. Rangers aren't allowed to collect entrance fees, but they can hand out maps and ask questions. The most common question: "You gonna get a paycheck?" While Yellowstone has been open to the public since the government shut down on December 21, basic tasks like picking up trash and grooming roads have been paid for out-of-pocket by local businesses with interests in the park. Park employees will now be able to remove snow at canyon overlooks, clean bathrooms, collect trash, and provide safety information at entrances. But other services, like visitor centers and the public relations office, remain closed. Not all park rangers have been allowed to return to work, and it's unclear when the entire park staff will be back on the job. Yellowstone is drawing from an emergency funding source to bring back employees, though the first national park hasn't received the same brutal treatment some other parks have. News continues to grow of national parks around the country closing their gates or restricting access, as visitors are confronted with piles of trash, human waste on the side of the road and most recently, the eponymous (and endangered) plants in Joshua Tree National Park being cut down by vandals. While the shutdown hasn't stopped many visitors from coming to Yellowstone, it has brought communities together. Last week, dozens of Montanans gathered to clean up the park themselves. "Everybody wants to be here," Chuck Tanner, owner of K-Bar in Gardiner and organizer of the volunteer cleanup events, told Montana Right Now at the time. "But we are here, we just take care of it." What's now the longest shutdown in American history began after negotiations stalled in D.C. over funding for the border wall between Mexico and the U.S. A popular downtown Missoula restaurant is opening a second location across town right in time for Valentine's Day. Notorious P.I.G. is getting ready to opening a second location on 3621 U.S. 93 at Brooks and Reserve Street. The restaurant first opened its doors on Front Street in April 2015. Business is booming, according to owner Burke Holmes, who said in 2018 he sold more than 13,000 lbs of pulled pork, more than 10,000 lbs of beef brisket and nearly 7,000 full racks of ribs. "Weve been really fortunate. Missoula has kind of embraced us down [on Front street], so we thought wed stretch our legs south for a while," Holmes said. "I was looking around, driving all over the northwest. I was looking in Spokane, Coeur D'Alene, Bozeman Kalispell, and realized the second location we might as well do it down the street," Holmes said. The new location, which used to be a Jiffy Lube oil change facility, is being transformed into Holmes' dream restaurant. He said the original spot on Front street holds about 35 people, and the new place can seat more than 60. "We got a big parking lot, so parking is not an issue anymore. We got more room here, its a big open space," Holmes said. He adds the new spot will serve the same high quality product, but in the future he hopes to add more to the menu. "Ive also got a bunch of really creative people in the kitchen that want to flex new ideas," Holmes said. "This is the kind of an avenue for us to do that. Well definitely have some new things coming down the pipe, which were really excited about." Holmes said he's shooting to open to second location before February. No opening date is set. Holmes said he's proud to be a local Montana restaurant, and it's a privilege to feed Missoulians each day. "Weve always been so happy and fortunate to have customers that are willing to take their hard earned money and spend it on us," he said. "We take that very seriously, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to put out a really good product." Notorious P.I.G. is looking to hire a handful of energetic meat-lovers. He says if you would like to apply, email your resume to info@thenotoriouspigbbq.com. On the morning of September 11, 2001, U.S. airspace was closed after the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Thirty-eight jets flying international routes, many of them carrying 200 to 300 passengers each, were forced to make emergency landings in Gander, Newfoundland. The small town of 9,000 or so people welcomed 7,000 guests that day, many of whom stayed four or five days without access to their luggage. The story of their arrival, and the outpouring of kindness and hospitality these derailed passengers were shown by Newfoundlanders, became a comforting coda to the larger tragedy of that horrific, historic moment. Fast forward to 2011, and as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approached, Canadian theater producer Michael Rubinoff approached Irene Sankoff and David Hein, a husband-and-wife writing team who had some success in Toronto with a musical called My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (based on Hein's own experience with a mother who came out late in life). Rubinoff's initial concept led the couple to head to Gander for the anniversary, where they interviewed dozens of townspeople as well as some of the plane passengers and pilotsknown to the locals as "come from aways"who had returned for the commemoration. Those interviews formed the basis for the book and lyrics of the musical they would write, Come From Away, which was first workshopped in Ontario in 2012. By 2015 it was getting honed in runs in San Diego and Seattle, and then it opened on Broadway in March 2017, where it continues to play after earning seven Tony nominations and one win for Christopher Ashley's masterfully kinetic direction. The touring production, which opened Wednesday at SHN's Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, has the same spare set (designed by Beowulf Boritt) and direction by Ashley, and the ensemble includes a dozen Broadway vets with the vocal chops and versatility to prove it. Come From Away is a moving surprise with its lively pace, authenticity, and the uniqueness of its tale and charactersall keys to its near two-year success in New York. Then there's the buoyant, Irish-inflected music by Hein and Sankoff, beginning with the rollicking opening number "Welcome to the Rock." That song, along with multiple other ensemble numbers like "Screech In" (performed in the town bar) and the finale, are the anchors of the show as well as its melodic highlights. Also good is a mid-show solo number, "Me and the Sky," sung by Beverley (Becky Gulsvig), an American Airlines pilot and a pioneer female captain in commercial flying circles; the piece becomes a small anthem of women's empowerment, as idiosyncratic as her story is. Most of the other songs, while enjoyable, don't rise to level of being memorable. A few feel wedged in between the quirky dialogue and intersecting stories of the many, many characters in the showand given that many of the lyrics, like the book, hew so closely to the exact wording of the interviews, they are more akin to story-songs or recitative than they are to musical theater numbers. Each actor plays at least three or four characters in the show, if not more, though most are identified with one particular person either from the island or from one of the planes. The vocal gymnastics they each must do, toggling between accents both foreign and domestic (and Newfoundlander), is astonishingnever mind that there are a half-dozen standbys on the tour, each of whom has to know four or five of these multi-faceted roles at once. I saw one on opening night, Marika Aubrey, in the role of "Hannah and others," and there was no sense at all that she hadn't gone on every night. The most riveting part of the show is in its first 30 minutes, watching the frenetic preparations and hearing the stories of the Gander residents on the ground. They are navigating their own small dramas, like a local school bus driver strike, and then realizing they are about to be inundated with thousands of unhappy strangers. This is juxtaposed with the stories of those strangers, some of whom were trapped on the tarmac, in those stuffy planes, for 10 to 20 hours before being allowed to deplane. It's a bizarre moment to be sure, and one worthy of dramatic retellinghistoric not just because of the context, but because of the rarity that so many people from so many different places could be thrust together in such a difficult, communal circumstance. We are also given glimpses of very personal storiesthe death of a son, a breakup, a chance meeting that leads to lovethat humanize this microcosm of history. Whether Come From Away is a great piece of musical theater is another question. This medium seems appropriate for the raw emotionality and quirky humor of the story, and I'm glad the story is being told in this way, with this level of talent behind it. But it's not a tour de force music-wise, and I think much of the show's appeal lies in the inherited power of its subject, and the deft way it pulls off telling a feel-good story about 9/11. Eighteen years later that may be what the American public most wants: a perspective on this moment that one can bear looking at. I still walked away unable to remember much about the music beyond the opening and closing refrain, "I'm an islander, I am an islander." Had there been a few more great melodies, the history here might have had even greater resonance. // Come From Away plays through Feb. 3 at SHN's Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St. (Tenderloin). Tickets are available at shnsf.com and rushtix.com. This review originally appeared on Opening Night SF. by Abigail Akavia A group of young women performing exercises at the ballet barre and an angry mob chanting lock her up. These two situations, where the exact same action is performed by a group of people, may have more in common than it appears at first. Kinesthetic empathy, a recent topic of research for neurobiologists, dance theorists and a range of scholars and professionals in between, offers an interesting perspective on this issue, since it points to the emotional effect of physical activities carried out in group settings. Empathy is a blanket term for a wide range of interpersonal phenomena: it is probably most commonly understood as an other-oriented feeling of concern or compassion. Empathy can also be defined as an ability to imagine what the other person is going through, or as an intuitive understanding of another person, including an understanding that is more physical than mental. Mirror neurons in the brainfor example, those firing both when we itch our foot and when we see someone else itching their footare probably involved in such a body-mediated and body-motivated awareness of the other. It is remarkable that we can also feel empathy towards a fictional character, say in a book, a film, or in the theater. The latter situation is especially interesting because by understanding how audience members relate emotionally to what they see onstage we may gain access to how the audience as a gathering of disparate individuals becomes a group, a collective whose emotions and reactions can be manipulated and controlled. When the aesthetic medium is dance, the nexus of emotional reactions and physical experience is more obvious, even if not easier to parse; for it is through the body and without the mediation of words that we are moved. As spectators in a dance performance, a whole gamut of emotional responses may arise in us. At the same time, often we are simply moved to join in the dance (an impulse aided in no small part by the accompanying music), or rather, we feel as if we ourselves are experiencing the dancers movements. Kinesthetic empathy is the term used to describe this fellow-feeling with other people moving, or this sense of participation and identification with the dancers from the spectators seat. The impulse to join in the dance has been recognized and exploited since antiquity. In ancient Greek culture, theatrical performances were not a series of dreary soliloquies delivered by pontificating toga-clad men, as we are perhaps used to thinking of them through unfortunate historicizing representations of classical theater. Rather, ancient Greek drama was a spectacle of song-and-dance led by a chorus, a large group of performers (between 12 and 24, by traditional accounts). Ancient tragedies were more like Broadway musicals than operathat is, if Broadway musicals spotlighted murderous, incestuous, dysfunctional families. Participation in non-dramatic choral song-and-dance was a civic duty virtually all Athenian citizens took part in at various stages of their lives; choruses provided the soundtrack to personal milestones (weddings, funerals) as well as other religious and political events. Their role was central in aesthetic performances, of which theater is the best known genre. In the dramatic festival in honor of Dionysus, the audience was the entire Athenian civic body. Tragic choruses, in turn, were made up of ordinary citizens whose training was covered, at an extraordinary expense, by a wealthy individual designated as the chorus-funder for that year. In effect, citizens in Athens got a six-month state-funded break from their regular lives and jobs to rehearse for a one-time tragic performance in front of the entire polis. Ancient Greeks, in short, were no strangers to choral performance. When they watched a chorus in action, it might have been their neighbor or cousin onstage. It could have been triggering memories from their own choral participation in a wedding-procession or onstage the year before. The cultural importance of choruses and the centrality of communal movement in everyday life in ancient Athens was deeper than any comparable phenomenon today. In fact, it is almost unfathomable in our era of wearing headphones and swiping, whether in public or at home. Platos (in)famous indictment of the theater as a dangerously populist medium of emotional indulgence was not aimed only at the principal actors and their unmanly displays of grief. Rather, it derived from a deep understanding of the emotional pull that choral performance had on its audience. In his late work, The Laws, Plato discusses the importance of choral training in the education of citizens of the ideal polis. Here he talks not of mimetic performances (after all, tragedy and comedy would be banished from the ideal state) but of choral performances in civic-religious contexts. Song-and-dance, in his vision, was a means for emotional and moral indoctrination, for keeping people in step, quite literally. The totalitarian utopia he envisioned was one of unison and harmony. Part of why this could have been imagined possible is because of the strong reciprocity of performance and spectatorship of choral song-dance. In this and other ancient texts, choral performance was conceptualized as interactive and mutually empathic: in other words, it aroused and tapped into kinesthetic empathy. *** Israeli choreographer Yasmeen Godder has been creating boundary-pushing works for decades. One of her latest pieces, Common Emotions, is an exploration of the relationship between audience-members and performers as mutual participants in the creation of the piece, and, throughout, a meditation on how collective emotions are aroused. At various points in the work, a dancer invites members of the audience, at their will, to join them backstage, behind a spectacularly colorful and deliberately tattered weaved curtain. Behind the scenes, the volunteers are asked to perform certain actions together, sometimes remaining backstage and sometimes going onstage together with their guiding dancer(s). The group activities which audience members are requested to perform include tenderly supporting a dancers body as they sink to the ground, physically and verbally humiliating another, and participating in what sounds from the outside more than anything like a collective orgasm. At the beginning of the piece, the six dancers perform a sequence in unison. The sequence repeats, at first exactly, and then the iterations gradually grow more varied. Once the process of inviting spectators backstage begins, the whole concept of repetition, as well as the coherence of a dance-piece in the traditional sense of the word, disintegrates. As a volunteer backstage, you take part and influence the show. But as you do so, you inevitably become aware that the show is going on (in repetitions and variations) without you onstage; yet another scene may be going on without you among a different group of volunteers backstage. As audience members become active participants in the dance, pure spectatorship is no longer possible, for you are missing out on something whether or not you choose to heed the dancers call to join them behind the curtain. At the same time, the performers carry out an act of essential trust in their audience, not just by entering into a physical-emotional relationship with them (at one point, a performer curls up sobbing in the lap of a seated audience member, holding hands with two others) but also by relinquishing control over the performance, which no longer hinges on the technical expertise that normally distinguishes dancers from spectators. The various group activities, as well as those moments that seem more like pure acting, are deliberately coordinated and juxtaposed to arouse or manipulate certain group dynamics. Picking apart the most basic element of harmony in dance, the unison, the work instead creates a series of ad hoc, instantly binding relationships or communities. Indeed, Godder has commented explicitly on her dislike for unison: As a choreographer I was scared of [unison] as it had a variety of references which were conceptually challenging for me. On an aesthetic level, Common Emotions suggests a radical alternative to the tyrannical pressure to conform epitomized by traditional unisonfamiliar to anyone with even amateur experience of classical balletand at the same time creates moments of empathic unison which are morally or aesthetically ambivalent (at the very least, they are not necessarily pleasant). Godder wished to explore how unison might play out in modes different from its traditional form in dance: as an emotional unison, a physical unison or a unison that is not visible, a unison that is felt and not seen. Common Emotions can thus be seen as an experiment in the arousal and effects of kinesthetic empathy. The piece demands from its participants a reflection on emotional identification and manipulation, and on our ability to relate to another personoften a complete strangerwith kindness or with cruelty. Since for the most part the impacts of the work are staged through group interactions, it highlights how our empathic instincts are conditioned by our being part of a group and indoctrinated into certain norms of spectatorship and public behavior, in other words by our modes of conduct en masse. The political resonances of such a performance in present-day Israel ring clear, as they would in any context fueled by nationalistic narratives of us against others. Thinking of Godders piece has reminded me (or my former dancer self) of the tyrannical conformity of ballet. This tyranny against the body is also, or could always also have the potential of becoming, a tyranny of the soul, for which we pay a price not only as individuals but as communities as well. Commons Emotions exemplifies how instinctive it is to get sucked into a group mentality, how easy it is for a designated leader to tap into the callousness of a mob; it is a warning against the fascistic tendencies latent in collectivity. Thankfully, it is also a call to openness and receptivity through unison, by re-imagining unison not as a tool for social oppression but as a medium for togetherness despite, or beyond, heterogeneity. What I learned after the show reinforced my optimism concerning contemporary applications of choral dance. Common Emotions was developed in the context of Storung/Hafraah (German/Hebrew for disturbance), a German-Israeli interdisciplinary project on movement and movement-disorder that involved dancers, scientists, and people with Parkinsons disease. The project brought together the research of neuroscientists, biologists, physicians and computer scientists, the movement expertise of choreographers and dancersthe latters silent knowledge of the bodyand the everyday experience of people with Parkinsons. It included dance classes in which scientists as well as Parkinsons dancers (as they were called in the project, not patients) participated, an extension of the worldwide initiative Dance for Parkinsons. The collaborative projects of Storung/Hafraah suggest explanatory models and clinical interventions for movement control and movement loss in people with Parkinsons (read more about them here). Unison was one of the themes around which the project was centered, as a topic of creative inquiry and a research object. For example, research has suggested that the same part of the brain, the inferior frontal gyrus, is active in imitation and in emotional empathy, both of which play a part in carrying out synchronized motion. In this context, one interesting observation was the following: in the dance classes for people with Parkinsons, they were sometimes unable to perform a certain movement by themselves. However, they did succeed in performing the same movement when done together in unison, or as part of a group. It seems that choral kinesthetic empathy might be at play here, as a certain kind of latent dynamism and muscle memory are triggered through taking part in a collective activity. This is not only an immediate cause of hope for people suffering from loss of movement control due to various medical conditions. It also prompts us to keep in mindbeyond the politically, emotionally, and aesthetically oppressive effects of unisonthe restorative powers of collective movement. by Holly A. Case There is a nice neighborhood in Istanbul called Kadkoy, which means village of the kad, or judge. One might as well call it Kedikoy, however: village of the cat. There are a lot of stray cats there, as there are throughout the city. Once I saw a poster with a photo of a cat that said Lost at the bottom, then a phone number (rather like seeing a sign on the beach with a picture of a shell reading Lost, then a phone number). The sign was taped to a utility box on the street. On top of the box was a stray cat, lounging. It looked a lot like the one in the photo. A few years ago, I met a retired architect who came down to the promenade along the reinforced shoreline every morning to feed the stray cats. If there is a heaven and hell, which I dont believe there is, but if there is, I will go to heaven on their prayers, he told me. In a different part of the city, my friend Kerima tailorbegins his two-hour commute to work at 6 a.m. Six days a week he pets the stray dogs on one side of the highway, then crosses to the other side to catch the bus where he meets a second pack of strays and pets them. Recently he constructed a luxury home for a stray cat who had taken up residence at the bus stop. Its a cardboard box wrapped in plastic (to keep it dry), with a styrofoam roof (for insulation), a bubble-wrap subfloor (also for insulation), cardboard flooring, and an interior wall-to-wall rag (for extra comfort). He proudly showed me a photo of it with the occupant just visible inside. In Istanbul, its not uncommon to see a street dog sleeping on a towel or a piece of cardboard, a dish of food nearby, and covered with a blanket by some local hayvansever (animal lover). Underneath an arcade in Kadkoy, someone has made a row of street-dog condos out of four very large cardboard boxes. Last week whenever I passed by at least two of the row-boxes were occupied by snoozing dogs. Municipal workers at the shoreline park also constructed and maintain a street-dog village with several wooden houses lined up in two rows behind the public restrooms. All official street dogs have ear tags, indicating that theyve been vaccinated and spayed or neutered. In the summer some of the long-haired public charges are shaved to keep them cool. Animal empathy has gone so far that it has even become the object of a socio-artistic satire. A few years ago, police rounded up thousands of Syrian refugees from abandoned buildings where they were congregating and bussed them back to camps near the border. The contrast with treatment of stray animals was not lost on a pair of artists, Evren Uzer and Otto von Busch, collectively known as Roomservices. They nailed a birdhouse to a tree overlooking the sea on the Moda Nose near Kadkoyamong the most prized pieces of real estate in Istanbulwith a long perch extending from both sides. The house was UN-sky-blue, painted with the acronym UNBRD (United Nations Bird Refugee Dialogue), in faux-internationalist-humanitarian-speak. A bird with the signature United Nations spangle of stars was visible just under the entrance hole. In thick grant-proposal-ese, the artists explained that the UNBRD was an agency of reconciliation which invites communities to imagine, discuss and manifest the restoration of hospitality of urban environment for birds, in order to recall a common and shared heritage of hospitality. (Needless to say, there were no actual birds living there.) Not far from the birdhouse, there used to be a street dog camped out at an intersection in front of a realtors office. I recall him (or her) barking energetically, if not exactly to great effect, at unknown belligerents in defense of the building. The dog is no longer there, but theres a monumentlovingly executed in concrete and bronze, complete with ear tagof the dog lying on a large pillow. Now theres a new pack of street dogs on that corner. As I was about to cross the intersection the other day, one of them laid down on the sidewalk next to me, stretched to the nose in a very peculiar and tense pose. A garbage truck was rounding the corner and stopped in the middle of the intersection. The driver laughed at the dog and through the open window of the truck turned to me and shouted, You see? Hes waiting for me! Watch this: When I turn the corner, hell bark! The truck turned the corner and indeed the dog jumped up and ran after the truck, barking like mad, then turned around to take up his post again. A daily ritual apparently. Kerim tells me street dogs have a thing with garbage trucks. It seems they disapprove of things being taken away. Nigerian business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote has maintained his spot as Africas richest man according to Forbes Magazine. Dangote is ranked by Forbes magazine as the 100th-richest person in the world and the richest in Africa. The Nigerian cement guru was also peaked on the list as 66th most powerful man in the world in 2018. The magazine disclosed that as at January 11, 2019, the 61-year-old was worth $9.9 billion. Most of the entrepreneurs wealth derives from his 85.2 percent majority stake in Dangote Cement, which is the largest cement producer in sub-Saharan Africa. First launched in 1981, the Dangote Group now owns and operates more than 18 subsidiaries across a range of industries, including Dangote Cement, Dangote Flour and Dangote Sugar. Behind Dangote is Nigerian oil magnate Mike Adenuga whose wealth was estimated at $9.2 billion. South African Nicky Oppenheimer, Egyptian Nassef Sawiris and Johan Rupert completed the top five list with $7.3bn, $6.3 bn and $5.3bn respectively. The eighth slot had five persons with one of them being Isabel dos Santos, daughter to former Angolan president Jose Eduardo dos Santos. She is Africas richest woman with a wealth estimated at $2.3 billion. Others on the eight-slot of the list are Zimbabwean telecoms tycoon Strive Masiwiya. Mr. Masiyiwa, who chairs the Econet Group whose shares have surged in value over the past year, owns more than half of the company. Had to walk across town to get more test strips for my sugar tester. Diabetes is no fun, but you dont need fun all the time to have a good life. Right? About -12 below zero and lots of people were out walking everywhere. It was a good walk, we even took a short bus ride to make life more interesting. We ended up at Globus and ate dinner there. Good stuff (We walked about 8 kilometers total.) The tester I use has very limited places to get test strips in Moscow. In the tiny Russian Village no issue to get these strips, but as with some particular items, Moscow has regulations imposed upon certain things. Mainly political/money issues that do not rear their head in the rest of Russia I have said many times, Moscow is not Russia! You have Russia then you have Moscow and the two do not mix all the time.it is interesting to watch and see and deal with.perfect example is these test strips; They are normal stock in the villages, but in Moscow there is literally only one place to get them and no one else will carry them and or care to carry them. We are lucky that the one spot is close by This same type of issue applies to milk, soda, coffee and to make it clear, just about any food items, drugs, tools and well anything I got use to certain items and found no issues in the villages with getting certain drugs and stuff. Once I came to Moscow again. I found that I had to change things, because items are not sold in Moscow that are sold in the villages. This expands to the Moscow area also We have some favorite soft drinks/lemonade available in the Russian small villages and it is unavailable in Moscow We have fantastic sterilized milk that comes from Ryazan, Russia and you could not find it for your life in Moscow, Russia but, I can find it all over the rest of Russia otherwise. Moscow milk is not up to the quality that villagers take for granted and Svetochka and I will buy cases of milk to have in Moscow. The milk from Ryazan is that good Why is this? Dunno, dont care, Moscows loss, is how I look at it We got our strips and ordered 10 more boxes w/100 strips each and they will call when they get in. Time to stock up.by the way, the strips I use are extremely good quality at a extremely good cheap price. The meter was reading almost perfect to what the doctors came up with as they tested my blood sugar levels themselves recently. I cannot say that about all other meters I have used in the past I miss the Tiny Russian Village. Image above reminds me, I have to rebuild the stove this next summer WtR If there was ever any doubt that the resistance within the Trump administration wasnt real, what happened in light of Trumps decision to leave disproved the skeptics. Bolton and several other members of the Trump administration are committing a serious crime by preventing the current president of the United States from reversing his predecessors misguided decisions in the Syrian theater. What is happening today isnt a policy debate, but a direct challenge to American democracy by unelected paper-pushers. Indeed, many of the senior officials in his own administration are working diligently from within to frustrate President Trumps agenda. A soft coup against Trump is underway in the United States. In recent days, anonymous U.S. officials, like the author of the infamous op-ed in The New York Times, have repeatedly lied to the American people in an attempt to force Trump to walk back from his comments about Syria. Turkey, they said, would slaughter the Kurds if U.S. military advisers leave the battlefield unconditionally. Although Turkey did not respond to that ludicrous accusation due to its absurdity, the speed at which such lies have been spreading demonstrates that malice, not ignorance, drives them. I hope this leads to an avalanche of lawsuits against this scum of a company. It should, just as Microsoft should never have updated systems without permission. One system of ours was and it destroyed a lot of data HELSINKI The Finnish Consumer Disputes Board (CDB) has ordered Microsoft to compensate a Finnish man for unauthorized installation of Windows 10, local media reported on Saturday. In a decision reported by national broadcaster Yle on Saturday, the installation of Windows 10 had started when a computer owner was working with his computer in March 2016. Microsoft had not asked for permission and the person had not given an authorization. Following the installation, the computer started giving at fault messages. The board concluded that Microsoft had no right to install Windows 10 without permission. There was a mistake in the installation and that created a duty for Microsoft to compensate, it said. In its response Microsoft held the view that the man had obtained required help from its free customer support. Microsoft stated that it was not responsible for programs the computer owner had installed on his own for remote surveillance of an object. Noting that Microsoft did not deny that the new operating system could be installed without permission, the CDB stated that Microsoft did not deny the connection between the fault and the damage it cause. The board then decided that Microsoft must reimburse 1,100 euros ($1,253) worth of spare parts and maintenance and travel costs. The board dismissed the owners claims for lost work time, as it had not been specified in the complaint. The CDB members are appointed by the Ministry of Justice. Although the board decisions cannot be enforced through coercive measures, 80 percent of companies fined comply with its decisions. Source: Microsoft to compensate Finnish man for unwanted installation of Windows 10 Chinadaily.com.cn We ended up having to install blocking software to keep the systems from updating against our wishes WtR The Age of the Earth By Nick Touran, Ph.D., 2014-04-27 You may have heard that the Earth is 4.54 billion years old. This was calculated by taking precise measurements of things in the dirt and in meteorites and using the principles of radioactive decay to determine an age. This page will show you how that was done. Fundamentals of radiogenic isotope geology Radioactive nuclides decay with a half-life. If the half-life of a material is 100 years and you have 1 kg of it, 100 years from now you will only have 0.5 kg of it. The rest will have decayed into a different nuclide (called a daughter nuclide). Several radioactive nuclides exist in nature with half-lives long enough to be useful for geologic dating. Lets go through an example of calculating the age of a rock with the radioactive nuclide Rubidium-87 (Rb87). This nuclide decays to Strontium-87 (Sr87) with a half-life of 48.8 billion years. Imagine going way back in time and looking at some lava that is cooling to become a rock. It naturally has different concentrations of Rb and Sr in different parts of the rock because these dont necessarily mix perfectly. This is shown schematically in Figure 1. Once it cools all the way and crystallizes, it is considered born and atoms can no longer come in or out of the system. At this point, its radiometric clock starts ticking. Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a rock with different concentrations of Rb and Sb throughout. Though the Rb and Sr concentrations differ, its safe to assume that the isotopic makeup of Sr and of Rb is the same everywhere. This is the key to figuring out how much time has passed since the rock solidified. As time goes on, the Rb87 in the rock slowly turns into Sr87. Parts of the rock that have more Rb87 will end up with more Sr87. By measuring a few samples of the rock and comparing the relative amounts of Sr87 and Rb87, we can figure out how old the rock is! The mathematics of radioactive decay shows us that the number of Sr87 nuclides that exist after some time t is: $$\text{Sr87}_{\text{now}}= \left(e^{\lambda t}-1 \right)\text{Rb87}_{\text{now}} +\text{Sr87}_{\text{orig}} $$ We can measure \(\text{Sr87}_{\text{now}}\), \(\text{Rb87}_{\text{now}}\), and \(\lambda\), but we cant measure \(\text{Sr87}_{\text{orig}}\) (no one was around to measure it back then). So what do we do? We use something called an isochron. If you think about it, the equation above is a lot like the formula for a line, \(y=mx+b\) with \(y=\text{Sr87}_{\text{now}}\), \(m= \left(e^{\lambda t}-1 \right)\), \(x=\text{Rb87}_{\text{now}}\), and \(b=\text{Sr87}_{\text{orig}}\). Because the rock originally had different mixtures of Rb and Sr, we can expect to get different points for each sample we measure, and if all samples have the same age, then we expect to see a straight line (hence the name isochron). We plot all our measurements and then fit a line through them. The slope of the line can then be solved for \(t\), giving us the age of the rock. As a bonus, the intercept (\(b\)) of the line tells us the value of \(\text{Sr87}_{\text{orig}}\) because we know the line was flat when the age of the rock was zero. The animation in Figure 2 shows the flat line and how it increases with time. Figure 2. The isochrons of the Rb/Sr clock. Note that the values of the axes are actually normalized by Sr86 because the mass spectrometers used to take these measurements are much more accurate at relative values than they are at absolutes. It works because Sr86 is stable and not radiogenic and therefore stays constant with time. The isochron method can determine the age of any rock, but new rocks are formed all the time. So to figure out the age of the Earth, we have to look somewhere else in the sky! The age of the Earth Earth has a molten magma layer and plate tectonics, so the closed system requirement of these radiometric dating methods is sometimes difficult to satisfy for Earth itself. Meteorites, on the other hand, have been floating around in space since the solar system was formed. When they come crashing to Earth, analysis of their composition can be geologically analyzed. Claire Patterson was the first to accurately date the crystallization of Earth to 4.55 +/- 0.05 billion years ago. He used a lead isotope isochron method using measurements from three different meteorites (lead-206, lead-207 are the eventual decay products of uranium-238 and uranium-235). He then took measurements from the deep ocean that fell squarely on the meteorite isochron, suggesting that the Earth and the meteorites were both created at the same time, 4.55 billion years ago. (You may have learned from COSMOS that he also was among the first to understand the public health risks of lead contamination from leaded gasoline). Many other methods have been used to date the Earth, with many different sets of radioactive nuclides (and other methods). They are all consistent with Pattersons measurement. This is how we know how old the Earth is. The mathematical details of the lead-lead isotopic clock are less straightforward than those of the Rb-Sr method. On the other hand, since only lead is involved (instead of two chemical species), the lead-lead clock is resilient against situations where the samples were recently weathered or otherwise opened. We will skip the isochron derivation, but you can find it elsewhere[1]. The end result is that the slope of the isochron with Pb207 concentrations graphed against Pb206 (both relative to non-radiogenic Pb204) is equal to: \[m = \frac{N_{U235}}{N_{U238}} \frac{e^{\lambda_{U235} t}-1}{e^{\lambda_{U238} t}-1}\] Data from several meteorites and from a few terrestrial sources are shown in Figure 3. The data have been replotted from the tables of [2]. The best-fit line shown in Figure 3 has a slope of 0.602459. Unfortunately, the geochron equation above is transcendental, meaning theres no algebraic solution for it and it has to be solved numerically. Conveniently, this is very trivial with a few lines of Python. Using this python program that I wrote, I am able to instantly calculate the age of the Earth to be 4.51 billion years using lead isotopic measurements alone. Cool! This is within the uncertainty claimed by Patterson. Note that Uranium-235 decays to Lead-207 and that Uranium-238 decays to Lead-206. There are short-lived details in these decay chains, but they dont matter on the timescales were dealing with. See the decay chain link in the See Also section below for decay chain details. Carbon dating Carbon dating is often discussed. It involves the radioactive nuclide Carbon-14 (aka radiocarbon) decaying to Nitrogen-14 with a 5730 year half-life. As you can imagine, this half-life is short with respect to the age of the Earth, so it cant be used to date rocks. But, it is unmatched in its ability to date things that used to be living (bones, wood, food, paper, etc.). When a living thing dies, its body stops uptaking carbon. This is analogous to a rock crystallizing, as the body now becomes a closed system of carbon, and so a radiocarbon clock starts in it. Radiocarbon dating has been used for living things in the 100,000 year timeframe. Find out more about it through our See Also links below. Age of the Universe All the discussions on this page so far relate to the age of rocks and of the Earth. But this is not the same as the age of the universe. Scientists have found much evidence for The Big Bang that created the universe 13.8 billion years ago. This created all the building blocks of atoms. Since then, the atoms, both large and small have been forged in stars in the processes of stellar nucleosynthesis. Assumptions made during radiogenic isotopic geology There are certainly some assumptions made to perform these calculations. Lets go through some of them. The half-lives of radioactive decay have remained constant since the formation of the Earth This assumption, also known as Uniformitarianism, needs to be justified before considering the calculations on this page accurate. If the half-lives change, then were out of luck. Fortunately, there is a lot of evidence that they dont change. The simplest of which, perhaps is that geologic clocks from 5 or 6 different nuclide pairs give consistent results for the same samples. If half-lives were changing, itd be an unbelievable coincidence that these independent methods agree so well. Another fun fact is that 2 billion years ago, conditions in Africa were such that a natural nuclear reactor went critical at Oklo. The abundances of fission products from this reactor are measurable today, and they are consistent with constant half-lives. So this at leasts tells us that the half-lives were constant for the past 2 billion years. The isotopic abundances were uniform throughout the solar system in the beginning The fact that lunar, meteorite, and terrestrial samples all have consistent isotopic distributions for the most part strongly suggests that this is true. See Also References Over the next year, Iowa Democrats face the daunting task of starting to winnow what most expect will be a gargantuan field of candidates running for president. Kim Reynolds, the states Republican governor, said she welcomes all of those candidates. And she said shes glad to be watching this one from the sidelines. There was a definite and relaxed been there, done that vibe to Reynolds response to a recent question about the 2020 Iowa caucuses and what promises to be an endless parade of Democrats coming to Iowa between now and next February. More than 20 Republicans sought the partys presidential nomination in the 2016 caucuses. The number of Democrats who run in 2020 is expected to reach, if not surpass, that. I hope they have to have debates that cover two nights. I think they will. We lived through all of that, so its going to be kind of interesting to see this take place on the flip side, Reynolds said with a laugh. We had the onslaught in 16, so it will be interesting to see. There are three SoDA volunteers at UnityPoint Health on Prairie Parkway who have had more than 12 referrals since the program began Dec. 11, DeBonis said. At UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine in Evansdale, SoDA volunteers Barb Oldenburger and Sally Kelly spend four hours each week assisting patients. Both Oldenburger and Kelly are retired nurses. I spent my career helping people, and this was the right opportunity at the right time, said Oldenburger. She invited Kelly to join her. I wanted to have some meaningful volunteer work and working with indigent and special needs patients appeals to me, said Kelly. Her experience as a nurse and instructor has taught her that people do want to do the right thing, but they dont have the resources to follow through. When we get a referral from the doctors, we talk to the patient, ask the right questions and help them find resources, Kelly explained. The program is an outgrowth of UnityPoints patient screening for poverty which began about 1 1/2 years ago, DeBonis said. The screening can indicate that a patient is struggling financially, or may have issues about housing, transportation or food insecurity. Its not the first time something like this has happened. In 2004, former Secretary of State Chet Culver, a Democrat, failed to publish the required legal notice for an amendment to remove words such as idiot from the state constitution. The amendment eventually passed in 2010, Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, recalled. Pate said he is a supporter of both the gun rights and gubernatorial succession amendments. Although it has been Republicans who control the House and Senate who have pushed the gun amendment, Windschitl said its important to Iowans across the spectrum. I believe this is a priority for Iowans and this has been a priority that the Republican caucus of the House and Senate has demonstrated and we will continue to do what is right by Iowans to give them the opportunity to have this on the ballot and have their voices heard, Windschitl said. It may be possible to get the issue on a ballot before 2022, but the last thing we want to do is go around the law on this topic, House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said. Backers were in agreement that starting over was the most likely path forward. Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Sunday, called on authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to recount the votes of the country most contested presidential election that the runner-up says was rigged. Runner-up Martin Fayulu claims that he in fact won by a landslide and that the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Kabila to be declared victor. Fayulus claims have been bolstered by DRCs influential Catholic church, which deployed 40,000 election monitors on the day of the election and has stated that its data showed a different winner to that announced by the electoral commission. The regional bloc called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the DRC to recount the votes and finalise the process with speed to ensure the credibility of the election and also maintain peace and stability. A recount would provide the necessary reassurance to both winners and losers, SADC said in a statement. SADC, which includes old Kabila allies Angola and South Africa, recommended a government of national unity including parties representing Kabila, Fayulu and Tshisekedi that could promote peace. An extensive conflict in the vast and mineral-rich DRC has the potential to destabilise significant parts of central, east and southern Africa. A civil war between 1997 and 2002 killed 5 million people and drew in all neighbouring states. Fayulu filed a fraud complaint on Saturday with DRCs highest court to challenge the result. If the result of the electoral commission is confirmed, Tshisekedi would be the first leader to take power via the ballot box in DRC since Patrice Lumumba shortly after DRC won independence from Belgium in 1960. Lets quit sticking it to Iowa taxpayers to subsidize low-wage employers who dont pay enough for their employees to have a decent place to live and enough money to feed their families, she said. She said lawmakers need to seek honest answers and accountability from the privatized Medicaid program, revise statute of limitations laws that put the rights of serial predators ahead of survivors and fully fund water quality initiatives and a mental health expansion program. Republican Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer said its time for everyone to accept the state cannot go back to the old Medicaid system and must look forward to improve it as it exists today. Managed care is a strategy that more than 40 other states have used for years to improve health outcomes, create stability and ensure sustainability of the program. There is no reason that we cant be successful as well, she said. Upmeyer said another priority is Gov. Kim Reynolds proposal on mental health care for children, which the governor plans to detail Tuesday in her Condition of the State address. FAYETTE Upper Iowa University Associate Professor of Education/Master of Education Chair Billie Cowley and Associate Professor of Art/McCosh Professor of Fine Arts Elissa Wenthe will present a pair of lectures at Upper Iowa Universitys Fayette Campus on Thursday. The free public presentations are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the UIU Liberal Arts Auditorium. Cowley, who is also a mental health first aid trainer, will present Mental Illnesses and the Overlap of Trauma Informed Care. The UIU professors presentation will discuss what trauma is, risk factors and protective factors related to mental illnesses, and possible strategies to use when working with an individual who has experienced trauma. A botanical landscape sculptor, Wenthe will present a lecture on her past and current bodies of artwork. Wenthes sculptural language is formed by surrounding landscapes and nature, while engaging themes of memories, identity and place. The materials she chooses are easily manipulated. She works quickly and spontaneously, responding to clay, fabric or natural materials to create a new form. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WATERLOO A Waterloo woman fled a halfway house where she was serving time in connection with a 2014 knife-point robbery. According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, Lakoda L. Christensen, 22, failed to return to the Waterloo Womens Center for Change on Sunday night. Christensen is serving time for a June 2014 robbery where she and another person allegedly made a 19-year-old man drive to an ATM to withdraw money. The ATM turned down the transaction, and the victim fled. Christensen was sentenced up to 10 years in prison for second-degree robbery, and the sentence didnt include a mandatory minimum because she was 17 at the time of the crime. She was released from prison and put on work release in December 2016 and eventually paroled in June 2017. In June 2018, corrections officials alleged she violated parole by using meth, attempting to submit another persons urine during a drug test and missing a revocation hearing. She was placed on work release in October. She was arrested in November for allegedly stealing a bag of popcorn from a vending machine at the Womens Center for Change, according to court records. Christensen is described as a white female, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 119 pounds. Anyone with information on Christensen's whereabouts is asked to contact local police. Love 2 Funny 8 Wow 5 Sad 4 Angry 9 Court records show Birden is suspected of another shooting. +2 One arrested in Dec. 4 shooting WATERLOO | A Waterloo teen has been arrested in connection with an early December shooting t In 2015, he was arrested for intimidation with a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm in the Dec. 4, 2015, shooting at West Second and Allen streets that injured Donald Harris. He was 17 at the time, and within a year prosecutors asked the court to temporarily dismiss the case because of difficulty locating witnesses for trial. Two months later, Birden, his brother and others were hanging out outside a Logan Avenue home waiting for a friend when a sport utility vehicle drove by and the occupants began shooting. +4 Waterloo teen tells of brother's death in 2016 shooting WATERLOO One of the last things Raymond Birden Jr. heard his brother say was a warning. Birden would later recount for a jury seeing muzzle flashes and running from the shots. He saw Brown jerk when a bullet hit him, and he loaded Brown into his fathers Audi and headed for the hospital. Brown was pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities said Shavondes Martin was in the front passenger seat of the SUV during the shooting, and Doncorrion Spates and Armand Rollins were in the back seat. The driver, Jacques Williamson, pleaded to a lesser charge, and during a February trial a jury found Spates guilty. Shavondes Martin and Rollins were acquitted. WASHBURN The Moose Lodge, at 6636 La Porte Road, has several events planned this week. Tacos will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with goulash at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tenderloin baskets will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and there will be an all-you-can-eat fish and salad bar from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. An omelet and waffle breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 20. Kiwanis club meets Tuesday WATERLOO -- The Waterloo Noon Kiwanis will meet at the Elks Lodge for a noon luncheon Tuesday. Speakers will be Scott Cawelti and Dr. Mark Louviere on "Criminal Justice Reform." Anyone interested in serving children who wants to know more about Kiwanis is welcome to join the Tuesday meetings. Call Larry Cain at (319) 231-9871 for more information. Legion plans weeks events WATERLOO American Legion Post 138 at 728 Commercial St. has several events planned. The kitchen will be open at noon today. Babak Haleky started out with his sights on a career in medicine until his creative side took over. Out of Vancouver, BC this talented actor and musician will soon be seen on "Supernatural" January 31, 2019, ironically playing a doctor. He can be spotted on the action-adventure film called Wings Over Everest, "Lucifer," "Travelers," and "Rogue." This talent also produces electronic music and carries his laptop everywhere he goes. Look for his new album release, called "Traveler," that will hit stores this Spring of 2019. Get to know Babak with my exclusive interview. Fun on the set of 'Supernatural' Colleen Bement: Welcome to the "Supernatural Family" with your character of Dr. Rashad in the 12th episode in this 14th season. Tell us all about your experience on the set. Babak Haleky: I had too much fun on set. I know the show well so I had done my prep work before going to set. I was welcomed by everyone and was really happy I got to work with Jared, Jensen, and Misha. The episode was directed by Thomas J. Wright, who was very supportive and trusted me with the character. The boys work hard and play hard and I kept up with their jokes and offered my own when appropriate. CB: I've heard that a spot on "Supernatural" is kind of like a rite of passage for Canadian actors. Were you a fan of the show? BH: Funny thing, I had barely auditioned for the show in the last 13 seasons, but this season I had four auditions and I knew I was destined to work on it, so I started watching the show again on Netflix. I got up to season eight when I landed the gig. When I was on set at times I was thinking I had somehow been transported into the supernatural world, kinda like 'The French Mistake' episode in season six! CB: What upcoming projects are you allowed to tell your fans about? "Wings Over Everest" looks intense! BH: At the start of 2018 I spent two months in China shooting an action-adventure film called Wings Over Everest.This movie is about a rescue team over Mount Everest, and I play the role of Suya, who keeps an eye on the team from the control tower and also takes care of the finances. This was another level of acting experience for me because I got to work with many casts and crews from different parts of Asia and North America. There were about four languages being spoken on set, with different translators working hard to keep everyone up to speed on what the next shot was going to be, but when the cameras were rolling we were all on the same page. Aside from working on set, I traveled to some great locations like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Shanghai and Heavens gate on my days off. Aside from acting, I produce electronic music and having my laptop with me, I was very inspired during my time there and produced an album that I named traveler, which will be released in the spring of 2019. I produced tracks at airports, on plane rides and my hotel rooms. From TV series fan to guest star CB: My readers love some of the shows that you've guest starred on. Can you share any stories about your time on "Lucifer", "Travelers", or "Rogue"? BH: In season one, episode one of "Rogue" I played the role of a doctor that gets called in to patch up Grace Travis (played by Thandie Newton) after shes been shot. This role was special because production hired nurses who trained me surgically. They used fake skin to show me how its done in the surgery room. In the episode you see my hand stitching Thandies gunshot wound in her shoulder. Marton Csokas and Thandie Newton were great to work with and I enjoyed their intensity. The "Lucifer" crew was just an amazing bunch. I got to play a hotel manager in Season 2, episode 2 and met all the cast and spent time with them exchanging stories and had a good time on set. Landing this role was an important moment in my career as I had taken some time off from acting and this was my comeback role. I played the role of an auction volunteer in episode 11, season two of "Travelers." I had just finished watching season 1 and was very excited to work on it. Im a big fan of Eric McCormack from "Will and Grace" and was very excited to learn I was going to be on set with him and Leah Cairns, but I was really surprised when I stepped out of my trailer and found Enrico Colantoni walking around rehearsing his lines. Ive been a fan of his from person of Interest TV series. Hes an amazing person and we got to hang out on set and had our scene together which was an honor for me. Babak's creative side won CB: Tell us more about your love for filmmaking. Have you tried your hand at writing or directing? BH: Ive always been a creative person. I wasnt always perusing acting and music, I was once a biology major on my way to becoming a doctor. In the second year, I found myself losing interest and paying attention to my creative side. Thats when I transferred to the school of drama and on the side started learning music on my own. After many many years of hard work and determination at the same time, I landed my major role on "Wings over Everest" in China, I got a record deal with Plastic magic records to release my music. I have written a few short scripts in the Sci-Fi genre, but havent perused writing and directing professionally yet, but its a new year and Im an ambitious person! Frances flagship carrier Air France in a statement has said it will wrap up flights to the Saudi capital Riyadh from next end this month because of economic performance. Air France has decided to suspend its direct flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as of February 1, and continues the cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines on the Riyadh-Paris route. Due to the economic performance and in view of the cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines on this route, the Air France-operated flights will be suspended. The last flight will take off from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) on January 31, 2019 and will return from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) on February 1, 2019, the airline said in a statement. Passengers scheduled to travel with the airline to the Gulf country after end of January will be rebooked on the Saudi Arabias national carrier, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia). Passengers with a ticket for a flight from Paris to Riyadh or vice-versa after February 1, 2019 will be rebooked on flights of Saudi Arabian Airlines or financially compensated. https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/411155-air-france-says-to-halt-flights-to-riyadh Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers. partypoker Announces Inaugural Player Panel January 14 2019 Jason Glatzer Over the past couple of years, partypoker has taken many steps to become a site for the players by adding ambassadors and listening to players on poker forums and social media. The online poker room just took another step in involving players by introducing its inaugural Player Panel. The panel's main purpose is to further improve communication between partypoker and the poker community. Some of the issues the panel will be involved in are as followed: Help shape partypokers online and live policies and procedures Adjudicate on high profile fraud or collusion cases Help to develop strategies against the use of third-party software Offer insights on issues related to cash game ecology, fairness, and etiquette Collaborate with partypoker in its ongoing drive to develop and optimize the core poker product Working on broader software enhancements Separately, the panel will also lend their expertise in helping to improve partypokers live poker tour, partypoker LIVE. ElkY: "I am very excited to be actively involved in the renaissance partypoker is bringing to the poker world." The panel includes players and partypoker ambassadors Ike Haxton, Jason Koon, Patrick Leonard, Joao Simao, and Sam Trickett. Ambassadors from ring-fenced French and Spanish market will also be involved with France's Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier and Bruno Fitoussi. "I am very excited to be actively involved in the renaissance partypoker is bringing to the poker world, live and online, for its players in the EU market," said Grospellier. Simao said: "I have enjoyed had two amazing years with the company, and joining the panel gives me the opportunity to better understand their plans and the way that they work. "Its just amazing. Im very proud to be part of the team and to provide support for players not just within the LATAM region, but throughout the world. It will be my pleasure to improve the poker experience for all partypoker players." Waters: "This elite team will help drive partypoker forward whilst ensuring that the interests of our players are central to our decisions." The panel's experience will also be used to help improve partypoker LIVE, which gained popularity thanks to its big guarantees and the ability to play opening days online. partypoker Managing Director Tom Waters believes this is the right team to be involved in the Player Panel: "We have assembled a highly qualified team that contains some of the most respected and experienced poker players in the world. This elite team will help drive partypoker forward whilst ensuring that the interests of our players are central to our decisions." It's on many people's travel bucket list, but now access to Peru's famous Machu Picchu has become more strictly regulated. Due to the large numbers heading there with thousands of visitors a day in recent years, officials at the 15th century Incan mountaintop citadel have introduced a new ticketing policy this year. Amid infrastructure fears about its ability to cope with the large footfall, tourists have to book hour-specific time slots, entering from 6am to 2pm and are only allowed to stay there for up to four hours. People also have to arrive at the Unesco World Heritage site within an hour of their entry time or they will not be allowed to visit. So if they have booked the 12pm slot, they must arrive before 1pm to get in and all tourists must be out by 5.30pm. The latest ticketing structure is aimed at controlling the flow of people and preventing the bunching of crowds in the high-altitude settlement. Before the new policy was introduced, visitors booked for either a morning (6am-12pm) or afternoon slot (12pm-5.30pm) - periods brought in in 2017. The price of tickets remains the same, with the cost at 152 Peruvian sols (35) for one adult. Many visitors have tended to head to Peru's most popular tourist attraction in the early morning to spend more time there. But now officials are trying to encourage visiting later in the day with special incentives on offer. Visitors who enter the citadel in the second period (9am-12pm) will have free access to the on-site museum Manuel Chavez Ballon, and those who choose to enter in the third time span (after 12pm) can enter the archaeological site Raqchi for free. Tickets must be booked through the official Machu Picchu website, a tour operator or the site's office in Cusco. Last year, Sarah Miginiac, from adventure company G Adventures, told CNN the main issue at the Incan landmark was too many people trying to gain access. "There isn't the infrastructure around it," she said. Story continues Officials hope the new ticketing system will control tourism at the site, ease transport pressures and also encourage visitors to head to other Peruvian spots. Ms Miginiac stressed a lasting solution needed to be found to control tourism at Machu Picchu. She said: "[The government] definitely need to make sure that whatever solution is going to be found to access Machu Picchu is actually a solution that will enable growth for the future as well, and not only for the current amount of passengers." Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan gives an address during the opening ceremony of the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Singapore August 2, 2018. REUTERS/Edgar Su By Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's ties with neighbouring Malaysia could face a "downward spiral" over a series of maritime and airspace disputes, the wealthy city-state's foreign minister said on Monday, adding that he hoped they could be resolved amicably. The disputes are the latest development in the neighbours' long-running spat over part of the Singapore Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Vivian Balakrishnan's comments came after Singapore protested to Malaysia on Sunday over a state minister's presence on a Malaysian vessel the island said was in its territorial waters illegally, and called off a planned meeting on commercial cooperation. Malaysia's recent actions have upset the status quo that had been in place for years, said Balakrishnan, who held a meeting last week with his Malaysian counterpart, Saifuddin Abdullah, where they agreed on steps to defuse the tension. "These actions did not bode well for our bilateral relationship," Balakrishnan told parliament. "They created the risk for a dangerous downward spiral of measures and countermeasures. "Singapore remains committed to finding an amicable resolution through dialogue," he said, adding that if negotiations failed to produce an acceptable solution, Singapore was prepared to seek international dispute settlement. In December, Singapore pushed back against a move by Malaysia to extend the limits of a port in its southern state of Johor, saying the new boundary encroached on its territorial waters, a statement the Malaysians called inaccurate. Earlier, Malaysia told Singapore it intended to take back control of airspace over a part of Johor that Singapore had managed since 1974, following the introduction of a new landing system at Singapore's Seletar airport. The landing system required aircraft flying into the small Singapore airport to take a flight path over Malaysian airspace, to which Malaysia objected. Singapore was once part of Malaysia but the two separated acrimoniously in 1965, clouding diplomatic and economic dealings for years. (Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Paul Tait and Clarence Fernandez) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Sunday in Qatar urged Americas feuding allies; Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on one side and Qatar on the other, to end regional diplomatic row has been going on over 18 months after the Saudi-led side accused Doha of supporting terrorism. Pompeo who is on regional tour in the Middle East has embarked on fence mending mission among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) arrived in Qatar on Sunday from the UAE. Qatar since June 2017 has been facing a sea/air/ground blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt who accused the tiny gas-rich country of supporting terrorism and becoming too cozy with Iran; the regional arch enemy. During our talks, I have stressed the importance of the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Pompeo said during a joint press conference with his host counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful, he said. Were hoping that the unity of GCC will increase in the days and weeks and months ahead, Pompeo said. Pompeos trip to Qatar was marked by the agreement to expand the US largest military base in the region; Al-Udeid Air Base. The base is home to over 10,000 US and international forces engaged in the fight against terrorism in the region. Washington is pushing for the creation of Middle East Strategic Alliance that will include Egypt and Jordan. The alliance in the NATOs-style will according to the U.S will counter Irans influence. Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers. FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang speak during signing ceremony of the treaties at the chancellery in Berlin FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang speak during signing ceremony of the treaties at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/File Photo By Andreas Rinke BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel has proposed a China-European Union summit during Germany's 2020 EU presidency that would include national leaders of EU countries as well as officials from Brussels and Beijing, EU diplomats said. The summit, which is likely to coincide with China's displacement of the United States as the EU's largest trade partner, would aim to counter what Berlin sees as Beijing's divide-and-rule approach to dealing with the bloc. Projects like the Belt-and-Road debt-for-development initiative has made China an influential player in poorer eastern EU members like Hungary and Greece. But Germany and China are on the same side in the trade disputes that are dividing the West, with both manufacturing export powerhouses vulnerable to protectionist measures favoured by U.S. President Donald Trump. "Germany should make China an important theme of its EU council presidency in 2020," said Hubert Lienhard, head of the German parliamentary Asia-Pacific committee. Germany takes over the rotating six-month presidency in the second half of 2020. Many have questioned whether Merkel's conservative-Social Democrat coalition will survive until then. She has already resigned the leadership of her Christian Democrat (CDU) party and said she will not run again for Chancellor. Assuming Britain leaves as scheduled in March, the EU will then have 27 member states whose leaders could attend the summit. Previous EU-China summits have tended to involve only the EU's own leaders and Chinese representatives. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Catherine Evans) Jordan's King Abdullah shakes hands with Iraq's President Barham Saleh, during his visit in Baghdad Jordan's King Abdullah shakes hands with Iraq's President Barham Saleh, during his visit in Baghdad, Iraq January 14, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily By John Davison and Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah and the foreign ministers of France and Iran made separate visits on Monday to Iraq, an ally of Tehran, amid U.S. attempts to rally allies against the Islamic Republic as Washington starts withdrawing troops from neighbouring Syria. King Abdullah's visit, his first since 2008, follows a week after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stopped off in both countries at the start of a Middle East tour meant to mobilise Arab countries against Iran and reassure them over the planned U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria. The Jordanian king was greeted by President Barham Salih on a red carpet at Baghdad airport before heading to meet Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. Salih welcomed the visit as strengthening "joint interests and security". Pompeo, who was in Riyadh on Monday, promoted a planned Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) that would include Gulf Arab states, Jordan and Egypt. Washington is seeking to weaken Shi'ite Muslim Iran, Israel's arch-foe in the region, with renewed sanctions and the support of Sunni Arab allies. In Iraq, Washington has made overtures to officials with vague pledges of greater economic cooperation and has pressured Baghdad to stop importing Iranian gas. But the planned withdrawal from Syria of 2,000 U.S. troops, announced by President Donald Trump last month, alarmed U.S. allies across the region, including Israel, which worries that the move could embolden Iran. Pompeo's tour came weeks after the announcement, and after a surprise trip by Trump to a U.S. military base in Iraq that included no meetings Iraqi leaders, prompting criticism from politicians. Iraq's government and many state institutions have been dominated by Iran-aligned figures and groups since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein. Iran-backed Shi'ite militias which helped defeat Islamic State in 2017 are increasing their sway over territory and politics in Iraq. Story continues Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met Abdul Mahdi, Shi'ite Muslim political leaders and other officials on Sunday and Monday and said a visit by President Hassan Rouhani would follow in March, Iranian state news agencies reported. The U.S. troop withdrawal has also alarmed Western allies who still see Islamic State as a threat, including France whose Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met Abdul Mahdi on Monday. Le Drian said the U.S. withdrawal "raised questions", adding that IS had not been completely destroyed in Syria yet and threatened to return in Iraq. France had agreed a 1 billion euro loan for reconstruction in Iraq after the 2014-2017 battle to defeat the Sunni jihadists. Iraq has signalled it could become more military involved against IS in neighbouring Syria. It has carried out several air strikes against IS in Syria in agreement with Damascus. (Editing by William Maclean) Social media users reported the use of live ammunition by Sudanese forces against anti-government demonstrators in Khartoum North on January 13, while Reuters said tear gas was used to disperse crowds in the city. This footage shows crowds marching through what was described as Khartoum North. Later, loud bangs, said to be gunfire, are heard as the camera holder and others flee. Protests were also held in other areas of the country including, for the first time, Nyala, the main city in Darfur, according to Reuters. Hundreds have participated in Sudans ongoing protests, according to Reuters. The demonstrations, sparked by rising prices and calls for President Omar al-Bashir to resign, began in December and have led to crackdowns, with security forces using tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators. Most recently, three protesters were killed in anti-government demonstrations in Omdurman on January 9, the Sudan News Agency reported. Officials estimated that 24 people had been killed in the protests since December 27; however, an Amnesty International report put the number of fatalities at 37. President Omar al-Bashir has been in power since 1989. A constitutional amendment proposed this month would allow him to retain his position past the end of his term in 2020. Credit: @aresha_an via Storyful (Reuters) - An explainer ahead of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Compliance Review Committee's (CRC) meeting on Jan. 14-15 in Montreal where a report will be submitted to the executive committee making recommendations on the reinstatement of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA): IS RUSADA SUSPENDED? No. At a meeting in the Seychelles in September, WADA's executive committee voted to reinstate the Russian agency, which had been suspended since November 2015 over alleged state-backed doping. That reinstatement, however, was conditional on Russia allowing access to a tainted Moscow laboratory and data in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). SO WHERE ARE WE? Russian authorities had indicated they were prepared to allow a five-member WADA inspection team access to the lab before a Dec. 31 deadline but then threw up a late roadblock, saying the equipment being used to extract the data was not certified under Russian law. Facing new sanctions, Russia opened the door to a second, three-member WADA inspection team on Jan. 9 when the data extraction process began. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The inspection teams will meet WADA's Compliance Review Committee at the agency's Montreal headquarters on Monday and Tuesday. Russian authorities will have the opportunity to make submissions to the CRC for their consideration. The CRC will file a report to the WADA executive committee no later than Thursday which could recommend that RUSADA be ruled compliant or that new sanctions be considered. The executive committee will announce its decision on Jan. 22. SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Russian authorities will say they have now met all the requirements in the Road Map to Compliance laid out by WADA and that RUSADA's provisional status should be lifted. However, athletes' groups and anti-doping organisations have concerns about whether all data and testing samples were handed over or whether they might have been tampered with. Story continues END GAME If WADA is satisfied that Russia has met all the obligations RUSADA's conditional reinstatement will be confirmed. If WADA is not satisfied it has received full cooperation it can impose new sanctions. Russia would then have 21 days to appeal against WADA's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). (Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Clare Fallon) The fugitive former left-wing militant Cesare Battisti arrived in Rome on January 14, after his arrest in Bolivia and extradition via Brazil. Battistis extradition came decades after his escape from an Italian prison in 1981. He was convicted in abstentia in 1990 for four murders committed during political violence that rocked Italy in the 1970s and 80s. He denies the charges. Battisti fled Brazil recently, ANSA said, after the newly elected President Jair Bolsonaro had said hed be extradited. Credit: Polizia di Stato via Storyful Richard Grenell, US ambassador to Germany. Photo: DANIEL BOCKWOLDT/AFP/Getty Images US president Donald Trump has frequently voiced his opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project between Russia and Germany, calling Germany a captive of Russia over the amount of gas it imports. The presidents ambassador to Berlin, Richard Grenell, upped the pressure again this month warning of sanctions should companies proceed with the construction of the new pipeline. Grenell issued a warning letter, saying that all companies involved in Russian energy exports through pipelines are affected by a significant sanction risk, as reported by German newspaper, Bild am Sonntag. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline consortium includes EU companies Uniper, Wintershall, and Shell, among others. A spokesman from the US embassy told Reuters that Grenells letter reminds that any company operating in the Russian energy export pipeline sector is in danger under CAATSA [Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act] of US sanctions. The spokesman denied that the letter was intended as blackmail. The letter received a frosty response in Berlin. Jurgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman for the Christian Democrats in parliament, said the US ambassadors direct threats to German companies is a new and unacceptable one-sided tightening of the tone in the transatlantic relationship. German foreign minister Heiko Maas, who has previously refuted Trumps allegation that Germany is dependent on Russia for energy, said on Thursday that it was not for the US to decide on European energy policy questions. Grenell has been criticized for his outspoken interference in domestic affairs since taking up his post in May 2018. Shortly after he arrived, he ordered German companies to stop doing business with Iran immediately and in April told alt-right website Breitbart, that he wanted to empower anti-establishment conservatives in Europe. The pipeline will increase the amount of gas that Russia can deliver from its reserves in Siberia directly to Germanys northern coast. Critics say it makes Germany reliant on Russia for its energy. A number of Eastern European countries Ukraine in particular are upset that they will miss out on lucrative transit fees, or potentially be stranded without gas if Russia closes down other pipelines in the region. While the US has repeatedly expressed energy-security concerns over the pipeline, Trump has also made clear the US wants to sell more liquefied natural gas in the European market. COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danske Bank , which is embroiled in a major money laundering case linked to its Estonian branch, may come under formal investigation for a second time in France, it said on Friday. In a letter that stated that the investigating judge "envisages placing Danske Bank under formal investigation", the bank was summoned to interviews in an ongoing investigation into organised money laundering. Danske Bank was initially placed under investigation by a Paris court in relation to suspicions of money laundering concerning transactions at its Estonian branch between 2008 and 2011, but in January last year the court changed its status to that of "assisted witness," a Danske spokesman said on Thursday. Bill Browder, founder and CEO of investment fund Hermitage Capital Management, said on Thursday he had asked French authorities to investigate Danske Bank over alleged money laundering, rather than treating it as a witness. It was not immediately clear if the summons was linked to Browder's request. (Reporting by Teis Jensen; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Cookies op Tweakers Tweakers is onderdeel van DPG Media en maakt gebruik van cookies, JavaScript en vergelijkbare technologie om je onder andere een optimale gebruikerservaring te bieden. Ook kan Tweakers hierdoor het gedrag van bezoekers vastleggen en analyseren. Door gebruik te maken van deze website, of door op 'Cookies accepteren' te klikken, geef je toestemming voor het gebruik van cookies. Wil je meer informatie over cookies en hoe ze worden gebruikt? Bekijk dan ons cookiebeleid. As we work through the month May, I want to give a couple of updates from the last few weeks. My priority bill, LB 644, has advanced from the first and second round of debate and will be heading to final reading soon. This bill was designed to help give the taxpayer clear and concise informa 7 Spencer Gulf news bulletin has re-branded its local news service from Southern Cross News to Nightly News on 7 Spencer Gulf and relocated production to Hobart. Local journalists will remain in the Spencer Gulf area. The change in name follows extension until 2021of SCAs regional television affiliation agreement with the Seven Network. The affiliation agreement allows broadcast of Sevens metropolitan free-to-air television content into the Tasmanian TV1, Darwin TV1, Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV2, Spencer Gulf TV1 and Broken Hill TV1 regional television licence markets. To avoid clashes with Big Bash programming, it will be broadcast in Spencer Gulf at 7:00pm weeknights on 7TWO from 14 January 2019 to 1 February 2019. From Monday, 4 February 2019, the Nightly News will be broadcast from 6:30pm weeknights on the main 7 Spencer Gulf channel. Photo: Media Spy Related He was one of the most famous TV faces in the 1990s but Eden Gaha says he hated being famous, and longed to get behind the camera. But while pitching stories to TV execs didnt get him very far, Gaha is now co-founder of his own production company Mother Media in the US doing deals with American networks. Gaha hosted music game show Vidiot for ABC in 1992 before being lured by Nines David Lyle for Animal Hospital. There he badgered Peter Meakin to report for A Current Affairs summer edition, eventually producing his own stories. It was a taste of what he really wanted. Your acting teacher says If theres something else you could be doing, go and do it. I found my something else. I was never completely comfortable in front of the camera really. I didnt love it. I mean, you know, I had a gift for it. I was fortunate enough to be able to talk underwater. I didnt like being famous. I didnt like the process of television Vidiot was fun but I dont necessarily love the attention and you have to want to be a part of that. I didnt like being famous. I didnt like the process of television which was all shot in different scenes, out of context. What I liked was experiencing an emotional journey and the immediacy of an audience. I did enjoy acting on stage a lot more than I ever enjoyed doing things on camera. Thats probably what I miss the most, but no regrets. Although he made the documentary series The Ties that Bind Gaha was also pitching projects to Nine execs Michael Healy and David Leckie without much success. At the time he felt he was being seen as a star looking to for his own vehicle. Whenever I would pitch a show at Channel Nine I got this sense they thought Hes just trying to find another on-camera role for himself, which wasnt the case, he recalls. So I thought that maybe being on-camera talent was getting in the way of my producing career. So when I went to the States, I said Thats it. No more on-camera. Im just a producer. Its funny because probably the reverse is true there. If youre big on camera you can pretty much produce anything you want because you are a known quantity. I was that naive young producer making shows that you want to do as opposed to making shows that the network needs Now as a seasoned exec himself, time brings further context to the pitching process. I was probably wrong in my perception. They were pretty raw ideas. I was that naive young producer making shows that you want to do as opposed to making shows that the network needs, he suggests. Not really understanding their audience or understanding what their specific needs are. Moreover, Australia is a format-driven business where theyre going to take on formats from other territories before they take on new ideas. Gaha landed a producing role on Survivor under Mark Burnett which led to work on The Contender, Pirate Master, Rock Star and 5 seasons of The Apprentice with Donald Trump. He rose through the ranks to become president of Reveille Productions, then President of Unscripted Television, at Endemol Shine North America, overseeing MasterChef, The Biggest Loser and more. This is my show, this is what you bought, I wont change it because I know it works He also made the US adaptation of The Block for FOX, which ultimately did not succeed. But there were inherent lessons he says can be passed on to Australian producers. We were forced to make so many significant changes that it wasnt even that format anymore, he explains. If you look at shows like The Block or Thank God Youre Here theres this perception Australian shows dont work and thats not necessarily true. If we have the stones to stand up as This is my show, this is what you bought, I wont change it because I know it works I think wed have greater success in other territories. Gaha says the Australian territory is particularly good at renovation shows and good at stripping shows across multiple nights. Where you see MasterChef stripped across three nights in Australia, that same content will be pushed into one hour of content per week in the US. So Australias just very good at that, he explains. My good friends Jules & David created The Block and Ive stayed in touch with them over the years and it just gets better because of the characters. They happen to be renovating apartments, but the characters are so good. He also recognises increased diversity on screen. I think I was the only wog on TV presenting shows back then, and its really leading into its really holding a mirror up to society saying This is who we are today. I think thats a good thing. Theres been a lot of talk about that in the United States and I dont want to be critical of the industry but sometimes it can just look like tokenism. You want people of colour to be a part of your team, but its going to take a generation because theyve never been encouraged to be a part of this business. Its nice to come home and see that and see different faces on TV. If you have that diversity across your production entity, on screen and off-screen, its only going to make for a richer, deeper storytelling. I think Australians are really coming around to that. Its nice to come home and see that and see different faces on TV. Lastly, I cant resist asking. does he have any juicy Trump stories? Ive got plenty! he laughs. The Donald Trump that is the President of the United States is indeed the same guy as I worked with. But as that guy, he was incredibly good television talent. He was professional, he was on time, he didnt need cue cards, he had a photographic memory, he did everything in one take. He cared about the show. He was an agitator. He was what made that show great. Anybody who has tried to replace him hasnt succeeded as a result. But I dont know if that necessarily translate to running the free world. Theres a lot of editing, a lot of good producing from a fantastic team that made that show what it is. The Donald Trump you see on TV today is exactly who he is. But we had to make a certain kind of show and so a lot of stuff didnt make the final cut. People keep talking about the tapes. Theres no tapes. But its bad news for those expecting evidence in the form of Trump tapes from the Celebrity Apprentice. Whats interesting about Trump is, theres nothing to hide. He tells you everything. Its all out there for the world to see. My answer to that question is What more do you want to see? What more proof do you need than what hes already said? Gaha asks. People keep talking about the tapes. Theres no tapes. I mean look, there were things said throughout seasons of the show in the board room but nobody was curating tapes and saying We have this smoking gun. It doesnt exist. Related The health ministry has said reaction rates of the ComBE Five vaccine in Vietnam remain within acceptable limits, after three children reportedly died after being administered the India-made vaccine. ComBE Five is a 5-in-1 vaccine manufactured by India-based Biological E. Limited, providing protection in administered children against Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, and diphtheria. Vietnams health ministry announced in October 2018 that ComBE Five would replace Quinvaxem, a South Korea-made vaccine of the same type, to be used in a national immunization program after Quinvaxem production was ceased. As of mid-December 2018, over 17,000 children in the seven Vietnamese provinces of Ha Nam, Bac Giang, Yen Bai, Kon Tum, Binh Dinh, Dong Thap and Ba Ria-Vung Tau had been vaccinated with ComBE Five in the program supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Voice of Vietnam reports. The ComBE Five vaccination program was launched nationwide in late December 2018. A two-month-old infant in Hanoi died last Thursday, one day after being vaccinated with ComBE Five, making it the third case of death post-vaccination in Vietnam in under a month. Earlier, two infants in the northern province of Nam Dinh also died after being administered ComBE Five on December 25, 2018. According to the Ministry of Health, over 131,000 children in Vietnam have received ComBE Five shots since the launch of the immunization program. Among them, 2.5 percent suffered from mild reactions after vaccination including swelling, pain at the injection location, and mild fever, while only 0.05 percent had severe reactions including high fever, convulsions, excessive crying, and death. The health ministry stresses that such reaction rates remain within acceptable limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nevertheless, the ministry said it would launch additional programs to train healthcare workers on vaccination safety, especially in remote areas. Parents are advised to keep a close watch on their childs condition for at least two days after vaccination, as symptoms can take days to appear. According to Hoang Duc Hanh, deputy director of Hanois Department of Health, 12 severe cases of reaction to the Quinvaxem vaccine were also reported in the capital city in 2018. However, as reactions to Quinvaxem typically appeared within 30 minutes post-vaccination, doctors were able to give the patients timely treatment and save them from death, Hanh explained. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A renowned Vietnamese designer will have his collection featured at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW), one of the Big Four fashion weeks in the world, next month in a first for his country. The official website of the NYFW, which is usually held in February and September of each year as a semi-annual series of events generally lasting seven to nine days, has released a list of designers for its upcoming show in February. Nguyen Cong Tri, 41, a respected name in the Vietnamese fashion industry, has been invited by the NYFW organizers to introduce his collection at the show taking place between February 6 and 13. This is the first time a Vietnamese designer has received such an honor. A screenshot of the introduction about Nguyen Cong Tri on the NYFWs official website Each of his collection is state-of-the-art and a fascinating story to be told, the NYFWs official website wrote in the introduction about Tri. His work as the Chief Designer for CONG TRI brand provides unique statement designs for womens day and evening style. The introduction went on to highlight some of Tris significant achievements, including being the first Vietnamese member of the Asian Couture Federation in 2014. A screenshot of Nguyen Cong Tris scheduled show on the NYFWs official website Cong Tri Nguyen is globally recognized by fashion and lifestyle publications with an influential celebrity coverage that includes Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna and Jacqueline Fernandez, the introduction reads. The collection for the upcoming winter by Tri will be introduced at Spring Studios Gallery II at 2:00 pm (New York time) on February 11, according to the NYFWs schedule. On this occasion, Tri will also have a chance to cooperate with New York-based Kate Young, one of the most in-demand stylists in Hollywood and fashion who works for Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Victorias Secret, for the fashion photography part. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A British professor in two chance encounters heard a Vietnamese cabman talk about the daughter he lost touch with for years and was able to make their life trajectories cross again. One day in early June last year, Richard Kilborn, an honorary professor at the Scotland-based University of Stirling, took a taxi in front of a hotel to get to the Vietnamese college where he would have a lecture. What followed seemed to be guided by destiny. Prof. Kilborn recalled that the cabman, whom he later knew as Nguyen Manh Hung, asked him whether he could speak German, and he gave a positive answer. Hung said he has a daughter named Dania Bui, born on March 10, 2000, and believed she has lived in the city of Roseinhem in Germanys Bavaria federal state, Kilborn recollected. He left the child when she was four years old for private reasons and they had since been completely out of touch. Listening to the story, the Briton thought it was just an icebreaker in a friendly talk between strangers. But on the same day after hailing a taxi, he met Hung again and the cabby once more time told him about the daughter in Germany and expressed his desire to see her again. Kilborn felt an unfathomable urge to help the driver, promising he would do his best to make the cabbys wish come true, the foreigner recalled. Richard Kilborn (first left) is seen with students in this provided photo. In search of strangers child Having returned to Scotland, Kilborn began to find the acquaintances child, and called it Rediscover the Long-Lost Daughter. The British man has a good knowledge of Rosenheim as he lived for around three years in Bavaria. He used the information that Hung provided about the daughters birthday and name to arrive at an educated guess that she should be a last-year student a local high school. He hit a Google search button and found a sixth-year student with the same name there, he said. Filled with happiness, he immediately penned a long German letter to the student, saying her father had been finding her to no avail over the past many years, he recalled. Three weeks later, the girl responded via Facebook Messenger that she was Dania and she was extremely happy, he said. Seeking father But the difficulty was not over yet. Kilborn had no information in mind about Hung other than his name, birthday and the rides taken on August 6 last year. The foreigner barely remembered the taxi operator but could vaguely recollect the corporate logo on the vehicle. He spent many days finding Hung on Facebook in vain before asking for assistance from a Vietnamese interpreter known as Nguyen Thi Thu Huong. Huong received Hungs phone number and promptly emailed it to Kilborn. Hung burst into tears while answering the phone because he didnt believe it was real, Huong said, referring to the news that his daughter had been rediscovered. I believe kindness from Richard inspired me and others with love and hope about life, she added. Fathers tears Hung was unable to fight back tears after getting a message Kilborn passed on from his daughter, reading I want to see you, Dad. I sat silent and tears just kept spilling from my eyes. I had never thought I could one day see the words from my daughter again, Hung said. I met Richard for a very short time and didnt mean my story to be taken seriously. But he enthusiastically found my daughter for me with such scant information. Hung said he left the child to his wifes care in Germany in 2004, when his marriage failed over money matters. Nguyen Manh Hungs daughter is pictured at the age of four in this provided photo. He went back to the fatherland of Vietnam and visited his wifes hometown on the off chance of having news about their daughter. All his nine visits ended up in failure, he said. Hung recalled he summoned up his courage to send a message to the child and felt indescribable bliss when receiving Papa from her. The father and daughter exchange text messages and photos on a daily basis but he believes that is not enough for her to understand the situation that he and his wife have found themselves in. But he said his love for the child would make that possible. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! OPINION: "I am disheartened by our current administrations pattern of blanket giveaways, as opposed to judiciously allocating the funds to where they are most needed," writes Tucsonan John Newport. PHOENIX A former top prosecutor in Phoenix was hired Monday by a health care facility to investigate the circumstances into how a patient in a vegetative state was impregnated in a sexual assault. Police are conducting a separate criminal investigation. Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley said Monday that his review for Hacienda HealthCare will focus on patient-security procedures and management practices to ensure patients don't suffer harm in the future. "They gave me assurances that they wanted to not just find out what happened, but they (also) wanted to correct the situation," he said. The 29-year-old victim has been in incapacitated since age 3 after suffering a near-drowning. She gave birth Dec. 29. The child will be taken in by the mother's family. The sexual assault has triggered not only a police investigation but reviews by state regulatory agencies. Hacienda CEO Bill Timmons resigned a week ago after news surfaced of the sexual assault. A nurse who cared for the victim during her delivery said in a 911 call that she was unaware that the patient was pregnant. Investigators are gathering DNA from all men who worked at the facility. [January 14, 2019] Blackcomb Consultants Elevated to Advantage Tier in Guidewire Software PartnerConnect Program CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackcomb Consultants, an international consulting firm and enterprise technology partner for Property and Casualty insurers, announced that they have been elevated to the Advantage Tier of Guidewire Software's PartnerConnect program. The company continues to be recognized for significant growth in its client base, as well as achieving important quality of service delivery levels. Blackcomb continues to work closely with Guidewire to help provide complimentary offerings and services in key competency areas, such as strategic planning, project management, program management and testing responsibilities for core, data and digital products. Blackcomb is focused on providing P&C carriers with end-to-end Guidewire solutions, in key areas such as Core Systems Implementation, CIO Advisory, Organizational Change Management, Performance Improvement and Hosting. Additionally, interest in the company's more recent service offerings, inclusive of Guidewire Upgrades, Production Support, and Managed Cloud/Hybrid Cloud, continues to be extremely strong. "We're thrilled tat we have been able to achieve this level of recognition, and feel that it reinforces our unique position in the industry, as well as our extremely strong partnership with Guidewire," commented Victor Voss, Managing Partner and Principal Consultant. "We intend to build on our current level of success, and continue to offer the benefits of being a proven, midsized, Guidewire-centric enterprise technology partner for P&C carriers of all sizes." About Blackcomb Founded in 2011, Blackcomb Consultants is an Advantage tier Guidewire PartnerConnect consulting provider focused on providing end-to-end technology advisory, planning and implementation solutions and services to the Property & Casualty Insurance Industry. With offices located in Chicago, Dallas, Bangalore, India, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Blackcomb offers a range of services to support business transformation initiatives for Property and Casualty insurers, regardless of their size or internal capabilities. The company's management team is made up of senior ex-Insurance company technology executives, with unparalleled levels of expertise. Blackcomb's ultimate goal is to offer its clients a perfect fit when it comes to a go-to technology partner, resulting in ideal, long-term relationships. The company is privately held. For more information, please visit www.BlackcombConsultants.com. For inquiries, please contact: Chuck Hirsch Marketing 914-730-9292 Marketing@BlackcombConsultants.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blackcomb-consultants-elevated-to-advantage-tier-in-guidewire-software-partnerconnect-program-300777285.html SOURCE Blackcomb Consultants [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] Even if there are willows, theyre still dependent on the salt cedar or the tamarisk, Silver said. So to denude or kill that tamarisk right now is really putting too much on the flycatcher for them to be able to survive long term. The songbirds which are brownish-gray with white wing stripes and measure about 6 inches from beak to tail are also faithful to their nesting sites, returning year after year. The birds still are listed as endangered. In an email, Beatty said the flycatcher population is measured by territories, which include Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. There are 1,200 to 1,600 territories, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates there will be a breeding pair per territory. The Center for Biological Diversity successfully sued APHIS in 2013. The courts ruling found that APHIS did not comply with the Endangered Species Act in the conservation of an endangered species. APHIS declined to comment for this story, but the agency did provide documents that state the greater than anticipated natural and intentional human-assisted movement of the beetle caused it to spread into flycatcher habitat. As for the future of the flycatcher, Beatty is concerned that habitat loss will have significant impacts. I think were going to have greater booms and busts. ... The status of the population will decline as the beetle expands throughout its range. This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a new multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal. The University of Arizona is poised to bolster Tucsons reputation as the gem-and-mineral capital of the world with its new gem- and-mineral museum with state-of-the-art research facilities and a related gem science track within the geosciences bachelors degree program. For decades, the university has lovingly maintained a mineral museum in the lower floor of the Flandrau Science Center on campus. It is best known by the mineral-collecting community and schoolchildren who tour the facility. But the chance to expand the museum and move into the epicenter of the annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase in an iconic Tucson landmark downtown will rocket the scope and presence of the geosciences department. The UA Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum is slated to open in 2020 in the old Pima County Courthouse. The moniker of gem is being added to the museums name, thanks to a loaned gemstone collection from the Phoenix-based Somewhere In The Rainbow organization. The museums exhibit space will expand from 4,000 to 20,000 square feet, and the facilitys lower floor will house 10,000 square feet of research labs, meeting space and storage. Community gem groups will find space to gather in the facility. Not only did the team develop this system, but they designed it with the end-user in mind, ensuring that the results generated are easy to interpret. The inventors worked with Tech Launch Arizona, the office of the UA that commercializes inventions stemming from university research, to protect the intellectual property and develop their company launch strategy. They licensed the UA technology into their startup Lum.AI in 2016. Throughout that process, they worked with TLAs Kevin McLaughlin, mentor-in-residence and an experienced technology entrepreneur, who eventually accepted the position of CEO with the company. The teams original direction in the cancer space helped them find new clients and opportunities, including support from DARPA and the Melinda Gates Foundation. They have since made the decision to expand into agriculture. In early 2018, we started looking at where the startups were in the human-bio space, says McLaughlin, noting that there are seven times more startups in the human space than the agriculture space. The agriculture companies are really underserved and there is very little investment happening in companies that are making data useful to producers, agronomists and the like. Thats a hole in the market that we saw we could fill. While much of the climate conversation is directed toward the atmosphere and how carbon dioxide is contributing to the heating of the planet, she focuses on the role the oceans play, absorbing 92 percent of the Earths energy imbalance and a quarter of the human-added carbon dioxide. We have to understand the life-support system of our planet. Seventy-one percent of the planet is water. The ocean is our life support system, Russell says. I put my life into this, decades of effort and toil toward one direction to bend the curve. To give people enough certainty to make big changes and a big commitment, she says. The curve shes talking about is reducing carbon dioxide levels being produced by human activity. Scientists already have good atmospheric measurements of CO2, and Russells fleet of robotic floats in the Southern Ocean is contributing to the ocean database. Now whats needed, she says, is better information about wind exchange over the ocean to be able to improve models and predictions about the future impacts of what is happening today in the air, on land and in the seas. To that end, Russell is leading the way on a proposal to NASA to launch a small satellite to get that wind data. Mutations can break something or tinker with it, and not much in between. You never know whats going to be useful, but you do know whats not going to be useful. The tinkering mutations are probably bad but at some point might be useful. The breaking mutations almost never are. I study processes that preview mutations that havent even happened yet but that shape that variation, she says. The classic view of evolution is mutations followed by selection. My interest is pre-adapting selection, which is a form of selection that can come prior to mutation, Masel says. She looks for errors during the expression of genes that can provide a preview of what the future mutations are likely to do. All of this research relies on data lots of it. But scientists trying to amass data is not a 21st century phenomenon. Data is absolutely critical, the same as its always been, she says. The aspiration to collect as much data as possible is not new. We have new technology now for storing and sorting and dealing with it a lot easier. But its not that new. Honors students in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arizona are rewriting the geologic history of the Grand Canyon. The traditional view of the sedimentary layers exposed in the canyon, as originally described by John Wesley Powell, is that they contain sediment shed from rocks exposed nearby. Honors students have been testing this interpretation by using new techniques of geochronology to determine the provenance of zircon crystals in various sedimentary layers. The first step in the process was to collect samples from the various layers. These samples were returned to campus, where the students pulverized them and extracted sub-millimeter-size zircon crystals. The final step was to determine ages of the crystals by excavating microscopic pits into the crystals and analyzing the ejected material with a mass spectrometer. This yielded ages for many different zircon crystals, which could be compared with the ages of rocks in different regions of North America to evaluate provenance. To the great surprise of the geological community, very few of the crystals match the age of rocks in southwestern North America and instead are a good match with the ages of rocks in the Appalachian Mountains. Chris Impey goes for the big numbers when doing science outreach. The astronomy professor works hard to convey the excitement of discovering and understanding the universe. And why not? Astronomy provides good raw material by just looking up. Pretty much everyone has an intuitive sense of what the world of astronomy is about and what the objects of the universe might be like, he says. In addition to his research on distant galaxies and how their big black holes evolve and grow, Impey gives 20 public talks a year to audiences as large as 5,000, from NASA engineers to Circuit Court judges to first-graders. For a decade, he has traveled to India to teach science to Tibetan monks, part of a program started by the Dalai Lama. His teach astronomy website has drawn more than 1.5 million unique visitors. More than 180,000 adults from 160 countries have enrolled in his two Massive Open Online Classes, also known as MOOCs. Hes surveyed more than 15,000 students on their science literacy and attitudes toward science. And he writes books textbooks, trade science books and novels. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to reinstate a 2002 voter-approved amendment to the Arizona Constitution that denied bail to anyone accused of rape. Without comment, the justices let stand a year-old Arizona Supreme Court ruling that the seriousness of the charge, by itself, is insufficient to result in automatic denial of release pending trial. The states high court, in its 4-3 decision, had said the only constitutional way to deny bail is for prosecutors to prove that the defendant in question poses a specific threat, and that there are no conditions of release that can be imposed that would still protect the public. Mondays ruling came despite arguments by Assistant Attorney General Rusty Crandell that the crime of rape is a uniquely horrifying act and there is a frightening and high risk that sex offenders will reoffend. He also said the law in question has procedural safeguards. Those include requiring prosecutors to prove to a judge that the proof is evident or the presumption great that the defendant did, in fact, commit the crime. None of that was sufficient to gather the necessary four votes among the U.S. justices to consider the arguments.. The tension is very high, she said. Fann cited concerns from Pinal County farmers who are likely to bear a big brunt of the cuts in the amount of Colorado River water they receive. And she said homebuilders statewide want to be assured there is water set aside for their new developments. Were all going to have to give up a little bit to make it all work, Fann said, because the alternative is not going to be acceptable. Yuma Democrat Charlene Fernandez, the new House minority leader, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and the potential for all sides to agree. People get angry when you start talking about their water and allocating it, she said. Incoming Senate Minority Leader David Bradley of Tucson suggested it may take a shock to the system to bring all the interests into line. Bradley said when he was in the Navy, stationed in Spain, he brought his family along. A sponsor found a house for them. What he didnt know at the time was that the water ran only four hours a day, meaning they had to fill the tub during operating hours to have enough to last the whole day. Will Shakespeare was in a good mood as the 17th century approached. Thats when he wrote Much Ado About Nothing, which is just pure joy. The comedy is The Rogue Theatres current offering, and director Joseph McGrath embraced that joy with abandon. He infused the production with physical humor, glee and a sort of OK, Will, well do it your way attitude. Productions around the globe have transported Much Ado to such places and times as the Mexican Revolution, a modern-day Sicilian spa and 1930s Manhattan. But The Rogue doesnt fool around with Shakespeares plays the company sets them in the time they were written. Thats fine with us, especially since Cynthia Meier, the companys co-founder with McGrath, seems to love creating doublets and partlets and paying attention to Elizabethan clothing rules: peasants in dull colors and cheaper fabrics; those higher up have rich colors and richer textiles. The costumes were about as much fun as the play. And oh, is this play this production fun. This is a strong ensemble of actors who wrapped their tongues around the language with a deep-seated understanding of Shakespeares rhythm and words. Submit items about charitable donations by local businesses or nonprofits to business@tucson.com; please use Giving Back in the email subject line and include photos in JPEG format. Sign up for a weekly update of business headlines at Tucson.com/business. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has again rejected Tucson-based Asarcos bid to avoid paying millions of dollars in copper-price bonuses to hundreds of workers in Arizona and Texas. The ruling means Asarcos last hope to delay the payments is to win a review of the case by the U.S. Supreme Court, a process that could take several months. The dispute between Asarco and unions led by the United Steelworkers stems from a 2014 ruling by a federal labor arbitrator that Asarco must pay quarterly bonuses based on the price of copper to workers hired after the company ended pension coverage for new workers in mid-2011. The arbitrator ruled that the workers in question were inadvertently excluded from the bonus plan under the companys 2011 labor contract due to a mutual mistake by the company and the unions. Asarco disputed the ruling but lost its case in federal court before appealing to the Ninth Circuit in 2017. A three-judge panel of the appellate court upheld the lower-court ruling in June, but Asarco filed to have the ruling reviewed by a larger, en banc panel of Ninth Circuit judges. This, he noted, was well below the 20 percent deficit facing the Legislature at the start of last years budget session, which saw massive spending cuts. Were not out of the woods yet, said Scott. We have to be careful, but were not facing a disaster. Bebout said in a Monday interview with the Star-Tribune that there were a number of tax reforms on the table this session, as well as some other bills that could help address some of the gap. However, much of the burden would fall on funding for K-12 education. The bigger issue is when you look down the road, in this case four years out, theres a structural deficit, said Bebout. Were trying to get that number as best we can its a guestimate so far but its looking like $400 million over the biennium, and mostly for K-12 education. Though Bebout said the states rainy day funds could cover between six and eight years of funding gaps, thats not the way to run a government he said. For now, the righting of Wyomings finances will come in pieces; even in areas like former Gov. Matt Meads $148 million supplemental budget, whose recommendations are currently being debated in the JAC. CODY (WNE) Yellowstone Regional Airport will have jets Windy City-bound for the first time in two years. YRA board member Bucky Hall made the announcement Wednesday and said United Airlines will operate a once-weekly direct flight to and from Cody to Chicago starting the last week of June until September. The flight service was offered at the airport 2014-2017 and again in 2018, but the service was temporarily discontinued last summer when the airport opted to focus on its Denver flights. This year United will return nonstop service to Chicago OHare International Airport in addition to regularly scheduled Denver flights. To acquire the new flight, Hall said the Cody Yellowstone Air Improvement Resources group will use a sizable portion of $134,000 in eligible funding available through the state-run Air Service Enhancement Program to pay United a minimum revenue guarantee. In addition, United will also add an extra Denver International Airport flight this summer, making for four daily departures and arrivals each day through the carrier and 38 total flights coming and going from the airport weekly. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett discusses the government shutdown, claiming it benefits furloughed workers. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said furloughed federal workers who are not getting paid during the partial government shutdown are "better off" because they didn't have to use vacation days. "Huge share of government workers were going to take vacation days, say between Christmas and New Year's. And then we have a shutdown and so they can't go to work, and so then they have the vacation but they don't have to use their vacation days," Hassett told PBS during an appearance on "NewsHour." On Saturday, the ongoing partial government shutdown broke the record to become the longest government shutdown in US history -- with no end in sight. The shutdown has impacted roughly a quarter of the federal government and hundreds of thousands of federal workers. An estimated 800,000 federal workers have been affected by the lapse in funding -- either by having to work without pay while it lasts or by being furloughed. "And then they come back and then they get their back pay, then they're, in some sense they're better off," Hassett said. Officials at a health care clinic on the Wind River Reservation warned of the effects on native health of a protracted government shutdown, as President Donald Trumps standoff over border wall funding dragged into its fourth week. The effects of the federal government shutdown have ... a very detrimental impact on health care services, said Richard Brannan, the CEO of Wind River Family and Community Health Care. The Northern Arapaho took over the clinic three years ago, Brannan said, but it still receives funding from the federal Indian Health Service, which has largely been shuttered since the government was partially shut down in mid-December. Providers and employees at the clinic are still getting paid, Brannan and clinic spokeswoman Lisa Yawakia said, because of a rainy day fund the clinic had established. But that will not last much longer. If you have no answer for (when) is the funding going to come in, when can I plan for these services, when should I hire somebody, medication, we have to pay for that, thats very expensive ... The biggest problem I see with the shutdown is not knowing what to plan for, Brannan said. It totally brings your operation to almost a standstill. New attempt The legislation is a revived version of a bill introduced in last years budget session. Hastily introduced, that bill failed, but the concept of a statewide lodging tax has been worked throughout the 2018 interim session and has received widespread support from both economic development professionals and members of the lodging industry. The key to the bills support, so far, has been the preservation of the local option lodging tax and the delayed phase-in of the tax. The 2 percent local option would not take effect until the expiration of any existing local lodging tax. In Natrona County, whose voters just passed a 4 percent local lodging tax, that funding will stay the same until the local option tax comes up for a vote again in 2022. That option, according to the new rules, would max out at 2 percent. The changes for local governments, however, will be a net gain. According to testimony from Brook Kaufman, CEO of Visit Casper, Natrona County currently maintains a 9 percent total rate between its sales tax and lodging tax; if the bill were to pass, that number would go up to 12 percent total, closer to the industry average. The federal government has a number of compensation programs for former workers whose sickness today is tied to the Cold War arms race and the atomic bomb studies that fueled the uranium and atomic industries. A number of initiatives have attempted to secure compensation for uranium miners, millers and ore haulers following the 1972 cutoff. There are nearly 30,000 former workers receiving benefits nationally, and more than 300 Wyomingites who have filed claims, Hays Carey said. But every year there are more workers that Hays Carey runs into in Wyoming. She is based in Idaho, but travels to Wyoming for programs such as Wednesdays luncheon in Casper. Many of the workers she meets are aware of the benefits but have been denied. Thats usually what I deal with when I come, she said. They didnt file correctly; they didnt turn in the right information. I love to look at those because it is easy to get the right information. Lying in wait The health concerns tied to exposure to radiation and other toxins can be severe, but they can also lie dormant. People get older, they have health issues and they dont always realize that the root cause could be from their past jobs, Hays Carey said. Wyoming's new governor is busy filling positions across the state as the 2019 Legislative session barrels forward. Mark Gordon will retain Todd Parfitt as director of the Department of Environmental Quality. But retirements such as Pat Tyrell as state engineer will leave a gap. The state engineer has a quiet but significant authority over water in the state, whether used for agriculture or oil and gas drilling. Gordon didn't have much new to say about energy in his State of the State last week, nodding to the importance and challenge of coal, the need for new technology and streamlined regulatory environment. Of the latter, Gordon pressed the efficiencies that could come of a new Energy Office -- an agency that can consolidate roles that are now spread across separate agencies. Gordon's interaction with the oil and gas industry may be clearer when he begins attending the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which he has promised to do. Dot journaling meet-up Moving into a new Dot Journal is a great time to reflect on your system. Its a time to take note of what has worked well in your current notebook, what things you want to let go of, and what new things you want to try. Take a deeper look into these questions and brainstorm the layout of your new Dot Journal for the new year at the Natrona County Librarys monthly Dot Journaling Meet-Up from 6 to 7 p.m. Please bring your own journal or notebook. All other supplies provided at no cost. Call 577-7323 for more information. Grief Share begins Grief Share is a support group to support and encourage you during your grief journey. The group meets weekly at Highland Park Community Church, 5725 Highland Dr., starting at 6:30 p.m., Rm. 1335. There is a $15 fee for the book. For more information please call Vickie Obermueller at 262-8024 or The Healing Place at 265-3977. After the funeral, when the cards and flowers stop coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you feel alone. Bhuj (Gujarat): In the land of contrasts that Kutch is, winter is the lean feeding season for its unique breed of Kharai camels. These camels, unlike the kind most of us are familiar with, are typically dependent on the mangroves for their food, and during monsoons, they swim to the mangrove islands in hordes and stay there for days altogether. The sight of swimming camels, as one can imagine, is spectacular, but faced with challenges such as rapid industrialisation in the coastal areas, and mangrove destruction, their population is dwindling, making it a threatened breed. The Kharai camels are held with respect by the Rabari and Jat communities - the two tribes which own and handle the animals - and until a few years ago they did not even sell its milk or wool. For income, they depend on selling the male camels to traders who used them for transportation. With the advent of small commercial vehicles that can go deep into small towns and villages, camels are not used as much - one of the many reasons why these tribes are struggling socio-economically today. The biggest reason, however, is restricted access to the mangrove islands, or Bets as they are called locally, and mangrove destruction. For eight months in a year, the Kharai camels are completely dependent on the mangrove islands, spending weeks together on these masses. They eat the saline plants and the mangrove species and drink rainwater accumulated in depressions on these islands. During winter, their handlers from the Jat community - Rabaris are typically the owners - graze them on the dry land. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake saw massive devastation in Kutch, and as re-building efforts gained tempo, there began steady industrialisation along the coastline. There was a spurt of salt and cement factories. Mahendra Bhanani of Sahjeevan, an NGO that has been working on the welfare of pastoralists and the Kharai camel for years now, said that industries typically block the natural creek in an area and create bunds that do not allow the natural tidal water to come in. This dries up the mangroves, and once that happens, it's easier for heavy machinery to uproot them so that creation of saltpans is easier. Jetties do the same, blocking the water route of the camels permanently. G A Thivakaran, chief principal scientist and head of the Coastal and Marine Ecology Division of the Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, said that, in Kutch, mangroves are predominantly distributed in three coastal stretches - Jakhau-Kori, Mundra and Kandla-Surajbari. "Ironically, in all these places industries are being aggressively developed. The general impact of coastal industries on mangroves is habitat fragmentation, closing feeding creek systems, shipping which cause gradual degradation, changes in water hydraulics due to dredging and other landform modifications," he said. Besides these, other factors such as obstruction of near-shore currents, increased sediment load in the water column, and physical destruction means that "coastal industries are generally detrimental to mangroves". The effect of such industrialisation on the Kharai camel has been grave. In Tunda vandh, a coastal village in Mundra, there was a time when almost every family owned Kharai camels. Dominated by the Rabari tribe, the residents remember instances when, during high tide, the sea water would flow into the boundary of their homes. However, with two power plants coming up on either side, its access to the waters was cut off by a canal and conveyor belts built by the companies running the power plants. As a result, the handlers had to walk the camels a much longer distance around in order to reach the sea. Some breeders gave up, while others moved away from the village. So from around 2,500 camels about a decade back, less than 200 remain in the village today. According to a survey carried out by Sahjeevan, Kutch had 2,200 Kharai camels five years ago. In 2018, the number dwindled to 1,800. Gujarat, as a whole, has about 4,500 Kharai camels left. The immediate question looming over the pastoral communities and their camels is of sustenance and for this, organisations like Sahjeevan have been lobbying hard at different levels. The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) declared the Kharai camel a separate breed only recently, in 2015. This, say experts, gives a boost to research on this unique animal that exists comfortably in dryland and coastal ecosystem. Declaring it 'threatened' also means more efforts are now made for its protection. In 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also put camel milk on its list of animal products that can be marketed for human consumption. This was good news for the Kharai camel breeders, but Usman, an owner, said that the market for camel milk is still poor. "People prefer cow's milk or buffalo milk because it has more fat content. A camel gives only about two litres of milk a day, and people pay only Rs 15-20 per litre," he said. This scenario, said Bhanani, will change soon when Amul, a prominent milk brand, among others, goes to the market in early 2019 with camel milk. It is slated to be sold for Rs 51 per litre. "Camel milk is said to have therapeutic properties. It is good for diabetic patients. Once milk companies start sourcing camel milk from the breeders -- including the Kharai camel breeders -- it will improve their socio-economic condition," Bhanani said. Marketing Kharai camel wool products is another income-generating activity the NGO is working on with the communities. For the "ship of the desert", or in this case, "and of the sea", all hope is not lost yet. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday accused Yemen's rebels of failing to comply with a ceasefire agreement for the flashpoint city of Hodeida reached at UN-sponsored talks in Sweden. "The work that was done in Sweden on Yemen was good, but both sides (need) to honour those commitments," Pompeo said in Riyadh following talks with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Today, the Iranian-backed Huthis have chosen not to do that." The US embassy in Riyadh said Monday that Pompeo and Prince Mohammed "agreed on (the) need for continued de-escalation and adherence to (the) Sweden agreements", especially the ceasefire in the lifeline port city of Hodeida. "A comprehensive political solution is only way to the end the conflict," the embassy tweeted. Pompeo's visit to Riyadh comes as US President Donald Trump faces Congressional pressure to end logistical support to Saudi Arabia, which is leading a military coalition in Yemen on the side of the government. The rebel-held port city -- through which more than 80 percent of imports and humanitarian aid pass -- was for months the main front line in the Yemeni conflict after government forces launched an offensive to capture it in June. The United Nations has said the Hodeida truce has largely held since it came into force on December 18 but there have been delays in the agreed pullback of rebel and government forces. The Huthis control most of Hodeida while government forces are deployed on its southern and eastern outskirts. Since the Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the government in March 2015, the conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people and unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations. 1195 companies closed their doors in 2018 - a 28% increase in comparison to the previous year. "We need better preventative measures to avoid companies declaring bankruptcy", a speaker for the Chamber of Commerce said after the rising number of bankruptcies in 2018 was published last week. According to Tom Baumert of the House of Entrepreneurship, one of the main reasons behind the hike in bankruptcies lies in the fact that more and more companies are being founded in Luxembourg. Bankruptcy data for the year 2018 shows, that small companies (5 employees or fewer) struggle the most. The Chamber of Commerce would like to make it easier for failed business owners to get a second chance and try again. Compared to several other EU countries, it is currently relatively hard to start a new enterprise after having declared a bankruptcy in Luxembourg. Comprehensive reform The Chamber of Commerce has demanded comprehensive bankruptcy reform for several years already. Any new laws would also need to find a better solution to avoiding bankruptcy in the first place. If Luxembourg really wants to market itself as a start-up nation, then the country should not be so reticent in giving second or even third chances, Baumert suggested. One famous example: Max Levchin, the founder of Paypal had to declare bankruptcy four times before eventually founding his successful online payment system in 1998. 17 years into the venture, Paypal was worth more than the Deutsche Bank. According to the Chamber of Commerce, bankruptcy laws are in dire need of reform and modernisation. While a draft law has been ready to go for a while now, the Chamber of Commerce is not satisfied with its content since bankruptcy prevention does not take the central role it should in the Chamber's eyes. To fill this apparent void, the Chamber of Commerce created a new initiative in 2018, modelled off a similar programme in Belgium, with the goal of preventing bankruptcies. Luxembourg Minister of Finance will hold speech in before the Asian Finance Forum in Hong Kong, amongst other things. With the goal of strengthening ties between Luxembourg and Hong Kong, other meetings with high-ranking political representatives have also been scheduled. Pierre Gramegna will meet with the Chinese Minister of Finance and representatives from the FinTech sector. In Tokyo, Gramegna will meet with the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister, the Japanese Minister of Finance and representatives from the insurance sector. Luxembourg's Minister of Finance will also give a talk to mark the beginning of the "Asia Roadshow 2019", a series of seminars organised by the Luxembourg funds industry (ALFI) in Hong Kong and in Tokyo. Part of the government's plan VIGILNAT, a major anti-terror exercise took place in Belval on Saturday morning. Here are some images of the large-scale exercise, which involved nearly 1,200 people, including police officers, emergency services workers, and extras in the area around Rockhal and at the Emile Mayrisch hospital. Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Henri Schwirtz Christophe Hochard (RTL) Christophe Hochard (RTL) Henri Schwirtz Ekipp aus dem CHEM vun Esch / Max Hesse The public was advised that even though gunshots and explosions could be heard, there was no danger to the public at any point. Haut Commissariat a la protection nationale du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg The (fictional) story behind the drill? Five terrorists launched an attack during a concert at Rockhal. One of them blew himself up while his accomplices opened fire in the concert hall. The exercise thus certainly revived painful memories of the 2015 Paris attacks but authorities hope that it will prove useful in the event of real emergency situation in Luxembourg. Apart from special police forces, medical staff at CHEM hospital also participated in the exercise and rushed the victims with life-threatening injuries to the operating theatre as quickly as possible. #exerciceVigilnat OPGEPASST! Haut gett an der Rockhal zu Esch/Alzette eng terroristesch Attack simuleiert. Et handelt sech nemmen em eng Ubung a stellt kee Risiko fir dBevelkerung duer. @CGDISlux https://t.co/Rom0VM1IHI pic.twitter.com/RIs3lldBIz Police Luxembourg (@PoliceLux) January 12, 2019 SUMMER SPECIAL!!! - Sign up at 20% OFF for Full Access to all of the online content and E-Editions on the www.thewordlink.com website here! (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Importantly, and as SCHA notes, cost is not all of the value equation. That's why more than a decade ago the SCHA partnered with the Wisconsin Hospital Association to launch My SC Hospital, a website found at www.myschospital.org that shares reliable information about the quality and safety of care provided by South Carolina hospitals. Crucial comparable information for Americans on Medicare can also found at www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare. In Orangeburg, the Regional Medical Center has voluntarily participated in South Carolina PricePoint. And the public hospital owned by Orangeburg and Calhoun counties has taken the comparative process a step further with its own way of providing estimated hospital costs to individuals upon request before services are provided. Individuals can call the RMC Price Line to speak to a representative, who will collect information about the service requested, the individuals health insurance carrier, deductible and other information to estimate how much the individual will be responsible for paying. The RMC Price Line number is 803-395-3000 -- toll free in South Carolina at 800-476-3377, ext. 3000. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] Israeli attacks on Damascus airport, civilian killed in the Idleb de-escalation zone and residents of the Tadamon neighborhood refused the right to return. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend. 1. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel conducted an airstrike against Iranian targets in Syria over the weekend, which he said destroyed a number of weapon caches at Damascus airport. The Times of Israel quoted Netanyahu as saying, The Israel Defense Forces has attacked hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets. In the past 36 hours, the airforce attacked Iranian depots full of weapons at Damascus International Airport. Syrias Foreign Ministry stressed that the Israeli aggression against Syria comes as part of the ongoing Israeli attempts to prolong the crisis in Syria and the terrorist war, and demanded that the Security Council to take prompt action to prevent the recurrence of such attacks. In two letters addressed to UN Secretary General and Chief of the Security Council on Saturday, and published by SANA, the Ministry said that the Israeli occupation authorities, on the evening of Jan. 11, 2019, targeted a number of sites in the vicinity of Damascus and its countryside with missiles launched by Israeli warplanes, in a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 350 of 1974 on the Agreement on Disengagement of Forces between the two sides. 2. On Sunday, at least one civilian was killed in attacks launched by the Syrian regime and pro-regime terrorist groups in Syrias northwestern Idleb de-escalation zone. The Anadolu News Agency reported that the Syrian regime and Iranian-backed terrorist groups have been firing artillery into villages that are situated inside the de-escalation zone, the parameters of which were laid down in a recent agreement between Turkey and Russia. 3. The Syrian regime ordered the residents of the Tadamon neighborhood, south of Damascus, who were forced to leave their homes, to present a copy of a certified title deed by the financial or the governments Real Estate directorate, to be allowed to return their homes, pro-regime source said. Zaman Al Wasl quoted a Tadamon resident as saying that most of the residents of Tadamon can not provide the documents requested by the regime for many reasons including: the loss of most of the documents and official papers held by the residents or the burning of them by military operations in the area over the past seven years. The regime is deliberately neglecting public services in Tadamon, which has led to a critical shortage thats combined with a desperate need for drinking water and electricity. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The Syrian Foreign Ministry is trying to pressure to foreign governments in to reopening their embassies in the capital Damascus reports Asharq al-Awsat. The Syrian Foreign Ministry surprised a number of foreign diplomats residing in Beirut with the decision to revoke their residency to pressure their governments to reopen their embassies in the Syrian capital. At the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, Western countries decided to close their embassies in Damascus, except for the Czech Republic, which maintained diplomatic relations at the level of ambassador and was the caretaker of Americas interests. Some diplomats were stationed in Beirut while others operated their Syria work from Istanbul or Amman. Gradually, some Western diplomats began to visit Damascus, depending on the general political mood and the security situation in the city. They maintained their diplomatic residence in the Syrian capital. During the intermittent visits, meetings were limited, with low-level public political meetings or secret visits, including cautious political meetings with the Director of Europes Department of Foreign Affairs. However, the Foreign Ministry informed diplomats residing in Beirut that their permits had been revoked, except for Norway, Spain and Japan. Diplomats said the decision was aimed at pressing for the reopening of embassies and diplomatic relations with Syria. Some diplomats say this could affect UN aid to Syria, especially as some countries have recently begun to show flexibility, including contributing to humanitarian infrastructure. As this was happening, the Italian Foreign its announced Sunday that it is considering reopening their embassy in Damascus. Relations between the security services continued between Damascus and some countries. The head of the National Security Office, Major General Ali Mamluk, visited Rome and held talks in the Prime Ministers Office. Additionly, businessman Khalid al-Ahmad made public visits to a number of European and Arab capitals as an envoy of Bashar al-Assad. London has denied reports of its intention to open its embassy in Damascus, while the British-Syrian Association, which includes independent personalities, has decided to hold its conference in Damascus in the coming weeks. 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. The airlines have asked to inspect the technical state of the airport in preparation of resuming flight reports Enab Baladi. Three Gulf airlines have surveyed Damascus International Airport with the aim of restarting flights, according to Syrian Arab Airlines. The Bahraini Gulf Air company and the Emirati Etihad have submitted a request to view the technical state of the airport, with the aim of restoring flights to Damascus. The Emirati Al-Bayan newspaper reported on Nov. 30, 2018, that the General Director of the General Civil Aviation Authority, Saif al-Suwaidi, said that the authority is currently working on evaluating the situation at Damascus International Airport with a specialized committee. Air traffic in Syria, whether in terms of domestic or international flights, has declined since the start of the 2011 revolution, after a large number of countries suspended their relations with the Syrian regime and its institutions, as well as the European and American sanctions imposed on the government. The news from the Gulf has coincided with developments regarding relations between Arab states and the Syrian regime, which started with the visit by the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, during the middle of last month. At the end of December, both Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates reopened their embassies in Damascus, after a years-long diplomatic rupture with the Syrian regime. 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. At a speech at the American University of Cairo, the Secretary of State spoke about the fight against radical Islam and the struggle to expel Iran from Syria writes The US State Department. We grossly underestimated the tenacity and viciousness of radical Islamism, a debauched strain of the faith that seeks to upend every other form of worship or governance. ISIS drove to the outskirts of Baghdad as America hesitated. They raped and pillaged and murdered tens of thousands of innocents. They birthed a caliphate across Syria and Iraq and launched terror attacks that killed all across continents. Americas reluctance, our reluctance, to wield our influence kept us silent as the people of Iran rose up against the mullahs in Tehran in the Green Revolution. The ayatollahs and their henchmen murdered, jailed, and intimidated freedom-loving Iranians, and they wrongly blamed America for this unrest when it was their own tyranny that had fueled it. Emboldened, the regime spread its cancerous influence to Yemen, to Iraq, to Syria, and still further into Lebanon. Our penchant, Americas penchant, for wishful thinking led us to look the other way as Hizballah, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Iranian regime, accumulated a massive arsenal of approximately 130,000 rockets and missiles. They stored and positioned these weapons in Lebanese towns and villages in flagrant violation of international law. That arsenal is aimed squarely at our ally Israel. When Bashar Assad unleashed terror upon ordinary Syrians and barrel-bombed civilians with sarin gas, a true echo of Saddam Husseins gassing of the Kurdish people, we condemned his actions. But in our hesitation to wield power, we did nothing. In that same spirit, just last year, America bolstered a coalition of allies and partners to dismantle the Islamic States caliphate, liberating Iraqis, Syrians, Arabs and Kurds, Muslims and Christians, men, women, and children. President Trump empowered our commanders in the field to strike ISIS quicker and harder than ever before. And now 99 percent of the territory ISIS once held is liberated. Life is returning to normal for millions of Iraqis and Syrians. Nations in the global coalition should all be enormously proud of this achievement. Together we have saved thousands of lives. Our allies and partners have helped greatly in the counter-ISIS effort. France and Britain joined our strikes on Syria and have supported our anti-terror effort around the world. Jordan and Turkey have hosted millions of Syrians fleeing violence. Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries have generously contributed towards stabilization efforts. We thank all of them for their help, and we urge them to continue. The United States has also helped liberated areas as an important means of preventing the caliphate from re-emerging. We have provided $2.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to Iraq since 2014, and our churches and non-profits do good work there every day as well. We and our allies generated nearly 30 billion in grants and financing support to aid Iraqs reconstruction during the Kuwait Reconstruction Conference just this past year. Let me be clear: America will not retreat until the terror fight is over. We will labor tirelessly alongside you to defeat ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other jihadists that threaten our security and yours. President Trump has made the decision to bring our troops home from Syria. We always do and now is the time, but this isnt a change of mission. We remain committed to the complete dismantling of ISIS the ISIS threat and the ongoing fight against radical Islamism in all of its forms. But as President Trump has said, were looking to our partners to do more, and in this effort we will do so going forward together. For our part, airstrikes in the region will continue as targets arise. We will keep working with our partners in the Coalition to Defeat ISIS. We will continue to hunt down terrorists who seek safe havens in Libya and in Yemen. We strongly support Egypts efforts to destroy ISIS in the Sinai. We strongly support Israels efforts to stop Tehran from turning Syria into the next Lebanon. In Syria, the United States will use diplomacy and work with our partners to expel every last Iranian boot, and work through the UN-led process to bring peace and stability to the long-suffering Syrian people. There will be no U.S. reconstruction assistance for areas of Syria held by Assad until Iran and its proxy forces withdraw and until we see irreversible progress towards a political resolution. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The announced withdrawal of US forces from Syria created a state of confusion on the ground, with few details revealed about how the withdrawal would work writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed. The US military has started moving non-essential equipment out of Syria but it is not withdrawing troops for now, a defense official said on Friday as the Pentagon sought to clarify an earlier statement. We are not withdrawing troops at this stage, the official said on condition of anonymity. A second US defense official said the military had conducted a number of preparations for a deliberate withdrawal. That includes planning for the moving of people and equipment, preparation of facilities to accept retrograde equipment, the official said, noting that no troops had been withdrawn yet. The Pentagon stressed it would not telegraph its troop movements or give timelines for when they may leave Syria US military spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan had earlier said the US had begun the process of our deliberate withdrawal from Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had also reported that the coalition had started scaling down its presence at Rmeilan airfield in the Hasakeh province of northeastern Syria. On Thursday, some American forces withdrew from the Rmeilan military base, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring organisation. He said some 150 US troops, around 10 armoured vehicles and some heavy equipment had left the base. President Donald Trump last month claimed the Islamic State group had been defeated and said US troops would return home now. Amnesty International said earlier that any US troop withdrawal should not erase the coalitions responsibility towards Raqqas civilians following a devastating anti-IS offensive to recapture the city. It is deplorable that the US-led Coalition continues to ignore its responsibility of carrying out any meaningful investigations into the hundreds of civilian deaths it caused in Raqqa and elsewhere even as it starts to withdraw its ground troops from Syria, the group said. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. As the conflict in Syria looks to be heading into the final act, regional powers are seeking to understand what the Syria of the future holds for them and how they can use Assad writes Al-Modon. It goes without saying that the visions on the table for Syrias future do not take into account the aspirations of Syrians themselves. Even if we take into account Syrias divisions, the visions that have been put forward are not concerned with reaching a settlement that ensures the interests of Syrias major groups. According to these criteria, retaining Bashar al-Assad, even if it satisfies the desire of his supporters, are only part of foreign calculations and will not be in the interests of the supportersif we assume, incorrectly, that Assad himself cares about them. Syrians have been effectively expelled from the arena by the confiscation of the project for change and by relentlessly seizing them and transforming them into proxies in an international and regional conflict. If the Assad complex appeared in the first years of the conflict, this was resolved with the beginning of the Russian intervention, although on the basis of taking his strength to the benefit of his allies and confiscating his decision-making ability to the extent that it became common for him to implement decisions originating from Moscow or Tehran. What all the conflicting scenarios put forward agree upon is that Assad will stay, after removing his claws, and that he will be able to take control over all Syria. The Russian scenario aspires to restore and develop the previous Iranian vision, in which the structure of the security statethe army and the intelligence agenciesremain within a central grip, with this grip under Russian control. Meanwhile, reforms could be made on the civilian side in terms of developing the concept of local administrations, as well as in terms of acknowledging the cultural and religious rights of some communities. This would include, for example, satisfying the Kurds, but also includes satisfying some Islamist groups by granting them benefits in some areas. It would also entrench the principle of all parties participating in the central government, which would remain weak as long as it was stripped of the power of overseeing the army and intelligence agencies. A good Assad, from the viewpoint of the Gulf countries, is one outside Iranian influence, a view which is broadly supportive of the Russian vision, with the exception of granting gains to the Islamist movements. The reports leaked about the positions of these countries also includes keeping Assad away from a possible deal with Ankarathat is, to be satisfied with Russian guardianship who will keep Ankara away peacefully or by forcein exchange for the carrot of reconstruction, which nothing will ensure except Gulf funding. Realistically, the good Assad, from the same point of view, is the pre-2011 Assad that is, before he called on the Iranians for help and fell under their direct grip, despite the presence of Iranian influence during this stage. The basic governing idea is to erase the effects of eight years of conflict, as if there had never been a revolution in the first place. There are no other demands from Assad, except those he himself prefers to accept, such as involving people from the opposition in government while retaining total control over security. The Gulf states, which have begun a rapprochement with Assad, are counting on his overwhelming appetite for reconstruction funding, which they know will end up like the aid they gave him and his father before him. The basic understanding behind this so-called reconstruction is that it will be used to buy loyalty of those known for their corruption, in the hopes that when his need to rely on Shia militias ends, this will close the horizons for him benefiting from the weak Iranian economy, as had been the case during the military conflict. Americas good Assad, or rather Trumps, is no different, than the Gulf vision, except for the traditional American focus on Israeli interests. Washington wants Assad to stay, but outside of the Iranian umbrella, as well as with Turkish influence curbed as much as possible. There are no special calculations for Washington in Syria, no requirements from them on the shape of the coming government, and no special desire in order to rehabilitate Assad abroad, based on the beautification of his regimeit does not want anything from him except the traditional intelligence relationship, which may not have ended, during his dual involvement in the terrorism issue. In terms of Israel, the warm relationship between Tel Aviv and Moscow allows Washington to relax its burden, and its most important objective is to curb Hezbollah, who have been exhausted by their war in Syria. There is a good Assad for Turkey too, although they would prefer him to go, and may hope that Putin will force him to do so later. The Turkish obsession revolves around the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which it considers terrorists. Thus it revolves around the Syrian Kurds failing to benefit from any change, in the same way Iraqs Kurdistan region did after the American intervention. What Ankara wants from Assad is to allow it to move freely against the Syrian wing of the Kurdish party, as it moved freely in the last years of Saddam Husseins reign, or to close this matter, which it contributed to developing in the first place and then enabled after the revolution to put pressure on Turkey. To a lesser extent, Erdogans government wants to renew its old project of reconciliation between Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood, on the basis of the Brotherhood participating in power. It believes that it can barter with two cards: The rebel groups under its control which it has turned from fighting Assad to fighting the Kurds; and the matter of the refugees, of whom it hosts a huge number. What these parties have all agreed upon is that they prefer stability to change. We should remember the question of the alternative to Assad, which was still put forward here and there, until the idea was objectively eliminated by those asking the question. If we leave aside questions of morality and justice, we will not find an objective alternative to Assad. The basis today is for a stage of the conflict for influence or the division of it which requires clearing it of the will of Syrians and requires the presence of a local proxies to terrorize Syrians and to suppress their will with minimal participation by small proxies of regional powers such as the Gulf and Turkey. But the failure may not be the fate of Syrians alone. If we look east and west, to the experiences of Lebanon and Iraq, we will see that the outside has been unable to achieve the stability it desired, despite abundant influence in both cases. So how will the Syrian case be, with an unprecedented abundance of crime? 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. A freak accident, a grieving 11-year-old, and a thoughtful Standardbred racehorse owner have combined to produce a touching story that showcases how retired harness horses can play important roles beyond their racing days. An article by The Plain Dealer explains that in the summer of 2018, an 11-year-old Ohio girl by the name of Lindsay Whitmore was at a riding competition with her mare when disaster struck. The mare, Hallelujah Honey, was standing with Whitmore when a horse beside them kicked out unexpectedly. The kick shattered one of Hallelujah Honeys legs. Hallelujah Honey had been more than just another horse to Whitmore, as the youngster had previously helped nurture the mare back to good health. The process had forged a strong bond between the two, and they had gone on to love their time together, both in the barn and out and about at competitions. Although she had nursed Honey back to health in the past, Whitmore was unable to help her equine friend this time around. We had to let her go, Whitmore, with tremendous composure for an 11-year-old, explained to The Plain Dealer. Honey was humanely euthanized at the arena later that day. Whitmore was crushed, and understandably so. News of the incident made its way through various equine circles in the state. The news made its way to the ears of Mario Caponi, who races stock at the local Northfield Park. The way in which the incident played out breeds compassion how couldnt it? That compassion was not lost on Caponi, who, as it turned out, was in a position to make a positive impact to the storyline. Hello Carlo, one of Caponis veteran Standardbreds, competed in his last-ever race on October 4. The gelded son of Carry The Message had left it all on the track after 377 career starts for Caponi. The thrifty $2,900 purchase battled his way to no less than 70 wins, 157 on-the-board finishes, and $348,363 in purse earnings. The Larry Clabaugh trainee had earned his retirement. Caponi wasnt just going to give his battle-tested friend to anyone, though. He arranged for Whitmore to meet Hello Carlo. The proud owner wanted to see how his equine friend would hit it off with the youngster. Caponi also wanted to make sure that the youngster was the right fit for Hello Carlo, who more than deserved the right match. It was really like a job interview, admitted Caponi, while in discussion with veteran racing writer Bob Roberts, who penned the touching piece for The Plain Dealer. Its safe to say that Whitmore got the job so to speak, as Caponi arranged to have Hello Carlo dropped off to Larrys Riding Stables a short time after the meeting. If all goes according to plan, Whitmore and Hello Carlo could be strutting their stuff at a local county fair next July, right around Caponis birthday. To read Roberts piece, click here. (With files from The Plain Dealer) Rita Ora helps Slovak police protect raptors Although this dog cannot sing Poison, it can detect it. A Standard Schnauzer named Rita Ora has joined the Slovak police to help save raptors. "We regard the killing of animals, using poisoned bait, as one of the most serious forms of environmental crime," said Mario Kern, head of the department of detection of dangerous substances and environmental crime, as quoted on the Interior Ministry's website. The dog, which has been trained to find chemical substances used for the production of poisons, is the first specially trained dog in this area within the police, the ministry informed. Read also: Poison that killed birds of prey found in hunters house Read more A German Shepherd called Nero will join Rita Ora soon. 71 poisoned birds of prey Although Rita Ora, named after the successful British artist, cannot sing the famous song Poison, she can search for poisoned bait such as meat and help to save raptors in Slovakia. "We are convinced we will be able to reduce bird crime to the lowest possible level with the help of these dogs," said Jozef Chavko, head of the Raptor Protection Slovakia organisation, as quoted on the website. To make bait, poisoners usually use carbofuran, which has been prohibited in the European Union since 2008 as it can also kill a human being. "Last year, a total of 71 raptors were poisoned, including rare species two royal eagles and nine white-tailed sea eagles," Chavko added. The total social value of poisoned birds of prey is 136,740. Raptor Protection Slovakia bought the Standard Schnauzer for the Interior Ministry from the Czech Republic. 14. Jan 2019 at 13:49 | Compiled by Spectator staff The Indo-Asian News Service or IANS, my professional home for nearly two decades until 1997 and India's largest independent wire, is a place I return to on a fairly regular basis whenever I have something to report or opine on. The wire has a remarkable South Asian and global reach. I did a quick opinion piece yesterday which is already out on several media outlets worldwide barely hours later. By Mayank Chhaya, Indo-Asian News Service Even by the standards of the malignancies that surround President Donald Trump personally, the one reported by The New York Times on January 11 was stunning in its implication. The Times reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had opened a counterintelligence investigation to ascertain if the president was a Russian agent in the aftermath of him firing the agencys director James Comey on May 9, 2017. Given the frenzy of daily newsbreaks about this president, anyone of which would have long unseated any other incumbent, damning news stories just slide by. However, this particular one has been so extraordinary that it may yet foreshadow what a likely report by the special counsel Robert Mueller, who is examining the very aspects of Trump and/or his campaigns alleged dalliances with Russias President Vladimir Putin, could eventually reveal. Think of it as Indias Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opening an investigation into whether the countrys prime minister is working on behalf of Pakistan. A lot of people may not even be able to process the devastating import of a US president suspected of being a Russian agent but that is precisely what the FBI wanted to find out. Counterintelligence officials within the FBI are particularly serious-minded and they embark on any investigation with great deliberation. To think that they would be so alarmed as to suspect no less a person than the sitting US president is unprecedented. Within the investigation was the apprehension that Trump is a possible threat to national security. Trump himself has described the Times report as the most insulting thing anyone has said about him but has not explicitly denied it. Any denial, of course, would be superfluous in the sense that even if he were wittingly, unwittingly or half-wittingly, as the famous journalist Carl Bernstein described it, acting as Russias pawn he was unlikely to admit to it. The point here though is much larger. The very initiation of such an investigation underscores the depths to which Americas national concerns have fallen since the emergence of Trump on the political stage. It is conceivable that some of Trump supporters may cite the investigation as the ultimate proof of a deep state striking back and trying to upend the popular electoral will in electing Trump. However, the FBIs counterintelligence is not known to embark on any action lightly at all and without very serious intimations of a national security threat. As the Times story pointed out, No evidence has emerged publicly that Mr. Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian government officials. However, emerged publicly is the operative part of that sentence. It could well turn out that the FBI overreached in its concern about the president but that is still not conclusive since Mueller is yet to issue a report of his findings. Counterintelligence investigations are by their very nature often open-ended and not conclusive in the traditional sense of criminal investigations. They can begin and end equally quietly without the public finding out the specifics. It is that aspect of such an investigation that opens the FBI to Trumps oft-repeated charge of a deep state working against him. Of course, it is a politically expedient refrain that Trump knows helps him with his political base that has so far bought everything he has sold them. It is hard to say what, if anything, the investigation found that might indict or exonerate the president. It may never be found in explicit terms or, for that matter, any terms. It may or may not buttress the Mueller inquiry. It is that uncertainty that makes it vulnerable to Trumps political grandstanding as he prepares for the 2020 presidential election. By his voluble standards, the president has so far been quiet on social media about the Times report. However, it is unlikely that privately his team of lawyers has not been startled by it. Trump phoned in to Fox News where the host Jeanine Pirro, known to be unabashedly pro-president, asked him directly, albeit in a decidedly mocking tone, "Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia?" He said It's the most insulting thing Ive ever been asked but did not categorically deny it. It almost seemed staged that Pirro would ask and he would respond the way he did. It is a measure of how benumbed the national mood has become because of the relentless parade of seriously upending news stories since he became president that even a question like that is unlikely to do any real political damage to him right now. It is only when Mueller issues his report and its entire content is made public will America and the world know whether the stories are malignant or benign. --Indo-Asian News Service On Jan. 15, 2009, the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 experienced a never-in-a-lifetime event. Just 98 seconds after takeoff, some Canada geese found their way into the airplanes two engines and brought them to a grinding halt. Over the next three and a half minutes, the crew managed to identify the problem, decide what to do about it, and execute what a former National Transportation Safety Board member called the most successful ditching in aviation history. How did the crew begin this historic performance? By uttering the same two words that most everyone comes up with in a moment of crisis: Oh shit. Advertisement We all experience oh shit moments. Running into the person you canceled a date withwhile youre on another date. Realizing you just hit reply all on an email that youd do anything to have back. Noticing that your house is on firewhich happens to 1 in 4 people during their lifetime. Earthquakes, medical emergencieswhatever the situation, the first thing youre probably going to do is freak out. Everybody does. What really matters is what you do next. And while many of us like to think that were cool in a crisis, science tells us that were seldom as good as we think. But with a little effort, anyone can learn a few simple tricks that can make the difference between looking like a hero or ending up as a statistic. Calm the F-ck Down In a classic experiment, two psychologists demonstrated how being amped up can be a good thing but that being freaked out is not. The natural human reactions we call startle, surprise, and stress can incapacitate us. At the moment that we need to be keenly aware of our surroundings, our attention can tunnel in on the scariest thing in the scene, leaving us oblivious to the other sights, sounds, and even smells around us. Countless armed robbers have gone unidentified when eyewitnesses could remember little more than the gun he was holding. Our ability to remember the things we do notice also becomes compromised. We can be told something, and two seconds later well forget. Our hands tremble, and we jump to conclusions. When were freaked out, were anything but at our best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news is that these normal human reactions can be rapidly reversed. With the right moves, you can go back to being an impressive approximation of your relaxed self. Firefighters, Navy SEALs, and snipers are taught breathing techniques that can quickly bring down your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, and help rein in your sympathetic nervous system. Box breathing, belly breathing, hum breathingyou can learn these techniques in minutes and recall them with occasional practice. Identify the Problem Once you calm down, youll encounter the most underrecognized and routinely ignored challenge of any crisis situation: accurately identifying what all the fuss is really about. Each year, medical first responders are tackled after being mistaken for muggers. Police officers shoot the good guy with the gun. Drivers mention the firearms and drugs in their car when the officer only wanted to talk about their missing front license plate. People are electrocuted after trying to put out an electrical fire by throwing water on it. Advertisement Unless we regularly practice what hardly ever happens, our ability to respond to it when it does happen tends to slip away. Why are we so apt to misdiagnose problems during moments of crisis? Because for some unknown reason, we dont practice it. While most organizations conduct emergency drills, the name and a brief description of the emergency is invariably provided in advance. The problem with that approach is, in the real world, situations such as electrical fires dont introduce themselves and explain that theyre totally into water but that turn-offs include power outages and Class C fire extinguishers. Identifying the specific kind of emergency youre dealing with is often the hardest part of the problem. Yet few organizations practice recognizing and identifying emergencies as a separate skill, and aviation is no exception. In a study I did at NASA, pilots performed expertly when emergencies were presented in scripted fashion but sometimes balked when they appeared at unannounced times and in unfamiliar ways. Advertisement Advertisement In 2009, it took the US Airways crew just three seconds to realize that a flock of geese had knocked out both engines of a passenger airliner for the first time in commercial aviation history. If you want to get good at this step of the crisis management process, practice recognizing and verbally identifying abnormal situations in many forms, because in the real world, they can look wildly different. Decide What to Do Once you recognize whats going on, your next step is to decide what to do. This can be hard for two reasons. The first is that good planning takes time, and in an emergency, you may not have much of it. Lets say youre in a crowded building and a fire breaks out. You quickly decide to head for the same door that you came in through. Not the worst idea in a pinch because you already know where it is. The problem is that, as a 1985 study showed, others are going to come up with that same idea, and this very natural tendency is what accounts for the jam-ups we see at entrance doors, while other exits go unused. Given more time to think about it, you could head for that lesser-used exit and bring a few others with you, redistributing the crowd and improving throughput. Operating with that kind of savvy requires prior planning, which is why literally everyone tells us to prepare in advance. Do the thinking ahead of time so you can just fire off the solution when its showtime. This is precisely why flight attendants suggest you find the closest exit (which might be behind you) before you departso you dont have to go exit shopping after the plane has caught fire or is sinking into a river. Advertisement Advertisement The second reason why deciding what to do is hard, and why preparing helps, is that we seldom possess all the knowledge we need. Lets say were on a hike and a bear suddenly shows up. Is the bear the one that were supposed to slowly back away from without making any sudden moves? Or is that a shark? I know that Im supposed to sucker-punch one of those two animals if it gets too close, but I cant remember which one. So until someone invents a Shazam that gives advice on how to respond to wild animals that are attempting to maul us, its best to read the recommended advice before heading into the wild. Advertisement Just 13 seconds after both engines ground to a stop, the US Airways crew pulled out the Engine Dual Failure checklist and began to read the solution that had been prepared by a team of experts. Its unlikely that any of us will ever need to ditch an airliner in a major metropolitan river. But performing in a crisis is going to become more important for all of usfor at least two reasons. Back in the good old days, the reliability of most anything we used or did was far less than it is today. Engines crapping out after takeoff? Pilots used to call that Tuesday. Today, its a rarity. Now think about what naturally happens to our preparedness as the likelihood of something bad happening shrinks toward the infinitesimal. Unless we regularly practice what hardly ever happens, our ability to respond to it when it does happen tends to slip away. Reliability can kill you. Advertisement Advertisement The systems we use today are more complex and less transparent. There are seldom moving parts in plain view that allow us to see when things are about to go wrong. When complex systems lack transparency, dire situations can come out of nowhere. Driver assist technologies that help us steer, maintain our distance from the car in front of us, and alert us to impending collisions will begin the transition from optional equipment to standard equipment in 2019. What determines these cars response is buried deep in thousands of lines of code. Our cars might fail to recognize something in the road (like Canada geese) or steer us out of our intended lane. Ironically, the systems that were designed to lessen our workload might require us to remain in a state of increased vigilance in order to survive these increasingly infrequent events when they do happen. The Internet of Things promises to make our homes, workplaces, and entire cities like this. As technology becomes a part of most everything we do, and as once-large risks become shattered into countless small ones, having the living crap scared out of us every once in a while may become a standard affair. We should all learn to breath, recognize, and execute the plan that we were smart enough to prepare in advance. One second after the first officer said, Oh shit, the captain of US Airways Flight 1549 replied, Oh yeah. Two seconds after that, they were hard at work making aviation history. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. The Washington Posts Greg Miller reported Sunday that President Donald Trumps confiscation of the translators notes from a one-on-one conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017 was unusual. This is incorrect. It was unprecedented. There is nothing like it in the annals of presidential history. It is also truly unusual that Trump failed to bring in a note taker, along with his translator, during his meetings with Putin, as almost every other president has done when meeting with foreign heads of state since the end of World War II. Usually the note taker is an official or aide with deep background in the subject under discussion. Advertisement Michael McFaul, who was President Barack Obamas adviser on Russia, then his ambassador to Moscow, tells me that he routinely took notes in meetings between Obama and either Putin or his predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev. In some of these meetings, McFaul says, Obama took a few moments of set-aside time for a personal discussion with the Russian president; but in those instances, he briefed McFaul afterward, and McFaul then consulted with the translator to make sure that, in the notes of that debriefing, he got the wording as accurate as possible. Advertisement Advertisement There are good reasons for presidents to bring a note taker with them to such meetings. First, they want a record of what was said, both to remind themselves later of what happened and to confirm or dispute some later account of the meeting, either by the foreign leader or some reporter. Second, the presidents national security officials want to know what was said so that they can orient policy accordingly. Third, historians value these notes, once theyre declassified, as a record of behind-the-scenes U.S. foreign policy. Advertisement In the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, you can read the very detailed notes of the extensive conversations Ike had with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev at Camp David in September 1959. Its a fascinating glimpse of both mens views of war, peace, and the international tensions of the day. It also reveals a ray of trust that might have brightened U.S.-Soviet relations, and transformed Cold War politics, had it not been snuffed out by the U-2 spy plane crisis one year later. The John F. Kennedy Library contains a massive archive of exchangesin the form of memorandums of conversation, telegrams, and transcripts of secret tape recordingsbetween JFK and the leaders of France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and many other countries. There are also, of course, the invaluable tapes of his lengthy discussions with his advisers during the 13 days of the Cuban missile crisis (which completely contradict the version of events put out, years earlier, by his palace historians). Advertisement Advertisement Lyndon Johnson taped even more of his historically interesting conversations, and not just with world leaders. Richard Nixon sometimes met with foreign leaders, including Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, without a note taker. But according to historian Tim Naftali, a former director of the Nixon Presidential Library, he did tape-record those conversationslike Kennedy and Johnson, without the other party knowing itand those tapes have been declassified. Among the most fascinating documents of this sort are the notesthe ones taken by the American aide and the Soviet aideof the 10 hours of conversations between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev at the historic 1986 summit in Reykjavik, Iceland. This was the summit where the two presidents, to the alarm of their aides, almost agreed to destroy all of their nuclear weapons, but for an irreconcilable dispute over the Star Wars missile defense system (Gorbachev wanted to ban testing of the system outside a laboratory, Reagan didnt). The fascinating thing here is the fact that they had 10 hours of substantive conversation about arms control and nuclear strategy. Reagan, who is widely recalled as a bit of a dolt, was in fact well briefed on the subject; and while he had some wacky ideas, he fully understood the implications of those ideas. It is hard to imagine Trump holding court on such complexities for as long as 10 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Most recently, the National Archives released transcripts of the many hours of telephone conversations that Bill Clinton had with Boris Yeltsin on arms control issues in the early postCold War era. The point here is that all of these presidents understood the value of keeping a record of conversations with foreign leadersboth for their own understanding of what was going on and for the enlightenment of posterity. Trump cares nothing about either. Whether his translators notes hold anything incriminating about Trumps fealty to Putin, it is appalling that he would go into a one-on-one meeting with the Russian president without a note takerespecially given his shallow grasp of the issues and the very real possibility that he could have given away U.S. interests or disclosed vital secrets without understanding what he was doing. He also conducted his one-on-one with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at their summit in Singapore, without a note taker present. Advertisement Did Trump concede these issues in his one-on-one without telling his subordinates? We may never know. In both cases, there were translators on both sides, but, as McFaul, a fluent Russian speaker, told me, their job is completely different from that of a note taker. The former has to focus on translating the foreign leaders words to the president as quickly and accurately as possible. The latter has to transcribe what both sides are saying as fully as possible. It is very difficult to do bothimpossible to do both well. Advertisement The ironyand perhaps the tragedy, for U.S. foreign policy and possibly (depending on what he did tell Putin) for Trump personallyis that the Russians, and probably the North Koreans, do have records of their one-on-one sessions with Trump. Putin did bring along a note taker. It is also likely that he or one of his aides tape-recorded the conversations. (The photograph of their tete-a-tete in Helsinki reveals a suspicious vase of flowers on the table between them.) Advertisement Quite aside from matters that may be of concern to special counsel Robert Mueller, who knows what concessions Trump may have made in these sessions? In the follow-on meetings that have since taken place between U.S. and North Korean negotiators, American diplomats have sometimes raised points that they consider vitalonly to have their North Korean counterpart wave it away, saying, Go talk with your president. Did Trump concede these issues in his one-on-one without telling his subordinates? We may never know; some U.S. officials suspect he did. Another appalling fact is that Republicans in Congress dont want to know either. Rep. Adam Schiff, who is now the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted on Sunday that, last year, he sought to obtain the interpreters notes or testimony, from the private meeting between Trump and Putin. The Republicans on our committee voted us down. Schiff asks, Will they join us now? Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting America first? The question is urgent not just for the historical record but for the political crisis that enmeshes us today, especially given the New York Times report on Friday that, in 2017, the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation on whether Trump was working as, in effect, a Russian agent. Whatever the outcome of that probe, the fact that the question can be seriously raisedgiven the clear convergence, if not the outright collusion, of their interestsis worthy of several gulps. Slates expanded voting rights coverage is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you. The Democrats first order of business as they took control of the 116th Congress was introducing H.R. 1, the colossal For the People Act. This 571-page behemoth of a bill covering voting rights, campaign finance reform, ethics improvements, and more was a perfect reminder of just how much power the Constitution gives Congress to make elections better in this country and, sadly, of how partisan the question of election reform has become. By beginning with election reform as H.R. 1, Democrats signaled their priorities as they took over control of the House of Representatives. The bill now has 221 co-sponsors, all Democrats, including almost every Democrat in the House. Its disheartening that bipartisan movement on election reform is no longer possible and that few of the significant improvements in the bill stand a chance of becoming law until Democrats have control of the Senate and the presidency. Even then some of its provisions could be blocked by a conservative-leaning Supreme Court. But if and when Democrats ever do return to full power in Washington, H.R. 1 should remain the top priority. Though there is room for some improvements, the For the People Act would go an enormous way toward repairing our badly broken democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot packed into the introductory version of the bill, much of it a wish list for voting rights advocates and election reformers. The summary put out by the office of Rep. John Sarbanes, one of the lead proponents of the bill, goes on for 22 pages. Among the provisions affecting voting and voting rights are those requiring online voter registration, automatic voter registration, and same-day registration for voting in federal elections; a requirement to use independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional districts in each state; limitations on voter purges; an end to felon disenfranchisement for federal elections; protection against intimidation and false information surrounding elections; improved access to voting by persons with disabilities; a set of improved cybersecurity standards around voting and voting systems, including a requirement that all voting systems produce a paper trail for auditing and checking results; and a ban on a states chief election officer engaging in political activities connected to federal offices. Advertisement The provisions in H.R. 1 related to campaign finance would expand disclosure rules to cover ads on the internet, a step that is necessary to better track attempted foreign influence over elections; establish a small-donor multiple match public financing system for Congress and a similar fix to the now-moribund presidential public financing system; create a pilot program for the use of campaign finance vouchers in congressional elections, a move I have long supported; enact a new set of rules to make sure that super PACs do not coordinate with candidates; and reconfigure the Federal Election Commission, with an odd number of commissioners and a requirement that at least one of the commissioners not be a Democrat or Republican. The ethics provisions would require the Supreme Court to be bound by an ethics code, strengthen conflict of interest laws, and require presidential and vice presidential candidates to release 10 years of tax returns. Advertisement Advertisement The bill also contains nods toward additional reforms. Theres a statement about the need to fix the parts of the Voting Rights Act the Supreme Court killed in the 2013 opinion in Shelby County v. Holder. (Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, is expected to introduce a stand-alone bill on this subject.) There is a portion declaring support for D.C. statehood and for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court case freeing corporate money in elections. Theres no question that H.R. 1, if it passes the House, will go nowhere in the upper chamber. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, an ardent opponent of laws regulating money in politics, told the New York Times that he believes much of the law is probably unconstitutional. I expect few, if any, Republicans to co-sponsor this legislation. Advertisement Theres no question that H.R. 1, if it passes the House, will go nowhere in the upper chamber. McConnell is certainly within his powers to refuse to take up the bill, and theres no reason to expect that President Donald Trump would have any interest in pushing for or signing a bill that requires the release of his tax returns. But McConnell is wrong in seeing much of the law as unconstitutional. The Constitution gives Congress, under the Elections Clause, broad powers to set the rules for the conduct of congressional elections even when states object, meaning key provisions including those on voter registration, voter purges, and the requirement of independent redistricting commissions are likely constitutional. Indeed, Congress also has the power to enforce equal protection guarantees in the 14th Amendment, and University of Chicago law professor Nick Stephanopoulos has argued that Congress could use this power to require the use of independent commissions for state districting as well. The Supreme Court has recognized that Congress also has broad power to require disclosure of money spent on elections and to set up public financing plans for federal office so long as they are voluntary. Advertisement Advertisement That said, if H.R. 1 ever became law there are parts that would be unlikely to survive scrutiny before the Supreme Court. It is far from clear that Congress could end felon disenfranchisement in federal elections, given that the Constitution gives states the power to set voter qualifications. The court could find some of the rules on campaign coordination and spending to violate the First Amendment, even though Citizens Uniteds holding was premised on the idea that independent spending required strict rules barring coordination between candidates and outside groups. It may find that Congress imposition of an ethics code on the Supreme Court violates separation of powers principles and that Congress cannot compel presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns. Advertisement Still, in past decades, election and campaign reform were bipartisan issues. Major voting rights legislation such as the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 passed with broad bipartisan majorities. Campaign finance and lobbying reform too passed with bipartisan support, including the key 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act and the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. Unfortunately, however, one party seems to have lost its interest in improving democracy, even (or perhaps, particularly) when it comes to limiting foreign interference in American elections and assuring the voting rights of all eligible Americans. It may be, as I argued in October, that the only way that reforms like these will see the light of day is if Democrats nuke the filibuster for election reform legislation the next time they take full control in Washington. But voting rights and election reform should not be partisan issues. They will only become bipartisan again when both parties see that expanding the electorate can actually help them gain seats, and that will require some fundamental changes in the platform and electoral strategies of the Republican Party. In the meantime, Democrats must do everything they can to ensure that some version of the For the People Act eventually becomes law. More than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles braved the rain on Monday to launch a districtwide strike, the first there in three decades. The district, where more than 640,000 students are enrolled, is the second largest in the country. Students were still expected to attend school on Monday, but the schools are running off the work of a few hundred substitute teachers, and classes were expected to be largely disrupted. Many parents kept their children home out of support for the teachers, while some students even skipped class to join in the demonstrations. (While its thought the students wont get real instruction during the duration of the strike, the schools will still serve meals and offer a place where children will be comfortable and supervisedno minor thing in a district where 82 percent of the students come from low-income families.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike, considered an undesirable but necessary step by the teachers, comes after two years of failed negotiations between United Teachers Los Angeles, the union, and the Los Angeles Unified School District to secure a contract with improved pay, caps to class sizes, a reduction in standardized testing, and the hiring of more than 1,000 additional staff. The district made an offer close to that demanded by the teachers on issues of pay, but it was only good for a year. The teachers rejected it, and the strike began. The strike comes a year after the wave of teacher demonstrations that began in West Virginia and spread across other conservative and less union-friendly states. While L.A. has a longer history of more successful union activity, this strike also differs, as others have noted, in that the district has more than twice as many students as all of West Virginia. And unlike in the statewide strikes last year, where teachers from many school districts picketed their state government, these teachers are feuding only with their single school districts superintendent and Board of Educationa much more traditional teacher strike. Advertisement The day began with teachers picketing their individual schools before heading to a rally downtown. Despite jokes about the city shutting down during rain, tens of thousands of teachers gathered, wearing red, with umbrellas and raincoats. Heres what the downtown strike looks like from the U.S. Courthouse at 1st and Broadway. pic.twitter.com/npMYFpLEjk Alexa Diaz (@alexalucina) January 14, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement This is huge pic.twitter.com/oaerSQPOpH Scott Heins (@scottheins) January 14, 2019 Advertisement Some got creative with signs, while others scrawled messages of solidarity on their umbrellas. Advertisement This teachers aide joined march downtown today #LAUSDstrike pic.twitter.com/pitAGt53Uh Priska Neely (@priskaneely) January 14, 2019 These poor kids are getting soaked but they have been out in the rain all morning joining the #lausd teachers strike. @KTLA pic.twitter.com/WRujGOi8Cv Ellina Abovian (@EllinaKTLA) January 14, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The #LAUSD strike is on! @abc7anabel is with a family thats going to todays rally, and CHECK OUT THIS SIGN! pic.twitter.com/99Jex031vP Katie Chrystler (@kchrystler) January 14, 2019 And, it being Los Angeles, celebrities took to Twitter to voice their support for the union. Advertisement On Monday in LA, our teachers in the LAUSD will be going on strike. I stand with the teachers, who are not only asking for raises but also more money for student services like nurses, librarians and reduced class sizes. pic.twitter.com/I5hCAZh9J0 Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) January 13, 2019 Teachers at LAUSD have so much to give to children in their classrooms. Their teaching brilliance shall not go wasted as we need to embrace public education all around. Children are our future. #DeafEd #DeafEducation#IStandwithTeachers #UTLAStrong #Red4Ed @UTLAnow pic.twitter.com/J7TtTJZmA4 Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) January 12, 2019 Advertisement My mother, born and raised in Los Angeles, has been a school teacher in the LA Unified School District for more than two decades. They deserve all that they are asking for, for students and teachers and classrooms alike. I stand with #Strike4Ed #UTLAStrong https://t.co/WRQF262Hu4 Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) January 14, 2019 Advertisement Standing in support and solidarity with Emily Reyes, another local Los Angelina and proud member of @laschools on strike for a modest wage increase but more importantly, SMALLER CLASS SIZE! Honk in support! pic.twitter.com/bgfstQM55y Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) January 14, 2019 Its not yet clear how long this strike will last, but its being reported that Oakland may see its own strike in the coming weeks. For some, the Los Angeles action appears to raise the possibility of another wave of teacher strikes. Lawyers for the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees will sit down Monday to analyze their legal options for issuing subpoenas to the interpreters who were present at President Donald Trumps meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to ABC News. A piece in the Washington Post saying that Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to hide details of his talks with Putin from members of his own administration has changed the calculus and raises a new host of questions, a senior Democratic aide told ABC News. Were looking into the legal implications of that, and well discuss our options. Our lawyers are sitting down with intel committee lawyers to hash it out. Advertisement The aide warned any action wouldnt be imminent and if they do decide to issue subpoenas it would likely be weeks away. This is not the first time the issue has been raised. Following Trumps meeting with Putin in Helsinki in July, the secrecy so alarmed Democrats that some lawmakers wanted to get Trumps interpreter, Marina Gross, to testify before Congress. In the end she was not forced to testify. At the time many questioned the ethics of forcing an interpreter to answer questions about something that took place behind closed doors. Even some Democrats have said that it could set a new precedent that would make it more difficult for presidents to talk candidly with other world leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these concerns, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff raised the possibility Sunday that Democrats would seek answers from Trumps interpreter. Last year, we sought to obtain the interpreters notes or testimony, from the private meeting between Trump and Putin, Schiff wrote on Twitter. The Republicans on our committee voted us down. Will they join us now? He then added: Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting America first? Last year, we sought to obtain the interpreters notes or testimony, from the private meeting between Trump and Putin. The Republicans on our committee voted us down. Will they join us now? Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting America first? https://t.co/hzgfTRl653 Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 13, 2019 Advertisement Schiff wasnt the only Democrat to vow action after the Post story. Every time Trump meets with Putin, the country is told nothing, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel tweeted. America deserves the truth and the Foreign Affairs Committee will seek to get to the bottom of it. Every time Trump meets with Putin, the country is told nothing. America deserves the truth and the Foreign Affairs Committee will seek to get to the bottom of it. Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) January 13, 2019 This post is part of Outward, Slates home for coverage of LGBTQ life, thought, and culture. Read more here. Every time I take a step forward in my gender transition, I go into it expecting immediate relief. I will be so comfortable in my own skin after I do this, I imagine, so free. And yet, after completing a given transitional step (getting a new haircut, changing my name or gender marker, coming out to friends and loved ones, starting hormones, or changing my pronouns), I am instead met with a sudden rush of anxiety and self-consciousness. Instead of feeling authentic and unburdened, I start worrying Im a ludicrous fraud. Advertisement After a time, these anxious, tightly wound feelings recede, and I end up loving myself and the changes Ive made. Cutting my hair, changing my name and gender marker, going on testosterone, and coming out to loved ones were all good ideas, ones that helped me drop a social veil that long kept me alienated from other people. But that doesnt mean those veils werent intensely terrifying to drop. Advertisement Advertisement Being assigned the wrong gender at birth is complexly traumatic, and recovery from complex trauma is rarely linear. Yet much of public writing and thought about trans issues posits that transition should be unilaterally positive in order to be worthwhile. That expectation feeds into a lot of dangerous misconceptionsincluding the popular trans-critical myth of rapid-onset gender dysphoria. Advertisement Trans-critical writers and researchers coined the term rapid-onset gender dysphoria to refer to the phenomenon by which a trans person, upon realizing that they are transgender, suddenly becomes much more visibly distressed by the disconnect between their gender identity and their gender assignment at birth. After years of not exhibiting obvious tells of a trans identity (such as expressing a desire to change their genitals), a newly out trans child or teen may begin to exhibit symptoms of dysphoria more obviously, which can look a lot like brand-new symptoms manifesting out of nowhere. Unsupportive parents of trans kids find the concept of rapid-onset dysphoria especially alluring: From the outside, it can easily appear that their once-cis kid became familiar with the language of trans-ness, then suddenly became obsessed with symptoms they never reported before. When you throw the increasing rate of trans identification into the mix, you have even more dubious proof that being trans is a shared social delusion thats growing in popularity. Advertisement Trans people deserve the freedom to have messy, gradual, honest recoveries. An additional key piece of rapid-onset dysphoria rhetoric involves pointing to a 2011 Swedish study that purportedly shows that transitioning doesnt improve the mental health of trans people and, in fact, makes it worse. The oft-cited, oft-misreported study does demonstrate that transitioned people have an elevated suicide ratebut only compared with cisgender people, who never endured the significant physical and psychosocial traumas associated with being raised in the wrong gender all their lives. Though the study is so poorly sample-matched as to be virtually useless, critics of trans ideology claim it proves that trans-ness is an unhealthy obsession that ought not to be entertained, as the more you focus on it, the worse it tends to get.* Advertisement Sadly, thats the one thing they are correct about. Treating dysphoria sometimes does make it worse, at least for a time. But that doesnt prove that ROGD is real; it just shows that the trans person is taking difficult steps to examine and treat something theyve long ignored. In mental health circles, its often noted that seeking help for a symptom is often correlated with increased symptom severity. There are a lot of reasons this happens. First, a person is most likely to seek help when their suffering is at its worst. If my post-traumatic stress disorder flashbacks are suddenly occurring more frequently, Im way more likely to start therapy, which can create an aggregate trend that links severity with help seeking. Advertisement Advertisement Second, working on a symptom necessarily involves focusing more on it and being mindful of how it fluctuates day by day. Several months ago, I started practicing mindfulness in order to treat anxiety; Im now constantly paying attention to my anxiety levels, and its unpleasant! Coming out as trans can also result in a trans person being subjected to far more transphobia, which can trigger or worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. Additionally, treating gender dysphoria often involves changing ones body or public presentation in ways that can be affirming and unsettling at the same time. When my voice began to drop in pitch as a result of testosterone, I was ecstatic. I was starting to sound the way Id always imagined myself sounding! But I was also starting to spend a lot more time looking in the mirror, tracking my face for minute changes in hair growth, fat distribution, and puffiness. The closer my face got to my personal, androgynous ideal, the more aware of its remaining shortcomings I became. Advertisement Ultimately, what external, cisgender observers often see as ROGD is actually a trans person openly processing for the first time something that they have privately harbored their whole lives. When a trans person is open for the first time about a long-concealed pain, it can be disruptive to the status quo. It forces the trans persons friends, family, and peers to confront a long-standing trauma and injustice they might rather hand-wave away. Its less tragic to believe that a wound is newly invented than to accept someone you care about has been struggling with it for their entire life. Advertisement At times, I have worried that pursuing authenticity via gender transition was just another form of fakery, like pretending to be a cisgender woman was for most of my life. In other moments, pursuing my ideal body and gender presentation has made me acutely aware of how far from my goals I am. I often have felt social pressure to turn back, to stop making myself a spectacle in my pursuit of honesty, to grow my hair out, wear makeup, and let the shes and hers fly in my direction freely. It sometimes seems like it would be easier to ignore my identity and stop fighting for its recognition. I could carry on unseen for decades, repressing my dysphoria at every turn. Advertisement But ultimately I cant deny the ways in which transition has made my life better. Telling a person my pronouns is anxiety-inducing, but it allows me to connect with them in a genuine way. Changing my body with a binder and hormones was scary, but once I adjusted to their newness, I found I was more comfortable, with better posture and more physical ease. The improvements to my body image, confidence, and self-esteem were all worth the temporary pain of transition. Advertisement Advertisement Psychological research is consistent with my experience: Transition improves long-term mental health and wellbeing for the vast majority of people who go through it. But supporting trans people and their transitions requires that we dispense with the expectation of immediate joy. Trans people deserve the freedom to have messy, gradual, honest recoveries from the symptoms they were once forced to suffer with in silence. No trans person recovers from a lifetime of dysphoria in a day. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Email careandfeeding@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, I live in a three-flat with my husband and dog, on the second floor with one family above us and one below. Our neighbors downstairs are a kind set of parents with two delightful daughters, aged 7 and 4. We have a cordial relationship but do not know them very well, as they moved in just last summer, and I generally think of neighbors kind of like colleagues rather than friends. However, something has come up and I am not sure what to do. Advertisement My dog, B., hates kids. Shes a big black lab mix, about 65 pounds, with a ton of energy and the strength to match. If were somewhere away from home and she is off-leash, she completely ignores them, but in her territory, any human under 4 feet tall freaks her out. I feel responsible because she wasnt socialized around them as a pup, and shes about to turn 8; shes got this block and I am pretty sure were stuck with it. We cant exactly tell someone, Our dog hates kids, but will you lend us some of yours for exposure therapy? Advertisement Advertisement On Christmas we came home from a ride with B., and the girls were playing in the backyard. Our garage opens out onto a shared back patio, and my husband let her out without a leash to head upstairs with us. As soon as she saw the kids, she set off barking right in their tiny faces. They looked stunned and backed off as I grabbed her collar, mortified, and handed her off to my guy. I talked to the kids to make sure they were OK and apologize profusely; the 4-year-old thought it was hilarious, and her sister was super sweet and seemed fine. Mom called out through the window to wish us merry Christmas and we moved on. Advertisement Enough time has passed that I dont want to make it into a bigger deal than it was. I just want these kids to play in peace without physical or emotional scars. I am more cautious with B. than my husband, and Ive asked him to always keep her on-leash coming home from the car, but he refuses. Whats your take? Please Dont Eat the Children Dear PDEtC, Based on your description of your neighbors, I actually think they might be open to doing a bit of supervised desensitization therapy for your pooch, or at least will not be offended to be asked! I would speak to the parents without the presence of the kids, because otherwise youre making them be the bad guys if theyd rather not say yes. Advertisement Advertisement My suggestion would be not to start off with having her play with the kids. Start simple, just you hanging out with her on your patio while the kids play in the backyard, until she gets used to their neutral presence. Then, gradually increase contact, as long as everyone is still having a good time and youre not spotting signs of distress from your dog. Sudden surprise meetings will set this process back, so I would ask your husband to buy in on keeping her on a leash while youre working on this. If the parents opt out of desensitization, he really needs to get it together and keep her on a leash. Come on, sir. Best of luck!!! Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, My daughter recently turned 5. She has always been a good sleeper and still is. However, in the past month or so she has insisted on sleeping with the lights on. It doesnt seem as if she has a fear of the dark or monsters in her room or anything like that; she literally just decided that she prefers to sleep with the lights on. The first few nights, we would wait an hour or so until we were sure she was sound asleep and just go in and turn the lights off. However, now if we do that, somehow it seems to instantly wake her up, and she turns them back on. Is this even a problem? Advertisement Advertisement Lights Out Dear Lights, Nah. If youre not seeing any indication of changed behavior in the daytime (anxiety, clinginess, etc.) and she doesnt have dark circles under her eyes, just let it ride. If it really bugs you (and to save electricity!) there are lots of nightlights and lamps with timers you can program to turn off later in the evening. If you missed Fridays Care and Feeding column, read it here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, I am a nonbinary person who is trained in child and youth care, specifically marginalized and LGBTQ youth. My coming out eight years ago was not handled well initially by my family, but my advocacy work in my community helped to educate those close to me and most of them are loving and supportive now. My older sister in particular has grown a lot, and now through her I am faced with a conundrum. Advertisement Being a busybody is not the worst thing. Sometimes its necessary. Her daughters best friend, Cecil, age 14, has come out recently as nonbinary. I have connected a bit with them, but I live over an hour away and dont often get to see them. My sister has told me that Cecils parents are hedging on their support. While theyre generally supportive (Well always love our child!), Ive heard sentiments such as Cecils father has decided not to pursue medical transition when Cecil has asked about hormone blockers or expressed a desire to go on testosterone, and a refusal to use nongendered pronouns or Cecils chosen name. Cecils father has outright stated that he thinks it is a phase. My read, both as a nonbinary person and as a professional who works with queer youth, is that they are alienating their child and creating a situation where Cecil is far more at risk for severe depression and self-harm. Advertisement Advertisement I know the parents socially from my nieces birthday parties and family barbecues; were Facebook friends but not close enough that I see them receiving a message out of the blue very well. Ive sent along relevant information and resources via my sister, but each update troubles me. My sister is willing to let Cecil stay with her if it comes to that, but I really want to try to impress upon their parents that their approach is going to cause a lot of long-term damage. I also understand that no one wants to be told how to parent their kids. Do you have any recommendations as to how I should approach this? I am painfully aware of the rate of self-harm and suicidality in trans youth, and I am worried that these parents are creating a situation where their child is going to feel the need to escape. Advertisement Nonbinary Non-Parent Dear NNP, I share your opinions on best practices for parenting in this scenario. Unfortunately, I think sisters daughters friends parents are just too far outside your circle of intimacy and relationship for you to be able to intervene or counsel without seeming like a busybody. Advertisement Advertisement Being a busybody is not the worst thing. Sometimes its necessary. But since you have already passed along resources via your sister and made your opinions clear, I think this is as far as you can go. Theres nothing in your letter to suggest that Cecil is actually considering or engaging in self-harm, and youre simply not close enough to the situation to weigh in. Advertisement Your sister seems like a sympathetic listener and is well-positioned to know if the situation takes a turn for the worse, so I would leave it with her to keep an eye on Cecil. I know this will be challenging and the situation has a lot of personal resonance for you, but I think you will need to emotionally detach a bit. Stepping back, this is a situation about which you have only thirdhand information, and is not currently hitting a crisis point. Dear Care and Feeding, My 18-month-old son has developed a deep, deep love of the vacuum cleaner. He loves to watch Daddy vacuum. He loves to watch Mommy vacuum. He loves to push buttons on the unplugged vacuum and push the unplugged vacuum across the floor. He does not accept toy vacuums or DustBusters. Those are inferior products and he is no fool. He has recently broken out in extreme hives and his doctor suspects the vacuum to be the culprit. The vacuum is banished to the garage, but he is now constantly banging on the garage door, pitching full-on screaming tantrums that can be heard from outside the house. The nanny texts me about it all the time, but I tell her we do not negotiate with terrorists. He accepts no comfort or redirection. His hives are gone. What to do? This Sucks Dear This Sucks, What a welcome change after a few weeks of multigenerational trauma and genuine neglect! I would change the vacuum bag, wipe it down with baby wipes, and let him push it around to his hearts content. If the hives return, you can rebanish the vacuum. Let us all embrace joy where we can find it! Nicole Dick Cheney may not have much in common with Mary Poppins, but in playing these two people, Vices Christian Bale and Mary Poppins Returns Emily Blunt were faced with a similar task: to construct a recognizable facsimile of a familiar figure and comment on it at the same time. That the figure is a former vice president in one case and an iconic Disney heroine in the other has less to with why one performance works and the other falls flat than how shifts in culture, technology, and, inevitably, the awards race have changed the way actors approach the job of re-creating and riffing on the familiar. Advertisement From the moment the first photos of Vice hit the internet, it was clear that another one of Bales vaunted transformations was underway. Just five years after Bale packed on a reported 40 pounds to play a con manturnedfederal agent in American Hustle, Bale did it again to play Dick Cheney, using, according to the New York Times, over a hundred pieces of encapsulated silicone to further alter his appearance. The results are often uncanny, in the Freudian sense: Especially as the elder Cheney, the one so familiar from his role as George W. Bushs attack dog and enforcer, Bale captures his target so preciselythe sideways tilt of his head, the nasal drone of his voicethat its difficult to even remember what the real Cheney looks like. Not all of the movies characterizations are so elaborately constructed: LisaGay Hamilton is almost invisible inside her Condoleezza Rice getup, but Sam Rockwells George W. is more impressionistic than literal, and Amy Adams Lynne Cheney looks mostly like Amy Adams in an unfortunate wig. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bales Cheney is an astonishing re-creation, but once you get over your initial amazement, theres nothing left to ponder. Bales transmogrification won him a Golden Globe last week, and hes considered a lock for an Oscar nomination: The prediction site GoldDerby now has him in a virtual dead heat with A Star Is Borns Bradley Cooper and Bohemian Rhapsodys Rami Malek for the eventual win. And it is truly an impressive feat. Its just not an especially interesting one. Awards-giving bodies love performances like Bales because of their high degree of apparent difficulty. Actors respect the craft it takes to nail a real-life figures voice and bearing, and nonactors marvel at the dedication it takes to gain (or drop) pounds by the dozens in the service of ones art. But for an imitative performance like Bales, the mark of greatest success is to achieve a facsimile of something the audience already knowsto make the thing look like the thing. Advertisement Although Vice is more ambitious (if not always much smarter) than a Saturday Night Live sketch, its bedeviled by the same problem that the show faces. The more accomplished prosthetics and makeup technology become, the more audiences expect impressions of public figures to physically resemble them, and the easier it is for the performers to let the prosthetics carry the load. Chevy Chases Gerald Ford looked and sounded nothing like the real-life version, but his portrait of the then-president as an accident-prone klutz resonated so strongly that it redefined Fords public image. Alec Baldwins Donald Trump is a savage caricature, but it only reinforces the image of Trump we already know. Bales Cheney is an astonishing re-creation, but once you get over your initial amazement, theres nothing left to ponder. Theres so little distance between him and the real Cheney that theres no room to create anything new. When Darrell Hammond played Cheney on SNL, the image of him as a Dr. Strangeloveish war hawk, casually nibbling a sugar cookie as he rode astride a nuclear missile bound for Iraq, clashed with the Bush administrations efforts to case him as a tough-hearted realist, reluctantly making the difficult decisions necessary to protect the U.S. Vices Cheney is hardly an admirable figure, but you can picture Cheney himself surveying its portrait of him as a Machiavellian schemer and nodding in approval. Advertisement Get Slate Culture in Your Inbox We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Emily Blunt has said that she didnt set out to impersonate Julie Andrews Mary Poppins, relying on P.L. Travers original books for inspiration. But her take on the character still feels like its in conversation with the 1964 film, which has permeated the culture so thoroughly its almost irrelevant that Blunt says its been 28 years since she watched it (and like everything said on the promotional trail, that statement has to be taken with a grain of salt). Blunts not doing Andrews in any transparent way. Her speaking voice is an octave lower, her accent crisper and more self-consciously posh. Andrews Mary is an ebullient, lighter-than-air presence, helping the Banks children find the magic in even the most mundane of tasks; Blunts is more like a mischievous god, sent to Earth to right a few wrongs before ascending to the heavens once more. Blunts Mary is a delight, but shes a little frightening, too. There are moments, brief pauses in the films tightly packed (and sometimes strenuous) fun when the camera catches her staring at the Banks family with a distant curiosity, as if shes still trying to master the delicate art of being human. Its not hard to imagine a version of Mary Poppins Returns where shes like Watchmens Doctor Manhattan, a melancholy deity giving humanity one last chance to get it right. Blunts Mary Poppins isnt a revision of Andrews so much as a complement to it. Sometimes its in harmony with the original, sometimes crafting its own countermelody. Advertisement Advertisement Vices goal is to overwrite history. When it recreates the White House situation room on the morning of Sept. 11, with Cheney asserting presidential powers he does not legally possess, were meant to process it as fact, not a re-creation of what happened but the thing itself. It doesnt want you to see Bales performance in relation to the real person; it wants you to take it as real. You can sympathize with and even respect the urgency behind that approach, but it feels dead on the screen, and Bales performance is of a piece with it. Mary Poppins Returns is overwritten in its own way, matching the original film sequence for sequence, song for song, but Blunt breaks free and produces something thats kinetic and not merely mimetic. Her Mary Poppins is a breath apart from the one we already knew, and the space between them is filled with sparks. Makena Murungi, daughter to Meru County Governor Kiraitu Murungi, said I Do in a glamorous wedding attended by the whos who in the political scene. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto led other dignitaries to witness Makena exchange her vows with the love of her life, James Bukusi. One of the highlights of the beautiful ceremony was Uhurus grand entrance in his official chopper at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi. Deputy President William Ruto was in Kisumu earlier on the day but rushed to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds vow to stay together till death do them part. President Uhuru used the opportunity to encourage youth to embrace intermarriages among various communities. May the journey of your marriage be characterized by love, trust and hope. Kenya will become a more cohesive, secure and prosperous nation when our young people start accepting one another without using tribe or religion as a consideration, wrote the president. The Real Jackie Kennedy Her style and grace were legendary, and her image came to define the 1960s. She captured the hearts of world leaders, fashion icons and people all over the planet, who knew her as Jackie Kennedy, Jacqueline Onassis, or simply Jackie O. But who was the real Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis? Take our quiz and find out. Take The Quiz "It's going to take out any tar, nicotine, paper ash, microscopic particles, it takes out allergens, germs, bacteria," Beltran said. "It's the top-of-the-line filtration system in the casino industry." Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The new HVAC system also consumes about 40 percent less energy than the old system, which Beltran attributes to the fact that it recirculates air (already heated or cooled) back into the casino, rather than taking in fresh air from the outside and warming or cooling it. "We've been patching (the old HVAC) together, keeping it running," he said. "It's old. It was only supposed to last 20 years, and it went 27 years almost. It was a matter of, we have to replace the HVACs anyway, and if we're going to replace the HVACs, let's look at what can we do to enhance the customer experience." Meanwhile, WinnaVegas is in the process of installing sets of solar panels to power the casino and hotel. Panels have already been installed on the bingo hall, and work is ongoing to install solar panels in other areas on the roofs of casino buildings and on adjacent land. "Part of our facility is already running on solar," Beltran said. Here's what you need to know about the first FDA-approved drug for Alzheimers disease in nearly 20 years. What will it cost? What will insura The motion picture academys recent membership drive has increased its voting numbers to 7,902. But thats a drop in the bucket compared with the 120,782 dues-paying SAG-AFTRA members eligible to vote for this years SAG Awards winners. That kind of volume lends itself to naming winners with broad appeal. Lets look at who might benefit this year. CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE The nominees: Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy Rich Asians, A Star Is Born And the winner is: Black Panther. Get ready for a bunch of Oscar pundits to update their best picture predictions. Unless: A Star Is Born and BlacKkKlansman figure to get some votes, but their casts arent as deep as Panthers. And quantity (not necessarily over quality) usually matters with SAG Awards voters in this category. FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE The nominees: Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns; Glenn Close, The Wife; Olivia Colman, The Favourite; Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born; Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me? And the winner is: The last six women to win this trophy have gone on to take the Oscar, a streak that will probably end this year because this category is so competitive. Here, Ill lean toward Gaga for her star turn in a show-biz tale. Unless: Theres going to be a fair amount of sentiment for Close, who has never won a SAG Award on the film side. (She took the lead actress miniseries/movie award in 2005 for The Lion in Winter.) A Close victory would be akin to Julie Christie winning for Away From Her in 2008. Colman, another highly regarded veteran, is a possibility too. MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE The nominees: Christian Bale, Vice; Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born; Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody; Viggo Mortensen, Green Book; John David Washington, BlacKkKlansman And the winner is: Cooper. Actors will find it hard to resist rewarding one of their own for going all multi-hyphenate with a passion project. Unless: Bale becomes the first actor to win lead and supporting SAGs. (He took the supporting honor for The Fighter.) FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE The nominees: Amy Adams, Vice; Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place; Margot Robbie, Mary Queen of Scots; Emma Stone, The Favourite; Rachel Weisz, The Favourite And the winner is: You probably know that Adams has never won an Oscar. Shes also come up empty five times at the SAG Awards. Look for that to change in a big way this year, with wins here and for her lead turn in the HBO limited series Sharp Objects. Unless: Weisz and Stone are both so good in The Favourite that theres no clear choice between them. Thats probably going to scuttle their chances throughout this awards season. Ill go with Blunt as an alternate. MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE The nominees: Mahershala Ali, Green Book; Timothee Chalamet, Beautiful Boy; Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman; Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born; Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me? And the winner is: The well-liked Grant earns some overdue career love for his winning turn in Can You Ever Forgive Me? Unless: A Star Is Born runs the table, carrying Elliott, another industry favorite, to the podium. ENSEMBLE IN A TV DRAMA SERIES The nominees: The Americans, Better Call Saul, The Handmaids Tale, Ozark, This Is Us And the winner is: This Is Us repeats, appealing again to this voting bodys more mainstream tastes. Unless: Everyone comes to their senses and rewards The Handmaids Tale. Side note: As this is the first nomination for The Americans, Im not holding my breath for a proper sendoff. But Ozark could prevail based on SAG Awards voters historic love for all things Netflix. ENSEMBLE IN A TV COMEDY SERIES The nominees: Atlanta, Barry, GLOW, The Kominsky Method, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel And the winner is: Mrs. Maisel follows its Emmy win, prevailing on its first try. Unless: Again, never underestimate the spell Netflix has on this group. So maybe GLOW for a second season that improved on its first. FEMALE ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA SERIES The nominees: Julia Garner, Ozark; Laura Linney, Ozark; Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaids Tale; Sandra Oh, Killing Eve; Robin Wright, House of Cards And the winner is: Im going with Oh, though SAG Awards voters tend to be a year or two behind the curve in their television choices. Unless: SAG Awards voters are a year or two behind the curve and reward Moss, who should have won last year. MALE ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA SERIES The nominees: Jason Bateman, Ozark; Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us; Joseph Fiennes, The Handmaids Tale; John Krasinski, Tom Clancys Jack Ryan; Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul And the winner is: Bateman. Ozark is going to win something. Unless: Brown repeats. FEMALE ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY SERIES The nominees: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Alison Brie, GLOW; Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Jane Fonda, Grace and Frankie; Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie And the winner is: Brosnahan and Borstein both won Emmys, as Borstein was slotted in the supporting category. Go with the woman who plays the title character. Unless: They really like Borstein! MALE ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY SERIES The nominees: Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method; Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method; Bill Hader, Barry; Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Henry Winkler, Barry And the winner is: The SAG Awards dont have supporting categories for television, which is why three of the nominees here Arkin, Shalhoub and Winkler arent leads. You have to go back 13 years to find the last supporting actor to win this category (Sean Hayes for Will & Grace), so Douglas seems like the logical pick. Unless: Voters remember how great it was seeing Winkler win an Emmy and want to repeat that high. FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES The nominees: Amy Adams, Sharp Objects; Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora; Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects; Penelope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story; Emma Stone, Maniac And the winner is: As mentioned earlier, its going to be a great night for Adams and loyalists who have long lamented her lack of awards recognition. Unless: Arquette pulls a surprise for her almost unrecognizable, series-stealing turn in Escape at Dannemora. MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES The nominees: Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso; Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story; Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal; Anthony Hopkins, King Lear; Bill Pullman, The Sinner And the winner is: Probably Emmy-winner Criss, both for the work and the simple fact that it is easily the most-seen performance. Unless: Between his baddie in Paddington 2 and the oily charmer he plays in A Very English Scandal, Grant had a very good year. Hed get my vote. 2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Caroline Kemunto is the newest gospel music sensation hoping for a breakthrough in the industry, especially after her song Kiburi received good airplay. She talked to Buzz: When did you start singing? From a very young age, in church. And when I was a student at Gakoe High School in Thika, I could also sing whenever we had events. After high school, I joined youths who sing at my church, the Cathedral of Praise Ministries at Imara Daima. In 2015, I began my solo singing ministry. What made you go solo? I felt like I had to do something extra and so I decided to start composing my own songs as the message came. But I still help my colleagues in composing choir songs. They are progressing well, and soon their album will be ready. When did you release your first song? That was in 2015. It was called Pendo la Kweli. It is about the love that Jesus Christ showed us as humans by dying on the cross for us. So, how many songs do you have to your name to date? Six songs plus their videos. I have also done a Swahili cover for Jimmy D Psalmists Mighty Man of War, so that technically makes it seven. Tell us the story about Kiburi. I wanted to tell people that they should not be proud when they are blessed. We often forget where we have come from. Its God who has lifted us and placed us there. Sometimes, a people get filled by pride and starts bragging that it is their efforts that placed them where they are. We forget that its not our efforts but Gods providence. Among your songs, which has the heaviest back story? Ndoa. I came with the message after noticing that most marriages are in turmoil. Most marriages dont last nowadays. People wed and divorce comes shortly after. Another contributor is the fact that I have been raised by a single mother (my parents divorced). So, I have been wondering what is wrong with marriages and Im still seeing those things going on. Tell us about your dreams. Do you think you have made a breakthrough or there is something else you need on that score? So far, I cant complain because where the message reaches, where my songs are, I thank God. And as God continues to lift me up, it will be my joy for the message to reach all people. But for now, I dont complain. I continue putting in the effort and I believe that my message and the counsel I give through my songs will reach many people. We have big shots in the industry like Eunice Njeri, Mercy Masika, Gloria Muliro and all those. Do you think youll reach their level some day? Yes, I have faith. Through the messages I deliver, I know Ill reach there. We are usually told that a person ascends a step at a time. Once you have made the step, God will guide the movement until you reach where He wants. I believe Ill reach there. On top of faith, what else are you doing? Im trying a lot to push my songs in the media, to look for connections so they can reach the media so that my message reaches all people. Without connections, there is no way I can reach there. How have you been funding your audio and videos? For the songs Ive done, there are audio and video CDs. Whenever Im called to minister at a place, I go with them and sell them there. After singing, there are people who like a song and ask how they can get it. And when I go to radio stations for interviews, I talk about my songs and tell listeners where they can get my CDs. So, what do you do besides music? I work at Gold Crown Beverages. We deal with tea: Baraka Chai and Kericho Gold tea. There are many challenges in this sector, like promoters seeking sexual favours and such. How do you surmount them? Those are there, especially the money bit. Virtually everyone wants money. And, being a woman in the ministry, there are those who want to use you sexually before they support you. When I come across such people, I just decide to leave it at that. Also, during audio production some producers take advantage by labelling the song under their name and they even put their phone numbers on the recorded songs. How does your creative process work? Mostly, I write down a message when it comes. Like for Ndoa, I sat down and reflected on the realities of marriage. Where do you want to be in five years? Singapores Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan addresses Parliament. PHOTO: Screengrab from Gov.sg YouTube channel Claims that implementation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures at Seletar Airport will prevent the construction of tall buildings in Pasir Gudang are untrue, said Singapores Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday (14 January). Delivering a Ministerial Statement in Parliament, Dr Balakrishnan noted that there were allegations that Pasir Gudang, an industrial town in Johor Bahru, will not be able to have buildings higher than five stories because of the ILS. An ILS is an aid for pilots to land safely at an airport during bad weather, or when there is low-visibility conditions, explained the minister. Last month, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke had claimed that we cant even build tall buildings (in Pasir Gudang) if we allow that flight path. Producing a satellite photo of Pasir Gudang obtained from open sources to emphasise his point, Dr Balakrishnan said, But if members drive across the Causeway and drive around Pasir Gudang, you will see that there are already structures as tall as 105 metres, and this by the way is taller than many HDB blocks. The 57-year-old also revealed to the House that the ILS was installed at the request of budget carrier Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. And while Firefly had agreed to move its operations to Seletar by 1 December, it was prevented from doing so by Malaysian aviation authorities, which requires all Malaysian carriers to only fly to airports with an instrument approach. Ironically, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) was actually trying to facilitate Fireflys operations at Seletar by installing the ILS. He added, If Malaysia has any new plans for new developments, we are prepared to discuss and adjust ILS procedures if necessary. Aviation dispute The minister was updating the House on the maritime and aviation disputes between Singapore and Malaysia that have erupted in recent months. On the airspace issue, Malaysia has registered its objections to the Republics ILS procedures, citing sovereignty and other issues. Story continues In December, Singapores Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan accused Malaysia of using the ILS as a technical excuse to trigger an unfriendly act towards the Republic. Last Tuesday, following a bilateral meeting between Balakrishnan and Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifudding Abdullah in Singapore, the Republic agreed to immediately suspend implementation of the ILS. In return, Malaysia will suspend the permanent restricted area (RA) over Pasir Gudang for one month, which was previously declared in protest at the ILS implementation. Transport Ministers Loke and Khaw are also expected to meet later this month. In response, Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC Lee Bee Wah questioned Lokes claims about Pasir Gudang. Quoting a resident, Lee asked if Loke was frying prata. She meant flipping prata, a colloquial expression that means one is flip-flopping on an issue. Thanking Lee for her colourful allusions, Dr Balakrishnan said he did not want to speculate as to the basis for Lokes calculations and assumptions. The Foreign Minister stressed, I do not expect a quick or smooth resolution to all these issues. As an example, he noted that Singapore was scheduled to host a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Iskandar Malaysia on Monday morning. However, it was postponed after the Johor Menteri Besar made a publicised visit to a Malaysian vessel anchored in Singapore waters off Tuas just a day after the two foreign ministers met. This intrusionundermined the goodwill and trust that is necessary for further cooperation between the two countries, said Dr Balakrishnan, who noted that the Republic sent an official protest note on the matter. Nevertheless, Singapore still hopes to work with Malaysia for better relations, he added. Related stories Singapore minister says had good meeting with Azmin The Johor-Singapore airspace conflict: Why Malaysia is standing firm Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US counterpart Donald Trump mooted Monday the creation of a "security zone" in northern Syria as tensions rose over the fate of Kurdish fighters in the war-torn country. In a telephone conversation, the leaders "discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Trump confirmed this in a tweet later, but referred to the proposed area as a "safe zone." This came after Turkey vowed it "will not be intimidated" by Trump's threats of economic devastation if Ankara attacked Kurdish forces as US troops withdraw from Syria. Trump on Sunday warned the US would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds". Ankara has repeatedly threatened to carry out a cross-border operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been working closely with the United States in the war on Islamic State (IS) jihadists. US support for the YPG has been a major source of friction between the NATO allies. The White House said in a statement that Trump had warned Erdogan against harming Kurdish military units. "The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkey's security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian democratic forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. - 'Security zone' - But in his subsequent tweet, Trump put a more positive spin, noting that he and Erdogan "also spoke about economic development between the U.S. & Turkey -- great potential to substantially expand!" The strained relationship between Ankara and Washington initially seemed to improve after Trump announced last month that 2,000 US troops would withdraw from Syria. Ankara welcomed the decision and Erdogan told Trump that Turkey could finish off the last remnants of IS. Trump has been pushing for the creation of a 30-kilometre (20-mile) "safe zone" in Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday talks were under way on Washington's proposal to establish the zone in flashpoint border areas of northeast Syria. "We want to make sure that the folks who fought with us to down the (Islamic State group) have security... and also that terrorists acting out of Syria aren't able to attack Turkey," Pompeo said on a visit to Riyadh. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier that Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria. And in their conversation Monday, Erdogan assured Trump that Turkey was ready to provide "any kind of support" to the United States in its withdrawal from Syria. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States, and the European Union. - 'Radical solution' - Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Ankara would "continue to fight against them all", referring to IS and the YPG. There has been growing tension between Turkey and the US over the fate of the YPG, especially after Pompeo this month said Washington would ensure Turkey does not "slaughter" Kurds. And before a visit to Ankara last week, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton said the US retreat was conditional on the safety of Kurdish fighters, provoking angry retorts from Turkish officials. Turkey previously launched military offensives in northern Syria in 2016 and 2018 respectively against IS and the YPG. In early 2018, Syrian rebels backed by Turkish military forces captured the YPG's northwestern enclave of Afrin. Ankara, which supports Syrian opposition fighters, is also involved in the last rebel bastion of Idlib, where Turkey has agreed a buffer zone deal with Damascus ally Russia. But the deal has not stopped an assault by jihadists in Syria. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance led by jihadists from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, last week extended its administrative control over the whole of the Idlib region. Syria's National Coalition, the leading opposition body, on Sunday called for a "radical solution" to put "an end to its (HTS) presence" in Idlib. Cavusoglu however said the Idlib deal was being "successfully applied" and that statements that HTS took 50 percent of Idlib are "not true". burs-sms/ft Singapore warned Malaysia Monday it was ready to defend its interests after a flare-up of maritime tensions, the latest sign of fraying ties since a change of government in Kuala Lumpur. The neighbours have had testy relations since Malaysia evicted the island from the Malaysian Federation in 1965, ending a brief and stormy union of the former British colonies. Ties have gone up and down over the years but have been shaky since Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad -- who has long had a prickly relationship with Singapore -- returned to the premiership with a shock election victory last year. Tensions rose in recent weeks after purported intrusions by Malaysian vessels into Singapore waters, and the city-state proposed new landing procedures at an airport that Kuala Lumpur claimed would lead to violations of its airspace. In the latest incident, the chief minister of Johor -- the state closest to Singapore -- visited a Malaysian ship anchored inside what the city-state claims are its waters. Singapore called off a scheduled meeting of officials from both countries in protest. In a speech to parliament, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan warned: "We will always take appropriate measures to safeguard our interests, and any country dealing with Singapore must not assume that it is cost-free to embark on any adventures or antics against us. "There will be consequences." Tensions eased last week when foreign ministers from both countries agreed during a meeting in Singapore to take steps to calm the airspace and maritime rows, but the Johor chief minister's visit has raised the temperature again. Balakrishnan said Singapore looked forward to resolving issues amicably and stressed that the strength of its diplomacy depends on "domestic unity and resilience and the fact that we cannot be intimidated or bought". Ties were warm between the neighbours under the last Malaysian leader Najib Razak, but have quickly started to fray since the return of Mahathir, 93, who had a first stint as premier from 1981 to 2003. Some observers trace Mahathir's long-running animosity towards Singapore back to his fractious relationship with the city-state's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. During his first stint in office, rows erupted frequently over everything from water -- Singapore gets much of its water supply from Malaysia -- to the Malaysian leader's plan to build a bridge connecting the neighbours to replace the current causeway. The project never took off. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holds a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani (not pictured) at the Sheraton Grand in the Qatari capital Doha, Qatar January 13, 2019. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via Reuters RIYADH (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will cut short his Middle East trip because he needs to return to the United States for a family funeral, a state department spokesman said on Monday. Pompeo, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, will return home after meetings in Oman instead of travelling on to Kuwait. "This curtailment of travel is required so that the Pompeo family may attend a family funeral," the spokesman said. (Writing by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Alison Williams) A Pakistani university is rebranding Valentine's Day as "Sister's Day", and debating marking the holiday widely seen as a Western import by handing out headscarves and shawls to its female students. The University of Agriculture in Faisalabad (UAF), in central Punjab province, said the change was taken to promote "eastern culture and Islamic traditions among the youth". "In our culture, women are more empowered and earn their due respect as sisters, mothers, daughters and wives," UAF vice chancellor Zafar Iqbal is quoted as saying on the institution's website. "We were forgetting our culture, and Western culture was taking root in our society," he continued. "UAF was mulling a plan to distribute scarves, shawls and gowns printed with the UAF insignia among female students" on February 14, the statement on the website added. University spokesman Qamar Bukhari told AFP Monday that UAF is seeking donations as it aims to give headscarves to at least 1,000 of its 14,000 female students. "These scarfs will be distributed by the university administration and not their fellow male students," he added, saying that the goal is to ensure respect for women. Valentine's Day is increasingly popular among younger Pakistanis, with many taking up the custom of giving cards, chocolates and gifts to their sweethearts to mark the occasion. But the country remains a deeply traditional Muslim society where women have long struggled for their rights, and many disapprove of the holiday as a Western import. Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain told a crowd of students in 2016 that the day had no place in the Muslim-majority nation and urged young people to focus on their studies instead. A rising Pakistani social media star, Qandeel Baloch, responded by posing in a plunging scarlet dress and posting a video message refuting his call. Baloch, whose provocative selfies deeply polarised Pakistan, was murdered by her brother later that year. In 2017, the Islamabad High Court prohibited Valentine's celebrations in public spaces and government offices across the country, while last year the country's media regulator warned TV and radio stations against promoting the holiday. On social media many rejected the UAF initiative -- some joking that "Sister Day" could also be seen as a reference to the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, in which brothers vow to protect their sisters. Pakistan sees neighbouring India, where Hinduism is the dominant religion, as its arch-enemy. As many as a million fish are believed to have died along the banks of a major river system in drought-battered eastern Australia, and the authorities warned Monday of more deaths to come. The banks of the Murray-Darling Rivers are thick with rotten fish, with officials putting the number of dead at hundreds of thousands and saying the toll is likely closer to one million. Further high temperatures forecast for this week could make the situation worse, the New South Wales government has warned. Low water conditions and the heat may also have encouraged an algae bloom that starves the fish of oxygen and produce toxins. "We do expect to see more fish kills across parts of the far west and Northern Tablelands this week," said state minister Niall Blair. The deaths have become a national issue, sparking angry allegations about the cause and who is responsible. "It's a devastating ecological event," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday, pointing to apocalyptic scenes. "The sheer visual image of this is just terribly upsetting," he said. Morrison's government has blamed the fish deaths on drought, and defended policies which some locals say has caused the systemic depletion and pollution of the river system. "There's a drought and this is one of the consequences of drought. There are many, and my focus on drought has not shifted one inch," Morrison said. But for years scientists have been warning of people extracting vast amounts of water without check for irrigation or other uses, undercutting billions of dollars of investment. "Dead fish and dying rivers are not because of the drought, it's because we are extracting too much water from our river," said John Williams, an expert in water economics at the Australian National University. Opposition leader Bill Shorten called on the government to set up an "emergency task force" to address the issue. "You can't ignore a million dead fish, that's a shocking development," said Shorten. Morrison insisted the management plan for the Murray-Darling Basin was bipartisan, adding that his government was only following on the policies of the opposition Labor government. "I'm concerned today that some might want to play politics with that," he said. "There were reports done by scientists under Labor's contribution to that plan back in 2012 and the plan has been operating in accordance with that advice." Scientists are calling for politicians to be held to account. "Billions have been spent on upgrading irrigation infrastructure," said Quentin Grafton, also of the Australian National University, "but with no public benefit." "It's a disgrace and it's time those responsible are held accountable for this unfolding disaster." Former Italian leftist guerrilla Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino airport in Rome Former Italian leftist guerrilla Cesare Battisti arrives at Ciampino airport in Rome, Italy, January 14, 2019. REUTERS/Max Rossi By Antonio Denti and Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Former leftist guerrilla Cesare Battisti, facing a life sentence in Italy for murder, landed in Rome on Monday on a special flight from Bolivia, ending almost four decades on the run. News of his arrest at the weekend in Bolivia's largest city, Santa Cruz, was greeted with joy by Italy's government and both the interior and justice ministers were on hand as the unmarked plane carrying the ex-fugitive flew into Ciampino airport. "It is a day we have been waiting for for 37 years," said far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, denouncing the 64-year-old Battisti as a "killer, a delinquent, a coward, who never asked forgiveness". Battisti was sentenced in absentia to life in prison for his involvement in four murders -- two policemen, a jeweller and a butcher -- in the late 1970s as a member of the far-left Armed Proletarians for Communism. He has admitted to being a member of the group but has denied killing anyone. Bearded and wearing a brown jacket, Battisti smiled as police escorted him from the plane and across the tarmac. He was later put on another plane and flown to Sardinia where he will serve his life term in the high security Oristano prison. Battisti escaped from an Italian jail in 1981 while awaiting trial and fled to neighbouring France where he lived freely thanks to the protection of the-then French president, Francois Mitterrand, who was critical of Italy's legal system. When subsequent French governments abandoned the so-called Mitterrand Doctrine, Battisti moved to Brazil, where he gained the protection of former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and was granted refugee status in 2009. However, Brazil's new far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, who took office this month, pledged to return Battisti to Italy. In December, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge ordered his arrest, but by then he had vanished again. The former communist militant was tracked down in neighbouring Bolivia, which he had entered illegally, and arrested on Saturday by an Interpol team. Story continues "With at least four murders on his conscience, (Battisti) lived very well between Paris and Rio de Janeiro for too many years, thanks also to the complicity of foreign governments," Salvini said in an interview with RAI state TV. But he thanked Bolsonaro for his support, saying Battisti's return showed that Italy had regained international prestige. Battisti, who became a successful crime novel writer during his time on the run, said last year that he feared he would be tortured and killed if he were sent back to Italy. (Reporting by Antonio Denti and Angelo Amante, writing by Steve Scherer, Editing by William Maclean and Crispian Balmer) Three siblings from Kuresoi North in Nakuru County are the talk of their town after they were admitted to the same school for their high school education. The identical triplets, Amos, Samson and Gideon Yegon sat their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams scoring 362, 357 and 352 marks respectively. Notably, the three brothers, who were admitted to the prestigious St. Patricks High School in Iten, recorded a gap of 5 marks in their scores. If thats not strange enough a coincidence, their mother Lily Chemutai says the brothers were born 5 minutes apart. And guess when they were born? In 2005. I got the triplets in the year 2005 and raising them was not easy as a single mother. It was difficult until the someone intervened by offering to support me, she stated. But thats not all. The single mother further revealed that she has 5 children. These rare coincidences have left area residents and the triplets new schoolmates baffled. The controversy involving Huawei Technologies in Poland will not only exacerbate the ongoing crisis surrounding the Chinese telecoms giants global operations, but also threaten Beijings overtures towards Eastern and Central Europe, analysts have said. Chinese observers also warned that the escalating tensions over the arrest of a Huawei employee in Poland on spying charges could put further strains on Chinas relations with Europe amid simmering tensions over trade and growing concerns about the Belt and Road Initiative. Last weeks detention of Wang Weijing, Huaweis sales director in Poland, showed the US-China rivalry over technology pre-eminence has spilled over into Europe, according to Wang Yiwei, head of the Centre for EU Studies at Renmin University of China. Clearly, the United States is desperate to check Chinas rapid economic and technological ascendancy and is trying to use its allies and partners in Europe to curb Huawei, he said. The latest controversy followed the December arrest of Meng Wanzhou also known as Sabrina Meng and Cathy Meng Huaweis chief financial officer in Canada, who was later released on bail. The worlds largest telecoms equipment supplier is facing intense international scrutiny led by the US amid growing suspicion over its ties with the Chinese government and military. Global Times, a tabloid controlled by the Communist Party mouthpiece Peoples Daily, lashed out at Warsaw on Monday after Polands internal affairs minister called for the European Union and Nato to take a joint stance on Huawei. Describing Poland as a US accomplice, the nationalist newspaper said in an editorial that Poland must pay for the offence and China must not be soft at this point. Beijing should resolutely negotiate with Warsaw and conduct relative counter-measures, helping the world understand that Poland is an accomplice of the US, it said, without elaborating on what Beijing should do. Story continues Poland, which is Huaweis headquarters for Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordic region, is strategically important for both the company and Beijings European policy, according to Pang Zhongying, a Beijing-based international affairs expert. After having suffered setbacks in major English-speaking nations, such as the US, Australia and New Zealand, it has become even more challenging for Huawei to maintain its firm foothold in Central and Eastern Europe, he said. It could even be a fatal blow for Huaweis global strategy if it fails in Europe, which is Huaweis biggest foreign market at the moment, Pang said. Both Pang and Wang Yiwei also said Wangs arrest will test Beijings relations with Poland and complicate relations with Central and Eastern Europe. Beijing has invested heavily in Eastern and Central Europe in recent years under the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious transcontinental infrastructure programme. Since 2012, when China held the first 16+1 summit with central and eastern European countries in 2012, it has pledged around US$15 billion in investments in the region. Poland, one of the biggest economies in the region which hosted the first regional summit, has enjoyed close trade ties with Beijing and rolled out a Go China Strategy five years ago. But the move has caused growing concern among Western European countries, and EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn last year warned of the danger that Balkan states risked becoming Trojan horses for Chinese influence. Like most other European countries, Poland relies heavily on the security and military alliance with the US and the latest arrest is another example of Warsaw trying to please Washington by having aligned itself with the US over security concerns about Huawei, Wang said. Other European countries and probably many others around the world may face a similar dilemma in future, he continued, as they will be increasingly caught up in the showdown between Beijing and Washington. Norway and Sweden recently said they would investigate whether Huawei should be allowed to build 5G infrastructure due to security concerns, while the Czech government banned civil servants and ministers from using the companys phones for similar reasons. Pang also said the latest arrest also showed despite their trade and political differences, Europe and the US may have found common ground in countering China. It is a difficult time for Chinas relations with Europe as well, and we should be careful about a possible chain reaction in the trilateral relationship between China, Europe and the US. Huawei Canadas Scott Bradley quits as scrutiny of company grows Amid the trade war with the US, Chinas ties with Europe could become even more challenging because European countries share a lot of concerns with Americans about Chinas unfair trade policies. Many analysts believe Europe may want to follow [US President Donald] Trumps example and take a tougher stance on China if Beijing makes important concessions in trade talks with Washington, he said. Both Pang and Wang also warned the trend could affect a belt and road summit to be held in April and this years 16+1 summit in Croatia. Marcin Przychodniak, a China analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, said he did not expect a negative policy change in Central and Eastern European countries towards China. I think Poland is taking a more active stance trying more to focus on bilateral issues with China rather than regional mostly due to negative reviews of 16+1. But now that might not be possible in the short term due to possible Chinese retaliation in the recent case, he said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that China hoped the Polish side would work to create mutual trust and maintain relations. Huaweis gear seen as cost-effective in developing nations Hua said some people sought to use groundless accusations about security threats to suppress and restrict Chinese technology companies development abroad. We urge relevant parties to cease the groundless fabrications and unreasonable restrictions toward Huawei and other Chinese companies, and create a fair, good and just environment for mutual investment and normal cooperation by both sides companies, Hua said. Using security reasons to hype, obstruct or restrict normal cooperation between companies in the end will only hurt ones own interests, she added. Additional reporting by Keegan Elmer This article Huaweis Poland spying case threatens Chinas efforts to win over Eastern and Central Europe first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. More from South China Morning Post: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) New Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel on Friday over his handling of February's massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, saying he "repeatedly failed and has demonstrated a pattern of poor leadership." The Republican governor flew to Fort Lauderdale three days after taking office to remove the Democratic sheriff, appointing a former police sergeant to serve as acting sheriff. Gregory Tony, 40, worked for Coral Springs police for 12 years before leaving in 2016 to start a company specializing in active-shooter training. He is the first African-American to serve as Broward's sheriff. DeSantis said during a news conference outside the sheriff's office headquarters that Israel failed to keep families and children safe before and during the Feb. 14 shooting that left 14 students and three staff members dead inside the three-story freshman building. "The neglect of duty and incompetence that was connected to the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has been well documented, and I have no interest in dancing on Scott Israel's political grave," DeSantis said. "Suffice it to say, the massacre might never have happened had Broward had better leadership in the sheriff's department." During the shooting, then-Broward Deputy Scot Peterson, who was assigned to the school, drew his gun but took cover instead of charging inside. Seven other deputies who arrived within minutes also failed to enter, even as officers from neighboring Coral Springs went into the building. Israel earlier changed the office's policy from saying deputies "shall" confront active shooters to "may." He said he didn't want to deputies to undertake suicide missions. Deputies also received two calls about suspect Nikolas Cruz in the months before the massacre saying he had amassed an arsenal and was a potential school shooter, but took no action. Story continues Minutes after DeSantis' announcement, Israel said he "wholeheartedly" rejected the governor's order and would fight it in court, arguing that DeSantis was making a "power grab" against the will of the county's people who elected him. He said DeSantis was acting on behalf of the National Rifle Association, which quickly blamed the sheriff's office after the shooting. "There was no wrongdoing on my part. I served the county honorably," he said. "False narratives may continue, but not in a court of law. In a court of law, only the facts matter." Under Florida law, the governor can suspend elected officials for criminal activity, misfeasance, incompetence or neglect of duty. If Israel challenges the suspension, the state Senate would hold a trial and could either fire or reinstate him. DeSantis' Republican predecessor, now-U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, refused to suspend Israel, saying he wanted to wait until investigations were completed. Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was fatally shot as she ran down a third-floor hallway, inches from the safety of the stairwell, said she and other third-floor victims could have been saved if Peterson or other deputies had gone inside immediately. "One more second and she makes it," Guttenberg said. "If anybody wants to know what failure means and lack of response (means), my daughter would have lived if someone had given her one more second." Andrew Pollack, whose 18-year-old daughter Meadow died on the third floor trying to protect a younger student who also died, said "when eight BSO deputies listened to shots fired in a school and stayed outside they were following Sheriff Israel's policies." A 15-member state commission that recently completed its initial report on the shooting said deputies also had about 20 contacts with Cruz as a juvenile mostly over arguments with his now-deceased mother. Israel has said none of those contacts warranted an arrest. Law enforcement members of the state commission investigating the shooting have agreed with that conclusion. But commissioners also concluded that the department's active shooter training had not been effective. Still, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the commission's chairman, and other law enforcement officials on the panel have said they didn't think Israel should be suspended. Israel, 62, was elected sheriff in 2012 after a long career in law enforcement. After taking office, Israel, a Republican until changing parties shortly before running in 2008, received criticism over his friendship with notorious GOP operative Roger Stone, for promoting Stone's inexperienced stepson to detective and for accepting gifts from a wealthy benefactor. However, community leaders praised his work with the homeless, minority and gay communities. Violent crime went down, and he easily won re-election in 2016 to oversee the county's 2,800 deputies. Shortly after Israel's second term began, a man retrieved a handgun from his luggage at Fort Lauderdale's airport and opened fire, killing five. While Israel's deputies apprehended him within 72 seconds, the draft of a county report said Israel and others didn't control the chaos, leaving passengers huddled in fear for hours. He criticized the draft, and the final version was less harsh but many of the same communications problems that plagued the airport response were repeated at Stoneman Douglas. A Chinese court on Monday sentenced Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg to death for drug trafficking in a dramatic turn of events that prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to vow to intercede in the case. Trudeau expressed extreme concern and accused Beijing of arbitrarily applying the death sentence against Schellenberg. In his strongest comments yet against China, Trudeau said all countries around the world should be concerned by Beijings behaviour. Canadians warned about Chinas arbitrary laws after death sentence Chinas official Xinhua news agency had earlier reported that the Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court tried Schellenberg in accordance with the law and handed down the death penalty. The court also ruled that all his property would be confiscated. Schellenberg can now appeal the decision. The court will later announce more detailed information on the trial, Xinhua said on Monday evening. The retrial on Monday was attended by about 70 observers including a small group of foreign journalists. Schellenberg, a 36-year-old former oil worker, was initially detained in Liaoning province in 2015. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 150,000 yuan (US$22,000) in November last year for smuggling more than 200kg (441 pounds) of methamphetamine in China. He appealed against the sentence to the Liaoning High Peoples Court, where prosecutors argued the sentence was too lenient. The court heard the appeal on December 29 and ordered a retrial in the lower court. A report published on Monday by the Dalian court said in 2014, Schellenberg directed a translator to carry out a series of activities, including the purchase of car tyres to hide the methamphetamine for smuggling purposes. The report said Schellenberg tried to flee to Thailand after he became aware of the police investigation but was intercepted in Guangzhou. After verifying the evidence, the court determined that the case is strong and Schellenberg is the principal culprit, the report said. In accordance with Chinas criminal law, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to death for drug trafficking and will confiscate all of his property. Story continues In his defence at the retrial, Schellenberg argued that he was a tourist framed by criminals, rejecting allegations made by the prosecutors. In his opening statement, Schellenberg said he had gone to China after travelling through Southeast Asia, including Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He said a friend had recommended Xu Qing as a translator, and Schellenberg was then swept up in what turned out to be an international drug trafficking syndicate. This is a case about Xu Qing. He is an international drug smuggler and a liar, Schellenberg told the court. Prosecutors presented Xu as a witness, who in nearly two hours of testimony did not look at Schellenberg. When pressed on details, Xu frequently told the court he could not remember them and had to refer to a written statement for details, including when Schellenberg questioned him about 180,000 yuan he was purportedly given. Two other Chinese men were involved in the case one was sentenced to life in jail, while the other was given a suspended death sentence. After the retrial, Schellenbergs lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said: The sentence is very regretful. When asked if his client would appeal, Zhang replied: The next steps will be up to Schellenberg I am planning to talk to him early next week sometime, perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday. The initial evidence is not enough to convict him. Even though the court thinks he is guilty, the additional criminal evidence presented by the prosecutors cannot be used to add to his sentence. The announcement of the sentencing was all very fast, it took around 20 minutes. The deliberation process was around one hour, said Zhang, whose appointment was proposed by Canadian consular officials and agreed to by Schellenberg. When we visited Schellenberg last week, he was quite calm because we walked him through the possibilities from the retrial, including the possibility of the death penalty, he added. But Zhang would not comment on whether he felt the case had been caught up in the diplomatic tussle between China and Canada, saying only that it was an unusual case. The sentencing on Monday came against the backdrop of increased tensions between Canada and China. The two countries have been at odds since the arrest of Huawei Technologies chief financial officer Sabrina Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver in December on suspicion of violating US sanctions against Iran. That was followed by Chinas detention of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian businessman Michael Spavor on suspicion of endangering national security. In earlier interviews, Schellenbergs aunt Lauri Nelson-Jones said she was concerned that increasing tensions between Beijing and Ottawa could mean a tougher sentence for her nephew. In Ottawa, Trudeau said: It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply the death penalty. He said his government had vowed to intercede whenever a Canadian faced the death penalty, as we have in this case. Trudeau said China had taken a choice not to respect long-standing practices and principles in regards to diplomatic immunity, an apparent reference to Kovrigs status. On Friday, Donald Clarke, a specialist in Chinese law at George Washington University, said in a blog post that Schellenbergs case had several unusual features, including the delay in trial and sentencing, the rare decision for and extraordinary speed in scheduling a retrial, and invitations to international media to observe the case. Sending the case back for retrial gives China the opportunity to threaten death and to drag out that threat for as long as necessary, he wrote. Schellenberg could, for example, be sentenced to death with a two-year suspension. Even though such sentences are virtually always commuted when the two-year period expires, everyone would understand that the Chinese authorities could always find a reason not to commute. One plausible explanation was that China wanted to show Canada it was deadly literally deadly serious about getting Meng Wanzhou released, Clarke said. China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past, including a Japanese national in 2014 and a Filipino in 2013. Additional reporting by Mimi Lau and Agence France-Presse This article Canadian Robert Schellenberg sentenced to death in China for drug trafficking, PM Justin Trudeau vows to intercede first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. More from South China Morning Post: Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Monday marked 34 years in power with a threat "to step on the throat" of his rivals if the EU ends trade preferences over the kingdom's slide into one-party rule. The European Union has warned it may withdraw its tariff-free Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, which helps exports from Cambodia's garment sector, Hun Sen's party won all parliamentary seats in polls last year. The multi-billion-dollar garment and footwear industry provides a steady wage to hundreds of thousands of people in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries, and its ongoing success is seen as one of Hun Sen's few remaining points of vulnerability. His Cambodia People's Party (CPP) swept the elections after the main opposition was banned from taking part, and its key figures were hit with jail sentences and legal charges or intimidated into silence. In recent months, Hun Sen has loosened his chokehold on the crippled opposition, requesting pardons for jailed opposition members and journalists in a move seen as a reaction to the EU's threat. But on Monday, a typically bombastic Hun Sen warned he would "step on the throat further" of the opposition if the EU followed through with its threat to pull the EBA. "If you want the opposition to die -- cut it (the EBA)," he said at a public event Monday on anniversary of his 1985 appointment as head of state. "You should understand the price that you would pay," Hun Sen said, adding "sanctions on Cambodia means killing the opposition party" as well as pulling all leverage for democracy and human rights. The 66-year-old hammered home his point on Saturday to visiting former Irish prime minister Enda Kenny, accusing the EU of holding the country's 16 million people "hostage" with the tariff threats. Hun Sen is known for his overblown speeches that toss aside diplomatic niceties, but he usually avoids referring to the EU trade scheme by name. Removing EU trade preferences is a long, drawn-out process that would take several months. But Hun Sen has been emboldened after his party swept all parliamentary seats in the July 2018 vote. The Southeast Asian country also enjoys the economic support of China. Hun Sen said he will pay an official visit to Beijing later this month to meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss "economic, investment and development". Cars in Singapore are notoriously expensive, thanks to the many taxes imposed on them by the government. These include the Certificate of Entitlements (COEs), Additional Registration Fee (ARF), Excise Duty, GST and the Vehicular Emission Scheme (VES). But if you really need (or want to) to own a car in Singapore, you will be glad to know that COE prices have been declining over the past two years, and currently stands at $25,920 as of January 2019. This has led to car distributors lowering their sales price for 2019 in order to attract budget car buyers. Cars are an expensive financial commitment and we strongly encourage you to calculate the long term cost of owning one before you buy it. However, if you are still keen to own a car, here are some of the cheapest cars you can buy in Singapore today. At the time of writing, COE price for Category A is $25,920. Our price list is accurate as at the start of January 2019. Honourable mentions: Honda Jazz ($68,999), Kia Cerato ($72,999), Suzuki Swift ($71,900) Read Also: Cost Of Owning A Car In Singapore # 5 Perodua Axia 1.0 (A) $68,800 (Highest price in 2018: $70,800) Source: sgCarMart Despite the decline in COE prices over the past 12 months, the price of last years most affordable car, the Perodua Axia, has not dropped. This makes it the 5th most affordable car on our list for 2019. Considered a small hatchback, the cars fuel economy of 21.6km/l means that you will get higher mileage for your fuel. Features in this car are relatively simple comprising of electrical retractable side mirror, reverse sensor and two airbags. # 4 Nissan Note 1.2 Lite (A) $68,300 (Highest price in 2018: $77,300) Source: Nissan The most affordable variant of the Nissan Note is priced at an extremely competitive $68,300. This eco-friendly Japanese car comes with keyless engine start, auto headlights, electrical retractable mirrors and an impressive fuel consumption of 20km/l. At its current price, the Nissan Note is definitely a vehicle for serious consideration if you are looking for an affordable hatchback car from a reputable automobile manufacturer. Story continues # 3 Hyundai Accent 1.4 CVT (A) $66,999 (Highest price in 2018: $75,999) Source: Hyundai The most powerful car on this list, this Korean car is a reasonable choice for owners who want a big-enough sedan to fit their growing family. With a boot capacity of 465L and standard features such as engine push start stop, GPS system and bluetooth interface, its a safe choice for those who want a larger car without having to spend more than they need to. # 2 Mitsubishi Attrage 1.2 CVT Elegance (A) $57,999 (Highest price in 2018: $70,999) Source: sgCarMart You know a car is a value-for-money buy when its also the preferred choice for full-time private-hire drivers. Though considered a compact sedan, the Attrage is spacious enough to fit three adults comfortably in its back row. It also has a boot capacity of 450L, which is larger than cars such as the Audi A3 sedan (425L) and the Mazda 3 sedan (408L). Its fuel consumption is at a reasonable 20.4km/l. Depreciation is at just $5,500 per year. The Attrage is also pretty stacked with features that you want such as 6 airbags, keyless engine start, electrical retractable side mirrors and bluetooth interface. You are not going to win any races on the expressway, or just about anywhere else, but thats not the reason why anyone is buying this car in the first place. Its also popular enough such that you should not expect a problem finding workshops in Singapore that can service and do parts replacement in the future. However, given the very generous 10 years engine warranty and 5 years unlimited mileage warranty, you may not find yourself needing to find one anytime soon. # 1 Perodua Bezza 1.3 (M) $54,800 (Highest price in 2018: $74,800) Source: Perodua In its attempt to compete with the Attrage, Perodua has slashed the price of the Bezza with the manual version of this Malaysia-made sedan now available at just $54,800. The automatic transmission costs $56,800. What this means is that if you are basing your purchase decision purely on price, the Bezza would be the best bet for you today. The Bezza is a no-frills car that is relatively spacious with simple features. Like most cars on this list, its interior build is passable though uninspiring. That said, a simple car like the Bezza should be cheaper to maintain in the long run as there would be less parts which could fail. The post 5 Cheapest Cars In Singapore That You Can Buy In 2019 appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg. Twelve people suspected to be involved in the kidnapping of the American businessman William Sean Creighton Kopko in Costa Rica have been arrested. Nine of the suspects were arrested in Costa Rica while three were nabbed in Spain, according to Television New Zealand. Its now three months since the American businessman was kidnapped in the Central American country. Kopkos family paid a ransom of nearly $950,000 in bitcoin which was demanded shortly after he disappeared. However, Kopko, who owns the online gambling platform 5Dimes, was never released and is still missing. In October last year, reports surfaced suggesting that Kopkos body had been found, but this was proven untrue. Central America to Europe According to the Spanish Civil Guard, three suspects who allegedly were the ringleaders fled Costa Rica to Cuba. In November, the three left Cuba for Spain where they were staying in Zaragoza city at the time of their arrest. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Tourists to the Central American country are advised to exercise extra caution in certain parts of Costa Rica due to crime. In particular, the U.S. State Department warns that gang activity poses a deadly risk in certain parts of the capital San Jose: Pavas and Hospital neighborhoods in San Jose Criminal assault and homicides have been reported in these areas. Gang activity, such as territorial disputes and narcotics trafficking, has been reported in Pavas in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy. Just a week ago the Norwegian police went public asking for tips in the kidnapping mystery of a Norwegian millionaires wife. Multi-millionaire Tom Hagens wife, Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik Hagen, was abducted from her home October 31st. Per Norwegian magazine Kapital, Hagen, is Norways 172nd richest person as of 2018. Hagen is a real estate investor and the owner of an electric company. He is said to be worth over $200 million. 9 Million Euros Ransom Note As CCN reported, the kidnappers are believed to have accosted her in her own bathroom. Her husband was the first to notice her disappearance. A note demanding a ransom of nine million euros was found shortly after. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The kidnappers specifically demanded that the ransom should be paid in Monero. Additionally, the ransom note warned against involving the police. Having reached a dead end, the police decided to go public: Our goal is to find the woman alive and reunite her with her family. In serious crime cases, time is an important factor. We depend on tips that can help us come closer to finding Anne-Elisabeth. According to ABC, the police have released video surveillance footage. Tommy Broske, the chief police investigator, says they are already searching for the suspects caught in the footage: We have access to surveillance video showing persons moving on the outside of the building on the day in question. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post $1 Million in Bitcoin Ransom Paid, American in Costa Rica Still Missing appeared first on CCN. "Mandatory minimum sentencing policies and cocaine use in the U.S., 19852013" | Main | Justice Kavanaugh joins Chief and more liberal Justices in GVR of Kentucky capital case I have often said California is a crazy and crazy-interesting state for sentencing developments, and this story about recent clemency developments showcases this reality. The story is headlined "It was like a ton of bricks crushed me: California grapples with historic clemency rejections," and here are some of the particulars: Joe Hernandez found out that the California Supreme Court had rejected his commutation request late last month during a phone call with his wife, when she checked the online docket for his case.... His family was already planning for the possibility when, on Dec. 21, a majority of the Supreme Court, without specifying a reason, declined to recommend the commutation. It was like a ton of bricks crushed me, Hernandez said in a phone interview. I didnt know what to say. This was our first real hope after 25 years. Hernandezs was one of ten clemency actions blocked by the court in the final weeks of the Brown administration, the first time since 1930 that it has rejected pardon or commutation requests under consideration by a governor. The move stunned observers of the California Supreme Court, which under the state constitution must review clemency requests for anyone convicted of felony more than once, and has left them grasping for answers about how to proceed. The court approved 86 other applications over the past eight years. Even Brown seemed to be unsure what to make of the rejections. He granted a historic 1,332 pardons and 283 commutations during his final two terms, part of a broader push to scale back the states tough-on-crime approach that began under his first governorship. Read the ones who were approved and read the ones who were disapproved and you tell me what the rule is, Brown told reporters in early January, shortly before he left office. That leaves new Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Democrat, to puzzle through the courts position as he considers whether to continue Browns powerful embrace of executive clemency. The weight of that is pretty heavy, Newsom said at a benefit concert on Sunday before his inauguration. The governor looks at dozens of those every single week. Theres a binder. Quite literally, every time I see him, he shows me the binder and he says, This is one of the most important jobs that you will have. The court wrote an administrative order in March about its role in evaluating pardon and commutation applications that stated it was not acting on the merits of the cases but rather to determine whether granting clemency would be an abuse of power by the governor. Nevertheless, its no more clear now to experts what that boundary might be. David Ettinger, an appellate lawyer who writes a blog about the California Supreme Court called At the Lectern, said that from the information publicly available about the rejected cases, he couldnt distinguish them from a significant number of other life without parole commutations that the Supreme Court signed off on. I just dont know. Theres really no guidance for future courts, for future clemency requests, for future governors making requests, as to why certain ones might get blocked and certain ones wont, he said. It is a problem for future courts and future governors, how to apply this general abuse of power standard to specific cases. Kate Chatfield, policy director for Re:store Justice, a criminal justice nonprofit, has assisted two clients with commutation applications. She said the courts action was unlikely to change the work of lawyers in her field or the desire of inmates to seek clemency. But she was concerned about the Supreme Courts standard, and how to address it, if it is not a review of the merits of a case.... Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen would also like more guidance from the court, which he said could help prosecutors focus their arguments in cases they oppose. His office weighs in on every clemency request that the governor is considering for a case they prosecuted, some of which have also been reviewed by the Supreme Court. He said his team determines a position by looking at criteria like the underlying crime, how the perpetrator has behaved in prison and the wishes of the victims family, a particularly important factor in murder cases. The thing about governors and clemency is its a very powerful tool that does not have a lot of checks on it, Rosen said. I believe that the governor would want all of the relevant information to make the decision. Kiambu County governor Ferdinand Waititu has urged his electorate to excuse his purported poor English, saying he did not attend nursery school. While addressing mourners at a funeral service in Gatundu South on Saturday, Baba Yao acknowledged that he finds it hard to express himself in English. I was a student at Dagoretti High School but as you know, I have difficulty in expressing myself English. This is because I did not go to nursery school, said Waititu. The County boss, who was speaking in Kikuyu dialect, continued saying: I was one of the children that were being subjected to the test of touching your ear with your hand and if you managed, you were allowed to proceed to Class One. But English is just but a language, of importance is what is in ones mind, he said amid cheers and laughter from the crowd. Waititu thanked his supporters for electing him and assured them he will work to make a difference. Just last month, Waititu also spoke about his struggle with English reiterating that he is committed to service delivery. Mimi ndiye baba yao. Some of you might have heard so many stories about me, some of them indicating that I cannot even express myself in English. I want to promise our people of Kiambu that I will perform and try to at least make sure that even if I dont achieve 100 percent, that I deliver 80 percent of the promises I made. I want to be truthful, I have always been truthful and real. I have always faced all my challenges squarely. What I want to promise everybody is that Kiambu is going to be a different place altogether. " " The CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS) is shown at the ESA's technical center in the Netherlands in September 2018. CHEOPS is launching between October and November 2019 and will be the first mission to measure light from exoplanets. European Space Agency For those who contemplate the cosmos, 2019 already is shaping up to be a pretty spectacular year. On Jan. 1, NASA's New Horizon's spacecraft flew by Ultima Thule, an object in the Kuiper Belt some 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) from Earth, and sent back pictures of a bizarre miniature world shaped like a bowling pin. In the days and months ahead, we'll be gazing in wonder at more images and other data from New Horizon, as it continues its exploration of that mysterious realm, which may contain secrets about the origin of the solar system. Not quite two days later, a Chinese probe, Chang'e-4, became the first spacecraft to ever land on the far side of the moon. But that was just the start. Here are some of the key events, from meteor showers to space exploration milestones, that we can expect this year. Advertisement Jan. 20-21: Total Lunar Eclipse This lunar eclipse will occur when the moon will pass through Earth's umbra, the inside region of its shadow, over a five-hour period, Sky and Telescope reports. Moon gazers should watch for subtle shifts in brightness and hue as the eclipse progresses. The eclipse will be a night event for people in North and South America and a morning event for people living in Europe and Africa. During the 62 minutes when the moon is dark, watch for a patch of light about 6 degrees to the East. That's the Beehive Cluster, a swarm of about 1,000 stars. February: Israeli and Indian Lunar Landings SpaceIL, a nonprofit venture, plans to launch an $88 million lunar probe aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. If successful, the mission would make Israel the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the moon, after Russia, the U.S. and China. The four-legged lander will weigh around 1,322 pounds (600 kilograms), the smallest spacecraft to land on the moon, and will transmit high-definition photos and video. Another new country hoping to make it to the moon is India. The Indian Space Research Organization's Chandrayaan-2 probe, whose launch date has been delayed, also may be launched in February, according to India Today. "This is a big year for the moon," explains Dale Skran, executive vice-president of the National Space Society, a nonprofit organization. February: A Japanese Space Probe Will Collect Samples of An Asteroid The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's probe Hayabusa2 reached the near-earth asteroid Ryugu last year, and deployed rovers that sent back images of the surface. But between Feb. 18 and Feb. 23, the spacecraft itself will start descending from its position 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) above the asteroid's surface, and land on it in order to collect fragments of the asteroid that it eventually will transport back to Earth for study. These may provide clues about how the solar system was formed. NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which is studying the asteroid Bennu, isn't scheduled to attempt a landing and sample gathering until 2020, according to The New York Times. June: U.S. Manned Space Launches Scheduled to Resume For the first time in eight years, a space launch from U.S. soil is scheduled to carry NASA astronauts into space aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. (An unmanned test of the spacecraft, originally scheduled for Jan. 17, has been pushed back into February.) Boeing also is preparing to transport NASA astronauts into space this year. Advertisement July 2: Total Solar Eclipse in Southern Hemisphere This will be the first total solar eclipse since the Great American Eclipse of 2017, and in contrast to that event, that you'll have to be in the Southern Hemisphere to see ig. It'll happen near sunset on July 2, and the best locations for viewing will be in central Chile and Argentina, or from a ship in the Pacific Ocean. Aug. 12-13: Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks Meteor fanciers should plan on being out in the backyard on these nights, when the Perseids debris from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle flash across the sky. They got their name because they appear to originate from a spot in the sky near the constellation Perseus, according to the American Meteor Society. October-November: CHEOPS Probe Will Study Exoplanets The European Space Agency's CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), scheduled for launch between Oct. 15 and Nov. 14, will be the first mission designed to measure light from planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. Skran thinks that exoplanet research could stimulate interest in human colonization. "One of the things that dampened space exploration was when people realized that Venus was hell, and Mars was a desert," he says. "But it's becoming clear that there are a lot of planets out there, and a lot are Earth-like." Dec. 13-14: Geminids Meteor Shower Peaks This is the most spectacular event of the year for meteor watchers, with a strong shower of objects that are often bright and intense in color. The moon will be 96 percent full that night, though, which may obscure the may obscure the show a bit. Now That's Cool NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which will zoom by the sun twice in 2019, travels at a speed of 430,000 miles (692,000 kilometers) per hour fast enough to get from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. in a single second. Federal employees being harmed The inability of our elected leaders in Washington to keep the federal government open is appalling. I am proud of my past work as a federal employee to serve the country I love. Now that the government is partially shut down, federal workers nationwide are forced to stay at home and wait for the government to reopen. These Feds are no longer able to provide the services that our fellow Americans rely on. Middle-class federal workers and their families are forced to stretch their pennies until the shutdown is over. Furloughed employees are navigating this difficult time without any guarantee of back pay. Even employees who aren't furloughed will not be paid as long as the government is shut down. Bills still arrive on time even if paychecks don't, and many federal employees are being forced to make difficult financial decisions to make ends meet. Another pro tip for getting what you want: Don't loudly and publicly take personal responsibility for negative consequences that would result from a breakdown of negotiations. With television cameras running, Trump boasted that everyone should blame him for a shutdown. Polls show this is exactly what the public has done, and Trump's numbers will surely get worse as the effects of the shutdown on families and communities become more dire. The Democratic proposal fund the government while continuing to debate border security and the wall is eminently reasonable. But Trump is scared. He went back on the original deal after the far-right commentariat went ballistic. The president must realize that having failed to get funding for the wall when his party had control of both chambers of Congress, he is less likely to get it following a blue-wave midterm election that gave Democrats the House. But Trump doesn't want Limbaugh, Coulter, et al. wailing to his base that their hero has surrendered to the snowflakes and given up on "the wall," which from the beginning was more of a rallying cry than a serious proposal. Trump's approval numbers have always been underwater, but as long as he retains overwhelming support among Republicans, he can expect GOP senators to worry that crossing him would amount to political suicide. "This is a geography of war. Maybe it wasn't a battle, but it was certainly something that happened because of war," she said of Heart Mountain. The course will examine questions like "where are these geographies of war that are not in the news or not visible to us?" It will also use a somewhat "experimental" format; students in other disciplines, like environmental science, can earn two credits through the geography course then earn a credit within their major by working with an adviser to write a term paper about Heart Mountain that pertains to that discipline. The class is also open to the public to audit, though there is a trip fee for the museum visit. Gilbertz also noted the political climate. "This is a really good thing to do right now to talk about immigrants to the American society, how important they are, their contributions," she said. "It's right here in our backyard. I can use this real place to really force us to think about immigration, not in the abstract." The museum, with its restored barracks, memorial, and historical information, provides an indispensable resource for that, she said. "That place now is marked. It is less likely to become invisible, and it was becoming invisible as a geography of war," Gilbertz said. "This museum makes it visible again." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Its time for South Dakota to move forward with the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use. Almost three-quarters of the states in this country with forward thinking have already moved forward. But of course, some in South Dakota some still think its 1950. Why are the Democrats opposed to securing our southern border? Illegal means just that; we cannot pick and choose what laws we follow as a nation. If we can ignore law, then I choose to quit paying my taxes. Am I the only one confused between the terms border security and border wall? I am all for the security but opposed to the wall. Walls and fences work very well just ask any farmer, rancher or landowner who wants to keep something out and off his property. A writer to Two Cents blames Congress for the government shutdown. Theres intransigence on both sides of the aisles in Congress and in the presidency enough blame to spread around. The people, not only government employees, are suffering from the shutdown. Its time for us, the people, to say enough already, do your job now, otherwise we will fire all of you in 2020. I want to thank whoever bought my breakfast Jan. 6 at Millstone. I will pay that forward. Thank you. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Ready to climb walls in the dead of winter? High Mountain Outfitters has opened a second indoor climbing gym where outdoor mountaineering enthusiasts can pad their skill sets during Black Hills winters. High Mountain's flagship outdoor-gear store and climbing gym in Spearfish now has a Rapid City location that opened Dec. 22 in a 4,500-square-foot space at 3010 Cambell St. in the new Zigs Business Park. Pat Fackler, manager of both Spearfish and Rapid City climbing gyms, said the new location features a gear shop offering harnesses, climbing shoes and anchor gear in-house, loft space for classes and parties, and walls for kids, beginning adults and experienced climbers. If you have a kid who is nervous and still wants to try (climbing), we have a safe spot for them to do so, Fackler said. Six different roped lanes for route climbing offer varying degrees of difficulty, from a relatively easy beginner climb to more technical routes. A large bouldering wall for climbing without rope also offers ranges of difficulty, and a moon board, which is a bouldering wall inverted at 40 degrees. A fire has temporarily shut down a Rapid City restaurant. Employees at the Burger King on East North Street in north Rapid City reported a fire a little after 8 a.m. Monday, according to Rapid City Fire Department Lt. Jim Bussell. He said restaurant employees evacuated the building. No one was hurt. When firefighters arrived, they said there was a light haze inside the restaurant and determined the fire was inside a wall. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} At the scene which fire officials dubbed Whopper Command no smoke or flames were visible from outside the building. Firefighters carried out insulation, paneling and other burned material to put out the fire. The fire department reported the fire was soon extinguished, and crews left the scene by 9:15 a.m. The cause is being investigated. Satin Janis, 36, one of the Burger King employees, said she opened the restaurant at 5 a.m. It was a typical morning until a fry machine started to smoke. Assuming it was an electrical issue, employees called in an electrician, who said it was something else. Then, Janis said, "The whole inside just filled up with smoke." We have to have confidence in our Kenyan doctors. Those are the words of Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris after she underwent a successful surgery at the Nairobi Hospital. Ms.Passaris was admitted at the local hospital last week to undergo a thyroidectomy an operation that involves the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. In a video shared on Sunday, the woman rep. recounted how the side effects of the thyroid infection went unnoticed despite her having goitre for the last ten years. She noted that her face was swollen, she developed memory loss and gained weight in the last few months. The doctor said that he would decide on the way forward once he was in. On getting to the surgical table, he realized that the second thyroid was equally damaged so he decided to remove both. I will be on medication called levothyroxine for the rest of my life to do what the thyroid usually does, she added. Esther Passaris further revealed that the people closest to her advised her to go for surgery abroad but she opted for a local doctor -Doctor John Kariuki who was recommended by her personal physician Eva Njenga. Thanking doctors and nurses who attended to her at Nairobi Hospital, Esther Passaris noted that there is a need to come up with a system to appreciate those who go beyond the call of duty, especially in public hospitals. #PreSurgery Five days ago, I was admitted at The Nairobi Hospital to have a Thyroidectomy, and recorded this message explaining why I went against the grain by having the surgery done locally. #IodineDeficiency #SaltMatters #PublicHealth #OptimumNutrition #IfikieKEBS pic.twitter.com/vDPOUKXNoK Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) January 13, 2019 Since the government shutdown began I have called and written both U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst asking them why they are now refusing to even vote on an appropriations bill that they voted for less than a month ago. The House passed the Senate bill this month, but now the Republicans will not even vote on the same bill that they found acceptable just weeks ago. I know Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is refusing to permit a vote in the Senate. Why are our senators not even calling for a vote? Do our senators believe that one man controls the U.S. Senate and they must not question him? They cannot possibly believe they are wasting their time voting on a bill the entire Republican Senate has previously voted for. After all, if the entire Senate voted for it last month, they should be able to override any veto. Is it because our Iowa senators will do only what McConnell wants and not listen to the people of Iowa? Who do Grassley and Ernst represent? Margaret Walsh Bettendorf Love 5 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ironically, the main evidence offered to support these charges of Khashoggi's links to Qatar is a Dec. 22 story in the Post by Souad Mekhennet and Greg Miller. The Qatar Foundation link was hardly a secret; I mentioned it in a long column about Khashoggi that appeared on Oct. 12, 10 days after he disappeared in Istanbul. Even MBS' strongest supporters in the U.S. appear concerned by the new social-media campaign. Ali Shihabi, the head of the Saudi-backed Arabia Foundation, commented in an email to me Thursday: "I have no idea who is behind this new campaign, but it certainly does not seem wise." He argued that despite a "concerted campaign funded by Qatar and others ... the kingdom's media organs had so far exercised great self-control since the Jamal tragedy, and I would hope that continues." The videos and web postings in the new campaign all have the professional feel of modern media studios in Dubai. According to a Saudi source, Qahtani recently made two trips to the United Arab Emirates, even though he is supposedly under house arrest in Riyadh. The trips couldn't be confirmed independently. The Treasury Department said Nov. 15 in sanctioning Qahtani that he "was part of the planning and execution of the operation" that led to Khashoggi's death. I missed JB Pritzkers impromptu speech to a gathering of Republicans last week by a few minutes. But the fact that Pritzker even stopped by the event, hosted by Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, was notable in and of itself. As one top Republican said after Pritzkers speech, just imagine Gov. Bruce Rauner showing up to speak about bipartisanship and then heap praise on House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton at a Democratic reception. If you cant imagine such a thing, well, that was the Republicans whole point. It never would have happened (Rauner did show up for a Black Caucus event his first year in office, but he used the occasion to bash the Democratic Party, which didnt exactly go over too well). The Republicans have every right to be demoralized in Illinois. They hold no statewide office, their party lost two suburban congressional seats and they are now firmly in the super-minority in both the House and Senate. And yet, in conversations with both Republican legislative leaders last week, it seemed pretty clear to me they were both pleased and optimistic about finally having a governor they believe they can work with. The tiny, creepy hitchhikers move soundlessly in the night to feed on your blood. In the morning, the only evidence you may see are small bites. Meanwhile, the almost-invisible invaders lurk near your bed waiting to dine again. The bed bugs cause headaches for landlords, homeowners, renters and travelers across the Quad-Cities. The number of bed bug cases began to increase around the turn of the century. Quad-City exterminators report that bed bugs are a daily challenge that often require multiple treatments and present continuing issues. Treatment is expensive, and in some cases dangerous, such as a building fire last year in Moline. But without full treatment, the household pests tend to persist. Heres what you need to know about preventing and treating those bed bugs that just wont leave the Quad-Cities alone. We have a crisis. Around the turn of the century, Iowa saw a huge increase in the number of bed bug infestations, said Professor Donald Lewis, an Extension entomologist at Iowa State University in Ames. But much like the rest of the country, that number has stagnated in the past five years. The stubborn pests have settled in the region, and wont go anywhere without proper treatment and prevention. Bed bugs are good hitchhikers and can be transported in suitcases, furniture, mattresses, boxes, purses, backpacks and clothing, Lewis said. The public is more knowledgeable than two decades ago, Lewis said. The public appears to have learned that bed bugs are here and not going away and that professional treatment will eliminate the population. Entomologist Richard Cooper, senior director of service at Terminix Commercial, described 2010 as the year of the bed bug. That, he said, was when they were introduced to high-traffic areas such as office buildings and movie theaters, and spread through human activity. We have a crisis in this country with bed bugs, Cooper said. The resurgence of bed bugs in the United States in the late 1990s-2000s is sometimes blamed on the elimination of DDT (scientific name dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), a compound originally developed as an insecticide that was eventually banned because of its negative impact on the environment). But Cooper said that blame is misplaced. The elimination of DDT really has nothing to do with the rise of bed bugs, Cooper said. By the late 1950s, bed bugs had already developed a widespread resistance to the pesticide. And todays resurgence is not limited to the U.S. It also includes Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Bed bugs exist in all 50 states, and are prevalent throughout the nation. No one can say for certain why bed bugs have re-emerged, but contributing factors could include their resistance to modern-day pesticides. Another major factor is that when bed bugs were first introduced, a lack of public awareness existed. They were like the boogeyman or a monster under the bed, Cooper said. They hide in areas where they arent detected. Primarily nocturnal, they come out at night to feed on blood. Their bites typically are painless. They then retreat back to their secretive niches. But there is no uniform remnant of a bed bug bite. They look different on different people, so the bites are often misdiagnosed as something else. Very traumatizing Amanda Hoeg, of Moline, had the unwelcome pests in her home about three years ago when she lived in Davenport. And she wants others to know that clean people can get them too. I thought they were ticks at first, she said. But as she found them in her bathroom on the wall behind the toilet, she wondered why she would have ticks in a home that had no trees nearby. She and her husband, who were expecting their first child, were not bitten, she said. I caught one, and I put it in a baggie, and I took it to the landlord, who identified it. At first, Hoeg tried natural remedies to combat the pests. I didnt want my newborn baby to be around the chemicals, she said. She scoured the internet and tried a concoction that included cayenne pepper and black pepper, and she scattered bay leaves around her home. She doused the apartment with the spray, which burned her eyes. She put all their clothing in plastic bags and kept the bedding in the freezer. At one point, she retrieved her daughters fleece jacket from the floor, and when she picked it up, there was a bed bug on it. Eventually, she and her husband left the apartment and moved to Moline. That was very traumatizing for me, she said. One pregnant female is all it takes As more and more homes became infested over the past decade, children took the bugs to school, and adults took them to work. The best way to eliminate them is through education, Cooper said. Think about the way we live. We spend a lot of time on our computers. Children do homework on their beds, and the book bag is on the bed or leaning against the bed. If people set their backpacks or computer bags in the kitchen or by the front door, that would dramatically reduce the spread of bed bugs, Cooper said. Bed bugs do not infest people. Bed bugs infest structures, and the content of structures, he said. Bed bugs really arent a public-health pest. Ticks are far more dangerous, Cooper said. But having bed bugs can take an emotional and psychological toll. They dont fly and they dont transmit diseases, but they can be embarrassing and annoying, Lewis said. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, said Tony Arguello, of Ace Pest Control in Davenport. It isnt unusual for him to treat for bed bugs in a mobile home, house or apartment two or three days per week in the Quad-Cities. Baby bed bugs are about the size of a grain of salt. They can be difficult to detect, he said. Bed bugs can be picked up anywhere people gather. They can travel on or in luggage or clothing. He knows of one family that brought them back from a trip to Europe. Not all itching or bites is caused by bed bugs, Lewis cautions, so the presence of bed bugs cant be determined by bites or skin reactions. He encourages people to look for adults, nymphs (young) eggs or dark excrement stains in hiding places along with shed skins and empty egg cases. Monitors, interceptors and traps are available to homeowners or from pest-control experts, he said. Bed bugs, like roaches, are a 365/24/7 menace, said Leander Mohs, of Pestfree QC, Davenport. One pregnant female is all it takes. He agrees with Lewis that people are becoming more aware of and vigilant. But even when people realize what they have, they often try home remedies that arent as effective as professional approaches. One approach for treatment, he said, is diatomaceous earth, which is essentially crushed-up dead coral. The substance abrades the exoskeleton of the bed bug. Heat treating or steaming is another means, he said. Although anyone can get bed bugs, they tend to be more prevalent in multi-unit living facilities, Mohs said. Mohs encourages people to inspect furniture, bedding and linens before bringing them into your home. If theres one thing I really want people to understand about these things, theres probably a very good reason (used furniture) is sitting there (on the curb). You have to have it inspected thoroughly. Otherwise, Mohs said, when you get it home and you find you have bed bugs, Its no longer a free piece of furniture. 'You brought them in' Even when bed bugs are detected, its often difficult to determine how they got into the dwelling. Licensed Realtor Shannon Lough, of the Quad-Cities Rental Properties Association Inc., said bed bugs and their origins often are a topic of landlord organization meetings. Its a hot topic at (association) meetings, he said, coming up in four of the last 12 meetings. All landlords deal with it on a regular basis. The biggest issues we have is whos responsible for the cost, he said. From the landlord perspective, we often say the tenant is responsible. In a single-family house, for example, a landlord might tell a renter The bed bugs werent here when you got here. You must have brought them in. Some leases spell out who is responsible the landlord or the tenant for pest removal, but other contracts dont include that, Lough said. Usually, If a tenant imports it to us, well split the cost (of extermination) 50/50, he said. A renters liability, like the bugs themselves, can spread if improperly contained. If someone in one apartment has bed bugs, then bed bugs are discovered in the apartment next door, for example, Lough said the renter of the first apartment can sometimes be held responsible for both. For a landlord, the best time to get rid of bed bugs is when a property is vacant. Although bed bugs live in all climates, infestations seem to come in waves, Lough said. Theyre hitchhikers, he said. Anytime you travel, youve got to be careful. Mattresses: Resting place or feeding ground? The first thing travelers should check upon arrival, Lough said, is their mattress. Katie Golde, with www.mattressclarity.com, said bed bugs are good at hiding. Its not always obvious that your mattress is housing them if you do just a quick look, she said. Bed bugs like to hide during the day in the seams and piping of your mattress, so it's best to look there and near the tag area. A common belief is that if people put a fitted sheet-style protector on their mattress it will prevent bed bugs. That only covers five sides of your mattress and not the bottom side that faces your box spring or bed frame, Golde said. This open side leaves your mattress vulnerable to bed bugs. You need to look for an encasement mattress protector, especially one that says it's bed bug proof to make sure you're really protecting your mattress. When you inspect a mattress, you may see a live bed bug if your infestation is bad enough, Golde said. You may see hints of them from red rust-like stains on your bed sheets if you roll over on them overnight. You may also see little black dots that are their excrement or even eggs or eggshells. Sometimes, if you get a bed bug bite and scratch it, You may find some of your own blood on the mattress cover as well. Most importantly, be careful if youre buying secondhand furniture, mattresses or other used items in which bed bugs can hide and travel. What works? Like Hoeg, exterminators also try different products to eradicate bed bug infestations. Arguello rotates professional products to avoid the resistance that bed bugs build to chemicals. Exterminators use chemicals or heat, depending on preference and what tenants, landlords or homeowners want to spend. The most expensive treatment, he said, is heat. Chemical treatment for one room costs about $750 for three rounds of treatment. Heat treatments often start at about $2,000. Rusty Boruff is the executive director of One Eighty, a nonprofit, faith-based organization that has residential facilities that help people in crisis, poverty and addiction. Like many other property managers, he regularly uses heat to treat his properties. We have dealt with bed bugs off and on, he said. About three or four yeas ago, out of nowhere, it was ridiculous, like an epidemic. There were years where we would spend $15,000 just on our own properties with exterminators, he said. I finally looked into it and decided to buy one of the heat-treatment machines. Now it is one of our number one calls with our businesses. Boruff has now had the machine for about 18 months; With his role in One Eighty, he attends a lot of meetings where he speaks with representatives from schools that's where he heard about the bed bug issue on a larger scale. Because One Eighty partners with some schools in the Davenport district, Boruff offered to treat the homes of students in partner schools at little or no cost. The One Eighty crew also treats homes in other parts of the Quad-Cities. Before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Boruff received two calls one from Davenport and one from East Moline about treating homes. An entire house generally takes two days to treat, so that means the One Eighty team treats seven or eight a month, he said. The advantage of heat treatment, he said, is it kills both the bugs and their eggs. When you start with chemicals with bed bugs, its like using pesticides on corn. They eventually will grow immune to it. The heat machine uses a massive propane tank that runs off propane and starts like an engine or generator. It has these long plastic tubes, like duct work, that are expandable. You clip them together, and you heat that room up to about 130 degrees. The treatments get rid of all the bugs fleas, cockroaches you name it, he said. A bed bug is going to stay within a three- or four-foot radius (of where people are). Once in a while youll be able to see them dead. They come out of the headboards or you might see them on a mattress. Workers bring in specially designed propane heaters to heat a room to temperatures that reach about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Boruff said the machine is running nearly every day. There is very rarely any downtime, he said. Well get rid of them, but all it takes is one kid bringing it home from day care, and later the place is infested again. Heat treating for bed bugs can also be dangerous though at least one heat treatment resulted in a fire in the Quad-Cities last year. On April 23 the Moline Fire Department responded to a structure fire just before 1:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of 16th Street. Crews saw smoke and fire coming from the rear of the building, and extinguished the fire in 15 minutes. The building was a mixed-use commercial and residential building with two apartments in the rear and a storefront facing the street. A contractor who was working in the building called in the fire, which started in a first-floor bedroom. - One Eighty now uses all-metal beds, with no wooden bed boards, along with two-in-one mattresses that have no box springs or wood to keep the bed bugs away. Many people who have bed bug issues dont get them treated because it costs so much, he said. We have treated homes, apartments, trailers, duplexes you name it, weve done it, Boruff said. Working with Davenport schools, were finding out how much of a need it is. The cost: Beyond extermination Silent, pesky bed bugs might still be taboo in public, but theyre no quiet matter for Quad-Citians who have had a residence infested. Bed bugs can cost homeowners, landlords and tenants thousands of dollars in extermination, discarded items and doctor visits. People will come in and say, We have to start completely over, said Jeni Braun, manager of Bruces New & Used Furniture, Davenport. Its very costly, she said, as bed bugs infest beds, sofas and carpet. She said bed bug replacement seems to come in waves. A month or two will go by, and then youve got people rolling in again. She emphasized that customers replacing items come from all walks of life, rich and poor, dirty and clean Anyone can get them. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 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. Memo to Pentagon: Security at Rock Island Arsenal may be going to the dogs. "Dusty," a large golden retriever owned by the Jack Chamberlain family of 2523 Middle Rd., Davenport, Friday easily penetrated the tight ring of security around the world's largest arsenal and strolled nonchalantly into the austere confines of the Headquarters building, which houses, among other things, the commandant's office. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 1944 -- Attain Objective, Army of Rural Workers in Fourth War Bond Drive Is Urged Just as young men in the nation's armed forces on the far-flung battlefronts of the world are constantly being given and achieving important objectives, so the workers in the Fourth War Bond drive which opened at noon today have an objective in reaching their quota, the very Rev. Rowland F. Philbrook, dean of Trinity cathedral, told approximately 300 workers in the Scott county campaign in the areas outside of Davenport in a meeting at the Masonic temple last evening. Saturday, Jan. 19. 1929 -- Walter Wiese Is Robbed of $2,650 | TIED TO CHAIR WITH WIFE BY BANDIT TRIO But she too hears the concerns from drivers and believes the new technology will be useful. She compared it to other existing apps, such as Park My Truck. "When their hours run out, their hours run out and they have to pull over right away," Meier said. "If they've not planned well or there has been an accident and they got stuck a couple of hours, all of a sudden they are in an area they didn't plan to be. A lot of things happen along the way not necessarily to them. But if they are only allowed to be on (the road) eight hours, when their time is up they have to park their truck." How the system works Trucks Park Here will collect real-time data using a variety of in-pavement and parking lot entrance/exit sensors, Mescher said. At the state's rest areas, crews installed two magnetometer pucks in all the truck parking stalls to detect the presence of a vehicle. The number of vacant truck parking stalls is calculated and that information is sent through a transponder to a centralized software program that creates a standard format data feed available on the Trucks Park Here website. That same data will be used by the third-party vendors of traveler information 511 websites, smart-phone apps and in-cab information systems. Editor's note: It's the first in an occasional series of stories about hobbies. It's a Wednesday afternoon and five people are gathered around Merle Vastine's kitchen table in Davenport, sharing beers and talking history. One of the topics today concerns a small card Vastine found recently that advertises a 1911 concert by the St. Joseph Maennerchor (men's choir) in Davenport's Schuetzen Park. The purpose was to raise money to build a school at the west side Catholic parish. The five self-described history junkies, all from Davenport, don't need to be told that St. Joseph's was an 1800s church at 6th and Marquette streets that now is part of the One Eighty ministry. They don't need an explanation for Schuetzen Park, a hot spot for German socializing from the late 1800s through the early 1900s located off Davenport's Waverly Road. And they all likely know that the choir director, Ernst Otto, was a German immigrant who was superintendent of music for Davenport public schools as well as a composer and concert bandmaster. Federal authorities have taken over the sex trafficking case of two Iowa residents who were arrested in August in connection with a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, case involving a 16-year-old victim. Phylicia M. King, 28, of DeWitt, and Mark Cortez Spicer, 24, are facing one count each of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion; sex trafficking of children by force fraud or coercion; and transport of a minor with intent for criminal sexual activity. King was in U.S District Court, Davenport, on Friday for an initial appearance. She was released under the Adam Walsh Act, which includes home confinement and monitoring via a GPS ankle monitor as well as no contact with the minor involved. King is due in U.S. District Court, Florence, South Carolina, to appear on the charges on Jan. 22. Spicer, also known as Chief, formerly of Cedar Rapids, was arrested Dec. 20 in South Carolina, and was ordered to remain in custody pending trial, according to the electronic records of the Federal Court, Florence, South Carolina. Spicer's next court appearance is March 20. The case was initially opened by the Myrtle Beach Police Department on Aug. 16. In 2019, ill-informed friends, family and naysayers will continue criticizing and blaming teachers for the failures of public education. Yet, they have probably not spent an hour, day, or week in the classroom to observe. After spending 52 years in public education, I find the myths and lack of understanding continue. I submit the following for you to determine whether or not these statements are facts or myths. -- Get summers off and get paid for not working. -- Teachers and union want high salaries and benefits, not caring about students. -- Tenure is a lifetime job without removal. -- Teachers are too educated and ought to do something more challenging (anyone can teach). -- Teachers ought to be accountable for poor scores because they arent teaching the right way in the 6-7 hours each. Look at these criticisms and judge if research shows them correct or incorrect. Frustrated by pay and better employment opportunities elsewhere, teachers are leaving the profession at the fastest rate on record. Deputy President William Ruto has denied that there is a crisis in the Jubilee Party camp. Ruto accused the media and a group of propagandists of peddling lies about the ruling party and asserted that any discontented member was free to leave. We dont have room for those peddling rumors and propaganda and they are free to leave Jubilee for other parties, he said on Sunday. We know the press is in business but they should stop lying to Kenyans about the perceived differences in Jubilee. Speaking during a church service in Naivasha, Nakuru County, DP Ruto stated that there was no place for ethnicity, division and false promises in the party. Jubilee is a party of diversity and national outlook that stands on the foundation of transforming Kenya, said Ruto. He said the politics of uniting Kenya is what we must embrace if Kenya is to progress. I ask those interfering with the affairs of the party to keep off. As a matter of fact, there is no contest in Jubilee. There is only one leader in Jubilee. Any other person outside that framework is a liar, he noted. Ruto also observed that the party was fully behind President Uhuru and his agenda and called on Jubilee leaders to respect the Head of State. The Deputy President also directed all elected Jubilee leaders to focus on the Big Four agenda and stop politicking. We are fully behind the President Big Four Agenda and all our leaders should now focus on development as part of our meeting our manifestation, he said. He pledged to rally all leaders behind President Kenyatta. Ruto said the handshake had helped unite Kenyans so that we can work together as Kenyans for the future of our country. I am saying without fear of contradiction that under the leadership of President Kenyatta, we have seen enormous transformation in our country and we will all continue to work together to ensure that the strides made continue, said Dr Ruto. Unfortunately, most lawmakers have become quite comfortable with dishonest budgeting; most have known little else. Their sky hasnt fallen, though the state erodes. As I keep harping, past pension funding failures and inexcusable sweeteners over the years have forced the state to spend one-quarter of all the general funds budget each year on pensions. The pension crisis is so parlous that some retirement funding experts are noising about the idea of petitioning Congress to authorize our state to declare bankruptcy, so as to rewrite pension agreements. That is not likely to happen soon, if ever, yet it underscores the gravity of the situation. I submit, respectfully, that the best course, among unattractive options all, is to: enact the resolution bu Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock, to create a hard-nosed efficiency and savings commission, and broaden the sales- and income-tax bases enough, without raising rates, to balance our budget honestly. That $3 billion to $4 billion in revenue required will be painful enough, yet wont provide any extra money for Pritzkers desired spending. The state is in a world of fiscal hurt, yet few seem to understand it. With that unhappy background, I hope J.B.s first addresses will reflect a mix of cautious optimism about the potential for straightening out our fiscal problems over time, combined with the somber equivalent of the blood, toil, tears and sweat it will take to achieve fiscal health. Jim Nowlan is a former Illinois legislator and state agency director. He is a retired senior fellow at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs; jnowlan3@gmail.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Moline Police have confirmed that several shots rang out Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of the Jewel-Osco outlet at 2010 1st Street A, Moline. Police said a gray car was chasing a white car through the Jewel-Osco parking lot. The occupants of the gray car fired several shots at those riding in the white car, but missed and struck another vehicle in the parking lot. The initial two cars involved in the incident fled prior to Moline Police arriving on the scene. No injuries were reported and no one has been taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing. Love 2 Funny 8 Wow 2 Sad 8 Angry 37 DAVENPORT The Quad-Cities first TEDxYouth event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Putnam Museum, 1717 W. 12th St., and there is a waiting list for those who want to attend for free. The theme will be Change Makers, and the speakers mainly between the ages of 14 and 24 will include students from Davenport Central and Rock Island high schools, Scott Community College and Augustana College. They were chosen from over 70 applicants, TEDxDavenport director Andrea Olson said Monday. TEDxYouth is focused on providing our communitys youth a platform to share new ideas, to highlight our young change makers who have the potential for pushing boundaries and transforming our region, Olson who organized the first TEDxDavenport event March 7, 2018, at the Figge said in a prior release. Started in 2009, TEDx is a program of locally organized events that brings communities together to share TED-like experiences. TED Conferences is a media organization that posts talks online for free under the slogan ideas worth spreading. Some of the talks from TEDx events have gone on to be featured on TED.com and garnered millions of views from across the globe. You can search for TEDxDavenport talks at youtube.com/user/TEDxTalks. Delmont told the jury he was scared and did not want to be involved in the case, and when police first approached him, did not tell the truth about what he knew. Delmont eventually did tell the police about the events he testified about on Friday. The burden of proof in the case is the prosecutions. Scott County Attorney Mike Walton and Amy DeVine, first assistant county attorney, have presented numerous witnesses this week, including evidence technicians that discussed what was recovered at the scene, people who said they were at the bar that night and placed Delmont and Deondra Thomas there, and police officers who told the jury about initial attempts to save Roberts life and the information they gathered from people at the scene. Jack Dusthimer, Thomas defense attorney, has declined to comment on whether he intended to put his own witnesses on the stand or whether Deondra Thomas wished to testify. As the defense attorney, he is not required to put on such a defense, but can if he or his client wants. Regardless, Dusthimer can and has cross-examined the states witnesses in the case. He has argued there are inconsistencies in the accounts of the various witnesses being used by the prosecution which cast doubt on how the shooting unfolded or who carried it out. Joseph Richardson, 40, and Marlana Richardson, 38, a husband and wife from Moline, sexually exploited three children by performing sexual acts where those children could see them, and having one of the children film them having sex, court documents state. (PRAGUE - January 14, 2019) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) relaunched its Romanian Service on January 14 at 8:00am local time in Bucharest, after closing its doors in the country a decade ago. The service, known locally as Radio Europa Libera, will for now operate exclusively on digital platforms, an update of its storied broadcast days. According to independent monitors, including Reporters Without Borders, media freedom has steadily declined in Romania in recent years. With many outlets falling under the control of government or local oligarchs, editorial independence and balanced information have become harder to access for many Romanians, and disinformation about western institutions and democratic practices has become widespread. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis welcomed Radio Europa Libera's return as good news, and declared in a statement that A free Romania cannot be imagined in a free Europe without the free press. Managed by award-winning journalist Sabina Fati, the service had already attracted upwards of 18,000 followers on social networks even before its website went live. RFE/RL previously served countries across Eastern Europe prior to their joining the European Union and NATO. Broadcasting to Romania ended in 2008. A relaunch of its service to Bulgaria, which it closed in 2004, is planned for later this month. About RFE/RL RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to over 34 million people in 25 languages and 21 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed over 2.6 billion times on Facebook and YouTube in FY2018. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. ---- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Joanna Levison in Prague (levisonj@rferl.org, +420.221.122.080) Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948) WASHINGTON - Russia this year marks President Vladimir Putins ascent to power 20 years ago, a turning point that is captured in the documentary film Putins Witnesses, directed by acclaimed Russian filmmaker Vitaly Mansky. The film will be screened at the National Press Club (NPC) on Wednesday evening, January 16, at an event sponsored by NPC in cooperation with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Current Time. Mansky, National Press Club President Alison Kodjak, The New Yorkers Susan Glasser, and members of Current Time will discuss the film after the screening. Putins Witnesses documents the events that followed the unexpected resignation of Russian President Boris Yeltsin in December 1999 and culminated in Putins electoral victory the following March. As head of documentaries for Russian national television, Mansky had unparalleled on- and off-screen access to Putin and other members of the Russian elite who orchestrated his rise. Described by Variety as riveting and incensed, the film draws upon hundreds of hours of original footage to offer what Mansky has called an intimate testimony to help cure [Russian society] from an advanced illness, and to prevent other countries from losing their freedom. The film has been screened and lauded at top international film festivals, but because of its political content only the independent Russian-language network Current Time has shown it in Russia to the Russian audiences Mansky intended it for. Mansky was named a Person of the Year for 2018 by the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta in recognition of his work in Putins Witnesses, his daring portrait of North Korea in Under the Sun (2015), and his contribution to culture as director of Russias ArtDocFest, which continues to bring independent documentaries to Russian audiences despite mounting pressure from the state. Find more information about the screening at the National Press Club here. Current Time is a 24/7 Russian-language digital and television network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with the Voice of America. With affiliates and channel distributors in 20 countries, more than 520 million videos viewed on social media in 2018, a combined following on Facebook and YouTube of over 1.7 million, and a vital presence on Russian-language social networks, it is an innovative and influential alternative to Kremlin-controlled media. About RFE/RL RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to over 34 million people in 25 languages and 21 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed over 2.6 billion times on Facebook and YouTube in FY2018. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. ---- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Joanna Levison in Prague (levisonj@rferl.org, +420.221.122.080) Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948) 1+ days ago | June 14th, 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 I take one spoonful of this VCO everyday as a supplement. I dilute this in 300 ml warm water, stir it very well and drink it before retiring at night. I also gargle for 20 minutes one spoonful of this VCO at least twice a week before retiring at night. Whenever I experience symptoms of UTI, Flu or Cold, I take 1 spoonful of this VCO 3X a day every 8 hours for 7 days and I am healed by it. I also gargle one spoonful of this VCO at least twice a day whenever I have stuffy/runny nose and sore throat and I am healed by it as well. This is based on my personal experience in taking this Cold-pressed VCO which I have been making since 2005. Marino J. Dasmarinas If youre interested to buy please send me a private message/direct message you can also call or text. I am located in this address: Blk-29 Lot 27 Carmona Townhomes Brgy. Milagrosa Carmona Cavite (0917-6770261) Thanks! Php 350.00/500ml If you havent gotten the new shingles vaccine yet, you probably have quite a wait ahead of you. So many people have asked for the vaccine that there is a nationwide shortage. Locally, pharmacists said theyre not even able to get enough vaccine to give patients their second dose. Patients must be at least 50 years old. They are supposed to get two doses, with the second dose two to six months after the first. At Price Chopper pharmacies, workers are scrambling to give that second dose on time. Were really prioritizing people who are getting close to their six months, said Price Chopper pharmacy clinical coordinator Kim DeMagistris. People who havent gotten their first shot, theyre being told we dont know when we can get your vaccine. Every two weeks, Price Chopper gets an allotment of vaccine, which is then divvied up among its pharmacies based on the number of patients who need a second dose. When asked if the company gets enough to fulfill all of its second doses, DeMagistris said simply, No. Every store also has about 100 people on a waiting list to start the vaccine, she said. It seems everyone wants it. GLENS FALLS A Glens Falls woman was arrested early Monday for allegedly threatening to get a gun and "start shooting people" at Glens Falls Hospital, police said. Katrina L. Baxter, 54, allegedly made the threat when she became upset about an unspecified issue at the hospital's emergency room late Sunday afternoon, according to Glens Falls Police. "She said she would get a gun, come back and start shooting people," Glens Falls Police Detective Lt. Peter Casertino said. Baxter did not leave the hospital and continued to get treatment for a medical issue that had brought her to the hospital. But Glens Falls Police were contacted and filed a felony charge of attempted making a terroristic threat, Casertino said. Baxter was taken into custody Monday morning, after she was released from the hospital, and was being held pending arraignment later Monday. The charge could be upgraded when the Warren County District Attorney's Office reviews the case, Casertino said. Glens Falls Police officers Brad Murphy and Tyler Mello handled the case. Love 5 Funny 30 Wow 16 Sad 5 Angry 36 Police in southeastern Pennsylvania are looking for a 17-year-old who left home and told his parents he is in the Adirondack Mountains to camp and doesnt want to be found. Stephen C. Fiorenzas mother last saw him around 10 p.m. Sunday night, but around 5:30 a.m. Monday she noticed he had left their home where he lives, according to Sgt. Jack Greene of the Southwestern Regional Police Department of York County, Pennsylvania. Police said Fiorenza left his parents a note saying he was heading to the Adirondack Mountains to go camping, although he has no camping experience and camping in winter is much more difficult than doing so in summer. Overnight temperatures have been below zero recently in the northern Adirondacks, although Monday nights low is supposed to be in the single digits above zero, with daytime highs in the 20s. Greene said Fiorenza sent his mother an email around noon Monday saying he had arrived in the Adirondacks and plans to camp, although he didnt say where he is in the 6 million acre state park a mix of private and public land roughly the size of New Hampshire. Fiorenza told his parents he planned to turn off his cellphone and only turn it back on in case of emergency. As long as the phone is off, Greene said, police cannot ping it to locate him. QUEENSBURY A Lake George man who is serving a prison sentence for felony assault was arrested Monday for allegedly threatening to kill a Warren County judge. Scott J. Morehouse, 39, was charged with making a terroristic threat, a felony, for a threatening letter sent to Warren County Family Court Judge Ted Wilson several weeks ago. Morehouse had filed repeat applications in Wilsons court in which he sought an order forcing his child to be taken to visit him in prison, despite an order of protection that bars him from having contact with the child. Wilson denied the application. The three-time felon is serving a seven-year state prison sentence on a conviction in Warren County Court for second-degree assault, a felony. He beat another inmate, fracturing an orbital bone near his eye, and was convicted after a jury trial in July 2017. Morehouse was far from happy in court on Wednesday, repeatedly cursing as Warren County Judge John Hall imposed a sentence that included 5 years on parole after his release from prison. Morehouse has numerous prior assault arrests, but had been found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in two cases in 2015, including one in which he headbutted a village of Lake George peace officer. The revamped Lake Champlain Lake George Planning Board has filed two lawsuits in recent weeks, seeking to recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars from unpaid business loans, with one of the lawsuits naming Warren County as a defendant as well. The Regional Planning Board, which has operated two revolving loan funds for high-risk businesses, came under fire last year for its loan practices and organizational problems, which led to its executive director leaving and the election of a new chairman of the board. Loans to relatives of the organizations leaders and to politically connected business owners led to questions and criticism. The new leadership has put in place new bylaws and begun the task of trying to clean up the federally funded loan fund. One of the criticisms of the loan fund was the amount of money lost on the loans and a perceived lack of effort to go after those who had defaulted. The organizations new leadership directed two lawsuits to be filed in recent weeks against business owners, who each owe more than $147,000 for loans that date back to 2014 and 2015, respectively. He said occasionally he sees the effects of the program in real time, with some students turning a corner in a single day. Teachers and I have seen a kid, in the day, do a 180, Feurstein said. Ive had kids stand up on their chairs at the end of the day and say, I just want to say Im sorry, everybody, and start crying, and its a really sweet moment. The videos Feurstein has helped produce have over a million combined views online and connected an international network of students around the same cause. They have also been featured before movies at theaters in the area, and have appeared in French textbooks as well. Students in Jen Martells fifth grade classroom operated the camera, wrote scripts, recited lines and called action on a makeshift movie set where she and Feurstein stood back and let the students take charge. Each student has to apply for the role of their choice by writing about why they would be a good fit for the job. Moore said sometimes children will make choices that seem out of character, but spark a new attitude. All of the sudden the student will have this really strong voice in the video that youve never heard before, Moore said, So its giving adults in the building a chance to see kids in a new light. FORT EDWARD A Glens Falls man who put prescription drugs in his then-girlfriends coffee to get her to chill out is headed to state prison for 18 months. Nicholas S. Harris, 31, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony, for a June 7 incident in Hudson Falls that resulted in the victim being taken to Glens Falls Hospital. Police said Harris sneaked the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in her coffee without her knowing, because he claimed she had been stressed out about family issues. The woman noticed a half-dissolved pill in the bottom of the coffee cup as she drank it. She had an adverse reaction to the drug that landed her in Saratoga Hospital, where she was treated and released. She notified police the next day, and Harris told Hudson Falls Police that he slipped her the drug because he wanted her to chill out. Harris was charged with felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, as giving someone a drug is considered a sale under state law, and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said. The drug possession count was filed because Harris was found to have Xanax without a prescription at the time of his arrest, according to police. Amazingly, I passed all my first year law school exams (okay, by the skin of my teeth), and that fall I was back in Cambridge ready to start my second year at Harvard Law. But they wouldnt let me register for classes because I couldnt pay the (staggering) tuition. When Id started my first year I had both need-based and competitive financial aid packages, but now they both seemed to have gone up in smoke. In a panic I called the deans office and spoke to the same assistant dean whod been my nemesis back in the spring. She told me that I had forfeited that aid because I hadnt shown up for my second year of law school. I pointed out that I hadnt failed to show up on purpose, Id been drafted. The reason doesnt matter, she told me. Oh? I said. What about Rosalind N., who just returned from the Peace Corps? It turned out, naturally, that my friend Rosalind N. had been given her scholarship back, even though she hadnt shown up for her second year voluntarily. Meanwhile, my financial aid had been given to draft-dodgers, which was why they werent available to me. When I complained directly to the Dean of the Law School, Derek Bok, he said, You should have thought about that before you joined a fascist organization. Yes, Bok was the very man who would be the future president of Harvard University. It was nice that Harvard was now, 42 years after they had denied scholarships to us fascists, belatedly thanking us for our service. But what about, I was thinking, a nice, sincere apology? What about a We have no idea what we were thinking and obviously we must have been temporarily insane [for half a century]? Thanks to the loss of my scholarship, I had to borrow the money to complete my meager law degree and it took me 11 years to pay it off. (These days, of course, thats par for the course, but in those days it was unheard-of.) So how about, We thank you for your service and enclosed is a check for $423,618, representing your student loans plus 42 years interest? Well, no, the fact is that I know Harvard far too well to expect an apology or, heaven forfend, a check. I should have been grateful for the thanks and left it at that. But there was something about that Veterans Day email that still stuck in my craw. I tried to figure out what it was, but the solution eluded me. That is, until a few weeks ago. Then I had it. It was the second sentence: We are forever grateful for your sacrifices. Sacrifices? Perhaps Harvard was thinking about the men and women whod died while the university couldnt have cared less. But my suspicion was that those folks probably werent getting the Veterans Day email. Or maybe it was the men and women who were wounded fighting for Harvards right to be outrageous. But that couldnt be right, either, because the email went out to every Harvard military veteran, while only a tiny percentage of us had been wounded in the line of duty. No, Harvard is so clueless about our armed forces that it assumed that anyone who served in the military was automatically making enormous sacrifices. News flash, Crimson fellows: most people who serve in the military think of it as a privilege. Consider this, my fellow Cantabrigians: virtually every person now serving in the American military volunteered to do so. They wished to serve their country, to see the world, to be trained in skills that would serve them well in the civilian world. My own nephew dropped out of college so he could become a Marine infantry officer, and we are all so proud of him that we cant see straight. Technically, of course, I was an exception to that rule. I didnt volunteer, I was drafted, and I didnt consider my service to be a privilege; I considered it to be a major PITA. I turned 25 in the army, was married, and was partway through law school. Meanwhile, I was serving mainly with 18- and 19-year-old high school kids who, however brave they might have been in a firefight, were still boys whod never been away from home and who missed their moms. And, yes, while I was standing MP duty my friends back at Harvard were graduating and sending me smug notes about the staggering salaries they were earning on Wall Street. I, meanwhile, was pulling down almost $135/month (pre-tax). But sacrifice? Sorry, not even close. Sacrifice is coming home in a body bag. Sacrifice is getting your legs blown off by a roadside IED. I wasnt even really wasting my time, because where but in the army would anyone have put a 24-year-old kid like me in charge of 50 heavily armed cops? To try to get this point across to people whose brains apparently stopped working five decades ago, I thought a few of my fellow alumni veterans and I would send the following email to every Harvard alum who graduated after ROTC was banned from the campus: Thank you to all our alumni for your attendance at Harvard University. We are forever grateful for your sacrifices. Next up: On Lucretius Finish this article for as low as $1 when you purchase a day pass. Just click the sign up button to purchase. If you are already a subscriber, just click log in to continue reading. The cost to adapt to that rising water, to accommodate it and to retreat from the tide will cost billions in Hampton Roads alone. That's without considering the more extreme weather and storms that scientists say will accompany warmer temperatures. "One of the things that we may need to follow up on is: 'Are there any of those products which may contain lead that the families are continuing to use?'" Stern said. "I've been in public health for 35 years, and I recall some lead poisoned children whose families were continuing to use cooking utensils that had lead in them." During the announcement at the Grandy Village Learning Center, steps from the Elizabeth River, Castro praised Virginia's plan as "truly innovative." Gov. Terry McAuliffe smiled broadly, bragging that Virginia got more money than the seven other winning states. (New York City and New Orleans got more than Virginia, however.) "The only conclusion that can be drawn from these facts is that Siers-Hill knowingly gathered together a collection of items and substances that could be used as difficult-to-trace weapons," Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan Salsbury and Andrew Bosse wrote in court documents. "No one possesses ricin or a firearm with an obliterated serial number for innocent reasons." And, by the way, Kimberly's story included the fact that the Hampton Roads group beat out a proposal to build an autonomous actuator network (whatever that is) for waste management in a Brooklyn borough as well as a New York City proposal to create a storm water development plan. (That might not be a bad idea for this region's next entry because whatever happens in one of our cities sooner or later affects a neighbor.) He added that there's an extra administrative step for dealing with federal employees' claims, because their wage information is not already on file and the commission has to reach out to the government agencies to get it. In the private sector, companies provide that information quarterly. Angela Jackson of Well Crafted Wines host the evening. She will introduce each wine and tell guests about their nuances. Bottles of all wines served will be sold at special one-day-only prices. Tickets are $69 a person, and are available by calling 757-422-0184 for reservations. So far, OrthoVirginia is the only other Hampton Roads health system that supports the app, according to the Apple website. In Virginia, Mary Washington Healthcare, the University of Virginia Health System and VCU Health also support the Health app. McNab, who has weathered lapses in appropriations when he was a federal civilian worker, said that whenever there was talk of a continuing resolution to fund an agency, "you have to have the family conversation of 'what if,' " he said. Maybe that includes not buying that refrigerator that needs replacing or taking a vacation. "You start cutting back all your expenses in anticipation of being furloughed." Today 15,906 operational desalination plants are found in 177 countries. Almost half of the global desalination capacity is located in the Middle East and North Africa region (48 percent), with Saudi Arabia (15.5 percent), the United Arab Emirates (10.1 percent) and Kuwait (3.7 percent) being both the major producers in the region and globally. Credit: UNU-INWEH The fast-rising number of desalination plants worldwidenow almost 16,000, with capacity concentrated in the Middle East and North Africaquench a growing thirst for freshwater but create a salty dilemma as well: how to deal with all the chemical-laden leftover brine. In a UN-backed paper, experts estimate the freshwater output capacity of desalination plants at 95 million cubic meters per dayequal to almost half the average flow over Niagara Falls. For every litre of freshwater output, however, desalination plants produce on average 1.5 litres of brine (though values vary dramatically, depending on the feedwater salinity and desalination technology used, and local conditions). Globally, plants now discharge 142 million cubic meters of hypersaline brine every day (a 50% increase on previous assessments). That's enough in a year (51.8 billion cubic meters) to cover Florida under 30.5 cm (1 foot) of brine. The authors, from UN University's Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea, analyzed a newly-updated datasetthe most complete ever compiledto revise the world's badly outdated statistics on desalination plants. And they call for improved brine management strategies to meet a fast-growing challenge, noting predictions of a dramatic rise in the number of desalination plants, and hence the volume of brine produced, worldwide. The paper found that 55% of global brine is produced in just four countries: Saudi Arabia (22%), UAE (20.2%), Kuwait (6.6%) and Qatar (5.8%). Middle Eastern plants, which largely operate using seawater and thermal desalination technologies, typically produce four times as much brine per cubic meter of clean water as plants where river water membrane processes dominate, such as in the US. The paper says brine disposal methods are largely dictated by geography but traditionally include direct discharge into oceans, surface water or sewers, deep well injection and brine evaporation ponds. Desalination plants near the ocean (almost 80% of brine is produced within 10km of a coastline) most often discharge untreated waste brine directly back into the marine environment. The authors cite major risks to ocean life and marine ecosystems posed by brine greatly raising the salinity of the receiving seawater, and by polluting the oceans with toxic chemicals used as anti-scalants and anti-foulants in the desalination process (copper and chlorine are of major concern). "Brine underflows deplete dissolved oxygen in the receiving waters," says lead author Edward Jones, who worked at UNU-INWEH, and is now at Wageningen University, The Netherlands. "High salinity and reduced dissolved oxygen levels can have profound impacts on benthic organisms, which can translate into ecological effects observable throughout the food chain." Meanwhile, the paper highlights economic opportunities to use brine in aquaculture, to irrigate salt tolerant species, to generate electricity, and by recovering the salt and metals contained in brineincluding magnesium, gypsum, sodium chloride, calcium, potassium, chlorine, bromine and lithium. With better technology, a large number of metals and salts in desalination plant effluent could be mined. These include sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, bromine, boron, strontium, lithium, rubidium and uranium, all used by industry, in products, and in agriculture. The needed technologies are immature, however; recovery of these resources is economically uncompetitive today. "There is a need to translate such research and convert an environmental problem into an economic opportunity," says author Dr. Manzoor Qadir, Assistant Director of UNU-INWEH. "This is particularly important in countries producing large volumes of brine with relatively low efficiencies, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar." Desalination is an essential technology in the Middle East and for small island nations which typically lack renewable water resources. Eight countries -- the Maldives, Singapore, Qatar, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, Kuwait, The Bahamas and Bahrain - can meet all of their water needs through desalination. Six others can meet over 50 percent of their water withdrawals through desalination: Equatorial Guinea, UAE, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Oman and Barbados. Credit: UNU-INWEH "Using saline drainage water offers potential commercial, social and environmental gains. Reject brine has been used for aquaculture, with increases in fish biomass of 300% achieved. It has also been successfully used to cultivate the dietary supplement Spirulina, and to irrigate forage shrubs and crops (although this latter use can cause progressive land salinization)." "Around 1.5 to 2 billion people currently live in areas of physical water scarcity, where water resources are insufficient to meet water demands, at least during part of the year. Around half a billion people experience water scarcity year round," says Dr. Vladimir Smakhtin, a co-author of the paper and the Director of UNU-INWEH, whose institute is actively pursuing research related to a variety of unconventional water sources. "There is an urgent need to make desalination technologies more affordable and extend them to low-income and lower-middle income countries. At the same time, though, we have to address potentially severe downsides of desalinationthe harm of brine and chemical pollution to the marine environment and human health." "The good news is that efforts have been made in recent years and, with continuing technology refinement and improving economic affordability, we see a positive and promising outlook." Background The growth of desalination Starting from a few, mostly Middle Eastern facilities in the 1960s, today 15,906 operational desalination plants are found in 177 countries. Two-thirds of such plants are in high-income countries. The process is becoming more affordable, the paper says, attributable to falling costs due to continued improvements in membrane technologies, energy recovery systems, and the coupling of desalination plants with renewable energy sources. Brine management can represent up to 33% of a plant's cost and ranks among the biggest constraints to more widespread development. Almost half of the global desalination capacity is located in the Middle East and North Africa region (48%), with Saudi Arabia (15.5%), the United Arab Emirates (10.1%) and Kuwait (3.7%) being both the major producers in the region and globally. East Asia and Pacific and North America regions produce 18.4% and 11.9% of the global desalinated water, primarily due to large capacities in China (7.5%) and the USA (11.2%) respectively. The widespread use of desalination in Spain (5.7%) accounts for over half of the total desalination in Western Europe (9.2%). The global share in desalination capacity is lower for Southern Asia (3.1%), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (2.4%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (1.9%), where desalination is primarily restricted to small facilities for private and industrial applications. Desalination is an essential technology in the Middle East and for small island nations which typically lack renewable water resources. Eight countriesthe Maldives, Singapore, Qatar, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, Kuwait, The Bahamas and Bahraincan meet all of their water needs through desalination. Six others can meet over 50% of their water withdrawals through desalination: Equatorial Guinea, UAE, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Oman and Barbados. Almost 22 million m3/day of brine is produced at a distance of greater than 50km from the nearest coastline. Despite the large volume of brine produced in these areas, very few economically viable and environmentally sound brine management options exist. Brine produced inland poses an important problem for many countries located in all world regions, with 64 countries producing more than 10,000 m3/day of brine in inland locations. Inland brine production is a particular issue in China (3.82 million m3/day), USA (2.42 million m3/day) and Spain (1.01 million m3/day). Explore further Using solar energy to improve desalination process "The IBP president should be well served if he holds back his horses." "The IBP president should be well served if he holds back his horses." A week or so ago, retiring Justice Noel Tijam issued a reminder to the countrys lawyers and in particular to the organization they are mandated by law to belongthe Integrated Bar of the Philippinesregarding the latters role as the promoter of the best interests of lawyers and the Courts. In his farewell remarks, Justice Tijam referred to the open and, might I add, antithetical position taken by the IBP through its incumbent President Abdiel Fajardo urging the High Tribunal to reverse its position on the quo warranto case lodged against then Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno which the majority upheld, and noted in effect that Fajardo should have been more circumspect in his public statements. Said the retiring justice who was the ponente in this landmark case: ...I urge the IBP not to forget that it is an organization that should promote the best interest of the lawyers and the courts. They are not advocates or propagandists of causes but keepers of public faith in the courts capacity to render just decisions. They may rightfully express their concerns but should refrain from publicly criticizing decisions, more so from signing and publishing manifestos.Indeed, they should be the first to promote obedience to and respect for the courts. Indeed, as the good justice said, the organization or any of its officers should do well to take this advice to heart, noting that As they [IBP officers] speak for the legal community, they must be careful to reflect and represent only what the IBP membership, in its entirety or at least by its majority, intends to make known or advocate for. This admonition comes to mind as Fajardo has once again rued the decision of the Makati RTC Branch 150 upholding the petition of the Department of Justice to reopen the rebellion case against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Insisting that this was unwise and illegal as it smacks of double jeopardy, Fajardo urged the court to withdraw its decision. Speaking for the government, Solicitor general Jose Calida chided Fajardo for his inordinate rush to criticize unduly using his position as a platform to advance what appears to be his personal opinion, not the organizations or at least a majority of its members. Said Calida: For double jeopardy to apply in the rebellion case against Senator Trillanes, three elements must be present: (1) a first jeopardy must have attached prior to the second; (2) the first jeopardy must have been validly terminated; and (3) the second jeopardy must be for the same offense as that in the first. ....Now, legal jeopardy attaches only (a) upon a valid indictment; (b) before a competent court; (c) after the accused has been arraigned; (d) the accused having entered a valid plea; and (e) the case was dismissed or terminated without the express consent of the accused.... in this case, the last element for legal jeopardy to attach is absent as it was Trillanes himself who filed a Motion to Dismiss thus it was done with his expressed consent so no legal jeopardy was attached to the first dismissal of the case against him. Hence, the reopening of the case is proper.Moreover, as the dismissal of the rebellion case in 2011 was predicated on an amnesty granted to Senator Trillanes by then President Aquino which was later declared void by Proclamation No. 572 issued by President Duterte, that amnesty had no legal effect. It should be emphasized that the courts upheld the constitutionality and legality of that proclamation paving the way for the resumption of the proceedings in the rebellion case pending before Makati RTC Branch 150. So there. By this time IBP President Fajardo should be well served if he holds back his horses and ensure that the reputation and goodwill of the organization he heads is upheld at all times.Finally, the government is embarking on a serious effort to rehabilitate and restore Manila Bay to a healthy, environmentally livable condition. I dare not say pristine as that would be romanticizing the gargantuan and longer-term initiative needed to get what was once described as one of the cleanest and most beautiful bays in the world. Obviously heartened by the success of the Boracay cleanup which even the most strident critics have come to applaud as the rehab and restoration measures remain in force and effect as evidenced by the salutary reception with which those who stayed in the island greeted the new year, President Duterte and his crew, principally DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano, have vowed to do a Boracay within the next five years. It will truly be a huge challenge whose success has eluded past administrations. But no matter. If there is anything which this administration is known for, it is its penchant to take on such challenges which have festered for yearsto the publics dismay and universal ridicule. Why, even the SC mandamus ruling for the bays clean up has remained largely unimplemented for still unexplained reasons. Last Friday, Secretary Cimatu and his crew did a walk through with various stakeholders and members of media at the most obvious sources of waste in the most, for want of a better term, visible and visited areas within the Manila Bay areathe Manila Yatch Club-BSP-Manila Zoo-Cultural Center-PICC quadrantat theManila-Pasay boundary. The estero in this areaEstero de San Antonio Abadwhich flows into an outfall just under the Manila Yatch Club has a coliform count hundreds of thousands abovem the acceptable levels. This is just one outfall and one estero. In due time, using the newest available technology, the Task Force congregating around the existing Manila Bay Clean Up Office created after the issuance of the mandamus, will have a real, honest-to-goodness map of the esteros and waterways in and around the bay area which, by the way, extends from Cavite in the south to Bataan in the north. In the meantime, the Task Force has divided the entire Manila Bay area into four quadrants to ensure the proper and responsible inventory of all establishments, big and small, housing, hotel or otherwise, esteros and waterways, sewage and water lines, solid waste facilities and all the other appurtenant installations and requirements of living and working in a huge (1994 square kilometer with a 190 kilometer coastline), heavily populated (about 30 to 35 percent of the entire population) bay area. That is just the start. I have no doubt that, like Boracay, there will be a number of skeptics but there will be an even bigger number of well-wishers for this clean up to succeed. Which is why it is well that the Task Force has moderated public expectations by stating early on that it will be done in phases starting with the clean-up of the waterways and the establishments which directly dump their wastes into these. For the purpose, the Task Force should immediately order the MWSS and its two concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, to come out with their long overdue plan to put in place a modern water and sewerage system in the entire MWSS concession area for which they have been collecting fees since. That injunction should later on involve the water districts servicing the other areas outside of the MWSS concession to ensure that all those tasked to provide the service and for which they have been and are being paid are up to their jobs. And then move from there. We will as we should monitor developments as the program unfolds. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Just as the scientific community was reaching a consensus on the dangerous reality of climate change, the partisan divide on climate change began to widen. That might seem like a paradox, but it's also no coincidence, says Justin Farrell, a professor of sociology at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES). It was around this time that an organized network, funded by organizations with a lot to lose in a transition to a low-carbon economy, started to coalesce around the goal of undercutting the legitimacy of climate science. Writing in the journal Nature Climate Change, Farrell and two co-authors illustrate how a large-scale misinformation campaign has eroded public trust in climate science and stalled efforts to achieve meaningful policy, but also how an emerging field of research is providing new insights into this critical dynamic. In the paper, they identify potential strategies to confront these misinformation campaigns across four related areaspublic inoculation, legal strategies, political mechanisms, and financial transparency. Other authors include Kathryn McConnell, a Ph.D. student at F&ES, and Robert Brulle at Brown University. "Many people see these efforts to undermine science as an increasingly dangerous challenge and they feel paralyzed about what to do about it," said Farrell, the lead author of the paper. "But there's been a growing amount of research into this challenge over the past few years that will help us chart out some solutions." A meaningful response to these misinformation campaigns must include a range of coordinated strategies that counter false content as it is produced and disseminated, Farrell said. But it will also require society to confront the institutional network that enables the spread of this misinformation in the first place. In the paper, they examine those strategies across the four identified areas: Public inoculation: While a growing body of research shows that an individual's perceptions of science are informed by "cultural cognition"and thus influenced by their preexisting ideologies and value systemsthere is evidence that society can "inoculate" against misinformation by exposing people to refuted scientific arguments before they hear them, much like one can prevent infection through the use of vaccines. This strategy can be strengthened by drawing more attention to the sources of misinformation, and thus similarly build up resistance to their campaigns. Legal strategies: Research has also shown the extent to which some industry leaders tied to the climate misinformation network knowingly misled the public about the dangers of climate change. In response, cities and states in the U.S. and U.K. have filed lawsuits alleging that fossil fuel companies, such as ExxonMobil, downplayed the risks of their products. While such lawsuits can be expensive and time-consuming, media coverage has the potential to influence public opinion and "perhaps to further inoculate the public about industry efforts to deliberately mislead them." The authors also describe how an improved understanding of these networks has helped in the legal defense of climate scientists who have come under attack for their research. Political mechanisms: The authors argue that more social science research is needed in order to reveal and better understand how the political process is often manipulated. For instance, they identify a case in which the energy company Entergy Corporation acknowledged hiring a PR firm that in turn paid actors who posed as grassroots supporters of a controversial power plant in New Orleans. They suggest targeted efforts in geographic areas where skepticism of climate change is widespread, including promotion of stronger media coverage of candidate views on climate science, clearer understanding of funding sources, and lawsuits highlighting the effects of climate change in these areas. Financial transparency: A growing share of funding for campaigns that promote science misinformation comes from donor-directed foundations that shield the contributor's identity from the public; in fact, financial giving from these groups quadrupled in the past decade, topping $100 million. While it is often difficult to identify the flow of dollars, nonpartisan organizations tracking money in politics have become important resources for researchers who seek to understand this dynamic. The authors call for new legislation to improve funding transparency. "We're really just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of understanding the full network of actors and how they're moving money in these efforts," said McConnell, a co-author. "The better we can understand how these networks work, the better the chances that policymakers will be able to create policy that makes a difference." These strategies must be coordinated in order to be effective, the authors conclude. For instance, they write, "public inoculation and legal strategies depend on improved financial transparency, just as financial transparency can similarly be strengthened by legal strategies that are themselves dependent on continued research into the financial and ideological sources of misinformation." "Ultimately we have to get to the root of the problem, which is the huge imbalance in spending between climate change opponents and those lobbying for new solutions," said Farrell. "Those interests will always be there, of course, but I'm hopeful that as we learn more about these dynamics things will start to change. I just hope it's not too late." Explore further Republicans more persuasive than scientists on climate change More information: Justin Farrell et al, Evidence-based strategies to combat scientific misinformation, Nature Climate Change (2019). Journal information: Nature Climate Change Justin Farrell et al, Evidence-based strategies to combat scientific misinformation,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0368-6 The dedicated Gamma-ray Burst Polarimetry experiment POLAR on top of China's TiangGong-2 spacelab launched on Sept. 15, 2016. The glowing green light mimics the scintillating light when a gamma-ray photon hits one of the 1,600 specially made scintillation bars. The artwork is based on a picture taken by a camera located several meters behind POLAR. Credit: Institute of High Energy Physics During the formation of a black hole, a bright burst of very energetic light in the form of gamma rays is produced, these events are called gamma ray bursts. The physics behind this phenomenon includes many of the least understood fields within physics today: general gravity, extreme temperatures and acceleration of particles far beyond the energy of the most powerful particle accelerators on Earth. In order to analyse these gamma ray bursts, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) of Villigen, Switzerland, the Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing and the National Center for Nuclear Research of Swierk in Poland, built the POLAR instrument to analyze gamma ray bursts, which was sent in 2016 to the Chinese Tiangong-2 space laboratory. Contrary to prevailing theories, the first results of POLAR reveal that the high energy photons coming from gamma ray bursts are neither completely chaotic, nor completely organized, but a mixture of the two: Within short time intervals, the photons are found to oscillate in the same direction, but the oscillation direction changes with time. These unexpected results are reported in a recent issue of the journal Nature Astronomy. When two neutron stars collide or a super-massive star collapses into itself, a black hole is created. This birth is accompanied by a gamma ray burst (GRB)a very energetic light wavelength such as that emitted by radioactive sources. Is the black hole birth environment organized or chaotic? How and where the gamma rays are produced is still a mystery, and there are two schools of thought on their origin. The first predicts that photons from GRBs are polarized, meaning the majority of them oscillate in the same direction. If this were the case, the source of the photons would likely be a strong and well-organized magnetic field formed during the violent aftermath of the black hole production. A second theory suggests that the photons are not polarized, implying a more chaotic emission environment. But how to check this? "Our international teams have built the first powerful and dedicated detector, called POLAR, capable of measuring the polarization of gamma rays from GRBs. This instrument allows us to learn more about their source," said Xin Wu, professor in the Department of Nuclear and Particle Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of UNIGE. Its operation is simple. It is a square of 50 x 50 cm2 consisting of 1600 scintillator bars in which the gamma rays collide with the atoms that make up these bars. When a photon collides in a bar, we can measure it. Afterwards, it can produce a second photon which can cause a second visible collision. "If the photons are polarized, we observe a directional dependency between the impact positions of the photons, continues Nicolas Produit, researcher at the Department of Astronomy of the Faculty of Sciences of UNIGE. On the contrary, if there is no polarization, the second photon resulting from the first collision will leave in a fully random direction." Order within chaos In six months, POLAR has detected 55 gamma ray bursts, and scientist analyzed the polarization of gamma rays from the five brightest ones. The results are surprising, to say the least. "When we analyse the polarization of a gamma ray burst as a whole, we see at most a very weak polarization, which seems to clearly favour several theories," says Merlin Kole, a researcher at the Department of Nuclear and Particle Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of UNIGE and one of the main authors of the paper. Faced with this first result, the scientists looked in more detail at a very powerful nine-second long gamma ray burst and cut it into time intervals of two seconds. "There, we discovered with surprise that, on the contrary, the photons are polarized in each slice, but the oscillation direction is different in each slice," Xin Wu says. It is this changing direction that makes the full GRB appear as very chaotic and unpolarized. "The results show that as the explosion takes place, something happens that causes the photons to be emitted with a different polarization direction. What this could be, we really don't know," says Kole. These first results confront the theorists with new information, requiring them to produce more detailed predictions. "We now want to build POLAR-2, which will be bigger and more precise. With that, we can dig deeper into these chaotic processes to discover the source of the gamma rays and unravel the mysteries of these highly energetic physical processes," explains Nicolas Produit. Explore further Research shows short gamma-ray bursts do follow binary neutron star mergers More information: Shuang-Nan Zhang et al, Detailed polarization measurements of the prompt emission of five gamma-ray bursts, Nature Astronomy (2019). Journal information: Nature Astronomy Shuang-Nan Zhang et al, Detailed polarization measurements of the prompt emission of five gamma-ray bursts,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-018-0664-0 Credit: Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock British oak trees are under threat from a disease known as Acute Oak Decline. Mainly affecting mature trees, it can kill them within four to five years of symptoms appearing. However, while researchers like myself have been looking into what causes it, and trying to find a way to prevent it, our work has been hindered in part by the fact that we have to follow a set of scientific rules known as Koch's postulates. For more than 100 years, scientists have identified which single organism causes a disease according to these postulates. However, more recent research into both plant and animal illnesses has shown that these are too strict, and that we need to start considering how multiple bacteria interact to cause a disease in what is called a "pathobiome". A pathobiome is essentially a community of interacting bacteria that together cause a disease in animals and plants. Acute Oak Decline, for example, arises from several bacteria which together degrade the trees' vascular tissues, preventing transport of water and nutrients to the branches and leaves. We have recently identified two bacteria as causative agents of Acute Oak Decline Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans while others, including Lonsdalea britannica and Rahnella species, have been detected, although their role is currently unclear. Alone, the bacteria which form the pathobiome are harmless, or are less severe. But when alongside other organisms the likelihood, incidence and severity of disease is increased. This gives rise to "emergent property", meaning that the disease causing property is greater than the sum of the combined organisms. The postulates problem Prior to the pioneering work of 19th-century German biologist Robert Koch, the causes of disease were unknown. In 1890, building on the work of scientists Louis Pasteur and John Snow, Koch identified his postulates as standardised guidelines to prove disease causation. These are: The parasite occurs in every case of the disease in question and under circumstances which can account for the pathological changes and clinical course of the disease. The parasite occurs in no other disease as a fortuitous and non-pathogenic parasite. After being fully isolated from the body and repeatedlygrown in pure culture, the parasite can induce the disease anew. The postulates were later adapted to incorporate viruses, and the occurrence of asymptomatic carriers individuals who are infected but present no symptoms, such as Typhoid Mary. In the 1980s, the postulates were extended again, to acknowledge the discovery that a single gene can be responsible for disease. Pathologists have since exploited this discovery to find that removing a gene from a bacterial cell's DNA causes it to lose its disease-causing abilities. Bacterial communities However, as mentioned above, bacterial diseases in both animals and plants are increasingly being recognised as being caused by a community of bacteria and not a single organism. In Bangladesh, a 2014 study investigated why some people fall dangerously ill with cholera (caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae) while others have much reduced symptoms. It was found that the bacterial species Ruminococcus obeum is highly abundant in those who have recovered from the disease because it was able to outcompete V. cholerae using a communication system known as quorum sensing. V. cholerae mass in the human gut by releasing small diffusible molecules, which "talk" to other bacteria and recruit them to the site in large concentrations. But R. obeum disrupts V. cholerae signalling by releasing its own signal, which prevents V. cholerae from reaching sufficient quantities to release toxins and cause disease. This means that the human gut's bacterial community can dictate whether an individual falls victim to cholera or remains healthy. Like humans, plants host multiple species of bacteria. They form intricate host-bacterial relationships which can be beneficial, passive or detrimental to plant health. Plants can directly shape their resident bacteria in favour of growth promoting species, by releasing hormones into the soil which encourage colonisation. But unhealthy plants are less able to do this which leads to a changed community of resident microbes that can contribute to disease. The opportunistic human and plant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14, for example, colonises and persists in host environments which would have previously been protected by the immune system or excluded from the environment by resident bacteria. This makes disease causation difficult to prove under the postulates as the passive bacterium can only cause disease in an already compromised host. Taken together, it becomes clear why we need to start considering the pathobiome as a central factor in disease. Each bacterium can cause different levels of disease according to whether other bacteria are present, and the level of disease can be measured on a scale. Perhaps scientists need a new set of postulates, ones which take into account the accumulated knowledge from the more than 100 years of scientific research since Koch's original work. Explore further Mathematical model explains why some bacteria cause illness even in small doses This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Cells communicate through complex mechanisms that typically involve receptors and ligands that bind to them. Endogenous ligands, produced by the body, have been identified for the vast majority of cellular receptors, helping explain receptor existence and function. But in the case of sigma-1 receptors, which interact with a diverse array of psychoactive drugs, an endogenous ligand has remained elusive. Now, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM), in collaboration with scientists at the University of Cambridge, show that choline, an essential nutrient that functions in metabolism, is an endogenous activator of sigma-1 receptors, marking an important advance in cell biology. "Sigma-1 receptors are targets of psychoactive drugs that are commonly abused," explained Eugen Brailoiu, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR) at LKSOM, and lead author on the new report. "Now we show that choline not only is the physiological activator of these receptors but also functions as a second messenger, relaying intracellular signals from sigma-1 receptors to their targets." The findings were published online in the journal Cell Reports. According to Mary E. Abood, Ph.D., CSAR Professor and co-author on the new study, scientists have been searching for an endogenous ligand for sigma-1 receptors for decades. "Sigma-1 originally was suggested to be an opioid receptor, since opioid drugs bind to sigma-1, but the identity of an endogenous activator has been controversial." Dr. Brailoiu and colleagues at Temple and Thomas Jefferson University, along with collaborator and senior investigator Dr. Colin W. Taylor, professor in the Department of Pharmacology at University of Cambridge, narrowed their search for an endogenous ligand to choline based on characteristics it shared with known pharmacological sigma-1 ligands, particularly its amine structure and acyl chain. Their prediction was proven correct when choline was tested in neuronal cells, where it functioned precisely as expected for an endogenous ligand: it completely displaced pentazocine, a ligand with high affinity and selectivity for sigma-1, and then produced an intracellular action and rapidly dissociated from the receptor. The intracellular actions of choline mimicked those of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), which stimulate the release of calcium from intracellular reservoirs. IP3Rs are regulated by sigma-1 receptors. Choline activation of sigma-1 potentiated the calcium-releasing actions of IP3R. The researchers further showed that choline activates sigma-1 receptors following its uptake by transporters at synapses, the communication junctions between neurons. "Our work shows that receptors that stimulate IP3 formation also stimulate breakdown of another lipid, phosphatidylcholine," explained Dr. Taylor. "The choline produced by this reaction has hitherto been thought to be a by-product, but the new results show that choline works alongside IP3 to promote calcium release." The researchers plan next to test other drugs and molecules that bind to sigma-1 receptors in order to better understand the physiological and potential psychological effects of sigma-1 activation. Explore further Scientists make white blood cells to alleviate pain during tissue inflammation in mice Dmitri Simberg, PhD, and colleagues show one way the immune system recognizes nanoparticles. Credit: University of Colorado Cancer Center Doctors would like to use all sorts of nanoparticles in the body, for example to construct detailed images of anatomy and disease, and to deliver cancer-fighting drugs deep within tumor tissue. However, millions of years of evolution have equipped the body to identify and reject foreign particles, even nanoparticles. And so one major challenge in the use of nanomedicine has been the immune system's unfortunate efficiency in responding to what it sees as infection, at best clearing nanoparticles before they can accomplish their goals, and at worst, leading to dangerous immune overreaction that creates side effects and serious risks. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published today in the journal Nature Nanotechnology describes an important step in the activation of the immune system against nanoparticles. The finding may allow researchers and eventually doctors to cloak nanoparticles against the immune system, allowing these particles to go about their therapeutic business. Previously, the lab of CU Cancer Center investigator Dmitri Simberg, Ph.D., has shown that blood proteins (collectively called protein corona) coat nanoparticles, marking them for immune system attack. In particular, the Simberg lab showed that one of the most important components of the immune system, namely the complement system, cannot attack nanoparticles unless they are coated with protein corona. Now the Simberg lab shows another step in this process: Natural antibodies within the protein corona are responsible for the ability of the complement system to recognize and attack nanoparticles. "Basically, we found that C3 deposition on nanoparticles (and thus immune system activation against nanoparticles) really depends on natural antibodies in each person's blood," says Simberg, who is also an associate professor in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. "We can remove these antibodies and there is very little complement system activation. Then we can add these antibodies back and there is activation. The study, which was done in collaboration with Moein Moghimi, Ph.D., Professor at Newcastle University in the UK, looked at the ability of a prevalent complement system protein, known as C3, to find and attack widely used nanoparticle-based anti-cancer pharmaceuticals LipoDox and Onivyde, (as well as the nanoparticle-based iron oxide supplement Feraheme). When Simberg and colleagues depleted antibodies known as immunoglobulins from blood of healthy donors and cancer patients, the ability of C3 to find and mark these nanoparticles was reduced 70-95 percent. When the team restored immunoglobulins, they again saw C3 buildup on these nanomedicines. "Our immunological memory is made up of antibodies that help us to recognize pathogens that we may have encountered long ago. Each person has a set of natural antibodies that recognizes nanoparticles. The individual reactivity of a person to a specific kind of nanoparticle depends to some extent on how much of these antibodies a person has. There's variabilityone person may have more antibodies that recognize a certain kind of nanoparticle, while another person has different antibodies that recognize another kind of nanoparticle," says Simberg. "What is really exciting is that all these antibodies seem not to bind to naked nanoparticles. The particle needs to be coated with a protein coronabinding of these antibodies is much more efficient when you have these other proteins sticking to the nanoparticles first," Simberg says. Continuing work hopes to discover the origin and source of antibodies that recognize nanoparticles, offering a clearer picture of why some people show immune over-response in reaction to nanoparticle-based medicines. By understanding how antibodies recognize nanoparticles, Simberg and his team hope to develop ways to selectively block this action, leading to more effect and less side effect of nanomedicines. Explore further How to keep nanoparticle caterpillars safe from the crows of the immune system More information: Vivian P. Vu et al, Immunoglobulin deposition on biomolecule corona determines complement opsonization efficiency of preclinical and clinical nanoparticles, Nature Nanotechnology (2018). Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology Vivian P. Vu et al, Immunoglobulin deposition on biomolecule corona determines complement opsonization efficiency of preclinical and clinical nanoparticles,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0344-3 Human trafficking, in which migrants suffer coercion and abuse, is widely considered to be a form of modern-day slavery. Credit: Dennis Lan Despite toiling up to 18 hours a day, Rhoda, a Filipina migrant domestic worker in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was given food only once every 24 hours by her employers, who insisted she must finish all her daily chores before eating. "They expected her to survive just drinking water throughout the day," said Rhacel Parrenas, professor of sociology and gender studies at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and an expert on human trafficking. Parrenas is the author of Illicit Flirtations: Labor, Migration, and Sex Trafficking in Tokyo (Stanford University Press, 2011), which explores the working conditions of what in the mid-2000s was the largest group of human trafficking victimsFilipino migrant hostesses in Japan. She interviewed Rhodawhose last name is omitted to protect her identity for her current research on Southeast Asian migrant domestic workers in the UAE. It is one of 165 in-depth interviews Parrenas has completed on workers' experience of what she prefers to term "unfree labor," but which is often described by those within the trafficking community as modern-day slavery. Trafficking, Parrenas explains, differs very little whether it occurs in the United States or in the Middle East. "In the U.S., it's very hard to quantify the extent of trafficking because it's a hidden problem," she said. "A lot of trafficked people don't speak out, so we never really know about them." However, Parrenas notes, the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which is run by Polaris, reports that in 2017 it received calls from around 10,000 people. California Superior Court Judge Curtis Kin agrees that in the U.S. we tend to underestimate the scale of human trafficking, believing it occurs in other countries rather than right here on our doorstep. "It's the type of crime that can go unnoticed due to its hidden nature, so raising awareness among the community so that it can be discovered and reported is the best way to combat trafficking," he said. Kin, who earned his bachelor's in international relations from USC Dornsife in 1993, first got involved in fighting human trafficking as a federal prosecutor working for the U.S. Department of Justice in Los Angeles. As head of the unit specializing in sex and labor trafficking, he supervised cases and trained prosecutors to work with federal agents to bring traffickers to justice. A victim-centered approach In 2008, Kin successfully prosecuted what at the time was the largest international human sex trafficking case ever brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. It involved Guatemalan minors and young women forced into prostitution in the U.S. Heightened awareness helps people understand that many who once were prosecuted for prostitution might actually be the victims, with the real crime being trafficking, Kin said. "This victim-centered approach needs to be shared not only in the law enforcement community but also in the community at large." To that end, Kin has also trained government officials, law enforcement officers and victim rights advocates in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Moldova, Egypt and throughout the U.S. While acknowledging the extreme seriousness of sex trafficking, Parrenas argues that it represents a smaller problem than the widespread labor trafficking faced by many temporary migrant workers whose legal resident status is conditional upon their working solely for one employer. This, she notes, makes them very vulnerable to abuse. In many cases, she found, migrant workers only discover upon arrival that they will be paid far less than originally promisedoften less than half. "That psychological toll of thinking you're going to get something and then you arrive and discover you're going to receive half of what you thought, and the work is more challenging than you ever imagined it to be, and yet you can't quit your job because you need your employer's permission, is huge," Parrenas said. Modern-day slavery Kin says that while it's important to note that trafficking doesn't usually resemble slavery in the traditional sense, where people are chained or beatenalthough that can still occurat its root, modern day traffickers are still compelling or coercing somebody to do something against their will, either in terms of labor or commercial sex. This, Kin points out, can be done in subtle, hidden ways involving sophisticated psychological or economic coercion and nonviolent threats, potentially to the victim's family. For example, Joy, another Filipina worker interviewed by Parrenas, was not given a single day off by her employers, a Yemeni family, during the five years she worked for them. The family also refused to allow her to quit her job and held her salary, on the pretext that they did not want her to "squander" it. Joy only learned her rights after visiting a UAE government office. Armed with an official letter, she finally persuaded her employers to let her go. Her troubles were not over, however. Her next job, with a Saudi household, lasted 14 years, during which she still didn't receive a day off. Parrenas stresses that while Rhoda and Joy's cases are shocking, they're certainly not the worst she has uncovered. Many migrant workers face even more appalling abuses, including being beaten or starved. "In those cases, especially if they don't have a day offwhich is also normal , it's very hard for these women to escape. Also, they can't leave their job unless they have the permission to quit of the employer who's hitting them," she said. Parrenas thinks anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. is to blame for the failure to take the legal steps necessary to protect migrant workers and prevent human trafficking. "It's important that we use International Human Trafficking Awareness Day to call attention to how receiving countries put migrants in a legal position of vulnerability," she said. "That should be front and center of our discussion of immigration today." Explore further How often are unauthorized immigrant workers trafficked and abused? Row of homes in Fort McMurray located just across from where the wildfire took place in May 2016. Credit: Arthur Chan University of Toronto Engineering researchers have examined dust from homes in Fort McMurray, Alta., for evidence of harmful toxins left in the aftermath of the devastating 2016 wildfire. Their study reveals normal levels of contaminants that are comparable to homes across Canada, and so far, no evidence of long-term health risks from fire-ash exposure in residents' homes. In May 2016, a large wildfire in the area forced a mandatory evacuation of more than 80,000 residents in the city and surrounding region, making it the largest recorded wildfire evacuation in Canadian history. As people slowly gained re-entry to their homes a month later, concerns were raised about residual fire ash or toxins in homes that could pose health risks. Smoke and ash can contain a large number of potentially harmful carcinogens, including arsenic, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In the summer of 2017, chemical engineering professor Arthur Chan and his research team visited Fort McMurray to find out if there was indeed cause for concern. "Many people were saying, 'I'm not sure if it's safe for my children to come back and live here after this big fire,'" says Chan. Postdoctoral fellow Lukas Kohl, graduate student Meng Meng and undergraduate Cynthia Jing vacuumed up dust from more than 60 homes in Fort McMurray and neighbouring Fort McKay, looking for evidence of residual fire ash. To ensure representative coverage, the team chose neighbourhoods that suffered significant damagewhere re-entry was delayedas well as neighbourhoods less affected by the wildfire. After analyzing dust collected in the living room and bedroom (the largest and most frequented areas in a home) for toxins such as PAHs, arsenic and heavy metals, the team reported that the levels, while detectable, were not any higher than in Canadian homes that had not been affected by the fire. Their findings were recently published in Geophysical Research Letters. "That was the surprisethat even after this fire, we actually didn't see higher levels of contaminants," says Chan. "The levels we saw were not terribly high. If we compare them to health guidelineswhat is considered to be a health risk for soilsthe results from samples we collected in the homes were generally lower." For some chemicals, such as lead, levels were actually higher in Toronto homes than those in Fort McMurray. "Since Fort McMurray is a newer city, a lot of the infrastructure like pipes and paint don't contain lead," says Chan. Although the results surprised Chan's team, he suspects the reason that levels were normal has to do with residents' cleaning habits. "We think people are cleaning quite a bit after the fire," he says. "A lot of the houses have gotten insurance companies to cover the cost of a cleaning crew. And even for houses that don't have insurance clean-up, the residents have cleaned quite thoroughly, due to concerns about residuals from the fire." His lab will continue to study samples collected from other areas of the home. They've also partnered with a pulmonary specialist at Toronto General Hospital, who is currently assessing the lung health of those who participated in his lab's study. Chan stresses that there are other types of health concerns that can result from the fire, ranging from mental health of victims to the occupational health of firefighters who battled the blaze. But for this study in particular, he hopes these findings give the Fort McMurray community some peace of mind. "I think they should take this as good news. So far, we don't have any evidence to say that there are any immediate health risks in their homes due to the fire." Explore further Fort McMurray wildfire continues to burn More information: Lukas Kohl et al. Limited Retention of Wildfire-Derived PAHs and Trace Elements in Indoor Environments, Geophysical Research Letters (2018). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Lukas Kohl et al. Limited Retention of Wildfire-Derived PAHs and Trace Elements in Indoor Environments,(2018). DOI: 10.1029/2018GL080473 Researchers are finding that sometimes a solution to an environmental problem can cause trouble in another area In a world where climate change, air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, ozone depletion, and other environmental problems overlap, a fix in one arena can cause trouble in another. Here are a few examples of what might be called Earth's "zero-sum" dilemma in the 21st century. Water vs. ocean pollution A study released Monday shows for the first time that more than 16,000 desalination plants scattered across the globe produce more briny toxic sludge than fresh water. For every litre of fresh water extracted, a litre-and-a-half of salty, chemical-laden sludge called brine is dumpedin most casesinto the ocean. That's enough to cover the state of Florida in a 30-centimetre (one-foot) layer of slime. "Desalination technology has benefited a large number of people," said co-author Manzoor Qadir, a researcher at the UN University. "But we cannot ignore the production of brine, which is going to become an even greater problem in the future." Ozone vs. climate The 1987 Montreal Protocol banned industrial chemicals dissolving stratospheric ozone, which protects us from the Sun's dangerous ultraviolet rays. To replace the forbidden molecules, used in aerosols and refrigerants, scientists invented a new category known as HFCs. But there was a small problem that didn't emerge until much later: the substituteswhile harmless to the ozone layerwere dangerous greenhouse gases, thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide or methane. That meant a new, protracted round of negotiations over an amendment calling for the phase of HFCs, which was finally adopted in 2016. Biofuels vs. food, forests The rise in oil prices in the 1970s, and later the looming threat of climate change, boosted the production of biofuels made from corn, sugarcane and palm oil. It seemed like a great idea: planet-warming CO2 released into the atmosphere when the biofuels were burned would be partially offset by the CO2 absorbed while the plants were growing. But the solution became a problem it its own right. The energy needed to transform and transport plant-based fuels undercuts their original purpose. To make matters worse, the newly emerging market created a perverse incentive to cut down tropical forestsfar more efficient at soaking up CO2to make way for sugarcane and palm oil trees. When it comes to climate change, projections for how humanity can cap global warming under two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) assume a major role for biofuels. But recently scientists have calculated that an area up to twice the size of India would be needed to cultivate them, which may not leave enough land to grow food. Wind farms vs. biodiversity There are some 350,000 wind turbines scattered across the globe producing more than 500 gigawatts of clean, green energy and supplying four percent of global electricity demand. But wind farms are also bird killers: up to 328,000 birdsespecially those that fly at nightare felled every year by fast-spinning blades in the United States alone, where there are some 50,000 turbines. They also disrupt ecosystems. A scientific study of wind farms in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO-listed range of mountains and forest spanning India's west coast, found that predatory raptor birds were four times rarer than in adjacent areas. Their absence cascaded down the food chain and radically altered the density and behaviour of the birds' prey. There was, in particular, an explosion in the raptors' favourite meal: fan-throated lizards. Solar panels vs. ground pollution Photovoltaic solar panelswhich absorb sunlight to generate electricityhave a dirty little secret, according to French investigative journalist Guillaume Pitron. The fastest growing renewable energy source includes critical metals and minerals that require a lot of energy to extract and often leave a trail of environmental devastation in their wake. Wandering the world to research his book "The Rare Metals War", Pitron said he saw mountains in southern China "cut in half vertically," and "toxic lakes" in Inner Mongolia. Explore further Desalination produces more toxic waste than clean water 2019 AFP Chinese officials have outlined plans to set up an international moon base one day China will seek to establish an international lunar base one day, possibly using 3D printing technology to build facilities, the Chinese space agency said Monday, weeks after landing a rover on the moon's far side. The agency said four more lunar missions are planned, confirming the launch of a probe by the end of the year to bring back samples from the moon. The future launches will culminate with a mission to test equipment for an international moon research base, Wu Yanhua, deputy chief commander of China's Lunar Exploration Programme, said at a press briefing. "China, the United States, Russia and Europe are all discussing whether to build a research base or a research station on the moon," Wu said. Scientists are looking into "whether we can use 3D printing technology" to build lunar facilities, he added. China took a major step in its ambition to achieve space superpower status when it became the first nation to land a probe on the far side of the moon on January 3. The Chang'e-4 landernamed after the moon goddess in Chinese mythologyreleased a rover that will perform experiments in the Von Karman Crater, which is located in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. The rover, dubbed Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit), was preparing to go back to work after waking from five days of hibernation on Thursday. China took a major step in its ambition to achieve space superpower status when it became the first nation to land a probe on the far side of the moon "It will be the first time that we are able to study the origin and formation... (of) the darker side the moon, including the age of... the moon," said Wu Weiren, general designer of the Lunar Exploration Programme. Basking the mission's success, the China National Space Administration discussed plans for the future missions. The Chang'e-5 probe, originally scheduled to collect moon samples in the second half of 2017, will launch by the end of the year, Wu said. The mission was delayed after its planned carrier, the powerful Long March 5 Y2 rocket, failed in a separate launch in July 2017. Following that mission, China will launch Chang'e-6 to gather samples on the moon's south pole and bring them back to Earth, Wu said. "We will decide whether it will do it on the dark side of the moon or the near side depending on the sampling situation of the Chang'e-5," Wu told reporters. It will be followed by Chang'e-7, which will conduct a "comprehensive exploration of the moon's south pole", including its topography, material composition and space environment, he said. Finally, the Chang'e-8 mission will test technologies and do "some preliminary exploration for countries to jointly build a lunar research base in the future", Wu said. 2019 AFP This newly identified, unnamed salamander lives near the Pedernales river west of Austin, Texas. Credit: Tom Devitt Biologists at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered three new species of groundwater salamander in Central Texas, including one living west of Austin that they say is critically endangered. They also determined that an already known salamander species near Georgetown is much more endangered than previously thought. Writing today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team, which includes one of the scientists who identified the endangered Barton Springs salamander, warns that more severe droughts caused by climate change and increasing water use in Central Texas have left groundwater salamanders "highly vulnerable to extinction." The groundwater salamanders of Central Texasjust 2 to 3 inches longswim in springs, underwater caves and channels deep within limestone rock and are keystone species in the local Edwards and Trinity aquifers. As top predators, they help maintain the health of aquifer ecosystems, meaning they are key for preserving water quality in the aquifers that local residents depend on for nearly all the fresh water supplying nearby cities, industries and agriculture. The loss of these salamanders would compromise the delicate aquifer systems of which they are a critical part, the biologists said. "Even if people do not care about salamanders, they care about maintaining the quality of the aquifer systems that provide most of Texas with its fresh water," said David Hillis, professor of integrative biology and senior author of the paper. "Fortunately, what's good for the salamanders is also really good for the people. What we need to do to protect these salamanders also happens to be the exact same things we need to do to protect the water resources that ranchers, cities, homeowners and everybody else depend upon." For years, Central Texans have worked toward preserving several threatened or endangered salamanders, many of them discovered because of research by Hillis and his colleagues. The new paper adds to this body of work, which has led to protections for the Barton Springs salamander, the Austin blind salamander, the San Marcos salamander and the Georgetown salamander through entities such as the Edwards Aquifer Authority, which addresses an aquifer segment that supplies water to San Antonio. One of three newly identified species, which is yet to be named, is critically endangered: a tiny, golden-colored salamander that lives only in a small area near the Pedernales River west of Austin. The scientists also discovered that the Georgetown salamander, which lives in springs near Lake Georgetown and already has federal protection as a threatened species, has a much smaller range than previously thought and, thus, is far more endangered. "I think the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should review the status of all these salamanders in light of the new evidence," Hillis said, referring to the process for assessing the conservation status of species under the Endangered Species Act. "They are part of the rich biological heritage of Texas, and losing these groundwater salamanders would be a huge loss for our state's biodiversity. Importantly, protecting these salamanders also means protecting the quality and quantity of fresh water that Texans rely upon." For the new study, Hillis and other researchers delineated the geographic ranges of more than a dozen Central Texas groundwater salamander species by studying the genetics of preserved specimens, collected over several decades and stored in the University of Texas Biodiversity Collections. First author Tom Devitt, currently an environmental scientist with the City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department, carried out the genetic analyses while still a postdoctoral researcher at UT Austin working with Hillis, helping to identify the three species previously unknown to science. Found nowhere else in the world and difficult to study due to the inaccessibility of their underground habitats, these salamanders, Devitt explained, represent a kind of mystery and rare beauty, a legacy of wildness that lives on despite a rapidly changing landscape. "There's a whole underground ecosystem all the way from Salado to West Texas that many people don't even know about," Devitt said. "Within it are these endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth." Explore further Tiny salamanders could complicate Shasta Dam project More information: Thomas J. Devitt el al., "Species delimitation in endangered groundwater salamanders: Implications for aquifer management and biodiversity conservation," PNAS (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Thomas J. Devitt el al., "Species delimitation in endangered groundwater salamanders: Implications for aquifer management and biodiversity conservation,"(2018). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1815014116 "Hes looking over your shoulder." "Hes looking over your shoulder." In these days of partisan politics, there is hardly a voice in the House of Representatives who speak for the people. Our congressmen, as a matter of self-interest, do not dare go against the powers-that-be, particularly from the Palace that controls the purse strings. But Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza is a cut above the rest. He speaks up in the deafening silence of the majority to challenge flawed legislative measures and offensive statements even from President Rodrigo Duterte himself. Of late, Atienza could no longer hold back when DU 30 unleashed his vitriolic and violence-laced remarks. The latest of these insensitive statements was the Presidents remark to torture and kill Commission on Audit officials in the wake of the controversy between Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Rep. Rolando Andaya. A staunch pro-life and Church lawmaker, Atienza recalled President Dutertes other senseless statements like calling on the people to stop praying to that stupid god. The clergy is also the target of the Presidents other blasphemous remarks. To the extent that he himself would now be targeted, Atienza shrugged his shoulders. That may be so, but I answer to a higher authority, Atienza said while pointing his index finger upward. While he cannot blame the Church for not speaking out more vehemently against the Presidents verbal attacks, Atienza said he understands the Catholic clergys mild response as meant not to further inflame the situation between the Palace and the Church. But we must not be cowed by the Palace powers lest government think it can do anything it wants to do even at the expense of our own conviction as Catholics, said Atienza. His Buhay Party-List is supported by the Church, the El Shaddai religious group of Bro. Mike Velarde and civic groups which are against abortion and the return of the death penalty.From all indications, Atienza is going to be elected to his third term as Buhay Party -List representative, much to the dismay of those who want to control the House where silence is the preferred attitude. He has also voted against the one-year extention of martial law in Mindanao, pointing out that it has not stopped lawlessness. He cited the recent fatal terrorist bombing in Cotabato. He also hailed the quick solution and arrest of the suspects in the Batocabe killing in Albay even without martial law being imposed in the Bicol region. Atienza is also against the use of marijuana for medical purposes pointing out there is now medicine for almost every known ailment. Legalizing the use of marijuana is only a sniff away from more addictive drugs like shabu and cocaine. It would make President Dutertes anti-drug campaign meaningless if we legalize marijuana use, Atienza added. The former two-term Manila mayor and Environment Secretarys other advocacy is the cleanup of Manila Bay. Lets stop blaming the informal settlers for turning Manila Bay into one big garbage receptacle. The main culprits are businessmen who dump their toxic industrial waste into the Pasig River, which flows onto the bay. The restaurants and hotels along Roxas Boulevard are just as guilty for Manila Bays deterioration because they do not properly do waste management of leftover food and other kitchen refuse, said Atienza. He asked the two major concessionairesMaynilad and Manila Waterwhat they did to the millions of dollars from the World Bank meant for the implementation of waste water management that was stipulated in their contract they won in the bidding award. Since the World Bank loan is under sovereign guarantee, meaning the WB loan was signed with government guarantee for payment, the Duterte administration might as well take over providing clean water for the people and scrap the contract of the two major concessionaires, said Atienza. What Atienza said wont probably sit well with business tycoons Manny Pangilinan and the Ayalas. But the Buhay Party-List congressman is not one for soft stance when it comes to the peoples welfare. So to those who think they can get away with poor service and the destruction of the environment, think again. Someone named Atienza is looking over your shoulder. Women in totalitarian states are among those particularly at risk by governments use of Big Data to spy on its citizens. Credit: Matthew Henry/Unsplash The right to privacy has become a pressing human rights issue. And rightly so. Big data combined with artificial intelligence and facial recognition software has the capacity to intrude on people's lives in unprecedented ways, in some cases on a massive scale. While much of the discussion has focused on how social media and tech companies use the data they collect about their users, more attention needs to be paid to the wider relationship between violations of privacy and other types of human rights abuses. The reason is simple. Mass invasions of privacy can undermine the rights of millions, if not billions, of people around the world as governments gain a greater capacity to discriminate or worse across gender and sexuality lines, and stifle dissent, including through violence. More about this in a moment. So what can be done to limit the human rights fallout? What we need is a multi-pronged approach that involves civil society, the private sector, foundations and states. Establishing human rights funds First, foundations that support human rights should establish human rights and technology funds. Activists are already harnessing new technologies to monitor and document abuses. Amnesty International is working with a data analysis company to quantify levels of misogyny on Twitter. This type of innovation should be encouraged and resourced. Second, states should negotiate new norms and laws for the digital age. The Montreal Declaration on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence offers a powerful statement on the need for the ethical development of new technologies. Similarly, the UN Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy is leading efforts to develop what's been called a "Draft Legal Instrument on Government-led Surveillance and Privacy." These initiatives, and others like them, should be supported. Third, states must reaffirm the principle of the right to asylum. States that use technology to violate human rights will displace people. Those with a well-founded fear of persecution will need protection. Finally, states that believe in a rules-based international order must redouble efforts to tackle impunity. Human rights abuses occur because those who commit the violations are rarely held to account. This needs to change. 'Grave consequences' Failure to check invasions of privacy enabled by technology will have grave consequences. Here are four examples that illustrate this point. Women's Rights: Surveillance technologies are often used to police morality, especially in places where there is no clear distinction between "sin" and law. Take Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi courts are using the "vague provisions" in the anti-cybercrime law to "sanction people suspected of committing sexual relations outside marriage, including adultery, extramarital and homosexual sex." Women are paying a disproportionately high price for these intrusions. LGBTQ Rights: According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), 72 countries prohibit same-sex relations. Surveillance technologies give governments the ability to "out" individuals. They know where people sleep at night, and with whom. The potential for lives to be destroyed is very great, indeed. Torture: The governments that violate privacy to suppress minorities are often the same governments that will not think twice about using torture to maintain control of their citizens. Syria is a case in point. Extrajudicial Executions: If governments can track their citizens' movements, it is not difficult to have them assassinated. The Jamal Khashoggi killing is a tragic example of this. The New York Times has reported that the Saudis used the Pegasus spying software to eavesdrop on Khashoggi, thus enabling his murder. Other governments could interpret a lack of any meaningful response as permission to target journalists. This is not a hypothetical concern. According to IFEX, an organization dedicated to protecting free expression, 78 journalists were murdered in 2018, and another 159 were imprisoned. This is not hyperbole. States of all stripes are collecting data on their citizens, and have been for quite some time. This is not going to end any time soon. Quite the opposite. If left unchecked, invasions of privacy enabled by technology could put every other human right at risk, and on a scale that would be truly terrifying. Explore further UN: Nations hide rise in private digital snooping This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. An aerial view of Santa Rosa Island, Florida, a barrier island known for its beautiful beaches. Credit: Chris Houser Sand dunes on coastal barrier islands buffer the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts from oncoming hurricanes. Every year, millions of public and private dollars fund the restoration of these barrier islands, but managers often focus on the recovery of smaller sand dunes and aim at making them bigger, for better storm protection. But new research presented at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting last month finds sand dunes on these barrier islands don't all recover at the same rate. Small dunes go back to becoming small dunes; large dunes recover to be large dunes; and they don't typically grow larger than they were before the storm struck. Chris Houser, a coastal geologist at the University of Windsor, Canada who presented the findings, experienced Hurricane Ivan the day after he'd arrived in Pensacola, Florida in 2004. Houser witnessed the damage caused to barrier islands along Pensacola and loss of dune fronts, which motivated him to study the sand dune recovery process in the aftermath of storms. "We wanted to know how quickly narrow sections of the island recover compared to wider sections with bigger dunes," he said. Recent research has found that dunes can take up to 10 years to recover to their pre-storm heights. In the new study, Houser's team wanted to see how dune recovery varied for dunes of different sizes. The researchers surveyed five barrier islands affected by Hurricane Ivan Santa Rosa and Saint George Islands in Florida, Assateague Island in Maryland and Follets and Galveston Islands in Texas. They compared three-dimensional maps of these islands between 2004 and 2010 encompassing data just before the hurricane and after. Using these maps, the researchers measured the heights of dunes closest to the sea and then assessed the change in dune height following the storm. They found when storms hit small dunes, the sand gets deposited in a fan shape to the back of the dunes. In the case of large dunes, sediments get transported to the near shore. "The recovery of the smallest dunes was exceptionally fast," Houser said. "There isn't that much sand to be brought back." Islands like Santa Rosa and Assateague, which have relatively small dunes, recovered rapidly after the hurricane. But once these recovered there was no more sand left, according to Houser. "You started off as small dunes and recovered fast as small dunes," he said. In the case of larger dunes, the wind brings back the near shore sand, but this back-migration takes time. "It's a slower recovery, but you get your bigger dunes back," Houser said. Vegetative remnants in the form of a seed bank and underground plant stems also help vegetation reestablish and stabilize these large dunes after the storm. But it's the mid-sized dunes that showed the slowest recovery. When storms strike these dunes, some sand is transported behind the dunes, even beyond where the small-dune-sands are deposited, and some sand is laterally moved near shore. Not only does it take time for the sand to accumulate back in the pre-storm region, but almost all the vegetative remnants in the sand are lost and take a long time to come back, according to Houser. "This is the 1 to 1.5 meters (three to five feet) dune height below which you're probably going to continue to get smaller and smaller dunes because they can be easily taken out by the next storm surge," Houser said. If hurricanes become more frequent or intense in the coming years, dunes may be forced into a lower recovery height, Houser said. Also, anthropogenic activities like construction and heavy footfall along the shorelines can accelerate dune height variability along the shoreline, creating many smaller dunes. With more and more sand getting pushed behind the dunes post-storms, there will be little sand available for recovery and the shoreline is likely to retreat. "A lot of the times, the thought is to restore these small dunes to make them bigger," Houser said. "But unless you're going to pile up a massive amount of sand and put some new vegetation, it's not going to work." He suggests saving bigger dunes, as they supply sand to adjacent sites. Explore further Colourful dunes on wind-swept Mars This story is republished courtesy of AGU Blogs (http://blogs.agu.org), a community of Earth and space science blogs, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here. Roughly 15 million years ago, when Earth's atmosphere was supercharged with carbon dioxide, oceans warmed and sea ice around Antarctica disappeared, causing a significant part of the Antarctic ice cap to melt and dramatically elevate global sea levels (left). New research warns that a warming world caused by increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and coupled with periodic changes in the geometry of Earth's orbit could warm oceans, leading to a loss of sea ice (right) and sparking a dramatic retreat of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and elevate sea levels worldwide. Credit: Richard Levy Scientists have long speculated that our planet's climate system is intimately linked to the Earth's celestial motions. The pacing of the most recent ice ages, for example, is attributable to changes in the shape of our planet's orbit around the sun as well as to cyclic changes in the tilt of the Earth on its axis and its "top-like" wobble on that axis, all of which combine to influence the distribution and intensity of solar radiation. Now, it turns out that variations in the axial tiltwhat scientists call "obliquity"of the planet have significant implications for the rise and fall of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, the miles-deep blanket of ice that locks up huge volumes of water that, if melted, would dramatically elevate sea level and alter the world's coastlines. Writing this week in the journal Nature Geoscience, a team led by Richard Levy of New Zealand's GNS Science and Victoria University of Wellington, and Stephen Meyers of the University of Wisconsin-Madison describes research that matches the geologic record of Antarctica's ice with the periodic astronomical motions of the Earth. Comparing the two records, the New Zealand and Wisconsin researchers recapitulate the history of the Antarctic Ice Sheet throughout most of the past 34 million years, starting when the ice sheet first formed. Underpinning the new perspective of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a refined assessment of the sensitivity of the Earth's climate system to changes in obliquity, a powerful tool for probing the icy history of Antarctica. The research is important because it teases out the pattern of growth and decay of the ice sheet over geologic time, including the presence of sea ice, a thin and fragile layer of frozen ocean surrounding Antarctica. A critical finding suggests that in a world warmed by a growing amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a loss of sea ice would likely amplify the cyclic effects of the Earth's obliquity on the ice sheet as ocean waters warm. A loss of sea ice due to warming climate could trigger instability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet with dire implications for global sea levels. "What this study does is characterize the growth and decay of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and sheds light on what is forcing it to change," explains Meyers, a UW-Madison professor of geoscience and an expert on how climate responds to changes in solar radiation from Earth's astronomical motions. "What has become apparent through this work and other studies is that the Antarctic Ice Sheet isn't just sitting there. It is vulnerable to decay." First measured in the late 1950s by UW-Madison glaciologist Charles Bentley, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet alone contains enough ice to raise sea level by roughly 5 meters. The continental ice sheet is, by far, the largest single mass of ice on Earth. Miles deep in places and containing more than 26 million cubic kilometers of ice. The ice sheet is so heavy, Bentley and his colleagues discovered, that much of the West Antarctic ice sheet sits on land thousands of meters below sea level, making it a marine ice sheet in places. Marine ice sheets, note Levy and Meyers, are especially sensitive to heat delivered by ocean currents. Fast flowing inland ice streams of the West Antarctic are buttressed by floating ice shelves, whichif diminished or lostraise the possibility of a runaway flow of West Antarctica's marine ice. The new research suggests that a reduction in sea ice due to climate change would erode the barrier keeping the ice sheetincluding the parts of it below sea levelin place. "Sea ice creates a barrier between the ocean and the ice. If we fail to achieve carbon dioxide emissions targets and Earth's average temperature warms more than 2 degrees Celsius, sea ice will diminish and we jump into a world that is more similar to that last experienced during the early to mid-Miocene," says Levy, referencing a geological epoch that ended about 14 million years ago when the Earth and its polar regions were much more temperate, with an atmosphere supercharged with carbon dioxide and global temperatures, on average, warmer by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius (7 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit). To recreate the history of the ice sheet, Meyers and Levy turned to the geologic records surrounding Antarctica and linked them to more distant deep-sea marine sediment cores containing the fossil shells of ocean dwelling microscopic organisms known as foraminifera, or forams. The chemistry of foram shells, oxygen isotopes in particular, contains a signature that documents the ebb and flow of Antarctic ice, Meyers explains. Forams living in the deep ocean accumulate isotopes in their shells, and different isotopes of oxygen can yield a detailed chemical record of the changing volumes of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. These geological records, say Levy and Meyers, suggest significant variability in the size of the Antarctic Ice Sheet driven by the predictable changes in Earth's astronomical parameters and threshold changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Prior to this new research, why the ice sheet responded differently to the same astronomical cycles at different times was a puzzle. Linking those cycles to a detailed chemical record suggests that elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the resulting loss of sea ice around the Antarctic played a big role in amplifying the effects of changes in the Earth's astronomical motions on the durability and stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. "All of these data suggest we need to get cracking and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," says Levy, noting that 2017 and 2018 saw reduced Antarctic sea ice after several decades of growth. "We don't want to lose that sea ice." Explore further Ancient Antarctic ice sheet collapse could happen again, triggering a new global flood More information: Antarctic ice-sheet sensitivity to obliquity forcing enhanced through ocean connections, Nature Geoscience (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41561-018-0284-4 Journal information: Nature Geoscience Antarctic ice-sheet sensitivity to obliquity forcing enhanced through ocean connections,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-018-0284-4 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Traffic across the EU's external borders is on the rise, as is the threat posed by illegal immigration. As over 700 million people enter the EU each year, this puts considerable pressure on border agencies that must adhere to strict security protocols while at the same time ensuring the smooth flow of traffic into the EU. Increased international trade and more sophisticated criminal activity make border checks even more challenging. Therefore, authorities need to provide a fast and efficient border clearance process while also safeguarding the safety and security of checkpoints. The EU-funded iBorderCtrl project is developing a two-stage procedure designed to speed up land border crossings and at the same time improve security using a combination of state-of-the-art technologies. The iBorderCtrl system aims to reduce the time that law-abiding non-EU citizens spend at land border checkpoints, while further employing lie detection technology to help border guards identify illegal immigrants and prevent crime and terrorism. "We're employing existing and proven technologies as well as novel ones to empower border agents to increase the accuracy and efficiency of border checks," said project coordinator George Boultadakis of European Dynamics Luxembourg in an article posted on the European Commission's website. The technologies utilised include an automatic deception detection system, biometrics verification (fingerprinting and palm vein scanning), face matching, document authentication and a hidden human detection tool. Additionally, integrated border control analytics, risk-based assessment, and a system used to cross-check travellers' information from social media or legacy systems are also being employed. As stated on the project website, iBorderCtrl will use these technologies to "collect data that will move beyond biometrics and onto biomarkers of deceit." The two-stage procedure Before arriving at the border, travellers register and upload all relevant travel documentation through an online system using their mobile phone, tablet or computer. Travellers are then asked a series of questions by an avatar and their non-verbal micro-expressions are analysed to determine whether they are lying or not. To improve the system's accuracy, the avatar is personalised to match the traveller's gender and language. Potentially illegal crossings are flagged so that border guards can conduct more detailed checks. The second stage of the procedure takes place at the border. Travellers previously flagged as low risk undergo a brief re-evaluation of their documentation. Biometric checks are used for identity verification. For travellers crossing the border with a vehicle, an additional check is conducted to detect if there are any humans hidden inside. Trials of the iBorderCtrl (Intelligent Portable Border Control System) system are soon to begin at land border crossings in Greece, Latvia and Hungary. Over the next 6 months, the three partner countries will be testing the technology at four different crossing points. Explore further High-tech border wall plan on display at CES More information: iBorderCtrl project website: iBorderCtrl project website: www.iborderctrl.eu/ Sri panwa-Phuket, Thailands most coveted luxury resort, famous for its stunning panoramic ocean views pool villas, rooftop bar and its local and international culinary experience, will bring the famed Chicagos Two-Michelin Starred Executive Chef Noah Sandoval of Oriole to showcase his Contemporary American cuisine in Phuket for the first time and for a one-day-only pop-up event on January 25th, 2019. Sri panwa have had the honor and privilege to host many international Michelin Starred chefs in the past 2 years from Italy to Japan and were so thrilled to be collaborating with Chef Noah Sandoval from Oriole, Chicago to bring the Two-Michelin Starred dining Experience from the US to our discerning guests in Phuket for the first time featuring Contemporary American cuisine at Sripanwa, says Managing Director of Sri panwa Vorasit Wan Issara. Oriole was awarded two Michelin Stars in the restaurants first eligible year and has retained two stars each year following. Since opening, Sandoval was recognized as a Food & Wine Best New Chef, received three semi-finalist James Beard nominations, and was named Chef of the Year by the Chicago Tribune, Oriole also earned 4-star reviews from the Chicago Tribune and Chicago magazine. Im so thrilled to be in Thailand and Phuket for the first time and looking forward to showcasing some of Orioles signature dishes while incorporating some of the finest local ingredients like the Phuket Tiger Prawn and Thai herbs into the menu. said Chef Noah. Available for dinner for one day only, on January 25th, 2019, guests will witness Sandovals endless creativity and flawless execution. The eight-course tasting menu dinner will start at 6:30pm featuring some of the finest local and imported ingredients combined with Sandovals philosophy No tricks. Just imagination, sweat, and an intimate understanding of flavor (Chicago Magazine). Two-Michelin Starred Chef Pop-Up Dinner by Chef Noah Sandoval Eight-Course Tasting Menu available at THB 5,000++ per person (excluding drinks). January 25th, 2019 Golden Osetra Caviar with Kampachi, Saffron, and Coconut Aged Hamachi Nigiri with Fermented Truffle Honey and Fresh Wasabi Phuket Tiger Prawn with Makrut Lime, Mint, and Prawn Head Caramel Halibut with Phuket Beer, Bok Choy, and Genmai Squid Ink A La Chitarra Hokkaido Uni, Anise Hyssop, and Black Winter Truffles Japanese A5 Wagyu Carrot Caramel, Furikake, and Yuzu Kosho Mangosteen Ice with Finger Lime, Thai Chili, and Galangal Gianduja Pandan Leaf, Tamarind, and Rum Caramel Seating starts at 6:30pm For reservations or inquiries, please contact Baba Soul Food at Sri panwa. Tel: +66 7637 1000 Police fired teargas as angry protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres and rocks in Zimbabwe on Monday, after the government more than doubled the price of fuel over the weekend. At least 13 people sustained gunshot wounds during protests against the shock price hike, said one doctors' association. Protesters turned back drivers and blocked buses from carrying passengers in Zimbabwes two main cities of Harare and Bulawayo. An AFP journalist saw protesters looting a supermarket. The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said it had "received widespread reports of protesters who have sustained gunshot wounds after being shot during the ongoing nationwide protests". Thirteen cases had been reported by midday in and around Harare, it said in its statement. The extent of the injuries were still being assessed, it added. Residents in Bulawayo said police fired teargas "indiscriminately" along city centre streets and into some residential areas. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, is seen as an opposition stronghold. Shops and banks pulled down their shutters in downtown Harare as riot police patrolled the streets and a military helicopter flew over the capital. President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday night announced a more than 100-percent rise in the price of petrol and diesel in a bid to improve supplies as the country battles its worst gasoline shortages in a decade. Among the protesters at the Bulawayo demonstration was the celebrated writer Philani Nyoni. "We have suffered enough," he told AFP, describing the government's decision as "stupid". - 'We have suffered enough' - Zimbabwe's economy has been in a slump for more than a decade, suffering cash shortages, high unemployment and recently a scarcity of staples such as bread and cooking oil. In his televised address late Saturday, Mnangagwa said the prices of petrol and diesel would more than double to tackle a shortfall caused by increased fuel usage and "rampant" illegal trading. Petrol prices rose from $1.24 a litre to $3.31 (2.89 euros), with diesel up from $1.36 a litre to $3.11 starting Sunday - one of the highest pump prices in the world. The main labour alliance, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called for a three-day stay-at-home strike, accusing the government of lacking empathy for the already overburdened poor. Police tweeted on Monday that it had "noted with concern that the ongoing protests have turned violent", warning that "anyone caught on the wrong side of the law will face the full wrath thereof". The government meanwhile accused the strike organisers of pushing a political "regime change" agenda and of "subversive political activities". "It has become obvious that there is deliberate plan to undermine and challenge the prevailing constitutional order," government spokesman Nick Mangwana said in a statement late Sunday. - 'Subversive political activities' - He accused unnamed opposition parties of disguising themselves as civic groups and of sponsoring civil unrest. But the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa said: "We have a national crisis which is descending into a humanitarian crisis". Mnangagwa took over from long-time ruler and autocrat Robert Mugabe following military intervention, before winning the presidency in a July election the results of which were disputed by the opposition. "We want Mnangagwa to know our displeasure in his failure," said another Bulawayo protester, 22-year-old Mthandazo Moyo. "Mugabe was evil but he listened," he added. Mnangagwa announced a package of measures to help state workers following strikes by doctors and teachers over poor pay. Doctors in state hospitals went on a 40-day strike beginning early December demanding salaries be paid in US dollars. They also called for improved work conditions. Teachers unions called a strike last week for better pay, but their calls went largely unheeded. Mnangagwa had on Saturday also announced "a package of measures to cushion government workers". But he warned that the government would come down hard on "elements bent on taking advantage of the current fuel shortages to cause and sponsor unrest and instability in the country". President Mnangagwa is currently on a tour of European countries. He was in Russia Monday and will finish his tour attending the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. When he took over from Mugabe, Mnangagwa pledged to revive the moribund economy and end the country's international isolation. fj-strs-sn/jj Zesco United defeated South Africa visitors Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 Sunday to complete a successful weekend for Zambian clubs in the first legs of CAF Confederation Cup play-offs. Nkana trounced San Pedro from the Ivory Coast 3-0 Saturday and the chances of both Zambian representatives reaching the group stage after the return matches next weekend look good. Lazarous Kambole, whose five-minute hat-trick last season is the fastest in a CAF club match, put Zesco ahead midway through the opening half in Ndola. Kenyan Jesse Were soon doubled the lead before Zimbabwean Khama Billiat halved the deficit just before half-time. Were netted again early in the second half and Billiat had a goal ruled offside before the normally clinical Kambole missed a sitter for the home side. Zesco went furthest in a CAF competition three years ago by reaching the Champions League semi-finals before losing to another South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs won the now defunct African Cup Winners Cup in 2001, but have made no impact in continental competitions since. The return match in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League will be in Soweto this Saturday and Nkana play in Abidjan 24 hours later. Asante Kotoko, runners-up to fellow Ghanaians Hearts of Oak in the first Confederation Cup final 15 years ago, are poised to advance after a 3-2 win over Coton Sport in Cameroon. The Kumasi outfit twice built two-goal advantages in Yaounde before a 71st-minute Lambert Araina goal for the home side set up a tense finish. - Well placed - Nigerians Enugu Rangers, the African Cup Winners Cup trophy-holders 42 years ago, are also well placed thanks to a 2-1 victory over Bantu in Lesotho capital Maseru. Bright Silas and Godwin Aguda scored their fourth goals in the competition this season for Rangers before Lazola Jokojokwana pulled one back in the final minute. Egyptians Zamalek, whose last of nine CAF titles came in 2003, held Ittihad Tanger to a 0-0 draw in Morocco and confirmed that they are favourites to win the tie on aggregate. Kenyans Gor Mahia had hopes of a second successive Confederation Cup group appearance reduced when they won only 2-1 against New Star from Cameroon in Nairobi. Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge scored the winner three minutes from time, but conceding an equaliser to Benjamin Bechem midway through the second half may come back to haunt Gor. Away goals count double in the event of a draw on aggregate and a 1-0 win for the Cameroonians in Limbe will take them through. AS Otoho from Congo Brazzaville and Sudanese Al Hilal established 3-0 home leads over Kampala Capital City Authority from Uganda and Rwandans Mukura Victory respectively. Moroccans Hassania Agadir appear set to feature in the January 21 group draw in Cairo after Zouhair Chaouch scored in a 1-0 win over Ethiopians Jimma Aba Jifar in Addis Ababa. Less obvious is which club will emerge overall winners in the tie between Libyans Al Nasr and giantkillers Salitas from Burkina Faso, who shocked Egyptians Al Masry last month. The north Africans took a slender 1-0 lead after a first leg moved from Benghazi to Cairo because of the security situation in Libya. A 71-year-old Norwegian man was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison on Monday for ordering sexual assaults to be carried out online against dozens of young Filipinas. "With his actions, the accused contributed to a sex industry that brutally exploits vulnerable children in the worst possible way," the Sore Sunnmore district court in western Norway wrote in its verdict. Between 2012 and 2013, the man used an online video calling service to contact people in the Philippines. He paid them to, under his instructions, sexually assault minors under the age of 14, the youngest one "probably between three and five years old", while he watched, the court found. The court said there were "at least" 48 victims but the actual number could be much higher because of difficulties identifying them. "The court finds that the victims are living in an almost inhumane situation that the accused helped perpetuate with his actions," the verdict said. Norwegian police were alerted by the United States FBI as part of a larger case the latter was probing. Investigators found more than 36,000 photographs and videos containing child pornography in his possession. "I went into a bubble and I was going through a very difficult time in my personal life," the accused told the court during his trial, according to broadcaster NRK. The sentence handed down was slightly higher than the 12 years the prosecution had called for. The victims' young age was considered an aggravating factor for the sentencing. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday prepared for a confidence vote on his government this week after his nationalist ally resigned in a row over a name change deal with neighbouring Macedonia. Tsipras called for the vote in parliament following the Sunday resignation of defence minister Panos Kammenos, leader of the small nationalist ANEL party, after four years in coalition government. Kammenos' departure raises the possibility of snap elections, though government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said Monday the administration could still see its four-year term through to October. "I believe the government will win the vote and will be able to...complete its (term)," Tzanakopoulos told Alpha TV, admitting that Tsipras' move was "high-risk". Parliament speaker Nikos Voutsis has said the debate over the confidence motion will start on Tuesday, with a vote likely on Wednesday night. Also Monday, Tsipras appointed armed forces chief of staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis to the defence minister post. "The current situation requires compromise and unity," Apostolakis told journalists before a meeting with Tsipras. As well as the confidence vote on the government, parliament will also vote on whether to support the Macedonia deal, but no date has been set for that ballot. - Greek resistence - Tsipras' leftist Syriza party has 145 deputies in the 300-member Greek Parliament but could win the confidence vote with just 120 votes if enough lawmakers abstain. The Macedonia deal requires at least 151 votes. A number of independent deputies have pledged their support, enough to secure its approval. Kammenos' ANEL party is fervently opposed to the proposed deal with Macedonia to end a 27-year dispute over the country's name. Earlier Monday he kicked out two MPs who voiced support for Tsipras, reducing his parliamentary group to five. Macedonian lawmakers voted on Friday to rename their country the Republic of North Macedonia but the agreement will only come into effect with backing from the Greek parliament. The proposal faces resistance in Greece, which has a northern province of the same name just across the border, over implied claims to Greek land and cultural heritage. For most Greeks, Macedonia is the name of their history-rich northern province made famous by Alexander the Great's conquests. The European Union and NATO have hailed the deal, which will lift Greek objections to Macedonia joining both organisations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was visiting Greece on Thursday, said she was "grateful" to Tsipras for brokering the deal over strong opposition in both countries. The agreement "will benefit North Macedonia, Greece and the European Union. I strongly believe that," she said according to the official translation. European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters in Brussels earlier Monday that the bloc backed the deal, saying it had taken "political courage" to resolve one of the region's oldest conflicts. "We see it as the unique opportunity to overcome the difficulties of the past, to enhance reconciliation for the region and for Europe as a whole," she said. "We are now following the national procedures that are needed for the implementation of this agreement." A senior US naval officer said that he had had a constructive and candid discussion with his Chinese counterpart as part of an effort to calm growing tensions between the two sides. Admiral John Richardson, the US Chief of Naval Operations, tweeted after the meeting with Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong, the head of the PLA Navy, that the two sides were both committed to continuing their dialogue. Our two countries have many aligned interests and all countries benefit from a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific, wrote Richardson. The senior US navy commander also met Qiu Yanpeng, deputy commander of the Navy, on Sunday after he arrived in China for a three-day visit that include stops in Beijing and the eastern city of Nanjing, headquarters of the PLA Eastern Theatre Command. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Richardson will meet leaders from the Central Military Commission and Shen, with the goal of continuing a results-oriented, risk reduction-focused dialogue between the two militaries, the US navy said. This is Richardsons second visit to China since he began serving as Chief of Naval Operations in 2015. His last visit in 2016 focused on frictions over the South China Sea. Chinese military analysts said this weeks talks were likely to focus on the brewing conflict over Taiwan one of the key concerns of the Eastern Theatre Command. Its likely that they will talk more about the East China Sea as the US has put heavy emphasis on Taiwan, said Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie. The US has been paying much attention to the development of the Chinese navy and hopes to increase its control over Taiwan. Under US President Donald Trump, the US has increased its support for the self-ruled island with renewed armed sales and upgraded contacts between officials, drawing repeated protests from Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sees unification with Taiwan central to his vision of Chinese national rejuvenation, said Beijing will not promise to abandon the use of force in an address earlier this month. Story continues Relations between the two militaries have also deteriorated over Chinas increasing military build-up in the contested South China Sea, where two warships came close to collision in September. Shortly before the incident, Richardson and Shen met at the 2018 International Seapower Symposium, in Rhode Island. But military talks were cancelled after Shen was immediately recalled by Beijing in a protest over Washingtons decision to impose sanctions on Chinas defence procurement agency following the latters acquisition of military equipment from Russia. In a statement released by the US Navy on Friday, Richardson said: A routine exchange of views is essential, especially in times of friction, in order to reduce risk and avoid miscalculation. Honest and frank dialogue can improve the relationship in constructive ways, help explore areas where we share common interests, and reduce risk while we work through our differences, he said. An expert with PLA Academy of Military Science said Richardsons visit could be seen as an opportunity for direct communications amid concerns within the Chinese military that former defence secretary James Mattiss departure would cause greater uncertainty. Mattis was seen as a figure who is rational and provided assurance and stability in the two militaries relationship, said the expert who is not allowed to speak to the media and requested anonymity. So [Richardsons visit] is a good opportunity for both sides to get a sense of where the relationship is going after the change in leadership [on the US side]. This article US Navy commander hails constructive and candid talks with Chinese counterparts first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to revive the talks with the Catholic Church following his scathing remarks against some of its leaders, the Palace said Monday. Malacanang made the statement after nothing came out of the President and the church leaders earlier plan to have a dialogue. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the plan to conduct negotiations between the President and the Church leaders had not been carried out. It only started at the height of [his verbal tussle] with the Church. After that, nothing, Panelo told reporters. Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he was willing to negotiate between Duterte and the Catholic Church because the exchange of insults had become uncomfortable. Sotto, a devout Catholic, said many Filipinos had become uncomfortable with the situation. May nababato at bumabato pabalik, he said. Panelo attributed the seeming impasse between the government and the church to some of the traits of Filipinos during disagreements. Maybe because just like Filipinos, when theres a problem they say, lets meet and talk. And then after a while, nothing happens, they have forgotten it until a controversy pops up again and they say lets meet and talk, Panelo said. Asked if Duterte, known for his sarcastic remarks against the Church, would be in the mood to sit down and talk with the countrys religious leaders, Panelo said: Of course, if thats what they ask for. The President is okay with it... Anything that is beneficial to the nation, he always likes it. Its okay with him, the President is easy to talk to.Panelo made his remarks as he again defended the Presidents previous statement that loiterers should kill and steal from the rich bishops. So when I got there I said, Hey you bystanders when the bishop passes by, stage a holdup because he has lots of money, that son of a b*tch, Duterte said in his speech on Wednesday. Kill him. Hes angry at me, the one always blabbering. Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes then viewed Dutertes statements as alarming and condemnable. This is a serious matter. Being the number one citizen of our country, the young generation might make him a role model in speaking improperly as though words have no moral consequences, Bastes said in a statement Monday. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos echoed Bastes, saying the remark deserves condemnation and not laughs or applause from the audience. The advice just promotes criminality, encourages lawlessness. What kind of authority calls for killing? Santos said. It is an immoral authority, does not respect life, and teaches wrong values. If he does it with bishops, how much more to ordinary citizens? What kind of head of state encourages killing? Meanwhile, the Palace insisted that issuing stiff remarks was the Presidents style to defend himself. Ever since, thats his style. What he only meant was, Those who are in the Church, especially the bishops, you are living in comfort and yet people are wallowing in poverty. You are not doing the teachings that you provide to the faithful, he said. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih discussed on Monday how Saudi Arabia could meet Japans petroleum requirements in a meeting with the Japanese minister for economy and trade. The two officials met in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, and al-Falih told reporters the issues they discussed included Japans energy security and how the Saudis could help Japanese oil needs. Japan, which imports almost all of the oil it consumes, was a regular customer of oil from Saudi Arabias regional archrival Iran, before the U.S. sanctions on Irans oil industry returned. As a close U.S. ally, Japan significantly slashed its oil imports from Iran before the sanctions snapped back on November 5, hoping to win a U.S. waiver to continue importing Iranian oil at reduced volumes until the waiver expires in early May 2019. Japan did get a waiver, together with seven other Iranian oil buyers, including the two biggestChina and India. Japan wants to ensure enough energy security and will try to keep importing Iranian oil, but at the same time it doesnt want to vex the U.S. Administration. Even though Japan wants to preserve the JCPOA, it cannot afford to antagonize the US administration considering the current unstable security environment, Sachi Sakanashi, a senior research fellow at the JIME Center, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), wrote in a post on the Atlantic Council on Monday. Two Japanese refiners, JXTG and Cosmo Oil, plan to resume buying Iranian oil at the end of this month, their respective presidents told S&P Global Platts last week. Various procedures regarding the resumption of imports could push the loadings from January to February, Tsutomu Sugimori, the president of the parent company of Japans largest refiner, JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy, told Platts. The president of the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ), Takashi Tsukioka, said last week that the industry would continue to call on the Japanese government to work on securing an extension to the U.S. waiver after it ends in May. However, Japans efforts for waiver extension may fall on deaf ears. The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, said over the weekend: We are not looking to grant any waivers or exemptions to the import of Iranian crude. By Tsvetana Paraskova More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Russian bear is on the prowl once again as President Putin seeks to expand Moscows influence and bolster the one-time superpowers global influence while proving to constituents he can restore Russias superpower mantle. As demonstrated by his policy in Ukraine in 2014, Moscow seeks to take advantage of regional conflicts to extend its authority and geopolitical power base while bolstering its economy. Cynically, many of the countries Russia is targeting are rich in oil. Putins administration allied itself with the oppressive regime of Syrias Bashar al-Assad, embroiling itself in that nations bloody multisided civil war. In late January 2018, Moscow finally received its long-awaited payment for its involvement, not only had it secured a close regional ally but the exclusive rights to produce oil and gas in Syria. Another country benefitting from Putins largesse is crisis-ridden and cash strapped Venezuela which has the worlds largest crude oil reserves, placing it ahead of Saudi Arabia and Canada both staunch U.S. allies. Moscow has been using Venezuelas deepening economic and political crisis to strengthen its relationship with the highly unpopular socialist regime of President Maduro. That has included providing a financial lifeline to cash strapped Caracas and especially state-controlled energy company Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. known by its initials as PDVSA. Oil production is caught in an ever wider downward spiral caused by a conspicuous lack of critical maintenance on industry infrastructure including refineries and wellheads. A mass exodus of skilled industry labor is causing that decline to accelerate. In its December 2018 Monthly Oil Market Report, OPEC announced that according to secondary sources Venezuelas November 2018 oil output was 1.1 million barrels daily. This represents a stunning 41 percent decline compared to the daily average for 2017 and is 26 percent lower than at the start of 2018. The pace at which the troubled Latin American nations oil output is deteriorating will likely see it fall below 1 million barrels daily during 2019. Related: Mexico Hedges Oil at $55 A Barrel There has also been a noticeable decline in both exploration and well development drilling which is only serving to exacerbate oil field decline rates. This is weighing heavily on a cash strapped Caracas which has very few other sources of income and is profoundly dependent on crude to earn desperately needed hard currency. Caracas and PDVSA have essentially defaulted on their debt and bankruptcy is looming which has raised considerable concern among creditors which in recent months have been scrambling to secure assets. This has only worsened the cash crunch being experienced by Caracas and along with U.S. sanctions preventing Venezuela from accessing international credit markets is a critical driver of Maduros attempt alternate solutions including a closer relationship with Moscow. With few friends elsewhere, Russia has become a key ally for the strife-torn nation causing Maduro to leap at the opportunity provided by Moscow. Russia has shown itself willing to be a creditor of last resort for Maduro. In exchange for moderate loans, cash advances, bail outs and arms over the last five years since Maduro came to power, Moscow has secured significant interests in five of Venezuelas largest oil fields. The Maduro regime has also signed over almost half of its downstream, refinery and infrastructure business Citgo to Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft for $1.5 billion in urgently needed funds. That includes giving Moscow indirect interests in Citgos U.S. refining assets. This is quite a prize for Moscow. It not only bolsters its oil reserves, infrastructure and assets in a country which hold the worlds largest oil reserves, but it gives Russia a strategic presence in a region long considered to be exclusively under U.S. hegemony. Moscow has coveted such a presence since the Cold War began, and even more so after its failure to base missiles in Cuba which triggered the Cuban missile crisis. It appears that Russia is not interested in the survival of the Maduro regime but rather to evade existing sanctions, apply political pressure to the U.S. and boost its oil reserves, refining capacity and production. There is a growing likelihood that Russia can cement its presence in South America because of a growing void triggered by Trumps general disinterest in Latin America as well as tough rhetoric on narcotics, migration and corruption. It shouldnt be forgotten that despite its economic woes Venezuela has one of the most powerful militaries in South America, which has had its strength bolstered by Russian arms. Related: Maduro Clings To Power As Venezuelas Oil Collapse Continues Moscow is clearly looking to bolster its oil reserves, infrastructure, refining capacity and production to boost its global political power. Venezuelas vast reserves totaling 300 billion barrels dwarf U.S. reserves which reached a record 39 billion barrels at the end of 2017. Because of the U.S.s vast shale oil industry and rapidly growing production, which now makes it the worlds largest oil producer, it has been able to effectively dictate oil prices, displacing OPECs ability to influence the world economy. Greater ability to influence oil prices and use crude to further extend Russias national interest is particularly important to Moscow because oil and gas exports generate around 40 percent of its fiscal revenues. A notable increase in the volume of oil reserves and production that it controls will give Russia greater influence over oil prices. The validity of such a strategy was demonstrated by the political power that Moscow has been able to exert over Germany, Poland and Ukraine because Russia is a crucial supplier of natural gas to those nations. Moscow not only wants to expand its global geopolitical power but also maximize the value of its existing reserves and production before the advent of peak oil demand by having a greater say in setting the market price. By achieving control of a substantial proportion of Venezuelas vast oil reserves Russia can strengthen its global political presence, gain greater influence over oil prices and use crude as an economic weapon to achieve its national interest. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: As the earth gets hotter, energy demand will increase significantly along with global temperatures. Now a team of researchers in China has determined in a recent study that by the end of this century, peak energy demand in China will increase by a minimum of 72 percent. For every degree Celsius that the global mean surface temperature (GMST) increases, average Chinese residential energy use is projected to raise 9 percent, while peak electricity use will increase 36 percent per degree Celsius. It is projected that the mean surface temperature of the earth will be 2-5 C hotter by 2099. Calculating based off of current consumption patterns in China, this means that the most conservative estimates show average Chinese residential electricity demand would rise by 18 percent. At the high end, average Chinese residential electricity demand would rise by a whopping 55 percent. Meanwhile peak usage, on the low end, would increase by at least 72 percent. These findings will have major implications for energy grid planning and other infrastructure in China, where energy use has already been booming thanks to a rapidly expanding middle class. As Chinese incomes increase, even without the added impact of climate change, the electricity consumption of the average Chinese household is expected to double by 2040. Libo Wu, one of the authors of this recent study and professor and director of the Center for Energy Economics and Strategies Studies at Fudan University in China, says that his teams findings contribute solid evidence supporting Chinas low-carbon policy by showing how important increasing demand from the residential sector will be. As part of the study, researchers examined how Chinese energy users responded to daily fluctuations in temperature by analyzing data gathered from more than 800,000 residential customers in the Pudong district of Shanghai between 2014 and 2016. Although residences only make up about one fourth of total electricity usage in Shanghai, they are ideal for this kind of study because energy consumption in the home is very responsive to temperature fluctuations, increasing more during very hot days (around August 1) and very cold days (around February 1) as compared to commercial or industrial usage. Related: Haynesville Shale About To Break All-Time Gas Output Record Using this data about consumer behavior, the research team created a variety of climate model simulations to find and characterize the relationship between global temperature change by the end of the 21st century and more local impact projections in China. This method has already been used by scientists studying communities in the United States and other Western nations, but the study was a first for China. The study showed that increases in temperature caused much higher spikes in energy usage than was provoked by cold weather. Residential daily electricity consumption increased dramatically for temperatures above 25 C (77 F), amounting to a 14.5 percent increase for every 1 C increase in daily temperature, whereas when temperatures were lower than 13 C (55 F)--cold for the Shanghai region--electricity use increased much more moderately per each 1 C decreased. In fact, air conditioning units has come under more and more scrutiny recently for their outsized contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) found that just room air conditioners alone are on track to produce more than 130 gigatons (GT) of CO2 emissions from now to 2050. This means that room air conditioning units alone would take up 20-40 percent of the worlds remaining carbon budget, or the maximum amount of CO2 that we can emit globally without warming the earth more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the goal agreed upon at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. For now, only 60 percent of Chinese homes have air conditioning installed, but as the Chinese middle class continues to grow and the global temperatures continue to climb, so will that number, and the goal set at the Paris Climate Conference will retreat further into the rearview. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: There is no need for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to schedule an extraordinary meeting before April, Saudi Arabias Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih, told media, as quoted by Reuters. At the same event, an industry conference taking place in Abu Dhabi, Al-Falih also said the market was moving in the right direction and prices will recover soon enough. He added, however, that OPEC and its partners are ready to do more if this was called for. Brent and West Texas Intermediate are down again today, after a pickup last week, with Brent crude trading at US$59.71 a barrel at the time of writing, down 1.27 percent, and WTI trading at US$50.85 a barrel, down 1.43 percent from Fridays close. If we look beyond the noise of weekly data and speculators herd-like behavior, I remain convinced that were on the right track, and that the oil market will quickly return to balance, AL-Falih said, adding that secondary data sources tracking OPEC production had found that the cartel had pumped 600,000 bpd less in December than in the previous month. The possibility of an extraordinary meeting was first voiced by the Oil Minister of the UAE, Suhail al-Mazrouei, who said OPEC might need to meet again to discuss tweaks to the cuts before April if 1.2 million bpd was not enough to prop up prices. What if the 1.2 million barrels of cuts are not enough? I am telling you that if it is not, we will meet and see what is enough and we will do it, Mazrouei said in late December. The plan (to cut oil production) is well studied but if it does not work, we always have the power in OPEC to call for an extraordinary meeting. If we are required to extend for (another) six months, we will do it... I can assure you an extension will not be a problem. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Cleopatra was of Greek decent. Not sure if my recollection was off but she was one of the few members of her family to even speak the Egyptian language. Reply Parent Thread Link yep, i had to delete my comment after googling ha. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Thank you for clarifying! Reply Parent Thread Link i was fittin' to say. the last of the ptolemies deserves better than either of them (though i could see angelina killing every aspect of this role). i would love to see a newcomer of fitting greek ancestry play her. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Not sure if my recollection was off but she was one of the few members of her family to even speak the Egyptian language. If I recall she was the ONLY one of the Ptolemy line to speak Egyptian, the others only spoke Greek (& maybe 1 or 2 other languages). Cleo also spoke like 8 other languages & could read/write in 5 or 6 different languages. Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt by Joyce Tyldesley is a good book to read about her, if anyone is interested. Edited at 2019-01-14 11:06 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link 1. Why not a WOC? 2. CSB but back in the aughts, when I was reading Antony & Cleopatra in undergrad and 24 was on the air, I fancast Shohreh Aghdashloo as Cleopatra and Kiefer Sutherland as Antony. It could have been amazing. Reply Thread Link Cleopatra was white. Reply Parent Thread Link No she wasn't - I am at work so I can't link you to articles but she wasn't :) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oh thank you, megyn kelly Reply Parent Thread Expand Link While it would be cool, Cleopatra was part of a greek dynasty that colonised Egypt. Reply Parent Thread Link She was Macedonian, not Egyptian. I don't know how tan/dark you can cast before it's not accurate. Angelina for the ALEXANDER film that came out ages ago was her being Macedonian there, too. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Because Scarlett and Emma are both booked Reply Parent Thread Link 1. Because she wasn't a WOC. The Ptolemies were a Greek/Macedonian family Reply Parent Thread Link i love shohreh aghdashloo Reply Parent Thread Link Wasn't Cleopatra a Ptolemy? Cast someone Greek? Reply Thread Link wasn't she also half egyptian? why cast white people :/ Reply Parent Thread Link The ptolemies were inbred as fuck, so probably not. She 'embraced' egyptian culture though, but she was still a coloniser. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Most Ptolemies didn't marry with egyptian They're product of heavy inbreeding Reply Parent Thread Link she's italian (and proud!) it's like the same thing tbh Reply Parent Thread Link is this even true is this even true Reply Thread Link Angelina's name has been attached to this long rumored Cleopatra movie for 84 years Reply Thread Link lmao yes, I remember reading about her involvement when those Sony emails leaked Reply Parent Thread Link Yo, seriously! But, also...and for real seriously...is Angelina a good actress? I don't think she is. I think she is good at being a Hollywood star, though. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i am sure there are posts on here from like 2007 talking about this Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Haven't movies about Cleopatra historically have flopped? Reply Thread Link Idk what you're talking about! Reply Parent Thread Link Financially, I mean. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm still dying to know what prompted her to divorce Ian. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmaoo i thought you meant that she divorced Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 and i was shook Reply Parent Thread Expand Link You know it will. Reply Parent Thread Link wasnt there something regarding angelina and this movie in the leaked sony emails? or do i misremember? if so pls dont punish me sent from my sony xperia z2 Reply Thread Link Yes. Scott Rudin was talking shit about her Reply Parent Thread Link "minimally talented spoiled brat" lmao Reply Parent Thread Link I support and love this comment Reply Parent Thread Link Well sus maybe Gaga will get cast. Reply Parent Thread Link lollllllllll Reply Parent Thread Link Lol Reply Parent Thread Link THIS Reply Parent Thread Link and a hot Marc Antony plzzzz Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmao imagining gaga's 12th grade showcase level acting in a big historical epic is killing me Reply Thread Link i watched her in asib and ahs. she's a shit actress. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link she's a terrible actress lol Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao i love her but she is not good Reply Parent Thread Link Angelina Jolie is older NOW than Cleopatra was when she died so like unless this is a biopic about the last year of her life... They should have made this movie like ten years ago when they first started talking about it Reply Thread Link I care :( Reply Parent Thread Link Dafoe is also a fantastic actor who did a marvelous job in that role. I have my doubts about Angelina and it's not because of her age either. I want someone who can actually act. Reply Parent Thread Link She can stand in for Gaga and play Cleopatra post-mortem in flash forward scenes, as a mummy. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This is the kind of inspired filmmaking we can look forward to after Disney DIES!!! Reply Thread Link This sounds fake. Reply Thread Link yeah, my first thought as well Reply Parent Thread Link omg now I'm struggling with the idea of their fake, bad accents jesus Reply Parent Thread Link like angelina have to audition for anything Reply Parent Thread Link is gaga even a good actress? i didn't see a star is born but every clip i saw of it, she seemed really terrible. i'm really surprised she's getting recognized for her acting. (but maybe she was good and i don't know anything!) Reply Thread Link I haven't seen ASIB yet so I can't judge that performance, but she was awful in American Horror Story a few years ago. Reply Parent Thread Link i never saw that either but i should probably watch something so that i can form a full opinion. but if she's as terrible as some people say, HOW IS SHE WINNING AWARDS WTF Reply Parent Thread Expand Link ummm egotga demands your apology!! Reply Parent Thread Link Whoa...somewhat comment twins! The competition is ON! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link She was good in ASIB. Not Best Actress worthy, but she is good enough to pursue acting if she wants Reply Parent Thread Link she was good but she basically played a version of herself so i don't understand the hype? it wasn't oscar-worthy, it was on the same level as christina in burlesque Reply Parent Thread Link Shes not but everyone is blowing smoke up her ass for some reason Reply Parent Thread Link she wasn't awful in A Star is Born but the character wasn't too much of a stretch for her to play. Reply Parent Thread Link Is Disney out of ideas? Reply Thread Link I think their idea is to cash in on what's making them the most money - which is smart, no? Once these characters run their course in the films, why not give them their own stories? Reply Parent Thread Link corporations want to make money???? no, disney bought marvel as a lark. they're not supposed to USE them! Reply Parent Thread Link i think it is a move for their streaming service plan. Getting more series that get people to buy it instead of the obvious cartoon shows they already have. Reply Parent Thread Link ever since they stopped doing 2D animated movies Reply Parent Thread Link disney bought marvel's expansive 80 year old library of characters...are they not supposed to use them? Reply Parent Thread Link ikr this is getting out of control Reply Parent Thread Link I'd watch the Okoye and Nebula shows. The rest I have no interest in. LOL @ Hawkeye getting a show Reply Thread Link I'm not entirely convinced even he have such terrible taste. Reply Parent Thread Link 2. Don't forget his stan on here (who's harmless idw sound mean lol) Reply Parent Thread Link 2, I will watch too as Hawkeye is my fave. Reply Parent Thread Link depending on who they cast as Kate Bishop, I might put up with Renner and watch it Reply Parent Thread Link hawkeye can be a good and fun character when you think of any other hawkeye besides jeremy renner's hawkeye. see: matt fraction and david aja. Reply Parent Thread Link Not the avengers series i wanna see... Reply Thread Link THE YELLOW KITCHEN GLOVE Reply Parent Thread Link Half of the guys are ugly. Reply Parent Thread Link there is exactly one attractive guy in that poster Reply Parent Thread Link all the whites look so tragic... Reply Parent Thread Link I am kinda happy that Rhodey is getting his own mini show, I think he is underappreciated. I am not gonna lie I'd watch them all when it leaks cause I can only afford Netflix which is enough for me Reply Thread Link Half of these havent been confirmed or rumored by official sources tho? I can see a few of them happening but like. This honestly sounds like someone just picked random shit for fan service. Id take the Rocket and Groot one in a heartbeat over a GOTG3, same with the Nebula spin-off. And the Okoye one if that means Danai will finally leave TWD Reply Thread Link That's what I'm talking about Reply Thread Link lol I loved this scene Reply Parent Thread Link YAS give Rhodey his due Reply Parent Thread Link its what rhodey deserves. Reply Parent Thread Link I'd watch a Rhodey show for sure. Some of these others, too. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao i love rhodey Reply Parent Thread Link The true star LBR Reply Parent Thread Link this feels like too many shows about side characters? like i think this is maybe what i wished jk rowling would do about the fucking rando background characters i loved when i was 16. Reply Thread Link eeeexactly. i definitely don't trust jkr to execute that sort of thing anymore after the cursed child and fantastic beasts, but a few years ago i would have wanted that so badly. Reply Parent Thread Link Agent 13? Ok now I'm interested. Sharon's time to shine!! Reply Thread Link I hope they plan it properly because giving them big budgets and trying to get these shows made too quickly is a recipe for disaster. Reply Thread Link Nebula? Okoye? Agent 13? That's more like it! I'm especially excited for Nebula. I think Karen is great in that role and the character can be really interesting provided they bring in good writers. Reply Thread Link WHAT WHAT WHAT KATE BISHOP?!?!?!! OMG OMG Reply Thread Link PLEASE use this to get rid of Renner. Reply Parent Thread Link if they don't use this opportunity to re-cast Clint.... Reply Parent Thread Expand Link No suffer! He'll be her pug faced mentor!!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I FEEL LIKE MY THEY'RE PULLING MY LEG. Reply Parent Thread Link Still waiting on National Treasure 3 I want to know what was on page 47. And no mention of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? Reply Thread Link 1. That was "only" 19 years & I was going for 20 or more. 2. I'm one of those people who try to pretend that movie didn't happen. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm one of those people who try to pretend that movie didn't happen. I'm with you too. I tried to watch it the other night on Netflix and I was like nope I can't do it again. Reply Parent Thread Link Maybe Jerry Bruckheimer has it against Nic Cage. We all know Nic Cage could use the money. There's been three pirates of the caribbean movie since national treasure 2. Edited at 2019-01-14 04:44 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link oh man i watched those again last week and they are still gold cheesey mess. Reply Parent Thread Link i want national treasure 3 also! Reply Parent Thread Link The long wait between Star Trek sequels killed the franchise. Reply Thread Link Nah the franchise is far from dead. They're going to focus more on television though. I would of love to had seen a fourth movie though. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm more talking about the movie side of it. They barely made big money at the box office. And the rights to the movie/tv are owned by 2 different companies. Reply Parent Thread Link That + they cost too much money and hardly made it back. pity, I liked the movies a lot. Reply Parent Thread Link More like Paramount are notoriously cheap. Even in the OG films they would reuse old vfx to cut costs. Reply Parent Thread Link Star Trek movies were never the best anyway. It shines in television format. Reply Parent Thread Link Great post! Reply Thread Link *curtsies* Thank you. I've had the idea since MPR came out. Reply Parent Thread Link I love Return to Oz, Blade Runner, and TFA! The wheelers in RTO scared the fuck out of me as a kid dear god Reply Thread Link Re: the wheelers. Fucking same. And then the lady switching out heads and shit. The fuck? Reply Parent Thread Link OMFG they still scare me now - I swear to God, I get the chills when you hear that first maniacal laugh and the screeching of the wheels. That whole movie is NIGHTMARES. Reply Parent Thread Link it's one of my FAVOURITE MOVIES. ozma, mombie, tik tok, the wheelers.....so many great characters in the oz books that go completely unknown bc no one knows outside wizard of oz (which isnt even the best of the oz books [i read them all when i was younger, my stepdad had these old copies. it was awesome]) Reply Parent Thread Link Was anyone really asking for a Mary Poppins sequel. I don't mean that derivatively. Just....did anyone feel that strongly about it. & I was just saying earlier today, instead of making a live action Aladdin, there are sequels you could be making, Guy Ritchie. Reply Thread Link YEAH. Like, The Man from UNCLE. :/ Reply Parent Thread Link Oh yeah, that too! Reply Parent Thread Link if they make a sequel without cavill i'd be fine with it. my fave parts were alicia and armie together anyway so a focus on them would be nice Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Why can't I have my damn man from uncle sequel ffs Reply Parent Thread Link that movie should have done way better at the box office. Reply Parent Thread Link Sherlock Holmes! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i felt very strongly about mary poppins returns :( Reply Parent Thread Link The books were written and the world was there but no1curr. Reply Parent Thread Link ROCKNROLLA *ahem* Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I want to see Return to Oz - that one clip that was posted here last time has me intrigued Reply Thread Link Go into it knowing that its more aligned with the original story of the books than the one that the original portrayed. I loved the setting and the sets they used for it. Reply Parent Thread Link I loved it as a kid but I feel like adults who watch 80s/90s kids movies don't enjoy it the same as if they grew up with it, but maybe that's just me being extra lol Reply Parent Thread Link I love it -- and I say this as someone who hates it when movies diverge from the books. But there's something about this movie that I love. Also little Fairuza Balk is a sweetie and the perfect Dorothy. Reply Parent Thread Link I've never taken a toke in my life, but I believe it's one of those movies that's best experienced stoned. Watching it un-stoned was disturbing. Reply Parent Thread Link I remember it weirding me out as a kid I cannot remember why but it gave me Neverending Story vibes, which also freaked me out Reply Parent Thread Link (i already said above) but this is a favourite of mine. it scared my sister half to death but i LOVED IT. i was also really into the oz books as a kid, this had so many characters in the books (and more important characters than dorothy) and i loved seeing them. plus who doesn't want to be princess mombie? as an adult it's probably not that great as a lot of it is nostalgia tinged. watch it stoned. or tripping. Reply Parent Thread Link Don't forget this straight-to-video classic Reply Thread Link This movie had some legit good music lmfao Reply Parent Thread Link Ugh. I watch it sometimes but hate how Disney kiddied down the DTV sequels. I need a sequel with Ariel pre-motherhood like Cinderella 3. Reply Parent Thread Link If only Monsters Inc had a sequel after the whole cliffhanger with Boo at the end instead of the prequel. Reply Thread Link Ugh, I know. Reply Parent Thread Link I LOVE Monsters University but you're not wrong :/ Reply Parent Thread Link lol I've been meaning to watch it, but I guess I'm just that bitter for not getting that sequel haha I'm so mad Reply Parent Thread Link I'm torn about that. I didn't like the prequel at all but that original ending was so perfect I'm glad they didn't mess with it. That is also how I feel about Toy Story 3 but alas. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yes, I really disliked Monsters U. Reply Parent Thread Link You know what? I didn't hate Tron 2. Was it perfect? No. But it was fun and was worth the money to see it in IMAX with that soundtrack surrounding you. Reply Thread Link I agree. Reply Parent Thread Link MTE Reply Parent Thread Link YES! Another Tron needs to happen so Daft Punk can do the music. Daft Punk should've received all the accolades that year instead of Trent Raznor. Reply Parent Thread Link I loooooved tron legacy! Its such a fun movie. Sad they canceled the sequel. Reply Parent Thread Link I've never seen the original Tron but I caught Tron2 on tv one night and it was fun. Reply Parent Thread Link I was living for Michael Sheen tbh. Reply Parent Thread Link Cillian Murphy was supposed to play the villain in the sequel for that :/ Reply Parent Thread Link The wait for Kingdom Hearts III certainly felt like it took this long. Also I will not stand for this slander against Return to Oz!!!! That shit was terrifying and helped shape me into the dead inside person I am today lmfao Reply Thread Link There were other games in between and my ass has played them but almost the entire MCU has come out in between KH2 and KH3 lmao. Reply Parent Thread Link Well KH2 was in 2005, so yeah, literally the entire MCU to date came out between these damn games. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i preordered kingdom hearts 3 but im not excited for it. it wont dawn on me until i have the game in my hand Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i've only waited 7 years for kh3, but the entirety of january has felt like 22 years so far Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I love the atmosphere of Return To Oz and the Wheelers really do freak me out for some reason. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link my husband and I are spending the remainder of the winter evenings doing a full ~road to KHIII~ playthrough lol. My sister got us the collection on ps4 for Christmas so since the weekend we've just been drinking wine and tag-teaming in and out when the camera angles get too much for us lol. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I can't believe I went from being in high school to being a goddamn adult with a job in between KH2 and KH3 Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Return To Oz traumatized me as a kid. Reply Thread Link I was just coming here to say the same thing. Why anyone thought that was an appropriate movie for kids is beyond me. Reply Parent Thread Link Right? Was it even marketed towards kids upon its release? I wasnt born yet when it was released and didnt see it until years later when my sister rented it. We were at home all like: Reply Parent Thread Expand Link it remains a fav. i loved it as a kid and i love it as an adult [my older sis was traumatised and made me share my bed that night bc she was scared to be alone] Reply Parent Thread Link lol I was watching something on the react channel and they shows kids the scene from Return to Oz where Dorothy wakes up Mombi's head when she's getting the powder of life and they were all shocked it was a kid's movie. Still love that movie though. Reply Thread Link I showed that clip to my friend who had the misfortune of missing out on Return to Oz as a child (we're 26 now) and she was horrified. I'm a horrible friend who thought it was hysterical and kept pulling up more scenes, like all the shit with the wheelers. Reply Parent Thread Link I love the Tron movies. I really wanted a 3rd one Reply Thread Link They should have kept Star Wars as TV shows. If they were too lazy to find a way to get the original trio back together again for even one film then what's the point of even making a sequel to it? Just give me KotOR. Reply Thread Link Agreed. Clone Wars was great. Even Rebels had good moments. I wept at one episode. But totally agree about the original trio. Not reuniting them even once made the whole thing completely pointless. I actually wouldve preferred if the new trilogy was set in a totally different time period, with the only mention of the original trio being memories or legend. Reply Parent Thread Link President Rodrigo Dutertes order to relieve Bacolod City police chief Francis Ebreo and four other policemen for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs has a basis, the Palace said Monday. There must be a basis why the President has relieved this chief. I suppose intelligence information has reached him, and thats why he made his move, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters. He made the statement even as Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said Ebreo and the four other policemen will be accorded due process. Meanwhile, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the Bacolod City Council was leaving it to the law enforcement agencies to take action on the alleged involvement of Councilor Ricardo Tan in illegal drugs. Lets leave it to the law enforcement agencies. Im hoping that Councilor Ricardo Tan can defend himself together with his family, Familiaran said at the sidelines of the peace covenant signing for the May 13 elections at the Bacolod public plaza on Sunday. Tan, who is not seeking an elective post in the coming elections, was linked by Duterte to illegal drugs during his talk before an audience at the birthday party of a local businessman in Bacolod City on Saturday night, according to Chief Supt. John Bulalacao. Panelo said Duterte gathers information from several agencies such as the Philippine National Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which all provide information relative to those who involved in illegal drugs. From what I know, he [Ebreo] has been relieved as chief of police. Thats it. There is an administrative process for that, Panelo said.Asked if the conviction of the five police officers would follow a process, Panelo said Definitely, it has always been like that. Ebreo was supposed to visit Duterte in Malacanang on Monday, but Panelo said there was no such engagement scheduled in Dutertes list of activities. We dont have info on that. Its the first time that I heard about it. I didnt see it in his schedule, Panelo said. On Saturday, the President announced in his speech the dismissal from the service of the five police officers because they were in cahoots with a drug syndicate. He then ordered the five to report to his office in Malacanang on Monday at 2 p.m. but the Palace insisted such meeting was not scheduled. Meanwhile, Bulalacao said he had designated Senior Supt. Henry Binas as officer-in-charge of the Bacolod police effective Sunday. The number of new print magazines started in the U.S. fell by more than half in 2020 to 60, compared t A panel in the House of Representatives has passed a resolution directing the Department of Transportation to allow the operation of motorcycle taxis. The House special committee on Metro Manila Development, headed by Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, adopted a resolution that would legitimize the operations of Angkas without having passed a bill for the purpose. Castelo said the DOTr could issue a Department Order to allowoperations in the same manner that Transportation Network Companies or Transport Network Vehicle Services like Grab were allowed to operate. Now that we have established thatis safe, fast, and affordable, and is relied upon by thousands of Filipino commuters, the Committee now comes up with a resolution urging the DOTr to immediately allowa pilot run nationwide as the DOTr drafts the implementing guidelines for the operation and regulation of, Castelo said. The committee is now directed to draft the resolution for immediate compliance by the DOTr, Castelo added. The House committee-approved resolution provides for a nationwide pilot run foras proposed by Manila Rep. Cristal Bagatsing who also supported the operation of motorcycle taxis under strict regulations to avoid accident. Bagatsing revealed that when the Supreme Court TRO came out allowing the LTFRB to apprehendrider-partners ferrying passengers, many of her constituents reached out to her. Negros Oriental Rep. Teves seconded Bagatsings motion for resolution, saying while the government was crafting laws that would govern their operations, the motorcycle taxis should be allowed to operate.Also present during the hearing was DOTr Undersecretary Mark de Leon who said the agency would be creating a Technical Working Group for this purpose. The TWG will discuss the regulatory requirements for motorcycle taxis, De Leon stated. We are open to get back to Congress after the TWG meeting in January 18 to propose the implementation of the nationwidepilot, he added. George Royeca, in turn, praised the DOTr for coming up with the TWG and its willingness to immediately work on the implementing guidelines for the operation and regulation of. He also stressed they were happy to be able to provide a means of livelihood to their rider-partners, while stating how much their riders earn on the average. When asked about the Highway Patrol Groups safety record ofsince the time the Mandaluyong RTC allowedto operate until the issuance of the SC TRO, HPG spokesperson P/Supt. Oliver Tanseco revealed, Our records reflect that there had been no accidents involving, thus posing no danger to the riding public. Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmena, a staunch supporter ofservice, described howwas a great help to the people of Cebu, particularly those who needed to go to far-flung areas not easily accessible by four-wheeled vehicles. The operation ofandis not just a matter of convenience, but a matter of survival in Cebu City, Osmena said. By MacDonald Dzirutwe HARARE (Reuters) - Several people were killed and some 200 arrested during protests in Zimbabwe on Monday, the government said, two days after it raised the price of fuel in an attempt to tame the worst economic crisis in a decade. Police fired tear gas in the capital Harare and second city Bulawayo where protesters barricaded roads, burned tyres and chanted songs against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who put up fuel prices in the hope of easing a currency shortage. Security minister Owen Ncube said some people died at the protests, but gave no further details. He blamed the unrest on the main opposition party and political rights groups. "Regrettably, this has resulted in the loss of life and property, including injury to police officers and members of the public. Full investigations are underway," Ncube said in a statement. The Human Rights Forum, a collective of local groups, said it had received reports that five people had sustained gunshot wounds. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change said its Harare headquarters was torched late on Monday but the fire had been put out. It did not say who was behind the attack. The authorities are keen to avoid a repeat of post-election violence in August in which six people were killed after the army intervened. Riot police patrolled downtown Harare as army helicopters circled above. Businesses closed early and schools called parents to pick their children, fearing violence. The main labor union called for a three-day stay-at-home strike starting Monday and central Harare was deserted by 4 p.m. Commuters walked home from the city center because there was no public transport. "I am stranded in town now and I have no idea how I am going to go home," resident Leeroy Kabanga told Reuters. Airline Fastjet canceled its remaining flights to and from Zimbabwe on Monday due to the unrest. "TIME FOR THINGS TO SETTLE" Mnangagwa defended his fuel policy, saying prices in Zimbabwe were the lowest in the region. "Zimbabwe is going through both political and economic reforms and these do not come easily. It will take time for things to settle and results to be shown," he told reporters in Moscow at the start of a five-nation foreign trip that some analysts had expected him to cancel. "In normal circumstances the president should have canceled the trip or booked a flight back home to deal with a very urgent situation, but it could be that he has absolute confidence that his deputy is in charge," said Eldred Masunungure, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. Cash shortages have plunged the economy into disarray, threatening widespread social unrest and undermining Mnangagwa's efforts to win back foreign investors who left under Robert Mugabe, whose 40-year rule ended in a coup more than a year ago. Everyday life is getting increasingly tough with the prices of basic goods spiraling and medical supplies in short supply. Motorists wait for hours to fill up at fuel stations where soldiers are often deployed to break up fights over who is next in line. FEAR OF VIOLENCE In Bulawayo, police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters outside the High Court, according to video footage from the Centre For Innovation & Technology, an independent news service which also showed people looting a shop. Zimbabwe, which now uses the U.S. dollar after abandoning its currency in 2009 after hyperinflation, plans to introduce a new currency in the next 12 months. But Zimbabweans are still traumatized by hyperinflation, which hit 500 billion percent in 2008 and left the local currency worthless, wiping out savings and pensions. Inflation reached 31 percent in November, the highest in a decade. Businesses and civil servants are demanding to be paid in dollars. Zimbabwe's largest brewing company Delta Beverages, part-owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev, threatened to accept only U.S. dollars as payment but later reversed its decision after government-led negotiations. The government on Monday postponed wage negotiations with civil service unions, who are planning a nationwide strike from Jan. 22 to press for U.S. dollar pay. (Additional reporting by Polina Ivanova in Moscow; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) A woman who came back to life after being pronounced dead in Russia has died for a second time, according to reports. Stock image. (Getty) A woman who came back from the dead after being found alive in a hospital morgue has died hours later. Metro reports how the 62-year-old woman had been drinking with relatives at a party in Russia when she died she was taken in a hearse before declared dead. But a mortuary worker said the woman started moving after he tried to fit a tag to her foot, she was rushed to intensive care but died of hypothermia within hours. A Russian health official said: The police officer did not call for an ambulance, as required by instructions. He certified the death on his own, called the undertakers and sent the body to the morgue without accompanying documents. Medical officials believe had the officer followed protocol the woman might still be alive. A police investigation into the womans death is now under way as the police officer failed to follow official directions. The woman was raped between Liverpool Road and Water Street in Manchester (Picture: Google) Police are appealing for information after a woman was raped in Manchester city centre. The 22-year-old woman was attacked at about 6.30am on Sunday as she walked under a railway bridge along Liverpool Road on to Water Street. Her attacker grabbed her from behind as she walked past and then raped her, police said. Police want to hear from anyone who can help identify the attacker. He is described as black, in his mid-to-late 20s, about 5ft 10in tall, of slim build with shoulder length dreadlocks, with his hair parted far on one side and swept over his head. It is believed he was wearing a thick black waist-length coat, dark grey jogging bottoms and a dark top. Police believe the man had a French accent. MORE: Theresa May warns of unforgivable breach of trust if MPs dont vote for her Brexit deal MORE: Donald Trumps behaviour so concerning FBI opened Russia collusion inquiry They are also trying to get in touch with a taxi driver who helped the woman after the attack. Detective Inspector Jen Tattersall from Greater Manchester Polices City of Manchester Team said: This was a terrifying attack on a young woman by a complete stranger. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them (Picture: PA) We have a good description of the man and are hoping someone will recognise him and get in touch. We are also keen to speak to the taxi driver who saw the victim after the incident occurred. The woman is being supported through this difficult time by our specialist officers. I would like to commend her for her bravery so far. Our officers are doing everything they can to find the person responsible. Anyone with any information can contact police on 0161 856 64409, or call on 101 quoting the reference number 610 of 13/01/18, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFJ) made its debut on 06/16/2006, and is a smart beta exchange traded fund that provides broad exposure to the Asia-Pacific (Developed) ETFs category of the market. What Are Smart Beta ETFs? Market cap weighted indexes were created to reflect the market, or a specific segment of the market, and the ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on this strategy. Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they replicate market returns in a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way. However, some investors believe in the possibility of beating the market through exceptional stock selection, and choose a different type of fund that tracks non-cap weighted strategies: smart beta. This kind of index follows this same mindset, as it attempts to pick stocks that have better chances of risk-return performance; non-cap weighted strategies base selection on certain fundamental characteristics, or a mix of such characteristics. While this space offers a number of choices to investors, including simplest equal-weighting, fundamental weighting and volatility/momentum based weighting methodologies, not all these strategies have been able to deliver superior results. Fund Sponsor & Index Managed by Wisdomtree, DFJ has amassed assets over $749.76 M, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Asia-Pacific (Developed) ETFs. DFJ, before fees and expenses, seeks to match the performance of the WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index. WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index measures the performance of dividend-paying small capitalization companies in Japan. After the 300 largest companies have been removed from the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Index, the remaining companies are chosen for inclusion in the Index. Companies are weighted in the Index based on annual cash dividends paid. Cost & Other Expenses When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal. Story continues Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.58%, making it one of the more expensive products in the space. DFJ's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 1.84%. Sector Exposure and Top Holdings Most ETFs are very transparent products, and disclose their holdings on a daily basis. ETFs also offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, though it's still important for investors to research a fund's holdings. Taking into account individual holdings, Sankyo Co Ltd accounts for about 0.85% of the fund's total assets, followed by Matsui Securities Co Ltd and Dic Corp. The top 10 holdings account for about 6.1% of total assets under management. Performance and Risk Year-to-date, the WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund has added roughly 3.05% so far, and is down about -19.41% over the last 12 months (as of 01/14/2019). DFJ has traded between $60.90 and $85.46 in this past 52-week period. The ETF has a beta of 0.68 and standard deviation of 14.26% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 817 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk. Alternatives WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund is an excellent option for investors seeking to outperform the Asia-Pacific (Developed) ETFs segment of the market. There are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider as well. WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) tracks WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index and the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) tracks MSCI Japan Index. WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund has $3.59 B in assets, iShares MSCI Japan ETF has $15.62 B. DXJ has an expense ratio of 0.48% and EWJ charges 0.49%. Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Asia-Pacific (Developed) ETFs. Bottom Line To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center. 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The woman who found abducted Wisconsin teenager Jayme Closs last week opened up about the surreal experience in an interview that aired Monday, describing how her past work as a social worker came into play. Jeanne Nutter told CBS This Morning that she had been walking her dog in the rural town of Gordon, Wisconsin, on Thursday when a visibly shaken Closs approached her and called out for help. The 13-year-old girl had been missing since Oct. 15, the day police discovered her parents had been shot to death in their Barron home, about 65 miles south of Gordon. Police believe Closs was home when her parents were murdered. I was at the end of my driveway; I saw a young woman who appeared to be in distress, Nutter told CBS. She was probably about 10 or 12 feet from me saying, I need help. All I knew is, whoever this child is, shes in trouble. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Nutter said she was startled to see Closs navigating the below-freezing weather in a sweatshirt and leggings. As they approached one another, Nutter said she immediately recognized Closs face from the pictures shared by police and local media in recent months. A lot of things went through my head, Nutter said. I quickened my pace and got to her, and she just sort of fell into me and said, Im Jayme. And I said, I know. Nutter said she relied on her past experience with Child Protective Services to make Closs feel as safe as possible. Closs pointed out the property where she had been held for more than 80 days, which allegedly borders Nutters property. After deciding that her own house wouldnt create enough distance from Closs alleged captor, Nutter took the teenager to a neighbors house, where they called police. I didnt want her to know I thought my place wasnt safe, because I wanted her to be calm, Nutter told CBS. Kids need to be safe. Get them safe first, ask questions later. I was not calm inside, [but] I did not want her to know that, she added. So, I just practiced all my skills: Talk softly, dont ask her any questions. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The suspected captor, 21-year-old Jake Patterson, has been charged with kidnapping her and murdering her parents. Patterson allegedly told investigators he was driving to his job at a cheese factory one day near Almena, Wisconsin, when he stopped behind a school bus and watched Jayme get on, the Associated Press reported Monday. Closs has been reunited with her family, including her aunt Sue Allard, who told CBS This Morning that she still feels a little in shock over her nieces return. I have to pinch myself, Allard said. I woke up this morning and finally, I didnt have that pit in the bottom of my stomach any more. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Related Coverage Elizabeth Smart's Uplifting Words To 'Brave' Jayme Closs After She Was Found Alive Jayme Closs Spent First Night Home 'Next To Me,' Says Aunt Who Is Jake Patterson? Alleged Jayme Closs Abductor Lived Under The Radar Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. neo cryptocurrency crypto ethereum bitcoin NEO appears to be losing ground in the popularity contest, at least lately. In the glory days of 2017, the Chinese Ethereum was a top 10 cryptocurrency with unstoppable potential. NEO was touted as being faster, better, and capable of handling way more transactions than other major networks. The hype surrounding the project was palpable. Since its heyday in January 2018 when its market cap was over $10 billion, NEO has slipped to 18th place with a market cap around half that amount. neo price Whats happened to see it fall out of favor? The crypto community may be losing interest in NEO, but its co-founder, Erik Zhang, isnt losing any sleep. In fact, ask him what NEO price is on any given day and, chances are, he hasnt even checked. I dont care about NEOs price and market capitalization at all, he told me. I caught up with Zhang to find out whats going on with NEO, why being compared to Ethereum irks him, and how his cat writes most of his code. Check it out. Everyones heard of your charismatic co-founder Da Hongfei; hes the face of NEO. Do you prefer to work behind the scenes? What is your main role at NEO? erik zhang Da Hongfei has done a great job in promoting NEO and made great contributions to the development of blockchain industry, he says. Da had more exposure to the public whereas my contributions were more focused on the GitHub. Despite his reduced share of time in the spotlight, Zhang isnt just the co-founder of NEO; hes also a core developer. And hes completely disinterested in the NEO price and the crypto market fluctuations in general. His job, he reminds me, is to focus on building out NEO and strengthening the community. Whats the difference between the top 10 and the 18th? he questions, We are developing a blockchain project instead of playing a capital game. I just want to make this project even better. Is it accurate that NEO is often called the Chinese Ethereum? Do you mind that association or is this something that annoys you and the team? Story continues Like a red rag to a bull, Zhang really begins to come into his own here. Somehow, I had the feeling that the constant comparison to Ethereum might be a sticking point. The labeling is a hype. We never introduced NEO this way, and Im personally against this labeling. He goes onto explain that he has nothing against Ethereum, however; he even calls it a great project. But he reaffirms that the two blockchains are very different. Its easy to call WeChat the Chinese WhatsApp and Baidu the Chinese Google, but thats probably where the similarities end. Its pretty much watered down marketing for dummies in the West. NEO may have been conceived in China, but Zhang explains that its a global project contributed to by developers throughout the world. Although it was initiated by two Chinese people, I believe that the founders nationality is not the nationality of the project. And Zhang isnt real keen on projects having a figurehead. In my eyes, the founder is nothing but a mascot. He then comes out with an extremely valid point on the NEO/Ethereum comparison: Lastly, I have to say that the one that can defeat the Ethereum can never be another Ethereum. So, what are the key differences between NEO and Ethereum at the technological level? And at a visionary level? NEO and Ethereum both have their own tokens. They can all run turing-complete smart contracts. But they also have a big difference. First, their consensus mechanisms are different. Ethereum uses a PoW algorithm, while NEO uses the dBFT algorithm, he says. Second, their smart contract development languages are very different. Ethereum uses a domain-specific language called Solidity, while NEO uses general-purpose languages with a large number of developers, such as C#, Python, Java, Golang, JavaScript, etc. Even the smart contract features the two networks provide are different, Zhang explains: The interfaces provided by Ethereum for smart contracts are relatively simple, and they are usually provided through the EVM instruction set. NEO provides a large number of powerful APIs for smart contracts, and they are provided in a way similar to virtual devices. Beyond the technical differences, the greatest chasm lies between the vision of the two projects. Says Zhang: Ethereum wants to be a world computer that cannot be stopped while NEO wants to serve the smart economy. Da Hongfei said at Web Summit in Lisbon that NEO is ready for the formal economy. What does he mean by this and how is this the case? NEO Team In the past year, we have adhered to the principle of building NEO a compliance-ready blockchain. Although blockchain is treated differently in different countries, theres no doubt that no country or region would turn away from blockchain technology, he said. From the perspective of social revolution, blockchain has to be well monitored for mass application and healthy development. Weve seen the liquidity being facilitated by unhealthy development; however, it propagated a wrong way of usage. NEOs vision of smart economy is composed of smart contract, digital identity, and digital assets, of which digital identity is a prerequisite for compliance and a feature of NEO, he adds. Digital identity is also the area NEO wishes to focus on to facilitate the development of the formal economy using blockchain technology. You can be forgiven for not digesting all that in one go. With so much focus on digital identity, what does that actually mean to the end user? What does all this translate to? Regarding the importance of digital identity and privacy in blockchains for the mainstream, what applications are available to take NEO to the mainstream? NeoID is an important component which facilitates the development of digital identity. He reinforces: Blockchain has to be compliance-ready and associated with the real economy to achieve growth. NEO has never wanted to disassociate itself with the real economy, according to its vision in the whitepaper. NEO plans to make the existing economy better. Zhang confirms: Whats in NEOs plan is to use blockchain to empower the real economy, and we firmly believe that NEO will build the future of smart economy. Are you a believer in regulation despite the fact that ICOs and cryptocurrency exchanges are banned in China? Do you still think this is the right move? Although ICOs and exchanges are banned in China, the government still encourages the development of blockchain technology. I think it works positively. When the monitoring system is immature, it is a good idea to build compliance into blockchain technology. The situation is a little murky in China upon first glance. On the one hand, the government seems to be entirely hostile to crypto. Its not an ICO incubator hub the likes of Switzerland or Malta. However, its also not falling behind in the race to blockchainize its economy in any way. But does banning crypto trading and ICOs not damage Chinese-based crypto? Just to double check, cryptocurrency is not illegal in China, however, trading is? Has this hurt NEOs growth? How will NEO be able to get ready for a formal economy if trading cryptocurrency is banned in China? china bitcoin cryptocurrency Trading is not illegal, Zhang corrects me, exchanges are illegal. This wont hurt NEO, or the damage to NEO is the same as any other projects. You cannot trade NEO or other tokens on Chinese exchanges. But you can legally trade NEO or other tokens in other countries. This is where he brings out a sucker punch to retail traders, the likes of which only a developer can, reiterating that the price of NEO is about as interesting to him as the latest tweet from a Kardashian. Traders always think of ways, I dont need to care about this at all, because I am not a trader myself. Whats new with NEO at the moment? Whats coming up next? NEOs goal is to have the ability to run large-scale commercial applications. To achieve this goal, we are doing two things. The first is to improve NEOs infrastructure so that it has higher tps and a more reliable dBFT consensus algorithm. After half a year of development, the improved NEO consensus algorithm dBFT is about to be completed. dBFT will become the best consensus mechanism for blockchains. The second is to develop a distributed storage network, NeoFS, so that applications can store massive amounts of data. The development of the first release candidate (RC1) of NeoFS is expected to be completed in Q3 2019. In February, we will hold the second NEO DevCon in Seattle and will share more details about the progress. NEO DevCon Whats the importance of DevCon for NEO and for the industry? Can you tell us a bit about the event? The DevCon is strategically held to keep the community informed of our development progress. It also provides a chance to the people interested in blockchain to learn about the latest technological advances, interesting applications and discuss the possibilities of future changes with relevant experts and scholars. NEO DevCon will be held during Feb 16-17 in Seattle revolving around Layer2, consensus mechanism and distributed file storage system etc., with more topics to be decided. This time we also invited some speakers from Seattle-based tech giants to share their insights with us. By holding the DevCon, we hope to build more connections between blockchain and traditional large enterprises to facilitate a wider application of blockchain technology. Do you see this years event drawing as many people as your last event, given the fact that many companies like ConsenSys are laying people off? The NGD marketing team has been dedicated to the preparation of DevCon, and we are confident of the result. Our objective is not restricted to the blockchain industry alone; instead, we expect to incorporate blockchain technology into higher-dimensional scenarios and industries to serve large-scale business purposes, he continues, adding: It is worth mentioning that in the past six months, we had more than a dozen new talent join the team and witnessed a growth in technology communities. Our vision is clear and we always focused on technology development, so market volatility doesnt have a big impact on the teams development. So, that being the case, would you still encourage developers to get into blockchain despite the slump? Of course! This is one of the things I officially do. Just as the Internet has brought people into the digital economy era, I believe that the blockchain will lead people into the era of the smart economy. The changes in the economic system will bring people a better life. I think this is something that deserves to be done. We need more talented developers to join in the innovation. It has nothing to do with the market situation. Lets get back to NEO and your plans. Can you tell us anything about the hard fork? Can you give us some details or a timeline for that? NEO will have a major update next year, which is NEO 3.0. To upgrade to NEO 3.0, we need at least one hard fork. he continues: We might even propose to start a new blockchain network, then migrate all the old data to the new chain. However, These are still under discussion. As for the type of upgrade that will ultimately be chosen, it depends on the final technical implementation. But in either case, it will not be implemented until next year. So, no hard fork in the road ahead for NEO until 2020, but theres still plenty to look forward to as the NEO community continues along its roadmap. Moving back to the cryptocurrency industry in general, whats going on? Did you anticipate the Bitcoin Cash hard fork having such an effect on the industry? ethereum bitcoin Personally, I didnt pay much attention to the market fluctuations nor did I notice the BCH hard fork. So it is difficult for me to answer this question, he said. However, he added: From what Ive observed, an industry has to weed out underperforming projects to achieve growth. He then goes on to drop an unexpected prediction: In my opinion, Ethereum will sooner or later exceed Bitcoin and get the first position. But Ethereum will also face very fierce competition from other projects such as NEO. Where do you see the future of cryptocurrency? Are traditional financial institutions right to fear it? As far as I know, many financial institutions are exploring the application of blockchain technology in financial scenarios, however: I dont think traditional financial institutions can make any real achievements in the blockchain field. Because in my opinion, the nature of the blockchain is to reduce the cost of trust transfer through decentralization, and the nature of traditional financial institutions is to create trust through a centralized authority. These two ideas are contrary to each other and difficult to unify. Any hard-line predictions for us? No, Im not a wizard. (He also doesnt mince his words.) Okay then, lastly, can you tell us something about yourself that no one knows? Remember, NEOs code is written by Eriks cat. Featured Image from Shutterstock The post Why NEO Co-Founder Erik Zhang Says Ethereum Will Overtake Bitcoin appeared first on CCN. WASHINGTON The White House scrambled on Monday to repair a growing rift between the United States and Turkey after President Donald Trump threatened to "devastate" the longtime U.S. ally's economy in a Twitter post. Trump's warning came on Sunday night in a tweet that seemed to catch even his closest advisers off-guard. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," Trump wrote on the social media site. He also suggested the U.S. would create a "20 mile safe zone" in Syria to protect the Kurds, though the president did not elaborate. By Monday afternoon, Trump was on the phone to Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while his top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was struggling to explain the president's declaration. Trump's Sunday missive came as the U.S. and Turkey are engaged in delicate negotiations over the fate of the Syrian Kurds, who have helped American military forces battle ISIS in Syria. Trump's abrupt decision last month to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria leaves the Kurds vulnerable to Turkish forces. Turkey considers the Kurdish fighters in Syria as terrorists, and Erdogan has vowed to attack them once the U.S. forces have withdrawn. Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, traveled to Ankara last week to seek an agreement that would protect the Kurds. But Erdogan refused to meet with Bolton and angrily denounced his entreaties. Pompeo spoke with Turkey's foreign minister Saturday to try to quiet the diplomatic storm. In a State Department readout of that call, Pompeo said the U.S. was committed to addressing Turkey's security concerns along its border with Syria. On Monday, Pompeo seemed at a loss to explain Trump's threat to lash Turkey's economy. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "Youd have to ask youd have to ask him," Pompeo said about what the president meant. "Weve applied sanctions in many places around the world. I assume hes speaking about those kinds of things, but youd have to ask him." Story continues Pompeo offered more clarity on Trump's call for a 20-mile safe zone, saying a protected area along the Turkish-Syrian border could serve to protect both the Kurds and the Turks. "We want to make sure that the folks who fought with us to take down the caliphate in ISIS have security, and also that terrorists acting out of Syria arent able to attack Turkey. Those are the twin aims," Pompeo told reporters traveling with him on a swing through the Middle East. " ... Call it a buffer zone, others might have a different name for it if we can get the space and the security arrangements right, this will be a good thing for everyone in the region," he said. President Donald Trump White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump and Erdogan spoke by phone Monday, although she made no reference to the president's Twitter threat and instead echoed the more diplomatic language used by Pompeo. "The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkeys security concerns in northeast Syria, while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," Sanders said. She said Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would meet with his Turkish counterpart to continue the consultations. Read more: As Trump's timeline for Syria withdrawal slips, U.S. allies are nervous, angry, confused US withdrawal from Syria depends on conditions, John Bolton says This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White House scrambles to repair rift with Turkey after Trump's threat to 'devastate' ally's economy After a solid run in 2018, supported by strong quarterly results and positive pipeline and regulatory updates, Merck & Co., Inc. MRK looks well poised to continue the momentum in 2019. Mercks shares outperformed the industry in 2018, rising 35.8% compared with a 4.7% increase for the industry. Strong Sales & Earnings Performance Mercks sales rose 5% in first nine months of 2018 while adjusted earnings per share rose almost 10%. Pharmaceutical segment sales rose 7% in nine months while that of the Animal Health unit rose 10%. Strength in Keytruda, Bridion, Gardasil and Animal Health offset headwinds from loss of exclusivity for some products and competitive pressure for Zostavax and Zepatier. Keytruda continued its robust performance on strong demand. Keytruda: A Key Growth Catalyst A significant part of Mercks outperformance this year was driven by strong performance and positive regulatory updates related to its PD-1 inhibitor, Keytruda. In a very short span of time, Keytruda has become Mercks largest product. It is already approved for use in several indications across eight different tumor types in the United States. It is continuously growing and gaining approval for new indications and markets globally. Sales are gaining particularly from strong momentum in the indication of first-line lung cancer as it is the only anti-PD-1 approved in the setting both as a monotherapy as well as combination therapy. In fact, the Keytruda development program is also progressing rapidly. Merck is conducting numerous studies to evaluate Keytruda for more than 30 types of cancer in more than 850 studies, including more than 500 combination studies. Merck is collaborating with several companies including Amgen AMGN, Incyte INCY, Glaxo and Pfizer separately for the evaluation of Keytruda in combination with other regimens. Other Pipeline/Regulatory Success Key approvals for Merck in 2018 included that of Steglatro and its fixed-dose combinations for type II diabetes, two new HIV drugs Pifeltro and Delstrigo containing doravirine and Prevymis (letermovir) for cytomegalovirus (CVM) infection. Story continues Merck also gained several label expansion approvals for Keytruda and another cancer drug Lynparza, which it markets in partnership with AstraZeneca AZN. For Keytruda, a key FDA approval in October was the label expansion as a first-line treatment for metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) a difficult-to-treat lung cancer patient population based on data from the phase III KEYNOTE-407 study. Lynparza was also approved by the FDA in the first-line maintenance setting in December, becoming the first PARP inhibitor to be approved as a first-line maintenance therapy for BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer. These new products and line extensions should bring in additional sales in 2019 and beyond. Merck also announced positive data from several late-stage studies, mainly evaluating Keytruda for further line extensions. Merck also signed a co-development deal with Japans Eisai Co., Ltd for the latters tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Lenvima. It also agreed to buy Viralytics Limited, an Australian pharmaceutical company that develops oncolytic immunotherapies for a range of cancers, which should strengthen its oncology portfolio. In December, Merck announced plans to acquire privately held animal health technology provider Antelliq Group from BC Partners What to Expect in 2019? For Keytruda, several regulatory decisions for new indications in the United States as well as in Europe are due in 2019, which if approved can further boost sales. Key FDA decisions expected in the first half will be on regulatory filings for label expansion of Keytruda as an adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk stage III melanoma and for patients with non-squamous or squamous lung cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 protein levels of 1 percent or greater (TPS of 1 percent). Meanwhile, Keytruda, Bridion, Lynparza, Gardasil and Animal Health should continue the strong performance, driving sales and profits in 2019. This should make up for headwinds from loss of exclusivity (LOEs), softness in the diabetes franchise, and competitive pressure on Zepatier and Zostavax. Merck will also continue to focus on cost-cutting initiatives, which should drive itsbottom line. Merck currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research For failing to declare his properties in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth for 2011, 2013 and 2014, the Sandiganbayan has slapped a former Maguindanao town mayor with a P30,000 fine. The anti-graft court 6th Division, in a decision dated Jan. 10, 2019, found former Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal guilty of three counts of violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and three counts of violation of Section 8 of RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Court records showed Sabal pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on May 30, 2018. His counsel subsequently manifested that he has expressed to the prosecution the accuseds intention to enter into a plea-bargaining agreement. In a resolution dated Oct. 11, 2018, the court granted the parties joint motion to approve plea bargaining agreement and approved their proposed terms for the accuseds guilty plea in the three counts of violation of Section 7 of RA 3019 and three counts of violation of Section 8 of RA 3019, as well as the withdrawal of the three counts of perjury. The anti-graft court ordered the withdrawal of the three counts of perjury on Jan. 10, 2019. The accused also withdrew his not guilty plea in the three counts of violation of Section 7 of RA 3019 and three counts of violation of Section 8 of RA 3019.The Office of the Ombudsman charged Sabal with graft for failing to declare a house in Robinson Highlands, Buhangin, Davao City; three residential lots covered by TCT Nos. 146-2013011685, 146-2013011686, 146- 2013011687; and a parcel of land covered by TCT No. T-53323, known as Lot 245-F-2-V, located in Barrio Biniruan, Cotabato City in his 2011, 2013 and 2014 SALNs, which the law requires to be declared. The Ombudsman also charged him with perjury for making a false statement in his 2014 SALN and made it appear that he did not own the properties. There being no civil liability involved, no award of damages is made in these cases, the Sandiganbayan said in its ruling. 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 WH Group Limited (HKG:288), by way of a worked example. Our data shows WH Group has a return on equity of 16% for the last year. That means that for every HK$1 worth of shareholders equity, it generated HK$0.16 in profit. View our latest analysis for WH Group Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. How Do I Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for WH Group: 16% = 1090 US$8.2b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 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 Signify? Return on Equity measures a companys profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The return is the yearly profit. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses. Does WH Group Have A Good ROE? By comparing a companys ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, WH Group has a higher ROE than the average (9.4%) in the Food industry. Story continues SEHK:288 Last Perf January 13th 19 That is a good sign. In my book, a high ROE almost always warrants a closer look. One data point to check is if insiders have bought shares recently. How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the 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. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. WH Groups Debt And Its 16% ROE Although WH Group does use debt, its debt to equity ratio of 0.41 is still low. The combination of modest debt and a very respectable ROE suggests this is a business worth watching. 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. But Its Just One Metric 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 the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company. If you would prefer check out another company one with potentially superior financials then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. 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 well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Watkin Jones Plc (LON:WJG). 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, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. For example, a Harvard University study found that insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year. View our latest analysis for Watkin Jones Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. Watkin Jones Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when Mark Jones sold UK7.5m worth of shares at a price of UK1.95 per share. That means that even when the share price was below the current price of UK2.15, an insider wanted to cash in some shares. Even though it doesnt necessarily mean anything, thats certainly not a positive sign, in our book. When an insider sells below the current price, it does tend to make us wonder about the current valuation. We note that the biggest single sale was only 50% of Mark Joness holding. Mark Jones was the only individual insider to sell over the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! Story continues AIM:WJG Insider Trading January 14th 19 I will like Watkin Jones better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Insider Ownership of Watkin Jones 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. It appears that Watkin Jones insiders own 2.9% of the company, worth about UK15m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. So What Does This Data Suggest About Watkin Jones Insiders? The fact that there have been no Watkin Jones insider transactions recently certainly doesnt bother us. Still, the insider transactions at Watkin Jones in the last 12 months are not very heartening. But its good to see that insiders own shares in the company. 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. 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. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) The new head of Venezuela's increasingly defiant congress was pulled from his vehicle and briefly detained by police Sunday, a day after the U.S. backed him assuming the presidency as a way out of the country's deepening crisis. The confusing incident, which drew swift international condemnation, is bound to ramp up tensions between the opposition and government following President Nicolas Maduro's swearing in for a controversial second term this month. A video circulating on social media purports to show the moment in which Juan Guaido is intercepted on his way to an anti-government town hall meeting in the port city of La Guaira. In the video shot on a cellphone by a motorist stuck in traffic, several men in ski masks and carrying assault weapons are seen struggling to shut the door on someone being pushed into an SUV before racing down a highway. While it was not possible to identify Guaido in the 33-second video, his wife, Fabiana Rosales, said on Twitter that he had been detained by a commando unit of the feared SEBIN intelligence police. As news of his detention spread, he was then released. "We are going to fulfill our constitutional duties," Guaido said a group of cheering supporters at the rally. "We are survivors not victims, and we are going to move this country forward." Adding to the confusion, the government tried to shift the blame to Guaido's allies, with Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez saying that the "media show" had perhaps been orchestrated to provoke an international uproar. Still, he acknowledged that police officers had partook in the arrest and said they would be disciplined. "We want to inform the people of Venezuela that the officials who took that upon themselves are being dismissed," Rodriguez said on state TV. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Venezuela's security forces to uphold its citizens' constitutional rights, singling out Intelligence Chief Manuel Cristopher Figuera. "The U.S. and the world are watching," Pompeo tweeted. Story continues A coalition of 13 Latin American countries and Canada condemned Guaido's "arbitrary" detention targeting the head of the National Assembly. In a statement, the Lima Group rejected any "pressure or coercion that prevents the full and normal exercise of their powers as an organ constitutionally and legitimately elected in Venezuela." At the rally Sunday after the incident, Guaido told The Associated Press that the SEBIN agents informed him they were carrying out orders from above when they arrested him. "They tried to put me in handcuffs," he told the crowd of a few hundred waving Venezuelan flags. "But I didn't let them because I'm president of the National Assembly." Guaido has been leading an increasingly tense standoff with Maduro seeking to oust the socialist from power, winning the support of some powerful international allies like U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who spoke to him by phone shortly after the 35-year-old assumed the presidency of the opposition-controlled National Assembly. At a rally Friday he said he was prepared to take over as Venezuela's interim president and call for new elections, a move the U.S. and regional governments support. But for such a strategy to succeed, he said Venezuelans must take to the streets to express their discontent with Maduro's handling of what was once Latin America's wealthiest nation. To that end, he called for nationwide demonstrations Jan. 23 to coincide with the anniversary of the 1958 ousting of military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. Guaido said that comments by Rodriquez, the government's spokesman, reveal a broken chain of command between Maduro and Venezuela's armed services. "If they recognize that they no longer control the state's security agencies, then they have a very serious problem," Guaido said. "Maduro no longer controls the armed forces." ___ Goodman reported from Bogota, Colombia. By Brian Ellsworth CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government claimed victory on Saturday in a diplomatic quarrel with Latin American countries over a border dispute with Guyana, while ignoring an avalanche of criticism over President Nicolas Maduro's second term in office. Maduro had warned members of the so-called Lima Group of "diplomatic measures" after they said on Jan. 4 that they would not recognize his second term because Venezuela's 2018 election was not free or fair. The statement, signed by nations including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, also expressed concern that Venezuela had violated Guyana's sovereignty by stopping a ship doing offshore oil exploration on behalf of Exxon Mobil Corp. Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said at a news conference on Saturday that 10 of the 12 governments that signed the statement had since clarified their position on the Guyana dispute. "We believe that regional diplomacy has convinced these countries" to reconsider the border issue, Arreaza said. "Diplomacy has ensured the rule of law." He said he hoped that the other two countries - Paraguay and Canada - would follow the example of the bloc's other members. Paraguay cut diplomatic ties with Venezuela on Thursday. Arreaza did not address the Group's broader point about the legitimacy of Maduro, who was sworn in on Thursday, except to denounce the bloc's Jan. 4 statement as "vulgar" interference in Venezuelan internal affairs. The OPEC nation's 2018 vote was widely boycotted by the opposition and condemned as rigged by governments around the world. Maduro insists it was fair and that opposition leaders did not take part because they knew they would lose. Speaking in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described Maduro's government as illegitimate and said the United States would work with like-minded nations in Latin America to restore democracy in Venezuela. Arreaza responded on Twitter by accusing Pompeo of "openly promoting a coup in Venezuela by encouraging the disavowal of the constitution and the will of the people." The head of the country's opposition-run Congress, Juan Guaido, said on Friday that he was prepared to assume the presidency on an interim basis and call elections, because Maduro had been declared illegitimate. Congress has been stripped of powers by the Supreme Court and a pro-Maduro legislature known as the Constituent Assembly, and the impact of Guaido's remarks was not immediately clear. Brazil's government said on Saturday that it recognized the opposition lawmaker as the legitimate president of Venezuela. (Reporting by Brian Ellsworth; Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Editing by Daniel Wallis) Tim Draper. Image from Flickr. Billionaire venture capital investor Tim Draper has made $89.1 million from his Bitcoin investment in less than five years. In 2014, Tim Draper purchased a bulk of 30,000 BTC from the U.S. authorities in an auction. He outbid all participating investors by paying $632 per Bitcoin, with a slight premium. The $18.96 million he spent in 2014 is now worth $108 million despite the 80 percent correction the dominant cryptocurrency experienced in the past 12 months. Money Makes Money: Bitcoin is a Prime Example Vinny Lingham sees 80% drop in bitcoin Previously, as CCN reported, a South Africa Shark Tank host and Civic CEO Vinny Lingham suggested that the cryptocurrency market may take a long time to recover from its correction. Lingham explained that the 2017 bull rally of digital assets was primarily triggered by retail traders and individual investors, and the vast majority of the investors lost a significant chunk of their capital in the recent correction. Psychologically and financially, he noted that most investors who lost out massively in the cryptocurrency bear market may need years to recover. The crypto market will rise again, but most likely only when the pain of the recent fall becomes a distant memory. Dont underestimate the power of psychology in free markets, Lingham said. However, investors like Draper who have invested a small portion of their net worth that does not have any major impact on their portfolios have been able to survive numerous bear markets and long-lasting corrections. In an emerging market like crypto, it is highly risky to invest more than one can risk losing entirely. In one year, cryptocurrencies may rise by 300 to 500 percent. But, the following year, the asset class may plunge 80 to 90 percent in value within a several-month-period. What Long-Term Bitcoin Investors See Investors that have a strong belief in the potential of the technology and the ability of an uncensorable form of money to provide financial freedom to billions of people across the world in the likes of Tim Draper, Mike Novogratz, and Peter Thiel hold onto their investments year after year, acknowledging the high risk involved. Story continues As Tim Draper wrote in an op-ed: The long-term vision for bitcoin is to give the world economic emancipation. The potential if bitcoin is only limited by the imaginations of the entrepreneurs who work to drive this new virtual economy. To monitor and keep it honest, I believe that the community of users will ultimately self-regulate, possibly eclipsing or obviating the need for the various governments to regulate the crypto world. Ive been through the ups and downs with bitcoin, and I am as certain as ever that the bitcoin revolution is coming. Investors that have held onto the dominant cryptocurrency as a long-term investment expect the asset to eventually compete against gold and other types of safe-haven assets to become a multi-trillion dollar asset. Currently, Bitcoin is an alternative currency at its infancy, working to increase merchant and mainstream adoption. As such, every major correction it undergoes grows its resilience. Featured image from Flickr. The post VC Investor Tim Draper Made $89M From His Bitcoin Investment in 5 Years appeared first on CCN. Cairo (AFP) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Monday called for more resources to help African refugees in 2019. The comments by Filippo Grandi came during a two-day visit to Egypt where he met President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other government officials. His trip to Cairo also comes as Egypt prepares to assume the presidency of the African Union in February. Grandi said "85 percent of the 68 million displaced and refugees are not in those countries of the global north but they are in the global south." It was now time to "draw resources to Africa," he told a news conference, pointing out that those allocated to the continent were "limited". Grandi also noted that while Egypt hosts "a lot of refugees," it is not fully recognised as a "refugee-hosting country". Egypt hosts more than 250,000 registered refugees, more than half of whom are Syrians, according to the UN refugee agency. Grandi spoke about the goals of the Global Compact on Refugees adopted by 181 countries in December, saying it is "to mobilise not only humanitarian resources, but also development resources". He also voiced "concern" over the protests in Sudan, saying he fears displacement would occur if the situation deteriorates in the country. "We hope the situation will stabilise in a peaceful manner," he said. For Syria, Grandi said about 50,000 refugees had returned to Syria in 2018. "It's a small number," he said, adding that the number stood at 60,000 the year before. "It is possible that with increased stability we can see more people going back. But it's very difficult to say how many," he said. By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away a Texas bank's constitutional challenge to the structure of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, passing up a case that could have led to more presidential power over an independent agency that President Donald Trump's administration already has weakened. The decision by the justices not to hear an appeal by State National Bank of Big Spring may not be the final word on the matter as three other cases involving the CFPB are heading toward the high court. At issue was whether the CFPB's sole director possesses too much power in violation of the authority the U.S. Constitution gives a president to appoint and remove certain federal officials. A ruling in favor of the bank could have allowed a president to fire the agency's director for any reason. The CFPB, a consumer watchdog agency often criticized by conservatives and Trump's fellow Republicans, was established in 2011 under legislation signed by former President Barack Obama that was passed by a Congress controlled by Obama's fellow Democrats to crack down on predatory financial practices after the 2007-2009 financial crisis. "The case raises constitutional issues of major importance regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency that wields massive power over the economic activities of the public and sets a dangerous precedent for unaccountable federal bureaucracy," said Sam Kazman of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative group involved in the challenge. Democrats have said the agency plays a critical role in protecting consumers. The Texas bank's challenge was delayed in reaching the justices because it was put on hold while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dealt with a case involving mortgage servicer PHH Corp that had raised the same issues. Only eight of the nine justices on the court, which has a 5-4 conservative majority, participated in the decision to hear the case. Trump's appointee Brett Kavanaugh recused himself, most likely because he took part in an earlier ruling in the case before joining the high court last October. Story continues The agency was set up under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law. Since then, there have been efforts by Republicans and the financial industry to undercut its authority, driven by concerns about its powers over a wide array of financial products and its structure. The Trump administration has shelved several rules and aggressively curtailed the agency's enforcement. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) By Rodi Said and Tom Perry QAMISHLI, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic State militants are "living their final moments" in the last enclave they hold near the Iraqi border, where U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are attacking them, an SDF official said on Sunday. A defeat of the jihadists in the enclave would wipe out Islamic State's territorial foothold on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said the SDF were making "great progress ... but the fight continues". The SDF, a coalition of militias led by the Kurdish YPG, have driven Islamic State from a swathe of northern and eastern Syria with the help of the U.S.-led coalition over the last four years. Mustafa Bali, head of the SDF media office, said its fighters had stepped up attacks in the last two days and taken control of the area between the Islamic State enclave and the Iraqi border, cutting an escape route. "They are living their final moments and realize that this battle is the battle to eliminate them," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump last month announced he would withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, declaring they had succeeded in their mission to defeat Islamic State and were no longer needed. Since then, U.S. officials have given mixed messages. On Friday, the U.S.-led coalition said it had started the pullout, but officials later said it involved only equipment, not troops. Colonel Sean Ryan, the coalition spokesman, said: "The SDF is making great progress and continues to liberate more territory once held by ISIS (Islamic State), but the fight continues. "The lasting defeat of ISIS is still the mission and they still present a very real threat to the long-term stability in this region, so it is not over yet." The U.S. decision has injected new uncertainty into the eight-year-old Syrian war and spurred a flurry of contacts over how the security vacuum will be filled in the swathe of northern and eastern Syria where the U.S. forces are now stationed. While Turkey aims to pursue the Kurdish forces allied with the United States, the Russia- and Iran-backed Syrian government sees a chance to recover extensive territory. On Sunday, Trump said Turkey would suffer economically if it attacked the Kurds, but did not say how. He also said he did not want the Kurds to provoke Ankara. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," Trump said on Twitter. "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone ... Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." Russia, Iran and Syria had been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying Islamic State in Syria, Trump said. "We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" he tweeted. It was not immediately clear what he meant by a 20-mile safe zone. U.S. national security adviser John Bolton suggested last week that protection for Washington's Kurdish allies would be a precondition of the U.S. withdrawal. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called those comments "a serious mistake". Islamic State still holds territory on the western bank of the Euphrates, between areas controlled by the Syrian government and its Russian and Iranian-backed allies. (Writing by Tom Perry; Additional reporting by Arshad Mohammed in Washington; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Daniel Wallis) The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Monday cited increasing incidents of trafficking of illegal drugs using mail and parcel courier service. Director General Aaron Aquino said drug syndicates continue to transport illegal drugs through the mail and parcel courier service. At least 35 incidents involving foreign express delivery and domestic courier services as mode of smuggling dangerous drugs into the Philippines were recorded in 2018, he said. The number of interception of illegal drugs via courier services rose to 775 percent from four incidents in 2017 to 35 incidents in 2018. For the period, mail and parcel interdiction operations in airports and seaports were conducted leading to the seizure of 94.67 kilos of shabu, 16,713 pieces of ecstasy tablets and 1,109.5 grams of marijuana kush, a hybrid marijuana with a total estimated market value of P672,161,877.88. Aquino said the consignees were also arrested. Out of the interdiction operations conducted, 27 were interception of packages containing illegal drugs that originated from California, the United States of America, he cited.He credited the increase in the interception of drug-laden parcels to the enhanced capability of PDEA personnel to detect them. PDEA agents assigned at the airports and seaports went through X-ray cargo screening training conducted by the Office of the Transportation Security. They regularly conduct K9 sweeping and parcel screening on all cargo terminals nationwide, Aquino said. He said the agency has put up three airport interdiction units, three international airport interagency interdiction task groups and 12 seaport interdiction units to abort the entry of the illegal drugs through vulnerable seaports and airports. PDEA remains vigilant to ensure packages containing illegal drugs are intercepted and kept from being delivered, he added. CNN New Day hosts John Berman and Alisyn Camerota shared a quick laugh at the expense of President Trump on Monday after he incorrectly tweeted that he was headed to Nashville to speak at the American Farm Bureau Federations 100th annual convention, which is actually taking place in New Orleans. And even though Trump deleted the tweet, people on Twitter were quick to react. Some called him clueless and questioned his geographical education level. 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. 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. But others defended the president and the full schedule that he endures. 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. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. While Berman did acknowledge that the tweet had been taken down, he and Camerota werent quite done with it. It is another city that starts with an N, Camerota said. New Day airs weekdays at 6 a.m. at CNN. Watch CNN contributor Ana Navarro file her nails during an on-air debate over the proposed border wall: Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or leave your comments below. In the latest Family Guy, the writers went after President Trump in the second of a two-part episode centered on Peter and Trump. Family Guy has taken shots at Trump before. During the 2016 Emmy campaign, the show mocked candidate Trump as a dumb loudmouth. On Sunday night, Family Guy took a swing at Trumps hair and hands, as well as his finances. Billionaire? Please. Youre worth $700 mil on the high side, Peter said to Trump. And most of that is borrowed or tied up and underwater. Thats why you aint releasin your taxes, Trump. Youre cash poor! 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. Fan reaction on Twitter was split on the episode. Those who dont like Trump loved it, while those who like Trump didnt find it so funny. First lady Melania Trump probably falls somewhere in that second group, because the writers took aim at her too. After Peter catches Trump attempting to assault Meg, he says, What would your third wife the soft-core, girl-on-girl porn lady think about this? Or the actual porn star your lawyer paid hush money to? Nobody in Trumps orbit was spared. Vice President Mike Pence, press secretary Sarah Sanders, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell all made unflattering appearances. And the writers couldnt help but take a shot at Trumps son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner. Talking to Meg about a makeover, Ivanka Trump, Kushners wife, said, When Im done with you, youll be pretty enough to marry an Orthodox Jewish son of a felon whos too stupid to get into Harvard the normal way. Meg replies, And whose voice is way higher that you thought it would be? Right then, Kushner walks in and in a childs voice says, Hi, honey. Ready for dinner? Trumps not the only president to get roughed up by Family Guy. In the past, it has mocked Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Family Guy airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Fox. Watch clips and full episodes of Family Guy for free on Yahoo View. Check out the doctored footage of Trumps Oval Office address that got an editor fired: Story continues Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. WASHINGTON President Trump doesnt seem bothered that a congresswoman from his hometown thinks hes a racist. As he prepared to leave the White House on his helicopter Monday morning, Yahoo News asked Trump what he thought of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., calling him a racist. Trump indicated he wasnt aware of her remarks. Who did? he asked. Told again that Ocasio-Cortez had called him a racist, Trump brushed off the comments with a wave of his hand. Who cares? said Trump. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Ocasio-Cortez, whose office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, first called Trump a racist in a 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper that aired earlier this month. In that conversation, the congresswoman described some of the presidents language as historic dog whistles of white supremacy. Ocasio-Cortez specifically alluded to Trumps response to a violent 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Va., where he said later that there were very fine people on both sides. When you look at how he reacted to the Charlottesville incident, where neo-Nazis murdered a woman, versus how he manufactures crises like immigrants seeking legal refuge on our borders, its night and day, she said. The White House responded Jan. 7 with a statement to 60 Minutes saying that Ocasio-Cortezs sheer ignorance on the matter cant cover the fact that President Trump supported and passed historic criminal justice reform and noted the president has also repeatedly condemned racism and bigotry in all forms. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic congressional candidate, at her election night party in New York on Nov. 6, 2018 (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Ocasio-Cortez fired back with a tweet on Jan. 8 where she doubled down on her characterization of Trump as racist. The President defended Neo-Nazis who murdered a woman in Charlottesville. The Dept of Justice sued him for not renting to Black tenants.He launched his campaign by calling Mexicans rapists. He banned Muslims. The President is racist. And that should make you uncomfortable, Ocasio-Cortez wrote. Ocasio-Cortez, 29, became the youngest woman in Congress when she was sworn in earlier this month. She won her seat representing the New York boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, where Trump was born, after pulling off a stunning upset against veteran Democrat Joe Crowley. Story continues Since her victory, Ocasio-Cortez has made headlines with a slew of progressive positions, including calling for increased taxes on the wealthiest Americans and a green new deal to address climate change. Her critical comments about rivals on both sides of the aisle have also attracted attention. As he left the White House on Monday, Trump was also asked about Iowa Rep. Steve King, another Republican who has recently been branded a racist. White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization how did that language become offensive? King said in an interview with the New York Times published last week. Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization? Trump appeared confused when first asked for his response to Kings comments. Who? Trump asked. After Yahoo News reiterated that King had made comments about white supremacy, Trump said he was not familiar with the remarks. I havent been following, the president said. Donald Trump faces a backlash after once again mocking 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, with a joke referencing one of the worst massacres of Native Americans in US history. During a series of controversial late-night tweets, the president taunted one of the first major Democrats to enter the upcoming race for the White House by referring to the Wounded Knee massacre, duing which hundreds of Sioux Indians were killed at the hands of US soldiers. Mr Trump posted a recent video Ms Warren shared online in which she drinks a beer in her kitchen shortly after announcing her intention to run in 2020. If Elizabeth Warren, often referred to by me as Pocahontas, did this commercial from Bighorn or Wounded Knee instead of her kitchen, with her husband dressed in full Indian garb, it would have been a smash! The president wrote. The tweet met with swift rebuke from Native Americans across the country seemed to revive Mr Trumps longstanding feud with Ms Warren, a progressive Massachusetts senator who the president has often derided for claiming Native American ancestry. Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota was the site where hundreds of Native American men, women and children were shot and killed on 29 December 1890 after being intercepted by US troops while on their way to a refuge. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. It took the US Congress nearly a century to issue a formal apology, writing in 1990 in a long overdue measure that the governing body felt a deep regret on behalf of the United States. Mr Trumps tweet was condemned by Native Americans like Ruth H Hopkins, a Sioux writer and tribal lawyer who wrote on Twitter: +300 of my people were massacred at Wounded Knee. Most were women and children, she continued. This isnt funny, its cold, callous, and just plain racist. The president has long railed against Ms Warren, repeatedly calling her Pocahontas and claiming she does not actually have Native American DNA. After the senator released a video providing evidence of her claims, Mr Trump responded by saying, Who cares? Story continues He also denied a promise he made during a July rally last year in which he told his supporters, We will say, 'I will give you a million dollars, paid for by Trump, to your favourite charity if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian. Ms Warrens DNA results are said to show her Native American ancestry dates back somewhere between six to 10 generations ago. The senator has dealt with criticism of her own from the Native American community, after revealing the DNA test results. The Cherokee Nation responded saying using a test to claim any tribal connection was inappropriate. The senator has not claimed to be a citizen of any tribal nation and said she respected the distinction between DNA and tribal affiliation. Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump faced uncomfortable new questions Sunday about his relationship with Vladimir Putin despite his angry dismissal of a report that he has kept top aides in the dark about his private conversations with the Russian leader. Republican lawmakers generally defended the president, saying he had been tougher on Russia than his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, but some had questions. "I want to find out a little bit more about what happened there," said Senator Ted Cruz, on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I want to learn more than just the allegations in the press." The Post reported that Trump has gone to unusual lengths to keep his private talks with Putin secret, withholding details from senior officials and at one point even taking away his own interpreter's notes. That account followed another in The New York Times that the FBI became so alarmed after Trump fired director James Comey in May 2017 that it opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether he was acting on Russia's behalf. - 'Most insulting' question - Asked in an interview with Fox News late Saturday "are you now or have you ever worked for Russia," Trump responded: "I think that's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." "I'm not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn't care less. I mean, it's so ridiculous," he told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, without directly denying the Post story. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement calling the Post story "so outrageously inaccurate it doesn't even warrant a response." Democrats weren't convinced, however. "You know, there's so many questions raised," said Senator Dick Durbin, a top Democrat, on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Why is he so chummy with Vladimir Putin, this man who is a former KGB agent, never been a friend to the United States, invaded our allies, threatens us around the world, and tries his damndest to undermine our elections, why is this President Trump's best buddy? I don't get it." Story continues Adam Schiff, the head of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted that Democrats on the committee had sought last year to obtain interpreters' notes or testimony about Trump's private meeting with Putin in Helsinki, but Republicans voted them down. "Will they join us now? Shouldnt we find out whether our president is really putting 'America first?'" he asked. In the Fox News interview, Trump said he did not care if details of the July 2018 meeting were made public, calling it "a great conversation." "Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs." - Mueller probe looms - The reports come as Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation looms large in the background, punctuated by guilty pleas, convictions and indictments of former Trump associates. These include his former national security advisor Michael Flynn; former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort; and Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his Moscow ties. Manafort was convicted of financial crimes related to political work he did in Ukraine before the 2016 election as well as witness tampering. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for multiple crimes, including lying to Congress. Cohen, who has agreed to testify before Congress on February 7, has disclosed that he negotiated to build a Trump hotel in Moscow up until his boss's nomination as the Republican presidential candidate in 2016. Manafort, meanwhile, has admitted to sharing polling data with a Russian during the 2016 presidential race, according to a court filing inadvertently made public by his lawyers. CNN reported that the intended recipients were two pro-Russia Ukrainian oligarchs. Manafort has denied lying to investigators about his dealings with the Russian, Konstantin Kilimnik, a political consultant with alleged intelligence ties, claiming he merely forgot details during the hectic campaign. Trump has repeatedly denounced the Mueller investigation as a "witch hunt," denying any collusion with Russia's attempt to sway the 2016 election. Mueller has been expected to wrap up a report on his findings soon, but the grand jury impaneled to hear evidence has been extended beyond its original 18-month mandate, suggesting investigators have more work to do. By Jeff Mason and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he never worked for Russia, his first direct denial after a media report that the FBI in 2017 investigated whether he acted against U.S. interests. Trump also disputed a Washington Post report that he had concealed details about his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and confiscated his interpreter's notes. Congressional Democrats raised the possibility of subpoenaing the translator. The New York Times reported on Friday that the FBI opened the investigation after Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey raised concerns that the president posed a threat to national security. After the report emerged, Trump attacked the FBI and the Times, but he did not issue a specific denial about working with Russia until Monday. "Not only did I never work for Russia, I think it's a disgrace that you even asked that question because it's a whole big fat hoax," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Louisiana. Trump's relations with Russia and Putin have clouded his presidency from the beginning and he has long dismissed the federal investigation into whether his 2016 campaign worked with Russia to sway the election as a hoax and a "witch hunt." The Republican president renewed those charges on Monday, saying the officials who initiated the FBI investigation were "known scoundrels" and calling Comey a "bad cop." Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to take over FBI investigations involving Trump and Russia in May 2017 after Trump fired Comey. Several former Trump top aides, including national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and several Russians are among dozens caught up in Mueller's probe. Comey confirmed the existence of an FBI counterterrorism probe related to the presidential election in testimony before Congress in 2017. 'NO BIG DEAL' On Saturday, the Post reported Trump took notes that his interpreter made during a 2017 meeting in Hamburg with Putin that also was attended by then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump also told the interpreter not to talk to other administration officials about what was said in the meetings, the Post said. "I just don't know anything about it," Trump said on Monday of the interpreter's notes. He said he had a successful meeting with Putin, adding: "We have those meetings all the time, no big deal." Democrats said, however, they thought it was a very big deal and expressed concern about the report on the interpreter. "It's disturbing, of course. If it's true it's disturbing and we want to get to the bottom of it," U.S. Representative Eliot Engel said in an interview with CNN on Monday. Engel said the House Foreign Affairs Committee he chairs is working with the Intelligence Committee to discuss a possible subpoena of the Trump-Putin interpreter. He said he would prefer not to do that, but added: "We may have no choice." "She has to be heard from, under oath, before our committee," Representative Gerry Connolly, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on CNN. Asked whether the committees also are considering asking Tillerson to testify, Engel said they were casting a wide net but no decisions had been made. Republicans and White House officials have defended Trump's actions, saying he had been the victim of a number of leaks. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Moscow led a propaganda and hacking campaign designed to tip the 2016 White House race to Trump. Russia has denied interfering. Trump repeatedly berated his former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, from recusing himself from the Russia investigation because he had worked on Trump's presidential campaign. The president's nominee to fill Sessions' job, William Barr, will pledge to protect Mueller's investigation, according to prepared testimony released before his confirmation hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bill Trott and Peter Cooney) Washington (AFP) - Standing outside the snow-covered White House on Monday, Donald Trump made an astonishing declaration for a US president: no, he has never been an agent of Russia. "I never worked for Russia," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn. "It's a disgrace that you even ask that question. It's all a big fat hoax." Trump's angry comments sought to bat down a mounting controversy over his alleged ties to the Kremlin, but the fact that he even had to issue such a denial illustrates how far the unprecedented scandal has already gone. The statement, delivered in freezing temperatures before taking off in the Marine One helicopter for a trip to New Orleans, followed two bombshell reports. One, in The New York Times, said that the FBI opened an investigation into whether Trump was acting on Russia's behalf soon after he became president. Another, in The Washington Post, detailed what it said were the unusual lengths taken by Trump to hide the contents of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This, of course, comes on top of the huge investigation led by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who is looking into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election -- and the possibility it colluded with Trump's campaign. - Hiding interpreter's notes? - Trump was given an opportunity to respond to the report of the FBI investigation on Saturday when he gave an interview to his favorite Fox News channel. But instead of a clear cut denial, he fueled a mounting outcry in Washington by merely saying that the question was "the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." His response Monday took the entire alleged Russia collusion affair head on. "It's a lot of fake news," Trump said. He called the then-leaders of the FBI who decided to investigate him "known scoundrels, I guess you could say dirty cops." But the latest twists mean that the president -- currently embroiled in a damaging political battle with Congress over funding a Mexico border wall -- can't escape the Russia shadow, regardless of what he says. Story continues The details of the latest reports are especially shocking because they are so concrete, in contrast to the often complex and carefully withheld workings of the almost leak-proof Mueller probe. The Post story says that Trump personally acted to prevent notes taken by his interpreter during one-on-one meetings with Putin from being shared with aides. He allegedly took the notes away and ordered the interpreter not to divulge the contents. The Times report on the FBI investigation said the bureau decided to act after Trump fired the then director, James Comey in 2017. Transcripts of closed-door FBI testimony to Congress obtained by CNN show that the then head lawyer for the FBI, James Baker, said the bureau wanted to know whether Trump was "acting at the behest of (the Kremlin) and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will." "That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too," Baker said in the transcript, according to CNN. The White House says that Trump has been pursued by a politicized FBI. The president repeatedly has called the probes into his dealings with Russia a "witch hunt." But Democrats and even some in Trump's Republican Party have repeatedly suggested that the administration is oddly favorable to Russian policies. They point to Trump's diplomatic assaults on European Union unity and the NATO alliance, as well as his recent comment defending the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. "Like I said: a puppet," tweeted Hillary Clinton, the Democratic heavyweight beaten by Trump's insurgent campaign in 2016. She was referring to an accusation she made during a campaign debate with Trump that Putin would "rather" a puppet in the White House. However, top advisor Kellyanne Conway reiterated Monday the administration's frequent assertion that Trump has in fact been tough on Russia, one of Washington's key rivals and sometimes outright adversaries. "He has taken a lot of action," she told reporters, listing sanctions imposed on the Kremlin and US policy in Syria, among other factors. Donald Trump used a racist article by a conservative commentator he once described as a Hitler lover who doesnt like the blacks to justify his border wall. The US president approvingly quoted an opinion piece in which Pat Buchanan warned against a multiracial, multiethnic, multicultural, multilingual America. Mr Buchanan, a former aide to Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, claimed Democrats opposed a wall on the US-Mexico border because they wanted to increase the number of women, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics, and thereby reduce the number of white men. The Democratic Party is hostile to white men, because the smaller the share of the US population that white men become, the sooner that Democrats inherit the national estate, he suggested. In tweets posted late on Sunday night, Mr Trump quoted a section of the article in which Mr Buchanan wrote: Americas southern border is eventually going to be militarized and defended or the United States, as we have known it, is going to cease to exist. The president added: The great people of our Country demand proper Border Security NOW! Footage soon surfaced on social media of a 1999 interview with NBC News in which Mr Trump attacked Mr Buchanan, who was vying against him for the Reform Partys presidential nomination at the time. Mr Trump told Meet the Press host Tim Russert: Hes a Hitler lover. I guess hes an anti-Semite. He doesnt like the blacks, he doesnt like the gays. Its just incredible that anybody could embrace this guy. About Mr Buchanans bid for the White House, he added: Maybe hell get four or five per cent of the vote, and itll be a really staunch right wacko vote. Im not even sure if its right. Its just a wacko vote. And I just cant imagine that anybody can take him seriously. Mr Buchanan has previously been accused of antisemitism and Holocaust denial. He wrote in a New York Post column in 1990 that it would have been impossible for 850,000 Jews to be murdered by a diesel engine exhaust fed into a gas chamber at the Nazi death camp in Treblinka. Story continues The Anti-Defamation League has described Mr Buchanan as an unrepentant bigot with views identical to those of self-declared white nationalists. Mr Trumps embracing of the former political rival he once strongly denounced comes as he seeks to justify his demand for $5.6bn funding for the border wall, a key promise of his 2016 election campaign. The president's rhetoric on the issue has hardened as his dispute with Democrats over the issue prolongs a government shutdown that at 24 days is now the longest in US history. Ted Lieu, the Democrat Representative for California, tweeted in response to Mr Trumps latest posts: Hey @realDonaldTrump: Unless you retract your tweet promoting this racist Pat Buchanan article, very difficult now for any Democrat to support your wall. Ever. WASHINGTON The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said he is considering issuing a subpoena for the notes taken by President Donald Trump's interpreter during his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "What we're not going to do is sit back and do nothing." Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., told CNN Monday. Engel said he was working with Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee to decide how to respond to new revelations in The Washington Post that Trump has tried to shield key details of his discussions with Putin. Citing unnamed sources, the Post reported that after a 2017 meeting with Putin, Trump took his interpreter's notes and told the interpreter not to disclose the substance of his conversation to other administration officials. Engel said he would prefer not to subpoena the notes but added: "We may have no choice." Some experts have warned that forcing an interpreter to publicly disclose the details of a confidential conversation between world leaders would be unprecedented and perilous. A spokesman for Rep. Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, declined to comment Monday. Ranking member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Rep. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), who is a leading candidate to take over the panel, poses for a portrait in his office on Capitol Hill November 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. Asked about the Post story on Monday, Trump dismissed it as "a lot of fake news" and said his meeting with Putin was "very successful." "... It was a very, very successful meeting," the president told reporters as he departed the White House for an event in Louisiana. "We talked about Israel, we talked about the pipeline that Germany is paying Russia a lot of money," Trump said, according to the White House pool report. " ... We talked about that. We talked about many subjects, but I have those meetings one-on-one with all leaders including the president of China, including prime minister of Japan, Abe. We have those meetings all the time. No big deal." Democrats have long sought details of Trump's private meetings with Putin, particularly after the two world leaders met last year in Helsinki. At a joint news conference following their two-hour, closed-door session, Trump made a series of conciliatory statements toward Putin. Among other things, Trump said he believed Putin's denial that Russia did not meddle in the 2016 election, despite the conclusions of U.S. intelligence officials that the Kremlin did try to sway the election. Story continues Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign. Read more: President Trump went to 'extraordinary lengths' to hide details of Putin meetings, report says Trump's interpreter: Should she be compelled to tell what she heard during private meeting with Putin? 'I know Putin': How a drumbeat of 2018 revelations shadows Trump's presidency Contributing: Eliza Collins This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump-Putin meeting: Top Democrat says he's considering subpoena for interpreter's notes Three big coconut farmers groups supported the appeal made by an industry leader for the Supreme Court to review a controversial decision that could potentially strip the struggling coconut sector of more than P1 billion in needed support funding. Efren M. Villasenor, president of Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines (CCFOP-Confed); Mao K. Andong, Jr., vice president of Pambansang Koalisyon ng mga Samahang Magsasaka at Manggagawa sa Niyugan (PKSMMN); and Oscar C. Solidor, president of Alyansa sa Timawang Mag-uugmad sa Amihanang Mindanao (ATIMAN-Mindanao); assailed the High Courts decision in the Felix Chua-UCPB case (G.R. No. 215999) penned on Aug. 16, 2017 by now Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, finding United Coconut Planters Bank liable to pay Felix Chua et. al. P430,000,000 in cash and properties with aggregate amount of around P1 billion. All three were former members of the UCPB Board of Directors. This came after Dr. Jesus L. Arranza, a UCPB stockholder and former member of the banks Board of Directors and its Legal Oversight Committee, sent a letter to the SC seeking a review of the decision and investigation of several justices for possible violation of the Constitution and the High Courts own rules. On its face, the decision is absurd and the computations impossible to arrive at based on the contracts signed by the parties, said Andong, also the National president of Coconut Peasant Reform Alliance (COPRA). In July 1998, Felix Chua and his company Lucena Bus Terminal, who were in default of their loan obligations to UCPB, pleaded for the bank not to foreclose the properties they used to secure their debts and asked to restructure their loans. On March 21, 2000, Felix Chua, Lucena Bus Terminal and UCPB signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to restructure their admitted loan obligations of P204,000,000 to the bank. To partially satisfy their obligations to the bank, Felix Chua dacioned new properties, which were part of a joint venture project with Chuas partner Jose Go. This reduced the obligation of Felix Chua and bus terminal to UCPB to the extent of P103,000,000 only under the agreement. Under the restructuring agreements, Felix Chua expressly agreed that the value of dacioned properties (including Revere belonging to Go) will be applied to the aggregate debts of Felix Chua, the bus terminal and Jose Go, who was also in default of his loan obligations to the bank. But the SC ignored the agreements signed by the parties.Chua defaulted again on the restructuring and never paid UCPB the remaining balance of their obligation, which include Felix Chuas obligation to issue shares of stocks of the bus terminal company to UCPB in the amount of P68,000,000. To prevent the bank from foreclosing on the securities, Chua filed the instant case against the bank. Chua claimed fraud on the part of the bank, but UCPB pointed out that during the restructuring, Chua was assisted by his lawyers. It was even Chuas lawyers who reviewed and drafted the agreements. The Court of Appeals ruled in favor of UCPB in the case, and when it was elevated to the SC, the High Courts Third Division initially sustained the appellate courts decision. However, the court reversed its ruling via the Bersamin decision in 2017. Imposibleng magkautang ang UCPB kay Felix Chua ng P430 million. Yung na-restructure na loan ni Chua sa bangko ay P204 million lamang at hindi pa binayaran ni Chua ang kabuuang halaga! (Its impossible for UCPB to be liable to pay Felix Chua P430 Million when the subject matter of the case is Chuas restructured loan to the bank amounting only to P204 Million, which Chua did not fully pay!), Andong said. In the same decision, Andong questioned why UCPB was made to pay interest to Felix Chua in the amount of P200 million when the bank never borrowed money from Chua and the dacioned properties remained in the physical possession of Chua. Chua, under the MOA, has the perpetual right to repurchase, right of first refusal and right to develop the dacioned properties from UCPB. Because of the decision, UCPB stands to lose a billion pesos worth of properties, which is detrimental to the government and the coconut farmers. The coconut farmers hold a 74-percent beneficial share in UCPBs equity. "We need to protect the interest of coconut farmers, who are the beneficial owners of coco levy funds and registered shareholders of UCPB," Andong said, UCPB has asked the SC to elevate the decision to the Supreme Court En Banc because of conflicting decisions of the SC in the case and to remedy the serious injustice to the bank, but the Chief Justice has not acted on the banks request after a lapse of more than a year. Donald Trump is losing the battle to avoid blame for the government shutdown according to the latest polls, as he seeks funds to build his promised wall on the US-Mexico border. More than half of Americans now say that the president and Republicans are responsible for the closure, which has reached a record 23 days, but the key takeaway for Mr Trump will be that public support for the wall has increased since January 2018. Fifty-three per cent of the public blamed the White House and Mr Trumps party for the shutdown, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Sunday, 29 per cent blamed the Democrats and 13 per cent a combination of the two. A separate CNN said that 55 per cent people blamed Mr Trump for the stoppage, with 32 per cent blaming the Democrats and 9 per cent blaming both. As for the wall, which was one of the central promises of Mr Trumps presidential campaign that is now at the heart of the shutdown, both polls showed an increase in support since this time last year. The ABC poll said support had increased from 34 to 42 per cent, while the CNN poll had it going up from 35 to 39 per cent. Those numbers are deeply entrenched along party lines, with the ABC poll showing 87 per cent of Republicans now supporting a wall, having jumped 16 percentage points in a year. CNN have Republican support at 81 per cent. Both polls have nine in 10 Democrats opposing the wall. Mr Trump is likely to seize on the polling about the wall, having spent the past week including an address to the nation from the Oval Office trying to convince the public that there is an immigration crisis on the southern border, with criminals and drugs pouring into the country. Democrats have accused the president of misinformation and malice over his stance. Mr Trump has reportedly told advisers he sees the shutdown as a win for him. But as the pressure increases on the president to find a solution to the shutdown, his frustration is clear. Democrats have stood firm in saying they will not sign off the presidents request for $5.7bn (4.4bn) in wall funding as part of any legislation to open the government, offering $1.3bn in general border security funding and accusing Mr Trump of throwing a temper tantrum about the wall. Story continues The president has sought to portray an immigration crisis at the border, but according to the two polls less than half of Americans believe that there actually is such a crisis, with the CNN poll of 848 adults saying 52 per cent of people do not believe the president. The ABC News involved 788 adults. Mr Trump said in a Fox News Channel interview late on Saturday that he had no idea whether he could get a deal with house speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called the border wall immoral. He said he was still considering whether to officially declare a national emergency on the border, which would give him powers to direct funds to the wall without congressional approval. Senior Senate Republican Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Mr Trump, said the president was not giving in on his demands for a wall. Mr Graham said he encouraged Mr Trump during a telephone conversation on Sunday to reopen government for a period of weeks to try to negotiate a deal with Democrats that would break the impasse. I tried to see if we could open up the government for a limited period of time to negotiate a deal, the South Carolina Republican said. The president says, Lets make a deal, then open up the government. Nancy Pelosi says even if you opened up the government I wouldnt fund a wall. What is he supposed to do? Just give in. Hes not going to give in, Mr Graham said. On Sunday, the Virginia Democratic senator Mark Warner told CNNs State of the Union: More border security? Lets have at it. But while were opening the debate, lets open the government. The assessment from Mr Graham suggested the shutdown could last for weeks longer, inflicting additional financial pain on the 800,000 federal workers who have been idled or required to work without pay for the duration. Unscheduled absences among federal airport security screeners jumped on Sunday. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the agency responsible for airport security screening, said unscheduled absences among its employees rose to 7.7 per cent from 5.6 per cent on Saturday. The rate is more than double the 3.2 per cent rate experienced a year ago. Mr Graham said he thinks Mr Trump is willing to accept the level of wall funding he is seeking, along with some immigration measures Democrats might find acceptable, such as helping immigrants who were illegally brought to the US as children under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca). The programme, which began under Barack Obama is something Mr Trump has ended, leading to legal challenges. Mr Trump has said that while he is interested in pursuing a broader overhaul of the immigration system, he first wants to hear what the Supreme Court has to say about the group of immigrants known as Dreamers. The Dreamers issue was at the heart of a shutdown last year in which Mr Trumps demands for wall spending also stopped a deal. Democrats are reluctant to tie the Daca issue to handing over wall funding. Sitting in the White House over the weekend, Mr Trump has tried to push blame onto the Democrats claiming they are on holiday. In fact congress was not sitting for the weekend, with many members leaving Washington on Friday ahead of a snow storm. Im in the White House, waiting, the president wrote on Twitter. The Democrats are everywhere but Washington as people await their pay. They are having fun and not even talking! This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. As for a national emergency declaration, which could include taking money from disaster relief funds to construct the wall, Democrats oppose it. Many Republicans are wary, too, fearing its use by a future Democratic president. Mr Trump has spoken about the declaration a number of times, but says he will not do it right now. We dont want it to come down to a national emergency declaration, said House Republican whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Clearly the presidents got authority under the law, but hes said he doesnt want it to come to that. He wants congress to solve this problem. Congress needs to solve this problem. Despite assertions from the president and others about his absolute right to declare an emergency, it would bring a number of legal challenges. donald trump turkey us erdogan U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of severe economic consequences if Turkey launches an attack on the Syrian Kurds. Trump Puts Turkey on Notice as US Stages Troop Withdrawal This comes at a time when United States troops are being pulled out of Syria. In the tweets sent on Sunday, Trump also urged the Kurds to avoid provoking Turkey. 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. American forces have been fighting against the Daesh (ISIS) alongside Kurdish militias better known as Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) for over three years now. With the exit of the Americans, Kurdish forces are considered vulnerable since Turkey views the Kurdish militia as terrorists. This is because the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), from which the YPG broke away, has been carrying out an insurgency against Turkey for decades. Pentagon Support The partnership between U.S. forces and the YPG started in 2015, and the U.S. Department of Defense has provided the Kurdish militia with air support, weaponry and training by the Pentagon provide in the fight against ISIS. Last month, Trump sent shockwaves across the globe when he announced that he would be withdrawing U.S. ground troops stationed in north-east Syria. The decision to pull out the troops estimated to be 2,000 was welcomed in Turkey but viewed as a betrayal of the Syrian Kurds. After the tweets by Trump, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans spokesperson Ibrahim Kahn criticized the threats. Kahn urged the U.S. to honor its strategic partnership with Turkey, according to CNN: Turkey expects the US to honor our strategic partnership and doesnt want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda. It is a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK, which is on the US terrorists list, and its Syria branch PYD/YPG Turkey fights against terrorists, not Kurds. We will protect Kurds and other Syrians against all terrorist threats. Not the Forum for International Diplomacy Mevlut Cavusoglu turkey donald trump Turkeys foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, also weighed in saying that such sensitive matters should not be addressed via social media. Story continues Though Trump did not specify exactly how he would hurt Turkeys economy, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested it could be by use of economic sanctions, per the BBC. The top U.S. diplomat was touring the Middle East when he made the remarks: Youll have to ask the president We have applied economic sanctions in many places, I assume he is speaking about those kinds of things. If Trump goes ahead to carry out his threat, this would not be first sanctions against its NATO ally. Last year in August, the United States imposed trade tariffs sanctions on Turkey over the detention of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson. The pastor was released two months later. Donald Trump/Recep Tayyip Erdogan Image from Wikimedia Commons The post Trump: Ill Devastate Turkeys Economy if They Attack Syrian Kurds appeared first on CCN. Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Bill Barr said Monday he supports letting Russia collusion investigator Robert Mueller finish his probe and his final report being made public. With Trump himself thought to be a possible target of Special Counsel Mueller, Barr sought to allay concerns that as head of the Department of Justice he might stifle the investigation to protect the president. "I believe it is vitally important that the special counsel be allowed to complete his investigation," Barr said in prepared testimony for his confirmation hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee beginning Tuesday. "I also believe it is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the special counsel's work. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law." Barr, who was attorney general under president George. H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993 and then a corporate lawyer for 25 years, has been critical of the Mueller probe, suggesting it may be too expansive and staffed by Democratic sympathizers. He also said in a memo addressed to the Justice Department last year -- also reportedly sent to the White House -- that Mueller has no grounds for investigating Trump for obstruction of justice after Trump fired FBI director James Comey in May 2017 in anger over the Russia probe. On Friday the New York Times reported that, immediately after Comey's firing, the FBI opened a counterintelligence probe into whether Trump was working on behalf of Russia. Barr said in his prepared remarks that the memo was just the unsolicited view of a former attorney general "who has often weighed in on legal issues of public importance." "The memo did not address - or in any way question - the special counsel's core investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election," he added. "Nor did it address other potential obstruction-of-justice theories or argue, as some have erroneously suggested, that a president can never obstruct justice." Story continues Trump chose Barr to replace Jeff Sessions, who was dismissed in November after a testy relationship in which the president repeatedly criticized his decision to recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation. Barr said he has known Mueller professionally and personally for 30 years, and they worked together when Barr was attorney general in the early 1990s. "When he was named special counsel, I said that his selection was 'good news' and that, knowing him, I had confidence he would handle the matter properly. I still have that confidence today." NEW ORLEANS (AP) President Donald Trump urged farmers Monday to stick with him even as many grapple with the impact of his trade war with China and the partial government shutdown. "No one understands better than our great farmers that the tough choices we make today reap rewards for centuries to come," Trump said, adding that their "greatest harvest" is yet to come. "We're doing trade deals that are going to get you so much business, you're not even going to believe it," he said. Trump, in an address to the 100th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the American heartland largely supported him in 2016 and pledged that his policies would ultimately help the agriculture industry despite short-term pain. The president devoted much of his hourlong address to defending his decision to hold out for billions of dollars to build his long-promised wall at the southern border, which has resulted in an impasse with Congress and the longest government shutdown in history. Trump said the wall was needed to cut down on illegal immigration, even though border crossings have fallen in recent years, and he said that it would lead to immigration reform that would help farmers get the workers they need for their fields. "You need people to help you with the farms," Trump said. "It's going to be easier for them to get in." Despite Trump's assurances, many farmers are feeling the pinch from his policies. The Agriculture Department, which is affected by the shutdown, is scrambling to blunt its impact on America's farmers. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue last week extended the deadline for growers hurt by Trump's trade war with China to apply for federal aid meant to offset their losses. But some farmers will still have to wait until after the government reopens to see their checks. In addition, the Farm Service Agency, which distributes loans to farmers, has been shuttered since the first week of the shutdown. Story continues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement, said Trump could help by signing a bipartisan bill passed by her Democratic-controlled House to reopen the Agriculture Department "instead of wasting farmers' time with empty words." The bill first must clear the Senate before it can get to Trump's desk, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is refusing to bring up individual House-passed government funding bills for a vote. About 500 demonstrators marched outside the convention center to protest the president, some holding signs that said "Open the Government Now" and "Deport Trump." But some farmers attending the convention said they continue to support Trump despite any difficulty they're feeling. Richard Musel, of Bennington, Nebraska, a corn and soybean farmer, described business as "marginal" but said he doesn't blame Trump. Musel said Trump has been good to farmers and had no choice but to get tough with China. He criticized Democrats for refusing to fund the wall. "He's asking for such a small amount." Musel said of the president. Lemuel and Shelby Ricks grow cotton, soybeans, wheat and peanuts on their farm in Conway, North Carolina. They said they've been hurt by low commodity prices and the shutdown. They can't apply for financial aid the federal government is giving farmers hurt by Trump's trade policies because of the shutdown. The Rickses said they voted for Trump and will again in 2020, contending the country will benefit from his policies in the long run. "We're not giving up on him now," Shelby Ricks said. Despite Trump's lofty promises, there has been great unease in the agricultural community over the ongoing trade dispute with China. Retaliatory tariffs put in place by Beijing have slammed American farmers, many of whom were Trump supporters, and a federal government bailout to the industry has had limited impact. Moreover, despite a pledge to put "farmers first," his new trade deal with Canada and Mexico, which is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, has yet to be approved by Congress and now potentially faces longer odds to win passage in the House. ___ Associated Press writers Rebecca Santana and Stacey Plaisance in New Orleans and Juliet Linderman and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Monday he wants to address Turkey's security concerns in Syria but stressed the importance that Washington's Kurdish allies not be mistreated, the White House said. The phone call came as the two NATO allies worked to iron out differences and discussed ongoing cooperation in Syria to defeat Islamic State militants even as U.S. forces began withdrawing from the country. In a note on Twitter earlier, Trump threatened Turkey with economic devastation if it attacked a U.S.-allied militia in Syria, comments that drew a sharp rebuke from Ankara and revived fears of a downturn in ties. The White House said in a statement that Trump and Erdogan had discussed bilateral issues, including "ongoing cooperation in Syria as U.S. forces begin to withdraw." "The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkeys security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday to continue consultations, she said. Turkey said the two discussed the establishment of a secure zone in northern Syria cleared of militia groups. They also emphasized the need to complete a roadmap regarding the Syrian border town of Manbij, the Turkish presidency said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and James Dalgleish) WASHINGTON William Barr, nominated to be President Donald Trump's next attorney general, believes that Russia special counsel Robert Mueller's final report should be made public and vowed that he will allow the special prosecutor to complete his work. "It is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the special counsel's work," Barr said in written testimony delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee in advance of Tuesday confirmation hearing. "For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law. I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision," Barr said. Barr also is expected to tell lawmakers that it is "in the best interest of everyone the president, Congress and most importantly, the American people that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work." "The country needs a credible resolution of these issues," Barr's written testimony said. "If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation. If confirmed to succeed the ousted Jeff Sessions, Barr would have full authority over the management of Mueller's inquiry. Barr's prepared remarks address the most urgent issue facing the nominee, who had authored a memorandum earlier this year critical of the special counsel's inquiry, specifically describing Mueller's review of possible obstruction of justice by the president as fatally misconceived. More: William Barr: Democrats to question attorney general nominee about criticism of Robert Mueller inquiry More: Who is William Barr? Attorney general nominee William Barr, Washington, DC, Jan. 9, 2019. The special counsel has been weighing whether Trump sought to obstruct the inquiry in part by firing FBI Director James Comey. Story continues Democrats and some Republican lawmakers had signaled that they would press Barr on his conclusions. In his opening statement, Barr explained that his memo, addressed in June to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein who has been overseeing Mueller's work, was "narrow in scope" and addressed an obstruction theory that had been the subject of media reports. "The memo did not address or in any way question the special counsels core investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election," according to Barr's testimony. "Nor did it address other potential obstruction-of-justice theories or argue, as some have erroneously suggested, that a president can never obstruct justice. I wrote it myself, on my own initiative, without assistance, and based solely on public information." Barr's memo was viewed with increased urgency by some Democrats after it was disclosed that Rosenstein was preparing to leave the department following Barr's anticipated confirmation. Rosenstein has repeatedly expressed his support for Mueller and the ongoing inquiry. For his part, Barr acknowledged that he has known Mueller, both "personally and professionally," for more than three decades and cited their work together at the Justice Department during the administration of George H.W. Bush. "Weve been friends since," Barr stated. "I have the utmost respect for Bob and his distinguished record of public service. When he was named special counsel, I said that his selection was 'good news' and that, knowing him, I had confidence he would handle the matter properly. I still have that confidence today." Citing a "deeply divided" political environment, Barr vowed that the Justice Department would rise above political warfare. "In the current environment, the American people have to know that there are places in the government where the rule of law not politics holds sway, and where they will be treated fairly based solely on the facts and an even-handed application of the law. The Department of Justice must be such a place," Barr said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump attorney general pick Barr says wants Mueller report made public, won't allow improper interference White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway has said that Donald Trump did not destroy any notes from a meeting with Vladimir Putin and that leaks may have led the president to be secretive about his talks with the Russian leader. A recent report from The Washington Post have alleged that Mr Trump went to extraordinary lengths to conceal his discussions with Mr Putin, including reportedly taking the notes from his interpreter after a meeting with the Russian leader in 2017. Ms Conway told reporters that the president is transparent, and that the level of "leaks" during the administration would have justified a heightened sense of concern that his talks with Mr Putin would get into the public domain. The president at that time in 2017 was suffering from a great number of leaks, as you remember, Ms Conway said on Monday morning outside the White House. I think, week one or two of being here, his calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia had leaked. He had an oval office meeting in May of 2017, the contents of that leaked. And so there was great concern at the time. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff the House Intelligence Committee chairman has floated the idea of subpoenaing those notes. But, Ms Conway said when asked that nothing was destroyed. Nobody said he destroyed these notes. This president has had one on one meetings with many different leaders as you know. Hes very transparent to you, as you know, Ms Conway said. I havent discussed this with him, but we were very concerned about were always concerned about leaks obviously, she added. Thats what I know about it. US officials have indicated that Mr Trumps reported concern about the contents of his meeting getting leaked have created an unusual situation for an American president, with as many as five face-to-face meetings between Mr Trump and Mr Putin lacking a physical record. The president was, however, reportedly joined by then-Secretary of State Rex TIllerson during the 2017 meeting. It is not clear that Mr Tillerson kept notes on the meeting. Story continues While speaking with reporters on Monday, Mr Trump said that he did not know anything about The Washington Posts report on the notes from his 2017 meeting with Mr Putin. Its a lot of fake news. That was a very good meeting; it was actually a very successful meeting, he said, adding that they discussed several subjects including Israel and the natural gas pipeline in Germany that Russia is funding. The news comes amid another report from The New York Times claimg that the FBI opened up an investigation to determine whether Mr Trump was working on behalf of Russia after he fired former FBI Director James Comey in 2017. On Sunday, Mr Trump called the suggestion insulting during an interview on Fox News, but did not explicitly deny being an agent of Russia. He clarified on Monday morning when speaking to reporters outside of the White House: I never worked for Russia. Ottawa (AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reshuffled his cabinet Monday ahead of upcoming elections, naming a new attorney general who could decide the fate of a Chinese executive arrested in a case that has roiled Ottawa's relations with Beijing. Yale-educated former law professor David Lametti was one of two new ministers named in the shake-up, likely the last significant change to Trudeau's team before Canadians head to the polls in October. His displacement of Jody Wilson-Raybould, Canada's first indigenous attorney general, comes with Canada and China at loggerheads over the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver last month. Meng was later released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. The United States -- which is locked in a trade war with Beijing -- has accused her of violating sanctions on Iran. China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based business consultant Michael Spavor on December 10, in a move widely seen as retaliation for Meng's arrest. Lametti is now expected to oversee Meng's case as head of the justice department and will likely spark further anger from China if she is sent to stand trial in the US. Trudeau's Liberal Party has fallen in recent polls to just a slim lead over the opposition Tories, raising the possibility for the first time of Trudeau losing his majority in parliament in the next ballot. The Bureau of IImmigration barred133 foreign nationals from entering the country last year for being rude and disrespectful to immigration officers. BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said the number of rude aliens who were turned back in 2018 was slightly higher than the 129 excluded in 2017. Medina advised foreigners visiting the country not to be discourteous and avoid using foul and indecent language when talking to immigration officers whom they encounter in the ports of entry. The entry and stay of foreigners in the country is (sic) only a privilege, not a right, Medina said. Aliens are not allowed to verbally abuse or disrespect our immigration officers. Statistics show that 37 Chinese nationals topped the list, followed by 25 Americans, and 23 Koreans.They were also placed in our immigration blacklist of undesirable aliens, thus they are banned from reentering the country, he said . BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the BI has been strictly implementing a policy to disallow the entry of foreigners who exhibit arrogance or make offensive utterances against immigration officers, the latter being symbols of Philippine authority. She said such policy was grounded under a memorandum order that then BI chief Andrea Domingo issued on March 29, 2001 which provides not only for the exclusion of a disrespectful foreign passenger but also his inclusion in the immigration blacklist. While we have been instructed to observe maximum tolerance, arrogant and discourteous foreigners are sent back and blacklisted. Symbols of the country, such as authorities, should be respected, Sandoval said. Following president Trumps firing of former FBI director James Comey, a group of senior FBI officials considered the possibility that the dismissal was executed at the behest of the Russian government, according to Congressional testimony obtained by CNN. Then-FBI general counsel James Baker testified last year that he and other officials considered whether Trump was acting at the behest of [Russia] and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will, when he fired Comey in May, 2017. That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too, Baker told House investigators. Theres a range of things this could possibly be. We need to investigate, because we dont know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the President is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with and so he can move forward with his agenda. The transcript appears to confirm a Friday New York Times report that detailed FBI officials concern over whether Comeys firing was executed at the Kremlins behest. According to the report, those concerns led to the opening of a counterintelligence investigation, as well as a criminal probe focused on the question of whether Comeys firing amounted to obstruction of justice. In his testimony, Baker said he and other FBI officials discussed whether Trump was acting on the Kremlins direction as a theoretical possibility and never established it as fact. Im speaking theoretically. If the President of the United States fired Jim Comey at the behest of the Russian government, that would be unlawful and unconstitutional, Baker said. Is that what happened here? asked Representative John Ratcliffe (R., Texas). I dont know, Baker answered, before the FBI lawyer preemptively shut down that line of inquiry. Trump lashed out against the FBI on Twitter Friday over the circumstances surrounding the opening of the counterintelligence probe that began after he fired Comey. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. More from National Review Dubai (AFP) - A high-ranking Yemeni intelligence official injured in a Huthi rebel drone attack on the country's largest air base died of his wounds on Sunday, medical sources said. Intelligence Brigadier General Saleh Tamah was wounded on Thursday in a strike on a military parade in Al-Anad air base, in government-held Lahij province some 60 kilometres (40 miles) north of Yemen's second city Aden. Medical sources told AFP that Tamah underwent several surgeries in a hospital in Aden but died Sunday morning. At least seven loyalists -- including Tamah -- were killed and 11 injured in Thursday's incident, which threatens to hamper United Nations-led peace efforts. Among those injured were Yemen's deputy chief of staff Saleh al-Zandani, senior army commander Fadel Hasan and Lahij governor Ahmad Abdullah al-Turki. Turki and Zandani were transported to Saudi Arabia for treatment, a Yemeni official told AFP. The UN voiced alarm on Friday following the attack and urged "all parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and refrain from further escalation". At talks in Sweden last month, the UN brokered several agreements between the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government seen as the best chance of ending nearly four years of devastating conflict. The warring sides agreed on truce deals for the key rebel-held aid port of Hodeida and battleground third city Taez. The UN is working to schedule a new round of consultations, possibly in Kuwait, aimed at drafting a political framework. The war between the Huthis and loyalist troops escalated in March 2015, when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile and a Saudi-led military coalition intervened. Since then, the conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people and unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. UN aid officials say 80 percent of the population -- 24 million people -- are in need of aid and nearly 10 million are just one step away from famine. Tianjin Development Holdings Limited (HKG:882), which is in the integrated utilities business, and is based in Hong Kong, saw a decent share price growth in the teens level on the SEHK over the last few months. Less-covered, small caps sees more of an opportunity for mispricing due to the lack of information available to the public, which can be a good thing. So, could the stock still be trading at a low price relative to its actual value? Lets take a look at Tianjin Development Holdingss outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists. See our latest analysis for Tianjin Development Holdings Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. Whats the opportunity in Tianjin Development Holdings? Good news, investors! Tianjin Development Holdings is still a bargain right now. In this instance, Ive used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stocks cash flows. I find that Tianjin Development Holdingss ratio of 6.92x is below its peer average of 16.01x, which suggests the stock is undervalued compared to the Integrated Utilities industry. However, given that Tianjin Development Holdingss share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us another chance to buy in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility. Can we expect growth from Tianjin Development Holdings? SEHK:882 Future Profit January 13th 19 Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. 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 grow by 66% over the next year, the near-term future seems bright for Tianjin Development Holdings. 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 882 is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic 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 capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on 882 for a while, now might be the time to make a leap. Its buoyant future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy 882. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed buy. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Tianjin Development Holdings. You can find everything you need to know about Tianjin Development Holdings in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Tianjin Development Holdings, 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. Prime minister Theresa May will say that no Brexit is more likely than no deal (Picture: PA) Theresa May today failed to rule out delaying Brexit as her last-ditch attempt to persuade MPs to vote for her deal fell flat. The Prime Minister stopped short of guaranteeing that she would not extend the Article 50 deadline, saying she did not believe doing so would be the best course of action. The assurance falls short of previous statements, with Downing Street saying in early January that an extension wont happen. MPs will vote on the prime ministers EU withdrawal agreement this week (Picture: PA) Mrs May made a last-ditch plea to MPs today to back her Brexit deal before Tuesdays crucial Commons vote on her EU withdrawal plan. In an attempt to win over Brexiteers bent on voting down her deal, Mrs May presented a letter of reassurance over the Irish border backstop from the EU, in which they insisted they did not want the backstop to come into force at all. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But the letter appears to have done little to assuage the concerns of Northern Irish party the DUP, who say the backstop risks breaking up the UK by subjecting NI to different rules from the rest of the country. In a significant blow to the PM, the DUPs Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said: As far as we are concerned, the deal is dead because it is quite clear that the EU are not willing to grant any of the changes. The letter also failed to impress Brexiteers, who fear that the Irish backstop could trap Britain in a position where it is forced to accept rules from Brussels. MP Will Quince said: This letter from the EU, welcome as it is, does not offer legally binding assurances on the backstop. Therefore my position remains unchanged and I will not be voting for the Withdrawal Agreement as it stands. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: This is a long way from the significant and legally effective commitment the prime minister promised last month. It is a reiteration of the EUs existing position. Once again, nothing has changed. Mrs May warned earlier that Parliament is more likely to block Brexit than allow the UK to leave the EU without a deal. Story continues She told factory workers in pro-Leave Stoke-on-Trent to urge MPs to consider the consequences of their actions on the faith of British people in democracy. Brexit: Government opposition vs support of Theresa May She reiterated her warning that catastrophic harm will be inflicted to trust in politicians if they fail to implement the result of the referendum. Mrs May said, based on last weeks Westminster drama, that she now believes MPs blocking Brexit is a more likely outcome than leaving without a deal. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has warned he may trigger a vote of no confidence in the government (Picture: PA) Elsewhere, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned the prime minister that he would trigger a vote of no confidence in her government soon, as he hinted that Article 50 may have to be extended if his party came into power. Clearly if Theresa Mays deal is voted down, clearly if a general election takes place and a Labour government comes in an election would take place February, March time clearly theres only a few weeks between that and the leave date, there would have to be time for those negotiations, he told BBC Ones Andrew Marr Show. Shares of Tesla (TSLA) tumbled 3.7 percent as manufacturers from Detroit to Japan unveiled new competition for buyers in the electric car maker's key market at the Detroit Auto Show. Ford (F) Chairman Bill Ford said Sunday the company is investing $11 billion in electric vehicles by 2022 with plans to have 40 hybrid and fully electric vehicles in its model lineup. "We talked about a huge investment in electric vehicles. We have 16 models that are in design and development. We have a pretty big surprise coming next year," CEO Jim Hackett told CNBC's Phil LeBeau on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show, which kicked off Sunday. General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra told investors ahead of the show Friday that the company is working on an all-electric Cadillac. Details were scant, but it's expected to be an SUV. Nissan's (7201.T-JP) luxury brand Infiniti announced all future models starting in 2021 will be "electrified," meaning either plug-in hybrid or all-electric as it rolled out the QX Inspiration at Detroit. Nissan also debuted the new all-electric Leaf at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. Ford's shares rose 1.9 percent while GM's rose 1.3 percent. Nissan's shares were about flat, despite an embarrassing failure at its Infiniti QX debut. Technicians couldn't get the electric car started and had to push it on stage. Tesla spokesman Dave Arnold declined to comment. Athens (AFP) - Police in Athens used tear gas on Monday to disperse students and teachers protesting against changes in the way educators are appointed in the public school system. The clashes broke out as hundreds of protesters tried to break through lines of riot police stationed near parliament, banging on a police van barricade with clubs. "I'm a full-time teacher but we stand together (with part-time staff) as this law affects (everyone)," Venetia Reppa, a teacher hit in the back by a police stun grenade, told reporters outside parliament. The education ministry is preparing to push through parliament a hiring law which teacher unions say does not sufficiently take prior experience into account. Greece's public schools have suffered from spending cuts imposed as a condition of bailout agreements to end its debt crisis. What he said (Frinkiac.com) Artificially intelligent auditors are helping companies crack down on creative expense reports, revealing questionable purchases like strip club visits, bullets and tattoos, according to a new report. California-based AppZen uses AI technology to spot spending anomalies. The software can foil workers who submit doctored receipts to their employers, or use brown paper bag vendors to conceal what theyve bought. An analysis of nearly 1,000 expense reports filed in the final three months of 2018 found high risk expenses accounted for more than one-third of the total value expensed for the period. Tattoos, strip clubs, cigarettes, gambling losses, guns and ammo, jewelry, dog kennels, shoe shines, and payments to politically exposed people, were among the non-compliant items submitted for reimbursement, according to AppZen. (AppZen) The report found the average large company processed 4,374 expense reports in the final quarter of last year, each with an average of 11 items. AppZen notes the sheer volume makes manual detection virtually impossible, especially when shady expenses are well-hidden. For example, employees have been known to buy economy class airline tickets for business travel and charge an upgrade to first class to their company card at the gate. Another scam involves adding funds to a personal coffee shop card when paying for meetings with clients. (AppZen) A well-defined spend policy clearly conveys a companys expectations for what business activities can be reimbursed, AppZen Co-founder and CEO Anant Kale wrote in a news release on Monday. Auditing spend using AI helps ensure compliance to such a policy, while reducing spend and achieving more predictable financial results. AppZens clients include Amazon (AMZN), Citigroup Inc. (C), and Airbus SE (AIR.DE). The private company secured US$35 million in Series B funding from the venture capital firm Lightspeed Venture Partners in October. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Starbucks Corporation SBUX announced the opening of One-of-a-Kind Coffee Sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia. This move is In line with the companys strategy to bolster global presence. Notably, Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary is the largest store in Southeast Asia. The 20,000 square feet store marks the 10th Starbucks Reserve Bar store in Indonesia. The company is optimistic about attracting customers to the store as Bali is one of Asias top travel destinations. The company is also working closely with farmers in Indonesia to promote Indonesian coffee to the world. Starbucks is a major buyer of Indonesian Arabica coffee. Strategic Expansion to Drive Growth In the past two years, management has successfully turned around its EMEA business by improving customer experience through innovative new store designs, ramping up product offerings and growing margins through process and supply chain efficiencies. Moreover, Starbucks brand is gaining popularity with consumers across Asia as the company is increasingly investing in the Asian markets. The relatively low per-capita consumption as well as a burgeoning middle class with rising income levels increase the demand for convenience food and beverages, and promise significant growth potential. Management believes that China and the Asia-Pacific region will drive meaningful business growth over the next five years supported by rapid unit growth, improving brand awareness, and increased usage of the digital/mobile/loyalty platforms. Stock Performance In the past three months, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) companys shares have gained 12.9%, outperforming the industrys growth of 7.8%. Robust Americas and U.S. comparable store sales bode well for the company. Further, the companys operating fundamentals such as solid global footprint, successful innovations, best-in-class loyalty program and digital offerings are encouraging. Moreover, digital initiatives like mobile order/pay, delivery services and third-party loyalty partnerships can stimulate robust sales trends in the Americas. Additionally, Starbucks has teamed up with Nestle SA to revitalize their respective coffee domains. Story continues Key Picks Better-ranked stocks worth considering in the same space include The Habit Restaurants, Inc. HABT, Bojangles', Inc. BOJA and Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. TAST. While Habit Restaurants sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Bojangles' and Carrols Restaurant Group carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Habit Restaurants, Bojangles' and Carrols Restaurant Group has an impressive long-term earnings growth rate of 20%, 12.5% and 20%, respectively. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 2/19/18 3:33:24 PM -- Mclean, VA U.S.A -- A view of the Gannett sign outside the Valo Park office building. -- Photo by Jasper Colt, USA TODAY Staff ORG XMIT: JC 136984 2/22/2018 [Via MerlinFTP Drop] Gannett Co. has not received any acquisition offers, a source with knowledge of the situation said Sunday night after a report that Digital First Media is preparing to make an offer for the publisher of USA TODAY and more than 100 other news properties. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported late Sunday that MNG Enterprises Inc., also known as Digital First Media, would offer to buy Gannett for $12 a share. That would be a 23 percent premium above Friday's closing price of $9.75 a share. Digital First is majority owned by hedge fund Alden Global Capital. "There are media stories saying MNG Enterprises/Digital First Media is making an approach to Gannett Co.," said the source close to Gannett. "To date there has been no communication regarding a proposal to the company." Digital First operates daily and weekly publications including the Denver Post, the Los Angeles Daily News and the Boston Herald. Gannett's media properties include USA TODAY, The Arizona Republic and The Detroit Free Press. Gannett CEO Bob Dickey said in an email Sunday night to employees that the company had not had communication regarding a proposal. "The company and board are well advised, and if we have more information we will keep you informed. During this time, its business as usual for us and we need to stay focused," Dickey said in the email. Attempts to reach representatives at Digital First and Alden Global Capital were unsuccessful. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Source: Gannett hasn't received a buyout proposal from Digital First Media Speaker Gloria Arroyo on Monday said the late Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe of Ako-Bicol confronted the evil in his town of Daraga, Albay, and lost his life. In her eulogy during a memorial for Batocabe at the House of Representatives, Arroyo called Batocabe the Daring Daragueno who, in the safer halls of Congress, was also daring in the advocacies that he pursued. He manifested his fearlessness in the vigor by which he pursued his ideas and convictions. Close to his heart were matters of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal of which he was a member. That [HRET] was [the subject of] our last conversation. We had a spirited discussion about the work of the HRET and just as he discusses in public, so in private he was very convincing on what he wanted to convey and sure enough in all those things we talked about, we adopted whatever he suggested because he was so persuasive, Arroyo said. She added that Batocabe, aside from being bubbly, aside from being daring, was hardworking and left a legacy of 34 laws with national coverage. A necrological service attended by Batocabes family was held at the plenary Monday where a requiem mass was offered for the repose of the lawmakers soul. Former 1-Care party-list Rep. Michael Angelo Rivera recalled an incident where Batocabe was made to pay for the bill that supposedly his treat after leaving an expired credit card. Ayaw po niyang kumain sa mumurahing restaurant, ang sabi niya sa akin dadalhin kita sa restaurant na mamahaling at ikaw ang magbabayad kasi nailusot naman natin ito (Republic Act (RA) 10150). Ang sabi ko sige walang problema pare, pero nagyaya pa po siya ng aming mga kasamang congressman dahil ako daw po ang maglilibre, said Rivera. After five minutes po tumatawag na, loko-loko ka talaga expired yung credit card mo bayaran mo ito sakin sa Monday, said Rivera. (Sabi niya) kahit po pala isang abogado sabi niya nagugulangan ng mga Batangueno. Deputy Speaker and AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon Garin said Batocabe was her partner in crime as she called on her colleagues to continue the late congressmans work to honor his achievements.It is justice for Rodel if we support his advocacies for Bicol -- education, health, population development, human rights and climate change, said Garin. Justice Vicente V. Mendoza described Batocabe, his former student, as a good man and a faithful public servant. Lawyer Justin Batocabe, eldest son of the late congressman, responded to the eulogies, vowing that they will make sure that his dreams for a prosperous Daraga and a progressive Bicol region become a reality. We will not allow the injustice of indolent leadership. Together, we shall honor his memory by continuing his good deeds of public service, said Justin who accompanied his mother, Girtie and his brother, Khiel at the House of Representatives where the Legislative Memorabilia was offered for his father. The PNP Band played In Memoriam By Buenaventura and Nearer, My God, to Thee by Lowell Mason while Mr. Gene Lopez sang What a Wonderful World by George Weiss and Robert Thiele and Imagine by John Winston Lennon during the necrological service. Batocabe, a mayoralty candidate in Dagara town in Albay, and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz, were killed last December 22 while they were leaving a gift-giving event in Brgy. Burgos in Daraga. The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed double murder and frustrated murder charges against Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo and his alleged cohorts in Albay for the murder of Batocabe and Diaz. A woman considered by some to be one of the most loathed sex offenders in Britain could be released from jail. Vanessa George, from Plymouth, Devon, was jailed for a minimum of seven years in 2009 after taking 64 pictures of herself harming babies and toddlers at the Little Teds nursery. The pervert is due before the Parole Board in May. She is currently housed at HMP Send near Guildford, Surrey, where she will make a bid for release in the spring. Undated Devon and Cornwall Police undated CCTv footage of Vanessa George on the phone to her lawyer while in police custody in Plymouth. (PA) George will appear before a panel who will interview her and determine whether they believe she is safe to release. It emerged on Monday that George changed her name in prison last year George will have an oral hearing before a parole panel, before they determine whether she can be released. last year that George has changed her name in prison, reverting to her maiden name of Vanessa Sylvia Marks, it was revealed today. Undated Devon and Cornwall Police handout photo of nursery worker Vanessa George, who has admitted a string of child sex offences at Bristol Crown Court in 2009. The mother of two described herself to her internet lover Colin Blanchard as a paedo whore mum. She worked at Little Teds nursery in Efford, Plymouth, until her arrest on June 9, 2009 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a number of pre-school children in her care. In all she admitted to a total of seven sexual assaults of young children and six counts of distributing and making indecent pictures of children. Dividends play a key role in compounding returns over time and can form a large part of our portfolio return. Historically, Servizi Italia S.p.A. (BIT:SRI) has been paying a dividend to shareholders. Today it yields 4.6%. Lets dig deeper into whether Servizi Italia should have a place in your portfolio. See our latest analysis for Servizi Italia Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. 5 checks you should do on a dividend stock Whenever I am looking at a potential dividend stock investment, I always check these five metrics: Is its annual yield among the top 25% of dividend-paying companies? Has it paid dividend every year without dramatically reducing payout in the past? Has the amount of dividend per share grown over the past? Can it afford to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings? Will the company be able to keep paying dividend based on the future earnings growth? BIT:SRI Historical Dividend Yield January 14th 19 How does Servizi Italia fare? The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for the stock is 40%, which means that the dividend is covered by earnings. Furthermore, analysts have not forecasted a dividends per share for the future, which makes it hard to determine the yield shareholders should expect, and whether the current payout is sustainable, moving forward. When assessing the forecast sustainability of a dividend it is also worth considering the cash flow of the business. A business with strong cash flow can sustain a higher divided payout ratio than a company with weak cash flow. If theres one type of stock you want to be reliable, its dividend stocks and their stable income-generating ability. Whilst its per-share payments have increased during the past 10 years, there has been some hiccups. Shareholders would have seen a few years of reduced payments in this time. In terms of its peers, Servizi Italia produces a yield of 4.6%, which is high for Healthcare stocks. Story continues Next Steps: With these dividend metrics in mind, I definitely rank Servizi Italia as a strong income stock, and is worth further research for anyone who considers dividends an important part of their portfolio strategy. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, I recommend taking sufficient time to understand its core business and determine whether the company and its investment properties suit your overall goals. Below, Ive compiled three essential aspects you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for SRIs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for SRIs outlook. Valuation: What is SRI worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, its not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether SRI is currently mispriced by the market. Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Moscow (AFP) - Russia's Alrosa, the world's leading producer of diamonds, announced Monday it plans to launch in Zimbabwe on the eve of talks in Moscow between the country's president and Vladimir Putin. "With support of the government of Zimbabwe, the company will develop new mining operations in the country," Alrosa said in a statement. "This company will implement projects for exploration and mining operations with a view to establish joint diamond and other ore mining enterprises," it said in the English-language release. "Within the next month ALROSAs experts, including geologists and mining engineers will arrive in the country to start the operations." Zimbabwean leader Emmerson Mnangagwa meanwhile told journalists he believed the country could make a "significant" participation to the diamond industry. "We know we have opened a small window to foreign countries to participate in our industry," he said ahead of talks with his Russian counterpart on Tuesday. In March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to several African countries, highlighting Moscow's interest in the diamond and platinum industry during a meeting with Mnangagwa. Alrosa, which says it is responsible for 27 per cent of the global rough diamond production in terms of carats, already has operations in Angola and Botswana. David Axe Security, Europe Maybe an indium-tin-oxide canopy makes the Su-57 slightly stealthier. That barely matters when Russia might operate just one squadron of the planes. Russia Claims Its Su-57 Fighter Is Even More Stealth (Be Skeptical) Russia reportedly has upgraded the stealth features on its radar-evading Su-57 fighter. But the enhancements don't amount to much. Even with upgrades, the Su-57 still is a niche, mostly experimental aircraft that lacks critical combat systems and which Russia has not committed to building in large numbers. Russian firm Rostec has built new canopies for Su-57 fighters, Tu-160 bombers and other warplanes, state-run TASS news agency reported on Jan. 11, 2018. The canopies include "a new composite material with enhanced radar-wave absorbing properties," TASS explained. "It doubles radar-wave absorption and reduces the aircraft cockpits radar signature by 30 percent," Rostec told TASS, implying that the canopy treatment significantly improves the Su-57's stealth. Be skeptical of that claim. For one, the technology Rostec described isn't new. Many fighters all over the world feature radar-reflecting canopy treatments. Usually made of indium-tin-oxide, the gold-color treatment reflects radar as a single smooth object, thus preventing objects underneath the canopy -- crew and ejection seats, for example -- from bouncing back even greater radar returns. The indium-tin-oxide treatment perhaps is most apparent on the American-made F-16 fighter. Lockheed Martin began applying the coating to F-16 canopies back in the 1980s under the Have Glass program. Goldish canopies also are apparent on U.S.-made F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. And while the the new canopy might reduce the radar signature of the Su-57's cockpit by a third, it might barely make a dent in the type's overall signature. That's because the engine inlet, not the cockpit, is the biggest signature problem along a plane's frontal aspect. "Most of the RCS contribution for the nose region will result from the engine inlet," John Kelly, a Boeing engineer, wrote in a 1975 study. Story continues Even if Rostec's insinuation were true and a 30-year-old canopy treatment truly did meaningfully reduce the Su-57's radar signature, it hardly would matter to Russia's overall military power. With or without its indium-tin-oxide canopy-treatment, the Su-57 is too expensive for Russia to buy in meaningful numbers. The Russia air force acquired just 10 of the stealth fighters in the eight years following the type's first flight in 2010. The U.S. military spent more than $60 billion acquiring around 180 F-22s and expects to spend $400 billion buying some 2,300 F-35s. The Kremlin's entire annual budget in recent years has totaled around $60 billion, down from a modern peak of $70 billion in 2016. The United States annually spends around 10 times as much. The Kremlin's budget has allowed it to buy around 100 new aircraft per year, roughly a third as many new planes as the Pentagon buys. And while the Americans can afford to buy nearly a hundred stealth fighters every year, the Russians barely can afford any. Moscow has admitted that just two-thirds of its roughly 3,600 military aircraft are "modern." With military budgets flattening amid an economic slump, Moscow decided to not acquire the Su-57 in large numbers. The Russian air force ordered its first dozen production-standard stealth fighters in August 2018, hoping to form the first regular squadron some time in 2019. But those 12 Su-57s could be all that the air force gets for the foreseeable future. The Kremlin implied it would keep the design in reserve so that it could restart production in the event of a major conflict. "You know that today the Su-57 is considered to be one of the best aircraft produced in the world," Yuri Borisov, Russias deputy defense minister, told a T.V. audience. "Consequently, it does not make sense to speed up work on mass-producing the fifth-generation aircraft." Meanwhile, a deal for Russia and India to co-develop a variant of the Su-57 has fallen through. A rumor that Vietnam might want to acquire the Russian stealth fighter likewise has amounted to nothing. Maybe an indium-tin-oxide canopy makes the Su-57 slightly stealthier. That barely matters when Russia might operate just one squadron of the planes. David Axe serves as the new Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is the author of the graphic novels War Fix, War Is Boring and Machete Squad. Image: Creative Commons. Read full article Residents have reported a brothel opening in Marston Magna to police, a housing provider and even the parish council. (Google Maps) Somerset has been gripped by scandal after a brothel opened in a sedate village that doesnt even have a shop. According to SomersetLive, residents in Marston Magna, near Yeovil, reported the matter to police and claimed local housing provider, Yarlington, was unwilling to take any action. The issue of the suspected brothel and drug den has also been reported at a recent parish council meeting. The local parish magazine said: A resident of West End raised the issue of a suspected brothel/drugs den in the area. The Marston Magna brothel has been reported to police. Stock image. (PA) They have contacted the police who have visited several times. Yarlington have also been advised but are unwilling to take any action. Chairman of the parish council Fred Monson will raise the issue with Thelma Mead, the local PCSO. A Yarlington spokesman has said that an investigation into the allegations is being led by the police. They said: Yarlington does not tolerate criminal activity in its properties whatsoever. As these alleged activities are of a criminal nature, the investigation is being led by the police and we are working closely with them to help with their investigations. We are keen to hear from members of the community if they have any concerns, alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers to report any information anonymously. Avon and Somerset Constabulary has yet to comment. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK The Detroit auto show kicked off Monday with the announcement of the 2019 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the year awards. It was a big day for Hyundai. The car of the year award went to Hyundai's luxury brand, Genesis G70; the utility of the year goes to Hyundai Kona and truck of the Year is the Ram 1500. William Lee, CEO of Hyundai North America, said he is "honored and delighted" with the awards. He said the Kona is "timeless and comfortable" and offers more than 450 miles of range. "Every employee in our company played a part in this award," said Lee. For Genesis, Hyundai's luxury the award was, "very unexpected," said Manfred Fitzgerald, head of the Genesis brand, who also commended Honda and Volvo. "This is very meaningful to us being only in our third year as a brand. You cannot imagine how much this means to us as a brand," said Fitzgerald. "This is definitely a motivation for us for the future. I promise there is much, much more to come." Reid Bigland, head of Ram brand, said leaders at Fiat Chrysler knew the pickup was special and sales are reflecting it. In December, Ram 1500 sales rose 40 percent so, "It's great that consumers are seeing in this Ram what the judges have seen." The annual vehicle of the year awards consist of 54 jurors considering more than 60 vehicles then casting secret ballots to pick the three best said Lauren Fix, president of the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the year Awards. More Autos: Follow our Detroit auto show coverage More autos: Detroit auto show 2019: Why GM, Ford, Toyota are bringing dead cars back to life More autos: Fiat Chrysler goes big at Detroit auto show, unveiling beefier 2019 Ram Heavy Duty pickup. Car nominees Genesis G70 luxury sport sedan Prices: $34,900-$50,250 Hyundais luxury brand takes on sport sedans such as the BMW 3-series and Audi A4, but packs a value. The 365-hp twin-turbo V6 with all-wheel-drive is top pick, with prices starting at $45,750. Its German competitors cost thousands more, with less room and fewer standard features. Story continues The 252-horsepower 2.0-liter, rear-drive base G70 lowers the price of entry for a good sport sedan essentially the same as a loaded midsize sedan. Volvo S/V60 luxury sport sedan and station wagon Price range: $35,800-$55,400 Score one for style, value and lots of cool features on Volvo's new luxury-sport sedan (the S) and V (wagon) 60. Conveniently, the two use the same architecture and technology as Volvos bigger XC90, which was 2016 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The car has a sleek exterior and a modern interior that is open, with simple controls and low-gloss natural wood. The cars come in front- or all-wheel-drive, two different plug-in hybrid models and safety systems can recognize and brake automatically for bicyclists, pedestrians and large animals. More: Volvo S/V60: My pick for North American Car of the Year Honda Insight hybrid sedan Prices: $22,830-$28,090 The sleek compact Insight has all the features customers like about Honda sedans with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid, meant to rival the Toyota Prius. It's roomy and comfortable inside and the most efficient Insight scored 55 mpg in the city, 49 on the highway and 52 combined in EPA tests. Standard features include front collision alert and autonomous emergency braking; lane departure warning and assist; and adaptive cruise control. Truck nominees Ram 1500 Price range: $31,795-$56,895 The surprise of the year maybe the Dodge Ram pickup and how it's overshadowed the all-new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles loaded the 1500 with features to raise the level of technology, comfort and style that buyers can expect from a pickup. The Ram brings mild-hybrid fuel-economy technology to Americas bestselling class of vehicles thanks to a 48-volt motor-generator and a lithium-ion battery hidden in the rear wall of its spacious cab. Ram deserves credit for migrating the technology from high-price, low-volume luxury models to affordable, high-volume vehicles. More: Ram 1500: My vote for North American Truck of the Year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Price range: $28,300-$56,600 The all-new 2019 Silverado has eight distinct models, the broadest product line in the history of GMs bestselling vehicle. The pickups are loaded with technology and more interior storage space than the outgoing model. Every model benefits from advances like a bed thats tailored to hold more cargo, 3.9 inches of extra wheelbase and clever materials use to trim weight up to 450 pounds. A new cylinder deactivation system accomplishes what generations of engineers thought was impossible: shutting off anything from one to all eight cylinders in a V8 to save fuel. GMC Sierra 1500 Price range: $29,600-$58,300 The Sierra light-duty pickup is the Silverado up a notch, offering an incredible MultiPro tailgate along with more standard features, and the wildly popular Denali top-of-the-line model. No other pickup has the unique tailgate. The Sierras optional MultiPro offers six different functions and positions. This year an optional carbon-fiber bed becomes available. Utility nominees Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV Price range: $19,990-$34,650 The Hyundai Kona is a cute subcompact that comes in a gasoline-powered version or an affordable electric. The EV has an EPA-rated range of 258 miles and a charging time of 9 hours, 24 minutes at 240 volts. Free Press Auto Critic Mark Phelan said thats better than some pricier vehicles. The Kona EVs base price of $34,650 $28,950 after tax credits. The gasoline-powered Kona starts at $19,990 and comes with standard touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, forward collision alert, braking assist, lane-keeping assist and drowsy-driver alert. The Kona has plenty of room, eye-catching optional two-tone paint and backup camera. More: Hyundai Kona: My vote for North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Jaguar I-Pace Price range: $69,500-$89,500 This is the auto industry's most direct challenge to Tesla to date. Jaguars first all-electric production vehicle blends classic style, luxury and comfort with a zero-emissions drivetrain. The I-Paces styling is sleek and new, but true to Jags heritage with a luxuriously trimmed interior. It can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The EPA rates the electric SUVs range at 234 miles, with a charging time of 13 hours at 240 volts. Acura RDX Price range: $37,300-$47,400 This is Acuras bestselling model and it just got better with a bigger interior and a bang-up turbocharged engine. This is the third generation of the compact luxury SUV and it's the first to be engineered and designed in America. The RDX has a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. It has a 272-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. Passenger and cargo space both increased from the old model, and the new interior is more upscale and modern. The SUV also offers a full-color 10.5-inch head-up display and 16-channel 710-watt ELS audio system. NACTOY awards are judged by approximately 50 professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who work for independent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and industry websites. They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded with dues paid by the jurors. Voting for finalists and winners is tallied by Deloitte & Touche. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ram 1500, Hyundai Kona, Genesis G70 are North American vehicles of year A party-list lawmaker on Monday urged Bureau of Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero to pursue criminal and administrative charges against a ranking Customs official responsible for the removal of the X-ray mobile scanning unit at the Customs Clearance Area of Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. at the Phividec Industrial Estate complex in Misamis Oriental. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said that the removal of the X-ray unit could have allowed the smuggling of illegal drugs, weapons, and other contraband at the MICTSI through so-called swinging operations. In a letter to Guerrero, Nograles said that Director Eduardo Chico of the Ports Operations Service, Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group had no authority to revoke Administrative Order 296 issued by former President Ramos in 1996 that established the Customs Clearance Area in Special Economic Freeport Zones. Nograles claims that Director Chico violated Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. How can a mere verbal order of a Director in Customs revoke and Administrative Order of the President of the Republic of the Philippines? questioned Nograles, referring to the order of Director Chico to cease the operations of the Customs Clearance Area. The Swinging modus will only work when the containers are not properly inspected. For more than three months, from September to December 2018, containers were rushed out of the port and into the streets of Mindanao and elsewhere because of Director Chicos illegal verbal order, Nograles, a deputy majority leader, said.Swinging is a modus being used by smugglers where containers are sneaked out of the port to be unloaded in nearby warehouses. The same containers are then brought back to the Port for dummy inspection and documentation. On November 2018, Nograles asked Customs Commissioner Guerrero to verify reports of the removal of the X-ray unit in the Customs Clearance Area. In response, Guerrero submitted to Nograles an explanation letter signed by Port of Cagayan District Collector Atty. Floro Calixihan Jr. confirming that Director Chico issued a verbal order to remove the X-ray unit. By mid-December 2018, District Collector Calixihan immediately transferred the X-ray back to the Customs Clearance Area after Nograles questioned the illegal order. In the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's antitrust trial for monopolistic trade practices, QUALCOMM Incorporated QCOM recently tried to defend itself using the intellectual property (IP) rights card. As lawyers from both the government and the company put forth their arguments before the U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh, the 10- day non-jury trial appears to be in a critical stage. The verdict of this California courtroom trial is likely to have a cascading effect on the smartphone industry across the globe and has thus attracted massive interests from all stakeholders, including Apple Inc. AAPL. In its appeal, the government pleaded that Qualcomm used anti-competitive policies to drive sales of its smartphone chips. It alleged that the company followed no license, no chips trade policy, under which chips were only sold to those manufacturers that agreed to inflated patent licensing terms. The government agency further accused Qualcomm of using unfair trade practices and offering financial rebates to the iPhone maker for buying chips only from it, undermining competitive offers from rival Intel Corporation INTC. From the onset, Qualcomm had refuted all the charges and pointed out that its licensing business was started decades ago before it began selling chips. The company stressed that it assumed technology leadership through continued R&D efforts and hard bargaining with smartphone manufacturers throughout the world. Moreover, the licensing rates were mostly kept unchanged once it started selling chips and had been market driven, contrary to the allegations. Recently, Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf testified before the court that purchasing a license was necessary for phone manufacturers as merely buying a chip did not cover all its IP rights. Consequently, he urged the judge not to view the licensing agreement, which manufacturers needed to comply with, in isolation and that the entire security structure was required to make the whole system work. Despite the claims and counter claims, the unwanted scrutiny by the antitrust regulators of the licensing business, from which Qualcomm garners a huge profit, is likely to affect its credentials. The outcome of the trial will have a ripple effect on any settlement discussions between Qualcomm and Apple. Furthermore, Qualcomms business practices are also being investigated by regulators in several other countries like South Korea, China, Taiwan and Europe, allegedly instigated by Apple. Qualcomm has been entangled in a bitter legal battle with Apple for quite some time now, related to alleged patent infringements. In this context, it is worth noting that Qualcomm had posted the required security bonds in the District Court of Munich to enforce ban on some iPhone models of Apple in Germany. This was preceded by some favorable verdicts from across the globe. In early December, the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court in China held Apple guilty of twin patent infringement and ordered an immediate ban on sales of older iPhone models, from the 6S through the X in the country (read more: Qualcomm Wins Twin Patent Battle in China Against Apple). A few days later, the District Court of Munich held Apple guilty of patent infringement and ordered a permanent injunction to the sale of some iPhone models in Germany. The infringed models were found to violate Qualcomm's IP rights for power savings in smartphones. The bone of contention was a third-party violation of Qualcomm's patents around envelope tracking a feature that helps phones preserve battery while sending and receiving wireless transmissions. Apple has allegedly used products from Qorvo, Inc. QRVO to bypass the patent in some of its iPhone models. It remains to be seen how the verdict of the California trial pans out for Qualcomm now, as it could redefine the sector dynamics and affect its business model. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has underperformed the industry in the past year with an average decline of 12% compared with a fall of 4.5% for the latter. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Story continues Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Doha (AFP) - Qatar's foreign minister ruled out on Monday the possibility of re-opening an embassy in Damascus, in line with some other Gulf countries, calling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a war criminal. "Normalisation (of relations) with the Syrian regime at this stage is the normalisation of a person involved in war crimes, and this should not be acceptable," said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at a Doha press conference. Al-Thani said the reasons why Assad -- who was elected unopposed in 2000 and has stayed in power during nearly eight years of civil war -- was excluded from the international community are still in place. He added that Damascus under Assad should not be allowed back into the Arab League -- its membership was suspended in 2011 -- as "the Syrian people are still under bombardment... by the Syrian regime". His comments come after Gulf neighbours the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain announced late last month they reopened their Damascus embassies. The UAE's foreign minister Anwar Gargash tweeted that his country was doing so in part because of the influence of Iran and one of Qatar's strongest allies, Turkey, in Syria. Tehran has been a staunch supporter of Assad's government and has expanded its military footprint in Syria throughout the course of the conflict. That move also emphasised the foreign policy differences between the three Gulf states. For the past 19 months Qatar has been in a deep diplomatic dispute with the UAE and Bahrain, in part over the direction of Doha's regional foreign policy in recent years. Qatar has been instrumental in the Syrian civil war supplying weapons to rebel groups, according to institutions such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Syria's opposition leader Nasr al-Hariri has pleaded with Arab leaders not to rebuild relation with Assad as his government now controls almost two-thirds of the country following military backing from Russia and Iran. Story continues Al-Thani was speaking at a press conference announcing Qatar had agreed to commit $20 million (17.5 million euros) to an African Union fund to help cover costs to return illegal African refugees stranded in crisis-hit Libya in north Africa to their home countries. AU chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said the money was vitally needed. "I hope this is the beginning for a solution to a very, very difficult issue," he said. "Since last year, we have brought back 30,000 migrants from Libya to their own countries, but the number is bigger than that." The issue of migrants departing from Libya, particular to Europe, has become a major political and social headache for several countries. Italy's interior ministry said this month that some 23,270 people landed in Italy in 2018, most of whom had set off from Libya. President Donald Trump went to "extraordinary lengths" to keep details from his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin secret even from officials within his own administration, The Washington Post reported this weekend, citing unnamed sources. After meeting with Putin at the 2017 Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Trump took his interpreter's notes and told him not to discuss the meeting with anyone, including other U.S. officials, the Post reported. The paper said Trump's handling of the Hamburg meeting was "part of a broader pattern by the president of shielding his communications with Putin from public scrutiny and preventing even high-ranking officials in his own administration from fully knowing what he has told one of the United States main adversaries." President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a joint press conference after their summit on July 16, 2018, in Helsinki, Finland. No detailed record exists from five of Trump's interactions with the Russian leader since taking office, the Post reported. It was unclear if that was the only time Trump took his interpreters' notes, but the paper said several administration officials have been unable to obtain a readout from his meeting last year with Putin in Helsinki. New York Times: FBI investigated President Trump for possible secret Russian favors Trump: NYT report on FBI fear that he worked for Russia is 'most insulting article' ever Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was present at the meeting in Hamburg. The Post said Tillerson did not answer questions about Trump asking the interpreter to keep details of the meeting quiet, or if Trump took the interpreter's notes. Fiona Hill, a senior Russia adviser on the National Security Council, and former State Department official John Heffern asked Trump's interpreter for more information about the Hamburg meeting, which is how they learned of the president's request to keep the details under wraps, the Post reported. In a news conference after the meeting, Tillerson said Putin denied interfering in the 2016 election, but refused to say how Trump responded to the denial, per the Post. Officials told the Post that the only detail from the meeting that the interpreter did share was that Trump told Putin, "I believe you." Story continues Trump denied the report during an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday. He called the Post "basically the lobbyist for Amazon," because it is owned by the tech giant's CEO Jeff Bezos, a Trump critic. "Im not keeping anything under wraps," Trump said. "I couldn't care less." "I have a one-on-one meeting with Putin like I do with every other leader. I have many one-on-one, nobody ever says anything about it," Trump told Pirro. "But with Putin, they say, 'Oh, what did they talk about?'" "I meet with Putin, and they make a big deal. Anybody could have listened to that meeting. that meeting is up for grabs," Trump said, adding that he and Putin spoke about Israel and "lots of other things." Trump dismissed the "whole Russia thing" as a "terrible hoax" and said he won in 2016 because he "was a better candidate than Hillary Clinton," not because of collusion with Russian efforts to undermine her campaign. "The fact is, I was obviously a good candidate. I won every debate. I won everything I did, and I won, and I won easily 306-223, I believe," Trump said, referring to his performance in the Electoral College. Democrats were alarmed by The Washington Post report. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., has sought details from Trump's meetings with Putin and, after the 2018 Helsinki meeting, called for the president's interpreter to testify before Congress. Trump's interpreter: Should she be compelled to tell what she heard during private meeting with Putin? In August, she and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a letter requesting records from that meeting, including the interpreter's notes. They cited the "extraordinary and, to our knowledge, unprecedented circumstances of President Trumps two hour, one-on-one meeting with a leader identified as a threat to the United States by President Trumps own National Security Strategy." "When he takes the interpreter's notes and wants to destroy them so no one can see what was said in written transcript, you know it raises serious questions about the relationship between this president and Putin," Sen. Dick Durbin said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said if the Post's report is accurate, Trump "broke all protocol." "The American government does not know what was discussed between Trump and Vladimir Putin in that, frankly, pathetic, embarrassing encounter where Trump was kowtowing on the world stage to Vladimir Putin in Helsinki," Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on CNN's "State of the Union." Analysis: Friends or foes? Trump's embrace of Putin prompts backlash Helsinki transcript: White House says it was not 'malicious' House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., plans to seek more information about Trump's meetings with Putin. "Its been several months since Helsinki and we still dont know what went on in that meeting," Engel told the Post. "Its appalling. It just makes you want to scratch your head." House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Sunday that he accepted Trump's denial and said those one-on-one meetings are part of the president's personal style. "He likes to create a personal relationship, build that relationship, even rebuild that relationship like he does with other world leaders around," McCarthy said on "Face the Nation." When asked if thought Trump's interpreter should be asked to testify, McCarthy said, "I want this president to be able to build the relationship, even on a personal level, with all the world leaders." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Trump went to 'extraordinary lengths' to hide details of Putin meetings, report says President Donald Trump mocked Elizabeth Warren's nearly two-week-old Instagram Live video in a pair of Sunday night tweets, again using a racially insensitive nickname to describe the Massachusetts senator. The video, which Trump labeled a "beer catastrophe," was streamed by Warren on New Year's Eve, the day she announced that she was forming an exploratory committee for a presidential run. In the video, Warren drank a beer and hugged her husband. "If Elizabeth Warren, often referred to by me as Pocahontas, did this commercial from Bighorn or Wounded Knee instead of her kitchen, with her husband dressed in full Indian garb, it would have been a smash!" Trump said in his first tweet. Later, Trump added, "Best line in the Elizabeth Warren beer catastrophe is, to her husband, 'Thank you for being here. Im glad youre here. Its their house, hes supposed to be there!" The tweets are the latest in Trump's series of attacks against Warren, a fierce critic of the president who has called his nickname "recycled racist name-calling." In response to criticism of her Native American ancestry claims, Warren released DNA test results in October, which Trump called "bogus" and "phony." The Cherokee Nation slammed her decision as "inappropriate and wrong." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven," Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement. "Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage." Trump has said he believes he could defeat Warren in a presidential election. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Trump mocks Elizabeth Warren's 'beer catastrophe' Instagram video Paul Dawson had been to a branch of TGI Friday when he accidentally gave his five-day-old baby son a taste of hot sauce. He was later visited by police. Stock image. (Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar/Sipa USA) Police paid a father a visit after he posted a joke on Facebook about accidentally giving his tiny son a taste of hot chilli sauce. Barber Paul Dawson, 39, was stunned when two officers came to his home in Stockton, Teesside, to ask about giving five-day-old Ben the spicy sauce. The incident was sparked by someone reporting him to Cleveland Police after they saw a post he had written about a trip to a TGI Fridays restaurant. Mr Dawson explained he was out with his partner and their baby, who was born on New Years Day, and the infant was being breastfed. Cleveland Police visited barber Paul Dawson after he posted on Facebook joking he gave his son hot sauce. Stock image. (PA) After wiping his hands on a napkin, the businessman took hold of the baby to allow his partner to eat her food. Mr Dawson told the Teesside-based Gazette newspaper he put a knuckle in Bens mouth to pacify him forgetting he had been eating chilli. The baby made a funny face and nothing else happened. Mr Dawson later wrote on Facebook: Apparently five-day-old babies dont like it when their dads put their fingers in their mouths after eating hot wings. Unintentionally by the way. Lol. A few days later Mr Dawson was shocked when police knocked on his door to ask if he had been feeding the baby hot sauce. The new dad said he felt tearful someone had called the police about him, and the officers left after agreeing they had not read the original Facebook post which sparked their inquiries. Mr Dawson told the Gazette: I cant believe with our stretched police force they were sent out without looking into it properly. A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: Police received a call from a member of the public regarding concern for the welfare of a baby on Tuesday January 8. As a result, two officers were deployed to an address in Stockton to speak with the parents of the baby to understand the circumstances of the report. Officers were satisfied that the baby was safe and well and there were no further inquiries carried out. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - A giant panda born in a Malaysian zoo celebrated her first birthday Monday with a cake made of ice in front of adoring visitors. The youngster looked around shyly as a zookeeper carried her to a platform in her enclosure where the cake, which had a large number "one" on top, was waiting. After nibbling at some carrots used to decorate the creation, the panda -- who has not yet been named -- seemed to tire of the celebrations, and fell asleep. Currently weighing 34 kilos (75 pounds), she is the second cub born to Liang Liang and Xing Xing since they were sent from China to Malaysia in 2014, on a 10-year loan. The first, Nuan Nuan, was born in August 2015 and sent back to China in 2017. Beijing and Kuala Lumpur have agreed that cubs born in captivity must go back to China at the age of two. The pandas are kept at the national zoo's panda centre outside Kuala Lumpur. It's estimated there are some 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild, living mainly in bamboo forest in the mountains of western China, according to environmental group WWF. This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). Well look at Shanghai Industrial Holdings Limiteds (HKG:363) P/E ratio and reflect on what it tells us about the companys share price. Shanghai Industrial Holdings has a P/E ratio of 4.86, based on the last twelve months. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 21%. View our latest analysis for Shanghai Industrial Holdings Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. How Do You Calculate Shanghai Industrial Holdingss P/E Ratio? The formula for P/E is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Shanghai Industrial Holdings: P/E of 4.86 = HK$15.72 HK$3.23 (Based on the year to June 2018.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio means that investors are paying a higher price for each HK$1 of company earnings. All else being equal, its better to pay a low price but as Warren Buffett said, Its far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios P/E ratios primarily reflect market expectations around earnings growth rates. Thats because companies that grow earnings per share quickly will rapidly increase the E in the equation. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. A lower P/E should indicate the stock is cheap relative to others and that may attract buyers. Its great to see that Shanghai Industrial Holdings grew EPS by 18% in the last year. And its annual EPS growth rate over 5 years is 3.7%. With that performance, you might expect an above average P/E ratio. How Does Shanghai Industrial Holdingss P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? Story continues The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. If you look at the image below, you can see Shanghai Industrial Holdings has a lower P/E than the average (7.2) in the industrials industry classification. SEHK:363 PE PEG Gauge January 14th 19 Shanghai Industrial Holdingss P/E tells us that market participants think it will not fare as well as its peers in the same industry. Since the market seems unimpressed with Shanghai Industrial Holdings, its quite possible it could surprise on the upside. You should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling. Dont Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits The Price in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. Hypothetically, a company could reduce its future P/E ratio by spending its cash (or taking on debt) to achieve higher earnings. Such expenditure might be good or bad, in the long term, but the point here is that the balance sheet is not reflected by this ratio. Shanghai Industrial Holdingss Balance Sheet Shanghai Industrial Holdingss net debt is considerable, at 171% of its market cap. This level of debt justifies a relatively low P/E, so remain cognizant of the debt, if youre comparing it to other stocks. The Bottom Line On Shanghai Industrial Holdingss P/E Ratio Shanghai Industrial Holdings has a P/E of 4.9. Thats below the average in the HK market, which is 10.3. The company has a meaningful amount of debt on the balance sheet, but that should not eclipse the solid earnings growth. The low P/E ratio suggests current market expectations are muted, implying these levels of growth will not continue. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. As value investor Benjamin Graham famously said, In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine. So this free visualization of the analyst consensus on future earnings could help you make the right decision about whether to buy, sell, or hold. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with modest (or no) debt, trading on a P/E below 20. 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. BERLIN (Reuters) - German conservative Manfred Weber, who is running to take over the European Union's top job this year, urged British lawmakers on Monday to approve Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal, which he said could not be renegotiated. The fate of the United Kingdom's March 29 exit from the EU is deeply uncertain as parliament is likely to reject May's deal on Tuesday, opening up outcomes ranging from a disorderly divorce to reversing Brexit altogether. Weber, leader of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, told Reuters the deal could not be improved. "The invitation is still there to our British colleagues, please vote in favor - take the outstretched hand of the European Union so that there is as little damage as possible on March 29," he said. "It is a good offer and there won't be any renegotiation." On Monday, Spain's foreign minister said the EU could agree to extend the deadline for Brexit, but not beyond elections for the European Parliament due in May. Weber could not imagine Britain taking part in the election, suggesting he agreed that Brexit must be wrapped up by May. "It is hard to imagine that Britain, a country that is leaving the European Union, could take part in the elections for the European Parliament for the next five years," he said. Weber said it was not right to speculate about a possible extension of the deadline for Brexit before Tuesday's vote in London. "But what is clear is that any debate about an extension only makes sense if we have new circumstances - if something changes, if the debate changes, if we get clearer goals from Britain in which direction the negotiations should go in the future," he said. "That is all speculation at the moment, so we must wait." (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Janet Lawrence) Investors in Netflix, Inc. NFLX need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan 18, 2019 $230.00 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility? Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy. What do the Analysts Think? Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Netflix shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Netflix is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Broadcast Radio and Television industry that ranks in the Top 13% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, one analyst has increased the earnings estimates for the current quarter, while two have revised their estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from 24 cents per share to 25 cents in that period. Given the way analysts feel about Netflix right now, this huge implied volatility could mean theres a trade developing. Often times, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected. Looking to Trade Options? Each week, our very own Dave Bartosiak gives his top options trades. Check out his recent live analysis and options trade for the NFLX earnings report completely free. See it here: Bartosiak: Trading Netflix's (NFLX) Earnings with Options or check out the embedded video below for more details: 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Photo credit: Getty Images From Men's Health When Todd Seals received his death sentence, he was shocked but not surprised. For months, hed suffered a relentless cough, excruciating back pain, and episodes of tunnel vision. When he started urinating blood, he knew he could no longer maintain manly denial. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals At his doctors office, chest X-rays revealed so many spots on his lungs that it reminded Seals of Chester Cheeto. Two days later, Seals got a call at work with more test results confirming the worst. His PSA level was 800 times above the recommended cutoff. His prostate gland, normally the size of a walnut, was nearly as big as a softball and was compressing spinal nerves. Bone scans showed tumors riddling his spine. Diagnosis: highly aggressive, metastatic, terminal prostate cancer (PC). Because of widespread metastasis, surgery and/or radiation were no longer options. The only hope was to slow the rampage and buy time. The doctor purposely did not speculate how much time. But after the call, Seals Googled estimates while still at work: a year if lucky, more likely six months. Seals had just turned 42, young for any PC diagnosis let alone advanced, metastatic disease. In a daze, he finished his shift as a pipefitter at a pulp company near Mt. St. Helens. Driving home through rural Washington, he pulled off on a dirt road and parked at an overlook of the valley below. A few tears soon gave way to wrenching sobs. It all seemed so ironic, so unfair. After two bitter divorces, a descent into meth addiction, and a failed suicide attempt that past summer, hed just managed to turn his life around. And now terminal cancer? I just felt sogypped, Seals says. At the time of the attempted suicide, Seals was living in a garage, his credit rating in the 300s, $12,000 in unpaid traffic violations, another $20,000 owed to the IRS. Most all his earthly possessions had been stolen or sold for drugs. The only things of value left: a life insurance policy, his blue collar job from which hed already been suspended once, and a beater to drive to work. Story continues Seals was en route to his job on August 5th, 2006 when he stopped for gas. After filling the tank, he realized hed left his wallet at home 45 minutes away. He begged the cashier to let him pay later. She said no. By the time a friend brought money, Seals knew he had no chance of getting to work on time. He knew he would be fired. The solution came as he approached a sharp bend in the highway. The insurance policy was in his kids names. Hed make it look like an accident and at least give them something. Flooring the accelerator and with his seat belt unbuckled, he prepared to slam into the embankment. Thats when he saw an elderly couple paused on the shoulder. As high and devastated as I was, says Seals, I knew I couldnt take out others with me. He yanked the emergency brake and steered as hard as he could to avoid hitting their car. The nose of his vehicle barely clipped theirs, but it was enough to send him spinning into a boulder, which, in turn, flipped it over and down the embankment. The car was a wreck. Miraculously, Seals wasnt, his only injury a raspberry on his forehead. He crawled upside down through a smashed window, took an 8-ball of meth from his pocket, and buried it. When the state trooper arrived, Seals broke down, certain he would go to prison. With unexpected kindness, the trooper offered him his cell phone and suggested calling his boss. A different supervisor answered. The boss out to fire him, miraculously, had taken the day off. The supervisor advised Seals to take some sick leave and return next week. The trooper wrote Seals a ticket for reckless driving. It was at this point the old man said, Young man, can I talk to you? He explained he and his wife were driving to an Narcotics Anonymous meeting when the crash occurred. This is no way to live, the old guy said, clearly recognizing a fellow addict. Between the old mans counsel and a sense that fate had offered him one last chance, Seals resolved to quit meth cold turkey. He has not used since. Five months of sobriety later, the worst of his withdrawal over, Seals was playing music at a local tavern when he laid eyes of Mandy, a 27-year-old woman destined to become the love of his life. For the few blissful months before his diagnosis, the two enjoyed a kind of passion neither had ever experienced. That dark night of his diagnosis, perched on the edge of the forest, Seals sobbed for this loss and all the others he knew his cancer would soon bring them both-intimacy, yes, but the chance to grow old together, too. Finally, after an hour of crying and cursing God, Seals composed himself, the catharsis complete. Just then, a black bear wandered up the hillside, sat down 20 feet away from him, and stared at Seals. Ive hunted and fished these woods all my life, says Seals, and Ive seen all kinds of wildlife over the years. Id always wanted to see a bear but had never once seen one. It felt like a sign: cancer notwithstanding, there was so much more he yet hoped to see and do in his life. He realized he wasnt ready to give up. They say people faced with death have two chances: pick up gloves or pick up a shovel, Seals says. Ive always been a fighter. Photo credit: . The next day he began treatment. My doctor gave me two options: Castration or Androgen Deprivation Therapy, otherwise known as hormone therapy. He opted for the latter. Prostate cancer is not one disease but two, says Otis Brawley, M.D., , Chief Medical Officer for the American Cancer Society. Most guys who live long enough will get the first, low-grade variety doctors call indolent. The reason: It grows so slowly it rarely causes symptoms in a mans natural lifetime. The good news, says Dr. Brawley, is that up to 90 percent of PC starts off as indolent and for the most part stays this way. For an unlucky 10 percent, however, PC isnt content to remain a harmless, lumbering turtle confined to its prostatic box. Some tumors morph into tigers capable of clawing free of the gland and running wild throughout the body. If not brought to heel, this highly aggressive metastatic cancer eventually penetrates bones and other organs, causing an excruciating death. Photo credit: Getty Images Medicine is not without potent weapons to fight back. In 1941, Charles Huggins, M.D., a prostate cancer researcher at the University of Chicago, first discovered the role hormones play in fueling PC. In work that would later earn him the Nobel Prize, Huggins showed that shutting down testosterone production in PC patients caused a dramatic reduction in their tumors, bone pain, and other symptoms-at least for a while. On the other hand, restoring testosterone levels in such patients caused their cancer to quickly return. His conclusion: male hormones are the accelerant that feeds PCs fire. Castration, either actual or chemical, is not without major side effects-from loss of muscle mass to brain fog to the disappearance of libido. Even so, if quashing our favorite hormone can spare a man a painful death, why is PC not effectively cured by this intervention alone? The problem, explains Dr. Brawley, is that shutting down the testes only works temporarily, with the time till patients become castration-resistant varying greatly between individuals. Ive seen men who start ADT at age 60 still alive in their 80s, he says. But Ive also seen men who are dead in a month. The reason, he explains, is tumor cells eventually adapt to a low testosterone environment. They become hypersensitive to whatever small amount of androgens still remain in circulation and siphon these out of the bloodstream with great efficiency. One countermeasure to this enhanced intake are the mide drugs: flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, and more recently enzalutamide and apalutamide. Think of androgen receptors on tumor cells as locks that can only be opened by a testosterone key, says Dr. Brawley. The mides look enough like testosterone to fitthese locks, but what they cant do is actually open them. By jamming as many fake keys as possible into androgen-receptive locks, many PC patients will live a little longer. But, says Dr. Brawley, PC cells eventually learn how to convert fake keys into ones that actually work. Once this happens, the mide drugs no longer retard PC-they expedite it. Enter yet a third counter strategy: adrenal gland blockers. This class of drugs was discovered serendipitously after doctors noticed that some men prescribed the anti-fungal drug, ketoconazole, developed enlarged breasts, AKA, gynecomastia. Subsequent research revealed why: ketoconazole prevents the adrenal glands from converting estrogen to testosterone. As miniscule as this source of testosterone is, its enough to sustain PC cells that have become hypersensitive. In 2012, the FDA approved a new, even more potent adrenal gland blocker: abiraterone (tradename Zytiga). Some doctors believe that this not only shuts down testosterone from the adrenals but may also kibbosh even tinier amounts that tumor cells themselves may be producing. Abiraterone has proven a major advance for select patients, though again, its a temporary fix, not a cure for this relentless disease. Dr. Brawley likens aggressive PC to an infestation of roaches. The first roach spray you use kills the vast majority of the pests. Alas, a few stalwart specimens prove immune to Spray No. 1, and their numbers soon begin rebounding. Switching to Spray No. 2 can decimate the ranks of these hardier specimens, but, again, it wont kill them all. Spray No. 3 just repeats the cycle: killing most but leaving a handful of super-survivors that will eventually not only tolerate all pesticides but actually learn to feed off them. Its Darwinian, says Dr. Brawley. Survival of the fittest cancer cells. Predicting how long different PC patients tale to become castration resistant is almost impossible. But by virtually all measures, Todd Seals was one of the truly lucky ones. The day after his bear sighting, he returned to the doctors office to begin ADT. It was here, he recalls, that Nurse Ratched first stuck a hypodermic syringe the size of a turkey baster deep into his hip muscle, pumping this full of Lupron in paste form. In the years since, Seals says, hes gotten used to regular Lupron shots. But that first one, he says, was like a baptism by fire. The nurse also handed him Rx for bicalutamide (tradename Casodex) to take daily. Within a month, his PSA score had begun dropping; within a year, he officially joined the Zero Club-that fraternity of fortunate patients whose PSA levels have become undetectable, a sign their disease is, for now, in remission. Even better, his symptoms disappeared: no more cough, back pain, or pissing blood. Even his prostate-so grotesquely swollen when a needle biopsy confirmed the stage 4 cancer diagnosis-had shrunk to near normal size. But not everything was copasetic. The drugs had pronounced side effects: fatigue, brain fog, loss of muscle mass, breast development. Worst of all: his libido vanished entirely. It wasnt actually that bad for me, Seals recalls. I didnt think about let alone crave sex at all-I was like a castrated dog. The impact on Mandy was a different story. With the help of Viagra and later an injectable erection drug called Trimix, the two could still make love. But both knew it was not, and would never be, the same. As hugely in love as we were, says Seals, I told Mandy that she hadnt signed up for this. Maybe, he offered, the two should stay friends, and she could find another guy with whom to live a normal life. But, he says, she refused to hear any of it. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals Instead, Mandy became his savior, determined to buoy his spirits and help him fight. When he was exhausted and lacking motivation, she forced him off the couch and take a walk. Several months into ADT, the two went swimming under a bridge on the Tootle River. As a teen, Todd had driven across this same bridge at the exact moment Mt. St. Helens erupted. Volcanic heat would eventually turn the water so hot that chinook salmon leapt to the river banks to avoid boiling. The bridge hung 60 feet over the river. In his younger years, Seals friends would jump off it but hed been too scared. That day, as Mandy watched, he finally took the leap. The first thing I learned, he jokes, is to never jump 60 feet into water and land on your butt with a swollen prostate. Pain notwithstanding, what he felt most felt was exhilaration. I realized in that moment, Id never again let fear hold me back. Mandy felt it, too-that this was the start of something, that we would not waste our lives in fear. Later that year, when the two married, Seals was so happy that he promised her 30 years together. Photo credit: . But 18 months into ADT, Seals PSA started creeping up, a sign that for all his optimism, his cancer was on the move. Suspecting the Casodexs fake key had begun opening the lock it was supposed to just jam, his doctor took Seals off the drug. To their great relief, Seals PSA plummeted back to the Zero Club. By the four year mark, his doctor recommended Seals try a break from the Lupron, too. His PSA went up, but only slightly, before plateauing at a modest level. He and Mandy were thrilled with the total ADT drug holiday and the return of all the benefits testosterone has to offer-from muscle tone and mental acuity, to renewed energy and libido. They prayed it would last but knew it couldnt. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals When his PSA resumed its ascent--slow at first, but with increasing velocity-the doctor put him on a different hormone, DES, similar to Lupron. Briefly, this beat the PSA down, but it soon pooped out. Seals went back on Lupron, and for a short while, his doctor tried Casodex again, which sometimes works after a prolonged break. But the spell was broken. With 25 years of his promise to Mandy remaining, Seals PSA began doubling every six weeks. He was, officially, castration resistant. Seals' doctor outlined other options he could try. These included chemotherapy, the adrenal gland blocker Zytiga, and a cancer vaccine called sipuleucel-T, tradename Provenge. With its huge price tag and debatable efficacy, Provenge was a controversial choice. The first FDA approved vaccine for PC, it was to educate and empower a patients own immune system to find and more effectively fight cancer. In clinical trials, Provenge extended life an average of 4.1 months. But for a select few, it worked much better, with some still in remission years after the trial began. Both of the Seals were convinced hed prove one of these select few, and they rejoiced when his health insurer approved the treatment. Soon afterwards, however, a new research study concluded that patients in Seals condition would not benefit-in fact, Provenge might make his cancer worse. The insurance company rescinded their approval. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals The number one followed by 19 zeros: this is how many pathogens and assorted other biochemical villains the beat cops of your immune system learn to recognize by age 15. With each passing year, they learn to recognize many more. Just as importantly, they also learn who the good guys are and leave our own cells alone. Distinguishing between alien invaders and ourselves, to be sure, is an incredibly complex job with life-and-death stakes. If policing is too lax, the bad guys can easily overrun us. But too hair-trigger a response risks killing us by friendly fire, the hallmark of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus. Cancer cells, for the most part, pose a particular challenge for the immune system, in part because they arise within our own cells, in the process co-opting natural self-repair mechanisms we need to heal. Imagine, for instance, youve cut yourself shaving. Very quickly, your immune system rallies a host of inflammatory agents to clear out the damage and rebuild healthy tissue. Once the debris is cleared, stem cells replicate quickly to replace whats been lost. But when healing is complete, this reproduction rate automatically returns to normal. Controlling how fast or slow cells reproduce, not surprisingly, are specialized genes-in particular, oncogenes that serve as accelerators for faster replication, and tumor suppression genes that apply the brakes when its time to settle back to routine maintenance mode. But what happens if the accelerator gets stuck in the on position, or the brakes fail to engage? In a word, cancer: a natural healing process gone awry. Each day, explains Dr. Brawley, we have billions of cells undergoing duplication in their DNA. And just as you sometimes get corruption when copying files on your computer, the exact same thing can happen to DNA-things dont get copied exactly right. We call this a mutation. Most mutations are no big deal, reassuring given that we experience thousands of them daily. But when mutations occur in oncogenes or tumor suppression genes, it can lay groundwork for their owner cells going rogue. This happens more often than you might think. Every day by age 40, says Dr. Brawley, the average person has between 4-8 cancer cells arising somewhere within their body that are starting to go haywire because of this corrupt file thing. So why arent we all keeling over? Fortunately, our bodies have evolved numerous ways to shut down small cancers before they do any harm. This starts, says Dr. Brawley, with specialized DNA repair enzymes that recognize harmful mutations and attempt to excise them. Unfortunately for some individuals, certain DNA mutations like the famous BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes linked to both breast and prostate cancer, prevent the production of these enzymes, causing their risk to soar. A second mechanism, apoptosis, is a built-in suicide instruction set that programs our aberrant cells to recognize theyve turned into zombies and kill themselves. Most, though not all, comply. If both strategies fail, our immune system kicks in, specifically potent killers called T cells capable of recognizing and eliminating up to 100,000 cancer cells each. Unfortunately, as adept as T cells are, theyre not perfect. Sometimes, for instance, theyre just outgunned-some cancers reproduce faster than the immune system can eliminate them. Other times, cancer cells are able to disguise themselves as normal. T cells may suspect villainy but lack enough evidence to start shooting. Yet another scenario: T cells recognize the villain, gather for an attack, but upon gaining access to the cancer cells interior, are ordered to stand down. In recent years, oncologists have learned this stand-down order comes from another natural cellular mechanism dubbed a checkpoint, which normal cells use to prevent autoimmune attacks. But cancer cells can co-opt this same mechanism: Good news for them, bad news for us. One of the most exciting cancer developments in recent years was the discovery of drugs that can inhibit this checkpoint and allow T cells to do their job. Ipilimumab (tradename Yervoy) was FDA-approved in 2011 for the treatment of melanoma. When T-cells enter a melanoma cell, explains Dr. Brawely, the tumor begins flashing a Friend, Friend, Friend! signal to avoid being attacked. What Yervoy does, in essence, is call bullshit. Yervoys success helped launch a frenzy of research into other immunotherapy agents-i.e., ways to empower our own bodies to recognize and conquer cancers out to kill us. Unlike chemotherapy, which is toxic to all cells but more toxic to cancer cells, immunotherapy is designed to target and kill only those cells that need killing, thus eliminating widespread collateral damage. Not only are the side effects markedly less, but most patients prefer the idea that their own bodies-not some poison-is working to heal them. Since Ipilimumabs discovery, two related drugs- pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo)--have also been approved to take the brakes off the brakes that tumor cells hope to apply. For some cancers-melanoma, lung, and kidney-these drugs are making a huge difference for select patients. Case-in-point: Ex-President Jimmy Carter. Fiagnosed with melanoma in the summer of 2105, the disease had already spread to his brain and liver. After surgery and radiation, he was treated with Keytruda, and by that December, he announced at his weekly Bible class that MRIs could no longer find any trace of cancer in his brain. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals The popular media, not surprisingly, was quick to bandy about the c word: cure. Researchers are more circumspect, taking pains to distinguish cure from remission. Nor do these drugs work for all cancers and all patients. They appear to be most beneficial for cancers with high mutations rates within tumor cells. Immunotherapy researcher James L. Gulley, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the National Cancer Institutes Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, suspects that the more mutations, the more chances T cells have to recognize targets. Most prostate cancers, unfortunately, have moderate mutation rates and checkpoint inhibitors dont seem to help. Researchers like Dr. Gulley believe the problem may be a failure of T-cells to recognize tumors cells in the first place. He and his colleagues are working to develop PC vaccines that might help them do this. As promising as PC vaccines are in theory, to date only one has made it through clinical trials to receive FDA approval: sipuleucel-T, i.e., Provenge. Treatment with Provenge is complicated. Over 2-3 hours, a patients white blood cells are collected then Fedexed to a laboratory for a proprietary process that teaches them to recognize a specific PC target. Once educated, a second proprietary process stimulates them into maturing and replicating, in the process generating an army of smart warriors. These are then Fedexed back to the doctors office for reinfusion into the patient within two or three days. Each cycle costs $35,000, and patients must undergo three cycles in three weeks. In granting approval, the FDA noted that Provenge extended life in most PC patients by only 4.1 months. But if you looked at the guys who were still alive three years after they got Provenge, says Brawley, there were twice as many of them as those who didnt get it. If youre a good responder to it, Provenge can buy you a long life. Only a small percentage of patients, unfortunately, fall into this category. Given the less than spectacular benefits the rest can expect, analysts were quick to question Provenges cost effectiveness. Once on the market, doctors quickly discovered a third strike against the vaccine: it didnt reduce PSA levels, a marker patients and doctors alike have for so long relied on to gauge disease progression. Because of this, says Dr. Brawley, many urologists doubted its efficacy and declined to prescribe it. Dendreon, the company that developed Provenge, eventually declared backruptcy, though they transferred the rights to make Provenge to another company. The result: a potential blockbuster drug that, though still available, itself remains on life support. During his first five years of remission, Seals closely followed the vicissitudes of Provenge. He had no illusions that hormone treatment alone would keep his killer at bay forever. His goal was to live long enough to benefit from the next life-extending medical advance. Like Tarzan swinging from vine to vine, he hoped to remain airborne long enough to find his next lifeline. Provenge, he was convinced, was his next vine. Photo credit: . After the insurance company denial, Seals appealed their decision and won. He was back on the list for treatment when, several weeks later, his oncologist called with bad news. A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute had, he said, proven that Provenge wouldnt work for him. In fact, the doctor said, it could make his cancer worse. Once again his insurance company denied Seals coverage. He and Mandy refused to say die. They appealed this second denial all the way to the Washington State Insurance Commission, which ruled insurer had acted on unproven scientific speculation. Seals could, they ruled, receive Provenge after all. I cannot fully describe how Mandy and I felt inside upon hearing this wonderful news, Seals recalls. We cried tears of elation and relief. It was over. This may have been true for the legal wrangling, but not for the cancer itself. Over the months of appeals, Seals PSA had climbed from 22 to over 100, and it was now doubling every six weeks. He could feel his symptoms, as well, returning in full force. In his heart, Seals remained convinced Provenge was his last best shot at survival. I received my first Provenge treatment in May of 2012, he says, and completed the therapy June 1. Within hours of the final infusion, he bought his wife a boat. I truly believed wed have a future to enjoy it. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals Slowly but surely, his symptoms began receding though his PSA score remained disconcertingly high. He asked his doctor to try yet another round of Casodex, the androgen-receptor blocker, hoping it might have a little magic left. It decreased his PSA slightly but not for long. At this point, his doctor prescribed zoledronic acid (tradename Zometa), an osteoporosis drug. Though this doesnt kill cancer, it significantly hardens bones in PC patients, making it harder for tumor cells to implant and grow. On December 10, 2012, another new vine received FDA approval: abiraterone (tradename Zytiga), the potent adrenal gland testerone blocker. Zytiga is a potent drug and must be given with prednisone, a powerful anti-inflammatory with its own side effects. For Seals, the combination of Lupron, Zytiga, and prednisone left him with nausea, profound fatigue, memory problems, excess bruising, hot flashes, susceptibility to infection, which lead pneumonia. Despite all this, Seals says the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks. Photo credit: . Within two weeks on Zytiga, my PSA dropped by 75 percent and kept dropping, he says. By October, 2014, he re-entered the zero club. As of June 2018, PSA still remains at undetectable levels, and scans can find no evidence of metastasis. Most patients are lucky to get two, maybe three years, before Zytiga begins failing. Seals credits Provenge with making all his other medications work that much better. My primary care doctor even made the bold statement that the combination of Provenge and Zytiga might, in my case, be the magic one-two punch that puts this disease into a permanent remission! Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals But as much as wants to believe this, Seals has learned to take nothing for granted. Almost everything about Todd Seals prostate cancer is atypical, from the young age at which it began, to his health 12 years after he was given six months to live. He knows his case inspires many fellow sufferers, the vast majority of whom he also know wont fare nearly as well as he has. He acknowledges the fine line between real and false hope, but believes that the case for the genuine variety grows with each new medical advance. In this optimism, Seals is not alone. Our goal, says Gulley, is to take a fatal disease and make it curable much the way the AIDS cocktail can drive HIV to undetectable levels. As long as patients stay on the medicines, their disease is functionally cured. Seals, for his part, still has in reserve several proven, mainstream treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs, should his current remission end. Docetaxel (Taxotere) and cabazitaxel (Jevtana) are drugs in the taxone family originally discovered in the yew tree. Highly toxic to prostate, breast, lung, and other cancer cells, they work as so-called spindle cell inhibitors. When a cancer cell is dividing, explains Brawley, an internal cage is created to hold the cell up. This cage is made from spindles, and these drugs attack them, causing the cell to collapse and die. As effective as taxones can be, like most chemotherapy agents, they also can cause severe acute and long-term side effects, from joint pain and allergic responses, to fluid accumulation in the lungs. They must be administered in conjunction with prednisone. Though glad the option remains available, Seals hopes hell never need to go down the chemotherapy route. Thanks to new treatments that have come on line since his original diagnosis, he may not need to. Two of these are in the ide family-enzalutamide (Xtandi), first FDA approved in 2012 and apalutamide (Erleada) just approved Feb. 14, 2018. Like the Casodex that ultimately stopped working, these are in the fake key category that prevent androgens from opening androgen receptors. But unlike Casodex, these newer drugs a much higher binding coefficient. As Dr. Brawley explains, this means they are much less likely to fall out of the keyhole. Arguably even more promising is the potential for new immunotherapies. At the NCI, for instance, Dr. Gulley and his colleagues are testing a wide range of possibilities. One such study is looking at the combining a PC vaccine with a checkpoint inhibitor-a synergistic approach thats already shown, in a small pilot study, effectiveness at lowering PSA and shrinking tumors in half of advanced patients. Another immunological attack under investigation an innovative way of weaponizing a patients T-cells by genetically adding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) on their surface. The resulting CAR-T cells are then reinfused back into the patients body, turbocharged to hunt and kill PC cells. Still another strategy is attempting to exploit a natural protein called PARP1, whose job it is to repair nicks in single strands of DNA. Drugs under development called PARP inhibitors block the repairmans efforts. Thus when the tumor cell attempts to reproduce, it leads to multiple double stranded breaks. Patients whose cancer is linked to BRCA or similar genes lack the enzyme needed to repair these breaks. The result: the rumor cells cant replicate. Photo credit: Courtesy of Todd Seals As wily and intractable an opponent as prostate cancer has long been, Gulley is optimistic its days are be numbered. Were already starting to see combined immunotherapy agents leading to meaningful clinical responses. I absolutely believe its possible that even newer treatments over the next five years will take patients with incurable disease and render them curable. Its a sentiment that Todd Seals frequently echoes, too, albeit from a different perspective. Each passing year brings me closer to keeping my 30 year promise to Mandy, he says. Each year, new medications are being tested and approved for PC treatment. The future is bright and getting brighter every day. It makes me wish I had promised Mandy 40 years. I have an amazing, wonderful life and I am going be here for a long, long time. Heres hoping cases like his will soon become more rule than exception. ('You Might Also Like',) President Rodrigo Duterte seeks to strengthen political, economic, and cultural interests with Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena through bilateral talks, Malacanang said on Monday, following the five-day state visit of the Sri Lankan leader to the country. In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo announced that Sirisena will be visiting the country from Jan. 15 to 19. President Sirisena will meet with President Duterte on 16 January 2019 in Malacanang Palace. Their bilateral discussions will focus on areas of mutual interest, including political, economic, agriculture, cultural and people-to-people engagement, Panelo said. According to Panelo, the Sri Lankan president is also scheduled to visit the Asian Development Bank, the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna, and later meet the Sri Lankan community in Manila. The Palace official added that Sirisenas visit to the country is significantly historic.It will be the first by a Sri Lankan President serving both as Head of State and Government under Sri Lankas 1978 Constitution, said Panelo. Prior to that, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the only other Sri Lankan leader to visit in 1976, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1961, he added. The two nations celebrated the 58th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on Jan. 11. Sri Lanka and the Philippines are exploring ways to expand their relations on trade and investment, defense, education, tourism, labor migration, agriculture, and mutual legal assistance. Climate deniers want you to believe otherwise, but the basic physics of climate science is as solid as the basic physics of gravity (or maybe even more solid, since the graviton, the elementary particle that mediates the force of gravity, still has not been detected). But there are plenty of unknowns in Earths climate system, such as exactly how much each ton of carbon dioxide we emit warms the atmosphere, or how different clouds can cool (by reflecting away sunlight) and warm (by trapping heat) the Earth. These uncertainties dont mean that scientists dont understand how burning fossil fuels cooks the planet. But it does mean there are still scientific nuances that could make the risks we face from climate change lower than scientists now anticipate or higher. Last week, an important uncertainty was resolved and, like most news about climate change these days, its not a happy story. A paper published in the journal Science shows that the Earths oceans are warming at a rate thats about 40 percent faster than indicated in the 2013 U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. Because the worlds oceans work like a giant flywheel, capturing heat energy and then spinning it out over time, warmer oceans have huge implications for everything from the rate of sea-level rise to hurricane intensity for generations to come. During the last century, as the world heated up from pumping fossil fuels into the atmosphere, about 90 percent of the extra heat going into the climate system has been absorbed by the oceans. If the ocean wasnt absorbing as much heat, the surface of the land would heat up much faster than it is right now, Malin L. Pinsky, an associate professor in the department of ecology, evolution and natural resources at Rutgers University, told The New York Times. In fact, the ocean is saving us from massive warming right now. The oceans ability to absorb heat was no mystery to scientists. But what has been a mystery is that the ocean seemed to be warming more slowly than it should have been, given the climate models. This is important, because if a climate model cant accurately capture the past, then it wont be accurate predicting the future. Story continues But actually measuring the heat content of the worlds oceans is not a small task. What matters is not just the surface temperature, which is relatively easy to calibrate, but also measuring the temperature as deep as 2,000 meters. Since the data had been suggesting the oceans were warming more slowly than climate models predicted, did that mean the models were wrong, or the measurements were off? The authors the new paper resolved the dilemma by using new data from a network of thousands of autonomous robots called Argo floats that dive down to depths of 2,000 meters or so and measure temperature, salinity, pH and other ocean characteristics as they slowly ascend. Once the Argo floats surface, the data they have collected is relayed back to scientists by satellite. The upshot of this new data: The climate models were right after all, and the oceans are warming much faster than anyone understood. The implications are huge. Fast-warming oceans are devastating to coral reefs. Coral reefs are vanishing five times more frequently than they were 40 years ago, and will be gone entirely within your lifetime. Fast-warming oceans intensify hurricanes. For example, one recent paper linked the disastrous rains associated with Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston in 2017, with the amount of heat stored in the ocean. Harvey dumped 60 inches of water on Southeast Texas (the most ever recorded from a single storm in U.S. history). The study, published in the journal Earths Future, argued that the added ocean heat content not only increases a storms rainfall but also invigorates and enlarges the storm, turning it into an even bigger rain-producer. Two independent studies found climate warming boosted Harveys rainfall by about 20 to 35 percent. Hotter oceans also means faster sea-level rise, in part because as water warms, it expands. But fast-warming oceans are also melting the great ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica from below, which has the potential to greatly increase the rate and height of sea-level rise. The warming of the Southern Ocean is particularly alarming, because it could destabilize West Antarctica and lead to the collapse of ice sheets that could raise global sea levels by 10 feet. Fast-warming oceans also have big impacts on marine life. As the ocean heats up, its driving fish into new places, and were already seeing that thats driving conflict between countries, Pinsky told the Times. Its spilling over far beyond just fish, its turned into trade wars. Its turned into diplomatic disputes. Its led to a breakdown in international relations in some cases. Fast-warming oceans also mean that Big Fix technologies like geoengineering and carbon removal, which are increasingly seen as last resort measures to cool the planet, will be less effective. Its one thing to throw up a sun shade beside a pool; its another thing entirely to try to cool down the water in the pool itself. If there is an upside to this recent paper, its this: Its further proof that climate science and knowledge about the risks we face in the future are getting better, more accurate and more sophisticated. We may or we may not be doomed, but we cant say we werent warned Nobel laureate James Watson has been stripped of honorary titles by the laboratory he once led after spewing more racist comments about intelligence on a recent PBS documentary. Watson, who discovered the double-helix structure of DNA with partner Francis Crick in the 1950s based on findings by chemist Rosalind Franklin, said in American Masters: Decoding Genetics earlier this month that genes are responsible for inferior intelligence among blacks. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island immediately lashed the comments by the 90-year-old scientist as reprehensible and completely without a scientific basis. Dr. Watsons statements are reprehensible, unsupported by science, and in no way represent the views of CSHL, its trustees, faculty, staff or students. The Laboratory condemns the misuse of science to justify prejudice, said a statement from the lab. While the lab appreciates Watsons substantial scientific legacy, the statement added, his latest comments are utterly incompatible with our mission, values, and policies, and require the severing of any remaining vestiges of his involvement. The lab ejected Watson from his role as chancellor and from administrative duties in 2007 following previous racist remarks even though he retracted and apologized for the statements. This time the laboratory is stripping him of his remaining honorary titles, including honorary trustee and chancellor emeritus. In 2007 Watson told the Sunday Times that he was gloomy about the prospect of Africa because all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours, whereas all the testing says not really. In the documentary he admitted that his views on race and intelligence had not changed not at all. Theres a difference on the average between blacks and whites on IQ tests, he said. I would say the difference is ... genetic. He also said he took no joy in his conclusion. The situation is awful, he said, just like its awful for schizophrenics. He added: I like black people. Story continues Watson has also been accused of anti-Semitism, sexism and anti-gay prejudice. In 1997 he told the Sunday Telegraph that a woman should be allowed to abort a child for any reason, including for homosexuality if a gene could be found that determined it. He also suggested in 2000 that there might be a link between a persons weight and ambition, and between an individuals skin color and sexual prowess, Gizmodo reports. Watson, who won a Nobel Prize in 1962, sold his award in 2014 at auction for $4.1 million to Russian entrepreneur and philanthropist Alisher Usmanov, who returned it to Watson. The scientist said at the time that he decided to sell the award in an attempt to redeem his reputation after his comments in 2007, The New York Times reported. Usmanov said Watson was delighted to get his Nobel back. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. New York (AFP) - US gold miner Newmont Mining Corporation said in a statement Monday it was buying Canadian rival Goldcorp Inc for $10 billion, creating the world's largest gold mining company. Colorado-based Newmont said it would buy all of Goldcorp's outstanding common shares in a stock-for-stock transaction, acquiring each share for 0.3280 of a Newmont share, "which represents a 17 percent premium based on the companies 20-day volume weighted average share prices," a company statement read. The industry has been consolidating as gold mines around the world get depleted, driving up costs and encouraging companies to come together in mergers and alliances. The merged company, to be named Newmont Goldcorp, will produce some 7.9 million ounces of gold a year. "This combination will create the worlds leading gold business with the best assets, people, prospects and value-creation opportunities," said Newmont Chief Executive Officer Gary Goldberg. The merger "creates the world's premier gold company," added Goldcorp President and Chief Executive Officer David Garofalo. "Newmont Goldcorp will be one of Canada's largest gold producers and will have its North America regional office in Vancouver, and expects to oversee more than three million ounces of the combined companys total annual gold production," he said. Goldberg, Newmont's chief executive since 2013, will stay on as CEO until the merger is complete, likely in the last quarter of 2019. Then he will retire, and Chief Operating Officer Tom Palmer will take over, the company said. Newmont Goldcorp also plans to sell up to $1.5 billion in assets over the next two years "to optimize gold production at a sustainable, steady-state level of six to seven million ounces annually," the statement read. Newmont also said it expects initial cost savings from the merger of $100 million a year. The Newmont-Goldcorp deal comes three months after Barrick Gold Corp. agreed to buy Randgold Resources in a $5.4 billion deal. Goldcorp's Vancouver, Canada office will become Newmont Goldcorp's North America regional office, while the company's South America regional office will be in Miami, the Australia regional office will be in Perth, and the Africa regional office will be in Accra, Ghana. Newmont Goldcorp's shares will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker symbol NEM, the statement added. Throughout Donald Trumps successful run for president, he repeatedly promised to build a big and beautiful wall across the southern border that Mexico would pay for. The pledge enthralled his chanting rally-goers and became his signature campaign promise. Then it became his albatross. Mexican leaders made it clear they have no intention of paying for Trumps wall. That left the president in the position of having to secure funding from U.S. taxpayers and to spin an ever-shifting series of nonsensical scenarios for how Mexico would indirectly reimburse America, the most recent involving a yet-to-be-ratified trade deal. A protest in Boston on Jan. 11, 2019. Even during two years of Republicans controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, Trump couldnt get major appropriations for his wall (or fence or steel slats or physical barriers or whatever he called it at any given moment). And even when Democrats dangled $25 billion for the wall if he agreed to a citizenship path for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who arrived as children, the supposedly master dealmaker couldnt get it done. And now, with Democrats in control of the House, he cant get it done even by forcing the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, one that has left 800,000 federal workers unpaid and the economy losing an estimated $1.2 billion a week. What next? Trump is considering declaring a national emergency at the southern border, invoking a 1976 law that other presidents have used to help the country in times of dire need. This approach has its appeal: Government employees would presumably go back to work despite the political impasse. It offers both Trump and Congress a way out of the the box theyve created while the courts sort out the legality of such a declaration. But a national emergency declaration would be a misguided and destructive overreach of executive power: It stretches the definition of emergency. To be sure, drug trafficking and an influx of Central American families seeking asylum are significant problems. But they fall short of major national security crises, and walls though hardly the immorality cited by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are at best a small part of the solutions. Story continues Arrests for illegal border-crossing are down about 80 percent since 2000. More undocumented immigrants enter America legally through ports of entry and overstay visas than sneak across the border. And theres no proof, according to the State Department, that even one terrorist has entered the United States across the southern border through 2017. It would be a dangerous precedent. Republicans must surely know they wont control the White House forever. Dont they remember denouncing King Obama for his executive overreach on immigration? Would they really want a future Democratic president attempting to bypass the will of Congress by declaring national emergencies on gun violence, climate change or health care? It would divert money from other important projects. The wall would have to be paid for by reallocating military construction funding approved by Congress but not yet spent. The longer the shutdown goes on, the more it looks like the bigger emergency is the political one caused by Donald Trumps inability to fulfill an ill-considered campaign promise. The way out of this morass is through bipartisan compromise, not by bending the law or the Constitution. USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff. Most editorials are coupled with an opposing view a unique USA TODAY feature. To read more editorials, go to the Opinion front page or sign up for the daily Opinion email newsletter. To respond to this editorial, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. If you can't see this reader poll, please refresh your page. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National emergency declaration would be a misguided and destructive overreach A British engineer and expert yachtsman has been found dead in a pool of blood at his Caribbean home after a suspected murder. Robert Hathaway, 66, was found by a neighbour on the island of St Lucia, where he has lived for around 18 years, at around midday yesterday (Sunday). Friends paid tribute to the hero who they said was popular with locals. The marine engineer and former Cambridge graduate from Codford Saint Peter, in Wiltshire, built the Caribbeans first solar-powered catamaran. The divorced former social worker and marina manager worked in sustainable tourism consultation before his death, it is understood. Local police said that blood was found at the scene and detectives have launched a murder investigation, according to St Lucia News Online. It is understood Robert studied engineering a Cambridge University and then worked in local government. He became a technical and operations director of a yacht building and repair company near Southampton after cruising in the Mediterranean during a sabbatical aged 37. His website said he sailed to Saint Lucia in 2001 and bought land in Marigot Bay and was planning to retire. But instead he built a solar-powered catamaran the first of its kind in the Caribbean and then managed an 150-berth marina. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday after meeting his Japanese counterpart that Tokyo must recognise Moscow's sovereignty over all of the disputed south Kuril islands in order for peace talks to continue. The two diplomats met for the first time since leaders of Japan and Russia agreed last year to increase efforts to sign a treaty ending World War II. Talks stalled for decades due to Japan's claim to strategic islands seized by the Soviet army in the final days of the war. "Sovereignty over the islands is not up for discussion, this is Russian territory," Lavrov said in a briefing following talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono. Moscow is willing to work toward a peace resolution provided "Japan's indisputable recognition of the entirety of results of World War II, including Russia's sovereignty over all of the islands of the southern Kuril chain," he said. Lavrov said this basic premise is reflected in the 1956 joint declaration of the Soviet Union and Japan, which Moscow is willing to use as a starting point. "This is our base position and without steps in this direction it is very difficult to expect movement forward on other issues," he added. Lavrov said that for the time being, efforts to jointly develop the islands per recent bilateral agreements have not been particularly successful. He said one of Moscow's goals in bilateral cooperation was visa-free travel between the two countries, which could start with Tokyo dropping the visa requirement for Russian citizens residing on the Kurils. - Decades-long dispute - A spokesman for the Japanese foreign ministry in Moscow said the two ministers had a "serious and frank exchange" but did not comment on the details of the negotiations. "There are differences of positions... we will work to get the positions closer," Takeshi Osuga told journalists. He confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe would meet in Moscow next week. Story continues The disputed Kuril islands, one of which lies less than 10 kilometres from Japan's Hokkaido, consist of Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and Habomai. Three are inhabited while Habomai is a group of islets with only the presence of a border patrol. Japan and the Soviet Union signed the 1956 document, which stipulated that the USSR was willing to cede Shikotan and Habomai following a signed peace agreement, but Japan demanded all four islands. Lavrov said Monday that it was "unacceptable" that Japan still called the islands Northern Territories in its national law. Working with the 1956 declaration would also need to reconcile the fact that Japan has since entered a military alliance with the United States. "Now of course we have to take into account that the situation with regards to Japan's military alliances has drastically changed," Lavrov said. US efforts to "militarise" the Asia Pacific region created additional risks for Russia, he added. Unusually, the two foreign ministers did not appear in a joint press conference but scheduled two separate briefings for the media. Lavrov said this was done at the request of Tokyo. He said any peace settlement would have to be "supported and accepted by the people in our countries". Ceding any islands to Japan is unlikely to go down well in Russia, where the Kremlin has whipped up a wave of patriotic sentiment since 2014, when Moscow annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine. The governor of the Russian island of Sakhalin, who also administers the Kurils, last week said locals opposed territorial changes. Hundreds protested recently against any handover. "The Kuril islands are Russian soil, that is clear. The issue of handing over the Kuril islands is not on the agenda," governor Valery Limarenko told the Gazeta.Ru news website. bitmain bitcoin mining crypto Bitmains problems continue, as the worlds largest bitcoin mining firm has announced a fresh round of layoffs. Bitmain is rumored to have lost over $700 million in Q4 2018, and late last month reports broke out that the Chinese mining giant is set to fire 50% of its workforce. Later, the company shut down its Israeli branch and fired all of its employees. Meanwhile, Chinese media reported that Bitmain CEOs Jihan Wu and Micree Zhan are set to step down. Bitmains Texas Crypto Mine Comes to Halt According to a report from Texas Republic Radio, Bitmain has suspended its operations in Rockdale, a former coal-mining town located east of Austin. Announced last year, the Rockdale data center was set to become the largest cryptocurrency mining operation in the US. All of the firms employees, other than two engineers and the director of human relations, were fired. Bitmain spent millions of dollars in renovating the buildings and had nearly 7,000 to 8,000 miners out there already. An unhappy Milam County Judge Steve Young said: Im really disappointed because we had advertised this. We had waited for this. We had wanted this. We had welcomed this. This was huge, we need some positive news here. We need some jobs here. We need tax base here and this was a step in the right direction. Back in July 2018, when Bitmain made the announcement, bitcoin was trading at $8,000. Now it is less than half that price. The company had expected to invest $500 million in the facility and create 400 new jobs. A spokesperson said: The right-sized team at Rockdale now has the expertise to re-start the project at small scale anytime. Bitmain would like to ramp up the site at a slower pace and scale based on market conditions. Cheap electricity in Milam County and the industrial infrastructure at Alcoa property made it attractive for Bitmains mining operations. Rockdale City Manager Chris Whittaker remains optimistic that Bitmain will be back on its feet soon and bring the large scale mining operation that the company had originally promised. Story continues Amsterdam Office Shuttered bitmain bitcoin mining After Israel, Bitmain has now shut down its office in Amsterdam as a part of its downsizing. This office mainly focused on operations and development of its mining pool and crypto wallet, BTC.com. While the firm has decided to shut down this office, it does not have an official timeline yet. Cited in CoinDesk, a Bitmain spokesperson said: As we build a long-term, sustainable and scalable business, we are making adjustments to our staff and operations. This includes the decision to close our Amsterdam and Israel offices. We are really focusing on things that are core to our mission and not things that are auxiliary. We will continue to hire the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. Bad News Continues As Bitmain continues to struggle with its finances, it has reportedly failed to convince Hong Kong regulators to approve its IPO application. Once touted as the largest IPO in crypto industry history, the offering was expected to raise $3 billion. However, Hong Kong regulators are not ready to let any crypto business raise funds through an IPO before proper regulations are in place. Nothing seems to go right for the bitcoin mining giant these days, and its fallout could affect the entire crypto market. Featured Image from Bitmain The post More Layoffs: Bitcoin Mining Giant Bitmain Makes Cuts in Amsterdam & Texas appeared first on CCN. Monday, January 14, 2019 Pre-market futures are soundly in the red this morning, following discouraging trade data out of China: Exports, which had been expected to come in at +0.6% year over year, have fallen instead to -4.4%. The pales drastically to the previous read of +5.4%. Imports were even worse at -7.6%, more than a thousand basis points below the estimated +4.8%. These are the weakest China figures in nearly 3 years. Clearly, what we see here is the affect of U.S. tariffs hitting the Chinese trade market. This exacerbates the internal difficulties the country had been having with slowing growth in the worlds second-largest economy. Those year-over-year comps have gotten just about impossible to hurdle at this stage. In fact, the questions analysts have about China are beginning to change these days, as well: instead of, How much higher growth can be expected? were now approaching, Is China actually in a recession right now? Add onto this not-inconsequential circumstance a new headline this morning that a Canadian national convicted of smuggling methamphetamine in China is seeing his sentence mercilessly increased, from 15 years in prison previous to death today. This is one of those stories that dont carry weight to change market activity, but do have the potential to capture market headlines in near-term news cycles. Pacific Gas & Electric to File Bankruptcy Partly due to its estimated $30 billion in liabilities relating to California wildfires in both 2017 and this devastating past 2018, Pacific Gas & Electric PGE has decided to declare bankruptcy. This has led shares to fall off a cliff down 47% in todays pre-market. Some observers are speculating this may be another ploy by the company to go begging for a bailout by the state of California, but others dismiss this as wishful thinking. The California wildfires claimed nearly 1.9 million acres of land in the Golden State, as well as scores of fatalities among both firefighters and civilians. And while no one holds companies like PG&E solely responsible, there are many calls in arguably the most progressive state in the nation to take some of the reparations out of the hide of corporate interests in the region. Citigroup Reports Mixed Q4 Bank giant Citigroup C is the first of the big Wall Street banks to put up quarterly numbers this morning, with mixed results: earnings of $1.61 per share topped Zacks consensus by 6 cents per share, while revenues of $17.12 billion missed estimates by 2%, and down from year-ago top line figures. Shares are only down marginally in the pre-market at this hour, and are still up around 8% year to date. The company currently rates a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), and as we see reaction to the earnings call over the next few days as well as comparisons to other big banks reporting tomorrow and later in the week well get a better feel for how investors are looking at Citi shares. For more on Cs earnings, click here. Return to Merger Monday Newmont Mining NEM is reportedly acquiring Zacks Rank #3-rated Goldcorp GG for $10 billion in stock, or $11 per share. This would create the worlds largest gold producer, and the biggest commodity play on gold in the equity markets. This one-ups Barricks acquisition of Randgold in September of last year. As per typical with these sorts of acquisitions, Goldcorp shares have bid up toward the buyout price, up 8.5% in todays pre-market, while Newmont is seeing traders sell in the early hours this Monday, down more than 7%. Future analysis will point the way forward; look for future write-ups on this merger in the coming days. Finally, Gannett GCI the publisher behind USA Today, among other news sources is being sought for $12 per share by hedge fund-backed MNG. The total price tag is reportedly $1.36 billion, roughly a 23% premium from Gannetts closing price Friday afternoon. MNG already owned a 7.5% stake in the publisher, and plans to review all options regarding the companys assets. No formal acceptance to the offer has been forthcoming from Gannett at this hour. Mark Vickery Senior Editor Questions or comments about this article and/or its author? Click here>> Story continues Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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 Department of Justice will continue to pursue its terrorism cases against former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and other alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New Peoples Army despite being delisted from governments petition seeking to declare them terrorists. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the decision to drop the names of Ocampo, National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Rafael Baylosis, United National special rapporteur on rights of indigenous peoples Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpus and former Asia representative to the UN Expert Mechanism Jose Melencio Molintas in the government's proscription case before the Manila regional trial court did not mean that they will no longer be linked to the terrorism cases. According to Guevarra, while the DOJ recently amended its petition to declare the CPP and NPA as terrorists before Manila RTC Branch 19, all officials and members of the communist groups are still included in the case. "The amended petition has reduced the names of individuals from 649 to just eight names who are firmly identified with the CPP-NPA, and the rest are lumped, without mentioning their names, under a general allegation," Guevarra said, in an interview. Guevarra said while the list submitted by the DOJ was significantly cut, "the respondents in the petition for proscription have remained the same - the CPP and the NPA." The DOF chief recalled that the 649 names were stated in the original petition "only for the purpose of serving summons as the CPP and NPA have no find addresses and the named individuals were identified by intelligence authorities as members of said organizations." He said that the objective of the petition is merely to declare the communist groups as terrorist organizations. "Once declared as such, any individual who may later be identified as a member of supporter of, or associated in any manner with, such organizations will face the consequences under the Human Security Act," he explained.Guevarra hinted that Ocampo, Baylosis, Corpus, and Molintas, as well as the over 600 names included in the original list of DOJ, could still possibly be charged for terrorism - once their links to CPP and NPA are established. The cases against the four were dropped after Manila RTC Branch 19 Presiding Judge Marlo declared them as non-parties in the case in a ruling last year and ordered the DOJ to just serve the summons through publication in a newspaper. In the amended petition recently filed, the DOJ listed only eight CPP and NPA officers - CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, Jorge Madlos of the NPA National Operations Command; Jaime Padilla, a supposed leader of the Melito Glor Command; Francisco Fernandez, an alleged secretary of the Negros Region Committee; Cleofe Lagtapon, a Southeast Front head of the same committee; Antonio Cabanatan, secretary of the Mindanao Commission; Leonido Nabong, head of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Military Commission; and Myrna Sularte, secretary of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. The names and addresses of the other alleged CPP-NPA officers, however, are unknown but are also operating in different parts of the Philippine territory, the amended petition read. The petition identified a significantly fewer number of alleged officials, unlike its first petition where it identified 18 alleged top communist leaders, 46 human rights defenders, four Catholic priests, a former party-list lawmaker, and several others. The amended petition still enumerated the alleged crimes of the CPP-NPA on the people such as murder, bombings, and extortion, in convincing the court that the CPP-NPA should be declared as terrorists and that the communists are only deceiving the Philippine government in entering into peace talks. The CPP and NPA are merely buying time by deceiving the Philippine government in entering into peace talks, while their main purpose is to mobilize all their forces in preparation for the peoples war aimed at overthrowing the duly constituted authorities, seizing control of the Philippine government and imposing a totalitarian regime. Thus, there is no other time to put an end to their deception but through the filing of this petition, stated amended petition. Millions of Americans from Colorado to Washington, D.C., were digging out from a major winter storm Monday while forecasters warned that more snow chaos could be on the way next weekend. The storm began its march in Colorado last week before dumping up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Missouri. On its way east, it rolled through an area from Baltimore to North Carolina, blanketing Washington and its environs with up to a foot of snow and pounding parts of western North Carolina with a half-inch of ice. More than 120,000 homes and businesses remained without power Monday in Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina and Virginia. Schools were closed for hundreds of thousands of kids across the metro Washington area Monday, just hours after the snow finally quit. Interstates were cleared but local roads remained icy, some untouched by plows. Snow covers parked cars during a winter storm on Jan. 13, 2019 in Washington. North Carolina had the highest number of power outages lingering Monday, almost 50,000. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency and urged residents in the mountainous west to stay off roads. "Thanks to the crews working hard to restore power and keep our roads safe," he said. Flight delays and cancellations across the swath of the storm were easing Monday after a weekend of scheduling havoc. A jet slid off a taxiway in Cincinnati on Sunday, but no injuries were reported. More: Fierce winter storm slams East with ice, snow; more could be coming More: Snow count: 1,500 flight cancellations since Friday; schedules improving Interstates that had been the scene of thousands of crashes and abandoned vehicles also were opening up. At least nine people died in the storm, including four in Missouri, where the Highway Patrol rescued almost 2,000 stranded motorists over the weekend. Almost a foot of snow was measured at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Omaha was digging out from almost as much, as was the Illinois capital city of Springfield. Illinois State Trooper Christopher Lambert was among the storm's fatalities, hit by a car Saturday while responding to a three-vehicle crash I-294. Story continues Trooper Lambert deliberately placed his vehicle in a position to protect the lives of the victims of the previous crash, and took on the danger himself," State Patrol Director Leo Schmitz said. The weather event itself was largely over Monday. The next few days should provide an opportunity for recovery, AccuWeather forecasts. But a "significant" winter storm could develop from Friday into next weekend, with a storm sweeping snow and ice from the central Plains to a large swath of the Northeast. And there may be more after that, AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. "There will be no rest for the weary with another storm approaching the East between Jan. 22 and 23," Pastelok said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Millions digging out from killer storm, bracing for more winter havoc Microsoft Corp. MSFT has recently clinched a five-year contract worth $1.76-billion from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), under which the company will provide enterprise servicesfor the Pentagon Defense Department, cloud Coast Guard and intelligence services. The companys contract is non-competitive, single-award, firm-fixed, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity. Per the deal, Microsoft will provide enterpriseservices that include availability of Azure in order to create new technologyand address ethical issues. It will also take care of existing workloads like security, and new workloads such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge artificial intelligence AI. Notably, shares of Microsoft have returned 14.7% year over year, substantially outperforming the industrys rally of 10.9%. Microsofts Government Services: A Bright Spot Microsofts recent contract comes in addition to its huge deal with the U.S. DoDin 2018. In October 2018, Microsoft Azures corporate vice president, Julia White, had announced that it is increasing support to various cloud services for government. Notably, Microsoft had secured a 10-year contract worth $10 billion to provide cloud-based infrastructure services for Pentagons Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI). The major takeaways of the announcement were the availability of Azure Government Secret regions from the first quarter of 2019, new Azure Data Box, Data Box Heavy and Data Box Edge to government customers, and expansion of Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) support for various U.S. Government agencies. In November 2018, Microsoft secured another U.S. army contract, worth $480 million. Per the deal, the companys robust augmented reality (AR) capabilities of HoloLens were anticipated to enable U.S. army soldiers in countering real-life challenging conditions. Microsoft is optimistic regarding this association with the U.S. Department of Defense. Microsoft had previously expressed its support for the US military, stating Microsoft is going to provide the U.S. military with access to the best technology all the technology we create. Full stop. Story continues Additionally, the increasing spending on defense in the companys budget bodes well. The fiscal 2019 defense budget of $717 billion the largest budget allotted to defense in U.S. history highlights the countrys efforts in maintaining a solid security cover, with rivals like China and Russia. We believe Microsofts focus on improving its products with emerging technologies, including AR, VR or MR, IoT, AI, among others is helping the company explore new use cases for its offerings. These initiatives in turn assist in winning contracts, including the one under review, which are anticipated to boost top-line growth, going forward. The aforementioned factors are expected to help the company compete against fellow industry giants, such as Amazon AMZN and Alphabet GOOGL. Zacks Rank & a Stock to Consider Microsoft carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), at present. Marvell Technology Group Ltd. MRVL is a better-ranked in the broader technology sector, flaunting a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The expected long-term earnings growth rate for Marvell is currently pegged at 9.4%. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research On the lookout for an All Cap Growth fund? Starting with MFS Growth Fund A (MFEGX) is one possibility. MFEGX bears a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective Tickers is classified in the All Cap Growth segment by Zacks, an area full of possibilities. All Cap Growth funds have holdings across small, medium, and large-cap levels in order to increase diversification. As long as stocks demonstrate strong growth characteristics, these portfolios will invest in various equity securities regardless of company size. History of Fund/Manager MFS is based in Boston, MA, and is the manager of MFEGX. MFS Growth Fund A made its debut in December of 1986, and since then, MFEGX has accumulated about $5.24 billion in assets, per the most up-to-date date available. The fund's current manager, Eric B. Fischman, has been in charge of the fund since April of 2002. Performance Of course, investors look for strong performance in funds. MFEGX has a 5-year annualized total return of 9.69% and is in the top third among its category peers. Investors who prefer analyzing shorter time frames should look at its 3-year annualized total return of 10.95%, which places it in the top 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 8.86%, the standard deviation of MFEGX over the past three years is 12.44%. Looking at the past 5 years, the fund's standard deviation is 12.15% compared to the category average of 9%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Risk Factors Investors cannot discount the risks to this segment though, as it is always important to remember the downside for any potential investment. In the most recent bear market, MFEGX lost 46.4% and outperformed its peer group by 2.38%. These results could imply that the fund is a better choice than its peers during a sliding market environment. Story continues Nevertheless, investors should also note that the fund has a 5-year beta of 1, which means it is hypothetically as volatile as the market at large. Alpha is an additional metric to take into consideration, since it represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which in this case, is the S&P 500. With a positive alpha of 1.28, managers in this portfolio are skilled in picking securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Holdings Investigating the equity holdings of a mutual fund is also a valuable exercise. This can show us how the manager is applying their stated methodology, as well as if there are any inherent biases in their approach. For this particular fund, the focus is primarily on equities that are traded in the United States. Right now, 75.33% of this mutual fund's holdings are stocks, with an average market capitalization of $293.77 billion. The fund has the heaviest exposure to the following market sectors: Technology Retail Trade Turnover is 18%, which means this fund makes fewer trades than comparable funds. Expenses For investors, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is key, since costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing. Competition is heating up in this space, and a lower cost product will likely outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, all things being equal. In terms of fees, MFEGX is a load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.91% compared to the category average of 1.10%. So, MFEGX is actually cheaper than its peers from a cost perspective. Investors should also note that the minimum initial investment for the product is $1,000 and that each subsequent investment needs to be at $50. Bottom Line Overall, MFS Growth Fund A ( MFEGX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, MFS Growth Fund A ( MFEGX ) looks like a good potential choice for investors right now. This could just be the start of your research on MFEGXin the All Cap Growth category. Consider going to www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for additional information about this fund, and all the others that we rank as well for additional information. Want to learn even more? We have a full suite of tools on stocks that you can use to find the best choices for your portfolio too, no matter what kind of investor you are. 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Kyle Mizokami Security, Let the debate begin... Meet the 5 Worst Handguns To Ever Fire a Shot In 1991 the company finally unveiled the Colt 2000. Despite an excellent pedigreethe Colt 2000 was designed by firearm legends Reed Knight Jr. and Eugene Stoner (inventor of the AR-15)the handgun was a complete failure. Owners experienced failure to extract issues involving spent shell casings, poor accuracy, and a safety recall. It was also very unattractive. Sales lagged and the Colt 2000, introduced in 1991 was just canceled three years later in 1994. Handheld firearms have existed in one form or another since the 13th century. Despite their long history, there have been relatively few real, genuine clunkers in the world of handguns. The close engagement range of handgunstypically zero to twenty-five feetmeans that a handgun operator will often have little or no chance to clear a jammed weapon, and therefore complete, absolute, unqualified reliability is a must. Nevertheless, some handgun clunkers became famous, popular, or both. (This first appeared several months ago.) Nambu: The Nambu is one of the worst pistols ever designed. At first glance, Japans first semi-automatic pistol design resembles the iconic German Luger P-08though the comparison stops there. Designed by Kijiro Nambu at manufactured at Tokyos Koishikawa Arsenal, the Nambu was meant to provide Japans armed forces with an indigenously designed and produced handgun. Quality was generally good, but the design was horrendous. The double recoil springs and magazine spring made extracting the magazine extremely difficult. A weak striker spring gradually lost power, resulting in light primer strikes and misfires. The guns ergonomics were very poor and veered more towards traditional Japanese martial weapons than a comfortable, pointable, handgun. Although popular in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, only the latter officially adopted it, with Army officers often purchasing theirs out of pocket. Story continues Beretta Model 1923: Beretta built many successful handguns for the Italian armed forces in World War I, particularly the Beretta Model 1915. An attempt to modernize the 1915, however, introduced a key design flaw. The Model 1923 featured an external ring hammer and crucially, was chambered in 9x19 Glisenti. Meanwhile, the 9x19 Parabellum round was fast becoming the dominant pistol round among European armies. 9x19 Glisenti was considerably less powerful than its more widely accepted twin, and the latter could be inserted into a Model 1923...with possibly disastrous consequences. It was likely for this reason the Model 1923 was discontinued after two years, with subsequent Beretta pistols chambered in 7.65 Browning, and eventually 9x19 Parabellum. Type 68 Handgun: The Type 68 was a North Korean handgun based on the Soviet World War II era Tokarev TT-33 handgun design. The Tokarev is very roughly the USSRs answer to John Moses Brownings 1911 handgun, utilizing a similar design and designed for mass production. The Type 68 is not a strict copy of the TT-33, being unaccountably shorter and bulkier than any other Tokarev variantof which there are many. This has the unfortunate downside of driving up recoil and thus driving down accuracy. Perhaps indicative of the regimes paranoia, the Type 68 cannot share magazines with real TT-33s. Colt 2000: In the early 1980s, the nine-millimeter Glock 17 handgun ushered in the age of Wonder Nines. These were reliable, often foreign-made nine-millimeter handguns with large high capacity magazines. This change in buying habits caught legendary American arms maker Colt by surprise, and the company was slow to offer its own Wonder Nine. In 1991 the company finally unveiled the Colt 2000. Despite an excellent pedigreethe Colt 2000 was designed by firearm legends Reed Knight Jr. and Eugene Stoner (inventor of the AR-15)the handgun was a complete failure. Owners experienced failure to extract issues involving spent shell casings, poor accuracy, and a safety recall. It was also very unattractive. Sales lagged and the Colt 2000, introduced in 1991 was just canceled three years later in 1994. Deer Gun: The CIA originally conceived a single shot, disposable pistolthe Deer Gunas a way to cheaply arm South Vietnamese intelligence agents operating in hostile territory. It was essentially a single shot weapon designed to allow an agent to kill a sentry and take his weapon. The Deer Gun was an aluminum pistol grip fitted with a barrel and a removable plastic safety that once removed doubled as a front sight. The gun was meant to be distributed unmarked in a plastic box with three rounds of unmarked 9x19 Parabellum ammunition. The extremely slow rate of fire made it for all intents and purposes a single shot weapon, and the 9x19 round could not guarantee to incapacitate the target. As the war grew more violent and involved more heavily armed personnel on both sides, the Deer Gun grew less practical, and only 1,000 were built. Kyle Mizokami is a writer based in San Francisco who has appeared in The Diplomat, Foreign Policy, War is Boring and The Daily Beast. In 2009 he co-founded the defense and security blog Japan Security Watch. Image: Creative Commons. Read full article More than 30,000 Los Angeles teachers walked off the job Monday after budget negotiations broke down, sending the nations largest school district scrambling for temporary help. The United Teachers Los Angeles Union (UTLA) resorted to a strike for the first time in 30 years after weeks of negotiations with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) failed to produce an agreement on education funding, class sizes, and other sticking points between the two sides. The district offered Friday to add nearly 1,200 more educators teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians in schools, reducing class size in thousands of classrooms. The district also offered to place a 39-student limit on class sizes and to raise teachers salaries by 6 percent. But in a statement released over the weekend, UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl called the districts offer woefully inadequate, pointing out that the staffing concession would only be guaranteed for one year. Caputo-Pearl is standing by the unions demand that the district use its $1.86 billion in reserve funding to permanently increase staffing and raise salaries by 6.5 percent. In his first state budget as governor, Newsom prioritized a number of ambitious expansions to the states welfare programs. As part of his mission to provide sanctuary to all who seek it, Newsom included in the budget a provision that would make illegal immigrants ages 19 to 26 eligible for coverage under Medi-cal, the states version of Medicaid. If the budget passes the state legislature, it would make California the first state in the nation to cover young undocumented adults through a state Medicaid program, according to a press release from Newsoms office. Newsom also laid out in the budget his vision for a universal health-care system, which would cost taxpayers $400 billion annually, according to the most recent legislative analysis. The LAUSD announced Monday that students will be supervised by more than 2,000 reassigned administrators and more than 400 substitute teachers while their usual instructors are on the picket line. More from National Review Los Angeles (AFP) - More than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles walked off the job on Monday to press their demands for better pay, smaller class sizes and more educators. The strike -- the first in 30 years -- is affecting some 500,000 students in the nation's second largest school district, with intense negotiations in past weeks failing to lead to a breakthrough. The action is being watched closely by teaching unions across the country that are engaged in labor negotiations and also considering strikes. "Here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state that's blue (Democrat) as it can be -- and in a city rife with millionaires -- where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students," Alex Caputo-Pearl, the head of the United Teachers Los Angeles union, told a news conference. "Here we are in a fight for the soul of public education," Caputo-Pearl added. "The question is: do we starve our public neighborhood schools so that they (become) privatized, or do we re-invest in our public neighborhood schools for our students and for a thriving city?" Although the teachers' union and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) agree that class sizes -- some at more than 40 -- must shrink, teacher salaries must improve and more support staff are needed, they differ on funding. School district officials insist they have taken great pains to avert a strike and negotiate with the union and say the district simply doesn't have enough money to meet all of the demands. A revised offer submitted on Friday and calling for roughly $24 million more in funding and 1,200 more teachers for the upcoming school year was rejected. - 'We'd like to resolve this' - LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner on Monday said his office had reached out to the governor's office and the mayor's office to see if they could help broker a deal. Story continues He said the teachers' demands would cost about $3 billion and push district into insolvency. "We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible," Beutner told reporters. "We urge (the union) to resume bargaining with us anytime, anywhere, 24-7. We'd like to resolve this." Despite the walkout, the 1,240 schools in the sprawling district remain open, he said, with classes taught by administrators and substitute teachers. Last spring, a strike by teachers in the state of West Virginia over low wages and rising health care costs set off a wave of similar action in several other states and garnered strong public support. The walkout in Los Angeles could have a similar effect. In Denver, Colorado, for example, the teachers union has threatened a strike unless an agreement can be reached by the end of this week on salary conditions. Teachers' unions across the country offered support for those striking in Los Angeles, with many educators and parents wearing red T-shirts in solidarity. Red became the signature color of striking teachers last year after an early demonstration called on them to wear "Red4Ed." Monday's strike action also drew support from Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren. "I support @UTLAnow & LAUSD teachers who are for fighting for better pay, smaller classes, & better resourced schools for our kids," she tweeted. "When we fail our public school teachers, we fail their students and we fail our future. I'm with our teachers all the way. With around $717.1 billion assets under management as of Sep 30, 2018, Franklin Templeton Investments is a well-known global investment management firm. It offers investment management strategies and integrated risk-management solutions to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts and partnerships. 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Zacks Investment Research BEIRUT (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department criticized Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group on Monday for digging tunnels into Israel and stockpiling rockets, as Washington steps up efforts to isolate Tehran. In recent weeks, Israeli forces uncovered tunnels they said were dug by Hezbollah, and Lebanon complained about Israel's construction of a barrier along disputed parts of the border. The United States, Israel's closest ally, regards Hezbollah as a terrorist group and has pledged tougher steps to counteract Iranian influence in the region, but it has also reiterated its backing for the Lebanese government - which includes Hezbollah representatives - and army. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week vowed to expel "every last Iranian boot" from Syria, where Iran has been fighting alongside Hezbollah, and where Israel has been carrying out strikes against both. "While Lebanon has the right to defend itself, that is the right of the Lebanese state alone," said David Hale, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, after meeting Lebanese prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri. "It is unacceptable to have a militia outside the control of the state, and unanswerable to all people of Lebanon digging attack tunnels across the blue line to Israel or assembling an arsenal of over 100,000 missiles with which to threaten regional stability," he added. Israel, which regards Hezbollah as the biggest threat on its borders, on Sunday said it had completed efforts to find and destroy tunnels under the frontier that it said the group had dug to infiltrate fighters during a future war. Hezbollah has not commented on the tunnels. Lebanon's National Security Council last week said an Israeli border wall that crosses into territory claimed by Lebanon, constitutes an act of aggression. However, both sides appear ready to contain matters for now. "Israel's interest is to keep the (situation) quiet. I think for them (Hezbollah), that interest is even greater," Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot said last week after completing his term as Israeli army chief. OIL DISPUTE Hezbollah was set up by Iran in the early 1980s to fight Israel's occupation of south Lebanon, but it retained its weapons after Israeli forces withdrew in 2000 and has become the strongest political force in the country. The last conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, fought on Lebanese soil, was in 2006. A United Nations Security Council resolution ending that conflict called for work to delineate the border, but the frontier has still not been agreed. The border dispute has also affected Lebanese plans to drill for oil and gas near an area of sea claimed by both countries. Hale's visit comes as Lebanese politicians continue to jostle over the formation of a new coalition government more than eight months after an election. Hezbollah is part of Lebanon's caretaker government and is expected to be included in any new coalition formed by Hariri. Lebanon's failure to form a new government was dragging down the economy and "endangering the country", Hale said, and urged the caretaker government to move forward on the economy to maintain international confidence. (Reporting By Angus McDowall; Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) The Manila International Airport Authority has reported a significant increase of air travelers traffic at the countrys main gateway in 2018. Foreign and local airlines carried 45,082,544 passengers in 2018, a seven percent increase from 42,022,484 passengers that have arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 2017. Arriving and departing international travelers went up by 22,958,026 in 2018, compared to 20,957,571 in 2017. The number of travelers in domestic destination last year has also reached new heights. A record of arriving and departing passengers in 2018 rose to 22,124,518, outpacing the 21,064,913-passenger volume growth in 2017. According to data of Department of Tourism, foreign arrivals on October 2018 increased by 8.5 percent to 4.85 million in the first eight months despite a decline in a number of top source market. Supplementing the passenger influx in NAIA were returning Filipinos () and overseas Filipino workers who were traveling to several local destinations in the Philippines. The airport authority is also expecting more passenger traffic this year as new international routes were mounted by local airlines. In March, NAIA made it to the top 10 most improved airports in the 2018 World Airport Awards by Skytrax.NAIA listed number 10 in the survey while Fiumicino Airport in Rome bagged the top spot followed by Perth Airport in Australia and Calgary International Airport in Alberta, Canada. Completing the list of 10 most improved airports were Taiwan Taoyuan, Athens, Nadi, Monreal, Moscow Sheremetyevo and Houston Intercontinental. We are only as good as our last accomplishment. The bigger challenge now is how to sustain it, said MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal. He further expressed gratitude to the millions of passengers who took time to share their NAIA experience through the survey. Their testimonies serve as inspiration for us to believe that change is not impossible even in the midst of trials. Monreal also said that the greater recognition goes to the men and women of MIAA, who said, without whose commitment and cooperation, NAIA will not be able to achieve its small but meaningful transformation. In October 2017, online travel site Guide to Sleeping in Airports had also excluded NAIA in the list of the worst in the world. Upon assumption of office in July 2016, Monreal instituted numerous reforms and improvements to better serve the passengers and users of the four terminals of the countrys premier airport. Associated Press A new poll released Tuesday finds a dramatic surge in Palestinian support for Hamas following last month's Gaza war, with around three quarters viewing the Islamic militants as victors in a battle against Israel to defend Jerusalem and its holy sites. The scientific poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research also found plummeting support for President Mahmoud Abbas, who was sidelined by the war but is seen internationally as a partner for reviving the long-defunct peace process. The poll found that 53% of Palestinians believe Hamas is most deserving of representing and leading the Palestinian people, while only 14% prefer Abbas' secular Fatah party. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - More than 30,000 Los Angeles teachers demanding higher pay walked off the job in the second-largest U.S. school system on Monday, union officials said, leaving hundreds of thousands of students in limbo, About 640,000 students arriving on Monday for classes at some 900 campuses in the Los Angeles County School District were met by teachers carrying picket signs and rallying in the rain for higher salaries, increased staff and smaller classes. Videos posted on Twitter by the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), showed teachers and others marching with picket signs outside of a local public school chanting. "You can't put students first if you put teachers last," the UTLA union posted on Twitter late on Sunday. Related: Oklahoma, Kentucky teachers walk out over pay: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. No formal talks were held over the weekend, dashing hopes of an 11th-hour deal between the teachers union and the school district. Talks broke down on Friday, when union bargaining chair Arlene Inouye said she and her fellow negotiators were "insulted" by the latest contract offer from district officials. The union wants a 6.5 percent pay rise, more librarians, counselors and nurses on campuses, smaller class sizes and less testing, as well as a moratorium on new charter schools. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles, additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta and Gina Cherelus in New York; Editing by Scott Malone and Bill Berkrot) Two women have been rescued after being taken hostage at a UPS facility in New Jersey, a local prosecutor has said. The women, both UPS employees, were not seriously injured during the hours-long standoff, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore said at a news conference. The suspect has been apprehended after the incident at the UPS processing facility in Logan Township. The incident was reported between 8.30am and 9am on Birchcreek Road in Logan Township. A Swat team was activated to head to the facility, with a number of police vehicles already outside. We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time, a UPS statement said. One of the hostages had a prior relationship with the suspect, Mr Fiore said. New Jersey State Police confirmed that both local and country authorities responded to the incident. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Employees were evacuated from the building, leaving only the two women and the suspect. In an interview with local television station 6ABC, UPS employee Ashlee Erickson said: Then there was a massive police presence as soon as we were walking out of the building, there were a good ten cop cars, they all had their guns drawn out heading toward the main entrance of the building, Logan Township Schools had been placed on a modified lockdown. School district officials said that all students and staff are safe. There have been no other reports of injuries. U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a broadside at Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, describing him as Jeff Bozo in a tweet posted late Sunday night. Referencing the ongoing coverage of Bezos divorce, Trump sarcastically offered his sympathy to Bezos for being taken down by a rival publication. The tweet marks the latest in a long series of Twitter attacks by Trump on Bezos, whose ownership of the Washington Post has placed him firmly in the crosshairs. The tweet, which has gone viral in typical Trump fashion with over 18,000 retweets reads: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Thus far as always, Bezos has refused to be drawn into an exchange with Trump, but the president will nonetheless feel that the news of the divorce and the reporting surrounding it, represents a significant victory against someone he considers to be a powerful political adversary. Some speculate that Trump now has an example of the Posts alleged Fake News coverage due to its restrained coverage of the details of the divorce, compared to the Enquirers salacious reporting. Others believe that he considers the victory a more personal one. Trumps Ire With The Amazon Washington Post Following its acquisition by Bezos in 2013, the famous newspaper has seen an upturn in its fortunes, boosted by its new owners investment. This has enabled it to hire more journalists and carry out more of the difficult and expensive journalism that is increasingly threatened by the continued downturn in print journalisms revenues. With Trumps ascension to the zenith of American politics, the Washington Post and the New York Times have recorded significant subscriber growth in the course of covering controversial stories about the ongoing Mueller probe and Stormy Daniels among others. This has made both publications the subject of many a furious Twitter post about Fake News, with the Post, in particular, being a target of its ability to resist pressure and threats of legal action with support from its multi-billionaire owner. Story continues Since his election in 2016, Trump has repeatedly accused Bezos of using the Post as a lobbying tool on behalf of Amazon, though no proof of this has been presented so far. He has also accused Amazon of ripping off the United States Postal Service (USPS) despite information from the USPS 2017 annual report stating that its shipping and packages business actually helps the financial picture of the Postal Service. Is It Personal? According to political commentator and author of The Truth About Trump Michael DAntonio, the basis of Trumps beef with Bezos goes beyond concerns about the Post publishing politically damaging stories. He believes that Trump may feel personally affronted or threatened by Bezos who unlike him has enjoyed a scandal-free business career and is worth as much as 30 times more than Trump. Speaking to The Guardian in 2018, DAntonio said: Bezos is just ontologically the opposite of Donald Trump and that gets under Trumps skin. What he really hates is someone who appears to be incorruptible. He reads that as being superior, haughty, holier than thou. Its what he hates about Mueller: that Mueller is an emblem of rectitude. Theres no evidence that Bezos is anything but a tough business person. The details about Bezos divorce which include an embarrassing extramarital affair with a married woman may thus have presented Trump with an opportunity to prove that Bezos clean-shaven public image is, in fact, a lie. Judging by the latest tweet, this was an opportunity too good for him to pass on. Featured image from AFP. The post Jeff Bozo: Trump Seizes Long Awaited Opportunity To Blast Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos appeared first on CCN. The man suspected of kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents in their Wisconsin home allegedly decided to take the 13-year-old after spotting her getting onto a school bus one day, accordng to a criminal complaint filed in court. Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, will be formally charged with two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping before his afternoon hearing in Barron County Circuit Court, according to prosecutors. A criminal complaint alleges Mr Patterson told investigators that, on his drive to a job at a cheese factor in Almena, Wisconsin, he spotted Jayme get on the school bus one day and came up with the idea to abduct her. He knew that was the girl he was going to take, the criminal complaint said. Investigators believe Patterson broke into Jaymes home in Barron on 15 October by blasting the front door open with a shotgun. They also believe that he shot Ms Closss parents, and then abducted the young girl. Jayme escaped from captivity late last week and was found in the town of Gordon northwest Wisconsin. Gordon is about an hour's drive north of Barron. Mr Patterson allegedly went to the Closs home twice before eventually abducting Ms Closs and killing her parents. The first two attempts were unsuccessful since there were too many people around before he would be able to kidnap Ms Closs, the criminal complaint said. Jayme is said to have told police that she allegedly tried to hide from Mr Patterson, but he dragged her from her home and threw her in the back of his vehicle. The girl was initially hiding in the bathroom with her mother when Mr Patterson came to the front door. The mother and daughter heard a gunshot, and knew at that moment Patterson killed her father, the compalint states. Investigators said that there are no evidence linking online interactions between Mr Paterson and Jayme. The girls family insists that they do not know the 21-year-old suspect. Robert Naiberg, Ms Closss grandfather, told AP that his grand daughter told FBI agents that she does not know Mr Patterson at all. Story continues Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald told CNN it was it was priceless, very heartwarming to see Ms Closs having a big smile on her face, after being found. Ms Closs seems to have some sense of peace, after escaping and returning ro her family, Jennifer Halvorson, a friend of Jayme's aunts told People. Several photos posted of her reunion with family shows the 13-year-old smiling and hugging her relatives. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The defence attorneys for Mr PattersonCharles Gylnn and Richard Jonessaid the believe their client can be given a fair trial. Public defenders did not reveal specification information on what they expect the court hearing will involve, but acknowledged the case was a tragic situation from every perspective. Its been an emotional time for this community and a difficult time for this community, Mr Jones told the Associated Press. We dont take that lightly. But we have a job to do in protecting our client. In the immediate aftermath of Ms Closss disappearance, more than 3,500 tips were sent to the authorities, but none of them resulted in a hard lead. Ms Closs was found on Thursday when the teen girl went to a woman walking her dog and asked for help. The woman who discovered Ms Closs said the the girl begged for her help, and that told her that she had been in a nearby cabin. Jayme said she escaped when she was left alone. Neighbours called 911, and police arrested Mr Patterson after Jamye provided a description of a car, according to authorities . The 21-year-old has no criminal history in Wisconsin. James Middleton, younger brother of Duchess Kate and Pippa Middleton, has revealed hes been dealing with depression since 2016. In an editorial published Saturday by The Daily Mail of London, Middleton, 31, wrote that hes been wrestling with symptoms that set in about two years ago, describing his inertia in communicating with family and close friends as he sank "progressively deeper into a morass of despair." I know I'm richly blessed and live a privileged life. But it did not make me immune to depression, he wrote. It is tricky to describe the condition. It is not merely sadness. It is an illness, a cancer of the mind." He stops short of saying hes recovered, saying that hes come to an understanding of his condition. Although I'd never say I am cured ... now I understand it and, with professional help, have worked out strategies for coping. Today, I feel a new sense of purpose and zest for life." The British businessman says he didnt seek help until late 2017, after treating a heart arrhythmia brought on by stress and anxiety with medication. He says he also suffers from adult attention-deficit disorder and severe dyslexia. "I couldn't feel joy, excitement or anticipation only heart-thudding anxiety propelled me out of bed in the morning, he wrote. I didn't actually contemplate suicide but I didn't want to live in the state of mind I was in either." Pippa Middleton and her brother James Middleton are He's good with where he is now: "I am pleased I went through debilitating depression because I now have the skills to fight it. The end result of this journey has been a positive one. "If I could leave you with just one thought, it would be this: 'It's OK not to be OK.' " He also threw his support behind Heads Together, the mental health charity advocated by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, saying he was inspired to speak out by their example. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On New Years Eve, Middleton posted proudly on Instagram that one of his beloved black spaniels, Ella, has been certified as a therapy pet. Developing a bond with an animal can help people develop a better sense of self-worth and trust, stabilise their emotions, and improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialisation skills, he wrote. I am a huge believer in this & Ella has done so much for me and we look forward to sharing the love. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Middleton, Duchess Kate's brother, reveals 'debilitating' battle with depression BUDAPEST (Reuters) - An Israeli recovery team will search Hungary's Danube river for remains of Holocaust victims, with Hungarian permission and assistance, so they can be buried in accordance with Jewish rite, a visiting Israeli official said on Monday. According to Israel's Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, some 565,000 Hungarian Jews were killed in the Holocaust, the majority of them deported to the Auschwitz death camp between May and July 1944. In October of that year, when the pro-Nazi Arrow Cross party took power in Hungary, thousands of Jews from Budapest were murdered on the banks of the Danube, according to Yad Vashem. Arye Deri, Israel's interior minister and an ultra-Orthodox rabbi, said his Hungarian counterpart, Sandor Pinter, had agreed to his request to provide special equipment to forensic experts from the Israeli volunteer Zaka who traveled with him to Budapest. "I hope that immediately, tomorrow, the righteous men of Zaka will bestow mercy on these highest of martyrs and bring them to Jewish burial," Deri said in a video posted on Twitter. The Hungarian Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to emailed questions for comment. (The story is refiled to add dropped words "Hungarian Jews" in paragraph two.) (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel has uncovered all cross-border attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon and now plans to bring its operation to find and destroy them to an end, a military spokesman said Sunday. "We have found yet another Hezbollah cross-border attack tunnel from Lebanon to Israel," Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus told reporters of the operation that began on December 4. "According to our intelligence and our assessment of the situation there are no longer any cross-border attack tunnels from Lebanon into Israel." The latest tunnel, found on Saturday, began in the Lebanese village of Ramyeh, some 800 metres (yards) away from Israel, the army said. It reached a few dozen metres into Israel, and at 55 metres under the ground was the deepest as well as "the longest and most detailed" of all the tunnels the army exposed, Conricus said. The latest tunnel was the sixth revealed to the public and the army said its discovery marked the end of the operation dubbed by the army "Northern Shield". The last tunnel will be destroyed in the coming days. "We have achieved the goal (to expose and destroy the tunnels from Lebanon) which we set out to achieve at the beginning," Conricus said. Conricus said there were no more tunnels reaching Israel from Lebanon but the army was still monitoring "facilities" being dug by Hezbollah within Lebanese territory. He also reiterated that Israel holds the Lebanese government accountable "for any act of violence or violation of 1701," the UN resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, was informed of the latest tunnel, Conricus said. Israel alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels to kidnap or kill its civilians or soldiers, and to seize a slice of Israeli territory in the event of any hostilities. It has said, however, that they were not yet operational. Story continues A month-long war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers. The highly publicised Israeli operation to expose and destroy the tunnels has gone ahead without drawing a military response from Hezbollah. Israel says all operations have taken place within its territory. Tacloban CityGovernment troops have launched pursuit operations against heavily-armed rebel fighters whom the soldiers engaged in a gunbattle Saturday morning. Nine Army soldiers were injured in the encounter which occurred in the municipality of San Jorge in Samar. According to Lieutenant Colonel Rizaldo Laurena, commanding officer of the 63rd Infantry (Innovator) Battalion of the Philippine Army, his troops and a group of fully armed Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA terrorists (CNTs) had a brief firefight when they chanced upon the rebels in a remote area in Barangay Bay-ang at around 6:50 a.m. The soldiers were injured by shrapnel from a blast. The Philippine Armys 803rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Briigade and the 8th Infantry Division said the rebels also suffered casualties but they have yet to determine the exact number. The injured soldiers were brought to the nearest hospital for treatment. Brigadier General Ramil M. Bitong, commander of the PA 803rd Brigade, said that according to sources, the rebels were planning to launch tactical offensives throughout Region 8. Another desperate attempt of the Eastern [Visayas] Regional Party Committee to stay relevant by sowing fear and discontent among the residents of Region 8. This prompted the brigade to launch an offensive against them, he said. Bitong said residents of Barangays Bay-ang and Mobo-ob, both in San Jorge, and Barangay Beri in Motiong have been complaining of the abuses allegedly perpetrated by the CNTs. The encounters in San Jorge is a significant accomplishment against the CNTs. As of this report, our troops are pursuing the main body of the fleeing CNTs, comprised of the EVRPC leadership, Bitong said. He urged NPA members and all misguided citizens to stop their activities and join the rest of society. Dont be deceived. Bitong added that the recent encounter in San Jorge, Samar has derailed the planned attacks of the group in Eastern Visayas. This is another desperate attempt of the EVRPC to stay relevant by sowing fear and discontent among the residents of the region, he added. The Philippine Army lauded residents of San Jorge and Motiong towns for providing reliable information on the abuses of communist rebels. As this developed, att least twenty New Peoples Army (NPA) cadres, mostly youth, voluntarily surrendered to the police in Kalayaan, Laguna over the weekend even as the communist movement is reportedly coercing students to fill the gap of the depleting complement of the underground organization due to the series of surrender.Chief Supt Edward Carranza, police director of the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) said the NPA rebels, all operating in the hinterlands of Bondok Banahaw surrendered due to widespread demoralization. Nineteen of the NPAs all sporting white T-shirts with PNP markings and black face mask were presented by Carranza in Camp Crame Monday. A certain Ka Ruben said he and his group prompted to yield to the authorities as they were already confused and disgusted over the true meaning of the CPP-NPA struggle against the government. We pursued this intention to surrender because of the hardship in the mountains. We thought that what we are fighting for is right, but, we finally realized that it just a waist of effort, Ka Ruben said. During the interview highlighting their surrender, Ka Ruben validated the emersion of young students from the University of the Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (UP-PUP) to their NPA ranks. He said about seven to eight students trekked to the mountains, especially at night, purposely to survey if they enjoy their life while in the mountains. They stayed for a night then trek back the following day. But others are being scare-off to join the movement in duress, Ka Ruben said. Ang mga estudyante dinadaan nila sa dahas para matako po yung isang tao na makisapi na sa kanila. Yun po ang ginagawa nila, tatakutin at hindi na pinababalik ng mga tao sa bayan, Ka Ruben added. As to who are recruiting the students, he said the intelligence unit of the NPA are ones going house-to-house to convince the students to join. Kung baga sa dalaga liligawan sila hanggang makuha ang loob tapos kapag pumayag doon nila kukuhanin sa dahas, Ka Ruben said. PNP chief Oscar Albayalde estimated the NPA strength operating in Calabarzon at 169 armed regular cadres. This developed as Albayalde and officials of the Department of Education held dialogue informing of the reported emersion of students. I think they were already informed and now aware doon sa mga ganyan nangyayari sa atin dahil nga hindi kami nagsabi nyan, sila mismo na they are (dealing) with students, Albayalde said. Last year, a female UP student was killed in an encounter between an NPA groups and security forces in Batangas province. JERUSALEM (AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday confirmed that Israel has struck hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria, including a weapons facility in a weekend airstrike, as the military announced the discovery of a sixth and final tunnel dug by the Lebanese militant group for cross-border attacks. The statements marked a rare, public acknowledgement of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah and its patron Iran in neighboring Syria, where Israel is long believed to have targeted Iranian weapons shipments to the Lebanese Shiite group. However, Israel has until now generally refrained from commenting about the strikes for fear of triggering a reaction and being drawn into the deadly fighting in neighboring Syria's civil war. At his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu publicly confirmed the strike as he thanked outgoing military chief Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot for long years of service and particularly his marshalling of Israel's shadowy campaign against Iran in recent years. "We have operated with impressive success in thwarting Iran from establishing a military foothold in Syria, in the framework of which the military has struck hundreds of times against Iranian and Hezbollah targets," Netanyahu said. "In the last 36 hours alone, the air force struck storage facilities with Iranian weapons at the Damascus International Airport. The bulk of recent attacks show how we are more committed than ever to act against Iran in Syria, as we promised." Coupled with the announcement that after Sunday's discovery, Israel was wrapping up its operation to destroy Hezbollah's tunnel network into Israel, the weekend strike in Syria is widely seen as Eisenkot's "parting shot" as his four-year tenure as military chief ends. He will be replaced on Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi. After keeping a low-profile throughout most of his term, Eisenkot gave a series on interviews over the weekend focusing on his shifting the military's attention toward Iran directly, instead of just engaging its lesser proxies, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza. In a New York Times interview published Friday, Eisenkot said that Israel "has struck thousands of targets without claiming responsibility or asking for credit" as part of his showdown with Qassim Suleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force. Story continues Eisenkot also revealed the government approved his shift in strategy in January 2017, stepping up airstrikes in Syria. In 2018 alone, he said Israel's air force dropped 2,000 bombs in Syria. A far more visible part of his legacy has been the recent Lebanese border operation, which the military said thwarted Hezbollah's prime strategic investment for its next potential war. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Sunday the final tunnel was the largest discovered so far, running hundreds of meters (yards) from under a Lebanese home and deep into Israeli territory. Israel launched "Operation Northern Shield" early last month to detect and destroy what it called a vast network of Hezbollah tunnels aimed for militants to sneak across the border, capture territory and stage devastating attacks. Conricus said the latest tunnel originated from the Lebanese border town of Ramyeh, was 55 meters deep and ran 800 meters inside Lebanese territory and also "dozens" of meters into Israel. It included stairs, a rail system and a wide a passageway that allowed for the movement of equipment and a large number of forces. The tunnel would be destroyed in the coming days, Conricus said, adding that while more tunnels still existed on the Lebanese side of the border, this effectively marked the end of the ambitious military operation. "We have achieved the goal that we set out to achieve," he said. "According to our intelligence, there are no longer any cross-border attack tunnels into Israel." Israel and the United Nations say the tunnels violate a cease-fire resolution that ended a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Conricus said the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, was updated on the latest development. In the wake of the tunnel discoveries, Israel has asked the international community to impose tough sanctions on Hezbollah and launch action against its state-within-a-state operation in Lebanon. The military said its forces would stay deployed along the border to monitor for any other possible underground activity, and said it holds the Lebanese government responsible for everything happening within its territory. The powerful Shiite Hezbollah group, which acts independently in Lebanon, has yet to comment on the tunnels. Israel has long called for a crackdown on the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a heavily armed mini-army that is believed to possess an arsenal of some 150,000 rockets that can reach nearly all of Israel. In recent years, Hezbollah has been bogged down in fighting in Syria on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. But with that war winding down, Israeli security officials fear Hezbollah is refocusing its attention on Israel. ___ Follow Heller at www.twitter.com/aronhellerap International Business Machines Corporation IBM is reportedly acquiring mainframe service business of T-Systems, per Reuters. Per IT-Zoom website (as revealed by Reuters), IBM is likely to pay 860 million euros (or approximately $986.16 million) for the acquisition. Frankfurt, Germany-based T-Systems is engaged in providing IT services and consulting solutions worldwide. Notably, Deutsche Telekom holds a majority stake in the company. Although the rumors are authenticated by few advances, there has been no official statement so far from IBM. Meanwhile, perT-Systems, the deal is subject to customary approval from anti-trust authorities. In fact, T-Systems in a statement to Reuter, declared, Existing customer contracts remain unaffected. T-Systems will continue to offer mainframe services, but with IBM in the future. Furthermore, an article in the leading German-daily, The Handelsblatt, citing an internal memo , adds weight to the rumored development. Notably, the memo states that 400 employees of T-Systems across six countries would transit to IBM around May. The impending deal is anticipated to favor IBMs prospects in its mainframe business. Mainframe Cloud Computing: Key Takeaway We may say that with the move (if it leads to fruition) IBM is aiming to enhance the prospects of its growth areas. In fact, IBMs mainframe is doing well, lately. Notably, IBMs Cloud Managed Services deployed on its z mainframe systems, broadens the use of a mainframe to a secure scalable cloud platform enabling businesses to seamlessly adjust to evolving consumer needs. IBMs latest mainframe, the IBM z14, devised to accelerate enterprise-level workloads by offering cost-effective and secure cloud platform, is witnessing traction. In fact, in the third quarter of 2018, IBM Z revenues increased 6% year over year on more than 20% MIPS growth, driven by broad-based adoption of the z14 mainframe. Story continues International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM) International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM) | International Business Machines Corporation Quote The company is likely to benefit from reduced competition in the mainframe domain and increased adoption of services from expanding clientele, with the latest acquisition. Notably, per ResearchandMarkets report, the global mainframes market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 2.3% from 2017 to 2021. IBM is well poised to grow in mainframe cloud computing market on the back of its efforts to enhance mainframe business and hybrid cloud platform. Dent on Cash Position: A Concern In a bid to realize hybrid cloud goals, IBM is acquiring Red Hat for approximately $34 billion in cash, the buyout of which is anticipated to close in the latter half of 2019. By acquiring the mainframe unit of T-Systems, IBMs cash balance, which is crucial at this point of time, is likely to be impacted. In fact, ballooning debt levels have been troubling the company lately. Notably, IBM ended third-quarter of 2018 with net debt of $32.2 billion compared with $33.6 billion reported in the previous quarter. However, IBM is restructuring business to focus more on cloud computing avenues. The recent divestiture of IBMs mortgage servicing unit to Mr. Cooper Group, as well as that of software products to HCL Technologies bode well for the cash balance. Furthermore, the company is reportedly retrenching around 300 employees post offloading its mortgage servicing business to Mr. Cooper Group, which is likely to improve balance sheet position. Zacks Rank & Key Picks IBM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Veeva Systems Inc. VEEV, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. SSNC and Marvell Technology Group Ltd. MRVL are a few stocks worth considering in the broader technology sector. All the three stocks flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Long-term earnings growth rate for Veeva Systems, SS&C and Marvell Technology are currently pegged at 19.5%, 13.5% and 9.4%, respectively. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Theres more bad news for Apple. After falling sales and production cuts, TrendForce predicts Huawei mobiles could now outperform the iPhone. Leading smartphone brands are reacting to falling consumer demand by cutting output. Global production is expected to be 1.41 billion units this year, falling 3.3% compared to 2018. TrendForce says the impact of trade disputes and tariffs between the US and China, as well as other uncertainties, could result in a larger fall of 5%. Falling iPhone Sales for Apple Apples iPhone sales fell in the second half of 2018 by 7% compared to prior year. The main reasons were said to be less frequent consumer upgrades and pressure in the Chinese market. Year-on-year, iPhone production volume has declined 3%. Much of the decline for Apple stems from a 10 million volume drop in sales from the Chinese market. iPhones are priced too high in a slowing Chinese-economy, including recent bans on some iPhone models in the tech-hungry country. Apples production volume is expected to fall to 189 million units, says TrendForce, reducing its market share from 15% to 13% for 2019. Huawei Production is Increasing Controversial phone-maker Huawei, under scrutiny in the US, has seen production volume increase 30% year-on-year in 2018. 205 million units were produced in 2018 and could reach 225 million in 2019. This would provide Huawei with a global market share of 16%. Allowing it to overtake Apple and steal the 2nd position in the market below Samsung, according to TrendForce research. Huawei has advantages from its self-developed chips, expansion into Chinas premium phone market and emerging markets. Samsung Will Retain Its Market Domination Though Samsung is also seeing an 8% decline in production volume and a shrinking market share, its still expected to retain 20% of the smartphone market in 2019. To compete with Chinas domestic brands, Samsung is likely to adopt more aggressive strategies for its phone specifications and market pricing. Story continues A Further Impact on Apples Share Price? The iphone-maker has other markets to pursue including its wearable products. The Apple Watch and AirPods wireless headphones have already exceeded iPods peak revenue. CEO Tim Cook said last week: On a trailing basis, the revenue for wearables is already 50 percent more than iPod was at its peak. Cook looks set to use the Apple Watch in a move into healthcare, teasing key announcements for the space in 2019. Apple is also expected to release new AirPods, its most popular accessory. Shareholders will likely be very concerned over the potential slip in iPhones market share, giving ground to Huawei to take 2nd place in the smartphone market. Leaving Apple trailing in 3rd position. Apple stocks are still attempting to recover from a recent 10% plunge. The company revised its sales forecasts downward impacting global markets. This was further exasperated by news 10% cuts to production for the next three months. Meanwhile, CEO Cook is taking home a $136 million salary and dividend pay packet. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post Huawei Set to Overtake Apple and iPhone in the Smartphone Market appeared first on CCN. The Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct, part of the proposed route for the HS2 high speed rail scheme (Picture: PA) Train services on the controversial new HS2 line could run slower and less regularly in a bid to cut costs, its chief executive has admitted. Running slower and fewer trains on the line are among the options available to keep the rail project within budget, HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Thurston said. Phase 1 of the 56 billion high speed rail link will open between London and Birmingham in December 2026 before the railway is extended to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds. HS2 trains are designed to operate at up to 225mph and also serve locations on the existing mainline network, such as Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Many areas have protested against HS2 (Picture: PA) But at a meeting with MPs, Mr Thurston said train speeds and frequency could be changed in an effort to reduce cost. Details of the meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group in November were revealed in a letter from Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom to Mr Thurston in which she raised concerns about the viability of the project. MORE: Theresa May warns of unforgivable breach of trust if MPs dont vote for her Brexit deal MORE: Donald Trumps behaviour so concerning FBI opened Russia collusion inquiry She wrote: My parliamentary assistant, who attended on my behalf, tells me that you informed the APPG that, ahead of the review of the business case for HS2 next year, a number of changes to the project may have to be considered in order to keep it within budget and on time something my colleague the secretary of state for transport has made clear is imperative. Ms Leadsom said options discussed included possibly lowering train speeds by about 30mph, reducing train numbers from 18 to 14 per hour, and changing from a slab to a ballast track. The MP for South Northamptonshire, an area through which the proposed HS2 route will run, wrote: My constituents are naturally concerned that changes to the project could undermine the business case, negatively affect the benefit-cost ratio, and reduce the value for taxpayers money. Story continues She asked for an assurance that the project could be delivered on time and on budget without impacting the business case or affecting the basis upon which it was agreed by Parliament. In a written response to Ms Leadsom published on her website, Mr Thurston, who leads the company responsible for developing and promoting the UKs new high speed rail network, said it was ensuring the project was on time and within budget. He said Ms Leadsom had correctly referred to a number of options he set out when asked at the APPG meeting what could be done to change the scope of HS2 to reduce cost. The former boss of HS2 said the early cost estimate for the project was enormously wrong (Picture: HS2) He added: However, I was also clear that HS2 Ltd is working to the scope and budget of the project which the government has set, and for which detailed debate in Parliament has taken place. If at some point in the future we are instructed to consider any of these options, then more detailed work on the effect of such changes would of course take place. I can assure you that any impact on communities and the findings within the Environmental Statement would be fully investigated and discussed. A spokesman for HS2 Ltd declined to comment on Sunday. Last month, former HS2 boss Doug Thornton said MPs early cost estimate for the controversial rail project was enormously wrong. He told BBCs Panorama programme that the costing underestimated the value of properties along the proposed HS2 route and that thousands more had not been budgeted for. He said the figure MPs were given was hundreds of millions of pounds too low. Mr Thornton was later sacked from his job. HS2 has rejected claims that MPs were misled. Democratic chairmen of three House committees issued a strongly-worded joint statement Sunday, warning President Trump against possible attempts to obstruct justice. Trump called in to an interview with Jeanine Pirro on Fox News Saturday night to respond to a New York Times report that the FBI launched an investigation into the Presidents relationship with Russia, days after he fired former FBI Director James Comey. While speaking with Pirro, Trump broached the subject of his former lawyer Michael Cohens scheduled testimony before Congress. [Cohens] in trouble on some loans and fraud and taxi cabs and in order to get his sentence reduced he says I have an idea. Ill give you some information on the President,' Trump said. He should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because thats the one that people want to look at, because where does that money, thats the money in the family. And I guess he didnt want to talk about his father in law. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings(D-MD), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) issued a joint statement warning the President not to interfere with a congressional witness. Our nations laws prohibit efforts to discourage, intimidate, or otherwise pressure a witness not to provide testimony to Congress, the statement reads. The President should make no statement or take any action to obstruct Congress independent oversight and investigative efforts, including by seeking to discourage any witness from testifying in response to a duly authorized request from Congress. Cummings is the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and Schiff is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Nadler is the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The integrity of our process to serve as an independent check on the Executive Branch must be respected by everyone, including the President, read the joint statement. Fima Shusterman, Cohens father-in-law, loaned at least $20 million to a Chicago cab operator, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. FBI warrants that were used to raid Cohens law office and home last April mentioned that operator. Cohen is scheduled to testify Feb. 7 before the House Oversight Committee. Many expect the hearing to center on elements of Trumps personal life and business dealings that have come under scrutiny in recent months, including hush-money payments and a proposed Moscow real estate deal. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison last month and renounced his loyalty to the President, saying, I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds. Hindu devotees began gathering Sunday in northern India for the world's largest religious festival, with millions of pilgrims travelling to bathe in holy rivers for the spectacular Kumbh Mela. State authorities in Uttar Pradesh are expecting 12 million visitors to descend on Allahabad for the centuries-old festival, which officially begins Tuesday and continues until early March. The ancient city rises alongside the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, and the meeting point of the three is considered highly sacred in Hinduism. Hindus believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and frees the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth. Two days before the gigantic bathing ritual begins, naked holy men wandered the banks smeared in ash, offering blessings for devotees. "We help devotees get rid of their pains and troubles through our blessings, sacred ash, yoga, knowledge and wisdom," said Prahlad Puri, a holy man with his long knotted hair tied in a bun. "We distribute food, we serve the poor." According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a war over a sacred pitcher, or kumbh, containing the nectar of immortality. During the tussle, a few drops fell to earth at four different locations -- one being Allahabad. The historic city was recently renamed Prayagraj by the state's conservative Hindu government but is still widely known by Allahabad, the name it was given by Muslim rulers hundreds of years ago. The Mela, which runs until March 4, was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2017. Washington (AFP) - A hedge-fund backed US media firm on Monday offered to buy Gannett Co, the publisher of the top-selling newspaper USA Today. The $1.4 billion offer by newspaper chain MNG Enterprises is the latest sign of consolidation in the print media industry, which has suffered declining profits and waves of layoffs for well over a decade as print readership declines. MNG, better known as Digital First Media, owns numerous newspapers nationwide and has a reputation for deep cost cutting at the papers it acquires. It offered $12 a share in cash for Gannett, a 23 percent bump over the closing price on Friday. In a letter to Gannett's board of directors on Monday, MNG Chairman R. Joseph Fuchs said Gannett had rebuffed his company's prior offers for a "strategic combination" and asserted that company leadership was incompetent. "Frankly, the team leading Gannett has not demonstrated that it's capable of effectively running this enterprise as a public company," Fuchs wrote. "Gannett shareholders cannot sit by and watch further value erode while the board casts about for a strategy and a leader, especially when there is an opportunity to maximize value right now." Since the company went public two and a half years ago following a spinoff from the broadcast company Tegna, Gannett's share price has fallen sharply, having lost more than 41 percent. Gannett CEO Robert Dickey plans to retire in May. In a statement on Monday, Gannett said it would review the proposal to decide what is in the best interest of the company and shareholders. In addition to USA Today, Gannett also publishes The Arizona Republic, The Detroit Free Press and The Des Moines Register, among other newspapers, and says it operates more than 500 digital media products. Digital First, which is controlled by the New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital, has a reputation for buying struggling newspapers and then slashing costs, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the offer for Gannett. Since acquiring Colorado's Denver Post, Digital First has been locked in confrontation with the staff of that paper, who claim editorial interference and deep staff cuts. Shares in Gannett were up $15.8 percent toward 1530 GMT at $11.28. A passenger managed to board plane with a gun in their hand luggage after being screened by security at an American airport. Having accidentally packed their firearm, the unnamed traveller managed get on to the Delta Air Lines plane to Tokyo at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on 3 January, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has admitted. After realising their mistake after the aircraft had taken off, the passenger immediately alerted staff on board, who in turn told the TSA. Japanese authorities met the plane on arrival in Tokyo. The TSA denied the lapse in security was because of the government shutdown, which has seen its workers go unpaid for weeks and an uptick in employees not turning up to work. TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening", the agency said in a statement. The breach came two weeks into the ongoing government shutdown. The TSA has reportedly seen an increase in staff not turning up for shifts since they began being asked to work without pay. But the agency insisted: The perception that this might have occurred as a result of the partial government shutdown would be false." The national unscheduled absence rate of TSA staff on Thursday January 3 2019 was 4.8% compared to 6.3% last year, Thursday January 4 2018. So in fact, the national call out rate was higher a year ago than this year on that date. Nevertheless, the agents who were responsible for the lapse in security would be held appropriately accountable, the TSA said. Last month the TSA released a statement highlighting a case where a passenger accidentally bringing a gun in their luggage to an airport was caught during screening - the 35th handgun discovered by agents at Pittsburgh Airport alone. The head of the TSA union, Hydrick Thomas, said earlier this month 50 to 100 employees were calling in sick at most airports. They are not coming to work because they dont have the money to get to work. Theyre not just taking off. Theyre not saying Were going to shut things down. They are the lowest-paid employees in the federal government, and they dont have the money to get to work. Climate scientists are warning that the U.S. government shutdown will have negative consequences for the environment, as climate and weather research are slowed during a crucial time. Some disaster relief efforts may also be hindered, and access to data will be limited, as will some field work. While hurricane season generally occurs between June and November, forecasters and researchers say they do some of their most important work during the off-season, particularly in terms of improving forecasting models and technology, according to CNN. Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center told CNN that, it is much worse for this to happen during the off-season. He explained, Its a tight schedule [and] we try to fit in as many improvements as possible before the next hurricane season. Forecasters will continue working, but of the 200 employees at the National Center for Environmental Prediction, just one person will remain on staff during the shutdown. A shutdown would interrupt potentially life-saving information and observations from the scientists working at these agencies, the American Geophysical Union warned ahead of the Dec. 21 shutdown date, Think Progress reported. A spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) told CNN: There are improvements scheduled in the next upgrade window that may be delayed due to the shutdown. The Trump administration has been making significant changes to environmental policy since day one. In 2017, the president approved construction of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL oil pipelines, and signed an executive order to overturn the Obama-era Clean Power Plan that sought to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. More recently at the COP24 U.N. climate summit in Poland, the U.S. held an event promoting greenhouse-gas-causing fossil fuels, which was met with protests. Hanjin loans are credit negativeMoodys posted January 14, 2019 at 07:00 pm by Julito G. Rada January 14, 2019 at 07:00 pm Global debt watcher Moodys Investors Service said Monday the exposures of five major domestic banks to shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines is credit negative because they will reduce their profits. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier confirmed that BDO Unibank Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. had loan exposures totaling $412 million to South Korean shipbuilder Hanjins Philippine subsidiary, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines, which filed for corporate rehabilitation last week. ... The exposures are credit negative for the five Philippine banks because they will need to incur additional credit charges related to HHIC-Phil, which will reduce their profit, Moodys said.All five banks enjoy investment-grade ratings of Baa2 with stable outlooks from Moodys. Moodys said of the five banks, RCBC could be the one most affected because it had the largest exposure to Hanjin at around $140 million. COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section. Callum Wilson has been valued at 75m by Bournemouth, with Chelsea interested Yahoo Sport UK brings you all the latest news and gossip with less than three weeks of the January transfer window remaining. Callum Wilson price Bournemouth have set Callum Wilsons asking price and its three times the amount they spent on the England striker. The Cherries paid 3m to bring Wilson from Coventry to the south coast in 2014 and want 75m if they are to part ways with him, say the Star READ MORE: Ranked! The 30 best strikers in Premier League history READ MORE: Every current clubs greatest ever Premier League win READ MORE: The 10 worst January transfers ever Chelsea are keen on Wilson, with Gianfranco Zola admitting prior to Christmas that he was a player they were interested in. Boss Eddie Howe made his thoughts on the rumour clear prior to their defeat to Everton: In my opinion, and its just my opinion I wouldnt sell at any price but Im the manager of the team trying to create the best team that I can, Howe explained. Wilson has netted ten goals in all competitions this year, and scored on his England debut against the USA. Liverpool eye Celtic star James Forrest is enjoying a stunning season with Celtic, leading to interest from Liverpool Liverpool continue to track Celtic star James Forrest and are weighing up a summer move for the 27-year-old. Forrest has netted 17 games in 38 for club and country this year, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp impressed by his efforts. The Reds are unlikely to make a move for anyone in the January window, but could make a move to strengthen their squad in the summer. Forrests deal at Parkhead does not run out until 2022 and The Sun report that they would want only 8m for the Scottish midfielder. Tanguy Ndombele Tanguy Ndombele is wanted by a number of top clubs, including Everton Everton have joined the race for Lyon star Tanguy Ndombele, who is valued at 75m by the French club. A number of top European clubs are interested in the midfielder, but Lyon have reportedly already rejected 45m from Manchester City for the 22-year-old. Manchester United, Tottenham, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been linked with Ndombele. The Toffees midfielder Idrissa Gueye is on PSGs radar and Everton may cash in on him for 40m to help fund the deal. Everton boss Farhad Moshiri has warned Marco Silva and Everton fans that the days of them spending large fees on players are over, however, making a move see less likely. Alphabets GOOGL division Google is leaving no stone unturned to bolster presence in the digital language translator space on the back of its strategic partnerships. Recently, the search giant has agreed on the integration of Google Translate into Wikimedia Foundations content translation tool. Notably, Wikimedia Foundation is the parent organization of Wikipedia. The latest deal seems to be a win-win situation for both the companies. The new service integration will help Wikipedia in expanding its content library in varied languages on its non-English websites. Further, the partnership is likely to boost the adoption rate of Google Translate and expand Googles client base. Translation Software Holds Promise In todays world, increasing international trade, strengthening global presence of companies, and accelerating international tours and travel rate are resulting in growing proliferation of language translation software. Per a report from Market Research Future, the global market for such a software is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 16% between 2017 and 2023. We believe Google is well-poised to reap benefits from the potential language translator software market on the back of its strategic partnership with Wikipedia which is the most commonly used web encyclopedia. Alphabet Inc. Revenue (TTM) Alphabet Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Alphabet Inc. Quote Growing Translation Initiatives The recent move of Google bodes well for its growing translation initiatives. Apart from the latest partnership, the company joined forces with Wikipedia to improve the Wikipedias content in Indonesia by translating the English articles into Bahasa Indonesia language. Further, the company has rolled out interpreter mode for Google Home speakers which will aid in language translation by holding the conversation between two people speaking in different languages. This is in sync with Googles strong focus toward strengthening the momentum of its online translation software. Additionally, Google Translate is now capable of giving translations based on the gender usage in the sentence that is being translated, consequently eliminating the gender bias from its service. This currently supports translations from English to French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and vice-versa. Notably, all these strong endeavors are likely to drive the user base of Google Translate by aiding its penetration rate in the growing translation market. Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Currently, Alphabet carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Few better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector are Etsy ETSY, Marchex MCHX and Internet Initiative Japan IIJI. All the three stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Long-term EPS growth for Etsy, Marchex and Internet Initiative Japan is currently pegged at 15%, 15% and 13.5%, respectively. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Shares of General Motors Company GM gained roughly 7.1% in a days trading on Jan 11. The rise in share price can be attributed to the companys prediction of an earnings growth in 2019 along with an expectation of surpassing earnings estimates in 2018. The company will release its fourth-quarter and 2018 earnings on Feb 6. For 2019, General Motors expects earnings per share to witness an uptrend compared with the prior expectation of 2018. The figure is projected to be between $6.50 and $7.00 in 2019 compared with its prior expectation of $5.80-$6.20 in 2018. Further, this Detroit-based automaker expects adjusted cash free cash flow of $4.5-$6 billion for the current year. New vehicle lineups of trucks, crossovers and SUVs are likely to boost General Motors earnings in 2019. Despite predictions of a gloomy car market in 2019, this automaker predicts the U.S. market to remain strong, with an annual industry sale in the lower range of 17 million vehicles. In the US automotive market, the company expects to continue with its retail market growth through new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty full-size pickup trucks. Apart from trucks, the companys Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and all-new Cadillac XT6 luxury SUV are also expected to witness strong demand. General Motors Company Price and Consensus General Motors Company Price and Consensus | General Motors Company Quote For China, General Motors expects industry retail sales to remain flat in 2019 compared with 2018s figure of roughly 27 million. The automaker expects to combat challenging industry conditions with its more than 20 vehicles in 2019. The new or updated models majorly consist of crossovers and compact cars. Further, the company reported about additional job cuts through 2020. In the last November, General Motors announced its decision to halt auto production at five of its assembly plants in North America and reduce the workforce. Price Performance Over the past three months, shares of General Motors have gained 16.9% compared with the industrys increase of 14.5%. Story continues Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider General Motors currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader auto sector are Bridgestone Corporation BRDCY, Genuine Parts Company GPC and Fox Factory Holding Corporation FOXF, each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Bridgestone has an expected long-term growth rate of 4.7%. Share price of the company has increased 4.5% in the past three months. Genuine Parts has an expected long-term growth rate of 5%. Over the past three months, shares of the company have gained 0.6%. Fox Factory has an expected long-term growth rate of 17.9%. Shares of the company have gained 5.5% in the past three months. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Moscow (AFP) - A Russian LGBT rights group on Monday reported a new wave of persecution against gay people in Chechnya, in which it says around 40 people have been arrested and two killed. Chechen authorities immediately denied the claims which come two years after an international outcry when gay men said they had been tortured by law-enforcement agencies in the majority-Muslim Russian republic. "Since the end of December 2018, there has been a new wave of detentions of men and women in Chechnya, related to their presumed or real sexual orientation," the Russian LGBT Network said in a statement. "According to the network's information, about 40 people have been detained... and at least two people have been killed," it said. Igor Kochetkov of the LGBT Network said police were confiscating documents to ensure those arrested in the crackdown could not flee the republic, as others have done previously. Those arrested "are threatened with fabricated criminal cases against them or their relatives, they are forced to sign blank forms," he said. A spokesman for Ramzan Kadyrov, who has ruled the republic with Kremlin-backing for more than a decade, rejected the report. "This is a complete lie... there were no detentions on the grounds of sexual orientation in the Chechen Republic over the period mentioned," Alvi Karimov told the Interfax news agency. Amnesty International however said the reports were "credible". "We are horrified by reports that at least two people have died from torture-inflicted injuries," Marie Struthers, Amnesty Internationals director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement. "With lives in jeopardy, there is an urgent need for an international response to protect gay and lesbian people in Chechnya," Struthers added. She described the reports as "spine-chilling". Russian authorities opened an inquiry after the reports of the persecution of gay men in Chechnya in 2017. Story continues But the LGBT Network said no meaningful investigation had been carried out. Homosexuality is legal in Russia but discrimination is rife. A controversial "gay propaganda" law brought in by Russia in 2013 officially forbids the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relationships" to minors but effectively bans gay rights activism. Harare (AFP) - Commuters were stranded in Zimbabwes two main cities Monday as angry protesters reacting to the weekend more than doubling of fuel prices, burned tyres and used rocks to barricade roads and blocked buses from carrying passengers. President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday announced a more than 100 percent rise in the price of petrol and diesel in a move to improve supplies as the country struggles with its worst fuel shortages in a decade. Residents in Epworth, a poor suburb east of the capital Harare, on Monday woke up to find boulders blocking roads leading to the city centre. "Its tense since early morning," Nhamo Tembo, a resident told AFP. "Roads are blocked with huge stones and there are angry people preventing commuter buses from carrying passengers. People are just stranded," he said. In the city of Bulawayo, demonstrators attacked minibuses heading to the city centre and used burning tyres and stones to block the main routes into town while some schools were turning away pupils fearing for their safety. "We want Mnangagwa to know our displeasure in his failure," said an angry Mthandazo Moyo, aged 22. "Mugabe was evil but he listened," he added, referring to former autocratic and longtime ruler Robert Mugabe who was ousted in November 2017. After years in international isolation, Zimbabwe's economy has been on a downturn for more than a decade with cash shortages, high unemployment and recently a scarcity of staples such as bread and cooking oil. In a televised address late Saturday, Mnangagwa said prices of petrol and diesel would more than double to tackle a shortfall caused by increased fuel usage and "rampant" illegal trading. Petrol prices rose from $1.24 a litre to $3.31 (2.89 euros), with diesel up from $1.36 a litre to $3.11 starting Sunday. The main labour alliance, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said the government had shown a clear lack of empathy for the already overburdened poor. Story continues Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa said: "We have a national crisis which is descending into a humanitarian crisis". Mnangagwa, who took over from Mugabe and won a disputed election in July, also announced a package of measures to help state workers after strikes by doctors and teachers over poor pay. Doctors in state hospitals went on a 40-day strike beginning early December demanding salaries be paid in US dollars and improved work conditions. Teachers unions called a strike last week for better pay but their calls went largely unheeded. Mnangagwa announced "a package of measures to cushion government workers." He warned government would come down hard on "elements bent on taking advantage of the current fuel shortages to cause and sponsor unrest and instability in the country." When he took over from Mugabe, Mnangagwa pledged to revive the moribund economy and end the country's international isolation. By Ben Klayman and David Shepardson DETROIT (Reuters) - Auto executives gathered in Detroit on Monday called on the Trump administration and Congress to resolve trade disputes, and end the government shutdown, saying political uncertainty is costing the industry. U.S. trade officials are negotiating a new deal with China in hopes of avoiding new tariffs, while a new regional trade agreement with Canada and Mexico still needs congressional approval. Automakers producing vehicles in the United States are contending with U.S. steel and aluminum prices driven higher by Trump administration tariffs. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV Chief Executive Mike Manley told reporters at the Detroit auto show on Monday that U.S. metals tariffs will raise the automaker's 2019 costs by $300 million to $350 million, or about $135 to $160 a vehicle, based on the automaker's 2018 U.S. sales. Toyota Motor Corp's <7203.T> executive vice president for North American sales, Bob Carter, said the company has had to raise prices three times because of higher tariff costs - even though 96 percent of steel in Toyota U.S. vehicles is from U.S. steel plants. The tariffs boosted industry vehicles prices by about $600 on average, he estimated. General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co are also taking financial hits from the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. "Those are headwinds," GM President Mark Reuss told Reuters. "It's our job to run the business to offset those headwinds." GM Chief Executive Mary Barra last Friday promised investors the company would boost 2019 profit despite tariff-related costs and investments in electric vehicles. She stuck to her plans to target five North American factories for closure and cut nearly 15,000 jobs overall. About one-quarter of federal government operations have been shut down by a lack of funding since Dec. 22 after President Donald Trump demanded $5.7 billion this year from Congress for building a security wall on the southwest U.S. border. Story continues Manley said the U.S. government shutdown is holding up certification of one of the company's new heavy duty pickup truck models. Those vehicles are among the company's most profitable products. "The earlier it can be resolved, clearly the better," he said. Concern in the auto industry about the uncertainty created by Trump's efforts to revamp trade and environmental policies is weighing more heavily as forecasters call for a slowdown in vehicle demand in the United States and China during 2019. "There's a lot of balls in the air right now that are unresolved," Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. told Reuters on the sidelines of the auto show. "Certainty is something we really desire because of our product lead times. We don't have that right now." Ford said the automaker feels its opinions are being heard by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, but he has no idea when the various issues will be resolved. U.S.-China trade tensions have forced Chinese automaker GAC to delay its planned entry to the U.S. market, Wang Qiujing, head of GAC's <601238.SS> research and development center, told Reuters on Monday. "We have postponed our launch until the first half of 2020," he said, adding that the timing will depend on the outcome of U.S.-China trade negotiations. If the current 25 percent U.S. tariff on Chinese-made vehicles continues, "the impact will be very significant," he said. GAC has a large display at the Detroit auto show, and is hiring engineers and designers at three U.S. locations, including a new technical office in Detroit expected to employ about 30 people, Wang said. Auto executives have welcomed the conclusion of a new version of the North American Free Trade Agreement, as the industry seeks certainty for rules that will govern automakers' long-term investment decisions in the region. In the interest of greater certainty, they would like to see the U.S. Congress decide quickly on the updated agreement's fate. "We just need it resolved," said Brian Smith, chief operating officer for Hyundai Motor Co <005380.KS> in North America, who added that the automaker needs clarity so it can adjust its supply chain as necessary. "It's been going on way too long." U.S. officials are weighing so-called Section 232 national security tariffs on imported vehicles. That tariff would not hit U.S.-made models, but some analysts warn it could trigger a sales slump as prices for European and Asian-made models jump. "The decline in volumes could be larger than a recession would produce," Jonathan Smoke, an economist with auto market information company Cox Automotive, said during a briefing on Sunday. Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess on Monday announced the German automaker would invest $800 million in its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant and add 1,000 jobs to build electric vehicles as it faces pressure from the Trump administration. VW is worried the Trump administration will move ahead with new tariffs and hopes the new investments will help the German automaker avoid them. "We have strongly been encouraged to invest more, which we will do," said Diess, who met with Trump last month. (Reporting by Ben Klayman, David Shepardson, Nick Carey, Paul Lienert and Joe White in Detroit; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Matthew Lewis) Ford and Germany's Volkswagen on Tuesday morning will disclose some details of their planned alliance, top officials with both companies said Monday at the Detroit auto show. The companies scheduled a joint conference call for 8:30 a.m. EST, with Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess and Ford CEO Jim Hackett "to provide an update on the companies ongoing discussions regarding a global alliance." Both Diess and Bill Ford, executive chairman of the automaker his great-grandfather founded, told the Free Press on Monday that talks are continuing but the companies have considerable opportunities to collaborate. "The talks are going really well. Were going to have more to say later this week. Stay tuned," Bill Ford said after the company unveiled the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500, a new Police Interceptor and an Explorer ST. Were still actually in final discussions, he said. Diess, speaking after the introduction of the new Passat sedan, said, "We love to work together with the Ford guys. They are really serious and professionals." Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., center, sits between executives watching a virtual reality experience before the reveal of the all-new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT 500 during the 2019 North American International Auto Show held at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. He appeared to confirm a commercial truck collaboration, which is where discussions between the companies started in June. "Volkswagen is a really big car company worldwide, a big car company, but we are not as big in small commercial vehicles," Diess said. Ford is strong in trucks, "so we decided to join forces there. And we will become very, very competitive together in this segment which consists of small commercial vans and small and midsize pickup trucks." More autos:: XT6 SUV debuts an evolution of Cadillacs styling theme More autos: Follow the latest from the Detroit auto show Numerous reports have said discussions evolved from commercial vehicles to electric and autonomous vehicle research, and both Diess and Hackett have hinted at shared production. Diess, who raised the possibility last month that VW could build cars in U.S. Ford plants with UAW workers, told the Free Press on Monday: "It's too early to announce. We have a press meeting tomorrow. We'll announce more and want to announce it together." Story continues He added: "We are really strong in Europe and China, probably not as strong in the United States so we are very complementary Ford and Volkswagen. More tomorrow. "Partnership is very often about economies of scale in our industry. As I said, we are big, but there are segments where it makes sense to work together. ... Combining forces would strengthen Ford and Volkswagen." When asked if Volkswagen might one day build vehicles in Ford factories, Diess said, "It might be a possibility in the future." Specifically asked about building Audi in the U.S., he said, "This is under consideration. Not yet decided." Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess answers questions during a private roundtable at the 2019 North American International Auto Show held at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Bill Ford said: There is a very strong future for manufacturing in North America. We are a global company. That wont change. Investors and industry analysts continue monitoring events with interest. "The Volkswagen-Ford partnership is emblematic of what we are seeing in the industry," said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst for Autotrader. "While we are moving toward a world of electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and mobility services, we dont know when they will take hold. "In the meantime, automakers are spending massive amounts of money with no clear path to turning profits. VW and Ford can share costs, as GM and Honda are doing on autonomous vehicles, for instance. I expect we will see more of such partnerships between automakers and automakers with tech companies." In addition to all the recent developments revealed so far, Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, indicated there's more to come. When asked if VW planned to set up battery production close to its factories, which eliminates issues related to safe battery transportation, Keogh told the Free Press, There will be an announcement soon. Keogh said Volkswagen is "setting up strategically for local sourcing." Hackett and Diess are to be joined on Tuesday's call by Jim Farley, Ford's president of Global Markets, and Thomas Sedran, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford, VW promise more details on auto giants' alliance The World Bank nearly doubled the Philippines natural disaster risk insurance in 2017 with a new $390 million in coverage that became effective Dec. 19, 2018 to help the country better respond to losses from climate change and disasters. The multilateral lender said Monday the renewal would provide 25 provinces in the country with the Philippine peso equivalent of $390 million in insurance against major typhoon and earthquake events. Under the program, the World Bank would sign an agreement with private reinsurers to provide coverage against disaster and severe weather impacts for national government agencies and 25 participating provinces. Insurance payouts are made when pre-defined parametric triggers are met. State-run pension fund Government Service Insurance System provides the parametric catastrophe insurance coverage. The insurance policy is designed to provide rapid liquidity in the face of disasters to the government to enable rebuilding and recovery to commence. The renewed policy almost doubled the coverage under a 2017 policy, facilitated by the World Bank through a catastrophe swap, that provided the Philippine peso equivalent of $206 million in insurance. The panel of risk takers, selected through a competitive bidding process, also doubled under the renewed policy. Risk takers were able to participate in the transaction either through a derivative contract or a retrocession agreement. Mara Warwick, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, said the initiative demonstrated the Philippines strong commitment to continue investing in innovative financial solutions that will mitigate the impacts of major earthquakes and extreme climate and weather-related events.The program complements the countrys overall strategy and efforts in ensuring resilience against natural disasters and climate change impacts, Warwick said in a statement. The World Bank is also supporting the Philippines in preparing a sovereign catastrophe bond to complement the existing insurance program by providing cover for more extreme events. The Philippines is among the worlds most vulnerable countries to natural disasters. The country is expected to incur, on average, $3.5 billion in asset losses each year due to typhoons and earthquakes. George Richardson, World Bank director for capital markets, said this development marked another milestone in the banks partnership with the Philippines. We look forward to deepening this partnership as we work together to harness innovative financial solutions to boost the countrys resilience against unforeseen events, he said. Ford Motor (F) is gearing up to launch new electric cars as soon as next year, CEO Jim Hackett told CNBC on Sunday. Ford has previously announced its plans to invest $11 billion in electric vehicles by 2022 and produce 40 hybrid and fully electric cars, in a plan to revive its slowing business. However, the company's chief told CNBC that drivers should be prepared for 'a big surprise' from Ford. "We talked about a huge investment in electric vehicles. We have 16 models that are in design and development. We have a pretty big surprise coming next year," Hackett told CNBC's Phil LeBeau on the sidelines of the Detroit Auto Show, which kicks off this week. During the first nine months in 2018, Ford's profit dropped a whooping 27 percent from the same period in 2017. Shares of Ford, which tumbled 39 percent in 2018, are hunkered under $10 a share for the first time since 2012. "Some of the pain in the margins additionally [is] because the vehicles are old. We have on average the oldest fleet in the industry and we are going to have average the newest fleet. 75 percent of the portfolio is being turned over," the CEO said. The company is also in the middle of a massive restructuring with an aim to slash costs by $14 billion over the next five years. Ford recently announced plans to cut thousands of jobs in Europe as well as discontinuing some unprofitable lines there. Yet in the face of a skeptical market Hackett defended Ford's moves to right its ship. He told CNBC that investors "needed to be a little patient with some of the long-lived problems that haven't been addressed that I'm going to represent. In less than 19 months, I've addressed every one of them." Many companies have expressed concerns about American brands potentially falling out of favor in China. For example, tech giant Apple cut its forecast in January, sounding alarms that an economic slowdown will weigh on its business. However, Hackett is not so worried. "China's optimism is still high with us," he told CNBC. "The brand is one of the highest-ranking brands in the country. Even at the highest levels of the government they see it as a family-owned business that middle America loves. The Chinese want to relate to American businesses like that," Hackett added. The partial government shutdown blew through the record of the longest ever in U.S. history over the weekend and is headed into uncharted territory. The impact is intensifying on both the government employees who missed a payday Friday some of them forced to work anyway, some of them furloughed and on other Americans who want to take an airline flight, visit a national park or eat FDA-inspected food. With the political heat rising, this would be the moment during previous shutdowns when the White House and Congress would agree to some face-saving compromises to fund the government, at least for the short term. This time, though, there are few signs that President Trump and newly empowered House Democrats are about to budge. Here are five likeliest scenarios to end the shutdown and why none of them are likely to happen. Start the day smarter: Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox #1 President Trump caves Facing polls that show him getting most of the blame, the president agrees to the Democrats proposal to fund most government agencies and pass a short-term bill for the Department of Homeland Security to continue the battle over building a wall along the southern border, his signature campaign promise and current non-negotiable demand. Why it wont happen: The last time Trump agreed to this very deal, in December, he was savaged by conservative talk-show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. Since then, the president has promised his base that he isn't giving an inch. #2 Speaker Pelosi caves With the shutdown hurting Americans and blocking the agenda Democrats had hoped to pursue in the House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Pelosi agrees to a deal that includes some funding for the wall, perhaps splitting the difference between $1 (the number she jokingly agreed to) and $5.7 billion (Trump's demand). Why it wont happen: Just as the Republican base views building the wall as a matter of principle, the Democratic base views not building the wall as a matter of principle. What's more, this standoff is the first test of Pelosi's leadership since Democrats regained control of the House. She wants to show her troops that she can be as tough as Trump. Story continues #3 Senate Republicans bolt The House already has passed the funding bill that the GOP-controlled Senate approved last month. Republican senators, especially those who are up for re-election next year, have grown increasingly anxious about the potential political costs for them back home from the extended shutdown. They could approve the measure and send it to the White House. Why it wont happen: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (who happens to be one of those GOP incumbents up in 2020) has made it clear that hes not challenging the president. He says he wont allow a bill to be brought up on the Senate floor that Trump wont sign. It's also unlikely that Congress could override a Trump veto. Ironically, the Republican-controlled Senate conceivably could muster the two-thirds support needed. But in the Democratic-controlled House, where most Republicans represent districts dominated by GOP voters, those representatives arent likely to allow to join with Democrats to support an override. #4 They go big The White House and congressional Democrats agree on the sort of ambitious compromise on immigration that has eluded Washington for years. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican who is close to Trump, has suggested a trade-off that would provide money for Trumps wall and codify protection for the so-called DREAMers, young undocumented people brought to this country when they were children who now face an uncertain future. This deal might also include thousands of other immigrants who came to the United States with temporary visas because of crises in their home countries. Why it wont happen: Trump has given no sign that hes interested in doing this, and neither have congressional Democrats. Whats more, neither side, and especially congressional Democrats, trusts the other to live up to a deal. It's similar to one that was being negotiated a year ago, only to have Trump publicly disavow it. #5 Declare an emergency The president declares a national state of emergency at the border and moves to divert funds from the Pentagon to begin building the wall, pre-empting Congress' role in allocating money. Trump has publicly suggested this option, although he has been reluctant so far to move ahead. He and Congress would still need to take separate action to fund the government agencies now affected by the shutdown. Why it won't happen: It would surely spark court challenges, and wall construction would likely be blocked by the courts until the legal issues are considered. While the president says he "absolutely, 100 percent" has the authority to act, even some of his own advisers have told him that he doesn't. He's also being cautioned by some Republicans who warn he would be setting a precedent for a similar exercise of extraordinary presidential power by a future Democratic president. That said, some analysts see Option #5 as the mostly likely way out of the current cul-de-sac. When the president delivers his State of the Union address on Jan. 29, will the shutdown be over? In normal times, the answer would be yes. In today's world, don't hold your breath. Poll: Americans blame shutdown on Trump over Democrats by wide margin National Weather Service: No shutdown for agency 'tirelessly' forecasting snowstorm This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Five ways the government shutdown could end and why they probably won't happen Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. FCAU announced a worldwide recall of 1.6 million vehicles to fix faulty Takata airbag inflators, per AP. The companys recall is part of the ongoing recall campaign managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The companys recall consists of vehicles from the model year 2010 through 2016. A few of the vehicle models that are covered in the recall are Jeep Wrangler SUV, 2010 Ram 3500 pickup and 4500/5500 Chassis Cab trucks, 2010 and 2011 Dodge Dakota pickup, 2010 through 2014 Dodge Challenger muscle car, 2011 through 2015 Dodge Charger sedan, and 2010 through 2015 Chrysler 300 sedan. The car owners will be informed about the recall and will be instructed to visit dealers for inflator replacement. Although the company is unaware of any injuries for the recalled vehicles due to faulty Takata airbags, Fiat Chrysler urges its customers to get the repairs done at the dealers. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. Price and Consensus Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. Price and Consensus | Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. Quote Out of the vehicles recalled, roughly 1.4 million cars are from the United States. The recall is part of the largest recall campaign in the United States history. Roughly 10 million inflators have been recalled this year. Apart from Fiat Chrysler, other automakers namely Ford Motor Company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Company recently announced recalls, owing to the same issue. Per the governments 2018 annual report, one-third of the total recalled vehicles, having faulty Takata airbag inflators, are yet to be fixed, even after more than three years of U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration handling the issue. Around 16.7 million faulty inflators are outstanding to be fixed out of total 50 million. As accidents related to faulty inflators can be life-threatening, the inflator replacement completion should have been at a much faster pace. Price Performance Over the past three months, shares of Fiat Chrysler have gained 0.3% compared with the industrys increase of 5.3%. Story continues Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Fiat Chrysler currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader auto sector are Bridgestone Corporation BRDCY, Genuine Parts Company GPC and Fox Factory Holding Corporation FOXF, each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Bridgestone has an expected long-term growth rate of 4.7%. Share price of the company has increased 4.5% in the past three months. Genuine Parts has an expected long-term growth rate of 5%. Over the past three months, shares of the company have gained 0.6%. Fox Factory has an expected long-term growth rate of 17.9%. Shares of the company have gained 5.5% in the past three months. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Images of a fatberg 210ft long found beneath the streets of Sidmouth. A water boss has revealed more affluent areas are more likely to be affected as residents prefer sturdier quilted toilet paper. (SWNS) Affluent areas are more likely to be hit by fatbergs because of a penchant for posh loo paper a water company boss has revealed. Areas including Chelsea, Cheltenham and Harrogate have all been hit by the sewer blockers in recent years, and according to the Sunday Times its the prevalence of posh quilted loo paper that doesnt break down as easily that does it. The revelation comes a week after a 210ft long fatberg was discovered in Sidmouth, Devon. Andrew Roantree, director of wastewater at South West Water, which manages Sidmouth sewers, told The Sunday Times: These fatbergs do seem to crop up in more upmarket towns. The social demographics of fatbergs are complex we see them in deprived areas too so we want to work out how modern lifestyles cause them. Images of a fatberg 210ft long found beneath the streets of Sidmouth. A water boss has revealed more affluent areas are more likely to be affected as residents prefer sturdier quilted toilet paper. (SWNS) As well as quilted toilet paper, wet wipes are believed to be a major cause of fatbergs. And its believed it could take up eight weeks to remove the Goliath block. In the north, Northumbrian Water said it spent 400,000 unblocking 13,000 blockages 93% of which it believes are caused by wet wipes. Though it revealed some of the weirdest blockages found in its drains were a dead piranha and a dead horse, believed to have been stuffed down a drain. A new industry standard is set to be introduced this year for manufacturers to tell shoppers which wet wipes are flushable, to help beat the problem. But Rae Stewart, of industry body, Water UK, told The Sunday Times: Polyester baby wipes and so-called flushable wet wipes are the worst. As the author of the piece, Im delighted youre perusing my article anywhere, but a bit frustrated you probably arent seeing it on Facebook. Before Facebook changed its News Feed last January, I could post my storiesor my colleagues or friends storieson my timeline and watch as it was magically distributed across the platform. Comments and shares would roll in, not only gratifying my insatiable journalists ego, but also informing me, adding to my understanding of the subject matter, and maybe even helping me write better pieces down the road. Now when I post, no one sees. Not even my wife (a guaranteed like.) And so Ive been putting my stories up on LinkedIn and people have been responding there. (Ditto with Twitter.) Writer Andy Serwer is small potatoes of course. My bigger concern is as Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer, because the real issue is for news organizations writ largefrom The New York Times to Buzzfeed to Catster.com, and yes Yahoo Financeas Facebook has cut back on the amount of news in its algorithm. Thats hurt news businesses. In fact Facebooks policy shift is coincident with, and no doubt has in part caused, a recent significant decline in the value of digital media companies. You had Facebook actively courting publishers for a long time So how much less news is there on Facebook? A Facebook spokesperson told us the amount of news in the News Feed has declined from 5% to 4%, suggesting its a small drop (though Im sure you realize that a one percentage point decline in this case is a 20% decrease). Personally though, Im not seeing any news in my News Feed at all. High school reunion pictures, yes. Ads, yes. But no news. Ive spent enough time in the internet news business to know that the people at Facebook who are in charge of the News Feed no doubt will tell me that I am mistaken, or that my experience is anecdotal, but I know what I see. Facebook is free to change its policies any time it wants of course, but its fickleness has left many in my world vexed. Story continues You had Facebook actively courting publishers for a long time, says David Skok, editor-in-chief at The Logic, a subscription-based business news website. They paid publishers to be on their platform. Without notice they shifted. I think the lack of congruency on Facebooks end about its intentions and motives were, wasnt a good look for Facebook and in some respect theyre facing a backlash. They made enemies out of publishers. But werent publishers deluding themselves by basing their business models to one degree or another on a giant companys whims? Yes, says Martin Nisenholtz, former head of digital strategy at The New York Times, professor at Boston University and co-author of Riptide, a Harvard study about the digitization of the news business. People like to call these things [Facebook and Google, etc] distribution platforms, but distribution in media terms is an agreement for three, five, 10 years. Ill do this for you in return for reaching these numbers of people over time. Its a very specific agreement. [But] these are not distribution agreements in a sense theyre designed around reaching people through some kind of manipulation or presumed manipulation of the algorithm. Thats very changeable. Once Facebook changes the algorithm, your distribution falls apart. Theres no agreement in that context. Could this backfire for Facebook? Like the honey badger, Facebook doesnt care. Publishers have figured out Facebook now has to figure less in their plans. Weve certainly seen a decline in the importance of Facebook as part of our overall blend, says Matt Karolian, director of news initiatives at the Boston Globe. Karolian points out this could ultimately hurt Facebook: Facebook is supposed to be a relative reflection of real world. Core to people's identities are things they believe in socially and politically. Trying to mute political and idea expression on Facebook makes it a slightly less engaging place to be, he says. Or maybe not. Last January Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company would deemphasize news because it was crowding out the personal moments that lead us to connect more with each other. (Oh and, by the way, the change also helped the company move away from a content category that is divisive and fraught with risks like fake news.) Has this hurt or helped investors? The stock dropped initially on the announcement last year (investors wondered if the company had weakening engagement), but RBC Capital Analyst Mark Mahaney says: It was a useful change and I think investors have ignored it. Looks like satisfaction has risen at Facebook. Dan Roth, now editor-in-chief of LinkedIn, is seen at Advertising Week on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012 in New York. (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision for Advertising Week/AP Images) A quick take on this might be that while Facebook is retreating from being a news source, Apple, LinkedIn, and others including perhaps a revitalized Google News are moving it to fill the breach. There is some irony here I guess in that Facebook was at once held upand held itself upas the shining savior of the news business. And now riding to the rescue are two pre-internet tech companies: Apple and Microsoft (which owns LinkedIn). When Dan Roth, editor-in-chief of LinkedIn, joined that company eight years ago, he was the sole editorial employee. (Full disclosure: I worked with Dan at Fortune Magazine prior to that.) Now were up to a team of over 50 editors in New York, San Francisco, Berlin, Munich, Sydney, Sao Paulo, and London, creating, curating, or cultivating content to get professionals talking, says Roth. LinkedIns Daily Rundown reaches 60 million people, Roth says. (NB: Apples been hiring journalists too.) But Apple and LinkedIn arent exactly the U.S. Cavalry. The relationship between publishers and platforms that distribute content is at best complex and ever-changing. Few if any relationships between publishers and tech giants are truly happy ones. Why is that? 30% is just not a number we can work with right now First and foremost, executives at Apple, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, or Twitter (and Amazon even) arent really interested in the news business except to the extent that it benefits their businesses. Yes LinkedIn has hired real journalists, but it isnt really a news publisher or a distributor of news, nor does it hold itself up that way, (though those lines are blurring). Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event to announce new products Tuesday Oct. 30, 2018, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) And yes, Apple CEO Tim Cook has talked about how much he cares about newsand I believe him. But maybe he cares a bit less about the news business. Apple takes 30% of the subscription revenue in year one (and 15% in subsequent years) from publishers and owns the subscribers data. True Apple isnt running a nonprofit, but if Cook really cared so much, why do nearly all media companies complain about his terms? Apple News has been a very good platform for us ... but 30% is just not a number we can work with right now, says Karolian of the Globe. I think a lot of other publishers feel the same way. Were operating on pretty thin margins, to take a 30% cut for payment processing feels pretty rough. Jason Kint, CEO of Digital Content Next, says, In terms of quality of experience theres a lot to like [about Apple News]. [The] concern has always been on monetization side. I guess you could make the point that the folks who ran newsstands didnt really care about news either, but they sure as hell cared about getting newspapers and magazines at reasonable terms because selling them was how they made money. Not true for tech giants. All of the above argues, begs really, for subscription-based models coupled with freemium and/or pay walls. In other words, create great content and sell it directly to consumers at a price the market will bear. Dont rely on advertising (another problem child Ill perhaps tackle soon) or the tech giantsthey just arent that into you. Many legacy media outletsThe Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Postare headed that way. Startups like the aforementioned The Logic and The Information (what is it with the definite article) are subscription native. Lastly, its worth pointing out how nascent and touchy the relationship between news and the internet is. Shockingly so in fact. Last fall, The New York Times ran an informative story on Apple News and its editor in chief, Lauren Kern, a former New York Magazine editor who works at Apple headquarters in Cupertino. The story lays out Apples efforts in news and the perceived pluses and minuses publishers see in working with the company. One subordinate clause caught my eye however. The Times piece mentions an important story according to ...Ms. Kerns deputy, a former editor for The New York Times whom Apple requested not be named for privacy reasons. Imagine reading that not be named point in a story about an executive at Ford working a new line of trucks. Sure, the news business isnt the truck business and never has been. But now hyper-partisanship and the digital revolution with all of its implications including wrecked business models and Russian hacking have made for an incredibly fragile and changeable environment. News organizations, tech giants, and our society are going to have to soldier through it. Writer Andy Serwer, too. Andy Serwer is editor-in-chief at Yahoo Finance. Read more: A simple, yet radical solution to solve Facebooks problems Imagine Facebook without the ads but with a monthly fee Tech companies are suffering from a success delusion Mark Warner: This will send a shiver down the spine of Facebook, Google, and Twitter Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - More than 100 members of the European parliament have promised to back a delay to Brexit to allow voters to think again, in a letter to British citizens. The cross-party group of MEPs wrote as Prime Minister Theresa May faces a probable defeat on Tuesday when British lawmakers vote on the Brexit withdrawal plan. Speculation is rising that Britain will have to ask Brussels to pause the "Article 50" process that will see it leave Europe on March 29 with or without a deal. Officials say EU leaders, who signed the withdrawal agreement with May in late November, may agree to extend the deadline to avoid a disruptive breakdown in ties. A European Court has ruled Britain could unilaterally revoke the decision to launch the two-year withdrawal countdown if it decides to abandon Brexit altogether. But a delay to allow May time to win over sceptical MPs -- or to organise an election or a second referendum -- would need to be unanimously agreed by EU leaders. The European lawmakers, including socialist group leader Udo Bullmann and the Greens' Philippe Lambert, said they would support such a delay. "Any British decision to remain in the EU would be warmly welcomed by us," the signatories said in the letter, which was published in German media on Saturday. "We have greatly appreciated the enormous impact British politicians and citizens have contributed to the European project," they said. "We would miss the extraordinary expertise of our British colleagues... Brexit will weaken all of us. We want you to stay." Even if the March 29 deadline date is pushed back, Brexit would complicate planning for the European parliamentary election that begins on May 22. Britain may have to expect a new batch of MEPs if Brexit hasn't happened, and EU officials want the process finished before a new parliament sits. "If the UK is still in the EU during the European elections, then they'll have to organise a vote," a European diplomatic source told AFP. Story continues "It would be a strange situation, because British MEPs would only sit provisionally for a limited period." The diplomat said much would depend on the scale of May's expected defeat. It the vote is close, Europe might give May a chance to win over more British MPs -- but if she is crushed then Britain could leave on March 29 without a deal. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker attends a news conference after a European Union summit meeting in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2018. Photo: REUTERS/Eric Vidal/File Photo EU leaders have sent a letter of reassurance over the Irish border backstop to prime minister Theresa May in a last ditch bid to help her win the vote over the Brexit deal. Just like the United Kingdom, the European Union does not wish to see the backstop enter into force, says the letter from European commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and EU council president Donald Tusk. It came in response to a call on the pair from May to give further reassurances that the fears that some hold on both sides are misplaced. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The letter stresses the legal value of the conclusions of last months EU summit, which say that the backstop will only apply temporarily if ever implemented. They also commit the EU to working quickly on a free trade deal in order to avoid the backstop being needed. The conclusions may commit the European Union in the most solemn manner, states the letter. The letter also goes further than before in committing the EU to proposals for avoiding the backstop which have been put forward by Brexit supporters. It says technological solutions to the Irish border situation, which were once derided as magical thinking, will be considered. However, Juncker and Tusk make clear that the backstop must remain in the deal, telling May: We are not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the withdrawal agreement. READ MORE: Brexit explained: what does the Irish backstop mean? The EU turned down a request from Downing Street to state in the letter than the backstop would only last for one year, according to Irish public broadcaster RTE. Despite that, May says she is confident we will never have to use the backstop following the clarifications offered by the EU. After two years of detailed, and often tough, negotiations, I strongly believe the fear about the EUs intentions is unfounded, she adds in her own letter to Juncker and Tusk. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the EU has delivered a clarity, support and a positive commitment to work with the UK. Story continues But the long anticipated exchange of letters seems to have done little to change the minds of opponents of the deal on either side of the Commons. Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said the letters are simply a reiteration of the EUs existing position. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Conservative rebel Guto Bebb said: It is very clear that this exchange of letters alters absolutely nothing of substance in the Withdrawal Agreement. This is purely a cosmetic exercise. The backstop is a fall-back plan to ensure the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remains as smooth and low-key as possible, whatever the terms of Britains exit from the EU. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that has a land border with another EU country, the Republic of Ireland, given the rest of Britain is an island. There is a widely shared commitment among politicians of all stripes to keeping the Irish border as open as possible. Many fear that barriers between the north and south could revive the tensions behind the Troubles the 30-year conflict over Northern Irelands status as part of the UK. Meanwhile, one of the worlds most reputable think tanks the Economist Intelligence Unit believes that Brexit will not happen on 29 March, 2019, and that a no-deal Brexit is the least likely scenario right now. It predicts that UK prime minister Theresa Mays government will lose Tuesdays meaningful vote on the withdrawal agreement and political declaration negotiated in November and therefore be forced to ask for an extension on Article 50. The EIU said that there is a 40% probability that Mays deal will eventually go through, if Britain has delayed Brexit after 29 March this year. Danielle Haralambous says she expects May to resume her campaign to get a version of the deal approved by parliament in a subsequent vote by pursuing further assurances from the EU on the terms of withdrawal, and particularly on the terms of the Irish backstop arrangement. READ MORE: Its more likely Brexit will not happen on 29 March, than no-deal EIU Equinix, Inc. EQIX recently announced that it concluded the acquisition of a commercial building at Vierenkamp 1, Hamburg, Germany, from Aspen REG 1. Management GmbH, on Dec 28, 2018, for a value of $11 million. Further, the company plans to invest additional $25 million to redevelop the 130,000-square-foot-property into a facility that will be renamed to Equinix HH1 International Business Exchange (IBX) data center. This buyout expands the companys global inter-connection platform and is aimed at catering to the rising demand for digital infrastructure connectivity throughout Europe. The new facility is expected to be unveiled in third-quarter 2019. Moreover, the company remains focused to strengthen the Germany portfolio as indicated by its commitment to invest nearly $150 million in organic expansion of the German facilities in fiscal years 2018-2019. With nine facilities located across three markets Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf the acquisition marks Equinixs data-center expansion in its fourth German market. Expansion in Hamburg is a strategic fit as it is home to many multinational enterprises and is witnessing growth in the technology community, including many e-commerce companies. This is spurring demand for best-in-class networking and cloud services providers that can offer low latency, along with higher bandwidth and connectivity. In fact, Equinix intends to revamp the two-story industrial building to an interconnection and carrier-neutral colocation space. This overhaul will offer 375 cabinets in phase one, with a total capacity of 1,875 cabinets at full built. As demand for interconnection continues to rise, the property will facilitate global interconnection and IT transformation needs of Equinixs customers. Further, it will provide customers an opportunity to process, store and distribute latency-sensitive data in close proximity to end users and local markets. Admittedly, data-center REITs are experiencing a boom, with growing popularity of cloud computing, Internet of Things and big data, as well as the use of third-party IT infrastructure by several companies. In fact, demand has been outpacing supply in top-tier data-center markets. These markets are absorbing new construction at an accelerated pace despite enjoying high occupancy. This, along with an improved outlook for economic growth, will significantly aid data-center REITs such as Equinix, as well as Digital Realty Trust Inc. DLR, CyrusOne Inc. CONE, CoreSite Realty Corp. COR and others. While Equinix plans to add more data centers to satisfy the rising demand for co-location and interconnection services, this requires huge capital outlays. Amid rising interest-rate environment, increasing debt obligations will affect operating results as interest expense would flare up. Currently, Equinix carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here However, the stock has depreciated 6.3% in the past three months, as against the 2.1% gain of the Real Estate industry. Story continues Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive in Merseyside for first official royal engagement of the year - PA The Duchess of Sussex cradled her growing baby bump as she joined the Duke of Sussex in Birkenhead to celebrate the life of one of the town's most famous sons. The pair were paying their respects to acclaimed First World War poet Wilfred Owen by viewing a sculpture in the town's Hamilton Square marking the 100th anniversary of his death. The couple, who are expecting their first child in the spring, were on their first joint official engagement of the year, spending the day meeting Birkenhead residents, visiting an organisation supporting women in vulnerable situations and a centre for young people. The duchess, wearing a striking purple dress from Aritzia's Babaton collection and a vivid red coat by Sentaler, held on to her sizeable baby bump as she chatted to waiting dignitaries. The duke was seen with his hand tenderly placed on his wife's back. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hold a teddy bear at Hamilton Square in Birkenhead Credit: Carl Recine/Reuters The couple married just eight months ago in Windsor. Their visit was welcomed by Frank Field, Birkenhead's MP, who said he had invited the couple to his constituency, with the planned day reflecting their interests, allowing them to get a real feel for the area's people. Mr Field said: "The two faces of Britain are here in Birkenhead, they are walking through the Alice in Wonderland door and visiting the other part of Britain - and they wanted to." The bronze artwork by sculptor Jim Whelan has been named after Owen's poem Futility, and shows an exhausted solider sitting down with his head in his hands. Mr Field said about the poet: "He's the most important person for shaping our memory of war, it's fitting the town should have a statue that sets new standards in sculpture." The duke and duchess then visited the Pyramids Shopping Centre, where they will officially open Number 7, a community supermarket and cafe aimed at helping to eliminate hunger in the Birkenhead area. They were greeted by about 30 staff members and locals, with the duchess smiling enthusiastically at the assembled crowd. The duke also picked up a teddy bear and a note from a boy standing outside the store. The visit comes after reports that Meghan's Met Police protection officer has left her post. The goal of this article is to teach you how to use price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). Well show how you can use Jiangsu Expressway Company Limiteds (HKG:177) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. Jiangsu Expressway has a price to earnings ratio of 11.51, based on the last twelve months. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 8.7%. Check out our latest analysis for Jiangsu Expressway Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. How Do I Calculate Jiangsu Expressways Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share (in the reporting currency) Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Jiangsu Expressway: P/E of 11.51 = CN9.92 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, CNY ) CN0.86 (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2018.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. All else being equal, its better to pay a low price but as Warren Buffett said, Its far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios P/E ratios primarily reflect market expectations around earnings growth rates. Thats because companies that grow earnings per share quickly will rapidly increase the E in the equation. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. Then, a lower P/E should attract more buyers, pushing the share price up. Most would be impressed by Jiangsu Expressway earnings growth of 14% in the last year. And earnings per share have improved by 12% annually, over the last five years. This could arguably justify a relatively high P/E ratio. Story continues How Does Jiangsu Expressways P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? We can get an indication of market expectations by looking at the P/E ratio. As you can see below, Jiangsu Expressway has a higher P/E than the average company (8.8) in the infrastructure industry. SEHK:177 PE PEG Gauge January 14th 19 Jiangsu Expressways P/E tells us that market participants think the company will perform better than its industry peers, going forward. Shareholders are clearly optimistic, but the future is always uncertain. So investors should always consider the P/E ratio alongside other factors, such as whether company directors have been buying shares. Dont Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits Its important to note that the P/E ratio considers the market capitalization, not the enterprise value. That means it doesnt take debt or cash into account. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future), by taking on debt (or spending its remaining cash). Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof). Is Debt Impacting Jiangsu Expressways P/E? Jiangsu Expressways net debt is 28% of its market cap. If you want to compare its P/E ratio to other companies, you should absolutely keep in mind it has significant borrowings. The Bottom Line On Jiangsu Expressways P/E Ratio Jiangsu Expressway has a P/E of 11.5. Thats higher than the average in the HK market, which is 10.3. The company is not overly constrained by its modest debt levels, and it is growing earnings per share. Therefore it seems reasonable that the market would have relatively high expectations of the company When the market is wrong about a stock, it gives savvy investors an opportunity. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold they key to an excellent investment decision. You might be able to find a better buy than Jiangsu Expressway. If you want a selection of possible winners, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a P/E below 20 (but have proven they can grow earnings). 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. Digital First Media is making an aggressive play to buy Gannett, offering $12 a share for the struggling publisher on Monday. The figure is a 23 percent premium on Gannetts current share price of roughly $9.75. Digital First Media already owns a 7.5 percent stake in the publisher. In a letter to the Gannett board of directors, Digital First said the current leadership was not working and cited the companys tumbling share price since going public more than two years ago as proof. The news was first reported in the Wall Street Journal. Gannett, which publishes USA Today in addition to a number of local papers, has faced many of the same industry headwinds that have hollowed out local newspapers in recent years. The company is currently without a CEO and it is unclear how they will ultimately respond to the interest from Digital First. Also Read: Media Rebellion! Why Journalists Are Risking It All to Write Exposes of Their Owners In a statement to TheWrap, Gannett confirmed it has received an unsolicited proposal from the media company and they were still weighing what to do. Consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, the Gannett board of directors will carefully review the proposal received to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the company and Gannett shareholders. No action needs to be taken by Gannett shareholders at this point, Gannett said. Digital First Media, which is backed by the hedge fund Alden Global Capital, has become an extraordinarily divisive media player in recent years and has been accused by critics of buying up local papers and strip mining them of their assets and talent. The company is most notable for their management of the Denver Post, which has slashed more than half their staff in recent years. The situation became so desperate last year that the papers remaining editorial staff published an op-ed denouncing their corporate overlords. Digital First Medias hedge fund owner slashes local newsrooms to the bone, soaks them for profits and then spends money on things that arent journalism, warned Los Angeles Times National Correspondent Matt Pearce. If theyre knocking on the door, you should lock the deadbolt. Read original story Digital First Media Hedge Fund Eyes Purchase of Gannett At TheWrap A water main break late Saturday night forced a boil water advisory for downtown Detroit, just as the annual auto show was getting underway with thousands of visitors in town. Downtown hotels, filled with auto industry executives and journalists from around the world, found themselves not only having to tell guests not to drink water from the tap, but in some instances had to apologize to guests because there was either no hot water or no water at all. Jessica Caldwell, executive director of industry analysis at Edmunds, an online car shopping network, arrived early Sunday morning from Los Angles and discovered the water problem upon arrival at the Atheneum Suites in Greektown. Crews work to repair a broken water main near Larned and McDougall in Detroit on Sunday, January 13, 2018. I was told at 6 a.m. it should resolve quickly but hadnt by 11," Caldwell said. "My room had only cold water out of the sink and bathtub. Shower did not work, period. Hotel said because of the pipes, and so many rooms, some were getting a water feed and some were not. Impacted by the boil water advisory are residences and businesses in the area bounded by the John C. Lodge Service Drive on the west, Mount Elliott on the east, Interstate 75 on the north and Detroit River on the south. Although water service has been restored, people should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and washing dishes until further notice, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department said. Gary Brown, director of the water department, said Sunday that the water boil advisory will likely be in effect until Thursday. It is important that children and the elderly, especially, heed the warning to avoid ingesting bacteria in the water. More: Follow more of our Detroit auto show coverage "If water is being used for cooking or drinking, you should bring it to a boil for at least two minutes prior to consumption," Palencia Mobley, deputy director of the Great Lakes Water Authority, said at a Sunday afternoon press conference at the site of the water main break. "The water can be used for bathing and other domestic uses." Story continues Brown said authorities do not yet know the cause of the break, which occurred about 11 p.m. Saturday. It could have simply been age, since the pipes date back to the 1800s, or someone could have hit something with a car. I got to the site, physically, at midnight, he said. We had a 42-inch water main assigned to the Great Lakes Water Authority not Detroit, its their transmission line rupture. It was leaking water all the way to Jefferson." By 11 a.m. on Sunday, Brown said everything was normal other than the boil water alert. Brown said break occurred in a parking lot that services some townhouses, near Larned and McDougall, about half a block south of Martin Luther King High School. No one in the service area of the broken line is out of water, Brown said, although some Detroiters may have lost water pressure temporarily while repair workers cut over from the broken line to another line, Everybody has been restored," he said. To the best of his knowledge, Brown said, nobody in Detroit lost access to water. Im going from looking at instruments that measure water in the system, in the transmission and distribution lines, Brown said. In some cases, Brown said, upper floors in taller buildings may have lost water because internal pumps shut down with the initial lost pressure. In those instances, the building owners need to restart the pumps. "Our system is working," Brown said. "There may be incidents where people don't have water but we respond as soon as we hear. Out of this large area, so far there are three calls with reports of no water as of 11:45 a.m. That's why I always ask about a high rise or lower units. It's about getting internal pumps restarted. They have automatic shutoffs if pressure gets low so they don't burn up." A senior residential facility called about the water and the city went out and determined low water pressure was caused by a clog that was cleared up quickly, Brown said. Cobo Center put up notices for auto show attendees after the City of Detroit issued a water alert Sunday. Auto show precautions Detroit auto show organizers were notified early Sunday about the water main break, according to show spokeswoman Amanda Niswonger. The break came on the eve of North American International Auto Show's Media Days, which draws auto executives and more than 5,000 journalists from around the world. Cobo Center and the NAIAS are fully aware of the boil water advisory and are taking the necessary precautions to ensure all attendees of the upcoming show have safe water to drink," Niswonger said. "We have shut off access to all drinking fountains and have hung signs in restrooms alerting caution. Bottled water is available for drinking. Water fountains at Cobo Center will be taped off to prevent use and bottles of water will be provided on site immediately, she said. Brown said auto show attendees who want coffee will have to use bottled water or boiled water. "But that's not a heavy burden to pay in order to have safety." Cobo Center issued a statement early Sunday from Claude Molinari, general manager, saying, Our food service is taking all necessary steps, and all water fountains have been turned off in Cobo Center. Ford Motor Co. was one of many companies that planned to spend Sunday rehearsing their programs at Cobo for Monday news conferences. Mark Truby, Ford spokesman, said at 8:03 a.m., The show goes on. Despite the water alert, downtown restaurants seemed to be bustling as always on Sunday. Mike England, a manager at Applebees/IHOP in the Millender Center on Jefferson Avenue, across from the Renaissance Center, on Sunday morning said, Its a nice happy atmosphere. Were busy right now. Were not affected at all. Everything is good. Folks at The Ham Shoppe diner in Greektown said, We serving and were staying busy. The owner said he couldnt talk because they were preparing meals for auto show folks at Cobo Center. But other restaurants, including Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters on Griswold and Calexico on Woodward, were reported closed Sunday. The Avalon Cafe and Bakery on Woodward and Starbucks across from Campus Martius reportedly weren't serving coffee because of water situation. Nicole Carriere, executive director of public relations at Edmunds, who along with Caldwell, was staying at Atheneum Suites, said when she asked about the water advisory, the hotel told her they have no hot water because the water pressure is low and, as a result, the boilers cant heat the water. They just werent working properly. When Carriere and Caldwell talked to an NBC producer on Sunday morning at the Westin Book Cadillac, he told them he didnt have hot water and just intermittent use of the shower. The producer was jealous I had any water coming out of a bathtub, so I could take a cold bath and nearly give myself a heart attack, Caldwell said. I usually never drink tap water because Im from Los Angeles, but the Michigan water tastes good. But now Im spending the day worried Im going to have a stomach bug. More: 2019 North American International Auto Show: What you need to know How it gets fixed Michigan requires that an alert be issued if water pressure falls below 20 pounds of pressure in the system, and this system fell below 16 pounds, he said. Therefore, even though weve isolated the break, cut off the water from leaking, have crews there cutting out the broken section and are repairing it as we speak, we will be under a water boil alert until, well, it could be until Thursday, Brown said. Were required after we put a new line in, to disinfect, flush it, do sampling, send samples to a lab and make sure no bacteria is in the line before we can lift a boil alert. GLWA COO Cheryl Porter stated the pipe should be repaired by Tuesday. Any water coming from the Detroit system, in a public water fountain or at home, should be boiled. Water main breaks in the City of Detroit, weve dealt with it before, he said. Its pretty remarkable that we can get there at 12 midnight, isolate the problem, have the street cleaned up from flooding, salted and make repair. The main thing is to shut off the valves, stop the leaking and make the repair. Detroit's distribution system generally has lines 24 inches and smaller. The Great Lakes Water Authority system can run all the way to the suburbs. Boiling water is strictly precautionary, he said. There is opportunity for bacteria to get into the system. Someone who has consumed infected water may present flu-like symptoms including diarrhea. To avoid more water main breaks from happening in the future, DWSD and GLWA are investing $100 million this year in rebuilding infrastructures throughout the city, Brown said at the press conference. DWSD plan to start their construction plan in March. It's a nationwide problem. Between 2012 and 2018, water main break rates increased by 27 percent from 11 to 14 breaks per 100 miles of pipe per year, according to a 2018 Utah State University report, "Water Main Break Rates In the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study." "North Americas water infrastructure is in decline," the report said, noting that the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2017 gave a D grade to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Metro Detroit communities are commonly affected. In October 2017, a water main failure on 14 Mile Road caused a boil water advisory for 14 Oakland County communities for several days. A quick check of Free Press archives shows such advisories in 2018 for several metro Detroit municipalities, including Keego Harbor, West Bloomfield Township, Livonia and Holly. More: How Oakland A's pitcher found his way to Detroit luxury car party More: Police: Man found dead in vacant building played hide and seek with friends What should residents do? Do not drink the water without boiling it first. Let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. . This boil water advisory will remain in effect untilDWSD notifies customers advisory has been lifted. Customers are asked to call DWSD Customer Care Service at 313-267-8000 to report problems. Amy Huschka and Micah Walker contributed to this story. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at phoward@freepress.com or 313-222-6512. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. Her work can be found here. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: As Detroit auto show gets underway, boil water advisory hits downtown Detroit This article is for investors who would like to improve their understanding of price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). To keep it practical, well show how China Infrastructure & Logistics Group Ltd.s (HKG:1719) P/E ratio could help you assess the value on offer. Based on the last twelve months, China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups P/E ratio is 28.59. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 3.5%. See our latest analysis for China Infrastructure & Logistics Group Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. How Do I Calculate A Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for P/E is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for China Infrastructure & Logistics Group: P/E of 28.59 = HK$1.1 HK$0.038 (Based on the year to June 2018.) Is A High P/E Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That isnt necessarily good or bad, but a high P/E implies relatively high expectations of what a company can achieve in the future. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Earnings growth rates have a big influence on P/E ratios. When earnings grow, the E increases, over time. That means even if the current P/E is high, it will reduce over time if the share price stays flat. Then, a lower P/E should attract more buyers, pushing the share price up. China Infrastructure & Logistics Group saw earnings per share decrease by 13% last year. But it has grown its earnings per share by 33% per year over the last five years. How Does China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. As you can see below, China Infrastructure & Logistics Group has a much higher P/E than the average company (8.8) in the infrastructure industry. Story continues SEHK:1719 PE PEG Gauge January 14th 19 China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups P/E tells us that market participants think the company will perform better than its industry peers, going forward. Clearly the market expects growth, but it isnt guaranteed. So investors should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling. A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank Its important to note that the P/E ratio considers the market capitalization, not the enterprise value. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth. Such spending might be good or bad, overall, but the key point here is that you need to look at debt to understand the P/E ratio in context. China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups Balance Sheet Net debt totals 29% of China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups market cap. This is enough debt that youd have to make some adjustments before using the P/E ratio to compare it to a company with net cash. The Bottom Line On China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups P/E Ratio China Infrastructure & Logistics Groups P/E is 28.6 which is above average (10.3) in the HK market. With modest debt but no EPS growth in the last year, its fair to say the P/E implies some optimism about future earnings, from the market. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. As value investor Benjamin Graham famously said, In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine. Although we dont have analyst forecasts, you could get a better understanding of its growth by checking out this more detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow. Of course you might be able to find a better stock than China Infrastructure & Logistics Group. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have grown earnings strongly. 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. As one of the worlds largest economies, China boasts 700 million internet users. This year, the countrys online sales are estimated to be 55 percent of the global e-commerce market. And at 415 million, Chinas millennial population majority of which have grown up digitally native exceeds the population of both the United States and Canada. All of the above combined with investments in technology and the resulting digital interconnectedness has helped Chinese businesses outdo their American counterparts, according to a new study by Deloitte. Related stories US Retail Imports Level Off After Monthslong Hustle to Beat China Tariffs As US-China Trade Talks Resume, Why Trump Could Have New Leverage Alibaba Helps Brands Get a Piece of the $20 Billion Resale Market Next generation technologies in the United States are yesterdays technologies in China, read the advisory firms annual retail outlook. For retailers and brands looking to expand, the advances in China can set the expectation for what is mandatory to compete in this market. It also serves as a global trend poised to enter all markets and define consumer expectations. In 2017, the countrys total mobile payment transaction volume hit $13 trillion, compared with $50 billion in the U.S. Alibaba, Tencent and JD.com are among the leading players in the sector, with the former two e-commerce behemoths battling for mobile payment supremacy. Unlike American customers nonlinear shopping experience think sifting through social media, search tabs and brand sites before a purchase is made almost the entire shopping journey for Chinese consumers is integrated within a single platform via services like Alipay or WeChat Pay. Joining a panel at the National Retail Federations 2019 Big Show, Alibaba Group president J. Michael Evans explained: The simplest way to think about it is the digitization of the entire retail value chain for the benefit of the merchant and the consumer. Story continues He added: Consumers dont really care whether its online or offline; they just want to shop when and where they want to shop. But for merchants, its much more complicated. Theres inventory, logistics, payment, delivery and fulfillment. What weve done is create technology that allows you to digitize everything youre doing online and offline, integrate them, provide merchants with all of that data so that they can optimize the supply chain, [become] more productive and increase the bottom-line profit margin. The report comes as new data from China sparked fresh worries over an economic slowdown as well as its impact on the global market. Not long after noting that its manufacturing sector was shrinking, government data showed that the countrys vast export industry suffered its worst month in two years, with the value of goods shipped from China dropping more than 4 percent in December. However, the negative figure was offset by Chinas record-high trade surplus with the U.S. in 2018. The $323.32 billion gap in value a 17 percent increase from the previous year comes as President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, seek a trade deal to end a bitter dispute that has already seen tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports and levies on $110 billion of U.S. goods. Were doing very well with China, Trump told members of the press ahead of todays speech in New Orleans, where he was scheduled to address the American Farm Bureau Federation. Theyre having a hard time with their economy because of the tariffs I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China. Want more? How the Government Shutdown Is Preventing a Potential US-China Trade Deal What Chinas Disappointing Manufacturing Report Means for the US Economy In this June 8, 2018, file photo, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, appears at a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. WASHINGTON A Democratic lawmaker Monday unveiled a resolution to formally censure Rep. Steve King over the Iowa Republican's comments on white nationalism that have drawn bipartisan criticism. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., said King has "become too comfortable with proudly insulting, disrespecting, and denigrating people of color." "As with any animal that is rabid, Steve King should be set aside and isolated, Rush said in a statement Monday. If passed, the resolution would require that King go to the well of the House and listen as a statement of disapproval is read. "Representative Steve King of Iowa, by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House and merits the censure of the House for the same," a draft of the censure reads.The two-page resolution lists controversial comments King has made dating back to 2006. White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization how did that language become offensive? King said in an interview with The New Times last week. Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization? Many of King's colleagues, including Republicans, rebuked him over the comments. "These comments are abhorrent and racist and should have no place in our national discourse," Rep. Liz Cheney, the House GOP conference chair tweeted. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the only black Republican in the Senate wrote a Washington Post op-ed titled: "Why are Republicans accused of racism? Because were silent on things like this." King later released a statement that said, "I want to make one thing abundantly clear; I reject those labels and the evil ideology that they define. My resolution to censure Representative King sends a clear message to the American people this Congress will not turn a blind eye to his repugnant and racist behavior. Anything short of censure would be shallow," Rush said. Story continues As of now, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not announced whether she would bring the resolution to the floor for a vote. She told reporters Friday there was interest in taking action against King, but she wasnt prepared then to announce anything. If the resolution is brought to the floor for a vote, it would require the support of a majority of those voting in order to pass. The resolution would not be sent to the GOP-controlled Senate because it is intended to express the sentiment of just the House. After big wins in the November midterm elections, Democrats control the House 235 to 199. King has made other comments that have stirred outrage. In 2013, King said that Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, were involved in drug smuggling. For everyone whos a valedictorian, theres another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds and theyve got calves the size of cantaloupes because theyre hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert, King told Newsmax in 2013. He was abandoned by the House Republican campaign arm going into the 2018 election over alleged ties to white nationalist groups. He narrowly won his election in his deep red district. The introduction of the resolution comes the same day King is expected to meet with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy who has vowed to take action over Kings comments. Action will be taken, Im having a serious conversation with Congressman Steve King on his future and role in this Republican Party, McCarthy said on CBS "Face the Nation" Sunday. His office did not immediately respond to request for comment on the censure resolution. Kings office did not immediately respond to request for comment. Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the GOP minority whip, said Sunday on ABCs This Week he didnt yet know if Republican leaders plan to take action against King. I would imagine were going to continue talking about this. This just popped up on Friday, he said. We were very quick to reject those comments. Theres no place for hate, for bigotry or anybody that supports that ideology. Its evil ideology. We all ought to stand up against it. But its easy when the Democrats condemn a Republican. I dont see the Democrats condemning Democrats on their side . Contributing: Robin Opsahl and William Petroski in Des Moines, Iowa and Deborah Barfield Berry in Washington D.C. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrat unveils resolution to censure Steve King over white nationalism comments A Delta Air Lines passenger managed to slip a gun through airport security and onto a flight from Atlanta to Japan before alerting the airline crew at his destination, officials said. The passenger carried the firearm through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Narita, Japan, on Jan. 2, the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that acknowledged security procedures werent followed. Upon the customers disclosure, the airline reported the incident to TSA, a spokesperson for Delta told HuffPost in an email. The TSA said its security checkpoint was fully staffed and unaffected by the partial government shutdown that has prompted some security staff to call in sick to protest working without pay. Standard procedures werent followed, the agency said. TSA will hold those responsible appropriately accountable, the agency said of the screening that failed to discover the weapon. A representative for the Atlanta airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. TSA employees have worked without pay since Dec. 22 amid what has become the longest federal shutdown in the nations history. The shutdown prompted the Houston Bush Airport to close one of its TSA checkpoints on Sunday because of a lack of staff. Miami International Airport also closed one of its concourses for half of the day on Saturday and Sunday for similar reasons. Firearms are discovered in carry-on luggage with alarming frequency. One of 30 guns confiscated at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport security checkpoints in May is pictured. The collection set a new record for most guns discovered at a single airport nationwide in a single month. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS) A record of 30 firearms were confiscated in May from passengers at Atlantas airport. During one week last month, the TSA reported finding 78 firearms 63 of them loaded at airports nationwide. Authorities say its extremely rare for a gun to get past security. Still, the TSA in 2015 investigated a report of a Georgia man carrying a loaded gun through the Atlanta airport security and onto a plane headed to Chicago. The man said he mailed his gun home once he reached his destination and realized what he had done, WGCL reported. Story continues Atlantas airport is the busiest in the country, seeing 103.9 million people each year, according to website World Atlas. Related... TSA Workers Sent $500 Bonuses And 1 Day's Pay To Ease Financial Strain Lindsey Graham Urges Trump To Reopen Government Before Declaring National Emergency Over Border Houston Airport Forced To Close TSA Checkpoint Due To Shutdown Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson who suggested the Navy fire paintballs in a bid to humiliate Spanish ships straying into British waters. Military chiefs have been left stunned after the defence secretary suggested the Royal Navy fire PAINTBALLS at Spanish ships that stray into Gibraltars waters, according to reports. According to the Sun, Gavin Williamson made the claims during a meeting with senior Ministry of Defence officials during which he reportedly suggested sending a Type 45 destroyer to the Spanish territory of Ceuta, on the Moroccan coast. Its claimed Mr Williamson has been dubbed Private Pike after the hapless Dads Army character, and the 42-year-old is claimed to have made the shock proposals during his regular Monday afternoon meeting with top brass in December. Mr Williamson believes firing the paintballs would humiliate ships that stray into British waters, and hopefully halt the growth of incursions by Spanish state vessels which grew from 541 in 2017 to 816 last year more than two a day. The number of incursions into British waters by Spanish ships has risen to 816 in the past year, more than two a day. (PA) However, despite his best intentions the suggestion left Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter rolling his eyes in front of him. A senior military source told The Sun: Gavin Williamson comes up with some pretty off the wall things, but firing paintballs at the Spanish Navy beats the lot of them. It was an excruciating moment when everyone in the room realised he was deadly serious. Private Pike strikes again. Nick Carter just rolled his eyes and said, Well come up with some options minister, but everybody knew he wouldnt. Its properly potty. The chiefs had earlier managed to talk out Mr Williamson from sending a destroyer to Ceuta in tit for tat revenge as a too provocative a move that could lead to conflict. A report in the Sun said Mr Williamsons aides last night confirmed he had made both proposals. But they insisted the paintball suggestion was just meant as a joke and he had no serious intention that they actually carry it out. An MoD spokesman said: While the Defence Secretary was speaking in jest about paintballing Spanish ships, he is in favour of the Royal Navy taking a strong stand against Spanish incursions into sovereign British waters. Story continues The Government of Gibraltars count of the number of Spanish incursions is even higher, as it also counts potentially innocent passages through UK waters without permission. It registered almost more than 1,800 last year. The incursions counted are either by Spanish navy ships, Guardia Civil vessels or state customs boats. Post: #3 RE: If America Stopped Destroying The World, The Bad Guys Might Win! CEELA was officially born in 2007 as a leftist counterpart to electoral observation agencies sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS). So then who is the OAS? http://www.oas.org/ What does the OAS report? Panel of Independent International Experts Finds Reasonable Grounds for Crimes against Humanity Committed in Venezuela Resolution on the Situation in Venezuela Message from OAS Secretary General on Elections in Venezuela Quote: Message from OAS Secretary General on Elections in Venezuela May 21, 2018 The Day after the Farce Yesterday was an infamous day for democracy in the Americas. Faced with the strength of democracy in the regional consciousness, the dictator Maduro tried without success to give a democratic veneer to his totalitarian regime. And that is impossible. Totalitarianism and democracy cannot coexist. The elections of yesterday in Venezuela were an exercise without the minimum guarantees for the people. They were held with a generalized lack of public freedoms, with outlawed candidates and parties and with electoral authorities lacking any credibility, subject to the executive power. The elections were held with more than 300 political prisoners behind bars and with the State using all the resources at its disposal for the farce. There can be no democracy without elections, but yesterday Nicolas Maduro showed that elections can be held without democracy. We do not recognize Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Venezuela needs a transitional government that can generate a legitimate electoral system, which in turn would allow for solutions for the country. But yesterday was also a day of hope for Venezuela. In spite of all the noise made by the state machinery at the service of Nicolas Maduro, the democrats of Venezuela made their voices heard loud and clear by abstaining massively. So much so that not even the electoral authorities of the regime could deny it. The people who left blood in the streets defending their rights are the increasingly clear and evident majority, and their triumph will come with the return of democracy to Venezuela. The worst thing that can happen to Venezuela is the prolongation of the dictatorship. The humanitarian crisis resulting from the lack of food and medicines is growing more severe, as shown by the thousands of Venezuelans who leave the country every day. The institutions lack any legitimacy or credibility. The political system, its authorities and its president, are a fraud. We are going to respond to the lack of democracy in Venezuela. We cannot be indifferent and we will not be. We will continue fighting for stronger sanctions against the regime, we will continue struggling for the end of the Venezuelan dictatorship. Take of this what you will. The people who say the election was legit are all from the extreme far left. "perfectly legitimate by the international Council of Electoral Experts of Latin America"So then who is the OAS?What does the OAS report?Take of this what you will. The people who say the election was legit are all from the extreme far left. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL January 14, 2018 Zacks Equity Research Deckers Outdoor Corporation DECK as the Bull of the Day, United States Steel X asthe Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Netflix NFLX and Roku ROKU. Here is a synopsis of all four stocks: Bull of the Day: One of the smartest ways to play a market that continues to come off the lows is to look for fundamentally sound companies that have seen positive trends in their earnings outlooks. Indexes will run into spots of technical resistance, but investors are still shopping for deals, and that's when the fundamentals can be handy. This is why the Zacks Rank is so useful right now. The foundation of this model is the relationship between share prices and earnings estimates. When a stock's earnings estimates are revised higher, that stock tends to move in similarly positive direction over time. One stock that the Zacks Rank has spotted in recent days is Deckers Outdoor Corporation. The company is a global footwear powerhouse, leading the design, marketing, and distribution of brands such as UGG, Koolaburra, HOKA ONE ONE, Teva and Sanuk. DECK is holding a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has witnessed positive EPS estimate revisions in the past few weeks. In fact, the Zacks Consensus for its fiscal year ending in March is now two cents higher than it was just last week, and estimates for the following fiscal year have trended up to the same degree. These positive revisions are making Deckers' near-term growth prospects look even stronger. The company is now expected to finish the current fiscal year with bottom-line growth of 19%, and that is projected to continue to the tune 7% next year. Analysts have the company's revenue growing at 3% and 4%, respectively, in those periods. This bullishness is really no surprise when we look at Deckers' recent quarterly performances. The company has surpassed EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, beating the Zacks Consensus by an average of 69% over those periods. Story continues Deckers likely owes its current strength to the popularity of its brands. Management has a proven track record of building niche footwear brands into segment leaders, but it can't be understated how on trend its portfolio is right now. UGG has new life among its core demographic, and lines like Teva and Sanuk are really resonating with younger audiences. Besides its Zacks Rank, DECK is holding a C grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. This is because key valuation metrics are relatively in line with its peers. The stock is trading at about 16.5x earnings, which is right near where similar companies such as Steve Madden (SHOO) are at currently. In other words, Deckers is not quite undervalued, but it also isn't overpriced. With near-term growth prospects abound and analyst estimates on the uptrend, however, this stock still looks like a good deal. Moreover, Deckers has a long-term restructuring plan in place for investors that are interested in holding for an extended period of time. This plan has included the realignment of brands in two groups, which should allow it to better focus marketing efforts. Deckers is also working on a store fleet optimization plan focused on striking the right balance between digital and physical stores. By fiscal 2020, Deckers expects its company-owned fleet of stores to be at about 125, with continued omni-channel e-commerce coming over the same time. The company expects this to boost profitability and shareholder returns. All in all, it is clear that DECK has plenty to offer investors both in the near-term and in the future. Bear of the Day: Markets have looked stronger in recent weeks, but with Q4 earnings season fast approaching, it seems prudent to avoid those stocks that have not been in favor with analysts ahead of their reports. One such company that has been spotted by the Zacks Rank is United States Steel. U.S. Steel is a major steel producer that manufactures steel sheet and tubular products for the automotive, appliance, container, and construction industries, among others. The stock is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank model is based on the relationship between share prices and earnings estimates. When a stock's earnings estimates are revised higher, that stock tends to move in similarly positive direction over time. Of course, the inverse is generally true as well. U.S. Steel has witnessed negative EPS estimate revisions recently, both for its full fiscal year and to-be-reported quarter as well as its upcoming fiscal year. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's annual earnings has dropped 54 cents. In that same time, the Zacks Consensus for the quarter U.S. Steel will soon report is down 38 cents. Moreover, our Most Accurate Estimatea read on earnings estimates based on recent timelinessis six cents, or 3%, lower than the consensus. This tells us not only that estimates have trended down in the long-term, but also that the latest analyst estimates have been lower than previous expectations. This is not the trend investors want to see heading into the report later this month. Even if U.S. Steel were to outperform the new consensus, investors should remember that those expectations are muted. U.S. Steel's struggles have not been a secret recently. The stock is down about 40% over the past six months, vastly underperforming the industry's roughly 23% decline in that time. One key concern for U.S. Steel is its Flat-Rolled division, which accounts for about 65% of its business. The unit actually posted healthy results in the latest quarter, but the problem is rising expenses in the segment. The company has said it is seeing higher plant-related costs as it accelerates asset revitalization investments and efforts. This could put pressure on earnings in the near-term. Another big issue over the past year has been softening challenges to cheap steel imports. The White House's original tariffs on steel imports were seen as a huge win for domestic producers, but eventually, concessions were made that excluded a number of countries and left room for others to negotiate exclusions. This could suggest a continued threat from cheaper imported steel. There might be a value case to be made for the stock, as such a dramatic selloff has brought down its valuation quite a bit. Shares are trading at under 5x earnings, which is a discount to the industry's average of 8x. That said, we typically suggest avoiding value traps that are seeing their earnings estimates decay. If U.S. Steel can outperform, guide higher, and assure investors that things are turning around, then this stance might change. Netflix Shares Down 20% -- Buy Before Q4 Earnings? Shares of Netflix jumped nearly 5% through early afternoon trading Friday on the back of two analyst upgrades. The renewed positivity comes roughly a week before the beatdown streaming TV powerhouse is set to release its Q4 earnings results. Despite NFLXs continued post-Christmas Eve climb, Netflix stock rests roughly 20% below its highs, which means now might be the time to buy NFLX on the dip before a possible 2019 comeback. Upgrades Raymond James analyst Justin Patterson upgraded Netflix stock from outperform to a strong buy, citing the companys approaching profit inflection, strong content slate, and much more. Patterson also slapped a new $450 a share price tag on NFLX, which implies a 38% upside from its closing price of $324.66 per share Thursday. UBS also voiced positivity for NFLX stock Thursday, after analyst Eric Sheridan lifted his rating from neutral to buy and boosted his price target to $410 a share. With content spend now at a scale of the major media companies and titles continuing to demonstrate outsized marketplace success, we see the moat around NFLX's global positioning widening and its long-term secular winner status remaining intact, Sheridan wrote. Investors should also note that Goldman Sachs analyst Heath Terry reiterated his buy rating and $400 price target for Netflix stock last week. All of this analyst positivity has contributed to Netflixs 45% surge since Christmas Eve. In fact, NFLX has destroyed its fellow FAANG powers (Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Google) to start 2019. Still, investors have a chance to scoop up NFLX stock on the dip since its stock hovered at around $340 a share through early afternoon trading Friday, which marked a roughly 20% downturn from its 52-week high of $423.21. Netflix Overview Netflix took home more Golden Globes a week ago Sunday, five, than any another other network or streaming service. The firm also ended HBOs17-year run on the top of the Emmy nomination last year. Both of these award show statistics are vital to Netflixs long-term success because in the end, the only thing that will matter in an ever-more crowded streaming space is the companys ability to roll out hit and critically acclaimed shows and movies. Yet, many investors have grown nervous about Netflixs original content spending, which is set to reach $13 billion in 2018. But CEO Reed Hastings knows that his company has to offer quality and quantity to stand out and attract customers over rival Amazon Prime and others coming to market eventually. With that said, Netflixs new CFO Spencer Neumann must try to strike a balance between spending and returning value to shareholders. Netflix expects to produce a negative free cash flow of $3 billion in both 2018 and 2019. The company has also recently taken on more long-term debt. Yet the company clearly feels these are necessary moves to grow its subscriber base. We recognize we are making huge cash investments in content, and we want to assure our investors that we have the same high confidence in the underlying economics as our cash investments in the past, the firm wrote in its Q3 letter to shareholders. Netflix is currently the largest streaming firm, boasting more users than Primes more than 100 million and Hulus roughly 25 million total subscribers, which soared 48% this year. Plus, the company expects to add 9.4 million subscribers in Q4 to help bring its worldwide total to 146.5 millionthe firm added 8.3 million users in the year-ago period. And despite its growing revenues, subscriber growth might still be the metric Wall Street watches the most. Q4 Outlook Looking ahead, our current Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for Netflixs Q4 revenues to jump 28% to reach $4.21 billion. For reference, NFLXs revenues climbed 34% in the third quarter and 40% in both Q1 and Q2. Overall, NFLXs full-year revenues are projected to climb 35% from $11.69 billion in 2017 to hit $15.81 billion in 2018. Meanwhile, the firms adjusted Q4 earnings are projected to sink 39% from the year-ago period to hit $0.25 a share. Despite NFLXs expected Q4 earnings decline, the companys full-year 2018 earnings are expected to skyrocket 110.4% to reach $2.63 per share. Plus, peeking ahead to fiscal 2019, Netflixs full-year earnings are projected to soar roughly 55% above our 2018 estimate. Bottom Line Netflix has gone on an incredible run over the last five years as it went from content aggregator to original TV and movie standout. Today, the company is a legitimate Hollywood studio that has attracted some of the biggest movie stars on the planet. Plus, the streaming TV market is only set to grow around the world as linear TV fades, just look at some of Rokus early Q4 results (also read: Buy Roku Stock on the Dip After Q4 Streaming Hours Soar?). Lastly, investors should ask themselves if they imagine Netflix stock not at least returning to its 2018 high because it still has room to climb 20% before it hits that mark. Netflix is currently scheduled to release its Q4 financial results on January 17. More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market. Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. 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Zacks Investment Research Prague (AFP) - Jan Palach was a student activist who burnt himself to death 50 years ago this week to protest at the Soviet-led occupation of then Czechoslovakia. "He loved history and he was also interested in philosophy," Ivana Zizkova, who went to school with Palach, told AFP of the young man, an introvert always immersed in books and magazines. "He was good-looking. Very close to his mother," added Zizkova, who was in the same class as Palach at the school in the Czech town of Melnik just north of Prague. "And what was unusual during the Communist era: he dared to argue with the professors when he disagreed with them," added the now 70-year-old pensioner. Three years after they passed their school-leaving exams, Palach, studying philosophy at Charles University in Prague, set himself alight in the central Wenceslas Square on January 16, 1969. He wanted Czechoslovaks to resist a new hardline regime absolutely loyal to the Kremlin, following the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968 which crushed a liberal movement called the Prague Spring. With burns to 85 percent of his body, Palach died on January 19, aged 20. His funeral in Prague was attended by 100,000 silent mourners. - Mobilise the nation - "I was travelling from Prague to Melnik and in the newspaper I saw a tiny story: 'Student JP set himself alight in Wenceslas Square,'" recalled Zizkova. "Then I learnt that it was Honza. Of course I was shocked," she added, calling Palach by the diminutive of his first name. "He had something of a genius in him. He could see farther than the rest of us. He tried to mobilise the nation." "I admire him, and I still have goosebumps. He sacrificed his life so young," she said. Palach was born to a modest family in the village of Vsetaty near Melnik. His father, who died in 1962, was a confectioner whose shop had been confiscated by the Communists, while his mother was a shop assistant at a kiosk at the local railway station. Story continues "In 1967 and 1968, Jan took part in voluntary work camps in the Soviet Union," says Jana Beranova, head of the Vsetaty-based Jan Palach Society. "He was shocked by the contrast between Soviet reality and the propaganda," she told AFP. "He refused to succumb to the lethargy that gradually overtook society after the occupation. He called for a general strike -- in vain. And then he made his decision," Beranova said. At dawn on January 16, 1969, Palach took a train from Vsetaty to Prague. In his dormitory room, he reviewed his manifesto. It demanded that the regime drop censorship and ban the Zpravy magazine, which had been distributed since August 1968 by the Soviet occupation forces and was spreading fake news. - Taking responsibility - At noon he bought two plastic buckets and four litres of petrol in a street adjacent to Wenceslas Square and bearing the name of Jan Opletal, a student killed by the Nazis three decades earlier. At half past two, Palach arrived at the National Museum at the top of the busy square, poured the petrol over his body and struck a match. "There are moments in history when you have to do something," he later managed to murmur in his hospital bed. Several "human torches" followed his example across eastern Europe, including two Czechs -- student Jan Zajic on February 25 and technician Evzen Plocek on April 4 of the same year. Twenty years later, anti-Communist dissident Vaclav Havel was detained as he laid a flower at the top of Wenceslas Square to commemorate Palach on January 16, 1989, sparking the so-called Palach Week of anti-Communist protests. Havel became the country's president after the peaceful Velvet Revolution finally overthrew the Communist regime later in 1989, four years before Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. "There are some who disapprove of Palach's act. They believe he could have fought in a different way, without sacrificing his life," said Beranova, who lives in Vsetaty and teaches history at a Prague grammar school. "I often think about this myself. Honza loved our nation and country and it's a shame he's not with us anymore." "But his legacy is important. I tell my students that they must always be active, able to take responsibility for the things that happen in our country," she added. Palach was buried at the Olsany cemetery in Prague, but in 1973 the police had his body exhumed, incinerated and moved to Vsetaty to prevent rallies at the grave. His ashes returned to Olsany after the fall of the Communist regime. Many Czechs pay tribute to him there each January 16. Here are the companies the Yahoo Finance team is watching for you today. A big merger in the mining sector: Newmont Mining is buying Goldcorp in a $10 billion all-stock deal. It will create the world's largest gold miner, and comes amid a wave of consolidation in the industry. Just last year, Barrick Gold bought Randgold for $6 billion. A deal could be in the works in the newspaper industry too: The Wall Street Journal says a hedge-fund backed media group has its eyes on Gannett. That's the publisher of USA Today and numerous other newspapers. USA Today is reporting that Gannett has yet to receive any formal offer. Lululemon is expecting a big quarter: The retailer just raised its revenue and earnings guidance. It added that it expects comp store sales to come in much better than expected. The wild card is changes in tax law. They could help or hurt but the company isn't quite sure yet just what it will do for their bottom line. GM's Cadillac is giving us a sneak peek at its first-ever electric car. The automaker just released these teaser photos of the vehicle. This comes after GM announced Cadillac will take the lead in the company's efforts toward an all-electric future. No word yet on a name, release date, or price. Apple's HomePod is finally going to China: The company said the smart speaker will be available in mainland China and Hong Kong starting January 18. The Siri-controlled device will cost about $400. Apple is trying to better compete with cheaper options from local competitors amid a slowdown in China's economy. Have you been eager to see how Citigroup C performed in Q4 in comparison with the market expectations? Lets quickly scan through the key facts from this New York-based money center banks earnings release this morning: An Earnings Beat Citigroup came out with adjusted earnings per share of $1.61, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55. Further, the figure compared favorably with adjusted earnings of $1.28 in the prior-year quarter. Improvement in earnings was primarily driven by expense management. How Was the Estimate Revision Trend? You should note that the earnings estimate for Citigroup depicted pessimism prior to the earnings release. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was revised 1.9% downward over the last seven days. Also, Citigroup has an impressive earnings surprise history. Before posting earnings beat in Q4, the company also delivered positive surprises in the prior four quarters. Overall, the company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 5.48% in the trailing four quarters. Citigroup Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Citigroup Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Citigroup Inc. Quote Revenue Came In Lower than Expected Citigroups revenues of $17.1 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.5 billion. Moreover, revenues decreased 2% year over year. Key Takeaways Adjusted net Income stood at $4.2 billion, up 14% from the prior year quarter. Cost of credit declined 7% year over year to $1.9 billion. Fixed income markets revenues declined 21% year over year to $1.9 billion Equity markets revenues of $668 million surged 18% from the prior-year quarter. Returned $5.8 billion to shareholders as common stock repurchases and dividends during the quarter. What Zacks Rank Says The estimate revisions that we discussed earlier have driven a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Citigroup. However, since the latest earnings performance is yet to be reflected in the estimate revisions, the rank is subject to change. While things apparently look favorable, it all depends on what sense the just-released report makes to the analysts. (You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.) How the Market Reacted So Far Following the earnings release, Citigroup shares were down around 1% in the pre-trading session. This is in contrary to what the stock witnessed in the prior-days session. Clearly, the initial reaction shows that the investors have not considered the results in their favor. However, the full-sessions price movement may indicate a different picture. Check back later for our full write up on this Citigroup earnings report! Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. According to data provided by Beijing on Monday, China recorded a record-breaking trade surplus with the United States in 2018. The data reveals that China achieved a trade surplus of $323.3 billion, which is the largest trade surplus in more than a decade. This marks a 17.2% increase from 2017 figures, which stood at $287.5 billion. The data also unveiled a 3.5% drop in total exports from China to the U.S. in 2018, which stood at $40.3 billion. Amongst other things, the Trump Administration-imposed tariffs on various Chinese goods are suspected of being responsible for the drop. Customs data revealed that exports from China rose by 11.3% in 2018, with $478.4 billion. Conversely, imports from the United States to China only saw a 0.7% increase. In a way, this seems to reflect the retaliatory efforts from Beijing over the tariffs. Citizens were encouraged to purchase more locally-manufactured products, while importers were advised to patronize non-U.S. suppliers. The Trade War Could Get Worse Back in 2018, the United States imposed tariffs worth billions of dollars on Chinese products. This prompted retaliation from Beijing and resulted in an ongoing trade war that is damaging the global economy. Representatives from both countries are currently in the midst of negotiations, which started on December 1st. In the meantime, tariff hikes have been mutually suspended for 90 days while talks are ongoing. U.S. Representative Robert Lighthizer has set a March 1 deadline to reach a deal with China. Failure to reach an agreement by that time will see Washington raise tariffs yet again. This time, tariffs could go from 10% to 25%, covering $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. More Pressure on Beijing Despite the trade war, exports to the U.S have continued to grow in double digits. However, analysts believe that American orders will decline when the tariffs effects start to hit. This is adding to the mounting pressure on the Chinese government to reach an agreement with the U.S., especially at a time when the Communist Party is also looking to stop an economic slowdown. Story continues Speaking at a news conference, Liu Kuiwen, a customs agency spokesperson, said: The external environment is still complicated and severe. Li also highlighted dangers including reductions in cross-border investment, a possible global economic slowdown and protectionism and unilateralism. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post China Records Highest Ever Trade Surplus with the US Despite Trumps Efforts appeared first on CCN. It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. On the other hand, wed be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Carnival plc (LON:CCL). What Is Insider Selling? 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. 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 Harvard University study found that insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year. See our latest analysis for Carnival Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Carnival Michael Thamm made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK2.0m worth of shares at a price of UK43.31 each. So what is clear is that an insider saw fit to sell at around the current price of UK40.38. They could have a variety of motivations for selling, but its still not particularly encouraging to see. We generally tread carefully if insiders have been selling on market, even if they sold slightly above the current price. The only individual insider seller over the last year was Michael Thamm. Michael Thamm ditched 61.32k shares over the year. The average price per share was US$44.75. The chart below shows insider transactions (by individuals) 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:CCL Insider Trading January 14th 19 I will like Carnival 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 Carnival 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. Insiders own 0.09% of Carnival shares, worth about UK24m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. So What Does This Data Suggest About Carnival Insiders? An insider sold Carnival shares recently, but they didnt buy any. Looking to the last twelve months, our data doesnt show any insider buying. But since Carnival is profitable and growing, were not too worried by this. Insiders own shares, but were still pretty cautious, given the history of sales. Were in no rush to buy! 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. The goal of every investor is to make money on their investments. However, when you sell an investment at a profit, you'll discover who else has an interest in sharing in your success: the tax man. The federal government imposes taxes on most capital gains from winning investments, and that means that you'll usually have to split your profits with the Internal Revenue Service. Capital gains taxes are more complicated than you'd think, because a host of special tax law provisions apply to them. You'll find tax rates and brackets for capital gains income that differ from the rates and brackets that apply to most other types of income, due in part to an oddity in the tax reform laws that passed in late 2017. Moreover, even within the realm of capital gains, different tax rates apply to various types of investments. Below, we'll give you the complete picture of everything you need to know to understand capital gains taxes and what you can do to pay as little as you can. Keyboard with blue tax button. Image source: Getty Images. What are capital gains? Capital gains are the profits that you earn when you sell a piece of property or an investment for a higher price than you paid for it. With most publicly traded investments, such as shares of stock, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds, it's pretty easy to determine whether you'll have a capital gain upon their sale. If the price has gone up since you bought your shares, you'll have a capital gain, and if the price has gone down, you'll have a capital loss. For instance, say that you paid $90 per share for 100 shares of a stock. Subsequently, the share price goes to $100, and you decide to sell. In that case, you'd have a capital gain of $10 per share, or $1,000 for your entire position. What are capital gains taxes? Capital gains taxes are the tax liability that the federal government charges on capital gains. Some state income tax agencies also levy capital gains taxes at the local level, adding to your total tax burden. Story continues Capital gains taxes have some features that are different from the way that many other taxes work. The most valuable for investors is that you don't have to pay capital gains taxes until you actually sell your investment. Put another way, no matter how much an investment that you own has risen in value, you won't have to pay any taxes on those gains for as long as you hold onto the investment. That's a lot different from how investment income like interest and dividends gets treated, with investors typically having to pay tax right away on that income even if they end up reinvesting it back into the same investment. This favorable treatment of capital gains taxes gives investors a lot of flexibility in timing their sales in a manner that can produce less tax liability. In addition, as you'll see in more detail below, the tax rates that apply to capital gains tend to be lower than the rates on other types of income, such as wages and salaries or interest income. That hasn't always been the case, but tax law changes over time have sought to give investors preferential treatment in order to encourage participation in the financial markets and provide businesses with access to investment capital. What types of investments are subject to capital gains taxes? There are two big categories of assets that are subject to taxes on capital gains. The first encompasses the broad range of investment assets. Just about anything that you can invest in with an aim toward selling it to another investor at a higher price at some point in the future is later subject to capital gains tax. The other category is real estate. Some people make investments in real estate, in which case it falls into both categories. However, even those who only own a personal residence that they live in are still subject to potential capital gains tax liability when they sell their home. Fortunately, most homeowners qualify for exemptions that allow them to pay no tax on capital gains of up to $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers. The primary exception to capital gains tax treatment involves those who are in the business of selling a particular type of asset. For them, any profits are treated as ordinary business income rather than capital gains. For example, if you're a real estate developer, you generally can't claim capital gains tax treatment on your profits when you sell a piece of property. Similarly, owners of a gold coin dealership have to treat the profit on coins they hold in inventory as regular income rather than capital gains. What tax rates apply to different types of capital gains? To make things even more complicated, different tax rates apply in different situations involving capital gains. The first and most important factor in determining the appropriate tax rate is how long you held the investment in question. If you own an investment for a year or less, then the IRS classifies it as a short-term capital gain. Own it for at least a year and a day or longer, and you'll have a long-term capital gain instead. The tax treatment of short-term capital gains is relatively simple, because there's a rule that applies in every instance: Short-term capital gains are taxed at the same rates as any other type of ordinary income. In other words, there's no preferential treatment for short-term capital gains. Whatever tax bracket you fall into based on your total income is what you'll end up paying on your capital gains, because those short-term gains will essentially just get added directly to your other income. That's because lawmakers wanted to give investors an incentive to make longer-term investments -- and even though many would quibble about whether a year and a day is truly "long term" from an investment perspective, it's good enough for the IRS. For long-term capital gains rates, though, lower rates are available. For most people, three potential tax rates -- 0%, 15%, or 20% -- apply to long-term capital gains, depending on the taxpayer's overall income level for the particular year in question. The table below gives the appropriate taxable income levels depending on tax filing status for 2018. Long-term capital gains taxes for 2018 Filing Status 0% Rate Applies 15% Rate Applies 20% Rate Applies Single Up to $38,600 $38,600 to $425,800 Above $425,800 Married Filing Jointly Up to $77,200 $77,200 to $479,000 Above $479,000 Head of Household Up to $51,700 $51,700 to $452,400 Above $452,400 Married Filing Separately Up to $38,600 $38,600 to $239,500 Above $239,500 Data source: IRS. Rate thresholds are based on taxable income. From this table, there are a few particularly useful pieces of information you can learn: For those with relatively low income levels, capital gains can actually be tax-free to the extent that the 0% rate applies. Capital gains can actually get taxed at different rates. For example, say that you have $40,000 in taxable income in a given year, all from capital gains. In that case, the first $38,600 would be subject to the 0% rate, with the remaining $1,400 having the 15% rate apply. Under previous tax law, the amounts above roughly corresponded to what's currently the 10% to 12% ordinary income tax bracket, the 22% to 35% bracket, and the 37% bracket. The threshold numbers are actually off by as much as a few hundred dollars, however, because the capital gains thresholds are still derived from laws from before lawmakers passed tax reform. However, not all capital gains get to use the table above. There are two main categories of assets that get different treatment. The first involves collectibles, including art, antiques, jewelry, precious metals, and similar items. For profits from the sale of collectibles, the taxpayer's ordinary income tax rate applies, subject to an overall maximum of 28%. So if you're in a lower bracket than 28%, then that's the tax rate you'll pay, but those in a higher bracket will see their capital gains taxes limited to the 28% rate. The other special situation involves real estate and depreciation. When investors own real estate, they're often allowed to take depreciation deductions against income to reflect the steady deterioration in the value of property as it ages. The way the tax laws work, because you're allowed to deduct depreciation, it reduces the amount that you're treated as having paid for the property in the first place. For example, if you paid $100,000 for a building and you're allowed to claim $5,000 in depreciation, then you'll be treated subsequently as if you'd paid $95,000 for the building. If you then go on to sell the real estate, then a portion of the capital gains is treated as recapturing those depreciation deductions. The tax rate that applies to the recaptured amount is 25%. So in the example above, if the person sold the building for $110,000, then there'd be total capital gains of $15,000, $5,000 of which would be treated as recapture and taxed at 25%. The remaining $10,000 would be taxed at the 0%, 15%, or 20% indicated above. How are capital gains taxes calculated? In order to calculate capital gains taxes, you have to go through several steps: Identify positions in which you have a capital gain or capital loss. Sort out the gains and losses by whether they're short- or long term. In each category, use losses to offset gains and come up with a net gain or loss. Then if you have a gain in one category and a loss in the other, come up with an overall net figure across both short- and long-term gains and losses. Apply the appropriate tax rate to the result. The first step involves taking all the investments and real estate that you sold during the year and figuring the capital gain or loss on each position. You'll also need to gather information on when you purchased the investment, because that will help you with the next step of sorting each gain or loss by whether it's short-term or long-term. Once you've done this, you'll have up to four categories: short-term gains, short-term losses, long-term gains, and long-term losses. First, take the gains and losses from each category and come up with a net figure. So if you had short-term gains of $1,000 and short-term losses of $800, then you'd have a net short-term gain of $200. Similarly, if you had total long-term gains of $800 and long-term losses of $900, you'd finish with a net long-term loss of $100. If one figure is a loss while the other is a gain, then you'll take the further step of coming up with an overall net number. In the example above, the $100 long-term loss could cancel part of the $200 short-term gain, leaving an overall short-term gain of $100. If you have gains in both categories, then you'll need to keep both separate, because the tax rate on each will be different. The final step is to take whatever gains are remaining and calculate the tax. When it comes to preparing your tax return, this requires the use of a capital gains worksheet, because even though you include capital gains in your overall adjusted gross income, the worksheet is the vehicle by which you get to apply favorable tax rates. Although the worksheet is long, the net impact is to impose the tax rates mentioned above, depending on the category into which your particular capital gains fall. How can I reduce my capital gains taxes? Now that you know the ins and outs of capital gains taxes, the obvious question is what you can do to reduce them. Fortunately, there are several tactics you can use to reduce the amount of tax you'll have to pay on any capital gains. The first and easiest that any investors can use is to be smart about timing when you decide to sell a winning investment. Remember, as long as you continue to hold onto the stocks, bonds, funds, or other assets on which you have a paper gain, you won't have to pay any capital gains tax on the increase in their value. It's only when you cash in that you'll have to face the tax man, and that decision almost always rests solely with you. Second, do whatever you can to earn favorable long-term capital gains tax treatment by holding on to your investments for longer than one year. In particular, if you've held an investment for nearly a year, it can often be worth it to delay selling it until you've gone over the one-year mark -- especially if doing so qualifies you for the extremely favorable 0% rate on long-term capital gains. That said, if something has fundamentally changed with your investment and you no longer have confidence that it will remain a winner in the long run, then it can be dangerous to hold on and risk losses if something bad happens to the investment. As much as you don't want to pay taxes unnecessarily, it's better to pay a higher tax rate on a profit than to lose the profit entirely if the stock drops. Third, take full advantage of the ability to offset capital losses against capital gains. Especially toward the end of the year, many investors look for losing investments that they can sell in order to cash in the tax losses and use them to save on potential capital gains tax. This strategy, known as tax-loss harvesting, has to be done by the end of the year in order to be effective for the current tax year. In addition to generating a nice tax benefit, selling losing investments can also serve to get you out of positions that didn't turn out the way you had initially hoped. Fourth, coordinate your capital gains with your other taxable income. If you can wait to sell winning investments until a year in which your other income is relatively low, then your total income will let you qualify for lower capital gains tax rates. Selling in a high-income year, on the other hand, could force you to pay higher rates -- even though they'll still be more favorable on long-term capital gains than on your other income. Finally, make sure to take maximum advantage of tax-favored investments accounts that offer tax-free or tax-deferred treatment. When you hold investments in retirement accounts like IRAs or 401(k) plans, the sales of investments you make inside those accounts don't incur capital gains tax. Instead, any tax is deferred until you actually withdraw money out of the retirement account -- and with a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), even those withdrawals can be free of tax. Paying a lower capital gains tax rate is nice, but it's even nicer not to have to pay tax at all when you sell -- and tax-favored investment accounts let you do exactly that. Enjoy your capital gains! There's nothing better than a winning investment, and even though you'll likely have to share some of your profits with the IRS, you shouldn't let capital gains taxes get you down. By taking steps to minimize the impact of capital gains taxes, you'll be able to put yourself in position to keep as much of your hard-won investment gains as you possibly can. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Cadillac on Sunday unveiled the brand's first electric vehicle and said it will be General Motors' leader in designing and launching EVs going forward. GM CEO Mary Barra said Cadillac will be known by consumers for its innovation. "Taking the lead in innovation and technology will make Cadillac Cadillac again," Barra told reporters at a media event in Detroit where the EV was shown along with Cadillac's new 3-row SUV the XT6. GM offers the Chevrolet Bolt, an electric vehicle, now, but Barra said allowing Cadillac to take the lead will take the luxury brand to "the next level." Cadillac gave reporters gathered on the eve of the Detroit auto show a peek at the brand's first EV, but did not release a launch date or other details. The vehicle will be the first off a future platform GM is developing for EVs that will accommodate all-wheel, front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles across the automaker's four brands. Not only will the Cadillac portfolio eventually benefit from a variety of body styles that can be spun off this architecture, but so will other brands, Barra said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. More autos: Follow our Detroit auto show coverage More: Still worried about where stocks are headed? Look at these indexes for hope More: 15 vehicles that will be killed in 2019: Chevy, Ford, Cadillac cars dominate list The most advanced components within this platform are the drive units and battery cells, both of which are being designed for maximum usability throughout GM's global vehicle lineups. The output of the EV battery systems will be adjustable based on vehicle and customer needs. On Friday, GM told investors that Cadillac will be at the forefront of GM's goal to offer an all-electric vehicle lineup in the future. Cadillac President Steve Carlisle reveals plans to pack batteries into future cars. GM will build the new XT6 in Spring Hill, Tennessee, but it remains unclear where it will build the new Cadillac EVs. A spokesman for GM said the company is not discussing production location yet. Story continues In November, GM said it would idle five plants in North America, three of them vehicle assembly plants. One is Detroit-Hamtramck, which makes the Chevrolet Volt hybrid sedan. Another is in Lordstown, Ohio, where GM builds the Chevrolet Cruze compact car. The third is in Oshawa, Ontario. Cadillac President Steve Carlisle reveals plans to pack batteries into future cars. Asked if the Detroit-Hamtramck or Lordstown, plants might be a good fit for a future EV product, Barra said, "We first have to get our capacity utilization right and we're working hard to give job opportunities to all of the impacted employees." She noted that GM has 2,700 open jobs in plants including Flint, Spring Hill and Arlington, Texas. So far, 700 of the impacted workers at Detroit-Hamtramck and Lordstown have been placed in other plants. "We'll continue to work with our UAW partners to do that," said Barra. More: Hundreds of GM hourly workers transfer to Flint, leaving family behind More: Cadillac rolls out Escalade's 'little brother,' the XT6, at Detroit auto show More: XT6 SUV debuts an evolution of Cadillacs styling theme As for the Cadillac EV, it will be a crossover vehicle that will "hit the heart of the crossover market and meet the needs of customers around the world, said Steve Carlisle, president of Cadillac. It will represent the height of luxury and innovation while positioning Cadillac as the pinnacle of mobility. The Cadillac EVs name and additional details will be revealed closer to launch. Cadillac is on an aggressive product launch path, planning to roll out a new vehicle every six months through 2021. In addition to revealing the new XT6, Carlisle on Sunday evening hinted at both a future Escalade and an upcoming performance sedan. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cadillac unveils brand's first electric vehicle ahead of Detroit auto show They had viewers in hysterics over their foot-in-mouth moments in their recent documentary, and now the Bros boys are at it again with Luke Goss accidentally insulting his brother Matt on live TV. Bros were guests on Good Morning Britain and called in from separate locations, Matt from Las Vegas and Luke from Los Angeles. Theyre said to be getting on better than they have in years, but in a cringeworthy moment, Luke managed to insult his brothers outfit choice without realising. Luke was talking about the many inadvertently funny moments in fly-on-the-wall documentary about their reunion show Bros: After the Screaming Stops when he dropped the clanger. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. He said: Absolutely, there are some funny moments in the documentary, Matt and I were looking at each other thinking oh my goodness. Its a short hand that develops between any brother or sister, any couple, and sometimes it might be a summary, you might not be hearing the whole answer. Musicians Matt Goss, left, and Luke Goss of Bros pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film After The Screaming Stops showing as part of the BFI London Film Festival in London, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP) But there are lots of moments that Matt and I would laugh at this documentary because you become a musician not to put on a shirt and tie every day, its kind of a crazy world Meanwhile Matt, dressed in a suit and tie, interrupted: Im wearing a shirt and tie, Luke. Im wearing a suit and tie, bruv, I mean thats a dig. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In exciting news for Brosettes, they also announced that they would be touring the UK and the world this summer, including a July 5 gig at Londons Brixton Academy which will go on sale on January 19. 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. The outfit comment was the latest in a long line of hilarious quotes from the twins, including some much-quoted one-liners from their documentary. One of the most memorable was Matt saying to camera: I made a conscious decision because of Stevie Wonder to not be superstitious. During the GMB interview, Matt tried to explain the quote furtherbut really just ended up repeating more of the songs lyrics. He said: As an edit, I see that its a funny thing and Im glad they edited it that way because it is funny, but the truth behind the answer is that as working class boys, growing up, our literature was album sleeves and song lyrics. Story continues The line before it is believe in things you dont understand and youll suffer. Our family was crippled by superstition and Stevies lyrics did influence me and the good thing is I get to sit here and say I still believe that sentence and thats what I guess is the point of the movie, its authentic. I did make a decision because our family was crippled by superstition, dont do this, dont do that, and I still believe now that if you believe in things you dont understand then youll suffer. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. He also said of making the film: I think it was almost like going through therapy in front of a nation. I didnt realise there were so many unresolved issues between me and my brother. But we made a decision between the two of us that we would not have any rights to editing, we would just be warts and all, what you see is what you get. Talking about the viewer reaction, Matt added: Its easy to say about the negative and there has been the occasional troll on Twitter and everyone, not just celebrities, is used to those kind of people. A lot of people have reacted to the poignant parts, and the funny stuff and the ludicrous stuff. Its full of everything, I know its highly entertaining and its hard for us to watch it at times, but Ive been blown away by the support, too. Piers Morgan probably has a masterclass at avoiding the negative comments. Read more Bros talk about their unfair press coverage Matt Goss documentary reunion almost broke us Bros let the cameras back into their lives Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, well use ROE to better understand Britvic plc (LON:BVIC). Our data shows Britvic has a return on equity of 31% for the last year. Another way to think of that is that for every 1 worth of equity in the company, it was able to earn 0.31. Check out our latest analysis for Britvic Want to help shape the future of investing tools and platforms? Take the survey and be part of one of the most advanced studies of stock market investors to date. How Do I Calculate ROE? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for Britvic: 31% = 117.1 UK377m (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2018.) Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders equity is a little more complicated. It is all 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? Return on Equity measures a companys profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The return is the yearly profit. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. 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 Britvic 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, Britvic has a better ROE than the average (21%) in the Beverage industry. Story continues LSE:BVIC Last Perf January 14th 19 Thats clearly a positive. I usually take a closer look when a company has a better ROE than industry peers. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares . How Does Debt Impact ROE? Most companies need money from somewhere to grow their profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used. Combining Britvics Debt And Its 31% Return On Equity Britvic does use a significant amount of debt to increase returns. It has a debt to equity ratio of 2.05. While the ROE is impressive, that metric has clearly benefited from the companys use of debt. Debt does bring extra risk, so its only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it. In Summary Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. 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 when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth and how much investment is required going forward. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. Of course Britvic 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. Gracanica (Kosovo) (AFP) - A possible land swap between Serbia and Kosovo, suggested by their leaders to end one of Europe's most volatile territorial disputes, has sparked concerns that the border could be redrawn along ethnic lines and reignite festering communal ethnic animosities. With few details yet made public, media reports say that the Serb majority northern border region around the city of Mitrovica would be incorporated into Serbia under the plan, which would also see Belgrade hand over a mainly ethnic Albanian region in Serbia. The trade-off would also see Belgrade finally recognise its former province as an independent state, 20 years after a bitter war between Serbia's forces and pro-independence ethnic Albanian guerrillas that led to Kosovo breaking away from Serbia in 2008. Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci, who along with Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic last year raised the possibility of redrawing the border, has insisted a revised version would not be drawn along ethnic lines. - 'Clear ethnic division' - But the plan has sent ripples of alarm through minorities in these regions, notably among ethnic Serbs living in enclaves dispersed in Kosovo who would be unaffected by such a deal. A territory swap would mean "clear ethnic division so that within decades there will be no Serbs left in Kosovo," said Stefan Filipovic, a 24-year-old Kosovan Serb activist in Gracanica, one of those enclaves and a short drive south of the capital, Pristina. There are an estimated 120,000 Serbs living in Kosovo in total. Of those some 40,000 are thought to live around Mitrovica -- and are likely set to be part of the land swap -- while a further 80,000 live deeper in Kosovo and would remain under Pristina. Gracanica, home to one of Kosovo's main Orthodox monasteries, is one of six mainly Serbian municipalities that are like islands surrounded by Kosovo Albanian neighbourhoods. For Rada Trajkovic, an ethnic Serb politician in her 60s living in Gracanica, the border change would amount to creating "two mono-ethnic spaces" and lead to Serbs leaving Kosovan enclaves. Story continues Trajkovic is one of few Kosovar Serbs willing publicly to criticise Srpska Lista, or Serbian List, the minority's main political outlet. Most of Trajkovic's fellow Serb colleagues back the Belgrade line of President Vucic. - 'Abandoned by Belgrade' - Long a taboo subject, a territorial exchange has the backing of the United States as well as several EU officials. Germany, however, is opposed, warning of the potential for a renewed flare-up of the hardline nationalism which has marked the still fragile Balkans in the past. A NATO-led peacekeeping force has guarded Kosovo since it broke away from Serbia in a bloody war in 1998-99 that left more than 13,000 dead. Border revision "is a very dangerous, particularly dramatic idea," says Filipovic, who feels "abandoned by Belgrade". For Trajkovic, "if they cede the north of Kosovo to Serbia, I don't see why the (Kosovar) Albanians would show empathy with those (Serbs) living" in the enclaves. In the nearby village of Laplje Selo, a mainly Serb area home to around 1,000 people encroached upon by the glass and steel residences of Pristina, few people will speak openly of the border topic, still less openly criticise Vucic. But in the local pub four Serbs sip "rakija" brandy as they debate whether Vucic is abandoning them to "an Albanian prison". With barely a hint of irony one explains that "if someone can save us it's (Ramush) Haradinaj," the former Kosovo Liberation Army fighter-turned prime minister who Belgrade and the Serbs consider a war criminal. Haradinaj opposes border revision, warning that it will only lead to "new wars." - Monkish defiance - "I imagine president Vucic won't leave us to fend for ourselves," says Jagoda Trajkovic, a 69-year-old pensioner dropping off a grandson at Laplje Selo's tiny school. Others are not so confident. They include Father Sava Jancic, abbot at Visoki Decani, a Serb Orthodox medieval monastery and a UNESCO world heritage site. Recent years have passed in the vicinity in tranquil enough fashion, save for occasional demonstrations by Kosovar Albanians demanding the monks give up some of their land. But in 2008, the year Kosovo declared independence, an Albanian fired a missile at the churchyard wall. "I am personally in possession of very credible information... according to which they are already working on the details of an exchange of land along ethnic lines," says Father Sava, who during the conflict protected Kosovar Albanians from Serbian forces. In his view, border alterations "would amount to abandoning 80,000 Serbs, leaving them with a very low and dubious level of security and protection." One of the very few to oppose President Vucic in public, Father Sava was last year the target of a Belgrade tabloid press campaign that described him as a "great Albanian patriot" -- or, essentially, a traitor. The views expressed here are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the views of Cointelegraph.com Like many other ICO success stories and subsequent leaders in their respective market segments, Augur, the preeminent platform for decentralized predictions, faces constant public scrutiny. The latest episode that drew public attention is the allegation, voiced by cryptocurrency hedge fund Tetras Capital partner Alex Sunnarborg, that a developer group behind the platform significantly overstates the volume of trades that Augur processes. While the real trade volume is an essential metric indispensable for understanding the scale and impact of a given project, it is still a quantitative, rather than qualitative measure. In this regard, a dispute around how much money is staked on Augur at a given moment of time is different from two major previous fracases, which sparked debates about fundamental aspects of decentralized prediction platforms usage and governance. Those two episodes concerned the so-called gimmick markets, and, earlier, Augurs capacity to host death pools. Tricky wagers When betting money on the outcome of future events, like with any other contract, the rule of thumb is to make sure that you get all the details straight. What exactly is the outcome that liquidates your futures contract at a win or loss? When exactly does it occur? In most cases, these conditions are straightforward enough to go without saying. After all, when you wager on Real Madrid beating Liverpool in the Champions League final, 90 or 120 minutes after the kickoff time, everyone knows who won. And if something goes wrong, you can always appeal to the bookmaker. This is not quite the case, it appears, when predictions go decentralized. Once everyone can set up a market, the terms of some contracts may become vague either due to amateur bookmakers unintentional lack of phrasing precision or due to malice. And once the bets are in, users have no recourse if they suddenly realize that they were wagering on something different than the market is really about. Story continues The latter likely describes the situation many people involved with the recent Augur political market have found themselves in. The question looked simple: Which party will control the House after 2018 U.S. Midterm Election? Anticipating that Democrats will have flipped the House as a result of the midterms, 95 percent of the bettors wagered on them. Indeed, the blue wave that pundits predicted yielded the Democratic-majority House post-election. However, the important caveat is that the newly elected members were not to come in until January 3, 2019; as of the market closing date, Dec. 11, the House remained exactly the same as it was before the midterms that is, Republican-controlled. The Augur community went abuzz: Those who thought they were betting on the election outcome demanded that the market be called for Democrats, while others including the alleged creator and designated reporter for the market insisted that the idea was to measure the state of the House on Dec. 10, which, to be fair, could hardly be different from what it was on the day the market opened. In a Reddit post, the self-avowed creator made this clear by referring to the deal as a gimmick market and declared his or her intention to call it for Republicans. The fact that more than $1.3 million were at stake rendered this conundrum perhaps the toughest test for Augurs on-chain governance system so far, and definitely made for the platforms biggest publicity crisis since the summer hype around assassination markets. Despite the fact that these two controversies look quite distinct on the face, they are manifestations of the same deficiencies intrinsic to the nature of decentralized prediction markets. Markets for death In an episode of the British techno-dystopian series Black Mirror entitled Hated in the Nation, mysterious assassins begin to eliminate public figures, one by one, decided by whomever social media users post the most #deathto hashtags about. Once the bloodthirsty online mob realizes how the death pool works, they readily rush to bid on the next odious MPs or obnoxious rappers demise in order to trigger the murder that mysterious assassins immediately carried out. As Augur, a blockchain-powered decentralized prediction market, went live in July 2018 the media was quick to latch onto the minor yet captivating facet of its functionality: the capacity to enable the creation of so-called assassination markets. In the dark spirit of Black Mirror, albeit under a somewhat different mechanism, these arrangements could spell death for those in the public eye. Indeed, it did not take long after the platforms launch for such markets to appear, with a number of prominent politicians, actors and entrepreneurs put on the spot. Augur provides a decentralized infrastructure for users to set up bets on whether certain events will or will not take place. Taking advantage of blockchains anonymity and the absence of a centralized authority to censor the content on the platform, malicious users could potentially procure a tool for incentivizing other people to help certain outcomes occur. For instance, by creating a market on whether politician X dies before the end of their incumbency and staking a huge pot of money on a no, someone could effectively put a bounty on the persons head. Wagering against the massive no market and then contributing to put it gently to a yes outcome, any villain could run off with the money. Horrendous as it sounds, the scenario was not invented by the Augur community. The idea of a cryptographically anonymized death market has been present in the cypherpunk milieu for a while at least since cryptographer Jim Bell had formally recorded it in his 1996 essay Assassination Politics. He envisioned a market that would predict the deaths of government officials as a means to punish those who indulge in corruption. The Augur subreddit has also been rife with various takes on the death market principle long before the protocol went live. Larger problem So, is this what blockchain is for: letting scoundrels ease the remiss bettors of their money or even anonymously order people dead and get away with it? The clamor over the dubious Augur developments jibes quite well with the broader, ongoing debate that concerns platforms responsibility for the content their users choose to publish on them. Think Facebook and fake news/streamed deaths, or Twitter and political botnets, or Youtube and videos of dead bodies on popular suicide sites. The centralized social media gatekeepers mantra of we are not publishers, we are merely infrastructure providers is sounding ever less convincing with each high-profile blunder, forcing corporations behind those platforms to haphazardly design new policies and interventions. Critics often point out that, in the case of a decentralized, blockchain-powered marketplace for anything, there is no corporation or government to go to if the goods or ideas in question turn out to be immoral or otherwise unacceptable for the majority of users. Furthermore, immutability of distributed ledgers that carry information about transactions renders it impossible to take the content down. This takes us back to a more general problem of blockchains capacity to perpetuate the wrong be it flawed land titles, unjust copyright claims or transferring a scam victims money to a con artists wallet. Does this mean that a responsible society should avoid using decentralized, permissionless systems to underpin any sensitive sphere of transactions? Not really. The classic notion of the marketplace of ideas, as John Milton and J. S. Mill construed it, rests on the assumption that, once all ideas are allowed to clash freely in an open marketplace, the best of them will eventually prevail. Even though such reasoning might not seem indisputable, one need not take this leap of faith in order to be comfortable with blockchain-powered markets. Regardless of whether the natural tendency of good ideas to defeat bad ones is really a thing, there are still other mechanisms to fall back on namely, governance systems design and a broader set of social norms that govern human behavior. Prediction markets, as well as other blockchain-based idea marketplaces, may and probably should incorporate some on-chain mechanisms of community self-regulation. In the case of Augur, the community of REP token holders who are also called reporters are incentivized by the systems design to document the correct outcomes of the events in question. The same people have the power to declare a certain bet invalid, in which case nobody gets paid after the outcome is decided. This instrument of community self-policing looks like a relevant tool for stopping morally reprehensible bets from enriching those who might want to use the platform for malicious ends. The gimmick market case is a great way to test the systems capacity to handle situations that are less unambiguously unacceptable than facilitating murder. Assassination pools constitute a marginal fraction of Augurs overall trade volume, with just a handful of transactions. In contrast, gimmick markets on high-profile, highly bettable events may well become a feature of the Augur landscape, should the community set a precedent that lets the first one be. In addition to on-chain community governance, there are things happening off-chain, too, that may serve as checks to potential abuse of prediction markets infrastructure. Even if we adopt the radical stance and accept that code is law, there is a larger ecosystem of constraints that influences human behavior. In the words of Lawrence Lessig, one of the preeminent legal thinkers of the Internet age, there are at least four discrete forces that shape peoples actions online: law, choice architecture, market and societal norms. Even if the distributed ledgers architecture allows people to anonymously sponsor and subscribe for lawless action or con markets, and given the demand for them, social norms are still there. These norms suggest that murder is highly unethical, and fooling people into betting on the event that cannot possibly occur is not the best way to make them like you even if you say sorry afterward. Also, there is a consideration of a perhaps more forceful effect: Both murder and fraud are criminal offences punishable within the legacy legal system, which still exerts a lot of influence over us all. On Augur, bets come in Ethereum, not REP, meaning that payments are very much traceable by law enforcement. And rest assured, the authorities are watching closely. Regulatory concerns Most certainly, Augur already has regulators close attention, and recent developments are not going to make things better. Since markets that the platform hosts are essentially futures contracts, Augur and other decentralized prediction markets fall under the purview of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Reports emerged last summer that the agency was scrutinizing Augur for allegedly facilitating illicit gambling activities, since prediction markets as a form of gambling are illegal in the U.S. Those that manage to operate do so with multiple buffers and protections. For example, PredictIt, the largest non-blockchain platform that allows American citizens to wager on political events, is operated by a New Zealand-based, university-affiliated nonprofit and has strict limitations on the amount of money that users can stake. In his October speech at a technology conference in Dubai, CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz raised a question of accountability on blockchain and sketched potential regulatory boundaries in the context of smart contract-powered futures products. In his remarks, Quintenz first demarcated the subset of smart contracts that potentially fall under the commissions jurisdiction the ones that manifest essential features of a swap, future or option and then turned to the parties involved in their creation and operation: core blockchain developers, miners, developers of smart contract code and end users. Quintenz suggested that it would be impractical to hold the first two categories accountable if some of smart contracts that operate on top of their ledger would be found to be in violation of the CFTC rules. Going after individual users of illegal decentralized futures, while normatively defensible, would likely be what Quintenz calls an ineffective course of action, given the pseudonymous and global nature of public blockchains. The only category left to directly target is, therefore, those who create and define the potentially illegal smart contracts. Albeit Quintenz made sure to present his remarks as personal opinions, he is clearly not the only person on the commission who is pondering the ways to tackle these emergent challenges. Enter million-dollar gimmick markets springing on top of the largest political predictions platform available to U.S. citizens. Clearly, the whole deal looks primed for the regulator to step in and protect the investors and if Brian Quintenzs approach is the dominant one within the CFTC, it might be the right time for the Augur core development team to start getting concerned . Governing with prediction markets While regulators have yet to figure out how to deal with decentralized idea markets whose operations are apparently in conflict with the standing laws, it is unlikely that prediction platforms are going anywhere anytime soon. Since they essentially represent the pools of aggregate collective wisdom, such markets are often a feature of many projects aimed at creating systems of decentralized governance. Arguably, the most publicized of those is the futuristic form of government called futarchy that economist Robin Hanson proposed as a framework for enabling citizens to vote for optimal policies. The concept apparently gained traction with Ethereums Vitalik Buterin, who, in 2014, had dedicated a grant to support research on the topic. There are projects that seek to build a versatile governance protocol around a pool of collective intelligence, where users determine visibility and prominence of policy suggestions by staking tokens on predicting whether they become a success or not. This way, a prediction market becomes a device for managing collective attention, stimulating members of the community to sift through policy proposals and evaluate their relative worth. Meanwhile, blockchain-powered prediction markets are doing just fine in their primary capacity as platforms for betting on outcomes of future events. In November 2018, Augurs trade volume in midterms-related contracts surpassed that of Predictit, the largest centralized competitor in the domain of political forecasting. Humankind has had the habit of betting on the future for thousands of years, and the idea of doing it without a middleman for the first time is incredibly appealing. The CFTC seems to be up against an enormous task of wrapping the red tape around an ever-expanding infrastructure that facilitates an activity that many people enjoy. Related Articles: Last year was a brutal one for the energy sector as oil prices crashed 40% from their peak and 19% for the year. Because of that, most of the energy stocks in the S&P 500 slumped last year, with the average one declining 20.6%, with only two managing to deliver positive returns. While an oil producer took the crown as the top performer overall, natural gas pipeline giant ONEOK (NYSE: OKE) was the best of the bunch among nonproducing energy stocks. Overall, ONEOK's stock eked out a 1% gain, though its total return was 6.3% after factoring in the company's high-yielding dividend, which was well ahead of the S&P 500's negative total return of 4.4%. That's down from the more than 35% total return the company produced through the third quarter due to its strong financial performance. While shares gave up those gains due to the market's fourth-quarter meltdown, they could claw them back and then some in 2019. Oil pumps, a natural gas well, and solar panels with the sun setting in the background. Image source: Getty Images. How ONEOK won in 2018 ONEOK delivered banner results through the third quarter of last year on all fronts. Distributable cash flow, for example, was up more than 33% compared to the same period of 2017, driven by higher volumes of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) flowing into the company's systems thanks in part to higher oil prices, which fueled more drilling by producers. The company was on pace to exceed its financial guidance for the year. Meanwhile, improvements in the energy markets enabled ONEOK to secure several new expansion projects, which position it to grow at a fast pace over the next several years. The company also shored up its balance sheet by selling stock early in the year, which not only pushed its leverage ratio down to a very comfortable level but gave it the funds needed to finance expansions through most of 2019. ONEOK also acquired full control of the West Texas LPG pipeline system, and it continued increasing its dividend to shareholders, boosting it 11% overall. Story continues Why ONEOK could deliver an even bigger win in 2019 ONEOK's success in 2018 should carry over into the new year. For starters, the company finished up several projects late last year, including expanding West Texas LPG and the Sterling III pipeline, which should fuel results in early 2019. On top of that, it bought the 20% of West Texas LPG that it didn't already own, which will also provide some incremental income this year. Meanwhile, the company expects to finish three capacity expansions on its natural gas pipelines during the first quarter of this year and complete its major Elk Creek Pipeline as well as a large natural gas processing complex by year end, providing another dose of cash flow as they come online. The cash flow boost from those expansion projects should give ONEOK the fuel to continue increasing its dividend, which will likely rise by double digits again in 2019. Even with another big-time dividend boost, ONEOK's financial metrics should remain strong in 2019. While leverage will likely increase from its currently low level as the company finances its large slate of expansion projects, its excess cash after paying the dividend should continue rising, providing further support for that payout as well as more money to fund expansions. Meanwhile, ONEOK is well positioned to continue enhancing its growth prospects in 2019. Not only is it likely that the company will secure additional expansion projects across its strategically located footprint, but it's the best-positioned pipeline company to make acquisitions. That's because ONEOK's stock trades at a higher valuation than most peers since it didn't plunge last year, though shares are cheaper than they were at the start of 2018 due to earnings rising much faster than the stock price. Still, ONEOK's premium valuation means it can use its stock as a currency to buy assets or rival pipeline companies. Set up for an even stronger year While ONEOK likely won't expand earnings by 30% again this year, the company is well positioned to continue growing profits thanks to the growth projects it has coming down the pipeline, so to speak. Add that to its strong financial position and cheaper valuation heading into 2019, and ONEOK has the potential to deliver market-beating performance again this year. More From The Motley Fool Matthew DiLallo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends ONEOK. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. There has been quite a change of hands in the world of news publications lately, especially between billionaires, who are looking to keep the struggling industry afloat. On Monday, hedge fund-backed MNG Enterprises announced it has put in an unsolicited offer to buy USA Today publisher Gannett in a deal valued at $1.36 billion. In a letter to shareholders, MNG, which is backed by Alden Global Capital, said it believes Gannetts current team has not demonstrated that its capable of effectively running this enterprise as a public company. The deal would turn MNG, into the largest owner of U.S. daily newspapers in the country. In November, publishing giant Meredith Corp. announced it is selling its Fortune brand for $150 million in cash to Fortune Media Group, which is owned outright by billionaire Thai businessman Chatchaval Jiaravanon. The deal follows a similar one in September, when billionaire and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife announced their plans to buy Time magazine from Meredith for $190 million in cash. While the Benioffs said they will not be involved in the day-to-day operations or journalistic decisions, the move does follow a new trend in billionaires acquiring news publications in recent years. Benioff is now the third tech mogul to buy a print title. Last year, biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong acquired the Los Angeles Times, while Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million. But it seems that billionaire Warren Buffett, whose company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns more than 30 daily newspapers, was the one who really kicked off the trend in late 2011, when he acquired his hometown paper, the Omaha World-Herald. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP Heres a list of billionaires who own news publications. 1) Marc Benioff Salesforce CEO Bought Time Magazine in September 2018 2) Patrick Soon-Shiong Surgeon and entrepreneur Bought LA Times in February 2018 3) Jeff Bezos Amazon CEO Story continues Bought The Washington Post in October 2013 4) John Henry Investor, Red Sox owner Bought The Boston Globe in August 2013 5) Glen TaylorInvestor, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Bought the Star Tribune in July 2014 6) Sheldon Adelson, CEO and chairman of Las Vegas Sands Bought The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2015 7) Warren Buffett Berkshire Hathaway CEO Bought his first newspaper, Omaha World-Herald, in 2011. Now owns more than 30 newspapers. Related Articles Apple AAPL recently confirmed that its smart speaker, HomePod, will be available in China and Hong Kong from Jan 18. The device is priced at RMB 2,799 ($414) in China and HKD $2,799 ($357) in Hong Kong. Although Apple is a late entrant in the smart speaker market, HomePod is gaining momentum on brand loyalty and expanding global footprint. Notably, the device is already available in UK, the United States, France, Canada, Germany, Spain, Mexico and Australia. What Does China Entry Mean? HomePod, which was earlier available only via third-party distributors, is expected to benefit from the rapidly growing Chinese smart speaker market. Per Canalys, China is the worlds second largest smart speaker market, shipping 5.8 million (29.4% of global shipment) smart speakers in third-quarter 2018. Apple is also looking to push the usage of its music services on HomePod, as music was the most commonly used feature (70%) in smart speakers in 2018, per Adobe Analytics survey. Notably, HomePod will support a variety of popular local music streaming apps including Tencents QQ Music, Dragonfly FM and DeDao in China and JOOX, Spotify SPOT and KKBOX in Hong Kong. Moreover, users will be able to stream songs from Apple Musics New Artist of the Week program directly to the device. Some featured artists from China include Lucie Cheung, Lu Xianghui and Corsak among others. Apple Inc. Revenue (TTM) Apple Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Apple Inc. Quote Can HomePods Features Give it an Advantage? The iPhone maker is looking to carve a niche for itself in the smart speaker market in China as HomePod supports regional languages like Cantonese and Mandarin. Apple is ahead of its Chinese smart speaker counterparts as those support only Mandarin, per Variety. Additionally, HomePods foray into China is likely to strengthen Apples competitive position against dominant players like Amazons AMZN Echo and Alphabets GOOGL Google Home devices in the global smart speaker space. Notably, Amazon Echo and Google Home devices are not available to users in China and do not support any of the local languages. However, dominance of Xiaomis Mi AI Speaker, Alibabas Tmall Genie and Baidu smart speakers in China are likely to keep Apple under pressure. Additionally, the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China may further worsen things for the tech giant. Nevertheless, international expansion coupled with increasing adoption of the smart speakers is expected to boost HomePod sales, which is a positive. Notably, the global smart speaker market is expected to reach $7 billion in 2019, up 63%, and $11.8 billion by 2023, per Deloittes report. Apple currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. What happened Barrick Gold is feverishly working on a strategic plan to boost output, lower costs, and perhaps retain its ranking as the world's largest gold producer. That last part just hit a snag. Shares of Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) rose over 12% today after the company announced it had agreed to be acquired by Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) in a $10 billion stock-for-stock deal. As stated in the press release, "this combination will create the world's leading gold business." The combined company will be called Newmont Goldcorp, assuming the acquisition is approved by regulators. As of 10:45am EST, the stock had settled to a 9.6% gain. A woman checking her phone and pumping her fist in excitement as cash money falls around her. Image source: Getty Images. So what For each share of Goldcorp owned, shareholders will receive 0.328 shares of Newmont Mining and $0.02 in cash. When the acquisition closes, which is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2019, current Goldcorp shareholders will own 35% of the new company. Goldcorp and Newmont Mining also issued an investor presentation highlighting more details about the deal and proposed operations of the combined company. They expect Newmont Goldcorp to have annual gold production of 6 million to 7 million ounces, from sources including the world's highest concentration of reserves in Canada (an estimated 17 million ounces), the United States (an estimated 29 million ounces), and Australia (an estimated 20 million ounces). Given obstacles facing miners in South America and Africa recently, the ability to take geopolitical risks off the table could be a significant advantage insofar as providing certainty to shareholders is concerned. Newmont and Goldcorp expect the combined company to save $100 million in annual pre-tax synergies when the dust settles. They also plan for it to divest $1 billion to $1.5 billion in assets in the next two years. Now what If the acquisition closes, Newmont Goldcorp will be the largest gold company in the world based on enterprise value ($32 billion), annual production (7.8 million ounces), and free cash flow ($1.6 billion per year). It will sport the highest dividend yield (1.6%) to boot. Barrick Gold will come in a respectable second place on each of those metrics. Story continues While this proposed megamerger is certainly intriguing, investors shouldn't overlook one key fact: gold stocks have been downright awful investments for a long time. The 10-year total return (share performance plus dividends) of Newmont Mining shares is just 3.8%. Goldcorp has delivered a total return of negative 53% in that span. Both are embarrassingly behind the S&P 500, which has sprinted to a 266% total return in the last decade. Therefore, investors shouldn't think this merger will be a great investment. All the evidence on gold stocks suggests it won't be. More From The Motley Fool Maxx Chatsko 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. The Hamilton County Heroin Coalition holds one of their regular meetings in August at the Hamilton Administration Building in downtown Cincinnati. Tom Synan, the police chief of the Village of Newtown, is one of the founders of the coalition, which started with a few people in March of 2015 and has grown to include numerous people from all areas battling the opioid epidemic. You look at Tom Synan and see a small man with a bit of mischief in his eyes. The police chief for a little Ohio village called Newtown wears the uniform though a lot of chiefs have abandoned such dress in favor of shirt, tie and jacket. He cruises the streets as a patrol cop when he gets the chance and he makes house calls. Privately, Synan drives a muscle car, actually a cop car with extra power, and a motorcycle. He has 15 tattoos, including one of a honey badger "because they are tenacious" and one of the U.S. Marine Corps motto, Semper Fi. He is a huge fan of Batman. There is no question that Synan is tough. Tom Synan, in his official portrait after graduating from the US Marine Corps. boot camp in July of 1986. Today, Synan is a former SWAT officer and chief of the Newtown police department. He's also the co-founder of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that that started in March of 2015. He took some guff while learning the ropes in the Marines. The gear he had to carry was heavier than his 110-pound frame, but he did it. Later Synan worked as a volunteer cop in Terrace Park because, forget a salary, he wanted to be a cop. And when he became a full-time police officer on March 1, 1993, at the Newtown Police Department, he remembers saying to himself, Im going to change the world. So he is. Police Chief Synan, 50, pours his life into that little town of 3,000 people, but in just the last couple of years he has expanded his reach, traveling to much, much larger cities here and abroad with a goal that seems odd for an otherwise traditional cop. He is caught in the opioid epidemic, and he wants to annihilate the practice of locking up drug-addicted people because using drugs illegally is, well, against the law. It's kind of a David-and-Goliath thing he's got going on. He has been quoted in national magazines including Rolling Stone and spoken on international programs including the BBC. He calls the opioid epidemic "one of the most complex, critical health and social issues of our time. Addiction should not be treated as a crime but instead treated as the mental health, medical condition it is, this lifetime law-enforcement officer says. Again and again. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. With a canny smile, he acknowledges that this is not the traditional police view. Story continues It started with one family It all began with the Millers of Newtown. Mother and three sons, the whole family, had struggled with substance-use disorder, Synan says, and each one died too young and in some way was still tied to the problem. He'd watched it unfold since he started working in Newtown back in 1993. "It was chaos," he says. A thick stack of Newtown police reports about calls to their Monongahela Drive home proves it: Trespass, trouble, domestic dispute, suicide threats, neighbors yelling at each other, intoxicated, noise, theft of a radio and car stereo, brothers fighting, yelling, screaming. There were investigations of nearby thefts, junk cars, burglaries, robberies and, of course, drugs and drug paraphernalia. Jonathon Miller was 39 when he died of an overdose on Sept. 23, 2014. He had five children, three of whom are currently battling addiction, as is his ex-wife. Tom Synan, police chief of the Village of Newtown, has been involved with the Miller family for several years. It's one of the reasons he co-founded the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that started in March of 2015. Sharon Berwinger Miller was mostly a single parent. Their father lived homeless in Newtown. She struggled with alcohol and prescription pill use, Synan says. She died July 4, 2006. That was just months after her youngest child, 25-year-old Josh, died from a gunshot wound over a crack cocaine buy in Cincinnati. The oldest, Jonathon, was 39 when he died of an overdose on Sept. 23, 2014, in Union Township. He left behind five children and a wife, who'd become addicted to drugs, too, her mother says. Then, on Nov. 25, 2014, someone called 911 about a man in the family's yard jumping around and behaving wildly. Male is now in the roadway and not breathing, the dispatcher updated. Male identified as Charles Miller, laying in the roadway, unconscious, blue in the face, and foaming at the mouth." Firefighters revived him with naloxone that night but the next day, Charles, known to police in Newtown as Chuckie, died from an overdose. He was 35. Synan sent a column about the Miller family to The Enquirer, considered pulling it back because of possible backlash, then let it publish after all. "I knew I would open myself up to judgment, criticism and ridicule, because it is not the way we, in law enforcement, are supposed to think, and we should not speak out, champion causes," Synan says. He alerted his mayor and council with an email. "I know that some in the community question why I bring attention about drug use in our community out in the open," he wrote. "It is my hope that we may look at an entire family lost to drug abuse, an entire generation lost and the next generation on their way and not pass judgment but instead show empathy. Empathy, in the hope that that empathy brings understanding, in that understanding, we find ways to help prevent another generation from being wiped out to drugs." In 'Why care about another dead addict?' Synan wrote of the Miller boys' frightened eyes in his early encounters with the family. Chuckie struggled quietly, the chief says. "Despite all he had done in the 21 years I dealt with him, I never forgot that kid. I never forgot that at one time he was a kid just like any other. The empathy I gave him as a kid and the empathy I give him now is not for the loss of a drug addict but for the loss of a kid." It was the beginning of a mission that Synan did not see coming. "When I first wrote it I didn't have a clear direction. I was confused and at the moment unsure of what it meant." But he was certain of one thing: "I knew that in order to make change someone has to speak up." The Hamilton County Heroin Coalition holds one of their regular meetings in August at the Hamilton Administration Building in downtown Cincinnati. Tom Synan, the police chief of the Village of Newtown, is one of the founders of the coalition, which started with a few people in March of 2015 and has grown to include numerous people from all areas battling the opioid epidemic. It started slowly. He'd talk to his council, neighbors, other cops. He was among a few Hamilton County police chiefs who pushed to create a regional organization that would include treatment advocates, elected officials, social services and public health to work together to solve the heroin epidemic: The Hamilton County Heroin Coalition. And as the epidemic exploded, Synan stepped forward more and more as sort of an unappointed spokesman for the coalition. Tired of talk Synan did not ask for the spotlight. He felt awkward about it at first. But he has had enough of telling one grieving mother after another that her child has overdosed and died. A letter like this one, from a mom who lost her daughter to an overdose, is not uncommon for Tom Synan, police chief of the Village of Newtown. Synan is becoming known on a international level for his battle against the opioid epidemic. He is the co-founder of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that that started in March of 2015. He falls silent, tears filling his eyes, as he points to an empty space across from his desk where mothers sit to tell him about their beloved, dead, children. He's had enough of words from politicians. He wants action. He'd written to President Donald Trump last year, asking him to put the opioid crisis front and center and end it. Synan believes a president has that power. True to his cop-military background, the police chief was respectful upon receiving a response from the White House. But he promised to his Facebook followers to be "a pain in the a--" to the president and administration to get the opioid crisis under control. "President Trump is the one that stood up and declared a national health emergency. He is the one that initiated my response, which at the time was hope, but then deflation when there was no real action behind the words," Synan explains. "His letter was more words. In it he stated, 'I want the next generation of young Americans to know the blessings of a drug-free life.'" Haley, left, and her twin sister Hannah Miller, 14, have lived with their grandmother, Kay Kiser in Newtown, since they were toddlers, Their father, along with his two brothers and their mother, all died from the addiction to heroin. The twins mother is missing. Their home is around the block from the Newtown police department and Tom Synan, the police chief, has watched them their entire lives. Synan is becoming known on a international level for his battle against the opioid epidemic. He is the co-founder of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that that started in March of 2015. Synan is involved with those kids already. He and his officers are trying to help ensure that the youngest Millers, Johnny Miller's 14-year-old twin daughters, stay drug-free. Hannah and Haley have lived in Newtown with their maternal grandmother, Kay Kiser, since they were toddlers, all diapers and bottles, she says, shaking her head. Kiser took them in, along with their three older siblings. Her daughter, Johnny's wife, had become addicted to drugs, Kiser says, and could no longer care for the children. More than a decade later on a sunny day in July, Hannah walks into her grandmas home and plays with a kitten shes adopted. Synan is on the couch with Kiser. Hannah doesn't blink. She considers him a friend. She has made him and his officers Christmas gifts, and he's had lunch with her at school. Shelley Miller, 24, stands in front of Hamilton County Pleas Judge Tom Heekin on felony charges stemming from heroin use. Her court appointed attorney, Anna Mallory, left and Brooke Lipscomb, Care Manager at Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services and felony health court liaison, discuss options for Miller, who's been in and out of jail and treatment. Many of Miller's family, including her dad, have died from overdose. Tom Synan, police chief of the Village of Newtown, had been involved with the Miller family for years. It's one of the reasons he wanted to co-found Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that that started in March of 2015. But Synan learns in late July that the twins' oldest sister, Shelley, 24, is using heroin again. "They are the next generation," Synan says of the Miller children. Of Trump's desire to shield that generation? "It's too late," Synan says. "He can come to my small town and I will introduce him to the next generation that will not know a drug-free life." It is not about politics, Synan insists. It is about lives devastated by this epidemic. Small-town chief gains a fandom Synan is effective. He really does change minds. Take John Lewis, who works at Meridian Bioscience in Newtown and was a skeptic at first, with no desire to pay taxes for anyone's treatment. Lewis started calculating costs of courts and jails and prisons and the children left behind and syringes on the streets (he's picked up a couple in Newtown) and people selling sex for more dope that "cascading" effect of addiction, he says. John Lewis, travels to Newtown everyday for his job at Meridian Bioscience. He did not embrace his friend, Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan, view of the opioid epidemic. But over time, especially after coming upon a person overdosing, he has changed his tune. He supports treatment and now carries Narcan. And he began to listen to his friend, "Tommy" Synan, more closely. "As I watched his struggles, I kind of shifted and said, you know what? This isn't really working. Right now we're in catch-and-release mode, and catch-and-release doesn't work. People, when they have their brain chemistry altered, cannot make good decisions," he says. "You can either scream in the darkness or you can light a candle, and that's what Tommy did. He lit a candle," Lewis says. "At the time, I was thinking this is certain to fail. It is an uphill struggle. He has got society against him. The opinions of people, naturally, are all the detriments. They don't want a rehab clinic in their neighborhood. They don't want to acknowledge the problem and they certainly don't want to pay for the problem ... even when you hit them with the facts." "I came full circle," Lewis says. Now he carries Narcan. Synan has grown a kind of fan club. He's no longer surprised to receive handwritten letters from strangers. Thank you so much for all you do to save lifes (sic). I wouldnt be sitting here and a lot of people I love wouldnt be here if it wasnt for people like you," one letter says. Some come from parents, including this mom, who lost her daughter to addiction: I understand you have an uphill fight trying to curb this epidemic that is taking an entire generation and leaving another parentless. I am not currently strong enough to fight. But I want to thank you for doing it for me. For standing when I cant. When the mega-potent synthetic opiates fentanyl and carfentinal (a drug that, when made legally can knock out an elephant) pummeled Hamilton County in 2016 with 1,000 overdoses hitting emergency rooms in three months Synan stood with Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco at press conferences and spoke out about these deadly drugs. He challenged Ohio Gov. John Kasich to declare an emergency. "We are bleeding profusely and need a tourniquet, not Band-Aids," he said. Gaining attention Media seek him out. I have talked to the BBC, France, Germany, Japan media outlets he ticks off. Im helping a college student in Pennsylvania with a documentary. And it isn't just media. Others fighting the epidemic ask Synan to join panels about how to end the crisis. The coroner gently teased him on Facebook recently about his talent for talking about the epidemic: "Eloquently put, Hollywood," Sammarco wrote. This photo and letter from former President Bill Clinton, hangs prominently in the office of Tom Synan, police chief of the Village of Newtown. Synan was part of a panel at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for the Clinton Foundation. Synan is becoming known on a international level for his battle against the opioid epidemic. He is the co-founder of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that that started in March of 2015. Synan captivates audiences. Here's this cop, in this uniform, from this little village, talking common sense about a terrible scourge. This guy, with a badge and a gun and all the right muscles, is saying empathy matters. People who use heroin matter. Crime is not a hard and fast definition. "People tell me, 'You're the face of heroin,' " Synan says. "This wasn't my intention. I've had to have people encourage me to keep going." But, he adds, "I had to." Michael Botticelli, former National Office of Drug Control Policy director, met Synan twice on the speaking circuit, once in 2017, and earlier this year. He counts the Midwest police chief among an evolving group officers nationwide who are trying to champion change in their role to curb the opioid epidemic. Those in the public health community have been so overwhelmed, in a very positive way, by the dramatic change in law enforcement and their willingness to partner with the health community," Botticelli says. Chief's message goes global Synan's views on solving the opioid crisis went from local to regional to state and then national venues. Then his ideas began bouncing across the world. One day, Cincinnati Assistant Police Chief Michael John, whos from Wales, connected Synan with an organization called Drugaid Cymru, which needed a speaker for a May 2017 conference there. Synan was a little unsure. He said he did not have a passport, but I said we'd sort that out, said Ifor Glyn, then CEO of the organization, through email. "He asked if it would be OK for him to bring along his pistol as part of his uniform. I said that it would be very unlikely they would let him out of Heathrow Airport if he had a gun with him! But Glyn says the American police chief charmed the conference attendees, from Ireland, England, Spain and France. He showed a clear understanding and empathy towards users and their families," Glyn says. Synan also understood, says Glyn, "that current drug policies were failing. But Synan did not comprehend his potential impact on the world until a few months later when he joined a Clinton Foundation opioid conference at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Someone there told him to check out Twitter after he spoke. People from all around the world were tweeting what I was saying about how we needed to stop treating addiction as a crime," Synan says. "I saw Saudi Arabia, Asia and I think around the former Soviet Union, but I couldn't understand their language." Nobody was more surprised than Tom Synan. Because every day, he is still the police chief of Newtown. He answers calls (often on his personal phone) from neighbors who have problems or ask advice day or night. He attends every village council meeting and any zoning meeting that involves safety. He's on the streets during floods and snowstorms. He prepares a budget and signs off on every police department purchase, oversees day-to-day operations and gives direction to his 11 officers. And, when possible, Synan jumps into a cruiser to check out the neighborhoods, to wave to or stop and chat with residents and, of course, to fight crime. Someone asked Synan recently when he'll get off this roller coaster. The question had never occurred to him. He was swept up into the heroin crisis as a police chief of a small town and catapulted to center stage as he tried to break the stigma that nags people with addiction and end the epidemic. There is no end in sight, he says. Once you are in the grip of heroin, even if you are not using, it is difficult to get out," he says. "You are consumed. And often you do not have a choice but to ride it out to its final conclusion with the hope that you can do some things to influence how it all ends. Tom Synan, is the police chief of the Village of Newtown. He's a huge fan of Batman, and everyone knows it, thus the action figures throughout his office and vehicle. Synan is becoming known on a international level for his battle against the opioid epidemic. He is the co-founder of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition that that started in March of 2015. As Bruce Wayne (Batman) once said, "Everythings impossible until somebody does it." Synan is up front about his Batman fascination, unabashed about posting the character's images from the Dark Knight back to the original Adam West-is-Batman on Facebook. The thing he likes best about the super hero is that he has no superpowers. And there is this: "In the end, Batman always does what is best for the greater good in the hopes that one day, people will see that each of us has the ability to make the world we live in a better place," Synan says. "What we make as laws may not always be right, and what may be wrong isn't always immoral." In his pursuit of institutional change to fix the opioid epidemic, the police chief, in Batman style, insists, "Break the rules." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: He's a Marine. A cop's cop. A tough guy. But he's willing to break the rules to save lives Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt told New York Post columnist and Fox News contributor Michael Goodwin that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wants to tax his paycheck at 70 percent, when thats not what the congresswoman has proposed at all. On Fox & Friends on Monday, Earhardt asked Goodwin about why he thinks Ocasio-Cortez has so much support within the Democratic party. When you hear theyre going to tax 70 percent of your paycheck, if Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gets her way, how do they have so much support? she asked Goodwin. Goodwin responded by saying that young people today are not being educated properly in schools and dont know the history of our country. They dont know the history of other countries. They dont understand economics, he said. Shes charming and delightful in many ways, he said of Ocasio-Cortez. She got an economics degree from Boston University and she clearly doesnt understand how the unemployment rate works. She said that its low because so many people have two jobs. Now, how do you get an economics degree from a major college and not understand that thats not how the unemployment rate works? How is that possible? This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. There is so much to unpack there. For one, Ocasio-Cortez did not propose taking 70 percent of anyones income. In an interview with 60 Minutes, the 29-year-old suggested applying this marginal rate only to earnings amounting to more than $10 million. This means that those impacted would pay a much lower share of their income overall and the average tax rate for working Americans could potentially go down under her idea. A report in CNBC explains how Ocasio-Cortezs idea is in line with Americas economic history. While the top tax rate stood above 90 percent throughout the 1950s, deductions and tax avoidance led to taxes on the rich being not that much higher, according to a 2017 article by the Tax Foundation. A top rate of 70 percent was active up until 1981, when President Ronald Reagan took office. The most affluent 1 percent were paying an average rate of 30.5 percent. By 1989, when Reagan left office, the top rate was reduced to 28 percent but average tax rates for the most affluent had only slightly dropped to 27.9 percent. Story continues Since then, the last three decades have had top rates below 40 percent. Many have tried to change that. Sen. Bernie Sanders proposed a 54.2 percent rate for income above $10 million in his 2016 presidential campaign proposal and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed 43.6 percent for earnings above $5 million. As for the congresswomans comments on unemployment, she discussed her understanding of how its calculated in July 2018 after the press and many members of the GOP ripped her words apart. Its unclear as to why Goodwin is bringing up the remarks again, half a year later. 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. Ocasio-Cortez did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment on Earhardts remarks, but she did fire off a response on Twitter after President Trump weighed in. When Trump took questions on his way out of the White House on Monday, a reporter asked the president about Ocasio-Cortez calling him a racist. To that, Trump said, who cares. The newly elected representative tweeted that she got under his skin and that shed say wed be taxing 70% of Trumps income, but he probably hasnt made more than $10 million in years - and thats the real reason hes hiding his taxes. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. After leaving a mark with the success of its Aerie brand, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. AEO seems to have pulled up its socks to accelerate growth at flagship stores across the nation. As part of its ongoing actions to revamp the American Eagle brand, the company launched interactive fitting rooms at its flagship stores across the United States. This innovation is receiving a positive response at NRF 2019 Retails Big Show this week. Initially launched at stores in Boston, Las Vegas and San Francisco, these fitting rooms are equipped with an interactive kiosk from Aila Technologies. This custom-built software enables customers to easily scan items on a sleek, iOS-based device. Additionally, shoppers can search and request for another available size or style in the store, track the running total of items in their carts, get product recommendations all without stepping out of the fitting rooms. Importantly, this technology addresses several concerns including device security, loss prevention, customer privacy and ease of integration. This tool also helps store associates to better serve customers as they can quickly pick up items requested and deliver to the fitting rooms. Undoubtedly, American Eagles partnership with Aila should go a long way in enhancing in-store experiences for customers. American Eagle expects to expand this fitting room experience to more stores in 2019. Shares of American Eagle reacted little to the news. However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has surged 4.5% in the past year, against the industrys decline of 15.2%. American Eagle has consistently been doing a good job to evolve with customers changing needs to enhance their experience. The company remains committed to adopting technological advancements such has Ailas interactive kiosk to stay competitive in the evolving retail landscape. Notably, a winning marketing strategy in retail is providing the best combination of digital and physical store experiences. Living up to this theme, American Eagle has been investing in omni-channel capabilities, which led both store and digital channels to deliver solid sales in third-quarter fiscal 2018. Digital business contributed about 27% to sales while in-store comparable store sales (comps) improved 6%. This was the companys 15th straight quarter of double-digit e-commerce growth and fourth consecutive quarter of positive in-store comps. Three Apparel & Shoes Stocks You Cant Miss Some better-ranked stocks in the same industry are Abercrombie & Fitch Company ANF, DSW, Inc. DSW and Shoe Carnival, Inc. SCVL, each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Abercrombie & Fitch has gained 4.5% in the past three months. The company has long-term earnings growth rate of 12.5%. DSW has a long-term earnings growth rate of 9%. Further, the stock has rallied 23.1% in the past year. Shoe Carnival stock surged nearly 50.6% in the past year. Moreover, the company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 31.4% in the trailing four quarters. (We are reissuing this article to correct a mistake. The original article, issued on January 11, 2019, should no longer be relied upon.) 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has fired back at Donald Trump after he dismissively asked: Who cares? when a journalist asked him about her. The president made the throwaway remark in front of reporters on the White House lawn, prompting Ms Cortez to tweet: I bartended for *years* in New York City. I understand guys like this like the back of my hand. We got under his skin. The youngest-ever Congresswoman then suggested the real reason the president is hiding his taxes from the public is because he doesn't actually make the amount he suggests. Id say wed be taxing 70 per cent of Trumps income, but he probably hasnt made more than $10m in years - and thats the real reason hes hiding his taxes, she wrote with a winking emoji. Video: AOC on the Border Wall and Government Shutdown For more news videos visit Yahoo View. Ms Ocasio-Cortezs response has since been liked more than 12,000 times and received hundreds of comments from people agreeing with her. You are so right, one person commented. Another said: Exactly, I dont believe hes as rich as he boasts. Others have praised the Congresswoman for standing up to the president. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Girl, you are my hero, one person said. In October 2018, Forbes reported that the presidents net worth is $3.1bn - down from $4.5bn in 2015. Ryan Day overcame John Higgins in the first round of the Masters Ryan Day believes adrenaline got him through his opening round victory over John Higgins at the Dafabet Masters. Day struggled with soreness in his shoulder prior to the pairs clash at Alexandra Palace on the opening day of the competition, but once play had started, the Welshman was able to focus his efforts on negotiating a way past Higgins. Obviously the adrenaline starts pumping the 20 minutes or so practice I had, it was really sore, but once I got out there, it was fine, said Day, who reached the quarter-finals last year. I just think its wear and tear, I had a little bit of a break over Christmas and it might have seized up a bit. Higgins, meanwhile, praised Day for his effort and admitted he was far from his best. I have to give credit to him for doing that under extreme pressure, said the Wishaw potter. It was the right result. He played a lot better than me. I dont know what my highest break was, it might have been about 40 again or something. Its tough, I was pretty bad. Watch the London Masters LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, with analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds. As a business owner, it's your job to help your employees grow their careers, and one good way to do that is to make it possible for them to attend business conferences. Industry conferences offer a world of opportunity for professionals to mingle, swap ideas, and learn from one another. The downside, however, is that conferences tend to cost money, and when you send key employees to attend, it means having them out of the office. The next time a conference gets announced that piques your employees' interest, ask these questions before giving the go-ahead. 1. What will my employees gain from the conference? Many conferences offer solid learning opportunities for attendees, but not all are created equal. Before agreeing to send employees to a conference, figure out exactly what they plan to get out of that event. Will they pick up new skills? Boost existing ones? Get a chance to develop business partnerships? All of these are valid reasons to send your workers to a conference, but make sure you can see the value at hand. Adults congregating around tables, dressed professionally Image source: Getty Images. 2. What costs will I incur other than the fee for the conference itself? Conferences cost money -- that's a known fact. But the $500 attendance fee you might be looking at isn't necessarily the sole cost involved in sending employees. You'll also need to factor in travel to and from that event, lodging, and meal allowances (unless food is provided at the conference itself). Figure out how much the conference you're considering will cost you per employee who attends, and determine whether you have the money in your company budget to swing it. At the same time, make sure your employees who wish to attend understand what expenses you'll be paying for and which are on them. For example, you might agree to pay for travel and lodging, but insist that employees cover the cost of their own meals to make things more affordable for you. 3. Can I afford to have key players out of the office simultaneously? Story continues If there's a notable conference on the horizon, chances are, it'll appeal to more than one employee of yours. But sending three or four people to a conference isn't just something you'll need to consider from a cost perspective; you'll also need to weigh the impact on the business. Think about the timing of the conference and whether it coincides with your company's busy season. If it doesn't, you might more easily manage to send a few key employees at once. Otherwise, you might have to be more judicious in who you send -- or perhaps not send anyone at all if you anticipate a conflict with looming deadlines. 4. What networking opportunities are available? One big reason to attend business conferences is to network and seek out new partnerships. Before sending your employees to a conference, assess its size and scope. Will there be representation from new players in the field? Or will it be the same old attendees you already know? Keep in mind, however, that when it comes to networking opportunities, more bodies at a conference isn't necessarily a good thing. Often, your employees will have an easier time branching out if they're put in a room with 200 people, as opposed to well over 1,000. Conferences can help your employees grow professionally and unearth new opportunities for your business. Just do your research before paying for them to make sure each one you agree to is truly a worthwhile investment. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Oil prices are expected to continue with their gains as markets shed fears of an economic slowdown worldwide. Several encouraging factors such as Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production cuts and favorable U.S.-China trade talks helped oil gain, but the former was the fundamental driver. Therefore, it would be ideal to invest in energy mutual funds that could offer good returns this year. Oil is Back in Bull Market Oil entered bull market last week after gaining 20% from the low point in December. Brent crude oil rose above $61 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) moved above $52. Oil prices rose for the week ended Jan 11, with Brent Crude oil for March delivery rising 6% and WTI for February delivery increasing 7.6%. Catalysts Behind Oil Price Jump OPEC and its allies decision to cut oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in December is pushing oil prices up. The move was primarily to stop the oil market from sinking and sustain economies that are dependent on oil exports. According to economic research firm TS Lombard, Oil prices are likely to stabilize around current levels and quite possibly drift upwards. The firm referred to OPEC and its allies oil production cuts as a major driver in boosting oil prices. The last quarter of 2018 was marked by turbulence in global oil markets, largely driven by concerns over oversupply and declining demand. Oil prices slumped from Octobers high of more than $86 per barrel to a little above $50 in recent times. Oil finally recovered in January after OPECs implementation of production cuts. In addition, positive developments in U.S.-China trade discussions could boost oil prices as well, since it would help raise Chinas oil demand. Another factor that could play a role in raising oil prices is International Maritime Organizations (IMO) regulations that are set to take effect from 2020. The regulation will cease the usage of light oil as marine fuel and prompt the usage of heavy distillates in a bid to reduce pollution. U.S. shale oil being light may not be able to boost oil prices once IMOs regulation kicks in. In such a scenario, OPECs supply cuts will have more driving effect on global oil prices. Story continues 4 Energy Mutual Fundsto Gain From Oil Rally According to Morgan Stanley analysts Martijn Rats and Amy Sergeant, The oil market looks to be broadly balanced in 2019, an improvement on 2018 which turned out oversupplied. They added, This supports a partial oil price recovery. Given the factors pushing oil prices up and Morgan Stanleys optimistic projections for oil markets, adding a couple of energy stocks to your portfolio could be apt at present. We have, thus, selected four energy mutual funds that can make the most of this rise in oil prices. These funds carry a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy). Moreover, these funds have encouraging three-year returns. Additionally, the minimum initial investment is within $5,000. We expect these funds to outperform peers in the future. Remember, the goal of the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank is to guide investors to identify potential winners and losers. Unlike most of the fund-rating systems, the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank is not just focused on past performance but also on the likely future success of the fund. The question here is: why should investors consider mutual funds? Reduced transaction costs and diversification of portfolio without several commission charges that are associated with stock purchases are primarily why one should be parking money in mutual funds (read more: Mutual Funds: Advantages, Disadvantages, and How They Make Investors Money). Vanguard Specialized Portfolios Energy Fund VGENX seeks long-term capital growth by primarily investing 80% of its net assets in stocks of companies engaged in the energy sector. The fund carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1. This Zacks sector Energy product has a history of positive total returns for more than 10 years. To see how this fund performed compared in its category, and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here. VGENXhas an annual expense ratio of 0.38%, which is below the category average of 1.36%. The fund has three-year returns of 4.39%. Rational Tactical Return Fund Institutional Shares HRSTX seeks long-term capital growth by primarily investing in long and short call and put options on futures contracts on S&P 500 index and in cash and cash equivalents. The fund carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1. This Zacks sector Energy product has a history of positive total returns for more than 10 years. To see how this fund performed compared in its category, and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here. HRSTXhas an annual expense ratio of 1.17%, which is below the category average of 1.48%. The fund has three-year returns of 6.82%. Dreyfus Natural Resources Fund Class I DLDRX seeks long-term capital growth by investing 80% of its net assets in securities of companies that operate in natural resources or related sectors. The fund carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2. This Zacks sector Energy product has a history of positive total returns for more than 10 years. To see how this fund performed compared in its category, and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here. DLDRXhas an annual expense ratio of 1.00%, which is below the category average of 1.41%. The fund has three-year returns of 6.38%. Dreyfus Natural Resources Fund Class A DNLAX seeks long-term capital growth by investing 80% of its net assets in securities of companies in natural resources or related sectors. The fund carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2. This Zacks sector Energy product has a history of positive total returns for more than 10 years. To see how this fund performed compared in its category, and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here. DNLAXhas an annual expense ratio of 1.28%, which is below the category average of 1.41%. The fund has three-year returns of 6.08%. Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >> 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The Womens March gathers in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2017, the day after President Trumps inauguration. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) The first Womens March, in 2017, was a reaction to the election and inauguration of President Trump. The following year, it was a push for the polls for the 2018 midterm election. This year, with no upcoming national election, the movement has had to rethink its purpose amid ongoing controversy over connections between some of its leaders and the anti-Semitic, anti-gay Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Some women who have marched before are sitting it out or attending separate rallies unaffiliated with the national organization. Thousands of others, though, will be in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. This year, according to the COO of Womens March Inc., Rachel Carmona, the organization is releasing a Womens Agenda, a policy platform that she says will set the roadmap for our expectations for the elected officials who were either just elected or would like to be reelected in 2020. We view it as a work plan for all of our elected officials, and we are going to translate that into a 50-state strategy. The Womens Agenda includes 10 policy issues, including racial and immigrant rights, and economic and environmental justice. Board member Linda Sarsour said that the policies, compiled by a committee of women from various national and grassroots organizations, establishes a precedent for not only the new Congress to work on, but sets a narrative for 2020. If you want to be my president and you dont have a position on the issues that are part of this womans agenda, then dont knock on my door until you have an answer for these policies. Still, the biggest motivation for marchers has remained womens rights. At the Womens March 2017, only 61 percent of the people in the crowd said womens rights was the main reason they were out in the crowd, said Dana R. Fisher, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland College Park, who has collected data on past marchers. At Womens March 2018, 92 percent said they were out in the crowd for womens rights. Story continues In 2017, the march did a really good job of turning out people that say womens rights matter and women are people too, Fisher continued. You cant just go around grabbing people by their genitals, and you certainly shouldnt be able to get elected president if you do that. For the first march in 2017, the shock of Trumps election and the fear that that carried was great enough to hold that coalition together, but it would be kind of miraculous if that had held over time, said Nancy Whittier, a sociology professor at Smith College. The Womens March has to figure out: Is it a broad anti-Trump mobilization? Is it around intersectional feminism and not necessarily Trump? Is it around specific issues like sexual violence? The march has kind of been all of those things so far. Protesters gather beside the stage at the Womens March on Washington on Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Womens March agenda isnt controversial among progressive women, but the issue of inclusiveness, or intersectionality, is. Sarsour is an activist for Palestine whose strong opposition to Israel makes some Jewish participants uncomfortable. In February, Tamika Mallory, a co-president of Womens March, Inc., attended the Nation of Islams annual Saviours Day event and was singled out in the audience by Farrakhan, whose speech also included the anti-Semitic and homophobic tropes he often deploys. When reports of the event surfaced, there were calls for Mallory to step down from her leadership role. Mallory, who had been attending the Saviours Day event for 30 years, responded to the criticism by reiterating her commitment to vulnerable communities including her LGBTQAI siblings, Jewish friends and Black women, and the Womens March released statements in the same vein. However, the backlash continued in response to pressure both from within and from outside the organization. Less than a month after the Womens March Inc. announced plans for the 2019 event, a white supremacist attacked a Pittsburgh synagogue, killing 11 worshipers. The rise in hate crimes against Jews which the FBI says accounted for more than half of all hate crimes in 2017 and the resurgence of neo-Nazism meant that the issue would continue to plague Womens March leaders, despite their statements of support for Jewish victims, op-eds denouncing anti-Semitism and participation in rallies against hate crime. Former organizers and current chapters separated themselves from the national leaders (although the organization is fairly decentralized, and local groups operate with some independence.) Womens rights celebrities spoke out and #MeToo activist Alyssa Milano announced she would not speak at this years march, shortly after Teresa Shook, who is credited with inspiring the first march with a Facebook post, called for the current co-chairs to step down. Tamika Mallory, right, at an interview in New York on Jan. 9, 2017, with her fellow Womens March co-chairs Carmen Perez, left, and Linda Sarsour. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) But some Jewish participants object to the organizers association with Farrakhan. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, executive director of Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, will not be joining this years March because it is being held on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. As an organization, because we represent rabbis and Jewish community members with a range of practices, we, as a rule, dont sponsor any events that happened on Shabbat, she says. She added that Sabbath observances vary, so for sure among our 2,000-plus rabbis, there are definitely a number of rabbis who will be marching. Sarsour told Yahoo News she regrets that the Womens March was slow to communicate its renunciation of bigoted comments by Farrakhan, whose activism in black communities the co-chairs have commended. Were not a perfect organization, said Sarsour, [but] we do not want the story to be again that women of color and white women, in particular, were not able to organize together. We are committed to a movement where white women, where women of color and women of all backgrounds, can agree to disagree. Vanessa Wruble, a Jewish activist and one of the initial organizers of the 2017 march, said that she was troubled, when working with the co-chairs, by anti-Semitic comments, some of which echoed Farrakhan. Mallory and Sarsour have publicly denied this. After the first Womens March, Wruble went on to found March On, the broad coalition of sister marches outside Washington. Asked if she and the Womens March Inc. leaders have reconciled, said no, but she told Yahoo News, Historically, all social movements have had rifts and splits, and I dont know why we would expect something different from such a large and broad movement as the Womens March movement. When these points of friction come up, it gives us an opportunity for everyone to learn from them. Ultimately, it makes the movement stronger, and I have absolutely no concern that the Womens March movement isnt going anywhere. It is unstoppable. Vanessa Wruble (center), co-founder of the Womens March on Washington and founder of March On at the Womens March on Jan. 17, 2017. (Photo: Courtesy of Vanessa Wruble) Some cities, including Baton Rouge and Chicago, will not be hosting marches this year for a lack of resources, after footing the bills for organizing for the midterms last November. Harlene Ellin, communications lead of Womens March Chicago, said its chapters decision not to march was made irrespective of the controversies surrounding Womens March Inc., with which it is not affiliated. Womens March Chicago pushed up its march to October, for a March to the Polls event ahead of the midterm election. It has no plans for a march in January. It costs $150,000 to put on a march of that size, and countless volunteer hours, Ellin told Yahoo News. And we knew we werent going to be able to turn around after October and repeat that in January. Still, Ellin fielded questions from members about anti-Semitism in the womens march. For me to answer the question, Are you anti-Semitic? when Im Jewish, its like: Are you kidding? No, we are not anti-Semitic. It was painful. Although Chicago wont be hosting one of over 200 marches taking place on Saturday, Ellin says the chapter will march again in the future. We will have a big march in 2020, she said. Because 2020 is going to be the biggest election of our lifetime. For Yavilah McCoy, the founder of Ayecha, a nonprofit organization for Jewish women of color, the marchs commitment to intersectionality is productive for policy change and the reason why shes organizing 100 Jewish women of color and allies to join marchers in D.C. on Saturday. Were doing our best to keep focused on what will mitigate pain, McCoy told Yahoo News, and will help us in policies to move freedom and liberation forward. Our eyes are on the prize. A protester in Seattle holds up a sign before a Womens March of tens of thousands on Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) The march in Washington, D.C., is set to start at the National Mall at 10 a.m., with local and sister marches taking place around the country. As for future marches, Sarsour said, Right now, we cant say that theres going to be a 2020 march. But there is going to be maybe the most important election year of our lifetime in 2020. Sarsour added: Our motto eventually will be: In 2020, lets play a competitive primary. And whoever emerges as the candidate who will go up against this administration, thats going to be the candidate of the movement. I dont care who you are, where you are. For me, its anybody but Trump. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Reuters Videos Titus "Stretch" Gall is gearing up for another long wildfire season in California.The state's drought emergency is worsening and the fires have already sparked in multiple locations.And this is his answer: he's the president of Tower Tech Inc., and designed these mobile air-traffic control towers, mounted on a trailer, to help manage the airspace over the fires.His three towers are contracted to government forestry and fire-protection agencies, and can set up within 24 hours."They need to come and go as quickly and efficiently as they can. So we have to put forth the effort to make that happen. So, yes, there is some urgency to the work, but it's always got to stay safe, you know? I mean, that's why we're there: to keep to keep airplanes apart. So everybody needs to come and go. And they and they will, but they'll do it safely."Gall was an air traffic controller for the Navy and the FAA, who retired only to start his own business five days later. He fulfills a unique role, sometimes close to the frontline but usually right on the runway.Inside the towers, everything is set up for his employees' comfort: a refrigerator, freezer, shower and toilet, as well as a television and DVDs for entertainment.The job has its rewards, he says, but this is a serious business."I'm 72 years old and I'm still thrilled to talk to airplanes. It makes me feel great. And people... if we go to a briefing at CalFire and we have a particularly busy day and the briefing in the morning and all of a sudden one of the tanker pilots will stand up and say, 'Man, thank...thank the tower for being here. Man, you guys did a great job yesterday.' You can imagine that that makes you feel good because this is not a game."As of May, California authorities had documented more than a thousand more wildfires so far this year than had erupted by the same point in 2020.Last year's wildfire season was the worst on record, with colossal damage and at least 33 lives lost. An 11-year-old boy is dead after an SUV plowed into a group of children waiting at a bus stop in Summit Township, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning. Three young siblings, two boys and a girl, were waiting for their school bus outside of their family home when they were struck by a vehicle just before 9 a.m., according to local news outlet the Butler Eagle. State police in Butler County said the driver of the SUV stopped at a stop sign near the bus stop before turning right and hitting the children, apparently not seeing them along the roadway. Investigators said sun glare may have been a factor in the accident. The 11-year-old victim was transported to Butler Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the Associated Press reports. The boy's brother was airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh with undisclosed injuries. Their sister was treated for a minor ankle injury. Brian J. White, Jr., the superintendent of Butler School District, released a statement grieving the "tragic loss of one of our Summit Elementary students" shortly after the crash. "When our school community experiences a tragedy, such as the loss of a young life, it impacts all of us," he wrote. "My thoughts and prayers are with the students and their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time." White, Jr. said that although students had not yet been informed about the accident in order to give their guardians time to talk to them first, the school had arranged for grief counselors to be available to students and staff members in need of support. Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 2 Vote(s) - 1 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. Masters of the Cuckverse lop guest User ID: 483536 01-14-2019 01:32 PM Post: #1 France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. Advertisement This is it! We're now standing on that very dangerous place where the sheep sides with private contract terrorists and agent provocateurs in order to undermine democracy, destroy their VERY OWN civil liberties and legitimate the rise of dictators and installation of police states. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 406166 01-14-2019 01:37 PM Post: #2 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. The "free press" in nearly every country is controlled by the government, megacorporations, or elements of both. I have seen this mass media in my own country attack the independent media as "fake news" and then cowering behind the first amendment any time they are criticized. Forgive me if I don't have any sympathy for the press. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 477083 01-14-2019 01:45 PM Post: #3 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. PRECISELY. YOU "DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS" WHO STARTED WITH THE "YELLOW JACKET" CAPER. EVERYONE FOLLOWING ON LIKE SHEEP! "THE LEADERS PROBABLY BEING DEEP STATE SWAMP SOROS TYPES" OUT TO USE THE "YELLOW JACKETS" TO CREATE CHAOS AND TERROR TO BRING ABOUT THEIR NWO! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 406166 01-14-2019 01:49 PM Post: #4 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:45 PM) PRECISELY. YOU "DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS" WHO STARTED WITH THE "YELLOW JACKET" CAPER. EVERYONE FOLLOWING ON LIKE SHEEP! "THE LEADERS PROBABLY BEING DEEP STATE SWAMP SOROS TYPES" OUT TO USE THE "YELLOW JACKETS" TO CREATE CHAOS AND TERROR TO BRING ABOUT THEIR NWO! It doesn't matter where it originated from. If it was originally a Soros controlled OP then it has clearly become much more than that now. It doesn't even have a coherent ideology which is not necessarily a bad thing. Breaking the neoliberal status quo will require compromise across simple ideological lines. Every movement in favor of change or resistance is going to be labeled as controlled opposition by the likes of the paranoid and malicious state agents. It doesn't matter where it originated from. If it was originally a Soros controlled OP then it has clearly become much more than that now. It doesn't even have a coherent ideology which is not necessarily a bad thing. Breaking the neoliberal status quo will require compromise across simple ideological lines.Every movement in favor of change or resistance is going to be labeled as controlled opposition by the likes of the paranoid and malicious state agents. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 483536 01-14-2019 01:50 PM Post: #5 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:37 PM) The "free press" in nearly every country is controlled by the government, megacorporations, or elements of both. I have seen this mass media in my own country attack the independent media as "fake news" and then cowering behind the first amendment any time they are criticized. Forgive me if I don't have any sympathy for the press. Just because they are controlled it doesn't give people the right gather for hunting and attack them like wild animals. Just because journalists are controlled it doesn't mean the Yellow Vests are NOT private contract terrorists and agent provocateurs. "Fake news" is another pathetic cliche coined by Trump's ministers of propaganda, in order to attack everyone and everything that criticizes him and his zionist agenda. Typical nazi/fascist/Goebbels playbook. I'm sick to death of double standard hypocrites who justify all sorts of stupidity and evil on behalf of their greater israel dystopia and their ass-backwards messiah. Just because they are controlled it doesn't give people the right gather for hunting and attack them like wild animals.Just because journalists are controlled it doesn't mean the Yellow Vests are NOT private contract terrorists and agent provocateurs."Fake news" is another pathetic cliche coined by Trump's ministers of propaganda, in order to attack everyone and everything that criticizes him and his zionist agenda. Typical nazi/fascist/Goebbels playbook.I'm sick to death of double standard hypocrites who justify all sorts of stupidity and evil on behalf of their greater israel dystopia and their ass-backwards messiah. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 452008 01-14-2019 01:58 PM Post: #6 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. Masters of the Cuckverse Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:32 PM) This is it! We're now standing on that very dangerous place where the sheep sides with private contract terrorists and agent provocateurs in order to undermine democracy, destroy their VERY OWN civil liberties and legitimate the rise of dictators and installation of police states. Media is the enemy. More power to the YV! Media is the enemy.More power to the YV! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 452008 01-14-2019 02:00 PM Post: #7 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:50 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:37 PM) The "free press" in nearly every country is controlled by the government, megacorporations, or elements of both. I have seen this mass media in my own country attack the independent media as "fake news" and then cowering behind the first amendment any time they are criticized. Forgive me if I don't have any sympathy for the press. Just because they are controlled it doesn't give people the right gather for hunting and attack them like wild animals. Just because journalists are controlled it doesn't mean the Yellow Vests are NOT private contract terrorists and agent provocateurs. "Fake news" is another pathetic cliche coined by Trump's ministers of propaganda, in order to attack everyone and everything that criticizes him and his zionist agenda. Typical nazi/fascist/Goebbels playbook. I'm sick to death of double standard hypocrites who justify all sorts of stupidity and evil on behalf of their greater israel dystopia and their ass-backwards messiah. Why are the media at these protests? To paint a false, negative picture for the Yellow Vests. I have a feeling this had something to do with it. Why are the media at these protests?To paint a false, negative picture for the Yellow Vests.I have a feeling this had something to do with it. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 483536 01-14-2019 02:02 PM Post: #8 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:45 PM) PRECISELY. YOU "DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS" WHO STARTED WITH THE "YELLOW JACKET" CAPER. EVERYONE FOLLOWING ON LIKE SHEEP! "THE LEADERS PROBABLY BEING DEEP STATE SWAMP SOROS TYPES" OUT TO USE THE "YELLOW JACKETS" TO CREATE CHAOS AND TERROR TO BRING ABOUT THEIR NWO! You're nowhere NEAR the rabbit hole. "Yellow Vests" is Trump's pet project to bring down Macron because he started pushing Europe to ditch the US military industrial complex and build their own army. "Yellow Vests" are US sponsored private contractors as ADMITTED by their OWN spokesperson. [video=youtube] Even Erdogan said "Yellow Vests" are infiltrated by US-sponsored terrorists. You're nowhere NEAR the rabbit hole."Yellow Vests" is Trump's pet project to bring down Macron because he started pushing Europe to ditch the US military industrial complex and build their own army."Yellow Vests" are US sponsored private contractors asby theirspokesperson.[video=youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmtNzWRCmI8 [/video]Even Erdogan said "Yellow Vests" are infiltrated by US-sponsored terrorists. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 483536 01-14-2019 02:05 PM Post: #9 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 02:02 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:45 PM) PRECISELY. YOU "DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS" WHO STARTED WITH THE "YELLOW JACKET" CAPER. EVERYONE FOLLOWING ON LIKE SHEEP! "THE LEADERS PROBABLY BEING DEEP STATE SWAMP SOROS TYPES" OUT TO USE THE "YELLOW JACKETS" TO CREATE CHAOS AND TERROR TO BRING ABOUT THEIR NWO! You're nowhere NEAR the rabbit hole. "Yellow Vests" is Trump's pet project to bring down Macron because he started pushing Europe to ditch the US military industrial complex and build their own army. "Yellow Vests" are US sponsored private contractors as ADMITTED by their OWN spokesperson. Even Erdogan said "Yellow Vests" are infiltrated by US-sponsored terrorists. Fixed link. Fixed link. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 483536 01-14-2019 02:09 PM Post: #10 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. "Yellow Vests" is clearly a US black ops to take down Macron over his attempt to double cross their military industrial complex. Anyone who believes it's a "social movement" is a moron! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 406166 01-14-2019 02:12 PM Post: #11 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 02:09 PM) "Yellow Vests" is clearly a US black ops to take down Macron over his attempt to double cross their military industrial complex. Anyone who believes it's a "social movement" is a moron! Macron is part of the military-industrial complex and a zionist. His globalist policies and his unwavering support of the Syrian war is evidence of this. Macron is part of the military-industrial complex and a zionist. His globalist policies and his unwavering support of the Syrian war is evidence of this. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 483543 01-14-2019 02:18 PM Post: #12 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. People that cant read should be the ones doing organizing. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 483547 01-14-2019 02:54 PM Post: #13 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 02:12 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-14-2019 02:09 PM) "Yellow Vests" is clearly a US black ops to take down Macron over his attempt to double cross their military industrial complex. Anyone who believes it's a "social movement" is a moron! Macron is part of the military-industrial complex and a zionist. His globalist policies and his unwavering support of the Syrian war is evidence of this. Nobody said Macron is not part of the MIC, and nobody said he's not zionist. You're preaching to the choir. What has been said is that he wanted to ditch France's contracts with American military contractors and push Europe towards having their OWN version of the MIC, thus Yellow sh*t-stirrers got deployed to f*#k sh*t up in France. Is that too hard for you to grasp???? Nobody said Macron is not part of the MIC, and nobody said he's not zionist. You're preaching to the choir.What has been said is that he wanted to ditch France's contracts with American military contractors and push Europe towards having their OWN version of the MIC, thus Yellow sh*t-stirrers got deployed to f*#k sh*t up in France.Is that too hard for you to grasp???? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 449367 01-14-2019 03:20 PM Post: #14 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. Masters of the Cuckverse Wrote: (01-14-2019 01:32 PM) This is it! We're now standing on that very dangerous place where the sheep sides with private contract terrorists and agent provocateurs in order to undermine democracy, destroy their VERY OWN civil liberties and legitimate the rise of dictators and installation of police states. bullshit. i've been watching this from the very start, and when it started it took the MSM a full two weeks before they said anything about it. and even then it was a absolute tiny little blink and you'll miss it nothing piece. so me thinks if anything YOU are cointelpro in damage control mode for the boss. and to that end, eat a dick, ya traitorous sellout. bullshit. i've been watching this from the very start, and when it started it took the MSM a full two weeks before they said anything about it. and even then it was a absolute tiny little blink and you'll miss it nothing piece.so me thinks if anything YOU are cointelpro in damage control mode for the boss. and to that end, eat a dick, ya traitorous sellout. TimeZoned Banned User ID: 483550 01-14-2019 03:23 PM Posts: 691 Post: #15 RE: France Yellow Terrorists are now attacking journalists. Run from Russian Bot factories out of Russia. Just give it a while and the MSM networks well catch on and it will be RUSSIA again The Yellow Vests are a Russian operation.Run from Russian Bot factories out of Russia.Just give it a while and the MSM networks well catch on and it will be RUSSIA again Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Minority police officers may suffer from less Ferguson effect, new research says by Hannah Erickson CARBONDALE, Ill. With law enforcement job interest plummeting nationwide, conversation continues to swirl about the impact public scrutiny has on current and prospective officers. Terms such as the Ferguson effect have increased attention to this issue, but researchers are still working to understand what this means and how it effects officers and their work. After conducting surveys with the St. Louis County Police Department (SLCPD) before the 2014 death of Michael Brown, and then returning for in-depth interviews after the unrest period, Southern Illinois University Carbondale researcher Tammy Kochel is comparing the changes in officer behavior while also evaluating how that might adjust depending on personal and racial experiences. Interviewing St. Louis County Police Department before and after Ferguson unrest Following the death of Brown, the SLCPD were the officers initially called in to investigate. They remained in charge of the investigation until the governor ordered the Missouri State Highway Patrol to take over. Sometime later Kochel, already having a foundation with the SLCPD from previous research, stepped in to conduct in-depth interviews and surveys to understand the overall impact on the officers. The police chief opened wide his doors to me and completely endorsed officers speaking to me honestly and transparently, Kochel said. I had tremendous conversations which developed into large amounts of qualitative data. During the interviews, the officers spoke of their individual experiences, as well as the impact still felt in their policing and personal life. They included information such as the increased pressure on their families and emotional health, their subsequent attitudes toward their work and adjustments within the department. The officers also reported making a variety of behavioral changes during the unrest period, such as not wearing their uniform when off duty or not parking their car in front of their house. Almost universally, the officers felt more concerned, apprehensive and discontented. However, Kochel discovered that not all of the officers felt these emotions to the same degree. Lower Ferguson effect in minority officers One of the popular suggestions protestors gave in response to the growing unrest was to hire more minority police officers. Yet, both black and white officers reported that minority officers were the most mistreated by protestors during the civil unrest. Despite their treatment, Kochel found that for black officers, their experiences with the components of the Ferguson effect were not as severe and their measures of self-legitimacy were higher. Additionally, black officers felt more prepared, had more confidence in their leadership abilities, felt more successful at delivering procedural justice during the civil unrest and reported having less of a mental and emotional impact from the experience In spite of the fact that minority police officers had the worst experiences, they had better outcomes when compared to white police officers, Kochel said. Kochel looked at several issues to help understand why this is true, including the concept of the Ferguson effect. This term commonly refers to officers responses after the unrest surrounding Michael Browns death in 2014, and represents the apprehension they feel being under public scrutiny, their discontentment with the field, their decreased job satisfaction and their own personal esteem in relation to their work. It also refers to officers being less proactive in making contact with the public and more apprehensive about using force. When looking at this, Kochel found that black police officers had lower Ferguson effect than the white officers did. While both demographics did see some dips in job satisfaction, the impact was not as extreme with the black officers. Similarly, self-legitimacy, which is the officers personal feelings related to how the public sees his/her authority as a police officer, did not decline for the black officers as much as it did for the white officers. Even when accounting for variables such as rank, gender, competence under stress, leadership skills, mental and emotional stability and procedurally fair behavior, being a black officer still predicted a lower Ferguson effect. Personal connection leads to higher empathy After uncovering these findings, Kochel started looking at what might cause these reactions. At first, the difference seemed to point to various levels of empathy based on race. However, after further examination, there seemed to be more to the story. Certainly I had police officers both white and black who grew up in the Ferguson area, Kochel said. They all understand how policing was when they were younger growing up there and both black and white officers talked about having bad experiences with the police. While both demographics portrayed a deep sense of empathy, black officers seemed to have a deeper connection with the issues because of their own personal experiences. After discussing her findings with other researchers, the variance seemed to suggest a difference in personal experience. It may be that you can have an appreciation from a distance of someones struggle, but you dont have a stake in it unless you too have experienced it, Kochel said. Evaluating implicit bias With further training and openness, Kochel hopes to lessen the difference between the officers. Last year, the state of Missouri mandated officers to participate in two hours of implicit bias trainings, which Kochel assisted in evaluating within St. Louis County. While those trainings are no longer mandatory, the training academy asked Kochel to recommend courses for continual development with the officers. The department sees the value in the implicit bias trainings and wants to continue with them this year, Kochel said. Kochel evaluates officers responses before and after the training, with the hope of building a system that effectively prepares the officers for their work. Research is ongoing As Kochel continues to study the impact the Ferguson unrest had on police officers in St. Louis and nationwide, she has even found connections with other law enforcement agencies internationally. In December, she traveled to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel and spoke with government officials and other providers about racial tensions and policing. While mainly focused on the Ferguson region, her work serves as a representation of common strains between police agencies and minority groups worldwide. Jihadist News Articles Analysis Multimedia Social Network Jihad Western Jihadist Digest Free Articles Financial Jihad Full Translation Groups Afghan Taliban (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) Ahrar al-Sham Islamic Movement Al-Nusra Front Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Ansar al-Islam Ansar al-Sunnah in Jerusalem Ansar Beit al-Maqdis Ansar Dine Ansar Jerusalem Hezbollah Islamic Jihad Union Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Islamic State Islamic State in Iraq and Sham (ISIS) Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) Jabha East Africa Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Jaish al-Fath Lashkar-e Toiba Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban) Shabaab al-Mujahideen (The Young Mujahideen Movement) Taifetul Mansura The Levantine Front Turkestan Islamic Party Leaders Abu Musab Abd al-Wadud Abu Yahya al-Libi Adam Gadahn Anwar al-Awlaki Ayman al-Zawahiri Hakimullah Mehsud Mullah Omar Mustafa Abu al-Yazid Usama bin Laden Abu Baseer al-Wuhayshi Countries Afghanistan Algeria Australia Austria Bangladesh Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Burma Burundi Canada Chechnya China Denmark Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Europe Finland France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Italy Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Lebanon Libya Mali Mauritania Morocco Niger Nigeria Norway Pakistan Palestinian Territories Russia Saudi Arabia Somalia Spain Sweden Syria Tunisia Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uzbekistan Yemen Burkina Faso Philippines Ireland Posted by Mark Williams | January 13, 2019 By Mark Williams Competes with: Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Ford F-350/F-450 and GMC Sierra 3500 Looks like: A beefier heavy-duty single- and dual-rear-wheel version of the newly minted Ram 1500 Drivetrains: Carryover 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 (410-horsepower, 429 pounds-feet of torque) paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission or all-new turbo-diesel 6.7-liter inline-six-cylinder Cummins (370 or 400 hp, 850 or 1,000 pounds-feet of torque) with a pair of new six-speed automatic transmissions; rear- or four-wheel drive Hits dealerships: Early second quarter Following close on the heels of the successful launch of the 2019 Ram 1500 light-duty pickup truck, the new 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 revealed today at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit offer similar (but very different) structural and quality upgrades to the frame, chassis, cabs and interior. Related: More 2019 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Because there is so much difference between the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models, especially the dual-rear-wheel models, this story focuses on the changes to the one-ton model. If you want to read more about the changes to the three-quarter ton and upgraded 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon, click here. Exterior The 2019 Ram 3500 will continue to be offered in several distinct trim levels: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The outside of the Ram 3500, as you would expect, closely follows the 2500 and to a certain extent the smaller Ram 1500. The grille reflects the biggest changes with more horizontal slats from the new light duty and a larger, bolder wide-mouth look. We're glad the large "nostrils" of the previous model are gone. But the new look is not just for styling's sake; the larger grille is designed to flow more cooling air into the engine compartment when needed. All 2019 Ram HDs will have computer-controlled grille shutters to help the engine warm up quicker in cold weather and cool faster during high-demand situations. Also, the newly designed front bumper will allow air to flow into the engine via a new center opening. The new aluminum hood reflects some of the multilevel "waterfall" design cues seen on the 1500, and the 3500 offers three new headlamp choices: halogen, full LED reflector and full LED projector with active turning that moves the lights in the direction of travel up to 15 degrees. Ram 3500s will continue to be offered in both single- and dual-rear-wheel versions in regular- and crew-cab 4x2 and 4x4 configurations with an 8-foot bed. The Ram 3500 Mega Cab also will be offered in single-wheel and dually configurations but only with a 4x4 drivetrain and a 6-foot, 4-inch bed. All Ram HD Mega Cabs will have the shorter bed. Interior As we saw with the Ram 1500, moving to larger and quieter cabs (regular, crew and Mega Cab), and a vastly simplified and cleaner dash layout is likely to garner the new Ram 3500 a lot of attention from the money-is-no-object crowd. These buyers usually tow expensive trailers, boats or campers, and when they tow they like to go in style. Each trim level will sport a different material with materials and colors that reflect that model's intended purpose. The new center dash puts all the radio, climate and feature controls within easy reach of the driver, whether the 12-inch or 8-inch screen is selected. The centerpiece of the new interiors will be the 12-inch configurable touchscreen that's likely to become the gold standard for the class; it's standard on the top-of-the-line Limited and optional for other trims. Among other big improvements to the interior, the front seats have been stiffened with more side bolstering, the center storage area offers 12 different storage combinations and cab-specific active noise cancellation systems reduce outside noise. Crew and Mega cabs have larger in-floor storage bins with drain holes and provide several in-floor tie-downs to boot. There also are several active-tuned modules on the frame (similar to the Ram 1500) to minimize frame/chassis/suspension vibrations. The state-of-the-art Uconnect 4C Navigation and SiriusXM 360L will be available in the upper trim levels providing real-time, on-demand programming and allowing owners to develop and maintain profiles similar to Netflix something that's never before been offered in the HD class. Under the Hood The Ram 3500's standard engine will be the carryover 6.4-liter Hemi V-8, rated at 410 horsepower at 5,600 rpms and 429 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm; it will be mated to a heavier-duty TorqueFlight eight-speed transmission with a class-exclusive, rotary-dial gear selector a la the 2019 Ram 1500. The naturally aspirated V-8 gas engine offers cylinder deactivation, moving from V-4 to V-8 modes as demand dictates to save fuel and includes a fuel shutoff system during certain deceleration situations (like coasting to a stop or long downhill glides). The optional engine is the big news here: It's an all-new inline-six-cylinder Cummins B motor that is lighter and stronger than the one it replaces. Made from compacted graphite iron, the new block is topped by a new cast-iron cylinder head with new exhaust valves and springs, rocker arms, a hollow camshaft, and an aluminum oil and water pump. The turbo-diesel 6.7-liter diesel produces 400 hp (less than before) at 2,800 rpm and a whopping, class-best 1,000 pounds-feet of torque (70 pounds-feet more than before) at 1,800 rpm. As before, Ram HDs will get a less powerful variant of the same engine for buyers who might want or need the de-rated version or are looking for more longevity. The down-rated version produces 370 hp at 2,800 rpm and 850 pounds-feet of torque at 1,700 rpm. This version gets all the same improvements the up-rated version includes. All diesel Ram 3500s will get the electronically controlled Aisin AS69RC six-speed transmission, which we're told now has twice as much learning capability than before to deliver faster, more precise shifts under all driving conditions, loaded and unloaded. That was one of our complaints about the Ram 3500 during our 2018 One-Ton Heavy-Duty Truck Challenge. Payload and Towing The heart of the improved, class-leading towing and hauling numbers is partially connected to the 2019 Ram 3500's strengthened frame. The all-new frame is built with 98.5 percent high-strength steel, six separate through-welded cross-members, hydroformed main rails and fully boxed rear rails. The cross-member over the rear axle of the one-ton is much bigger and stronger than before to accommodate the bigger fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch ratings. The maximum tow rating for the Ram 3500 (4x2 diesel with a 4.10:1 axle ratio) is just more than 35,000 pounds; it has a gross combined weight rating of 43,000 pounds. The max payload capacity for the one-ton dually is 7,680 pounds (4x2 Hemi V-8 with 3.73:1 or 4.10 axle ratios). Gross vehicle weight ratings range between 10,700 and 14,000 pounds depending on configuration. Another reason for the Ram 3500's higher maximum towing and payload limits is the all-new max tow 12-inch American Axle & Manufacturing heavy-duty rear axle that has a larger ring gear, 4.25-inch tubes, much larger differential bearings and bigger shaft hub seals. Safety and Tech As with the 2019 Ram 1500, there are almost too many new or upgraded safety and technology features for the 3500 to list. Ram actually provided a list of 101 new safety and tech features in the media press kit, broken into five separate categories. Suffice to say that the 2019 Ram 3500 will offer key safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, collision warning, multiple rearview camera options and settings, trailer backup assist, individual sensors on each airbag and much more. Naturally, different safety and technology features will be found on different trim levels. We'll know more about how everything interfaces with the driver and passengers after we get time behind the wheel of the different models, which is supposed to happen in February. The new 2019 Ram 3500 hits dealership early in the second quarter; pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date. Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry; manufacturer images and drawings Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory address to Prime-Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on January 14, the press service of the Artsakh Presidents Office reported. The address runs as follows: Respectful Mr. Pashinyan, On behalf of the people, authorities of the Artsakh Republic and myself personally I extend my congratulations to You on being appointed Prime-Minister of the Republic of Armenia. I hope that reassigning this high and responsible position You and Your Cabinet will continue to do everything possible for developing the Republic of Armenia, strengthening the security and defense capacity of the country and the people, sustaining economic progress, widening and deepening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. I am confident that together with joint efforts all the necessary steps will be taken for keeping the high level of cooperation between the two Armenian states and solving common issues. I once again congratulate You and wish peace, robust health, great successes and new achievements. 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The Foreign Minister briefed on the activities carried out by the Foreign Ministry during 2018, noting that the MFA had continued its activities in line with the country's foreign policy priorities defined in the program of the Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan for 2017-2020. Speaking of the results achieved in the process of the international recognition of Artsakh and the development and strengthening of decentralized cooperation, Masis Mayilian noted that on May 22, 2018, Australias Ryde City Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the independence of the Republic of Artsakh. The geography of decentralized cooperation also expanded, covering the Middle East region. Generally, in 2018, friendly relations were established between 6 cities of Artsakh and foreign countries. At the same time, consistent steps were taken to give a practical character to the relations established within the decentralized cooperation. In particular, work has been done on the implementation of practical programs in the spheres of education, agriculture, tourism and creation infrastructures in different communities of Artsakh. Visits of delegations headed by mayors of 5 foreign cities to Artsakh were also organized, within the framework of which the prospects of implementing joint programs in different spheres were discussed. Masis Mayilian also touched upon the MFA activities carried out to develop and deepen the international relations of the Republic of Artsakh. He underlined the importance of expanding the international cooperation of Artsakh and its involvement in international processes for confronting the isolation policy carried out by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. In this context, the Foreign Minister noted that in 2018, the Ministry contributed to the organization of visits of official delegations from the Republic of Artsakh to some foreign countries, as well as visits of delegations from different foreign countries and international structures to Artsakh. In this context, the Foreign Minister highlighted the first political visit of the Artsakh Republics delegation, led by President Bako Sahakyan, to the USA taken place in March 2018, noting its importance in terms of presenting Artsakh's position on the realities, political processes and regional problems existing in the Republic to the official and analytical circles of the USA as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing state. Foreign visits of leaders of ministries and agencies of the Republic of Artsakh to some foreign countries also took place. The Foreign Ministry contributed to the development of cooperation with different countries in the format of parliamentary diplomacy. In this context, Mr. Mayilian noted the importance of the visit of Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh Ashot Ghulyan to France, as well as the visits of MPs to the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Also, visits of parliamentary delegations from the European Parliament, Cyprus, Belgium, France, as well as from the US state of California to Artsakh were organized. YEREVAN.- The protesters, demanding the arrest of retired General Manvel Grigoryan, want to meet with the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, one of the organizers of the rallyJivan Abrahamyan told reporters. "Aside from Nikol Pashinyan, we dont want to meet with anyone. Mr. Pashinyan, make sure that within three days our group meets with you. We have something to say to you, said Abrahamyan. He also said that the participants of today's action will march along Arshakunyats Avenue and did not rule out that they will block the movement. On December 21, 2018 the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction released Manvel Grigoryan from custody on an AMD 25mn (approx. US$51,600) bail. The Prosecutor Generals Office, however, has appealed this decision to the Criminal Court of Appeal. Grigoryan was remanded in custody on June 19, and by the decision of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction. He is charged with unlawfully acquiring and possessing weapons and ammunition, as well as committing large-scale embezzlement. In particular, it is about the appropriation of the aid that was sent during the days of the four-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), in April 2016. STEPANAKERT. The Artsakh authorities had always assisted the OSCE Mission in monitoring the ceasefire regime on the state border of Artsakh and Azerbaijan and on the Line of Contact between the parties armed forces, as well as supported the expansion of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and its monitoring capacities, Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian told reporters. At the same time, the Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of implementing the agreements reached in 2016 in Vienna and St. Petersburg, aimed at maintaining stability on the Line of Contact and creating conditions for advancing the settlement process. In this context, he noted that Artsakh had unilaterally established a video system for permanent monitoring of the Line of Contact, which could be part of the international mechanism for monitoring the ceasefire regime. At the same time, the Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of implementing the agreements reached in 2016 in Vienna and St. Petersburg, aimed at maintaining stability on the Line of Contact and creating conditions for advancing the settlement process. In this context, he noted that Artsakh had unilaterally established a video system for permanent monitoring of the Line of Contact, which could be part of the international mechanism for monitoring the ceasefire regime. Masis Mailyan stressed that in order to reach a final settlement of the conflict and ensure progress in the negotiations, it is necessary to return the official Stepanakert to the negotiating table as a full party. In this context, he noted the importance of the fact that the position of the Republic of Armenia on the Azerbaijani-Karabakh settlement after the change of power became clearer, in particular, on the need to restore the full-fledged trilateral format of negotiations, and this position fully coincides with the approaches of the Artsakh authorities. The Foreign Minister confirmed the willingness of the Artsakh authorities t de jure assume their share of responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the region. The Foreign Minister also noted that the MFA had conducted consistent work on presenting the position of the Republic of Artsakh on various aspects of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict in international organizations. In particular, about ten Memorandums of Artsakhs Foreign Ministry and other documents were disseminated as official documents in the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international structures. For the first time in 2018, two voluntary reports were prepared on the implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the Republic of Artsakh unilaterally joined on November 26, 1992, as well as on the implementation of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for the UN Sustainable Development in Artsakh, which were sent to relevant United Nations structures. During the press conference, Masis Mayilian also noted that the Foreign Ministry and the Permanent Representatives of Artsakh to foreign countries had implemented consistent activities on raising the awareness of Artsakh abroad and providing objective information on the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict to the international community, involving also new resources. Catarina Bjorlin Hansen has been appointed EBRD Regional Director for the Caucasus and will assume her new role based in Tbilisi on 1 April 2019. She replaces Bruno Balvanera who has been named EBRD Managing Director for Central Asia. In her new position, Ms Hansen will lead the Banks operations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and help to further develop their economies through investment, policy engagement, small business advice and support for reforms. Ms Hansen said: I am delighted to return to the Caucasus as Regional Director and to take on this great task. This is a strategically important region with huge potential for further development. A key requirement for this will be its further integration into the global economy and the EBRD will continue to support this development with investment and reforms. Working with the local EBRD teams, I look forward to making a tangible contribution to the success of these economies for the benefit of all. Ms Hansen, a Swedish national, joined the EBRD in 2006 and was initially responsible for the Banks municipal infrastructure activities in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Belarus and Moldova until 2016 while based in Tbilisi. During this period, she developed and implemented municipal infrastructure projects in over 100 cities in solid waste management, water supply, wastewater management, public transport, district heating and smart city investments. In 2016, Ms Hansen moved to Cairo as Deputy Head for Egypt, where she oversaw a significant expansion of the Banks activities in investment and policy engagement. Before joining the EBRD, Ms Hansen worked for 10 years at the Carl Bro consultancy company, covering infrastructure in the Commonwealth of Independent States, South East Asia and the Middle East. During this period, she was based in Copenhagen, Moscow and Bangkok. She holds an MSc in Development Finance from the School for Oriental and African Studies in London. To date, the EBRD has invested over 7.77 billion in the Caucasus through 564 projects. YEREVAN. I have received the proposal from the National Assembly, and on the basis of it, I will happily sign the decree on appointing you Prime Minister of the Republic. The President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, on Monday stated the above-said during his talkat his official residencewith Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Power is fully returned to the people, and democracy is established in Armenia, Pashinyan noted, in particular, for his part. Important changes have taken place in the [countrys] economic life, too. The [new Armenian] government shall assume all its obligations before the people, and it [shall] fulfill these obligations. Democracy, rule of law, transparency are not slogans for us, but a system of values by which we are guided. All that shall be done in a way that the level of governability of the state doesnt drop. Im convinced [that] we together, with everyone, are devoted to building the free and happy future of our country, people. Robert Nichols is the state senator for Senate District 3. First elected in 2006, Nichols represents 19 counties, including much of East Texas and part of Montgomery County. He can be reached at 699-4988 or toll-free at (800) 959-8633. YEREVAN. The first phase of political changes is concluding with the formation of the new National Assembly (NA) and the new government, and the next consistent, persistent and daily-work phase of fulfilling hopes and promises is beginning. The President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, on Monday stated the aforesaid in his welcoming remarks at the first session of the NA of the seventh convocation. Also, he congratulated the newly elected deputies and wished them productive work. Dear MPs, you have received broad opportunities to bring the ideas of the velvet revolution to fruition, and to fulfill the societys expectations of crafting a new Armenia, he said, in particular. In the Presidents words, however, many other and major changes still need to be made in order to build the new Armenia. The prosperous living of each and every one living in the Republic of Armenia remains a primary matter, Sarkissian added, in particular. Samarkand (Uzbekistan) hosted the first meeting of the foreign ministers of the seven countries as part of the "India-Central Asia-Afghanistan" Dialogue, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry informs. Representatives of the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have sat down at the negotiating table. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev always gives special attention to the strengthening good-neighborly and allied relations with the countries of the region, and the geographical and cultural and historical closeness of the Central Asian countries, the traditionally established economic ties, the complementarity leaves only one option that is even deeper integration between the Central Asian countries," said Kazakh Foreign Minister Beibut Suleimenov. Atamkulov has underlined the importance of the meeting to bring the Central Asian states closer to India, as well as give impetus to the economic growth of the Central Asian states. The necessity of joint projects with India in medicine, pharmacy, new technologies and finances with the use of the opportunities created in the International Technopark of IT startups "Astana Hub" and the Astana International Financial Centre. In order to increase the transit and transport potential of the region, it is suggested to create a consortium involving all the Central Asian states with the aim to connect the railway routes Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran and Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan -Turkmenistan-Iran with the Chabahar port to transport cargo on the route Central Asia-India. The meeting also discussed the economic and cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the facilitation the stabilization and economic development of Afghanistan. The issues to update the mutual trade, expand the direct contacts between business associations, develop the transit and transport and communication potential of the Central Asian states, promote joint initiatives on the reaction of international and regional transport corridors, attract investments, innovations and technologies in the Central Asian states from India, including branches of industry, energy, IT, pharmacy and agriculture, and so on. The meeting ended up in a joint statement of the ministries of foreign affairs of the participating countries, they have outlined the dynamic and productive development of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries, confirmed the desire or regional cooperation, mutual support, collaboration to face the current issues to provide safety, stability and sustainable development of the region. The proposal to hold the first ministerial meeting as part of the "India-Central Asia-India" Dialogue was preceded by a number of meeting at the expert level held in 2012. Such an initiative to hold such meetings was put forward by the Indian Council of World Affairs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India. This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today. When citing our content a hyperlink to this Kazakhstan Today website is obligatory. The Financial Times reported on Friday that the name of Ivanka Trump is floating around Washington regarding the need for a new president of the World Bank, The Guardian rported. The role will soon be open due to the surprise departure of the current president, Jim Yong Kim. But on politics Twitter, at least, the idea that his replacement might be the first daughter was met with widespread derision. Of all the people in US who could be World Bank President, tweeted California Congressman Ted Lieu, sarcastically, the most qualified is Ivanka Trump, who lost her fashion line & happens to be the daughter of @POTUS. I see. The billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer, who is funding a campaign to impeach Donald Trump and until recently flirted with a White House run, chimed in: This is among the most ridiculous proposals I have ever heard. Nepotism is just another form of corruption, so I am not surprised, but the level of absurdity is breathtaking. The FT did not reveal its source, but stories of impending promotion for Ivanka, a senior adviser to her father, are not without precedent. Donald Trump has the power to nominate candidates to the World Bank position and has routinely considered his daughter and her husband, Jared Kushner, as possible and actual candidates for all sorts of jobs for which they would not traditionally be thought qualified. Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party leader says border security is primary issue for Armenians "I Have the Honor" bloc's candidate for Armenia PM and Serzh Sargsyan hold campaign meetings in Kotayk Province "Armenia" bloc holding campaign meeting in Gyumri (LIVE) Azerbaijan resumes trial against Armenian POWs, Erdogan visits Karabakhs Shushi, June 16 digest "Armenia" bloc member: Law-enforcement bodies not taking action in response to acting PM's call for violence Armenia deputy police chief says hammer that Pashinyan uses during campaign meetings is not a cold weapon Putin-Biden narrow-format talks end in Geneva One dollar falls below AMD 515 in Armenia European Union agrees on additional sanctions against Belarus Armenia village murder solved 6 months later Government employees in Armenia's Vayk attending acting PM's campaign meeting during working hours Resident of Armenia's Khoznavar village moves to Jermuk after not being able to raise cattle in grazing field Police summon opposition Prosperous Armenia Party's MP candidate, launch criminal case Armenia 2nd President: Government must take care of basic needs of all citizens Bright Armenia Party leader says they are 3rd in big cities Armenia prosecutor's office looking into acting PM statement on $1,000 reward for vote-buying videos Armenia 2nd President: There is a need to increase funding for education Armenia Police record 172 cases of electoral violations Armenia Police on acting PM being accompanied by many officers during campaign: Assessment is made in each case Artsakh MFA: Shahumyan region is integral part of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Did Russias Putin offer proposal to end Artsakh war on October 10? Putin-Biden meeting kicks off in Geneva Armenia ruling party promises $1,000 for videos proving vote buying, says acting PM Karabakh opens criminal case on Azerbaijan vandalism of Armenian cemetery of Askeran Aliyev: Minefield maps will give us big advantage Armenia 3rd President Sargsyans nephew is sentenced to 3.5 years in prison Former President Kocharyan: Russia military presence in Armenia should be further modernized Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: State is obligated to take care of issues of those who lost homes in Karvachar Armenia ombudsman: Acting PMs constant display of hammer, figurative comparisons are inadmissible Harvey Weinstein to be extradited to California Trump to arrive in Texas at US-Mexico border European Commission organizes online event Proposal Writing Camp for Armenia Four new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Ex-President Kocharyan: Armenian authorities actions are sabotage or stupidity? Kim Jong-un says North Korea faces tense food situation 124 intellectuals call for supporting "Armenia" bloc in snap parliamentary election 14 Armenian POWs trial begins in Azerbaijan 99 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Two Armenian captives still on trial in Azerbaijan Armenia ombudsman's office hosts OSCE/ODIHR delegation Armenia dissolved parliament sitting not convened again White House announces exact time of Biden-Putin meeting in Geneva Israel carries out airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza Newspaper: How "hijacked" plane is managed to be transported to Armenia? Newspaper: Armenia acting premier instructs provincial governors to sack school principals who support another force Emirates airline posts $5.5bn net loss as coronavirus disrupts travel Newspaper: Armenia is left out of important world developments Germany issues nearly 5 million COVID-19 vaccination certificates Few attend Armenia acting PM's election campaign rally in Kajaran town (PHOTOS) Republican Party of Armenia: We Armenians must be concerned about Turkey appearing on Karabakh's borders Armenia ex-Ambassador to Vatican: Nikol Pashinyan rejected Putin's offer to stop war on October 10, 2020 Robert Kocharyan: Armenia is seeing US on brink of radical review of position on the region Britain, Australia announce free trade deal Armenia 1st President: The whole world considers Karabakh a part of Azerbaijan Armenia 2nd President says he doesn't see himself as a member of the opposition Armenia 1st President: There will be post-election developments, even clashes during elections Switzerland President assesses Russia's role in establishment of ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh Turkey's Erdogan expresses support to "Zangezur corridor" project Armenias Pashinyan makes threat in Kapan Armenia 3rd President on Nikol Pashinyan: The capitulator no longer has majority of votes Mayor of Armenia's Kajaran says acting PM's campaign meeting in Syunik Province was a cheap show His Holiness Karekin II hosts Bishop of Coventry Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker interferes in work of Tert.am's reporter, urges her to leave premises Armenia 2nd President suggests that Pashinyan visit a psychiatric clinic to get document on mental health Catholicos of All Armenians receives representatives of Catholic Near East Welfare Association "I Have the Honor" bloc campaigns in Armenia's Ararat Province, led by Serzh Sargsyan Decision on abolishing registration of Mihran Poghosyan as Armenia Member of Parliament annulled US Ambassador visits Armenia MOD National Defense Research University Putin and Biden to discuss Karabakh, Azerbaijani troops seen near Syunik roads, Jun. 15 digest Karabakh MFA: Erdogan's visit to Shushi is clear manifestation of xenophobia, genocidal and terrorist policy Armenia MFA issues statement regarding Turkish and Azerbaijani Presidents' visit to occupied territories of Artsakh Erdogan challenges Russia in Shushi Robert Kocharyan on return of Armenian POWs ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting PM holds march in Agarak village, surrounded by children There are serious doubts about acting PM's deal with Azerbaijan, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan St. Petersburg court to review verdict against Armenian ex-deputy regional governor One dollar drops below AMD 516 in Armenia 2021 developments point to faster-than-expected economic growth recovery in Armenia, says Central Bank Karabakh Parliament: Erdogan's visit to Shushi poses a new challenge to Armenia, Artsakh, Russia and Iran Deputy mayor of Armenia's Meghri: Police troops are being brought in buses Central Bank: 12-month inflation falls to 5.9% in Armenia Armenia former President Kocharyan: Personal relations are important component of interstate relations Armenia 2nd President doesn't rule out return of ex-PM Karen Karapetyan Armenia opposition bloc: Mine maps are of strategic significance for Azerbaijan Ex-President Kocharyan: Economic integration is beneficial for Armenia, Russia "Armenia" bloc member: If Pashinyan stays in power, Armenian flag will be replaced with Turkish or Azeri flag Bright Armenia Party: We have high chances of winning during elections Aliyev, Erdogan arrive in seized Armenian city of Shushi Armenia ex-deputy regional governor appointed mayor of Spitak Armenia former President Kocharyan on applying to CSTO: Why give air to each other in vain? Armenia 2nd President: Authorities included in their electoral list the director of company suspected of corruption Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on Artsakh war: Was necessary to fight, keep front, not to retreat, hand over everything 2nd President Kocharyan, ex-PM Karapetyan meet at Armenia bloc headquarters (PHOTOS) Armenia MP candidate: "I Have the Honor" bloc promises to work actively for determination of Karabakh's status Armenia former President Kocharyan: Our goal is to win the elections, form independent government Armenia 2nd President: It would have been better if mandate of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh was termless Armenia acting PM's supporters attack reporters Armenia first deputy justice minister pays working visit to Washington Armenia ex-President Kocharyan, former deputy PM Gevorgyan case court session again rescheduled Sniper spotted on rooftop during Armenia acting premiers visit to Goris town Just imagine how Pompeo and Bolton would be lambasting a President Hillary Clinton if she had held a summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, said she had fallen in love with him and refused to call him out for expanding his nuclear and missile arsenals even while pledging to "denuclearize." They would be apoplectic, and rightly so. But because it's their boss appeasing North Korea, they are silent - at least in public. What about in private? That's harder to say, but there is no indication that they are strongly pushing back on the president's fantasies because they know the fate that has befallen previous officials who have tried to do that. Just ask former secretary of state Rex Tillerson and former national security adviser H.R. McMaster. When Pompeo and Bolton have tried to slow Trump's rush into Kim's arms, they have been rudely slapped down. Bolton suggested that North Korea follow the "Libya model" of complete nuclear disarmament before the United States lifted sanctions. Kim reacted strongly, threatening to scupper a summit, and Trump tossed Bolton under the bus, saying, "The Libya model isn't the model that we have at all when we're thinking of North Korea." Although state law specifically prohibits public officials from using taxpayers money for political campaigning, they have been doing exactly that throughout California. Local governments hire consultants to poll voters on what tax and bond measures they would find acceptable, to draft those proposals accordingly and, finally, to run so-called information campaigns to persuade voters to approve them. Its so blatant that firms seeking lucrative contracts openly boast of their successful campaigns, eliminating any doubt that they are truly political operatives. The practice has ballooned because local prosecutors and the state attorney generals office ignore complaints about its illegality. Indeed, local district attorneys often benefit from the higher taxes. Finally, however, we may be seeing some effort to sanitize this very stinky phenomenon that, if left unchecked, will only become more commonplace. Last month, the state Fair Political Practices Commission took a potentially significant action against the Bay Area Rapid Transit District for doing what it and other local governments have been doing. Resource the technical universities to do ... South Africas Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has told Vodacom to just shut up on Twitter, commenting on the Please Call Me matter. The statement came after Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said on Twitter that people must stand by Nkosana Please Call Me Makate against this bully called Vodacom. Makate, who is also known as Kenneth Makate, has been in negotiations with Vodacom for several years over the reasonable compensation he must receive for his part in launching the Please Call Me service on Vodacoms network. The Constitutional Court ruled that Makate must be compensated by Vodacom for his involvement in the invention of the Please Call Me. Makate previously stated that Vodacom must pay him 15c of every rand of revenue that the Please Call Me generated, which could exceed R10 billion. Vodacom reportedly offered Makate R10 million in 2018, which he refused. Following a deadlock in the negotiations, Vodacom said last week that it was paying out reasonable compensation to Makate. Vodacom can confirm that the group CEO [Shameel Joosub] has met with the legal representatives to convey his decision and determination on reasonable compensation, said Vodacom. In line with the Constitutional Court Order, the Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer was directed to determine the amount of reasonable compensation payable to Mr. Kenneth Makate for the idea that led to the development of the Please Call Me product, in the event of Vodacom and Mr. Makates negotiating teams failing to reach agreement on the quantum of such reasonable compensation, said Vodacom. No deal Makate has denied a deal was reached with Vodacom, however, and said: I havent reached any deal with Vodacom, I was dumped with some determination that the deal was done. We are reviewing that and we will be taking it up further, said Makate. Following reports on the matter, Lesufi stated on Twitter than Makate must be protected from Vodacom and that the company must pay him by the end of the month of face the wrath of the nation. How dare you even disrespect court decisions, said Lesufi. Vodacom replied to Lesufi on Twitter and stated that a decision to pay Makate reasonable compensation has been made based on the Constitutional Court order. Claims that Vodacom is disrespecting decisions of courts is false and ill-informed, said Vodacom. Ndabeni-Abrahams then replied to Vodacoms tweet, telling it to just shut up. Do the right thing, talk to Makate instead of this poor PR stunt, she said. Dont talk to us until you have reached a settlement with his team. Many Twitter users reacted negatively to the ministers tweet, saying it was unnecessary and was not a how a government minister should conduct themselves. Update The Vodacom shut up tweet is no longer available on Ndabeni-Abrahams twitter account. Huawei Technologies Co. cut loose a sales director arrested in Poland on suspicion of espionage, moving swiftly to distance itself from a case that may crystallize fears the telecoms giant helps Beijing spy on Western governments. Chinas largest technology company fired Wang Weijing, who was responsible for sales to public sector clients, saying the incident has brought Huawei into disrepute, without elaborating. The smartphone maker, which has repeatedly denied charges of espionage itself, took action before judges had time to hear the defendants plea. Huawei, which generates more revenue than Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. combined, has become a target of intensifying scrutiny across Western countries from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand. Several carriers are now shunning its equipment over concerns the products may leave a backdoor for Chinese intelligence agencies. Huaweis rejected all such accusations, saying its products are safe. The Poland arrest could have a very significant impact on Huaweis business as Europe is a key revenue contributor for Huawei, said Brock Silvers, managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, which holds no investment in Huawei. Regardless of how the allegations against Wang are ultimately resolved, it seems likely that Huaweis important European business will suffer in 2019. The arrest comes as Huawei becomes a lightning rod for Americas fears about Chinas economic and technological ascendancy. Polish authorities detained Wang and a former high-ranking official with Polands Internal Security Agency who also worked at mobile carrier Orange Polska SA. Evidence shows both men conducted espionage against the country, Stanislaw Zaryn, a spokesman for Polands secret services chief, said in a statement. Huaweis quick firing of Wang shows the company is trying to distance itself from whatever actions he may have been involved in, according to Adam Ni, a visiting fellow at Strategic & Defence Studies Centre at Australian National University. 2019 will be a year of reckoning for Huawei in the E.U. as E.U. countries become increasingly skeptical of Huaweis operations, said Ni. This Polish case is the latest in a stream of bad news for Huawei for its worldwide operations, particularly relating to its connection with the Chinese intelligence and military. U.S. President Donald Trumps administration has been pushing allies to block Huawei from telecom networks amid a wider dispute over trade with China. When Zaryn tweeted the arrests in English, he included links to the Twitter accounts of the U.S. Department of State, the FBI and CIA. Huawei said on Saturday it had nothing to do with Wangs alleged actions, and that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where it operates. But Warsaw is now considering formally recommending caution toward the company, and potentially excluding Huawei from its information technology market, Polish cyber security chief Karol Okonski told RMF Radio. China is highly concerned, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement within hours of arrest news breaking on Friday. We are asking the related country to deal with the case fairly based on laws and protect the legitimate rights of the people, it said. The arrest is an unexpected twist in a saga that came to a head in December, when finance chief Meng Wanzhou the eldest daughter of Huawei-founder Ren Zhengfei was arrested in Canada at Washingtons behest. She now faces extradition to the U.S. on charges of conspiracy to defraud banks and violate American sanctions on Iran. Her detention shes now living under restrictions in a million-dollar home in Vancouver was regarded back home as an attack on one of Chinas foremost corporate champions. The backlash comes at a critical juncture for a company with ambitions of leading the global rollout of 5G technology. Its recent woes also complicate the trade talks as the worlds two largest economies try to avoid an escalation that would hammer the global economy. Germany is also weighing whether to restrict the role of Huawei in building the countrys telecom infrastructure, which would follow in the footsteps of restrictions in Australia and New Zealand. The head of Britains MI6 said last month the government needs to decide whether to ban the company and Czech President Milos Zeman said China may be preparing to retaliate after authorities there issued a warning about Huawei. He cited investments by Volkswagen AGs Czech unit, Skoda Auto AS, in China as well as a PPF AS pact with Huawei to build a 5G wireless network, as potential targets. Poland, a member of the European Union, counts on the Americans for security. While theres little to suggest a political motive in Wangs arrest, the Warsaw government is a staunch U.S. ally and the country is a prototype of Trump-style nationalism and protectionism. Poland relies on the EU for money, and U.S. troops are stationed on its soil. The European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should find a common approach toward Huawei, Polish Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski said in a radio interview on Saturday. Europe is facing a challenge when it comes to dealing with Huawei and it shows that the continent doesnt have the ability to be autonomous, said Solange Ghernaouti, head of the Swiss Cybersecurity Advisory and Research Group. Europe is either dependent on China or the U.S. Now read: Huawei CFO arrested for violating Iran sanctions 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 Ewers said Medic Emergency Medical Services and Genesis Ambulance Services out of Davenport covered EMS calls with Davenport, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Moline and Iowa City fire departments staffing the stations through Sunday morning. Fire service from Bettendorf and Hiawatha supported the Camanche Fire Department to allow staff to attend services. There were "multiple facets of assistance," Ewers said. Fire service members not only covered shifts, they also helped lay Hosette to rest. Members were also assisting the family of Adam Cain at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. Cain was injured in the explosion that killed Hosette. Muscatine Fire also participated in the honor guard that led the procession during the funeral. It was a group effort, Ewers said of the different departments. Support for the fire department came from others, as well. "The community support has been awesome," he said. People have been sending donations, bringing food to the stations and turning on red lights at their homes in honor of Hosette and the fire service. The flag outside the Muscatine Fire Department has been flying half-staff with red lights shining on the Muscatine Fire Memorial. Gov. Kim Reynolds also ordered state flags to fly half-staff in honor of Hosette. They are still so upset that Trump won the presidency that they refuse to vote for same Trump proposals that they supported before Trump was elected. There are video clips of Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and other Democrats strongly supporting a wall between the US and Mexico. Now, because a wall was part of Trumps platform, they refuse to fund one. They now say a wall is immoral! They also claim that experts say that a wall is ineffective. Not once do they say who these experts are. And yet, according to Quebec University expert Elisabeth Vallet, 65 countries have erected fences on their borders. Would they all do so if they thought these walls would be ineffective? Nancy Pelosi currently wants to include $20 billion in the budget for foreign aid but wont support $5 billion to fund a wall to help protect our country from illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and MS13 gang members! Their stand is strictly a political decision designed to stop Trump from continuing to be successful. Five billion dollars is less than one tenth of one percent of the budget. So its obviously not the amount of money affecting their decision. It is purely political. The Democrats have to stonewall Trump and keep him from being successful because they have no concrete plans of their own to govern our country. Some of the progressive plans that the Democrats put forward include free college, a basic free wage for every citizen, free health care etc. To pay for all of this free stuff, they plan on raising taxes. As we all know, you can give away free stuff to some people only until you run out of other peoples money! We can only hope that common sense prevails over pure politics so that we can get this country back on track economically and socially! I read with alarm the absurd proposal by State Senate President Scott Sales to send $8M of my money, and that of fellow Montanan's to our incompetent president for an unjustifiable border wall. Yet Mr. Sales could not find enough funding in the last legislature for Montana's needs in health care, infrastructure and schools. These are real needs, not the trumped up peril of a border crisis. Trump claims his wall would stop drug trafficking across the border. Government statistics show that much of the heroin in the country arrives through ports of call, not the border. Statistics also show that there is less violent crime by undocumented immigrants than by the general population. Indeed, illegal border crossings have been decreasing over the last ten years. I think it made for a better campaign because we werent at the top level like the Tester-Rosendale race, he said. Neither Rex nor I were buying negative attack ads against each other. No one was slinging mud or anything and that made it much more possible to have a civil discussion about the office. The lower profile of the race and the clerk job is not something that bothers Greenwood. The clerks office works directly with the court, processing cases and releasing opinions, with the clerk sitting in on oral arguments. I ran for this job because it really is a public service position, he said. Youre not issuing press releases every day like the governor or a senator and nobody is expecting you to make headlines. You just do your work and hopefully when youre done the people in the state are better for it. Greenwood, acknowledging the challenge of learning a new job, says he feels fortunate that much of the staff hired under Smith has agreed to stay on under his administration. Job No. 1 is to make sure this office keeps doing the great work theyre doing, he said. (The staffers) are skilled, experienced people who are doing a great job, and helping them keep doing that is the first priority. Theres Bernadette Leuis, a longtime member of the NAIA who says the current board of directors are running amuck. Theres Alta Boggs, who says the community always gets shut down by the board when members seek answers for their concerns. The result, these critics say, is declining programming at the NAIA as well as declining community involvement. But Dan Gardipee, who has served as the boards chair since 2017, says board members are doing the best we can. Gardipee notes that he and his fellow board members are volunteers who have full-time jobs, are in school, and have a range of other obligations. And he points to the difficult work they have to do, for no pay, in their off hours, dealing with federal contracts, navigating Medicare and Medicaid, pursuing grants, organizing events, and seeing through a recent remodel at the NAIA offices, among other duties. And while he notes that the board has heard some concerns, Gardipee also says he invites those with concerns to be part of the solution and seek a seat on the board to rectify what you see is wrong. Some of the boards critics are doing exactly that. Although both Fisk and McCarthy admitted this was their first time organizing a fundraiser for a big project like the Kenyon-Connell disaster memorial, they said they hoped to be closer to the $150,000 price tag by the end of the night. With the funds raised, the historical memorials group plans to at least erect the base and the "fateful call box" portion of the five-piece sculpture this spring, the men said. But while the funding and logistics of the memorial sculpture may be headed by adults, it was Buttes high school students who inspired them to take action. As Sundays sunset started to cast the Highlands in a coral hue, Butte High Schools history club president, Josie Klapan, 17, stood near the "NO MEMORY" disaster tribute pole just up Arizona Avenue from the spaghetti feed. Like the students before Klapan who created this ground zero marker, she said she was in disbelief when she learned there was no memorial for those who died in the 1895 explosions. Butte police are seeking information on the whereabouts of a 14-year-old girl from Butte who apparently ran away Saturday. Police did not issue an Amber Alert on Jamie Brown, who lives in the 1900 block of Thornton Street, because they dont have information that she was abducted or is in immediate danger, Undersheriff George Skuletich said late Monday morning. Brown left a note that her mother found saying she was leaving and heading to Alberta, Canada. Skuletich said police dont know why she wanted to go there. Brown is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. She attends Butte High Career Center alternative school in the former Webster Garfield School located on Front and Montana streets. Tina Brown says she went to work at 6 a.m. Saturday and isnt sure whether her daughter was in the home or not. When Tina Brown got home from work around 3 p.m., she found the note and called police. Skuletich said police have talked with other family members, the girls friends and others. Nobody has heard from her, he said. As of now we dont have any information on her whereabouts. She has not been in contact with her parents since she was reported missing. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. As the new Montana State University Extension agent in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Kimberly Richardson is all about empowering youth. Richardson came on board in July, and she says that championing initiatives geared toward curbing teen bullying and suicide are among her top priorities. Richardson stepped into her new role last summer during a time when the county had been without an agent for several months. The previous agent, Abbie Phillip, left the post to oversee MSUs SNAP-Ed program in Deer Lodge and Silver Bow counties. Richardson grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Salida, Colorado, and hails from a ranching background. She has a masters in animal science specifically in ruminant nutrition and microbiology and previously worked as the director of special education for a school district in Colorado. As an MSU Extension agent, Richardson says her role is to function as an advocate for the county in the realms of agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, 4-H and youth development, and more. Anything that has to do with people and education, Im kind of the lead, said Richardson, describing her position with MSU Extension as faculty out in the field. Montanas many Superfund sites are likewise awaiting remediation while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is shut down. Unfortunately, unlike the shuttered federal agency, the toxic pollutants from those sites continue to seep into surface and groundwater and are blown into the air, exacerbating the problems the EPA was supposed to be solving. To put a more definitive face on Sales ridiculous idea, that $8 million would pay for about 650 students to attend college debt-free for a year. Or it could pay for expanded preschools for our children or used as a match to leverage about $53 million in federal highway funds to rebuild roads and bridges. It could be used to provide health care for our citizens. Or it could go to any of a thousand different pressing needs to keep the fourth-largest state in the union going by taking care of Montana and Montanans. But even though the facts are clear that illegal immigration is at its lowest point in years and most of Trumps claims of drugs and terrorists are pure bunk, Senator Sales thinks we should send the money off to Trump or Texas or wherever he thinks it should go to assuage a petulant presidents hissy fit over building his unneeded and ineffective wall on our southern border. Three people have been accused of using parlor tricks to defraud several Montana banks of more than $10,000, according to federal court filings. Radu "Tarzan" Anghel, 29, is scheduled to enter pleas on Tuesday to 13 counts in an indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Missoula. Federal prosecutors allege Anghel and his two co-defendants used "sleight-of-hand techniques and other distracting tactics" at six banks in Montana, including banks in Helena, Boulder, Three Forks and Bozeman, to defraud the banks of approximately $10,060 on June 20, 2017. Anghel is the last of the three to be indicted on such charges. Gavril Pidone Muntean has pleaded guilty to five related counts in federal court; court filings in Muntean's case show more than $34,000 defrauded from banks. Nicolae Muntean, the third co-defendant, pleaded not guilty to the 13 counts in March 2018. Federal court records show a Romanian interpreter was needed during the hearings. Anghel's court filings also indicate an interpreter will be needed for his proceedings. He was arrested on a warrant in Maryland in November, and is currently being held at the Missoula County Detention Center. The charges against the three named in court filings include conspiracy, bank fraud and false statements to a federally insured bank. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 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. If we had the checklist that they used at Warm Springs, we might have known, Kimmo Virtaneva said. He was like the poster child for schizophrenia. Mika was also a young man whose smile could light up the room. His creativity was sought after by students in Hamiltons MAPS Media Institute. He served on the board of directors for Literacy Bitterroot and the teen-based Community Cooking Connections. Last January, he suffered his first psychotic breakdown at his parents home, which started his downward spiral. The Virtanevas had never seen anything like it. We thought he was having a seizure, Monica Virtaneva said. He was shaking. He was not making sense when he was speaking. He didnt know who we were. He didnt know who he was. The couple tried to get him into their car so they could take him to the hospital. When his mother attempted to take hold of one of his arms, Mika punched her. From there, the couple pushed him outside. It was cold out there, she said. We thought maybe the cold air would wake him up. He used a shovel from outside to break the window and then threw himself through the glass. He cut himself on way back inside. A family just moved out into the community and is in need of household items. Items needed include three dressers, rugs, a washer and dryer, wall decor, a clock, a kitchen mixer, kitchen chairs, a dinner room table, lamps, a toothbrush, Q-tips, a book shelf, storage totes, a shoe holder and a mirror. If you can help, call Brittany, community center manager, Mountain Home Montana, 406-360-3929. *** A single working father is trying to transition into a home from homelessness and needs assistance finding beds for his daughters. Any assistance would be appreciated. Call Hannah at 258-4957. *** A disabled male, on a fixed income, is struggling to meet basic needs. He is seeking someone to donate a small pick up truck so that he can haul scrap metal and do outside yard work and snow shoveling for extra income. If anyone in the Missoula area is able to help this individual, please contact Corinne at 406-203-9948; or email clynn@sunburstfoundation.org. *** Miami attorney and one-time congressional candidate Mary Barzee Flores was tapped by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Monday to serve as the Departments Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Affairs. Barzee Flores, a gun control advocate and critic of the National Rifle Association, will oversee the consumer services aspects of the Department, including the concealed weapons permitting and licensing program. Im honored to join an administration focused on protecting consumer rights and the interests, safety, and security of all Floridians, Barzee Flores said in a statement Monday. Grea Bevis, the current Director of the Division of Licensing, resigned effective January 11. A 2013 lawsuit from a former supervisor in former Commissioner Adam Putnam's department alleged Bevis and another supervisor told her she "worked for the NRA" and pointed to "gross misconduct. The lawsuit came about after a Tampa Bay Times report found that Putnam's office revoked 291 concealed weapons permits from people who should have been disqualified after an employee failed to review the results of a national background check for more than a year. Marys extensive experience with consumer protection issues, as both an attorney and a judge, make her a perfect fit as we strengthen our Departments consumer services and protect Florida taxpayers, Fried said Monday. Barzee Flores grew up in Little Havana, attended Miami-Dade schools and graduated from Coral Gables High School. She went on to study music at the University of Miami, where a mentor convinced her to pursue a law degree. She attended law school at UM, and then went on to work as an attorney in private practice. Shortly after, she joined the federal Office of the Public Defender in Miami, where she served for 12 years. In 2002, Barzee Flores ran for an open seat for circuit court judge and won after her opponent dropped out to run for the House. In 2011 she left the bench for private practice with Miami law firm Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff and Sitterson. In 2016, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to be a district court judge in the Southern District of Florida, but Sen. Marco Rubio blocked the nomination, accusing her of not disclosing support from the ACLU and Emilys List, an abortion rights group. This past election cycle, Flores ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Rubio ally U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart in congressional district 25, which includes most of northwestern Miami-Dade and extends across the Everglades. In her campaign, Barzee Flores said among other things that she was 100 percent committed to taking on the NRA. She supports universal background checks and the reinstatement of the federal assault weapons ban. Her stance on gun control drew donations and volunteers from groups like Moms Demand Action, a gun-control advocacy group formed in 2012 after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. @doug_hanks Juan Zapata, a former Miami-Dade commissioner who abruptly dropped his reelection bid in 2016, says he plans to run for county mayor in 2020. The former state lawmaker said he's planning to run a campaign based on the need to make county government more innovative and efficient. During his four years on the commission representing part of Miami-Dade's western suburbs, he was a top critic of the administration of Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who is barred by term-limit rules from running again in 2020. "Honestly, I'm running for mayor because I believe people who live here deserve better from their county government," Zapata said Monday. Zapata, a Republican, became the first Colombian-American elected to the commission when he won the District 11 seat vacated by Joe Martinez to run for mayor in 2012. Martinez lost to Gimenez in 2012. When Martinez opted to challenge Zapata in 2016 for this old seat, Zapata eventually withdrew from the race so late that his name still appeared on the ballot. Martinez won the election, becoming Zapata's successor and predecessor for the Kendall-area seat. Zapata blamed his withdrawal on frustration with county government. While commissioner, Zapata cast himself as a reformer, urging Miami-Dade to pursue private-sector deals, modernize technology and expand scrutiny on finances and procurement. He pushed rebranding the West Kendall area into the "West End," renaming county buildings and commissioning a marketing strategy that sought to characterize the area a bucolic neighborhood far removed from the congestion of the Miami area. Some residents resisted the idea, and Martinez reversed the initiative after taking office. Martinez also scrapped Zapata's effort to create a new city in West Kendall. In 2015, Zapata also returned about $30,000 in tuition money that Miami-Dade was going to cover as he pursued a masters in public administration at Harvard University. The county's ethics commission later concluded Zapata broke no rules in using district funds to pay for the tuition. @davidjneal @alextdaugherty U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Broward County Democrat and the longest-serving member of Congress from Florida, announced Monday afternoon that he has pancreatic cancer and is undergoing treatment in Washington at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Hastings, 82, said he feels optimistic about his prognosis. I was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and in the midst of this traumatizing news, I found myself wondering not only if I would survive this disease, but also if it would impact my ability to perform my duties, Hastings said in a statement. Now that I have begun treatment, I feel hopeful about survival and about my ability to continue serving my constituents of Floridas 20th Congressional district and the nation. The recent diagnosis hasnt affected his attendance in Congress. Hastings has showed up for every recorded vote since the new Congress began on January 3rd. In an interview with the Miami Herald on Friday, Hastings, known for his colorful criticism of President Donald Trump, blasted the presidents handling of the ongoing government shutdown. He also talked with Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney about bringing climate change experts to testify in Washington before Floridas congressional delegation. Do the visual of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands losing their hospitals, do the visual of a whole town obliterated in fire and now hes going to come and say because a handful of people are trying to come to this country thats a national emergency? Hastings said when asked about Trump reportedly considering disaster relief funds to build a border wall. Come on. Hastings was elected to Congress in 1993, the first elected African-American congressman from Florida since reconstruction. He represents a left-leaning majority-minority district that includes Miramar, Fort Lauderdale and parts of West Palm Beach. Hastings was a federal judge from 1979 through 1989, losing his seat after being impeached for bribery and perjury by the House of Representatives and convicted by the U.S. Senate. He easily won reelection in 2018 after defeating a little-known primary challenger and a write-in candidate. More here. (HealthDay)People who develop type 2 diabetes before they turn 40 are twice as likely to be hospitalized for mental illness as those who develop the blood sugar disease after 40, a new study shows. About 37 percent of all hospitalization days in the under 40 group were due to mental illness, the researchers noted. Mood and psychotic disorders were the most common conditions. Mood disorders includes depression, bipolar depression and self-harm. Psychotic disorders include delusions, hallucinations and schizophrenia, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Not surprisingly, physical conditions also landed this group in the hospital more often. The study showed rates of kidney disease that were nearly seven times higher in younger people with type 2 diabetes. The risk of hospitalization for heart disease or stroke was twice as high, and the risk of hospitalization from infection was nearly doubled in the young-onset group. The study authors suspect there are a number of reasons why the younger group with type 2 diabetes is more at risk of hospitalizations for mental and physical ills. "The early onset of disease, long disease duration, poor control of risk factors [in part due to delayed treatment intensification] and suboptimal self-care are some of the factors that contribute to this high risk of hospitalization in youth-onset diabetes," explained study co-author Dr. Juliana Chan. She said the psychological burden that comes with managing diabetes may activate stress hormones, which can worsen control of blood sugar, add to obesity and cause inflammation. Inflammation can affect the central nervous system and may "worsen psychological well-being," Chan said. She's director of the Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Prince of Wales Hospital. Chan said there's a known connection between diabetes and depression. But it's not clear which condition comes first. It's also possible that the conditions contribute to each other. Dr. Joel Zonszein, director of the clinical diabetes center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, said this study is "a wake-up call. What's going on in Hong Kong is what's going to be taking place in this country." Zonszein added that "type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in younger people, and it's more aggressive and harder to treat than in the past. It used to be extremely rare to see diabetes in someone under 65." Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes high blood sugar levels. If untreated, high blood sugar can lead to a number of complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, infections and vision problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two major risk factors for the disease are obesity and not getting enough physical activity. For the new study, Chan and her colleagues looked at health information on more than 400,000 people with type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong. Nearly 21,000 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 40. Just over 200,000 were diagnosed between 40 and 59 years, and just under 200,000 were diagnosed at age 60 or older. The researchers found that someone diagnosed before age 40 could expect to spend nearly 100 days in the hospital by his or her 75th birthday. Good control of modifiable risk factors was associated with a decrease to 65 estimated days in the hospital up to age 75. Modifiable risk factors are things such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure. According to Zonszein, "These are people who are getting very sick from complications of diabetes and mental illness compared to people that get type 2 diabetes when they're older. We need to keep young people healthier." Chan explained that "diabetes is a complex disease and it is not just about medications and medical follow-up. Diabetes imposes a lot of demands on a person who needs to be educated, empowered and engaged in order to change their lifestyle and learn how to cope with the disease." She added that health care providers, governments, insurers and society need to work together to help "support these individuals to make the management of this lifelong condition more user-friendly, affordable and sustainable." The report was published online Jan. 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Explore further High HbA1c after T1DM diagnosis predicts psychiatric comorbidity Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. By Ritah Kemigisa Youth legislators have welcomed the latest move by government to move the Youth Livelihood fund from the management of the gender ministry to statehouse. The shakeup follows the auditor generals report that showed an existence of ghost beneficiaries under the program where shs Shs527 million untraceable. The Northern Region Youth MP Oscar Omony tells kfm that the gender ministry has mismanaged the funds and that they have made no impact. Omony is hopeful that with statehouse more youth will be able to get a share of this money an opportunity he argues many have missed out while it was under the gender ministry. He however asks the state to consult the youth leaders to know which groups are better organized to receive the money. Some civil society activities have however expressed fear that the fund attached to the programme could be politicized and thus make it difficult for MPS to demand for accountability Demyelination by MS. The CD68 colored tissue shows several macrophages in the area of the lesion. Original scale 1:100. Credit: Marvin 101/Wikipedia Leiden chemists discovered a new mechanism which might explain how multiple sclerosis shifts to a more severe form. Their findings contribute to unraveling the mysterious course of the disease. They have published their findings in the journal Biochemistry. MS and a virus In their publication in Biochemistry, Can Araman and Sander van Kasteren from the Leiden Institute of Chemistry and Bert 't Hart from the Biomedical Primate Research Centre came one step closer to revealing the mysterious disease mechanisms of severe progressive MS. In their research, they delved into the fact that the risk of getting MS is highly associated with infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Almost 95 percent of the world population carries this virus, opposed to a percentage of 100 percent in MS patients. All MS patients thus carry EBV. Progressive MS More than 2 million people worldwide are suffering from multiple sclerosis, in short MS. This multifaceted disease affects the immune system and damages the cells of the central nervous system. MS is divided into different types and progressive states of the disease. The most common form is the relapsing-remitting type. People with this type of MS experience periods of relapse in which new symptoms appear, alternated by periods of recovery. The other types of MS are all progressive and more severe. In the progressive types, symptoms worsen over time, with or without periods of relapse and recovery. The shift to progressive MS is not yet fully understood. While adequate treatment for the most common type of MS exist, only limited treatment possibilities are available for the more severe types, due to its enigmatic disease mechanism. MS affects the so-called myelin oligodendrocye protein (MOG). Araman explains that normally, this protein is part of a shield that is wrapped around the cells of the central nervous system. It protects them from getting damaged by external stimuli, both physical and chemical. "What has been previously known is, in the case of MS, MOG is degraded and this so-called shield is damaged," he tells. "The nerve cells are therefore less protected." Because of its altered shape, cells of the immune system no longer recognize the degraded shield as part of the own body. They see components of the degraded shield as a treat. Hence, MOG is taken up by the cells of the immune system, subsequently causing an immune reaction and leading to the known immunity-driven disease pattern in MS. In addition to this already known mechanism, Araman and his colleagues now discovered a second mechanism in which MOG plays a part. It might explain how MOG contributes to the onset of progressive MS. The researchers found that EBV infection modifies the protein in such a way that it forms highly-structured and insoluble assemblies of MOG, that form so-called amyloid plaques (see frame). "These plaques are of toxic nature and also appear in other diseases affecting the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease and Morbus Parkison, formed by distinct proteins," Araman tells. "They kill the cells in which they were produced." But that's not all. This aggregated version of the protein becomes non-antigenic meaning it is not recognized by the immune system anymore. It therefore silences the immune response to these harmful portions of MOG. Shift explained? The findings show that progressive MS not only has properties of an autoimmune disease, but also is a so-called amyloidopathy, a disease in which amyloid plaques are formed, that affects the central nervous system. Up to now, there were only clinical symptoms to differentiate between progressive MS and the other forms of the disease. "We showed that a protein that is first attacked by the immune system in MS, becomes non-antigenic and kills the cells in which it is produced upon aberrant modification," Araman explains. "This might be the mechanism that explains the shift to progressive MS." This new knowledge might contribute to new methods of treatment. "In the future we might be able inhibit the neurodegeneration in progressive MS, by selectively targeting this harmful modification and the enzymes that catalyse the subsequent reaction." Amyloids are aggregates of proteins that become folded into a shape that allows many copies of that protein to stick together, forming fibrils. In the human body, amyloids have been linked to the development of various diseases. Pathogenic amyloids form when previously healthy proteins lose their normal physiological functions and form fibrous deposits in plaques around cells which can disrupt the healthy function of tissues and organs. Explore further A molecular key for delaying the progression of multiple sclerosis is found In order to prevent pregnancy poisoning, pregnant women must undergo regular medical check-ups. Credit: Colourbox Researchers at ETH Zurich have used trials with mice to shed light on signalling pathways that lead to thickened and less elastic blood vessels. They have developed a treatment approach for pregnant women with previously untreatable preeclampsia. One in 20 women around the world suffers from preeclampsia during pregnancy. It causes a rise in blood pressure and the kidneys cease to function. Preeclampsia is one of the most common causes of death during pregnancy for both the mother and the unborn child. There is currently no treatment. The only method doctors have to prevent eclampsia a life-threatening epileptic seizure is early delivery. "As long as the symptoms of the mother and foetus allow it, we can wait before initiating the birth," says Ursula Quitterer, professor of Molecular Pharmacology at ETH Zurich. Together with scientists from Switzerland and the US and the head doctor of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Cairo University, she has now published the results in the journal Cell; these point the way toward the first possible drug treatment for preeclampsia. Blood vessels lose their elasticity At the centre of the investigations are interlocked or aggregated receptors, known as heterodimers. They respond not only to hormonal impulses, but also to mechanical stimuli, triggering signal cascades inside the blood vessel cells that can derail due to feedback loops and alter the appearance and behaviour of the cells fundamentally. Healthy vessels contract when needed (contractile), but vascular cells swell during preeclampsia and the blood vessels lose their elasticity. This is due to the strong pressure in the abdomen during the last trimester of pregnancy, which leads to over-stimulation of the receptor heterodimers, as noted by Quitterer and her colleagues. The researchers genetically engineered mice to accumulate the two receptors responsible for sensing the mechanical stimulus in their blood vessel cells. After 18 of 20 days of gestation, the mice developed the same symptoms as those seen in women with preeclampsia: increased blood pressure and protein in their urine. Onset of preeclampsia delaid Conversely, the researchers were able to delay the onset of preeclampsia by reducing the receptor heterodimers. They treated the mice with amlodipine, an old (and no longer patented) antihypertensive drug, which blocks a calcium channel, thus disrupting the signal cascade triggered by the receptor heterodimers. The treatment ensured that the vessel cells did not swell and that the walls of the blood vessels remained elastic. Quitterer and her colleagues encountered the interlocked receptors not only in their genetically modified mice, but also in placental tissue samples from women suffering from preeclampsia. To test whether the receptor heterodimers play as crucial a role in humans as in mice, the head doctor at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Cairo University working with the researchers treated four pregnant women with incipient preeclampsia with amlodipine and four with nifedipine. The latter is chemically related to amlodipine and is also a calcium channel blocker. Results are clinically relevant Although both treatments lowered blood pressure, amlodipine prolonged the pregnancy significantly. Compared with the group treated with nifedipine, the women in the amlodipine group were able deliver four days later on average. For Quitterer, these results are clinically relevant because "every day that the foetus has left to develop in the mother's womb counts when it comes to premature births". Quitterer has been researching receptor heterodimers for 20 years. "At the beginning, nobody wanted to believe that aggregated receptors exist," she says. Her latest findings put an end to this discussion but they also initiate the next one. Now "major clinical trials can investigate whether amlodipine in conjunction with aspirin could delay the onset of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies", the researchers state as the conclusion to their paper. Explore further ACOG updates guidelines for gestational HTN, preeclampsia More information: Ursula Quitterer et al. Beta-Arrestin1 Prevents Preeclampsia by Downregulation of Mechanosensitive AT1-B2 Receptor Heteromers, Cell (2018). Journal information: Cell Ursula Quitterer et al. Beta-Arrestin1 Prevents Preeclampsia by Downregulation of Mechanosensitive AT1-B2 Receptor Heteromers,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.10.050 Credit: University of Nottingham A new report has revealed that patients in the north of the country are being prescribed almost four times more opioids to relieve pain than those in the south. The research by the University of Nottingham's School of Pharmacy and the University of Manchester is the first national study to examine the regional variations in opioid prescribing and how this links with socioeconomic status. The findings, published in the International Journal of Drug Policy,show a significant variation in prescription opioids from northern and eastern England compared to southern England, which mirrors general health inequalities between those from deprived and affluent areas. The research also shows how smoking, obesity and depression are all associated with more prescribing of opioid drugs. North-South divide Data was analysed from Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) of 7856 GP practices across four primary urban areas Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and London. GP practices in the north and east were found to be prescribing up to four times more opiod medicines than the south. GPs in NHS Blackpool CCG and NHS St Helens CCG prescribe the highest levels of opioids in England. Five areas in North East England and four areas in the North West are in the top ten highest prescribers. The highest number of opioids given on a single day was found across Manchester, which equated to approximately 10% of the registrants in that area. The lowest number was in London. Researchers found a direct link between opoid use and socioeconomic status, finding that more opioids being prescribed in poorer areas were, in particular areas with higher rates of obesity and smoking and an ageing population. Potent medicines with modest benefits Dr. Roger Knaggs from the University of Nottingham is a leading UK expert on opioid use and was involved in the study. He says: "Opioids are some of the most potent medicines for pain relief available at present, however they do not work for all types of pain or for everybody. Whilst they often are of help for pain following injury or an operation, and for pain at the end of life, there are only modest benefits for many types of chronic pain, such as back pain, arthritis and nerve (neuropathic) pain." The results from our study confirm the substantial variation in opioid prescribing throughout the UK from two other studies published earlier in 2018. We need to understand more about why opioids are prescribed more commonly in areas of greater deprivation and to ensure there is collaboration between different parts of the healthcare system to provide appropriate services and support are available for people who are prescribed opioids." Opioids contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. They reduce the sending of pain messages to the brain and reduce feelings of pain. Commonly prescribed opiods in the UK include: codeine, tramadol, fentanyl, morphine, buprenorphine and fentanyl. Prescription opioids are used mostly to treat moderate to severe pain, though some opioids can be used to treat cough and diarrhoea. Opioids can also make people feel very relaxed and "highwhich is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive, and overdoses and death are common. Joined-up system Dr. Li-Chia Chen from the University of Manchester who carried out the research while at Nottingham said: "There's no guarantee that long term use of analgesia can resolve chronic pain. Indeed the risk of opiod side-effects such as dependency, respiratory depression and immunosuppression may sometimes outweigh the potential benefits. We feel there needs to be more of a joined-up system of pain management and feel an interdisciplinary team approach is sorely needed. One answer could be to give pharmacists more of a role in pain management and in our view are an underused resource." Co-author Dr. Teng-Chou Chen, from The University of Manchester said: "This study shows that your socioeconomic status has a strong association with opiate prescribing for pain. "We don't yet know why this is, but if for example you are a manual worker, which is more likely in socially deprived areas, then you're more likely to have musculoskeletal problems and therefore need opiates. "Smoking and depression are also more prevalent in poorer areas, but whatever the causes, it's clear that people living in more deprived areas are at more risk of overdose and it is helpful for clinicians to be aware of this." Dr. Chen is also studying opiate prescribing internationally and will be publishing his results next year. The highest 10 areas for GP opiate prescribing are: NHS Blackpool CCG (North West) NHS St Helens CCG (North West) NHS Lincolnshire East CCG (East Midlands) NHS Knowsley CCG (North West) NHS Barnsley CCG (Yorkshire and the Humber) NHS Corby CCG (East Midlands) NHS Halton CCG (North West) NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCG (East Anglia) NHS Doncaster CCG (Yorkshire and the Humber) NHS South Tees CCG (North East) Explore further GPs prescribe more opioids for pain in poor Northern areas, study reveals (HealthDay)When children are having suicidal thoughts, their parents may often be in the dark, a new study shows. The study included more than 5,000 kids, aged 11 to 17, and one parent for each child. Researchers found that among the children, 8 percent said they had contemplated suicide at some time. But only half of their parents were aware of it. The same gap showed up when researchers looked at the issue from a different angle: Around 8 percent of parents said their child had ever thought about suicide. Almost half the time, the child denied it, according to findings published online Jan. 14 in Pediatrics. It all points to a "pretty substantial disagreement" between parents' and kids' reports, said study leader Jason Jones, a research scientist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In cases where parents are unaware of their child's struggles, one reason may simply be that the signs were not obvious, according to Jones. "It's often difficult to know what's going on in someone else's mind," he said. That's not to say there are no warning signs of suicide risk, Jones pointed out. Some of those red flags include withdrawal from friends, family and activities; sleeping too much or too little; irritable or aggressive behavior; and giving away possessions, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Still, it can be tough for parents to discern when their own kids are having suicidal thoughts, a San Francisco emergency doctor agreed. And even when signs are there, parents' minds may resist the possibility, according to Dr. Jacqueline Grupp-Phelan, head of pediatric emergency at the University of California, San Francisco's Benioff Children's Hospital. "Sometimes they don't want to acknowledge the problem because it's so scary," she said. That's why it's important to screen kids for depression and suicide risk, and direct families to help, according to Grupp-Phelan, who co-authored an editorial published with the study. Depression is a major risk factor for suicideand up to 20 percent of teenagers suffer depression at some point, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Earlier this year, the AAP issued updated guidelines urging pediatricians to routinely screen adolescents aged 12 and older for depression, using standard questionnaires during annual checkups. To identify those who are at risk of suicide, screening needs to ask specifically about it, Grupp-Phelan said. Not all depressed kids think about suicide, and those who are suicidal do not always have depression, she pointed out. The new findings are based on 5,137 kids from Philadelphia. They and their parents were asked the same questionsdelving into whether they (or their child) had ever thought about suicide, or had ever "thought a lot about death or dying." Thinking about death does not necessarily mean a child is suicidal, Jones said. But it can signal distress or depression. Overall, about 9 percent of girls and 7 percent of boys said they'd contemplated suicide. Only half of parents were aware of it, the findings showed. Meanwhile, just over 15 percent of both boys and girls said they'd thought about death often. Parents were unaware about three-quarters of the time, according to the report. Then there were the cases where parents believed their kids had contemplated suicide, but the child denied it. A few things could be going on, Jones said. The child may be in denial. Or parents may have misread something in their child's behavior. In some cases, parents and kids may have interpreted the survey questions differently. Both Jones and Grupp-Phelan stressed the importance of open communication between parents and kids. "Have a safe and supportive home environment where your kids know they can come forward with any problems they're having," Jones said. And Grupp-Phelan suggested, "Ask your kids about how they're feeling. Make sure they know that you're there for them, no matter what." If parents are concerned about mental health issues, she said, talking to their pediatrician is a good place to start. There are also 24-hour helplines, she note, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org). More information: Jason Jones, Ph.D., research scientist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Jacqueline Grupp-Phelan, M.D., M.P.H., professor, chief and vice president, pediatric emergency medicine, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital; Jan. 14, 2019, Pediatrics, online Jason Jones, Ph.D., research scientist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Jacqueline Grupp-Phelan, M.D., M.P.H., professor, chief and vice president, pediatric emergency medicine, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital; Jan. 14, 2019,, online The National Alliance on Mental Illness has more on suicide prevention. Journal information: Pediatrics Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Rather than learning one model of the world, the Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence proposes that every part of the neocortex learns complete models of objects and concepts. Long range connections in the neocortex allow the models to work together to create your perception of the world. Credit: Numenta, Inc. Scientists at Numenta propose a major new theory about how the human brain works. While neuroscientists have amassed an enormous amount of detailed factual knowledge about the brain, there remains no unifying theory as to what intelligence is and how the brain produces it. In their paper, "A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex," Numenta researchers describe a broad framework for understanding what the neocortex does and how it works. The paper appears in the journal Frontiers in Neural Circuits. The key insight described in the paper relates to a type of neuron called grid cells. Grid cells exist in an older part of the brain that learns maps of environments. As you move, grid cells keep track of the location of your body relative to these maps. Numenta researchers deduced that grid cells also must exist throughout the neocortex. These "cortical grid cells" track the locations of your sensors as they move relative to the objects in the world. The authors propose that cortical grid cells allow the neocortex to learn models of objects similar to how the older part of the brain learns maps of environments. The paper proposes how we learn the structure and behavior of objects based on locations and location spaces defined by cortical grid cells. Numenta co-founder and lead author of the paper Jeff Hawkins commented, "The neocortex is composed of a repeating circuit that creates our perceptions, language, and high-level thoughts. We have identified a key piece of this circuit that had been missed, which led to a cascade of discoveries including a new interpretation of how the neocortex works and a new framework for all forms of intelligent thought." Among discoveries highlighted, the paper also predicts the presence of a new type of neuron called "displacement cells," which partner with cortical grid cells to represent the positions of objects relative to each other. Displacement cells allow the neocortex to learn new objects as compositions of previously learned objects, an important form of generalization. Co-author Subutai Ahmad elaborated, "Our new theory suggests the brain works differently than commonly believed. Instead of learning one big model of the world, the neocortex learns thousands of models that operate in parallel. We call this the 'Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence'." "Hawkins consistently concentrates on the big picture: the theoretical frameworks that might explain how the whole system functions. His secret power is to understand the data on the ground while adopting a 30,000 foot viewand this is what allows the possibility of surmounting incrementalism to make real advances in neuroscience," said David Eagleman, Neuroscientist, adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, and Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Neosensory, Inc. "Numenta's previous research on learning temporal sequences provided new insights into the role of dendrites, neurons and prediction. Their latest paper offers a novel unifying framework for understanding how the entire brain works," said Weinan Sun, a neuroscientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus. "It will impact the field of neuroscience as well as artificial intelligence." Implications for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Numenta's new framework for how the brain creates intelligence could offer a roadmap for the future of AI. Many leading AI researchers have concluded that deep learning networks have severe limitations and that new approaches will be needed. Numenta's brain theory differs sharply from today's AI techniques. Numenta's belief is that the Thousand Brains Theory, which incorporates the ability to represent compositional structure, learn through movement, and integrate knowledge across sensory modalities, will prove to be the ultimate framework for artificial general intelligence and robotics. Explore further New theory of how the brain transforms sensations into mental objects More information: Jeff Hawkins et al, A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex, Frontiers in Neural Circuits (2019). Jeff Hawkins et al, A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex,(2019). DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2018.00121 Numenta also has written a companion piece designed to explain the framework in plain language, making it accessible to non-neuroscientists. Links to these and other resources can be found on Numenta's website https://numenta.com. Journal information: Frontiers in Neural Circuits Provided by Numenta Emily Zale is an assistant professor of psychology at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Credit: Binghamton University, State University of New York Pain and substance use interact in a vicious cycle that can ultimately worsen and maintain both chronic pain and addiction, according to a research team including faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Binghamton University Assistant Professor of Psychology Emily Zale, along with Joseph Ditre and Lisa LaRowe of Syracuse University, looked at results from over 100 studies on pain and substance use. The team then integrated these two lines of empirical inquiry into a reciprocal model in which pain and substance abuse interact in the manner of a positive feedback loop, resulting in greater pain and the maintenance of addiction. "Research studies usually examine either how substance use affects pain or how pain affects substance use. Our reciprocal model puts these two different types of research together to understand how pain and substance use affect each other," said Zale. "On one hand, substance use can be a risk factor for chronic pain and may worsen pain over time. On the other hand, experiencing pain can motivate people to use substances and might make it harder to quit. We propose that the two conditions interact in the manner of a positive feedback loop, which means that they can increase each other over time. Another way to think about this relationship is as a vicious cycle: substance use can worsen pain, pain can motivate escalations in substance use or make it harder to quit, and these repeated cycles can result in more severe pain and worsening addiction." Zale said that clinicians who treat substance use disorders should assess their patients for chronic pain, and consider addressing pain during their treatment. "We have evidence that pain may get worse when people go into withdrawal; clinicians treating addiction should be prepared to help their patients manage pain during withdrawal," said Zale. "We also know that people use substances beyond opioids to self-medicate or cope with pain. Clinicians trying to help their patients quit smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or using cannabis should help their patients replace substance use with healthy strategies to cope with pain." Zale and her collaborators are pursuing multiple avenues of research, including studies to better understand the reasons that pain and substance use get caught in a vicious cycle, and studies to develop treatments that can help break the cycle. She has established the Substance Use, Pain, and Health Research Lab, and is collaborating with other Binghamton researchers to better understand the development of pain and substance use in adolescents and young adults. "When people think of pain and substance use, it's common for opioids to come to mind," said Zale. "While the opioid crisis has rightfully garnered considerable attention, our research suggests that non-opioid substances, like nicotine/tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis, are also very important to consider in relation to pain. Nicotine/tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis are the most commonly used substances in the US, and research into associations between pain and these non-opioid substances is continuing to increase in popularity." Explore further Depression and obesity linked to greater likelihood of hip pain More information: Joseph W. Ditre et al, A Reciprocal Model of Pain and Substance Use: Transdiagnostic Considerations, Clinical Implications, and Future Directions, Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (2018). Joseph W. Ditre et al, A Reciprocal Model of Pain and Substance Use: Transdiagnostic Considerations, Clinical Implications, and Future Directions,(2018). DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095440 Regents' Professor Mark Prausnitz holds an experimental microneedle contraceptive skin patch. Designed to be self-administered by women for long-acting contraception, the patch could provide a new family planning option. Credit: Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech A new long-acting contraceptive designed to be self-administered by women may provide a new family planning option, particularly in developing nations where access to healthcare can be limited, a recent study suggests. The contraceptive would be delivered using microneedle skin patch technology originally developed for the painless administration of vaccines. Long-acting contraceptives now available provide the highest level of effectiveness, but usually require a healthcare professional to inject a drug or implant a device. Short-acting techniques, on the other hand, require frequent compliance by users and therefore are often not as effective. In animal testing, an experimental microneedle contraceptive patch provided a therapeutic level of contraceptive hormone for more than a month with a single application to the skin. When the patch is applied for several seconds, the microscopic needles break off and remain under the surface of the skin, where biodegradable polymers slowly release the contraceptive drug levonorgestrel over time. Originally designed for use in areas of the world with limited access to health care, the microneedle contraceptive could potentially provide a new family planning alternative to a broader population. The research was reported January 14 in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering and was supported by Family Health International (FHI 360), funded under a contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "There is a lot of interest in providing more options for long-acting contraceptives," said Mark Prausnitz, a Regents' Professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the paper's corresponding author. "Our goal is for women to be able to self-administer long-acting contraceptives with the microneedle patch that would be applied to the skin for five seconds just once a month." Long-acting contraceptives are now available in formats such as patches that must be worn continuously, intrauterine devices (IUDs) that must be placed by trained healthcare professionals, and drugs injected with hypodermic needles. If the microneedle contraceptive patch is ultimately approved for use, it could become the first self-administered, long-acting contraceptive that does not involve a conventional needle injection. Like other long-acting contraceptive techniques, the microneedle contraceptive patch would disrupt the menstrual cycles of women using it. Regents Professor Mark Prausnitz and Postdoctoral Research Scholar Wei Li examine an experimental microneedle contraceptive skin patch. Designed to be self-administered by women for long-acting contraception, the patch could provide a new family planning option. Credit: Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech)\ Because the tiny needles must remain in the skin for the time-release of the hormone, researchers led by Georgia Tech postdoctoral research scholar Wei Li developed a mechanical technique that would allow the drug-containing microneedles to break free from the patch's backing material. To accomplish that, the researchers molded tiny air bubbles into the top of the microneedles, creating a structural weakness. The resulting microneedles are strong enough to be pressed into the skin, but when the patch is then shifted to one side, the shear force breaks off the tiny structures in the skin. The patch backing can then be discarded. Experimental patches designed to deliver a sufficient amount of the hormone for humans have been developed, but not yet tested, noted Prausnitz, who holds the J. Erskine Love, Jr. Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech. Researchers are also studying whether a single patch could carry enough hormone to provide contraception for as long as six months. "The microneedle patch delivery platform being developed by Dr. Prausnitz and his colleagues for contraception is an exciting advancement in women's health," said Gregory S. Kopf, director of R&D Contraceptive Technology Innovation at FHI 360. "This self-administered long-acting contraceptive will afford women discreet and convenient control over their fertility, leading to a positive impact on public health by reducing both unwanted and unintended pregnancies." The microneedles are molded from a blend of a biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(lactic acid), commonly used in resorbable sutures, said Steven Schwendeman, the Ara Paul Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan and a collaborator on this project. Lactic and glycolic acids are present naturally in the body, contributing to the biocompatibility of the polymer material, he said. "We select polymer materials to meet specific design objectives such as microneedle strength, biocompatibility, biodegradation and drug release time, and formulation stability," Schwendeman explained. "Our team then processes the polymer into microneedles by dissolving the polymer and drug in an organic solvent, molding the shape, and then drying off the solvent to create the microneedles. The polymer matrix when formed in this way can slowly and safely release contraceptive hormone for weeks or months when placed in the body." Testing with rats evaluated only the blood levels of the hormone and did not attempt to determine whether it could prevent pregnancy. "The goal was to show that we could enable the concentration of the levonorgestrel to stay above levels that are known to cause contraception in humans," Prausnitz explained. This image shows how an experimental microneedle contraceptive skin patch coould be applied to the skin. Designed to be self-administered by women for long-acting contraception, the patch could provide a new family planning option. Credit: Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech In developing the experimental contraceptive microneedle patch, the researchers leveraged earlier work on dissolving microneedle patches designed to carry vaccines into the body. A Phase I clinical trial of influenza vaccination using rapidly dissolving microneedles has been conducted in collaboration with Emory University. That study suggested that the microneedle patches could be safely used to administer the vaccine. Because the microneedles are so small, they enter only the upper layers of the skin and were not perceived as painful by study participants. "We do not yet know how the contraceptive microneedle patches would work in humans," Prausnitz said. "Because we are using a well-established contraceptive hormone, we are optimistic that the patch will be an effective contraceptive. We also expect that possible skin irritation at the site of patch application will be minimal, but these expectations need to be verified in clinical trials." The contraceptive patches tested on the animals contained 100 microneedles. To deliver an adequate dose of levonorgestrel to a human will require a larger patch, which has been fabricated, but not yet tested. The researchers would like to develop a patch that could be applied once every six months. "There is a lot of interest in minimizing the number of healthcare interventions that are needed," Prausnitz said. "Therefore, a contraceptive patch lasting more than one month is desirable, particularly in countries where women have limited access to healthcare. But because microneedles are, by definition small, there are limits to how much drug can be incorporated into a microneedle patch." Though the mass-production costs have not been determined, Prausnitz expects the contraceptive patches will be inexpensive enough for use in developing countries. Explore further New microneedle contraceptive patch could empower the world's poorest women More information: Wei Li, et al., "Rapidly separable microneedle patch for the sustained release of a contraceptive," Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2019. Journal information: Nature Biomedical Engineering Wei Li, et al., "Rapidly separable microneedle patch for the sustained release of a contraceptive,", 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0337-4 A chest radiograph of a patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0 Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal condition that leaves lung tissue permanently scarred and leads to the decline and eventual failure of the respiratory system. For those diagnosed with the disease, treatment options are limited and the prognosis is poor. But a new study published January 14, 2019, in the journal Nature Immunology breathes new life into our understanding of IPF. Combining cutting-edge single-cell sequencing with novel computational techniques, UC San Francisco researchers identified a new type of immune cell that infiltrates lung tissue and initiates fibrosis. Furthermore, they were able to prevent fibrosis in mouse models of the disease by targeting these cells for destruction, a discovery that may lead to new treatments for this terminal illness. Nearly Half of All Deaths Involve Some Form of Fibrosis Fibrosis, which affects many organs besides the lungs, is essentially wound healing run amok. The disease occurs when specialized cells called fibroblasts create excess scar tissue, sometimes in response to an injury, but often for no discernible reason"idiopathic," in medical parlance. Fibrotic tissue isn't intrinsically harmful, and it's essential for proper wound healing. In skin, it forms the scars that halt bleeding in response to a cut. In the lungs, it's thought to provide a scaffold for lung tissue to regenerate after a respiratory injury. But in some patients, scar tissue can accumulate excessively, or at the wrong place or time, with devastating results. "Fibrosis in some form contributes to 45 percent of deaths in the developed world," said Mallar Bhattacharya, MD, assistant professor of medicine and senior author of the new study. "The most familiar form is probably liver cirrhosis, but fibrosis appears in many contextslung, kidney, heart and even in cancer, where fibroblasts and the scars they produce can literally form a protective shield of collagen around a tumor, preventing immunotherapies from working." Lung fibrosis starts with shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, breathing becomes increasingly labored until the lungs eventually fail. Once diagnosed, the prognosis is grimmedian survival is only three years. "People generally don't worry about getting IPF. But when you get the diagnosis, it changes your life forever. You become a professional IPF patient just trying to cope with debilitating symptoms. There's no known cause, and the only cure is a lung transplant," Bhattacharya said. Single-Cell Sequencing Implicates New Immune Cell in Fibrosis Though IPF's root cause remains a mystery, scientists have long thought that immune cells called macrophages might be involved. They just didn't know which ones. That's because "macrophage" is a category that comprises a startling array of diversity, in much the same way "fruit" encompasses cultivars as varied as apples, grapes and cucumbers. Until recently, distinguishing the many cell types that constitute the macrophage category was akin to identifying every fruit that went into an exceedingly elaborate smoothie. Single-cell sequencing changed that. "Single-cell sequencing is relatively new technology that's changing the face of biology," said UCSF's Dvir Aran, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in computational biology and co-lead author of the new study. "Every day we see new papers that use the technique to identify new cell types and new cell dynamics that have important implications for many diseases." But gleaning deep biological insights from single-cell sequencing isn't trivial. Analyzing and interpreting the data requires tremendous computational firepower. SingleRa new computational tool developed by Aran to analyze single-cell dataprovided the necessary framework to make sense of the mounds of data emerging from Bhattacharya's lab. "SingleR works by connecting new single-cell data with existing data that was collected over many years using older methods. The data sets that were already available helped us characterize a new cell type that wasn't identified before," Aran said. Scientists already knew of at least two kinds of lung macrophage. Alveolar macrophages arise during embryonic development and are responsible for removing debris and microorganisms from the lungs. Interstitial macrophages originate in white blood cells from the bone marrow and are involved in inflammatory responses. In mouse models of fibrosismodels in which the disease is caused by administering the cancer drug bleomycinSingleR was able to identify a third, previously unrecognized lung macrophage that exists in a transitional state straddling the boundary between interstitial and alveolar. "This cell state wasn't recognized before, but it seemed to be very specific to the disease. These cells infiltrate the lung in a state similar to baseline interstitial macrophages, but then they start to lose their original identity and become alveolar. That transitional state is where they become pro-fibrotic," explained Aran. Depleting Newly Discovered Immune Cell Prevents Fibrosis To confirm the SingleR results from the bleomycin lung fibrosis model, the researchers performed an array of experiments that reinforced and expanded upon the findings from their computational efforts. "Amazingly, our in vivo experiments in mice showed that this newly-discovered transitional state is the only macrophage subset that is found in the fibrotic scar," said Aran. "We observed similar results when we profiled tissue samples obtained from people suffering from lung fibrosis." Not only did these experiments confirm that the transitional macrophages were the culprit, they also helped explain how these cells were able to coax fibroblasts into forming the scar tissue that defines the disease. The researchers found that these transitional immune cells were producing a protein called Pdgfaa molecular signal that gets secreted from the cells and attaches to Pdgfa receptors that happen to be present on the surface of scar-forming fibroblasts. This macrophage-to-fibroblast communique instructs the fibroblasts to proliferate, producing fibrotic scars. But this finding also suggests that removing Pgdfa-producing macrophages may prevent fibrosis, a hypothesis that the researchers tested in another mouse model. The researchers generated genetically engineered mice that were outfitted with a controllable "kill switch" that selectively destroyed transitional macrophages. When the kill switch remained off, bleomycin-treated mice exhibited severe fibrosis. But when the switch was triggered after bleomycin was administered, the transitional macrophages vanished and the mice remained fibrosis-free. These results confirmed that the transitional macrophages first identified by SingleR were responsible for fibrosis, and that depleting them was sufficient to prevent fibrosis. "Our results suggest a potential strategy for combating fibrosis: targeting these transitional macrophages that localize to the fibrotic niche," said Bhattacharya. "We also demonstrate a newer way of doing biology that combines the expertise of scientists with different backgrounds. We start at the bench, use computational know-how to parse our data, and we then test our prediction back at bench to come to an understanding of a disease using new methods that are likely generalizable to other fibrosing diseases." Explore further Mitophagy in macrophages is a key step toward pulmonary fibrosis More information: Reference-based analysis of lung single-cell sequencing reveals a transitional profibrotic macrophage, Nature Immunology (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41590-018-0276-y Journal information: Nature Immunology Reference-based analysis of lung single-cell sequencing reveals a transitional profibrotic macrophage,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0276-y Confocal microscopy image of the locus coeruleus region of the mouse brain displaying noradrenergic neurons in red and GABAergic neurons in cyan. A noradrenergic neuron recorded in the study is highlighted in white. Credit: Breton-Provencher, et. al. The big day has come: You are taking your road test to get your driver's license. As you start your mom's car with a stern-faced evaluator in the passenger seat, you know you'll need to be alert but not so excited that you make mistakes. Even if you are simultaneously sleep-deprived and full of nervous energy, you need your brain to moderate your level of arousal so that you do your best. A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory might help to explain how the brain strikes that balance. "Human beings perform optimally at an intermediate level of alertness and arousal where they are attending to appropriate stimuli rather than being either anxious or somnolent," said Mriganka Sur, Paul and Lilah E. Newton Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. "But how does this come about?" Postdoc Vincent Breton-Provencher brought this question to the lab and led the study published Jan. 14 in Nature Neuroscience. In a series of experiments in mice, he shows how connections from around the mammalian brain stimulate two key cell types in a region called the locus coeruleus (LC) to moderate arousal in two different ways. A region particularly involved in exerting one means of this calming influence, the prefrontal cortex, is a center of executive function, which suggests there may indeed be a circuit for the brain to attempt conscious control of arousal. "We know, and a mouse knows, too, that to counter anxiety or excessive arousal one needs a higher level cognitive input," said Sur, the study's senior author. By explaining more about how the brain keeps arousal in check, Sur said, the study therefore might also provide insight into the neural mechanisms contributing to anxiety or chronic stress, in which arousal appears insufficiently controlled. It might also provide greater mechanistic understanding of why cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients manage anxiety, Sur added. GABA vs. noradrenaline Crucial character in the story are neurons that release the neurotransmitter GABA, which has an inhibitory effect on the activity of receiving neurons. Before this study, Breton-Provencher and Sur said, no one had ever studied the location and function of these neurons in the LC, which neurons connect to them, and how they might inhibit arousal. But because Breton-Provencher came to the Sur lab curious about how arousal is managed, he was destined to learn much about LC-GABA neurons. One of the first things he observed was that LC-GABA neurons were located within the LC in close proximity to neurons that release noradrenaline (NA), which stimulates arousal. He was also able to show that the LC-GABA neurons connect to the LC-NA neurons. This suggested that GABA may inhibit NA release. Breton-Provencher tested this directly by making a series of measurements in mice. Watching the LC work under a two-photon microscope, he observed, as expected, that LC-NA neuron activity precedes arousal, which was indicated by the pupil size of the mice (the more excited the mouse, the wider the pupil). He was even able to take direct control of this by engineering LC-NA cells to be controlled with pulses of lighta technique called optogenetics. He also took over LC-GABA neurons this way and observed that if he cranked those up, then he could suppress arousal (and therefore pupil size). The next question was which cells in which regions of the brain provide input to these LC cells. Using neural circuit tracing techniques, Breton-Provencher saw that cells in nearly 50 regions connected into the LC cells, and most of them connected to both the LC-NA and the LC-GABA neurons. But there were variations in the extent of overlap that turned out to be crucial. Two kinds of control Breton-Provencher continued his work by exposing mice to arousal-inducing beeps of sound, while he watched activity among the cells in the LC. Making detailed measurements of the correlation between neural activity and arousal, he was able to see that the LC is actually home to two different kinds of inhibitory control. One type came about from those inputsfor instance from sensory processing circuitsthat simultaneously connected into LC-GABA and LC-NA neurons. In that case, optogenetically inducing LC-GABA activity would moderate the mouse's pupil dilation response to the loudness of the stimulating beep. The other type came about from inputs -notably including from the prefrontal cortexthat only connected into LC-GABA, but not LC-NA neurons. In that case, LC-GABA activity correlated with an overall reduced amount of arousal, independent of how startling the individual beeps were. In other words, input into both LC-NA and LC-GABA neurons by simultaneous connections kept arousal in check during a specific stimulus, while input just to LC-GABA neurons maintained a more general level of calm. In new research, Sur and Breton-Provencher said they are interested in examining the activity of LC-NA cells in other behavioral situations. They are also curious to learn whether early life stress in mouse models affects the development of the LC's arousal control circuitry such that individuals could become at greater risk for chronic stress in adulthood. Explore further Study finds GABA cells help fight alcoholism More information: Vincent Breton-Provencher et al, Active control of arousal by a locus coeruleus GABAergic circuit, Nature Neuroscience (2019). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Vincent Breton-Provencher et al, Active control of arousal by a locus coeruleus GABAergic circuit,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0305-z Credit: CC0 Public Domain African-American women at high risk of breast cancer are less likely than white women to pursue potentially life-saving preventive care, and racial disparities in health care and elsewhere are to blame, new research suggests. "African-American women faced additional burdens at every step along the risk-management journey," researchers from The Ohio State University wrote in a newly published study in the journal Ethnicity & Health. The study included in-depth interviews with 50 women30 white, 20 blackdeemed at high risk of breast cancer based on family history and other factors. They found that high-risk black women were less likely than white women to have genetic testing, take medications to protect them against cancer and to have or consider having their breasts or ovaries removed as a preventive measure, disparities that have been seen in previous studies. For example, 67 percent of white study participants said they or a relevant family member had undergone genetic testing, while just 20 percent of black women reported a history of genetic testing. This study broke new ground as the first to help explain the reasons behind the racial differences. It showed that black women were less aware of their options and at a disadvantage when it came to getting access to information about prevention. Only three of the black women in the study, or 15 percent, had seen a specialist for their breast health. Meanwhile, 70 percent of the white women had consulted with a provider with special training. Lead author Tasleem Padamsee said she expected differences by race. After all, health disparities between blacks and whites are common in various cancers and in other diseases. But this was the first study to look at differences in proactive prevention decision-making, and to drill down beyond those differences in an effort to explain why high-risk black women might make different choices than white women with the same risk. After analyzing the feedback they received from study interviews and comparing it with preventive actions taken (or not taken) by those women, the researchers found that African-American women on the whole experienced differences in three separate "layers of information" that contribute to their decisions about managing cancer risk. Those layers include receiving specific information about preventive care options, including genetic testing and prophylactic treatment; general information about managing breast cancer risk; and basic perceptions of breast cancer risk and prevention. "We wanted to understand what women's experiences are like, how they make choices, and what influences those choices," said Padamsee, an assistant professor of health services management and policy and a member of Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center. Interviews were wide-ranging and revealed trends, such as a higher likelihood that African-American participants were burdened with other health care concerns, both their own and their family members', Padamsee said. These trends could help inform care provided to women in the future, prompting providers to acknowledge and look for ways to clear obstacles to lowering breast-cancer risk for patients. That might mean helping a woman with care for an elderly family member or for her children, assisting with transportation or working to find a way to get her in to see a specialist, she said. "These groups of women are not just making different choices. They're having different experiences," she said. "Preventing cancer and lowering risk of death from cancer requires that all high-risk women receive the information they need." The results of the study reveal the nuances of racial inequalities in healththe ways that structural, social and interpersonal inequalities combine to influence patients' choices. Disparities are deeply rooted in social factors including poverty, education and racism that contribute to health outcomes, Padamsee said, adding that those obstacles aren't insurmountable, but solutions are complex and slow-moving. A more immediate response to these inequities could be a focus on educating health care providers about the importance of providing risk-management information to all patients and referring high-risk women for genetic testing and specialist care. "All health care providers could be educated about the relevance of risk information and risk-management options for African-American women, and the current disparities in provision of this information across race," wrote Padamsee and her co-authors. The disparities seen in this study might be even more profound in the general population, Padamsee said, noting that the women who were part of her research were actively engaged in health care and willing and able to participate in research. Explore further Loved one's death could spur aggressive measures against breast cancer More information: Tasleem J. Padamsee et al, Layers of information: interacting constraints on breast cancer risk-management by high-risk African American women, Ethnicity & Health (2018). Tasleem J. Padamsee et al, Layers of information: interacting constraints on breast cancer risk-management by high-risk African American women,(2018). DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2018.1562053 By Ritah Kemigisa The speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has told off a minister who attacked her in her office and warned her to stop talking about the alleged army brutality on fishermen L. Victoria. The UPDF soldiers were on the spot last year for torturing fishermen on Lake Victoria and other fishing communities over illegal fishing. However President Yoweri Museveni while in Nakasongola district defended the army saying their operations on the lake were yielding fruit for the short period they had intervened. Speaking at the ecumenical prayers held at parliament today, Kadaga said the minister whose identity she did not disclose told her that exposing the atrocity committed by the army was only destroying their image and that of government. Now Kadaga said will not stop talking about the army and any other government agency that tortures Ugandans unless they stop doing so. It is from this that she vowed to continue speaking out about corruption and exposing the corrupt leaders. Kadaga also said she will not protect anyone who is corrupt just because they belong to a particular party. January 11, 2019 16:13 A case of death from swine flu has been recorded in Armenia, Artavazd Vanyan, director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters on Friday. According to him, 693 people are being treated for the flu in hospitals, while a year earlier their number reached 658. He also noted that children's hospitals are working in an intensive way due to the flu. Vanyan informed that H1N1 virus is mainly spread in Armenia. A total of 1,251 people appealed to medical centers, he said adding that medical institutions of the country are provided with all necessary medicines. According to him, there is no need to close schools and kindergartens in Armenia amid the flu as schools are closely monitored, and children with the slightest signs of indisposition are not allowed to attend classes. Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter Senate Democratic leader Michelle Stennett was quoted as saying of the Little speech, I did a happy dance. Because really, much of what he said is something that as Democrats we have been talking about and trying to pass for 10 years at least as long as Ive been here. ... Education, the highlights of his speech, are things that we have been working very hard toward. That suggests this speech marked a clear change in direction from the last gubernatorial dozen years (at least). Maybe that will materialize, but the speech provided little evidence. I asked one veteran observer of these speeches what differences he saw; he cited a higher visibility for the first lady and representatives of the states Indian tribes, and no real Washington-bashing. But that was about all. Brain injury support College of Southern Idaho Traumatic Brain Injury Group meeting, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the CSI Taylor Building room 276, 315 Falls Ave., Twin Falls. The group is hosted by Michael Howell and meets on the third Thursday of the month. Individuals of all injury levels are welcome to attend. Free. Information: Amy Barker at CSI, 208-732-6800. Grief support GriefShare series will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Feb. 14, at Lighthouse Church, 960 Eastland Drive. Anyone who has lost a loved one or a friend is welcome to attend any session. Enter through the east doors at the rear of the main building. For information, contact the church at 208-737-4667. Rides for treatment The American Cancer Societys Road to Recovery program provides free transportation to and from treatments for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive. There are several volunteer drivers in the Mini-Cassia area who donate their time and the use of their car so patients can go to their treatments. TWIN FALLS Two government agencies this week will consider whether to allow trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds to travel on more roads within Twin Falls. Glanbia Nutritionals has asked the state to approve its request to drive heavier trucks on U.S. 93/Blue Lakes Boulevard North and Pole Line Road. The full length of the requested route extends from Washington Street North along Pole Line Road, then onto Blue Lakes Boulevard North, across the I.B. Perrine Bridge and north along U.S. 93 to Idaho 25 east of Jerome. The route request was modified from an original version, which would have taken Glanbia trucks through town via Shoshone Street and Blue Lakes Boulevard. The city opposed allowing heavier trucks along that route, and the company changed its request. Basically, what the Council would like all trucks to do is to use Washington Street, as opposed to Blue Lakes Boulevard, to whatever extent possible, City Engineer Jackie Fields said. This week, an Idaho Transportation Department subcommittee will make its recommendations on the proposal. And, the City Council will have a public hearing on whether to allow Glanbia and other companies to get permits to drive trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds along Washington Street North and Washington Street/Sixth Avenue West. Hodges, a Cassia County judge, said it is unfortunate that many resources are only available through the judicial system. Board member Kim Bedke said the group needs to work on establishing aftercare for suicide survivors and their families. We want a support group, Bedke said. Because we know from the experts that death by suicide is different from any other kind of death. Chuck Driscoll, who heads the support committee and sits on the board, asked for funds to purchase 10 care baskets that will be given to families after a suicide. Donations are needed for the baskets, which will include a blanket or robe, teddy bears for children in the family and other care items. Information on how to find counselors or support groups will be included. We want to fill it with things people need when they are hurting and need comfort, Driscoll said. The group members who are sent out to visit families will guide them to counselors or services where they can find professional mental health care. Driscoll said they will work with funeral homes to get the names of families who may benefit from the service and the families will give consent to release their names to the organization. Trump supporters do deserve our sympathies. Though many disavow his behavior yet remain committed to a conservative Supreme Court, theyre stuck defying logic and defending the untenable. The man they must pretend to love seems to loathe them. Evidence is abundant and clear in his coldhearted shutdown. And weve seen that Trump will throw anyone under the bus to get his way. He hires and fires with all the wisdom of, well, a reality-TV host. He pits countries and allies against one another with the impulsiveness of a binge shopper watching QVC at midnight. Meanwhile, facts rarely furrow the presidents brow. Fact: The number of illegal immigrants from Mexico has decreased over the past decade by 1.5 million, says the Pew Research Center. Fact: The number of illegal immigrants entering the United States via Canada, nearly half of them Mexican, has increased by 142 percent since 2017, according to CBS News. For about $300, Mexican citizens can fly to Toronto or Montreal without need of a visa and then relatively easily sashay into the United States. Would Trump shut down the government for a northern wall? Each year, students from around the country gather at the national MASN conference held at different locations. This past fall it was in Boston, but Middleton students werent able to go. Next fall, the Middleton-Cross Plains School District will host it. We are really excited to plan it and control what happens that weekend - to get to be in charge of the topics we talk about, said Coleman, who has not been to a national conference before. Toward the end of the national conference, the students come up with an action plan to take back to their schools. The mentoring effort by Middleton students was one of many pieces of multi-year action plans developed in the past, said Percy Brown, director of equity and student achievement for the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. LEAGUE also informally came out of the national conference, he said. Right now students do mentoring during their lunch hour, but Brown hopes the mentoring effort can be developed into a class for which students could receive credit. For high school kids to give up their lunch hour, thats something in and of itself, he said. Madison police reported a robbery on the city's Far East Side Sunday evening. A 49-year-old man returning to his apartment in the 2300 block of Columbus Lane around 9:10 p.m. said a gunman pointed a handgun at him in the apartment complex's parking lot. "Give me all your stuff!" the gunman told the victim, who handed over his wallet and cell phone. The suspect fled to a nearby car and sped away into the night. Police describe the suspect as a black man in his 30s wearing a black jacket and black pants. 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. 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 With police responding to a spate of car thefts by teens, Madison Police chief Mike Koval complained in an Oct. 16 blog post that Dane Countys juvenile justice system wasnt doing enough to protect victims of juvenile crime and hold child offenders accountable. Its hard to evaluate Kovals complaints because juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public. But the sentencing last month of a 17-year-old Madison boy at least provides a window into what kind of punishment a teenager can expect in adult court for stealing vehicles. As part of a plea deal approved Dec. 20, Ramogi Carr was sentenced to six months in jail with work-release privileges and four years of probation, and ordered to pay $7,095.36 in fines and other costs. He has to report to jail Feb. 18, at which time the sheriffs office can decide to keep him in jail at night or release him to his home with an electronic monitoring bracelet. As part of his plea agreement, he is under a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and must be going to school, work or both. Thomas Godwin said that when he canceled his satellite TV service, he didnt just do what he was supposed to do, he documented that he did it which can be just as important. Godwin, 80, of Madison, said he canceled DirecTV television service and parent company AT&Ts phone and Internet services, paid the termination fee and sent back all of their equipment but the satellite dish, which the companies didnt want, on Oct. 6. I am now receiving a monthly bill and harassing telephone calls stating I owe Direct TV $47.48 for non-returned equipment, he wrote SOS on Dec. 20. I keep telling Direct TV that I returned all equipment marked ATT or Direct TV but they do not believe me. They have threatened me with collection agency companies calling on their behalf. He didnt know the specific names of all the items he sent back, which is why he said it would have been helpful to have some kind of check-off list of the items AT&T/DirecTV asks subscribers to return. Having his own restaurant has been something Noel Quintana has wanted for a long time. The only thing standing in his way was his wife. "I always wanted to open a restaurant, but she said no. She said no. She said no. She said no," Quintana said, noting that she finally had a change of heart. "I was like, 'Okay, we've got to do this.' I wanted to do it and she said, 'Okay, I support you now.' " She is Ofelia Garcia Anchondo, 43, who grew up working in the restaurant her parents owned in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for 12 years. Quintana, also 43, is from Mexico City. He came to Madison in 1993, with Garcia Anchondo arriving just before him. The two met at Garcia Anchondo's sister's house in Madison 26 years ago. The restaurant they are opening is called Senor Machetes. It's planned for 121 E. Main St., where Francisco's Cantina was for the past seven years. The spot, just off the Capitol Square, was briefly home to a second location of Market Square's Mexican restaurant La Mestiza. The new restaurant is indirectly named for the weapon and tool that its signature offering -- a large quesadilla -- looks like. The Michigan-based HopCat, with a 3-year-old Madison location, changed the name of its signature "crack fries" to "cosmik fries," the restaurant chain announced Monday when it updated its menus. The company announced last month it was retiring the name, saying drug addiction is nothing to joke about. The inspiration for the new name comes from HopCat founder Mark Sellers love of Frank Zappa, the company said in a news release. In his song, Cosmik Debris, the musician references the oil of Aphrodite and the dust of the great wazoo. "Weve yet to incorporate these ingredients into our seasoning, but you never know what the future holds," said the release, noting the recipe for the beer-battered, peppery fries remains the same. The old name wasn't representative of how the company wants to be seen, Chris Knape, another HopCat owner, said last month. "We decided to change the name because crack addiction has had a devastating impact on a lot of communities, including places where we do business, including Madison," he said. "A drug addiction in general is not something that is really worth joking about." The Madison Youth Arts Center planned for Madisons Near East Side has tapped one of the citys best-known arts philanthropists for much of its funding. Longtime youth arts supporter Pleasant Rowland has pledged a gift of $20 million to help construct the 65,000-square-foot building, slated for groundbreaking in April at the corner of Ingersoll and Mifflin streets. I think any philanthropist looks to see how many people its dollars will impact, Rowland said in a phone interview. I cant think of a gift I could give that would impact more than this, in the arts and for young people. I think there will be a whole generation generations to come that will feed the arts in the community. Another $5 million has been raised from major donors so far for the project, which has an expected price tag of about $35 million, said Allen Ebert, executive director of Childrens Theater of Madison, or CTM. CTM and Madison Youth Choirs, both nonprofits with a longtime presence on the local youth arts scene, will anchor the center, designed as a place where school-aged youth can engage in the performing arts. Labor unions still play a vital role in the electoral processes of Madison and Wisconsin. When they examine candidates, unions consider issues that political and media elites often ignore, and they do so with an expertise that extends from the circumstances of men and women working in their professions. Often, the processes by which unions make endorsements are internal affairs. But one of Madisons most important unions has been working to open things up, and thats beneficial not only for union members but for the community as a whole. Madison Teachers Inc., the union that includes teachers and many other Madison Metropolitan School District employees, has contacted the 10 candidates seeking seats on the School Board in the Feb. 19 primary and April 2 general election with a 30-question survey on everything from labor rights and compensation issues to teacher recruitment, charter and voucher schools, and achievement gaps. MTI Executive Director Doug Keillor told the Wisconsin State Journal that the answers will be posted on the unions website (www.madisonteachers.org/elections-spring-2019/) and those answers will be a valuable resource in a year that features spirited multicandidate contests for three seats on the board. Clearly, the inactivity and/or promotion of destructive policies by many of our elected leaders is subjecting us to enormous economic and environmental risk. President Trump is determined, despite dire scientific warnings, to pursue an aggressive policy of encouraging increased emissions from smoke stacks and tailpipes. Its as if a physician learned that a patient had lung cancer, and prescribed an increase in cigarette use. The declared mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that Americans have clean air, land, and water, [and to ensure that] national efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information. Over the last two years, the EPAs mission has been completely subverted by presidential appointments. EPA leadership during the Trump years has adopted a pro-pollution agenda. Leading this horrific campaign was former EPA Director Scott Pruitt, who described himself on his Oklahoma governmental website as a leading advocate against the EPAs activist agenda. Prior to being EPA director, Pruitt filed multiple lawsuits attacking the EPAs work. The slain animals are put on display, a winner determined and prizes rewarded. Randolph, who is a frequent critic of the DNR for concentrating on hunting and trapping and doing little to protect animals, insists that something needs to be done about this cruelty. So do many other folks, some of whom have written letters to the editor since the column appeared. Another animal advocate, Tom Saler, is also appalled by the contests and last week wrote an op/ed that was also widely read on captimes.com. He notes that tournament organizers sell the competitions as recreational fun and as a way to control the population of predators like coyotes. But, he adds, there's no evidence that the killing spares farmers' livestock, as some assert about the contests. It may seem to Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly that having been gerrymandered into the minority, it is impossible to soon become the majority. But the impossible in politics is often the inevitable. How so? Two ways. First is the history of elections that changed the partisan landscape regardless of past voting behavior. Districts may remain the same but voters change. This is often abetted by hubris the party in power thinking and acting as if it will always be in power. Consider the politicians sitting in the safe gerrymandered district: "politico gerrymandus." A puffed up, rooster-like specimen. Evolution has passed them by. They are now capons and are eating kernels of corn that have fermented they are tipsy. Crowing not just at sunrise but all the live-long day. Like Chanticleer, the rooster in "Canterbury Tales," these politicians start to trust the fox that flatters them. "Why campaign?" asks the fox. "You are safe. You are loved. You speak the truth." They don't hear the the fox's soliloquy to their voters: "His truth is blather. Kick him out of the barnyard." Then the fox waits for the next election. The Best Little Floorhouse in Texas Your choice for flooring in Central Texas! Your flooring is more than just the surface you walk on it's an integral part of your home. With over 35 years of flooring experience, The Best Little Floorhouse in Texas has the resources and knowled A set of laws passed by the Republican Legislature during a lame-duck session last month gave lawmakers greater influence over WEDC and gave the WEDC board, not the governor, the authority to appoint the agency's CEO. Evers' power to appoint a CEO will be restored in September 2019. Evers has since told reporters he will not make moves to eliminate the agency in his first budget. "It hampers my ability to lead on economic development, so were going to need to work around it," Evers said of the lame-duck law in a recent interview. "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." Evers said the creation of the new committee "a great first step towards ensuring that entrepreneurs and Main Street businesses benefit from economic development funding. 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. There are nine candidates running for three seats on the Madison School Board this spring. But unlike seats on the City Council, which are determined by geographic districts throughout the city, candidates for School Board can run for any of the seven seats as long as they live in the Madison School Districts attendance area. Having at-large, numbered seats on the Madison School Board means that certain areas of the city can be overrepresented on the policymaking body. Of the current School Board members, for example, no current School Board members live in the Memorial or La Follette high schools attendance areas. Of the nine candidates running for School Board in the coming months, only one candidate Ananda Mirilli lives in the La Follette attendance area. The other candidates either live in the Memorial, East or West attendance areas. In a district as large as Madison, not being able to have necessarily equitable representation, but at the same time having assigned seats that dont have any implications, makes it more confusing, said Mirilli, who is running for Seat 5. Mirilli said that as she launched her campaign for School Board last month, the most common question she got from people while collecting nomination signatures was whether the person was eligible to vote or nominate for Seat 5, despite all seats being district-wide. It would make sense to have different seats for different parts of the city, depending on population or neighborhood, or some other determination that would help make that candidate more representative of that community, Mirilli said. Each School Board member has a set of schools assigned to them by the School Board president. Why are all of the Madison School Board seats at-large? The answer lies in state law. Tucked into a section of state statutes about how school boards and districts are organized is a requirement that applies directly to MMSD. The requirement says that unified school districts such as MMSD that encompass a city with a population greater than 150,000 but less than 500,000 shall be elected at large to numbered seats. Madison, whose population is just over 252,000, is the only Wisconsin city the requirement applies to. The state statute was introduced as part of a bill in 1984 under a Democratic Legislature and Gov. Tony Earl. According to state Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, who served as Senate president at the time, he worked with former state Rep. David Clarenbach on an earlier bill that failed to pass both chambers but made its way under the larger 1984 bill Act 484. Nan Brien, who served on the School Board in the 1980s, said Madison had an entirely at-large system before the state statute was put in place. Former School Board member and former state Rep. Rebecca Young spearheaded efforts to get the state statute put in place, according to Brien. There was a sense of, if everyone was in one general race, that it simply would come down to name recognition, Risser said of the previous structure. Under the old at-large structure, if three seats were up for an election, everyone would run against everyone else for those three seats. The top three finishers would be elected. People wanted to facilitate the opportunity for an individual to challenge a candidate based on that candidates position, Brien said of the School Board before the numbered seats were introduced. The idea was that the change in structure would become more policy driven instead of just having people who decided they wanted to be on the School Board just for the heck of it. A 1973 report from the Wisconsin Legislative Council, which was submitted as the Legislature considered having numbered seats for some School Boards around the state, backs Briens assertion. It is believed that it is easier for the voters to judge the relative merits of a few candidates running for the same seat than it is to judge the relative merits of many candidates who are all vying for several vacancies on the board, the report said of numbered seats. It is also believed that this permits candidates to focus on issues more easily than otherwise is feasible." Brien said there seemed to be fewer candidates as a result of the change in state statute, to which she attributed there being a lot of people who want to run for School Board but dont want the confrontational politics of running against someone specifically. That is a real downside of doing it this way. But the plus is that I think, over time, we have had a fuller discussion of the issues facing public education in Madison, Brien said. People had to know their positions and to be able to articulate it. The process of having at-large seats that are also numbered give candidates the chance to decide which specific seat they would like to run for. For example, School Board candidate David Blaska was going to run for Seat 3 on the Madison School Board this cycle. He wrote in his blog last month that he decided to switch to the Seat 4 race because he did not want to run against Kaleem Caire, who planned to run for Seat 3 shortly after Blaskas announcement. Blaska and Caire both live in the Memorial attendance areas, according to addresses listed in their campaign filings. Currently, three of the seven members of the School Board live in the East High School attendance area, while another three live in the West High School attendance area. One member, Mary Burke, lives in a zone optional high school attendance area, which allows students to select and attend one of the four conventional high schools. In a city as large as Madison there are some clear benefits from having school board members elected by specific geographic areas rather than at-large, Burke said in an email. One of those benefits would be more equal representation geographically. The second might be in attracting more consistent interest in running for office since running a city-wide campaign is very challenging. However, Burke said she would need to study the issue further before recommending any change. Will the structure ever change? Since the requirement is listed in state statute, any changes would have to be made by the state Legislature. Theres no indication that members of either the state Senate or Assembly have wanted to take up this issue. Since its in state statutes, theres nothing that I or the board can do about it necessarily, it has to be done by the state, School Board member Nicki Vander Meulen said. Madison could have a combined approach, where some seats are geographically determined and other seats are at-large. Milwaukees School Board, for example, has eight members that are elected in their geographic district, and one member who is chosen at-large. Nobody has asked us to change it recently, as far as I know, Risser said about the state Legislature getting involved. If the School Board came forward with a recommendation for a change, I think we would take it into consideration. Risser said the controversial change in 1984 had good arguments on both sides of the issue. Former School Board member Ed Hughes said he doesnt have a firm view on whether or not at-large, numbered seats are good, but that geographic representation on the School Board changes from year-to-year since the seats are on staggered election cycles. (Lack of geographic representation) is a risk, but I havent perceived it as a problem, former School Board member Ed Hughes said. When I was on the board, I never thought that I was representing primarily the geographic area I came from. I thought I was there to do whats best for the students at all of our schools. The notion of representing all students in the district is shared by several School Board members as a reason to not have geographic districts. Im not in favor of having geographic districts, because I dont think we should pit neighborhoods together, School Board vice president James Howard said. Id be more open to having just at-large seats where the top vote-getters are put on the board. TJ Mertz, who is facing several challengers in his bid for re-election to Seat 5 this spring, said he is really agnostic about (having geographic districts). There are positives about board members having their conception of the work as representing the entire district, that youre not pitting one set of schools against another set of schools I would be open to that discussion. I would go into it leaning to at-large, Mertz said. If people in our community felt really strongly about geographic representation, Id have to consider that. Mertz said he would like to see a discussion about increasing the amount of School Board members to nine. Under state law, School Boards can have either five, seven or nine seats. It allows for more representation and for work to be shared more, among other things, Mertz said, adding that it would also help address quorum issues. Mertz said increasing the size of the board had been identified last spring and summer by Mertz and School Board member Kate Toews as an issue that needed further discussion. Mertz said those discussions havent happened yet. But with the School Board already having more than the minimum amount of members, its unclear how much support there would be for going to the maximum size. I think seven works just fine, Howard said. Regardless of what changes are or arent made to the structure of the School Board, many acknowledge that no system is entirely perfect. I really am not sure that any particular form of organization would solve problems, former School Board member Carol Carstensen said. Rather it might solve one problem but create another problem. The dense and immersive imagery of Prototype will give audiences a good introduction to the possibilities of 3D filmmaking. That screening will also include 3D test images made back in the 1920s. I find it really exhilarating to watch, just a really visceral pleasure, Healy said. There are things in that movie where I dont know what Im looking at. But I know Ive never seen them before and I know I havent seen them in 3D. The 3D screenings are part of an overall upgrade to the UW-Cinematheque, which includes new seats in the Vilas Hall theater and some high-profile guests in the spring. In particular, filmmaker Andrew Bujalski will attend the series from March 28 to March 30 to show several of his early films, including Computer Chess and Mutual Appreciation. Bujalski goes way back with the UW-Cinematheque and the Wisconsin Film Festival, having brought his last three films to the festival, including 2018s Support the Girls, which made many film critics top 10 lists (as well as former President Barack Obamas). Tired but smiling, an 18-year-old Saudi woman who said she feared death if deported back home arrived Saturday in Canada, which offered her asylum in a case that attracted global attention after she mounted a social media campaign. This is Rahaf Alqunun, a very brave new Canadian, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said arm-in-arm with the Saudi woman in Torontos airport. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun smiled broadly as she exited an airport arrival door sporting a Canada zipper hoodie and a U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees hat, capping a dramatic week that saw her flee her family while visiting Kuwait and before flying to Bangkok. Once there, she barricaded herself in an airport hotel to avoid deportation and tweeted about her situation. On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would accept Alqunun as a refugee. Her situation has highlighted the cause of womens rights in Saudi Arabia, where several women fleeing abuse by their families have been caught trying to seek asylum abroad in recent years and returned home. Freeland said Alqunun preferred not to take questions Saturday. She is obviously very tired after a long journey and she preferred to go and get settled, Freeland said. But it was Rahafs choice to come out and say hello to Canadians. She wanted Canadians to see that shes here, that shes well and that shes very happy to be in her new home. After arriving she was off to get winter clothes, said Mario Calla, executive director of COSTI Immigrant Services, which is helping her settle in temporary housing and applying for a health card. Calla said Alqunun has friends in Toronto who she would be meeting up with this weekend. She did comment to me about the cold, Freeland said. It does get warmer, Freeland said she told her. Alqunun flew to Toronto via Seoul, South Korea, according to Thai immigration Police Chief Surachate Hakparn. Alqunun tweeted two pictures from her plane seat one with what appears to be a glass of wine and her passport and another holding her passport while on the plane with the hashtag I did it and the emojis showing a plane, hearts and a wine glass. Canadas decision to grant her asylum could further upset the countrys relations with Saudi Arabia. In August, Saudi Arabia expelled Canadas ambassador to the kingdom and withdrew its own ambassador after Canadas Foreign Ministry tweeted support for womens right activists who had been arrested. The Saudis also sold Canadian investments and ordered their citizens studying in Canada to leave. Freeland avoided an answer when asked what Alqununs case would mean to Saudi-Canadian relations. There was no immediate Saudi government reaction, nor any mention of her arrival in state media. But a Saudi government-sanctioned body, the National Society for Human Rights, said it deplores the methods used by some foreign officials and organizations to incite some young Saudi females to disobey their families and leave the country. In a statement late Saturday, the groups director, Muftal al-Qahtani, slammed alleged political motives of some countries and said attempts to encourage these women to disobey their families leaves some vulnerable to abuse and trafficking, and harms families. Al-Qahtani insisted women facing abuse in the kingdom can turn to Saudi authorities and local organizations for assistance. Freeland said that the U.N. refugee agency found Alqunun was in danger in Thailand and that Canadas government is glad it was able to act quickly to offer her refuge. Alqununs father arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday, but his daughter refused to meet with him. Several other countries, including Australia, had been in talks with the U.N.s refugee agency to accept Alqunun, Surachate said. She chose Canada. Its her personal decision, he said. Australian media reported that UNHCR had withdrawn its referral for Alqunun to be resettled in Australia because Canberra was taking too long to decide on her asylum. When referring cases with specific vulnerabilities who need immediate resettlement, we attach great importance to the speed at which countries consider and process cases, a UNHCR spokesperson in Bangkok told The Associated Press in an email reply on condition of anonymity because the person wasnt authorized to discuss the case publicly. Why did Rahaf go to Canada instead of her preferred choice of Australia where she had friends? Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth said in a tweet. Because she needed safety from her Saudi pursuers fast, and Canada expedited her case while Australia slow-walked it. Canadas ambassador saw her off at the airport, where Alqunun thanked everyone for helping her. She plans to start learning more English, though she already speaks it more than passably. Alqunun was stopped Jan. 5 at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport by immigration police who denied her entry and seized her passport. She barricaded herself in an airport hotel room where her social media campaign got enough public and diplomatic support that Thai officials admitted her temporarily under the protection of U.N. officials, who granted her refugee status Wednesday. Surachate said her father whose name has not been released denied physically abusing Alqunun or trying to force her into an arranged marriage, which were among the reasons she gave for her flight. He said Alqununs father wanted his daughter back but respected her decision. He has 10 children. He said the daughter might feel neglected sometimes, Surachate said. UNHCR spokeswoman Lauren La Rose said the fact she was processed so quickly is a credit to those that made it happen. This is someone who was clearly in harms way, who clearly felt her life with her threatened, and my colleagues in concert with governments in Thailand and Canada recognized that need, she said. Rob Gillies, Toronto, AP Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen appointed a close political ally as premier during a Cabinet reshuffle Friday following the ruling partys heavy election losses and growing pressure from rival China. Su Tseng-chang took charge of the Cabinet amid tense relations with Beijing, which threatens to use force to take control of the island it claims as its own. China responded to Tsais 2016 victory by cutting all contacts with her government and has ratcheted up economic and diplomatic pressure on the self-governing democracy. The opposition Nationalist Party, which favors closer ties with Beijing, won 15 of 22 major seats in the Nov. 24 local elections, including in the ruling Democratic Progressive Partys southern stronghold of Kaohsiung. Soon after, Tsai resigned as chair of the DPP, which rejects Chinas demands for unification with the mainland. Analysts attributed the DPPs election losses to disappointment with the performance of Tsais government, which had won a broad mandate, including seizing a majority in the legislature from the Nationalists for the first time since full democracy was attained three decades ago. The people expect us to improve livelihoods. The people expect us to protect democracy. The people expect us to safeguard sovereignty, Tsai said at a ceremony at the Presidential Office Building. These challenges need an experienced premier such as Su Tseng-chang to overcome. Su thanked Tsai for her trust and support, adding, Now, I will lead the team and roll up my sleeves to satisfy the peoples expectations and respond to peoples interests. Chinas pressure campaign has increased Taiwans international isolation, reducing its number of diplomatic allies to just 17, excluding its representatives to international gatherings, and forcing international companies to designate Taiwan as a part of China. Chinese President Xi Jinping renewed the threat of invasion in a Jan. 2 address, saying the ruling communists made no promises to abandon the use of force. The islands high-tech economy continues to grow at a sluggish pace, and salaries for graduates have remained flat, increasing the lure of opportunities in China. Efforts at pension and fiscal reform have also been unpopular. Su, 71, was a human rights lawyer and co-founder of the DPP during the former martial law era under the Nationalists, who shifted their government from China to Taiwan after defeat by the communists on the mainland in 1949. He previously served as premier in 2006-07, as well as party chairman, legislator and county magistrate. Taijing Wu, Taipei, AP Singapore and Malaysia agreed to postpone a ministerial meeting amid a dispute on territorial waters, a sign that tensions between the neighbors may be intensifying in spite of efforts to forge closer ties. Singapore proposed delaying the Jan. 14 meeting after what it called an intrusion into its waters by Osman Sapian, chief minister of Johor, the Malaysian state closest to the island-nation, it said in a statement. Osman said in a Facebook post the area he visited isnt in Singapore waters. The bickering between the two nations over issues ranging from air space to the price of water supplied to the city-state deepened after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad led the opposition coalition to victory in the May elections. The foreign ministers of both countries reiterated efforts to improve bilateral ties earlier this week. Malaysia confirmed the postponement in a statement yesterday, saying that the state chief ministers Jan. 9 port visit was within its own waters. The governments are in communication and agreed that both sides should remain calm and not sensationalize matters, according to the statement, and both parties will continue to meet to discuss other bilateral issues. Chanyaporn Chanjaroen, Bloomberg The Macao Cup International Regatta concluded yesterday, awarding teams from Germany, France and Philippines. Held alongside the 2019 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta for four days from January 10, the first large international regatta hosted by Macau attracted 20 teams. Kicking off the competition on Thursday, a parade was held where 10 Beneteau First 40.7 unified design group boats took part in a fleet parade, setting sail from the Fishermans Wharf to the Macao Tower. In the international regatta, Team Subic Sailing/Turquoise from the Philippines carried the form from Saturday which moved them up to third place in the overall standings to win the first race of the day. As a result, the second race of the day became a shootout among Team WYC Lake Constance from Germany, Team Marenostrum Racing Club from France and Subic Sailing/Turquoise for the overall title. However, it was Team Estonia 100 that came out all guns blazing to claim the win in the final race of the regatta. WYC Lake Constance edged out Marenostrum Racing Club in this race to a fourth-place finish, which was enough for them to win the overall title with 19 points. Overall, the first runners-up were the French team and the second runners-up were Team Subic Sailing/Turquoise from the Philippines. In the Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta, overnight leaders Team Wan Boo Fish Sailing from Macao won both races today to take overall title with eight points. Some racers found it challenging to compete in the citys recent weather due to low visibility and low wind speed. Yet many of them believed that the SAR could improve from this international competition. It was very competitive and its more exciting because we all had the same kind of boats. [] Its a lot cooler here compared to other races that weve been to, said Marcus Avecilla from Subic Sailing team. Its a bit harder because of the visibility and it is also tricky because we had a day where the wind speed was really low so we had to adjust and work on other techniques, he added. During the first day of the competition, the wind speed dropped to around three or four knots and wind direction was unstable, which was not suitable for the IRC fleets to race, thus making it more challenging for the teams to compete. The regatta raced in the waters south of Hac Sa Beach to Huangmao Island, and in the waters south of Hac Sa Beach on its third and fourth day. Another competitor from France commented that Macau is a feasible place for such competition given the easy accessibility going to and from Guangdong and Shenzhen. We had bad luck in the weather but the venue is not bad. In the China Cup, we need to travel by bus [to go to different cities] but here its very easy. From that point of view, its great, said Philippe Grelon who competed with Marenostrum Racing Club from France. Grelon added that although Macau has the potential to be a platform for these kinds of activities, he noted that the depth of the waters in the region would hinder bigger boats competing. You dont have so much water. The depths of the water is a bit complicated so thats one of the problems but why not? said Grelone, who also participates in regatta races going to and from Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the teams skipper said that Macaus waters could only accommodate boats up to 40 feet to 45 feet. Macau could have a lot of regatta events for sure. It could be done but the only thing is that nowadays there are different kinds of boats and many of them are big and [require] really deep waters. said chairman of the French club, Lionel Pean. We found a very good spirit racing in Asia. There were less regatta fights in the waters, he added. Meanwhile, another skipper from the Philippines commented that it is feasible for the city to host similar events, yet noted that organizers could work on doing that during months where there is high visibility and higher wind speed. According to Jun Avecilla from Subic Sailing, the local competition is different from the ones the crew joined in Southeast Asia, citing weather conditions. I think January and February are good months for northeast winds. But of course, because of the winter season, it tends to be foggy, so that kills the wind, he said. I think there is room for improvement but I think this competition is going to grow as the potential for racing in this part of the world is great, Avecilla added. Subic Sailing teamed up with a Japanese group named Turquoise, making them ten in the group. We had good teamwork and we were fortunate to actually win several daily races here, said Avecilla. A transformer failure occurred at 6:33 p.m. yesterday causing a power outage that, according to CEM, affected 396 households in the areas of Ho Lan Un and Guia. CEM has dispatched emergency teams and a mobile generator on-site to repair and provide support. However, the usage of the mobile generator required the closure of part of the Horta de Costa Road, which necessitated longer time for traffic coordination and wiring. A statement issued by CEM indicates that the power supply resumed at 8:31 p.m.. Wong Sio Chak wants to improve communication mechanism Last week, part of the ceiling on the seventh floor of the New Yao Han department store collapsed, resulting in three people being injured, including a 12-year-old girl. The incident was not reported to the media, and the police authority was accused of poor communication with the public. Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, stated last Friday that the police authority did not conceal the case. Citing the Public Security Police Force (PSP), the incident was not within the ambit of the reciprocal notification mechanism. Wong claims that he would obtain instructions about releasing information from the PSP, and that the security force would then conduct an assessment regarding the method of notification. The Secretary further stated that the government will improve communication mechanisms with the media. Parent says Alexis Tams visit was publicity stunt Last week, while Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam was visiting the Centro Hospital Conde de Sao Januario, a local parent described Tams visit as disturbing and a publicity stunt. Tam arrived in the hospital around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, and visited the waiting area. When a group of parents and children became surrounded by journalists, one parent used the aforementioned expression to depict Tams visit. Commenting on the parents statement, Tam denied disturbing the public and also denied the visit was a publicity stunt. Tam explained that inviting the media to report on his visit served to let residents know the importance of preventing the flu. The Philippines privacy watchdog will investigate allegations by Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin that a disgruntled contractor made off with personal passport data and other documents held by the department. The National Privacy Commission will look into the Department of Foreign Affairs assertion that a private contractor has caused the non- availability of Filipino passport data and other documents entrusted to it for processing, the agency said in a statement on Saturday. The commission will summon the department and other concerned agencies, including the contractor, according to the statement. Locsin, on his personal Twitter account said on Jan. 8 that a contractor involved in producing passports made off with data after being terminated. Earlier, department spokesman Elmer Cato issued an advisory on Twitter saying that people renewing passports should submit their birth certificates because we need to capture and store the document in our database as we no longer have a physical copy of the document submitted when they first applied. The foreign affairs department hasnt issued a statement nor provided information on the extent of the alleged theft. Former Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said in a Facebook post that the department in October 2015 awarded the production of electronic passports to a contractor, which subcontracted the printing to another vendor in violation of terms. Data privacy lawyer Cecilia Soria was among those who took to Twitter to react to the alleged theft. Journalist Inday Espina-Varona also weighed in. Locsin said he just wants it fixed and not repeated. Bloomberg The New York Times is expanding further into audio with five new offerings for Amazon.com Inc.s speakers, including a shorter version of its hit podcast, The Daily. Starting Friday, The Daily will produce a news briefing on weekdays for the Amazon Echo, a voice-enabled speaker with a built-in assistant named Alexa. The free news briefing will be sponsored by the carmaker Audi and be read by host Michael Barbaro. The 167-year-old paper is trying to rely less on print while seeking new forms of digital distribution. The new programs also let the company capitalize on booming sales of smart speakers devices that include Google Home and Apple HomePod. Last week, Amazon said it has sold more than 100 million products with Alexa built in. The Daily podcast takes a deep dive into a specific news topic and typically runs about 20 minutes. The new briefing, in contrast, will only be about three minutes. Owners of Amazon speakers can start it by saying Alexa, enable the New York Times briefing. Its meant to be a short rundown of what you need to know in the news every morning, Times voice editor Dan Sanchez said in an interview. One drawback is its hard to discover new features without a screen. To make up for that, the print edition of Sundays New York Times will include prompts for readers who have Amazon speakers to hear more about pop music, books and travel. The Times also plans to introduce an interactive news quiz every Friday with multiple-choice questions. On-demand audio is evolving, with podcasts of different lengths to fit into your day from the time it takes to commute to work or brush your teeth. While some people use smart speakers to quickly get the weather or news, others want to listen to songs or hourlong podcasts. Some also use them to play interactive trivia and quizzes. The Times is pushing deeper into a crowded landscape. Several major media companies, including AT&T Inc.s CNN, the Associated Press and the Washington Post, produce flash briefings for Alexa. But The Daily has proven to be a valuable asset for the Times. It generated more than $10 million in advertising revenue last year, according to a person familiar with the matter. Bloomberg The Chinese tech company Huawei on Saturday announced it has fired a sales director who was arrested in Poland and charged with spying for China, saying he has brought the firms reputation into disrepute. The company said it has decided to terminate the employment of Mr. Wang Weijing, who was arrested on suspicion of breaking Polish law. Polish authorities said Friday they have arrested Wang, a Chinese citizen and former diplomat, along with a Polish cybersecurity expert who had held several top government cybersecurity jobs and also worked at the telecom company Orange. Huawei said Wangs actions have no relation to the company and that he was fired because the incident in question has brought Huawei into disrepute. The arrest rekindled tensions between China and the West over cybersecurity concerns surrounding Huawei. Its the worlds biggest maker of telecommunications equipment but has been banned in the U.S. since 2012 over fears its a security risk. Earlier this week, Polish security agents searched the Warsaw offices of Huawei and Orange, Polands leading communications provider, seizing documents and electronic data. The homes of both men, also in Warsaw, were also searched, according to Internal Security Agency spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn. Huawei had ambitious plans in Europe to roll out next-generation 5G mobile networks. But some European governments and telecom companies are following the U.S. lead in questioning whether using Huawei for vital infrastructure for mobile networks could leave them exposed to snooping by the Chinese government. One thing is clear: this is another nail in the coffin of Huaweis European ambitions, said Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Public Policy Institute, a think tank. Poland is Huaweis headquarters for Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordic region. Maciej Wasik, deputy head of Polands Special Services agency, said the operation that resulted in the arrests had been underway for a long time. He said both carried out espionage activities against Poland. Zaryn told The Associated Press that prosecutors have charged the two men with espionage, but agents are continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Further indictments are expected, he said. Polish state television TVP reported that the men have proclaimed their innocence, but Zaryn could not confirm that. If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison each. TVP identified the arrested Chinese man as Weijing W., saying he was a sales director in Poland at Huawei. It said he also went by the Polish first name of Stanislaw and had previously worked at the Chinese consulate in Gdansk. A LinkedIn profile for a man named Stanislaw Wang appears to match details described by Polish television. Wangs resume said he worked at Chinas General Consulate in Gdansk from 2006-2011 and at Huawei Enterprise Poland since 2011, where he was first director of public affairs and since 2017 the sales director of public sector. The resume said he received a bachelors degree in 2004 from the Beijing University of Foreign Studies. State TV identified the Polish man as Piotr D., and said he was a high-ranking employee at the Internal Security Agency, where he served as deputy director in the department of information security, until 2011. The Polish state news agency, PAP, said the man had also held top cybersecurity positions at the Interior Ministry and the Office of Electronic Communications, a regulatory body. It said, while at the Internal Security Agency, he was involved in building a mobile communications system for top Polish officials, and he was fired in 2011 amid a corruption scandal. Geopolitical tensions over Huawei have intensified since Canada arrested a top executive last month at the request of U.S. authorities. Last year Australia, New Zealand and Japan instituted their own bans against using Huawei. An official at the Chinese Embassy in Warsaw said Chinese envoys had urged Polish Foreign Ministry officials to arrange a consular visit with Wang as soon as possible. Orange Poland told the AP on Friday it was cooperating with Polish security services in the case and had handed over belongings of one of our employees in Tuesdays search of its offices. Orange told the AP it did not know if the suspicions against its employee were related to his work at Orange or his previous jobs. Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested Dec. 1 in Canada in connection with U.S. accusations that the company violated restrictions on sales of American technology to Iran. The United States wants Meng extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the companys business dealings in Iran. She is out on bail in Canada awaiting extradition proceedings. On Dec. 10, China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor on vague national security allegations in apparent retaliation for Mengs arrest. Vanessa Gera, Kelvin Chan, AP Greeces conservative defense minister, who leads the junior partner in the countrys coalition government, resigned Sunday over the Macedonia name deal, which he opposes. Panos Kammenos announced his resignation after meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras yesterday. He said his party is quitting the government. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said, in response, that he will ask for a vote of confidence in Parliament in the coming week. He added he had a frank discussion with Kammenos, whom he thanked for his government partnership. Tsipras also announced that Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will replace Kammenos as defense minister. Greece and Macedonia agreed last June to a deal that would change the name of Greeces northern neighbor to North Macedonia. In exchange, Greece would lift its objections to the country joining NATO. Macedonias parliament ratified the deal on Friday and the Greek parliament now needs a majority for its ratification. Tsipras left-wing Syriza party has 145 deputies in the 300-member Greek Parliament, while Kammenos right-populist Independent Greeks party has seven. With the departure of his coalition partner, Tsipras would need opposition help to pass the Macedonia name deal. AP The Massachusetts Gaming Commission completed an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against former gambling executive Steve Wynn and the company he founded, Wynn Resorts Ltd. The commission wont release any of the findings or a conclusion until its attorneys assess a Nevada judges ruling this month that bars some of the information from being disclosed. David Mackey, an outside counsel to the commission, told the panel last week he is awaiting a written version of Nevada District Court Judge Elizabeth Gonzalezs ruling. Upon receiving that, Mackey said, investigators will assess what may need to be removed from the report. Ed Bedrosian, executive director of the commission, said the work was otherwise complete. Regulators in Nevada, Macau and Massachusetts began investigations of the company following reports of sexual harassment by Wynn, charges that he has denied. The casino industry legend left the company last February and sold all of his shares. Wynn Resorts has replaced much of its board and executive ranks since then. Depending on the results of the investigations, none of which have been made public, Wynn Resorts could lose its license to operate in any of the jurisdictions. Wynn Resorts is building a $2.6 billion hotel and casino just outside of Boston that is scheduled to open in June. Wynn executives told commissioners Thursday that the project is 90 percent complete and scheduled to open on time. Wynn shares declined 41 percent last year as betting activity in Las Vegas and Macau slowed. Bloomberg The 18th Macao City Fringe Festival kicked off Friday evening with an opening ceremony held at the Old Court Building, which was attended by Leong Wai Man, vice- president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, other government officials and representatives of some of the participating art groups. The Festival began with same-day events including Sigma by circus group Gandini Juggling and award- winning choreographer Seeta Patel from the United Kingdom, showcasing exuberant rhythms and colors and creating virtuoso geometries through the combination of circus and Indian dance. This Fringe Festival is themed Extra. Ordinary. According to organizers, through different means of expression, the festival seeks to liberate creativity from theatre spaces to every corner of the city, injecting changes to daily scenes, and ultimately turning arts into a daily routine. A host of other activities will be staged until the Festival concludes on January 27. This includes the Interactive Urban Music Ensemble featuring installation art and an outdoor orchestra, which invites audiences to play music by touching an installation with drawings of different musical instruments. Additionally, Ephemeral Windows Rooftop Street Art uses rice paper to show a non-invasive street art, and invites people from different walks of life to exchange views and participate, transforming the city through art. Flash Mob Phubber Drama invites the audiences to engage in an interaction filled with fun and reflection by catching phubbers at bus stops. Other performances include The Icebook by British artists Davy and Kristin McGuire from the United Kingdom, the worlds first projection mapped pop-up book; Be My Old Friend by the Dream Theatre Association, a show which tells personal stories of the elderly to piece together the bygone days of Macau; the outdoor performance Sonia, written by local scriptwriter Ma Wai In and directed by Ku Ieng Un, in which the audience will listen to a story reflecting the reality of non-human characters; the dance performance Goldfish, presented by Four Dimension Spatial from Macau and Changde Modern Dance Company from Hunan, revealing concealed memories of emotional taboos under a dream theme. The Fringe Festival also features 10 outreach activities, including workshops, talks, art critique and sharing sessions, which seek to enrich the audiences artistic experience with more diverse activities. A powerful explosion apparently caused by a gas leak blew apart a Paris bakery on Saturday and devastated the street it was on, killing three people and injuring dozens as it blasted out windows and overturned nearby cars, French authorities said. Witnesses described the sound of the explosion as deafening. Firefighters pulled injured victims out from broken windows and evacuated residents and tourists as a fire raged and smoke billowed over Rue de Trevise in the 9th arrondissement of north-central Paris. Charred debris and broken glass covered the pavement around the apartment building housing the bakery, which resembled a blackened carcass, and people were trapped inside nearby buildings. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner paid homage to the courage of rescuers, who saved the life of one firefighter who was buried under the rubble for 2 hours. The French Interior Ministry said two firefighters and a female Spanish tourist were killed by the blast and about 10 of the 47 wounded were in critical condition. French authorities corrected the figure of four dead given earlier by Frances interior minister. Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said the cause of the blast appeared to be an accidental gas leak. He said Paris firefighters were already at the scene to investigate a suspected gas leak at the bakery when the explosion happened about 9 a.m. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell tweeted that I deeply regret the death of three people after the explosion in central Paris, including a Spanish woman. He shared condolences to her relatives and wishes for a quick recovery to the other injured Spaniard. The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported the woman was a tourist staying in a hotel near the bakery, which is around the corner from the Folies-Bergere theater and not far from the Paris shopping district that includes the famed headquarters of Galeries Lafayette. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo extended a message of affection and solidarity to the victims. She said many residents and tourists had been evacuated from neighboring buildings and hotels and Paris authorities were helping to provide them temporary accommodations. Authorities said around 200 firefighters and police were involved in the operation. A helicopter evacuated the wounded. Silver-helmeted firefighters and red firetrucks filled the street and inspected adjoining courtyards. Pedro Goncalves, an employee at the Hotel Mercure opposite the bakery, said he saw firefighters enter the bakery in the morning but he and his co-workers thought maybe its a joke, a false alarm, and they went back to work. About an hour later, he said a blast rocked the surrounding streets, one so powerful that he felt a whistling in his ears. I heard one big explosion and then a lot of pressure came at me, a lot of black smoke and glass, he said. I had just enough time to get down and cover myself and protect my head. Goncalves, who was struck by shattered glass, had cuts on his head and spots of blood on his sweater and undershirt. He ran for the exit and then went back to check on the hotels clients, adding that some of them had head injuries and were bleeding. He said the hotel was destroyed in the blast. Thank God Im OK, he said. Another witness told The Associated Press that she was awakened by the blast and feared it was another terrorist attack. The explosion came as the French capital was on edge and under heavy security for yellow vest protests Saturday against economic inequality. Authorities said 32,000 protesters took to the streets around the country. Angela Charlton, Sylvie Corbet, AP Canadian diplomats have visited former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig for the second time since his arrest in China a month ago. Canadas Global Affairs department provided no further details on how Kovrig was being treated. He and entrepreneur Michael Spavor were detained on Dec. 10 on allegations of engaging in activities that endanger the national security of China. The arrests came after a top Chinese Huawei executive was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States, which wants her extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the companys business dealings in Iran. She is out on bail in Canada awaiting extradition proceedings. In an op-ed Wednesday, Chinas ambassador to Canada described the detentions of the Canadians as an act of self-defense. Canada said it would continue to seek further access to Kovrig and Spavor. The Canadian government remains deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of these two Canadians since last month and continues to call for their immediate release, Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Canada has embarked on a campaign with allies to win the release of the detained Canadians. Canada continues to express its appreciation to those who have spoken in support of these detained Canadians and the rule of law. This includes Australia, the EU, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and, most recently, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, Global Affairs said. Rob Gillies, Toronto, AP Macaus Consumer Council received a total of 2,290 complaints in 2018, one-third more than the previous year, and the highest number of complaints in a single year since 2010. The top five categories in terms of number of complaints last year were jewelry (201 cases), public transportation (166 cases), food and beverage (163 cases), personal care products and services (148 cases), and food services (144 cases). These five categories accounted for 35 percent of total complaints in 2018. According the Consumer Council, complaints regarding jewelry mainly involved disputes related to tourist groups visiting designated jewelry shops as well as prices and quality of gold and diamond ornaments. The Council has started sending out guidelines to customers through the China Consumers Association and consumer organizations in different provinces and cities in China, advising tourists on buying gold and other ornaments in Macau. The Council also works together with other government departments and requires the gold industry to label prices and other information about gold ornaments in detail. The Council will also be focusing on complaints in this category and will provide assistance to customers to protect consumer rights. About 75 percent of the complaints regarding public transportation related to overcharging and the service attitude of taxi drivers. The number of cases in this category has increased by 40 percent compared to 2017. Meanwhile, there was a 60 percent increase in complaints recorded in food and beverage, mainly concerning item quality and prices. Complaints in the food services category surged by 70 percent. An increase of 57 percent was recorded in the number of complaints about personal care products and services, with consumers accusing sales personnel of being too aggressive. With regards to complaints about public services, the Council is planning to publish more consumer alerts to strengthen awareness of consumer rights. Several complaints in this category involved the use of electronic payments. Less than two weeks after saying it had a ticketing error that gave away premium seats at huge discounts, Cathay Pacific has done it again. This time, some visitors to their booking site got lucky on flights from Europe to Hong Kong. The South China Morning Post reported yesterday that the carrier offered first-class seats from Portugal to Hong Kong at a tenth of its original price of $16,000. Since Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. doesnt fly direct from Lisbon to Hong Kong, the tickets included a leg to London, Zurich or Frankfurt through partner airlines, the newspaper said. We are aware of the error on some fares from Europe on our website because of an input issue, a spokeswoman for Cathay said in a statement Sunday, adding the sale of such fares was stopped immediately and being probed. For the very small number of customers who have purchased these tickets, we look forward to welcoming you on board to enjoy our premium services. The repeat of the glitch adds to the embarrassment the carrier faced last year when a sophisticated hack on Cathays computer systems exposed private information of 9.4 million passengers in the worlds biggest airline data breach. Asias largest international carrier is in the midst of a three-year turnaround program after losses in 2016 and 2017, with last years earnings due to be announced in March. Around New Years day, Cathay sold such discounted round-trip business-class tickets from Vietnam to Canada and the U.S., and later said it would honor the fares. Bloomberg Vietnams Bamboo Airways, after repeated delays, will start commercial flights on Jan. 16, the company said in an emailed statement. The carrier set minimum ticket prices at 149,000 dong (USD6.40) each. The carrier will initially operate 37 domestic routes, the company said in a separate statement. Bamboo Airways will also start this year international flights to Asian countries, starting with Japan, Korea and Singapore, it said. Hotel and leisure company FLC Group JSC, which owns Bamboo Airways, will be competing in one of the worlds fastest-growing aviation markets against state-owned Vietnam Airlines JSC and budget carrier VietJet Aviation JSC. The International Air Transport Association forecasts Vietnam will be among the worlds top five fastest-growing air travel markets in the next 20 years. The route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is already the worlds sixth-busiest in terms of passenger numbers last year, according to IATA. Bamboo Airways will initially use 20 leased narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, the carrier has said. FLC agreed to buy 24 Airbus SE A321neo planes worth $3.2 billion at list price for Bamboo Airways. In June, it signed a commitment for 20 Boeing Co. twin-aisle 787-9 Dreamliners with a list price of $5.6 billion. Vietnams airports in 2018 handled 106 million passengers, a 12.9 percent increase over the previous year, according to a statement on the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnams website. Vietnamese carriers flew more than 50 million passengers, a 14 percent jump from 2017. Bloomberg The majority of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) projects have been carried out within timetable and budget, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario, announced during a Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary meeting on Friday. The parliament debated the LRT project in addition to matters concerning the projects budget and deadlines, which were discussed by lawmakers and clarified by the Secretary. Answering lawmaker Angela Leongs question regarding the project requiring extended time for completion, Rosario suggested the lawmaker check with the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) and with the Infrastructure Development Office (GDI) in order to follow the projects progress. Eighty percent, or 90 percent of this matter has already been solved. This problem [over time and over budget] does not exist. [] One or two projects indeed have those problems. [] Please check the information we provide you on our website. Please dont repeat this question again, said Rosario. The Secretary also responded to a statement which says that he would leave many tasks to the next government. The things I will leave to the next government will be less than the things I received [from the previous government], said the Secretary. Sulu Sou voiced that the government does not have a budget, and that all numbers concerning said budget are only an estimate. He wants the government to solve the LRT problem. I agree with you, the most important [thing] is solving the problem. [] These problems [that the lawmakers are raising] were ones which had been asked about before, said the Secretary. Rosarios department decided that once the LRT Taipa section is done, the next consideration for the LRT line should be based on the Taipa section. In view of such reasoning, the government delayed the construction of an LRT system in Macau. Many lawmakers wanted the Secretary to explain whether it is feasible to extend the LRT line to the Inner Harbor area. I have never [done any research] on whether the Inner Harbor line is feasible. I have not spent time doing research because there are many important things to be done. [] In the near future, the LRT will become the main [transportation], while buses will become a subsidiary, he explained. Agnes Lam also criticized the government for not having a clear budget for the LRT project on the Macau side. You can continue your criticism. Its not that I dont give you a budget. Its because I am unable to give you one. [] I dont even know which line goes where. How could I give you a budget? But, about the Barra section budgets, I can give you information, said Rosario. Previously, it was announced that the LRT had been planned to be extended to Hengqin. According to Raimundo, the government has launched research on an extension. However, due to issues posed by the border division, the government is still not making a final decision considering the location of the LRT Hengqin station. If the border gate is not the target of the decision, I dont know [where the station will be located], said Rosario. Lawmaker Cheung Lup Kwan wants the government to suspend the LRT project. The LRT is related to Macau peoples history and memory. In the beginning, [residents] were excited about it. But from then to now, residents have gone from being excited to being disappointed. I think that today, when we talk about this thing [the LRT], we should temporarily suspend it, said Cheung. If, suddenly, the LRT is suspended and the money gets distributed among residents, they will be even happier, said Cheung. Regarding the LRT budget, Rosario once again noted that the budget for the LRT Taipa section is MOP11 billion and for the Taipa to Barra section is MOP4.5 billion. Moreover, there is another MOP2.5 billion for projects which have not been completed yet. In total, the LRT expenditure is estimated at MOP18 billion. Ho Ion Sang voiced his disagreement toward the suspension of the LRT project. In the lawmakers opinion, the suspension will deem all expenditures to have been made in vain, and will deem the LRT Taipa section an international joke. More lawmakers, including Leong Sun Iok, also supported the continuation of the LRT project. However, they hope that the government can improve budget transparency, speed up the construction process, and complete the project on time. Leaders plan to announce at the end of this month an initiative to gather at least 160,199 signatures and place on the November 2020 statewide ballot a measure to merge St. Louis and St. Louis County and combine under one megacity the police departments, court systems, roadways and economic development arms of the city, county and all 88 county municipalities. The quick backlash from Missouri mayors shows just how difficult the task will be, and how fervent the opposition already is. Mayors argue that their cities are well-run, their police departments excellent and their residents happy with small-town and suburban St. Louis County. But more than anything, they called the statewide vote an unreasonable, undemocratic attempt to bypass local voters that will ultimately be ineffective. This is a local issue that needs to be decided locally, said Richard Sheets, deputy director and lobbyist for the Missouri Municipal League. If statewide voters can say one particular area would have to take on this form of government, why couldnt you do that to Springfield and Greene County and Jackson County? Its contrary to logic and good government. PIETROSANI, Romania (AP) Epiphany celebrations bring together hundreds of people in the Romanian village of Pietrosani for a day out in freezing temperatures that culminates in a bareback horse race across muddy, frozen or snowy fields. Photo gallery: See a collection of photos from the Epiphany horse race at the end of this story The horse race tradition started in the area more than a century ago, according to residents, and it was banned during the years of Communist rule because of its association with a religious holiday. The Balkan festival is the main event of the year in the village. The race generates high anticipation and lively discussion over hot glasses of red wine about who will be this year's winner, or debates about the best looking or decorated horse. While horse racing events, like the Royal Ascot, are known for the extravagant attire of their spectators, in Pietrosani it's the horses' outfits that capture the most attention. People try to secure position on higher ground or stand in carriages holding up cellphones as they gather in the field outside the village to admire and photograph the animals sporting colorful textile, leather and brass accessories, sometimes even Christmas tree decorations. The chairperson takes action Local governments can play a vital role in ending social evils like Chhaupadi LEXINGTON An Elm Creek woman admitted in court Friday to tampering with evidence in a 2016 Lexington murder, according to court documents. Melissa Callahan, 36, pleaded guilty Friday in Dawson County District Court to attempted tampering with physical evidence, a misdemeanor. The charge was amended from felony accessory in a plea deal. Manuel Juarez-Mendez, 42, formerly known as Jose Regalado-Mendez, was sentenced earlier this week to 40-45 years in prison for the death of Jose Hernandez, 37, at Juarez-Mendezs rural Lexington home in early December 2016. On Friday, Judge James Doyle IV accepted Callahans plea and ordered the state probation office to do a presentence investigation, including a substance abuse evaluation. Her sentencing will be in March. After Hernandez was killed video surveillance at Juarez-Mendezs home shows Callahan on the footage, according to court records. About four hours after the shooting, Juarez-Mendez and Callahan entered the back door of the house with a large section of burlap, which was similar to the material that Hernandezs body was wrapped in when authorities found him. Sentencing for Callahan was set for March 4, 2019 at 8:30am. After falling for three years, carbon emissions in the United States rose in 2018. That information is based on early estimates from an independent research group. The Rhodium Group studies U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas linked to rising temperatures in Earths atmosphere. Its new report estimates that the countrys carbon emissions increased 3.4 percent last year. This would be the largest yearly increase since 2010, when the nation was recovering from a financial crisis known as Great Recession. The research also suggests that the American coal industry continues to struggle because of low-cost, plentiful natural gas. Bad news for coal The Rhodium Group reports that coal-fired power stations that produced a total of 11.2 gigawatts of power had closed by last October. Even more were expected to have closed over the following months. If confirmed, that would make 2018 the biggest coal plant closure year on record. Natural gas is now by far the energy of choice in the United States. The report credited gas for an increase of 166 million kilowatts an hour through October. American power consumption - and carbon emissions - increased in 2018. The transportation industry was largely responsible for the nation's record emissions. Demand for gasoline -- the fuel used in most motor vehicles -- decreased. But increases in the demand for other fuel, such as diesel and jet fuel, made transportation the industry most responsible for U.S. carbon emissions. The report said another big producer of carbon emissions is the construction industry. Emissions from buildings and homes also were up last year, partly because of very cold winter weather in parts of the country. The Paris question The Reuters news agency reported last week that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not answer its questions about the report. Trump administration officials have said that carbon emissions can change from year to year because of economic conditions. They said the country could both cut emissions and enjoy a strong economy at the same time. Environmentalists say the Trump administration needs to speed up development of renewable energy, manufacturing power from wind and the suns energy. The countrys carbon emissions had been decreasing year by year since 2015, as the nation worked to honor the Paris Agreement on climate change. But even with those reductions, the United States was unable to meet reductions agreed to by the administration of former President Barack Obama. Officials from almost 200 countries gathered at United Nations headquarters in 2016 to sign the climate agreement. Under the deal, the United States promised to cut its carbon emissions by at least 26 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2025. But in June 2017, President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the deal. The U.S. will officially withdraw in 2020. Im George Grow. Kevin Enochs reported this story for VOA News. George Grow adapted his report for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ________________________________________________________________ Quiz Quiz - U.S. Carbon Emissions Rise in 2018 Because of Industry, Fuel Demand Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story emission n. the act of producing and releasing something, such as gas or radiation diesel n. a heavy oil used to power diesel engines in trucks jet adj. related to or involving a fuel used to power airplanes consumption n. the process or act of using something It is often difficult for farmers to identify diseases quickly enough to protect their crops and those on neighboring farms. Now, some farmers are using a simple device directly in the field to find viruses before they spread. In Tanzania, several viruses are a threat to cassava crops. Farmers struggle to identify the diseases in an urgent effort to avoid severe crop damage. The disease identification process is often difficult when farmers are acting on their own. If they do not know what is attacking their crops, they cannot decide the best way to fight the disease. A device from British technology company Oxford Nanopore is changing that. The device extracts deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA, from plants. DNA is the carrier of genetic information in nearly all living things. The device helps farmers identify what is harming their crops so they can change to more resistant crops. Laura Boykin is with the University of Western Australia and also works with the Cassava Virus Action Project. She brought the device to a Tanzanian farm owned by Asha Mohamed. We are here collecting leaf punches from infected material to test. To do a DNA extraction and then start sequencing in the field. The testing identified a number of viruses in the cassava fields near Mohameds farm. The process also discovered that plants considered resistant to disease had a very low viral level. So what would have normally taken six months to a year, has just happened in a couple of hours. And that's possible because of amazing technology that exists, that is able to give farmers results real-time. Once the viruses were identified, Asha Mohamed was given two kinds of seeds that are resistant to the diseases. In another case, DNA was collected from a pawpaw tree farm in Kenya. With that test, the technology was able to identify diseases affecting Naomi Mumos crops. All my pawpaw were affected by a disease, and I didn't know what kind of disease it was. But now, I have people who have identified the disease using new technology, and within a very short time. So I'm very happy. Laura Boykin says she and other researchers returned to Mohameds cassava farm nine months later. She said the new plants were very healthy and had produced a large, successful crop. After nine months of her growing the improved varieties, we are back here, and today we harvested her cassava plants and she went from zero yield to 35 tons per hectare, which is massive. The speed at which farmers identify diseases can mean the difference between the success or failure on large areas of crop land. Now, the use of such simple and easily transportable DNA sequencing devices is making that possible. Im Bryan Lynn. Faith Lapidus reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted her report for Learning English, with additional material from online sources. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story extract v. to take something out leaf n. part of a tree or other plant sequence v. arrange in a particular order variety n. many different kinds of things Sunday, January 13, 2019 From the New York Times: In Unhitched, couples tell the stories of their relationships, from romance to vows to divorce to life afterward. In 2006, Vanessa Hammer and Brendan Hammer were in law school (she at the University of Houston and he at DePaul) and living in different states when they met at a national Hispanic moot court competition. They married nine months later. Both saw in each other a good mate, someone with whom to make a life. My family was surprised we moved so fast because Im usually cautious but at the time I had no hesitation, she said. Read more here. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/family_law/2019/01/divorce-series-in-the-new-york-times.html Maxine Waters and NABJ Call Out CBS for Lack of African American Representation for 2020 Campaign Coverage CBS associated producer Ben Mitchell recently tweeted the networks 2020 Campaign Reporters and Producers and social media quickly noticed its lack of representation of one of the nations key voting demographics. Congressmember Maxine Waters called the network out via Twitter and challenged them to live up to its proclaimed support for diversity. CBS, the efforts on your website about your support for diversity flies in the face of your display of all of the reporters you've selected for the 2020 campaign. Not one black. What's up with this? An explanation is needed. Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) January 14, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT NABJ (National Association Black Journalist) president Sarah Glover replied to Mitchells tweet asking if they would be adding team members? Will you be adding additional team members? https://t.co/jW92w2B7I2 Sarah Glover (@sarah4nabj) January 12, 2019 Lancaster County resident Raymond DJ Freez Rowe was not the first person to plead guilty to a murder charge filed as a result of combining DNA analysis and technology. Media reports from Indiana say on Dec. 7, John D. Miller pleaded guilty to molesting and murdering 8-year-old April Marie Tinsley in 1988 and was sentenced to 80 years in prison two weeks later. Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs worked on both cases, according to a written statement from the company. Rowe, who was arrested in June, admitted Tuesday that he raped, strangled and killed 25-year-old schoolteacher Christy Mirack in 1992 at her townhouse in East Lampeter Township. His negotiated plea avoided a potential death sentence in return for life in state prison without the possibility of parole. In all, Parabon said, its genetic genealogy service has resulted in arrests or positive identifications of persons of interest in 28 cases. Millers was the first involving a living defendant to be fully resolved, according to the company, and in two cases the individual identified was deceased. The type of analysis hit the spotlight in April, when it resulted in the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo in the Golden State Killer case in California. Parabon was not involved in that case, but started offering analysis in May. According to the company, Rowes arrest in June was the third it facilitated. The Associated Press reported on Jan. 9 that DeAngelo, who has been charged with 26 counts of murder and kidnapping, has not yet entered a plea. Parabon said other people and volunteers are attempting to do genetic genealogy on violent crime cases but with two exceptions, its not aware of charges or identifications coming from those. The exceptions are DeAngelos case and the NorCal Rapist case, also in California. Roy Charles Waller was arrested in September in the latter case and additional charges filed this week, according to media reports. Teacher held for abusing student Head teacher of Mukunda Sen Boarding School at Bhedabari in Gaindakot Municipality-11, Nawalparasi, has been arrested on the charge of sexually abusing a student. Interspersing humor with outrage, the Rev. Amos C. Brown told a crowd at Lancasters Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday that it is time for the American people to rise from their slumber. Speaking at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. event sponsored by the Lancaster branch of the NAACP in partnership with Holy Trinity Lutheran, Brown said, We are gathered at a time when the very soul of our nation is at stake and many of us are alseep and the rest of us are sleepwalking. Brown, who pastors Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, is a civil rights veteran. He was mentored by civil rights activist Medgar Evers and was one of eight students to be selected for a class taught by Martin Luther King Jr. He was a delegate to the 2001 U.N. Conference on Race and Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, and has served as National Chairman of the National Baptist Commission on Civil Rights and Human services. He served as pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania, from 1964-1970. His talk Sunday, titled Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution, focused on Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake. Put on thy strength O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments. It is time, Brown said with his arms draped over the lectern as he looked into the audience, to demand an end to bigotry, to demand better schools, to demand better leadership and to never give up in the fight for equality for all. I have come to respectfully not tell you what to think, he said, but to give you something to think about. Brown drew a parallel between the recent separation of refugee parents from their children and the slave trade that routinely separated and sold off black family members. He read a passage attributed to editorialist H.L. Mencken who, in the July 26, 1920, edition of the Baltimore Sun, wrote that As democracy is perfected, the office (of President) represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. Citing a statistic showing that American education, once ranked in the top five in the world, is now 23rd among all nations, he said the nations education system has failed to train our citizenry. We have a closing of the American mind. And that, he said, leads to despots and dictators. Prison guards, he claimed, can earn $85,000 year while in some states, teachers earn half that amount. There is something wrong with that, he said. If we are going to honor Dr. King ... we must be about the business of (demanding) quality education. That includes early childhood education for all children. As America turns toward nationalism, he said, we ignore the fact that this is a connected world. We have got to come together, he said. We all have one common creator. Prior to Browns speech, three people the Rev. Gerald Simmons, pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Church of God in Christ; Eliza Booth, community coordinator for Lancaster Stands Up and Jonathan Smucker, Founder of Lancaster Stands Up and Beyond the Choir received civic engagement awards from the NAACP for their work. The awards were presented by Lancaster NAACP President Blanding Watson. Patricia Hopson-Shelton, a member of the NAACPs executive committee, read a proclamation honoring the late Rita Smith Wade-El, a Millersville University professor and civil rights activist, who passed away on Dec. 29. Columbia Borough historical The Historical Architectural Review Board of the Borough of Columbia will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, in council chambers of Borough Hall, 308 Locust St., Columbia. Agenda items include: 401 Locust St., CHI St. Joseph Childrens Health, owner; LeFevre Funk Architects Inc., applicant. Construction of a three-story, seven-bay addition to the east elevation of an existing three-story corner building, to include ground-level parking. Conestoga Valley School District Conestoga Valley school board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at the administration center, 2110 Horseshoe Road. Among the agenda items: Commentary on district activity: (A) Board comments. Public/professional/staff input: (a) public comments; (b) VIA report, Amy Horst. Action/discussion items: (a) budget: update, exceptions, approval of capital projects for 2019-20 budget; (b) PlanCon Part D submittals; (c) approval of exception to board Policy 458 for long-term substitute positions; (d) approval of superintendents report; (e) review of Lancaster County Career & Technology Center budget for 2019-20; (f) policy review; (g) approval of contract with Fulcrum Management Solutions Inc. for Thoughtexchange software; (h) agreement with Pennsylvania Economy League; (i) engagement letter from Sweet Stevens Katz Williams for legal counsel; (j) approval to retain Coyle, Lynch & Co. as solicitor. Review board agenda: Jan. 22. Hempfield School District The Hempfield school board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the administration building, public boardroom, 200 Church St., Landisville. Among the agenda items: School Director Recognition Month presentations. Hempfield High School student council report. 2019-20 preliminary budget presentation. Superintendents goals update. Lancaster city planning City of Lancaster Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 16, has been canceled. The next meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in City Hall, 120 N. Duke St., in the first-floor commission room, City Hall annex, East Marion Street entrance. Lancaster Township planning The Lancaster Township Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the municipal building, 1240 Maple Ave. Among the agenda items: Subdivision/land development plans: LTPC 224, Conestoga Reserve, modification requests, briefing items; LTPC 278, School District of Lancaster Buchanan Elementary School, final land development and lot add-on plan, action item; LTPC 279, 640 Bean Hill Road, C-B Tool Co., rezone request, discussion and comments for supervisors. The next commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Manheim Township commissioners Manheim Township commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at the municipal building, 1840 Municipal Drive. Among the agenda items: Department reports/announcements: (a) fire department monthly report; (b) police department monthly report. Public hearings/presentations/appointments: (a) presentation of letter of commendation; (b) Resolution 2019-02, appointing John Shipman to the vacancy board; (c) Resolution 2019-03, appointing a member to the planning commission; (d) Resolution 2019-04, appointing a member to the parks and recreation board; (e) Resolution 2019-05, appointing a member to the public library foundation; (f) Resolution 2019-06, appointing a member to the public library foundation; (g) Resolution 2019-07, appointing a member to the public library foundation; (h) Resolution 2019-08, appointing a member to the Boettcher House Museum board; (i) Resolution 2019-09, appointing a member to the Boettcher House Museum board; (j) Resolution 2019-10, appointing a member to the Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals; (k) Resolution 2019-11, appointing a member to the zoning hearing board; (l) Resolution 2019-15, appointing a member to the parks and recreation board; (m) Resolution 2019-16, appointing a member to the planning commission; (n) public hearing, Oregon Village Center, master site planned development, Oregon Pike, East Oregon Road, Creek Road, Jake Landis Road, zoned B-3 and B-4 business districts and T-5 and T-1 overlay districts, conditional use request. Consent agenda: (a) Elam Fisher, preliminary/final subdivision plan, 286 Bushong Road, zoned R-1, time extension; (b) Brethren Village Northside Court, preliminary/final subdivision and land development plan, 3001 Lititz Pike, zoned IN and T-1 overlay, financial security release; (c) Pack Pro Technologies, preliminary/final land development plan, 204 Bucky Drive, zoned I-1 and D-A overlay, financial security release; (d) Concrete Authority, stormwater management plan modification requests, 599 Airport Road, zoned I-3, financial security release. Resolutions: Resolution 2019-12, disposition of records. Motions/decisions: (a) decision: Worthington planned residential development, Kincaid Avenue, zoned R-3, revised conditional use request; (b) motion: request approval to receive bids for various public works equipment, materials and projects; (c) motion: bid award for community park safe crossing signal; (d) Petersburg Road, Petersburg Associates LLC, tax parcel ID No. 390-07034-0-00000 (Hoover Farm). Acknowledgments: (a) acknowledge traffic and engineering studies for 140 Manheim Ave. and McGrann Boulevard; (b) accept application and set public hearing for intermunicipal liquor license transfer for Reel Cinemas Lancaster LLC. Manor Township planning The Manor Township Planning Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the municipal building, 1840 Municipal Drive. Among the agenda items: Appointment: planning commission secretary. Subdivision/land development plan: (a) JG Environmental, preliminary/final land development plan, 776 Flory Mill Road, zoned I-1, T-1 and D-R overlays; (b) Brooklawn phase II, final phase II subdivision and land development plan, Dolly Drive, zoned R-2 with TDR option and T-1 overlay district. Manheim Township School District The Manheim Township school board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at the district office, 450 Candlewyck Road. Among the agenda items: Consent agenda action items: treasurer's report; personnel report; resolution certifying the school district will not raise the 2019-20 tax rate by more than 2.3 percent; resolution approving the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center proposed budget for 2019-20; van purchase with COSTARS; high school Title IX consulting contract; proposed school district calendar for the 2019-20 school year; submission of the Act 80 exception request for the 2019-20 school year to the Pennsylvania Department of Education; January list of field trips; new text for the following courses: honors college prep biology, International Baccalaureate mathematics, and IB chemistry; new courses: college prep calculus, media literacy, lifetime activities, honors personal finance literacy, introduction to Python, and honors American studies in context; second reading and first reading of board policies. The next voting board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at the district office, 450A Candlewyck Road. 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 It's the first day of the strike for Los Angeles Unified School District's teaching staff. And while they're picketing, hundreds of thousands of students are showing up to school, unsure of what their school day will entail or how long it will be before their teachers are back in the classroom. But it's not the district's first strike. The teachers who picketed 30 years ago and the students who watched them from inside the classrooms remember a chaotic and stressful two weeks. WALKING THE LINE IN '89 Teacher Gail Craven remembers what it was like to walk the line in 1989. At the time, she was new to the district, in her early 30s, and seven months pregnant with her second son. She taught first grade at Colfax Elementary in Valley Village. "I remember it feeling so strange to be outside, and see the kids walking to school and their faces," she said. Three decades later, she's still teaching there - fifth grade now - but she's not looking forward to the strike any more this time around. "It was still very stressful; it was something you wanted to end quickly," she said. "[But] we felt like we accomplished something." Eileen Ramirez stands in her classroom at North Hollywood High School. She taught here during the last LAUSD strike in 1989. (Photo courtesy of Eileen Ramirez) Eileen Ramirez had been teaching at North Hollywood High School for ten years when she walked out. She's retired now, but this strike feels like deja vu to her: last time, she was the one doing the striking. This time, it will be the little girl who came with her, who's now a teacher herself. "I brought my daughter, and pushed her in the stroller. She'll be in the same situation and pushing her daughter in the stroller." But like Craven, she said last time the fight was simple. And after nine days, it had a happy ending: "It came down to salary, and it was over 20 percent raise so that was pretty nice. It felt like we won." RELATED: More than 20,000 teachers walked out in the last strike. It lasted nine days, and UTLA remembers it as a "huge victory." The teachers got the raise they wanted, their yard supervision duties were reduced, and they won better medical benefits for retired teachers. But from inside the campuses, students don't remember such a noble fight. Carmen Romero, who teaches at South Gate High School today, was a sophomore at Bell at the time. She said the first day was chaos. "When the strike came... it came all of a sudden. The next day the teachers were out picketing. We were sent to the auditoriums some part of the day, we were sent to the gym some part of the day." Under walkout threats, the students were allowed to march with the teachers during breaks, as long as they came back inside. By the second day, she said the campus resembled a ghost town. Carmen Romero says during the strike, she'll split time between picketing at her place of work as a teacher, and at her four daughters' schools as a parent. (Photo courtesy of Carmen Romero) Virginia Escamilla was part of that exodus. She was a freshman at Eagle Rock who walked out on day one, and talked to a TV crew about her support for teachers. "I distinctly remember calling home from a public phone and telling my mom, 'just so you know I walked out of school, and I might show up on a Spanish speaking news program.'" And later that night, she did. THE KIDS ARE MORE INVOLVED Craven said the students in her class are revved up for the strike, and are asking questions. But 30 years ago, she said she was reluctant to go into the nitty-gritty details of the situation with her class. "My conversations with my students are different this time," she said. "I'm more comfortable having frank conversations with my students." She says that's because of the changes in the world her students are living in. "It's so different now because of social media. That didn't exist in '89. So the conversations, the access to information, you want the kids to really know the truth of what's happening." But Ramirez said social media has also given teachers more support than they could've hoped for 30 years ago. Samantha Sher Dorf says her children are more involved in this strike than she was as a student during the last one. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Sher Dorf) "I really, truly believe that the parents' support [is] making a tremendous difference. I can't even quantify it." Samantha Sher Dorf is one of those parents. When she was in fifth grade, she said her classmates didn't understand what the strike was about. But that's not true of her kids this time. "They will not be in school, they've already created their signs," she said. "They're informed and they're following all of this in 1st and 3rd grade in a way that I didn't in 5th grade." THERE'S MORE AT STAKE The students and teachers who spoke to LAist/KPCC about their experiences in 1989 didn't remember much more about the strike than its focus on teacher pay. The consensus is that this time around, it's a different story. "I believe very strongly that there's much more at stake," said Ramirez. "Now I feel that these poor teachers are fighting for the district, for public education in Los Angeles... and I'm worried that the district is willing to wait out the teachers until it breaks the union." In this strike, UTLA is asking for salary raises, but it's also asking for smaller class sizes and more staff at schools, like librarians and school nurses. Ramirez said before she retired a few years ago, she remembers being taught how to use an epipen on her students and how to freeze wet paper towels because there was no money for full-time school nurses and ice packs. As a teacher, Romero is worried about the class sizes. But as a parent, she said the schools need nurses. "My daughter broke her wrist... and there was no nurse. They were holding her arm until I got there. They didn't even have the supplies for a splint." Virginia Escamilla stands with her husband at a rally before the teachers strike. (Photo courtesy of Hugo Albuja) But beyond staffing and class sizes, there's the issue of charter schools as well. Escamilla says that creates a new threat of the school system being at risk. "It's a bigger situation. It's really undermining what is accessible to all families right now, and back in '89, the charter school system was not an issue, and the whole issue of moving toward privatization is a big element right now." Craven said the expansion of charters coupled with developing technology makes teachers feel dispensable. She's upset that 30 years later, the union and the district seem more divided than ever before. "It's very frustrating that it's gotten to this point again, that we actually have to strike again... because it should be all about the kids." Craven said she would never dare cross the picket line. But 30 years ago, nine days without pay was doable. This time, she's terrified of losing her paycheck. Teachers gather at LAUSD headquarters in preparation for a demonstration march on Jan. 11, 1989. (Herald Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) But teachers and parents think it could take weeks this time. "I do feel this strike is incredibly unpredictable. I foresee this going long, at least a week if not more," Escamilla said. "And I'm worried. I'm worried that prolonging the length of the strike might backfire." Sher Dorf said that's because this time, both sides aren't open to negotiating. "In 1989, they at least came to the table... there wasn't as far to come," she said. "It'll take longer this time around." Correction: A previous version of this story spelled Gail Craven's name wrong. LAist regrets the error. 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. 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 Teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District initiated a strike early Monday morning, a work stoppage that affects roughly 480,000 public school students and their parents. Teachers, parents and students are expected to begin picketing at schools across the district at about 7 a.m., kicking off the first teachers strike since 1989. "Here we are, in a fight for the soul of public education," UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl told the crowd during a rainy rally outside John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. Picket lines have formed at 900 schools throughout the city, he said. UTLA members and supports rally at downtown L.A.'s Grand Park on Day 1 of the LAUSD strike, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (Via Twitter courtesy @AlPastor66) After a few hours of picketing, union members and supporters gathered at Grand Park in downtown L.A. before a planned march to LAUSD headquarters several blocks away. In a press conference late Monday morning, LAUSD Superintentent Austin Beutner noted it was "not a normal school day," but said all 1,240 of the district's K-12 schools are open and "students are safe and learning." "We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible," Beutner said. "We urge [UTLA] to resume bargaining with us anytime, anywhere." Beutner also said the district was in discussions with Gov. Gavin Newsom, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. RELATED: What Led LAUSD's 30,000 Teachers To Go On Strike Contract talks that had been going on for about a year and a half stalled back in July. An overwhelming majority of UTLA's rank-and-file approved a strike during a union-wide vote back in September. Almost every day since, the already tattered relationship between UTLA leaders -- who represent more than 30,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, social workers and counselors -- and LAUSD leadership has frayed a little more. Leaders of United Teachers Los Angeles announced in mid-December that their members would walk off the job in the coming days unless they reach an agreement on a new contract with LAUSD. Union leaders recently moved to delay the strike to Jan. 14 -- and a judge recently ruled that date can stand. Talks broke down Friday, when the union rejected the district's latest offer. The strike is also having an impact on some city departments' operations and staff, including police and library services. In an interview Monday with KPCC's Take Two, Mayor Garcetti said all Department of Recreation and Parks centers would be open and staffed up for students and library hours would be extended for after-school programs.That staffing up means overtime for department employees. The mayor has also "deployed serious police resources" to address safety concerns for LAUSD students. Garcetti said the police staffing changes won't affect investigations into violent and serious crimes, but there will be "less follow up" and "not-as-quick callbacks" regarding property crimes. With a strike beginning today affecting LAUSD schools, were making sure families have additional options for their kids by offering free rides on @LADOTofficial and @MetroLosAngeles along with resources at select @LACity recreation centers and more. https://t.co/9gJ7QAD7qJ MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) January 14, 2019 The mayor, who has no authority over the school district, said teachers were fighting "righteous fights" and encouraged the two sides to come to a resolution -- and soon. Garcetti also said he had spoken to Gov. Newsom about getting money from the state budget for early education, along with health and mental health needs teachers are asking for. Teachers and students show up in the rain to support the teachers strike at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools on Jan. 14, 2019. (Chava Sanchez/LAist) Our reporters Kyle Stokes, Emily Dugdale, Priska Neely and Jose Salvador are out in the field covering the strike today. Check back often for the latest updates. 30,000 #LAUSD teachers will go on strike today - the first time in 30 years. 600,000 students across hundreds of campuses will be affected. @UTLAnow says picketing starts at 7:30AM. I'll be out at schools and drop-off centers this morning covering what's happening. @KPCC @LAist Emily Elena Dugdale (she/her) (@eedugdale) January 14, 2019 But now theres a picket line. Teachers and psychologists from the elementary school and early learning center are on strike for smaller class sizes, increased pay, more mental health services + #LAUSDStrike pic.twitter.com/JN2B08EGcC Priska Neely (Im hiring) (@priskaneely) January 14, 2019 The district announced that its 80-plus early learning centers won't be accepting students "for the safety of our students and to adhere to licensing requirements," though students in a special needs program can attend for half the day. Were looking to increase the amount of mental health funding we can provide to all of our students and families because in the long term what it does is to also help their learning in the classroom. - School psychologist Cathy Schaefer #LAUSDStrike pic.twitter.com/yZfL1GhmCa Priska Neely (Im hiring) (@priskaneely) January 14, 2019 Michelle Levin, a striking @UTLAnow member & science teacher at @LASchools Daniel Webster Middle School, doesnt just have a picket sign This is my picket umbrella, covered all over in Supt. Austin Beutners phone number. Everyone prepped for rain. #UTLAStrike #LAUSDStrike pic.twitter.com/q6HEUh4XyP Kyle Stokes (@kystokes) January 14, 2019 Strikers block a LAUSD truck from entering Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, and force it to leave. #kpcc #LAUSD #laist pic.twitter.com/ROeZ5Lcx40 Jose Salvador (@chavatweets1) January 14, 2019 Armed with signs, ponchos and umbrellas, UTLA members and supporters started filling up Grand Park ahead of the planned march. @LAist video taken from LA City Hall. As the teachers rally on the first day of their strike pic.twitter.com/FU2cMYMZDe Al Pastor (@AlPastor66) January 14, 2019 At Reseda Charter High, roughly half of the school's 1,500 students showed up. Principal Melanie Welsh was using some of the time for things she'd normally have to pull students out of class for, like college prep work and English tests for juniors. "We shouldn't be rejoicing because a lot of us have important classes... but overall, the teachers are doing this for us," senior Kevin Castillo said. There are maybe 70-80 adults on campus right now caring for & supervising around 600 students. Adults are tying to pack every second full of whatever education they can but there are also a lot of students' phones out. #UTLAStrike #LAUSDstrike pic.twitter.com/Y3zy0om6Rf Kyle Stokes (@kystokes) January 14, 2019 UPDATES: 2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with reporting from Reseda Charter High School. 12:31 p.m.: This article was updated with information from an interview with Mayor Eric Garcetti. 10:45 a.m.: This article was updated with information from an LAUSD press conference. 9:17 a.m.: This article was updated with tweets from LAist reporters. 8:25 a.m.: This article was updated with information and quotes from the UTLA rally in Los Feliz. This article was originally published at 6:45 a.m. Bolton and Pompeo are each traversing the region in an effort to reassure Israel and Gulf Arabs that a U.S. pullout wont encourage an ISIS revival, and embolden Iran to expand its operations in Syria. But why should our spooked allies believe Bolton or Pompeo, when the president doesnt listen to them? (Secretary of Defense James Mattis resigned after failing to change the presidents mind on the Syria withdrawal.) And why should any allies trust Washington, when they know Trump may sell them out with a tweet based on ignorance or pique? The Syria case lays bare the threat posed by a president who thinks he has infallible instincts, and has no clue that he is being played by despots whose instincts, and knowledge, are far better than his. Just as Trump was easy prey for Erdogan, he has lapped up Vladimir Putins falsehoods, and has yet to budge Xi Jinping or North Koreas Kim Jong Un on key security and nuclear issues. Obsessed with leader-to-leader negotiations, the president may ultimately make bad deals, or after coming up empty, drift into military conflict. On the trip to America, up to six out of every 10 women are raped, according to Amnesty International. Caravans help prevent this, its said, but that does not mean the problem is gone. A whole slew of illegal drugs come across the border and fact checkers said lots of them came from other places as well. But they did not deny Trump was right in saying that 90 percent of heroin comes across the border, killing 300 a week. The administration plans to use improved technology to detect the heroin passing through ports of entry. Some people have been furious that Trump keeps bringing up the MS-13 gang, an outfit that hacks innocent young fellow Hispanics to death with machetes, as if it were a border issue. It is. As ICE reports, a number of MS-13 members are illegal immigrants, and better security would save lives. Its the case, too, that during the past two years ICE officers arrested illegal aliens who had been charged or convicted of assault (about 100,000), sex crimes (30,000) and violent killings (4,000). A higher percentage of natives than illegal immigrants commit serious crimes, its said, but that hardly means it is not a worry as still more Americans die. Patterson took her to a cabin that he said was his. He told police he ordered a weeping Jayme to strip and dress in his sister's pajamas, saying he had to get rid of the evidence. He then threw her clothes into a fireplace in the cabin's basement. He said Jayme tried to get out twice. The first time he screamed and banged the wall and made her so scared that he thought she would never try it again. Whenever he had friends over, he made clear that no one could know she was there or bad things could happen to her, so she had to hide under the bed. He sealed her under the bed with tote boxes and weights so she could not crawl out, according to the complaint. She had to stay under the bed whenever he left the house, sometimes going for hours without food, water or bathroom breaks. When his father visited, Patterson told investigators, he turned up the radio in the bedroom to cover any noise she might make. She was likely left hanging between two and five minutes. Slow response to call lights continues to be a problem, the report states, specifically when youths need to use the restroom because there are no toilets in their rooms. Several youth reported they urinated and defecated in their garbage cans due to the slow response time from staff. While not required by the court order, the monitor also recommended staff conduct welfare checks every 15 minutes when youth inmates are confined to their rooms as a suicide prevention practice. The settlement in Briggs lawsuit was the largest in a civil rights lawsuit in state history. It came on the same day lawmakers in the state Senate voted to shutter Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. Former Gov. Scott Walker eventually signed into law legislation that is set to close the prisons by Jan. 1, 2021, and replace them with county and state-run facilities. Lawmakers are considering moving the closures back by as much as six months to accommodate counties that would need to build or renovate youth facilities under the new law. According to the report, there are currently 140 inmates living at the facilities, down from about 170 in February. Much more must be done Qatar approaches Nepal to build international airport in Nijgadh Qatar has approached Nepal to build an estimated $1.2 billion mega-airport project in Nijgadh, Bara, in a bid to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia and China in the wake of the blockade imposed by a number of major Arab nations in June 2017. A 73-year-old woman was struck and killed by a truck while trying to cross Hwy. 14 near Knopp Valley Drive on Monday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol identified the woman as Jane Elizabeth Schoewe of Winona. According to the State Patrol, a little before 7 a.m. Monday, a 2006 Hino straight truck driven by Paul Lewis Scott, 60, of Winona, was heading east on Hwy. 14 when Schoewe was crossing south in the eastbound lane. She was not in a crosswalk area, and was struck and killed. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Hwy. 14 was closed for nearly three hours while the State Patrol investigated the accident. The Winona County Sheriffs Office and the Winona Police Department assisted at the scene. Love 2 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 6 Angry 1 The sixth annual Oktoberfest Forks & Corks fundraiser for the Gemutlichkeit Foundation Scholarship Program will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the La Crosse Center. The event, for people 21 and older, will feature internationally themed wines expertly matched with gourmet cuisine from Pogreba's Restaurant. Special guests Gambi and the Oktoberfest Royal Family will unveil the commemorative button design for Oktoberfest 2019, with buttons up for bid. Tickets for the event are $40 per person or $500 for a table of 10. All proceeds will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors at nine local schools. To purchase tickets, visit www.oktoberfestusa.com/forksandcorks or stop by Pogrebas Restaurant, 1232 Avon St., or the Oktoberfest USA Office at Second and La Crosse streets. 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. GENOA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mussel biologist Megan Bradley has been working without pay since the longest government shutdown in U.S. history began more than three weeks ago. The animals Bradley has been rearing at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery to restore mussel populations native to the Upper Mississippi River some of them federally endangered are too important to let die. Bradley, who has been studying mussels for 12 years and has been with the Fish and Wildlife Service for three, begins the morning as usual with chores: clean the tanks, feed the fish, make sure water is flowing and the oxygen stores are full. But theres no room for error. Colleagues she would normally consult at the La Crosse Fish Health Center if disease broke out have been furloughed because of the shutdown. Funds, including those for fish food that must be ordered a month in advance and will run out in two months, have been frozen. Bradley and her colleagues are on their own. They follow the news from Washington, wonder when government funding will be restored, and continue their work. Its stressful being used as leverage for someone elses priorities, Bradley said. She loves her job and assumes the back pay will arrive, but if this goes on long enough, youre going to have to find another job that pays the bills. The shutdown The government shutdown has taken a toll on federally funded science across the country, including on research and resource management along the Mississippi River. Hundreds of federal scientists and support staff have been forbidden to work or are working in skeleton crews without pay, including those at federal wildlife refuges along the Mississippi River. Interagency planning meetings for river restoration have been canceled or hampered. Delays in data analysis, seen by state partners as minor inconveniences for the time being, could have consequential ripple effects if the shutdown continues much longer. The impasse leading to the government shutdown began when President Trump demanded Congress fund a U.S.-Mexico border wall, or he would refuse to sign appropriations bills needed to fund nine out of 15 federal departments beyond Dec. 21. After Democrats took control of the House in the new congressional year, they proposed separating immigration issues from funding to restore government operations. That approach received some Republican support in the House but not the Senate. Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency so he can bypass congressional approval for the wall. Science on the river Meanwhile, an estimated 800,000 federal workers missed their first federal paycheck Friday, including Bradley and her hatchery colleagues in Genoa and about 90 employees at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse. The center, UMESC for short, is run by the U.S. Geological Survey and is a hub for aquatic and river ecosystems research, including invasive carp species, as well as a source of scientific support for other agencies.Scientists there work on topics from persistent environmental contaminants that move through aquatic systems into wildlife and climate change impacts on amphibians to the effects of nutrient-driven dead zones on fish and plants that live below the rivers surface. Theyve also worked on hand-held devices that detect invasive carp DNA in fish bait samples and have adapted the technology to identify other species. Sharing data and research with federal, state and academic scientists, as well as the public, is a big part of their mission. The Genoa fish hatchery works primarily on restoring Mississippi River mussel populations decimated by water pollution and commercial overfishing. North America has the highest diversity of freshwater mussels in the world, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and many of them are concentrated in the upper Midwest. Mussels play an important role in repackaging phytoplankton so that the tiny organisms can be used by other animals up the food chain. They also filter out toxic chemicals including heavy metals and petroleum-based pollution. The mussels Bradley works on are endangered or threatened, and have distinct life cycles that hatcheries scientists are trying to optimize in house. Mussels in the wild use food-like appendages to lure certain fish species into carrying their larvae. Bradley scuba dives in the river during the summer to extract larvae from river mussels, which she then sprays into the gills of host fish. The larvae grow within the gills until theyre ready to detach, when theyre about the size of a speck of glitter. Bradley collects the baby mollusks and grows them in tanks until theyre old enough to reproduce, and releases them into the wild. The process takes between one-and-a-half to almost four years, depending on the species. Bradley also studies a species of larvae that latch onto mudpuppies, a type of Wisconsin salamander. These facilities produce science that shapes resource management, promoting clean rivers that enhance recreational value for the public, said Roger Haro, River Studies Center director at the UW-La Crosse. These are interconnected support systems, Haro said. When you decouple one from the other, all of this stops. The centers are also training grounds for the next generation of environmental scientists, including local undergraduate and graduate students who gain valuable experience in areas including water quality analysis, invasive species management and fish culture, Haro said. And theres a human and professional cost to the shutdown. Not only have these people spent years honing specific and unique areas of expertise, Haro said, but they also work extremely hard and provide a public service. The shutdown sends the message that their work is expendable, he said. Canceled meetings The shutdown is also having an effect on the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, the first comprehensive large-river monitoring, research and ecosystem restoration project in the world. The program, run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spans 1,200 river miles and partners with federal agencies and state natural resource departments from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.Although the Corps is funded for the fiscal year, upcoming planning meetings that require the presence and expertise of federal counterparts from the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture have been canceled or put on hold, said Marshall Plumley, the restoration programs regional manager. The Fish and Wildlife Service in particular is a key partner because some of the restoration projects take place on national refuges under its jurisdiction, he said. A meeting this week in Dubuque, Iowa, to identify and discuss criteria for future restorations had to be scrapped because about a third of the attendees couldnt make it, Plumley said. Committee members last met to evaluate project indicators almost a decade ago. The quarterly meeting in February to discuss existing feasibility and restoration projects is up in the air.Gretchen Benjamin, a large river specialist at The Nature Conservancy, is trying to launch a similar interagency restoration program on the lower Mississippi River. Benjamin traveled from La Crosse to Vicksburg, Miss., for a planning meeting Wednesday, but the team leader from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wasnt able to make it. Shes still furloughed, Benjamin said. But if we dont have this meeting, were going to get behind and miss important deadlines. Trickle-down effects The Upper Mississippi restoration program also conducts resource monitoring across six field stations in five states. Data from river samples, collected year-round, go back more than 30 years. The data is used by to gauge the long-term health of the river. Despite the shutdown, monitoring continues at the field stations, which are run by state partners funded under Army Corps grants.While some monitoring parameters including temperature, acidity and dissolved oxygen levels can be read on site, others including nitrogen and phosphate loading, which drive rampant algal growth, must be analyzed at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, said Jim Fischer, Wisconsin DNR field station leader in La Crosse. Because UMESC has been closed since the shutdown, Fischers team, normally based at the center, had to move its equipment to the local DNR office, including the airboat, ice augers, sampling bottles and water quality meters used to take winter water samples. The relocation and sample analysis delays are inconvenient, Fischer said, but nothing they havent dealt with before. Its a different story if the government shutdown persists, said Mel Bowler, Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries specialist at the Bellevue field station. Field samples have a limited shelf life, Bowler said. No amount of freezing or formaldehyde will preserve them after a few months. If the 150 samples they collected this and next week cannot be used, that would be a waste of manhours, he said, but a task theyd want to repeat rather than break more than 30 years of continuous data. And theres always a tipping point. If the shutdown went on long enough that people at UMESC and other federal scientific posts had to go find other jobs after several months of not getting paid, its questionable whether theyd reopen the center, said John Chick, team leader at the Great Rivers field station in Illinois. The science at UMESC is beyond what we do here, Chick said. If the center goes, so do the field stations, the economy of the small towns that depend on field stations, and the continuous resource monitoring program itself. That would be devastation. Jennifer Lu is the La Crosse Tribune environmental reporter. You can reach her by phone at 608-791-8217 and by email jennifer.lu@lee.net. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 3 Angry 4 One in 20 teachers in the School District of La Crosse identifies as multicultural, while one in four students does the same. But a collaborative effort between the district and UW-La Crosse, now supported by a state grant, is intended to close that gap. Studies show that, when staff is reflective of student population, it leads to student achievement, said Mai Chao Duddeck, senior equity adviser and recruiter in UW-Ls School of Education. Whether youre a student of color, or disabled, or low income, youre going to have a sense of belonging if your teacher comes from the same background as you. Duddeck oversees the Grow Our Own-Teacher Diversity program between the district and university, working to build a workforce of culturally, socially and economically diverse teachers. The program started in 2016 with four students, who received a full-ride scholarship to study education at UW-L, with the idea that they might take jobs in the district upon graduation. Duddeck said the program is tailor-made for educators who are already helping in local schools, but who need formal training to take on their own classroom. Kazoua Yang, a teacher assistant at Summit Environmental School, is one example. A government shutdown even a partial shutdown can have a major impact on the lives of Wisconsinites. According to the Office of Personal Management, over 3,000 Wisconsinites have been furloughed or are working without pay during the shutdown. Many Wisconsinites have reached out to my office or stopped me while traveling throughout the state to ask how this shutdown will impact the services they rely on. While information on the shutdown remains fluid, I can provide a few answers to frequently asked questions about the shutdown: I am a federal employee. Will I receive pay for furloughed work? I hope so. Last week I voted in favor of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act which would ensure that both federal workers who were forced to work without pay OR were blocked from doing their job would receive pay. These payments would be made as soon as possible, regardless of scheduled pay dates. The bill passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. I am hopeful the president will sign the bill. Will I continue to receive my Social Security payments? Yes, the Social Security Administration is open and will continue to process and mail checks. If you have issues or questions about your Social Security payments, please reach out to my office. I like to think of them in these terms: the top of the quilt with its many colors, shapes and fabrics, represents the communities and the many individuals we are. Each stitch in the quilt represents the love, gratitude and sometimes the tears of the maker, she said. The batting is the center of the quilt. It is warmth; it represents the hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to the individual that receives it. The backing is the strength, it holds the many pieces of the quilt together. It represents the strength of the recipient, his or her family, our communities and our nation. The quilting, either by hand or machine, is what holds all these layers together. Monefeldt said she did not feel safe approaching the neighbor directly, so she went to the Racine Police Department. She was told that because of how the ordinances for large vehicles are written, police could cite the vehicle if they saw it driving on her street but couldnt issue a citation for it being parked. Its obviously not levitating there, Monefeldt quoted the officer as telling her. But unless the resident were to be stopped while driving it, there was little he could do even if it is clear that there is a violation. Closing a loophole If approved by the council on Tuesday, ordinance 0008-18 would amend municipal ordinance 94-128, which states that large vehicles cannot be parked on a public street or alley for more than 30 minutes every 24 hours, with exceptions. The ordinance defines a heavy vehicle as one that is longer than 30 feet in length, wide enough to obstruct the flow of traffic when parked and weighs more than 10,000 pounds. RACINE Rob Weber, then the city attorney, was sleeping when he was awoken by Racine Police Chief Kurt Wahlen knocking on his door. Weber, who has since retired, said at the time Wahlen told him he had some distressing news about the mayor. Although it was confidential, he wanted me to know that things were taking place at the mayors house, Weber said. That there was a search going on. On Jan. 13, 2009, Racine Mayor Gary Becker was arrested at Brookfield Square Mall for attempting to solicit a 14-year-old child for sex. Wahlen told Weber that Becker had been arrested hours before. Weber lived in the same neighborhood as Becker and their kids babysat for each other. It was obviously a surprise, Weber said. After that arrest, the City of Racine went through one of its most difficult periods in recent times. On the 10-year anniversary of this stunning event, The Journal Times visited with some of the individuals who were key players in moving the city past that trying time. To tell the story, The Journal Times recorded a podcast, a digital audio file, which allows readers to hear directly from those involved in the scandal at the time. The segment debuting today tells the behind the scenes story of how the City of Racine made it through the turn of events and how people feel looking back on that time a decade later. The podcast is called Belle City and readers can go to journaltimes.com and search Belle City podcast or Becker podcast to find it. Becker is arrested David Maack, then City Council president, received a call from Wahlen at about 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 with the news that Becker had been arrested and was sitting in the Kenosha County Jail. Maack recalled asking what for? And I was shocked by what had happened, Maack said. It was kind of a surreal moment at the time. Maack decided to call each of the city aldermen to inform them that Becker had been arrested. One oclock in the morning Im sitting there in front of my computer looking up the numbers for each of them and calling them, and letting them know that the mayor was arrested and what it was for, Maack said. It was kind of a restless night. I dont think a lot of us got much sleep it was kind of a (feeling of) shock and disbelief to what had occurred. Former City Alderman Tom Friedel, who later went on to become city administrator, recalls being woken up by Maack at about 4 a.m. and learning what happened. Like everyone else, I was pretty shocked, surprised, Friedel said, adding that he remembers thinking, I hope this isnt true, I hope this is a mistake you dont want to believe something like that. Friedel knew Becker from when he was on the City Council in the 90s. The men had become friends. I helped him get elected (to mayor), Friedel said. We worked together on many things, trying to make a difference in Racine, trying to move things forward. Once the news broke, Maack said it was a media frenzy and the residents of Racine were shocked by the news. City Hall staff and aldermen were receiving calls and emails from reporters and concerned citizens, all of whom wanted to know more about the incident. What to do next? Months before the arrest, an employee in the citys Information Technology department discovered child pornography on Beckers work computer and notified authorities. The state Department of Justice conducted an online sting operation to lure Becker to Brookfield Square in Waukesha County, where he was arrested. With Becker in jail, the interim duties of the mayor fell to Maack, who was then City Council president. Maack said when he took on the responsibility of being City Council president, he always knew it was a possibility that he would have to take over as mayor. And thats where the City Council has to be careful, that when theyre electing a City Council president that they realize that this person could become mayor in the event something happens, Maack said. But he never thought he would be called to act as mayor under those circumstances. Maack decided to call a meeting that week of the councils Committee of the Whole, which includes all the citys aldermen, to help get the public officials organized. There were a couple of alderman that didnt agree with that decision, Maack said. But I wanted to send the message that it was business as usual, that we werent going to let something like this deter us or stop us from conducting city business. One of those aldermen was Friedel. To me, there was just too much distraction and served no purpose, Friedel said. I didnt get involved real personally that first week. Friedel said he understood Maack was acting as mayor and also understood his reasoning for calling the meeting, but his decision not to attend it was mostly based in a difference of opinion on what to do next. Despite Maack acting as mayor, Becker was still officially mayor and had not yet resigned, and officials were working to learn what would be the the next steps, if necessary, to remove him from office. In order to remove the mayor from office, there had to be a complaint filed, Maack said, adding that Wahlen was willing to write and file the complaint. Becker was charged in Racine County Circuit Court with one count of attempted sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age, one count of child enticement, one count of possession of child pornography, one count of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, one count of attempted exposing a child to harmful material, and one count of misconduct and excess authority. On Jan. 20, the day Barack Obama was sworn in for his first term as president, Becker resigned. But with Becker out of office, the path to replacing him was not clear. Friedel, Weber and Maack all said there wasnt any specific procedure to appoint an interim mayor. That really wasnt codified at the time that this all happened, Maack said. The council had to sit down and chart how to proceed with that and we had several different options. With the eyes of the state on Racine, elected officials were just learning they were the ones who would have to come up with the process to appoint an interim mayor themselves. It was kind of a restless night. I dont think a lot of us got much sleep it was kind of a (feeling of) shock and disbelief to what had occurred. David Maack, former Racine City Council president Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 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. SAUK COUNTY Authorities say a Racine man whos accused of providing cocaine to a man who overdosed and died in February 2018 was found with heroin in his possession at the Sauk County jail. Matthew J. Halkowitz, 37, was previously charged in Racine County with first-degree reckless homicide, two counts of delivery of cocaine and delivery of schedule I or II narcotics all as a party to a crime. In Sauk County he now additionally faces charges of felony drug possession and misdemeanor violation of institutional laws. According to the Sauk County criminal complaint, a deputy found a small rock of heroin wrapped in a piece of paper in Halkowitzs sock during a Dec. 29 search of a jail pod. The inmate allegedly told the deputy he didnt know what the substance was, and didnt have anything else like it. However, the complaint states the deputy later found a plastic baggie with 4.3 grams of heroin hidden inside the inmates anus. Halkowitz reportedly told the deputy he found the baggie in a sub-dayroom and later told investigators he found it in the shower and was waiting for the right time to tell deputies. The inmate allegedly said he never used drugs, but was subjected to a urine analysis, and the results came back positive for opiates, according to the complaint. Nor is the Democratic Party's big money especially interested in campaign finance reform -- measures such as matching public funding with small donations and disclosing all sources of campaign funding. After all, these measures would reduce their influence. When it comes to impeaching Trump, some of the Democrats' biggest funders are wary that such a move might rile markets. They are counseling Democratic leadership to be cautious even on smaller acts of defiance, such as subpoenaing Trump's tax returns. In other words, Wall Street and corporate Democrats don't share precisely the same goals as do Democrats at the grassroots level who worked hard to create the "Blue Wave" that put Democrats in control of the House. During my 50 years in and around politics, I've found that nothing good happens in Washington unless good people outside Washington are organized and mobilized to make it happen. This is more the case today than ever. We should support Pelosi and the Democrats when they need our support to do the right things. We also need to push them when they need pushing. And we must fight them when they begin to cave. Perhaps this is why an old-timer like Pelosi has that bothersome "Eyes Wide Shut" expression, as if staring into headlights. But I wonder if she sees anything at all. The last thing the Democrats want from all of this is something Trump mentioned in his speech from the Oval Office the other night: In terms of jobs and wages, unskilled African-American workers are vulnerable to economic pressure from undocumented immigrants. They compete for the same jobs. But that's not discussed much, is it? Ever ask yourself why? And all those fats, meat, spices and casings aside, the three of them, Donald, Nancy and Chuck, met on Wednesday, and Trump didn't like what he heard and stormed off. "Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time," Trump tweeted shortly afterward. "I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier?" he continued. "Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!" Pelosi responded by using the P-word, calling Trump a "petulant president." Out-of-staters who consider Nebraska nothing more than a fly-over state will be asked beginning Monday to consider a different view the view of the more than half a million sandhill cranes who see it as a destination location. The Nebraska Tourism Office is starting its first campaign of 2019 by promoting the "unmitigated awesomeness" of hundreds of thousands of cranes gathering, eating, dancing and exchanging their rattling bugle calls in the Platte River Valley. The main "honestly, it's not for everyone" campaign begins in April. The tourism office will send out ads and TV commercials, the first to formally use the "Honestly, it's not for everyone" message that has informally gained so much attention both nationally and internationally for the state. The migration is a one-of-a-kind experience, and the tourism folks think people in Denver, Sioux Falls, Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka might want to see it. "It's truly one of the most outstanding migrations in the world, and it draws international audiences," Tourism Commission Executive Director John Ricks said. Although winter sometimes makes us want to curl up next to the fire and read a great book, there are so many great shows and events coming up that staying in is not an option. In conjunction with the exhibition Table Manners: Art and Food, Sheldon Museum of Art is serving its spring semester First Fridays in four courses February, Appetizers; March, Soup and Salad; April, Main Course; and May, Dessert, from 5 to 7 p.m. the first Friday of the month. Go to SheldonArtMuseum.org for more information. On Charter Day, Feb. 15, the University of Nebraska will celebrate its 150th anniversary with N150: A Celebration of Music and Milestone at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts. At this special event, host Jeff Zeleny, University of Nebraska alum, native Nebraskan and senior White House correspondent for CNN, will guide the audience through some the universitys major accomplishments. A full orchestra, a chorus, a mens chorus, University Opera, the Husker Marching Band and significant alumni will make appearances throughout the evening. The production will seamlessly integrate multimedia and projection, sound and lighting in an impressive tribute to the university. February also ushers in Rodgers and Hammerstein's the King and I (Feb 1-2), the amazing Chris Botti (Feb. 7), My Antonia (Feb. 7-9), classical piano by Emanuel Ax (Feb. 10), Dutchman (Feb. 13-24) and Tim Allen (Feb. 23). Tickets available at LiedCenter.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MATTOON -- Jeff Derixson used the opportunity of the snowfall this weekend to start crafting an igloo in his front yard along Lafayette Avenue in Mattoon. "I used to do this when I was a kid whenever we had a lot of snow," Derixson said. He was helped Sunday afternoon by his own children, 9-year-old Maggie Bialeschki and 4-year-old Lux Derixson, as well as by other youths from their neighborhood. Derixson and his helpers shoveled snow into a plastic tub to shape their building blocks of snow. He then carved each block into shape and pushed it into position on the igloo. Derixson said this project had the added benefit of clearing the snow off of the sidewalks in their neighborhood. The center of the igloo was occupied by a snowman, with a hotdog nose, crafted by Lux. Snowmen popped up in the front yards of homes and some businesses throughout town on Saturday and Sunday as Mattoon residents utilized the wet, sticky snow. Other residents headed to local favorite sledding hills behind the Cross County Mall and along DeWitt Avenue near the railroad bridge. Krista Burrell of Mattoon supervised as her sons, 10-year-old Elliott and 8-year-old Aden, and their friend Cooper Carlen took turns racing down the DeWitt hill early Sunday afternoon. "We had so much fun (on Saturday) we came back for more," Burrell said. 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}} Sharon Godwin of Mattoon said she and her family planned to go sledding at the DeWitt hill after they finished shoveling late Saturday morning in their neighborhood along Lafayette Avenue. Godwin and her husband, Robert, and their son, Nick, shoveled driveways and front walks for themselves and several of their older neighbors. Robert Godwin said this work has become a family tradition for them every time it snows. "We come out and help each other," Godwin said. Property owner Mark Coleman of Mattoon used a tractor late Saturday morning to plow the parking lots around the Trinity Tower apartment building, 1613 Charleston Ave. Coleman said he figured he would wait until the snowfall let up a little bit before he came out and attacked it with his plow. He said the work was still a challenge. "It is wet snow. It doesn't want to move very well. I have to kind of chip away at it," Coleman said. U.S. Postal Service mail carrier Kelly Gillis trudged through this thick, wet snow late Saturday morning as she made her rounds along Lafayette Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood. Gillis, who lives in Lovington, said she left home early in order to drive to her work in Mattoon. She wrapped up in a snow suit, boots, and other layers of winter clothing to stay warm. "We definitely got our exercise today. You burn more calories walking through this snow than at any other time," Gillis said. Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud 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. As the new Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, I wanted to take time to introduce myself to the community. I am thrilled with the opportunity to serve you, our local businesses, and our community. As a Charleston native, I look forward to making a positive impact on the community I grew up in and love. I hope to bring my past experiences in marketing, events, and communication to the role. I believe that together, we can help our community grow and thrive. Please do not hesitate to stop by the Chamber office or give me a call to introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting and working with you. In other exciting news, the Chamber is hard at work preparing for the 2019 Annual Dinner Celebration, which will be held on Saturday, January 26th from 5-7:30 p.m. in the Eastern Illinois University Grand Ballroom! There will be music and a cocktail hour, followed by an awards ceremony and buffet dinner. 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}} Created to recognize and honor businesses who have demonstrated the best practices of entrepreneurship, professional excellence, and community service, this years Small Business of the Year Award will be given to Paap Printing. This years Citizen of the Award will be presented to Roy Lanham, Director and Campus Minister at the Newman Center. Mr. Lanham is involved with many organizations in Charleston, as well, as involved with international outreach through programs like Water for Life in Haiti. The Diplomat of the Year award will also be given. After the Dinner, we welcome all in attendance to join us at Ikes for a private after-party from 8-11 p.m. There will be a cash bar, music, dancing, and lots of fun! Tickets for this annual event are now available on the Chamber website! Sponsorships for the evening are still available as well, and we are still accepting donations of a $15 bottle of red or white wine or liquor for our wine pull. For more information or for questions, please visit www.charlestonchamber.com or call 217-345-7041. Jessica Killough is president and CEO for the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Panel formed to resume work at Koshi corridor power line A task force has been formed to solve the problems facing the Koshi corridor transmission line project in Dharan, Sunsari. PARIS -- Senior Care, a service of Horizon Health, welcomes Brittney Isom, MSW, LSW, as a full-time therapist to its team of behavior health professionals. Brittney, of Terre Haute, Ind., is a licensed social worker with a masters degree in social work. She is one of two therapists at Senior Care, joining Connie Rhoads, a licensed clinical social worker. Together they provide individual, group, and family counseling to Senior Care patients. I think people have experiences in their life that direct them toward a career that they can be passionate about, which is what happened for me, Brittney said. Prior to Senior Care, Brittney provided hospice services as a social worker and bereavement coordinator. Her experience includes home-based therapy for children and families and educating families about child development as a family support specialist. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Brittney earned her masters degree in social work from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She has a bachelors degree in social work from Indiana State University. In 2016, Brittney participated in a four-month internship program at Senior Care, where she helped facilitate group therapy sessions. During other internship programs, she provided support for terminally ill patients and those diagnosed with dementia. She recently returned to Senior Care in a full-time capacity to work with great people and patients again, she said. Senior Care and Horizon Health have such a great atmosphere. They truly care about their community, which is something I wanted to be a part of, Brittney explained. In her spare time, Brittney enjoys watching movies and TV episodes on Netflix, being outdoors, and playing slow pitch softball. Senior Care is a voluntary behavioral health service for Medicare patients ages 65 and older, as well as Medicare disability patients. The program was created to assist older adults with life's challenges, including depression, grief, anxiety, loneliness, cognitive problems, and other emotional/psychiatric conditions. Senior Care is located next to Dollar General at 15323 US Highway 150 in the Verona Mall, Paris. Call 217-466-4170 for more information. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON -- During the week of December 17, Christensen Farms, one of the largest family-owned pork producers in the country, donated a total of $20,000 to food banks across the Midwest. The organization collaborated with local food banks in 15 communities in which it operates, to provide pork certificates to those in need, which included a donation to the Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry. At Christensen Farms, we are proud to serve the noble purpose of providing safe, nutritious pork to families across the country, said Amber Portner, Christensen Farms Communications Manager. It is our hope that this donation will help provide families in the communities we operate, a delicious pork meal this holiday season, including right here in Charleston. Christensen Farms has pork production and truck wash operations located near the Charleston area. In this region, they employ over 100 people, who all help to support and achieve the mission of Christensen Farms. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. For many families in the Midwest and throughout the country, putting food on the table can be a daily challenge, said Todd Foster, Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry Director. Providing a key source of protein is not just a daily luxury, it is essential. We are grateful for the generosity of organizations like Christensen Farms, who look for ways to give back and help their neighbors especially during the holidays. The following communities and food banks received pork vouchers from Christensen Farms this holiday season: Charleston Food Pantry, Charleston, Ill.; Neighborhood Food Bank, Forest City, Iowa; Emmet County Food Pantry, Estherville, Iowa; Franklin County Community Food Pantry, Hampton, Iowa; Sleepy Eye Area Food Shelf, Sleepy Eye, Minn.; New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf, New Ulm, Minn.; Kitchen Table-Marshall Food Shelf, Marshall, Minn.; Redwood Area Food Shelf, Redwood Falls, Minn.; Manna Food Pantry, Worthington, Minn.; Central Northeast Community Food Bank, ONeill, NE; Northeast Nebraska Action Partnership Creighton Family Services, Creighton, NE; Safe Harbor, Aberdeen, SD; Tri-County Good Samaritan Center, Redfield, SD; and Pierre Food Pantry, Pierre, SD. Christensen Farms is one of the largest family-owned pork producers in the United States, marketing approximately 3 million hogs per year. Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, the company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns four feed mills, manages 143,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow-finish sites. The company employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships. The company is vertically integrated with a strong presence across the pork value chain from farm to fork. Christensen Farms is the largest shareholder of Triumph Foods LLC, a producer-owned primary pork processing plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. In turn, Triumph Foods own 50 percent of Dailys Premium Meats, a specialty pork processor of bacon and other premium pork products. Triumph Foods also holds a 50 percent partnership in Seaboard Triumph Foods, LLC of Sioux City, Iowa, a primary pork processing plant currently under construction. The Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry is a 100 percent volunteer organization. They are privileged to serve approximately 4000 families or 15000 individuals annually. They are open for clients four days every week and are funded by donations, food drives, and grants. They are located at 990 W. State Street in Charleston. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MATTOON -- Lincolnland Home Care nurse Monica Callaway, RN, was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Sarah Bush Lincoln on December 19. Callaway was nominated after making a big impression on a patient who had a life-altering surgery. In her nomination letter, the patient expressed her gratitude to Callaway for "literally saving her life, both mentally and physically. When I came home from the hospital, Monica was assigned to me as my [Lincolnland] home care nurse. I was so depressed I really did not want to live, the patient wrote. I could not have dealt with my situation without her kind care and knowledge. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. In addition to providing exceptional care, the patient is grateful to Callaway for providing much needed emotional support. Monica pointed out things to be amused about and it would carry me through until the next time she came. I looked forward to her visits. She was so kind and she gave me all the time I needed. Gradually it got to the point where I realized there were other things to live for. Monica is a wonderful nurse who taught me how to smile again and I praise God she was there to help me through it. I could not have done it without her. Sarah Bush Lincoln has joined more than 2,700 healthcare facilities by becoming a DAISY Award hospital partner. During the award presentation, Callaway received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a unique, hand-carved serpentine stone sculpture from Zimbabwe, entitled, A Healers Touch. The DAISY Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families. Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians and other employees may nominate a deserving nurse for The Daisy Award and a nurse will be selected by SBLs DAISY committee every month to receive this special honor. Nomination forms are located at www.sarahbush.org and at all SBL clinics and on patient floors. The forms can be submitted to any Sarah Bush Lincoln staff member, or sent via email to daisy@sblhs.org or mailed to Sarah Bush Lincoln, DAISY Nursing Award, 1000 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, IL 61938. For more information, contact SBL DAISY coordinator, Jamie Easton, RN, at 217-238-6255 or jeaston@sblhs.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Following a high level of systemic security breaches in 2018, security incidents will keep getting worse in 2019 with identify theft, phishing scams and personal data breaches hitting a new high, according to predictions from one global VPN service provider. In a new report, NordVPN reflects on security breaches in 2018, commenting that 2018 not only (yet again) shocked the world by highlighting systemic cyber security issues, multiple governments adopted new rules and laws, which are making a global impact now and will echo for years to come. Still, 2019 can bring some hope for the future but only if governments and corporations understand the importance of digital privacy and security, says NordVPNs digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson. Based on the outcomes from 2018, NordVPN lists five significant trends that it predicts will shape cyber security and digital privacy in 2019: 1. Identity theft, phishing scams, and personal data loss will hit a new high. From Facebook and Google to Quora and Marriott, this years data breaches have affected more than a billion people around the globe. Add that to the existing pool of leaked data, and hackers will have an invaluable resource for tailoring a phishing scam or taking over your Facebook or Netflix account. Without a doubt, it will be used in 2019. 2. Some governments will lean towards higher data security standards. The GDPR in the EU established a new set of game rules by regulating the way corporations protect the data of their customers. It is still early to tell whether the new regulations have made a positive impact, but they have brought a shift towards more responsible use of private data. In 2019, some non-EU countries will likely follow the example and introduce a similar set of laws for data protection as well. This year, all eyes will be on the US, where California has set a high bar by passing the Consumer Privacy Act. However, it is still unclear if other states will follow. We really hope they do. 3. Use of encrypted communications will face new challenges. In December, Australia passed the Assistance and Access (A&A) bill, also known as anti-encryption law all despite an uproar within society. The bill requires tech companies to create backdoor access to the encrypted communications of their users. It would be used by law enforcement agencies to intercept and read the content of private messages. Despite the opposition to the law, similar ideas have been floated in multiple countries, including the US. Having in mind the everlasting itch to spy on their citizens, it wouldnt be a shocking surprise if other members of the 14-eyes countries would follow this example in 2019. 4. Tech companies will look for new ways to win the trust of their potential customers. A lot of data has been stolen this year. Despite the companies size and significance, despite the self-proclaimed best security practices, despite the risk of being fined under the GDPR. Its no surprise that ensuring customers trust will become more critical than ever. Companies will learn (although slowly) from their mistakes and invest in penetration testing, security audits, AI, and implementing zero-trust policies to prove that they are making an effort to protect their clients. 5. Cloud security will become a bigger issue. As people change locations and devices, cloud computing becomes inevitable both for private users and corporations. At the same time, it becomes a bigger security problem. GoDaddy, Los Angeles 211 centre, Viacom, and just recently the UN had their data records harvested from cloud storage. The biggest issue is still simple configuration errors and user neglect. Nevertheless, as we can expect more leaks and breaches here, new cloud security measures and services will come out in 2019. FILE PHOTO: Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the INPEX Gala Dinner in Darwin, Australia November 16, 2018. David Moir/Pool via REUTERS/File photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday he will visit Fiji and Vanuatu this week as part of a push to offset China's growing influence in the South Pacific. Morrison heads to Vanuatu on Wednesday, in the first visit by an Australian prime minister to the Pacific island nation in three decades. He then will go to Fiji, returning on Friday, a spokesman said. "This is part of our Pacific step-up. It is part of a refocus of our international efforts on our own region, in our own backyard, and making sure we can have the biggest possible difference," Morrison said on Australian Broadcasting Corp TV. The trip follows Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting in November with eight Pacific Island leaders before the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea. China's efforts to woo Pacific island nations have been watched warily by the countries that have traditionally wielded power in the region, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Australia announced in November it would offer Pacific countries up to $2 billion in grants and cheap loans for telecommunications, energy, transport and water projects, looking to counter China's influence. At the same time, Australia said it would beef up defence and security ties with Pacific islands through new joint exercises and training. Canberra promised to bolster Vanuatu's cyber security capability in June as it agreed to begin negotiating a security treaty. China has spent $1.32 billion on concessional loans and gifts since 2011 to become the second-largest donor after Australia in the Pacific region, raising concern in the West that several tiny nations could end up in debt to Beijing. Morrison is moving into campaign mode ahead of an election expected in May, following the release of what is expected to be a surplus budget in April. One issue on the agenda in Fiji is the Australian government's decision to revoke the citizenship of a man accused of being an Islamic State recruiter, believing he was a dual citizen with Fiji as his father was Fijian. Story continues Fiji has since said that Neil Prakash, now jailed in Turkey, does not have Fijian citizenship, meaning Australia has effectively left him stateless. "We have been dealing with that issue between the governments over the last few weeks, including directly from leader to leader," Morrison said on Monday. (Reporting by Sonali Paul and Alison Bevege; editing by Grant McCool) Nepal deports 84 foreigners in five months until Jan 9 Chinese nationals top the list of foreign nationals Nepal has deported in the first five months of the current fiscal year for flouting the countrys immigration rules and for involvement in illegal activities during their stay here. FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the runner-up in Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election, Martin Fayulu hold a sign before a political rally in Kinshasa FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the runner-up in Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election, Martin Fayulu hold a sign before a political rally in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 11, 2019. REUTERS//File Photo By Stanis Bujakera KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo faced growing pressure from African neighbours and beyond on Monday for a recount of its contested presidential election in a dispute that threatens more violence in the volatile nation. The Dec. 30 vote was supposed to herald Congo's first democratic transfer of power in six decades of independence and a new era after President Joseph Kabila's chaotic 18-year rule. But monitoring groups noted widespread irregularities including faulty voting machines and poorly run polling stations, overshadowing talk of democratic progress in the vast country of 80 million people. Second-place finisher, former Exxon Mobil executive Martin Fayulu, says he in fact won by a landslide with over 60 percent of votes and that the official winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, struck a deal with Kabila to be declared the victor. Tshisekedi and Kabila deny this. The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), a 12-member body including Kinshasa allies Angola and Republic of Congo, expressed "great concern". "We suggest that the competent structures consider counting the votes in order to guarantee the transparency of the results," it added in a statement. Pressure on Kabila has built since the vote, in part because Congo's influential Catholic Church said tallies by its 40,000-strong monitoring team show a different winner to that announced by the electoral commission. France, Belgium, the United States and Britain have all expressed concern. But perceived criticism from inside Africa could hold greater sway, with approval from regional partners critical for the legitimacy of president-elect Tshisekedi. The CIRGL statement late on Sunday echoed the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which contains allies of Kinshasa like South Africa and Angola. However, some regional powers remain wary of interfering in Congo in case it stokes violence or influences the result. In separate statements on Monday, South Africa and Zambia both softened their tone and said they would not push for a recount. Story continues Congo government spokesman Lambert Mende told Reuters it was up to the Constitutional Court to decide on a recount. "It is not up to an organization, a foreign state, to tell a judge how to draw his own conclusions," he told Reuters. "Recounting the votes is a verification technique that only a judge can decide." Fayulu has gone to the court alleging fraud and the Catholic Church has also weighed in. "We recommend that (electoral commission) CENI recount votes to reassure all stakeholders," said Donatien N'shole, secretary general of Congo's Catholic bishops conference. DEADLY VIOLENCE Isolated post-election violence in Congo has many fearing a return to the kind of conflict and upheaval that killed millions since the 1990s and destabilised the region. Congo is the world's leading miner of cobalt, a mineral used in electric car batteries and mobile phones, and Africa's biggest copper producer. It also mines gold and diamonds. But unrest, disorganisation and corruption has left many in poverty, dissatisfied with Kabila's rule. Armed groups roam Congo's eastern border with Uganda and Rwanda, hobbling efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak that has killed nearly 400 people. The government cancelled the election because of insecurity in these eastern opposition strongholds and in the northwestern town of Yumbi where unrest broke out. Clashes between Batende and Banunu ethnic groups in and around Yumbi killed over 400 people over two days in December, a local priest and a civil society activist told Reuters on Monday, a death toll three times higher than earlier estimates. The fighting on Dec. 16-17 was some of the worst to hit the normally peaceful area in years. Some of the surrounding villages remain deserted after hundreds fled across the Congo River into Congo Republic, the sources said. (Additional reporting By Edward McAllister and Aaron Ross in Dakar; Alexander Winning in Johannesburg and Chris Mfula in Lusaka; Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Toby Chopra) 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. Hope College is featuring the classical ensemble The 5 Browns in two different ways. First, the Hope College Great Performance Series will host The 5 Browns on Friday, Jan. 18, in an already sold-out concert. The sibling ensemble will then be highlighted when the film Digging Through the Darkness: The 5 Browns Story, focused on sexual abuse and its aftermath, shows on Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland. The documentary captures the emotional journey of the Juilliard-trained piano prodigies and their remarkable story of determination, healing and courage as they come to terms with the sexual abuse that the three sisters (Deondra, Desirae and Melody) suffered at the hands of their father, who also happened to be their manager. The story is told through family videos, interviews, rehearsals and performances, weaving together musical determination and passion mirrored by bravery and survival, both personally and professionally, as The 5 Browns come to terms with their broken family and work to find solace and healing in their own individual ways. Actress and advocate Julianne Moore has said, This is a beautiful film about persistence and truth in life and art. More information about the film. The colleges share of ticket proceeds from the screening will be donated to The Foundation for Survivors of Abuse which was created by Deondra and Desirae Brown. More information about the foundation. Tickets for the film are $7 for regular admission; $6 for senior citizens, children, and Hope College faculty and staff; and free for Hope students. Tickets will be available at the door. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St. SPRINGFIELD When Democrat J.B. Pritzker is sworn in Monday as the 43rd governor of Illinois, he wants it to mark a shift toward steadiness and growth for the state. "I don't think there's any question about the differences between (outgoing GOP Gov.) Bruce Rauner and me," Pritzker told The State Journal-Register in an interview at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre on Sunday a day before his inauguration. "And I hope there's no question in people's minds that we are very focused on bringing stability to state government." "I think the people of the state have lost faith in state government," he added. "I think people who work in state government have lost morale. And if we can lift up morale, if we can make sure we're delivering services for people across the state, and bring great people into the positions of the Cabinet ... that itself, that stability, does a lot to lift up people." Rauner also pushed growth, but his agenda, which was largely at odds with a General Assembly dominated by Democrats, included weakening government unions. Rauner's bid for a second term was thwarted by Pritzker, who won the Nov. 6 election by nearly 16 points. While not giving specifics of the inauguration address he will deliver today at the Bank of Springfield Center, Pritzker said -- mirroring his campaign -- that he would work to lift the state "out of its fiscal challenges" and "make sure that we're focusing on working families. "College affordability is very important to me, as well as early childhood education," Pritzker added. "And then expanding health care and creating jobs. ... It's been very stagnant for the last four years. We've benefited from the upward trajectory of the overall economy in the United States, but we could be doing so much better. We're in the bottom third of job creation, and this is a state with a whole lot of talented entrepreneurs and great companies, and we ought to be attracting people to the state, not driving them away." Pritzker noted his experience in helping startup businesses -- including through the 1871 business incubator he founded in Chicago. "The big portion of jobs that get created are created by small businesses that grow into medium-size businesses," he said, and he would push for loans, technical assistance and mentorship to help entrepreneurs. The union with the most state workers as members -- the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers -- hasn't reached a new contract agreement with the state since mid-2015. "I'm 100 percent committed to the collective bargaining process," Pritzker said. "Obviously, we have financial challenges for the state, so we'll be sitting down with AFSCME to make sure that we're addressing their contract and making sure that we're doing the right thing (and) living up to the law." Pritzker, who turns 54 on Saturday, will be living in the Governor's Mansion and spending most of his time in Springfield. He has said his children will continue going to school in Chicago, but the family will be doing a lot of commuting. "I'm really excited to spend time here in Springfield and get to know Springfield, the surrounding area, Sangamon County and the rest of Central Illinois," he said Sunday. He also said Cabinet picks already made and on the way are from across Illinois. "I wanted to make sure that southern Illinois, central Illinois, northwestern Illinois, are all represented in our government," he said. "The government really does reflect the diversity from a geographic perspective of the state, as well as ... from a demographic perspective." Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Pritzker takes over state government with a president from an opposing party -- Republican Donald Trump -- in the White House. And in various forums, including a recent interview by David Axelrod, director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, Pritzker has said Trump is a racist. So can he work with the Trump administration? "You know I have significant disagreements with the president of the United States, and I will work vociferously, vehemently to defeat him in 2020 -- although I'll be very focused on Illinois so I won't be that involved," Pritzker said. "But I'll do anything I can." Still, he said, "there are a lot more people working in government than just the president," and despite political differences, he plans to work with federal agency leaders to benefit Illinois. He said he called former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack -- a Pritzker friend and former Iowa governor -- and Vilsack told him Illinois was "one of the worst states for accessing programs" from the department. "That's just one example, but there are a lot of dollars at the federal level that I'm going after," Pritzker said. He said that he would be proposing "a real balanced budget" in a budget address planned for Feb. 20, and he will be pushing government efficiency in areas including technology, while also seeking to pass a constitutional amendment in 2020 to allow for a graduated income tax. Illinois' can now only have a flat income tax. "The states that have a fair tax system like the one I'm proposing are doing much better in terms of job creation, in terms of paying their pensions, balancing their budget, than we are," he said. "And businesses are growing in their states, despite what some Republicans would like to say." And while many in the GOP oppose a move to the graduated tax, he said, "I think we're going to win some support from Republicans for this. ..." Pritzker said there are no plans at this time for a State of the State address in addition to the budget speech. Pritzker will take the oath of office from Cook County Judge James Snyder, who Pritzker says has been a friend for a quarter century. Pritzker also said he believes Snyder will be the first openly gay judge to swear in an Illinois governor. Snyder is also the first openly gay president of the Illinois Judges Association. Before the inauguration, there is an interfaith service at First Presbyterian Church downtown Springfield. Pritzker will become the third Jewish governor of the state. Others were Henry Horner of Chicago, who served from 1933 until his death in 1940, and Sam Shapiro of Kankakee, who moved from lieutenant governor to the top office in May 1968, but lost the election that fall to Richard Ogilvie and left office in January 1969. Pritzker said he belongs to the same Chicago synagogue that Horner attended: Chicago Sinai Congregation. Rabbi Seth Limmer of Chicago Sinai will offer a prayer at the morning service, Pritzker said. "It's a service that will be representative of many religions across state, and we've got lots of religious leaders that are coming," Pritzker said. Other constitutional officers to be sworn in will also have pastors offering prayers, he added. "I'm very proud of the diversity" in the government and among elected officials, he said. "This has got to be the most diverse set of constitutional officers that's been elected in the state," Pritzker said, "And I'm very proud of that fact." Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 College students and their families may be wondering if the federal government shutdown is affecting financial aid. For now, local experts say, families needn't worry too much. The U.S. Department of Education is fully funded so it is not affected by the shutdown. Additionally, federal financial aid for the 2018-19 school year was fully appropriated months ago and funding for things like Pell Grants is mandatory, according to Josh Norman, associate vice president of enrollment management at Eastern Illinois University. But what about financial aid for next school year? That's where things could get sticky if the shutdown persists, Illinois officials say. The federal student aid office is still up and running, so students can still file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid. However, the student aid office uses other federal departments to verify information submitted in the aid form. For example, eligible males must register for the draft. The government checks with the Selective Service System to confirm the student indeed registered and alerts the school that the application is in good order, enabling the school to dole out aid. But those cross checks are not being done because other parts of the federal government are closed, including parts of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Without those checks being completed, schools cannot award aid. Several Illinois schools said they've received some or even no calls to their financial aid offices complaining that students were unable to complete FAFSAs. Illinois starts accepting the aid forms on Oct. 1, and several officials said the majority of students seeking aid for fall 2019 completed their applications long before the shutdown. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. But those students completing their FAFSAs now could be left in a bind by an ongoing federal shutdown as schools gear up to start distributing financial aid for 2019-20. "About a month from now is when we're going to start to get panicky for those students whose matches are not being done," said Kiely Fletcher, executive director for financial aid at the University of Illinois at Chicago. What also is unclear is whether those federal agencies will redo verifications on those applications once the government reopens, or if that burden will fall to schools and students, Fletcher said. UIC is working with students to send in extra documentation directly such as providing a copy of a permanent resident card rather than relying on the government systems, Fletcher said. But there is no workaround to verifying if a student has registered for the draft, Fletcher said. "We'll have to come up with a Plan B. We do not want to prevent students from receiving their aid," Fletcher said. "We want students to have as much time as possible to make the right choice about where they want to go to college. Any time after the first week of March, that's just not enough time." Bridget Curl, director of financial aid at Illinois State University, said there about 150 students whose applications have been flagged because of incomplete cross checks. But Illinois State has not started awarding aid for 2019-20 yet so the immediate impact is minimal. "At this point, we're not overly concerned. But depending on how long this continues, it could elevate to be a problem," Curl said. One procedure that had been held up by the shutdown was verifying tax information. The FAFSA enables students to retrieve the prior year's tax information through the Internal Revenue Service. That agency, too, is affected by the shutdown. But Wednesday afternoon, the Education Department advised schools they could instead request paper copies of a student's tax returns, bypassing the IRS altogether. "That alleviated a huge issue with the shutdown," Fletcher said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR Police said three arrests have been made on preliminary charges of first-degree murder in the wake of the shooting at the Long John Silvers in Decatur, including a man who had been treated for life-threatening injuries following the incident. Detective Sgt. Chris Copeland confirmed that Matthew A. Anderson Jr., 20, was detained by the U.S. Marshals Service on Friday after he was well enough to leave HSHS St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, where he was treated for gunshot wounds. Anderson is being held in the Macon County Jail on $1 million bail. Copeland said the second suspect, a 15-year-old Decatur male, was detained Jan. 7, but his name wont be released because he is a juvenile. 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}} The third suspect taken into custody was identified as Jaquarius L. West, 18, who was detained Monday morning in Caruthersville, Missouri, also by the U.S. Marshals Service acting on a Macon County arrest warrant. West will be held in Pemiscot County Jail in Missouri until he can be extradited to Macon County, Copeland said. Pemiscot County is about three hours south of St. Louis, off Interstate 55. The investigation is ongoing, and there may be additional arrests, Copeland said. He added that none of the victims or suspects were employed by Long John Silver's. Preliminary charges are subject to review by the Macon County State's Attorney's Office. Love 1 Funny 15 Wow 5 Sad 3 Angry 0 DECATUR The members of First Christian Church believe charity begins at home, but travels all over the world. The 2,500-strong congregation is busy these days doing outreach work that helps everyone from school kids in Decatur to children in need in Cuba and in far-flung nations scattered across Africa. On Sunday, First Christian took a moment between regular services to celebrate another remarkable achievement: its 185th birthday. Morgan Arseneau, the church's discipleship assistant, said the church got it start in 1834 in Decatur and grew up in august company. The original home of the congregation was the log courthouse in Decatur, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, she said. By 1894 it had built itself a tabernacle in downtown Decatur on Church Street, which was razed and replaced with a another new building in 1913. First Christian moved to its current spacious home at 3350 N. MacArthur Road in 1996, just two years after its current lead pastor, the Rev. Wayne Kent and his wife, Leslie, were chosen to lead the congregation. Church members on Sunday had their choice of dining out on celebratory cupcakes marked in icing with either 185 for the church anniversary or 25 for the Kents silver jubilee. 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}} The word of God never changes, but you have to got to grow and change, and you cant stay where you are, said Leslie Kent, 58, looking back at the strides the church has made over its long history. Weve always followed what God has called us to do. Barring rapturous events, her 60-year-old husband looks forward to a First Christian congregation he will never see 185 years from now marking its 370th anniversary. I hope the church then would continue to be saying what we say now: How are we going to change the world? How are we going to make the world better? Wayne Kent said. That is the essential thing. Here is a quick rundown of First Christians efforts to make the world better closer to home: Club 305: An after-school program during which volunteers tutor and mentor Parsons School students. Every Parsons student gets a book, T-shirt and gift box at Christmas. A chaplaincy team to serve patients at Decatur Memorial Hospital and Crossing Healthcare, available 24/7. An arts academy that offers free lessons and classes on music, cooking, painting, sewing, dancing, drama and more to children in the Decatur community. The Block House on Church Street ministers to people in the inner city, and First Christian has three teams preparing and serving meals at the Good Samaritan Inn, a faith-based nonprofit service organization. From the archives: A look back at Decatur-area churches Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Ranch sales strong in 2018 Although selling a ranch purchased only a few years earlier may not sound like a money-making move, thats not necessarily true. The ranch market is strong, said Dave Johnson, a partner in Hall & Hall real estate, in Bozeman. The long-term average rate of appreciation has been about 6.1 percent during the past 10 years, but its also uneven, he noted. Ten years ago the United States was in the depth of a recession, so in some cases prices may have gained as much as 20 percent in just a few years. Johnson said sales in Montana in 2018 were double what they were in the previous two years, both in the number of transactions and the amount of those land deals. While in 2016 and 2017 large ranch sales totaling more than $10 million totaled four, Johnson said there were 10 to 12 in 2018 alone. Those sales were a mixture of working cattle ranches and those bought for their recreational amenities. The 10,000-acre Lazy TP Ranch, along the Jefferson River south of Whitehall, sold last year. It was advertised for $24.5 million. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation spent $11.3 million on Angela Farms, a nearly 17,000-acre farm north of Miles City. The Spear Lazy U Ranch near Wilsall sold in 2018. Its more than 6,300 acres were advertised for $15.25 million. Next door the Lazy SR Ranchs 7,000 acres were advertised for sale for $18.5 million. Topping them all, though, was the sale of the LF Ranch near Augusta along the Rocky Mountain Front. The 42,215-acre ranch was advertised for $52.5 million. Certainly the LF and one of those at Wilsall were more amenity ranches, Johnson said. The values and what people are paying for is more than agricultural. While high-dollar sales increased, Johnson said the smaller ranches over 200 acres were slower to move as asking prices seemed to outpace buyers willingness to plunk down cash. Out of about 600 listings in that category, he said only about one-quarter of them sold or were removed from the market. A greater percentage were taken off the market than sold, Johnson said. The average time on the market is about 18 months for the ones that do sell. I believe Mr. Sales should be removed from his post as president of the Senate for the asinine idea of sending $8 million of Montanan's tax dollars to support a southern wall and to curry favor with a lame duck president. Honestly, Mr. Sales seems to forget he is from Montana, which grows soy, which would benefit far more from the president ending his trade war with China. Also, the timber industry is far more concerned and at times hurt by Canadian lumber product imports than anything from Mexico. Local economies and local hospitals in Montana would benefit far more if the $8 million were used for Medicaid expansion, since the jobs that supports are often higher paying. Also, given the fact Montana has an aging population, medical equipment and support of our local medical facilities and hospitals in small communities means everything to some families. Lastly, every dollar we spend on Medicaid expansion is matched by $9 on the federal level so Montana gains far more and no one is paying for someone else's care as there are income guidelines, co-pays and premium co-pays. Say no to $8 million being sent to Washington, D.C. Michelle Alverson Bozeman Love 12 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Trump has a strange sense of honor. In April, he bestowed the same adjective on the world's most oppressive leader, North Korea's nuclear-armed dictator: "Kim Jong Un, he really has been very open and I think very honorable from everything we're seeing." Now, the president is declaring that China's dictatorship, by far the world's biggest international criminal and abuser of human rights and operator of its most extensive police state, is more honorable than his political opponents in the United States. In Trump's view, your opponents are your enemies and your actual enemies are your friends. How can you negotiate with a man who thinks like this? Reasonable people disagree over border walls and other national priorities. Opponents often dislike each other. But it's another thing to believe loyal Americans, sworn to uphold the Constitution, are less honorable than the leaders of China, which former defense secretary Jim Mattis described as a "malign actor" promoting its "authoritarian model" at our expense. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday left in place Montana's voter-approved limits on contributions to political campaigns in state elections, a decision that likely ends a legal challenge that lasted more than seven years and disrupted the 2012 governor's race. The justices rejected an appeal from opponents of contribution limits, who argued that the caps on political donations are an unconstitutional limit on free speech and free association, and prevent candidates from running effective campaigns. In declining to take up the case, the high court upheld the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that the limits are a reasonable way to try to prevent corruption and still allow candidates to raise enough money to run campaigns. It also appears to bring to a close a lawsuit filed in Montana in 2011 after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision that allowed unlimited corporate and union spending in federal elections. In mid-February 1917 a womens movement independent of political [ #permalink 1 Kudos 1. The author suggests which of the following about New York Socialists' commitment to the cost-of-living movement? From this: Underneath the Socialists brief commitment to cost-of-living organizing lay a basic indifference to the issue itself. (A) It lasted for a relatively short period of time --> Underneath the Socialists brief commitment to cost-of-living organizing lay a basic indifference to the issue itself. (B) It was stronger than their commitment to the suffrage struggle. --> Nowhere in the passage compares commitment to the cost-of-living movement with commitment to the suffrage struggle. The only sentence mentioned about suffrage is of Socialists, not the author. (C) It predated the cost-of-living protest that erupted in 1917. --> No it happened after the protest. Look at this: seized the opportunity and quickly organized an extensive series of cost-of-living protests designed to direct the womens movement toward Socialist goals. (D) It coincided with their attempts to bring more women into union organizing. --> Nowhere mentioned. (E) It explained the popularity of the Socialist party in NYC. --> Nowhere mentioned. 2. It can be inferred from the passage that the goal of the boycotting women was the From this: boycotters, by sharp contrast, joined the price protest movement out of an urgent and deeply felt commitment to the cost-of-living issue. (A) achievement of an immediate economic outcome --> by sharp contrast, boycotters joined the price protest movement out of an urgent and deeply felt commitment to the cost-of-living issue. (B) development of a more socialistic society --> Nowhere mentioned. (C) concentration of a widespread consumer protest on the more narrow issue of food prices. --> Wrong (D) development of one among a number of different approaches that the women wished to employ in combating the high cost of price. --> Wrong (E) attraction of more public interest to issues that the women and the socialist considered important. --> Wrong 3.Which of the following best states the function of the passage as a whole? Paragraph 1: Introduce about womans movement Paragraph 2: Views by Socialists about cost-of-living issues. Paragraph 3: Views by boycotting women about cost-of-living issues. (A) To contrast the views held by the Socialist party and the boycotting women in the cost-of-living issue. --> Correct (B) To analyze the assumption underlying opposing viewpoints with the NY socialist party of 1917 --> Opposing viewpoints with the NY socialist party of 1917 only happened in 2nd paragraph, not the whole paragraph. (C) To provide a historical perspective on different approaches to the resolution of cost-of-living issue. --> Its not about historical perspective. (D) To chronicle the sequence of events that lead to the NY socialist party's emergency as a political power. --> No sequence of events here. (E) To analyze the motivations behind the socialist party's involvement in the women's suffrage movement. --> Details in 2nd paragraph. 4. According to the passage, most New York Socialists believed which of the following about the cost-of-living movement? From this: most Socialists ultimately sought to divert the cost-of-living movement into alternative channels of protest. (A) It was primarily a way to interest women in joining the Socialist Party. --> Nowhere mentioned. (B) It was an expedient that was useful only insofar as it furthered other goals. --> It was an alternative channel to achieve other goals. (C) It would indirectly result in an increase in the number of women who belonged to labor unions. --> Nowhere mentioned. (D) It required a long-term commitment but inevitably represented a direct step toward socialism. --> Nowhere mentioned. (E) It served as an effective complement to union organizing. --> Nowhere mentioned. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Core Gold Inc. ("Core Gold" or the "Company") (TSX-V: CGLD, OTCQX: CGLDF) is pleased to announce, pursuant to the previous news release on March 22, 2018, the Company has received the official and signed drilling permit (Environmental License for advanced exploration) from the Ecuadorian Environmental Ministry for the Companys Copper Duke exploration project (Copper Duke). In addition, the environmental bond requirement has been posted. Copper Duke is an exploration project located in the province of Loja (Southern Ecuador) covering a total of about 13,000 Hectares and comprises the following 13 concessions: Gonza 1, Barbasco 1, Barbasco, Lumapamba 1, Lumapamba, Carol, Gloria 1, Gloria, Catacocha, Colanga 2, Colanga, Barbasco 2, and Barbasco 4. Keith Piggott, CEO of Core Gold commented The issuance of this drilling permit for Copper Duke is a significant milestone for our Company as it represents one of the most anticipated and undrilled gold-copper porphyry targets in Ecuador. When we assumed control of the Company in late 2016 it was always a key objective of our team to drill Copper Duke. We are pleased to be able to proceed, our entire team is excited by the prospect of drilling this target. We hope to continue the exploration success that Ecuador has seen over the past several years with significant projects and discoveries such as Cascabel demonstrating the untapped geological potential of the country. We would like to acknowledge the ongoing positive changes that the Ministry of Mining and the Ministry of Environment are putting in place to accelerate the various permitting processes in Ecuador. The Company intends to drill Copper Duke in 2019 and will provide a further update on the timing of drilling. GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION FOR COPPER DUKE PROJECT Copper Duke is a prospective exploration project that contains a cluster of porphyry copper-gold targets located within its concessions located on the eastern part of the Dynasty Copper-Gold Belt. Regionally, the area is dominated by andesitic volcanic and sedimentary lithologies of the Cretaceous Celica formation and plutonic granodiorite-diorite of the Cretaceous Tangula batholith intruded, in places, by diorite and microdiorite porphyry stocks and breccia pipes. The main mineralized prospective targets discovered to date are located in the El Huato sector, which includes 3 main targets bisected by a NW-SE fault called Santa Rita. These targets are Barbasco 1, Veins Zone, and Lumapamba. Additionally, other prospective targets have been discovered for future exploration (Blanquillo, Loma Redonda, and Barbasco). a) Barbasco 1: This is an area that covers an approximate surface of 4 Km2. Mineralization and hydrothermal alteration is dominated by a pervasive phyllic altered diorite porphyry with porphyry related stockwork and sheeted veins (D type) in upper levels and hornblende diorite porphyry and hornblendite cut by magnetite (M type) veinlets, themselves cut by quartz-pyrite-sericite D veins, all package affected by porphyry related sodic-calcic alteration in the lower levels of the valley. Soil geochemistry indicates a copper anomaly of about 1500 x 1250 meters with copper values up to 0.16%. Rock geochemistry yielded copper values of up to 0.2%. b) Veins Zone: Located between the Barbasco 1 porphyry and the Lumapamba breccia pipe, this is an area that extends NW-SE for 2 Km. It is conformed by a suite of sub-parallel NW striking gold mineralized, quartz-magnetite (hematite-jarosite) veins that occupy the SW slope of the Santa Rita stream valley. Values between 0.1 g/t and 174 g/t Au; 0.1 and 249 g/t Ag have been reported (Maynard, 2007). c) Lumapamba: Lumapamba is a copper-gold mineralized intrusive breccia pipe exposed in exploration trenches and it is the source of a strong copper anomaly in the zone. The breccia pipe is emplaced into a sericite altered (locally argillic) porphyritic hornblende diorite. Mineralization of malachite, chrysocolla and chalcopyrite is conspicuous in the breccia clasts and matrix as well as filling fractures. Trenching results (2018) yielded 20 m @ 0.90 g/t Au and 0.97% Cu. d) Blanquillo: Blanquillo is a copper-gold porphyry target located 5 Km to the NE of the El Huato village. A conspicuous quartz stockwork is outcropping into an area of approximately 0.25 Km2. Values up to 0.7 g/t Au and 1.0% Cu have been reported in rock geochemistry by previous exploration works by the Company. e) Loma Redonda: Located on the southern part of the concession Barbasco 4, Loma Redonda is characterized by the presence of a set of 0.60 to 2.00 m wide gold and silver mesothermal subparallel veins, also with occurrence of copper, molybdenum and lead. Rock geochemistry yields gold values ranging 0.005 g/t to 2.09 g/t; silver between 1.5 g/t to 2,098.0 g/t; and copper ranging from 0.0276% to 22%. The weighted average of 26 rock samples is 0.33 g/t Au, 159 g/t Ag and 3.48% Cu. f) Barbasco: Barbasco has gold values of up to 12 g/t have been reported by the Company in the rock geochemical sampling and is considered a future exploration target. Fig. 1 Rock Geochemistry for Gold Copper Duke Project is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a34e36ab-add3-436e-9023-f58e7d48c1e1 Fig. 2 Exploration targets within the Copper Duke Project is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c30a6178-75af-4bb0-8959-56ef202f3167 Qualified Person Mr. John E. Bolanos, who is a qualified person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Mr. Bolanos is a technical consultant to the Company, with a M.Sc. Mining Geologist from Camborne School of Mines (U.K.) and a Professional Geologist Eng. from The Central University of Ecuador (honours degree). He is a registered member (ID 4172671) of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) of the United States; Director of the Ecuadorian College of Engineers in Geology, Mines, Oil and Environment; and a member of the Mining Chamber of Ecuador. He has 27 years of experience in the exploration and mining industry throughout the Americas. About Core Gold Inc. The Company is a Canadian based mining company involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties in Ecuador. The Company is currently focused on gold production at its wholly-owned Dynasty Goldfield project. Mineral is treated at the Companys wholly-owned Portovelo treatment plant. The Company also owns other significant gold exploration projects including Linderos and Copper Duke in southern Ecuador, all of which are on the main Peruvian Andean gold-copper belt extending into Ecuador. For further information please contact: Keith Piggott, CEO Suite 1201 1166 Alberni Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3Z3 Phone: +1 (604) 345-4822 Email: info@coregoldinc.com Cautionary Notice: This news release contains statements which are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking information which are prospective in nature. Such information in this news release includes statements regarding the Company's interpretation of exploration results and the potential geological merits of the Copper Duke targets. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Core Golds actual results, revenues, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Important risks that could cause Core Golds actual results, revenues, performance or achievements to differ materially from Core Golds expectations include, among other things, risks relating to the actual results of additional exploration activities; fluctuating prices in metals and other commodities; possibility of accidents, equipment breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in operations; exploration cost overruns; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; currency fluctuations; availability of capital and financing to maintain the Company's operations and plans; general economic, market or business conditions; regulatory changes; timeliness of government or regulatory approvals; and other risks detailed herein and as disclosed in the Companys filings as available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Other than in accordance with regulatory obligations, Core Gold is not under any obligation and Core Gold expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, 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 policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. STERLING HEIGHTS, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We welcome, Suvod Associates, our new member firm in Nepal, to the global accountancy network UHY, extending our coverage within the Asia-Pacific region. The firm is in the process of adopting the UHY branding and will be known as UHY Suvod Associates, Chartered Accountants. Suvod Associates head office is based in Kathmandu with a branch office in Itahari. Established in 1993, a team of 42, including two partners, provide audit and assurance, tax and management consultancy services to a diverse portfolio including both domestic and international clients from predominantly the following sectors: aviation, telecommunications, hospitality, governmental organisations and trading companies. Managing partner, Suvod Kumar Karn of Suvod Associates comments: Our country is transitioning towards an economy focussed around manufacturing and services, bringing opportunities to Nepal for reconstruction, investment and growth. Our firm has joined the UHY network for many reasons and is committed to provide the necessary resources to help our clients operate more efficiently, grow their business, and achieve new levels of success in today's increasingly competitive market place. The global presence of the network combined with the expertise and knowledge of UHYs 8,100 colleagues around the world not only strengthens our own commitment and capabilities, locally and regionally, but will also enhance these of our clients and their operations. Rick David, chairman of UHY comments: We are delighted to welcome Suvod Associates to the UHY network. Nepal, a growing economy surrounded by two of the worlds most significant economies, India and China, reinforces our footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthens UHYs regional and international market expertise. We very much support the firms ambitions to expand their coverage in the wider territory and more importantly, Suvod Associates, bring more capabilities to their clients international needs and opportunities. ENDS About UHY LLP UHY LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that performs attest services in an alternative practice structure with UHY Advisors, Inc. and its subsidiary entities. UHY Advisors, Inc. provides tax and business consulting services through wholly owned subsidiary entities that operate under the name of UHY Advisors. UHY Advisors, Inc. and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. UHY LLP and UHY Advisors, Inc. are US members of Urbach Hacker Young International Limited, a UK company, and form part of the international UHY network of legally independent accounting and consulting firms. UHY is the brand name for the UHY international network. Any services described herein are provided by UHY LLP and/or UHY Advisors (as the case may be) and not by UHY or any other member firm of UHY. Neither UHY nor any member of UHY has any liability for services provided by other members. Liaison office for Suvod Associates Contact: Akash Suman on +977 1 524 2214, Email: akash@suvodassociates.com.np Website: www.suvodassociates.com.np About UHY Established in 1986 and based in London, UK, UHY is a leading network of independent audit, accounting, tax and consulting firms with offices in over 325 major business centres across more than 95 countries. Our staff members, over 7,850 strong, are proud to be part of the 16th largest international accounting and consultancy network. Each member of UHY is a legally separate and independent firm. For further information on UHY please go to www.uhy.com. UHY is a member of the Forum of Firms, an association of international networks of accounting firms. For additional information on the Forum of Firms, visit www.forumoffirms.org. UHY press contact: Dominique Maeremans on +44 20 7767 2621 Email: d.maeremans@uhy.com. San Jose & San Francisco, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Whiskies of the World will be coming to the Bay Area for the 6th Annual Whiskies of the World San Jose on March 21st at the Forager Tasting Room Eatery from 6:00 PM 10:00 PM. The second event will be held on the SF Belle Hornblower Yacht for the 20th Annual Whiskies of the World San Francisco on March 23rd from 5:00 PM 9:00 PM. The Yacht remains docked and provides a beautiful waterfront setting for this much anticipated event. Both events benefit Casa Circulo Cultural which provides youth and families with year-round, culturally based programs. San Jose VIP tickets cost $140 and General Admission tickets cost $115. San Francisco VIP tickets cost $165, General Admission tickets cost $140 and Dram Club cost $190. The San Francisco event attracts 1250 whisky enthusiasts, experts, restaurant owners, bar owners, and industry specialists while San Jose caters to its venue capacity of 800 guests. Both festivals sell out weeks before the events. The festivals gather the worlds most fascinating whiskies along with their makers and ambassadors to give its guests an opportunity to sample, learn and experience the art of whisky. From the biggest brand names to small craft boutique whiskies, there will be a vast range of flavor profiles to experience. These include Scotch whiskies, Irish whiskeys, Japanese whiskies, American whiskeys, bourbons, rye whisky, wheat whisky and so much more. Other popular features of the events include whisky seminars, food pairings, a cigar roller and a whisky and cigar seminar. We express our gratitude to our sponsors that make these events possible. Our sponsors include BevMo, The Whisky Shop, Artisan Wine Depot, Modern Luxury Silicon Valley, Honor Cigars, and San Francisco Chocolate Factory. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.whiskiesoftheworld.com More about Whiskies of the World LLC Originating in San Francisco, Whiskies of the World is now a series of six hugely popular whisky festivals taking place in California, Texas and Georgia. Whiskies of the World offers guests the opportunity to taste superlative whiskies and to meet the outstanding personalities of the whisky world. Attachments NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DoubleVerify , the leading independent provider of marketing measurement software and analytics, today announced that it has acquired Leiki, Ltd., a leading contextual intelligence and content classification platform headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and with operations across Europe. The transaction was completed as an all cash, all stock offer on December 27, 2018. The Leiki acquisition further strengthens DVs core global brand reputation capabilities, ensuring that brands advertising on the Internet are matched with appropriate and relevant content. Leikis semantic AI software engine provides high-definition analysis of any piece of text (e.g. complex news articles) or contextual video data. DoubleVerify uses content analysis data to protect brand reputation throughout the media transaction (pre- and post-bid) and to enable proactive contextual targeting of content aligned with a brands equity or target audience profile. The acquisition also brings a tenured team with specialized ontological expertise and deep relationships with brands and premium publishers internationally. Moreover, Leiki experts classify content in-language worldwide helping DV address the brand reputation needs of its global customer base. Commenting on the acquisition, Wayne Gattinella, DoubleVerify CEO, said: Leikis data-driven technology platform and advanced content classification expertise dovetail perfectly with DVs global brand reputation offering a core competency since our companys inception over a decade ago. We are delighted to welcome the Leiki team a uniquely talented group that is expert in language ontology and content analysis. Leiki CEO and Founder, Dr. Petrus Pennanen added: The entire Leiki team is thrilled to join forces with DoubleVerify a rapidly expanding, global organization with a best-in-class brand reputation solution. We are going to market with even stronger capabilities through close integration of Leikis semantic technology and expertise with DVs industry-wide platform. About DoubleVerify DoubleVerify is the leading independent provider of marketing measurement software, data and analytics that authenticates the quality and effectiveness of digital media for the world's largest brands and media platforms. DV provides media transparency and accountability to deliver the highest level of impression quality for maximum advertising performance. Since 2008, DV has helped hundreds of Fortune 500 companies gain the most from their media spend by delivering best in class solutions across the digital ecosystem, helping to build a better industry. Learn more at doubleverify.com. About Leiki Founded in 2000, Leiki provides a leading, independent semantic AI platform that offers a variety of software as a service (SaaS) solutions for brands and publishers. At its technological core, Leiki has a proprietary natural language analysis ontology with over 200 thousand topics, powering text and audience interest analysis, content discovery, and user interest profiling and segmentation. Leikis technology has numerous applications within the online advertising sector, including concept recognition, content classification and recommendation, and semantic search in addition to intelligent user profiling, based on interest and intent. Leiki is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland with operations across North America and Europe. PR Contact: Chris Harihar of Crenshaw Communications, on behalf of DoubleVerify chris@crenshawcomm.com 212.367.9748 Laws, policies being revised for investment summit The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is rushing to revise 22 acts and policies related to industry and trade in a bid to attract foreign investment at Nepal Investment Summit 2019. NYANKUNDE, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has been transporting vaccines, medical personnel and supplies, and sanitation equipment into the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since early August to aid efforts to stem an outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD). MAF staff in Nyankunde have temporarily relocated their operations to Uganda due to a positive test of the EVD in the Nyankunde hospital in late December. They expect to return later in January if it is determined to be an isolated EVD case. Emergency relief flights by MAF are continuing from other airstrips until they can resume using their Nyankunde base. Since August 7th MAF has conducted 24 Ebola-related flights with 99 passengers and nearly eight tons (7,211 kgs) of cargo. Jon Cadd, program manager for MAFs operations in the Eastern part of the DRC, said the temporary relocation has created some logistical challenges to their aviation operations, but they will continue to respond to the crisis. MAF has been responding to Ebola outbreaks for many years and has a wealth of experience in this area. We have an Ebola Pathogen Management Plan we follow to protect staff and minimize the risk of transmitting the virus. We know that Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids or from eating infected bush meat and contacting fluids from infected animals. We use strict protocols for handling patient samples that we deliver for testing and to clean our aircraft to keep staff and passengers safe. Due to the vast distance to reach remote villages, jungle terrain that makes overland travel difficult, and areas prone to communal violence in one of the countrys most populated provinces, air travel provided by MAF is one of the quickest and most efficient means of delivering supplies and people to Ebola-impacted areas. The DRC, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other medical groups, is battling this most recent outbreak of the EVD located in the northeast part of the country. According to the WHO, the number of deaths has reach 377 out of 625 reported cases for this outbreak. This is the ninth outbreak of EVD in the DRC since the discovery of the disease in 1976. Mission Aviation Fellowship ( www.mafc.org ) operates a fleet of some 130 airplanes worldwide. Since 1945, MAF has enabled the work of churches, relief organizations, missionaries, medical teams, development agencies, and others working to make life better for those who live in the most isolated parts of the world. In recent years, MAF has responded to disasters such as Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, following two deadly earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, and most recently in the Philippines after Super Typhoon Mangkhut. MAFs Canadian headquarters is in Guelph, Ontario. Notes to the Editor MAF has operated in the DRC since 1961 Shareholder's Meeting of Iceland Seafood International hf will be held on Tuesday February 5th at 16.00 pm at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Suurlandsbraut 2, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland. Enclosed is the Notice of convene to the Shareholder's Meeting, proposed agenda and proposed resolutions for the Shareholders Meeting. Attachments CALGARY, Alberta and ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Creative Solar USA and Eguana Technologies (TSX.V: EGT) (OTCQB: EGTYF) are pleased to announce a fleet of more than 20 residential energy storage systems has been installed and commissioned in the Greater Atlanta Area and Carroll County regions of Georgia as part of the Solarize Atlanta and Carrollton-Carroll campaigns. In 2018 Creative Solar USA, chosen as the installer for the Solarize Carrollton-Carroll and Solarize Atlanta campaigns, contracted over 170 PV installations totaling over 1.2 MW. Creative Solar USA worked closely with its clients to ensure that the coordination of engineering, procurement, and on-site installation services exceeded proposed financial and power generation objectives. As part of the initial roll out two dozen Eguana Evolve Energy Storage systems were selected by Georgia homeowners as their battery system of choice. Eguana was the only provider of a cost-effective, AC-coupled lithium-ion energy storage system that was capable of delivering meaningful volumes of product in 2018, said Russell Seifert, CEO of Creative Solar USA. Eguana proved to be an excellent partner providing both web-based and on-site training along with promotional and installation support. We expect demand for residential and commercial energy storage to continue to rise in 2019 and have follow up orders placed with Eguana to continue to have the Evolve system available to homeowners. We are very pleased with Creative Solar USAs ability to sell energy storage systems in this developing market demonstrating the potential for widespread adoption of residential energy storage solutions across North America, said Livio Filice, Director of Residential Sales, North America. Looking forward, we have agreed to continue our strong relationship into 2019, backed with a 400 KWh order placed by Creative Solar USA to support ongoing interest in the Evolve system. The solarize programs in Georgia have been designed to bring affordable renewable energy solutions to the people of Georgia added Justin Holland, CEO of Eguana Technologies. With Evolves modular approach Georgia families can maximize energy produced by their solar panels for self-consumption further reducing their dependency on local utilities, while maintaining confidence that during grid outages Evolves back up power capability will continue to deliver meaningful power to their essential loads. We look forward to continuing to support Russell and his team at Creative Solar USA. 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 Creative Solar Jordan Clark Director of Sales jordan.clark@creativesolarusa.com +1.770.485.7438 About Creative Solar USA Creative Solar USA is a Georgia based, turn-key installer of innovative solar electric systems, dedicated to alternative energy solutions for your home or business. The company works with clients before, during and after the installation to ensure the best possible solution, blending customer demand, system capabilities and the expertise of the staff Creative Solar's staff of experienced and Certified Installation Professionals uses the highest quality solar electrical products with industry "best-practices" to customize every PV installation according to the customers' requirements. 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. Washington D.C., Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2019 Washington, D.C. Access to Childhood Cancer Essentials (ACCESS) today announced two initiatives with partners across sectors to improve the lives of children with cancer in Africa. The first, in collaboration with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. provides essential, life-saving cancer medicines to children in Ethiopia, and the second funds critical research on childhood cancer medicine needs and access barriers in East Africa with the aim of improving future procurement. Cancer is the highest non-communicable disease-related cause of death among children globally. While in high-income countries, more than 80 percent of children with cancer are cured, the same percentage of those in low- and middle-income countries die.[1] Childhood cancer has no borders; yet, sadly, childhood cancer medicines do, said Ruth Hoffman, CEO of the American Childhood Cancer Organization, and co-founder of ACCESS. A major barrier to treating and curing children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries is lack of access to essential medicines. In partnership with Teva Pharmaceuticals, Direct Relief and the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Fund Supply Agency, ACCESS is providing an emergency provision of 13 cancer medicines from the World Health Organizations Essential Medicine Listmore than 17,000 vialsto children with cancer in Ethiopia. This initiative will result in rapidly available, life-saving treatments for Ethiopian children with a wide range of cancersat no cost to their families, said Giancarlo Francese, Access Head, Social Impact & Responsibility, Teva. "The multi-stakeholder collaboration is working to build knowledge and infrastructure for a sustainable supply of essential childhood cancer medicines in Ethiopia." This comes as a response to an urgent plea from parents and medical providers of children with cancer, as well as health system leaders. Bitew Tesfaye, a farm laborer, father to seven children, including his six-year old daughter diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma who is awaiting treatment in Addis Ababa shared, We come from far away, hoping for our children to get well. We start treatment and begin to see light, but, when we are told medicine is not available or only available in a private pharmacy, our hope fades. Now, with access to these medicines, we have hope again." "Direct Relief is deeply appreciative to Teva and ACCESS for their leadership and initiative in providing critical treatments to underserved patients in Ethiopia and globally," said Tom Roane, Strategic Initiatives Director at Direct Relief. Thanks to this collaboration, patients who would otherwise be unable to access cancer therapies will be able to receive the treatments they need to recover." ACCESS is also launching an innovative research program to study the many critical barriers to childhood cancer drug access in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. A significant limitation to providing critical medicines to children with cancer in Africa is the lack of knowledge about the scope of the problem, said Dr. Avram Denburg, Pediatric Oncologist and Principal Investigator, Centre for Global Child Health at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Canada and co-founder of ACCESS. The ACCESS East Africa Program is forecasting childhood cancer medicine needs in the region. This will help inform national government procurement efforts and generate evidence of specific barriers to childhood cancer medicine access in each of these countries. This program is made possible through the generous support of Friends of Cancer Patients Ameera Fund and in collaboration with the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, American Childhood Cancer Organization, Clinton Health Access Initiative and World Bank. Addressing both immediate and long-term needs, these initiatives represent the power and promise of innovative collaborations between non-profit organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, academia and global health institutions to help save lives of thousands of children with cancer. For further information or to support these important initiatives, please visit www.accessentials.org. ### About Access to Childhood Cancer Essentials The Access to Childhood Cancer Essentials (ACCESS) Initiative is a multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on improving access to essential medicines for children with cancer globally. Its vision is of a world where the cure of childhood cancer is bounded by the limits of our knowledge, not the limits of our reach. Its mission is to create and implement innovative solutions to childhood cancer drug and radiotherapy access in low and middle income countries so that all children in the world, regardless of where they live, have access to hope for a cure. Visit www.accessentials.org About Teva Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is a global leader in generic medicines, with innovative treatments in select areas, including CNS, pain and respiratory. We deliver high-quality generic products and medicines in nearly every therapeutic area to address unmet patient needs. We have an established presence in generics, specialty, OTC and API, building on more than a century-old legacy, with a fully integrated R&D function, strong operational base and global infrastructure and scale. We strive to act in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Headquartered in Israel, with production and research facilities around the globe, we employ 45,000 professionals, committed to improving the lives of millions of patients. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com. About American Childhood Cancer Organization The American Childhood Cancer Organization was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1970 by parents of children diagnosed with cancer to advocate for their needs and support research. The nations largest grassroots organization at the forefront of the crucial battle against childhood cancer and sole U.S. member of Childhood Cancer International, the ACCO is dedicated to shaping policy, supporting research, raising awareness, and providing educational resources and innovative programs to children with cancer, survivors, and their families. Since its inception, the ACCO has helped support more than half a million families affected by childhood cancer in the U.S. and expended to provide grant funding to support childhood cancer programs in Ethiopia. Visit www.acco.org. About Centre for Global Child Health The Centre for Global Child Health is the dedicated hub for global child health-focused activities at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). With a rich history of innovation in global paediatric health and a reputable network of global partners, the Centre for Global Child Health is well poised to effectively address global child health issues. The Centre supports the global health agenda through collaborative research grounded in scholarship, sustainable capacity building through education, advocacy for improved maternal and child health and the active communication of results to local, national and inter-national stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.sickkids.ca/globalchildhealth and follow on Twitter @SickKidsGlobal. About Direct Relief Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 90 countries worldwide, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief works to equip healthcare providers who care for vulnerable people on an ongoing basis and during emergencies. To achieve this goal, Direct Relief partners with local health providers, leading healthcare companies, and business leaders, to deliver medicines, medical supplies and equipment through transparent, reliable, and cost-effective channels. Direct Relief seeks to support existing health providers over the long term, delivering aid without regard to race, ethnicity, political or religious affiliations, or ability to pay. Direct Relief partners with leading cancer treatment manufacturers to provide access to life-saving cancer treatment drugs to more than 50 public cancer hospitals around the world. Direct Relief is a member of the globally prominent Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), as well as the specialized cervical cancer association Global Coalition Against Cervical Cancer. In addition, Direct Relief is an Implementing Partner in the UICCs City Cancer Challenge (C/Can 2025) initiative. More information on Direct Reliefs work on expanding access to cancer treatment can be found at: www.directrelief.org/issue/cancer. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW Dr. Avram Denburg, Staff Oncologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada: email Hillete Warner at hillete.warner@sickkids.ca Ruth Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer, American Childhood Cancer Organization: email rhoffman@acco.org 202-262-9949 [1]http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer-in-children Attachment GIBRALTAR, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WheelTug plc, the aviation electric taxi innovator, and Ethiopian Airlines, the largest carrier in Africa, have agreed to allocate 30 WheelTug systems to Ethiopian's Boeing 737 fleet. This agreement raises the number of assigned WheelTug slots to almost 1,300 aircraft across more than two dozen airlines worldwide. Ethiopian follows eight airline signings for WheelTug in 2018. The WheelTug system consists of high-performance electric motors powered by the aircraft's auxiliary power unit, installed in the nose gear wheels of the aircraft. Pilots gain full maneuverability and greater autonomy on the ground; they can carry out pushback and taxi operations without relying on tow tractors or the aircraft's jet engines. Ethiopian will be able to reduce its costs and improve its system-wide performance through fleet utilization gains and more dependable departures. Moreover, the carrier will spend less on maintenance expenses and its aircraft will retain greater value. Using WheelTug for breakaway power, aircraft engines are less likely to create the FOD (foreign object debris) vortices that over time decrease engine performance. WheelTug CEO Isaiah Cox said, "Ethiopian is a superb addition to WheelTug, and we look forward to seeing Ethiopian expand its markets with a little help from our company." Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam agreed. "We are happy to partner with the worlds well-known aviation electric taxi innovator, WheelTug. Ethiopian Airlines has always been at the forefront of technology in Africa. As the largest airline in the continent with more convenient connections, Ethiopian Airline now brings more people to Africa than any other carrier, and WheelTug will help its efforts to deliver the best possible travel experience to its esteemed customers." About Ethiopian Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seventy plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continents leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lions share of the Pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 119 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft. Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with Six business centers: Ethiopian International Services; Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services; Ethiopian MRO Services; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian ADD Hub Ground Services and Ethiopian Airports Services. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years. For more information: Mr. Asrat Begashaw Manager Corporate Communications, Ethiopian Airlines Tel: (251-1) 517-89-07/656/165/913/529 CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com www.ethiopianairlines.com www.facebook.com/ethiopianairlines www.twitter.com/flyethiopian About WheelTug plc Based in Gibraltar, WheelTug plc is developing the WheelTug aircraft electric drive system. A full listing of WheelTug partner companies and airline customers is on the company's website at http://www.wheeltug.gi . Forward-looking statement at http://www.wheeltug.gi/fls.shtml For more information: Jan Vana Director, WheelTug plc +420 724 276 506 [CZ] +1 410 419 0082 [US] exec@wheeltug.gi www.wheeltug.gi Voisins-le-Bretonneux, 14 January 2019, 8am Orege is announcing that it has signed a six-year lease agreement for three SLG solutions with the City of Orlando for a total of over $1.3 million. These solutions will be delivered in the second quarter of 2019. The City of Orlando is a major metropolitan area in Central Florida that is seeing rapid population growth and faces a major increase in sludge disposal costs for its wastewater treatment plant covering the equivalent of 300,000 inhabitants. The three SLG solutions are large-scale systems rated at 400 gallons per minute (80 m3/hour) each. Their installation will enable the City of Orlando to comply with increasingly strict regulations and significantly reduce the cost of sludge disposal by enhancing the overall performance of their belt filter presses for dewatering. Orlando values the many operational benefits and cost savings delivered by the SLG solutions, from reducing hauling and disposal costs to decreasing polymer use and increasing dewatering throughput. These SLG solutions will also deliver broader benefits across the wastewater treatment plant, including reduced odor and corrosive gas. The delivery of the three SLG solutions is planned for the second quarter of 2019. Under this six-year lease agreement, the City of Orlando will be covered by a bespoke financing approach and will be able to immediately capitalize on the operational benefits of SLG. This new contract with the City of Orlando confirms the growing adoption of the SLG solution in the US. It represents the tenth project delivered by Orege in the US and will further strengthen Oreges presence in Florida and neighboring states. Faced with financial and environmental challenges similar to those in Orlando, a number of other municipalities across the region have already expressed interest in deploying the SLG solution. About SLG SLG (solid, liquid, gas) is an innovative sludge conditioning and treatment technology. It offers a cost-effective and high-performance solution for industrial firms, operators and municipalities by significantly reducing sludge volume and promoting sludge recovery by changing its physical, chemical and rheological characteristics. Fully aligned with new regulatory and environmental requirements, the patented SLG technology has received several international awards, including 2016 Breakthrough Technology of the Year at the Global Water Intelligence Awards and Most Innovative Technology at Birmingham Utility Week in 2017. About Orege Orege is an international cleantech firm specialized in the development, manufacturing and marketing of treatment solutions for municipal and industrial sludge and complex effluents. With bases in France, the US, the UK and Germany, Orege supports its clients in a dozen countries around the world. The company is a partner of Itochu Machine-Technos Corp in Japan. Orege has been listed on the regulated market Euronext - Paris since 5 July 2013. ISIN: FR0010609206 OREGE www.orege.com Contacts OREGE Investor Relations & Financial Information communication@orege.com CALYPTUS Cyril Combe tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 68 68 orege@calyptus.net Attachment Note: Hey guys, in case you didn't notice because you don't love me nearly enough the site was out all morning. I continued to write in a Microsoft Word knockoff but it crashed and I lost all the dumbass stuff I wrote. At any rate, I'm gonna go for a nice long cry in the shower and I'll be back tomorrow for a re-do. Because some people aren't afraid to grab life by the horns and live their dream, a Texas woman was recently banned from her local Walmart after being caught drinking wine out of a Pringles can (after all, once you pop, you can't stop) and driving an electric shopping cart around the parking lot for "about three hours." What a magnificent creature. Police tell the Times Record News that officers responded to a suspicious person call at about 9 a.m. Friday at a Walmart in Wichita Falls, about 125 miles northwest of Dallas. Wichita Falls police spokesman Jeff Hughes says the woman had reportedly been riding the electric cart around the parking lot for about three hours. Hughes says police eventually found the woman in a nearby restaurant and told her not to return to the store. Police say the woman wasn't arrested and her name was not released. The ol' wine out of a Pringles can before 9 a.m. -- classic. And she wasn't arrested? Kinda makes me want to move to Texas. Only kinda though. Still, no word when exactly this woman relocated from Florida or what sort of crazy hijincks her boyfriend is up to, but I for one can't wait to find out. Thanks to my buddy Closet Nerd, who agrees this woman is an inspiration to us all. WOODLAND PARK You can tell just from photos of her that Kelsey Berreth, the 29-year-old Woodland Park mother authorities believe was killed by her fiance, was a good person, said JoDee Garretson, Berreths cousin. She had a smile that could light up a room, Garretson said last week from her home in Washington state, where Berreth grew up on her parents farm. Since Berreth was reported missing by her mother, Cheryl, in early December, people near and far have been captivated by the twists and turns in her presumed murder. The flight instructor was last seen alive on surveillance video on Thanksgiving Day shopping with her 15-month-old daughter at the Woodland Park Safeway. Despite not having found her body, authorities have arrested the man she was planning to marry and the father of her daughter, Patrick Frazee. The 32-year-old Florissant rancher was arrested Dec. 21 and charged with first-degree murder, as well as conspiring with others to kill Berreth. No one else has been arrested, although an Idaho woman with whom Frazee was reportedly having an affair, is under investigation, according to authorities. Its just horrific; it breaks your heart, said Cripple Creek resident Jeff Kuykendall, who didnt know Berreth but has been following news reports about her. You just wonder what the motivation was. With investigators justification for Frazees arrest sealed, all the public can do is guess at what happened to her and why. Speculation on social media is rife. One Facebook discussion group has nearly 15,000 participants; another has 10,000 members, and several have about 2,000. If you use common sense, its easy to see she was a stand-up member of society, wrote one online commenter. She held down a good job, owned a home, had two cars and loved her family. Its disgusting that people would even speculate about what she did or didnt do. The fact is that she is the victim, and thats the only thing she should be at this point in time. National media descended on this small mountain town in the first two weeks of the investigation. They continue to follow new leads in Colorado and Idaho, where Berreths cellphone last pinged and another woman is being investigated for possible ties to the murder. Couple met online Unlike many millennials, Berreth did not have much of a social media presence. But she did meet Frazee online, Garretson said. Kelsey told me that, said Garretson, who couldnt confirm whether the two met on the dating site for rural residents, FarmersOnly.com, as has been rumored. She was very happy and excited to be with him, said Garretson, a first cousin to Berreths mother who lives in Idaho. Berreth, who moved to Colorado in 2016, was engaged to Frazee, although the two never lived together, her mother and Garretson have said. Her Colorado address initially was listed as a post office box in Florissant, the town where Frazee lived and worked on his familys ranch. They met in March 2016, said Kate Loucado, who worked with Berreth for a short time. She was a farm girl looking for someone with strong family values and someone who held the same beliefs and morals, Loucado said on a Facebook discussion page. I think she was awestruck that this handsome cattle rancher was interested. In February 2017, Berreth told fellow pilot Kris Ackerman that she was getting married soon. Ackerman, a classmate of Berreths in pilot school, described her as quiet and reserved. Very nice to anyone she interacted with, Ackerman said on Facebook. He last spoke with her in June 2017, when she told him she aspired to fly cargo deliveries or work as an airline pilot. At the time of her disappearance, Berreth was a flight instructor in the Pueblo office of Doss Aviation, which provides flight training for the U.S. military and international armed services. The company does not release information about employees, said a spokeswoman, refusing to say how long Berreth worked there or what kind of employee she was. Garretson said Berreth loved the freedom of flight from a young age and obtained her pilots license as a teen. Id forgotten how young she was when she learned how to fly, her cousin said. And she was a damn good pilot, Loucado said. Many unanswered questions Authorities have not released what evidence they found that led them to believe she was killed in her Woodland Park townhome. But after searching Frazees 35-acre property and Berreths townhome, authorities said they no longer believe she is alive. For those who knew her, its hard to imagine shes no longer alive. She was a sweet girl, Loucado said. Friendly and personable, said Lon Rust, who owns Paradise Spirits liquor store in Woodland Park, where Berreth was a customer. She seemed like a fairly stable person, he said. Berreth was a very shy person until you actually get to know her, said Luda Boychuk, a friend. She always kept to herself, until we became friends, and then she was nothing but sweet and the most down-to-earth person ever, Boychuk said on Facebook. Berreth moved to the townhouse near downtown Woodland Park in May and didnt seem to know her neighbors. Not many in town knew her, resident Laura Ross said on Facebook. A few remember seeing her here and there, but she didnt frequent any place specific. (She was) very private. Although Berreths parents are active in the Sandpoint Seventh-day Adventist Church in their Idaho community, where several prayer vigils were held, Berreth was not a member of the denominations church in Woodland Park, said the Rev. Mike Kissner, pastor. Her parents visited the church a few weeks ago, he said, likely when they were obtaining temporary custody of their daughters child, to receive prayers and consolation. At the first of several news conferences last month, Cheryl Berreth described her daughter as loving God, her family and friends and her job. She also said Kelsey was reliable, considerate and honest. Berreths townhouse sits dark, empty and torn apart by criminal investigators searching for evidence. Now, only questions linger. Why was she not reported missing for 10 days? Why did Berreth hand over the baby to Frazee on Thanksgiving? Why did Frazee not let Berreths mother see the child while she was in Woodland Park, before he was arrested? Did Frazee threaten an Idaho nurse to help kill his fiancee? Who sent texts from Berreths cellphone from Idaho three days after Thanksgiving, saying she wouldnt be at work the following week? Did Frazee plot to murder her in October, as an Idaho couple now assert? Where are her remains? This whole thing seems so unreal, Boychuk said. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656. KCs failing health cause for concern among doctors Doctors attending to Dr Govinda KC, who has been staging an indefinite hunger strike in Ilam since Wednesday, have expressed concern over his failing health and suggested him to undergo treatment at the District Hospital. By the time Erin Monyek gets rolling on her overnight baking gig at Horseshoe Donuts, the cozy Monument retail plaza off Colorado 105 where the shop is located is a delicious-smelling, and mostly empty, place. Shoppers and diners have gone home, and other late-night visitors are an uncommon sight here, a stones throw from the police department and about 20 miles from the regions major homeless resource agencies in Colorado Springs. So when Monyek was going about her duties on an early summer night last year and glanced out the shops big window to see a slender African American man who looked to be in his mid-60s in a wheelchair, with both legs amputated at the knees she decided a welfare check was in order. I went to see what was going on, and it sounded like he was on the phone yelling at someone, said Monyek, who owns the store with her identical twin sister, Liz Schulze. Turned out the phone wasnt connected to anyone and the man, William Mack, was dealing with significant psychological issues in addition to his physical limitations. Mack would go on to spend the next four months camped on the sidewalk outside Horseshoe Donuts, and come to refer to Monyek and Schulze as his two angels. On that first meeting, however, the words he had for the doughnut maker who only wanted to see if he was OK were not so godly. He actually got angry at me and started yelling, saying he had a right to be there and he was tired of people calling the police on him and yadda yadda yadda, said Monyek, a thick-skinned 52-year-old former Air Force JAG litigator and family law attorney who grew up outside Boston. Monyek backed off then, but as she was preparing to head home before dawn, she checked again to find that Mack had folded up his wheelchair and zipped himself up, entirely, inside his sleeping bag. She left a bag of doughnuts and a message saying that if he needed anything when he awoke to talk to her daughter, Kristy, who would be working the morning shift as cashier. She signed the note, Your friend Erin. And so it began. Throughout the summer, Mack would get his breakfast, sometimes lunch, dinner, and a phone charge, at the shop. We established a relationship with him to the point where he felt comfortable with me and my sister and my niece, Schulze said. It just became part of our routine. When Monyek arrived for her evening shift, Mack would unzip his sleeping bag just enough to poke out his head to greet her, almost like he was waiting for me, she said. As the weeks churned on, the sisters got to know him enough to loosely stitch together a patchwork backstory of a man whod grown up in a large, devout family in Florida and joined the military straight out of high school. I cant tell you how many times we sat on the steps outside and talked to him for 10, 15, 30 minutes, just to try to give him some companionship but we didnt always know what was the truth, said Monyek. He had lucid moments and other times where he would speak, almost preaching at the wind, to anyone and anything that would listen. Im sure some people were frightened of him. While Macks recollections were murky about the road that brought him to the sidewalk outside the Colorado doughnut shop, he was crystal clear when it came to communicating some things. He liked his coffee light and sweet and was a picky eater, largely for practical reasons, preferring the shops oversized cake doughnuts served on a plate, with a knife and fork. He didnt have any teeth, and that was the easiest way for him to eat them, Monyek said. If Schulze made lasagna or spaghetti pie, shed always bring him a big serving. My sister is the best cook in the entire world and makes everything from scratch ... shes just a real gourmet, Monyek said. So she brings him this dynamite piece of lasagna and asks him how it was and he says, It was good enough. He could be a real piece of work. The sisters asked only that Mack pack up his sleeping bag and be dressed and out and about during business hours, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Because of his disabilities, they often had to help him comply. He was more or less completely reliant on other people. He had a bottle to pee in and wed dump it for him, pour in some bleach to rinse it out and give it back, rather than making the poor guy do it himself, Schulze said. He would soil his sleeping bag and clothes. Numerous times, me or my sister would help clean him up and go buy him new clothes. One day, Monyek found him without his sleeping bag. Mack told her hed had an accident and had to toss it, and said he needed to raise $20 so he could wheel himself to Walmart, 3 miles away down Jackson Creek Parkway, to buy a new one. Monyek said shed pick one up for him after she got done with work, and when that time came about 10 hours later she powered through the exhaustion and lit out completely covered in doughnut batter to buy a replacement. My conscience would have got the best of me if Id gone home and gotten under the warm covers to go to sleep, knowing hes sitting there in a wheelchair shivering, she said. Mack wasnt in his usual spot when she returned, but on her way home to Peyton she spotted him panhandling in front of the convenience store just south of the shop. He told her he didnt think shed meant what she said about buying him a new bag. He almost couldnt believe that someone would do something like that for him, Monyek said. Then he asked what color shed chosen. I said its blue, and he goes, Oh good, I like blue, Monyek said. I guess its good I picked blue. While Schulze said some of the neighborhood shop owners voiced concerns that Macks presence was having a negative effect on business, the reaction among the majority of her customers was the opposite. I found that most people here cared about him and wanted a good outcome for him. It wasnt, like, Oh, we cant have a homeless person in Monument, Schulze said. I had one customer who comes in on the weekends on his motorcycle and he would spend a couple hours with William reading the Bible. The owners, employees and customers of Horseshoe Donuts werent the only ones quietly reaching out to and checking in on the homeless double amputee, who became something of a fixture on the east side of town last summer. Monument Police Commander Steve Burke said his department received different calls about Mack after he arrived in town. Officers knew his name and routinely checked in on him sometimes on the clock, as part of official business; other times, just because. Were a small community outside of a large city, and all of the resources are in the city so we dont get a lot of it (homelessness and panhandling) in Monument, Burke said. Ive talked to guys who said theyd see him tooling down the street in his wheelchair and theyd pull up next to him and say, Hey are you OK? and hed give the thumbs-up sign. On one of those occasions, however, officer Michael Case and a deputy from the El Paso County Sheriffs Department responded to a call only to find that Mack had soiled his pants. So they went to the store and bought him a few clothes and a sleeping bag, some toiletry items Depends .... just stuff to help him out, Burke said. They were intending to get him some stuff for his wheelchair, reflectors and lights so hed be safer out at night, but when the person at Walmart found out about it, they just bought everything. It was kind of a three-way effect there, Burke said. As fall drew closer and nighttime temperatures started to drop, Monyek and Schulze knew that Macks time camping outside their shop would soon have to come to an end. He kept telling us he was going up to a shelter in Fort Collins and that he was afraid of shelters in Colorado Springs because people would take advantage of him there and steal his things, Schulze said. He would leave and be gone a couple days and wed think, Oh my God, he got into the shelter and hes in a safe, warm place. Every time he would leave, though, hed be back in a couple days. After one of those boomerangs, a chilly morning around Labor Day, Schulze showed up for her shift only to find Mack shivering in his wheelchair, wearing only his underpants, and reading the Bible. She asked what happened to his clothes, and he told her hed stashed them in a bag that he needed her to toss. He said they had a tracking device in them and he was afraid to throw them away himself, said Schulze, who collected a warm coat and gloves from her car and called her husband, Dave, to bring down a T-shirt, hoodie and sweatpants. I realized that if we didnt do something extreme, to get him out of here and into a new situation, something bad was going to happen. He was going to freeze to death. At her wits end, Schulze sat down next to Mack and asked him to try and focus. She had some tough questions. I said, William, youve got to remember somebodys phone number. Where are you from? Schulze said. He was able to tell me he was from Orlando and thought he could recall his moms phone number. After four tries, he got it right. Macks 87-year-old mother answered, to hear a stranger almost 2,000 miles away utter words she scarcely could believe: Her boy William had been found, and he was alive. It wasnt the first time William Mack, 66, had wandered off his loved ones radar, but with his age, worsening health and psychological problems, they feared it might be the last. My brothers kind of touched a little bit, said younger brother Larry Mack, 63, who grew up with William in a tight-knit family of three boys and three girls. Hes got challenges. Hes disappeared on us before. During the longest of those absences more than 20 years the family only reconnected with him after hiring a private investigator, who tracked him down in Alaska. We finally found him and brought him back home, said Larry Mack. Home is where he remained until early 2018, when, for some reason, he just up and left. When he left he still had both legs, he said. He left Orlando walking. By the time William Mack reached Colorados capital city, though, severe infections in his feet a complication of diabetes had progressed to the point doctors were unable to save his lower legs. Larry estimates his brother must have undergone that traumatic surgery in the spring of 2018, a few months, and possibly even weeks, before he showed up outside Horseshoe Donuts. To find out that hes in Colorado and hes homeless and had lost his legs ... my goodness. What a shock it was when we heard that, Larry said. If not for Liz and her family taking him in, looking out for him and helping him get in touch with us, I dont know where he would be. My goodness. Theyre truly angels. Larry Mack told Schulze that if she could get his brother on a plane to Orlando, he would take it from there. The following day, Liz and Dave Schulze loaded William Mack up for a trip to Walmart, to buy new clothes and a new sleeping bag, and then checked him into a hotel near the airport so he could clean up for the trip and get a good nights sleep in a real bed. Schulze snapped a photo of his Florida ID card so she could book the flight, which she did as soon as she got back home. The next morning, she closed the doughnut shop and she and Dave checked Mack out of the hotel. They also presented him with a new wheelchair, as the rickety model hed been using basically fell apart when Dave went to load it in his truck. My husband had a spinal injury about eight years ago and was in a wheelchair for a very short period of time, and I bought him this expensive, state-of-the-art wheelchair, said Schulze, whod brought the chair with her when the couple moved to the Springs six years ago, intending to sell it on Craigslist. When we picked him up at the hotel and pulled out this brand-spanking-new wheelchair for him, he was just so happy. He couldnt believe it. The drive from the hotel to the airport was one shell never forget. Mack seemed happy. Excited, even. William had a real coherent 30 minutes with us, telling us about his family growing up and all about his brothers and sisters and his mom, she said. Its like the three of us had been friends for years. After reuniting with his family in Florida in late September, William Mack relocated to Washington, D.C., to live with a relative who also can serve as a caregiver. Hes doing OK. Hes doing good, and were so happy to have him back, Larry Mack said. Tell Liz and her family God bless and we love them. Me and my mom and my whole family. Days out of office, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has beefed up his team of advisers ahead of an expected announcement about a White House bid. Hickenlooper, who left office last week after two terms, has added foreign policy adviser Jeremy Rosner, finance director Dan Sorenson and a senior communications adviser, Marie Logsden, to his political action committee in recent days, according to an aide. Rosner is managing partner of Washington-based consulting firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner. He previously advised Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Sorenson has served two years as deputy national finance director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. And ahead of the 2016 election, he was Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons finance director in Colorado and New Mexico. Hickenlooper hired Logsden two years ago to serve as his gubernatorial director of strategic communications. She previously led communications at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Hickenlooper is traveling to Los Angeles this week to meet with donors and has scheduled visits to early voting states later in the month. The 66-year-old former businessman, who remains largely unknown to many primary voters outside Colorado, does not plan to launch his campaign before March. Hickenlooper last September launched a leadership PAC that allows him to raise money nationally and hired his 2014 campaign manager, Brad Komar, to run it. The operation later hired Democratic veteran Anna Greenberg as pollster and FK & Co. as national fundraisers. At a diner in New Hampshire in October, Hickenlooper introduced himself to a woman (captured on cellphone video) as the governor of Colorado, and Im going to run for president. Then he backpedaled, saying: To be honest, I havent made a final decision, and if I say Im absolutely going to, then there are all kinds of legal ramifications. Im leaning strongly. Were beyond mulling (a presidential run), Hickenlooper said in December. I think were engaging people Ive known and trusted and understand some of the subtleties around running for the highest office. His staff moves come as the 2020 presidential primary season appears about to explode. Colorado Springs-based startup FoodMaven acquired a Denver-based meat processing company Friday as the first step in a series of major expansions the online marketplace for surplus food plans this year. FoodMavens purchase of Anderson Boneless Beef, which distributes custom, fresh beef to more than 400 Colorado customers, gives the company meat processing capabilities and expands its offerings. The deal is the first of seven acquisitions FoodMaven plans to make this year to expand its operations, including one that will extend the companys reach into Dallas, its first market outside Colorado. By the end of the year, we expect to be at a $100 million run rate (annual revenue). We are part venture innovation, part social impact and part private-equity roll up for the food industry, said FoodMaven CEO Patrick Bultema. We are on a quest to provide a more agile capability for the food system, reduce waste and our plan is to go into new markets by acquisition, including 10-15 in 2020. FoodMaven employs 55 in Colorado Springs and Denver, and the Anderson deal will add another 36. If all six remaining acquisitions are completed this year, Bultema said the company will employ nearly 500 by years end. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but Anderson CEO and founder Charlie Tan will remain with Anderson Boneless for three months as a consultant and later as an adviser. This is our first acquisition, and a big milestone, Bultema said. Anderson was constrained by lack of space. We are moving into a new warehouse in Denver that will allow us to expand their distribution business. We have additional products we can sell to their customers and this also allows us to process meats and other proteins that we can sell to our customers. FoodMaven expanded to Denver in 2017 and wants to serve 100 cities nationwide within five years. The companys online marketplace sells surplus food bought from grocery stores and food distributors to restaurants, institutional kitchens and commercial food-preparation businesses. FoodMaven moved in April into a remodeled warehouse in northern Colorado Springs. Contact Wayne Heilman 636-0234 Facebook www.facebook.com/wayne.heilman Twitter twitter.com/wayneheilman When you think of pickpockets, you probably picture a ragtag band of misfits straight out of a Charles Dickens novel, but several recent calls to our newsroom prove pickpocketing is alive and well. The difference between crooks today and the thieves of yesteryear is these new criminals arent just after the cash in your wallet. Theyve got their eyes on your bank account. They know how to get it, and they do it fast. Sandra Miarecki was eating lunch recently at a restaurant in the Promenade Shops at Briargate, when she was targeted by pickpockets. She says a man in the restaurant created a distraction while a woman stole her wallet from her purse. Miarecki went to pay for her meal about 20 minutes later and realized her wallet was gone. Before she could call the bank to cancel her credit cards, the fraud alerts were buzzing on her phone. The text messages were coming in, fraud, fraud, fraud, $1,500 at a time, Sandra told us. The thieves had taken Sandras credit and debit cards and were frantically draining her accounts. They were buying gift cards, going through the self-checkout lines at a local supermarket where IDs are not required to make purchases less than $2,000. They charged $1,500 dollars at a time, every few minutes. By the time Sandras cards were deactivated minutes later, they had charged more than $10,000. Miarecki called the stores where the charges were coming from. I talked to the manager and said, Every single charge within the last half-hour for $1,500 is fraud. And she said, I can shut down those gift cards, and I said do it, and she did. Miarecki was able to get most of the charges refunded, but getting the money back from her credit union was a little more difficult. It actually took me to contact the Federal Trade Commission using a formal complaint to get that $1,500 back [from her bank], she said. Miarecki recommends putting a very low limit on your debit/ATM cards, to prevent crooks from pulling large sums of cash. Miarecki is also hoping for major changes in the way credit and debit cards are processed. She believes that all cards should require that a PIN number be punched in at the time of purchase. If we had this PIN number, on every transaction, its four little digits we all punch in, the crime would drop dramatically. And so Im asking everyone who knows about this situation to contact your congressmen and senators and maybe we can get something changed this way. For more information on reporting fraud, go to KKTV.com and click on the Find It tab. The worlds biggest social-media companies, under fire for failing to police content on their sites, have invited an array of outside groups to help them figure out who should be banned and whats considered unacceptable. That solution is creating a new set of problems public fights, complaints and legal battles. Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc. and Googles YouTube unit have made a concerted push to seek out input from hundreds of groups, a growing number of which lean to the right. The companies have become receptive to behind-the-scenes lobbying as well. Among the initiatives, Facebook has privately sought advice from the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian public-policy group, and its president, Tony Perkins, according to people familiar with those meetings. Twitters Chief Executive Jack Dorsey recently hosted dinners with conservatives, including Grover Norquist, the founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform, which advocates for lower taxes. Advisers on the left include the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil-rights group that keeps a list of hate groups. For users frustrated by the lack of clarity around how these companies make decisions, the added voices have made matters even murkier. Meetings between companies and their unofficial advisers are rarely publicized, and some outside groups and individuals have to sign nondisclosure agreements. And in many cases, posts that are hateful to one group are considered fair game or even uncomfortable truths to others on the opposite end of the spectrum, opening a whole new arena to continue the political and ideological fights that are often a staple of social media. When Twitter executives struggled with whether to follow other Silicon Valley companies and remove conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from the platform in August, Dorsey privately sought counsel from Ali Akbar, a conservative political activist, Akbar says. Akbar advised Dorsey against kicking off Jones, despite pressure from users and Twitter employees. Akbar argued that Jones hadnt violated any of the sites rules a point Dorsey also made when he explained the decision in a Twitter post. Dorsey didnt disclose Akbars involvement. Its important that Jack sought a right-of-center perspective which cannot be found at Twitter, Akbar says. Jack was brave. Twitter ultimately banned Jones about a month later, citing a violation of its abusive-behavior policy. Akbar says in 2018 he also complained to Dorsey about potential discrimination against a survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., who was in favor of gun rights. The student wasnt verified on Twitter a badge given to users that are in the public interest while several other survivors of the shooting who were in favor of more gun control were given the recognition. After Akbars intervention, the students account was verified, Akbar says. Twitter spokesman Brandon Borrman says the company and its executives personally maintain many outside relationships to help us benefit from other perspectives on the critical societal issues we deal with. He says outsiders never override our rules and no outside adviser makes the ultimate decision or dictates our actions, and that Twitter is working to be more transparent on the outsiders involved in its process. On the Alex Jones decision, Borrman says Dorsey did not and does not personally make enforcement decisions, he defers to the deep expertise of the team. The reliance on outside opinions goes along with other initiatives tech companies have launched to build their defenses. Companies have added complex internal guidelines on what kinds of posts should be banned and hired thousands of new employees to review content. YouTube has boosted its trusted flaggers program groups that are asked by the company to point out inappropriate content on the site from 10 to more than 100 between 2017 and 2018. Twitters Trust and Safety Council spans about 48 organizations around the world. Facebook says it now consults with hundreds of organizations after it decided late last year to seek more outside counsel on issues like hate speech and misinformation broadly known as content moderation issues. The tech companies have found themselves in an impossible situation, given the billions of posts that are generated each month and the conflicting agendas of their users, says Klon Kitchen, who manages tech policy for the conservative Heritage Foundation. The foundation has recently forged a relationship with Facebook. Kitchen has advised the company that these issues are not likely to ever go away. These are problems you manage, not problems you solve. Peter Stern, who handles Facebooks outside engagement efforts from the companys Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters, says the company now seeks advice from up to a dozen outside groups on each policy decision it makes on its platform. He declined to say which groups are consulted. If we change the policy, were going to hear about it, so we might as well involve them. We had been doing it, but not in a systemized way. Adam Thierer, a senior research fellow at the right-leaning Mercatus Center at George Mason University, says he used to consult with Facebook and other tech companies. The futility of trying to please all sides hit home after he heard complaints about a debate at YouTube over how much skin could be seen in breast-feeding videos. While some argued the videos had medical purposes, other advisers wondered whether videos of shirtless men with large mammaries should be permitted as well. I decided I dont want to be the person who decides on whether man boobs are allowed, says Thierer. Brian Amerige, a former Facebook senior engineering manager, resigned from the company after seven years in October, in part because he objected to the way it handled which content is considered objectionable. Amerige says he felt Facebook was trying to avoid allowing anything controversial on the platform, and hampering free speech in doing so. The move to involve more outside groups conservative or liberal is in his opinion only making things worse. What happens when you have an undefinable principle and you defer to other people? It becomes a bunch of one-off decisions, he says. A Facebook spokeswoman declined to comment. While outside groups are technically unpaid, the tech companies contribute to some of the organizations they are seeking out for guidance. Alphabet Inc.s Google contributes to more than 200 third-party groups, including the Heritage Foundation, National Cyber Security Alliance, and Americans for Tax Reform, according to the company. Facebook and most other companies dont disclose their donations to outside groups. Executives see the outreach to a cross-section of groups in part as a form of political protection, to defend against the allegation that they are biased against conservatives, a complaint lodged repeatedly last year by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers. Some of the conservative groups tapped recently by tech platforms complain that the companies defer too closely to the Southern Poverty Law Center when defining what constitutes hate speech. Many companies and other groups rely on the centers list of hate groups, counting nearly 1,000 across the U.S., according to its website. The group also writes about some of those groups on its Hatewatch blog. Keegan Hankes, a senior research analyst at the SPLC, says the group lobbies tech platforms to remove content it considers hate speech, such as when it successfully asked Facebook to remove content posted by the League of the South, a neo-Confederate group. A spokesman for League of the South didnt respond to requests for comment. Several of the liberal-leaning organizations that Facebook works with turned against the company in December, sending a letter that criticized the company for its role in generating bigotry and hatred towards vulnerable communities and civil rights organizations, according to a copy of the letter from groups including the NAACP and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility. Indonesian divers find crashed Lion Air jet's second black box Indonesia has found the cockpit voice recorder from a Lion Air plane more than two months after the Boeing Co (BA.N) 737 MAX jet crashed into the sea near Jakarta, killing all 189 on board, an official said on Monday. WASHINGTON Too often people die of an opioid overdose because no ones around to notice theyre in trouble. Now scientists are creating a smartphone app that beams sound waves to measure breathing and summon help if it stops. The app is still experimental. But in a novel test, the Second Chance app detected early signs of overdose in the critical minutes after people injected heroin or other illegal drugs, researchers reported Wednesday. One question is whether most drug users would pull out their phone and switch on an app before shooting up. The University of Washington research team contends it could offer a much-needed tool for people who havent yet found addiction treatment. Theyre not trying to kill themselves theyre addicted to these drugs. They have an incentive to be safe, said Shyamnath Gollakota, an engineering and computer science associate professor whose lab turns regular cellphones into temporary sonar devices. But an emergency room physician who regularly cares for overdose patients wonders how many people really would try such a device. This is an innovative way to attack the problem, said Dr. Zachary Dezman of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who wasnt involved in the research. Still, I dont know if many folks who use substances are going to have the forethought to prepare, he added. More than 47,000 people in the U.S. died of opioid overdoses in 2017. The drugs suppress breathing but a medicine called naloxone often can save victims if it reaches them in time. Usually, that means someone has to witness the collapse. Dr. Jacob Sunshine, a University of Washington anesthesiologist, notes that people have died with a relative in the next room unaware they were in trouble. The research team settled on cellphones as potential overdose monitors because just about everyone owns one. They designed an app that measures how someones chest rises and falls to see if theyre slipping into the slow, shallow breaths of an overdose or stop breathing completely. How? The software converts the phones built-in speaker and microphone to send out inaudible sound waves and record how they bounce back. Analyzing the signals shows specific breathing patterns. It wont work inside a pocket, and people would have to stay within 3 feet. The researchers are in the process of making the app capable of dialing for help if a possible overdose is detected. They put the experimental gadget to the test at North Americas first supervised injection site in Vancouver, British Columbia, where people are allowed to bring in illegal drugs and inject themselves under medical supervision in case of overdose. Study participants agreed to have doctoral student Rajalakshmi Nandakumar place the app-running cellphone nearby during their regularly monitored visit. The software correctly identified breathing problems that could signal an overdose seven or fewer breaths a minute, or pauses in breathing 90 percent of the time, the researchers found. Most were near-misses; two of the 94 study participants had to be resuscitated. For a bigger test, the researchers next turned to people who dont abuse drugs but were about to receive anesthesia for elective surgery. Rendering someone unconscious for an operation mimics how an overdose shuts down breathing. Measuring 30 seconds of slowed or absent breathing as those patients went under, the app correctly predicted 19 of 20 simulated overdoses, the researchers reported. The one missed case was a patient breathing slightly faster than the apps cutoff. The findings were reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The researchers have patented the invention and plan to seek Food and Drug Administration approval. Apple Inc. is planning to release three new iPhone models again this fall, including a successor to the struggling XR, the lower priced 2018 device with a liquid-crystal display that has fallen short of Apples sales expectations, people familiar with the matter said. Apple plans to introduce some new camera features, including a triple rear camera for the highest-end model and a double rear camera for the two other models, the people said. The plan to stick with LCD comes as Apple grapples with sluggish sales of the iPhone XR, which has cut into its most recent revenue projection. That is partly because the planned LCD handset has been in the product pipeline for months and the plan cant be altered easily, they said. For 2020, Apple is considering dropping the LCD model, some of the people said, which would mark a complete shift to the organic light-emitting diode, or OLED, display for iPhones. The OLED displays on current XS models are considered to provide better contrast than the less expensive LCD displays on the XR and earlier iPhones such as the 7 and 8 models. While product planning for 2019 models has progressed to a point where major features cant be changed easily, the planning isnt completed, the people said. Planning for 2020 models is at an earlier stage and more subject to revision, they said. Apples innovation around iPhones and its lineup strategy, including pricing, are key to grabbing consumers as the number of handsets Apple sells stagnates globally. In China, which Chief Executive Tim Cook singled out as the major source of its revenue-forecast cut in a letter to investors last week, Apple has been facing fierce competition from local handset makers. Apple earns around 20 percent of its total revenue in Greater China. Apple declined to comment. In the fall, Apple plans to offer two models with the OLED display and one model with LCD, people familiar with the matter said. In 2018, Apple introduced two OLED-screen models, the iPhone XS Max and XS, and the LCD-display XR, which was priced at least 25 percent less than the other two models. Apple is planning to do some catching up to rivals on rear cameras. It is considering introducing a triple-rear-camera system to its 2019 flagship model, which would succeed the iPhone XS Max, the people said. That would be an upgrade from the iPhone XS Maxs dual-rear-camera system. Meanwhile the LCD model is likely to be upgraded to a dual-camera system from the single camera on the rear of the XR, they said. The camera upgrades could help Apple win the hearts of more consumers keen on taking good photos with smartphones, including in China. But Apple lags behind its rivals in the number of rear cameras. Last year, Samsung released the Galaxy A9 with four rear cameras. Huaweis Mate 20 Pro and P20 Pro, launched last year, carry three rear cameras. In a sign of Apples awareness of the competitiveness of Chinese rivals, the company has been studying some Chinese smartphone brands, especially camera features, people familiar with the matter said. In China, local brands have been faster than Apple to introduce new features on their smartphones, often for a lower price. That was the case for the dual-SIM feature and in-screen fingerprint sensors. Still, experts say it wont be easy for Apple to rely on such expected new hardware features to win back attention from customers, including in China. What we want from Apple is something that makes us emotional, even unconsciouslysay, truly beautiful and sophisticated design that we cant resist, said Atsushi Osanai, a professor at Waseda University in Tokyo who is an expert in electronics. Beefing up functional value, like expanding camera features, isnt attractive because everyone else is doing the exact same thing. Apple has recently started to offer discounts on its 2018 models for trade-ins of older phones. Even so, the price and a lack of significant new features have kept away some consumers including Wang Qi, a free-lancer who left an Apple store in Shanghai in January without any purchases. Wang said she bought an iPhone 8 and an iPhone X a year ago. The latest version doesnt seem much different, she said. But she is willing to stick to iPhones if there is any innovation in this years product. I am used to the operating system, and its just easy for me to keep buying iPhones. Apple is also considering trimming functions from its 2019 lineup to cut costs, people familiar with the matter said. That includes the force-touch module, which makes the display sensitive to fingertip pressure, the people said, though the function could live on in other components, one of the people said. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High near 95F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Balochistan, Pakistans largest but least-populated, most impoverished province, deserves a more equitable share in major Chinese investments. While Beijing and Islamabad count on the restive southwestern provinces strategic location to connect China to the Gulf, west and Central Asia, Chinese investments are unlikely to change the fate of Balochistans 10 million residents, who are reeling from extreme poverty, militant attacks, and military crackdowns. The local politicians know their peoples feelings toward the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as these investments are collectively called. In a rare display of unity, Balochistans legislature recently adopted a resolution calling for a national commission with the mandate to examine the distribution of CPECs burdens and benefits. Opposition lawmaker Sanaullah Baloch argued that while CPEC inevitably affects the social, political, economic, and cultural lives of Balochistans residents, Islamabad has excluded them from the decision-making, which will only accentuate their alienation. The region has been reeling from a simmering Baluch separatist insurgency since 2004, which is the fifth and largest nationalist insurrection in the region since 1948. Baloch and Jam Kamal Khan, Balochistans chief minister or senior elected civilian official, have demanded public disclosure of details of the lease agreement of Gwadar Port with China, all CPEC projects, and all 52 MoUs signed between Pakistan and China. They condemned the opaque deals concluded with China by the former Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz-led (PML-N) government since 2014. Baloch also questioned the megaproject agreements, particularly the key criterion of vertical and horizontal distribution of burdens and benefits of projects among Pakistans provinces. He argued that the projects disproportionally benefit the developed eastern rim of the country, areas of eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces, where the per-capita income and literacy rates are higher, standards of education and health are better, and the entire system of irrigation and 99 percent of Pakistans industry are located. On the other hand, areas on the western rim of the country were completely neglected in project benefits. The northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the now-merged districts of former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan, are already the most underdeveloped regions of Pakistan. Balochistan and FATA respectively have 74 percent and 71 percent multidimensional poverty. Some 62 percent of people in Balochistan have no electricity while 88 percent are deprived of any means of energy. The present arrangements will only increase regional differences in development and economic prosperity. CPEC has a portfolio of more than $60 billion, of which Islamabad allocated only a meager $400 million to Balochistan, mainly focused on the development of Gwadar Port. Investments in road and energy infrastructure in the vast swathes of the province are nearly non-existent. Yet Balochistan shoulders most of the CPEC burden. The region has 700 kilometers of coastline, including the deep seaport of Gwadar, which is slated to be the lynchpin of CPEC. It has rich mineral resources and provides 62 percent of the land for the corridor. Its residents will also face the environmental fallout of the megaprojects. Leaders in Balochistan say that out of a total 15 energy projects worth $33 billion, only one was slotted for Balochistan while the rest went to Punjab and Sindh. Of the 13 electricity grid stations for 500 KV transmission lines, Balochistan got none. The energy projects have started producing and distributing 7000 megawatts into the system. As part of CPEC, two 500 KV transmission lines, each 1,000 kilometers long, worth $4 billion were approved. One line goes from Matiari district in southern Sindh to Punjabs capital, Lahore, while another goes to the nearby industrial hub of Faisalabad. Not a single kilometer provides electricity to Balochistan. Such unfair distribution has greatly alarmed politicians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. They now fear CPEC will only result in their already-impoverished populations falling even farther behind and becoming increasingly alienated. This is why lawmakers in Balochistan are pushing for a social contract among the federating units so that all have equal stake and say in CPEC investments. They want an inclusive, deliberative, and consensus-based decision-making process. Their proposed commission has the potential to evolve a social contract with terms acceptable to all provinces. Perhaps such an arrangement would pave the way for addressing the past and present grievances of the people of Balochistan. The concerns expressed by the assembly only scratch the surface of much deeper and longstanding resentments among the people of Balochistan that have been one of the most important causes of conflicts in the region. CPEC now offers a golden opportunity to the state elites to address those resentments. The promised development of Balochistan through a series of large-scale projects has not entirely convinced the people. Their exclusion from key decisions and the distribution of resources has rather instilled fears in residents of being dispossessed of their land, resources, and identity. Moreover, their misgivings about economic migration to the province and fears of becoming a minority in their own land as a result are genuine problems that need to be taken seriously. Islamabad must listen to the sane voices of Balochistan. A house divided against itself cannot stand for long. Renegotiation of the federal contract among the provinces through CPEC will only strengthen the federation of Pakistan. Muhammad Zubair recently completed his doctorate in law and democracy from Maurer School of Law, Center for Constitutional Democracy, Indiana University. These views are the author's alone and do not represent those of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Welcome toMoney Diaries , where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period and we're tracking every last dollar. Today: a grad student who makes $16,440 per year and spends some of her money this week on frozen berries for smoothies. Editor's note: All prices have been converted to U.S. dollars. Occupation: Grad Student Industry: Nutrition/Food Science Age: 26 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Income: $16,440 after taxes for my hourly part-time job, which includes $930 per month from the Danish government for working part-time during grad school Paycheck Amount (Monthly): $1,370 after tax Monthly Expenses Rent: $916 (I share a two-bedroom flat with my roommate who is also a student.) Student Loan Payment: $0 (I had summer jobs, scholarships, and some support from my parents, and I worked my butt off to finish undergrad in three years.) Gym Membership: $40 Yoga Membership: $0 (I used a promotion to get free yoga until March, at which point it will be $30/month.) Spotify Premium: $0 (I mooch off of my brother and his lovely fiance.) Netflix: $0 (Thanks, Mom and Dad.) Savings: My contributions tend to be sporadic. Currently, my savings, investments, retirements accounts, etc. are in the neighborhood of $55,000 total. Day One 9 a.m. It's NYE and I decide to sleep in a bit in anticipation of my late night ahead. When I eventually get out of bed, I make a cup of mint watermelon tea and eat oatmeal with flax seeds, chia seeds, dried fruit, hazelnuts, and soy milk (cold and uncooked, as the Danes do!). I putz around for a bit before starting on the dish I am contributing to a potluck dinner hosted by one of my Danish classmates tonight. I decide to make a vegan Shepherd's pie because a) I love veggies, and b) I already have everything on hand. When I finish cooking, I read Eating Animals on my Kindle for bit. I have been quasi-vegetarian/vegan at various times over the past couple of years, but I am getting more serious about committing more fully...perhaps with a bit of occasional flexitarianism thrown in. Story continues 12:30 p.m. A guy I matched with on Bumble messages me on WhatsApp to see if I want to grab coffee with him this afternoon. I swore off all dating apps for over a year, but I re-downloaded Bumble a few nights ago because a couple friends recently shared stories of successfully acquiring man friends. I swiped for only one night, but this guy was particularly cute, so I gave him my phone number. After some back and forth, we agree to meet at Juno the Bakery at 2 p.m. I quickly hop in the shower. 1:55 p.m. I have on more makeup than usual because I'll be heading straight to a NYE party afterwards and my hair is still wet. I'm running late so I bike my little heart out and show up a bit sweaty after the 25-minute ride. When I arrive, I wipe off any smeared mascara, throw caution to the wind, and head in. My instant reaction is DANG, he is attractive. Oh, and he has a British accent because he's from London. (DAAAANG.) We get two coffees and a saffron bun (a seasonal Swedish favorite), and he pays. We discuss his impressions of the city (he is only visiting for a few days), a little bit about our backgrounds, and our plans for the evening. The time flies and I am definitely feeling this guy, but he's only in town for one more day, so we leave it on a casual note and agree to stay in touch about possibly meeting up downtown later. Before he leaves, he takes me up on my offer to give him some change (40 DKK) because the buses here only accept cash. $6.10 5:30 p.m. After a pit stop at a friend's house for tea and some last minute baking before the party, we head over to our classmate's apartment, where we're greeted with Aperol spritzes, my favorite! With the help of his mom, he went all out decorating the apartment and it is absolutely adorable. At 6, we gather around the TV to watch the Queen of Denmark's speech, a New Year's Eve tradition. Her words are the perfect blend of realism and optimism. Afterwards, we let the feasting commence. Because we're studying food, my classmates really know how to potluck. We have canapes, a three course meal, and a full on dessert extravaganza. There are so many sweets that we have to take breaks in between, so we pass the time by playing dice games (again, very Danish). 11:55 p.m. One apricot mini croissant, two helpings of lavender panna cotta, and a slice of peanut butter pie later, it is almost midnight! In Denmark, it is tradition to literally jump into the New Year, so we all climb up on the chairs/couches in preparation. When the clock strikes midnight, we all leap into 2019 and clink our champagne glasses. Shortly after, we head to the windows to watch the fireworks. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. It's legal to buy fireworks here, so rather than the city putting on a show, everyone just shoots them off from their backyards. What ensues is a panoramic view of countless fireworks shooting from every direction for over half an hour. I am in awe. 1:30 a.m. Our classmate invites us to join him at another friend's house party. Although I am sober and already tired, I decide to join because FOMO. We arrive at the what appears to be the Danish equivalent of a frat party. I'm not in the mood and decide to stick to my resolution of not being hungover on New Year's Day, so at around 3 a.m., I start my 35-minute bike ride home. Bumble guy and I have kept in touch throughout the night, but in the end, we don't meet up. I arrive home feeling exhausted, but so happy. This New Year's was hygge-rific! Daily Total: $6.10 Day Two 9 a.m. I mosey out of bed to make a pour-over coffee and some avocado toast on rye bread. I am in a cheery mood, so I am perfectly happy with a slow morning. I finish reading Eating Animals, shoot off some emails, and knock a couple small items off my to-do list in anticipation of going back to school in a few days. That being said, I continue to procrastinate on studying for exams in mid-January. Oops. New year, same me? 3 p.m. The sky is blue, which is a rarity this time of year. I opt to bike to a nearby park instead of going to the gym. I walk for about an hour, decide to run some stairs because I am feeling energetic (and a little bit cold), and do lunges on my way back to my bike. Feeling accomplished, I return home and make a strawberry, banana, and pineapple smoothie with pea protein and maca powder. I talk to my mom on the phone for a bit, work on a group project for school for about an hour, and then settle in to watch an episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. I snack on an apple with peanut butter. 8 p.m. I remember I have to work the next couple days, so I decide to do some meal prep. I make a giant batch of one of my favorites honey lime sweet potato hash with blacks beans, corn, and cilantro. I'll eat it over mixed greens because I have a bunch in the fridge that will go bad soon. Once everything is finished, I message Bumble boy for a bit (he's back in London by now), make a mug of chamomile tea, meditate for a few minutes, and hop into bed. I start reading a new book called Factfulness before dozing off. Daily Total: $0 Day Three 9 a.m. I had ambitions of waking up earlier and studying, but alas, it's not happening. I eat scrambled eggs with mushrooms on rye toast and a kiwi for breakfast. I read a bit more of my book, send a couple emails, and then get ready to head to a meeting at school with our advisor for a group project. 11:30 a.m. The meeting goes well and our group is on track with writing our paper despite some serious Christmas vacation procrastination. We are examining whether the health claim that activated charcoal reduces flatulence is scientifically substantiated. At one point we discuss the accuracy of measuring farts per hour. I love my degree program. 12:30 p.m. After eating lunch with my classmate, I bike over to work. I have a part-time job as a production assistant at a small Danish start-up that makes all-natural plastic-free chewing gum. It is admittedly a monumental step down from my last job as an independent private chef, but as an EU citizen, the Danish government will pay me an additional $930 per month on top of my hourly wages while I am in grad school if I work part-time. This, plus the fact that I adore the owners and nearly all of my coworkers are friends from school, makes it worth it. 6:30 p.m. On my way home from work, I stop at a grocery store to get dairy-free milk because it's on sale this week. Naturally, I leave with a bazillion other things, including a handful of fresh pears, frozen broccoli, frozen edamame, and five bags of frozen berries, all on sale. I am a shameless bargain shopper. Ironically, the store was out of the dairy-free milk I came in for. When I get home, I eat a handful of almonds and some leftover vegetable chili that's been in the fridge for a few days. I'm too ravenous and tired to bother heating it up. Eventually I muster the energy to make a banana, pineapple, and blackberry smoothie with pea protein and flax seeds because I'm still a bit hungry. I watch another episode of Tidying Up on Netflix, meditate for a few minutes, and read in bed before falling asleep. $12.20 Daily Total: $12.20 Day Four 7 a.m. I wake up to my alarm for the first time in several days. I signed up for a yoga class at a studio just around the corner from my house. Although it's early (at least compared to my recent wake-up times), I am super excited to start using my new yoga membership because I haven't really been practicing since the spring and I miss it. I quickly eat a vegan oat yogurt with spirulina, frozen blueberries, and hazelnuts before biking to the studio. 9:45 a.m. The class was awesome! I liked the instructor and he was kind enough to do the class in English because only one other person was there. It was challenging, but rejuvenating. After a difficult few months in the fall, I haven't felt this happy in ages and I feel like I'm karate kicking 2019 right in the face. Huzzah! I bike home and opt to read my book instead of studying for the umpteenth time. For lunch, I make savory oatmeal with miso and mushrooms from the Cherry Bombe cookbook my mom sent me for Christmas. It is ridiculously good. Between the tasty noms and a strong cup of pour-over coffee, I embrace a rare moment of study motivation and do some writing for another group project. 12:30 p.m. It's time to head to work, so I hop on my bike. The 25-minute ride is actually enjoyable because the sky is blue once again and the sun is almost peaking through. I spend nearly my entire 5.5-hour shift listening to Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein on audiobook. I didn't quite finish my resolution to read 18 books in 2018 (I was three books shy I blame grad school, ha!), so I am trying to at least finish it by the end of January before working on reading 19 in 2019. 6:30 p.m. I stop at another grocery store on the way home from work in a second attempt to get dairy-free milk. This time is successful, but in addition to two cartons of soy milk and a carton of oat milk, I also walk out with vegan ravioli, vegan butter, a bar of dark chocolate, and chocolate hummus. YES, chocolate hummus. I can't decide if I am horrified or fascinated, but it's on sale, so in my basket it goes. I'm telling y'all, I cannot be trusted in a grocery store. $14.69 7:30 p.m. When I get home, I put away my eclectic grocery haul and poke around the fridge deciding what to make for dinner. I have a giant bag of spinach that's about to go bad, so I saute it with cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. Not the most well-rounded dinner, so I bust out the chocolate hummus and munch on it with a whole wheat pita. It tastes kind of like chocolate pudding and...I'm not mad about it. It is weirdly delicious. I do some more writing for one of my school projects, call my mom to wish her a happy birthday (it's still early back in the U.S.!), mediate for a few minutes, and head to bed. Daily Total: $14.69 Day Five 7 a.m. I wake up early in the name of yoga once again. For breakfast I have a banana, pineapple, and blueberry smoothie with matcha and flax seed. I bike to the studio and settle on my mat. 10 a.m. Sore but satisfied, I bike to a new work space that opened in the city because I have a free day pass. It is gorgeous and I immediately want to move in. Too bad I can't afford the $400/month membership fee. I happily take full advantage of the free coffee and make myself an Americano. Then I settle in for a day of studying because I seriously also cannot afford to procrastinate any longer. 12:30 p.m. I break for 20 minutes to eat the lunch I brought from home: a whole wheat pita with falafel, tomato, cucumber, and sprouts, and a pear. A couple hours later, I snack on a berry, date, and chia seed bite that I brought back from the U.S. (Oh, how I miss you, Trader Joe's.) 5 p.m. I make plans with a friend to hang out at my place tonight. I stop at District Tonkin and grab tofu banh mi sandwiches for dinner ($9.46) and he pays me back for his. On the way over, I pop into Flying Tiger, one of those stores that is full of cute knickknacks that you never knew you needed. Miraculously, I make it out with only one thing: a set of ceramic coasters for our coffee table ($6.10). $15.56 6 p.m. We eat our sandwiches, play a round of Bananagrams, and decide to watch the new Black Mirror choose your own adventure episode, Bandersnatch. My mind is melted. We proceed to stay up until almost midnight talking about spirituality and free will. My friend heads home and I go straight to bed because I have work in the morning. Daily Total: $15.56 Day Six 7:30 a.m. I roll out of bed and make myself scrambled eggs with sauteed mushrooms and kale on rye toast. Then I get ready for a full day at work and bike over. It's so nice outside! Sadly, I can't really enjoy it, as I proceed to work a nine-hour day, breaking only for lunch (my meal prepped sweet potato hash). For anyone who is at all curious what my job in gum production is like, just look up I Love Lucy Chocolate Factory on YouTube :). 7 p.m. I get home from work and once again let my fridge decide what's for dinner. Looks like it's going to be some leftover borscht soup my Polish classmate brought over for Christmas and roasted Brussels sprouts sprinkled with nutritional yeast. Although it's Saturday night, this school break has made me lose my sense of what day it is and I am pooped, so I decide to stay in. I put a face mask on, throw some laundry in, talk to my best friend on the phone, polish off the tub of chocolate hummus, and try to get some studying done. I embrace my inner grandma and fall asleep by 10:30 p.m. Daily Total: $0 Day Seven 8:30 a.m. Despite my early bedtime, I wake up to my just in case alarm. I eat a bowl of oats with soy milk and raisins for breakfast. I feel oddly inspired to head to the gym for some cardio, but then I remember that I have a two-hour roundtrip bike ride to my classmate's house outside the city for study group later. Instead of going to the gym, I do a rapid round of studying and head to the yoga studio. This time I'm doing a heated class, which I used to love when I was in culinary school. The class is fantastic, even if I have no idea what the Danish instructor is saying. 12 p.m. For brunch I make sauteed asparagus and bell peppers topped with a sunny-side up egg. I round out the meal with a ginger scone (dug out of my freezer) with vegan butter and jam and a kiwi. 1 p.m. I set out on my bike for what turns out to be actually quite a nice journey outside of the city limits. Study group is both productive and cozy. Later in the evening, our lovely host serves a homemade Chinese-fusion feast for dinner, including hoisin duck bao buns, veggie fried rice, kimchi pancakes, lemon chicken, stewed ginger cabbage, and apple carrot salad. For dessert I brought aebleskiver, which are essentially pancake balls with powdered sugar and jam, typically eaten around the holidays in Denmark. (I had some leftover from Christmas in my freezer.) We chat for awhile about what it's like to be expats in Denmark and from other countries around the world. I honestly cannot imagine my life here without my classmates. They are the bee's knees. 8:30 p.m. With a happy heart and a full belly, I make the hour-long bike ride home. I've somehow managed to avoid the Sunday scaries, so I decide to keep plugging along. I finish off an application for a summer internship on a local farm, meditate, and hit the hay. Daily Total: $0 Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior. The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here. Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here: r29.co/mdfaqs Have a Money Diary you'd like to share? 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These Are The Jobs To Go After An Egg Has Dethroned Kylie Jenner As Most-Liked On Instagram (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for China Rising, a new weekly dispatch on where China stands now and where it's going next. Allen Zhang stepped on stage to wrap up a long day of presentations at a Tencent Holdings Ltd. conference. Four hours later, the WeChat founder had methodically torn apart his own brainchild before mapping out the next act for Chinas premier super-app. Zhang, who commands a cult-like following in China thanks to WeChats explosive popularity, got an audience of thousands glued to their seats till nearly midnight last week. The usually reclusive executive, in a company known for low-key leaders, laid out a vision for how the platform used by a billion people should evolve: by emulating real life and social circles. Zhangs creation -- a mash-up of WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Yelp, Paypal, Twitter and Kindle -- has become intertwined with the daily lives of just about every Chinese person. Yet he confessed WeChat risks becoming obsolete. Its lost the veneer of authentic discovery that endeared it to users, because people were becoming too sensitive to their online personas on Moments (a feed akin to Facebooks.) The 49-year-olds first step is deceptively simple: a video-streaming feature, not unlike Instagrams feed, so people share their lives in real time, not through carefully curated photos and messages. WeChat will need to face new challenges in the next eight years, Zhang said Moments has become a very traditional place for social networking, as people use it to showcase the best of themselves to win recognition from others. Introduced in December, the video-streaming button -- a camera icon on the top right corner of the user profile page-- allows people to add emojis, text and music. Zhang sees it as the antithesis of Moments: even the send button is swapped with a nonchalant this will do to dampen anxiety. What we want is something that can let people record what theyre really experiencing, and let their friends see, he said. This process should not be like Moments. If it were, we wouldnt be doing this. Story continues While Moments has grown users continuously for seven years and each day more than 45 billion messages are sent, Zhang is looking ahead. Many are starting to re-think how they showcase their personal photo and article-sharing history to new contacts as their phonebook expands. To counteract that anxiety, WeChat introduced a setting to let people display posts for just three days, a function now employed by more than 100 million. Allen really spent a lot of time trying to explain the philosophy behind the WeChat product during that four-hour speech, said John Choi, an analyst with Daiwa Securities Group Inc. in Hong Kong. Its clear that they need to further enhance user engagement, as user growth is not going to be the key growth driver in the future. While WeChat has been the star of Chinas internet for years, newcomers like Bytedance Ltd. are now making things harder. The owner of Toutiao, Douyin and Tik Tok has become the worlds most valuable startup. The much-reported cannibalisation of screen time from Bytedances apps are obviously hurting WeChat, and with little wonder, said Mark Tanner, founder of Shanghai-based research and marketing company China Skinny. WeChat needs to stay relevant for those hundreds of millions of users who just want something simple to use, that looks good and is entertaining and are used to newer, shinier things being launched. A red flag for the app is that readership for articles referred by friends on Moments has been dropping. Zhang conceded that WeChats algorithm-based referral feature is sub-par. So he introduced Hao Kan (or good-looking), letting users mark articles theyve read as an alternative way to spread the word among friends. The way we mostly gather new information is not from the library or actively searching from the web but from people around us, said Zhang. In order to create a product that attracts the masses to read, it needs to be based on social recommendation, only then will this have a chance. As in real life, people also dont hang out in one locale. Hence, Zhang envisions a plethora of satellite apps -- -- similar to the digital book service already in use -- which share functions and links to the main app but can stand alone. WeChat as an app has already featured many, many things, he said. But theres a limit to how much it can hold. Complementing those initiatives will be a buildout of Mini Programs-- the lite-apps platform that already sits atop WeChats interface and provides quick access to services including restaurants and cinema bookings. WeChat plans a recommendation system based on friends reviews, to help people discover products. Zhang hopes users in future can search within its ecosystem. For example, when a person looks up a flight, it directs them to an airlines lite-app. We have the patience to nurture it slowly, said Zhang. To assure third-party developers, Zhang insists WeChat wont play favorites or direct traffic to Tencents portfolio companies, while acknowledging the company hasnt operated as fairly as it could have in the past. That stance has been a point of contention within Tencent, with staff from other divisions often complaining about how WeChat is run like a dictatorship. Zhang said if he didnt rule the roost, the product would lose its soul. Ive always regarded myself as a product manager and not a professional manager, he said. A good product needs a dictator, otherwise if too many opinions are involved, the product will fall apart. It remains to be seen whether Zhangs vision will prevail. WeChat has kept its dominance in a sea of rival Chinese apps in part because it maintained a clean interface and hasnt bombarded users with ads and alerts. Take Zhangs insistence on never changing WeChats welcome screen, which shows a silhouette of a lone person looking up at a vast depiction of planet Earth. Every time you see the loading page of WeChat, youll think what is this person doing? What is he doing in front of planet Earth? Zhang said. One billion users will have one billion interpretations and find something that moves them. To contact the reporter on this story: Lulu Yilun Chen in Hong Kong at ychen447@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. Washington (AFP) - There doesn't seem to be much love in the air in Washington these days, as a long and bitter government shutdown drags on with no end in sight. But couples whose marriage plans were thwarted by the partial shutdown have gotten a break, thanks to the action of Mayor Muriel Bowser and city council. The city's Marriage Bureau, part of the US capital's federally funded court system, had been deemed "nonessential" and shuttered as part of the thorny standoff between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats. But on Friday, Bowser signed an emergency measure authorizing city officials to validate marriages in the absence of the Marriage Bureau, which closed when the budget standoff began on December 22. "They can shut down the US government, but they cannot shut down love in the District of Columbia," City Council member Brandon Todd said when he introduced the measure. Titled the Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Amendment Act, or LOVE act, the law is valid for 90 days and will spare future brides like Claire O'Rourke from finding themselves in Kafkaesque situations. "Practically, we couldn't sign all the legal certificates during the shutdown without having a marriage license," O'Rourke, a Washingtonian who was preparing to wed fiance Sam Bockenhauer, told AFP. "So we were going to have a wonderful party, of course, but couldn't be legally married in DC until we got our marriage license." Some couples, like Dan Pollock and Danielle Geanacopoulos, had no time to spare. They managed to get their wedding license on December 27, just two days before their scheduled wedding. - 'A speed bump' - "By the time we figured out we couldn't get a license, we were running out of time before friends and family were coming to Washington to celebrate with us," Geanacopoulos said. "So we focused on the really important thing -- celebrating -- and decided to figure out the rest later." Story continues Her mother, Daphne, said she was "delighted." "We had a really great big wedding two weeks ago... (but) it feels wonderful to have it official." For Caitlin Walters, who plans to wed Kirk Kasa on February 2 on the campus of Catholic University, the shutdown was simply "a small speed bump in the road." "Obviously we knew about the shutdown, but we didn't know that it would directly affect our ability to get married in DC legally," said Walters, a New York resident who was determined to get married in the nation's capital. But while some have taken the shutdown in stride, it has brought "chaos" to those in the wedding business. "It's a lot of chaos, it's a lot of uncertainty," said Rachel Rice, a wedding planner who recently had to shift a wedding ceremony from Washington to nearby Virginia. Even if the shutdown were to end next month, Rice said, "some people might say, 'I can't wait to book my venue; I have to book my catering, my photographer.'" On top of that, the approximately 800,000 federal employees sent home or forced to work without pay -- some of them with wedding plans, no doubt -- have just missed their first paycheck and will be forced to scale back their plans. Claire O'Rourke has her own shutdown-related regret. She had hoped to have her official wedding photo taken in the National Portrait Gallery. But like most of the capital's vast Smithsonian system, the popular museum remains closed. Government team to hold talks with agitating medics The Ministry of Health and Population has formed a team to hold dialogue with the agitating Government Doctors Association and Health Assistants Association. President Donald Trump has threatened Turkey with economic reprisals if the country attacks Syrian Kurds following the U.S.s military withdrawal. American forces have for over four years been fighting alongside Kurdish militia against ISIS in the north of Syria. Turkey regards the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) as a threat, due to the militias alleged ties with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has for decades been in armed conflict with the Turkish state. Trump shocked many people in December when he suddenly announced the imminent withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, but few more so than the YPG, which fears Turkish attack once the Americans leave. That fear is justified, given threats by Turkey to do just that. On Sunday, Trump took to Twitter to announce that the Syrian pullout has begun. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds, he wrote. Create 20 mile safe zone. Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Asked what exactly Trump was threatening to do, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters Monday that youll have to ask the president. We have applied economic sanctions in many places. I assume he is speaking about those kinds of things, Pompeo said, as quoted by Reuters. The U.S. and Turkey are NATO allies, but relations between the two countries have been very strained in recent years, particularly since an attempted coup against the Turkish government in 2016, which President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an claims was orchestrated by his nemesis, Fethullah Gulen. Gulen, an Erdo?an ally until their relationship soured in 2013, has lived in the U.S. for years. However, there was a thaw in the frosty relationship in November, when the U.S. and Turkey lifted sanctions against one anothers senior officials. Trump and his senior staff and advisers have not exactly been aligned on the issue of the Syrian withdrawal. The decision was one of the catalysts that led to the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, and earlier this month National Security Adviser John Bolton said U.S. forces would remain in Syria until ISIS was truly defeated only to have Trump insist that the withdrawal would go ahead now. Saudi Arabias Prince Turki al-Faisal told the BBC on Sunday that the U.S. withdrawal from Syria would benefit Iran, Russia and their ally, the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. In Sundays Twitter emission, Trump wrote: Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! (Bloomberg) -- Telecom Italia SpA made a takeover offer for BT Group Plcs Italian business, giving momentum to an asset sale that would help the U.K. telecommunication giant move on from an accounting scandal on the continent, according to people familiar with the matter. The bid from Italys largest phone company is non-binding, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the process isnt public. Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.s Wind Tre SpA and fiber carrier Retelit SpA also expressed interested in the unit, they said. BT Italia is seen as potentially valuable to a buyer because it serves major corporate customers including Eni SpA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Mediaset SpA. Representatives for BT Italia, London-based BT, Telecom Italia, Wind Tre and Retelit declined to comment. A sale of BT Italia would close a painful chapter for its owner, which took a 530 million-pound ($680 million) writedown in 2017 in the wake of revelations of improper accounting practices at the unit. A deal would also hand Philip Jansen, the Worldpay Inc. boss who starts next month as BTs chief executive officer, a clean slate. The former British monopoly is restructuring its Global Services IT business, cutting thousands of jobs and shedding assets as it retreats from data storage contracts. Financial details of the bids werent immediately available. BT Italia had revenue of about 390 million euros ($450 million) in fiscal 2017-2018 and a loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, people familiar with the matter said in December. For Telecom Italia, the offer comes as the indebted phone company prepares for a corporate-governance showdown between its two largest shareholders. Shareholder Meeting French media company Vivendi SA lost control of Telecom Italia to U.S. activist Elliott Management Corp. last May and has been seeking to propose a new slate of directors and restore its influence. Story continues The Telecom Italia board agreed on Monday to set the carriers annual shareholder meeting for March 29, the company said in an emailed statement. Thats earlier than the previous plan for April and will allow investors to vote on Vivendis slate. Bloomberg reported last week that the shareholder meeting would probably be moved earlier as directors backed by Elliott sought a compromise with Vivendi. Telecom Italia shares rose 0.8 percent at 3:09 p.m. in Milan, while BT shares were down 1.1 percent in London. Valuation Squeeze For BT, a sale of the Italian division would be a good outcome for BT if it could generate any proceeds from the sale of BT Italia, said Matthew Bloxham, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. Buyers could squeeze BT on valuation and its hard to put a figure on fair value for the unit because disclosure is limited, he said. In October, BT sold a subsidiary focused on smaller enterprises in Germany. Head of global services Bas Burger, said BT will continue to become more asset-light. In the same month, BT named Jansen to succeed Gavin Patterson, turning to a corporate restructuring expert to overhaul the carrier after profit warnings and a clash with Britains telecom regulator. (Updates with confirmation of annual meeting in eighth paragraph.) --With assistance from Angelina Rascouet. To contact the reporters on this story: Daniele Lepido in Milan at dlepido1@bloomberg.net;Thomas Seal in London at tseal@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Rebecca Penty at rpenty@bloomberg.net, Kenneth Wong, Kim Robert McLaughlin For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- SpaceX is taking the ax to its headquarters in California. Hours after launching its first rocket of the new year on Friday morning, the Elon Musk-led company told employees that roughly 10 percent of SpaceXs workforce would be laid off. Stunned workers were sent home early to await notification to their private email addresses about their fate. The vast majority of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.s more than 6,000 employees are employed at its headquarters and rocket factory in Hawthorne, California, and hundreds of others are based in Seattle, Florida, Washington, D.C. and Texas. Some 577 positions will be cut in Hawthorne, according to Jan Vogel, executive director of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board. Those cut include production managers, avionics technicians, machinists, inventory specialists and propulsion technicians. Its always unfortunate when there are large layoffs, Vogel said in an interview Sunday. Were in touch with SpaceX and were to provide transitional services to impacted employees. There are a lot of aerospace companies in the Los Angeles area. Were ready to help people. Fewer Launches SpaceX flew a record 21 missions in 2018 for customers including commercial satellite operators, NASA and the U.S. military. But the market size for launches is finite, and SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell has warned there might be a slowdown in orders from the geo-telecommunications industry. Next year, you wont see as many launches as you see in 2018, Shotwell said in an interview with CNBC last May. 2019 is a lower-cadence year. Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 to revolutionize space technology. The company and Boeing Co. each have contracts with NASA to fly American astronauts to the International Space Station. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, SpaceXs Crew Dragon is slated to fly for the first time in February without humans on board. The company is also working on a space-based broadband satellite network and Starship, a larger spacecraft designed to carry humans to Mars. Story continues To continue delivering for our customers and to succeed in developing interplanetary spacecraft and a global space-based Internet, SpaceX must become a leaner company, SpaceX said in a statement Friday. This action is taken only due to the extraordinarily difficult challenges ahead and would not otherwise be necessary. Musk is also the chief executive officer of electric-car maker Tesla Inc., which laid off roughly 9 percent of its workforce in June. As with Tesla, some SpaceX employees who were laid off took to social media to thank Musk for the opportunity to work for him, including Justin Arredondo, a supply chain specialist. Earlier this month, SpaceX disclosed in a regulatory filing that it sold $273 million in equity as part of a plan to raise a total of $500 million. Investors are valuing the company at $30.5 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported in December. To contact the reporter on this story: Dana Hull in San Francisco at dhull12@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Craig Trudell at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net, Virginia Van Natta, James Ludden For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo South Korea did not import crude oil from Iran in December, compared with 1.1 million tonnes imported a year ago, preliminary data from Korea Customs Service showed on Tuesday. The worlds fifth-largest crude buyer imported a total 12.4 million tonnes of crude last month against 13.2 million tonnes imported a year ago, the data also showed. Final data for South Korea's crude oil imports last month will be published by state-run Korea National Oil Corp (KNOC) later the month. The KNOC data is considered the industry standard for South Korea's oil imports. Full steam ahead If the community comes together, Bagmati river could return to its former glory (Adds quote, detail) MOSCOW, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Russia told Japan on Monday that Moscow's sovereignty over several disputed islands was not up for discussion and that disagreements between the countries still obstruct the path to a peace deal. Russia and Japan have been in dispute since World War Two over islands captured by Soviet troops in the last days of the war. The islands are known as the Southern Kuriles to Russia and the Northern Territories to Japan. "We've brought the attention of our friends from Japan to the fact that the questions of sovereignty over the islands are not being discussed. It is the Russian Federation's territory," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow. Lavrov was speaking to reporters following talks with Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono. "I won't hide that we still have significant divergences. To start with the positions were diametrically opposed and we have said this more than once," Lavrov said. "But the political will of our leaders to fully normalise between Russia and Japan prompts us to activate this dialogue," he said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making a push for a treaty with Russia over the islands. He is due to hold peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Jan. 22, but Moscow has shown no willingness to cede control over the islands. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth; additional reporting by Polina Devitt; Writing by Tom Balmforth Editing by Alison Williams and Peter Graff) (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. didnt mind paying a modest technology fee to Qualcomm Inc. when it first launched the iPhone, but times have changed. Testimony in the U.S. Federal Trade Commissions antitrust case against Qualcomm reveals that Steve Jobs gladly agreed to the San Diego-based chipmakers request for a licensing royalty in 2007 when Apples chief executive needed chips for his companys nascent smartphone. On Monday, Apples current second-in-command took the witness stand to denounce the $7.50-a-phone fee as an unfair business practice. The regulatory agency called Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams as a witness to help show that Qualcomm has abused its global dominance in the smartphone market. That may not sound like a lot, but were selling hundreds of millions of phones, and thats a billion dollars a year," Williams told U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh Monday as the non-jury trial moved into its second week in San Jose, California. We had a gun to our head. Apple has come a long way since Jobs made his deal with Qualcomm -- and that helps to explain why the Silicon Valley giant now views the fee as a ransom. Twelve years ago, Apple was late to enter the mobile phone market and was desperate for technology. Today, it defines a market that sells more than a billion devices worldwide a year. Qualcomm Faces FTC Trial Threatening Smartphone Dominance Qualcomms fees are at the heart of the government regulators case against it. Fees provide the company with the majority of its profit, enabling it to fund technology development that helps cement its position as the leading chipmaker in the industry. The FTC and Qualcomms customers accuse the company of exacting too high a price for only one part of what makes smartphones so attractive to consumers -- and doing so by illegally bullying its customers into paying up. Qualcomm counters that the fees are relatively small for technology thats so fundamental to phones and claims that the patents it owns underpin how modern, high-speed-data networks work. Its technology determines how handsets are able to efficiently access high-speed data -- without which the iPhone would be just an expensive iPod, the chipmaker has said. Qualcomm maintains that it continues to contribute technology to other areas of the industry and its practices follow industry norms. Story continues A $7.50 fee is a drop in the bucket considering that iPhones sell, on average, for $793 each. But it adds up. Qualcomms licensing revenue peaked in 2015 at $7.9 billion. In its most recent financial year, Qualcomm had revenue of $5.16 billion from its licensing division, even in a year when Apple had stopped paying fees. Apple sold 217 million iPhones in its most recent fiscal year. Apple Claims Mounting Evidence Against Qualcomms Business Apple didnt use Qualcomm modems in its devices until 2011, but it still owed the company royalties due to its patents. For the initial iPhone models, Apple used modems from Infineon, which was acquired by Intel Corp. in 2010. The licensing fight soured the relationship between the worlds leader in semiconductor technology and the iPhone maker, leading Apple to sue Qualcomm in 2017. Williams testified Monday that the legal battle prompted Qualcomm to refuse to provide chips for the 2018 iPhones, despite his efforts to negotiate a deal. Williams said the chipmaker left Cupertino, California-based Apple no choice but to use Intel modems exclusively in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR released in September and October. Qualcomm said in October 2017 that it had already tested and released to Apple modems that could be used in the new iPhones and that it was committed to working as a supplier for Apple. Other Apple executives testified earlier Monday that the company prefers to source components from multiple providers. Dual-sourcing chips allows Apple to drive down costs, but also provides a contingency plan if theres an issue with one of the suppliers. Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon told Koh last week that the company is still trying to get new business from Apple. The case is Federal Trade Commission v. Qualcomm Inc., 17-cv-00220, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Jose). (Corrrects scope of smartphone sales in fifth paragraph.) To contact the reporters on this story: Ian King in San Francisco at ianking@bloomberg.net;Mark Gurman in San Francisco at mgurman1@bloomberg.net;Kartikay Mehrotra in San Francisco at kmehrotra2@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Elizabeth Wollman at ewollman@bloomberg.net, ;Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net, Peter Blumberg, Steve Stroth For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Jan 14 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. - PG&E Corp announced the departure of its chief executive, Geisha Williams, on Sunday as it remained besieged by a financial crisis related to California's historic wildfires. https://nyti.ms/2RRjLwy - Electric Vehicles are in the spotlight at Detroit's 2019 Auto Show as automakers prepare to introduce dozens of fully electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles over the next three years, and Hyundai, Kia, Mini, Nissan and Audi plan to display electric models due in the United States this year. https://nyti.ms/2FuABuM - The Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies fired an employee who was arrested in Poland on charges of spying for the Chinese government, saying in a statement late Saturday that the worker had brought "disrepute" to the company. https://nyti.ms/2D8DhN6 - SpaceX, the private rocket company founded by the billionaire Elon Musk, said Friday it was laying off about 10 percent of its work force in what it framed as a necessary cutback to position the company for an unchartered future. https://nyti.ms/2FqB9T1 - Senior Pentagon officials are voicing deepening fears that President Trump's hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, could precipitate a conflict with Iran at a time when Trump is losing leverage in the Middle East by pulling out American troops. https://nyti.ms/2M6oV2H (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom) Firms to launch slew of smartphones in 19 As the demand for smartphones continues to surge in the country, domestic smartphone dealers are looking to cash in by introducing new models. (Corrects (official) in para 5 to show that Mazrouei was talking about average oil price in 2018, not 2019) By Maha El Dahan and Rania El Gamal ABU DHABI, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is not the enemy of the United States, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. "We are complementing each other, we are not enemies here," Mazrouei told an industry conference in Abu Dhabi, addressing the relationship between OPEC and major consuming countries like the United States. OPEC, and other leading global oil producers led by Russia, agreed in December to cut their combined oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January in order to balance the oil market. The decision came despite U.S. President Donald Trump's calls to oil exporters to refrain from cutting production, saying it would trigger higher oil prices worldwide. Mazrouei said the average oil price in 2018 was $70 a barrel. His Omani counterpart Mohammed al-Rumhi, addressing the same event, said he expected a price of between $60 and $80 a barrel in 2019. The 1.2 million bpd cut should be enough to balance the market, Mazrouei said, expecting the correction to start this month and to be achieved in the first half of the year. He said there was no need for major oil exporters to hold an extraordinary meeting before the one planned in April. "Things are working well," said Oman's Rumhi, whose country is taking part in the supply reduction agreement without being a member of OPEC. He also said there was no need for major exporters to meet before April. (Reporting by Rania El Gamal and Maha El Dahan; Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) (Adds U.S. Vice President Pence's reaction) By Thu Thu Aung and Poppy McPherson YANGON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A Myanmar court on Friday rejected the appeal of two Reuters reporters sentenced to seven years in jail on charges of breaking the Official Secrets Act, saying the defence had not provided sufficient evidence to show they were innocent. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were convicted by a lower court in September in a landmark case that has raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. "It was a suitable punishment," said High Court Judge Aung Naing, referring to the seven-year prison term meted out by the lower court. The defence has the option of making a further appeal to the country's supreme court, based in the capital Naypyitaw. "Today's ruling is yet another injustice among many inflicted upon Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. They remain behind bars for one reason: those in power sought to silence the truth," Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement. "Reporting is not a crime, and until Myanmar rights this terrible wrong, the press in Myanmar is not free, and Myanmar's commitment to rule of law and democracy remains in doubt." U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in a message on Twitter that the decision was deeply troubling and showed Myanmar's courts "failing a basic test in democracy." "In the name of free & independent press, the gov't of Burma should release these journalists immediately. The world is watching," Pence added. In their appeal arguments last month, defence lawyers had cited evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime. They asserted the lower court that tried the case had wrongly placed the burden of proof on the defendants. The defence also said prosecutors had failed to prove the reporters gathered and collected secret information, sent information to an enemy of Myanmar or that they had an intention to harm national security. Story continues Explaining his verdict, Judge Aung Naing said the reporters had behaved in a way that showed they intended to harm the country. The judge cited meetings between reporter Wa Lone and members of the security forces as well as a notebook found at the journalist's house that contained the phone number of a member of the Arakan Army, an armed ethnic rebel group he had reported on while covering peace negotiations several years ago. Wa Lone had testified during the trial that the phone number did not work and he did not have contact with the rebel group. "Action can be taken against them if, judging by their behaviour and characteristics, it appears they will harm the national security and interests of the country," said Aung Naing. He said the defence had failed to prove the arrests were a set-up by authorities. "I lost all my hope," a weeping Chit Su Win, the wife of reporter Kyaw Soe Oo, said after the verdict. PERSONAL INTEREST Britain called on Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to look at whether due process was followed. Asked about the case by BBC radio, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt urged Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, to "recognise that, as someone who fought for democracy in Burma, she should be taking a personal interest in the future of these two brave journalists." Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay was not available for comment. Standing outside the court building in Yangon where the judgment was pronounced, Kristian Schmidt, the European Union ambassador to Myanmar, said the ruling was a "miscarriage of justice and it gives us great concern for the independence of the justice system of Myanmar". Defence lawyer Than Zaw Aung, speaking after the ruling, said his team would discuss the option of a supreme court appeal with the two reporters. "We are very disappointed with the judgment," he said. Before their arrest, the reporters had been working on a Reuters investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017. The operation sent more than 730,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, according to United Nations' estimates. (Reporting by Thu Thu Aung and Poppy McPherson; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis, Shoon Naing, Antoni Slodkowski and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Alex Richardson, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Howard Goller and Daniel Wallis) Japan bitcoin etf cryptocurrency According to a spokesperson from the Financial Services Agency (FSA), Japan is not considering the approval of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Speaking to Bitcoin.com, an FSA representative said: There is no such fact that we are considering approving ETFs which track crypto-assets at present. We are not currently considering approving them. Japan Doesnt See the Need for a Bitcoin ETF Last week, several sources including Bloomberg reported that Japan is exploring the possibility of approving Bitcoin ETFs as an alternative to Bitcoin futures. The reports led to an increase in anticipation toward the approval of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF filing that is set to be decided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the end of February, as the emergence of strictly regulated investment vehicles in a major market like Japan would decrease the risk of price manipulation. However, in a statement, an FSA spokesperson said that the agency does not recognize the necessity of any cryptocurrency-related derivatives as of now, solidifying its stance against both crypto ETFs and futures products. Taken it into consideration that it is difficult for us to find constructive and social significance of trading crypto-assets derivatives at present, we think that there is no need for trading crypto-assets derivatives at financial instruments exchanges where many market participants are able to trade, the representative explained. bitcoin etf vaneck bitcoin price Previously, Jake Chervinsky, a government enforcement defense and securities litigation attorney at Kobre & Kim, said that while the launch of an ETF in overseas markets could address what the SEC considers as a key issue in manipulation, it is likely to have a minimal impact on the decision of the SEC. A Bitcoin ETF in Japan or any other major cryptocurrency market was never going to have any effect on the decision of the U.S. SEC, as the commission prefers to operate as the leader in international regulation. Story continues But, it demonstrates the willingness of the FSA and the Japanese financial authorities to focus on strengthening the infrastructure of the local cryptocurrency exchange market rather than shifting to investment vehicles that could provide the asset class with mainstream exposure in a short period of time. Bitcoin ETF Proposals in the U.S. Throughout the past several months, ten ETFs have been rejected by the U.S. SEC for various reasons including manipulation and security risks. Since then, companies in the likes of VanEck and Bitwise have filed ETF proposals that address most of the issues the SEC laid out publicly in the past. Bitwise, for instance, a cryptocurrency hedge fund which filed an ETF proposal this week, has built an index to track the price of Bitcoin on exchanges, futures markets, and over-the-counter (OTC) trading platforms in an attempt to find an accurate price of the dominant cryptocurrency based on maximum daily volume. Regardless of the progress made in overseas markets, the U.S. SEC will likely continue to identify areas of improvement following the rejection of every ETF filing, which would eventually increase the probability of a Bitcoin ETF in the long run. Images from Shutterstock The post Japan Not Considering Approval of Bitcoin ETF, FSA Denies Reports appeared first on CCN. Dr KC taken to hospital after his health deteriorates Senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC, who has been staging an indefinite hunger strike in Ilam for the past six days, has been admitted to Ilam Hospital on Monday. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for China Rising, a new weekly dispatch on where China stands now and where it's going next. Huawei Technologies Co. cut loose a sales director arrested in Poland on suspicion of espionage, moving swiftly to distance itself from a case that may crystallize fears the telecoms giant helps Beijing spy on Western governments. Chinas largest technology company fired Wang Weijing, who was responsible for sales to public sector clients, saying the incident has brought Huawei into disrepute, without elaborating. The smartphone maker, which has repeatedly denied charges of espionage itself, took action before judges had time to hear the defendants plea. Huawei, which generates more revenue than Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. combined, has become a target of intensifying scrutiny across Western countries from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand. Several carriers are now shunning its equipment over concerns the products may leave a backdoor for Chinese intelligence agencies. Huaweis rejected all such accusations, saying its products are safe. The Poland arrest could have "a very significant impact" on Huaweis business as Europe is a key revenue contributor for Huawei, said Brock Silvers, managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, which holds no investment in Huawei. "Regardless of how the allegations against Wang are ultimately resolved, it seems likely that Huaweis important European business will suffer in 2019." The arrest comes as Huawei becomes a lightning rod for Americas fears about Chinas economic and technological ascendancy. Polish authorities detained Wang and a former high-ranking official with Polands Internal Security Agency who also worked at mobile carrier Orange Polska SA. Evidence shows both men conducted espionage against the country, Stanislaw Zaryn, a spokesman for Polands secret services chief, said in a statement. Huaweis quick firing of Wang shows the company is trying to distance itself from whatever actions he may have been involved in, according to Adam Ni, a visiting fellow at Strategic & Defence Studies Centre at Australian National University. Story continues 2019 will be a year of reckoning for Huawei in the E.U. as E.U. countries become increasingly skeptical of Huaweis operations," said Ni. "This Polish case is the latest in a stream of bad news for Huawei for its worldwide operations, particularly relating to its connection with the Chinese intelligence and military." U.S. President Donald Trumps administration has been pushing allies to block Huawei from telecom networks amid a wider dispute over trade with China. When Zaryn tweeted the arrests in English, he included links to the Twitter accounts of the U.S. Department of State, the FBI and CIA. Huawei said on Saturday it had nothing to do with Wangs alleged actions, and that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where it operates. But Warsaw is now considering formally recommending caution toward the company, and potentially excluding Huawei from its information technology market, Polish cyber security chief Karol Okonski told RMF Radio. China is highly concerned, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement within hours of arrest news breaking on Friday. We are asking the related country to deal with the case fairly based on laws and protect the legitimate rights of the people, it said. The arrest is an unexpected twist in a saga that came to a head in December, when finance chief Meng Wanzhou -- the eldest daughter of Huawei-founder Ren Zhengfei -- was arrested in Canada at Washingtons behest. She now faces extradition to the U.S. on charges of conspiracy to defraud banks and violate American sanctions on Iran. Her detention -- shes now living under restrictions in a million-dollar home in Vancouver -- was regarded back home as an attack on one of Chinas foremost corporate champions. The backlash comes at a critical juncture for a company with ambitions of leading the global rollout of 5G technology. Its recent woes also complicate the trade talks as the worlds two largest economies try to avoid an escalation that would hammer the global economy. Germany is also weighing whether to restrict the role of Huawei in building the countrys telecom infrastructure, which would follow in the footsteps of restrictions in Australia and New Zealand. The head of Britains MI6 said last month the government needs to decide whether to ban the company and Czech President Milos Zeman said China may be preparing to retaliate after authorities there issued a warning about Huawei. He cited investments by Volkswagen AGs Czech unit, Skoda Auto AS, in China as well as a PPF AS pact with Huawei to build a 5G wireless network, as potential targets. Poland, a member of the European Union, counts on the Americans for security. While theres little to suggest a political motive in Wangs arrest, the Warsaw government is a staunch U.S. ally and the country is a prototype of Trump-style nationalism and protectionism. Poland relies on the EU for money, and U.S. troops are stationed on its soil. The European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should find a common approach toward Huawei, Polish Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski said in a radio interview on Saturday. Europe is facing a challenge when it comes to dealing with Huawei and it shows that the continent doesnt have the ability to be autonomous, said Solange Ghernaouti, head of the Swiss Cybersecurity Advisory and Research Group. Europe is either dependent on China or the U.S. To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Gao Yuan in Beijing at ygao199@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. Terminal tractors line up as they are loaded with containers from a cargo ship at DP World's fully automated Terminal 2 at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 27, 2018. REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed DUBAI (Reuters) - Major port operator DP World said on Sunday it had agreed to acquire a 71.3 percent stake in Chile's Puertos y Logistica (Pulogsa) from Minera Valparaiso and other shareholders associated with the Matte Group. Pulogsa operates a long-term concession for Puerto Central in San Antonio and owns and operates Puerto Lirquen in Chile's south. The agreement is dependent on a tender to acquire all outstanding shares of Santiago stock exchange listed Pulogsa. Dubai's DP World said it would offer $502 million for 100 percent equity ownership. DP World, one of the world's largest port operators, said that Pulogsa had net financial debt of $226 million as of September 30 and that the transaction was expected to close in the first half of the year. It also said it expected the deal to be "earnings accretive in the first full year of consolidation" and would be financed from existing balance resources. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Kim Coghill) Frail KC needs to be admitted in better hospital, say doctors Doctors attending to Dr Govinda KC have said he should immediately be taken to a well-facilitated hospital because of his critical health condition. KC on Monday was on the sixth day of his 16th hunger strike. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for China Rising, a new weekly dispatch on where China stands now and where it's going next. Many of Chinas proudest technology champions were only too glad to put 2018 behind them. This year may present even bigger challenges. From brushes with the law and a jaw-dropping market rout to regulatory clampdowns and even destructive American action, the countrys largest corporations weathered a litany of seemingly random catastrophes. In 2019, they face a common, far more inexorable enemy: a rapidly cooling home economy. Chinas deceleration will create ripple effects across the corporate landscape. Businesses already contending with tighter credit face an even tougher environment as tensions with the U.S. dampen industrial activity and consumer sentiment in the worlds second largest economy. Apple Inc.s shock outlook-cut only exacerbates fears that its losing steam more rapidly than anticipated. Sentiment isnt great. Theres still macro uncertainty, regulatory headwinds, competition in China internet where everyone needs to invest more to counter slower user growth, said Jerry Liu, an analyst with UBS. Companies in China on average traded higher than the U.S. but now valuations have come down and converged. It shows you the headwinds China internet is facing. All that translates into real consequences for China Tech Inc. Mega-fundraisings -- the lifeblood of a young internet sector -- may dissipate: venture capital deal-making is at its lowest since 2015 even as funding sizes shrink. Consider Ofo, the high-profile pioneer of Chinas bike-sharing boom that almost presented the countrys biggest startup failure in years. As for deeper-pocketed juggernauts from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to Tencent Holdings Ltd., they can no longer lean as heavily on their home market to keep the top line humming. Morgan Stanley estimates revenue among the Chinese internet stocks it covers will grow 29 percent on average in 2019 -- dipping below 30 percent for the first time since at least 2015. Story continues Thats a sea change from the start of 2018, when it seemed as if Tencent and its ilk were on the brink of fulfilling a dream of upstaging Silicon Valley. Things started going off the rails in the second half of last year as Huawei Technologies Co. finance chief Meng Wanzhou and JD.com Inc.s billionaire-founder Richard Liu found themselves in legal hot water (for different reasons). Didi Chuxing went from hometown darling for the way it beat Uber to public enemy No. 1 when two of its drivers allegedly killed women passengers. Xiaomi Corp. and Meituan Dianping, two of Chinas most promising emergent tech concerns, have lost billions in market value since their debut. Tencent, the poster child for Chinas unprecedented economic boom, shed more than $200 billion of market value after regulators choked off its games pipeline, leading the biggest selloff in Asian technology shares in a decade. The MSCI Asia Pacific Information Technology Index dived 21.2 percent in 2018: the biggest annual drop since the 2008 recession. 2018 marked the beginning of another transition for China internet companies, as a tougher-than-expected macro backdrop has led to softer sales, Morgan Stanley analysts led by Grace Chen and Alex Poon wrote. Macro risk is rising. In 2019, Chinas tech glitterati need to confront a number of issues. Economists see growth slowing to an annual pace of 6.2 percent in 2019, the weakest pace since 1990. The trade conflict is weighing on activity, hurting corporations like Alibaba and JD that depend directly on home consumption. A corresponding decline in advertising hurts Tencent and Baidu Inc. For private companies like Bytedance Ltd., the funding spigot they draw on to super-charge growth is starting to dry up. Less quantifiably, China is in the throes of the most severe digital crackdown in its history, a censorship push that shows no signs of letting up. That will force virtually every internet player to invest time and money training bots and staff to root out content the ruling Communist Party deems taboo. To many, the market rout is far from over, thanks to President Donald Trumps campaign to contain China, starting with punitive tariffs. Depending on the state of the markets, the IPO pipeline may constrict in 2019 as mega-startups that havent listed, such as Didi or Alibaba-backed Ant Financial, put off their coming-out parties. You can blame Donald Trump, said Mitchell Green, a Santa Barbara-based founding partner of Lead Edge Capital, which manages $1.5 billion of assets and backs Alibaba and Tencent Music. Longer term, Chinas tech aspirants must look beyond a saturated home to sustain double-digit growth. As Alibabas Jack Ma told a World Trade Organization forum in Geneva in October: If youre not globalized, youre dead. But once-frenetic deal-making in U.S. startups has all but evaporated and others, such as Huawei and JD, have become much quieter about their global ambitions. However things shake out in 2019, China is hell bent on becoming a tech powerhouse in the next five years. Xi Jinpings controversial blueprint to transform China from smokestacks to technology cradle -- his so-called Made in China 2025 plan -- is raising hackles among Washington and its allies. And thus-far reflexive attempts to contain the budding superpower can only intensify. Were not in a trade war now, were in a geopolitical cold war started by the U.S., Alibaba Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai said at a conference in late 2018. Perhaps no company better personifies the perceived threat than Huawei. Once a purveyor of pedestrian telecoms equipment, its overtaken Apple in smartphones and is amassing a lead in fifth-generation mobile while preparing to take on some of Americas biggest chipmakers. But the countrys largest tech company by revenue has learned first-hand how vague suspicions can manifest in abrupt action. Even before Mengs arrest, Trumps administration had invoked its name in blocking a Qualcomm-Broadcom merger that wouldve been the largest deal ever, saying it would hand the lead in 5G to China. Now, its been blocked from selling its gear from Australia to New Zealand, facing opposition even in Papua New Guinea. Just days ago, an executive of the company was arrested in Poland on allegations of spying for the Chinese government. To be sure, not everyone is so relentlessly downbeat. At the end of the day, investors such as Xia Mingchen believe staying the course will pay off. We dont believe the U.S.-China trade war will have a very significant impact on the capital flow into China from outside of the country, said the managing director of Hamilton Lane, which has $452 billion of assets under management. The market is huge, with a big population, and is fast-growing compared to Western countries. --With assistance from Jeffrey Black. To contact the reporters on this story: Edwin Chan in Hong Kong at echan273@bloomberg.net;Lulu Yilun Chen in Hong Kong at ychen447@bloomberg.net;David Ramli in Beijing at dramli1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Robert Fenner at rfenner@bloomberg.net, Reed Stevenson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. China is still reportedly dragging its feet in opening its market to Visa, Mastercard The People's Bank of China has not yet formally acknowledged applications from Visa and Mastercard to process yuan payments, the Financial Times reports, citing sources. Acknowledging the applications, made more than a year ago, would kick off a 90-day window in which the central bank must make a decision, the report says. The inaction comes as the U.S. and China are engaged in negotiations on how to resolve trade issues, including that of foreign access to the Chinese market. In response, the Peoples Bank of China said Mastercard withdrew its application last year, while Visas application lacks supplemental materials. One of the most-touted areas of the so-called opening up of China 's economy remains a challenging market for some foreign giants. With a flurry of announcements in 2018, Beijing loosened its control on the finance industry in what some called an "unprecedented" way. The moves came as complaints about unequal access for foreign players in the country escalated trade tensions between the U.S. and China. But amid ongoing negotiations, not many foreign companies have gotten full access to the massive Asian market yet. On Monday, the Financial Times reported , citing two sources, that the People's Bank of China has not yet formally acknowledged applications from Visa V and Mastercard MA to process yuan payments. The two companies filed the applications more than a year ago, and regulation says once the central bank acknowledges receipt, it must make a decision within 90 days, the FT report said. Visa and Mastercard did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment. The People's Bank of China referred CNBC to a statement shared with privately-run Chinese financial media site Wall Street CN . The comments from the central bank's head of payments said that Mastercard withdrew its application in June 2018 and that Visa's application from April 2018 still lacked some supplemental materials. Story continues "Throughout the entire process, the People's Bank of China never raised the issue or requirement of a joint venture to operate in China," the central bank representative said, according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese-language report. Approval would let the two U.S.-based companies compete in the local market with China's Unionpay. The company, which the FT report says counts the central bank as its largest shareholder, dominates the local market and has expanded overseas, giving it 36 percent of global market share in bank card payments, according to RBR research cited in the FT report. The article noted Visa and Mastercard have 32 percent and 20 percent of the global market, respectively. China's slow moves to expand foreign access in finance Beijing has made some strides in letting foreigners have greater access to the local financial industry, after years of waiting. In November, the People's Bank of China announced it was granting American Express AXP preliminary approval to process and settle domestic yuan payments through the company's local joint venture partner LianLian. A few weeks later, UBS UBSG-CH announced the China Securities Regulatory Commission gave the company approval to increase its stake in its local joint venture to a majority 51 percent, the first foreign bank to do so. Earlier in 2018, Beijing removed limits on foreign holdings in banks, announced plans to do the same in the insurance and securities sectors, and allowed foreign investors in the country to buy mainland-traded stocks. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have both publicly stated their commitment to increasing foreign access to the finance industry. On Friday, Xiao Yuanqi, spokesperson for the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission said China will consider further opening up of its financial markets and would like foreign firms to set up branches, invest in China and bring in professionals and technologies, according to a report from state news agency Xinhua. However, critics would note lack of foreign access in the bank card industry is just one of many promises China has yet to live up to since joining the World Trade Organization in 2001. More than six years ago, the World Trade Organization said Beijing was breaking the organization's rules by requiring all yuan-denominated payment cards to work with China's Unionpay. Read the full Financial Times story here. More From CNBC In CEO Search, Intel Still Hasnt Found What Its Looking For (Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp. has been trying to fill the most prominent role in the $400-billion chip industry for more than six months. The companys board still hasnt found what its looking for. Intel directors have ruled out some candidates for the vacant chief executive officer post, passed up obvious ones, been rejected by some and decided to go back and re-interview others, extending the search, according to people familiar with the process. Chairman Andy Bryant told some employees recently that the chipmaker may go with a "non-traditional" candidate, suggesting a CEO from outside the company is a possibility. Whoever is chosen will take the reins at a company thats churning out record results, but is facing rising competition. The new CEO will have to convince investors that Intels loss of manufacturing leadership -- a cornerstone of its dominance -- wont cost it market share in the lucrative semiconductor market. He or she will also have to deliver on the companys promise to maintain growth by winning orders beyond personal computer and server chips. "The new CEO will have many difficult decisions to make in a short amount of time," said Kevin Cassidy, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus & Co. "The company can perform well in the near term due to good demand for PC and servers, but longer-term decisions and strategy need a CEO soon." Intel needs to fix manufacturing delays quickly or risk customers looking elsewhere for better performing chips, Cassidy added. Intel is scheduled to report earnings on Jan. 24. The board is trying to make its choice ahead of that date, according to one of the people. Possible candidates such as Sanjay Jha, Anand Chandrasekher and Renee James are no longer involved, the people said. They asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. An Intel representative declined to comment on the process. Bob Swan, Intels chief financial officer, is filling the CEO role on an interim basis and he was on CNBC last week discussing strategy like a full-time leader. However, Swan repeated that he doesnt want the job permanently. Story continues Semiconductor factories take a year or more to build, and it takes even longer for upgrades and design changes to start generating revenue. That makes it difficult to change course swiftly, so going without a CEO for more than six months is a concern for some analysts. "They should be pushing to get a leader in place and then making decisions to give visibility to the whole company and the customer base," said Matt Ramsay, an analyst at Cowen & Co. Former CEO Brian Krzanich was ousted on June 21 after the board discovered he had an extramarital affair with an employee. It took Intel two weeks shy of six months to decide to promote him to the top role in 2013 when predecessor Paul Otellini announced he was retiring ahead of schedule. Finding a CEO can often take more than six months, according to Neil Sims, a managing partner at recruiting firm Boyden. The typical range is four to eight months, he noted. As a California company, Intel faces additional diversity standards that are now in place, said Sims. While the new legislation is focused on boards, I am confident that seeing female candidates must be a high priority for the search committee. There are several strong female candidates to lead Intel, a rare development in an industry that has almost never promoted women to CEO roles. Rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is enjoying a resurgence under Chief Executive Officer Lisa Su. James rose to the rank of president at Intel before leaving to found her own startup. Diane Bryant, who ran Intels profitable data center chip business, recently left Google. Under Krzanich, Intel spent money and tied executive pay to increasing diversity. The company has claimed progress toward its goals and is the most vocal on the subject in an industry thats still dominated by men. In its most recent diversity report, Intel touted improvements. Females as a percentage of its workforce rose to 28.8 percent in 2018, up from 24.7 percent in 2015. They comprise 23.9 percent of its technical staff and occupy 19.4 percent of leadership positions. To contact the reporter on this story: Ian King in San Francisco at ianking@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net, Alistair Barr, Andrew Pollack For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams said Qualcomm Inc. refused to provide cellular modems for the 2018 iPhones after Apple sued the chipmaker in 2017. Williamss testimony Monday in the Federal Trade Commission antitrust trial against Qualcomm, indicates the chipmaker forced Apple to use Intel Corp. modems exclusively in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR released in September and October, rather than the decision being a choice by the Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker. Williams said he tried to negotiate with Qualcomm to provide Apple with chips for the latest iPhones, but the company refused. In October 2017, however, Qualcomm said it had already tested and released to Apple, modems that could be used in the new iPhones. We are committed to supporting Apples new devices consistent with our support of all others in the industry, the chipmaker said in a statement at the time to Bloomberg News. Apple executives testified earlier Monday that the company prefers to source components from multiple providers. Dual-sourcing chips allows Apple to drive down costs, but also provides a contingency plan if there is an issue with one of the suppliers. Williams testified that Qualcomm continued to provide chips for Apples older iPhones. The government has accused the San Diego-based company of using its position as the worlds leading maker of smartphone chips to force customers to use its products and squeeze them for high patent licensing fees. --With assistance from Ian King. To contact the reporters on this story: Mark Gurman in San Francisco at mgurman1@bloomberg.net;Kartikay Mehrotra in San Francisco at kmehrotra2@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Andrew Pollack For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Amazon Web Services has invested in Wiliot Inc., an Israel and San Diego-based semiconductor company that focuses on wireless technology that tracks the location of goods during manufacturing. Wiliot has closed a $30 million Series B funding round, with investment coming from AWS, Samsung Venture Investment Corp. and Avery Dennison Corp., the company said in a statement Monday. The company, founded in 2017, plans to announce a battery-free bluetooth sticker-sized sensor tag, which it says can be embedded in the production phase of consumer goods. The disposable products, still in testing, will allow real-time tracking throughout the manufacturing process, and potentially applied to clothes to connect with washing machines to the right spin cycle is applied. Wiliots strategy for battery-free bluetooth transponders, which sense and communicate without needing specific action by consumers, is very relevant to Avery Dennisons intelligent labels strategy, said Francisco Melo, general manager of global radio-frequency identification at Avery Dennison. With the latest funding round, Wiliot has raised $50 million in total. It has been previously backed by Qualcomm Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, 83North Venture Capital, Grove Ventures, and M Ventures. Wiliot employs about 40 people, and has offices in the U.S., Israel, and Germany. It is exploring opening an office in Asia, and is targeting an initial public offering in the U.S. once the business grows, Steve Statler, the companys senior vice president of marketing and business development, told Bloomberg. The deal is another investment by AWS in Israel. Last week it confirmed a deal for startup CloudEndure, which provides disaster recovery, continuous backup and migration tools. The Seattle-based company is also building up in the Middle East, and is set to open a center in Bahrain. Amazon.com Inc. has dozens of clients in the region, including ride-hailing startup Careem; Saudi Arabias Al Tayyar Travel Group; and the Dubai-based broadcaster MBC Group. Story continues (Corrects name of investor to Grove Ventures.) To contact the reporter on this story: Nour Al Ali in Dubai at nalali1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Shaji Mathew For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Criminal killed in police encounter Kedar Sahani, a notorious criminal enlisted in the most wanted list of police, died of bullet injuries in a shootout near the Nepal-India border in Siddharthanagar Municipality-10, Rupandehi district, on Saturday night. We used to have two Trillium plants...one was probably eaten by a deer. We still have one plant and it is blooming now. Far Guy is a tad ... 31 injured in road accident Thirty-one people were injured in a road accident that took place at Beni Ghatrorang Rural Municipality-9 in Dhading on Sunday morning. Chinese construction along the Nepal-Tibet border puts strategic land at risk Kimathanka, an idyllic hamlet in the northeastern district of Sankhuwasabha, is one of the smallestand most remotesettlements in the country. But this tiny village that sits on the Chinese border is a crucial strategic location for Nepal as the country strives to increase its connectivity with the northern neighbour. New Delhi: Neighbour country Pakistan has offered all amenities and facilities to the Sikh community settled all over the world to invest in the Kartarpur Corridor to make the area between Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib unprecedented and historic. Talking to the Sikh community, Governor of Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said that Pakistan will cover all the expenses related to the development of both religious places and connecting corridor. Addressing at Guru Gobind Singh Sabha in Southall, West London Sarwar said that Pakistan is supporting Sikha to take care of Gurudwaras. He said, Sikhs are our brothers and sisters, Pakistan is already supporting and helping them and taking extra care to look after the Gurdawaras in all over the country, especially the Nankana Saheb. Sarwar also praised the Indian government for their support in the development of this corridor. He said this would not have happened without New Delhis support for this noble initiative. He further added that both the countries have set the foundation of goodwill and friendship and the opening of this corridor has fulfilled the long-pending demand of 120 million Sikhs. Sarwar also said the Pakistan government will meet all expenses of development of both religious places and connecting corridor. "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head; if you talk to him in his language, it goes to his heart," it was these words of the great Nelson Mandela that inspired Theertha Nirmal, the speech and hearing impaired young woman hailing from Kozhikode to launch the Startup 'Sign NEXT.' Of course, she became the first Malayali speech and hearing impaired woman to become a CEO. But more than this personal achievement, Theertha is proud of the fact that she was able to make a significant contribution to her own community. Our application aims at imparting information to the hearing impaired through the language familiar to them the Sign Language, and make use of sign language for extending education and women empowerment. And this is the first such initiative in India. Theertha was accompanied by her husband and business partner Sanu Chukkri and her translator friend when she arrived for the interview. The friend kept a steady translation of Theerthas words in sign language. How can a speech impaired woman communicate with her gynaecologist during labour? It is not possible to get the assistance of a translator in all circumstances, Theerthas words point at the intensity of the crises faced by the speech and hearing impaired in their daily lives. It was the discussions and deliberations regarding these issues that led to the concept behind Sign NEXT. Essentially, Sign NEXT is an app that helps the speech and hearing impaired community using the sign language which is the most effective mode of communication for them. In the first phase, our priority is on womens empowerment. Videos on personal hygiene and health have already been prepared. Womens diseases and precautions regarding those conditions, menstrual hygiene, measures of hygiene during and after sex and the information that women would need during pregnancy, labour and post-labour period all these will be imparted through the videos, says Theertha. The core team of Sign NEXT is made up of Theertha, Kingsley David and Pravij Kumar. Theerthas husband Sanu and Kingsley were colleagues. As Kingsley has a hearing impaired relative, he could easily communicate with Theertha and Sanu. It was the close interaction of the trio, discussing the issues faced by the speech and hearing impaired that sowed the seeds of Sign NEXT. Thus, Theertha, who was teaching the hearing impaired children at National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) at Thiruvananthapuram became the chief executive officer of Sign NEXT. Even when we were students, me and Sanu used to face a lot of obstacles in our daily lives. Most of the teachers were using the spoken word instead of the sign language. May be, they were thinking that we should try to follow the spoken word and that itd help us more. But for us it was a sort of half-cooked learning. It was only at NISH that we could learn sign language comprehensively. And it was only then that we started to understand the subjects completely. That increased the interest in learning. Isnt it always better to communicate in your own language when you have a language of your own ? Theertha asks. Many videos for the hearing impaired could be found in the YouTube. But most of them doesnt have any subtitles. So, those videos are useless for us. These days almost everyone possesses Smart phones and so we are trying to make use of Apps that can be accessed from anywhere and at any time. There are around 1.8 crores of hearing impaired persons in India and almost 95 percent of them do not read or write English. That is the main reason the speech and hearing impaired persons are losing out on job opportunities, even if theyre talented. Were trying to teach English through our app. We dont need anyones sympathy, but we just want a support and encouragement to stand shoulder to shoulder and work. The work of Sign NEXT was initiated around one and a half years ago, tying up with the Kerala Startup Mission, recalls Theertha. When I took a break for delivery, Kingsley and Pravij managed the company affairs. Kingsley runs Sign TV, a news channel for the hearing impaired. He has also received the GPTW Award for teaching sign language to around 3000 able bodied persons in Technopark through his initiative Talking Hands: Creating Conversation. Pravij is also learning sign language. If there is any confusion while communicating, we use the written language. The sign language also has different dialects region wise just like the spoken language. However, the symbols for many words like Father, Mother, Fever, and Rain, are common. The videos make use of sub titles, images and animation apart from the sign language. The assistance of doctors and counsellors are also utilized in the making of these videos. I used to wonder as a child why I was not able to scale the heights that my siblings and friends were reaching so easily. Then I took a decision that I was not someone to be kept aside just because of my hearing impairment. You should never let your impairments hinder your way, but you should find ways to turn them into positive energy. Then, the unnecessary burdens that weigh you down would melt away and youd find the energy to soar towards newer heights. Of course, it was not easy to learn new things. There were a lot of mistakes. But we went forward, working around those mistakes. Two months ago, there was an empowerment programme for the hearing impaired organized by the New Delhi based Centum Gro Initiative. One activity that they gave as assignment was to visit various places in Delhi. The participants were divided into groups of five persons, and each one would be allowed to take only Rs 100. Thus these groups of five had to visit eight places in Delhi, without seeking the help of phone or Internet. It was my first visit to Delhi ! Yet we visited all the places by using sign language, making sketches and showing photos. Since our budget was limited, we were either walking or using the public transport. We ate cheap food. When we needed to take an auto, wed go for joint trips. We also had a task of buying a good gift within the budget. For that, we had to seek out the cheap bazaar areas and negotiate the crowds. But we managed everything successfully. That trip was quite a learning experience. It taught me that it was possible to get things done even in the absence of comfortable transportation or money or mobile phone. Its true that we can realize our own real potential only in the face of adversity. I have just this one message the only person who can chain us is none but you. We just need the strength to break those chains, and then sky will be the limit. Dhaka: Garment manufacturers in Bangladesh have agreed to raise workers' pay, the commerce minister said on Sunday, urging people to return to work after a week of violent demonstrations. Last week at least one worker was killed and dozens wounded during protests over salaries, prompting the government to form a panel of factory owners, union leaders and government officials to investigate the pay demands. On Sunday at least 20 people were hurt at in further clashes between protesters and police outside Dhaka. All parties involved agreed to raise wages across 6 of the 7 pay grades, leaving the minimum wages unchanged at 8,000 taka ($95), Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told reporters after a meeting of the panel. Low wages and trade deals with Western countries have made the sector a $30 billion industry accounting for 80 percent of Bangladesh's exports, making Bangladesh the world's second-biggest garment exporter behind China. Earlier on Sunday, Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) had threatened to cut off workers' pay if they did not return to work. FILE PHOTO: Police officers are seen while the garment workers block a road as they protest for higher wages in Dhaka, Bangladesh January 12, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain "If you don't return to your work by tomorrow, you will not be paid any wages and we will shut down factories for an indefinite period," he said. "Despite repeated assurance of meeting the demands, the workers are being incited to create unrest. We will not allow this any more." The revised wages are effective from December and will be adjusted from January, Munshi said. "The discrepancies in the wage structure have been resolved by the prime minister's intervention. We welcome the new wages. As trade unions, we have the right to protest, but that does not mean vandalising factories or blocking roads. Workers will go back to work," he said. At least 20 people were hurt on Sunday when police used tear-gas and water cannons to disperse workers blocking a major highway in the Ashulia garment manufacturing belt, on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka, according to Saminur Rahman, a director for the Industrial Police, which patrols the country's business hubs. The protests are a test for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who just won a third straight term in a December 30 election. The vote was marred by violence and allegations of widespread rigging and voter intimidation. The government said in September that the minimum wage for garment workers would increase by up to 51 percent to 8,000 taka ($95) a month, payable in January, the first increase since 2013. But union leaders say that increase will benefit only a small percentage of workers in the garment sector, which employs 4 million out of the country's 165 million people. "Most of the workers do not want vandalism. They want to work. They don't want their factories are closed," said Munshi, also a former president of the BGMEA. "I hope they will join work peacefully," the minister added. Read latest in World New Delhi: The Delhi Police Monday filed a charge-sheet at a city court against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and others, saying he was leading a procession and supported seditious slogans raised on the varsity campus in February 2016. Police also charged former JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university's campus on February 9, 2016, to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. In its charge-sheet, police claimed that it has video clips to prove the offence which has been corroborated by the statements of the witnesses. The other accused charge-sheeted in the case are Kashmiri students Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat, some of them were then studying in JNU, Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-JNUSU president), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri, all former students of JNU, have been named in column 12 of the charge sheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. Police has alleged that Kumar had incited the mob to shout anti-India slogans. Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand put up the charge sheet for consideration before a competent court on Tuesday. The accused have been charged with offences under sections 124A (sedition), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (punishment for forgery), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly), 149 (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In the charge sheet running into around 1,200 pages, police claimed that all the footage were genuine and the presence of students belonging to Kashmir was also establish through mobile clips and videos. It claimed that the Kashmiri students, had masks on during the procession, but did not cover their faces while returning. This showed their involvement, police said. The 10 accused persons have been charge-sheeted on the basis of electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile footage, and documentary evidence, which include statements of students and security guards. The final report claims that no permission was granted to organise the event and every member was a part of an unlawful assembly. When informed about the lack of permission to hold the even, the accused persons started arguing and fighting, it said. A case was registered on February 11, 2016 under sections 124A and 120B of the IPC against unidentified persons at the Vasant Kunj (North) police station, following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The event in 2016 had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the ABVP, which had termed it as 'anti-national'. Read more India News Cybercriminals are launching targeted ransomware attacks and extortion scams to get your data and your money, but theres a lot you can do to protect yourself. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI released a US-CERT (computer emergency readiness team) alert about SamSam ransomware, also known as MSIL/Samas.A. SamSams not a new type of malware; it was first discovered in early 2016. What makes it noteworthy, however, is that it doesnt operate like typical ransomware variants that employ phishing schemes to trick users into clicking links or email attachments. SamSam is deployed using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) credentials to sneak onto victims networks. The actors sometimes use brute force attacks, but more often they use stolen login credentials acquired from darknet marketplaces. The latter approach makes the ransomware very difficult to detect because the malware enters through an approved access point. Once criminals gain access (within hours of purchasing the credentials), they escalate privileges for administrator rights, drop malware onto the server, and run an executable file, all without victims action, authorization or knowledge. Another type of cyberattack thats becoming more prevalent which uses stolen credentials like SamSam is CryptoBlackmail. This type of attack, also known as a sextortion scam, typically starts with the threat actor contacting the victim via email insisting they have video evidence of the victim viewing adult sites. The actor threatens to expose the victims secret unless the victim pays a ransom within 48 hours. Included in the email are the username and password to one of the victims previously breached online accounts, which causes many recipients of the scam to pay the ransom. In fact, when this threat first emerged in July 2018, one threat actor earned $15,500 USD (2.5 Bitcoin) in just two days. With the new year upin us and as we reflect on these ransomware threats and extortion scams, its a good time to brush up on our computer and network security practices and strategies. Here are eight tips to help reduce your chances of being a SamSam or CryptoBlackmail victim in 2019. Train Users Not to Click Unknown Email Links or Attachments. The vast majority of cyberattacks (91%) begin with a spear phishing email, so it only makes sense to start here by making cybersecurity training a top priority. Training must include more than mere lecturing, too. It should be reinforced with testing and simulated attacks that mimic real-world situations so users become more vigilant with their inboxes. Restrict User Admin Privileges. Most ransomware infections start with a single workstation. If the infected computer has local admin privileges, thats when the problem escalates and spreads throughout the network. Although restricting users ability to install applications puts a higher burden on IT, its much safer for the organization. Protect Your Credentials with Multifactor Authentication. With all the security breaches over the past few years, theres a good chance some of your PII (personally identifiable information) is now for sale on the dark web. Besides making sure youre creating strong passwords and updating them regularly, implementing multifactor authentication ( MFA (News - Alert) ) is a good idea. Theres lots of viable options for MFA, too, such as biometric scanners or authentication codes pushed to users devices which improves security with minimal inconvenience. Keep Your Software Patches Current. Cybercriminals go for the low hanging fruit. Besides tricking users into launching malware, threat actors like to exploit software thats not up to date. The infamous WannaCry ransomware, for example, infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, which all had one thing in common: They were several months behind on their Windows patches. Where patch management becomes difficult is when companies run custom apps, which cant just be automatically updated each time a new patch is released. The updates have to be tested first to ensure the program is still stable. For organizations with limited IT personnel, its easy to fall behind on testing patches and before you know it, youre six months and three software versions behind. Outsourcing this task to an IT services firm is often the best way to solve this issue without having to hire another full-time IT admin. A managed IT services company like Magna5, for example, works with customers developers to coordinate software updates with their maintenance windows. After rolling out the updates, Magna5 continues to monitor and validate everythings working properly. Protect Your Remote Desktop Environment As mentioned earlier, SamSam often exploits companies RDS (Remote Desktop Services) by using stolen credentials available on the dark web. The best way to prevent this from happening to your company is to removedevices with RDP enabled from the public internet and use a VPN (virtual private network) for added security. Dont Assume Your Backups are Good. Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) planning is a vital component to security. Sadly, the majority of companies (75%) discover that their backup sets are corrupted when they attempt an actual recovery. The only way to ensure a backup set is good (i.e., it could be restored if you needed it), is to test your backups (or engage an IT solution provider to do it for you). Although the process will vary from organization to organization, the common thread in testing backups and restores is to perform a complete restoration of every last file to a clean system. Regular testing and test results should ensure your backup strategy is working. Dont Skimp on Your Firewall and Antispam Protection. Theres a big difference between the traditional firewall from 10 years ago and an enterprise-grade Nextgen firewall of today. Prior firewalls were stateful packet inspection capable only, meaning they could perform basic port and IP blocking. They dont have features that are needed to defend against todays advanced threats. Conversely, enterprise-grade firewall security solutions include advanced features such as geographical blocking. This is particularly helpful if, for example, your company only does business in the US and Canada, the firewall can block incoming traffic from Norther Korea, Russia and China which are hotbeds for cyberattacks. Additionally, this change in technology has affected antispam solutions as well. Traditional antispam had weaker abilities to detect advanced malware and phishing attempts. It could stop the most obvious messages (e.g. the dethroned Arabian prince who wants to gift you with $5 million) but failed to detect social engineering attempts. Advanced antispam solutions can give users insights into phishing techniques coming from outside the company. For example, a message sent to someone in accounting purporting to be the CEO asking for $20,000 to be immediately wired to a bank account is more easily detected as fraudulent when its market [external] within the subject line. Nextgen firewalls and antispam solutions are integrated with threat intelligence databases, which are updated in real time with the latest malware signatures and other threat information. Not every vendor is the same though, so selecting companies well known in threat migration is important. Consider an Outsourced Security Monitoring Service. One of the biggest challenges with a brute-force style attack is that an organization may not have any idea its even under attack. Even if the company has security systems in place that log the attacks, if no ones looking at the logs, it doesnt matter (this was the case with the 2013 Target breach). A managed security monitoring service is a viable solution. An MSSP can quickly detect brute-force attack attempts and other anomalies (e.g., a user is signed into their account from two countries simultaneously) and take action on behalf of the client to thwart the attack before a breach and data compromise occurs. Conclusion Protecting your company from ransomware or the latest online scam isnt easy, but its a must in this day and age. Dont forget that you dont have to go it alone. Theres help available, and its not as expensive as you might think. It just might be the smartest investment you make for your company in the new year. About the author: Matt Kimpel, Director of IT Engineering of Magna5, brings more than a decade of experience in the IT services industry and significant expertise in the areas of networking and security. He leads the Managed Services Advanced Engineering team and oversees the delivery and growth of the Managed Security Services, as well as plays a key role in new product development within Magna5. Edited by Erik Linask Rajakumari, Idukki: Rajakumari, Idukki: A couple has been detained in connection with the murder of a plantation owner and his worker at an estate in Naduppara, Chinnakkanal. It is suspected that the Pooppara native helped the main accused to commit the crime. The police have refused to disclose the identity of the suspects. Jacob Varghese, aka Rajesh, the 40-year-old cardamom estate owner was shot dead, while his labourer Muthaiah, 55, was killed with a blow to his head. Jacob belongs to the Kaithayil house in Manganam, Kottayam. The bodies were two days old when found. Varghese has been shot in his chest. Muthaiah's head shows marks of weapon attack. The police suspect that Jacob's own gun was used for his presumed murder. The police are seeking an estate supervisor from Kuruvilla City who had joined four days back. Local people had seen him driving away in the planter's SUV which was later found abandoned at Murikkumthotti. The police said the supervisor has been facing several theft cases in Ernakulam and Palai. Jacob was living alone in a house in the middle of the 40-acre estate. Muthaiah used to assist him during harvest. Jacob, who also owns the Rhythms of My Mind resort at Naduppara, had been to his native place for Christmas and returned on the New Year day to the estate. He had called home on Friday. The family lodged a man missing complaint on Saturday. Since they could not reach Muthaiah also on the phone, they travelled to the estate where they found the bodies. Jacob, son of Dr K K Varghese and Dr Suseela Varghese, was abroad and had returned four years ago. He is survived by his wife Kesia and daughter Nadaniya. Muthaiah's wife is Muthumari and children Pavithra and Pavan Kumar. There has to be a compelling reason for the Centre to throw all political niceties to the wind and arbitrarily announce that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kollam bypass on January 15. It was not intended as cheeky oneupmanship like when BJP national president Amit Shah landed in Kannur international airport even before the date of the airport inauguration was fixed. Nor was the move fuelled by a desire to put the LDF government in its place; there were reports that the Centre had not taken kindly to the state's move to have chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurate the bypass and showcase the project as its triumph. The prime minister's Kollam visit is dramatically ambitious in scope. Along with the Kollam bypass, Narendra Modi will inaugurate a bold political experiment, perhaps the BJP's boldest ever in the state, to sway Left-leaning upper castes to its side. Bait for upper caste comrade The political rally the prime minister will address in Kollam on January 15 will have party workers from three Assembly constituencies: Kollam, Mavelikkara and Alappuzha. The choice of constituencies is instructive. They are CPI(M) bastions. All three were won by the CPI(M) by huge margins in the last Assembly elections. But what makes these 'red forts' theoretically seductive for the Sangh Parivar is the predominance of Nair community in these constituencies. Kollam district (under which falls both Kollam and Mavelikkara constituencies) has the highest percentage of Nairs in the state, over 30 per cent of the district's population. Alappuzha, too, has a fairly decisive Nair presence, nearly 20 per cent of the population. NSS general secretary Sukumaran Nair has already shot the PM a letter of gratitude. The Sangh Parivar reading is that Nairs, whether Congress or comrade, are upset over the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of child-bearing age into Sabarimala. The BJP hypothesis is that the Nairs are worried that their faith is being trampled upon. As evidence, they point to the success of the 'Ayyappa Jyothi' event in these areas. There were reports that families of local CPI(M) leaders had taken part in the 'Jyothi'. Modi's Achilles' heel It is into this environment seemingly vulnerable to political change that Narendra Modi is touching down. But Modi will be limited by his position. He is the prime minister of the country, not a mere BJP functionary, and therefore cannot be openly critical of the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala women's entry. At best, he can be subtle. He cannot afford to be seen as disrespectful. But even while feigning courtesy, Modi can be withering. Recently, he told an interviewer that the judgment of the lone dissenting judge in the Sabarimala case should be read carefully. Nothing more. In spite of the amazing ways in which he can play with words, Sabarimala can be used only sparingly. Quota boon But the prime minister will have at his disposal a drum of sorts that he can play to his heart's content. The 10 per cent reservation for the poor among the forward castes. For a community that has been deeply hurt by the Sabarimala verdict, here is balm in the form of 10 per cent economic reservation. NSS general secretary Sukumaran Nair has already shot him a letter of gratitude. Trust Narendra Modi to transform himself into the messiah of the upper caste poor in Kollam. Kollam MP N K Premachandran said it would be wishful thinking on the part of the BJP. Kollam has a strong working class base. Take for instance the cashew workers. A large percentage of them are from the Nair community, and they are soaked in the trade union movement. The BJP cannot hope to play its caste card here, he said. Kollam MLA Mukesh, too, laughs away the BJP game plan. Socialist thinking is deep-rooted in this area. Caste and religion are non-issues here. The BJP cannot hope to polarise people in the name of caste here, he said. NK Premachandran MP says the BJP cannot hope to play its caste card in Kollam. However, the BJP is a party that keeps trying. The inauguration of the bypass offers Narendra Modi the ideal platform to make his political pitch. It has become a habit for the prime minister to sneak in his political message during the inaugural of big ticket infrastructure projects. The strategy is to keep one thing constant even while playing politics. His image as 'vikas purush'. Kochi: In a suspected case of human trafficking about 40 people, including women and children, seem to have left for Australia in fishing boats from Munambam harbour. A boat owned by a Tamilian seems to have taken them on the journey to Australia, which takes 27 days. The coast guard has started a search for boats in the sea after police found travel bags abandoned on the shore. Initial rumours of the bags being droppings from a plane died out after the human trafficking angle was confirmed. Some locals had found bags abandoned in a vacant plot near the boat jetty at the harbour on Saturday morning. The police inspected the bags and found dried fruits, water, flight tickets from Delhi to Kochi, garments, photos and toys in the bags. Documents from the bags showed the voyagers stayed at resorts around Kochi in groups of 10. Some had reached Kochi by air from Delhi. The police inspected the bags and found dried fruits, water, flight tickets from Delhi to Kochi, garments, photos and toys. Tamils and Sri Lankans have reportedly been taking illegal perilous voyage to Australia. The practice began sometime during the disturbance in Sri Lanka during the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. The police said the traffickers had international links. Feeder boats take fuel and food to the main boats in sea and bring back fish they caught. Australia has a policy of accepting illegal immigrants, which attract many such migrants. The Intelligence Bureau has taken up the case after human trafficking was confirmed. Thiruvananthapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to call off the hunger strike in front of the state secretariat by January 22. The BJP leaders have decided to take up further agitations only after consultations with the partys national president Amit Shah, who is due in Kerala on the 21st. BJP leaders are angry that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had been dominating the Sabarimala agitation. The Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an RSS outfit, rushed to the frontline of the agitation at a time when BJP leaders were leading it. And it was the RSS which ordered the agitation shifted from Sabarimala to the Secretariat. The party believes that the hunger strike has become irrelevant after its own leaders who were initially in the forefront started ignoring it. At the same time, the BJP leaders were made to justify the escalation of the strike as per RSS directives. Yet, they could not oppose the Sangh Parivar approach because they had Amit Shahs orders to obey RSS dictates. Even as the BJP has decided to end the hunger strike after getting a nod from Shah, the RSS wants the strike to proceed with the same intensity that keeps emotions at a high pitch. The RSS has also decided to take up other Hindu issues after a planned gathering of Ayyappa devotes which will be attended by Mata Amruthanandamayi, Sri Sri Ravishanker and several Hindu seers. Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam on Monday expressed unhappiness over his home state Kerala's low ranking in the tourism sector. Speaking to the media here, Alphons, who is the minister for tourism, said that Kerala ranked eighth in the country in attracting foreign tourists and 16th in domestic travellers. "Kerala is a beautiful state and I am certainly not happy with the rankings. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has secured the top position," Alphons said, noting that the unprecedented floods in August took a heavy toll on the state's tourism sector. He said Kerala's performance comes at a time when the World Travel Tourism Council, in its latest figures, revealed that India ranked third after China and the US in the tourism industry with the country's revenues from tourism touching $234 billion in the previous calendar year. "Eighty seven per cent of this revenue is generated from domestic travellers, while $24 billion is generated from foreign tourists. Likewise 84 million jobs are there in the tourism industry of which 13.92 million jobs were created in the past four years," said Alphons. Reeling out the figures, the minister said the tourism sector accounted for 5.7 per cent of the GDP and has 12.36 per cent of all jobs in the country. "For every rupee that's spent in the industry, it creates an overall impact of Rs 3.50." He added that spiritual tourism takes up 60 per cent of all tourism activities in the country and hence it has launched a Rs 85.20 crore package to develop basic infrastructure in 133 religious institutions in Kerala, comprising churches, temples and mosques. Vattavada, Idukki: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over the keys of a new house to the family of slain SFI activist Abhimanyu. It was built by the CPI(M) on a 10-cent land purchased by it solely for this purpose. In an emotional event, Abhimanyu's parents Manoharan and Bhoopathy received the keys to the house. It is located at Kottakamboor, near Vattavada. Till now, Abhimanyu's family was staying in a cramped one-room structure at Kottakamboor in Idukki district. Inaugurating a library built by the Vattavada Panchayat in memory of Abhimanyu, the CM said that the threat of communalism must be prevented by strengthening secularism. The new 1,256 sq ft house, near to the Kottakamboor-Kovilur road and about 500m away from the present home, has three bedrooms, one drawing room and a pooja room. The total cost is around Rs 35 lakh. Abhimanyu was stabbed and killed allegedly by Campus Front of India members on the campus of Maharajas College, Ernakulam, following a row over graffiti early in July 2018. His sister Kausalya got married in a wedding arranged by the party on November 11. In 2018, the Kerala government launched the barrier-free tourism project with the aim of making all prime tourist spots in the state accessible for people with disabilities. The extremely ambitious programme, coming right after the government's efforts to make the Thiruvananthapuram train station the first completely accessible railway station in India, was lauded as a step in the right direction. Unlike many government projects that start off with great pomp and ceremony only to fizzle off into nothingness, this project seems to have been taken very seriously indeed. The barrier-free tourism project has reached its halfway mark, and is indeed all set to meet its targets by 2021. The government is spending around Rs 9 crore on this project in the initial phase, in order to make 121 tourist destinations accessible. For implementing this project, the government has consulted several NGOs that work in the disability sector, and other accessibility experts in the country. This project has also led to non-governmental initiatives in the arena of accessible tourism in Kerala. One of the most notable among them is the Idam project that aims to make Tirur, a small town in Kerala, accessible and disabled friendly. Though it is not a government-run project, 'Idam' has already been successful in making a few public places in the town accessible for wheelchair users. Changes in Kochi Several tourist spots in Kochi have already been made accessible. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) of Ernakulam and the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) have joined hands for the venture to make tourist spots in Ernakulam city accessible and disabled-friendly. Currently, they have made the popular tourist spots in Fort Kochi and Ernakulam boat jetty accessible by introducing wheelchair ramps for a start. The government is reported to have spent over Rs 40 lakhs on this project already. Marine Drive, Cherai, and Munambam beaches also have wheelchair ramps now. Accessibility features Other accessibility features the government is planning to construct in tourist locations include accessible washrooms, paved pathways, guides trained in sign language, information provided in braille and audio formats. In fact, even the famous house boats of Allapuzha are to be made accessible for persons with disabilities. A few challenges The primary drawback of this initiative is that the project has so far been focusing primarily on making tourist spots wheelchair accessible. Accessibility, as disability rights activists have pointed out time and time again, should ideally include many more measures to make destinations accessible for people with all kinds of disabilities, not just people on wheelchairs. Although the government is doing its part, the information should also reach the masses. People with disabilities should also be made aware of these facilities so that they will begin making use of the newly built infrastructure. Awareness is one of the major challenges this project now faces. Being one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, this project is certainly going to be a new ray of hope to disabled tourists who would love to check out 'Gods own country.' Welcome change Finally, the Kerala government has indeed recognised the importance of making travel and inclusive. Accessible train stations and tourist destinations are certainly well-planned baby steps in creating a world accessible for all. Moreover, the Kerala government, here, is a role model for the central government whose Access India Campaign was planned and inaugurated with a great deal of pomp and ceremony, but fizzled out into nothingness, leaving all places, including government buildings and offices, inaccessible to the disabled population. Hoped all the accessibility features that have been planned will materialise and be implemented with zeal. Palakkad: Though a Pakistani by birth, Maryam Youssuf fell in love with India around 10 years ago. Now, she has officially become a citizen of India and the district collector handed over her citizenship certificate early this month. Lahore native Maryam moved to Kerala after marrying Imdad Shamil, a resident of the Dayara Street in Palakkad, in 2008. She applied for citizenship only in 2017 as the law states that a person, in order to apply for the Indian citizenship, should have resided in the country for at least 7 years. Maryam and Imdad had met each other through social media and soon they realised that they were made for each other. Imdad flew to Lahore to meet Maryams parents and ask for the hands of their daughter in marriage. Realising the young couples true love, they said yes to the wedding. Imdad went to Lahore again, but this time accompanied by his relatives, and the couple got married there in a religious ceremony. Receptions were conducted in Lahore and Palakkad as well. Maryam speaks Urdu and Punjabi which was not at all a problem for Imdad. He knows Urdu well as he is the descendent of a family which migrated from Mysore to Palakkad, around two centuries ago. Imdad, who is an employee at a private firm in Palakkad, says that Maryam speaks Malayalam pretty impressively now. The couple has two kids. Nedumbasseri: Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez is lending a hand to post-flood rebuilding project in Kerala. The Sri Lankan native, who has made a big name in Bollywood, arrived in the Thuruthu village in Chengamanad panchayat to participate in the ground breaking for two houses, which is among 500 such houses that the Habitat for Humanity India is building. Jacqueline, brand ambassador for Habitat, travelled to Kerala as part of the groups 'Jacqueline Builds' campaign. One of the houses, built in cooperation with Muthoot M George Foundation, goes to K C Anil Kumar and Sreedevi of Thuruthu, who lost their home in the flood. Jacqueline laid stones for the house and said she is proud to join Kerala's rebuilding, which has attracted the world's attention. The houses are designed to survive even an earthquake. An additional five pillars apart from the normal ones is a special feature. The houses are built at three metres from ground level, in a bid to ensure that flood waters do not enter. The event was attended by Anwar Sadat, MLA, Habitat India managing director Rajan Samuel, Muthoot group CGM K R Bijimon and actress Swetha Menon. Mumbai: Samsung plans to launch a budget smartphone series in India ahead of a global release, aiming to regain ground ceded to Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi in the world's second-biggest mobile phone market. The South Korean company's Indian market share by shipments has lagged Xiaomi's in two of the three 2018 quarters for which data is available, according to technology researcher Counterpoint. The three new M-series phones, which Samsung plans to sell only through its website and Amazon.com's Indian operation, will help the company to double online sales, the head of Samsung's Indian mobile business told Reuters. "The M series has been built around and incepted around Indian millennial consumers," Asim Warsi said, adding that the phones will be rolled out globally after the Indian launch at the end of January. He declined to give specifics but said that online sales account for a double-digit percentage of the company's overall mobile phone revenue. Samsung's mobile phone sales in India touched 373.5 billion rupees ($5.3 billion) in the 12 months to end-March 2018, according to regulatory filings sourced by paper.vc, a business intelligence platform. The India-made phones, priced from less than 10,000 rupees ($141.80) up to 20,000 rupees, will carry chunkier batteries and features such as quick charging, Warsi said. Samsung has been sharpening its focus on India, home to more than a billion wireless subscribers and where roughly 350 million users still do not use smartphones. Last year it opened what it said was the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of Indian capital New Delhi as well as its biggest mobile phone store globally in Bengaluru. "A lot of our insights, R&D and developments for consumers in India ... they have great connect with many other consumers in many other parts of the world," Warsi said. Samsung's Indian business sells its phones through 250,000 retail outlets and more than 2,000 exclusive stores, with support offered by 2,000 service centres. As opined , the courts in Nigeria are yet to categorically define the concept of the business of a collecting society even though they acknowledge that collecting societies are owners, assignees and exclusive licensees of copyright by virtue of the assignment given to them by each of their members. A definition of this concept will help to determine which entities require the approval or licence of the NCC to validly operate and to have the locus to sue for copyright infringement occurring at a time when such entity should have obtained approval from NCC. While South Africa has to provide this definition by , neither Nigerias courts nor its , which is currently before the legislative arm of government, has devised a definitive solution to this conundrum. Bengaluru: Co-founder of leading e-tailer Flipkart, Sachin Bansal, invested Rs 150-crore in ride-sharing major Ola, business signals platform paper.vc said on Monday. Bansal, who co-founded Flipkart along with Binny Bansal in 2007, bought a total of 70,588 preference shares of city-based cab hailing platform, according to Ola's filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) accessed by IANS from the Chennai-based business intelligence firm. The shares of Rs 10 face value were allotted to Bansal at a premium of Rs 21,240 per share, the filing noted. Last week, Ola had also raised Rs 520-crore ($74 million) from its existing investor Steadview Capital. Though Bansal co-founded Flipkart, he left the company in May last year when American retail giant Walmart bought a 77 per cent equity stake in the e-tailer for $16 billion (Rs 1,16,256 crore). Bansal has made over 10 investments in tech start-ups over the past few years in his individual capacity, including electric bike start-up Ather Energy and news aggregator Inshorts among others. Founded in 2011 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola currently operates in 125 cities in countries including India, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The company has been aggressively expanding its services internationally since last year, as it competes against American ride-hailing firm Uber. Kolkata: Chinese manja is already banned in the city yet regular accidents are taking place at Ma flyover over kites manja. To try and curb this menace, the Kolkata police have taken several steps to spread awareness. The sleuths of the Topsia police station have started micing to urge people to refrain from using illegal chinese manja. Leaflets on these issue have been distributed among the Topsia residents too. The leaflet mentions the dangers of using chinese manja. The police thinks that in an effort to stop the use of manja, the people must be first made aware of the ill-effects of it. A police official said, We are micing and distributing leaflet to make people understand how dangerous it is to use manja. We assume that this is how we will be able to explain it to the common people. In this week, again 3 citizens were injured at the Ma flyover due to manja. Last year also, many people were injured. Among them, many were seriously injured. The use of manja has increased in this Topsia area behind the police. The US is beginning to pull out its troops from Syria, while fighting the remains of the IS terrorist group in the country, US President Donald Trump stated on his Twitter on Sunday, Trend reports referring to TASS. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions," he wrote. "Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" he continued. On December 19, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced that the US started to pull out its troops from Syria. US President Donald Trump stated on Twitter that the United States have defeated the IS forces in Syria, which is the only reason for the US troops being there. American officials inform that the US aims to pull out all troops from the territory of Syria within the next 60-100 days. Earlier, US Department of Defense Spokesperson Dana White confirmed earlier that the United States are pulling out their troops from Syria, adding that the US military is transitioning to the next phase of their campaign against ISIS. "The Coalition has liberated the ISIS-held territory [in Syria], but the campaign against ISIS is not over. We have started the process of returning US troops home from Syria as we transition to the next phase of the campaign," she noted. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey is not afraid of the US threats, which do not match the partnership between the two countries, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, Trend reports referring to Turkish media. Cavusoglu noted that Turkey is not an enemy of Kurds in Syria. Turkey has always taken care of Kurds, not only within its borders, but also in Syria, he said. He noted that Turkey is fighting not against Kurds, but against PYD/YPG, a Syrian wing of PKK. The minister also noted that the US statement that a 32-kilometer safety zone should be created in Syria is not an idea of the US. Turkey has repeatedly stated the need to create a security zone in Syria, he added. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey and the US will discuss the terms of delivery of the Patriot surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), Trend reports via Turkish media. In order to discuss the delivery, the US delegation will visit Ankara on Jan. 15, 2018. The US delegation is expected to meet with Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, reports said. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey may buy the Patriot SAMs provided that the US wont insist on the rejection of buying the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. Previousy reports said that the US administration decided to sell Patriot SAMs to Turkey for a total of $3.5 billion. Permission was obtained for the sale of 80 Patriot MIM-104E anti-aircraft guided missiles and 60 PAC-3 missiles, as well as related equipment. Turkey also requested to purchase four AN/MPQ-65 radar and control stations, 10 AMG antennas, 20 M903 launchers and four intercept control stations. At the end of November 2018, Ibrahim Kalin, a representative of the Turkish President, announced that the country is ready to purchase Patriot systems from the US. Kalin said that Turkey "is buying these systems for self-defense and is not going to attack anyone." The US is actively trying not to allow Turkey to purchase the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. The US warned that if Turkey acquires these systems, it may refuse to sell F-35 fifth-generation fighter-bombers to Turkey. First reports on the negotiations of the Russian Federation and Turkey on the supply of S-400 appeared in November 2016. The conclusion of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on Sept. 12, 2017. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the deployment of S-400 will begin in October 2019. The head of Russia's state corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, said in December 2017 that the cost of S-400 will be $2.5 billion for Turkey. Turkey is the first NATO state to receive such an air defense system from Russia. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu A man suspected of sending hoax bomb threats to three Moscows airports have been detained, a spokesman for the Russian interior ministrys central federal district transport department told TASS on Monday, Trend reports referring to TASS. "On Monday, police received reports about bomb threat calls from three Moscows airports, namely Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo. All the three airports were checked. No explosive devices were found. The police have identified the caller. He is currently being questioned," the spokesman said. A source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS that the man probably has psychiatric problems. The police are checking whether he is registered with any mental health facility. A delegation of businesspeople from Japan the largest and most senior ever is visiting Israel this week, headed by Japanese Minister of Economy Hiroshige Seko, Trend reports referring to The Times of Israel. The group includes 150 representatives of some 90 firms, including giant corporations like Mitsubishi, Toshiba and Hitachi, Israels Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a statement. The Japanese economy minister will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israels economy and industry minister Eli Cohen, with the aim of strengthening the economic cooperation between the two countries. The two nations set up the JIIN Japan Israel Innovation Network in May 2017 to jointly promote economic cooperation. Members of the delegation will visit Israeli firms in the fields of cyber, life sciences, artificial intelligence and virtual reality, and attend business seminars and personal meetings. Sekos visit to Israel with such a senior delegation of businesspeople marks another significant milestone in the strengthening of economic relations and business cooperation between Israel and Japan, the ministry said in a statement. The number of Japanese companies investing and operating in Israel has increased in recent years, with Japanese investments totaling $3.5 billion over the past five years, the Israeli economy ministry said. In July 2017, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma said it acquired Israeli pharmaceutical firm Neuroderm for $1.17 billion. In 2016, Sony bought Altair, a maker of chips, for more than $200 million, while Japans Softbank has made investments of some $200 million in Israeli companies, the ministry statement said. In addition, the number of Japanese companies opening offices in Israel has grown to more than 70. Trade between the nations has also grown, with exports of Israeli products to Japan jumping 46% to $870 million in the first three quarters of 2018, compared to the previous year, with most of the exports being in machinery, optical devices, metals and chemicals. In the first nine months of 2018 Israel imports from Japan rose 7% to $1.51 billion, the statement said. During the visit the two parties will sign a memorandum of understanding for collaboration in the field of digital health, and will work to promote partnerships in automotive industry and cybersecurity, the ministry statement said. Following strikes and severe disruptions of air traffic last week, Germany's second largest workers' union ver.di called on security staff at eight German airports to go on strike in the continuing wage dispute, the union announced on Monday, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The warning strike will start on Tuesday and affect airports of Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Hanover, Bremen, Leipzig/Halle, Dresden and Erfurt. "Employers would have been able to respond to the warning signals," Ver.di board member Ute Kittel commented and explained that employers' lack of "willingness to submit an improved offer has made it necessary to extend the warning strikes". Ver.di expects that the strike action will severely restrict German air traffic. According to the airport association (ADV), at least 220,000 travelers will be affected by cancellation and delays. The association condemns the strike as "ruthless action". Ralph Beisel, Managing Director of the ADV, said that "once again the airports are being abused as the scene of a labor dispute in which they are not even a collective bargaining party." The announcement comes after four unsuccessful rounds of wage negotiations between the employers' association for aviation security (BDLS) and the workers' union. "BDLS has still not reacted with a negotiable offer, although the employees in the previous warning strikes have made it impressively clear that they are prepared to stand up for their demands," ver.di divisional manager Benjamin Roscher commented. Ver.di is demanding hourly wages of 20 euros (22.9 U.S. dollars) nationwide for about 23,000 air security staff. Also, wages in the air industry still differ greatly between eastern and western Germany. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Jan. 23 and 24. German members of parliament (MPs) plan to visit Israel's Tel Nof airbase soon in order to inspect firsthand German army military training in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The training is scheduled to begin there late this month, Trend reports referring to Globes. The Heron TP UAVs, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) and leased for nine years in a 1 billion deal approved last June, are the first in the German army capable of bearing munitions, in addition to their use for surveillance purposes. Training is scheduled to begin on January 27 at a special facility built at Tel Nof for the purpose. The German MPs, members of the Die Linke leftist party, oppose the use of munitions-bearing UAVs. They visited Israel in November, met with IAI representatives, and visited the airport at Ein Shemer, where a German unit is training in the use of Heron-1 UAVs, which do not carry munitions, used by the German army in recent years in international missions in Mali and Afghanistan. The German parliamentary delegation also received approval to visit Tel Nof at the time, but it was canceled by Israel at the last minute because the base was involved in attacks in the Gaza Strip after rockets were launched against Israel from there. Use of armed UAVs is a politically divisive issue in Germany. The dispute already caused a significant postponement in the project, which the German army previously described as "immediately urgent" in order to ensure the safety of its soldiers and to aid its forces operating around the world. The German Social Democratic Party (SPD), a member of the ruling coalition, opposes armed UAVs, and the current coalition agreement with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), headed by Angela Merkel, states that the process will take place in two stages. The first stage, approved in June 2018, was a 1 billion deal to lease seven UAVs through Airbus. In the second stage, the German parliament (Bundestag) will decide whether or to arm the UAVs with missiles. As part of the campaign in the Bundestag against arming the UAVs, German members of the Green Party and Die Linke submitted a number of queries in order to publicize the details of the deal. Last November, a delegation including two members of Die Linke, Tobias Pfluger (currently a member of the Bundestag Defense Committee) and Andej Hunko, visited Israel. "Our hosts from Israel Aerospace behaved professionally and friendly, even though they knew that we opposed the deal and initiated parliamentary activity against it," Hunko told "Globes" this week, but added, "They evaded answering key questions: what armament the UAVs could carry, whether the process of certification of the missiles had already begun, and whether the training of the German forces included flying over the territories." According to Hunko, any weapon about to enter into use by the German army has to be certified, and he believes that this process has already begun in secret. The German Ministry of Defense said in response that the information was classified. Pfluger and Hunko said that they had even been cleared to visit Tel Nof in order to view the training compound already prepared for the German air force personnel at the closed military base in person, but that the visit had been canceled at the last moment. "We were supposed to visit Tel Nof on November 15," Hunko said, "but two days before, the authorities from Israel notified the German embassy in Tel Aviv that the visit had been canceled." He added, "According to the Israeli side, this was done for 'security reasons,' and because the base was being used in the conflict taking place in the Gaza Strip at the time. This decision is obviously unacceptable to us." Hunko also said, "The Bundeswehr (German army) is supposed to be under the supervision of the German parliament, whose members can visit it at any time, in any place." A query submitted in parliament afterwards revealed that the German army had not demanded the right to visit the base as part of the deal, and that this remained subject to the considerations of the Israeli authorities. "We are of course planning to try to visit the camp again as soon as the German flag is raised over the camp in which the German army is training," Hunko said. According to an answer given by the German Ministry of Defense, this visit should take place some time in late January, starting in the week beginning on January 27. Incidentally, this is the date of International Holocaust Day in Germany and many other countries, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the German MPs complained to the German Ministry of Defense that they thought that it was improper for training to begin on that date. Qatar's foreign minister has said that he sees no need to reopen an embassy in Damascus nor any "encouraging" signs for a normalisation of ties with the Syrian government, Trend reports referring to Aljazeera. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also said Qatar still objects to an Arab League membership for Syria. Syria's membership of the Arab League was suspended in 2011 over the government's violent response to protests at the start of what turned out to be an almost eight-year-long war. "Since day one, Qatar had reasons for which it supported suspending [Arab League] membership and those reasons are still there, so we do not see any encouraging factor," Al Thani said at a press conference. Some Arab states, including some that once backed rebels against President Bashar al-Assad, are seeking to reconcile with him after decisive gains by his and allied forces in the war. In December, the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in a move that is seen as a diplomatic boost for President Assad from a regional adversary that once backed rebels fighting against his forces. The UAE said the reopening was intended to normalise relations with Syria and curb the risk of regional interference in "Arab, Syrian affairs", according to Saudi-owned TV channel Al Arabiya. Both Iran and Turkey, the UAE's biggest regional rivals, have troops in Syria, backing opposing sides of the conflict. Abu Dhabi's regional allies are also expected to follow suit, and Egypt, which maintained relations with Damascus throughout the war, is leading calls for Syria's suspension from the Arab League to be lifted. Saudi Arabia's Minister of energy, industry and mineral resources, Khalid al-Falih, said Sunday that Saudi Arabia went beyond its commitment to lower both the production and exports of oil over the last couple of months, Trend reports referring to Al Arabiya. Speaking at the third edition of the Atlantic Council Global energy forum, which took place in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, Al-Falih addressed Riyadhs position on the volatile oil market. Following the 1.2 million cut which came into effect at the beginning of January, according to al-Falih, secondary sources suggest that OPEC production in December was already more than 600,000 barrels per day lower than November. As the new 1.2 million barrel cut materializes, we should start to see the impact positively reflected in inventories, he added. Responding to the market concerns about potential oil demand as producers try to reverse massive dips in price at the end of 2018, al-Falih assured that the oil market is on the right track and will soon return to its balance. If we look beyond the noise of weekly data and vibrations in the market, and the speculators herd-like behavior, I remain convinced that we are on the right track and that the oil market will quickly return to balance, he said. In addition to discussing the current volatile oil market, al-Faleh also tapped on Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 project, saying that Vision 2030 is now moving from the planning to the implementation phase, and assuring that the investment opportunities being unleashed are enormously attractive across virtually all sectors and services. Al-Falih also shed light on the field of sustainably, stating that the kingdom has already witnessed incredible progress, and that over the coming decade, liquids burning in utilities will be near eliminated. According to al-Falih, the kingdom is also set on becoming the second largest phosphate producer globally, and a top global aluminum producer, in addition to increasing Gold production by 10 fold. All these shifts in the mineral sector is expected to generate 250 thousand new jobs in the year 2030, adding 67 billion annually to the kingdoms GDP. In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English, on Saturday, January 11, US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State, Brian Hook, said that the Saudi Energy Ministry, specifically Khalid al-Falih, had been very helpful in increasing production as the US was taking off over a million barrels of Iranian crude between May and November. When the President announced that hes leaving the Iran deal in May, oil was at $74. When we re-imposed sanctions, six months later, we took off roughly a million barrels of Iranian crude, and oil went to $72, he said. Hook added that the US was able to do so, because of the close cooperation with Saudi Arabia, who has helped ensure a stable and well supplied oil market. Today Georgia marks the day of its national flag, Trend reports referring to Agenda.ge. The current national flag was officially introduced on 14 January 2004. The flag was used by the Georgian patriotic movement following the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the late 1990s, the design had become widely known as 'the Georgian historical national flag' as vexillologists had pointed out the red-on-white Jerusalem cross shown as the flag of Tbilisi in a 14th-century map by Domenico and Francesco Pizzigano, the 14th century Venetian cartographers. A majority of Georgians, including the Georgian church, supported the restoration of the flag that took place in 2004. The State Council of Heraldry has called upon Georgian citizens today to set and raise the national flag on their home windows, balconies, fences, roofs and cars to honor Georgian statehood and independence, national and individual freedoms. It is not right to identify the national flag only with state institutions, political parties and protest rallies. National flag day is primarily a national holiday. The national flag belongs to each family and is a symbol of dignity for every citizen of the country, the council said. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili hosted a special event at her residency today and stated that the Georgian flag symbolises the independence of the country, its freedom and everything which is valuable for us. I am very happy that today, for the first time, we raised the flag above the Atoneli Palace [which has become the residency of the Georgian president]. I have invited students today to the palace and I am happy that I will speak with them about the importance of the flag, Zurabishvili said. The day of the national flag was first marked in 2012. Ukraine has congratulated Georgia on the national flag day. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: 15:30 (GMT +4) General Shahin Taghikhani, the Iranian army spokesman, noted that 13 people were killed in the cargo plane crash near Tehran, Trend reports, referring to the statement of the official website of Iran's army. Previously, spokesman of Irans emergency services Mojtaba Khaledi said that one woman and eight men were killed in the accident. 14:05 (GMT +4) The cargo plane that crashed near Tehran, Iran, has claimed the lives of nine people, said spokesman of Iran's emergency organization, Mojtaba Khaledi, Trend reports citing IRNA. 13:25 (GMT +4) General Shahin Taghikhani, the Iranian army spokesman, said in an interview with Irans state news TV channel that the crashed cargo plane belonged to the Iranian army. 12:28 (GMT +4) Latest reports claim the crashed plane was transporting meat to Iran from Kyrgyzstan. Irans emergency service chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, referring to the flight engineer, said that 16 passengers were on board. 11:42 (GMT +4) Nasser Charkhsaz, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), said the plane was heading to Karajs Payam International Airport. It crashed at Fath Airport for reasons still unclear, he noted. Because the runway was short, the plane went off it, collided with nearby residential areas and fire broke out. Meanwhile, Irans emergency service chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, said seven bodies have been found and recovered from the crash site so far. The flight engineer is alive and has been taken to a hospital, he added. 10:51 (GMT +4) A Boeing 707 cargo plane has crashed while landing in Fath Airport, located in Karaj in Iran's Alborz Province, 40 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, Spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization Reza Jafarzadeh told Mehr News Agency, Trend reports. He said the plane took off from Bishkek heading to Karajs Payam International Airport, but, mistakenly tried to land in Fath Ariport. Reportedly, 10 crew members were on board. A helicopter, ambulance cars, as well as firefighter teams have been sent to the scene. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that President Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to have a visit to Iraq on March 11, Trend reported citing IRNA. Zarif made the remarks Sunday night on the sidelines of his tour to Iraq. Zarif, heading a politico-economic delegation, is currently in Baghdad for talks with the neighboring states officials. Iranian foreign minister mentioned no more details on President Rouhani's trip but said that the tour to Iraq is aimed at making efforts to develop relations between the two countries. Earlier, Zarif held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and attended a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammad Ali Hakim. Holding talks with high-ranking Iraqi officials, taking part in Iran-Iraq joint trade conferences in Karbala and Sulaymaniyah are also on Zarif's itinerary. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Over 45 percent of goods exported by Iran accounted for mining sector during eight months of this Iranian year (started March 21, 2018), according to the Iranian Customs Administration. Turkey imported most of Iranian mining materials, Trend reports referring to ISNA. During the period, Iran exported 441,311 tons of mining materials to Turkey. During 10 months of 2018, trade turnover between Iran and Turkey amounted to $8.2 billion. Different stones, bricks, ceramic products, aluminium oxide powder, aluminium and aluminium products, titanium, zinc, lead, cement, chrome and molybdenum are exported by Iran to Turkey. During eight months, 38,700 tons of zinc worth $110.9 million were exported. Moreover, 41,200 tons of aluminium and aluminium products worth $85 million were exported. More than 138,800 tons of steel and steel products worth $74.5 million were exported. During the reported period, metals and precious stones worth $7 million were among the rarely exported products. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The Iranian presidential administration has allocated 20 billion rials (about $476,000) for the construction of the Darmian Barberry Processing Plant in the Noqab village of the Darmian county of Irans South Khorasan province, governor of Darmian county Mohammad Bashirizadeh said. By producing more than 3,000 tons of barberry per year, Darmian county is one of the main counties of South Khorasan province in the barberry production, Bashirizadeh added, Trend reports referring to IRNA. There were two packaging and processing workshops in Kohistan and Asadiya towns. Unfortunately, due to some problems, they do not operate. The work is underway to resume their activity. The lack of jobs is one of the problems of people living in the border villages. It is possible to prevent villagers from moving to big cities by creating permanent jobs in Darmian county. Taking into account the drought in the county, the processing of agricultural products and medicinal plants, the handicraft industry are one of the most important sectors for the creation of jobs. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: 16:57 (GMT +4) Mehrdad Alibakhshi, the director of the crisis management department of Irans forensic medicine organization, said 15 bodies were found and recovered from the cargo plane that crashed near Tehran, Trend reports via Tasnim News Agency. Bodies of nine men and one woman were found and the work to indentify the remaining five bodies continues, he said. Flight engineer Farshad Mahdavinejad is the only survivor in the accident and he has been hospitalized, Alibakhshi added. 15:30 (GMT +4) General Shahin Taghikhani, the Iranian army spokesman, noted that 13 people were killed in the cargo plane crash near Tehran, Trend reports, referring to the statement of the official website of Iran's army. Previously, spokesman of Irans emergency services Mojtaba Khaledi said that one woman and eight men were killed in the accident. 14:05 (GMT +4) The cargo plane that crashed near Tehran, Iran, has claimed the lives of nine people, said spokesman of Iran's emergency organization, Mojtaba Khaledi, Trend reports citing IRNA. 13:25 (GMT +4) General Shahin Taghikhani, the Iranian army spokesman, said in an interview with Irans state news TV channel that the crashed cargo plane belonged to the Iranian army. 12:28 (GMT +4) Latest reports claim the crashed plane was transporting meat to Iran from Kyrgyzstan. Irans emergency service chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, referring to the flight engineer, said that 16 passengers were on board. 11:42 (GMT +4) Nasser Charkhsaz, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), said the plane was heading to Karajs Payam International Airport. It crashed at Fath Airport for reasons still unclear, he noted. Because the runway was short, the plane went off it, collided with nearby residential areas and fire broke out. Meanwhile, Irans emergency service chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, said seven bodies have been found and recovered from the crash site so far. The flight engineer is alive and has been taken to a hospital, he added. 10:51 (GMT +4) A Boeing 707 cargo plane has crashed while landing in Fath Airport, located in Karaj in Iran's Alborz Province, 40 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, Spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization Reza Jafarzadeh told Mehr News Agency, Trend reports. He said the plane took off from Bishkek heading to Karajs Payam International Airport, but, mistakenly tried to land in Fath Ariport. Reportedly, 10 crew members were on board. A helicopter, ambulance cars, as well as firefighter teams have been sent to the scene. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described Iran's relations with its neighbors as being at the best level and said that Iran is ready to re-establish friendly ties with one or two more regional countries, Trend reports referring to IRNA. The president made the remarks while addressing people who had gathered in a stadium in the country's Golestan province. "We are not afraid of the insidious plans of the enemy and we will leave the problems behind," Rouhani said. "The US and their supporters can not kneel the great people and their brave leader down." President Rouhani accompanied by a number of his cabinet members arrived in Golestan province in the morning on Jan. 14. During his two-day stay in the province, he will review the process of development in the province and get familiar with problems the province's people are facing. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: 13:25 (GMT +4) General Shahin Taghikhani, the Iranian army spokesman, said in an interview with Irans state news TV channel that the crashed cargo plane belonged to the Iranian army. 12:28 (GMT +4) Latest reports claim the crashed plane was transporting meat to Iran from Kyrgyzstan. Irans emergency service chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, referring to the flight engineer, said that 16 passengers were on board. 11:42 (GMT +4) Nasser Charkhsaz, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), said the plane was heading to Karajs Payam International Airport. It crashed at Fath Airport for reasons still unclear, he noted. Because the runway was short, the plane went off it, collided with nearby residential areas and fire broke out. Meanwhile, Irans emergency service chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, said seven bodies have been found and recovered from the crash site so far. The flight engineer is alive and has been taken to a hospital, he added. 10:51 (GMT +4) A Boeing 707 cargo plane has crashed while landing in Fath Airport, located in Karaj in Iran's Alborz Province, 40 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, Spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization Reza Jafarzadeh told Mehr News Agency, Trend reports. He said the plane took off from Bishkek heading to Karajs Payam International Airport, but, mistakenly tried to land in Fath Ariport. Reportedly, 10 crew members were on board. A helicopter, ambulance cars, as well as firefighter teams have been sent to the scene. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: 12:15 (GMT +4) Latest reports claim the crashed plane was transporting meat to Iran from Kyrgyzstan. Irans emergency service chief Pirhossein Kolivand, referring to the flight engineer, said that 16 passengers were on board. 11:42 (GMT +4) Nasser Charkhsaz, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), said that the plane was heading to Karajs Payam International Airport. It has crashed at Fath Airport for reasons still unclear, he noted. Because the runway was short, the plane went off it, collided with nearby residential areas and the fire broke out. Meanwhile, Irans emergency service chief Pirhossein Kolivand said that seven bodies had been found and recovered from the crash site so far. The flight engineer is alive and has been taken to a hospital, he added. 10:51 (GMT +4) A Boeing 707 cargo plane operated by Kyrgyzstan airlines has crashed while landing in Fath Airport, located in Iran's Karaj city in Alborz province, 40 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, Spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization Reza Jafarzadeh told Mehr News Agency, Trend reported. He said the plane had taken off from Bishkek heading to Karajs Payam International Airport, however, mistakenly tried to land in Fath Ariport. Reportedly, ten crew members were on board. A helicopter and ten ambulance cars, as well as six firefighter teams have been sent to the scene. Latest on the cargo plane crash in Iran Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: 10:51 (GMT +4) A Boeing 707 cargo plane operated by Kyrgyzstan airlines has crashed while landing in Fath Airport, located in Iran's Karaj city in Alborz province, 40 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, Spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization Reza Jafarzadeh told Mehr News Agency, Trend reported. He said the plane had taken off from Bishkek heading to Karajs Payam International Airport, however, mistakenly tried to land in Fath Ariport. Reportedly, ten crew members were on board. A helicopter and ten ambulance cars, as well as six firefighter teams have been sent to the scene. 11:42 (GMT +4) Nasser Charkhsaz, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), said that the plane was heading to Karajs Payam International Airport. It has crashed at Fath Airport for reasons still unclear, he noted. Because the runway was short, the plane went off it, collided with nearby residential areas and the fire broke out. Meanwhile, Irans emergency service chief Pirhossein Kolivand said that seven bodies had been found and recovered from the crash site so far. The flight engineer is alive and has been taken to a hospital, he added. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Through the space repeater TurkmenAlem 52.00E, 35 television and radio channels are transmitted to the territory of Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, North Africa and Europe, it is reported by Trend with reference to the information of the newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan". Negotiations are underway to lease a Turkmen communications satellite transponder with Arab and Belarusian broadcasting companies, the information says. At this stage, 10 out of 26 transponders are involved. STN (Slovenia), WNS (United Arab Emirates), CETeL (Germany) use services here. In addition, services via teleport are used by companies operating in the oil and gas sector of the country's economy - RWE Dea AG, CNPC, BKE Shelf, PETRONAS Carigali. TurkmenAlem 52.00E provides stable communication and the Internet to remote villages located in the Karakum desert. We recall that the launch of TurkmenAlem 52 E took place on April 28, 2015 from Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA). The satellite has 38 active communication channels transponders. 26 of these are used by Turkmenistan, the remaining 12 have been transferred to Space Systems International-Monaco S.A.M. TurkmenAlem 52.00E is capable of providing satellite telephony, data transmission and other types of communication between ground stations located at distances of up to 10-15 thousand kilometers from each other. Tehran, Iran, Jan.14 Trend: The Central Bank of Iran's Vice Governor of Foreign Exchange Affairs has asked Iranian banks to interact during the current situation related to the national currency fluctuations, the issues with the foreign exchange market, in order to boost the country's international trade. "Joint meetings between the banks and foreign exchange traders should be held to review the country's currency fluctuations in order to find solutions, Gholamreza Panahi, Vice Governor of Foreign Exchange Affairs said, Trend reports citing IRNA. Pointing to the approval of the establishment of a foreign currency-based market by the Money and Credit Council of Iran, he says that in this market, the main players of which are foreign exchange traders and banks, and currency transactions will be made in cash, and it will soon become operational. The Central Bank governor Abdul Nasser Hemmati recently posted a message on his Instagram page regarding the Islamic Republic's foreign currency exchange situation. "Starting and accelerating the supply of currency through India, South Korea, China, and the decision to expand trade with Turkey, Iraq and other neighbors, along with favorable reserves and the effective presence of the central bank in the foreign exchange market, will once again neutralize the US efforts to influence on the foreign exchange market," his message said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: The 5th meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor will be held on February 20 in Baku, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry told Trend. "Representatives of the countries and companies involved in the Southern Gas Corridor project, as well as a number of international organizations are expected to attend the meeting," the ministry said. The first meeting of the SGC Advisory Council was held on February 12, 2015, the second meeting - on February 29, 2016, the third meeting - on February 23, 2017, the fourth meeting - on February 15, 2018. The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority projects for the EU and envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. The launching ceremony of the first stage of the Southern Gas Corridor was held in Baku on May 29, 2018, while opening ceremony of TANAP was held on June 12, 2018 in the Turkish city of Eskisehir. The gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field has already gone through the first segment of the Southern Gas Corridor - from the Sangachal terminal to the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline. Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) have been recently connected on the Turkish-Greek border. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih will attend the OPEC+ meeting expected to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in February, Trend reports citing FXStreet. Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Al-Falih was on the wires last minutes, via Reuters, confirming that he will attend the OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) meeting likely to be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, said the report. Al-Falih added that the OPEC+ will meet commitments to cut output. OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached an agreement in December 2016 to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices. OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January 1. Non-OPEC oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels per day starting from January 1, 2017. OPEC and its partners decided to extend its production cuts till the end of 2018 in Vienna on November 30, as the oil cartel and its allies step up their attempt to end a three-year supply glut that has savaged crude prices and the global energy industry. The 5th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting was held in Vienna, Austria, on December 7, 2018. The meeting participants decided to adjust the overall production by 1.2 million barrels per day, effective as of January 2019 for an initial period of six months. The contributions from OPEC and the voluntary contributions from non-OPEC participating countries of the Declaration of Cooperation will correspond to 0.8 million barrels per day (2.5 percent), and 0.4 million barrels per day (2 percent), respectively. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: OPEC+ will measure the impact of the reduction of production on the oil markets to ensure a balance between supply and demand during a meeting to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in February, Trend reports citing Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, on the sidelines of the second day of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Al Mazrouei said that the ministerial committee for production control will examine at its meeting expected in February in Azerbaijan the commitment to the agreed reduction rate between the OPEC member countries and the independent countries abroad, Al Mazrouei stated that the oil markets are witnessing a gradual rebound, noting that the balance in production levels serves the oil producing and consuming countries. OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached an agreement in December 2016 to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices. OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January 1. Non-OPEC oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels per day starting from January 1, 2017. OPEC and its partners decided to extend its production cuts till the end of 2018 in Vienna on November 30, as the oil cartel and its allies step up their attempt to end a three-year supply glut that has savaged crude prices and the global energy industry. The 5th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting was held in Vienna, Austria, on December 7, 2018. The meeting participants decided to adjust the overall production by 1.2 million barrels per day, effective as of January 2019 for an initial period of six months. The contributions from OPEC and the voluntary contributions from non-OPEC participating countries of the Declaration of Cooperation will correspond to 0.8 million barrels per day (2.5 percent), and 0.4 million barrels per day (2 percent), respectively. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The commitment by OPEC+ to remove 1.2 million barrels per day of supply from the market has failed to revive Brent, Trend reports citing Fitch Solutions Macro Research (a unit of Fitch Group). "We hold to our current forecast for Brent for 2019, at an annual average of $75 per barrel," said the company. The company analysts recall that on December 24, 2018 Brent traded at around $50.5 per barrel lows not seen since October 2017, having lost more than 18 percent of its value since the cut was announced. Compared to its October high, the contract is down more than 30 percent and firmly in bear market territory, according to the report released by Fitch Solutions. "However, as of January 9 prices have rebounded more than 20 percent from their December lows, off lower US inventories and shrinking production from Saudi Arabia. Combined with easing US-China trade tensions and continued positive economic numbers from the US, this drove Brent to close above $61 per barrel," said the report. Fitch Solutions believes further price appreciation will occur during 2019 , although the year will be marked with continued volatility. "In addition, there will be several key milestone events on the calendar which have the potential to drastically shift supply, including the Iranian sanctions waivers expiry in May and the six month OPEC+ production cuts due to end in June. The production cuts could be either reduced or removed but this will be dependent on market conditions, with guidance expected at the April general meeting of OPEC." The company expects the focus to be on the effectiveness in reducing excess supply in the market and the outlook for US shale growth in the second half of 2019. "The main factors we believe that will support higher prices are the winding down of sanction waivers for Iran and continued strong demand growth from emerging markets outs ide of China." OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached an agreement in December 2016 to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices. OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January 1. Non-OPEC oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels per day starting from January 1, 2017. OPEC and its partners decided to extend its production cuts till the end of 2018 in Vienna on November 30, as the oil cartel and its allies step up their attempt to end a three-year supply glut that has savaged crude prices and the global energy industry. The 5th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting was held in Vienna, Austria, on December 7, 2018. The meeting participants decided to adjust the overall production by 1.2 million barrels per day, effective as of January 2019 for an initial period of six months. The contributions from OPEC and the voluntary contributions from non-OPEC participating countries of the Declaration of Cooperation will correspond to 0.8 million barrels per day (2.5 percent), and 0.4 million barrels per day (2 percent), respectively. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Iran is ready to export gas to Pakistan, Executive Director of the National Iranian Gas Company Hassan Montazer said. The pipeline has been partially laid and infrastructure has been built, Montazer added, Trend reports referring to ILNA. Pakistani officials should decide whether they will buy gas or not, he said. A gas production plant is being constructed in Irans Assaluyeh city and the plant will be commissioned in the near future with the participation of the president, Montazer added. Iran will become the third country after France and Russia in the gas production, he said. Presently, Iran exports gas to Iraq from two directions, namely, Iraqs Baghdad and Basra cities. Taking into account the need for gas in summer, the volume of export will increase, he said. As for the payments for gas in euros or dinar, he said that so far, Iran has received euros, Montazer added. The opportunities have been created to export Iranian gas to Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. If special attention is paid, gas may be transported at a low cost, he said. Tehran, Iran, Jan. 14 Trend: Irans minister of industry, mines and trade has asked the Central Bank (CBI) to allocate foreign currency and rial resources to production units in order to boost employment and domestic production. Providing financial resources to production units can create jobs, said Reza Rahmani during a meeting with the governor of CBI, Trend reports citing IRNA. The minister noted the facilities should be assigned to units that have demand for their products. The Governments goal in assigning these facilities to production units is to boost and create jobs, therefore as a priority foreign currency will be provided to import goods and raw materials for production, he indicated. The minister had previously stated that the Governments policies and the Central Bank of Irans plans are to control the foreign currency rate and create stability by cutting prices that will have important effect on Irans domestic industries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.14 Trend: Catarina Bjorlin Hansen has been appointed EBRD Regional Director for the Caucasus and will assume her new role based in Tbilisi on 1 April 2019, Trend reports citing a message from the organization. She replaces Bruno Balvanera who has been named EBRD Managing Director for Central Asia. In her new position, Hansen will lead the Banks operations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and help to further develop their economies through investment, policy engagement, small business advice and support for reforms. I am delighted to return to the Caucasus as Regional Director and to take on this great task. This is a strategically important region with huge potential for further development. A key requirement for this will be its further integration into the global economy and the EBRD will continue to support this development with investment and reforms. Working with the local EBRD teams, I look forward to making a tangible contribution to the success of these economies for the benefit of all, said Hansen. Hansen, a Swedish national, joined the EBRD in 2006 and was initially responsible for the Banks municipal infrastructure activities in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Belarus and Moldova until 2016 while based in Tbilisi. During this period, she developed and implemented municipal infrastructure projects in over 100 cities in solid waste management, water supply, wastewater management, public transport, district heating and smart city investments. In 2016, Hansen moved to Cairo as Deputy Head for Egypt, where she oversaw a significant expansion of the Banks activities in investment and policy engagement Before joining the EBRD, Hansen worked for 10 years at the Carl Bro consultancy company, covering infrastructure in the Commonwealth of Independent States, South East Asia and the Middle East. During this period, she was based in Copenhagen, Moscow and Bangkok. She holds an MSc in Development Finance from the School for Oriental and African Studies in London. To date, the EBRD has invested over 7.77 billion in the Caucasus through 564 projects. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend: Azerbaijans customs service is an example for other member countries of the World Customs Organization (WCO), WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya said Jan. 14 at a meeting with Chairman of Azerbaijans State Customs Committee Safar Mehdiyev, Trend reports. Despite that the Azerbaijani Customs Committee is only 27 years old, it has achieved a lot of success, Mikuriya said. Azerbaijan is an important transit country; the WCO monitors and supports the steps taken by Azerbaijan in this area, he noted. In turn, Mehdiyev noted that Azerbaijan for the first time in the region joined the Electronic Exchange of Data on International Transport and completed a test project in this area. The WCO covers six regions, which include 182 countries. The largest of them is the European region with 52 countries. One development manager is assigned to each region. Earlier, representative of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan to the WCO Dashgyn Aliyev was appointed as the manager for development of the European region and as the executive director of the Eurocustoms fund and the German customs cooperation fund. Azerbaijan joined the WCO in 1992. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: A Farm Agrotech Sdn Bhd, one of the leading Malaysian fish farming companies, plans to implement a project to create a cluster in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan, Trend reports citing the Uzbek media. The intensive fish farming cluster will specialize in the integrated farming of fish and fry, the production of fish food with high protein content, as well as the processing and storage of fish products. It should be noted that A Farm Agrotech Sdn Bhd has a modern energy-efficient technology that provides the production of more than 10 species of fish and fry. The company's weekly fish production is more than 10 tons. The products are exported to China and Southeast Asia. The innovative approach of the company is the production of special fish food made of fruit and vegetables with the addition of minerals essential for the effective and fast development and growth of fish. On January 24, it is planned to hold negotiations with the fish industry companies of Uzbekistan to discuss further plans for the implementation of this investment project. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend: According to the suggestion of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, Azerbaijan at this stage will continue negotiations on the country's entry to this organization on a bilateral basis, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammadguliyev told Trend. Up until now, the meeting of the Azerbaijani delegation with the WTO team was accompanied both as bilateral negotiations with the member countries of the organization and as multilateral negotiations on agriculture. During the last meeting, in December 2018, according to Mammadguliyev, bilateral negotiations were held only with Japan, Brazil, Norway and with other countries, primarily on mutual access to markets for goods and services. According to Mammadguliyev, the timing of the next round of negotiations depends on when new offers are ready. "The list of countries for negations has not been determined yet." the deputy minister said. At the same time, Mammadguliyev did not rule out the possibility of completing negotiations with some countries this year. Azerbaijan started negotiations with WTO member countries in 2004. Currently, Azerbaijan is in the process of negotiations with 13 countries. Negotiations have already been completed and protocols signed with Turkey, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. Azerbaijan is at the stage of signing protocols with China and Moldova. Azerbaijan has recently implemented a number of reforms, including 12 strategic roadmaps for economic development, in the system of import customs tariffs, improved trade and logistics infrastructure. It is expected that the implementation of the road maps will serve as the basis for the successful accession of Azerbaijan to the WTO. Accordingly, intensification of negotiations and completion of the process of Azerbaijans accession to the WTO will be possible only after receiving preliminary results from ongoing economic reforms in the country, which is expected until 2020. Note that Azerbaijan has an observer status at the World Trade Organization since 1997. Azerbaijani team under the WTO secretariat was established on July 16, 1997. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend: The year 2018 was quite successful for the Azerbaijani economy, Azerbaijani MP Rufat Guliyev told Trend. He said that last year, Azerbaijan defined the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as one of the priorities. Last year, the category microbusiness was introduced in Azerbaijan, which is an important step, he noted. In the future, certain privileges will be introduced for the development of microbusiness. Reforms arent complete yet, they continue, deepen and expand. He noted that the goal of the reforms is to create a sustainable class of micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. He added that small business is an important part of the economy of all developed countries. For example, the share of products and services manufactured by small and medium-sized businesses reaches 70 percent of GDP in Japan and the US, and 65 percent in Europe, he said. Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, has embarked on the development and expansion of small and medium businesses. In the near future, it will be possible to bring the share of SMEs in Azerbaijans GDP to 50 percent. He added that the opening of 118,000 jobs in Azerbaijan in 2018 is related to the improvement of the business climate, including in the field of SMEs. It is safe to say that the business climate in Azerbaijan will become more favorable every year, the Azerbaijani MP said. In addition, Azerbaijan solved the financial system issues related to foreign exchange earnings and the growth of foreign exchange reserves. It is very gratifying that Azerbaijans foreign exchange reserves reached $45 billion in 2018. He noted that the authoritative global financial institution - the World Bank predicts the growth of Azerbaijans economy in 2019 at 3.6 percent, adding that in 2018 the growth of the countrys economy was 1.4 percent. If they have such a forecast, it means that they favorably assess the capabilities of the Azerbaijani economy, he said. The key to success in 2019 is based on what was created and developed in 2018. The course taken to move away from the oil sector in the direction of development of the non-oil sector is deepening and expanding. This work is already bearing fruit, in particular, in changing the share of the non-oil sector in total exports. He went on to add that cash turnover is decreasing in Azerbaijan, the share of cashless payments is increasing, this contributes to increasing economic transparency and is a positive macroeconomic factor. In conclusion, he noted that agriculture is also developing in Azerbaijan at a fairly good pace, which allows reducing the countrys foreign currency expenditures on imports of products. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend: Thanks to the steps taken in recent years, Azerbaijan has become the transport and logistics hub of the region, Azerbaijani national secretary at TRACECA, expert in the field of transport and logistics Akif Mustafayev told Trend. Mustafayev noted that during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Jan. 11 dedicated to the results of socioeconomic development of 2018 and objectives for the future, President Ilham Aliyev touched upon the work done in the sphere of transport and logistics in 2018. One of the important tasks in this direction is the implementation of the subsequent stages of construction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, which is currently the most modernized port of the Caspian Sea, the expert said. "For this, the experience of the advanced states is applied and the most modern crane devices and equipment are used," Mustafayev said. "We have 13 ferries, two Ro-Ro vessels and oil tankers moving in the direction of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Other neighboring countries do not have ferries in this number," he said. A free economic zone will be created, which will include the Baku port as well, the expert said adding that work is also being carried out in this direction and a commission has been created in accordance with the relevant presidential decree. Mustafayev further added that the Baku Shipyard operates in Azerbaijan and builds modern vessels not only for Azerbaijan, but also for other countries of the region. He also added that cargo transportation is successfully being done along the "North-South" and "West-East" routes. He said that the Lapis Lazuli corridor has also been added to the routes and thus transportation will be carried out from Afghanistan too. "The first batch of trucks was sent from Afghanistan through the Turkmenbashi port across the Caspian Sea to Baku and then they left Baku for Turkey," Mustafayev said. The expert, addressing the issue of infrastructure development, noted that this year it is planned to complete the construction of highways that were not completed in 2018. "As the head of state noted, work is being continued to expand the road from Ganja to Georgia. It is planned to enlarge the road from two-lane to four-lane," Mustafayev said. The expert added that in order for more cargo to pass through the territory of Azerbaijan, tariffs should be attractive. "It is also necessary to simplify customs procedures and pay attention to digital technologies so that all documentation comes electronically," Mustafayev said. He further noted that the country has gained good ranks and this success must be maintained and further developed. "The transport and logistics sector will develop in the future. Due to the fact that the head of state pays special attention to this sector and in every speech he notes the importance of this sector, so there is no doubt that success will follow in 2019," Mustafayev said. Presently, several routes from the East to Europe pass through the territory of Azerbaijan. Among such projects are the International North-South Transport Corridor, which is designed to transport goods from India and the Persian Gulf countries to Russia, Western Europe, the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. In addition, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway built at the initiative of Azerbaijan, which is part of the East-West Corridor, also allows supplying cargo to Europe. Another example is the Lapis Lazuli route, which runs from Afghanistan to Turkey and further to Europe. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) completed a regular monitoring of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS). The monitoring was conducted by the TSE delegation led by the Institutions Representative in Azerbaijan Gulhan Yuzereroglu. In a few days, they visited the BHOS departments and facilities, and met with the Higher School teachers and other staff members. It has been confirmed that Baku Higher Oil School operates in accordance with international standards and implements international quality standards successfully. The report prepared upon the monitoring completion also provides necessary recommendations. Currently, BHOS is the only national higher educational institution, which has received ISO certification in four standards including ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Safety and Security Management System), and ISO 10002:2014 (Customer Satisfaction - Complaints Management Guidelines). Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on additional measures to improve public administration in the country. According to the Decree, the activity of the Science Development Foundation and the Baku International Multiculturalism Center will be reorganized based on the self-financing principle. The State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources, the Knowledge Foundation and the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan shall be liquidated. The Secretariat of the Interdepartmental Commission for Protection of State Secret, the Working Group of the Azerbaijan State Commission for Combating Narcotics and Illegal Drug Circulation, the Working Group of the Azerbaijan State Commission on Affairs of Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People, the Secretariat of the Tariff Council shall also be liquidated to reorganize their activity on a voluntary basis. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to establish the Azersilah Open Joint Stock Company on Jan. 14. The company is being established on the basis of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense Industry. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense Industry will continue to work until the state registration of Azersilah OJSC. Azersilah OJSC is a commercial legal entity which, by using advanced technologies, manufactures and exports weapons, organizes sales of weapons within and outside the country, as well as an entity coordinating the activity of enterprises based on modern standards of management and corporate governance and carrying out other work to develop the industry. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: The Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, in accordance with its mandate, plans to conduct the next ceasefire monitoring on the line of contact (LOC) between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops Jan. 15 in the Terter district, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said in a message on Jan. 14, Trend reports. The Personal Representatives field assistants Ghenadie Petrica and Martin Schuster will carry out the monitoring from the territory of Azerbaijan. The Personal Representatives field assistants Michael Olaru and Simon Tiller will carry out the monitoring on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan occupied and controlled by the armed forces of Armenia. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 24 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Jan. 14, 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. Iranian Quds Force Chief Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani has been on the receiving end of both comments by Israel and a critical letter by former Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. In a letter, Ahmadinejad accused Soleimani of acting as a go-between in favor of the brother of Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, recommending that the authorities release him. Ahmadinejad is referring to Mehdi Jahangiri, vice president of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Tourism Finance Department, and one of the founders of Tourism Bank. Mehdi Jahangiri was charged with financial corruption and arrested in October 2017 in the city of Kerman. "The arrest was predictable," Eshaq Jahangiri wrote on Instagram. "I do not have precise information on the reason or manner of the arrest." Eshaq Jahangiri maintained in his October 6, 2017, post, "I hope my brother's arrest is not political abuse and that justice, the fight against corruption, and the rule of law apply the same to everyone." Mehdi Jahangiri defended his economic activity at the time as "clean" and "beneficial to the country," but the chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Sarallah forces, who was responsible for the arrest, called him a "source of corruption." During the last presidential election, in May 2017, a number of ultraconservative heavyweights accused Mehdi Jahangiri of lobbying. In his latest letter, Ahmadinejad revived the case, accusing Soleimani of interfering in the process of law in favor of the vice president's brother. "It is said that you have interfered in the case of the vice president's brother, and, by recommendations to related authorities, paved the way for his release," Ahmadinejad wrote. Without mentioning his sources, Ahmadinejad blamed Soleimani for applying favoritism in Jahangiri's case but setting the scene for the arrest of a former deputy president in executive matters, Hamid Baghaei. "By wrongly accusing Baghaei (Ahmadinejad's deputy) of receiving some money from you, our faithful, revolutionary, and servant brother suffered a great injustice," Ahmadinejad wrote. Time and again, he continued, we called you to step forward and testify about your allegations against Baghaei, but you never relented and left our numerous correspondence unanswered. Soleimani had implicated Baghaei, who is currently behind bars, in a case which led to accusation of pocketing millions of dollars intended to be distributed among African leaders during the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement countries in 2012 in Tehran. Based on the Court of Appeals verdict published on March 17, 2018, Baghaei received 3,766,000 euros and $590,000 from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to be distributed among heads of African countries attending NAM summit. IRGC commanders said the money was paid to Baghaei in cash, a day after President Hassan Rouhani's inauguration ceremony. Ahmadinejad and former officials of his administration have repeatedly dismissed the claims as "imaginary" and "unfounded." "Even if the accusation against Baghaei were true, one might ask, 'Am I responsible or is Soleimani (for the vanished millions of euros and dollars)?" Ahmadinejad asked. In his latest letter, he said, "The media say that you have made sacrifices and are fighting against injustice in Syria and other places, yet one might ask why you have kept mum against such great injustice in your own country. Baghaei is currently serving his 15-year sentence. He has also been ordered to return more than $1 million to the treasury. Ahmadinejad's letter coincides with Israeli IDF Chief's comments about Suleimani, who heads the IRGCs extraterritorial operations. In a recent interview with The New York Times ahead of his retirement, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot said, Soleimani had mobilized 3,000 of his men in Syria, along with 8,000 Hezbollah fighters and another 11,000 foreign Shiite troops to fight n Syria. By January 2017, Eizenkot said, he received unanimous permission from the security cabinet to step up strikes in Syria to near daily occurrences. In 2018 alone, he said, Israel dropped 2,000 bombs on Iranian targets. Suleimani attempted to retaliate to the ramped-up Israeli campaign by launching 30 rockets at northern Israel last May, but Eizenkot said not a single one reached its target, the Times of Israel reported on January 13. Meanwhile, prominent hardline commentator Mehdi Mohammadi charged in a post on his social media accounts, that "attacks and accusations against Soleimani are part of a project, which is in line with the IDF Chief's remarks against the Iranian commander". Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has said its request to the Verkhovna Rada for removing immunity from prosecution from deputy Yaroslav Dubnevych (Petro Poroshenkos Bloc faction) requires more evidence. "The request to give consent to criminal liability for Dubnevych requires substantially more evidence, which should unquestionably confirm the conclusions made by the investigation," PGO spokeswoman Larisa Sarhan said on Twitter on January 14. Sarhan later on Facebook said the request prepared by agents from the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under Part 3 of Article 27 and Part 5 of Article 191 of Ukraine's Criminal Code (misappropriation, embezzlement of property or taking possession of it by abuse of official position) showed that it does not fully comply with parliament's requirements and some allegations have not been proven. "The PGO proposes that SAPO finalize the text of the submission with the aim of eliminating a number of shortcomings, supporting it with relevant evidence and correcting allegations that do not comply with the law. After eliminating the shortcomings, the submission will be signed by the Prosecutor General and sent back to the Verkhovna Rada," Sarhan said. As earlier reported, on December 31, 2018, the Kyiv-based Ukrainskaya Pravda ezine, a PGO source, said SAPO head Nazar Kholodnytsky had prepared for Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko a request for parliament to remove Dubnevych's immunity from prosecution. Kyiv's Solomiansky District Court has obliged the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) to launch a criminal investigation into a possible corruption offense by Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko after it received a statement by law enforcement bodies. The ruling of Kyiv's Solomiansky District Court, which has been registered in the Unified Register of Judicial Decisions on January 10, states that the court considered a complaint about the inactivity of NABU employees who had refused to launch criminal proceedings following a statement about a possible offense by Lutsenko and his first deputy Dmyto Storozhuk. In his complaint, the complainant said that he had a meeting with the head of the SBU State Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak in his office and filed a statement "about a corruption offense committed by the Prosecutor General in league with his first deputy." The SBU sent this complaint to the NABU for investigation; however, the NABU, in turn, did not see any grounds for commencing the proceedings. Thus, the applicant decided that the NABU's refusal to open proceedings on the facts stated by him was unreasonable and filed a suit with the Solomiansky court. The court decided that the statement contains factual data and there are grounds for entering information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations. "To oblige an official of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine ... to enter into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations ... information about a criminal offense," the investigating judge of the Solomyansky court said in his ruling. The court's ruling does not mention the name of the applicant and the kind of data that was revealed, on the basis of which the NABU has to open the proceedings and conduct an investigation. It only says a possible criminal corruption offense is involved. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova, who arrived in the Russian capital on Monday, reports that her meeting with her Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova has been canceled, as the latter left for an urgent unscheduled business trip. "... Now it's clear why the meeting with the human rights ombudswoman in Russia Tatyana Moskalkova has been canceled. The Ombudswoman of the Russian Federation informed me in a text message that she was forced to leave for an urgent unscheduled business trip and would return later in the evening. And tomorrow, Tatyana Moskalkova leaves for Uzbekistan," Denisova wrote on Facebook on Monday afternoon. Two WIA amid 14 enemy attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas over past day JFO HQ Russia's hybrid military have forces mounted 14 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on Sunday, January 13, with two Ukrainian soldiers wounded in action 9WIA), the press centre of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "The enemy also employed grenade launchers near the village of Novhorodske, weapons of infantry fighting vehicles and heavy machine guns near the village of Novotoshkivske, as well as small arms at the disengagement area near the village of Stanytsia Luhanska," the JFO staff said on Facebook on Monday morning. The Russian occupation forces opened fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the towns of Krasnohorivka and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Pisky, Opytne, Lebedynske, Hnutove, and Berezove. Four Russia-led occupation fighters were killed and another three were wounded on January 13. The state-owned company Ukrspecexport and the Turkish company Baykar Makina have signed a contract on the purchase for the needs of the Ukrainian Army of assault unmanned aerial vehicles Bayraktar TB2 (UAVs), President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine has said. "As we agreed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an agreement has been signed on the purchase of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 assault UAVs for the needs of the Ukrainian army. In addition to their high-tech specs, these newest tactical-level assault UAVs can also be equipped with modern high-precision missiles for the destruction of armored vehicles, engineering structures, and fortifications, as well as naval targets," Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook page on January 12. He said the agreement between the state-owned company Ukrspecexport, which is part of the state concern Ukroboronprom, and the Turkish company Baykar Makina is part of measures meant for expanding military-technological cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey and "fully complies with the strategic course of Ukraine" toward NATO, with its standards and the open international arms market." "We continue to re-equip the Ukrainian army with modern weapons that meet NATO standards," the president said. As reported earlier, on November 4, 2018, while on an official visit to the Republic of Turkey, President Poroshenko visited the production facilities of Baykar Makina, which is one of the world's leaders in the production of powerful unmanned aircraft systems. Over the past five years, the state-owned concern Ukroboronprom has transferred about 26,000 units of weapons and military equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, head of the Ukrainian state Petro Poroshenko has said. "Over the past five years, we have not just revived our Armed Forces, but turned them into one of the most effective armies in Europe. Well-trained guys are ready to defend their country at any time. And this has become possible not only due to the high fighting spirit, but also modern powerful armament. Our army has received about 26,000 units of weapons and military equipment from the State Concern Ukroboronprom throughout the Russian military aggression against Ukraine," Poroshenko said on Facebook on Monday morning. At the same time, the president stressed that the authorities of the country would continue strengthening the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian army in order to protect the Ukrainian state. Catholicos of All Armenians congratulates Nikol Pashinyan Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II has sent a congratulatory message to Nikol Pashinyan on being appointed Prime Minister of Armenia. "Honorable Mr. Prime Minister, we extend our blessing and congratulations to you from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of being appointed Prime Minister of Armenia. The early parliamentary elections were the termination of the political developments of our country in 2018, during which our people expressed its great trust towards you and the political force led by you. Today you again assume the responsible position of Prime Minister of Armenia with the mission to find reasonable solutions to the problems facing our country and bringing to life the hopes and expectations of our people towards a bright future. We heartily wish that All Glorious Lord supports you and gives you success in your responsible mission for the sake of the irreversible progress of our Motherland and the welfare of our people. We pray that the Lord to protect you and grant you bright days and all the best." Only names-surnames are changed in this country - demonstrator (video) A group of merchants gathered today in front of the National Assembly and demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan or one of the MPs. Merchants claim that after the start of the new year, law enforcement officials, municipality officials and police do not allow them to carry out street trade. According to traders, they were promised to be provided pavilions, but the promise was not fulfilled. "We have left without a job and have no money for bread," they say. The merchants claim that as a result of this, the prices of goods will also rise. One of the merchants stated that only names-surnames are changed in this country. "This people should go and die, what else can they do?" says another merchant. "After a new year, I went and bought flower, the district officials pulled the flower and said that I would not sell them," says one of the merchants and asks what they should do in this situation. PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Armenia With Ucom's level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Tiktok, Spotify and Coursera PACE rapporteur welcomes Azerbaijans release of Armenian captives and Armenias handing over of mine-maps to Azerbaijan Armenia/Azerbaijan: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the latest developments Pashinyan to publicly apology to Khachatryans During EURO 2020 Ucom subscribers to take part in the uMeter voting and draw USA to continue to press for the return of Armenian prisoners of war and detainees: Philip Reeker Post-war Prospects for Nagorno-Karabakh: Crisis Groups new report Ucom-1 team was recognised the winner of the 2021 futsal tournament of the Galaxy Group of Companies: The award ceremony took place COVID 19: 11 deaths Statement of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia regarding the criminal prosecution against the Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijan The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia UCOM introduced new level up packages of voice service President Michel has discussions with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Acting Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia COVID19:108 new cases Ucom launches "Hello, summer" offer and presents "U!hoo" kids magazine Google Ad 182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group What our Homeland, Armenia and Artsakh will be like depends on us. President Armen Sarkissians message on the Republic Day Ucom Digital lab students keep on getting high-quality technical education Aharon Sahakyan is appointed governor of Kotayk Marz of Armenia 3503 tests were done yesterday Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Covid 19: 323 recoveries and 11 deaths Efforts by prosecutors and law enforcement to address hate crime in Armenia: ODIHR seminar We urge Turkey to respect these calls: Head of the Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union Prisoners of war in the aftermath of the most recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan COVID 19: 7 deaths. The release of all Armenian detainees is essential for building confidence and trust Helena Dalli The Georgia Power Foundation today (1/11) announced a $50,000 donation to St. Vincent de Paul Georgia to help provide support to furloughed and unpaid federal workers and contractors in Georgia impacted by the partial government shutdown. Through the fund, impacted families can ask for assistance by submitting a request to gapowerassistancefund@svdpgeorgia.org. Each email request should include the following: requestor's name contact information (address, email and phone number) brief summary of situation A St. Vincent de Paul Georgia caseworker will reach out within 24 working hours. Questions regarding assistance through the newly-established fund can also be submitted to gapowerassistancefund@svdpgeorgia.org. "At Georgia Power, we believe in helping our neighbors. We understand the shutdown may have affected federal workers, contractors and their families across the state," said Paul Bowers, Georgia Power Chairman, President and CEO. "We hope this partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Georgia will help provide some peace of mind during this time." Georgia Power offers assistance options year-round for families who need help paying their bill. For more on payment arrangements and to learn more about other agencies that offer assistance, visit georgiapower.com. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, respecting the dignity of each person, works to bring hope and help to those in need so they may achieve stability and move toward self-sufficiency. The non-profit organization runs many programs benefitting citizens across the state including Family Support Centers in North and Central Georgia, benefits screenings, direct aid support and more. Since 1883, Georgia Power has remained steadfast in its mission to improve the same communities it calls home for its customers, employees, neighbors and friends. Through the years, Georgia Power and its employees and retirees have poured themselves into enriching the environment and prosperity of Georgia's communities. In fact, the company's total community impact totaled $21 million last year. Georgia Power and the Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. invested more than $16.2 million in communities and nonprofit organizations across the state. Additionally, Georgia Power employees and retirees donated nearly 150,000 hours in volunteer services - valued at more than $3.5 million. For more on Georgia Power's community efforts, visit www.georgiapower.com/community. About Georgia Power Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power). The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today (1/9) approved an electric rate increase settlement agreement for Consumers Energy Co. and authorized the utility to launch the state's first electric vehicle infrastructure pilot program. The parties to the settlement agreed to a $24 million rate decrease as well as the elimination of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Credit A rate reduction of $123 million, resulting in a net $99 million increase (Case No. U-20134). The MPSC ordered the Credit A tax recalculations last year to identify savings due to utility customers from the TCJA's lower corporate tax. Credit A reductions are reflected on bills until the Commission decides on a utility's subsequent rate request, which would have the lower corporate tax as part of its calculations. Under the new rate approved today, a residential customer who uses 500 kilowatt hours of electricity a month will see their monthly bill increase by $1.62. The rates go into effect Jan. 10. As part of the settlement agreement, Consumers will spend this year at least $200 million annually on its electric distribution reliability capital program and $53 million annually on clearing vegetation and trimming trees around distribution lines. The utility will provide Commission staff with regular updates on its spending and an annual report on investments in both areas. Consumers will also launch its PowerMIDrive pilot program, a three-year, $10 million effort to support the growing electric vehicle (EV) market in Michigan through new rates, rebates and customer education. The program includes a Nighttime Savers Rate to encourage EV drivers to charge their vehicles between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Residential EV drivers who sign up for the nighttime rate will be offered a $500 rebate for each EV. Consumers will also offer $5,000 rebates for chargers installed in public areas such as workplaces and multi-unit dwellings, and up to $70,000 in rebates for the installation of a DC Fast Charger. The Commission ruled separately on a contested issue in the PowerMIDrive pilot and it approved Consumers' request to recover program costs over five years through a deferred accounting mechanism. The Commission ruled the mechanism is an incentive for Consumers to support EV charger placement throughout Michigan, avoid expensive future capital infrastructure investments when EV use is anticipated to grow, and educate consumers about the benefits of off-peak charging. The cost recovery request was agreed to by all parties in the settlement agreement except the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC). The Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity (ABATE); Michigan Environmental Council (MEC); Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC); Sierra Club; Kroger Co.; Hemlock Semiconductor Operations LLC; Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association (MCTA); Energy Michigan, Inc.; Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (MEIBC); Michigan State Utility Workers Council; ChargePoint, Inc.; Ecology Center; ELPC; Commission staff; and the cities of Flint and Grand Rapids agreed to the rate case settlement. Filing statements of non-objection to the agreement were Midland Cogeneration Venture Limited Partnership (MCV); the Residential Customer Group (RCG); Wal-Mart Stores East, LP and Sam's East, Inc.; and the Department of the Attorney General. Consumers Energy Co. Case No. U-20134 Fact Sheet Revenue increase granted: Approximately $99 million ($25 million decrease and elimination of the $123 million tax savings under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) Return on common equity: 10 percent The non-transmitting meter tariff up-front charges -- $69.39 for customers who do not have a transmitting meter installed and $123.91 for those who have a transmitting meter -- will remain, but the monthly charge will be reduced from $9.72 to $3. The residential summer "inverted block" rate will be eliminated by January 2020 and will be replaced with on-peak and all-other hours rates. The State Reliability Mechanism (SRM) charge is $335.99 per megawatt-day. The charge is assessed to customers of alternative electric suppliers if those suppliers can't meet their customers' anticipated power needs. Any costs above $8 million in reparations paid by CSX Transportation will be refunded to customers through a future power supply cost recovery (PSCR) proceeding. In its next electric general rate case, Consumers will provide a study analyzing the cost of standby service to customers who produce their own power through renewable sources and whose capacity exceeds 550 kilowatts. Approximately $31.5 million will be spent on demand response (DR) programs, which adjusts service to customers to match capacity needs with current resources available. Consumers will set up a discussion schedule with officials representing the cities of Grand Rapids and Flint over concerns about payments for converting city lighting to efficient light-emitting diodes (LED). Consumers agreed not to file for a rate increase before Jan. 1, 2020. To look up cases from today's meeting, access the eDockets filing system here. To watch a livestream of the MPSC's meetings, click here. DISCLAIMER: This document was prepared to aid the public's understanding of certain matters before the Commission and is not intended to modify, supplement, or be a substitute for the Commission's orders. The Commission's orders are the official action of the Commission. Contact: Nick Assendelft 517-284-8300 Customer Assistance: 800-292-9555 The app combines Google Maps, with a tool to overlay the map with a Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), and a symbol select graphic tool. New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. James Pistell has created a free computer application that makes it easy for leaders to create and share operations graphics he dubbed MGRS-Mapper. Pistell, a Rochester web developer focusing on marketing in civilian life, said he got the idea for the app while deployed in Ukraine in 2018 with the Joint Military Training Group-Ukraine, according to the National Guard website. The New York National Guard Soldiers worked with other NATO nation soldiers to help train Ukrainian soldiers and battle staffs. His unit had been using a website to make operations graphics as they planned contingency operations, or CONOPS, but the website didn't work effectively enough, Pistell said. Read alsoUkraine's army to be able to act under NATO standards in 2020, Poroshenko says "It was really outdated, and even if it could work, the symbols didn't," he said. "I thought I could make a much better version. What made me want to create it was from my experience overseas and I wanted to help leaders make CONOPS." The app combines Google Maps, with a tool to overlay the map with a Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), and a symbol select graphic tool. App users can select their operations area on Google Maps and overlay the region with a standard MGRS overlay. The app allows the user to build the proper NATO standard graphic symbol, for example a friendly infantry platoon, label it, and then place it on the map. Users also have the ability to place command and control, maneuver, fire support and other graphics on the overlay. Read alsoUkrainian Army about to get powerful Canadian sniper rifles The overlay can be downloaded and emailed to another use, printed out as a handout, or embedded in slides. Currently, users cannot upload their own map into the app, but he is working to change that, Pistell explained. Pistell said he thinks that the app is easy and accessible for any soldier to be able to use. "I've made the application as intuitive as possible," he said. "If you're looking for infantry you can choose an infantry symbol, then choose the size, and click and drag it on the map. You can update the map you can put the overlay on, you can take it off, and you can have a terrain view or satellite." Russian bank's Ukrainian subsidiary wins litigation to seize Ukraine's AVK Confectionery The property will be sold at a public auction, as part of enforcement proceedings. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukraine able to replace Russian-made components in An-124 Ruslan this year Ukroboronprom Now it is impossible to assemble the aircraft without Russian parts. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Turkey extends quotas for livestock, meat supplies from Ukraine Ukrainian producers in April 2018 obtained the right to export beef onto the Turkish market. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter The Chinese government has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes. Photo by AFP A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges on Monday after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient, a ruling likely to deepen a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Beijing. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, nodded as the judge in the northeast city of Dalian asked him whether he understood the verdict, following a day-long retrial in which he declared his innocence. "The court completely rejects the accused person's explanation and defence because it is completely at odds with the facts," the chief judge said in a courtroom packed with observers -- among them Canadian embassy officials and three foreign reporters, including one from AFP. He can appeal against the sentence at an upper court. Schellenberg had originally been sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 150,000-yuan ($22,000) forfeiture in November. But following an appeal, a high court in Liaoning ruled in December that the sentence was too lenient given the severity of his crimes. "I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist," Schellenberg, said in his final statement before the sentence was announced. He was brought to the hearing in handcuffs. The sentence comes against the backdrop of the Chinese government's anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive from telecom giant Huawei last month on a US extradition request related to Iran sanctions violations. Chinese authorities have since detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen as retaliation over the Huawei executive's arrest. The Dalian court said Schellenberg, who was detained in December 2014, played a "key part" in an international drug trafficking syndicate. "Not just content with spreading drugs in one country, the syndicate has spread across borders... it is a harm to human health and also to the stability of countries," the court said. China denies political link China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past, including a Japanese national in 2014 and a Filipina in 2013. Experts said retrials are rare in China, especially ones calling for a harsher sentence. Ottawa has said it was following the case "very closely" and has provided Schellenberg with consular assistance. Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure in the case. The Chinese foreign ministry said Friday critics "can stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so". Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused China of "arbitrarily and unfairly" detaining former diplomat Michael Kovrig and business consultant Michael Spavor. Trudeau suggested that Kovrig still enjoyed diplomatic immunity, an assertion rejected by the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday. No coins in court The Dalian court was filled with about 70 observers, who were patted down and made to empty pockets -- receipts and stray coins were to be left at the security check. In an opening statement, Schellenberg said he had come to China after travelling through Southeast Asia, including Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He said a friend recommended a man named Xu Qing as a translator and he was swept up in what has turned out to be an international drug trafficking syndicate. "This is a case about Xu Qing, he is an international drug smuggler and a liar," Schellenberg told the court, accusing Xu of setting him up. Schellenberg claimed the drug deal was masterminded by Khamla Wong, a Canadian who was arrested in Thailand in 2016 on drug charges. But Chinese prosecutors said Schellenberg was the principal suspect in a case involving an international syndicate that planned to send some 222 kilogrammes (490 pounds) of methamphetamine to Australia, hidden in plastic pellets which were concealed in rubber tyres. Prosecutors brought in Xu as a witness, who in close to two hours of testimony never once turned to look at Schellenberg. When pressed on details, he frequently said he could not remember and to refer to a written statement for details, including when Schellenberg questioned him about 180,000 yuan he was purportedly given. Two other Chinese men have been involved in this case -- one was sentenced to life imprisonment, another handed a suspended death sentence. A Vietnamese man was arrested last Sunday in central Japan for allegedly running an underground bank. Photo by Shutterstock/melhijad A Vietnamese man is alleged to have charged hefty commissions for transferring money from Japan to Vietnam via his bank account. The Japan Today newspaper reported Monday that Chu Anh Tuan, 36, has been arrested in central Japan. Tuan was arrested Sunday on suspicion of violating Japanese bank law for transferring approximately $9,000 from Vietnamese nationals in Japan to Vietnam through his personal bank account between June 2015 to September 2016, according to police in Aichi prefecture. However, they believe that he has actually remitted approximately $21 million from Japan to Vietnam since April 2013, charging commissions of 800 yen ($7.4) for remittances of 30,000 yen ($277) and 1,000 yen for 100,000 yen ($924). Tuan has denied all allegations. This case adds to the unsavory reputation that Vietnamese expats have acquired because of the actions of a few. Vietnamese expats in Japan committed more crimes than any other foreign non-permanent residents living in the country in 2017, Kyodo News has reported. Police recorded 5,140 crimes committed by Vietnamese people in 2017, up from 3,177 the year before or a 62 per cent rise, accounting for 30.2 percent of the total number of crimes committed by foreign nationals. Shoplifting was the dominant crime, with 2,037 cases, while burglary jumped to 325 in 2017 from just 12 the previous year. Vietnamese have surpassed Brazilians to become the fourth biggest minority group in Japan after the number of non-permanent residents in the country grew more than six-fold between 2008 and 2017, when it reached about 260,000 in 2017. Taxi cab drivers pick up customers at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Photo by Shutterstocks/Anton Ivanov Hanoi police are investigating a group of unlicensed taxi service operators who attacked a Noi Bai Airport security employee. On Friday, security officer Nguyen Van Diep saw a female broker, Tran Thi Ly, trying to lure passengers for an unregistered taxi at the airports domestic terminal. He tried to stop her, but Ly and two other men, whose identities have not been confirmed, got violent and assaulted him. Diep was hospitalized with four broken teeth and other bruises on his body. The incident, deemed "serious," prompted Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh to ask Hanoi authorities to launch an urgent probe and take tough action against the accused. Ly has been detained, pending criminal investigation for "resisting persons in the performance of their official duties," a crime punishable by up to seven years in jail under Vietnams Penal Code. Police are looking for her accomplices. According to the airports management board, Ly was a professional taxi broker and has been warned several times for disrupting public order at the airport. Unlicensed taxi services, run by individuals blatantly picking up passengers in private cars, have become rampant at Vietnamese airports for several years now. Police officers at Noi Bai last year handled as many as 823 cases, most of which involved unauthorized taxi services and brokers luring passengers. Five cases of airport security officers being attacked by taxi brokers were also recorded in 2018, but no tough action was taken against them. In another incident of airport violence, three Vietnamese men received a one-year flight ban last December for assaulting a VietJet female employee in the central province of Thanh Hoa. They were outraged because she refused to take photos with them. The three men are also being investigated for disturbing public order. U.S. President Donald Trump sits next to North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before their bilateral meeting at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Jonathan Ernst U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the second U.S.-North Korea summit be held in Vietnam next month. Citing "officials familiar with the matter," the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Sunday that North Korea has reportedly reviewed the proposal, but is yet to give a response. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said "details are being worked out" for the second summit, the Yonhap news agency reported. Discussions on possible locations for Trump and Kims next summit have been in focus since earlier this month, when Trump told the press the U.S. was "negotiating a location" and South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the summit would "take place soon." An unnamed South Korean foreign ministry official said, on condition of anonymity, that while Vietnam, Singapore and Hawaii were shortlisted, Hawaii was "an unrealistic location as it doesnt have a North Korean embassy," the Korea Herald reported last Friday. Last week, U.S. and North Korean diplomats met several times in Hanoi to discuss the location for the summit, media reports said, citing unnamed diplomatic sources in Seoul and Washington. Vietnam could be a neutral location for the event Eric Gomez, a researcher at the public policy thinktank Cato Institute, U.S., told VnExpress. He said Vietnam could be a suitable mediator for the two countries because it has improved its relationship with the U.S. in recent years while not being an ally, and Hanoi could represent an interesting model for Pyongyang as Kim switches his priority to economic growth. Kim Do-hyon, the South Korean ambassador to Vietnam, has also supported Vietnam as a candidate for the meeting. "Vietnam has good relations with both South and North Korea as well as the U.S., and has experience in successfully hosting many international summits in recent years such as APEC," Kim said. "Therefore I believe that the second U.S.-North Korea summit being held in Vietnam would have tremendous significance," he said. Garbage piles up on Hanoi streets as protestors block road to dump People living around a waste treatment complex in Hanoi have been blocking the road leading to it due to a compensation dispute. Garbage is uncollected and piling up in many of Hanois urban districts. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh The protest around the Soc Son Waste Treatment Complex in the northern Soc Son District has prevented garbage trucks from entering the place, causing rubbish to remain uncollected and pile up in many districts, according to an announcement by authorities Sunday. As of Sunday night piles of garbage could be seen along many streets in Thanh Xuan, Nam Tu Liem, Ba Dinh, and Long Bien districts. The protest began last Thursday when a group of 40 residents from Nam Son Commune gathered to block trucks from entering the waste treatment complex, saying that Hanoi and Soc Son authorities had been slow to compensate those bearing environmental impacts from the complex, who live close to it and have not been relocated. Carts full of trash stand across high-rise buildings on Phung Hung Street in Ha Dong District. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh Since then Soc Son authorities have held three rounds of talks with the protesters, the latest on Sunday attended by over 80 households, but failed to resolve the issue. At the talks Sunday the protesters demanded to know regarding when the process of compensating and supporting households affected by the complex would be completed. They also voiced opposition to the authorities' plan to resettle them in Hong Ky Commune, which is three kilometers from the dump. They demanded resettlement areas farther away and that each household should receive at least 240 square meters (287 square yards). The district's leaders pledged to complete compensation payment and assistance with site clearance in the second quarter of the year. On Sunday evening city authorities ordered an immediate survey of the number of households within 500 meters of the Soc Son Waste Treatment Complex and come up with compensation, support and resettlement plans before March 30. Piles of garbage could be seen on many streets in Thanh Xuan, Nam Tu Liem, Ba Dinh and Long Bien districts, waiting to be removed. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh The Soc Son Waste Treatment Complex is the largest in Hanoi, capable of processing 6,000 tons of garbage per day. Local residents have blocked garbage trucks from entering the complex several times in the past few years over environmental concerns. Vietnam will have to face with competitive products from CPTPP country members as the trade pact takes off on January 14, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Kham The CPTPP trade pact came into force in Vietnam Monday, carrying both hopes for opportunities and fears of challenges. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a recent statement that many sectors in Vietnam will have a chance to grow under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), including food and beverage, tobaccco, textiles, chemicals, plastics, leather, transport equipment and services. It has been estimated that the trade pact, which covers 13.5 percent of global GDP at around $10 trillion, would boost Vietnams GDP by 1.32 percent, and its exports by 4.04 percent by 2035, while creating jobs for 20,000-26,000 people. However, both officials and experts have warned of challenges that the pact can pose. Vo Tri Thanh, former deputy head of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said that the pact would require more breakthroughs in institutional reform towards establishing a professional, transparent and accountable state administration. "Now that CPTPP has come into force, Vietnam needs to accept the risks and challenges it brings. These are necessary factors for faster, more sustainable development," he said. Economist Nguyen Tri Hieu said that the CPTPP would be a test for Vietnamese businesses when foreign players enter the local market. "The entrance of foreign businesses with better products in terms of price and quality will force Vietnamese firms to improve their products in order to compete," he told VnExpress International. Without competitive products in terms of quality and price, Vietnamese firms will face high risks of losing out to CPTPP members in their own market, Hieu added. The trade ministry shares the same concerns. It said that Vietnam might have to face difficulties in the agriculture and livestock sectors, as Vietnamese pork and chicken are not as competitive as other countries. Other members with strengths in manufacturing paper, steel and cars might also create difficulties for Vietnam in these sectors, it cautioned. Vietnam will also need to make changes in its laws concerning trade, customs, intellectual property and labor to meet international requirements, the ministry said. Other experts have expressed concern about the high number of state firms in Vietnam, which could make it hard for Vietnam to fulfill its obligations under the CPTPP trade pact, as it seeks to promote a level playing field for SOEs and their private competitors. Before Vietnam, CPTPP entered into force on December 30 in the first six countries that ratified it: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Mexico and Singapore. Brunei, Chile, Malaysia and Peru are the countries yet to ratify the pact. UPDATE | China Sentences Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, to Death DalianA Canadian man accused of drug smuggling in China appeared at a new trial Monday after an upper court called for a harsher sentence in a case that could further strain ties between Beijing and Ottawa. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, was brought in handcuffs to a hearing in the northeast city of Dalian where he could potentially face the death penalty, weeks after his appeal of a 15-year prison sentence backfired. Canadian embassy officials and three foreign journalists, including from AFP, were given rare access to his retrial, which comes against the backdrop of the Chinese governments anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive from telecom giant Huawei last month. Chinese authorities have since detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen as an act of retaliation over the Huawei executives arrest. Schellenberg, who was reportedly detained in northeast Liaoning province in 2014, is accused of playing an important role in drug smuggling and of potential involvement in international organised crime. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 150,000 yuan ($22,000) forfeiture in November. But following an appeal a high court in Liaoning ruled in December that the sentence was too lenient given the severity of his crimes. In an opening statement, Schellenberg said he had come to China after travelling through Southeast Asia, including Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. He said a friend recommended him a man named Xu Qing as a translator and he was swept up in what has turned out to be an international drug trafficking syndicate. This is a case about Xu Qing, he is an international drug smuggler and a liar, Schellenberg told the court. The crux of the retrial hinges on how much Schellenberg knows about the drug deal, which he claims was masterminded by Khamla Wong, a Canadian who was in 2016 arrested on drug charges. Chinese prosecutors say that Schellenberg was part of an international syndicate which planned to send some 222 kilogrammes of methamphetamine to Australia, hidden within plastic pellets concealed in rubber tyres. Prosecutors brought in Xu as a witness, who in close to two hours of testimony never once turned to look at Schellenberg. When pressed on details, he frequently said he could not remember and to refer to a written statement for details, including when Schellenberg questioned him about 180,000 yuan he was purportedly given. Two other Chinese men have been involved in this case -- one has sentenced to life imprisonment, another handed a suspended death sentence. The court was filled with about 70 observers who were patted down and made to empty pockets -- receipts and stray coins were to be left at security. The hearing was continuing in the afternoon. China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past. William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International, said the human rights group is very concerned that Robert Schellenberg may be sentenced to death. Court retrials are rare in China and retrials calling for a harsher sentence are even rarer, said Donald Clarke, a George Washington University professor specialising in Chinese law. It is obvious... that Schellenbergs fate will have little to do with his actual guilt or innocence, Clarke added. If the Chinese government has an innocent explanation for all the unusual features of this case, I hope it will provide it. Otherwise, I dont know how to understand this case other than as a simple threat. Ottawa said it was following the case very closely and has provided Schellenberg with consular assistance. Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure behind Schellenbergs case. You can ask these (critics) which laws the relevant Chinese judicial organs and departments have violated by (ordering a retrial), foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing on Friday. If no laws have been broken, I hope that these people can stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Agence France-Presse, January 14, 2019 Kerala: 4500 fishworkers saved 65000 lives during the floods in Kerala, India January 14,2019 | Source: Manorama Online Valiant fisherfolk, who saved precious lives during the worst floods that devastated the state in a century, has been adjudged Manorama News Newsmaker 2018. The announcement was made by Justice Kurian Joseph during a programme telecast on Manorama News. The fisherfolk who braved giant odds were adjudged winners after an opinion poll, held in association with Kalyan Silks. The fishermen showed how the mind of human beings should be. They set an example for reformation beyond caste, creed and religion, Justice Kurian Joseph said. Poet Kureepuzha Sreekumar and Institute of Management in Government assistant professor Dr Aneeshya Jayadev analyzed the Newsmaker poll. According to Kureepuzha Sreekumar, the selection of the fishermen was the ideal choice made by Keralites. Now the state has to give back to the fishermen by solving the issues faced by Alappad village, he said. Aneeshya termed the noble act of the fishermen as a message of unity. However, we chose to forget this message during the Sabarimala issue, she added. The fishermen had carried out rescue operations even at places where the armed forces could not reach. Around 4,500 fishing workers had saved over 65,000 lives during the floods. Others in the final round of Newsmaker 2018 were former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, Health Minister K K Shylaja and state president P S Sreedharan Pillai. This is for the first time that the award has been won by a group of people after it was launched 12 years ago. Yeomen service Operating in their mechanised country boats in turbulent waters in several flood-hit regions including Chengannur, Kuttanad, Chalakudy, Mala, Kodungallur, Aluva and North Paravur, they rescued thousands from houses and buildings where even helicopters couldn't reach. Their country boats could cut even through dangerous gush of rampaging water through which the rubber boats failed to navigate. Most of these fishermen engaged in the rescue operations hailed from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kannur, Thrissur and Ernakulam. Their courage and the experience in the rough seas aided the Herculean task. The fishing community chipped in for the transportation and food expenses of these selfless souls during the rescue operations. The Fisheries Department followed suit only later. In a noble gesture, these fishermen even refused to accept Rs 3,000 offered to each member of the community by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the exemplary rescue work done. Onmanorama lauds the priceless efforts by these faceless fisherfolk. Bangladesh: 50MW Kaptai Lake solar project awaits ADB fund approval January 14,2019 | Source: Energy Bangla The Power Division is now waiting for a positive note from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) about its financing to implement a 50MW floating solar project in the Kaptai Lake, official sources said. Weve heard the executive board of the donor agency (ADB) has approved a financing proposal in this regard. But, the government will move for feasibility study of the project once it receives the official letter from the ADB on the issue, said Mohammad Alauddin, joint secretary (renewable energy) to the Power Division. As per the primary plan, official sources said, a 50MW floating solar project will be implemented on a pilot basis in the Kaptai Lake in the Chattagram Hill Tract area spending Tk 400-500 crore. They said if the Kaptai Lake solar project is proved to be a successful one, then more similar projects will be implemented both in public and private sectors. Besides, the government is considering implementation of another 30MW floating solar project in the canal of the Teesta Water Barrage area, they mentioned. According to the official sources, the recent success of Japan, China, India, Germany, France, China and other countries in floating solar projects prompted the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) to move for such green projects. Japan was the first country to install a floating solar power plant in 2006 in Chiba by a French firm while China is now the leader in setting up the largest floating solar power plant of 40MW capacity in Huainan city of its Anhui province. So far, the officials said, a good number of floating solar power plants have been set up in 12 countries and the idea is gaining popularity because of land scarcity for setting up solar plants. Solar projects require huge land and Bangladeshs main barrier is the land scarcity to setting up solar projects. Among the Asian nations, India and China have taken up aggressive moves to set up floating solar plants. Mohammad Alauddin informed that installing floating solar projects might be a very suitable concept for Bangladesh as it faces land scarcity problem for implementing solar scheme. The Power Division senior official said state-owned Power Development Board (PDB) will implement the proposed Kaptai Lake floating solar project. The Kaptai Lake was created through embankment to supply water to the Karnaphuli hydropower project, and the huge water body is now only being used for small scale fisheries. The Kaptai Lake was chosen because of its availability of water throughout the year. Electricity evacuation will be easier because of a ready infrastructure in the Karnaphuli Hydropower project, Alauddin told UNB. He said the irrigation canal of Teesta Barrage might be another perfect place for floating solar power plant as a 30MW plant could be installed on it. But all will depend on the opinion of the Water Development Board (WDB), which now owns and operates the project, he said adding that the Power Division will pursue the idea with the organisation through its line ministry. If they agree, then the Power Division will move forward with the project for implementation through private sector entrepreneurs who are interested to invest in such projects, he said. The Teesta Barrage is located on the Teesta River at Duani in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh the discharge capacity of which is 12,750 cusec of water. Power Division officials said the move for allowing IPP solar plants has been part of the governments plan to generate 24,000MW of electricity by 2021, the sources added. A special emphasis has been given to power production from non-conventional sources. It aims to increase the total solar power production by 10 percent by 2020 (meaning 2,000MW). The total solar power production in Bangladesh has not crossed 250 MW yet. Odisha: Fisherman shot dead near sacred Odisha sea turtle sanctuary by Ashis Senapati January 14,2019 | Source: Down To Earth A marine fisherman was gunned down by armed coast guard personnel on Friday night within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuarylargest rookery of sea turtles in the worldin Odishas Kendrapada district. The deceased fisherman has been identified as Mayadhar Mallick (45), from village Narayanpur. In a bid to protect sea turtles, the government in 1997 declared Gahirmatha as a marine sanctuary and banned fishing in the area between November 1 and to May 31 every year. Since the shooting, tensions are rising at the Paradip fishing harbour and nearby areas. Fishermen demonstrated in large numbers and blocked the main road near the office of the coast guard at Paradip to protest the killing. The protesters seek stern action against the coast guard personnel who illegally gunned down the fisherman, as well as Rs 25 Lakh compensation for the victims family. Sumant Biswal, general secretary of All Odisha Fish Producers Federation and secretary of Odisha Fish Trawler Owners Association claimed that Mallick along with other fishermen was returning after fishing in the sea, much beyond the restricted sanctuary area, when the personnel apprehended them and opened fire. The marine sanctuary is not demarcated properly as the forest officials have marked the areas with floating buoys. Due to non-demarcation of the No Fishing Zone in Gahirmatha, forest and coast guard officials arrest many fishermen every year as many of them enter the sanctuary areas inadvertently for fishing, says Biswal. In 2014 a marine fisherman S K Akbar (32) of Sailendranagar village, Kendrapada district, was shot dead at Gahirmatha by forest guards. In 2006, Bikash Das, a marine fisherman of Kharinashi village in Kendrapada district, was also gunned down near Gahirmatha. In 2005, forest guards shot dead Ganesh Dasa fisherman from Kakdip in West Bengalwithin the marine sanctuary, says Narayan Haldar, secretary, Odisha Masyajibi Forum. When contacted, Bhutanath Mahato, Paradip coast guard commandant says, Coast guard ships during patrol of Gahirmatha coast sighted one suspicious vessel in dark condition at 9.20 pm on Friday. On seeing the coast guard ships, the trawler tried to flee. The coast guard ship tried to stop the boat using loud hailers, search light and VHF. However, the boat did not stop and continued to escape, when it rammed and caused damage to the coast guard ships. The ships had to resort to fire warning shots in the air and across the bows to stop the fishing boat, and as a result a fisherman sustained gunshot injuries. He was immediately brought to the harbour by our ship and shifted to a hospital in Paradip where doctors declared him brought dead. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he adds. Sriramapad Arabinda Mishra, forest range officer of the marine sanctuary, further says, Coast guards seized the fishing trawler Ma Kanana and arrested eight fishermen on charges of illegally fishing in Gahirmatha under Sections 27, 29 and 7 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The deceased fisherman was the driver of the trawler. Later coast guard officials handed over all the arrested fishermen to us. The eight fishermen were produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Rajnagar on Saturday. The court rejected their bail and remanded them in custody, he adds. This is the mating season for sea turtles, at the end of which female turtles lay their eggs. Measures have been initiated to protect the mating turtles in the sea. Hence, fishing is banned in the marine sanctuary within a distance of 20 kilometers from the coast, covering the 68 kilometre-long coast line of Gahirmatha rookery, adds Mishra. He further explains that each winter, the magnificent Olive Ridley sea turtles start their long journey to Gahirmatha to lay eggs. The turtles repeat the trek every year, always to return to the same beach in order to lay their eggs where they were born. Olive Ridleys are known for their huge arribadas or egg-laying episodes, where half-a-million turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. A record number of 6,64,549 turtles laid eggs between March 8 and 12 last year on the Nasi-1 and Nasi-2 islands of the marine sanctuary. They broke the nesting record of last 16 years due to strict imposition of the fishing ban, says Mishra. DEAR ROMANTIC: From what you have written it seems that you may be more in love with the idea of romantic gestures than you are with the man you have. Many women would be thrilled to have someone who drowns them with compliments and shows his love in other ways. If you are truly worried that you will be bored if you marry him or -- worse -- turned off, then please, turn him loose so he can find someone who appreciates him for who he is, and you can meet someone who will make your dreams come true. DEAR ABBY: My friend who was suddenly widowed two years ago continues to insert her late husband into every conversation with friends and strangers alike. She's still depressed, grieving and searching for significance, and she shares it all in person and online. Early on, she had counseling but no longer feels it necessary. She claims it helps her to talk about him constantly. Most of us close to her avoid the elephant in the room. I find myself apologizing for her in group gatherings I take her to. People try to offer sympathy, but are surprised when they realize he's been gone two years. I endure with love, but wonder if this is the best path. Personally, I want to let him rest in peace. But that's hard when he's always "in the room." Advice? -- WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD A private members bill, Right to Disconnect Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by MP Supriya Sule. Features of the Bill The important features of the bill are: The bill empowers the employee with the right to not respond to employers calls, texts or emails after office hours. The bill aims to reduce work-related stress and strive for a better work-life balance. The bill applies to companies with more than 10 employees. Such companies are required to set up an Employee Welfare Committee to ensure compliance. The bill stipulates that no disciplinary action can be taken against you if you choose to not respond to your employer after your stipulated work hours. Global Examples Some measures have been already taken in empowering the employees with Right to disconnect. For Example: France has already provided Right to disconnect since 2017 in companies with more than 50 employees with an aim to re-build the boundary between professional and personal life. Even Spain has a similar law which provides Right to Disconnect without any minimum employee criterion. German automobile maker Daimler had taken this bold step of introducing software that automatically deletes any emails you get while on vacation, back in 2014. What is the Importance to Right to Disconnect? Studies found that the need to be available 24X7 was adversely affecting the workers, even if workers werent actively checking work emails after hours, they can still be harmed by the expectation that they should be available. This work culture was creating anxiety amongst workers. Studies also showed that workers who answered work-related emails after 9pm had worse quality of sleep. Hence a campaign had gained ground demanding Right to Disconnect. What they dont tell you is many elections are going to be decided by voters who are the worst at judging candidates and the issues that make them electable. The second-place votes of people whose candidate finished dead last are going to be used to determine a winner. That alone will put a spring in the step of Lyndon LaRouche and Deez Nuts voters. What should disqualify ranked-choice voting from being used is not relying upon the whims of the incompetent to choose the winner. The big problem with the system is its unconstitutional. By comparison term limits was a bottom-up movement that swept the nation. Twenty-three states imposed term limits on politicians by 1995, compared to ranked choice votings tiny foothold in Maine and a handful of cities. Barnacle-like congressional incumbents knew they could never persuade voters to repeal term limits, so they enlisted the help of our politicians in black robes who really rule the country. In U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton the leftist majority on the Supreme Court ruled term limits unconstitutional because they allegedly violated Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution by adding additional qualifications to who was eligible to run. Term limits did no such thing. Legislation that limits duration of service does not change the qualifications for service. How is this not a crisis, Mr. President? I'd encourage Trump to talk to my family, or some of the people I met while covering the island, and tell them with a straight face that there is no crisis in Puerto Rico, and that the US territory is undeserving of the $2.5 billion assigned by Congress last year for reconstruction projects. Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority (PREPA), which is on its way to privatization, is still in crisis. Its infrastructure was shattered by the 165 mph winds and then patched up -- not properly repaired -- in a little more than a year. The delayed and ineffective response from both the local and federal governments led to the deaths of innocent people. The grid remains fragile with poles and power lines bent all around the island and still waiting to be fixed. A single journey through the northern part of the island is sufficient evidence that the power infrastructure remains in delicate condition. And because of it, the anxiety among the people of Puerto Rico is palpable. Sentinel reporter Joseph Cress offers a daily digital glimpse back in Cumberland County history with help from our Newspapers.com archives: 50 Years Ago The Sentinel reported how Carlisle businessman James T. Wardecker had recently received a letter from Grace Thorpe, the daughter of legendary athlete Jim Thorpe. Miss Thorpe wanted a photograph from the 1913 wedding of her father to Iva Miller at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Carlisle. She read how Wardecker had kept in his shop a collection of mementos on Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Wardecker was owner of the Blumenthals Mens Store on North Hanover Street. He presented the photograph to Miss Thorpe. The article mentioned how Grace Thorpe was the youngest daughter of Jim and Iva. In January 1969, she lived in Phoenix and worked as an account executive with Arizona Modern Industry. Prior to that, Grace Thorpe was selling ad space for the Yellow Pages in New York for 12 years. In other local news: The Pennsylvania State Police will host a Citizens Police Academy in Perry County in March. The program involves about 20 hours of instruction, taught in two-hour segments held on Monday nights in New Bloomfield. The course will involve classroom learning, as well as hands-on activities. Participants can expect to learn about crash investigations, DUIs and animal cruelty cases. There will also be mock scenarios so residents can get a sense of what its like to be a responding officer. Class size is limited to 35 participants, and applicants must be 18 years or older and be a resident of the state. The deadline for application submission is Feb. 19, and interested residents can email smkell@pa.gov to request an electronic application. The program will start on March 4 and run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday nights for 10 weeks. Class will be held at the New Bloomfield Fire Company, 23 W. High St., New Bloomfield. Participants must attend 75 percent or more of the scheduled classes to graduate from the program. For more information, contact Trooper Kelly Smith at 717-671-7577. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 The Prime Time Awards are voted on by each of the three members of the Prime Time Podcasts. The awards look at the impact on the cigar industry. Today, we unveil our choice for 2018 Large Factory of the Year. This award factors in things such as innovation, continued quality, and impact to the industry. Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A., the oldest cigar factory in Nicaragua is the Prime Time teams selection for 2018 Large Factory of the Year. Last week, Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A. was announced as our top performing factory when it came to the reviews on Cigar Coop. The Prime Time Award goes larger. It encompasses the three hosts of the Prime Time Shows and factors in the intangibles related to innovation, quality, and impact to the industry. 2018 was a big year for Joya de Nicaragua as the company and factory celebrated its 50th anniversary. Joya de Nicaragua certainly made the most of it, producing two acclaimed cigars for its own brand with Cinco Decadas and Joya Silver. Meanwhile, the factory was hard at working handling production for companies such as Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Villiger Cigars, and Fratello Cigars. Not only was the innovation with newer products impressive, the team noted the consistency and high quality of the releases coming out of this factory as a key factor as well. Meanwhile Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A. tied for a leading four spots on the Cigar Coop Countdown of the best cigars of 2018. It was represented two times on Bear Dupliseas Top 10 Cigars of the Year on #ElOsoFumarTakes, and two spots on Aaron Loomis Top 25 Cigars for 2018 on Developing Palates. Looking across the online media and print media lists for 2018, it was hard not to find a Joya de Nicaragua cigar on a list. Honorable Mentions: Tabacalera Fernandez, Cigars Davidoff, La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate. The full vote results appear here. Previous Winners Note: Previous winners of this award were awarded to companies that were either large or have a conglomeration of factories. In 2017, the award was changed to a single large factory unit. 2014 Casa Fernandez (Multiple locations: Nicaragua, United States) 2015 Davidoff, Dominican Republic 2016 Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia, Dominican Republic 2017 Plasencia S.A., Nicaragua 2018 Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A., Nicaragua Photo Credit: Joya de Nicaragua Miami Cigar & Company will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019. To commemorate the occasion, the company announced the original line named for its founder Nestor Miranda will be making a return this spring the Nestor Miranda Special Selection. According to Miami Cigar & Company, the Habano Rosado wrapper blend will be the one returning. Production will once again be handled out of the My Father Cigars factory Esteli, Nicaragua. While specific sizes havent been announced, the line will be offered in traditional formats priced in the $7.00 range. 2019 is going to be an exciting year, said Jason Wood, Miami Cigar & Company Vice-President in a press release. We try as much as possible not just to hear customer feedback but to act on it, and one common request was to bring Special Selection back to retail. Customers will know it the moment they see it as well because of our choice to enact very minimal adjustments to packaging and presentation. We cant wait to share the enthusiasm with cigar enthusiasts again around this line. For now, were only bringing back the Habano Rosado, with much more to come this year in celebration of our 30th anniversary at MCC. In 2014, when Miami Cigar & Company celebrated its 25th anniversary, the company released the Nestor Miranda Collection. At that time, the line replaced the Nestor Miranda Special Selection line. Special Selection is going to be a celebration of Nestors work ethic and grind, added Nate McIntyre, Marketing Coordinator. Heres to the Hustle means something to us. We work every day to reflect that work ethic seen in Nestor even to this day, so we wanted to offer a cigar for the every-day, hardworking people out there who simply love cigars, with a price point allowing anyone to enjoy it. Image Credit: Miami Cigar and Company Maley said that while the agency already solicits feedback from Wisconsin entrepreneurs, the sole purpose of this committee will be to identify new approaches, programs and resources for them. Maley said the new committee is expected to make formal recommendations to the WEDC board, lawmakers and the governor for improving and enhancing Wisconsins entrepreneurial ecosystem. The agency is run by the governing board, members of which are named by the governor and lawmakers. Various measures have placed Wisconsin at or near the bottom of states for small-business startups. Last year, Wisconsin was ranked 50th in startup activity, for the third straight year, by the nonprofit Kauffman Foundation. On Tuesday, Evers will address and take questions from the board of the Wisconsin Technology Council at Madisons Exact Sciences Corp. The fast-growing biotech firm is led by one of Evers top advisers for his gubernatorial transition, Kevin Conroy. For now, creating committees is among a limited array of options for Evers to influence the strategy and direction of WEDC. PRAIRIE DU SAC About 200 people bundled against a frigid east wind and armed with cameras and binoculars had come to the VFWs Veterans Memorial Park here to take in the release of four bald eagles. Had they stuck around a little longer they could have seen how Marge Gibson and her volunteers at Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) in Antigo go about capturing an injured eagle. One of the four eagles, a 2-year-old male that was found injured and emaciated in a wastewater treatment plant in Merrill in early 2018, was re-injured shortly after its release Saturday, forcing Gibson and her crew into action with blankets and sheets as they ultimately corralled the bird near a fence on the west end of the parks campground about 40 minutes after its release. It was a rare instance in which a release has not been a success for Gibson, an internationally renowned raptor rehabilitator. The good news is that the bird suffered only a scratched cornea when it flew into a wooded area. After two or three more weeks in Gibsons northern Wisconsin facility, the eagle should be ready to go again, she said. Its a young bird. The people were a problem for him, Gibson said. He was freaked out. The newest Chippewa Falls park is emerging from a long unused piece of land. The Erickson Park project, a crowd and grant funded improvement, was started in spring of 2018 and is still on track with its schedule, planning to finish the improvements around June. The $2.2 million project was funded half by grants including the largest Land and Water Conservation Fund grant ever awarded to Wisconsin and half by fundraising. The Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is continuing to fundraise to get amenities like benches. Since breaking ground in May, the site has been cleared, sidewalks installed, asphalt put in, and the pavilion and bathrooms installed. Crews are currently working on the boat launch, shoreline board walk and bridge crossing into Irvine Park. Ron Bakken, who led the efforts to create the park for six years, said the land on Ashley Lane in Chippewa Falls had been gifted to the city in 1960 but largely untouched since. Jasmine had never anticipated how many people would recognize her, her mother said. Passersby made a beeline to her in public, calling her a hero. She would thank them, then silently dismiss the praise, believing that instinct, not courage, had led to her liberation. The following year brought new hurdles, like how to face her kidnappers in court and dodge meddling teens at school. She knew everybody was watching her every move, seeing if she was the same Jasmine they knew, her mother said. She wasnt. PTSD episodes punctuated her recovery process and eventually she was pulled from class to be home-schooled. After a year out of the public eye, shes now asking to return, her mother said. Sarah Blocks advice to Jayme and her family was simple: Stay strong and take it one day at a time. Shes not alone Its not uncommon for a missing child to turn up months or even years later. A recent study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington, D.C., found that 5,000 children were recovered after six months or more. Originally published in Commentary on January 10, 2019 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. . ..Analysis from Israel..13 January '19..Israels election campaign has only just begun, but one key issue is already notable by its absence: peace with the Palestinians. To many Americansespecially American Jews, who overwhelmingly consider this the most important issue facing Israelthe fact that almost none of the candidates are talking about the peace process may seem surprising. But several recent incidents help explain why its a very low priority for most Israeli voters.Not so long ago, of course, the peace process was Israels top voting issue, almost its only one. But in a poll published last month, self-identified centrists and rightists both ranked the peace process dead last among six suggested issues of concern. Even self-identified leftists ranked it only third, below corruption and closing socioeconomic gaps.There are many well-known reasons why Israelis have stopped believing peace is possible anytime soon. They range from the failure of every previous round of negotiations, to Palestinians refusal to negotiate at all for most of the last decade, to the fact that every bit of land Israel has so far turned over to the Palestiniansboth in Gaza and the West Bank has become a hotbed of anti-Israel terror. Yet the root cause of all the above receives far too little attention overseas: Israels ostensible peace partner, the Palestinian Authority, educates its people to an almost pathological hatred of Israel.Ive discussed the way this plays out in Palestinian textbooks and the Palestinian media many times. But nothing better illustrates the problem than three incidents over the past two months.The most shocking occurred in November when a Palestinian accused of selling real estate to Jews in eastern Jerusalem was denied a Muslim burial by order of the imams of Jerusalems Muslim cemetery, religious officials at Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalems PA-appointed grand mufti. He was finally buried, with approval from Jerusalems chief rabbi, in the non-Jewish section of a Jewish cemetery.Of course, selling land to Jews is a crime in the PA, for which the maximum penalty is death. Just last month, a Palestinian-American was sentenced to life in prison for it. But in Islam, like in Judaism, proper burial is a religious commandment. Consequently, even the most heinous crimefor instance, killing fellow Muslimsdoes not preclude someone from burial in a Muslim cemetery, just as Jewish criminals are entitled to Jewish burial.Thus, PA clerics effectively ruled that a major religious commandment was less important than opposing a Jewish presence in Judaisms holiest city (to which, not coincidentally, the PA adamantly denies any Jewish connection). Grand Mufti Ekrima Sabri even justified his decision by saying that whoever sells to the Jews of Jerusalem is not a member of the Muslim nation. But if PA-appointed clerics claim that selling even a single plot of land to Jews makes one an apostate, how exactly is the PA supposed to sign a peace deal that formally grants the Jews even pre-1967 Israel, which Muslims consider to be no less a part of historic Palestine than Jerusalem?That same month, the PA suspended Hebrons police chief after social media posts showed him trying to help Israeli soldiers fix a stalled jeep (the original posts said he changed the jeeps tire, but Palestinian sources denied that, and its highly unlikely that none of the soldiers could change a tire). Col. Ahmed Abu al-Rub was just doing his job: The jeep was stalled on a Palestinian road and blocking Palestinian traffic so, as a policeman, it was his duty to try to remove the obstacle and get traffic moving again.But ordinary human interaction with Israelis, aka normalization, is anathema to many Palestinians, including many PA officials. Though the PA will (usually) cooperate with Israel on hunting down Hamas terrorists, since it views Hamas as an existential threat to itself, preventing person-to-person contact with Israelis has been official PA policy for over seven years. So how exactly is Israel to make peace when the PAs hatred runs so deep that a normal neighborly act like helping Israelis with car troublefor the sake of unsnarling a Palestinian traffic jamcan endanger a policemans job?Finally, theres the story of the new mall slated to open in east Jerusalem later this month. The mall, located in an industrial park adjoining several Arab neighborhoods, serves the citys Palestinian residents in two ways. First, 35 percent of the businesses in it are Arab-owned, and some of the others are Palestinian franchises of Israeli chains, so its providing income and jobs to Palestinians. Second, for residents of many Arab neighborhoods, it offers more convenient shopping than malls in Jewish neighborhoods.In short, it improves both the economy and the quality of life of the citys Palestinian areas, which the PA claims to want for its future capital. Thus, you might think the PA would welcome it.Instead, the PAs ruling Fatah party, led by PA president and ostensible Israeli peace partner Mahmoud Abbas, urged Palestinians to boycott the mall, declaring that buying, renting or shopping there is a betrayal of the homeland. Why? Because the malls owner is Jewish. And boycotting Jews is more important to the PA than promoting the welfare of Palestinian residents of its ostensible future capital.Peace can be made with people who want peace. But it cant be made with people who think that working with Jews to improve the Palestinian economy is a betrayal of the homeland, that helping Israelis with a stalled vehicle could justify being fired, or that selling land to Jews is a sin so heinous the sinner can no longer be considered Muslim. And as the above incidents show, thats exactly what the official PA leadership does think.As long as this is true, prospects for peace will remain nonexistent, and the peace process will remain at the bottom of Israelis order of priorities. There are too many issues where government policy really matters for Israelis to waste their votes on something beyond the governments power to change. 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. . ..GroundBrief..13 January '19..The violence that unfolded Friday along the eastern Gaza border reached a level that we have not seen since financial aid from Qatar was transferred to Hamas two months ago. The source of the unrest was a delay of a $15 million dollar transfer from Qatar. The reason for the delay, according to some reports, the calm-for-calm agreement, a condition Israel stipulated in allowing funds to transfer into Gaza, was not adhered to by Hamas. Lets take a closer look By Lesley Wroughton and Stephen Kalin RIYADH (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that Saudi leaders assured him everyone responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be held accountable, as Riyadh tries to resolve its biggest political crisis in a generation. Pompeo told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including women's rights activists who have been detained for months and some allegedly tortured. Khashoggi, a longtime royal insider who had become a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, prompting a global outcry including U.S. Treasury sanctions on 17 individuals and a Senate resolution blaming Prince Mohammed. A CIA assessment has blamed the crown prince for ordering the killing, which Saudi officials deny. At least 21 Saudis are under investigation in the case, with five facing the death penalty. Five officials were also fired, including a senior royal advisor. "They both acknowledged that accountability needed to take place. They talked about the process that is occurring inside their country, both the investigative process and the judicial process that is taking place," Pompeo said. "They reiterated their commitment to achieve the objective, the expectations we set for them." Pompeo last visited Riyadh two weeks after Khashoggi disappeared to press the key U.S. ally on the whereabouts of the Washington Post contributor, who disappeared after entering the consulate to obtain marriage documents. The outcry over the murder has tarnished the reputation of Prince Mohammed, strained ties with Western allies and focused attention on Saudi Arabia's domestic crackdown on dissent and the war in Yemen, where a Saudi-led and U.S.-backed coalition is supporting the internationally-recognized government. "Where friends think the other one has fallen short, I was very clear and candid about those things where America is not satisfied with and where they are not meeting our expectations," said Pompeo. He said he had also raised the Gulf Arab dispute with Qatar after saying a day earlier in Qatar that it had gone on for too long and was threatening regional unity needed to counter Iran. "We did talk about how we might put the Gulf rift back in a better place," he said. "I think theyd like to see that too. Its a matter of us all figuring out how to do it together, but mostly those countries figuring out how they can put it back together." WOMEN ACTIVISTS On Yemen, Pompeo and Prince Mohammed agreed on the need for continued de-escalation and adherence to agreements made at talks last month to end the civil war between the government and Iranian-aligned Houthis. "We talked about the fact that work done in Sweden on Yemen was good but we need both sides to honor those commitments. To date, the Iranian-backed Houthis have chosen not to do that," he said. They also discussed U.S. plans to withdraw troops from Syria, which Pompeo told reporters would not be affected by President Donald Trump's threat to devastate Turkey economically if it attacks a Washington-backed Kurdish militia in Syria. During meetings lasting 80 minutes total, Pompeo said he had raised human rights issues, including several women's rights activists detained last summer and accused of treason. "Their commitment was that the lawful judicial process would take place and they would do so quickly, and that they would continue down that path," he said. The sister of activist Loujain al-Hathloul has described how she was tortured and threatened, at times by the same royal adviser implicated in the Khashoggi murder. Saudi authorities deny those charges, and Prince Mohammed has said they have recordings showing the activists were working with foreign intelligence agencies. Dozens of other activists, intellectuals and clerics have also been arrested in an apparent bid to stamp out opposition to Prince Mohammed, who has consolidated power including with a sweeping anti-corruption campaign. Pompeo, whose earlier stops included Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Doha, proceeded to Oman to meet Sultan Qaboos but will skip Kuwait to attend a family funeral, a spokesman said. (Additional reporting by Sylvia Westall and Alexander Cornwell, Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean) By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday shuffled his cabinet after a senior member quit and quickly had to deny he had demoted his long-serving justice minister, who seemed less than happy with her new job. Trudeau made five changes after Scott Brison announced last week he was quitting as president of the Treasury Board, which has overall control of public spending. The departure of Brison, who said he wanted to spend more time with his family after 22 years in politics, deprives the ruling Liberals of a veteran figure ahead of an October election that could see the party lose its majority in Parliament. As part of the shuffle Jody Wilson-Raybould moved from the prestigious justice portfolio, where she had been since November 2015 when the Liberals took power, to veterans affairs, traditionally a more junior post. Wilson-Raybould looked grim during the swearing-in ceremony and later - in a very unusual move - released a statement saying she could not comment about "the many questions and inquiries" as to "why I am no longer the Minister of Justice." Trudeau, asked about the apparent demotion, told reporters that her work as justice minister had been exceptional "and now we need someone very strong to deliver for our veterans". Wilson-Raybould will replace Seamus O'Regan, who has come in for some criticism for mishandling the sensitive veterans' file. He goes to the indigenous services portfolio, replacing Jane Philpott, who is the new head of the Treasury Board. David Lametti will take on the justice portfolio. Wilson-Raybould represents a constituency in the Pacific province of British Columbia, where the Liberals need to do well in the October election. Polls suggest that the Liberals - under pressure over their handling of the economy and stalled energy projects - could struggle to maintain their majority. That would leave them in a weaker position, relying on support of other parties to advance their agenda and survive confidence votes. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Susan Thomas and Andrea Ricci) CBC Jared Bugyi was checking his business's social media page one night when he noticed about 14 posts had been reported. Bugyi is the owner of Queen City Cakes in Regina. His Facebook and Instagram pages were both suspended. He's tried disputing the suspension, but said it hasn't gotten him anywhere. He also said he hasn't even been given details about which posts were reported. "So now we're having clients that are trying to reach out to us saying 'why aren't you getting back to us?' And things li Opinion / Columnist Don Chigumba is a mixed methods research specialist can be found on twitter @Donchigumba In one of my pieces, I told president ED Mnangagwa that his days were numbered and that January 2019 was going to be the beginning of the end of his short dynasty. It is true that Justice Chigumba store people's vote and Zimbabwe's future by declaring a loser a winner. The supreme court under the guidance of Chief Malaba had to endorse a fake president. Justice Chigumba was told that she 'can rig the elections but not the economy'. This piece seeks to demonstrate that Chief Justice Luke Malaba and Justice Chigumba are to blame for the current state of affairs in Zimbabwe. As Zimbabweans are revolting against president ED Mnangagwa today, Chief Justice Luke Malaba and Justice Chigumba should have a moment of reflection and meditation. How can a party with two thirds majority in parliament fails to stabilize the country?The Zimbabweans are justified by natural justice to go on streets, protesting against the ZANU PF evil regime. Doubling the prices of fuel means tripling sufferings among the citizens. A controversial pastor and possibly a Jutaprenuer Shingi Munyeza once claimed on twitter that Mthuli Ncube is the best finance minister in colonial and post-colonial Zimbabwe. I hope he has realized that his shame utterances were evil, meant to appease the master. They are saying he is a pastor but I doubt. Shingi should be a 'rigged' pastor just like his master. Even if ZANU PF is going to seek the help of the police and our brutal army, the masses are ready to shade their blood.The current state of affairs in Zimbabwe should be a signal to Justice Chigumba that her time as a ZEC chairperson is gone. Mandi Chimene used to be a superior boss just like Justice Chigumba, she even failed to come back to pay her last respect to her late daughter because of the evil politics that they created when in ZANU PF. The economy is at its worst because of people like Justice Chigumba who imposed a fake president in Zimbabwe. I therefore want to request Zimbabweans to join me in condemning justice Chigumba for bringing Zimbabwe to its knees by imposing a fake president to the masses.According to the media, Nelson Chamisa's Team is supposed to meet this week in order to deliberate on the current state of affairs in Zimbabwe. I believe that MDC Alliance should distance itself from the citizens' struggle because their demonstrations have not been working. They were timed, controlled by the police and exposed people to deaths. The only way is to stay at home and soldiers cannot come home to kill people. MDC Alliance should not interfere with the ongoing demonstrations. They should just watch from a distance, offer spiritual and moral support. The international bodies (SADC, AU, UN etc) cannot allow a political party to overthrow another political party (even if it is evil) but the voice of people is the voice of God. I am now calling upon Zimbabweans to join me in telling political parties to desist from the citizens' move to push their government.The current regime brought down Zimbabwe to the ground. They looted diamond and few individuals are silent billionaires. They grabbed land, brought hunger in Zimbabwe and later blamed sanctions. ZANU PF destroyed our industries through its 51% local empowerment which resulted is some ZANU PF officials like Mphoko, Temba among others grabbing industries from nowhere. For the first time in history since the death of Jesus, ZANU PF brought Cholera, typhoid etc in Zimbabwe. Because of some of these reasons, Zimbabweans should be justified to confront the heartless ED and ZANU PF for rising fuel prices at the peak of 'January disease'.Zimbabwe needs a rejuvenation, we need to create conducive environment for our grandchildren but this can only be done when ZANU PF is out of power. We need to remove dishonest leaders from key positions Zimbabwe cannot move with people like Justice Chigumba at ZEC. The Judiciary of Zimbabwe should be cleaned for us to move on. It consists of corrupt judges who are ZANU PF by DNA. Almost all the supreme court judges have at least one farm or above, grabbed on their behalf in order to silence justice. I still believe that it is a fraud for judges to grab land, our constitution is against grabbing and they should resign too. All government institutions in Zimbabwe are rotten because they are there to save individuals in ZANU PF we need Tsikamutanda to cleanse the entire system. We cannot allow ZANU PF to continue destroying our hegemony like this.To the civil servants, the destiny of Zimbabwe is in your hands and I want to urge you not to involve political parties in your struggles. You should only involve Jesus in your struggles. When Jesus went inside the Temple, found people misbehaving, He turned down the tables. This is your time to turn down the ZANU PF tables. I am currently in Chitungwiza with fellows. News / Press Release by Innocent Ndibali We propose the following five point plan: Innocent Ndibali EFF Commander-in-Chief (President) info@zeffighters.co.zw We as ZIM EFF and on behalf of the majority of our people and together with the poor, downtrodden and disposed people of Zimbabwe today declare that we are real victims of Zanu PF's mismanagement of our country which has resulted in the collapse of the economy. Many of us ordinary people have lost livelihoods. We are no longer able to put food on the table for our children - the shops are running empty of basic commodities, we are no longer able to get life saving medicines the sick children and for everyone in the country - the healthcare system has collapsed, our children are no longer able to go to school - the education system has collapsed, the transport system had collapsed because there is no fuel, fuel price hike with all of this and others serious problems the country has been plunged into by this incompetent government , we see evidently clear that there is crisis of political leadership in the country . The situation in our country has reached proportions of a national disaster. We therefore call upon the government to declare the whole country a national disaster due to the collapse of the state and its primary role of governing. We believe that declaring a national disaster will open up emergency and critical dialogue amongst all political parties, other stakeholders to address with urgency the unfolding national disaster. Since Zanu Pf government has lost the control of the economy the high risk for the nation is that the government may soon lose the control of the people. If that were to happen the country will be plunged into a point of no return. Head this warning.We believe that Zanu PF alone has no capacity to fix the current problems. It is our firm and considered belief that we need to come together as Zimbabweans and come up with an urgent national plan to save the country.We as ZIM EFF are very much aware that there is a crisis of intelligent thinking within those in government therefore what is required now is a radical national plan involving others parties outside government.1. Government to declare an economic national disaster throughout the country. This will allow creation of urgent national plan to save the country.2. Government to nationalise procurement of basic commodities in the short term - basic commodities like medical supplies, food supplies, fuel etc.3. Government to freeze all foreign trips by government officials to save the much needed foreign currency.4. Government to scrap off bond notes (fake money) and replace it with hard currency so that everyone in the country can be paid with real money.5. Urgent national dialogue meeting to be convened , chaired by a national religious leader of high standing or UN rep , this urgent meeting to come up with a national plan to save the country thereby saving human life . Zimbabweans to discuss an urgent national plan to save the country.We as ZIM EFF believe that we need to come together as Zimbabweans and solve the crisis urgently. We further understand and have a right of freedom of expression and given the situation we will mobilise together with other progressive fighters in the country to force the government to listen to the people.As ZIM EFF call upon all the fighters throughout the country to mobilise and get ready to take up a radical peaceful revolution to the government. POWER TO THE PEOPLE TO SAVE THE PEOPLE!Issued by Zim EFF Media Relations - info@zeffighters.co.zw News / National by Mandla Ndlovu HARVEST HOUSE MDC HQ V11 of state sponsored arson and thuggery, the coup class! pic.twitter.com/wAeWnZcVfK Dr.Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) January 14, 2019 Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has reported that they have received reports indicating that the that the MDC Party headquarters in Harare is on fire ."Sources claim it's an act of retribution by ZANU PF supporters." CiZC said in a statement.MDC Spokesperson Jacob Mafume said, "The Mnangagwa regime has just sponsored a cowardly attack on Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House. 10 trucks stormed the building, set fire to reception ,assaulted security personnel."This brutal cowardice is a throwback to the Mugabe regime tactics of intimidation, torture and violence as a response to serial failure to address legitimate concerns of Zimbabweans." News / National by Staff reporter A St John's College student who practises Islam and was barred from attending lessons after refusing to shave his beard has taken the school's authorities to court arguing that the officials' decision was unconstitutional.The Upper Six pupil's father Mr Mohammed Ismail filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court on behalf of the boy.The application, prepared by Professor Lovemore Madhuku, is yet to be set down for hearing before a judge of the High Court.The school administrators, who have instructed security officers to block the pupil from the school premises, argued that his beard violated the school's dress code.The student's father said his son had been sent home a number of times "to shave off his beard and to abide by the school rules".The pupil keeps a full beard as part of his Islam religion.The barring of the student is despite previous court decisions ordering schools to reinstate students who had challenged "discriminatory and unconstitutional" conduct by the authorities.St John's College, its headmaster Mr Cavaliere Corrado Trinci and the chairperson of the institution's board of governors Mr Cavaliere Steve Martin were listed as respondents in the case.In his founding affidavit, Mr Ismail argued that his son was studying to be an Imam, a position of immense responsibility in Islam, hence he is prohibited from shaving off his beard."As part of the strict religious position of Islam, the boy has to maintain the growth of his beard, he said in his affidavit. Preserving a beard is compulsory for all Muslim males. Islam forbids the shaving of the beard."Accordingly, the minor represented herein is prohibited by his religion from shaving beard."Mr Ismail said his son enrolled with St John's in Form One with his beard, but nothing happened to him.Trouble started at the end of last year when the beard had grown and the college authorities barred him from attending lessons.They threatened not to allow him into the college premises this term, precipitating the filing of the urgent chamber application.Mr Ismail argued that his son's right to freedom of religion as enshrined under Section 60 of the supreme law was being violated.He argued that the boy was being discriminated on religious grounds.St John's College and its leadership are yet to respond to the application. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu The Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi has advised Zimbabweans to sell their cars and buy bicycles if they are to survive the increased fuel price era."Faced with high fuel costs, clever people know what to do and here are some tips," Mutodi said. "Avoid fuel guzzler, reduce fleet, cancel unnecessary trips and use bicycles where possible to save BIG."Minister Mutodi also warned the Zimbabweans not engage in the planned #ShutdownZimbabwe protests that have been called by Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, #ThisFlag and other civic organizations."Do not protest in the street you can lose a limb in skirmishes." Mutodi warned.Responding to Mutodi Communications expert Dr.Tapiwa Gomo said, "That moment when a clueless parent fails to bring food on the table and tells his/her children that the only way to navigate lack of food in the house is to stop eating.""Isn't it grand that the good Deputy Minister is worried about skirmishes and demonstrations and loss of limbs? In his world, demonstrations are obviously synonymous with violence." Elijah Minana a social media user commented.On Saturday President Mnangagwa announced the fuel prices have been increased with diesel pegged at $3.11 per litre, Petrol pegged at $3.31.Mnangagwa also announced that government guests by way of foreign missions and other registered foreign bodies and tourists will fuel and refuel at designated points at price US$1.24 and US$1.32 for diesel and petrol.On Monday Zimbabweans in all major cities engaged in a massive stayaway and protest. Motorists going to the CBD wetre turned back by protestors and amajor roads roads were closed with burnt tyres and rocks.Police who tried to stop protestors were pelted with stones and they had to flee from the scene. News / National by Staff reporter Having started the year engulfed with a myriad of problems - from fuel shortages, soaring prices of goods and services, shortages of drugs to labour disputes - the Daily News on Sunday's Assistant Editor Maxwell Sibanda sought comments from a number of analysts just to find from them where they think President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government are leading us to.Mcdonald Lewanika, a political analyst, believes while government does not have much money, people would be more understanding if the little that is there is used wisely and distributed to key social sectors. Also, government needs to play the long game by not expecting to reap where it did not sow."For as long as the productive sector is operating sub optimally, there will be no jobs created and no revenue generated."Right now it's the people with formal jobs who are striking, remember that these are just a small proportion of the working class - the bulk of us do not even have jobs where we can down tools - that is a more potent powder keg and if Mnangagwa doesn't do anything it will soon burst," he said.Maxwell Saungweme, a political analyst, said the 2019 prognosis is bleak, asymptomatic of an economy in a crisis.He reasons that there are pains that must be expected, in most cases worse pains than the crisis pains, then relief later."You can't take an economy on zero or negative base and you turn in around without pains. We are paying as citizens for the debts, misdeeds and irresponsible actions of former president Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF in the past.The raft of measures (Finance minister) Mthuli (Ncube) and others put in place will yield results if there is political will. We just need to give them time as there is no painless economic turnaround," said Saungweme.Piers Pigou, a political analyst, said it is not clear if anyone knows where this is leading."How much of this was predictable? The slide on the value of RTGS and bond notes has been predicted for some time. This Zanu-PF government along with its previous administrations is directly responsible for the financial delinquency."While many argue that Zimbabwe has the capacity for recovery, the questions remain; at what cost and to who? Well this administration be able to deal with the hard reforms that address the skewed polygonal economy, but that underwrites prospects for a sustainable and broad based recovery," he said.Tabani Moyo, the Crisis Coalition spokesperson, said when Mugabe was asked about his successor, he was quick to point out that Mnangagwa and Joice Mujuru were not capable of running the State."Few days ago, former secretary in Mugabe's office Lawrence Kamwi revealed the alleged daggers of the cartel that held Mugabe hostage for personal narrow financial gains.This is the unfortunate situation in which Zimbabwe finds herself in, to the extent that the country can burn and the leaders do not fling."The whole crisis revolves around the fact that the country is not earning foreign currency, yet it trades on surrogate currency on the false pretext that the bond note and the RTGS are 1-1 when the reality is that the engine is now overheated. Civil service need to be paid in forex, just like every other arm of the labour and business in the country."But Mnangagwa and his government do not want to address this reality because they want to continue paying the civil service with pittance and accessing forex for free through the surrogate currency," said Moyo.Obert Gutu, a lawyer and politician, said Zimbabwe has been in a total mess for almost four decades and it will not be easy to fix the mess and to get the country to the next level."Hard and painful decisions will have to be made. Long-time friendships might have to be broken as Mnangagwa strives to bring sanity into Zimbabwe's socio-economic trajectory."Corruption is the elephant in the room and to be very honest with you, so far, very little concrete and tangible action has been taken by the government to deal with this scourge. Looters and wheeler dealers are still moving up and up official government corridors," said Gutu.Tawanda Chimhini, director of the Election Resource Centre, said almost six months after the 2018 elections, there is no excuse why election promises are still to be delivered."If they are still being worked on, at least some solid plan should be shared with the voters to convince them that those in office can deliver on their promises."Having assumed power after elections, the administration should be able to prioritise that which is being raised as concerns by citizens."The State as led by the administration has constitutional responsibilities including good governance, national unity, peace and stability and fostering fundamental rights and freedoms among others," said Chimhini.Vivid Gwede, a political analyst, said there is a clear crisis in terms of the government's finances."While the government is already spending more than three quarters of its revenue on recurrent expenditure, the cost of living has risen in the past months."This rise in the cost of living has led to eroded incomes for civil servants who are now asking for pay rise."For a government saddled with a huge debt, that is a nightmare. There is need for broad-based social dialogue in Zimbabwe that will address the lack of confidence in the economy and lead to a collective national approach to dealing with the problems."Any reference by the ruling party to a mandate supposedly given in disputed elections as the sole basis of who should contribute to national reconstruction after post-Mugabe is self-destructive and retrogressive," said Gwede.Rejoice Ngwenya, a social analyst, believes Mnangagwa and his government could be leading us to one thing - another revolution.He said: "There is no government or country that can sustain this much pressure without a popular uprising."He does not have an idea how to resolve the issues because he thinks governments run economies. The solution is one; let the market decide. For now, Zimbabweans should gear themselves for another uprising".Precious Shumba, Harare Residents Trust director, said Mnangagwa is clueless as a leader shooting in the dark, based on how he has responded to the different challenges facing industry, manufacturers, civil servants, hospital doctors and health personnel, politics and the economy."Instead of presenting the nation with one solid plan to demonstrate capacity to lead Zimbabwe, he is giving the nation so much unpredictability such that it is extremely difficult to anticipate what he will do next. There is abundant corruption in his government, linked to the fuel cartels, lack of progress on several key projects announced when he came in, and the Government is disjointed on how to address the issues.Stanley Kwenda, a journalist, said whichever way we want to look at it; there are no quick fixes to the Zimbabwean problem."First thing first, we have to look back and interrogate where things went wrong. We can't fix what we don't know."The Zanu-PF government inherited a very strong economy at independence, whose currency was at par with the British pound and stronger than the US dollar."Our economy was very strong with a thriving manufacturing base. We exported leaving surplus and that was way before sanctions."Since then it has been a downward slope of destruction. We need a national dialogue to first identify and acknowledge where things went wrong, accept our mistakes and start a plan to rebuild."If we don't acknowledge the mistakes of the past we will continue blaming sanctions and never will learn anything," said Kwenda. Nadia Nakai will be making South Africa proud when she heads to the United States of America in March. The rapper is one of the South Africans chosen to take part in the SXSW creative gathering in Texas. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Local rapper Nadia Nakai will travel to the U.S in March to take part in the annual South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. The gathering is considered one of the largest creative gatherings in the world, featuring music and film festivals. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Last year Kwesta was representing South Africa at the festival, as reported by The Daily Sun. Nadia took to social media to share the super exciting news, and it's clear she is looking forward to the event. Im SOOO excited!!! Ive been selected as 1 of the South African artist to showcase at @sxsw in Austin Texas in the United States!!!! I cant wait!!!!!!!!! READ ALSO: Sarah Langa: Being married to a man 17 years older means nothing Nadia's debut album is also set for release this year, making it a big one for her. Briefly.co.za reported earlier that even though her single, Bragga, did incredibly well last year, fans are still waiting for an album, and they're getting impatient. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI The Toroar community on Saposa Island in the Autonomous Bougainville Region are proud recipients of 34 AusAID-funded cows. The cattle project was initiated following the successful operation of a rice project that is slowly growing to feed the entire island. The cattle were offloaded from the MV Buka Trader last Saturday. Because they were offloaded in deep water, the cowboys struggled to get the cows to the beach. Project leader, Bobby Soma, said his group hopes to build an abattoir to slaughter and sell the cattle. He said he wants to involve his people in this project so that they are employed and kept busy. The project will be officially launched tomorrow. The European Parliament is meeting this week, and the committee that will decide the future of the controversial new Copyright Directive will meet next, and depending on what they do, it might be the end of the road for the internet as we know it. The new Copyright Directive contains two deal-breaking clauses: the first, Article 11, gives news sites the power to charge (or refused to offer) a license fee for anyone who wants to link to their stories and include more than a single word from the story to accompany the link. Open access news sites can't opt out of this regime, putting the whole idea of public-interest, open-access news in jeopardy. The second clause, Article 13, requires platforms to check all their users' posts against a crowdsourced database that is meant to list all the copyrighted works that may not be distributed online. Anyone can put anything in the database without penalty for falsely claiming copyright, and the filters will overblock millions of users' posts either by falsely identifying them as a match, or because software can't tell fair use from copyright infringement. Worst of all, both of these measures will cost hundreds of millions of euros to comply with, and that will put every European alternative to American Big Tech out of business (some versions propose exempting companies with less than 10m euros/year in revenue, but that only means that earning your 10,000,001st euro will trigger hundreds of millions of euros in compliance costs). The next step in this process is called the "trilogue," when the representatives of European member-states negotiate with the EU. If countries representing 36% of Europeans refuse to endorse Articles 11 and 13, the negotiations cannot proceed (this is called a "blocking minority"). That's where you come in: many European governments oppose this already, and with just a few more key players, we can rescue the internet not just the EU internet, but the internet we all use, because these policies will be impossible to enforce just in the EU from these brutal proposals. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has prepared letters targeting the negotiators from four key countries: Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Luxembourg, and we need citizens and residents of each of these countries to get in touch with their nation's negotiators right away. Time is of the essence. More than four million Europeans have signed a petition opposing these proposals and MEPs are up for re-election in May. Between the popular dissent, the vulnerability of MEPs in upcoming elections, and the local nature of this round of negotiations, there's never been a time when everyday Europeans could have more of a say in the EU's deliberations. Tell your Polish, German, Luxembourgian and Swedish friends! The Internet is Facing a Catastrophe For Free Expression and Competition: Sweden, Germany, Poland and Luxembourg Could Tip The Balance [Cory Doctorow/EFF Deeplinks] Every year, visitors to Rome's famed Trevi Fountain toss in more than $1.7 million in coins. Historically, the Catholic charity Caritas has taken that money to help poor people. Now though, Rome mayor Virginia Raggi wants the cash for repairs to the city's infrastructure. From the BBC News: We did not foresee this outcome," Caritas director Father Benoni Ambarus told Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference. "I still hope it will not be final." The newspaper ran a scathing article on the move in its Saturday edition, headlined "Money taken from the poorest". City councillors have approved the change and it is due to take place in April. A man carrying a firearm in his carry-on luggage got past the TSA screeners at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and flew with it to Narita International Airport on January 3. This occurred during the government shutdown, after "hundreds of TSA agents from at least four major airports had called in sick," according to CNN. The man, flying on Delta Airlines, had apparently forgotten that the gun was in his bag. Once he remembered he was carrying it, he informed Delta, who then reported it to TSA. It's not clear when the passenger disclosed this information to Delta. Via CNN: "TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening TSA checkpoint with a firearm at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the morning of January 3," the release states. The security breach came two weeks into the government shutdown, during which TSA agents have been required to work but have not received paychecks. CNN first reported on January 4 a day after the breach that hundreds of TSA agents from at least four major airports had called in sick. TSA, however, denies that the shutdown had anything to do with their security lapse, claims that they were completely staffed that day, and states that they will "hold those responsible appropriately accountable." Image: US Department of Homeland Security/Flickr Hua Mulan (circa 400s), aka or , is a folk hero in China and a Disney princess in the US. She disguised herself as a man to fight in the army in her... 16 hours ago RTHK: Militant heads back to prison after decades on run Former communist militant Cesare Battisti was handed over to Italian authorities and put on an airplane heading for Rome on Sunday after an international police squad tracked him down and arrested him in Bolivia, where he had been on the run. The airplane left the Santa Cruz international airport in Bolivia shortly before 5:00 pm (0500 HKT) after local authorities handed over the 64-year-old fugitive to their Italian counterparts. "The airplane with Battisti has just left for Italy: I'm proud and delighted," Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted. Battisti was arrested in Santa Cruz late late on Saturday in an operation carried out by a joint team of Italian and Bolivian officers with the help of Italy's counterterrorism section, Italian state police said. He had spent almost four decades on the run. Jailed in 1979 for belonging to the outlawed Armed Proletarians for Communism group, Battisti had been on the run since escaping prison in 1981 and was convicted in absentia of four murders in Italy in the 1970s. Italy had repeatedly sought the extradition of Battisti, who lived in Brazil for years under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010), himself now in prison for corruption. When he was arrested, Battisti, 64, gave up without a struggle after reportedly being caught disguised in a false beard and mustache, Italian interior ministry sources said. "I just spoke to Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on the telephone. I wanted to thank him on behalf of the whole Italian government for the effective collaboration that led to Battisti's capture," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte posted on Facebook. During Brazil's recent presidential campaign far-right Bolsonaro -- who took office on January 1 -- vowed that if elected he would "immediately" extradite Battisti to Italy. In mid-December Brazil's outgoing president, Michel Temer, signed an extradition decree for Battisti after a judge ordered his arrest. By then the Italian ex-militant had disappeared and gone on the run. "Battisti was arrested in the street, unarmed and he didn't resist, responded to police in Portuguese and showed a Brazilian document confirming his identity," an Italian interior ministry source said. "Now Italy is waiting for him." Italy's envoy to Brazil fired off a triumphant tweet upon hearing the news. "Battisti has been arrested! Democracy is stronger than terrorism!" Ambassador Antonio Bernardini wrote. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the release of David Bowie's mid-70s masterpiece, Low, the first album of his so-called Berlin Trilogy (later joined by "Heroes" and Lodger). Working with the increasingly experimental Brian Eno, this album was a dramatic departure for Bowie and much has been made over the music, the strange (and strangely inspiring) milieu of the West Berlin recording studio up against the Berlin wall, Bowie's continuing battles with the coke monster, the highly experimental nature of the sessions, and the studio use of Eno's Oblique Strategies cards. To celebrate this happy day, and some of the strangeness around this record, here is a hilarious animated piece done in 2014 by The Brothers McLeod. The McLeod piece is actually an animation for a radio bit done by UK comedian Adam Buxton. It is a loving lampoon of Bowie, Eno, and long-time Bowie collaborator and co-producer, Tony Visconti, in the studio recording "Warszawa," one of the more haunting and inscrutable tracks on the album. You can hear Buxton's original here (though most of it ended up in the McLeod Bros animation). This video mini-doc, done several years ago by the Polish culture portal, Cultural.pl, retraces the train trip that Bowie took through Poland, with a stop-over in Warsaw, that inspired the song. On their website, you can read more about the trip, the song, and the Polish folk tune (Helokanie) that inspired some of the vocalization on the track. Below is Bowie performing Warszawa in Tokyo, Japan on Dec 12, 1978. In the The Brothers McLeod/Adam Buxton piece, the David character tells Brian how much he loves doing the Derek and Clive voices. This refers to a bit that beloved British comedians Dudley Moore and Peter Cook used to do. Bowie and Eno really did love that routine and would allegedly do it whenever they were together (a great reminder of what a nerdy goofball David Bowie really was). They would also take on characters in their emails to each other, Bowie signing his letters with names like Mr. Showbiz, The Duke of Ear, Milton Keynes, and Rhoda Borrocks. In the early hours of January 2016, Brian got a letter from David. Eno recounts it was as "funny as always, and as surreal, looping through word games and allusions and all the usual stuff we did." It ended with: "Thank you for our good times, Brian. They will never rot." The message was signed "Dawn." Seven days later, Bowie was gone. And, for a little bit more Low goodness, check out this instrumental outtake from the album, called "All Saints." Tres Throbbing Gristle, Batman! Vinod Khosla is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who chose to define his legacy through a spectacular legal battle to block access to the public part of a beach area he owns in California. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, whose openly progressive positions (especially a proposal to tax rich people's incomes at 70% after the first $10,000,000 a year) have shocked conservatives into an all-consuming hysteria. Moreover, she's very good at Twitter. Political analyst Anand Giridharadas remarked, this weekend, that the right's condescension and sneering at "AOC" threatened to expose its parochial instincts: "If you think a freshman congresswoman who actually connects with people and actually understands new technology is the problem with America," Giridharadas wrote, "it may be that you are the problem with America." Vinod Khosla, however, doubled down on the condescension. "That is assuming she understands basic economics, actual humans and technology. I doubt if any of those are true." This would be an unremarkable sentiment if its author had 22 followers and an 8-digit number in their Twitter handle. But in this case it's one of America's richest men. It's so wrong at each turn it only illustrates the hapless self-regard for which The New York Times mocked him as the "beach villain" this generation deservesand an obvious proxy for the Valley's broader culture. That is assuming she understands basic economics Ocasio-Cortez holds a degree in Economics from Boston University and worked 18 hours a day to fend off a bank's attempt to foreclose on her family home. Khosla has a plan to 3D-print little houses for homeless people. , actual humans Ocasio-Cortez deposed the leader-in-waiting of the Democratic Party, was elected the youngest congresswoman in history, and instantly became America's second-most discussed politician. Khosla struggles to understand why blocking access to a popular public beach has made him unpopular. , technology Khosla is a successful tech investor, but his public endgame encompasses Twitter rants about the Times, defending his trade's record on sexual harassment, and saying mean things about women and "liberal bigots". AOC quotes Alan Moore to the men who say she should be reined in and crafts the laws that govern us. In this is a generational distiction technology as a road, technology as abode. Who, here, lives with technology? I doubt if any of those are true. "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure Photo: Shutterstock In her transformative Bourgeois Era trilogy, economist Deirdre McCloskey challenged our popular theories about the causes of our newfound economic prosperity, arguing that it sprung not from new systems, tools, or materials, but rather the ideas, virtues, and rhetoric behind them. The Great Enrichment, in short, came out of a novel, pro-bourgeois, and anti-statist rhetoric that enriched the world, she writes. It is, as Adam Smith said, allowing every man [and woman, dear] to pursue his own interest his own way, upon the liberal plan of equality, liberty, and justice. Now, in a new paper, How Growth Happens, McCloskey aims to summarize and distill the core economics and economic history from that same trilogy, while adding some new ideas and rhetorical upgrades along the way. Qualifying the 16-page paper as still in draft status, McCloskey puts things a bit more simply. The explanation of the Great Enrichment is people, she writes, and in particular, it is ideas that people have for commercially tested betterment that matter. Much of this aligns rather well with the growing evidence weve seen about population growth within a context of political and economic freedom, pointing to the ever-surprising capacity for creative service thats bound up in the human person. Whether observing innovations in agriculture, antibiotics, running water, universal literacy, computers, containerization, or window screens, we see a common thread of the unexpected and spontaneous, beginning with the individual but often connecting to the broader human community. Its why McCloskey prefers the term innovism to capitalism; it gets closer to the ultimate source of abundance: The Great Enrichment depended on the less famous but crucial multitudes of free lunches prepared by the alert worker and the liberated shopkeeper rushing about, each with her own little project for profit and pleasure. Sometimes, unexpectedly, the little projects became big projects, such as John Mackeys one Whole Foods store in Austin Texas, resulting in 479 stores in the U.S. and the U.K., or Jim Waltons one Walmart in Bentonville, Arkansas resulting in 11,718 stores worldwide. Letting people have a go to implement such ideas for commercially tested betterment is the crux. It comes, in turn, from liberalism, Adam Smiths obvious and simple system of natural liberty, the liberal plan of [social equality, [economic] liberty, and [legal] justice. Liberalism permitted, encouraged, honored an ideology of innovisma word preferable to the highly misleading word of capitalism, with its erroneous suggestion that the modern world was and is initiated by piling up bricks and bachelors degrees. Though the more typical focal points of economists and economic historians are still important to that grander storyproperty rights, canals, empire, patentsMcCloskey notes that these are not (necessarily) initiating causes, and thus, wed do well to expand our thinking around the ultimate sources. We need the right systems, tools, and materials, but we also need to put first things first. From the standpoint of academia and intellectual exploration, this means paying closer attention to the connections between economics, ethics, human anthropology, andin our casetheology, which is precisely why organizations like the Acton Institute exist. From the standpoint of economic planning and policymaking, it involves pursuing a greater humility and gaining a deeper appreciation about the complexity about the human person and a recognition of those corresponding sources of truth and meaning. Discerning the places from where our prosperity has actually sprung is essential for learning how to steward and not squander our new economic order. What matters is human creativity liberated by liberalism, McCloskey concludes. Innovism, not tricky proposals for utilitarian nudging, should be the focus of economics. Economics should become humanomics, that is, economics with the philosophy, history, literature left inWe need to honor scientifically, both in our hypotheses and our scientific practice, the liberal world of human creation. Image: Pieter Brueghel the Elder, The Dutch Proverbs, 1526 (Public Domain) Muc suy giam cua kieu hoi toan cau trong nam 2020 thap hon so voi nam khung hoang tai chinh toan cau 2009 (4,8%). People are reporting their salary from the previous year, but people are moving in because they can make more money in North Dakota, Iverson said. For those moving out of North Dakota, more than 60 percent listed lifestyle as their primary reason for moving. Lifestyle changes are usually linked to weather, people looking for more moderate weather, or to the topography and the landscape, Cummings said. So people moving out are probably looking for a more fast-paced lifestyle. North Dakota was the fourth youngest state in last year's estimate, according to census data. It had an aging population up until 2010, Iverson said. The influx of young people also can be attributed to many jobs in the oil industry becoming available. The millenial age group has come in, driving up the birth rate and our natural growth rate, Iverson said. Cummings said that is linked to job growth. People those ages moving into the state suggests that there are more jobs there, the economy is pretty stable, Cummings said. Balanced ELBOW LAKE, Minn. Recently filed court documents include photos of hunting trophies at the home of a former Minnesota farm elevator manager who is accused of using money from the co-op to pay for his big-game hunting trips. Jerry Hennessey is facing federal charges related to the case while the business he managed, Ashby Farmers Co-op Elevator, pursues a civil case against the former manager. The co-op alleges Hennessey and his wife deprived the co-op of nearly $5.5 million in assets from 2003 to Hennesseys departure in September. Hennessey went on the lam on Sept. 10. After a federal IRS investigation, he was charged with mail fraud and turned himself in Dec. 4. According to court documents, Hennessey paid at least $1.19 million to his personal credit card bills, including $219,414 in construction expenses for his personal properties, including his home near Dalton in west-central Minnesota. Court documents say the unauthorized projects appear to have included an addition of a huge heated shed complete with a full-service bar and home theater to house the animal trophies. The documents include the first public photographs of some of the displays from hunting trips around the world, including a tiger and several African animals. Montana needs $56 million over the next two years to fund Medicaid-provided health insurance. Here is how. (The figures below are readily verifiable online). Montana gets 12 million visitors a year, about the population of Illinois. We charge a 7 percent hotel/bed tax and a 4 percent tax on rental cars. Traveling to Chicago for vacation? You will pay a 17.4 percent hotel tax; car rental taxes and fees will be about 20 percent, plus $2.50 a day to the city. Las Vegas? 13.35 percent hotel taxes and fees; renting a car at the airport will cost you over 30 percent. How about Texas? Texas has a 10 percent car rental tax. If you fly into Dallas and rent a car at the airport, you will pay a total of 61 percent in taxes and fees; Austin, 55 percent; Houston, 72 percent. Hotel taxes and fees are 15 percent in Austin and Dallas, 17 percent in Houston. Plus, each of these states has a sales tax. In 2018, the Montana bed tax generated over $25 million, the car rental tax $3.7 million. Just doubling them would bring in over $28 million more in revenues annually, paid overwhelmingly by out-of-staters, not us. If we do this, tourists arent going to forego us and vacation in Kansas because of lower tourist taxes; they will still come in droves and not bat an eye at the added expense. Cities and counties are responsible for matching every $20 of BRSA grant money with $1 of their money. The law requires local governments to identify the projects they will do before the funds are disbursed. What do Montanans get for the 4 -cent per gallon tax increase? In Yellowstone County this summer, about eight miles of county roads will get asphalt overlay, according to Tim Miller, head of the county road department. BRSA projects include work on 64th Street West, Coburn Road, Shepherd-Acton Road, Scandia Road and 80th Street West. The overlay work costs about $200,000 per mile, so the BRSA will allow the county to complete 2 miles that wouldnt otherwise get resurfaced. Its been a great thing for the county, Miller said. In Billings, the city will use this year's BRSA money for overlays and chip seals on city streets, according to Jennifer Duray, deputy public works director. Last year, the BSRA allocation funded road projects at 24th Street West and Central Avenue, in Briarwood and Cedar Park. Over time, the law will direct 65 percent of the BRSA revenues to local government road projects and 35 percent to the MDT to match the federal funds. The MDT doesnt receive any state general fund dollars, and none of the state fuel tax flows into the general fund. Finally, there's the issue of the Chinese economy itself. Depending on whom you ask, China may have been overdue for a sharp slowdown, or even a recession, long before the trade war began, given its structural problems. But the trade war could tip the balance. It might lead investors to suddenly re-evaluate China's long-term growth prospects, Cornell University professor Eswar Prasad told me. The global fallout from a Chinese recession would be devastating. It would harm many of our closest allies in East Asia including South Korea and Japan which count China as one of their most important export markets. And, of course, there is the fallout for U.S. firms that do business in China. Last week, Apple slashed its revenue forecast, noting that falling sales in China were responsible for more than 100 percent of its global revenue decline. Not because Apple had been directly hit by tariffs but because the Chinese economy was slowing. "It's not going to be just Apple," White House Council of Economic Advisers chairman Kevin Hassett said the following day. "I think that there are a heck of a lot of U.S. companies that have a lot of sales in China that are basically going to be watching their earnings be downgraded next year until we get a deal with China." Republicans have said Montana cannot afford to subsidize program enrollment this size in the future, and that the program needs more recipient oversight. Democrats and Gov. Bullock are touting the economic and social benefits of Medicaid, and announced their own bill last week to re-authorize expansion called the Keep Montana Healthy Act. Democrats are in the minority and know they need to reach across the aisle to pass expansion, which Minority House Leader Casey Schreiner, D-Great Falls, said is a paramount goal for the party. We know everything we want to pass has to have bipartisan support, Schreiner said. The most winning method for Democrats to find a majority in the past has been to team up with moderate Republicans, many of whom make up the Solutions Caucus. Senate Minority Leader Jon Sesso, D-Butte, and House Minority Leader Casey Schreiner, D-Great Falls, oppose the use of the word solutions by the Republican group, saying its what Democrats strive for, as well. But in the grand scheme of things, Sesso said the name issue isnt a big deal. I have joined hands with the Solutions Caucus to forge solutions, to address problems constituents bring to us, Sesso said. A Republican U.S. Senator from Utah blocked a vote on a bill to grant federal recognition to Montana's Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The U.S. House passed a bill in September that would have required the federal government to set aside a small amount of land for the tribe and make its 6,000 members eligible for government benefits. Sen. Mike Lee on Thursday objected to passing the bill without debate, arguing the Bureau of Indian Affairs denied the tribe's petition for recognition in 2009. Little Shell Tribal Chairman Gerald Gray called it a "disheartening outcome." If the bill does not pass the Senate by the end of the year, it will have to be re-introduced in the next Congress. All three members of Montana's congressional delegation support the bill. The state of Montana recognized the tribe in 2000. Love 14 Funny 4 Wow 3 Sad 4 Angry 35 In a statement provided by his office, Christian said Albrecht has been a dedicated advocate for both students and employers in Montana: "She believes in the transformational power of education to change people's lives for the better." Let leaders lead Albrecht said the university system has "exceptional leaders" at its institutions, and the next regent will need to help empower them, not micromanage them. "We need to seek to remove barriers so that we can be the vehicle to further their vision, further success. Some boards create more red tape," Albrecht said. Albrecht stepped into the role as a lay person, but as chief philanthropy officer of Providence Montana Health Foundation, she found parallels between health care and education. In both fields, leaders face increasing costs and the need to innovate, and Albrecht said the next regent will need to continue to seek efficiencies, use technology creatively and evolve. She also said it's important to tap the commissioner's expertise; he has his finger on the pulse of national trends given his leadership activities outside Montana. In his resignation letter, Zinke said he was compelled to stop down because the political attacks against him had created a distraction from Trump's drive to boost U.S. energy production. He told the AP that the allegations against him fit into a "playbook" used by the administration's critics to stifle Trump's energy agenda, smear Zinke's name and undercut any future bid he might make for public office. Zinke said he won't run for Montana governor in 2020. But he did not rule out a future run for public office. "I am certainly done with public service during this (election) cycle," he said. "It would have to be a compelling reason to come back given the hostility, the threats levied against my family." In the weeks leading up to his resignation, the White House concluded Zinke was likely the Cabinet member most vulnerable to investigations led by newly empowered Democrats in Congress, according to an administration official not authorized to publicly discuss personnel matters who spoke on condition of anonymity. In Zinke's telling of events, Trump remained fully supportive to the end and it was the secretary himself who made the decision to go. "The president does not want me to leave. The president thinks it's B.S., too. That's his words," Zinke said, referring to the allegations against him. "It was my decision based on what I thought was best for both the president and Interior, and I think the president reluctantly agreed." Love 1 Funny 10 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 1 Borner sought and received the judges permission to remove herself from the recount after the judge signed the order laying out the recount rules, including the one stipulating write-in votes without a darkened oval would still be counted. And thats the one that made me say, I just dont want to be a part of this process, Borner said. If theyre asking us to make that decision here, it opens the county up to a lawsuit on the other end. Retiring Justice of the Peace Donna Marsh took Borners place on the canvass board. Speaking Friday, Congdon said the county agreed to hold the recount in part because there was a question of whether certain ballots were defective due to ovals that were printed too lightly. Congdon also noted that Tomassi approved four name variations that did not include Burns first name or initial. So the irony is, how do you say how do you say this is one of the choices we are going to count when the Secretary of States guide says not to? Congdon said. In a brief submitted this week, Congdon said the county was aware of both Burns and Lesniks allegations, but that it would wait for the courts order directing the county how to proceed. Faiella said he typically starts and ends every day checking in to see if there have been any developments on the shutdown, but also tries to keep himself busy and make the best of things. You reach a certain point where it will just break when it breaks, he said. Forest Service workers like those at Sundays garage sale are likely to receive back pay when the government fully reopens (President Trump has said he will sign legislation passed by Congress to do so), but Faiella said its still been difficult for many. Its not a political thing. Were not taking sides, we just hope that people see that there are a lot of people in the Missoula area who have been directly affected, he said. Benji Hegg said ordinarily he would be spending the first few weeks of a new year in his office with the U.S. Forest Service. This time in January, we are focused on getting people hired, getting seasonal employees lined up and making sure we have firefighting crews figured out for the summer, he said. Facts about Bob Age: Bob's fossilized remains hail from the Cretaceous Period, or roughly 65 million years ago Found: In 2003 in the southwestern corner of North Dakota in Bowman County on Craig and Bobbi Egeland's ranch near the South Dakota border. Discovered by: Bobbi Egeland, Bob's namesake, spotted part of the triceratops' shoulder and chipped away at the ground to uncover the fossil. About 90 percent of the dinosaur's large bones were found. Origins: Bob's remains come from the Hell Creek Formation, which spans parts of the eastern Montana Badlands, northwestern South Dakota and southwestern North Dakota. Venture into a post-apocalyptic world with a free copy of the 2019 Big Read book selection: "Station Eleven," by Emily St. Jonn Mandel. Mandel centers her novel on a travelling symphony that roams the mid-western U.S. following a pandemic flu that destroys 99 percent of humanity. They perform music and Shakespearean plays for the remaining civilizations while focusing on survival. Billings is one of 79 communities across the country taking part in the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read, which kicks off locally in mid-January. Billings residents may pick up a free copy of "Station 11" at the MSUB Library, Billings Public Library, or This House of Books (224 N Broadway) and sign up for a book discussion group, held across the next two months and lead by community members. In addition, a series of lectures, films, art exhibits, and panel discussions will take place, all free and open to the public. With the exception of book discussion groups, which are at various dates and locations, all events will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Language Arts building at Montana State University Billings (it's the tallest brick building on campus, south of Rimrock Road and west of Petro Hall and the dormitories). Parking on campus is free after 5 p.m. Political commentator Dave Rubin and psychologist Jordan Peterson have become the latest in a line of Internet celebrities to declare their independence from the crowdfunding site Patreon, after Patreon revealed a bizarre new "hate speech" policy that punishes artists who raise money on the site if they engage in "hate speech," even on other platforms.Rubin and Peterson announced their decision on an episode of The Rubin Report, Rubin's YouTube video-cast earlier this week. The pair says they will leave the site officially on January 15 and may launch their own version of the online donation site for users kicked off or leaving Patreon over its policies.The controversy with Patron started several weeks ago, when the site, which allows users to create their own accounts and accept free will donations for their work, booted Carl Benjamin (better known as the wildly popular Internet personality Sargon of Akkad).In an interview with The New York Times , Patreon attempted to explain its de-platforming of Benjamin, arguing that its "hate speech" policies allowed it to kick off any user caught makingRepresentatives from Patreon claim they received complaints about Benjamin using the "n-word" and making racially charged and anti-gay remarks.But here's the rub: Benjamin isn't accused of making those remarks on Patreon - he's accused of making those remarks on YouTube (though he contends he never made the controversial statements in the first place, regardless). But Patreon claims that any use of hate speech on any platform by one of its users is grounds for de-platforming if that user makes money off Patreon for their work on that separate platform.Jaqueline Hart, Patreon's head of "trust and safety," defended Benjamin's de-platforming by claiming that Patreon has a responsibility not to tolerate hate speech on its platform, without acknowledging that Benjamin's alleged "hate speech" happened on an entirely different site.She later doubled down on her comments in a blog post ( via Hot Air ):In other words, Patreon is monitoring its users across all of their platforms and punishing them by cutting off their access to a safe and secure donation website to fund their efforts.That's fine, say Patreon's most influential users, but it doesn't mean that users have to sit and wait to be punished by Patreon the first time they make a (subjective) misstep.Peterson noted on The Rubin Report.Rubin added.But, Peterson chimed in,Peterson and Rubin aren't the only high-profile Patreon clients to leave the site. Sam Harris, one of the site's most popular users - and by no means a right-leaning figure - also departed the site in mid-December, voicing some of the same concerns as Peterson and Rubin.Donors are departing the platform as well. Several prominent Patreon users - including Peterson - reported a precipitous drop in their donations since Sargon of Akkad was dropped from the platform.I have lost about 2000 Patreons @Patreon since the debacle with Sargon of Akkad. I know @RubinReport is having the same trouble. Are other Patreon creators suffering similar losses as people bail out of the platform?But regardless of the outcome of Sargon of Akkad's de-platforming, there's still the mystery of why Patreon, which benefits financially from high-donation online celebrities like Benjamin, Peterson, Rubin, and Harris using its platform, so suddenly decided to enforce a vague and bizarre "hate speech" policy with such a far reach.A number of users suspect that a left-wing organization, born from the Center for American Progress and nurtured by the Southern Poverty Law Center, among other rabid progressive outfits, is behind a pressure campaign to force sites like Patreon to de-platform those who are systematically - and publicly - destabilizing the leftist orthodoxy. The group is called "Change the Terms" and Peterson mentions it in his interview with Rubin. Change the Terms claims that its goal is to make the Internet a safe place, because while a "free and open Internet" has "social value," it also encouragesthatthe site says, and will encourage targeted companies to adopt a series of model policies for their platforms.Change the Terms' suggestion for a model "terms of service and acceptable use policy" sounds mighty familiar:They also seem to be targeting individual credit card companies in a miniature but more widespread and grassroots version of the Obama administration's Operation Chokepoint, which was designed to reward banks and other financial institutions for refusing to do business with "unsavory" characters, like gun retailers, adult film producers, and sex workers.The system seems all too familiar with both Rubin and Peterson, apparentl Public health officials at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha released an individual they had been monitoring for Ebola symptoms for over two weeks Saturday morning, according to a medical center news release. The release stated the individual never developed the disease and poses no risk to the public. "This person completed the required 21-day monitoring period and did not develop symptoms of the disease," Dr. Ted Cieslak, an infectious diseases specialist at Nebraska Medicine, said in the release. The individual is an American health care provider who was admitted to the medical center on Dec. 29 for monitoring following a possible exposure to the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nebraska Medicine has previously monitored several individuals for Ebola since the virus' outbreak in 2014. If the individual had shown symptoms of the disease, they would have been transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for treatment, which was previously used to treat three Ebola patients in 2014. Reach the writer at 402-473-7214 or eclopton@journalstar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Drug investigators in Kearney arrested two people Friday after finding nearly five pounds of methamphetamine in a home on the south side of the city, a Nebraska State Patrol spokesman said. Hannah Pauly, 23, and Jose Luis Santos-Zepeda, 19, were arrested on suspicion of possession of meth with intent to deliver, according to jail records. Investigators with the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force found the two and 4.93 pounds inside the home at 12 W. 10th St., Cody Thomas of the State Patrol said in a news release Monday. Investigators with the State Patrol, Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriffs Office conducted the operation. Pauly and Santos-Zepeda remained in the Buffalo County jail Monday. Reach the writer at 402-473-2657 or rjohnson@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSRileyJohnson. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Federally employed Indian Health Service workers, such as ones in Chinle, Whiteriver and Phoenix, not involved in direct patient care, have been furloughed. They are at home, not getting paid. Those involved in direct patient care, are mandated to work without pay. Border Patrol Agents are also working, but not being compensated. Most Federal Park workers are furloughed, save the Grand Canyon employees as the State of Arizona has kept the park open. Bureau of Prison employees are also not being paid though many are considered essential and thus are working without pay as well. Transportation Security Administration or TSA staff are mostly working without pay, though there are some whose job it is to inspect the airplanes that have been furloughed. These are just a few examples of the federal employees in Arizona that are not being paid. In the country, there are approximately 800,000 federal workers in the same boat. According to NPR today, 1/7/19, there are an additional 4.1 million federal contractors that are now unemployed as well. This group is in a very difficult situation as unlike the direct hire federal workers who will most likely get paid after the shutdown ends, these contractors will never be compensated for their lost wages. Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. AUBURN Like a magician with a rabbit, Hiroya Tsukamoto can summon a guitar pick from the crevice of his fingers. As a finger-plucking guitarist, Tsukamoto only calls upon the pick here and there, but even so, the sleight of hand trick had one group of local musicians in awe. After performing at the Auburn Public Theater Saturday night, Tsukamoto returned to the downtown performing arts space Sunday to teach a workshop on finger picking and basic music theory. In 2000, Tsukamoto came to the U.S. from Kyoto, Japan, after he received a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Influenced by Latin roots, he would later go on to form Interoceanico, a seven-person group that churned pop with contemporary fusion. At Sunday's workshop, participants were given hands-on lessons on basic scales, improvisation, finger picking and thumb placement. Attendees came from different experience levels, ranging from beginners to more advanced bluegrass guitarists who play once a week at an open mic night. Tsukamoto likes to place his fingers right next to his guitar's frets (the lines that mark a guitar's neck) as he plays. This lets him press in on his strings using little effort. It also creates warmer tones. Some might consider Sept. 11, 2001, as the first terrorist attack on America. The December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, however, was our true introduction to this new global reality. This past Dec. 21, the darkest day of the year, marked the 30th anniversary of this mass murder. Of the 270 passengers and crew, 190 were Americans and 35 were Syracuse University students returning from a semester of study in England. So this tragedy hit especially close to home for those of us here in central New York. There were many lessons to be learned that would be important in dealing with 9/11 and other terrorist attacks. The Pan Am bombing revealed our vulnerability and showed how unprepared the United States was to support victims loved ones, to prevent a reoccurrence, and to investigate and prosecute a crime committed in an international context. Other than being advised through the news media not to travel to Scotland, many victims family members received no instructions, information or personal contact from the United States government for almost two weeks. The mechanisms in place now to deal with such an event did not exist at the time. The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has alleged her husband is being held in "harsh" conditions and subjected to round-the-clock interrogations intended to extract a confession. In a letter to Human Rights Watch, Carole Ghosn urged the group to highlight the case of her husband, who has been in detention in Japan since his shock arrest on November 19 and faces three charges of financial misconduct. The nine-page letter says the former high-flying executive is held in cell that is lit even at night, and is denied his daily medication. "For hours each day, the prosecutors interrogate him, browbeat him, lecture him, and berate him, outside the presence of his layers, in an effort to extract a confession," the letter says. It claims prosecutors have pressed Ghosn to sign documents in Japanese, which he does not understand, providing only an oral translation, and without his lawyer present. "I urge Human Rights Watch to highlight his case... to press the government to reform its draconian system of pretrial detention and interrogation," the letter adds. Ghosn's ongoing detention has prompted some international criticism of Japan's legal system, which permits prosecutors to hold suspects while they investigate an allegation, and also allows lengthy pre-trial detention once charges have been filed. Ghosn's lawyer has acknowledged his client is unlikely to be freed before a trial, and that the case could take six months to come to court. The former Nissan chief has so far been denied visits from anyone except his lawyers and diplomats from the three countries where he holds citizenship -- Brazil, France and Lebanon. But a court ruling last week means Ghosn can now begin receiving family visits. His lead lawyer Motonari Otsuru also denied last week that Ghosn was being pressured to sign documents or a confession in Japanese. "Not once has Mr Ghosn said to us he has any concerns about being asked to sign something in a language he doesn't understand," he told reporters. He also said Ghosn had now been moved to a larger cell with a Western-style bed, adding that his client had not complained to him about the conditions of his detention. Ghosn faces charges of under-reporting his compensation, trying to shift personal losses onto Nissan books, and using company funds to repay a friend. He denies wrongdoing and in a first court appearance this week said he had been "wrongly accused and unfairly detained." Carlos Ghosn is being held at Tokyo Detention House, where his wife says he is subjected to interrogations day and night Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US counterpart Donald Trump mooted Monday the creation of a "security zone" in northern Syria as tensions rose over the fate of Kurdish fighters in the war-torn country. In a telephone conversation, the leaders "discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Trump confirmed this in a tweet later, but referred to the proposed area as a "safe zone." This came after Turkey vowed it "will not be intimidated" by Trump's threats of economic devastation if Ankara attacked Kurdish forces as US troops withdraw from Syria. Trump on Sunday warned the US would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds". Ankara has repeatedly threatened to carry out a cross-border operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which have been working closely with the United States in the war on Islamic State (IS) jihadists. US support for the YPG has been a major source of friction between the NATO allies. The White House said in a statement that Trump had warned Erdogan against harming Kurdish military units. "The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkey's security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian democratic forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. - 'Security zone' - But in his subsequent tweet, Trump put a more positive spin, noting that he and Erdogan "also spoke about economic development between the U.S. & Turkey -- great potential to substantially expand!" The strained relationship between Ankara and Washington initially seemed to improve after Trump announced last month that 2,000 US troops would withdraw from Syria. Ankara welcomed the decision and Erdogan told Trump that Turkey could finish off the last remnants of IS. Trump has been pushing for the creation of a 30-kilometre (20-mile) "safe zone" in Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday talks were under way on Washington's proposal to establish the zone in flashpoint border areas of northeast Syria. "We want to make sure that the folks who fought with us to down the (Islamic State group) have security... and also that terrorists acting out of Syria aren't able to attack Turkey," Pompeo said on a visit to Riyadh. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier that Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria. And in their conversation Monday, Erdogan assured Trump that Turkey was ready to provide "any kind of support" to the United States in its withdrawal from Syria. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States, and the European Union. - 'Radical solution' - Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Ankara would "continue to fight against them all", referring to IS and the YPG. There has been growing tension between Turkey and the US over the fate of the YPG, especially after Pompeo this month said Washington would ensure Turkey does not "slaughter" Kurds. And before a visit to Ankara last week, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton said the US retreat was conditional on the safety of Kurdish fighters, provoking angry retorts from Turkish officials. Turkey previously launched military offensives in northern Syria in 2016 and 2018 respectively against IS and the YPG. In early 2018, Syrian rebels backed by Turkish military forces captured the YPG's northwestern enclave of Afrin. Ankara, which supports Syrian opposition fighters, is also involved in the last rebel bastion of Idlib, where Turkey has agreed a buffer zone deal with Damascus ally Russia. But the deal has not stopped an assault by jihadists in Syria. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance led by jihadists from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, last week extended its administrative control over the whole of the Idlib region. Syria's National Coalition, the leading opposition body, on Sunday called for a "radical solution" to put "an end to its (HTS) presence" in Idlib. Cavusoglu however said the Idlib deal was being "successfully applied" and that statements that HTS took 50 percent of Idlib are "not true". burs-sms/ft US President Donald Trump has warned his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan against harming Kurdish fighters as US troops withdraw from Syria Map locating Kurdish regions in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq and their percentage of the total population. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria Standing outside the snow-covered White House on Monday, Donald Trump made an astonishing declaration for a US president: no, he has never been an agent of Russia. "I never worked for Russia," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn. "It's a disgrace that you even ask that question. It's all a big fat hoax." Trump's angry comments sought to bat down a mounting controversy over his alleged ties to the Kremlin, but the fact that he even had to issue such a denial illustrates how far the unprecedented scandal has already gone. The statement, delivered in freezing temperatures before taking off in the Marine One helicopter for a trip to New Orleans, followed two bombshell reports. One, in The New York Times, said that the FBI opened an investigation into whether Trump was acting on Russia's behalf soon after he became president. Another, in The Washington Post, detailed what it said were the unusual lengths taken by Trump to hide the contents of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This, of course, comes on top of the huge investigation led by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who is looking into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election -- and the possibility it colluded with Trump's campaign. - Hiding interpreter's notes? - Trump was given an opportunity to respond to the report of the FBI investigation on Saturday when he gave an interview to his favorite Fox News channel. But instead of a clear cut denial, he fueled a mounting outcry in Washington by merely saying that the question was "the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." His response Monday took the entire alleged Russia collusion affair head on. "It's a lot of fake news," Trump said. He called the then-leaders of the FBI who decided to investigate him "known scoundrels, I guess you could say dirty cops." But the latest twists mean that the president -- currently embroiled in a damaging political battle with Congress over funding a Mexico border wall -- can't escape the Russia shadow, regardless of what he says. The details of the latest reports are especially shocking because they are so concrete, in contrast to the often complex and carefully withheld workings of the almost leak-proof Mueller probe. The Post story says that Trump personally acted to prevent notes taken by his interpreter during one-on-one meetings with Putin from being shared with aides. He allegedly took the notes away and ordered the interpreter not to divulge the contents. The Times report on the FBI investigation said the bureau decided to act after Trump fired the then director, James Comey in 2017. Transcripts of closed-door FBI testimony to Congress obtained by CNN show that the then head lawyer for the FBI, James Baker, said the bureau wanted to know whether Trump was "acting at the behest of (the Kremlin) and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will." "That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too," Baker said in the transcript, according to CNN. The White House says that Trump has been pursued by a politicized FBI. The president repeatedly has called the probes into his dealings with Russia a "witch hunt." But Democrats and even some in Trump's Republican Party have repeatedly suggested that the administration is oddly favorable to Russian policies. They point to Trump's diplomatic assaults on European Union unity and the NATO alliance, as well as his recent comment defending the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. "Like I said: a puppet," tweeted Hillary Clinton, the Democratic heavyweight beaten by Trump's insurgent campaign in 2016. She was referring to an accusation she made during a campaign debate with Trump that Putin would "rather" a puppet in the White House. However, top advisor Kellyanne Conway reiterated Monday the administration's frequent assertion that Trump has in fact been tough on Russia, one of Washington's key rivals and sometimes outright adversaries. "He has taken a lot of action," she told reporters, listing sanctions imposed on the Kremlin and US policy in Syria, among other factors. Donald Trump's angry comments followed a New York Times report that the FBI opened an investigation into whether he was acting on Russia's behalf soon after he became president President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the probes into his dealings with Russia a "witch hunt" The Washington Post detailed what it said were the unusual lengths taken by Donald Trump to hide the contents of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin The latest Russia controversy comes as Donald Trump is embroiled in a damaging battle over funding a Mexico border wall -- a row that has triggered a partial government shutdown now in its fourth week Bless our families and our children, and choose from our homes those who you desire for this holy work. Heavenly Father,your divine Son taught usto pray to the Lord of the harvestto send laborers into His vineyard.We earnestly beg youto bless our Diocese and our worldwith many priests and religiouswho will love you fervently and gladlyand courageously spend their livesin service to your Son's Church,especially the poor and the needy.Teach them to respond generouslyand keep them ever faithfulin following your Son Jesus Christ,that under the guidance of the HolySpiritand with the inspiration ofSaint Damien and Blessed Mariannethe Good News of redemptionmay be brought to all.We ask this through Christ our Lord. US President Donald Trump likes Brazil's controversial new leader Jair Bolsonaro -- especially his nickname. "They say he's the Donald Trump of South America, do you believe that?" Trump told a crowd at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in New Orleans. Bolsonaro is sometimes called "the Trump of the tropics" as an avowed enthusiast for the US leader. The ex-army captain -- who openly admires Brazil's former military dictators and their torture specialists -- apparently enjoys his new nickname. Which is lucky for Latin America's biggest country. "He's happy with that," Trump said. "If he wasn't, I wouldn't like the country so much. But I like him." Trump said Bolsonaro, who has vowed to forge a close alliance with Washington after more than a decade of leftwing rule in Brazil, is "a great new leader." US President Donald Trump (L) said Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro was "a great new leader" An Iranian Boeing 707 cargo plane coming from Kyrgyzstan crashed on Monday while trying to land west of Irans capital, state media reported. An emergency official said only one person of the 16 on board was known to have survived. Fire immediately engulfed the aircraft after it skidded off a runway and crashed into a wall separating the Fath Airport from a residential neighborhood. Images carried by Irans state-run media showed the burned-out tail of the plane sticking out, surrounded by charred homes. Ten people are feared dead following the crash. Source: CANN News/ Twitter The plane crashed at Fath Airport, which belongs to Irans powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, when it was meant to land at the nearby Payam International Airport, about 40 kilometers west of Tehran, the Iranian capital. Authorities did not immediately offer a reason for the crews decision to land there, though they said the crew had declared an emergency prior to land. Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the countrys emergency medical services, said of the 16 people on board the plane, only the flight engineer was known to have survived. Iranian media reported seven bodies from the crash had already been recovered. Firefighters attempt to extinguish the flames following the crash. Source: 7News/ Twitter The plane reportedly was carrying a cargo of meat from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstans capital, to Iran. Irans air force said in a statement that the fate of the crew, including their possible martyrdom, is under investigation. It wasnt immediately clear who owns the plane, though General Shahin Taghikhani, an army spokesman, told state TV that the plane and its crew were Iranian. Iranians often use the word martyrdom for those who die in war or national service, suggesting the aircraft may have belonged to the air force. The Iranian air force does operate Boeing 707s; it also has a civilian airline, SAHA. A 13-year-old girl who had been missing for 88 days has described the moment her accused kidnapper allegedly shot dead her parents before dragging her out to the boot of his car. Jayme Closs has told police she tried to hide from Jake Thomas Patterson after he used a shotgun to blow a hole through the door of the familys Wisconsin home on October 15, a criminal complaint states. It says Jayme and her mother, Denise Closs, hid in the bathroom as Patterson came to the front door. They heard a gunshot and knew Patterson had killed her father, James Closs. The complaint alleges that Patterson then broke down the bathroom door, shot her mother and taped Jaymes hands and ankles. He then dragged her to his car and threw her in the boot of the car. Jayme Closs (left) was allegedly kidnapped by Jake Thomas Patterson after he used a shotgun to break into their Wisconsin home. Source: FBI, Barron County Sheriffs Department via AP This aerial photo shows the cabin where 13-year-old Jayme Closs was held by Jake Thomas Patterson surrounded by law enforcement vehicles. Source: AP The teen was then forced to go under a bed in Pattersons remote cabin, where he would stack totes, laundry bins and barbell weights around her so she couldnt move without him noticing. The complaint says Jayme was kept up to 12 hours at a time with no food, water or bathroom breaks. Thousands of volunteers and hundreds of law enforcement officers had searched the small town of Barron to find the teenager but in the end it was a local resident Jeanne Nutter who discovered Jayme after she ran from the cabin when Patterson left. Ms Nutter heard the visibly shaken teen say: Im lost, I dont know where I am, I need help. I got to her and she just sort of fell into me and said, Im Jayme, and I said, I know, Ms Nutter told CBS. Jeanne Nutter (right) was walking her dog Henry when she found the missing teenager. Source: AP The two then went into a neighbours house to call the police. While Closs warmed up inside, the neighbour, Peter Kasinskas, retrieved his gun and stood watch at the door in case her captor was searching for her, according to the Duluth News Tribune. She was later reunited with her relatives and dog, with her aunts telling local media how proud they were of their niece for surviving and escaping. He knew that was the girl he was going to take The criminal complaint says Patterson told investigators he was driving to his job at a cheese factory one day near Almena, Wisconsin, when he stopped behind a school bus and watched Jayme get on. Story continues It quotes Patterson as saying when he saw Jayme he knew that was the girl he was going to take. The home where teenager Jayme Closs lived with her parents is seen Friday. Image: AP Its alleged Patterson went to the Closs home twice with the intent of taking Jayme but was unable to do so because too many people were around before he was able to kidnap her. The complaint says Patterson used his fathers 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun because it is commonly used and he thought it would be more difficult to trace. It says he chose the gauge to do the most damage, and wiped shells and shotguns free of fingerprints and wore gloves to load the gun. Patterson allegedly shaved his face and head and showered prior to the attack. He was dressed all in black and took the license plates off his car, put stolen plates on and disconnected the dome and trunk lights. Patterson was arrested Thursday and charged with kidnapping, two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and armed burglary. Spanish migrant rescue charity Proactiva Open Arms said Monday that the authorities were preventing its ship from setting sail from Barcelona to save migrants. "We are blocked in a port once again. Port Authority in Barcelona denied permission to Open Arms to sail #Med Central," the charity based near the Catalan capital wrote in a tweet. "Preventing us from saving lives is irresponsible and cruel," said Proactiva Open Arms founder Oscar Camps in a separate tweet, accusing "cowardly politicians" of putting migrants' lives at risk. Proactiva Open Arms operates in between Libya and southern Europe, coming to the aid of migrants who get into difficulties during the sea crossing from northern Africa. The charity's rescue ship, Open Arms, docked in southern Spain on December 28 with 311 mainly African migrants it had rescued a week earlier off the coast of Libya after both Italy and Malta denied it entry. After stocking up with provisions in Barcelona, the ship had been due to set sail again on January 8 but Barcelona's Port Authority prohibited it from leaving, a Proactiva Open Arms spokeswoman told AFP. The charity appealed the decision two days later, requesting that it be allowed to put out to sea to carry out "observation and surveillance tasks in the central Mediterranean". In a statement, Spain's public works ministry, which controls the Port Authority, said Spain has no maritime rescue jurisdiction off the Libyan coast where Open Arms operates and had violated maritime regulations on past rescue missions. Since the boat lacks permission to dock in countries near where it operates, "it has had to cross the Mediterranean for several days to disembark rescued migrants, putting the safety of the ship, its crew and the people on board at risk," the statement added. Shortly after he came to power in June, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez allowed the Aquarius, a boat chartered by the aid groups SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders, to dock in Spain with more than 600 migrants on board. His Socialist government also allowed the Open Arms to dock in Spain but in August refused once again to receive the Aquarius. Spain became Europe's main entry point for migrants last year, overtaking Greece and Italy, which have taken measures to prevent rescued migrants from landing at its ports. More than 55,000 migrants arrived in Spain by sea in 2018, according to the UN refugee agency. The vessel operated by Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms sails off Libya and southern Europe, coming to the aid of migrants who get into difficulty during the sea crossing from northern Africa The mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk was fighting for his life on Monday after a knife-wielding assailant stabbed him in the heart in front of hundreds of people at a charity event. Anti-violence rallies were being planned nationwide after Sunday's shock attack on Pawel Adamowicz. The 53-year-old suffered a serious wound to the heart and cuts to his diaphragm and abdominal organs, according to surgeons who operated on him for five hours at Gdansk's university hospital. "Mayor Adamowicz is on life support in a very critical condition, and the prognosis for his life and health is uncertain," Jerzy Karpinski, a physician with the Gdansk regional health department, told the Polish PAP news agency. Video footage showed the attacker, who police said was wearing a press badge, bursting on to the podium and launching himself at Adamowicz, who had been waving sparklers with others on stage as the fundraiser was winding down on Sunday evening. After knifing the mayor several times, the man turned to the crowd with his arms raised triumphantly but was quickly tackled to the ground by security guards and arrested. - 'Atmosphere of aggression' - Paramedics resuscitated Adamowicz at the scene before rushing him to the hospital. Gdansk residents flooded blood donation centres following news that Adamowicz had received 15 litres (32 pints) of blood and required more of the rare O Rh- type. "There is an atmosphere of aggression in Poland," a blood donor who identified himself only as Zygmunt told AFP, reflecting on the broader context of the attack. A local police spokesman said the detained man was a 27-year-old who lived in Gdansk, a Baltic coast city with a population of around half a million that was the cradle of Poland's anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s. In a video recording of the attack posted on YouTube, the suspect was seen seizing the microphone and claiming he had been wrongly jailed by the previous centrist government of the Civic Platform (PO) party and tortured. "That's why Adamowicz dies," he said. One witness told broadcaster TVN that the man appeared "happy with what he had done". - 'Solidarity' with mayor - Adamowicz has been mayor of Gdansk for two decades and the opposition Civic Platform, the arch-rival of Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, had supported his re-election in 2018 municipal polls. Since winning office in 2015, the PiS has systematically blamed PO politicians for an array of issues, ranging from VAT fraud to the 2010 crash of a Polish presidential jet in Russia that claimed the life of then president Lech Kaczynski, the identical twin brother of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Sunday's fundraising event was part of a popular annual nationwide drive to purchase medical equipment for children and featured a colourful stage set-up including lights, smoke and pyrotechnics. "Despite our political differences, I stand without question in solidarity with him and those close to him... I pray for his swift recovery," PiS-allied President Andrzej Duda said on Twitter. - 'Doubts about his sanity' - The suspect had previously been sentenced to more than five years in prison for four armed attacks on banks in Gdansk, justice officials confirmed. Deputy prosecutor general Krzysztof Sierak said the suspect would be charged with attempted murder and would undergo a psychological assessment due to "doubts about his sanity". Police were investigating how the attacker had been able to breach security to reach the podium, local police spokeswoman Joanna Kowalik-Kosinska told reporters. "We know that he used an identifier with the inscription 'Press'," she said. "Now we have to establish how it was obtained, was the accreditation in his name and was he really entitled to be there at that time?" This type of attack is rare in Poland. A similar incident occurred in 2010 when an assailant gunned down an aide at a regional PiS office before stabbing another PiS employee, who survived. EU President Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, along with European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans and mayor of London Sadiq Khan also expressed their support for Adamowicz. Anti-violence rallies were expected in Gdansk and several other major cities across Poland later on Monday. Pawel Adamowiczhas been mayor of Gdansk for two decades Gdansk residents flooded blood donation centres following news that Pawel Adamowicz required supplies of the rareO Rh- blood type Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said on Monday he was determined to find a solution to his team?s problems against fast, short-pitched bowling. Speaking after South Africa completed a 3-0 series clean sweep by winning the third Test by 107 runs at the Wanderers Stadium, Arthur said he wanted to build a team able to play in all conditions by the time they started their campaign in the world Test championship in September. "We play Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates in September then we play Australia in Australia straight after that," he said. "We have to have our skill sets perfect to manage the bouncing ball. I want to get our batsmen into Australia three or four weeks early, to have camps there to get them ready." Man of the series Duanne Olivier sparked a Pakistan collapse as the tourists lost their remaining seven wickets for 120 runs to be bowled out for 273 at lunch on the fourth day. Olivier effectively ended Pakistan?s hopes when he took two wickets off successive balls in the third over of the morning. Arthur singled out Babar Azam, Shan Masood and Asad Shafiq as batsmen who had played well during the series and he gave qualified support to Sarfraz Ahmed, whose captaincy was questioned by Pakistani media. "This question always arises at the end of a series," said Arthur. "Sarfraz goes from strength to strength. He wants to lead from the front. I thought his wicketkeeping has been outstanding. What we need is to get a good core of leaders around him. If we can do that he?ll go from strength to strength." - Sri Lanka next up for Proteas - South African stand-in captain Dean Elgar praised the commitment of his players. "Three-nil is what we asked from the guys and we have achieved that. We are halfway to our goals for the season. We want to achieve the same feat against Sri Lanka (in February)." Elgar stressed, though, that South Africa did not take Pakistan lightly. "We know they are a good team. We are very fortunate to have that arsenal of four fast bowlers." Olivier took 24 wickets in the three-Test series at an average of 14.71 and he made the crucial breakthrough early on Monday. Azam received a fast, lifting ball angled in towards his throat, which he gloved to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Azam (22) had helped Shafiq add 58 for the fourth wicket. Sarfraz was then bowled first ball. Seemingly expecting another short-pitched delivery from Olivier, he was deep in his crease when he had his off stump knocked back by a fast, full delivery. With Vernon Philander gaining unpredictable bounce from a good length just outside off stump, Shafiq advanced down the pitch and was caught at second slip off a ball which seamed away from him. Shafiq had taken his overnight score of 48 to 65, made off 71 balls with 11 fours. Shadab Khan batted well to make 47 not out before the match ended when Mohammad Abbas was run out after a mix-up. Duanne Olivier was the leading wicket-taker in the series with 24 An extraordinary letter obtained by Seven News blames a Hollywood star for an alleged murder at Sydneys Scientology headquarters earlier this month. A 24-year-old Scientology member was allegedly stabbed to death by a 16-year-old boy on its premises in Chatswood on January 3. Scientology leaders have accused actress Leah Remini and her Australian co-host of inciting hatred and violence. Remini and former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder host the Emmy-winning show Scientology and the Aftermath, which features explosive interviews in season three detailing alleged abuses inside Scientology. Scientology leaders have accused actress Leah Remini (pictured) and her Australian co-host Mike Rinder of inciting hatred and violence following the stabbing death of a man on Scientology premises in Sydney. Source: AAP They basically seek to shift the blame to our show for their abuses, Mike Rinder said. In a letter obtained by Seven News titled Blood on your hands, Scientology accuses the A&E television network of paying for the hate that caused this murder. Scientology claims threats were made prior to the alleged incident and that the attacker was inspired by an anti-Scientology website that featured your people and included a link to Reminis show. The letter accuses Remini and Rinder of inciting hatred and demands A&E stop the program. Their statement that this is all caused by A&E and our show, because someone apparently looked at a website, that mentioned our show, thats absurd, Rinder said. In a letter obtained by Seven News titled Blood on your hands, Scientology accuses the A&E television network of paying for the hate that caused this murder. Source: 7News It has been reported that the mother of the accused was at the Sydney venue to do a purification rundown, a course which can lead to joining the so-called Sea Org, the group comprising the churchs most dedicated members. The mother, her son and the victim were all from Taiwan, because Scientology is struggling to recruit locals to join. Members are often required to disconnect from the family in order to become part of the exclusive Sea Org. Producers of Scientology and the Aftermath say they have no plans to cancel their show. Its a little more over the top than one would expect, even from them, Rinder said. Scientologys response to a request for a Seven News interview can be read here. Pressure is mounting on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to reconsider her position on pill testing after a fifth person died of a suspected overdose after taking drugs at a NSW music festival. Central Coast teenager Alex Ross-King died after she was rushed from the FOMO festival at Parramatta Park to Westmead Hospital on Saturday night. Her death was the fifth suspected overdose death in NSW since mid-September. Premier please can we have this pill testing done, Ms Ross-Kings grandmother, Denise Doig, told Network Ten on Sunday. Its such a small thing to do. Its not hard (and) if it saves one life one life is a life. Alexandra Ross-King, 19, died from a suspected drug overdose at FOMO musical festival in Sydney. Source: 7 News Pressure is mounting on the premier to reconsider her position on pill testing after a fifth person died of a suspected overdose after taking drugs at a NSW music festival. Image: Getty Ms Ross-Kings uncle Phil Clark implored of Ms Berejiklian: Strong leadership isnt always about sticking to an ideological decision or a position. But the Liberal leader is defiantly telling teens to simply say no to drugs. We need to keep setting out the strongest message that taking these illicit drugs kills we ask young people not to do it, the premier said on Sunday. Speaking to Sunrise on Monday morning, Ms Berejklian argued there was no consistent evidence that pill testing worked. If pill testing would prevent deaths, of course, we would bring it in but the best thing we can do is improve access to medical attention at these festivals, she said. For every experts that says it does work, there is another one who says it doesnt. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian argued with Sunrise host David Koch that theres no evidence that pill testing works. Image: 7 News Doctors groups and medical academics are increasingly demanding trials in Australia while pointing to harm reduction in countries where testing is available such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain and France. Noffs Foundation chief executive Matt Noffs says the premier must listen. Just say no is a miserable failure it simply doesnt work, he said in a statement. I understand the premier is in a tough position but I need her to listen to me right now. We are the experts. We know the evidence. The evidence is clear this will save lives. Story continues Pill testing allows people to anonymously submit samples for on-the-spot analysis to determine their composition. A trial at a major Australian music festival in 2016 found two in three people wouldnt consume a pill if a test showed it contained methamphetamine. with AAP Former communist militant Cesare Battisti, wanted in Italy for four murders in the 1970s, began serving a life sentence in a Sardinian prison on Monday after an international police squad tracked him down and arrested him in Bolivia. Jailed in 1979 for belonging to an armed revolutionary group outlawed in Italy, Battisti escaped from prison two years later, and had spent nearly four decades on the run. An Italian-flagged Falcon 900 plane carrying Battisti landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Monday morning. Battisti, who was not wearing handcuffs, smiled grimly as he was escorted off the plane by a dozen policemen. "I know that I'm going to prison," an apparently resigned Battisti said, according to police. The 64-year-old was later transferred to a prison on the island of Sardinia "for security reasons", according to Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede, where he begins his life sentence with six months in solitary confinement. Oristano prison is home to more than 250 convicts, many of them living under the tough "41-bis" prison regime usually applied to Mafia members. "This is not the finish line but the starting point," Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told journalists at Ciampino, citing the presence of "dozens" of other former militants still on the run in countries from Latin America to France. Italy had repeatedly sought the extradition of Battisti, who lived in Brazil for years under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, himself now in prison for corruption. Battisti was seized without a struggle late Saturday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in an operation carried out by a joint team of Italian and Bolivian officers. - 'It's over' - Battisti was sentenced to life imprisonment for having killed two Italian policemen, taking part in the murder of a butcher and helping plan the slaying of a jeweller who died in a shootout that left his teenage son in a wheelchair. "It's over, now the victims can rest in peace," said Alberto Torregiani, the son of the slain jeweller. Battisti has admitted to being part of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a radical group that staged a string of robberies and attacks, but he has always denied responsibility for any deaths, painting himself as a political refugee. Rome is determined to punish one of the key figures from Italy's so-called Years of Lead, a decade of violent turmoil which began in the late 1960s and saw dozens of deadly attacks by hardline leftwing and rightwing groups. During his election campaign, Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro -- who took office on January 1 -- vowed that if elected he would "immediately" send Battisti back to Italy. Battisti had filed for asylum without receiving any response from authorities, Bolivia's ombudsman said in an article published in the local El Deber de Santa Cruz newspaper. The ex-communist militant had been hoping to find favour with Bolivia's left-wing President Evo Morales after saying in his asylum request he had been forced to quit Brazil due to "the ominous coincidence" that Italy and Brazil were both now run by "far-right" governments. Salvini and Bolsanaro have been basking in the success of Battisti's capture on social media. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, a member of Italy's right-wing Forza Italia, criticised the presence of "a cohort of political admirers" for Battisti's arrival. Others noted that while Salvini and Bonafede were present at Ciampino, only non-partisan President Sergio Mattarella had received the body of journalist Antonio Megalizzi, 29, who was murdered in an Islamist attack in Strasbourg in December. - Italian anger - Since his jailbreak Battisti had reinvented himself as an author, writing a string of noir novels. In 2004, he skipped bail in France, where he had taken refuge. He then went to live clandestinely in Brazil until he was arrested in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro. After years in custody, then-president Lula issued a decree -- later upheld by Brazil's Supreme Court -- in 2010 refusing Battisti's extradition to Italy, and he was freed, angering Rome. Battisti, who has a five-year-old Brazilian son, in 2017 told AFP he would face "torture" and death if he were ever to be sent back to Italy. burs-cjo/boc An Italian-flagged Falcon 900 plane carrying Battisti landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Monday morning.Battisti, who was not wearing handcuffs, smiled grimly as he was escorted off the plane by a dozen police Battisti was arrested in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, where he gave up without a struggle Chronology of the Battisti affair An alleged killer fooled his wifes family into thinking she was still alive by sending them text messages from her phone for up to a year after her death, authorities claim. Young mother Jaime Ivancic, from Florida in the US, hadnt been seen for about 12 months, but her husband repeatedly assured her parents and others that she was just busy and unavailable. Last month, her parents and brother also went silent, prompting a relative to ask police to check on their home. On New Years Day, Tarpon Springs police found the decomposing bodies of Richard Ivancic, 71, Laura Ivancic, 59, and Nicholas Ivancic, 25, and three dogs inside the home in a quiet retirement community near Tampa. Shelby Svensen is accused of killing his wife and three members of her family. Source: AP Police in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, Ohio, arrested Shelby Svensen, who also goes by the name of Shelby Nealy, on January 3, after spotting him in his mother-in-laws stolen SUV. His two children, aged two and three, were with him and are now in the care of child welfare authorities. According to police, Svensen allegedly confessed to killing his in-laws. Florida police announced shortly after that his wife, Jaime Ivancic, was missing under suspicious circumstances. On Tuesday, Pasco County Sheriffs Col. Jeff Harrington told a news conference that Jamie Ivancics body was recovered in the backyard of a home shed lived in with Svensen, about 16 kilometres from her parents home. Jaime Ivancics body was found buried in the garden of her former Florida home. Source: AP Harrington said no-one remembers speaking with Jamie Ivancic since last January. It was about that time, he said, that she told some family members that she was planning to take the kids and leave Svensen. She wasnt seen again after that. Jamie Ivancics sister Karma Stewart told the Tampa Bay Times they last talked via Facetime on January 25, 2018. Police discovered three decomposing bodies at a home near Tampa on New Years Day. Source: WTSP Family left betrayed I feel betrayed and that I was played, Stewart told the newspaper. I didnt expect the worst when I probably should have. It would appear that he was able to just trick them into thinking that she was unavailable, she was somewhere else and she was unavailable for a phone call, Harrington said. Story continues He said investigators are backtracking to determine how Svensen was able to convince everyone his wife was OK. Laura Ivancic, 59, and Richard Ivancic, 71, were found dead at their home on New Years Day. Source: AP They vacated the residence, he and his kids, close to a year ago and hes been in various places, in the area and elsewhere, Harrington said. Harrington said investigators are working with the state attorneys office and officials in Ohio to bring Svensen back to Florida and charge him with his wifes murder in addition to the three murder charges he already is being held on. Its not known whether Svensen has a lawyer. Family members told the Tampa Bay Times that the couple met in 2016, while Svensen was hanging out with Nicholas Ivancic. Stewart said they couple married in 2017. I tried to convince her a couple times that she would be better off leaving him, just being a single mom with the support of her family, Stewart told the Times. But I dont think she ever considered it an option. Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart and Melbourne. (Photos: Getty) Australias 10 most in-demand suburbs for property have been revealed, and you might be surprised which areas make the list. While Tasmanian suburbs were recently highlighted as the areas where property sold the fastest, new data from realestate.com.au has shown that the most popular areas in the last three months are actually spread throughout Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. Here are the most in-demand suburbs in the December 2018 quarter: Middle Park, VIC Battery Point, TAS Aldgate, SA Crafers West, SA Collaroy Plateau, NSW South Hobart, TAS Belair, SA East Geelong, VIC Killarney Heights, NSW Red Hill, VIC Melbourne and Sydney have been earmarked to fall 6 per cent and 3.3 per cent this year even off the back of a 7 per cent and 8.9 per cent drop in 2018 respectively. But the latest figures show some suburbs are bucking city-wide trends. We are seeing a number of Melbourne suburbs with very high views per listing, realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said. Middle Park and Red Hill are even making the national list, a position usually reserved for suburbs in strong performing markets. Outside of the metropolitan area, regional Victoria is booming, Conisbee added. Ballarat, Geelong and Latrobe Gippsland are currently the strongest regional areas in Australia. And Adelaide is defying the odds, she added, with the citys median price hitting the highest level recorded and no region seeing any declines. The three Adelaidean suburbs are found on the most in-demand list are all in the Adelaide Hills. Last year, Hobart saw its first $1 million suburb, with Battery Point hitting $1.34 million it was also the second most in-demand suburb in Australia, suggesting that this price growth will continue, Conisbee concluded. Most in-demand suburbs by capital city Source: Realestate.com.au Middle-priced suburbs in Sydney will be hit hardest, with expensive and cheaper suburbs holding up decently. While conditions are tough, it does need to be put into perspective, Conisbee points out, given prices in Sydney have nearly doubled in ten years. Story continues This extreme level of price growth was unsustainable and particularly problematic for first home buyers. The declines in prices are not bad news for everyone. Source: Realestate.com.au While Melbourne will see a fall in property prices this year, regional Victoria is booming, with regional cities close to Melbourne doing particularly well. Source: Realestate.com.au The second-strongest market in Australia is set to see greater buyer and renter demand thanks to a change in government which will result in more jobs. Source: Realestate.com.au City-wide, Perth is seeing price falls but some in-demand suburbs are still recording increases, such as beachside suburbs (Cottesloe, City Beach) and inner west suburbs (Shenton Park). Source: Realestate.com.au The inner city is faring best with a 2.2 per cent rise in prices. While it typically wouldnt be much to get excited about, its virtually a boom compared to Sydney and Melbourne. Source: Realestate.com.au Adelaide has seen its first $2 million suburb, Medindie, with Unley Park to follow in the next few months. Housing demand has been partly driven by jobs growth, such a new space agency and submarine construction. Source: Realestate.com.au Hobart is set to see price growth this year, with its first $1 million suburb (Battery Point) the second most in-demand suburb in the nation. Source: Realestate.com.au Darwins long-term slump shows no signs of abating any recovery has been completely derailed by the Royal Commission. However, premium property such as in the citys most expensive area of Fannie Bay is seeing double digit price growth. Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news. Read next: Revealed: The top 10 Aussie suburbs where homes sold the fastest in 2018 Read next: This is how much Aussie housing markets will fall in 2019 Read next: These Australian property markets will boom in 2019 Read next: Heres how your property value changed last year In late 1972, I was at Sairope, the last village of the Orokaiva people in the upper reaches of the Kumusi River on the western slopes of the mile-high plus Mount Lamington, an active volcano which last erupted in 1951, killing around 3,000 people. Although the villagers could produce any number of good quality intact pots which were in daily use and for which they are renowned, these werent asked for, so they smashed some and buried the broken pieces in the ashes. SPRINGBROOK, QUEENSLAND - While we were in Papua New Guinea there was the story of an anthropologist searching for evidence of clay pots at Wanigela who insisted on scratching around for fragments in old cooking fires. I asked a group of fishermen sitting in the shade of the inevitable coconut palms, at what time it would be high tide, so I could plan to get my boats over the reef flat. Were not sure, came the answer. Then how do you know when you should take your boats out fishing? I asked. Oh thats easy, they replied with the penetrating logic one only imparts to a complete imbecile, we just wait until the tide has come up high enough. (Soames Summerhays, Geo vol.8 no.2) My big toe was giving me trouble and the natives, claiming to have a cure, rubbed some crushed dried leaves on my leg. It was a stinging nettle, the resulting pain of which masked the pain in my toe. I was not convinced that I should push on with the seven hour return walk to Asapa which was higher in the mountains near the start of the plateau behind Mount Lamington and the territory of the Managalas people, traditional enemies of the Orokaiva. During our two years at Tufi, the station generator supplied electricity for two hours in the morning and six at night (unless the operator fell asleep, when the diesel engine would throb all night across from our bedroom window). We had a kerosene refrigerator and slow combustion wood-stove which also supplied our hot water. While we were on leave one time, they were replaced with a gas stove and refrigerator. We arrived back in Tufi to a scorched kitchen (the refrigerator leaked gas and caught fire) and cold showers someone had decided hot water was unnecessary in the tropics. So I bought and repaired the Tufi Honda 90 motorbike which had bottomed-out too many times and stripped the sump-plug thread. I fixed it with Araldite, reasoning that the bike could always be turned upside down when I needed to change the oil. But I never had to it burnt so much oil I was always topping it up without regular servicing. There was little variety in our meals. One time, as a treat, we ordered a side of lamb to be brought by the coastal boat which had a freezer. And thats exactly what we got. An uncut frozen half sheep. I had to work quickly with an axe and saw to cut it into meal size portions and get it into our freezer before it thawed. But even the luxury of daily roasts eventually cam become monotonous. When we were in Port Moresby for eight weeks for my magistrates course we stayed at the governments Ranaguri Hostel at Konedobu - the set menu repeating itself week after tiresome week. Then there was my first patrol to the Musa Gorge early 1971. We were away from Tufi for five weeks and arranged for Steamships to send our usual weekly freezer order to Safia. The first Tuesday after our arrival, it failed to turn up on the once-weekly flight from Popondetta. The two-way radio wouldnt work, so we had to wait until the next weeks plane to send a note and, the week after that, the original two week old order duly turned up the vegetables were shrivelled, the bread mouldy and eggs rotten. I was again at Safia at the end of 1971 and the same thing happened. This time I was by myself, Annette having gone south for her sisters wedding. Late one afternoon my solitude was interrupted when fellow patrol officer Drew Pingo walked into Safia from the Lower Musa. As was my habit at sundown, I lit my pipe, the kerosene stove to make dinner and the spirits to preheat the pressure lamp all with one match. Observing this, Drew expressed his disbelief at my frugal ways. I thought it quite normal, having no desire to run out of anything on patrol. I had been away for seven weeks by the time I returned to Tufi and Annette. On one night, camped in the Musa Gorge with a plastic fly above my bed-sleeve, it had started to rain and, as I dozed, the native labourers gradually moved under my bed, the only shelter. In the dark, I half woke to feel something against my chest. Not sure whether it was a strange arm or maybe a snake, I braced myself, made a sudden grab and threw it off. But I was now home and a stunned three months pregnant Annette was flat on our bedroom floor. (From Penetrating Logic, Doug Robbins memories of his experiences as a patrol officer in the Northern District (now Oro Province) - 22 short stories compiled around 2006) President John Momis - "We are about to write the history of this island" ANTHONY KAYBING BUKA Bougainvilles President John Momis has urged Bougainville public servants to conscientiously prepare for the referendum on the autonomous provinces political future scheduled for mid-June. We are about to write the history of this island, Dr Momis said. The eyes of the world and the region are trained on us as we prepare for a historical and political exercise that will be our legacy to the next generation. In the past months we have sped up our awareness campaign. Precious funds have been spent and long man hours sacrificed. And from the north to the south, from the Atolls to Suir, our people - with tremendous love for Bougainville - did their part to make sure their villages are weapons free, he said. Dr Momis said that despite signs of prosperity and progress there are still points of regression in the public service that must be eradicated. In the years after World War II there was a road from Mt Hagen that went over Kuta ridge and down to Korgua. He became known as Korgua Dan to distinguish him from his nephew, Sir Danny Leahy, who lived in Goroka. After spending some years gold mining at Kuta ridge, around 1960 Dan went into coffee production, establishing a plantation at Korgua in the Nebilyer valley. DAN Leahy, along with his brother Mick and Jim Taylor, entered the Wahgi Valley in 1933. This bush road later became unusable and in the seventies another road was built that went the long way round - from Mt. Hagen via Togoba and Wybip past Ulga Catholic mission then across the Trug river and on up to Korgua. Fr Joe Krimm was based at Ulga and was good friends with Dan and his family, who often called in to Ulga on their way to and from Mt Hagen. Dan Leahy became well known outside Papua New Guinea through the documentary film, First Contact, by Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly, which was based on Dan and Mick Leahys explorations. Later documentaries, Joe Leahys Neighbours and Black Harvest focuseed more on one of Mick Leahys sons, Joe Leahy, and the Nebilyer Valley. In 1972, long before First Contact was made, I was stationed at Ulga parish in the Nebilyer, not too far from Korgua. I was replacing Fr Joe Krimm. who had gone on leave. Fr Krimm had a small coffee plantation at Ulga in which he took great pride. The coffee cherries were carefully picked, pulped, dried and the parchment processed as green bean. Fr Krimm would send samples of the green bean coffee to Australia to obtain a price before exporting his coffee there with the help of Dan Leahy. When I took over from Fr Krimm, he wisely decided that the pulping, drying and processing would be too much for me and it would be simpler if, each day after picking, I sold the coffee cherries directly to Dan Leahy. That suited me fine. So every afternoon, after the coffee cherries were picked, weighed and bagged, they would be loaded on the back of a big Cherokee open-back utility and I would drive from Kigragl at Ulga down to Korgua where Dan lived and had his coffee factory. Id go straight to the wet factory where the bags of coffee cherry would be weighed and unloaded. The clerk there would note the weight and give me receipt which Id take to Dans house and office. His older children were usually away at school in Australia but the younger ones, Margaret and Nancy, went to school in Hagen and were often back in the house in the afternoon together with their mothers, Biam and Mancy. By this time Dan Leahy had poor eyesight and was also a bit deaf. His glasses had thick lenses and he usually wore a hearing aid. However, in his office, once he picked up the tone of my voice, he could hear me if I spoke clearly. Dan would take the note the clerk had given me and write a cheque for the required amount. He would then offer me a drink and we would chat about events. Dan once told me that he felt more cut off from the world by lack of hearing than by lack of vision. He had a good memory for the early days in Kuta and he would recount many interesting stories about the war years. He talked about Fr Schaefer who had been based in Simbu and told me he had got on well with Fr Ross in Hagen and said they were good friends. In some ways Dan himself was more like the strong character of Fr Schaefer than the gentle Fr Ross. Dan had also admired Bro Eugene Frank, who had been fatally wounded in Simbu, but thought Bro Eugene was too gentle. With regard to the war years, Dan talked about his journey to the Sepik and back, rescuing missionaries, priests and sisters. He told me that the sisters were more cooperative than the priests. The good sisters agreed to wear soldiers trousers instead of their long skirts in order to facilitate quicker walking in the bush. Dan said he warned the priests not to swim in the cold mountain streams. One priest ignored him and soon got a fever as a result. He talked about a trip to Madang to bring cattle from Alexishafen area to a point far away from the threatened Japanese invasion in the Ramu, and about how one of the missionaries tried to keep back some of the cattle by hiding them. When Dan asked me to have a drink with him, I usually accepted his invitation. Then after the first whisky, he would say, A bird never flew on one wing. So we had a second. On some occasions this extended to One for the road and even beyond that to One for no reason at all!. Somehow I always managed to drive back safely to Ulga. All this was over 40 years ago and these days I sometimes enjoy a drink with Dans son Bernie Leahy in the Madang Club. Korgua Dan Leahy died in 1991. Korgua Coffee is still advertised on the internet. Dans son Brian Leahy now manages the plantation. Photo: Dan Leahy and Fr Joe McDermott at Ulga parish house around 1972. Joe was based at Ambullua in the Jimi. He was an expert horse handler and helped break in horses for Dan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev congratulates Nikol Pashinyan on being appointed Prime Minister of Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports TASS informs, citing the press service of the PM. I hope that with joint efforts we will be able to fully discover the integration potential of the Eurasian Economic Union, reads the congratulatory message. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a condolence letter to President of Iran Hassan Rouhani on January 14 on the occasion of the crash of Boeing 707 near Karaj city, which claimed numerous human lives. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, President Armen Sarkissian extended condolences and solidarity to President Rouhani, families and relatives of the victims, wishing them spiritual strength and patience for overcoming the grief. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan 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. YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory address to Prime-Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on January 14. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh Presidents Office, the address runs as follows: Honorable Mr. Pashinyan, On behalf of the people, authorities of the Artsakh Republic and myself personally I extend my congratulations to You on being appointed Prime-Minister of the Republic of Armenia. I hope that reassigning this high and responsible position You and Your Cabinet will continue to do everything possible for developing the Republic of Armenia, strengthening the security and defense capacity of the country and the people, sustaining economic progress, widening and deepening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. I am confident that together with joint efforts all the necessary steps will be taken for keeping the high level of cooperation between the two Armenian states and solving common issues. I once again congratulate You and wish peace, robust health, great successes and new achievements. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko sent a congratulatory message to Nikol Pashinyan on being elected Prime Minister of Armenia. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the message particularly runs as follows, Honorable Nikol Vovayevich, I heartily congratulate you on the successful termination of the important political campaign of electing new parliament and your appointment to the post of the Prime Minister of Armenia. I am confident the cooperation between Belarus and Armenia will develop in various spheres and will foster the friendship between our peoples. Honorable Nikol Vovayevich, I wish you good health, happiness and success in the state post. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The first ever Turkish-language travel guide to Armenia has been published in Turkey jointly by the Support For Armenia-Turkey Normalization Process program, the EU and the foreign ministry of Sweden, Agos newspaper reported. The guide features Armenias sightseeing locations and a glossary. Alin Ozinyan, the manager of the program, has said that by publishing the guide they wanted to tell Turkish tourists that the fact that the Armenian-Turkish border is closed as a result of economic sanctions by Turkey against Armenia and the absence of diplomatic relations cannot be a ban for visiting Armenia and having good impressions. The guide is also available for free download. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. A group of people are protesting against a possible pardon of Mher Yenokyan, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence in Yerevan. Recently rumors began circulating online that the justice ministry is considering granting Yenokyan clemency. Demonstrators today initiated a petition against the possible pardon and handed it over to the governmental headquarters. The protest is organized by the family of the young man that Yenokyan is convicted of killing. Students, lecturers and doctors of the Yerevan State Medical University are also taking part in the protest. The victims father is a medical professor. According to unconfirmed reports, a pardon commission has given a positive conclusion to Yenokyans petition. By law, a pardon must make its way to the Prime Minister and then the President for approval or rejection. The justice ministry gave no comment on the matter, noting that information on pardon petitions are confidential. Yenokyan is convicted of murdering Iosiph Aghajanov in 1996, when both were studying at the Yerevan State Medical University. A court found him guilty and sentenced to death in 1996. The court found that the murder was committed in conspiracy with an accomplice. The latter served a 15-year sentence. When Armenia abolished the death penalty in 2003, Yenokyans conviction was changed to life in prison. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on being re-appointed Prime Minister of Armenia, the Kremlins press service reported. In the cable sent to Pashinyan, Putin expressed hope that dialogue between Russia and Armenia will contribute to strengthening allied partnership. Russian President Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to Pashinyan on the occasion of being appointed Prime Minister of Armenia, the Kremlin said. Putin, in particular, noted that relations between Russia and Armenia are based on good traditions of friendship and mutual respect and that the two countries have accumulated significant experience of productive cooperation in various sectors. I expect that our dialogue and joint constructive work will contribute to the further strengthening of the Russian-Armenian allied partnership, as well as advancing integration processes in the Eurasian territory. This, undoubtedly, is in line with the interests of our brotherly peoples, Putin said in the cable. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Yerevan will host the V Armenian International Medical Congress July 4-6. The congress will bring together Armenian doctors from all over the Diaspora, as well as internationally renowned experts and healthcare specialists. The event will focus on issues and developments in public health, general medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, nursery, healthcare education and other medical sectors. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Protests demanding former MP Manvel Grigoryan to be placed under arrest again continue in Yerevan outside the headquarters of the Court of Appeals. The hearing over Grigoryans measure of restraint is underway in the courthouse. Protesters took to streets back in December of 2018, when Grigoryan, a retired army general, was released from custody on a 25,000,000 dram bail. Days later the prosecution objected the release and filed a complaint. On January 10, one of the protesters spitted on the car of Grigoryans attorney while the latter was attempting to leave the area. The attorney was also verbally abused. The move prompted Bar Association (known as Chamber of Advocates) president Ara Zohrabyan to personally visit the protest area to find out why the demonstrators are identifying the attorney with the latters client. Zohrabyan expressed concern over the matter, pointing to the Ministerial Committee of the Council of Europe, that has addressed countries to create favorable conditions for attorneys to work unconstrained. The Bar Association chair even had to explain the functions of an attorney to one of the protesters, noting that it is inadmissible to insult or obstruct the work of a lawyer. In turn, the protester, Jivan Abrahamyan, claimed that the lawyer himself has insulted the demonstrators. Grigoryan, a former Member of Parliament, was stripped of immunity by parliament in June 2018 and placed under arrest in suspicion of illegal possession of firearms and grand theft. At the time of his arrest Grigoryan also served as president of the Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers, but was later ousted by the board of the organization amid highly scandalous accusations. Law enforcement agencies found a private zoo, a car collection, huge amounts of weapons and ammunition, as well as allegedly embezzled military supplies and donations in his compound. Grigoryan, however, denies any wrongdoing. He was released from custody on a 25,000,000 dram bail on December 21, 2018. His release sparked outrage in his hometown of Etchmiatsin. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian today signed a decree on appointing Nikol Pashinyan Prime Minister of Armenia, the PMs Office told Armenpress. The meeting of the President and the Prime Minister was held in the Presidential Palace. Mr. Prime Minister, I once again have an occasion to congratulate you, as the leader of a movement and a party, on the victory in the parliamentary elections. I also want to congratulate on the first session of the Parliament of 7th convocation. Our Parliament has a lot of works to do, and at this stage these works are very clear. The Parliament must do everything to turn the ideas, hopes and expectations of the velvet revolution into a reality today, tomorrow and the next day. I have received the proposal by the Parliament and based on that I will sign the decree on appointing you Prime Minister with a pleasure. Congratulations. Best wishes and good luck for the glory of our Fatherland and the whole Armenian people, President Armen Sarkissian said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The National Assembly must become a platform for public discussions through parliamentary hearings where it would be possible to get broad public approval for legislative initiatives, Ararat Mirzoyan candidate for the Speaker of Parliament nominated by My Step faction, said in his remarks during the 1st session of the new Parliament, in response to the question of MP Nazeli Baghdasaryan, reports Armenpress. The lawmaker from My Step faction said the role of parliamentary hearings in the conditions of the parliamentary system was not enough previously which resulted in great public complaint. People believed that many laws were not deriving from their interests, she said. In response Ararat Mirzoyan said he agrees with this view. I share the importance given to the parliamentary hearings. I assure you that all of us, I if elected as Speaker of Parliament, as well as all factions should make all efforts to make the Parliament the platform for public discussions through hearings where it will be possible to get a public approval for legislative initiatives, he said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The My Step faction of the Armenian Parliament will nominate Nikol Pashinyans candidacy for the position of Prime Minister in the first session of the 7th convocation Parliament which launched today, faction head Lilit Makunts told Armenpress. Yes, of course we will nominate the PMs candidacy today, she said. The first session of the 7th convocation Parliament is underway: candidates for the Speaker and Vice Speakers are being nominated. The faction, that is majority in the Parliament, will propose the President of Armenia to appoint Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister. According to the Constitution, the election of PM is not taking place in the new Parliament. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. On January 15, in accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, the OSCE Mission will conduct a planned monitoring of the ceasefire regime on the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, to the south-east from Levonarkh village of the Martakert region, Artsakhs foreign ministry told Armenpress. From the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, the monitoring will be conducted by Field Assistant to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) Mihail Olaru (Moldova) and Personal Assistant to the CiO Personal Representative Simon Tiller (Great Britain). The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have expressed their readiness to assist in conducting the monitoring and to ensure the security of the OSCE Mission members. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of 7th convocation will be different from the previous ones with its constructive policy, approaches and discussions, Lilit Makunts MP from the My Step faction, said before the launch of the first session of the new Parliament on January 14, reports Armenpress. Commenting on the fact that the My Step faction has absolute majority and major quantitative difference against the remaining factions in the Parliament, the lawmaker said leadership forms majority in any parliamentary country. We were fighting against such quantitative difference before the parliamentary elections by trying to change the previously adopted law. But at the moment we have what we have. And the fact that we have much more MPs compared to the previous Parliament, is linked only with that law. But the opposition plays a very important role in the Parliament. And I think and hope that this Parliament will differ from the previous ones with its constructive policy, approaches and discourse, she said, adding that she will make all efforts for this purpose as a lawmaker. She also noted that obstacles are also possible in the future. There will be different obstacles. But we have enough political will to overcome them. The difference between this and previous parliaments has already been enshrined by free, transparent and democratic elections, also by the fact that we have state thinking and political will to make decisions, the MP said. Commenting on views that there is no real opposition in this Parliament, Makunts said she cannot share this view. Snap parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on December 9, 2018. Based on the elections results, three political forces My Step alliance, Prosperous Armenia and Bright Armenia parties, have been elected to the Parliament. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Ministers and other officials of several ministries have been formally relieved from duties as they were elected Members of Parliament. Arman Boshyan has been dismissed from office as head of the social security service at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development Hakob Simidyan has also been relieved of duties. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruben Rubinyan has also been dismissed. Other officials that were relieved include Deputy Minister of Education and Science Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, First Deputy Minister of Transportation, Communication and Information Technologies Armen Pambukhchyan and Deputy Director of the State Oversight Service Tigran Ulikhanyan. All the abovementioned officials successfully ran for parliament in the 2018 December 9 election and have been formally dismissed to assume office. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos Garegin II was in attendance today at the inaugural sitting of the 7th National Assembly of Armenia to deliver a blessing and address the new lawmakers. The Catholicos said that Members of Parliament of the 7th convocation must develop the required opportunities for the continuous development of Armenias economic, progress of science and culture and safeguarding of the security and peace of the people. He congratulated and blessed the new Members of Parliament. Today, you, as trusted representatives of the people, are assuming your duties, the Catholicos told the 132 MPs. He said that along with diverse opinions and political views, the lawmakers are united by the vision of a bright future for the people. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The success of MPs of the 7th convocation Parliament is greatly linked with the support of each citizen of Armenia, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian said in his remarks during the first session of the new Parliament on January 14, reports Armenpress. The historic 2018 was a year of major changes, experiments, expectations and hopes. It was a year of numerous displays of the best characteristics of our people, such as unity, high moral and political spirit. The results of the December 9 parliamentary elections, which have been acknowledged by all political forces and international observers, have given high legitimacy to the current National Assembly. By the formation of the new National Assembly and new government the first stage of political changes ends. The next stage, the stage of justification of hopes and promises, consistent and daily work, begins. You have received broad opportunities to implement the ideas of the velvet revolution and justify the expectations of the people to create new Armenia. The success of your activities greatly will depend on the support of the citizen of Armenia and his/her participation in public, political, economic, educational and cultural life, the President said. In his speech Armen Sarkissian outlined the main issues facing the National Assembly and the state bodies. The first Article of the Constitution declares the Republic of Armenia as a sovereign, democratic, social state governed by the rule of law. This provision is not a recording of fact, but a key principle, goal for a state. A goal which can never be considered as completely implemented. A goal which must be achieved by constant improvement and passing through a long path. Therefore, numerous and major reforms still need to be done in all spheres for creating new Armenia. Guaranteeing prosperous and dignified life for all people living in Armenia remains a priority task. Currently, not enough importance to these rights is given both at the legal and practical platform. In new Armenia the persons economic, social, cultural, educational rights and freedoms must be a key part of the human dignity. The legal acts and actions of public bodies must be based on this perception, President Sarkissian said. Summing up his speech Armen Sarkissian wished productive work to the new Parliament. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Judge David Grigoryan has recused himself from presiding over the hearing of ex-President of Armenia Robert Kocharyans arrest case, the former presidents attorney Hayk Alumyan told ARMENPRESS. Earlier another judge had also recused following a peremptory challenge from the prosecution. Now, the hearing will be presided over by judge Arthur Mkhrtchyan, Alumyan said. 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who ruled the country from 1998 to 2008, spent two weeks in jail in summer of 2018, but was eventually freed. But on December 7, a higher court overruled the release and ordered him to be remanded into custody pending trial again. At the time the court announced the verdict, Kocharyan turned himself in to authorities. Kocharyan is charged for overthrowing constitutional order during the 2008 post-election unrest, when clashes between security forces and protesters left 10 people dead, including two police officers, during his final days as president. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The results of the 2018 December 9 early election endowed high legitimacy to the incumbent National Assembly, President Armen Sarkissian said in remarks addressed to lawmakers of the 7th parliament during its inaugural session. With the formation of the new National Assembly and new government, the first phase of political changes is ending, and the next phase the phase of fulfilling hopes and promises, coherent, persistent and daily work is beginning. Dear Members of Parliament, you have received broad opportunities for fulfilling the ideas of the velvet revolution and justifying the expectations of the society on building a new Armenia, the president said. The president added that the success of the lawmakers will also greatly depend on support from citizens and their participation in the public, political, economic, cultural and educational life. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed his spokesperson Arman Yeghoyan from office, Pashinyans office said. Yeghoyan has been formally relieved from duties since he was elected Member of Parliament and the new National Assembly has commenced activities today. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump threatened Turkey with economic measures if it attacks Kurds in Syria, reports Armenpress. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone...., Trump said on Twitter. He stated that the US does not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!, he said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Snow conditions across Armenia are causing trouble for drivers in certain roads. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported at 08:30 that the Vardenyats Pass is closed for traffic and the Sotk-Karvajar road is difficult to pass. Authorities cautioned drivers of clear ice. Snow is falling in the towns of Talin and Ashtarak of Aragatsotn province. According to Georgian transportation authorities the Stepantsminda-Lars road is closed for cargo trucks. Construction works are being carried out from the 39th km of the Vanadzor-Alaverdi road until Bagratashen, and drivers are urged to travel through an alternative route. The Stepantsminda-Lars road is the only land connection between Armenia and Russia, which runs through Georgia. Stepantsminda is a small town in north-eastern Georgia. The road is used for both passenger and cargo transportations and is of major significance. Vehicles pass through the Verkhni (Upper) Lars customs checkpoint into Russia. Temporary brief shutdowns are usual during winter seasons because of weather conditions. Located on an elevation of 2410 meters in Armenias Gegharkunik Province, the Vardenyats Pass is a mountain pass in the eastern section of the Vardenis mountain range, where the Martuni-Yeghegnadzor highway passes through. The 14th century Selim Caravanserai is located here. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. A wave of false bomb threats were made Sunday evening by an unidentified called, authorities reported. As reported earlier, the threats targeted three addresses in Yerevan: two bookmaking offices and one crediting organization. Shortly afterwards another bomb threat was made targeting a restaurant complex outside Yerevan. The Ministry of Emergency Situations said K9 units and bomb squads searched the areas and gave an all-clear as no explosives were discovered. Authorities did not report other details. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Yerevan law enforcement agencies responded to bomb threats in three different addresses of the Armenian capital on Sunday evening, the ministry of emergency situations said in a press release. The caller contacted 911 and said that bombs have been placed in two offices of Vivarobet, a bookmaking organization, and an office of Fast Credit, a crediting organization in Yerevan. Multiple emergency response units were dispatched to the addresses, the ministry said. At 20:00, bomb squads gave an all-clear as no explosives were found. At around the same period, another bomb threat was called in, this time targeting a restaurant complex outside Yerevan. The ministry said it will provide additional information. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Norway will step up preparations to claim its share of oil and gas resources if Russia finds petroleum on its side of the border in the Barents Sea, Reuters writes citing Director General of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) Bente Nyland. "Let's say they started to drill close to (the border) and there is a cross-border structure, then, of course, Norway would like to get the resources that belong to Norway," Bente Nyland told Reuters. "That's the same with the border toward UK and Denmark," she added. Any discoveries on the Russian side could trigger a political debate in Oslo about the need to open those areas for exploration as well, Nyland said. Reuters writes that opening up more exploration areas could be politically difficult given Norway's climate commitments and opposition from various environmental organizations and some political parties. Russia and Norway signed an agreement on the delimitation of maritime areas and cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean in 2010. The agreement came into force in July 2011, ending the delimitation talks that began back in 1970. The 2010 agreement gives Russia and Norway the right to freely develop their parts of the Arctic shelf. In this sense, the Head of State indicated CyM Vizcarra had indeed rented equipment to some enterprises that had participated in the construction of the South Interoceanic Highway. "But none of them was the Odebrecht company," the top official expressed. He went on to add CyM Vizcarra had assisted some consortiums at that time, just like hundreds and even thousands of suppliers had done. Likewise, the statesman pointed out the client list of a business is public, as any citizen can learn which clients the companies have had. "And it can be verified that Odebrecht had never been a client of CyM Vizcarra company," he underlined. Furthermore, President Vizcarra stated that Conirsa consortium had indeed been a client, but clarified it was unknown which enterprises had belonged to it. "Besides, 12 years ago, none of the companies had any problems hiring, nor had they any complaints due to irregularities," the top official said. (END) CCR/DTK/MVB President Martin Vizcarra on Monday affirmed Brazilian construction company Odebrecht had never been a client of CyM Vizcarra, a firm he had been part of.Published: 1/14/2019 13:43 | San Juan de Marcona (Ica region), Jan. 14. Argentina's Kevin Benavides (Honda) came in second on this leg between Arequipa and San Juan de Marcona , the race's longest stage, 1m52s behind Quintanilla and now occupies fourth place eight minutes behind the Chilean. However, the French driver was only able to shave a little more than two minutes off the advantage enjoyed by Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah , who once again adopted a conservative strategy and kept his position behind the nine-time world rally champion to ensure that he lost as little time as possible. News UAE emerges stronger after extraordinary resilience during pandemic, says Sheikh Mohammed "In many ways, the UAE has proved to be one of best prepared countries to deal with this pandemic. Not only have we effectively safeguarded the health and wellbeing of citizens and residents, we have also weathered the economic impact of the crisis," says Mohammed. On Monday, New York State Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the first Democrat to hold the position since 2010, will introduce a package of highly-anticipated voting reform bills with her Assembly counterpart, Speaker Carl Heastie. The bills include early voting, same-day voter registration, and the consolidation of state and local primaries, and are expected to pass immediately: a signal to voters that the Democratically-controlled legislature is serious about raising New York to the national standard. New York is currently one of twelve states without an early voting option, a measure that can alleviate crowding and confusion at polling sites. Legislation expected to pass on Monday would allow New Yorkers to vote in person starting two weekends before any election. Advocates say that allowing voters to register at their polling places on election daycurrently New Yorkers must register at least 25 days priorwould help prevent voter purges. Combining state and local primaries into a single election could help increase New Yorks historically abysmal voter turnout. "Grassroots activists across New York state have fought for years to bring about long overdue voting reform, and the fact that it is being taken up on day one of the legislative session sends a clear message that our voices have been heard, said Shabd Simon-Alexander, organizing director for Let NY Vote, a statewide activist coalition whose members are traveling to Albany this morning to celebrate. But advocates for criminal justice reform say they are disappointed the day-one package excludes, among other measures, the codification of parolee voting rights. Governor Andrew Cuomo enfranchised most of the state's 35,000 parolees last year by way of Executive Order. But orders are vulnerable to revocation by subsequent administrations, and advocates say legislation could eliminate confusion about who qualifies. Jose Saldana, Director of the nonprofit Release Aging People from Prison, has been on parole for one year following a 37-year prison sentence for attempted murder. He says that he was "terribly, terribly disappointed" to learn that Monday's package excluded parolee voting rights. "I voted for the first time in the primaries in September and I can't even describeit was a great feeling. It was the first time I had ever voted in my life," he said. I think this should be a very simple matter, Saldana added. The Democrats are the majority. This is not heavy lifting. Democratic leadership told Gothamist that bills left off the day-one package will not be forgotten. There are a number of incredibly important things, said Queens Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, noting that one of his own priorities, automatic voter registration, is not on Mondays list. Well get to it, theres just a long list. Over the coming legislative session, we will review many bills and discuss issues in the Majority Conference before determining how best to move forward, Stewart-Cousins added in a statement. Other voting rights priorities left out of Mondays voting rights package include the ability to change party affiliation close to an election (the deadline is currently October of the previous year), and a bill that would create more user-friendly ballots, Stewart-Cousins' office confirmed. Parolee enfranchisement is particularly controversial among Republicans. The State GOP released an attack ad last October decrying Cuomo's executive order, and held two Senate hearings on the issue. Southeast Queens Senator Leroy Comrie has introduced legislation two years running that would enfranchise all parolees automatically, without the case-by-case pardoning of Cuomos executive order. A Comrie staffer confirmed Friday that hes met regularly with advocates to refine the billadding a voter education provision, for exampleand that Comrie will push for its passage this session. Zellnor Myrie, a freshman senator representing central Brooklyn who unseated a member of the Independent Democratic Conference, is now chair of the elections committee. He told Gothamist that parolee enfranchisement will be a major priority for him this session, though he confirmed there is nothing on the calendar right now. Once passed, Mondays bills will go to Governor Cuomo for signing. "Anything that's not done, we will try to get wrapped up in the budget," Cuomo told WAMC Radio on Thursday. Same-day registration, a constitutional amendment, will also require a statewide voter referendum. The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a member of the Let NY Vote coalition, learned about the day-one package last week. Trying to do a stand-alone on parolees is going to be harder than doing it as part of a broad election package, Renee Paradis, a DSA member organizing the groups electoral reform work, predicted. I think we in DSA are worried that people are going to say, Well, job well done. And a lot of the impetus to make sure New York has a responsive democracy is gone once you get the press that you want. Summary In the face of a shifting international trade landscape and Brazils desire to diversify its trade partners, the future of the Southern Common Market, known by the Spanish acronym Mercosur, is in doubt. Mercosurs utility has been questioned for years: The bloc imposes trade barriers among its own members and restricts their ability to strike free trade agreements with outside partners. It serves primarily as a governing framework for trade between the regions two largest economies: Brazil and Argentina. While Venezuela, Paraguay and Uruguay have full membership, their roles are peripheral and Venezuela is currently suspended from the group. Brazil is undisputedly the dominant force driving Mercosur, but it has grown increasingly dissatisfied with the bloc, which Brasilia believes prevents it from pursuing its foreign relations and trade agenda in full. Blame for Mercosurs uncertain future has been placed on the blocs most recent and most vocal critic, Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro . But Brazils relationship with Mercosur was tenuous long before his election. The bloc has failed to achieve its founding objectives, and Brazil has outgrown its potential benefits. In the coming years, Brazil will have to redefine its relationship with Mercosur. This Deep Dive explores how Brazils ties with the bloc have reached a tipping point, and how Mercosur has joined the ranks of trade blocs facing the need to modernize or risk dissolution. The Birth of Mercosur Mercosur was the product of timely economic and political forces in the region and around the world: increasing globalization of trade and the collapse of military governments in South America. But its origins can be traced to 1960 and the formation of the Latin American Free Trade Association. LAFTA was the first attempt to replicate European regional economic integration in South America, but the effort failed. Member states were still in a phase of government-supervised industrialization, which included the imposition of trade barriers to discourage imports and coerce consumers into buying domestically produced goods. These countries saw large-scale free trade as a threat to their industrialization, their utmost economic priority. In 1980, the region made a second, more successful attempt at economic integration with the creation of the Latin American Integration Association. ALADI, unlike its predecessor, took a gradual approach to free trade, brokering agreements piecemeal in the short term and aiming for a common market in the long run. Also in the 1980s, a rapprochement was emerging between Brazil and Argentina. Until that point, the two had been rivals in the struggle for regional dominance. They competed for external markets and over nuclear energy development, and in the 1970s, the rivalry devolved into a political crisis over the Itaipu Dams construction. But by the 1980s, both were facing economic uncertainty and dealing with political transition, and they couldnt afford to continue the rivalry any longer. In 1983, Argentina held democratic elections after nine years of military junta rule, and in 1985, voters ousted Brazils military dictatorship. These fledgling governments were tasked with enacting political democratization and establishing new institutions against the backdrop of a regional debt crisis and the Cold War. Their vulnerabilities and interests aligned, Buenos Aires and Brasilia overcame their political differences and decided to pursue economic integration. The two saw improved ties as a way to protect domestic industry from global competition and an opportunity to gain influence over each others international economic relationships. In 1990, they signed an economic complementation agreement, a bilateral accord under the ALADI framework that opens specific market segments to trade. In 1991, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina used existing ACEs to create a basic framework for a common market. Upon this foundation, they built the Treaty of Asuncion, establishing Mercosur. (Venezuela would not join until 2012.) Despite having five members, its clear that Brazil dominates the bloc. Brazils population and economy are far larger than any of its neighbors though Argentina isnt too far behind. According to the most recent International Monetary Fund figures, the five Mercosur countries combined gross domestic product is $2.58 trillion. Of that sum, Brazil accounts for $1.91 trillion and Argentina $475 billion. This roughly reflects the proportions of their respective populations: The bloc has 293.4 million inhabitants, 71 percent of whom live in Brazil and 15 percent in Argentina. From the outset, therefore, Brazil has played an outsize role in Mercosur. Including Paraguay and Uruguay in the bloc helped Brazil and Argentina manage their relationships with other countries in the region, while the two smaller economies benefited from having better access to major economies. ( click to enlarge ) Mercosurs Faulty System The new economic bloc set out with four progressive goals for economic cooperation, each building on the last. First, the group would establish a free trade zone with no restrictions on the circulation of goods among member states. Second, it would form a customs union wherein common external tariffs would be uniformly applied across the group. Third, Mercosur would create a common market to allow free movement of labor and capital. And finally, the bloc would synchronize member states macroeconomic and trade policies. Nearly three decades later, Mercosur has established relatively free trade practices and components of a customs union, but a complete common market is still a long way off. Over time, Mercosur increasingly restricted trade relationships both within the group and between members and nonmembers. The Protocol of Ouro Preto established the blocs basic structure and required unanimity for major decisions including the addition of new members and signing of free trade agreements with non-ALADI countries. The unanimity requirement made it nearly impossible to get anything done. And without enforcement mechanisms, decisions werent always carried out. This has become particularly problematic for Brazil: Despite being the uncontested power of the group, it risks being blocked from pursuing its economic interests by many of its much smaller neighbors. To overcome the gridlock, the bloc has devised ways to circumvent the unanimity requirement on some issues. Members can selectively deviate from the blocs tariffs, for example, and set their own rates for specific goods. Much as in the days of ALALC, member states dont want to jeopardize their economic development they still need to protect domestic industries and maintain decent employment rates. Within the bloc, they do so at the expense of fully open trade. Each Mercosur country can select goods it believes could be harmed by lifting tariffs and continue charging duties on those products within the bloc. Similarly, each member can select products for exemption from the common external tariff, charging higher rates instead. These workarounds have created two major weaknesses for Mercosur. First, it is not truly a free trade bloc, as hundreds of tariff exemptions have already been granted. New exemptions are constantly being negotiated, which has led to temporary trade blockades as members retaliate against each others higher tariffs or lobby for approval of their own hikes. Second, if a member imports cheap goods from a nonmember country, those goods can bleed into the regional market, and this can result in conflict. Paraguay, for example, imports cheap Chinese electronics and basic manufactured goods; Argentina, on the other hand, places higher tariffs on these products to protect domestic industry. But the goods imported by Paraguay could make their way into Argentina, which Buenos Aires sees as a threat. Second, Mercosurs unanimity requirements make free trade agreements with nonmember states extremely difficult to execute: No single member can sign a bilateral FTA with an external state without the blocs consent. In a group with widely different economic needs and interests, consent is often unfeasible. Terms that favor one member might hurt another. But again, Mercosur has found ways to mitigate this problem using the ALADI framework (although only with ALADI member states). Since Mercosur is ALADIs successor, expanding trade ties with fellow ALADI members shouldnt interfere with Mercosurs rules. In fact, Mercosurs founders originally wanted to use ALADI to facilitate the gradual addition of other regional economies to the new trade bloc. ( click to enlarge ) But Mercosurs restrictions, along with regional political disagreements, mean that further economic integration with other ALADI states may not happen. Adding other ALADI members to Mercosur would require modifying a series of ACEs, expanding them to further open up the market. Some non-Mercosur ALADI members have such arrangements in place with Mercosur. The ACEs, however, are typically developed bilaterally with each member of Mercosur, and not all Mercosur countries are eager to sign such agreements with other ALADI states. For instance, Mexico has significantly expanded its ACE with Uruguay. Yet Mexicos contentious relationship with Brazil in areas like the automotive industry has prevented the two from significantly expanding certain ACEs. Similarly, Chile and Brazil recently agreed to a broad expansion of several ACEs, but Argentinas legislature hasnt approved similar deals with Chile. More broadly, Mercosur members hands are tied when it comes to signing bilateral free trade agreements with non-ALADI countries. The blocs selectively protectionist measures and controversial ideological stances make it less attractive to external partners, so major trade agreements with global economic powers like the U.S. and China wont happen any time soon for Mercosur. Thus far, the bloc has only cemented free trade agreements with Egypt and Israel, a general macroeconomic agreement with Morocco and basic preliminary trade agreements with India and the Southern African Customs Union. Another 14 agreements are progressing slowly or have completely stalled. Theres growing hope that Mercosur will sign a free trade agreement with the European Union but those talks began in 2000, took a hiatus, picked up again in 2010, were paused in 2012, and were again revived, so nobodys holding their breath. Brazil, in particular, wants to redefine its foreign relations by pivoting away from Latin America toward the Northern Hemisphere. Trade is essential to this strategy, but Mercosur membership is constraining its ambition. Under the blocs current structure, Brazil has no chance of signing any significant bilateral trade agreements with partners outside of Latin America. ( click to enlarge ) Less Economics, More Politics Mercosurs failure as a trade block is attributable to more than just its structural dysfunction. Over the past decade, its agenda has been dominated not by trade but by politically and ideologically driven projects. The lack of progress on economic integration and the increasing politicization was initially tolerable for Brazil given its economic boom and political climate. But both its economic outlook and its politics have shifted drastically in the past couple of years, making Mercosurs dysfunction extremely problematic for Brazil. What economic measures Mercosur has managed to advance have had minimal benefit for Brazil. In 2002, the bloc introduced a dispute settlement mechanism, but enforcement of decisions made in the bloc was still weak. In 2017, members signed the Intra-Mercosur Cooperation and Facilitation Investment Protocol, designed to boost investment among Mercosurs four main economies. This agreement has a clear drawback for Mercosurs largest economy: While Brazil can now more easily invest in other member states, its unlikely that they will reciprocate with the level of investment Brazil needs. Rather, the key sources of investment that Brazil needs are outside the bloc and this agreement does nothing to help Brazil attract those investors. Similarly, in 2005, Mercosur established its Structural Convergence Fund to finance and develop infrastructure projects that would boost the blocs connectivity and competitiveness. The funds portfolio includes more than 40 projects worth about $1.4 billion. Because of the economic and development discrepancies within the bloc, Brazil became the primary funder of the projects, though the funds resources were mainly allocated to the other member states. In the funds early years, Brazils economy was thriving, and that dynamic worked. But Brazils 2015-2016 recession caused its economy to contract by over 7 percent, and the recession was accompanied by a major corruption scandal that changed how Brazil invests in development and infrastructure. Now Brasilia needs funds to rebuild its economy and can no longer afford to foot the bill for its neighbors economic development. Meanwhile, the bloc was becoming increasingly political. Mercosur had flirted with taking a political stance in 1998 with the passage of the Ushuaia Protocol, which stated the blocs support for democracy and rejection of illegal changes of government. (The protocol was updated in 2011 to allow but not require Mercosur countries to take concrete measures, like sanctions and border closures, against member states that violate this agreement.) In the 2000s, a wave of populist leaders ascended to power in South America, including in Mercosur member states. Beginning in 2007, the bloc began to establish politically oriented bodies to pursue social and political objectives. This included a social policy research institute, a human rights policy institute and a social participation unit. Mercosur also helped Venezuela cope with its economic crisis through food-for-oil exchanges and leniency on payments for imported godos. The blocs increasing politicization created new layers of institutional dysfunction. The strongest manifestation of this was the 2012 suspension of Paraguay the culmination of several years of political posturing within the group. Paraguay had been blocking Venezuelas membership in the bloc for years due to its disapproval of the Chavez government even though the remaining Mercosur members had agreed to let Venezuela into the group. After Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo was impeached in 2012 (a move described by opponents as a parliamentary coup), Mercosur seized on the opportunity to suspend Paraguays membership and admit Venezuela as a full member. Paraguay was reinstated in 2013 after elections, and in 2017, Venezuela was also suspended over concerns about democratic institutions. Mercosur used Ushuaia Protocol-related clauses as the basis for both expulsions but did not impose punitive measures. In other words, the suspensions had no serious consequences. While it has put in place controls to promote democracy, Mercosur members cant agree on how to enforce them and if they cant get on the same page, the group risks looking weak. Any punitive measures Mercosur imposes on members could be seen as meddling in domestic affairs. Furthermore, many states are reluctant to impose punitive measures on other members for fear that they, too, could one day face the same fate theyre not eager to set that precedent. Such political dysfunction, often paired with divergent economic needs and governments heavy-handed approach to domestic economic policies, has made Mercosur less appealing as a trade partner and weakened the blocs institutional functions. A Changing Brazil Brazil in 2018 is not the country it was in 1991. In Mercosurs early years, Brazil found itself in an economic and currency crisis, in a region mired in debt. Mechanisms like Mercosur could help Brazil access global markets and keep Argentina in check. Prior to 2015, Brazils economy was booming, its markets attracted foreign investment and its politics aligned fairly well with those of other Mercosur members, so the cost of dealing with Mercosurs constraints was palatable for Brasilia. But today, its crawling out of a steep recession and trying to recover economically. Its also facing a bleak global outlook, so structural reforms and improved economic ties are time-sensitive. The main benefit Brazil derived from Mercosur a market for manufactured and semi-manufactured goods has diminished. It sees more potential in other markets, like the United States. Brazil, then, needs the freedom to access markets that best serve its interest and the leeway to navigate the current trade environment and a slowing global economy. Furthermore, Bolsonaros election and its political and foreign policy implications have shunted Brazil further from the bloc. Membership in Mercosur is no longer in Brazils interest. ( click to enlarge ) In other words, Brazil has reached a breaking point. Its economy is indispensable to Mercosur, and until now, Brazil has not used its economic and geopolitical weight to challenge or threaten the bloc. But the costs and benefits of membership have changed. Brazils ability to pursue its own domestic and foreign policy imperatives is more important to Brasilia than the well-being of Mercosur and its members. Brazil can strike deals and attract investment by itself, but to do so would mean turning its back on South American relations. Brazil has three options: maintain the status quo, leave Mercosur or reform the bloc. Clearly, Brazil cannot remain in Mercosur in its current state. Leaving the bloc would burn political bridges and potentially undermine Brazils existing trade relationships with ALADI countries a sizable bloc itself. The most likely scenario is that Brazil will seek to reform Mercosur. This could mean a formal modernization of the Ouro Preto protocol, the signing of an entirely new agreement, shifting trade focus to purely Mercosur partners and loosening it up for non-Mercosur trade or simply striking out on its own with the understanding that the bloc will not inflict punitive measures. Mercosurs fate will ultimately depend on domestic political forces in the blocs member states, but for Brazil, the geopolitical path is clear: It will find a way to extract itself from the current confines of Mercosur. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Blockchain Group Inc. (CSE: AKE) (XFRA: A49) (OTCPINK: ATLEF) (the Company or Atlas) is pleased to announce, further to its news release on November 16, 2018, the close of approximately CAD$5.2 million as the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered offering of subscription receipts of the Company (the Subscription Receipts) at $0.17 per Subscription Receipt (the Offering). Each Subscription Receipt entitles the holder to receive, upon satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions, and without payment of additional consideration, one unit in the capital of the Company (each, a Unit). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of Atlas (each, a Atlas Share) (pre-consolidation basis) and one Atlas Share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant) (pre-consolidation basis). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Atlas Share at $0.34 per Atlas Share for two years following the date of issuance. The financing efforts are concurrent to a non-binding letter of intent to acquire all the issued and outstanding common shares of Isracann Biosciences Inc. in exchange for common shares of the Company. The acquisition of Isracann Biosciences Inc. is an arms length transaction and is expected to constitute a fundamental change under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE). Isracann is operationally located in Israel and aims to embark on an industrial-scale cannabis farming enterprise targeting both domestic and international commercial opportunities. The venture holds rights to prime agricultural land with preexisting production permits equivalent to Canadian ACMPR cultivation licensing, where it anticipates building 230,000 square feet of cultivation area. Israel has been a leader in cannabis research for over 50 years and further enjoys extremely favorable climatic conditions, both of which strategically factor into premium product development opportunities. Proximally located to Europes undersupplied markets ideally situates Isracann with potential access to a consumer base, which based on population alone, is larger than the size of the USA and Canada combined. Darryl Jones, President of Isracann says, This financing is a significant milestone for the Company as it fully funds Isracanns proposed Phase I facility of 230,000 square feet of cultivation area. In addition, the Israeli parliament has now passed a bill to allow exports from Israel, completing a critical step in opening up the country to international opportunities. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company has paid eligible finders a cash commission in the aggregate of approximately $221,394 on the Offering within the amount permitted by the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE). In addition, 1,302,321 non-transferable brokers warrants were issued to eligible finders to purchase an aggregate of 1,302,321 common shares of the Company. The aggregate net proceeds from the Offering will be used to complete the acquisition of Isracann Biosciences Inc. and to provide general working capital. Certain insiders of the Company (within the meaning of the policies of the CSE have purchased Subscription Receipts under the Offering. The participation of the insiders in the Offering constitutes a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority securityholder approval requirements set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI61-101 as the fair market value of the subject matter of the Offering does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued pursuant to the Offering are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. In addition, the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering under an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act will be restricted securities as defined under Rule 144(a)(3) of the U.S. Securities Act and will contain the appropriate restrictive legend as required under the U.S. Securities Act. Any public offering of securities of Atlas to be made in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about Atlas and management, as well as financial statements. About Isracann Biosciences Inc. Isracann is an Israeli-based cannabis company focused on becoming a premier cannabis producer offering low-cost production targeting undersupplied, major European marketplaces. Based in Israel's agricultural sector, Isracann will leverage its development within the most experienced country in the world with respect to cannabis research. The company has secured agreements with three (3) licensed Israeli producers for medicinal marijuana cultivation. For more information visit: www.isracann.com . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Charlie Kiser Charlie Kiser Chief Executive Officer The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, materially from the Companys expectations are disclosed in the Companys documents filed from time to time with the Canadian Securities Exchange, the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Alberta Securities Commission, and the Alberta Securities Commission. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC reminds investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. ("Nissan" or the "Company") (OTCMKT: NSANY ) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Nissan securities between December 10, 2013 and November 16, 2018, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firms site: bgandg.com/nsany. This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements. On November 19, 2018, media outlets reported that the Companys Chairman Carlos Ghosn had been arrested by Japanese authorities for violations of Japanese financial law. In a press release, Nissan stated that the Company has been conducting an internal investigation over the past several months regarding misconduct involving the companys Representative Director and Chairman Carlos Ghosn and Representative Director Greg Kelly, which revealed that over many years both Ghosn and Kelly have been reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that were less than the actual amount, in order to reduce the disclosed amount of Carlos Ghosns compensation. The Company further stated that in regards to Ghosn, numerous other significant acts of misconduct have been uncovered, such as personal use of company assets, and Kellys deep involvement has also been confirmed. Following this news, Nissans American depositary receipt price dropped sharply. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firms site: bgandg.com/nsany or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Nissan you have until February 8, 2019 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique. Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients. In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firms expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz 212-697-6484 | info@bgandg.com English French JCDecaux UK announces succession plan to its Senior Leadership team Chris Collins and Dallas Wiles promoted to Co-CEOs Paris, January 14, 2019 - JCDecaux S.A. (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, announces that JCDecaux UK, the number one in OOH and DOOH, strengthens its senior leadership team as it continues to digitally transform its business. Spencer Berwin and Philip Thomas will step down from their roles as Co-CEOs at the end of March 2019 and will move to new positions as non-executive directors reporting directly to Jean-Francois Decaux. Promoting two existing JCDecaux Senior Managers, Chris Collins the Managing Director of its Rail and Retail Divisions and Dallas Wiles the Chief Commercial Officer will become the new Co-CEOs of JCDecaux UK. Jean-Francois Decaux, Co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecaux, said: "I have worked with Spencer and Philip for many years and they have been instrumental in developing and delivering our market-leading digital transformation. They have secured a fantastic platform for the future including the contract wins of Network Rail, Heathrow Airport, TfL bus shelters and more recently Westfield shopping malls. They will continue to work with the business to develop channels and partnerships as new opportunities open up in the digital and technology space. True to our tradition of promoting internal candidates, I am delighted to appoint Chris and Dallas to the roles of Co-CEOs, promoting senior talent from within our company as we look to a new digital trading future and the build-out of our contract wins. These appointments underline the importance of both sides of our business - concession contracts and advertising sales." Key Figures for JCDecaux 2017 revenue: 3,493m*, H1 2018 revenue: 1,643m JCDecaux is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris and is part of the Euronext 100 and Euronext Family Business indexes JCDecaux is part of the FTSE4Good index N1 worldwide in street furniture (543,050 advertising panels) N1 worldwide in transport advertising with more than 215 airports and 250 contracts in metros, buses, trains and tramways (356,320 advertising panels) N1 in Europe for billboards (141,630 advertising panels) N1 in outdoor advertising in Europe (672,220 advertising panels) N1 in outdoor advertising in Asia-Pacific (216,290 advertising panels) N1 in outdoor advertising in Latin America (77,190 advertising panels) N1 in outdoor advertising in Africa (26,770 advertising panels) N1 in outdoor advertising in the Middle-East (18,650 advertising panels) Leader in self-service bike rental scheme: pioneer in eco-friendly mobility 1,074,113 advertising panels in more than 80 countries Present in 4,033 cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants 13,040 employees * Restated from the retrospective application of IFRS 15, applicable from January 1st, 2018 Communications Department: Agathe Albertini +33 (0) 1 30 79 34 99 - agathe.albertini@jcdecaux.com Investor Relations: Arnaud Courtial +33 (0) 1 30 79 79 93 - arnaud.courtial@jcdecaux.com NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Markel Corporation (Markel or the Company) (NYSE: MKL) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Markel securities during the period between July 26, 2017 and December 6, 2018, inclusive (the Class Period). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firms site: www.bgandg.com/mkl. This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Markels subsidiaries did not appropriately record loss reserves; (2) as a result, the loss reserves would need to be adjusted and/or restated; (3) these misleading accounting practices would lead to regulatory scrutiny and financial loss to investors; and (4) consequently, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On December 6, 2018, Markel issued a press release stating that after having been contacted on November 30, 2018, it is fully cooperating with inquiries by US and Bermuda authorities into loss reserves recorded in late 2017 and early 2018 at Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd and its subsidiaries. Following this announcement, Markels stock dropped $99.70 per share, or over 8%, to close at $1048.23 on December 7, 2018. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firms site: www.bgandg.com/mkl. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Markel you have until March 12, 2019 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique. Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients. In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firms expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz 212-697-6484 | info@bgandg.com Selbyville, Delaware, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar EPC market in the recent years, has witnessed a substantial escalation on account of ongoing deployment of roof-top components across commercial and residential establishments. Roof-top installations subject to fiscal benefits across emerging economies including net metering schemes, subsidies, leveraging & funding have witnessed significant growth. Furthermore, integration of decentralized generation units to cater the rising demand for energy will favor the adoption of sustainable solutions which in turn will strengthen the industry dynamics. Large-scale utility and industrial installation across the globe have majorly been influenced by regulatory targets and schemes along with energy optimization. Rising focus toward curtailing carbon emissions from power generating plants and large industries pose immense potential for technological development. Moreover, favorable consumer outlook and fiscal benefits accompanied by the development of energy efficient solar components will further escalate the solar EPC market demand. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3072 PV deployments owing to rapid expansion and restructuring across the solar industry is anticipated to witness substantial growth over the forecast timeline. Positive regulatory mandates including FiT, subsidies, leveraging schemes, tax rebates, and investment tax credits have integrated a positive business scenario. Moreover, the revamping of investment flow and trade policies across emerging nations will further complement the global solar EPC market outlook. Growing environmental concerns coupled with stringent government mandates to curtail carbon emissions have shifted industrial focus towards the adoption of efficient energy conservation initiatives which in turn will boost the overall solar EPC market. Furthermore, momentous upgrades and variations along with rising cost-competitiveness will drive the industry potential. United Nations in 2017, launched the Mission 2020 initiative with an aim to introduce new urgency through implying decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Browse key industry insights spread across 700 pages with 1309 market data tables & 48 figures & charts from the report, Solar EPC Market Size By Technology (PV, CSP), By Classification (Rooftop {Up to 1 kW, 1 to 10 kW, 10 to 50 kW, 50 kW to 1 MW}, Ground Mounted {1 to 3 MW, 3 to 10 MW, 10 to 50 MW, > 50 MW}), By End Use (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Utility), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ukraine, Hungary, Belarus, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Yemen, Jordan, South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia) Application Development Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2019 2025 in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/solar-epc-market Solar EPC market across the U.S. is projected to exceed USD 14 billion by 2025. Regulatory measures to decrease the dependence on conventional fuels favored by financial funding to boost renewable energy integration will stimulate the product penetration. Growing fund allocation to replace the existing power plants with sustainable technologies will further augment the industry portfolio. In 2017, the U.S. government, proposed decrease in their tax reforms by reducing their corporate taxes with a target to reinforce the clean energy business potential. Solar EPC market across Asia Pacific has gained impetus on account of growing renewable investments and favorable government initiatives across the region. Positive regulatory programs, investment subsidies, self-consumption scheme, renewable integration targets and similar government reforms have strengthened the industrial peripheral. Ongoing economic escalation across emerging regions coupled with increasing demand for electricity across developing energy markets have further instituted a favorable business outlook. Eminent participants across the solar EPC market include Canadian Solar, Trina, First Solar, Enviromena, SunPower, Sterling and Wilson, ALSA, Akuo Energy, Enerparc, Conergy, TBEA, Bechtel, Hanwha Q Cells, Belectric, Yingli Green Energy, Topsun, Juwi, Eiffage and Swinerton. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/3072 Browse Related Reports: Solar PV Backsheet Market Size By Product (TPT-Primed, TPE, PET, PVDF, PEN), By Thickness (<100 Micrometre, 100 To 500 Micrometre, > 500 Micrometre), By Material (Fluoride, Non Fluoride), By Technology (Crystalline, Thin Film, Ultra-Thin Film), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Analysis (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, Russia, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria), Application Development Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 2024 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/solar-pv-backsheet-market Underground Cabling EPC Market Size By Configuration (Single Core, Three Core), By Voltage Rating (Low Tension, High Tension, Super Tension, Extra High Tension, Extra Super Voltage, Ultra High Tension), By Construction (Belted, Screened, Pressure), By Insulation (PVC, XLPE, Rubber), By Installation (Direct Buried, Trough, Tunnels, GILs), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, Ghana, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Japan, South Korea) Application Development Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/underground-cabling-epc-market 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. Voters lining up in front of polling stations during Presidential and Legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo analysis The presidential and parliamentary elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo have put hopes for real change on hold, but a weekend court challenge by the opposition instead of calls for street protests has dampened immediate fears of widespread political violence. Whether or not the first democratic transfer of power to an opposition candidate in six decades will represent real change from ineffective, corrupt government, the vote on 30 December signals the end at least nominally - of the Kabila family's 21-year rule. Meanwhile, anxious voters wait to see whether the provisional results of the presidential polls are confirmed, successfully challenged in court, or overturned in some kind of brokered settlement. The election commission says the presidency was won by Felix Tshisekedi, a long-time opponent of the government of Joseph Kabila. Official Results Disputed and Some Areas Left Out But the influential Catholic Church, which fielded tens of thousands of observers, has cast doubt on those results. Church leaders have reportedly told diplomats that Martin Fayulu, who led an opposition coalition, won more votes than Tshisekedi a conclusion endorsed by one of the most comprehensive statistical analyses of results. The 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADCC) has called for a re-count and urged negotiations for a government of national unity, which South Africa's international affairs minister backed in a Sunday evening press conference. As a further complication, ballots are yet to be cast in two opposition strongholds. Fayulu held a strong lead in conflict-wracked North Kivu, but voting was postponed in parts of the province where Ebola is spreading, as well as in Yumbi territory, formerly Bandundu, which is Fayulu's home area. Praying for Peace in a Troubled Country With the question of who will succeed President Joseph Kabila not finally determined, Congolese across the country attended Sunday church and prayed that the transition will be peaceful and will represent popular will. The largest country in sub-Saharan Africa has been plagued by bloody violence since it was seized and run as the personal fiefdom of King Leopold II of Belgium in the 19th century, and it has repeatedly suffered unrest in post-independence transfers of power. President Kabila's father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, grabbed power in 1997 after leading a rebellion against Mobutu Sese Seko, the dictator who had himself seized power in 1965, in the midst of the strife which followed the assassination of the Congo's first post-independence Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, backed by the U.S.'s CIA. Joseph Kabila took office after his father was assassinated in 2001, and then won election twice, in 2006 and 2011, after the introduction of a new constitution allowing for a multi-party democracy. However, he alarmed Congolese by delaying the 2016 elections on various pretexts, agreeing finally to polls in December, and putting forward a party loyalist, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, to succeed him. However, Shadary's candidacy failed hopelessly, drawing only a reported 23.8 percent of the vote, behind declared front-runners Tshisekedi, leader of the Union pour la Democratie et le Progres Social (UDPS) and Fayulu, a former oil company executive and the candidate of the Lamuka ("Arise") coalition of opposition parties. On paper, if the electoral commission's results are confirmed, Tshisekedi will take power, having won 38.5 percent of the vote. (The Democratic Republic of Congo constitution does not provide for a run-off if a candidate fails to secure 50 percent plus one of the vote.) But challenges to those results have mounted, with: SADC calling for a re-count and negotiations; the detailed analysis of available statistics published in African Arguments finding the commission's results "highly implausible" and pointing to "a solid and statistically robust victory by Fayulu"; the Catholic Church Conference of Bishops, with 39,082 observers in polling stations, disputing government figures; and the civil society coalition Symocel's observers alleging numerous instances of fraud and irregularities. Declared winner Tshisekedi comes from a family as deeply-rooted in the Democratic Republic of Congo's political struggles as the Kabilas his father, Etienne Tshisekedi, was pre-eminent opposition leader of the late 20th and early 21st century, who at different times both served and opposed Mobutu, who established the UDPS in 1982, and who ran unsuccessfully against Joseph Kabila in 2011 in what observers described as a compromised election. Coalition Candidate Appeals Results The electoral commission reported that Martin Fayulu, chosen as a unity candidate by a range of opposition politicians including two high-profile leaders barred from standing by Kabila's government 2006 presidential candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba and successful regional governor Moise Katumbi won 34.7 percent of the vote. In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Fayulu accused Tshisekedi of doing a backroom deal with Kabila to share power. "It's Kabila who'll manage things, these people have no power," he told RFI. "In 2006, they stole Jean-Pierre Bemba's victory, in 2011, they stole Etienne Tshisekedi's victory and now they can't steal the victory of the people. The people made a choice and they must respect that choice." Speaking to the BBC, Fayulu said he would challenge the results in the country's constitutional court. He said he might not succeed, because the court is "composed of Kabila's people", but he did not want his opponents to say he had not followed the law. If a court challenge fails, and the election results are confirmed, eyes will turn to regional government leaders and the African Union, which are pledged to enforce standards of good governance. Both SADC and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) have intervened in the past to defuse conflict and encourage political settlements in countries such as Lesotho, Madagascar, Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia. As the weekend progressed, with Fayulu on Saturday filing an appeal against the results with the Constitutional Court, asking for a manual recount, Africa's responses became more pointed. African Leaders Are Watching President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, which maintains peacekeeping troops as part of the United Nations mission in the eastern Congo, last week called on the electoral commission "to finalise the process with speed to ensure the credibility of the election and also maintain peace and stability." At a press briefing Sunday, the country's international relations minister Lindiwe Sisulu welcomed Fayulu's appeal to the justice system to address opposition complaints, as provided in the DRC constitution. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Congo-Kinshasa Governance Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The chair of the SADC arm which deals with "politics, defence and security", President Edgar Lungu of Zambia, last week urged Congolese parties, candidates and their supporters to refrain from violence. On Sunday, on behalf of SADC, he appealed to political leaders to "consider a negotiated political settlement" and called for a re-count. Jason Stearns, director of the New York University-based Congo Research Group, paid tribute in a New York Times column, to Congolese youth groups, many "facing arrest, torture and worse, who had protested election postponement, and to Catholics who demonstrated by the thousands. "It was these patient, courageous actions that hemmed in Mr. Kabila at every turn," Sterns said, forcing him to allow an opposition candidate to be declared winner. Africans and friends of Africa may now have some reason to hope that the electorate's wishes will at least be represented in the next DRC government. If so, a long-suffering country one of the world's richest in natural resources but whose people are among the poorest will have a chance at a better future. Whatever happens next week, politicians, civil society and scholars will be watching and looking for lessons Africa can learn. AllAfrica's reporting on peace issues is supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Before this, the agreement signed in 1992 between Ukraine and the UN should be revised The UN system will have institute of envoys in 2019. From now on, residents-coordinators will report directly to the UN Secretary General and will be appointed by the highest representation of the UN in different countries, as Ukraines Representative to the UN Volodymyr Yelchenko said, ZN.UA reported. UN envoys mandate will include not only implementation of development programs, but also improvement of the general coordination between the UN system agencies, and probably the support of the government in crisis prevention (humanitarian, safety, political and human-made ones). According to Yelchenko, a wider mandate of the residents-coordinators should help the Secretary-General to keep his ear on the ground. Therefore, UNs demands and responsibility is to be enhanced as well. From now on. Such UN envoy will work in Ukraine. Yet, before this we should reconsider the agreement signed between Ukraine and the UN in 1992, which does not comply with the present, the diplomat stressed. Earlier, Foreign Minister of Poland Jacek Czaputowicz has offered to appoint the Ambassador of UN Secretary-General for Ukraine. The Russian Federation has prolonged the pre-investigation regarding captured Ukrainian crew members, Nikolai Polozov, lawyer of one of the sailors, stats as reported by Interfax. For the moment, the time limit on the investigation is renewed until May 25. At the same time, the investigation asks to extend the arrest term until late April, Polozov noted. Related: Russian lawyer reveals prospects of release of Ukrainian sailors The lawyer assures the future term extension on the case depends on the intensity of the investigation acts. I cant surely know how long the investigation would take. It depends on the volume of the investigation acts, the detectives dont unveil their plans, he said. On November 25, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy attacked the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Ukraine's Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Related: Russia allows for exchange of Ukrainians sailors, - media 21 Ukrainian sailors have been delivered to Lefortovo remand center in Moscow, three others are in the hospital of Matrosskaya Tishina prison, also in the Russian capital. On December 3, the Russian prosecutors officially accused Ukrainian sailors of the 'illegal crossing of the state border' during the attack in the Kerch Strait. Former Defense Minister of Ukraine Salamatin is accused of the embezzlement, abuse of authority, and state treason Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine (GPU) notified ex-Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin about suspicion in the participation in the criminal organization of former president Viktor Yanukovych, embezzlement in the especially large scale, and state treason, as Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko reported on reported on Facebook. International and Legal Cooperation Department of GPU notified about suspicion to former Defense Minister of Ukraine D. A. Salamatin in participation in the criminal organization of V. Yanukovych, embezzlement in the especially large scale, abuse of authority and commitment of the state treason in the interest of the Russian Federation, undermining of the defense capacity, state and economic security of Ukraine by commitment of the international acts aiming for the displacement of Ukraine for the world markets in the interest of Russia, he wrote. According to the GPU, the intentional acts of Salamatin on the disruption of the contracts between the state enterprise Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, state enterprise Antonov, state enterprise specialized foreign trade firm Progress and Defense Ministry of Iraq for the supply, service and repair works of the hardware damaged Ukraine in the amount of $560 million. Dmytro Salamatin headed Defense Ministry of Ukraine in 2012. On February 8, 2012, he replaced Mykhailo Yezhel at this post and occupied it until December 24, 2012. On December 25, 2012, he was appointed as advisor of Viktor Yanukovych. The criminal case against the number of ex-Defense Ministers of Ukraine, including Pavlo Lebedev, Dmytro Salamatin, Anatoliy Hrytsenko, as well as against the commanders of the General Staff was opened in 2014. Earlier the former owner of Standart Bank suspected in the embezzlement of funds of the financial establishment was put on the international wanted list. Besides, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) got the access to the bank and other financial records in the case of the possible illicit enrichment by Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko. Russian Security Service (FSB) appealed to court with a non-procedural request to carry out a session in Lefortovo court on the extension of sentence term for the Ukrainian POWs in camera, as the lawyer of one of the arrested sailors Sergiy Badamshyn said, TSS reported. Besides, FSB asks not to reveal the results of the hearing without the investigators consent. FSB appealed to the court asking to conduct a session on the extension of sentence term in camera referring to confidentiality of the preliminary investigation. They also ask not to make the results public without the investigators consent. We regard this a serious violation of the transparency of the justice system, the lawyer said. Layer Mykola Polozov has written on Facebook that the defenses position includes open and transparent court session which comply with the transparency principle of the jurisdiction, which implies the presence of media, representatives of the embassies of foreign states, Ukraines Ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova and relatives of the detained sailors. Polozov added that all the lawyers of the sailors would file relevant complaints. Related video: "It is important for me not only because I personally root for what is going on there, but also for its our dear Ukraine," the President of Belarus explained Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, discuss situation in Ukraine with political and public figure Viktor Medvedchuk, January 14, 2018 Belta Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko confirms his position on the need to settle the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible, as he said at the meeting with Ukrainian political and public figure Viktor Medvedchuk, as BELTA reported. It is misunderstanding (no other words), it should be ended. Brother republics, nations We are making a present to our enemies and opponents with our own hands, the Head of the State said. Lukashenko said it was important for him to know Medvedchuks position on different issues, including those existing in Ukraine. It is important for me not only because I personally root for what is going on there, but also for its our dear Ukraine. I have served and been there many times, I do not hide that my ancient roots go somewhere there, between Chernihiv and Kyiv. Besides, out relationships with Ukraine make the basis. According to our information, up to 150,000 people left Ukraine when the conflict began. And we provided them with conditions equal to those the Belarusians have. Though it was difficult. But thanks to God everything went fine. Some people returned, some go back and forth, some live and work here as our relatives. There are some negative aspects of these events. I always mention them when I speak publicly, Lukashenko said. The Head of the State noted that he knew Medvedchuls position on settlement of situation between Russia and Ukraine. You have information about politics, about this internal political cuisine emerging there. The information you have is quite important for us in terms of our further behavior. I would like you to guide me in this situation, Lukashenko said. In his turn, Medvedchuk thanked for the opportunity to meet and for the kind words about Ukraine. Indeed, our country is going through some troubles right now. And I would like to stress your personal role and Belarus role in a peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas. Belarus provided a talks platform, world-famous Minsk Agreements were signed. Despite the fact that unfortunately they are not being obligated, this is the only agreement as a peaceful settlement of the Donbas conflict. Both sides realize that the peace will come only under the conditions provided by this agreement, the politician said. He added that since 2014 he himself takes part in the negotiations process, and visits Minsk quite often. For many Ukrainians, who want peace in Donbas, Minsk has become not only a platform of fraternal and friendly Belarusian nation, but also a hope, that peaceful settlement will finally come true, Medvedchuk added. The explosion might have happened because of violations while exploitation of gas equipment Explosion which occured in Russian Shakhty on January 14, 2018 360tv.ru An explosion occurred in Russia today on January 14 early in the morning. A high-rise block exploded in Shakhty city, Rostov region, as RT News reported. A blast destroyed four apartments on the 8th and 9th floors. The explosion might have happened because of violations while exploitation of gas equipment. The residents said that after the blast they smelled gas. According to the preliminary data, one woman died, seven rescued, two of which were hospitalized. Rescuers are searching possible missing under the rubble. Four more people might remain under debris. 140 people were evacuated from the building where the explosion took place. They were placed in local schools, provided with food and medical aid. Contact: International Administration Group (Guernsey) Limited Company Administrator Attn: Mark Woodall Tel: +44 1481 723450 Share Buyback Programme: Transactions in week ending 11 January 2019 Guernsey, 14 January 2019 Eurocastle Investment Limited (Eurocastle or the Company) today announces that between 7 January 2019 and 11 January 2019, as part of the previously announced second buyback programme with Liberum Capital Limited (acting as the Company's broker), it bought back 7,574 of its ordinary shares at an average price of 6.65 per ordinary share. These purchases were made pursuant to the authority granted at its Annual General Meeting on 20 June 2018. The purchased shares will all be held as treasury shares. The purpose of the share buyback programme is to reduce the share capital of the Company and the programme is executed in compliance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, collectively referred to as the Safe Harbour rules. The following transactions have been made under the buyback programme: Accumulated, most recent announcement Platform code Volume Volume Weighted Average Price Gross Value () 07/01/2019 BATE 126 6.44 811 XLON 1,322 6.47 8,554 CHIX 53 6.44 341 TRQX 78 6.40 499 Total 1,579 6.46 10,206 08/01/2019 BATE 0 - - XLON 650 6.44 4,187 CHIX 64 6.42 411 TRQX 42 6.40 269 Total 756 6.44 4,866 09/01/2019 BATE 140 6.56 918 XLON 1,230 6.57 8,079 CHIX 132 6.56 866 TRQX 190 6.56 1,246 Total 1,692 6.57 11,110 10/01/2019 BATE 163 6.76 1,102 XLON 1,267 6.70 8,493 CHIX 139 6.76 940 TRQX 199 6.76 1,345 Total 1,768 6.72 11,880 11/01/2019 BATE 166 6.94 1,152 XLON 1,278 6.93 8,851 CHIX 134 6.94 930 TRQX 201 6.94 1,395 Total 1,779 6.93 12,328 Following the above transactions: The total number of ordinary shares of the Company in issue is 63,813,362 The total number of ordinary shares held by Eurocastle in treasury is 18,670,596 (equal to 29.3% of the Companys share capital) The total number of voting rights exercisable by holders of ordinary shares of the Company is 45,142,766, as voting rights of shares held in treasury are suspended. ABOUT EUROCASTLE Eurocastle Investment Limited is a publicly traded closed-ended investment company that focuses on investing in performing and non-performing loans and other real estate related assets primarily in Italy. The Company is Euro denominated and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam under the symbol ECT. Eurocastle is managed by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, a leading global investment manager. For more information regarding Eurocastle Investment Limited and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.eurocastleinv.com. Set out below are all trades completed between 7 January 2019 and 11 January 2019: Platform code Volume Price Gross Value () 07/01/2019 XLON 100 6.50 650.00 XLON 154 6.50 1,001.00 XLON 229 6.50 1,488.50 XLON 352 6.46 2,273.92 XLON 50 6.46 323.00 XLON 100 6.46 646.00 XLON 80 6.46 516.80 CHIX 26 6.44 167.44 CHIX 26 6.44 167.44 BATE 126 6.44 811.44 XLON 257 6.44 1,655.08 CHIX 1 6.44 6.44 TRQX 78 6.40 499.20 Total 1,579 6.46 10,206.26 08/01/2019 XLON 252 6.48 1,632.96 XLON 145 6.48 939.60 CHIX 32 6.44 206.08 CHIX 32 6.40 204.80 TRQX 42 6.40 268.80 XLON 253 6.38 1,614.14 Total 756 6.44 4,866.38 09/01/2019 BATE 10 6.56 65.60 XLON 81 6.56 531.36 TRQX 90 6.56 590.40 TRQX 100 6.56 656.00 XLON 123 6.54 804.42 BATE 130 6.56 852.80 CHIX 132 6.56 865.92 XLON 218 6.62 1,443.16 XLON 256 6.56 1,679.36 XLON 552 6.56 3,621.12 Total 1,692 6.57 11,110.14 10/01/2019 XLON 7 6.76 47.32 XLON 93 6.74 626.82 XLON 110 6.76 743.60 CHIX 139 6.76 939.64 XLON 147 6.78 996.66 BATE 163 6.76 1,101.88 TRQX 199 6.76 1,345.24 XLON 239 6.68 1,596.52 XLON 247 6.68 1,649.96 XLON 424 6.68 2,832.32 Total 1,768 6.72 11,879.96 11/01/2019 XLON 25 6.98 174.50 XLON 81 6.90 558.90 XLON 83 6.86 569.38 CHIX 134 6.94 929.96 BATE 166 6.94 1,152.04 XLON 200 6.98 1,396.00 TRQX 201 6.94 1,394.94 XLON 208 6.94 1,443.52 XLON 214 6.90 1,476.60 XLON 228 6.90 1,573.20 XLON 239 6.94 1,658.66 Total 1,779 6.93 12,327.70 Church, man kneeling BBC Amidst the ongoing events in the religious life in Ukraine, there's clearly the main tendency of parishes transiting from the jurisdiction of Moscow Patriarchate to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the new-born autocephalous Ukrainian church. BBC contributor Nick Sturdee dedicated a story to this particular issue. 'The sun is streaming through the lofty windows of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Bohorodchany. The divine floodlight illuminates icons and families before them, and the tear-like streaks of condensation on the frescoes thought miraculous by those who attend here. The congregation chants, many brandishing their candles as though ready for battle. Father Volodymyr faces them all, bearded, crucifix clasped in both hands. Today's sermon is on the persecution of Orthodox saints through the ages, and moves inexorably and seamlessly to the present - in fact, to the events in this very church just a few days earlier. "There were 40 of them. They broke down the doors," he announces. "They forced us to the ground. They hit our sexton on the head. They called us KGB agents and said we should switch church. Change our confession. All in a very nice, democratic way - of course. This is the story according to Father Volodymyr - a Russia-trained priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - of how a delegation from the town council, with a supporting cast of local political "activists", had come to the church to execute an order ejecting him and his family from rooms they had occupied for some 20 years', reads the story. What the priest describes as a raid against the church community, the local authorities treat as the legal actions, as 'the priest's family's rooms are needed by the town's growing music school'. The feeling that something's wrong in this picture is completed by the fact that the church seems to be under constant surveillance by a man in Toyota parked nearby. The BBC team managed to speak to the man and his sidekicks - as follows: "What are you doing here?" we ask Toyota man, cornered among the potholes of a music schoolyard with three friends in hoodies. "We are the people who love Ukraine. These people do not love Ukraine. They are Russia." He closes the window'. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that joining NATO is not a matter of two, but also not a matter of 30 years. This, he said, is a medium-term perspective. What do you think? - I want to tell you that, first, 30 becomes a symbolic figure in NATO. As you know, during the last summit it was decided that in response to Russian aggression, NATO would launch the 4 to 30 initiative, which means 30 battalion groups, 30 ships, 30 squadrons of airplanes should be ready to fight back Russia for 30 days. In addition, we now know that negotiations on the 30th member of NATO began. Here I agree with Minister Klimkin that Ukraine will not have time to become the 30th member. But if we work, we can easily become the 31st or 32nd member of NATO. As you know, in addition to Macedonia, the alliance considers three more countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine, as those countries that are ready to become members of the alliance. The question of how we prepare for this process. - What are the main tasks you would have identified for Ukraine for this current year in terms of the course towards NATO? The most important task, not only for Ukraine, but also for all its diplomatic missions is the defense of our state in this war that we are waging. All our plans are connected with this. As for the defense of our state, we must do everything necessary so that our army will be able to repel the aggressor, so that our society will be able to win the hybrid war. But the result, joining NATO is like the final completion of the process, when Ukraine becomes one of the strongest alliance members in the world. - Changes to the Constitution, which the Verkhovna Rada voted in the first reading, and we expect that they will be approved in February in the second reading are connected with the course of Ukraine in the EU and NATO. Do all countries that are members of NATO secure such changes in their constitutions? Do you think this will help gaining membership in the alliance? - I believe that this will help to gain membership in the alliance by the fact that Ukraine is consolidating its efforts, the efforts of all political parties. We are witnessing a process when a consensus has already formed among political forces. So, in our democratic society there are forces that do not consider this step necessary for various reasons, we will not discuss them now, but at the same time, the majority of the population and the majority of political forces support this course. As for the consolidation or non-consolidation in the Constitution, this is not a mandatory step, not all members of the alliance had such provisions in their constitutions. The reaction of NATO to this step is a restrained, official reaction that this is a decision of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and this is respected in NATO. Informally, I can tell you that sometimes we are told that you know, we are pleased as organizations that Ukraine not only sees its future in this organization, but is so serious that it even enshrines in its Constitution. - The American Fort McHenry ship entered the waters of the Black Sea. Earlier, you stated that such measures mean the support of Ukraine after the incident in the Kerch Strait. Still, ships often enter the Black Sea. What exactly this support provides? - If you read the official statement of the US Department of Defense about the entry of this ship into the Black Sea, you can understand that the ship comes in to support "allies and partners of NATO," as it says. There are three NATO allies in the Black Sea - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - and two partners - Ukraine and Georgia. That is, mathematics is quite simple, one can understand who the US military is referring to. In principle, there are constantly operating groups - now, for example, one of the groups was headed by the Netherlands, and the Dutch ship has just taken control, they are also going to go into the Black Sea. The intensity of the visits of these ships has increased. Last year, for example, two groups entered the Black Sea at the same time, this was not observed before. There is the Montreux Doctrine, which limits the number and tonnage of warships not belonging to the countries of the Black Sea basin, as well as how long they can be in the Black Sea - in principle, this limits the possibilities for further expansion of NATOs presence there. Therefore, we see such a rotational principle - some have entered, others have left. - The Sea of Azov is a specific area. This is the smallest sea on the planet. The entry of warships into it is a complex navigation process. There is a specific procedure for entering this sea - free passage of all ships of countries that share this sea, that is, Ukrainian and Russian, and all others must receive permission from Russia and Ukraine, as from countries that share this sea. Obviously, Russia has stated that it will not provide an opportunity for anyone to enter. And besides, it also delays hinders merchant ships to enter. That is, this process is much more difficult, I dont see why NATO would make the provocation. In principle, NATO is not going to provoke anyone. - Former US Ambassador Herbst said that Ukraine can get weapons in the first quarter of this year. It is, in particular, the "Harpoon" anti-ship missiles. Do you think it could aggravate the situation in the Kerch Strait? - We must have a weapon to be able to protect our ships and interests. In this particular case, we share the position that is declared by our closest allies, and the leadership of our country spoke and showed the achievements of our own construction - a cruise missile and an anti-ship missile, which we hope will be in our army this year. The fact that we receive weapons from the United States allows us to build up this shield much faster than we would have done on our own. This is the anti-tank missiles, and now anti-ship missiles. I would not like to tell exactly what issues we are discussing now with the United States and some other allies, but it is the whole complex that we need to protect our Sea of Azov. - There is an initiative of the EU to create joint armed forces. How will this differ from NATO, will Ukraine enter these forces and what are the prospects for their creation? - I am the ambassador of Ukraine to NATO, and it is easier for me to talk about the alliance. We see that it is the alliance that allows us to protect our interests, because the American and Canadian armed forces here are working together with the European ones. That is, NATO, plus the USA and Canada, obviously, significantly change the balance of power. I think that Ukraine needs to focus all its efforts on joining NATO. There is no doubt that we should interact with the armed forces of the EU countries and NATO members. In addition, we are very interested in the work in the military-technical sphere - weapons design, access to joint markets, mutual networks, peacekeeping operations - everything that the EU and its future armed forces, if they are created, can offer. Read original article at 112.ua The Deposit Guarantee Fund exposed groundless re-registration of the property rights for the real estate of the Russian subsidiary of the VTB Bank for the sum over $3,75 million as the fund reported. 46 real estate objects owned by the bank since 2015 were re-registered by Yury Hladkov, the state registrar of Dnipro subsidiary of one of the public utilities on December 13, 2018, for the individual referring to the decision of the court on the case. The main decision on the court case has nothing to do with VTB Bank and its property; the statement of claim on the case was left without consideration by the court in January 2016. On December 15, 2018, the individual put all 46 real estate objects to the charter capital of the company registered on November 30, 2018, in Dnipro with the help of the same state registrar. The Deposit Guarantee Fund finds such actions illicit. These and the number of other factors give a reason for considering of additional court decision of Industrial District Court on the civil case #202/9477/14-ts fictitious. On the basis of the data gathered by the Fund, the proper statement to the law enforcement bodies was filed. Moreover, the appeal claim is developed against the mentioned court decision, the message said. Earlier the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) decided to withdraw the license of the Ukrainian subsidiary of the Russian VTB Bank. As we reported the Deposit Guarantee Fund plans to finish the liquidation of more than 40 banks, which were referred to its office during the crisis 2014-2016 in 2019. The water supply to four settlements of Donetsk region has stopped on January 12. 42,813 people are left with water as the Emergency Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region reported. On January 12, the accident occurred at Horlivka-Toretsk water pipeline and resulted in the leak of the great amount of water. Horlivka Filtration Station stopped the water supply due to the accident on this pipeline. Four settlements with almost 43,000 citizens were left without running water: Torestsk town (32,873 people), Zalizne town (3, 021 people), Severne village (5,937 people), and Pivdenne village (982 people). The emergency at the local level was announced in Torestsk. The technical and drinking water was supplied to the citizens on January 13. The place of the break at the water pipeline was found on the same day. The maintenance crew has started to repair it on January 14. As for today, January 14, technical and drinking water is still supplied to the local citizens. Earlier the pro-Russian militants have shelled Zolote city in Luhansk region and it resulted in the damage of the main waterpipe (1200 mm diameter), which led to the leakage of water in the volume of more than 2.000 cubic meters per hour. Besides, more than 230 people poisoned with piped water on the occupied areas of Donetsk region over one week. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Japan in June, Japan`s foreign minister said on Monday during a trip to Moscow. Taro Kono, the minister, was speaking ahead of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The two ministers are expected to identify and discuss each side's concerns and lay the groundwork for a planned summit later in the month between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Putin in Russia. The meeting is the first since Kono and Lavrov were tapped by their leaders in December to oversee the peace treaty talks. The agreement between Abe and Putin during a summit in Singapore in November, to negotiate on the basis of the 1956 document, has led to the view that Japan will focus on the transfer of the two Russian-held islands first, despite its long-standing policy of seeking to resolve the status of all four islands. MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday there were still significant points of disagreement with Japan standing in the way of a push to sign a peace deal to end a decades-old territorial dispute. Speaking to reporters in Moscow after talks with Japan`s Foreign Minister Taro Kono, Lavrov said it was hard to expect progress in peace talks without Japan first recognising Moscow`s sovereignty over disputed island territories, RIA news agency reported. Russia and Japan have been in dispute for seven decades over islands known in Russia as the Southern Kuriles and in Japan as the Northern Territories. In a setback to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Pakistan government has decided to put on hold a major power project, Rahim Yar Khan power project, and has reportedly informed the Chinese government about the same. According to a report in Pakistan-based Dawn News, the Pakistan government will shut down several other schemes under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The report further said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has asked Beijing to formally delete the project from the CPEC list. The same was communicated to China in a meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee by Pakistan on December 20, 2018. According to the report, the project was pushed by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz government in the past. The development comes months after China refuted charges that Pakistans current economic crisis crumbled because of projects under CPEC. China had said that blaming CPEC was uncalled for and that the corridor in fact was something that would bolster Pakistan economy in the years to come. The defence of CPEC was necessiated after rising voices in Pakistan against it. Several people questioned the loans taken from China and asked the terms for their repayment. Even the United States has said that the current state of Pakistani economy is a result of loans it has taken from Beijing and has made it clear that it won't allow any bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which would be used by Islamabad to repay Chinese debt. The IMF also later observed that increasing Chinese involvement in Pakistan's economy could be disastrous on the latter's future. Islamabad has already cut the size of the biggest Chinese Silk Road project in Pakistan, a reconstruction of the main rail line between the port city of Karachi and Peshawar in the northwest by $2 billion, citing government concerns about the countrys debt levels. The changes are part of Islamabads efforts to rethink key Belt and Road Initiative projects in Pakistan, to which China has pledged about $60bn in financing. Beijing: Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, being held in China on suspicion of endangering national security, is not entitled to diplomatic immunity, China`s foreign ministry said on Monday. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday chastised China over the detention of two Canadians following the arrest of a senior Chinese executive at the request of the United States. Trudeau also accused China of "not respecting the principles of diplomatic immunity" in one of the cases. Asked about Trudeau`s comments, China`s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that the "relevant Canadian person" should "earnestly study" the Vienna Convention before speaking, so as to "not become a laughing stock". "No matter how you look at it, Michael Kovrig does not have diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention," she said. Kovrig is not now serving as a diplomat and had entered China on his most recent trip on a regular passport and business visa, she said. Kovrig was one of two Canadians detained in China days after the Dec. 1 arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co, in Vancouver, at the request of the United States. The other Canadian held in China is businessman Michael Spavor. China has not directly linked its arrest of the two Canadians with Meng`s arrest in Canada. It says the two men are being investigated in accordance with Chinese law. But Beijing-based Western diplomats have called the detentions a clear reprisal for Meng`s arrest and have said the two are "political hostages" being used as leverage by Beijing. Huawei, the world`s largest supplier of telecommunications network equipment, has become the focus of intense scrutiny by Western countries concerned about its relationship with the Chinese government. The United States has suggested the company`s equipment could be used by Chinese authorities for spying. U.S. authorities allege Meng deceived international banks into clearing transactions with Iran by claiming that two companies that did business with Iran were independent of Huawei. However, corporate filings and other documents found by Reuters in Iran and Syria show that Huawei is closely linked to both firms. CANBERRA: Australia`s Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday the nation has a "great concern" about the US plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. American media in December reported that US President Donald Trump was preparing to pull up to half of the 14,000 troops serving in Afghanistan out of the country. In the strongest comments from an Australian official since the announcement, Payne said that Australia was concerned about the plan, Xinhua news agency reported. "Although there is more to do, I think it would be of great concern to Australia if key partners were to change directions at this point of time," she said. Peter Leahy, who served as Chief of the Australian Army between 2002 and 2008, said that the uncertainty over the future of the US commitment to the Middle East should lead to Australia re-thinking the alliance. "It makes it considerably more difficult in that going with the Trump gut reaction is no way to build and sustain a strategy," he told News Corp Australia. "If we find ourselves in a situation where we make a commitment and the US change their strategy almost at Mr. Trump`s will, what are we to do? "The other issue is that Australia needs to think about the long-term viability of the US as an ally." Leahy, who is now the director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra, said that the US abandoning Afghanistan "could" put Australians in danger. Lucknow: Hitting out at Tejashwi Yadav, UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey said on Monday that the statements made by the RJD leader him against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party were a result of his "mental bankruptcy" (maansik diwaaliyaapan). "A person, who has been unable to save his base and goodwill in his state, is speaking big in Uttar Pradesh. The statements made by Tejashwi Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP (during his Lucknow visit) are a result of his mental bankruptcy," Pandey said in a statement. "On one hand his father is in jail on charges of corruption, on the other hand he is tensed over his brother. Hence, he is unable to understand the reality of not only UP and Bihar, but the entire country. RJD has been uprooted in Bihar, hence in order to create some attraction among his supporters, he is making nonsensical remarks in UP." Earlier Monday, Yadav had targeted Modi at his press conference in Lucknow after meeting SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. The BJP leader said after the general election everybody will come to know who is dishonest. "How the 'chowkidar' has tricked the people of the country and only indulged in 'jumlebaazi'." Pandey said, "Both these 'yuvraaj' had inherited power. The people of both the states know that both of these political families were responsible for backwardness of UP and Bihar." The UP BJP chief said, "These people (pointing to SP and RJD) have forgotten that this is 2019, and not 1993. People have risen above casteist politics. BJP workers have reached virtually every household, and are working to integrate people from different sections of the society for nation building." NEW DELHI: The National Security Act has been invoked against seven accused held in the December 3 cow slaughtering case in Bulandshahr. Five persons had been arrested for their alleged roles in the mob violence and the cow slaughtering cases in Bulandshahr. Police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and civilian Sumit Kumar died of bullet shots during the mob violence on December 3. Three of the accused had been arrested by the Bulandshahr police for their alleged involvement in the cow slaughtering case, while two accused were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) for the subsequent violence on December 3. An FIR against 27 named people and 50-60 unidentified people was registered at the Siyana police station for the violence that was witnessed at Chingrawathi police post after cattle carcasses were found strewn outside nearby Mahaw village of the district. Local Bajrang Dal leader Yogesh Raj is also one of the main suspects among the 27 named in the FIR. Sumit was also named as one of the accused in the FIR initially registered in the case while the local residents wanted his name struck off. A mob of nearly 400 people, including right-wing activists had come face to face with the police in Siana area of Bulandshahr district as the right-wing activists were allegedly angered by the discovery of cow carcasses strewn in a nearby jungle. They set fire to dozens of vehicles, hurled stones and also fired at police who retaliated with gunfire. In the violence, Inspector Subodh, the station house officer of Siana, and Sumit Kumar were killed. A video of the incident had later emerged in which a young man with his hand over a bleeding wound near the abdomen could be seen being helped by other people as they all run. Someone could be heard saying that the man has been shot. New Delhi: A three-storey building under renovation collapsed in Nithari Village of Noida Sector 31 on Monday, killing a 10-year-old child one and injuring three others. The incident occurred at around 4 pm when a portion of the house fell down on the victims apparently due to the impact of the demolition work going on inside. Noida: Two injured and many feared trapped after a two storey building collapsed in Nithari village, Sector-31. pic.twitter.com/cvcpPO6iOa ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2019 The four were hit by the debris, officials said, adding that Luv (10), who hailed from Darjeeling, succumbed to his injuries while Sonali Yadav (18), Barkha Sharma (17), and Shakeel (12) were hospitalised. "A child died and three people, including two minors, were injured in the incident," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna said, adding that the injured were hospitalised. He further said that the incident would be investigated thoroughly. The Noida Authority said that the "old house" was being refurbished and blamed its owner Vijender Awana of being "careless". "The owner (Awana) had got the walls and the ceiling of the house torn down first but due to carelessness, the porch on the front side was left hanging which collapsed today," Authority's Officer on Special Duty Rajesh Kumar Singh said. "Four people including three minor (With inputs from PTI) London: Scientists have created a DNA tool that can accurately identify ancient populations, and may be used to test an individual's similarity to ancient people who once roamed the earth. Currently the study of ancient DNA requires a lot of information to classify a skeleton to a population or find its biogeographical origins. Scientists at the University of Sheffield in the UK have defined a new concept called Ancient Ancestry Informative Markers (aAIMs) -- a group of mutations that are sufficiently informative to identify and classify ancient populations. The research, led by Eran Elhaik, from University of Sheffield in the UK, saw the identification of a small group of aAIMs that can be used to classify skeletons to ancient populations. "We developed a new method that finds aAIMs efficiently and have proved that it is accurate," said Elhaik. AIMs (Ancestry Informative Markers) have a long history in science and have been employed for the past decade by health and forensic experts. Elhaik said that when his team applied traditional aAIMs-finding tools to ancient DNA data, they were disappointed with their low accuracy. "Ancient populations are much more diverse than modern ones. Their diversity was reduced over the years following events such as the Neolithic revolution and the Black Death," said Elhaik. "Although we have many more people today they are all far more similar to each other than ancient people. In addition, the ancient data themselves are problematic due to the large amount of degraded DNA," he said. To overcome these challenges, Elhaik developed a specialised tool that identifies AIMs by combining traditional methodology with a novel one that takes into account a mixture. "Until now you couldn't test people for ancient DNA ancestry because commercial microarrays, such as the ones used for genetic genealogy, don't have a lot of markers relevant for paleogenomics -- people could not study their primeval origins," Elhaik said. "This finding of aAIMs is like finding the fingerprints of ancient people," he said. "It allows testing of a small number of markers -- that can be found in a commonly available array -- and you can ask what part of your genome is from Roman Britons or Viking, or Chumash Indians, or ancient Israelites, etc," he added. Researchers said to make the findings more accurate for identifying and classifying ancient people throughout the world, the framework and methods of the study should be applied again when more comprehensive ancient DNA databases are available. Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will not attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official programme during his one-day tour to the state on Tuesday as he would be busy in state government programmes, official sources said. The Prime Minister during his visit to Bolangir in Western Odisha is scheduled to launch several projects on Infrastructure development, Connectivity and Ease of Doing Business. Modi will also dedicate Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jharsuguda and new Railway Line to be inaugurated between Balangir-Bichupali. After attending the official programme, Modi is expected to address a public rally at Patharachepa ground in Bolangir at 11.45 am. However, Patnaik will not be able to attend such function as he will remain busy at the state government's "Krushi Odisha" programme. Patnaik to address the farmers at the meeting. Both the prime minister and the chief minister are scheduled to attend programmes in different areas of the state at 11 am. However, sources in the chief minister's office said, one minister may be deputed to attend the prime minister's official programme. Last time when Modi visited Baripada in north Odisha on January 5, Patnaik was not present there as he attended an official programme at Puri. Odisha'a Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick represented the state at the PM's function. However, the chief minister had attended the official function of the Prime Minister Modi when he came to Khurda near Bhubaneswar on December 24. Ahead of the general elections, both the leaders have been attacking each other's government, though Modi did not take the name of ruling BJD or Patnaik in his speeches in those programmes. Modi, however, on his public meetings at Jharsuguda and Talcher on September 22, 2018, had criticised Patnaik and his government. Opposition Congress has alleged that Modi has been maintaining soft attitude towards Patnaik and his party, particularly after BJP's defeat in three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattishgarh. Sources in the ruling BJD said Patnaik prefers not to be seen with the prime minister at this juncture as the regional outfit has been maintaining equi-distance from both the BJP and the Congress. MUMBAI: Opposition parties hit out at the BJP and Shiv Sena for the BEST bus strike which entered its seventh day on Monday in the metropolis even as an official of the civic-run transport undertaking expressed hope that a High Court hearing later in the day will resolve the issue. Over 32,000 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) are on strike since Tuesday last week and 3200-odd buses in its fleet are off the roads. Striking workers are demanding the merger of BEST's budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the former's parent body, as well as higher wages. Talks over the last week between a state government committee led by the Maharashtra chief secretary and striking BEST unions have failed to break the impasse. The Nationalist Congress Party and Aam Aadmi Party Monday questioned the motives of the ruling BJP-Sena combine and asked why the strike had been allowed to linger on for a week now. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik Monday said, "BEST strike enters 7th day to promote wet leasing of buses to benefit Shiv Sena leaders. Similar ploy was played in MSRTC buses. Shiv Sena should clarify how many buses belong to their leaders." He added, "The BJP will also hand over electric supply to their friend Adani. Shiv Sena and BJP are holding Mumbaikars to ransom to benefit their leadership." Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Preeti Sharma Menon, while expressing her party's support to BEST's striking workers, alleged the state government was "anti-labour". "We support the demands of the strikers and are shocked that the government is unaffected by the longest BEST strike ever. This government is anti labour. It had also turned a deaf ear to the MSRTC's (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) strike last year," she said. A senior BEST official, meanwhile, said, "We have pinned our hope on the Bombay High court which is due to hear this case Monday afternoon. With HC intervention, we are hopeful an agreement will be reached today." Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke over phone with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to find a solution to the bus stir. The telephonic conservation between Fadnavis and Thackeray took place after a meeting Monday in Mantralaya between striking BEST union functionaries and state chief secretary D K Jain failed to break the deadlock. Thackeray has already said that his party will fulfil a promise to merge the budgets of the BMC and BEST. Commuters, meanwhile, continued to suffer with autorickshaws, taxis as well as private and state transport buses unable to cope with the daily passenger load catered to by BEST. Kandivali-resident Shrinivas Tambe (50) said, "I have to travel over two-and-half kilometres to reach office. It seems the authorities in power are supporting the strike or else it would not have gone on for such a long time. I suspect the government will shut down BEST once more metro routes are operational." There seems to be no end to the strike of Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) as the same entered the seventh day on Monday. The strike continued on Monday despite Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray assuring that the budget of the transport undertaking would be merged with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corportation (BMC). One of the demands of the BEST workers who are on strike since last week is merger of the budgets of the BMC and the loss-making BEST. The Sena had promised merger of the budgets during the civic poll campaign in 2017. The financial condition of the BEST has deteriorated. I had given the promise of merger of the budgets and that will be fulfilled. A solution can be found only through the talks. Even though the BEST strike issue is in the court, I am ready to be part of the discussion if necessary, news agency PTI quoted Thackeray as saying. Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has threatened to join the protest if the government and BMC administration fail to resolve the strike by Monday. We support the strike and the BEST employees. Their demands are just. If those demands are not met, the MNS will launch a protest, MNS leader Sandip Deshpande told PTI. A meeting was held on Saturday between the striking employees and BEST management, but it failed to yield any result. The meeting chaired by Maharashtra chief secretary DK Jain was held after the Bombay High Court on Friday directed the union leaders to talk with a state government committee. The meeting had BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta, secretaries of the transport and urban development departments and BEST general manager Surendrakumar Bagde in attendance to find a way to end the strike. Over 32000 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) are on strike since Tuesday and its fleet of 3200-odd buses are off the metropolis' roads, causing severe inconvenience to several lakh commuters. BENGALURU: Former Karnataka chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa on Monday rubbished reports that Congress MLAs were in touch with the saffron party to break them away from the coalition. "There is no truth to all these rumours of three Congress MLAs in touch with BJP. This is between the Congress and the Janata Dal Secular. We are not in touch with any of their MLAs. We are only focused on keeping our MLAs energised," he said. His statement comes after Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar claimed that BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the Karnataka government was real. He claimed that three Congress MLAs were 'camping' at a hotel in Mumbai with BJP leaders and alleged that the BJP was trying to poach them. However, Shivakumar exuded confidence that the BJP would fail in its attempts. "Horse trading is going on in the state. Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai in a hotel with some BJP MLAs and leaders. We are aware of what has transpired there and how much has been offered to them," he had said on Sunday. Operation Lotus is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in Karnataka in 2008. Shivakumar also accused Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy of being "lenient" towards the BJP. "Our chief minister is a bit lenient towards the BJP. By 'lenient', I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it. The chief minister is adopting a policy of wait and watch. If I was in his place, I would have exposed it within 24 hours," Shivakumar said. However, Kumaraswamy exuded confidence in the stability of his government and claimed that it is under no threat. "All 3 of them (Congress MLAs) are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My government is not under any threat. I know who all BJP is trying to contact and what they're offering. I can handle it, why should media be concerned," he asked. The allegations of poaching were also levelled on the BJP by Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. "BJP leaders are saying this govt will fall. But it won't happen. Some of our MLAs have gone, they can go for temples, holiday, family outings, we don't know. Nobody said that they're going to join BJP and destabilise the government. All our MLAs are intact," he said. Stressing that all is well in the government, Parameshwara added that he held a meeting with all state ministers to discuss the next budget which is going to be presented by the CM in the first week of February. Meanwhile, the BJP claimed that the Congress is levelling without any proof. "They (Congress) should keep their house in order. They are not able to keep their MLAs in Karnataka together and just simply pin pointing at BJP," Union Minister and BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda said. BENGALURU: Karnataka Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar has alleged that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai with some BJP leaders. Shivakumar stressed that the BJP was trying to poach the Congress MLAs in order to topple the Congress-JD(S) alliance government Karnataka. Shivakumar, however, expressed confidence that the BJP would fail in its attempt to lure the Congress MLAs away from the party. Commenting on the matter, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said,"All 3 of them (Congress MLAs) are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My govt isn't under any threat. I know who all BJP is trying to contact & what they're offering. I can handle it, why should media be concerned?" Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara also accused the BJP of trying to topple the alliance government in the state. "BJP leaders are saying this govt will fall. But it won't happen. Some of our MLAs have gone, they can go for temples, holiday, family outings, we don't know. Nobody said that they're going to join BJP & destabilise the govt. All our MLAs are intact," he told ANI. "Today I had called all our ministers, belonging to our party in this coalition, to discuss the next budget which is going to be presented by the CM in the first week of February & also to take stock of implementation of last year budget provision," added Parameshwara. Karnataka Minister & Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda has also attacked the BJP for resorting to undemocratic means to grab power in the state. "The fact is BJP is indulging in poaching undemocratically, against democratically established Karnataka govt. BJP is behind efforts to de-stabilise this govt. It is not specific to today," he noted. Responding to Congress' allegations, Union Minister & BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda said that the Congress should focus on keeping its house in order. He remarked that the Congress is unable to keep its MLAs together and is levelling allegations on the BJP without any substantial proof. "They (Congress) should keep their house in order. They are not able to keep their MLAs in Karnataka together and just simply pin pointing at BJP," Gowda told ANI. Bengaluru/New Delhi: Karnataka's ruling Congress-JDS coalition and opposition BJP on Monday traded allegations of making a renewed bid to poach MLAs in a fresh political war just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Amid media reports that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to cross over to the BJP and some lawmakers of the ruling coalition having gone incommunicado, Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said he has "sufficient numbers" to run a stable government. He asserted there was no question of "instability" in his government. Adding to the speculation was BJP holding all its 104 MLAs together in Delhi itself and conducting meetings for them. The BJP legislators had gone to the national capital for the party national council meeting which ended on Saturday. As the Congress-JDS combine accused the BJP of luring away its MLAs offering bribes and other allurements, BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa rubbished reports his party was attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state government. 'Operation Lotus' is a reference to BJP's alleged bid to lure several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then government headed by Yeddyurappa in 2008. He said there was no truth in the charge and instead alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to woo his party MLAs. "It is not us, but they (JDS-Congress) have started horse trading. We will stay in Delhi one or two days because Kumaraswamy is trying his level best to contact our MLAs and horse trading has started," Yeddyurappa told reporters after meeting state BJP MLAs and MPs in Delhi. The BJP is "alert and careful" as the chief minister is trying to lure our MLAs using "power and money", he said. "Kumaraswamy is trying to contact BJP MLAs and has offered a ministerial post to a Kalburgi MLA," Yeddyurappa alleged and said the ruling combine is luring BJP state legislators despite having majority numbers. Congress also said that Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government. In the 224-member Assembly, BJP has 104 members, Congress-79, JDS 37, BSP, KPJP and Independent one each, besides Speaker. BSP, KPJP and an Independent are supporting the coalition. Kumaraswamy said he enjoyed the support of 120 MLAs and alleged that Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government. "I have sufficient numbers for giving a stable government here, it is not necessary for Congress or JD(S) to poach the MLAs from BJP, we have sufficient numbers," he said in Bengaluru. "In which BJP MLAs name rooms were reserved in which resort, how many rooms were reserved.How many Congress-JD(S) they were making attempts to lure and take them away..Don't I have the information," he said. "The coalition government enjoys support of 120 MLAs," he said. He also said, "I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. "I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media.. I was surprised to see the report." Asked about Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said they were in constant touch with him. Not revealing their names, he said "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government." "(The Congress) MLAs have gone to Mumbai after bringing it to my notice; they are in constant touch with me," the chief minister said. "I spoke to them at 7:30 in the morning. They have gone for personal reasons, and there is no need to add politics to it," he added. "If my government is facing instability, is it possible for me to be at ease?" he asked. Shivakumar on Sunday said the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' was for real, alleging that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel. He had said the chief minister was being "lenient" towards the BJP, by not exposing it. "BJP members have gone for their executive meeting and to plan a strategy for Lok Sabha polls to win more seats. What should I do if their meeting is being seen as a threat to this government?" the chief minister asked. Kumaraswamy said he knew all about who the BJP was contacting and what kind of offers it was using to lure them. He expressed confidence that no MLA from the ruling coalition would defect to the saffron party. Deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also said the government was stable. Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be..Why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders." Accusing the BJP of trying to poach Congress MLAs, Parameshwara said it would not be successful. Yeddyurappa said the BJP legislators would be in New Delhi for "one or two days" and would later go to their constituencies and begin preparations for the Lok Sabha polls in all the 28 constituencies. Reports suggest that BJP legislators in Delhi were likely to be shifted to Gurgaon, to keep its numbers in tact, with Congress and JD(S) allegedly planning to poach BJP MLAs as a retaliatory measure to Operation Lotus. However, Yeddyurappa clarified "There is no need for us to do any "resort politics", we are not doing also", he said, adding "a few of them will be in Delhi, a few are going to Gurgaon, they will go and come back." Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday hailed Nitish Kumar's chief ministership in Bihar and said that crime has almost been cut down to nil following the latter's JD-U came to power. "Nitish Kumar ji is a no non-sense CM, after his coming to power crime has almost finished. Bihar has done a lot of work in skill development. I want to tell all other politicians if you want to learn honesty and morality in politics, you must learn from him," Satya Pal Malik said. Speaking on the people of J&K and his governorship, Satya Pal said that the people of the state are being heard and action is being taken on their complaints. He added that the Governor house is for everyone and he has tried to create an environment of openness. "People of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are great; I'm getting a lot of love from them. All the people are being heard, action is taken on their complaints. Governor house is for everyone, not just for me; Ive tried to create an environment of openness," Satya Pal said. The J&K Governor's statement comes on a day when RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav met Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. Tejashwi had also met BSP supremo Mayawati on Sunday and asserted that the SP-BSP alliance would win all the seats in Uttar Pradesh. NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Sunday arrested a woman for allegedly shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at India Gate. The woman, who is believed to be mentally unstable, managed to sneak into a high-security area when the Republic Day rehearsal was on and raised the 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. Police officials said the woman identified as Sultana belongs to Nizamabad in Hyderabad. The woman tried to enter the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate and created a ruckus when the security personnel tried to stop her. The woman constables of Delhi Police apprehended the woman and took her to Parliament Street police station. A senior police officer said that after probe it was found that Sultana had left from Nizamabad two days ago to visit her relatives in Mumbai but she lost her way and reached New Delhi. The police then took the woman to a hospital for medical examination and then sent her to a women shelter home. A Delhi Police office said that they got in touch with Hyderabad police in order to inform the relatives of the woman. Sultana's relatives confirmed to police that she had left Nizamabad two days two days ago without informing them and a missing complaint was also filed by them in Nizamabad in this regard. Doctors confirmed after medical examination that the woman is indeed mentally unstable. Nothing suspicious was found by the police about the woman and this is the reason why no case has been registered by the police against the woman. A day after meeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday met Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. Following the meeting, Tejashwi and Akhilesh also addressed a joint press conference in the Uttar Pradesh capital. Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, Tejashwi Yadav criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA governments move to bring 10 per cent reservation for economic backward upper castes. Alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was imposing the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the RJD leader said, If you remember, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has always said that caste-based reservation must be abolished. They are trying to replace our Constitution with RSS bunch of thoughts. Referring to the alliance between the SP and the BSP, the former Bihar deputy chief minister asserted that the BJP would be decimated in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He added, I am sure people will give full support to the SP-BSP alliance. I congratulate Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji for forging this alliance in national interest. It was necessary in light of the situation in the country right now. Those who were slaves of British are in power right now, the Yadav scion said. He said that the BJP was in power in 115-118 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand combined, adding that with the newly formed SP-BSP alliance in UP and the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, BJP will go down to less than 100 seats in the three states. Tejashwi also used the opportunity to target the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying that the central agencies had become alliance partners of the BJP. After Tejashwi, Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP, claiming that people across the country were angry with the NDA government. He alleged that while traders were facing trouble, youth were not getting jobs. The Samajwadi Party leader said that people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar would have been happy had the bullet train been introduced in these states. We wanted bullet train to go from Delhi to Lucknow to Patna to Ranchi to Kolkata, instead they decided to launch it between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. And therefore people are angry. Akhilesh Yadav also targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying, The language that our Chief Minister uses is disturbing. At first he said thok do, then they referred to us as saanp-chhachhunder (snake and mole)But we will never change our language no matter what he says. The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the central government over its notification allowing agencies to monitor any computer resource. The top court issued the notice while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), which challenged the order of Ministry of Home Affairs allowing 10 agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer in India. Seeking a response to the notice from the Centre within six weeks, the Supreme Court said that it would examine the issue concerning the government order released on December 20, 2018. Notably, the government has in the past defended the move, claiming that "it was done in the interest of national security". A day after the order was issued, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the MHA order was a repetition of an order of authorisation issued under rules framed during the Congress-led UPA regime in 2009. Jaitley had made the remark in Rajya Sabha. Jaitley also accused the Congress of playing with the security of the country and making "a mountain where even a molehill does not exist." He had said, "On December 20, the same order of authorisation was repeated that was existing since 2009." According to the MHA order, 10 security and intelligence agencies, including the RAW, the Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police, could intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the Information and Technology Act, 2000. The Home Ministry had also released a statement, clarifying that "adequate safeguards" were in place. The statement further read, "Every individual case will continue to require prior approval of Home Ministry or state government. MHA has not delegated its powers to any law enforcement or security agency." The interception powers have been given to the Intelligence Bureau, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Board, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Cabinet Secretary (RAW), Directorate of Signal Intelligence (for service areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast and Assam only) and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. (With agency inputs) WASHINGTON: There is a "strong possibility" of Tahawwur Hussain Rana - currently serving a 14-year jail term in the US for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack - being extradited to India, an informed source said. The Indian government, with "full co-operation" from the Trump administration, is currently working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition of the Pakistani-Canadian national before his current jail term ends in December 2021. Rana was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. Some 166 people, including US nationals, were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. According to the US officials, he is set to be released in December 2021. "There is a strong possibility of extradition of Rana to India on completion of his jail term here. We (US and India) are working on this," a source told PTI. But the "challenge" is to complete the necessary paperwork during this period and overcome the cumbersome bureaucracy of the two countries and the independent judiciary, the source said. India's Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice and the US' State Department and the Department of Justice, each of them has their own extradition procedure in place. And they are unwilling to cutdown or speed up their own process when it comes to extradition, it added. Following a recent visit to the US by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before the current jail term of Rana ends in December 2021. From now on, the NIA is expected to have direct communication with their US counterparts to cut short the timeframe and bureaucratic formalities. In case, the US government in co-operation with the Indian government is unable to complete the necessary paperwork before that, officials here said it would become very tough to ensure a smooth extradition of Rana once he is released from the jail in Chicago, where he is currently serving his sentence. NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing protests over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill in several north-eastern states, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will soon meet the chief ministers of these states to discuss protection of rights and people's interests. According to reports, the Home Minister said this after following separate meetings with different delegations headed by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal last week. "Rajnath Singh assured the delegations that the interests of all north-eastern states, including Manipur and Assam, and their culture and heritage will be fully protected. He will call a meeting of all the Chief Ministers," a statement from the Home Ministry said. People from Manipur, Meghalaya and Assam have taken to streets after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament in the Winter Session. The bill aims to remove hurdles for eligible migrants of six minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan from getting Indian citizenship. Biren Singh met Rajnath Singh on Saturday along with Manipur BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Ksh. Bhabananda Singh and submitted a memorandum to him for giving Presidential assent to Manipur People's (Protection) Bill, 2018, passed by the Manipur Assembly on July 23, 2018. Rajnath Singh told him that the Home Ministry will examine the Bill which seeks to protect the interest of indigenous population of the state. The proposed Citizenship Bill has triggered apprehension in the region that it will not be in the interest of the indigenous people of North-East. Various North-East parties and students' bodies have been claiming that once the Bill is implemented, the northeastern states could be flooded with a large number of illegal immigrants and foreigners from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar and so on, as international borders are porous. A delegation from Assam led by the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also met Rajnath Singh this weekend over the issue. Several representatives of the Bodo groups including the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Muhilary also met the Home Minister over the weekend and discussed the various outstanding demands of the BODO community. Rajnath Singh said while introducing the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on January 8, he had made it clear that the Bill is not meant for the individuals belonging to six minorities who have come from one particular country. "It is also not meant for individuals who are living in one particular state." The Home Minister said it is a fact that Assam has borne the disproportionate burden of migration, but the state should not bear this burden alone. "It is the responsibility of the entire country and the burden should also be shared by the entire country," he added. The Home Minister said the decision to grant tribal status to six communities - Tai Ahom, Tea, Koch Raj Bongshi, Chutia, Moran and Matak tribes - should also be seen in the same spirit. He assured the BODO leaders that this decision will be implemented only after ensuring that the political and employment-related privileges and rights of the existing tribes in Assam are fully protected. (With IANS inputs) Pakistan has lodged a protest with India over the detention of an official of the countrys High Commission in New Delhi, alleging that the detention was unlawful. A report in Pakistan-based Geo News on Monday claimed that the official was made to sign some papers forcefully during his detention at a police station in the national capital. The report quoted Pakistans diplomatic sources as saying that the detention of the High Commission official was a violation of the Vienna convention, adding that Islamabad had the right to retaliate to such incidents. According to Pakistan, the official was freed from the police station only after Islamabad lodged a protest over his detention. The official was detained following an altercation with a woman in a market place in New Delhi on Sunday. The woman took up the matter with police, after which the Pakistan High Commission official was detained by the cops. Zee News had reported on Sunday that the Pakistani official was let off after he offered an apology to the complainant. India has clarified that the Pakistan High Commission official was not arrested. NEW DELHI: Delhi-based NGO Common Cause has approached the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the appointment of M Nageswara Rao as interim chief of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The NGO has approached the apex court through senior advocate Prashant Bhushan. CBI Additional Director M Nageshwar Rao was made the interim director of the country's premier investigating agency on Thursday hours after the removal of Alok Verma from the post of CBI Director. Rao will discharge his duties as CBI boss till a new appointment or until further orders. Soon after taking charge as the interim boss of CBI, Rao reverted all transfer decisions taken by his ousted predecessor Alok Verma restoring the position of officials as on January 8. It may be recalled that Verma was removed from his post after a two-hour-long meeting of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Selection Committee in New Delhi. The panel which also included Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the largest party in the Lok Sabha and the second senior-most Supreme Court judge, AK Sikri, decided to remove Alok Verma with a 2-1 majority. Rao, a 1986-batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, was initially appointed the CBI director late night on October 23, 2018, after Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana were sent on a 'long leave' by the government following a spat between them. The next morning, Rao had ordered several transfers, including of officials probing a corruption case against Asthana like DSP A K Bassi, DIG M K Sinha and Joint Director A K Sharma. NEW DELHI: The Government of India (GoI) has complained to the Pakistan government over the alleged harassment of its diplomats posted in Islamabad and attempts being made to hack their social media accounts. According to reports, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has written to the Pakistani establishment over attempts that have been made in the recent past to hack into the social media accounts of its senior Indian officials posted there. Sources:High Commission of India in Pakistan writes to Pak govt over attempts made to hack social media accounts of senior Indian diplomats.High commissioner& Dy high commissioner being closely followed&aggressively watched by a Pak security official during a wedding in Islamabad pic.twitter.com/UqR7Fs0evQ ANI (@ANI) 14 January 2019 It has also raised the ''not-so-secret surveillance'' being carried out against its senior diplomats. News agency PTI quoted government sources as saying that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has strongly raised the issue in a letter sent to Pakistan's Foreign Office. The Indian mission, in a note verbale, alleged that the Indian High Commissioner and his deputy were being put under an aggressive watch by a Pakistani security official during a wedding reception on December 4 in Serena Hotel in Islamabad. The sources said attempts were made to hack the social media account of the second secretary and an email received from Facebook administration that repeated attempts were made by unknown people to log into his Facebook account. The Indian High Commission has requested the Pakistan Foreign Office to take note of these incidents. Such incidents of aggressive surveillance, violation of privacy and harassment amount to a breach of understanding between the Pakistan Foreign Secretary and the High Commissioner of Indian in March last year, the Indian mission said in the communication to the Pakistan Foreign Office. (With PTI Inputs) NEW DELHI: The 2018-19 annual report of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has revealed that the Central government has made up its mind to approve the construction of 44 strategically important roads along the India-China border. The move is seen as an attempt by the government to bolster the border infrastructure in order to counter threats emanating from Beijing. The report added that around Rs 21,040 crore will be invested by the government to build roads in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for this purpose. The detailed project reports (DPRs) for the roads have already been submitted to Cabinet Committee on Security - which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - for approval. It is expected that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the CPWD will be given the responsibilities to build these roads. It is to be noted that the BRO and CPWD are currently constructing 73 strategic roads along the India-China border, out of which 61 is being built by the BRO, which comes under the Defence Ministry. Welcoming the government's move, Army officials said that the improvement of infrastructure along the border will help both the Army as well as civilians. The government may also ask the CPWD to take up some new infrastructure projects along the border with Pakistan. According to the report, the CPWD will be tasked with the construction of axial and lateral roads measuring around 2,200 km along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab and Rajasthan. It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam on December 25, signalling his government's intention to improve road and rail connectivity in the region. The 4.9 km-long Bogibeel Bridge has a two-line railway track on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the top deck. The bridge has come as a boon for people living in North-East as it will reduce travel time from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh to four hours and will cut out the detour of over 170 km via Tinsukia. New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday inspected a joint amphibious exercise by Integrated Service Command, Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), off the Campbell Bay coast in Nicobar, the southern-most island of the nation. The Defence Minister is on a two-day visit to Andaman and Nicobar islands. Smt @nsitharaman inspects Joint Amphibious Exercise by Integrated Service Command,ANC off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern most island of the nation. pic.twitter.com/Jwti4dSzaj Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) January 14, 2019 She reviewed the Command Presentation at the Andaman and Nicobar Command in Port Blair and attended a special cultural event organised by them. Sitharaman also interacted with ex-servicemen and locals at Port Blair. On Sunday, the defence minister's official handle had tweeted saying, "Smt @nsitharaman arrives in Port Blair to oversee a major joint exercise involving the @adgpi , @indiannavy , @IAF_MCC and @IndiaCoastGuard during her 2 day visit." Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is straddled strategically near the mouth of the Malacca Straits. The Malacca Straits is also an important Sea Lane of Communication and used by the navies of several countries, including China which has been stepping up its military infrastructure in the Indian Ocean Region. (With inputs from agencies) NEW DELHI: In a major blow for civil rights activist Anand Teltumbde, the Supreme Court (SC) refused to quash an FIR filed by Pune Police for Teltumbde's alleged involvement in the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima violence. In the FIR, the police have also accused the renowned civil rights activist of having links with Maoists. An SC bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul also said that it will not interfere with the ongoing investigation in the case. The apex court, however, extended by four weeks the interim protection from arrest granted to Teltumbde by the Bombay High Court and ruled that the civil rights activist can approach the competent trial court to seek regular bail. On December 21, Teltumbde's petition seeking the quashing of the FIR and granted interim protection from arrest for three weeks was dismissed by the Bombay High Court. The Elgar Parishad event held on January 1, 2018 at Shaniwarwada in Pune had witnessed violent caste clashes at Koregaon-Bhima, located near Pune. Police claim that inflammatory speeches were made by several activists during the event, which added to the violence. It is to be noted that a nine-member fact-finding committee, constituted to probe the Bhima Koregaon violence, has said in its report that the violence in Bhima Koregaon was part of a conspiracy. The report said that tankers filled with kerosene, sticks and swords were brought to the spot before the violence was triggered. People living in Sanaswadi area near Bhima Koregaon knew before hand that there would be violence. The report had also indicted the police for failing to act on time to prevent the pre-planned violence. The report also added that two right-wing leaders, Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, tried to divide people on the basis of caste. The report said that Dharamvir Sambhaji Maharaj Smriti Samiti has been formed by Ekbote with an aim to give distorted information about the history of Govind Gaekwad to the people. (With Agency inputs) NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday issued a notice to CBI on an appeal filed by Congress leader Sajjan Kumar challenging the verdict delivered by Delhi High Court in December 2018 convicting and sentencing the veteran former Congress leader to life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy to commit murder in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Supreme Court issues notice to CBI on an appeal filed by Congress leader, Sajjan Kumar challenging the Delhi High Court verdict convicting and sentencing him to life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy to commit murder in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2019 While delivering the verdict, the Delhi HC had ordered Sajjan Kumar to surrender by December 31. The former Congress leader surrendered before Metropolitan Magistrate on December 31 and was sent to Mandoli jail in northeast Delhi. Kumar was convicted for his involvement in the murder of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar Part-I area in Palam Colony of southwest Delhi and burning down of a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar Part-II. The anti-Sikh riots had erupted in Delhi and several other parts of the country after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards. The High Court called the anti-Sikh riots a carnage of unbelievable proportions and a crime against humanity perpetrated by those who enjoyed political patronage and aided by an indifferent police and other law enforcement agencies. "This court is of the view that the mass killings of Sikhs in Delhi and elsewhere in November 1984 were in fact 'crimes against humanity'. They will continue to shock the collective conscience of society for a long time to come," a bench of Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Vinod Goel had said. On his part, Sajjan Kumar had filed a plea in the HC, seeking 30 more days to surrender but his request was rejected by the Court. The former Congress leader then approached the Supreme Court challenging the HC verdict. The high court had set aside the trial court's 2010 verdict which had acquitted Kumar in the case. After his conviction in the case, Kumar had resigned from the Congress party. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: Amid raging protests in Assam and some other north-eastern states over the Citizenship Bill, the Centre said on Monday Home Minister Rajnath Singh will soon call a meeting of the North-East chief ministers to discuss safeguards required to protect the region's cultural and linguistic identity. Large-scale protests have been witnessed in Assam and some other parts of the North East seeking withdrawal of the controversial bill, which seeks to grant nationality to non-muslims who fled religious persecution from three neighbouring countries and entered India before December 31, 2014. The bill which was passed by Lok Sabha last week is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha in the budget session. Several protesting leaders, including those from Assam's regional parties, have said the state's indigenous people will lose their linguistic and cultural identity if the Citizenship Bill is passed. Protestors have also said that the proposed legislation goes against the 1985 Assam Accord, which says that anyone having entered the state after a cut-off date of March 24, 1971 should be treated as an illegal migrant and should be deported. Singh's proposed meeting with the chief ministers assumes significance as there have been concerns expressed by various stakeholders over non-functioning of a Centre-nominated committee to assess the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and other matters related to the north eastern states. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord states "constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people". "Union Home Minister will soon be calling a meeting of chief ministers of the concerned states. They will further discuss about the safeguards that need to be provided for protecting the interests of these states and protecting their cultural and linguistic identity," the Home Ministry said in its statement. It said a delegation from Assam led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this weekend. The delegation included Himanta Biswa Sarma, senior minister in Assam government, and some other BJP leaders of the state. "They discussed issues related to safeguards for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity and heritage of Assam and implementation of Clause-6 of the Assam Accord and issues related to grant of tribal status to six communities," the Home Ministry said. Several representatives of the Bodo groups including the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Muhilary, Chandan Brahma, Minister from BPF in the state government and Biswajit Daimary, MP also met the Union Home Minister over the weekend and discussed various outstanding demands of Bodo community. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also called on Singh along with Manipur BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP, K Bhabananda Singh on Saturday. "They discussed issues related to protection of the rights and interests of the indigenous people of Manipur. Rajnath Singh assured them that the interests of all north eastern states including Manipur and their culture and heritage will be fully protected," the Home Ministry said. Meanwhile, highly placed officials said the government is assessing the situation arising our of the non-working of the Committee on Assam Accord, as more than half of its members have declined to be part of it. The Home Ministry had on January 6 notified a nine-member high level committee under the chairmanship of former tourism secretary M P Bezbaruah. Four members of the panel -- eminent litterateurs Nagen Saikia and Rong Bong Terang along with educationist Mukunda Rajbongshi and the nominee of the influential All Assam Students Union -- have already decided not to be a part of the committee. Bezbaruah too recently declined to be part of the Committee, formed to assess the quantum of seats to be reserved in the Assam Assembly and in the local bodies of the state for Assamese, besides providing other safeguards. New Delhi: A special CBI Court on Monday granted 15-minute time in a week to AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case middleman Christian Michel to speak to his family and lawyers. Christian Michel James, a middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, was arrested in July last year in Dubai. Sources had suggested that James was detained on July 12 for questioning. James, who hails from Britain, was reportedly detained by Indian probe agencies. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate did not name the middleman in the chargesheet that it had filed in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal. The ED named former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi and 33 others in the chargesheet. While filing the chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the ED informed the magistrate that money was laundered through "multiple foreign companies". The court was told that "foreign companies were used as fronts to park alleged kickbacks". In 2017, the Patiala House Court in Delhi had issued non bailable warrant against Michel. The ED had then told the court that the middle ran a shell company named Media Exim and had facilitated transactions of kickbacks in the deal using the same. The Enforcement Directorate found that of the alleged kickbacks received by James, Rs 6.33 crore was routed to India through his shell company Media Exim from his Dubai-based Global Services FZE. James allegedly received around Rs 225 crore as kickbacks from AgustaWestland for the deal inked for the purchase of 12 helicopters in the guise of transactions for performing multiple work contracts in the country. Ahmedabad: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Monday flew a kite in Ahmedabad's Nava Vadaj. In a video posted by news agency ANI, the BJP veteran is seen standing on the terrace of a building, holding the kite-thread, wearing a sunglass and surrounded by a bunch of people. While some of them are cheering Shah, others are seen capturing the moment. #WATCH: BJP President Amit Shah flies a kite in Nava Vadaj, Ahmedabad on #MakarSankranti. #Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/fpgiD064D5 Makar Sankranti is celebrated across the nation on January 14, 2019. The term 'Sankranti' means movement and 'Makara' represents Capricorn. Thus, it defines the movement of the sun into the zodiac sign of 'Makara'. It is a solar event that marks the beginning of the spring season, which makes the day longer and symbolizes the end of the winter solstice. The day marks the auspicious phase of Hindu culture which is considered sacred to perform rituals. Many people considered the day to be the beginning of the month of Mah of the Hindu Solar calendar. New Delhi: Rajasthan government along with Federation of Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Stores Limited (CONFED) will start the sale of electronic items at much cheaper prices than the market. Government will open five multi-brand stores across Jaipur for the purpose which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The stores were earlier set to be inaugurated by then CM Vasundhara Raje. But it had to be halted because moral code of conduct came into effect as Rajasthan Assembly polls were clashing with the schedule of the opening of the stores. The firsts such multi-brand store will be opened in Jaipur's Nivaru road, and subsequently by March, stores will be opened in Gopalpura, Nirman Nagar, Mansarovar. All the electronic items including house-hold appliances will be sold at a much cheaper price than market. Though Confed has been selling several products for a long time, the scale and range of items were limited. Confed MD Raisingh Mojawat said, It is for the first time that Rajasthan Confed will be opening multi-brand store at such a huge scale. This is also for the first time that electronic items will be sold through such stores. The department will soon finalise a deal with companies like Samsung and Micromax for the purpose so that Confed can sell electronic items at a cheaper price. The department is trying its best to open its first store by the end of this month, he added. New Delhi: In a bid to align with the best corporate practices, the Finance Ministry has asked the public sector banks to gradually bring down the government's equity to 52 per cent, a top official said. "The government is essentially a major shareholder. So, this need to be aligned to the best corporate practices. The shareholding needs to come down to at least 52 per cent in the first phase. As and when market condition allows, banks will take step in that direction. They have all the permission in hand," Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar told PTI. Dilution of government stake will help banks to meet 25 per cent public float norms of market regulator Sebi. Some of the public sector banks have government's holding beyond 75 per cent. Besides, it will encourage the banks to follow the prudential lending norms. The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has already initiated step for Rs 20,000 crore share sale through qualified institutional placement (QIP). Post QIP, the government stake will be diluted from the existing 58.53 per cent. Last month, shareholders of the bank approved sale of shares to fund the business growth. Many other banks are planning to raise capital through some means or other, depending on the market condition. Some of the lenders like Syndicate Bank, Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Oriental Bank of Commerce among others have already issued or in process of issuing Employee Share Purchase Scheme (ESPS). He further said the government has also initiated the process for consolidation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to better serve the needs of the rural India. Recently, the Centre has amalgamated three RRBs -- Punjab Gramin Bank, Malwa Gramin Bank and Sutlej Gramin Bank -- into a single RRB with effect from January 1. The central government, after consulting the sponsor banks of the three RRBs, felt that in the interest of the banks and the areas served by them, they should be amalgamated into a single RRB. Besides, Punjab Gramin Bank (PNB), and Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank (UCO Bank) has been amalgamated with Madhya Bihar Gramin Bank (PNB). While the consolidated RRB in Punjab is called Punjab Gramin Bank, with headquarters at Kapurthala, the one in Bihar has been rechristened as Dakshin Bihar Gramin (based in Patna). These banks were formed under the RRB Act, 1976 with an objective to provide credit and other facilities to small farmers, agricultural labourers and artisans in rural areas. Currently, the Centre holds 50 per cent in RRBs, while 35 per cent and 15 per cent are with the concerned sponsor banks and state governments, respectively. New Delhi: Emergency services at the Safdarjung hospital remained affected on Monday as resident doctors stayed away from work for the second consecutive day demanding security be increased on the medical institution's premises after one of their colleagues was allegedly manhandled. The strike was called after a Delhi Police head constable's son, who had come for treatment at the Centre-run hospital on Sunday, allegedly punched a doctor. Patients alleged that they were facing a harrowing time due to the paucity of doctors even as senior faculty members and para-medical staff tried to keep services running at the emergency department. On Monday, an 18-year-year accident victim, who was admitted to the hospital's emergency section on Saturday, succumbed to injuries with his family alleging that he had not received proper treatment because of the strike. He was referred to Safdarjung from a hospital in Gurgaon. "My brother was referred to this hospital on Saturday and on Sunday the resident doctor went on strike after which patients were not being attended to properly. We also requested that our brother be referred to another hospital but nothing was done and he died today morning," the elder brother of the deceased said. In another instance, a family alleged that a 20-year-old woman died after not getting treatment on time. However, a member of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) refrained from commenting whether their was any connection between the deaths and the strike. "The deaths are unfortunate. Senior doctors are attending the patients at the emergency ward. The incidents of doctors being assaulted at work have become quite frequent and there is a need to beef up security and also deploy marshals at the hospital premises for their safety," the association's Safdarjung hospital president Dr Prakash Thakur said. On Sunday, around 1,600 doctors went on strike over the alleged manhandling of their colleague. Police had said Head Constable Virender's son Akshay Kumar (24) went to the Safdarjung hospital with his friend Rajesh on Sunday morning. Akshay had complained of abdominal pain, they said. Virendra is posted as a head constable at the Safdarjung Enclave police station, police said According to a senior police officer, an argument broke out between Akshay and the doctor on-duty after the head constable's son alleged that he was not being given priority and there was subsequent delay in treatment. Enraged, Akshay punched the doctor, who suffered injuries to his nose. The accused fled from the hospital after the incident, he said. Apparently, Akshay's father had also called up the duty constable at the hospital, Vinod, informing him that his son would be coming there for treatment. A member of RDA had claimed that the doctor on emergency duty had tried to relieve the patient of his pain, but the pain did not subside. "While the resident doctor on duty was filling up a form so that the patient could undergo an ultrasound, the latter started hurling abuses," a senior doctor said. The doctor on duty fell unconscious after he was attacked and suffered a broken nose, he said. An FIR was lodged in the matter and the role of duty constable Vinod in instigating the Akshay) is also being probed. The head constable and constable on duty were sent to District Lines on Sunday by the police department. NEW DELHI: In a major development, the Delhi Police on Monday filed its chargesheet naming former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and 46 others in connection with a sedition case lodged against them in 2016. The Delhi Police named former students - Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya - for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event organised on JNU campus on February 9, 2016, to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. Others who have been named in the chargesheet are - Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-president of the JNUSU), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri have been named in column 12 of the chargesheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand put up the chargesheet for consideration before a court on Tuesday. In its 1200-page-long chargesheet, the Delhi Police have accused Kanhaiya Kumar of inciting the gathering and shouting anti-India slogans during his address. Delhi: Police reaches Patiala House Court to file 1200-page chargesheet in 2016 JNU sedition case. pic.twitter.com/zN8H10Yr3J ANI (@ANI) 14 January 2019 A case in this connection was registered on February 11, 2016, under various Sections of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) police station following complaints by BJP MP Mahesh Girri and the ABVP. The February 9 event happened despite the varsity administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by the ABVP, who had termed it as "anti-national". Who All Have Been Named In The Chargesheet:- Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya, Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rasool, Bashir Bhat and others. Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya, Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rasool, Bashir Bhat, among others named in the chargesheet filed in JNU sedition case. ANI (@ANI) 14 January 2019 What Are The Charges Pressed Against The Accused:- The chargesheet has been filed under various sections of the IPC : - 124A (sedition), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (forgery), 471 (using as genuine, forged document), 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), 149 (unlawful assembly with common object), 147(rioting), & 120B (criminal conspiracy). The chargesheet has been filed under IPC section 124A (sedition), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (forgery), 471 (using as genuine, forged document), 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), 149 (unlawful assembly with common object), 147(rioting), & 120B (criminal conspiracy) https://t.co/WFxRIb3Sk7 ANI (@ANI) 14 January 2019 Reacting to the chargesheet against him, Kanhaiya said that the move coming just before the elections shows it is politically motivated. "I would like to thank police and Modi Ji. The filing of the chargesheet after three years, just ahead of elections clearly shows it is politically motivated. I trust the judiciary of my country," Kanhaiya said. Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya were arrested in 2016 in a sedition case for allegedly organising an event in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus against the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. The arrests had triggered a huge controversy with the opposition slamming the police for "working at the behest of the ruling BJP". The controversial event at the JNU had sparked outrage after allegations were made that anti-national slogans were raised. Kanhaiya got into the limelight after his arrest. There were massive protests across the country after his arrest. (With Agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Monday filed a 1200-page chargesheet in the JNU sedition case against former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar and other activists, including Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik. The Patiala House Court will take up the chargesheet for consideration on Tuesday. The chargesheet has been filed under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 124A (sedition), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (forgery), 471 (using as genuine, forged document), 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), 149 (unlawful assembly with common object), 147(rioting), and 120B (criminal conspiracy). Reacting to the chargesheet against him, Kanhaiya said that the move coming just before the elections shows it is politically motivated. "I would like to thank police and Modi Ji. The filing of the chargesheet after three years, just ahead of elections clearly shows it is politically motivated. I trust the judiciary of my country," Kanhaiya said. Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya were arrested in 2016 in a sedition case for allegedly organising an event in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus against the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. The arrests had triggered a huge controversy with the opposition slamming the police for "working at the behest of the ruling BJP". The controversial event at the JNU had sparked outrage after allegations were made that anti-national slogans were raised. Kanhaiya got into the limelight after his arrest. There were massive protests across the country after his arrest. Do you want to manage your remote workers effectively? If yes, you are in the right place. In this article,... New Delhi: Makar Sankranti is celebrated across the nation on January 14, 2019. The term 'Sankranti' means movement and 'Makara' represents Capricorn. Thus, it defines the movement of the sun into the zodiac sign of 'Makara'. It is a solar event that marks the beginning of the spring season, which makes the day longer and symbolizes the end of the winter solstice. The day marks the auspicious phase of Hindu culture which is considered sacred to perform rituals. Many people considered the day to be the beginning of the month of Mah of the Hindu Solar calendar. The festival is addressed by different names in various parts of the country: People in Punjab perform this festival as Lohri by lighting up a bonfire. Bihar and Jharkhand celebrate 'Khichdi' by offering sesame seeds and oil to the bonfire. On Sankranti people in Haryana and Delhi, newly wedded couples are greeted and blessed by elders in the family. In Andhra Pradesh people feed animals to highlight the importance of sharing and caring. 'Uttarayan' is celebrated in Gujarat, where people fly kites on the terrace and playgrounds. 'Pongal' is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, where people cook rice and milk in a pot until they overflow. 'Suggi' is celebrated in Karnataka, where people make rangolis and enjoy kite flying. 'Poush Sankranti' is celebrated in West Bengal, where people perform Baharlaxmi puja. The festival of 'Makar Sankranti' is also celebrated in other states like Rajasthan, Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra etc with great zeal and much celebrations. The political wheels have come full circle in Uttar Pradesh. About 25 years ago, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party came together to successfully contest the 1993 Assembly elections in the state. The idea was to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at bay following its rise. Now the two parties have aligned yet again to counter the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Since we are into history, lets recall a few incidents that happened thereafter. Then it was Mulayam Singh Yadav from the SP and Kanshi Ram from the BSP who stitched the partnership. Two prominent industrialists had played a significant role in bringing the rivals together, and they were subsequently rewarded with Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP still won the largest number of seats but fell short of a majority, while the combined numerical strength of the SP and the BSP led to the formation of a coalition regime with Mulayam Singh Yadav as the chief minister. Mayawati did not join the government, but she was entrusted with the task of supervising the partnership. The alliance worked well for the first few months, but friction began to develop thereafter, more so after incidents of violence which had erupted following the removal of an Ambedkar statue in Meerut in 1994. The state police, which had a good number from the Yadav caste, came down hard on the protesters and at least two members of the Scheduled Castes died in the firing. More problems arose when the Yadav community protested against the installation of an Ambedkar statue on a plot of land it claimed belonged to the community. The Yadav-Scheduled Caste confrontation led Mayawati to get aggressive, and soon reports began to circulate that she was interfering in the functioning of the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government. Then came then infamous guest house incident in mid-1995. By then, political equations had begun to change in Lucknow. The BJP and the BSP had got closer to each other with the latter realising it would have to pull out of the coalition regime to keep its Scheduled caste vote-base intact. Indeed, Mayawati had met the Governor and effectively withdrawn support to the government. All hell broke. Mayawati had summoned a meeting of her legislators at the state guest house in Lucknow to discuss further course of action. Once the meeting was done, the BSP leader was closeted with a few senior leaders for fine-tuning the political strategy. A mob of around 200 SP leaders and supporters attacked the guest house and raised casteist slogans against her and her community. It was followed by more filthy language and threats to kill. Power supply to the guest house was cut off and the mob shouted for Mayawati to be dragged out and taught a lesson. The BSP legislators who came in contact with the mob were brutally assaulted. Two junior police officers came to Mayawatis rescue. Later the district magistrate of Lucknow and some BJP leaders played important roles in the rescue of the BSP leader. A traumatic Mayawati and her guru Kanshi Ram vowed to never do business with the SP. She soon became chief minister with the BJPs support. Cut to the present: On Saturday, sharing the stage with SP leader Akhilesh Yadav to announce the renewed partnership between the SP and the BSP and the seat-sharing deal, Mayawati remarked that she was willing to forgive and forget the 1995 incident in the larger interests of the nation (read, to get rid of the Modi government from the Centre). Then, as now, the common factor is the need to counter the BJP. But thats where the commonality ends. The first difference is that the two leaders who made the alliance possible in 1993 are not in the picture this time around. Kanshi Ram is dead and Mulayam Singh Yadav is a mere bystander in the party which he founded. While both Kanshi Ram and Mulayam Singh Yadav were astute, in the present case Mayawati, now a veteran both in terms of years in politics and mercurial nature, clearly has the edge, whereas Akhilesh Yadav is subdued by his relatively junior status and inexperience. Everybody knows who will call the shots in the post-result scenario if the combine does well, is not a secret. The second difference is that the 1993 alliance had been for Assembly elections, whereas the present one at least for now is for the Lok Sabha polls. Then it was Mulayam-Kanshi Ram versus Kalyan Singh of the BJP, who had been deposed as chief minister following the Ayodhya mosque destruction incident. Today it is Akhilesh-Mayawati versus Narendra Modi a more formidable challenge. The third refers to the political status of the BJP. Then, the BJP was not in power either at the Centre or in the state. Today its there in both places. In the 2014 general elections, the party had got 40 per cent of the vote-share in Uttar Pradesh. The SP could manage only five seats while the BSP ended with none. The situation was not much different in the 2017 assembly polls where the SP and the BSP had to bite the dust while the BJP romped home with a huge majority. And yet the SP-BSP combine has reason to feel upbeat. It had tasted blood in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypolls, and this had proved to be a trigger to explore a formalise alliance between the two parties. There, questions remain: First, will the coalition deliver in 2019? Will it last in case of failure? Will it sustain even after the victory or become victim to ego battles, as had happened in 1995? (This was originally published on wionews.com) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (Publicitate) Importanta cosurilor de gunoi si a colectarii selective a deseurilor Reciclarea nu este un moft sau o tendinta, dar este o problema la care trebuie sa contribuim cu totii astfel incat sa putem gasi o rezolvare, de la persoane fizice si pana la companii. Impactul pe care il au deseurile asupra sanatatii [citeste mai departe] Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 06:42:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close MINSK, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said here on Monday that Belarus is ready to promote comprehensive trade and economic cooperation with Hungary. The volume of trade between Belarus and Hungary is about 180-200 million U.S. dollars a year, Lukashenko said during his meeting with Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto. "This figure is extremely small taking into account the capacity of our countries," he added. The Belarusian leader said it is ready to push forward bilateral economic and trade cooperation in various fields. Meanwhile, he noted that Belarus' membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and participation in the Belt and Road Initiative should be taken into account. In his turn, Peter Szijjarto stressed that Hungary as a country of Central Europe supports the development of cooperation between the West and the East. "We say this because it is the interest of the Hungarian people. We want to join our efforts with all who consider cooperation between the West and the East important," he said. Therefore, we are working to ensure that Belarus could cooperate more closely with the European Union, the minister explained. A malnourished child is seen at a hospital in Hajjah province, Yemen, Oct. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Talks between warring parties in Yemen about humanitarian access "have been constructive" in breaking an impasse over redeployment of forces, the chief UN spokesman said on Monday. Retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert, chairman of the talks, "shuttled" between opposing members of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) in Hodeidah "due to the inability of the parties to have a joint meeting," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman. So far there have only been two meetings between the two sides, the government of Yemen and the Houthi rebels, Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing. "While projected timelines have slipped, recent discussions have been constructive." Redeployment is sought in the key port of Hodeidah, parts of the city and two other minor ports in hope of bringing in humanitarian aid to the country, the spokesman said. Cammaert is "seeking to find a mutually acceptable way forward for the redeployment of forces from the three ports and critical parts of the city associated with humanitarian facilities, as provided for in phase one in the Stockholm Agreement," Dujarric said. "The chair continues to encourage the parties to resume the joint meetings in order to finalize a mutually agreed redeployment plan. Currently, plans are being discussed on how to facilitate humanitarian operations." UN officials have been warning that Yemen is on the brink of famine. Discussions have been stalled because of different interpretations of the Stockholm accord, reached last month, over who would control key points during a partial cease-fire. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 06:26:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Talks between warring parties in Yemen about humanitarian access "have been constructive" in breaking an impasse over redeployment of forces, the chief UN spokesman said on Monday. Retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert, chairman of the talks, "shuttled" between opposing members of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) in Hodeidah "due to the inability of the parties to have a joint meeting," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman. So far there have only been two meetings between the two sides, the government of Yemen and the Houthi rebels, Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing. "While projected timelines have slipped, recent discussions have been constructive." Redeployment is sought in the key port of Hodeidah, parts of the city and two other minor ports in hope of bringing in humanitarian aid to the country, the spokesman said. Cammaert is "seeking to find a mutually acceptable way forward for the redeployment of forces from the three ports and critical parts of the city associated with humanitarian facilities, as provided for in phase one in the Stockholm Agreement," Dujarric said. "The chair continues to encourage the parties to resume the joint meetings in order to finalize a mutually agreed redeployment plan. Currently, plans are being discussed on how to facilitate humanitarian operations." UN officials have been warning that Yemen is on the brink of famine. Discussions have been stalled because of different interpretations of the Stockholm accord, reached last month, over who would control key points during a partial cease-fire. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 04:41:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale said Monday that the United States supports Lebanon's legal governmental institutions including Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Forces, local media reported. "We support Lebanon's Armed Forces and Internal Forces to secure the country's borders and guarantee the sovereignty of the Lebanese government while preserving Lebanon's internal security," Hale was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. Hale's remarks came during his meeting with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region in addition to bilateral ties between the U.S. and Lebanon. Hale said that Lebanon has the right to defend itself through its legal institutions. "It is not acceptable to have a militia outside the control of the government," Hale said hinting at Hezbollah. Meanwhile, a statement released by the U.S. embassy in Lebanon Saturday said Hale's visit to Lebanon would focus on emphasizing his country's concerns about Hezbollah's destabilizing activities in Lebanon and the region including the recent discovery of tunnels extending from Lebanon to northern Israel. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 03:16:14|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close People march in commemoration of Pawel Adamowicz, the late Mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk, in center of Warsaw, Poland, Jan. 14, 2018. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said Monday it is "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear that Pawel Adamowicz has died after being stabbed at a charity event. Adamowicz launched the Gdansk "Immigrant Integration Model" in 2016, a model that has inspired other Polish cities, said the UN agency. The agency wrote in February 2018 that the Gdansk Model is a comprehensive program to help refugees and migrants integrate. (Xinhua/Jaap Arriens) GENEVA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said Monday it is "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear that the Mayor of the Polish port city of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz, has died after being stabbed at a charity event. "Mayor Adamowicz was a deeply courageous, moral leader who showed the way in helping refugees and migrants to integrate," said Montserrat Feixas Vihe, UNHCR Regional Representative for Central Europe in a statement here. "He received hate mail for his pro-refugee stance, but he did not weaken in his belief that integration -- which brings with it new talents, new skills, new colors, new languages, and a new mentality -- was a winning proposition for everyone in his city." "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues," said UNHCR. Adamowicz died Monday after being stabbed at a charity event a day earlier, the Polish Press Agency reported. Adamowicz launched the Gdansk "Immigrant Integration Model" in 2016, a model that has inspired other Polish cities, said the UN agency. The agency wrote in February 2018 that the Gdansk Model is a comprehensive program to help refugees and migrants integrate. The idea was that individuals and institutions in all spheres, from education and culture to labor and health, should actively include refugees. An advisory council, with 13 migrant representatives, including two refugees, kept the mayor abreast of refugee concerns. Gdansk, with a population of 460,000, is home to some 25,000 refugees and migrants, according to the UNHCR. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 02:51:04|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close SANAA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile toward a Saudi Arabian military base in the kingdom's southern border region of Najran on Monday, the Shiite rebels said in a statement. "The Badr-1-P ballistic missile targeted a gathering of Saudi troops in the military base in Bir Askar area," according to the statement released by the rebel-controlled Saba news agency. The statement said the missiles hit the target accurately. There was no comment yet from Saudi government. The attack on Saudi Arabia was the second in two days after Sunday's drone attack hit a Saudi military base in the Saudi border city of Jizan, according to the rebel statement. On Friday, the Saudi-led Arab coalition said it destroyed a control center used to direct drones of the Houthi militia, the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported without providing further details. The Friday's coalition strike came a day after the rebels launched a deadly drone attack on the Yemeni government military parade in the southern province of Lahj that killed six senior military leaders, including the military intelligence chief Mohammed Tammah. On Nov. 18, the rebels announced halt of ballistic missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as a "show of good faith" to support peace efforts by the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths. A fragile cease-fire deal in the lifeline Hodeidah port city was hardly reached between the Yemeni rival parties in the UN-brokered peace negotiations in Stockholm, Sweden, last month. Griffiths told the Security Council last week that his team will continue to cement the truce in Hodeidah and will move forward to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthi rebels forced him into exile and seized much of the country's north, including the capital Sanaa. The four-year-long war has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, displaced three million others and pushed the country to the brink of famine. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 01:25:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean futures traded lower on Monday morning amid lack of overseas sales data, especially exports to China. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not updated its exports sales data as a result of the partial government shutdown since Dec. 22, 2018. But optimism over the trade talks between the United State and China limited the losses, said market watchers. As of 1649 GMT, soybeans for March delivery were down 7 cents to 8.9225 U.S. dollars per bushel. March wheat was down 3.5 cents at 5.16 dollars per bushel. March corn was down 0.25 cent at 3.78 dollars per bushel. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 01:05:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close JUBA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior South Sudanese official on Monday said the international community is now keen to finance the implementation of a peace deal thanks to the commitment by warring parties to pursue reconciliation. Michael Makuei Lueth, minister of information and broadcasting, said the government has already prepared a budget as requested by donors to fund the upcoming Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) in May. "They are positively responding and they are only waiting for us to avail them with our budget. It's us the government actually processing the budget, the opposition did not give us their budget," Makuei told reporters in Juba. He added that this came as results of improving relation between the South Sudanese government and the troika countries which comprise of Britain, United States and Norway. According to Makuei, the warring parties require about 60 million U.S dollars for security arrangements that will involve setting up of cantonment sites, training of unified forces and transportation of troops. "On the other hand the government of South Sudan is working hard to make sure that we deposit some cash and we will see how much the government deposits," he said. Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir mediated the revitalized peace deal between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Khartoum that led to the eventual signing of the final agreement in Ethiopia in September. South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. A peace agreement signed in 2015 to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital, Juba, forcing Machar to flee into exile. The United Nations estimates that about four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:55:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Croatian government canceled on Monday the decision to purchase Israeli fight jets, after Israel notified Croatia last week that it had failed to get approval from Washington to sell U.S.-made F-16 jets. Due to the failed sale, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic called for Defense Council Meeting on Monday who recommended the government to define a new model to purchase fight jets. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that Croatia will make further decisions in order to modernize and maintain the capacity of military aviation. After the government session, Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic said that he personally believes that F-16s are the best option for Croatia. "I would like if we could purchase the new jets, maybe a smaller number because we have to be responsible with tax payers' money," Krsticevic said, cited by N1 television. He said that buying new F-16s from the U.S. is one of the options that Croatia is closest to right now, but he also expects from the U.S. to make a good offer. In March 2018, Croatia reached the 3.1 billion kuna (about 477 million U.S. dollars) deal with Israel to purchase 12 upgraded used F-16 Barak jets to replace its aging MiG-21s. It meant to be one of the biggest arms purchases since the end of the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s when the country split from former Yugoslavia. Plenkovic told media on Saturday that there had been no signs that the U.S. would block the Israeli offer of used F-16s to Croatia. Only recently Croatia was informed about Washington's objection to the delivery. The U.S. would approve the sale only if the jets originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin are stripped of modernized electronics that were installed by the Israeli Air Force, local media reported. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:50:37|Editor: yan Video Player Close SHENYANG, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, a Canadian national convicted of smuggling over 222 kg of methamphetamines, was sentenced to death on Monday at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in northeast China's Liaoning Province. All of his assets will also be confiscated, said a statement issued by the court. The court discovered that in October 2014, a person surnamed Xu was hired by Schellenberg's accomplices as a translator, before receiving 20 tonnes of plastic granules containing 222 bags of methamphetamines from south China's Guangdong Province. On Nov. 19, Schellenberg met with Xu in Dalian and made preparations to smuggle the drugs to Australia. On Nov. 29, Xu reported the case to the police. Aware of the report, Schellenberg left for Dalian Airport on Dec. 1 attempting to flee to Thailand. At 1 p.m., he was arrested by police when the plane stopped in Guangzhou. It was later verified that the 222 seized bags of methamphetamines weighed 222.035 kg. On Nov. 20, 2018, Schellenberg was sentenced to 15 years in jail by the Dalian Intermediate People's Court, ordered to pay 150,000 yuan (22,174 U.S. dollars) and bound for deportation. He appealed afterward. On Dec. 29, the Liaoning Provincial Higher People's Court remanded the case for retrial, saying the original sentence was inappropriate in convicting Schellenberg as an accessory criminal with an attempted crime. The Dalian People's Procuratorate later provided more evidence related to the case. At the court, prosecutors offered photo exhibits, documentary evidence, on-the-spot written evidence, verification of the drugs, confessions by defendants in related cases, quotes by witnesses and other evidence. Xu appeared in court as a witness. The court determined that Schellenberg, along with others, took part in organized international drug smuggling, which is a crime punishable by death in China. It said the criminal facts presented by the prosecutors were clear, and the evidence was verified and sufficient. The court ruled that Schellenberg was the prime culprit with a consummated crime, and sentenced him to death based on the facts, nature, circumstances and severe social damage of the crime in accordance with the Criminal Law of China. While announcing the judgment, the presiding judge informed the defendant of his right to appeal the case to the Liaoning Provincial Higher People's Court within 10 days from the second day after receiving the written judgment. During the trial, the defendant's rights to defense and translation were protected by the court, according to the court statement. In accordance with the rules, before the trial, the court informed the Canadian Embassy in China of the session, which had officials present at the court on Monday. Over 50 people including members of the public and journalists from home and abroad attended the trial and announcement of the judgment. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:40:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Maria Fernanda Espinosa will be arriving in Pakistan on a five-day official visit this week, the country's foreign office said in a statement on Monday. Espinosa will be visiting the country from Jan. 18 to 22, during which she will hold a meeting with Pakistan's president, prime minister and foreign minister. This will be Espinosa's first visit to a country in the Asia-Pacific region after her election as UNGA president in September 2018. "Apart from official engagements, the President of the General Assembly will also meet members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, and visit Pakistan's Peacekeeping Training Center," the foreign office said. The UN official will also address members of academia, think tanks and students during her visit. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:35:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close KABUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Four people have been confirmed dead and 44 others injured in a powerful blast that rocked Afghan capital Kabul on Monday evening, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish confirmed. Ten children are also among those injured in the blast, Danish said in his twitter account, adding more details would be released later after investigation. According to Danish, the terrorists conducted a car bomb against Green Village camp in Police District 9 and police are now in control of the situation there. Green Village camp is a well-protected area next to the main office of Afghan election commission in the eastern edge of Kabul city where a number of foreign security offices and entities are located and often frequented by foreigners living or working in Kabul. Earlier, Wahidullah Mayar, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, confirmed that 40 injured persons had been taken to hospitals. Independent sources however, say that the casualties could be higher than reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:25:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of Cambridge in the UK passed away during a scuba diving holiday in Durban, said Durban Mayor Zandile Gumede on Monday. Cambridge Mayor Nigel Gawthrope was on holiday in South Africa with his family when tragedy struck last Friday. According to National Sea Rescue Institute, Gawthrope, 61, went into cardiac arrest following a scuba dive in Umkomaas, south of Durban. "Despite extensive CPR efforts by paramedics, the man was sadly declared deceased." Gawthrope was known as an experienced diver and underwater photographer. He was elected as mayor of Cambridge in May 2018. "We are saddened by the news of the passing of Mayor Gawthrope who was on holiday in Durban with his family. We pass our condolences to his family, Council of Cambridge and people of the City. We wish them strength and comfort as they go through this difficult period," said Gumede. Durban is frequented by local and international tourists. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:25:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Police responded Monday to an active shooting at a United Parcel Service (UPS) facility in the U.S. eastern state of New Jersey, the company said in a statement. The incident was reported around 9 a.m. Monday in Logan Township, Gloucester County. "UPS is working with law enforcement as they respond to an active shooter situation at one of the company's supply chain processing facilities in Logan Township, New Jersey," said the statement. "We cannot provide information about the identity of people involved at this time," the company said. Local media reported that police officers were spotted ducking behind cars and blocking off streets surrounding the complex. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:25:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close ROME, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Union will collapse unless it changes its course on migration, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told a televised press conference after meeting with European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos here on Monday. The meeting took place against the backdrop of the latest tug-of-war over migrants, which saw Europe refuse access to 49 rescued men, women and children aboard two German NGO vessels for three weeks, and on the eve of Conte's Jan. 15-16 mission to Niger and Chad, which are countries of transit for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who entrust their lives to human traffickers in hopes of reaching Europe. "I expressed to the commissioner the risk that Europe could collapse, because the immigration issue is a defining part of the European structure," Conte told reporters at the press conference. "If we continue wasting time, if we continue allowing individual countries to deal with immigration on the basis of national interests without a real, shared mechanism for the management (of migration) on a structural as opposed to an emergency basis, we risk toppling the European structure," the Italian prime minister warned. "I also reiterated that it is unthinkable to manage this issue in terms other than ones of reciprocity," Conte continued in reference to the 2015 EU migrant relocation scheme, which calls for each EU member state to take in a certain quota of asylum seekers, but which several countries have refused to apply. "I will be in Chad and Niger, where I will continue the work I undertook in the past (with missions to) Tunisia, Algeria, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Libya, because we believe the immigration phenomenon must be dealt with where the migration flows begin," Conte said. "We will continue to fight ... the illegal trafficking in human lives," Conte concluded. Avramopoulos also met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, whose right-wing, anti-immigrant League party is currently polling at number one in the country with around 30 percent, and who has banned NGO vessels carrying rescued migrants from Italy's ports. Salvini last week reluctantly agreed to take in some of the 49 migrants and asylum seekers who had been stranded aboard the two German NGO vessels since they were rescued in the Mediterranean before Christmas, after Avramopolous announced a deal had been reached for them to be distributed among Germany, France, Portugal, Malta, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Romania and Ireland. Salvini told reporters he is "satisfied with (Avramopoulos') words" and that "now we are waiting for the facts." "I handed him a list of 670 people who could potentially be relocated from Italy this very afternoon," said Salvini, adding that 2019 is "off to a good start" because it is "the first and only year in which there have been more expulsions than arrivals: as of today, there have been 53 arrivals (against 840 last year) and 73 expulsions." "Constructive meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Rome today," Avramopoulos tweeted after his meeting with the two Italian leaders. "Europe stands by Italy to address this challenge together ... We share the same EU migration priorities: further protecting external borders, cooperating with third countries to stem irregular migration and increasing returns, but also setting up a European solidarity mechanism," the EU commissioner explained. A total of 116,674 people reached Europe via the Mediterranean in 2018, a return to pre-2014 levels. Meanswhile, one life was lost for every 50 people who attempted the journey, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a statement last week. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:20:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil Monday expressed his regrets that Libya will not participate in the Beirut summit in a letter sent to his Libyan counterpart, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. "I also want to express my rejection and refusal for the actions that were taken in Lebanon against Libya's participation in Beirut's summit. These actions do not reflect my position or the position of Lebanon," said Bassil in his letter to Mohamed Siala. Siala Sunday said that his country's delegation will not participate in the summit due to Lebanese authorities in Beirut's airport preventing Libyan businessmen from entering and to protest offending of the Libyan flag, according to the NNA. Lebanon's Amal Movement announced few days ago that the Libyan delegation will be forbidden from entering Lebanon to attend the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit scheduled for later this month. The Amal Movement also announced a plan to launch nationwide protests to close the airport ahead of the Beirut summit in a bid to prevent the Libyan delegation from taking part in the event. Moreover, Amal supporters Sunday took down Libyan flags from outside Beirut's Biel Center, where the summit is expected to be held, and replaced them with their own to protest against Libya's participation in the summit. Lebanon has been accusing Libya of being responsible for the disappearance of Musa al-Sadr, the most prominent and charismatic Shiite voice in the decade before the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war in 1975. Al-Sadr disappeared alongside Sheikh Muhammad Yaacoub and the journalist Abbas Badreddine during an official visit to Libya in August 1978. In his letter, Bassil expressed his keenness to maintain good diplomatic ties between the two countries. However, he added that Lebanon insists on receiving information about the fate of Musa al-Sadr and his friends. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:15:27|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Yang Jiechi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jan. 14, 2019. The event, the largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East, started on Monday and awarded winners for their innovation in environmental protection.(Xinhua/Wu Huiwo) ABU DHABI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aim to jointly boost sustainable development in the world, said Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Yang Jiechi on Monday. Yang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, extending Xi's congratulations to the annual event. Citing Xi's remarks that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," Yang stressed that sustainable development for a green planet weighs a lot in the future of human beings, a huge plan that needs collaboration and joint efforts. "China adheres to the principle of maintaining harmony between human and nature, and has chosen the path of sustainable development," Yang said. "Low-carbon and green development is crucial in China's economic transition, global cooperation and responsibility for building a community with shared future for mankind." "As friendly partners in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative which also sees sustainable development a core value, China and the Arab world, also with other countries, shall join hands to build a clean and beautiful world," Yang added. Yang, together with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, honored innovation pioneers with the Zayed Sustainability Prize named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, late founding father of the UAE. A total of 10 winners were awarded this year for their contribution to the sustainable development in food, health, water and education. Established in 2008, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is a global event in the sector of renewable energy and related technologies, held every year in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:15:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close ARUSHA, Tanzania, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania on Monday expressed its determination towards establishing steady local tea market in an effort to bolster production in the cash crop in the east African nation. Innocent Bashungwa, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, unveiled the plan while addressing small-scale farmers in south-western Tanzania's district of Mufindi, Iringa Region. Mufindi is one of the tea growing areas in Tanzania. "As government, we're determined to ensure that our farmers get reliable markets for the crop," Bashungwa said. He said that the government wants to see the market based in Dar es Salaam, contrary to the current situation whereby the tea auctions are held the Kenya's coastal town of Mombasa. "We'll supervise to ensure that our farmers benefit from the crop," he said. Bashungwa said that the plan also aims to boost tea production to 40,000 tonnes from the current 34,000 tonnes while equipping farmers with prerequisite skills and knowledge on better farming methods to increase production, income. He acknowledged that for many years, farmers have expressed their desperation to continue farming the crop as they are not generating profits due to low prices and unreliable market. "We have already directed the Tea Board of Tanzania to furnish us with detailed explanations on why it was setting low price during selling seasons. From there we will see what measures to take to push the crop forward," he added. Jamhuri William, Mufundi District Commissioner, said that the government done all on its power to engage and seek for support from various development partners and other stakeholders to ensure that tea farming is improved. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:15:27|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close PARIS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- With the "yellow vest" social rebellion showing no sign of abating, French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed to build a "new contract" for the nation with which he hopes to "transform anger into solutions" and defuse the month-long street protests that had shaken his leadership. In a long letter addressed to the French people and published by his office late on Sunday, Macron invited discontented people to participate in a three-month consultation, which he called "an unprecedented initiative", and of which he would "draw all the conclusions". Widely criticized for his top-down governing style and "arrogance problem", Macron now called for an open debate with "no banned issue". "We won't agree on everything, which is normal in a democracy. But at least we'll show we're a people which is not afraid of talking, exchanging, debating," the president wrote. "However, we must ask ourselves questions to go further." Accordingly, he raises a series of questions over taxes, green energy, institutional reform and citizenship -- the national debate's main themes to be discussed during meetings in town halls across French cities. Struggling to win back his authority, the head of state expects the French themselves to come up with adequate alternative responses to their own complaints, which they had already expressed in "grievance books" opened up by mayors of 5,000 communes. "Your proposals will therefore make it possible to build a new contract for the nation, to structure the action of the government and Parliament, but also France's positions at European and international level," he pledged. The 41-year-old ex-investment banker stressed that the debate "is neither an election nor a referendum", telling the French "I have not forgotten that I was elected with a project, with major objectives to which I remain faithful. "We will not go back on the measures we have taken to correct this in order to encourage investment and make work pay more," he stressed, referring to pro-business economic reforms, including the wealth tax, known as ISF. "They have just been voted on and are just beginning to take effect. Parliament will assess them in a transparent manner," he said, as protests continue to mount against his policy, which critics say favors the rich. With an eye on this spring's European election -- a crucial contest for the pro-European Macron to defend his political craftiness -- he is betting on the proposed three-month debate and face-to-face meetings with people to quell social unrest and help him regain the initiative. He pledged to make the consultation's conclusions public within a month of the end of the debate on March 15. However, doubts linger as to whether these conclusions would be directly translated into more participatory democracy to shape the government's policy as promised by Macron. To Jean-Michel Aphatie, a political analyst, "Undoubtedly, it is a good debate ... but full of surprises. "This debate was decided without much thought to respond to 'yellow vest' crisis. Emmanuel Macron decided to do it but has he measured all the implications, especially regarding his legitimacy to solve the crisis? It's not sure," he told the local broadcaster Europe1. "Can he apply solutions that he does not believe in? No, it's stupid ... But does he have the means to refuse what could emerge from the majority following the debate?" he asked. Macron, who came to power in May 2017 on promises of a new and fair recipe for the eurozone's leading power, has witnessed tough months marked mainly by the "yellow vest" movement, a nationwide protest against his way of governing, which started as a campaign against a surge in fuel prices and high living costs. Despite capitulating over plans for fuel taxes and offering 10-billion-euro (11.46 billion U.S. dollars) concessions to improve the French people's daily life, the president is still struggling to defuse the anger. The 9th weekend action in row lured more than 80,000 people on Saturday, a turnout higher than a week earlier. One of the "yellow vest" representatives, Benjamin Cauchy, wrote on Twitter, "The letter (is about) a debate whose outcome is already known. Emmanuel Macron is letting us know this will serve no real purpose. What a lack of respect." Speaking to BFMTV news channel, Jordan Bardella, head of the far-right National Rally's list for the European election, said "it's a lot for nothing." "Emmanuel Macron is very disconnected from everyday realities. People are asking for more dignity, more democracy, fiscal peace and a significant decrease in taxes ... The French want an end to massive immigration. And again, Macron does not take that into account," he said. In the northern French commune of Bourgtheroulde, Macron will officially kick off the national debate on Tuesday. This will be the first meeting of his planned tour of town halls around the country. An Elabe poll, released last Wednesday, found that only 40 percent of citizens intend to take part in the debate. Another poll conducted by Odoxa found that 70 percent of French people believed that the debate would not be useful. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-15 00:05:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China is open to international cooperation in its future space missions, officials from the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) said Monday at a press conference on the Chang'e-4 probe. Wu Yanhua, deputy head of the CNSA, said China is willing to work with the international community to push forward the frontiers of space exploration on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use and inclusive development. He expressed gratitude for the international attention from foreign counterparts and media on the Chang'e-4 mission, noting that China has been open for cooperation in its space exploration. Wu said China is also willing to contribute more Chinese wisdom to the international aerospace development. On China's space cooperation with Russia, Li Guoping, secretary-general of the CNSA, said that Russia is one of the key partners in China's space programs. Under the mechanism of regular meetings between Chinese and Russian heads of governments, the two countries have set up a space cooperation committee and are expected to carry out cooperation in projects like lunar and deep space exploration, Earth observation, satellite communication and space debris till 2022. Li noted that lunar and deep space exploration is an important area in China-Russia space cooperation. The two countries plan to collaborate on the Russian orbital spacecraft Luna-Resurs-1 (Luna-26) and the Chinese project of landing on the south pole of the moon. On the future China Space Station (CSS), Li said China is expected to complete the construction of the space station in 2022. So far, China has carried out cooperation in manned space mission with Russia, Germany, France and the European Space Agency and hopes to have more international cooperation in equipment research, space application and taikonauts training. He added that China announced in Vienna last May that all member states of the United Nations are welcome to cooperate with China to jointly utilize the CSS. Li noted that all foreign counterparts are welcome to participate in its future lunar and deep space missions, especially the lunar probe which plans to land on the south pole of the moon. According to Li, a total of 10 kg of payload on the orbiter and lander will be open to international partners. Meanwhile, the relay satellite Queqiao can still work for about three to five years in space, and China welcomes the international community to carry out science and technology research with the satellite. On space cooperation with the United States, Wu said the scientists of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) of NASA cooperated with the team of the Chang'e-4 mission to study the landing of the Chang'e-4 probe. The U.S. side has offered the orbital data of LRO and the Chinese side has provided the landing timing and location. By referencing the footage released by China of Chang'e-4's descent onto the moon, the LRO team has been able to pinpoint where the lander touched down, and NASA posted related images. Wu said leading countries in space exploration should focus on cooperation and make more contribution to mankind's quest and journey into the universe. China announced Friday that the Chang'e-4 mission, which realized the first-ever soft-landing on the far side of the moon, was a complete success. The Chang'e-4 probe touched down at the preselected landing area on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3, and the rover Yutu-2 drove onto the lunar surface late that night. Named after the Chinese moon goddess "Chang'e," China's lunar exploration program, which began in 2004, includes orbiting and landing on the moon and bringing samples back to Earth. According to the CNSA, the program has achieved five continuous successes, referring to Chang'e-1, Chang'e-2, Chang'e-3, a test craft for Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-4. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 23:20:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The chief of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Stefano Del Col said on Monday that Lebanon and Israel are keen on working with the UNIFIL to guarantee stability along the Blue Line. "Both sides vowed not to take escalatory measures on the borders," Del Col was quoted as saying by the National News Agency (NNA). Del Col's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil to discuss the latest developments on the southern borders with Israel. Del Col said he encouraged both sides to respect their commitments to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by avoiding all kinds of violations. Meanwhile, Israeli forces pursued on Monday their activities of fixing wall blocks adjacent to the technical fence facing Al-Mahafer region of Adeisseh outskirts, NNA reported. Picture taken on April 21, 2018 shows the Mayor of GdanskPawel Adamowicz as he gives a speech in front of people taking part in an antifascist demonstration in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Simon Krawczyk/AFP WARSAW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz, died on Monday after being stabbed at a charity event a day earlier, the director for medical affairs of the Medical University of Gdansk hospital, Tomasz Stefaniak, was quoted by the Polish Press Agency as saying. "We could not save his life despite all our efforts," Stefaniak said. On Sunday evening, Adamowicz was stabbed by a convicted criminal who rushed onto the stage during the finale of a charity event. The mayor was seriously injured in the heart and abdomen. Doctors reanimated Adamowicz on the spot and then transported him to the Medical University of Gdansk hospital, where he underwent five hours of surgery. Polish prosecutors said that the man accused of stabbing Adamowicz is being investigated on suspicion of attempted murder and will also be subjected to a psychiatric examination. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 23:10:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum said on Monday that six Mediterranean countries agreed to establish the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) with Cairo as its headquarters. "The oil ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt discussed the establishment of EMGF and Cairo was chosen as the base of the forum," the ministry said in a statement. It attributed the choice of Egypt to the large gas discoveries in the sea fields in the region which would have very important impact on developing the energy and economic development in the region. The six countries' oil ministers stressed that those new discoveries will influence the energy security in the region, according to the statement. They agreed to establish a regional gas market that serves the interests of member states by securing the supply and demand, and developing the infrastructure in member states and providing competitive prices, it added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 23:00:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Monday broke ground for the construction of the third ring road encircling capital Phnom Penh under the concessional loan from China. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian presided over the ceremony, which was attended by more than 10,000 people. The 47.6-km road, along with four flyovers and eleven bridges, will be constructed under the preferential buyer's credit loan from the Chinese government. Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company will undertake the construction, which is expected to be completed in 42 months, Hun Sen said. The four-lane road will connect National Road No. 4 in Chaom Chau 3 commune in southwestern Phnom Penh with National Road No. 1 in Kandal province's Kien Svay district in the eastern part of Phnom Penh. "The road is crucial to reduce traffic volumes in the urban center, and it is very useful for the people and will contribute to supporting Cambodia's economic growth," Hun Sen said. He expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of China for having provided a great amount of assistance to Cambodia for infrastructure development projects. "Most of the investment capital for infrastructure development projects here is from the People's Republic of China," he said, adding that thousands of kilometers of roads and bridges have been built in the kingdom with China's support. Ambassador Wang said China was very pleased to assist Cambodia to develop transport infrastructure, which is one of the key elements for socio-economic development. "The road will not only boost economic development in areas along it, but also further improve the image of Phnom Penh, as well as promote investment and tourism," he said. He said the excellent ties between China and Cambodia have not only benefited the peoples of the two countries, but also importantly contributed to maintaining peace and stability in the region. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 23:00:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Higher Council of State on Monday demanded to freeze diplomatic relations with Lebanon over the desecration of the Libyan national flag by members of Lebanon's Amal Movement. "The Higher Council of State condemns and denounces the insult to the Libyan flag by the Lebanese Amal Movement in the venue of the upcoming Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in Beirut," the council said in a statement. The statement also demanded the Arab League "clarify its position regarding the incident and alienate Lebanon from any Arab event until the Lebanese authorities take responsibility ... commit to diplomatic norms, and take deterrent measures to ensure such acts do not occur again." Social media published footage of angry Lebanese young people, believed to be members of the Amal Movement, desecrating the Libyan national flag. The Shiite Amal Movement accuses Libya's late former leader Muammar Gaddafi of being responsible for the disappearance of the Shiite leader Musa al-Sadr during his visit to Libya in 1978. Gaddafi had long denied involvement in al-Sadr's disappearance. Leaders of Amal Movement demanded to prevent Libya from taking part in the summit until revealing the truth of al-Sadr's disappearance. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:54:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close RIYADH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia denied on Monday news report about plans to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus, Saudi Press Agency reported. The Foreign Ministry said the media reports quoting Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf about the reopening of the embassy was baseless. The United Arab Emirates announced late last year the reopening of its embassy in Syria seven years after withdrawing its diplomatic mission. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:49:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close MUSCAT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Omani government on Monday signed a gas deal with Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP) and the Italian oil and gas company Eni SpA (Eni) over shared exploration of Block 47. According to the deal, Eni will have a 90-percent participating ownership of Block 47, while the remaining 10 percent goes to OOCEP. Block 47, located in the northern governate of Ad Dakhiliyah, covers an approximate area of 8, 524 square km. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:49:56|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Italian Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede (front, R) and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini (front, L) give a statement to media after the arrival of former left-wing militant Cesare Battisti at the Ciampino Airport in Rome, Italy, Jan. 14, 2019. Cesare Battisti was extradited to Italy on Monday from Bolivia, where he was captured over the weekend by Italian, Brazilian and Bolivian agents after 38 years on the run. (Xinhua/Alberto Lingria) ROME, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Former left-wing militant Cesare Battisti was extradited to Italy on Monday from Bolivia, where he was captured over the weekend by Italian, Brazilian and Bolivian agents after 38 years on the run. Italian Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini were on hand at Rome's Ciampino Airport, where the militant landed shortly after 11:30 a.m., as shown live on Rainews 24 public broadcaster. Battisti, 64, a former member of the far-left Armed Proletarians for Communism, had been a fugitive in Mexico, France and Brazil since breaking out of an Italian prison in 1981. He was captured Saturday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra on an international arrest warrant issued by prosecutors in Milan, where he was convicted in absentia to two life sentences for four murders that took place in Italy in the 1970s. The victims were Maurizio Campagna, an agent of Italy's DIGOS anti-terrorism special operations unit, Lino Sabbadin, a butcher, Pierluigi Torregiani, a jeweler, and Antonio Santoro, a penitentiary police officer. Battisti has always denied committing the murders, which took place during the so-called "years of lead" in Italy, which lasted throughout the 1970s and were marked by a number of bloody attacks by both extreme left and extreme right-wing militant groups. In televised comments at Ciampino Airport on Monday, Salvini called Battisti "a murderer, a criminal, a coward who never repented," adding that "this is not a point of arrival but one of departure" because a number of convicted former militants "are still out there enjoying life" instead of in prison in Italy. "My thoughts go out to the relatives of the victims, whom I hope to meet soon at the interior ministry," said Salvini, thanking Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the Bolivian authorities for aiding in Battisti's capture. "Today we tell the world that no one can escape Italian justice," said Bonafede. "We are talking about a multiple murderer, who committed extremely serious crimes and whose escape mortified the pain of the victims' families." At a joint press conference with Salvini and Bonafede later in the day, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte praised the "great teamwork of intelligence services, police and Interpol" in achieving "a great result." "We owed it to the relatives of the victims, it was necessary to ensure (Battisti's) sentence would be served," said Conte. Salvini said that "we are working on the cases of dozens of militants who are not serving their sentences in an Italian prison, and we already have positive feedback on some of them." News of Battisti's capture broke in Italy in the small hours of Sunday, sparking comments from top officials and relatives of the victims. In a statement Sunday, Italy's President Sergio Mattarella expressed "satisfaction" at Battisti's arrest in Bolivia in hopes that he "will serve his sentence for the serious crimes he committed in Italy, and that the same happens for all fugitives abroad". Alberto Torregiani, who has been in a wheelchair since the 1979 shooting that killed his father Pierluigi and left him disabled, said in televised comments that "after (almost) 40 years, my father and the other victims can finally rest in peace". Italy has repeatedly sought the extradition of Battisti, who lived abroad for years under the protection of former leftist Presidents Francois Mitterrand of France and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Brazil's current far-right President, Bolsonaro, vowed during his campaign that if elected, he would extradite Battisti to Italy. Outgoing Brazilian President Michel Temer signed an extradition order in December for the Italian ex-militant, who by then had gone underground. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:44:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Conservative frontbencher Gareth Johnson resigned on Monday on the eve of a crucial parliament vote over the Brexit deal scheduled for Tuesday. Johnson, a government whip, said in his letter to the Prime Minister that he cannot "in all conscience, support the government's position when it is clear this deal would be detrimental to our nation's interests". The resignation came as Prime Minister Theresa May was battling for a last-minute support for the Brexit deal. Speaking at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent, May warned that if MPs voted down her deal, the most likely result would be a paralysis in parliament and a risk for no Brexit, which would mean a failure to deliver the result of the 2016 EU referendum. Johnson said he had spent the last few weeks trying to reconcile his duties to assist the government to implement the withdraw agreement despite his personal objections to it. "The 'backstop', contained in the agreement, gives our country no clear, unilateral path out of the European Union and ensures we will be fettered in our ability to negotiate trade deals with other nations in the future," he said. Johnson said the Brexit deal prevented Britain taking back control and instead could leave the country perpetually constrained by the EU, believing it would be "disrespectful" to the referendum result if this agreement were to be implemented. The controversial "backstop" plan refers to the Irish border backstop, one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the Brexit deal. "Backstop" is designed to avoid border checks between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is considered by some British especially Brexiteers to be a trap to retain Britain in a customs union with the EU and pragmatically delay their "divorce". On Monday, European Union leaders wrote a letter to May with assurances, saying that if the Irish backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would only apply "temporarily" and in place for as long as strictly necessary. The EU is determined to replace the backstop solution on Northern Ireland with a subsequent agreement that would ensure the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland on a permanent footing, according to the letter. The border that separates Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state, is among the most difficult issues in Britain's exit from the EU. The UK and Ireland are currently part of the single market and customs union, so products need not be inspected for customs and standards and have been transported freely. That could change after Brexit, as Northern Ireland and Ireland would then fall into different customs and regulatory jurisdictions, meaning that products would theoretically have to be checked. Both London and Brussels committed to avoiding the return of a "hard border" after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:39:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Protestors have blocked the main road connecting landlocked Ethiopia with neighboring Djibouti, state media outlet Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporate (EBC) reported on Monday. The ongoing road blockade that started on Sunday has disrupted Ethiopia's export-import trade as well as fuel imports through ports in Djibouti, reported EBC. The protesters who come from the ethnic Afar community are demanding an end to land encroachment and violent attacks from ethnic Somalis who live not far from the affected area. Social media postings show the road blockade has also affected the activities of the 756 km Ethiopia-Djibouti electrified rail line, putting further pressure on Ethiopia's economy. Ethiopia follows an ethnic model, which has been credited with giving self-governance rights to more than 80 ethnic groups that make up the country's estimated 105 million people. However, critics claim that the model magnifies ethnic diversity at the expense of national unity, leading to occasional ethnic tension and clashes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:34:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- "Regulation and innovation should develop hand in hand," said a representative of Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) at the 12th Asian Financial Forum that opened here on Monday, calling for global regulatory collaboration to tackle various challenges in 2019. HKMA Deputy Chief Executive Eddie Yue made the remarks as he chaired a panel discussion on global financial risks and opportunities in 2019 that was attended by representatives of regulatory authorities of several economies. Yue was referring to "new variables" brought by the emerging financial and technological innovation, especially the recent rapid advancement in the fields of green finance and Fintech. According to him, the innovation may lead to problems such as cybersecurity risks and regulatory challenges. Echoing Yue's appeal, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia Sergey Shvetsov also called for collaboration of "regulators globally" on the financial innovation. "Fintech can be future opportunities for emerging markets," he said, adding that the regulatory challenges it brings are cross-border ones. Saying "there should be more expectations for green finance," Chairman of Dubai Financial Services Authority Saeb Eigner also pointed out that this field is still in lack of global standard. The two-day Asian Financial Forum brought together over 130 policymakers, financial and business leaders and heavyweight investors from across the world to discuss the current global economic environment and share insights on the opportunities and challenges that businesses will face in the coming year. Besides challenges derived from the new trends, speakers at panel discussions also talked about other financial risks in 2019, including international trade conflicts, geopolitical uncertainties such as Brexit, as well as U.S. monetary policy normalization. "Today uncertainty is not so much about integration but about disintegration. Multilateralism and free trade have come under pressure, for example, with international trade conflicts. And with Brexit, disintegration is also at the moment a really big topic within Europe," said Burkhard Balz, a member of the executive board of Deutsche Bundesbank. "Against this background, from my point of view, it's essential to increase resilience of the financial system with post-crisis reforms that advance the overall systems stability," he suggested. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:19:48|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close ROME, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- During World War II, a German soldier moving north through the central Italian city of Florence headed home with an unusual souvenir in his rucksack. Now, 75 years later, Florence wants it back. An early 18th century still life by Dutch painter Jan van Huysum has become the unlikely centerpiece of a standoff between officials in Florence -- where the work was displayed between 1824 and 1944 -- and the descendants of the German soldier who took it from the walls of Florence's Palazzo Pitti. "It is very simple: the painting belongs to the Uffizi and it should be on display for museum goers," Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Galleries, told Xinhua. Palazzo Pitti, a Renaissance palace, is now a museum under the auspices of the Uffizi. Schmidt made the headlines this month when he placed a framed black-and-white photo of the painting, entitled "Vase of Flowers", on a museum wall above an inscription in three languages reading: "Stolen! The work was stolen by soldiers of the Nazi Army in 1944 and is now in a German private collection." The Uffizi, one of the world's most important art museums, does not have another painting by van Huysum in its collection, though it has a room dedicated to works by the painter's peers. That is where Schmidt hung the facsimile. Schmidt, a German art historian who took over the directorship of the Uffizi in 2015, said the museum had been in back-channel negotiations with the German government and the family that has the painting starting in the early 1990s, when the still life resurfaced in the former East Germany. "We have not released the name of the family that has the painting specifically because we don't want to embarrass them," Schmidt said. "But we are hoping that by making the case more public we may make more progress. It will also make it more difficult for anyone to sell the piece on any secondary market." According to media reports, the family has demanded compensation for the painting, something the Uffizi rejected outright. For its part, the German government has refused to intervene because the 30-year statute of limitations for this kind of crime has expired. Giuseppe Calabi, a senior partner with the Studio CBM & Partners law firm and a specialist in issues related to art, told Xinhua that Italian law is clear in that the state cannot ever lose its ownership rights for works of art or other types of cultural patrimony. "From a legal perspective Italy only has to prove the painting was owned by the state," Calabi said. "Of course, a judge would have to take German law into account. And I am sure the goal is to negotiate an agreement and avoid taking the case to court." Lorenzo Fabbrini, a veteran Rome-based art dealer, estimated that if auctioned, "Vase of Flowers" would fetch around 200,000 euros (225,000 U.S. dollars). But in an interview, Fabbrini said issues of ownership are more complex than simply measuring the value of a work of art. "Some people would say that a masterwork is the property of a specific museum or a specific country, and that is easy to understand," Fabbrini said. "Others would say it is the property of all mankind. To disagree with that would mean Italian museums would have almost only Italian art, only French art in French museums, and so on." In Italy, the topic has quickly become an issue of national pride. "Some people say everything is fair in war but this case is unusual because the painting was taken from a public space and kept in a private collection," Roberto Manescalchi, an art historian and author, told Xinhua. "The museum is well within its rights to ask for the painting to be returned." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:14:45|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close LONDON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Britain will launch a new government taskforce to tackle economic crime, according to a joint statement published by HM Treasury and Home Office on Monday. The new Economic Crime Strategic Board will meet twice a year to lead the fight against economic crime, including fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering, which are estimated to cost the UK at least 14.4 billion pounds (18.5 billion U.S. dollars) per year. The taskforce will work jointly with chief executives from Barclays, Lloyds and Santander, as well as senior public sector representatives, such as from UK Finance, the National Crime Agency (NCA), etc. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said: "The UK is leading the world in the fight against illicit finance, preventing fraudsters from stealing billions from the public each year. "We know more can be done, which is why the home secretary and I are launching the first ever cross-departmental board to prevent more people from becoming victims of economic crime," he said. According to Hammond, Britain will strive to maintain its status as a global financial centre taking advantage of its expertise in the public and private sectors. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: "We need to take action on all fronts to target the corrupt fraudsters who are lining their pockets with dirty money and living luxury lifestyles at the expense of law-abiding citizens." He said that Britain is already investing millions in the fight against economic crime, and added "but it is crucial we work closely with our financial sector partners to win this battle". Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:14:43|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close ABU DHABI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi met on Monday with visiting Australian Defense Minister Christopher Pyne. The UAE minister lauded distinguished ties between the two countries which have witnessed development in various domains. During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and means to further develop cooperation in different areas. Also present were top commanders from the UAE defense ministry and members of the delegation led by the Australian minister. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:09:40|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of the Sunday truck accident in the northwestern Ugandan district of Pakwach has risen to 17, a police spokesperson in the region said on Monday. Josephine Angucia, the West Nile regional police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that two more people died of their injuries after the accident. Angucia said 15 people died instantly after a lorry transporting mainly traders to Panyimur fish market lost control and overturned at Got Malara. She said preliminary investigations show that the accident was caused by the failure of the brake system of the truck which was on a steep slope. The injured and the bodies were taken to Arua Hospital. Uganda registers about 20,000 road accidents each year, with some 2,000 deaths, making it one of the countries with the highest traffic death rates, according to police statistics. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:09:40|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close RIGA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Latvian police, in collaboration with foreign law enforcement authorities, have seized two tons of cocaine, which is the largest amount of this narcotic ever seized in the Baltic country, police representatives said on Monday. A successful international operation on Jan. 8 led to the busting of a cocaine trafficking scheme and the confiscation of more than two tons of the drug in Latvia, Andrejs Grisins, head of the Latvian criminal police, said at a news conference in Riga. The police official said that the drugs, found and seized in the eastern Latvian district of Koknese, apparently were not meant for the local market. In the operation, Latvian police, along with the Omega counterterrorism squad and US law enforcement officers, seized 42 cardboard boxes filled with cocaine, which had probably arrived from Ecuador. The boxes contained 2,195 variously labeled packages of cocaine. The wholesale value of the haul is estimated at around 65 million euros (74.5 million U.S. dollars), Grisins said, adding that the total retail value might be close to a billion euros (1.15 billion U.S. dollars). Five Latvian citizens, including one who has already been tried for smuggling and money laundering, have been arrested in connection with the case. An investigation is under way to establish the destination of the record-large cocaine cargo. Drug traffickers tend to use Latvia as a transit country for smuggling narcotics to Scandinavia or the east. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 22:04:40|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close A road is barricaded by protesters in Harare, Zimbabwe, Jan. 14, 2019. Zimbabwe's capital Harare was deserted on Monday as Zimbabweans began a three-day national stay away in protest against fuel price hikes and the general economic meltdown. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa) by Gretinah Machingura HARARE, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's capital Harare was deserted on Monday as Zimbabweans began a three-day national stayaway in protest against fuel price hikes and the general economic meltdown. Both human and vehicle traffic was thinner than usual as banks, shops and offices that had initially opened, closed around mid-morning as some of the protesters became violent, resulting in police firing tear gas to disperse them. Unconfirmed reports said a number of protesters were shot and injured during clashes with police in the sprawling suburb of Epworth in Harare. The protesters are seen by witnesses to have barricaded roads with boulders in most of Harare's high density suburbs to prevent vehicles and commuter omnibuses from ferrying people to work. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in conjunction with several social movements such as #This Flag called for the three-day stayaway in protest against the worsening economic situation in the country. At the weekend, President Emmerson Mnangagwa hiked the price of fuel by more than 100 percent to try and address shortages of the commodity in the country. Following the price increases, petrol now costs 3.31 U.S. dollars per liter, up from 1.37 while diesel now sells at 3.11 dollars per liter, up from 1.24 dollars. Meanwhile, police maintained a heavy presence in the central business district to maintain law and order. Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema also warned people against infringing on the rights of others by blocking roads and causing chaos by forcing work-bound people to return home. The authorities have also castigated people abusing social media by posting inflammatory statements agitating Zimbabweans to engage in violence and unsanctioned demonstrations. The minister's comments come in the wake of reports that some rowdy youths were Monday morning burning tyres and blocking roads in most high density suburbs of Harare. The stayaway is taking place at a time when President Mnangagwa left Harare Monday for a four-nation tour of Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan as he seeks to consolidate ties with the eastern European countries. He is also due to travel to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum which takes place Jan. 22-25. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 21:59:39|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close MUSCAT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Oman's capital Muscat on Monday evening, the last leg of his current trip to the Middle East. According to a statement by the Omani Foreign Ministry, Pompeo will discuss multiple bilateral and regional issues of common concern with Omani officials during his one-day visit. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 21:59:39|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close TIRANA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama appointed himself as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Rama declared on Monday after the President of Albania Ilir Meta refused to decree the discharge of the outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister Ditmir Bushati. "The president has not decreed the discharge of foreign minister on constitutional deadline. We will challenge the violation along with all the others to the new Constitutional Court," stated Rama. Rama underlined that he will "in law" take the position of the foreign minister, adding that "We have no time to lose waiting for the president." In a statement on Twitter last Thursday, Rama condemned the president's refusal to endorse his nominee Gent Cakaj as new foreign minister, calling it "not just unconstitutional but also shameful". Earlier, President Meta refused to approve the new minister, claiming he was not up to the challenge of running diplomacy. Cakaj, aged 28, was chosen by Rama for this key position after he decided to reshuffle about half of his cabinet last December in a response to the protests. President Meta has accepted all of Rama's six other nominations for ministerial posts. In a response to Rama's decision to take over the helm of the foreign ministry from Ditmir Bushati, President Meta said "President is at the helm. To President, Constitution and rule of law come first. No more fake state, Albania comes first," underlined Meta. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 21:34:28|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Ambassador to South Africa Sylvester Ambokile said on Monday South Africa has identified 90 schools across the country for teaching Kiswahili on trial basis. "I had a meeting with South African Minister for Basic Education and her senior officials who explained to me that they will start teaching Kiswahili in 90 schools across the country on trial basis," Ambokile told Xinhua in an email. The South African government announced last year that that schools in the country will from 2020 offer Kiswahili as an optional language for learners. Ambokile, Tanzania's High Commissioner to South Africa since May 2017, said the teaching of Kiswahili in the southern African country will start next year with the announcement of vacancies for Kiswahili teachers. He added: "I have written to the Ministry of Education in Tanzania and other relevant authorities informing them about the latest development." "And since the South African Minister for Basic Education announced the move to introduce Kiswahili as a subject, we have been receiving several phone calls from people in Tanzania asking how they could grab that chance to teach Kiswahili," said Ambokile. Authorities in Tanzania said last year they were ready to support the government of South Africa's move to teach Kiswahili in its schools. Tanzanian Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology William Ole-Nasha said Tanzania was ready to offer South Africa Kiswahili teachers. Ole-Nasha said the Kiswahili Council of Tanzania and the Tanzania Professional Swahili Institute were ready to grab the opportunity because they have enough teachers. "We are aware that we will face competition from other countries, including Kenya but I am confident that many Tanzanians will be employed because we have the best Kiswahili teachers in the world," said Ole-Nasha. Selemani Sewangi, the Secretary General of the Kiswahili Council of Tanzania, said the move by the South African government to teach Kiswahili will open employment doors for Tanzanian Kiswahili teachers. Kiswahili is Tanzania's official language spoken by almost all Tanzanians regardless of their over 120 tribes. Kiswahili is also regarded as a unifying language in the country of more than 50 million people. South African Minister for Basic Education Angie Motshekga said the decision to offer Kiswahili as an optional language for learners had been approved by the country's Council of Education Ministers. She added that the language will be offered at public, private and independent schools. "Kiswahili has the power to expand to countries that never spoke it and has the power to bring Africans together," Motshekga said. "We are confident that the teaching of Kiswahili in South African schools will help to promote social cohesion with our fellow Africans," said Motshekga. "It is also one of the officials languages of the African Union. We are confident that the teaching of Kiswahili in South African schools will help to promote social cohesion with our fellow Africans," she added. Kiswahili will be the first African language, from outside South Africa, to be offered at schools. French, German and Mandarin are among foreign languages already offered in South African schools as optional subjects. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 21:09:21|Editor: ZX Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Analysts said on Monday that Kenya could tap Chinese technology and finance in order to achieve its affordable housing agenda. Johnson Denge, senior manager at Nairobi-based Cytonn Investment, told journalists in Nairobi that Kenyan contractors have shied away from the affordable housing sector due to a number of challenges. "Chinese contractors bring a lot in terms of large scale of production through deployment of technology which mechanizes construction which can be used to roll out affordable houses targeted at the low income segment of the population," Denge said when Cytonn Investments released its Annual Market Outlook 2019. Under President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda, Kenya plans to construct 500,000 affordable houses by the end of 2022. Denge said that Chinese contractors are ideal partners in the housing sector because of their ability to self-finance projects. He noted that some of the public housing projects require the private sector to use their own funds to build houses and later receive payment from government. "This effectively locks out local contractors from playing a role in the affordable housing scheme due to lack of funds," he said. Cytonn Investments said that the cost of decent houses remains beyond the reach of ordinary citizens primarily due to the high cost of land. According to the analysts, Kenya's real estate sector has concentrated in the high and middle income segment because of the huge profit margins as compared to low income housing. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:59:19|Editor: ZX Video Player Close GUIYANG, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route was launched Monday to link the city of Guiyang in China's Guizhou Province, with Milan in Italy, after a plane left Guiyang and landed in Milan in the same day after a 12-hour flight. The air route, operated by Italy's Neos Air with a Boeing 767-300, is the first regular direct flight between the two cities. It is the second direct flight linking Guiyang with Europe after a flight between Guiyang and Moscow opened in June 2018, according to Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport. There will be only one flight each week, with the departing flight in Guiyang on Sunday. The new air route is expected to boost tourism and economic communication between the two cities. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:49:16|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will hold a traditional festival called "The Spring Golden Eagle Festival" on March 3-4 near the capital city of Ulan Bator, a senior Mongolian official said Monday. "The festival aims to promote the ethnic Kazakh tradition of hunting with eagles internationally and boost the country's tourism," Tsend Enkhtuvshin, deputy head of Ulan Bator's tourism department, told Xinhua. More than 20 eagle hunters are expected to compete in the 12th edition of the festival to catch small animals, such as foxes and hares, with specially trained golden eagles, showing off the skills of both the birds and their trainers. "The festival is one of the most popular tourism activities in our country. The number of domestic and foreign tourists who visit the festival has been rising year after year," Enkhtuvshin said, expressing his hope for more tourists in this year's festival. Last year's Spring Golden Eagle Festival attracted around 4,000 domestic and foreign tourists, he said. Mongolia is home to the thousand year-old tradition of hunting with trained Golden Eagles. This unique tradition has been passed from generation to generation among the Kazakh nomads. The Golden Eagle Festival is held twice a year in the spring and autumn season in Mongolia. The autumn festival is held in western Bayan-Ulgii Province. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:34:11|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KATHMANDU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal's Parliament, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, on Monday said that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative would greatly contribute to his country's socio-economic development. Mahara made the remarks at a meeting with newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi in Kathmandu, the speaker's secretariat said in a press statement on Monday. Speaker Mahara stressed the need for strong cooperation between Nepal and China in the field of rail and road connectivity in the coming days, the press statement said. Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative on May 12 in 2017. "I am happy to note that Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017 when I was serving as the country's finance minister," the speaker said in the meeting. She also expressed happiness over the two countries' efforts to develop a cross-border railway connecting Chinese border town of Kerung (Geelong port) and Nepal's capital Kathmandu. On the occasion, Mahara lauded China's assistance to Nepal in various sectors including energy, tourism and physical infrastructure building, among others, and wished for its continued support in the future, according to the statement. "The political and diplomatic ties between Nepal and China are deep. So is the relationship between the people of the two countries. This has helped to further deepen ties between the two countries," Mahara told the Chinese ambassador. In response, Chinese Ambassador Hou said that ties between China and Nepal were cordial, and she would be working to further deepen it in the coming days. "China is ready to support in Nepal's development needs as per the priorities of the Nepalese government," she said. Noting that Nepal is an important partner country in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the ambassador hoped that the country would reap benefits from it. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:34:10|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close ANKARA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday hit back at the economic threats of U.S. President Donald Trump on the Twitter against Turkey. "We have said repeatedly we are not afraid of any threats and economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere," Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with his Luxembourgian counterpart Jean Asselborn in the capital Ankara. "Strategic partners should not communicate over social media. We have all official channels open for communicating with the United States," Cavusoglu added. "We see that Trump is under great pressure not to withdraw troops from Syria. He is in a difficult situation," the minister noted. Meanwhile, Cavusoglu said Turkey was "not against" the proposal of a "security zone" in Syria. "The proposal for a 30-km buffer zone on Syria's border with Turkey did not come from the United States. It was the proposal of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Europeans, including Russians," he said. Cavusoglu said the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama had "failed to support our idea due to various excuses, and now they are coming up with it due to Turkey's determination." On Sunday, Trump tweeted that the United States would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds" amid the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. He also suggested the creation of a 20-mile (32 km) safe zone in Syria. Erdogan has signalled a cross-border operation which will be launched soon to clear the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northeastern Syria. The United States and Turkey have been quarrelling recently regarding the Kurdish militia in northern Syria, a U.S. ally in the anti-Islamic State campaign but seen as a terrorist group by Ankara. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:29:08|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close YEREVAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nikol Pashinyan has been re-appointed the prime minister of Armenia by President Armen Sarkissian, the president's office said on Monday. "In pursuance of paragraph 1, Article 149 of the Constitution, the president appoints Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister," said the presidential decree. Earlier on Monday, the ruling My Step Alliance, which holds a majority in parliament, nominated Nikol Pashinyan as the candidate for the position of prime minister in the first session of the 7th convocation parliament, which launched on Monday. The new government shall be established within 15 days after the appointment of the prime minister. According to the country's Central Election Commission, the My Step Alliance won a landslide victory in the country's parliament elections on December 9, 2018, clinching more than 70 percent of the votes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:29:08|Editor: ZX Video Player Close TAIPEI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 90 percent of employees in Taiwan are considering seeking a new job after the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 5 this year, indicating low pay as a major reason, a survey released by Taiwan's online job bank Yes123 showed Monday. The rate of potential job-hoppers is the highest in 10 years, according to the survey. The estimated number of employed people in Taiwan is over 9 million. Among those who intend to change jobs, 55 percent said it was due to being dissatisfied with salaries, followed by poor welfare provided by their companies, no chance of promotion, and having a bleak outlook for their companies. As many as 65 percent of those said they had already begun to search for a new job. Nearly 85 percent of the respondents said they were considering securing a job outside Taiwan with a higher pay. Yang Tsung-pin, spokesman for Yes123, said a labor shortage could loom if the brain drain continued on the island, impacting Taiwan's overall competitiveness. In order to tackle the job-hopping boom, 94 percent of the surveyed companies said they planned to recruit new staff after the new year, and 63 percent said they would only fill the vacancies after employees left. The survey was based on questionnaires completed by 1,204 employees and 912 companies from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:14:02|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior military official on Monday called on the military to make new advances in the fight against corruption. Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks at a meeting of the CMC's discipline inspection commission. Zhang ordered the entire military to implement the spirit of the third plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, which concluded Sunday. It is necessary to cherish and safeguard the "sweeping victory" of the campaign against corruption and make new progress in full and strict governance over the Party and the military, Zhang noted. While stressing the importance of strengthening political oversight to ensure the military maintains political integrity, Zhang urged the troops to sharpen their combat capability and improve war preparedness. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:14:02|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close NAKURU, Kenya, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Charles Ruto, a Kenyan farmer, has for the last four decades practiced beekeeping as a means to broaden his revenue streams. With 164 traditional hives, the smallscale farmer from Kuresoi, Nakuru County has earned himself an extra income through selling honey to raise his family. But change in weather patterns has not spared his treasured vocation despite beekeeping being championed as a viable alternative to drastic drop in crop production due to effects of climate change. "For years I have known bees to be my farm since they provided me with a produce to sell," Ruto told journalists at his farm. "But I can no longer put all my hopes in selling honey to provide for my family. It is simply impossible with these rains that come this month and next month it is dry," he added and revealed he has now taken up maize and potato farming. In the last decade, Kenya has experienced periods of severe drought resulting to an extreme fall in harvests, exposing more than 2.6 million people to hunger. In 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought a national disaster following a prolonged drought affecting at least 23 out of 47 counties. Kenya is largely an agriculture-driven economy with more than 80 percent of the population engaged in farming activities either directly or indirectly. With shift in climatic conditions, hundreds of farmers are opting for climate resilient alternatives, beekeeping being one of them. However, Ruto emphasizes that little to zero rain means lack of nectar, a key ingredient in the making of honey. When there's enough rain, he collects honey three times a year, he said. This is in contrast to one-time honey harvesting when the rains come less than four months a year. He has erected hives in a woodland of indigenous trees which bloom with nectar when there is enough rain prompting a high production of honey. Ruto said he collects up to 25 liters of honey per harvest from each hive in good season. This amount drops to as little as a quarter of a liter in bad weather. "Sometimes you don't harvest at all when there is little rain for more than seven months. You can't have enough nectar if it rains for instance June to July then stops or rains for one month then discontinues for three or four months," he said. "Bees relocate when they can't find enough food to feed on," he added. Although, he tries to entice them with sugar syrup, they still flee to areas with an abundance of nectar, he said. Experts warn that drought coupled with deforestation and poor farming practices is causing a decline in honey production in the country. "Use of pesticides and degradation of land threatens beekeeping in Kenya," said Stephen Kagio, chairman of Apiculture Platform of Kenya. "Pesticides poison bees (when they feed on flowers to fetch nectar) and with time their populations dwindles (as they keep on dying upon consuming the chemicals used to counter pest attacks in crops)," he added Muo Kasina, director of National Sericulture Research Center, said drought has direct negative effects on bees' food resources since it affects flowering periods. "In addition, bees need a lot of pollen for their youngness, without flowers, there are no pollen hence populations of bees reduce," said Kasina. Kasina identified planting indigenous plants, growing a variety of flowering plants and practicing farming free from use of pesticides as some of the strategies to boost beekeeping in Kenya. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 20:09:00|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Monday that Lebanon's stability depends on the U.S. support for a fair peace process in the Middle East which will ensure stability on Lebanon's southern borders. Aoun said he hopes that efforts to define borders with Israel would resume soon, according to the Lebanon Presidency's website. Lebanon's borders with Israel are defined along a Blue Line created by the United Nations in 2000 for the purposes of determining whether Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon. Aoun's remarks came during his meeting with visiting U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale. Aoun assured Hale that Lebanon is in the process of enacting financial and economic reforms by enhancing productive sectors and activating anti-corruption campaign. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 19:58:56|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close RIYADH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdelaziz on Monday met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over bilateral ties, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The two discussed the latest developments in the Middle East region and relevant efforts, SPA said. Meanwhile, Pompeo also discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud about the need to promote de-escalation in Yemen, Al Arabiya TV reported. Their discussion also covered the strategic partnership between the two countries and the latest regional and international developments. According to a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Pompeo repeated the U.S. call for a cessation of hostilities in Yemen and all parties to negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict. On the death of the Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the U.S. official said Washington will hold all those involved accountable, and Saudi Arabia must do the same. Pompeo arrived in Riyadh on Sunday and will soon leave for Oman, the last destination of his current Middle East trip, after he decided to cut short the tour to attend a family funeral. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 19:43:54|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 14, 2019 shows the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event, the largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East, started on Monday and awarded winners for their innovation in environmental protection. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo) ABU DHABI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East, started on Monday in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and awarded winners for their innovation in environmental protection. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, honored 10 winners in sectors including health, food, energy and water, with the Zayed Sustainability Prize named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, late founding father of the UAE. The crown prince praised the winners' efforts in boosting sustainable development around the world, and encouraged them to continue their work in exploring and promoting more innovative solutions to challenges. "The UAE is continuing to draw inspiration from its vision of sustainable and comprehensive development, which will continue to be celebrated throughout 2019 , the Year of Tolerance," he said. On Dec. 15, 2018, the UAE government announced that the year of 2019 would be officially proclaimed the Year of Tolerance to strengthen the nation's role in encouraging stability and prosperity in the region and the world. The ceremony was also attended by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who is also the ruler of Dubai, Yang Jiechi, Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, and a number of world leaders and representatives. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 19:28:49|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday expressed stern opposition to participation by the United States and other countries in Taiwan's submarine production project. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks when responding to media reports saying the United States has permitted some of its military enterprises to export technology to help Taiwan build submarines. Enterprises from the United States, Europe, Japan and India have reportedly demonstrated their interest to take part in the project. China's firm opposition to any countries' arms sales and military relations with Taiwan in any forms is consistent and clear-cut, Hua stressed at a regular press briefing. "We urge the United States and other relevant countries to fully understand how sensitive and harmful this matter is," Hua added. She urged these countries to adhere to the one-China principle and not to allow their enterprises to take part in Taiwan's submarine manufacture project in any forms. They must stop any forms of military ties with Taiwan, deal with Taiwan-related issues properly and cautiously to avoid severely jeopardizing relations with China as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 19:18:48|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close FUZHOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Fujian Province will push for cross-Strait cooperation projects between the mainland and Taiwan this year, including supplying water, electricity and gas to Kinmen and Matsu. Tang Dengjie, governor of the mainland coastal province of Fujian, made the remark here Monday when delivering the government work report to the annual session of the provincial people's congress. In early August, Fujian started to supply water to Kinmen, a small island close to the mainland. Tang said Fujian would also promote bridge construction to link the mainland with the small islands. The governor said that Fujian will take further measures to facilitate Taiwan compatriots, especially young people, to study, open startups, seek jobs and live in the province. In 2018, Fujian with its geographic adjacency to Taiwan, saw trade volume nearing 80 billion yuan (11.8 billion U.S. dollars) with Taiwan. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 19:30:33|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Principal Zhang Zhanliang and students make fire to cook a meal at Huangni elementary school in Chuntao Town of Yujiang District of Yingtan City, east China's Jiangxi Province, Jan. 3, 2019. Zhang Zhanliang, the principal of Huangni primary school, has been known nationwide recently for taking care of the school's left-behind children, whose parents are migrant workers in towns and cities. For years, there's no canteen at Huangni elementary school. Appointed as principal in 2018, Zhang Zhanliang spent his own money cooking additional meal for these left-behind children. Zhang Zhanliang cooks different dishes every day, hoping to improve their health and arouse their interest in coming to study. (Xinhua/Hu Chenhuan) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 18:38:39|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Hebei Province, China's main iron and steel production base, plans to cut its capacity by 14 million tonnes this year, its governor announced Monday. Xu Qin made the announcement Monday when delivering a government work report at the opening of the local legislative session. Among its prefectural cities, Zhangjiakou, where the Winter Olympics will be held in 2022, and Langfang, which neighbors Beijing, will phase out iron and steel industry this year, Xu said in the report. Other efforts to fight overcapacity this year include cutting capacity of coal by 10 million tonnes, cement by 1 million tonnes, carbon coke by 3 million tonnes and coal-fired power supply by 500,000 kW, he said. Hebei and several other regions around Beijing are home to major steelmakers, coal mines and chemical plants. They are at the forefront of the country's fight against air pollution. According to the report, Hebei cut production capacity of steel by 12.3 million tonnes, coal by 14 million tonnes and cement by 3.13 million tonnes in 2018, which not only contributed to the national target to seek a high-quality economic growth but also helped improve air quality. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 18:28:37|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close WUHAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Hubei, an industrial province along China's Yangtze River, on Monday announced its 2019 GDP growth target as 7.5 to 8 percent. Wang Xiaodong, governor of Hubei, said the province's GDP growth was estimated at 7.8 percent in 2018, which was "higher than the national average and better than expected." Wang reported the figures while delivering the annual government work report at the opening meeting of the annual session of the Hubei Provincial People's Congress. Wang said the service industry had a 54.7-percent contribution rate to last year's economic expansion. The province also recorded a 12.8-percent increase in high-tech industry value addition, suggesting innovation is acting as a stronger impetus to the economy. The robust growth was reported as the province continued to prioritize environmental protection of the Yangtze River by shutting down or relocating 115 chemical plants along the river in 2018, according to the report. Wang pledged more efforts to close or relocate heavy polluters along the Yangtze, crack down on illegal ports and speed up riverside afforestation this year. Hubei has been using its strategic location at the midstream of Yangtze, the longest and busiest waterway in China, to boost its economy in recent years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 18:23:36|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close HANOI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's military-run telecom provider Viettel has been valued at 3.178 billion U.S. dollars by the world's leading business valuation consultant Brand Finance, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday. In Brand Finance's list of the world's 300 valuable telecom brands in 2018, Viettel ranked 47th, up one place from 2017, equivalent to Singtel, the top in Singapore, and Ooredoo, the number one in the Middle East. In 2018, Viettel founded telecom, cyber security and high-tech defense industries and declared to embark on the fourth development stage with the goal of going global and pioneering in the fourth industrial revolution. Viettel has a significant presence in 12 countries and a customer base with more than 85 million subscribers across Asia, Africa and America. It has also invested in research, manufacturing and successful commercialization of strategic weapons, high-tech military equipment and telecom network equipment, noted the agency. By the end of last year, Vietnam had 129.9 million fixed and mobile phone subscribers, including 125.6 million mobile phone ones, and nearly 13 million fixed broadband internet subscribers, according to the country's General Statistics Office. Vietnam made total telecommunications revenues of 395.8 trillion Vietnamese dong (17.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, said the office. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 18:18:35|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close HARARE, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa left Harare early Monday morning on a state visit to Russia. From Russia, he will also visit Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan as he seeks to consolidate relations with the eastern European countries as he seeks to boost re-engagement efforts with the broader international community. He is also due to travel to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum which takes place Jan. 22-25. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba told media the idea behind the visits was to boost Zimbabwe's image within the international community. He said the visits were strategic and Zimbabwe was expecting "quite a bumper harvest of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding." Charamba said all this was in the context of the engagement and re-engagement policy adopted by the government. "The whole idea is to put Zimbabwe firmly on the map so that we leave behind us the dark days when we were perceived as a pariah state," he said. Zimbabwe has suffered international isolation since the early 2000s following land reforms that resulted in thousands of white farmers losing land to formerly landless blacks, while at the same time western countries were worried about governance issues. Mnangagwa's visit to Switzerland was a sign that there was growing interest in the Zimbabwean economy, Charamba added. He said the invitation was also a sign that the jinx of isolation had been broken. "On the whole, the future of Zimbabwe is positively bright, with better prospects in store given the gradual improvement of the domestic investment environment," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 18:08:34|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim (R) shakes hands with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday visited Iraq's capital Baghdad over bilateral relations and cooperation, a Iraqi foreign ministry official said. Le Drian was received by his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed al-Hakim and is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and other top officials to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation in political, security and economic arenas, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. According to media reports, Le Drian will discuss the consequences of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from neighboring Syria. France is part of a U.S.-led international coalition tasked with helping the Iraqi security forces in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) militants by carrying out airstrikes against the IS in Iraq and Syria and providing military equipment and training to Iraqi forces. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 17:48:30|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Rescuers work at the crash site of a Boeing 707 plane in Karaj, Iran, Jan. 14, 2019. At least 15 people were killed on Monday in the crash. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed on Monday in a Boeing 707 plane crash near Iran's northern city of Karaj, the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) reported. Among the 15 killed, 14 men and one woman on board, 10 could be identified and five others need further genetic examinations, Hamid Davood Abadi, head of Forensic Medicine Center of Alborz Province, told ISNA. The cargo plane with 16 on board crashed in a residential area, 45 km west of the capital Tehran, ISNA quoted Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of Emergency Center of Iran, as saying. The plane had planned to land in Karaj's Payam Airport but chose to land in the Fath airport for some unknown reason, Naser Charkhsaz, chief of Iran's Red Crescent Society, told ISNA. After landing in the wrong airport, the plane got out of control and slid out of the runway, hitting an empty residential building and catching fire. The plane, flying from Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, was carrying a cargo of meat to Iran, according to an announcement by the Public Relations of the Iranian Army. According to the latest reports, the plane belonged to Iran's army. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 17:38:28|Editor: ZX Video Player Close HAVANA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China is the global leader in space exploration, a Cuban geophysicist and science popularizer has said. The landing of the Chang'e-4 probe on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3 is an important milestone in the exploration of the Earth's natural satellite, Bruno Henriquez told Xinhua in an interview. "It is something very significant, because it is the first time that there is a soft landing on the far side of the moon, which can be explored in site and not from the lunar orbit," he said. Russian, U.S., Japanese and Indian spacecrafts had explored that part of the moon from the lunar orbit, but none have landed there before. Henriquez also praised the fact that the Chinese probe landed on the moon's Von Karman crater in the South Pole-Aitken basin, and China's excellent deployment of the Yutu remote-controlled vehicle. "The Chinese are today on top in terms of outer space exploration, not only in launching spacecraft, but also in their approach to the space program and everything they have developed on land to support it," Henriquez said. The science fiction writer and former researcher at Cuba's Institute of Geophysics and Astronomy believes that Western mainstream media remains an outdated narrative that claims China lags behind the United States in space. "They have accomplished many things, such as the first quantum communication satellites. They have the largest radio telescope on earth of the spherical reflector type, very similar to the one at Arecibo (Observatory) in Puerto Rico," he said. China's scientific achievements have motivated Henriquez to create a collection of popular science books about everything related to space exploration, including the development of rocketry, the number of manned space flights, China's taikonauts and new uses for satellites. "It is an attempt to show that China has a very intense policy of scientific development, of which the space program is just one facet," Henriquez said. Henriquez is about to release a book on China's successful space program, which highlights China's development of its own space technology, remote sensing, remote control and autonomous exploration robots. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 17:23:24|Editor: ZX Video Player Close RIYADH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday cut short his Middle East tour over a family funeral, Al Arabia TV reported. Pompeo arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday as part of his regional tour that already covered Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The U.S. State Department announced that Pompeo would return to the United States after his visit to Oman, adding that he will visit Kuwait in the near future. Pompeo's tour aims to discuss issues of common interests with Middle Eastern leaders, especially the regional stability and fighting terrorism. During his earlier meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, they agreed on the importance of reaching a comprehensive political solution for in the conflict in Yemen. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 17:18:24|Editor: ZX Video Player Close A baby giant panda (R) celebrates her one year old birthday with her mother at the Malaysian National Zoo near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 14, 2019. The second giant panda born in Malaysia celebrated her first birthday at the Malaysian national zoo on Monday. The baby giant panda is the second offspring of her parents Xing Xing and Liang Liang who arrived in Malaysia in 2014. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The second giant panda born in Malaysia celebrated her first birthday at the Malaysian national zoo on Monday. Members of the public cheered as zookeepers attempted to feed cake to the one-year-old giant panda, but she coyly refused and insisted on bamboo instead. The female giant panda is with her mother, Liang Liang, at the giant panda conservation center in the zoo. Mat Naim Ramli, director of the giant panda conservation center, said the second cub weighing at 34 kg was slightly lighter than her older sister Nuan Nuan who weighed 37 kg when she was the same age. "Generally she is in good health and behaves very well; no problem at all so far. Still depending on milk, she eats a little bit of mother's food like fruits and bamboo leaves," he said. Mat Naim said the second cub spends most of her time with her mother and is less active than her sibling, Nuan Nuan. The baby giant panda, born in January last year, is the second offspring of her parents Xing Xing and Liang Liang who arrived in Malaysia in 2014. Their first-born, Nuan Nuan, returned to China in November last year after turning two years old. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 17:08:21|Editor: ZX Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Geir Pedersen, newly appointed UN envoy to Syria, will start a three-day visit to the Arab country on Monday, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper reported. It will be the first visit of Pederson, a Norwegian diplomat, to Syria since his recent appointment after the resignation of his predecessor, Staffan de Mistura, over personal reasons after four years as the UN envoy to Syria. Ayman Soussan, assistant of the Syrian Foreign Minister, was cited by al-Watan as saying the new envoy would achieve what his predecessors could not. The Syrian government has expressed readiness to cooperate with the new UN envoy to make his mission a success, the newspaper said. During his four-year mission in Syria, Mistura could not mediate a workable solution between the Syrian government and the opposition to end the more than seven-year crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 16:58:18|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of Beijing said Monday that the city would support multinationals to set up research and development centers and widen channels for attracting global talent in the city's efforts to become "an innovation center of science and technology." Mayor Chen Jining said at the opening meeting of the annual session of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress on Monday that the city's high-tech industry clusters had sound growth in 2018. The city's high-tech zone of Zhongguancun took 20 measures in 2018 to attract overseas talents, he said. The number of national high-tech enterprises in Beijing reached 25,000 in 2018, up 25 percent year on year. On average, 199 high-tech startups opened in the city everyday. The city has 80 startup firms each worth more than 1 billion U.S. dollars, ranking first in the country, he said. The city set up a 30 billion-yuan (4.45 billion U.S. dollars) science and technology innovation fund for incubating new technology last year. The city government issued policy guidelines for 10 key high-tech sectors including 5G, artificial intelligence, medicine, health and intelligent connected vehicle technologies. The mayor said that in the year 2019, the city government would continue to expand global channels for attracting science and technology talents, encourage universities to beef up building of innovation centers, and give support to young and innovative entrepreneurs. Chen said Beijing would push for a series of key projects in 2019, including the manufacturing base of Beijing Benz new energy vehicles, an ultra high definition display equipment project, IC production, the third generation semiconductor production and a drone manufacturing base. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 16:23:09|Editor: ZX Video Player Close URUMQI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Support funds totaling about 16 billion yuan (2.37 billion U.S. dollars) were allocated to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2018, an official said. The funds, from 19 provinces and cities, were allocated to help locals rise out of poverty and improve their livelihoods, Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the regional government of Xinjiang, said in his government work report. Last year, authorities with these provinces and cities also helped train talent for Xinjiang, offered jobs to ethnic groups in developed areas and enhanced communication, Shohrat said. Xinjiang will continue to learn from other provinces and cities and allocate support funds to improve people's livelihoods and to grassroots areas, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 15:58:06|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of Beijing said Monday that more efforts would be made to green the city in the new year, including creating more parks, planting more trees and expanding greenbelt areas downtown. The annual government work report, delivered by Chen Jining at the opening meeting of the annual session of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, said 1,600 hectares of land would be vacated for greening purposes in 2019. The city has planned to add 16,667 hectares of forest this year, in addition to the 17,933 hectares completed in 2018, according to the report. A total of 1,683 hectares of land were vacated for greening in the last year, Chen said. Another 28 city leisure parks and 121 mini parks were added, bringing the coverage of parks within a radius of 500 meters to 80 percent citywide. An area of 66.7 hectares of the "green core" of the city, located in Tongzhou District, has been greened in the past year, together with the creation of several other wetland parks in and around the city, Chen said. Suburban districts including Yanqing, Huairou and Miyun will step up applications to be national-level forest cities through the establishment of a green development fund and green bonds to attract social capital, the report said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 15:53:05|Editor: ZX Video Player Close QUITO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- FAW Group Corporation, one of China's largest state-owned vehicle manufacturers, showcased its range of models for the Ecuadorian market over the weekend. A leader in heavy-duty vehicle sales in Asia, FAW is looking to expand exports to Ecuador, where it unveiled four tractor trailers and dump trucks at Quito's Expo Center. The latest versions of these heavy vehicles are tougher and more efficient than ever before, and poised to help Ecuador's productive industry, the company said. "The FAW Group will promote the sale of heavy trucks (in Ecuador), letting China's best trucks contribute to the country's economic construction," FAW's representative Si Xueqiang said. The company exports a large proportion of its output in parts and pieces to be assembled in the destination markets, a factor that gives it an edge over the competition. Gabriela Grijalva, the company's sales manager in Ecuador, said FAW plans to have dealerships in Quito and Guayaquil, the country's leading cities. The first four tractor trailer and dump truck models are already available in Guayaquil, the country's leading port and largest city. Another eight models are expected to arrive in Ecuador by July, said Grijalva. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 15:38:03|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Eight militants including a key Taliban commander, Qari Assadullah, were confirmed dead as an unmanned plane struck a Taliban hideout in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of northern Afghan Baghlan province on Monday, said Abdul Hadi Jamal, an army spokesman in the northern region. "Acting upon intelligence report, the unmanned plane targeted the Taliban hideout in Kokchinar area of Baghlan-e-Markazi district today morning, killing eight rebels including notorious commander Qari Assadullah on the spot," Jamal told Xinhua. Terming Assadullah as an infamous and merciless Taliban commander who had organized subversive activities to kill people, the official said that Assadullah's physical elimination could prove to be a major setback to the Taliban fighters in Baghlan province. Taliban militants who have shelters just a few kilometers from Baghlan provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri have yet to make comment. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 15:28:01|Editor: Liu Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's forex regulator announced Monday that the total quota of the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) program had doubled to 300 billion U.S. dollars, a new step to open up the capital market. The move aims to meet demand from overseas investors to expand investment in China's capital market, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said in a statement. The QFII program is the earliest and most important arrangement for the opening up of the country's capital market, the statement said. Introduced in 2003, the scheme allows overseas institutional investors to move money into China's capital account to encourage controlled flows. In the 2016-2018 period, the SAFE pushed ahead reforms to QFII-related forex management, such as improving the prudential management, scrapping the limit on funds that foreign investors can remit out and allowing them to make forex hedges on their investments. Those reforms have greatly facilitated the investment in the country's financial market through the QFII program, the SAFE said. By the end of last year, the country had approved a total QFII quota of about 101 billion dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 15:28:01|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's natural rubber production increased by 1.9 percent in November, 2018 to 52,174 tonnes as compared to 51,209 tonnes in October, according to official statistics on Monday. On year-on-year basis, the production slumped 11.1 percent, according to a statement by Malaysian Statistics Department. Average price of latex concentrate was recorded at 380.63 sen per kilogram whereas the average price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (S.M.R. 20) was 509.35 sen per kilogram, down 5.2 percent and 6.2 percent respectively as compared to the average price in October 2018. Malaysia's natural rubber exports amounted to 52,943 tonnes, a decrease of 2.3 percent as compared to October 2018. Main destination of exported natural rubber was to China, accounting for 56.9 percent of the total exports in November, followed by Germany, Finland, Iran and South Korea. Domestic consumption of natural rubber in November 2018 was 42,834 tonnes against 44,771 tonnes during October 2018, a decrease of 4.3 percent. The rubber glove industry as the main consumer consumed 76.4 percent of the total natural rubber domestic consumption. Stock of natural rubber stood at 169,920 tonnes, up 2.6 percent as compared to 165,550 tonnes at the end of October 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 14:27:53|Editor: WX Video Player Close HANOI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam exported roughly 2.4 million tons of coal worth 325 million U.S. dollars in 2018, mainly to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India and Malaysia, posting respective year-on-year increases of 7.6 percent and 13.1 percent. Last month alone, Vietnam gained 30 million U.S. dollars from exporting 200,000 tons of coal, down 0.8 percent in value and down 22 percent in volume against December 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Monday. Demand for coal in many Asian countries, including India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines will continue rising in the next few years, while that for the fossil fuel in China is forecast to drop slightly, according to Vietnams National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin), the country's biggest coal producer and exporter. Vinacomin sold 38.7 million tons of coal in the Vietnamese market, exported 1.8 million tons of the fossil fuel, and made coal revenues of 62,260 billion Vietnamese dong (2.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018. Vinacomin said it currently has 98,600 workers whose monthly salary averages 10.8 million Vietnamese dong (nearly 470 U.S. dollars). Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 14:07:47|Editor: WX Video Player Close MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Up to 11 militants loyal to the armed Taliban group were killed, following government forces airstrikes in Afghanistan northern Faryab province on Jan. 13, an army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said on Monday. The sorties, according to the spokesman, launched in Badghisi village of Khawja Sabzposh district on Jan. 13 afternoon, killed 11 insurgents on the spot and injuring a few others. Air raids against militants a day earlier on Jan. 12 had also killed 20 armed militants including a Taliban key commander Qari Tajuddin in the same district Khawja Sabzposh, forcing militants to vacate their trenches in the area. The Taliban militants fighting government forces in the troubled province haven't commented on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 13:42:43|Editor: WX Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that U.S. pullout operation was underway in Syria, warning Turkey of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces after the pullout. "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria," Trump tweeted, adding U.S. forces would continue to strike the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) from "many directions" and the "existing nearby base." "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 miles safe zone ...," Trump said, threatening to impose economic measures against Ankara if it attacks Kurds, but not giving details about the safe zone. At the same time, Trump also urged Kurds "not to provoke Turkey." The United States and Turkey have been falling into quarrels recently regarding the fortunes of Kurdish militia in northern Syria, which is an ally of Washington in the counter-IS campaign but a "terrorist group" viewed by Ankara. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Jan. 6 in Israel that the United States would withdraw from Syria only after Turkey pledges to safeguard Kurds. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later refuted it, saying "Bolton has made a serious mistake ... we will not have any compromise on this. What he said cannot be accepted." Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview on Thursday that Turkey would conduct the planned military operation to thwart the threat in northern Syria, even if the United States delays the withdrawal. Bolton noted on the following day that the military environment in northern Syria was "very complex", warning that Turkey should not take any military action that is not fully coordinated through the military channels with the United States. Bolton also revealed that the discussions between the militaries of the United States and Turkey on Syria would continue next week, expecting the result of discussions would be acceptable on both sides. The Kurdish militia groups, which have been controlling areas in northern and northeastern Syria since the early time of the more than seven-year-long war, have felt the pinch after Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria last month. Currently, there are about 2,000 U.S. troops deployed in Syria. The U.S. military has reportedly started withdrawing ground equipment from the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 13:37:43|Editor: WX Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Monochromatic drama film "Roma" took home the top film prizes with four awards at the 24th Critics' Choice Awards held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Los Angeles on Sunday night, winning best picture, best director, best foreign language film and best cinematography. Written and directed by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, the critically lauded autobiographical drama follows the life of a live-in housekeeper to an upper middle-class family. The title refers to Colonia Roma, a neighborhood in the City of Mexico. The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival last year and took home two wins last week at 76th Golden Globe Awards, including best foreign language film and best director. It was a big win for the streaming platform, Netflix, to earn its first Golden Globe for a movie. The film is also widely considered one of the front-runners in the foreign language film category in this year's Oscar race. Superhero film "Black Panther" and biographical comedy "Vice" followed with three wins each. "Black Panther" took home best production design, best costume design and best visual effects while "Vice" snagged best actor, best actor in a comedy and best hair and makeup. Christian Bale won the top film acting awards for his portrayal of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Historical period comedy "The Favourite" which led nominations with 14 nods took home only two awards, best acting ensemble and best actress in a comedy. Olivia Colman won the best actress in a comedy for the film. Both Lady Gaga and Glenn Close won best actress for "A Star Is Born" and "The Wife" respectively. Lady Gaga also won the award for best song for her collaboration "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born." Critics' Choice Awards are bestowed annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 13:32:42|Editor: WX Video Player Close JAKARTA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Divers on Monday recovered the second black box, a cockpit voice recorder (CVR), of the Lion Air plane that plunged into waters off western Indonesia on Oct. 29, killing all 189 people on board, a senior government official said. A joint force diver team from Indonesian Navy and National Transport Safety Committee found the black box of brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 in the sea floor around the location of the crash site, spokesman of Indonesian Transport Ministry Hengky Angkasawan revealed. "The CVR was recovered this morning (Monday) by the team. Now, the cockpit voice recorder has been lifted from the sea floor and now is in a ship heading to ashore," he told Xinhua over phone. Hengky said the black box of the aircraft with flight number JT 6-10, which plunged into the waters just shortly after taking off, will be handed over to the transport safety committee for investigation. The recovery of the cockpit voice recorder, recording the conversation of pilot and co-pilot just before the fatal crash, is looked to help unveil the definitive cause of the crash. In November, divers recovered flight data recorder of the fatal flight at the sea floor near the cashed site. The preliminary report based on information gleaned from the flight data recorder unveiled that the pilots struggle to control the plane's anti-stalling system just before the plane plunged into the water. The Lion Air plane dove into the water 13 minutes after taking off from Soekarno Hatta international airport in Banten province on a scheduled one-hour flight to Pangkal Pinang of Bangka Island. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 13:32:41|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close TIANJIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Prosecutors in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Sunday approved the arrests of 16 people involved in a pyramid scheme that used false advertising to cheat thousands out of their savings by selling health products. The municipal procuratorate said the 16 suspects from Quanjian Nature Medicine Technology Development Co. Ltd., a Tianjin-based health product company, were accused of organizing and leading the scheme. Chinese authorities launched a nationwide campaign to crack down on irregularities in the health product market after an investigation into the Quanjian case started in December 2018. The campaign will last more than three months, the State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 13:07:36|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's unification ministry said Monday that it has been pushing to hold the video reunion of Korean families, separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, around the Lunar New Year's traditional holiday early next month. Baik Tae-hyun, unification ministry spokesman, told a press briefing that there was an agreement reached between the two Koreas about the video reunion and the exchange of video messages among the separated Korean families. Talks have been underway since last year, between the two Koreas and also the international community about the relevant issues, the spokesman noted. After their third summit in Pyongyang in September last year, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), agreed on cooperation in allowing the divided families of the two Koreas to hold video reunion and exchange video messages. Since the Korean War ended with armistice in 1953, people of the two Koreas have been banned from contacting and meeting each other. Following the first-ever inter-Korean summit in 2000, 21 rounds of face-to-face family reunions were held, including the latest in August last year. The spokesman said the first video reunion of the separated families is being pushed to be held around a traditional holiday, apparently referring to the Lunar New Year's holiday that falls on Feb. 5 this year. The spokesman added that South Korea will make efforts to hold the event as early as possible. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 12:57:34|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A shooting incident occurred on Sunday in Murray, a suburban town of Salt Lake City, leaving two injured and causing big panic on the scene, according to local police. Murray police officer Kenny Bass said the incident was first reported at about 1:30 p.m. local time (2030GMT). A man and a woman, both in their early 20s, were shot outside of Fashion Place mall. The male victim is in critical condition while the woman was in serious condition. When updating information to local press at about 3:30 p.m. local time (2230GMT), Bass said the police were hunting for three suspects involved, but had no idea about neither their identities nor what kind of arms they were carrying. Bass said the only description that police were able to give of the shooters was that they were wearing dark pants and light-colored hoodies or sweatshirts. He said it could be a gang-related shooting. Video clips and pictures posted online showed that the shooting created panic throughout the mall. Customers and employees were running or hiding in locked stores when they heard alarm, until they were eventually evacuated by police. Escorted by policemen with rifles, hundreds of people walked out of the mall with their hands raised. They were gathered at a fast food restaurant nearby and waited for relatives or friends' pick them up there. A twitter user named Jami Marsh wrote, "URGENT: I'm at Red Rock at Fashion Place. Emergency alarms going off. Cops running in with guns. Seeing news of an active shooter." Allison Croghan, a host of local FOX 13 news channel posted a picture showing about 10 people hiding in a tiny place and tweeted "My best friend is in a back room at @CrateandBarrel right now as there are reports of an active shooter at #fashionplacemall. She just sent me this picture." Abbigail Loveridge who works at the mall's Attic Salt store, told reporters that she heard the fire alarm and gunshots. "People started running. Right in front of our store, I watched people get shot down," she said, "Women and children are getting trampled, especially little kids." She said even though she had ran to safety this time, but "I am sick of in fear like this all the time." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 12:57:34|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Navy secretary has hinted at sending a group of ships to the Arctic this summer to reinforce the country's presence in the polar area. Arctic sea ice has been steadily receding due to global warming. As a result, more navigable areas and new shipping routes are opening up for exploration. The U.S. Navy has been in the Arctic regularly since the 1960s, but most of that presence has been with submarines or patrol aircraft rather than with warships on the sea, said Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer at a gathering hosted by Washington-based think tank the Center for a New American Security on Jan. 8, according to the United States Naval Institute's (USNI's) website. With three potential trans-Arctic routes potentially opening up, the Navy's discussion about Arctic presence has changed dramatically in the past two years, he was quoted by USNI as saying. "As an example, this summer, the (chief of naval operations) and I have talked about having some ships make the transit in the Arctic. It's going to be a multi-service task -- I think you'll see the Coast Guard involved," he said. "We're just fleshing it out right now. But what is the purpose of that? We have to learn what it's like to operate in that environment," he added. Noting increased Russian activity in the Arctic region in the name of search and rescue capability, Spencer said that "I guess we should be up there looking for search and rescue too." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 12:52:33|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Monochromatic drama film "Roma" took home the top film prizes with four awards at the 24th Critics' Choice Awards held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Los Angeles on Sunday night. It won best picture, best director, best foreign language film and best cinematography. Critics' Choice Awards are bestowed annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. Written and directed by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, the critically lauded autobiographical drama follows the life of a live-in housekeeper to an upper middle-class family in Mexico City. The title refers to Colonia Roma, a neighborhood in the city. The Spanish-language movie won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival last year and took home two wins last week at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, including best foreign language film and best director. It was a big win for the streaming platform, Netflix, to earn its first Golden Globe for a movie. The film is also widely considered one of the front-runners in the foreign language film category in this year's Oscar race. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 12:07:27|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close FLASH: COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER OF CRASHED LION AIR RECOVERED AT SEA FLOOR OF WESTERN INDONESIA ON MONDAY, OFFICIAL TOLD XINHUA BY PHONE. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 11:17:16|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close TIANJIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of north China's Tianjin Municipality said Monday that the city is expected to attain the economic growth target of 4.5 percent in 2019. The annual government work report, delivered by Zhang Guoqing at the opening meeting of the annual session of the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress, set the GDP growth target at 4.5 percent. Tianjin's GDP grew about 3.6 percent in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 11:02:12|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government released a five-year plan to reduce the air pollution in the 102 worst-affected cities in the country by 20-30 percent by 2024. The air pollution level in the Indian capital of New Delhi became severe, officials said on Sunday. The overall air quality index remained in severe category at 414, according to the Indian Central Pollution Control Board. "We hope this will be a guiding document, a guiding force for all those who join the activities," the Indian Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan told local media. "These are tough targets, but we believe they are achievable if we do this well," environment secretary Chandra Kishore Mishra said. The plan outlines multiple actions and their timelines for central ministries, states and city-level agencies seeking to curb vehicular, industrial and thermal power emissions and reduce the air pollution from the burning of crop residue and firewood, brick production, construction and other activities. Some actions are either ongoing or due for immediate implementation, while others have timelines up to 2024. However, some environmentalists criticized the plan for lacking clear mechanisms or robust funding to achieve its aims. And some observers questioned that the plan may be faced with obstacles as the Indian government focuses on economic growth, with an objective of creating 1 million jobs per month to accommodate India's expanding working class. Officials asserted that the experiences of cities in other countries suggested that it could take several years for Indian cities to significantly improve their air quality. Cities "are engines of growth and equity but they have to be sustainable," Amitabh Kant, the chief executive of the Indian central government's think tank, the National Institution for Transforming India, told the New York Times. India has nine of the world's 10 most polluted cities, according to a World Health Organization measure, with choking urban smog that researchers estimate killed 1.24 million people in 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 10:12:04|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's goods trade rose 9.7 percent year on year in 2018 to 30.51 trillion yuan (about 4.5 trillion U.S. dollars), customs data showed Monday. Exports rose 7.1 percent year on year to 16.42 trillion yuan last year while imports grew 12.9 percent to 14.09 trillion yuan, resulting in a trade surplus of 2.33 trillion yuan, which narrowed by 18.3 percent, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 10:07:03|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close SYDNEY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A favourite summer treat of Australians will soon be bound for China in greater numbers than ever before, with a newly announced initiative joining experts and producers to boost the export of North Australian mangoes by an estimated 200 percent. The 1.6-million-U.S. dollar undertaking was announced on Monday and will be led by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), involving Australia's leading Calypso mango exporter Perfection Fresh (Perfection), the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the University of Queensland (UQ). Northern Territory project manager Sally Leigo from the CRCNA told Xinhua that a number of new mango plantations being established in the region have prompted the industry to look for new and innovative export avenues. Key to the new strategy will be moving from airfreight to sea freight, allowing for a larger amount of produce to be moved, but creating the distinct problem of maintaining freshness during the 18-day journey from Brisbane to China. "An issue that the team in this project certainly want to tackle is, how can you maintain the quality of that fresh mango throughout the transportation and various handling procedures once it arrives," Leigo said. "A key with mangoes is making sure they don't ripen too quickly during the transportation process." Because the ripeness process is affected by heat, the team intend to use data loggers to monitor the temperatures within refrigeration units, with information being sent via satellite to make sure that the fruit is at its best when it arrives. Leigo said the success of the project will mean Chinese consumers are able to enjoy even more of this coveted fruit counter-season to their own market. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2021. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 09:51:59|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations welcomed the decision by the parliament of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to ratify an agreement with Greece on a new name for itself, UN News reported Sunday. In a statement, Matthew Nimetz, UN secretary-general's envoy for the naming dispute, congratulated the FYROM parliament and citizens, who approved the name change in a referendum held in September 2018, for the move. "This historic agreement between two neighbors opens the door to a new relationship between them and to a firmer basis for peace and security in the Balkans," he said. "I look forward to completion of the process as outlined in the agreement." He added that the United Nations remains "committed to working with the two parties in finally resolving the difference between them." In order for FYROM to be renamed the Republic of North Macedonia, the Greek parliament must also vote to ratify the deal. But on Sunday, the issue led to a Greek government crisis, with the governing coalition split over the name change. Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, who leads the coalition government's junior party, had been opposing the name deal and resigned over it. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in turn, announced a plan to call a confidence vote, which is expected to be held on Wednesday. The dispute stretches back to 1991, when the FYROM declared its independence from Yugoslavia, and announced its intention to be named Macedonia. Neighboring Greece refused to recognize the name, insisting that only the northern Greek region of the same name should be called Macedonia, and arguing that the FYROM's use of the name was a challenge to Greek sovereignty. In June 2018, Greece and FYROM agreed to a deal that would change the name of FYROM to the Republic of North Macedonia. In exchange, Greece would lift its objections to the country's accession to NATO. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 09:26:53|Editor: mmm Video Player Close SAN JUAN DE MARCONA, Peru, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- France's nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb claimed his third stage victory of this year's Dakar Rally on Sunday as Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah edged closer to his third title. Loeb, racing in a private Peugeot, completed the 336km timed section from Arequipa to San Juan de Marcona in southern Peru in three hours 39 minutes and 21 seconds, two minutes and 17 seconds ahead of Al-Attiyah's Toyota. Spain's defending champion, Carlos Sainz, was third in his Mini, almost seven minutes off the pace. "It went well, but we made mistakes," said Loeb, who is second in the overall standings, almost 38 minutes behind Al-Attiyah with four stages remaining. "We saw Nasser make the same blunder, so we both lost two minutes. We drove around looking for a waypoint, but I think we weren't the only ones, it was a tricky stage. We didn't get stuck, we saw the hole [that caused trouble] last year, but we dodged the bullet. I'm very happy to have reached the finish. It's not over yet, there's still a long way to go." Meanwhile, Chilean Pablo Quintanilla took the lead in the motorcycle category after winning the stage on his Husqvarna. Quintanilla leads American Ricky Brabec by four minutes and 38 seconds, with Australia's Toby Price some five minutes and 17 seconds behind. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-14 08:41:47|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out calling an early general election, setting the stage for the nation to go to the polls in May. Asked on Monday whether he had changed his mind on the election during his Christmas holidays and would call it for March, the PM answered "no." "There are no changes there," he said during a regular appearance on breakfast television. Morrison has repeatedly said he would not hold an election before May but rumours persisted that a poll would be called for March in late January. Instead, Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will hand down the Federal Budget, which is expected to deliver the first surplus in over a decade, on April 2 before going to an election. December's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) projected a 4.1 billion Australian dollar budget surplus in the 2019/20 financial year. However, global ratings giant Fitch Solutions in January cast doubt on that projection, warning that Frydenberg will "struggle to register a fiscal surplus" on account of slowing revenue growth. Morrison on Monday admitted that economic headwinds were stronger than expected. "The economic storm clouds globally are a bit stronger than they were. In fact, a lot stronger this year than they were 12 months ago," he said. "There are other tensions out there whether it's trade tensions between two of our biggest world players, plus what's happening in Europe. "There are plenty of concerns out there. We're in a strong position but we will only stay there if we stay on the strong economic track we're on." According to opinion polls Morrison's governing Liberal National Party (LNP) is facing a landslide defeat at the election, with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) set to take power for the first time in five years. The SpaceX headquarters is shown in Hawthorne, California, U.S. September 19, 2018. (REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo) LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. space technology firm SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, will lay off about 10 percent of its more than 6,000 employees, according to media reports. The cuts were cited in an email sent to employees. In a statement, a company spokesman confirmed the layoff without specifying how many employees will be released. "To continue delivering for our customers and to succeed in developing interplanetary spacecraft and a global space-based Internet, SpaceX must become a leaner company," said the statement of the company. "This means we must part ways with some talented and hardworking members of our team... This action is taken only due to the extraordinarily difficult challenges ahead and would not otherwise be necessary," the company was quoted by media as saying. According to reports, SpaceX is providing a minimum of eight weeks' pay and other benefits to the fired workers. A company source said SpaceX remains financially strong and can continue to "manufacture and launch at a reliable cadence in the years ahead." SpaceX was launched in 2002 by Elon Musk for space exploration. This year the company plans to test hop Starship, a prototype designed for human travel to Mars. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-13 22:45:26|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close by Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- In an apparent bid to quell labor unrest, the Bangladeshi government raised the pay of millions of garment workers Sunday after coming under fire from laborers over disparity in their new wage structure. State Minister for Labor and Employment Munnujan Sufian made the announcement Sunday night, saying wages for workers of all grades were raised proportionately following a special directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard. In line with the new wage structure, grade-i workers will get the minimum monthly basic wage 18,257 taka, 15,416 taka for grade-ii, 9,849 taka for grade-iii, 9,347 taka for grade-iv and 8,875 for grade-v. The ministry, however, expressed the hope that the agitating workers will now return to their workplaces. The wage hike came hours after the Bangladesh apparel garment owners threatened to shut down thousands of factories if the workers continue demonstration. The warning came following week-long protests by the workers in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, leaving at least a laborer reportedly dead and scores of others injured. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Siddiqur Rahman said factories across Bangladesh will be kept shut for an indefinite period from Monday if the workers do not return to their work stations. Tens of thousands garment workers have been staging demonstration since last Sunday. They alleged that the minimum monthly basic wage in grade-v had been increased by 51 percent to 8,000 taka from 5,300 taka with effect from December last year but in other grades pay hikes were not reflected proportionately. Like previous days, workers at key apparel hub Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, took to streets Sunday and clashed with the police. At least 10 people were reportedly injured when police charged batons and used water cannons to disperse the unruly protesters from the streets. On Saturday, workers ransacked nearly a dozen factories in protests. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Hasina on Sunday asked the relevant authorities to end the impasse and provide all the workers a proportionate salary increase. A tripartite committee with representatives from the government, union leaders and factory owners was formed to resolve the unrest. Bangladesh's about 31-billion-U.S.-dollar apparel export sector comprises some 5,000 factories employing more than four million workers, 80 percent of whom are women. (1 U.S. dollar equals to about 84 taka). TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee Police Department's Special Victims Unit is seeking the location of Ernest Green. Green, 53, was last seen on Jan. 11, 2019, in the 3100 block of Wahnish Way in Tallahassee. He was wearing an organge shirt and brown pants. Green is 5' 10" and weighs 175 pounds. He is bald and has brown eyes. He is believed to be heading to Thomasville, Georgia, and was driving a gray 2000 Chevrolet Silverado bearing Florida plate DEXB19. Anyone with information is asked to call TPD at (850) 891-4200. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Authorities say a routine traffic stop in Leon County turned violent when a driver led them on a chase, tried to run over responding deputies and rammed into a patrol car. According to court documents, Leon County deputies stopped a car at the intersection of Capital Circle SW and Frontal Road on Thursday evening. Deputies approached the vehicle and identified the driver as 36-year-old Laura Ebbs and the passenger as 40-year-old Markeith Dubose. Documents say they were stopped for an expired vehicle registration. While they were collecting their information, documents say the vehicle slowly started moving and suddenly drove off, leading deputies on a chase. Minutes later, the car came to a stop on Seasons Lane. Deputies then approached the vehicle again, but this time they told Ebbs to turn the car off. Instead, Ebbs put her car in reverse and unsuccessfully tried to run them over, according to court documents. As the car continued reversing, Ebbs got out of the car while it was running, crashing it into a patrol car. She then tried to run away from the scene, but deputies immediately stopped her. Meanwhile, documents say Dubose stayed inside the car the whole time, even as it crashed into the patrol car. No one was injured in the crash. Deputies then searched the car and found 9.9 grams of meth on the passengers side and a plastic bag containing cocaine. When they searched Dubose, they found an additional bag of meth on him. Both Ebbs and Dubose were arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility. Ebbs is being charged with aggravated assault on a LEO. Dubose is being charged for possession of meth and cocaine. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Police in Florida say two men were killed and a third injured in an early morning shooting. The Palm Beach Post reports the shooting happened about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. One victim died at the scene and a second died at a local hospital. The third victim is expected to survive. Police say they're still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No suspects have been arrested or identified. (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) ATLANTA (AP) - Fifteen people were arrested and accused of participating in a north Georgia methamphetamine trafficking ring that officials say distributed $3.5 million worth of drugs over a five-month period. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says local, state and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in the bust, which involved 10 search warrants and more than a dozen arrest warrants across multiple counties Friday. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that crystal meth and marijuana worth an estimated $155,000, along with $13,000 in cash, firearms and numerous vehicles were seized. Officials say those arrested face multiple charges under federal racketeering laws. One of the men arrested also faces several traffic-related charges after the Georgia State Patrol says he tried to flee and led officers on a brief chase. Ken Skates says it is a huge honour to have new role as Minister for North Wales This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 14th, 2019 The new First Minister and new Minister for North Wales have acknowledged that more work is to be done to stop the perception of a north and south divide in Wales. Ken Skates AM who is a familiar face as he also represents the Clwyd South constituency was appointed to the role by the new First Minister, Mark Drakeford, before Christmas. Speaking to the media at a visit to Wrexhams Salvation Army on Friday, Mr Drakeford explained why he felt it was important to appoint a minister for the region the first of its kind to have been created. Mr Drakeford said the person is someone people can go to if they feel the Welsh Government are not meeting their expectations up here, adding It is not just an individual, as important as that is, it is an individual with the backing of the machinery of government. We have set up a Standing Committee which is cutting across a series of government departments, and Ken has the authority to pull those people together. Mr Skates described his new role, which he will carry out alongside his ministerial position for economy and transport, as a huge honour. Mr Skates said: What Im going to do in the coming weeks within the role of Minister for North Wales is meet with as many key partners as possible across the region, particularly local authority leaders, leaders in education and skills institutions. Were also going to be looking to meet with social partners including obviously businesses that are large and also businesses small to medium sized. Ill be meeting with trade union representatives as well, making sure the priorities that Ill be focusing on are priorities shared by many others across the region. When asked if creating and then appointing a North Wales minister was an acknowledgement of a reality of the north and south divide, Mr Drakeford said that Cardiff can often seem remote; but noted it was more of a perception of a divide rather than a reality. Mr Drakeford said: In reality the Assembly spend a lot of time talking about things that matter to North Wales. The other thing that always strikes me is the things that matter to people in North Wales are the same things that matter to people in Southwest Wales where I come from. Cardiff can seem quite remote from Carmarthen or Pembrokeshire as well. But the things that matter in peoples lives there, such as having a job to do, a place to live, having a sense that the future can be better for your children than it was for you, are the things that people in North Wales talk about as well. Mr Skates added: The referendum also shows that whether its real or perceived, if theres a problem it has to be dealt with. Often as a need to implement a greater degree of co-production in terms of what were trying to do for and crucially with communities and having a minister for North Wales its able to work closely with local authorities, health boards; with universities, colleges, businesses, trade unions will enable us to co-produce far better way than perhaps we have done in the past. Later Ken Skates explained he would be looking to adjust his work to include an extra day up north rather than elsewhere as part of his new job. You can view the full explanation and answer to our question below Kentucky Legislature Forms Pension Working Group By The Associated Press FRANKFORT - After a tumultuous year of failed attempts to change one of the country's worst-funded public pension systems, Kentucky's Republican-controlled legislature is hitting the reset button. Lawmakers on Friday announced a bipartisan "pension working group" to review the pension systems structure, costs, benefits and funding with a goal of coming up with a proposal that can pass the legislature with bipartisan support. Republicans introduced a massive pension overhaul proposal heading into last year's legislative session. But talks were complicated by a sexual harassment scandal in the House of Representatives that ended with former Speaker Jeff Hoover resigning from his leadership post. Republicans were still able to force through a pension bill with no Democratic votes. But it prompted protests from thousands of teachers who closed schools in more than 30 districts across the state. Last month, the state Supreme Court struck that law down on procedural grounds. The year ended when Republican Gov. Matt Bevin called the legislature back in session to pass a version of the bill again, but lawmakers could not reach an agreement and adjourned. "Last year the intensity level, the rhetoric level got to such a fever pitch that I think it was impossible for anybody to hear over that," GOP House Speaker David Osborne said. "I think it's important that we are able to kind of hit a reset button on that and proceed in a responsible manner to inform, to educate and to try to build some consensus." The 14-member working group consists of 10 Republicans and four Democrats. It includes some of the Senate's top leadership, including GOP Senate President Robert Stivers and Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey. But none of the House Republican leadership team is on the panel. Instead, it includes new faces like Democrat Buddy Wheatley of Covington and Republican Travis Brenda, who teaches math at Rockcastle County High School. Osborne said he wanted new members on the working group to educate them on why the pension issue is important. The committee is also seeking public comments, asking people to send messages and suggestions to PublicPensions@lrc.ky.gov. Stivers and Osborne both said they hope the group can propose a bill in time for the legislature to approve before it adjourns for the year on March 29. But Osborne said there is a chance the issue will have to wait until the 2020 legislative session. Kentucky's pension systems are at least $39 billion short of the money required to pay benefits over the next three decades, making them among the worst-funded public retirement plans in the country. Republican gov. Matt Bevin said the pension system is the most important issue facing the state. Thursday night, speaking to a gathering of the state's business and legislative leaders, Bevin urged lawmakers to make changes to the system before it is too late. Representatives from Republican Gov. Matt Bevin's office did not respond to a request for comment about the pension working group. Trial Set for Former Fulton Official By West Kentucky Star Staff HICKORY - The trial date has been set for a former Fulton County official accused of multiple crimes, including arson and witness tampering.The Fulton County Circuit Court Clerk confirmed that Bobby Keith Curlin of Fulton appeared before Judge Tim Langford on Thursday, and his trial was set for April 22 and 23. A status hearing is scheduled for March 14.Curlin was indicted in November on nine counts of first degree wanton endangerment, and one count each of second degree arson, first degree criminal mischief, and first degree official misconduct.The charges are related to a suspicious structure fire last June on Walnut St. in Fulton. Investigators said they found evidence showing Curlin had set the fire that destroyed a home and damaged an adjacent home.Curlin was previously indicted in July for tampering with a witness and menacing after he reportedly contacted the witness and attempted to affect her testimony in the case.Curlin was the code enforcement officer for the city of Fulton, working under the direction of the Fire Chief.On the Net: State Police Investigate Shooting of Two Vehicles By West Kentucky Star Staff LIVINGSTON COUNTY - State Police are investigating the shooting of two cars Saturday night, and are asking for help locating those responsible.Kentucky State Police got a call from the Livingston County Sheriff's Office shortly after 9 p.m. about vehicles that had been shot on Clark's Ferry Road. The preliminary investigation showed an unmarked Deputy Jailer's vehicle and another vehicle a short distance away were both shot several times.Police said some residents in the area reported hearing gunshots Friday night at around 11:30.The investigation is continuing by Trooper Will Propes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentucky State Police Post 1 at 270-856-3721 or anonymously at 1-800-222-5555. You can also report tips anonymously through the KSP app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Calvert City Road Closed Starting Today By West Kentucky Star Staff CALVERT CITY - Calvert City government will close Plant Cut-off Road on Monday morning.The road will be closed at 7:00 am to allow replacement of a culvert.The road will be closed until Monday, January 21. Missing Seventeen-Year-Old Last Seen Thursday By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Paducah Police are looking for a missing teenager.Police say 17-year-old Jonovan Herndon of Clark Street was reported missing Monday morning. He hasn't been seen since 6 am on Thursday, January 10 at his home.Herndon is described as black, 5'10" tall, and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing boxer shorts.Anyone with information about Herndon's whereabouts should contact Paducah Police at 270-444-8550. Man Gets 18 Years for Sex Abuse of Teen By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A judge sentenced a Paducah man to 18 years behind bars for rape and other sex offenses against a teen.Court records show McCracken County Circuit Judge Tim Kaltenbach sentenced 45-year-old Skip Hansen Friday to 18 years in prison, after a jury convicted him of two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of third-degree sodomy, three counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, six counts of use of a minor under 16 in a sexual performance and one count of unlawful transaction with a minor.The charges stem from incidents prosecutors said took place with the 15-year-old daughter of a woman Hansen dated in 2017. He was arrested on Jan. 25, after investigators said they discovered he had received nude photos from the girl. The investigation also reportedly revealed Hansen had raped and sexually abused the teen. Crash with Ambulance at Intersection Injures Four By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Four Paducah residents were hurt Saturday evening in a crash involving an ambulance.The Paducah Police Department said 25-year-old Adam Miller of Murray was traveling east on Jackson Street shortly before 8 p.m. in a Mayfield Fire Department Ambulance with his lights and siren activated. Miller reportedly used his air horn in addition to the lights and siren to clear the intersection, since he had a red light. At that same time, another vehicle driven by 76-year-old John Young was traveling south on South 28th Street. Young reportedly had a green light, and did not see or hear the ambulance as he entered the intersection.Young and his passengers 71-year-old Geneva Young, 40-year-old Kenneth Caldwell and 38-year-old Kyle Young, All of Paducah were taken to hospitals for treatment. Geneva Young was later flown to a Nashville Hospital.No injuries were reported to anyone in the ambulance.The Paducah Police Departments Collision Reconstruction Team is continuing the investigation into the crash. MSU Student Receives Gilman Scholarship By WestKyStar & MSU Staff Greene is one of 844 undergraduate students from 355 colleges and universities across the U.S. to receive the scholarship opportunity. The Congressionally funded Gilman scholarship broadens the U.S. student populations world view by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduate Pell Grant recipients to fund study abroad opportunities. This particular scholarship allows students who might not otherwise be able to afford to study abroad the opportunity to do so without financial worries, said Robyn Pizzo, education abroad advisor at Murray State who works with students to strengthen their applications for the Gilman scholarship. They can focus on the academics of the program and the experiences they are having abroad rather than worrying about money. Greene medically retired from the U.S. Army in 2016 and is now pursuing higher education at Murray State. He is planning to study abroad on an exchange program at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso in Chile. Greene is a volunteer with Team Rubicon, an international disaster response nonprofit organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to provide rapid relief for communities in need. On a recent mission in Puerto Rico, Greene decided to pursue Spanish language study in order to communicate better with populations in need. Given the ever-evolving damage of disasters throughout the world, I am sure that it will not be a matter of if I will use the Spanish language training I have learned in this study abroad program, but a matter of where in the world I will be and who I will be helping, Greene said. Since the Gilman programs establishment in 2001, more than 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 28,000 Gilman scholars who represent the rich diversity of the United States to 145 countries around the globe. The Gilman program aims to make study abroad and its career advantages more accessible and inclusive for American students, said Heidi Manley, chief of USA Study Abroad at the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. These diverse American students gain critical skills overseas that expand their career options and ability to make an impact in their home communities. Manley also noted that the program particularly focuses on supporting first-generation college students, students in STEM fields, ethnic and racial minority students, students with disabilities, students who are veterans, students attending community colleges and minority serving institutions and other populations underrepresented in study abroad. Visit murraystate.edu/educationabroad for more information about study abroad and scholarship opportunities at Murray State. Murray State University provides an Opportunity Afforded for students through a high-quality education with experiential learning, academic and personal growth and the ability to secure a lifetime of success. Since 1922, the true value of higher education has been found at Murray State University, where our commitment is to afford endless opportunities for developing leaders in the community, the country and the world. The Universitys main campus is located in Murray, KY and includes five regional campuses. For more information about Murray State University, visit www.murraystate.edu. MURRAY - Murray State University has announced that Michael Greene of Cadiz has been selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or intern abroad in spring 2019. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit 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. CONGRATULATIONS TO ABHS CLASS OF 2021: With a class of 447 graduates, Anchor Bay High had three graduation ceremonies, with two on June 5 and one on June 12. The top 10 in the class are Meghan Elizabeth Kunkle, Giana Marie Maniaci, Alaina Kiehl, Jonathan Taylor, Emily Appleton, Lauren Zidzik KIM LARSEN is a Night Editor for The Vidette and is also a blogger. She can be contacted at vidette_kelars1@ilstu.edu IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. CINDY HERNANDEZ is News Editor for The Vidette. She can be reached at vidette_cherna9@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @Cindylu_7 IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. GARRETT KARSTEN is a news reporter reporter for The Vidette. He can be reached at gtkarst@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @GKarstenISU IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. Anderson said she ventured out at about 10:30 a.m. Monday and the ice started melting on major roads and sidewalks at about 11 a.m., although secondary roads, sidewalks and parking lots were still slick, she said. Laramie Main Street Seeks Input on Downtown from UW Community University of Wyoming employees and students are invited to provide feedback on what they want Laramies downtown to be like in the future. A short survey -- asking things such as, What are the top issues facing downtown? and What business types would you like to see downtown? -- is open through Thursday, Jan. 17, via www.laramiemainstreet.org. The survey also may be accessed directly through this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/KPBN3KX. We all have things we love about downtown and things we wish were different. This process is a great opportunity for our community, business owners, consumers, partners and volunteers to document their thoughts in a way that will influence our strategies moving forward, says Laramie Main Street Director Trey Sherwood. We value the perspective and feedback from the campus community and want to work hard to make downtown a place you are all proud of. As part of a refresh to the Main Street four-point approach -- economic vitality, design, organization and promotion -- Laramie Main Street will adopt transformation strategies with assistance from National Main Street and Wyoming Main Street. Based on broad community input, Laramie Main Street will adopt measurable strategies that, over the course of several years, will bring about positive, intentional change in downtowns economy. The strategies will focus on expanding a specific type of business or meeting the needs of certain types of customers. Survey results will be reviewed by the Laramie Main Street board at 5 p.m. Jan. 22 at 115 Ivinson Ave. during a visit with National Main Street staff. For more information about the transformation strategy process or to get involved, email downtownlaramie@gmail.com. (Jan. 14, 2019) To launch the yearlong celebration of UTSAs semicentennial and to commemorate the first day of spring classes, students, faculty, staff and visitors are invited to attend the universitys Spring Welcome and UTSA 50th Anniversary Kickoff. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the Student Union Paseo on Main Campus. Part of the inaugural Roadrunner Days: Spring Edition, the Spring Welcome will feature dozens of UTSA departments and programs lining the heart of campus. Each information table will offer information or fun to celebrate UTSAs 50th anniversary in addition to informing visitors about smart ways to get ready for spring semester success. At the University Communications and Marketing (UCM) table, members of the Roadrunner community will have an opportunity to earn a 50th t-shirt by contributing to the celebration in one of three ways. Social media users are encouraged to take pictures of themselves with their favorite new 50th anniversary signage around campus and post them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn channels, tagging #UTSA and #UTSA50. Upon visiting the UCM table to show the staff their posts, they will receive a free t-shirt. One t-shirt will be provided per person to the first 500 participants while supplies last. Alternatively, members of the Roadrunner community may receive a free t-shirt by recording video messages for UTSAs 50th anniversary. UCM staff will have a video booth set up adjacent to its table where students can record a Happy Birthday, UTSA! message. At the same time, videographers will be canvassing campus to ask Roadrunners to share their favorite things about UTSA on video. UCM will schedule a t-shirt giveaway in the coming weeks for the Downtown Campus community. In addition to participating in the Spring Welcome, UCM launched a new UTSA 50th anniversary website today featuring anniversary videos, a historic photo gallery, a UTSA timeline, Roadrunner memories, notable alumni, a list of signature events for the 50th and a special 50th anniversary issue of Sombrilla magazine. The UTSA 50 website will be regularly updated with fresh stories throughout 2019. HFCL bags overseas contracts worth Rs 148 cr Mumbai, Dec 24 (UNI) Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL) has been awarded two contracts totalling Rs 148 crore by L&T, to execute the Telecommunication Systems projects for the Mauritius Metro Express Project and for the Dhaka Metro Mass Rapid Transit System. The Mauritius Metro Express Project is along a 26 km route that will connect Curepipe to Immigration Square in the capital Port Louis and will feature 19 stations. The Dhaka Metro Mass Rapid Transit System Project is along a 20 km route and is an elevated metro rail system with 16 Stations and a Maintenance Depot, connecting Uttara and Motijheel. The scope of work for HFCL includes, Design, Manufacturing, Supply, Installation, Execution, Testing and Commissioning and Training for Communication Network, Control & Monitoring (C&M) System, which includes Operation Management & Control System (OMCS), Voice Communication System (VCS), Emergency Help Telephony System (EHTS), Master Clock System (MCS), Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Passenger Information Display Signs (PIDS), Public Address System (PAS), Passenger Information Kiosks (PIK), Electronic Access Control System (EACS) and Spares. These overseas projects are the first of their kind which have been awarded to HFCL, and are a recognition of its capability in designing, integrating, installing and commissioning complex systems in telecommunications for Railways and Metros that have to be executed within well-defined time lines and meet stringent operating conditions. It has been the endeavour of the Company to expand its business outreach beyond India and these projects will provide a foothold to access similar markets overseas. Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of the Company, said ''The Company's experience from the three ongoing similar projects being executed by it for Alstom Services India Private Limited, L&T Railways Strategic Business Unit, and China Railway Signal & Communication for turnkey telecommunication systems on the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) will certainly help the Company in executing the Mauritius Metro Express Project and the Dhaka Metro Project efficiently.'' UNI JS RJ 1548 New Delhi, Jan 13 (UNI) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday issued a statement saying, true to the character of the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to spread lies ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The AAP is very clear that the coming Lok Sabha elections will determine whether India will remain a democracy. With the Modi government approaching the end of its five year undemocratic, anti-federal and dictatorial tenure, the voters of India will decide whether such a regime was in their interest, the AAP said in a statement. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Views & Analysis SP-BSP Alliance in Uttar Pradesh: A Muslim Perspective The colourful Modi baloon that was on air in 2014 is no more entertaining for many NaMo fans The strategic partnership of Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in UP is very crucial in the run to 2019 general election in India. The Indian National Congress should have been taken on board but its arrogance, as seen in recent past during Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgar and Rajasthan elections, might be among the reasons to keep it out. However, with or without Congress, the outcome in UP for the alliance is not going to be much deferent in the post election. Following 2014 election it was proven unmistakably that in UP, precisely, votes division among SP, BSP and (at a few places) Congress caused BJP's sweep. The colourful Modi baloon that was on air in 2014 is no more entertaining for many NaMo fans. The SP-BSP duo will be in better position to check the mad-horse ride of BJP in UP this time. The political chemistry in whole of India is not same and it cannot be the same. Kerala, Telengana and Assam are arithmetically somehow similar for Muslims in India. They should try to consolidate more power in these states. It will be in Congress's interest, nationally, to club with AIUML and AIUDF in Karela and Assam as pre-election partners. Muslim leaderships with small parties in UP and Bihar could not create their own support bases and failed to take wise decisions at right times. Without a visible foothold on ground no political party can claim shares in the real political game. Thus protecting constitutional interests and future dignity of Muslims in India should be the soul objective of voters in UP and Bihar. Muslims should favour SP-BSP in UP and RJD-Congress in Bihar without slightest doubt in minds. The alliance parties in both the states should, however, ensure adequate representations of the community within their respective parties while distributing tickets. UP and Bihar will pull the king down in 2019 unlike past, when these states had been the king makers. West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka may throw unexpected results as was seen following Tripura assembly election last year. There are hopes for BJP to make some gains. Muslim, Dalit and ST voters can play smart with EVMs. These states are going to be the swing states in 2019 elections and these may also heavily influence the overall outcome by the end. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chattisgar, Assam, Haryana and Punjab will offer better chances for the Congress. These states will decide either Rahul Gandhi will be an option for the post of Prime Minister following 2019 counting day or not. At this point of time, it is useless to speak about any Muslim-led political party beyond Assam, Karela and Hyderabad unless a Waisi, Ajmal or Abu Asim is visibly present somewhere. Those Muslims who are harbouring political aspirations in their hearts should nourish themselves politically mature and grow their persons as capable players within Indian complex polity before jumping in the ring unwisely. Undoubtedly, there is a scarcity of genuine Muslim leadership in India, those available are very very few or are very limited in appeal. To begin with in politics, especially for a new party or even for an individual, it is always better to contest Panchayat or Corporation elections, then Assembly and then Lok Sabha. A reverse of this order is a bad idea and those who advise to try it, are simply amateur and emotional lots. Defeating NDA should be a clear terget this time by all Indians. Unity of India and communal harmony among its citizens are some of the laud calls to respond by all en masse. Indian Muslims must not get confused by excited slogans from unseasoned politicians. Be it driven by extra-nationalist zeel of some or victimhood mind set of others, application of minds on individual level will the wise way for voters. Muslims have been, of course, always in the receiving end but have been, on the other hand, surviving with some dignity and basic safety since post partition India. This on going five years - post 2014, clearly proved that if they do not make mature decisions in politics now, they may even be like Muslims in Israel, Borma or China. If a Muslim leader is not ready to understand or read this clear writings on wall, then he or she is either naive, vested interest or senseless tool and such people should be rejected outright by all. [The author MB Qasmi is editor of Eastern Crescent and director of Markazul Ma'arif Education and Research Centre, Mumbai.] 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 Life & Style Pakistan varsity tweaks Valentine's Day, Says convert threats into an opportunity The Vice Chancellor says Sisters' Day celebration will make people realise how sisters are loved in Pakistan Islamabad: Saying that 'threats should be converted into an opportunity"' a Pakistani university Sunday decided to observe February 14, which is celebrated as Valentine's Day, as 'Sisters' Day'. The University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said the move will be made to "ocal culture and promote Islamic traditions. The varsity announced that on the special day female students on campus can be gifted scarves and abayahs as gifts, media reports said. "I am not sure if my suggestion to celebrate Sisters' Day "would click or not". But, I believe it iss compatible with Pakistan's culture and Islam", the Vice Chancellor, said while speaking to Dawn NewsTV. Randhawa said that although some Muslims have turned Valentine's Day into a threat, "My thinking is that if there is a threat, convert it into an opportunity." "Today the era of gender empowerment is here, Western thinking is being promoted," he told the Pakistani newspaper. "But the best gender empowerment and division of work is in our religion and culture." He said Sisters' Day celebration will make people realise how sisters are loved in Pakistan. "Is there a love greater than that between brother and sister?" he asked. "On Sisters' Day, it is greater than the love between husband and wife." 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 Haj 2019 Kerala Haj Qurrah 2019 Results, Waiting List Online; Check Now Kerala has a Muslim population of 88,73,472 and has been allocated a quota of 11,472 Malappuram: The Kerala State Haj Committee has published the results of Hajj 2019 Qurrah or Draw of Lots and waiting list of 1000 pilgrims. Both the lists can be accessed on Kerala State Haj Committee as well as from Haj Committee of India websites. The Kerala State Haj Committee conducted the Haj 2019 Qurrah on Saturday January 12, 2019, C. Muhammed Faizy, the Chairman, said while talking to ummid.com. Kerala has received the maximum number of applications for Haj 2019. The state has a Muslim population of 88,73,472 and has been allocated a quota of 11,472. But, it has received a whopping 43,115 applications. Steps to Check your name in Haj 2019 Final List Pilgrims can donwload list of selected Haj pilgrims from Kerala State Haj Committee website keralahajcommittee.org. Alternatively, they can follow the steps given below to check if their name is in the Final or Waiting List released by the Kerala State Haj Committee. Go to Haj Committee of India website by clicking here hajcommittee.gov.in. Brwose to the bottom of home page and look for the area similar to the one shown below. Enter your Cover No in the box. Your Cover No should start with your state code. Click on the Down Arraow from 'Select State' menu and select your state. Enter Passport No in the box. Click on "Load" button. Your application status shoul appear on the computer or mobile phone screen. The pilgrims whose names are in the Haj 2019 waiting list will be given a chance against cancellation of pilgrims who are unable to make the payment or cancel their Haj travel due to some other reason. The Hajj 2019 Flight Schedule from all embarkation points will be released by the Haj Committee of India only after the process of the Haj Qurrah is completed by all states. However, according to Haj Action Plan 2019, the first outbound flight for Haj 2019 will depart from India on July 01, 2019. The last outbound Haj 2019 flight will be on August 03, 2019. The first inbound Haj flight from Saudi Arabia to India will be on August 14, 2019. Meanwhile, reports coming from Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee, Gujarat State Haj Committee, Karnataka Haj Committee and other states said they will complete the Haj Qurrah in the next few days - possibly before the end of the January second week. Maharashtra State Haj Committee and Jammu & Kashmir Haj Committee conducted the Haj 2019 Qurrah respectively on Monday January 07 and January 08. UP State Haj Committee conducted the Haj Qurah on Friday January 11, 2019. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister of Minorities, has requested the Saudi government to increase India's quota by 20,000. However a final decision on this is yet to be taken. All the states including Maharashtra will be allotted more seats if this additional quota is granted to the country. Coinciding with Eid al Adha, Haj is the annual ritual to commemorate the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hager and their son Prophet Ismael. The likely date of Wuqoof e Arafat - the key ritual of the Hajj, is August 09 or 10. As the Islamic calendar is based on sighting of moon, the final date will be decided once the new moon of the month of Dhul Hijjah is sighted. 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 JEE Main 2019 Question Paper, Responses released; Answer Keys to be out soon JEE Main 2019 Answer Keys on the other hand will be released in few days New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released on the JEE Main official website jeemain.nic.in Candidates' Question Paper and Responses. JEE Main 2019 Answer Keys on the other hand will be released in few days. "The National Testing Agency (NTA) has displayed Candidate Question Paper and the responses attempted thereon by each candidate on the website jeemain.nic.in. The link is available on the website and candidates need to click on it to view their respective question paper and responses", NTA said in an official notification. "This facility will remain available from 14.01.2019 to 17.01.2019 (05:00 PM) only. The candidates are advised to save their question papers and responses for future reference", it added. Steps to Download JEE Main Question Paper and Responses Click here to go to official website: jeemain.nic.in. Click on the link "Display Question Paper and Responses". Login using Registration/Application No and Password. Click on the appropriate link to download your question papers and your responses. JEE Main 2019 Answer Key Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to release on its website jeemain.nic.in the JEE Main January 2019 Answer Key in the next few days - most likely before Friday. Talking to media, NTA sources said that the JEE Main 2019 Answer Keys will be released in the next 2-3 days. However, some media reports have claimed that the 2019 JEE Main Answer Key can be released on Wednesday or Thursday. JEE Main 2019 was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) at 467 Centres in 258 Cities, including 09 outside India. JEE (Main) 2019 Examination Paper 1 was conducted completely on Computer Based Test (CBT) for the first time. The last session of JEE Main 2019 exam was held on January 12, 2019. A total of 9,29,198 sudents have registered for JEE Main 2019 BE/BTech whereas 1,80,052 students have opted for B Arch/B Planning. As for the JEE Main 2019 Paper Analysis and Review, most of the students who appeared for the exam found Maths paper tough whereas Physics of medium level and Chemistry as easy. The JEE Main January 2019 result will be declared on January 31, 2019. 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 India Chargesheet filed against Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and 07 Kashmir students Reacting to the chargesheet, Kanhaiya Kumar said it is "politically motivated" New Delhi: After about 03 years of the incident, Delhi police on Monday filed a chargesheet against former JNU students union leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and seven students from Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly holding an "anti-national" event on the varsity campus in February 2016. "We have evidence to proceed against former JNU Students' Union leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and seven students from Jammu and Kashmir - Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat", the police said. Kanhaiya Kumar and others are accused of organising the event on the JNU campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru. They were later arrested but granted bail in March 2016. The February 12, 2016 arrests of Kanhaiya Kumar, the first president of the JNU Students Union from the CPI-affiliated AISF, and others were widely denounced, more so after he was beaten up in a Delhi court on two days by some lawyers. Kanhaiya Kumar had repeatedly said that police has failed in filing chargesheet against them because it did not have any evidence. Delhi Police however claimed that they had irrefutable evidence that Kanhaiya Kumar had raised anti-national slogans but failed to come up with the evidence in the court, weakening their case. Reacting to the chargesheet, Kanhaiya Kumar said it is "politically motivated". "If the news is true that a chargesheet has been filed, I would like to thank police and Modi ji. The filing of chargesheet after three years, ahead of elections, clearly shows it to be politically motivated. I trust the judiciary of my country," the former student leader told news agency ANI. For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App . Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Dengler Domain: March 3, 2021 Bored? Not inspired? Have a hankering for something to do? Play card games. The oldest trick in the book. Grab a deck of cards, and everyone will ... CSA Solicits Comments for Own Fee Pilot The Securities and Exchange Commission isnt the only regulator soliciting comments for a proposed transaction fee pilot program. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has recently formally announced it was publishing for comment a proposed Trading Fee Rebate Pilot Study that would apply temporary pricing restrictions on marketplace transaction fees applicable to trading in certain securities. The CSA is publishing the Proposed Pilot for a 45-day comment period to solicit views. We are seeking comment on all issues raised in this notice, including the design of the Proposed Pilot that is contained in the Design Report, as well as the specific questions raised within it, the CSA wrote. The comment period will end on February 1, 2019. The CSA serves as an umbrella group for: British Columbia Securities Commission Alberta Securities Commission Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan Manitoba Securities Commission Ontario Securities Commission Autorite des marches financiers Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick Superintendent of Securities, Government of Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia Securities Commission Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Service NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) Superintendent of Securities, Northwest Territories Superintendent of Securities, Yukon Superintendent of Securities, Department of Justice, Government of Nunavut The CSA has been considering a pilot study on the payment of trading fee rebates for many years in relation to our continued work to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets. On May 15, 2014, it published a Notice and Request for Comment (the 2014 Notice) that proposed amendments to National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules (NI 23-101) in relation to the order protection rule (OPR).Group[/caption] On April 7, 2016, as a result of its review of OPR, CSA published a Notice of Approval of Amendments to NI 23-101 and Companion Policy 23-101CP (the 2016 Notice). 2 In the 2016 Notice, we acknowledged that we had been considering a pilot study for a number of years but, due to certain risks arising from the interconnected nature of North American markets and securities that are interlisted in the United States, it decided not to move forward with a pilot study unless a similar study was undertaken in the United States. Nick Savona, COO at Independent Trading Group in Canada told Traders Magazine that the Canadian Securities Administrators should watch what happens in the US and then evaluate itss own pilot. I don't see a point in both countries running a similar pilot project simultaneously, he said. On March 14, 2018, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed new Rule 610T of Regulation National Market System (NMS) that would conduct a transaction fee pilot for NMS securities (the Proposed SEC Transaction Fee Pilot),4 and, as a result, CSA saw and moved forward with its own Canadian pilot study. On March 16, 2018, CSA Staff Notice 23-322 Trading Fee Rebate Pilot Study was published to provide an update on our plans to study the impacts of transaction fees and rebates on order routing behavior, execution quality, and market quality, and noted that we have been engaged in dialogue with SEC staff on this issue. We are publishing for comment the design and specifications of the Proposed Pilot to solicit feedback. We will continue discussions with SEC staff about coordinating the pilot studies, where possible and appropriate, the CSA said. 1 2 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: A new non-invasive treatment dubbed Surgery in a Pill could help improve the quality of life for many Type 2 diabetic patients in the region. The most recent statistics for the UAE show obesity affected 34.5% in 2016 and an estimated 1 million people (17.3% of the population between the ages of 20 and 79) had Type 2 diabetes in 2017. Despite the clear benefits of weight loss surgery - improvement in diabetes, reduction in cancer risk, and extended life expectancy - uptake of surgery amongst patients who qualify remains low with only 1-2% of eligible patients undergoing surgery. Many diabetic patients do not fulfill the current surgical criteria and therefore continue to struggle with their diabetes, however, researchers are currently developing a pill that can be prescribed as an alternative option to surgery. Developed by a research team from the Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH) in Boston, Massachusetts, US, the new compound named LuCI (for Luminal Coating of the Intestine) delivers a sticky, gut-coating paste that provides a barrier on the first part of the intestine mimicking the effect of gastric bypass. LuCI is able to coat healthy tissue and form a transient physical barrier on the luminal, or inside surface of the intestine, so that nutrients, including sugar, are not absorbed. The research will be discussed at the Surgery Conference at Arab Health taking place from January 28 - 31 at the at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, the 44th Arab Health Exhibition & Congress will welcome more than 4,150 exhibiting companies from 66 countries and an anticipated 84,500+ attendees from across the globe. Speaking ahead of the Surgery Conference, Dr Ali Tavakkoli, chief, division of general and GI surgery, director, minimally invasive and bariatric surgical fellowship, co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Metabolic Surgery, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, and associate professor of surgery, Harvard Medical School, said: Given the growing diabetes epidemic in the Middle East, there is an urgent need for safe, non-invasive treatments that replicate the weight loss and anti-diabetic success of bariatric surgery but with less risk. Through bioengineering, the team at BWH has replicated the antidiabetic effects seen in patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery, developing a novel approach that can potentially extend this benefit to a much wider patient population, he added. According to Dr Hussam Al Trabulsi, Specialist Bariatric Surgeon, Medcare Hospital, Dubai, UAE: Type 2 diabetics with a BMI of over 35 are the first condition to be treated by surgery today and normalisation of concentrations of plasma glucose, insulin, and HbA1c was seen in 80100% of morbidly obese patients that were treated by surgery. In general, three out of five patients show marked improvement in terms of reduced insulin levels one week after surgery. However, for those patients who do not qualify for surgery, such as children, or for those who are afraid of undergoing surgery, more non-invasive methods could help them get to their ideal body weights. Many patients remain diabetic for the sole reason that they are afraid of bariatric surgeries and their risks. The minimal risks associated with these non-invasive procedures could motivate a large number of patients in the UAE to get rid of their diabetes, he added. TradeArabia News Service Eric Henry, owner of Meadville Ambulance Service, addressed the lack of personnel in emergency medical services and the value he sees, as an emergency medical professional, in naloxone. Henry was one of several speakers at a seminar called First Responders and the Opioid Crisis. Ronnie and Kathy were blindfolded when they arrived for what they were told was a pre-dinner surprise. They were lead into the church where friends and family were waiting to share in their reaction when they learned they were actually attending their own wedding. . , . " " . , , . - ... THE SHORTHORN Is seeking work study student assistants for our reception desk for summer and fall.Prompt, cheerful, students with professional attitudes are encouraged to apply to answer office phones and greet guests from behind a plexiglass COVID barrier.Preference is given to students available to work some mornings. This in-office job offers flexible hours and plenty of time to study.Apply through Handshake for job #4723423 or call 817-272-3188 for more information. Home >The Revolt > Camera Destruction > A Resurgence Of The French Speed Camera Resistance Riverview Gabriel Richard played in a Division 3 quarterfinal for the second time in as many seasons on Tuesday. One of three area teams still remaining in the softball playoffs entering Tuesday, the Pioneers did battle with Clinton at Concordia University in Ann Arbor. Every time someone mentions Brexit or The Peoples Vote, the conversation sparks such fury that one feels a room tense up as soon as the topic arises. However, these conversations often ignore a question that remains unaddressed: what is the relationship between our political system, democracy, and the power to change ones mind? Image credit: Sara Kurfe via Unsplash As an institution, it seems to me that the European Union does more harm than good. I voted remain because I believed the Conservative government would only exacerbate the European model of austerity, violence and racism. If circumstances arose that I felt would lead to the search of a more open and humane United Kingdom rather than harm the world, could I ever change my mind? Under what conditions? In what context? And with whose permission? Can we change our mind? Perhaps the easiest way to answer this question is to consider what we have been told about the possibility of altering the course of Brexit. Dominic Grieve, former Attorney General, stated in February 2018 "The six months we have between now and the autumn are so important. It is going to be decision time [] in the sense of [] being a final decision. If people do want to change their mind, and they could if they wanted to, the time is now". Grieve does not specify the manner the public can change their mind, although he does state he does not support a second referendum. Of course, a second referendum, commonly referred to as The Peoples Vote, represents one form the public could change its mind. However, the form of this referendum is somewhat elusive: sometimes it is referred to as an opportunity to reverse Brexit, at others an opportunity to give the people a say on the final Brexit deal. But a focus on a second referendum effaces questions I believe to be far more pressing, questions that go to the core of our democratic system. In Grieves estimation, the window of opportunity to change ones mind is six months, or else. Of course, he has no official authority to set such a deadline, but attention to previous referendums indicates an even tighter form of temporal control. Third time the charm? The Peoples Vote, which I just referred to as the second referendum, would actually be the third. The 2016 referendum on the UKs membership in the European Union was, in truth, the second. Repeated references to The Peoples Vote as a second referendum - such as this YouGov survey - indicate it threatens to obscure the first in the mind of UK citizens. The first, in 1975, resulted in a vote to remain in Europe. There was a 41-year gap between the two referendums; are we to assume that, between June 5th, 1975 and June 23rd, 2016, the publics attitude toward the European Union remained stable? Of course not. So why did the government wait 41 years to consult the people? Was it really about the People? When then-Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans for what would become the 2016 referendum, he addressed public disillusionment with the EU, or, at least, thats what he said. Reportedly, he announced the referendum, not for altruistic reasons, but rather to settle Conservative rebels within his party over Pizza in Chicago OHare airport. Amidst countless Tory MPs defecting to UKIP, many citing Camerons leadership as their motivation, and fears voters would follow them, Cameron needed to take decisive action. Therefore, when Cameron added his voice to those who are already calling for a referendum, his voice was directed to members of his own party, and it spoke in a desperate plea for their approval. In joining his voice with theirs, he hoped to assuage their rebellion. In short, Cameron decided to give the people the opportunity to change their mind for his own gain. He set the terms. It would be after the next election as a binary choice between remain or leave: the how and when of the peoples power to change their mind. But most important to remember is that Cameron made a decision to let the people change their mind. It did not emerge in response to a call from the British people, but rather as a quick-fix for Camerons political woes. The power to change ones mind is contingent on those who already have power. It is not something one naturally has in the UK; it is only gifted to the people when it suits those who already possess power. What is a democratic system? What is intriguing about The Peoples Vote is the constant deference to democracy by both those who support and oppose it. For instance, another former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, stated in an interview in response to accusations that another referendum would undermine democracy: "how can it be undemocratic to say to the British people, 'OK in light of [the difficulties that have emerged during the Brexit negotiations], do you want to proceed or do you want to stay"? Elsewhere, current Prime Minister Theresa May claimed that another referendum would "do irreparable damage to the integrity of our politics". In all this debate, the word democracy is thrown around like cheap confetti, and no one seems to be able to agree what it means. Indeed, if democracy is as essential to us as its prevalence suggests, then attention must be paid to what it means. In the context of a referendum, democracy becomes the distribution of agency to a population at a specific moment in time in order to answer a specific question. The terms and available answers to this question are determined by individuals who already have power (MPs in government). In other words, the way individuals can express their agency is already decided before they can make a choice. This seems to be the case with both Blair and Mays understanding of the relationship between referendums and democracy (ignoring, as they both do, that the referendum is non-binding): both emphasise the agency a referendum gives to the people to decide the course of a nation. But it begins to break down when we think about the time that passes between referendums. If we accept that a referendum is a democratic action that distributes agency to a population, the populations command of that agency is unstable because of the inconsistency of the government's willingness to listen. If a question is asked, and the population answer one way on one day, but then are asked the same question again later on and answer another, does the repetition of the question undermine the democratic action of the first referendum? How much time must elapse between both answers before it is democratic? Why is the 2016 referendum read as legitimate even as it effaces the 1975 one, while another referendum now would be illegitimate? Would another referendum be legitimate if it was held five years down the line? Or must it wait another 41 years? The answer is of course silence. It is not a question that can be answered. It speaks to the fact our political system is incapable of dealing with the very time it is swept up in. As time changes, so do people, and in time, they change their minds. We saw this occur between 1975 and 2016, as the population shifted from being mainly in favour of remaining in the EU to wanting to leave. Why is the time that has passed since 2016, two and a half years at the time of writing, not a legitimate period of time for a population to change its mind? Indeed, May is distinctly aware of the possibility the public may have changed their mind: she has stated that another referendum would say to millions who trusted in democracy, that our democracy does not deliver. Another referendum would only result in Brexit not being delivered if the result of this referendum was a decision to remain in the EU. In other words, May is arguing against letting the people possess agency over Brexit, in having the capacity to change their mind, precisely because she knows that they could change their mind. To what extent is our system undemocratic because it cannot account for the ways in which the opinions and desires of a population shift and alter? And what now? Perhaps we should move the question to a higher plane: to what extent is our system democratic? Indeed, perhaps the UK is less democratic than we like to pretend: the House of Lords, for instance, is not elected but appointed; the UK still has an unelected monarchy; and Theresa May, for an entire year, was Prime Minister without a single vote cast in her name. For all the shouts of democracy, undemocratic practices pervade this country. One of the common responses to The Peoples Vote is: where does it stop? If we have another referendum, why not have another, and another, and another? It would be impractical! But perhaps it is time to be impractical. If the people change their minds, then change them back, then change them another way, why should they be ignored? It is time to ask the difficult questions and ask to what extent our country is democratic, and how we can make it more democratic. If, as many have postulated, Brexit was a response to the dissatisfaction felt by the British people by the current political system, then we should hold tight to that dissatisfaction and, rather than blaming it on migrants or the working class, ask if it doesnt stem within a system that is itself undemocratic. Maybe then we can begin to think outside the terms of what we are told is possible, to think the impossible, and to build a kinder and better society, rooted in an equality that may be unavailable in our current system. And, from there, we should start the difficult journey of asking how we can build a country that can give the people the power to change their mind. Image Credit: Max Pixel Salida, CO (81201) Today Sunny early then increasing cloudiness this afternoon. Record high temperatures expected. High around 95F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 56F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Feed tests reveal lower digestibility New seasonal feed quality test results showing the stark differences between wet and dry seasons have underlined the need for end users to measure and know what they are feeding. You can find your client key on your subscription renewal statement or call us at the Mountain Mail at 719-539-6691. If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading The Henderson News. Welcome back pirates! As you make your return to campus The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With the new guidelines set in place by East Carolina University do you feel as these precautions will keep you safe? Survey Want to share some news? Have a hot news tip? Let us know what's going on! 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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. Nara Lokesh offered prayers at Tirumala TIRUMALA, 14 Jan. 19: Panchayat Raj and IT Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Lokesh along with family members offered prayers in the temple of Lord Venkateswara on Monday morning. At the entrance of the Srivari temple he was accorded warm welcome by Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivas Raju. Later he offered prayers to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara, Vakula mata, Ananda Nilayam Vimana Venkateswara, Bhashyakarla Sannidhi and Yoga Narasimha Swamy in the Sanctum Sanctorum. After offering prayers the Vedic Pundits rendered Vedasirvachanam to the Minister and his family at Ranganayakula Mandapam. Tirumala JEO offered the Minister, Lord's silk vastram, prasadams of Lord Venkateswara. Temple DyEO Sri Haridranath, Reception Officials Sri Balaji, OSD Sri Lokanadham and others were present. News Posted: 14 January, 2019 * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! President Trumps efforts to hide his conversations with President Putin and new details about the FBI inquiry into his ties to Moscow have intensified debate over his relationship with Russia https://t.co/64iG1bLEUn Avent Village is currently being used as a part of NC State's condensed housing, offering space for students with special circumstances after the University order to vacate on-campus residences. Thank you for Reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and Purchase a Subscription to continue reading. 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 ... Emergency services are continuing their search and rescue operation after a two-year-old boy who fell down a 100-metre deep hole on Sunday in Sierra de Totalan near Rincon de la Victoria. The boy, Julen, is said to have fallen into the hole while playing with a friend as his parents prepared lunch in the rural area near the Cerro de la Corona dolmen. A relative is said to have seen the fall and heard Yulen's cries. The search for the boy continued into the night. / SUR Two hikers heard the desperate screams of the family and went to investigate. "We asked them if they were sure that the child had fallen into the hole, and they were totally convinced." The hole was seemingly dug to check the ground for water in preparation for future construction. The emergency services were alerted twice almost simultaneously. The first call came from the parents of the boy and the second from the hikers. The provincial fire brigade, the fire department of Malaga and the police, as well as the mountain rescue team (EREIM) were immediately deployed. The firemen first lowered a mobile phone with a camera to check if anything was visible. They reached about 50 metres from the surface with no trace of the boy. A robot donated by the drain-cleaning firm company Pepe Nunez was then lowered into the hole to attempt to get a better idea of the situation. However, it was impossible for the robot to get passed the 78-metre mark as it hit earth that had apparently been dislodged as the boy fell. After working through the night on Monday morning rescue services had begun to remove the earth and pump air into the hole. Earlier a bag of sweets and a cup were found inside the hole by the robot. Julen is yet to be located, and it is also unconfirmed whether the hole has water at the bottom. Pigs fly off shelves as New Year nears From:ChinaDaily | 2019-01-12 07:40 With the Year of the Pig just weeks away, pig-related products have become a popular item on Chinese people's shopping lists for celebrating the upcoming Spring Festival. On China's biggest online consumer shopping platform, Taobao, products inspired by the British animated show Peppa Pig are very popular among people looking for stylish ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year. There are hundreds of shops selling all kinds of Peppa Pig-inspired items, including necklaces, bracelets, piggy banks, red envelopes, toys and backpacks. At the Peppa Pig flagship shop on T-mall, more than 400 golden Peppa Pig piggy banks were sold last month for 219 yuan ($32.50) each. Around 200 people preordered the piggy banks for 169 yuan during a special sale on Sunday. Around 9,000 Peppa Pig toys were sold at the store last month, with prices ranging from 29 to 329 yuan. More than 3,800 Peppa Pig backpacks for children were sold last month at one store, and dozens of people bought golden Peppa Pig necklaces costing around 1,500 yuan each at a different store. Peppa Pig-related products are so popular that employees at eight stores contacted by China Daily declined to be interviewed because they were busy with customers. Zou Hengjuan, who was born in 1983, also a Year of the Pig, bought herself a braided red bracelet with an image of the show's main character, Peppa, on Taobao. "Chinese people believe you should wear something red during the zodiac year in which you were born to fend off potential accidents, and I hope the red bracelet will keep me safe and sound in 2019," she said. In Chinese culture, pigs are a symbol of wealth, and their chubby faces and big ears are not only cute but also signs of good fortune, she said. Faked dynasties in Third World democratic polls By Gamini Weerakoon Doublespeak View(s): View(s): Joe Stalin, whatever his achievements and failures may have been, was certainly not considered an authority on democracy and free and fair elections. But his quip on elections made, perhaps well over half century ago People who cast votes decide nothing. Those who count votes decide everything is quite relevant to the 21st Century. Countries big and small, developed and underdeveloped, democratic and banana republics, dictatorships and democracies all hold elections to select their leaders for whatever reasons. Has the Roman saying vox populi vox dei Voice of the Ppeople is the Voice of God- overtaken Stalins political truism with time? Or has the Voice of the People become the Voice of the Devil? Recent elections in Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya have given reason to even among their sincere well- wishers doubt whether the elections were truly free and fair as the saying goes. Since the nineties, elections in Bangladesh have been a Battle of the two Begums Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia with the military intervening and taking over leadership at sporadic intervals. On December 30 last year, Sheikh Hasina swept the polls winning an unbelievable 90 percent of the parliamentary seats while widespread allegations of election violence and vote rigging were abound . Her main opponent Khaleda Zia who had also been prime minister twice before was in jail on two convictions for corruption. Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheik Mujibur Rahman, founding father of Bangladesh. She too has been twice prime minister. Khaleda Zia is the widow of General Ziaur Rahman who seized power in a military coup to become president and was assassinated by his own army officials. The election last December has not been described as free and fair except by Hasina and her party followers while the crackling post-election political environment is far from conducive for being an accepted democracy. The August 2017 elections in Kenya had Uhuru Kenyatta being declared the winner having polled 54 per cent of the vote but with Kenyattas rival Raila Odinga challenging the result , the Supreme Court of Kenya declared the election invalid and ordered a second election to be held. Uhuru is a son of Jomo Kenyatta, the legendary leader of Kenyan independence. Uluru won the second election too but this time with only 39 per cent of voter participation with the Opposition boycotting the polls. The political atmosphere in Kenya, observers say, is far removed from what a democracy should be. The results of the December 30 elections last year, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were released on Thursday, with the electoral officials proclaiming opposition figure Felix Tshisekedi the victor. He will replace Joseph Kabila who has ruled the country for 18 years. But the results have been contested by rival candidates and the Catholic Church and tension is building up in the capital Kinshasha. Congo, blessed with abundant natural resources (population 81.5 million), was ruthlessly exploited by colonial powers. It gained independence in 1960 and has since been devastated by the stupidity of its own rulers, to date. Laurent Kabila, father of Joseph Kabila (outgoing president) seized power from Mobutu Sees Seiko who ruled for 32 continuous disastrous years. Laurent Kabila was killed in 2001 and after years of civil war, Kabilas son Joseph Kabila was elected president in 2006. The first elected Congolese president secured another term till 2011 but when that was over in 2016, he refused to leave office and delayed elections till December 30 last year. Free and fair elections being held was much in doubt. Public rallies were banned since September 2016 and in December weeks before the elections a fire gutted one of the main warehouses destroying 2/3rds of the counting machines that were expected to be used in Kinshasa, the capital. Joseph Kabila after 17 years as president said he was stepping down and backed his Minister of the Interior Emmanuel Ramayana Shadily who has proclaimed his victory soon after elections. Kabila in a recent BBC interview has said that he would not play formal role in the next government but did not rule out standing up again in the 2023 elections. There are many common features in the politics of the three democracies cited above and other democracies including Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. A notable common feature has been the tendency towards building up of dynasties which is a significant detrimental factor in the development of a genuine democracy. In democracies, it is considered essential that every person is born with equal rights and no one has privileges of a birthright in the ascension to power. Sheik Hasina, Khaled Zia, Uluru Kenyatta and Joseph Kabila are of humble origin. Do the actions of their fathers in seizing power by legal or illegal means confer on them special rights of ascension to seats of power like the descendants of royal families of the past? This tendency of some families with faked dynastic claims has been evident and still persists even in countries of older vintage such India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Such dynastic politics invariably leads to nepotism, corruption and is detrimental to the development of genuine democracy. In this election year in Sri Lanka, much could be learnt from the experience gained in the three democratic elections. cited above. Joseph Stalins observations on elections should be considered in the context of the election procedure and its evolution over 50 years. In most developing democracies voting does not take place at polling booths on elections day, but has its origins in the election campaign itself. The abuse of state power before election day has been alleged by the Oppositions in Bangladesh, Kenya and in the Congo. In Bangladesh, the opposition even in previous elections has been pushing for a provisional government to conduct an election instead of the ruling government whose party is in the fray. However independent an election commission may be, if the military and police are used or rather misused by the government, the commission will be impotent to prevent abuses. After the election, whatever the commission or Independent foreign observers will say will be irrelevant. The use of internet and other social media is another new factor in play at elections. In the Congo, the government knocked out the internet soon after the election. The reason given by one Opposition candidate was that it enabled the government to avoid the embarrassment of proclaiming victory, so soon after elections. Will our Election Commission take note or pay heed to the social media now immersed neck deep in the Sri Lankan election campaign even before its commencement? Defamation and libel seem be fair play as the younger generation keeps chattering, slanging and rumour mongering on their mobiles wherever they may be. Teachers are one of our most valuable resources, yet we treat them like dirt. They should not have to carry guns to defend schools and children, they should be able to do their jobs that they went to school for and dedicated their lives to. The slippery slope that pro-life leaders warned against has arrived. Euthanasia, so-called therapeutic embryonic stem cell research, cloning, all have demonstrated that Roe v. Wade reveals itself as the fault line of our culture which threatens the future of our democracy. Indeed, the reason why our politics are so contested today, and partisan divisions run so deep can be laid at the feet of Roe v. Wade. We see this on display whenever there is a Supreme Court nominee to be voted on in the U.S. Senate. In the Jan. 22, 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court basically usurped the role of the Legislature and, in an exercise of raw judicial power, imposed across our nation the most permissive abortion regime in the Western World. Through this process, we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation, she said. This very well could have been the reason Amazon decided to have a bidding war in the first place, considering the fact that Amazon sent a 30-page request of questions to all of the 20 HQ2 finalists. We are jeopardizing peoples lives, Wasserman Schultz said during the roundtable. Later, speaking to reporters, she said: Im comfortable that air travel is basically safe. Im concerned, as are air traffic controllers and our TSA personnel have told us, that there are stressors that this shutdown has immediately put on our public safety and whose safety is exacerbated and jeopardized as time goes on. The next day, Manafort emailed Kilimnik to scheme how to use his Trump role as a path to recovering his financial equilibrium. In documents turned over to Congress and Mueller and previously described to The Post, Manafort and Kilimnik exchanged gleeful emails about the positive press Manafort was receiving because of his new Trump role. In one, Manafort wrote to ask whether the "OVD operation" had seen the articles, an apparent reference to Deripaska, adding, "How do we use to get whole?" For other generations, like the baby boomers, the challenge is proof that the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same though not in all cases, as some users have taken to showing off things like grandchildren and weight loss. A JetBlue flight got all jammed up Saturday when this lavatory waste truck slammed into the underbelly of an Airbus A321. Port Authority police helped extricate the truck from the plane. (Obtained by the Daily News) President Donald Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including on at least one occasion taking possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructing the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other administration officials, current and former U.S. officials said. Trump did so after a meeting with Putin in 2017 in Hamburg that was also attended by then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. U.S. officials learned of Trump's actions when a White House adviser and a senior State Department official sought information from the interpreter beyond a readout shared by Tillerson. The constraints that Trump imposed are part of a broader pattern by the president of shielding his communications with Putin from public scrutiny and preventing even high-ranking officials in his own administration from fully knowing what he has told one of the United States' main adversaries. As a result, U.S. officials said there is no detailed record, even in classified files, of Trump's face-to-face interactions with the Russian leader at five locations over the past two years. Such a gap would be unusual in any presidency, let alone one that Russia sought to install through what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as an unprecedented campaign of election interference. Special counsel Robert Mueller III is thought to be in the final stages of an investigation that has focused largely on whether Trump or his associates conspired with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. The new details about Trump's continued secrecy underscore the extent to which little is known about his communications with Putin since becoming president. After this story was published online, Trump said in an interview late Saturday with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro that he did not take particular steps to conceal his private meetings with Putin and attacked The Washington Post and its owner Jeff Bezos. He said he talked with Putin about Israel, among other subjects. "Anyone could have listened to that meeting. That meeting is open for grabs," he said, without offering specifics. When Pirro asked if he is or has ever been working for Russia, Trump responded, "I think it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked." Former U.S. officials said that Trump's behavior is at odds with the known practices of previous presidents, who have relied on senior aides to witness meetings and take comprehensive notes then shared with other officials and departments. Trump's secrecy surrounding Putin "is not only unusual by historical standards, it is outrageous," said Strobe Talbott, a former deputy secretary of state now at the Brookings Institution, who participated in more than a dozen meetings between President Bill Clinton and then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s. "It handicaps the U.S. government - the experts and advisers and Cabinet officers who are there to serve [the president] - and it certainly gives Putin much more scope to manipulate Trump." A White House spokesman disputed that characterization and said that the Trump administration has sought to "improve the relationship with Russia" after the Obama administration "pursued a flawed 'reset' policy that sought engagement for the sake of engagement." The Trump administration "has imposed significant new sanctions in response to Russian malign activities," said the spokesman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity and noted that Tillerson in 2017 "gave a fulsome readout of the meeting immediately afterward to other U.S. officials in a private setting, as well as a readout to the press." Trump allies said the president thinks the presence of subordinates impairs his ability to establish a rapport with Putin, and that his desire for secrecy may also be driven by embarrassing leaks that occurred early in his presidency. The meeting in Hamburg happened several months after The Washington Post and other news organizations revealed details about what Trump had told senior Russian officials during a meeting with Russian officials in the Oval Office. Trump disclosed classified information about a terror plot, called former FBI director James Comey a "nut job," and said that firing Comey had removed "great pressure" on his relationship with Russia. The White House launched internal leak hunts after that and other episodes, and sharply curtailed the distribution within the National Security Council of memos on the president's interactions with foreign leaders. "Over time it got harder and harder, I think, because of a sense from Trump himself that the leaks of the call transcripts were harmful to him," said a former administration official. Senior Democratic lawmakers describe the cloak of secrecy surrounding Trump's meetings with Putin as unprecedented and disturbing. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview that his panel will form an investigative subcommittee whose targets will include seeking State Department records of Trump's encounters with Putin, including a closed-door meeting with the Russian leader in Helsinki last summer. "It's been several months since Helsinki and we still don't know what went on in that meeting," Engel said. "It's appalling. It just makes you want to scratch your head." The concerns have been compounded by actions and positions Trump has taken as president that are seen as favorable to the Kremlin. He has dismissed Russia's election interference as a "hoax," suggested that Russia was entitled to annex Crimea, repeatedly attacked NATO allies, resisted efforts to impose sanctions on Moscow, and begun to pull U.S. forces out of Syria - a move that critics see as effectively ceding ground to Russia. At the same time, Trump's decision to fire Comey and other attempts to contain the ongoing Russia investigation led the bureau in May 2017 to launch a counterintelligence investigation into whether he was seeking to help Russia and if so, why, a step first reported by the New York Times. It is not clear whether Trump has taken notes from interpreters on other occasions, but several officials said they were never able to get a reliable readout of the president's two-hour meeting in Helsinki. Unlike in Hamburg, Trump allowed no Cabinet officials or any aides to be in the room for that conversation. Trump also had other private conversations with Putin at meetings of global leaders outside the presence of aides. He spoke at length with Putin at a banquet at the same 2017 global conference in Hamburg, where only Putin's interpreter was present. Trump also had a brief conversation with Putin at a Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires last month. Trump generally has allowed aides to listen to his phone conversations with Putin, although Russia has often been first to disclose those calls when they occur and release statements characterizing them in broad terms favorable to the Kremlin. In an email, Tillerson said that he "was present for the entirety of the two presidents' official bilateral meeting in Hamburg," but declined to discuss the meeting and did not respond to questions about whether Trump had instructed the interpreter to remain silent or had taken the interpreter's notes. In a news conference afterward, Tillerson said that the Trump-Putin meeting lasted more than two hours, covered the war in Syria and other subjects, and that Trump had "pressed President Putin on more than one occasion regarding Russian involvement" in election interference. "President Putin denied such involvement, as I think he has in the past," Tillerson said. Tillerson refused to say during the news conference whether Trump had rejected Putin's claim or indicated that he believed the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered. Tillerson's account is at odds with the only detail that other administration officials were able to get from the interpreter, officials said. Though the interpreter refused to discuss the meeting, officials said, he conceded that Putin had denied any Russian involvement in the U.S. election and that Trump responded by saying, "I believe you." A White House spokesperson, responding to this detail from the Hamburg meeting, said: "The President has affirmed that he supports the conclusions in the 2017 Intel Community Assessment, and the President also issued a new executive order in September 2018 to ensure a whole of government effort to address any foreign attempts to interfere in US elections." Senior Trump administration officials said that White House officials including then-National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster were never able to obtain a comprehensive account of the meeting, even from Tillerson. "We were frustrated because we didn't get a readout," a former senior administration official said. "The State Department and [National Security Council] were never comfortable" with Trump's interactions with Putin, the official said. "God only knows what they were going to talk about or agree to." Because of the absence of any reliable record of Trump's conversations with Putin, officials at times have had to rely on reports by U.S. intelligence agencies tracking the reaction in the Kremlin. Previous presidents and senior advisers have often studied such reports to assess whether they had accomplished their objectives in meetings as well as to gain insights for future conversations. U.S. intelligence agencies have been reluctant to call attention to such reports during Trump's presidency because they have at times included comments by foreign officials disparaging the president or his advisers, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, a former senior administration official said. "There was more of a reticence in the intelligence community going after those kinds of communications and reporting them," said a former administration official who worked in the White House. "The feedback tended not to be positive." The interpreter at Hamburg revealed the restrictions that Trump had imposed when he was approached by administration officials at the hotel where the U.S. delegation was staying, officials said. Among the officials who asked for details from the meeting were Fiona Hill, the senior Russia adviser at the NSC, and John Heffern, who was then serving at State as the acting assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment from the interpreter. Heffern, who retired from State in 2017, declined to comment. Through a spokesman, Hill declined a request for an interview. There are conflicting accounts of the purpose of the conversation with the interpreter, with some officials saying that Hill was among those briefed by Tillerson and that she was merely seeking more nuanced information from the interpreter. Others said the aim was to get a more meaningful readout than the scant information furnished by Tillerson. "I recall Fiona reporting that to me," one former official said. A second former official present in Hamburg said that Tillerson "didn't offer a briefing or call the ambassador or anybody together. He didn't brief senior staff," although he "gave a readout to the press." A similar issue arose in Helsinki, the setting for the first formal U.S.-Russia summit since Trump became president. Hill, national security adviser John Bolton and other U.S. officials took part in a preliminary meeting that included Trump, Putin and other senior Russian officials. But Trump and Putin then met for two hours in private, accompanied only by their interpreters. Trump's interpreter, Marina Gross, could be seen emerging from the meeting with pages of notes. Alarmed by the secrecy of Trump's meeting with Putin, several lawmakers subsequently sought to compel Gross to testify before Congress about what she witnessed. Others argued that forcing her to do so would violate the impartial role that interpreters play in diplomacy. Gross was not forced to testify. She was identified when members of Congress sought to speak with her. The interpreter in Hamburg has not been identified. During a joint news conference with Putin afterward, Trump acknowledged discussing Syria policy and other subjects but also lashed out at the media and federal investigators, and seemed to reject the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies by saying that he was persuaded by Putin's "powerful" denial of election interference. Previous presidents have required senior aides to attend meetings with adversaries including the Russian president largely to ensure that there are not misunderstandings and that others in the administration are able to follow up on any agreements or plans. Detailed notes that Talbot took of Clinton's meetings with Yeltsin are among hundreds of documents declassified and released last year. The Washington Post's John Hudson, Josh Dawsey and Julie Tate contributed to this report. A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges, leading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to accuse China of using the death penalty arbitrarily. The Chinese court in the northeast city of Dailian retried Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was initially given a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking. The court ruled Monday during the one-day retrial that the original sentence was too lenient, and sentenced Schellenberg to death by execution. The court accused him of conspiring with others to smuggle over 200 kg of methamphetamine from China to Australia in 2014. Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa Monday that "It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply a death penalty." The ruling is likely to increase already heightened tensions between the two countries following the recent arrest of a senior Chinese executive in Canada, and China's subsequent detention of two Canadians on national security charges. The shrinking of grants has likely been the main driver for the steady swelling of student debt throughout the U.S., Kantrowitz said. Paired with stagnant income growth, families are having to borrow more to pay for college, he said. Police were called to the Camden Apartments, just off of Biscayne Boulevard, about 4 p.m. after getting reports that a man was in crisis, said the departments spokesman Michael Bentolila. The passenger told police they had been heading to a Waffle House in west Pembroke Pines when he fell asleep in the back seat. He woke up after the crash as the car was spinning around and its airbags were deploying. He told police that he ran up to the burning Audi but was unable to get close because it was engulfed in flames. When he went back to the Impala to get his cellphone, Arroyo and the other man were already gone, the police report said. But J. Antonio Villamil, an economist with The Washington Economics Group in Coral Gables, said in an interview that factors such as the Brexit outcome in the United Kingdom, China growth slowing and issues with Mexico could have an impact. SPEEDING motorists on roads in south Warwickshire will be targeted in a national road safety campaign launched this week to clampdown on excessive speed. The campaign, which runs from 14th to 27th January, is designed to remind drivers to stay within the speed limit and drive safely as speed contributes to as many as one third of all collisions that result in a fatality and is the most important contributory factor to road deaths. Warwickshire Police are urging all motorists to stay safe and keep speeds down. The campaign is being run across the UK and is being co-ordinated by NPCC, the National Police Chiefs' Council, to improve road safety and law enforcement. Sadly, over the past three years in Warwickshire 73 people have been killed and 557 seriously injured in collisions where speeding or inappropriate speed has been recorded as a contributory factor. Apart from the obvious consequences of being involved in a collision, if prosecuted for speeding, the minimum penalty is a 100 fine and three penalty points. A driver could also be disqualified from driving if he or she builds up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years. 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. China and North Korea showed off their rock-solid alliance with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's latest trip to Beijing and said they will "jointly research" the complicated process of denuclearization talks. The neighbors mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, and Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit Pyongyang for the first time later this year. Last year, China kept its distance, but now the uneasy bedfellows are putting on a show of unity as Kim's second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump approaches. The two are standing shoulder-to-shoulder because they hope for a reduced U.S. military presence in South Korea. During their first summit last year, Trump promised Kim to halt annual joint military drills with South Korea without even consulting his own military brass, let alone South Korea. That was an unexpected gift to China, which is chiefly concerned with weakening U.S. control over East Asia, while Trump's primary focus is reducing American taxpayers' spending on American military ventures abroad. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has stepped down amid signs of sweeping American retrenchment, and with him the last defense of the U.S.' military alliance with South Korea has also gone. North Korea and China will surely take advantage of this vacuum. Without the "adult in the room," Trump could end up wreaking havoc on South Korea's national security because he wants to achieve some kind of result in denuclearization talks with North Korea and trade negotiations with China. The South Korean government should be doing everything in its power to stay Trump's hand and show that it is a worthwhile partner. But in reality things are going exactly the opposite way. South Korea and the U.S. held 10 rounds of talks last year to decide on how much each side should spend to keep U.S. troops here as a deterrent to North Korean aggression. But Trump insists on having South Korea cover a drastically increased portion of the budget. In Seoul, meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in hinted at reopening the joint-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex and resuming tours to the North's scenic Mt. Kumgang resort despite international sanctions. Almost immediately, the U.S. voiced concerns that the measures could "worsen" Seoul-Washington ties and confuse efforts to get the North to scrap its nuclear weapons. The U.S. is suspicious that South Korea intends to weaken the sanctions, which are the only leverage in dealing with the North. The latest developments are nothing short of alarming. The U.K. and France have decided to dispatch warships to Japan to prevent North Korean smuggling in oil and arms on the high seas. The move is also aimed at curbing Chinas expansionist ambitions in the region. Since the Korean War, the South has relied for the defense of its borders on the U.S., and that enabled its miraculous economic revival. But while Kim and Xi put on a big show of friendship, and friendly letters were exchanged between Trump and Kim and Kim and Moon, there has been no news of any engagement between the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. A school that was built at the U.S. military base in Yongsan after the Korean War will close in June this year now U.S. Forces Korea headquarters has moved south to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. The school was established to educate the children of military personnel. When it first opened in 1959, it consisted of a collection of Quonset huts, but more permanent structures were built later. More U.S. military personnel brought their families with them when the country's economy began to grow in the 1970s and living conditions improved. By 1982, a brick building had replaced the Quonset huts and the school grew to some 2,200 students in the 1990s. But once the base moved to Pyeongtaek in 2016, the numbers has dwindled to a mere 500. After the closure plan was announced last September, 190 alumni of the school visited the base for a reunion ceremony. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Japanese maritime authorities tried to rescue a North Korean fishing boat that was spotted adrift off their shores but the sailors turned down their help, the Japanese media reported Sunday. According to the Sankei Shimbun, a Japanese vessel found the wooden fishing boat adrift in waters 350 km north of Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture around 9 a.m. Saturday. The fishermen were waving a flag and shouting for help. But when the Japanese vessel approached, they said they did not want to be rescued by the Japanese. It was not clear why. Japan then notified North Korea and asked it to pick them up instead. George Tannenbaum on the future of advertising, the decline of the English Language and other frivolities. 100% jargon free. A Business Insider "Most Influential" blog. Ashtabula, OH (44004) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 68F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 49F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The trees comprise a large-scale test site investigation by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-funded scientists from the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with Forest Research, Britains principal organisation for forestry and tree-related research. Over the next four years, the scientists will be monitoring the site to find out how biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from forestry residue, performs as a fertiliser, nutrient sponge and soil carbon addition. The team believes biochar could be a green bullet for forestry and the wider environment, with the potential to generate income while improving soils, reducing residue and storing carbon. Initial results have already been positive. Mike Perks from Forest Research said: Forestry is a nationally important industry, but in Scotland it is concentrated on upland, nutrient-poor soils where new trees can be slow to establish. Every year, wood processing produces about a million tonnes of phosphorus-rich byproduct that could be used to make biochar instead of being sold as low-value mulch for horticulture. Biochar could help soil carbon recover faster, improve planting success, reduce the need for additional fertiliser during forest establishment and add value to the industry as an additional product. If a business model can be developed, this represents a huge opportunity for Scotlands 2 billion timber processing industry. Hamish Creber, the NERC-funded PhD student overseeing the test site said: Over the next four years well be monitoring biochars performance, by measuring tree establishment success, growth and tree health. Our initial results indicate that seedlings grown in soil with biochar are more effective at capturing and using light, which is an indicator for overall tree health. France will dispatch a warship and patrol aircraft to Japan to prevent North Korea from smuggling in oil by ship-to-ship transfer on the high seas. The foreign and defense ministers of France and Japan met at a naval base in Brest, France on Friday and agreed to dispatch the frigate Vendemiaire and patrol aircraft to Sasebo Airbase in southern Japan in April. The aim is to stop North ships smuggling in petroleum or weapons. The AFP news agency reported that another aim of the measure is to keep China from strengthening its control of Asian waters. New York, January 14, 2019 (SPS) - The United Nations denied Moroccos allegations regarding the ceasefire violations by the Polisario Front, stating that the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has not recorded any incident which may constitute a violation to the terms of applicable agreements. The UN Mission, MINURSO, was present during the two alleged incidents and didnt notice anything that could constitute a violation to the terms of the applicable agreements, said the UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, during a press briefing in New York. Dujarric said that there is a procedure established by the Minusro to assess such allegations, this latter is based on observation and impartial monitoring functions, of the UN Missions employees, he added. The incidents identified as violation to the applicable agreements are shared with parties for their immediate action, a process that has been effective in preventing conflict and maintaining the ceasefire since its establishment, he said. Morocco sent a letter to the Security Council in which it wrongly accused the Polisario Front of violating the ceasefire for organizing military maneuvers on the 6th of January in Mhiriz and inaugurating Administrative locals in this locality situated in the Sahrawi liberated territories. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS IN EVESHAM New York man arrested for theft by deception Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. China is giving Korea a run for its money in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, beating its opponents with crushing force. China and Korea have both qualified for the next round with two wins each, but the former leads the group with a goal difference of +4, versus +2 for Korea. China on Friday routed the Philippines 3-0, while Korea held off Kyrgyzstan 1-0 thanks to a header in the 41st minute by Kim Min-jae despite showing weak finishing ability and poor passing. Korean players celebrate after Kim Min-jae (2nd from right) scored a goal against Kyrgyzstan at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in the UAE on Friday. /Newsis The two nations face off in their final group-stage match on Wednesday in the UAE. Wu Lei of Shanghai SIPG has emerged as the star for China, hitting the back of the net twice in the team's win over the Philippines. Korea's top star Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur arrives on Tuesday but is unlikely to play in Wednesday's game as he may need some time to rest after starting for Spurs against Manchester United on Sunday. He has played in 12 games in just over a month with a break of just three to four days in between each. Korea needs to beat China if it is to end the first round atop their group. Chinese attacker Wu Lei (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Philippines at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in the UAE on Friday. /Xinhua-Yonhap Finishing second could mean a quarterfinal showdown with Iran, which at 29th in the FIFA world rankings is considerably higher than Korea (51). Korea and Iran faced off in the Cup's quarterfinals five straight times between 1996 and 2011 with two wins, two losses and one draw each, and had a tense game every time. The Iranians beat Vietnam 2-0 on Saturday, taking their tally to seven goals with none conceded after two games. But if Korea finishes the group stage on top, it will be unlikely to face Iran or Japan, both of which are expected to win their groups, until the finals. 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Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff4bfd7a8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbffd673370)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff4bfd7a8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbffd673370)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff4da64b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbffd673370)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbffd673370)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff441ba08)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbffed06eb0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbffed06eb0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff4df43a0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff4c7a458)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff4df43a0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff4c7a458)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff4c7a1e8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff4c7a458)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff4c7a458)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff441c0a8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff4daaa08)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff4daaa08)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Page Content Minister of Finance, the honourable Perry Geerlings, bade farewell to outgoing Cabinet Director for the Governor of St. Maarten Reinier van Deele on Friday, January 11th. The two men met briefly at the Finance Minister's Cabinet in at the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg. During the meeting, Director Van Deele also introduced his replacement, Mieke Kalter. Minister Geerlings said his connection with Director Van Deele, was of particular interest because he [Geerlings] was the instructor for a course, Introduction to St. Maarten, three years before in the St. Maarten House in The Netherlands when Van Deele and family were preparing to travel to St. Maarten to take up his post as the Governors Cabinet Director. Minister Geerlings extended best wishes to the outgoing Cabinet Director on his future endeavours and thanked him for his service to Country St. Maarten during his tenure as Governor Eugene Holidays Cabinet Director. Page Content St. Maartens tourism focus continues to be on the rebranding of the destination and creating awareness of the fact that the island is open to welcome back visitors. That was the message from Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication (TEATT) The Honourable Stuart Johnson, when they met with several ambassadors representing Colombia, Italy, Canada and Panama during a working visit un the Hague, Thursday. His French St. Martin counterpart Vice President of the Collectivity Valerie Damaseau joined Johnson. The Ambassadors met with the Minister and VP at the St. Maarten House in The Netherlands. Both government officials outlined several plans for the island and discussed ways in which they can work with the respective destinations to attract visitors. The working visit marks the first time that top officials from both French and Dutch St. Maarten have met at the St. Maarten House in The Netherlands. Their meeting in Holland is part of a destination promotion trip the two embarked on. It signals that Johnson and Damaseau have taken their memorandum of understanding on destination marketing to yet another level. Both sides of the island continue to increase joint destination marketing activities and enhance cooperation in service of the entire islands best interest. During the meeting, the delegates highlighted St. Maartens recovery status and the improvements that both governments were making to sustainably rebuild light of the devastation caused by hurricane Irma in 2017. Top tourism officials from the Dutch and French side along with the Tourism Director of Saba Glen Holms and the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba and Curacao was also present at the meeting. Amongst the delegation meeting the St. Maarten officials were, Sarah Gillis First Secretary Political and Economic Affairs of Canada, Ambassador of Colombia H.E. Juan Jose Quintana Aranguren, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Slovenia in The Hague Mark Stucin, Ambassador of the Philippines Jaime Victor B. Ledda, , Ambassador of Italy H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini, Ambassador of Panama H.E. Mr. Willys Delvalle Velasco, Mr. Steven R. Butler Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs and Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao H.E. Antony Begina. Johnson said, Our goal is to expand our reach globally and attract visitors from everywhere who have the spending power that is needed to revive the economy. While the destination has already identified the type of tourism product it wants for the future sustainability of the island, the idea is to ensure that the good news of St. Maartens resilience continues to spread worldwide. Damaseau said that there is significant interest in St. Maarten as a tourism destination, and these types of events go a long way to bringing visitors to our shores. She said, Competition in tourism continues to rise, as many Caribbean islands are looking at how they can benefit from our destinations setback. This is why the Memorandum of Understanding between both halves of the island, was critical to moving the destination forward. We must speak with one voice to show our strength as a destination. Johnson and Damaseau both agreed that it is crucial at this stage for the alignment of the product development plans for both sides of the island. We have to see what the Caribbean and the rest of the world is doing to position ourselves to compete with them in the area of Cruise and Stayover visitors. Ultimately St. Maarten will have to continue the work to ensure that our tourism product adequately reflects what our visitors need from the destination. He said that while there will continue to be a need to use conventional methods of disseminating information to market the island we must incorporate advanced technology and make our message appealing to the younger crowd as they are now the larger group of travellers. Minister Johnson and VP Damaseau have both expressed their sincere gratitude to the Team at the St. Maarten House for their cooperation and support during the organisation and execution of the event. Al Jazeera quoted the British Prime Minister, who was addressing a gathering at a factory in the northern city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, as saying: "What is important is that we deliver on the result of the referendum." London: Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday said that she was looking forward to quick results over Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) while opposing a second referendum over the issue. The Prime Minister also added that if the Parliamentarians tried to reject her deal of exiting the EU, then they would have to either leave without making a deal or not leave EU at all. The British parliamentarians are set to vote on the government's deal on Tuesday (January 15). In 2016, over 50 per cent of the UK electorate voted to leave the EU, following which the British government had triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning the country's process of exiting the European bloc. According to the withdrawal agreement, the UK is scheduled to leave the bloc on March 29, 2019, after which it will move into a 21-month long transitional period with the EU. May, who dismissed the prospects of a second Brexit referendum, had halted the parliamentary vote on the deal on December 10 last year to put forth concerns voiced by British MPs with her European counterparts. She made a whirlwind trip to the EU, visiting Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium to meet with European leaders for the same. However, the European Commission (EUCO) reiterated that the deal will not be renegotiated. The British Prime Minister also survived a no-confidence motion initiated by her disgruntled lawmakers of the Conservative Party over her handling of the Brexit negotiations. At present, the Prime Minister is facing a crunch in the Parliamentary votes on her government's deal to leave the EU, as some of the members of the British Parliament are in favour of a complete break with the EU, while the others are demanding either a second referendum or a light break with the EU, maintaining key economic and policy structures, Al Jazeera reported. Two new F-35A stealth fighter jets will arrive here from the U.S. in late March. The Air Force hopes to deploy about 10 of them warfare-ready this year. The Air Force took delivery of six of them at a plant in Fort Worth, Texas last year, but pilots have been undergoing training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona before they are brought to South Korea. The project encompasses a total of 40 of the jets and will cost W7.4 trillion until it is completed in 2021 (US$1=W1,116). The petitioner, advocate Amit Sahni, sought immediate steps to stop cheating at petrol pumps by giving lesser fuel by installing a "microchip" to speed up the pulse meter or by any other method. The PIL is likely to come up for hearing before the apex court in the coming week. New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction for the government to ensure transparency and fairness at petrol pumps across the country. The petitioner claimed that the petrol pump owners use a hyper-technical mechanism for cheating customers. "The petrol pump owners use a hyper-technical mechanism for cheating customers by using a micro-chip for vending lesser fuel. At some places, remotes are used for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the measurement depending upon the customer's attitude," the petition stated. "Cheating at petrol pumps across the country is rampant to such an extent that as per news report, the petroleum minister had advised the state governments to conduct surprise inspections at petrol pumps and check for the chips, which cut the outflow of fuel by as much as 10 per cent," it further read. Furthermore, various news reports have stated that Delhi ranks third in the list of petrol/diesel fraud among states. Maharashtra tops the list, followed by Uttar Pradesh, the petition submitted. In order to ensure fairness and transparency at petrol pumps, proper regulations are required with respect to fuel vending as it affects every one of us directly or indirectly, said the petitioner. To stop fraud at petrol pumps, the petitioner suggested that black hose pipes used for fuel vending may be replaced with a transparent pipe so that the consumer can see the fuel passing through the same in the vehicle. Sahni suggested and urged the top court that his suggestions be implemented by the state governments. "Transparent dispenser with measurements may be installed or connected along with the fuel vending machines in such a way to fill the fuel in the transparent dispenser first and then the same is transmitted to the vehicle through a transparent hosepipe," he added. State Capitals (Applicable from 6:00 a.m. on 14-01-2019) Petrol Current Price(Per Lt) Petrol Previous Price(Per Lt) Change(Rs) Petrol price in Delhi Rs.69.75 Rs.69.26 0.49 Petrol price in Kolkata Rs.71.87 Rs.71.39 0.48 Petrol price in Mumbai Rs.75.39 Rs.74.91 0.48 Petrol price in Chennai Rs.72.39 Rs.71.87 0.52 Petrol price in Faridabad Rs.70.99 Rs.70.63 0.36 Petrol price in Gurgaon Rs.70.61 Rs.70.21 0.40 Petrol price in Noida Rs.69.75 Rs.69.24 0.51 Petrol price in Ghaziabad Rs.69.60 Rs.69.23 0.37 Petrol price in Agartala Rs.69.75 Rs.69.22 0.53 Petrol price in Aizwal Rs.66.14 Rs.66.85 -0.71 Petrol price in Ambala Rs.70.48 Rs.70.03 0.45 Petrol price in Bangalore Rs.72.04 Rs.71.53 0.51 Petrol price in Bhopal Rs.72.63 Rs.72.11 0.52 Petrol price in Bhubhaneswar Rs.68.76 Rs.68.28 0.48 Petrol price in Chandigarh Rs.65.96 Rs.65.50 0.46 Petrol price in Dehradun Rs.70.16 Rs.69.75 0.41 Petrol price in Gandhinagar Rs.67.43 Rs.66.96 0.47 Petrol price in Gangtok Rs.73.15 Rs.72.65 0.50 Petrol price in Guwahati Rs.69.58 Rs.68.68 0.90 Petrol price in Hyderabad Rs.74.00 Rs.73.47 0.53 Petrol price in Imphal Rs.66.07 Rs.59.18 6.89 Petrol price in Itanagar Rs.63.95 Rs.63.47 0.48 Petrol price in Jaipur Rs.70.40 Rs.70.03 0.37 Petrol price in Jammu Rs.71.25 Rs.70.77 0.48 Petrol price in Jalandhar Rs.74.78 Rs.74.25 0.53 Petrol price in Kohima Rs.68.36 Rs.67.89 0.47 Petrol price in Lucknow Rs.69.68 Rs.69.20 0.48 Petrol price in Panjim Rs.62.29 Rs.61.94 0.35 Petrol price in Patna Rs.74.08 Rs.73.40 0.68 Petrol price in Port Blair Rs.60.40 Rs.59.99 0.41 Petrol price in Raipur Rs.68.26 Rs.67.69 0.57 Petrol price in Ranchi Rs.68.94 Rs.68.33 0.61 Petrol price in Shillong Rs.67.02 Rs.66.54 0.48 Petrol price in Shimla Rs.68.83 Rs.69.01 -0.18 Petrol price in Srinagar Rs.74.28 Rs.73.80 0.48 Petrol price in Trivandrum Rs.72.68 Rs.72.29 0.39 Petrol price in Silvassa Rs.68.21 Rs.67.58 0.63 Petrol price in Daman Rs.68.12 Rs.67.60 0.52 Petrol price in Pondicherry Rs.69.07 Rs.68.60 0.47 Source for prices: Indian Oil Corporation Ficci said in a statement that in its pre-Budget recommendations to the Ministry, it had also suggested a revision in the tax slabs for the individual taxpayers and make the top 30 per cent rate applicable to annual incomes above Rs 20 lakh. New Delhi: Industry chamber Ficci on Sunday recommended that the government lower corporate tax rates across the board to 25 per cent irrespective of turnover in the coming Union Budget on February 1 in order to spur economic growth and increase overall revenue collections. "Businesses today are faced with high tax cost leading to increased cost of production and resultant lower surplus for reinvestment and expansion. The basic corporate tax rate of 30 per cent coupled with dividend distribution tax rate of 20 percent makes the effective tax cost for a company too high," the statement said. "The chamber has also suggested revision in the tax slabs for the individual taxpayers with the top 30 per cent rate to be applied beyond Rs 20 lakh annual income." For individual income tax payers currently, the peak tax rate of 30 per cent is applicable over an income of Rs 10 lakh. "However, the income level on which peak rate is applied in other countries is significantly higher. Hence, there is a need for further raising the income level on which the peak tax rate would trigger, to make the same compatible with the international standards," Ficci said, recommending that the highest rate be applied to incomes beyond Rs 20 lakh. The industry chamber has also recommended a reduction in the current "high" rate of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) at 18.5 per cent. "The burden of MAT should also be gradually reduced from the current levels to a rate which will be commensurate with the phasing out of tax exemptions and incentives," it said. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has moreover asked for continued weighted deductions in income tax for various modes of scientific research expenditure, deduction for corporate social responsibility expenditure and increasing the overall deduction limit to at least Rs 3 lakh under the Income Tax Act. The New Zealand dollar drifted downwards after data showed Chinas trade surplus with the US widened to its highest level in more than a decade, news that is likely to exacerbate tensions between the two nations. The kiwi fell to 68.07 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 68.20 at 8.30am. The trade-weighted index eased to 73.54 points from 73.70. The data is showing that the problem with the US trade situation isnt getting any better, says Peter Cavanaugh, senior client advisor at Bancorp Treasury Services. Chinas trade surplus with the US grew 17 percent in 2018, with exports to the US rising 11.3 percent in the year while imports rose just 0.7 percent. The market had been encouraged last week that the two nations would strike a deal after trade negotiations between Chinese and US officials in Beijing were extended by a day to three days. US President Donald Trump regards Chinas trade surplus as somehow a form of theft. Cavanaugh says some of the changes China is making wont do much to help encourage imports from the US. For example, China reducing the tariff on cars made in the US from 25 percent down to 10 percent is more likely to benefit German brands such as Mercedes Benz, which manufactures cars in the US, and BMW, which assembles cars in the US, than US brands. Adding to the adverse trade data and boding ill for the global economy, the Chinese economy is showing signs of suffering from credit issues and over-leveraging, Cavanaugh says. The trade data is showing that theyre still busily shipping stuff out to the rest of the world, particularly the US. The figures are adding to already uncertain market sentiment and reinforce comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell that trade issues and the outlook for global growth are among his major concerns. Also keeping the market on edge is the upcoming vote on Tuesday in Britains parliament over whether to support Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit plan. May told the BBC that shes making a last-ditch attempt to persuade members of parliament to back her Brexit deal. But she said that no Brexit is more likely than no deal, and she also warned that trust in politics would suffer catastrophic harm if Brexit, approved by a referendum in 2016, isnt implemented. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is promising a vote of no confidence if parliament doesnt vote for May's Brexit plan. The British pound rallied on Mays comments and the New Zealand dollar fell to 52.97 pence from 53.06 this morning. Against the Australian dollar, the kiwi rose to 94.67 cents from 94.54. But it fell to 73.59 yen from 73.92, to 59.32 euro cents from 59.52 and to 4.5974 Chinese yuan from 4.6100. The New Zealand two-year swap rate fell to 1.8850 percent from 1.9233 on Friday; the 10-year swap rate dropped to 2.5780 percent from 2.6225. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors New Zealand shares inched higher in quiet trading as investors await news from offshore. Kathmandu recovered some of its recent losses. The S&P/NZX 50 index rose 8.97 points, or 0.1 percent, to 8,968.55. Within the index, 21 stocks rose, 12 were unchanged and 17 fell. Turnover was $80.6 million. Grant Williamson, a director at Hamilton Hindin Greene, said there was "no theme" to the trading and "all of the movements are pretty tiny." Investors are largely treading water, waiting for leads from offshore, he said. Market sentiment may be impacted by US earnings, with several banks due to release quarterly results this week, the ongoing US government shutdown and the vote on Brexit this week. Domestically, tomorrow's business outlook survey from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research is unlikely to move the market with business confidence still tepid, said Williamson. Earlier today, Fitch Solutions Macro Research said New Zealand's economy will likely grow at a slower pace than Treasury is forecasting due to weak business confidence and declining consumer confidence. We forecast real GDP growth to come in at 2.6 percent in 2019 and 2.3 percent in 2020 compared to the Treasurys more bullish forecasts of 3 percent and 3.2 percent respectively, it said. "I do get the feeling that we are not going to see too much movement in this market unless we get some large movement offshore," Williamson said. "I think investors are really waiting for the February reporting season." Kathmandu, which has been under pressure since reporting a disappointing Christmas trading season, gained 1.3 percent to $2.28 and was the most heavily traded stock today. However, while volumes were larger than usual, Williamson said actual on-market trading was very light. Spark New Zealand had the second highest volume, shedding 0.6 percent to $4.14. Almost 2 million of its shares changed hands, compared to its average 3.2 million the past three months. Meridian Energy was third, falling 0.7 percent to $3.5850. Genesis Energy fell 1.5 percent to $2.57. Precinct Properties and Z Energy also saw fairly strong volume, with Precinct Properties down 0.7 percent to $1.47 and Z Energy up 0.2 percent at $5.62. The top mover was Port of Tauranga, which gained 1.8 percent at $5.14. Vista Group added 1.6 percent to $3.92 and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare was up 1.5 percent to $13.8. Fletcher Building added 1 percent to $4.99. In the other direction, the biggest fall was in Sky Network Television, which shed 3 percent to $1.92. A2 Milk was unchanged at $11.35. Economists are expecting dairy prices to show a moderate rise in this week's GlobalDairyTrade auction, with ASB Bank tipping a 1 percent in whole milk powder prices and BNZ expecting a "moderate lift." Synlait Milk rose 1 percent to $9.36. Late Friday it said registration of its Dunsandel plant in the South Island has been renewed by Chinese authorities for another four years. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors Metalbilt Doors and Danks Roller Doors have been sold to Sydney-based ARA Group as part of the liquidation of RCR Tomlinsons New Zealand activities. The two firms are leading manufacturers and installers of commercial and industrial doors, with branches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. ARA managing director Edward Federman said they will be a good addition to the companys New Zealand security business, which has branches in Auckland, Kerikeri and Wellington. Metalbilt and Danks will also be a great partner with the ARA Manufacture business in Australia. I was previously associated with the businesses more than 20 years ago, so this is a meaningful addition to ARA on a very personal level. No price was disclosed for the purchase. The businesses, along with the rest of RCRs New Zealand activities, were put on the market last month after their Sydney-based parent went into voluntary administration in November. All the New Zealand operations were cash-positive at the time and administrator McGrathNicol is continuing to operate them pending their sale. Today, the administrators said the sale has ensured continuous employment for about 60 staff and uninterrupted service for customers. Geoff Willis, general manager of Metalbilt and Danks, said the new ownership will enable the firm to expand its services by accessing ARAs broader range of offerings in Australia. ARA operates property and building services and maintenance, security, fire protection, and electrical, heating and chilling. It employs more than 2,000 staff and its seven divisions brought in A$479 million in the year ended June 30. McGrathNicol noted that RCR Infrastructure, RCR Energy and RCR Energy Products are still for sale. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors The New Zealand dollar firmed ahead of business confidence data today expected to show a lift in sentiment since October. The kiwi dollar, and Asian equity markets, fell late yesterday after weak December import data in China highlighted the weakness of the economy there. But early losses stabilised, with the S&P 500 stock index in the US recently down just 0.4 percent. Moves were relatively contained and FX majors remained within the ranges set in Asian hours, Westpac said in a note to clients today. Soft Eurozone data did dampen EUR and markets pared GBP gains as markets prepared for the very likely defeat of Mays Brexit plan in parliament this week. The kiwi rose to 68.23 US cents at 8:30am from 68.07 cents late yesterday. The trade-weighted index rose to 73.73 from 73.54. All eyes domestically are on the New Zealand Institute of Economic Researchs December quarter survey of business opinion due this morning. Most investors are expecting a lift from the nine-year low reported for September in what BNZ yesterday described as the first meaty local data for 2019. This will help show whether the significant slowdown we saw in Q3 GDP was the start of something to be concerned about, or just a wobble in the context of still-OK growth. We suspect the latter, the bank said in an outlook note to clients. Internationally the focus remains on London where Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit plan may be defeated in a parliamentary vote Wednesday morning New Zealand time. May has attempted to shore up support for the plan by saying a defeat will cause parliamentary paralysis and increase the risk of there being no Brexit. Voters can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal. If no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else," the brokerage quoted May as saying. Westpac observed the most likely outcome remains further delays and a continued lack of clarity. The kiwi was little changed this morning at 53 British pence, from 52.97 late yesterday. It rose to 59.49 euro cents, from 59.32. Data in Europe overnight showed industrial production there contracted 1.7 percent in November, the weakest performance in three years. Against the Australian dollar, the kiwi rose to 94.75 cents from 94.67 late yesterday. It rose to 73.73 yen from 73.59 yen, and to 4.6170 Chinese yuan from 4.5974. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors Production from the offshore Pohokura gas field is to be cut for a third time in a year next month. OMV, which last month became operator of the field from Shell, plans a range of interventions in the fields offshore wells to optimise their production. The work means that, for safety reasons, production from the five offshore wells will be stopped for about 30 days 12 days in February and a further 18 days during the rest of the campaign. We anticipate that the onshore wells will be available to flow during this campaign, with no impact on onshore production levels, said Gabriel Selischi, OMVs senior vice-president for Australasia. Pohokura, now owned by OMV and Todd Energy, is the countrys biggest gas producer. The field, off the coast of Waitara, typically delivers more than 70 petajoules of gas annually from five offshore wells and three wells drilled from onshore. OMV acquired Shells 48 percent stake, and its 83.8 percent interest in the Maui field, as part of a US$578 million purchase announced last March and finalised over the Christmas-New Year break. In recent years Pohokura has met about a third of the countrys gas demand. The latest shutdown is likely to be bad news for power prices which soared in October when repair work at the field coincided with declining South Island lake levels and other generation outages. Despite reduced demand, wholesale electricity prices have remained high so far this year due to a combination of low wind generation, planned maintenance shutdowns, declining snowpack on the South Island, and concerns about gas supplies. Snow storage in Meridian Energys Waitaki catchment was about 49 percent below average, the firm estimated on Jan. 12. Snowpack is important because it becomes water for hydro-electric generation when it melts. Wholesale electricity cost an average $157.57/MWh in Auckland in the seven days ended Friday, according to Energy Link data. OMV has booked China Oilfield Services Boss rig for the work. The 10-year-old jack-up rig, capable of operating in 120 metres of water, is in transit from Singapore on the heavy-lift vessel Red Zed 1 and should arrive in Admiralty Bay in the first week of February. Once at the Pohokura platform, the rig will be used to perforate new production zones in the existing wells and shut off parts of them that have watered-out over time, OMV said. Selischi said the exact duration and timing of the offshore shutdown periods will be subject to operational requirements and the weather. The work schedule and the anticipated impact on gas availability has been provided to customers and OMV will provide regular updates as operations progress. Other stakeholders, including Transpower, the Gas Industry Company and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have also been advised of the campaign, he said. Early last year production from Pohokuras offshore wells was halted while Shell investigated leaks in the fields pipeline to shore. Production was again halted in September when the main shut-off valve on the offshore production platform wasnt working as it should. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors Simone Robbers and Christian Hawkesby will round out the Reserve Bank's senior leadership team, joining as assistant governors, said RBNZ governor Adrian Orr. Late last year Orr announced he was creating a new senior leadership team. The team has seven positions, including the central bank governor, versus the prior senior management group with 13 Robbers, currently with the Financial Markets Authority, will take up the new role of assistant governor and general manager of governance, strategy and corporate relations on Feb 18. She will be responsible for the bank's strategic planning and performance, communications, legal, risk and audit teams, and the board secretariat. The strategic planning and performance unit is new and will be responsible for ensuring world-class benchmarks are identified, measured and managed across all aspects of the Banks activities. The role will ensure bank-wide strategies and relationship management have central coordination, such as our Te Ao Maori strategy, our climate change strategy, and the many regional and international relationships we must manage in the normal course of business, said Orr. Robbers was director of strategy, risk and assurance at the FMA and has also worked with the Securities Commission. Hawkesby is leaving Harbour Asset Management. He will take up the new role of assistant governor and general manager of economics, financial markets and banking on March 18. He will be responsible for monetary policy formulation and research; monetary policy implementation and liquidity management, and foreign reserves management; and all matters relating to currency creation and distribution, including responsibility for the management of the payment and settlement system. Bringing these activities together provides end-to-end management of all of the monetary policy activities of the bank, from currency creation and distribution through to the setting of the Official Cash Rate to meet the Banks monetary policy and currency mandates," said Orr. Prior to taking the role, Hawkesby was part of the team that set up Harbour Asset Management. He also spent nine years at the Bank of England. The new structure announced in November saw the departure of Sean Mills, head of operations, Mark Perry, head of financial markets, and Klarissa Plimmer, chief information officer. John McDermott accepted a role as chief economist and a department head, but has since left the bank to join the economic research institute Motu as an executive director. Bernard Hodgetts, head of macro-financial, was to leave at the conclusion of his secondment to Treasury for its review of the Reserve Bank. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors Canada's Foreign Minister said Saturday, after a young Saudi women fled to Canada out of fear for her life, that Canada believes "very strongly that women's rights are human rights." Eighteen-year-old Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun was greeted by Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland as she arrived from Thailand in the Canadian city of Toronto Saturday morning via Seoul, Korea. Canada granted Alqunun asylum after she fled her family out of fear for her life. "It is absolutely the case that there are many women, far, far too many women who are in dangerous situations, both in Canada and around the world," Freeland told reporters at a Toronto airport shortly after Alqunun's arrival. "For a single woman or girl to be in a dangerous situation is one too many." Freeland added that granting asylum to Alqunun "is part of a broader Canadian policy of supporting women and girls in Canada and around the world." Alqunun made a brief appearance before reporters after her arrival, but Freeland said she declined to speak because she was "very tired after a long journey" and preferred to "get settled." New Zealands economy will likely grow at a slower pace than Treasury is forecasting due to weak business confidence and declining consumer confidence, according to Fitch Solutions Macro Research. We expect growth to slow due to continued weak business and consumer sentiment which will weigh on investment and private consumption growth, Fitch says. It is forecasting tax and other government revenue to rise 5 percent this year and 4.5 percent next year, well below Treasurys latest forecasts for growth of 5.7 percent and 5.5 percent respectively. Our forecasts are slightly lower than the Treasurys estimates, given our slightly less sanguine view of the economy, Fitch says, emphasising that this view is independent of Fitch Ratings and that the two arms of Fitch dont share data or other information. We forecast real GDP growth to come in at 2.6 percent in 2019 and 2.3 percent in 2020 compared to the Treasurys more bullish forecasts of 3 percent and 3.2 percent respectively, it says. Thats despite Fitch expecting government spending to rise. Noting the priorities the government outlined in December, it says social security, welfare and healthcare will remain the largest components of government spending with welfare accounting for 29 percent of total spending and healthcare at 16.1 percent. In particular, we forecast the share of the pensionable population those aged 65 and above to rise to 20 percent over the next decade from 15.6 percent in 2018, it says. While spending will rise, money coming into the governments coffers will be less than previously forecast. It noted that business confidence remains on a downward trend with a figure of negative 37.1 points in November, down from positive 24.8 in June 2017. Continued weakness will likely have a direct effect on corporate tax revenue which makes up 14.8 percent of the countrys revenue. Consumer confidence has also fallen to 115.4 points in October from a peak of 128 in March last year suggesting the potential for lower consumer spending over the short term, especially as New Zealands household debt remains high at slightly more than 120 percent of GDP, Fitch says. The slowdown in consumer spending could also weigh on GST collection, which makes up 24.3 percent of total revenue. Fitchs dimmer view of New Zealands growth prospects is why it expects the governments fiscal surplus will likely shrink to 0.8 percent of GDP this year and to 1.2 percent next year from 2.1 percent in the year ended June 2018. This is on the back of the countrys slowing economic growth which we expect to weigh on revenue collection over the coming quarters, Fitch says. Previously Fitch had been forecasting a surplus of 2 percent of GDP and 1.9 percent for this year and next respectively, although its forecast for the current years surplus is above Treasurys 0.7 percent of GDP forecast. In any case, Fitch expects government debt levels will remain healthy. It is one of the least indebted countries among OECD economies with total gross debt of 30.6 percent in 2018, comfortably below the OECD average of 73 percent and on a declining trend. As such, there is ample buffer for policymakers to enact expansionary fiscal policy to support the economy should growth decelerate significantly. In early December, Fitch Ratings raised the outlook for New Zealand banks to stable from negative, citing stabilising household debt and slowing house price growth. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift 10th June 2021 Morning Report Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Opening of Offer to Retail Investors Press Release January 14, 2019 Senate OKs bill declaring Jan. 17 as James Leonard Tagle Gordon Day The Senate passed on third and final reading the bill declaring every January 17 a special non-working holiday in Olongapo City and Subic Bay Freeport Zone, in recognition of the achievements, contributions and heroism of James Leonard Tagle Gordon. Among those who voted for the passage of House Bill No. 8648 were Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Win Gatchalian, Gregorio Honasan, Risa Hontiveros, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Grace Poe, Antonio Trillanes IV, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III. Angara, chair of the committee on local government, stood as sponsor of the bill. James Gordon, the first elected mayor of Olongapo City, was the father of incumbent Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon. Sen. Gordon likewise served as Olongapo City mayor from 1988 to 1993. Despite being an American - his father John Jacob was an American marine and mother Veronica Tagle, a Filipina - James Gordon exposed the abuses and harassment suffered by Olongapo residents under the US military rule. He was, in fact, part of the Philippine panel that negotiated and compelled the US authorities to relinquish Olongapo to the Philippine government and this took place on Dec. 7, 1959, the day when then Pres. Carlos P. Garcia signed the executive order making it a municipality of Zambales. Born on Jan. 17, 1917, James Gordon chose to stay in the Philippines as a Filipino citizen. In his three years as mayor, James Gordon lobbied in Congress for the passage of a bill converting the municipality of Olongapo into a city, amid strong opposition from the provincial government. In 1966, then Pres. Ferdinand Marcos signed RA 4665 converting Olongapo into a chartered city. He likewise managed to quell crimes specifically illegal logging, smuggling of firearms, cigarettes and contraband from the military base and launched a crusade against corrupt members of the Philippine Constabulary (PC). An untiring fighter of graft and corruption, he fought well-entrenched politicians against widespread corruption and won the case, albeit posthumously, returning the electrical system to the Olongapo government. James Gordon was an entrepreneur and businessman and was also one of the founders of Olongapo Rotary Club, Olongapo Knights of Columbus and Olongapo Businessmen's Association. He and his wife Amelia Juico Gordon, along with some friends, established the Olongapo Boys Town and Girls Home in 1969, an orphanage for abandoned children of Filipino-American parents. He survived assassination attempts in 1965 and 1966 but on Feb. 20, 1967, while addressing his constituents on the first floor of the Olongapo City Hall, he was gunned down and killed by an escaped inmate of the National Penitentiary. Incidentally, Zubiri introduced Joint Resolution No. 6 in Feb. last year which was adopted by 18 senators, proposing the same. "For his invaluable service to uplift the lives of the people of Olongapo through his exemplary leadership providing hope and inspiration to future generations, Mayor James Leonard Tagle Gordon deserved to be commemorated on his birth centenary," Zubiri's resolution said. Press Release January 14, 2019 TRANSCRIPT OF SEN. GRACE POE'S INTERPELLATION on the DPWH budget Sen. Grace Poe: Thank you Mr. President, Majority Leader. Before I begin a few questions, I would like to thank the gentleman, our good senator, hardworking senator from Cavite for giving way for my interpellation which is just really short; hindi po isang daang tanong, isang tanong lang po pero napakaimportante para po sa ating mga pasahero at dumadaan sa pinaka-busy o traffic na kalsada sa ating bansa, itong EDSA. So, if the good sponsor will allow for some questions just for clarification. Sen. Legarda: Yes Mr. President. Poe: I would like to give a background, my question is with regard to the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge or the Rockwell bridge. Ito po ay isa sa tatlong connectors ng Makati at Mandaluyong and it connects Estrella Street and Pantaleon Street in Mandaluyong. MMDA estimates that it covers or it caters to, at the minimum 100,000 vehicles per day. It was inaugurated in 2011 hence ito ang isa sa pinakabatang bridge o youngest bridge in the Metro. It was part of the 19 weather resistant bridges funded previously by the Austrian government; the Rockwell bridge cost P300 million. Ngayon, dapat ito magkakaroon ng closure ng September 2018 but business establishments protested the 30-month closure, it will take 30 months to rehabilitate this bridge. The bridge is one of two China Grant-aids financed by the People's Republic of China thru a bilateral cooperation with the Philippines. According to a Philippine Information Agency release, our good secretary, Secretary Villar, was quoted as saying the construction is part of the Metro Manila logistics network, a traffic management master plan created to decongest Metro Manila by adding 12 additional bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway. The new design of the Rockwell bridge will double the road size to 4 lanes, 2 per direction but it would nevertheless lead to a 2-lane road in Mandaluyong. The expansion would cost P1.2 billion. The Chinese company involved is the CCCC Highway Consultant Ltd., Contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation. Now, this particular company, the Washington-based World Bank said it has found evidence of bid-rigging in a Philippine road project involving several Chinese and local construction companies and has decided to bar them from future contracts. The bank said that the investigation by Integrity Vice-President Leonard McCarthy has uncovered a major cartel involving local and international firms. Now, based on the INT's investigation of the NRIMP 1 case, the World Bank's Sanctions Board made up of senior bank officials and external legal experts, decided that the entities had participated in a collusive scheme designed to establish bid prices at an artificial, non-competitive levels. So, there's an 8-year ban of the CRBC, started on the 12th of January 2009 until 12 January 2017. So it's past that but my question is, Mr. President and honorable sponsor, I would like to propound some clarifications regarding the expansion of the Estrella bridge. Bakit po P1.2 billion ang halaga na gagastahin para dito sa expansion na ito na nag-umpisa naman talaga ng P300 million noon, bakit ganoon kalaki? Legarda: Mr. President the existing bridge exceeded its serviceable capacity, which calls for the widening and the average daily traffic reaches 35,000 when in fact it was designed for 22,000. Hence the addition to the serviceable capacity of the bridge; the continuous increase of traffic volume creates more stress to the structure, this maybe aggravated by the occurrence of high intensity earthquake scenarios and public safety, as you will agree, cannot be compromised over the resulting traffic once it is closed. The new 4-lane Estrella-Pantaleon bridge offers a part to solve Metro Manila's traffic woes. In fact, it passed NEDA board's approval, having an internal economic rate of return of more than 16 percent. This bridge will also feature wider sidewalks on both sides as well as stairs leading to JP Rizal in Makati. Poe: I understand, eventually there should be really an expansion and rehabilitation. On the other hand, there are other plans within the NEDA that were approved of adding bridges as opposed to rehabilitating one that we already have existing; which also, in my mind, why will it take 30 months, that's quite a long time and it will really inconvenience the public, instead why not consider adding another bridge as opposed to rehabilitating before you've added another bridge. Legarda: Mr. President, 30 months is really the timeframe for the replacement of the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge and as we said, it's of utmost necessity considering that the traffic crossing the bridge has surpassed its capacity; so it's for safety reasons so it's not just a matter of widening and including sidewalks, it's also a matter of replacing the bridge because the carrying capacity is much much bigger now, the need is much bigger. So to increase the capacity of the bridge and also to increase or improve the safety of the pedestrians, the two-lane bridge will be replaced by a four-lane bridge with a three meter sidewalk. So for all intents and purposes, it's a new bridge, kaya po 30 months. Poe: Yes but with all due respect to the good sponsor, there are other bridges that are also in need of rehabilitation which are also crucial. This one will greatly impact our drivers. My question is instead of adding another bridge, why couldn't we prioritize adding another bridge? And 30 months is a little less than three years, that's about the time that a new airport in Cebu was completed. This is just one bridge. Legarda: Mr. President, I have a whole book here of all the bridges that are going to be done; this is actually 12 bridges on the Pasig, Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway and so, the need for the Estrella-Pantaleon is there. Not just to widen the two to four and including wide sidewalks and improving, increasing the carrying capacity and to anticipate the "big one," the big quake. So it's not the only one being funded by over a billion, it's not the only bridge under construction, nauna lang po but there are 12 more bridges, in fact for the Pasig, Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway and many many more Mr. President. Poe: Okay, so for the "big one", hopefully that never comes, it's good to be able to prepare for it. On the other hand now, also are we saying now that if we don't fix this bridge and something happens, that's the most vulnerable bridge of all the other bridges? Legarda: Yes Mr. President. In fact, many years ago, even the time of Secretary Singson, I always asked about the possible retrofitting for our bridges and if it was resilient or adaptive to possible earthquakes more than the 7.1 magnitude and he would give us a long list of bridges that needed retrofitting. I believe that this is one of it because the carrying capacity has more than doubled or what so the upgrading, retrofitting is necessary because we know that Mandaluyong is part or is within the West Valley fault. So I don't want to cause fear or chaos or panic but Mandaluyong where it's located is part of the West Valley fault and based on Phivolcs intensity of 8, it's probable, possible that this area could be affected. So this Estrella, naku masama ito sa negosyo, sorry na lang 'yung may development dito, but that's the reason why they are retrofitting, improving and in fact replacing this bridge for safety reasons as well. Poe: I think that the good sponsor has established that the priority apparently of the DPWH which is safety. I do not wish to have that expounded on anymore. We accept that, safety is paramount. But my other question is this. This is a grant from China, please explain to us, exactly what does a grant mean? What are the conditions attached to this? Are we, if it's a grant, is it a loan grant? A grant that, a loan given to us at a very low interest but we still pay for it? Is it a grant meaning, the one that will give us the grant will dictate who the contractor is? Legarda: You're correct Mr. President, it is a grant, it's a non-conditional grant, there's no strings attached, ito po ay bigay. Poe: Bigay so hindi ito utang. Legarda: Hindi po. Poe: Walang kapalit ito? Legarda: 'Yung ngiti at handshake ni Secretary Villar. Poe: Hindi, I don't think. Legarda: Nakatingin kasi 'yung nanay kaya 'yun ang sagot ko. Poe: I think we've been in politics this long. First of all, the contractor they're picking, who decided on that? Why are we selecting the CCCC, bakit sila? Legarda: Because it's a gift, or a grant from China, and so they decided on the implementers of the projects, with collaboration from the Philippine Government. Poe: Is the good Secretary aware of the different violations of this construction company? Legarda: Yes, Mr. President, they were banned by the World Bank for anomalies; CRBC and CCCC are blacklisted for World Bank-funded projects only. However, CRBC was still able to participate in the bidding of DPWH projects under different financing institutions. The sanctions of the World Bank was lifted in January, 2 years ago, 2017 and being a grant project, it was the Chinese government who appointed CRBC as a project contractor per implementation agreement signed in November 2017, after the World Bank lifted the ban. Poe: Madame sponsor, I believe in second chances, especially when I feel that the intention is really good. And I feel that in this particular case, as whispered to me by a bird, the Philippines will probably be used as a reference for them to be able to gain back their reputation. But there are also some misgivings here but that particular company apparently is the one doing the reclamation in the West Philippine Sea. So wala na ba talagang ibang puwedeng makuha na contractor? I mean, magbibigay rin lang sila, wala nang iba? Legarda: That's a revelation, Mr. President. But I think that's a different-- Poe: I know it's a different matter, it's just that-- Legarda: It's of grave concern, yes. Poe: Especially now, I believe in cooperation for as long as we are on equal footing. And I don't believe in any gift with no strings attached. I mean, if it's goodwill on their part, thank you, but I really feel that for them to be able to dictate who is going to do the construction and what particular parameters, might be a little to their advantage. First of all, we don't really know who these workers are that are coming in from their country. I just wish the committee on national defense would really look at this, and would really scrutinize the track record of the company that will be involved, including the personnel that they will be sending here because for sure there are experts from that company who will be staying in the Philippines in the 30-month project period. Legarda: Mr. President, the experts will be Chinese and because it's a Chinese grant, yes they designated the contractor and perhaps the experts and engineers are Chinese but most of the workers are Filipinos. They are not bringing in Chinese laborers. Poe: That needs to be clear. I would like to express my objection for this particular project. Alam kong sinabi nila na wala na raw atrasan dito, it will start, but the impact of that will be so great. It happened already when they tried it once I think sometime in September. I was just hoping that they would consider building other bridges first instead of working with something--even if they say this is a safety issue--I think every bridge now that was built during a certain time will always pose certain risks because of the location of our country. But the same company or the same Chinese-funded company, there's another bridge linking Binondo and Intramuros that is being pursued by the DPWH. I hope that a careful study will be done because this could cost the delisting of San Agustin and three other Philippine churches collectively called the Baroque Churches of the Philippines from the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites because apparently it will imperil those landmarks. I would like to get word from the Secretary if they have actually studied this and what impact it will have in our walled city in Intramuros. Legarda: The DPWH is in close coordination with the National Commission on Culture, with the Intramuros Administration, and the bridge, I am told, is 500 meters away from the church. Poe: I still am not very convinced that we really need, at this time, to rehabilitate that bridge, without other detour routes for our passengers and drivers. Legarda: I join you in your concern for heritage structures. Again, it says here that the Binondo-Intramuros bridge will not affect any heritage structures during and after construction. And the design of the bridge adopted a split ramp structure at the Intramuros side to avoid the Intendencia Ruins. Poe: If let's say there's no other way now but to continue with this project, is 30 months really reasonable? Can't we cut that into half? Legarda: Of course, Mr. President, the DPWH will enjoin the contractors to speed up, but we don't want to compromise safety just to be able to speed up the project. It's best that we peg it at 30 months and we'll see if it can be inaugurated in less time. Mas mahirap po ang mangangako na sasabihin ko sayo, I can tell you, just to finish the interpellation, sige na kalahati inamin ng DPWH, tapos in how many years I'll stand before you and say sorry 30 months pala. 'Yun po ang sinasabi nila, talagang 30 months. Poe: Ang rerouting plan, mayroon na ba? At saka nag-public hearing ba sila diyan? Legarda: There's a rerouting plan for any construction of any bridge and there was consultation with MMDA and continuous coordination with all the stakeholders. Poe: Which particular stakeholders? Legarda: NCCA, Intramuros Administration. Poe: No, we're talking about the Estrella-Pantaleon. Legarda: LGU Makati, we will ask Senator Binay if her sister was consulted. MMDA, LGU Makati and Mandaluyong. Poe: I have no further questions about this except to register my strong objection, in particular, the Estrella-Pantaleon. That will greatly impact especially now that the rehabilitation plan for other, for example the PITX which is supposed to lessen the number of provincial buses traversing EDSA is not really being implemented properly by the DOTr. And then more buses are still filling our streets in EDSA. And we're going to undergo a project like this. So I feel that we're not really ready and I think that in the coming months, our drivers will really greatly suffer further inconvenience for this. That's all Mr. President. Legarda: May I just request from the good senator what is your recommendation, if there's anything I could do to help. Do you actually want the project to be scrapped? Do we actually need more inputs from the DPWH? I can probably help convince them if you convince me that it should not proceed. So that we just summarize what you actually want to happen, it doesn't mean just because I'm defending their budget that I actually agree with them all the time. So that my eyes can be opened into all this infrastructure being built and I can help you convince them. Poe: Thank you, madam sponsor for considering my suggestions. Of course these are wish lists for me. Number one, I am not an expert, but I think that constructing a new bridge is probably more wise at this point than rehabilitating something that's already there. Number two, if we have to go through with this, negotiate a shorter time, I think that's really possible. Three, if we have the choice on the contractor that will do it, why this particular contractor? Why can't we employ our own, or at least have a hand in selecting who's going to perform those rehabilitation projects. And number four, I think that we should include more stakeholders in the consultation, that's all. Legarda: We take note of that Mr. President. But according to the DPWH there's really a need to replace it because the carrying capacity is beyond what it was designed for. From two to four, kailangan po talagang increase-an at pati yung sidewalk na malalawak ay may paakyat. Poe: 'Yung Guadalupe bridge hindi ba nag-exceed na din 'yun ng capacity? Lahat naman nag-exceed na. Legarda: That's also being done this year. Poe: Lalawakan nga ninyo ang bridge na 'yun pero pagbaba naman ng bridge na yun may dalawang lane pa rin. So parang gumawa kayo ng parking lot. Legarda: Your concern is valid, in fact they're already looking at widening also the roads when you get down from the ramp. Poe: This does not have anything to do with this department but I am sure that they have some sort of relationship with the DOTr. Maybe the good Secretary can also request the Secretary of the DOTr to please implement the original intent of having terminals outside of Metro Manila so that provincial buses can remain there and then city buses are the only ones traversing EDSA. We have to be able to come up with the fare matrix system but I really feel that there are others with personal intentions why they are not implementing the original intent of having outside terminals. Even the President commended the PITX but Secretary Tugade is not implementing it according to its intentions. Thank you, Madam Sponsor. Legarda: Thank you, Mr. President. Press Release January 14, 2019 HONTIVEROS CALLS FOR SENATE PROBE ON DFA DATA BREACH Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros today expressed alarm over possible "deep repercussions on national security" of reports that a former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) contractor had run off with the personal data of Filipinos in its possession. Hontiveros has filed Senate Resolution No. 981, which seeks a Senate inquiry on allegations first surfaced by DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. that an unidentified private contractor involved with making passports failed to turn over the personal data of passport applicants. "As the Philippines is about to begin implementation of the National ID System, reports such as these do not inspire confidence in the capacity of government to protect our data and its ability to police and hold accountable private contractors who process personal information," she said. Hontiveros said that despite explanations in social media coming from Locsin and former DFA Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., "there still is no clarity as to who is responsible for the non-availability of Filipino passport data." She noted that there have been at least two private contractors which the DFA hired in the past in relation to printing of passports - BCA Corporation in 2005, and Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciare in 2008. In 2015, the DFA opted to tap the services of APO Production Unit, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), which entered into a partnership with a new private contractor, United Graphic Expression Corporation. The Akbayan senator said the reported breach may constitute violations under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), which requires institutions controlling personal information of individuals to implement measures which will protect such information "against any accidental or unlawful destruction, alteration and disclosure, as well as against any other unlawful processing." "As opined by data privacy legal experts, the implications of the data 'taken' from the DFA are vast, and leaves data subjects vulnerable to identity thieves who can use sensitive information contained in the birth certificates (such as the individual's mother's maiden name) to illegally access financial transactions of the data subject," Hontiveros stressed. She added that a Senate probe on the issue will help institutionalize measures "meant to further protect personal data of Filipinos and prevent possible illegal use of the same." Press Release January 14, 2019 De Lima warns vs Duterte's attacks on rights workers Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has warned against Mr. Duterte's attacks on human rights defenders (HRDs) whom he called "enemies of the state" and thus make them vulnerable to harassment, violence and killings. In her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 448, De Lima said no amount of rationalization from spokesperson Salvador Panelo could save the HRDs from imminent danger following Duterte's malicious remark. "Duterte once again displayed his patent disdain for human rights when he called human rights defenders as 'enemies of the State'. Combine this label with his previous threats and this will most likely make human rights advocates targets for harm, harassment or even liquidation," she said. "No amount of rationalization would undo this conditioning of the President and his lackeys that could endanger the lives of HRDs once his fanatical followers, misguided security forces and death squads take Duterte's cue seriously," she added. In his recent public statement, Mr. Duterte has once again branded HRDs as "enemies of the state" who are allegedly "out to destroy the government." It was not the first time for Duterte to attack HRDs, noting that several human rights groups and activists, including De Lima, have always been subject to his foul statements because they continue to speak out against his war on drugs that have killed more than 23,000 people. The Lady Senator from Bicol cited a report that 85 HRDs have been murdered under the Duterte regime, including Benjamin Ramos, lawyer of farmer victims of the Sagay Massacre in Negros Occidental. Contrary to Duterte's statement, De Lima said the President is the real "enem[y] of the state" because he is an aspiring dictator who instigates extra-judicial killings, impunity and crass misogyny in the country. "He has undermined and co-opted key democratic institutions to persecute critics like myself. Even plunderers were resurrected under Duterte's watch. He even resorts to blasphemies and incitements to kill bishops in his intensified attacks versus the Church and the Catholic faith," she said. "His constant insults and threats versus UN functionaries have jeopardized our standing in the community of nations. Worst of all, he has treasonously sold us out to China for refusing to assert the Hague ruling in exchange for dubious loans," she added. Before looking at HRDs as enemies of the state, the former justice secretary said the Filipino public should realize that HRDs exist to "selflessly fight for the rights of others" while also fighting oppressors like Duterte. "They arduously and persistently check and speak out against abuses of power of those in government, safeguarding people's rights to live in dignity," she said. Amid Duterte's tirades against HRDs, De Lima pointed out that the push for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 1699 or the Human Rights Defenders Bill she authored becomes even more urgent and compelling. Under SB 1699, De Lima sought to institutionalize and enforce state obligations for the protection of the rights of HRDs, saying that it is the responsibility of the government to conduct investigation whenever rights workers have been subjected to attacks and abuses. The ship loaded with 1,850 tons of liquefied gas, departed from South Korea heading to Dongying. 15 crews are unharmed, including five from Korea, five from Indonesia and five from Myanmar. A valve was detected to be faulty when the ship was docking at port. As no alternative parts were available on the ship, it requested for anchorage to fix the valve while the leakage happened in its first cargo hold. The ship will be repaired locally with the help from local authorities and experts from Korean. Local government has designated traffic control zone and is monitoring the environment around the sea area. Last week, HHIC-Phil filed for a rehabilitation procedure with a Philippine regional court as it collasped under debts of over $400m owed to banks. The local media cited Philippine trade undersecretary and board of investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo as saying that the agency was in touch with two Chinese companies that have earlier expressed interest in opportunities in shipbuilding in the Philippines. Rodolfo said both companies, which are operating shipyards in China, are considering investing into HHIC-Phil. Read more: Hanjin Heavys Philippine yard files for rehabilitation Trade secretary Ramon Lopez was reported saying that the trade department is providing support by linking potential investors with HHIC-Phil. Our first objective is to replace with another shipbuilder that will take over, Lopez was quoted saying. HHIC-Phil had been building containerships, gas carriers, tankers and others from its 300-hectare Subic shipyard before its downfall. These are in addition to the existing sailings on the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle rivers, and Portugals Douro. The cooperation combines Scenics all-inclusive luxury river cruise experience with National Geographic's 130-year legacy of science, conservation and exploration. Every sailing offers the opportunity to learn from leading National Geographic experts and photographers. Passengers can also choose from a menu of rich, experiential excursions, ranging from hikes and bike rides to in-depth learning experiences that focus on the natural world, culture and history. Pope's Palace and Paul Bocuse culinary school Highlights of the new Rhone cruise include exploring the Pont-dArc Cavern, featuring reproductions of the prehistoric drawings found in the renowned Chauvet Cave. This sailing also features an exclusive gala dinner and classical concert at the sumptuous Popes Palace in Avignon. Plus, travelers can take a master class in French cuisine at the culinary school of the late Michelin-star chef Paul Bocuse, go truffle hunting in Burgundy and explore the evocative towns and valleys that inspired van Gogh, along with a tour of the monastery where he painted celebrated works like 'Starry Night.' A two-day pre-trip extension adds a stay in Paris before riding the train through the Burgundy countryside to Chalon-Sur-Saone and the cruise. Christmas markets and fossils The Rhine Christmas cruise is an eight-day indulgence that visits some of the worlds oldest Christmas markets. An exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit to the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann and a visit to Grube Messel pit, the famed fossil site featured in National Geographic magazine where 'Ida'the worlds most complete primate fossilwas found, round out the sailing. The Hermitage, cosmonauts and ballet In Russia, a National Geographic expert joins Scenic Tsar as it explores grand cities and palaces, medieval monasteries and timeless villages along the Volga River between Moscow and St. Petersburg. This cruise includes a guided tour of The Hermitage, a meeting with a cosmonaut at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics and the chance to see architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg including the country estates of Catherine and Peter the Great. Travelers can walk with a National Geographic photographer in the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure and attend a private Russian ballet concert at the Palace of Prince Vladimir. Egyptian archaeological excavation In Egypt, cruisers will glide past bustling villages, lush palm forests and the striking remnants of Egypts multilayered history on the recently refurbished, luxury 36-passenger Sanctuary Sun Boat III as it sails the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Travelers can learn from National Geographic experts as they accompany visits to some of the greatest wonders of the ancient worldfrom the Pyramids at Giza to the elaborate tombs in the Valley of the Kings. There will be opportunities to meet National Geographic grantees working to excavate the ancient stone quarries of Gebel el Silsila and see performances of traditional Egyptian dance and music. A 10-day extension is available that offers an in-depth exploration of Jordan. Departures can be booked directly through National Geographic Expeditions or Scenic. Travel agent support Based at the companys regional head office in Adelaide, Chigwidden will provide ongoing support for the companys travel agent partners. He will also work closely with wholesalers. He has extensive cruise industry experience with Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O Cruises Australia and Cunard. He has worked for the South Australian Tourism Commission and most recently led the sales teams in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory for the Globus Family of Brands, which includes Avalon Waterways. A valuable asset Chigwidden was described as a very valuable asset to our team by md Dean Brazier. Were thrilled to bring Darren on board to work alongside our fantastic community of travel agents and to help them develop their businesses, Brazier said. At CMV we greatly value our relationships with the travel agent community and we are committed to maintaining a brilliant sales team here in Australia with Darren at the helm. Branching beyond the rivers With this, AQSCoperator of three boats with a fourth, American Countess, on the waybranches beyond the rivers. And, as chairman and CEO John Waggoner indicated, the company is likely to expand further into polar expedition cruising with the part-year charter of Ocean Victory, one of SunStone's newbuilds in China. 'We're very excited,' Waggoner said of the Victory acquisition. 'It was a pretty quick closing, 60 days from the time we signed the letter of intent to the closing. We already knew the boats.' Built as the US-flag Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light, they had been repossessed by the US Maritime Administration and were the first overnight cruise vessels Waggoner tried to buy, years ago, well before taking on the American Queen steamboat to launch AQSC in 2011. The 5,000gt ships are currently flagged in the Bahamas. Before Victory they sailed as Saint Laurent for the short-lived Haimark Line and as Sea Discoverer. Two Great Lakes routes The 202-passenger pair are set to operate from May through October on 10-day, all-inclusive Great Lakes voyages, a region Waggoner knows well thanks to various ferry operations by his HMS Global Maritime, the parent of AQSC and, now, Victory. Victory I will sail between Montreal and Detroit visiting Quebec City, Kingston, Toronto/Welland Canal, Port Colborne/Niagara Falls and Cleveland. Victory II will sail between Toronto and Chicago calling on Port Colborne/Niagara Falls/Welland Canal, Cleveland and Detroit, in addition to Lake Huron, Little Current, Soo Locks/Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and ending on Lake Michigan. But first comes $3m of work at Gulf Island in Houma, Louisiana. Victory I's stern area will be enclosed, like Victory II, to provide an alternative dining spot. The vessels will gain new mattresses and high-thread-count linens, fresh wallpaper, china and silver. The dining programs will be upgraded. Waggoner said the Victory pair have been well-maintained; there's no need for technical work. The Great Lakes season is already 50% booked. A good deal of business is coming from AQSC partners like AAA, Go Next and Road Scholar. Approximately half of the sales are charters. Waggoner expects the bulk of the balance will be FIT business from loyal AQSC customers seeking something new. Mexico maybe, Cuba less likely Deployment beyond the Great Lakes is still being assessed. This year, the vessels will have some New England and Eastern Seaboard sailings, and likely three Mexico voyages in November and December before going into winter layup in Houma. Under former chairman Bruce Nierenberg, the Victory vessels were planned to operate winters in Cuba and on a new Yucatan Peninsula cruise and land program. Waggoner said the governor of Campeche has already visited him, and three itineraries are under considerationMiami to Key West, the Yucatan and Cancun, then round-trip Cancun and, finally, a cruise from Cancun to the Yucatan, Key West and ending in New Orleans. Unlike Nierenberg's plan, there wouldn't be a land hotel element. As for Cuba, 'We haven't ruled it out,' Waggoner said. But with just four ports on a full circumnavigation, he's not sure the experience is optimal, and other lines already offer it. Better for Victory to stand out with something unique like the Yucatan, he thinks. And, since the vessels are shallow draft, they can access ports there that others can't. Reflagging 'The Great Lakes will be our bread and butter,' as Waggoner put it, with the 2020 season already planned. The Victory vessels' Bahamas registry is an issue, so that requires itineraries touching a foreign port. The company will seek a Jones Act exemption to reflag. This requires congressional approval and is expected to be a two-year process. Staffing up Hans Lagerweij, who was Victory president and CEO, is not continuing under the new ownership. Within the AQSC organization and parent company HMS Global Maritime, 'We have a very, very strong management team in [New] Albany [Indiana, HMS headquarters],' Waggoner said. AQSC's Bob Salmon, EVP sales, is looking to hire four more business development managers. And probably four to five more people will join marketing. AQSC's Memphis office was closed, so now everybody is consolidated in New Albany. Ted Sykes As earlier reported, Ted Sykes, president and COO of AQSC, stepped down at the end of 2018 after six years. 'Ted is an awesome guy,' Waggoner said, but he'd been commuting from his Chicago home for years and decided it was time to let someone else take over. For now, Waggonerwho had focused on operations, while Sykes honed in on sales, marketing and public relationsis going to be more out front, interacting with the media, customers and crew, which he enjoys. 'That doesn't mean at some point I won't hire a president,' he said. Future expedition cruising Building a fleet of expedition ships in China for charter to various operators, SunStone has chartered Ocean Victory, coming in 2020, to Victory in the (northern) summers and Albatros Expeditions during austral summers in Antarctica. Waggoner's team is in the process of making plans for that ship. Considering he was educated as a marine biologist before getting into commercial shipping, Waggoner is 'very, very, very interested in expedition cruising.' (File Photo) According to a report by Japans Kyodo News Agency, recently, Japan's land reclamation activities for new U.S. military base off the Henoko has triggered repeated protests from the public. On January 7, over 30 Japanese-Americans staged a rally against the reclamation in front of the White House. The organizer of the rally, Robert Kajiwara, started an online petition on a section of the White House website for stopping the landfill project, and collected 195,000 signatures by January 7. The protest and petition campaign launched by the Japanese public is unprecedented both in intensity and scale, said Zhou Yongsheng, deputy director of the Japan Research Center of the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University, when interviewed by the newspaper. It was expanded to the White House, and also exerted international influence via the internet, imposing pressure on the Japanese government and the U.S. government. The protest campaign is centered on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma. Located in the southern prefectural city of Ginowan, it is the largest U.S. military base and helicopter airfield in the Okinawa Prefecture. According to Zhou, the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed in 1996 to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma from the populous Ginowan City to the Henoko district in the northern Okinawa Prefecture city of Nago. However, such haunting problems as crimes by U.S. military personnel, aircraft crashes, falling object hazards, noise and other pollution have become intolerant for local residents, who repeatedly asked to shut down the military base and relocate it out of the prefecture. On December 14, 2018, the central government of Japan enforced the landfill project in Henoko despite local opposition. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki denounced the central governments unilateral decision violates the law, saying that the dumping of dirt and sand into the sea is against the will of Okinawans and that he was very angry at this move. Tied Up with the Ally for Interests So, why does the Japanese government insist on building the Futenma base in the island prefecture of Okinawa? The Japan-U.S. alliance is the essential part of Japans diplomatic policy after World War II, and the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is the foundation of the relations between the two countries, Lv Yaodong, director of the Department of Japanese Diplomacy at the Institute of Japan Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the newspaper. He said that in accordance with the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the U.S. is entitled to set up military bases at any place within the administrative jurisdiction of Japan. The U.S. military in Japan is an issue left over by history. The central government of Japan holds that the Japan-U.S. military alliance must be solidified considering the important role of the U.S. forces in Japan in defending homeland security of Japan, under the pretext of the Korean nuclear issue and the so-called China threat. Okinawa is a place of strategic importance, so the U.S. forces dont want to leave, remarked Zhou. Defending the security of Japan is only a pretext. Since the early 1950s, the U.S. has joined hands with its Asia-Pacific allies to form the first and second island chains in an attempt to seal off China. Okinawa is part of the first island chain. Initially, the first island chain was formed to prevent the expansion of communist forces, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. has still retained a large amount of garrison troops in Okinawa, with the core purpose of maintaining frontier deployment and deterrence targeting China and the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. army is reluctant to retreat from Okinawa and meanwhile, the central government of Japan also wants it to stay. The two sides then hit it off. Apart from the landfill work for the construction of the new U.S. military base in Okinawa, the Japanese government paid a huge price to urge the U.S. forces to stay. Kyodo News Agency reported that Japans defense ministry planned to purchase Mage Island in southwestern Japan at a price of about 16 billion yen (approx. RMB 1 billion) and build it into a shared base for the Japan Self-defense Forces and the U.S. army in Japan, where U.S. carrier-borne aircraft will be able to conduct land-based simulated training. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japans Defense Ministry and the enterprise that owns Mage Island had reached consensus on the purchase price, and planned to sign an official purchase contract prior to April 2019. It is reported that Japans Defense Ministry listed a 600 million yen environmental investigation expenditure in its 2019 budget as the preparation for building a training field on Mage Island. Japan has its own interests succumbing to the U.S. strategic deployment in East Asia, said Zhou. Indeed, the Japanese government didnt spend huge amounts on the U.S. forces in Japan for nothing. The current Japan-U.S. alliance enables Japan to send out warships overseas and achieve arms expansion, analyzed Lv. On one hand, Japan closely follows the paces of the U.S. naval operations across the world. On the other hand, the U.S.-Japan allied relationship has witnessed subtle changes in recent years. In the past, the U.S. was a protector, and Japan was the protected one. This is an unequal relation. In 2015, Japan adopted a new security bill to loosen restrictions on the use of its right of collective self-defense, which led the Japan-U.S. alliance to a more mutually equal way. As an assistant of the U.S. in implementing its global strategy, Japan then increased military spending, expanded arms supplies and enhanced military forces on the pretext of safeguarding the U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region, laying the groundwork for the amendment to its Constitution. Failed Dialogue, Escalated Confrontation Okinawans are forced to increase the scale and intensity of the protests, noted Lv. The past experience showed that the central government of Japan and the U.S. government are resolute and consistent this time. It is unlikely for them to accept the appeal of the local government of Okinawa, let alone making any compromise. Failed dialogue will definitely cause confrontation to escalate. Zhou believed that given the current situation, if the U.S. doesnt want to retreat its troops from Japan, the central government of Japan must reclaim land from the sea for the construction of the new U.S. base. A habitual strategy that the central government of Japan took in the past is to conciliate local residents by measures such as making improvements in environmental protection and noise pollution control, allotting more money to compensate the losses of local residents, urging the U.S. government to promise that such constructions would not disturb local residents while insisting on their military presence in Okinawa, and implementing preferential policies on visa to boost local tourism. However, such measures can neither meet the essential demand of Okinawa residents nor radically appease their rage. The Okinawans calls against the decision of the central government of Japan and the U.S. government will become louder and louder. As long as the Japan-U.S. military alliance exists, there will be hardly a solution to confrontation concerning the relocation of the Futenma base in Okinawa. Lv noted that we should be alert to the attempt of Japan and the U.S. to strengthen their military alliance under the pretext of defending the security of Japan and safeguarding the peace and stability of East Asia. Japans Sankei Shimbun reported that Japan and the U.S. planned to launch their first shore-to-ship missile exercise in the strategic waters off Okinawa this year. Moreover, the U.S. army planned to deploy the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and tactical missiles with a range of 300 kilometers on the island of Okinawa in this years exercise. Theoretically, the deployment of such weapons on either side of the Miyako Strait can realize complete blockade. This is merely an epitome of the measures taken by Japan and the U.S. to consolidate their military alliance. According to Zhou, the Japan-U.S. military alliance is strengthened from three aspects. First, integrated military commanding. The headquarters of Japans maritime and land self-defense forces are becoming closer and closer to the command of the U.S. forces in Japan, in an attempt to achieve integrated commanding in wartime; Second, joint training. Japan and the U.S. are conducting joint military exercises more frequently than before; Third, military equipment. Japan expands its importing of U.S. advanced weapons such as F-35 jet fighters and amphibious assault ships. This reflects a continuity of the Cold War mentality, commented Lv. Japan and the U.S. have constantly expanded their military deployments in East Asia, which will only escalate tensions in the region and increase the possibility of regional conflicts. This will not only undermine regional peace and stability, but also put the whole world into a dangerous situation. Disclaimer: The article was published on the People's Daily Overseas Edition on January 12. It is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. More than 4,500 people have passed initial selection in China's annual recruitment of aircraft carrier cadet pilots, almost twice as many as last year. With China's second aircraft carrier widely expected to join the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy this year, the recruitment campaign is designed to ensure personnel to meet the needs of the aircraft carrier-borne fighter jet J-15. The comprehensive examination phase of the 2019 annual recruitment campaign for aircraft carrier cadet pilots started in January and is due to conclude in April. Students will undergo physical and psychological tests and political examinations, the PLA Navy's website navy.81.cn reported on Sunday. This year's physical exams added a series of tests that pilots of carrier-borne aircraft need to pass including vision and auditory tests on candidates' vestibular function, corneal topography and stereovision, the report said. More than 4,500 students who passed enrollment exams will participate in the next phase, the report said. During the same recruitment campaign last year, about 2,600 students made it to the comprehensive examination phase, according to the recruitment campaign's website. That number was then cut to 800 before the final selection. It is unknown how many were eventually enrolled in last year's cadet pilot program. China's second aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, is widely expected to be delivered to the PLA Navy this year, and China will have a fleet of five to six carriers by the 2030s, reports said. While the Liaoning and the Type 001A, China's first and second aircraft carrier, can each carry about 30 fighter jets, future carriers may be designed to carry more than 60, a Beijing-based military expert, who asked not to be named, told the Global Times on Monday. More pilots than fighter jets are needed to ensure an aircraft carrier's full combat capability, the expert said, noting that not all students who pass the examinations can become pilots capable of flying carrier-borne fighter jets which is a job that comes with "extremely high difficulty." China currently operates the J-15 single-seat fighter jet on the Liaoning, but the country has reportedly recently developed a two-seat version of the J-15, which experts say could outperform the original version in electronic combat but at the cost of mobility and payload weight. The extra seat can also be used to train new pilots, cctv.com reported. Looking to the future, future carriers are expected to be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult to launch aircraft instead of the conventional jump-rack deck. The new technology allows heavier aircraft to take off. China's next generation stealth fighter jet FC-31 and airborne early warning aircraft KJ-600 are likely to be part of the new carriers' fleet of aircraft, experts said. Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times that China will develop a new set of training methods as the technology and equipment make the shift in the coming years. Talented pilots who have mastered the J-15 may also learn to fly new aircraft, Li noted. Oklahoma City, OK -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2019 -- Vigilant SEO is a Oklahoma-based SEO agency that offers search engine optimization, social media marketing and PPC marketing services to small businesses. Their goal is to make a rather complex process simple in a transparent way. They understand the importance of a business to the owner and they also know small businesses make a big commitment when it comes to dedicating their resources to any service. Armed with this understanding, Vigilant SEO helps small businesses to develop solutions that suit the need of their website and those of their future customers. Explaining about the agency's SEO services, the company spokesperson said, "We've been offering search engine optimization services to various businesses and we've realized some clients expect to see results overnight. Well, there's no quick fix when it comes to SEO; it's a consistent and procedural approach that uses various trigger points that Google uses to assess your website. Beware of those SEO firms that will boost of ensuring you are ranked first in search engine results within a specified period. Well, it's hard to make guarantees in search engine optimization. However, using proven strategies, we can help you achieve your desired results over time." Vigilant SEO is one of the SEO agencies in Oklahoma offering PPC marketing, but unlike most agencies that pick some keywords and set up a campaign, the SEO experts at Vigilant SEO use a different approach. They first establish whether the pay-per-click strategy is cost-effective and has better ROI to the company. Running a successful PPC campaign doesn't have to be expensive. When setting up the campaign, most people focus on the bid, but this is just one factor. To determine who will rank on Google's first page, it's important to keep in mind the advertiser's ad rank, which takes into consideration quality score and CPC bid. Quality score depends on the relevance, click-through rate, landing page quality, and more. The good thing is Google balances these factors so that one gets to prominent position even if their bid isn't the highest. The spokesperson added, "As your Oklahoma city SEO expert, we follow fundamental steps to enhance the visibility of your business in search engines. We first by conducting keyword research, where we investigate the demand of certain keywords in your niche. By doing this, we don't only identify the terms and phrases to use, but we also get to understand your customers' behaviour. Second, we carry out on-page SEO, which entails optimizing your web pages to receive more traffic and achieve a higher position in search engines. Third, is off-page SEO, which refers to the techniques outside your website to improve search engine rankings. Off-page SEO aims at increasing a site's relevancy, authority, and reliability before users and search engines. The other two steps include content marketing and analytics & reporting." Vigilant SEO uses sound SEO techniques to help results for a wide range of industries including healthcare, banks, legal services, automotive, education, home improvement, real estate, gaming and more. Businesses in any of these industries looking for Oklahoma City marketing services should consider working with Vigilante SEO. About Vigilant SEO The company is the leading provider of Oklahoma City SEO services. Their services include PPC marketing, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. They mostly target small businesses in different industries in Oklahoma. Contact Details Company : Vigilant SEO Address: 3120 Rockhampton Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73179 USA Phone: 405-510-0577 Email: ben@vigilantseo.com Website: https://www.vigilantseo.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2019 -- Copper sulfate, also known as cupric sulfate is a chemical compound having the formula CuSO4. It is the most popular and widely used copper salt. The anhydrous form of CuSO4 is pale green powder whereas the hydrated copper sulfate is bright blue in color. Copper sulfate is widely used in the agricultural industry primarily as fungicides. Apart from the agricultural industry, it is also used in chemical industry as a source of copper, as a catalyst and for purification of gases. Copper sulfate is used as an adhesive in the production of paints and glues. In the metal and electrical industry, copper sulfate is the most preferred electrolyte for applications such as refining, electro-plating, and also used in the development of batteries. In the leather and textile industry it is used as an important reagent/catalyst in tanning process. Copper sulfate is used as a raw material for preparation of anti fouling paints. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/copper-sulfate-market.html The agricultural industry accounts for more than half of the copper sulfate consumption globally. In the agro industry copper sulfate is primarily used as herbicide, fungicides and pesticides. Copper sulfate penta-hydrate is a fungicide. However it is mixed with lime to prepare Bordeaux and Burgundy mixtures which are more effective fungicides. Paris gas, manufactured from copper sulfate, is an insecticide. It is used as a raw material for the production of Chromated copper arsenate which is a widely used wood preservative. It provides wood with insecticidal, fungicidal and UV light reflecting characteristics. Another important application of copper sulfate is as an analytical reagent, which is further used for the preparation of several reagents such as Fehling's solution, Benedict's solution and Biuret reagent. Demand for copper sulfate as an additive in animal feed is also increasing as the copper is very essential for proper body functioning. However, copper sulfate is moderately toxic when exposed for a longer period of time. As majority of the copper sulfate is produced from scrap copper, it contains toxins. Toxins such as Dioxin are no longer preferred by most of the consumer countries. Increasing number of agricultural activities in the Asia-Pacific region has fueled the demand for agro chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides. Owing to this demand for copper sulfate in countries such as China and India has subsequently increased. . Demand for the chemical compound is also expected to rise in North America as the agricultural production in U.S. and Canada is also very high. Request to view Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17954 The production of copper sulfate was significant in Europe until recently. Most of the European countries are now importing copper sulfate in large quantities from the third world countries like Ukraine, Macedonia, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Russia and China. Most of the Europe's surviving producers are based in Italy, Spain and France. Russia and most of the former Soviet Union countries are the nations dominating copper sulfate manufacture as majority of the copper mines are located in the Eurasian region. In other countries such as Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Columbia, demand for feed-grade copper sulfate is also increasing due to growth in the animal feed industry. Copper sulfate is a very important chemical having a broad spectrum of applications. The demand of this chemical is predicted to increase subsequently over the fore-cast period. Some of the leading producers of copper sulfate are WEGO Chemical & Mineral Corp., Allan Chemical Corporation, NOAH Technologies Corporation, and ATOTECH. Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2019 -- Latin America Concrete Admixture Market is probable to witness gains close to 8% during the forecast period. Countries including Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Uruguay strongly need to improve their infrastructure including roads, houses, bridges, etc. Government in the aforementioned countries are making substantial investment in the construction sector. For instance, in Bolivia, an investment of around USD 588 million has been made for developing a road stretch of 493 km. Several other development projects in the region will advance the concrete admixture market during the forecast timeframe. Concrete Admixture Market is forecast to exceed USD 38 billion. Sturdy rise in the construction sector, mainly in India, China, Indonesia and Malaysia is attributed to industrialization and urbanization in these regions, which is probable to make significant impact on the concrete admixture market during the forecast period. For instance, in India USD 2.4 billion project is currently under progress to build the Navi Mumbai International Airport which commenced in March 2015 and is expected to be completed till 2019. Request for a sample copy of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1459 Non-residential applications for the concrete admixture market accounted for over 25% of the global industry share in 2016. Non-residential applications include buildings, medical centers, education hubs, retail shopping centers, etc. Rising infrastructure activities primarily in the Asia Pacific will help attain promising gains to concrete additive market over the forecast span. For example, Laos and China signed an agreement in March 2018 for the implementation of building China-aided Mahosot hospital to modernize medical services in the region. Similarly, in China the expansion project of Beijing airport that is expected to be completed by 2025 will surely surpass Dubai's Al Maktoum Airport in total square miles, cost, and plane & passenger capacity. Several other ongoing construction activities globally will drive the concrete admixture market in the forecast span. These products are used in the production of concrete, which helps in improving its properties based on its applications. Several concrete admixtures available in the market are water reducers, air-entraining agents, superplasticizers, fly ash, etc. Concrete admixture market, product by application Superplasticizer Accelerator Retarder Water reducer Air entraining mixture Fly ash Silicate fume Concrete admixture market by application Residential Non-residential Commercial Make an Inquiry for Purchasing this Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1459 Revival in construction industry, mainly in Germany and UK for the repair and maintenance of bridges, roads, tunnels, etc. has led to substantial investment in large construction projects, which will have positive impact on concrete admixture market share in the forecast spell. Lack of responsiveness and trained labor, specifically in the disorderly construction sector may prove to be restraining factors for the concrete admixture market in the projected timeframe. Although, projects to build greenhouse gas emission free buildings in Europe and housing projects for low-income group people in India under "Make in India" initiative are sure to bring new and profitable opportunities to the concrete admixtures market in the forecast timespan. Air entraining concrete additive market is projected to witness gains of more than 8.5% by 2024. Air entraining mixture creates air bubble in the concrete which act as rollers and helps in improving the workability. These admixtures are also very effective in freeze thaw cycles and provide cushion effect on the expanding water while concreting in cold climate. The application of this admixture on hardened concrete is quite complex to attain the correct level of air pressure. It improves concrete structure durability by enhancing its firmness and cohesion which will help augment product demand, and subsequently will drive concrete additive market by 2024. Browse Report Summery @ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/concrete-admixtures-market The major concrete admixture market share is divided among RPM International, BASF, Bostik, CEMEX, CICO Group, MAPEI, Sika, Euclid Chemical, Dow, Cementaid and FOSROC. The abovementioned organizations are spending heavily on their R&D to expand their range of available products. For instance, Sika Group had launched a sustainable admixture named Sika Viscocrete GR 5000 in Qatar in 2016. It is mainly due to the green initiative policies being adopted in Europe to achieve more cost effective and environment friendly construction techniques. DOHA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the expansion and renovation of Al-Udeid Air Base. Al-Udeid, which is considered the largest U.S. base in the Middle East, hosts around 10,000 U.S. troops and scores of U.S. combat and supporting aircraft. In a joint press conference, Pompeo said: "We're all more powerful when we're working together. Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful." He was referring to the boycott imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. Earlier this month, Anthony Zinni, a former commander of U.S. Central Command, resigned as special envoy to resolve the dispute. "The departure of Mr. Zinni in no way reflects any change in America's Middle East efforts, our strategy or our ongoing commitment to the region," Pompeo said. "It was a time for change. He made this decision to move on, but America's commitment remains unchanged." 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. Mexican authorities are preparing to close the largest Central American migrant shelter, known as El Barretal, located on the eastern outskirts of Tijuana. The closure signals a somewhat bittersweet end to the Caravana Migrante 2018 that became a national obsession with impacts still untold. Slated for next week, the closure is happening just as another caravan plans to follow in its footsteps, leaving Honduras with the safety of thousands bound for Mexico. Life inside El Barretal for the 700 or so remaining Central American migrants who arrived in Tijuana in November as part of a caravan of about 6,000 has settled into comfortable daily and weekly rhythms. Advertisement Kids go to school. Men wake before dawn and catch buses outside for work in construction or other odd jobs throughout Tijuana. Women wash and hang laundry by hand in sinks to the far right of the facility. On Thursday, a bachata blasted from a stereo into the large open-air courtyard, the heartbeat of the sprawling event space and concert hall where more than 3,000 Central Americans once took shelter in pitched tents and on cots in recent months. The large event space with a capacity for 7,000 was opened when the original shelter in Tijuanas Zona Norte near the U.S.-Mexico border became overcrowded and flooded in deplorable conditions. Since those early, difficult days, many have moved on and gotten jobs and apartments in Tijuana. Only 700 or so remain inside and the number is decreasing every day, shelter volunteers said. The temporary shelter has worked and accomplished what we set out to do, and now we are winding down operations as these last remaining people find more permanent places, said Leonardo Neri, a federal volunteer and shelter coordinator. Volunteers said they expect to close the shelter on Jan. 15, the very same day another large caravan is planning to set out from Honduras. Several families said they pray their number is called to present their asylum case to U.S. immigration authorities on Monday or Tuesday before the shelter closes. Beyond that, they said they have no plans on where else they may go. We are getting very close, said Victoria Rodriguez. We think maybe Monday our number will come up. We are packed and ready to go. Advertisement Rodriguez has two young children, both battling respiratory infections and coughs. She said she has considered no other options besides her number getting called to present her case for asylum to U.S. immigration authorities. Soap! Soap here! Soap has arrived! shouted a vendor into the nearly empty courtyard. The Barretal courtyard became like a town plaza home to dance nights, painting lessons, and religious ceremonies. Its perimeter is lined with migrant-run businesses like cigarette vendors and barber shops. Weve become a community, said Christian Lara from Honduras. Were always going to be friends with the people of the caravan. Look at what weve done. The truth is we will always talk with each other and keep in touch how we can. Advertisement On Thursday, two boys goofed off giving each other rides through the courtyard on a gurney used to bring supplies into the shelter. Were actually going to miss it here in El Barretal, one said, laughing. A man playing the music on a portable boombox collects coins inside El Barretal and at bus stops throughout Tijuana. He also sings and he said he plays music that reminds people of home. I make a little money for food. I dont know about all these people or what theyre going to do, said Jose Gonzalez of Nicaragua who was leaving the shelter Thursday in search of a cheap room to rent. I have no idea because I have no where to go after here. Advertisement San Diegan Leticia Guzman with Border Angels has been bringing donations like tents, sleeping bags, shoes, and clothing to El Barretal every week. She has also been trying to convince the federal agency running the shelter not to close it down while families are still without a place to go. There are children still in El Barretal whose families have no other place, she said. Where are they going to go? Its going to be an issue for the residents of Tijuana, for nearby businesses, for everyone, if these families are not at least placed in another shelter. Last week, Mexican authorities closed Contra Viento y Marea, a warehouse shelter closer to the border. They relocated some 40 migrants to a church shelter in the Las Playas neighborhood of Tijuana, near the beach. Jose Alexander Cherris said Thursday he was on his way to Padre Chava, another migrant shelter in Tijuana where he hoped to secure a place for himself and his 4-year-old son once El Barretal closed. Advertisement I think they have room for us there, he said. Cherris was among a group that tried to breach the border Jan. 1 but he said he and his son stayed further back among the crowd and they retreated at the first sign of tear gas. He said he still holds out hope of one day getting into the United States. I have faith. Besides, weve made it this far, he said. Advertisement We are thankful for however they have been able to help us so far, he added about those who have been running the El Barretal shelter. Seeking to reduce the risk from fluctuations in the energy market, the city of Solana Beach will enter into a three-year purchase agreement for hydroelectric power, under the citys program that allows residents to purchase electricity as an alternative to San Diego Gas & Electric. The city launched its program, called the Solana Energy Alliance, last summer. Among the goals of the citys program are to offer cleaner energy to the citys residents, provide more local control regarding energy sources, and work toward the citys target of having 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, said Dan King, assistant city manager. The city also agreed to set electricity rates at 3 percent below those charged by SDG&E. Under the program established by the council, the city has contracts with two entities, said King. One organization, called the Energy Authority, is a consortium of eight or nine public energy alliances similar to the one formed in Solana Beach. The authority purchases power on the open market for its member agencies. The city also contracts with a second consultant that handles such tasks as operating a call center, customer billing and data management. At its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9, the Solana Beach City Council voted unanimously to authorize the Energy Authority to enter into a three-year contract to purchase hydroelectric power, to meet the needs of Solana Beach residents who are participating in the citys alternative energy program. This would be the first long-term energy contract for the city program, but the city will explore other long-term options in the future, King said. A city staff report said that in a worst-case scenario, the citys energy costs could go up by $5,699 over the three-year life of the deal, while under the best case, the city could save $25,609 over the three years. The difference, said King, depends on the amount of rainfall during the contract period, which affects the cost of hydroelectric power, and if additional agencies join in the purchase agreement through the Energy Authority. If things work out well, its a much better deal, said King. Under questioning by council member Jewel Edson, King said residents electric rates would not go up even if the citys energy costs rise marginally during the three-year energy purchase agreement. According to King, Solana Beach residents are automatically enrolled in the citys energy program unless they opt out. Currently, he said, there are about 7,000 households in the program. About 8 percent of the citys households have opted out of the citys program and have continued to purchase their electricity from SDG&E, leaving the city with a 92 percent participation rate in its fledgling energy program,. The Solana Energy Alliance offers two packages of electricity rates: SEA Choice, which promises electricity from 50 percent renewable sources, and 75 percent from sources free of greenhouse gas emissions; and SEA Green, which offers electricity generated from 100 percent renewable sources. Currently, residents who use an average of 445 kilowatt hours per month are billed $119.35 for SEA Choice, and $120.69 for SEA Green. SDG&Es charge for standard electrical service is $122.69, and it also offers a 100 percent renewable option for $121.65. A side-by-side comparison of SEA and SDG&E rates can be found on the citys website at https://solanaenergyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JRC-Online-July-1-2018.pdf. Those in the program continue to pay SDG&E for use of its power grid and transmission lines. Solana Beach was the first city in San Diego County to launch a community choice energy program. According to the CalCCA, an advocacy group, there are 19 community choice programs serving some 8 million California residents. King said funding for Solana Beachs community choice program is kept separate from the citys general fund. The city did contribute $107,000 in startup costs for the Solana Energy Alliance, which will be paid back over time. The program also covers approximately $122,000 annually in city staff costs for work done on behalf of the energy program. Democrats just trying to obstruct Trump Re No compromise (Jan. 11): Looking at Steve Breens cartoon, he depicts President Trump saying no compromise and the same for Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. I believe the president was open for negotiation and it was the Democrats who said right from the beginning they would not compromise. These are the same people who wanted to secure our border before President Trump but have, right from his election, opposed anything he does to benefit our country. They need to start working for the American people and stop letting their personal feelings dictate their decisions. Advertisement Frances Carrigan Coronado We need solutions, not political symbolism Re Democrats share blame for partial shutdown (Jan. 9): The letter writer asks, Why is Trumps line in the sand any different than the Democrats? Answer: Because Trumps stance that border security equates to a physical barrier is based on inaccuracies, thus not an appropriate solution to border issues. For example, he states incorrectly that thousands of terrorists have snuck across our southern border and that illegal drugs flood across it. Objective evidence reveals that six potential terrorists have been apprehended and 90 percent of illegal drugs come through legal ports of entry. (See same newspaper, Feds: 10,000 fentanyl pills smuggled through S.D.) Democrats simply want an effective, less-costly use of taxpayer dollars for border security, consisting of some fencing, but emphasis on expanded use of technology at ports of entry, airports, and along the border. Linda Hardesty North Park Advertisement Walls have been used effectively all over Re Trumps border wall: To build or not to build? (Dec. 28): It is truly amazing to me when I read these absurd arguments that a physical barrier on our southern border would not be effective. The facts dont lie. In every nation where they have been employed they have been effective. Next, we have people like Nancy Pelosi come out and call the wall immoral even though when the Democrats were in power they all supported some sort of barrier on our southern border. What is even more offensive to me however, is that a Catholic/Christian woman like Pelosi, who embraces and supports the abhorrent practice of abortion, calls someone who wants to protect our American citizens from drugs, gangs and human traffickers immoral. I sure would like to know how technology (e.g., a drone) can physically stop someone from crossing the border as well. Advertisement Larry Kovalchik Murrieta History shows most walls eventually fail If Trump doesnt learn from history I fear we will have to repeat it. Advertisement The walls of Jericho succumbed to a trumpet. Greek armies couldnt breech the walls of Troy but the Trojans ultimately welcomed a horse-full of trouble. (40 percent of our illegals simply overstayed their welcoming visas.) The Great Wall of China? What is now a tourist attraction in its time facilitated smuggling abetted by corrupt officials and border officers, incurred significant continued maintenance and monitoring costs, and had significant ecological effects. The Maginot Line was to provide the equivalent of a defensive wall against a German invasion of France. Hitler just went around it. The walls in Israel have effectively reduced terrorism, but at a cost of loss of sympathy for Israel and damage to Palestinians and peace prospects. In short, walls are problematic. They cost more and achieve less than expected. Polls show the general public agrees. Advertisement Rick Dunn San Diego Where did Trump get his wall figures from? The government shutdown is in its third week because the president is demanding $5.6 billion for the southern border wall. Whether one thinks the wall is necessary or not, where does the $5.6 billion figure come from? Advertisement There are no completed designs, the route has not been selected, no detailed engineering has been done, no permits issued and no construction quotes have been received from qualified firms. This appears to be pork barrel spending at its worst. If the wall is such an important issue to the president, he, as a former businessman, must approach the project in a professional manner and obtain legitimate, binding, quotes for the construction. If not, even if the project is approved, likely it will have gigantic cost overruns. Will those be approved? Bob Coale Solana Beach Advertisement 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. The Trump administration expects Saudi Arabia to hold every single person responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi accountable, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday after talks with senior Saudi officials that also focused on Mideast crises and countering threats from Iran. Pompeo, speaking to reporters at the end of a trip to Riyadh, said he had raised the Khashoggi case in his meetings with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as other human rights concerns, and the fate of womens rights activists who have been detained in the kingdom. We spoke about human rights issues here in Saudi Arabia, women activists, he said. We spoke about the accountability and the expectations that we have. The Saudis are friends and when friends have conversations you tell them what your expectations are. Our expectations have been clear from early on: every single person who has responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to held accountable, Pompeo said. He said the Saudis understood and had reiterated pledges to pursue the case wherever it leads. He would not comment on U.S. intelligence suggesting the crown prince may have ordered the killing. Advertisement The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following Khashoggis brutal slaying and dismemberment at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October. Members of Prince Mohammeds entourage have been implicated in the killing and U.S. lawmakers have demanded America pull back its support of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. On the detained women rights activists, Pompeo said the Saudis had committed that the lawful judicial process would take place and they would do so quickly and that they would continue down that path. They understand the concerns that some have and they are going to do their best to communicate as appropriate, he said. Pompeo travelled to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader Middle East tour that has already taken him to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. He was to depart from the kingdom for Oman shortly after his meetings in Riyadh but cancelled plans to wrap up the trip in Kuwait on Tuesday, due to a death in his family. At each stop, Pompeo has sought to reassure Arab leaders that President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria does not mean Washington is abandoning the Middle East or the fight against the Islamic State group. Pompeo said he believed he had been successful in explaining Trumps position despite a lack of detail on exactly how and when the withdrawal will take place and differences with Turkey over the fate of U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters after American forces leave. He also tried to impress upon leaders the importance of a political solution to the conflict in Yemen, the Arab worlds most impoverished country, and the need to step up efforts to counter Irans increasing assertiveness in the region, manifested by its support for Lebanons militant Hezbollah movement, Syrias government of President Bashar Assad, Shiite militias in Iraq and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. In Riyadh, Pompeo lamented that the Houthis were not living up to pledges they made at U.N.-brokered peace talks in Sweden. We need both sides to honor those commitments and to date the Iranian-backed Houthis have chosen not to do that, he said. Advertisement Pompeo also pressed the Saudis on bringing an end to the near two-year-old dispute with its Gulf neighbor Qatar, which has badly hindered U.S. efforts to create a united Arab military alliance to counter Iran. It diminishes our ability to all work together, he said of the spat that began in June 2017 with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boycotting of Qatar, alleging it funds extremist groups and has too-cozy ties to Iran. In Doha on Sunday, Pompeo made similar remarks but said that while the United States could try to play peacemaker, it is ultimately up to the countries involved to resolve the situation. With the government mired in shutdown week four, President Donald Trump rejected a short-term legislative fix and dug in for more combat Monday, declaring he would never ever back down. Trump rejected a suggestion to reopen the government for several weeks while negotiations would continue with Democrats over his demands for $5.7 billion for a long, impregnable wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The president also edged further away from the idea of trying to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress. Im not looking to call a national emergency, Trump said. This is so simple we shouldnt have to. No cracks were apparent in the presidents deadlock with lawmakers after a weekend with no negotiations at all. His rejection of the short-term option proposed by Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham removed one path forward, and little else was in sight. Congressional Republicans were watching Trump for a signal for how to move next, and Democrats have not budged from their refusal to fund the wall and their demand that he reopen government before border talks resume. Advertisement The White House has been considering reaching out to rank-and-file Democrats rather than dealing with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to try and chip away at Democratic opposition to the wall. A White House official said plans were in the works to call freshman representatives, especially those who initially did not support Pelosis bid for the speakership. It was uncertain whether any Democrats would respond to the invitation. Separately, around a dozen senators from both parties met Monday to discuss ways out of the shutdown gridlock. Participants included Graham and Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Tim Kaine, D-Va. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was aware of the groups effort but added, I wouldnt go so far as to say hes blessed it. The odds of the group producing an actual solution without Trumps approval seemed slim. In the past, centrists of both parties banding together have seldom resolved major partisan disputes. Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill late Monday discouraged, as GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota put it, as all signals pointed to a protracted fight. Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, the GOP chairman of the Appropriations Committee, compared the shutdown saga to the play Waiting for Godot. And Godot never shows up, Shelby said. We could be protracted here for a long time. Theres nobody on the horse coming to rescue us ... that I know about. Meanwhile, the impact of the 24-day partial government closure was intensifying around the country. Some 800,000 federal workers missed paychecks Friday, deepening anxieties about mortgage payments and unpaid bills, and about half of them were off the job, cutting off some services. Travelers at the Atlanta airport, the nations busiest, dealt with waits of more than an hour Monday as no-shows by security screeners soared. Advertisement Trump spent the weekend in the White House reaching out to aides and lawmakers and tweeting aggressively about Democratic foes as he tried to make the case that the wall was needed on both security and humanitarian grounds. He stressed that argument repeatedly during a speech at a farming convention in New Orleans on Monday, insisting there was no substitute for a wall or a barrier along the southern border. Trump has continued to insist he has the power to sign an emergency declaration to deal with what he says is a crisis of drug smuggling and trafficking of women and children at the border. But he now appears to be in no rush to make such a declaration. Instead, he is focused on pushing Democrats to return to the negotiating table though he walked out of the most recent talks last week and seized on the fact that a group of House and Senate Democrats were on a retreat in Puerto Rico. Democrats, he argued, were partying on a beach rather than negotiating though Pelosi and Schumer were not on the trip. White House officials cautioned that an emergency order remains on the table. Many inside and outside the White House hold that it may be the best option to end the budget standoff, reopening the government while allowing Trump to tell his base supporters he didnt cave on the wall. Advertisement However, some GOP lawmakers as well as White House aides have counseled against it, concerned that an emergency declaration would immediately be challenged in court. Others have raised concerns about re-routing money from other projects, including money Congress approved for disaster aid. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have also warned that acting under an emergency order would set a troubling precedent for executive power. For now, Trump apparently sees value in his extended fight to fulfill a key campaign pledge, knowing that his supporters whom hell need to turn out in 2020 to win re-election dont want to see him back down. Trump was taking a wide range of advice on both sides of the issue, including from his new chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, senior aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Rep. Mark Meadows, as well as outside political advisers. In the House, Democrats look to keep the pressure on Trump by holding votes this week on two bills: one that would reopen the government until Feb. 1, and a second that would reopen it until Feb. 28. Advertisement Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said the bills offer additional options to end the shutdown and would give lawmakers time for negotiations on border security and immigration. A key question is how long Trump is willing to hold out in hopes of extracting concessions from Democrats. Recent polling finds a slight majority of Americans opposed to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and few see the situation at the border as a crisis but views are predictably divided by partisanship. Polls also show that Americans are more likely to fault Trump for the shutdown. A large majority of Democrats put responsibility on Trump, while a slightly smaller majority of Republicans blame Democrats. A modest share of Republicans either hold Trump responsible or say both sides are at fault. Advertisement A Washington Post-ABC News poll published Jan. 13 found that 54 percent of Americans oppose a wall along the border, while 42 percent express support for it. Fully 87 percent of Republicans favor the wall, compared with about as many Democrats (84 percent) who are opposed. AP Writers Darlene Superville, Matthew Daly, Jonathan Lemire, Alan Fram and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this article. A large sinkhole that opened on an Interstate 805 off-ramp near Serra Mesa early Monday prompted officials to close the exit, and they expect it will take crews all night and all Tuesday morning to complete the repairs. The Kearny Villa Road ramp which provides access to Rady Childrens Hospital San Diego, Sharp Memorial and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital as well as other businesses in the area isnt expected to reopen in time for Tuesday mornings commute, according to Caltrans. The agency said in a tweet that rain was slowing the repair work. (The off-ramp) will remain closed through tomorrows morning commute, the agency tweeted Monday night. Advertisement Update: Were still repairing the NB I-805 Kearny Villa Road off-ramp. Rain slowing the work. It will remain closed through tomorrows morning commute. Follow us here for real-time updates #SDCaltransAlert Caltrans San Diego (@SDCaltrans) January 15, 2019 Heavy runoff and a failing drainage pipe likely combined to create the gaping sinkhole, Caltrans spokeswoman Cathryne Bruce-Johnson said. A failed drainage pipe caused the sinkhole over time. It is likely that water runoff from several rain events eroded the soil underneath the pavement and caused the sinkhole, she said. The hole was discovered Monday shortly after 8:15 a.m. when drivers reported to the California Highway Patrol that part of the right lane of the ramp had chipped off, according to the CHP website. Access to the ramp was closed immediately, creating additional traffic headaches for commuters already finding a slow drive on a rainy morning. The detour is NB 805 to NB 163, exit Balboa Ave turn right on Kearny Villa Road. Stay safe out there. Slow down in the rain! Caltrans San Diego (@SDCaltrans) January 15, 2019 After officers got a good look at the sinkhole, they realized they had a major problem on their hands: The hole, which covered the right lane of the exit ramp, was estimated to be 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The large hole is an extreme hazard to the motoring public, CHP Sgt. Joseph Aboy told Fox 5. Advertisement Motorists needing to use the off-ramp can instead take northbound I-805 to northbound 163, get off on Balboa Avenue and turn right on Kearny Villa Road, Caltrans tweeted. Advertisement Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 Advertisement karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 9:25 p.m.: This article was updated with details about the length of the off-ramp closure. 1:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. Advertisement 10:05 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 9:15 a.m. A 29-year-old man was shot and critically injured inside an East Village apartment building early Monday and homicide investigators were trying to locate the assailant. The victim was found inside a fourth-floor apartment in the Strata building on Market Street near 10th Avenue shortly after 5:45 a.m. by officers responding to a 911 call, said San Diego homicide Lt. Anthony Dupree. The victim was shot in his upper body and rushed to the hospital. The mans injuries were considered life threatening, Dupree said. The victim has been identified, police said, but his name has not been made public. Advertisement Detectives were still trying to figure out what led to the shooting and were interviewing several potential witnesses. No suspect description was released. We think there is one shooter but we are still trying to determine that, Dupree said. We dont know for sure. Police closed Market and Island streets between 9th and 10th avenues for hours as they searched the high-rise, high-end apartment complex, where rents start at $2,649. Dupree said investigators dont believe the victim lived in the apartment and are trying to determine the relationship between the victim and the person who rented the unit. Several people were seen running after the shooting, although it was not clear if they came out of the unit where the man was shot, Dupree said. All weve got is someone heard shots and saw the victim down, he said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the homicide unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Advertisement Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 Advertisement karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. 8:25 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. Advertisement This article was originally published at 6:40 a.m. A motorcyclist was killed in a solo crash in Alpine Sunday evening after running into a concrete wall, authorities said. The crash occurred shortly before 6:25 p.m. near the intersection of Tavern Road and Victoria Park Terrace, just north of Interstate 8, California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Garrow said. A 29-year-old man from El Cajon was riding a 2017 Harley-Davidson Softail north on Tavern Road at a high speed when he approached a right-hand curve in the roadway, Garrow said. The motorcycle drifted left across the southbound lanes and jumped a curb on the west side of the road. The Harley-Davidson then continued in that direction until it crashed into a concrete wall, Garrow said. Advertisement The rider, whose name was not immediately available, was ejected from the motorcycle. He died at the scene. Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com Masiti Ahmed and Airyel Montana, high school students from San Diego, are both acutely aware that the drone industry, and the overall aerospace industry, are dominated by men. According to the most recent statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration, just 5 percent of certified drone pilots and seven percent of licensed airplane pilots are women. That kind of bummed me out, said Ahmed, a student at Crawford High, of learning how underrepresented women are in the field of commercial drones. I wanted to prove them wrong. It was a big part of why Ahmed, Montana and eight other San Diego high school girls mostly from southeastern San Diego participated in the first Girls Take Flight drone program at the Elementary Institute of Science in Valencia Park. Advertisement The 32-week internship, which required a minimum of 130 hours of instruction to complete, culminated Friday with a graduation ceremony for the 10 girls, who will each receive a $1,500 stipend more than enough to buy their first drone, as several of the girls said they planned to do. But more meaningful than the graduation ceremony, and maybe even the stipend: Seven of the 10 girls became FAA-certified commercial drone pilots, chipping away ever so slightly at the fields gender disparity. Every one of them has had their lives changed by the program, Jim Stone, executive director of the Elementary Institute of Science, said last week. That is a result of the hard work they put into the program. Ahmed agreed while addressing a crowd Thursday during a presentation at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2019 Science and Technology Forum and Exposition. The event was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego. I worked really hard for this, the hardest Ive ever worked in my life for anything, Ahmed said of completing the program and passing the grueling 60-question FAA certification exam. Im really proud of myself. We dont really have a lot of opportunities Of the programs 10 participants, all juniors and seniors between 16 and 18 years old, six attend Morse High, two are from Crawford High, and there is one each from Hoover High and Bonita Vista High. The internship for me has been a privilege, because not many girls of color have opportunities regarding the engineering field, especially those coming from low-income areas, one of the students, who was not identified, said in a video about the program that was presented Thursday at the aeronautics forum. Advertisement Montana, who has since transferred to Bonita Vista in the Sweetwater Union High School District, said a history teacher at Morse, her original high school, introduced her and the other participants from that school to the Girls Take Flight program. I was originally from Morse, and down there, not a lot of kids have opportunities to do this kind of stuff, Montana said. Ahmed agreed: Im from Crawford High School. Im from City Heights, and because of that, we dont really have a lot of opportunities. The chance to become part of Girls Take Flight began last February, first through assemblies and information sessions at schools, and then a more in-depth informational meeting in February at the Elementary Institute of Science. About 65 girls attended, Stone said. Advertisement They were introduced to a number of women who were involved in the drone industry. they were introduced to drone careers and technology, and they were invited to apply for a one-week camp, Stone told attendees at last weeks forum. Twenty of the girls attended the camp, which Stone described as a teaser for the full-fledged internship. Half of the camp attendees were then chosen for the 32-week program. This is the first program of its kind in California and there is nothing like it in the entire country where high school girls are spending this much time studying and flying drones and earning their FAA remote pilot certification, Stone said. We are excited to have a unique program like this in San Diego, San Diego Unified School Board member Sharon Whitehurst-Payne said in a statement. This is the kind of thing that can have a powerful impact and change a persons life. Advertisement Interest in the drone industry Keeping with the spirit of empowering girls to become part of the drone industry, the Girls Take Flight program was led by two women: Anjelica Thang, a data management specialist at the Elementary Institute of Science, and Desi Ekstein, a Lake Elsinore-based drone pilot known as Drone Diva Desi. The program was started because there was an interest in the drone industry, because San Diego was selected as one of the places to research drones, Thang said, referring to the U.S. Department of Transportations Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program. With no real model of how a drone education program might work, Thang turned to the hands-on approach she said the Elementary Institute of Science is known for. We decided were going to make it focused in coding, were going to make it focused in teaching the girls how to fly, Thang said. Giving them that hands-on experience. Advertisement The students first learned how to code, an essential part of operating autonomous drones, and how to program. Then, they had to learn how to build a drone from a disassembled kit. The girls had to learn how to put it together what actually makes it fly (and) how the propellers give them the lift they need. Once they understood coding, programming and assembling a drone, they began learning to fly the small, indoor-approved drones theyd built themselves. After they learned to fly the smaller device, they moved on to outdoor flying with a DJI Mavic Pro. After mastering the basics, the girls worked on five projects, which included learning drone safety and cinematography. Advertisement We structured Girls Take Flight like a tech boot camp, Thang said. These 10 girls came through with flying colors. The ways that the graduates plan to use their newfound knowledge, and their FAA certifications, are as diverse as the group itself. Montana, who ultimately wants to go to law school, said she first plans to join the Air Force, where she hopes to put her drone mastery to use. Before that, she plans to put her FAA certification to use immediately by helping her father capture drone footage of the large events where he works as a DJ. Because of this program, it influenced me to become a pilot, Ahmed said. Now that Im a certified drone pilot, I want to go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and study aeronautics, and I want to be an aviation pilot. Advertisement Ahmed has also started a drone club at Crawford, she said. Patricia Jimenez, a senior who has already purchased her own drone, is interested in biology, medicine and humanitarian aid. During the program, she learned about areas of the world where drones are used to deliver medical supplies to doctors working in remote, rural locations. She hopes to combine her drone skills with her postsecondary studies in the more distant future, but also has more immediate goals: She plans to launch a videography business while in college, both to continue mastering her drone skills, as well as helping me get money for college, she said. Going forward, theres talk about tens of thousands of new jobs around the drone industry, and thats not just pilots, but people to code them, people to build them, people to repair them, Stone said. Women are dramatically underrepresented in technology fields like drones, and with programs like this, we are making progress changing that. Advertisement Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 Advertisement alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com Chula Vista police detained three teens Sunday after they were suspected of breaking into a high school classroom and starting a small fire in a trash can outside of the building, a police lieutenant said. Police responded the Chula Vista High School about 7 a.m., after getting a call from a custodian who saw papers smoldering inside a trash can, and had spotted three male teens, who took off running, Lt. John Autolino said. The custodian also noticed a classroom door open, and a mess of papers and such inside, Autolino said. Nothing was damaged, he said. Police headed to the high school on Fourth Street saw three teens who matched the description of the suspects. The three were detained after they were identified by the custodian. Advertisement The younger teens one was 16, one was 17 were sent home to their parents, Autolino said. An 18-year-old man was booked into jail on suspicion of burglary. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT Last fall, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar lost a bid for Congress in conservative East County, but hes ready to give it another go. Campa-Najjar, 29, will run for the 50th Congressional District again in 2020, promising a new message and renewed focus on financial stability, public safety and community service. The 50th, Im just really passionate about it, Campa-Najjar said in an interview. Voters voted their values, and unfortunately a lot of them didnt hear mine. I feel that if people got to know me more, they would have listened to my request to put country over party, he said, adding that hes not interested in running for a different political office. Advertisement Campa-Najjar, who was a first-time candidate, lost to incumbent Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Alpine, by 3.4 percentage points in November. That compares to 27- and 43-point victories that Hunter scored in 2016 and 2014 before he was indicted on federal criminal charges that he and his wife, Margaret, stole $250,000 in campaign funds. They have pleaded not guilty and their case is set to go to trial in September. Campa-Najjar does not plan to make Hunter a focus of his new campaign. Im not really focusing on any particular people Im running against. Instead Im focusing on running for the district and presenting a better vision for its future, Campa-Najjar said, noting that hes anticipating a lot of Republicans to be eager to pounce if Hunter does not seek re-election. Matt Rahn, the mayor of Temecula, is the first Republican to seemingly be testing the waters. Hes already established an exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission, although has not yet fully committed to running in the race. As he looks to 2020, Campa-Najjar though hopes his campaign will focus a lot more on local issues and things that directly impact residents this time around. He said infrastructure is one of his top priorities, as is building economic resilience in East County through the promotion of apprenticeship programs, trade schools and community colleges. Campa-Najjar said that he needs to better convey his fiscal policy perspective cant spend the same dollar twice as well as his perspective on quality of life issues like health care, and public safety such as fire safety, immigration and the importance of responsible building and structurally sound roads in East County. I think the national mood will benefit the vision I want to represent, Campa-Najjar said, expressing optimism that the political climate in 2020 will prove more favorable than 2018. There will be a lot of people unsatisfied with the status quo, with Washington, with the direction the country is going in terms of the economy slowing down and maybe careening toward another crisis. Advertisement My message isnt, Im going to fix Washington. Im not going to lie to my district. My message is, Im going to try and fix things for us here. In the district, Republicans possess a 51,000-voter advantage over Democrats in registration numbers as of December, and with President Donald Trump on the ballot again, Republican enthusiasm may be bolstered. Campa-Najjar, a Palestinian-Mexican American, may have to deal with similar attacks to those he faced in 2018. Hunters campaign repeatedly sought to label Campa-Najjar a national security risk, citing the candidates Palestinian family roots. The attacks were criticized by some as racist. Campa-Najjar said he is not concerned about having to deal with similar lines of attack again, saying the questions have been asked and answered, and his attitude this time around will be when they go low, we go local. He also expressed serious doubt that the line of attack was ever really that effective to begin with. As someone who has had to live with stereotypes my whole life, I take issues with people stereotyping the district, said Campa-Najjar, criticizing the opining by some that the attacks influenced district voters. Advertisement With the election still a long ways a way, Campa-Najjar hopes to channel his energy into community organizing using the energy from his prior campaign to promote community service. The candidate also said he will be teaching and guest lecturing at several universities, including California State University San Marcos and University of California San Diego. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Sunday urged Saudi Arabia and other regional Arab allies of the U.S. to repair a long-festering rift with Qatar, expressing frustration that little progress has been made. The dispute has dragged on too long, he told reporters in the Qatari capital, Doha, between meetings with top government officials there. Its on everyones mind and not at all clear that the rift is any closer to being resolved today than it was yesterday. And I regret that. Pompeo was winding down a whirlwind nine-nation Middle East mission to drum up support for a stronger coalition against Iran. He flew later Sunday to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and on Monday heads to Oman and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates imposed a blockade on Qatar more than a year ago, cutting land and sea lines in an attempt to cripple its economy. Its neighbors say gas-rich Qatar, home to the regions largest U.S. military base, is too friendly to Iran, too independent and too supportive of Islamist opposition groups that the regions autocrats would like to crush. Advertisement The diplomatic crisis began in June 2017, and initially President Trump gave unequivocal support to the Saudis over Qatar. Some diplomats believe that may have hardened the Saudi position and made the Saudis less willing to negotiate. Then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought to rebalance the U.S. position and push for a more equitable diplomatic solution, an effort that Pompeo has continued. Lack of unity within the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council hurts U.S. goals, he said. Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful, Pompeo said. Were hopeful that the unity of the GCC will increase in the days and weeks and months ahead. At an informal meet and greet with U.S. Embassy employees stationed in Doha, the rift was one of the main questions weighing on the participants minds. The other was the partial shutdown of the U.S. government, which has also hurt State Department personnel overseas. Pompeo said he also will press Saudi officials on the Oct. 2 murder of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Pompeo was scheduled to meet Monday with Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler whose close aides have been implicated in the killing. It will be the second time since the murder that Pompeo will sit down with Mohammed for discussions aimed at as he put it ensuring that the accountability is full and complete. Pompeo was widely criticized for seeming overly chummy with the crown prince in a meeting in Riyadh two weeks after Khashoggi was killed. We will continue to have conversations with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring that the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Pompeo said. He said he wanted to make sure investigators had all the facts. U.S. intelligence agencies have suggested that Mohammed may have been involved in the killing, which the crown prince has denied. Both Trump and Pompeo have been reluctant to pin blame on him because of Saudi Arabias important role in countering Iran. Advertisement tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter A diplomatic dispute between China and Canada is likely to take on new urgency after a provincial court in northeastern China on Monday sentenced a Canadian man to death for drug trafficking a case for which he previously had been sentenced to life in prison. China has denied that the case or the arrests of several other Canadians in recent weeks have been politicized in retaliation for Canadas arrest of a senior officer of Chinas top telecommunications company, Huawei. The court handed down the death penalty for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, after a rushed retrial that lasted just a day. Authorities gave only four days notice of the proceedings. Schellenberg was convicted in November of plotting to smuggle 489 pounds of methamphetamine from China to Australia in 2014. Following the conviction, which came two years after his trial, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and a $22,000 fine. Advertisement He appealed but the Liaoning Provincial Higher Peoples Court last month ordered a retrial after prosecutors argued the sentence was too lenient, alleging that Schellenberg was part of an international drug-trafficking conspiracy. The court handed down the death penalty for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, after a rushed retrial in a drug-trafficking case that lasted just a day. Authorities gave only four days notice of the proceedings. (Associated Press) The retrial at the Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court came with unusual speed, not long after Canadas Dec. 1 arrest of a high-profile Chinese businesswoman, Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the telecommunications giant Huawei. Her arrest came at the request of U.S. authorities who want to extradite her on charge of fraud relating to alleged breaches of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Chinese government officials have been furious about Mengs arrest, calling it lawless and vicious, and ramping up pressure on Canada to release her or face dire consequences. Beijing officials last month summoned Canadas ambassador, John McCallum, and U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad to protest. But Chinas rhetoric has been tougher toward Canada, although Canadian law enforcement officials were responding to the U.S. request. It could be months before Mengs extradition case is decided, leaving the prospect of a drawn-out, bitter row between Beijing and Ottawa. In the aftermath of the Meng case, China last month arrested two Canadians, Michael Kovrig, who is both China analyst for the International Crisis Group and a Canadian diplomat taking a leave of absence, and Michael Spavor, who operates a company promoting tours and investment in North Korea. Both were detained at a secret location on suspicion of endangering national security, a serious offense. Another Canadian, teacher Sarah McIver, was arrested last month over a work permit offense, but was released last month and allowed to leave China. The timing of Schellenbergs appeal and retrial have raised alarm that he may have been dragged into the worsening diplomatic tensions, a claim that China rejected. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lu Kang denied there was any political dimension to the retrial. Advertisement Donald Clarke, an expert on Chinese law at George Washington University, wrote on the legal blog Lawfare that Schellenbergs case, like those of Kovrig and Spavor, appeared to reinforce the message that China views the holding of human hostages as an acceptable way to conduct diplomacy. He cited unusual features of Schellenbergs case that suggested it might be linked to Chinas pressure on Canada over the Meng arrest. Tension between the two sides has sharpened in recent days. Chinas ambassador to Canada, Lu Shaye, last week wrote an opinion piece for the Ottawa-based Hill Times accusing Canada of Western egotism and white supremacism in Mengs arrest and arguing that Canada was applying double standards. Canadas Globe and Mail newspaper responded in an editorial Monday that Spavor and Kovrigs arrests were obvious retaliation for Mengs arrest, adding that they were being denied access to lawyers and held in rooms where the lights were never turned off, a form of torture. Advertisement Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused China of holding two Canadian citizens unfairly, claiming Beijing was failing to respect diplomatic immunity. The diplomatic immunity remark was a reference to Kovrig. Chinas Foreign Ministry said Kovrig entered China on an ordinary passport and visa, and was not eligible for diplomatic immunity. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the media in Ottawa on Monday. (Adrian Wyld / Associated Press) The tensions seem certain to get worse in light of Schellenbergs death sentence. Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976. On Monday, Trudeau complained that China had arbitrarily applied the death penalty to Schellenberg. Retrials in China are highly unusual, Clarke wrote Friday, adding that sending the case back for retrial gives China the opportunity to threaten death and to drag out that threat for as long as necessary. Advertisement Several foreign media organizations, including Agence France-Presse and Canadas Globe and Mail, were invited to observe proceedings, although they watched from a monitoring room in a different location. Clarke said the invitation to foreign media was highly unusual and could indicate that China wished to show Canada that it is deadly literally deadly serious about getting Meng Wanzhou released. Clarke said the unusually short time between the court decision to retry the case and the retrial also suggested it was no ordinary case, particularly given the new prosecution allegations that could justify the death penalty. AFP reported that Schellenberg was brought into court in handcuffs. Schellenberg said he had come to China as a tourist after traveling through Southeast Asia and ended up being framed by a drug-trafficking gang. He said his difficulties began after a friend recommended a man named Xu Qing as a translator, AFP reported. Advertisement This is a case about Xu Qing. He is an international drug smuggler and a liar, Schellenberg told the court, according to AFP. The Globe and Mail reported that Xu described himself as a pawn, translating for Schellenberg and caught up in the drug smuggling operation. The Canadian newspaper cited Schellenberg as saying: I am not a drug smuggler. I am not a drug user. I am a normal person. It reported that prosecutors said phone and bank records connected him to a drug smuggling conspiracy. Xu testified against Schellenberg in court Monday, saying he suspected the Canadian was involved in drug smuggling and reported him to police. Prosecutors alleged that Schellenberg had purchased tools and tires and gone to a warehouse in Dalian with Xu as part of a plan to conceal drugs inside the tires, according to AFP. Advertisement Schellenbergs lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said there was not enough evidence to prove the case against the Canadian. robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT President Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general will tell senators it is vitally important that special counsel Robert Mueller be allowed to complete his Russia investigation, and said he believes Congress and the public should learn the results, according to remarks prepared for his confirmation hearing. William Barr also insisted in testimony hell deliver Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee that Trump never sought any promises, assurances or commitments before selecting him to be the countrys chief law enforcement officer. In releasing written testimony ahead of his hearing, the Justice Department moved to pre-empt the most significant questions Barr is likely to face from Democrats on the panel including whether he can oversee without bias or interference the final stages of Muellers probe into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, and whether he will permit the findings to be made public. I believe it is in the best interest of everyone the President, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people that this matter be resolved by allowing the Special Counsel to complete his work, Barr said. Advertisement He described Mueller, a former Justice Department colleague, as a friend he has known personally and professionally for 30 years. Mueller headed the departments criminal division while Barr served as attorney general from 1991 to 1993. The special counsel is required to confidentially report his findings to the Justice Department. Barr stopped short of directly pledging to release Muellers conclusions, but he expressed general support for disclosing the findings, whatever they may be. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law, Barr said. I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decisions. The remarks in support of Mueller are intended to reassure Democratic senators troubled by Barrs past comments on the special counsels probe, including an unsolicited memo he sent the Justice Department last year criticizing the inquiry into whether the president had obstructed justice. He also previously said the presidents firing of FBI director James Comey was appropriate and that the Mueller prosecution team, repeatedly criticized by Trump for including prosecutors who have made political stances to Democratic candidates, should have had more balance. Those stances raised alarms that Barr could stifle the investigation as it reaches its final stages or make decisions that protect the president. Among the questions an attorney general might have to confront would be whether to approve a subpoena for Trump if he refuses to answer additional questions from investigators, and whether to disclose to Congress whatever report or conclusions Mueller turns in. Barr, who also moved to quell concerns during private meetings last week with lawmakers, insisted that Trump had sought no assurances, promises, or commitments from me of any kind, either express or implied, and I have not given him any, other than that I would run the Department with professionalism and integrity. As Attorney General, my allegiance will be to the rule of law, the Constitution, and the American people, Barr said. That is how it should be. That is how it must be. And, if you confirm me, that is how it will be, and I have not given him any, other than that I would run the Department with professionalism and integrity. Advertisement The mere fact that Barr felt compelled to deny any sort of commitment or pledge to Trump reflects the delicate and unusual circumstance he finds himself in. He would serve a president who requested loyalty from an FBI director he later fired and who berated and eventually forced out his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for recusing himself from the Russia investigation. Barrs supervisory role in the Russia probe may be especially important since Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and has overseen his day-to-day work, expects to leave the Justice Department soon after Barr is confirmed. It is not clear how much of the investigation will be left by then. Barr would replace acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, who declined to recuse himself from the investigation despite the advice of a Justice Department ethics official and calls from Democrats who cited Whitakers past critical comments on the probe. Barrs June memo to top Justice Department officials criticized as fatally misconceived the theory of obstruction that Mueller appeared to be pursuing. He said presidents cannot be criminally investigated for actions they are permitted to take under the Constitution, such as firing officials who work for them, just because of a subjective determination that they may have had a corrupt state of mind. Advertisement Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec has said Barr wrote the memo on his own initiative and relying only on publicly available information. She said senior ethics officials were consulted about the memo and have advised that it presents no conflict of interest to Barrs work as attorney general. In his prepared remarks, Barr said the memo was narrowly focused on a single theory of obstruction that media reports suggested Mueller might be considering. Barr said he wrote it himself as a former Attorney General who has often weighed in on legal issues of public importance. The memo did not address - or in any way question - the Special Counsels core investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Barr said. Associated Press writer Michel Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report. At 3:33 p.m. on a fall day in 2016, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts and Barrio Logan residents were enjoying the sun, food and rockabilly music in Chicano Park. Forty-four seconds later, a tan pickup soared off the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and slammed into the park, crushing two vendor booths, killing four people and seriously injuring seven. Cruz Contreras, 52, and his wife, Annamarie Contreras, 50, of Chandler, Ariz., were killed, as were Andre Banks, 49, and his wife, Francine Jimenez, 46, of Hacienda Heights. The pickup driver, Richard Anthony Sepolio, appeared Monday in San Diego Superior Court for the first day of his trial on 13 felony counts including four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI and reckless driving. Advertisement Sepolio, a 27-year-old Navy aviation technician and petty officer, faces decades in prison if convicted on all counts. Before the first witnesses were called to the stand on Monday, prosecution and defense lawyers gave a jury of six men and six women a preview of the testimony and evidence to come. Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright said in her opening statement that the defendant had been drinking with a co-worker in South Park the afternoon of the crash and was speeding at more than 80 mph on northbound Interstate 5, leading to the bridge, where he lost control of his pickup. She said Sepolio had been talking on his cellphone to his girlfriend for 11 minutes while driving, and they got into an argument. Impatience, irritability, intoxication, impairment, all affected Sepolios driving, Bright said. Defense Attorney Paul Pfingst said Sepolios blood-alcohol and breath tests showed he was under the .08 percent level at which California drivers are presumed to be under the influence. Four tests were done on Mr. Sepolio and he passed all of them, the attorney said. Sepolios blood was first drawn at the hospital about an hour after the crash. He had two breath tests right before getting a CT scan, and another blood draw about 6 p.m. Advertisement Pfingst said Sepolio was on his phone hands-free and hung up as he entered the bridge lanes. The defense attorney said, too, that a mere two seconds passed from the time Sepolio started to pass the other car until he hit the right-hand freeway barrier that sent his truck over the side. He has never had a traffic ticket in his life, Pfingst said of his client, adding that since the crash, Sepolio and his girlfriend married and had a baby. On Oct. 15, 2016, Sepolio and Petty Officer Stephanie Ruiz had brunch at Eclipse Chocolate from about 12:20 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., according to a receipt that Pfingst displayed for jurors. They ordered a cider for Sepolio, a cocktail for Ruiz and shared a bottle of wine with lunch and dessert, Pfinsgt said. Advertisement They took an Uber ride from Ruizs home and back again, hanging out for about an hour until Sepolio left. Sepolio then headed for Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, taking northbound I-5 onto the bridge. His attorney said he sped up to pass a slower car to his left, so he could merge into that lane. He lost control of his truck on a sweeping curve, hit a concrete barrier on the left, bounced across lanes and hit the right-hand barrier. The pickup sailed over the barrier and landed in the park, which was jammed with an estimated 3,000 people at festivities at the end of La Raza motorcycle run. Advertisement Sepolios pickup clipped the band stage and a light pole, then landed on atop two souvenir booths and two couples. Dozens of people rushed to roll the pickup off those trapped underneath and to pull Sepolio from the wreckage. He suffered a fractured vertebra, sternum and hand, and bruised his lungs, his attorney told jurors. Trauma nurse Karen Hoffman was at the park with her husbands band, which had just taken a break from playing on the stage, she testified Monday. We heard a loud bang, she recalled. I stood up, looked up. I saw the underside of a truck fly over our heads. Advertisement She made her way through the crowd and crawled partly under the truck as men started to lift it off the victims. There was absolutely nothing I could do, Hoffman said, noting that the two men and two women clearly were dead. She testified she next went to see if she could help Sepolio, who was writhing in pain on the ground, moaning, and asking if someone would call his command, or Navy supervisors. He was clutching his cellphone in his right hand, Hoffman testified. Advertisement Under prosecution questioning, Hoffman said she smelled alcohol on Sepolios breath as she tried to hold his shoulders flat on the ground. She said she was concerned that he could have a neck injury from the violent collision. Judge Charles Rogers courtroom was packed with family and friends of Sepolio and of the crash victims. Out of court, Maryann Contreras, daughter of victims Cruz and Annamarie Contreras, said every day since their deaths has been brutal on her and her sisters. She said of Sepolio, The bottom line, he chose to drink and get behind the wheel. People need to be held accountable for their actions. Advertisement Pablo Trevino, who described himself as one of La Raza Run organizers, said he and other witnesses are traumatized forever. Testimony in the case is expected to continue Tuesday. Advertisement pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @pdrepard A wet week will kick off Monday morning with the arrival of the second in a string of five back-to-back storms that are expected to douse Southern California every day through Thursday. Most of the rainfall is expected to be light to moderate and not severe enough to produce major debris flows. But authorities warn that periodic bands of heavier rain could generate roadway flooding and shallow mudslides or debris flows, like the one that covered a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway and trapped cars in Malibu earlier this month. Still, authorities on Sunday afternoon issued voluntary evacuation warnings to communities near the Holy fire burn area, citing the potential for dangerous debris flows. People in these zones SHOULD GO NOW this is the safest time to leave, said an alert from Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department. Advertisement The storm arriving early Monday could be the heaviest, dropping half an inch to 2 inches of rain in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service. Mountain areas could see 6 to 12 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph, creating hazardous winter driving conditions. More rain will continue blowing in each day, forecasters said. Los Angeles is expected to see a quarter of an inch to 1 inch of precipitation each day through Thursday, with higher amounts in the foothills and mountains, according to the weather service. The area already has seen above average rainfall so far this season. Downtown Los Angeles typically sees 5.37 inches from Oct. 1 to this point in the year. By weeks end, the storms could bring 2 to 4 inches of rainfall to downtown, on top of the 5.75 inches thats already fallen since Oct. 1, the weather service said. Forecasters are hopeful that gentle rains will prevail, but still worry that as the wet week progresses, hillsides saturated by one storm become more prone to slippage from the next. Wed prefer to have them a little more spaced out, but if we can continue to go like this where we can get the rain we need without it causing damage, thats wonderful, said Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Officials urged residents in and around the Woolsey fire burn areas to remain vigilant, as even small amounts of rain can unleash dangerous mudflows with little or no warning. Peak rainfall rates may result in significant mud and debris flow, and we encourage Woolsey fire survivors to be ready to evacuate at a moments notice, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby said in a statement. Advertisement Officials urged the public to avoid flood control channels and other waterways and to steer clear of low-lying areas, canyons or steep slopes, which are at the greatest risk of mudslides and falling debris. Winston Smedley holds a bag as Henry Jenkinson fills it with sand and Alex Halley, left, waits to load it onto a truck in Malibu on Friday. The three were preparing for the series of storms expected to hit the region. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Along the coast, the storms are also generating high surf with the potential for dangerous rip currents. When combined with rising tides in the coming days, forecasters said, the storms are likely to cause minor coastal flooding along low-lying stretches of coastline, including parts of Orange County. In Southern California, its unusual to have such steady rainfall, experts said, and stormy weather patterns typically dont last longer than about three weeks. Downtown L.A. gets about 15 inches of rain annually on average, much of it from a small number of winter storms. Advertisement But for the next few days, Southern Californians should leave the house each morning assuming its going to rain. It might not be heavy rain, it might be light enough that you can walk to the car without putting up an umbrella, Hoxsie said, but you should probably have an umbrella or rain jacket handy. So far the area has been lucky, forecasters said, that the rain has remained relatively gentle, providing much-needed water without the type of intense downpours that can set loose burned hillsides and cause catastrophic flooding or mudflows. Lets just be grateful that were getting the rain without any notable damage at this point, Hoxsie said. We should be trying to enjoy it while we can and hope that the spigot doesnt turn off too quickly. A storm over Southern California dumped rain and snow on the area Monday, heightening the threat of mud and debris flows in areas scarred by recent wildfires, prompting evacuation orders, and closing a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and the Grapevine section of the 5 Freeway. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for western Los Angeles County and Ventura County, warning that roads, streams and highways could pool with rain as showers are expected through the week. As rain pelted the state Monday, setting new rainfall records in Burbank and Sandberg, a town near the Grapevine, officials began to close roads that were too dangerous for traffic. Please obey CHP vehicles conducting pacing over the Grapevine and exercise caution in inclement weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/2SrXRESWnS Caltrans District 6 (@CaltransDist6) January 14, 2019 Advertisement Snow on the 5 Freeway shut down all lanes of the road in both directions for five miles near the Grapevine, the California Department of Transportation said. Weather service officials warned that heavy winds and snow could make the freeway treacherous at times with blowing snow and icy conditions through Tuesday morning. Caltrans said several vehicles were stuck on the freeway and tow trucks were being brought in. A 12-mile stretch of Highway 1 also was closed in Big Sur between Mud Creek Road and Pauls Slide, according to Caltrans. One lane of westbound PCH was closed about 7:30 a.m. just south of Leo Carrillo State Beach because of a mudslide, the agency reported. Officials said crews were working to clear the right lane and were unsure how long the road would be blocked. Three and a half hours later, a river of mud closed all lanes of the coastal highway from Trancas Canyon Road and Broad Beach Road in Malibu to Las Posas Road in Ventura County. Later in the afternoon, a 250-foot mud flow damaged an Encino home and swept its guesthouse off its foundation. The three people who were inside escaped without injuries. A voluntary evacuation was issued for 14 homes potentially in a slide zone in the area. Earlier this month, a shallow mudslide covered a stretch of PCH in Malibu and trapped some cars. Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) is closed in both direction from Trancas Canyon Rd./Borad Beach Rd. in #Malibu to Las Posas Rd. in Ventura due to significant mud flow and runoff in various areas that has covered lanes. Residents are allowed w/ID as long as it is safe. #LARain pic.twitter.com/FDhVYmLo32 Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 14, 2019 The hillsides along PCH were charred by the Woolsey fire in November. L.A. County officials ordered people to evacuate some areas burned by the blaze, which claimed four lives and destroyed more than 1,500 structures from Oak Park to Malibu, by 8 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities said Monday the fourth person killed in the blaze died five weeks later of smoke inhalation. Advertisement Malibu City Manager Reva Feldman said at Monday nights City Council meeting that her staff will send out a reverse 911 call to residents living in neighborhoods under the mandatory evacuation. The city will open its emergency operations center at 6 a.m. Tuesday and keep it open 24/7 until the weather passes. I urge everybody to please assess your personal situation, Feldman said. You cannot escape mud flow. You cannot fight it. You need to be very careful and think this through. Please think this through and take care of your family. Malibu City Council member Skylar Peak urged residents to heed the citys warnings and leave their homes, especially if they live near the end of canyons. Do not let what happened up the coast happen here, Peak said, referring to last years fatal slides in Montecito. Its serious, and its real. Advertisement Though Kanan Road between Agoura Hills at the 101 Freeway and PCH in Malibu remained open, the torrential rain sent rocks the size of cantaloupes down the burned hillsides, forcing drivers to dodge the small boulders. At Decker Canyon Road, a California Highway Patrol officer blocked access to anyone but residents. Officials are concerned about the potential for debris flows along the route, which winds through hills blackened by the Woolsey fire. Near Leo Carrillo State Beach, a fleet of dump trucks and bulldozers did cleanup work and utility workers dotted the landscape, repairing electrical lines and poles. MANDATORY EVACUATIONS in following zones ordered 1/14/19 at 7:00 a.m.: Amorose, Alberhill, Glen Ivy A, Glen Ivy B, Glen Eden, Grace, Horsethief A, Laguna A, Matri, McVicker A, Rice, Withrow A. For info: https://t.co/q5Eos4UKT2 or (951) 940-6985 #HolyFloodWatch #CtyLakeElsinore pic.twitter.com/6DcFnN68wt RivCoReady (@RivCoReady) January 14, 2019 Advertisement In Riverside County, authorities ordered residents to evacuate communities near the Holy fire burn area in Riverside County, citing the potential for dangerous debris flows. People in these zones SHOULD GO NOW because it is the safest time to leave, an alert from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Riverside County Fire Department said Sunday. The Riverside County Emergency Management Department ordered residents in the Glen Ivy and Horsethief Canyon areas to get out of the area. Philip Gonsalves, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, said that as storms emerged over the next few days, officials would be monitoring the Holy fire burn scar, which straddles the border between Orange and Riverside counties. Advertisement That is of the most concern to us because its the most vulnerable one, he said. Gonsalves said the risk of mudslides increased with heavier downpours but also as showers continued for many days and eroded the land. Authorities in Santa Barbara County ordered people who live below the Sherpa, Whittier and Thomas fire burn zones to evacuate by 10 a.m. Tuesday. They said people living next to the evacuation areas, particularly in Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria, could be stranded if debris flows damage or block roads. Residents in these adjacent areas should be prepared for this possibility and consider leaving the area during the evacuation, authorities said in an alert. Advertisement El Montecito preschool and Crane Country Day School will be closed, while other schools will have class at alternate sites. In San Diego County, a large sinkhole on an Interstate 805 offramp near Serra Mesa prompted the closure of the exit. Heavy runoff and a failing drainage pipe likely combined to create the gaping sinkhole, Caltrans spokeswoman Cathryne Bruce-Johnson said. Officials expected it would take crews all night to complete repairs on the hole, which covered the right lane of the exit ramp and was estimated to be 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep. A large sinkhole developed on an onramp to Interstate 805 in San Diego. (Sam Hodgson / San Diego Union-Tribune) Advertisement Despite all the chaos the storm was bringing to the Southland, some were happy about the moody weather. A film crew of about 25 people that had set up next to Mugu Rock off PCH weathered the rain as waves crashed on the jagged rocks below. It was the crews first day of a two-day shoot for a short film called Our Father, based on a true story that happened on the East Coast. Unlike many residents anxious about what the weather would bring, the film crew was happy: A rainy, dreary day helped set the scene perfectly. It helps us, Jamie Duneier, the films writer and director, said. We are actually happy about the rain, as long as we can get everything we need. Advertisement In Northern California, where the Camp fire razed the town of Paradise 90 miles north of Sacramento, rain was also heightening the risk of mudslides this week. Showers are expected to begin in that area Monday night, with the heaviest rainfall predicted for Wednesday, said Karleisa Rogacheski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Well be watching all our burn scars, she said, just in case. Times staff writers Ruben Vives, Alene Tchekmedyian and Richard Winton contributed to this report. Advertisement Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report. soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com Twitter: @skarlamangla jaclyn.cosgrove@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @jaclyncosgrove A state judicial watchdog commission on Monday charged Los Angeles-based state Court of Appeal Justice Jeffrey Johnson with nine counts of misconduct, including sexual harassment and squeezing the breast of a female justice. The Commission on Judicial Performance, which issued the charges, said a formal hearing would be convened to examine the evidence. Johnson, a former federal prosecutor appointed to the appeals court by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, could face removal from the bench. Johnson served as a federal magistrate for 10 years before joining the Court of Appeal, and the charges filed against him date to his time on the federal bench. Advertisement Johnson said through his lawyer that he denied all the allegations and passed a polygraph test in which he was asked about the most serious of the charges. The commission has disciplined other judges over the years for sexual misconduct, but the extent and severity of the charges against an appellate justice are unusual. The charges also involve conduct that allegedly occurred over two decades. More recently, according to the charges, Johnson sexually harassed and improperly touched a female justice. The charges described the conduct as unwelcome, undignified, discourteous and offensive and akin to sexual harassment or sex discrimination. In July 2012, Johnson and the justice met in the hallway of the courthouse, according to the charges. She told Johnson she had just finished a particularly difficult hearing. After making a remark about her breasts, Johnson then allegedly squeezed one of them. Between January 2010 and June 2018, Johnson repeatedly hugged the justice and put his hand on one of her breasts and patted her on her buttocks at the courthouse, the charges state. In December 2015, according to the charges, after a discussion about sexual harassment allegations against one or two other judicial officers, Johnson told the justice: You would never report me, would you? (The Times generally does not name victims of sexual assault unless they have agreed to be identified.) Advertisement Johnson also allegedly harassed California Highway Patrol officers who worked for the agencys judicial protection division and were assigned to drive him to the airport and various functions. According to the charges, Johnson told a female officer that he wanted to take off her clothes and have sex with her. He also is charged with putting his hand on her thigh while she was driving and asking her to pull over so the two could have sex. Another CHP officer reported that Johnson spoke to her in a sexually suggestive manner and invited her into his home when no one else was there. Johnson is also charged with yelling at court employees during disagreements and becoming intoxicated in public. Advertisement The allegations date back to 1999, when Johnson was a federal magistrate. Federal court staff reported that he made inappropriate sexual remarks, including asking a court clerk if she had a breast augmentation and then asking if he could touch her breasts. Lisa Bloom, who represents one of the CHP officers named in the charges, said the woman has taken the first step toward filing a lawsuit against the state for sexual harassment. Bloom said the officer initially reacted to the justices behavior by seeking and getting a job reassignment. That Johnsons alleged misconduct could have persisted for two decades did not appear to surprise Bloom. Advertisement She said women are often reluctant to complain, particularly when the harasser has a powerful position. It is a very difficult thing for women to complain in general, she said. They often feel they will not be believed or hope the offensive behavior will stop, she said. Bloom said she expects Johnson will be removed from the bench if the allegations by the women are believed. Johnson said through his lawyer that he would rely on facts and documents to provide the truth and produce communications by the complainants that discredit their claims. Advertisement The statement said he was committed to the investigative process despite irresponsible and unsubstantiated emails sent by a judicial officer to thousands of court personnel containing erroneous information. Paul Meyer, Johnsons lawyer, declined to elaborate on the statement. maura.dolan@latimes.com Twitter: @mauradolan Thousands of picketers supporting the teachers strike gathered in Grand Park and at L.A. City Hall before marching to Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters Monday morning. Dark clouds, drizzle and muddy grass didnt dampen the spirits of the educators and their supporters, many dressed in red, as they danced, drummed, chanted and made use of bells and whistles handed out by organizers. By late morning, they had created a river of umbrellas at Broadway and 1st Street as they marched several blocks. About 28,000 picketers were out in force at schools across the county Monday morning, and 50,000 strike supporters marched to district headquarters downtown, according to UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl. The crowd moved slowly south along Broadway and Main Street, where they then converged on 2nd Street and headed through the tunnel closed for the marchers toward Beaudry Avenue. A blue Kia sedan was trapped on 2nd Street as protesters surrounded it. The driver attempted to inch forward as the sea of red ponchos and jackets parted. Then, as they walked through the tunnel, the cavernous walls amplified the sound and excitement. Whistles blared and the picketers U-T-L-A chants echoed as they wandered through the tunnel. They cheered loudly as they emerged onto Figueroa Street. Advertisement The size of the gathering prompted the California Department of Transportation to temporarily close ramps from the 110 Freeway toward West 3rd Street. The scene in the tunnel on 2nd Street. Whistles blared as the chants of UT-L-A were amplified by the cavernous walls. Crowd cheered as it entered and exited. pic.twitter.com/NBap3nWK64 Melissa Gomez (@MelissaGomez004) January 14, 2019 Today I am feeling very, very powerful and very hopeful that our students are going to get what they need, said Talia Guppy, a social worker at Central High School, as she marched. At the top of Guppys list of demands: an increase in the number of social workers and other mental health professionals, addressing what she said was a dismal student-to-social-worker ratio. Ideally, it should be one for every 250 students. We deal with all the crises that students face every day, Guppy said. We will be out there every day until we get what the kids deserve. Earlier, shortly before the march began at 10:30 a.m., a band of about 10 people started playing the 1980s hit The Final Countdown in the middle of Grand Park. As a group of students began chanting, one hoisted a sign that read: Im strike ready. Another had a sign that read: This would never happen at Hogwarts! Scott Murphy, a teacher at Miramonte Elementary School, stood on the steps of City Hall as the rain continued to fall. Im here for the students, he said. Its about time the kids get what they deserve. Advertisement Michael La Mont, a teacher of 22 years, said the march represented the unity of teachers and not just a small group of them. Were marching for the future of public education, he said. No ones doing this for fun. Were missing our kids. Its raining. Were not going to get paid. This is a serious issue. Shouting Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Austin Beutners got to go! the picketers arrived at LAUSD headquarters shortly after noon. Marchers flooded the streets surrounding the districts black glass building as wind and rain turned their placards soggy and rustled umbrellas. Speaking from the back of a flatbed truck, Caputo-Pearl lashed out at Beutner, repeating the allegation that the superintendent has squirreled away $2 billion in reserves money the union said should be put on the negotiation table. Advertisement This is a struggle for the soul of public education, Caputo-Pearl told the picketers, though the speaker amplifying his words failed to reach much of the crowd. Times staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report. The scene in front of City Hall pic.twitter.com/xPCQXSBHc3 Melissa Gomez (@MelissaGomez004) January 14, 2019 alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @r_valejandra When Capt. Alan Carltons B-24 bomber was shot down over Germany during World War II, he felt lucky. Not that lucky wounded in the right foot, he left a bloody trail in the snow that made him easy to track. The American pilot was captured at gunpoint and spent more than a year in a POW camp. But he was alive, which was more than could be said for three of his crewmen. Now, 75 years later, Carlton has another reason to feel lucky about what happened that day. It came via FedEx a few days ago from Eisenach, a city in central Germany. Advertisement Eberhard Haelbig, a researcher there who is documenting aerial combat during the war, scours crash sites found near his home. Dozens of planes went down there. Scavenged over the years by humans, consumed by the elements, whats left is mostly pieces. But even they tell a story. One plane in particular, a B-24 that crashed in a forest, caught his attention not long ago. Using records in Germany and the U.S., he figured out which plane it was, and when it had gone down. He learned the names of the 10 Americans who were on board, and found photographs taken shortly after it crashed. With the help of Google and a military friend in the states, he contacted the pilot, who lives in a senior community in Carmel Valley. Which is how Carlton got two FedEx boxes with remnants of his B-24. With this I would like to say, Thank you, Capt. Carlton, and thank you to the Greatest Generation for your fight against evil and for liberating my country from that, Haelbig said in an email interview with the Union-Tribune. Im a German by birth, but American by heart. What he sent Carlton is a pile of junk to a laymans eye. But not to the former pilot. This means a lot to me, Carlton said Thursday morning as he looked through the seven pieces of metal and glass. He held up a scrap he thinks was the part of a wing tip called an aileron. I never thought Id see any of my plane again. Im glad to have these. Advertisement Glad, too, because the package arrived in time for his 100th birthday, which was Sunday. What a nice, early present this is, he said. His 14th mission They called it Big Week. As 1943 turned into 1944, Allied commanders hatched a plan for a round-the-clock aerial offensive against the Nazis, one of the largest bombing campaigns of the war. American B-17s and B-24s stationed in England and Italy would attack airplane factories, munitions centers and other targets in Germany during the day. British planes would raid at night. Advertisement They hoped not only to strike at Germanys industrial heart, but draw its fighter jets into a war of attrition and clear the skies in advance of the pivotal D-Day land invasion at Normandy planned for later that year. For six days starting on Feb. 20, 1944, hundreds of B-17s and B-24s flew missions into Germany, dropping nearly 10,000 tons of bombs. They paid a hefty price, losing about 250 bombers and fighters. Some 2,500 crew members were killed, injured, lost or captured. But Germany lost hundreds of planes and pilots, too, and with its factories and airfields damaged by the bombs, couldnt replace them quickly. Advertisement The Allieds had shifted air supremacy in their favor. Pieces of Alan Carltons B-24 (Howard Lipin/Union-Tribune) Carlton was shot down during Big Week, on Feb. 24, 1944. The Detroit native had enlisted two years earlier, dropping out of medical school at Indiana University to do my part in the war effort, he said. Everybody was joining. Part of the 567th Bomb Squadron based in Hethel, England, Carlton was on his 14th mission when his B-24 D Liberator, built at Consolidated in San Diego, was hit by enemy fire, first over Holland, and then over central Germany. Advertisement Machine-gun bursts from Luftwaffe fighter planes killed his tail gunner and two waist gunners, and sent the B-24 rolling. Everybody else parachuted out the bomb bay doors, with Carlton exiting last. His came down between two trees, suspended in the air. After cutting himself free, he hobbled away, but his right foot wounded by shrapnel when the plane got shot trailed blood in the snow. German civilians hunted him down about two hours later and held him at gunpoint until the military arrived. From there he was interrogated briefly, then put on a train and sent to Stalag Luft I, a prison camp for Allied air crews located near Barth, Germany, on the Baltic Sea. Nearly 9,000 British and American aviators were captive there. A journal Carlton kept during his imprisonment includes drawings he made of the camp, as well as a map of his ill-fated mission. It has lists of books he read and movies he saw, and recipes the prisoners used for meals made from care-package ingredients like Spam. And meals made from animals. Advertisement Whatever we could catch, we ate, Carlton said. When Russian forces liberated the camp in early May 1945, his weight had dropped to about 100 pounds. B-17s and B-24s arrived to pick up the prisoners. On the way out, they flew their passengers over German cities so they could view the results of the bombings theyd participated in before getting shot down. I was happy to see it, Carlton said. An unusual ending Haelbig, the German researcher, works for a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the story of one particular World War II aerial battle: The Kassel Mission. Advertisement On Sept. 27, 1944, B-24s from the 445th Bomb Group, stationed at Tibenham in England, were sent to hit factories in Kassel. A group of about 35 planes, through what the American Air Museum in Britain called a gross error in leadership and navigation, peeled off from the main group and their fighter escorts to attack a different town. The bombers were overrun by about 150 German fighter planes, which in six minutes shot down 25 of the B-24s. Six others made emergency landings in Allied territory. Only four made it back to Tibenham. It was, according to the Kassel Mission Historical Society, the greatest single-day loss to a group from one airfield in aviation warfare history. More than two-thirds of the crew members were killed or taken prisoner. While his main focus is documenting the stories of the Kassel Mission, Haelbig is also interested in other aerial warfare in the region, including Big Week. He said almost 30 U.S. planes were shot down in just one day during that campaign near Eisenach, his hometown. Advertisement Hunters and rangers in the nearby forest sometimes come across the wreckage of planes, and when they do they tell Haelbig. He visits the sites and collects what he can, often putting the remnants in display cases in an aviation museum. He identifies the planes and their crew members through detailed records, maps and photos kept in U.S. and German archives. Thats how he linked Carlton to that particular B-24. The search usually ends there. Of the 16 million Americans who fought in World War II, fewer than 500,000 are alive, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. But when Haelbig Googled Carltons name recently, he found a 2016 newspaper story about the pilot that said he was living in San Diego. The researcher asked an American friend on the East Coast to find out if that was still true. Advertisement It was my greatest wish to send Capt. Carlton the pictures of his plane and some pieces, Haelbig said. When the phone call came, Carlton and his daughter, Jan Foreman, didnt know what to make of it. Someone found the B-24? They want to send parts of the wreckage? We thought it was probably a scam, Foreman said. Reminders of what happened Carltons memory about the war isnt what it used to be. Advertisement That was a long time ago, he said. A framed collection of Alan Carltons war-time memorabilia. (Howard Lipin/Union-Tribune) He came home from Germany and into the arms of his wife, Jeanne. They started a family, two daughters. They followed his parents from Chicago to Arizona and then to San Diego, where he sold real estate for many years in Rancho Bernardo. His grandsons are in the Grammy-winning Christian group Switchfoot. He and Jeanne were married for almost 75 years until she died in 2016. His senior-living apartment is filled with photos of the couple, including a black-and-white one where hes in his military uniform, before he was shipped overseas. Advertisement To remind him of what happened during the war, he has scrapbooks and a shadow box decorated with medals a Purple Heart, two Air Medals, the French Legion of Honor. The pieces Haelbig just sent him from the downed B-24 may play a similar role. And he has a poem he wrote while he was a POW that includes near the end this stanza, as true now as it was then: Its a hell of a life and you feel the strain But youd do the same thing all over again. Advertisement Still you pray for the day when therell be no more war When youll see what it is youve been fighting for. Advertisement john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com Only about a third of Los Angeles Unified students showed up to school Monday, the first day of a teachers strike, with many staying away despite assurance from district officials that all campuses would be in full operation. The school district said 141,631 students came to campus, based on preliminary data. Officials said 54 of the districts 1,240 schools had not yet provided attendance figures. The districts total enrollment is about 485,000. The low attendance numbers capped a day of disruption across the city. But it also helped the skeletal staff that managed many of the schools. Advertisement About 31,000 members of the teachers union had agreed to walk out to try to win smaller class sizes, more support staff at schools and better pay. Thousands of picketing teachers and other union members many of whom had arrived at their schools before sunrise joined the mid-morning downtown rally in the chilly rain along with some students and parents. Police estimated the turnout at 20,000. The massive group then marched roughly a mile to school district headquarters on Beaudry Avenue. Michael La Mont, 48, who teaches third grade at Hooper Elementary, said the march represented the unity of teachers working for better conditions. Were marching for the future of public education, he said. No ones doing this for fun. Were missing our kids. Its raining. Were not going to get paid. The strike became inevitable when negotiations broke off late Friday afternoon between the L.A. Unified School District and United Teachers Los Angeles after more than 20 months of bargaining. Supt. Austin Beutner called for an end to the strike during a news conference Monday morning and said the district remains committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible. Gov. Gavin Newsom called on both sides to find a deal. This impasse is disrupting the lives of too many kids and their families, Newsom said in a statement. I strongly urge all parties to go back to the negotiating table and find an immediate path forward that puts kids back into classrooms and provides parents certainty. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said that enough progress has been made in negotiations to put a deal within reach. Advertisement This is the time to make an agreement, he said. There is not much that separates the two sides. And there has been movement toward what the teachers have demanded and what the district can afford. In an effort to avert the strike, district officials sweetened their previous contract offer Friday based on improved funding for all school districts in Newsoms state budget proposal unveiled last week. The district also hopes for a boost from Los Angeles County supervisors, who could vote Tuesday on a plan to give L.A. Unified up to $10 million for nursing and mental health services. The latest district offer included lower class sizes by about two students in middle schools, a librarian for every secondary school, an extra academic counselor for high schools and a full-time nurse for every elementary school. The district now pays for one day of nursing per week, although many schools use discretionary funds to provide additional days. The increased staffing, however, would be guaranteed for only one year. District officials said this was necessary because the funds are coming out of a one-time reserve. Advertisement We made our last proposal to UTLA on Friday, which was rejected, Beutner said. They walked away from bargaining. We would encourage them, we urge them to resume bargaining with us, anytime, anywhere, 24/7. For UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl, the temporary nature of the increased staffing made the proposal a nonstarter. The two sides are so far behind in negotiations that even if they reached a new three-year deal this week, it would be in effect for only 18 months. The previous contract expired in June 2017. Lets be clear, educators dont want to strike, Caputo-Pearl said to a crowd of supporters during a news conference at John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. We dont want to miss time with our students. We dont want to have less money for the car payment or less money for the school supplies that we always end up buying ourselves. PHOTOS: L.A. teachers go on strike Advertisement During the last teachers strike, about half the districts students went to school. The plan at many schools for this strike is to gather students into large groups in common areas like gyms, auditoriums and multipurpose rooms so they can be supervised by fewer adults. Its not clear how much learning will be going on outside of the real-time civics lessons happening on the sidewalks. The day did not follow normal routines as volunteers, an estimated 400 substitutes and 2,000 staffers from central and regional offices filled in for 31,000 teachers, nurses, librarians and counselors. At 10 schools, nonteaching employees are taking part in a sympathy strike, which created additional headaches as administrators struggled to manage such tasks as preparing and serving meals. Some students and parents opted to join teachers on the picket line. Cherie Sanchez, 48, huddled with her son and daughter in raincoats outside El Sereno Middle School as the protest reached boisterous levels around them. Sanchez, an account manager for a software company, said she will take time off work to care for her children at home while the strike continues. They plan to picket with the teachers in the morning and read at home the rest of the day. She said shes advocating for more funds for the education of students with disabilities because her husband is a special ed teacher. Advertisement Public schools are expected to support special needs students but without the resources to do so, she said. For me, the problem is the privatization of charter schools and the large class sizes. I want smaller class sizes for my kids. 1 / 75 Teachers and their supporters fill Grand Park during a rally after a tentative agreement wath LAUSD on smaller classes, new community schools, nurses and a raise. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 75 Erin Payne holds her daughter Olivia Johnson during a rally at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl announced a tentative deal today that could send teachers back to the classroom tomorrow, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 75 Maida Salido, Aurora Mireles and Stephanie Flores, left to right, celebrate during a rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 75 LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl announced a tentative deal today that could send teachers back to the classroom tomorrow, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 75 Mallorie Evans, center, celebrates after an agreement between the teachers union and the LAUSD was reached Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 75 Teachers celebrate after an agreement between the teachers union and the LAUSD was reached Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 75 LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, right, and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, with Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a tentative deal that could send teachers back to the classroom, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 75 Thousands of teachers attend a UTLA rally in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 75 Tom Morello, center, with guitar, is joined on stage by Perry Farrell, of Janes Addiction, and Wayne Kramer, with MC5, with tan jacket, as members of the UTLA Marching Band perform, This Land is Your Land, in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 75 From left, Lisa Ynfante, Iris Marin, Janis Nuno and Mireya Gutierrez, all LAUSD teachers join thousands at a rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 75 Ignacio Gordillo, Dean at Gage Middle School, shouts to the lawmakers at Los Angeles City Hall as thousands of educators rally in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 75 Xavi Moreno, center, gets ready for a rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 75 Jackie Goldberg, teacher, former school board member, who also served on the L.A. City Council and in the state Legislature visits with teachers attend rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 75 UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, introduce himself to 5th grader Aryana Fields from Playa Del Rey Elementary School at the rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 75 Austin Beutner, LAUSD Superintendent, right, and Monica Garcia, LAUSD President, provide an update on the UTLA strike in Los Angeles on Friday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 75 Thousands of educators with the United Teachers Los Angeles attend a rally on the fifth day of the teachers strike in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 75 From left, teachers Rosa Martinez, Maricela Chaidez and Lillian Garcia chant and cheer with fellow teachers preparing for a rally in Grand Park in front of Los Angeles City Hall Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 75 Kimberly Barrera, a 6th grade teacher, joins fellow teachers preparing for a rally in Grand Park in front of Los Angeles City Hall Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 75 Thousands of educators with the United Teachers Los Angeles attend a rally on the fifth day of the teachers strike at Grand Park in front of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 75 Anavelia Valencia, left, and Courtney Moore, right, teachers at 99th Street Elementary school, perform a rain dance on the picket line in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 75 Teachers picket in the middle of Sunset Blvd., at Gordon Street in Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 75 Antonio Solis, right, a teacher with Hollywood Primary Center, and Kevin Savage, center, a teacher at Vine Street Elementary, join fellow educators on the picket line along Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 75 Louisa Stiles, 4, eats a slice of donated pizza on the picket line at Elysian Heights elementary school in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 75 School attendance fell again in the fourth day of the LAUSD teachers strike. Oscar Garcia, left, and Yacob Eyob work on their iPads at Burroughs Middle School. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 75 The hallways of Elysian Heights Elementary were uncrowded on Thursday; outside, teachers and parents picketed. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 75 Westminster Elementary kindergarten teacher Jessica Dunn makes her case to passing motorists on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice on the third day of the LAUSD teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 75 LAUSD teachers, parents and others protest in front of school board President Monica Garcias home in El Sereno. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 75 A police officer clears the road to allow a car to pass during a protest Wednesday night outside L.A. school board President Monica Garcias home. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 75 Kindergarten teacher Beth Clark is among picketers on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice during Day 3 of the teachers strike Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 75 Student counselor Sandra Santacruz-Cervantes, center, pickets in a crosswalk outside Hollywood High School on Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 75 Educators and supporters pack San Pedro Street in downtown Los Angeles at a rally outside the headquarters of the California Charter Schools Association. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 75 Janette Duran, from left, Lauren Maucere and Stephanie Johnson, all specialists at Marlton School for the deaf, cheer at a rally at the California Charter Schools Assn. in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 75 Student counselor Edwin Deleon, on a bicycle, joins parents, teachers and students in a crosswalk to picket outside Hollywood High School during the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 75 Students from Main Street School hold signs as teachers and supporters make their way through downtown Los Angeles to attend a rally at the California Charter Schools Assn. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 75 Parents, teachers and students picket outside Hollywood High School during the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 75 Elisabeth Mitchell, right, a kindergarten teacher at the Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles, joins fellow teachers as they picket outside the school on the second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 75 Los Angeles Unified Supt. Austin Beutner addresses the media at LAUSD headquarters on the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 75 Stephanie Grace, center, and Lilly Diaz, right, teachers at The Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles cheer to passing vehicles as they join fellow teachers as they picket outside the school on second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo Pearl, center, joins teachers on the picket line at The Accelerated Schools in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 75 Teachers at The Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles picket outside the school on second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 75 UTLA teachers gather at city hall in downtown Los Angeles for a march and rally Monday, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 75 Corianne Cook, a teacher from Webster Middle School with her children, Ryn, 9, left, and Liam, 12, march to LAUSD district headquarters during the first day of the UTLA strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 75 Mallorie Evans, center, an educational audiologist at Marlton School for the deaf, signs along with the speaker while Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters gather at LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 75 UTLA teachers marched from downtown Los Angeles to LAUSD headquarters Monday, January 14, 2019, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 75 A supporter for the UTLA strike sports a Superman cape in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 75 Mari Enyart, 42, helps her son Was Enyart, 7, with school work while they spend their morning at a Starbucks Cafe in South Los Angeles on the first day of the strike. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 50 / 75 Reseda High students Roosevelt Jimenez, 17, left, and friend Kimberly Aquino, 17, right, sit in the school auditorium as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 75 Dr. Frances Gibson, Chief Academic Officer at the L.A. Unified School District, serves as a substitute teacher leading a language arts class at El Sereno Middle School. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 52 / 75 Teachers in a sea of umbrellas block 3rd and 4th streets over the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD Headquarters from City Hall on first day of the UTLA teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 75 Aleida Aguilar, a first grader at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles, is guided by her mother through the picket line formed by teachers on first day of the Los Angeles school teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 75 Counselor Leah Zeller leads teachers as they chant in the rain on the picket line at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 75 Teachers in a sea of umbrellas march up 3rd street over the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD Headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl organizes Los Angeles Unified School District teachers before marching from City Hall to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 75 Los Angeles School Superintendent Austin Beutner, right, with School Board President Monica Garcia, met with Geri Guzman, left, and family members of students before holding a press conference at LAUSD Headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 75 UTLA teachers arrive at Los Angeles to LAUSD headquarters near the 110 Freeway Monday, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 75 Reseda High School vice principal Phyllis Castaneda clicks through a slide presentation in the campus auditorium as students at the school are in the school auditorium and gym as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 75 Students picket at the entry of Carson Senior High School in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 75 Students at Reseda High are in the school gym as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 75 Students join the picket line with striking teachers in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 75 Teachers march towards LAUSD district headquarters during the first day of the strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 75 Olivia Cali Gomez, 5, spends Monday morning learning what it means to go on strike, outside of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 75 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters march from City Hall to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 75 Irma Torres, center, teacher from Heliotrope Ave. Elementary School, attends a UTLA rally at Los Angeles City Hall. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 75 Teacher Shari Sakamoto, left, joins teachers marching on a picket line Monday morning at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles on first day of the strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 75 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters gather at City Hall before marching to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 75 99th Street Elementary School Principal Marissa Borden, 43, fist bumps 5-year-old Samantha Carlos, while she and her two brother arrive at school in South Los Angeles on the first day of the strike. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 70 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, kicks off the LAUSD teachers strike at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. More: UTLA president calls for more money for teachers in a city rife with millionaires.' (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 75 Members of UTLA picket in heavy rain outside 99th Street Elementary School in South Los Angeles. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 72 / 75 Students join the picket line in support of the UTLA strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 75 Mars Khan, 5, a transitional kindergarten student, carries a sign to support his mother, teacher Stefany Khan during a march in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 75 Teachers wave at passing vehicles on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD district headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 75 Reseda High School students Jania Garcia, 16, left, and classmate Dennis Miguel, 16, work on a college prep app on laptops in the school gym in Reseda, Calif. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) For Laleda Hines, 31, a food service worker, it was awkward to walk into 93rd Street Elementary School with her 11-year-old daughter, Naomi, past teachers who had gathered in front of the campus, she said. Its strange, she said. But I still have to go to work, and she has to go to school. Advertisement Hines said she doesnt have anyone to watch Naomi while shes at work, so she leans on the school not just to educate her daughter, but also to watch her during the day. While she supports the teachers and said they deserve more pay and smaller class sizes, she said, she was conflicted by some of their other demands because the school district has said the high costs would lead to insolvency. If the district has no money, then theres no job for me, she said. Some students who had intended to go to school were torn when they saw their teachers picketing outside. Two Los Angeles school police officers who stood inside the doors at Marshall High told a student who approached the exit to watch the teachers that she should remain on campus. If she wanted to leave, one of the officers said, she shouldnt come back. Officers said they wouldnt stop students who left, but students were not supposed to flow in and out of the school. At Venice High School, senior Salvador Molina and six other students gathered at the front entrance to brainstorm how to get more of their classmates off the campus. They had opted to attend school, but decided to leave when their principal directed them to the gym. Advertisement Im trying to plan a trip to the museum, Molina said, adding that he could take the Metro to the Natural History Museum, where he could learn something. A few hours later, the entire group made it to the museum, which has offered free admission to LAUSD students during the strike. Los Angeles teachers strike: 5 things you need to know The teachers union continues to push for more hiring to make class sizes smaller and give schools needed support services such as full-time nurses and librarians at every middle and high school. The union and district are not that far apart on salary. L.A. Unified is offering 6% spread out over the first two years of a three-year deal. The union wants 6.5% all at once, retroactive to a year earlier. Kevin Alfaro, a social studies teacher at Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, said his classes are just too big and students end up being the victims. His four advanced placement government classes have 40 to 41 students each, he said. Advertisement Thats a lot for an AP class, Alfaro said. Class sizes have gone up a lot. Everyone thinks its the pay increase [at the heart of the strike]. That has a lot to do with it, but class size is the main thing. Union officials on Monday called on federal and state leaders to increase school funding, and on the Los Angeles Unified School District to spend its reserve as well as new funding identified in the governors proposed budget. The eyes of the nation are watching, and educators and nurses all over the country have the backs of the educators in L.A., American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said. We need the conditions to ensure that every child gets the opportunity he or she or they deserve. Physical education teacher Lin Joy Hom pulled up to the gate that leads to the Marshall High parking lot before sunrise with UTLA strong emblazoned in red letters on her car windows. While class sizes are her No. 1 concern, she said, she also wants every campus to have a school nurse every day. Marshall High doesnt have a full-time nurse, she said. Advertisement I cant tell a kid, Dont get hurt on Tuesday because theres no nurse, she said. We need a nurse every single day. The chilly morning and steady showers did little to dampen the resolve of the group gathered outside the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts at the start of the school day. Survivors Eye of the Tiger blared from a speaker as a picketer thumped on a drum. A passing car honked to the beat. Another motorist pressed on his car horn and held his fist out the window as he passed. At Wilshire Crest Elementary a small school of about 150 students in Mid-Wilshire more than 20 teachers and some parents braved the rain to send a message. We have to let people know that we mean business, said special education teacher Lynette Bickham-Tilley. Were in the trenches and we dont even have supplies all the time. All we want is a fair shot. Advertisement Although attendance across L.A. Unified schools was sparse, there were many parents who sent their children to school with little hesitation. I think its important, strike or no strike, that our kids continue their routine, said Stephanie Lee, 45, who waited for the final bell at John Burroughs Middle School as rain pelted the windshield of her minivan. Lee supports the teachers, but also thought it would be a mistake to shield her 11-year-old daughter, Erin, from a strike, which could itself be educational. My daughter told me her teachers have shared information about the strike in class, and I think its great shes aware, Lee said. I like that she knows the bigger picture of whats happening. Advertisement A social worker who lives in Koreatown, Lee said it helped that the schools administration continuously kept her updated the week before the strike through texts, phone calls and emails. I trusted they would have the right plan in place. In the afternoon, the school day like no other was done. One by one, the children ran to their parents at at 99th Street Elementary School. As the families walked away together, parents wanted to know if their childrens teachers had been at school. They had not. Advertisement Joel and Ilcia Martinez asked Rebecca, 7, what she had done in class. Did you color? Ilcia Martinez asked. The little girl, missing two front teeth and holding a pink umbrella with kitty ears, nodded. Did you read? Advertisement Rebecca nodded again. We watched a movie too, she said. About 31,000 United Teachers of Los Angeles employees plan to strike. Students can expect to see significant cuts in the number of faculty present. Times staff writers Melissa Gomez, Nicole Santa Cruz, Suhauna Hussain, Doug Smith, Ruben Vives, Maria L. La Ganga, Corina Knoll and Sam-Omar Hall contributed to this report. Advertisement howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume The LAUSD strike on Monday left thousands of parents unsure of what to do with their children take them to school, where they were likely be herded into large rooms without their teachers, or let them stay home? Instead, many went with a third option and took their kids to the picket lines to join teachers, whether the kids wanted to go or not. Perla Flores, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom, made the teachers strike a teaching moment. She trailed the picketers at El Sereno Middle School with her two children and her husband in tow. Her third child, baby Mateo, was strapped to her chest with a sling. Mateo peeked out from under a yellow and black Minions-themed beanie with a finger in his mouth. Flores carried a pink, checkered umbrella in one hand and, in the other, a sign that read: Estamos con los maestros de Los Angeles! (Were with the teachers of Los Angeles.) Advertisement She said she brought her kids because she wanted to support teachers. One person shouldnt have to handle 40 kids, Flores said. I have three kids and I can only just handle that. How can a teacher with 30 kids be expected to teach well and help every student? Marco Torres, Flores 12-year-old son, said he didnt mind the gloomy weather. Bundled up in a red sweatshirt and holding an umbrella, he agreed with his mother. I really want a good future, so I want the strike to go on, he said. The teachers want smaller classes a big class is a lot. Flores said her children were scared of how long they might be out of school. But she said she was excited for them to witness this historic moment, even though it shouldnt be a historic moment. Another mother, Cherie Sanchez, looked to her son and daughter, huddled in pink and green raincoats. She gave her son a nod and asked him, What are we trying to do, Rocco? I have a bad memory mom, the 10-year-old responded. But then he recited from memory: We want to get a raise for teachers, smaller class sizes, more teachers, credentialed nurses. Rocco said his parents had been glued to the television and their smartphones for months, looking for news about negotiations between LAUSD and the teachers union. Sanchez, 48, works as an account manager for a software company but says shes planning to take time off to take care of her kids at home during the teachers strike. Her spouse is a special education teacher for LAUSD, she said, and so she has been steeling for this strike for months. Advertisement Public schools are expected to support special needs students but without the resources to do so, Sanchez said. For me, the problem is the privatization of charter schools, and the large class sizes. I want smaller class sizes for my kids. She plans to bring her children out with her every morning to picket and then have them read books at home. Im lucky, she said. I have a flexible schedule. Not every parent is so fortunate. At Farmdale Elementary, adjacent to El Sereno Middle School, Leticia Martinez, 24, did her best to support L.A. teachers on the picket line. But her 3-year-old, Audrina, wasnt as thrilled. Shes a little upset, Martinez said, her daughter clinging to her. Its cold and its raining. Shes tired. Advertisement One person shouldnt have to handle 30 kids. I have three kids and I can only just handle that, Perla Flores said. How can a teacher with 30 kids be expected to teach well and help every student? pic.twitter.com/cehiu2DF4I suhauna (@suhaunah) January 14, 2019 Leticia Martinez, a parent at Farmdale Elementary stands outside with her three year old daughter Audrina who is pouting in a Batman vest under a pink umbrella: shes a little upsetits cold and its raining. Shes tired pic.twitter.com/zhaWjSSgud suhauna (@suhaunah) January 14, 2019 The latest on the LAUSD teachers strike alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @r_valejandra With staff cut short, school administrators have limited options for keeping their students busy during the day, but some are leaning on online learning. Inside the auditorium of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Tarzana on Monday morning, Principal William Crockett called a group of high school students to order and thanked them for coming. He gave them instructions: Turn off Wi-Fi on all personal devices. Speak in whispers. The last rule is a very simple one, Crockett said. Dont be a jerk. Advertisement Students were then handed Chromebook laptops so they could complete assigned lessons in an online learning program called Edgenuity. Meanwhile, Principal Susan Canjura of the Los Angeles High School of the Arts in Koreatown was planning the day on the fly. The first stop for her 450 students or whatever number showed up the fanciful Moorish auditorium that was designed as an artistic tribute to the old Cocoanut Grove nightclub, which used to occupy the same location. Students from her school and another school would be watching the movie Black Panther while administrators figured out what to do next. Canjura hoped to move her students into a few classrooms and, there, they would do coursework on computers an option not available during the last teachers strike in 1989. But Canjura said she couldnt count on help from the 15 non-teaching staff members who would normally be on hand. Most of them had planned to take part in a sympathy strike being carried out by Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents most non-teaching workers in L.A. Unified. Instead, the principal was counting on assistance from her two-person clerical staff, who belong to a different union. If need be, she said her students would just stay in the auditorium. Janet Tovar, a retired administrator who provides assistance at the school, said that administrative staff planned to try to lead a discussion about the movie. The goal, she said, is to make sure learning takes place in any form possible. As thousands of picketing teachers made their way downtown to gather at City Hall and then march to L.A. Unified School District headquarters, L.A. Schools Supt. Austin Beutner told reporters at a news conference that the district is committed to reaching a quick resolution. School board President Monica Garcia and three district parents and grandparents joined Beutner on Monday on the 19th floor of district headquarters at 333 S. Beaudry Ave. As they spoke, picketers were preparing to march to their building, known by many as Beaudry. We know children and families in Los Angeles need our schools to be open and focused on their learning, Garcia said. We know that the families most in need are the ones that are most impacted by todays activities. 1 / 75 Teachers and their supporters fill Grand Park during a rally after a tentative agreement wath LAUSD on smaller classes, new community schools, nurses and a raise. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 75 Erin Payne holds her daughter Olivia Johnson during a rally at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl announced a tentative deal today that could send teachers back to the classroom tomorrow, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 75 Maida Salido, Aurora Mireles and Stephanie Flores, left to right, celebrate during a rally at Grand Park in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 75 LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl announced a tentative deal today that could send teachers back to the classroom tomorrow, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 75 Mallorie Evans, center, celebrates after an agreement between the teachers union and the LAUSD was reached Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 75 Teachers celebrate after an agreement between the teachers union and the LAUSD was reached Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 75 LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, right, and United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, with Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a tentative deal that could send teachers back to the classroom, ending the first Los Angeles teachers strike in 30 years. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 75 Thousands of teachers attend a UTLA rally in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 75 Tom Morello, center, with guitar, is joined on stage by Perry Farrell, of Janes Addiction, and Wayne Kramer, with MC5, with tan jacket, as members of the UTLA Marching Band perform, This Land is Your Land, in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 75 From left, Lisa Ynfante, Iris Marin, Janis Nuno and Mireya Gutierrez, all LAUSD teachers join thousands at a rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 75 Ignacio Gordillo, Dean at Gage Middle School, shouts to the lawmakers at Los Angeles City Hall as thousands of educators rally in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 75 Xavi Moreno, center, gets ready for a rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 75 Jackie Goldberg, teacher, former school board member, who also served on the L.A. City Council and in the state Legislature visits with teachers attend rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 75 UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, introduce himself to 5th grader Aryana Fields from Playa Del Rey Elementary School at the rally in Grand Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 75 Austin Beutner, LAUSD Superintendent, right, and Monica Garcia, LAUSD President, provide an update on the UTLA strike in Los Angeles on Friday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 75 Thousands of educators with the United Teachers Los Angeles attend a rally on the fifth day of the teachers strike in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 75 From left, teachers Rosa Martinez, Maricela Chaidez and Lillian Garcia chant and cheer with fellow teachers preparing for a rally in Grand Park in front of Los Angeles City Hall Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 75 Kimberly Barrera, a 6th grade teacher, joins fellow teachers preparing for a rally in Grand Park in front of Los Angeles City Hall Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 75 Thousands of educators with the United Teachers Los Angeles attend a rally on the fifth day of the teachers strike at Grand Park in front of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 75 Anavelia Valencia, left, and Courtney Moore, right, teachers at 99th Street Elementary school, perform a rain dance on the picket line in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 75 Teachers picket in the middle of Sunset Blvd., at Gordon Street in Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 75 Antonio Solis, right, a teacher with Hollywood Primary Center, and Kevin Savage, center, a teacher at Vine Street Elementary, join fellow educators on the picket line along Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 75 Louisa Stiles, 4, eats a slice of donated pizza on the picket line at Elysian Heights elementary school in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 75 School attendance fell again in the fourth day of the LAUSD teachers strike. Oscar Garcia, left, and Yacob Eyob work on their iPads at Burroughs Middle School. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 75 The hallways of Elysian Heights Elementary were uncrowded on Thursday; outside, teachers and parents picketed. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 75 Westminster Elementary kindergarten teacher Jessica Dunn makes her case to passing motorists on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice on the third day of the LAUSD teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 75 LAUSD teachers, parents and others protest in front of school board President Monica Garcias home in El Sereno. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 75 A police officer clears the road to allow a car to pass during a protest Wednesday night outside L.A. school board President Monica Garcias home. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 75 Kindergarten teacher Beth Clark is among picketers on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice during Day 3 of the teachers strike Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 75 Student counselor Sandra Santacruz-Cervantes, center, pickets in a crosswalk outside Hollywood High School on Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 75 Educators and supporters pack San Pedro Street in downtown Los Angeles at a rally outside the headquarters of the California Charter Schools Association. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 75 Janette Duran, from left, Lauren Maucere and Stephanie Johnson, all specialists at Marlton School for the deaf, cheer at a rally at the California Charter Schools Assn. in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 75 Student counselor Edwin Deleon, on a bicycle, joins parents, teachers and students in a crosswalk to picket outside Hollywood High School during the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 75 Students from Main Street School hold signs as teachers and supporters make their way through downtown Los Angeles to attend a rally at the California Charter Schools Assn. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 75 Parents, teachers and students picket outside Hollywood High School during the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 75 On the second day of teachers strike, the United Teachers Los Angeles rally outside California Charter Schools Assn. offices in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 75 Elisabeth Mitchell, right, a kindergarten teacher at the Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles, joins fellow teachers as they picket outside the school on the second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 75 Los Angeles Unified Supt. Austin Beutner addresses the media at LAUSD headquarters on the second day of the United Teachers Los Angeles strike. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 75 Stephanie Grace, center, and Lilly Diaz, right, teachers at The Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles cheer to passing vehicles as they join fellow teachers as they picket outside the school on second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo Pearl, center, joins teachers on the picket line at The Accelerated Schools in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 75 Teachers at The Accelerated Schools, a community of public charter schools in South Los Angeles picket outside the school on second day of the teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 75 UTLA teachers gather at city hall in downtown Los Angeles for a march and rally Monday, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 75 Corianne Cook, a teacher from Webster Middle School with her children, Ryn, 9, left, and Liam, 12, march to LAUSD district headquarters during the first day of the UTLA strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 75 Mallorie Evans, center, an educational audiologist at Marlton School for the deaf, signs along with the speaker while Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters gather at LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 75 UTLA teachers marched from downtown Los Angeles to LAUSD headquarters Monday, January 14, 2019, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 75 A supporter for the UTLA strike sports a Superman cape in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 75 Mari Enyart, 42, helps her son Was Enyart, 7, with school work while they spend their morning at a Starbucks Cafe in South Los Angeles on the first day of the strike. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 50 / 75 Reseda High students Roosevelt Jimenez, 17, left, and friend Kimberly Aquino, 17, right, sit in the school auditorium as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 75 Dr. Frances Gibson, Chief Academic Officer at the L.A. Unified School District, serves as a substitute teacher leading a language arts class at El Sereno Middle School. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 52 / 75 Teachers in a sea of umbrellas block 3rd and 4th streets over the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD Headquarters from City Hall on first day of the UTLA teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 75 Aleida Aguilar, a first grader at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles, is guided by her mother through the picket line formed by teachers on first day of the Los Angeles school teachers strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 75 Counselor Leah Zeller leads teachers as they chant in the rain on the picket line at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 75 Teachers in a sea of umbrellas march up 3rd street over the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD Headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl organizes Los Angeles Unified School District teachers before marching from City Hall to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 75 Los Angeles School Superintendent Austin Beutner, right, with School Board President Monica Garcia, met with Geri Guzman, left, and family members of students before holding a press conference at LAUSD Headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 75 UTLA teachers arrive at Los Angeles to LAUSD headquarters near the 110 Freeway Monday, as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 75 Reseda High School vice principal Phyllis Castaneda clicks through a slide presentation in the campus auditorium as students at the school are in the school auditorium and gym as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 75 Students picket at the entry of Carson Senior High School in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 75 Students at Reseda High are in the school gym as UTLA teachers are out on strike in Reseda. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 75 Students join the picket line with striking teachers in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 75 Teachers march towards LAUSD district headquarters during the first day of the strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 75 Olivia Cali Gomez, 5, spends Monday morning learning what it means to go on strike, outside of Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 75 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters march from City Hall to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 75 Irma Torres, center, teacher from Heliotrope Ave. Elementary School, attends a UTLA rally at Los Angeles City Hall. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 75 Teacher Shari Sakamoto, left, joins teachers marching on a picket line Monday morning at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Los Angeles on first day of the strike. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 75 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers and supporters gather at City Hall before marching to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 75 99th Street Elementary School Principal Marissa Borden, 43, fist bumps 5-year-old Samantha Carlos, while she and her two brother arrive at school in South Los Angeles on the first day of the strike. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 70 / 75 UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, kicks off the LAUSD teachers strike at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. More: UTLA president calls for more money for teachers in a city rife with millionaires.' (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 75 Members of UTLA picket in heavy rain outside 99th Street Elementary School in South Los Angeles. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 72 / 75 Students join the picket line in support of the UTLA strike in Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 75 Mars Khan, 5, a transitional kindergarten student, carries a sign to support his mother, teacher Stefany Khan during a march in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 75 Teachers wave at passing vehicles on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles as they marched to LAUSD district headquarters. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 75 Reseda High School students Jania Garcia, 16, left, and classmate Dennis Miguel, 16, work on a college prep app on laptops in the school gym in Reseda, Calif. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Beutner said protests have been peaceful, buses are running on a normal schedule, learning is happening and breakfast had been served at all LAUSD K-12 schools. The district also is having to keep an eye on schools in the northern San Fernando Valley that recently experienced fires and may be at risk because of the rain, he said. We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible, he said. We made our last proposal to UTLA on Friday which was rejected. They walked away from bargaining. We would encourage them, we urge them to resume bargaining with us, anytime, anywhere, 24/7. The district also is in discussions with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Beutner said. Beutner did not say how many students were at school Monday, but said there would likely be more information later in the day. Some schools are well-attended, some schools are less than well-attended, he said. The latest on the LAUSD teachers strike alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Like beer, thrash metal can be an acquired taste. But when two giants of each genre combine forces and turn things up to 11, the end result tends to be a headbanging collaboration worth trying. Thats the goal of Stone Brewings latest band-fused beer release with legendary power metal group Metallica. (Technically the brewery group is Arrogant Consortia, formerly known as Arrogant Brewing and a sub-brand of Stone, but lets keep things simple.) Enter Night Pilsner is a 5.7% ABV pilsner, a historical northern German style that Stone describes as if it was played through a distortion pedal. At 45 IBUs, the hoppiness is aggressively cranked up without sacrificing drinkability. Enter Night Pilsner is a collaboration beer between Stone Brewing (Arrogant Consortia) and Metallica. (Courtesy photo) Its not the first (or probably even 20th) San Diego brewery to do a music collaboration. Hell, its not even the first time Stone themselves has collaborated with a band. But Metallicas a different beast. Not only are they one of the most commercially successful bands of all time, theyre also one of the most staunchly independent. Sound familiar? Lars Ulrich, co-founder and drummer for Metallica, described the partnership in a recent press release. Enter Night Pilsner is a collaboration beer between Stone Brewing (Arrogant Consortia) and Metallica. (Courtesy photo) The amount of ideals and outlooks that Metallica and Stone Brewing share are endless, said Lars. Im always blown away about how similar our paths forward have been. Our view of the worlds that we each inhabit, of creativity and process, and sense of place in relation to our peers and The Man are almost identical. This collaboration is beyond effortless and pure, and we cant wait to share this incredible beverage with everyone out there. Greg Koch a.k.a. the brewmaster of puppets for this collaboration recalls a quote from a magazine after Metallicas The Black Album (officially titled Metallica) was released in 1991. On the cover was a quote that resonated with me to this day: Metallica didnt go to number one, number one came to them. I loved what that meant. Do it your way and never compromise your art. If youre great at what you do people will come. I view that simple quote as one of the founding philosophical elements of Stone Brewing. Enter Night was released this past fall at select Metallica concerts followed by some limited distribution in California. Metalheads and hopheads across the U.S. can expect to see it on shelves in early 2019 and international distribution will commence in April. The future of Palm Avenue is finally in Imperial Beachs hands. Four years ago, the city began the process of assuming local control over Palm Avenue from Caltrans. Imperial Beach completed the process, officially known as relinquishment, in September. That means developing property along Palm Avenue is now less complicated. That road, one of two commercial corridors in Imperial Beach, has largely been underused in terms of development. Even though the area is zoned for mixed-use commercial development, the road is mostly filled with dated, single-story strip malls. Advertisement Development often stalled because property owners need to get their plans approved by two regulatory agencies Caltrans and the city of Imperial Beach. Because Caltrans regulated where curb cuts go, and because curb cuts play a big role in the overall design of a development, Imperial Beach often asked applicants to get approval from the state agency first. Oftentimes, when developers were told to go to Caltrans, they would lose interest in the project, said Imperial Beach Assistant City Manager Steve Dush. A lot of people really just didnt want to go through that headache because there was a lot of unknown, Dush said. Once you start dealing with multiple, layered governmental agencies, then things can get a little uncertain. Now that the city has control, Imperial Beach is the only regulatory agency involved. The city expects this will spur economic growth by generating more development along Palm Avenue. South County Economic Development Council officials believe this could impact the entire region. Palm Avenue is the gateway to South County beaches, CEO Cindy Gompper-Graves recently told the City Council. We can make it what it could be, and what is should be. Palm Avenue runs the length of Imperial Beach, from Georgia Avenue to just south of the Silver Strand. Properties on both sides of the road are zoned mixed-use commercial and have a wide range of possible uses including residential, commercial, hotels, office space, restaurant and retail. Property owners along Palm Avenue have already reached out to the city. Advertisement A lot of developers who have been kicking the tires for a number of years are really starting to get more interested, Dush said. We anticipate a lot of formal development applications to start coming in. One of those applications includes the old El Camino Hotel just north of Panchos Taco Shop. The hotel was featured on the 2007 HBO series, John From Cincinnati, about a dysfunctional surf family from Imperial Beach. The owner recently submitted a formal application to develop the now-vacant lot, Dush said. Imperial Beach started the relinquishment process more than four years ago. Advertisement We have been waiting a long time for this day, Councilman Ed Spriggs said when the city finished the process in September. First, the city requested a report from Caltrans regarding the physical condition of the road. Based on that report, the state offered to give Imperial Beach less than a million dollars to assume local control. That money was meant to pay for necessary repairs. The city hired an outside engineering firm to do their own assessment. Its like buying a used car, Dush said. You want to take it to a mechanic before you buy it so you know what youre buying. Advertisement The citys assessment concluded that Palm Avenue required more than $7 million in repairs. Ultimately, the state gave Imperial Beach $5.3 million. Those are one-time funds. Once they run out, Imperial Beach will be on the hook for maintenance and operation of Palm Avenue. Imperial Beach plans to stretch the $5.3 million by applying for various matching grants and having developers contribute to the ongoing transformation of Palm Avenue. An added bonus of local control is that the city can make Palm Avenue more pedestrian and bicycle friendly by adding bike lanes, landscaping and changing the length of the sidewalks. Advertisement The city is also looking into synchronizing the traffic lights to make driving through the road more efficient. Imperial Beach wants to make the area safer for pedestrians by painting crosswalks on the Palm Avenue intersections. Mayor Serge Dedina said he spent four years trying to get Caltrans to paint a crosswalk on 13th Street and Palm Avenue to no avail. The city was able to do it within a month of assuming local control. Its one of those little things that was driving me crazy, Dedina said about the lack of a crosswalk. Advertisement Additionally, the city expects the added benefits, including potential property, sales and hotel tax revenues, will improve the eastern part of Imperial Beach. If you look at the history of IB, the historical focus was on the beachfront with little success, Dedina said. The city just ignored Palm Avenue to its own detriment so thats what we really want to focus on with economic development and housing in that area. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter Charlotte Graham - WPA Pool/Getty Images(LONDON) -- Meghan Markle is bringing color into the new year and revealing a new hint about her due date. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, stepped out Monday for her first appearance with the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, in bold color choices of purple and red. She paired a purple Babaton by Aritzia dress under a red winter coat by Sentaler, a Canadian brand, and completed the look with red heels. Meghan cradled her now-very visible baby bump during her visit with Harry to Birkenhead, Merseyside, near the northern U.K. city of Liverpool. The Duchess, expecting her first child with Harry, told a well-wisher she is due in April. Kensington Palace said only that Meghan was due "in the spring" when her pregnancy was announced in October. Meghan and Harry, 34, greeted fans and met with veterans and local charities and unveiled a plaque to mark their visit to Birkenhead. The visit came just days after Kensington Palace announced Meghans first patronages as a member of the royal family. Meghan, a former actress, is taking over from Queen Elizabeth as patron of the National Theater and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. She is also now patron of Mayhew, an animal charity, and Smart Works, a charity that focuses on helping women. Meghan visited Smart Works last week in her first public event as patron. Meghan's four patronages "reflect the causes and issues with which she has long been associated including the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare," Kensington Palace said in a statement. In addition to their charitable work and impending parenthood, Meghan and Harry are preparing for a big move in 2019. The couple plan to move from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Estate, about 30 miles from London. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Owners of historic properties in Imperial Beach could soon receive property tax breaks if they agree to maintain and preserve the buildings. The City Council on Jan. 16 will consider adopting an ordinance that would create a program under a state law known as the Mills Act, which allows cities to provide tax relief to owners of properties designated as historic. Under Imperial Beachs proposed rules, properties would qualify for the Mills Act program if they are listed on the federal governments National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historic Resources. It would be up to owners to go through the process to register their properties. The proposed rules dont limit eligibility to homes. Advertisement The tax breaks would be calculated using a formula in the Mills Act and the California Revenue and Taxation Code, established by the Board of Equalization, a state agency tasked with tax administration and fee collection. In exchange for the tax relief, owners would be required to preserve the properties under the terms of 10-year renewable contracts with the city. If a historic property is not preserved or restored as outlined in the contract, the city could end the agreement an action that could result in penalties, fines and the repayment of property taxes. An alternative option would be for the city to seek a court action to enforce the contract. If an owner chooses to cancel a contract, he or she will be assessed a penalty of 12.5 percent of the propertys value and the tax break would be eliminated. In addition to preservation, the contract also addresses improvements to the properties. Under the contract, upgrades would be subject to guidelines of the California Department of Parks and Recreations Office of Historic Preservation, the U.S. Secretary of Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation and the State Historic Building Code. Deputy City Manager Erika Cortez said the idea of a Mills Act program has been floated in the community in recent years. Its unclear if any properties in Imperial Beach are listed in the national or state registers of historic properties. A search in the California Register of Historic Resources database didnt turn up any results for historic properties in the coastal city. Advertisement Cortez said city staff hasnt surveyed properties to determine how many could be registered as historic, but she estimated that perhaps no more than a handful. a figure she acknowledged could increase as years pass. With few properties expected to receive tax breaks, if any, Cortez said she doesnt believe the Mills Act program will lead to major impacts on the citys revenue. If the City Council approves the program, Imperial Beach would join other cities in the county with a Mills Act program, including San Diego, Vista, Coronado and National City. Cortez said city staff researched the structure of other Mills Act programs and decided it was best to not complicate the process. Advertisement We really want to make sure that we not only recognize the history of Imperial Beach, she said, but also want to ensure the owners have an easy process. In some cities, including Coronado and National City, properties are eligible for tax breaks if they are added to an in-house list of properties that are historic, a designation that is determined by the City Council in coordination with a subcommittee or a historical society. Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Advertisement Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez The City of Vista Fire Department is recruiting men and women age 50 and older for volunteer help with day-to-day administrative services as well as emergency incident support. The Fire Senior Volunteer Program trains community members to assist with the Fire Departments operations. Examples of volunteer responsibilities include assisting with fire prevention education and the smoke alarm program and providing support such as giving water and food to firefighters at extended emergency incidents; leading fire station tours and delivering supplies and mail between fire stations. Applications are at CityofVista.com/FireSeniorVolunteer or (760) 643-5331 or mlemire@cityofvista.com. The new majority on the Escondido City Council appears poised to rescind the former councils 2017 decision to locate a $44 million recycled water plant in the middle of a residential area. Its the wrong location, newly elected Mayor Paul Mac McNamara said Friday of the site in the center of the city at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Ash Street. Im seriously considering moving it. Its in the middle of a neighborhood. Its not the right location. It never was. I totally get it. It might cost us a few more bucks, but in the long term, its better to have it where it needs to be. The siting of the Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility has been a source of controversy since 2016. The plant is needed to desalinate recycled water so it can then be piped to outlying parts of the city where it can be used for agricultural irrigation. The recycled system is crucial because it will take water that today is being dumped into a pipe that eventually leads to the ocean -- a pipe that is nearing its capacity. Without the recycled water system, the city could find itself in the position of having to replace the outfall pipe at a cost of a billion dollars or more. Advertisement The majority of the council is not opposed to the recycled water plan, just to the location of the plant. The council will discuss rescinding the approval at its meeting Wednesday. They will need to consider a memorandum prepared for the meeting by the citys director of utilities, Christopher McKinney, who paints a dire financial picture should the location of the plant be moved. If the City Council chooses to direct staff to pursue another site the financial consequences of this decision will depend on several factors including, and not limited to, the location and characteristics of a new site, he wrote. These financial costs will likely reach several millions of dollars. The only other logical location, officials say, is to build the plant next to an industrially zoned location near the citys Public Works yard to the west. That would require purchasing four to five acres of property at a cost of around $5 million and the construction of at least another 1.5 miles of additional 24-inch recycled water mains at a cost of about $3 million, McKinney said in the memo. He said the Washington and Ash site is already owned by the city, saving Escondido millions. He said about $1 million has been spent to develop plans for the currently proposed site, money that would also be partially lost because not all plans can be readily transferred to a new site. Additionally, McKinney said moving the project could jeopardize a $2 million grant awarded to the project from the state, as well as a $29 million state revolving fund loan, which includes $2.5 million in loan forgiveness. The initial site for the plant was not at Washington and Ash but instead on city-owned property further east along Washington Avenue near where it intersects with El Norte Parkway. That location met with huge resistance from the surrounding community. Homes surrounded the property and the council decided to find another spot in mid-2016. Late that same year, the Washington and Ash location was approved by the citys Planning Commission but the decision was appealed to the council by the Springs of Escondido residential development a neighbor of the project site and Councilwoman Olga Diaz. Advertisement In January 2017, the council voted 4-1 to place the plant at the Washington and Ash location, with Diaz and dozens of members of the surrounding community vociferously expressing their objection. The Springs of Escondido then sued the city. A $40,000 settlement was reached which included a city promise that the plant would be built on the west side of the property near Ash, as far from the retirement home as possible. Things have now drastically changed on the council, which for years had a 4-1 conservative majority voting block. With the election of Councilwoman Consuelo Martinez over incumbent Ed Gallo and McNamara over incumbent Mayor Sam Abed in November, a new, Democrat-led council is now in control. Should they vote to move the plant, many believe it could be the first of many decisions made under the Abed-led council over the past decade to be overturned. Advertisement Martinez represents District 1, which includes the Washington and Ash intersection. During her campaign, she said she would like the plant to be located elsewhere. McNamara on Friday said moving the plant is the right move for the long-term future of the city. The property at Washington and Ash abuts the Escondido Creek and there are visions of turning that area into a riverwalk-type residential and commercial area. That property would be prime for enhancing that vision, McNamara said. We already have an industrial area to put that plant in. Granted, it may put us behind a couple of years, but when youre looking out 40 or 50 years, what do you want to see? Do you want to see a big plant in the middle of a neighborhood or would you rather have it in an industrial area? Advertisement He said developing a riverwalk concept on the site would make far more financial sense in the long run and could revitalize that part of the city. Technically, on Wednesday the council can vote only to consider rescinding the former councils approval of the plant location. The citys staff would then come back to the council next month with details about where else the recycled water plant could be built and how much it would cost. Advertisement jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Carlsbads two newest council members have asked the city to reconsider its investments in oil companies such as Exxon and Chevron as part of its environmental stewardship. Priya Bhat-Patel, who was elected in November along with Barbara Hamilton, suggested at the councils meeting last week that the city staff look into its policies regarding investments in companies that rely heavily on fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Other companies might be better aligned with the citys values, Bhat-Patel said. If we could just look and see if there are comparable companies, that would be perfect. Hamilton backed up the request, which the council approved unanimously. Advertisement Health care and educational institutions across the country are divesting from fossil fuel companies, Hamilton said, adding that shed like the city to consider a similar policy Carlsbad had more than $14 million, or 1.9 percent of its investment portfolio, invested in Chevron, and $11.4 million, or 1.5 percent in Exxon, as of July 31, according to documents on the citys website. In all, the city has about $750 million in its pooled investment portfolio, according to a report presented by City Treasurer Craig Lindholm. The average yield on the instruments, mostly cash, bonds and certificates of deposit, is 1.98 percent annually. Money in the pool comes from various funds held by the city and its agencies such as the Water District, the Housing Authority, and others. The city adopted its current investment policy in 1985 and last revised it in 2017. Carlsbads Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2015, outlines a number of guidelines for environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are caused by burning fossil fuels. Numerous studies have shown greenhouse gases contribute to global warming. Eliminating the use of fossil fuels helps reduce the risk of climate change and boost economic stability, according to Fossil Free California, an Oakland-based nonprofit. Advertisement Several large statewide pension funds including the California Public Employees Retirement System, the State Teachers Retirement System, and the University of California system have taken steps to divest from or reduce their investments in fossil-fuel companies. So far, only a handful of Northern California cities, including Berkeley and Oakland, have taken similar steps, and, so far, none in San Diego County. The Carlsbad city treasurer said last week he will prepare a detailed report on the citys investments for a future council meeting. The citys investment policies require diversity and security, and that limits the opportunities, Lindholm said. Advertisement Most of the big oil companies are becoming more diverse and increasing their reliance on solar and other renewable energy sources, he added. At the end of the day, these are companies that want to stay in business, he said. Councilwoman Cori Schumacher said she also would be interested in divestment, and that it would help align the citys investment policies with the goals of its Climate Action Plan. (An earlier version of this story had the wrong last name for Councilwoman Barbara Hamilton.) Advertisement philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl City staff members and elected officials from La Mesa will meet with the public and answer questions at two upcoming Town Hall meetings. The meetings will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at La Mesa Dale Elementary School, and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Murray Manor Elementary School. In attendance will be La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis and City Council members Kristine Alessio, Bill Baber, Colin Parent and Akilah Weber. Senior La Mesa staff members, including City Manager Yvonne Garrett, City Attorney Glenn Sabine and members of the citys Public Works, Finance and Community Development departments will be able to answer questions. Advertisement Police Chief Walt Vasquez, Heartland Fire & Rescue Chief Steve Swaney are also expected to attend. The sessions provide an opportunity for citizens to share concerns without an official agenda. I believe we are the only one of the 18 cities in San Diego that does an open Town Hall meeting, Arapostathis said. Its unique to us. Its a perfect opportunity for the public to bring forward questions and concerns. We want to hear what our neighbors are concerned about and what theyre talking about. What people bring up at these meetings drives our agenda for the year. Information will also be available about La Mesa neighborhoods and various city services, such as crime prevention, emergency preparedness and recreation classes. La Mesa Dale Elementary School is at 4370 Parks Ave.; Murray Manor Elementary School is at 8305 El Paso St. Advertisement karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which has been struggling with a financial crisis stemming from Californias historic wildfires, intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the month, according to a regulatory filing. The company, which is the largest investor-owned utility in California, said it faced an estimated $30 billion liability for damages from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires that killed scores in Northern California, a sum that would exceed its insurance and assets. The filing followed the announcement Sunday night that PG&Es chief executive, Geisha Williams, would step down. By early afternoon trading on Monday, the companys shares had fallen nearly 50 percent. They had already lost almost two-thirds of their value since early November, when the companys equipment was linked to the Camp Fire, which destroyed thousands of homes in Paradise, Calif., and killed at least 86 people. PG&Es problems could be the harbinger of more turmoil in Californias energy sector. The state, which prides itself on being a leader in the fight against climate change, has in recent years had to contend with much larger and more destructive wildfires, many of them caused by or linked to utility equipment. Industry executives have been lobbying the California Legislature to protect them financially by allowing them to raise electricity rates to help pay for property damage caused by fires, an effort in which they have been partially successful. Advertisement Some experts say that the state could be on the cusp of its second energy crisis in less than two decades. In 2000 and 2001, California was roiled by blackouts, soaring electricity rates and the bankruptcy of PG&E after a botched deregulation by the state. PG&Es filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission said the company planned to file for bankruptcy on or about Jan. 29, saying the move was ultimately the only viable option to restore PG&Es financial stability to fund ongoing operations and provide safe service to customers. The filing noted that the company was required to give employees 15 days notice of such a move, under a recently passed California law. One possibility is that another utility company will take over all of PG&E, or parts of its business. It is the primary gas and electricity supplier to the northern half of California, serving about 16 million customers over 70,000 square miles. PG&Es safety culture has also been under scrutiny since it was found at fault in a natural-gas explosion in 2010 that devastated the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno and killed eight people. The company was fined a record $1.6 billion by the state for failing to maintain its pipeline system properly, and it paid $900 million to resolve lawsuits related to the explosion. Fire investigators determined that PG&E equipment was responsible for at least 18 of 21 major fires in 2017 as well as blazes in 2018. Some of the fires have been attributed to power lines coming into contact with trees, which critics have said is a result of the utilitys failure to trim the trees. The billions in potential costs have prompted a series of downgrades in PG&Es ratings, including decisions last week by Moodys Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings to downgrade the utilitys bonds to junk. The action is driven entirely by the further weakening of Pacific Gas and Electric Companys credit quality, Moodys stated in its decision. Advertisement Gov. Gavin Newsom, who took office last week, has said that responding to the utility and wildfire issues is among his top priorities. Officials have said that a bankruptcy filing would not jeopardize the provision of gas and electricity. While PG&E announced its intent to file bankruptcy today, the company should continue to honor promises made to energy suppliers and to our community, Mr. Newsom said in a statement on Monday. Throughout the months ahead, I will be working with the legislature and all stakeholders on a solution that ensures consumers have access to safe, affordable and reliable service, fire victims are treated fairly and California can continue to make progress toward our climate goals. After intense lobbying, the states investor-owned utilities, which include Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric, won a legislative shield last year from having to bear the cost of 2017 fires. The law allows them to pass the cost of wildfires to their customers in the form of higher electricity rates. Now they are seeking the same for last years fires. State law requires utilities to compensate property owners for fire damage caused by their equipment, regardless of whether negligence is proved. Advertisement In its filing Monday, PG&E said it was aware of 50 complaints on behalf of at least 2,000 plaintiffs in connection with the Camp Fire, including six seeking to be litigated as a class action. It also cited 700 complaints on behalf of at least 3,600 plaintiffs related to 2017 wildfires, including five seeking to be certified as class actions. The utility companies acknowledge that they may bear some responsibility for wildfires but say it is not entirely their fault, because climate change and development in remote areas have made wildfires more destructive. In San Diego, SDG&E defended its recent safety record. While there is an increased threat of wildfires statewide, the circumstances of investor-owned utilities are not the same across the board, said Helen Gao, spokeswoman for San Diego Gas & Electric in an email to the Union-Tribune. Advertisement Gao pointed to more than $1 billion the utility has invested since deadly wildfires ripped through San Diego County in 2007. Among the programs SDG&E has established with ratepayer dollars: a weather network made up of 177 stations and mountaintop wildfire detection cameras. SDG&E also has upgraded 14,000 wood poles to fire-resistant steel poles. At the end of the trading day on Wall Street, PG&E Corporation stock dropped by more than half, falling from an opening of $17.59 per share to $8.38. Sempra, the parent company of SDG&E and Southern California Gas, finished the trading day down 2.3 percent at $111.76 per share. Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, was down 1.97 percent to $58.15 a share. Advertisement Andy Smith, a senior analyst who follows California utilities for Edward Jones, said PG&Es woes would likely have just an ancillary effect on SDG&E and Southern California Edison. But Smith said, I think one consequence of this will be greater focus on tree-trimming and system hardening and other things that can help keep wildfires from becoming so disastrous. And while the utility pays for that upfront, it eventually finds its way into customers bills. Energy expert Gary Ackerman, former executive director of the Western Power Trading Forum, an organization based in Sacramento whose 90 members in the West buy and sell power, acknowledged PG&Es faults but said a bankruptcy could be disastrous for others, including ratepayers. I think people are just fooling themselves if they say, just let PG&E go bankrupt and things will take care of themselves and we will punish them, Ackerman said. Who are you punishing? Ratepayers are on the hook to guarantees of revenues and costs (by investor-owned utilities) The utilities have a certain obligation and role to play in the state pursuing its energy and environmental policies, period. I dont see that changing and a bankruptcy would just make things worse. Advertisement The California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees PG&E and the two other investor-owned utilities in the state, said through a spokeswoman it continues to closely monitor PG&E, along with the governors office and other state agencies. At this point, PG&E has sufficient resources to continue to safely meet its core responsibilities and obligations, said CPUC communications director Terrie Prosper in an email. U-T staff writer Rob Nikolewski contributed to this article. Advertisement BEIJING (AP) A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on Monday in a drug smuggling case as tensions heightened between the two countries over Canada's arrest last month of a top Chinese technology executive. In a sudden retrial, a Chinese court in northeastern Liaoning province announced that it had given Robert Lloyd Schellenberg the death penalty, reversing an earlier 2016 ruling that sentenced him to 15 years in prison. The court gave no indication that the penalty could be commuted, but Schellenberg's fate is likely to be drawn into diplomatic negotiations over China's demand for the release of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly condemned Monday's proceeding, suggesting that China was using its judicial system to retaliate against Canada. In his strongest comments yet, Trudeau said "all countries around the world" should be concerned that Beijing is acting arbitrarily with its justice system. "It is of extreme concern to us as a government, as it should be to all our international friends and allies, that China has chosen to begin to arbitrarily apply a death penalty," Trudeau said. Further escalating the diplomatic crisis between the two countries, a Chinese spokeswoman said earlier Monday that Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat taken into custody in apparent retaliation for Meng's arrest, was not eligible for diplomatic immunity. Schellenberg was detained more than four years ago and initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2016. But within weeks of Meng's Dec. 1 arrest an appeals court suddenly reversed that decision, saying the sentence was too lenient, and scheduled Monday's retrial with just four days' notice. The Chinese press began publicizing Schellenberg's case after Canada detained Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder, at the request of the United States, which wants her extradited to face charges that she committed fraud by misleading banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. Days after Meng's arrest, Kovrig and Canadian businessman Michael Spavor were detained on vague national security allegations. Meng is out on bail in Canada awaiting extradition proceedings that will begin next month. Canada has embarked on a campaign with allies to win the release of Kovrig and Spavor. The United States, Britain, European Union and Australia have issued statements in support. Trudeau called U.S. President Donald Trump about their case last week and the White House called the arrests "unlawful." Schellenberg's lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, said his client now has 10 days to appeal. Zhang said he argued in the one-day trial that there was insufficient evidence to prove his client's involvement in the drug smuggling operation. He added that prosecutors had not introduced new evidence to justify a heavier sentence. "This is a very unique case," Zhang told The Associated Press in a phone interview. He said the swiftness of the proceedings was unusual but declined to comment on whether it was related to Meng's arrest. The court said it found that Schellenberg was involved in an international drug-smuggling operation and was recruited to help smuggle more than 222 kilograms (488 pounds) of methamphetamine from a warehouse in the Chinese city of Dalian to Australia. A Chinese man convicted of involvement in the same operation was earlier given a suspended death sentence. Fifty people, including Canadian diplomats and foreign and domestic media, attended Monday's trial, the court said in an online statement. In 2009, China executed a Briton, Akmal Shaikh, on charges of smuggling heroin despite his supporters' protest that he was mentally ill. Earlier Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said authorities had determined Kovrig was not entitled to diplomatic immunity, rejecting a complaint from Trudeau that China was not respecting longstanding practices regarding diplomatic immunity. Hua told reporters that Kovrig is no longer a diplomat and entered China on an ordinary passport and business visa. "According to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations and international law, he is not entitled to diplomatic immunity," Hua said at a daily briefing. "I suggest that the relevant Canadian person carefully study the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and international law before commenting on the cases, or they would only expose themselves to ridicule with such specious remarks." Kovrig, a Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank, took a leave of absence from the Canadian government. A former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, said he believes the Chinese likely interrogated Kovrig about his time as a diplomat in China. He said that would violate Vienna Convention protections of residual diplomatic immunity that mean a country is not allowed to question someone on the work they did when they were a diplomat. "It's difficult not to see a link" between the case and Canada's arrest of Meng, Saint-Jacques said. However, Hua said the allegation that China arbitrarily detained Canadian citizens is "totally groundless." Last week, Poland arrested a Huawei director and one of its own former cybersecurity experts and charged them with spying for China. The move came amid a U.S. campaign to exert pressure on its allies not to use Huawei, the world's biggest maker of telecommunications network equipment, over data security concerns. The arrests raised concerns over the safety of Poland's nationals in China, although Hua appeared to brush off such worries, emphasizing China's desire for the "sound and steady" development of relations with Poland. "As long as the foreign citizens in China abide by Chinese laws and regulations, they are welcomed and their safety and freedom are guaranteed," Hua said. NEW ORLEANS (AP) President Donald Trump on Monday left a city shut down by a funding dispute with Congress and the year's first snowfall to promote his trade policies and the new farm law at a farm convention in Louisiana. Trump arrived just outside of New Orleans behind schedule because a mechanical issue slightly delayed Air Force One's departure from Washington on Day 24 of the partial government shutdown. A maintenance crew needed to reset an indicator light before takeoff, the White House said. The president was greeted at the airport by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, whose department is among those affected by the shutdown. Trump was also welcomed to the state by a trio of Louisiana elected Republicans Rep. Steve Scalise and Sens. John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy and a man carrying a boxed king cake, a local treat. Trump was expected to discuss his trade policies, which have affected farmers, and an $867 billion, 10-year the farm bill he recently signed into law. Some farmers attending the American Farm Bureau Federation convention said they continue to support Trump despite the difficulty they're feeling. Outside the convention center, several hundred demonstrators gathered holding signs that said "Open the Government Now" and "Deport Trump" and chanting "Build Bridges Not Walls" and "Love Trumps Hate." A stalemate between Trump and congressional Democrats over $5.7 billion the president is requesting to build his long-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall led several U.S. departments and agencies to halt services deemed non-essential just before Christmas. Federal departments that were unaffected by the shutdown ended up closing Monday after Washington was blanketed by anywhere from six inches to a foot of snow over the weekend. Richard Musel of Bennington, Nebraska, a corn and soybean farmer, described business as "marginal" but said he doesn't blame Trump. Musel says Trump has been good to farmers and had no choice but to get tough with China. He criticized Democrats for refusing to fund the wall. "He's asking for such a small amount." Musel said of the president. "All they are is a bunch of bullies. That's the Democrats. Our president is pretty stern. His plan, it'll work." Lemuel and Shelby Ricks grow cotton, soybeans, wheat and peanuts on their farm in Conway, North Carolina. They say they've been hurt by low commodity prices and the shutdown. They can't apply for financial aid the federal government is giving farmers hurt by Trump's trade policies because of the shutdown. The Rickses said they voted for Trump and will again in 2020, contending the country will benefit from Trump's policies in the long run. "We're not giving up on him now," Shelby Ricks said. Think a minute.In the year 1899, four American newspaper reporters were searching for a story. They each worked for a different newspaper in the city of Denver, Colorado. By chance they ended up together one Saturday evening when all four of them were desperately needing a story to publish the next morning in the Sunday edition. For them, no news was bad news when facing a deadline only hours away! Finally, they decided just to make up a story about something that happened far away in another part of the world, since it would be harder to check for truth and accuracy. Remember, this was over a hundred years ago before television, satellites, and the worldwide web. After much discussion they came up with the unbelievable story that the Chinese government was tearing down their Great Wall of China to show international goodwill and welcome foreign business trade from other nations. The story said that some American engineers were coming to China to bid on the job of helping demolish the Great Wall. Remember, none of this was true! Well, by 11 oclock Saturday night these four reporters had worked out all the details for this far-out, false story to be published the next morning in each of their four different newspapers. They never expected anybody to believe their obviously phony story that was truly fake news. But to the reporters shock, people did believe it! When the news reached the Chinese that the Americans were sending engineers to tear down their Chinese national monument, naturally they were extremely offended and angry! One group of Chinese patriots even rioted and attacked embassies, killing hundreds of foreigners. In fact, this imaginary story and hoax, made up by four news reporters, contributed to the international conflict and bloodshed in China known as the Boxer Rebellion. The power of our words can be used for great good or great evil. Even what we think are just small jokes, gossip, or white lies can deeply wound, even destroy, people. Wont you ask Jesus to forgive you, and to help you control what you saybefore you start a war of words that hurts your family, friends, or others? Just think a minute The Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.) will host the Initial Meeting for some of the networks of the MenEngage Global Alliance from 21 25 January 2019 at the Travellers Point Hotel, Apia. The Meeting is coordinated by the Centro Rural Joven Vida (C.E.R.U.J.O.V.I.), a non-profit organization based in Spain. It will be attended by representatives from five partner organisations for the Men & Boys Engage Project, such as the Emancipator in Netherlands, the Youth First in Madagascar, the Foundation for Innovative Social Development in Sri Lanka, the Centre for Health and Social Justice in India and Samoa Victim Support Group, Samoa. C.E.R.U.J.O.V.I. is a center of rural development, which works on comprehensive programmes for the development of rural communities. It also works in all the sectors of the population, especially those who are more disadvantaged, such as the youth, children, women and elderly. S.V.S.Gs involvement with the Men & Boys Engage Project is through its youth sub-group, the SVSG (Juniors), whose participants will join the MenEngage Global Alliance in being empowered through capacity building and fostering network with other partners to the Project. By building on the capacity of its youth and fostering youth relationship with international partner organsiations, this is all part of S.V.S.G.s succession plans as the Group look towards its youth sub-group, the SVSG (Junior) to take on the future direction of S.V.S.G.. Following the Projects Initial Meeting in Samoa, there will be a Seminar in New Delhi India in March 2019 and a Study Tour in Amsterdam Netherlands in May. Samoans have embraced the announcement by Tulsi Gabbard that she will be contesting the Democrats Presidential nomination next year, as she eyes the U.S. Presidency office currently occupied by Donald Trump. On the streets of Apia a few days after the announcement was made, members of the public the Samoa Observer spoke with were delighted. While Gabbard was born in American Samoa, that did not matter to them. The say it would be a great occasion should a Samoan woman become the next American President. If she becomes the next U.S President, that would be a great thing for Samoa, Lelei Pesamino, of Luatuanuu said. The 52-year-old said this is history in the making and for a small country like Samoa; its something that should be celebrated. It is the first time that I have heard of anyone with Samoan connection run for the U.S. President. I really hope she wins. Anetelea Ioka, of Papaloloa, is positive she will. She looks young and Im very optimistic she will become the next U.S. President, he said. Although I am not sure how much experience she has with politics, I personally think that if she or anyone for that matter has the motive to run, and then go for it. We support our people especially those who rise to become leaders. This is a big occasion for Samoa. Gabbard, 37, was born in Leloaloa American Samoa. She moved with her family to Hawaii when she was two years old. I have decided to run and will be making a formal announcement within the next week, she told CNN last week. There is one main issue that is central to the rest, and that is the issue of war and peace. For Hakai Tone, of Moamoa, the fact Gabbard is Samoan is enough for every Samoan to offer their support and prayers. Although she may not have been born or raised in Samoa, she is Samoan. Whether or not she realizes it but her campaigning to become the U.S President affects us as all. And some may discourage her and others may support her completely but whatever people say I hope it only gives her more reason to keep going. I would vote for her. Micky Lomoa, of Satapuala, echoes similar sentiments. Becoming the U.S president is a tough job and requires a lot of experience and knowledge. I am just not sure she has what it takes to beat Donald Trump. Iasela Summer of Mulifanua pointed to the gender issue as a possible obstacle. Shes a woman running for U.S President. It is twice as much harder to win, than men. But I think that shouldnt stop her from running for President. Anyone has a chance of becoming or doing anything if they are determined enough. I wish her the best of luck. Ramona Esekia of Nofoalii says Gabbards example should motivate women in Samoa to step up. Here in Samoa, womens role in leadership is still progressing and it makes me very happy to see Samoan women making that same progress off island, she said. She has plans to resolve issues in the U.S. And I hope she does win, so she can make a difference, not just for women but Pacific islanders as well. The Samoan-born, Hindu-raised war veteran putting her hat in the ring for U.S President, Tulsi Gabbard is a woman of mixed political stances. Her bid for presidency has prompted responses across the board, asking for her beliefs on marriage equality, gun control, foreign affairs and more. Gabbard, who served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2002-2004, has made her position on a variety of topics clear. In 2015, Big Island Now reported Gabbard calling the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement disastrous for American Jobs, and that it will benefit multinational corporations over hardworking Americans. According to Gabbard, she opposes the T.P.P.A due to impacts on the environment. An advocate for environment conservation, Gabbard joined protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock. In 2017, she sponsored the first House legislation to transition the United States to renewable energy by 2035, the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act. On abortion she maintains a prochoice stance, but on LGBT issues her position has shifted. Early in her career, Gabbard insisted same-sex marriage is dishonest to the people of Hawaii, but today said it is not the place of Government to intrude into the personal lives of its citizens, as reported by the Honolulu Civil Beat. She is in support of removing marijuana from the federal controlled substances list, as part of criminal justice reforms. However, Gabbard has also seen her share of controversy. Democrats criticised her meeting President Bashar al-Assad in Syria in 2017 which had not been planned before she departed. Initially I hadnt planned on meeting him, Gabbard told CNNs Jake Tapper. When the opportunity arose to meet with him, I did so, because I felt its important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then weve got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we could achieve peace. And thats exactly what we talked about, the Guardian reports. When she met then President-elect Donald Trump during his transition in November 2016, an anonymous Democrat told NBC News that Gabbard is the most Trumpian Democrat in Congress. If Trump is going to do outreach to a Democrat, she is the least shocking person he could do, they said. In November 2018, Gabbard was criticised when she did not sign the letter of opposition to Stephen Bannons appointment as chief strategist. But in February 2017, she spoke out against Trumps Muslim ban, saying: we need to responsibly ensure thorough vetting is in place, but more importantly, we need to stop the regime-change war that is causing people to flee their country. With the world advancing technologically, a young mother is ensuring that both Samoas are not left behind. Twenty-eight-year-old, Jennifer Livigisitone Singh from Falelatai and Malololelei has invested her time into creating an online employment portal for job seekers and employers in Samoa and American Samoa. What makes this online portal different from other similar existing portals, Jennifer said, is that while others just advertise jobs, MyJobsSamoa (M.J.S.) acts as mini Human Resource software, identifying, and short-listing potential applicants for certain advertised vacancies. Its good for people residing in Samoa and American Samoa, and those who come from overseas and are looking for jobs. Sometimes they dont realise that there are jobs available, that is this portal is created, Jennifer said. Currently, finances to operate this website and to have the resources available all the time is coming out of my husbands pocket. While being a mother of three young girls and managing the website is a challenge of its own, Jennifer says there is also a need to educate job seekers on how to utilise the portal, and providing necessary details for employers. Sometimes the quality of applications that come through our website are not up to standard, so that is why we need to get job seekers educated. Two months into its inception, M.J.S. has already gained several clienteles 2019 looks good as Jennifer hopes to attract a few partners. We are more than just a job placements platform and several partnerships will be unveiled this year to assist job seekers in both Samoas. MyJobsSamoa works closely with MyJobsPacific.com and MyJobsFiji.com to achieve its goals, which is to increase the employability of all Samoans living on Island and overseas, she said. The idea of setting up M.J.S. originated when fellow Australian-based partners with similar intentions launched MyJobsFiji.com, and Jennifer has seen firsthand the issues faced by job seekers and employers in Samoa and around the Pacific. Samoa is her home and it has been very good for her and her family each time she came back. For this reason, she wanted to give something back to her people. Jennifer is a former student of Leififi College and intends to use this platform to continue her career, which got halted when she became a mother five years ago. Job advertisements can be currently put up for free and each platform has its own associated Facebook and LinkedIn pages. The advertisements can be sent to [email protected] or [email protected] for placements. Alternatively job seekers and employers in Samoa and American Samoa can register themselves by following the link; https://www.myjobssamoa.com/registration/ Samoa Airways international jet schedule will return to normal from today, the Airline announced in a statement yesterday. The announcement follows the delay and rescheduling of international flights from the 6th - 14th January 2019. It happened after its Boeing 737-800 aircraft made an unplanned overnight stopover in Sydney on 5th January due to unsuitable weather conditions and the Sydney Airport curfew. As part of efforts to clear the back-log of affected customers, Samoa Airways chartered a Qantas 737-800 aircraft on Thursday 10th January to operate its Sydney/Apia/Sydney flights while its aircraft operated on the busy Apia/Auckland/Apia route, the statement from the Airline said yesterday. The disruption took place during an extraordinarily busy week for the airline, with supplementary flights which had been scheduled in 2018 and its impact was exacerbated by the limited availability of spare aircraft for charters due to the busy Festive Season. As it prepares to return to schedule, Samoa Airways reminds its customers that check-in for flights between Apia, Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane opens 3-hours before departure and closes 60-minutes prior. Samoa Airways apologises for the inconvenience caused as a result of unforeseen circumstances and thanks the travelling public for its patience and understanding. Papali'i Malietau Malietoa is concerned the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B) and local partners are not abiding by their own policies. In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Papali'i, whose family land is up for development as a Flood Control Multi-Purpose Dam in Alaoa, said the Banks own safeguarding policies should have protected families from the unsatisfactory consultation practices of the project proponent, Electrical Power Corporation (E.P.C). Last week, he said the consultative process has not been accurate, and has focused too much on sharing the benefits rather than potential risks of any dam. I believe that the process thus far has more to do with building a case for a dam rather than the meaningful consultations of affected communities and parties and the importance of their voices in the process, he said. E.P.C has been planning the Multi-Purpose Dam since 2016, and the A.D.B came on board to provide Technical Assistance. The amount of funding, and whether it is a grant or a loan could not be confirmed at the time of writing. The 2009 A.D.B Safeguard Policy was written in response to rapidly changing contexts in the Asia-Pacific region, where much funding activity occurs. According to the policy document, concerns have grown about the long-term sustainability of development. The challenge of preventing further impoverishment resulting from environmental degradation and involuntary resettlement, acknowledging the special needs and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and other vulnerable groups, and improving the policies and building the capacity of developing member countries to manage these impacts is acute. The A.D.Bs safeguard policy statement outlines its commitment to: Avoid adverse impacts of projects on the environment and affected people, where possible; minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate for adverse project impacts on the environment and affected people when avoidance is not possible; and help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems and develop the capacity to manage environmental and social risks. It seeks to protect against environmental damage, the involuntary resettlement of people and indigenous people. According to the statement, A.D.B will not finance projects that do not comply with that statement, or with the host countrys social and environmental laws. While the safeguard policy is available online in 14 languages, Samoan is not one of them. This is one of Papaliis major concerns. The indigenous peoples safeguards are of particular relevance to the proposed Alaoa dam project, which began in 2016 and is scheduled for completion in 2020. The objective of the safeguard states: To design and implement projects in a way that fosters full respect for Indigenous Peoples identity, dignity, human rights, livelihood systems, and cultural uniqueness as defined by the Indigenous Peoples themselves so that they (i) receive culturally appropriate social and economic benefits, (ii) do not suffer adverse impacts as a result of projects, and (iii) can participate actively in projects that affect them. It is the assertion of many that the absence of meaningful and well-advertised consultation on this project could be a breach of this safeguard. Fiu Mataese Elisara, a critic of some of the Bank's practices (while applauding many project intentions) said the absence of due diligence checks on projects is upsetting. Those are clear prerequisite requirements at all levels of a project, from the design right up to the completion of it, he said. When I found out that a lot of those steps are not met, there are no due diligence checks on those very clear requirements, I get very upset and annoyed. I guess they have been depending on the fact that very few people, if any raise these issues in the past so they were quite comfortable about going ahead with these types of things, hoping there will not be any person raising red flags. Some of the policy principals that could apply to the Alaoa Multi-Purpose Flood Control Dam include early screenings for attachment to the project area, culturally sensitive social impact tests, meaningful consultations and the ascertaining of consent of indigenous peoples for projects. The policy also outlines an Indigenous Peoples plan (IPP) should be written, which includes a framework for continued consultation with the affected Indigenous Peoples communities during project implementation; specifies measures to ensure that Indigenous Peoples receive culturally appropriate benefits; identifies measures to avoid, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for any adverse project impacts; and includes culturally appropriate grievance procedures, monitoring and evaluation arrangements, and a budget and time-bound actions for implementing the planned measures. That plan should be disclosed as a draft, and in its final iteration, and in an understood language, the policy continues. It should include a participatory monitoring approach, which should be reported on regularly, and those reports disclosed too. E.P.C Project Manager for the Alaoa Dam was not able to comment on the process at the time of writing. Dear Editor, Fake news is everywhere every day every so long and one had to stay calm not hysteria as only small fishes jump at every sprinkle in the water. But the honourable Prime Minister of the country has a point about what is not news concocted by the media shtick to sell; such as the claims by Unasa Iuni Sapolu. What she said is nothing but fake news. Taking the government; for the people by the people to court 10 years after the law was passed? She is so juvenile. The appeal court already ruled Samoa Parliament is the supreme law of Samoa no court has any jurisdictions on as per Sua Rimoni Ah Chong vs government 1995. For as long as 2/3rd majority of Parliament endorsement, can amend the Constitution and pass laws is the lawful from the legal fraternity; not the bush lawyers. Your editorial is nothing but a pesky hogwash to fill the pages and arouse the opposition view to sell. The editors conscious has been drowned by the manifested attitudes and ethos. With what you had referred to Sir: After the events of the past couple of days in Samoa, we can confidently say they love the use of the term fake news surely had convinced me you are still being hounded by the goodies of the festive season, and I can only urge you to please share me what you had consumed? What do Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and the U.S. President Donald Trump have in common? Well! Besides being from the same planet and if the aliens ever invades; we all are in the same team... After the events of the past couple of days in Samoa, we can confidently say they love the use of the term fake news. Oh! That! Sir, you are fake news but them. I would not dare take them at face value for the use of, fake news. Which is precisely what happened. With the protests and everything that followed, its been quite a week, certainly an interesting way to start 2019. Whats been said and written this past week, are only the latest in a long history of different and contradicting opinions expressed by experts and ordinary members of the public, about this issue. Which is great because it shows that the people of this country are concerned enough about whats happening, and they are taking a stand. Its a healthy development and a normal part of democracy. Indeed; people of this country are definitely concerned when the media reports news that are supposedly never news and are being referred to as fake news hence, a law passed 10 years ago and is dead stale. What is so news about this please, Mr. Editor Mataafa Keni Lesa and Samoa Observer? This is smelly stuff. The law was passed 10 years ago so be it. Of course no one likes a protest especially if you are the target. So one likes a protest did you say? Did you really say this Sir? Maybe you dont like it but the fact of matters, the honourable Prime Minister of Samoa and I loved it. I love protests. It is the fact of life. But always, only the fools would do that. Of course it is garbage. It is rubbish. You want to know why Mr. Editor? Because of course actions speak louder than words. Even your good self and Gatoaitele Savea Porotesano Malifa had said and endorsed the honourable prime minister of Samoa and my H.R.P.P. government had done to develop Samoa. That so being the reason why the honourable prime minister of my country, Fatialofa Auelua Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Lolofie Neioti Galumalemana Aiono Chief Logohu the Bird of Paradise Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi is Samoa Observer Person of 2018. He is the One and Only, the Chosen One. Amen! Alleluia! Tofaeono Joe Hollywood Re: Small businesses share concerns What if grocery stores hired some of those kids out front to weave those baskets I see that are used in Samoa? If those were available for me when I went to Frankies I would buy one and put my groceries in that. I would buy it on my way in and put it in my cart and just put my groceries in it and then empty it at the cashier and then refill it right in the cart after the cashier rang in my groceries and then take it to my car. Then into my car and to home where I would bring it in and unpack it. Those baskets look sturdier than plastic anyway. I think this would be a great idea. If someone doesnt want to buy one they can bring one from home before they shop. Wendy Wonder Local solutions for local problems. That is what the article Experts call for Komiti Tumama role to tackle non-communicable disease crisis in todays edition of the Samoa Observer basically highlights. Samoas Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) should be commended for the decision to bring back the Komiti Tumama, and to make it relevant in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCD). If the Komiti was so effective in terms of health delivery outcomes during the New Zealand colonial administration, then it makes sense to revive, strengthen and support them to face the countrys new health crisis. In Samoa, womens groups (Komiti Tumama) have historically played a vital role in the delivery of public health and improving access to health services. Created under the New Zealand administration (19211962), Komiti remain in operation until the present day, though their role and influence as agents of public health have diminished, stated the report. And it is not a surprise to hear of the success by the Komiti since they began their work in 2015. Preliminary results of the programme implementation are positive. PEN Faa Samoa achieved a high level of population screening coverage in the demonstration villages, in which the womens committee representatives played a key role. In this regard, PEN Faa Samoa utilizes the concept that the women in villages themselves take care of NCD risk factors for their own communities. Following nomination, womens committee representatives demonstrated considerable enthusiasm in informing and requesting village members to attend fixed sites for screening, which has resulted in remarkable screening coverage, stated the report. Coincidentally, there was a story in yesterdays edition of the newspaper, on the departure of members of the first Chinese medical team after a six-month stint. Their presence in Samoa, no doubt, saved a lot of lives but it is the sharing of knowledge and skills with their local colleagues, which should have a positive impact on health outcomes in the country going forward. With the increasing upskilling of local Samoan medical professionals thanks to various agreements between the Government of Samoa and its international friends such as China, coupled with the intervention at the community level through groups such as the Komiti Tumama the health outcomes of the countrys citizens appear to be in good hands. But in the fight against non-communicable diseases, no stone should be left unturned, therefore the connection between NCDs and poverty should not be downplayed. A World Bank report released in July 2014 titled NCD Road Map Report concluded: NCDs account for around 70-75 per cent of all deaths in the Pacific Islands. Many of these NCD-related deaths are premature (before age 60 years) and are preventable. Most of the trends and risk factors point to a worsening of the situation: the top 10 countries with the highest rates of diabetes in the world are in the Pacific Islands; 52.45 per cent of adult males in Tonga are estimated to be obese; in Kiribati, Federated State of Micronesia, Tonga and Samoa adult female obesity is estimated to be 50 per cent or more. NCDs impose large but often preventable financial costs on already overstretched government health budgets. Several NCD-related programmes in the Pacific Islands are already unsustainable financially. However, there are proven, affordable, and cost-effective interventions. Some cost-saving interventions can pay for themselves over the longer term. Multiple factors inside and beyond the health sector are driving the rise in NCDs, so a multi-sectoral approach is essential. Health challenges that involve factors beyond the health sector include: availability of water and sanitation, the level and quality of girls education, policing of traffic violations, and domestic violence. Given risk factors in the Pacific and available use of cost effective actions (often referred to as best buys for the available funding), each country should now finalize its own short country-specific NCD Roadmap that would include these four key strategies common to all countries in the Pacific: Strengthening tobacco control; Reducing consumption of food and drink directly linked to obesity; Improving the efficiency and impact of the health sector for prevention and early treatment; Strengthening monitoring and evaluation around activities; and the effective implementation of the recommendations in this roadmap is the most likely way of bending the cost curve for NCD treatments. Perhaps this is the missing part of the equation in Samoa: taking into consideration these strategies highlighted in the World Bank Report and acting on them. Strengthening tobacco control and reducing the consumption of food and drink directly linked to obesity could be a start. What do you think? Have a wonderful Tuesday Samoa and God bless. WASHINGTON (AP) A Republican lawmaker advising President Donald Trump said he is encouraging the president to reopen the government for several weeks to continue negotiating with Democrats over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall before the president takes the more drastic step of declaring a national emergency. But that may be wishful thinking, given that Sen. Lindsey Graham also says Trump still wants to reach a deal for the wall before agreeing to reopen shuttered government departments. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a leading Democratic negotiator, insists that Trump reopen the government first. The weeks-old standoff over funding led to the partial government shutdown that hit day 23 on Sunday without an end in sight. "Before he pulls the plug on the legislative option, and I think we're almost there, I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, see if we can get a deal," said Graham, a South Carolina Republican. "If we can't at the end of three weeks, all bets are off." "See if he can do it by himself through the emergency powers. That's my recommendation," added Graham, who has publicly pushed Trump to use his authority to declare a national emergency to build the wall. Such a step would allow Trump to bypass Congress and tap various pots of unspent federal money, including for military construction and disaster relief and from asset seized by law enforcement, to pay for the wall. Trump has kept Washington on edge over whether he would resort to such a declaration, citing what he says is a "crisis" of drug smuggling and the trafficking of women and children at the border. The president initially sounded as though such a move was imminent, but then pulled back. He has said several times since he first mentioned the idea in public earlier this month that he prefers to try to reach a deal with Congress. A key question is how much more time is Trump willing to give lawmakers. Graham, who said he and Trump talked by telephone on Sunday morning, said the legislative path "is just about shut off" and blamed Pelosi. The speaker's office had no immediate comment. Democrats oppose an emergency declaration but may be powerless to block it. Some Republicans are wary, too, fearing how a future Democratic president might use that authority. Such a move, should Trump ultimately go that route, would almost certainly be challenged in the courts. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., called Graham's idea to reopen the government a "great place to start." "I do think if we reopen the government, if the president ends this shutdown crisis, we have folks who can negotiate a responsible, modern investment in technology that will actually make us safer," Coons said. Trump has maintained that the border cannot be secured without a wall. Graham said he thinks Trump is willing to accept the $5.7 billion he has insisted on for the wall, along with some immigration measures Democrats might find acceptable, such as helping immigrants who were illegally brought to the U.S. as children. Trump has expressed interest in a broader immigration overhaul, but says he first wants the Supreme Court to address the class of immigrants known as "Dreamers." Pelosi also has shown no interest in accepting a wall she has called it an "immorality" in exchange for immigration fixes. And, Trump, who was holed up in the White House as snow blanketed Washington on Sunday, appeared to shoot down Graham's suggestion of a "wall plus" deal, saying on Twitter that even Democrats don't want to make "Dreamers" part of the negotiations. "The damage done to our Country from a badly broken Border - Drugs, Crime and so much that is bad - is far greater than a Shutdown, which the Dems can easily fix as soon as they come back to Washington!" Trump said in a separate tweet. The White House has been laying the groundwork for an emergency declaration, feared by members of both parties. Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he would "hate to see" a declaration because then the wall wouldn't get built, presumably because of legal challenges. Democrats voted in the past for border security and should again, he said. "I actually want to see this wall get built," Johnson said. "I want to keep pressure on Democrats to actually come to the negotiating table in good faith and fund what they have supported in the past." But Graham, who favors a presidential declaration, said the time for talk is running out. "It's the last option, not the first option, but we're pretty close to that being the only option," he said. Graham and Coons spoke on "Fox News Sunday." Johnson appeared on CNN's "State of the Union." Japan will on Tuesday release December data for money stock, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The M2 money stock is expected to have risen 2.4 percent on year, up from 2.3 in November. M3 is called steady at 2.1 percent. Japan also will see December numbers for bankruptcies and machine tool orders; in November, they were up an annual 6.05 percent and down 17.0 percent, respectively. New Zealand will provide December figures for food prices; in November, they were down 0.6 percent on month. Malaysia will release November unemployment data; in October, the jobless rate was 3.3 percent and the participation rate was 68.5 percent. Indonesia will see December data for imports, exports and trade balance. In November, imports were worth $16.88 billion and exports were at $14.83 billion for a trade deficit of $2.05 billion. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) announced Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Goldcorp Inc. (GG, G.TO) in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $10 billion. In pre-market activity on the NYSE, Goldcorp shares were gaining around 13.5 percent at $11. Under the deal terms, Newmont will acquire each Goldcorp share for 0.3280 of a Newmont share, which represents a 17 percent premium based on the companies' 20-day volume weighted average share prices. Newmont and Goldcorp shareholders will own approximately 65 percent and 35 percent of the combined entity, respectively. Following the acquisition, Newmont Goldcorp's Reserves and Resources will represent the largest in the gold sector, the company noted. Newmont Goldcorp will also prioritize project development by returns and risk, while targeting $1.0 to 1.5 billion in divestitures over the next two years. "This combination creates the world's premier gold company," said Goldcorp's President and Chief Executive Officer, David Garofalo. Newmont Goldcorp will be one of Canada's largest gold producers and will have its North America regional office in Vancouver, and expects to oversee more than three million ounces of the combined company's total annual gold production. Newmont's Chief Executive Officer Gary Goldberg will be Newmont Goldcorp's CEO. Tom Palmer will be President and Chief Operating Officer. Under certain circumstances, Newmont would be entitled to a $350 million break-fee and Goldcorp would be entitled to a $650 million break-fee. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019. Closing of the deal is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies, regulatory approvals in the European Union, Canada, South Korea and Mexico; and other customary closing conditions. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Premier Oil plc (PMO.L, PMOIY.PK) on Monday responded to the press speculation regarding the possibility of the Group making a UK acquisition. Premier said it will continue to look at opportunities to acquire UK North Sea assets in line with its stated strategy. There is no guarantee that the company will bid in any process or that any process will complete. The company added that specifically, no firm decision has been taken to bid for all or any of the assets currently being marketed by Chevron and how, in the event that the Group were to be successful, the acquisition of such assets would be financed. Current operational performance remains strong with production in the first two weeks of January averaging above 90 kboepd. In London, Premier Oil shares were trading at 71.70 pence, down 9.75 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News China's exports and imports in December declined at the worst rates in two years, adding to evidence of a rapid slowdown in the amid the trade war with the US and weakening global activity. Exports dropped 4.4 percent year-on-year in December, figures from the General Administration of Customs showed on Monday. That was in contrast to the 3 percent gain economists had predicted. Imports decreased 7.6 percent from a year ago, defying expectations for a 5 percent rise. Both exports and imports outcome was the worst since 2016. In December, the trade surplus was $57.1 billion. "This [decline in exports & imports] is likely to continue into 2019 due to falling foreign demand, including demand for Chinese-made electronic products," ING economist Iris Pang said. For 2018 as whole, exports grew 9.9 percent imports rose 15.8 percent, resulting in a trade surplus of $351.8 billion, which was over 30 percent lower than a year ago. The trade with the US yielded a surplus of $323.3 billion, which according to Reuters was the highest on records dating back to 2006. The record trade surplus is likely to prompt the US to put more pressure on China to change its trade practices. Exports to the US rose 11 percent in 2018, while imports were unchanged. Early January, the Chinese and US officials held talks to diffuse the trade tensions. Talks were aimed at persuading the US to cancel its plan to raise tariffs on imports from March 2. Reports suggested that the talks went well, but details are yet to emerge. "The US will likely experience a slowdown later in the year due to a combination of weakening fiscal stimulus and higher prices of inputs stemming from tariffs," ING's Pang said. "Major European countries are also struggling to maintain growth and combined with a weaker US, provides a challenging external demand backdrop for China's exports in 2019," the economist added. China's government is reportedly planning to set a growth target of 6-6.5 percent for this year, which is lower than the about 6.5 percent aimed for 2018. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Germany's competition watchdog has raised "serious doubts" over the railway merger between Siemens and Alstom, according to the reports. The European Union watchdog is set to decide by February 18 whether to approve the merger, with the reports saying that the European Commission was likely to veto the merger, which would create a Franco-German rail champion. In December, the independent Bundeskartellamt advised the European Commission that concessions offered by Siemens-Alstom were "neither suitable nor sufficient" to allay competition concerns in the signalling and high-speed train . For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News An attorney for R. Kelly has denied the numerous allegations against the embattled R&B star of sexual misconduct involving women and underage girls. In an interview with The Associated Press, Steve Greenberg responded to accusations of abuse, predatory behavior and pedophilia brought up in the documentary series Surviving R. Kelly. "The allegations aren't true because he never knowingly had sex with an underage woman, he never forced anyone to do anything, he never held anyone captive, he never abused anyone," said Greenberg. Greenberg suggested some of the women are "disgruntled" because their relationships with Kelly did not advance their careers. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Entertainment News 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. Fond du Lac, WI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2019 --Behnke Insurance, Inc. is a renowned insurance company which specializes in offering home insurance and homeowners insurance in Oshkosh Wisconsin. 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The team of specialists within the company is extremely experienced and trained, and thus they can help the customers in finding the best insurance policy that will fit into their budget and will suit their necessity as well. As the best independent insurance company, Behnke Insurance, Inc. has an association with quite a few leading insurance service providers which means that customers can effortlessly find the one that they favor. The experienced agents within the company have assisted many families to gain security by investing in the right kind of insurance policy. To get more information about the insurance policies that the company offers, one can at once call the company at (920) 922-3850. To get no-obligation and free of cost, insurance quotes from the company, one can visit the company's website too. About Behnke Insurance, Inc. Behnke Insurance, Inc. is well-known insurance company that has been associating the customers for lots of years now. Jupiter, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2019 --Safety is an essential requirement for both business and homeowners. It is the most important criteria which should be taken seriously. With such an increasing rate of crime in various parts of the USA, it is quite natural for both business and homeowners to find a solution that can act as a deterrent to such illegal activities. Accelerated Technologies is committed to bringing in a range of CCTV in West Palm Beach and Stuart, Florida. The cameras can serve various purposes. Business owners install CCTV of surveillance systems to monitor the buildings and protect the belongings and employees. Installation of these systems not only increases security but also protects the employees, allowing them to work in peace. That the video surveillance system protects the offices from break-ins and robberies makes it one of the most demanding devices. 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Licensed and certified, they can handle almost any type of systems. For more information on security cameras in Port St Lucie and West Palm Beach, Florida, visit https://www.accelerated-tech.com/security-cameras. About Accelerated Technologies Established in 1999, Accelerated Technologies is a company focused on technology solutions for business and residential customers in South Florida. From best in class phone systems and data networks to video cameras and access controls, Accelerated Technologies has the resources to deliver today's technology solutions. Greenville, NC (27833) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. We have no one to blame but Trump for this shutdown Articles Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Seizure of ex-Deputy Culture Ministers assets upheld in $7 mln embezzlement case RIA Novosti, Kirill Kallinikov 14:53 14/01/2019 MOSCOW, January 14 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court on Monday upheld a ruling extending the seizure of property belonging to ex-Deputy Culture Minister Grigory Pirumov charged with $7 million embezzlement, RAPSI reports from the courtroom. Thus, the court upheld the seizure of the defendants Moscow real property, land plots and residential houses. Assets of ex-director of the Culture Ministrys department of property management and investment policy Boris Mazo, and his former wife, located in Russia and Spain will be remain seized as well. The defendants are charged with embezzling in conspiracy with his accomplices at least 450 million rubles (about $7 million) allocated for the construction of the Hermitage Museums buildings. They have pleaded not guilty. In October 2017, the Dorogomilovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Pirumov to 1.5 years in a penal colony. The court took into consideration the time Pirumov spent in detention and freed him in the courtroom. On December 19, the Moscow City Court toughened punishment for Pirumov. The court imposed a 1-million-ruble (about $15,000) on ex-official and deprived him of the second-class medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland. However, prosecutors again filed an appeal against Pirumovs sentence demanding a 5-year prison term for him. Investigators claimed that between 2012 and 2016 Pirumov, ex-director of the Culture Ministrys department of property management and investment policy Boris Mazo and several other defendants embezzled over 160 million rubles ($2.4 million) allocated on restoration of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, Ivanovsky Convent in Moscow and other objects across Russia. Pirumov was relieved of his post in December 2016 on an order Chairman of the Russian Government Dmitry Medvedev. Ex-Seventh Studio accountant to stay under house arrest in theater embezzlement case RIA Novosti, Vladimir Astapkovich 12:10 14/01/2019 MOSCOW, January 14 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court on Monday extended house arrest for ex-chief accountant of Seventh Studio stage company Nina Maslyayeva, a defendant in a multimillion embezzlement case involving the Gogol Center theater director Kirill Serebrennikov, until April 19, RAPSI reported from the courtroom. Other defendants in the case are ex-Seventh Studio head Yury Itin, ex-general producer Alexey Malobrodsky, ex-official of Russias Culture Ministry and current director of the Russian Academic Youth Theater Sophia Apfelbaum. Producer Yekaterina Voronova, has been put on the international wanted list and arrested in absentia as part of the case. Serebrennikov was arrested in late August 2017 and then placed under house arrest. In early November, Moscows Basmanny District Court seized assets belonging to Serebrennikov including apartment, car, and money in the amount of more than 360,000 rubles ($5,300), over 60,000, and $4,000. Investigators believe that he was an organizer of the budget money embezzlement. He allegedly created Seventh Studio stage company to actualize the Platforma project for promotion of art and called alleged accomplices into the organization. He pleaded not guilty. According to investigation, the defendants have embezzled 133 million rubles ($2 million) of 214 million rubles ($3.2 million) allocated from the budget to Seventh Studio for promotion of Russian contemporary art. Investigators claim that Itin, Malobrodsky, and Maslyayeva were falsifying data for the Platforma projects plans in 2011-2014 on the theater directors request. This data was provided to the Ministry of Culture as the rationale for financing from the state budget. Maslyayeva has testified against Serebrennikov. She said that Serebrennikov, Malobrodsky and Itin organized embezzlement of money allocated for a cultural event. Serebrennikov and Malobrodsky cashed the money with the assistance of Maslyayeva. The woman also said that she entered falsified data in financial reports. Apfelbaum, according to investigators, signed contracts on state grants in the amount of more than 214 million rubles with Serebrennikovs stage company on behalf of the Russian Culture Ministry, and provided further agreement of received reporting documents, which contained overstated information on quantity and cost of the held events, thus abetting the embezzlement. Apfelbaum admitted that she controlled the movement of cash but denied involvement in the crime. Moscow Commercial Court puts $260 mln claim against Magomedov brothers on hold 10:52 14/01/2019 MOSCOW, January 14 (RAPSI) A claim by a temporary manager of GlobalElectroService company, a subsidiary of the troubled Summa Group, demanding to collect 17.1 billion rubles (about $260 million) from the Group owner Ziyavudin Magomedov his brother Magomed and 14 other individuals and companies, has been put on hold until March 10, according to the Moscow Commercial Courts records. In November, the application was also left without action because of its incorrect execution. For this once, the court held that the claimant did not fully eliminate the drawbacks. Summa Group owner Ziyavudin Magomedov and his brother Magomed are involved in the organization of a gang, embezzlement of 2.5 billion rubles (about $38 million at the current exchange rate) from the state budget and withdrawal of some of these assets abroad, investigators claim. Magomed Magomedov is also charged with illegal weapon possession. They have been detained along with ex-CEO of Intex construction company Arthur Maksidov. In November, their detention was extended until February. At the same time, it was discovered that Ziyavudin Magomedov and his brother had been additionally charged with stealing 300 million rubles ($4.6 million) during the construction of a highway in South Siberia in September 2014. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Moreover, according to investigators, French authorities have opened a tax evasion case against ex-wife of Ziyavudin Magomedov Olga, who owns several restaurants in France. No other details have been disclosed. Chris Ryan of Whitestone travels around in his van every day picking up clothing donations for veterans. Disabled himself, he counts his blessings and wants to continue to help others. NEWSALERT-BIDEN-PUTIN-SUMMIT White House: Summit meetings between Biden and Putin have concluded, after about four hours. (AP)White House: Summit meetings between Biden and Putin have concluded, after about four hours. (AP) ZH Picton Press managing director Gary Kennedy is hopeful that legal action by the Australian Taxation Office to overturn a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) that has allowed his troubled company to continue to operate will fail. The ATO launched another Federal Court action against the directors of the WA printer on December 21 after creditors voted in favour of a DOCA on November 8 that contained a plan to keep the companys 30 staff employed and repay a tiny portion of its $9m debts. Picton entered voluntary administration in May 2018 after the ATO launched initial action to recoup $1.3m in unpaid tax. At the time $6.8m was owed to secured creditors, made up of a number of banks, with $3.5m due to unsecured creditors and $660,000 in outstanding staff entitlements, including redundancy pay and superannuation. Jeremy Nipps of Cor Cordis handled the voluntary administration and prepared the terms of the DOCA. Under the DOCA unsecured trade creditors owed less than $10,000 would receive full repayment, while those exceeding $10,000, including the Australian Taxation Office and a key paper supplier, would get just one to two cents in each dollar. The agreement was that Picton would pay $205,000 to an unsecured creditors account managed by Nipps four weeks after the vote, with a further $275,000 due on November 28, 2019, which Nipps confirmed has been done. Under the Corporations Act once these payments have been made all remaining debts are extinguished. Kennedy told ProPrint that the latest legal action came as a major blow but also risks delaying the distribution of these funds to unsecured trade creditors. There is definitely a legal right (to challenge a DOCA) and you know that possibility is there. After any DOCA any creditor can choose to do this but you hope it is not going to happen and then it does, Kennedy told ProPrint. We are hopeful that it will work out, we are trading and staff are getting paid, suppliers are getting paid. We would just like to resume normal transmission but we are not quite at that point and certainly the uncertainty of a challenge of the DOCA it will be a sad thing if creditors do not get paid when the money is sitting there and the staff do not have jobs. Kennedy squashed any notion that this is a phoenix case, with Nipps saying the arrangements in place through the DOCA are compliant with the law, despite all remaining debts set to be cleared once the dividends have been paid. It is not a phoenix. It is not an asset shift. It is not like we have left everything behind and started somewhere else. We have gone through a legal process and now we are working through the process, Kennedy said. We have paid in what will allow staff and creditors to get paid. People are still paying their mortgages, we are trying to do the right thing. He expressed his gratitude to suppliers and clients that have continued to deal with Picton. We have always had a pretty good relationship with suppliers and we are definitely under pressure from others trying to disrupt our supply which makes it hard but we are grateful for the friends that we have, he said. We have had some clients that have been quite extraordinary really and that gives you the faith in human nature. Some of them have been very kind and we have done our best to keep them informed of where we are at. A cash flow crisis sparked Pictons problems after it invested in a high speed 10 colour perfector in 2014 as the West Australian resource boom ended and demand for print diminished. So suddenly the capital commitments of the repayments on the press and the sales volumes could not support that capital. It just got harder and harder, Kennedy said. The irony is it (the press) is nearly paid off but thats basically what happened. Nipps has also denied reports that he managed the vote to get the DOCA through, telling ProPrint it was approved by 39 unsecured trade creditors who were not actually in the room and submitted their vote by proxy, with eight creditors against and all 30 staff in favour. He acknowledges that the money offered in the DOCA is nominal but says it was the best result for staff and unsecured trade creditors as having the company close completely would mean there wouldnt be a cent for anyone. He said once the dividends are paid under the terms of the DOCA, the remaining debts will be cleared. Understandably this is frustrating for creditors and other businesses trying to trade in a fair environment, but Nipps says the case is not a phoenix. Once the DOCA has been completed or effectuated those debts are extinguished. This is a mechanism under the Corporations Act that allows to legally have debts forgiven so creditors will receive their dividend return and that dividend return is actually full and final payment of the debt, Nipps said. This is not a unique case. It happens quite often under the DOCA and voluntary administration process especially when theres a limited pool of funds available but theres still a viable business proposition. In liquidation scenarios unsecured creditors, trade creditors and the like, dont get a return but under the DOCA, although the return is nominal, there is an actual return to creditors including unsecured creditors and employees. Comment below to have your say on this story. If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at [email protected] Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter The Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) has a new industrial relations advocate with Sam Puri appointed to the role. Puri will oversee the associations industrial relations advocacy program, as well as provide over the phone HR assistance, while also advocating for the vocational and educational training needs of the industry. His appointment follows the departure of former industrial relations advocate Paul Mitchell, who left the association in December following a scandal over his apparent referral to fellow Victorian Liberal Party volunteers of Indian descent as curries. PIAA chief executive officer Andrew Macaulay says Puri will bring important firepower to the association, especially ahead of the looming federal election. We are very excited to have him because he is a superbly qualified industrial relations officer and advocate, Macaulay says. We are heading into a federal election year where between both major parties there is actually going to be a polar difference to workplace relations law and this is going to be pivotal. He holds two post graduate degrees one in industrial relations law and the other one in human resources. He is highly regarded in the sector and he was interested and contacted us. Macaulay says Puris previous work experience includes advocacy work at a number of other associations and commercial businesses in Australia. Suri was appointed last week and Macaulay says hes already been put to work. Hes on board now but he did technically start last week because he got involved in a negotiation with a government minister for us last week. It was about skilled workers visas and lobbying on behalf of some members who needed some very specialised skills, Macaulay says. Comment below to have your say on this story. If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at [email protected] Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter Esko has announced it has entered a strategic partnership with Amtech Software to bring further efficiencies to its customers in the corrugated market. The partnership is aimed to eliminate double data entry and enable further automation workflow for corrugated converters. As part of the partnership both companies are now developing an integration between Eskos ArtiosCAD, Automation Engine, WebCenter QuickStart for Corrugated solution and Amtechs Encore ERP solution. The goal of this partnership is to facilitate advanced automation for corrugated converters. We are pleased to be joining forces with this industry leader for the benefit of our joint customers, says Chris Miller, vice president, North America and APAC at Esko said in a statement. This is yet another example of how Esko continues to develop its Packaging Connected strategy, furthering Eskos vision to connect its packaging supply chain solutions with leading hardware and software solutions in the packaging supply chain. Esko says ArtiosCAD is the worlds most popular structural design software for packaging converters. With dedicated tools for packaging professionals working in structural design, product development, and virtual prototyping and manufacturing, ArtiosCAD increases productivity throughout the packaging operation. Automation Engine is Eskos workflow server. It automates prepress tasks, which speeds up the process, but also reduces the error rate and the need for operator intervention. Amtech says its Encore ERP solution is cloud-enabled, mobile and tablet ready, and it features real-time tracking of production and delivery, helping corrugated converters manage their plants with algorithmic trend detectors while optimising the performance of their people by enabling a mobile workforce. Combined, these solutions create an operational powerhouse for corrugated converters of all sizes. This is a true partnership between industry leaders who will bring a stronger offering to their mutual customers by integrating two state-of-the-art solutions, says Cosmo Denicola, president and owner of Amtech Software. Our combined expertise is second to none and will deliver great cost and time savings for our joint customers. We are looking forward to working with Esko in this important development project. Comment below to have your say on this story. If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at [email protected] Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter The vendor community has gone a long way with inkjet, both web and more recently sheetfed, and the majors, such as KBA, HP, Konica Minolta and Kodak to name just some are positioning themselves as inkjet suppliers in traditional as well as highly innovative market sectors. In the commercial pressroom, speed and quality do not present the same issues as five years ago. Vaulting the speed/quality gap would of course give inkjet the sprint to the finish line, unencumbered as it is by the analogue phases of prepress, plate prep, and makeready on the press. Sheetfed inkjet At Currie Group, the Scodix range has established a firm presence in the Australian market. Bernie Robinson, Currie Group managing director, says the Scodix Ultra range comprising Scodix Ultra, Scodix Ultra Pro and Scodix Ultra Pro Foil are the flagship platforms for Scodix, leading sales around the world. This second-generation machine comes in three scalable versions that can substitute multiple analogue finishing processes which can all be printed digitally and on a wide variety of media. Its digital nature allows for repetitive, versioned, or personalised unit production; on jobs ranging from one unit to tens of thousands of customised units all imposed in a maximum B2 sheet format (1,250 sheets per hour). Robinson says, The Scodix is based on UV polymer proprietary inkjet technology, which can produce finishing effects such as spot low-raise UV, high-raise UV with up-to 99 gloss units that can substitute emboss and braille analogue processes. The fully escalated version of the machine offers foiling and cast-and-cure (holographic film). It is the only solution in the market that can go all the way up to 1,000-micron raised UV effects, known as Scodix Crystal. Explaining the business case for Scodix, Robinson says, These digital printing and finishing solutions remove tooling costs and set-up time that is usual in the analogue finishing world. Unlike any other digital finishing technology, the Scodix platform processes a wide range of substrates from uncoated paper to synthetics, from metallised to black paper or even canvas. Scodix is the only digital finishing technology that complements the versatile media demand from any digital CMYK technology, even that of HP Indigo and traditional offset.Additionally, Scodix PAS patented printing technology is the only digital low-heat foiling solution (under around 40C) of its kind that is gentle with synthetic media, with an incomparable quality which pairs perfectly with HP Indigos One-Shot print mode also focused on synthetic media. Scodix High-build, Spot and Foil are of course variable-data printing friendly. Meanwhile, the Scodix E106, which will become available in mid-2019, offers the versatility of the Ultra series, but is able to print in B1 format at speeds of up to 4,000 sheets an hour and with the thickest range of media printable digitally, says Robinson. The Scodix Ultra series is focused on the low- to mid-volume general commercial printing sector, while the upcoming Scodix E106 will be focused on the folding-cartons printing sector and alternatively in the high-volume general commercial printing sector, he notes. Over at Konica Minolta, Mark Brown, national product marketing manager at Konica Minolta Australia, describes the Accuriojet KM-1 as a UV inkjet B2 size sheetfed press that combines the best of analogue and digital technologies. It prints 3,000 sheets per hour one-sided or 1,500 sheets per hour duplex, all in one pass no need for work and turn. It offers LED curing for the UV inks, allowing for cool curing during the print process, he adds. It also does corrections on the fly for any nozzle blocking or deviation to ensure the best possible print quality. The paper path of the press is offset-based, therefore robust, accurate and reliable. As the ink used is UV, there is no need for primers or speciality materials to print onto. Due to the UV curing process, the prints are dry and ready for finishing immediately. Brown sees the Accuriojet KM-1 slotting into the commercial pressroom, and says The value proposition is simple any commercial print company looking to reinvest in offset or high-end toner or digital technology should put the AccurioJet KM-1 to the test. With falling run lengths and increased variable-data requirements, it makes sense. The AccurioJet KM-1 is faster than toner and has a wider range of media and applications. Although not as fast as offset, the AccurioJet KM-1 combines the same paper path and handling systems as offset and brings the benefit of digital print on top of that. Brown adds that the press is suitable for almost all commercial print applications, mail-house applications as well as light folding carton. Konica Minolta says by integrating litho and inkjet technologies, the KM-1 was built for digital print companies demanding extra capacity, that wish to end outsourcing, but is also seen as a premium solution for conventional offset printers that are expanding into commercial digital printing. Colin McKenzie, national manager, Inkjet Press Technology for Oce Australia, recounts how over a decade ago Oce unleashed the fastest inkjet press on the unsuspecting print and mail market. With a market leading presence in toner-based systems, the adoption rate of inkjet far outweighed anything Oce could have dreamt. With market success and recognition came further developments that pushed the known boundaries of print heads, ink dispersal, speed, paper transport and drying all critical elements in the search for the holy grail. Oce has now broken the inkjet code to offer inkjet press technology that produces the best quality that offset can offer and on offset stocks the two missing elements that have kept the offset printers at arms length. Oce has spoilt the commercial print market with choices. The first press that meets the offset holy grail is the cutsheet inkjet Oce VarioPrint i300 (VPi300). Oce has delivered over 200 systems into the market, an extraordinary achievement. The second is a web press delivering exceptional quality at very high speeds known as the Oce ProStream 1000. The VPi300 reflects a genetic makeup of generations of developments, says McKenzie, producing offset quality on offset stocks, one of the major hallmarks of its success. This press has proven its pedigree in the field with an average uptime of more than 94 per cent, unheard of for a digital press. It is here that the VPi300 separates itself from the digital pack, and closes the gap on offset production. Seeing is believing. Oce and its Australian customers will be conducting open-house events in the near future. McKenzie says the Oce VarioPrint i300 (and the ProStream 1000) are the new offset in every way. The Australian commercial print market does not have the advantage of larger markets to focus on one or just a few applications, he points out. In the past, an offset press investment was based on the broadest criteria to deliver a diverse mix of jobs. So it is for a digital press. The new digital press must be versatile, reliable, meet all quality expectations, and above all deliver on the ROI. In November, Fujifilm announced its third generation B2 inkjet press, the Jet Press 750S. With higher productivity of 3,600 B2 sheets per hour, and a range of other changes which further improve the already impressive up-time, versatility, colour capability and quality, with the company calling the the Jet Press 750S the fastest, full colour, B2 sheet-fed digital press on the market. The Jet Press 720S was the first B2 inkjet press to gain a foothold in the market, and had more than 150 installations worldwide. Fujijilm says, Now with the continued, steady increase in demand for short run work, the introduction of the Jet Press 750S means that more and more jobs are going to fit the sweet spot of this new industry-leading press. The target for this press is not the toner-dominated, on demand market where runs of ones and twos predominate. The Jet Press 750S is likely to be highly competitive for print runs up to 5,000, depending on ink coverage, allowing it to compete with, and out-perform, offset presses in the production of high quality, short run print jobs. This makes it an ideal investment for a much larger range of commercial and packaging printers. Like the Jet Press 720S, the new press is a blend of old and new technologies. Built on an offset chassis, Fujifilm says it features superb sheet-to-sheet, front and back registration and up-time on a par with offset, combined with Samba inkjet printheads, to deliver quality that the company says outperforms offset. Heidelbergs Primefire 106 has been described as the first digital press in B1 format for the packaging market, offering dependable high-quality and industrial production. It combines what it calls the most reliable offset platform in the market, the Heidelberg XL106, with a direct printing process that ensures repeatable high-quality results. It can be plugged and played within an existing workflow by using Heidelbergs Prinect solutions all of which are backed by support from the Heidelberg Service Team. Heidelberg partners with Fujifilm in technology that enables over 12 billion drops per sheet in seven process colours (CMYKOVG), providing around 95 per cent Pantone colour gamut coverage with Heidelberg Multicolor technology. Meanwhile, Heidelbergs Saphira water-based consumables conform to Swiss Ordinance, offering the best available conditions for low-migration products. Heidelberg states that the Primefire can accelerate business growth in a world of increasing short runs, faster turnaround, versioning and personalisation through dependable, high-quality performance. Primefire 106 is being introduced in the folding-carton sector, as clamour for versioned and personalised print, as well as short runs and higher supply chain efficiency, is growing fast. At the same time, cost effective production of high volumes is seen as an imperative. Heidelberg says combining its Primefire 106 with traditional offset production provides the optimal mix, offering a printers customers the flexibility and consistent quality they need, using proven platforms, working within an established workflow and minimising disruptive integration on-costs. Webfed inkjet The presses in Kodaks Prosper line-up print heavy ink coverage on a wide range of papers, especially glossy papers, and do so at high speed, says Will Mansfield, director of Worldwide Product Marketing & Category Management, in Kodaks Enterprise Inkjet Systems division. The range comprises four devices the Prosper 6000S standalone press, for one-sided printing, the 6000S hybrid (one-sided), and the 6000P and 6000C perfecting presses. Discussing press speeds, Mansfield explains, When printing on silk or coated papers, the Prosper 6000 series presses can run at 300m per minute. But its not just speed that differentiates these workhorses. Kodaks water-based nanoparticulate pigment inks cost less than pigment inks for drop-on-demand inkjet presses, so Kodak customers benefit from lower operating costs. With Kodak Stream inkjet technology, the drop generation technology inside Prosper 6000 presses creates drops in excess of 400KHz, which means each Prosper printhead produces 480,000 drops per second, states Mansfield. Compare this to drop-on-demand inkjet used by other inkjet press manufacturers that range from 25 to 50KHz. That is why Prosper 6000 presses have the fastest raw printing speed. Mansfield says, We have set our sights on converting the traditional analogue printing process offset and flexo to inkjet. To accomplish this, we are driving for faster production, better quality and lower total cost of production. Faster production lowers the cost of manufacturing, which in turn improves the profitability of digital print service providers. Better quality enables a wider application range, which increases the revenue and profit for digital print service providers and the technology vendors who serve them. Cheaper total cost of production speeds up the migration of print work from incumbent processes, offset or flexo, to digital. It also improves the profitability of digital print service providers. For a heatset web press shop, investing in an inkjet press, like one of the Kodak Prosper 6000 models, may allow them to migrate work from their web press for short run, segmented or even personalised work. This often results in cost savings by reducing paper waste, slashing production time and eliminating plates, he states. They can also capitalise on revenue growth through new sales opportunities. Says Mansfield: If the print service provider owns an older model drop on demand (DoD) inket press, a new Prosper 6000 can help them increase their application range beyond the capabilities of DoD presses. This is often seen by moving from low-to-mid ink coverage jobs on uncoated papers to mid-to-high ink coverage jobs on coated and glossy papers. This often results in revenue growth through new sales opportunities and/or cost savings for higher coverage work. He says the Prosper range works effectively in catalogue printing, commercial, direct mail, labels, packaging, book, newspaper and magazine publishing, and transactional and transpromo applications. Oce Australias Colin McKenzie says the Oce ProStream 1000 is the next generation imaging technology utilising ever-reliable piezo drop-on-demand 1200dpi print heads. With the Oce Multi-level dot modulation (variable droplets likened to offset stochastic screening) the FOGRA 51 print quality standard is achieved, in combination with Oces latest, newly developed polymer pigment ink set. What the commercial printer can look forward to is the consistent print quality related to customer branding on offset coated stocks, reliability and minimal operator intervention. Like all digital webfed presses the inline finishing options are available in abundance, he notes. As run lengths reduce, EFI says its Nozomi C18000 is a cost effective solution to todays customer demands for ever-reducing response times, versioning and variable data, just-in-time and on-demand printing all of it designed to cut inventory costs and waste. The Nozomi offers high-quality, high-speed digital LED printing up to 75 linear metres per minute (with one- and two-lane printing) on stocks up to 1.8m wide. Designed with continuous operational, environmental, and competitive improvements in mind for innovative print providers, the Nozomi delivers resolutions up to 360720 dots per inch, and single-pass, LED, digital drop-on-demand piezo inkjet technology with four-level greyscale imaging. Combined with this is a variety of configurations including CMYK, CMYK+W, CMYKOV, CMYKOV+W and an inline primer that allows dot gain and ink absorption control over a range of corrugated top sheets. EFI offers a totally integrated platform with top- and bottom-feed options for a digital corrugated packaging. The press uses a patented system handling media separation, lift, transport and alignment at full press speeds, with programmable features for speedier, automated feeding configurations on repeat work. The Nozomi digital packaging solution offers compelling advantages in the elimination of waste by printing only what is needed at the time it is needed, making it an ideal fit for market segmentation and time/region-sensitive promotions. However the trend towards ship/shelf-ready packaging favoured by popular Big Box retailers is where multiple products remain inside the outer corrugated carton from warehouse to shelf, notes EFI. That provides an opportunity to upscale the printing of higher quality, full colour graphics rather than just standard single-colour blocks with heavy text and barcodes on the outer box. EFI also identifies strong growth in online shopping and in corrugated packaging used by internet retailers such as Amazon to protect goods en-route from automated warehouses to residential addresses. With variable web widths from 320mm to 520mm, Xeikons TrilliumOne is based on liquid toner technology for high speed and quality. It is targeted at printers in direct-mail and catalogue production. Using coated substrates, and with full rotary printing, it harnesses Xeikons Trillium liquid toner printing process, which the manufacturer offers as a revolutionary entry into a market targeted by inkjet hardware vendors. A combined development between Xeikon and Miyakoshi, TrilliumOne blends the expertise of the two high-ranking companies Miyakoshis specialisation in press mechanics and Xeikons philosophies in digital imaging, high-speed electronics, high-resolution LED technology, workflow and toner processes. From HP comes the HP Scitex 17000, which it says delivers higher levels of productivity, makes easy work of high-volume digital post-print production, and prints at 1,000sqm per hour. It easily accommodates warped media, using hands-free operation and an automated feed, with zero setup. The 17000 operates smoothly on industrial-grade corrugated board, with stack-to-stack operation and automatic loading. An upgrade of the popular 15000, the 17000 uses HPs HDR technology and prints on coated media using HDR Scitex inks for cost effective corrugated packaging printing. HP sees the 17000 reaping the benefits of digital production for corrugated applications without the usual tradeoffs of slow throughput and waste. JCI provides imprinting inkjet printheads to integrate inline with presses or mailing equipment, turning conventional equipment into hybrid solutions, performing conventional printing and variable printing in a single pass. More importantly, such hybrid solutions ensure high productivity and lowest running cost for users to be competitive in the market. JCI adopts DoD piezo inkjet technology from Ricoh and Kyocera, providing the Hawk inkjet system using a Kyocera 108mm printhead at 600600 dpi, up to 100mpm, and the Sparrow inkjet system using a Ricoh 54mm printhead at 600600 dpi, up to 100mpm. Both systems are available as UV or water based. Garry Morrison, sales manager, JCI Applications, says, Typically mailing houses use low investment cartridges systems paying dearly for running the system in the form of costly ink and cartridges. The Sparrow Inkjet system is a good replacement to the cartridge system since its investment is not high and its printhead will last over two to three years. Its total cost of operation will be much lower compare to the cartridge systems. Printers can turn a conventional offset press into a hybrid solution costing only a fraction of more-costly full digital presses, yet are highly productive with their inline production mode. Hybrid webfed/sheetfed Peter Scott, managing director of Screen GP Australia, recalls that when the 520HD press was introduced to the market just over two years ago, print businesses were impressed by its offset-like image quality. It was the first time high-speed inkjet demonstrated the capability for effectively printing jobs that approached offset quality. Development has been ongoing since that time, with the SC inks being the most significant advancement. Drying and curing is a constant issue with high-volume inkjet, says Scott. There is a lot of water to get rid of and now, with the new Near Infrared (NIR) dryer, we can achieve what no other digital inkjet press does. NIR drying technology dramatically advances productivity for work demanding high image quality and expands print applications for high-speed inkjet across a broad landscape of products. The new Screen NIR dryer technology, built into the existing press frame of the 520HD, extends drying performance for both lightweight uncoated stocks and heavier-weight, coated litho substrates. The result is an expanded range of applications and even higher productivity on difficult to dry substrates. Drying on the 520HD is now three-tiered: heat dissipation, hot air assist, and infrared. This integrated solution achieves a drying balance along the entire paper path tuned specifically to the characteristics of the paper, reducing or eliminating the cockling often associated with traditional inkjet ink drying methods. Operators create substrate profiles with embedded drying protocols at different print resolutions and ink limits, explains Scott. These profiles are managed seamlessly by Screens proprietary Equios front-end software, providing intelligent drying balance for each specific stock, which helps achieve the highest quality, best speeds and desired ink coverages. Scott adds: All new Screen Truepress Jet 520HD machines may be optionally equipped at the factory with the NIR dryer. Screen branded 520HD units currently in the field can be upgraded with the new dryer at the machine site. Its a major move forward in making production web inkjet a viable alternative to offset with all of the benefits of no plates, short runs, variable data, offset stocks and streamlined digital workflow. At the top speed of 150m per minute, the 520HD generates around 2,000 A4 pages per minute. It works with a paper range of 40gsm through to 250gsm, and features a wide-gamut ink set rivalling offset. Scott makes the point that the 520HD can deliver cut sheets by printing web and sheeting/stacking at the end. As a UK printer put it, Not only is the Truepress highly efficient as a digital printer but that efficiency is amplified further by being a continuous-feed press. Wide format inkjet Matt Ashman, sales manager for Durst ANZ, identifies two avenues of technology UV DTM and Durst Water Technology. First is high-speed and extremely high-quality UV DTM. The P5 Platform is based around low ink usage 5 picolitre inkjet printing for fast high quality printing onto many media without any activator or primer. The second is Durst Water Technology, which is aimed at both short-run and high-volume corrugated packaging. The technology is ecologically sound, using ink with 80 per cent water, creating odour-free printing and operation, he says. Ashman describes Dursts WT 250 HS as a hybrid 2.5m wide format printer, with high-quality 1000dpi, reaching speeds of 200sqm per hour, while its SPC WT 130 offers extremely high speeds at a standard 1.3m width, 6,000sqm per hour. Ashman says, Both deliver wide gamut and smooth solids at those production speeds. Ashman says the P5 gives POP and wide format print shops various options it can be used for the increased demands of super high-quality inkjet printing, but can also deliver capacity and turnaround times when needed in an efficient hybrid machine. Meanwhile, the Durst Water Technology gives packaging and corrugated printers the digital versatility they have been looking for, enabling short-run, cost effective and ecologically sound production. That is something that has been a wish of such businesses for some years, says Ashman. Ashman sees profitability with Durst through the efficient and reliable workflow, quick media turnaround commercial ink pricing, as well as reliability day in day out. He says, A press has to deliver speed and quality, but efficiency and reliability can be an elusive commodity with emerging technology. Customers who invest in Durst see these benefits from day one. With the support of local technicians and parts, we provide a professional solution for serious business to profit from. Comment below to have your say on this story. If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at [email protected] Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas): I understand from whats been testified to the Forest Service and the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], you want very much to work on the issue of climate change. We know theres been significant solar flare activity, and so is there anything that the National Forest Service or BLM can do to change the course of the moons orbit, or the Earths orbit around the sun? Obviously that would have profound effects on our climate. Jennifer Eberlein, associate deputy chief for the National Forest System, responded that she would have to follow up with you on that one, after a brief pause. Gohmert: Well, if you figure out a way that you in the Forest Service can make that change, Id like to know. Dwight Ray, 74, left his auto sales job due to excruciating pain related to neuropathy and dementia. With Dwights declining cognition, his wife Jane quit her job because of the mounting caregiving needs at home. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.25 per week for 13 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. The dogs the Transportation Security Administration employs at airports nationwide use their noses to sniff out explosives and contraband. But pooches selected for duty these days are picked not just for the ability of their snouts the shape of their ears matters, too. TSA officials say the agency is increasingly replacing retired pointy-eared dogs think German shepherds with floppy-eared sorts, including Labrador retrievers. The recruits have a friendlier look, officials say. "We find the passenger acceptance of floppy-ear dogs is just better. It presents just a little bit less of a concern," TSA Administrator David Pekoske told the Washington Examiner during a recent tour at Washington Dulles International Airport. "Doesn't scare children." About 1,200 TSA dogs representing seven breeds are used to screen passengers and baggage in the United States, TSA spokesman James Gregory told the Washington Post. Five are breeds whose ears rest softly on their heads: Labs, golden retrievers, German short-haired pointers, wire-haired pointers, and Vizslas. Two have ears that shoot skyward: German shepherds and Belgian Malinoises. But about four in five recent additions to the canine corps are of the droopy-eared persuasion, and the agency hopes to stick to that ratio, Gregory said. The consideration of ear position, he added, was an informal internal decision "that is more about adapting to people's perceptions about floppy-eared dogs [sporting breeds] being more friendly versus pointy-eared dogs [herding dog breeds] that may appear to be more aggressive-looking." Working-dog providers are also increasingly opting to breed retrievers and other sporting dogs, Gregory said. This doggy development made a splash on social media, where some observers greeted it as a welcome gesture from an agency not often lauded for its consideration of traveler sentiments. Others decried it as canine racism, not to mention a misplaced focus on dogs when barking TSA agents are a more common complaint, and offered photos of perfectly nice-looking dogs with pointy ears. Still others pointed out that these dogs, which typically wear "Do not pet" vests, are not supposed to be approachable. "No petting, but there's a balance," Gregory said. "We don't want people to shy away because they're scared." The agency's understanding of passenger views on detection dog ears is anecdotal and not based on survey data, Gregory said. But some research backs up the idea that people view pointy ears as more intimidating. In a 2016 study on perceptions of dogs with docked tails and cropped ears or cut to stand up, as is typical on such breeds as the Doberman pinscher University of British Columbia researchers found that participants deemed altered dogs more aggressive and dominant than those with natural features. Clive Wynne, a University of Arizona canine science scholar who has studied perceptions of dogs labeled "pit bulls," praised the agency's move. Detection dogs' noses are "amazing technology," he said, "but the fact that this technology is embodied in a living animal creates its own issues." People have attitudes toward dogs and different attitudes toward dogs that look different, Wynne said in an email. So if you want to have a dog contact a vast number of people of many different backgrounds, you need that dog to be presentable to the widest possible range of folks. Floppy ears have played a significant role in scientists' understanding of animals' friendliness toward humans. In an experiment that began in 1959 and that continues today, scientists in Russia have sought to breed tame silver foxes. They selected the gentlest animals to start each new generation, and within 10 cycles, they had pups that were less aggressive and fearful. Whats more, these amiable foxes had new physical characteristics, including curly tails, mottled fur, and, yes, floppy ears. The same traits are seen in many domesticated animals. Why these physical traits often accompany tameness is not yet clear. But it means that humans have for thousands of years associated them with more docile animals. That said, German shepherds, Belgian Malinoises, and other triangle-eared breeds are no less domesticated or tame than others. All purebred dogs' looks, including their ears, have been shaped by selective breeding, and erect ears do not necessarily signal an aggressive temperament. Nor do traditional detection dogs necessarily have stronger sniffers. Wynne noted that a study he published on dogs' olfactory sensitivity found that pugs performed better than German shepherds, meaning friendly-looking dogs can be perfectly suited to this task. Which is why the primary requirement for TSA dogs remains stellar detection skill, Gregory said. As many as half of aspiring working dogs fail training programs; in 2017, a very floppy-eared black Lab named Lulu became a minor celebrity for dropping out of CIA bomb-sniffer school. No dogs will be pulled off because they have pointy ears. All the dogs are good as long as they pass the test, Gregory said. Its stringent, and we put them through extremely difficult tests. But at the end of the day, the dogs going to be out there because theyre qualified, not because of their breed. As the partial government shutdown creeps toward its four-week mark, President Donald Trump faced questions over a New York Times report that the FBI opened an investigation into whether he was working for Russia and against the United States. I never worked for Russia, Trump told reporters on Monday. You know that answer better than anybody. I never worked for Russia. Not only did I never work for Russia, I think its a disgrace that you even ask that question because its a whole big fat hoax. Its just a hoax. On Friday night, the Times reported that the FBI opened an investigation into the president after he fired former FBI director James Comey, a move that was due to the Russia thing, Trump admitted to NBCs Lester Holt. That investigation has since been taken over by special counsel Robert Mueller. The focus on Russia comes as the partial government shutdown continues into its 24th day, impacting roughly 800,000 federal workers. Trump has refused to sign any new budget deal that doesnt include $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump refused to give a direct answer Saturday night when he was asked if he worked as a Russian agent by Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, an outspoken supporter of the president. I think its the most insulting thing Ive ever been asked, Trump said. I think its the most insulting article Ive ever had written, and if you read the article youll see that they found absolutely nothing. Here are the latest updates from Washington involving the Russia investigation: Hillary Clinton chides Trump as a puppet of Putin Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took a jab at Trump on Monday morning, sharing a video clip from the final 2016 presidential debate, in which she called her Republican opponent a puppet of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Putin, from everything I see, has no respect for this person, Trump said, pointing toward Clinton. Well, thats because hed rather have a puppet as president of the United States, Clinton responded. During the 2016 campaign, Trump urged Russia to hack Clintons emails and make them public. Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, Trump said, referring to emails Clinton had deleted from a private account she used while working in the Obama administration. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press. Twelve Russian have been indicted and charged with hacking into both Clintons presidential campaign and the Democratic National Convention as part of Muellers investigation into the Kremlins interference in the 2016 election. Trumps AG pick: It is vitally important Mueller finish his probe William Barr, Trumps nominee for attorney general, is planning on telling senators that it is vitally important that Mueller finish his investigation on Russia, according to prepared remarks for his confirmation hearing, obtained by The Associated Press. I believe it is in the best interest of everyone the president, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work, Barr will reportedly say. Barr is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing Tuesday and Wednesday. CNN obtains transcripts of debate over Trump and Russia CNN obtained transcripts of two FBI officials closed-door congressional interviews last year, which included an explanation from then-FBI general counsel James Baker why the bureau felt the need to investigate whether Trump was acting at the behest of Russia. We need to investigate, because we dont know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the president is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with and so he can move forward with his agenda, Baker told House investigators, according to CNN. One hundred years after U.S. soldiers killed and maimed hundreds of Sioux men, women and children at the Wounded Knee massacre, Congress formally apologized in 1990 by expressing its "deep regret on behalf of the United States." On Sunday night, President Donald Trump used that same massacre as a punchline in his latest broadside against Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the Democratic presidential hopeful whom he regularly calls "Pocahontas" in jeering reference to her claims of American Indian heritage. Alluding to a Warren video, Trump wrote: "If Elizabeth Warren, often referred to by me as Pocahontas, did this commercial from Bighorn or Wounded Knee instead of her kitchen, with her husband dressed in full Indian garb, it would have been a smash!" Critics found that message jarring, even from a president who has repeatedly ignored calls from politicians on both sides of the aisle, historians and Native American groups to stop calling Warren "Pocahontas." "+300 of my people were massacred at Wounded Knee. Most were women and children," tweeted Ruth H. Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer who has contributed at Teen Vogue, the Guardian and elsewhere. "This isn't funny, it's cold, callous, and just plain racist." Trump's tweet came amid another extraordinary late-night Twitter barrage as the president battered by public blame for the ongoing government shutdown and new bombshells about his links to Russia also lashed out at Post owner Jeff Bezos and quoted from a racially charged immigration column by Pat Buchanan. His attack on Warren, who officially jumped into the 2020 presidential race last month, drew perhaps the biggest reaction online thanks to its invocation of a particularly disgraceful chapter of American history. In late 1890, 470 U.S. soldiers intercepted a group of Chief Big Foot's Sioux, who had been heading south across the plains toward a refuge, according to an account by Mark Hirsch, a historian at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. The soldiers led the Sioux, who had 106 warriors and roughly 250 women and children, to a camp at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. When the U.S. commander, Col. James W. Forsyth, ordered Big Foot's people to surrender their weapons on Dec. 29, 1890, shooting suddenly erupted and the soldiers surrounding the camp began indiscriminately gunning down the Native Americans. "Women and children were riddled with shrapnel. People ran, but the soldiers pursued them. Bodies were later discovered three miles from camp," Hirsch wrote. "When the smoke cleared, 146 men, women, and children lay dead. Others perished from their wounds or froze to death in the hills." Trump has already faced backlash for his use of "Pocahontas" to describe Warren, particularly after he unleashed the taunt at a November 2017 event honoring Navajo code talkers. In October, Warren released the result of a DNA test showing that she did have Native American ancestors a number of generations ago a result that only egged the president on and also drew criticisms from the Cherokee Nation and others. Trump and his administration have accused Warren of unfairly benefiting from her claims of Native American heritage while she was a professor at Harvard, an allegation fact-checkers have debunked. For many critics, Trumps use of the mass killing at Wounded Knee along with his reference to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where hundreds of U.S. soldiers and American Indians died in Gen. George Armstrong Custers infamous last stand in 1876 took his Warren attacks to a new level. "When the extent of your criminality is so transparent that your only defense is deflection through racist offensive, it is seriously time for you to leave," tweeted Honor Sachs, an assistant professor of history at the University of Colorado at Boulder who has written for The Washington Post about the history of the Pocahontas story being used by white supremacists. That wasn't Trump's only late-night tweet on Sunday that drew notice for its racial overtones. Shortly after his Wounded Knee messages, Trump posted two tweets quoting from a Pat Buchanan column to support his push for a wall on the southern border. Buchanan's column explicitly accuses Democrats of wanting to encourage immigration because, he writes, the party is "hostile to white men because the smaller the share of the U.S. population that white men become, the sooner that Democrats inherit the national estate." "The only way to greater 'diversity,' the golden calf of the Democratic Party, is to increase the number of women, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics, and thereby reduce the number of white men," Buchanan writes in the column. Trump's string of Sunday night tweets came at the end of a bruising weekend inside a snowed-in White House. After the New York Times broke news that the FBI had launched an inquiry into whether the president was covertly working on behalf of Moscow, The Post's Greg Miller reported that Trump had gone to "extraordinary lengths" to keep his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin secret, even from top administration officials. A Washington Post/ABC poll on Sunday found that 53 percent of Americans mainly blame Trump and the GOP for the ongoing government shutdown, with 29 percent blaming congressional Democrats. While debate swirls around the border wall whether its immoral, whether it even works one huge impact, while understood, is just not being discussed: The wall is already an ecological catastrophe, devastating rare and endangered species, carving up critical habitats, exacerbating flooding, even worsening climate change. The Center for Biological Diversity estimates that the wall may very well lead to the extinction of the jaguar, ocelot and other species in America. This is tragic, as the 2,000-mile border, stretching from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico along the Rio Grande, passes through three mountain chains, North Americas two largest deserts, and the Tijuana Estuary, a salt marsh that offers habitat for 400 species of birds. An astonishing 25 million acres of protected public lands lies near the border on the American side, including wildlife refuges, national parks, and wilderness areas with large refuges on the Mexican side as well, all created by the long, hard work of many organizations and agencies aiming to protect land that is biologically unique and fragile. Its a diverse area, too: A 2011 study documented 134 mammal, 178 reptile, and 57 amphibian species living in the wall region; 56 of these species that already been hurt by the wall, including five that are at risk for extinction, one the jaguarundi, a small cat. The jaguar, that cats bigger cousin, is the poster child for the walls ecological impact. Once hunted to extinction in the U.S., jaguars in northern Mexico have been spotted moving back into Arizona. Protected both here and in Mexico, its U.S. recovery plan written by the federal government (!) calls for free movement of these 300-pound predators across the border. The few cats that have reclaimed their American habitat will not recover if they cannot return to Mexico to find mates. Theres a huge irony in the walls impact. Built to stop people, a 2014 study used cameras to compare the movements of people and wildlife in areas with and without border walls. While researchers discovered that pumas and coatis were found in higher numbers in areas with no walls, they saw no difference in the number of people counted in the two areas. The wall works for animals better than it does people. Consider water, critical as the Rio Grande forms most of our border. In 2008, a storm ripped through the Nogales sister cities, and the border wall that separates Arizonas Nogales from Mexicos Nogales accidentally acted as a dam, flood water pooling up to the tops of door frames on the Mexican side and drowning two people. Walls become dams in floods, and with climate changing, flooding is intensifying, the wall aggravating an already bad problem. On the humanitarian side, climate change is a hidden driver of those notorious caravans. Last fall, the Guardian talked to an indigenous Mayan from western Honduras as he walked with a caravan. Jesus Canan shared how he once grew maize and beans, but joined the caravan after repeated crop failures from drought and changing weather. It didnt rain this year, he said. Last year, it didnt rain. My maize field didnt produce a thing There was no harvest. So he left behind a wife, three children and his land. As the climate crumbles, more Central Americans will trek north. One obvious solution to the border crisis: protect the climate. The odds of that are even more remote than the president caving in on his demand to build a wall, which is now not only a humanitarian crisis, but an ecological one too. Mike Weilbacher directs the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Upper Roxborough. @SCEEMike mike@schuylkillcenter.org. Philadelphia is the poorest big city in the United States, and low-income women and trans people, especially those of color, have achingly high barriers in the way of their dignity and survival. At our Project SAFE community house in Kensington, we support women and trans people who have chosen sex work as a survival strategy. Our participants help each other secure safer sex supplies, educate each other about buyers of sex who have a history of harming them (bad dates), and envision together the kind of support they need to keep themselves as safe and healthy as possible while they engage in sex work. For many of our workers, the trauma they experience comes from poverty, racial and gender injustice, and interactions with law enforcement not from engaging in sex work as a means for survival. Project SAFE is committed to helping people not only to stay safer while working in the sex industry, but also to supporting them when they want to change jobs or retire. We were thrilled when one of our members informed us that she had been offered a job on the books that would enable her to transition out of the sex industry, a change that she had been trying to make for some years. All she needed was to pass the background check. But then the call came her offer was rescinded when her arrest record for prostitution came up. She has now returned to street-based sex work, kept from the on-the-books economy by the criminalization of her survival. Sex workers and those who support them often have to contend with police and prosecutors promoting policies in their names, without workers voices. Many voices in law enforcement including U.S. Attorney William McSwain, serving Pennsylvanias Eastern District push for increased prosecution of buyers of sex, also known as johns. But in the experience of Project SAFEs members, prosecuting buyers means that the pool of safe clients gets far smaller, leaving mostly the violent and dangerous ones. It means that sex workers have to take more risks to find work, and makes it more difficult for sex workers to screen clients before a date. When then-candidate Larry Krasner was running for district attorney, he reached out to us, to learn what sex workers needed to stay safe. When we told him that most sex workers in our experience were independent, not working with a pimp, he listened. The term pimp has historically been used to criminalize black men and to gloss over the complex relationships that workers have with their managers. Research shows that while these relationships can be exploitative at times, they can also offer much-needed support and safety for workers who cannot turn to the criminal justice system for help. We designed multipage policy platforms for the DAO based on sex workers experiences that would lower workers risks of being trafficked, raped, assaulted, or abused. As members of the Coalition for a Just District Attorney, Project SAFE met many times with Krasner and his team and with others representing those for whom prosecution carries major risks, including immigration justice groups, to push for diversion and decriminalization policies that would lessen police and court interventions in workers lives. As a result of that deep listening and partnership, Krasner and his attorneys have begun to decline many prostitution charges, especially if its a workers first arrest. Those with multiple arrests are sometimes referred to Dawn Court, a diversion program that mandates services for sex workers in exchange for eventually clearing their records of at least some of their prostitution charges. While many of our members have far more than three arrests under their belt, knowing that theres an open conversation between sex workers and prosecutors means we can start to push for more policies that promote the human and labor rights of sex workers. When police, prosecutors, and judges center sex workers needs, we have the power to protect ourselves from trafficking, abuse, and rape. In India, sex workers have organized with social workers and health-care and legal professionals to monitor their own industry for fraud and coercion. But when sex work as a whole is criminalized, women like Tennessees Cyntoia Brown are pushed to the shadows and brutally punished for defending themselves. In spite of anti-trafficking laws, women and youth of color continue to be treated as criminals by prosecutors. Someone like William McSwain can say what he wants in the paper without fear of losing his job, family, or life. In comparison, sex workers have so much less freedom to speak, and if they do, they are at risk of harassment from the police. But Larry Krasner has built a space at his table for sex workers voices, to advocate for safer working conditions and a higher quality of life. Its from that space that workers will fight for decriminalization of sex work, and to decriminalize so much else that helps people survive in Philadelphia and beyond. Aisha Mohammed is a member of the Kensington Sex Workers Collective, with whom she collaborated on this piece. Marijuana is medicine. This plant-based treatment should be an accessible and affordable healthcare choice for all patients. Scientific data supports its use to treat specific ailments or conditions research has shown, for example, that its an exceptionally effective treatment for seizures and chronic pain. This plant can be used in many forms of application or ingestion. My professional team at National Holistic Healing Center (NHHC), a medical marijuana dispensary serving over 10,000 patients in the Washington D.C. area, recommends specific strains with known benefits to treat depression, insomnia, ADHD, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many more ailments. Like any medicine, marijuana must be prescribed and dosed properly. Cannabis is still classified as a dangerous Schedule 1 drug and made federally illegal by the government, meaning patients typically cannot travel outside their medical state with therapeutic cannabis. But thanks to recent reciprocity laws, NHHC and other local dispensaries can now treat patients from over 17 states, including Pennsylvania, which is helpful for patients traveling to D.C. This cutting-edge approach to personalized care is also offered at Ilera Healthcare, a Pennsylvania medical dispensary, to better suit patients' specific needs. All marijuana strains contain cannabinoids, the natural chemical components of the marijuana plant including THC and CBD which support balance and stability throughout the body and its endocannabinoid system. But each strain also has unique benefits. For example, Lemon Skunk a title that reflects the industrys unconventional naming system has a natural lemon smell derived from the organic compound limonene. Limonene has inherent benefits, such as being an antidepressant and a diuretic that can regulate blood pressure. Patients currently have some access to these options in the 33 states, plus D.C., that allow medical marijuana use. But as 10 of those states have recognized, a pure medical system is not enough. Many patients cannot afford to go to the doctor to obtain the required prescriptions for medical use, or cant afford the payments themselves. For those who can afford to go through this structure, most Department of Health Medical Marijuana Programs require patients to register and provide detailed personal information, which is sensitive due to the stigma of marijuana usage. Thus patients in some instances will resort to the black market, which lacks the regulatory compliance of tested medication and security measures. More importantly, the unregulated market does not provide the education, diversity, or consistency of strains and products necessary to provide individualized care. Patients deserve informed access to different strains that can provide optimal healthcare choices for their specific conditions. Another path to that care would be federal legalization of strictly medical marijuana. But that wouldnt do the job either. If not properly implemented, that process could make it challenging to maintain economic equality state to state. For example, Oregon had a surplus of medical marijuana last year which drove the legal market price down significantly. If the Oregon surplus was shipped to Pennsylvania dispensaries, or other states that lack mass production due to the immature local market, the law of supply and demand would allow a low-cost Oregon strain with comparable quality to be sold cheaper than locally produced products. Thus local entrepreneurs and business owners could run the risk of losing a large share of their business to larger players. Individual states should maintain the right to regulate their own markets to ensure that the benefits of jobs, businesses, and tax and regulation are all seen by the residents and constituents of these communities. More and more states are taking advantage of that right to enforce their own marijuana laws. The best way to give their residents safer, more effective healthcare options is recreational legalization. Chanda Macias, MBA, PhD, is the owner and CEO of National Healing Holistic Center. HARRISBURG Since cruising to victory two months ago to win another four-year term, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has signed executive orders to push redistricting reform and reduce carbon emissions, and declared that the state needs to take a serious look at legalizing recreational marijuana. Nearly every time, leaders in the Republican-controlled legislature, with whom Wolf has been at a detente since his first, tumultuous year in office, complained that the governor was doing an end-run around them to advance his liberal views. So when Wolf, 70, takes the oath of office at his second inauguration Tuesday, the question many will be asking is: Who will show up? The politician who launched his first term as an unapologetic progressive or the more pragmatic statesman he became? Sitting in his office last week, Wolf appeared almost amused at the question. Im pretty much the same person I was when I got here four years ago, he said. I think there are always people who are on the alert for things they might not like, and we do have divided government," he added. " But I think thats more a function of just the reality of partisan party politics in Harrisburg. Still, for Wolf, the next four years are it. He said he will not run again for public office after he fulfills his term, a fact he called liberating. And though he won decisively in November capturing nearly 58 percent of the vote and even winning some counties that had trended Republican in past gubernatorial elections the political climate for pushing through his agenda is not particularly favorable. Republicans lost seats in both legislative chambers, but they still hold commanding majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. And the GOP lawmakers who remain are more conservative because some of their more moderate colleagues, many from the Philadelphia suburbs, were defeated by a blue wave of voters this past November. Wolf talks openly about his goals: providing adequate funding for public education, tackling the opioid epidemic, and strengthening government ethics, among other initiatives. But lurking in the background once again are financial strains, not unlike the ones the governor faced throughout his last term. The state is projected to have a $1.7 billion shortfall in the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to an analysis late last year by the states Independent Fiscal Office. Few expect a repeat of his first year in office, which was marked by a bruising, nine-month showdown with the legislature over the state budget. At the time, Wolf had proposed a bold but controversial plan that would have overhauled how Pennsylvania taxes its residents. Legislative Republicans hated it. Wolf stuck to his guns for months, until it became clear that, politically, he wasnt going to win the battle. After that, Wolf took a less combative tack in his dealings with the legislature, which allowed him to strike deals on such big-ticket policy items as pension reform, liquor privatization, and medical marijuana legalization. I think when he came into office, there was a bit of over-optimism on his part, said Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. "You have to have enormous amount of trust across both sides of the aisle to get gigantic reforms done, and I think he underestimated how hard that would be." To Wolfs credit, Borick said, he adapted: "He recognized that he would have to be more incremental in terms of changes he could achieve. And his recognition and navigation of that reality allowed him to be pretty successful. Still, since the election, Republicans have been closely watching Wolf, who will be joined by a new understudy: Lt. Gov.-elect John Fetterman, who is among the most outspoken liberal elected officials in the state. Wolfs creation, through executive order, of a reform commission to study ways to limit partisanship in redistricting elicited howls of complaint from Republican legislative leaders. Their problem, they said, is that Wolf is stepping into territory the constitution gives squarely to the legislature, which has the power to draw congressional and legislative district lines. Then, late last month, Wolf said he believed it was time for Pennsylvania to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana. Before that, Wolf said he did not believe the state was ready for that step, which would require the legislatures sign-off. Republicans reacted swiftly and fiercely, with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) calling Wolfs position reckless and irresponsible. Corman is among those who will be listening intently to see whether the governor, in his inaugural speech, drops any clues that signal a change in the way he will approach governing. Id be lying if I didnt say I wasnt a little concerned," Corman said in an interview last week. The last two years, he worked well with the legislature. Though we didnt agree on everything, we got significant things done. Governing by executive order, Corman noted, will not win him allies. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) said he believes that Wolf can advance a more progressive agenda, but that the issues he cares about also resonate with many Republicans, including criminal justice reform and environmental protection. Those are deemed to be `progressive' issues, but there is bipartisan support for them, Costa said. When he steps onto the stage Tuesday to deliver his inaugural address, Wolf is widely expected to showcase what he and the legislature have accomplished, despite deep ideological differences. He is also expected to do some political chest thumping of his own, discussing progress his administration has made in attacking the opioid epidemic, expanding Medicaid, and helping seniors live at home as they age. But he said he also wants to talk about democracy. This is the historian and political scientist coming out in me, but I keep coming back to the experiment that was launched in Philadelphia, he said. "That democracy in the United States is one perpetual experiment and that we have to keep reaffirming the values that make that democracy work. He added: Thats what I tried to do the first four years and thats what we all have to continue to try to do in the next four years. A standoff Monday at a UPS facility in Gloucester County in which a gunman took his ex-girlfriend and another woman hostage ended with police killing the gunman and freeing the women, who were not harmed, police said. Though it was not known at the time, the man, identified by police as William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, had a history of domestic violence. The incident is a reminder of the role intimate-partner violence often plays in gun incidents, from threats to mass shootings. Women are more likely to be killed at work by a domestic partner than by any other cause. In 2015 and 2016, about 40 percent of the women killed at work were slain by a relative or partner, compared with 2 percent of men, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A new law in New Jersey allows family members to take out restraining orders against relatives who they fear pose a threat. Under the gun violence restraining order law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy last year, family members can ask a judge to temporarily take away the persons weapons. The risk of a womans being killed by her abusive partner increases by five times if the partner has access to a firearm, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which estimates that 4.5 million American women have been threatened with firearms by their partners. Thirty-five percent of all women killed by men are killed by intimate partners with guns. In November, three people were killed in a shooting at Chicagos Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. The gunman went to the hospital to confront his former fiancee, an emergency room doctor, about breaking off their engagement. After killing her, he was killed by police but also shot himself. Domestic violence has had a role in the majority of recent mass shootings. Between 2009 and 2017, more than half of gunmen shot a partner or family member as part of their crime, according to an analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety. Often, the shooter has a history of domestic violence, as in Orlando, Las Vegas, and Sutherland Springs, Texas. The Philadelphia region also has had recent high-profile domestic-related murders, including those perpetrated by Bruce Rogal in Chester County and Bradley Stone in Montgomery County against family members in both cases, the men were angry at ex-wives. Domestic violence has been one of the priorities of gun-control groups hoping to pass state and federal legislation. They have pushed amending federal law to include dating partners and stalkers (not just spouses, parents, or cohabitants) in regulations that keep guns from domestic abusers. Last year, Pennsylvania passed a bill tightening regulations on gun possession by people convicted of domestic abuse. Domestic violence is a scourge on our society, and these reforms will go a long way to protect victims, hold abusers accountable, and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, Gov. Tom Wolf said in October when signing the bill. Cosmo DiNardos cousin and alleged coconspirator, Sean Kratz, returned to a Bucks County courtroom Monday for a pretrial hearing that at times included tense back and forth between prosecutors and Kratzs new attorney, A. Charles Peruto Jr. Kratz, 21, of Northeast Philadelphia, is charged with helping DiNardo kill and bury three of four victims in a series of 2017 slayings that garnered national attention. While DiNardo pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced to life in prison, Kratzs journey through the court system has been more dramatic, full of delays and last-minute changes that have further anguished the victims' families. On Monday, Kratzs attorney argued that his April 2018 statement to authorities should not be presented at trial, and that prosecutors should be barred from seeking the death penalty. Prosecutors pushed back. Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley adjourned the proceedings, which had been expected to last for three days, saying he would later issue written rulings. Prosecutors began building their case against DiNardo and Kratz in July 2017, when authorities discovered the bodies of four young men Jimi Patrick, 19, of Newtown Township; Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Middletown Township; Thomas Meo, 21, of Plumstead Township; and Mark Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg on the DiNardo familys Solebury farm. They had gone missing, triggering a days-long search. DiNardo confessed, telling police he lured the men by saying hed sell them marijuana, then shot and killed them. He said Kratz helped him kill Finocchiaro, Meo, and Sturgis. Kratz, in a yellow prison jumpsuit, arrived in court Monday looking noticeably heavier, with two new tattoos beside his ears. He sat in front of more than a dozen relatives of the victims, who again filled half of a small Doylestown courtroom. This time, they heard arguments and evidence on several motions filed by the prosecution and the defense in advance of Kratzs trial, scheduled for April. Among the issues: Perutos bid to suppress two recorded statements made by Kratz one in an interrogation room in Philadelphia in July 2017, the other in Doylestown during discussions in the spring about a third-degree-murder plea deal that Kratz later aborted. Peruto withdrew his motion to suppress the initial statement after Deputy District Attorney Mary Kate Kohler began playing a recording of the four-hour interview, at the beginning of which Kratz, calm and in a black T-shirt, waived his Miranda rights. In the brief part of the video shown before Perutos objection, Kratz told officers he had last seen DiNardo two weeks earlier. Peruto did ask the judge to suppress the second statement, made in April. He argued that the entire recorded statement need not be viewed in open court. When the video was stopped after a few minutes, Peruto questioned First Assistant District Attorney Gregg Shore about whether Kratz was aware of the pleas terms before that meeting. Shore said prosecutors made clear to Kratzs attorneys that if he were to balk at the deal, the statement could be used against him. Peruto argued that Kratzs then-attorney, Craig Penglase, may not have properly relayed to his client that the agreed-upon sentence was 59 to 119 years. In a separate motion, defense attorney Niels C. Eriksen Jr. argued that the death penalty should be barred, noting that DiNardo received a life sentence. In this case, I dont think its inappropriate to say you have a far worse actor in Cosmo DiNardo, Eriksen said. Defense attorney Julieanne Bateman also asked Finley to bring in an out-of-town jury, saying Bucks County residents had been saturated by sensational and unceasing media coverage and could not be impartial. The people in Bucks County are most attached to this, she said. Shore countered, saying, I think we owe it to Bucks County to choose from its own residents. Originally, Kratz was to plead guilty on the same day as DiNardo, but changed his mind. Then, attorney Penglase was removed after leaking confession tapes of DiNardo and Kratz. The leak caused Finley to issue an order barring prosecutors and defense attorneys from publicly discussing the case. Kratz retained Peruto days before his originally scheduled pretrial hearing, which delayed it to this week. Pennsylvania cut its prison population by just over a thousand inmates during 2018 a figure equivalent to the population of one entire state prison. The 2018 calendar year reduction represents the single largest year-over-year decrease of inmate population on record, Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement that credited the decline in part to reforms instituted under his administration. The historic decline demonstrates that commonsense criminal justice reforms work, and bolsters the case for expanding reforms while ensuring the safety of all citizens. The 2.2 percent reduction left the prison population at 47,370, the lowest its been in about a decade and just above 2007 levels. The number of prisoners newly sentenced to state prison fell by 617 people compared with 2017, while the number of parole violators declined by 575. Wolf and Corrections Secretary John Wetzel attributed the latter decrease to diversion for technical violators made possible by the consolidation of the Department of Corrections and the state parole board, which Wolf did by executive order after efforts to do so legislatively were unsuccessful. The Commonwealth Foundation, a free market think tank, also said the decline was part of a trend tracking Pennsylvanias Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a package of legislation designed to reduce prison spending that passed in 2012, when the population was at its peak at more than 51,000 inmates. A second legislative package, called JRI 2, failed to pass in the last session. It was projected to further reduce the prison population through changes such as automatically paroling certain prisoners on their minimum sentence dates if they had behaved well in prison. The idea was that the savings would be reinvested in funding probation and parole to reduce recidivism. "Only a decade ago, Pennsylvania was shipping inmates to other states because of overcrowding, Wetzel said in a statement. Recently, as its state prison population has declined, Pennsylvania has at times accepted inmates from out of state. In November 2018, Delaware announced it would pay $40,000 per day to house 330 prisoners at Camp Hill state prison under a two-year agreement. Vermont, which had placed more than 200 prisoners in Pennsylvania, moved them to a private prison in Mississippi last fall after three men died in custody, and many others complained about access to medical care and lengthy terms of disciplinary confinement that exceeded Vermonts 30-day maximum, according to news reports. In his classic book Polyarchy, the American political scientist Robert Dahl maintained that political regimes can be categorised according to two sets of criteria: pluralism/contestation and participation/inclusion. Liberal or constitutional democracies are distinct in that they are designed to allow for both high levels of pluralism/contestation and high levels of inclusion/participation, he said. In short, they are based on the twin pillars of liberalism and democracy. Liberalism or pluralism refers to a set of inalienable rights such as freedom of expression, of religion, of organisation and habeas corpus that are enshrined in laws and constitutions and are meant to ensure that all citizens can freely exercise their civic and political liberties. It also refers to institutional arrangements that create a system of checks and balances between the different branches of government and prevent any one branch from infringing on the independence of the others. Inclusion or participation refers to a set of institutional arrangements that allow citizens to participate in the political process through voting in free-and-fair elections and their elected representatives to choose policies that uphold the interests of their constituents. Such regimes are identified as liberal or constitutional democracies because popular sovereignty is bounded by a number of liberal or constitutional principles that are meant to prevent majorities from infringing on the rights of minorities and any single branch of government from usurping the powers of the other branches and hence at preventing tyranny. Since World War II and perhaps up until the election of Donald Trump as US president, liberal democracy was seen as an ideal regime type that countries should strive to achieve. It was argued that as countries develop economically politically and socially, they are likely to evolve into liberal democracies. The bulk of the scholarly work in political science over the past few decades has focused on how countries move from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes towards democracy. The 1990s was seen as the golden era of the liberal democratic model, as non-democratic regimes in Eastern and Central Europe, Africa and Asia were collapsing and giving way to liberal democratic regimes. Some political scientists went as far as to maintain that liberal democracy constituted the end of history, both in the sense that it is the ideal end to which all countries should aspire and that it has established itself everywhere in the world as the only legitimate regime type. However, developments over the last decade have busted this myth. As more and more countries move away from liberal democracy towards illiberal democracy and hybrid regime types and as some of the core liberal democracies in the West fall prey to populism, doubts have arisen about the future of liberal democracy and whether it is likely to persist in the face of the multiple crises that are threatening to undermine it everywhere in the world. This article argues that the crisis of Western or liberal democracy can be attributed in large part to the weakening of the principle of popular sovereignty and the significant narrowing of the social, economic and political choices available to the citizens of liberal democracies. In fact, the recent populist backlash in such countries can be seen as an attempt to establish the principles of popular will or the will of the majority in the face of liberal and constitutional constraints and hence the rising spectre of illiberal democracy. What follows examines some of the main variables that have led to the weakening of popular sovereignty in many liberal democracies in the West and beyond. The End Of Politics Since the end of World War II, most Western countries have opted for a consensual model of politics. Political power alternated between centre-right and centre-left parties and coalitions that sought to resolve political conflicts through elite bargaining and consensus. However, while this formula made sense in the light of the bloody conflicts of the first half of the 20th century, it nonetheless meant that in most Western countries a narrow elite dominated the political landscape. This elite tended to have a similar profile. Most members of it were white men, educated in elite universities, and from a more privileged economic background. This meant that until recently women, minorities and those without a university education were largely excluded from the political process. Though in recent years, women and minorities have made important advances in many of the older democracies, their ascent does not seem to have fundamentally transformed the basic policy options available to citizens. The Rule Of Experts The end of the Cold War ushered in an era of globalisation and free trade that has been buttressed by a set of largely unelected and non-democratic organisations such the European Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World trade Organisation and the various free-trade agreements they uphold. The end of the Cold War gave way to what is known as the liberal or Washington Consensus, which is dictated by these organisations and which has directed governments all over the world to liberalise their economies and to open their markets to global trade. These measures have led to the decline of the welfare state around the world and to the rising importance of experts and technocrats vis-a-vis elected politicians in the decision-making process. Moreover, in most liberal democracies central banks have played an increasingly independent role in driving economic policies. Thus, in many liberal democracies today crucial social and economic decisions are made by unelected organisations and technocrats who are often outside the country itself. This issue came to the forefront after the election of the leftist coalition Syriza in Greece with a clear mandate to reject the economic reforms proposed by the EU. However, Syriza was ultimately forced to accept austerity measures and to renounce the agenda upon which it was elected. From Class To Identity Politics Historically, leftist political parties were the standard bearer of the interests and grievances of the working and popular classes. However, since the end of the Cold War many leftist parties across the Western world have redefined their agendas to focus on issues that are more relevant to the new middle classes, such as the environment and climate change, womens and minority rights and LGBT issues, and they have abandoned their previous focus on labour rights, social justice and income distribution. Thus, in many Western countries, the working class and popular sectors of the population have found themselves without voice or representation, as the left has shifted its agenda away from class politics to identity politics. Immigration And Multiculturalism The era of globalisation and economic integration has led to unprecedented levels of migration from the developing to the developed world. This has upended the demographic make-up of many Western societies and led to unprecedented levels of ethnic and cultural diversity and conflict. Many people in Western democracies today feel that the political elite has ignored the popular will by allowing for this influx of immigrants. Within Europe, many blame the EU for this development, and within the US many blame the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Weak Parties And Participation Rates The narrowing of political choice between centre-left and centre-right parties and the displacement of decision-making to unelected institutions controlled by experts often outside national borders and the growing focus on identity rather than class-based issues has led to a growing indifference and distrust by large segments of the citizenry towards the political process. A growing number of citizens do not identity strongly with any of the main political parties in their countries, and levels of political participation in elections in Western democracies have been steadily declining. This has created a vacuum that a new elite upholding an anti-establishment, anti-intellectual/expert and anti-immigration agenda has been able to fill. Right-Wing Populism And The Spectre of Illiberal Democracy Nationalist populist movements that began to gain ground with the electoral successes of the Freedom Party in Austria and the Front National in France the late 1980s and 1990s have been steadily growing. What began as a small movement within the US Republican Party known as the Tea Party Movement led to the election of Donald Trump as president. Similarly, the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) succeeded in convincing many British voters to choose Brexit in the referendum to leave the EU. In Italy, Austria and Hungary, populist parties have risen to power, and in Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany they are slowly increasing their share of the vote. These parties are seen as populist because they claim to represent the voice of the people vis-a-vis the elite or the establishment. They are anti-intellectual in that they oppose the role played by experts and unelected bodies such as the EU in imposing policy choices on citizens. They oppose globalisation and free trade and call for greater economic protections. They oppose immigration and call for limiting the number of immigrants coming into the US and Europe. By challenging many of the previous givens of Western politics, such as free trade, globalisation and European integration, nationalist populist parties are challenging the significant narrowing of popular sovereignty and of political choice associated with the establishment parties and are striving to put the popular will back at the centre of politics even if that means weakening some of the liberal and constitutional aspects of democracy. * The writer is a senior researcher at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. *A version of this article appears in print in the 10 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: The crisis of liberal democracy Short link: A standoff between police and a gunman who took his ex-girlfriend and another woman hostage at a UPS facility in Gloucester County ended after about 3 hours Monday, when the suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers. The hostages were not harmed in the tense standoff that forced police to close off streets for several hours. The gunman, identified as William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, was killed by police during what Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore described as an intervention around noon. Authorities said the standoff began about 8:45 a.m., when Owens entered the building and fired two shots into the air. Employees told reporters that as he pulled out the handgun, they started running from the building. A massive law enforcement response followed after the initial emergency call reported that an active shooter was in the building. Local schools were placed on lockdown, and UPS employees at the facility in an industrial complex on Birch Creek Road in Logan Township were evacuated and taken by school buses to a nearby hotel. With the two women being held, Fiore said, hostage negotiators spoke with Owens by telephone in an attempt to resolve the situation peacefully. When Owens left the building with the women, multiple members of law enforcement" fired at him, according to the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office, which investigates all fatal police shootings. Earlier in the day, officials stressed that the situation was contained to the UPS building and that other workers at the industrial park were not in danger. UPS described the site as a supply-chain-processing facility. During the morning rush hour, a television news helicopter video showed a SWAT team, armored car, and officers crouched behind vehicles at a loading dock at the facility. Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor said there are 18,000 workers at the industrial park and authorities routinely practice for emergency situations. We do active shooting training drills all the time, Minor said. They were well prepared. The Attorney Generals Office issued a statement saying the incident remains under investigation. BARRON, Wis. (AP) A Wisconsin man accused of abducting 13-year-old Jayme Closs and holding her captive for three months made up his mind to take her when he spotted the teenager getting on a school bus, authorities said Monday. Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, told detectives that "he knew that was the girl he was going to take," and he made two aborted trips to her family's home before finally carrying out an attack in which he fatally shot Jayme's mother in front of her, according to a criminal complaint filed hours before Patterson's first court appearance. Prosecutors charged him Monday with kidnapping Jayme and killing her parents Oct. 15 near Barron, about 90 miles northeast of Minneapolis. He was also charged with armed robbery. Investigators believe Patterson hid Jayme in a remote cabin before she escaped on Thursday. Police have said the two did not know each other. Patterson sat expressionless during the court appearance, which he made via video feed from the county jail. He spoke only to acknowledge that his name and address were correct on paperwork and that he agreed to waive a speedy preliminary hearing. The judge set bail at $5 million. The complaint said Patterson went to the home twice intending to kidnap Jayme, but broke off one attempt because too many cars were in the driveway and called off another because the house was too active. On the night she was abducted, Jayme told police, she was asleep in her room when the family dog started barking. She woke her parents as a car came up the driveway. She and her mother, Denise, hid in the bathroom, clutching one another in the bathtub with the shower curtain pulled shut. Her father, James, went to the front door. They heard a gunshot, and Jayme knew that James had just been killed, according to the complaint. Denise Closs started to call 911. Patterson broke down the bathroom door. Jayme said he was dressed in black, wearing a face mask and gloves and carrying a shotgun. Patterson told her mother to hang up and ordered her to tape Jaymes mouth shut. Patterson told detectives that Denise Closs struggled with the tape so he wrapped the tape himself around Jaymes mouth and head. He then taped her hands behind her back and taped her ankles together, pulled her out of the bathtub, and shot her mother in the head. He dragged Jayme outside, nearly slipping in blood pooled on the floor. He threw her in the trunk and drove off, pausing to yield to three squad cars speeding toward the house with flashing lights. Patterson took her to a cabin that he said was his, ordered her into a bedroom, and told her to take off her clothes and get dressed in his sisters pajamas. He then threw her clothes into a fireplace in the cabins basement. Whenever he had friends over, he made clear that no one could know she was there or bad things could happen to her, so she had to hide under the bed. He sealed her under the bed with tote boxes and weights so she could not crawl out, according to the complaint. She had to stay under the bed whenever he left the house, sometimes going for hours without food, water, or bathroom breaks. Patterson told investigators that he kept Jayme under the bed when his father often visited him on Saturdays, turning up the radio in his room to cover any noise she might make. He said he assumed he had gotten away with the slayings and kidnappings after two weeks went by. He told detectives that on the night he kidnapped her he put stolen license plates on his car and removed an anti-kidnapping release cord from his trunk. He also shaved his head so he would not leave any hair behind and chose his father's Mossberg shotgun because he thought it was a common model that would be hard to trace. Patterson, who has no criminal history in Wisconsin, was described by people who knew him as a quiet and good student who participated in quiz bowl in high school. He wrote in his high school yearbook of wanting to join the Marines. On Monday, a spokeswoman for the Marines said Patterson lasted just a little more than month before washing out in October 2015. Patterson told detectives he worked at the Saputo Cheese Factory near Almena for just two days before quitting. The company did not immediately respond to messages from the Associated Press. His defense attorneys, Charles Glynn and Richard Jones, said they believe Patterson can get a fair trial, but they are not sure where. "It's been an emotional time for this community and a difficult time for this community. We don't take that lightly. But we have a job to do in protecting our client," Jones said. Police collected more than 3,500 tips following Jayme's disappearance, but no hard leads emerged. Then on Thursday, a woman walking her dog spotted Jayme along a road near Gordon, a town about an hour's drive north of Barron. The woman said the girl begged her for help, saying Patterson had been hiding her in a nearby cabin and that she had escaped when he left her alone. Neighbors called 911, and officers arrested Patterson within minutes. The New York Post published photos of the cabin Monday. The images showed a shabby living area with a couch, refrigerator, an old television set, and an unfinished ceiling. Exterior photographs show a lean-to loaded with firewood, a three-car garage, and an empty box of adult female diapers in a trash can. A sign over the cabins front door reads Pattersons Retreat. Authorities have not said whether Jayme was sexually assaulted. The complaint does not charge Patterson with any form of sexual assault. The narrative in the document does not say what Patterson did with her. Prosecutors said they expect to release more information on the case before Patterson's next hearing on Feb. 6 and that additional charges could be brought in the county where Jayme was held. They gave no details. Barron County District Attorney Brian Wright declined to say any more about Patterson's motive after the hearing. But he praised Jayme for surviving. Shes 13 years old, and if you read the criminal complaint, you can see the amount of control that he was exerting over her. And at some point, she found it within herself at 13 years old to say, Im going to get myself out of this situation. I think its incredible. Associated Press investigative researcher Randy Herschaft contributed to this article. One Saturday morning in 2017, Joshua Hupperterzs step-grandfather had breakfast with his wife at his home in Lakeville, Wayne County, then went over to her property eight miles away to check on her yard, including the lakeside shed, where occasionally snakes creep in. But instead of finding snakes, George Stabilito told jurors Monday at Hupperterzs trial on charges of murder and related offenses, there was a very large blue tote in there. I wish I didnt do it, he testified. But I opened the lid. There was a body in there. He then told his wife, Inez they were separated, but still friends and she called someone who called Pennsylvania state police, who arrived at her home in a half-hour that Sept. 2, he testified. Prosecutors showed jurors a photo of the blue plastic storage bin as it was found inside the metal shed: Stuffed inside was Jenna Burleighs naked body, her head bloody, her midsection covered by a blanket, her right leg bent and contorted. Before Stabilito testified, the judge had warned jurors and courtroom observers that they would see disturbing photos. Burleighs mother, Jaqui, left the courtroom before his testimony. Hupperterz, 30, a former Temple University student, is accused of beating, stabbing, and strangling Burleigh, a 22-year-old Temple transfer student who lived with her parents in Harleysville, Montgomery County, after they returned to his North Philadelphia apartment from a bar. Hupperterz has admitted to transporting her body first to his mothers Jenkintown garage and then to his grandmothers Poconos property, but has pleaded not guilty to killing her. Prosecutors have said the two met at Pub Webb on Cecil B. Moore Avenue early on Aug. 31, 2017, then went to Hupperterzs apartment on North 16th Street shortly after 2 a.m. They contend that what began as consensual sex between Hupperterz and Burleigh turned violent and then deadly around 4 a.m., when, they allege, she rebuffed his attempts at anal sex. Thats when Hupperterz beat Burleigh, stabbed her, smashed a cereal bowl on her head, and strangled her on the kitchen floor, Assistant District Attorney Jason Grenell said in his opening statement last Tuesday. Benjamin Levin, a Philadelphia police forensic scientist, testified Monday that sperm found inside Burleighs body matched Hupperterzs DNA. Pennsylvania State Trooper James Hitchcock testified earlier Monday that he was called to Inez Stabilitos property on the afternoon of Sept. 2. Other troopers were already there. The shed in which Burleighs body was found was down a winding, rocky path from Stabilitos log cabin home with a detached garage, and about 30 yards from the shoreline of Paupackan Lake, the trooper said. Hitchcock and a Philadelphia police crime scene officer, Edward Fidler, separately told jurors that in addition to Burleighs body and the blanket, two bloody towels, a bloody washcloth, a brown womans Guess boot, and an inside-out pair of pants were found inside the bin. Hupperterzs lawyer, David Nenner, has contended to jurors that his clients roommate, Jack Miley, intervened in his roommates 4 a.m. kitchen fight with Burleigh, and fatally strangled the screaming young woman. Authorities have not implicated Miley in the crime. Miley denied any role while testifying last week. Reece Maurer, who graduated from Temple last May, testified Monday that he had lived in the same 16th Street apartment building as Hupperterz in August 2017. Early on Aug. 31, he and his girlfriend were sleeping in their second-floor front apartment, likely with the air-conditioning on, and didnt hear anything, Maurer testified. Asked by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Burkavage if about 4 a.m. when the second-floor-rear apartment resident heard a woman screaming Maurer had heard anything, a scream, he replied: No. The trial is expected to continue Tuesday before Common Pleas Court Judge Glenn Bronson. Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School enrolled nearly 2,600 students last year, several hundred more than it did in 2012. Thats the year the cyber schools charter expired. Cyber charter schools here and nationally have faced controversy over their academic performance and management, but in Pennsylvania, most dont even have current state charters that would officially sanction their operations. Of the states 15 cyber charters, 10 are operating with expired charters. Thats terrible, said Susan DeJarnatt, a Temple University law professor who has researched Pennsylvanias cyber charter schools. Given that charter schools are independently operated but publicly funded, the state has a fiduciary duty to all of us to make sure these millions and millions of dollars are being used for the education of our children," she said. Pennsylvania Leaderships CEO, James Hanak, said its a total puzzle why the state Department of Education hadnt acted on a renewal application the school submitted six years ago. For six years, they sent us money, Hanak said of the state. They obviously didnt find something draconian they could have hammered us with. DeJarnatt and others said the delays in processing renewal requests raise questions about how adequately the state has been monitoring cyber charters. She noted that the founder of one of Pennsylvanias largest cyber charters pleaded guilty in 2016 to tax conspiracy after prosecutors accused him of steering millions of dollars from the school to businesses he controlled. He was sentenced to a 20-month term in federal prison. Oversight shouldnt be limited to criminality, DeJarnatt said. State school charters generally run for five years meaning Hanaks school has operated without a current one for longer than most charter terms last. While his school has been without an agreement the longest, three other charters expired in 2015, and three more in 2016. Leaders at several of those schools also didnt know why the state hadnt taken action to renew or deny their charters. Asked why the renewal decisions had taken this long, Department of Education (PDE) spokesperson Rick Levis said that state law does not include a timeline for action on renewal applications. Over the last 2 years, PDE staff have made important progress in conducting intensive fiscal, governance, and programmatic reviews for cyber charter schools pending renewal, including on-site visits, Levis said in a statement. Levis also said the department was ensuring that charter renewal decisions aligned with a new state accountability plan approved by the U.S. Department of Education a year ago. At the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, which advocates for smart charter school growth and has called for greater oversight of cyber charters, policy director Veronica Brooks-Uy said the organization would view that as somewhat of a red flag. When you have charters that are operating on expired contracts, the question becomes, are they being held accountable for meeting the needs of students?" Brooks-Uy said. Pennsylvanias charter school law was amended in 2002 to allow cyber charter schools, which last year enrolled nearly 35,000 students across the state. With Ohio and California, Pennsylvania was in the big three cyber-charter states in 2016, accounting for half of cyber charter enrollment nationally, according to the authorizers' association. While 35 states and the District of Columbia allowed full-time cyber charter schools, eight did not, including New Jersey, Unlike Pennsylvanias brick-and-mortar charter schools, which are authorized and overseen by local school districts, cyber charters are the states responsibility. The law requires the state Department of Education to annually assess whether each cyber charter school is meeting the goals of its charter and is in compliance with the provisions of the charter, and conduct a comprehensive review prior to granting a five-year renewal of the charter. Its unclear how the department is annually assessing cyber charter schools. Four cyber charter CEOs interviewed by the Inquirer and Daily News said that although they submit reports each year to the department, they did not receive annual evaluations. Asked last week whether the state was performing annual evaluations, Levis did not provide an answer or any reports produced by the department. The department does publicly report test scores for cyber charter schools. In 2017, all but one cyber charter ranked in the bottom quarter of schools statewide on Pennsylvanias School Performance Profile, which graded schools on standardized test scores, as well as attendance and graduation rates. The one school, 21st Century Cyber, was just above the bottom quarter. Ten cyber charter schools were in the bottom 10 percent. Cyber charter leaders gave similar reasons for the lagging scores, including that they serve students who have struggled in traditional schools. Families pick a cyber charter school because somethings not working, said Maurice Flurie, CEO of Commonwealth Charter Academy. Very, very few parents look at their 4-year-old" and say, I cant wait to send you to a cyber school, Flurie said. Hanak said some students who have come to Pennsylvania Leadership Charter signed up to remain one step ahead of the truancy officer." Im OK with that. I used to not be OK with that; I thought I was taking money I didnt really deserve," Hanak said. "Im OK with it now, because if those students did go back to the regular public school, would they do any better? Probably not, he said, because its why they came to us in the first place. His schools website states that once a student logs on, attendance is recorded for the day. Some cyber charters have different attendance rules: At Agora Cyber Charter, most students take live classes with a teacher, and you have to be in two-thirds of your classes for the day to be considered present, said CEO Michael Conti. He said the policy, which the school had tightened, may be a reason enrollment has dipped in recent years. School districts must send money to cyber charter schools based on the number of students in a given district the cyber school enrolls. The payments are based on what the districts spend on their own pupils which can vary widely among districts and equal to what the districts pass through to brick-and-mortar charter schools. Although critics have called for funding changes, cyber charter leaders say their costs arent necessarily lower than those of brick-and-mortar charters. They say they must provide computers and internet access to students and rent space to administer state assessments, which can also require hotel stays for teachers. Like a traditional school district, we all find ways to spend virtually every penny that comes in on our students, Hanak said. You cant say to me, Your [School Performance Profile] scores are really low, youre not doing a very good job, but you dont need all the money youre getting. DeJarnatt, of Temple, said there were lots of reasons for low cyber school scores that are understandable. But that makes it important for the state to evaluate whether they are meeting the terms of their charters, she said. It should not just be because youre able through advertising or whatever to convince enough parents to take a chance," she said. Four years ago this month, when Tom Wolf was sworn in as Pennsylvanias 47th governor, he delivered a short, crisp inaugural address from an outside stage behind the Capitol. He pledged to be a different kind of leader whose administration would focus on jobs that pay, schools that teach, and government that works. Which, come to think of it, is exactly the way its supposed to be. Also, given Harrisburgs history, he spoke of the need to work together. His speech was refreshingly genuine. No bombast. No overreach. With a promised focus thats pretty basic. But six weeks later, Democrat Wolf delivered his first budget to a joint session of the Republican-controlled legislature. And the basics got ensnared in the nets of political reality. Wolf proposed hiking the personal income tax, increasing and expanding the sales tax, taxing the extraction of natural gas, and raising the minimum wage. It was part of a plan that he said would attack a $2 billion deficit, greatly boosting school funding while also cutting property taxes and thereby reducing total tax burdens on average middle-class families. Republicans didnt buy in. Called it unrealistic, a giant tax-and-spend hoax. Three years of budget fights ensued. Only last year, an election year, did a budget pass peacefully. And Wolfs first term brought no big taxes, no big property-tax cuts. Yet he did get half the new education spending he sought, and was reelected in a breeze, beating Republican Scott Wagner by a whopping 17 points. Now, with Wolf set to be inaugurated for a second term on Tuesday, questions arise. Does he have a mandate to resurrect broad, bold plans of yore with the same vigor that led to years of discord? Or, given that Republicans still control the legislature, is he now more pragmatic about what he can get? Is a term-limited lame duck able to do big things? Or does never seeking office again (Wolf, 70, says hes run his last campaign) free one up to swing away? Fellow Democrat Ed Rendell, the states last two-term governor, says, A lame duck is as a lame duck acts. I think he intends to be an activist governor. Rendell says Wolf should come out hard-charging on whatever his prime initiative is (another push for a gas severance tax to fund some aspect of education?) and travel the state to gin up public support. I was pushing economic development deals a couple of days before leaving office, says Rendell. I think I was a relevant force the whole way through. Wolf, during his reelection run, said hes not looking to raise big taxes. But hes expected to again call for a shale tax and a hike in the minimum wage -- both of which remain unwelcome in the legislature. What do others expect? I definitely think hell be different than in 2015, says Gene Barr, head of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Hes not for the chambers agenda, things like right-to-work. But there are other things we can work on with him, especially workforce development, says Barr. I expect hell spend four years trying to do something. Hes a decent guy who wants to do good. Rick Bloomingdale, president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, says unions also are interested in workforce issues, including extending apprenticeship programs. I think theres more [legislative] interest in working with this guy, he says, And while I think Wolf learned a lot about governing in his first term, thats not going to stop him from being who he is. I think thats right. Wolf always has been interested in change. In reforms touching health care, ethics, voting, guns, campaign finance, gerrymandering. In expanding democracy and trust in government. A believer, as he said, at his first inaugural, that all things are possible. His first term showed him some things are possible: a little pension reform, a little liquor reform, some ethics reform, medical marijuana. But it also showed him that even good ideas, if bumped against an ideology largely in love with the status quo, are like fossils trapped in amber. You can see them. They look great. Just dont expect them to come to life. And now? Well, lame-duck terms can be bold or blah. Well see whether Wolf walks, waddles, limps or flies through his last four years. A federal judge in Philadelphia on Monday barred the Trump administration from implementing new rules that would let almost any employer deny female employees coverage for birth control by citing religious or moral objections. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone found that the regulations could result in unplanned pregnancies and as many as 127,000 women losing access to no-cost contraception, which is mandated under the Affordable Care Act. She also concluded that the impact would inflict an undue financial burden on states that moved to pick up the tab. In a 65-page opinion, the judge granted the nationwide temporary injunction sought by the attorneys general of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The negative effects of even a short period of decreased access to no-cost contraceptive services is irreversible, she wrote. Beetlestones ruling came on the same day the regulations took effect, carving out religious and moral exemptions to the Obamacare contraception mandate. It followed a similar order issued late Sunday by a federal judge in California. But unlike Judge Haywood S. Gilliams decision in that case which only applied to the 13 states and the District of Columbia, who filed suit in his court Beetlestone expanded the scope of her decision to cover the country. Reproductive rights advocates and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro were quick to declare victory. Women need contraception for their health because contraception is medicine, pure and simple, Shapiro said in a statement. Congress hasnt changed that law, and the president cant simply ignore it with an illegal rule. But their win Monday is likely to be only the start of a drawn-out legal battle. Trump administration lawyers officials are almost certain to appeal. They argued in court that the agencies involved in crafting the regulations had reasonably exercised their rule-making authority to protect sincere religious and moral objectors. No American should be forced to violate his or her own conscience in order to abide by the laws and regulations governing our health-care system," said Caitlin Oakley, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement Monday. Other groups vowed to join the fight, including the Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of Roman Catholic nuns. The sisters intervened in the case last year, arguing that the mandate made them complicit in breaking religious rules against birth control. We never wanted this fight, and we regret that after a long legal battle, it is still not over," said Sister Loraine Marie Maguire, mother provincial of the order in the United States. We pray we can once again devote our lives to the ministry ... without being forced to violate our faith. If Beetlestones rulings withstand appellate scrutiny, the attorney generals will have to return to court to persuade her to make Mondays temporary injunction permanent. In her decision, the judge indicated that the states' lawyers were likely to prevail. She concluded that the administrations regulations run counter both to government rule-making procedures and the intent of Congress in crafting the Obama administrations signature healthcare law. The breadth of the exemptions set out in the [regulations] is remarkable," she wrote. "The ... religious exemption allows all nonprofit and for-profit entities, whether closely held or publicly traded, to deny contraceptive coverage based on sincerely held religious beliefs. The birth control mandate has been one of the most fiercely litigated aspects of Obamacare. Since it was enacted in 2010, the Affordable Care Act has generally required employers and insurers to provide preventative health services to women at no charge. Houses of worship that claimed religious objection were provided an avenue to opt out soon after the laws passage. In the eight years since, and after a number of court battles, the swath of employers eligible for exemptions has gradually expanded to include religiously affiliated hospitals, universities, and nonprofits, and certain privately held businesses owned by a small group of owners whose religious beliefs run counter to the laws contraception provisions. Some of those exempted entities are still required to provide employees with health plans that offer birth control coverage paid by the insurance provider. But since taking office, President Donald Trump has sought to eliminate that requirement and broadly expand the number and types of entities that could claim exemptions, fulfilling a campaign pledge he made to protect employers from being bullied by the federal government because of their religious beliefs. In 2017, administration officials proposed rules that would allow almost any business to claim a religious exemption and drop contraceptive coverage from employees health plans. They also proposed regulations that would permit all but publicly traded companies, including private colleges and universities that issue student health plans, on moral grounds. Beetlestone blocked that effort in a case brought by Shapiros office, saying that the Affordable Care Act did not authorize such sweeping exemptions. The administration submitted a revised set of rules in November, prompting the challenge from Shapiro and New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal that led to Mondays ruling. This story is part of Made In Philly, a series about young residents shaping local communities. Last year, Briyana D. Clarel dropped out of graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin one semester short of graduating with a theater for youth and communities degree. In school and in their work with non-profits, Clarel who uses they/them pronouns often found themselves devoted to other peoples visions in spaces that had no room for them as a queer person of color. They decided it was time to embark on a journey focused on radical healing and brilliant growth. Clarel, 27, launched the Starfruit Project while still in Austin, but moved it to Philadelphia in April. They now coordinate writing workshops and performance classes that center around giving queer people of color a place to express themselves. They also run a blog featuring interviews and spotlights on creatives in the community. This work is crucial to our survival, said Ashley Davis, who has worked with Clarel and the Starfruit Project. And anytime Im apart of these kind of spaces I then learn how to create that space somewhere else. In these safe spaces for artistic expression, Clarel hopes to emphasize that being an artist isnt about talent or skill or experience, but about recognizing the radiance and brilliance that is inside everyone and they especially want people of color and queer and trans people of color to recognize this within themselves. Clarel doesnt have permanent space yet, but no matter the location they integrate their work in sociology, education and performing arts to support queer and trans people of color in their healing and expression. Clarel refers to themselves as a theater kid," and had previously acted, but while pursuing an undergraduate sociology degree at Princeton, they started coordinating theater productions for black students who craved their own space. In Austin, they connected with a network of black creatives they felt deserved more recognition for their work that further pushed them to the start of the Starfruit Projects blog, but they couldnt carry out their goals to mount a performance because of the limited network in academic and nonprofit spaces in Austin. Clarel decided to move back to the East Coast, in part of because Philadelphias active black community. One of the challenges that Clarel encountered is the lack of a roadmap for these progressive spaces. They have to learn as they go. In October, the Starfruit Project announced their first production, Firsts, a collection of prose that centers first time experiences from the perspective of queer people of color. Alicia Fraustos monologue was about her relationship with her body hair, and the first time she shaved it all off. Clarel served as director and producer as they guided the cast to write, stage and perform their original work. Frausto, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, was excited to return to theater after a few years hiatus. Its a community I belong to, and its a space I rarely find in art and academia," she said. I was only ever cast as ugly characters whether it was Ugly Betty or the ugly stepsister. It felt good to be in a space where everything I embody is beautiful. The cast, often sitting in a circle on the floor of a borrowed space, were given prompts and encouraged to write their truths and process their emotions about important firsts in their lives. Through these storytelling exercises the group fostered a safe space for their healing that was full of laughter, silliness and vulnerability. But days before the cast was set to take the stage at CHI Movement Arts, interpersonal conflicts among the performers resulted in the departure of one cast member and the postponement of the show. Even though there was no production, Clarel doesnt feel like this was a failure. When thinking back to the start of the production, they remember all of the things that could have made more room for growth a social worker, a permanent practice space, a larger production team. All things that would have required more funding. Clarel was also adamant about paying cast members, something that doesnt often happen in small independent productions. But that administrative work took them away from the core mission of healing. How do we make time for healing and true connection in circumstances bound by time and money?" Clarel asked themselves in amid the conflict. We needed to pause and not prioritize the capital-w Work over community wellness and the work that requires." So Clarel is taking the weeks of rehearsals as a learning experience. Despite the halt of the production, Clarel hopes members of the cast were able to experience healing and growth in some capacity and is trying to develop a restorative process for the group. Moving forward, Clarel plans to focus on creating an online resource hub for queer and trans people for color. The digital platform will include blog posts featuring local creatives, meet up announcements and downloadable PDFs from writing workshops at little to no cost. I want to focus on things that are practical and accessible. Philadelphia shops, markets, and cafes have fully embraced CBD, the marijuana extract thats supposed to help relieve aches, anxiety, and insomnia all without getting you high. Nationally, the compound has become so wildly popular that its been called the new avocado toast. Locally, it has shown up in all sorts of products: ice cream, bath bombs, salves, cocktails, even seltzer water. And its skyrocketing the price of anything it touches. Cannabidiol, CBDs full name, is one of the 80-plus active chemicals in marijuana; unlike THC, the best-known of those, it has no psychoactive (a.k.a. high-inducing) effects. Fans have credited it with sometimes life-changing results, like reducing stress, pain, and symptoms of various diseases. But the scientific and medical communities have remained skeptical. (The FDA has approved it for treating only rare, severe forms of pediatric epilepsy.) Could the trendy wellness ingredient be worth the hype and the money? To find out, I tried an array of CBD products, all of which are available in Philly (and often online). This list isnt exhaustive there are plenty more options but after these CBD experiences, I felt I had a pretty good picture. Anthology Wellness 250mg Tincture CBD total: 250 mg per 15 ml bottle Price: $35 Where to find it: Anthology Wellness, 825 N. Second St. If youre new to CBD and want a straightforward introduction, an oil-based tincture might be the way to start: Many users say its the best medium for reaping the compounds health benefits. Its also a frank introduction to its pungency. Of the many products at Northern Liberties CBD shop Anthology Wellness, the 250 mg tincture falls on the lower end of the potency scale. (Its also on the cheaper side.) Co-owner Michael Beck recommends taking two full droppers of the oil a mix of CBD oil and coconut oil per dose. I followed Becks instructions, doubling up on the dose and putting the oil under my tongue. The first thing that struck me was the pure-weed taste, followed by two minutes of feeling a bit more at ease. Unfortunately, there wasnt much after that. Subsequent uses merely left a greasy, acrid taste in my mouth, and I concluded the first time provided just a placebo effect. Little Babys Non-Dairy Chocolate CBD Ice Cream CBD total: 100 mg per pint; 25 mg per serving Price: $15 per pint Where to find: Little Babys Ice Cream shops at 2311 Frankford Ave., 4903 Catharine St., 19 S. 12th St., and 3401 Walnut St. Who doesnt feel somewhat relaxed while eating ice cream? My experience with Little Babys coconut-based, agave-sweetened chocolate ice cream was pleasant, but I doubt the 25 mg of CBD per serving had anything to do with it. And I definitely would prefer any pint of Ben & Jerrys to its distinctly herbal flavor. The chocolate itself isnt rich or dark, but instead has a taste reminiscent of Yoo-Hoo. If the ice cream were offered to me, would I eat it? Yes. Would I buy it again at a whopping $15 a pint? Definitely not. PlusCBD Oil Softgels Single Pack CBD total: 30 mg per package; 15 mg per gel capsule Price: $6.79 Where to find: Penn Herb Co. Ltd., 601 N. Second St. The closest thing to medicine, CBD gel caps are the easiest way to consume something that otherwise tastes like weed. If you dont have any aches, pains, or insomnia to treat, its also the least fun. I felt like I was taking a vitamin C supplement. The capsules went down with a large gulp and no discernible effect. Dram Lemongrass Sparkling Water + CBD CBD total: 20 mg Price: $3.69 Where to find: Weavers Way Co-op at 559 Carpenter Ln., Mount Airy Of all the products on this list, this sparkling water was the only one that made me feel worse. Halfway through the can, I started stressing out about having to finish it. In the end, the last bit went down the drain because the taste was so repulsive. In what I presume was an attempt to mask the CBD, Dram flavors this sparkling water with lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon rind, hibiscus, and Siberian ginseng. The result tastes like a cross between fizzy Emergen-C and one of those cold-remedy herbal teas the kind where youre grateful your congestion has weakened your sense of taste and smell. Unless you enjoy holding your nose as you drink, leave this out of your grocery cart. Anthology Wellness CBD Oil Salve with Arnica and St. Johns Wort CBD total: 500 mg per 1-ounce container Price: $70 Where to find: Anthology Wellness, 825 N. Second St. Scent proves a better facet of CBD than taste. This salve has a nice honey-meets-rosemary fragrance thats aromatic without being overpowering. Made from a mix of beeswax, shea butter, extra-virgin coconut oil, and olive oil, it can be applied topically to painful areas or simply used as a moisturizer. Though I dont (currently) have any aches to soothe, I can attest that this works just fine as a fancy (if pricey) lotion alternative. Anthology Wellness Bath Soak CBD total: 120 mg Price: $15 Where to find: Anthology Wellness, 825 N. Second St. Sinking into a hot bath has to be one of lifes greatest pleasures, so this bath soak was easily the most enjoyable CBD product I tried. No matter whether the compound works, the bath itself will no doubt bring on a state of relaxation. Plus, the soak includes rose petals that swim around you in the water, a spa-like perk for just $15 certainly a steal in comparison to some other CBD products. CV Sciences CBD Gold Gummies CBD total: 10 mg per package; 5 mg per gummy Price: $39.99 for 30-count bottle Where to find: Weavers Way Co-op at 8424 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill, and 217 E. Butler Ave., Ambler These gummies were the best-tasting CBD product I tried. They were reminiscent of Flintstones gummies a multivitamin masquerading as a candy, tasty for something thats possibly good for your health. Again, I didnt notice any effects after popping them, but if you subscribe to the benefits of CBD, theyre a pleasant way to consume it. The vegan, gelatin-free gummies have no artificial flavorings. CBD Unlimited Peppermint Flavored Hemp-Derived CBD Oil CBD total: 125 mg per 5 mL bottle Price: $28.99 Where to find: Burmans Health Shop, 3409 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven Available in orange and mint, these oils (unsuccessfully) attempt to disguise CBDs earthy taste with strong flavor extracts. I opted for the mint, which did provide a slight tingly sensation but which is far from a breath freshener. Veggimins CBD Chocolate Bar CBD total: 50 mg per 1.1-ounce bar Price: $20 Where to find: Essene Market & Cafe, 719 S. Fourth St. As with almost all the products on this list, the price tag on this was a shocker. Sure, it contains 50 mg of CBD, but at $20, its smaller than a standard Hershey bar. As for taste, the chocolate bar has a cocoa-nib flavor intense, bitter, with strong earthy notes. Its not super-sweet, but if youre a fan of dark chocolate, its a serviceable after-dinner treat. Even so, Id save your money for quality dark chocolate. Teachers in the nations second-largest school system went on strike Monday, drawing a line over not just pay but also issues that resonate in Philadelphia, including class sizes, staffing, and the role of charter schools. Thirty thousand educators walked off the job in the first Los Angeles Unified School District strike in 30 years. They had been working without a contract for more than a year. School buildings will be open for the nearly 500,000 students in traditional public schools, and district officials have said that there will be some form of instruction, but there will be far fewer adults than usual to provide it, and no teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses, all of whom are members of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan is watching the proceedings closely, and had urged all Philadelphia teachers to wear red Monday in solidarity with the striking L.A. educators. His union, which worked without a contract for nearly five years before reaching a deal in 2017, has a pact that lasts through August 2020, and will likely be back at the negotiating table this year. I said to my members, Whats happening to Los Angeles teachers is what will happen here; dont think that it wont,' Jordan said. While Jordan said he is optimistic that the PFT, which has 11,000 members, can avoid a strike, it now legally has the option of calling one. Under the state takeover that lasted from 2001 until last June, the Philadelphia teachers' union was legally forbidden from striking. (The PFT called a brief weekend strike in 2000, but classes were never interrupted; its last substantial strike, a 50-day walkout, occurred in 1981.) In many ways, the L.A. strike is about more than one particular contract. It is, many education watchers say, about the under-funding of public education generally and the way traditional public schools have been tested and strained in recent years. The district, led by Austin Beutner, a former investment banker, says it doesnt have the money for much of what UTLA proposes. New California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week proposed more funding for public schools, but the union says its a Band-aid, not a long-term fix that would provide students access to the services and staff they need. Jessica Way, a teacher at Franklin Learning Center, wrote in a Facebook post that the strike is about the slow collapse of the American public education system. It is about 45 students in the classroom, lack of support staff, and school buildings in horrible condition, Way wrote. It is about kids dying from asthma due to a lack of nurses. It is about pushing back against a system of privatization in our cities that has created a school system MORE separated by race and class. It is about the irresponsible under-funding of public schools in cities and rural areas all across the country. It is about Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Way, a member of the activist Caucus of Working Educators within the PFT, chipped in to buy teachers at Bancroft Middle School in Los Angeles food on the picket line. The caucus is urging others to do so, too. The district stressed that it is open for business despite the strike, urging parents to send their children to school, but its unclear how many children will show up. Los Angeles teachers' salaries range from about $50,000 to $90,000. Teachers want a 6.5 percent pay increase. Alden Global Capital, a New York hedge fund known for extreme cost-cutting at the newspapers it owns from the Philadelphia suburbs to California, is making a $1.4 billion hostile bid for Gannett Co. Inc., the publisher of the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, the News Journal in Wilmington, and USA Today. In an open letter to the Gannett board, the fund offered $12 a share, or 41 percent above Gannetts closing stock price on Dec. 31. The letter also called for Gannett to halt investments into digital news properties. Gannett shares closed at $11.82, up 21.23 percent, or $2.07. The firm making the offer is MNG Enterprises, better known by its sister company Digital First. Both are controlled by Alden Global. MNG said Monday that it already has a 7.5 percent stake in Gannett. A deal, if it goes through, would strengthen Alden Globals hold on the Philadelphia regional newspaper market and make it the largest publisher of newspapers in the country. Really, their biggest claim ... is cutting costs, said Rick Edmonds, media-business analyst for the nonprofit Poynter Institute in Florida. This should be worrisome for Gannett employees. Investors such as Alden Global still see newspapers as an opportunity to make short-term profits through steep cost cuts, even as news consumption is going online, and with it the ad dollars. However, Aldens bid surprised industry experts, who say it will put Gannett into play for a buyout or a merger with the Tribune Publishing Co. Tribune shares fell 3.44 percent Monday, or 46 cents, to $12.90. Gannett cant just say go away, said Ken Doctor, media analyst with consulting firm Newsonomics. They have to consider it. Doctor published his analysis of the proposed deal on the Harvard Universitys Nieman Lab website with the headline: Let the 2019 consolidation games begin! Gannett had $711 million in revenues and $13.4 million in profits, along with cash of $108 million, for the quarter ended on Sept. 30. At the current stock price, investors value the company at $1.32 billion. "Frankly, the team leading Gannett has not demonstrated that its capable of effectively running this enterprise as a public company, MNG Enterprises said in a letter distributed publicly Monday. Gannett shareholders cannot sit by and watch further value erode while the board casts about for a strategy and a leader, especially when there is an opportunity to maximize value right now. Gannett said in a statement that it will review the offer. You can imagine what the mood is, said one employee at the Courier-Post on Monday, who did not want to be identified after being told to refer all questions to Gannetts corporate headquarters in Virginia. Gannett newspapers include the Record in Bergen County, N.J., the Asbury Park Press, and the Naples Daily News in Florida. Digital First newspapers include the Denver Post and the Orange County Register. A deal would consolidate Digital Firsts hold on the newspaper market in Philadelphia region as it already controls the newspapers the Mercury in Pottstown, the Times Herald in Norristown, the Daily Local News in West Chester, and the Daily Times in Delaware County. With Gannetts News Journal in Wilmington and the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, Digital First could consolidate its news gathering and printing operations. Digital First could run the whole group as a large cluster and I would look for deeper cuts, the Poynters Edmonds said. Digital First earned $160 million in profits on $939 million in revenue in 2017, according to the Nieman Lab at Harvard. The Philadelphia-area newspapers, a major hub for Digital First, contributed $61 million in revenue and $18 million in profits, and led the company in profit margin, with a surprising 30 percent. The Nieman Lab article was headlined: Alden Global Capital is making so much money wrecking local journalism it might not want to stop anytime soon. In the Philadelphia area, Digital First has closed and sold newspaper buildings, consolidated layout and editing, and cut staff. At the Times Herald in Norristown, the company has cut staff by 73 percent over six years, to 12 union-covered employees, among them three reporters, the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia said in 2018. The Mercury in Pottstown, also a Digital First paper, has seen an 83 percent drop to 19 union-employees over the same period, the union said. In Delaware County, Digital First sold the Daily Times building and five acres in Upper Darby for $2 million for a CubeSmart storage unit, in 2016. The paper relocated its newsroom and offices to a former CVS and bicycle shop at an intersection in Springfield Township. The guild said in 2018 that 25 union-covered employees are left at the Times, a 78 percent decline from the 112 employees six years ago. Traffic congestion is a common excuse used by many to explain poor performance or tardiness. Egyptian society is known for its inefficiency, and it seldom occurs to many of us to set out for our destinations earlier. Yet, the country has spent some LE517 billion on fuel subsidies over the last five years, and in addition to reducing these we need to substantially reduce our fuel consumption. More efficient commuting would help all of us to reduce our fuel consumption and advance productivity. Fuelling up their vehicles and hitting the streets is a common practice among Egyptian young people since it is still an affordable way to have fun. Expanding the citys public transportation system extensively is not feasible because it would require a very large budget the Cairo Metro alone has incurred cumulative losses of LE618 million. The commuting dilemma in Egypt is also complicated by the fact that the workforce is often not held accountable for its time and does not mind hanging about in crowded streets using relatively inexpensive public transport. However, the government should work on creating a policy that transfers responsibility to the workforce and affiliated costs to employers. This should include the 30 million or so state and private-sector employees and the countrys 25 million students. Various methods could be used to improve their mobility, including car-pooling, working from home, the relocation of employees, online services and others. The government should also encourage state and private-sector enterprises to allow their employees to work from home one day a week. For the vast majority of enterprises, many tasks can easily be completed at home. It is simply a matter of efficiency and prioritisation. This would reduce commuting expenses by roughly 20 per cent, and it should be possible to rearrange university schedules to a maximum of four days of classes a week per student, reducing the number of commutes students have to make. State and private-sector enterprises that have several branches should also relocate their employees closer to their premises. They should oblige their employees to either team up in car-pools of four riders or use company mini-buses to pick them up from specified collection points. Employers should bear the cost and the responsibility of organising these methods. Enterprises located in the same district, such as in the Smart City or the Fifth Settlement, should work on teaming up to provide commuting services for their employees. Companies or public-sector institutions wishing to give their senior executives the privilege of commuting in private vehicles should pay for fuel at market prices, inclusive of a levy to cover their share of pollution. School students should be encouraged to use school buses, and state university students and the unemployed who cannot afford the market price of public transport (set to increase gradually) should receive subsidised transport vouchers valid for their study days or for a limited number of job searches. Egyptians tend to spend much of their time dealing with complicated government bureaucracy. This should be addressed by providing more online and, when necessary, document delivery services. The fees charged for these services would be less than the cost of applying for them in person. We could also easily increase online shopping by incentivising retailers with small tax deductions and customers with longer product-return periods. This system could be monitored through identification cards indicating place of residence and working address. To finetune any unforeseen difficulties, a pilot project with the participation of a few enterprises could kick off the initiative. Its full application would eventually prompt many others either to recruit employees residing close to their premises or to found branches in areas where most of their potential employees reside. All citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of movement. However, this right does not entail using fuel subsidies and polluting the environment. Paying fairly for both should allow anyone to use his or her private vehicle. And the application of the scheme outlined above should substantially reduce the governments total transport and fuel bill, inclusive of subsidies. The amount saved could be reallocated to public transport, which might even be taken over by the private sector. * The writer is an Egyptian liberal politician *A version of this article appears in print in the 10 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: The commuting route to productivity Short link: Boss stepping down from Pirate football Perryville football will have a new boss on the sideline this fall.Thats because the current one is moving on.Blane Boss, the Pirate football coach for the previous four seasons, Piranha boys win opening meet of the year, girls finish third The Perryville Piranhas kicked their first meet off with a bang Saturday.The boys earned first overall with 254 team points finishing ahead of the Ste. Genevieve Stingrays who finished with 214 We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Controversial legal Practitioner and Social Commentator, Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, says the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is slowly losing political power. According to him, if Menzgold goes down, NPP will go down as well because NDC suffered the same fate with DKM and God is Love in the 2016 election. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Lawyer Ampaw reiterated that, he does not expect NPP to keep quiet on matters like this, because people are suferring and dying so he expect the government to take drastic measures in dealing with the issue. He urged Ghanaians especially NPP members on social media to stop ridiculing menzgold customers. The insults and the name calling are too much. For instance Finance Minister referring to them as greedy and footsoldiers calling them all sort of names on social media," he said. The embattled lawyer is blaming government, Bank of Ghana (BoG) and Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta for deliberately attempting to collapse Menzgold Company. "Those saying Menzgold Company was operating illegally should refrain from that propaganda. Were they not paying taxes and SSNIT to government? Can a fraudster pay tax and SSNIT to government? "Government was aware of Menzgold operations. Government and Bank of Ghana are deliberately collapsing Menzgold because their operations is allegedly collapsing the Bank of Ghana and Ken Ofori Atta's Databank, he alleged. Lawyer Maurice Ampaw however charged Menzgold customers to stop listening to lies and support Nana Appiah mensah. I Have Ghc2.4bn Locked Up At Menzgold Mawrice Ampaw Lawyer Maurice Ampaw has revealed that he has close to 2.4bn Ghana Cedis locked up at Menzgold, the gold trading firm that has been shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Ghana. According to him he is not bothered about his money been lock up because he benefited a lot from the Gold company. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, nn aggrieved Maurice Ampaw indicated that there is nothing wrong with people who invested with Menzgold because nothing showed the company was not operating illegally since Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) did not speak about their illegality. Mr. Ampaw argued that, if institutions funded and mandated to monitor the authenticity of all investor companies failed to take any action against MenzGold for five years, then such people must be held responsible and not the company. I am not worried about my money but rather thinking about the ordinary Ghanaian who went for loan to invest, and many customers whose monies are looked up at Menzgold due to irresponsible act of an institution who refused to monitor their activities, he stressed. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/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 One of Ghanas finest, experienced, longest and respected legislators from Suame in the Ashante Region, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says he will bow out of active Politics in 2014. He says that he would take a bow from parliamentary representation and does not expect any intervention from any quarter or destiny. The honorable MP for Suame who is the majority leader in the current parliament and also the minister of parliamentary affairs disclosed this in a Thank God Is Friday TV Programme hosted by Kweku Sintim Missah Kwaku I nearly bowed out in 2016 as a result of pressure from my wife who felt I have had enough and I must leave the kitchen because the heat was too much. I nearly acquiesced but I was prevailed upon by the current president who advised me not to leave him and the party in the lurch. The president pleaded with me to reconsider my decision because he would need me to hold parliament together to anchor his presidency. I therefore struck a deal that envisaged a duty outside parliament but the president thought otherwise and decided to elevate me. The revered MP indicated that President Nana Addo said that his absence in parliament would create a big vacuum in NPP so he must fill that gap and therefore he had no choice but to oblige for the sake of NPP, the president and Ghana. Parliament is a place to learn but unfortunately some MPs just pass through parliament but parliament does not pass through them. I made up my mind to learn the legislative work from people like J.H Mensah and others, that is why I have reached this stage. I will give credit to Dr. Addo Kuffor and other MPs like Paapa Owusu Ankoma, Mohammed Muntaka, Harun Iddrisu current minority leader, etc. for their good work in parliament. The Honorable minister and majority leader lamented over a trend in Ghana where some people feel that nobody; should monopolize a particular seat forever. This according to him is unfortunate because in some countries some MPs have been maintained over forty years and still in parliament. Parliament is like wine, the longer you keep it, the better and stronger it becomes. Take someone like ASK Bagbin, he is a living asset for Ghanas democracy; you cant just throw away such people on the basis of substitution. Ghana needs people like these to sustain the democratic process. The erudite and eloquent law maker came to parliament in 1997 on the ticket of NPP at Suame in the Ashante Region. He has served his constituency for twenty-two years. 2024 would have earned him 28 years as the longest serving MP in NPP. He was the minority from 2008 to 2016. He is noted for his command over the English Language, immaculate dressing and healthy debate on the floor of parliament. Source: The Daily Searchligh 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 government is consulting with the chiefs and opinion leaders in all the six newly created regions to ensure the peaceful selection of regional capitals, the Minister of Regional Reorganisation and Development, Mr Dan Botwe, has said. He said chiefs in the respective regions were to discuss among themselves and build consensus on which of the towns would be their capital, after which the proposed capital would be presented to the appropriate authority for approval. He, therefore, urged residents of the newly created Oti, Ahafo, Bono East, Western North, North East and Savannah regions to remain calm ahead of the selection process, giving an assurance that the outcome of the consultation process would reflect their interest. Interview Mr Botwe said this in an interview after making a presentation at the End Time Revival Centre of the Assemblies of God Church in Accra yesterday. "The President will issue a Constitutional Instrument (CI), after which the administrative place of work in the regions will be announced. "It is solely the prerogative of the President to determine when the CI will be issued, but we do know that broader consultations with the various chiefs in the new regions are ongoing to inform the decision on which of the towns will be made the capitals, he added. Background In October 2017, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in accordance with Article 5 (2) of the Constitution, inaugurated a nine-member Commission of Enquiry, chaired by Mr Justice S.A. Brobbey, to look into the request for the creation of new regions and give recommendations. The commission, after holding nationwide consultations, urged the government to create the six administrative regions. Following its report presented to the President in June 2018, the Electoral Commission (EC), in December 2018, conducted a referendum in the affected regions to seek the approval of the people. According to the summary of the results provided by the EC on December 28, 2018, the requirements 50 per cent of registered voters voting and 80 per cent of the valid voters voting yes which made the results valid were met in all the regions. The President, however, is yet to issue a CI to give the enabling effect to the results of the referendum, as well as announce the capitals of the new regions. Seed capital Mr Botwe stated that the government was committed to releasing a budgetary allocation of GH20 million as seed capital for each new region immediately the various processes, including the submission of the report by the committee set up by the President to come up with a development plan for the regions, were completed. We need to know the needs of the people and how we can address them in the shortest possible time. In our interactions, we noticed that the people themselves had asked their district assemblies to also begin to put forward some medium and long-term plans and that will inform what the government is also going to do, he said. At the service Earlier, while addressing the congregation, Mr Botwe had urged them to disregard all manner of misconceptions regarding the creation of the new regions because the move by the government had constitutional backing. He also appealed to them to pray for the people in the affected areas to ensure that the entire process ended peacefully. 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 The Founder and Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Mr Kwasi Addai, has called on the government to take steps to address the economic plight of Ghanaians, saying even though the President and his government are trying their best, indications are that things are not going well for Ghanaians. The President is trying his best but his best is not enough now. He needs to do more, especially on the economic front, to address the immediate pressing needs of Ghanaians, he said. According to him, Ghanaians everywhere in the country were complaining that there was no money in the system and that they were facing hard times. The government must not sit down and be complacent and be making comparison with the previous administration. If the government want to make comparisons, we expect them to do so with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea who are our independence compatriots, he advised. Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview on his assessment of the two years of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government in power, Mr Addai, who is also known as Odike, said his overall assessment was that the government was trying its best to implement most of the initiatives they promised Ghanaians but that notwithstanding, a lot of people were complaining that there was no money in the system and that times were hard. Prioritise initiatives I believe the current situation calls for the government to prioritise its initiatives and segment them in order to deal with them from the immediate pressing needs of the people to the medium and then the long term, he stressed. The immediate expectation of Ghanaians, according to Mr Addai, was to have a good economic environment where businesses would thrive and where purchasing power was strong and where the economy would be free so that people would feel it within their pockets. But currently, from that perspective, things are not going well for Ghanaians, he pointed out. He added that one other immediate expectation of Ghanaians was job creation, saying it was the private sector that created jobs and so if I were the president, I would concentrate on job creation through the private sector, where I would place immediate premium on the one district, one factory which I believe is a good initiative that requires the government to invest more into so that more jobs will be created. That way too, he added, salaries and related expenditure would not come from the Consolidated Fund and that, coupled with the governments freeze on public employment, would provide enough buffer for the Consolidated Fund to be used to develop the infrastructural sector. Job creation is solely the job of the private sector so it is for the government to empower the private sector to deliver and employ more people but here, I see the government not responding to the demands of the private sector. Again, he said, the public sector was also not being responsive, positing that the age-old behaviour of the public sector had not changed even against the background of the governments promise to undertake a public sector reform but I see the sector even doing worse than before. Throwing a challenge, he said whoever was in charge of the public sector ought to come up with the needed strategies for the promised reforms of that sector. He observed that some heads of departments, agencies and even some ministers were not up to the task and, therefore, constituted liabilities to the state. The government must put a mechanism in place that will ensure that there is proper performance appraisal where those who would fail to make the mark are shown the exit for more competent persons to take their place, he urged. Education and agriculture On the educational front, he said he still stood by his view that for the free senior high school (FSHS), the government ought to allow those capable of paying to do so while those in genuine need could be given state support. But even that, the state support should not be entirely free. When such brilliant, needy students are supported, they have to pay back when they later graduate and start working so that the money would become a revolving fund for others also to access, he said. On agriculture, he observed that though the country currently had bumper harvest, the farmers are suffering because most of them produce perishable goods and in the absence of value addition, they are compelled to sell them cheaper in the markets. So, the consumers are benefitting but to the disadvantage and detriment of the farmers and if care is not taken, it will discourage them from expanding their businesses, he warned. Mr Addai was of the opinion that the all-inclusive administration that the President promised was yet to see the light of day because there were lots of talents still sitting on the sideline even within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who had a lot to offer if they were brought on board. Banking sector On the banking sector, he said the decision to sanitise that sector was in order and that the recapitalisation would help the surviving banks to be more responsive to the needs of the general public. Following the clean-up, he said, expectations were that lending rates would come down and that more loans, especially long-term facilities, would be given to businesses. Also, he identified the backlog of unpaid arrears to contractors as being part of the problems that had led to inadequate circulation of money in the system, thereby creating a chain of suffering. The government must take immediate steps to pay these arrears to maintain its credibility otherwise the general performance of the economy will be affected because when contractors take contracts from the government to the banks, the banks will not be willing to provide funding because they do not see any credibility on the part of government, he explained. But all in all, I think the government has done its part and should be commended for how far they have brought the country but we still have a long way to go. 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 Former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned his successor, President Akufo-Addo over what he describes as severe hardship facing Ghanaians. Speaking in the Ellembelle district on the 4th day of his tour of the Western region, he said the president needs to apologize to Ghanaians for taking them to poverty. According to him, it is by divine intervention that the NDC lost the last general elections for Ghanaians to witness the inability of the NPP to fulfil their lofty promises. Today if you say you are hungry, they [NPP] say, we have given you free SHS; if drivers say they are unable to afford fuel, they say we have given you free SHS so keep quiet; farmers who complain they cannot purchase fertiliser for their cocoa, they say keep quiet we have given you free SHS. If you complain of anything they say we have given you free SHSfree SHS is good but in the bible, it is written that man shall not live by bread alonethere is need to prioritise so that government will not shirk its responsibilities under free SHS. Roads and hospitals cannot be constructed, roads that my government gave out on contract before exiting are all undone; now fertiliser not meant to be sold are being sold to farmers for 80cedisall under the excuse of free SHS, Mr. Mahama said. Mr Mahama therefore urged delegates of the NDC to vote massively for him in the upcoming flagbearership race to enable him lead the party to victory in the 2020 presidential election. He says when elected, he will work hard to provide jobs and take steps to reduce the high cost of living in the country. Source: The Publisher 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 Elsewhere, their Parliaments would have long commenced a full blown bi-partisan enquiry into this Menzgold debacle. In the very least, the Terms Of Reference would have included: An understanding of the Menzgold business model to really ascertain if it does fit the classical definition of a Ponzi scheme; If indeed it was a Ponzi scheme, how was Menzgold allowed to operate all these years? What led to the inability of the State to carry out its basic non-negotiable public duty of protecting citizens by the seeming abdication or impotence or complicity of regulators, tax authorities and the national security apparatus? An assessment of the impact of Menzgolds collapse on the economy and mitigation options; The true circumstances of how Nana Appiah Mensah left Ghana and if indeed he is on the run; Exploring possibilities for the compensation of the millions of Menzgold victims especially after a thorough credible independent tracking of Nana Appiah Mensahs assets and bank accounts across the world; An examination of the existing legal and enforcement climate in Ghana which makes it possible for such to happen and recommendations to forestall future occurrence seeing that apparently many of such schemes are going on waiting to explode in our faces in a matter of time. I sincerely pray for the day our parliament will shed off its rather sad reputation of being weak and tied to the apron strings of the Executive. I sincerely pray that some colleagues across the aisle will have the courage to join those of us on this side who believe we can look into this matter in the supreme interest of Ghana irrespective of partisan considerations and really depart from the farcical precedents of recent bi-partisan probes where partisanship trounced truth and conscience. Even though I am in no way connected to Menzgold, neither am I one of their victims, contrary to infantile fabrications in circulation; it is my considered view that those of us in elected office and who ought to act as the true representatives of the people cannot afford to fold our arms and merely join the greed and naivety chorus. Leaders and especially the peoples representatives cannot abandon nor betray their constituents in such a crude manner as being suggested by some. That would not be the kind of representative democracy Rt. Hon. Justice D.F. Annan, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, Hon. J.H. Mensah and others laid down their lives for. May this 7th Parliament stand up to be counted and may history not say of us that we were the representatives who failed to represent the people and failed to secure the people's future when the opportunity beckoned. 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 Egypt's Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr says business opportunities in Egypt are promising, assuring investors about a friendly climate that is guaranteed by law and encouraged by incentives. Addressing a conference on investment in the Middle East and North Africa region Sunday, Nasr talked about economic stability in her country, as well as an integrated investment map that would help the private sector pump even more money into the market. The conference was organised by CI Capital Holding and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and attended by 250 Egyptian, Arab and foreign investors. The government believes the private sector can contribute to achieving comprehensive economic development, Nasr said. She told the gathering that 70 percent of the jobs in Egypt are with the private sector. According to Nasr, sustainable economic development is the result of effective cooperation between the private and public sectors, which materialised in giant projects in the country. Indeed, the partnership between the private and public sectors in Egypt helped establish a solar energy station in Aswan, the biggest in the Middle East, the minister stated. Cairo is acting to implement a comprehensive economic reform programme that includes institutional and legislative amendments meant to create a stable landscape and hone the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, Nasr said. She urged investors attending the conference to expand their businesses in Egypt, assuring them that further measures have been taken to protect their money, enhance good governance and end bureaucracy. Egypt is also seeking to up investment in infrastructure, which plays a key role in attracting businesses and creating new jobs, Nasr said, adding that foreign direct investments have increased in the country. Search Keywords: Short link: Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead(WASHINGTON) -- As the government shutdown entered day 24, political fault lines continue to deepen. Meanwhile, the 800,000 federal workers are caught in the crossfire and have felt the reverberations of the lingering fight over reopening the government. Many of them missed their first paychecks since the shutdown started on Friday, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, and another one-third missed a paycheck Monday. About half of those federal workers, 420,000 people, are still required to work despite receiving no pay. Here's how the day is playing out. Farmers sound off Farmers and agricultural producers have felt the impact of the shutdown largely through the shuttering of the USDA, with agriculture interest groups warning the shutdown will hurt farmers during an important season for their business. USDA's closure means that the loans, reports and other aid the agency provides to farmers in advance of planting and growing season are largely stopped until a deal is made to provide funding. The organization Farm Aid said calls to their hotline have doubled and that farmers calling in have not been able to apply for loans they often use to avoid foreclosure. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced last week that the shutdown would also delay the next round of payments meant to help offset the impacts of Chinese tariffs and President Trump's trade war. In addition, the shutdown could potentially halt the USDA's ability to implement programs authorized in the Farm Bill passed last month, according to Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Stabenow warned that delaying the bill's implementation could put farmers at risk heading into the new year. "Careful and quick implementation of the Farm Bill is critical to the well-being of American farmers and families," Stabenow said. "This shutdown will greatly slow implementation of this important bill, making it even more difficult for farmers to make planting decisions for this new crop year." President Donald Trump spoke at the 100th Annual Convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation Monday but largely focused his remarks on the border wall. Trump did not address the impact of the delay of federal subsidies to farmers but applauded the Department of Agricultures efforts to limit the shutdowns negative effects on farmers. He also pledged to make the legal immigration process easier for those coming to the United States to work on farms. Its going to be easier for them to get in, Trump said, without going into detail. Trump blames Democrats As he left the White House for a trip to New Orleans Monday morning, Trump told reporters he is "not looking to call a national emergency" because solving the problem should be "simple." "I've been waiting all weekend. Democrats must get to work now. Border must be secured!" the president tweeted. Washington is feeling the effects of the extended shutdown, which has closed or partially-closed scores of government agencies and national tourist destinations. The city is also digging out of a snowstorm that dumped 6-10 inches of snow over the weekend, closing the federal government and D.C. public schools Monday. In a second tweet Monday, Trump also used his often-used name for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who he calls "Cryin' Chuck," and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who he called only "Nancy," claiming that Democrats could end the shutdown in "15 minutes." "At this point it has become their, and the Democrats, fault!" Trump tweeted. Democrats have called for the president to end the shutdown by abandoning the wall, one of his foremost campaign promises, and instead listen to bipartisan ideas on border security like sensors, radar or drones with cameras. Pelosi has called a wall an "immorality," arguing it won't effectively secure the border. Last week, Trump walked out of a meeting with congressional Democrats and called it a "total waste of time." In his speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation, Trump accused Democrats of trying to block construction of a border wall for their own political gain. "When it comes to keeping the American people safe, I will never ever back down. I didn't need this fight. This is a rough fight," Trump said. "We're dealing with people that think they can stop me from building the wall, but they think it's a good thing for 2020. They're not going to win." Poll shows voters blame Trump A new poll showed President Donald Trump increasingly getting blamed for the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown, he kicked off day 24 of the shutdown by again trying to blame Democrats for not agreeing to fund his proposed border wall. The president said he's "been waiting all weekend" for them to "get to work." According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, a majority of Americans holds Donald Trump and congressional Republicans mainly responsible for the partial federal government shutdown. Only 24 percent of those polled agree with Trumps claim that theres a crisis at the southern border while 66 percent oppose his declaring a national emergency to fund a wall there, according to the poll. Fifty-three percent in the national survey said that Trump and the GOP are mainly responsible for the shutdown, while 29 percent blamed congressional Democrats, nearly a 2-1 margin against the president and his party. No deal on the horizon Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, often Trump's ally in the Senate, proposed that Trump briefly re-open the government in an interview on Sunday. I would urge him to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug, Graham said on Fox News Sunday, referring to the president's threats to get a wall by declaring a national emergency. See if we can get a deal. If we cant at the end of three weeks, all bets are off. See if he can do it by himself through the emergency powers. But on Monday, as he was leaving the White House for a trip to New Orleans, Trump said he "rejected" Graham's proposal. "I want to get it solved. I don't want to just delay it," Trump said. Others, including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, argue that it's time for Pelosi and Schumer to come to the table. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi talk to the media following a meeting with President Donald Trump about the partial government shutdown at the White House, Jan. 9, 2019. Democrats continue to point to Trump's initial willingness to accept the shutdown, which he said he was "proud" to own during an Oval Office meeting with Schumer and Pelosi in mid-December. If we dont get what we want I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck, Trump said at the time. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The Cuban Ambassador to Ghana, Pedro Luiz Gonzalez is advocating a renewed bilateral relation between his country and Ghana to transcend education and healthcare which have been the traditional areas of co-operation between the two nations. Appearing on the maiden edition of Metro TVs latest current affairs programme Diplomatic Affairs on Sunday, Ambassador Gonzalez said Tourism, Coastal Conservation, Sugar production and a common fight against Malaria could defined a new Ghana Cuba relations in addition to the provision of scholarship for studies as well as the supply of medical personnel to improve healthcare which have underpinned the 60 years of friendship. Ghana became the first African country to recognise the Cuban Revolution in 1959, proceeded to exchange diplomatic missions in Accra and Havana and has since maintained an interrupted special relationship. Through its Medical Brigade, Cuba has been supplying Ghana with medical doctors most of who serve in rural and unserved parts of the country where their local counterparts decline posting. The decades old support has aided Ghanas health delivery significantly, bridging the already unimpressive patient doctor ratio. In the field of education, there are currently 243 Ghanaian students studying in Cuba, mostly in Medicine and 229 of them are expected home after graduation this year. Ghanas Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey paid a Working Visit to Cuba last September at the invitation of her Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. The 5-day visit was used to strengthen relations between the two countries. Apart from our traditional areas of education and health, there are many other areas we can collaborate. For instance, Ghana is seeking is improve and advance its tourism sector by cleaning its beaches. Sanitation can be used to promote tourism as we do in Cuba, Ambassador Gonzalez said. On the status of 100 Cubans living in Ghana, Ambassador Gonzalez told Host Harriet Nartey, they live here without any problem. The Caribbean Island has a population of 11 million and together with Ghana are both members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. Diplomatic Affairs airs on Sundays between 6.30 pm and 7.pm and seeks to celebrate Ghanas foreign and diplomatic relations with other countries and international organisations. 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 A former ally of Nana Appiah Mensah, CEO of the embattled gold-trading firm, Menzgold Ghana limited, has forecast some more gloom about the locked funds of Menzgold investors not only in Ghana but around the world. According to Eric Pope Akaah, Nana Appiah Mensah was in the business of investing funds from his clients in Cryptoworld and Bitcenter, two platforms where he could make double returns overnight, hence his ability to expand and pay up his customers. However, the glory days of the online Cryptoworld and Bitcenter was short lived as they crashed suddenly and to him, it is not so surprising that NAM1 is unable to repay his clients, because the source of his personal investments and funds had crashed. In an interview on Kofi TV, Eric Pope Akaak, who claimed to have been in the same line of business with NAM1 revealed that they both invested in Cryptoworld and Bitcenter, both of which can neither be traced nor has legal backing. And just as the two companies operated, Menzgold lured investors in by offering a 10% monthly return on investment and claims it has produced an unblemished 100% records since its inception. He further revealed that it would be very difficult if not impossible for Menzgold customers to retrieve their locked up funds if NAM1 has no backup account. I dont know if NAM1 was saving somewhere to rescue himself from impediments like this, however, Im not sure he can get monies owed investors for them because the source of where he was getting the investment and funds from crashed. I know a lot of prominent people including pastors in America whose funds are locked up as well. He emphasized that Menzgold is a Ponzi scheme and not a permanent financial institution but human greediness led investors to increasingly reinvest. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video John Ackah Blay-Miezah is one of Ghanas most popular exports of all time and a man who proved to the world that the blackman wasnt a human monkey but a human with brains and indeed, enough of it to outwit the supposedly superior white counterpart. Blay-Miezah would forever remain in the history books of the US, Philadelphia especially in their list of villains and go down as one of the most cunning men to grace the face of this earth. This is the story Blay-Miezah got the world to buy, according to him, he was the sole beneficiary of gold reserve amounting to billions of dollars Nkrumah stored in banks in Switzerland and Liechtenstein in an account named: Oman Ghana Trust Fund. His evidence to this fund was an account number and a manufactured document purportedly from Union Bank of Switzerland. To access this money, estimated to be over 40 billion, Blay-Miezah needed a specially serialized diplomatic passport which would come at a huge cost and money to pay off some chiefs in Ghana who held various interests in the money, Gold in this case. To do this, he needed money, Blay-Miezah sold to people, starting from Philadelphia a 1000 to 5000% interest on investment for anyone who supported the initiative. Yes, people bought a scheme with a profit margin of 50 to 1. For those at loggerheads with ratio, bring 1000 Ghana Cedis and receive 50,000 Cedis. Over three hundred people in Philadelphia alone bought into the idea and contributed over 18 million dollars in cash, across America, Blay Miezah, with the help of his right-hand man, Ellis succeeded in defrauding people in hundreds of millions of dollars. Truth is, Ellis, the accomplice of believed the scam too. Blay-Miezah won over highly educated Americans including judges. Back in Ghana, 1975, Blay-Miezah manages to get Acheampongs government salivating over the prospect of landing 47 billion in Swiss Banks, he succeeded in conning the government into the scheme. Secretary to the government at the time, Mr Ebenezar M Debrah who was a former Ghana Ambassador to the US pointed out that Blay-Miezah was a conman with a bad reputation in the US. This was a battle even the secretary to the government wasnt going to win, so convincing was Blay-Miezah that a powerful government official, one of Acheampongs trusted lieutenant was pushed out of the government altogether because he was seen as an enemy of progress. Acheampongs government gave Blay-Miezah a Diplomatic Passport. He then relocated to spread his tentacles in Europe and succeeded in bringing more people into the scheme. Wanted in America, he could not be extradited from Europe for prosecution in US because he was a diplomat and hence benefited from immunity. In 1979, he availed himself to contest the presidential seat in Ghana but was disqualified even though he had a good number following him. His main message was to get the power and use the power to retrieve our cash detained in Europe. When the PNDC took over from Liman through the coup, he managed to get the government embroiled in the scheme and had his Diplomatic Passport renewed on the promise of raising 15 billion for the government. In fact, he travelled to Cayman Island with Captain Kojo Tsikata, in Charge of Security under PNDC and Dr Kwesi Botchway who was in charge of finance. They returned empty-handed, embarrassed and the result is at the conclusion of this post. He is rumoured to have succeeded in defrauding people to the tune of billions of dollars. A classy man who wowed the people he encountered with his breath-taking oratory prowess, Blay-Miezah knew how to entertain his victims in expensive hotels and joints and treated them to drinks that were the preserve of the very affluent. As it is said, there is nothing entirely evil, even the mosquito makes us tidy our environment. At the time when Blay-Miezah made a fool out of the whites, blacks were considered just the next step after animals with lower thinking capacity compared to the whites. In view of this, when one black succeeded in swindling thousands of whites of reputation, many white folks began to question their orientation. He proved a point for Africans, albeit in an unpopular way. Nigerians adopted Blay-Miezahs approach, commercialised and patented it as 419. So convincing was Blay-Miezah that even his family believed him and fought among themselves as to whod take his place and actualise his vision to land the money after he died. They were willing to chase what was really a mirage at the peril of their lives because they believed the scam. They tried the pulse of both the Kufour and Mills government but with the past history, each government wanted to avoid being embarrassed and soiling their international reputation. CBS produced a documentary on him and described him as the worlds greatest conman. Blay-Miezah would have none of that, he took them on legally and won the case. CBS had to compensate him financially. With this global popularity, Blay-Miezah was positioned to lure more people. Talk about a way to turn lemons thrown at you into lemonade. Despite his soil reputation globally, he still associated with high profile personalities across the globe. The former Attorney General of the United States of America, John Mitchell visited him twice in Ghana with little care of how it was going to affect his reputation Dr. John Ackah Blay-Miezah, a.k.a Nana Ackah Nyanzu II a.k.a Liina Disca of Allengenzule, Western Region, Republic of Ghana died in 1992 while under house arrest for deceiving and embarrassing the PNDC government. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Grandfather of Nana Appiah Mensah, aka NAM 1 and the godfather of all conmen of African descents. Source: Ghana Web Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video PARLAMENTUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA 2010 The Moldovan Parliaments website design was supported by the Democracy Support Programme in Moldova" an initiative financed by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe Review: Netflix's 'Fyre', The Documentary That Reveals The Shocking Story Behind Fyre Fest By Kristy Puchko | Film | January 14, 2019 | The Fyre musical festival was supposed to be a dream come true for its attendees. Rapper Ja Rule and Millennial entrepreneur Billy McFarland conceived an experience where you could live like a movie star, party like a rock star, and fuck like a porn star. Some coughed up $250,000 to secure their spot at this event that was supposed to be staged on a private island, studded with villas, catered with authentic international cuisine, and peopled with some of the most popular models and influencers on Instagram. But what they got was distilled in one infamous image of a pitiful cheese sandwich. The how of this absolute disaster is unearthed in the Netflix documentary FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened. And much like watching this Fyre mess unfold on social media, this doc is a wild ride. The story of Fyre fest is told by those who lived through it, chiefly members of McFarlands Fyre Media, which was a start-up pitched as Uber for booking talent. You wanted Ja Rule to play your birthday party? Fyre Media could make it happen. The festival was conceived as a means of promoting this business. And while it takes months to years to get most music fests up and running, McFarland hired an army of people to birth his brainchild to life in weeks. He brought in go-getters with no experience and gave them company credit cards and huge responsibilities, but no authority when things started going sideways. He brought in seasoned professionals to utilize their expertise, then routinely ignored their advice. When the logistics for his dream were deemed impossible by staff, he chided them not to be problem-focused. This created a horrific corporate culture of distrust, deception, and depravity where employees were asked to do seedy things to keep things running. Without spoilers: the take one for the team anecdote is one of the most shocking Ive ever heard in a business-centric doc. There was a delectable schadenfreude to watching the ludicrous failure of the Fyre musical festival unfold online. Those of us who could never afford to spend $250k to see Blink 182 play on an island rumored to have been owned by Pablo Escobar were ruthlessly entertained by the images of stranded rich kids sulking in surplus hurricane tents. There were memes and mocking, and most of it at the expense of the victims of this con job. With a montage of social media reactions and a tone of you wont believe what happened next, FYRE leans into this shady pleasure, but also gives voice to these victims, interviewing several attendees. Still, it spares few tears for them, revealing how quickly these fools parted from their money turned into feral jackasses on that island. One attendee admits with a smug grin that he and his friends destroyed several of the tentstearing holes in the side, stealing their mattresses or pissing on themto make a buffer between them and any would-be neighbors in an already overcrowded campsite. A greater sympathy is extended to those who worked for McFarland. Yes, they played their part in this charade. Butif they are too be believedMcFarland held them captive through their finances. One former employee relays how 70 percent of his fee was being held until after the festival, so he couldnt quit without a major loss. Others worried how the fests failure would hurt their reputations and so did whatever it took to contribute however they could. But McFarlands outlandish demands doomed them all. Afterward, as he looked to write a new chapter in his life, Fyre Media employees were left exhausted, unpaid, unemployed, and in debt! FYRE also speaks to the locals on the Bahamas island where the fest landed, revealing how this white American entrepreneur, with an undeniable charm, conned a whole village to build his festival from the ground up, then vanished before payday. It is here where we see tears. A big-hearted local trusted McFarland enough that not only did she work for him, but also she urged many friends and neighbors to follow her to Fyre jobs. When he took off leaving massive debts, she refused to let them go unpaid. So, she gave over her own lifes savings, not for him but for them. Because someone always has to pay. You might think you know the story of Fyre fest. But FYRE widens the scope beyond McFarlands catastrophic event, into his earlier sketchy dealings making a credit card made of metal and meant to appeal to Millennial millionaires. It takes you into the lives hes ruined and his next shameless con. Amid all this, FYRE ponders if it was hubris, greed, or delusion that drove McFarland. Then toward the end, documentarian Chris Smith suggests its partially the privilege of being a white male in America. An associate of McFarlands recalls with astonishment how the infamous entrepreneur was convinced hed never serve time for his crimes or face any real consequences for his actions. Watching this story unfold, the unnerving realization creeps in about how Americas obsession with the displays of wealth and the promise of it creates monsters like McFarland, and how our justice system is woefully ill-equipped to battle back against them. FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened is an enlightening, entertaining, and absolutely infuriating documentary about a music festival that thrived then died because of social media. At moments, its conspiratorial vibe feels like a friend sharing juicy gossip. But Smith digs deeper to show the damage wrought by Fyre fest, and by McFarland. What were left with are uncomfortable truths about American culture and no easy answers. FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened hits Netflix January 18. Sarah Paulson Has Trypophobia, Is Afraid Of Sponges | 'True Detective' Recap: Who Took the Purcell Children? Kristy Puchko is the managing editor of Pajiba. You can follow her on Twitter. Header Image Source: Netflix 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. Shareholders and workers at the Nile Cotton Ginning Company (NCGC) are continuing to wait for a solution to their dispute with the government in what has been a drawn-out process that has seen the company enter a kind of legal limbo. The company was a public company that was privatised in 1997, but a court order in 2013 nullified its privatisation and ordered the owners to return it to the government. In 2015, the Administrative Court rejected an appeal by the Holding Company for Construction and Development (HCCD) on behalf of the government to suspend the earlier verdict. The cabinet presented a request to the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) asking about the verdicts implementation. The SAC recommended holding negotiations between the two parties, namely the government and the companys shareholders, to reach an acceptable settlement. Several years later, the negotiations remain ongoing. Work has been halted at the company, its shares are no longer traded on the stock exchange, losses are being reported every year, and shareholders are complaining. In an attempt to solve the problem, the Ministry of Public Enterprise has prepared a law currently being discussed in the legislative and economic committees of parliament. The law is expected to be finalised within the coming weeks. The draft law states that the prime minister has the authority to refer cases of the nullification of the privatisation of public companies to dispute settlement committees formed in accordance with Investment Law 72/2017. The government says that this will protect shareholders rights and send a message of confidence to local as well as foreign investors. Mokhtar Al-Sherif, a member of the Federation of Economic Development Associations, said that the law, if it passes in parliament, will not solve the problem since the government cannot select a dispute settlement authority or committee when it is a party to the dispute. This would not be fair for shareholders, as members of these investment dispute committees are representatives of the government. The committees are formed of members from the ministries of justice, investment, finance and public enterprise, Al-Sherif added. The new investment law states that when concluding any contract the parties must agree on a dispute settlement authority that they will refer to in case of disputes, according to Al-Sherif. The government should be committed to its privatisation, and the companys ownership should remain in its shareholders hands, he said. The companys shareholders blame the government for what they say is neglecting their interests, adding that it has no desire to solve the problem. They have been badly affected by the freeze placed on their capital over recent years, they add. In November 2018, the Ministry of Public Enterprise started a comprehensive evaluation of the companys assets as a step towards facilitating procedures when reaching a final settlement. Minister of Public Enterprise Hisham Tawfik has held several meetings with NCGC shareholders during the last two months and asked them to present suggestions in order to reach a fair settlement for all the parties. The meetings ended with two ideas: either that the company returns to the public sector and the government pays compensation to shareholders following the evaluation of company assets, or that the shareholders pay the government 10 per cent of the value of the companys land, which will be revaluated for real estate activity, and the company remains in private ownership. Foreign shareholders, who own 30 per cent of the stock, have been looking to enforce a mandatory tender offer on their stake by the Holding Company for Construction and Development. The shareholders, who include investors from Saudi Arabia, the UK, Syria and others, plan to launch an arbitration case over their dispute with the parent company. They will ask for compensation after the eight years of unresolved disputes with the government. Anwar Al-Naqeeb, a professor of economics at the Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, said that the foreign shareholders would likely win the case and the government would be obliged to pay large sums to them because of problems in the previous contracts. Such cases make foreign investors afraid to invest in Egypt, and thats why Egypt stands at number 128 in attracting investments according to the latest World Bank Doing Business report, he explained. He added that the government should bear its responsibility even if there are financial losses when selling the company in order to help protect Egypts reputation and attract more foreign direct investments. He agreed with Al-Sherif that the new law would not put an end to the problem since it would only apply to cases following its issuance and not retroactively. Al-Naqeeb suggested that the companys assets be reevaluated and sold off. The liquidation of the company is the best solution. The government could then use the revenue to pay the shareholders their capital and suitable interest to cover the past eight years. The workers should receive compensation, he said. Ehab Al-Dessouki, head of the Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, said the government must find an acceptable solution since the investors had had nothing to do with problems in the privatisation process. If the government had the will to solve the issue, Al-Dessouki said, it should buy 51 per cent of the shares from the shareholders at a fair price. The company can then resume its activities and shares can be traded on the exchange. he added. The NCGC was established in 1965 and is based in Giza. It works in the ginning and import and export of cotton in addition to other activities. It was put under the umbrella of the Holding Company for Spinning and Weaving in 1996 and was listed on the stock exchange in 1997. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Cotton company in limbo Short link: Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. County officials weigh in on possible voting reform measures to be reviewed by state legislature Subaru builds a unique car that seems to capture something in people for most of us in the MtnRoo community, its the simple, yet sturdy all-wheel drive platform, May said. Everyone is welcome. Were all there to enjoy the outdoors and help each other out when something goes wrong. The Liberty Counsel has responded indignantly to criticism of its position on the lynching bill, saying the bill should apply to all people, not just protected classes. Pffft. They know full well that civil rights law is a body of law designed to protect specific groups. They just dont want those protections extended to sexual orientation and gender identity. He just kind of walked off and started walking toward the street, Bauer told FOX13. When I followed him and yelled, Get back here, youre not going to get away with what you just did. Todays incident, combined with the sheer size of our state, starkly reminds us that we need a safe and reliable means of transportation for the chief executive, Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, said Friday. The House stands ready to work with the governors office to ensure such transportation is obtained. The governor believes that the will of the people is important and understands that smoke was in the articles of intent. It appears he will end the wasteful spending of taxpayers dollars in this lawsuit and let patients receive all forms of mj (marijuana), Morgan said in an email. At least four people were killed and 90 wounded when a bomb-laden car blew up near a high-security compound in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, officials said. An Afghan government security official said the blast occurred on Jalalabad Road in eastern Kabul near the Green Village compound, home to several international companies and charities. "Most of the victims were civilians," said Najib Danish, an Interior Ministry spokesman. Twenty-three children were among the injured, he added. Police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a vehicle full of explosives had been detonated. "The area is cordoned off ... and search operation underway for suspects and attackers," he said. "It was a powerful car bomb that knocked (down) a wall between Green Village and the customs office," a security source said. Hayat Khan was having dinner with his family at his home when the explosion shattered the windows. "All of my family are wounded. They have received injuries on the head, hands, legs and on the neck," he said. Khan and his family were being treated at the Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, where a Reuters witness saw dozens of severely injured people who had been rushed there from the blast site. An official at Kabul's Emergency Hospital said 15 wounded had been brought there. A senior Interior Ministry official said the explosion destroyed at least three checkpoints. "Residential buildings nearby have sustained heavy damage and several private guards around the Green Village checkpoints were critically injured," the official said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing. Green Village has come under Islamist militant attack in the past. The latest attack comes as US special peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad tours the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the 17-year war in Afghanistan. Last week, Taliban leaders called off a fourth round of talks with US officials in Qatar due to an "agenda disagreement" and refused to allow what they called "puppet" Afghan government officials join the talk. There has been no lull in fighting even as the talks intensify and the Taliban carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting security forces, government officials and civilians as human shields. The last major attack in the capital took place in late December when 43 were killed inside a government compound targeted by a suicide bomber and extremists armed with assault rifles. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Short link: That lower Mississippi was the nations lighting king defied conventional wisdom that the most strike-prone state is the one thrust into the potent humidity and atmospheric turbulence of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. That would be Florida, which, by other measures, does lead the country. He is a good guy. He would have trouble from time to time, you know, messing with the wrong female if you know what I mean, cousin Gail Wright told the outlet, noting that Owens had been struggling over the recent death of his brother. Typically, they are charged with dozens of instances of the crimes, each of which carries its own bail amount, boosting the total. However, the son of the late notorious racist Sheriff Willis McCall, who is facing 75 counts of sexual performance by a child and several more counts of molesting a little girl, is free on bond after mortgaging his house as collateral for the $240,000 bail. Under the name James, Azemar is accused of having sexually graphic conversations in texts with the girl. He knew her for three year, and wrote in one message that he has had his eyes on her since she was 11. When she turned 14, he threw her a birthday party. As an emotional service for Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office K-9 Cigo who was killed in the line of duty commenced, hundreds of attendees filled the seats of the Coral Sky Amphitheatre while over 70 current police K-9s barked from the amphitheater lawn. DeSantis is selecting from a list of 11 nominees delivered by the supreme court Judicial Nominating Commission; none of the 11 is black, although six of the original 59 applicants were. This will be the first time in 36 years there will be no African American on the court. "Orlando Sentinel Now" is a midday news show features the top news and quirky stories of the day. The show airs weekdays at noon on Facebook and OrlandoSentinel.com. You can join the conversation by commenting and taking polls. WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. The mother of one of the five children who died in a fiery wreck while on their way to Walt Disney World has filed a lawsuit. The Palm Beach Post reports that attorney Joseph Fried filed the lawsuit Thursday in Palm Beach County against trucker Steve Holland and others on behalf of the mother of 14-year-old Jeremiah Warren. Warren and the other children were in a church van from Louisiana on Jan. 3 when they were killed in the crash near Gainesville, Florida. Holland, of West Palm Beach, and truck driver Douglas Bolkema were also killed. Most human-on-a-chip technologies use one type of human cells, representing one organ. UCF researchers say that their chip technology is a first to use four organs, which can be non-invasively monitored long-term and in real time. These properties give the chip the potential to replace animal studies, researchers say. Their study is published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. Ive been known to throw myself in there a lot more, said Minn, director of 49 Pulses, the 2017 documentary about the Pulse nightclub tragedy. In this case, the victims stories are so powerful, there was no reason for me to interject in any way. Sometimes you just want to stay out of their way, cause what theyre saying is so significant. Up until now, you havent heard from these people. Weve heard about the killer and the activists. And the activists are not even inside the building. Related US Secretary of State Pompeo urges Gulf states to heal rift US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that Saudi leaders assured him everyone responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be held accountable. Pompeo told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including womens rights activists who have been detained for months and some allegedly tortured. Khashoggi was killed in October in the kingdoms Istanbul consulate, prompting a global outcry including US Treasury sanctions on 17 individuals. At least 21 Saudis are under investigation in the case, with five facing the death penalty. Five officials were also fired, including a senior royal advisor. They both acknowledged that accountability needed to take place. They talked about the process that is occurring inside their country, both the investigative process and the judicial process that is taking place, Pompeo said. They reiterated their commitment to achieve the objective, the expectations we set for them. The outcry over the murder has strained ties with Western allies and focused attention on Saudi Arabias domestic crackdown on dissent and the war in Yemen, where a Saudi-led and US-backed coalition is supporting the internationally-recognized government. Where friends think the other one has fallen short, I was very clear and candid about those things where America is not satisfied with and where they are not meeting our expectations, said Pompeo. He said he had also raised the Gulf Arab dispute with Qatar after saying a day earlier in Qatar that it had gone on for too long and was threatening regional unity needed to counter Iran. We did talk about how we might put the Gulf rift back in a better place, he said. I think theyd like to see that too. Its a matter of us all figuring out how to do it together, but mostly those countries figuring out how they can put it back together. Women Activists On Yemen, Pompeo and Prince Mohammed agreed on the need for continued de-escalation and adherence to agreements made at talks last month to end the civil war between the government and Iranian-aligned Houthis. We talked about the fact that work done in Sweden on Yemen was good but we need both sides to honor those commitments. To date, the Iranian-backed Houthis have chosen not to do that, he said. They also discussed US plans to withdraw troops from Syria, which Pompeo told reporters would not be affected by President Donald Trumps threat to devastate Turkey economically if it attacks a Washington-backed Kurdish militia in Syria. During meetings lasting 80 minutes total, Pompeo said he had raised human rights issues, including several womens rights activists detained last summer and accused of treason. Their commitment was that the lawful judicial process would take place and they would do so quickly, and that they would continue down that path, he said. The sister of activist Loujain al-Hathloul has described how she was tortured and threatened. Saudi authorities deny those charges, and Prince Mohammed has said they have recordings showing the activists were working with foreign intelligence agencies. Pompeo, whose earlier stops included Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Doha, proceeded to Oman to meet Sultan Qaboos but will skip Kuwait to attend a family funeral, a spokesman said. Short link: George Anthony has a 14-pound halo on his head to keep his spine stable. He said he did not have a seizure and cited the cars mechanical failure. He also said the accident was not a cry for help. Government employees affiliated with CPMs Trade Union ransack SBI Treasury Branch during Hartal: Police Play Hide and Seek Leaders of the CPM-controlled Non-Gazetted Officers (NGO) Union had vandalised the treasury branch of State Bank of India in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram in connection with the non-BMS trade union hartal. The white-collar unionists were caught by CCTV camera while smashing the tables and breaking the computers. CCTV visuals prove a lot of criminal cases these days, but not always, especially in Kerala. It depends on who the culprits are, what their ideological moorings are, who their protectors are, etc. Visuals clearly show the vandals. But, CM Pinarayi's police is scared to touch them, thanks to their political clout. Police still say, they have not identified the NGO Union (Non-Gazetted Officers Union) leaders Sureshbabu, organisation's state leader and Inspector in Sales Tax Commissioner's office and Suresh, Inspector in the Deputy Commissioner's office in GST department. Even though the images in the visuals are very much clear, police still 'fail' to identify them. If it is not for saving them, what else hides behind it! Police have got a list of the accused, all are government employees and party men. They have arrested only two men who had been reportedly handed over by CPM. Police have got an excuse for not arresting the prominent CPM men: They are still collecting the information regarding them; they have gone underground! Police report say, bank's loss is Rs 1.5 lakhs. Computer, land phone, mobile phone and table glass were destroyed. Reports suggest that attackers showered the women staff with abuses and tried to manhandle them. Meanwhile, the arrested NGO Union leaders are suspended from the service. They are area secretary A Asokan and district secretariat member T V Harilal. The people in the capital city believe that the main accused are living in the city enjoying the protection of CPM, the state government and police. Janam TV had telecast the CCTV visuals of the attackers' entry into the bank. Still, police play hide and seek. On the other hand, police have been registering cases and arresting several Sabarimala devotees, including several women, almost every day, for participating in namajapa programme in protest against the Pinarayi regime's attempt to facilitate the young women's entry to Sabarimala. These two parallel situations are more than enough to establish that Kerala is under a fascist rule. If you find yourself thinking you arent a victim of fashion, maybe take another look. Yes, we can consciously train ourselves to resist trends through force of habit. We can declare our preferences and stand on principle. But we arent consciously aware of whats happening in the hidden turnings of our brains. Maybe what we call the unconscious has more control over us than we would like to think. Inexplicable episodes of mass obsession and compulsion serve as disquieting examples. Mass panics and delusions tend to occur, argues author John Waller, in people who are under extreme psychological distress, and who believe in the possibility of spirit possession. All of these conditions were satisfied in Strasbourg in 1518, the year the Dancing Plague came to the town in Alsacean involuntary communal dance festival with deadly outcomes. The event began with one person, as youll learn in the almost jaunty animated BBC video below, a woman known as Frau Troffea. One day she began dancing in the street. People came out of their houses and gawked, laughed, and clapped. Then she didnt stop. She continued to dance, without resting, morning, afternoon, and night for six whole days. Then her neighbors joined in. Within a month, 400 people were dancing relentlessly without music or song. We might expect that town leaders in this late-Medieval period would have declared it a mass possession event and commenced with exorcisms or witch burnings. Instead, it was said to be a natural phenomenon. Drawing on humoral theory, local physicians blamed it on hot blood, History.coms Evan Andrews writes. They suggested the afflicted simply gyrate the fever away. A stage was constructed and professional dancers were brought in. The town even hired a band to provide backing music. Soon, however, bloody and exhausted, people began dying from strokes and heart attacks. The dancing went on for months. It was not a fad. No one was enjoying themselves. On the contrary, Waller writes, contemporaries were certain that the afflicted did not want to dance and the dancers themselves, when they could, expressed their misery and need for help. This contradicts suggestions they were willing members of a cult, and paints an even darker picture of the event. Certain psychonauts might see in the 1518 Dancing Plague a shared unconscious, working something out while dragging the poor Strasbourgians along behind it. Other, more or less plausible explanations have included ergotism, or poisoning from a psychotropic mould that grows on stalks of rye. However, Waller points out, ergot typically cuts off blood supply to the extremities making coordinated movement very difficult. He suggests the dancing mania came about through the meeting of two prior conditions: The citys poor were suffering from severe famine and disease, and many people in the region believed they could obtain good health by dancing before a statue of Saint Vitus. They also believed, he writes, that St. Vitus had the power to take over their minds and inflict a terrible, compulsive dance. Once these highly vulnerable people began to anticipate the St. Vitus curse they increased the likelihood that theyd enter the trance state. The mystery cannot be definitively solved, but it does seem that what Waller calls fervent supernaturalism played a key role, as it has in many mass hysterias, including ten such contagions which had broken out along the Rhine and Moselle rivers since 1374, as the Public Domain Review notes. Further up, see a 1642 engraving based on a 1564 drawing by Peter Breughel of another dancing epidemic which occurred that year in Molenbeek. The 17th century German engraving above of a dancing epidemic in a churchyard features a man holding a severed arm. We see mass panics and delusions around the world, for reasons that are rarely clear to scholars, psychiatrists, historians, anthropologists, and physicians during or after the fact. What is medically known as Saint Vitus dance, or Sydenhams Chorea, has recognized physical causes like rheumatic fever and occurs in a specific subset of the population. The historical Saint Vitus Dance, or Dancing Plague, however, affected people indiscriminately and seems to have been a phenomenon of mass suggestion, like many other social-psychological events around the world. Episodes of epidemic manias related to outmoded supernatural beliefs can seem especially bizarre, but the mass psychology of 21st century western culture includes many episodes of social contagion and compulsion no less strange, and perhaps no less widespread or deadly, especially during times of extreme stress. via Public Domain Review Related Content: Oliver Sacks Explains the Biology of Hallucinations: We See with the Eyes, But with the Brain as Well Behold the Mysterious Voynich Manuscript: The 15th-Century Text That Linguists & Code-Breakers Cant Understand A Free Yale Course on Medieval History: 700 Years in 22 Lectures Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness We call on our supporters to gather at four different places in Khartoum and then begin a march on the presidential palace, the Sudanese Professionals Association said in a statement last Saturday as protests across Sudan entered their fourth week. The association, comprising doctors, lawyers, teachers and engineers, had organised a few marches on the presidential palace to deliver a list of demands to President Omar Al-Bashir. None of the marches made it through. A day earlier, Al-Bashir sacked Minister of Health Mohamed Abu Zeid Mustafa without explanation. Al-Bashir rose to power in 1989 following a coup supported by the Islamists who have since held control of Sudan. Al-Bashirs government waged a bloody war against the south. In 2005, he signed a deal with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement, led by John Garang, that gave the south the right to self-determination. South Sudan gained independence in July 2011. Darfur, in the west, also witnessed the horrors of war under Al-Bashir upon which he was condemned by the John Garang(ICC) for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. An arrest warrant was issued in his name. Despite being a wanted criminal, Al-Bashir visited a number of countries signatory to the Rome Statute of the ICC, such as South Africa. The latest protests are Al-Bashirs toughest test, in the words of international reports, yet Sudan may not see major changes, primarily because the protesters are not organised and no substitute for Al-Bashir has emerged on the scene. General coordinator of the Arab Coalition for Sudan Waddah Taber said, the young have lost faith in all of Sudans parties, and they are afraid any organised grouping may hijack the revolution. It looks like Sudans protests have been spontaneous, not party-organised. In addition, Sudans political parties could not catch up with the momentum of the demonstrations. The parties know the protests took place no thanks to them and that the demonstrators dont trust them. This is why the parties statements are always two steps behind, said Taber. Meanwhile, the Khartoum government is exerting enormous efforts to get over the crisis. This is evident in Al-Bashirs decision to sack the health minister to calm the protesters anger over the hiking of prices of medicines. Al-Bashir also formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the death of 19 people according to governmental accounts. The opposition said 40 people were killed during the protests. Estimates put the number of arrested demonstrators at 400, in addition to hundreds of injured. But no documented numbers about the dead and injured have yet been released by a neutral body, added Taber. Governor of North Kordofan Ahmed Haroun fixed bread prices at one Sudanese pound after an increase to three pounds, resulting in nationwide protests. The liquidity crisis is expected to be solved mid-April, news reports quoted sources from Sudans Central Bank as saying. All these measures will convince no one, because they (the protesters) demand Al-Bashirs ouster, noted Taber. Al-Bashir will be toppled, no doubt. The odds are stacked against him, said Al-Hajj Warraq, editor-in-chief of the leftist Hurriyat (Freedoms) newspaper. Many will take part in ousting him: the army, the Islamists and of course the opposition, because they all have to participate. The Islamists are divided now. One part follows Al-Bashirs dogma of rejecting democracy and intervening in the affairs of neighbouring countries. The other part embraces democracy and national partnership and have severed their relationship with the axis dreaming about imperialism led by Qatar and Turkey. The latter part will remain in the Sudanese equation, added Warraq. It is no secret Islamist-leaning Al-Bashir had strong relations with Iran for two decades before he turned against Tehran a few years ago. Sudanese forces are part of the Arab coalition fighting against Iran-supported Houthis in Yemen. Meanwhile, Khartoums connections with Qatar and Turkey are ongoing. Al-Bashir visited Istanbul recently to participate in the symbolic opening of its new airport. Days later he flew to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to attend the closing of the World Youth Forum. Sudan needs its Arab neighbours now, as much as it needs the international community economically and politically. It also has to refrain from training and hosting terrorists and supporting them in their endeavours to sabotage neighbouring countries, said Warraq. The West and its financial institutions will not support the regime as long as Al-Bashir is at its helm. After all, he is wanted by the ICC. There are those who fear that toppling Al-Bashir will result in the deterioration of security in Sudan. However, as long as he remains president, more arms will flow in the country, which increases the chances of chaos, added Warraq. Although Al-Bashir himself comes from the army, he established a group of irregular forces comprising, in the terms of the Khartoum government, popular defense, popular police and general order forces groupings. Furthermore, Al-Bashir supported the establishment of Janjaweed militias, led by Moussa Hilal, leader of Al-Mahameed tribe in Darfur. When Hilal was out of the picture, the quick intervention forces tribal forces from west Sudan were formed. Weapons increase by the day in Sudan. This worries neighbouring countries, noted Warraq. With all the recent events taking place in Sudan, the Islamists are coming face to face with a question they dont want to answer. Have they finally realised they cant possibly rule alone, or do they still refuse the political participation of the rest of Sudan? The majority of the Islamists want to continue to rule individually and to reproduce the regime. Other Islamists have come to believe they cant tread the same path again, stated Warraq. Sudan has reached the point of no return. Whether the Islamists try to reproduce the same regime, or change course to allow democratic participation and to refrain from intervening in the affairs of their neighbouring countries, Al-Bashirs future will not be at the helm of Sudan, Warraq added. *A version of this article appears in print in the 10 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Al-Bashirs toughest test Short link: When the news came out on 22 December that Brett McGurk had stepped down as special US presidential envoy to the Coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, many Iraqi politicians could not stop themselves from jumping for joy at getting rid of the American diplomat who has long been seen as meddling in their countrys politics. The resignation of US envoy to the anti-IS International Coalition Brett McGurk is a wise and timely decision, Iraqi Kurdish politician and the countrys former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari tweeted, underlining the move as welcome news for Iraqs Kurds. McGurks departure also drew similar sighs of relief from many Shia and Sunni commentators who have blamed him for interfering in Iraqs internal affairs, including in attempts to install US-favoured political leaders in key government positions. However, the sudden departure of McGurk is likely to increase the growing disarray in Washingtons troubled strategy in Iraq in view of the mess it has made since its invasion of the country in 2003. The US media reported that McGurk had submitted his resignation on 22 December after US president Donald Trumps decision to pull US forces out of Syria, effective on 31 December. His resignation came two days after James Mattis quit as US defense secretary, pointing to differences with Trump over Syria. The recent decision by the president came as a shock and was a complete reversal of the policy that was articulated to us, McGurk was quoted as writing in an email published by several media outlets. It left our Coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered. McGurk was in the region for talks with Americas Kurdish allies when Trump announced his decision to pull US troops out of Syria. Syrias Kurds fear attacks by Turkey if the around 2,000 US troops stationed in Syria are withdrawn. The Iraqi Kurds have always favoured a long-term American military presence in the country. In his resignation email McGurk wrote that I worked this week to help manage some of the fallout but as many of you heard in my meetings and phone calls I ultimately concluded that I could not carry out these new instructions and maintain my integrity. McGurk told reporters on 11 December that he thought it was fair to say Americans will remain on the ground after the physical defeat of the [so-called IS] caliphate, until we have the pieces in place to ensure that that defeat is enduring. As special presidential envoy to the coalition to defeat IS since 2015, McGurk was one of the few appointees made by former US president Barack Obama to stay on under Trump. He also served at the US Embassy in Baghdad under former president George W Bush. McGurk did not discuss his future, but Stanford University in the US announced on 2 January that he would be joining its staff as a lecturer. The University said McGurk would work in the Freeman Spogli Institute (FSI) for International Studies. On Thursday, the US Carnegie Endowment for International Peace also announced that McGurk would be joining it as a non-resident senior fellow in its Middle East Programme. McGurk has received acclaim from many of his former colleagues in the US state department, who have described him as tirelessly dedicated and respected by stakeholders in Iraq and Syria. Some in the US media have also praised McGurk for commanding expertise which he was sought for and was deferred to within the US government. A former US Supreme Court clerk, McGurk started work in Iraq under Bush when he joined the US national security staff at Americas Baghdad Embassy. He then moved to Baghdad to be senior adviser to the US ambassador in Iraq. He carved out his diplomatic experience during this period and was a chief architect of the Bush administration policy in Iraq. He also played a senior role in negotiating the 2011 US troop withdrawal from the country. McGurk was nominated in 2012 to serve as Obamas ambassador to Iraq, but his appointment was withdrawn after media reports on a series of leaked emails sent from his official state department account described an intimate relationship with a former Wall Street Journal reporter. The reporter, Gina Chon, was later accused of sharing articles with McGurk before publication, and she was forced to resign from the newspaper. McGurk and Chon married in 2012. Following this controversy, McGurk was appointed to a new, non-confirmable post as the Obama administrations deputy assistant secretary for Iraq and Iran. He was named deputy special presidential envoy to the International Coalition to fight IS after the terrorist groups seized large swathes of land in Iraq and Syria. Most of the praise for McGurk has come as a result of his involvement at high levels in the US government and diplomatic circles, and he has been seen as a trusted presence in the coalition since his appointment as envoy by Obama. But McGurks most sensitive diplomatic missions over the last decade have probably been in Iraq, including negotiations with US partners and adversaries to form successive Iraqi governments. In 2014, McGurk led the pressure from Washington to force then Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki to give up his bid for a third term in office and to put his weight behind Haider Al-Abadis bid for the premiership. McGurks most recent assignment was to help form a new Iraqi government after indecisive elections in May last year. The Iraqi media reported that McGurk was clearly rooting for a second term for Al-Abadi. McGurks diplomacy aimed primarily at countering similar efforts by Irans point man in Iraq, Al-Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani, who pushed high-level Iraqi politicians to deny Al-Abadi a second term. A focus on McGurks tenure in Iraq, however, reveals that the praise heaped on him by his colleagues has tended to obscure the reality behind his mission in the beleaguered nation. In 2017, McGurk infuriated the Iraqi Kurds when he tried to stop the autonomous Kurdistan Region government from holding an independence referendum. Iraqi columnist Mushriq Abbas accused McGurk of engaging in a race with Suleimani to win Iraqi politicians to his side in a rivalry which many Iraqis blame for the countrys political impasse. Writing in the Saudi-owned Al-Hayat newspaper, Abbas said McGurk was largely responsible for the security deterioration that had preceded the fall of Sunni cities in Iraq to IS terrorists in summer 2014. Abbas quoted Iraqi politicians as saying that McGurk had frequently claimed that he was acting on behalf of the US president when he was in fact expressing his personal and non-objective opinions. After the tributes from his sympathisers die down, McGurk will be remembered for recklessly expanding, and covering up, his countrys wars. At times, his involvement at high levels in US government circles was reminiscent of that of US diplomat Paul Bremer who ran Iraqs occupation after the 2003 US-led invasion and who is seen by Iraqis as largely responsible for their countrys destruction. In the midst of McGurk resignation controversy even his boss overlooked his role in one of the crucial areas of US foreign policy which surrounds the Trump presidency. Before his departure, McGurk was thought to be a contender for a senior post in the state department or the White House. Now he is expected to join the Iraq experts community, composed mostly of former US diplomats and know-it-all analysts. Like Bremer, he is also expected to write a memoir of his time in Iraq, scorning the Iraqi politicians whom he used to deal with behind closed doors in Baghdad during hammer-and-tongs negotiations and revealing more of their hidden characters. The state department said on 4 December that US Syria point man James Jeffrey would replace McGurk as the US envoy to the International Coalition against IS. It is not clear, however, if Jeffrey, who has served as US ambassador in Baghdad, will lead the US relations with Iraq amid the confusion about Trumps strategy and intentions. If he does, Jeffrey will likely have to deal with the legacy of McGurk and shore up an alliance strained by his disastrous meddling in Iraqs affairs that Iraq itself may not be able to escape. *A version of this article appears in print in the 10 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Americas last viceroy in Iraq Short link: What's Included 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. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. During McCrays speech, she repeated the myth that it is stigma, rather than the lack of city services, that prevents the seriously ill from getting care. She and her husband promised open-admission to hospitals and health care for everyone while failing to recognize for the seriously mentally ill, its harder to get into Bellevue than Harvard. She bragged that ThriveNYC is in churches, synagogues, temples and mosques and is going into the workplace, but failed to say anything about putting outreach workers at the exits to jails, shelters and psychiatric hospitals where the seriously mentally ill are. Today, legislators will likely enact a slew of election reforms to bring New York in line with the rest of the country. Then, tomorrow, Gov. Cuomo outlines his annual budget, which should contain even more sweeping changes that would lead the nation. The democracy movement has arrived in the Empire State. Brooklyn: Its true! The historic low levels of immigrant hordes coming to the U.S. is solely, strictly due to the management style (lie, cheat, then declare bankruptcy) of that orange-white nationalist in D.C. Any immigrant heading here should turn back now! Even if they cross the border (highly unlikely) they must compete for a sustaining paycheck, affordable housing and other critical need against furloughed federal employees, abandoned veterans and debt-crushed students, to name just a few! Thanks to President Rump and his band of evil quislings any immigrants, or for that matter, citizens chances of survival are next to nothing! Soon-to-be fouled air, land and water, due to rolled-back regulations and, of course, that claimed fake climate change news, rising sea levels and all, will do them in long before they even glimpse prosperity. Immigrants of the past once thought roads in America were paved with gold. If such still exist, then these roads are only located in ultra-rich neighborhoods now. Eileen Hanley The US State Department criticised Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group on Monday for digging tunnels into Israel and stockpiling rockets, as Washington steps up efforts to isolate Tehran. In recent weeks, Israeli forces uncovered tunnels they said were dug by Hezbollah, and Lebanon complained about Israel's construction of a barrier along disputed parts of the border. The United States, Israel's closest ally, regards Hezbollah as a terrorist group and has pledged tougher steps to counteract Iranian influence in the region, but it has also reiterated its backing for the Lebanese government - which includes Hezbollah representatives - and army. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week vowed to expel "every last Iranian boot" from Syria, where Iran has been fighting alongside Hezbollah, and where Israel has been carrying out strikes against both. "While Lebanon has the right to defend itself, that is the right of the Lebanese state alone," said David Hale, US under secretary of state for political affairs, after meeting Lebanese prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri. "It is unacceptable to have a militia outside the control of the state, and unanswerable to all people of Lebanon digging attack tunnels across the blue line to Israel or assembling an arsenal of over 100,000 missiles with which to threaten regional stability," he added. Israel, which regards Hezbollah as the biggest threat on its borders, on Sunday said it had completed efforts to find and destroy tunnels under the frontier that it said the group had dug to infiltrate fighters during a future war. Hezbollah has not commented on the tunnels. Lebanon's National Security Council last week said an Israeli border wall that crosses into territory claimed by Lebanon, constitutes an act of aggression. However, both sides appear ready to contain matters for now. "Israel's interest is to keep the (situation) quiet. I think for them (Hezbollah), that interest is even greater," Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot said last week after completing his term as Israeli army chief. Oil Dispute Hezbollah was set up by Iran in the early 1980s to fight Israel's occupation of south Lebanon, but it retained its weapons after Israeli forces withdrew in 2000 and has become the strongest political force in the country. The last conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, fought on Lebanese soil, was in 2006. A United Nations Security Council resolution ending that conflict called for work to delineate the border, but the frontier has still not been agreed. The border dispute has also affected Lebanese plans to drill for oil and gas near an area of sea claimed by both countries. Hale's visit comes as Lebanese politicians continue to jostle over the formation of a new coalition government more than eight months after an election. Hezbollah is part of Lebanon's caretaker government and is expected to be included in any new coalition formed by Hariri. Lebanon's failure to form a new government was dragging down the economy and "endangering the country", Hale said, and urged the caretaker government to move forward on the economy to maintain international confidence. Short link: Kanter gets more death threats than the Knicks win games. And because of that, he will not be joining the team this week on a jaunt to London, where they'll play in a special showcase. He has good reason to fear Erdogan's thugs might reach far enough to put him in danger there. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, wrote on Twitter that Adamowiczs death was a devastating loss for the people of Gdansk, for Mayor Adamowiczs friends and family and for all of us who value public service, progressive politics and open, accessible democracy. Londons thoughts, prayers and solidarity are with Gdansk on this sad day. "This is the maximum that we can do," Tal said. "If we take the art down, the next day we'll have politicians demanding we take other things down and we'll end up only with colorful pictures of flowers in the museum." On my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work, Barr will tell senators, according to the remarks. I also believe it is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the special counsels work. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law. After having cruised to reelection to a third term in November with nearly 60% of the vote over Republican Marc Molinaro, Cuomos favorability rating as the new legislative session starts stands at 51%, while 43% view him unfavorably. Among Democrats, 68% have a favorable view of the governor, while just 22% of Republicans and 46% of independents do. King whos considered the most anti-immigrant member of the House and has been widely accused of racism before stunned even members of his own party when he told The New York Times on Thursday that he couldnt figure out why people were offended by white supremacy. Heastie has griped to those close to him that he believes DiNapoli betrayed his former colleagues in the Legislature, who elevated him in 2007 to the controller position especially after DiNapoli had publicly questioned at a hearing whether the commission had the ability to tie the pay raises to restrictions on lawmakers' outside income. Lieberman was a lifelong Democrat with a reputation for a willingness to reach across the aisle during his two decades in the senate. He was his partys nominee for vice president in 2000 before becoming an independent in 2006. The Connecticut politico has since lamented what he perceives to be increasing partisanship in Washington, D.C. We think its time to finally exorcise the ghost of Eliot Sptizer and succeed where he failed, Choi said. If Gov. Cuomo is looking to protect immigrants from Donald Trump and his administration, as he says, this is the No. 1 policy we can adopt to do that. But we know this can kill you, he said. If we can help our young people to make a decision when they are a little more wise, a little more mature . . . Cuomo on Tuesday is expected to introduce a more than $170 billion that he says will keep state taxpayer supported spending increases at less than 2%, which he has done during his first years in office, though fiscal experts it was done, at times, with fiscal gimmicks. Defiant Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Monday that ongoing protests will not lead to a change in government, as he addressed a rally of cheering supporters in war-torn Darfur. "Demonstrations will not change the government," Bashir told crowds of supporters gathered in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, where just a day ago police had broken up an anti-government demonstration, state television reported. "There's only one road to power and that is through the ballot box. The Sudanese people will decide in 2020 who will govern them," said Bashir, who is planning to run for the presidency for the third time in elections to be held next year. Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19 when angry crowds took to the streets in towns and villages against a government decision to raise the price of bread. At least 24 people have died in the protests, which swiftly turned into nationwide anti-government rallies, with protesters calling on Bashir to step down. "Sudan has many enemies and those enemies have few people among us who don't want stability and security," said Bashir, with state television broadcasting footage showing him waving his trademark cane as supporters chanted "stay, stay". "We will not allow anyone to destroy our homeland by looting and burning our properties," said Bashir. In the initial days of protests, several buildings and offices of Bashir's ruling National Congress Party were set on fire in towns and villages. On Sunday, the first anti-government demonstrations were held in Niyala and El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Darfur, a region the size of France, has been torn by violence since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. About 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict and another 2.5 million displaced, according to the United Nations. Most of those displaced still live in sprawling camps. Bashir, who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, has been charged by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) with genocide and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur. The Sudanese President and supporters have denied responsibility for the suffering in Darfur and blamed the strife on competing tribes and ethnic groups over power. On Monday, he reiterated that Sudan faced "economic problems," but they could not be solved by looting and burning of properties. Sudanese security agents, meanwhile, stopped a group of journalists in Khartoum from holding a sit in to protest the banning of a newspaper this week, witnesses said. The journalists were planning a sit in after authorities banned Al-Jadida newspaper from publishing for several days this week, a witness told AFP without offering details. Organisers of anti-government protests have so far staged hundreds of rallies across the country, including in Khartoum. The Sudanese Professionals' Association that is spearheading the rallies have urged protesters to continue with their demonstrations this week, calling it as the "Week of Uprising". On Sunday, protesters had taken to the streets in the capital's Bahari district chanting "peace, peace" and "revolution is the people's choice," but they were quickly confronted by riot police with tear gas. Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists as well as demonstrators. Although the unrest was triggered by the rise in the price of bread, Sudan has faced a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency. Repeated shortages of food and fuel have been reported across cities, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Short link: The survey found that 63% of voters oppose Trumps tactic of keeping the government closed in an attempt to strong-arm Congress into funding the construction of a behemoth barrier on the Mexican border. Only 32% support the strategy, which is forcing some 800,000 federal employees to work without pay or not work at all. American soldiers cut down more than 300 Lakota men, women and children at Wounded Knee on Dec. 29, 1890 in what to Native Americans represented the utter disregard of the U.S. toward its treaty responsibilities, its duplicity, and its cruelty toward Native people, according to Indian Country Today. FedEx knowingly engaged in illegal and harmful behavior at the expense of New Yorkers health, Attorney General Letitia James said. Not only did FedEx violate laws created to protect the public from the serious health risks associated with cigarettes, but they also swindled New York City and state out of millions of dollars in tax revenue. In this frame from video, porn actress Stormy Daniels is led into jail in Columbus, Ohio., after being taken into custody during a July 11 show. Daniels was arrested at a strip club and is accused of letting patrons touch her in violation of a state law. (AP) According to the letter sent to the California Public Utilities Commission, the company experienced an outage on a transmission line at 6:15 a.m. on Nov. 8, and a PG&E employee called 911 at approximately 6:30 a.m. to report a fire in the vicinity of a tower near the town of Pulga. A woman has been banned from a Walmart in Wichita Falls, Texas for doing donuts in the parking lot in an electric cart while drinking wine. (SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images) The workers at the Lithonia restaurant poured salt and ketchup on the customer, and placed a slice of cheese on him while he was passed out, according to the video which was posted on Instagram following the incident last week. Shes 13 years old and if you read the criminal complaint, you can see the amount of control he was exerting over her, DA Brian Wright said. And at some point she found it within herself to say, Im going to get myself out of this situation. Its incredible. The checkpoint closed at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and will remain closed for the rest of the day, an airport spokesman told the New York Daily News. Flights will operate as normal but passengers will have to check in and go through security checkpoints in Terminal C or Terminal E. For doing this. For getting out. For making it. For the power that she has. You know, I mean, that she took the power away from this man. Two Indonesian F-16 fighter jets forced an Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane to land on Monday at an airport on Batam island after it had flown into Indonesian airspace without permission, an air force spokesman said. Air force spokesman First Marshal Novyan Samyoga said in a statement the Boeing Co 777 cargo plane had been secured by air force personnel at Hang Nadim international airport on Batam, an island south of Singapore. The cargo flight ETH 3728 had been flying from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to Hong Kong, Suwarso, head of Hang Nadim airport, said in a text message to Reuters. Officials at Ethiopian Airlines could not immediately be reached for comment. Short link: Then, on Thursday, a woman walking her dog in the town of Gordon, about an hour north of Barron, spotted Jayme on the street. She begged the woman for help, saying Patterson had been hiding her in a nearby cabin and that she had escaped when he left her alone. Miami Springs Police reportedly said Brookens stuffed the watches into her body cavity and fled the hotel. The Orlando businessman who owned the watches gave chase only to have Brookens clock him in the head as he tried to stop her from hailing a taxi, according to the report. The men, ages 33 and 31, were sitting in a white Audi on 114th Drive at 196th St. in St. Albans when their attacker pumped a barrage of bullets into the drivers side window at about 10:15 p.m. We have been in contact with the 9/11 Memorial and various stakeholders, and in full collaboration with the artist will relocate the exhibit from its current location. We believe this solution respects the unique sensitivities of the site and preserves the artistic integrity of the exhibit, the Port Authority said in a statement released to the Daily News. "Everyone was so truly invested. When you come to a scene like that your first thought, honestly, is 'Oh, dear God.' But then that thought gets thrown out of your head as quickly as you possibly can and you become an analyst 'What happened? What do I do next? How do I get the guy?' " At the counter, he pulled the gun and forced a clerk to hand over the cash. He then took off west on W. 160th St. In some cases where non-citizen defendants are accused and convicted of very serious crimes, we can and should refer them to ICE for appropriate immigration proceedings, Chief Assistant District Attorney Karen Agnifilo wrote in an internal memo March 2017. The memo notes that such situations are very rare and should involve supervisors. "When his marriage deteriorated to the point of losing Shele's financial support for his playboy lifestyle, he faced the prospect of something inimical to him: becoming gainfully employed, living within his means, and supporting his family." "I am 100% opposed to the death penalty, she said. In addition, it is clear that when it is applied in other states, research has shown a clear racial bias, which can never be acceptable for any enforcement of laws. But growing up having lost my mother to someone who broke the law, I understand that to many, the desire for justice can become a desire for punishment. "This experience opened my eyes and, perhaps more importantly, my heart to the hundreds of thousands of mothers who are not as lucky, who instead of welcoming their newborns into the world and hearing from them in those early days and the years beyond lose their lives bringing new life into the world, she said. Related Trump threatens Turkey with economic devastation if it attacks Syrian Kurd militia Turkey on Monday vowed to continue fighting a US-backed Kurdish militia which it views as a terrorist group after Donald Trump warned of economic devastation if Ankara attacks Kurdish forces as American troops withdraw. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter that there was "no difference" between the Islamic State extremist group and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia. "We will continue to fight against them all." Turkey's response came after Trump on Sunday warned on Twitter: "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds." "Mr @realDonaldTrump Terrorists can't be your partners & allies. Turkey expects the US to honor our strategic partnership and doesn't want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda," Kalin said in a tweet to the US president. Turkey views the YPG as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States and the European Union. But Washington has been working closely in recent years with the YPG, providing military support and training, in the fight against IS group in Syria. Kalin said that it was "a fatal mistake to equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK", saying that Turkey fought against terrorists not Syrian Kurds. American support to the YPG has been one of the main sources of tension between Turkey and the US, but there appeared to be some improvement on the issue after Trump said last month 2,000 American troops would withdraw from Syria. Ankara welcomed the pullout decision after Erdogan told Trump in a phone call last month that Turkey could finish off the last remnants of IS group. However, there has been growing friction between Turkey and the US over the fate of the YPG, especially after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo previously said Washington would ensure Turkey would not "slaughter" Kurds. And before a visit to Ankara last week, White House National Security adviser John Bolton said the US retreat was conditional on the safety of the Kurdish fighters, provoking angry retorts from Turkish officials. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Short link: The two men got into a fight inside the Remedy Diner on E. Houston St. near Norfolk St. about 4 a.m. Friday. The assailant slashed the victim in the face and took off. This scheme exists in no other government entity, he said in his statement on Sunday. Their veto can be based on anything. No rationale is required, it can be purely political. For anyone who thinks sausage making in Albany is an ugly process, they should see the MTA budget process if they really want to be shocked. This case is a clear example of just one thing: the ongoing need for a comprehensive, statewide bill that would provide for strict recourse against the few bad actors while protecting the rights of thousands of regular New Yorkers who are responsibly sharing their home, said Josh Meltzer, the companys head of northeast policy. Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir has extended his thanks to Egypt, Ethiopia and Chad for their support for his countrys security and stability. Speaking to crowds of supporters gathered in the Sudanese city of Nyala on Monday, Al-Bashir said that the three countries have sent high-level delegations to back Sudan amid the ongoing unrest in the country. The Sudanese president stressed that the gathering of his supporters in Nyala, capital of South Darfur state, which he visited on Monday, conveys a message to the world that Sudan is protected by its people. Al-Bashir insisted that the government will only change through the ballot box, affirming that Sudan will remain a united, safe, developed and advanced country despite all the problems it faces. Short link: You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close One Book, Many Voices partners with Chieftains Museum to bring author of "Thirteen Moons" As the nation focuses on possible developments at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, this Monday morning, the Deputy President of the S... As the nation focuses on possible developments at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, this Monday morning, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged the Federal Government to withdraw the charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. He also asked the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to apologise to the nations judiciary. Ekweremadu stated this in the series of posts on his Twitter handle, @iamekweremadu, in the early hours of Monday. He described the charges as extremely dangerous for the nations democracy. He also emphasised the need to eschew every form of intimidation against other arms of government, especially their leadership. He said this would enable them to play their constitutional roles in the overall interest of the nation. The Senator noted that the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary remained intact despite obvious constraints. He said, I consider the charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Justice Walter Onnoghen as ill advised and dangerous, especially after similar attempts at the leadership of the National Assembly failed. This is extremely dangerous for democracy and can only divide the country further as well as alienate us as a country very low in upholding the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. I advise the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately withdraw the charges and apologise to the judiciary. We certainly cant travel this road Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, says the reports that the Mambilla power project has been stalled, due to an ... Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, says the reports that the Mambilla power project has been stalled, due to an attempt to divert funds, is not true. The $5.8 billion project, a 3,050-megawatt hydropower facility, was conceived in 1982. In a statement on Sunday, Hakeem Bello, the ministers spokesperson, said the federal government never awarded a contract for the Mambilla power project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL). He described the claims made by Leno Adesanya, chief executive officer of SPTCL, as fictional. In a series of petition to Fashola, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, Adesanya had claimed that the company was sidelined in the project by the ministry after it was awarded the contract in 2003. Adesanya had dragged the federal government and its Chinese partners before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France over an alleged breach of contract for the project located in Taraba state. However, Bello said available evidence does not support Adesanyas claims, adding that he is making a desperate attempt to destabilize the project from coming to fruition. The attention of the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has been drawn to the spurious and unfounded allegations of Leno Adesanya with regards to the ongoing Mambilla Power Project, the statement read. Nothing is more further away from the truth than the claim that the loan negotiations have stalled since 2017 because of an attempt to utilize $600 Million (equivalent of N219 Billion) from the 3,050MW hydropower project for a pet project not hitherto considered by the Federal Executive Council. There is currently no budgetary provision or cash provision of $600 million or the N219 Billion in any budget of the Federal Government for the Mambila Project. Therefore you cannot attempt to divert what does not exist. For the avoidance of doubt, the China Exim Bank disburse money to specific projects and on conclusion of negotiations, the loan will be devoted to the construction of the Mambila Power Project, which has been on the drawing board for close to 40 years before the advent of the Buhari administration which is now working assiduously to get the project off the ground. The antics of Leno Adesanya and his ilk would readily explain why the project has taken so many years without lift-off. Since Mr. Adesanya has chosen to go to court, he would be required to prove his baseless allegation in court. The Federal Executive Council which is the highest decision making organ of the Executive Arm of Government never awarded a contract for the project to Mr Adesanya. The Nigeria Police Force has filed a charge against Kogi West lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, for alleged illegal weapons possession. ... The Nigeria Police Force has filed a charge against Kogi West lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, for alleged illegal weapons possession. In the charge, which has been filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the police said a pump-action gun was recovered from Melayes house in July last year during a search of his property in Kogi State. In the charge, marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/07/2019, the police said the offence contravened Section 27 of the Firearms Act. The charge sheet reads, That you, Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West district in the 8th National Assembly, on or about the 20th day of July 2018, at about 12.30 hours under the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully had in your possession one automatic pump-action shotgun and 20 cartridges, which were recovered at your residence located in the Ayetoro Gbede area of Kogi State, when a search warrant was executed on the directives of the Nigeria Police Force at your above mentioned residence under your control and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The police also listed eight persons as witnesses. The witnesses comprise six policemen and two men who were painting Melayes house when the policemen came to search the property. They were identified as DSP Babagana Bukar, DSP Ibrahim Abalaka, ASP Abdullahi Musa, Inspector Atabo Okpanachi, Inspector Apeh Peter, Theophilus Nuhu, Matthew Anthony and ASP Mohammed Onu. According to the statements made by all the witnesses and attached to the charge sheet, the gun was found not in the main building but the boys quarters where cars were parked. One of the painters, Theophilus Nuhu, wrote, On July 24, 2018, my master, Peter, brought one Matthew Anthony and myself from Kaduna State to Kogi for painting work in which he took us to one Senator Dino Melayes house at Ayetoro, Gbede area of Kogi State. While we were doing the painting, policemen, comprising MOPOL, SARS and SCID, came in and met us in the compound and they told me they wanted to conduct a search in the compound and they started to search the compound. A 26-year-old robbery suspect, Peter Sunday, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly robbing one Mrs Felicia C... A 26-year-old robbery suspect, Peter Sunday, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly robbing one Mrs Felicia Chukwu of the Kwankwashe area, Madalla, Suleja Local Government Area of the state. Sunday, who resides in Bakin Kasuwa, and his accomplice, identified as Nura, now at large, allegedly robbed their victim, who was returning from the church of N12,000 and one Gionee mobile phone valued at N56,000. The incident reportedly happened on January 1, 2019. Northern City News gathered that the suspect and his accomplices had been making life unbearable for the residents of Bakin Kasuwa in Suleja and its environs. The suspect told our correspondent that he and his accomplice usually attack those returning from work, places of worship and markets. He said We arm ourselves with cutlasses, knives and other dangerous weapons to attack our victims. Some of our victims usually cooperate with us during operations; we inflict injuries on those who resist us. We trap our victims at a particular location and I have been doing this for the past three years. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed the incident on Sunday, saying that the suspect confessed to have conspired with his accomplice to rob Chukwu at Madalla, Suleja. Abubakar said the operatives recovered from him one cutlass while efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing accomplice. There is no budgetary provision for the construction of the 3,050 megawatts Mambilla hydropower project, the Federal Government declared... There is no budgetary provision for the construction of the 3,050 megawatts Mambilla hydropower project, the Federal Government declared on Sunday. The government said the claims that the loan negotiations for the project had stalled since 2017 because of an attempt to utilise $600m (N219bn) from the project for an alleged pet project not hitherto considered by the Federal Executive Council were false and misleading. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, condemned reports suggesting that the project had been stalled, adding that the China Exim Bank would only disburse money for specific projects such as the Mambila power project after the conclusion of negotiations. The minister, who spoke in Abuja, said, Nothing is further from the truth than the claim that the loan negotiations have stalled since 2017 because of an attempt to utilise $600m (equivalent of N219bn) from the 3,050MW hydropower project for a pet project not hitherto considered by the Federal Executive Council. There is currently no budgetary provision or cash provision of $600m or the N219bn in any budget of the Federal Government for the Mambila project. Therefore you cannot attempt to divert what does not exist. Fashola added, For the avoidance of doubt, the China Exim Bank disburse money to specific projects and on conclusion of negotiations, the loan will be devoted to the construction of the Mambila Power Project, which has been on the drawing board for close to 40 years before the advent of the Buhari administration which is now working assiduously to get the project off the ground. He said the allegation with regard to stalling the Mambilla project was untrue and baseless. The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing also argued in a statement that events and relevant facts would show that Fashola first presented a memo on the Mambilla Power Project to the Federal Executive Council in August 2017. This, it said, was the first ever Federal Executive Council approval given to the Mambilla project in favour of a Chinese Joint venture. It stated that the minister had also accompanied the President twice to China on trips that had the project as one of the headline agenda. The FMPWH stated that the minister in June 2018 attended, alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance, a meeting of the China Exim Bank to negotiate the terms of the loan for the project further. It stated that just last week, after the Federal Executive Council meeting, Fashola briefed Nigerians about the approval of contracts for surveyors to demarcate the areas for the project. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has affirmed that despite its burdens and delicate economic situation, Egypt has not exploited the refugee crisis despite the lack of international support for the large numbers of refugees in the country. El-Sisi made the comments in a meeting on Monday with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi, who is currently on an official visit to Cairo, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement. President El-Sisi praised the decades-long cooperation between Egypt and the UN agency, expressing appreciation for the international efforts exerted by the agency in light of the escalating global refugee crisis. Grandi stressed during the meeting, which was attended by Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, that the UNHCR is keen to strengthen cooperation with Egypt, which has a significant role on the regional and international levels in this regard. Grandi hailed Egypt's efforts in hosting large numbers of refugees of different nationalities while treating them the same as citizens, as well as its success in preventing irregular migration attempts from its shores over the past two years. The meeting reviewed ways of combating irregular migration, where president El-Sisi stressed the importance of dealing with the phenomenon through a comprehensive approach that addresses its roots, mainly with regards to development, security and political stability. The Egyptian president said that Egypt commits to international conventions on refugees and provides them with a decent means of living. El-Sisi also said that Egypt has not confined refugees to camps or isolated them from Egyptian society. Grandi stressed that reaching solutions to the existing conflicts represents the first step to addressing the roots of the crisis, expressing hope that Egypt will continue its efforts to reach political solutions to these crises. Egypt hosts more than 242,000 refugees and registered asylum seekers from 58 world countries. These refugees reside mainly in Greater Cairo, Alexandria and along the north coast, UNHCR said in a press release to mark the high commissioner's visit. Grandi called for providing further assistance to Egypt, given the large number of refugees, especially Syrians and Africans, in the country. Speaking to reporters, the UN official said that the international community did recognise Egypt as a host country for refugees until after the problem of irregular migration across the Mediterranean emerged, describing the current assistance delivered to Cairo as insufficient. Grandi praised Egypt as a key partner to the UN refugee agency, and reiterated that the UNHCR is seeking to offer technical and humanitarian support for Cairo, noting that the value of UNHCR programmes in the country in 2017 ranged from $40 million to $50 million only. The UN official thanked Egypt for providing education and health services for refugees on an equal footing with Egyptians. Grandi also urged drumming up support for African states, so that they could bear the high burden caused by the huge influx of refugees and displaced people, whose numbers are growing in conflict areas such as Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi. Grandi said that Brussels will soon host a conference to probe the possibility of providing financial aid of $5 billion to the displaced people in Syria and neighbouring countries. Short link: A video which has gone viral on social media, captured moment residents were asked to show their PVCs before receiving wrappers from pol... A video which has gone viral on social media, captured moment residents were asked to show their PVCs before receiving wrappers from politicians in Rivers State.There is also a growing dispute about the platform the politician who forced residents to show their PVCs before receiving wrappers is contesting on, as his party and identity is yet to be confirmed.This is coming after NE reported that a truck conveying bags of rice killed 15 people in Ekiti State. The rice being conveyed were bagged with campaign stickers of an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Ondo State, Tayo Alasoadura. Mr Alasoadura is a senator representing Ondo Central at the National Assembly. He is seeking re-election in 2019.NigerianEye's investigations revealed that gift items like rice, oil and wrappers are given to prospective voters to secure their support in this year's election. U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed holding the second summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in mid-February and sugges... U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed holding the second summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in mid-February and suggested Vietnam as the venue. The report of the second summit comes amid mounting expectations that the two leaders will soon hold their next summit to resume the stalled denuclearization talks. They first met in Singapore in June last year. North Korea is said to be reviewing the U.S. proposal and has yet to give a formal response, a news report by Japans Yomiuri Shimbun said, citing officials familiar with the matter. The Strait Times also reported earlier that Vietnam and Thailand are on the shortlist for the second Trump-Kim meeting and that both countries are willing to host the event, citing unidentified sources. Both have diplomatic ties with Pyongyang and Washington, and have organised international events like APEC, the report said. Pyongyang and Washington have been locked in a stalemate over how to carry out the agreements they reached in their first-ever summit, at which Kim promised to work toward complete denuclearization in exchange for security guarantees from the United States. Progress has been slow ever since as the North wants sanctions relief, while the U.S. remains firm that sanctions will remain in place until the North completely gives up its nuclear weapons program. Speculation has been rising as to where Trump and Kim will decide to meet. Singapore was in the international spotlight when the June summit took place. Southeast Asian countries have been mentioned as strong possible candidates, including Vietnam, Indonesia and Mongolia. In his New Years Day speech, Kim warned that he could go a new way if the United States clings to pressure and sanctions on the Norths regime. But he kept the door open for talks with the U.S., saying he is willing to meet Trump at anytime. Trump earlier said that the U.S. and North Korea are in talks over where to hold their second summit and a decision on the venue will be announced in the not-too-distant future. NAN A federal capital territory high court on Monday dismissed the suit filed by Ladi Adebutu to challenge the nomination of Buruji Kasham... A federal capital territory high court on Monday dismissed the suit filed by Ladi Adebutu to challenge the nomination of Buruji Kashamu as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state. Kashamu, senator representing Ogun east and Adebutu had been at loggerheads over the governorship ticket of the PDP in the state. In the suit, Adebutu asked the court to declare him the authentic candidate of the party for the March 2 governorship election. While delivering judgement, Ajoke Adepoju, the presiding judge, said the case filed by Adebutu cannot be maintained to declare him the governorship candidate of the PDP. Adepoju said although Adebutu was nominated by the national working committee (NWC) of the party, the primary election where he emerged as candidate was conducted in violation of a subsisting court judgment. The judge held that the PDP national working committee acted in bad faith by flouting a subsisting judgment of a federal high court delivered by Ibrahim Buba. Adepoju added that the judgment was binding on the party and must be respected to protect the sanctity of court in the interest of the rule of law. The judge said the national working committee cannot not conduct a valid primary election without the Ogun state chapter of the party until the judgment of the federal high court has been set aside by a higher court. Adepoju dismissed the suit in its entirety, citing the need for sanctity and judgments of courts to be protected by parties or individuals. With the judgment, Kashamu and the candidates that emerged through the primary election conducted by the Adebayo Dayo-led faction remain the partys flagbearers for the forthcoming election. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has released what the system of government would be in the Sovereign State of Biafra when it is... The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has released what the system of government would be in the Sovereign State of Biafra when it is finally actualized. This was contained in a statement made available on Monday signed by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, with the title, THIS IS FOR THOSE OF US WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW BIAFRA SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WILL BE LIKE. The pro-Biafra group said its constitution would be written in local languages with seven nations making up the country called Biafra. The statement added, During the interactive session with our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on 12th January, 2019, OWEI KEME BRADIKUMO asked a question: What is the proposed CONSTITUTION of the upcoming UNITED STATES of BIAFRA. Can we get a draft copy of it in the public domain now that will be necessary before our campaign towards the pending globally accepted BIAFRA REFERENDUM? Response from MAZI NNAMDI KANU: Biafra will run a unique political system designed to cater for the needs of our people. We are going to have NATION STATES. We will have an IGBO NATION WITHIN BIAFRA. We will have an EFIK NATION WITHIN BIAFRA. We will have ANNANG NATION WITHIN BIAFRA, if they so choose. We will also have IJAW NATION WITHIN BIAFRA. We will have ISOKO NATION WITHIN BIAFRA. We will have IDOMA NATION WITHIN BIAFRA. We will have IGALA NATION WITHIN BIAFRA. Listen to this: THEY WILL ALL BE AUTONOMOUS. Each Nation State will control the resources in their own land. The only thing that will bind us together will be a COMMON DEFENSE POLICY, COMMON ECONOMIC POLICY, COMMON POLICY IN HEALTH AND EDUCATION. In the rest, let people develop according to the pace that they wish or they decided amongst themselves to go by. LAWS WILL BE DONE IN LOCAL LANGUAGES. Igbo Parliament will make their own laws in Igbo language. Ijaw Parliament will make their own laws in Ijaw language. The same thing applies to Ibibio and others. So that when people are lying to us we will know because you know lying is good in English Language. But you cant deceive the people when you are actually speaking in the language that they understand. What we are going to have in Biafra will be A BRAND NEW NATION WITH NEW IDEAS AND NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS. Our political arrangements will be geared towards addressing our core needs. Igbo Land will have a Prime Minister. The same thing will happen to Ijaw, to Isoko, to Urhobo, to Itshekiri. Everybody will be Autonomous from one another to develop at the pace that they like. That is the type of Biafra we are seeking to have. And that is the type of Biafra we are going to have. The police in Benin Monday paraded Uwaila Idehen, the 35-year-old man who shot and killed his wife and two sons in Benin, Edo State. ... The police in Benin Monday paraded Uwaila Idehen, the 35-year-old man who shot and killed his wife and two sons in Benin, Edo State. The incident occurred on Sunday at Ovbioge village, in Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of the state. Uwaila who confessed to killing the victims said he did not know what came over him when he carried out the act. He alleged that he bought the English-made double barrel rifle from a late police officer, licensed it and sometimes use it for hunting. He said, I am a tipper driver. We are two children in my family, my elder sister and me. I am 35 years old. My wife had three children for me, a girl and two boys. The girl is six years, and the boys were three and two years old respectively. I dont know what came over me, and I was not drunk. Due to the nature of my job, my wife always accused me of having affairs with other women, but it is not true. At times, when she sees me with my female customers, she will start an argument with me, but I always assure her that there was nothing like that and that my concern was how to take care of the three kids we had together. I always walk away whenever she got me provoked but that Sunday, I dont know what came over me. Instead of just leaving the house, I picked up my gun and shot through the door and the bullet pierced through the plywood door and hit my wife and the two boys. The girl narrowly escaped. Five out of the six governors of the South-South Governors Forum have asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, not t... Five out of the six governors of the South-South Governors Forum have asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, not to honour the summons from the Code of Conduct Bureau. The Bureau had asked the CJN to appear before the Code of Conduct tribunal for alleged non-declaration of assets. The governors made the call after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Sunday. We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters, the governors said in a communique issued after the meeting. While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such and action must always be anchored on the rule of law. The meeting was attended by the governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers with Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State who is a member of the All Progressives Congress absent. Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, who is the Chairman of the forum had summoned the emergency meeting on Saturday after the CCT announced that the CCB had filed six charges against the CJN with the trial scheduled to start on Monday. In the communique, which was read by Governor Dickson after the meeting, the governors said the move by the CCB was unacceptable. They argued that the legal procedures for investigating allegations of misconduct against judicial officials were not followed in that matter and accused the executive of targetting other arms of government. We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state on institutions of state including the National Assembly and judiciary, they said. To them, the move is reflective of the South-South story of endless marginalization and intimidation.The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh, they added. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a Bishop and suspected fraudster , Giniko Obi , in Benin City , for allegedly de... The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a Bishop and suspected fraudster , Giniko Obi , in Benin City , for allegedly defrauding thousands of people of various sums of money running into millions of naira.The suspect allegedly collected the money from his victims in the guise of helping them to fight poverty.Obi , founder of Beloved Gideon Foundation, based in Agbor , Delta State , with outreaches in Bayelsa , Onitsha, Lagos , Port Harcourt, Abuja , and Benin City , however , denied any involvement in fraud claiming that he was only doing the will of God by trying to help the people fight poverty."According to a statement by the acting EFCC spokesman , Tony Orilade , in Abuja on Monday , Obi said it was his desire and God s will to see people prosper that led him into operating what appears to be a Ponzi scheme.Obi , who claimed to be a consecrated Bishop with a diploma in theology explained that he was selling what he called nuggets for successful living to subscribers to the scheme.He said , We write books such as 24 Nuggets for Successful Living , 36 Nuggets for Successful Living , 48 Nuggets for Successful Living . We organise seminars and conferences on how to be successful and tell the people to subscribe to these publications . If you subscribe with N10 , 800 , we give you N 15 , 000 . If you subscribe with N 18 , 000 , we give you N 23 , 000 . I had about 30 , 000 subscribers and I was paying them. According to him , when he left Agbor for Lagos , his desire was to expand his subscription base but his subscribers were impatient . If they had allowed me to hold the conference in Lagos , I would have paid them, he claimed .However , some of his victims who thronged the EFCC office since his arrest , described him as a fraudster , claiming he defrauded them.A victim , Janet Okafor reportedly told the EFCC that Obi claimed to be a representative of Gideons International , an organisation that distributes Bibles and Christian literature .She said , He organised seminars in Agbor market and claimed that he was from Gideons International and that their mission was to help eradicate poverty in Nigeria . He told us that unlike in the past when Gideons International distributed Bibles and Christian literature , their mission now was to eradicate poverty. On how she became a victim of the scheme, Okafor , 35 , who claimed she had never participated in any ponzi scheme in the past said she fell for his tricks because the Bishop swore with the Bible . The Bishop knelt down and swore with the Bible ; He convinced us that he was from Texas , USA and we believed him . I subscribed with N10 , 800 and he paid me N15 , 000 . It was after this that he engaged over 60 of us as canvassers . I brought many people including my relations and friends . All together , they invested over N5 million , the victim was quoted as saying . A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a Canadian man to death for drug smuggling after prosecutors said an original 15-year sentence annou... A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a Canadian man to death for drug smuggling after prosecutors said an original 15-year sentence announced in November was too lenient. Dalian Intermediate Peoples Court in the northeast province of Liaoning retried Robert Lloyd Schellenberg and handed down the death penalty, the court said in a brief statement on its website. The case is likely again to test relations between Beijing and Ottawa, which has been tensed since Canadas arrest of a Chinese executive at the request of the U.S. in December. President Muhammadu Buhari campaign team will visit Lagos on February 11, five days to the presidential election. With 6,570,291... President Muhammadu Buhari campaign team will visit Lagos on February 11, five days to the presidential election. With 6,570,291 voters, Lagos has highest number of voters followed by Kano which has 5,457,747. The campaign kicked off in Bauchi on Saturday. The train is expected to stop by the 36 states and the federal capital territory where it would be rounded off on February 14. Below is a timetable of the presidents campaign trips: The president who is seeking reelection had announced Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the APC, to be in charge of the campaign. At the launching of the campaign council, Buhari said he would actively participate in the campaign but will also focus on the business of governance during the period. Even though we have only 40 days, this campaign is going to tax us all because we intend to touch all corners of our great and vast country. But I must also add that, though we will all be deeply involved, I would like to assure the nation that I will do my part without making governance or my work suffer. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my co-chairman, will be fully in charge and is going to be on 24-hour vigil, he had said. The presidential election will hold on February 16. A team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has arrived the Code Conduct Tribunal in Abuja to defend the Chief Justice of Nige... A team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has arrived the Code Conduct Tribunal in Abuja to defend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who is scheduled for arraignment before the tribunal in the Mondays proceedings. As of the time of filing this report at about 9.17am on Monday, the CJN has not been seen on the tribunals premises for the proceedings scheduled to start by 10am. Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria in his defence team who were already seated before 9am awaiting the commencement of the proceedings included, Olanipekun, Chief Chris Uche, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, Sebastine Hon, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, Kehinde Ogunwumiju,and A.T Kehinde. All the senior lawyers are in court with their teeming juniors. But the team of lawyers comprising a handful of senior lawyers and other junior ones has been technically disbanded. Meanwhile, a former Director of Public Prosecution in Kano State, Aliyu Umar (SAN), is going to lead the government prosecutions team. Umar arrived the CCT at about 9.10am. He was one of the senior lawyers appointed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), as part of what was meant to be the governments prosecution team in 2016. Umar led the governments prosecution team that was to prosecute the Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of Senate rules. The Grand Imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb has called on Al-Azhar University's disciplinary committee to reconsider a decision to expel a female student who was dismissed after a video of her hugging her fiance on the campus of another university went viral last week. Despite describing the incident as "unacceptable and violating the community's religious and Eastern traditions," El-Tayeb still called on the disciplinary board to reconsider. El-Tayeb asked the committee to take into consideration the student's young age and provide advice and guidance to students before resorting to punishment. On Sunday, Al-Azhar university spokesperson Ahmad Zare told Ahram Online that "the expelled student has the right to appeal the university's decision before a high disciplinary board," adding that the board can reduce the penalty. Last week, a video appeared on social media showing a man surprising the female student with a bouquet of flowers and kneeling in front of her to propose. He then embraced the young woman and lifted her off the ground. The video was shot at Mansoura University, where the young woman's fiance studies. The woman studies Arabic language at Al-Azhar University's branch in Mansoura in the Nile Delta. Short link: Adamu Mohammed, a former commissioner of police in Enugu state, has been appointed acting inspector-general of police (IGP). A pol... Adamu Mohammed, a former commissioner of police in Enugu state, has been appointed acting inspector-general of police (IGP). A police source disclosed this, saying the appointment would be made public any moment from now. The source said Mohammed, who hails from Nasarawa state, was transferred out of relevance. He was said to have been appointed from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos. Mohammed was a deputy commissioner of police in Ekiti state and had served at the Interpol. He rose to the rank of assistant inspector general of police (AIG). His appointment lays to rest the controversy surrounding the tenure of Ibrahim Idris, outgoing IGP. There had been reports on the plots to extend Idris tenure but opposition parties kicked against it. Idris was expected to have retired on January 3 after completing the mandatory 35 years in service. A senior presidency official revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, for a legal opinion on the possible extension of Idris tenure. The source said Buhari is favourably disposed to extending Idris tenure by two to three months but would not want any legal issues around it. More leadership changes are coming at Missouri Western State University. Earlier this week, Missouri Western announced that Dr. Cale Fessler, the vice president of financial planning and administration, will be leaving the university on Feb. 1 to accept the position of associate vice chancellor of budget and financial planning at the University of Arkansas. According to President Dr. Robert Vartabedian, who himself will be leaving Missouri Western in six months time, Fessler wore many hats over his six-year tenure at the university. From information technology, human resources and the campus police department to crisis management, the bookstore and dining services throughout campus, Fessler certainly had a lot to keep track of, Vartabedian said. There are a lot of areas to cover, and he came well-equipped to do that, he went on to say. I think hes done an excellent job for us. Fessler came to Missouri Western from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, and according to a press release, he arrived at a fairly difficult time financially for the school. Dr. Vartabedian has just been a great president to work for. In some ways he took a bit of a chance on me working for a private (school) background and moving into the public side of things. Ill be forever grateful to him for that opportunity, Fessler said. All of the institutions across the state have had to deal with the revenue picture. I think theres no running away from the fact that weve had some struggles with state appropriation. When I came in here, there had been talk of a 20-percent cut in 2012 before I came in in early 2013. In May, I had been here for about five months, and there had been a half-a-million-dollar withhold of state appropriation in the month of May and June. At the time, decisions made by the previous gubernatorial administration had Missouri Western dealing with a 17-percent cut to its state appropriations. Having to deal with that, calming down faculty and staff and administrators, dealing with those cuts while keeping the university moving in a positive direction, I dont think that was an easy task, Vartabedian said. As the chief financial officer, (Cale) was in the middle of that challenge. But that wasnt all. Vartabedian said Cale worked on partnerships with the community, city and county to accomplish some great things on behalf of Missouri Western on what originally seemed to be a very limited budget. From helping to bring in money for the Eagleton Pool Complex to utilizing House Bill 19 money to renovate various facilities throughout campus, Fessler also formed partnerships and utilized donations to fund renovations for Spratt Stadium. We had a review of our facilities, and it said that we should condemn the stadium, Vartabedian said. We didnt really have the money to build a new stadium, but through some creative bonding and people working in advancement to raise some funds, we were able to build practically a new structure with some nice add-ons and the Bill Snyder Pavilion. I would give Cale a lot of credit for helping us to come up with some creative funding solutions through bonding to make that happen. And according to Fessler, creativity is definitely the key. Weve got to keep finding ways to operate, Fessler said. So, the way Ive kind of framed it is we find creative solutions to those financial barriers, but its always taken a lot of collaboration. And thats something that Fessler consistently stressed: It was always a team effort. Its not all because of me sitting in this office chair, he said with a smile. Fessler went on to say that hell miss working with Vartabedian and other members of the staff and faculty, as well as a board that did their best to support he and the presidents efforts. He also enjoyed educating students, especially those on the Griffon News, about various operations related to his job, and he is proud of what he has accomplished even behind the scenes, such as working with the campus IT department to provide more access and bandwidth for students. He believes his time at Missouri Western has molded him to take on new opportunities and challenges in the future. My first president told me once that if you ever do look to make a move, look for the next professional challenge, Fessler said. I see that where Im headed. The university has tapped Dr. Logan Jones, dean of the Craig School of Business and Technology, to chair a national search for Fesslers replacement, which will run parallel to Vartabedians own search committee. Carey McMillian, the associate vice president for financial planning and administration has agreed to serve in the interim. A new report establishes Buchanan County as one of the leaders in the state in hosting Airbnb visitors. Recent information from Airbnb shows its participants in the county had total host income of $179,000 last year and 1,700 guest arrivals. That places the county 19th out of 25 host communities. All told for Missouri, Airbnbs host communities earned a combined $48 million in supplemental income while welcoming the arrival of 483,000 guests. The organization said more Missourians are embracing its home-sharing platform as a means of supplementing their income. The state now has more than 4,500 Airbnb hosts who share their homes via Airbnb. And officials said the statistics serve as proof that Airbnb and its hosts complement, rather than compete with, the states hotel industry, catering to tourists less able to afford hotels. Thats not disputed by the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau. Airbnbs certainly provide our visitors additional options for lodging while they explore our community, said Executive Director Marci Bennett. I believe that the trend will continue to grow. Bennett said the city initially had only one property registered with Airbnb and now boasts of 20 hosts. She indicated a hitch that comes along with the phenomenons success. The challenge for local governments will be to track usage of these options and ensure that appropriate lodging taxes are remitted, she said. A 2018 agreement between the state and Airbnb allows for the collection and remittance of state taxes on behalf of the hosts, along with various local taxes. Fred Ide, who hosts Riverside Retreat as one of St. Josephs Airbnbs with his wife, Barbara, said their enterprise was begun during 2017s total solar eclipse. Weve had good response to it, Ide said. The river setting provides just one of the sites amenities, he said, with 10 different families visiting last year. Becoming an Airbnb host requires certain qualifications, according to Ide, such as providing safety information for users. Airbnb function as the business manager and relays the clients. He said the host sites let visitors enjoy experiences that are distinct from those of a hotel stay. Youre being an ambassador for your neighborhood, Ide said. It allows us to have some folks understand what the river is about. Platte Countys Airbnbs hosts brought in $125,000 last year, with 1,400 guest arrivals, for 24th place. Huawei said yesterday it has fired a Chinese employee who was arrested in Poland on espionage allegations, as Chinas telecom giant distanced itself from the case amid Western concerns that it could act as a proxy for Chinese security services. This weeks detention of Wang Weijing follows the December arrest of Huaweis chief financial officer in Canada and US efforts to blacklist the company internationally over security concerns. While Chinas government has vociferously defended Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou and demanded her release, the firm swiftly sacked Wang, who works at its representative office in Poland. His alleged actions have no relation to the company, Huawei said in a statement. In accordance with the terms and conditions of Huaweis labour contract, we have made this decision because the incident in question has brought Huawei into disrepute, it said. Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where it operates, and we require every employee to abide by the laws and regulations in the countries where they are based. A Zambian firm said yesterday it had suspended production of an energy drink after a consumer in Uganda complained of a prolonged erection, with tests suggesting it contained the active ingredient of Viagra. SX Energy Natural Power drink, produced by Revin Zambia, is exported around the region including to Uganda, where the consumer also complained of profuse sweating. Revin Zambia general manager Vikas Kapoor said his company stopped making the drink on Tuesday while launching an internal investigation. We have allowed the government or any of its agencies to conduct their own investigations as well, but as far as we know, the drink does not contain any drug, he said. He said his company, based in the city of Ndola north of the Zambian capital Lusaka, has made the energy drink since last year. The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia (PSZ) said tests shared by the Uganda National Drug Authority had revealed the presence of sildenafil citrate -- a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and dispensed under the brand name Viagra. The PSZ said the label claims that the drink contains natural extracts of ginger and tongkat ali, a well-known aphrodisiac, and testosterone booster as the main ingredients. It called on Zambians to avoid the drink. Ugandan authorities confirmed they are seizing imported supplies. We received notification from (the Ugandan) National Drug Authority that the energy drink was adulterated and our teams are impounding it, Ugandas bureau of standards spokes man Godwin Muhwezi said. Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs Nabila Makram told MPs on Monday that the number of Egyptians living in African states reached 46,000 in 2018, with 40,000 of those in South Africa. In a meeting with members of parliaments African affairs committee, Makram said that it was previously believed that the number of Egyptians working and living in different African states reached one million in 2018, but this is not correct, as the official figures of the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) show that the number does not exceed 46,000. There could be others who are not officially registered, but nobody knows how many they are, she said. Makram indicated that the immigration ministry, in collaboration with other ministries, is working hard to increase the number of Egyptians doing business in African states and also increase the number of Egyptian workers in African markets. This is a strategic goal, because Africa is the continent Egypt belongs to and it greatly serves our national and economic interests to have strong links with all African countries, said Makram, adding that this is although many Egyptians decline to work in Africa because many believe that business opportunities there are not profitable, but we always coordinate with the investment ministry to ensure that they get good jobs in joint investment projects. Makram revealed that she will make a number of visits to African countries very soon, starting with South Africa, where a large number of Egyptians live and work. This will come with Egypt becoming the chair of the African Union in 2019, she said. For his part, Tarek Radwan, head of the African affairs committee, urged the Ministry of Immigration to take all the measures necessary to prevent Egyptians from going to neighbouring Libya. It is very sad that the number of Egyptians going to Libya in an illegal way has increased, despite the negative security conditions there, just to seek jobs or to go to Europe in an illegal way, said Radwan. In response, Makram said the immigration ministry is coordinating with the ministries of interior and defence to prevent any kind of illegal migration to Libya. Short link: Two Bahraini youth are in the dock for attacking two European women last year in Juffair area. Three Asian ladies are also charged in the case as third, fourth and fifth accused. According to court details, the victims were coming out of a pharmacy in Juffair when the incident that led to the case occurred. Public Prosecutors said that three Asian women mocked the two European women leading to a verbal argument. All of a sudden, the two men pounced at the European women and began attacking them. Under the patronage of Oil Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Kingdom, for the first time, will host the International Conference and Exhibition on the Fourth Industrial Revolution under the slogan Transitions and Capabilities of GCC countries in the face of industrial variables, from February 5 to 7, 2019, at the Gulf Hotel. The event is organised by the Bahrain Society of Engineers in co-operation and co-ordination with the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) and with the support of a number of local, regional and international companies, with the participation of interested, technicians, experts, specialists and a number of universities and specialised training institutes in this field. The Oil Minister expressed his pleasure for hosting the important event. He noted the close relationship with the Bahraini Society of Engineers and the important role it plays in organising conferences, exhibitions and specialised workshops in the oil sector, thereby contributing to the exchange of information, experience and expertise and the review of best practices in this vital field. The minister said that the world is in a new era of digital development that offers unprecedented potential for progress, development and global growth, stressing that the fourth industrial revolution is a good opportunity to increase demand for oil, gas and petrochemical products. He pointed out the importance of thinking differently and working in an unfamiliar and innovative way to achieve more of the desired achievements and goals. The Minister of Oil added that the oil companies under the umbrella of NOGA have already begun to develop plans and strategies for the development of human cadres that contribute to increasing efficiency, achieve the highest productivity and create significant added values in the oil and gas sector while keeping up with the fourth digital technical development. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 79F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. (Newser) An armed man who entered a UPS processing facility Monday morning and held two women hostage for several hours was shot and killed by police as he left the building with the women, authorities said. Several officers fired at William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, the state Attorney General's Office says in a news release that does not detail the situation or explain why the suspect was shot, the AP reports. Owens had entered the business at about 8:45am and fired shots, which did not strike anyone, before taking the women to a room and barricading himself inside with them, authorities say. Officials believe that Owens had a prior relationship with one of the hostages, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore says. story continues below The women escaped without serious injuries after the standoff in Logan Township, about 20 miles south of Philadelphia, per Fiore. "Multiple members of law enforcement fired at the man, who was armed with a handgun. He was pronounced dead at the scene," the news release said. Earlier in the day, Fiore said the suspect had been taken to a hospital after being shot but that his condition was not known. "I heard one of my fellow employees say, 'Run, he's got a gun,' then I heard the little pop of the gun, I guess, and we all ran and law enforcement took over," says employee Allen Anthony Dowling. Police evacuated the building and blocked access to the busy industrial park, and nearby schools were put on a modified lockdown. Hostage negotiators talked to the suspect by phone as he held the women captive. Television news footage showed officers crouched behind a vehicle behind the building's loading dock at the time. (Read more hostages stories.) (Newser) Jayme Closs told police she didn't know Jake Thomas Patterson in the slightest. A criminal complaint filed Monday details how the man accused of kidnapping the 13-year-old allegedly knew her. The AP reports the complaint states that Patterson told investigators that he had to stop behind a school bus one day while driving to work at a cheese factory near Almena, Wisconsin. Per the complaint, he said he saw Jayme get on the bus and "he knew that was the girl he was going to take." More: WKOW reports he allegedly told investigators that he did not know who she was or who else lived at her home. He didn't know her name until after he had taken her. Patterson worked at Saputo Cheese Factory for just two days before quitting. The complaint states that Patterson went to the Closs home on two prior occasions intending to take the teen, but found too many people around each time. story continues below Patterson was charged Monday with Jayme's kidnapping and two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the Oct. 15 murder of her parents, James and Denise Closs. The complaint says Jayme woke that night upon hearing her dog barking; she saw a car coming up the driveway and went and woke up her parents. Seeing a man at the door with a gun, she and her mother hid in the bathroom and her father went to the door. She said that after hearing a gunshot she knew her dad had been killed. Investigators say Patterson used a shotgun to blast open the front door. Per the complaint, Patterson broke down the bathroom door and told Denise Closs, who had called 911, to hang up the phone. He then allegedly told Denise to put tape over her daughter's mouth. Denise did, then Jayme says Patterson shot her mother. She says he then bound the teen's hands and ankles with tape and put her in his trunk. He had removed "what he described as a glow-in-the-dark kidnapping cord ... so that no one could pull the trunk release once inside." He allegedly held her at a remote cabin near Gordon. Jayme told investigators she was forced to stay under a twin bed for hours at a time and was told by Patterson that "bad things could happen" if anyone discovered her. He allegedly arranged totes and bins around the bed and anchored them in place using dumbbell weights, both to make it difficult for her to move and so he could detect if she tried to do so. Jayme said he had visitors to the house; Patterson said that included his father. Per the complaint, he said that he twice thought she had tried to move and screamed at her "to the point where he knew that she was scared and she knew that she better never try that again." The complaint says she escaped Thursday after Patterson told her he'd be gone for a number of hours; she pushed the bins away, took a pair of his shoes, and left. Per the complaint: "He basically assumed he had gotten away with killing James and Denise and kidnapping [Jayme] since he hadn't been caught for the first two weeks. ... The defendant stated he never would have been caught if he would have planned everything perfectly." The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that upon being pulled over by Douglas County sheriff's deputies after Jayme escaped, Patterson said, "I know what this is about. I did it." (Police say the kidnapping was well planned .) (Newser) A 36-year-old Canadian man may have just become a bargaining chip between China and Canada. Robert Schellenberg was sentenced to death for drug smuggling on Monday, and the Wall Street Journal reports that Beijing appears to be trying to get leverage after the arrest of a Chinese business executive in Canada. Schellenberg had been sentenced to 15 years after a trial late last year, but a higher court made the unusual decision to retry him three weeks ago. That decision came after Canada, at the request of the US, detained the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies on allegations that her company violated trade sanctions in regard to Iran. Schellenberg has been in custody four years. story continues below "I am not a drug smuggler," he told the court Monday, per the National. "I came to China as a tourist." He said a friend recommended a translator for his visit, and that translator ended up being connected to an international drug-smuggling ring. In addition to the tough new sentence, China also has detained two Canadian nationals since the arrest of Huawei's Meng Wanzhou, notes Reuters. (Meng has been freed on bail in Vancouver but is not allowed to leave the country.) (Newser) Jeff Bezos wasn't the only target of President Trump's scorn on Twitter on Sunday night: Trump also mocked 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren over an Instagram Live video. Trump tweeted a link to a snippet of the video, writing, "If Elizabeth Warren, often referred to by me as Pocahontas, did this commercial from Bighorn or Wounded Knee instead of her kitchen, with her husband dressed in full Indian garb, it would have been a smash!" Trump has long accused Warren of exaggerating her Native American ancestry, but the president is taking flak himself for the casual reference to a massacre of Native Americans. As the Hill notes, Wounded Knee is a symbol of the brutal treatment of Native Americans in the 19th century, given that the US Calvary shot and killed scores of men, women, and children at the camp of that name in South Dakota. story continues below Congress formally apologized in 1990 for the massacre, with estimates of the number of deaths ranging from about 150 to 400. The Washington Post collects reaction, including from Native American writer Ruth Hopkins, who tweeted: "+300 of my people were massacred at Wounded Knee. Most were women and children. This isnt funny, its cold, callous, and just plain racist." The Boston Globe notes that Warren's video, in which she drinks a beer and introduces her husband, has been mocked by critics online for other reasons. But Jaclyn Reiss writes that Trump's jab seems to be his "most pointedand cringe-worthy" attack yet on Warren. (Earlier this year, Warren released the results of a DNA test showing that she does have Native American ancestry, though perhaps not too much: An expert said she's somewhere between 1/64th and 1/1,024th Native American.) (Newser) The "long overdue" American withdrawal from Syria has begun, President Trump said in a tweet Sunday before casually threatening to destroy the economy of a NATO ally. Trump said the US will hit ISIS hard from an "existing nearby base" if it tries to rebuild its caliphateand will "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," Politico reports. The president also called for the creation of a 20-mile safe zone and added: "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey." He said: "Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home." story continues below The fate of America's Kurdish military partners in Syria, who are considered terrorists by Turkey, was one of the biggest concerns when the US pullout was first announced last month. The BBC reports that top Turkish officials dismissed Trump's threat Monday. "We have said multiple times that we will not fear or be deterred by any threat," said Mevlut Cavusoglu, the country's foreign minister. "You can get nowhere by threatening Turkey economically." He added: "Strategic alliances should not be discussed over Twitter or social media." (In a recent speech, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed former President Obama for the region's problems.) (Newser) Air traffic controllers in the US are working without pay because of the government shutdownbut thanks to their counterparts north of the border, many of them aren't working without pizza. Canadian air traffic controllers, who regularly communicate with American controllers in neighboring sectors, have been organizing the delivery of hundreds of pizzas to US units as a gesture of solidarity, CNN reports. Peter Duffey, president of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, says the idea started with units along the border and spread. He says at least 49 American units have now been treated to pizza by their Canadian colleagues. story continues below "In the big scheme of things, sending some pizzas to people that are missing paychecks is a small gesture," Duffey tells the CBC, "but the message that it sends them is a big gesture." He says he's proud of association members, who are "just jumping on board this like crazy." Doug Church, deputy director of public affairs with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, says it is a gesture much appreciated by the 14,000 air traffic controllers working without pay. "It's just a really good shot in the arm of positive energy and positive emotion to know that, 'Hey they've got our back,'" he says. (Read more shutdown stories.) (Newser) The powerful opioid fentanyl is believed to have caused what police in Chico, Calif., are calling a "mass casualty incident" Saturday morning. Authorities say one person died and another 12 were hospitalized after a mass overdose. Chico Fire Department Chief Steve Standridge says every ambulance in the city was sent to a residence after a call was received from the home around 9am, the Sacramento Bee reports. Chico Police Chief Michael O'Brien says officers "found multiple individuals in what appeared to be life-threatening, overdose conditions." Police believe the victims, who range in age from 19 to 30, are all friends or acquaintances. story continues below O'Brien says police suspect the mass overdose was caused by the ingestion of fentanyl along with another substance, NPR reports. The residence is being treated as a hazmat site and two officers who felt ill at the scene were treated in the hospital and released. "We were waiting, and have been waiting unfortunately, for this to happen in the sense that we knew fentanyl had been moving west," the chief says. He says the outcome would "have been far worse" if officers hadn't administered the overdose antidote naloxone, which they started carrying after a grant from a local health department last year. (Fentanyl is now the deadliest drug in the US.) The energy ministers from seven Eastern Mediterranean countries declared on Monday in Cairo the establishment of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), which includes Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Israel, Jordan and Palestine, to boost the gas market in the region, a statement by the Egyptian petroleum ministry read. The forum's aim is to have "an international organisation that respects the rights of members with respect to their natural resources in accordance with the principles of international law, and supports their efforts to benefit from their reserves and use of infrastructure." The ministers agreed that Cairo will be the headquarters of the forum. Economic benefits, energy security Eastern Mediterranean countries who agree with the forum's interests and objectives will have the right to join along with the founding members. The minister also announced that the forum will be open to other countries or regional and international organisations as observers, and that the forum will work with non-members to help create dialogue, mutual understanding and mutual benefit. They also said that the private sector has an important role to play. During the meeting, the ministers noted that the large gas discoveries in the offshore fields in the Eastern Mediterranean will have a major impact on the energy and economic development in the region. They also emphasised that the increase in new discoveries and their optimal utilisation will have a profound impact on the energy security of the region. The minister also highlighted the need to cooperate in accordance with the principles of international law in the Eastern Mediterranean between the existing and potential gas producers, as well as consumers and transit points in the region, to deepen mutual understanding and awareness of the challenges and common interests in the energy sector between the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean. The ministers also "stressed their commitment to paving the way for fruitful cooperation in the technical and economic fields, with a view to efficient exploitation of the gas potential in the region." The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation and initiating systematic dialogue on natural gas policies, leading to the development of a regional integrated market in a way that maximises the utilisation of gas resources in the region. EMGF objectives The ministers called on senior officials to make their proposals about the structure of the forum, which will be discussed by the ministers during the next meeting, scheduled for April 2019. The ministers agreed that the main objectives of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum will include: 1. Establishing a regional gas market that serves the interests of members by providing supply, optimising resource development, rationalising the cost of infrastructure, offering competitive prices and improving trade relations. 2. Ensuring supply for members while working on optimal resource development and the efficient use of existing and new infrastructure with competitive pricing and improved trade relations. 3. Strengthening cooperation by creating systematic dialogue and formulating common regional policies on natural gas. 4. Deepening awareness of the interdependence and benefits that can be derived from cooperation and dialogue among members, in accordance with the principles of international law. 5. The current owners of gas reserves and existing producers in the region are working to capitalise on their current and future reserves by enhancing their cooperation with the parties of consumption and transit in the region, taking advantage of existing infrastructure and developing more infrastructure options to accommodate current and future discoveries. 6. Assisting consuming countries in securing their needs and allowing their participation with the transit countries in the development of gas policies in the region, thus enabling the establishment of a sustainable partnership between the actors at all stages of the gas industry. 7. Ensuring sustainability and environmental considerations in gas discoveries, production and transportation, building infrastructure, and improving the integration of gas and other energy sources, especially renewable energy and electricity networks. Short link: (Newser) Who to blame for America's longest-ever government shutdown? Two polls posed that question and got pretty similar answers. A Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that 53% mostly blame President Trump and congressional Republicans, USA Today reports; 29% point the finger at Democrats, while another 13% say both sides are equally at fault. A new CNN poll finds 55% blaming Trump, 32% the Democrats, and 9% both sides, per CNN. The latter poll says support for the wall is up among Republicans, with 81% favoring it, while 89% of Democrats are against; overall, 56% are against the wall and 39% in favor. CNN says Trump's disapproval rating is up five points. (See what Trump calls "the most insulting" thing he's ever been asked.) (Newser) A winter storm that contributed to at least five deaths in the Midwest pummeled the mid-Atlantic region for a second day Sunday, bringing with it an icy mix that knocked out power, cancelled flights and contributed to hundreds of car accidents, the AP reports. Virginia State Police say the driver of a military surplus vehicle was killed late Saturday after he lost control on Interstate 81 because of slick road conditions. Police say Ronald W. Harris, 73, of Gainesville, Georgia, died after his vehicle was struck by two tractor-trailers. The two tractor-trailer drivers were taken to a hospital for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The state medical examiner was expected to determine later whether Harris' death was storm-related. story continues below Virginia State Police say they responded to more than 230 traffic crashes and helped more than 100 disabled vehicles in Virginia from midnight to noon Sunday. The storm knocked out power for nearly 200,000 people in Virginia and North Carolina on Sunday, according to PowerOutage.us. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Sunday, seeking to help utility crews restore electricity more quickly after power lines fell due to freezing rain, ice, and toppled trees. In Baltimore, a man was fatally shot as he shoveled snow early Sunday morning. Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, said parts of the region could expect snow to continue falling into Sunday evening. (Read more snowstorm stories.) He Reluctantly Testified. Now His Home Is Burned and He's Gone The President is being accompanied by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Dr John Mangudya and Deputy Chief Secretary in the Presidents Office responsible for communication Cde George Charamba and senior government officials. MARAUDING youths and other protesters unleashed an orgy of violence and mayhem in Bulawayo yesterday, burning cars, property, looting shops, forcing schools to close, beating up teachers and pupils during the first day of a planned three-day nationwide stay away called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and other civic society organisations aligned to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. The protesters also turned parts of the citys western suburbs into no-go areas as they set up barricades, makeshift roadblocks, burnt tyres and attacked police and other law enforcement agents. A police car was burnt down in Pumula suburb while Choppies Supermarkets in New Lobengula and Entumbane were burnt in the protests. The Pumula and Lobengula West branches were looted. Hooligans were on the rampage as they demanded that everyone join them, forcing drivers to go back home. They burnt tyres and barricaded streets using drums, trolleys and stones, forcing police to fire tear gas. There were reports of looting from shops in Nkulumane, Lobengula, Pumula, Emganwini and other areas. By 11AM, all shops in the city centre had closed while parents rushed to schools to pick up their children as the protests intensified. In Tshabalala suburb protestors stoned Tshabalala Housing Office and Clinic and looted shops. At the house of Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson for the womens league Cde Eva Bitu in Sizinda, the hooligans burnt three cars at her home and broke windows. She told Chronicle yesterday that she had to flee to a neighbours house after the protesters started throwing stones and threatening to burn her house. They came at around 11AM and started throwing stones and threatening to burn the house. I immediately jumped over the precast wall and sought refuge at a neighbours house. Im told they stoned all the windows, destroyed the precast wall and pushed my Ford Ranger into the street before burning it. They returned and burnt down a Nissan Hardbody and a Toyota Vitz which were parked inside the yard, said Cde Bitu. She said most of the people who were involved in the attack were from the area and have always held political grudges against her. In Bulawayos CBD, some youths moved around throwing stones, coercing people to go home. Police responded by firing teargas. Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni was caught up in the mayhem while on his way to the High Court for the opening of the 2019 legal year. I was walking to the High Court when police officers fired a teargas canister and I fell to the ground along Joshua Nkomo Street and 8th Avenue. There was a group of people near the place and they helped me go to my office at the CIPF building along Jason Moyo Street. I was invited to attend the High Court official opening but I missed it because I had to go home after the incident. My eyes were affected by the teargas but Im feeling better now, said Cllr Mguni. Some people said they were forced to stay at home as public transporters joined the shutdown by refusing to avail their vehicles to conduct their day to day duties. At around 11AM, most parents were called by school authorities to collect their children as they feared that the situation would escalate. Some parents and children had to join the great trek back home due to the unavailability of transport. Honda Fit drivers who normally capitalise on such situations parked their vehicles leading to desperation by residents. Police managed to contain the situation in the CBD as they drove out the hooligans from the city centre. When The Chronicle conducted a survey yesterday mid-morning, rowdy youths were barricading all streets along 3rd Avenue forcing all drivers to park their vehicles. Bulawayo Provincial Education director Mrs Olicah Kaira said schools closed early as parents withdrew their children from schools due to the violence. We went around the schools in the morning to check on the situation and we found quite a few children and teachers had turned up but we could tell that everyone was not at ease. I also felt unsafe. We then went back to the office and at provincial level we heard that parents were pulling their children out of school and we were also seeing what was happening outside and what comes first is safety for everyone, she said. Mrs Kaira said they were concerned about the safety of children and teachers. We were worried about the safety of children and after the children we were worried about the assets because all schools are Government institutions and they must be protected all the time. If parents have pulled out their children what becomes of the teachers? They have to go home because the whole town was responding to the shutdown. And the security of children comes first. I can confirm that we are all home, all schools are home and we will only return when we are advised that the situation is normal for us, she said. You can imagine when adults make a stampede and run what happens to the ECD, to the Grade one pupils but if they are safe in the comfort of their home, the better and we also want the teachers to be safe. Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) programmes manager Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said residents from western suburbs walked long distances back home after going to work. The situation was tense but were yet to compile a full report on what happened. Residents were made to walk long distances from the CBD to their homes as kombis were no longer operating. Roads were blocked and supermarkets were looted. Residents from the western suburbs were the most affected. The supermarkets looted include Choppies in New Lobengula, Cover in Pumula and others in different areas where people looted beer. Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister and Bulawayo South legislator Raj Modi condemned the acts of violence by the protesters, saying only dialogue could solve the challenges being faced by the country and its people. Im in Harare and I received reports that people were damaging properties and being violent, especially in Harare and Bulawayo. We dont condone acts of violence and we urge people to calm down and seek dialogue with the Government to map the way forward. People should understand that while the Government has increased fuel prices, tax rebates have been introduced for businesses across all sectors to make sure that prices remain stable, said Deputy Minister Modi. He said called on businesses, including kombi operators, to desist from increasing their prices, saying it was not necessary. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi warned the demonstrators against violence, saying anyone caught on the wrong side of the law would be arrested. He said investigations were already underway to identify the culprits. We want to warn and categorically state that police will ensure that arrests are effected particularly in Bulawayo and Harare, where we have seen groups of youths and syndicates burning vehicles, barricading roads with tyres and stones, looting shops, attacking law enforcement officers and intimidating members of the public. What theyre doing is unlawful. Weve got video clips which are now subject to investigation and arrests will certainly be effected. Were aware that there are some people who are using the social media to encourage people to engage in all sorts of violence and threatening people, said Chief Supt Nyathi. Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe said the closure of businesses due to the riots was bad for business. The lost hours are bad for business, we are losing production time. We hope the authorities will come up with a strategy that will help the situation because right now what we face is the whole situation being taken over by criminal elements and at that stage what we will have is tragedy particularly looking at women and children, he said. In Harare, the rowdy elements terrorised high density suburbs of Epworth, Rugare, Kuwadzana, Highfields, Mbare, Glen Norah and Budiriro. Others barricaded the Harare-Bulawayo highway near Kuwadzana Extension, where they burnt a bus. In a clear act of extortion, the rowdy protestors, none of them fit to be workers or motorists affected by the fuel price increase, also demanded passsage fees from motorists ranging between $2 and $5. They also interrogated motorists demanding to know their particulars, where they were going and why. Those suspected of going to work were beaten up. A security guard was severely beaten up in Mufakose after the thugs saw him looking for transport to go to work. The mob asked motorists questions like, where are you getting fuel? Is life easy for you? At Machipisa Shopping Centre in Highfield, TM supermarket was emptied, shops and pharmacies damaged. In Chitungwiza, they bariccaded Hunyani Bridge and refused vehicles passage unless they paid them at least $2. At Makoni Shopping Centre, they looted Chicken Inn and pelted OK Supermarket with stones. In Kadoma in Mashonaland West Province, MDC Alliance protestors burnt a Zanu-PF district office in Rimuka. There were no demonstrations in Chinhoyi, Chegutu, Karoi and Kariba. Peace prevailed in the Midlands Province. Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Larry Mavima yesterday applauded the people of Midlands for being peaceful in the face of provocation by the opposition.. In southern parts of the country covering Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces, it was peaceful with people going about their daily chores. Government has warned members of the public against infringing on the rights of others by blocking roads and causing chaos by forcing work bound people to return home. The authorities have also castigated people abusing social media by posting inflammatory statements agitating Zimbabweans to engage in violence and unsanctioned demonstrations. According to Government, those engaging in such acts will face the full wrath of the law when arrested. In an interview, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said people should follow the countrys laws. This comes after reports that some rowdy youths were this morning burning tyres and blocking roads in areas such as C-Junction in Chitungwiza, in Rugare, Damafalls, Epworth, Mabvuku, Kuwadzana, Kuwadzana Extension, Chiremba Road and along Harare-Bulawayo Road, among others. Several people were also left stranded after commuter omnibus crews were not operating in and around the city. We want people to follow the law. Nobody has the right to block people from using the Zimbabwean space. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will act on such people. We understand why they are doing this, they are saboteurs. All we are saying is that dont interfere with the freedom and rights of others, Minister Mathema said. On Sunday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police deployed officers in all residential areas, shopping centres and the Central Business District to conduct patrols, surveillance and stop and search following some social media articles agitating Zimbabweans to engage in violence and unsanctioned demonstrations. In a statement, Minister Cain Mathema implored Zimbabweans to disregard the social media posts. My ministry assures all peace loving citizens and visitors that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has deployed officers in all residential, shopping centres and CBD to conduct patrols, surveillance, stop and search and in the process account for unruly elements who may try to disturb the tranquil environment which is prevailing in the country, he said. May I urge Zimbabweans to continue undertaking their various social and economic activities as usual. Members of the public should feel free to access services from various entities without any hindrance. In the same vein, said Minister Mathema, transport operators should continue to offer services to potential passengers as stipulated in their Road Service Permits and Route Authorities. He urged drivers to report any acts of intimidation and incitement to commit violence to the police for swift action to be taken. Herald Rogue elements blocked roads, curtailed movement of people, burnt property and looted shops as what was touted as a shutdown degenerated into chaos today. The Zimbabwe Republic Police on its Twitter account called on members of the public to identify culprits some of whom were captured on photographs. ZRP and and Zimbabwe National Army will soon issue a joint press statement over the disturbances. A survey conducted by the Herald in Harare revealed that at TM Machipisa supermarket, the protesters looted all the goods in the shop. In Mabvuku, Choppies supermarket was also looted earlier in the day. In Chitungwiza at Hunyani Bridge, youths have barricaded the road and are forcing people to pay certain amounts to allow them to pass through. The rogue youths are making each passengers pay at least a $1 each while motorists are being charged $2. Chicken Inn at Makoni Shopping Centre was looted while OK Supermarket was damaged by the stone throwing protesters. There are also reports that along High Glen Road, there were four roadblocks manned by youths also forcing motorists to pay. A bus was also burnt near White House just after Kuwadzana resulting in police being heavily deployed in the area. Government has warned members of the public against infringing on the rights of others. Herald What's Included 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. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Since its inception in 2007, the Asian Financial Forum has been growing in size and influence, and it is now a highlight in our events calendar. Im delighted that this year, over 3,300 policymakers, business and financial leaders as well as investors from more than 40 countries and regions are joining us to explore opportunities, do deals, make connections and, ultimately, find innovative ways to excel in 2019. That, of course, will be a considerable challenge. This new year is already charged with the trade discord between the two largest economies in the world and uncertainties in other parts of the world. For many economies including Hong Kong, moderated growth and for many companies, diminished business and financial results in 2018 appear inevitable. However, for Hong Kong, I believe there are more opportunities than challenges, or put it another way, by leveraging on our solid foundations and proactive policies, we could turn some of those global challenges into our opportunities. And our financial industry, which contributed almost 19% of our GDP in 2017, is well placed to serve the economy. Indeed, Hong Kong is a city built on finance and possesses the singular good fortune to create opportunities both within the Mainland and the world at large. The results of that unique advantage are clear and compelling. We are among the worlds top three international financial centres, in good company with New York and London. Our stock market boasts the worlds sixth largest capitalisation at US$3.8 trillion, which is about 11 times our GDP. In 2018, we topped the world in initial public offerings, taking in some US$37 billion. It should not come as a surprise because since 2009, Hong Kong has taken the first place globally in IPO funds raised for six out of the 10 years. We are Asias second largest international banking centre behind only Japan, and home to over 75 of the worlds 100 top banks. Our asset and wealth management sector manages about US$3.1 trillion, two-thirds of that coming from non-Hong Kong investors. We are, as well, the biggest offshore renminbi centre in the world, processing more than 75% of global offshore renminbi payments. Hong Kong is ranked fourth globally on the ease of doing business, according to the World Banks Doing Business 2019 Report. That is why over 8,700 overseas and Mainland companies maintain an office in Hong Kong, up 6.4% over the previous year. Among them, 1,530 have chosen to set up regional headquarters here, up 8.3% year on year. Consider, too, foreign direct investment. In 2017, global foreign direct investment inflow to Hong Kong totalled over US$100 billion, third in the world. As for outflow, we were fifth. Theres a good deal more I could spotlight in terms of financial figures and results, but allow me, for the next few minutes, to focus on our fundamental strengths, which have brought Hong Kong from a largely regional financial centre 20 years ago to a financial hub of global clout and significance today. A driving force, of course, has been Mainland China. Through four decades of reform and opening up, the Mainland today is the second largest economy in the world, its GDP soaring to US$12 trillion. But, no less important, Hong Kong has taken full advantage of the opportunities weve been presented with, especially under the unique one country, two systems principle since the reunification. We have played an irreplaceable role in the Mainlands success while benefitted significantly in many respects. Thanks to our competitiveness and adaptability, as well as our long-standing embrace of free and unfettered trade, Hong Kong has been rated as the worlds freest economy for 24 years running by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation. Being a global financial centre for decades has also made Hong Kong Chinas international financial capital, the only Chinese city to fully develop a market-based financial system, one underpinned by the rule of law and internationally aligned regulatory regimes. This has earned Hong Kong the trust of business from all over the world. Both Mainland and international investors take confidence in Hong Kong. We add value and create wealth for Mainland enterprises, international investors and, of course, ourselves. In this, we continue to advance, responding to both the development needs of the Mainland and the appetite of international investors. You can see that at work, from the listing of H-shares in Hong Kong in the early 1990s, to the Real Time Gross Settlement system for four currencies - US dollar, euro, renminbi and Hong Kong dollar - and the renminbi-denominated financial products at the turn of the century. More recently, weve launched Stock Connect, the northbound trading of Bond Connect and, this past year, the new listing regime for companies from emerging and innovative sectors. We will reinforce our prime role in connecting the Mainland with the rest of the world. Hong Kong is the largest source of realised foreign direct investment in the Mainland, contributing US$95 billion, thats 69%, in 2017. The Mainland is also Hong Kongs second largest source of inward direct investment, contributing 21%, or US$23 billion, in 2017. Since last May, the daily quotas of northbound and southbound trading under Stock Connect have quadrupled, to RMB52 billion and RMB42 billion respectively. As for the mutual recognition of funds between Hong Kong and the Mainland, aggregate net sales totalled RMB9.6 billion as of last November. Weve been blessed, too, with a strategic location, with half the worlds population no more than five hours away by air. It helps, too, that our time zone is neatly situated between that of London and New York. Our location will pay premium dividends in the decades to come, thanks to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - a regional development of national strategic importance consisting of some 70 million population and already a GDP of US$1.5 trillion. The fast-emerging development as well as the recently commissioned cross-boundary infrastructure have linked Hong Kong to Macau and nine cities in Guangdong Province into a bay area that will, over time, rival that of the bay areas of Tokyo and New York in economic might. With the ambition to develop an international innovation and technology hub, our bay area has been described by some as combining Silicon Valley with New York City. Then theres the Belt & Road, an ambitious, multi-dimensional, multilateral initiative highlighting increases in infrastructure, finance, trade and commerce as well as people-to-people bonds. The Belt & Road infrastructure will increase demand for project financing and insurance in managing financial, legal, political and regulatory risks. Hong Kong is well placed to serve as a premier financial and risk-management centre for the Belt & Roads big-ticket projects. The Hong Kong Monetary Authoritys Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office brings Belt & Road project owners and investors together. And, just last month, our Insurance Authority launched the Belt & Road Insurance Exchange Facilitation platform. This platform is a clearing house for information and assistance. It will help insurance companies make deals with bankers, project managers and others involved in insurance risk for infrastructure projects. In short, Hong Kong has what it takes, and what the Belt & Road needs, to make a palpable difference. In keeping with this forums theme, Creating a Sustainable & Inclusive Future, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government also places a high priority in developing our economy on a sustainable basis, and on becoming a regional hub for green finance. Our inaugural government green bond will soon be issued. It comes with a borrowing ceiling of $100 billion thats nearly US$13 billion. Financial technology is high on our priority as well. We are convinced it will help sustain growth and enhance competitiveness in our financial services sector. And we are moving rapidly to build our fintech industry. At last count, more than 500 fintech companies and startups were based here. We are reaching out to fintech partners all over the world - from the Middle East, Europe and South America to Shenzhen, our neighbour in southern China. Indeed, in early November last year, Hong Kong's annual Fintech Week, which attracted more than 8,000 fintech players, became the world's first cross-boundary fintech event, with the final day taking place in the city of Shenzhen. Last September, we launched our Faster Payment System. It connects banks and stored-value facility operators, enabling real-time credit transfer and direct-debit services between merchants and customers, as well as peer-to-peer transfers through the system. It marked a significant step forward for e-payment in Hong Kong. Well take another e-giant step soon, with the establishment of virtual banks here. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is expected to issue its initial batch of virtual bank licences in this quarter. These and other fintech services can only help drive competition, creating value and promoting financial inclusion. The more immediate vision, certainly for the world at large, is somewhat less grand, as I mentioned at the outset. In recent months, the world economy has been affected by trade friction between the Mainland of China and the United States. Investors are also anxious about the pace of monetary policy normalisation in major economies, as well as Brexits rocky road, geopolitical conflicts and a good deal more. Hong Kong, one of the worlds most open economies, will inevitably be affected by these and other external factors, particularly those that relate to the Mainland economy. Its why we accord the highest priority to ensuring financial stability and the integrity of our financial systems and markets. Our linked exchange rate system is rock solid, underpinned by more than US$400 billion worth of foreign exchange reserves. Our banking system is resilient and well capitalised, with total capital ratio at about 20%, well above international standards. The smooth operation of our capital markets is guaranteed through robust regulatory oversight and a host of contingency measures. Stress tests have and will continue to be conducted to ensure that we are fully prepared for different circumstances. The International Monetary Fund, Im pleased to note, has just given us a clean bill of health, a vote of confidence in the resilience of our economy, as well as the integrity and reliability of our financial system. Investor sentiment had been affected, of course. Thats evident in the stock markets increased volatility. Nevertheless, our economy grew 3.7% in the first three quarters of 2018. Economic growth for 2018 as a whole is forecast at 3.2%, which is higher than the trend growth rate in the past decade for the second consecutive year. And our unemployment rate remains at a 20-year low of 2.8%. In short, we are performing as well as can be expected, given the uncertainties of the global economy. No less important, we are prepared for shifting economic and political tides. The Asian Financial Forum, strategically taking place in the middle of the first month of the new year, is designed to help you plan for contingencies and to help you gather financial and market insights from distinguished speakers and participants from all over the world. For me and members of my delegation attending this years World Economic Forum at Davos later this month, it helpfully provides a warm-up to a global exchange. Im sure the Asian Financial Forum, over these two days, will prove invaluable for you and your business and investment strategies. Im confident, too, that Hong Kong can help you in considering and capturing regional and global opportunities. Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the Asian Financial Forum 2019 on January 14. Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Hamdi Sanad Loza says that Egypt treats all refugees equally regardless of nationality, adding that the Egyptian government is also keen on providing international protection for them from an ethical point of view. Loza made the comments at a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi, who is currently on a three-day visit to Egypt. In a press release on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said that Grandi praised the efforts exerted by the Egyptian government to protect refugees. Grandi also expressed the UNHCR's appreciation for the services offered by Egypt to refugees, which place a great burden on the host country's economy in terms of the strain on resources and opportunities across different sectors. The two sides also discussed the root causes of the global problem of refugees and asylum seekers, including unemployment, poverty, rampant corruption and armed conflicts. Grandi was elected head of UNHCR by the UN General Assembly in 2016, and has visited Egypt in that capacity once before, also in 2016. As of 31 November 2018, Egypt hosts more than 242,000 registered refugees and asylum-seekers of 58 different nationalities, mainly concentrated in Greater Cairo, Alexandria and the North Coast, UNHCR said in a press release to mark the high commissioner's visit. Short link: One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. By ANI WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) threatened to "devastate Turkey economically" if it attacked the Kurds in the region. While reiterating that the US began the pullout of its troops from Syria, Trump tweeted, "Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone...." Turkey views some Kurdish groups as terrorist organisations operating in the region. Apart from that, the Kurds, an Iranian ethnic group, found in parts of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey, make up the majority of US-allied fighters fighting in the Syrian civil war against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, CNN reported. "....Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Trump added. Earlier this week, an administration official told CNN that the first US military ground equipment has been withdrawn from the war-torn country. Trump'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 previous week, Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton had announced that Washington would withdraw its troops from Syria only after defeating ISIS and ensuring that the Kurds are safe. Bolton, who recently travelled to Israel to reassure the US ally of the Trump-ordered withdrawal, said there was no stipulated time for the pullout of American forces in Syria, but insisted that it was not an "unlimited commitment." (ANI) By Express News Service ANKARA: Turkey on Monday said it would not be intimidated by threats after US President Donald Trump warned of devastating economic consequences over any attack on Kurdish forces, but indicated Ankara was open to the idea of a security zone in Syria. "We have said repeatedly we are not scared of and will not be intimidated by any threats," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding: "Economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere." Trump on Sunday warned via Twitter that the US would "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds" in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 Cavusoglu hit out at Trump's use of social media. "Strategic partners, allies do not hold discussions via Twitter, via social media," he told reporters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin earlier vowed Ankara would continue to fight against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia despite Trump's warnings. Cavusoglu added that Turkey was "not against" a "security zone" in Syria, during a press conference in Ankara with his Luxembourg counterpart Jean Asselborn. Trump had also pushed for the creation of a 30-kilometre (20-mile) "safe zone" in his tweet but offered no details on who would create, enforce or pay for it, or where it would be located. ....Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019 "What is our concern? There is a terror corridor on the other side of our border, a terror organisation that wants to divide Syria and this terror organisation is a threat to us. We are targeting this terror organisation (YPG)," Cavusoglu added. American military support to the YPG has been a major source of tension between Turkey and the United States because Ankara accuses Washington of working with a "terrorist offshoot" of Kurdish insurgents fighting against the Turkish state since 1984. The YPG has spearheaded the fight against the Islamic State extremist group in Syria. But for Turkey, the YPG is the Syrian extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara, the US and the European Union. But when Trump announced he would pull out 2,000 American troops, the NATO allies' relations appeared to be back on track with Erdogan welcoming Trump's move. Since then, comments by US officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in support of protecting Kurdish fighters have provoked angry retorts from Ankara. By AFP WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to be able to reach a trade deal with China, which is feeling the impact of US tariffs. "We are doing very well with China. They're having a hard with their economy because of the tariffs," Trump told reporters at the White House."I think that we are going to be able to do a deal with China." US officials were in Beijing last week for talks aimed at ending the bruising trade confrontation that has subjected more than USD 350 billion in two-way trade to steep tariffs. Chinese officials said the next round of negotiations would be held in Washington between January 30 and 31. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed on December 1 to a three-month truce in the escalating spat. "I can tell you we are getting things that before I became president you would have had no chance at getting," Trump said. "They would have laughed in your president's face." As Trump has pressed Beijing to increase imports of US goods, China's trade surplus with the United States hit a record last year of USD 323.3 billion, an 11 per cent increase over 2017, according to Chinese customs data released Monday. However, in a sign that the White House's punitive measures are having an impact, China's exports to the US sank last month. And China's total exports fell 4.4 per cent in December from a year earlier, while imports dropped 7.6 per cent, reflecting sluggish demand at home and abroad. By AFP FREETOWN: "Mary" was nine years old when her childhood abruptly ended. Three men fed her sedatives then raped her. Her mother, who had been washing clothes in a stream near their home in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, got home to find her child lying on the ground distraught, her legs and dress stained with blood. "They put dirty clothes in my mouth and raped me," the girl told AFP, without giving her real name. The family reported the attack to the police and identified the rapists, but no charges were ever brought. Thousands of children and young girls were raped last year in Sierra Leone -- a silent epidemic of suffering in one of the world's poorest countries. According to police statistics, recorded cases of sexual and gender-based violence almost doubled last year, reaching 8,505 in a population of 7.5 million, up from 4,750 a year earlier. And of that number, 2,579 cases -- around a third -- involved the rape of a minor. But, as with the incidence of rape in almost every country, this shocking tally is almost certainly an understatement. "Mary" and her family plucked up the courage to report the crime: many do not. 'Culture of rape' "We have a culture of rape in Sierra Leone," admitted Chernor Bah of the UN's Global Education First Initiative at a demonstration in Freetown last month where more than 500 black-clad protesters took to the streets over violence against women. "The rape of minors is a national problem," rally organiser Asma James said. "The situation is sad, selfish, barbaric and inhuman and requires all of us, women and men, to speak up." Just weeks before, the country had been shaken by the rape of a five-year-old girl by her 28-year-old relative. Her attacker raped her anally, crippling her spine. Doctors at the Aberdeen Women's Centre in Freetown, which helps women and girls who have suffered from sexual violence and rape, said it was unlikely the child would ever be able to walk again. The attack sparked outrage, with many people demanding that child rapists face a lifetime behind bars -- calls echoed by President Julius Maada Bio himself. "Let me be very clear: men who rape girls deserve to be jailed for life," Bio said as his wife launched a campaign called "Hands off Our Girls". Thousands of children and young girls were raped last year in Sierra Leone -- a silent epidemic of suffering in one of the world's poorest countries. | AFP Most victims under 15 Reports of rape and the sexual penetration of minors, as child rape is legally termed, have steadily increased, according to the Freetown-based Rainbo Initiative, which provides free medical services and counselling to victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Figures collated by the centre show that in 2018, 76 percent of rape victims were aged 15 years or younger -- including babies. The rest of the victims were aged between 16 and 20. And every month, an average of 149 victims fell pregnant as a result of rape. "Children are brought to our centres in tattered clothes covered with blood stains," executive director Daniel Kettor told AFP. In Freetown alone, there were 1,491 cases of sexual abuse reported between January and October 2018, with the youngest victim just seven months old and the oldest aged 85. "Amongst the survivors, six were HIV-positive and 484 fell pregnant after being raped," Kettor said. Doctors at the centre examine the victims, looking for evidence of sperm specimens and blood stains around the genital area before providing them with a medical certificate which is necessary for police to open an investigation. Rape and war Those looking for an explanation of Sierra Leone's rape crisis often turn to the country's violent recent past. During a 10-year civil war (1991-2001), thousands of women and girls were subjected to widespread and systematic sexual violence and rape, a 2003 Human Rights Watch report found. In this pervasive environment, there has been little headway toward rooting out attitudes of sexual predation and prosecuting rapists. "Sexual violence against women and girls is a prevalent and destructive practice that still has deep roots in the country, despite various initiatives to eliminate it," Commissioner of Sierra Leone's Law Reform Commission Rhoda Suffian-Kargbo Nuni told AFP. Many attacks go unpunished, and those that are reported often fail to end in indictments or make it through Sierra Leone's judicial system, rights groups and police say. Court records show that in 2018, only 26 rape cases were successfully prosecuted and led to a conviction. Some cases fail to make it to court due to a lack of adequate facilities to carry out DNA tests to secure the necessary evidence. Others never get off the ground because the victims simply cannot afford the legal costs. "The police have limited resources to investigate sexual and gender abuse," says Superintendent Fatmata Daboh, who heads the Family Support Unit. "Many cases are settled out of court or without going to trial due to the lack of a forensic science lab to prove evidence." A pledge for change Sierra Leone's Human Rights Commission in 2017 highlighted systemic failures, including "inefficiencies and corruption in the judicial system" for many cases being settled out of court or never going to trial. Legally, rape is a criminal offence which carries a jail term of between five and 15 years, according to the Sexual Offences Act of 2012 -- a law that Sierra Leone reworked and toughened specifically to combat sexual predators. But such sentences are rare. In a high-profile case last year, a court in Freetown convicted a 56-year-old man of raping a six-year-old girl. He got one year in jail. The many failings have stirred anger and frustration -- but also a desire for change. "We are working on our law for strict punishment," said Justice Minister Priscilla Schwartz. Appointed to the post in mid-2018, she too attended the protest marches. ' By PTI ISLAMABAD: In a relief to jailed former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the anti-graft body's appeal against the suspension of his jail sentence and that of his family in one of three corruption cases faced by the embattled leader. In July 2018, an accountability court here handed Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and 1 year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar upheld the Islamabad High Court's verdict that ordered suspension of prison sentences awarded to Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The apex court, in its ruling, said that the NAB has failed to provide the "ground for cancellation of bail" and that the IHC had not exceeded its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case. The 69-year-old three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Sharif is currently in jail after an anti-corruption court sentenced him on December 24 to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case while acquitting him in the Flagship Investments corruption case in the Panama Papers scandal. The Supreme Court's decision brings a rare relief for the Sharif family, both of whose leaders - Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif - are currently incarcerated, Dawn newspaper commented. The NAB, Pakistan's anti-corruption body, approached the apex court after the Islamabad High Court, on September 19, suspended prison sentences of the Sharifs awarded by an accountability court. READ | Nawaz Sharif's health deteriorates; daughter claims jail authorities not letting cardiologists examine him The accountability court convicted Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced them to eight years and one year, respectively, in prison. Upholding the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court bench threw out the NAB's request to revoke the Sharifs' bails, observing that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the "grounds for cancellation of bail". The IHC did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield case, Geo TV quoted the bench as observing. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country's next chief justice later this month, stated that the IHC decision was temporary and the apex court would not interfere with the decision. "The person [Nawaz Sharif] is in prison and there is no allegation about the misuse of bail. We have a Constitution to follow and we will make sure justice prevails. There will be a fair trial in every case," Justice Khosa remarked. Responding to the apex court verdict, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Sharif, said she was thankful to Allah Almighty. She, however, said that true relief and happiness would be when her father came back home from jail. The former premier has been a serving seven-year imprisonment at Kot Lakhpat prison after being declared guilty of corruption in Al-Azizia case. Sharif has already filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court against the sentence. "I am thankful to Allah Almighty for today's decision. The fact is that not for a moment was I concerned about myself. Insha'Allah true relief & happiness would be when my father comes back home. I have faith in Allah and His infinite Mercy. Thank you all for your prayers & support," Maryam tweeted. Reacting to the top court's decision, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and hailed the decision saying Sharif is still is in prison and hence the decision will not have any effect on the present state of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader. Three cases of corruption - the Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the NAB on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif. The apex court initially set six-month deadline to conclude the cases but it subsequently increased around eight times on the request of the accountability court. Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July, 2017. By Associated Press TEHRAN: The head of Iran's nuclear program said Sunday that the Islamic Republic has begun "preliminary activities for designing" a modern process for 20-per cent uranium enrichment for its 50-year-old research reactor in Tehran, signaling new danger for the nuclear deal. Restarting enrichment at that level would mean Iran had withdrawn the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers, an accord that President Donald Trump already pulled America out of in May. However, Ali Akbar Salehi's comments to state television appeared aimed at telling the world Iran would slowly restart its program. If it chooses, it could resume mass enrichment at its main facility in the central Iranian town of Natanz. ALSO READ | Iran confirms recent missile test amid Western criticism "Preliminary activities for designing modern 20 per cent (enriched uranium) fuel have begun," state TV quoted Salehi as saying. Salehi said adding the "modern fuel" will increase efficiency in Tehran research reactor that consumes 20-per cent enriched fuel. "We are at the verge" of being ready, he said, without elaborating. In June, Iran informed the UN's nuclear watchdog that it will increase its nuclear enrichment capacity within the limits set by the 2015 agreement with world powers. Iran continues to comply with the terms of the deal, according to the UN, despite the American pullout. Salehi heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, whose Tehran campus holds the nuclear research reactor given to the country by the US in 1967 under the rule of the shah. But in the time since that American "Atoms for Peace" donation, Iran was convulsed by its 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent takeover and hostage crisis at the US Embassy in Tehran. For decades since, Western nations have been concerned about Iran's nuclear program, accusing Tehran of seeking atomic weapons. Iran long has said its program is for peaceful purposes, but it faced years of crippling sanctions. The 2015 nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers, including the US under President Barack Obama, was aimed at relieving those fears. Under it, Iran agreed to store its excess centrifuges at its underground Natanz enrichment facility under constant surveillance by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran can use 5,060 older-model IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz, but only to enrich uranium up to 3.67 per cent. That low-level enrichment means the uranium can be used to fuel a civilian reactor but is far below the 90 per cent needed to produce a weapon. Iran also can possess no more than 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of that uranium. That's compared to the 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds) of higher-enriched uranium it once had. ALSO READ | Some US officials are 'first-class idiots': Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Trump, who campaigned on a promise to tear up the nuclear deal, said he ultimately pulled America out of the accord over Iran's ballistic missile program and its malign influence on the wider Mideast. In an interview in September with The Associated Press, Salehi warned that Iran could begin mass production of more advanced centrifuges if the deal collapses. "If we have to go back and withdraw from the nuclear deal, we certainly do not go back to where we were before," Salehi said at the time. "We will be standing on a much, much higher position." By Associated Press (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Chris Edelson, American University School of Public Affairs If President Donald Trump declares a national emergency to fund some portion of a wall along the US -Mexico border without congressional authorization, what would happen next? Would the courts step in? What is Congress role? As I explain in my book Emergency Presidential Power, presidents generally claim emergency power two ways: through inherent or implied authority under the US Constitution or under statutory authority granted by Congress. Relying on the Constitution as a basis for emergency power is controversial, and less likely to stand up to meaningful congressional or judicial review. The US Constitution says nothing specific about presidential emergency power: Presidents can only claim such authority is implied or inherent. READ | Trump urges Democrats to visit White House for talks to end government shutdown The emergency powers the Constitution does describe are actually assigned to Congress. Congress has delegated some emergency powers to the president through statutes, including the National Emergencies Act. But Congress retains the power to reject a presidents declaration of a national emergency. If President Trump does declare an emergency, the question is: Will Congress use the power available to it, or will it play the role of passive spectator? Gaining congressional approval Since presidents lack any specific constitutional emergency power, they often find it necessary to gain congressional authorization. For instance, at the start of the Civil War, with Congress out of session, President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and took other unilateral actions. He later sought and gained retroactive approval from Congress for these actions. This precedent of gaining congressional approval was put to the test nearly 100 years later. In 1952, President Harry Truman claimed emergency power to take control of steel factories during the Korean War in response to a labor strike. He invoked a very great inherent power to meet great national emergencies. Congress took no specific action to approve or disapprove, though a pre-existing statute on the books weighed against Truman. READ | Trump closer to declaring national emergency to build wall along US-Mexico border When factory owners sued the administration, the Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote, ruled against Truman in the famous Youngstown Sheet decision. Justice Robert H. Jacksons concurring opinion in that case has been especially influential and is often cited by legal scholars and judges. He outlined a three-part test to be used as a starting point in determining when presidential action is constitutionally permissible. Under Jacksons test, presidents are on the strongest possible footing when acting with congressional approval. In this case, Jackson said, Trumans position was weak since he was taking action that did not comply with the relevant legislative framework. In Jacksons view, Trumans reliance on inherent emergency power under the Constitution would dangerously concentrate power in the presidents hands, something the framers would not have wanted. Congresss role Jacksons opinion in Youngstown suggested that emergency power could be defined by Congress in statutes. Congress took up that suggestion with the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Though the act was designed to set limits on presidential power to declare national emergencies of indefinite length, it has ended up providing a largely unregulated way for presidents to take unilateral action. Congress has failed to fulfill its responsibilities under the law. The National Emergencies Act permits the president to declare a national emergency without congressional approval, triggering specific statutory powers that the president can use. For instance, presidents have used this law to impose economic sanctions against terrorists after 9/11 or regulate foreign ships in US waters. Thirty-one emergency declarations are currently in effect under the statute. Congress can vote at any time to terminate a state of emergency, and is required by the statute to meet every six months while an emergency is in effect to consider whether it should continue. However, it has never voted on an emergency declared by a president or held meetings as required by the statute. Perhaps most importantly for Trump, the National Emergencies Act provides no criteria for deciding whether a national emergency exists. We know from history that presidents can contrive emergencies as a pretext for action. For example, in 1846 President James Polk falsely claimed that Mexico had spilled American blood on US soil as a pretext for gaining a declaration of war from Congress. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt justified the decision to intern 110,000 Japanese-Americans without trial based on false claims that time was of the essence, and at least some Japanese-Americans were known to be disloyal. Although both of these examples pre-date the 1976 Act, they serve as cautionary tales about the wisdom of accepting at face value a presidents claim that an emergency exists. However, because the law now in effect provides no specific standards to define the existence of an emergency, courts might be inclined to defer to presidential discretion. If President Trump declares a national emergency at the border, it is far from clear that courts would strike it down. By contrast, it would be straightforward for Congress to reverse a declaration of national emergency. The National Emergencies Act gives legislators authority to reject a presidential declaration of national emergency through simple legislation that would require majorities in the House and Senate. President Trump would presumably veto such action. Legislators would have the opportunity to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote. That of course would be no easy task in the current Congress. Because of the way the National Emergencies Act was drafted, Congress is better positioned to take action than the courts assuming enough members are moved to act. If Congress does nothing, then the law could become a vehicle for presidential abuse, especially because the acts language seems to grant the president broad discretion that could insulate an emergency declaration from legal challenge. If the president moves ahead with a controversial plan to declare a national emergency as a way to free up money for construction of a border wall, all eyes should be on Congress. Egyptian authorities have deported a German national of Egyptian origins who recently arrived in Egypt several, due to his affiliation with the Daesh terror group, according the state news agency MENA.Issa Mohamed Abdel-Ghani El-Sabbagh had recently arrived at Luxor International Airport from Germany.According to MENA, the authorities said El-Sabbagh was found in possession of maps of North Sinai. The authorities said he had links with IS group elements in Germany and he come to Egypt to join terrorists in North Sinai.The 18-year-old, a student at the University of Giessen, was deported to Germany on Sunday.The government said that it did not consider El-Sabbagh an Egyptian national since he automatically lost that right in 2007 while a minor, when his father gave up his Egyptian nationality to attain German citizenship. The deportation comes two days after the deportation of another German of Egyptian origins, 24-year-old Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz, who the Egyptian authorities said was also trying to join Daesh terrorists in Sinai. Short link: By AFP ROME: Former communist militant Cesare Battisti, wanted in Italy for four murders in the 1970s, arrived in Rome on Monday after an international police squad tracked him down and arrested him in Bolivia. Jailed in 1979 for belonging to an armed revolutionary group outlawed in Italy, Battisti escaped from prison two years later, and has spent nearly four decades on the run. An Italian-flagged Falcon 900 plane carrying Battisti landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Monday morning. Battisti, who was not wearing handcuffs, smiled grimly as he was escorted off the plane by a dozen policemen. He was expected to be taken to Rome's Rebibbia jail, where according to media reports he will begin life behind bars with six months solitary confinement. "In the name of 60 million Italians, I want to thank law enforcement for having given us this ray of sunlight, this hope, this certainty, this renewed faith in justice," Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told journalists at Ciampino. "This is not the finish line but the starting point," Salvini said, citing the presence of "dozens" of other former militants still on the run in countries from Latin America to France. Italy had repeatedly sought the extradition of Battisti, who lived in Brazil for years under the protection of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, himself now in prison for corruption. In this frame grab taken by a video released by the Italian Police, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, Italian fugitive communist militant Cesare Battisti walks in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. (Italian Police Via AP) Battisti, 64, was seized late Saturday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in an operation carried out by a joint team of Italian and Bolivian officers, Italian state police said. 'Rot in jail' The fugitive could be seen walking casually about Santa Cruz in sunglasses and a blue T-shirt, in surveillance footage taken hours before his capture. He gave up without a struggle, according to Italian government sources. Battisti was sentenced to life imprisonment for having killed two Italian policemen, taking part in the murder of a butcher and helping plan the slaying of a jeweller who died in a shootout that left his teenage son in a wheelchair. "It's over, now the victims can rest in peace," said Alberto Torregiani, the son of the slain jeweller. ALSO READ | In Jair Bolsonaro, Benjamin Netanyahu finds a kindred spirit "It should have happened years ago" Battisti has admitted to being part of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, a radical group which staged a string of robberies and attacks, but has always denied responsibility for any deaths, painting himself as a political refugee. However Rome is determined to punish one of the key figures from Italy's so-called Years of Lead, a decade of violent turmoil which began in the late 1960s and saw dozens of deadly attacks by hardline leftwing and rightwing groups. During his election campaign, Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro -- who took office on January 1 -- vowed that if elected he would "immediately" send Battisti back to Italy. Battisti had filed for asylum without receiving any response from authorities, Bolivia's ombudsman said in an article published in the local El Deber de Santa Cruz newspaper. He had been hoping to find favour with Bolivia's left-wing President Evo Morales after saying in his asylum request he had been forced to quit Brazil due to "the ominous coincidence" that Italy and Brazil were both now run by "far-right" governments. 'Little gift' Bolsonaro's son, Brazilian lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, tweeted in Italian with a picture of Battisti: "Brazil is no longer the land of bandits. Matteo Salvini, the 'little gift' is on its way." Since his jailbreak Battisti had reinvented himself as an author, writing a string of noir novels. In 2004, he skipped bail in France, where he had taken refuge. He then went to live clandestinely in Brazil until he was arrested in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro. After years in custody, then-president Lula issued a decree -- later upheld by Brazil's Supreme Court -- in 2010 refusing Battisti's extradition to Italy, and he was freed, angering Rome. Battisti, who has a five-year-old Brazilian son, last year told AFP he faced "torture" and death if he were ever to be sent back to Italy. By AFP DALIAN: A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death on drug trafficking charges on Monday after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient, a ruling likely to deepen a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Beijing. Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, nodded as the judge in the northeast city of Dalian asked him whether he understood the verdict, following a day-long retrial in which he declared his innocence. "The court completely rejects the accused person's explanation and defence because it is completely at odds with the facts," the chief judge said in a courtroom packed with observers -- among them Canadian embassy officials and three foreign reporters, including one from AFP. He can appeal against the sentence at an upper court. Schellenberg had originally been sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 150,000-yuan ($22,000) forfeiture in November. But following an appeal, a high court in Liaoning ruled in December that the sentence was too lenient given the severity of his crimes. "I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist," Schellenberg, said in his final statement before the sentence was announced. He was brought to the hearing in handcuffs. The sentence comes against the backdrop of the Chinese government's anger over the arrest in Canada of a top executive from telecom giant Huawei last month on a US extradition request related to Iran sanctions violations. Chinese authorities have since detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen as retaliation over the Huawei executive's arrest. The Dalian court said Schellenberg, who was detained in December 2014, played a "key part" in an international drug trafficking syndicate. "Not just content with spreading drugs in one country, the syndicate has spread across borders. It is a harm to human health and also to the stability of countries," the court said. China has executed other foreigners for drug-related crimes in the past, including a Japanese national in 2014 and a Filipina in 2013. Experts said retrials are rare in China, especially ones calling for a harsher sentence. Ottawa has said it was following the case "very closely" and has provided Schellenberg with consular assistance. Beijing has repeatedly denied any diplomatic pressure in the case. The Chinese foreign ministry said Friday critics "can stop recklessly suspecting others of politicising legal issues just because they have done so". Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused China of "arbitrarily and unfairly" detaining former diplomat Michael Kovrig and business consultant Michael Spavor. Trudeau suggested that Kovrig still enjoyed diplomatic immunity, an assertion rejected by the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday. The Dalian court was filled with about 70 observers, who were patted down and made to empty pockets -- receipts and stray coins were to be left at the security check. In an opening statement, Schellenberg said he had come to China after travelling through Southeast Asia, including Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He said a friend recommended a man named Xu Qing as a translator and he was swept up in what has turned out to be an international drug trafficking syndicate. "This is a case about Xu Qing, he is an international drug smuggler and a liar," Schellenberg told the court, accusing Xu of setting him up. Schellenberg claimed the drug deal was masterminded by Khamla Wong, a Canadian who was arrested in Thailand in 2016 on drug charges. But Chinese prosecutors said Schellenberg was the principal suspect in a case involving an international syndicate that planned to send some 222 kilogrammes (490 pounds) of methamphetamine to Australia, hidden in plastic pellets which were concealed in rubber tyres. Prosecutors brought in Xu as a witness, who in close to two hours of testimony never once turned to look at Schellenberg. When pressed on details, he frequently said he could not remember and to refer to a written statement for details, including when Schellenberg questioned him about 180,000 yuan he was purportedly given. Two other Chinese men have been involved in this case -- one was sentenced to life imprisonment, another handed a suspended death sentence. By AFP China's first "cyber-dissident", whose website reported on sensitive topics including human rights, is expected to go on trial on Monday amid fears he is in bad health, sources familiar with the matter said. Huang Qi was arrested in 2016 for "leaking state secrets" and has since been held at the Mianyang Detention Centre in southwestern Sichuan province -- his home region -- without a trial date. Calls to the Mianyang Intermediate People's Court, which is handling the case, went unanswered. "American diplomats attempted to attend Huang Qi's trial but were denied access to the courtroom," a US embassy spokesperson told AFP. Several activists who said they were travelling to Mianyang to attend the trial sent photos and videos to AFP showing police stopping them en route Monday morning. Huang ran a website called "64 Tianwang" -- named after the bloody June 4, 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters. The site, which has reported on local corruption, human rights violations, and other topics rarely seen in ordinary Chinese media, is blocked on the mainland. A volunteer at "64 Tianwang" said that he was taken away "on holiday" Saturday by Sichuan police, who cited the cyber-dissidents trial that was due to start this week. "I am worried (for his safety)," the volunteer said on condition of anonymity. "But Huangqi is very proud, he won't surrender." The volunteer was told he would be released once the trial was over. Mianyang police did not answer AFP's calls for comment. Chinese police in recent years have muzzled dissent by whisking away activists and holding them in a hotel room during sensitive events, giving rise to the term "being travelled". Fourteen non-profit organisations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House, released a statement last November saying Huang was in danger of dying in police custody if he does not receive medical treatment for a host of severe health conditions. Huang suffers from high blood pressure and late-stage kidney disease, but his mother Pu Wenqing's attempts to get medical bail were denied in the past. Huang's work has repeatedly drawn the ire of Chinese authorities. In 2009, he was sentenced to three years in prison after campaigning for parents of children killed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which left nearly 87,000 people dead or missing and authorities facing huge public anger over shoddy building construction. Five years later Huang and at least three citizen journalists who contribute to 64 Tianwang were detained by police after the site reported on a woman who set herself on fire in Tiananmen Square. The website was awarded a Reporters Without Borders prize in early November of 2016. A few weeks later, Huang was detained in his hometown of Chengdu, according to Amnesty International. By AFP YEREVAN: Armenia's president appointed former protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister on Monday as the Caucasus country's parliament met for the first time since an election last month. Pashinyan won a landslide victory in the snap December parliamentary elections, cementing his authority after he swept to power in a peaceful revolution last year. Speaking in the National Assembly, President Armen Sarkisian said the election had "endowed this parliament with a high legitimacy". Only parties who backed Pashinyan's "velvet revolution" made it to parliament as a result of the vote which international monitors hailed as democratic. Pashinyan's Civil Contract party won 70.43 percent of the vote. "The main political change expected in Armenia has already happened: power has been returned to the people and democracy has been established," Pashinyan said in a meeting with the president according to the prime minister's press service. "Now there is another task: to strengthen this democracy with institutional guarantees." The 43-year-old former journalist has pledged to root out endemic corruption and address widespread poverty in the impoverished, landlocked ex-Soviet republic of three million people. Pashinyan first became prime minister in May after spearheading weeks of peaceful anti-government rallies that ousted veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian. But he resigned in October after efforts at reform stalled in the face of opposition from Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party. The move triggered a snap election which Pashinyan said would "bring the velvet revolution to its logical end". The Republican Party failed to clear the five percent threshold needed to make it into parliament. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Pashinyan a congratulatory note, the Kremlin said. "I hope our dialogue and constructive joint work will further strengthen Russian-Armenian united cooperation," a statement quoted Putin as saying. "This is undoubtedly in the interest of our brotherly nations." While seeking reforms at home, Pashinyan has also pursued a balanced foreign policy during his first five months in office. He has reassured Putin that Armenia would remain Moscow's loyal ally but at the same time sought to charm Western leaders. During an international summit in the capital Yerevan in October he danced traditional Armenian dances with French President Emmanuel Macron and wore matching socks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. MVK Sastry By Express News Service NIZAMABAD: When ones own family refuses to give the much-needed support, it can be extremely discouraging and demoralising. But this young woman is undeterred by such negative attitude and reaction, because her sole objective is to serve the people of the village she grew up in. Twenty-four-year-old Sushmitha Naidu, who is working with a software company in Ireland, returned to her native Yedapally village to contest as a sarpanch in the upcoming gram panchayat elections. Interestingly, her father Shankar Naidu, who served in various capacities during his 35-year political career with Congress and whose second term as the sarpanch ended in 2018, has also not come out openly to support Sushmitha in her bid to run for the post of panchayat head. In fact, Shankar and his supporters were on the lookout for a suitable candidate as Yedapally, a prominent village in Nizamabad district under Bodhan revenue division, is reserved for BC women this time. Bharathi of Chitteboinpally gram panchayath of Jadcherla mandal in Mahbubnagar district submits her papers on Sunday | Express Hearing about the situation, Sushmitha immediately expressed her desire to contest in the elections. Lengthy discussions and deliberations followed, all during her telephonic conversations from Ireland. The response, obviously, was not positive family members discouraged her from entering politics, relatives and well-wishers advised her to not give up a well-paid and secure job. But Sushmitha made up her mind. Despite opposition from everyone, she returned her native, started her preparations for the polls and filed her nomination papers too. Subshmitha who had completed her schooling in Bodhan town, and degree and MBA in Project Management in Hyderabad before moving abroad to work as a technical support engineer with HCL Ireland wants to develop Yedapally as a model village. The young techie surely has a vision for development. My father did his bit for the development of our village. But there is still a lot to be done. We have to work with even more better planning and ambition to achieve comprehensive development for the village, she said. She also very clear about the idea of youth entering the politics and contributing to the overall development. As a professional any one can get huge salaries and lead luxurious life. But everyone will not be satisfied with that kind of life. But when you enter public service, even small things can give you immense satisfaction, she added. I firmly believe that youth should contest in the local body elections to serve the public. Its an opportunity to prove their leadership qualities and help their villages to achieve the overall development, Sushmitha said. Referring to her not getting expected support from her family members, she said with a wry smile: All of them have not been very supportive. Even my father is not ready to give me any tips either on politics or on elections. All they said was, in politics everyone should learn on their own from their day to day interaction with the people. Since I know everyone in the village, I am confident, with help of a group of friends, I will be able to launch a successful campaign, she said. Rajesh Abraham By Express News Service KOCHI: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $1 million to the countrys first cancer technology incubator inaugurated at the Kerala Technology Innovation Zone (TIZ), Kalamassery, on Sunday. The worlds largest private foundation has already given Rs 50 lakh for the new incubator titled Biomedical Research, Innovation and Commercialisation in Cancer (BRIC), which is aimed at creating India-focused innovations and developments in the cancer care sector. Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC) Director Dr Moni Abraham Kuriakose told Express that $1 million is committed for a period of five years. Tech to identify mouth cancer being developed Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC) Director Dr Moni Abraham Kuriakose said while `50 lakh of the promised $1m was committed as the first tranche, any further disbursement of the money will be based on the progress made by BRIC in coming up with innovations in cancer care segment. Were developing a homegrown technology for identifying mouth cancer at its very earliest stage using artificial intelligence. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving the money because its a socially impacting project, said Dr Moni. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the wealthiest charity organisation, owns $50.7 billion in assets. Perhaps, this would be its first involvement in Kerala. Dr Moni said BRIC has also tied up with the University of Illinois, Chicago for collaborative research and in robotics and cancer surgery. The University is mainly into artificial intelligence. They are working on multiple areas. One area they are working on is pathology. Right now, pathology is interpreted by a pathologist, and there is an inter-observer variability. Today I look at it and tomorrow I may miss something. Its very much subjective. Whether a machine can help the doctor to improve that factor. Thats one area we are working with the University of Illinois, Dr Moni said, adding that the US university will provide technical support to the cancer tech incubator at TIZ. Another area of collaboration is in developing robotics. Its very difficult to get trained cancer surgeons. For other procedures, theyve developed robotics, he said. Biocon, another leading biotech company, has also come forward to support BRIC. The Bengaluru-based company will set up a centralised core pathology laboratory in the cancer tech incubator, informed Dr Moni. Akram Mohammed By Express News Service BENGALURU: From 612 complaints in 2013 to around 5,700 complaints by the end of 2018, the number of cyber crime cases in the state has increased nine-fold in the last six years. However, an analysis of the cases between 2013 and 2015 shows that 62.9 per cent of them remain undetected. In order to address the issue, the police have decided to introduce dedicated Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) stations across the state. As many as 369 of the 612 cases registered in 2013, making up 60 per cent of the cases, remain undetected. Of the 612, 410 were registered in Bengaluru, of which 285 cases - 69.5 per cent remain undetected till date. Though the tech city of Bengaluru is the hub of cybercrime in the state, cities like Mangaluru, Hubballiand Shivamogga are also witnessing an annual increase in the number of these crimes reported. Authorities attribute the low detection levels to challenges involved in tracking cybercriminals, including technical shortcomings, and lack of adequate personnel to deal with the mounting number of cases. Officials add that the police department is now working to address the problems. Speaking to The New Indian Express, MA Saleem, Additional Director General of Police, Crime and Technical Services, said that CEN Police Stations are being set up in all the districts. Using Central government funds, Rs 19.5 crore will be used to buy technical equipment for the CEN stations to help in tackling cyber crimes. Also, a cyber forensic lab is being constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore at Forensic Science Laboratory, Bengaluru, apart from other initiatives being taken to curb the menace, he said. Types of crimes Debit and credit card frauds by vishing where victims reveal personal financial information to fraudsters over the phone is the technique with the most number of cases. Cases of character assassination using social media and morphed images are also being reported, such as the one where the cybercrime unit of CID had registered a case against the followers of a controversial seer for uploading a pornographic clip of a woman online. The other common cyber crimes are card skimming, job frauds, matrimony frauds and cases involving social media. Elderly victims While almost everyone with internet connectivity is a potential victim of fraud, cybercrime complaints indicate that senior citizens may be more susceptible to them. In two cases reported at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Bengaluru, in the first four days of 2019, a 60-year-old was cheated of Rs 35.8 lakh while another 55-year old had lost Rs 6.86 lakh to criminals employing the vishing method. The losses suffered by vishing victims who are in their late 20s or early 30s were found to be between Rs 50,000 and Rs 70,000. Recently, the 55-year-old chief finance officer of a Japanese firms office in Bengaluru received a mail appearing to be from his Swedish partner. The mail provided details of a change in remittance account of the Swedish firm and provided the new account details to which the firm in India had to transfer money. Based on the mail, he remitted $3,77,006 equivalent to Rs 2.63 crore to the said account. Little did he know that he was a victim of a trap. Gautam Pingle By There are two major challenges that concern civil servants. They are separate but interrelated. The first, and more important one in a universal sense (which applies to everyone), is the dichotomy or division between chaos and order. This is a generic problem. The world is full of chaos, and creation myths in all religious and cultural traditions deal with it. These traditions attribute divine or Godlike human intervention to create habitable order out of chaos. The expression habitable order is the major goal for any society, household or individual. Order is characterised by a world that is predictable and where actions have clearly associated results, while chaos is the world of the unpredictable. It is human society that has evolved a sophisticated set of rules along with incentives and punishments that make life habitable. But the issue is not of order vs. chaos in a stark manner but of the balance between the two. The Chinese Taoist tradition defines it as yin and yang; life is a balancing act between this duality. These elements are also internalised within an individual and reflect the need for the individual to develop a truthful internal dialogue that mediates between order and chaos inherent within them. The brain is divided into the two hemispheres which have specific functions that react differently depending on this duality. Over time, social order tends to be rigid, static and tyrannical. This may be useful for those in the upper reaches of hierarchies that are necessary to preserve order. A viable and efficient order should allow for upward mobility based on competence and effort. At the same time, there has to be efforts to provide relief to those who are not able to move up, for whatever reason, and are stuck at the bottom of the pyramid. Chaos involves high degrees of uncertainty and randomness and unpredictability. It raises the question whether life is worth living. But it also encourages innovation and active attempts at combating chaos and evolving new ways of thought and action. The best ideas and efforts from religious and political leaders have come from efforts to create habitable order from chaos or to challenge or reform tyrannical order to make it more habitable. In revolutionary situations the existing order is replaced by a new system of order. Even in the economic sphere, innovators who produce new business models and new ways of doing things are working outside the economic order while those within are making only marginal improvements. There needs to be a degree of chaos in order and some degree of order is necessary in the chaos that exists. The ideal solution is to be able to negotiate between order and chaostaking advantage of the certainty and predictability of being part of the order but also bringing to it some of the chaotic elements in terms of innovation and reform. The immediate problem is: Within this general scheme of existence, how should civil servants cope? The essential job of a civil servant is to preserve, sustain and implement order. Discretion, innovation and individual action are limited by institutional and legal provisions that bind the civil servant to the system of order to which he/she belongs. However, the saving grace is that any sustainable order has to rest on consent of the peoplethe consent may be direct and positive through an electoral process or indirect through acquiescence, concession, submission and conformity. Where the system permits legal and technical initiatives and actions which help those who are at the bottom of the pyramid, the civil servant has a degree of freedom of action which is in conformity with part of the system mandate. It is this small but important part of potential action that civil servants can exercise without destabilising the system and, in fact, acting to make the system more responsive and tolerable to those at the bottom of the pyramid. Such actions legitimise the system and try to universalise its benefits. The role of the Right of the political spectrum is dedicated to maintaining the system of order; the role of the Left lies in acting towards amelioration of the less privileged. But this is a debate and contest between political parties and does not mandate the civil service to act on its own without political direction. To the extent the civil service can perform its functions in a fair manner, this is advisable and implementable. At the same time, civil servants need to protect their integrity and ensure they are accountable for actions to their superiors and to the system as a whole. This is the problem civil servants are confronted with when taking discretionary action that has to be justified. The problem becomes worse when they are carrying out orders of the political masters that do not comply with procedures. If these actions result in loss to the public exchequer the matter becomes serious even if there is no private gain by the civil servant in exchange for irregular and illegal actions. It is this area that civil servants are in danger of entering even if the motivation to initiate quick action by bypassing established procedures is to increase the efficiency of the system at their level. The risks with taking initiative are high and need to be mitigated by reasoned written orders approved by immediate seniors in the service. The road to civil service hell is paved with good intentions. However, as the economy grows and strengthens and most households are able to access markets for their needs, the requirement for special government services, licenses, permits, entitlements, grants and subsidies will become less important. This will reduce the roles of the government and civil service. That will be the day! Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: Thirty-seven-year-old Vaibhav Gehlot, the son of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is ready to take a plunge into active politics. Congress heavy weight Gehlot is all set to give a green signal for the launch of his son's political career in the state. Vaibhav's name has been proposed by Jodhpur 's Congress district committee to the minister in-charge. The local Congress workers want Vaibhav to be nominated and the demand was raised in the several meeting called for the selection of the Loksabha candidates panel. Apart from Jodhpur, his name has been proposed by congress workers in Jalore-Sirohi and Sawai Madhopur seats also. Sources in the party say that the the final decision will be taken by Ashok Gehlot from where will he launches his son from. During the 2009 Loksabha elections, there was a strong rumour that Vaibhav might contest from Lok Sabha election either from Jodhpur or Sawai Madhopur. That did not happen Gehlot had said that he was not in favor of his son, Vaibhav, contesting the election that time. But now with 10 years in the state politics as a party worker, Sources in the party close to Gehlot has hinted that he will no longer be prevented from doing so. But the big question within the party is which constituency will he choose to fight from? Vaibhav is practicing lawyer at Rajasthan High court in Jaipur. State Congress General Secretary, Vaibhav, was made a member of the state Congress Committee in 2008. In the year 2009, congress workers proposed his name to contest the Lok Sabha election from Sawai Madhopur. But Chief Minister Gehlot refused to take him into the electoral battle. But after having served the party for the last decade, he is all set for his debut. Looking at the candidate selection from the Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency in the Assembly elections, it is believed that Gehlot has paved the way for Vaibhav in the recent assembly elections. Jodhpur is the home turf of Gehlot, six seats out of eight assembly seats in Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency, has been occupied by Congress. At the same time, Gehlot has been five times MP from Jodhpur. He has a direct access to every worker of the district. In such a situation, it is considered that Vaibhav may fight from the Jodhpur constituency. However, Gehlot has kept his cards close to his chest, and no one yet is certain about Vaibhav's constituency. Ashok Gehlot's deputy and state party president , Sachin Pilot might have lost in the race for the post of the CM to Gehlot but has backed Vaibhav to be given a ticket for the Loksabha elections. "Rahul ji has instructed us to give tickets to winnable candidates. We will ensure that those people who are likely to win get tickets. Vaibhav has been working for the party for a long time and giving a ticket to youngsters like him will strengthen the party's connection with the youth of the state. The decision is yet to be taken on Vaibhav though", he added. Apart from Jodhpur, Proposal has also been made by the Congress workers to make Vaibhav contest from Jalore-Sirohi constituency. Several meetings of the party workers to decide on the panel of candidates for the Loksabha elections were held on Sunday. In the presence of the district heads, such meetings were held for all the seats of the state. Bhawan Singh Bhati, In-charge of preparations for the panel preparatory meetings on the Jalore-Sirohi Lok Sabha seat, brought along with him all the applications to Jaipur. Local leaders of the area feel that Vaibhav is the right candidate to stand from the constituency. This way Congress, which has factions in the two districts, would be united and there will be no internal conflict as well. Opinions are being taken from congress workers and party officials from all over the state , panel of names will finally sent to Delhi for the final decision. Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: The Jharkhand Police will now approach families of wanted Maoists to encourage them to convince the ultras to give up arms and join the mainstream. All SPs have been given a list of absconding Maoists so that they can approach their families and inform them about the state governments new surrender policy. In order to bridge the communication gap between the state police and Maoists, senior police officials will approach their families and inform them about the new surrender policy and ask them to convince their near and dear ones to surrender, said ADG (Provisions) and senior spokesperson of Jharkhand Police ML Meena. The initiative is taken as it was being felt that most arrested Maoists did not have any idea about the surrender policy or had surrendered long ago, he added. The ADG said that awareness programmes have been held earlier, but now it will be intensified by reaching out directly to family members of Maoists. Meanwhile, anti-Maoist operations will continue, he added. Recently, Jamshedpur SSP Anup Birthare visited the family of Maoist commander Ramprasad Mardi. I visited Mardis family at Jhunjhka village in Jamshedpur and tried to help them understand why they should convince him to surrender before the police, said Birthare. The meeting was constructive as they said that they will speak to Mardi whenever he contacts them, said the SSP. Besides developing a good rapport with the families, Birthare said, The dialogue will also help remove doubts on the new surrender policy. A multi-pronged strategy was being adopted to eradicate Maoists from Jharkhand, besides intensifying operations against them in some of the core areas, he added. The SSP said that blankets, books, copies, pencils and erasers were also distributed among the family members of Maoists. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II called on Sunday for the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative. The resumption of talks should aim at reaching a just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian issue that would protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, the two leaders said at a session of talks. Upon arrival in Amman earlier in the day, El-Sisi had summit talks with the Jordanian king, followed by a session of talks involving the delegations of the two countries. The two sides discussed ways of boosting bilateral ties in the economic, trade, investment, pharmaceutical, transportation and energy fields as well as the export of natural gas from Egypt to Jordan. El-Sisi lauded during his talks with King Abdullah the special Egyptian-Jordanian relationship at the official and popular levels and affirmed Egypt's interest in promoting it on all levels, Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said. Search Keywords: Short link: By PTI LUCKNOW: Stressing the message of BSP-SP alliance has gone down well throughout the country, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Monday said Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will decide who will be in power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. "It is not just UP but the entire country where the message of alliance has gone (now) the people of UP and Bihar will decide as to who will come to power at the Centre," Tejashwi told newspersons here after meeting SP president Akhilesh Yadav. The RJD leader had met BSP supremo Mayawati here last night. "In UP there are 80 seats while Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats. Along with Jharkhand which has 14 seats a major chunk of 134 seats are in these states. The BJP has around 115 seats of these with alliance in these states, the BJP will lose 100 seats," Tejashwi claimed. Extended warm Birthday greetings in advance to the person who deserves honor because of everything she has achieved in life. Elders teaches us a ton when we grow up under their guidance. I wish many more years ahead, happiness & success to Honourable Mayawati Ji. Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/yNI4afTvF0 Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) January 14, 2019 Asserting that people are not happy with the saffron party, he said they had also come to "cheat" Bihar, with the prime minister promising special package. He also referred to "CM chacha" (Nitesh Kumar) going with the BJP after breaking the alliance with RJD. "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," he said, adding that it will prevent the country from going into the "clutches" of the RSS. Tejashwi said his visit to congratulate the BSP and the SP was in fact realisation of the dream visualised by RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav. READ HERE | Opposition unity at national level is need of the hour, says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Claiming there is undeclared Emergency in the country, he said all constitutional institutions are being damaged to serve personal interests and there is also an effort to replace the Constitution by MS Golwalkar's (RSS leader) "Bunch of Thoughts" and the "Nagpuri law". Tejashwi also referred to the CBI and the ED saying that his family and he himself, even when he was 13 years old, has been facing cases but stressed there was no need to compromise and instead fight against them. "There is a move to tarnish and sully the image by giving negative publicity after elections all will come to know who is dishonest and how the 'chowkidar' has tricked the people of the country and only indulged in jumlebaazi", he said. "Our organisation in Uttar Pradesh will lend support to the alliance," he said. Speaking on the occasion, Akhilesh said Tejashwi's move will further cement the alliance. The people of the country are today unhappy with the BJP and want to remove it, he said, adding alliance in UP alliance has been received well. "From Delhi to Kolkata, people are against the BJP as all have been deceived by them," he said. "I can assure the BJP that we samajwadis will not change our language even if they try," Akhilesh added. READ | Isolating Congress in Uttar Pradesh a wily SP-BSP strategy? The RJD leader, who arrived in the state capital last night, hoped that the alliance formed in Uttar Pradesh will be extended to Bihar and that all parties will work together to defeat the BJP. Sources said that despite the alliance being announced in Uttar Pradesh, parties like the RJD could be accommodated on isolated seats on the lines of Kairana, where Tabassum Hasan won on RLD ticket in a Lok Sabha by-election though she had close links with the Samajwadi Party. In return, the RJD, which already has its alliance with the Congress in Bihar, could accommodate some candidates of the BSP and the Samajwadi Party, sources said. Speaking to newspersons, Tejashwi had said, "I am the youngest. I have come to wish her (Mayawati) on her birthday in advance and take blessings. She is a matured leader and we should keep getting her guidance in future." Later, Tejashwi shared his pictures with Mayawati on social media, in which he is seen touching the feet of the BSP supremo. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine in detail "on the earliest possible date" a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into incidents of alleged police encounters and killings in Uttar Pradesh. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi perused the materials on record and said the issues raised in the petition of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) required "serious consideration" and fixed the hearing on February 12. "Having considered the pleadings brought on record and having heard. We are of the view that the matter would require an examination by the court on the earliest possible date. We accordingly fix the matter for hearing on February 12, on the top of the board," the bench, which also comprised justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul, said. The top court said it would decide on the next date of hearing the plea of organisation 'Citizens against Hate', represented by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, seeking to be made a party to the petition filed by the PUCL. The court will also decide on February 12 whether to seek a report from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the alleged encounter killings in the state. Bhushan said the rights body was "in seisin of some of the (encounter) cases" and its report be called for the adjudication of the plea by the apex court. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, said all norms and procedures were followed by the state administration. ALSO READ: Adityanath govt, DGP get NHRC notice over 'fake encounter' in Muzaffarnagar Earlier, the apex court had sought a response from the state government on the PIL filed by the NGO, alleging that there were about 1,100 encounters in 2017 in which 49 people were killed and 370 injured. It, however, had not agreed to the submission of lawyer Sanjay Parikh, appearing for PUCL, that a notice be also issued to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as it had already taken note of alleged statements of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the encounters in the state. The NGO, in its plea, has referred to news reports quoting the chief minister, his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar, justifying the encounter killings of criminals in the state. It has sought a probe into the encounters by an independent agency, that is the "Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team comprising police officers of integrity and who have not served in the state of Uttar Pradesh." "Direct that investigation be monitored by this Hon'ble Court or by a monitoring committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge," the plea said. "The monitoring committee should also inquire into the role played by all authorities/persons who directly/indirectly supported the encounter killings by abdicating their legal duties/responsibilities," it said. The plea said the families of those killed or injured be also granted compensation. "By this petition, the petitioner is bringing to the notice of this court incidents of massive administrative liquidations taking place in the state of Uttar Pradesh in blatant violation of the rule of law, legal and constitutional protection available to the citizens, in particular, regarding life under Article 21 of the Constitution," it said. Facts available in the public domain state that over 1,100 encounters have taken place in the past year, wherein 49 people were killed and 370 were injured, the plea claimed. Quoting the figure provided by the state to the NHRC, it said that 45 persons have died between January 1, 2017, and March 31 last year. It referred to the binding guidelines laid down by the apex court in a judgment delivered on one of the PILs filed by the PUCL and said: "each such encounter is required to be investigated on the basis of FIR, followed by a magisterial inquiry and thereafter, a criminal trial in accordance with law". The chief minister had on November 19, 2017 said that "criminals will be jailed or killed in encounters", the plea submitted. This statement of the chief minister was taken cognizance of by the NHRC, it claimed. The plea also quoted the observation of the NHRC which had said that it seemed that "the police personnel in Uttar Pradesh are feeling free, misusing their power in the light of an undeclared endorsement given by the higher-ups". "In the present case, the law enforcement machinery has endorsed the acts of police encounters, no fair probe can be expected from them. In the circumstances, it is necessary that the investigation should be handed over to the CBI to be monitored by this Court, in addition to a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to inquire into the role played by the state machinery in the act of commission of police encounters," it said. By PTI BALAGHAT: Three policemen and another person were killed when a truck hit their vehicle while they were escorting Madhya Pradesh Assembly's Deputy Speaker in Balaghat district in the wee hours of Monday, police said. A constable in the escort vehicle received serious injuries in the mishap, Balaghat's Superintendent of Police A Jaydevan said. The accident took place near Saleteka village at 12.30 am when Deputy Speaker Hina Kanwre was returning from her constituency Lanjhi in Balgahat in a car while the security men were in another four-wheeler behind her vehicle, he said. The Congress MLA escaped unhurt as her driver turned the car towards a field when he saw the trawler-truck speeding straight towards their vehicle from the opposite direction, he said. However, the truck hit the police escort vehicle which was moving behind the car and then overturned, he said. Three policemen and the escort vehicle's driver died on the spot. The seriously injured constable was referred to a hospital in Nagpur district of Maharashtra for treatment, the SP said. The deceased were identified as sub-inspector Harshwardhan Solanki (30), head constable Hamid Sheikh (50), constable Rahul Kolare (26) and driver Sachin (22), he said. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: Amid smouldering tensions between RJD and Congress over seat-sharing in Bihar, RJD leader and de-facto party chief Tejashwi Yadavs meetings with BSP chief Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow have raised Congresss hackles. While RJD leaders claimed the meetings in Lucknow were as much a personal visit as one to discuss a strategy to defeat BJP both in UP and Bihar, Congress leaders disapproved of RJDs proximity to the two UP-based parties. SP and BSP stuck an alliance and announced a seat-sharing deal last week that excluded Congress. Congress will not issue any political statement on this (Tejashwis Lucknow meetings) till they (RJD) make it clear why he went to meet those who deserted Congress in forming an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, said senior Congress leader and MLC Prem Chand Mishra. Stating that Congress has absolutely no idea about the reasons behind Tejashwis meetings with Mayawati and Akhilesh, Mishra said maybe he went to Lucknow because he has relatives in Mulayam Singh Yadavs family there. Maybe he has gone with tilkut to greet them on Makar Sankranti, he added. ALSO READ: Tejashwi Yadav meets Mayawati after SP-BSP tie-up The politics in UP is different from that of Bihar. The two main regional parties in UP are very strong. Our alliance with Congress in Bihar is intact and indissoluble, said senior RJD leader Bhai Birendra. Tejashwis visit is in his personal capacity. He has met his relatives there. He also met Mayawati. He discussed with them strategies on how to defeat BJP both in UP and Bihar, he added. Tejashwi is understood to have asked Akhilesh to spare one seat in UP for RJDs UP chief Ashok Singh within the SP-BSP alliance in return for one seat in Bihar for SPs Bihar chief Devendra Yadav as part of the Grand Alliance. RJD insiders said Tejashwis meetings with the SP and BSP chiefs primarily aimed at strengthening and widening the political resistance to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs continuing imprisonment and putting pressure on Congress to agree to contest for fewer Lok Sabha seats in Bihar than it wants. Congress has demanded 16 seats, but RJD wants it to contest for five, said sources. Just like in UP, our (RJD) main rival is BJP, not JD(U). Tejashwis meetings with the SP and BSP chiefs is aimed at strengthening the emerging Opposition unity against BJP at the national level, said a senior RJD leader. Bihars ruling JD(U) and BJP, meanwhile, used Tejashwis Lucknow meetings to pour ridicule on the RJD-led Grand Alliance in Bihar, which includes Congress, and portrayed the alliance as unstable. JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar asked RJD to clarify if it thought SP and BSP behaved respectfully with Congress in UP. BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand said the contradictions cropping up between Congress and RJD indicate the two parties would fight the LS polls against each other. By PTI LUCKNOW: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has met BSP supremo Mayawati here after the announcement of a pre-poll alliance between her party and the SP in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls this year. The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader arrived in the state capital Sunday night and met the Bahujan Samaj Party chief, during which the two leaders exchanged greetings, RJD sources said Monday. The Leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly hoped that the alliance formed for Uttar Pradesh will be extended to his state and all parties will work together to defeat the BJP, sources said. They said despite the alliance being announced in Uttar Pradesh, parties like the RJD could be accommodated on isolated seats on the lines of Kairana, where Tabassum Hasan won on RLD ticket in a Lok Sabha bye-election though she had close links with the Samajwadi Party. ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar will decide who will assume power at the Centre, says Tejashwi Yadav In return, the RJD, which is an ally of the Congress in Bihar, could accommodate some candidates of the BSP and the Samajwadi Party in the state, sources said. Extended warm Birthday greetings in advance to the person who deserves honor because of everything she has achieved in life. Elders teaches us a ton when we grow up under their guidance. I wish many more years ahead, happiness & success to Honourable Mayawati Ji. Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/yNI4afTvF0 Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) January 14, 2019 Tejashwi Yadav told reporters, "I am the youngest. I have come to wish her (Mayawati) on her birthday in advance and take blessings. She is a mature leader and we should keep getting her guidance in future." Later, he shared his pictures with Mayawati on social media, in which he is seen touching the feet of the BSP supremo. The alliance in Uttar Pradesh is realisation of the dream of Lalu Prasad for defeating communal forces, Tejashwi Yadav said, adding that the alliance will help whitewash the saffron party from both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Once arch-rivals, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP announced Saturday their tie-up in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, sharing 38 seats each and keeping the Congress out of the alliance. The parties, however, said they would not field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. They also left two seats out of the 80 in the state for smaller allies, without naming them. But there have been talks with Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). By Online Desk The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system. The apex court sought the Centre's response within six weeks. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma last week. The petitioner, advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, said his PIL should be heard urgently. In his petition, Sharma had termed the notification as "illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires to the law". He had also sought to prohibit the agencies from initiating any criminal proceedings, enquiry or investigation against anybody under the provisions of the IT Act based on the notification. The plea had claimed that the notification was issued "to find political opponent, thinker and speaker to control entire country under dictatorship to win coming general election under an undisclosed emergency as well as slavery which cannot be permitted within the Constitution of India". It had alleged that the Ministry of Home Affairs' "blanket surveillance order must be tested against the fundamental right to privacy". According to the government's December 20 notification, 10 central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer interception and analysis, Ministry of Home Affairs officials had said. The 10 agencies notified under the new order are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and Delhi Police commissioner. By PTI MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court Monday questioned the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) request to stay the demolition order for fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi's illegal bungalow at Alibaug in the adjoining Raigad district. A division bench of Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice N M Jamdar was hearing public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2009 by Shambhuraje Yuvakranti of the Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Seva Sangha on the issue. The Raigad district collector had last month ordered demolition of 58 unauthorised structures, including one of Modi, built along the beach at Alibaug, a coastal town popular with weekend tourists. The demolition order was passed following rebuke from the high court for failing to initiate action against the illegal structures. ALSO READ: Nirav Modi says can't return due to safety concerns, case politicised The ED had last week filed an application before the high court, informing it that the said structure was attached by the agency as part of its money laundering probe against Modi. The agency in its application informed the court that the tribunal set under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had permitted it to attach the property long before the Raigad collector ordered its demolition. According to ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sealed the property. The ED sought a stay on the Raigad Collector's order of demolition and requested the court to give the agency a hearing. ALSO READ: Nirav Modi located in UK, British authorities inform India The bench, however, sought to know why the agency was seeking a stay on the demolition order. "What is illegal needs to go. What is your problem with those structures that are illegal?" Chief Justice Patil said. The court then posted the matter for further hearing after four weeks. According to an affidavit filed by the Raigad district collector on Monday, a day after the demolition order was passed last month, the sub-divisional officer of Alibaug wrote a letter to the ED seeking permission to de-seal the property and demolish it. "We were informed that the ED has sent an e-mail to the CBI on January 2, 2019, requesting CBI to depute an officer for de-sealing the property or provide a NOC to ED for the same. A reply on this is awaited," the affidavit said. Anuraag Singh By Express News Service BHOPAL: A truck driver speeding his vehicle to attend to wife and newborn daughter at hospital rammed the truck into an SUV forming part of the motorcade of newly elected Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Hina Kawre, killing three cops and a private driver instantly in Naxal affected Balaghat district on Sunday-Monday intervening night. Though Kawre escaped the accident unhurt, the incident still assumed significance, as two threatening letters (written in the name of Naxal operatives) were received by the MP Assembly deputy speaker over the last fortnight. The incident happened at around 1.30 am on the Balaghat-Gondia state highway, while Kawre was returning to native village Kirnapur-Sonpuri, after attending series of programs organized earlier in Balaghat town on Sunday to felicitate her on the first visit to home district Balaghat, after being elected MP Vidhan Sabha deputy speaker. "Just when we were passing through the state highway, our pilot vehicle spearheading the fleet of vehicles spotted a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction. Both, the pilot vehicle and my vehicle managed to get out of the speeding truck's passage in time, but the third vehicle in the fleet, a Bolero jeep which was our follow on vehicle boarding cops collided head-on with the truck," said 33-year-old Kawre on Monday. Both, the truck as well as the SUV boarding the cops overturned, killing three cops and the SUV driver instantly. Another cop injured in the accident was rushed to a hospital in adjoining Nagpur, where his condition is stated critical. The deceased have been identified as sub-inspector Harshvardhan Solanki (30), head constable Hamid Sheikh (50), constable Rahul Kolare and Bolero jeep's driver Sachin Sahare (22). "Primary probe has revealed that it was the truck driver Govind Markam's mistake which led to the killer mishap. He has been arrested and is being grilled by police," said SP Balaghat Jaidevan A. According to key sources in Balaghat police connected with the investigations, the truck driver was speeding the truck as he was in a haste to attend his pregnant wife, who had delivered a baby girl just a few hours back at a hospital in Balaghat only. The Naxal Angle During the last fortnight, Kawre, the two-time Congress MLA from Lanji seat of Balaghat district had received two threatening letters written in the name of Naxal operatives, including a wanted Naxal Pahar Singh, who interestingly was arrested a few months back in adjoining Chhattisgarh. In both the letters, Hina had been asked to pay Rs 20 lakh extortion till January 14, failing which she would be eliminated. Similar letters were received by Sanjay Uikey, the Congress MLA from adjoining Baihar seat. Both the letters were handed over to Balaghat police and Kawre and Uikey's security was subsequently beefed up. A senior police official at the MP state police headquarters in Bhopal, while confirming about the two letters, added that though the probe into the accident has revealed that it was the mistake by the truck driver which caused the killer mishap, still we're also probing any other possibility, particularly in the wake of the receipt of the two letters written in Naxal operative's name. Importantly, more than 19 years back, in December 1999, Hina Kawre's father Likhiram Kawre (then transport minister in Digvijaya Singh-led Congress government in MP) was brutally murdered by a group of Naxals outside his house in Balaghat district. Meanwhile, senior leaders of both, the ruling Congress and opposition BJP have demanded a thorough probe into all possible angles related to the incident. The Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava said the detailed probe is essential as the newly elected MP Assembly's deputy speaker's father was murdered by Naxals only. By PTI KOLKATA: The Congress and the BSP are yet to confirm their participation in the mega opposition rally proposed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) here on January 19 ahead of the general elections. Leaders of various other opposition parties have already confirmed their participation, TMC sources said. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had earlier in the day said that she had a telephonic conversation with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and that he had assured his presence at the rally. "Such a major meeting of opposition parties has not happened in recent times," she told reporters at the state secretariat. A vociferous critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she has been touring the country for the last one year, attempting to build a strong opposition front to challenge the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls. On Saturday, Banerjee had welcomed the SP-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the Parliamentary polls. ALSO READ: KCR against sharing stage with Rahul Gandhi, to skip Mamata Banerjee's January 19 rally The TMC has invited several opposition parties including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (Secular), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) among others for the mega rally to be convened by Banerjee at the Brigade Parade grounds here. According to Congress sources, the party has not yet decided whether it wants to be part of the rally and if its top leaders-- chief Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi-- would be present on the occasion. The West Bengal Congress, however, wants Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to stay away from the rally and instead send a party leader, as Banerjee, who was invited to the swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh last month, had skipped the event and sent party MP Dinesh Trivedi instead. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: The Bihar government on Monday imposed a ban on the sale and storage of all fish within the territorial jurisdiction of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) after tests on fish samples found the presence of carcinogenic material used for their preservation. The ban, imposed in the interest of public health, would remain effective for a period of fifteen days as further tests are being conducted on fish samples collected from across Patna district, said Bihar's commissioner of food safety, Sanjay Kumar. "Sale, storage, distribution and transport of all fish has been prohibited with immediate effect under clause A of sub-section 2 of Section 30 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 in PMC's territorial jurisdiction for a period of 15 days," said Kumar, who is also the principal secretary of the state health department. Ten samples of fish collected from various parts in Patna were sent to Central Food Laboratory (CFL) in Kolkata for quality tests after a recommendation from the state animal husbandry and fisheries department. All ten samples - six from Andhra Pradesh, two from West Bengal and two of local varieties - were found contaminated due to chemicals used as preservatives and thus unsafe for human consumption. "In seven samples, high doses of formalin were found. Traces of other contaminants such as lead, mercury and cadmium were also found beyond the permissible tolerance limit. Formalin is not included in the list of preservatives to be used in food products such as fish," said Sanjay Kumar. Intake of high doses of formalin, lead and cadmium along with the fish can lead to cancer in human beings. The health department is currently conducting a survey and collecting samples of fish from Andhra Pradesh and West Begnal on sale in other parts of Bihar. "The ban could be extended to the entire state if the chemical analysis of those samples finds them unsafe for consumption. Violation of the ban would attract punishment with imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine up to Rs 20 lakh as per the law's provisions," said Sanjay Kumar. The animal husbandry and fisheries department had earlier sent 38 samples of fish coming from Andhra Pradesh that was collected from 25 districts, including Patna, and sent for a chemical analysis at Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi, said sources. Those tests had also found the fish unsafe for human consumption, the sources added. Bihar produces 5.87 lakh tonnes of fish annually against a requirement of 6.42 lakh tonnes, said officials. An estimated 55,000 metric tonnes of fish are imported from Andhra Pradesh every year. Consignments of fish from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal regularly reach Patna, Muzaffarpur, Katihar and Rohtas districts, from where they are sent to other parts of the state. Egypt's River Transport Authority decided on Sunday to halt navigation along the Nile, including cruise ships navigating between Aswan and Luxor, due to heavy winds and bad weather conditions. It also decided to halt navigation in Lake Nasser, including river transportation between Egypt and Sudan. The Alexandria Port Authority has said two major Mediterranean ports have also been closed due to bad weather. Alexandria and Dekheila ports were shut down on Sunday after the Egyptian Meteorological Authority recorded a rise in wave height and an increase in wind speed that could pose problems to maritime navigation. Authorities have closed the Lake Burullus port in the Nile Delta. The Red Sea Port Authority also closed Sharm El-Sheikh Port on Sunday due to strong winds, high tides, and turbulent maritime navigation, according to a statement from the authority. Egypt's Meteorological Authority said the country is expected to witness dusty winds, rain and extremely cold weather in the coming days. Sunday temperatures (low/high): Cairo: 8-15 Alexandria: 6-15 Nile Delta: 7-16 North Sinai: 3-18 South Sinai: 10-20 Upper Egypt: 9-19 Short link: By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to quash the Pune police's FIR against civil rights activist Anand Teltumbde in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima violence and for his alleged Maoist links. The apex court also refused to interfere with the ongoing investigation in the case. However, a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Teltumbde by the Bombay High Court by four weeks. The apex court said Teltumbde could seek regular bail from the competent trial court in the meantime. "We do not think it is a fit case for the grant of the relief sought," the bench said, adding that it was not inclined to give any further relief other than extending the interim protection from arrest as the investigation in the case was at an advanced stage. Appearing for Teltumbde, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that till now, the police had not found anything against the activist. Teltumbde had approached the apex court against the December 21, 2018 Bombay High Court order dismissing his plea to quash the FIR. However, the high court had granted him interim protection from arrest for three weeks. The Elgar Parishad event at Shaniwarwada in Pune was held on December 31, 2017. Several activists had allegedly made inflammatory speeches and provocative statements at the event, leading to the violence, the police had said. Several activists were named in an FIR lodged on January 8, 2018. Eight more activists, including Teltumbde, were named in another FIR filed in October, 2018. Some of the activists facing a case in connection with the event are Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj, P Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha. According to the police, the Elgar Parishad event was funded and supported by Maoists. Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: Ramesh Gope and Manonit Kerketta have lived together for 14 long years as a couple. But, impoverished as they are, going through actual marriage ritual, which would establish their legal bonafides in their tribal community has not been possible for them, as also for many others. Now, thanks to organisations such as Coal India Limited (CIL) Punjab National Bank and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) all brought together by Nimitta, an NGO they will finally be wed and accepted by the society. Ramesh and Manonit are just among 132 such tribal couples who will tie the knot on Monday. The wedding for these couples, mainly in Jharkhand districts of Ranchi, Khunti and Gumla, will be solemnised at the IAS Club in Ranchi. Traditionally, in tribal society, both men and women have equal rights including the right to choose a life partner. Under it, a girl could get into a live-in relationship (called dhuku marriage) with her male partner without even getting married to each other. Generally, these women (called dhukni in Jharkhand) do not have legal rights over property and other assets due to lack of social recognition of their relationship and need to feed the village if they want to get it socially sanctioned. ...since my partner is a tribal and I a Hindu, we need to throw a feast for both communities to get our marriage recognized. That would cost Rs 1.5 lakh, which we can never earn. Hence we have no legal rights, said Ramesh Gope. The couple has a daughter and two sons. No money to wed, no rights from society Nimitta secretary Nikita Sinha said she saw many such couples. Women in such relationships did not have the rights of a wife. She has got consent of village leaders to bring such couples to Ranchi to wed. By UNI PUNE: A 16-year-old girl from Baramati in Maharashtra -- similar as shown in the 'Three Idiots' movie who wanted to do something to make sure that her brother never missed school due to his disability -- Mayuri Yadav, 10th class student at Anand Vidyalaya Hol, Baramati, Pune, has built an improvised cycle-cum-wheelchair to drop her brother to school. Of course, she has built this cycle-cum-wheelchair using all the skills at her disposal so that she could take her brother to school. Her innovative cycle-cum-wheelchair was exhibited at the district level science exhibition. Now, this innovative thing has been selected for the state-level science exhibition. Nikhil Yadav, a 12-year old boy from same school, was born differently-abled and cannot walk. Therefore, he is wheelchair-bound and totally dependent on his family to move from one place to another. However, he never allowed his 'disability' to overpower him. His parents too encouraged him to study further. Nikhil's father usually drops and picks him up from school. But, sometimes, Nikhil used to miss his school whenever his father was out due to his work. His 16-year-old sister, Mayuri, noticed her brother's sorry plight and decided to help him, so that he won't miss his school. She came up with a novel idea of building a cycle-cum-wheelchair. She shared the idea with school Principal AS Atar and other teachers and then with their help, she built a wheelchair-cum-cycle for her brother. While speaking to UNI, said, "my father, used to drop Nikhil to school every day.But, sometimes due to his work, Nikhil used to miss his school. My father can't take leave every day. So, an idea came across my mind -- to attach my cycle to his wheelchair. Now, both of us can go to school together." School Principal, Mr Atar, told UNI, "We have exhibited the cycle in the district level competition. Now, this innovation has been selected to compete at the state-level science exhibition as well." "The cycle-cum-wheelchair is ready and has been kept in the school so that other students will also get motivated by this kind of innovation. I urge society to come forward to help Nikhil," Mr Atar added. By PTI Former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on Tuesday charged the BJP with having falsely implicated him in a couple of "politically motivated" criminal cases lodged in Bihar last week. Addressing a press conference here, Kumar alleged that the BJP has been annoyed over his opposition to its brand of politics since his JNU days and using its political clout to get even with him. "The FIR lodged against me by doctors at AIIMS, Patna was a handiwork of the BJP. I do not wish to blame the medical professionals They are working under tremendous pressure and some of them may have capitulated before the vindictive political leadership as a short cut to success", Kumar said. "In the FIR it has been alleged that my supporters and I had indulged in violence when we visited AIIMS, Patna to meet an associate admitted there. CCTV cameras are installed inside the hospital and till date no footage has been found which could corroborate the allegation", Kumar - who is now a member of the CPI's national council - said. "Within hours of the lodging of the FIR, our cavalcade was attacked in Begusarai. The attackers were workers of Bajrang Dal and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. I may be sued if I am wrong. An FIR was subsequently lodged by us following which a counter FIR was registered wherein we were accused of indulging in violence", Kumar said. "I am amused that Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey, who has been blissfully indifferent to the pathetic condition of health care services on his watch, lost no time in maligning me after the AIIMS, Patna FIR", he remarked. Replying to a query, he said "I am thankful to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the generosity he had extended towards me while I was lodged in a sedition case on the basis of a morphed video of JNU campus. But if the state's health services are crumbling under his rule, we have to stand up for the truth". "My sense of gratitude had not come in the way of my raising voice against sexual abuse of girls at Muzaffarpur shelter home. Moreover, Nitish Kumar's helplessness can be gauged from the fact that while one minister belonging to his party had to resign in connection with the scandal, demand for the resignation of a BJP minister in the same case is yet to be fulfilled", he said. "Democracy is under threat in the BJP regime. The party had let loose ruffians masquerading as lawyers who assaulted me inside a Delhi court premises. Probe agencies are being used to settle scores with rivals even as real wrongdoers are roaming scot free. Those who are raising a voice, be it from the media or the political class, are being silenced", the CPI leader alleged. "It is in such a backdrop that our party has decided to hold a rally on October 25 to which all political groups outside the NDA have been invited", he said. Asked about his own possibility of contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Begusarai, as reported in the media, Kumar said "no formal decision has been taken in this regard. But any decision must have the consent of not only the Left Front but also other parties with whom we may have an electoral understanding". By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police Monday filed a chargesheet at a city court against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and others, saying he was leading a procession and supported seditious slogans raised on the varsity campus in February 2016. Police also charged former JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans during an event on the university's campus on February 9, 2016, to commemorate the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. In its chargesheet, police claimed that it has video clips to prove the offence which has been corroborated by the statements of the witnesses. ALSO READ: Ask government why no schools, hospitals, says Kanhaiya Kumar The other accused chargesheeted in the case are Kashmiri students Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and Basharat, some of them were then studying in JNU, Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia. As many as 36 others, including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja's daughter Aprajita, Shehla Rashid (then vice-JNUSU president), Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Banojyotsna Lahiri, all former students of JNU, have been named in column 12 of the charge sheet due to insufficient evidence against them, police sources said. Police has alleged that Kumar had incited the mob to shout anti-India slogans. Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Anand put up the charge sheet for consideration before a competent court on Tuesday. The accused have been charged with offences under sections 124A (sedition), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 465 (punishment for forgery), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly), 149 (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In the charge sheet running into around 1,200 pages, police claimed that all the footage were genuine and the presence of students belonging to Kashmir was also establish through mobile clips and videos. Kanhaiya Kumar, former JNU president: If the news is true that a chargesheet has been filed, I would like to thank police and Modi Ji. The filing of chargesheet after 3 years, ahead of elections clearly shows it to be politically motivated. I trust the judiciary of my country. pic.twitter.com/eGVy40SYDT ANI (@ANI) 14 January 2019 It claimed that the Kashmiri students, had masks on during the procession, but did not cover their faces while returning. This showed their involvement, police said. The 10 accused persons have been chargesheeted on the basis of electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile footage, and documentary evidence, which include statements of students and security guards. The final report claims that no permission was granted to organise the event and every member was a part of an unlawful assembly. When informed about the lack of permission to hold the even, the accused persons started arguing and fighting, it said. A case was registered on February 11, 2016 under sections 124A and 120B of the IPC against unidentified persons at the Vasant Kunj (North) police station, following complaints from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The event in 2016 had taken place despite the university administration cancelling the permission, following a complaint from the ABVP, which had termed it as "anti-national". B Anbuselvan By Express News Service CHENNAI: Despite the government arranging 11,000 special buses from Chennai to various parts of the State to deal with the extra Pongal rush, this year too, commuters were taken for a ride by private omni-buses and exorbitant fares. Private bus operators are charging an additional fare ranging between Rs 800-Rs 1,800 per ticket this year. The ticket fares of non-AC buses from Chennai to Madurai ranged between Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,500 against the usual Rs 600 to Rs 700. The cost of non-AC sleeper tickets was Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,200 on the same route. Similarly, ticket fares on routes such as Chennai-Bengaluru, Chennai-Coimbatore, Chennai-Tiruchy, Chennai-Thanjavur, Chennai-Mayiladuthurai, Chennai-Karur ranged between Rs 1,500-Rs 1,800. Commuters to southern districts were among the worst affected. Fares to Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Nagercoil, Thoothukudi, Thiruchendur peaked up to Rs 2,000-Rs 2,500 in seater buses. Fares increased from January 9. I paid Rs 2,200 for a semi-sleeper seat to Nagercoil on Saturday. The usual fare is around Rs 900, says K Mahesh, a native of Nagercoil. The Transport Department has washed its hand off the issue, refusing to intervene citing lack of legal provisions. A few tourist buses operating from Koyambedu, though, were penalised for permit violations by RTOs. The Union government had to amend the Motor Vehicles Act authorising State Transport Departments to act against erring omni buses, said a senior transport official. More than Rs 30 lakh has been collected from private tourist buses for permit violations, he said. Road traffic in Chennai, which usually gets messy during festival days, remained smooth. Officials attributed the same to extended public holidays. Unlike last year, day-time buses to Villupuram, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Salem and nearby towns were fully loaded, said a transport official. Due to continuous holidays, people who leave Chennai in two days have left over a span of four days. The demand for overnight buses has come down which is why the city traffic has not been affected, the official explained. According to official records, about six lakh commuters have travelled by government buses in the last three days. Omni bus industry sources denied any overpricing of tickets. They said that more than 15,000 spare buses have been pulled in to operations to meet the festival season demand. Tamilnadu Omni Bus Owners Association (TOBOA) president, A Afzal blamed the hike in prices on smaller transport companies. It is they who hike prices, not bigger companies like us, he said. Between the costly bus and flight tickets, the premium tatkal service of trains was also in demand. Suvidha train fares to Tirunelveli reached between Rs 3,200 and Rs 3,600 per ticket. The fully unreserved Tambaram - Sengottai Antyodaya Express has been going fully loaded for the past two days. Roshne Balasubramanian By Express News Service CHENNAI: Clean and whitewashed houses, a hunt for intricate rangoli designs, bustling markets, shops stocking sugar canes and jaggery Pongal festivities are in full swing in most parts of the city. But farmers on the outskirts are gearing up for a not-so-sweet Pongal this year. Courtesy: inadequate rains. On a weekday evening, we boarded a bus to Mukundagiri, a village about 90 km from the city. On reaching Melmaruvathur, Jemburaj, a farmer-cum-cooperative bank official (retired) gave us a ride to the village. Driving through green fields and narrow lanes, Jemburaj laments, There is a misconception among city folks about how green fields mean a good harvest season. It doesnt. Crops that dont require excess water groundnut, black gram, sesame and variants of rice are sown and cultivated in Mukundagiri- Roshne Balasubramanian By now, what you see should be yellow hulls, ready to be harvested during Pongal. But due to lack of rains, it has been delayed.We stop in front of a small house laced with fodder for cows and dung. As we saunter inside, the backyard of the house opens to acres of farmland. A group of farmers gathers around us, and we sit in the middle of the field to find the ground reality. Pongal is just a few days away, but the celebration in the village is muted. Pongal is the day where we perform puja for the fields, for a good harvest, harvest the crops, use the grains to cook fresh Pongal and celebrate the day. But this year, I am afraid that none of it is going to happen, rues Selvam. Selvam, a father of two, also works as a school bus driver. What I get in farming isnt enough to run a family. The school fee for my children is Rs 25,000, how will I pay for it when theres no profit in farming? Everyone in the village has a second job painting, construction work, driving...farming feeds everyone in the country, except the farmer. Thats the reality, he rues. A 62-year-old Indrani has been working in the fields for five decades now. She talks to us while digging a groundnut field, The labour charge has also shot up in the last year. From Rs 100 it has gone up to Rs 130, excluding food and accommodation. It has become hard to find dedicated people who will work in the field. But people of my age dont know anything except farming. This is what I enjoy doing despite the hardships, she smiles. Her husband, a 70-something-old Subramanyam heaves fodder for the cattle and feeds them every day. Our grandchildren are either working as daily wage labourers or studying. They take care of the farms when they get time. I dont know what the future holds, he says. Crops that dont require excess water groundnut, black gram, sesame and a few variants of rice are sown and cultivated in Mukundagiri. This year, due to lack of rain, most farmers have cultivated the only groundnut. We are expecting close to zero profit this time, says Jemburaj. The average cultivation has been less than 50 per cent this year and issues in pricing pose as another problem for the 150 farming families in Mukundagiri. If I am supposed to get Rs 1,000-2,000 for a quintal, I end up getting only Rs 850. We spend money on manure, irrigation and sometimes transportation. So, when the profit is less or scant, how can we recover the input cost?, asks Jemburaj. The mood in the village is sombre, but the annual cow race is something the farmers are looking forward to. Due to unseasonal rainfall, we will start harvest only in March. So, our Pongal celebrations are going to be very simple. But we will all go to the cow race in the nearby town, enthuses Selvam. Eight-year-old Hemalatha, and 10-year-old Valli, carrying fodder for the cows, walk past us. These children know everything about farming. But, we also know that they wont take to this profession when they grow up as they have seen that there is hardly any profit against the huge investments, says Jemburaj.Engaluku vivasayam romba pudikum (We love farming). We will do this once we grow up mama, announces Valli, and walks away. The others nod their head, smile bleakly and say, We hope they do. Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service MUMBAI: Modi government's decision to increase import duty on Walnut from 30 per cent to 100 per cent is actually helping Pakistan, experts in the field have said. In retaliation to President Donald Trump's decision to impose heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items, India last year announced higher import duties on many US products like apples, almonds, walnuts, chickpeas and lentils which have not been implemented as yet. India, meanwhile, also hiked general import duty from 30 to 100 per cent. This has hit the US exports, the trade body reports have suggested. However, in case of Walnuts, the situation is helping traders in Pakistan as a majority of US exports are now being routed through Karachi, said Manoj Bajpai, US-based agro marketing consultant. "According to California Walnut Board's report, the US shipment of walnuts to Pakistan has increased by 419.42 per cent in a year's time, while it has gone down for India for the same time. The huge increase can't be out of increase in domestic consumption, which means that the Walnuts are being or would be in turn exported to India as consumption of Walnuts in India has shown a steady increase for past few years," Bajpai said adding that this windfall courtesy of Modi Government to Pakistan will be of 2.34 million USD for current quantity. Indian consumption of Walnuts is increasing due to increased purchasing power as well as health consciousness. Currently, it stands at around 50,000 tonnes. Of this domestic production is just around 35,000 tonnes. India also exports 5,000 tonnes of Walnuts. Balance 20,000 tonnes are imported from Chilie and US. Due to quality issues with imports from Chilie, the imports are coming in primarily from the US, which has gone up from around 3,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes over the past five years. Industry projections also show that imports would increase further as India's Walnut consumption is expected to increase to 75,000 tonnes over the next five years. "As the Walnut imports in India are routed through Pakistan under barter clause of bilateral trade, it is making losses to the Indian exchequer by evading the import duty and at the same time helping Pakistani traders to make extra profits," Bajpai said. This is also causing loss of employment in cracking and handling of Walnuts, Bajpai added. Vijay Bhuta, President of Mumbai Dryfruits and Dates Merchants association, too said that the change in duties has diverted the import route for Walnut. "But, it has also brought the imported Walnuts at par with the domestic Walnuts due to which there is not much of difference is felt in the market," he pointed out. Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service Over 2.5 million bus commuters in Mumbai continued to suffer for the seventh day on Monday as the BEST Workers Union declined to resume duty unless demands were met. This is the longest public transport strike in Mumbai, which once was known for its efficient public transport system. Though the suburban railway is showing some signs of improvement, financial mismanagement, political apathy and intransigent unions have brought BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) to a grinding halt. However, the downfall of this once efficient and affordable city transport service has not been sudden. It is the culmination of a series of policy failures over the past two decades. According to environmentalist and advocate Girish Raut, though the citys population has been growing exponentially, conditions were well under control up to 1995. However, policies adopted afterward were heavily inclined towards promoting private vehicle use. The Comprehensive Transport Plan of the MMRDA in 1994, the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (II) (MUTP-2) of 1998 and even the reports filed thereafter had all professed strengthening the public transport systems. In practice however, measures like building flyovers pushed commuters from public transport to private vehicles. Now, BEST is financially-crippled and sinking rapidly. According to available data, BEST earns Rs 3 crore every day while cost overheads are well over Rs 6 crore, forcing it to take loans for survival. On the other hand, over 2.5 million commuters use the services even today, despite the steep increase in BEST fares combined with the shutting down of more than 20 per cent of routes. An online petition urging commuters to defend BEST reveals several more aspects, like BEST fares being hiked to match share-taxi fares, a reduction in its fleet by around 900 buses in four years and the scrapping of 7,200 staff positions. Renewing of bus passes and use of e-ticketing machines have also been stopped since July last year. Most critically, the BEST management has failed to collect Rs 320 crore of dues from builders after giving them valuable depot land for redevelopment. While the Shiv Sena has been in power in the city and in control of BEST for over 25 years now, the opposition argues that depot land is the reason why BEST is being systematically crippled. While six bus depots have already been lent out to builders, 23 more remain with BEST a huge chunk of prime property in the heart of the city. It is also argued that policymakers are trying to completely privatise the public transport system. While such allegations fly, policy makers are still busy with projects like the Coastal Road that give priority to private vehicles. This disconnect is the root of the problem. By Express News Service Singapore-based CapitaLand on Monday announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire two of Ascendas-Singbridges subsidiaries for 11 billion Singapore dollars, or over $8 billion. The deal will create the largest diversified real estate group on the continent, with interests spanning 11 countries including major projects in India. Singapore state-owned investor Temasek owns Ascendas-Singbridge fully, while it holds a 40.8 per cent stake in CapitaLand. Post the deal, Temasek will own 51 per cent of the combined entity in one of the largest consolidation deals in the real estate space globally. The transaction is subject to approval by CapitaLands independent shareholders. Post-transaction, the combined total assets under management (AUM) of the group will exceed $85 billion. Its expanded asset classes will include logistics, business parks, industrial, lodging, commercial, retail and residential projects. Headquartered in Singapore, ASBs business presence spans 11 countries including Singapore, India, China and Australia. Its flagship projects include Singapore Science Park and Changi Business Park in Singapore, International Tech Park Bangalore and International Tech Park Chennai in India, as well as Dalian Ascendas IT Park and Singapore Hangzhou Science and Tech Park in China. Lee Chee Koon, President & Group CEO of CapitaLand, said: Geographically, the deal strengthens CapitaLands presence in our core markets of Singapore and China, while adding meaningful scale in India, US and Europe.Ascendas-Singbridge, among the largest foreign developers in India, has a presence across six cities and has about 16-17 million square feet of built-up space under its wing. It has about $1.9 billion worth of assets under management and has launched an Ascendas India Trust as a vehicle to own income-producing assets in India. A $295 million programme to invest in logistics and industrial real estate was also launched in June last year. On January 3, the company announced the acquisition of its sixth property in Chennai, a 12.20-acre land parcel, from GSquare Group to develop a new IT Park. It had already announced its plan to develop 14-15 million square feet of logistics space across six cities and is planning to foray into the co-working segment. The company is also execting to play a key role in the development of Andhra Pradeshs brand new capital city Amaravati with a subsidiary called Singapore Amaravati Investment Holdings already set up. As is so often the case, everything began with a meeting a meeting of two different worlds. The encounter was between Ini Archibong, a Los Angeles native of Nigerian origin who had recently graduated from the ECAL [Lausanne Cantonal School of Art], and Philippe Delhotal, creative director of Hermes Horloger. This collaboration, which began three years ago on the shores of Lake Geneva, led to the genesis of a vibrant new womens line that retains the companys indissoluble link with the equestrian world, through its shapes and through its name Galop. Philippe Delhotal and Ini Archibong Hermes Its no accident that this collection is for women, given that it was with women that Hermes Horlogerie took its first steps into watchmaking. Indeed, Hermes didnt venture into mens watches until seven years ago. In keeping with the companys values, Hermes has once again combined innovation with its own distinctive style and aesthetic. The aim was to infuse the brand with a breath of fresh air by creating a model that exudes modernity while acknowledging its rich heritage. The company decided to approach external designers, which is how Ini Archibong, who started out in lighting and furniture design, entered the world of watchmaking. Ini Archibong Hermes Philippe Delhotals brief was deliberately broad, to give the designer free rein to his imagination. The aim was to produce an iconic womens watch with good ergonomics, a strong personality and a genuine presence. Ini Archibong began by immersing himself in the world of watches and the brand values, by visiting the Conservatoire des Creations Hermes in Paris. He examined the smallest details of all the original equestrian tack, observing its technical construction, shapes, wear and finishes. He returned from his trip with his head full of images and ideas, keen to get started on the creative process. Galop d'Hermes in rose gold Hermes Each detail of the watch has been painstakingly thought out. As Ini Archibong explains, his goal as a designer is to create an experience. Conscious of everything going on around him, he chose to create a timeless watch that conveys emotion, that gives an impression of movement, and that can be recognised from a distance. This distinctive character resides mainly in the shape of the case, which required considerable thought. Round? No, too many possibilities. Square? No, too rigid. How about a stirrup? Yes, perfect. Once hed defined the shape, he focused on the lines and flow of the design. In his specialist domain he pays particular attention to curves and aerodynamic styling, but his primary focus is light. Light is the material I work with. I create shapes to capture light. Ive learnt to design aerodynamic shapes and futuristic lines that exploit surfaces and explore lighting effects, he explains. This essential ingredient was therefore a vital part of the design of the new Galop line, and the result is stunning. Whatever angle you look at the watch face, there are no reflections to impede visibility or obscure the elegance of the minimalist dial. Galop d'Hermes in rose gold and set with diamonds Hermes The dial is spectacular because its simple, not complex. The grained and silvered outer edge features transferred Arabic numerals with a powdered finish, in either silver or gold depending on the version. The centre of the dial, where the rhodium-plated hour and minute hands are anchored, is opaline. These contrasting textures give the dial depth, an effect that is enhanced by the graduated typography, creating a perspective effect. At 8 oclock, the number that traditionally represents infinity has been transformed into an inverted stirrup, a discreet nod to the equestrian world that inspired the watch. As far as the crown is concerned, the designer knew straight away that he wasnt going to put it on the side of the case. Its unusual location at 6 oclock adds symmetry and a quirky touch. The crown at 6 o'clock Hermes This quartz watch inspired by Hermes riding tack is available in steel and rose gold, and the bezel can be optionally set with 150 diamonds (approx. 0.66 ct). The case with its feminine dimensions of 40.8 mm by 26 mm feels light and comfortable on the wrist. Were told that a smaller variant could also be in the works... Galop d'Hermes in steel and set with diamonds Hermes The straps are made of leather, Hermes signature material and an essential ingredient of equestrian equipment. The rose gold versions come with a choice of smooth alligator in sapphire blue, ember, raspberry, elephant grey or black, matte alligator in oakum, and natural or black Barenia calfskin. The steel versions come with smooth alligator straps in sapphire blue, ember, blackberry, elephant grey and black. And, while these options have the virtue of being available immediately, Hermes can offer over thirty colourways in total. Galop d'Hermes in steel Hermes In conclusion, the Galop collection shows that, while the worlds of watchmaking, furniture and light fittings would not appear at first sight to have much in common, from a design standpoint they are not so far apart. Ini Archibong says he took a similar approach, focusing on the experience of the object, the distinction between what the observer sees and what the object gives back, and the way that light reflects off the surfaces. With its equestrian-inspired case, the Galop collection is a reminder of both Hermes origins, and of how far it has come. Its still a functional object, but rather than being cumbersome and unattractive, it is beautiful, light and luminous. Ini Archibongs first gallop into the world of watchmaking will certainly not go unnoticed! > Watches & Wonders 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. 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. MBA Revives Income Verification During Govt Shutdown At least one part of the shutdown is over as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it has resumed its Income Verification Express Service (IVES.) The service, which provides tax transcripts essential for processing mortgage applications for non-W-2 wage earners, was shut down, along with many federal government services, on December 21 and its workers were furloughed. The Mortgage Bankers Association took credit for the turnaround, saying it was its "successful advocacy" that got the IRS to restart the program. Robert Broeksmit, president and CEO of MBA said he took the appeal directly to Craig Phillips, a counselor to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Broeksmit said he told Phillips "Look, this is staring to be a problem for the lending industry," and asked, "Could you make these guys essential?" However, in an email to the Washington Post, Phillips said, "This action was not taken to benefit the industry. It benefits the consumers that have made loan applications." Unlike other "essential workers" who are working but unpaid during the partial government shutdown, the IRS agents, who returned to work several days ago, will receive their paychecks. They will be paid from fees charged mortgage lenders for the verification service. While the service has resumed, verifications will be slow at first as employees work through the substantial backlog that has built since the shutdown began. Some 400 furloughed workers returned to work last week at IRS service centers in Fresno, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Missouri, and Ogden, Utah. MBA has also said its advocacy was responsible for the resumptions of National Flood Insurance Program endorsements. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had halted the issuance of new policies at the start of the shutdown. Wu Yanhua, deputy head of the China National Space Administration said at a news conference Monday that the next step in China's lunar exploration program, the Chang'e 5 mission, will take place around the end of this year. The Chang'e 5 robotic probe is designed to collect samples and bring them back to Earth, which will make China the third nation in the world to bring lunar samples back after the United States and Russia. Wu also said that the country's first Mars mission is scheduled around 2020. ABC/Fred LeePanic! at the Disco has teamed up with New Jersey's Asbury Park Brewery to create a signature beer called IP!ATD. The six percent alcohol by volume IPA is described as "bold and earthy, like a West Coast IPA, but juicy and citrusy, like an East Coast IPA." "I say this often but beer really is my comfort food," says frontman Brendon Urie in a statment. "With all the traveling I do, it's something I look forward to knowing I can usually find a local beer that represents the city I'm visiting or have one of my classic favorites for when I'm feeling homesick. For me, IP!ATD is a blend of both those feelings -- uniting a familiar taste with something fresh. IP!ATD will launch during Panic's show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Friday, January 18. You can then pick up a can at the Asbury Park Brewery tasting room. Visit AsburyParkBrewery.com for more info. Urie and company are currently on tour in support of their new album, Pray for the Wicked. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. ________________________ Best in the State Washington Post's The Fix, 2011, 2009 Best in Pittsburgh Region PoliticsPA, 2011 "[W]idely cited as one of the oldest and most-read political blogs in the city" Pittsburgh City Paper, 2007 ________________________